4.28.16 Hillsdale Collegian by The Hillsdale Collegian

The Minister of Magic returns Renowned British actor Robert Hardy will present an acting masterclass Thursday evening in the Quilhot Black Box. B1

Class of 2016 among smartest in the nation According to national standardized test results, Hillsdale seniors rank in the 99th percentile from almost 300 schools. A2

Vol. 139 Issue 25 - 28 April 2016

Michigan’s oldest college newspaper

History in frame

Hillsdale boasts rare photo of Frederick Douglass By | Macaela J. Bennett Editor-in-Chief About 150 years ago, when the popular pictures of African-Americans portrayed them as savages, black abolitionist Frederick Douglass used photography to transform their image. And though Douglass shared the 19th century with legends like Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, and Walt Whitman, Harvard historian John Stauffer said Douglass surpassed them all in at least one category: he was the most photographed American of those 100 years. In a 2015 illustrated biography “Picturing Frederick Douglass,” historians Stauffer and Zoe Trodd explain Douglass’ impact on the abolitionist movement with his pioneering use of photography. To honor Douglass’ accomplishments and the legacy of his two speeches on Hillsdale’s campus, the Liberty Walk will soon add a statue of the acclaimed orator. But that isn’t the only important piece of Douglass history that Hillsdale holds. Page 20 of “Picturing Frederick Douglass,” displays a rare, full-length photo of him, which was taken nearby on Howell Street by local Hillsdale photography firm owned by Edwin Burke Ives and Reuben L. Andrews. This was the same day that Douglass gave a speech in Hillsdale’s chapel called “Truth and Error.” “Properly speaking, there was no such thing as new truth. Error might be old or new; but truth was as old as the universe, based upon a sure foundation, and could not be overthrown,”

Abolitionist Frederick Douglass was photographed by Edwin Burke Ives and Reuben L. Andrews in Hillsdale after giving a speech titled “Truth and Error” on campus in January 1863. The photograph is held in Hillsdale’s archival collection. Hillsdale Library and Archives | Courtesy

See Douglass A2 Vivian Hughbanks | Collegian

33 students 2016

478 alumni

35 students 2015

in the D.C. area

46 students 2014

Hillsdale

summer WHIP in

Washington

D.C.

45 38 students students 2013

2012

—Compiled by Anders Hagstrom

College to auction Duesenberg Hillsdale to auction off classic car in July

By | Sarah Chavey Collegian Reporter In 1929, the Duesenberg Model J with a disappearing convertible top was one of the most luxurious cars available in the world. Eighty-seven years later, it’s both incredibly rare and still extremely valuable. And thanks to Eric Bardeen, a generous donor, Hillsdale College now owns one that will be auctioned off in July. The car was manufactured in Auburn, Indiana, and is one of only a few remaining Duesenbergs in the world, Vice President for Finance and Treasurer Pat Flannery said. RM Sotheby’s will auction off the car during its July 30 classic cars auction. Auctioneers predict the car will sell for $1.2-1.4 million, and the money will go toward general purFollow @HDaleCollegian

Best of Hillsdale Want to know the best burger, pizza, and hidden gem in Hillsdale? Look no further than the Collegian’s first annual “Best of Hillsdale” rankings. A6

poses of the college. The school paid a bargain $400,000 for the car. The difference between the auction sale price and the portion Hillsdale College paid for it is Bardeen’s gift to the school. Bardeen did not specif y a specific purpose for the gift portion. “These cars were made during an iconic period of American history,” said Robert Norton, institutional advancement vice president and general counsel. “The degree of workmanship is truly fantastic. It’s true craftsmanship and innovation, which is hard to relate to today.” A former executive at Fiat

Chrysler and a car collector himself, Norton helped the college look for a gift like this. Vice President for Institutional Advancement John Cervini came up with the idea and arranged the donation. “It’s a beautiful car, and we are fortunate to receive such a generous gift to

o |C

urt

esy

support the operaa tions of Hillsdale edi kim College from Mr. Eric i W Bardeen,” Cervini said in an m Co

email. Bardeen donated the rights to the vehicle two years ago and gave it physically to the college in January 2016. “He’s a supporter of the college, and he has a lot of vehicles,” Flannery said. “He wanted to give it to us.” Right now, the car is being cleaned, refurbished, and waxed in Troy, Michigan, with a man known as “the Duesenberg guy in the world,” according to Flannery. It will be on Hillsdale’s campus for a photo shoot on May 4 and will be auctioned off from the Inn at St. John’s in Plymouth, Michigan. “The car’s going to be considered the premier car at the auction,” Flannery said. “They’ll start it up and get it running so people can hear it.”

www.hillsdalecollegian.com

Douglass statue delayed until 2017 By | Breana Noble Assistant Editor

equality.” Wolfe and the college considered a number of poses for the statue, including one reminiscent of the photo taken during his trip to Hillsdale, which depicts Douglass sitting. They, however, decided that he would stand across from his old friend, Abraham Lincoln, at the 4 o’clock position when

Hillsdale College’s Liberty Walk will have to wait longer than expected to receive its newest addition — abolitionist and orator Frederick Douglass. A college committee selected award-winning sculptor Bruce Wolfe for the project in May 2015. Wolfe The newest addition to Hillsdale was not able to begin College’s Liberty Walk — abolitionwork as soon as exist Frederick Douglass — will be pected, but he plans unveiled on campus in 2017, just to start sculpting soon. shy of 155 years after his visit to Although Chief Staff campus in 1863. Officer Mike Harner said Wolfe projects the sculpture will be completed by looking at Central Hall from December, weather will delay the Civil War memorial. Wolfe’s concept also depicts the dedication until fall 2017. “It’s going to be very neat. the 19th-century orator holdThere’s a lot of excitement ing a book, an ode to his influabout it,” Harner said. “I think ential writings. Harner said he will not reBruce Wolfe views this as a lease any early sketches of the major work of a distinguished statue to the public because career.” The sculpture’s concept de- the design could change once sign depicts a younger Doug- Wolfe begins sculpting, and lass at about the height of his he wants the unveiling to be a oratory powers when he was surprise. In conjunction with the stat43, the age he would have been two years before speaking at ue, Hillsdale is also commemHillsdale College for the first orating the abolitionist’s life with the Frederick Douglass time on Jan. 21, 1863. “We’re very proud of the Scholarships. The college is decollege’s affiliation with the signing this full-tuition grant great Frederick Douglass,” specifically for high-achievPresident Larry Arnn said in ing, high-need students from an email. “He and the princi- inner cities, especially Detroit, ples he stated in that speech Michigan, and Chicago, Illihelped to form the devotion nois, Financial Aid Director of the college to freedom and R i c h See Statue A2

College responds to HLC changes in accreditation By | Micah Meadowcroft Associate Editor It is worse than it was, but not bad yet. That seemed to be administrators’ conclusion regarding recent changes made by the Higher Learning Commission to its accreditation process. In response to Department of Education mandates and in a culture of standardized tests and quantifiable results, the HLC has abandoned self-studies — essentially books written by schools describing their institutions submitted every ten years before a review visit — for a combination of processes the HLC calls “Open Pathway.” “The self-study as we have known it is finished,” Provost David Whalen said. “What they did is they replaced the accreditation process with a couple of accreditation processes having different degrees of frequency and intrusiveness.” In principle, Open Pathway is still a 10-year process. Within that decade, institutions must propose two “Quality Initiatives,” which much be approved by the HLC, executed, and then assessed. There are also self-reporting elements in years four and seven. Schools still submit a kind of self-study, but what once was a composed book has become an online series of “Assurance Arguments” supporting “Core Components” and “Sub-Components” to demonstrate fulfillment of five “Criteria for Accreditation” the HLC has set forth. “It used to be the sort of thing that one office could keep an eye on,” Assistant to the Provost Mark Maier said. “Once a decade, it would involve the rest of campus, and then no one else would have to think about it for another eight years. Now it involves a lot more people and the reporting is more regular.” Hillsdale’s reaccreditation is set for the 2017-2018 academic year. Some 20 committees

are producing topic reports with the HLC criteria and components in mind. Those topic reports will be assembled and delivered to criteria authors, who will take all the reports and distill them into Assurance Arguments. Once data has been entered and President Larry Arnn has signed off, the college will upload its complete report. A committee of peers from other HLC institutions will evaluate the report, and visit campus early in 2018 to review and spot check. “The Higher Learning Commission is attempting to make things less burdensome than writing a book,” Whalen said. “In fact, for a smaller institution like us, it’s probably about the same, maybe even a little more.” Whalen said the emphasis has shifted to metrics based on facts and data. “It’s not the case that most of this type of reporting isn’t being done already internally,” Maier said. “But it just adds a little bit more pressure on the institution according to these strict deadlines that are imposed on us.” The college is overhauling its General Education Assessment process — a move which administrators already intended but which also fulfills specifications as a Quality Initiative in the reaccreditation process. Assistant Professor of Psychology Colin Barnes is on the committee overseeing that initiative and has, along with Maier, gone to meetings with the HLC over the last few years. He said he thinks the Higher Learning Commission’s changes are motivated by federal interference and a growing obsession among educators with things being measured and a proof of improvement and change. “There were several of the higher ups in the Higher Learning Commission who made presentations, and there were certain things that they said, tone of HLC A2 Look for The Hillsdale Coll egian

News

www.hillsdalecollegian.com

Douglass from A1 Douglass said, as reported by the Chicago Tribune. “A fatal blow had at last been struck at the root of the gigantic evil. The President’s proclamation had given the slaves the legal right to liberty. Now they could obtain their personal freedom without trampling upon civil laws.” Trodd told the Collegian this picture is important for a number of reasons, including the timing that earned it the title of “Emancipation Proclamation photo.” Also, it is one of the only existing full-length photos of Douglass, and he strikes a rarely seen pose with his fists clenched. Finally, he seldom used props, but the corner of a thick book is rests atop a table almost touching Douglass’ elbow, which Trodd said “has to be a statement.” “Here, he has incredibly confident body language, and he was very careful with props, so his choice to have a book says something significant,” Trodd said. “He never did anything that wasn’t very careful and deliberate.” Aside from the importance these details give the photo, Trodd said she gained a personal affection for the photo, since she received it from Douglass’ descendant. She spent years traveling anywhere with a slight chance of having a Douglass photograph, and this one fell into her lap while at a conference several years ago. Kenneth B. Morris Jr., the great-great-great-grandson of Douglass (as well as the greatgreat-grandson of Booker T. Washington), also spoke at the conference. Afterward, Trodd showed him the Douglass photos she’d collected, and Morris told her that she was missing a really important one. “It was one of those great moments of my life, huddled outside the conference, showing him the photos and watching him respond and then having him show me this moving one,” Trodd said. “It was one of those moments where you’re grateful to be a historian.” Morris said a Hillsdale alumnus told him about the photo, and he liked it so much that he made it his computer’s background picture. “He looks really magnificent — very regal and grand — by the way he’s sitting and dressed and the relaxed look

Statue from A1 Moeggenberg said. The criteria corresponds with Douglass’ history, Arnn said. “Frederick Douglass was himself high-need and high -achieving,” Arnn said. “We want a student body made up of the best who are willing and able without regards, as the Articles of Association say, to ‘race, sex, and national origin.’ This is a way to pursue that.” After years of raising funds, the college selected its first recipient for the 2016-2017 academic year. In order to pick a recipient, Senior Director of Admissions Zack Miller said Hillsdale received a list of students from standardized tests, like the ACT, identifying students with great financial need. “We want folks to know Hillsdale is affordable and

HLC from A1 voice, gesticulations, and so forth that conveyed to me that these were requirements because they were getting pressure from the outside,” Barnes said. The HLC was clear with Maier about some of the Education Department’s roles in changes. “They said the federal compliance piece is just going to continue to grow year in and year out,” Maier said. “It’s largely motivated by the Department of Education wanting to make sure these institutions of higher learning are being good stewards of federal money and are more or less providing what they say they are providing to the students. Obviously, we don’t use the money, but we’re kind of lumped in with everyone else.”

on his face,” Morris told the Collegian. “As the leader of the abolitionist movement, who was leading his brethren very calmly and cooly, it’s so neat that he could just sit there with everything going on and present himself as somebody not fearing what’s about to happen.” In the book’s afterword, Morris identifies this as his “all-time favorite picture” of Douglass, saying, “There has never been a cooler picture taken of my great ancestor. When I look at this photograph, all I can do is bow down and say, ‘You are the Man!’” Douglass’ ability to invoke these sentiments of confidence, courage, and even awe, contributed to the power photography gave him in shaping people’s conception of African-Americans. Just three years after Douglass escaped from slavery and in photography’s infant days, “he had the foresight to understand that the new medium would help his (abolitionist) argument,” Morris said. Douglass not only used photography to portray himself as a leader, but also he wrote essays and gave lectures on its usefulness. “He was really the first person who helped shape the public consciousness by presenting the antithesis of what people thought about slaves or enslaved Africans. People believed they were savages, so Frederick understood he could shatter that notion by presenting himself as a man and someone worthy of citizenship and freedom.” Morris said he often explains the significance of Douglass’ manipulation of photography by using a contemporary example. “If he were alive today, he would have a million Twitter followers,” Morris said. Trodd added that Douglass’ motivation to be captured by photographers was not vain. Instead, it represents the “first great visual battle of American history,” as his dignified image was one of the only weapons to combat white supremacist imagery, cartoons, sketches, and caricatures in his day. “It might not seem radical to us,” Trodd said, “but for the 19th century white southerner to see these photographs and see Douglass so self-possessed and a gentleman was a shocking thing to them — and he knew that.” a great value,” Miller said. “Sometimes there’s a stigma with private schools, that they’re too expensive out of the gate. That’s not the case... We want to dispel that myth. If you are a good fit for Hillsdale, we want to at least open the door for them to learn more about us.” The Liberty Walk began in 2002 with the George Washington statue. Since then, the college always planned to include a Douglass statue, which was announced in 2013. His statue, to be erected near Lincoln and the memorial commemorating Hillsdale students who fought in the Civil War, will complete that section of the walk.

Although the Education Department doesn’t seem to be using accrediting agencies to target independent institutions, Whalen said it has turned accrediting agencies into federal enforcers and disconnected some federal regulations from the reception of federal funds. “Because the accreditation agencies have been made the gatekeepers for federal funding, the Department of Education can and does dictate matters of policy to them,” Whalen said. “So there are things that we are having to do now to maintain our accreditation that even our accreditation governing body does not find all that serious or valuable but are imposed by the Department of Education.” Whalen said the HLC opposes such regulations and sees it as a misuse and misun-

A2 28 April 2016

California Superior Court judge to teach class By | Philip H. DeVoe Assistant Editor California Superior Court Judge James Rogan will be on campus in the fall to teach “The Criminal Justice System.” In the one-credit course, offered by the politics department, Rogan will teach students about the period between arrest and sentencing to give them a better understanding of how the U.S. justice system works. “I am hopeful that by the end, they will have a more truthful understanding of the criminal justice system,” Rogan said. “I want to share my enthusiasm for this profoundly constitutional process.” Rogan has been a long-time friend of the college, having visited most recently in February to give a speech. “He is a very interesting man and really experienced in this area,” Assistant to the President Kyle Murnen said. “He has a relationship with Dr. Arnn and the college, and when the opportunity to bring him back to teach a one-credit class in the fall was presented, he said he was willing to do it.” Born in San Francisco, Rogan attended University of California, Los Angeles law school and served as the Los Angeles deputy district attor-

President Bill Clinton’s impeachment trial. “It was an absolutely fascinating process to go through. It was a trial that nobody on the face of the planet had lived to see before,” Rogan said. “It taught me that the Constitution worked.” Rogan said the Constitution worked because each house did the job it was supposed to do. The House California Superior Court Judge James Rogan can considwill come to Hillsdale next semester to teach a er impeachone-credit course titled “The Criminal Justice ment, and the System.” Imprimis | Courtesy Senate’s job is to determine ney before moving into poliwhether the tics. In 1996, California voters president committed a high elected him to his first of two crime and, if so, whether it terms in the House of Repre- merits his removal from office. sentatives. While serving on Rogan said it was not the the House Judiciary Commit- Senate’s verdict that disaptee in 2000, he was one of the pointed him about the tri13 congressmen to manage al, rather the procedures by

which they proceeded through the trial. “I said the trial was a sham then, and I’ll say it again now,” Rogan said. “The senators passed rules that changed and modified their rules of impeachment, which prevented us from being able to call any of our witnesses in that whole trial. In that sense, the Senate created rules that turned the procedure into a sham.” “This is a black eye on the Senate, and nobody knows about all this but me and the other people behind the scenes,” Rogan said. “The Senate doesn’t view it as a black eye because it is not observable, but it is there.” Rogan said his experience in Congress has not changed his opinion or made him more skeptical of the U.S. political system. He said he believes Congress gives congressmen an opportunity to become statesmen but that some people did not “rise to the challenge.” “The most important thing for me when I left Washington, D.C., was that I remain true to the oath I took to protect the Constitution in the way it was intended to be preserved,” Rogan said. “I still try to remain true to this oath today.”

