The Collegian, March 22, 2024

@Collegian_GCC @gcc.collegian

The Collegian: The GCC Newspaper

Graduation speakers announced

Grove City College

J. Nicholas Ranjan, federal district court judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania and 2000 Grove City College alumnus, will deliver the commencement address at his alma mater when the Class of 2024 graduates on May 18.

A summa cum laude graduate of the College, Ranjan was appointed to the federal bench in 2019. He earned his degree in History and served as the orchestra’s concertmaster during his student days.

College President Paul J. McNulty ’80 said this year’s graduates would benefit from hearing from Ranjan, who exemplifies the College’s vision, mission, and values.

“Judge Ranjan is an extraordinarily talented lawyer who is employing his wisdom, temperament, and commitment to the rule of law to serve the public of this region. He is a credit to the legal profession and Grove City College, and we are proud and honored to have him speak to our graduates,” McNulty said.

Ranjan, of Allison Park, Pa., was one of Pittsburgh’s

legal stars when he was nominated for the federal bench by President Donald J. Trump and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on July 10, 2019. He is a cum laude graduate of University of Michigan Law School, where he served as a note editor of the Michigan Law Review. He began his legal career serving as the Simon Karas fellow with the Ohio Solicitor General and then served as a judicial clerk to Judge Deborah L. Cook of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

For the next 14 years, Ranjan practiced at the international law firm of K&L Gates LLP in its Pittsburgh headquarters, first as an associate and then as an equity partner. His practice focused on complex commercial litigation, appellate litigation, and domestic arbitration.

Ranjan has been recognized by Chambers USA, Pennsylvania Super Lawyers, Litigation Counsel of America, Pittsburgh Leadership Conference and Leadership Council on Legal Diversity. But his most prized honor was twice accepting the Fred Rogers Good Neighbor Award for the recruitment of

GRADUATION 2

Total eclipse of the Grove

days were over, think again.

On April 8 from Texas to Canada, it’s going to get a lot darker.

Next month, the first total eclipse since 2017 will be visible across a path of totality in the continental United States.

According to Associate Professor of Physics at the College, Dr. James Clem, a solar eclipse occurs when the moon covers the entire sun, leaving only a ring of light, the corona, visible. Grove City will experience a

near-total

Crimson Kilts make campus debut

Emma Rossi

Editor-in-Chief

Grove City celebrated St. Patrick’s Day this past Sunday with corned beef in Hicks, green-garbed Grovers and bagpipers on the Quad.

On Sunday afternoon, the Crimson Kilts, six students who have formed a bagpipe and drum group, performed a series of songs for those gathered on the Quad, including Amazing Grace and the Doxology.

The Crimson Kilt is comprised of three pipers and three drummers; co-pres-

idents freshman Zachary Brown and Everett Colby, along with their third piper is Junior Joseph McNeely, Drum Master Freshman Keiran McFall and drummers Freshman Ian Dolbier and Junior Abigail Hodgson. Brown, one of the band’s pipers, shared how the Crimson Kilts came together. “Everett and I met beginning of last semester during a class and bonded over shared love for the pipes. We decided we wanted to try to bring this music to the rest of campus and see if we could

CRIMSON 3

visible

until 2044.

A watch party for the solar phenomenon will be hosted

by the Physics Department for the student body and general public from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on April 8 on the Quad.

Maximum obscurity will occur around 3:17 p.m. and will last for about three minutes. There will be professors and experts with information, eclipse glasses, lightfiltering telescopes and live feed from a telescope on a video monitor for attendees to interact with.

Aside from the darkness those in the path of totality will experience, other natural anomalies may occur during the event, Clem said.

“During totality, people

have reported that birds go silent and stop flying around when it gets dark because they think it’s the sunset before nighttime,” he said. Leaves on trees may also create “gaps between leaves that act as pinhole viewers that will project an image of the eclipsed Sun on the ground in the shade of the tree.”

According to Clem, this is the best time to see some of the brightest stars in the sky and to understand and learn about the Eddington experiment (1919), which confirmed Einstein’s theory of General Relativity which

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The Award-Winning Grove City College Student Newspaper

EMMA ROSSI

The Crimson Kilts gathered on the Quad to perform on St. Patrick’s Day.

GRACE DAVID

Two friends enjoy the sunshine on the Quad last week, when Grovers got a little taste of the warm spring weather before this week’s freeze.

NICK HILDEBRAND

Eclipse watchers on the Quad in 2017, the last time a solar eclipse was visible here.

RANJAN

From the Tower

What do Grovers really think about abortion?

