9.14.17 Hillsdale Collegian by The Hillsdale Collegian

Kindness Rock Project Painted rocks appear across Hillsdale to spread joy and smiles. B6

Michigan’s oldest college newspaper

Victory Day Has Impact Chargers spend time with students with special needs at game-day event. A8

Vol. 141 Issue 3 - September 14, 2017

Cinematic Storytellers How students prepare for careers in film by studying the humanities. B1

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Chargers roar back in fourth quarter for home win

Hillsdale overcame a 17-point deficit in the fourth quarter on Saturday to improve to 2-0 this season.Matthew Kendrick | Collegian

By | Nathan Grime Assistant Editor For the first three quarters of Hillsdale’s home opener last weekend, it looked as if the Chargers were headed to a disappointing defeat against former conference foe Michigan Tech. However, the Chargers rattled off 21 unanswered points in the final quarter to secure an improbable 31-27 victory. The win improved their record to 2-0, the same mark the team held last year after two games. This is the first time since 1991-92 Hillsdale has begun consecutive seasons at 2-0. After the Chargers’ offense went 3-and-out to begin the game, the Huskies marched 64 yards to take an early 7-0 lead. Hillsdale responded with its longest drive of the game, 78 yards, capped by a rushing touchdown by sophomore

running back David Graham, tying the game at 7-7. Graham picked up 41 yards on the ground on the first scoring drive, and ended the day with 98 yards on 13 attempts, averaging more than seven yards per carry. According to Graham, great blocking was one key to his success. “The offensive line was making the holes for me,” he said. “I kind of got in the zone and there was great chemistry there.” In the second quarter, the Huskies took a 14-7 lead with a methodical 10-play, 85-yard touchdown drive. After a Chargers 3-and-out and a botched punt, Michigan Tech took over at Hillsdale’s 10-yard line. On 3rd-and-goal from the 1-yard line, however, sophomore linebacker Nate Jones forced a fumble on a rushing

College passes fundraiser goal By | Breana Noble Editor-in-chief Less than a year before the close of Hillsdale College’s current fundraising campaign, the college has already raised more than its goal of nearly $500 million. Since the July 1, 2012, launch of the Rebirth of Liberty and Learning campaign, the institution has raised $506.5 million toward capital projects, the endowment, and college operations. It has earned an additional $131 million for projects not listed under the campaign, as well. “It’s amazing to see the support for Hillsdale College, and that it continues to grow, not only from people across the country but also from faculty and staff,” said Nancy Johnson, executive director of institutional advancement. The campaign is set to end on June 30, 2018. Upon its completion, the college is planning on launching a new campaign, which is focused tentatively on fundraising for scholarships. “Students are the heart and soul of the campus, so we have to support them,” Johnson said. “The field of competition is getting stiffer. Universities are starting to offer ‘free’ taxpayer-paid tuition…We have to remain competitive to continue to recruit good students.” Money for scholarships account for more than half of the college’s endowment. The Rebirth of Liberty and Learning campaign had a goal of raising more than $151 million in endowed undergraduate scholarships. It has raised about 60 percent of that so far, according to Johnson. Of all the money raised, $253.7 million went toward the college’s endowment, which itself surpassed $500 million in January. The fund is now worth Follow @HDaleCollegian

$528 million. “We’re looking at ways to safeguard the college,” said Patrick Flannery, college treasurer and vice president of finance. “We want to make sure we keep the three streams of revenue as strong as possible, so by growing that endowment, it will be able to strengthen the college.” Hillsdale has three streams of revenue: student tuition, donations, and the endowment. When donors give a one-time gift, the college spends the money. Hillsdale, however, invests endowment donations into stocks and private equities. When it makes money on the interest, the college will spend a percentage of it and reinvest the remainder. “It’s the gift that keeps on giving,” Johnson said. “It holds the balance, but it usually grows a little bit.” Although the college has surpassed its goal for its current campaign, some projects remain underfunded, while it has beaten its goal in other areas such as maintenance and dorm renovations. Johnson said she hopes the college will raise enough to cover the expansion of Phillips Auditorium and the renovations of the Knorr Student Center and the Quad by the end of the campaign. Christ Chapel is less than $2 million short of its original construction cost. Hillsdale is also seeking donations for the Churchill project, endowed faculty chairs, and a new film and documentary program. It is also looking to endow the Barney Charter School Initiative. “That helps us as fundraisers not have to chase down the money for that every year,” Johnson said. “But it’s growing program, so the needs for that

See Endowment A2

attempt by the Huskies. Sophomore defensive lineman Nate Canterbury recovered for a touchback with just over two minutes remaining in the first half. Junior quarterback Chance Stewart then connected with four different receivers to move the ball into the Huskies’ territory, setting up a 38-yard field goal for redshirt freshman kicker Joe Phillipp which brought the Chargers within four points at the break. In the third quarter, Hillsdale began to unravel on both sides of the ball. Michigan Tech took only four plays to move the ball 63 yards and extend its lead to 21-10 to open the half and tacked on two field goals to increase its lead to 27-10 at the end of the third quarter. Meanwhile, Hillsdale only recorded one first down in the entire quarter. As the fourth quarter began,

Hillsdale’s seemingly feckless offense lined up for a 4th-and-1 attempt from its own 36-yard line. Stewart converted a quarterback sneak for a one-yard gain, keeping the drive alive. The conversion seemed to spark the Chargers’ offense, which moved the ball the length of the field, setting up a 1-yard rushing touchdown by Stewart which trimmed the deficit to 27-17. Junior running back Joe Reverman gained 22 yards on the ground during the drive and finished the game with 35 yards on 13 carries in his first action this season. Reverman is still recovering from a knee injury. “I felt pretty good. I’m still not 100% back to where I was,” Reverman said. “That’s why (Above) Junior running back David Graham celebrates one of we’re lucky to have David Grahis two touchdowns Saturday. (Below) Sophomore defensive ham. He’s been playing really lineman Nate Canterbury recovers a fumble in the end zone good and we haven’t missed a during the second quarter. beat.” Matthew Kendrick | Collegian With less than 10 minutes left in the game, Hillsdale’s defense forced a 3-and-out to get the ball back to Stewart and company. Two quick strikes from Stewart to junior wide receiver Austin Sandusky moved the ball into Michigan Tech territory. Graham rushed for a first down, and junior wide receiver Trey Brock made a toe-dragging catch along the sideline to set up 1st-and-goal. Three plays later, Hillsdale faced 4th-and-goal from the 1-yard line. Stewart again carried the ball behind the center, reaching the ball over the goal line for his second rushing touchdown of the game. Sud- 27-24 with just over three minSee Football A8 denly, the Chargers trailed only utes to go.

Alumni continue waging selfie battle By | Breana Noble Editor-in-chief

Two Hillsdale College alumni have upped the ante in their lawsuit to overturn Michigan’s prohibition of “ballot selfies.” Plaintiff Joel Crookston ’06 and Steve Klein ’05, his attorney, filed a motion to reply on Monday in their fight to amend a complaint they filed a year ago against Michigan election rules that prohibit people from photographing a marked ballot. The amended complaint would not only argue the ban on ballot photographs — which carries a maximum punishment of 90 days in jail, a $500 fine, and forfeiting one’s ballot — is a violation of free speech, but of voting rights, too. “Because there’s no trial, there’s no appeal, the punishment can just be dealt by the poll workers, and you have no due process,” Klein told The Collegian. Klein — an attorney for the Pillar of Law Institute in Washington, D.C. — and Crookston, who works in pharmaceuticals and as a DJ, are seeking to amend the law-

suit after a deposition on July 14 revealed that poll workers have used Michigan’s ballot forfeiture rule to reject ballots from being counted before. Ottawa County Clerk Justin Roebuck ’06, a former classmate of Crookston and

of the rules. In the deposition, Roebuck recalled that while he served as Ottawa County’s election coordinator, a “defiant voter” was showing his ballot to others, according to the deposition transcript. After he refused to conceal the ballot, he had to forfeit his vote. The individual was not taking photographs. “Because Justin laid that out so clearly, that was the first time we finally had a clear understanding of how this law actually works and how this would affect Joel, our client, if he were to do this not just in terms of free speech but voting rights,” Klein said. Roebuck, however, said he worries a change in rules actually will threatA photo Joel Crookston ‘06 took of his en voters’ rights. voting ballot that he posted to FaceTaking photos of book. Steve Klein | Courtesy other voters at the poll may violate their Klein, testified as an expert privacy. People may also use witness on behalf the state of ballot selfies to coerce citizens Michigan on the enforcement to vote a certain way with the

photograph providing proof. Avoiding such pressure was the original reason for the law, he said. “I do not see the ballot exposure law as a violation of freedom of speech,” he said. “The act of voting is an expression of freedom speech, but when you begin allowing others to come into a place that has always been sacred, that’s always been private at least since the 1890s when we introduced the secret ballot method in Michigan elections, that’s really a cornerstone of the voting rights act itself.” He added that voters can take photos outside of the polling location and with their “I Voted” sticker. Crookston and Klein filed the amendment on Aug. 21. The state of Michigan, however, is arguing the filing was delayed and is now too late. “By lawyer standards, you could not go any faster,” Klein said, adding he hopes to see the proposal adopted in about two months. The case began in September 2016, when Crookston and Klein filed their lawsuit against the 125-year-old rule. On Oct. See Selfie A3

“As the next generation of American leadership, we will never forget the events of sixteen years ago which forever changed our nation,” President of Hillsdale Young Americans for Freedom said. Matthew Kendrick | Collegian

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News Chargers host special-needs students for Victory Day event

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By | Tess Skehan Collegian Reporter The Chargers’ win wasn’t the only victory on the field this weekend. The Frank “Muddy” Waters Stadium was full of life on Friday as the cheerleaders, pep band, and football team encouraged local children and young adults with special needs to learn to play football. The event, named Victory Day, allowed participants to engage with the team through football drills and a special recognition for the participants during Saturday’s football game. Aaron Segedi founded Victory Day in 2010, after receiving a liver transplant from his sister and beating cancer three times. He currently serves as a teacher and defensive coordinator for the football team at Trenton High School in Trenton, Michigan, and he said he

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started the program because he was looking for a way to give back to his community. “I had a second chance in life,” Segedi said in a phone interview. “You go through life and sometimes take things for granted, and I had some lessons that I’ve learned. I was developing my football program to give back, and this project came to mind, as to why not get some of these special needs kids an opportunity to play football and service them.” “Touchdown Flower” blared over the loudspeaker as participant Cody Flower, decked out in a Hillsdale Chargers Jersey, ran through the maze of Chargers players and into the endzone. There he was met with high-fives and congratulations from the team. Flower and nine other locals with special needs not only had a chance to score a touchdown, but were given an opportunity to kick a field

goal, try on equipment, and learn how to throw a pass. The festivities continued into Saturday, where the participants led the team out of the

Assistant Football Coach Patrick Hornak greets a Victory Day participant.Gwendolyn Buchhop | Courtesy

tunnel and went up with the team for the coin toss. “My favorite part was scoring the touchdowns,” Flower said. Lauren Haynes, a partic-

Defensive Lineman junior stands with a Victory Day participant. Gwendolyn Buchhop | Courtesy

Student Fed keeps seven seniors in Homecoming court By | Emma Cummins Collegian Reporter Student Federation approved two amendments to its bylaws on Sept. 7 at its first meeting of the year. The amendments are part of the student government’s goal to add more structure to the federation and resolve conflicts between its bylaws and constitution. The first amendment preserves the traditional seven nominations for senior Homecoming court. The second clarifies removal of representatives for poor attendance. “When we came in, we realized that there were already some problems,” Student Fed President junior Andres Torres said. “We’re kind of at a really nice building spot. We’ve been doing a lot of changes.” The homecoming court usually has seven nominations: three female seniors from each sorority with three male independent seniors to escort them and four male se-

niors from the fraternities with four female independents. Hillsdale’s chapter of the Sigma Chi fraternity, however, currently has no senior members. To prevent the court from dropping the fraternity’s position and an independent female, the new bylaw requires an independent senior take the open spot. “The bylaw on the homecoming court is dealing with a problem that was never foreseen,” said Delta Tau Delta Rep. and junior Adam Cieply. “The federation has been committed to efficiency recently, and this bylaw covers all our bases for any future circumstances.” Sigma Chi Rep. and junior Weston Boardman said the amendment provided the best solution for the situation. “It ensures that the court does not have to remove a female nominee,” Boardman said. “Not having a senior representative for the court is not a big concern for us. We

have a young and energetic group of guys that is focused on strengthening the house and attracting those who will be leaders on and off campus.” The second bylaw fixed a conflict between a bylaw and a constitutional rule. If a member violates the attendance policy, two-thirds of the federation must vote to expel him or her. Prior to the amendment, the bylaws automatically dictated to remove the member, while the constitution specified Student Fed needed a two-thirds majority to expel the student from the group. Additionally, the federation is working to update the list of campus clubs and is adopting standard operating procedures, or SOPs. “Our main thing is just getting those SOPs done so that next year when people come in they know exactly what they’re doing,” Torres said. “So that’s the big project this semester.”

tel and Leadership Center, a tinue to focus on reaching its

Endowment from A1 fiber optic network, the John goals, Johnson said.

grow every year.” The effects of the Rebirth of Liberty and Learning campaign, however, are already evident on campus. It paid for the Biermann Athletics Center, renovations to the Dow Ho-

A. Halter Shooting Sports Ed“We stand ready to raise ucation Center, renovations in whatever Hillsdale needs to the Roche Sports Complex, the keep operating,” she said. Searle Center, and the Van Andel Graduate School of Statesmanship. For now, Hillsdale will con-

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ipant from Jonesville, MI, echoed the sentiment, as well as Andrew Zwiers, a Hillsdale College junior and tight end for the Chargers football team.

“The best part is seeing them score the touchdowns and do all the drills,” Zwiers said. Since 2010, the program has expanded to over 30 high schools and colleges across

the nation. Last year, Segedi contacted Keith Otterbein, the head coach of the Chargers football team, about bringing this program to Hillsdale. “Immediately I knew it was a great fit for our guys,” Otterbein said. “It was another opportunity for them to understand how fortunate they are to be here to have the health and loving families that they have, so it was a natural fit for us.” Otterbein explained the response from both participants and parents as overwhelmingly positive. “I don’t know if the football players realize this, but this will be the highlight of their year. They will talk about this over and over and over. This is so meaningful,” said Paula Haynes, mother of participant Lauren Haynes. “They don’t always get to have these opportunities, so this is very exciting.” Companies including Adi-

das, Imagecraft Engraving and Awards, Bon Appétit Management Company, and A Grand Occasion all supported the event through donations, such as jerseys, trophies, and tableware. “It was an absolute win-win for everybody involved,” Otterbein said. “As much as the participants and families got out of the event, our guys gained a lot growing and learning what other people go through.” Segedi expressed his happiness at the expansion of the program. “I want my message to continue to spread so other kids have an opportunity in other communities and other areas to have an experience like we first gave kids at Trenton High School,” Segedi said. For more information about Victory Day, visit www.victorydayfootball.com.

Charger player signs the football of a Victory Day participant. Gwendolyn Buchhop | Courtesy

The sophomores speak:

Sophomores give advice to freshmen during panel By | Nathan Grime Assistant Editor

As freshmen arrive for their first semester of college, they are met with countless opportunities to absorb information and advice from faculty, staff, professors, and upperclassmen. Last week, they had the opportunity to hear from some underclassmen. Sophomores Emily Skwarek, Dietrich Balsbaugh, Karissa McCarthy, and Nathan Williams took turns speaking for 10 minutes each to a crowd of more than 40 new students. Each panelist shared with the audience growing experiences they had in their first semester last year, offered tips on how to maintain a healthy balance between academics and social and spiritual well-being, and suggested visiting their professors in office hours. “Although we all go to Hillsdale to learn, we can’t ignore the experiences,” Swarek said. “This includes forming lasting relationships. Many people have told us, ‘You will make friends with people that will be lifelong friends,’ and I really think that’s true. I’ve definitely made friends that I’ll have forever.” Skwarek, who works as a student affairs mentor in career services, noted that refining a resumé and preparing for life after school is also something to take advantage of at Hillsdale. She also told the audience that stressing over a major or future career is an unnecessary worry as a freshman. “You can do anything with your major,” Skwarek said. “The more unique you are and more experiences you have, the more employers will want you.” Balsbaugh told the group that at a loud and busy campus, it’s important to find quiet time. “It’s part of cultivating an interior life,” Balsbaugh said. “I find it helpful to develop not only a spiritual life, but also an intellectual one.” Balsbaugh went on to say that in the classroom it’s a good thing to be vocal but inquisitive. “Be confident in your learning,” Balsbaugh said. “Ask bold questions, but be aware of yourself so you don’t put yourself on display. Ask as

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many questions as you can. Questions are not a sign of ignorance. They’re a sign of passion.” Freshman Hannah Thullen said she was encouraged to hear the positive experiences the panelists have had with their professors at Hillsdale. “From where I’m from, there seemed to be a distant relationship [between professors and students],” she said. “I liked how they talked about the professors here and how much they seem to care about you.” McCarthy asked how one can glorify God through academics, She shared her own struggles with trying to do so before she came to the realization that “you don’t need to prove yourself.” “Achievement is not God’s plan and purpose for us. Achievement is very prideful,” McCarthy said. “The goal of being at Hillsdale is to learn. The best way we can honor God is through learning.” McCarthy said trusting in God has helped her to embrace the process of learning instead of aiming for results. “This place teaches you how to love something because it should be loved,” she said. “Don’t let the achievements consume your life. Let the journey and let God consume your life.” Freshman Julia Powell found the reminder to focus on learning instead of grades to be beneficial. “I love learning, that’s one reason I’m here,” she said. “But sometimes, you can get so caught up in everything and competing with other people that you forget about that better goal, so having that reminder is always a good thing.” Williams concluded the

panel by talking about the importance of seeking “membership in community.” An impediment to this ideal, he explained, is defining oneself by the groups of people one associates with. “You can’t reverse-engineer friendship,” he said. “When friendships form through mutual respect and love, it’s one of the most beautiful things.” Another pitfall to building friendships Williams mentioned was pride. “You are yourself. You bring something unique and something special,” he said. “But it’s not for yourself. It’s for others, and to love others, and to invest in them.” Freshman Jenny Buccola said Williams’ challenge to try new things was a helpful reminder. “I thought how it was cool for Nathan to say to go outside of your comfort zone,” she said. “I like that piece of advice to do stuff that makes you uncomfortable because you’ll make friends.” The freshmen in attendance said it was worthwhile to hear from students who were in their position only a year ago. Gabriel Kramer appreciated another opportunity to hear and learn from people with experience. “I think it’s really important to learn from people who have experience because that’s the way our entire culture is set up,” he said. “You come here to learn from people who have studied these things their whole lives, and it’s important to get advice from people who were just recently in your position.”

Freshmen listen to the sophomore panel. Nathan Grime| Collegian

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From the storm:

News

A3 Sept. 14, 2017

In brief: Toastmasters host open house on Thursday for students

Hillsdale Floridians reflect on Irma

By | Jenna Ingalsbe Collegan Freelancer Hurricane Irma, the most intense hurricane in the Atlantic since Hurricane Dean in 2007, crossed Florida this past week, causing massive power outages and damages. The hurricane blew across Florida with winds at 130 mph, causing at least 16 U.S. mainland deaths and leaving almost 5 million homes without power. The hurricane impacted nine states, including Florida, according to CNN. Graduate student Matt Hazelton, a Florida resident, was in Hillsdale at the time of the hurricane, but said his family felt the hurricane’s effects. “The eyewall actually went right through my family’s hometown,” Hazelton said. “By the time it reached them, it was a Category 2, so about 100 mph winds. It wasn’t as bad as some we’ve seen.” Senior David Stone, also from Florida, shared a similar story. “I’m here in Michigan, and my family’s in Florida,” Stone said. “I’d like to be there to

“People pulled out guns and were saying they’d kill us if we came near them.” help them out, but I can’t.” Both Stone and Hazelton found that the churches and individuals in their communities back home were helping people get back on their feet. At Stone’s church, the college-aged members took charge of serving the older members of the church. Those in Hazelton’s church group who had power offered hot meals and laundry services.