Au revoir, Professor Rebbert By | JoAnna Kroeker Collegian Reporter After 32 years of teaching French at Hillsdale College, devoted Professor of French Maria Rebbert will retire after this semester. Known in the French department for her infectious laughter and dedication to her students, Rebbert helped build the French department and expand its course offerings after she came to Hillsdale in 1984, former Professor of French Ellen Justice Templeton said. “From the very beginning, she has been a completely, positively spirited colleague,” Templeton said. “She is the most dedicated professor at Hillsdale. She goes way beyond to help students, and she is always available.” Rebbert frequently can be found in her office, either helping a student one-on-one or chatting with students to help them practice their conversational skills. Senior Ben Durrington, a French major, has taken six classes with Rebbert — from French 101 through upperlevel literature classes. One of Durrington’s favorite memories of Rebbert is when she would bring LU Biscuits, milk chocolate-covered buttery biscuits, to her students — a bite of French culture to reward students’ hard work and help them get through tests. “I think she’s good at communicating her love of French culture and getting other people excited about it,” he said. “For me, when I took French 101 with her, that’s when I fell in love with French.” Rebbert said people in her life knew she would be a teacher since she was six or seven years old. She used to teach her siblings spelling, using Old derstanding of accreditation by the Education Department. Maier pointed out that the college has a good relationship with the HLC going back to 1915. “In some respects, we are kind of a typical small, liberal arts college to them,” Maier said. “I don’t think they’re approaching us with a target. That could change, but I don’t think there’s a war coming.” Whalen said the changes have introduced a layer of complexity which the college has not had hitherto; where this will lead in the future is unknown for now. As of yet, no substantial changes have been made at Hillsdale. “We’ve always run a tight ship, but now we need to not only run a tight ship but prove we have run a tight ship,” Whalen said.

How to: Advertise with the Collegian If interested in placing an advertisement in the Collegian, please contact ad manager Patrick Nalepa at pnalepa@hillsdale.edu.

Professor of French Maria Rebbert will retire at the end of this semester after teaching at Hillsdale for 32 years. Hillsdale College External Affairs | Courtesy

Maid cards as flashcards, after they came back from elementary school. When she began assistant teaching in graduate school, she said she remembers thinking to herself, “Wow, I can’t believe people are paying me to do this; it’s so much fun!” Durrington said he appreciated the broad scope of French culture and literature Rebbert taught. She helped her students close-read texts from many different centuries and dig into ideas that were not just in her area of expertise. Rebbert said she enjoyed teaching a little bit of everything at Hillsdale: from beginning French to 19th century literature, her favorite class,

to film seminars. A bit of a romantic, she said she loves the stories of courtly love, princesses, knights, and towers in medieval French literature. A Washington, D.C., native, Rebbert said she enjoys living in a small town. After retiring, she said she plans to volunteer at the Hillsdale County Medical Care Facility, a nursing home, and the Humane Society. She said she hopes to take advantage of all the things the college brings to campus, spend more time with her two cats and her beagle — who will be happy to see her more often — and learn sign language. She said she also will enjoy having more time to read outside of what she would to pre-

pare for class, such as Russian literature — a favorite genre. She also will have time for kayaking, hiking, and cross-country skiing. “If there’s heavy snowfall next winter, I’m the one who has been asking for it,” she said. French Department Chair Marie-Claire Morelec spoke of Rebbert’s devotion to her students, as well as her thoughtfulness and kindness as a colleague to everyone in the faculty. “We in the French department will miss her and wholeheartedly wish her a very happy retirement,” Morelec said in an email.

Seniors score in 99th percentile on standardized test By | Lillian Quinones Collegian Reporter Preliminary results from a standardized test evaluating graduating seniors placed Hillsdale College’s class of 2016 in the 99th percentile compared to average scores from 294 institutions nationwide. The score represented 49 of the target 50 Hillsdale seniors taking the test. This Proficiency Profile is akin to a college-level SAT, with subjects such as critical thinking, mathematics, and science. It serves the college as a measure of education assessment. In its inaugural year, the Proficiency Profile represents a larger revision of how the college evaluates the education of its student body. “This standardized test pro-

vides a benchmark for us to compare the results to other institutions, which makes it more meaningful data,” Assistant to the Provost Mark Maier said. Maier said the test was also attractive because seniors who scored well on it would receive a certificate of their “proficiency” and could reference the results on their resume. “We chose the Proficiency Profile because it’s one of the tests with the most visibility and participants,” Director of Institutional Research George Allen said. “Its author is one of the most widely recognized as a legitimate and legitimizing body. It produces the GRE graduate school entry exam, for example.”

Allen advertised the test to seniors with the incentive of receiving a $25 Amazon gift card after they answered the 108 questions in the two-hour time limit. Initially concerned that the high score was representative of only the best and brightest of the senior class, Allen calculated the average GPA of the participants as 3.4, which closely correlates to the average GPA of the senior body as a whole. Further analyzing the data, Allen found that 11 of the seniors were natural science majors, 10 were humanities majors, and 28 represented majors from social sciences, sports studies, and interdisciplinary studies.

Couple confused: does ‘Ring by Spring’ mean we have to define the relationship?

overseen at aj’s: Table claimed by American Heritage Reader still untouched five years later.

newsflash: Students realize they can’t all be president the year they turn 35.

S ON

Albion gets the gift of the Good By | Bomb Nosmelly Assistant Creditor Administration at Albion College said they were grateful to receive an anonymous check for $50,000 on Thursday, but they were disappointed to find out it was gifted solely to erect a golden statue of Hillsdale College President Kerry T. Barn. In the wake of an April Fool’s prank where Albion’s student publication claimed to be absorbing all of Hillsdale’s students, Hillsdale alumni and donors said they caught the hint. “After their online prank earlier this month, it is evident that Albion wants to become more like Hillsdale,” Chief staff office Hike Marner said. “So blessing their campus with a statue that truly embodies the true, the good, and the beautiful seemed like the most obvious solution.” Chief Administration officer Mitch Payday sent out an email to Hillsdale benefactors shortly after the April Fool’s article was published. Marner said Albion clearly needed some “liberal arts love.” “While they attempted to disguise it as a clever April Fool’s prank and satire, it’s clear that the students and

faculty of Albion College are sending out a cry, a cry for help,” Payday said in the email. “These students need the liberal arts, and if we can’t give them our core curriculum we will give them a permanent symbol of it instead.” The true, the good, and the beautiful will take form of a golden statue roughly five feet tall, the estimated height of Barn. He will be holding a copy of Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics in his left hand and a bottle in his right. “Barn’s not very tall. So sculpting a life-size statue won’t take long. A couple days max,” sculpting professor Franthony Tudakis said. “It makes sense to sculpt him as wearing a toga, ’cause Aristotle totally would’ve wanted it that way.” Oddly enough, Albion student reactions to the new campus statue have been unresponsive. “Who?” Albion student Barjori Moldt said after seeing the proposed sketch of Barn’s statue. “He looks like a mix between Socrates and Yoda. Guy must be pretty wise, I guess.” When asked if it felt good to have a statue made in his likeness, President Barn said, “Well, that depends I guess. What is the good?”

By | Myka Machocroft Associate Redditer Campus janitorial staff are still cleaning up the blood in AJ’s Cafe. Three students face disciplinary action after what, according to onlookers, began as a “limp-wristed slap fight” and shouting match on Wednesday incorporated chairs and plastic spoons. Two are recovering in the Hillsdale Hospital. All of the incriminated students are biologically male, though by-

standers say the violence was apparently precipitated by two participants’ masculinity being questioned. The office of the Dean of Men requested that the concerned parties’ names not be used in this story so as to better contain the matter to the college. Quotes have been edited to respect that request. “It was really bizarre,” sophomore Eliza-Mary Annsdotter, who was present, said. “[One of the hospitalized students] accused [the other one] of disrespecting [a freshman girl] by

A tender crisis By | Scarra Shavey Collision Recorder

AJ’s management announced today that they will be out of chicken tenders for the rest of the day due to a shortage of chickens in Hillsdale County. “We are devastated to disappoint our customers in such a significant way,” AJ’s management said in a public statement. “We hope all students know this will never happen again.” The recent snowy weather in Hillsdale killed a number of chickens, leading to a shortage in the city. Due to Bon Appetit’s Local Sourcing Policy, nearby cities are not allowed to offer assistance. The shortage has made local and state news as state officials have attempted to determine how the chicken tenders shortage at Hillsdale will affect the rest of the state. So far, officials have not been able to determine the effects. Customers are both shocked and distressed at the lack of their favorite item on the menu.

“I’ve been looking forward to getting chicken tenders ever since I woke up this morning,” one sophomore girl said. “I can’t believe AJ’s would let me down like this.” A seventh-year senior added they have never known AJ’s to be out of anything during their seven years at Hillsdale. “First the school stops accepting federal aid, then AJ’s runs out of chicken tenders. I just never know what phenomenon to expect from Hillsdale,” the seventh-year said. Reports have emerged that Kappa Kappa Gamma may have resorted to cannibalism in response to the tenders famine. A collection of donors requested their donations be withdrawn from chapel funding and put towards replenishing the chicken tenders supply instead. Disgruntled customers were distraught to discover AJ’s is temporarily out of Ranch as well.

“I’ve been looking forward to getting chicken tenders ever since I woke up this morning...”

The proposed Barn statue Preg Mom | Collision

failing to call her father before eating in Saga with her. He said that was a sign of weakness and lack of biblical authority. [The other one] said he could do what he wanted because of his thumos.” Annsdotter says that the exchange escalated as the two loudly compared manhoods. One argued that it stood in taking “spiritual leadership” of women who were naturally too emotional to lead themselves. The other, she said, measured it as fulfilling evolu-

tionary mandates and surviving in the state of nature that characterized sexual politics. The two came to blows over the question of whether women were supposed to be objectified through placing them on a pedestal or by reducing them to predatory animals. “I tried to separate them at that point,” said the third student facing discipline. “But apparently asking them if they’d ever actually kissed a girl wasn’t very helpful.” He says that the pair had

already switched from fists to chairs when he became involved, and so after taking a glancing hit and landing a couple “well-placed” kicks, he avoided further participation. He says the Deans are, in addition to his joining the fight at all, concerned with the appropriateness of some of what he said when he “called the pansy pulp-fest like the stupid WWE tackiness it was.” EMTs had to help one student remove a red hat reading “Make America Great Again”

that had become lodged between his left and right Glutei Maximi. The student said it was his hat and declined to incriminate anyone in the situation. “I slipped and sat on it,” he said, what is best described as an aqueous substance beginning to gather in his eyes. “Obviously, no one, especially not a sophomore woman, pinned me and told me to stuff it. I remain confident in my virility.”

President Barn, Chocco contest for GOP nomination By | Ruby Reynolds New Medicator Cleveland, OH — After no candidate secured the support of 1,237 delegates in the first round of voting at the Republican National Convention Tuesday, delegates abandoned candidates businessman Donald Trump, Sen. Ted Cruz, and Gov. John Kasich in favor of two unlikely choices from Michigan. Hillsdale College President Kerry T. Barn, a favorite among staunch conservatives on the convention floor, now contends with businessman and inspirational speaker Ron

Chocco for the 2016 presidential nomination. “A 17-year-old senior once told his classmates that he would one day become President of the United States of America,” Chocco told supporters, after the party’s announcement. “That boy was me.” While Trump, Cruz, and Kasich remain in the running, preliminary polling from the floor indicates that the plurality of delegates support either Chocco or Barn. “I must say, I am surprised, but I am also honored to be considered by the Republican party for the nomination,”

Barn told reporters in a press gaggle shortly after the announcement. “If chosen, I will, of course, daily seek to lead the nation according to our founding principles.” Strategists speculate that Barn will recruit the resurrected political thinker Harry Jaffa as his running mate. “Hillsdale’s honor code says, ‘through education, a student rises to self-government,’” Barn said. “As Americans it is our duty—it is our privilege— to pursue The Good.” “We all know that The Good is bacon,” Barn added, bringing the press scrum to a close. “I’m going to go pursue

that now.” Chocco’s campaign is projected to focus on positive motivational thoughts and self-expression. “The last four letters of the word ‘American’ spell ‘I CAN,’” Chocco said. “I have that intense determination to reach my goal. I CAN. WE CAN. YES WE CAN.” The Michigan businessman has already announced that if selected, he will choose the college’s Student Activities Director as his running mate. His newly unveiled campaign graphics feature original art from the candidate’s personal portfolio.

“I believe that Americans want to fly,” Chocco said. “I believe they want to touch the sky. And I’m here to make America fly again.” After Tuesday’s drama, Trump announced that he has joined Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton as her running mate for the November general elections. Trump supporters in Cleveland took to the streets to protest the GOP’s betrayal of their beloved real estate mogul. “Americans don’t care about being smart or things that old white guys said hundreds of years ago,” said Billy Arnold, a Trump supporter dressed in

a Captain America outfit and signature red Trump cap. “We just want America to be great again—and to build that wall, whatever it’s for.” Arnold said that he’s excited to campaign for the Clinton-Trump ticket. Other former Trump supporters burned their blonde toupees in the streets Tuesday night as a symbolic end to the GOP’s Trump age. In a conciliatory gesture, Barn promised that, if he is elected, Chocco will be named the nation’s poet laureate.

Blowah Shark and Gnarly Blubbered By | Liz Lemon

Describe your style.

Where do you like to shop for clothes?

In a word, it would probably be I-don’texercise-exercisewear-primarily-usedto-sit-in-my-bed-andalternate-betweenbinge-watching-30 Rock-and-napping.

We’re too poor to shop. Also, shopping is the worst because of fluorescent lighting. Even online shopping is difficult because I’ve never returned a package anywhere on time.

Who inspires your style?

It’s a multi-layered influence of an 8-yearold, Liz Lemon, and Rev. Richard Wayne Gary Wayne.

Has your fashion evolved recently? If seventh grade is recent, then yes. Amanda TIndall | Collegian

Amanda TIndall | Collegian

www.hillsdalecollegian.com

A4 28 April 2016

Budget cuts show responsibility Newsroom: (517) 607-2897 Advertising: (517) 607-2684

The opinion of the Collegian editorial staff

Hillsdale College’s plan to cut its operating budget by 5.5 percent next year may seem sombering, but its ability to do this without affecting student life highlights the school’s financial strength. Put in context of many other schools of a similar size and mission, Hillsdale has positioned itself in a much more positive place to withstand fluctuations in its funding. Vice President for Finance Patrick Flannery decided to cut the budget because of the struggling stock market, which could impact revenue from our endowment. The endowment constitutes about a third of the college’s reve-

nue, with student tuition and gifts also making up roughly a third each. While it’s frustrating that so much of the college’s budget relies on a shaky source like the stock market, this is a better option than what many other schools have. For example, Ohio Christian University, a small, private school with about 3,000 more undergraduate students than Hillsdale relies much more heavily on student tuition. OCU’s Vice President of Finance Rob Hartman said this makes him jealous of Hillsdale’s revenue structure. “There are parts of Hillsdale that I love, and one of those

is its large endowment,” Hartman said. “Because we’re more tuition-driven, if we’re not growing we have to cut the budget.” In contrast, Hillsdale has the freedom to keep its enrollment constant without worrying about budget constraints. Also, our enviable endowment is a major contributor to Hillsdale’s ability to reject government funds — another characteristic Hartman said OCU hopes to emulate. While this round of budget cuts hasn’t been easy on the administrators and department heads who are forced to reduce already tight budgets, the decision signals admirable

prudence. Director of Athletics Don Brubacher said he believes Hillsdale’s caution translates to a better-managed institution. While many other schools will wait until they are already in the red to begin cutting their budgets, Brubacher said that Hillsdale anticipates potential cutbacks and makes decisions before it’s in deep trouble. Hillsdale professors seek to teach students how to pursue the good through our liberal studies, and this is an example of Hillsdale’s leaders showing us how to put those lessons into practice.

The editors welcome Letters to the Editor but reserve the right to edit submissions for clarity, length, and style. Letters should be 450 words or less and include your name and number. Send submissions to salbers@hillsdale. edu before Saturday at 3 p.m.

Strength and humility must coexist By | Miles Smith IV Special to the Collegian Dear Hillsdale students, and especially the class of 2016,

will find that even in your much-vaunted human capacities you are incapable of fixing whatever situation you find yourself in. Strength indeed rejoices in challenges, and it is about the nature of that strength I wish to write to you. No greater strength may be found than that grounded in humility. A recent article in this publication ("From a Millennial: An open letter to those who raised us," April 21, 2016)offered a truthful but perhaps too-confident criticism of our parents’ generation. It was hoped that the graduates of Hillsdale College knew truth better than their parents, and therefore would not make the same mistakes. I hope you are proud of your erudition and excellence, but humility — and an awareness that the class of 2016 (and myself as well) — will inevitably make mistakes calls us all not to pride, or an awareness of our own strength, but to a deep sense of humility. C.S. Lewis wrote in “Mere Christianity” that as long as man was proud, he could not know God. “A proud man is always looking down on things and people: and, of course, as long as you are looking down you cannot see something that is above you.” What is above are the permanent things that we are each graced to experience in some way. But we often experience those things by finally realizing that even our vaunted humanity, our excellence, and our success cannot provide salvation from bad times. Abraham Lincoln realized this. “I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for that day.” The 16th President echoed a man who struggled with pride. St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians and noted that, lest he be puffed up by the bounty of magnificent revelations he’d been granted, God had given him a thorn in the flesh. The Lord spoke to Paul and said this: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV). I wish you every success and wish you health, love, and prosperity. I wish you joy in your perpetual search for truth. And I wish you strength as you undertake this interesting pursuit of good, truth, and beauty. Dostoyevsky hoped that humanity might “always decide to use humble love. If you resolve on that you may subdue the whole world. Loving humility is marvelously strong, the strongest of all things, and there is nothing else like it.” I pray you will find beauty, good, and truth. But more than that, I wish you strength through humility. Miles Smith IV is a lecturer in history and political science.

