2015 9 16 the davidsonian

the davidsonian

SEPTEMBER 16, 2015 VOL. 108 ISSUE 2

The Independent Student Newspaper of Davidson College since 1914

Career center introduces new job search platform

I

VITA DADOO LOMELI Staff Writer

n June, the Center for Career Development released its annual Career Outcomes Report for the Class of 2014, indicating the highest number of graduates employed six months after graduation in the last five years. The report revealed that 75.8% of the 465 students in the graduating class are employed, interning or completing military or volunteer service. In response to the college’s postgraduate employment success, the Center for Career Development is currently undergoing some critical changes. “What are your goals? What are the places you want to go to?� These are the first questions Jeff Kniple, Associate Director for Employer Relations for the Center, asks every student who steps in for an advisory session. According to

Kniple, the Center’s goal is to find where the student’s interests and skills collide and, as a result, identify possible careers for the student. As of last year, 70% of students in each class visited the Center for various reasons, including advising, career placement and resumÊ building.

In years past, the Center has successfully paired students with jobs. Additionally, it has provided the groundwork for career building through a series of workshops, information sessions, and the use of digital platforms.

In July, the Center announced its migration from WildcatLink to a new platform called Handshake. Currently, Handshake caters to over 100,000 students, 2,000 employers, and 55 schools in the country.

In comparison to WildcatLink, Handshake operates with similar technology to Google and LinkedIn, in that it personalizes job searches

based on students’ interests and search histories. Students complete a profile, which includes personal information and a resume that can be accessed by prospective employers. Further, Handshake allows employers to view students’ visa and citizenship statuses. This allows both students and employers to track the options that are best suited for their interests and to immediately know whether or not companies are willing to work with foreign students. Through the new interface, the Center has begun to post job applications and information sessions, as well as advertise workshops.

The most beneficial aspect of Handshake, Kniple remarks, is its partnership with other

See ‘HANDSHAKE’ on page 3

Inside NEWS Owning Your Wellbeing event discusses Davidson’s perfectionist culture 2 The Chidsey Center undergoes external review leading to minor changes 3

PAGE  8 LIVING DAVIDSON Photos of the Week: Davidson’s Faces 4 PERSPECTIVES Emily Taylor provides another perspective on political inclusivity 5 Hailey Klabo discusses women’s issues on campus 5 YOWL Freshman pledges self to prepare for the spring semester 6 SPORTS Swimmer Katy Williams qualiÀHV IRU 2O\PSLF 7ULDls 7 Alec Rotunda makes a comeEDFN RQ WKH VRFFHU ÀHOG

Julie Lucas manages the inner workings of Career Development. Photo by Shea Parikh.

Questions About Race event encourages discussion among students SYDNEY MACK Staff Writer

“R

acism doesn’t exist anymore.� “We live in a colorblind environment.� “I moved my family to a different neighborhood so they could go to good schools.� “What affects persons more? Socio-economic class or race?� “Don’t all lives matter?�

This is how the conversation started last Wednesday, when students were invited to engage in “The Questions You’ve Always Wanted to Ask About Race.� This event was held as one of four breakout sessions after Monday’s State of the Campus address with President Carol Quillen, hosted by the Student Government Association (SGA). “The purpose of the breakout sessions is to really go in depth with student issues,� said Ricki Hollins `16, Director of Multicultural Affairs for SGA. This session was held as an open and honest conversation about race and how the student body talks about race on campus. The goal was

“It

to create a space where people felt comfortable bringing up their experiences, questions, and thoughts about race.

To accomplish this, students were split into different small groups for interpersonal conversations about the above topics. After about 45 minutes of organic conversation, the groups came back together to tie up what they had discussed in the smaller settings. Before reconvening, however, each attendee was given a notecard to anonymously write questions they had for the larger group, to which professors and students alike could respond at the end.

A very diverse group of students attended, and the end results were positive for SGA. “According to Dean Shandley, this was one of the largest groups of people he’s ever seen,� Hollins said.

About 100 people came out to the event, but the real mark of success for Emily Rapport ‘16, Co-Director of Special Projects for SGA, was that it got people talking. “It’s not enough to just have a conversation about this,� Rapport said. “It’s a good first step.� “It was a great starting point for future talks,�

Hollins said.

What is the next step, though? For SGA, the next step lies in a future series of dialogues, known as SGA Collaborative. This is an initiative to get students talking about issues important to them. Every Thursday, during Common Hour, SGA will host a smaller talk on issues that David-

son students choose. It will be a chance to invite voices into the conversation about issues faced every day here at Davidson College. The hope for SGA is to get the whole campus involved in speaking up about what matters to the student body.

was a great starting point for future talks.�

-Ricki Hollins `16

Students hear each other out over tough issues. Photo courtesy of Bill Giduz.

News

Page 2 September 16, 2015

After external review, Chidsey implements new changes SIDNEY FOX Staff Writer

A

fter undergoing an external review, the Chidsey Center for Leadership Development is experiencing changes. While they will alter Chidsey’s structure, “the core elements of the center are still alive and well,” Stacey Riemer, Associate Dean of Civic Engagement and Leadership, assured.

Many offices at Davidson go through external

reviews, and this past year it was Chidsey’s turn to be evaluated by an external board. The goal of the reivew was to recommend changes to the center that would make its programs stronger. One of the board’s main suggestions was to “listen to the students in the program,” Reimer said.

Cayce Blackley, Assistant Director of Chidsey, explained that the goal of the center is “to provide leadership opportunities for students across campus,” which it achieves through its three main programs: Leadership Davidson, Chidsey Fellows, and the Chidsey Leadership Lectures

Series.

In the past, Chidsey Fellows has been a fouryear program that develops leadership skills in 20 or so first-year students. However, it is undergoing perhaps the most changes of all the programs, the biggest of which is that it is no longer targeting incoming freshmen. Additionally, while in the past, the program has held weekly meetings, planned a high school leadership conference, gone on retreats, hosted two speakers, and had some dinners together, most of this is changing.

According to Aditi Ghatlia ‘18, a leadership fellow, there will be “only one speaker this year, only one retreat, biweekly meetings, no more high school leadership conference planning, and no more Chidsey dinners.” In light of these changes, she said, “[the program] is becoming like a class or an extracurricular activity instead of a wholehearted commitment.”