“It’s more of a neighborhood coming together, people saying ‘hey, I got my yard cleaned up, but the old lady next door, she’s never going to be able to clean that up, so I’ll clean it up for her,” Hazelton said. According to Hazelton, the residents of Florida seem to be taking the damage in stride, despite the damages and loss of power. “It’s the kind of thing that happens every couple of years, so people know the drill,” Hazelton said. Others’ experiences with the hurricane were not as uplifting. Nickolas Swander, who worked at Hillsdale College from 2005 to 2006 and briefly enrolled in 2006, currently lives in Florida with his wife. He and his family experienced the storm firsthand when they were forced to search for shelter. “We got to a condo community, and everybody pushed us out,” Swander said. “People pulled out guns and were saying they’d kill us if we came near them. I’ve got a pregnant wife, we’ve got animals, we just needed shelter for an hour until this thing goes by.” The family was forced to backtrack until they could find shelter, getting injured by flying shrapnel in the process. The family survived, as did their rabbits and their dog, but they lost everything else. The family has a GoFundMe account to help make up for their losses, which can be found through Swander’s Facebook page. Hazelton advises that the best way to help out with people in the area is to get in contact with people you know or give locally to churches in the area. “If you want to help specific people, reach out to local church groups,” Hazelton said. “Churches are really good at funneling the funds where they need to go. They know the little old lady who can’t get out of her house really needs help.”

Two people wade through Florida floodwaters. Nickolas swander | Courtesy

By | Jacquelyn Eubanks Collegian Freelancer

“Paint-a-Classicist is one of Eta Sigma Phi’s traditional fundraisers, helping the honorary support its mission to further the education and exploration of the Greek and Latin classics,” said Sam Phillips, President of Hillsdale Eta Sigma Phi. “Plus, it’s just plain fun.” Matthew Kendrick | Collegian

From Selfie A1 U.S. District Judge Janet Neff approved their request for a preliminary injunction to suspend the ballot selfie ban’s punishment. The 6th District Court of Appeals, however, on Nov. 3 granted an emergency stay from Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson and Attorney General Bill Schuette to delay the injunction , citing logistical concerns with the implementation of the ruling so close to the Nov. 8 election. Klein and Crookston then entered into a discovery process to gather more facts for the case, which is atypical of First Amendment cases, Klein said. Normally, a citizen testifying that a law or rule prevents them from speaking freely will suffice. “We’re in the right,” Crookston said. “They’ve fought tooth and nail and wasted Lord knows how many dollars in fighting this when it seems like it would be much simpler to amend these rules that were made long before 2017 and the existence of smartphones.”

The research revealed the secretary of state leaves the tracking of ballot forfeitures up to county clerks and that the rule is enforced rarely. A social media analysis also showed many people of all different partisanships in Michigan share ballot photographs online either to protest Michigan’s rule or because they are unaware of it. The proposed amendment also removes the term “ballot selfie.” Klein said although the term is accepted both popularly and in law, he is looking to clarify the claim to mean any photo of a marked ballot, whether it includes a person in it or not. This is not the first time Klein has taken on ballot photographs. In Colorado, he partnered with Michael Francisco, a 2004 Hillsdale alumnus and attorney and partner at MRDLaw, in a lawsuit against the state’s prohibition of ballot selfies. They won, and after the state appealed, the Colorado state legislature repealed the law. “It struck me as one of many laws that are on the books but

are unconstitutional, but they rarely end up getting challenged,” Francisco said. “The idea that you can chill people from engaging in political speech by threatening them with $1,000 fines and that they would be a criminal for posting a ballot selfie, it seemed like a law that’s begging to be challenged.” Klein said he is hoping for a similar outcome in Michigan and expects a ruling by mid-2018. The party that loses, however, is likely to appeal, he said. “This is not a cause of censorship; it’s a cause for celebration,” Klein said. “It speaks to, unfortunately, how easily bureaucrats can censor citizens and how callously they can do it when you have something as simple as this, not just as harmless but quite the contrary, very beneficial to society. They find some reason, any reason, to punish you and shut you up. As goofy as this case may seem at first glance, it’s very important, and I’m certainly looking forward to vindicating Joel’s rights.”

spectively. Junior Sam Cassels, the club’s president, chose to play above his rating in the tournament’s most difficult division, and placed twelfth out of fifteen. “Last time I played in the middle,” he said. “I went 4-0. And then I played up and went 3-1 in the top section. So I think I belong there, I just need to give my rating some more time to catch up and that only happens by playing up.” Founded three years ago, the club was initially a venue for players who enjoyed “puzzles and a few friendly games,” according to Cassels. A recent influx of talented members, however, has injected new energy. The club does not receive money from the school, so participants covered their own registration fees and expenses. Cassels and Reusser hope to get money to replace the existing timers in the Union, which they say are low quality and

breaking down with use. “We use them every week,” Cassels said. “And we use them for hours.” They also believe funding for tournaments could encourage students turned off by the cost “to feel more welcome to come.” In an effort to reach out to a broader base of players, Cassels also plans to start offering simple lessons on the fundamentals of the game during the club’s Friday meetings. He said that even rudimentary instruction could significantly help inexperienced players. Serious players study the game extensively— Reusser, for instance, estimates that he studies about an hour per day. He appreciates that “there is no luck involved whatsoever. It’s just your skill versus your opponent’s skill… and there is no bound to how much you can improve.” Cassels said diligent study of the game also yields benefits in other arenas. “There is so much about

Hillsdale chess players take first and second place at tournament By | Joshua Pradko Collegian Reporter Members of the Hillsdale College chess club performed well at a tournament Saturday. The tournament, sanctioned by the U.S. Chess Federation and held in Toledo, Ohio, was formatted in the “Swiss system,” in which players who win their first match play other winners, and losers play losers. Unlike a simple bracket, the system allows all participants to play the same number of games against players of similar skill, while still crowning a winner. Hillsdale’s four participants were split across three skill divisions, according to their USCF ratings. In the second division, sophomore Gregory Bonvissuto and junior Thomas Reusser, the club’s vice president, each won three games and drew one. Their three-win performances placed them first and second in the division, re-

Garden Party blossoms on Friday night By | Carmel Kookogey Collegian Freelancer For the first time since 2014, Garden Party will be held in its traditional location in Slayton Arboretum. Since its debut in September of 2005, the Garden Party has been a chance to show off the the arboretum in all its pre-autumn glory. Garden Party has not always taken place in the same location. In 2015, SAB experimented with a different location within the arboretum, and in 2016, it had to move the event indoors to the Searle Center due to inclement weather. “This will actually be the first time since 2014 that the Garden Party is actually going to be in the western bowl of the arb where it’s traditionally been

held,” Assistant Director of Student Activities Hank Prim said. Prim explained the event’s location in the arboretum is essential to its main idea. “Whereas most of our other events are here on campus...the arb is kind of a unique environment in itself,” Prim said. “It’s a very different atmosphere than a lot of our other parties, which is why [Garden Party] is so special.” Although Garden Party is scheduled for this Friday, that wasn’t SAB’s original plan. “We planned to have it this Saturday,” Ashlyn Landherr, Director of Student Activities said. “We realized halfway through the summer that our only home night football game was this Saturday, and we decided that it was important

Apple unveiled two new iPhones Tuesday Apple announced its latest models of the iPhone on Tuesday: the iPhone X, a premium edition costing $999. This newest phone has edge-to-edge display, getting rid of both the home button and the borders surrounding the screen. The iPhone 8 was -Compiled by Josephine von Dohlen also released.

things to know from this week

College students are welcome to attend an open house and club reunion for Toastmasters of Hillsdale from 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 14. The event will take place at the Perennial Park Senior Center in the lower level music room and will include complimentary refreshments and mingling. Toastmasters meets weekly, and a typical meeting includes prepared speeches from members, as well as “table topics” and one to two-minute impromptu speeches. Speakers are then critiqued by evaluators, according to club president Amber Smith ‘14. “It’s a good organization for building professional and speaking skills,” Smith said. Toastmasters is an international organization, segmented into 16,400 smaller clubs worldwide. There are more than 352,000 memberships, according to the Toastmasters International website.

that those two things didn’t conflict.” Upperclassmen who have been to Garden Party in previous years said they are looking forward to the event. “My favorite part about Garden Party is, hands down, the opportunity to have a more formal event,” junior Sam Cassels said. Junior Molly Kate Andrews remembered her first Garden Party as a sort of girls night. “In Olds [Residence], we would all kind of do our hair together and share lipstick and stuff like that,” Andrews said. “Then we would go together in a huge pack.” Andrews also said she enjoys that the event is open to the whole campus community. “Garden Party itself was al-

ways really fun, but it was more about seeing all the people on campus in one place at the same time,” she said. “People kind of come out of the woodworks, I guess.” The SAB team has been working as far back as five months to make this classy night a moment not quickly forgotten in the archives of Hillsdale College events. Jake Kenyon, SAB’s Creative Team Leader, has high expectations for the event. “I think it’s going to be a really beautiful event and we’re going to have a lot of fun.” The Garden Party will be held on Friday night from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. in the Slayton Arboretum.

U.S. federal debt surpasses $20 trillion The Treasury Department released new numbers Friday, revealing $318 billion in new national debt. The total for federal debt is now up to $20.162 trillion. This was President Trump’s first debt increase since his inauguration.

Mitt Romney planning for Senate run If Sen. Orrin Hatch retires, Mitt Romney, former Massachusetts governor and 2012 Republican presidential nominee, is planning to run in his place for the 2018 senate race. A February poll placed Romney with an overall approval rating of 71 percent, with 25 percent disapproval.

chess that’s really relevant to real life, like time management, planning things out, consequences to actions, preparation and study skills [and] concentration,” Cassels said. The club’s newly instituted ranking system also presents an opportunity for players to map their improvement. Each week, members can challenge another player on the club ranking ladder; if the lower ranked player wins, they leapfrog their opponent’s ranking. Club leadership hopes to take the club further by increasing tournament participation and by holding tournaments on campus for all interested students. Cassels says the future is bright for chess at Hillsdale, and that the club merits college support. “The virtues of chess are similar to many of the virtues that the liberal arts stand for,” Cassels said.

Members of the Student Activities Board pose at the 2016 Garden Party. Student Activities Board | Courtesy

UN approves new sanctions against North Korea In an unanimous vote Monday, the U.N. Security Council placed new sanctions against North Korea, setting a 30 percent reduction on oil exports to North Korea, as well as banning all North Korea textile exports.

Hurricane Irma floods Florida As Hurricane Irma was weakened to a tropical storm as it moved from the Caribbean into inland Florida. In northeastern Florida, record flooding levels were reached, and 6.5 million homes and businesses lost power statewide.

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Peggy Noonan should speak at 2018 commencement Peggy Noonan should be Hillsdale's 2018 commencement speaker. Flickr

By | Madeline Fry Culture editor Two achievements mark excellence in a commencement speaker: connection to audience and timeliness of message. Wall Street Journal columnist Peggy Noonan enjoys both. She should be Hillsdale’s 2018 commencement speaker. Noonan wrote speeches for a man revered — and immortalized in statue — on Hillsdale’s campus: Ronald Reagan. She wrote his Challenger explosion speech — one of the top 10 most powerful speeches of the 20th century. In the speech, Reagan encouraged children not to despair at the death of the astronauts, but to be inspired by their courage. “The future doesn't belong to the fainthearted,” Reagan said, with Noonan’s help. “It belongs to the brave.” Nonan composed speeches for the American people, and she also draws on experience with college students, having taught at Yale and New York University. In her weekly Wall Street Journal column, Noonan combines candor with kindness, balancing firm conservative beliefs with a generous understanding of the political landscape. Her speech cuts through noise, offering something more powerful than information: truth. “You belong to something. It’s called: us,” she petitioned readers in a June column on heightening political divisions. “We have responsibilities to each other.” This year Noonan won the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary by “rising to the moment with beautifully rendered columns that connected readers to the shared virtues of Americans during one of the nation’s most divisive political campaigns.” Recalling common interest, pointing toward a shared goal, bringing together a diverse group of people: This is what a commencement speaker should do. Having written almost a dozen books, Noonan

is the kind of thinker who can describe the social and political climate of America without wallowing in gloom. She’ll tell us where we are and show us where we can be. Noonan aligns philosophically with the college, and she has the experience and eloquence to articulate it. The timeliness of her message comes from her perspective and place in the conservative movement. This year brought us—among other products of modern feminism—the Women’s March, popculture fawning over former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Senator Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, and divisive catch phrases like, “The future is female.” For a graduating class that is more than half female, Noonan is the best candidate to remind us that despite what we will hear when we leave: the future is for all. Hillsdale College has not hosted a female commencement speaker since talk radio host Laura Schlessinger in 2002. We shouldn’t choose commencement speakers for their gender, race, or any other aspect of their identity. We should choose them for their ideas and accomplishments. In this way, we reinforce the aim of the college, stated on its website. It's commitment “to stimulating students’ intellectual curiosity, to encouraging the critical, well-disciplined mind, and to fostering personal growth.” Despite being hounded to associate with a misguided group because of her gender, she has the courage and the fortitude to fight against the tide. All students can learn from that. Commencement offers graduates an opportunity to remember why they attended this school and anticipate where they will go next. For this we need a speaker to connect with us and to distill eternal truths for the present time. Noonan could accomplish both.

Location matters. Where we live informs our decisions — like throwing on a sweatshirt to avert that Midwestern autumn chill — but it also does something more. It instills us with a responsibility to that place. The college you attend dwells within another place, a city of the same name. This connection is no accident. The city provided the college with the means to be here: In 1853, Hillsdale’s residents donated the land and thousands of dollars for the college to move from Spring Arbor. The

The opinion of The Collegian editorial staff

city helped us then; we have a responsibility to do the same for it now. Philosopher G.K. Chesterton wrote in his book “Orthodoxy”: “Men did not love Rome because she was great. She was great because they had loved her.” That idea rings true today. Just last week, Houston Texans player J.J. Watt raised $30 million for victims of hurricane Harvey. To live in any location is to accept the opportunity to strengthen it. For college students in Hillsdale, Michigan, this

could mean getting a job downtown or learning the names of the servers at The Palace Café. You could join a church fellowship group or visit a locally based shop. Another way to get involved is to volunteer. Intermingling classes and volunteering is a great way to practice the virtue we talk about in the classroom. The college’s GOAL Program has more than 20 different volunteer opportunities — whatever your interests, you can find a need to fill. Living in Hllsdale is a dis-

tinct, time-bound opportunity to learn from those around us. It is a chance to engage and bridge a divide between the local community and the college. There is no better way to experience a city than by working with and for it. You have an obligation to this community, whether you want it or not, and you have all the resources to fulfill it.

Hillsdale should allow medical cannabis dispensaries By | Joshua J. Paladino Opinions editor

As I walked into the Jackson medical cannabis dispensary last weekend, I noticed behind me an old, frail woman. Her hands were shaking, and her voice was filled with tears. “The OxyContin doesn’t take away the pain,” I heard her say to the attendant. She asked the cashier for a few grams of cannabis and told her that was all she could afford. The woman may return to addictive opioids to relieve the pain of her Parkinson’s disease after she runs out of cannabis, because Medicare only covers prescription drug costs. As a nation, we should stop restricting access to lifesaving and life-enhancing medicine. And that can start by showing your support for medical cannabis dispensaries in Hillsdale at the city council’s meeting on Monday. Most medicines, whether prescription or over-thecounter, legal or illegal, have the potential for abuse. Cannabis is no different. But its medicinal properties and ability to treat many afflictions— anxiety, cancer, depression, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and alcoholism, heroin, and methamphetamine addiction— outweigh concerns about it falling into the wrong hands. The Addiction Institute at the

Mount Sinai School of Medicine found that cannabidiol—or CBD, an active, non-euphoric compound in cannabis— has shown to repair parts of the brain damaged by drug addiction. The institute also said CBD lessens anxiety, improves mood, and boosts appetite, which are crucial for recovering drug addicts.. Pro-cannabis individuals often claim the drug is not addictive. That’s false, but it is less addictive than harder drugs, including alcohol. The National Institute on Drug Abuse, a federal organization that promotes the War on Drugs, even testified to this. Its 2012 study found 9 percent of people who used cannabis became addicted, whereas 15 percent of people who used alcohol became addicted. But addiction is not the only factor to consider. After all, nicotine has a 32 percent rate of addiction, while heroin’s is 23 percent, but no one would consider heroin less harmful. It’s about the effects cannabis has on the body and mind. The main active ingredient in cannabis is THC. It causes euphoria, pain relief, sleepiness, and increased appetite, among other side effects. Unlike opioids, benzodiazepines, and alcohol, THC does not affect the body’s respiratory system, so cannabis cannot cause fatal overdoses.

Well, it could, but researchers estimate the average individual would have to consume between 20,000 and 40,000 joints in a 15-minute period to die. On the other hand, alcohol causes 100,000 deaths per year and opioids cause 33,000 deaths per year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cannabis has low addictive potential and low toxicity, but many opponents worry about its effects on teenagers. Yet medical cannabis is available only to patients 21 years and older or with a parent’s permission. Still, people fear medical cannabis will give teenagers easier access to the drug. Since Colorado legalized recreational cannabis in 2014, the National Institute on Drug Use and Health reports use among teenagers has declined, though not significantly. In 2011, cannabis use was at 22 percent. In 2015, cannabis use among teens dropped to 21.2 percent. If teenagers use cannabis, there is no evidence to suggest that it will harm their longterm health. An often-cited study found that marijuana use among teenagers led to brain abnormalities, particularly in the nucleus accumbens and amygdala. But researchers who attempted to replicate the study were

unable to do so. They discovered that the study had insufficiently eliminated variables such as alcohol and drug abuse. Bringing medical cannabis dispensaries to Hillsdale is a good economic option because it will bring jobs and revenue to the community, but more importantly it’s best for the physical, social, and moral development of residents. It can bring an end to the suffering caused by Parkinson’s, like that of the woman in the Jackson dispensary. It can help cancer patients endure the pain of chemotherapy. It can ensure AIDS patients maintain a healthy weight during treatment. It can help the one in six Americans who use prescription antidepressants to achieve mental health again. It’s not for everyone, though. Some people will respond adversely to cannabis, just like any other medicine, and they should stay away. Teenagers will use cannabis, like 20 percent already do. And unfortunately, people will abuse cannabis, and they need treatment like any other addict. But for those in Hillsdale who can benefit from cannabis, they deserve the medicine in their hometown. Joshua Paladino is a senior studying politics.

'Atomic Blonde's' feminism is toxic for society

It was all surface — no substance. Blonde” undermines LGBTQ Rather than being the killer representation by playing on the By | Kayla Stetzel heroine audiences were promised, “girl-on-girl” fantasy. Collegian Reporter we received a weaponized Barbie This isn’t the first time a Reviews portrayed David who was dressed to kill. We “feminist” film failed feminism. Leitch's “Atomic Blonde” as the see Theron sip vodka, remove Hollywood continually tramples “female James Bond” flick of sunglasses, and smoke cigarettes potential female role models, the summer — a film in which for two hours. Her character has while capitalizing on the feminist audiences can cheer on Charlize no backstory and no depth, but “brand.” It’s a cycle of behavior Theron as she cuts down every boy did she look great. that needs to end. Not only is bad guy in her way. Playing a Between the perfectly this move unimaginative and British spy sent on a mission to coordinated outfits, leather boring— I’m certain audiences East Berlin, Theron stepped into jackets, and high heels, I found have seen enough scantilyher role of Lorraine Broughton myself paying more attention to clad gunslingers to last them a and was expected to start a new what she was wearing than the lifetime — it’s toxic to society’s franchise. plot of the film. Perhaps that was view of women. Hot on the heels of "Wonder Though films Woman’s" success, “Atomic Charlize Theron played Lorraine Broughton in frequently feature Blonde” promised to be "Atomic Blonde." female leads, one the film’s darker, cynical Flickr would think that stepsister. It was clear the Hollywood would branding of the film relied move past some of on having a strong female its institutionalized lead. Formerly known as hang-ups. “The Coldest City” — the Women held 29 title of the graphic novel percent of the lead on which it was based — roles in the 100 the film’s title changed to highest-grossing “Atomic Blonde” to make films in 2016, the feminist angle more according to a study apparent to audiences. by the Center for the While “Atomic Blonde” Study of Women in had the markings of any Television and Film great film — an Oscar winning the director's intention. at San Diego State University. cast, a respected director, a “Atomic Blonde” was not Patty Jenkins’ “Wonder Woman” large budget, and a brilliant a feminist film, it was a male was a smash success. Director soundtrack — it missed its mark. fantasy brought to fruition. Sofia Coppola just won Best “Atomic Blonde” was sexy. I’ll admit, it would be hard Director at Cannes with It was dripping with delicious not to sexualize Theron. She’s “Beguiled.” visuals and scored to a new gorgeous, but it’s shameful the Nevertheless, female directors wave perfection. Mirroring the film was marketed as a feminist constitute the smallest minority noir style of the graphic novel, success. The film is full of needless within the industry, accounting the film was steeped in moody slow pans over Charlize’s barely for only 7 percent of the films colors, reflecting the chill of dressed body. She seductively made in 2016, according to the Cold-War era Berlin, and shares a cigarette with a man San Diego State study. As a result, reminding the audience that the she’s straddling and attempting the vast majority of female leads protagonist, Broughton, has ice to subdue. Broughton shoots are in the hands of male directors, in place of a heart. Watching the people and slinks into a new and so far, their ability to create fight sequences was like watching scantily-clad dress just in time to a strong female character has a beautiful, brutal ballet dancer hit the club — a club wherein she proved troubling glide across the screen, packing meets a French woman whom Director Joss Whedon was Madeline Fry is a senior punches at each turn and sliding she quickly beds. Yes, in addition originally intended to write and effortlessly into kill shots. But to failing feminism, “Atomic direct “Wonder Woman.” His studying French. that’s all the film was — beautiful.

script, which leaked to the public after Jenkins’ version debuted, was so egregiously sexist DC Comics distanced itself from the mess. Whedon’s “Wonder Woman” reads about as well as a cheap erotic novel. His script is so clearly written from perspective of a leering male, it's sickening. Whedon's Wonder Woman dances provocatively in a nightclub to gain the attention of an enemy while male onlookers ogle at her beauty. She’s abused, belittled, and scoffed at by men. She’s called a “bitch,” a “whore,” a “feisty little filly.” Whedon’s Wonder Woman is hardly the strong, compassionate character Patty Jenkins offered. Mind you, Whedon is still set to direct Warner Brothers “Bat Girl” and “Justice League.” Female fans watched in “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” as hero Black Widow was reduced to an uber-sexy, fertility-obsessed woman, who’s strung along by her male costar. They watched as DC’s Harley Quinn danced in a nightclub wearing a dog collar bearing the name of her lover. These characters could have been well-rounded, powerful women. Each was reduced to an object of the male gaze. In action films, the male gaze is the most palpable, and unless Hollywood becomes more open to the female perspective and female directors within the genre, the cycle of weaponized Barbies will persist. Kayla Stetezel is a senior studying Marketing Management

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Foreign language majors don't need to be fluent at graduation By | Mark Naida Assistant Editor Over the last four years, I have often been forced to contend with two comments concerning my college majors. After I reveal that I study French and English, people inevitably make some dismissive comment about how I will go into teaching and then they ask if I am fluent in French. Although the first supposition exhausts most students of the liberal arts, the second question seems fair. I have studied the French language for eight years. I have read more than 25 books cover to cover and written full length essays in French. Films like Rohmer’s Six Contes Moraux move me deeply without subtitles. And though I have studied French for almost a decade, I have never been to France.