Serving your country is about the little things “When people learn that I applied to be a Marine Corps Officer, some thank me, but others ask what I'm willing to fight for.” By | Kirklan Ventrella Special to the Collegian

Once again, I was racing the clock. Unsurprising for those who know me, I was writing a paper due in a matter of minutes — but then the phone rang. Normally in these circumstances, I’d ignore it, but I had been waiting for this call for a week and a half. “You have been selected for OCS. Congratulations, Candidate.” I knew then that, come May 28, my life would become quite different. I stopped writing. As most people on campus know, our college has a tradition of students joining the armed services, and the school has enshrined this tradition since its founding. During the Civil War, more than 400 students fought to preserve the Union. “The percentage of male students who enlisted was higher than that of any other private college in the North,” notes the Hillsdale Historical Society. “Volunteering became infectious, and no Hillsdale students were drafted during the war.” Why did these students join the war? It may have had something to do with two of Hillsdale’s founders: professor Ransom Dunn and Edmund Burke Fairfield, the second

by Forester McClatchey

“No greater strength may be found than that grounded in humility.”

The United States Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia. Stefan Ogrisek | Flickr

Uses of a Liberal Arts Education

I must begin by apologizing to you for infringing upon the conventions of your commencement ceremonies by not being present. A very dear friend of mine is getting married on the weekend of your commencement, and I will stand with him. I must also leave you this summer for Virginia, so this letter is bittersweet in the truest sense of the word. During my first year with you I was privileged to give a faux Last Lecture — a sobering experience. God willing, I will give such a talk, but the stark reality is that I will get old, as will each of you should you be granted health. And as I get older I have learned that I always need to learn and that I am never the smartest person in the room. I might leave you with some admonition to go save the country, to rejoice in challenges, or some other wellintentioned platitude that will seem trite many years from now, when life is difficult. And life will get difficult, and you

president of the college. In addition to founding the college, Dunn and Fairfield helped found the Republican Party, which soon propelled Abraham Lincoln to the presidency. If the way students and faculty today devote themselves to one another is a sign of anything, then I can only imagine the type of devotion Fairfield, Dunn, and their students had for each other and the Union which they loved. By the end of the war, more than sixty Hillsdale men had paid the ultimate sacrifice. Such was their measure of devotion that the College began a tradition. The first “Decoration Day” — what we now call Memorial Day — was held on May 30, 1868, when the professors and students marched to Oak Grove Cemetery, just north of our campus, to honor those who died in the war. We have lost this annual tradition perhaps because most of today’s students are gone when it would take place. Yet we still

remember and honor the dead. Some of our professors sneak us out of the classroom to visit the cemetery , reminding students of their heritage as citizens of America and students of Hillsdale College. Despite the unfortunate reality that the academic year closes before Memorial Day, the College still has one prominent reminder. Today, we have a statue of a lone Union soldier bearing Old Glory placed between Lane and Kendall, staring down Manning Street. When people learn that I applied to be a Marine Corps Officer, some thank me, and leave it at that, but others ask what I’m willing to fight for. But I like to remind these friends that it’s for the small things. It’s for going home and having dinner with my family; it’s for summer sunsets on the lake; it’s for conversations with good company and friendship over a bottle of wine; it’s for a liberal education; it’s for laughter, joy, and all things that are good.

There are some scary things out there. But we can’t be ruled by our fears. My family, faith, and Hillsdale College have taught me to live my life in accordance with what is good, true, and beautiful, and it is for the sake of those things that I wish to orient and, if need be, sacrifice my life. Civil War will have ended 151 years ago on May 9. The war took sixty of our forebears with it, and although we no longer face the threat of a republic-rending civil war, there is always a need for good people to serve the nation’s armed forces. This piece is dedicated to those joining our nation’s military, as well as to our peers who gave their lives for the preservation of the Union so many years ago, each of whom was willing to give the “last full measure of devotion.” Kirklan is a senior studying political economy.

A5 28 April 2016

www.hillsdalecollegian.com

A defense of pranking Pranking allows both prankster and victim to learn and practice self-government By | Forester McClatchey Special to the Collegian When my little brother rubbed poison ivy leaves on a toilet seat and got kicked out of summer camp at 8 years old, my first thought was: “What a dumb prank.” I did not think this because the prank was unfunny or cruel (on the contrary, I congratulated him on the concept). Rather, it was because he wore socks on his hands while handling the poison ivy. Socks are made of holes. Poison ivy’s toxic compounds ooze in the form of an oil called urushiol. This oil moves easily through socks. The concept? Great. The execution? Poor. Anyway, once my brother emerged from the hospital, with steroids in his veins and a sheepish expression on his face, our parents had to drive four hours to pick him up and bring him back home. He was expelled from camp. And you know what? Good for him. Pranking is a dying art, and it needs pranksters. It also needs a defense. It’s become a platitude to say that children today are no longer allowed to be children, but it’s true. Boys especially are no longer allowed to be boys. There are many possible explanations for this, but the most obvious one might be that adults cultivate an atmosphere of specious fear, in which children cannot be themselves. Allow me to recall an

anecdote from fifth grade: Four or five boys all wore blue collared shirts to school, and their teacher promptly sent them to the principal’s office for “exclusion.” The principal accused them of bullying and sent them home to change. Later, he (the principal) called an emergency assembly to lecture the fifth graders on this form of bullying. In such a sententious atmosphere, adults collapse children’s behavior into two categories: “bullying” and “not bullying.” As long as little boys’ behavior is demure and predictable, they are “not bullying.” As soon as tussles break out, or someone pulls a prank, or (God forbid) their shirts match, they are suddenly “bullying.” This dichotomy not only loses all nuance, it fails to recognize a key truth: Pranks and similar mischief serve an important social role by bringing the putative victim into a group. A New York Times article, “The Purpose of Pranks,” summarizes psychological findings showing that (good) pranks become a form of ritual inclusion. The prankster and the victim are in on the same joke, and pulling pranks helps define boundaries of acceptable behavior beneath the comfortable penumbra of this implicit joke. Punishing pranks unduly, in other words, stunts the social and emotional growth of young people. Writing a defense of pranks is still tough, though: The priggish attitude I’m

trying to push against only becomes visible with oblique glances. This is because, in the internet’s imagination, pranks are fine when they remain abstract. An article on Vice titled “Pranks Are Bad” begins by admitting that its titular sentence is “an unpopular opinion.” However, when pranks become real life, outrage follows. Pranks should allow both prankster and victim to learn self-government without the sententious intervention of authority. There is a difference between a good and a bad prank. The fact that I need to draw this distinction suggests the bankruptcy of moral discourse surrounding this issue. A defense of pranking is not the same as a defense of hazing. Good pranks involve emotional intuition, and probably don’t leave you with a rash. The camp that kicked my brother out, TCDC (Tennessee Camp for Diabetic Children) has a robust tradition of pranking. It welcomed my brother back the following summer, where he promptly filled the showers with folding chairs. So go forth, commit mischief. Psychology supports your behavior. But please, if you get any ideas from this article, don’t wear socks on your hands. Forester is a senior studying art and English.

Arnn responds to concerns about position on Trump By | Larry P. Arnn Hillsdale College President Following Jonah Goldberg's criticism of President Larry Arnn's statements about Donald Trump on the Hugh Hewitt show, the Collegian asked Arnn for a response. He clarified his position on Trump as follows (April 26, 2016): "Officially and in fact neutral in the race, I have said these chief things about Trump: 1. Trump has said many good things and for a long time about something I think is one of the chief problems, the regulatory state. See his article in the Reno Gazette, January 28. 2. Trump’s position on the entitlement state cannot likely be sustained over time. 3. He is getting a lot of votes, including from independents. There is information in that that one

Use free speech to challenge and understand your beliefs By | Breana Noble Assistant Editor Students at colleges and universities across the country are demanding that their administrators implement safe spaces on campus, where schools can squelch free speech if it offends someone. Hillsdale College students are fortunate to attend an institution that believes in the First Amendment, which protects speech — no matter how unpopular — so long as it is done in a respectful manner. And on a campus with many like-minded individuals, it is important to recognize that this is not a safe space. Several Hillsdale faculty members from various backgrounds agreed that without debate, a college ceases being a college. At other schools, safe spaces are meant to prevent the freedom of discourse, making certain language and subjects not just taboo but, in some cases, punishable. Although the ideas of microaggressions and safe spaces have become more widespread, attempts to stop

speech that many academics find offensive are no new idea. Associate Professor of English Patricia Bart recalled her need for self-censorship and protective measures in order to share the substance of her beliefs while pursuing a doctorate and teaching at the University of Virginia. Bart picked UVA, knowing it was a college with a hightier English department and hoping for a more accepting attitude of conservatives at a school founded by Thomas Jefferson. Overall, Bart said she did find it possible to have respectful debate at UVA, but that came with some qualifications. She said she found that being in a program studying humanities computing instead of literature gave her somewhat of a pass on making unpopular comments on the campus because it was a skill not many had. “It’s not a good idea to fire Scotty,” she said. Additionally, Bart said she found her wardrobe made a difference in students’ willingness to discuss. While the female equivalent of a suit and tie didn’t engage students, when she entered the

fearlessness. He seems to talk chiefly about the interest of the American people as a whole, not this group or that. Also I do not know him, whereas I know and like some of the others. Once I left out the qualifications about his character I have made a few other times. Jonah [Goldberg] reacted to that, and the next week I said that Jonah had a point and added back the qualifications. 6. Most of what I have to say about the race is historical or constitutional in its nature. Hugh Hewitt and I occupy what Hugh calls Switzerland. This makes some people mad (not, I think, Jonah). Taking a side would do the same. That is life."

Technology is not the solution to mental health problems By | Madeleine Jepsen Assistant Editor

Despite the proliferation of mental health smart phone applications, there is no substitute for treatment that involves personal connection and conversation. Public Domain | Pexels

should study. It may have to do with his position on the entitlement state, but also immigration and trade. On those last two issues he seems to work backwards: say something outrageous, then qualify it to something more reasonable. 4. He would be the first elected president as his first major public service. There is from that fact alone good reason to be skeptical. The criticisms of him are healthy in this context. 5. On his character: I am impressed with the many people who know him well and for a long time who testify to his character. I am impressed with his children. But also I hear criticisms of his character, some of which are made plausible by some of his behavior. On the good side of his behavior is his confidence, self-direction (he seems to say what he says because he thinks it, rather than having been advised to say it), sense of humor, and

Housing, hotels, dining out, dating — there’s an app for that. And now there's an app for mental health. Many, in fact. But a technology-based approach to treating serious issues like anxiety and depression may be distracting us from the very thing that would help the most: each other. Digital Trends Magazine estimates that American spend an average of 4.7 hours per day on their smartphones. This everyday reliance on digital technology has even begun to affect the fields of psychotherapy and psychiatry. Talking with a therapist or mentor has two key benefits an app can’t provide: empathy and accountability. An app can be ignored much more easily than a scheduled meeting with another person, and recording struggles or failures in an app is not as impactful as admitting them to another person. Additionally, the emotional support provided during such meetings is essential for creating a beneficial interpersonal relationship. “An app can’t say ‘geez, that

must be really difficult for you,’” said Brock Lutz, director of health services. “Whether interpersonal contact comes from a counselor, a coach, a pastor — being able to look at another person and tell them what’s going on is important.” While instant-messaging therapy apps can be a good first step for getting help in severe cases, such as those who suffer from social anxiety, substituting virtual chat rooms for in-person meetings can diminish one of the most important part of a therapy session: building a trusting, interpersonal relationship. “What we don’t want to do is think that we can deal with our problems in a vacuum,” Lutz said. “We live in a culture that doesn’t like to reflect much, so taking the time to do that can be really important — both with another person, and on our own.” Other types of therapyoriented apps focus on mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing or identifying mood and emotions. These are useful, important skills for anyone to have, especially those struggling with an illness such as anxiety or depression. However, a stand-alone coaching app often can’t provide a context for the

therapeutic exercise. “I will coach people on how to take deep breaths, and then recommend the app,” Lutz said. “I explain the physiology behind proper deep breathing — taking diaphragmatic breaths through the nose, and blowing out the air through the mouth. It’s actually the breathing out through the mouth that activates the parasympathetic nervous system and triggers stress release. The app doesn’t really explain that part of it.” While the apps can reinforce positive habits and serve as an initial gateway to get interpersonal help, they ultimately fail to provide the accountability and human connection found in a conversation with a counselor. While it may appear that the solution is at our fingertips, the shortcomings of apps in the field of mental health may be a good reason to think twice before we tap the screen to start downloading that app. Madeleine is a sophomore studying biochemistry and journalism.

“Campus shouldn't become a safe space for only right-leaning views.” classroom with a motorcycle jacket, hoop earrings, black jeans, and Birkenstocks, she found that students were willing to at least listen to her ideas. “I found almost anything I said, no matter how conservative, they’d be OK with it,” Bart said. Now at Hillsdale, Bart said this is the first academic environment where she felt she could develop her ideas more deeply. Instead of constantly defending her beliefs, she found a place of refuge where she could better understand her conservative principles. “We have to have a lifeboat now,” Bart said. While Hillsdale certainly is a lifeboat to allow for discussion of ideas that many want to ban, that doesn’t mean campus should become a safe space for only right-leaning views. “I think students, especially

freshmen, are a little surprised to find there are all kinds of views on campus, and nobody seems to be particularly afraid of expressing them,” Professor of Theatre George Angell said. “They should feel free to disagree with me, and I to disagree with them.” But such disagreement should have a purpose. Distinguished Visiting Assistant Professor of History Samuel Negus quoted from Students for a Democratic Society’s “Port Huron Statement.” “The ideal university is a community of controversy,” the University of Michigan students wrote in 1962. Negus said he rejected that claim. “Asking difficult questions is a means, not an end,” Negus said. “Pushing you guys, that’s not where I’m trying to end up. I’m trying to end up with you having arrived at something that is closer to the

truth and understanding of what is the good for you as a human being.” But part of that college education is also being able to justify that conclusion. “Here at Hillsdale, my job is to help my students learn how to defend their positions,” Professor of Philosophy Jim Stephens said. “I don’t much care what my students believe as long as they can provide proof for it.” For that reason, all these professors said they try to challenge their students in the classroom to help them think critically. “We actually want you to figure something out on your own and explain it back to us, showing that you actually learned something,” Professor of Politics Thomas West said. “Even here, I make students nervous, but that’s my job: to bring up controversial ideas and not shut them down.” So it’s OK to hear something

that challenges your beliefs on campus. When you do, engage. Ask, “Why?” Argue otherwise. But remember to be open to views different from your own and allow them to challenge your ideas. The world isn’t like Hillsdale, a place to deepen your ideas, but it’s also not a safe space. Allow yourself to learn how to justify your beliefs now. “We, as faculty, can’t give you the talking points. You can’t live a life secluded from others,” Bart said. “You can’t be a builder of a Hillsdalelike society without engaging with other people, actively discussing things with respect.” Breana is a sophomore studying politics and journalism.

City News Hillsdale’s Best

A6 28 April 2016

www.hillsdalecollegian.com

BEST COFFEE By | Brendan Clarey Collegian Reporter Blue Hat Coffee, Coldwater Blue Hat Coffee stood out because of its emphasis on the quality and flavor of the coffee in a lovely setting, which creates an experience well worth the drive to Coldwater. Besides, the prices are more than reasonable for the product. Large brewed coffees are $2.35, and medium macchiatos are $3.65. The espresso is full and flavorful, and the macchiato is a perfect combination of milk and espresso. The balance and purity of the macchiato demonstrates devotion to excellence in roasting coffee and the mastery of extraction technique. The brewed coffee, an Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, tastes like blueberries with a dry body and a clean finish with some acidity balanced with sweetness. It was a pleasure to drink, as coffee ought to be. The baristas are helpful,

explaining the various drinks and many flavorings they offer. Blue Hat also offers almond and soy milk options. Wholebean coffee, roasted on-site, is also available so you can make Blue Hat at home. The emphasis at Blue Hat is certainly on the coffee, but they also serve soups, sandwiches, and desserts. The cherry pie tastes like it was made at home because it was: The owners of Blue Hat live upstairs. Blue Hat Coffee focuses on friendly service and full flavor, and the coffee itself is the main priority. Blue Hat’s coffee simply shines in a world of overpriced, cheap, flavorless, and artificially-flavored coffee. 2. Checker Records, Hillsdale 3. Jilly Beans, Hillsdale 4. AJ’s/Jitters, Hillsdale College 5. The Coffee Cup Diner, Hillsdale

BEST DINER By | Vivian Hughbanks News Editor The Palace Cafe, Hillsdale The Palace Cafe is a quaint diner less than a mile from campus in downtown Hillsdale. The restaurant is open all night on Fridays and Saturdays, making it a popular choice among students for an after-concert or post-party pick-me-up. While its famously-large specialty pancakes are perfect for any time of day, their menu also boasts more traditional breakfast options as well as delectable choices for dessert. While the Palace takes payment in only cash, it’s incredibly affordable — one of

the most inexpensive non-fast food eateries in town. An ATM is conveniently located on site. Ample seating arrangements include booths, tables, and a signature long bar counter to accommodate all types of dining parties — and are complemented by friendly, attentive service. Artifacts and pictures depicting Hillsdale lore give the dining room character, and make a visit to the Palace a culturally attractive as well as delicious undertaking. 2. The Coffee Cup, Hillsdale 3. The Finish Line, Hillsdale 4. Jeannie’s Diner, Coldwater 5. Quincy Diner, Quincy

BEST PARK By | Amanda Tindall Features Editor Mrs. Stock’s Park, Hillsdale Although the entire city of Hillsdale has beautiful foliage during the warmer months, Mrs. Stock’s Park is a clean, idyllic garden perfect for picnic dates. Although it does not have the depth and breadth of the large body of water of Baw Beese Lake, it does have a small pond, a soft, green clearing, and benches throughout. The paths offer a pleasant place to walk, and the field presents an open space for picnics, lawn games, and gatherings. Crossing the bridge over the pond, there is a small island with two benches. Throughout, there’s plenty of shade and sun, with a

little bench nestled in a clearing of trees. All together, the park is smaller than some others, but is well-kept, gated, and shaded. The park is located just across East Bacon Street from the F.W. Stock and Sons Mill, so it is close to the city, but quiet and set apart. 2. Lake Baw Beese 3. Lewis Emery Park trail 4. Children’s park at the Field of Dreams

BEST BURGER By | Thomas Novelly Assistant Editor Lane 17, Hillsdale Hillsdale’s best burger is as humble as the restaurant it resides in. Located inside Hillsdale Lanes bowling alley, Lane 17 is a modest sports pub serving traditional bar food with American beers on tap. While the decor is simple — walls filled with beer signs and the occasional flat screen television — it is fitting for the outstanding “Classic Cheesburger” that highlights the menu. “The Classic Cheesburger” at Lane 17 appeals to college students and locals alike with striking appearance, taste, and quality at an affordable price. Customers can enjoy the onethird of a pound, hand formed, all-beef burger patty, covered in your choice of American, cheddar, pepper jack, or swiss cheese, served on a kaiser roll with a side of chips for a mere $6. In an age of expensive artisan burgers, the “Classic Cheeseburger” stands out with exceptional taste and none of the pretentiousness. Additional toppings and options for the burger are lim-

ited, which is completely acceptable. This simple burger doesn’t need all the fixings, so they don’t offer them. While the kaiser roll is a sufficient vessel for the well-done beef patty, the option of enjoying it on a pretzel bun for just 50 cents more should not be ignored. The burger has a fantastic taste, but the subtle salt flavors of the pretzel bun tipped it over the edge, making it the perfect sandwich of bar nostalgia. You can make it a deluxe with onions, lettuce, and tomato for just 40 cents more, or you can add another one-third pound beef patty for just $2 more. Next time the burger craving hits you, stop by Lane 17 for the “Classic Cheeseburger” on a pretzel bun. And, if you’re not too full, ten frames of bowling.

