Collegian 10.12.2023 by The Hillsdale Collegian

Students gathered on the quad over the weekend for the Student Activities Board’s annual Maker’s Market event. (See A2) Erik Teder | Student Activities Board

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Vol. 147 Issue 8 – October 12, 2023

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College names Chris Rufo Hillsdale community reacts to war in Israel By Elyse Apel kidnapping more than 1,000 fessor of classics and faculty ad“Everyone is staying indoors Digital Editor soldiers and civilians in Israeli viser to Hillsdale’s Jewish Club, right now, partly in fear of any as distinguished fellow communities near the border, said the attack has impacted not rockets actually getting past the trator, and someone who really understands the purpose of education and the need for Journalist Chris Rufo practical statesmanship and joined Hillsdale College as a politics,” Rufo said. “That disdistinguished fellow Oct. 4. cussion, as well as the class at Rufo is a senior fellow at the Pulliam fellowship, realthe Manhattan Institute and ly sparked a desire within a contributing editor at City me to be more involved with Journal. He is the author of Hillsdale, and I sent an email “America’s Cultural Revolu- to Dr. Arnn and said, ‘Hey, tion: How the Radical Left would it be possible to start Conquered Ever ything,” teaching some additional which made the New York short courses and doing some Times Bestseller List after its additional lectures and pubrelease in July. lications?’” “Chris Rufo is a smart Arnn offered Rufo a disand energetic man who has tinguished fellowship. Rufo built a career out of his in- said he wants his current genuity,” College President course to guide students toLarry Arnn said. “Beginning ward making a better culture. as an army of one, he has in“I want them to underformed legions and uncov- stand that the world we live ered the abuses of the great in is driven by profound and mighty. He does not fear, changes in intellectual, social, but he takes care to be in the economic, and political life,” right. He will be an excellent Rufo said. “And for those colleague.” students who are interested Rufo is best known for in pursuing politics, or pubhis investigative journalism lic policy, or even academic on critical race theory and careers, they shouldn’t be gender theory in schools and seduced by the popular symcorporations. bolism that you see in mass He joins the ranks of mil- media.” itary historian Victor DaRufo hopes to teach a class vis Hanson and C.S. Lewis every fall, he said. scholar Michael Ward Sophomore Maggie as distinguished McGee, a student fellows. in Rufo’s class, R u f o said her exwill teach perience courses so far has and give been exlectures cellent. to the McGee college said the commuclass has nity. This taught her week, he to articuChris Rufo is a senior fellow at is teaching late some of a one-credit the Manhattan Institute. the troubling course titled Courtesy | Facebook t hings she “Culture War has observed and Public Policy.” in the culture. “I’m trying to give stu“I have really enjoyed dents a deeper understand- the structure of the class, in ing of some of the culture which we identify the greatest war dynamics that we see in threats to American culture the news in the contempo- and discuss how to combat rary political debate,” Rufo them,” McGee said. said. “It’s a class that seeks to Rufo has a personal congo deeper than a simple left- nection to Hillsdale, as his right understanding of the grandfather grew up in the Culture War.” city and graduated from the Rufo said he wants stu- college in 1942 before serving dents to be able to effectively in World War II. interpret the issues of the day. “He actually paid his way “When students finish through college working as a the class after the end of 10 painter, so he painted some hours, they’ll be able to read of the campus buildings the news and understand many years ago,” Rufo said. contemporary controversies “Hillsdale allowed him to get at a much deeper level, and a bachelor’s degree before he understand some of the fun- went to war. He then got a damental changes that are master’s degree in electrical expressed, but in some ways engineering, was very suchidden, in these cable news cessful, and moved out to fights,” Rufo said. California, but it all started After teaching a class in here.” spring 2022 as the Dow JourRufo said he is excited to nalism Program’s Eugene C. continue meeting students. Pulliam Fellow, Rufo had “It’s just an honor and a a conversation with Arnn privilege to be working with about Aristotle, Churchill, Hillsdale,” he said, “and I look and the cultural issues of the forward to this week and day. coming back soon.” “I think he’s an extraordinary scholar, leader, adminisBy Elizabeth Troutman Editor-in-chief

Shavit Rootman ’20 was in Israel for a friend’s wedding when Hamas attacked the country Saturday. “There is a lot of shock,” Rootman said. “A lot of heavy-hearted spirits, but we remain united as a people here in Israel.” Although he’s an Israeli citizen, Rootman lives in the United States, but he says he’s planning to stay in Israel to defend it from further aggression. Another Hillsdale alumnus, Nathan Steinmeyer ’18, now lives in Jerusalem with his wife, an Arab Israeli. “This is a full-scale war, complete with the most unimaginable atrocities committed by man. This is not just another conflict with Gaza, this is something completely new that Israel has not faced in many decades,” Steinmeyer said. “The brutality and indiscriminate nature of the attacks are beyond measure.” Steinmeyer is an editor at Biblical Archaeology Review and is pursuing a Ph.D. from Tel Aviv University. The fighting in Israel began when at least 1,500 Hamas militants broke through the fences between the Gaza Strip and Israel, raping, murdering, and

according to the New York Times. Rootman said it is important to understand the horror of the situation in Israel. “Israel is dealing with animalistic and barbaric terror groups who are not conducive to peace,” Rootman said. The assault, which took place on the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War of 1973, happened simultaneously with Hamas firing more than 3,000 rockets from Gaza into Israel. The Iron Dome, Israel’s air defense system, intercepted some, but not all the rockets, according to Business Insider. Since then, Israel has gone on the offensive. Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu issued a formal declaration of war, and Israel has begun to strike hundreds of targets across Gaza. Hamas, a Palestinian Islamic terrorist movementknown to be funded by Syria, Lebanon, and Iran, specifically targeted civilians in its attack, including attendees of a music festival taking place just three miles from the Gaza border. At least 260 people have been found dead at that festival, according to CNN. Joshua Fincher, assistant pro-

just Israelis, but Jews around the world. “The Jewish community has reacted with grief and shock; it was especially upsetting given that it occurred on the festival that ends the holiday season, Simchat Torah, which is one of the most joyful holidays in the Jewish calendar as a celebration of the Torah,” Fincher said. “I think it’s important that the Hillsdale community knows that many of us have friends or relatives in Israel, and so this can be extremely distracting and upsetting.” Alumnus Nathaniel Birzer ’21 is also currently in Israel studying at the Polis Institute.

Iron Dome, partly in fear of the invaders breaching so far inward, and partly in fear that some radicalized individual, driven by fear or hate, might just start attacking people,” Birzer said. Since the weekend, Rootman has volunteered to re-join the Israel Defense Forces unit he did his mandatory service with, but it’s up to the government to decide if he will be able to fight. “I served in a special ops unit called Duvdevan, which specializes in counter-terrorism in the West Bank, dealing with high-profile terrorists,” Rootman said.

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Hillsdale alumnus Nathaniel Birzer stands on the Austrian hospice’s roof in Israel. Courtesy | Dedra Birzer

Construction on new media building to finish in 2024 By Adriana Azarian Collegian Reporter

Construction of the studio portion of the Pat Sajak Visual Media Center will be finished in February 2024, according to Chief Administrative Officer Rich Péwé. “It’s going to be a game changer from a visual media standpoint,” Péwé said. “You don’t have to set up a studio in different places and try to make that work. It’s all there. You have all the equipment. It’s state of the art.” The building at the intersection of Fayette and Union streets requires two construction phases: one for the studio and one for the surrounding

office spaces, which will come at a later date. Director of Visual Media and Marketing Mark Waters said production for outreach videos will begin in the studio in early 2024. “Because the college has been doing an increasing amount of media, we need a bigger space,” Waters said. “The media portion of the college is meant to address that audience who won’t go to Hillsdale but still wants to learn all that Hillsdale wants to teach them.” Péwé said the 10,500-squarefoot visual media studio will be completely soundproof, featuring smooth floors for rolling cameras, a green room, and room for sets, makeup, and equipment.

According to Waters, the usable studio space is 80 x 60 feet, and can hold four to five filming sets. This will allow the visual media team to work on more projects at a time, including commercials, online courses, and videos for K-12 outreach. While the building will primarily serve the media and marketing teams, students will also have the opportunity to use the space to film documentaries. Junior and photographer Jack Cote said he was impressed with the building’s design as suitable for filming professional videos. “Lots of people that I’ve talked to haven’t been impressed with how the building looks, but

that’s actually very intentional,” Cote said. “It’s pretty essential that no outside lighting interferes with the sets. While it may look bland from the outside right now, I’m confident it will match the rest of the buildings on campus when it’s finished.” Waters said the studio will enable the college to reach and educate a greater audience. “We’re having an increasing impact on that audience that wants to learn from Hillsdale,” Waters said. “Our bottom line goal is to be more and more effective, always reaching a broader audience with the content we have to offer, and the studio’s a step in the right direction to increase the amount of content.”

Security warns about potential predator By Logan Washburn Associate Editor The college locked doors on campus after Campus Security warned in an Oct. 9 email that a potentially dangerous man was in the area. “This subject was on campus recently and is known to wear Hillsdale College attire,” said Joe Kellam, director of security and emergency management, in the email. “We will be implementing locked doors.” Joseph Robert Bruneau, 54, is known for “assaultive and predatory behavior,” according to Kellam. Security locked the doors to campus buildings and has been patrolling to find Bruneau.

Kellam sent another email lice Department told security Oct. 11, saying there have been Bruneau was in the area, and seno additional confirmed sight- curity has taken reports of him ings of Bruneau on campus. on campus, according to Kellam. “As a precaution we will Bruneau is white, 6 feet tall, remain in the current and has brown hair locked status until and brown eyes. He we know further drives a 2012 dark on his location,” blue Jeep CherKellam said in okee with New the email. “AdYork license ministration plates and a and security large dent in have been cothe rear passenordinating Joseph Robert Bruneau has been seen on ger bumper. their efforts campus multiple times in the last week. S t u to assist lo- Courtesy | Campus Security dents, staff, cal authoriand faculty ties with all investigations refer- should call security at 517-398ence [sic] trespass and theft.” 1522 if they see Bruneau on camThe City of Hillsdale Po- pus, and call 911 if confronted,

according to Kellam. “Do not approach or engage with this individual,” he said. Kellam said students should download the RAVE Guardian app in case of emergencies. He reminded students to carry IDs to enter buildings and avoid holding doors open for anyone they do not know. “Please be aware that anything you post on social media is potentially visible to him also,” Kellam said. The security email included a surveillance photo that captured Bruneau entering Mossey Library wearing a hat, glasses, and a blue Hillsdale College sweatshirt.

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A2 October 12, 2023

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SAB to turn the Splex into a drive-in theater By Linnea Shively Assitant Editor The Student Activities Board will host a drive-in movie showing of “Hocus Pocus,” tomorrow evening at 8 p.m. According to sophomore and media team member Erik Teder, the event is a new spin on SAB’s movie night tradition. “Last year, we had a movie night out on the quad, but we planned for not having a quad this year,” Teder said. “A drive-in movie is a cool aesthetic and kind of a throwback that’s pretty in right now.” Keeping with the movie

night tradition, SAB will be serving popcorn and movie candy, according to Teder. If the weather cooperates, the movie will be held in the parking lot of the Roche Sports Complex, Teder said. “For people driving in, we just ask that if you have a smaller car, you park toward the front and if you have a larger car you park toward the back,” he said. “We’re planning on starting pretty close to 8 p.m. on the dot, so we recommend allotting time if you’re driving.” Sound for the movie will be broadcast through a radio transponder set-up so that cars can tune into the mov-

ie, Teder said. However, cars are not necessary to enjoy the drive-in movie. “People are welcome to bring blankets and sit in front of the cars,” Teder said. “SAB will also be bringing some blankets.” Junior and SAB events team lead Abby Richardson encouraged students to enjoy the fall spirit at the event. “We want to give students an opportunity to get out of the dorm with friends and do something unique as the weather gets colder, and to get excited for the changing season,” Richardson said. “We will have fun snacks and ‘Hocus Pocus’ to put students

in the fall mood.” If the weather does not cooperate, the movie will be held indoors, according to Teder. He encouraged students to check the SAB instagram for the final location. Teder encouraged students to enjoy a chill night in the midst of a stressful exam season. “This is an event where you don’t have to organize people, you don’t have to cook, you don’t have to pick a movie,” Teder said. “You just get to sit back, relax, and enjoy what’s become a Halloween classic that is absurd and funny. Laugh all your stress out.”

Students set up shop at Maker’s Market

Students transformed the Michael Alex Mossey Library colonnade into a bazaar last weekend, selling their culinary and crafty creations. The Student Activities Board held its fourth annual Maker’s Market Oct. 7. Typically held in front of Christ Chapel, this year’s market was hastily moved under the colonnade due to rain. “It was a really wholesome thing, everyone that was in Maker’s Market, as soon as

it started to rain, everybody helped everybody, and it was pretty efficient,” junior and SAB team member Phoebe Vanheyningen said. Despite the sudden change of plans, students crowded in the colonnade lined with tables to view and purchase their classmates’ goods. Students showcased homemade creations, including foods, personal care items, artwork, balloons, knitted goods, and jewelry. “I love that bazaar feeling,” junior Myah Gebhard said. “There’s tons of people that do

creative stuff that I had no idea they do. So it’s a fun way to see what classmates are doing.” Sellers included casual hobbyists as well as experienced small business owners. Junior Emma Turner sold her own handmade jewelry for her third consecutive year at Maker’s Market. She said she has owned Star Girl Jewelry since August 2020 and has had a passion for jewelry making and owning a business since elementary school. “I have people who come back every year and show me their earrings they’re wearing

that they bought last year,” Turner said. “I like seeing people shop in real life because I have an online store, so it’s really fun to see the buying process.” Homemade food items were popular among the seller’s tables, ranging from muffins to coffee drinks to Greek pastries. Junior Clare Oldenburg sold handmade pasta for her first time participating in the market. Oldenburg said her family started cooking pasta as a summertime hobby, and she wanted to continue it in college. “I love it so much, it’s a preview of what it’s going to be like as a farmers market mom, which is one of my goals in life,” Oldenburg said. “I’m a very big fan of this. I’m very interested in homesteading, and this is a good way to get my feet wet.” Maker’s Market enabled students to bond over creative talents and the fruits of their personal hobbies, according to Turner. “It’s a really good opportunity to meet more people,” Turner said. “Now I know so many more people who buy jewelry from me and it’s just a really fun time.”

Security from A1

Israel from A1

targets civilians in Gaza. Rootman said the support of the international community is critical for Israel in the face of the horror of the situation they are facing. “The vocal support of Israel and condemnation of the actions of Hamas are of chief importance to help Israel on the international level,” he said. “We will do whatever it takes to fight for our families and our country to bring this to an end.” Steinmeyer added it is important to understand the root of the conflict. “This is not a war between the Jews and the Arabs. This is a war between Hamas and Israel. Hamas wants to maintain power in the Gaza Strip and beyond, and this is their play to prove that armed resistance is still viable,” he said. So far, the Hillsdale College Passages trip to Israel is still planned for winter, but Don Westblade, assistant professor of religion, said no one knows what will come in the coming weeks. Senior Abigail Snyder hosts a show on WRFH Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM called “The Virtual Voyage,” which features different sites in Israel. For this week’s episode, she is interviewing Hillel Fuld, a Jewish technology business adviser who lost his brother in a terrorist attack in 2018. Fuld spoke about the situation in Israel, where he lives. “I asked him about what he and Israel are experiencing and he shared the sickening things Hamas is doing to Jews,” Snyder said. “We have to talk about what is happening and share the truth. There is no other way to

put it: terrorists — and that is what they are — attacked Israel. This situation is actually not at all complex.” Since the attack, both Birzer and Steinmeyer said most people in Israel are staying inside. On Saturday rocket sirens were going off almost nonstop, Steinmeyer said. They continue to go off regularly, sending everyone to the nearest bomb shelters. “It isn’t a constant state of fear,” Steinmeyer said. “You find a way to get on with your life anyway.” For Rootman, the conflict is still very immediate for the hundreds of thousands of Israelis working together as a nation. “The Israeli people are some of the most tenacious people,” he said. “Thousands of people are volunteering to do everything from delivering food and equipment, to going into the frontline.” Rootman said Israel will rise out of this crisis and defend itself. “The Israeli people are a nation of lions who pursue liberty and peace,” Rootman said. “What’s happening is not about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the road to peace; it is about Israel defending itself against the devil.” Birzer said he hopes the conflict won’t spiral out of control, but that he is afraid things could get worse. “If other countries like Lebanon and Iran start to get more involved, things could get really ugly,” Birzer said. “Please, please keep all the inhabitants of the Holy Land in your prayers.”

