The Collegian – August 28, 2020

Got sports?

New face in the pulpit

DNC debunked

SPORTS

COMMUNITY

PERSPECTIVES

Fall sports take on a new look

Pastor returns to roots to mentor college students

The

@Collegian_GCC @gcc.collegian The Collegian: The GCC Newspaper

Dems claim Biden can save democracy

Collegian The Award-Winning Grove City College Student Newspaper

Friday, Aug. 28, 2020

Vol. 106, No. 1

Task force to address diversity

Distanced dinner

David Zimmermann News Editor

FIONA LACEY

Juniors Eva Tan and Prajina Adhikari enjoy a meal on the quad while following proper mask protocol. The college’s health and safety guidelines have changed how students engage in campus life.

A method to the mask-ness

Pres. Paul J. McNulty ’80

Collegian Staff

REACTIONS 3

DIVERSITY 3

McNulty Memo

College’s plan generates mixed reactions New academic years always bring new adjustments, but the start of the 2020-21 academic year brings some unprecedented changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In light of many school closings and online learning decisions, Grove City College has maintained its plan to reopen for the fall 2020 semester in-person.

With planning for re-opening beginning as early as May, the college developed a Health and Safety Plan to facilitate a safe return.

Adjustments were frequently made throughout the summer to accommodate new guidelines from the CDC. “Knowing that we were determined to get students back on campus helped us focus on the ‘how-to’ questions rather than losing time because of uncertainty,” Environmental Health and Safety Specialist and Fall Planning Committee member Susan Grimm said. “The guidelines change daily sometimes and throughout the semester, new information may become available that will re-

On Wednesday, Grove City College President Paul J. McNulty ’80 announced the establishment of the President’s Advisory Council on Diversity to further the college’s efforts in the promotion of a diverse learning community at Grove City College.

The council will help guide recommendations in the development of strategic initiatives for the recruitment and retention of students, the hiring of new employees and broadening perspectives among all members of the community.

It includes faculty, staff, students and alumni who bring relevant experiences to the council’s work as the college addresses opportunities for enriching the campus culture and better preparing students for their personal and professional callings.

“I’m very thankful for the enthusiastic support of the council members and their willingness to lean into this important challenge. The college’s mission is to equip students for serving God and others in a broken world.

DAVID ZIMMERMANN

FCC students gather in HAL for a livestream service. To protect local communities, students are encouraged to worship on campus.

See you in HAL

Area churches livestream services to classrooms on Sundays David Zimmermann News Editor

As students arrived at campus last week, the Sunday morning routine of attending church looked different than in past years due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Rather than worshiping at a local church in-person, many took advantage of a new opportunity provided by the college.

According to an email from Chapel Ministries Di-

rector Zachary Pitcher ‘17, classrooms in the Hall of Arts & Letters (HAL) will be used to livestream services from various churches around the Grove City area for the immediate future.

While students are allowed to attend in-person services at local churches, it is advised that they take advantage of the online services in HAL in order to limit offcampus travel.

Although the news may be disappointing for those who

were looking forward to returning to a physical church this semester, Pitcher said that an online service is the “next best thing” right now.

“I would love for all of our students to go to church inperson every Sunday, get to know the congregation, and go to people’s houses for lunch afterward. But with the virus, it is just not an option,” he said.

“So, we’re hoping that this is that middle ground of CHURCH 6

Welcome to campus! It may be a while before I grow tired of saying that.

As we comMcNulty plete our first week of classes, my excitement with seeing students back on campus remains high. It reminds me of those infrequent occasions when my married daughters and grandchildren are all together in our house.

It’s that sense that this is what this place (campus, home) is made for. The beautiful grounds of GCC exist to facilitate our wonderful learning community. Brenda and I often walked around campus with an eerie sadness these past five months comforted by the hope of what is happening now.

Priorities and Opportunities Perhaps you are beginning to realize that the scaled back activity on campus because of the coronavirus provides more time to focus on your academic life.

Way back in time when I was a Grover the extracurricular opportunities were fun and rewarding experiences, MEMO 5

Editorial

Page 2

The award-winning Grove City College student newspaper, Aug. 28, 2020

From the Tower

Trading comfort for community

After a five-month hiatus, it’s good to back on Grove City College’s campus.

While many college students are spending their semesters in pajamas studying at their kitchen tables, we’re able to connect with our fellow Grovers on the quad and see our professors in HAL. It’s a blessing to be together in community again, especially in light of the global pandemic that has changed everything around us.

This year, the outside world has finally popped “the bubble.” Masks, social distancing rules and unusual cafeteria protocol cast a shadow on the Grover way of life.

Yet, we must ask ourselves, what are we willing to sacrifice to be a part of this community?

Being a part of any community means making sacrifices, even in a place as free as the United States.

To be good citizens we pay our taxes, work our jobs and (usually) abide by traffic laws. We give up the ability to “do whatever we want” to be a part of a free society.

Even at Grove City, we chose to participate in open hour regulations, not having alcohol on campus and maintaining honesty in our learning. We chose to participate because we know how much it means to be here.

To be a part of the Grove City community many hold dear, we had to give up something.

Being in a community isn’t about what we want.

It’s about acknowledging that we aren’t alone and supporting each other in the best way we can.

In the context of this semester, being in community looks closest to respecting the College’s guidelines and regulations. Never before has caring for our peers been so clearly spelled out for us than in this time.

Whereas wearing masks can feel stuffy and social distancing can be a pain, doing these things is the easiest way to show our community our support. Because following these guidelines, no matter how frustrating, makes sure we can stay in this community at all.

As President McNulty reminded us in his recent email, there are only 90 days until we leave for Thanksgiving, bringing our year of 2020 on Grove City’s campus to a close.

Although Thanksgiving break is our goal, the uncertainty of COVID-19 doesn’t mean it’s a guarantee. It will take diligence and flexibility on our part to get there.

Sometimes it will mean swallowing our indignation at broken hallowed habits.

So, we have to ask ourselves how much we want it. How much are you willing to sacrifice to attend Grove City? Are you willing to swallow pride to be a part of something so rare?

Considering all with which we’ve been blessed, following a few guidelines seems a small sacrifice to make.