Ghatlia suggests that this scaling back of Chidsey Fellows might prove dangerous to the center itself. “There is definitely a danger in scaling back, because it is hard to bring [the program] back, but I hope that they do continue it.”

As of now, Chidsey has yet to decide whether it will target freshmen or sophomores for the Chidsey Fellows program. According to Chris Johnson, chair of the Chidsey Executive Board, this is in large part because of Chidsey’s added emphasis this year on inclusivity. In the past,

Johnson said, “people viewed Chidsey in an elitist light.” Now, the center aims to “make it more inclusive to everybody.”

Johnson believes that eliminating the freshman year of the fellows program will make the center more inclusive and will also give freshmen a chance to “understand the landscape [of Davidson], attend workshops and lectures, and consider if they want to be a part of a more expansive program,” according to Johnson. Chidsey also plans to organize “more events that will be more open to the campus,” such as lectures and workshops.

Another notable change to Chidsey is the center’s disassociation with the Women’s Leadership Conference (WLC), an annual meeting on campus that “facilitates a dialogue about issues affecting women,” according to its website. While the WLC still has advisors in Chidsey, it is transitioning into a chartered organization with student activities. Its goal is to gain more access to funding and become more connected to the students, according to Nora Wartan ‘16, co-chair of the WLC, and Cayce Blackley, a WLC advisor.

In addition to its institutional changes, Chidsey begins the school year without Julia Jones, the previous director of the center who left in May for personal reasons. Davidson is waiting to fill her position until the higher education hiring season in the spring.

“[Chidsey Fellows] is be-

coming like a class or an extracurricular activity instead of a wholehearted commitment.

-Aditi Ghatlia ‘18

The Chidsey Center for Leadership Development. Photo by Shea Parikh.

News

‘Handshake’ expected to aid job-seeking students Continued from page 1 highly recognized institutions, including The University of Michigan, Stanford and Cornell.

Davidson, in sharing this platform with other universities, can forge relations with a wide variety of employers. “Employers have a relationship with Cornell,” Kniple explained, “and, now, with a couple of clicks they can send the same job posting to Davidson.” Since Handshake launched on campus in July, 700 companies have joined Davidson’s network, and the College is now connecting with 10 to 25 companies every day, twice as many connections as Davidson was making through WildcatLink. “With WildcatLink we had a stagnant group,” Kniple remarked.

The Center’s introduction of a new jobsearching digital platform resonates with the College’s desire to increase its exposure to the outside world. “There are many ways in which Davidson has raised its exposure in recent years, but I think certainly it helps for the companies that hear of us to have an easy way of connecting with us,” Kniple added. Although Davidson is a new member of the platform, Kniple expects the College’s network to continue to grow rapidly.

With the introduction of Handshake and the

upcoming departure of Nathan Elton, current director of the Center, the Center is expecting a busy year ahead. For the upcoming semester, Tom Shandley, Dean of Students, has planned a national search for new a full-time director. In the meantime, Kniple will step-up as the interim director. The Center has also created a new position, Assistant Director for Alumni and Parent Engagement, to handle additional staff responsibilities in light of Elton’s absence. Kniple hopes to maintain the Center’s same level of success and exposure for the upcoming school year.

In expanding its employer network, Davidson will strengthen its presence in the job market and allow students to have a wider variety of choices and opportunities. Although the technological changes in the Center guarantee greater exposure, Kniple reminds us that “the best ambassadors we have are our students.”

Follow the Davidsonian on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @The_Davidsonian

Students criticize academic culture of perfectionism GARRETT BARLOW Staff Writer

A

cozy 36 people sat in the Tomlinson conference room to take part in Wednesday night’s State of the Campus event, named “Owning Your Wellbeing.” The group discussion, hosted by the SGA as a part of its “State of the Campus” week of events, focused on the mental issues that arise from Davidson’s culture of perfectionism. Two questions dominated the night: how students can take control of their mental health, and what barriers lie in the way of that process.

The discussion broke students into three different groups, led by Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty Wendy Raymond, Staff Counselor Lisa Collard and Therapist and Staff Counselor David Graham, each focusing on separate issues regarding mental health at Davidson College.

Raymond’s discussion focused on stress tdue to academic pressures. She began by addressing the “Myth of Effortless Perfection,” or the façade that many students put on in order to mask their deeper stress regarding their workload. This issue was addressed much throughout the night, and was deemed by many to be a contributing factor to the culture of overwork at Davidson.

Raymond then asked students to share their experiences regarding academic stress. The dominant grievance was the large amount of work that many students faced. One student listed off all the work she had over a period of a few days, which included reading from multiple books and writing parts of a thesis paper. Another student said that she had, “So much reading it isn’t humanly possible.”

Complaints were also raised about the ability for professors and students to communicate regarding workload. Students cited scenarios which ranged from a lack of knowledge on the part of professors regarding workloads to outright hostility from faculty. In response to these specific complains, some students proposed the creation of a faculty ombudsman position, which would handle disputes between faculty and students. There was also talk of a system to facilitate professor-student communication.

Students also reported feeling as if both professors and the culture of Davidson in general disapproved of students who took time off

schoolwork for personal activities. There was concern about the pride that many students take in working at the detriment of their own health.

Lisa Collard’s group focused on body image issues and concerns with perfectionism, though the discussion mainly centered on the latter. Students reported that they had issues with attempting to do too much, especially in the form of extracurricular activities. Another issue raised was some students’ trouble with rejecting opportunities or requests, which can lead to a cumbersome workload. In response to the issues presented, students expressed an importance in scheduling free time and with making their concerns about stress open, so that other students can be aware that their peers face issues with perfectionism as well.

David Graham chose to center his discussion on mindfulness. Graham expressed his belief that it is important for students to live in the moment, rather that constantly worry about the future. Multiple students stated that journaling helped them balance the stress of schoolwork with their own mental health. One student said his strategy to relieve stress was to leave campus.

When the discussion groups convened, Raymond expressed her desire that the students and faculty of Davidson might create an atmosphere that is conducive to the discussion of stress. “We don’t know what is going on with every student… but we can offer a generosity in spirit.”

When asked if she had any concrete plans for addressing the issue of mental health in response to the discussion, Raymond stated that she had none yet, but that she would take into account the responses of the students in future Educational Policy Committee meetings. Raymond also expressed surprise at some faculty practices that students reported, which she considered, “Not educationally productive.”