The repeal of Roe v. Wade in June of last year by the Supreme Court prompted different responses from Americans. For some, like the majority of students on the college’s campus, it was a momentous cause for celebration— for others, it was a devastating outrage. While both pro-life and pro-choice groups have extremists willing to advocate for an all-or-nothing approach, most Americans seem to fall somewhere in between.

National discussion of legal rights surrounding abortion have since been in question, polarizing and pitting Americans against each other in new debates about abortion.

Political and legal arguments over state abortion restrictions, a nationwide ban, in vitro fertilization, the regulation of Mifepristone, and other questions raised by the repeal of Roe are now consuming activists and lawmakers. News stories about how new post-Roe laws have impacted people have sparked new discussions about exceptions in the case of rape, incest, health of the mother and fetal abnormalities. Abortion is no longer a yes or no issue—and among abortion opponents, Christians and conservatives, it’s become difficult to agree on what “pro-life” means.

It’s unclear how the pro-life movement will cope with these differences. How it deals with the new legal landscape is critical to the future of the movement. Conversations on campus reveal that Grove City College students have strong feelings about abortion and thoughts about what kinds of laws and policies are appropriate in response to Roe’s demise.

So, how do Grovers feel about abortion – and how strongly? What, if any, exceptions do we favor? Do our views on abortion dictate our votes? Do they dictate dating lives? The Collegian aims to find out.

Today, The Collegian will release a poll about the varying opinions on abortion and related issues. The results of the poll will be published in an upcoming issue and hopefully we’ll be able to use the data for future articles. The poll will be sent to all student email boxes and is completely anonymous. Your participation will help answer some questions and potentially spark more.

Violet

Whitmore

News Editor

Collegian Staff

Editor-in-Chief

Emma Rossi

Managing Editor

Grace Scheller

Section Editors

News Violet Whitmore

Community

Emily Fox

Perspectives

Grace Scheller

Entertainment

Vince Clay

Sports Joel Sledd

Photo Chief

Grace David

Copy Chief

Hannah Welker

Business Manager

Maercy Campion

Copy Editors

Mia Gallagher

Melody Shillito

Kathryna Hoyman

Hannah Williams

Staff Writers

David Smith

Dom Puglisi

Garret Gess

Mia Gallagher

Abigail Kengor

Hunter Oswald

Brae Sadler

Helena Ritenour

Staff Photographers

Campbell Weirsma

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.

We should be finding joy and fulfillment

Grace Scheller

Managing Editor

There are nights when you think to yourself, “24 hours just aren’t enough.” As I write this week’s editorial, I admit I am having one of those nights right now.

How is one person meant to uphold a 4.0 grade point average, participate in extracurriculars, make money, maintain a social life, stay healthy and find eight hours to sleep all at the same time? Grade inflation rises every year, and with it comes the expectations of your professors, parents, future employers and yourself. Not cutting corners feels impossible. It’s almost as if, with how much we handle a day, we have no time to actually sit down and learn. Studying means cramming when you can in hopes the information will stay retained until the last second of the exam. Assignments must be completed, not for the knowledge they may provide, but for the sake of complet-

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predicted that “light can be deflected in the presence of a massive body like the Sun.”

Eclipses are all about time and place, and “though the Moon is about 400 times smaller than the Sun, the Sun is about 400 times farther away, which means they appear the same angular size in our sky.

So, during totality, there is perfect blockage of the Sun’s surface, allowing viewers a chance to see the diffused

GRADUATION

continued from 1

in our work

ing them.

At the beginning of the semester, I remember Dr. Killam discussing his expectations for our class. “I want you to learn,” he said. “I don’t want you to focus on getting it all done, I want you to focus on absorbing information.”

He continued by describing his time in college, mentioning his imperfect grades may have indicated greater learning compared to his perfect ones.

There are times (like this one) when we sit for hours on end completing assignment after assignment just to barely make it to the end of the night with enough time to get some rest. And at the end of those nights, fulfillment doesn’t really come from something gained, but something lost: another weight on your back. One more thing is done.

Do some of you recognize this mindset? When we determine our happiness by how many or how few problems we have, sustained contentment is nearly impossible. Because yes, much to our dismay, there will always be another assignment – an-

light coming from the outer atmosphere of the Sun,” Clem said. Though eclipses no longer cause mass panic or signify an angry god, Clem notes their grandiosity is still a testament to a divine Creator.

“From my Christian viewpoint, celestial events such as these are one of the many ways that God has gifted us with his marvelous Creation, and ultimately witnessing them allows me to amaze at this Creation and glorify Him!”

other thing standing between you and a clean slate.

If the choice must be made between an untarnished GPA and engrained concrete skills, choose the concrete skills. Your GPA will only be important on your first resume. After that, you’re left to your own devices, so take the time to learn and absorb your devices.