Vendors set up tables to sell their homemade goods to fellow students and community members. Erik Teder | Student Activities Board

By Adriana Azarian Collegian Reporter

Senior Emilie Moneyhon said she was talking to friends about Jordan Peterson in Howard Music Hall on Oct. 2 when Bruneau approached the group. “He was like ‘Oh yeah, that Jordan Peterson guy is from Canada. He got fired from a free speech problem,’” Moneyhon said, adding that the group assumed he was a friend of the college. Senior Anna Julia Bassols said when Moneyhon told her about the encounter, she remembered seeing Bruneau leave Howard the same day. “I figured it was a parent or someone visiting,” Bassols said. “When she was describing it, I remembered, ‘Oh my gosh, that was the guy I had seen.’” According to Bassols, students have been vigilant about keeping each other safe. She said residents of Manning Street checked on a suspicious situation Tuesday night. “Everyone in my house heard this blood-curdling scream,” Bassols said. “It was probably nothing. It could have been someone trying to mess with us.” Students from several houses went outside and checked to make sure everyone was safe. “The guys waited until we went back home to return,” Bassols said. “It made me feel a lot safer knowing that everyone was paying attention and on the lookout.”

Israel has mobilized more than 360,000 reservists since Saturday, more than any other time in Israel’s history, according to the Washington Post. Even if he isn’t allowed to rejoin his unit, Rootman said he plans to find some way to serve. “I enlisted on the waitlist and am hopeful to assist my comrades in Duvdevan as soon as possible,” Rootman said. “If I cannot do that, I am eager to find another way to volunteer.” Steinmeyer also said he has friends who have been sent to the front lines. “One of the hardest things with this is knowing that they are in the line of fire, and I am sitting on my couch,” Steinmeyer said. “Nothing is worse than knowing that you are under imminent threat and having nothing that you can do about it.” Since Rootman’s unit was first called into combat on Saturday to save hostages, it has already taken losses. “Some of the same people that I’ve had at the wedding with me have been deployed in southern Israel,” Rootman said. “We lost three of my unit, my teammates and comrades, in an operation.” According to the U.S. State Department, at least 22 American citizens have already been reported dead, with others missing or believed to be among the more than 100 kidnapped by Hamas from Israel and taken across the border into Gaza. Hamas, which is known for using civilians as human shields, has said it will begin to kill a civilian hostage every time Israel

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Mock trial prepares to kick off fall season By Catherine Maxwell Collegian Reporter Students on the Hillsdale College Mock Trial team have been reviewing case materials and developing legal strategies in preparation for the first tournaments of the season this month. “We’re all excited for the competitive season, especially with our stellar group of new freshmen,” sophomore Nathan Emslie said. Emslie said Hillsdale College gave him his first opportunity to try mock trial. “I enjoy the competition, the teamwork, the creativity, the subject matter, and the art of telling a single narrative, all of which make mock trial great,” he said. The program has developed significantly during the past 13 years, according to Emslie. “In our first season, HCMT’s one team only won two and a half out of eight ballots at regionals, the lowest level of competition during the competitive season,” Emslie said. Emslie said it took nine years before a Hillsdale team went to nationals. “This last year was our program’s best,” Emslie said. “We were one of seven programs to send not one but two teams to nationals.” Junior and team captain Abigail Davis said the team wants to represent Hillsdale well this season. “I am looking forward to traveling to tournaments and seeing teams that we have competed with before,” she said. “It’s really fun to bond with other schools over this bizarre, wonderful activity, and it teaches us to be professional as well as zealous advocates.” Davis said she is excited to see how the team deals with this season’s challenges.

“In this year’s case, the prosecution can choose from two different defendants and 10 different charges, so on our defense, we have to be ready to respond to several different trial scenarios,” she said. “We prepare for the season by deciding the story we want to tell about the case for prosecution and for the defense, writing examinations for our witnesses and attorneys, and scrimmaging each other.” Senior and team social chair Konrad Verbaarschott said he appreciates the variety of mock trial. “Mock trial is kind of the perfect blend of debate and theater — it’s intellectually demanding, makes you think on your feet, and demands top-tier forensic skills,” he said. Verbaarschott said what he likes most about mock trial is the community. “I do mock trial because the team is kind of my family,” he said. “Our coaches were former competitors, and there’s a sense of legacy there: every new tournament we get invited to, every time we clear regionals or get a bid to nationals, they’re celebrating too.” Emslie agreed that community is a major draw of the team. “Some of my best friends and biggest role models are my teammates,” he said. “From top to bottom, the rosters are full of ambitious yet caring people who want to lift each other up more than anything.” Verbaarschott said he wants the team to remain gratitude-focused. “I want to make sure we stay thankful to God for how bountifully he’s dealt with us, crazy opportunities, and incredible support from the rhetoric department,” he said. “We’re so blessed.”

The mock trial team poses for a photo at Rockwell Lake Lodge. Courtesy | Chloe Noller

SAB to host Bops and Boba at Mauck Residence By Lillian Ferrell Collegian Freelancer The Student Activities Board will host its next event, Bops and Boba, on Tuesday Oct. 17 in the Mauck Solarium. The event will take place from 7-9 p.m. The Student Activities Board will provide two types of boba tea, one with traditional tapioca pearls and one with popping boba, in addition to music for students to enjoy before the start of fall break. The boba will be free of charge for all student attendees. “Bops and Boba is such a laid back and relaxed event,” senior and SAB team member Gabby Lewis said. “We want it to be something fun and enjoyable where students can meet up with friends to grab a treat.” SAB encourages everyone

to bring friends and to use this event as an opportunity for a much deserved study break. “This could be a pick-meup for studying, or friend groups can make an experience out of it,” Lewis said. The event will kick off the fall break, which begins the following day after classes finish. For students who have not explored Mauck yet, SAB board members said it is a unique spot on campus with notable history. The spacious solarium was recently renovated and is decorated in a 1920s style. “The solarium is a very beautiful and historic space on campus, so it gives everyone a reason to check it out,” sophomore and SAB promo team member Daniel Doyle said. “Also free boba is an opportunity you simply cannot pass up.”

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Alumnus discusses historic community

Students to start new bowling club on campus By Olivia Hajicek Science & Tech Editor A new campus bowling club seeks to give Hillsdale students a chance to bowl together more often and improve their technique. The club’s president, junior Kirsten Lopez, said he hopes to have bowling nights at Hillsdale Lanes or Litchfield Lates in Jonesville every other week, open to around 20 to 30 students. “We’re going to open up spots and they can come and bowl for free,” Lopez said. “We’ll pay for shoes. We’ll pay for lane time. And if we have sufficient funds, also pay for food and drink like pizzas and sodas and stuff like that, similar to what SAB does for their bowling night, but we want to have this on a more consistent

basis.” The club’s secretary, senior Lauren Gergens, is a certified level 1 United States Bowling Congress coach, a credential she earned while working as the director of youth activities for a bowling alley in California. “I ran youth bowling leagues, which is why I became a bowling coach,” Gergens said. “I got paid to become a coach so that I could teach children how to bowl.” At Hillsdale, Gergens said she plans to use her skills to help bowlers in the club understand the scoring system and improve their technique. Junior Kaeleigh Otting, the club’s vice president, said having a bowling coach will encourage students to give the sport a shot.

“A lot of people have said that part of why they don’t go bowling often here is because they just simply don’t know how and they’re bad at it, and they don’t want to go and do something they’re bad at,” Otting said. She said the students she’s told about the club have been enthusiastic to come and learn. Otting and her sister, who is a freshman this year, bowled competitively in high school. “B owling in southern Michigan is actually a pretty big deal,” Otting said. “I’m from Kalamazoo, so I would come down to Coldwater sometimes to go bowling for tournaments, and Jackson actually is where they have regionals.” Lopez, on the other hand, didn’t find his passion for bowling until he and Otting

started dating. “We would go on bowling dates, and I got really mad that she kept beating me,” Lopez said. “So then I bought a bowling ball, got trained by one of the bowling alley owners on how to bowl, and within like two weeks I ended up beating her.” Lopez said that while bowling is gaining popularity as an event activity, the community aspect is declining. “There’s actually a decline in bowling leagues and communities where people know who they’re bowling with every single week,” Lopez said. “And we’re trying to kind of bring that aspect back.” Students who are interested in joining the club when it launches can contact any of the board members for more information.

Panel shares advice on careers in writing so we would just fry those. It was really hard.’” Tabor said they were Nick Tabor ’09 examined haunted by those memories. the decline of a community Tabor credited the decline founded by freedmen who of Africatown mostly to exentered America on the last ternal economic causes, but transatlantic slave ship in a said his economic explanalecture Monday. tion is somewhat an oversimThe English department plification. and Dow Journalism Pro“They didn’t put the facgram hosted Tabor’s lecture, tories next to Africatown based on his book, “Africa- because they wanted to give town: America’s Last Slave people cancer,” Tabor said. Ship and the Community It “They put the factories there Created.” Published earlier because they wanted to make this year, the book explores money and this was the path how a Mobile, Alabama, of least resistance.” neighborhood began, While Tabor wrote thrived, and fell the book, Netflix into disrepair. came out with Ta b o r a movie to said Garry which he Lumbers, contributthe greated called g r e a t “Descengrandson d a n t , ” of the last which tells survivor of the story of Nick Tabor graduated from the original the descenHillsdale College in 2009. founders of Afdants of Colman Rowan | Collegian ricatown, asked those who the question that were on that provoked Tabor to write his last slave ship. book. “The film got a lot of at“You don’t need to be tention,” Tabor said. “The writing about the descen- book hasn’t really raised dants,” Tabor said Lumbers awareness to the extent that told him. “You should be the film has, but it definitely writing about the neighbor- tells the whole story, which hood.” you can’t get from the movTabor said Lumbers no- ie.” ticed a stark contrast beJunior Will Gagnon said tween how the neighborhood he was interested in the was and how it is. book’s impact and Tabor’s With such a steep decline, ability to pull together all the Lumbers posed another information. question to Tabor: What hap“I found it interesting how pened to Africatown? How in depth a writer like Nick did it get to be that way? had to go to get the detailed “‘When I grew up there in information that he had,” the ’50s and ’60s, it was a Gagnon said, “as well as the thriving community,’” Tabor great importance that a projsaid Lumbers told him. “‘Ev- ect like this had to the indierybody had big families. viduals of that community.” There were good jobs. There Associate Professor of was a corridor of small busi- English Dwight Lindley nesses, and you could walk said he found he could reseverywhere. Now when I onate with Tabor’s point on go and visit, the place looks economic and racial distinclike a war zone. The business tions. district has been destroyed. “What I thought was reHalf the housing stock is ally interesting was the fine falling apart. There’s still a distinction between these ton of heavy industry. A lot questions of racial and ecoof it has just swallowed up nomic motivation, which the neighborhood.’” I found pretty compelling, Tabor said he first won- having lived in Texas and dered if some form of envi- Arkansas,” Lindley said. ronmental racism motivated “There are a lot of cases like the destruction of the neigh- that where poor black peoborhood. ple have gotten treated in the “It’s not a coincidence ways they’ve been treated, that this community estab- not just because ‘I hate you,’ lished by survivors of the but because ‘you guys are last slave voyage is now the path of least resistance.’” like the designated industrial Tabor said when he first dumping ground in southern visited Africatown, he felt Alabama,” Tabor said. very out of place. But when Some residents Tabor he asked residents and comtalked to said they used to munity leaders how they felt have to go fishing to put food about him moving to their on the table, but the water community to write about was so polluted that some it, they all responded very fish were blackened on the positively. inside. “They all pretty much said “‘We usually didn’t eat that ‘We need all the help we those ones,’” Tabor said they can get. So if you’re going told him, “but some weeks to do a responsible job, we’d we just didn’t catch enough love to have you,’” he said. By Colman Rowan Collegian reporter

By Quinn Delamater Collegian Reporter Real world reporting experience is essential for anyone who wants to pursue journalism, Ingrid Jacques, a columnist at USA Today, said during a panel discussion last Monday. The panel of six guest speakers presented for “Career Conversations: Careers in Journalism & Media,” informing students how to make the most of their early writing experiences to garner success. The panel was led by Tim Carney, a columnist at The Washington Examiner and Jacques, who were joined by Naomi Balk from the World News Group, Brendan Clarey of Chalkboard News, Cole McNeely with the Franklin News Foundation, and Mark Libke from the McKibben Media Group. Jacques ’02, Clarey ’18, and McNeely ’19 are all Hillsdale College alumni. Jacques was the former assistant director of the Dow Journalism Program at Hillsdale, from 2005 to 2011. The speakers shared their individual stories and how they grew in their careers from their time in undergrad to where they are now. “I think that just nuts and bolts reporting experience is really important for any journalist, no matter what you’re going to do,” Jacques said.

While some always knew they wanted a career in journalism and went on to pursue master’s degrees, others didn’t pursue journalism until after undergrad, or went a less traditional route. Jacques said she didn’t decide to pursue journalism until after she graduated from Hillsdale as an English major. She worked a number of different jobs in the field before stepping into her current role of an opinion columnist at USA Today. “It’s a challenge in a good way to be a conservative voice,” Jacques said about working at USA Today. “A lot of our readers aren’t necessarily expecting to find my point of view. So, I get a lot of pushback, but I also get a lot of support from people who are pleased to see a different kind of opinion, so it’s rewarding work and I enjoy it a lot.” Carney said before he was hired by The Washington Examiner, he worked under Robert Novak, the late political columnist, gaining the journalism learning experience of a lifetime. Carney then recognized a need for writing on corporate welfare. “This was a niche where other journalists weren’t writing about the anti-business people who were socialists, the pro-free market people who just blindly thought that business was their friend,” Carney said. “So,

through writing a bunch of articles on that, I then got what was then called the Phillips Fellowship, now the Novak Fellowship, to write a book.” For some of the panel, starting early on and learning their true passions in journalism was key. McNeely said he discovered his passion for journalism, specifically radio broadcasting, when he was still in high school. He garnered a substantial social media following and started his own podcasts. During his freshman year, McNeely was encouraged by Director of the Dow Journalism Program John J. Miller to get involved with WRFH Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM, which was a brand new part of the journalism department at the time. “I credit John Miller a lot for a lot of the good things I’ve done in journalism,” McNeely said. “I was the ad manager for the Collegian and I was involved in the radio station, and I think I was the first sports director and did all the first sports broadcast that was involved with local media around here doing local broadcasts, video streams, and on air stuff for high school sports and things like that.” After graduation, McNeely worked for radio stations, earned his master’s degree in communication leadership, and started his own marketing company before he was recruited to

his current position at America’s Talking Network. Clarey also started his career in journalism somewhat early on. During his time at Hillsdale, Clarey was an avid writer for The Collegian. “I realized I need to have some experience doing this,” Clarey said. “I talked to Mr. Miller and he said to do an internship, so I went through the National Journalism Center.” Clarey interned at the New York Post and after graduation went on to work at the editorial page of USA Today. “I was a fact checker. I would write occasionally, but a lot of it was reading a lot of pieces, making sure that everything was 100% correct,” Clarey said. “I was also being held to very high standards, and it was a very good experience of thinking through every single argument that’s being made in a piece.” Clarey noted that because of his vast array of writing experience, becoming a news reporter for the Chalkboard News, a K-12 education news coverage outlet, was a smooth transition. “It has been pretty easy to switch from opinion to straight news reporting because you have the foundations of good reporting,” Clarey said. “If you are doing that in your opinion work, it’s really easy to transfer to straight news.”

