The Collegian – April 16, 2021

Submit your spring images of Grove City College to news@gcc.edu by April 27.

Include name, class Year/job title, submission title, and Instagram handle. The contest is open to students, faculty and staff and will be judged by the editors of The Collegian.

Photos will be featured on the College’s social media and the top photos will be published in The Collegian. Photos must be Grove City centric, and can feature people, buildings, scenery, etc. Submissions may include up to 3 images. First place winners will receive a prize! Sponsored by The Office of Marketing and Communication and The Collegian.

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@Collegian_GCC @gcc.collegian The Collegian: The GCC Newspaper Friday, April 16, 2021

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Collegian The Award-Winning Grove City College Student Newspaper

Vol. 106, No. 19

Perino to address graduates Collegian Staff

Former White house press secretary, best-selling author and Fox News host Dana Perino will speak at Grove City College’s 2021 and 202o in-person commencement ceremonies.

Perino was the first Republican woman to serve as a president’s press secretary and spent seven years as part of the George W. Bush administration. Currently, she co-anchors Fox News Channel’s “America’s News-

room with Bill Hemmer & Dana Perino” and cohosts “The Five” where she is known PERINO as “the voice of reason.”

“Grove City College is delighted to announce a commencement speaker of Ms. Perino’s talent, commitment and integrity,” President Paul J. McNulty ’80 said.

After her career in the White House, Perino be-

came a commentator on current events, politics and foreign policy. She is also the author of two New York Times bestsellers, among other books. Perino is the host of “Dana Perino’s Book Club” on FOX Nation and co-hosted the podcast “I’ll Tell You What.”

She is also committed to the work of mentoring young women. Perino started Minute Mentoring as a program for young women to get paired with mentors and serves on the board of

Companions for Heroes, which matches rescue animals with first responders and veterans.

“Dana has enjoyed remarkable and well-deserved success at Fox News. She is a role model for engaging constructively in public discourse at a time when winsome and principled voices are desperately needed.

Since serving together in the Bush administration, I have admired her integrity, professionalism and work ethic,” McNulty said.

Set into motion

Commencement for the class of 2021 will be held at 10 a.m. on May 15 on Grove City College’s Quad, rain or shine. An additional commencement ceremony will be held at 4 p.m. for the class of 2020 to honor graduates whose original ceremony was canceled due to the pandemic. Both ceremonies will be livestreamed at www.gcc. edu/livestream.

Perfect pitches pay off David Zimmermann News Editor

Rockwell’s Foucault pendulum is a device that proves the earth rotates by its swinging motion.

GCC

Swinging into action Students revive Foucault pendulum David Zimmermann News Editor

Students may know the Rockwell Hall of Science as the home for physics majors, but the iconic building holds one little gem within its walls unbeknownst to most: a Foucault pendulum.

Though once in disrepair, the pendulum is now up and swinging again thanks to sophomores Grace Barnes and Mackenzie Gongaware and freshman Brynn Graybill.

Put simply, a Foucault pendulum swings back and forth to prove that the earth rotates. The device is powered by an electromagnetic circuit which exerts a force on the pendulum causing it to swing. Once the electromagnet stops operating, the pendulum would eventually come to rest due to air resistance and friction.

Grove City College’s pendulum was first built in 1931 along with Rockwell. According to Barnes, the pendulum

was inoperable for at least 20 years.

Physics professor Dr. James Clem wanted to take up the project but never found the time – at least until Barnes and Gongaware approached him last fall. Clem was more than happy to take them up on the offer.

Barnes said her and Gongaware’s curiosities were piqued when they first saw the pendulum “hanging still in Rockwell.”

“We didn’t know what its purpose was or why the sign behind it told us to check its position throughout the day,” Barnes said, “so we would visit it periodically and look for any changes.” After repeated visits, they concluded it was broken.

Barnes and Gongaware were the not the first ones to take interest in the object, however. In the mid-1990s, former faculty member Jim Downey attempted to repair the electromagnetic cirSWINGING 9

GCC

Sophomores Mackenzie Gongaware and Grace Barnes and freshmen Brynn Graybill (not pictured) revived Rockwell’s Faucault pendulum, which is a device that proves the Earth’s rotations. Physics professor Dr. James Clem assisted the students in their endeavor.

This spring, three entrepreneurship teams have advanced in external pitch competitions all over the country to prove whether their businesses and products stand up to the test.

One such group is sidekickk, a podcast management platform designed to make the creative process more streamlined. Created by seniors Cameron Suorsa and Eric Dudgeon, sidekickk has gone on to participate in the Ben Franklin Virtual TechCelerator competition, where they were awarded $10,000 for first place.

With Soursa as CEO and Dudgeon as COO, sidekickk’s other members include alumni Meredith Egeland ’19 as CMO and Jonathan Brutt ’17 as Development Advisor.

“We wanted to bridge this divide by creating a platform that would make podcasting easy yet scalable as podcasters’ shows grow,” Suorsa says.

The idea for sidekickk was born in early 2020 when one of Soursa’s clients reached out to him for his help launching a new podcast.

While creating episodes each week for his client, Suorsa realized there needed to be a more efficient and affordable solution.

Sidekickk is now in its testing phase, giving selected users the chance to offer feedback on the product. Its public beta will debut in fall 2021.

The team will compete as finalists in this spring’s Schulze Entrepreneurship Challenge, Washington State University’s (WSU) Business Plan Competition and Grove City College’s very own Wolverine Venture Battle. They are also currently in the application process for two other pitch competitions.

Dudgeon says that “it’s an exhilarating experience to compete with other teams” PITCHES 3

Editorial

Page 2

The award-winning Grove City College student newspaper, April 16, 2021

From the Tower

No escape

You can’t escape change. It is always there, lurking and waiting.

You can try to anticipate it. You can strain your eyes looking into the distance, watching for it to appear on the horizon. But then you look away, distracted by the moment. And there it is. Staring you in the face is the thing you feared, the thing you expected, but not so soon.

You’re getting old.

Twenty-two is upon you, and you’re not the same person who moved into North almost four years ago. You’ve eaten tens of pounds of SAC chicken tenders, outlived the notorious black and white campus cat and scheduled too many Dunkin runs to occupy your study days.

You’ve lived. You’ve laughed. You’ve cried.

The newness of freshman year is a memory. How could you have ever known to not to use a tray in the dining hall?

Or that the best time to go to breakfast is during chapel?

(Once you’ve met your requirement, of course.)

Some lessons are more formative and lasting than Hicks etiquette.

Gradually, you’ve grown into the person you are now.

The person who knows that words matter. Whether letters on a page or spoken to friends, words carry weight.

The person who has surpassed 100 chapel credits. Sitting in Harbison, hopefully listening, you have soaked in wisdom and encouragement from speakers near and far.

These grand changes were incremental, inching toward you and shaping you into the one who walks the halls without a care, or maybe with too many cares. Regardless, now you have perspective. A healthy ability to look back and reflect, realizing the highlights and shortcomings of the last four years.

Change was inevitable. You didn’t come to college to remain stagnant. You came knowing there would be change.

Anticipating it, wanting it, you stepped into a world where change was around every corner. Be thankful for these changes. They are only a beginning.

Anna DiStefano Managing Editor

Correction from April 9: -- The Collegian reported that this photo from the Through the Lens spread on pages 6-7 was taken by Dean O’Toole, when it was actually taken by Emma O’Toole.

Collegian Staff Editor-in-Chief Paige Fay Managing Editor Anna DiStefano Section Editors News David Zimmermann Community Fiona Lacey Perspectives Clark Mummau Sports Emily Rupczewski Photo Chief Matt Schoonover Design Chief Caleb West Copy Chief Britney Lukasiewicz

Business Manager Kathryn Miller Copy Editors Jessica Hardman Ashley Ostrowski Sam Branthoover Claire Josey Lauren Ness Shelbi Henkle Kylie Jasper Joanna Thorpe Elizabeth Schinkel Staff Writers Scott Amon Noel Elvin Connor Schlosser Gabrielle Capaldo Jules Wooldridge Chris Murphy Gresham Smith 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

Chris Murphy Staff Writer

It wasn’t an immediate fixation, but I became addicted nonetheless. Repeated exposure skewed my vision until I gave in to the pressure. Small indulgences turned into larger ones, and eventually I found myself thinking about it in my free time.

I couldn’t help myself.

Friends and family would ask about my hedonism, and I would sheepishly defend it. Now, physical signs of dependency and, even advocacy, have blemished everything in my life – from the way that I dress to my social media feed.

I am Chris Murphy, and the Birds Aren’t Real movement has become unironic.

You may be saying, “Of course birds are real, what are you talking about?” I’m talking about the look on another person’s face when you insist on a mass genocide of all American birds at the hands of the CIA. I’m talking about the sense of uniqueness that is had when you jokingly claim to be a member of a conspiracy group.