Cascarelli’s Pizza, Homer Cascarelli’s is in Homer, about half an hour away, but well worth the drive. Not only does it make their pizzas right in front of the customer in a giant metal oven, but they also put so many toppings on each pizza that it might be necessary to eat it with a fork. Cascarelli’s also prides itself on offering a wide selection of Michigan craft beers and for having Pabst Blue Ribbon on tap. The atmosphere is inviting and somewhat reminiscent of a 1930s movie set. There’s also free Wi-Fi. Pricing is fair ($13-$18 dollars for a pizza), and the service friendly. Perhaps not the most accessi-

ble pizza place in the greater Hillsdale area, but certainly the best. 2. Domino’s Pizza, Hillsdale 3. Cavoni’s Pizza and Grinders, Hillsdale 4. Main Street Pizza, Jonesville 5. Little Caesar’s Pizza, Hillsdale

BEST

HIDDEN GEM

By | Kate Patrick City News Editor Alternaprint Screen Printing & Comic Shop, Hillsdale Not only does the Alternaprint Screen Printing & Comic Shop advertise a top-notch selection of comic books and graphic novels, the shop also regularly screens indie films, which are open to the public, and custom prints T-shirts. Owners Andrew and Katie Gibbs transferred their comic shop business from Chicago to Hillsdale almost a year ago, and have seen success in this small college town ever since. Both are very knowledgeable about the world of comics and indie culture, so even if you’re not into comics, it’s worth your time to walk downtown, stop in and chat, or catch their movie night on the

By | Kayla Stetzel Collegian Reporter The Jonesville Bakery, Jonesville The Jonesville Bakery is a small-town slice of Americana. Inside the quaint store, the counter is crowded with an array of pastries to choose from: fresh oversize donuts, frosted cookies, rich brownies, breads, and cakes. Across the donut counter, there are historic photos of Jonesville, which adds to the bakery’s family-owned charm. Their brownies, donuts, and cookies are delicious and often big enough to share. The bakery is famous for its butter cookies, which really do melt in your mouth. The Jonesville Bakery also bakes croissants and biscotti which customers can enjoy over a cup of drip coffee. It’s

a locally-owned business, and that fact is emphasized by the amount of care put into their products. Aside from being a great spot to satisfy your sweet tooth with a snack, they also cater and bake for special occasions. It’s open from 4:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 4:45 to 12 p.m. Saturday. The bakery is closed Sunday. 2. Dutch Uncle Donuts, Coldwater 3. Blue Hat Coffee and Gallery, Coldwater 4. Market House Bakery, Hillsdale

2. The Udder Side, Jonesville 3. Coney’s and Swirls, Hillsdale 4. The Hunt Club, Hillsdale 5. Here’s To You Pub & Grub, Hillsdale

BEST PIZZA By | Nic Rowan Collegian Reporter

BEST BAKERY

last Saturday of every month. There’s plenty of room to walk around and check out nerdy stuff, plus there’s great Internet connectivity, and they don’t mind if your Checker Records coffee tags along. It’s a winwin. 2. Coney Hut Drive Inn, Jonesville 3. Grab ‘n’ Go Shawarma, Hillsdale 4. Sidekick Cafe, Osseo

BEST DINNER DATE

By | Emma Vinton Assistant Editor Laughlin’s Slice of Spice, Spring Arbor This little pizza and sub restaraunt is our number one dinner date place. It’s a beautiful 30 minute drive to Spring Arbor, it is far enough to get away, but still manageable. Laughlin’s specialty is woodfired, thin crust brick oven pizza, but they also offer subs, wraps, and salads, as well as a nice selection of beer and drinks. The service is excellent and friendly, the venue clean, and the food delicious and uniquely served. The prices are reasonable for a couple, at about

$20 for a large pizza. It gets busier on the weekends, so plan to go earlier in the evening. 2. Johnny T’s Bistro, Hillsdale 3. Saucy Dog’s Barbecue, Jonesville 4. Cavoni’s Pizza and Grinders, Hillsdale 5. Olivia’s Chop House, Jonesville

HOW WE CHOSE When determining which local businesses are truly “The Best of Hillsdale,” the Hillsdale Collegian reporters analyzed everything from appearance to taste, location and even Wi-Fi availability determined which local eateries and services possessed the most memorable experiences. Below every “Best of Hillsdale” category is a description of the reporter’s experience and review. In addition to a summary of the winning business, there is also a list of other businesses that were up for the award and also serve as a recommendation

for other superior establishments within the area. These businesses provide exceptional food, drink, and wares for students and locals alike. — The Opinions and City News editors

City News

www.hillsdalecollegian.com

A7 28 April 2016

Local diners offer brunches of love The Finish Line Family Restaurant, Palace Cafe, and Spangler’s Hilltop Diner offer unique brunch options By | Corinne Prost Collegian Reporter While brunch is traditionally celebrated every Sunday in the Grewcock dining hall for many students, there are some diverse and dynamic dining options just a short walk away from campus. Hillsdale students have three primary local dining options to enjoy their ritualistic brunch routine. In addition to seeing a new side of Hillsdale, students may enjoy the creative dishes and desserts that local have come to know and love. Take a break from swiping into the dining hall, and try “Designer Omelettes,” specialty skillets, and breakfast platters fit for a “King.” Spangler’s Hilltop Diner Spangler, owner of the Hilltop Diner in Jonesville, remarked that college student customers often say, “We’re so glad we found you so we can get great food,” especially after he’s served them the diner’s speciality Designer Omelet. The omelet consists of two to four eggs, meats, American fries, and cheese, and served with hash browns on the side. “We could even rename this place the Omelet House because we sell so many of them a day,” he said. Spangler described his food as homemade, fresh, and high quality for a price that is low or even in comparison with other restaurants around town. His reason for providing

Hungry college students may order the specialty Designer Omelet for Sunday brunch from Spangler’s Hilltop Diner at 524 Chicago St., which is open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Corinne Prost | Collegian

all homemade meals comes from family values he learned from his mother and father growing up around the diner. “Something we like to say around here is that if we didn’t eat our own food, we’d starve,” Spangler said. “It’s the food we grew up on. We ate home-cooked meals exactly like we serve here.” In addition to omelets, Hillside Diner offers patty melts, burgers, sandwiches, cappuccinos, and a variety of baked goods displayed on a counter. Their selection of pies and pastries vary daily, but the quality, Spangler assures, is always at its finest. The diner is open for Sunday brunch from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and is located at 524 W. Chicago St. in Jonesville,

Michigan. The Finish Line Family Restaurant At The Finish Line Family Restaurant, employees do two things on a regular basis: please customers with their specialty skillet dish (a combination of egg, hash browns, vegetables, cheese, and sausage gravy drizzled over the top) and assure worried students that the pumpkin pancakes will return soon (they are served mid-September through November). In addition to their multitude of breakfast items, Finish Line offers a variety of ice cream desserts, which include ice cream cakes, wind tunnels (a milkshake with candy pieces), and sundaes to make

for a sweet end to brunch. Lisa Slade, who has owned Finish Line for more than 39 years, shared the motto of the restaurant: “Good food, good service, reasonable prices — that’s what we strive for.” According to Slade, overcrowding occurs during Hillsdale College’s school year, especially around Homecoming Weekend, Parent’s Weekend, and Graduation Week. Even with careful plans to accommodate the heavy flow of business, there simply isn’t enough room. To combat overcrowding, Finish Line plans to appeal to the City of Hillsdale Planning Commission to expand the dining and kitchen areas, as well as to provide an area of additional parking by taking over the next door lot. Regardless of future changes, Finish Line will keep its doors open according to its regular schedule: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. The restaurant is located at 75 W. Carleton Rd. in Hillsdale, Michigan. The Palace Cafe Hillsdale offers one more Sunday brunch restaurant, located near the Hunt Club on Howell Street: the Palace Cafe. Every Friday and Saturday night from 9 p.m. until 2 a.m., the cafe is busy serving its specialty saucer-sized pancakes, banana bread French toast, and “royal” breakfast platters (sizes ranging from “princess” to “king”). Despite the long work

Jonesville recognizes citizens for volunteerism City selects Kathi Boyle, Dana Kyser and Benjamin Marsh to be Citizens of the Year By | Natalie C. McKee Senior Writer Kathi Boyle, Dana Kyser and Benjamin Marsh were selected as Jonesville’s 2016 Citizens of the Year and attended a ceremony Tuesday honoring their volunteerism and service. Jonesville City Manager Jeff Gray said this is the ninth year the Jonesville Citizenship Award Committee, made of three council representatives and two city members, has selected citizens from a pool of nominees. Boyle, Kyser and Marsh were chosen based on their “distinguished and outstanding citizenship in serving Jonesville,” according to the Jonesville website. Gray said the city invites citizens to nominate individuals around the first of the year. “People identify their peers who they think show exemplary service and volunteerism,” Gray said. “Those who put forth effort both behind and in front of the scenes.” Then the committee determines the awardees based on the nominations. This year, like in the past few years, the committee honored two adults, Boyle and Kyser, and one youth, Marsh. “I really think it’s great that we have so many in this town that give of their time and their talent,” Gray said. “It’s one of the things that makes Jonesville great.” Kyser said the award is a very humbling honor. She has been involved in planning Riverfest for more than 15 years, served on

the village council for 10 years, the zoning board of appeals for a few years, and the board of reviews for two years. She said her journey of volunteer work all started when her two boys were young and got involved in cub scouts and their troop needed volunteers. But beyond all this, she said she makes an effort to give blood four or five times a year. “I’ve donated a few gallons of blood along the

Her husband won the award last year and she said she was so proud of him and she said it’s amazing to be recognized by the people of the community in which they are working to make it a better place. “I am really proud of our community and I’m proud to be part of it,” Kyser said. Kyser joined the village’s first Downtown Development Authority many years ago, but she said she couldn’t recall the

“I love the whole concept. I just think it is an astounding thing women can do in our community,” Kyser said, adding that she encourages college girls to start a chapter on Hillsdale’s campus. Ben Marsh, a junior in high school, said a city councilor came in during class to announce he won the award. “I thought, ‘Wow that’s really cool. I got citizen of the year,’” Marsh said.

“I’ve lived here forever, and I have watched our community change a great deal over that period of time, and I was just really grateful that the little part that I’ve played is something that is making the community better.” way,” Kyser said. Kyser said if she sees a need, she feels like there’s no reason she shouldn’t meet it. However, she admitted there is such a thing as volunteering too much. “I enjoy the things I am doing now,” Kyser said. “Once you get in with a good group of people, everybody flows in and gets the job done.” Boyle said she was astonished and very grateful to win the award. She’s lived in Jonesville her entire life and is now 68 years old. “I’ve lived here forever and I have watched our community change a great deal over that period of time, and I was just really grateful that the little part that I’ve played is something that is making the community better,” Kyser said.

date. From there she went to help and support the Sauk Theatre. The coffee shop her church operates, Grounded in Grace, is “close to her heart.” She works there two days a week. The proceeds from the coffee and crepes go directly back to the community. “Working there made me really value what I could do to help the community service-wise,” Kyser said. “All of a sudden I began to see all of the areas in our community that need a little bit of help.” To meet those needs in another way, she started a chapter of “100 Women Who Care” where Jonesville ladies attend a 30-minute meeting once every three months, donate $25, and then immediately turn that money over to a local charity.

Marsh is in his Jonesville Boy Scout troup and just became an Eagle Scout. For his Eagle Scout project he built shelves for the Jonesville Library and helped out around the library. He is also involved in the Youth Foundation in Hillsdale, which raises money, school supplies, and food and donates it back to the community. He also volunteers at his church, Jonesville United Methodist, and is the Vice President of Student Council at Jonesville High School. With another year of high school before him, he hasn’t pinned down where he wants to attend college, but he said he is interested in pursuing mechanical engineering.

hours, owner Leslie Meredith believes the business aspect of running the Palace is secondary to the relationships she has with the customers, especially Hillsdale College students. “We love the college kids here because we love to take care of them,” Meredith said. “It’s not really about running a restaurant. It’s about helping people.” Meredith also noted that nothing from the college is painted on their walls, even though many Hillsdale landmarks are.

“We hope to one day have students leave their mark on the archway, since they come here so often,” she said. Meredith said she will soon be entering a partnership with the Palace manager, Angela Gaglio, to run the restaurant, and will tear down the front bookshelf of the cafe to install more seating. The Palace is located at 38 N. Howell St. in Hillsdale, Michigan, and its regular hours are 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., seven days a week.

The Palace Cafe at 38 N. Howell St. in Hillsdale is open on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., and serves “royal” breakfast platters, like the Prince, Princess, and Queen platters shown above. Corinne Prost | Collegian

Art Around Town hopes to promote local business By | Timmy Pearce Collegian Reporter The Hillsdale Business Association will sponsor Hillsdale’s first Art Around Town event today, hoping to attract more residents and college students to visit the downtown area and patronize local businesses. The HBA hopes to bring in around 300 people to see downtown Hillsdale and experience it’s business community through a local advertising campaign that is flooding Hillsdale with radio advertisements, newspaper advertisements, posters, and advertisements in the “Simply Hers” magazine. HBA President and Filling Station Deli owner Cindy Bieszk said the purpose of Art Around Town is to give people a good first look at the Hillsdale business community. “People don’t realize what a great viable downtown we have,” she said. “This gives us that chance to get them in the door and it’s up to us as shop owners to give them a reason to come back.” Director of Hillsdale’s Economic Development department Mary Wolfram is the HBA committee chair and is organizing Art Around Town. She compiled a list of businesses that have agreed to host artists, and then pairs each artist with a business. Businesses may make arrangements to bring in their own artist, however. “The whole goal of Art Around Town is to promote business,” she said. “Now the side effect is we’re also going to promote art, but that is a really good thing because the more we promote the arts, the better we are as a community, both culturally and financially.” Kevin Conant, owner of Here’s To You Pub & Grub, arranged to host tattoo artist and past resident of Hillsdale Mike Hudson. Pub & Grub is

offering an extended happy hour for the event. “It’s great exposure for our local artists,” said Jane Stewart, owner of Smith’s Flowers. “It’s also a great thing for us to get a different amount of foot traffic

“The whole goal of Art Around Town is to promote business.” through our doors.” Smith’s Flowers’ products also fit in well with the theme, Stewart said. She sees her employees as artists because creating flower arrangements takes skill to pick appropriate colors and organize flowers in order to make beautiful arrangements. Other businesses participating in Art Around Town are not in retail and likely won’t make immediate revenue, but Wolfram said these businesses recognize the need to create a thriving downtown and know they may gain in the long term by encouraging community involvement. “Some businesses are supporting it out of the goodness of their heart or because they see the financial benefit of having a lot of activity in the downtown,” Wolfram said. Krista Miller, who works at Sumner-Scholl Insurance, said the agency will host painter Elizabeth Davis even though the agency is not involved in retail. “It’s an opportunity to be involved in the community,” Miller said.

A8 28 April 2016

www.hillsdalecollegian.com

Sports

Follow @HDaleSports for live updates and news

Baseball

Softball Saturday, Apr. 23 Hillsdale

Findlay

Sunday, Apr. 24 Grand Valley St. Hillsdale

Findlay

Grand Valley St.

Tuesday, Apr. 26

Saturday, Apr. 23

Hillsdale

Lourdes

Hillsdale

Saginaw Valley

Sunday, Apr. 24 Saginaw Valley Hillsdale

Lourdes

Hillsdale

Saginaw Valley

Hillsdale

01 00 01 07 08 00

Hillsdale

05 02 00 03 12 02

Upcoming

Bekah Kastning - .427, Amanda Marra - .354, Katie Kish - .344 Kastning - .473, Marra - .425, Kish - .412 Sarah Grunert - 5, Kastning -5, Cassie Asselta - 3 Grunert - 13, Sarah Klopfer - 13 Klopfer - 3, Grunert - 1

Friday, Apr. 29 2016 GLIAC Tournament Vs. Saginaw Valley at Findlay, OH 12:00 PM

Northwood

Saginaw Valley

Hillsdale

Northwood

09 08 12 05 13 07 SEASON LEADERS AVG OBP HR W SV

Upcoming

Luke Ortel - .481, Connor Bartlett - .387, Ethan Wiskur - .380 Ortel - .520, Bartlett - .470, Chris McDonald - .464 McDonald - 10, Bartlett - 9, Ortel - 8 Will Kruse - 5, Chris Stewart - 4, Three tied at - 3 McDonald - 11, Gatt - 1, Wiskur - 1

Saturday, Apr. 30

Sunday, May 1

At Grand Valley St.