Pi Beta Phi hosts annual Mr. Hillsdale fundraiser By Micah Hart Political Correspondent Freshman Joshua Underwood took home the title of Mr. Hillsdale at the annual male talent show hosted by the sorority Pi Beta Phi in Plaster Auditorium on Oct. 6. “I love this kind of stuff — it’s simultaneously so stupid and funny,” Underwood said. “Plus, this particular pageant was for charity, and who doesn’t love charity?” While the pageant took place on a single night, the race for the crown started in the days leading up to the main event, with Penny Wars — a competition in which students put money into jars to add or subtract points from contestants. Pennies were worth negative points, while any other cash was positive. After a week of Penny Wars, men representing various campus groups competed in the categories of formal wear, personal interviews, talent, and pick up lines at the Friday night event. Underwood performed a song dedicated to loving women as a spoof on “I Want Candy,” originally performed by The Strangeloves. Others performed card tricks, told jokes, sang, and one contestant even played the board game Operation. Suites Residence representative and senior Christopher

Dick taught the audience how to make soup and bread. During the performance his date, senior Anna Julia Bassols, surprisedhim when she threw a piece of bread to junior Jack Cote in the audience. “That was one of the most impressive things I’ve ever seen,” Dick said. Dick said he had a good time and loves all of his fellow competitors. “Mr. Hillsdale was a great time of boys supporting boys,” Dick said. “I remember during the pickup lines the boys would gas each other up. It was less of a competition and more of an

escapade of male bonding.” Proceeds, which amassed nearly $1600, go to support the sorority’s philanthropy focused on children’s literacy, according to Vice President of Community Relations Abby Fleming. “Read > Lead > Achieve was founded with the intention of combatting children’s illiteracy, and does this through providing books, reading materials, and grants to schools across the nation to inspire a lifelong love of reading,” Fleming said. “In supporting children’s literacy, Pi Phi aims to support a more literate and productive society.” Pi Beta Phi president and

Joshua Underwood performs his talent with fellow Galloway residents. Micah Hart | Collegian

senior Hannah Allen said the event helps both the Hillsdale College community and the city itself. “Not only is Mr. Hillsdale an opportunity to bring together the greater campus community, it is also a successful way in which we are able to give back to children with our literacy efforts right here in Hillsdale,” Allen said. “That is one of my favorite parts of our philanthropy. A good portion of the funds we raise return back to the Hillsdale schools, in particular, the local community action preschool.”

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Devil’s Advocate with Claire Gaudet

He isn’t Hillsdale’s First Predator, and he probably won’t be our last Let’s talk criminals. I was as scared as anyone when we got the email from the security office Monday night, and personally, I would not like to run into Mr. Bruneau. That said, this isn’t the first time we’ve had predators or felons close to campus, so we shouldn’t be cowering in fear any more than we usually do. As a group of fun loving 20-something-year-old ladies, my housemates and I were quick to check the Michigan Sex Offender Registry when we moved into our new home in August. Did you know there are 46 convicted sex offenders living within two miles of

Comics Sans

Hillsdale College? Now you do. I’m not saying you should throw caution to the wind during our present situation. Obviously, if security emailed every student, faculty, and staff member, we should be taking this threat pretty seriously. But locking yourself indoors and skipping classes in the middle of midterms is a pretty drastic response. I think our behavior should change a little given the circumstances, but not too much. Typical advice like “use the buddy system” aside, there are some smart moves to better your own sanity and that of those around you.

Locking your doors and windows is generally a good idea, not just when there is a security threat. Probably refrain from screaming on the street at night while a predator is on the loose — a problem a fellow Collegian staff member clued me into. Actually, in general, let’s only shriek when absolutely necessary. Keep your student ID on you. I’ve let three people into Lane and Kendall halls over the past few days. A fun game to play is: “If there were an armed man behind me, I wonder how long would it take me to swipe in?” This should help you remember.

Drawn by Susannah Stonebraker Collegian Cartoonist

Manning Street isn’t just for Greeks and athletes By Michael Bachmann Features Editor Are you an independent tired of watching a movie with your two friends for the fourth Saturday in a row? Has swing club finally become a drag on your fundie social life? Maybe you feel the need to try out some more gyrational moves instead? Fortunately, there is an easily accessible and boundlessly fun solution — Manning Street. This hub for late night shenanigans is just a short jaunt from campus and open to students from all corners of campus. As an independent, you may not think you belong at parties thrown by Greeks or athletes, but as a GDI with experience hitting up Manning Street, I can tell you that’s wrong. Even if you didn’t get an invitation to this weekend’s parties, no one is going to stop you from joining in the festivities. While I admit being surrounded by a group other than your own can be daunting — I for one rarely step foot on the

Duplex stoop — by a certain point in the night, everyone becomes your friend. If you want to speed up the process, bust out your best dance moves, and you won’t be dancing alone for long. And if you’re still worried about finding yourself in a corner, just bring a friend along with you. No one should allow stigmas or social anxiety to get in the way of a good time. Hillsdale parties — tame by state school metrics — are a safe space to drink responsibly and let loose. Getting wasted is frowned upon, and most students will dance and chat without mindless drinking. Jungle’s spacious backyard is a great place for conversations, Graceland has some of the best live music, and any porch is always a welcoming place to stop by. Aside from being more fun than staying in for yet another weekend going out to parties is a great way to heal the cultural divide on campus. Differences between frat and fundie, greek and independent, athlete and NARP — or non athletic regular person — will always be

present. But partying is a great first step in extending the olive branch. On the part of the independent, it’s an admission that we don’t think all frat bros are halfwit alcoholics. And on the part of said frat bros, welcoming independents — or even fundies — into their homes is an acknowledgment that we are not all complete losers. It takes a bit of humility and goodwill from both sides. Of course, the peace offering must extend in reverse as well. Independents should host more parties — ragers or otherwise — which Greeks and athletes should attend. Campus is far too small to be divided and parties, overflowing with social lubricant, are a great place to begin strengthening our community.

Claire Gaudet is a senior studying rhetoric and journalism.

Let’s make art for art’s sake, not propaganda’s By Caroline Kurt Collegian Reporter

Want to submit ideas for “Comics Sans” artwork or captions? Check in next week for a link to our submission page, or email mgaudet@hillsdale.edu in the meantime!

Maybe take the airpods out during your walks to and from campus. While writing this article, I’ve listened to “In My Head” by Jason Derulo 12 times, so I’m as upset about this sacrifice as anyone. But if someone’s screaming at you from down the street, it’s better to be aware of it than not. These are a few easy steps you can take to protect yourself, but life should ultimately continue as normal during these trying times.

Enough with the propaganda: I want art. I’m not here to complain about the quality media being produced by artists or directors that happen to vote a different way than I do. What I take issue with is media that pretends to be some form of art — literature, film, painting, music — while pushing an agenda, signaling to its audience that they are unworthy of anything higher. Art and propaganda surround us on all sides, with lines that grow more blurred with the release of every new movie, album, or mural. Conservative commentators are quick to lambast Hollywood as a factory of leftist propaganda, yet slow to examine the actions of their own side. What we need is a renewed understanding of what good art is, and an effort to create beautiful media not driven by an agenda. It’s not a simple or easy undertaking, but it’s worthwhile. I’m an artist, an aspiring writer, and illustrator whose desk boasts a formidable supply of charcoal, ink, and sketchbooks. I want to create, to write, to illustrate. It’s an insatiable urge. And here’s something absolutely pivotal: I don’t need to create conservative, or even Christian, propaganda to sow truth in our barren cultural landscape. I must do something immeasurably more simple — and difficult. I must create art. One and a half years ago, I walked into the Sistine Chapel for the first time. It was a packed room, yet hushed. We stumbled into each other, our eyes fixed on the ceiling. It was real, this miracle of fresco and brick and 16th-century dust. Left to my own devices, I could have spent my entire stay in

Michael Bachmann is a senior studying history and Latin.

The Sistine Chapel inspires wonder. Courtesy | Singulart

Rome there, enveloped in the chapel’s dizzying glory. Art like Michelangelo’s inspires wonder. I’m sure, out of all the upturned, wide-eyed faces in the chapel, some were Buddhist or agnostic or Muslim. In that moment, it didn’t matter. Those frescoes were Catholic artwork, but also magnificently human, calling to a transcendence born of common incarnate experience. We would all have said it in different words, but in that moment we were proud to be human: messy, fallen, and free. Somewhere, under all that frescoed plaster, Michelangelo had written the naked truth of human dignity. Art is gritty because real life is gritty. I recall the intensity of the film “A Hidden Life.” Despite the soaring elegance of its soundtrack and cinematography, nothing about the film is sanitized. “A Hidden Life” raises hard questions of morality. Its characters are quiet and painfully ordinary, making sacrifices that go unseen and uncelebrated. They struggle to live their beliefs in a time when even religious authorities take the easy way out. Their ends are unglamorous, but hauntingly redemptive. Compare that ardent, bloodied Christianity to cheesey Hallmark-esque Christian movies. Which is more real to us? Which is capable of bringing goodness into the dark of our lives? There’s a temptation to respond to preachy woke art with the conservative or Christian equivalent: a neatly-packaged, anti-woke message illustrated by helpful examples. But this betrays a fundamental mistrust of the recipient. Art has no need to talk down to its audience. It transforms its recipients not by confidently sermonizing but by meeting them where they are. It is quiet. It raises questions. It takes the recipient’s

hand. I’ve been listening to “The Lament of Eustace Scrubb” by the Oh Hellos, a folk song that approaches sin differently. It begins in a slow, mournful profession of fault, transforming into a riotously joyful jig. The song brings the listener on a riveting journey of redemption that is at once deeply personal and universal. Its approach is anything but preachy. You get the sense that the musicians are wrestling with the same eternal struggles you are. It’s a song I’ve walked through with friends, discovering in ourselves the depths of depravity and the light of hope. It will be quite the effort to reestablish art where propaganda has been sown. It’s often impossible to completely separate the two or distinguish between them — there’s no sharp divide. But we can take the first step and adopt a discerning mindset. Good art comes from a multitude of sources: real genius knows no bounds of time, class, or political party. We must keep our faith in the universality of truth, rather than limiting ourselves to media produced by people with our exact political and religious leanings. We have a responsibility to create, not out of a driving urge to destroy the “other side,” but as a glad celebration of goodness. Art like this welcomes everyone, for it calls upon our universal ability to appreciate what is true. It speaks transcendence, enduring across the ravages of time. Civilization has not ended, yet. We still have the time — and the ability — to create beautiful things that matter, that endure, and that move past the political or social agendas of the day to capture the full human experience. Caroline Kurt is a sophomore studying English.

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October 12, 2023 A5

A Professor’s Opinion

Compiled by Alexandra Comus

“What’s one thing on your bucket list?” Stephen Smith, English “See a live performance of Mozart’s music for the glass harmonica.”

Anna Navrotska- Don Westblade, ya, French Religion “To go to Bhutan because of how separated it is from the rest of the world.”

“To visit Iceland because of the otherworldly landscape.”

Lee Cole, Philosophy

Charles Yost, History

Darryl Hart, History

“Extemporaneously, I’d say learning an instrument, traveling to the cold parts of Europe with my wife (and whatever warm parts she’d prefer), and reading/teaching a number of painfully difficult books in my queue. “

“To do the Camino de Santiago.”

“I’d go to Carthage to see the North African parts of where the Roman Empire was.”

Stop the Tik- Who lost the primary debate? Tokification of music By Joshua Mistry Collegian REporter

By Alexandra Hall Design editor

Chicago’s Lincoln Hall was at capacity. Hundreds of teenagers filed into the auditorium and stared starry-eyed — almost drooling — at the stage about to be graced by yet another TikTok star. But instead of the evening being filled with sing-alongs, it was embarrassingly silent except for the chorus of one song. This is what many people in the music industry call the TikTokification of music. When songs go viral on the social media platform, they garner millions of uses and streams, which sets up a promising future for aspiring artists in a notoriously difficult industry. But when it comes down to live shows, merchandise purchasing, and career longevity, we’re running into some major problems. TikTok has radically altered our consumption of music and in this process has harmed both artists and listeners. Despite this, TikTok has reshaped the music industry in many positive ways. Artists used to require the backing of a major label in order to be even remotely successful, and although there are still many perks to being signed to one of these, artists can succeed without them. TikTok offers an avenue of free, creative marketing that when done consistently, almost always works. It has also resurrected classics like Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill (a Deal With God)” and Baby Tate’s “Hey Mickey” sample. It has the ability to breathe new life into old tunes and expose younger generations to older music. But when audiences are not given the tools or even the expectation to engage with artists on a deeper level, we risk losing the very things people love the most about music: the community, the in-person experiences, and the connection. This artist at Lincoln Hall signed to one of the biggest record labels at the age of 18. He has amassed millions of streams on every platform imaginable and has built a steady following of fans from all over the world. And yet, at a sold-out live show, the audience knew 20 words. TikTok cheapens music as an art form because it demands virtually nothing of listeners. Instead of actively searching for music to listen to — whether that be at a record store, on the radio, or even scrolling through streaming services — TikTok users are served the songs

that everyone else is consuming on a silver algorithmic platter. They’re even spoonfed the exact few-second section of virality in a track. Used as the backdrop for their videos about clothing hauls and relationship advice, listeners aren’t expected to even tune into the song at all. The TikTokification of music saw its peak with Steve Lacy’s hit song “Bad Habit.” The song spent three weeks at number one on Billboard’s Hot 100 last year and on TikTok, clips of it reached hundreds of millions of viewers. However, when people started coming to his live shows, the numbers meant nothing. In a viral video from a performance in Maryland last fall, Lacy says to the crowd, “You’re telling me you woke up early to queue for tickets online, spent your (parents’) money, got your outfit, traveled to the show… and in between all of that time you didn’t learn one other word of the song than the hook? The audacity!” This outburst marked the beginning of Lacy’s frustration with his crowds. It continued to build after his sophomore album “Gemini Rights” was released and culminated in a scene where he broke an audience member’s camera after it was thrown on stage. Lacy’s onstage actions might not be excusable, but it’s becoming clear that TikTok’s effects are wearing out artists. If live shows used to be a long-term committed relationship, TikTok is a onenight stand. Live shows have the potential to be intimate and unique but have quickly evolved into the awkwardness levels of a middle school dance. If we continue supporting the TikTokification of music, artists will fall off the bandwagon faster than they got on. Distinct decades and subgenres rich with cultural impact and meaning will cease to exist. Our canon of foundational music for our generation will become shallow and ironic, composed only of random clips. We shouldn’t delete all our social media and streaming service accounts in the name of enjoying art “purely.” But we should be more engaged and conscious of the art we consume and how we do so. If we don’t, we won’t have onehit wonders. We’ll have seven-second wonders and silent concert halls. Alexandra Hall is a junior studying rhetoric, biology, and journalism.

When Donald Trump announced his presidential candidacy in 2015, many predicted he would herald a new era of Republican politics centered on populist messaging and protectionist economic policy. But across the last seven years, the emergence of Trump has revealed the dangers of how the Republican Party holds primary elections. It has become commonplace to hear people fed up with the polarization of the system, the constant personal attacks, and the lack of substantive debate and action by both political parties. The simple fact is that the Republican National Committee has been hollowed out and reduced to a fundraising mechanism for whoever controls the party at any given moment. Trump and his wing of the party would argue that the RNC and Republicans in name only, or RINOS, have a stranglehold on politics and are stifling the voice of the American people. But Trump’s wing of the party exacerbates this problem when it only follows the constantly swaying praise

of a former one-term president. The MAGA Republicans destroy the ability of the Republican Party to organize against its political opponents by directing all of their effort toward purging the party of RINOS and anyone else who doesn’t wholeheartedly pledge allegiance to Trump. But the blame cannot be placed solely on the MAGA wing. The RNC itself has stripped states and localities of their power through nationalization of every issue. The primary system relegates the national Grand Old Party, which defeated slavery and Communists through patronage and closed-door dealings, to an open air colosseum anyone can enter to fight against other candidates for the honor of having that little “R” next to one’s name on the ballot. But what is that designation worth if the Republican Party chooses its candidates is by allowing them to bloody each other up for 18 months, then sending volunteers to knock on doors and praying that enough people on the other side stay home?

Political parties used to be backbones of local communities, providing essential welfare services, running local governments efficiently, and building ground-up coalitions of principally minded individuals. The best way to organize the primary system is to abolish it. Allow local parties to run states and communities, giving citizens the ability to vote for delegates who can hash out disagreements behind closed doors, and then come together on a national stage to announce, with unity and strength, what the party believes and who is running for office. Not only does this allow the party to control its own affairs, but it makes sure that candidates are beholden to the party and, ultimately, its local branches. Candidates cannot undermine the party platform without the repercussions of losing the blessed “(R)” next to their name on the ballot. The candidates who downvote good bills, or constantly struggle against their own party, should not be rewarded with TV air time and fundraising boosts, but should be excommunicated from the party and replaced.