One solution that she raised as a possibility was the creation of a guide for new professors that would help adjust them to students’ needs, but there are no concrete plans for such a guide as of yet.

When asked for a statement, SGA president Pablo Zevallos `16 ensured that the current SGA administration is prioritizing student mental health as an issue to be addressed.

Page 3

Davidsonian.com

crime log Time

Description / Location

09/08/15 at 1937 hrs

Larceny of Property (Bicycle) in Richardson.

09/10/15 at 1450 hrs

Poss. of Marijuana/Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia/Poss. of Malt Beverage Underage/Poss of Spirituous Liquor

09/12/15 at 0141 hrs

Injury to Real Property (Door) at B. Prosecution Declined.

09/13/15 at 0015 hrs

Underage Consumption in Belk.

Dean Referral.

09/13/15 at 0059 hrs

Underage Consumption in Belk.

Dean Referral.

09/13/15 at 0147 hrs

Injury to Real Property (Toilet) at Armfield.

09/13/15 at 0135 hrs

Underage Consumption at Armfield.

Dean Referral.

09/13/15 at 0218 hrs

Underage Consumption at Belk.

Dean Referral.

A high-paced, weekend-long event, 3 Day Startup builds college communities around entrepreneurship. Collaborate alongside other Davidson students with a wide range of backgrounds while networking with top-notch entrepreneurs, mentors, advisers and investors. You’ll pick the best ideas for a startup during day one brainstorming sessions, workshop pitches with mentors over the course of day two, release a prototype by the end of day three, and have an unforgettable experience when the weekend wraps. All food and drink provided.

living davidson

Page 4

September 16, 2015

!"#$#%&#'&$"(&)((*+&,-./0%#12%&3-4(%&

!"#$$%&'(()(*+,-

!"#$$%&'(()(*+,-

!"#$$%&'(()(*+,-

!"#$$%&'(()(*+,!"#$$%&'(()(*+,.)//%0)1'2

.)//%0)1'2

!"#$$%&'(()(*+,-

.)//%0)1'2

perspectives

page 5

davidsonian.com

Re: Inclusivity at Davidson See me for me

W

EMILY TAYLOR

ill King, I absolutely agree with you.

We unquestionably have a problem with inclusivity at Davidson. However, our most pressing inclusivity problem is not the marginalization of conservative voices, it is the fact that every day students are excluded based on their race, gender, sexual preference, familial income, and a host of other identities.

I do agree that conservative voices and opinions can be hard to express here on campus. But when students are still being discriminated against, even inadvertently, because of their identity, something that is inherent to who they are, I do not see political inclusivity as the more pressing issue.

There are so many examples of exclusion - both intentional and unintentional - here on campus. Parties that have themes that appropriate other cultures.

The allocation of real estate on campus (all of the predominately white PCC organizations have houses, while only one of the minority PCC organizations do). The perpetuation of microaggressions. The financial barriers that prevent students from participating in everything from fraternity formals to out of class research. The heteronormative assumptions implied in events such as ‘My Tie’ semiformals. The town of Davidson and our campus are both extremely exclusive spaces, one in which only certain populations are welcomed.

There is a difference between the political opinion, that which should be respected and debated in a considerate manner, and discriminatory attitudes, which should not be allowed to be expressed. Gay marriage is not a matter of opinion, like the role of government or even whether Tom Brady knew about Deflategate. It is a matter of civil rights, and the Supreme Court changed this into law only a few short months ago. Yes, we are all entitled to our own opinions. However, you are no longer entitled to express those beliefs when they, intentionally or unintentionally, create an exclusionary space.

Did you ever think about, while you might not feel accepted when expressing your disapproval for

gay marriage, how those of the LGBTQIA community may feel when you express a sentiment that undermines their basic rights? I am glad to hear that it is harder to express these discriminatory attitudes. It means that Davidson has become a more inclusive place, at least on issues of sexuality. I do not see the freedom to express discriminatory opinions as more important than making everyone on our campus feel welcomed, included, and safe.

There is a complex interplay between freedom of expression and creating an inclusive environment.

People should feel comfortable expressing diverse and dissimilar opinions; as such a dialogue can create a rich campus culture of inclusivity. It is through this dialogue, which can sometimes be uncomfortable, that learning is achieved. However, your freedom of expression ends where others’ personal rights to security, both physical and emotional, begin.

It is unacceptable that students are excluded and discriminated against based on who they are. It is also unacceptable that within certain spaces here on campus, it hard to express conservative views. However, there is a difference between holding conservative political opinions and holding discriminatory views that make other students feel unwelcome. We can argue about Obamacare or government intervention in the financial industry all day if you want to, but we cannot express opinions that create an environment that intentionally makes certain populations feel unwelcome or subordinate.

I was upset that you wrote an article about inclusivity at Davidson without once mentioning major ways that students continue to experience exclusion here on campus, such as race or gender or socioeconomic status or sexuality. By completely sidestepping these issues and instead focusing solely on political inclusivity, you demonstrate your privilege.

Emily Taylor `16 is a History major from Greenville, South Carolina. Contact her at emtaylor@davidson.edu.

RICKI HOLLINS

C

ollege is usually a time when people come into their own and hit their stride as an adult. Here at Davidson, we provide ample spaces of support that are supposed to make our college experience comfortable. When you finally become comfortable with all of your social identities, usually you will have a space to go and be who you are. However, what happens when your identities don’t perfectly fit into a space?

I found that I have had to sacrifice parts of myself in order to fit into the spaces that were supposed to be for me. I am an asexual, aromantic lesbian, black, low-income mother from a place in Chicago that I am so proud of (but many wouldn’t dream of going to). I started off here with a group of friends with race being our common ground. Although I was happy to be around brown faces on a white campus, my economic status separated me from the group. I did not go to a private day or boarding school, I knew what it was like to go without basic necessities, and to me being at Davidson was pure luck. Many people in my neighborhood never made it out of Chicago. I had no problem talking about my experiences, but I was seen as the minority “stereotype” that many were trying to separate themselves from.

The greatest and most challenging task I encountered here was being a mother and a college student. I was told to transfer because the chances of me finishing college here were pretty low. I remember not being chosen to speak to incoming Davidson students because my experience is an exception, not the rule.