I’m talking about the comfortable shirts branded with the organization’s name and

message, and the conversations that have been started through them.

As someone who has represented Birds Aren’t Real, the movement to me is less about actually spreading awareness than the group itself describes.

Of course, I couldn’t take everything they preach seriously. In addition to their fowl philosophy, the group’s “history” page on their official website provides a lens through which recent American history can be viewed, including how the United States’ inclusion in the Vietnam War was a cover-up for overseas aluminum collection. While they do have very intricate explanations for how they recruited bird engineers, how eggs and bird meat have been synthesized and the truth behind the JFK assassination, most of the interactions I’ve had with people about the group end with a simple explanation and a confused laugh.

Over spring break, I had the realization that I am probably too invested in the movement. While in all actuality I believe that birds truly are real, I default to making small comments and jokes about birds being a mas-

Hildebrand

sive hoax. My initial thought when birds come to mind is “artificial” – even if it is a joke.

My friends and family have heard it all before; they’ve seen all my shirts and the stickers on my computer.

I’ve become a mourning dove with faulty code, blaring my synthetic song through the night.

I need to start freeing myself from my own habits. I need to rethink how I perceive and talk about birds. I may still wear the shirts, and the stickers may not go away, but I need to start appreciating Birds Aren’t Real for the joke that it is.

This editorial is not a plea to the community, or even an elaborate analogy for a greater issue. Unless you have also fallen prey to the irony of your own making, this article is not for you. This is for those people who, like me, are working to bring themselves back to a reality where they can appreciate the beauty of a bluebird without making a joke about its militarygrade retina scanner.

It’s been fun and all, but it’s time I say it: Birds Aren’t Real is wrong.

Probably.

This week in history

Poetry and parking spaces April 15, 1931 A Smile or Two

“Your speedometer shows you have gone twenty-five thousand miles. Been taking some long tours?”

“No, the five thousand is the distance I have covered going back and forth to the office, and the other twenty thousand is the distance I have covered looking for parking space.”

She’s a good old school A flawless jewel, Twenty-four karats fine.

Her walls we love, The gods above Have blessed, the Deities Nine.

This week’s Green Eyeshade Award goes to Adviser Nick Hildebrand for his continued dedication and commitment to the newspaper and its staff. Happy birthday!

MATT SCHOOONOVER

Breaking the bird-shaped mold

April 1911 The Verse Makers: G. C. C. Forever

the

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

Junior Chris Murphy educates himself about birds in Buhl Library.

She’s a harbor, a port, Where “studes” of all sort Gather from day to day.

The rich and the poor, Their barks here moor; I. C. K. with his scepter, holds sway.

The Profs. are great, Each has a wise pate, And learning runs rampant, indeed.

The “studes” are all scholars— There’s not a one “hollers” When lessons are doubles each week.

The girls are all pretty; I could sing you a ditty On blondes, and charming brunettes.

The fellows are handsome, Dark, light, and tanned, some, They all with their teachers are “pets.”

In conclusion, we say: We’re e’er in the fray, For the right, and the downfall of wrong; And to the last ditch, we’ll stand by the switch: “Hail to Crimson,” forever our song.

-S. H. H. class of 1914 For more Grover poetry, be sure to turn to last week’s editorial in The Collegian.

Jules Wooldridge Staff Writer

News The Collegian,

April 16, 2021

Page 3

The coast seems clear

Lauren Ness Copy Editor

Student participation and excitement grows as study abroad programs begin to open their availability after a year of cancellations and complications due to COVID-19.

Many international programs that are partnered with Grove City College are accepting students for semester-length and two-week faculty-led travel course enrollment as COVID-19 protocols are standardized and vaccine distribution increases.

Ten students are traveling abroad for the fall 2021 semester to Italy, Ecuador, France, Uganda, the United Kingdom and IsraCAILYN CHIARELLO el. Interest in study abroad Cailyn Chiarello ‘20 rides a camel during her 2019 study abroad trip visiting in Morocco. has not declined from previous years. In fact, the short- try’s COVID regulations. each country and pro- be studying with LdM in fall er faculty-led travel courses Masking, social distanc- gram has its variations, espe- 2021. Her desire to travel have recently surged in pop- ing, additional cleaning cially when it comes to quar- and gain an understanding ularity. and quarantine procedures antine expectations. of another country’s culture, “I think for the students are implemented across “It’s been kind of a jum- history and language motithere’s a lot of pent-up de- most universities and insti- ble…practically everything vated her choice to go. mand for study abroad,” Di- tutions. All require incom- that you plan, you need to She is not concerned about rector of the Stan & Karen ing students to quarantine have a Plan B and a Plan C,” COVID-19 abroad and while Johnson Office of Global for two weeks upon entry, she said. she does anticipate some rePrograms Jennifer Gilliland but some are dropping this Some programs, like the strictions or limitations, “a said. requirement if the student Lorenzo de’ Medici (LdM) few restrictions will be well Gilliland said that while is vaccinated. Due to the na- in Florence, Italy, have worth getting to spend a semany countries are shut ture of the virus, last-minute been successfully running mester in Italy,” she said. down to tourists, they are al- changes to regulations are on-site programs throughout Oxford University is anlowing students to come and not uncommon, posing the the pandemic. other location that has acstudy for a semester, granted difficulty to secure a trip.

Sophomore English ma- cepted students despite the Gilliland said that jor Meredith Johnson will pandemic. Junior English that they adhere to that coun-

major Ashley Wright plans to study Shakespeare and the history of alchemy in the fall.

“The resources and history that Oxford has really drew me to want to study literature there specifically,” she said.

Sophomore social work major Lillian Pletcher will be living at the Uganda Christian University to complete her social work practicum, an internship required by her major to graduate.

“I really hope to gain a broader and more diversified worldview, learn from others and the community, and I also hope to gain some clarity in what I specifically want to pursue in social work,” Pletcher said.

Gilliland is hopeful and optimistic for study abroad and travel programs moving forward.

“We expect that summer and semester study abroad will go through a short rebuilding phase. This begins with our first students to venture out post-COVID in a longer-term study abroad experience next school year,” she said. “As more countries that host our students begin to vaccinate their citizens and open up, we look forward to helping many students achieve their study abroad goals.”

Students unmask over break

Shelbi Henkle

Contributing Writer Spring break also brought a break from mask-wearing for many students who traveled home, on vacations and ICOs. With relaxing restrictions on domestic travel, many students experienced conflicting mask mandates and COVID-19 regulations depending on students’ destinations.

To date, 12 states have removed the masking requirement with others relaxing their rules.

Many students felt that their break experiences were different from the college’s rules regarding masks and social distancing, as stated by junior Micah Toney.

PITCHES

continued from 1

and watch how they present their pitches, saying “it inspires us to continue improving our own pitch.”

Regarding the Schulze finals which will take place from Apr. 22-24, Dudgeon says he is “confident that we will make Grove City College and the Entrepreneurship Department proud no matter how we place.”

Excited for the multiple competition opportunities this semester alone, Suorsa and Dudgeon plan on using any prize winnings to further develop the platform’s software.

“We envision sidekickk becoming a freemium model,” Suorsa says, “that would make it easy for podcasters and agencies of all experience levels to produce content.”

Another team dressed for success is LnS CandleCo.,

“The mask policy is a lot stricter here, not just for enforcement of the rules but by the constant social pressure,” he said of the college.

Likewise, many students discussed the noticeable difference in laxity when at home versus on campus, even within the state of Pennsylvania.

Campus ruleswere stricter compared to the rest of the state according to junior Lillian Ford.

She noted that her spring break experience in Pennsylvania was “freeing and lovely.”

Sophomore Mark Armour said he “just didn’t wear it, and nobody seemed to care” and freshman Elijah Holt said he “never wore one” during break.

Junior Keaghan Gray who serves as a camp counselor in Virginia said, “Few people wore masks except in stores or around my kids at work.”

Several students headed to Florida to either return home or go on vacation.

Florida is one of the few states removing the masking requirement through a district-by-district basis.

Junior Hunter Hughes described the masking requirement as “non-existent.

Sometimes it was required by individual stores, but usually big companies” exercised the rule more infrequently, he said.

Junior Rebecca Reed also traveled to Florida and said the experience was “absolutely amazing. Most people didn’t wear masks, but those

who wanted to obviously could. People did not seem scared of other people like they kind of are when you go out in public up here.”

Junior Lyndsey Cummings said that “the rules were very loose” in Florida.

“It seemed as if life was back to normal.”

“Our policy was influenced by our host ministry, Philadelphia rules and GCC,” senior Courtney Mattey said of her ICO Philadelphia trip.

“Our team of 14 was a ‘pod’ so we did not mask around each other, and that’s the most people I’ve been exposed to since the pandemic started.”

For other students, their home states were stricter with mask regulations than western Pennsylvania and Grove City College.

“The New Jersey mandate was much stricter than it is in western Pennsylvania.