The fringes of the party are then able to run their own states and localities, so long as they agree that when the time comes to have a national convention of delegates, they will stand behind whatever compromise has been reached and not undercut it for personal gain. The loser of the Republican primary debates is the American public, which gains nothing from arguments over curtains and petty name-calling. Each one of the candidates on that stage is operating within a system that lacks the scaffolding to support them if they become the nominee. The strength of the party must be in localities that support themselves, and work with other localities, states, and regions to run national candidates who can find compromise and actually effectuate policy.

Jo shu a Mi str y i s a sophmore studying politics.

Is sky-coning the best we can do? By Zachary Chen Collegian Freelancer

It’s sky-coning cats and dogs in Saga these days. For those who don’t yet know, sky-coning refers to the practice of sneaking an ice cream cone onto the upper floor of the student union and dropping it onto a table in the dining hall. During the past two weeks, there has been a spate of attacks — to my knowledge, at least five sky-cones were dropped into Saga in the space of a single week. To be clear, there were only a handful of students actively dropping cones. Most of the student body does not think that ice cream was made to be a projectile. But this is a problem we all need to address. To those who have been sky-coning — you need to stop. I realize that you may consider yourselves to be carrying on a glorious dorm war or some such nonsense, but you really ought to know that there’s nothing honorable at all about sky-coning, even as a prank against another dorm. You accept no risks, and therefore, you win no glory. Far be it from me to preach against dorm wars, but if you’re going to prank other dorms, at least put some pizzazz into it.

If you need inspiration, look up the MIT-Caltech prank rivalry: their shenanigans make sky-coning look simply pitiful. For instance, MIT drove cross-country from Boston, Massachusetts to Pasadena, California to steal a 1.7 ton, 130 year-old cannon. If you feel compelled to bother other residences, at least be more creative: dorm warfare via ice cream cones is hackneyed and ignoble in addition to being inconsiderate, wasteful, and unkind. Even if it’s not a part of a dorm war, the concept of sky-coning might seem hilarious on its own. Just imagine: you’re sitting at lunch some day, and a soft-serve cone comes hurtling through the air and splatters all over the table. I don’t deny that the sheer absurdity of the affair might be laugh-inducing at first. But please keep a few things in mind the next time you pick up an ice cream with the intent of sky-coning a table downstairs. First, you’re not the one responsible for cleaning up the mess afterward, which means that you are seriously inconveniencing the Metz staff and the other diners downstairs. Do you know how long it takes to clean up a fallen sky-cone? Chris, a Metz employee, said it can take up to 10 minutes to clean up one skycone, more if it’s on the car-

pet. During the busy times of lunch and dinner, this is quite inconsiderate for everyone downstairs. Each time you throw an ice cream, you are actively wasting not simply the ice cream, but also the time and energy of Metz employees. This is extremely frustrating for them — sky-coning is ingratitude of the basest sort. Don’t make life burdensome for them; after all, they are working hard to serve you and your fellow students. Speaking of your fellow students, I hate to remind sky-coners that ice cream aim is nearly never spot-on. The risk of sky-cone collateral damage is high, and many of your fellow students who may get hit don’t have time to go back to their dorms and change between lunch and their next class. You could seriously ruin someone’s day. In theory, it might be acceptable to sky-cone a table full of your friends, whom you are sure will be OK with it. But because inconsistency and error are part of the human condition, you are too likely to accidentally splatter innocent diners who will not appreciate your practical joking. For the sake of those diners, quit sky-coning. Finally, remember you are called to self-governance because you’ve signed the Honor Code. Self-governance implies

— or at least calls us to have — a modicum of responsibility and maturity. Food fights are for gradeschool cafeterias, not college dining halls. Is chucking ice cream at other students (and possibly faculty or donors) really a shining example of self-control and moderation? Is slinging soft-serve honorable in deed or respectful of the rights of others? It doesn’t take an Aristotle to figure out the telos of an ice cream cone. I implore you, students of Hillsdale, don’t sky-cone, and don’t encourage the practice. Dining with fellow students is a privilege. Instead of interrupting others with ill-conceived and unimaginative pranks, let them enjoy their meals. Being a public nuisance isn’t glorious or funny. It’s rude and asinine. Strive to show nobility in your lunchtime interactions and maybe even your dorm pranks. You have the opportunity to pursue excellence in how you live your daily life. What you do with your ice cream matters. Don’t be cold-hearted. It’s not cool to cream your comrades. Zachary Chen is a freshman studying the liberal arts.

City News A6 October 12, 2023

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Mayor to fight ‘The Ripper’ later this month

Stockford and his partner defeated Russian flag-toting fighters last year. Courtesy | Adam Stockford

By Colman Rowan Collegian Reporter After the success of last year’s wrestling matchup, Hillsdale Mayor Adam Stockford plans to head back to the ring for round two at 7 p.m. on Oct. 28 at the Hillsdale County Fairgrounds. In the Championship International Wrestling Saturday Night Slam last year, Stockford and his partner, Desmond Dukes, defeated a tag team of Russian flag-toting fighters. This year Stockford plans to go solo against The Ripper, who CIW event organizer Phil Monahan called “a scoundrel.”

“He’s managed by the Modfather, who’s a weasely little guy,” Monahan said about the Ripper. “I think the Modfather wanted to put a stipulation in this match that if his guy wins the match then he gets to be the mayor of Hillsdale for 30 days.” The Modfather posted a video confirming this threat on CIW’s Facebook page and Stockford responded in a video he posted to his page. “You see this little key I keep in my pocket?” Stockford said in the video while producing a shiny silver key. “This is the key to city hall. Essentially, this is the key to the

City of Hillsdale. If you want it, come and take it.”

ern stuff, you know, the high flying acrobatics, but a lot of

“He’s managed by the Modfather, who’s a weasely little guy” The night will feature multiple fights between a zany cast of characters. Monahan said CIW does wrestling very similar to professional wrestling that can be seen on TV. “Our tag line is ‘old school with attitude,’” Monahan said. “We do a little bit of the mod-

our stuff is still based on the old school, traditional, goodversus-evil cast of characters.” Monahan said he was surprised and happy when Stockford joined in the fighting and did so well last year. “This is definitely a community event,” Monahan said.

“Stockford is a friend of mine. He likes to entertain people and he’s got an athletic background. Last year when he came in, I was pleasantly surprised that he took to wrestling so naturally.” Stockford said he was excited to join the fight last year. “They called me up and asked if I would sponsor the fight for $100 last year,” Stockford said. “I said ‘sure, as long as I can participate in it.’” Stockford said that his history in boxing did not prepare him for professional wrestling as well as he hoped. “They’re not really the same,” Stockford said. “Luck-

ily, I am blessed to be in as good shape as I am, being in my 40s, but there was a lot to learn.” According to Monahan, this year’s event is called “Horror House” and will have Halloween-themed fights. “We’re going to do a kid’s costume contest as well,” he said. “So if kids can come dressed in costumes, then that would be great.” Monahan said tickets are available for purchase at Checker Records. “It’s gonna be a wild crazy night,” Monahan said. “But it’s a family and community event so it’ll be a good time.”

Semiweekly Pilates classes offered at the Dawn Theater

‘Spooktacular Halloween Party’ will offer free food and bouncy houses

By Elizabeth Troutman Editor-In-Chief

By Anna Broussard Collegian Reporter

The Dawn Theater last month began hosting Pilates classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. Leah Novak, lecturer in sports studies at the college, has taught the classes since Labor Day. Gianna Green, general manager of the Dawn Theater, said she asked Novak to teach the classes to make use of the theater’s space. “Leah Novak is a local who does a lot of Pilates and yoga classes in the area and at the college and we were looking to fill our theater during the weekdays,” Green said. “We have such a nice big open space that I figured would be a really opportune time to have some sort of community workout class in the theater during the day.” One class costs $8, while two cost $15. Between five and eight people come to each class, Green said. “It’s definitely starting to grow,” she said. “It’s still a pretty small group. So it’ll feel really nice and intimate and really like a one-on-one with your instructor, which is really nice. So it’s not like a huge class where you’re fighting for math space.” Novak said she has taught Pilates classes since 2008. “I found Pilates very challenging, even though I was active and fit, and danced for

Tower Dancers,” Novak said. “But it fascinated me that through the coordination of concentration, movement, and breath, I could find both a great workout and some mental clarity and space. I told my teacher toward the end of that term that I wanted

“I found Pilates very challenging, even though I was active and fit, and danced for Tower Dancers” to learn more, and it wasn’t long after that that I pursued a certification so I could teach when the Pilates instructor in my area asked me to take over the class.” Novak has loved teaching at the Dawn this past month, she said. “We do mostly traditional mat Pilates exercises, though I throw in stretching and some fun movements from time to time,” she said. Green said she has received positive feedback from students.

“The best kind of feedback that we can get is people bringing their friends to join us,” Green said, “and so we’ve had a lot of people that I have started bringing guests, which has been really wonderful.” The Dawn Theater Facebook page is the best way for students to keep up with changes to the class schedule, Green said. Senior Lucy Fernandes said she was excited to hear about the classes. “I appreciate that Pilates is both difficult and relaxing at the same time,” Fernandes said. “You finish the class and feel all the muscles in your body, but you don’t have the same exhaustion that you would after a run or intense cardio workout.” Fernandes is a student in a Pilates II course offered by the college. “It’s a very unique and fun form of exercise, and having another opportunity for it at the Dawn Theater is a huge blessing,” Fernandes said. Nova k s aid Pi lates strengthens the core, helping students control every movement they make, from walking to sneezing to standing up off the floor. “Pilates is meant to help with functionality in the dayto-day, and is great for everyone,” she said.

Local businesses will host Hillsdale’s first “Spooktacular Halloween Party” from 3 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 21 at Jefferson Township Hall. “The event will be a way to give back to the community and thank them for supporting local businesses,” said Jessica Jones of HD Mechanical and one of the event planners. At the party, the businesses involved will be collecting cans to donate to King’s Cupboard, a local food pantry. Every can donated will enter the provider into a raffle to win a door prize. The event is put on by Davis Economy Service, HD Mechanical, and the Stoned Goat, a medical cannabis dispensary in Osseo. The Hillsdale Batman could be at the party. Davis Economy Service, Courtesy | Facebook owned by Jeff and Laurie Davis, has been local to the com- from the community will be In addition to free food and munity for nearly 70 years, dressed in costume to encour- drinks, Sidekick on Wheels, a according to store manager age the Halloween spirit. food truck, will be at the event. Amanda Briggs. Briggs added that along Briggs and Jones both enBriggs and Jones are plan- with costumes, games, and couraged the community to ning the event. activities, the event will also come out and enjoy the fesJones said she expects as feature kid-friendly hallow- tivities. many as 500 people in atten- een movies, bouncy castles, “We wanna see people dance. and a DJ. come out and have a good “We are hoping to make “All games and activities time, it has not been an easy this an annual event where will be free to the communities time in the community and families are welcomed to and their families,” Briggs said. this is a great opportunity for dress up and celebrate with Activities include hayrides, businesses to give back,” Briggs us,” Jones said. face painting stands, and food. said. According to Jones, the Attendees will have the Hillsdale Batman will poten- opportunity to win a prize at tially make an appearance at various free games, according the event, and a few volunteers to Jones.

City News

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October 12, 2023 A7

Gun raffle to fund playground equipment for local park By Isabella Helms Collegian Reporter A raffle of firearms will raise money for new playground equipment at Cold Springs Park. The Kiwanis Club of Hillsdale will sell raffle tickets for $20, awarding a gun every day of December. Every cent will support the Cold Springs Park Project, said Wes Wickham, president of the Hillsdale Kiwanis Club. The project seeks to restore the park, offering new playground equipment for children in the community. Wickham was entrusted with the Cold Springs Park Project in 2020 due to his construction expertise. Wickham said he was eager to help restore the park he remembers enjoying as an elemen-

tary school student. “They needed somebody with a construction background to relate with the city to get permits and finish it up,” Wickham said. “So I went in, worked with the city, and got what we needed to proceed with the park.” Wickham said the process is tied to the Michigan Lottery’s daily three-number draw. Winning tickets are even re-entered, creating multiple chances to win. “We have tickets numbered from 000 to 999, meaning 1,000 tickets will be sold,” Wickham said. “There will also be a different gun for each day of the raffle.” Wickham said Kiwanis Club partnered with Litchfield Outdoors to organize a gun raffle. Given the financial backing such raffles

Some of the new equipment at Cold Springs Park. Courtesy | Facebook

garner in the community, Litchfield Outdoors will help

Hillsdale Kiwanis by assembling a package of firearms

for the raffle. Following this, participants must proceed with the necessary formalities: securing a state raffle number, completing some paperwork, and issuing their license number for identity verification purposes. “We were looking for a fundraiser that would be profitable enough to help support the next phase of our park plans,” Wickham said. “Gun raffles seem to be financially supported by our county and community at this time.” Wickham said he used to go to the park when he was young. He said it remains a cherished spot in the community to this day. “Cold Springs Park is a small neighborhood park that has a long history,” Wickham said.

The Kiwanis Club of Hillsdale started in 1924. As Hillsdale Kiwanis approaches its 100th anniversary in September 2024, Wickham said he believes the 31-day gun raffle will position the club to continue making a difference in the lives of local children. “If it can make a difference in one child’s life, it’s a plus,” Wickham said. “We need to invest in them now so that good things can happen. These kids are our future, and they always have been, but it’s more important today than anything.”

Clothes for foster kids available downtown Annual 5K will honor By Ty Ruddy Collegian Reporter A community closet for foster kids in Hillsdale County opened at the start of October, located at the new office of the Court Appointed Special Advocates of Hillsdale. The Hillsdale County Foster Care Closet will be open to any child in foster care or under the jurisdiction of Hillsdale County Court, according to the organization’s Facebook page. CASA trains volunteers to represent minors in the court system using money raised from grants and donations, said CASA Director Heather Upton. She said the nonprofit is especially excited to open a closet for children in foster care. “A full closet of clothes means children in the foster care system can pick out their own things,” Upton said. The closet’s formal apparel section is open year-round, not only during dance season. It houses clothes and commod-

ities for all ages, but Upton said she is especially excited for teens to visit. “That age group has been heavy on my heart,” she said. The CASA closet also has a formal section. “We thought families would appreciate the opportunity to pick out formal clothes from our closet, as well,” Upton said. “We have suits and dresses and anything else a high school student might need for a dance or another special occasion.” Elain Gallant is a CASA volunteer working with two families in the area. “I know their world seems like it’s crumbling beyond their control,” she said. “We are blessed to be able to provide a place in which they have control enough to pick their own wardrobe.” Hillsdale CASA moved out of their old office on N. Howell Street this summer. The new office includes room for the board of directors to meet and discuss issues

and advancement, as well as an office for Upton to handle dayto-day business. But Upton said she is most excited that the new office will be open for foster families and CASA volunteers to use. The new building has a full kitchen, a laundry room, and a full closet. “CASA in Hillsdale started in a storage closet at the Intermediate School District,” said Upton. “Then we moved to the district court and used some space there, then to a jewelry store in Hillsdale.” Upton said all previous spaces were either too small or oddly proportioned to accommodate all of CASA’s needs. “We are excited to have more space so we can provide for more needs,” Upton said. Cheryl Lohmeyer, a judge in Monroe County who previously served as a member of the Monroe County Child Protective Attorney Consortium, said she often works with CASA volunteers. “Lawyers often have multi-

ple cases to juggle,” Lohmeyer said. “CASA volunteers are assigned one case, so they often have insight that an attorney doesn’t, which helps a judge more fully understand the situation.” On the legal side, CASA volunteers are another pair of eyes. Lohmeyer said beyond legalities, they reach the more human side of the foster care system, recording the child’s wishes and submitting them to the judge before a hearing. “If a child misses a friend from the school they attended before moving to a foster family, the CASA volunteers tell the judge,” Lohmeyer said. “It is a way to give the children a voice and I wish every child in that situation had a CASA volunteer.” CASA seeks donations of books, diapers, wipes, and toys, Upton said. CASA will host an open house from 12 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 13, at N. 59 Broad St. in Hillsdale.