I have never smelled the Gauloises burning in the fingers of cafe patrons, never looked at that skeletonic tower with which Americans identify the French. Despite all of this, if I were to enter a French cafe, I would likely stumble through an effort to order an espresso. Why is this? Because foreign language majors at Hillsdale do not study in order to obtain the skill of fluent speech. Though that skill could be an incurred benefit of studying a rich language like French, American students have no chance of developing even reasonable fluency if they don’t run off to a different country for a semester or more. I chose not to leave. Despite my freshman plan to spend the first semester of my junior year in the land of baguettes and berets, when the time came, I found myself wanting to stay at Hillsdale and continue my

pursuit of truth instead of the pursuit of skill. At Hillsdale, we speak a lot about the liberal arts as we defend students’ decisions to whittle away their hours translating ancient Roman poetry and studying the intricacies of Platonic and Aristotelian thought, but the same defense seems to come rarely for language majors. The expectation of fluency shows that when it comes to language, lovers of the liberal arts still succumb to utilitarian ignorance. In a piece published by the Huffington post, titled “The Best Languages to Learn in College,” Dr. Ali Binazir writes, “Hate to say it, but French is pretty useless except for speaking, well, French. Although the employability boost is minimal at best, of all the languages you could learn, this one probably makes you look the most sophisticated.”

Through taking courses in foreign languages, students engage not only with a different culture and body of literature, but they also engage with differences in philosophy and culture while they try understanding their world more fully. Students begin to bear the weight of a separate tradition, a non-english tradition. Marie de France, the 12th century French poetess, wrote a poem titled “Chevrefoil” which could be the earliest piece of literature that focuses solely on romantic love. In the poem, the king banished Tristan, the hero, from the kingdom for falling in love with the King’s wife. During Pentecost, in the middle of the night, Tristan hides near the forest path the queen will take and carves his name into a hazelnut branch as a secret message for his former lover, the queen. She sees it on

her way through the woods and the two meet for just a moment. When the time of parting comes, both Tristan and the queen weep. To read this story in ancient French is to comprehend the genesis of romance. To read it is to connect with the foundation of how we conceive of love. It is the first story of unrequited love, wrapt with self-determination and tenderness still recognizable today. This moving experience with the French language is more profound than the ability to ask a passerby directions to the nearest metro stop or to barter with a street vendor. Like any of the disciplines protected under the umbrella of the liberal arts, foreign languages slice through the mysteries of the world and allow glimpses of transcendent truth. When we suppose that the priority of any foreign

language major should be the mastery of elocution, vocabulary, and phraseology, we suppose that the pursuit is merely useful if not for commercial advantage, then for reasons of personal vanity and cultural superiority. In reality, the earnest study of a foreign language forges empathy with a dissimilar culture and opens students to the possibilities of human thought and experience. Before you ask a foreign language major to say something in their elementary tongue, consider that they are learning more than a marketable skill or a party trick, consider that they are stumbling their way toward truth. Mark Naida is a senior studying English and French.

The 9/11 Memorial in New York City stands where the Twin Towers used to reside.

Wiki Commons

Tragedies bring out true American spirit By | Stefan Kleinhenz Special to The Collegian With the looming threat of hurricanes and tropical storms, some parts of the country have been impacted directly by physical and emotional devastation, while the rest of the country has had to bear the heavy burden of our fellow citizens. When disaster strikes, American’s forget all that divides us. We forget identity politics and renew our vows of commonality in embracing our national pride. Going forward, the recent tragedies that have challenged our national community can teach us about our political climate as well as our human nature—we must assure that times of trouble aren’t the only times we rise above our differences and lean on one another. In the days following these catastrophic events, our true character as a nation is personified, in both the actions of our citizens and the leadership of our government. The relief efforts that take place are orchestrated by both the private sector— groups such as the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, and local churches, as well as government run entities like the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Both play a role, but this begs the question: Which is more effective? I spent about 6 months

volunteering for the American Red Cross and even served on a deployment to Georgia after hurricane Matthew. What I learned quickly was that the true and immediate relief came from the private sector and local authorities. There were no government run shelters or government sponsored food banks— it was everyday people, from both far and near. By the time FEMA agents arrived on the scene, all the work had been done. Frankly they weren’t there to get their hands dirty — but that’s okay. Assistant Professor of Politics Adam Carrington said, “Government is much better at throwing money at things. Individuals and private groups are much better at restructuring peoples' lives in a more holistic way.” The government and the private sector each play distinct roles which together make up the recovery process as a whole. Nevertheless, the duty of government is less noticeable because it is not as direct and tangible as the efforts of the private sector. The purpose of government in times of disaster is to provide influence in hope and leadership. Donald Trump’s two visits to the affected areas of hurricane Harvey received stark criticism. Though critics said his motives were politically driven, to the

people of Texas who lost their livelihood found his presence meaningful. “That picture of him waving the Texas flag in his hands is a very powerful image,” Carrington said. In that simple moment, those visits of course benefit Trump politically, but more importantly, they unite an entire nation because there is no other purpose but community. In the modern world, tragedy is one of the few things that doesn’t have a political agenda. We need darkness, in order to understand light, we need hate in order to value love, and we need tragedies in order to bring us back together. In times of peace, there is no incentive to think beyond ourselves, but in times of devastation the only way to survive is to rise above our individual interests. Necessity breeds cooperation in ways that other situations don’t. These situations make us think about our common humanity and our common citizenship. It is this understanding of this common need that must carry us forward into times of peace. We must understand that no matter what it is, we can’t do it alone. Stefan Kleinhenz is a freshman studying the liberal arts.

Letter to the Editor Dear Editor, In last week’s issue, sophomore Sean Hyaduck argued that President Donald Trump was justified in pardoning Joe Arpaio, the former sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona. As a lifelong resident of the county, I have long been aware of Arpaio’s impact in my community and the causes of the charges leveled against him. Readers unfamiliar with the details of Arpaio’s actions, however, may be misled by Hyaduck’s picture of events. Hyaduck devotes the bulk of his argument to justifying Trump’s constitutional authority to pardon Arpaio, claiming that there were issues with the court handling of his case. But both of these arguments have nothing to do with the supposed claim that Trump was morally right to pardon Arpaio. Where Hyaduck does address Arpaio’s actions, he says that the former sheriff “took uncommon initiative” and was “prohibited from delivering on [the] promise” to uphold federal immigration laws. So, what exactly was Arpaio’s “uncommon initiative?” In his own words, Arpaio

commanded officers to detain people because of “their speech, what they look like, if they look like they came from another country,” authorizing police to profile anyone who seemed Latino in order to check their immigration status. As a result of this order, a 2011 U.S. Department of Justice report found that Latinos were stopped on roadways at at least four times the rate of non-Latinos and that officers conducted sweeps in Latino neighborhoods without warrants or probable cause. Defenders of the Constitution should recognize racial profiling without probable cause as a clear violation of the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments, but the only unlawfulness Hyaduck mentions is on behalf of those prosecuting Arpaio with an “order to compromise his duty.” Here, duty apparently involves ignoring the authority of the judicial branch. Even after a 2011 court ruling ordered Arpaio to cease this abuse of power, his office continued to enforce the policies and later admitted to violating court orders. If these flagrant instances of unlawfulness are not

enough to discount Hyaduck’s positive portrayal of Arpaio, they actually just scratch the surface of the ways in which Arpaio failed his county. The sheriff ran an outdoor prison in scorching Arizona summers, which he described as a “concentration camp.” He cost taxpayers over $146 million in court fees and settlements, and he targeted his political opponents with unfounded investigations. Perhaps most egregiously, in its preoccupation with pursuing illegal immigrants, Arpaio’s office left more than 400 cases of sex crimes including child molestation either inadequately investigated or uninvestigated entirely. If Arpaio cared so much about the “safety of his county,” as Hyaduck suggests, what about the safety of its women and children? Perhaps Hyaduck was unfamiliar with all the details of Arpaio’s actions. Regardless, Hyaduck should present all the facts before he attempts to defend a man as unworthy as Joe Arpaio. Haley Hauprich is a junior studying English.

After 9/11: The towers that still stand By | Kaylee McGhee City News Editor Sixteen years ago, the Twin Towers fell. Shattered glass and broken paradigms littered the streets of New York City. Pedestrians gazed at the descending rubble in disbelief. Brick by brick, their naive notions of a safe and good world splintered as each stone hit the cement. A torrent of cement, steel, and glass hit the pedestrians first. “The building started coming down, and everybody ran. It was like being on the beach with this big wave coming at you,” Fire Chief Tom McCarthy told the New York Daily News. But perhaps it was the tide that rose after this wave had receded that wreaked the most havoc. It was a wave of a different kind; one more crippling than the first. After the initial panic had faded, a new fear — a deep, disfiguring distress like none America had ever known — crept into the minds of the survivors, like dark water slowly edging its way higher and higher onto the sand. Doubt in the security of their well-being and distrust in those who swore to maintain it suddenly flooded the minds of those struggling to cope with their losses. Their country — the greatest, safest

nation in the world—had just been attacked in the most lethal strike ever carried out on American soil. Like a knife to the heart, radical terrorists flew hijacked planes through the core of America’s economic presence. It was a symbolic attack, meant to strike fear in the hearts of free people across the world — people who had fallen into the habit of taking their liberty for granted. But America does not cower. She does not surrender to acts of terrorism. As the buildings fell and the wave of fear rose up on its hind legs, threatening to paralyze them, hundreds of firefighters and emergency responders ran toward the shooting flames and falling bodies. Bravery led their charge as black smoke filled their lungs and horror overcame them. Make no mistake: it was this courage that made America a target that day. Our bravery and resilience, the principles that Americans hold dear, have made her an object of hate since the founding. Our fundamental values — like consent of the governed, individual rights, equality, freedom of speech and religion — threaten the enemies of liberty. As we watched the Twin Towers fall in silent horror, our enemies rejoiced. We saw buildings collapse; they saw

the Western world begin to fall. But what they believed to be a fatal blow was only a glancing stun, like a boxer temporarily knocked to the ground. Into the chaos they ran, hundreds of brave men and women — children of the heritage they sought to defend — knowing full well they might lose their lives that day. The great irony of that tragic day is that though our enemies sought to destroy the truths this nation rests on, they did the opposite, empowering them in a way only a great obstacle can. The Western tradition that America clings to allows truth to prevail and strength to rejoice in the face of adversity — no matter how great. Thousands of Americans lost their lives on 9/11 preserving the timeless values that constitute the soul of this nation and form the basis of her government. These principles gave them strength, courage, and resilience. Sixteen years ago, as the Twin Towers fell, the towers of American values rose high above the hatred, sorrow, and enormity of that day — and they stand taller still. Kaylee McGhee is a junior studying politics.

God remains sovereign through suffering it, or I forget about it and so By | Tim Khan Special to The Collegian it doesn’t impact everyday life

and how hard I work on this Days like 9/11 wakes us up. paper or how I interact with When the ground we’ve been my coworkers or how I spend walking on or building on my money.” or taking for granted shifts If we don’t think God is underneath us and we snap sovereign, then we don’t think out of our routine day-to-day he has authority over every experiences, we have to stare area of his creation, and we at something we don’t want start compartmentalizing God to. And we may not live to away from parts of our lives: see another 9/11 in our lifetimes, but I 9/11 Memorial in New know we will have The Yrk City commemorates trouble. So how the lives lost in a terrorist should we think attack in 2001. about these things? Wiki Commons I believe that God did something that day. I don’t know what it was. I don’t know exactly what his purposes were. But if we believe God is sovereign, then we believe God allowed 9/11 to happen. Sovereignty means he is totally in authority. He ordains everything that happens. He appoints it or he decides to allow it. It doesn’t mean he approves or our jobs, our relationships, condones it. Every funeral our — whatever. We isolate we’ve ever been to he knew that part of life. We put it in a would happen. Every disaster, box. We put God in a box. every hurricane, every war. Every one of us has sinned I think a lot of times we against God but God did not say God is sovereign, but we don’t actually think like it. I’ll stay up in heaven, he didn’t think, “God is sovereign, sure. stay in a box. He came down He’s big and up there and it’s to our level and did something hard for me to comprehend, for us that we could never do. Isaiah 25: “He will swallow so I don’t really think about

up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces.” 1 Corinthians 15: “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” Jesus Christ has defeated death. God is not only sovereign over all of life, He is sovereign over all of death. My prayer is that God would bless the United States and that we would be good stewards of that blessing in the way we live our lives. That we would remember this day in history but also remember the God who is sovereign over history and is faithful to work it out ultimately for good. I want to dedicate this September 11 to him, and trust him, come whatever may.

Khan is a senior studying religion. He served in the Marine Corps and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2012.

Editor's Note: Khan gave this speech at the 9/11 ceremony held by Hillsdale College Republicans and Young Americans for Freedom on Monday.

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Meet the candidates: Stockford and Sessions run for mayor City councilman Adam Stockford is challenging Sessions in the mayoral election this November. City of Hillsdale

Scott Sessions, the current mayor, will be running as the incumbent candidate this November. City of Hillsdale

Hillsdale’s mayoral candidates talk policy, family, and vision for the future By | Mark Naida Assistant Editor When the Fasco DC Motors plant closed its operation in the Hillsdale Industrial Complex in 2003 to relocate to Mexico, Scott Sessions lost his job and saw that the city needed a better plan for economic growth. Although he landed back on his feet after getting an associate’s degree from Jackson College and becoming the purchasing manager for the Hillsdale Hospital, a position he has held for 11 years, he said he knows that without economic development, many Hillsdale residents will face the same struggles he did. So in 2011, when the city council was mulling over a city income tax to increase revenue, Sessions knew he had to fight it and not allow the city to hinder its own economic development, he said. It was not as if he was a newcomer to politics. Sessions’ son Michael, who is now the city manager and clerk for Morenci, Michigan, won the Hillsdale mayoral election in 2005 through a write-in campaign when he, then a senior at Hillsdale High School, was only 18 years old. When he first ran for mayor in 2013, Scott Sessions’ campaign focused on fixing the crumbling infrastructure of Hillsdale. In his first term, Sessions has worked to rebuild and repair some of those issues. Though opposed to the city income tax, Sessions supported the three millage property tax increase, proposed by the Funding Alternative Identification and Recommendation (FAIR) committee, which is a sinking fund that should generate over $300,000 in revenue for the general fund with intent for road construction. Under Sessions’ leadership, the city has set aside $965,000 for road construction and has reserved an additional $200,000 for road repair. Sessions, as mayor, wants to work with the council to improve the lives of Hillsdale residents. “We are not going to agree on everything, but if we can get to a point of compromise where we can get things passed that can help the city, we can move the city forward in a positive direction,” he said.

Sessions said he was “disappointed” in his opponent in the mayoral race, Councilman Adam Stockford, also a member of the FAIR committee, for initially voting to fund these vital aging infrastructure issues, then changing his stance when the vote came to the city council for ratification. Moreover, Sessions alleges that Stockford had two unexcused absences when he missed the two budget workshops where issues concerning the millage could have been raised. “All that did was devalue the important work of that committee,” Sessions said. Despite outrage by some members of the Hillsdale community, Sessions believes that the tax increase was necessary for the maintenance of the city. “The 2.9 millage is a lot less than the city income tax. We have cut almost every place that we could have cut,” he said. These measures have been taken in order to rebuild Mead, Vine, Garden, and Rippon Streets and repair others in the city through crack filling and resurfacing. These plans are not just cosmetic. For Sessions, these improvements will make Hillsdale an attractive place to live. “We have to make Hillsdale a destination for people to want to live. In this day and age, it comes down to quality of life: downtown walkability, community, parks and recreation, nice streets,” Sessions said. “Moving the City of Hillsdale in a positive direction depends on stable government.” During his term, Sessions helped hire new directors for the fire department, the police department, the board of public service, and the board of public utilities. The new hirings give Sessions hope for Hillsdale’s future. “We all want economic development and that can only occur when the tools are in place,” Sessions said. Perhaps most importantly, Sessions helped hire City Manager David Mackie after two other managers served for only a short time. Mackie has worked for the city since 2015 and since that time, with the help of Mary Wolfram, the City of Hillsdale’s Director of Economic Development, Hillsdale has seen new busi-

nesses open like Handmade Sandwiches and Beverages, Core Coil Compositions, and Lucky Buck, which operates out of Old Stocks Mill. Sessions’ term has also seen the construction of the new Center City Apartments and the Kroger gas station. There have also been renovations at the 42 Union Apartment building, the Dawn Theater, and the Hillsdale Airport. There has also been an expansion to the Paragon Metals World Headquarters which created 50 jobs. “The biggest threat to Hillsdale is political instability, in-fighting, and not serving honorably,” Sessions said. He believes that the stability of the new core of city staff will help development in Hillsdale. “We have competent staff who are capable of doing amazing things to make our community a better place to live,” he said. Hillsdale took a big hit in the 2008 recession, lowering the city’s taxable evaluation from 123 million to 160 million. Sessions vows to do all he can to bring some of the wealth back to the city. “I will strive to move the city of Hillsdale forward in a way that will provide our community to market itself to potential investors and stakeholders,” he said. Sessions says that the city also needs to continue to work closely with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and with the state-sponsored Rising Tide program which, according to michigan. gov, “will provide communities with the tools they need to design and build a solid planning, zoning and economic development foundation to attract new businesses and help existing employers to grow.” Having lived in Hillsdale since 1994, Sessions said he has developed a great fondness for his community. “There is so much beauty in it,” Sessions said. “The people here are great and I love living here. Everyone wants to see great things happen here.” When voters go into the voting booths to fill out their ballots on Nov. 7, Sessions wants them to know a few things about him: “I am an honest person. I feel what the people are going through. I am here to try to make it all better for them.”