In New Jersey you still see masks everywhere, including from people walking outside.

I think that it is ridiculous that people are still wearing masks with the option to be vaccinated now reaching much of the population,” sophomore Connor Maguire said.

Sophomore Meaghan Dobel lives in San Francisco, California.

“The mask restrictions are still extremely enforced where I live. I didn’t go back home for break, but my parents still deal with it every day. They got their vaccines though so let’s hope it starts to improve,” she said.

kickstarted by juniors Lillian Jeynes and Sarah Smith.

They were one of 75 teams to compete in the semi-finals of the Draper Competition for Collegiate Women Entrepreneurs. The virtual event was hosted by Smith College.

Though the two were not able to compete in the finals, both, despite the disappointment, were proud of how far they made it. Smith says the experience “has opened our eyes and solidified our potential in applying for other competitions.”

Jeynes and Smith says competing was “fun and exciting” yet “nerve-racking” at the same time. Due to the online format, there was some doubt and insecurity, according to Jeynes, when comparing themselves to other teams. “But to even be picked to be in the semi-finals really does mean something,” Jeynes adds.

In October 2019, LnS CandleCo. was started over

a meal between the two students. It was only until the realization they could create a business together that the candles were lit.

Dedicated to pursuing the idea, Jeynes and Smith both paid out-of-pocket and learned how to make candles themselves. Jeynes says, “We were terrible at making candles at first, but that is the beauty of business.” LnS CandleCo. continues to make its 100 percent soy wax candles by hand.

The company donates one dollar per sold candle to Path2Freedom, a non-profit committed to helping child survivors of human trafficking. Smith says, “We have a redemptive impact because giving back is important to us.”

LnS CandleCo. plans to gain more exposure by increasing its inventory volume for orders so it can be featured in boutiques and big-box stores one day.

With their innovative idea Embark Health, seniors Elizabeth Finnegan and Lizzy Higgins have participated in several competitions. These include the Draper Competition for Collegiate Women Entrepreneurs, Texas Christian University’s Neeley School of Business Values and Ventures Competition, WSU’s Business Plan Competition and the Schulze Entrepreneurship Challenge.

Both were excited and grateful to showcase their product to different panels of judges. “We were just glad to get the mentorship and opportunity to further refine our idea and develop our business,” Finnegan says.

The team will compete in the final round of the Wolverine Venture Battle at Grove City College on May 1.

Embark Health is a medical app in which patients and caregivers can access educational resources and tools concerning neurodegenera-

tive diseases. A minimum viable product, the app is currently in the development stage.

Finnegan and Higgins formulated the idea when Finnegan received news that her godfather was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

The app’s secondary use involves uploading patient information to a loved one’s Embark Health app. This is to prevent “gross neglect and abuse” from staffs in nursing homes and extended care facilities, which Finnegan sees as a “rampant problem.”

Looking to bring the app to market later this year, both students are determined to make Embark a reality for those suffering from brain disease.

Despite loss or win in the entrepreneurship competitions, all teams have learned valuable lessons from their experiences and look forward to the future ahead.

Community The Collegian,

April 16, 2021

Page 4

Grovers go rural Finding a meaningful way to spend break Scott Amon Staff Writer

When students hear of Inner-City Outreach (ICO) trips they frequently imagine mission trips that span the United States or even further, but there is also a specific focus on serving the local community.

Since the founding of ICO trips in 1998, ICO groups have traveled to the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Chicago, Los Angeles and dozens of other locations. This past Easter Break, ICO partnered with a group called The Project on Rural Ministry (PRM).

PRM has a focus on the wellbeing of rural churches and, according to their website, promotes “cooperation between college, church and community by partnering with pastors who serve in rural and small-town contexts.”

Some members of PRM’s leadership team are familiar to GCC students. Dr. Seulgi Byun, Dr. Paul Kemeny, Dr. Michelle McFeaters and Dr. Adam Loretto all serve in some capacity.

Thaddeus Perkins, frequently called “Tadd” and Gavin Eberlin served as student leaders for the most recent ICO-PRM trip. Fourteen other students were part of the team that set out to help local churches in Western Pennsylvania.

“It was great to serve with a crew with all the same motivation for learning and serving the different churches and pastors that we went to visit,” Perkins said.

Unlike the other crosscountry trips, this ICO team did not have to travel very far to serve.

“This trip was not in Grove City but northwest Pennsylvania,” said Perkins. “We stayed on campus and drove to churches within an hour drive.”

The group’s goal was to support these rural churches in both a practical and spiritual way. At the heart of the mission, Perkins said, “was to learn from and serve these

AMBRIA GOOD

Junior J.P. Roboski, senior Janae Powell and freshman Grace Anne Shaw aren’t afraid to get messy in order to serve rural churches. pastors, and to communicate to them that they are seen by the greater church.”

Rural churches often have needs that can be met only through outside support. Because of their location and minor denominational status, these churches struggle to meet the needs of the community.

“With rising poverty numbers as well as major drug problems, the work of the gospel has its work cut out,” Perkins said.

Perkins and his group encountered a unique problem throughout their trip. They realized that many people

who live in poverty are often opposed to seeking and/or receiving help and prefer to be self-reliant.

“This is a pride where they need to earn what is given to them. A resilience that makes the idea of grace almost impossible,” Perkins said.

The difficulties found specifically in rural communities, coupled with limited resources, often lead to overtaxed pastors. Perkins knows of a pastor who is currently managing five churches.

Despite the trials that rural communities face, Perkins found that the pastors they assisted were far from de-

feated. “In the midst of these challenging contexts, these four pastors were joyful and filled with passion for the Gospel and the people,” he said. “This was an encouraging surprise on this trip.”

To assist these pastors, Perkins and his team completed a variety of tasks. Like most mission work, these tasks included repairs and cleaning. Due to the time of year, however, the ICO-PRM team had the opportunity to assist in Holy Week for one of the churches.

“We actually recorded a good Friday service [for this church],” Perkins said. But

there was one roadblock – the church did not have any working recording equipment.

Fortunately, Perkins and his team stepped in. “We had enough of a budget to purchase a camera for them.

This was an awesome way for us to be able to serve this church.”

Perkins views this ICO trip as a success and hopes that future ICO trips will continue serving the local community. “[T]his project is all about reorienting the campus to be more a part of the greater Grove City community,” he said. “This is just the start.”

Lacking connection, standing, hope Lillian Steinhauser Contributing Writer

It was the best of times; it was the most unprecedented of times.

This assessment of attending college during COVID is as tired as it is true. Amidst the struggle of adjusting to new regulations and altered expectations, the freshman class stands out as a class that has done something no other class has been asked to do—begin college life in a pandemic.

The struggle for connection among peers and faculty expected for freshman has been exacerbated by the global struggle for safety.

Still, might the unique circumstances surrounding this year have some positive consequences for the freshmen class? Put simply, what might God be teaching the freshman by allowing them to have this unique entrance into college?

Beginning a new academic

year after missing much of the previous one is a challenge.

The difficulties of maintaining academic standards during COVID have affected both the freshman’s senior year of high school and first year of college, leaving them with a fear of being unprepared to meet the new challenges before them.

“I had a lot of time away from a classroom,” freshman Ruth Brown commented.

“Then once things opened a bit, I worked a lot. I had a little panic in mid-July where I wondered if I should even go to school at all.”

The concern for academics and struggle for connection being doubled by the constant fear of quarantine also caused significant damage to the overall psyche of the freshman class.

Freshman Whitney Leonard described her experience as one of loneliness.

“It was hard to spend so much time alone without in-

vesting in other people,” she said.

To her, there is an unmet and intrinsic need to both be filled by social interaction and fill others.

But as Brown also noted, “Because I’m a freshman, everything that was changed for COVID felt normal to me.”

This brings about an interesting question—how would this new “normal,” one that caused stress and damage to the physical and mental health of the student body, ultimately affect the freshman class with regards to their spiritual health?

God’s sovereignty and power have been placed centerstage this semester, and the time spent struggling for connection and in quarantine may very well have had a spiritually beneficial effect on the class, not because the situation was ideal, but because they were now forced to rely completely on God to sustain them.

“I have become much more intentional about dedicating time to Him,” Leonard observed.

She began her collegiate career with an admirable pursuit of God prioritized in a busy college schedule.

Brown also talked about the growth of her spiritual health.

“I have never realized how sinful I was until I got to college. It’s easy to get a warped view of yourself when you spend your days around the same 20 people, most of whom knew what you looked like in kindergarten. I realized how much I crave control and how proud I am and how pitifully envious I am,” Brown said. “But I’m also beginning to understand His grace much more.”

The difficult and even scary circumstances of the semester have pushed the freshman class out of their comfort zone and towards God; the shock of the new and challenging environment has

created a greater need for relationship with the Creator.

The 2020 freshman began college, quite literally, without faces. Without standing, without connection and, at times, without hope. Still, there is an undeniable and uncontainable truth pervasive through even the most challenging and darkest parts of this year—God is with them.