1:00 PM

4:00 PM

Track and Field

Men’s Tennis

Upcoming

Results

4:00 PM

Saturday, Apr. 23 Hillsdale - 1 At Findlay - 8

Thursday, Apr. 28-30 50th Annual Hillsdale College Gina Relays Hillsdale, MI

Men’s track sets school and personal records By | Jessica Hurley Collegian Reporter The Hillsdale College men’s track and field team travelled both north and south to compete this weekend at the Georgia Tech Invitational and the Al Owens Open at Grand Valley State University. The intense competition resulted in new school record, several personal records, and provisional marks in Georgia. Sophomore Colby Clark improved on his personal record in the 400-meter dash from last weekend, and hit the provisional time with a 47.80 time, placing 13th. “This is the first time I’ve run two 47-points in an open race back-to-back— I’m pretty sure I only did that once last year so I’m definitely in a better spot. My goal is to run a 47-low,” Clark said. “I think it’s due to maturity and the fact that the people I train with every day are among the best in the conference — best in the nation. Having those guys there to push me for two years now takes my training to a whole other level.” Junior Caleb Gatchell hit the time he has been waiting for in the 1500-meter. Placing fourth with a personal-best time of 3:49.50, Gatchell earned a provisional spot on the list for nationals. In his first 3000-meter steeplechase of the season, junior Joe Newcomb improved his personal record, broke the 37-year-old Hillsdale record, and hit the provisional time for nationals, running 8:58.80 and placing second overall. Newcomb is currently ranked sixth in the nation in the event. “I wanted to break nine— that was my goal. I knew it was right around nine when I crossed the finish line so I was just waiting for like two minutes to see my time,” Newcomb said. “I’m pretty excited to get to go to nationals for the first time in an individual event.”

Hillsdale

06 05 05 04 05 04

SEASON LEADERS AVG OBP HR W SV

Wednesday, Apr. 27

MEN’S TENNIS FINISHES FIRST SEASON By | Amanda Tindall Features Editor Arriving at the end of its inaugural season, the Hillsdale College men’s tennis team fell 8-1 at Findlay University. The Chargers finished out the year with a 6-11 record overall and a 1-8 record in the GLIAC. The lone Charger win in the match came from freshman Justin Hyman at No. 1 singles. Hyman dropped the first set 4-6, but won the second set 6-3 before taking the tiebreaker. At No. 2 doubles, freshmen John Ciraci and Zach Rabitoy dropped a tight 9-7 match. “The coaches of other teams have consistently told us how impressed they are that we’re this good as a first-year team,” head coach Keith Turner said. Sophomore Dugan Delp noted, similar to what Turner has been noting, that although the team needs work in doubles, the team altogether has

risen to the challenge, and has done quite well in doubles, and now needs to improve in singles as well. “The team has come together pretty well over the year,” Turner said. “It was rough, originally. We had seven players and now we’re down to six. We were throwing in new players and seeing how they’d get along. They get along with each other. It could have been way worse — you’ll never know what’s going to happen. There will be a new influx of players with four more guys next year.” With the season over, Delp said it’s with great thanks to strength and conditioning coach Pat Gifford that the team seems to be doing very well playing in the warmer months. Delp said this will hopefully continue to ring true as the team starts training for next year with the premier year’s experience under their belt.

The Chargers’ 4x100 relay team broke the school record again with a time of 40.83 seconds. Anders Kiledal | Collegian

The 4x100 relay placed second against tough competition which pushed them to run a provisional time of 40.83 seconds and break the school record again. The relay was run by junior Todd Frickey, sophomore Lane White, Clark, and senior Alex Mexicotte. Sophomore Jared Schipper placed fifth in the pole vault with a jump of 16 feet, 6.75 inches. Schipper has hit the provisional standard for the vault twice in the past two weeks. After breaking the school record last week at the Border Battle, he is still ranked fourth in the nation. In the hammer throw, sophomore Daniel Capek

placed third throwing 193 feet, 3 inches. This met the provisional standard, but Capek is ranked 12th nationally based on his first throw of the season — 194 feet. “I’m pretty excited to go to nationals again — I went in 2013,” Capek said. “It’s been four weeks in a row that I’ve thrown under my PR, and I’m just waiting for improvement. I hope that at nationals it’ll push me and I make it to the All-American stand.” With the GLIAC conference meet just a few weeks away, head coach Andrew Towne tries to focus his athletes on securing spots at the national championship meet

beforehand in order to focus on scoring points at GLIACs. “We’re in a good spot but we’re pretty close to being in a great spot,” Towne said. Each year Hillsdale’s representation at the national championship meet grows stronger and louder as the program grows and the athletes gain experience. Towne would like to have more men on the list for nationals at this point but he anticipates more improvement and provisional marks in the upcoming weeks. Hillsdale will host the annual Gina Relays at Frank “Muddy” Waters Stadium today through Saturday.

Freshman Justin Hyman won the Chargers’ lone match of the weekend at No. 1 singles. Anders Kiledal | Collegian

CHARGER CHATTER: CALEB GATCHELL What’s been your favorite part about running track at Hillsdale? Definitely the friends I’ve been able to make on the team. When you’re a distance runner you log a lot of miles with your training partners on the back roads, and we’ve become pretty close as a result.

Anders Kiledal | Collegian

Caleb Gatchell is a junior from Red Lion, Pennsylvania, majoring in accounting and mathematics. He runs on Hillsdale’s track and field and cross-country teams.

What made you choose to attend Hillsdale? Definitely the academics. I loved that I was surrounded by students who actually engaged with the material and tried to learn from it and apply it to their daily lives, instead of sitting back and ingesting material merely to regurgitate it back onto a test.

I came here to be a student, and it’s been a blessing to be able to run track as well.

How has your involvement in athletics impacted your academics? It’s forced me to learn how to manage my time. I don’t have time that could be spent on homework or could be spent doing something fun. I know that from 7:00 to 11:00 each night I have to be doing homework, and then I need to be in bed, or else I won’t be able to perform at the level I need to be able to.

What are some of your athletic ambitions going into next year? I think it’s been 16 years since we’ve had a men’s cross-country team qualify for nationals. Next year will be my senior year, and I’d really love to be a part of the class that gets us back there. What initially drew you to run track? How long have you been running? I’ve always loved to run, but until my junior year of high school I was chasing a ball. I switched from soccer to cross-country and track that year though, and I haven’t looked back since. As much as I still love soccer, I can’t

say I made the wrong decision. I can honestly say I love running and look forward to practice almost every day, and God has blessed me with a fair amount of success. Do you have any plans following your graduation next year? I have an internship this summer that I’m hoping will translate into a job offer, and then I’ll also be working on passing the CPA exam. What are some of your interests outside of athletics and academics? I love fishing and woodworking— scroll sawing to be specific.

In what moment were you most proud to be a part of Hillsdale’s track team? Probably after our DMR finished sixth at indoor nationals this past season. We had a freshman, a sophomore, a junior, and a senior on that relay so I think it spoke to how far the upperclassmen have come since our freshman year when we were barely top-six at GLIACs, and to the direction the program is headed. -Compiled by Anders Hagstrom

A9 28 April 2016

www.hillsdalecollegian.com

Football wraps up spring practices in midst of strong offseason By | Nathanael Meadowcroft Sports Editor The Hillsdale College football team has been working on becoming better, faster, stronger, and closer throughout its offseason, and those improvements were evident on Sunday when the Chargers wrapped up spring practices with their annual spring game. The Chargers lost six of their first seven games last year before finishing the season on a four-game winning streak. Head coach Keith Otterbein said the momentum the team gained from their strong finish last year “really translated” through the winter and spring practices. “We made great gains in the weight room, and our kids stayed very locked in and very focused. I haven’t had my individual meetings to this point but I feel like we’re going to have some very positive comments from the team about their closeness, their unity, and their brotherhood,” Otterbein said. “We really did do what you would hope to do, and that’s take the momentum from the finish of last year and build it into the winter. I thought that our spirits through spring practice were really good.” All of this was evident on Sunday during Hillsdale’s spring game — an intrasquad scrimmage between offense and defense. Around 500 people, including approximately 180 recruits that are currently juniors in high school, watched the Chargers’ offense run 73 plays, scoring four touchdowns on drives led by three different quarterbacks.

“We made some plays on both sides,” Otterbein said. “Whenever you scrimmage yourself, as the head coach you’re 50 percent happy and 50 percent, ‘Oh crap, what are we going to do about that?’ You always have to deal with that.” Otterbein also said he was happy with his team’s “mental and emotional approach” to the spring game. “I really liked the way we finished,” Otterbein said. “You always want to have people react to your football team saying, ‘Wow, they love playing.’ We’ve talked about that before, just showing the passion, showing the enthusiasm, and I thought our kids were really flying around and getting things done.” The Chargers finished their spring game without suffering any injuries. “As positive as it could be, no one got hurt,” Otterbein said. “That’s always a big concern.” A big reason the Chargers have been staying healthy and getting stronger is due to the work of head strength and conditioning coach Pat Gifford, who came to Hillsdale last summer. Gifford has brought a “freshness and a newness” to workouts, according to Otterbein. “He’s doing a really good job. I think our kids have connected very well to him,” Otterbein said. “I also think that having him really bridges a gap between the training room and getting kids back on the field after injuries.” Sophomore tailback Joe Reverman, who was voted team MVP by his teammates after last season, said Gifford

The Hillsdale College football team takes a group photo with the participants in its annual youth football camp on Saturday. Hillsdale College Sports Information | Courtesy

has helped the Chargers grow stronger both physically and mentally. “The first part of the offseason we were just lifting and I think we just got a lot stronger and more athletic individually,” Reverman said. “Guys had to wake up at 5:30 a.m. to lift five days a week, so there was some tough stuff, but I think it brought us closer together as a team too because we’re all suffering through it together.” The Chargers have grown closer together outside the weight room as well. “We put a lot of emphasis on becoming a closer team,” sophomore quarterback Chance Stewart said. “We met once a week in the offseason to strictly learn more about each of our teammates and their

lives.” Stewart, who earned the starting quarterback job midway through last season and led the Chargers on their fourgame winning streak to end the year, ran a majority of the plays in Sunday’s spring game, but split snaps with sophomore Brendan Rohlfs, redshirt-freshman Steven Ficyk, and junior David Ritchie. “We obviously put them in as many situations as we can. Having the fact that Chance got on that win streak, whether it’s fair or not fair or whatever, he went in there and in game situations with him at quarterback we won four games. He didn’t do it himself, but that has a lot to bear on how that quarterback battle shook out,” Otterbein said. “But we

try to get equal opportunities because he’s still a young quarterback. He’s got a ways to go. He did some good stuff and had some stuff that he needs to work on, as well as all those kids. So we had four kids really locked in and working hard, and made a lot of progress at the quarterback position.” The Chargers will resume practice on Aug. 10 when players return to campus, including Hillsdale’s 32 incoming freshmen. Many members of the incoming class were on campus Sunday to watch the spring game. “It’s a good class,” Otterbein said. “It’s always interesting to see them after a couple months. Some of them seem like they grew a couple inches and put on some weight. It’s a

really good looking group, so we’re very excited to get them here in August and start working with them.” The Chargers also hosted their annual youth football camp on Saturday to raise money for the Jason Foundation, an organization which is dedicated to youth-suicide prevention. Over 100 kids from the Hillsdale community participated in the camp, and the Chargers raised over $1000 for the Jason Foundation. “I’m not sure who has more fun, the older kids or the young kids,” Otterbein said. The Hillsdale College football team has been donating to the Jason Foundation for ten years. “It was a great opportunity to give back to the community

WOMEN’S TRACK RANKED FIFTH IN DIVISION II By | Evan Carter Web Editor

The Hillsdale College women’s track and field team continued to make strides toward the championship form they will need to compete for a national team title at the NCAA D-II Championship in May. The Chargers competed at the Georgia Tech Invitational in Atlanta and Al Owens Invitational in Allendale, Michigan, this past weekend, and are now ranked fifth in the latest USTFCCCA National D-II Rankings. A large portion of the women’s team traveled to Georgia on April 20 and returned on Sunday. Head distance coach Andrew Towne acknowledged that sort of time commitment can be difficult at this point in the semester. “It can be hard at this time of the year to manage school and travel. I thought we did some good things and there were some things I wish were better,” Towne said. Overall, Towne said the women’s performance at Georgia Tech was “OK,” but he also mentioned a number of athletes and relays that did particularly well at the meet. In the 1500-meter run, senior captain Emily Oren ran an NCAA D-II lead-time of 4:21, while still running three seconds slower than her personal best. Senior Kristina Perkins (4:26), who is currently ranked fourth in Division II, and sophomore Hannah MacIntyre (4:34) ran personal best times in the 1500. “I thought I competed well against the other people,” Oren

Sophomore Rachael Tolsma set a personal record with a throw of 54.76 meters at the Georgia Tech Invitational. Anders Kiledal | Collegian

said. “To get into races that are really competitive like that, I don’t necessarily have to go in with the mindset of trying to win. Knowing that there are other girls in the race who have just as good of a chance at winning it as I do helps push me a lot.” Freshman Ally Eads broke 11 minutes in the steeplechase, running 10:53 and earning a provisional time in only

her second steeplechase ever. Sophomore Amanda Reagle also ran a provisional time, running a personal best 11:03. The 4x400 relay team — senior captain Corinne Zehner, freshman Tori Wichman, junior Allison Duber, and junior Sarah Benson — ran its race in 3:47.13, its fastest time of the season. The team has qualified for the national meet and is currently ranked 18th in Divi-

sion II. Towne was proud of the performances by junior Dana Newell and sophomore Rachael Tolsma in the hammer throw. Newell had three throws over 55 feet and Tolsma had a personal best throw in the event, going 54.76 meters. “Last year I didn’t hit 55 meters until my third day, three days in a row, and this year

I’m hitting very high numbers very consistency,” Newell said. “If I could I would love to hit 60 meters this season. It’s possible, I just have to have everything come together for one throw.” Both Newell and Tolsma have hit national qualifying marks. Towne also thought there were a number of solid performances at the Al Owens Invi-

tational. “We didn’t have a lot of people there, trying to keep those who didn’t make the Georgia trip moving along. I thought Emily Guy did a nice job for us and I thought Kat Torres did a solid job for us there as well,” Towne said. After this past weekend’s meets, the women have qualified 15 individual athletes and relay teams for the national meet on May 26-28 in Bradenton, Florida. But while 15 athletes have qualified for the meet, not all 15 athletes and relay teams are ranked high enough to make the cut to be included in their events. Athletes who haven’t hit an “auto” qualifying mark will have to wait until after the May 15 to know whether or not they have qualified for the national meet. Towne says that his expectations for the final meets of “championship season” are no different than usual. “I would expect that we have a very balanced team at NCAAs, just like we had indoors, maybe more so a little bit. We have a great senior class that helped put the program in a position that it is now,” Towne said. “The more we go there balanced, the tougher we’re going to be in terms of the team competition.” Today through Saturday, the Chargers will host the 50th Annual Gina Relays meet at Hillsdale’s Ken Herrick track. Gina Relays is perennially one of the best meets in the midwest at this point in the outdoor track season, and because this year is also an olympic year, even more post-collegiate

CHARGER CHATTER: EMILY OREN Anders Kiledal | Collegian

Emily Oren is a senior from Holland, Michigan, majoring in economics. She is one of the most decorated athletes in Hillsdale history, having won seven national championships across indoor and outdoor track and field.

What are your plans for after you graduate? What’s next for you? Running-wise, I have one meet coming up and then the championship season starts, and then after that I’ll have nationals over memorial day weekend and then the post-collegiate season. It seems like it’s wrapping up quickly but it seems like it’s just started because I’ve only run one race so far. And then I graduate and I have a job lined up as an admissions counselor.

summer, so I have to go one second faster than I did last year and six seconds faster than I did this season so far, and realistically I’m not looking to Rio this year. I’m looking to place well and get a good sponsorship out of it, hopefully, so that can fund my running for the next five years. And hopefully — it’s so far down the road, you don’t know — I’m hoping to keep progressing as a runner and have a shot at one of the top three spots at the Olympic Trials four years from now.

What’s the five-year plan? I would love to keep running. I’m going to stay here and train with Coach Joe, which is cool. I’m trying to qualify for the Olympic Trials this

What does a professional running career look like? I don’t really know, actually. I’m still trying to figure that all out. It’s hard because as a collegiate athlete you can’t talk

to people about it. I can’t talk to sponsors. I know that there is a running group that’s interested. You can go to different professional running groups, but I’m trying to stay here. So, it just depends on what kind of experience you’re looking for, I think. You can get sponsorships from different kinds of shoe companies that send you gear, and you just run for them or they sometimes pay you to do it. Or you can go to a running group, which I don’t really want to do unless there’s a group out in Portland, Oregon. There are really good groups out there, so if one of them asked me, I’d say, ‘Oh, Ok.’ So, hopefully for me, what I am hoping to happen is that I get some sort of sponsorship that I can use

to stay here for the next few years and train with my same coach and after that see where I am: Is the running thing still working out? Should I move to a training group? Should I just call it quits? It’s really up in the air, because I don’t know what it looks like.

What are you looking forward to about living in Hillsdale next year? Well, my sister is still here, so I get to be with her. I’m excited to still be training with the team and with my coach, and I’m really excited for the opportunity to work for the school, because I love the school and I think the job is going to be really interesting and really fun.