The new office is home to the Hillsdale County Foster Care Closet. Courtesy | Facebook

fallen veterans in Hillsdale By Christopher Chavey Collegian Freelancer The Daughters of the American Revolution will partner with Wreaths Across America to host the second annual 5K charity run for veterans at the Hillsdale American Legion on Oct. 22. The money raised will aid the Hillsdale chapters of WAA and DAR to lay wreaths on the graves of every veteran who lies in the Oak Grove and Lakeside Cemeteries, where more than 1,000 veterans are buried. The run, which will take place at 2 p.m., is open to both runners and walkers. This is the last race of the Hillsdale, Lenawee, Branch tri-county series. The winner of this series will receive an award, but all participants will earn a T-shirt for their participation. The Daughters of the American Revolution is a nonprofit group made of women who can trace their lineage back to soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War. Ann Schmidt, regent of the Hillsdale chapter, detailed the objectives of the organization. “The three priorities of the Daughters of the American Revolution are historic preservation, education, and veterans,” she said. Wreaths Across America has similar goals. “We want to make sure that every veteran has a wreath on their grave,” said Dianne Paul, location coordinator of WAA and new member of the DAR. “Our

goal is to pay respects to the soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and their families as well.” Last year, the event drew out more than 200 participants, yet both WAA and DAR are hoping for even more people in attendance at this year’s 5k. The money from the 5k will go towards buying wreaths for the veteran’s graves. The wreaths cost $17 each, and in order to offset the cost, the organizations are hoping for lots of community participation. The WAA and DAR often work together, as their missions are tightly aligned. Together with the American Legion, Ann Schmidt said, “these three programs work tirelessly to support American patriotism”. WAA reached out to Barb Beach last year to feature her brother, who was killed in the line of duty in Vietnam. This year, she will be presenting the Gold Star to military families who have also lost loved ones serving their country. The money will be raised on Oct. 22 at the race, but the wreath laying ceremony will take place Dec. 17 at 12 p.m. at Oak Grove Cemetery. The ceremony is open to the public, and both organizations encourage all to attend. Jeffery “Chief ” Rogers, associate dean of men at Hillsdale College, will emcee the wreath-laying ceremony. The sign-up is available on runsignup.com. It costs $25 ahead of time, and $30 the day of the run.

Hillsdale, surrounding cities compete to raise funds for cancer resources By Catherine Maxwell Collegian Reporter The City of Hillsdale is competing with surrounding cities to raise money for breast cancer patients and research during October. All money raised will go to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, which funds patient resources and cancer research. The other competitors include Clinton, Coldwater, and Marshall. Hillsdale citizens can donate through the Hillsdale community page on the foundation’s website. “My hope is that we raise awareness for this cause and that our citizens continue to see how we give back to the

communities that we serve,” said Paul Jakubczak, utility director for the Coldwater Board of Public Utilities.. According to a press release from the City of Coldwater, the winning community will receive the Pink Ribbon Award to recognize its contribution to breast cancer awareness. Sam Fry, marketing and development coordinator for the City of Hillsdale, said the competition is meant to foster community among the members of the Michigan South Central Power Agency. “At the end of the day, we’re all joining hands to help provide support, resources, and hope for the one in eight women who will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their life-

time,” he said. The fundraiser is meant to celebrate public utilities and help people with breast cancer. “With October being National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the first week of October being Public Power Week, it seems both fitting and proper that the City of Hillsdale, along with our municipal utility, do something to give back to the public,” Fry said. Fry said the format is meant to bring the communities together. “We’re all proud of our own cities and towns and this is a way to lean into that hometown pride and get people excited about getting involved,” he said. “Hillsdale is a very generous community, and this is a

way for us to showcase that and channel it into a focused effort.” Jakubczak said Coldwater is finding creative ways to raise money for the competition. “We kicked off the challenge last week and are providing dedication ribbons for donations to our customers to be displayed in our lobby and at our recreation facility,” Jakubczak said. “Last Friday, we had an employee appreciation luncheon and rented a dunk tank to act as a fundraiser for this cause.” Fry said the community response has been very positive so far. “We’ve already had some local businesses step up and donate,” he said. “I think as we keep promoting this and get-

ting the word out, hopefully more folks will want to take part in this, too.” Jakubczak said the fundraiser is also an opportunity to help the members of the Michigan South Central Power Agency. “We wanted to get other Public Power Utilities involved and figured what better way than a friendly challenge for a great cause,” he said. “CBPU is the largest of these four systems, and we felt that we could assist and mentor them through this to help them to get better engaged with their communities.” Jakubczak said he wants the communities to join the public utilities organizations in helping the community.

“My hope is that we raise awareness for this cause and that our citizens continue to see how we give back to the communities that we serve,” he said. “Cancer has touched everyone’s lives in some way or another. If we can do something to help them then we have truly accomplished something.” Fry encouraged Hillsdale citizens to donate if they are able. “I think it’s great to see our cities and villages in this region coming together,” he said, “thinking of something outside the box like this friendly competition, and raising money for a worthy cause, and the public can certainly help us reach our goal.”

A8 October 12, 2023

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Sports Shotgun

Chargers take double wins in two Ohio tournaments By Carly Moran Assistant Editor The Hillsdale shotgun team earned first place in back-toback national championships this past week at the Cardinal Center in Marengo, Ohio. The Chargers competed in the ACUI/SCTP International National Championship and the ACUI/SCTP Upper Midwest Conference Championships Oct. 4-8. The events hosted 13 collegiate teams from across the country. “The opportunities we have here are pretty amazing,” junior Josh Corbin said. “And obviously unmatched compared to other schools. The Halter Center is an amazing facility to be able to train and compete at, and a lot of other schools don't have the funding. We're just very fortunate to have access to everything that we do. We all shoot all disciplines, so we don't have specialized shooters, everybody shoots everything.” The Chargers earned

363/375 overall points in the world-level event, placing them in first by 88 targets ahead of University of the Ozarks. Sophomore Jordan Sapp led the team with 123/125, followed by junior Kyle Fleck with 122/125. Sophomore Davis Hay finished the squad with a score of 118/125. Sapp won the men's individual national championship, with Fleck taking silver and Hay bronze, making the top three tournament scores all earned by Hillsdale athletes. Within the women’s division, freshman Madeline Corbin placed first with a score of 116/125, winning the women’s individual national championship title. At 94 targets each, freshman Ava Downs and senior Ida Brown tied for silver. Following a shoot off, they placed second and third. “My favorite memory of the trip would have to be before Ava and Madeline's shoot off for skeet,” sophomore Leif Andersen said. “We played some pickup football with the team on the skeet fields. It gets really

competitive when we play. If Kyle were in Fantasy Football he would have put up at least 45 points in our game.” Despite the flu breaking out during their first roadtrip tournament of the season, the team powered through. “It's a lot of powering through,” Brown said. “I was not the only one who was sick on that trip. I want to say like half the team had something going on half the time, from head colds to what could have been not-so-great versions of the flu.” Due to a broken machine, international trap was shortened from 125 to 100 targets. Once again, the Chargers took first ahead of the University of the Ozarks by 33 targets. Senior Jackson Sokel took first, with Josh Corbin taking second after a shoot off broke their tie. Brown followed in third. Brown was awarded back-toback women’s individual national champion, with second place going to Downs. “It was fun to go on our

first big overnight trip with the team,” Brown said. “We were gone for a full five days, which is a lot of time to spend together, but we handled it very well. So overall, it was a great match.” In the ACUI/SCTP Upper Midwest Conference Championships, the Chargers placed first overall with 2096/2250 targets broken. Sophomore Leif Andersen placed second highest men’s overall with a score of 411/450. Brown earned first highest women’s overall at 417/450, with Downs and Madeline Corbin following with second and third, respectively. “I think we're doing about as best as we can for our ultimate goal and the rest of the semester, at least,” head coach Jordan Hintz said. “I don't see any reason why it won't continue to be a big success. If we continue to shoot like we did this week, then we'll be in really good shape.” The Chargers will compete in their next match in Spar-

Sophomore Sophia Bultema finishes shooting at the Charger Classic. Courtesy | Hillsdale College Athletic Department

ta, Illinois, Oct. 13-15 at the ACUI/SCTP Sparta Regional Tournament.

Golf

Marshall leads Chargers to fourth at invite By Thomas McKenna Assistant Editor The Hillsdale men’s golf team finished fourth of 14 teams at the Kyle Ryman Memorial Invite as it pulled its lowest scores from its four underclassmen. Freshman Oliver Marshall shot the Chargers’ best score of the tournament, carding a two-under-par 214. Sophomore Max Burns and freshmen Ryan O’Rourke and Robert Thompson finished within eight strokes of Marshall in the final standings. Junior

Filippo Reale scored 235. “The underclassmen were the ones that kind of carried the team on this one,” Burns said. “I think that's good. We're kind of setting a new culture on the team.” The performance comes after the team won its first tournament last month to start the season. “I played solid, so I can't really complain,” Marshall said. “I think that's kind of how the team was in general. The scores ended up okay, but it definitely wasn't our best stuff.”

Marshall, who shot a 7073-71, as well as Burns and Thompson shot all three rounds within a two stroke margin. Burns carded 72-7372 as Thompson scored 7573-74. “I'd say score-wise we were consistent but the way I played I'd say was inconsistent,” Marshall said. “Pretty much the whole time, it was like a mishmash of different shots and different types of mistakes. I wouldn't say it was like one thing that was really good or really bad — it was all just a little bit off.

O’Rourke performed with similar round-by-round consistency, shooting a 73-74-71, but said his long and short game were both inconsistent this tournament. “It's always different,” O’Rourke said. “One round I'll be hitting my driver better and gain strokes with my driver, and the next round, I’ll hit a couple bad drives and I’ll lose strokes with my driver.” In addition to the five-man lineup, Hillsdale brought five more golfers as individuals. “It was nice to get everybody some competition

rounds and just kind of have the whole team travel together and get a good feel for kind of where everybody's at,” Thompson said. The five-man lineup was composed of upperclassmen. Senior Will Verduzco shot for 229, while senior Carson Stohler and junior Charlie Belden tied for 58th in the tournament, shooting 230. “They can grind it out and right the ship,” Thompson said. “They don't get too down on themselves, and they stay pretty level-headed out there, which I think is a strong at-

tribute.” The Chargers will travel to Findlay, Ohio, to compete in the Doc Spragg Invitational Oct. 16-17. “Findlay is not a super difficult course but it can certainly penalize you if you're out of position and around the greens it can be pretty tough,” Thompson said. “We just have to be smart and really disciplined for 54 holes and we’ll be just fine.”

Volleyball

Hillsdale bounces back with win against Northwood By Ty Ruddy Collegian Reporter

Junior Maizie Brown had 13 kills in the game against Northwood University.

The Hillsdale volleyball team beat their G-MAC rival Northwood University Timberwolves in four sets Oct. 6. Northwood struck first, taking the first three points on a kill, an ace, and an error. Hillsdale marched right back after junior outside hitter Marilyn Popplewell made a kill. The teams made a game in the aftermath. They battled for extra points, with the trailing team never falling below by more than four points. Northwood ultimately took the first set 28-30. In the second set, junior middle hitter Sydney Sahar made a kill on a set from ju-

nior setter and rightside hitter Lauren Passaglia, putting the Chargers ahead for the first point, but Northwood matched. The Chargers and Timberwolves scrapped and traded points one-to-one; then Hillsdale climbed ahead by three points and Northwood matched. Hillsdale overtook Northwood and took the second set 23-19 on a kill by Passaglia. An attack error in the third set pushed Hillsdale past Northwood, and put the game at what would be the final set. Northwood slowed down in the fourth set as Hillsdale ran away with nine points to spare and a win for the night. The Chargers improved to

8-1 in the G-MAC and 14-3 overall. Outside hitter and sophomore Emory Braswell led the team in kills against Northwood, putting down 17 in four sets. “Friday night's game was a great opportunity for our team to show everyone how hard we have been working over the past few weeks,” Braswell said. “We always talk about how having fun translates to greater success on the court.” Popplewell had 15 kills and junior middle hitter Maizie Brown had 13. Their passes came mostly from Passaglia, who had 51 assists. The defense also chipped in for the win. Senior Alli Wiese dug 20 balls. Braswell

and senior defensive specialist Audrey Riley contributed nine digs each, and Brown had four blocks. Braswell said the game against Northwood was a display of the discipline and the intentionality the team has focused on in practice. The Chargers will play at home Oct. 13 at 10 a.m. against the Maryville University Saints, and again at 3 p.m. against the Michigan Technological University Huskies. “I am looking forward to building off this win and continuing to put in the work to be the best team we can be,” Braswell said.

Courtesy | Anthony Lupi

Club Swim

Freshmen start co-ed club swim team By Joshua Mistry Collegian Reporter

Four freshmen are starting a co-ed club swim team to provide non-varsity student-athletes with an opportunity to represent Hillsdale College Athletics through swimming as well as to build community. Freshmen Finn Fleischer, Dylan Glover, Nick Rutkoski, and Hayden Stolzenberg are working together to bring their

love of swimming to as many students as they can. "We have been working on finding a faculty sponsor, drafting the team bylaws, and coming up with a practice schedule and structure," Stolzenberg said. The club currently has around 15 members, both men and women, with multiple more students interested in joining the club. The co-ed club swim team

will apply for club sport status, and it will eventually join College Club Swimming to compete with colleges across the Midwest region. Glover said the four club officers will take turns coaching until they find someone to be the club’s official coach. "I coached for multiple teams throughout high school, and I'd like to improve my own coaching knowledge and ability through applying what

I've learned teaching younger swimmers to older swimmers of various skill levels," Stolzenberg said. "Our main focus is helping people become what they need to become and building their characters,” Glover said. “Through swimming and through interaction students can bond over their shared swimming experiences, developing strong content of character."

According to Rita Jenkins, who is the Hillsdale College Athletic Department aquatic director, the aquatic department looks forward to the success of the club swim team. "I will work to find times for the men’s swim club team to practice just like I’ve done in the past for the water polo club team," Jenkins said. Fleischer, Glover, Rutkoski, and Stolzenberg said they want to make sure the club they start

is around for a long time. "The plan is to start it early on. We're all freshmen, so we have four years to structure it,” Glover said. “That way by the time we finish, the club can be rolling with an established coach."

Sports

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Women's XC

October 12, 2023 A9

Wamsley takes fourth in Lewis Crossover By Cassandra DeVries Social media manager Senior captain Liz Wamsley took fourth place individually and the Hillsdale women’s cross country team finished in 20th place at the Lewis Crossover in Romeoville, Illinois, Oct. 7. The Lewis Crossover is one of the most competitive NCAA DII events in the country, with six out of eight U.S. regions in attendance. Ten of the teams were nationally ranked, and six were regionally ranked. “It was one of the biggest meets I’ve seen,” freshman Megan Roberts said. “It was a totally different environment, but it was super fun being in

such a big and competitive field yesterday. We had a lot of people who had personal bests and PRs on the 6k across the board.” While Saturday was the first time Wamsley did not finish first, she celebrated a new 6K personal record of 21:06.9 minutes, within five seconds of second place. “The other meets were definitely less competitive, so I feel like fourth is a really good place to be, especially getting to race against nationally ranked people,” Wamsley said. “It's cool to see where I am in that broader field.” Also placing was freshman Savannah Fraley who finished in 98th place with a collegiate-best time of 23:00.8

minutes, junior Vera Thompson in 151st in 23:30.8 minutes, and freshman Anna Stirton in 206th place with a collegiate-best time of 24:12.9 minutes. Junior Br ynn Edison finished in 214th place in 24:18.3 minutes, freshman Eleanor Clark in 218th place with a collegiate-best time of 24:22.4 minutes, and junior Kayla Loescher in 221st place in 24:28.9 minutes. “It was a really fast course,” Thompson said. “Between the intense competition and the flatter course, a lot of people had personal bests.” Roberts said she was happy with the team’s performance. “It was our first race in the cooler weather, which was su-

per nice,” Roberts said. “The course was great because it wasn’t in Michigan, so the hills weren't necessarily there. There was only one hill at the beginning, but you didn’t feel it as much because it was early on.” The Lewis Crossover marked the end of the Charger’s regular season and the start of their championship season. “Coach said this past Monday was day one all over again,” Thompson said. According to Thompson and Roberts, the team is treating the championship differently. “It's the same sport, but it's a different mindset,” Roberts said. “We've worked so hard

all season, and we just have to be extra careful and make sure that the hard work pays off.” Roberts said the team will increase their consciousness of what they eat and how they sleep to prepare for the championship. “We’ve always been aware of these things, but we’re just a little more serious about it now and are getting mentally focused for what's to come,” Roberts said. The Chargers will compete next in the 2023 G-MAC Championships Oct. 21 against regionally ranked rivals such as Cedarville University and Walsh University. Malone University will host the meet. Roberts said she thought

the team’s success and mental resilience at the Lewis Crossover was good preparation for the championship. “We were all mentally tough on Saturday, and that competitive and new environment can cause extra nerves and stress,” Roberts said. “We’re working on that mental toughness and personal goals for the championship. Overall, our goal is just to be competitive and to really do our best every single time.”