Though the events of the year have cast a cloud of darkness that should neither be brushed off as normal nor ignored as unimportant, the truth of John 1:5 has been made so abundantly clear: “The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

Perhaps that is the reason that the darkness is allowed to set in, so that the children of Light will look to Him who is Light Himself to guide their paths.

The Collegian,

April 16, 2021

Page 5

Seven questions with…

Dr. Caleb Verbois

Professor of Political Science What do you listen to on the ride home?

Senior Kaitlyn Bennet is a recipient of the Oxford Barry Scholarship, a fully funded Oxford University graduate study program.

GCC

Student awarded Oxford post-grad scholarship Fiona Lacey

Community Editor Senior Kaitlyn (Butts) Bennett is a recent recipient of the Oxford Barry Scholarship, a two year, fully funded Oxford University graduate study program, offered by the Canterbury Institute.

Though an honor to receive, Bennett recognizes that her future studies will be humbling, hard work. According to the Canterbury Institute, Barry scholars are chosen for their “dedication to the academic vocation and pursuit of truth.”

Bennett has been chosen, among other 2021 Barry fellows, to carry out this vision while pursuing her doctorate at the University of Oxford.

Bennett credits her professors with teaching her this “pursuit of truth” in the first place. Because of this, much of the credit goes to them.

“GCC taught me how to become an independent thinker,” she said.

Bennett received an interdisciplinary major in Music, philosophy and BARS.

“Professors let me write about the intersections between my interests. I was able to write a paper on virtue formation through music education for Ancient Philosophy and looked at grief in Brahms’ requiem for music history because I was also taking a class on the problem of suffering,” Bennett said.

Bennett gives much credit to Dr. Carl Trueman, Dr. Christ Franklin, Dr. Becky Billock, Dr. Paul Munson and Dr. Joshua Drake.

Bennett also considers herself in debt to the Grove City College Trustee Program, of which she has been a member.

In short, Bennett came to “love truth and beauty” because of the teaching at Grove City College. And though the road ahead at Oxford seems intimidating, what she learned as an undergrad will come in handy.

“My time at Grove City taught me to pursue truth and beauty in humility,” Bennett said. And though she’ll be moving thousands of miles “across the pond,” this

goal will remain the same.

At Oxford, Bennett will be pursuing a MPhil in Music Performance. She is also given the title of “Middle Reader,” to take part in Canterbury Institute seminars, dinners and mentorships provided through the program.

Her major will allow Bennett to continue giving piano lessons and performing in recitals, while also allowing her to participate in seminars specific to her area of musical interest.

“My research interests are in music as narrative, late-19th-early 20th century piano works and engaging modern audiences through effective presentations that combine storytelling and performance.”

Bennett also looks forward to the Oxfordian self-paced education model too, specifically the individual meetings with mentors and independent research.

“I think this is a really effective way to learn and I’m excited about it,” she said.

But Bennett won’t only be

learning about Musical Performance during her time in England. Both her and her husband, Senior Matthew Bennett, look forward to learning about their new country of residence.

“I’m excited for the chance to learn from a new culture and community,” she said.

They plan to be part of a community, hoping to find a local church and good relationships, even attempting to join a rowing club.

To Bennett, just the aesthetics and history of Oxford itself is enough, but the couple also hopes to visit Austria and Germany because of each country’s connections to Kaitlyn’s love for musical history.

“I’m looking forward to learning in a place that has such beautiful architecture and history,” Bennett said.

“Particularly because incredibly influential people from history have studied there.”

After she finishes her program in two years, Bennett and her husband plan to return to the U.S.

Women eye housing groups Fiona Lacey

Community Editor Female housing groups have not existed on campus for years, but sophomores Mackenzie Gongaware, Grace Barnes and Grace Roux are busy attempting to establish one.

“Our goal for this housing group is to create a community of girls who can get the benefits of a sorority without too much emotional investment or loss of independence,” Barnes said.

The three envisioned the idea when they heard there would be little space for independents to room near Greek Groups next year, as many sororities plan to fill most of MEP dormitory. “We like being close to some of our friends in Greek groups,” Gongaware said. “We were upset that we’d be separated in housing as well.”

The same goes for the halls

of independent women – most have little to no community. “The lack of a good hall atmosphere is something many independent women have confirmed needs to be changed,” Roux said.

The three decided they wanted to establish a hybrid model that would “bridge the gap between independents and sororities.” This would provide a closer community of women for some, and a less-intense, low-commitment group for others.

As Barnes imagines it, this female housing group would be “more inclusive, and demonstrate Christ’s love for women to grow together in their faith and friendships.”

There are currently 34 female students interested.

But the planning process has encountered a few problems. One being legality. It’s a well-known legend on Grove City’s campus (and many college campuses around PA)

that houses/halls dedicated to female groups – excluding sororities – would legally be considered brothels. Thus, Grove City does not have any female housing groups, nor promote them.

However, this idea is a myth, and no legal documentation has been found correlating female housing to brothels. The myth itself, and how it became so wellknown, remains a mystery.

Myth or not, the idea of forming another CLP group, according to the Crimson, is “not feasible” due to the high amount (27) of groups already on campus. Adding yet another would “be detrimental to the residential experience of our independent student population.” Even so, the trio were able to poll a group of 34 girls about their potential interest in a housing group and 94 percent expressed interest, and they forwarded this information

to Student Life and Learning.

And the response was positive. “After a few weeks, we were pleased to hear they have decided to re-evaluate the feasibility of female housing groups on campus,” Gongaware said. The College promised to assess the situation. “[This process] is anticipated to take some time, and we are doing our best to consistently update those who expressed interest as we receive more information,” Gongaware said.

The trio have no preference in mind of where the potential group would be housed.

“We will live wherever they want to put us,” Roux said.

They want the group to be called ФΠΞ (Phi Pi Xi), which resembles the word “ONE. “Because we are independent,” Barnes said.

I walk to work (which is awesome) and mostly listen to audio books. I’m a big fantasy/sci-fi fan, so right now I’m listening to Brian McClellan’s Wrath of Empire.

What are you currently reading?

Keeping with the fantasy/ sci-fi, Brandon Sanderson’s newest, Rythm of War. I’m also starting a book by a guy you might have heard of, Dr. Gil Harp, Protestants and American Conservatism.

My wife highly recommended it and reminded me that I should finish and return Buhl’s copy which I’ve had checked out for a while.

What’s something you’ve been pondering lately?

I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the way politics has become the real religion for far too many people, on the right and left, inside and outside of church.

And pondering how we can correct that for our children before it rips us permanently apart.

Favorite restaurant?

Honestly, as a native southern Louisiana kid, Western PA is a food desert. Sorry, but it’s true.

My favorite restaurant within 200 miles is, hands down, my wife’s kitchen.

Name the movie that makes you emotional.

Not much comes immediately to mind, though I know a number have.

I’ll say the Return of the King, end credits, when Annie Lennox sings Into the West.

What are you looking forward to today?

Reading chapter 3 of the Magician’s Nephew out loud to my 5-year-old for the first time.

What’s your favorite class you’re teaching right now?

Probably Constitutional Law 2. It’s a class I teach every spring, but it’s especially fun to teach to a good class of students that I’ve gotten to know over a couple of years.

Through the lens,

Through the Lens

Feb. 22, 2019

The Collegian,

Page 6

April 16, 2021

Turning over a new leaf

As campus awakens from winter, taking photos can seem too complicated

Photos and Text Matt Schoonover Photo Chief

Spring is when campus blossoms, and comes forth into new life. When transitioning from winter, there is a challenge to shoot photos with nearly nothing in the frame or with too much information.

The real challenge is never what is in the photo, but the manner in which the photo is presented to the viewer. Photographers can use the blossoms on a tree to their advantage by using a wider depth of field to create a nice contrasted image with blurred background. Photographers can also use a wide depth of field to create multiple layers that will only add another asset to make the photo into a piece of art.

When photographers can make the overall image more intresting (see below) it draws the subject into more of an aesthetic focus. Covering a boring piece of space (see J. Howard Pew photo) can also be useful to create an aesthetic for the subject. Out-of focus foregrounds with the same or compilentary color palette can make the subject “pop” off a contrasting background.

Lines, patterns and the shape of the composition can also be the difference between a good photo and a great photo.

Using angles and lines (see sidewalk photo on the right) a photographer can make a photo much more interesting than if the shot were taken “head on.”

Practice gives experience. Walks of life and opportunities can help a photographer, or any person for that matter, discover a different perspective.

Through the lens,

April 16, 2021

Page 7

Perspectives What’s with libertarians?

The Collegian,

Page 8

April 16, 2021

Conservatism Too much liberty enables sin should accept it Sam Branthoover

Jackson Romo

Freedom is great. We all cheer for it, we salute those who have died for it and we love to assume it is the privilege Americans have and others do not.