By | Nic Rowan Assistant Editor City Councilman Adam Stockford said he thinks it’s time Hillsdale had a businessman as its mayor. Throughout his mayoral campaign, the Hillsdale county native has stressed that the purpose of the mayor is to be a guiding voice for the city council and a vehicle for economic development within the city. With his background in business recruiting for Elwood Staffing, Stockford said he believes he is the right man for the job. “I do business development, workforce development, workforce recruiting,” Stockford said. “I think — and I think most people would agree — these are the things that this city needs the most right now.” As mayor, Stockford said he would also try to bring burgeoning industries like food processing to Hillsdale and would try to seek out more aggressive ways to combat the opioid epidemic in the county. Most importantly, however, Stockford said he would attempt to expand the city’s economic development efforts. As he sees it, the plan for economic development the City of Hillsdale has pursued under Mayor Scott Sessions’ tenure will not revitalize the city or equip it for lasting economic prosperity. Projects like the renovations to the 42 Union Apartment building, the Dawn Theater, and the upcoming Hillsdale Brewing Company have all been secured under a series of state and federal grants. “Make no mistake about it: grants are subsidized on failure,” Stockford said. “Is that something that I think we should build our whole economic development around? Absolutely not. We want to get away from grants. We want to not need the grants.” In particular, Stockford said the TIFA grant for the city to buy the Dawn Theater could potentially put the city in a position where the city is not just focused on the building’s private management, but also on its private ownership. Stockford said he believes purchases like this are imprudent, and go against the tightened city budget that City Manager David Mackie has been implement-

ing over the past few years. “If you can’t afford to heat the house, you shouldn’t be going out and buying a mustang,” Stockford said. Although critical of Sessions’ support for grants funded by the Tax Increment Financing Authorities (TIFA) and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), Stockford said he believes a pursuit of grants that help people in tangible ways are good for the community. He cited the recent grant to repair Mead, Vine, Garden, and Rippon Streets and other streets in the city through crack filling and resurfacing as an example. Successes like this, however, are not enough to keep Stockford from opposing Sessions’ attitude toward his own office. “In four years, I’ve never seen Scott once — and this is regardless of who the city manager is or who the city administration is — I’ve never seen him challenge them on anything,” he said. “I’ve never seen him ask any questions. I’ve never seen him take a stance opposite of what their official policy was.” Stockford pointed out an incident regarding the proposed reappointment of former Board of Public Utilities director Rick Rose that split the city council in 2014. Sessions supported the reappointment, which Stockford found troubling, since he believed Rose was intentionally insulating himself from the city’s oversight and allowing the BPU to become a bloated and inefficient entity. “It was then I just saw that Scott and I were on very opposite sides of the spectrum on a whole lot of issues,” Stockford said. Around the time Stockford made the decision to run for mayor, he was already a student studying at Hillsdale College and raising a family. “When Adam transferred here, he was juggling a lot — a young family, a full time job, going to school — I was always encouraging him to balance things out and I admired his ability to succeed,” Stockford’s advisor Professor of Politics Mickey Craig said. “He grew up here. He really does love the college and the city and wants to make Hillsdale a better place.”

Before entering politics, Stockford had already lived a full life, first as a boxer and then as a professional musician. In 2004, amid family troubles, he was diagnosed with late stage Lymes Disease and had to quit working for several years. “I was about 25 when I went back into the workforce, but of course I had ruined my credit and was broke and just trying to pick myself back off the ground,” he said. He met his wife in 2006 and said he married her determined to contribute to their hometown community. “I was a sickly, 140-pound 26 year-old stock boy making $7.50 an hour sweeping floors and stocking shelves at a gas station. We got engaged and got married. Then I told her, ‘Marry me; I’ll take care of you. I’m going to go to Hillsdale College and I’ll be mayor of this city and someday I’ll be a United States senator.’ She must have thought I was completely crazy,” he said with a chuckle. While at Hillsdale College, Stockford interned as a social media intern at The Madison Project, a political action committee and worked for former Congressman Jim Ryun, R-Kansas. Stockford won his Ward 1 city council seat in 2014, a position he ran for to oppose a proposal to impose an income tax hike on all residents. “There were quite a few of us, a younger crowd who wanted to get in because of some criticisms of what was happening at the city level,” he said. As a councilman, Stockford said he believes it is his duty to directly represent the voice of the people in his district. Additionally, he prides himself upon his availability and his openness to his constituents. “We’re up there to transfer the wishes of the populace,” he said. “We’re up there as representatives of the residents.”

City clerk placed on administrative leave for violating social media policy By |Kaylee McGhee City news Editor Hillsdale City Clerk Stephen French was placed on unpaid administrative leave Monday for violating the city’s social media policy. City Manager David Mackie said French sent an “inappropriate” email to a Hillsdale

County resident. Mackie said this was the first time the city has enforced its social media policy, which states city employees can’t “discriminate or harass residents while in office” and that they must “maintain the city’s reputation” both on and offline. The resident — identified on social media as Marcy Al-

may — was active in voicing criticisms of French, setting up Facebook pages for that purpose. In his email to Almay, French referenced an alleged arrest of Almay’s in 2014. French sent the email after Almay allegedly circulated a story about his past. In 2009, according to MLive, French

was arrested in Ohio for soliciting a prostitute and handling a firearm while intoxicated. “My friends called and told me you sent an email. Just wanted you to know anyone can cut and paste,” French said in the email, implying he would spread information about Almay. French could not be

reached for comment. Mackie said French is scheduled to return to work on Thursday. “Most employees and elected officials abide by common-sense rules,” Mackie said. “This was an example when an employee didn’t keep himself in check. Stephen was aware of the violation. He felt like he was repeatedly attacked, and

he fell victim to responding in an inappropriate manner.” Mackie said he hopes this incident proves to be an example of how influential social media can be. “We felt this needed to be addressed,” he said. “But we hope we won’t have to address it again in the future.”

City News

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A7 Sept. 14, 2017

Vendors stand behind their display of vased flowers at the Hillsdale farmer’s market. Jacquelyn Eubanks | Collegian

Farmer’s Market offers homegrown food, homemade gifts By | Jacquelyn Eubanks Collegian Freelancer

Top to Bottom: Vendors display organically grown lettuce at the Hillsdale farmer’s market; A vendor stands behind her vegetable stand at the farmer’s market. Jacquelyn Eubanks | Collegian

On a cool, crisp autumn morning local farmers and artisans can be found bundled up, pitching tents, and rolling out their homegrown, handcrafted wares at the Hillsdale County Courthouse Square. The Hillsdale County Farmer’s Market runs from May through October, and there are only seven Saturday mornings left until vendors pack up their crates, close their tents, and hunker down for the winter, concluding the market’s ninth year running. There is something for everybody at the market, from fruits and vegetables to homemade soaps, honey, house plants, and knitwear. There’s also a friendly atmosphere that brings people back week after

Furniture store opens downtown By | Theresa Smith Collegian Freelancer Darci Gaff said she wasn’t sure she wanted to reopen another furniture store after her first, unsuccessful attempt as a business owner. But two years later, she opened Modern Revival in downtown Hillsdale. Modern Revival sells custom Amish-made furniture, as well as refurbished antique pieces. “We have upcycled and repurposed furniture that we’ve revamped, rejunked, or refunked,” Gaff said. “We have some antiques, but the big thing we do is we build custom furniture.” Gaff opened a pop-up shop in Coldwater in 2015, but it closed three months later because it just “wasn’t in the right location.”

After visiting Hillsdale last fall, Gaff decided to open Modern Revival because the small town feel “talked her into opening another store.” Gaff said customers can bring pictures from outlet stores like the Pottery Barn or websites like Pinterest to Modern Revival and have it built for a fraction of the cost as Amish builders. A piece takes between four to six weeks to build. Gaff said she works with an old-order Amish family in the area that cuts and builds wood and glass for the furniture pieces. “That means they have no power tools,” Gaff said. “The tools they use are powered by these two horses that walk in a circle that power their machinery.” Director of Economic De-

week. “The vendors are pretty nice,” said Rita Wells, a participant in the market. A vendor herself who sells beef, maple syrup, and sweet corn, Wells has been participating for two years. “Everybody seems to be having a good time...everybody seems to enjoy being here,” said Linda Kidwell, a flower vendor who has been participating in the market for seven years. Other towns have been hosting farmer’s markets for years, Kidwell said, and Hillsdale finally got to it. The market started when a group of locals wanted to bring one to the town, said the market’s vice president Liese Szarafinski. She has been coming since its beginning, and she has witnessed it grow and

blossom over the years. “We’ve had more vendors and definitely more customers. We have a lot of traffic walk through now. We always have new people,” Szarafinski said. Growth was slow for the first few years, and the market struggled to capture the public’s attention. Hillsdale residents and college students often confused this market, which is located at town square every Saturday, with the larger annual farmers market at the Hillsdale County Fairgrounds. “They mistake it for the one at the fairgrounds, which is much more commercial,” Kidwell said. “These are all local people from Hillsdale County and surrounding counties, but they can’t be from far away. It has to be stuff they grew or made here.” A steady string of regu-

lars has been built over time, though. They enjoy the casual atmosphere, have plenty of fun, and look forward to seeing more new faces, Kidwell said. “I really like the people. I love seeing regulars come every week and get excited about fresh produce and what we’re bringing in. It’s fun when the students come back and we can see a big influx of people. I like being involved in the community,” Szarafinski said. To those who haven’t yet visited the little market on the square she says, “I hope people come.” The market is open from 8 a.m. until noon every Saturday through the last Saturday of October.

Police and firefighters respond to a fire that broke out in The Palace Café on Friday night. Facebook

velopment Mary Wolfram said that Gaff was an ideal candidate for a grant from TIFA, which she was awarded last spring. “She had a good business plan,” Wolfram said. “Her business is exactly the kind of business we want to have in our downtown storefronts.” Mike Harner, Hillsdale College President Larry Arnn’s Chief of Staff, recently bought a piece of furniture from Modern Revival, and said he is happy Gaff chose to settle in Hillsdale. “The furniture and decorating pieces she sells are unique and reflect very much our preference for shabby, chic interior design. Even better, she’s a joy to deal with and has great ideas, many of which we have incorporated into our home,” he said.

Employee responds quickly, puts out fire at The Palace Café By | Tess Skehan Collegian Freelancer A fire at The Palace Café on Friday night led to a customer evacuation. The Hillsdale Fire Department responded to a call at 9:25 p.m., reporting a stove fire at The Palace. A team of 12 firefighters arrived on the scene, but the fire had already been extinguished by employee Jason DeVaughn and patron Dan Brunette and the restaurant already evacuated. The fire department said it believes the fire was caused by a malfunction of the gas stove. The fire was contained in the kitchen, however, and put out before it was able to spread, leaving no injuries and no serious damage to the building. “It wasn’t even large enough to set off our fire suppression unit,” said owner Leslie Meredith, who had planned to be out of the restaurant on Fri-

day night to prepare for her daughter’s wedding the next day. “I pulled into the parking lot and saw smoke coming out the door.” It was DeVaughn and Brunette’s immediate action that kept the situation under control. Firefighter Corey Burke commended the men for their timely and effective response. “Thankfully for the fast acting employee, they saved the building from major, major damage,” Burke said in a phone interview. Despite the fact that DeVaughn had his back to the fire, he quickly assessed and resolved the issue. “First we tried seeing if we turned off the gas, if the fire would go out,” DeVaughn said. “But it didn’t. We used the fire extinguisher after that.” The restaurant was closed for the remainder of the evening, both to ensure that the building was safe and to replace the food contaminated

by the extinguisher. The Palace opened at its regular time the next morning. Meredith stressed that every measure has been taken to ensure the safety of the restaurant in the wake of the accident. “Michigan Gas rechecked everything, new lines were put in, and the state health inspector was in,” Meredith said. Burke emphasized The Palace’s commitment to safety in the wake of the incident, and in everyday circumstances as well. The high standard of safety, combined with DeVaughn and Brunette’s efforts, saved the restaurant, he said. “The Palace did a great job of having every preventive measure in case they were to have a kitchen fire like that,” Burke said. “We are very grateful that they had a plan and were able to work fast.”

A8 Sept. 14, 2017

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Sports

Follow @HDaleSports for live updates and news

Volleyball

Football saturday, sept.

Hillsdale

Upcoming

saturday, sept. vs.

McKendree 7:00 PM

Stats

Chance Stewart David Graham Joe Reverman Trey Brock Spencer Nehls Joe Philipp

fri, sept.

Michigan Tech

21-37 comp., 215 yrd 2 rush td 13 att, 98 yrd, 2 td 13 att, 35 yrd 8 rec, 83 yrd 10 tkl 1/1 fg, 4/4 pat

Results

Upcoming

1st- Grand Valley - 560

Saturday, sept. 17

2nd - Hillsdale - 578

At Findlay, OH

3rd - Saginaw Valley - 579

GMAC Invite

“I trust myself in those situations, especially with [center] Danny Drummond in front of me, knowing he’s not going to get blown back, and with the guys behind me who are going to come and push me if I do get stuffed,” Stewart said. “We have great size up front.” Hillsdale’s defense delivered another 3-and-out, and senior wide receiver and return specialist Timmy Mills’ 20-yard punt return set up the Chargers’ offense at Michigan Tech’s 36-yard line. On its first set of downs, Hillsdale faced yet another 4th-and-1, now with the game on the line. For the fourth time in the quarter, Stewart executed a quarterback sneak, gaining the first down and keeping the Chargers’ comeback hopes alive. Head coach Keith Otterbein said each of the quarterback sneaks were called by Stewart as an audible once he got to the line of scrimmage. “We’ve counseled him on what looks to do [the sneak] on,” Otterbein said. “We had a different play called in every one of those situations and based on the defensive look, he’s able to execute. When he does choose to do the quarterback sneak, it’s been phenomenally effective.” Later in the drive, Graham’s second touchdown of the day

Upcoming

gave Hillsdale its first lead of the game, with just over a minute left on the clock. Hillsdale’s defense made one final stop as time ran out, and a remarkable 31-27 victory was in the books. Stewart said despite the sizeable deficit with only one quarter left, the team remained upbeat and confident that it was still in the game. “When you’re in those situations, we’re not going to get 17 points right away,” he said. “We needed to slow down, get our pieces together and just chip away at it. Sure enough, it worked out.” The 17-point difference was the largest deficit the Chargers have overcome during Stewart’s three-year tenure as quarterback at Hillsdale. In the first three quarters combined, the offense totaled only 154 yards and 10 first downs. In the fourth quarter, the offense netted 166 yards and recorded 10 more first downs. “We couldn’t make the big play we needed to in order to catch some momentum early,” Stewart said. “In the fourth quarter, people stepped up, I threw better balls, receivers caught passes, lineman blocked for a little longer, and everyone just did their job to a higher level than we had all game.” Stewart completed passes

to eight different targets in the win. In the fourth quarter, Hillsdale’s defense held Michigan Tech to only 19 yards of offense and didn’t surrender a first down. On the Huskies’ first of three unsuccessful drives in the final quarter, senior defensive back Spencer Nehls made a key tackle in the open field on a 3rd-and-5 play that forced Michigan Tech to punt. Nehls came up big for the defense all day long, having a hand in 10 total tackles. His efforts earned him the G-MAC Defensive Player of the Week award. Otterbein said Nehls deserved the honor, calling him an “unselfish” asset who is “playing with confidence.” While the Chargers would like to see more consistency on both sides of the ball early on, they recognize the importance of playing in tight games. “Having close games like that, it helps you later down the line, because you’ve been there before,” Graham said. “You’re not going to make the mistakes you would if you’ve never been in that situation before.” The Chargers remain at home this Saturday, when they host McKendree University at 7 p.m. at Frank “Muddy” Waters Stadium.

Gannon

00 03

saturday, sept. 16 vs. ohio dominican 1:00 PM

sat, sept.

9 Hillsdale Glenville St. SEASON LEADERS

03 00

Kills Digs Aces Assists Blocks

Senior center Danny Drummond has started in 34 football games in his college career. But it was Friday’s game that left him with a smile he couldn’t wipe off his face. Drummond and the rest of the football team, with the Hillsdale cheer team and pep band, participated in Victory Day, an event that allowed nine children with special needs to be Chargers for the evening, getting the full “game day experience.” It was a small event that made a big impact — on both the players and participants. “It was cool to see how much the guys got into it,” Drummond said. “It was amazing to see so much joy on the kids’ faces when they scored a touchdown or caught a pass.” As the kids cruised through the practice drills, team members cheered loudly, encouraging them to keep going. Keith Otterbein, head coach of Hillsdale’s football team, said he knew his players would embrace the opportunity to engage with the kids. “I told them that this is the

kind of event that’s only as good as you make it,” he said. “We are so fortunate to be here at Hillsdale. This was an opportunity for us to give back.” Victory Day was the perfect fit for the football program, Otterbein said. Its core principles and its dedication to building the next generation of leaders align with Hillsdale’s mission and everything the team stands for. The event continued into Saturday’s game, with Hillsdale and Reading High School football players mentoring 11 participants with special needs during halftime, showing them how to throw, catch, kick, and tackle. “The little things we take for granted, like running out on the football field, were huge for them,” junior quarterback Chance Stewart said. Otterbein said he hopes to continue sponsoring Victory Day in the years to come, because it’s a program that benefits both the players and the community. “It works both ways — college players are given the opportunity to mix with the community, and the kids have men to look up to.” Senior Zoe Harness, a cap-

9 Mercyhurst

03 00

tuesday, sept.

Hillsdale

12 Findlay

02 03

Kara Vyletel- 103 Taylor Wiese- 150 Wiese- 11 Lindsey Mertz- 245, Christine Siddall- 10

Men’s Upcoming

Friday, Sept. 22 ITA Regionals At Midland, MI

Friday, Sept. 15 ITA Regionals At Allendale, MI

Women’s cross country to open season at Spartan Invite By | Jo Kroeker Features Editor

This season, the women’s cross country team has three goals: win the Great Midwest Athletic Conference, qualify at the Midwest Regional Championships, and stand on the NCAA podium. The team will begin the race toward these goals Friday at the Spartan Invite at Michigan State University, in the first of three races where the women accumulate points toward the championship season — the last three meets of the six-meet season. “Everyone has been working hard,” team captain senior Andie Bodary said. “The first meet is always good to see how the team is looking and where other teams are at.” The new team has three weeks of training under its belt, so the focus for the weekend is “14 pushing one,” said assistant coach Samantha Kearney. At the meet, the team will work on getting its bearings and seeing how well everyone works together. One structural change makes this season different from previous years.

“There’s more emphasis on head-to-head competition,” said head coach Andrew Towne ’04. “It’s the first year it’s this way. You have to use a computer: It’s a little more accurate, and a little more complicated.” Up until this year, eight of the 32 qualifying teams were chosen at-large based on regional representation in the NCAA the year before. This meant the 2016-17 team could qualify for championships despite placing fifth because the 2015-16 team earned a spot for a team from the region by placing third. “Last year, we were down from what we were accustomed to,” Towne said. With five freshmen — including Hillsdale Academy graduate Megan Poole — joining the team of three sophomores, one junior, and five seniors this year, Bodary is optimistic the team will get back on its feet and return to performance levels of two years ago. “We have a young team and a talented team,” Kearney said. “It’s really exciting. Friday, we’ll see the benefits of summer work.”

Senior center Danny Drummond and Victory Day participant Erica . Gwendolyn Buchhop | Courtesy

players, for the kids it was an experience that will be apart of them forever, he said. Remembering the joy he shared in the night before, Drummond walked onto the field on Saturday, ready to start his 34th game. Being apart of Victory Day helped him play better that day, he said. “Usually when you give to others, you receive so much more blessing yourself,” Drummond said. “We walked onto the field on Friday knowing we would make those kids’ days, but it was pretty apparent they were going to give something to us as well. And I carried it with me on Saturday.”

The Hillsdale College football team gathers with Victory Day participants after Friday night’s event. Gwendolyn Buchhop | Courtesy

Towne mentioned a few women poised to have a particularly successful season. He said senior Hannah McIntyre, a 3-time All-American Champion, is in a better place than ever. Towne also noted sophomore Arena Lewis, who struggled with injuries last year, but is in a position to make an impact for the team. Next is sophomore Addison Rauch, who consistently improved last year and helped displace runners from other teams. For health reasons, Bodary and sophomore Emily Southgate will not compete on Friday. Bodary said it’s better to sit this one out, so they can be healthy for the next meet. “One thing I really like about this group so far is they seem to be really focused on the day-to-day process and having fun,” Towne said. Currently, the NCAA trophies — the only ones the school has, Towne said, proudly — sit in Towne’s office. But as the team works toward its ultimate goal of placing fourth or higher at the NCAA championships, these women may need a trophy case.