I was on my own and had to fend for myself. I had a lot of time to evaluate my life and how I got here.

Being a mother did not make my workload any easier, but it made my motivation to accept every part of who I am greater. I began to question my happiness and attraction to men. Coming from a religious family I was not able to even learn about any sexual orientation other than heterosexuality, even though I found women way more attractive. Feeling like I had to be with men was painful, but as a result I now have a beautiful 2 year old daughter. I began to evaluate

my past relationships, looking up terms on the queer spectrum that described me, and talking to peers I knew who could refer me to the right space.

When I was referred to the queer resources on campus, I felt like I would finally find the space I was looking for. Due to the term “intersectionality” being ever so popular in the community, I assumed that all my identities would be accepted. I was wrong. I was constantly questioned about my attractions to women because of my history with men. It felt like I always had to prove that I was truly a non-gender conforming, non-heterosexual human being. I was never able to claim my asexuality because no one understood how an asexual person could have a child. Not only that, but the thought of not wanting to have sex was weird to everyone I told. I got questions like: “What do you mean you are okay with not wanting a relationship? How do you not have sex with a significant other? Ricki, are you even capable of love?” For the sake of my sanity, I exited the final space on campus that was supposed to be for me.

However, I did not come out alone. I met a person who later would become my best friend and chosen family. He was the first person at Davidson to accept all of my identities at face value. All the nights of crying and soul searching have been made in the spaces that we now occupy together. It took four years, but I finally feel like I can be my whole self at Davidson College.

To all of the students, especially first-years: you are who you are. Many people will not like every part of who you are, but always remember that this is what makes you special. You are a complex human being and should never feel like any part of that being is dormant. Instead, it should coexist. Being a mother makes me no less of an asexual, and being low-income makes me no less of a black Davidson student.

It is not about finding a space to accept you, but rather a chosen family to occupy spaces with. Your Davidson experience will be so much more valuable because you accept yourself and have others to remind you that that is perfectly okay.

Ricki Hollins `16 is an Economics and Sociology major from Chicago, Illinois. Contact her at erhollins@davidson.edu.

Meaning Yes/Meaning No: Finding Balance and Finding Yourself

B

HAILEY KLABO

eing a woman at Davidson is hard sometimes, at least for me.

I do not intend to speak for everyone who identifies as a woman in this article, but I have found many of my experiences, thoughts, and feelings echoed in the stories of other Davidson girls. These stories are important, because many times I have felt alone in thinking these thoughts, when so many other people have been thinking the same things. We could have been supporting each other instead of isolating ourselves.

Many women feel pressure here. Pressure to hook up (but not with too many people). Pressure

to get involved. Pressure to do well in classes (but still have time to go out and party). Pressure to go out and party (even though you need to do well in those classes). Pressure to look good, stay fit, and be happy (even though you’re stressed from all these other pressures). It seems like finding a balance between all of these is nearly impossible. I did not have a good balance my first year at Davidson. Learning to say yes, and learning to say no, and mean both of them, helped me find a better balance (I am still on the quest for the elusive perfect balance).

My high school health teacher told us to always put ourselves first. If we are not looking out for ourselves, who will? You have to be your own best advocate. These words have always resonated with me. Yet, I have found myself putting others’ feelings and wants in front of my own, merely because I do not want to create an awkward conversation or sit-

the davidsonian staff editors-in-chief news editors living davidson editor

:LOO 0F'XIÀH Michelle Wan Mary Click Kate McNaughton Sophia Guevara

perspectives editor

Will Weisgerber

yowl editor

Sophie McHugh

sports editors

Ethan Faust Jason Feldman

photo editors

Scott Cunningham Shea Parikh

web editors

graphic design editor

Sabrina Cheema Emily Kent Bridget Lavender Sophia Smith

uation. I do not like confrontation or inconveniencing others, nor do I enjoy rejecting people. For these reasons, I do not say no very often. Once, my adviser took my phone away from me to text the people I was supposed to be meeting with to tell them I could not make it because I had a stats test I needed to study for. She knew I was putting their priorities ahead of my own. In this case, and in others, my not saying no created difficulties and inconveniences in my own life.

I have found that saying “no” can take many forms other than those two letters. It can take the form of getting yourself out of a one-sided friendship with a girl on your hall. It can look like saying “I only want to make out tonight” to a person you have been hooking up with. Or it really can look like “no.” Saying yes can look like getting involved, hooking up with someone you’ve been crushing on

for a while (consensually, obviously!), or leaving the library to go get a milkshake at campus summit by yourself when the pressure is getting to you. I’m still learning, but aren’t we all?

If you are a first-year woman at Davidson, I invite you to attend the event “Meaning Yes/Meaning No: Finding Balance and Finding Yourself at Davidson.” Come talk about pressures, finding a balance, and in the process, finding yourself, with some pretty amazing upperclassmen girls this Thursday, September 17th in room 209 the Union during Common Hour.

Hailey Klabo `16 is a Gender and Sexuality Studies major from Iowa City, Iowa. Contact her at haklabo@davidson.edu.

THE METAPHORICAL ISSUE !"#$%&'(

!"#$"$%&"'()%$&)$&*

Confirmed: Cicada Chirps Actually Tiny Screams of Terror

Page 1/2

New in Productivity: Senior Spends Better Part of Semester Clearing Out Webmail Inbox

Page 1

Breaking: Zeus Shows Up at Toga Party; Smites All In His Way

Page ∞

Local Fauna Think Flagpole is Just an Ugly Tree Page Seven

Overheard: Whispers of “Fifth Belk Best Belk” From Ghosts in the Attic

Page 64

Rainbow Sighting Incites Frantic Campus-Wide Search For Pot of Gold

“Y is a vowel too!” Exclaims Radical Vowel-Awareness Group

Student Finally Collects All Six Limited Edition Shrek Watches From 2004 Cereal Boxes

What started with a simple post on Yik Yak soon came to grip the entire campus in a standoff between consonants and vowels—with Y caught somewhere in the middle. At 9:53 a.m. on Tuesday a disgruntled student posted the following yak: “Y is NOT a vowel, smh.” Soon Yik Yak was abuzz with indignation, ignorance and bad puns, with students asking “Y is this such a big deal?” and “all y’s deserve to die.” The original post was quickly downvoted to oblivion, but not before it caught the eye of a certain campus activist. Jymmy Wells, a known proponent for vowel rights, took what should have been a simple shout into the void and created a platform for his latest crusade. Wells, famous for chalking “AND SOMETIMES Y” on campus buildings, was swift to issue a statement of shock and rage: “Crypt, Syphilis, Psychology. All words you simply couldn’t have without Y’s necessary function as a part-time vowel. Y has a place on this campus and Y hatred needs to stop.”