Conservatives use freedom as a buzzword, but their policy has consistently shown disregard for it. I think this is best exemplified by the divide between libertarianism and conservativism, in that the former is specifically focused on freedom, while the latter is consistently opposed to it on the basis of morality. It is because of this, I argue, that conservatism needs to embrace libertarianism.

“Men are not angels” is a quick paraphrase of Federalist 51 that is commonly thrown around by conservatives. It’s short, and it’s sweet but it is unconcise. It is almost as if the conservative movement’s foundation could be summarized as “People suck, make decisions for them.” This approach to public policy is inherently contradictory to the idea of freedom.

Who is to say that the bureaucrat knows more than a citizen on any issue?

Any student of Dr. Fuller’s Principles of Microeconomics will learn of the deathly flaw of seatbelt laws. They empirically have been found to cause more pedestrian deaths than the number of lives saved from crashes, since individuals drive less recklessly knowing they too are in danger of death as a result of their behavior. What was clearly an attempt to save lives is in fact taking them.

Though this is but one example, the reader can already begin to understand the problems with trying to regulate right and wrong based on bureaucrats’ well intentions.

Morally, we may be inclined to guide individuals to what we know to be correct. I want my mother to quit smoking, as she and I want her to live longer. Taxing and/or banning cigarettes, though, is no answer, as the effects could be worse than the original problem being addressed.

Empirically, it has been found that increasing taxes on cigarettes has led to smokers choosing even more unhealthy alternatives, such as smoking cigarettes heavier in carcinogens and even switching to other forms of unhealthy addictions such as alcohol. If we want our loved ones to stop smoking, then we must simply try to convince them. Legislating morality is, at best, a losing gamble.

Religiously, as Christians, we know that one must choose to follow Christ; one cannot force an individual to be a Christian. So why use government to force individuals into conforming to our beliefs? One may argue that it would incentivize individuals towards Christianity, but what if it polarizes some from it further? All we can do is converse, inform and educate others, because they must choose on their own. Therefore, there cannot be any religious reason to advocate for paternalism either.

Conservatives need to understand the flaws with paternalism to formulate a platform that reconciles their views with that of freedom. A group cannot both support limiting individuals’ actions while also supporting the freedom of an individual to commit actions.

Libertarianism is known to have a shock and awe effect on some audiences, but its core tenet of opposing paternalism for the benefit of freedom is something the conservative movement needs to adopt in some capacity. After all, being a conservative does not exclusively mean that you want to enforce your views legally on others, it means you live by and advocate for a certain worldview.

Over the past 100 years, Christian thought has been invaded by Libertarian ideals. As Christians, we must carefully guard our faith against corrupting political ideas. The following topics are two areas I believe libertarianism is un-biblical.

John Stuart Mill, considered a founder of libertarianism, argued that each person is sovereign over his body and absolute over matters concerning only himself. This was extended by economist Murray Rothbard who declared “the absolute right of every person… to the ownership of [his] own body.”

Rothbard supported an absolute right to abortion because a woman has the right to dispose of a parasite.

Scripture, however, contends that we are not owners of our bodies, but only stewards. As the creator, God owns our bodies. Furthermore, God’s prerogative to use the human body to create life supersedes our rights of stewardship. Psalm 139 is clear that human life is uniquely and intentionally designed by God. He has extended his divine protection to all human life, upon penalty of death (Genesis 9:5-6).

Libertarians have long considered marriage only a formal arrangement made by consenting adults. In their view, marriage should be completely unregulated. The Cato Institute used this principle to argue for legalizing homosexual marriage, but it can also justify no-fault divorce, polygamy and other consensual practices.

Scripture describes marriage as both a covenant and a constitution. It is a covenant because it is permanent. Genesis 2:21-25 describes marriage as a husband and wife becoming “one flesh,” transformed into a new entity. It is also sacred. Hebrews 13:4 commands that “Marriage is to be held in honor by all…” Most importantly, it is initiated by God. In Matthew 19:6, “Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

Marriage is a constitution because it is an “arrangement of magistracies” as Aquinas defined it, a formal arrangement of authority. According to Ephesians 5:22-33, the husband’s role is head of his wife, just as Christ is head of the Church. He is to lay down his life in love to his wife, as Christ did for the Church. The wife is to submit to her husband’s leadership, and to be loved and cherished by him. Jointly, a husband and wife execute God’s command in Genesis 1:28: exercise dominion over the earth, and multiply and fill it. Thus, Scripture constitutes marriage as a sacred and permanent union between one man and one woman, each exercising their proper roles drawing its purpose and authority from God himself.

Marriage is superior to civil government because it was originally part of God’s plan. God created marriage in the Garden, before the Fall. Civil government was ordained only after the Fall as a response to human sin.

Marriage is also vastly more powerful than civil government, as it was given authority to propagate humanity by God. Because civil government came later and is weaker, it must submit to the prior authority God has vested in marriage.

When a husband and wife violate marriage by unjust divorce or people deviate from God’s design for marriage, they have committed treason (an act of rebellion) against the institution of marriage. When the government “sanctions” these kinds of actions (by recognizing homosexual unions, allowing no-fault divorce, etc..), it is “aiding and abetting” treason.

When libertarians ask the government to legitimize sin, they are vastly expanding the powers of the state by allowing it to play god. In doing so, they contradict their own principle of limited government, while usurping God’s authority as lawgiver.

Contributing Writer

Contributing Writer

Are voter identification laws racist?

Benjamin Seevers Contributing Writer

In light of the recent Georgia voting system reforms, Democrats and Republicans have taken to their usual positions: that it makes it harder for minorities to vote or hailing the recent reforms as needed to prevent voter fraud, respectively. Both positions are only partially true.

The Democrats’ claim that it makes it harder for minorities to vote is only partially true. It makes it harder for everyone to vote only slightly.

Given the flexibility election authorities showed during the last election, any break from that would essentially

make the process of voting harder. But why make it about race?

In no way are these reforms comparable to the laws enacted in the Jim Crow South where African Americans faced unfair voting tests and many times physical violence at the polls. Any comparison lessens the tribulations faced

by African Americans and minorities during past bigoted times.

As for the Republican praise of the law, it seems as though they simply passed this law to solidify GOP control over the election process in Georgia and not just to make the elections more secure. Included in the new reforms are adaptations to the current election oversight process, which would ef-

fectively move the authority from the elected Secretary of State to the heavily Republican election advisory board.

Perhaps the statewide success of Democrats this past election scared them into removing the authority from a state-elected position to a position that must be approved by the heavily Republican state legislature so as to protect the interests of the state GOP while simultaneously they receive praise for “making our elections secure.”

It does not even make elections more secure. Adding voting ID requirements is just redundant given that Georgia already had the requirement of showing state ID at the polls. This is a very ingenuine move on their part, but then again, what

can anyone expect from politicians? They are simply trying to serve their own interests.

However, there is another element to this that nobody is talking about. Yes, it makes it slightly harder to vote in elections, but is voting supposed to be easy? It may betray our egalitarian tendencies to say that voting should be harder, but if it is harder, would we not expect to see less people who don’t care as much about politics going to the polls? Almost definitely.

Nobody wants people who are clueless about politics casting a vote.

The Democrats supported easy voting last election, and it paid off for them. Less eager people sent in their ballots through mail, some

coming in weeks late due to procrastination on the part of the vote caster, perhaps some being fraudulent. Those are the people that determined who the president is today.

We do not want people like that voting. To suggest that it is a gross injustice that someone has to put in effort to vote is plain silly and has dire consequences.

In short, the election law is not racist, and it does not make our elections more secure. It is a power move by the Republican legislature to protect their interests in the state in the long-term. However, making it harder to vote for everyone is not a bad idea if we are trying to obtain a higher quality electorate, but it is doubtful that lawmakers have that goal in mind.

The Collegian,

April 16, 2021

Page 9

Sanctions simply just don’t work They never have and they never will

Susannah Barnes Contributing Writer

General Min Aung Hlaing, the ringleader of the coup against Myanmar’s democratically elected government, celebrated Armed Forces Day on March 27 lavishly while his troops violently murdered anti-coup protesters in the streets. Since the military seized power in early February, more than 400 people have been killed and 2,000 arrested–including civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi. None of this is surprising.

The same regiments that are killing protesters have been using the same tactics in a campaign of ethnic cleansing against the religious minority called the Rohingya.

Largely based in the United Nations’ “Responsibility to Intervene” doctrine, Western countries have been actively trying to find a solution to curb violence in Myanmar and promote peace and democracy.

U.S. actions to stop the violence have been entirely counterproductive. For decades, the U.S. government has utilized sanctions as their main mechanism to promote peace, but to no avail. In fact, the U.N. says that the sanctions the U.S. is

AP NEWS

using are causing more harm than benefit.

When the goal is to promote democracy, like in Myanmar, sanctions have been especially destructive.