Paige Fay

Editori-in-Chief

Collegian Staff Editor-in-Chief Paige Fay

Managing Editor Anna DiStefano

Section Editors News David Zimmermann

Community Fiona Lacey

Perspectives Clark Mummau

Sports

Copy Chief Britney Lukasiewicz

Business Manager Kathryn Miller

Copy Editors Jessica Hardman Ashley Ostrowski Claire Josey Lauren Ness Kylie Jasper Joanna Thorpe Elizabeth Schinkel

Emily Rupczewski

Staff Writers Scott Amon

Photo Chief

Noel Elvin Connor Schlosser

Wes Kinney Design Chief Caleb West

Staff Adviser Nick Hildebrand

The Collegian is the student newspaper of Grove City College, located in Grove City, Pa. Opinions appearing on these pages, unless expressly stated otherwise, represent the views of individual writers. They are not the collective views of The Collegian, its staff or Grove City College.

Green Eyeshade Award the

This week’s Green Eyeshade Award goes to Emily Rupczewski for her hard work and creativity in covering sports as a firsttime editor.

The Green Eyeshade Award honors student contributors that demonstrate consistency and excellence in their work.

Rupczewski

BUSINESS INSIDER

You don’t need to be Shakespeare

Reassessing productivity in isolation Anna DiStefano Managing Editor

I don’t know about you, but when we went home in March, I had grand plans for my quarantine.

Shakespeare had written King Lear during his quarantine, so I figured the least I could at least become a proficient home chef during mine.

With all this newfound time, I feared wasting it. I needed to be doing something; I needed to be productive.

To many of us, especially those who don the title of “Grover,” productivity looks like external achievement.

It is accomplishments and titles, tangible markings of success.

We’re obsessed with being productive and getting things done. We want to shorten our to-do lists and lengthen our resumes.

This time, void of additional commitments and social lives beyond our living rooms, was a gift. It was an opportunity to learn a language, start a business or get a jump start on grad school applications.

This eager outlook can be damaging.

When we limit our scope

to these outward signs of productivity we forget to prioritize ourselves and what we enjoy.

We’re more than our achievements, which can be a hard reality to face.

As I spent more time at home, I assimilated to my new normal.

This normal wasn’t as “productive” as I thought it would be. After closing my laptop for the day, I didn’t whip out a cookbook and a new entrée.

The time I thought I would spend trying recipes turned into time I spent resting and being with my family.

I returned to reading for enjoyment. Now, I had the time to read because I wanted to, not because I was required to. The nights I spent reading weren’t filled with an urgency to complete an assignment.

Instead, I kept reading because I wanted to, telling myself the well-worn phrase, “one more chapter.”

The stack of books on my shelf began to shrink. The pile didn’t diminish as quickly as I thought it would, but I was slowly working through a years-long to-read list.

While I read, I didn’t do much else. I had mostly forgotten about my grand quarantine plans until Taylor Swift dropped “Folklore,” her surprise album that she

wrote and recorded while in isolation, in late July.

She had followed Shakespeare’s lead.

This records-breaking album jogged my contemplations of productivity.

If I didn’t have something tangible to show for my time at home, had I wasted the past five months?

It was easy to slip back into the mindset that I had to have something external to show for all the time I had spent at home. Taylor Swift had a new album; what did I have?

Conventionally, I had nothing, or at least very little, to document how I had spent my extended summer. From the outside it would seem as though I was not “productive” at all.

And that’s where I had to shift my thinking.

Just because I didn’t achieve my pandemic-induced dream of honing my kitchen skills doesn’t mean that the past five months had been wasted time.

Productivity can look like prioritizing yourself and doing things that you enjoy. We shouldn’t fear wasting our time, as long as we enjoy how we spend it.

That’s not to say that productivity should be ignored or thrown out altogether, but we can alter the weight that we assign to its label. Things

This Week in Collegian History

Living the off-campus dream

August 31, 1980 “Campus Takes on New Look” “With every season dawns environmental change. Nowhere, however, could changes appear more evident than at Grove City College this Fall. Over the Summer physical changes in the buildings and grounds have occurred.”

Renovations included: a new college entrance, two new parking lots in Crawford Hall, the introduction of MEP dormitory and the Phillips Field House.

August 31, 2001 “Slip-sliding away?”

Grove City College dropped from No. 2 to No. 20 on The Princeton Review’s “Stone-Cold Sober Schools” list in the span of four years. Considering the campus is “dry,” many students were surprised to hear the news. “And even though Grove City has been bumped down a few spots, it still ranks 20th out of 331; so it remains one of the nation’s premier ‘non-party’ schools.

August 31, 2012 “High enrollment leads to off-campus housing” At the start of the semester, the class of 2016 was made up of 670 freshmen.

In response to the overflow of students, Student Life & Learning found seven upperclassmen willing to move into one of the houses on East Main Street so that five male freshmen could live together on the Zenoids’ hall in Hopeman.

That year, the retention rate was 91 percent compared to 88 percent the previous year.

David Zimmermann

News Editor

News The Collegian,

Aug. 28, 2020

Page 3

School’s back in session Departments welcome new scholars

Collegian Staff Seven new professors joined the college’s faculty this fall.

“We are extremely happy with these new faculty joining the College,” Peter Frank ’95, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs, said. “They each bring a unique set of skills and experiences that will enhance student learning across a variety of disciplines.”

The new faculty members are: David M. Butler, assistant professor of Management and Marketing. Butler began in January teaching supply chain, international business and management.

He joined the College after a long career in supply chain management in the medical device, consumer products and automotive industries.

Butler holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in industrial engineering from the University of Pittsburgh.

Melissa D. Carruth, assistant professor of Spanish.

Carruth’s teaching emphasis is in Latin American, Caribbean, and Latina literatures

The seven new professors socially distanced for the annual new faculty photo. and cultures, and she specializes in the analysis of first-person narratives. She is completing her Ph.D. in Hispanic studies from the University of Georgia. She earned her M.A. in Spanish literatures and linguistics at Baylor University and her B.A. in Spanish from Texas Tech University.

Dr. Brian C. Dickinson, assistant professor of Computer Science. Dickson specializes in artificial intelligence, machine learning and data mining applications in the social sciences. He com-

pleted his Ph.D. in computer science at the University of Rochester Dickinson and earned a B.S. in computer science from Houghton College in 2015. As an undergraduate student, he researched spam filtering and community detection on Twitter.

