The
SpringHillian September 17, 2015
Volume 101 Issue 1
Ad Majorem Del Gloriam
Puto First Layman As President of Spring HIll College Center. Puto’s ties with Spring Hill College date back to when he was a student at the college. After earning an economics degree in 1964, Puto went on to be very successful. He was a part of the team who developed the strategic plan for the “Have It Your Way” campaign for Burger King. This is not his first experience with leadership at the college. Puto served on Spring Hill’s Board of Trustees from 2003 to 2012. During his tenure as part of the board, Puto saw the financial challenges the college faced. Puto attributed some of these challenges to the inconsistency of leadership, saying that in his time on the board the college went through “three to four [different] directors of admissions.” Puto went further to state that “students are vital to the success of the college” and believes that the college is now doing better. For the past three years the college has had the same director of admissions, Robert Stewart. Puto credited Stewart for the record breaking enrollment the college has seen. In addition, he commended the work Fr. Lucey and John Barter did over the past year. As president and COO respectively, Lucey and Barter “provided great financial stability to the college” said Puto. “Under their leadership, the college was able to balance its debt,” he added.
Dr. Christopher Puto Photo Courtesy of: Lindsey Hughes By: Fernando Soto Reporter For weeks, signs and articles have been advertising the historical inauguration of Dr. Christopher Puto.
For months rumors filled every corner of campus, from dormitories to departmental offices, about what Spring Hill College would be like under its 37th president. Puto himself announced that he is working on a strategic master plan that is set to bring the institution up to date and maintain it at a stable ground in many areas.
With dignitaries of the Jesuit community coming from all around the country to welcome Puto, Spring Hill College will officially inaugurate him today as the 37th president and first Developing the plan will take layman named to the lead the institution. The ceremony will being at 4pm some time; Puto estimates it will in the Arthur Outlaw Recreation
take about a year as he tries to get input from faculty, staff, and students. This plan calls for the revision of academics, student life, and structural changes to campus facilities. This plan will be new to Spring Hill, but not to Puto, as he has implemented similar plans of action elsewhere. While serving as dean of Georgetown’s school of business, his plan raised $80 million of the $150 million goal, within the first three years. With college tuition on the rise Puto hopes his plan will halt the significant increases Spring Hill has seen in recent years. Tuition at Spring Hill has increased at a rate of five percent, while the rate of inflation according to Puto, is at two percent. Puto stated that the major cost of providing a quality education is the salaries of faculty and staff. “They have families and mortgages. And we have to be able to sustain them,” Puto said. “[But] before I finish being president, we will have figured out a way to minimize the burden on students.”
“students are vital to the success of the college” -Dr. Puto discussing the future of Spring Hill College
THE SPRINGHILLIAN September 17, 2015
OPINION
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What happened to Hannah Montana?
By: Sonya Curtis Web Designer
When I was young, I was obsessed with the Disney show Hannah Montana, just like most of the other girls my age. Miley Cyrus quickly became famous among the pre-teen populations because of this show. Parents encouraged these interests with the purchases of CD’s and concert tickets because she seemed like such a sweet girl and a good role model. As I got older, Miley’s music gradually became more and more mature, which is to be expected. She shed her role as Hannah and began to focus on building her career just as Miley. At some point in this process of maturing her image, she crossed over the line into the Land of No Return. She cut off her hair, began writing crude music, promoted drug usage, and tipped the scales in pro-
miscuity. She walks around wearing the bare minimum, leaving very little to the imagination. The lyrics to her songs are beyond shocking, the videos themselves holding their own degrees of sleaziness. I could not watch more than a few seconds of the music video that accompanies her new song, “Doo It!,” for fear of losing my lunch. I believe the tipping point was the release of her song “Wrecking Ball,” in 2013. The lyrics weren’t horrible in and of themselves, but the video, during which she rode naked on top of a wrecking ball, definitely was. I’ve wondered many times what was to blame for her horrible transformation. Was it something her publicists cooked up to hold the public eye, or her carefully hidden crazy finally coming out? Who knows.
What I do know is that I’ve lost all of the respect I once held for her. I now fear for the younger generations, and the effect her actions will have on them. I do not understand why people continue to idolize her and buy her music. Can we just rewind and bring Hannah Montana back?