Has the nostalgia hit you hard yet? Not yet. I mean, it kind of did at the awards banquet. We had a track senior awards banquet and I had to give a speech and I cried my way through it. So it has hit a little bit, but I’m not sure when it is going to set in. It’s going to be interesting. -Compiled by Micah Meadowcroft

Charger Men’s track sets personal, school records Chargers’ 4x100 relay team breaks school record again with time of 40.83 seconds. A8

Anders Kiledal | Collegian

Charger Chatter: Emily Oren Seven-time national champion Emily Oren discusses her postcollegiate plans to continue her running career. A9

28 APRIL 2016

Football wraps up spring practices with spring game Chargers focusing on growing stronger and closer as a team during the offseason. A9 Anders Kiledal | Collegian

David Bartlett | Courtesy

BASEBALL CLINCHES GLIAC TOURNAMENT SPOT By | Stevan Bennett Jr. Assistant Editor

With a perfect week against Saginaw Valley and Northwood, the Hillsdale College baseball team (28-14, 16-8 GLIAC) set a school record for its most wins in a season, and clinched a spot in the GLIAC Tournament for the first time since 2003. The Chargers have won seven games in a row. “I couldn’t tell you how happy I am for these seniors. We had a great shot last year and we just couldn’t keep everybody healthy,” head coach Eric Theisen said. “This was the vision when they got here four years ago, and they’re have done a great job. I couldn’t be more happy for them or more proud of them.” The seniors congratulated Theisen with a Gatorade shower after the game. “We worked harder than ever during this offseason and it’s great to see that paying off now,” senior first baseman Chris McDonald said. After a four-game sweep of Saginaw Valley over the weekend, senior outfielder Luke Ortel was named GLIAC North Division Player of the Week — his second time receiving the honor this season. Ortel went 15-for-25 on the week, knocking in seven runs. “We have always known that he could be this kind of hitter, and it’s great to see him stay healthy enough to do it,” Theisen said, adding that Ortel — who is batting .481 on the season — is one of the tough-

est outs in the country. In their first game against the Northwood Timberwolves yesterday, the Chargers jumped to an early lead, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning thanks to a two-run home run by senior leftfielder Tad Sobieszczanski and an RBI double from senior rightfielder Connor Bartlett. After Northwood took a one-run lead in the top of the fifth inning, freshman Steven Ring tied the game with a pinch-hit RBI double. The score was tied when Bartlett led off the bottom of the seventh inning with a single. After a single by senior catcher Joe Gentile and a sacrifice bunt by sophomore pitcher Colin Hites, freshman shortstop Colin Boerst knocked the walk-off single. The Hillsdale offense refused to be silenced in game two against Northwood, with eight different Chargers claiming at least one hit, including two home runs from Tad Sobieszczanski, as well as one from both McDonald and sophomore second baseman Alex Walts. According to Bartlett, the mood in the locker room after the game was celebratory. “If you haven’t seen the running man challenge, google it, because that’s pretty much what it was,” he said. “That mixed with an MLB team clinching a spot in the playoffs. It was hype.” Theisen pointed to the depth of the team as one of its greatest strengths. “We’re in some big situa-

tions and we have some young guys who love those big situations,” he said. “They love the tie games and the late-inning comebacks.” Before hosting Northwood last night, the Chargers welcomed the Saginaw Valley Cardinals to Hillsdale for a four-game set, all of which were won by the home team, earning them the No. 6 ranking in the Midwest region according to the NCAA. Sophomore Will Kruse started the first game against the Cardinals, allowing four runs — none earned — on six hits in five innings of work. The real drama started in the top of the seventh when the Cardinals scored two runs to take a 5-4 lead. In the bottom half of the inning — after a McDonald RBI sacrifice fly — the Chargers once again walked-off when Gentile reached on a throwing error by the Cardinals. “Pretty much every game when we’re down at least two or three people will say, ‘We’ll score,’” assistant coach Shane Armstrong said. Game two was another hard-fought victory, with McDonald homering in the bottom of the eighth inning to score the eventual game-winning run. Ortel, Sobieszczanski, McDonald, and Walts each recorded three hits in the game. Gentile added two hits to his season total in the game, while junior designated hitter Ethan Wiskur, freshman third baseman Cam Maxwell, and freshman shortstop Jacob Hoover

all tallied one hit each. Senior Evan Chalker and Wiskur combined to throw a scoreless final two frames for Hillsdale, clinching a 9-8 victory. The drama continued on Sunday, when the two teams played their third-straight one-run game, with the Chargers coming out on top 5-4. Freshman starter Chris Stewart threw a seven-inning complete game, allowing four runs — three earned — on seven hits. After the Cardinals went 1-2-3 in the top of the seventh, the Chargers came to the plate with the score tied 4-4. After a walk by Hoover, Ortel knocked an RBI double, giving the Chargers yet another walk-off victory. Theisen said that the team loves playing these types of close games. “The very first weekend of the year at Paine we played some exciting games,” Theisen said. “And we talked about it, we said, ‘You can only hope that every series we play is that exciting.’ We love it, and they do a great job. They just eat it up.” Hillsdale was dominant in the series finale, finishing the sweep with a 12-5 win. Hites relieved the starter Maxwell — two earned runs in two innings pitched — on the mound, hurling five innings of shutout, three-hit ball, earning one of his two wins on the week. When all was said and done, eight different Chargers had touched home plate, and

Freshman shortstop Colin Boerst hit a walk-off single in the first game of yesterday’s doubleheader. David Bartlett | Courtesy

seven had tallied at least one hit — including home runs from Ortel and Bartlett — on their way to the 12-5 victory. The Chargers will travel to Grand Valley this weekend for a four-game set against the second-place Lakers, as they continue to compete for the No. 1 seed in the GLIAC tournament. “The clinch is great, and

we’re going to enjoy it and celebrate it, but our journey isn’t over yet,” Theisen said. As the Chargers look forward to the postseason, Theisen explained that the message to the team is the same as it has been all year long. “The message is, ‘Enjoy the time we get to spend together out on the field, because it doesn’t last forever,’” he said.

SOFTBALL STORMS INTO GLIAC TOURNAMENT AS THIRD SEED By | Madeleine Jepsen Assistant Editor

The Hillsdale College softball team clinched the No. 3 seed in the GLIAC Tournament after sweeping Findlay University on Saturday, the best seed the Chargers have ever had going into the GLIAC Tournament. “Sweeping at Findlay — who’s been a really good team all year — was just a huge, huge, sweep for us,” head coach Joe Abraham said. “It guaranteed us top three in the league, and it just solidified who we’ve been all season in pulling out those two games.” Hillsdale scored the first and only run of the opener in the fifth inning when junior outfielder Bekah Kastning drove in freshman outfielder Carly Gouge with a double. Over the course of the game, Kastning went 3-for-4 with two singles and a double. “That was probably the most intense game we’ve played all season,” freshman second baseman Amanda

Marra said. “It was so close the whole time, and both teams were getting runners on base almost every inning, so it was just a matter of who was able to push the runs across.” Senior pitcher Sarah Grunert picked up her 12th win of the season in the opener, and senior pitcher Sarah Klopfer recorded her third save of the season. Returning to the mound the second game, Klopfer allowed no runs in the first six innings. On defense, senior outfielder Ainsley Ellison and sophomore outfielder Brittany Mahan had lunging catches against Findlay. “We played really great defense the whole weekend,” Marra said. “We had great pitching performances by both of our pitchers.” In the second game against Findlay, the Chargers’ offense racked up five runs in four consecutive innings, completing the sweep 5-2. Among several strong performances, senior third baseman Julia Kosco went 2-for-2, and junior first baseman Cassie Asselta

Junior Bekah Kastning led the Chargers during the regular season, batting .427 with five home runs and 30 RBIs. Anders Kiledal | Collegian

hit a solo home run. Marra and Kastning also had key RBIs in the second game. “Julia led off the third inning for us with a single, and

she later came in on Sarah Grunert’s double,” Abraham said. “That gave us a lead in game two which was just huge for us because they had not

been hitting Sarah Klopfer all game, so that production that we got from the bottom of the order was a big lift for us.” Hillsdale took two losses against Grand Valley State University on Sunday, 3-0 and 7-1. “That’s the first time we’ve been swept in a doubleheader all year,” Abraham said. “If you can go through every year only getting swept in one doubleheader, you’re going to have one great year after another.” Kastning scored the only run against Grand Valley, drove in by Marra’s double, and sophomore utility player Kelsey Gockman had the only hit of the second game. “They’re a really good team, and we played them on a really good day for them.” Kastning said. “We fought hard and hit the ball, we just kept hitting it to people. Sometimes that just happens — you both are good teams, but one team is better that day.” On Tuesday, the Chargers swept Lourdes University in a nonconference doublehead-

er, with an 8-0 shutout in the opener and a six-inning 12-2 win in the second game. “We did a really good job of capitalizing on their errors, and taking advantage of the walks,” Kastning said. The Chargers are the No. 3 seed in the GLIAC tournament, which Abraham said will be marked by tough competition. “Any of these eight teams could potentially win it, and every single game is tough,” Abraham said. “It doesn’t matter who you are because once you get past Wayne State and maybe Grand Valley, three through eight are pretty interchangeable.” Marra said the team’s strong season performance will serve them well this weekend. “We have confidence in our hitting and pitching and defense,” Marra said. “We’re really excited to play in the tournament. For our five seniors, we really want to give them a memorable last season.”

Arts

B1 28 April 2016

www.hillsdalecollegian.com

Fuerst retires to focus on composing The Assistant Professor of Music will move to Nebraska later this year

Senior Vivian Hughbanks (center) with actor Robert Hardy (right), known for his portrayals of Winston Churchill and his performance as Cornelius Fudge in the Harry Potter films, and his godson, actor Neil Robertson (left). Vivian Hughbanks | Courtesy

Q&A: Robert Hardy discusses acting influences, theater as ‘observed nature’

Robert Hardy is one of the most successful British character actors of our time. He is most famous for his portrayals of Winston Churchill, Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic in the Harry Potter films, and Siegfried Farnon in the BBC series “All Creatures Great and Small.” Actor Neil Robertson is his godson. Hardy spoke at Markel Auditorium on Wednesday evening, and will teach an acting master class in the Quilhot Black Box tonight at 7 p.m. ~Compiled by Vivian Hughbanks When did you decide to be an actor?

RH: I didn’t. I was just going to be an actor. From childhood. From time to time, I informed the family, and they never raised any objection in public. Did you have any actors that you enjoyed watching then? RH: Oddly enough, when I first went to the theater, I very much enjoyed watching an actor named Godfrey Tearle. He was absolutely God’s gift to the world. After the war, when I started at Shakespeare’s Stratford, he was the leader of the company. It was wonderful. He was such a nice old man. If I could be as nice as him in my extreme old age — which I am in right now, obviously — I

would be very happy. What have been some of your favorite roles to play? RH: At the head of the list is the hardest one — Churchill. Further down, Queen Victoria’s husband, the German prince, over which I got into a sort of disgrace with the royal family because they didn’t like my German accent — they said it was much too strong. But the reason I chose to keep it was because in my research — the basis of all my acting — I got the very strong message that he was very isolated, very alone. And of course, to sound foreign was the quickest way to get that message across. As the thing went on, I improved, and when I came to die, I went

straight back to the German itself. Hamlet is the best part in the world. Corelanus is the next best part in the world. Henry the fifth. But talk to him — he’s much more interesting. He was a child star. NR: Yes, I’m an actor as well. And for the last 10 years, I’ve worked for a children’s theater company in London. So I mainly work with children now. RH: He was very, very, very good. He’s my godson, so I watched his beginnings. NR: On stage, I was still being cast as children in my late 20s. But now, I like working with children. We work from See Hardy, B2

Art around Town returns to Hillsdale By | Andrew Egger Assistant Editor

Hillsdale’s creative and business communities will unite from 5-7 p.m. this evening in downtown Hillsdale for the city’s first stand-alone Art Around Town, an event sponsored by the Hillsdale Business Association and intended to acquaint more residents with the work of community artists. The event will feature the works of a plethora of local creatives on display at many downtown shops, from Alternaprint to Broad Street Market to Toasted Mud. Among the collaborating artists are Jim Foster, who specializes in oil painting landscapes; Rhonda Peters, who works in polymer clay and serves as president of Gallery 49 in Reading, Michigan; Rich Katuzin, a pen and ink art-

ist; and Anthony Frudakis, a sculptor who is also associate professor of art at Hillsdale College. “Not only does an event like this promote good culture, which is really good for a city,” Foster said, “it also facilitates brotherhood, in a way.” Many of the artists who will show their work for Art Around Town have lived in Hillsdale County for many years, a fact reflected in their art. Katuzin, for example, makes his living drawing Michigan landmarks: in particular, lighthouses, ships, and mills. “There’s 128 lighthouses in Michigan, and I’ve got about 50 done,” Katuzin said. “I’m doing an alternate series on Michigan mills. I moved out to Hillsdale County in 2006, and I realized there’s no lighthouses out here. So I’ve got about

four mills done and I’m working on two more.” Despite this, these artists still appreciate the opportunity to bring more of their work to their neighbors. “In a small community it’s good that people know who you are and what you do,” said Peters, who will be signing copies of her children’s book “What Does the Monkey Know?” at Broad Street Market. “The cons of it being small is that you don’t have the amount of people to see your artwork that it takes to really do well as an artist. So this is another way of getting your name out there to the public — it keeps you strong in the public eye.” Art Around Town has also provided local creatives an opportunity for collaboration. “I’ll be participating in the Blossom Shop,” said Ryan Tay-

lor, owner of RT Ceramics. “She’s got a flower shop and I’m a potter, so we’re going to be bringing lots of custom-made flower pots and dinnerware from my production line, and we’ll be sampling custom planters that will be featured around the city hopefully next month.” Frudakis said that they are particularly thankful to Economic Development Coordinator Mary Wolfram and the Hillsdale Business Association for sponsoring the event in the first place. “My wife and I have been residents of Hillsdale since 1991, when I came to teach for the college,” Frudakis said. “And it’s a place that we call home now, Hillsdale; we think of ourselves as Michiganders. And it means a lot to me that I have a chance to share my work with my neighbors.”

Suzanne Wolfe’s ‘The Confessions of X’ in review ‘Luminiscent prose brings ancient Carthage to life’ in this imagining of the life of Saint Augustine’s concubine By | Hannah Niemeier Collegian Reporter

A sputtering flame casts shadows over the scholar’s face as he pores over the Scriptures, his bent body forming the perfect image of a studious disciple. It’s late, and the words blur on the page. Saint Augustine snuffs out the candle and falls into his concubine’s arms. In “The Confessions of X,” Suzanne M. Wolfe reimagines Augustine’s secret love life, following the formation of the influential theologian’s life and thought through the eyes of his mysterious lover. But this novel is no expose. Wolfe, the co-founder of “Image,” a literary journal devoted to religion’s relationship with the arts, creates a vision of a virtuous woman whose life embodied the doctrines of love, faith, and sacrifice that inspired Augustine’s “Confessions.” When Wolfe first read “Confessions,” she was struck by a glimpse into Augustine’s private life with a woman he refers to only as “Una,” or “the one.” After devoting his life to theology, the budding scholar reluctantly broke off this relationship in order to further his career. Augustine never remarried, and he remembered their relationship years later: “This blow crushed my heart to bleeding because I loved her dearly.” Intrigued by this doomed love affair, Wolfe soon learned that Augustine’s devotion to his concubine was no scandal. In fact, such “common-law

marriages” were normal in a time when marriage between social classes was discouraged. From this story of star-crossed lovers, “The Confessions of X” was born. Wolfe calls this anonymous woman “X,” the daughter of a mosaic artist and a powerful artisan of images in her own right. X tells her story with warmth and wisdom: her childhood with her vagrant father taught her to see life as the “art of broken things.” Her whirlwind courtship with Augustine, though it could never end in marriage, infused her life with love. And her life with him, though it ended in loneliness, produced her greatest

work of art: her son Adeodatus. X tells Augustine “I think best in pictures,” and the novel’s luminescent prose brings ancient Carthage to life in vibrant color. But Wolfe’s narrator is more than a roving pair of eyes watching her lover’s growth as orator, teacher, and theologian; the pictures she paints with her words lead readers — and Augustine himself — to profound insights. The young philosopher’s debate over good and evil is uprooted when Wolfe paints God’s will as a flower. Rooted in darkness, it grows toward the light. And when X sees beauty as “the yeast in the bread” of life, the Manichean debate between reality and the spirit goes up in smoke. Though X’s storytelling is visionary, her life is a testimony to something both below and beyond abstract pictures of love. The force of the novel stems from X’s feminine voice; for the mother of Augustine’s son, love must be incarnational, rooted in the physical bonds that tie man to wife and mother to son. Suzanne M. Wolfe’s “The Confessions of X” imagines the story of Saint Augustine’s Wolfe explores the question of concubine. women’s roles Suzanne Wolfe’s Facebook page | Courtesy

without molding her narrator to the well-intentioned but narrow stereotype of the “strong female character.” Wolfe’s heroine is neither a crusading feminist nor a stand-in for an ambitious male hero. Instead, X is portrayed as a woman of her time, respecting her husband and conforming to social norms regarding marriage between classes. But Wolfe also paints a Christian idea of marriage in the ill-fated but loyal relationship between concubine and future church father. Other female relationships in the novel reinforce this incarnational view of love. In “Confessions,” Augustine credits his Christian conversion to his mother, Monica. Wolfe’s Monica is a firm but devoted mother who accepts the vulnerable X into her family in an act of love that sows the seed of faith for her son. Though her relationship with Augustine was controversial, her justification for her love and inevitable loss is convincing.Throughout the novel, X uses metaphors of birth to illustrate a woman’s calling to nurture men and push them into the world. The strength of all women — not only ill-fated concubines— lies in their sacrifice as they let their loved ones go. In “The Confessions of X,” readers will discover their debt to women like X, lovers and mothers who supported and inspired great men like Saint Augustine by serving as images of sacrificial love.