Dr. Remi Drai, associate professor of Mathematics.

Drai has worked in research and development for academia and public and private sector industries in Europe and the U.S. His research interests involve the optimization of dynamical systems

GCC

and have extended in the recent period to population dynamics, machine learning and data science. He holds a Ph.D. in applied mathematics and M.S. in pure mathematics from the University of Nice, France.

Dr. Natalie Heisey, associate professor of Education.

Heisey will teach literacy methods courses. Her area of expertise is literacy practices in the elementary classroom.

Heisey earned a doctor of education in literacy from the University of Pittsburgh, a master’s degree in curricu-

lum and instruction from Gannon University and a B.A. in elementary and special education from Edinboro University. She previously taught at Geneva College.

Dr. Ethan Smith ’03, associate professor of Mathematics. His specialization is in the application of analytic techniques to number theory.

Smith earned Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in mathematical sciences at Clemson University and a B.S. from Grove City College, where he majored in Mathematics and Philosophy and minored in Religion. He taught previously at Michigan Technological University and Liberty University.

Dr. Darren Wood, assistant professor of Biology. Wood will teach ecology, wildlife and conservation biology, as well as fisheries and aquatic biology. He will be developing courses in Geographical Information Science and other areas to provide students with a diversity of tools, techniques, and experiences.

He completed his doctorate and master’s degree work at West Virginia University and earned a B.S. in fisheries biology from Mansfield University of Pa.

DIVERSITY

continued from 1

FIONA LACEY

Old habits die hard as junior Ian Lawson and sophomore Simon Steward meet on campus. The masks, not the handshake, are on plan.

REACTIONS

continued from 1 quire change on campus.”

Grimm asked that the campus community remain flexible as the College responds to the “ever-changing environment.”

“We are purposely beginning the semester cautiously with the hope of avoiding the spread of the virus within our community,” President Paul J. McNulty ’80 said in an email to students in August.

He encouraged students to become familiar with the guidelines to be respectful towards the whole campus community.

The plan complies with many CDC guidelines, including mandatory masking, social distancing and frequent sanitation of public areas.

In an effort to track the spread of the virus on campus, the college is encouraging students to download a contact tracing app called Novid. The third-party app notifies students when they have been in contact with another app user who has tested positive for COVID-19.

The changes have affected many areas of campus life.

Masks are to be worn in instructional and administrative buildings and outdoors when social distancing is not possible. This includes group gatherings, class changes and “excessive” sidewalk traffic.

Signs have been instituted on campus regulating traffic in the Hall of Arts and Letters, the STEM building, and the dining halls to encourage social distancing.

Bon Appetit has also made changes to food distribution to limit the potential for coronavirus to spread. Meals are individually packaged in all dining areas, encouraging the “grab-n-go” method found in the Gedunk and Hicks cafeteria.

In addition, dining hours have been extended to prevent high traffic at peak times.

Though seating in the dining halls has been limited, tents are set up outside of Hicks and the Breen Student Union as an alternative.

Reactions to the Health and Safety Plan among students are varied.

Sophomore Mark Armour, though thankful for the re-

opening, is wary of the college’s encouragement surrounding the Novid app.

“I appreciate that it’s optional because it’s too dystopian-sounding for my liking.

I’d use it if I see a real need for it, though,” he said.

Junior Rachel Weaver believes Grove City College did their best in planning for the fall return and that masks, though not ideal, are a good idea to keep the campus safe.

“It is a simple way to help stop the spread, and if it means we get to stay on campus I definitely think that it is an annoyance we should all be able to overlook and accept,” she said.

“Grove City has done its due diligence to make sure that we can have on-campus learning,” freshman Jacob Feiser said. “I’d say that’s a pretty good job.”

“I believe that the rules on campus are necessary for our current situation,” senior Katelyn Dauer said.

“The safety of the students, staff and professors is paramount.”

Dauer wishes the college was more diligent in enforcing the mask-wearing policy.

“I have seen way too many

people wearing their masks below their nose or not at all, and I know that certain facial coverings do not work as well as others. In fact, the neck gaiters are proven to be worse than not wearing a mask at all,” she said.

Senior Wyatt Kriebel believes the college’s mask policy is a bit over-the-top.

“It’s kind of ridiculous that we have to wear our masks as much as we do. I think the college could have been a little more hands-off about it,” Kriebel said. “People can make their own decisions.

We can be smart about it.”

Senior Matthew Becker, an outspoken critic of the college’s reopening plan, sees the mask policy as hypocritical of the college’s emphasis on faith and freedom.

“We don’t need the manipulations and gaslighting in the claims that not wanting to wear a mask somehow means we ‘don’t care about our classmates,’” Becker said. “We aren’t children and can make our own choices for our health. In today’s world our faith is already under attack, don’t take away our freedom, too.”

“Increasing diversity within our campus community will strengthen cultural awareness,” McNulty said.

“Through our efforts, we will build a stronger Grove City College to prepare new generations for leadership that serves the common good.”

The council has already held its first meeting and will continue to meet monthly.

Faculty and staff of the President’s Advisory Council on Diversity are as follows: - Dr. Seulgi Byun, Chair of Biblical and Religious Studies and Philosophy and Associate Professor of Biblical and Religious Studies.

- Leo Sayles, Head Volleyball Coach and Associate Athletic Director for Sports Ministry.

- Dr. Peter Frank ’95, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

- Dr. Lisa Hosack, Director of the Social Work Program and Associate Professor of Social Work.

- Justin Jose, Director of Multicultural Education & Initiatives.

- Cedric Lewis, Esq., Guest Lecturer of Entrepreneurship and Business.

- Dr. Donald Opitz, Chaplain and Senior Director of Spiritual Formation.

- Christopher Merrick, Resident Director, Hicks Hall.

Jessica Cooley ’01, Director of Communications and Enrollment, Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy serves as an alumni voice on the council.

Students of the President’s Advisory Council on Diversity are: - Justice Rice ’21, Grove City College student.

- Tanohah Leon ’23, Grove City College student.

Community The Collegian, Aug. 28, 2020

Page 4

Mingling in masks

Freshmen enter into a historic first semester Scott Amon Staff Writer

That COVID-19 has affected Grove City College is no understatement.