Irritated by Wells’s attempts to capitalize on the crisis, the Vowel Awareness Group (VAG) on campus flew into a frenzy in no time, spreading the hashtag #yisavowel. Another campus group felt that Y visibility was a problem because it

Saturday, September 12, started out a day like any other for Danny Waltham ‘18. He got out of bed, put on his five Shrek-themed digital watches, and headed to the library. But with the night, everything changed.

“My only plan that night was to stop by the Union cereal bar, wolf down a few bowls of Lucky Charms, and be on my way,” Waltham mused.

“Sheesh, I guess those things really are lucky!”

Imagine his surprise when, in the midst of his fourth bowl, Waltham noticed a 2004 box of Honey Nut Cheerios advertising to “Collect all six limited edition glow-in-the-dark Shrek 2 themed digital watches!”

“It was just lying there, dusty and forgotten under a table. I swear in that moment my heart stopped. I mean, this stuff doesn’t just happen every day!”

Onlookers reported that in that moment, Waltham’s demeanor changed from that of a simple boy to that of a ferocious ogre. Eyewitness Jacob Ball reports: “Danny charged for that box. There was noth“Danny charged for that box. ing we could do to stop him. He trampled several There was nothing we could do to first years, stopping only stop him. He trampled several first to shriek, ‘Get out of my swamp!’ It was mayhem. years, stopping only to shriek, “Get But when he emerged out of my swamp!” with the Shrek watch, we couldn’t help but smile. We all know what Shrek means to Danny.”

It’s not difficult to understand why Waltham went wild over the tiny trinket.

According to an investigative report by Yowl correspondents, a full set of the firm plastic arm candy will go for 10, sometimes 12 real dollars! The watches are truly one of a kind.

But Waltham’s not interested in selling.

“At age nine, I thought I’d get rich quick off of one day selling all six limited edition glow-in-the-dark Shrek 2 themed digital watches,” he said. “I’d collected five within first month of their release! But when the marketing campaign ended and the boxes came off the shelves, I was crushed and one short of collecting them all. I’ve been wearing the watches ever since.”

That much is obvious. After over a decade of trapping his wrist in the childsized bands, Waltham’s left arm has grown in folds around the watches.

“It sometimes hurts, but I kinda like it! My arm is like an onion. It has layers.”

When the jolly green man of the hour was notified of his biggest fan’s success, he patted down his small leather vest and smiled like a proud father.

“That’ll do, Danny. That’ll do.”

Page 8

Miracles Do Happen: Junior Awakens One Minute Before Class Dismissal

Page π

Students Hopeful That Tiny Campus Garden Watermelon May One Day Be Edible

Page 3

Hot New App: Tinder Family: “Swipe Right For Life” Page 2 is company 3’s a crowd

The Yowl’s Guide to Staying Warm This Fall Find a friend from the North to remind you of your weaknesses.

Burn NorthFace jackets for warmth.

Pumpkin spice your daily gruel.

Eat fire.

Your Davidson Honor Section

Editor: Sophie McHugh Writers: Lawton “Lah-D-Dah” Kariher Flaky Biscuit

Note: The Yowl is a satirical supplement to The Davidsonian. Hence, nothing in it should be taken as truth. Though really, what is truth but a concept created by humans to cope with the reality of lies?

!"#$%&'(%)*+(&+

!"#$%&$$'(%)*+',"-%-+%.+'%)/0%.+'*%122(3$#4(%5367(

“Crypt, Syphilis, Psychology. All words you simply couldn’t have without Y’s necessary function as a parttime vowel.” promoted the Y chromosome. The cryptic #xisavowel began circulating, which in turn enraged the English department. When asked about the controversy, Dr. Yngram appeared annoyed: “X is not a vowel. Like, no chance.”

Others on campus felt alienated by VAG’s efforts. The Consonant Club, one of Davidson’s oldest institutions, rallied around Wells’s opponents. “Clearlie Wells has no idea what he’s talking about. Y has no place in this alphabet, this world-and certainlie not this school. Not as a consonant OR a vowel.” One campus group even began campaigning to eliminate K from the campus alphabet, arguing that it was redundant. “They don’t even use K in Spanish so why should we?” asked one Hispanic Studies major crying outside the Center for Career Development.

The debate has since been taken from the digital world to the real one. Posters can be seen calling to change Davidson’s mascot from the wildcat to the “wyldcat”--even to change Davidson to Davydson. The Student Government Association hastily organized a State of the Alphabet town hall meeting, at which the President spoke: “Y is what makes Davidson special. Sometimes I ask myself “Y Davidson?”

After the hysteria finally died down 24 hours later, another anonymous message appeared: “I does NOT come after E. That’s what the government wants you to think.”

Student Spotlight: Genius Freshman Preemptively Pledges Self Davidson prides itself on admitting what it considers to be top-tier performers in every aspect of life. The composition of this year’s freshman class is no exception. When asked in an exclusive interview about the Class of 2019, Dean Schaffer responded, “The administration loves to see the new student body push themselves to new limits every year.”

One particular first-year who seems to be pushing limits further than we at the Yowl have ever seen is Scotty Rockwell. This 5’6” ball of fire is doing what no Davidson student has ever done before: he’s pledging himself before his future fraternity brothers have a chance to.

Rockwell explains his method in simple terms: “I imbibe to my hearts desire, wear terrible clothing, and generally humiliate myself. Not only do I prove my dedication to fraternity life, but also when actual pledge season rolls around I’ll be a natural!”

Rockwell’s roommate describes a particularly impressive night in Rockwell’s fast-track career: “The guy’s a genius. I came in on Tuesday night to find him shirtless, covered in vomit, attempting

I came in on Tuesday night to find him shirtless, covered in vomit, attempting to drink Colt 45 out of a thermos. The guy’s a genius.

to drink Colt 45 out of a thermos. I can only hope to one day achieve a performance of that level.”