Economic sanctions create a “rally round the flag” effect, promoting nationalism which dictators can use to promote their cause. When sanctions are effective at destabilizing a certain actor, this may increase the incentive for authoritarian governments to crackdown on protestors or the media to silence dissent and cover up evidence of weakness.

Despite the large failure of sanctions in the past, President Biden has responded to the crisis in Myanmar by

ranking up sanctions against the country once again, an action specifically condemned by the U.N. High Commissioner on Human Rights.

These sanctions put in place by Biden are only going to push Myanmar further into chaos, not bring them back into the fold of democracy.

Truthfully, the West has very little influence over Myanmar in comparison to Eastern countries. China especially is a major factor at play in Myanmar. The neighboring countries are intrinsically linked economically, pulling Myanmar closer to the super-power next door.

When the U.S. targets the Burmese economy, it will

Satan’s label maker?

Clark Mummau Perspectives Editor

Over Easter, my family talked a lot about the enneagram, a personality test that places you in one of nine archetypal groups such as the loyalist, individualist or achiever. One of my relatives had recently read the book “The Road Back to You”

by Episcopalian priest Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile. I immediately was skeptical.

Fortunately, the relative acknowledged the writer was a liberal pastor, so she doubted his spiritual advice, but I was still concerned. For such a book to be written by not just a professing Christian, but an Episcopal priest and published by InterVarsity raises serious questions for how this new type of spirituality is creeping into evangelical circles.

While I enjoy personality tests as much as the next person, they are almost all foolishness. These groups get you to take a test, and then many of them try to sell you advanced information about the results. The Myers-Briggs personality test is notorious for this despite its largely positive reception that I have seen.

According to an article in Scientific American about alternative personality tests, “By contrast, Big 5 and HEXACO models were

shaped by an empirical process and independent peer review that showed people’s scores tended to be consistent, and predictions made using the models are reproducible.”

I will admit that I have taken my fair share of MBTI tests, but the only term that I can reliably remember, reproduce or explain is the extraversion/introversion continuum.

Interestingly enough, that’s the only one also included in the scientifically verified tests.

While it is easy to call many personality tests pseudo-scientific, I think many of them, including the enneagram, pose a larger spiritual danger to Christians.

Our identity is found in Christ, and Christians believe that God has uniquely and wonderfully made all of us.

The enneagram and MBTI both teach a reductionist form of self-identity where you fit into one type of person. This over-simplifies the complex way God has created our minds and beings, and such divisions are nowhere to be found in Scripture.

More concerning, though, are the enneagram’s Gnostic and New Age leanings. “The Road Back to You,” “The Sacred Enneagram,” “The Path Between Us,” “Enneagram Transformations” and “Becoming Us” are all books on the enneagram that clearly

only continue to build that relationship between China and Myanmar putting Myanmar’s democratic efforts more at risk.

It is high time for the U.S. to change its course in Myanmar and focus our foreign policy efforts on diplomacy, not economic sanctions.

In the 1960s, a similar military coup erupted. Myanmar was quickly isolated and did not negotiate with any political associations.

The military coup-controlled power for almost 30 years. The current military coup leader has followed the same roadmap. Political associations must step in before Hlaing isolates Myanmar completely.

The Burmese people do not want to negotiate with the military coup. The best way to pave a path towards resolution is to increase international pressure.

A coordinated effort from the West, Association of Southeast Asian Nations including Singapore and Thailand (ASEAN), India and China can avoid isolation and the death of Burmese democracy.

Myanmar is largely on the brink of chaos. If Myanmar spins out of control, all of Southeast Asia will become largely instable. It is time for the international community to act and ramp up pressure to end the dictatorship in Myanmar.

Letter to the Editor

distinguish it from simple Buzzfeed tests. Most of the authors promoting the enneagram are not shy about its spiritual aspects.

While claims to its origins go back to Chaldeans, Sufi mystics or Kabbalists, The Gospel Coalition highlights that our earliest references to the enneagram are from occultists P. D. Ouspensky and Georges I. Gurdjieff, men from the 20th century. From here, Óscar Ichazo supposedly had the enneagram “taught to him by the Archangel Metraton while he was high on mescaline.”

“The Enneagram is useful because it indicates with startling clarity certain constellations of meaning about something that is essentially beyond definition: the mystery that we are,” the Enneagram Institute says.

Allegedly, we must examine ourselves to identify these “constellations of meaning” rather than looking outward to Christ or the Bible. Biblically, our ultimate identity is secure in Christ.

Clearly, something with its roots in such occult practices has no home with Christians, and we would do well to steer clear of the enneagram and other personality tests. Instead, we ought to find our identity in Christ and Christ alone.

Last week, a student wrote a piece complaining about the fact that the chapel program has emphasized the issue of racial reconciliation this year. He said that these chapels are liberal and Marxist. This, of course, is true. The chapel program has been secretly planning a Marxist takeover all along.

They mean to gather all the campus resources together including food, textbooks, and of course, chapel credits in order to distribute them equally to everyone regardless of how hard they’ve worked. The fact that this student uncovered such a top secret plot is quite remarkable. He saw that the chapel program cared about our campus’ attitude towards diversity, and was able to correctly conclude that there must be a vast Marxist conspiracy at work beneath the surface. The unusually high percentage of minority

SWINGING

continued from 1

cuit beneath the pendulum floor. Despite much work, Downey’s efforts were unsuccessful.

“No one else has apparently taken an interest in it since, and it was sad to see a noteworthy part of Rockwell’s history being forgotten,” Barnes said. So together, they decided to take the task upon themselves.

With the help of Clem and electrical engineering professor Dr. James Brooks ’04, Barnes and Gongaware reinstalled the circuit and used a camera to monitor the pendulum 24/7. Clem then asked Graybill to write computer code for a Microsoft Kinect sensor which tracks the coordinates of the pendulum bob more accurately.

“I am working on it be-

students at Grove City who transfer out is not in any way an indication that we should be doing more for our minority students or even addressing the issue. Rather, in the future, anyone who brings up the issue of race except to say that it is not really an issue, should be identified as Marxist. In this way, we will grow as a campus toward being a wonderfully homogenous melting pot of similar views.

We will become a depiction of the future church with peoples from every tribe, nation, and tongue except any nation besides America, any tongue besides English, and any group besides those who share our extreme political beliefs. The Marxist takeover has arrived, and students should prepare to have all their assets confiscated and redistributed equally to the rest of the campus community. The revolution has begun.

Jordan Fredette ’21 cause I wanted to start doing something practical with the physics and computer science skills I am learning,” Graybill said.

Now that Rockwell’s Foucault pendulum swings constantly again, Barnes and Gongaware plan on creating a poster with supplemental information so that students and visitors can learn something new.

On behalf of the physics faculty, Clem commends the three students for the work they put into the project.

“I’m very pleased with the progress they’ve made and am very happy to be a part of their success,” he said. “I strongly feel that their work will make the Foucault a great historical centerpiece to an already historical building.”

Sports The Collegian, April 16, 2021

Page 10

Bethany gets a beatin’

Wolverines continue winning streak Joanna Thorpe Women’s Soccer

The women’s soccer team played their seventh game of the season against Bethany to advance their four-game win streak and undefeated record to 6-0-1 and 6-0-0 in conference play.

The Wolverines took to the field with an aggressive opening strategy, shooting within the first minute and scoring back-to-back goals in the seventh minute. The first goal came from the efforts of sophomore forward Hailey Weinert, assisted by freshman forward Gianna D’Amato, followed immediately by another goal from D’Amato to give Grove City the lead.

The Wolverines hammered away at the goal for the next six minutes, resulting in a penalty kick opportunity by junior defender Tirzah Lloyd; her shot found the back of the net to contribute to the team’s mounting 3-0 success. Bethany returned the favor with a few shots on goal, but none passed through the hands of senior goalkeeper Columbia Harkrader.

Returning in the second half, Grove City brought all the pressure they had opened with, as D’Amato, Weinert and freshmen midfielders Rachel Sullivan and Megan Mathes all contributed a shot apiece. Despite their efforts, however, the Bison found their footing and scored their first and only goal at the 66:38-minute mark, bringing the score to 3-1. After

Junior forward Jacqui Netschert drive the ball down the field during the March 20 match against Thiel. progressive offensive efforts on both sides, Grove City scored their final goal in the last five minutes, ending the game with an impressive final score of 4-1.

The women’s soccer team has remained determined and focused on strengthening their legacy, even after having their season postponed last fall.

“After such a long time of uncertainty and off-season preparation due to COVID, we’re excited and grateful to be back on the field and playing games at all,” Lloyd

said. “Having our fall season postponed was definitely a huge bummer, but it gave us a special opportunity to practice and spend extended time bonding as a team before games started this spring.

Getting good results after putting in hard work and preparation is rewarding.

However, going beyond the results and seeing how the team has been resilient and cheerful in this season with its unique trials is what’s especially encouraging and inspiring to me this year.”