Virtually all levels of campus activities have been impacted by a disease that was not recognized a year ago.

One event that all students are familiar with is the infamous freshmen Orientation Week.

Traditionally, Orientation Week has a threefold purpose: acquaint incoming students with their new surroundings, distribute information and technology and enable students to connect.

Signature Orientation Week events include the Graffiti Dance, OB Olympics, the Carnival and the Org Fair.

Sadly, like most campus events, these events were either altered or outright canceled.

“All dances were canceled,” Patty Jo Nickoloff, a veteran OB member, said.

“There were no alterations that could be made in order to keep the dances, meet state guidelines and keep students safe.”

Additionally, events such as the Carnival, OB OffBroadway and the Org Fair will be moved outdoors to accommodate state regulations.

Though the incoming freshmen may have a different orientation experience than in past years, the quality will remain unchanged.

“Different is not bad, just new,” Nickoloff said. “The freshmen will meet friends in a different way than I did, create lasting memories at a distance and share laughter

WES KINNEY Freshmen enjoy a good, masked time at the OB Bonfire. A traditional Orientation Week activity, the Lower Campus bonfire gave the new class another opportunity to mingle with their peers outdoors. through masks.”

COVID may have changed the normal way Orientation Week functioned, but the pandemic also allowed for beneficial change to occur. For one, the Orientation Board has had to reassess activities and provide ways for freshmen to connect in meaningful ways without the usual staple social events.

One way OB has created this environment is by focusing on Connection Groups.

“This year has had to be way smaller group-based,” Nickoloff said. “This has really given the Connection Group aspect of OB a chance to shine.”

Connection Groups allow students to interact with each other in smaller but safer environments. Students in Connection Groups are still asked to social distance and wear masks, but the more intimate atmosphere still allows new students to in-

teract. Time will tell if these new changes create an uptick in springtime proposals.

Another benefit to a forced change of pace is that typical campus activities are being examined with a fresh perspective. Some changes made this year may carry over into next Orientation Week – not because of COVID – but because the new changes are beneficial overall.

“We have also discovered that certain events, such as

the Carnival are way more fun outside,” Nickoloff says.

It is doubtful that many people will miss having to squeeze into a packed IM room for Org Fair either.

“The greatest lesson of all is that God will always provide,” Nickoloff said. “Even in this crazy and hectic time, the Lord provided OB with the ability to serve freshmen and we are beyond grateful.”

Community garden prevails

Fiona Lacey

Community Editor Brenda McNulty ’80 was dismayed when her student helpers were sent home for coronavirus in the spring of 2020.

With high hopes of a college and community effort in helping plan and upkeep her new Community Garden, McNulty had no plan ready in case a pandemic would hit.

“It was very discouraging when the students left,” McNulty said. “But I was determined and got others to help along the way.”

All was not lost to McNulty, who luckily found local gardening experts to provide a few pointers.

“Our local Agway owner gave lots of instruction and provided supplies, and one local pastor from Grove City Alliance Church, Paul Goodman, gave me a lesson on the importance of starting with the correct soil.”

Some college students continued to help out, as Hope Fiely, Caroline and Katherine Dudt were close by and eager to assist.

“Fiely drew up a lay out for the plants, and I knew the Dudts live in town, and

FIONA LACEY

Senior Caroline Dudt waters the Community Garden. thought they might want a summer job,” McNulty said.

The Dudts’ help was pivotal in the garden’s upkeep while the McNultys were away on Maine vacation.

“They did a magnificent job. They harvested what grew and distributed it to others,” McNulty said.

The beloved community garden not only survived but

flourished as various vegetables, fruits and flowers were harvested over the summer, and still continue to. The harvest included snow and sugar snap peas, lettuces, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers and several types of flowers.

“I wanted to try and grow dahlias, and they are there blooming beautifully,” McNulty said.

McNulty hopes to find a way to incorporate students this fall into her community garden, adding that there are small and large tasks that need to get done.

“We need people to come over spontaneously, like pick beans when they are ready.”

The team also needs planners for the garden layout.

McNulty also wonders if

wand how she plans to handle the harvested vegetables.

“Will it be donated, will Bon Appetit use it in small ways or will we share it? It’s going to be an evolving situation,” McNulty said.

McNulty looks forward to working with anyone wanting to help this fall, in whatever way that will look.

The Collegian, Aug. 28, 2020

Page 5

Opitz comes Org fair on the full circle New pastor works in hometown move Fiona Lacey

Community Editor

With the unprecedented challenges of the 2020 fall semester, it is with gratitude that Grove City College welcomes Pastor Donald Opitz as the new Dean of Chapel and Director of Spiritual Formation.

Though Opitz possesses a new position on campus, he is no stranger to student ministry and spiritual formation.

After earning his PhD at Boston University and Master of Divinity at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, Opitz went on to teach at both Geneva, and later, Messiah College.

“I guess I’ve pretty much covered the whole Christian College East Coast,” Opitz said.

Opitz also spent several years working for the Coalition for Christian Outreach, teaching seminary classes and developing training programs.

To Opitz, Grove City College is home, both figuratively and literally.

“I’m a townie actually!”

Opitz said. “I grew up right here in Grove City. My mom still lives just down the street.”

Opitz is grateful for his new chapter at Grove City, being able to return to his roots. “It’s kind of come full circle,” Opitz observed. “It’s really great.”

It was the very students at Grove City College who played a key part in Opitz’s conversion to Christianity.

As a middle-schooler, Opitz was mentored by several Young Life leaders who attended the College.

“It was these Grove City College students who were deeply invested. That nurture was instrumental in my spiritual formation.”

“We used to come to this place and play ball, so I knew the College really well.

It is just a joy to come back

MEMO

continued from 1 but truth be told they were also a distraction. It did not take long after I graduated to realize that I could have benefitted more from what was happening inside, rather than outside, the classroom.

So, let me encourage you to take full advantage of opportunities to expand your mind.

Read the materials before class, do the research before writing the paper, organize your notes after lectures.

I guarantee you will like the feeling of being more on top of your studies.

Another expanding opportunity this fall can just be hanging out with friends.