The SpringHillian is Back in Action
By: Cree Pettaway Editor-in-Chief It's that time again! The SpringHillian staff is back in action, and ready to serve our fellow Badgers. I know you all have been thinking "when is the first issue of the SpringHillian coming out, so I can catch up on what's happening here on the Hill?" Okay, maybe you weren't thinking that exactly, but regardless, we're back. This semester The SpringHillian is joining forces with BadgerTV to bring you all an endless stream of
entertainment. So, there will be no more SpringHillian vs BadgerTV showdowns on Thursday afternoons. We're squashing that beef right here and now. But no really, I'm being serious. To give us both our well-deserved time in the spotlight, The SpringHillian and BadgerTV will alternate publication weeks we bring content to you. So, if you haven't guessed yet, this week is the SpringHillian's turn. This semester The SpringHillian will be coming to you in a slightly smaller package. Most issues will consist of eight pages, instead of the standard 12 from past semesters, or that whopping 16 page issue from last semester (wasn’t that cool? You’re welcome). Prepare to have your minds blown and your socks knocked off your feet this semester, especially by The SpringHillian (Okay, I'm still a little bias), This mind blowing content will be brought to you by yours truly,
as the new editor of The SpringHillian, along with the rest of the Spring Hill Media staff. We aim
We hope you all are excited to go on this new journey with us, as we are eager to take it with you. We look forward to hearing your thoughts and comments on our first issue of The SpringHillian, and all future media we present to you. Whether positive or negative, feel free to let us know of any commentaries you have, as we would like to keep our communication with you all open and honest. We can be reached at newswire@ email.shc.edu. Enjoy the rest of the
Photo By: Sonnya Curtis to both inform and entertain you, keeping you up-to-date on the latest happenings at Spring Hill College. We aim for professionalism and honesty in all aspects of the Spring Hill Media content we present to you, starting right here and now with the 101 volume of The SpringHillian.
issue!
THE SPRINGHILLIAN
THIS WEEK
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HILLIAN STAFF
Editor: Cree Pettaway
Stephen Nash Chris Portie
Web Designer: Sonya Curtis
Advertising/social media: Kristen Meyer
Advisor: Stuart Babington
Reporters: Megan Anthony Jarrett Calham Fernando Soto Harper McNutt Jack Culotto Jr. Christian Cage Rebeca Marroquin Trevor Warren
Photo Editors: Stephen Nash Chris Portie Lifestyle Editor: Kristen Meyer Sports Editors:
September 17, 2015
News
NCAA Comes Back
HILLIAN CONTACT The Hillian Newswire @HillianNewswire
hillian _ newswire Letters to the Editors hillian@shc.edu Read the Hillian Newswire online at newswire.shc.edu
Photo by: Trevor Warren By: Trevor Warren Reporter Spring Hill College students have officially resurrected the NAACP chapter on campus. The chapter was founded in 2007, but has been inactive since 2010. However, due to rising student interest on campus this past year, a collaborative effort between students and faculty was initiated to help fill what they saw as an important need on campus. Senior Asia Hudson was elected President of the chapter. Juan Soto and Antonio Brito serve as Vice Presidents, and Demetrius Semien and Jonathan Dunbar will be serving as the faculty advisors for the chapter. According to its website, The College and Youth Division of the NAACP was founded in 1936, and one of its many goals is “to inform youth of the problems affecting African Americans and other racial and ethnic minorities.” Brito summed this up in regards to the SHC chapter, saying that its mission is simply “to promote equality for all, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, etc.” Brito says that the chapter plans to create initiatives and programs that will tackle many issues within the community, such as poverty and education reform. The revitalization of the chapter comes at a time when the topic of race relations has re-emerged as an important issue, both locally and nationally. Last year, a locally made documentary, entitled “Mo-
bile in Black in White,” sparked a community wide conversation about race relations in the Mobile area. The documentary gave rise to a series of community forums co-hosted by Mobile United and Mayor Sandy Stimpson, as a means of initiating a community wide conversation about the issue. Spring Hill College maintains a long tradition of supporting equal rights for minorities, having been the first college in Alabama to desegregate. Martin Luther King Jr. mentioned Spring Hill College as a leader in the desegregation movement in his 1963 “Letter From a Birmingham Jail.” Spring Hill’s advocacy hasn’t been limited to the African American community. In 2012, after the passing of Alabama’s immigration law, SHC President of the time, Fr. Richard Salmi, along with other campus Jesuits, signed a petition calling for a repeal of what they saw as a discriminatory law against Alabama’s Hispanic community. “Spring Hill’s mission and work is pretty much identical to that of the NAACP,” said Brito. “The campus is also such a huge melting pot that race just isn’t really a factor in the everyday life of students at Spring Hill,” he continued. The SHC NAACP meetings are open to anyone interested, regardless of race, gender, or ethnic background. If you have any questions, you can contact Asia Hudson at asia.l.hudson@email. shc.edu. Dates of meetings are to be announced.