With actual schoolwork beginning to become an issue, Rockwell has been put under intense pressure to perform “Down the Hill”. When asked about balancing his academic life and extracurricular activities he responded, “I’m confident that I’ll be able to bring that D1 attitude to the beer pong table.”

In an attempt to get a better perspective into an average night of training for this shining star, the Yowl accompanied Rockwell to a get-together at the Armfield apartment building. Rockwell, clad in his signature look — a plaid button down tucked into his pressed pants — could be observed shotgunning a Keystone Light and shrieking at himself, “Eat lard, you nasty scum!”

“I don’t know why he’s being so hard on himself ”, stated one brother belonging to the Pizza Kappa Pizza fraternity, “The worst thing we’ve ever done to our pledges is send them on a scavenger hunt that leads to nowhere.”

One thing’s for sure: Rockwell is going places. The admissions office strives to create a vibrant and well rounded student body. With top tier schools becoming more and more aggressive with their recruitment process, Davidson College needs a hero. Scotty Rockwell may very well be that hero.

Page 7 Davidsonian.com

Williams qualifies for Olympic Trials $IWHU \HDUV RI KDUG ZRUN FRQVWDQW GHGLFDWLRQ SDLG RII ZLWK 7ULDO FXW !"##$%&'()!"

W

!"#$$%&'(")'

hile most Davidson students are clinging to their sheets early on Monday mornings, Katy Williams ’17 and the Davidson swimming team are busy with the first of their two swims of the day.  Williams, an Apex, NC native, spends an hour and a half in the pool before the sun even rises.  While the idea of getting up that early may seem revolting to some, it’s what it takes for Williams and her teammates to be their best at the college level.

Williams started swimming for her neighborhood team at age eight.  She quickly developed an affinity for the sport, and it wasn’t long before she discovered a talent that not many others had: she was adept in the breaststroke, typically one of the hardest strokes. This skill gave her a leg up on the competition. From there, she joined a club team at age 10, and has been swimming year-round ever since.

At Davidson, the team holds nine practices per week, all while balancing a full class schedule.

While it’s certainly a difficult schedule to manage, Williams has learned to appreciate the discipline that comes with being an NCAA swimmer. “It makes you very deliberate with your time,� she noted. “You don’t just sit around and waste time.  If you do have extra time, you are taking a nap or doing work or getting ahead.  I’ve definitely enjoyed it for the structure it has given me.�

In her time at Davidson, Williams has found a great group of friends on the team.  A tight-knit group, they try to spend as much time together out of the pool as they do in it.  “We hang out

together all the time and do pretty much everything together,� Williams said.  That fun, warm environment the team provides has translated into great success in the water.

As a freshman, Williams stood atop of the podium on four separate occasions: in the 100-yard backstroke, the 100 and 200-yard breaststroke, and as a part of the 200 medley relay. Last year resulted in more of the same, with Williams picking up first-place finishes in the 200 breaststroke, the 100 breaststroke, and the 100 butterfly across various meets. She was also part of the 200 medley relay team that set a new Davidson record at the Atlantic 10 Championships in February.

Although she has found success in and out of the pool, her career hasn’t always gone smoothly.

After a disappointing performance at the conference championships last year and “a lot of mental stuff and stress about school,� Williams found herself having to dig out of a hole. “It was a big block to get over and a really hard setback to have,� she said. However, she found strength in the uplifting community of the team and has rebounded impressively, finding herself in a position that many young swimmers dream of: with the possibility of representing her country in the next Olympics.

On the morning of July 25, Williams put on her swim cap and goggles and got into the pool with only one thing on her mind: “to swim and see how fast I can go.�  When the beep sounded, that’s exactly what she did.  Posting impressive times in her favorite stroke, the 200m (2:34.23) and 100m breaststroke (1:03.20), she qualified for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials next summer in Omaha, NE.

A culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and perseverance, this qualification was a powerful moment for Williams.  Detailing her emotions post-victory, she described feelings of “somewhat amusement and amazement.�

This past summer, Williams spent a great deal of her time working with Dr. Laurie Heyer to help the non-profit Charlotte Community ToolBank. Â This forced her to cut her training back from her typical two practices a day to one, with an additional lift. Â Williams credits her success to this revised practice schedule.

Williams and men’s teammate Luke Burton ’16, who qualified for Olympic Trials in the 50m free, will now have a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to swim at a meet with some of the fastest swimmers in the world,� Williams explained. The Trials will take place from June 26 to July 3.

In the meantime, despite next summer looming, Williams is staying focused on performing well for Davidson and to potentially earn a spot in the NCAA Championships. The Wildcats begin their season on October 2 at the NC Collegiate Kick-Off in Greensboro.

Follow the Wildcats through The Davidsonian: Twitter and Instagram: @The_Davidsonian

Scoreboard FIELD HOCKEY 9/13 Davidson Michigan

1 4

FOOTBALL 9/12 Catawba Davidson

35 21

SOCCER (M) 9/15 High Point Davidson

1 1

SOCCER (W) 9/13 NC State Davidson

2 1 (2OT)

VOLLEYBALL 9/12 Davidson Marshall

3 2

Phillips lets his running do the talking in final season *#!*%+',"',

H

!)*(+'%!"#$$%&'(")'

umility is the name of the game for Ryan Phillips ’16.

Although the senior cross country runner immediately tries to downplay his accomplishments, his list of accolades is getting longer.

Phillips ran a 15:05.9 5K to win the Richmond Invitational in the Wildcats’ first meet of the year on September 5. That was good for his first career individual victory and Atlantic 10 Performer of the Week honors.

More important for Phillips, however, was leading his team to a 34-point victory. “We didn’t have serious expectations,� he said. “We wanted to get the win, but mainly it was a stepping stone for the rest of the season.�

Phillips claims that things bode well for the team coming out of the summer. “It was our first anaerobic session,� he said, “so that was the first time we got the opportunity to see what kind of speed we have.�

If that’s any indication of what’s to come for the men’s cross country team, it should be an exciting season. “It’s definitely a confidence booster,� Phillips explained, adding that there is still room for improvement. “We’re still building up and we hope to get the win at Vanderbilt this weekend.� Davidson will compete at the Commodore Classic Saturday in Nashville.