Again, now that I’m in a confessing mode, I was often too busy with various responsibilities to slow down and spend quality time with others.

The friendships you forge here at the Grove will last throughout the course of your lifetime.

Clark Mummau Perspectivces Editor

GCC

Pastor Donald Opitz takes the role of Chapel Dena and Director of Spirituall Formation. around,” Opitz said.

It was this early influence that explains much of Opitz’s calling in student discipleship.

Opitz’s affinity for student mentorship originated gradually, with his undergrad interests being physics, philosophy and biblical studies.

It was only after his time spent as a resident director at Gordon College, that Opitz realized his love for pastoral care and teaching of college students.

Opitz found his niche in the discipleship and “faith formation of college-aged students,” both outside and inside the classroom. In his 20 years as a sociology professor at Geneva College, Opitz taught and mentored, which to him, was an ideal situation.

“College students are part of this rewarding time because it’s possible that they’re really ready to grapple deeply. Their identity is

beginning to take shape, being open to God’s formative spirit, and that’s so exciting,” Opitz said. He adds that because of this, the college class environment should be one of open and curious intellectual discussion.

In response to both the current health crisis and national racial conflicts, Opitz sees his position this year as requiring “more pastoral qualities than ever before.”

“I could easily teach too much. This is a time that requires special pastoral sensitivity,” Opitz said. He calls the student body to “lean into the issues, learning how to mourn, hope and pray.”

Opitz plans on spending Tuesdays in the Student Union, wanting to see, meet and get to know the student body.

“I want students to always feel welcome to talk,” Opitz said.

Most importantly, our friendships on this campus are routinely touched by grace, transforming them from interpersonal bonds to eternal fellowship.

Rest assured that we want to restore campus life to its pre-pandemic experience as quickly as possible.

We cherish the holistic development that results from our spiritual, social, physical, and academic engagement.

And speaking of spiritual engagement, please mark you calendar for September 17 when Andy Crouch will be speaking on campus. Andy is an extraordinary author and speaker who focuses on our creative calling, culture, and technology.

This will be one of those college moments when you will here something that will change the way you think about the most important things of life.

with our many health and safety requirements. This is not a big surprise; our community culture is ideal for this challenge.

We all wish this would have ended yesterday, but God has other plans for now, and I will take His plans over mine every day of the week.

There is a fair amount of discussion about where masks are required and whether we are social distancing enough.

So much of this requires discernment and wisdom.

Michael Eisner, the former CEO of Disney, once said that the company’s strong brand was “the product of a thousand small gestures.”

That memorable statement comes to mind when I think about our COVID prevention efforts on campus. This must be our mindset.

No single policy will be the key to maintaining a healthy campus. Rather, our success will be the result of a thousand small gestures and the blessings of God. Therefore, as you go about

COVID Prevention It is a great blessing to see the high level of cooperation

The annual Org Fair will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday on the Quad.

Many campus clubs, activities, organizations and local churches will be present to share about their group with the freshman class. Maps of which organizations are present will also be given to attendees.

“We have over 125 groups, clubs and sports coming to the Org Fair, so it is really the ideal way to get a look at what people at Grove City love to do and how you can get involved,” junior Camryn Lewis, one of the event’s organizers, said.

“While it would have been easier to cancel the event and just send the freshman a document with descriptions of each organization, we have all felt strongly about the necessity of this event,” sophomore Lydia Joyner, another organizer, said.

The Org Fair can be a valuable tool for helping students find groups beyond what they did in high school or what they have heard about from other students.

“I joined fencing on a whim because of the Org Fair, and it was the best decision I made at college,” sophomore Jacob Heasley said.

Unlike previous years, there will be a designated path to follow to see all the tables. Although the event is outside, full social distancing will not be possible, so masks are required.

Another change is the limit of two people per group being present at the table. This

your life here, the more conscientious you are about the spirit of this effort rather than your own preferences, the more successful we will be as a community.

Keep in mind, if you test positive for the coronavirus, you will be asked about who among your friends may have been exposed.

Exposure is defined as being within six feet of someone for more than 15 minutes at any one time.

By being mindful of social distancing, your list may be mercifully short.

Some Odds and Ends We are working on bringing some food trucks to campus as we did last fall. Stay tuned for more on that.

The library renovation start date has been postponed until May because of uncertainties and the need for space in this pandemic.

Our goal is to have the project completed by the fall of 2022. Our new freshman class is about 10% larger

change will help facilitate social distancing, but senior Deidra Ressler, another one of the event’s planners, also hopes that this change will help students feel more comfortable at the event because there will not be “10 people in front of a table.”

“Don’t worry,” she reassured groups, “If they like your group, you will get to know them later when they come to your events.”

Due to the changes in place, some groups have had to rethink their presentation strategies slightly.

“Normally we have CD’s from past years for people to listen to with headphones right at the booth, but this year we are going to put up links to YouTube and Spotify for people to explore on their own,” said senior Adam Ross, president of the Touring Choir.

Other groups have had to eliminate parts of their traditional plans to fit the new venue.

“We are regrettably not able to perform our dramas at our booth this year for the Org Fair,” DRIVE treasurer Emma Holter said. “DRIVE is working on making our dramas safe for students to learn and perform for future years when we can continue our mission, and we can’t wait to introduce them to our incoming class.”

“The Org Fair is special because it facilitates the beginning of campus friendships and a sense of community,” Ressler said. “As a campus that emphasizes relationships and fellowship with our peers, I think the Org Fair is a crucial step in developing this community.”

than last year’s (now sophomore) class.

Our Admissions office did a fantastic job in the midst of major disruption. And interest in the College is riding high among high school students.

You will see a lot of tours this fall, so please offer a warm smile if you get an opportunity.

Finally, I will be saying thank you a lot this semester as we continue to persevere patiently through this new normal.

The apostle Paul reminds us in Galatians 6:9 to not grow weary in doing good.

That’s a great mantra for life that requires plenty of practice.

But being committed to the good of others in ways big and small is the key to true greatness in this mixed up world.

Perhaps this is worthy of some more reflection in a future memo.

Grace and peace to all of you.

Perspectives

Page 6

The Collegian, Aug. 28, 2020

A convention in review

Getty Images

Clark Mummau Perspectives Editor

The Democratic Party held its national convention last week. Although virtual, the DNC still brought forward a wide range of speakers to discuss this year’s election, to speak against President Trump and to advocate for presidential candidate Joe Biden.