By | Amanda Tindall Features Editor Associate Professor of Music Matthew Fuerst first visited Hillsdale College as a composer. When a violinist and pianist performed some of his original works on campus, Fuerst attended their concert and became acquainted with the college. Now, he is spending his last few weeks at Hillsdale, as he returns to composing full-time, and to his wife in Nebraska, who will be teaching at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. “Between her fantastic offer and the fact that there seems to be a lot of interest in my own compositions more than ever, we thought that perhaps this is the time for me to take a chance and take a little more time composing, and it’s just too great an offer for her.” Fuerst said he knew he wanted to be a composer from the time he was 9 years old. He begged his mother, and was allowed to, eventually, take piano lessons. His piano teacher played a part of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, the fourth movement of which is “Ode to Joy,” a simplified version of which he was playing in lessons. Instead of buying baseball cards, Fuerst saved his allowance money and went to the store. “I bought this record with this guy on a horse on it,” Fuerst said. “I thought, ‘Well, he looks pretty majestic, so this must be the symphony.’ It turned out the record on the cover was Napoleon and it was Beethoven’s 3rd symphony, which has an association there. I went home to my little radio shack record player, and I realized that I wanted to do what that music was doing to me. From then on, I wanted to be a composer. I also wanted to be a baseball player too, but I stunk, so I went the music route.” Fuerst studied composition at the Eastman School of Music and did his master’s and Ph.D. at the Juilliard School, and after moving to New York, he began

writing for pianist and former fellow student at Eastman, David Riley, after he met Riley in a pizza place in New York. Riley was working with violinist Jasper Wood, and the two brought on Fuerst to compose some pieces for them. “Since then, I’ve done four original works and have done some arrangements for them,” Fuerst said. “And last January I had a CD of all the works I wrote from them released. It’s been about 16 years of a working relationship and friendship with them.” After Fuerst’s first encounter with Hillsdale, he was soon looking to apply to another college to teach. Fuerst called Director of Keyboard Studies Brad Blackham to see if he knew anyone at the college to which he was applying. Although Blackham didn’t know anyone there, he invited Fuerst to apply for the open position. “I really liked the sound that he has and his style,” Blackham said “I liked that he wrote really challenging music that is fun and challenging at the same time. He’s a pianist himself and all his piano parts are really interesting.” Fuerst said one of the unexpected parts of leaving was how difficult it would be to say goodbye to his students. When junior Dani Adams was in his class, she struggled, and dropped eventually, but said he was very helpful in office hours. The second time she took the class, she said she did much better. “He was super kind and didn’t even mention the first time. I’ve done much better this semester, and, he’s been a lot of fun in class. I love his sense of humor and quirky sarcastic comments that keep you engaged even though the material can get tedious with rules at times.” While Fuerst said he’s looking forward to spending enough time composing and keeping up with all the business things that come with being a composer, he said he’s looking forward to being with his wife again. “I think living with my wife again, frankly, I’m very much looking forward to that,” he said, laughing. “I do like hanging out with her. You know, it’s the little things in life.” Blackham said filling his spot would be difficult. “One of the real sad things is that he’s become a great friend over the years,” Blackham said. “He’s not just a good colleague, Associate Professor of Music Matthew but also a really Fuerst is retiring. great friend.” matthewfuerst.com | Courtesy

Liu and Lukich to perform at orchestra concert By | Andrew Egger Assistant Editor

The Hillsdale College Symphony Orchestra will perform its final concert of the year at 8 p.m. on May 12 and 13 in Markel Auditorium. The first performance will be open with ticket reservations to the general public, while the second will be open to guests of graduation, donors, and families of orchestra members by invitation only. According to conductor and Music Department Chair James Holleman, the concert’s centerpiece will be Sergei Rachmaninoff ’s Symphonic Dances. “I was aiming everything we did this year at a difficult piece, which is the Symphonic Dances,” Holleman said. “It’s Rachmaninoff ’s last orchestral work, it’s in three movements, it’s a fantastic piece of music and it’s difficult. So we’ve really been working our way up to this.” The concert will also feature student soloists junior violinist Stevan Lukich and senior vocalist Faith Liu, this year’s winners of the music department’s annual Concerto/Aria Competition. Lukich will perform the first movement of Prokofiev’s second violin concerto, while Liu will perform “Una

Voce Poco Fa” from Rossini’s “Barber of Seville” and “The Jewel Song.” “Both of the arias I’m doing are probably familiar to audiences as ‘diva arias,’” Liu said. “‘Una Voce Poco Fa’ is the aria that is sung repeatedly in ‘Citizen Kane’ by Kane’s would-be opera star wife — hopefully I sing it a bit better than her! And ‘The Jewel Song’ was featured in the ‘Tintin’ movie. Hopefully I won’t be breaking any glass.” Lukich and Liu began rehearsing their pieces with the orchestra over the past few weeks. “Singing as a solo voice in front of an entire orchestra can certainly be daunting,” Liu said. “It’s just your cords against the instruments of 50 other people. But Professor Holleman and the orchestra have been excellent about supporting me and following my tempo.” Holleman said the solos are an indispensable part of the concert. “I find that the audience typically is very excited about the student soloists,” he said. “Students are very excited about their peers, and the board of trustees, the president’s club, all those people really like to see these students mature. So it’s a really positive thing.”

Arts

B2 28 April 2016

www.hillsdalecollegian.com

Arts News April 26-May 14

Spring 2016 Juried Student Art Exhibit Award Ceremony 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 26 Daughtrey Gallery Sage Center for the Arts

April 28

Master class on acting in Shakespeare with actor Robert Hardy 7 p.m. Thursday Quilhot Black Box Sage Center for the Arts

April 28

Art Around Town: local Hillsdale businesses host artists and their artwork 5-7 p.m. Thursday Downtown Hillsdale

April 28

Senior Forester McClatchey gives a reading of his poetry 7 p.m. Thursday A.J.’s Cafe Grewcock Student Union

Dance honorary organizes first philanthropic event for community

By | Ramona Tausz Arts Editor Hillsdale’s chapter of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts, newly formed in November, is hosting its first philanthropic event Sunday. Members of the honorary are presenting “Discover Dance,” a day of free classes and dance demonstrations, from 10-11:30 a.m. on April 30 as an opportunity for children of the community to explore the art form of dance. Children ages 5-12 will gather in the Quilhot Black Box in the Sage Center for the Arts for a morning of classes with members of the honorary and demonstrations in different kinds of dance, such as ballet, tap, and jazz. According to junior President Priscilla Larson, this

event is a way for kids to “just explore dancing a little bit.” “This is our new philanthropic event that we’re doing for the honorary,” she said. “It’s just kind of a way to serve the community, and help make the community and campus more aware of the community and the dance honorary.” Children will be split into two groups of ages 5-8 and ages 9-12 for a basic dance lesson, taught by members of the honorary. “At the end of their class time, they’re going to come together and we’ll have a demonstration for them,” Larson said. “We’re going to have several girls from the honorary give an example of ballet, we have two other girls who want to do jazz

Hillsdale dancers are organizing an event on Sunday for children in the community to experience dance. Anders Kiledal | Collegian

demonstrations, and we have another girl who might do a tap demonstration, just so the kids can see that dance can be many different things, and see that dance is more than just one thing.” Senior Vice President Rachel Watson will be an assis-

McClatchey to give public poetry reading tonight English Department organizes reading of the senior English major’s original poems at 7 p.m. in the Heritage Room By | Ramona Tausz Arts Editor Senior Forester McClatchey will deliver a public reading from his original poetry at 7 p.m. tonight in the Heritage Room of Mossey Library. The reading, open to all campus, is sponsored by the English Department in honor of both McClatchey’s accom-

plishments as a poet during his four years at Hillsdale and for his recent acceptance to the University of Florida’s master of fine arts program. McClatchey, a double major in English and art while at Hillsdale, will be studying at the university under the mentorship of poet and critic William Logan. “Logan’s known for being

very opinionated,” Assistant Professor of English Dutton Kearney, a mentor of McClatchey’s since freshman year, said. “But maybe that fits in with Forester’s personality,” he added with a laugh. Kearney said he has watched McClatchey’s growth as a poet and English major with joy over the past four years, ever since he taught him in Great

Books I during McClatchey’s freshman year. Some of the pieces McClatchey wrote during Kearney’s 400-level course in Contemporary Christian Poetry last year ended up in his final application portfolio for the University of Florida. “I’ve seen a remarkable improvement over the past four years,” Kearney said of Mc-

Clatchey’s prowess as a student of literature and a poet. “He came in good and has become great — and on top of that, excellent. Moreover, he’s always maintained his own interests and personality throughout it all.”

Put down the books, pick up an instrument

Junior Evan Carter says don’t be afraid to start taking music lessons during college — even as late as junior year

April 30

By | Evan Carter Web Editor Indiana University-Jacobs School of Music presents Many times, when someone Violin Virtuosi in Concert in college can play an instrument, they’ve been playing it for a number of years before 7 p.m. Saturday they even set foot on campus. But that’s not my story — I Markel Auditorium just began piano lessons as a Sage Center for the Arts second-semester junior. It’s not like I haven’t wanted to try an instrument in the past, I just didn’t have the initiative when I was younger or the opportunity during my high school and early college years. When I was in middle school, I picked up trumpet for a couple of years dreaming Junior Evan Carter encourages Hillsthat I would quickdale students to pick up an instrument ly be able to master during college. Evan Carter | Collegian the instrument and play music with the

skill of greats like Louis Armstrong. At first, playing the instrument was exciting. It was fun to discover the different sounds the trumpet made when I learned the fingerings for new notes on the scale and it didn’t take long for me to master the songs in the beginner’s trumpet booklet. But soon enough, the trumpet lost its luster for me and I quickly grew tired of logging my required three hours of trumpet practice a week. My skills stopped progressing, I stopped being able to master new songs, and I often spent large portions of “practice time” buzzing randomly into the trumpet’s mouthpiece and staring as the seconds on my practice timer ticked by way too slowly. After two years, I quit band. I didn’t have the maturity to commit the significant amount of practice time nec-

essary to make playing trumpet second nature. If I would have known the valve fingerings on my trumpet as well as I knew the layout of the buttons on my GameCube, I could have been a much better trumpet player. For a number of years, I was pleased with my decision, and I was happy that I didn’t have to log practice hours any more. But during my senior year of high school, I started to get the urge to play an instrument again. There’s something creative and special when music is made on an instrument. I desired the refinement that comes from being able to play an instrument well as well as the rush of creating beautiful sound. Compositions like George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” filled my imagination. I decided that if I had the opportunity to learn how to play an instrument, I would

‘The Jungle book’ stays true to both animated classic and Kipling’s original short story By | Kate Patrick City News Editor

Disney’s strategy to remake animated classics into live-action films has definitely resulted in a mixed bag. “Cinderella” was great. “Maleficent” was OK. “101 Dalmatians” was awful. “Alice in Wonderland” was a little weird, but the author of the book was high on opium when he wrote the story, so that’s to be expected. Overall, the remakes have been so-so, with the exception of “Cinderella,” which most critics and moviegoers (from dads to moms to 20-somethings to little girls) praised as pretty fantastic (which, it is). But if you’re a hardcore Disney fanatic, you can add another live-action remake to the list of successes: besides being cinematically gorgeous, “The Jungle Book” stays true to the animated classic (and to the short story “Mowgli’s Brothers” by Rudyard Kipling on which both films were based) while effortlessly pulling off a poignant coming-of-age story. As a kid, “The Jungle Book” was never one of my favorite Disney movies. But watching the live-action remake of “The Jungle Book” completely changed my opinion of Rudyard Kipling’s famous story. Mowgli (portrayed by Neel Sethi), raised by a wolf pack and a panther named Bagheera (voiced by Ben Kingsley) in an Indian jungle, is

tant teacher for the older class and participate in the jazz and modern dance demonstration. “We were trying to figure out what we had time for, and figured this would be a good way to be impactful,” she said. “Studio 55 is great, but there’s

not really that many opportunities for the community.” Sophomore dancer Annalise Harrison is in charge of promoting and marketing this opportunity to the off-campus community. “Part of being in a given community is to nurture and build relationships for mutual growth,” she said. “At Hillsdale College, we have been blessed to be in an institution which values well-being of both soul and body, but rarely do we reach beyond our campus lawn.” “This is just a way to say ‘Hey, we really care about you,’” Watson added. “We just want to reach everywhere around us, whether it’s at the college or community at large.”

Disney’s remaking of “The Jungle Book” is currently in theaters. Youtube | Courtesy

hunted by Shere Khan, the magnificent, ruthless tiger (voiced by Idris Elba) who killed his father. When Shere Khan threatens to destroy the wolves and anyone who protects Mowgli, the “man-cub” is forced to leave the only family he’s ever known and return to the “man village” before the great tiger finds him. Along the way, Mowgli meets the slippery python Kaa (voiced by Scarlett Johansson), an endearing bear named Baloo (voiced by Bill Murray), and the ginormous ape King Louie (voiced by Christopher Walken) before he finally comes to terms with his humanity and place in the jungle. Mowgli’s coming-of-age is subtly revealed at a careful pace, without rushing his

growth or making the viewer feel like his choice to stop running and stand up to Shere Khan is forced. While the looming of shadow of the great tiger follows Mowgli’s adventures, the film manages to balance the darker moments with lighthearted scenes: Baloo and Mowgli singing the beloved “Bare Necessities” on a river and King Louie and the apes comically trying to be like men. Neel Sethi portrays Mowgli with surprising genuineness: while some of his lines seem a little forced, Sethi successfully acts, talks, and thinks like a 10-year-old boy. He reacts how anyone would expect a small boy to react when Bagheera tries to take him away from his games and tricks with Baloo, and when the only fa-

ther he’s ever known is killed by the black-striped menace. From a CGI standpoint, the film is a work of art. Some directors struggle to produce realistic fantasy films with so much computer-generated imagery at their disposal, but director Jon Favreau does a truly amazing job. The way Shere Khan’s muscles move under his striped skin makes him look completely real as he leaps down a ravine to drink at a pool — when the camera pans out, the sight of the tiger bending down to drink can only be described as majestic. Mowgli embracing his wolf-mother in the rain is a truly stunning shot — and the colors of the jungle are so vivid you could almost touch the flowers, vines, and trees when Mowgli and Baloo are floating down a river. From an aesthetic standpoint, “The Jungle Book” is beautifully seamless. But besides stellar acting and cinematography, the real selling-point of “The Jungle Book” is its timeless tale: even a young boy caught up with making pulley systems to steal honey from bees and playing games with wolf cubs can defend his family if his father is taken from him. Even if you’re only 10 years old, you can still find courage and stand up to fierce tigers.

try to learn piano this time. I had matured a lot since middle school and now was more interested in learning how to play scales, then how to throw alley-oops in NBA Live 2006. And from the moment I decided I wanted to play music again, the piano had a certain majesty which drew me to it over any other instrument. But musical ambition was deferred for my first four semesters of college and my time was spent writing for The Collegian and running for Hillsdale’s cross country and track teams. When I stepped away from collegiate running at the end of my sophomore year, learning to play piano became a possibility again. After not being able to get one of the piano lesson slots last semester, I began piano in January. While learning the basics of piano as a young child may have made picking up piano

Hardy, from B1 preschool right up to 18-19 years old. It’s about freeing the imagination, really. We do thing called storytelling theater. We make up a story where they have to tell us what’s going to happen next. And as they get older, it turns into more acting games and things like that. One of my best roles as an actor, we worked together in a film for the BBC called “Speed King.” What was it like to work together? RH: That was a role that I loved playing too — it was a man who broke the land speed record in “Bluebird,” a very famous car, in the 1930s on the salt flats of Utah. It was a very well-written script. NR: That was Sir Malcolm Campbell, and then he had a son called Donald who I played. When he grew up, he went and did exactly the same thing — he broke speed records — and then killed himself breaking the water speed record on Lake Constant in the Lake District. RH: That was a good film. NR: At that point, as his godson, I didn’t really know him very well and suddenly we were playing father and son — it’s stayed that way ever since. RH: There was a very good scene we had to play in which his school report had come in, and I had opened it, and I got him to come and see me in my study. What advice do you have for students who want to pursue a career in theater or acting?

in college easier, I actually think starting to play as an adult has had a lot of benefits. Unlike my experience playing trumpet in middle school, I now have the discipline to put in practice hours and actually get something out of it. I have a lot more appreciation for instrumentation than I did when I was younger. And perhaps most importantly, I didn’t come into my piano lessons with a lot of bad habits to lose. Over the course of this last semester, I went from knowing nothing about how to play piano to being able to play the major scales and learning simple songs. I’m glad I decided to try piano this semester, and I plan to continue playing piano during my senior year at Hillsdale. I now have a musical skill I can carry with me through the rest of my life.