Women's Tennis

Chargers host exhibition matches against the Huskies By Isabella Helms Collegian Reporter The Hillsdale women’s tennis team ended its fall season with a series of exhibition matches against Michigan Technological University in the Biermann Center Oct. 7. The two-day Chargers Fall Invitational was not played as scheduled due to cold and wet weather that prevented consistent play on the outdoor courts, according to Director of Athletic Communications James Gensterblum. The invitational was set to include Lake Superior State University, Michigan Technological University, and

Thomas More University, but the Hillsdale women’s tennis team adjusted their plans and proceeded with the exhibition matches against Michigan Tech University. There are currently no plans to reschedule the invitational. The day of exhibition matches began at 9 a.m., and it was filled with matches which spanned approximately 14 hours. Senior Julia Wagner said the day was a positive end to the fall season. At the 9 a.m. slot on court four, freshman Ané Dannhauser secured a win against Michigan Tech’s No. 2 player with scores of 7-6 and 6-2. Anoth-

er success came when junior Libby McGivern clinched a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Michigan Tech’s No. 3 player in singles play. Wagner also highlighted sophomore Megan Hackman’s third-set victory against Michigan Tech’s No. 5 player, ending in a close 4-6, 6-4, 13-11 score. Other honorable mentions include Wagner’s 6-2, 6-1 win against the Huskies and senior Helena Formentin’s decisive 6-3, 6-2 victory over her singles opponent. Wagner and junior Courtney Rittel won 6-4 in the doubles category. Additionally, Dannhauser and McGivern came out on top in their dou-

bles match with a final score of 6-2. Dannhauser said the team is ready for future matches. “It was a very good day. We were at Biermann for a total of 14 hours by the end of the day, but we managed to maintain a high energy level throughout the entire day,” Dannhauser said. “The matches we played were very competitive, and I’m confident that by the time the spring season comes around, we will be ready for anything that comes our way.” McGivern praised her teammates for their sense of camaraderie. “The team stayed really energetic and positive all day,”

McGivern said. “Despite being in the Biermann for 14 hours straight, we kept cheering each other on and supported each other through every match.” Similarly, Rittel said the team was focused and persevered throughout the long day of matches. “I’m really proud of how the team pushed through to the very last matches at 10 p.m. It was a super long day, which makes it easy to completely check out and lose focus, but we did not and fought until the end,” Rittel said. Based on the day’s results, Wagner provided a hypothetical overall score, suggesting Hillsdale would have taken

a 4-3 victory in a dual match format based on their singles and doubles performance. “I think this weekend was a great way to close out the fall season. Everyone fought hard despite being out there for 14 hours on Saturday,” Wagner said. “You could tell our energy stayed solid throughout the day, and we pulled out some great wins including some third-set tiebreaks.”

Charger chatter Libby McGivern, Tennis Compiled by Elizabeth Crawford

How did you get into

Do you have any per-

tennis?

sonal records?

My dad played tennis

I reached the ranking

in college, so it was the

of No. 1 in the state of

first sport he introduced

North Carolina in the 16

me to.

and under age bracket.

What’s your favorite

Tea or coffee?

hobby outside of tennis?

Hot chocolate. I’m not a

Sewing. It’s something

coffee girl at all, and I’m

my grandmother taught

not so much a tea person

me how to do, so it’s al-

either, but I’d definitely

ways associated with

take tea with honey over

happy memories for me.

coffee. Nike or Adidas: which

A.J.'s or Penny's?

one is your favorite and

A.J.’s is my favorite

why?

for sure. The booths will

Adidas. This might be

always have my heart. I

the most Hillsdale an-

remember the constant

swer ever, but my mom

battle of trying to secure

hasn’t let me buy or wear

one freshman year, and

Nike since the whole Col-

I still love grabbing one whenever I can.

in Kaepernick situation. Courtesy | Hillsdale College Athletic Department

Charger

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A10 October 12, 2023

Football

Chargers drop rivalry game to the Dragons By Alex Deimel Assistant Editor The Hillsdale Charger football team failed to continue its momentum from its week five win against Northwood University, dropping the week six game against the Tiffin University Dragons 35-21 on Oct. 7. Despite the team’s loss to its undefeated G-MAC rival, senior running back Michael Herzog continued his stellar senior season. Herzog put up 146 yards rushing, which was his fourth game this season with 100 or more rushing yards. Currently, Herzog is second in the G-MAC in rushing yards with 628, behind Tiffin’s Ronald Blackmon with 640. Herzog also scored all three of Hillsdale’s touchdowns on the day, which was his second career game with three touchdowns. Herzog currently leads the G-MAC in rushing touchdowns with nine and in all-purpose yards with 1,018 through six games. Herzog still recognized where the team needed to improve in order to finish the season on a strong note. “We didn’t take care of the football and struggled with too many pre-snap penalties,” Herzog said. “Against Northwood, we had zero turnovers and much less yards in penalties. The goal for this week is to play

disciplined against a strong Kentucky Wesleyan team.” In his second start this season, senior quarterback Jake Burger completed 9-19 passing attempts, which was good for 125 yards with four interceptions. One of the nine passes included a 40 yard shot to freshman wide receiver Shea Ruddy in the third quarter. “The team's biggest area of struggle Saturday was us creating our own problems,” Burger said. “We needed to be able to bounce back from them.” Ruddy is currently second in receiving yards for Hillsdale with 218, behind sophomore wide receiver Sam Lee who has 328. “We have the potential to do great things in these last five games and we’re working on doing that,” Ruddy said, who led the Chargers in receiving yards against Tiffin with 72 total on two receptions. “The season has been going pretty good for me. I’ve made some plays here and there and I would like to make some more.” Defensively, despite giving up 35 points, the Chargers forced two turnovers against a high-powered Tiffin offense. Senior defensive back Sam Zemis picked off a deep pass from Tiffin quarterback James Dean to give the Charger offense another shot to make a comeback.

Redshirt freshman Jacob Vance had nine total tackles in the game against Tiffin University. Courtesy | Anthony Lupi

Junior defensive back Matt Soderdahl also contributed to the defensive effort with a forced fumble while the Dragons were on Hillsdale’s 11 yard line, preventing another Tiffin touchdown. Soderdahl finished

with 12 tackles, including seven solo tackles, and two pass breakups. Freshman linebacker Jacob Vance carried the momentum from his stellar performance against Northwood, finishing with nine total tackles

and a sack. The loss drops Hillsdale to 1-5 overall, with a 1-3 conference record. The Chargers look to improve their conference record against the Kentucky Wesleyan University Panthers

Oct. 14. The Panthers enter Muddy Waters Stadium with a 3-3 overall record, while being 2-2 in conference play. The Chargers look to avenge a 3127 loss to the Panthers from last season.

Feature

Gravel nears 600 career wins in his 28th Hillsdale season By Emily Schutte Collegian Reporter Despite saying he’d only be at Hillsdale College for two years, head volleyball coach Chris Gravel is now in his 28th season of coaching the Chargers. Gravel is Hillsdale’s first full-time coach. He said the plan was to transform the program from a losing to a winning team in two years and then move on. Now he has 596 Hillsdale wins under his belt. Gravel said his whole family played sports growing up. “I came from an athletic family,” Gravel said. “I was the oldest of three siblings. Both of my sisters played a lot of sports, too. My dad was a really good ballplayer and played a lot of sports and coached some of my teams, so I love them all. I just love competing.” Gravel said he did not originally expect to pursue volleyball. “I was going to be a baseball coach — a hitting coach specifically,” Gravel said. “That's what I was studying to do. One of my professors had to teach volleyball to the class: methods of teaching. He had played at Ball State and noticed that I was a pretty good athlete, and he still was playing on a travel team, so he asked me to play on that team.” Gravel said he quickly learned volleyball is challenging, and it’s not just a women’s sport. “That same teacher, who was a player, said ‘Hey, you know we’re short in practice,’ because he was the head coach of the women's team at Wayne State,” Gravel said. Gravel said the teacher told him he didn’t usually have men play at practice, but he needed a middle hitter, so he asked Gravel to play.

“I said, ‘Sure. I can work that in between classes and my job and stuff,’” Gravel said. “When I got in there and the girls were so much better than me, I took a real strike to my ego. I was like, ‘I need to learn this game.” Gravel said he wanted to coach volleyball from this moment forward. “I started coaching club volleyball and playing more doubles and indoor,” Gravel said. “I still love baseball, but I just fell in love with volleyball, and that was my new love.” Gravel said Hillsdale paid him the lowest salary possible when he accepted the position as Hillsdale’s head volleyball coach. He did not intend to stay at Hillsdale longer than it took to turn the team around, but then he learned more about the community. “When I got here I knew nothing about Hillsdale, and that's where I started learning a little about Hillsdale and about being in a small-town environment, and it was just really intriguing,” Gravel said. Gravel said his wife was his assistant and then associate head coach for 25 years. “We had several opportunities to leave, but they always did something just enough to keep us, and we kind of really loved the area and Hillsdale College,” Gravel said. Allyssa VanWienen ’21, Hillsdale’s current assistant volleyball coach, said she felt like she was surrounded by family from the moment she visited Hillsdale her junior year of high school. “I was just surrounded by good people almost immediately,” VanWienen said. “Everyone came up and introduced themselves to me. They were genuinely interested in where I came from and what my story was.” VanWienen said she liked how members of the team

were respectful towards each other but still joked and laughed together. “I come from a big family, so I was like, this is home for me,” VanWienen said.

came from a high school where my coach was very inyour-face all the time. If you did something wrong she would let you know right away and also let you know how to fix it. Then I came here, and

“If I was making mistakes over and over then of course he would come up to me and say, ‘Hey, this is what I've noticed. Maybe if you did this instead, you would see more results.’”

Chris Gravel wanted to be a baseball coach before he became a volleyball coach. Courtesy | Hillsdale College Athletic Department

VanWienen said working with Gravel was different from her prior experiences with highschool coaches. “He is a very hands-off coach,” VanWienen said. “I

it was like the other side of a coin basically.” VanWienen said Gravel would let her learn from her mistakes and figure out how to fix them on her own.

Gravel said his teaching philosophy aligns with Hillsdale’s values. “I really like what the players become when they leave the program, and that's what

I'm most proud of,” Gravel said. Gravel said his goal is to teach the women to be outwardly focused. “His goal is always to create good teammates and good players as a result of being a good teammate,” VanWienen said. When she played on the team, VanWienen said she always did her best to help her teammates, not to make herself look good. Junior Lauren Passaglia said she was excited Hillsdale had both excellent academics and excellent volleyball. Passaglia said this program has impacted her personal growth. “The culture that coach has really formed at the school is pretty unbelievable and it has been super fun to become a part of it and really just to see how much I've grown, not only as a player, but as a person,” Passaglia said. “He values being a good person, not just a volleyball player at the end of the day because there's so much more than volleyball.” Passaglia said Gravel is a successful coach. “He focuses not just on good volleyball players but good students and good people,” Passaglia said. “He looks a lot into the way we interact with our parents and the people we meet on our visits and looks a lot into more than just what we are on the court, so he's formed a really great culture in our program by really going the extra mile when it comes to recruiting and bringing in the right people.”

www.hillsdalecollegian.com

October 12, 2023 B1

‘Welcome to Everdell” by Andrew Bosley Courtesy | Andrew Bosley

C U L T U R E

From creed to critters: Andrew Bosley’s artwork on display through next week

Writer Christopher Beha to speak on campus By Moira Gleason Assistant Editor

Pieces of the game “Everdell” are inside of the exhibit. Alexandra Hall | Collegian

By Alexandra Hall Design Editor A glimpse into a forest canopy reveals a rushing stream, orange butterflies, patches of mushrooms, a small town, and a handful of critters going about their daily lives. The cover of the 2018 board game “Everdell” is one glimpse into the serene artistic mind of Andrew Bosley. As one of this semester’s guests of Hillsdale College’s Professional Artist Series, Bosley brought a collection of his work from the woods into Daughtery Art Gallery. “I structured it based on some of the projects I was most proud of,” Bosley said. “Works that allowed me to explore a breadth of ideas and expand in some world-building elements through my art.” Bosley is an illustrator, game designer, and writer, whose work appears in board and video games like “Everdell,” “Assassin’s Creed,” and “Ghost Recon.” After earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in illustration from San Jose State University, he became a concept artist for Ubisoft, a software developer.

He worked for seven years as a concept artist before transitioning into full-time freelance work. With years of experience under his belt, Bosley wanted to curate Hillsdale’s exhibit to feature a range of his work. “I am creating new, finished artwork at a rate that in two months, I could fill an exhibit,” Bosley said. “Over the course of my career, I’ve got lots of things to choose from. I wanted it to kind of represent a little bit of a timeline. It’s not totally structured and set up in the exhibit that way, but I had brought pieces that represented earlier parts of my career.” Some art students had the opportunity to attend a workshop with Bosley while he visited for the gallery opening last month. But instead of a rigidly structured how-to lecture, Bosley wanted to help students focus on being creative rather than pumping out content. “It was more of a ‘hey, here’s how to come up with ideas and be creative,’” Bosley said. “That was the focus of the workshop, and I hope everybody got a chance to stretch a little bit and exercise their creative muscles.

It was a really cool experience.” Senior Gillian Ruch, whose own art often features critters and nature, attended Bosley’s workshop. “I was struck by his eagerness to impart knowledge and help to a group of random students,” Ruch said. “He gave me a great piece of advice: he told me that ‘in your season of life it’s all about the mileage. Just draw as much as you can.’” Ruch said she was skeptical about digital art, but said interacting with Bosley and his work changed her mind. “His draftsmanship is so stunning that I am won over,” Ruch said. “Not only does he communicate that he knows how to draw form, line, and shape with a masterful hand, but his sense of light is terrific.” Chairman and Associate Professor of Art Julio Suarez also commented on Bosley’s technical skills and world-building abilities. “Through his expert draftsmanship and painting skills, he is able to create fantasy worlds that feel extremely real,” Suarez said. “His use of light and color creates an atmosphere that in-

vites the viewer to explore the picture.” Although Bosley’s exhibit closes on Oct. 18, his affection for Hillsdale is as inviting as his work. “I very much appreciate the values and priorities of Hillsdale College,” Bosley said. “It’s been something that I’ve been following for some time. I’ve taken online classes and I love the mission of the school.” Regardless of the medium, a career in art is a tough sell. Artists like Bosley have used modern tools to showcase their creativity and share their work with others. Hillsdale’s art department seeks to show students the possibilities of a career in the discipline by bringing in contemporary artists to speak to students and share their work, according to Suarez. “Our teaching is rooted in using traditional mediums to develop the fundamental skills of art making,” Suarez said. “An artist like Mr. Bosley shows students how these skills can translate to working digitally in a growing field like board game design.”

The former editor-in-chief of Harper’s Magazine will visit campus next week as part of the English department’s Visiting Writers Program. Christopher Beha will read from his forthcoming book, “Why I Am Not an Atheist,” at 8 p.m. on Oct. 16 and lecture on “The Statues in the Temple: Notes on the Novel as a Secular Art,” followed by a reception and book signing at 8 p.m. Oct. 17. Both events will be in the Hoynak Room of the Dow Center. Beha, who resigned as editor of Harper’s this month, is the author of several books, including his novel “An Index of Self-Destructive Acts,” which was nominated for the 2020 National Book Award. Associate Professor of English Dutton Kearney said he and other faculty of the English department had been familiar with Beha for years through his novels and work at Harper’s Magazine. “He’s interviewed a lot of writers, and he’s been on a lot of panels,” Kearney said. “He seems to really be interested in the intersection between faith and culture and literature.” Harper’s is the oldest continuously published monthly magazine in the United States. Its first issue came out in 1850. Kearney said he thinks Beha’s work resonates with the mission of the college.