The most prominent speakers were former president Barack Obama, vicepresidential candidate Kamala Harris and Biden. Each echoed a similar theme: Trump has destroyed America’s democracy, and Biden is the only hope to save it.

The speeches were filled with rhetoric of unity, progress and hope, but those same words also revealed the difficulty of achieving those goals in a nation that is indeed divided.

Obama stressed the importance of “American principles” and our “democracy.”

He appealed to a shared American heritage, saying, “Whatever our backgrounds, we’re all the children of Americans who fought the good fight.”

“This heritage gives us the “responsibility” to ensure that our democracy is strengthened,” he said, elaborating on this point in a stirring manner.

“If anyone had a right to believe that this democracy did not work, and could not work, it was those Americans. Our ancestors,” Obama said, “…instead of giving up, they joined together and said somehow, some way, we are going to make this work.

We are going to bring those words, in our founding documents, to life.”

CHURCH

continued from 1 communal time with other believers which is centered around the life of a local church, but that is safe to do in this current climate.”

Considering older congregants are deemed more at risk than students are, Pitcher said it is important to take advantage of any livestream opportunity.

“Please livestream, because we don’t want an asymptomatic carrier to pass it to the elderly in a community and there be a big outbreak at some local church, and we’re now responsible for it.”

He asked that students who choose to attend a physical church always follow

The former president painted democracy in a beautiful light, but he neglected the messiness that always comes with democracy.

There will always be opposing sides who will be disappointed if the other sides emerge victorious.

Biden’s speech described the state of the “soul of the nation” in a similar light, but he more directly attacked Trump throughout.

“The current president has cloaked America in darkness for much too long. Too much anger. Too much fear. Too much division,” he said.

While Trump often makes scathing remarks about his opponents or comments that incite division, all political groups have been casting division and building tribalist mindsets among themselves.

“This campaign isn’t just about winning votes. It’s about winning the heart, and yes, the soul of America,” Biden said. “All elections are important. But we know in our bones this one is more consequential.”

Again, Biden fanned the flames of division by making this election seem like a dichotomy of democracy and fascism. This dichotomy is not the case because of our constitutional checks and balances.

While Obama’s speech remained more philosophical in his attacks against Trump, Biden directly attacked the sitting president and his handling of the coronavirus, but many of Biden’s claims misrepresent the truth.

“By far the worst performance of any nation on Earth,” he said.

However, the United States has not performed the worst of any nation with the coronavirus. According to the Johns Hopkins University of Medicine Coronavirus the proper health and safety guidelines. Pitcher said that they should abide by the strictest rules or the “higher standard” — whether those rules be from the College or the respective church.

Although the livestream option is not the same, Pitcher said it will make church much more available to firstyear students who do not own cars on campus.

Speaking to freshmen, he said, “We’re going to have a whiteboard in HAL that has the listings of all the churches that are meeting on that Sunday. So, you can walk in almost any time, see what church is meeting or about to meet, hop into a service, and get a feel for what different churches are like.”

Resource Center, the United on the basic elements that we States has 54.04 deaths from should agree upon, as Harris COVID-19 for every 100,000 argues, we are divided. people, a number that is lowJoe Biden is the savior er than the United Kingdom, needed to move to such a Spain, Italy, Sweden, Brazil world, Harris argued. “Joe and five other nations. will bring us together to build Biden continued his attack an economy that doesn’t by claiming that Trump lacks leave anyone behind,” she a plan. said. “Joe will bring us toThe White House released gether to end this pandemic the Opening Up America and make sure that we are Again plan in April, and the prepared for the next one.”

Centers for Disease Control Unlike Obama and Biden’s have continued to offer guid- seemingly unwavering opance on how to proceed, indi- timism about a Biden presicating that President Trump dency, Harris gave a humble does have a plan. look at the difficult task of Biden also made a claim repairing the nation’s divide. that I would love to see come “Make no mistake, the to fruition: “As president, I road ahead will not be easy. will make you this promise: We will stumble. We may I will protect America. I will fall short. But I pledge to you defend us from every attack. that we will act boldly and Seen. And unseen. Always. deal with our challenges honWithout exception. Every estly,” she said. time.” Wow. Finally, Kamala Harris’ speech presented a familyfocused introduction to her life and work.

Harris echoed Martin Luther King Jr.’s idea of the “beloved community” several times throughout her speech.

King used this to describe a community marked by reconciliation, redemption, justice and love.

Harris views this community as one, “where all are welcome, no matter what we look like, where we come from, or who we love.

A country where we may not agree on every detail, but we are united by the fundamental belief that every human being is of infinite worth, deserving of compassion, dignity and respect… Today... that country feels distant.”

She is correct that such a country feels distant because of all the polarization in the The purpose of the nation. Between the left and Perspectives section is to the right, there is even disagreement on the value of give a space for student voic“every human being,” so even es. Here, student writers can critique, question and analyze the world around them.

When checking out one of Perspectives articles repthe livestream services this resent the views of the writer. past Sunday, sophomore They do not represent the Lydia Joyner said, “I think the College has done a good views of The Collegian, The job in trying to make a vari- Collegian staff or Grove City ety of churches accessible to College.

While Perspectives pieces students.”

Senior Josiah Gowen ap- are subjective by nature, The preciated the College’s effort Collegian has standards for to provide a space where stu- publication. dents can worship together Articles submitted for as a community. “There were publication are expected to times when the music and provide arguments of subsinging were off, but what stance that rely on fact and matters is we were praising are void of foundationally God and we were praising emotional and biased arguHim together,” he said.

Pitcher encouraged the ments.

This is not a space to parstudent body to contact their rot party lines. Perspectives pastors about what their church’s plan is for student articles are expected to take original stances, and, where ministry and service. applicable, consider the

While her speech was more nuanced, she still attacked President Trump several times and often indirectly.

“We must elect a president who will bring something different, something better, and do the important work.

A president who will bring all of us together,” she said.

All three speeches presented Joe Biden as the only viable option to keep the country’s democracy alive, but only Harris presented a view that accepted the possibility of shortcomings from Biden’s administration. While these speeches often presented a flawed view of Trump’s presidency, they all beautifully described the heights of American democracy that they hope will be achieved under a Biden presidency.