If there’s still more to come from the Ridgewood, NJ native this season, then that is great news for the Wildcats. Phillips had a good season last year, but he claims he peaked too early and can bring even more to the table for his team in his final run around. “My goal for this year is to run my best when it counts,� Phillips said. He’s aiming for a top-7 All-Conference finish, but, in another expression of his humility, would rather discuss the goals for his team. “I want to be able to help other guys work together in the front to win a team championship,� he explained. “Our primary goal is winning conference as a team, and that’s what we’re going to focus on.�

For anyone else in Phillips’ position, focus might be difficult. The physics major is an out-

standing student and the chaplain of his fraternity, who also finds time to play classical piano on the side. He is the definition of a hard-worker.

While that resume might sound like an overachieving student athlete to many, Phillips, in typical fashion, downplays his busy schedule. “I think I’m not unique in terms of my workload and balancing things,� he said.

His performance so far this season has been unique, however, and that might be unexpected for someone who only started running while in his freshman year at Regis High School in New York City. He loved the sport from the beginning, however, because, as he explained, “things are objective, and you have objective measures of performance where you can see how you’ve improved and performed.�

One explanation for why running may seem to come naturally to Phillips is that it’s in his blood.

His father, Jim, ran at Fordham in the 1970s, and his younger brother has just joined the team there as a freshman. Of course, that means an Atlantic 10 family rivalry is now in the cards. When asked about how that conflict might resolve itself, Phillips assures that Davidson will certainly come out on top, “with a little bit of sabotage.� Showing off his particular brand of humor, he added with a laugh, “I get this one and he can have the next three years. There’s an understanding there.�

Phillips knows that rising to the top of the A-10 will require strong efforts across the board from everyone on the team. “It’s not really thought of as a team sport, but running with other people and succeeding on a team is something totally different, and it’s really cool to have that team mentality of failing or succeeding together. “At the end of the season, I want to look back and see that we did everything we could to succeed.�

That will mean a slight change in strategy as the Wildcats enter their second season in the A-10. According to Phillips, A-10 teams use a pack running strategy that relies on placing most, if not all, of a team’s top five runners near the front of the pack, and doesn’t rely on just one or two outstanding performers. The team becomes that much more important. “At Richmond, it was

good to see that everyone’s in a good spot from summer training,� Phillips said. “We have a lot of guys fighting for our fifth spot now.�

It’s working. “Our team culture is better than I’ve ever seen it,� Phillips said. “We’re looking to sustain that and also succeed when it comes to

running.�

In previewing the rest of the season, the humble Phillips brushes off his early-season win. “It’s our conference meet that counts,� he stated emphatically, “and that’s when we want to be running our best.�

3KOOLSV ULJKW UXQQLQJ DORQJVLGH :LOO %UHZVWHU ¡ OHIW GXULQJ WKH 5LFKPRQG ,QYLWDWLRQDO RQ 6HSWHPEHU . !"#$#%&'%()*%+#&&%,-.%

Interested in writing for sports?

Contact etfaust@davidson.edu or jafeldman@davidson.edu

sports

Page 8 September 16, 2015

5RWXQGD PDNHV LQVWDQW LPSDFW RQ ÀHOG

Athlete’s Corner

,-./01213'4056'7'8513'79:-1;-<',5./1=7'>7:':.700-='450':5;;-0'.-76 ?&%@*'("#A!&* *+,-.+(%$&/0)%+(

I

n the 67th minute of the menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s soccer match against Wofford on September 4, a huge cheer, seemingly out of nowhere, came about from the students who had braved the hour-anda-half weather delay. Just as had happened three times earlier that match and as happens countless times throughout the course of any given match, a Davidson sub had made his way over to the side of the pitch to enter the game for the Wildcats.

However, as a testament to the person Alec Rotunda â&#x20AC;&#x2122;16 is, when everyone quickly realized that it was #10 waiting to come on, they welcomed him back with a roaring ovation.

After two years of strong performances, Rotunda was expected to play a key role for the Wildcats during his junior campaign in 2014. He played in 13 matches during his freshman season and had one goal. In his sophomore year, he surpassed that with 17 appearances to go along with another two goals, both of which came in matches won by a single goal.

Then, his soccer career completely changed.

After having had persisting pain in his hip area for the better part of 11 months, Rotunda eventually saw a hip specialist who broke the tough news to him: he had degenerating cartilage between his femur and hipbone. The doctor recommended that he give up the sport he had been playing his whole life. While the news was certainly devastating for Rotunda, it helped clear up what had been an ongoing issue that affected him both on and off the soccer field. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Though the news was not what I was hoping for, it did give me peace of mind, finally knowing the state of my body and how I could move forward,â&#x20AC;? Rotunda said.

Despite this setback, he was determined to continue to leave his mark on the Davidson program. He went to every one of the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s practices, even getting there before everyone else so that he could help set up for the drills. He was also a veteran presence around the team, always looking to help out with his trademark positive attitude. For teammates like Danny Davis â&#x20AC;&#x2122;18, a freshman last year, Rotunda was an invaluable resource. â&#x20AC;&#x153;His enthusiasm that he brings each day to practices and games is contagious,â&#x20AC;? Davis remarked. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That really rubbed off on me.â&#x20AC;? Rotundaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s classmate Shane Macnamara â&#x20AC;&#x2122;16 echoed

these sentiments. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Alec brings such enthusiasm to the field regardless of whether he is injured or not,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Rotunda also continued to leave his mark off the field, being elected the Chair of the Honor Council in addition to his duties as a Hall Counselor. But beyond that, he continued brightening peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s days with his infectious positive attitude.

In recognition, last fall he received the collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Goodwin-Exxon Award for high standards of character, good sportsmanship and consideration of others.

A year after seeing the hip specialist for the first time, Rotunda went back to him a month ago to check in. In the back of his mind, he had always been thinking that he would love to get a short cameo on Senior Night, and he planned to ask the doctor whether this would be a possibility. Fortunately, the doctor granted this wish and more, telling him that he could get back to playing before then, as long as he stayed away from certain drills and didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t feel anything serious in his hip.

Even with this news, it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like Rotunda was able to just walk right back into the starting 11. He had been away from the game for so long that rustiness in his touch and lack of fitness were inevitable. However, he began working tirelessly to do whatever was necessary to get his moment back on the field with all of his teammates. That moment came against Wofford.