“His outlook on the world is compatible with what we do here at the college from a classical liberal perspective,” Kearney said. According to Kearney, Beha’s work looks at the interplay between faith and the secular world and the ways in which they point toward each other. “His characters are really longing for meaning,” Kearney said. “It’s their quest for that, sometimes it’s religious meaning, sometimes it’s that I want my life to be significant.” Director of Academic Services Christy Maier said she has read two of Beha’s novels and is currently reading “An Index of Self-Destructive Acts.” “His novels are my favorite types of books: enjoyable and accessible, but also thought-provoking,” Maier said. Beha’s work engages the culture and can help students learn to do the same, according to Maier. “Beha uses fiction to ask the biggest epistemological and philosophical questions of our day,” Maier said. “He is a man of faith, but he avoids easy answers. Beware, his books are not PG-rated. Most students are going to leave the Hillsdale bubble eventually, and Beha provides one example of how faithful people can engage the larger culture meaningfully. Also, he knows how to tell a good story.”

Students endure weather for Homerathon Homerathon attendees gather in amphitheater. Sydney Green | Collegian

By Sydney Green Circulation Manager Through the chill and rain on Friday night, students completed a 24-hour long live reading of Homer’s “The Odyssey.” Students from the classics honorary Eta Sigma Phi held their annual Homerathon at the outdoor amphitheater Oct. 6. Taking turns, students read a book of “The Odyssey” every

hour beginning at 4 p.m. on Friday and finishing by 3 p.m. on Saturday. Professor of Classics Gavin Weaire opened the event by reading the first lines of “The Odyssey” in Greek. President of Eta Sigma Phi junior Maya Toman said she wasn’t sure when the event first started, but it is a beloved tradition nonetheless. “I think it’s stuck around because it’s enjoyed by people of all different majors and in-

terests,” Toman said. “We had a religion major stay all night and an economics major there for half of it.” Toman said she estimated about 40 people in attendance with an even mixture of honorary members and others. Sophomore attendee Lukas Becker stayed for the entirety of the 24 hours and said it was a fun and worthwhile use of his time. “I had a lot of fun, I knew that I probably wasn’t going to do anything more productive,” Becker said. “I also have a thing for staying up really late at night and pulling all-nighters so I thought it would be neat to actually do something productive with that skill.” The rain, fire alarms in the distance, and cold temperatures were a paltry deterrent for Becker, who stayed

through the night listening to the Great Books staple. Becker said he had never fully read “The Odyssey” before and said he thought that he found it to be more engaging when it was read aloud. “I experienced ‘The Odyssey’ in a new way this time because up until now I had only read part of it,” Becker said. “It really struck me how it is supposed to be spoken aloud; it really becomes riveting this way and so much more engaging.” In between books, students also had a chance to socialize and discuss their thoughts over a steady fire, cookies, and hot cider. Freshman Michael Rupe said one of his favorite moments was listening to a fellow student bring the text to life through his theatrical reading. “I loved when Jonathan Schultz read; he acted out parts of it and had a talent for doing different voices for different parts,” Rupe said. “I realized that a book really does come alive when it is read out loud well because it is no longer just words in your own head.”

Rupe said that the communal experience of reading “The Odyssey” added to his understanding of the book. “Being able to gather around a reader and treat these stories as actual stories as opposed to literature just meant to be studied gave me a greater appreciation for this book,” Rupe said. “I think just reading books like this doesn’t really do it justice; you have to experience it live and experience it being read to truly get meaning.” Enjoying a good story does not depend on one’s field of study and reading an infamous Hillsdalian staple can be enjoyed by anyone, according to Toman. “Good stories are good stories no matter what your major, and there is something really cool about sharing those stories with others around a campfire,” Toman said. “Plus, Homer is such a quintessentially Hillsdale author, since everyone reads him in Great Books, so we can all bond over that shared experience and reminisce about freshman papers and quizzes.”

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C U L T U R E B2 October 12, 2023

Practice appropriate etiquette at every kind of performance By Emily Schutte Collegian Reporter While the rules of concert etiquette may be different across musical genres, the goal is still the same: engagement and enjoyment, but our culture does not always understand how to relate to music in a way that respects and commends the technical skill of the artist. “I think that one of the emphases that I would place on this is that concert etiquette is not a special kind of etiquette when you look at the long view of history,” said Timothy McDonnell, associate professor of music. “It may seem special now, but we’ve lost so much of the context of civilized culture that it seems really weird.” McDonnell said prior to the 18th century, audiences of classical music were small and elite. By the 19th century, though, the experience became more accessible to more people. “There is almost a liturgical element to the experience of classical music now,” McDonnell said. “And there are great benefits to that in the sense that you can have a quiet, close, intense encounter directly with the musical phenomena. The downside is that there’s a certain separation from our psychological expe-

rience in music and our desire to applaud or our desire to to express approval or disapproval of the music or the performance vocally, after it’s over.” McDonnell said that over the centuries concert etiquette has evolved and grown. He said he wonders if modern etiquette for classical music has made it inaccessible for certain demographics of people. Modern etiquette is achievable with the right tools, though. Here are five ways to make current classical concert etiquette more clear and less frightening to navigate: 1) Research the event before attending. “The etiquette of preparing yourself for a concert starts when you make the decision to attend a concert,” said junior Anna Perrone, a music student. “It’s usually helpful, even if it’s not expected to research what you’re going to be attending a little bit. It will heighten your enjoyment of the event.” 2) Dress to impress. Orchestras work hard to provide beautiful music, so it is an act of courtesy to dress up. Treat it like a fancy date. 3) Turn off that cellphone. Better yet, leave it in the car. My friend recently attended a concert where the conductor

stopped the entire orchestra mid performance until an audience member silenced their Pyxis ringtone. Worst nightmare! 4) Grab a program. This will help in navigating the types of pieces being played. It may also prevent the painful faux pas of clapping between movements. “There’s a perennial custom of ‘don’t clap in between the movements,’ and that is very true,” Perrone said. “It’s kind of the same thing as ‘don’t take out your phone in the movie theater’ because it’s a little disrespectful and shows that you’re a little bit behind the classical music times.” 5) Do not give a standing ovation for everything. While a standing ovation is an amazing experience for a performer, it loses its significance when it happens at every performance. “There’s no better feeling as a performer than to get a standing ovation. It’s amazing,” Perrone said. “You’ve already got so much adrenaline from the actual performance. You finish and the audience shows you that they had a good time. They were impressed. They really liked it. However, I do think it can be overdone.” Mark Douglass, sabbatical orchestra professor in the absence of Professor of Music James Holleman, said he believes engagement in and awareness of

the music is the most important mindset which people can provide as an audience. “We show up early, we get a good seat, we read the program so that we’re familiar with what we are about to experience,” Douglass said. “We applaud an appropriate amount of time. We have a posture that is engaged. An engaged audience doesn’t want to sit down and put their feet up or something similar. You want to be physically engaged for the performers, and very silent and just absorb.” Concert etiquette has similarities of formality in genres like jazz, though with less strict etiquette rules. “If you need to get up and leave and take a phone call in the back, no one’s going to shoot you for that,” said junior Jack Walker, pianist in the Schismatics. “The audience is able to engage a lot more and be more raucous, and as a performer in jazz, I appreciate it when the audience engages and claps.” Understanding of the music and appropriate dress do still apply to a jazz concert, but the context of such a concert is different. In a concert atmosphere, engagement in and feedback to the performers is important. “You have a duty to show that you are actively engaging with

the music and paying attention and watching the ebb and flow of the improvisation and focusing on the different moving parts,” Walker said. The world of swing dance is closely associated with jazz. Gus and Jessica Vu, founders of Vu Du Swing in Dayton, OH, explained that jazz music has sections called “breaks.” A break is a musical pause in which either a singer or a drummer or some other instrument has a solo without the full ensemble. The dancers are supposed to respond in kind before they enter back into the dance with the full music orchestration. Dress for a jazz concert can vary more than a classical concert, but often people will dress in a ’40s or ’50s style to fit the era of the music and the dance that is associated with it. When thinking of genres like pop, rock, and country, at first glance etiquette does not seem to be an aspect of such concerts. There is a certain level of decorum these concerts also require, though. 1) Do not be drunk. Music is about engagement and community. While alcohol can help people to loosen up and have a good time, drunken crowds become inwardly focused. “If you get too drunk, you’re

gonna make it not fun for a lot of other people around you, especially the performers,” Walker said. “If you’re like, ‘oh my gosh, I can’t go to this without being drunk.’ I think that’s the wrong mentality because then you’re only thinking of yourself and not the people around you.” 2) Be respectful of the players. Having fans disrupt the performer’s and their equipment can be rattling and disrespectful. “Welcome party my sophomore year, it was beach themed. There were these four foot beach balls, and someone threw like five of them onto the crowd mosh pit area, and then they were hitting them up in the air, and they were falling on us and knocking over mic stands,” Walker said. “So that’s an example of ‘well maybe let’s not do that’ because we have to be able to function on stage.” 3) Show enjoyment in the music. When the performers see the audience truly engaging in the music, it can bring them satisfaction. “It’s my job, to have fun on stage and to bring you fun,” Walker said. “And when I see that you’re having fun, I’m also going to have more fun.” While etiquette across musical genres may have different elements, they still necessitate a degree of civility and engagement.

Professors’ Picks: Gary Wolfram, professor of political economy

From the minds of Hillsdale’s professors: the song, book, and movie everyone ought to know

“Layla” Derek and the Dominos - 1972

Wolfram ran for UCSB track and cross country during his undergraduate years. Courtesy | Gary Wolfram

“‘Layla’ came out in 1972, my senior year at the University of California, Santa-Barbara. It was on the only studio album of Derek and the Dominoes. The lyrics, which were written by Eric Clapton, are haunting and the rhythm is mesmerizing. I was so enamored by the song that I named my cat ‘Layla.’ Derek and the Dominoes were made up of some of the finest rock ’n’ roll artists of all time, including Clapton on lead guitar. Clapton was a member of a number of supergroups, including Cream, John Mayall’s Blues Breakers, Delaney & Bonnie, and Blind Faith as

well as Derek and the Dominoes, and is my favorite rock guitar player. Duane Allman, another great guitarist, plays on ‘Layla’ and is notable for his slide guitar work in the second half of the song. Clapton and Duane Allman have both been named in the top two of Rolling Stone magazine’s lists of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time. As my students know, I bring in a classic album of the week every Friday, and manage to include ‘Layla and Other Love Songs’ each semester.”

“Liberalism in the Classical Tradition” Ludwig von Mises - 1927 “I have required this book in my Economics 105 class, In-

troduction to Political Economy, since I arrived at Hillsdale in the spring semester of 1989. It is intriguing in that Mises wrote the book in 1927, in the middle of what is known as “The Roaring Twenties,” an era of notable economic expansion in the West. In the book, Mises predicts the Great Depression, that another world war will occur, that the fascists will start the world war, and they will not win the war. He also predicts that prohibition will fail. Mises closes his book by arguing that the West cannot be threatened by outside forces, but our society will collapse only if the ideas of classical liberalism lose out to a political philosophy that is hostile to free markets and limited government. It is crucial that those who believe in

market capitalism and limited government be able to win the battle of ideas and Mises’s book provides the ammunition to do just that.”

“The Good the Bad and the Ugly” - 1966

kid growing up, Westerns were a major share of television programming. ‘The Good the Bad and the Ugly’ has all the features of a great Western, including a three-way gunfight, which I sometimes use as an example of game theory in my class. It is worth getting on YouTube just to watch this scene. The acting is superb and the story, which revolves around three gunfighters who are trying to find a stash of Confederate gold during the Civil War, is mesmerizing. This is a classic Western that everyone should be familiar with.”

“It is the third movie in a threepart series all directed by the Italian film director, Sergio Leone, one of the most influential directors in movie history. Clint Eastwood, one of my favorite actors, stars as The Good, Lee Van Cleef is the Bad, and the Ugly is Eli Wallach. Westerns are my favorite genre of film. I have autographed pictures of Roy Rogers and Hugh O’ Brian, who played Wyatt Earp in the television series. When I was a Compiled by Alexandra Hall Design Editor

Senior playwright Hatch produces original work By Caroline Kurt Collegian Reporter Friday and Saturday evening, the Hillsdale College Theatre Department will host a staged reading of senior Kiley Hatch’s play, “Questions for My Mother,” in Markel Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. The play reimagines Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” as a one-act comedy in modern English from the point of view of Miranda, the daughter of Prospero. According to Hatch, this staged reading marks an important step in her senior project in playwriting, allowing her to hear the script acted out and receive audience feedback. Rather than act out the story with scenery and costumes, actors will read from the script in dramatic fashion. “A staged reading takes all the spectacle out,” said director Michael Beyer, production manager for the theater department. “It’s more of a tool for the playwright to hear her words. It’s a step in the process of writing a play.” Freshman Sophia Miller, who plays Miranda, offered some advice to potential attend-

ees of the staged reading. “You don’t need to be familiar with the story of ‘The Tempest,’” Miller said. “But you will get a much richer and deeper appreciation if you are. Don’t expect the physicality of a full fledged voice production. This is voice acting -– it’s like you’re sitting in a sound booth for a movie.” The staged reading will include a time for audience talkback after the performance, in which audience members are free to offer comment or criticism of the script. “It reminds you that, as an audience member, you have a moral responsibility to actively respond,” Hatch said. Hatch welcomes the feedback, whether it takes the form of a direct response in the audience talkback or a later conversation with a friend. “My job is to be a sponge,” Hatch said. “As a writer, I’m not allowed to defend or explain what I’ve written. If it’s not clear, I’ve done something wrong.” Beyer said he has enjoyed Hatch’s receptivity to critique as she moves toward a final version of the script. “It’s nice watching little light

bulbs go off as she hears things,” Beyer said. “It’s a joyful thing.” After the staged reading, Hatch will continue to make revisions in the script before seeking a full production. The idea for the play originated five years ago with a humorous family interaction. “In 2018, I used the Miranda monologue for an audition,” Hatch said. “Around that time, I started dating my now fiancé. My dad made a joke about how he’d kept me like Miranda, since I went to an all-girls school and hadn’t known many boys.” Hatch revisited the idea throughout her college years, drawing further inspiration from the Great Books and directing classes she took. She was also influenced by the gender dynamics she saw play out across the Hillsdale campus. “I was really curious about writing something that was natural femininity in a petri dish,” Hatch said. Through her studies at Hillsdale, Hatch developed an affinity for Shakespeare as a playwright. “I just want to be Shakespeare’s little sister,” Hatch said. “When you want to learn some-

thing, you copy someone who’s really good.” When she was presented with the choice between an acting, directing, or playwriting senior project at Hillsdale, Hatch elected to write, reimagining “The Tempest” from Miranda’s point of view. “I wanted to choose something that would really demonstrate how much I’ve learned and why I came here,” Hatch said. “I wanted something I could walk away with.” Christopher Matsos, chairman and associate professor of theatre, has taught Hatch in multiple theatre classes, including an advanced playwriting class. “I’m glad to see that she has steered more in the direction of writing for her senior project, because that’s probably where the world needs her most,” Matsos said. “She has a very singular vision of what she wants to bring as a playwright. Her strengths are really well suited to a project like this.” Matsos said he appreciates Hatch’s attention to the character of Miranda. “Miranda is pretty woefully underdeveloped, and I’m sure

Shakespeare had reasons for that,” Matsos said. “Any kind of imaginative reinterpretation of Miranda is welcome in that larger conversation of the story of Shakespeare’s last play.” Hatch’s play, Miller said, is true to the original character of Miranda. “Kiley maintains Shakespeare’s idea of Miranda in terms of her innocence and playfulness,” Miller said. Junior Nathan Malawey plays Ferdinand, the young prince of Naples who falls in love with Miranda. “It’s a very well-thought-out look into a character who really acts more like a plot element in the original work,” Malawey said. “I’m always a sucker for those types of stories that take those elements of the original work and make them more human. I think Kiley is really good at doing that.” Malawey enjoys Hatch’s attention to the romance between Miranda and Ferdinand, which largely happens offstage in the original play. “It shows the driving force of the young love that acts as the crux of the original play,” Malawey said. “It’s a very concrete

vision of that.” Malawey looks forward to bringing Hatch’s work to a wider audience after witnessing the fun the cast has had with bringing the script to life. “It’s a very malleable, natural process that has been a joy to be a part of and I think will be a joy to watch,” Malawey said. Miller expressed her own enthusiasm about the coming performances. “If I were an audience member, I would go to both shows and then ask if there were some more, just to keep hearing it and getting a grasp for how deep it is,” Miller said. “The work is just so phenomenal. Hearing Kiley speak about it, her passion for it is so palpable.” Matsos said he looks forward to Hatch’s work and hopes for more senior playwriting projects in the future. “There are a lot of pretty bad plays written these days,” Matsos said. “Hillsdale students are uniquely equipped to offer things to the world, and playwriting is an area where I’d like to see even more voices coming forward.”