Men’s cross country back after finishing 14th in nation By | Madeleine Jepsen Science & Tech Editor

tain of the cheer team, said Victory Day was a good way for the cheer team to begin expanding community outreach, something she said is one of this year’s goals. Giving back is a fundamental part of Hillsdale’s positive mission, she said. The cheer team wants to be a part of that and promote it in the community. “Victory Day was such a great opportunity to be inclusive and kind. It’s a program that fosters a community that cares about every single person,” Harness said. Under the lights, with the pep bland playing and the cheerleaders applauding them, Stewart said it was just like a game. Though it was just another Friday night for the

Hillsdale

Women’s Upcoming

CHARGER FOOTBALL, CHEER, AND PEP BAND CONNECT WITH COMMUNITY AT VICTORY DAY By | Kaylee McGhee City News Editor

sat, sept.

friday, sept. 15 vs. cedarville 7:00 PM

Tennis

Men’s Golf

Football from A1

Hillsdale

After placing 14th at the NCAA national championship last year, the men’s cross country team is looking to build experience and return to the national championship this year, according to head coach Andrew Towne. “Last year, we made nationals for the first time since 2004,” team captain senior Nathan Jones said. “We had a lot of experience — three seniors and a lot of upperclassmen. It was a really good year.” The team will start its season this Friday at the Michigan State Spartan Invitational. Towne said the first meet of the season is always highly anticipated, after all of the training leading up to it. “The team has put in a lot of work over the summer, we had a really good camp, and they’ve done a really nice job since we’ve been back on campus, but there haven’t been any races yet, so I think they’re excited for that race,” Towne said. “Michigan State’s always been a good opener for us with some good competition, so that will give them a chance to see where they’re at.” Though three of the team’s top runners from last year graduated, plenty of talent is returning. Senior Tony Wondaal earned All-American honors last year, and sophomore Joey Humes was named the 2016 GLIAC men’s cross country and indoor track freshman of the year. “For this year, the biggest thing is that we have some pieces, we just have to put it all together,” Jones said. “It’s a new

group of guys, so new expectations, but I think you will see this team progress as the season goes on.” The men’s cross country team was the favorite in the conference coaches’ preseason poll, and the team is ranked sixth in the US Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association’s rankings. Assistant coach R.P. White said the competition in the G-MAC will be similar to the GLIAC. Although the team will no longer face national contender Grand Valley State University, Hillsdale will still compete against a similar depth of teams, White said. The NCAA national selection process was also adjusted this year to place a greater emphasis on head-to-head competition, in addition to regional performance, White said. “We’re really excited, and it’s going to be a little bit of a learning experience for the freshmen,” he said. “I’m just excited to see how it unfolds.”

Senior Tony Wondaal earned All-American honors last season. Evan Carter | Collegian

A9 Sept. 14, 2017

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CLUB SOCCER PROGRAMS KICK OFF FALL SEASONS By | Allison Schuster Collegian Freelancer

The Hillsdale club soccer teams started training hard this week, in order to prepare for the upcoming season. Senior Max Smith said he thinks this year’s team could be the best of the four he has played on and predicted a playoff appearance. “My first year was amazing. It was a great team and we made it to the finals, but lost in a shootout. We haven’t made the playoffs since,” Smith said. “The incoming freshman class we have this year is the best we’ve had in all four years; they’ve got a great feel for game.” Eleven freshmen came out to the men’s team’s tryouts last week, and six made the final 20-man roster. According to Smith, the majority of the team played club and varsity soccer in high school prior to joining the Hillsdale team. On the women’s side, club president senior Maria Grinis said there is a lot of talent

on the team, despite finding themselves in a bit of a rebuilding phase. Some of the women, including Grinis, could’ve played varsity soccer at another school, but chose Hillsdale for the academics, she said. The men’s team plays in the Midwest Alliance Soccer Conference, which requires them to travel up to two hours away to Mott Community College in Flint, Michigan. For both teams, the University of Michigan’s club team is considered the best team on the schedule. Smith said they see Michigan as a rival ever since losing to them in the finals three years ago. The women’s team travels a bit more, making it all the way to Chicago last year. According to Grinis, they travel to Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. Both teams are run by their respective executive boards, which take care of the administrative side of the teams. The teams take pride in being a competitive club sport,

according to Smith. “We always make sure everyone’s on time and in shape. We do a lot of sprints and runs outside of practice,” Smith said. “The only way to compete in the league we’re in is if everyone is as serious as possible.” Smith and Grinis said their seasons start out on the more formal end of the spectrum, but as the season advances, everyone is able to settle in and become comfortable with each other. “We’re like a family by the end of the season, because of all the time spent traveling and practicing together,” sophomore Lucy Meckler said. The men’s team practices three days a week. The women’s team practices twice a week for two hours, but does additional training, such as bootcamp, and yoga. The teams are off-season in the spring, but the usually hold a few scrimmages. While it’s required for the men’s team and not for the women’s, all of the members on both teams

play because they want to see their teammates and are looking to get back to playing soccer, according to Meckler. “We play first and foremost for the love of the game,” Grinis said. “But it’s also a great way to stay in shape.” The goal, according to Smith, is to make soccer a varsity sport at Hillsdale once again. There are currently some financial obstacles, but it’s always been the dream for the captains. “We’ve grown a lot in the four years we’ve been here and the ultimate goal is varsity,” Grinis said. “I think it’s attainable. I don’t know how soon in the future, but I definitely think it’s possible.” The first men’s home game is against Wayne State on Sept. 16, at 1 p.m. The women’s first home game is on Sept. 23, at 10 a.m. against Michigan state. “Nothing gets us more pumped up than when our Hillsdale fans show up in the stands,” Grinis said.

The women’s club soccer team warms up before one of its preseason practices. Allison Schuster | Collegian

FEMALE ATHLETES UNITE TO Men’s tennis opens with strong PROMOTE PHYSICAL AND showing at West Liberty Invite MENTAL WELLNESS By | Katherine Scheu Associate Editor Any time senior basketball player Maddie Reed swiped into the dining hall over the last three years, a sticker on the back of her student ID reminded her how many calories and macronutrients should make up her meals. “It wasn’t as helpful as you think it could be,” Reed said. These nutritional guidelines did inform her food choices to a degree, Reed said, but she wanted the knowledge to create meals that would fuel her performance in practices and classes alike. Reed’s struggle to fuel her body with the best foods is an issue that resonates with many female athletes at Hillsdale. But nutrition is not their only problem. The women balance academic rigour with athletic excellence. They reconcile society’s ideal physique with their bodies they’ve built to perform. And they check their competitive nature with the dangerous game of comparing one’s self to others. To help players manage these realities the student-athlete life guarantees, Reed and several other female athletes created the Female Athlete Support Team at a Student Leadership Workshop held last May. “It’s often very challenging to figure out how to be a college athlete and still have healthy nutrition, exercise, weight, and body image,” said Director of Health Services Brock Lutz, who mentored the women as they created FAST. “I think this was the main impetus for this group beginning.” Thirteen female athletes comprise the FAST council, with each of the six sports played by women represented proportionally, according to sophomore Dani Jones, who runs on the track team and

plays volleyball. The members are responsible for seeking out information, resources, and tools that could benefit their teams, using FAST as a hub of knowledge on exercise, mental health, nutrition, and more. “We want to be a resource for female athletes, and bring together female athletes so they know they are not alone in their stresses,” Reed said. The council has shared a file with all the female teams that delves into nutritional tips, mental health indicators, and a letter of support written to freshmen.

“We want to be the best we can be, but if we don’t have the knowledge to do that, we can be inadequately fueling ourselves.” “Those council members are also the mentors for their teams,” Jones said. “They’re on the lookout — if they see anything that might look like an eating disorder, they’ll get the help that person needs.” As a part of FAST’s development, Reed and Jones said they surveyed all female athletes returning to campus this year to measure how the women are affected by the issues FAST is trying to resolve. Out of 52 athletes who took the survey, 10 women said they themselves had suf-

fered or were currently suffering from an eating disorder, a number just shy of 20 percent of all female athletes in the survey. More than 60 percent said they knew someone who had an eating disorder. “Finding this out, we thought, ‘Oh my gosh, there are a lot of people who need this help,’” Jones said. Reed pointed to three possible factors that cause athletes to develop eating disorders: pressure to play well, pressure to look good, and pressure to eat right (without knowledge of how to do so). “With the athletes we have, we’ve been driven our whole life. We’re competitive and we’re almost perfectionists,” Reed said. “We want to be the best we can be, but if we don’t have the knowledge to do that, we can be inadequately fueling ourselves.” Both Reed and Jones said athletes are often challenged by the difference between society’s definition of what a woman ought to look like and how their sport requires them to shape their bodies. “We’re expected to have so much muscle. We have to gain weight for season, but it has to be good weight. But with how society views women, you’re expected to be small,” Jones said. “You need to be bigger for sports. Based on how people see you, you want to be small. So trying to find that balance is hard.” Jones said the council members plan to accomplish small goals this year, but they intend to bring in other female athletes and nutritionists to encourage their fellow players. “We just want to get the conversation started, not make it a stigma,” Reed said. “We want to be able to help people if they have an eating disorder, or just having trouble managing the student athlete life, which is kind of intense.”

By | Scott McClallen Assistant Editor

The Hillsdale College men’s tennis team combined for a 18-9 record last weekend at the West Liberty Invitational in West Virginia. Seven other teams in the Atlantic region competed in the season-opening event: Bluefield State, Fairmont State, Edinboro, West Liberty, Tiffin, Charleston, and West Virginia Wesleyan. Sophomore Milan Mirkovic, one of the region’s top freshman last year, won at No. 1 singles, beating Bluefield State’s Alex Rudenco 4-6, 6-1, 3-0. Rudenco was ranked 11th in the Division II Atlantic region in 2017. Bluefield State ranked first in the same region, and was ranked 41st in the nation, according to the 2016-17 Oracle/ITA Division II men’s collegiate tennis rankings. Junior John Ciraci won at No. 3 singles 6-4, 6-3 in the finals, beating out Edinboro. Sophomore Julian Clouette and freshman Gabe Katz advanced to the finals of the six singles draw, which was played on the Mary Jane Delp tennis courts Tuesday due to game delays from inclement weather on Friday. Katz claimed the victory, beating Clouette 6-3, 6-1. Katz and sophomore Nico de Enrique Schmidt pushed their way to the finals of the 3-4 doubles draw. Clouette and junior Jerry Hewitt reached the semifinals of the 3-4 doubles draw, but were knocked out by Edinboro. Katz said the tennis program heavily influenced his decision to attend Hillsdale. “I wanted to go somewhere where there are players who are better than me, and players who are my level who could push me to get better,” Katz said. “This was that school.” The Chargers’ roster is now at 10 — the largest in the team’s history.

“It will make everyone more competitive,” Ciraci said. “At the end of the day, our goal is to put the best six players forward so our team can win. It will make everyone work a little bit harder every day knowing that if they don’t work hard, they won’t play.” Head coach Keith Turner said that the Chargers performed well. “We were clearly one of the best teams out there.” The Chargers competed without junior Justin Hyman, who has an ankle injury. Senior captain Dugan Delp only played doubles matches to provide the freshman more playing time. Hyman will play doubles in next weekend’s tournament, according to Turner, while the team will compete without Delp, who is taking the LSAT Saturday. Turner said that although the team played well, they still need to be more aggressive in doubles matches. Overall, Turner said that he was proud of the team’s performance. “Our guys were in better shape than any other team,” Turner said. “The match play prepared us for next week.” This was the first year the Chargers competed in the West Liberty Invitational, which was scheduled to warm

up the team for the ITA Regionals. Ciraci said the team has grown exponentially since his freshman year. “Last year, we became regionally ranked — impressive for a second year team. Last year was a big step from the year before, and we have a chance to do very well this year.” Hyman and sophomore Charlie Adams ranked the No. 8 doubles team in the Midwest region last year. Ciraci said that he thinks they can rank higher, and that the team can add to individual regional rankings. “I think we have multiple people who can be in the top 20 in the region for singles,” Hyman said. The Chargers will compete in the ITA Regionals on Sept. 15. Ciraci said that the team’s performance this weekend could affect national rankings. “Every school in the Midwest region in Division II competes in the tournament, and if you play well, it can impact regional rankings,” Ciraci said. “It’s also a great indicator of how we stand against the teams around us. Come the end of the season, these are the teams we will be competing against for the NCAA tournament.”

Junior Justin Hyman will return this weekend, after missing last week with an ankle injury. Rachael reynolds | Collegian

Charger Chatter: David Graham How did you end up playing football at Hillsdale?

Honestly, I didn’t even know about this place until probably November of my senior year. That’s when I came on a visit. I felt it was the right place for me, and I am glad I made that decision. How did you get your start playing football?

David Graham is a sophomore exercise science major from St. John, Indiana. He plays tailback on Hillsdale’s football team.

My parents didn’t let me play when I was little, because they didn’t want me to get hurt. Once I got to a certain age, they were like, ‘Alright we’ll let you play.’ Then I just fell in love with it. You had your first collegiate start two weeks ago. When did you know you were going to get the start?

I knew when Joe-Rev required another surgery for his knee. That was back in June or July. Coach called me up and told me I was going to be the starter. Then I started preparing a little harder. How did you prepare for your first start?

Really, it’s just a mental thing. I knew we had the best O-line, and we were set there. I knew I just had to do my part and try not to mess it up. I guess I just tried to make a name for myself. You mentioned Joe Reverman, who was the team’s leading rusher last year. How did he help you prepare for your first start? Joe is very good with the mental part of the game. He is a

very smart running back and he’s definitely very talented, as well. Having him there to help me and the other running backs helps us a lot.

Yourself, Christian Shepler, and Casey O’Brien all rushed for career-high yardage in week one. What does that say about the team’s depth at running back this year? Last year, we had only a couple of guys that would play, but this year we have three guys that love running the ball and love being on the field. We have three hungry guys and that makes it a lot more competitive. Do you have any pregame rituals? I usually don’t eat much, because I’m nervous. I like to

lay down and just stare at the ceiling and wait for the game to happen. I hate waiting and I get very anxious. I don’t know, I guess I don’t have anything crazy that I do. Who are your biggest influences in life and in football? In life, probably my family. My parents work their butts off and they gave me a great life. I’m grateful for that and they’re a big influence on me. In football, there are a lot of guys I look up to. I look up to Chance Stewart. He’s a great motivator and a great teammate. Also Joe-Rev, he was ahead of me and he is just a great running back. Which was a cooler memory: your first collegiate touchdown, or the blocked punt in last year’s win over Northern

Michigan?

I’d have to say the blocked punt, because the game was going back and forth and it seemed like nobody had control of the game and then that play happened. It was just a great feeling. We’d been anticipating it the whole time and it was just a great feeling. What is the dynamic like among the football team? It’s a brotherhood. I don’t know how else to describe it. Everyone looks out for each other and it’s a close-knit group. It’s just like family. - Compiled by Sutton Dunwoodie

Charger Charger Chatter Meet Hillsdale tailback David Graham, who leads the Chargers in rushing yards after two weeks. A9

SEPT. 14, 2017

Chargers hold Victory Day Nine fans with special needs become Chargers for a night, leaving a lasting impression on everybody involved. A8

Men’s and women’s tennis Both the men’s and women’s tennis teams kicked off their fall seasons this past weekend. A9

VOLLEYBALL MOVES TO 7-2 ON SEASON By | Michael Lucchese Senior Writer Despite decisive victories in several matches, the Hillsdale College volleyball team suffered its first two losses of the season over the last week. The Chargers’ record is now 7-2. In matches against St. Michael’s College on Friday and Glenville State and Mercyhurst on Saturday, the Chargers won a series of 3-0 sweeps. The Chargers, however, also left the tournament in Erie, Pennsylvania, with their first loss of the season to Gannon College. “Traveling to Erie gave us a chance to give [travel] a test,” head coach Chris Gravel said. “We did OK but need to figure out how to do better.” The Chargers won against St. Michael’s by the largest margin of any match this season — scoring 25-11, 25-12, and 25-9 through the three games. Junior Paige VanderWall led one of the most efficient offensive efforts since the program’s founding, with ten kills and a .909 hitting percentage. “One of my goals this season is to be a reliable player on the court, not only with consistency of skills, but also as a teammate people can look to for encouragement and stability,” VanderWall said. “As a whole, St. Michael’s was a weaker team, but our players did a great job shutting them down and beating them,” junior outside hitter Kara Vyletel said. “We played them our hardest and that showed clearly through Paige’s success.” Vyletel herself showed an

impressive performance at the Erie tournament, netting 18 kills and a .400 hitting percentage against Mercyhurst. Another outsider hitter, freshman Maddie Clark, achieved a career high of six kills in the

same match. The Chargers did not see the same success all weekend, however. In Hillsdale’s Friday night loss at Gannon, the set scores were 25-23, 25-21 and 25-13. The Chargers’ hitting

percentage was .150 compared to the Golden Knights’ .314. “Traveling will definitely be a frustration,” Vyletel said. “Our team works a lot on mental discipline, and that will be a key part to our success on the

road. I have no doubt that we will be able to come off the bus ready to work our hardest and remain mentally tough.” Gravel said that the most encouraging thing the Erie tournament revealed was

strong support from the bench. “The team is really like an iceberg,” he said. “You see the players on the court, but that is the tip of the iceberg. Underneath it is that big, wide, strong base — the rest of the team.” Tuesday night, the Chargers lost a tough 3-2 match at the University of Findlay. Gravel described the Findlay match as a “battle.” Three of the five sets played required extra points to determine the victors. Overall, Hillsdale’s average hit percentage over the games rounded out to .198, with 66 kills and 31 hitting errors. On the other hand, the Oilers had a .195 hitting percentage, 60 kills, and 24 hitting errors. “We are all responsible for representing this college to the best of our abilities and we are all in this together,” Gravel said. “We win as a team and lose as a team. It doesn’t matter if you are the oldest member of the team or the youngest.” Gravel also said the team is keeping its focus on the games to come this weekend as it looks ahead to more conference play. “We are going to find a way to get two points better this week” he said. The Chargers return home to the Dawn Tibbetts Potter Arena this weekend for a Friday evening match at 7 p.m. against Cedarville, and a Saturday afternoon match against Ohio Dominican at 1 p.m.

Junior outside hitter Kara Vyletel leads the Chargers with 103 kills through nine matches this season. Matthew Kendrick | Collegian

WOMEN’S TENNIS TAKES REVENGE ON SAGINAW VALLEY By |Breana Noble Editor-in-Chief It came down to the last few minutes, with the crowd on its feet, cheering for a Charger victory. Sophomore Kamryn Matthews, in the end, came out victorious for the women’s tennis team Sunday on the Mary Jane Delp Courts, winning her No. 6 singles match in a third tie-breaking set and pushing Hillsdale College ahead of Saginaw Valley State University, 5-4. “I knew what I wanted to accomplish in that match,” Matthews said. “I was excited to put everything that I’ve been practicing into match play and come out successful.” In the first match of its fall season, Hillsdale earned payback against SVSU. Last year,

the Chargers went 0-3 against SVSU. “It’s a great way to start out the year,” head coach Nikki Walbright said. “It was a little closer than I would have liked, but I think that was good for motivation for the girls. I’m really proud of them overall.” The Chargers were scheduled to play Michigan Technological University on Saturday, as well, but the Huskies canceled. Come Sunday, Matthews said the team felt unsure of how the day would go, having had only three official practices, since the tennis season moved to the spring with the Chargers’ move to the G-MAC. The Cardinals, meanwhile, had worked on the court together for several weeks already in preparation

for their fall season in the GLIAC. “For us to go out there and perform the way we did, it’s very promising for what else we’re going to do this season,” Matthews said. Walbright said the win showed improvement, but she credited the win to the athletes’ fight and “different vibe,” as they drew positive energy from the start of a new year and the fans that came to watch. The Chargers took the lead early, as sophomore Katie Bell and junior Corinne Prost went 8-1 at No. 1 doubles and junior Halle Hyman and freshman Hannah Cimpeanu went 8-5 at No. 2. “Halle was a really great leader at doubles, and Hannah is a really strong player,”

Walbright said. “She was level-headed, really positive, and she never gave up — that was fun to watch.” In a hard-fought match, juniors Madeline Bissett and Julia Formentin lost at No. 3, 9-7. The momentum continued into the singles matches, as Bell at No. 2 beat her opponent 6-3, 6-5. At No. 3 singles, Cimpeanu defeated SVSU sophomore Madeline Miller, after tying 6-6 in their first set with Cimpeanu winning 7-4 in a tie-breaker. She won her second set 6-3. “I was a little nervous at first, but the team and the coach made it really easy for me...to fit in and feel like a true Charger,” Cimpeanu said. “Winning was a big relief. I wanted to do well for the team, and starting off with a big win

helps your confidence and allows you to relax a little bit.” Hyman at No. 1 singles, Prost at No. 4, and Bissett at No. 5, however, fell to the Cardinals. Matthews finished her match last, unknowingly playing for the match point, she said. “My whole team was standing on the court next to me and was with me every second of the way,” Matthews said. “Knowing I wasn’t just playing for myself but all of them really pushed me through it.” Walbright said the match helped identify areas of improvement for the team, including point and doubles play. “I think it opened their eyes up to how hard we need to work and that we can definitely get better and increase our

intensity a little,” she said. The team will compete next at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association regionals tournament in Midland, Michigan, from Sept 22-24. There, the Chargers will compete against athletes from the GLIAC and the Great Lake Valley Conference, as well as get their first look at teams from the G-MAC. Until then, Hillsdale will work on match play to prepare to hit the competition courts once again. “We were successful this weekend, but not everything came out exactly how we would have liked,” Matthews said. “We’re excited to just get out on the court again, get back in the groove, and get those kinks out.”