THE SPRINGHILLIAN 4
LIFESTYLE
September 17, 2015
The Badger Men’s Soccer team huddles together after a long earlymorning practice.
Rachel Mcneil and Nick Chaney work together to rush their watermelon across the finish line.
THE HILL Photos By: Rebeca Marroquin
Savannah Chamblee and Angie Kazek show their excitement for Watermelon Bash.
Jacqiline Day and Theresa Bertini at Lamda Chi’s Watermellon Bash.
Badger Rugby player Christian Cage collides with Auburn players during his persuit to the goalline.
THE SPRINGHILLIAN
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LIFESTYLE
Spring Hill Gun Club Underway
By: Harper McNutt Reporter A Spring Hill College sophomore is in the process of starting a gun club, with the hopes of participating Elizabeth Wellendorf practices her shot in trapshooting competitions in the future.
Elizabeth Wellendorf practices her shot. Photo By: Harper McNutt By the end of the semester there could officially be a new club on campus. Elizabeth Wellendorf of Omaha, Nebraska is currently in the process of getting the club approved by the school. The organization will begin as a club that promotes gun safety, as well as giving students the op-
portunity to visit the shooting range together, allowing them to keep their guns on campus with Public Safety. Wellendorf’s main goal for the club is to get to a point where they can compete in trap shoot competitions as a team, like she did in high school. Trapshooting is a type of competitive shotgun shooting that is a collegiate and Olympic sport. Wellendorf grew up with her family owning guns, and her father got her interested in trapshooting around age 13 she was a part of her high school’s trapshooting team all four years. “I love the mathematics of guns, especially trapshooting” said Wellendorf. She has always been naturally gifted at math and science and fell in love with the sport that gave her the opportunity to use those skills with athleticism. Halfway through her freshman year as a pre-health major, she realized how much she missed shooting and wanted to make that a part of her life on the Hill. She talked to Public Safety about wanting to go to the shooting range while in Mobile, and they were more than happy to keep her gun safe in their office. With the ongoing debate about gun control, I asked Wellendorf if she thought there could be concerns
September 17, 2015
from students or parents that a gun club is being allowed on campus. “Part of the gun club is to teach how to properly conceal guns, I think the problem comes from people not knowing enough,” said Wellendorf. She has discussed with Public Safety that a police officer will teach a class on gun safety that all members will be required to attend. All guns are kept with public safety at all times, and when taken off campus to the shooting range, must be returned to Public Safety immediately when the student returns to campus.
Episode VII: The Force Awakens erations. George Lucas began a pop culture phenomenon in 1977 with “Star Wars.” When I spoke to older relatives, they told me that some of their earliest memories are of their parents taking them to see the film when it first came out. They also recalled the mania that followed the next two films in 1980 and 1983.
Graphic By: Sean Finn By: Megan Anthony Reporter It is not often that a movie franchise comes along with the ability to connect generations. Sure, many great family films have been produced and there are certain movies that will always be classics. However, it is extremely rare for a movie franchise to be so universally loved that it is reborn not just once, but twice, and by three gen-
Phrases such as “may the force be with you,” and “Luke, I am your father,” have now become normal things to say in everyday conversation. Lightsabers and Darth Vader Halloween costumes have been sold in stores since long before I was born and are still sold today. Popularity for the franchise was increased in 1999 when Lucas Films released another three part installment that followed Anakin Skywalker, the Jedi that would become DarthVader. Those who were fond of the original installment could then introduce and share the fictional world with the younger generations. After the second installment was released, cartoons, books, toys, apparel, and other merchandise kept the fantasy alive.