NR: I would never say to anyone “don’t.” If they’re really keen, they’ll do it. But I will warn them that it’s a really crazy profession — there are not enough jobs and too many actors. I’ll tell them to think of it as a part-time job to start with. If it becomes your full-time job, that’s great. I always say to them, “always have something up your sleeve that you can make a living.” RH: What I always say to them is “don’t.” Because if they’re really tough enough to be able to do it, they won’t take a moment’s notice of what I say. And then I go on to say that you need to be slightly “‘round the bend” as we say in England. You need to have talent, obviously. But there are so many different kinds of talent that will do. At Hillsdale, we study the liberal arts. What are some ways that theater and film can add to an education? RH: The results of what directors do on film, on television, and in the theater is an accumulation of how they view the world. So it has its own value in that corner. Then in come the actors and actresses, and the same is true of them. It is a world vision, which is useful. It is valuable as purified observation reduced to an artistic formula. It’s all observed nature. NR: I’d say it goes back to Shakespeare. Going back to the Greeks, theater has always been used as a social way to explain to people how to live their lives, to learn about their fears. It tells about our history as well.

www.hillsdalecollegian.com

Features

B3 28 April 2016

‘People before policy’: Alumni found D/CO consulting By | Thomas Novelly Assistant Editor Hillsdale alumni Kyle Forti ’12 and Lee Hopper ’14 said they always enjoyed politics, but they never imagined they would be making a difference in the form of their consulting company D/CO before turning 30 years old. Located in the mountains of Denver the political consulting company D/CO launched in December 2015 as a product of CEO Kyle Forti’s vision and the campaign experience of Chief Operating Officer Lee Hooper. On April 5, D/CO absorbed 140 new clients from their public relations competitor, the Avinova Media Group, making its four-person consulting company the largest political public relations firm in Colorado. In a Web post on the day of the acquisition, Avinova said its clients would be in good hands. “D/CO works intimately with clients large and small. They work with local county commissioners, churches, and faith-based nonprofits, as well as Fortune 100 companies, U.S. senators, and international public relations firms, assisting each individually to leverage influence and direct public conversations.” Forti said he sought to bring a new experience to traditional campaign consulting and fill a void in the field. “We thought, ‘How can we make something out of politics?’” Forti said. “We wanted to emphasize the business side of politics, highlighting specifically a level of creativity and professionalism for our client, something not seen in the political world.” Forti graduated with a degree in politics and Christian studies. After entering the realm of political journalism for one year, Forti said he found himself restless and unsatisfied with political culture. “There was a weird level of unprofessionalism, and I found that I really couldn’t work for anyone,” Forti said. “I wanted to do my own thing.”

Kyle Forti ’12, Sarah Bouma, Lee Hopper ’14, Caleb Bonham, the staff of the D/CO, a consulting comany founded by the two grads, at their company launch party. D/CO | Courtesy

As a result, Forti started his first company, Peak Political Solutions, in June 2013. He found himself working 18 to 20-hour days six to seven times a week, providing media and outreach services for activists and politicians alike. That is when Hopper stepped in. Throughout his entire senior year at Hillsdale, Hopper started doing contract work online for Forti in addition to completing coursework for his economics major. When he graduated, Hopper went to work for the Colorado Republican Party on local and Senate campaigns, before coming to work full time for Peak Political Solutions in January 2015. Hopper said the political connections and experience he made in his year of working on cam-

paigns was a key element in D/CO’s recent success. “I learned the tried and true methods of campaigning,” Hopper said. “Since joining D/CO, we have worked with more than two dozen local and national campaigns. We’ve also reached out to activism causes, such as Turning Point USA, and we even did all the media for the Conservative Political Action Conference this past March.” Due to the amount of notoriety Peak Political Solutions had received in the political realm, Red Alert Politics named Forti one of its “30 under 30” in 2014. Caleb Bonham, the former editor-in-chief of Campus Reform, was also on Red Alert’s list that year. In 2015, Bonham left his career in journal-

FROM AWARDS B4

Senior Aaron Shreck assists Freshman Rachel Lozowski (right) with her paper. Brendan Clarey | Collegian

Just go: Getting help from the Writing Center By | Brendan Clarey Collegian reporter The Writing Center has been available for students for more than 20 years, and aims to help students improve their writing skills for years to come. There are, however, some common misconceptions about the Writing Center and what it does. The Writing Center is not just for those who consider themselves poor writers. It provides a way for a knowledgeable tutor to look over a student’s writing, ask questions about it, and improve upon it. The problem is that the good writers take advantage of the services provided, but mediocre writers do not go because they think they do not need the help. The center provides more than remedial help to those who need it, granting instruction and insights to students who already have a better understanding of writing in order to become even better writers. “Most of the tutors who work there use the Writing Center,” Associate Professor of English Justin Jackson said. “Good students take advantage of it. Good students who don’t have a sense of pride that would keep them away from it. They go there because they think ‘Wow, for free, someone will read my paper and give me feedback and ask me questions.’” The Writing Center is not just for freshman. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors are welcome to use the services provided. The tutoring process encourages students to think critically of their own work and improve no matter where they are in their college career. “I have really good students who have gone on to grad school, they would take their honor’s thesis over there, and ask them to read portions of it because, the point is, if it can make sense to a Writing Center tutor, then it’s going to make sense to someone who is

knowledgeable in the field as well,” Jackson said. Another misconception is that the Writing Center will not help students with grammar. The tutors explain the logic behind the rules of grammar, however, rather than simply editing and improving style. This allows students to have a better understanding of what to do next time and even later in life. “Over there, we use the old cliché motto, ‘Give a man a fish, he eats for a day; teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime.’ It’s the same thing with writing. We can’t do things for students or it’s just not helping them.” The Writing Center is not just for what students have written. Tutors can also help with discussing ideas and topics before anything has been written or any research has been done. Students can utilize the tutors for developing and organizing their thoughts into a paper as a way to get started. “So many people think that they cannot come to the Writing Center until they have a draft; It’s just not true,” Lecturer in Business and Writing Center employee Christina Maier said. Signing up for a meeting with a tutor can help prevent procrastinating by encouraging students to take the proverbial plunge and start thinking about their papers. “It can be a great way of jumpstarting your process,” Maier said. “Even signing up for an appointment and bringing in that prompt can be a way of moving forward.” Perhaps students think the writing center will not help much. “The tutors just have a lot more experience with these kinds of prompts and essays that everybody’s bringing in. They’re in a good position to get quickly an idea for what you’re trying to say and help you see how you can say it better,” junior and center tutor Paul Keenan said.

Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The final award given was Sue Cervini, who received the Honorary Alumni award, which recognizes those members of the college community who “have given a life to the college” although they did not graduate from it. “She’s done so much to support the college and the alumni association,” Hasted said. “It’s nice to recognize people like her as honorary graduates of the college.” Hasted, Hillsdale College President Larry Arnn, and Director of External Affairs John Cervini select the honorees from a pool of nominees. An alumni can become a nominee if someone sends in the alumni’s name. Hasted said anyone from a nominee’s spouse to one of the nominee’s former professors will send in the nominee’s name. “Some people will say ‘hey, this person might make a great candidate,’ and they become a nominee,” Alumni Events & Records Manager Nanette Laser said. “They come from all class years and all areas of the country. There’s no certain demographic we look for.”

ism and joined Forti and Hopper to transform Peak Political Solutions into D/CO, which Bonam now serves as the co-founder. “With Caleb, we set our sights on taking the tried and true methods of old communication and how we could bridge the gap with new media,” Forti said. “We wanted to make our clients outreach interactive, integrated with social media, and filled with creativity.” The Hillsdale alumni said they look upon their time at Hillsdale fondly and attribute it to part of their early success. Both Forti and Hopper were brothers in the Sigma Chi fraternity at Hillsdale and said they saw the benefits of Greek life in the professional world. “In Greek life, you learn to work with a variety of people,” Hopper said. “Being a Sigma Chi taught me how to manage other people’s views, how to unite those all in one vision, and how to go after that vision — like we’ve done at D/CO.” Forti said just having Hillsdale on his resume made a huge difference, and the lessons he learned from surviving the academic rigor of the college taught him how to manage his consulting company. “Hillsdale gave me a ton of credibility,” Forti said. “Coming into the political realm with little experience, it was my only card to play. And it worked. Managing the work for several very rigorous classes a semester prepared me for managing many different clients.” Hopper said he advises young people interested in entering the political realm always to be aware of the connections they make. “Never, ever burn a bridge,” Hopper said. “Someday, someone who is working for an opponent’s campaign may end up right next to you on another one. If you respect others, it pays dividends in ways you’d never expect.” Forti said it comes down to something simple. No matter the business, the client, or the issue, politics can’t rise above the people. “Always be willing to put people before policy,” Forti said. “After all, they’re the whole point of the policy in the first place.”

The honorees are informed of their receiving the award beforehand and given the award, in the form of a plaque, at the awards banquet, usually the Friday before homecoming. The honorees also receive a tree planted on campus that includes their name and award. “The banquet is wonderful,” Laser said. “We not only invite them but allow them to invite family and friends.” Last year, the banquet included a video presentation of the nominee, something Hasted said he had been wanting to add. “It helped us vary the presentation of the award, so it wasn’t just talking heads at a podium,” Hasted said. “It allowed the honorees to say what they wanted to say off the podium, in their environment, and made it much more impactful.” Although nothing is finalized yet, Hasted and Cervini are working on adding more awards over the next few years. “The program and the types and number of awards are always expanding,” Hasted said. “We want to recognize people for their outstanding achievements, and we are growing to accommodate more categories of this achievement.”

Alumna voices support for New York legislation By | Jordan Finney Collegian reporter Hillsdale alumna Cynthia Martindale, author of a caregiving book for senior citizens, recently voiced support for New York legislation that requires court approval before landlords could terminate leases. In November 2015, 150 elderly people living at Esplanade Senior Living facility in New York received a letter notifying them that their leases were terminated because the apartment complex was being renovated to accommodate luxury renters. Democratic Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins initially introduced a bill that would require landlords in New York to obtain judicial permission before they can terminate a lease. Martindale, who spent most of her career working in sales and marketing capacities for senior living communities and personally acted as the primary caregiver for her elderly parents, has publicly voiced support for the bill and even suggested that its passing would be a win for the senior citizens of New York. “The new bill offers court oversight for our growing senior population with specific needs for housing, support, and services,” Martindale told reporter Richard Liebson during an LOHUD Journal News interview. “Judicial protections, such as the requirement that a senior’s lease cannot be terminated except for specified cause, prohibit future Esplanade-like situations from taking place.” Martindale became interested in the bill

after reading an article about it on Bing News. “I’m a thought leader in my field and not a boots-on-the-ground activist,” Martindale said in an email. “I did very little to move along the legislation except perhaps to make the situation more visible.” Martindale said that Liebson, a New Yorker who writes on local happenings and who recently interviewed her, is the “true promoter of the Esplanade saga,” and has been writing about the bill for months. “If it passed, this bill would give senior citizens an extra layer of protection,” he said. “Many of these residents are in their 80s and 90s. When you’re in you’re late 90s, it’s hard to find a place to live quickly. Most moved in thinking that this would be their final spot but because of carefully crafted leases, the landlords were able to terminate their leases at any time for any reason.” Martindale’s book “Graceful Last Chapters: Helping Seniors Who Need More Care,” was published before the New York bill came to public attention and did not have a role in the legislation’s creation. Martindale’s book and more than twenty years of senior care experience, however, has led people like Liebson to conclude that she could be an expert and important source as the legislation moves forward. “What I’ve read about her book indicates that it is a primary source for senior citizens or families who are contemplating their final home. It provides insider, helpful information,” Liebson said. “Books like this from people within the industry are important. When the time comes, I’ll recommend to my children that they get a copy to take care of me.”

B4 28 April 2016

www.hillsdalecollegian.com

Features

Student brings melodies to life in Shakespeare in the Arb

Freshman Quentin Herman conducts, preparing for Shakespeare in The Arb, in which his compositions were performed. Quentin herman | Courtesy

By | Katie Scheu Collegian Reporter Quentin Herman started to tinker with music when he was a 5-year-old beginning piano student. Fast forward 14 years and he can still be found experimenting from the piano bench. The difference? Herman now composes musical works, his most recent of which premiered in Shakespeare in the Arb’s “Macbeth” two weekends ago. “Quentin has thought hard about what Macbeth means and how to make music that goes with that,” senior Faith Liu, a director of the play, said. In April, the Arboretum echoed with the product that years of lessons, practice and Herman’s hard work have created. It was through the mischievous habits of a develop-

ing musician that Herman’s talent revealed itself early on. “As a young boy, human nature takes control and you don’t want to practice the way you ought to practice,” Herman said. “You do anything at the piano except what you’re supposed to practice. Instead of playing the music or the scales, I started improvising. If I’d make a mistake, I would prefer my mistake to what the composer wrote, and I’d elaborate on that.” Showing the signs of a budding composer, Herman said his teachers encouraged his creativity, but pushed him to separate his experiments from his musical foundation. “When you compose, you also have to have a foundation in basic technique and basic theory,” Herman said. “Music history is also part of that, how it changes over

time. If you want to be a real, serious composer, you have to be aware of all those things.” A music major with an emphasis in composition, Herman’s skill has far surpassed that which his playful improvisation once required. “I think Quentin has a fantastic melodic gift,” associate professor of composition Matthew Fuerst said. “He has a wonderful sense of harmony and his understanding of the vocabulary of music has grown exceptionally.” Working to expand Herman’s musical palette and introduce him to the musical techniques of the 21st century, Fuerst said he hopes to maximize Herman’s ability to express. Fuerst has tailored Herman’s composition assignments to strengthen him. “Every semester, I’ve been really pleased to see the growth that I’ve seen from him, expanding his understanding of what’s possible in terms of musical vocabulary,” Fuerst said. Herman follows a distinct composition process when it comes time to put his natural talent and hard-earned skills to use. Herman dismissed the stereotype composers often take on: “It’s not like I sit down at a table in isolation and the muse hits me, and I write everything out and it’s just a masterpiece.” He set the record straight, describing his creative process with familiarity and mastery. First, the listening: Herman

Throwback Thursday: Fall alumni awards By | Philip H. DeVoe Assistant Editor

Each year for the past 60 years the Hillsdale College Alumni Department has awarded a group of alumni plaques recognizing their post-graduate achievement. Among last fall’s honorees was Dan Wisner ’55, inventor of a sensory scheme for anti-lock brakes and cruise control. “He had flown under the radar in his post-Hillsdale years,” Grigor Hasted, director of alumni relations and institutional advancement said. “He had worked and lived in Detroit, and didn’t come around blowing his horn. He’s got to be among the most accomplished of our alumni.” The awards are the college’s way of recog-

nizing the success and accomplishments of its alumni. One of these awards is the “Graduate Of the Last Decade,” or GOLD, award, which recognizes achievement in a young alumni. Last year, which marked the 64th Alumni Awards Banquet, the college honored Will Dunham ‘07 with the GOLD award for his position as executive director of the House Republican Study Committee. Wisner and fellow honoree Lloyd Bond ’64 were honored with Outstanding Professional Achievement awards for science and education, respectively. Bond received his award for his achievement in education, having taught at Stanford University, the University of North Carolina, and the University of Pittsburgh. He is also a retired senior scholar with the

explained that he actively analyses every piece of music that meets his ears, storing bits of music he likes for later use. While composing the music for Shakespeare in the Arb, Herman drew his inspiration from composers such as Johannes Brahms, Gustav Mahler, and Dmitri Shostakovich, attempting to emulate their style. However, he had to restart his composition process twice, after realizing he plagiarized themes. “It can happen,” Fuerst said. “I think that’s also part of the learning process. When you listen to this stuff, you can’t help but have the music become part of what you’re writing. Part of learning as a good composer is copying and modeling the work of the masters.” Second, the outline: Herman reaches back to the fragments of music he has saved in the back of his mind to start the composition process, creating a rough picture of what will eventually morph into his final product. “I sit at a piano, or I just go for a walk, and I start think-

ing of motifs, melodies, how I want to structure the music, where I want the climax to be, and then try to figure out a formal outline of what I’m going to write,” he said. That happens at a piano, on a walk, eating breakfast or lying in bed, but mostly walking the dog though.” Knowing he wanted to set the tone for “Macbeth,” Herman began composing music to create a certain atmosphere for the play. He chose to work with brass instruments to ensure the music will be heard in the spacious Arboretum. “His idea to use all brass works well, given the nature of the arb and the nature of brass instruments,” Liu said. Third, the sketchbook: With his rough draft in mind, Herman puts his ideas on paper. “I go to the piano and I sketch those ideas out. That’s when the sketchbook comes in,” Herman said. “Then I go back and take my sketchbook and compare it with the formal ideas, and I start piecing it together. That’s the fun part, getting an idea.” Finally, the work: With con-

tent generated, Herman settles in for the long haul, ready to breathe life into his piece. “Composition is isolating, lonely, calculating work,” he explained. “You start to figure out how to write something to affect people, but you’re doing it so slowly that it doesn’t effect you. You’re trying to form something that will last seconds, and have an effect on someone, but it takes you hours to construct something and get that desired effect. I have to isolate myself. I don’t do much composing around friends.” Despite the challenges of composition, Herman hopes to make a career out of composition. “I would love to write music for film or theater,” Herman said. “With Shakespeare in the Arb, my music has a purpose. It’s crazy how you can bring an idea to life through a melody, you can express something with words, with actors, with images, but there’s that extra sense you can tap into with music.”

BE OUR GUEST! Students, do you want to save thousands of dollars in college tuition? Take classes this Summer at WCCCD! You can attend WCCCD as a guest student and earn credits to transfer back to your home college/university at a low tuition rate!

The Features Editors

By | Amanda Tindall and Emma Vinton

Describe your style. Vintage wannabe with a feminine flare.

Who are your fashion icons? Both: Kate Middleton, Miss Dell, Emma Watson, and the moms at St. Anthony’s. Amanda: Also, Haley Talkington.

Has your fashion evolved recently? We have a lot of the same clothes we did freshman year, we just wear them better now. Where do you like to shop for clothes? A combination of Salvation Army, Lord and Taylor, and J. Crew.

Emma Vinton | Collegian

What’s your favorite item of clothing? Amanda: A floral skirt from the Women’s Commissioner’s Sale. Emma: Honestly, it changes, but in general, good jeans.

Amanda Tindall | Collegian