Charger golf takes second at Waltrous Memorial Invite By |Joshua Paladino Opinions Editor In the first tournament of the fall season, the Hillsdale College golf team placed second, finishing behind Grand Valley State University. The team played at the Al Waltrous Memorial Invite in Bay City, Michigan. Saginaw Valley State University hosted the event on Sept. 9-10. In the two day tournament, the team shot 578, falling 18 strokes behind Grand Valley’s tournament-dominating score of 560. Hillsdale topped Saginaw Valley for second place by one stroke. Despite an injured shoulder, junior Joel Pietila led the team with a two-round score of 142. Pietila tied for sixth place as an individual, and the Great Midwest Athletic Conference named him men’s golf Player of the Week. Junior Liam Purslowe, who played with back pain, tied for twelfth as an individual, shoot-

ing 144. Purslowe said he worried he and Pietila were underprepared for the tournament because of their injuries, but they were able to post low scores. He said the team’s transfer to the G-MAC will help them be more competitive. “Look out for us at the top of the leaderboards,” Purslowe said. Head coach Nathan Gilchrist attributes the success to their work ethic, rather than the conference change. “They both worked hard to rehab their injuries,” Gilchrist said. “They were committed to getting healthy as fast as possible and worked on their short game a lot during the rehab process. They are tough minded competitors. They have gotten a lot stronger mentally since their first semester on campus.” Sophomore George Roberts played one of his most competitive tournaments since joining Hillsdale’s golf team.

He tied for twelfth as an individual, also shooting 144. He discussed his off-season golf routine: “I did not play too many competitive rounds this summer. I mainly spent time with friends and worked, but I worked at the golf club, so I’d always practice after work. I believe it kept my swing in shape, but did not tire me out, and it ensured I’m prepared for the busy few weeks ahead.” Roberts said his iron play has given him more birdie opportunities. “I have been able to pick my targets and hit them,” he said. “My putting is what let me down last year, but I now have a new custom-fit putter, which has renewed my game. It’s allowing me to shoot the scores which I was so close, yet so far, from shooting last year.” Gilchrist said the team will have to eliminate disastrous holes to compete with Grand Valley. “The team needs to eliminate the big numbers,” he said.

“They can not make double bogeys or three putt if they are going to win golf tournaments and compete with the best teams.” Roberts said he posted a solid score by making better decisions that helped shave off a few strokes. “The second round I hit the ball equally good as the first, but instead found the right places on the greens, thus converting bogeys into pars and pars into birdies,” he said. Gilchrist said Roberts struggled off the tee, but excelled in his putting and iron game. “Most of what I saw from George was great,” he said. “He was focused on the shot at hand for the entirety of both rounds and he putted great both days. George’s biggest weakness last season was his putting. He worked really hard this summer on it and is now seeing the residuals from putting in the time on the putting green.”

Senior Joe Torres and sophomore Ryan Zetwick rounded out the team’s five player roster for the tournament. Torres shot 152 and Zetwick shot 150. Gilchrist said NCAA rule changes have altered how the team practices. “I have tailored practices to focus on each individual’s weaknesses more this fall,” he said. “The NCAA implemented new legislation that gives us

less time to practice, due to our travel schedule. So, the practices have to be even more efficient than in the past because of the lack of time allowed. The first half of practice focuses on short game, the second half focuses on each individual’s weak points.”

The Hillsdale College golf team took second place at the Waltrous Memorial Invite this weekend. Gwendolyn Buchhop | Courtesy

B1 Sept. 14, 2017

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Katherine Scheu | Collegian

CULTURE

Cinematic storytellers: How Hillsdale prepares students for film careers By | Madeline Fry Culture Editor

When senior Chandler Ryd chose to attend Hillsdale, his passion for filmmaking heightened. Despite the few opportunities to practice film on campus, he said he has learned something even more valuable to film than the technical craft. “I’ve found that studying the seven classical liberal arts has made me a much better filmmaker because they’re all about taking these kind of philosophical ideas and putting them into a more tangible reality of language and images,” Ryd said. Because knowledge of human nature is essential to storytelling and storytelling is essential to film, what makes an excellent movie, according to Ryd, is a creative synthesis of truth. Ryd follows the footsteps of Hillsdale alumni like Faith Liu ’16 and former students like Josh Hamilton, both of whom moved out West to pursue film. Hillsdale may seem a strange pick

for students who would benefit from connections and technical training at a film school. But many of these students and alumni substitute that opportunity for another, opting for an unlikely school in rural Michigan to teach them a skill that film class cannot: storytelling. Any good film begins with a compelling story. A strawberry blonde woman in a sapphire dress, following a somber melody, abandons the lonely sidewalk to enter a hole-in-the-wall bar and—you, the viewer, want to know what happens next. (She watches the source of the music, a handsome pianist, get fired. Yes, that’s a scene from “La La Land.”) When movies draw us in and engage our thoughts, they do so by telling a good story. In the “sublime adolescent squalor” of Simpson dormitory, Hamilton developed an idea: a documentary of his college home. This morphed into “Ecce Viri,” more coming-of-

age story than documentary, which premiered at a film festival last year. The film’s screening allowed him to meet a producer, who offered him a job making movies in Austin. Ryd, who filmed a few seconds of footage in “Ecce Viri,” plans to

which he received at the college, is “sorely lacking” in modern cinema. “I am fully convinced that Hillsdale has made me a better filmmaker,” Ryd said. Distinguished Associate Professor of History Darryl Hart majored in film studies in college, but said taking the initiative to study the humanities outside of his major broadened his perspective. For him, much of the training he learned has become obsolete, but a study of the humanities, and a study of the history of film, has remained with him. The best way to learn movie-making, he said, is simple. “Watch a lot of movies,” Hart said. “And figure out the ones you like and think about the people who made them and how they came to do what they did.” Technical skills you pick up on your own. Storytell-

“I am fully convinced that Hillsdale has made me a better filmmaker.” move to Los Angeles to pursue film after graduation. At Hillsdale, he has filmed videos for the college’s marketing department. He is majoring in English and minoring in education. While Ryd acknowledged the “definite disadvantage” of attending a school with fewer connections in the industry, he said the understanding of how people operate,

Professional theatrical dance company performs Saturday By | Madeline Fry Culture Editor

Looking for weekend plans that involve the arts? The Inlet Dance Theatre, a Cleveland-based company, performs at 8 p.m. on Saturday in Markel Auditorium. The company blends dance with theatrical design, focusing on education through performance. Its goal is to use dance to empower individuals and promote personal development. “It seems fitting to bring

them to our campus, given we are the department of theater and dance and are constantly seeking opportunities to bridge the two theatrical genres,” Visiting Assistant Professor of Dance Holly Hobbs said in an email. Each dance the company performs focuses on a theme, such as balanced relationships, living under stress, and small uplifting moments. Tickets are free, but reservations are required. Call or email Sage Box Office for a ticket. The Inlet Dance Theatre performs. Holly Hobbs | Courtesy

By | Elena Creed Special to the Collegian The lights dimmed, and the rustling theater-goers quieted in anticipation. That moment — between reality and the story — prepared the audience for a journey, either of laughter or tears, of entertainment or catharsis. Fourteen Hillsdale students had the opportunity to witness the lights rising on six professionally produced plays this past week at the internationally renowned Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Ontario, Canada. Theater department chairman James Brandon described the festival as “the finest classical theater in North America” and a “gem” worth seeing. The students, five alumni, and seven faculty members traveled to Stratford for four days for the annual trip to the festival. Of the faculty members, only three were theater professors; members of the

philosophy, Spanish, and English departments joined as well.They saw six plays: some Shakespeare, a Greek tragedy, a musical, and an absurdist work, among others. As well as learning from the shows they saw, students were able to experience the quaint small-town feel of the city of Stratford, walk in the Shakespeare Gardens, and enjoy the city’s theater culture. Hillsdale students have the opportunity to see these shows at a discounted student rate. On this trip, they saw “Timon of Athens” and “Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare, a dark English Renaissance play by Thomas Middleton, a twentieth century French absurdist comedy, and “Tartuffe” by Moliere, the renowned seventeenth century French playwright. For the sixth show, students could choose between “The Bakkhai” by Euripides and “Guys and Dolls” by Frank Loesser.

Sophomore Nick Uram and Matt Sauer ’16 read in between plays in Ontario. Elena Creed | Collegian

Senior Glynis Gilio visits Ontario. Glynis Gilio | Courtesy

Students travel to see ‘gem’ of North American theater

Senior Nikolai Dignoti described “The Bakkhai” as the “most technically excellent play” he saw in Stratford. Set in Thebes, the play centers around Dionysos, god of wine and fertility, and the women he entraps into frenzied worship in his mystic cult. When mortals like King Pentheus challenge Dionysos’s godship, a terrible fate befalls him. Dignoti, Catherine Coffey ’16, and junior Jessica MacFarlane said they were enchanted by actor Mac Fyfe’s performance as Dionysos. “He was the most welltrained actor I have ever seen,” MacFarlane said. “Not a finger was ever out of place.” Those who chose the mu-

ing takes more background. Senior Kayla Stetzel, who plans to attend law school for entertainment law, said she has found that narrative is the most important aspect of success in any creative field. “In order to do that in a playful, creative, unusual way, you have to…know your heritage,” she said. With the goal of bringing together film-interested students to share ideas about narrative and technical expertise, Stetzel and junior Jordyn Pair founded the Film and Production Club last semester. Stetzel said she was surprised by the amount of interest in the club; when it began, some 40 students signed up for the email list. Like Hart, Stetzel said the tools to make good film are not difficult to attain. “If you consume mass media, if you watch movies, if you watch television, and you have an interest, I suggest: Pick up a camera, watch a couple of YouTube Videos online. Just Google ‘how to work a camera,’” See Storytellers B2

MOVIEPASS LOWERS TICKET PRICES By | Nolan Ryan Collegian Reporter

Many students avoid seeing movies in the theater because, let’s face it: Watching them at home on Netflix is a whole lot cheaper. But there’s another cost-effective route for those who want to see a variety of movies without breaking their pocketbook. A program accepted at Hillsdale’s Premiere Theatre allows students to avoid the high cost of theater attendance: With MoviePass, you can see up to a movie a day for only $10 a month. At Premiere Theatre, a matinee costs $6, so even if you only see two movies a month, you save money with MoviePass. “This is a great way to stay current on movies,” senior Noah Weinrich, who has taken advantage of MoviePass, said in

an email. “I would definitely recommend it. So far it’s very straightforward and works with all the theaters near Hillsdale. I generally see maybe a movie a month, but with this service I’ll probably see at least two or three every month.” Weinrich said the first movie he plans to see this semester is “It,” which he has been anticipating for months. MoviePass subscribers’ choices are limited only by what movies the local theater is showing at any given time. When you sign up for a subscription, you receive your MoviePass card. An app on your phone lets you choose what movie you want to see and what time you want to go. Then, when you show up to the box office or kiosk, your card allows you to see your movie. Too bad MoviePass doesn’t offer discounts for the popcorn.

CULTURE CORNER See how Hillsdalians keep up with the culture

Maggie Ryland | Courtesy

Sherri Rose | Courtesy

What films move you? sical “Guys and Dolls” over the Greek tragedy also experienced a masterpiece. Students witnessed show-stopping choreography, phenomenal costumes, magnificent sets, and, of course, top-notch acting. Senior Glynis Gilio, who also attended the festival last year, said the Stratford musicals were “better than Broadway.” The trip, as a whole, complemented the theater classes she had taken at the college, she said. “We understand that theater was meant to be seen, not read,” Gilio said, “so we get to experience the shows we read as they should be experienced.”

Maggie Ryland, freshman: “‘Casablanca’ and ‘La La Land.’ Both are powerful purely through artistic quality. I think filmmakers should rely on this visual subtlety. ‘La La Land’ moved me in the same way that ‘Casablanca’ did, especially in the ending. The bitter-sweet conflict between dreams and reality is the romantic’s perfect ending.”

Sherri Rose, assistant professor of French: “Many of my favorite films are French or explore different cultures. Some memorable viewings include those that play with the imagination like ‘Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain;’ ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind;’ ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon;’ and ‘Pan’s Labyrinth.’”

How does film compare to other styles of art? Ryland: “Film has the potential to be the most powerful medium of art because it combines the two existing art forms, the visual and the literary.”

Rose: “In France cinema is called le septième art, the seventh art, and is imbued with the same reverence as architecture, sculpture, painting, music, dance and poetry.”

Culture

B2 Sept. 14, 2017

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on campus this week

The National’s new album puts the beasts to rest In sound and in sense, the voice of the National has matured By | Hannah Niemeier the threshold? “Why are we still Senior Writer

If I’ve learned one thing from the National, it’s that all good things take time. For going on five years, around the time of 2013’s desperate and haunting “Trouble Will Find Me,” Matt Berninger’s mahogany voice has been part of my mental furniture: He’s been there for innumerable road trips, house parties, and long walks with the music low in my headphones as sense slowly emerges from sound and the lyrics bleed out of the woodwork. I awaited the arrival of the National’s seventh album like the visit of a dear friend. I’d anticipated the date since this spring: Sept. 8, “Sleep Well Beast” and I would engage in another installment of trademark nostalgia, middle-aged Midwestern ennui, and melodies that roll through the back of my head until they’re part of the hardwiring. What I got last Friday was that and more: in sound and in sense, the voice of the National has matured. “Sleep Well Beast” has been called modern, hopeful, and upbeat, a step forward built on electronic beats and a sense that there is something more to these stories than the National’s abiding allegiance to heartbreak and missed opportunities, rumbling over one mournful, rolling bass line after another. On this album, lead singer Matt Berninger’s voice is closer to the microphone; he is honest and direct and ready to think about moving on. This will take some time to unpack; maybe as long as it will take to understand. The National’s music collects dust and stories; it’s a house of memory. It takes two hands to count the times I’ve sung to the album Trouble Will Find Me and grinned like a fool and felt foolish and real and full of regret: “I should live in salt for leaving you behind.” It’s the kind of music that comes on at a house party, and you catch eyes with the few people who understand. You clasp your hands over your chest and say melodramatically, “Oh, my poor heart.” Regardless of the angst and the hopelessness, it’s the music that makes you feel things, because too many times, it’s created the atmosphere that made it possible to feel things. The National is all about the past tense and the way the present is haunted by it. Here it is in “Santa Clara,” from the Virginia EP: “They’re gonna be cool happy genius heroes; I’m going to miss them so much.” Why is there this strange feeling that the new album has only shifted to an odd nostalgia for the future: “The day I die, where will we be?” Why, in the scratchy radio static of the opening bars, am I stuck still in

out here holding our coats? ... Goodbyes always take us half an hour. Can’t we just go home?” As if it has shaken itself out of its own second thoughts, that’s when the album starts moving forward: “Walk it Back” opens with an unprecedented synthesized bass line that proves right the Wall Street Journal’s optimistic reviewer: they’re now electronic, contemporary, modern. And yet: “Nothing I change changes anything; I won’t let it ruin my head.” Some see this step forward as a spiritual one even more than an experiential one: their promotional website is called American Mary, and references to the Beast get pretty Serpent in the Garden pretty fast. But it’s complicated: Who’s the mother here? What sort of salvation are we talking about? What Beasts

someday / I’ll need your light.” I didn’t know it was time to move on until the National told me to. It’s the voice of maturity, of turning from the lit window and walking home to where, like it or not, I live now. It’s time to put the beasts and the memories to rest. But for now, a final parting glance through the window to imprint this on my memory, to the tune of “I’ll Still Destroy You”: “I’m gonna miss those long nights with the windows open / I keep re-reading the same lines always up at 5 a.m. every morning / Like a baby / It’s just the lights coming on.” With the National, there’s always space for doubt. That’s what the music is for, and “Guilty Party” promises it’s nobody’s fault in what is perhaps the most hopeful moment in the album: “I say your name.

has Matt put to rest? The song samples a speech that is stuck in the recent past, as well: “We’re history’s actors...” It mumbles its way on, like listening to the radio through the wall in someone else’s apartment. A message of deliverance almost overheard, a lesson of personal growth almost learned: “Apparently that was written on a whiteboard with a red sharpie in the Roosevelt bedroom, some-

I say I’m sorry … It’s nobody’s fault, no guilty party. I’ve just got nothing, nothing left to say. It all, all catches up to me all the time.” I study poetry, and as I think through Matt’s lyrics, I come back to a theory from one of the wisest writers I know: that poetry is about making clichés ring true again. Music is about that too, and art: finding a way to live when the old stories and the old metaphors don’t seem to fit anymore. I don’t know how “Sleep Well Beast” will catch up with me. But maybe it’s all there on the album cover: one window lit on the side of a wooden house, a group of friends getting up from dinner. The sun is gone, and so is the color; Sleep Well Beast is a twilight world, and it’s the new soundtrack for walking with hands in pockets, peeking in the windows of lives that may have once been my own. “Sleep Well Beast” is about moving on, and how that too takes time and a long glance backward.

time around Christmas 2007. Yeah, so I can’t stay.” 2007: The memories are still so close. The music again, as Matt leaves the house only to think of what he has left behind: “I can’t stay and I can’t come back / I’ll just keep awake / And I won’t react / I’ll walk through Lawrencetown / Along the tracks / My own body in my arms / But I won’t collapse / … If I’m going to get back to you,

Reformation anniversary lectures kick off next week Assistant Editor

This fall marks the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, and an interdenominational group of faculty is providing a lecture series to commemorate the event and to educate students on the key ideas and events that changed Europe forever. “Regardless of whether you are Protestant, Catholic, or even a non-Christian, I think everyone on campus should care and want to learn about the arguments that birthed the Reformation,” Clifford Humphrey, a graduate student and member of the organizing committee, said, “simply because it has played such an important role in the

Storytellers from B1 Stetzel said. “In a short amount of time, you’ll have enough technical knowledge to be able to make a pretty good short film.” A couple of years ago, she attended a film class at Boston University, with no prior experience in the technical elements of filmmaking. Most of her classmates, she said, assumed she had experience because of the way she shot her films. “It looked like I knew what I was doing, but I didn’t,” she said. “I just watch a lot of movies.” “Ecce Viri,” Hamilton’s film, is pleasant to watch, frame-byframe. But it also draws from a diverse intellectual history — its philosophical influences, he said, include Eliot, Joyce, and Faulkner — and he describes the

film with the language of a poet. “‘Ecce Viri’ is a multifarious essay film. It is a small self-portrait and therefore a portrait of all young men,” Hamilton said in an email. “The film is bound by an essayist’s arch of ideas rather than narrative, and its simplicities aim to sweep you past the end and back to the beginning.” At the Lone Star Film Festival in Fort Worth, Texas, where “Ecce Viri” was shown, Hamilton attended a panel on the business of film. He introduced himself to a panelist, a producer, and offered to share a feature-length screenplay he had been writing. A month later, after the script landed a monthly top three list on the website Screenplay Coverage, Hamilton moved to Aus-

tin to work with the producer. Today he’s “cutting on an independent film with triple-A talent,” the details of which he can’t disclose until closer to the film’s press release date. He continues to work on his own screenplays as well. Hamilton left the college in 2015, before graduating, but he said he owes his career “to God foremost and Hillsdale.” “Hillsdale’s liberality stirred my spirit to its proper task—to transmute truth into beautiful images,” Hamilton said. “I left before earning a diploma because it was superfluous to my work, but I left a Hillsdale man nevertheless.”

The National released its seventh album last week. Facebook

“I didn’t know it was time to move on until the National told me to.”

By | Anna Timmis

Former student Joshua Hamilton peers into the camera in a still from his film ‘Ecce Viri.’ Joshua Hamilton | Courtesy

development and character of Western culture generally and America specifically.” Assistant Professor of Theology Jordan Wales will present the first lecture, “Grace and the Spiritual Life Before Luther,” 4 p.m. Monday in Phillips Auditorium, followed by “Did Luther Understand Grace?” by Ryan Reeves, associate professor of historical theology at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Titled “This Far By Faith: The Reformation at 500,” the series is a group effort—with the President’s office, two academic departments, and Catholic Society and InterVarsity involved in sponsoring and organizing the event.