Regardless of their uncer-

tain circumstances, the players have been trying to keep their attention on the one constant that holds the team together.

“The pandemic has plunged us into a time of unpredictable conditions, which has led us to spend time discussing what we know is unchanging – God,” Lloyd said. “God’s character remains constant, and He faithfully keeps his promises no matter how circumstances change. The Bible tells us who we are as God’s children, and fortunately these identi-

MATT SCHOONOVER

ty attributes are not based on our performance but on His mercy and love.

Instead of chasing the world’s definition of success which can so easily lead to living and playing in fear instead of freedom and love, as a team, we’ve been learning about who God says we are, and we are trying to internalize these truths as our identity.”

The Wolverines will bring their resilience to face Washington & Jefferson at 7 p.m.

Thursday, April 22 on Don Lyle Field.

National Sports Column

Adieu to Edelman Connor Schlosser Staff Writer

One of the greatest wide receivers in NFL postseason history decided to hang up his cleats Monday afternoon. After 12 seasons solely with the New England Patriots, Julian Edelman is retiring from football.

It was announced initially that Edelman’s contract with the Patriots was terminated due to a failed physical. Shortly after, Edelman cleared the air with his followers and fans by releasing a heartfelt video on Instagram. “I’ve always said, I’m gonna go till the wheels come off…” Edelman said sitting in the center of Gillette Stadium. “And they’ve finally fallen off.”

Jules had fought through a serious knee injury last season which ultimately required surgery. In his recovery process at the end of last season and this offseason, Edelman could not seem to improve enough to return.

The Patriots were willing to give their gritty receiver as much time as possible to

recover. Edelman had even intended to play in the upcoming season, but physically this proved to be impossible.

Born and raised in Redwood City, California, just south of San Francisco, a young Jules thought he had what it took to make it to the big leagues. He started his college career in football not on a scholarship or at a big university, but at a community college in San Mateo.

Transferring to Kent State in Ohio, Edelman began to turn heads as both a wide receiver and quarterback at only 5’10”.

Edelman was not a big name when he entered the CBS SPORTS 2009 NFL draft. The first Former New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman celebrates his third Super Bowl win in round consisted of much 2019. Edelman was named the MVP of that game. bigger names like Matthew emerged as a favorite target earned Pro-Bowl honors; he whether Jules is worthy of Stafford and Clay Matthews. of Brady. simply does not compare to Hall of Fame status, conIn the seventh and final Throughout the course of some of the greats from a sidering that he was never round of the draft, it was Bill his illustrious career with statistics standpoint in the named to the Pro-Bowl. Hall Belichick and the Patriots New England, Edelman regular season. of Fame or not, Edelman that selected the young unearned three rings and a SuBut postseason Edelman will forever be known as the derdog. per Bowl MVP. Perhaps the is truly a different beast. tough, gritty playmaker who Under the vision of Belichbiggest plays of his career He is ranked second with showed up when it mattered ick, the mentorship of Tom are found almost exclusively most catches, most receiving most. Jules was an energetic Brady and the tough love of in both the playoffs and Su- yards and most 100-yard re- catalyst and the pulse of the fellow receiver Wes Welker, per Bowl. His finest hour ceiving games in NFL play- team that kept the Patriots Julian Edelman began to was when everyone was off history, just behind the alive when games looked grow into a more complete watching. greatest receiver of all time, grim. With the retirement of player and a reliable offenAmong his many mile- Jerry Rice.

Edelman, New England has sive option. After Welker stones, Edelman never The NFL is divided on lost the heart of a champion. left New England, Edelman

The Collegian, April 16, 2021

Page 11

Sports at a Glance

News

MATT SCHOONOVER

Senior defender Patrick Mark and junior midfielder Brett Gladstone maneuver around an opposition player in the March 20 game versus Chatham. The Wolverines took home the win in a 27-5 landslide.

Live, laugh, lax

Ayden Gutierrez Staff Writer

Grove City- Mercer County is home to two President’s Athletic Conference teams: Grove City College and Thiel College. With the two colleges sitting just 40 minutes apart from each other, there is automatically some bad blood between the two schools.

Another installment of this historic rivalry occurred Tuesday night at Robert E. Thorn Field. The Grove City Men’s Lacrosse team scored early and often en route to a 29-3 annihilation of the rival Tomcats.

Grove City dominated in every statistical category.

The Wolverines recorded 60 more shots on goal than the Tomcats, outshooting them 79-19.

Thiel committed 34 turnovers, while Grove City only turned the ball over 18 times.

Grove City dominated the faceoff battle, winning 29-7.

Grove City had nine extraman opportunities, while Thiel only had five. Grove City nearly doubled Thiel in ground balls, as the Wolver-

ines recorded 64 to Thiel’s 33.

The Wolverine offensive attack was led by Junior Brett Gladstone and Sophomore James Petrolle. Gladstone recorded seven goals, three groundballs and one assist.

Petrolle also put the ball in the net seven times and had three ground balls with three assists.

The Wolverines came out of the gates ready to go. Grove City scored seven goals in the first period to take a 7-0 lead. The Wolverines scored 10 straight goals before the Tomcats got on the board.

As has been a common occurrence this season, a stout defensive effort was once again displayed by Grove City. Thiel scored just a single goal in the first half.

Grove City entered the break with a 13-1 lead.

Michael La Forte and Jed Speers led the way in the assist category. La Forte tallied seven assists, while Speers added five.

Grove City showed no signs of slowing down in the second half, as they scored nine goals to extend their lead to 22-1. The Wolverines at one point scored 14 unanswered

goals before Thiel netted two balls in the fourth quarter.

Grove City scored five straight goals in the last five minutes to notch the final at 29-3. The 29 goals are the most ever in a single game in the program’s four-year history at the NCAA Division 3 Varsity level. The 79 total shots also set a program record.

Junior Grant Evans had an impressive statistical night for the Wolverines. Evans won 15 of 16 faceoffs, had 13 ground balls and added a goal.

“It was a great team win,” Evans said. “In all areas of the game, we were dominant.

We still had many mistakes, which we always wish we could get back. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter who we play. We hold ourselves to a certain standard of perfection. Although we may never reach it, we will strive for it every time we step onto the field. All in all, it was a great team win. I am super blessed to be able to play on this team with my brothers.”

Grove City will be in action this Saturday at Bethany at 1 p.m. in President’s Athletic Conference play.

Volleyball to compete in finals Emily Rupczewski Sports Editor

The Grove City volleyball team eliminated Geneva from the PAC championship tournament on Wednesday evening. The Wolverines blanked the Golden Tornados 3-0 in a pivotal matchup 25-16, 25-18 and 25-16.

This is Grove City’s first win against Geneva since September of 2000.

Wednesday’s win advanced Grove City to Thursday’s championship game against first-seeded Westminster. This season marks Grove City’s first championship match appearance since 2001, when they fell to Westminster. Thursday’s match was held after the date of publication.

Wednesday’s match saw Grove City steamroll Geneva, taking the match 3-0. When the two teams met in regular season play last week, the Wolverines were able to keep up with the Golden Tornados, initially taking the first set but ultimately falling 3-1.

Wednesday, however, the Wolverines returned to finish what they started.

“We seriously looked at

this opportunity as a gift,” sophomore outside hitter Faith Keating said. “The Lord gave us a second chance to come out and just play united and to glorify him.

We went in with a strong and confident attitude and ready to play. Geneva is a strong team, but we just had to get over the mental battle first in order to believe we are just as strong as them! We trusted all the work and training we’ve been doing. Honestly, it wouldn’t have been possible without the people off the court as well, they truly help out just as much as the players on the court.”

Grove City took advantage of Geneva’s out of system play throughout the night, as Geneva was without their usual starting setter and a defensive specialist due to COVID-19 protocols. Geneva’s hitting percentage at the end of the night was a less than impressive .073 percent, and their 21 attack errors in contrast to Grove City’s 12 cost them the game.

The Wolverines on the other hand saw much offensive success, hitting .243 percent with 40 kills as a team. The Wolverines optimized freshman middle hitter Anna De-

Graaf, who walked away with 14 kills on that night. Statistically, DeGraaf had a perfect first set, putting down five kills in five attack attempts, giving her a perfect .1000 hitting percentage going into the next set.

To her left and right, outside hitters Elisabeth Sems, Faith Keating and Brooke Sorenson added to the intensity with seven, eight and five kills respectively. Freshman setter Sarah Webb paced the hitters with 36 assists.

Defensively, Sems added 14 digs, Keating 13 and freshman libero Gabby Lucas held down the back row with 18.

Lucas and DeGraaf also served two aces each, and Keating served four aces total, three of which came in the second set.

As of Wednesday’s victory, the Wolverines are 7-4 overall and 6-3 in the PAC. In their last match against Westminster, Grove City was outscored three sets in a row, 25-12, 25-16 and 25-12. Seeking redemption and using the momentum from their comeback against Geneva, Grove City looked to claim the championship title last night. The game was played after the date of publication.