Even Rotunda himself was a bit surprised to be entering the game that night. He had not yet returned to full 11-on-11 training, and though coach Matt Spear had told him that playing that night was a possibility, he had made no guarantees. However, with the match level at 1-1 in the second half, Spear decided to give Rotunda his chance. As Macnamara can attest, even his teammates on the field at that point were a bit caught off guard by the loud ovation Rotunda garnered. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He received an applause that took me by surprise,â&#x20AC;? Macnamara explained. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know who was coming on the field. When I glanced over to the sideline to see who it was, it made perfect sense. It was something Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll never forget.â&#x20AC;?

Less than 10 minutes after entering the game against Wofford, Rotunda showed that he still has the magic in his boots to make an impact for the team. With a pass coming his direction as he stood open at the top of the box, Rotunda quickly

identified Christian Fechter â&#x20AC;&#x2122;17 running toward the goal, and with the deftest of touches, sent a back heel that found Fechter in stride to put the Wildcats up 2-1.

Just one match later, against ACC foe NC State, Rotunda showed that not only can he create for his teammates, but he can also find the back of the net himself. As Valeriy Sviderskiy â&#x20AC;&#x2122;16 carried the ball up the field, Rotunda made a streaking run down the middle of the field, splitting the center backs to get in behind. Sviderskiy found him, and with a sense of composure as if he never left the game, Rotunda coolly slotted a finish into the bottom left corner to put the game out of reach for a massive win. After applying the finishing touch, Rotunda quickly celebrated with his trademark forward roll before getting mobbed by his teammates as the packed student section broke into a frenzy. Number 10 was officially back.

Rotunda continues to make progress in his return to the player Wildcat fans came to adore a few years ago. He made his way back into the starting lineup in the recent match against Elon, and he increased his minutes in each of his first three successive matches. After a home draw against High Point last night, the Wildcats next will embark on a west coast swing to take on nationally ranked powerhouses Cal-Berkeley and Stanford. The Stanford match will be particularly special, as one of the men on the other side of the field will be U.S. National Team prodigy Jordan Morris. Rotunda says facing Morris is an opportunity he will cherish, but the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main goal for the season continues to be winning the Atlantic 10.

Going forward, Rotunda expects soccer to continue to play a big role in his life. This past summer, he interned with an organization called Street Soccer USA in New York City, and though he does not yet know his plans for next year, he would not be surprised to have soccer be a part of them. He explained that he could see himself moving into coaching, or going a different direction with the sport through one of his numerous connections in the soccer world. Either way, Rotunda will continue to cherish having the game be a part of his life in any way possible, and it is clear that the game itself is lucky to have a person like Rotunda.

:KHQ KHDOWK\ 5RWXQGD ZDV D IRUFH RQ WKH Ă&#x20AC;HOG GXULQJ KLV IUHVKPDQ DQG VRSKRPRUH \HDUV $ UHFHQW UHWXUQ WR WKH OLQHXS DIWHU D \HDU DZD\ IURP WKH JDPH KDV VHHQ 5RWXQGD PDNH DQ LPPHGLDWH LPSDFW !"#$#%&'%()*%+#,)-.

Upcoming Davidson Games:

Field Hockey vs. La Salle - 9/18 (7:30) Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Soccer at Wofford - 9/18 Volleyball vs Murray State ( in Rock Hill, SC) - 9/18 Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Soccer at #16 California - 9/18

Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cross Country - Commodore Classic -9/19 Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cross Country - Commodore Classic - 9/19 Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Soccer at #8 Stanford - 9/20 Football - Bye Week

!"#$%%&'()*%+"*

S

!"#$%&'()%#(

ports have always played a huge role in my life. Longer than I can even remember, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been on one sports team or another, beginning with Micro League soccer at age three. With an older brother and younger sister, we always found common ground on the basketball court or soccer field. Rather than spending lazy Sundays lounging around the TV, my family was either away at some tournament or out in the backyard making up games and tossing a ball around.

My parents signed us up for nearly every sport under the sun and we reveled at every opportunity. This was the way I grew up and I still look forward to the competitive air that surrounds my house when Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m at home.

As an example of a typical day in the Funsten household, during Easter break last spring my brother and I were home and eager to take advantage of the recently sunny weather. My family woke up that morning, played tennis, played nine holes of golf (with bets on both activities), came home and played football in the backyard, basketball in the pool and ladder ball on the porch before calling it a day. Yes, I know weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re weird. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s certainly not a stereotypical way for a family to interact, but I am thankful for it every time. My friends who come and stay with my family for a weekend are much better able to understand me after seeing my familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dynamic. We laugh, we fight and we compete. Through this, my family is composed of four of my best friends, and with sports at the center, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no wonder why it holds such a special place in my heart.

Coming to college and playing a sport wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t much of a question for me. My brother played football here at Davidson and tried to convince me to join him from the day he started preseason. Although I swore I would not follow in his footsteps, I found myself feeling a sense of peace and comfort: Davidson felt like home. Since being here, I have felt a whirlwind of emotions, as Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure every student has, but most of my rollercoaster has been fueled by field hockey.

There are days when I want to quit and there are days that I want my experience to never end, but either way I am always grateful I am here. My team has become my family and has a dynamic much like my family back home. We laugh, we fight and we compete. It was a shared passion for field hockey that bonded us initially, but our love for each other has developed well beyond that.

I am comforted knowing that regardless of the obstacles that I have and will face at Davidson, I have 25 teammates who will walk into battle with me.

So what do sports mean to me? Why do I spend over 20 hours a week practicing a â&#x20AC;&#x153;gameâ&#x20AC;??

Because the field hockey field is where I know myself the best and where I feel like the best version of myself. I know itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clichĂŠ to talk about the values that sports instill, but for me it has been completely true. Sports have taught me what it means to work hard and truly dedicate myself to a goal. Particularly from playing a team sport, I have learned how to communicate effectively and be a part of something much bigger than myself.

Looking back on my Davidson experience, most of my memories will be focused on field hockey, my team and the legacy we were a part of.

Throughout the course of the year, we will be featuring the perspectives of Wildcat student-athletes. They have the freedom to write about any topic associated with their experience as an athlete on campus. Any athlete interested in writing for future issues should reach out to Ethan Faust (etfaust@davidson.edu) or Jason Feldman (jafeldman@davidson.edu).