Senior Chandler Ryd plans to pursue film after graduation. Chandler Ryd | Courtesy

Alumni come home to the Dale for art exhibit By | Joel Meng

Collegian Reporter Featuring artwork from more than two dozen Hillsdale graduates, an exhibit wholly comprised of alumni art opened Sunday in the Sage Center Daughtry Gallery. It includes almost 50 works ranging from sculpture to painting, graphic design, drawing, and photography. Some alumni artists graduated in the 1970s, while others have been away from the college for only a few years. The college has never

displayed a collection exclusively of alumni art. “We’re happy to do it because we have such a talented group of alums,” Chairwoman of Art Barbara Bushey said. “We also wanted them to come back and see what’s been happening around here since last they wandered through these hallowed halls, and we intend to do this every five years.” The exhibit, which runs until Oct. 12, includes an artists’ reception the weekend of homecoming, from 7-9 p.m. on Sept. 30.

Allison Streett ’02 provided two sculptures to the exhibit. “It’s a chance to reconnect with old art department friends and faculty and share where our foundation at Hillsdale has taken us,” Streett said. Bushey said current students of the college might be excited to see what other Hillsdale students have done in the years after graduation. “I think it will be good to see that people keep making art,” Bushey said. “I think it will be good for them to see the directions people follow once they’re not in school.”

Running through December, the three-part series covers major themes of the Reformation: justification and salvation, Christian piety and the Sacraments, and Scripture and ecclesial authority. “We wanted to construct a series that would be attractive to all, and so we will hear from both Protestant and Catholic voices,” Chaplain Adam Rick said in an email. “This is not about winning converts to any one side or any one group patting itself on the back, but rather a critical appraisal of some key points of difference between Protestants and Catholics from the sixteenth century perspective.” Two sculptures by Allison Streett ’02 on display in the Alumni Invitational Exhibit in the Daughtry Gallery. Bryan Springer | Courtesy

B3 Sept. 14, 2017

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Science & Tech

Research sheds light on metals present in tattoo inks

Senior Matt Young studied different tattoo inks to determine the amount of metal they contained.

Matt Young | Courtesy

By | Joshua J. Paladino Opinions Editor Millennial Americans are getting tattoos more than any age group in the country, but a Hillsdale College student’s research project suggests some tattoo inks may contain unsafe levels of certain metals. A 2016 Harris poll found 47 percent of millennials have a tattoo, compared to only 29 percent of the population as a whole. Since the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate tattoo inks, many manufacturers are not transparent about the metals in their products. Senior Matt Young said he decided to pursue a research project with Professor of Chemistry Mark Nussbaum due to the increasing popularity of tattoos and the lack of studies about toxic metals in tattoo inks. “Tattoos seem to be a pretty prominent part of

society now, and along with that, I wanted to get into doing research with metals and more inorganic materials,” Young said. Nussbaum said he decided to start this research project with Young after reading in Chemical and Engineering News about the possibility of harmful chemicals in tattoo inks. “There isn’t a lot of information available on the composition of tattoo inks since it hasn’t been regulated in the past,” Nussbaum said. “So, finding out what metals are present and at what levels is important and useful.” Young said an Italian study led to regulations on tattoo inks in the European Union, but no one in the United States had published a study with suggestions for safe metal levels. Young analyzed the inks for six metals: cadmium, chromium, cobalt, lead, manganese, and nickel. The European

College holds summer science camp By | Ben Dietderich Collegian Reporter When biology department chairman Frank Steiner first came to Hillsdale, he said he sought to improve relations between the natural sciences division and the Hillsdale community. Now, he said he has exceeded even his own expectations. “We started with a camp of just 20 students,” Steiner said. “Twenty-seven years later, we have 60 students on campus for the whole week.” Since 1991, more than 1,500 high-school students have attended the Hillsdale College summer science camps. For one week each summer, the college’s natural sciences division holds a residential camp experience for sophomore, junior, and senior high-school students. They offer programs in chemistry and physics, mathematics, and molecular biology. For a week of hands-on experience and learning, the Hillsdale Summer Science Camp costs $100. “It’s super cheap,” said senior

Jonathan Coote, a biology major and teaching assistant at the camp. “It’s definitely a steal.” While the camp is mainly attended by students from the tristate area and Hillsdale County, the low price has allowed students from all over the country to attend the camp. A couple high-school students from Boston, Massachusetts, raised money from their church to attend the camp. Steiner said one of those students ended up getting into a prestigious school largely because of their drive to attend the summer camp. “I received a letter from the mother thanking me, and I thought her story was pretty amazing,” Steiner said. While the camp has always aimed to act as a bridge between the college and the community, Steiner said he originally thought his camp would be an active workshop for teachers. “We actually started with teachers,” Steiner said. “We would cut splice DNA and do basic things in genetic engineering for bacteria and they said, ‘This is really cool, could we

bring our students next time?’ I then thought, ‘Well, maybe we don’t have to incorporate the teachers at all.’” Steiner and other science professors have worked to implement a program rich in hands-on experience. “One thing we do is a DNAfingerprinting experiment, and I’m pretty sure not too many high schools are doing that,” Steiner said. “Students can see their own genome type for a piece of noncoding DNA. It’s pretty cool.” Hillsdale College students also have gained valuable experiences from the camp. For some, it inspired their future career path. Assistant Professor of Biology Silas Johnson ’04 worked at the camp as a teaching assistant his senior year at Hillsdale and said his experiences confirmed his interest in teaching. “The sum of my experiences as a student at Hillsdale informed me that I wanted to teach at a liberal-arts college. The summer camp was definitely part of that,” Johnson said.

Sixty high school students attended a weeklong science camp at Hillsdale College this summer. This is the 27th annual science camp offered by the college. Frank Steiner | Courtesy

Solar flares help solve solar cycle paradox

Commission recommended tattoo inks should not contain more than 0.2 parts per million of chromium, 1 ppm of manganese, or 2 ppm of lead. Though parts per million is a small amount, these low levels of metal in tattoo inks may still pose a safety risk. Young’s research suggested readily available tattoo inks in the United States greatly exceeded those levels. Young said ink from the Chinese manufacturer Solong Tattoo contains 15.4 ppm of manganese, a concentration he said is not potent but could lead to symptoms of manganese poisoning. He found the ink from the American manufacturer Eternal Ink contains 2.1 ppm of chromium. He did not find elevated lead levels in the products he studied. Young said he isn’t opposed to tattoos after his research, but consumers

should inform themselves about what they’re putting on their bodies. “Do research on your artists or personally ask them what brand of ink they’re using,” Young said. “That will give you a good idea of what sort of safety level you’re at. Even with something that is made in the U.S. that’s popular, you still don’t know for sure because it’s not regulated.” Nussbaum said the FDA should ensure tattoo inks are safe. “Any commercial product which is intended to be injected into the body, even if only under the skin, should be regulated, in my opinion,” he said. “The requirements for tattoo inks should be reasonable and based on known hazards, and it seems appropriate to me that the FDA, which regulates cosmetics, should also regulate the composition of tattoo inks.” After trying several dif-

ferent methods, Young and Nussbaum finally discovered a method that worked. They diluted tattoo ink, put it over a flame, and used the interaction between the light of the flame and the dissolved metal to determine the metal’s concentration. Young said it took two weeks to figure out how to get the tattoo ink to dissolve for further analysis. “Matt did a very good job handling the frustration of dealing with a stubborn problem: how to get the tattoo inks dissolved in solution so that they could be tested in the flame atomic absorption instrument,” Nussbaum said. “That experience and the way he handled it, while not part of our original plans, will serve him in good stead as he interviews for laboratory positions in the real world, where troubleshooting and patient persistence are often necessary.”

Arecibo faces funding loss

By | Josephine von Dohlen Assistant Editor With federal funding under review, the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico, home to a telescope 305 meters in diameter that contributes significantly to both radio and radar astronomy, could face major budget cuts that could threaten its future. If the telescope were to lose funding, schools such as Hillsdale College could be prevented from using the resources the observatory has to offer, including the world’s largest single-dish radio telescope. Timothy Dolch, assistant professor of physics, said the potential issue is a bit alarming since the Arecibo telescope has played a large role throughout his career in radio astronomy. “You have to wonder if this process is wise in the long term, to always put funding toward the next new big thing and not sustain the things that are already around,” Dolch said. “The truth is, to make new observations, you don’t always need a new facility.” Built in 1963, the Arecibo Observatory has advanced astronomy and physics through numerous discoveries, including the discovery of the first planet outside the solar system and the observation of a pair of neutron stars which produced gravitational waves, according to Dolch. This particular discovery won a Nobel prize in 1993. While Dolch has visited the observatory multiple times, his students have been able to use the telescope through remote observation in the physics department’s Radio Telescope Remote Command Center. “We log into Arecibo quite frequently and we actually control it,” Dolch said. “Students from this computer log in and press a button to make the whole thing go, and they have contributed to these observations that are searching for gravitational waves.”

Assistant Professor of Physics Timothy Dolch leads Hillsdale student projects involving Arecibo telescope observations.

Timothy Dolch | Courtesy

Their observations have been primarily for the North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves, or NANOGrav, a project that connects astrophysicists in North America studying lowfrequency gravitational waves through pulsars. Thirteen Hillsdale students have worked with the Arecibo telescope, and their involvement ranges from observations and research projects to summer programs and independent studies. “I think this has really been a unique opportunity for them,” Dolch said. “It has worked out well with Hillsdale in particular, because the telescope is, in a sense, my laboratory. I don’t need to build a laboratory here — as far as involvement with research, we just have to log in.” One such student is junior history major Ellen Friesen, who said she found a deeper meaning of the liberal arts through her participation in the telescope’s observations. Friesen said most people don’t think of science and math when they think about the liberal arts, but these disciplines are important for a holistic education. “A huge chunk of the liberal arts comes from math and science, and this is coming from

a person who is not a math or science major,” she said. Friesen said she appreciated that the physics department allowed her to work on the project even as a non-science major. “There is still value for me to do it because it helps me get that broader picture of how the universe works,” Friesen said. The Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona, home to the Mayall 4-meter telescope, faced a similar funding issue from the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, and NASA after funding leveled off. Though private organizations were able to purchase the telescope, the purchase prevented schools such as Hillsdale from using the Mayall telescope. While the Arecibo observatory is safe for the time being, its future remains uncertain. “Toward 2025, the Arecibo Observatory will continue to be recognized as a worldleading radio astronomy, solar system radar, and atmospheric physics facility, contributing highly relevant data to support discovery, innovation and the advancement of science for the well-being of humankind,” the observatory’s mission statement said.

SCIENCE IN THE NEWS

A series of strong solar flares earlier this September provided an opportunity for scientists to study one of the mysteries of solar activity: the reason some of the brightest activity occurs toward the end of a solar cycle, as overall solar activity dies down. Solar flares occur as bands of magnetism meet near the sun’s equator, and study of the recent flares may provide evidence for the idea that this process takes longer during weaker solar cycles.

Spider silk toughened with Stretchable material gives robotic hand a sense of touch graphene-based materials

Apple announces iPhone X

Stretchable electronics may allow robots to distinguish between hot and cold, according to a new study published in Science Advances. The technology incorporates a semiconductor in rubber materials, allowing the electronics to function even when the material is stretched by as much as 50 percent, according to the study. The invention may allow for new biomedical and wearable electronics.

Apple’s iPhone X, which can be ordered starting Oct. 27, will be the most expensive iPhone to date. According to Apple, the design will feature new display technology and a camera featuring a new sensor for face ID. The phone’s exterior will be made of surgical-grade stainless steel and will allow for wireless charging.

Researchers used graphene and carbon nanotubes ingested by spiders to strengthen the spider’s silk, according to a new study published in “2D Materials.” The enhanced silk also exhibited greater elasticity. Scientists said the material could be used to improve the performance of products such as parachutes or medical bandages.

Features

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B4 Sept. 14, 2017

New band leader puts a pep in students’ steps By | Jo Kroeker Features Editor

Energy dipped during the third quarter of Saturday’s football game, but the Hillsdale College Pep Band’s new leader sophomore Matt Clark kept up momentum all the way into the stunning fourth-quarter victory, heralding the upset with a triumphant reprisal of “White and Blue.” Last weekend, Clark went through trial by fire: He coordinated a performance for an exhibition game Friday with the Best Buddies Education Day, then teamed up with the Hillsdale High School’s marching band Saturday for performances during play and half-time, all the while keeping the athletes, cheerleaders, and student section peppy. “He’s turning out to be a good choice,” Professor of Music James Holleman said. “It’s the spirit we want: When [spirit] comes from another student, students get on board with it.” Historically, students have led pep band, taking charge of recruitment, organizing music, and setting up on game days. In return, they receive an annual scholarship designed for students with leadership positions over their peers. The football events Friday and Saturday tested qualities pep band adviser Robert

Henthorne said are necessary for a student director: solving problems, demonstrating leadership skills, and promoting camaraderie in the group. “Matt came out as leading candidate for his leadership skills, experience with conducting in high school, and because he played in the pep band as a trombone player last year,” Henthorne said. ‘He’s a really dedicated and faithful member of the group.” The Longmont, Colorado native participated in marching band for four years during high school and was the drum major for two of those years. In fact, being a drum major runs in the family: Clark’s two older brothers led marching band in high school and led sections of their college marching bands at Purdue University and Michigan State University. His younger sister, a senior at Niwot High School high school, is currently a drum major, too. “Our family is incredibly musical,” Clark said. “It’s unheard of.” Clark’s conducting experience, rare at his age, gave him an edge in the selection process, Holleman said. But it’s Clark’s energy and love for pep band — and his strong musicianship — that make him the perfect candidate, according to former pep band student leader Hank

Prim ’17, who now works in the Student Affairs Office. “You need someone who loves pep band and what it is,” Prim said. “There’s nothing more important than someone with energy and love for pep band. Rehearsal technique follows with practice.” Prim became the student leader of Hillsdale’s pep band in 2014, a “weird, mix-match ensemble” with a grand total of five members left. By 2017, 30 students, none of whom were music majors, played consistently. Having one student leader at the helm for three years encourages camaraderie and consistent membership — and the results are starting to show. “The pep band traditionally was a sloppy ensemble,” Henthorne said. “Now, we keep getting requests to play at different functions.” It’s not just fun and games for members of the group, who have a lot riding on their shoulders, despite practicing only once a week and receiving just one credit a semester. “Pep band is sometimes the only representation of music department for visitors, which is why it’s important for students to be engaged in the music, the game, and ready to go,” Holleman said. “Pep band represents the college.” Not only does the group represent the department, but

Sophomore Matt Clark took the helm as student leader of pep band, signing onto a three-year stint. Matt Clark | Courtesy

it can function as the student section and is fondly called the 12th man on the football team. “The band is the soundtrack to the game. [The musicians] set the mood,” said senior Zoe Harness, Hillsdale College Cheerleading co-captain. “Pep band is invested in the game, the atmosphere, it contributes to the experience. On really cold days, it absorbs the role of the student section.” Harness said the weekend’s

transition was easy. In fact, Clark has already coordinated with the cheerleaders, Harness said. He even asked what songs they like so the band could learn those. Clark has also been asking men in the Simpson Dormitory where he’s an resident advisor for music suggestions, and is open to suggestions. “There’s a cohesion we want to create between the student section, the athletes, and

the cheerleaders,” Clark said. “That’s my priority this year.” For the new leader, cohesion goes beyond these three groups and extends to everyone on the field and in the stands. “Even opposing teams get something out of it — it’s good music,” Clark said. “It’s something donors and parents recognize as part of the game. I take pride in that.”

Buzz about bands:

High school Hornets join college Chargers for game-day performance By | Mark Naida Assistant Editor

Shanna Cote, Hillsdale College’s new art director, designs everything from game tickets to Center for Constructive Alternative seminar posters. Jacquelyn Eubanks | Collegian

New art director gives college prints a facelift By | Jacquelyn Eubanks Collegian Reporter Hillsdale College hired a new art director to revamp its graphic design game: Shanna Cote, a self-taught digital art savant with10 kids. “Art has always been a part of my life,” said Cote, who first fell in love with it when she was in high school. She used to collect her favorite magazine ads and tack them to her bedroom walls. “My dream was to be living in New York City in a penthouse apartment working as an ad executive, designing at some big ad agency,” Cote said. After high school, Cote worked for small start-up companies and jumped into website development. She dabbled in Photoshop, too, and eventually began freelance work in graphic design and digital illustrations. In 2011, she decided to go back to school and make it official: In 2013, she graduated from Full Sail University with a degree in mobile development. Her son, Mason Clutter, a junior at Hillsdale College, recalls observing his mother’s passion for art throughout his childhood. He grew up seeing her work and said he’s happy that his peers can witness and appreciate her talent. “I’ve heard a lot of talk from people about her designs,” Clutter said. “People are getting kind of hyped about the new CCA designs. She does stuff for the baseball team, the football team; she’s creat-

ing new designs for the tickets to the games. I’ve actually been stopped by some people who know she’s my mom and they’ll be like, ‘I’m so excited that we finally get some cool designs.’” Clutter said it’s cool his mother works at the same college he attends. “It’s great because I get to see her all the time,” he said. “I stop by her office and get snacks.” Although students get to admire the finished product, they don’t see how much work

thing; she genuinely loves her job. The new position has brought big changes for Cote’s family. Cote and her family moved from Columbus, Ohio to Hillsdale and reside in apartments above Rough Draft coffee shop on Union Street. The family of 12 shares three bedrooms and one bathroom. This is also Cote’s first time working outside her home in 15 years, so she hired a fulltime nanny, former Hillsdale student Olivia Brady. “I’ve loved working for them so far,” Brady said. “I admire her determination. The fact that she was self-taught ... really impressed me. She lives out her vocation as a mother in a very unique way, in a way that works for her personality and for her kids. I admire that she does work full-time for the college, but you can tell by interacting with her kids that they’re loved and given attention.” Cote said she believes all these changes are a good thing for her family. Although there are downsides, like no longer having the convenience of a Costco five minutes away, there are definitely perks to their new small-town life. “The nice thing is [my kids] are finding new freedoms,” Cote said. “They can walk up to Coney’s & Swirls, things like that… They wouldn’t be able to do that in a bigger city.” “It’s gonna be a really great year,” Brady said. “They’re such a loving and open family.”

“I’ve actually been stopped by some people who know she’s my mom, and they’ll be like, ‘I’m so excited we finally get some cool designs.’” Cote puts in every day at the college. “Normally what I do is graphic design for pretty much any of the print publications,” Cote said. This includes Imprimis, commencement invitations, and tickets to sporting events. It’s a big job, and there’s never a dull moment, she said. “A typical day is ‘hit the ground running,’” Cote said. “As soon as I get in there’s always something to do. I’ll just start going down my list, knocking stuff out, getting stuff done. It’s like that for the entire day until close of business, and then it starts over the next day.” Cote said this isn’t a bad

It wasn’t just the thunder of the Chargers coming from the stands during the Hillsdale College football team’s big win — there were Hornets buzzing, as well. The Hillsdale High School Hornets marching band joined Hillsdale College Pep Band at Frank “Muddy” Waters Stadium during the Chargers game against the Michigan Tech Huskies last Saturday to perform some favorite tunes. “In high school marching band, I remember that the middle schoolers came and played with us, and it was cool to do that on in college as well,” Hillsdale College senior saxophonist Brant Cohen said. Neither band marched at halftime, but both played

back and forth during timeouts, between quarters, and between plays. Though sophomore pep band director Matthew Clark had never been in contact before the game with Keith Rushing, director of the Hillsdale High School marching band, the college group rehearsed the high school’s arrangement of the “Star Spangled Banner” the night before the game. When the crowd turned toward the flag and placed their hands over their hearts, Rushing conducted both bands together. Although the bands performed similar repertoire, they were not able to play many songs together during the game because their arrangements were in different keys, Cohen said. “We were only able to play on one song together, “Final Countdown,” my

favorite,” senior drummer Dean Sinclair said. “They’re younger and less experienced, but they got the job done.” It wasn’t just a learning experience for the younger performers, though: Clark took something away from the day as well. “The high school band does these little cadences and things for first downs,” Clark said. “I think I may want to bring that in with our band.” Cohen was impressed with the enthusiasm that the high school band, which, with about 30 members, is slightly bigger than the college band, brought to the game. “They had a lot of energy and were really involved in the game,” he said. “I would say they were almost as invested as the student section.”