AP

Perspectives Policy interaction of faith within their topic.

This is a space where all voices can be heard. It is our goal as The Collegian staff that Perspectives reflect the diversity of thought represented on the college’s campus.

Additionally, The Collegian will not accept a Perspectives article if the topic has not been reported on by the newspaper.

This means that the publication of a submitted or proposed article may be delayed so that The Collegian can provide a factual and unbiased context for readers.

To submit an article for publication or for further clarification of The Collegian’s expectations contact Editorin-Chief Paige Fay, Managing Editor Anna DiStefano, or Perspectives Editor Clark Mummau.

The Collegian, Aug. 28, 2020

Page 7

Some assistants, please Volleyball, Womens Basketball hire assistant coaches

Emily Rupczewski Sports Editor

The Wolverines welcome two new assistant coaches to the coaching staff this year.

Volleyball receives assistant coach Amanda Snyder, who will join head coach Leo Sayles and assistant Brett Heckathorn. The women’s basketball team invites re-

turning Alum Jackie Stewart ’17, who will coach alongside her former coach, Chelle Fuss, and McKenzie Black.

Snyder is a 2019 graduate of Gordon College, where she played as an outside hitter.

During her senior season, she led the Commonwealth Coast Conference with 99 kills and 18 service aces; she tallied 245 digs, 227 kills and

GORDON COLLEGE

Amanda Snyder makes a pass in a match versus Rivier College in 2018. She graduated in 2019, majoring in psychology and recreation, sport, and wellness

55 service aces overall.

The women’s volleyball team is tentatively slated to begin their season in spring of 2021.

Stewart is a 2017 graduate of Grove City College, where she completed a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a minor in psychology. While at Grove City, she served as team captain her junior and senior season, as well as serving on SAAC and working in the Sports Information Office. Stewart holds a Grove City record of appearing in 107 games, having never missed a single game, with 2,582 minutes played.

She finished her senior year with a free-throw percentage of 86.6, a career free-throw percentage of 77.7 and a career 627 points.

Since graduating, Stewart has also obtained a master’s degree of education in Instructional Technology K-12 from DeSales University, where she served two seasons as an assistant coach.

Additionally, Stewart has played and coached for a travel team, Athletes in Action, with players from various NCAA divisions in Ethiopia while assisting in clinics as well as missions work. Her most recent endeavor involved serving as Director of Women’s Basketball Opera-

Jackie Stewart prepares to pass the ball ina game during her senior season at Grove City. tions for Colgate University in New York during the 2019 season.

According to tentative NCAA rules, winter sports, including women’s basketball team will not be permitted to begin until Jan. 1, 2021.

Though both new coaches are young, they have very impressive accomplishments in

National sports column

The bubble playoffs Connor Schlosser Staff Writer

The NBA Playoffs are here.

While post-season matchups typically go well into June with the NBA Finals, this post-season is not typical. The NBA has finally completed its 2019-20 season with its new “Bubble” format in the wake of COVID-19.

The 2020 NBA Bubble, or simply “the Bubble,” is the isolation zone with strict rules created by the NBA to protect its players from the pandemic. All games are played at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida. Instead of teams being based in their hometown and traveling CBS SPORTS cross-country, all teams eat, Lebron James defends Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers during a playoff game in “the sleep and play in the Bubble.

Bubble.”

The Lakers went on to win the game with a score of 103-101.

The League had organized eight seeding games to determine the remaining play- First Team. Booker averaged ite since the season’s start. maintained a deep roster, off teams. This new format over 30 points in the Bubble With a tremendous defen- but Boston’s recipe of Jayis not without criticism and and shot over .500 in seven sive presence and a plethora son Tatum, Jaylen Brown of the eight seeding games, of key role players, the Lak- and Kemba Walker is sure frustration.

Most notably, the Phoenix but it was Damian Lillard of ers arguably have the best to cook up some success in the Bubble Playoffs.

Suns, led by sharpshooter the Trail Blazers who won chance to win the Finals.

The Clippers have the best Watching the NBA in this Devin Booker, won all eight the Seeding Games MVP. Indiana’s new weapon, TJ chance at challenging the Bubble format has certainof their seeding games and Warren, 2018 MVP James Lakers’ hopes.

The silent but ly been strange. Since all still failed to make the playoff cut after losing a single Harden and 2019 Rookie of deadly Kawhi Leonard leads NBA players live together tie-breaker game against the the Year Luka Doncic joined the charge to challenge “The in the Bubble it has created a unique unity among athMemphis Grizzlies in the Booker and Lillard in the King” and the Lakers.

In the East, Giannis Ante- letes. With no fans, teamregular season before CO- Bubble’s First Team.

Now, with the Playoffs tokounmpo and the Milwau- mates on the bench have beVID-19. Despite going unin full swing, everyone has kee Bucks are the favorites come the encouraging force defeated in the Bubble, the Suns did not make the post- their eyes on the two teams to make the Finals, but the for teams. in Los Angeles to win it all in Boston Celtics are arguably Despite the challenges, season thanks to a rule. the next best team to threat- the Bubble has salvaged the Devin Booker has been the Bubble.

The Lakers, with the legen their position.

NBA season amidst a panone of the best players in endary coupling of Lebron The Bucks have boasted demic and now with the the NBA Bubble, and was unanimously voted on the James and Anthony Da- the best record this sea- Playoffs in action, the comKia NBA All-Seeding Games vis, have been a fan favor- son with 56 wins, and have petitive spirit is still alive.

GCC

their respective sports, and both come from backgrounds of Christian athletics. Having recent graduates with the leadership experience of Snyder and Stewart will be beneficial to Wolverine athletics.

Currently, both teams are slated to play in the winter and spring of 2021.

FALL SPORTS continued from 8

sion-making.

“I think this is the ultimate test of the Wolverines Together philosophy,” Gibson said.

“We are really asking our athletes to be leaders on campus and to follow the campus policies on campus and in the classroom. We want to be leaders in all that we do. To us, this is another opportunity for us to be role models for the campus. This is a Wolverines Together moment where we can all work together to have as many of the experiences that we’re able to do in as healthy of an environment as possible, if we all work together. Our athletic experience and our campus experience are going to be what we make it.”