October 12, 2023

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McClay’s favorite fictional town is the Shire from J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit.” Courtesy | Wilfred Mcclay

QUICK HITS with

Wilfred McClay By Michael Bachmann Features Editor In this Quick Hits, Professor of History Wilfred McClay talks arts, jazz, and peanut butter. What is your favorite class you have taught? I’ve only been here for two years and have basically only taught the heritage courses — so I’d say American Heritage. What is your favorite work of art? It would be a tie between the various works of Michelangelo, specifically his two pietas. I think I like the less well known one — the Florentine pieta. What is one piece of advice you try to live by?

You have to drink a lot of bad wine before you can appreciate the good wine.

fortunately so ignorant about so many things. I wish I knew about Chinese history. What is your most controversial opinion? Old books are better than new ones.

Do you have a favorite memory from college The mint julep parties at Revered J. Winfree Smith’s house.

Do you have any hidden hobbies or talents? Secrets? Well presumably I would want to keep them a secret, but I play jazz piano. And I am always looking for base players. Drummers are easy to find, but base players are few and far between.

What did you want to be when you grew up? I think I probably wanted to be an engineer like my father.

What is one piece of common knowledge you learned way too late in life? Well it’s never too late — maybe that’s it.

Is there a class you would add to the core curriculum? My understanding is that there is not a course in classics, so I’d like to see at least one required one.

If you could study one period of history more, what period would it be? There are so many. I am un-

If you had to pick just one food to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be? Peanut butter.

Are there stereotypes about historians that are true? Many. You don’t need me to

elaborate. For one thing, we really do live in the past. What’s your favorite reading in the Western Heritage Reader? I like the exchange over the investiture controversy. And of course Aristotle’s “Politics.” Who is one historical figure that you would like to hear speak at Hillsdale? George Washington. That’s easy! What’s something you recently learned that fascinated you? That the commander-in-chief of the Canadian armed forces is the monarch of England — a little frightening. What book are you currently reading? I’m preparing for a course that I am teaching this semester about tradition — it’s one of my favorite courses that I’ve taught elsewhere. And I am currently rereading Lampedusa’s novel “The Leopard.”

Professors embark Witnessing Hillsdale students’ witching hour on sabbatical research Library and student union employees share By Alexandra Comus Collegian Reporter

Research, a visit to Franconia, and prosthetics make up just one professor’s sabbatical months. Fred Yaniga, associate professor of German, is researching and writing several papers during his sabbatical this fall. “A sabbatical is often years in the making,” Yaniga said. “I know when my sabbatical is coming, and I start planning what I’m going to do and gathering resources for it. I know that my colleagues do that as well.” Yaniga will spend some time in Germany and Austria in October to find resources for his paper on the use of prosthetics and amputation in German literature. “Since I came to Hillsdale, I started to see in German literature a lot of characters who had had amputations and who were wearing prosthetics,” he said. “I thought, ‘That is so strange! Why does this keep on coming up?’” Yaniga said an author’s inclusion of something grotesque like an amputation is often intentional and in service of something deeper. “I always teach that the grotesque is there to highlight something,” he said. “It grabs our attention and highlights the conspicuous absence of the amputated limb. You, as the reader, are attracted to it viscerally and emotionally. You want to know why; you want to ask questions, but you cannot, because it is impolite.” Yaniga also said he believes an interesting aspect of amputation in literature lies in the prosthetic devices characters use to make up for the lost faculties that come with an amputation. “You have something that most humans take for granted like a limb, and now it is being replaced with something mechanical,” he said. There is a certain level of artificial and technological change that was an especially popular literary trope in the 19th century, according to Yaniga. “In some cases, there is a conspicuous absence which one would view as negative, and it isn’t always,” he said. “Sometimes, that moment of artificiality that comes from

the use of a prosthetic becomes productive, and I find it to be interesting when it happens. Yaniga said there are certain advantages of taking a sabbatical rather than pursuing research projects only during the summer. “I’ll be visiting archives, museums, and institutes,” Yaniga said. “I would never have been able to do that during the semester. That has a distinct advantage because, in Germany, the academic semester doesn’t start until October, so there will be things going on there that would never happen in the summer.” Associate Professor of Philosophy Ian Church, who was on sabbatical last year, agreed sabbaticals are more useful for research than a summer break. He found this especially true while on project, which is an ongoing research effort into the problem of evil. “The project had a lot of sub-grants at different institutions that were doing their own research for the first year,” Church said. Church said sabbaticals provide professors the opportunity to continue intellectual projects without the constraints of grading and lesson preparation. “It gave me a chance to read more deeply into texts that I’ve been trying to get to for a long time,” Church said. They can also allow professors to pursue personal projects in tandem with academic research. In between research projects, Yaniga plans to visit Oberweißenbrunn, his ancestral village in lower Franconia, south-central Germany. “It’s a town much smaller than Hillsdale, so there’s a church, a graveyard, a main street, and that’s just about it,” Yaniga said. “It was hit very hard in the Thirty Years’ War and destroyed, and later it was hit hard in the 19th century by the ravages of poverty and starvation. That was what caused my ancestors to leave in 1881.” Yaniga said he had never explored much of his German heritage because of his Slovak last name, but he had always known about it. Charles Steele, chairman of economics, business, and accounting, is currently working on three projects while on

sabbatical for the year. Even though he isn’t teaching, he said he still enjoys spending time advising students and going on hikes with the Outdoor Adventures Club. One of his papers is on the development of private property rights in space. “A couple of years ago, I presented a paper at a conference on this subject, and so I want to really develop that idea and come up with a theory about it that is not prescriptive, but which describes and predicts what will happen,” Steele said. Another paper discusses scientist Paul Ehrilich’s 1968 book, “The Population Bomb.” Steele said he hopes once the paper is published, Ehrlich will be able to respond to the critiques that Steele made of his arguments. “I hope to do a serious, dispassionate analysis of his book,” Steele said.“In his book, Ehrlich made a lot of predictions, most of which never came to pass.” Ehrlich is one of the main scientists who popularized the idea of an overpopulation crisis. “Some of the predictions did come true, but pretty much everything that he predicted correctly had nothing to do with overpopulation. In fact, he was wildly wrong,” Steele said. “Empirically, his overpopulation thesis was refuted, but the true believers don’t get rid of it, and that is very dangerous.” Steele’s final project is an analysis of an increasingly popular set of criteria in the investing world called ESG, or environmental, social, and governance factors. “ESG is a new proposal for accounting and analyzing procedures that is different from benefit, costs, profits, and losses and instead tries to analyze environmental, social, and governance goals,” Steele said. “It really is a kind of back-door central planning, and it is very popular in business schools and industry groups, but it is obvious that it is a tool by which the well-connected will crush competition.” Steele said this paper will dovetail nicely with a conference in April for the soon-tobe-developed Center for Commerce and Freedom in which panelists will address ESG.

their accounts of late night shenanigans

Senior Lucia Piecuch, a library employee, works on homework in an empty library during a closing shift. Michael Bachmann | Collegian

By Adeline Kaufman Collegian Freelancer For the typical Hillsdale student, a late night in the library means an upcoming exam or paper. And if you have nothing more important to do than play ping pong in the Grewcock Student Union, you go to bed. But the library and union don’t close until 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. respectively, on weeknights, which means there are always employees around to observe the antics of the Hillsdale witching hour. Junior Gavin Listro described a shift in the student union when campus security came in close to 2 a.m. to ask him about a strange man who had been seen prowling around campus. “I never heard if they found the guy,” Listro said. “It was kind of scary walking back to my dorm that night.” The library staff have also seen some odd incidents. Sophomore Meredith Vanderweide, who works at the library, watched a student return to the library late one night after realizing it was raining outside, talk to library maintenance staff, and come back with a large back trash bag. “He puts it on his head, covers himself and just rips out some eye holes,” Vanderweide said, “like, not even two holes, there was just a singular slit for his eyes.”

The student continued to wander the library for a while, dressed in the trash bag, according to Vanderweide, before leaving for the night. Most night shifts, however, are less eventful. “Aside from people studying in A.J.’s, the only people left in the student union as 2 a.m. approaches are the cuddling couples,” junior Matt Byrne, who works at the Union desk, said.

“They were just lying on the floor sleeping. They were sprawled out across the floor, legs out and everything like it was their bed, on the ground.” Sometimes, the employees cause chaos. Byrne described a time he and his friends tried to land a volleyball in a trash can outside the dining hall by shooting it over the railings. The ramifications of latenight shenanigans are sometimes seen the next morning. Sophomore Maria Birzer recalled opening the library one morning to the terrifying

discovery of two students who had spent the night in hell, the bottom floor of the library. “They were just lying on the floor sleeping,” Birzer said. “They were sprawled out across the floor, legs out and everything like it was their bed, on the ground.” The students did not wake up while Birzer was there. “I had no idea what to do with that,” she said. “I just left them.” But most late nights are fairly ordinary. Vanderweide expressed mixed feelings about the late shift. “It’s good because I’m forced to sit here for a long time, so I get a lot of homework done,” Vanderweide said. “It is entertaining because you get to see things which don’t happen during the day, but usually by 11:30 p.m. the library is mostly empty and you’re starting to go insane.” Byrne said he often brings his guitar to these shifts. “It’s nice to kind of just mess around with no intention of playing anything for anyone, just me and my guitar,” Byrne said. Byrne said he also appreciates the social aspect of his job during the daytime shifts. “I always bring homework but none of it ever gets done, during the day shifts at least, because my friends come and talk to me, which I love about my job,” Byrne said.

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From Ockham to Anscombe: philsophy professor traces academic lineage

October 12 2023

The (abridged) Academic Family Tree of Ian M. Church

Church began drafting his academic family tree, which now hangs in his office, five years ago. Courtesy | Jennifer Leonard

Ian Church

G.E.M. Anscombe (1919-2001)

Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) By Jennifer Leonard Collegian Freelancer College means “partnership,” but Professor of Philosophy Ian Church’s academic genealogy project highlights a more “familial” side of learning. Over the course of the past five years, Church has compiled an academic family tree tracing back student-adviser connections to the twelfth century. Church received his doctorate in 2012 from the St. Andrews and Stirling Graduate program in philosophy. “It all began when my wife was pregnant with our fourth child,” Church said, “She had ‘morning sickness’ in the evenings, so she would go to bed early and leave me to my own devices.” Church’s wife, Corrie, said she was not suprised by her husband’s new obsession. “We had been married for 13 years at the time,” she said, “So Ian’s tendency to dive in deep to whatever he is interested in was not new to me. I mostly just thought it was funny and was glad he was enjoying himself!” Church discovered several websites that traced supervisor-student connections through history. One website, Philosophy Family Tree, traced students back to their thesis supervisors, then those supervisors’ supervisors, creating a diagram of academic influence similar to a family tree.

When Church discovered the Philosophy Family Tree website was shutting down, he saved PDFs of the trees available and began doing some digging of his own. Church had two primary supervisors, two secondary supervisors, and an external and internal examiner. Drawing upon the Philosophy Family Tree records as well as the Mathematics Genealogy Project database and his own personal research, Church built an 8-foot long version of his academic family tree. Church can trace his academic lineage through figures such as G.E.M. Anscombe, Ludwig Wittgenstein, Bertrand Russell, Immanuel Kant, David Hume, Gottfried Leibniz, Galileo Galilei, Nicolaus Copernicus, Gregory Palamas, William of Ockham, and John Duns Scotus. “The connections are interesting on the face of things, but it’s not the kind of thing that someone should put a feather in their cap for,” Church said, “Being connected to Isaac Newton or Copernicus really doesn’t mean much of anything because hundreds of thousands of people are academically descended from them.” Many of the connections are direct supervisor-student relationships in a university setting, but the chart also includes connections that represent significant personal influence. “A lot of the claimed connections are based on tradition, and there is a lot of debate,” Church

said, “For example, people want to say that Ockham was supervised by Peter Espagna and through him, Albert the Great, the teacher of Thomas Aquinas. I haven’t been able to find anything to that effect. I try to go onto those databases and correct those errors when I see them.” Church begins his research with encyclopedia articles, which often list supervisor-student relationships and then checks them against other sources. “Sometimes I compare with other encyclopedia articles, other times I find myself looking at scholarly articles on supervisory practices in the middle ages at the University of Paris,” Church said. Church’s research has even called into question major narratives of medieval scholarship. “Traditionally people say that Ockham was the supervisor of Buridan, the best medieval logician,” Church said, “There is a lot of influence from Ockham in Buridan’s writing, but my research has found that the University of Paris assigned supervisors based on where the students were from, and since Ockham and Buridan were from different places, it is unlikely that Ockham would have been his supervisor.” When he’s not busy cleaning up misleading websites, Church hopes to continue the project by tracing the academic lineage

of more Hillsdale faculty to see where they overlap. Some of the faculty he has researched so far don’t meet up on his tree until quite a ways back. “Tom Burke doesn’t overlap with my tree until Leibniz,” Church said. Church said he found himself sympathetic with various projects he later realized are part of his academic ancestry. “I wonder if I chose my supervisor because he was a descendant of those kinds of projects,” he said. Church’s supervisor, Professor Patrick Greenough at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, said he also wonders how much supervisors pass down to their students. “What gets passed down from academic supervisor to supervisee is not a body of doctrine, but a way of thinking, a way of approaching and trying to resolve difficult questions,” Greenough said. “It’s for this reason that academic ancestry, in its various guises, is not only intriguing but highly enlightening.” Church said the real value of this academic family is rather philosophical. “I think it is really useful for demystifying the past,” Church said, “This is a humanizing exercise in that we are able to see that we were all students at one point, and we all have our time to take our turn on the front line of the academic world.”

Immanuel Kant (1724-1804)

Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543)

William of Ockham (c. 1287-1347)

John Duns Scotus (c. 1266-1308)

This graphic represents highlights from Church’s academic family tree, which contains more than 70 entries and multiple branches

Students tour amish town in horsedrawn buggy Five students visited Shipshewana this weekend for a horsedrawn tour. linnea Shively | Collegian

By Linnea Shively Assistant Editor Last weekend, a few friends and I drove more than an hour from campus to visit the small town of Shipshewana, Indiana. The draw? Shipshewana is the third largest Amish community in North America, and invites visitors to shop, eat, and learn about its way of life. While the delicious pies and home-cooked comfort food were a nice break from Hillsdale cuisine, the most memorable part of the trip was a buggy ride through the town and surrounding countryside. Terry the horse obeyed his driver, Elmer, and pulled five of us, squeezed into a buggy, around the town.

Along the route, Elmer explained the history of the town and the traditions within the Amish community. For the curious “English,” which means everyone who is not Amish, I discuss some of the memorable points. Although the Amish historically lived on farms and worked in various agricultural fields, today, a growing number of young Amish work in RV factories for higher wages. Amish families, however, still typically live toward the edge of town or in the countryside to have enough room for their horses. When asked how many Amish live in the area, Elmer instead referred to the population as “families.” Amish recreational

activities demonstrate this communal focus. Elmer pointed out the Cove, a recreation center for Amish youth. He said it helped youth meet each other and encouraged wholesome activities. Amish churches are also measured by family. Church services are held inside Amish homes, and a traveling bench-buggy delivers religious materials to the services. Once a church reaches 45-50 families, a new church forms. Elmer said the community’s goal was to have a school for each church district. Shipshewana doesn’t sound like a typical Amish name. That’s because it isn’t. When an argument about naming the town arose between two competing Amish settlers, they decided to

name the town after the former Potawatomi Native American chief, who formerly lived in the same area. Although Shipshewana may seem dramatically different to the English eye, it is a more progressive Amish community than others. Many Amish children attend English schools, and some continue through high school to play sports. Additionally, the community recently allowed the use of tractors for agriculture and an Amish house in town sells electric bikes. Though I won’t be trading in my car for a buggy, the homemade amish baked good just might bring me back.