Rocks from B6 along with their locations. Ebony Black, a page administrator, posted about how rock-hunting helps local businesses because it encourages her family to stop at places like ice cream shops while out and about. Last month in downtown Hillsdale, gaming and comic book store Kingdom Geekdom hosted a Paint and Take event. Volunteers dressed as superheroes and princesses helped local children paint creations on rocks to be hidden wherever their hearts desired. Hillsdale Craft Supply provided the paints and Hoop Lawn and Garden donated the rocks that guests used to create their messages of kindness. “It gets kids excited because it is so hands-on,” said Alison McDowell, owner of Kingdom Geekdom. “The only screen time is parents using Facebook to show their children where their rocks may have showed up.” Members of the Facebook page share when and where they’ve found rocks with markings showing that they come from all over the state or country. “The rocks really are everywhere — they even show up on the changing tables in our bathroom,” McDowell said. Dayna Stebbins, a resident of Hillsdale, said she found a rock all the way from Pensacola, Florida while with her 6-yearold daughter Maryn at Menards home improvement center in Jackson, Michigan. Stebbins said her daughter loves to find the rocks and gets excited to discover the words and pictures painted on them. Sophomore Domine Clemons said she witnessed the movement in her hometown of Naples, Florida, particularly at Skillet’s restau-

Megan Murphy launched the worldwide Kindness Rocks Project at the end of 2014, following the death of her parents. Megan Murphy | Courtesy

rant, where she is a hostess. The restaurant uses the rocks to spread awareness for different foundations, such as an anti-child abuse organization. “I ran into a lot of people who would see one of our stones and it would spark curiosity about the causes,” Clemons said. “It’s different than seeing a regular sign or poster because it catches your eye when you find

something like a colorful stone with a message you weren’t expecting.” For Hillsdale’s population of barely more than 8,300 people, a pop of color and a dash of wonder appeal to adults and kids alike. “It helps the kids understand that Hillsdale is a bigger place than it may seem,” McDowell said. “It really brightens people’s days.”

Features

www.hillsdalecollegian.com

B5 Sept. 14, 2017

A ‘seeker of lost stories’

Alumna Ruta Sepetys tells award-winning stories of survival By | Nicole Ault Assistant Editor Ruta Sepetys has three bestselling novels under her belt, but the 1989 Hillsdale College alumna’s first book was banned — by the parents of her third-grade classmates. “The Adventures of Betsy,” written in a notebook with a scratch-and-sniff pickle on the cover, drew popularity from 8-year-olds but wary glances from parents. Discouraged, Sepetys put her writing career on hold until a series of events led her back to storytelling and unexpected prominence. Decades later, her three New York Times bestsellers have been translated into 37 languages and published in 53 countries. Two are even being adapted for film, “which is just so surreal,” she said. “I knew I always wanted to be an author, but that [book banning] stole my courage,” said Sepetys, who was named a distinguished alumna for this month’s Alumni Awards Banquet on homecoming weekend. Sepetys said she can’t attend the event, because she’s touring for her latest release, “Salt to the Sea.” “Really, I’ve come back to what I’ve always dreamed of doing, but in order to do that I had to find the courage,” she said. Setting writing aside, Sepetys focused on other skills during her undergraduate years at Hillsdale. She studied international business and French and took courses at a graduate school in France, where she juggled Japanese and Spanish class-

es and a job with AirFrance. At Hillsdale, she delved into the music program, joining the choir and participating in musicals. “She had a beautiful voice,” said Kris Kornmeier, Sepetys’ “big sister” in the Chi Omega sorority, remembering that Sepetys sang at events around campus. “She was such a perfectionist — everything she did, she did so beautifully.”

Sepetys’ most recent novel, “Salt to the Sea,” just came out in paperback this August. Ruta Sepetys | Courtesy

Sepetys didn’t divulge her writing skills in college, but her friends remember her gift for weaving a story. “She’s always been a great storyteller,” said Connie Sisinyak Buick, Sepetys’ freshman roommate. “You could take the most ordinary event, and when she told the story, it was no longer ordinary.” Sepetys took her storytelling skills into her first job. After graduating from Hillsdale in December of 1989

(but walking the stage in May 1990 because “that was my class”), Sepetys jumped into artist management in Los Angeles, California, helping musicians tell their stories through songs. “It was excellent training ground for becoming an author,” she said. “Studying song structure was so helpful, because a song is essentially a three-minute story. I really learned to distill story through my work in the music business.” In 2003, Sepetys started her own music business in Nashville, Tennessee, working with artists such as Grammy-award winner Steve Vai, country singer Eric Church, and rock band Lit. “Part of my job was always asking someone, ‘What is the story here?’” Sepetys said. “And one day, one of the musicians asked me, ‘Ruta, what is your story?’” Sepetys took the question back to her Lithuanian roots. Her father fled the European country as a 4-yearold during the Soviet occupation and spent nine years in refugee camps before the U.S. allowed him in through the Displaced Persons Act. Sepetys’ family settled in Detroit, where Sepetys grew up. “All throughout school and college life and working, those are things I’ve always kept in mind and that I believe have led me now to write the type of literature I now write about people who were not able to tell their story,” Sepetys said. “Why are some parts of history part of our collective consciousness and other parts hidden?” Deciding to write about

the “horrors of totalitarianism” like the ones her family experienced, Sepetys published her first novel, “Between Shades of Gray,” in 2011. The historical fiction book follows a young Lithuanian girl who’s deported with her family to Siberia. Jettisoning her music business to become a fulltime author, Sepetys has thrown herself wholly into her books: She reads primary sources and travels to the countries where her stories take place, immersing herself in the cultures and interviewing people with stories for her to tell. Calling herself a “seeker of lost stories,” Sepetys writes historical fiction “crossover” stories that engage both children and adults, focusing on tales of survivors of oppression in the not-so-distant past. Sepetys said listening to survivors’ stories has “transformed” her. “Listening is an act of love,” she said. “We live in such a busy time period where productivity is rewarded often over presence. Really to listen is to be gentle with one another and to be able to look through another person’s eyes and consider their heart.” With two more historical fiction books in her repertoire — “Out of the Easy” and “Salt to the Sea” — Sepetys travels the world to deliver lectures on her books and the historical subjects she writes about. Her work has earned her the Carnegie Medal and the Cross of the Knight of the Order from the Lithuanian president. It’s fulfilling but overwhelming, she said, but

Crunching numbers and credits Liberal arts prepares accounting majors for employment By | Regan Meyer Collegian Freelancer Just 19 Hillsdale College students are tackling the accounting major. The task is not for the faint of heart. Demanding extra credit hours and a big exam, an accounting career takes a lot of work — but it’s not all in vain. Professor of Accounting Michael Sweeney contends that Hillsdale’s liberal arts education equips accounting graduates for success in the corporate world more than the average college accounting program. “To just be able to crunch numbers, you’ll make a good employee, but you won’t move up the ladder,” Sweeney said, bringing up examples of Hillsdale accounting graduates who are successful in their fields. To earn an accounting degree, students pursue a rigorous course load of 55 credit hours, including seven classes of advanced accounting in addition to the core economics and business administration classes. Students looking forward to their accounting licenses must also pass a four-part, 16-hour exam required by the Association of International Certified Public Accountants, or AICPA. The AICPA requires students to have at least 120 credits — in Michigan, 21 of them must be in accounting — before taking the CPA exam. Because Hillsdale students must have 124 credit hours to receive a diploma, accounting majors are well ahead of the 120 credit standard set by the AICPA. But even though Hillsdale graduates

would qualify to take the CPA exam, they would be multiple hours short of the minimum credit hour requirement to obtain a CPA license. “It varies from state to state,” said Sweeney. “In Michigan, you need 150 hours for your license; you only need 120 hours to sit for the exam. But that is actually a moot point because most employers want you to have 150 hours by the time you start.” Earning 150 credit hours at Hillsdale College is no small feat. The average Hillsdale student takes 15 to 17 credit hours per semester, earning about 120136 total credits by graduation. Accounting majors would have to take between 14 and 30 extra hours to qualify for licensing. While professors and students agree that it’s difficult, obtaining those 150 credits isn’t impossible, and there’s more than one way to get it done. “Some of them go on to Masters’ degrees, some of them complete it here, some of them take a fifth year,” Sweeney said. “It’s popular with red shirt athletes that are accounting majors to complete the 150 hours while they’re here.” Junior Huong Luong plans to complete all 150 credits while at Hillsdale. “It is very challenging, and I will say that time management is key to being an accounting major specifically,” Luong said. “You always have to be on top of your game, you always have to stay organized. To get the 150 credits, you can take more business classes. You can even take more classics classes just to make the best of it at a school like Hillsdale. I’ve seen a lot of upperclassmen take on-

line classes, so that’s something I’ll be looking into as well.” Adding extra liberal arts classes to an accounting transcript may seem counterintuitive. Accounting Club President senior Adam Stathakis, however, said a liberal arts education is fundamental to being a good accountant. “Your decision-making abilities are influenced by the things you’ve studied, the experiences you’ve had, the conversations you’ve had, and a liberal arts education just improves that decision-making capability,” Stathakis said. “It’s very applicable to accounting, because it’s not just adding and subtracting — there’s a wide variety of judgement involved.” Sweeney illustrated Stathakis’ point with the story of a graduate from the early 2000s, who now works for the Division of Enforcement at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. “I can remember her telling me, when she was working for a big public accounting firm, that after she had moved up the ladder a bit to where she was reviewing other people’s work that she was very frustrated with trying to get people to write well,” Sweeney said. A group of alumni proved Sweeney’s point even Proving Sweeney’s point even further was a group of alumni from a few years back. “A few years ago, we had some alum, two or three years out come, and talk to our accounting students,” Sweeney said. “One of them said, ‘You are part of a rare group of accountants that can actually write and speak well.’ It is good to have those skills.”

Ruta Sepetys ’89 wrote three award-winning historical fiction novels, two of which are being adapted for film. Ruta Sepetys | Courtesy

the familiar Hillsdale face that occasionally shows up at her events is comforting. “So much of my writing success comes from my friends who believed in me,” she said. “At almost every event, there’s someone from Hillsdale — people have traveled all over.” Her Hillsdale friends remember her just as fondly, recalling her humility, talent, hard work ethic, and love for fun. Buick remembered singing with Sepetys to Bon Jovi and Madonna in the dorm room and described Sepetys as adventurous and enthusiastic. “She was great at telling stories, made you want to listen — you gravitated to Ruta,” said Michelle Gumbko, another Chi Omega friend of Sepetys, in an email. “She was mesmerizing. I always knew Ruta would be amazing, although I wouldn’t of thought of her

House from B6

Victorian style motivates her to keep some “froufrou,” she and her husband compromised with a simpler, more natural arts-and-crafts look, a stylistic choice they could make because strict guidelines for farmhouses don’t exist. “We needed something where we can both live in it and buy furniture that won’t fall apart with four kids, but we also don’t want it to be a house that is just built in the suburb and got copy-and-pasted out of Pottery Barn,” she said. Like Bart, Davis grew up in a historic home. She remembers her parents were always busy remodeling their Victorian home. “My parents were both art majors and always knew about different artistic movements,” she said. “I remember going to architectural salvage places to find pieces before they were the cool place for hipsters to go.” While many college faculty members have only recently begun renovating their homes, Professor of Religion and Philosophy Thomas Burke moved into his house in 1994, and for the first 15 years he and his wife lived there, he said people worked on the

as being a famous author.” The three women said they stay in touch with Sepetys, who sends them Christmas cards and gifts from time to time. Sepetys has always been loyal and thoughtful, Buick said. Sepetys, who lives in Tennessee, is working on a fourth novel at the moment, set in Madrid, Spain, during the dictatorship of Francisco Franco in the 1950s. As always, she’s pouring herself into the task: She rented an apartment in Spain and has traveled there six times to complete her research. Kornmeier said she plans to see Sepetys’ presentation on “Salt to the Sea” — just released in paperback — in Cleveland next week. “She’s a great storyteller,” Kornmeier said. “That’s such a talent, and she found it, and she’s sharing it with the world.” house almost daily. “We had no idea what we were doing or how to do it right,” he said. “We did it all backwards.” Originally a very modest Victorian-style home built around 1867, Burke’s home was later given a more Spanish look, with arches going from room to room and grand Palladian windows. Burke estimates his house is between 4,500 and 5,000 square feet, having undergone a couple of expansions over the years. Now that most of the renovations are done, he said, the whole house is “wonderful.” “I like big homes,” Burke said. “If I had the money, I’d buy a castle. When I see a place like Downton Abbey on TV, I think it would be neat to have… Since I’ll never get to own a mansion, this is the closest thing to it. It’s a really wonderful house to live in.” Historic homes inspire enthusiasm for more than aesthetic reasons. While working at a home on Howell Street, Lackey remembers being asked why she would take on such a project. She responded that those who have to ask “why” would never really understand her love for historic homes. “I’m crazy, I guess,” she said. “I just love it.”

Reviving historic homes in Hillsdale, one at a time By | Brooke Conrad Assistant Editor

The Victorian double parlor on the ground floor of 112 Broad St. takes visitors back a century. The grand, winding staircase, the large wooden doorframes with classic eggand-dart moldings, the flamboyant floral wallpaper, and the time-honored touch of a record player and an upright piano all give the room an aura of comfortable living and sophisticated age. The house was likely built between 1900 and 1915, said Emily Carrington, wife of Assistant Professor of Politics Adam Carrington. Having worked with historic homes in the past, Emily Carrington said she fully appreciates the home’s historic “character and spirit.” The Carringtons are one of several college faculty and staff families renovating and restoring homes around town. Carol Lackey, the owner and

broker for Historic Homes of Hillsdale, a real estate company through the Hillsdale County Board of Realtors, said she’s familiar with the hard work these projects require. “People get frustrated because they feel there should be funds available to restore properties,” Lackey said. “It’s not easy. When you do it, you need to use original products, something that is dated from back then… It will take a lot out of you, physically and financially.” Emily Carrington said she knew retaining her home’s history and updating it would be challenging. She did have the freedom to make stylistic decisions because her renovations weren’t bound by a museum or historical society’s demand for period accuracy. “It’s hard to keep things in the appropriate time period because it’s been 100 years, and many people have lived here,” Carrington said. “You can

Media Relations and Communications Manager Emily Davis and her family moved into the Stoneman house, a 19th century stone farmhouse that sits on 40 acres of land on the outskirts of town. Emily Davis | Courtesy

see many things that are incongruent within the house; for example, the wallpaper and the separation between the rooms probably would have been added on later.” While Carrington bemoans losing the wraparound porch, she does appreciate one update: the bathrooms. “The house didn’t need to be quite 1900-style, because I like warm, running water,” she said. Hillsdale used to be a railroad town, so many grand homes in Hills-

Professor of Religion and Philosophy Thomas Burke and his wife, Elizabeth, sit on the steps of their palacial Broad Street home they spent 15 years renovating. Thomas Burke | Courtesy

70,000 homes were built through the program, eliminating the demand for professional carpenters. Lackey said she once discovered a beam labeled “Sears” in the basement of a Jonesville home during a

“It’s not easy. It will take a lot out of you, physically and financially.’” dale resembled the Carringtons’ during the 1800s and 1900s, said Lackey, who also serves as a board member on the Hillsdale County Historical Society and volunteers at the Mitchell Research Center. “The railroad brought great prosperity,” Lackey said. “At one point, this was the end of the railroad from Detroit before it went on to Chicago.” The railroad also brought early stages of mass-produced homes to the area. Customers could choose from the Sears Modern Homes catalogue of designs and the company would ship pre-cut materials on trains. Between 1908 and 1940, more than

renovation project. Unfortunately, some of these old homes haven’t survived the decades. For example, the home of resident William Waldron became the old Hillsdale Hospital before being razed for a parking lot for the Hillsdale High Rise Apartments. “There are buildings in town I would love to see done, but a lot of them are gone,” Lackey said. Associate Professor of English Patricia Bart moved into her 3,000-square foot house at 40 S. Broad St. about four years ago and has since completed extensive renovations. “I knew it wasn’t going to be a 19th-century house,”

Bart said. “I had to say that vinyl windows are going to be OK here, whereas the museum-quality is going to say you have to restore these to wood.” But she took extra care to preserve original elements, such as the front door and wooden stairs. Bart guesses her house was built in three stages: The original house was constructed in 1883, followed by an addition near the end of World War II, judging from the cinder block foundation, the moldings, and baseboards. A third addition dates to the 1970s, characterized by smaller baseboards, thinner walls, a lower ceiling, and countertops painted with “that avocado green we all love.” For Bart, buying a historic home was par for the course, since she has lived in old homes her entire life. As a child, she lived in a 1920s Sears home in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, and later, she rented an apartment at the Palazzo Rucellai, the old palace of a wealthy Renaissance magnate in Florence, Italy, where the Rucellai family lives today. Not all of the restored homes are downtown. Me-

dia Relations and Communications Manager Emily Davis and her family reside in an old stone farmhouse from 1846 that rests on 40 acres of land, just on the outskirts of town. According to Lackey and the Mitchell Research Center, the house, known as “Stonehome,” was built by Severus Roberts, who took a train from New York in 1840 when he was 18 years old. He originally built a log cabin and then spent five years building his stone house out of native fieldstone. A century later, the home was occupied by Harry and Sarah Dimmers, the namesake of Dimmers Road south of the college. Davis said the previous owner of the house, former Professor of English John Reist, maintained a “notorious” library that filled an entire garage and an additional room. (He donated many volumes to Mossey Library.) Davis opted to remove some bookshelves to tear down a wall, making the room feel homier. “We’re Hillsdale grads, but we’re not quite as committed to that extensive of a library,” she said. While Davis’ personal

See House B5

Painting Hillsdale County happy By | Crystal Schupbach Assistant Editor On your next venture to Udder Side ice cream shop or Lake Baw Beese, keep your eyes peeled for colorful stones. These local hang-outs are hotspots for a global trend called kindness rocks — rocks painted with messages and artwork and hidden for lucky Hillsdale residents to find. The rocks are hidden as part of the Kindness Rocks Project, an initiative started at the end of 2014 by Megan Murphy of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, after both her parents died. Murphy said she would take walks on the beach and find signs of her parents’

guidance in the form of heartshaped rocks or sea glass lying in the sand. “Paying attention to how happy these moments made me feel, I thought that maybe I could provide these simple signs for other people, as well,” Murphy said in an email.

March 2015, she started a social media campaign to inspire others on a universal platform to do the same. Now, people of all ages in cities around the country participate. “I think it is truly amazing and magical that this project has grown into an international movement,” Murphy said. “This is not as a result of me. Maryn Stebbins, 6, of Hillsdale, smiles with I was simply her painted rock. Dayna Stebbins | Courtesy the seed that group called “Hillsdale Counplanted this amazing garden that ty Rocks.” Parents post their children’s continues to grow.” Jonesville resident Christi- freshly-painted rock creations na Jensen, who began partici- on the page with a clue alludpating in July, made the global ing to their hiding spots. Findproject local with a Facebook ers share photos of unique rocks they’ve stumbled upon

“It helps the kids understand that Hillsdale is a bigger place than it may seem.”

Alison McDowell of Kingdom Geekdom, a comic book store downtown, with a “Captain America” rock. Crystal Schupbach | Collegian

Murphy started painting rocks with inspirational messages and placing them around her city for others to find in their times of struggle. In

Campus Chic: New Year, New Beards

Do you have any styling or shaving tips for prospective beard-growers?

What made you decide to grow a beard?

My son wanted me to have a beard like Dr. Lindley in the English department… [Also,] a few years ago, my wife liked the beard, but it didn’t get long enough… but this year, my son wanted me to look like Dr. Lindley, so instead of making it a three-week project, I decided to make it a two-month project.

Dylan Strehle: Go through the awkward

phase during a period of time when you don’t have a lot of human contact… I suggest over the summer. Also, keep the neck trimmed… people like clean facial hair more than they do ratty facial hair. Shad Strehle: Also, quick tip: It’s a great way to disguise weight gain… If you want to hide a weak or double chin, a beard will do the trick.

Do you believe growing a beard has affected the way you are perceived as a professor?

Assistant Professor of Theology Jordan Wales grew a beard this summer at the behest of his son. Abigail Leali | Collegian

I don’t know; that’s a great question. Maybe it helps me to feel more confident, because it’s like looking through a visor on a suit of armor. I would respect a man wearing a suit of armor.

Compiled by | Abigail Leali

Were you going for the lumberjack or the Tony Stark look?

Juniors Shad and Dylan Strehle kept the twinning strong, growing beards this summer. Abigail Leali | Collegian

Shad: Lumberjack all the way! I am from Washington State; lumber is in my bloodstream… You have to have the ease and grace of Iron Man to properly have the Tony Stark look. Dylan: Because I’m incapable of growing the lumberjack, [I would] lean more towards the Tony Stark look. At least that’s the aesthetic I’m going for, though I think it’s