On December 18th, 2015, it will be my generation’s turn to take part in the beloved Star Wars franchise with the release of :Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens.” We will then be able to use the franchise to connect with the next generation in our own ways. In 2016 the combined vision of the last three generations will be brought to life as Disney builds a “Star Wars” theme park. I know that there are plenty of cynics out there that believe that all of this is overkill that takes away from the greatness of the first three installments. But I think there is a much larger picture that these naysayers are missing. The newest film and the theme park will be a way for the older generation’s fans to connect with their childhood and even a way to share that childhood with their children. They will bring about opportunities for family bonding. They can sit down and watch the original films together and then go out and see the newest release. It is a chance for adults to see “a galaxy far, far away”
brought to life and an opportunity for children to learn of the power of imagination. We are living in a time where family does not always come first. Hectic schedules keep us away from the dinner table and the only television that we watch is instant streaming on our individual laptops. Yes, this newest film and theme park may be too much, but when before has there been a movie that allows three generations to come together? So I say, go out and splurge on those ridiculous movie theater and theme park tickets. Let the science fiction nerd in you come alive. Do it for the next generation so that the next time they hear “may the force be with you,” they’ll think of that one movie (or six…) that their parents loved when they were little and still love to this day. Maybe they’ll pull out a pair of lightsabers and duel until dinners ready.
THE SPRINGHILLIAN
SPORTS
7
September 17, 2015
Men’s Soccer Prepare for the Upcoming Season
By: Jarrett Calhoun Reporter While everyone else is sleeping or relaxing on an early Sunday morning, the Spring Hill College Men’s soccer team is out on the field working. This year they look to improve vastly from last season. This year they have a lot of recruits and transfers, and a new first year head coach. Steve Wieczorek, the new head coach of the soccer team, has NCAA division 1 experience, and ten years of being an assistant coach under his belt. While watching practice Coach Wieczorek reiterated that in order for them to be successful, they would have to communicate and pay attention to the small details. With his experience in di-
vision one athletics, Coach Wieczorek chose to become the head coach at Spring Hill College, his reasoning for doing so being; “As a player I went to a Jesuit college (Fairfield University), so the opportunity to take over a prestigious Jesuit institution for my first head coaching role is something I could not pass up”, said Wieczorek. Senior captain Andrew Mclinnis talks about being a senior. “There is added
pressure, we are actually a whole new team. Everyone out on the field has to look up to me and the rest of the seniors, but I love it”. Fellow senior Jose Scheuren talks about being a senior. “It’s funny because we were there a few years ago, and it seems we were there yesterday. Having to lead the team out one last time feels satisfying, but at the same time bittersweet because we only have about two months
Photo By: Jarrett Calhoun left”. “Our coach is trying to give us a new philosophy. I think as a team we are picking it up well, however we haven’t really put together a full 90 minute game yet. So that is what we are working on now,” says senior Jacob Files. Coach Wieczorek says, “Every team I’ve been a part of had great leadership,
especially from the seniors. The value of seniors specifically Andrew, Jake, Nikko, and Jose to lead our young team is very important. Their value is priceless.” The Men’s soccer team will be on the road for the next couple weeks. There next home game is Friday October 2nd versus Shorter University at 3:30 p.m.
Spring Hill Scrambles for NCAA Eligibility College received notification that athletic teams must wait two more academic years before competing in NCAA post-season competition. Athletic director Jim Hall sat down with the Springhillian to bring positive light to this unfortunate news.
By: Jack Culotta Jr. Reporter The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) mandated Spring Hill College to repeat its second year of the Division II membership process. The rumors are true. At the end of the summer, the
“I do not think that any of us are discouraged by the news, and all indications show that we are in very good shape,” said Hall. “The membership committee expects us to complete the transition. However, we will need to repeat this year of candidacy. I feel really bad about this because I know that our student athletes want to compete for conference, regional, and national championships. Meanwhile, President Puto has authorized me
to try to find another avenue towards post-season competition for next year, and I am hopeful that one of those options will work out for us.” While the first year of candidacy is an exploratory one, this year the NCAA expects Division II policies and procedures to be followed as closely as possible. According to the sports information director Jim Stennet, the college “will become a provisional member of NCAA Division II during the 201617 academic year before potentially gaining full membership status for the 2017-18 academic year.” Until then, our teams can only improve and prepare to be a part of a talented division.
Support the Badgers at their Upcoming Home Games
Men’s Soccer
Women’s Soccer
10/2 Shorter University 3:30 p.m.
9/15 University of West Florida 1:00 p.m.
10/4 Lee University 3:30 p.m.
10/2 Shorter University 1:00 p.m.
10/9 Concordia College 3:30 p.m.
10/4 Lee University 1:00 p.m.
10/23 Mississippi College 3:30 p.m.
10/11 Valdosta State University 1:00 p.m.