Though there will not be any football, volleyball or soccer games to attend this fall, the remaining sports: tennis, golf and track and field will soon be underway.

Tennis has resumed practice, and the women’s team will play its first match at Thiel on Tuesday, Sept. 8, while the men’s team will play Friday, Sept. 11.

These teams have been working hard in the off-season to make a big comeback and represent Grove City sports this fall. Last season, the women’s team remained undefeated in the PAC until dropping a match to W&J in the PAC semifinal tournament. Both teams plan to make a big return this fall as they characterize what it means to be a Wolverine, especially in these odd times.

Though they will be one of the only teams to watch this season, they will definitely be the team to watch.

Though it is a time like no other, the time is now for us to all be Wolverines Together.

Sports The Collegian, Aug. 28, 2020

Page 8

Wolverines arise

GCC

College adapts fall sports schedule Emily Rupczewski

“I think this is the ultimate test of the Wolverines Together philosophy.”

Sports Editor

COVID-19 sent college students from around the nation packing last March.

Everyone can vividly recall where they were and what they were doing when they received word that the remainder of the semester would be moved online. Students were uprooted from their dorms, activities and friends. Many events campus-wide were abruptly cancelled, and many of these were athletic events. Tennis, baseball and softball had all returned from spring break tournaments ready to begin their seasons. Track and field, women’s water polo and men’s lacrosse seasons were cut short mid-season.

However, coaches and athletes alike were determined not to let the discouraging end of last year’s season define the future of sports at Grove City. Though many rules and regulations now dictate how involved student athletes can be at this point in time, it is the vision of the athletic department to redeem the time lost back in March.

Gibson

Campus life is back in full swing at Grove City College this semester. Though many things look a little different than they used to, one element of campus culture is seemingly missing: fall sports.

Just as President McNulty and the Fall Return Planning Committee have had to adhere to numerous state and CDC guidelines, the Athletics Department has also had to make decisions based not only on these guidelines but also on adherence to NCAA and PAC guidelines.

While the PAC has officially postponed “high-contact” fall sports—soccer, volleyball and football—until spring of 2021, it has permitted lower-contact sports. This fall, tennis and golf were given the green light to hold their

seasons with precautions, such as PAC-only games and limited roster numbers in place. Additionally, track and field, which normally takes place in the spring, has been moved up to take place this fall as well.

Grove City sports is a big part of campus culture, and the absence of the camaraderie and competition can surely be felt on campus. The occasional referee whistle from the soccer fields is no longer heard, the unanimous scraping of chairs in Hicks after football team meals are absent and the denting-sound of a volleyball being smashed into the arena floorboards after a kill are silent.

But just because sports appear to be silent, does not mean they are inactive. In reality, these teams are actively planning major comeback seasons. Whether a team like baseball’s season was cut

short, or a team like volleyball was never permitted to start or a team like tennis has been given the go-ahead to hold a shortened but legitimate season, all of the Wolverine teams have been patiently waiting to make their comebacks.

Last week, Grove City College Athletics released a promotional video titled “Wolverines Arise” on all of its social media platforms.

The video, narrated by Dean Weaver featured the empty arena, courts, fields and facilities that are normally bustling with competition, followed by high-intensity clips of various sports teams: a visual compare-and-contrast of what used to be the “normal.”

“Our time is coming,” Weaver’s voice declares.

“And we will redeem the time.

Wolverines. Arise.” This video clip generated much

excitement amongst the student body and received over 5.5 thousand views across all of Grove City’s streaming platforms and a plethora of shares.

When asked about the inspiration behind this message, Athletic Director and Coach Todd Gibson explained, “We said ‘we’re not going to just get through this, we’re going to win this period of time.’ I’ve been very proud of all of our competitors. Our coaches and our athletes have handled this as well as they possibly could, and I feel like we did win ‘phase one’ of this.”

The Wolverines Together mission has always been the same—in this time, each of us needs all of us. The vision of the college and athletic department alike is for us to come together as a campus yet remain socially distant.

Now more than ever, it is time for us to come together as a campus community and keep one another safe and encouraged. In order to see the semester through and to see the eventual full return of sports to campus, students must be wise with their deciFALL SPORTS 7

Jackowski to lead lacrosse Emily Rupczewski Sports Editor

Grove City College announced last November the addition of its newest intercollegiate varsity sport, women’s lacrosse.

Recently, Cassley Jackowski was announced as the head coach of the new program, which is slated to begin their first season in the 2021-22 school year.

After the upgrade of men’s lacrosse from a club team to a varsity team in the 20162017 school year, the women’s team will soon follow suit.

Jackowski has spent the last three seasons as Houghton College’s head coach and is a graduate of Roberts Wesleyan College where she was a starter all four seasons. At Roberts Wesleyan, Jackowski earned East Coast College (ECC) Rookie of the Year in 2014, as well as AllEast Coast honors every season. She is also a Third

Team All-American in the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA), as well as IWLCA Second Team All-North Region honors, and a member of the Division II Senior All Star team of 2017.

In addition to her decorated background as a lacrosse player, Coach Jackowski has a background in working with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) where she coached as an assistant in 2016 and 2017 and was named head coach of the FCA Club Western National Team in 2018 and FCA Camp head coach.

Jackowski’s stellar background as a player and a coach makes her an excellent fit for Grove City’s athletic vision.

“I am very humbled and honored about this new opportunity at Grove City College,” Jackowski said. “The Lord’s hand has led me directly here and toward this exciting new chapter in life.

ROBERTS WESLEYAN COLLEGE

Cassley Jackowski was a starter for the Roberts Wesleyan womens lacrosse team for all four years.

She graduated in 2017, and for the last three seasons has been the head coach for Houghton ColI am extremely excited to create a competitive, Christcentered culture where we look to strive for excellence in all that we do, both athletically and academically. I feel grateful for the opportunity

to instill faith and integrity in student-athletes while directing their talents and hard work toward a greater purpose.”

Coach Jackowski will be joining a veteran staff of

coaches in the athletic department and will have the opportunity to build up Grove City’s 23rd varsity sport, with women’s lacrosse being the 12th women’s varsity sports team.