The women’s volleyball team advanced to the final round of the PAC championship with a 3-0 sweep of Geneva for their first championship appearance since 2001.

The women’s soccer team remains undefeated and added to their perfect record on Tuesday with a 4-1 win over Geneva, giving them a perfect 6-0 standing.

Men’s lacrosse players Brett Gladstone and Jed Speers both hit their 100+ career points in their dominating 29-3 win over Thiel on Tuesday.

Results

Volleyball (7-4. 6-3 PAC): W, Geneva (3-0)

Men’s Tennis (5-2, 5-0 PAC): W, Franciscan (9-0)

Women’s Tennis (5-2, 5-1 PAC): W, Geneva (6-3)

Men’s Soccer (5-1): W, Bethany (2-0)

Women’s Soccer (6-0): W, Bethany (4-1)

Football (2-1):

L, Westminster (24-17)

Baseball (12-6, 10-4 PAC): W, Franciscan (6-5), (11-10)

Softball (8-12, 3-3 PAC): L, Geneva (10-2) L, Geneva (3-2)

Men’s Lacrosse (6-1, 3-0 PAC): W, Thiel (29-3)

Men’s Track and Field: 4th/9 – 97 pts, Thiel Invitational

Women’s Track and Field: 4th/9 – 72 pts, Thiel Invitational

Men’s Golf:

5th/5 – 360, W&J Invitational

Women’s Golf:

3rd/4 – 439, W&J Invitational

Upcoming

Women’s Tennis:

April 9, 4 p.m. vs. Waynesburg

Football:

April 16, 7 p.m. at Geneva

Volleyball:

April 10, vs. Fransiscan

Men’s Tennis:

April 10, 10 a.m. at Franciscan

Men’s Track and Field:

April 17, 10 a.m. Grove City Invitational

Women’s Track and Field: April 17, 10 a.m. Grove City Invitational

Lacrosse:

April 17, 1 p.m. at Bethany April 21, 6 p.m. at Franciscan

Women’s Golf:

PAC Conference Championships (Round 1), April 17, 11 a. m.

PAC Conference Championships (Round 2), April 24, 11 a. m.

Softball:

April 17, 1 p.m. at Fransiscan (DH)

Baseball:

April. 17, 1 p.m. at Westminster (DH) April 18, 2 p.m. vs Westminster (DH)

Women’s Soccer:

April 22, 7 p.m. vs Franciscan

Men’s Soccer:

April 20, 7:30 p.m. vs Franciscan

Men’s Golf:

PAC Conference Championships (Round 1), April 19, 11 a. m.

PAC Conference Championships (Round 2), April 24, 11 a. m.

Sports The Collegian, April 16, 2021

Page 12

Baseball beats Barons Wolverines sweep Franciscan

Emily Rupczewski Sports Editor

The Grove City baseball team earned a clean sweep of Franciscan with Tuesday’s double-header. The Wolverines outscored the Barons 6-5 in Game One, and 11-10 in Game Two. The pair of winners advanced the Wolverines in the PAC standings, as they now sit in second place right behind an undefeated W&J. The Wolverine bats were quiet through the fifth inning of Game One, but a solo home run by senior left fielder Jesse Clary rallied the Wolverines back to score six runs in the top of the sixth inning. Senior first baseman Bubba Hamilton doubled, advancing sophomore catcher C.J. Saylor to third. With runners at second and third, senior Bobby Abbott drove in Saylor and Hamilton with an RBI single.

Freshman shortstop Lucca Baccari drove in the inning’s fourth run, as Abbot scored on Baccari’s double. With one on, junior third baseman Matt Lew drove one out of Vaccaro Field, his first collegiate homerun.

On the mound for the Wolverines, junior right-hander Tate Ostrowski went six in-

nings, earning his fourth win of the season. Ostrowski allowed four earned runs and struck out five. Ostrowski (4-1) now shares the conference lead in wins so far this season. Out of the bullpen, freshman left-hander Nick Guidas gave up one run in the seventh, before passing the ball to sophomore Austin Basham who earned his second save on the year.

Guidas also got the save in Game Two of the double header, holding off Franciscan’s tying run in scoring position in the ninth inning.

In their 11-10 win, the Wolverines put up 13 hits altogether. Leading Grove City’s offense was senior catcher Tanner Orner, who went five for six, contributing a double and three RBI’s. Orner’s five-hit game was the first by a Wolverine since the 2019 season.

A pair of doubles by Hamilton and freshman DH Isaak Flaming kept the Wolverine offense rolling. Flaming as well as sophomore right fielder Anthony Tambellini recorded two hits in Game Two. Saylor scored three times on four walks.

Starting Game Two for Grove City, senior righthanded pitcher Lake Pry earned the win. Pry went five

WOLVERINE WEEKLY HONORS

MATT SCHOONOVER

Freshman relief pitcher Nick Guidas fires off a pitch in a game against W&J on March 22. In game two of Tuesday’s doubleheader against Franciscan, the left-hander worked his way out of a ninthinning jam and earned the save for the Wolverines. innings and allowed five to score. In a combined relief effort, sophomore Elijah White went 2 1/3 innings, followed by the arms of Basham and freshman Nate Hamel. Ultimately, Guidas took the save.

The Wolverines are now

Contributing Writer

Jack Booker PAC Men’s Tennis Player of the Week

Cody Gustafson D3Football.com Team of the Week

Peter van Eerden PAC Men’s Golf Rookie of the Week

Hannah Dietz PAC Softball Hitter of the Week

Jed Spears PAC Lacrosse 100 Career Points

a 2 p.m. start to finish out the series.

After the Westminster series, the Wolverines await three more series against Bethany, Chatham and Geneva to finish off the 2021 regular season.

Football cedes winning streak Gresham Smith

Michael Odrey PAC Men’s Tennis Rookie of the Week

12-6 overall and 10-4 in the PAC. The team will travel to New Wilmington on Saturday, as they open the series against Westminster starting with a 1 p.m. double header.

They will continue the fourgame series on Sunday with

Historically, when the Grove City Wolverines and Westminster Titans meet on the football field, there is bound to be action. Last Friday night was no different. In a match up billed as arguably the most important division three football game played this past weekend, the Wolverines and Titans took it right down to the wire. Up by a touchdown at halftime, Westminster expanded their lead to 17-3 in the third quarter. However, the Wolverines fought tooth and nail and clawed back into the contest, tying the game at 17 with 11:06 to go in the fourth quarter. Westminster answered two drives later with a 95-yard touchdown drive to take the lead with 5:35 left. Grove City had two more opportunities to tie the game but ultimately fell short on a tipped interception with 47 seconds remaining.

The performance was a sluggish one for the Grove City offense. The last time the Wolverines failed to score 20 points was on September 21st in Cleveland in a road loss to Case Western Reserve. Westminster’s de-

fense, while at times undisciplined, played fast and capitalized on the loss of senior starting receiver Cameron Drake, who suffered an injury on the opening kickoff. Still, that doesn’t mean the Titans could cover Cody Gustafson.

The senior receiver caught 19 passes for 162 yards and two touchdowns. The receptions number now stands as the all-time single game record for Grove City and beat out the entire Westminster team by four catches.

While there were many highlight real catches on the night for Gustafson, the one that likely drew the most applause from fans was an outrageous touchdown catch in the right corner of the end zone over two Westminster defenders. Freshman Nick Gustafson added five catches for 44 yards, and freshman Ryan Heckathorn snagged his first career collegiate catch, an 11-yard completion.

Junior quarterback Josh Ehst finished the game 25 of 47 with 217 yards passing and two touchdowns. On the ground, junior running back Zach Trusky and sophomore Clayton Parrish combined for 125 yards on 34 carried.

On special teams, Gabe Dunlap was a standout on kick return. The freshman

corner back and returner took four kicks out, averaging 28.8 yards per return, including a 39-yarder. Though he was only called on once, senior punter Caleb Brake dropped an absolute dime, a 34-yard punt that was downed at the Westminster five.

Defensively, apart from Westminster’s late drive in the fourth, the game was a standout performance by a defense that gave up 41 points to the Titans the last time they played. Senior safety Patrick Mark flew around the field, leading the Wolverines with twelve tackles, all credited as solo. Junior linebacker Parker Kilgore and sophomore James Parenti added 10 and nine total tackles, respectively. Senior defensive end Brent Engleman notched the lone Grove City sack and sophomore outside linebacker Ryan Fleming snagged an interception.

Tonight, the Wolverines will travel to Beaver Falls to take on Geneva College.

The Golden Tornadoes are 0-3 but have faced perhaps the toughest schedule of any PAC team this spring, with games against Westminster, Washington and Jefferson and Carnegie Mellon. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Write for The Collegian Brett Gladstone PAC Men’s Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Week, 100 Career Points

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