The modern resume doesn’t leave much room for the joy you’ve finally felt after learning a new skill or turning back to it when needed. And that’s okay. This is not necessarily a judgment, just a change we should be aware of and adjust to.

Here at the College, it’s all about the grade. But if you’re looking for fulfillment in your education, straight A’s aren’t guaranteed. You may find there’s more joy in learning for yourself and allowing as much focus as the subject requires, even if that means sacrificing a perfect 100 percent.

Once you graduate and look back on your last four years, not only can you rest assured your work was completed with integrity, but you were joyful while doing it.

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This week’s Green Eyeshade Award goes to Bernie Komoroski, our brilliant conic! Bernie never ceases to bring laughs to our readers.

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

middle school mentors. In his spare time, he is a mentor to middle school students, a rec league basketball player and an accomplished violinist and composer.

Grove City College’s 144th Commencement is set for 10 a.m. Saturday, May 18.

The College will hold its Baccalaureate service at 7

p.m. Friday, May 17, with Kurt Bjorklund, senior pastor of Orchard Park Church in Wexford, Pa., speaking to the Class of 2024.

A graduate of Wheaton College, Trinity Divinity School, and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Bjorklund is a gifted speaker and author. He has led the Orchard Park congregation since 2005 and under his leadership, the church has grown substantially. His teachings can be heard on Pittsburgh area Christian radio and television.

that the ticket prices weren’t discouraging students from attending. We also made the decision to have a flat rate for tickets, rather than having a separate price for couples’ tickets… The presale ticket price is now $10 each and $15 each at the door,” Haught explained. Students may buy tickets in STU today or March 2526 from 12 to 4 p.m. Tickets will be sold again after Easter Break from April 2-5 between 12 – 4 p.m. They may also choose to get them at the event. Students will receive a Gala sticker with their ticket purchases.

ADOBESTOCK

Poet Christian Wiman to visit campus

Kristiana Shirk Contributing Writer

Distinguished poet Christian Wiman is coming to Grove City College on Tuesday, March 26. This will be Wiman’s first visit to the College to speak at the Christian Writers Conference hosted by the Department of English.

After growing up in Texas, Wiman went to Washington and Lee University, Virginia and spent a summer at the University of Oxford. “When I went to college, I discovered that there were living poets, and I fell in love with language,” Wiman said.

He became serious about writing poetry in college, and after 40 years, his inspiration for writing is still a mystery, and what he hopes to achieve with his writing varies. “Sometimes, I simply want to understand life, and poetry, for me, has proved to be the best way of doing that. Sometimes I have the sense of wanting to speak to and of the broader culture in some way, but without that original inspiration, that desire is useless,” Wiman said.

Dr. Joshua Mayo, Chair and Associate Professor of

English, hopes students will enjoy the impact of Wiman’s poetry. “What’s exciting about Christian Wiman particularly is his ability to bridge worlds between Christian audiences and secular audiences,” Mayo said.

Students of all majors will find Wiman’s work and the conference enjoyable, even if they are new to poetry readings.

According to Mayo, poetry readings “afford an opportunity to experience words intended for beauty. The quality of the words themselves and the sounds of the words, have a potency to them even if we don’t understand always what is being said. Exposing ourselves to that kind of event and that kind of craft can help us care for the words we use.”

Since the early 2000s, the English Department has invited writers to the College for the Christian Writers Conference. After a hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Department is happy to again welcome writers wanting to share their passion and work with students. Now students and faculty can experience the unique poetry of a faithful man.

New 24-25 courses, minors and programs

Violet Whitmore News Editor

Musical worship is no longer just an extracurricular course at the College, as a new minor in worship arts was approved last week.

The College also added a new master’s degree program in kinesiology, which will be offered in the spring of 2025.

The minor is a collaborative effort between the Christian Ministries and Music Departments requiring students to take 16 credits of music and Christian ministries courses. Students with this minor must also participate in a Flex Program and in the chapel worship team, choir or other musical ensembles on campus. Students will be able to declare the minor next fall.

According to the College’s website, “the worship arts minor is designed to prepare students for kingdom service in church and parachurch ministry contexts by equipping and training them as worship song leaders.”

In academic partnership with Getty Music and oncampus participation in music groups, students are provided with opportunities in a variety of musical settings.

Students from any major field of study can declare a Worship Arts minor.

Last month, The College also announced a new Master of Science in Kinesiology that prepares students for a career in the exercise science field. Enrollment in the 33-credit degree program will occur on a rolling basis.

The program equips students with knowledge in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, biomechanics, exercise and nutrition, preparing them for a competitive job market in corporate and community fitness clubs, fitness instructing, physical therapy or other fitnessrelated industries. Medical marketing or exercise sales students may also benefit from the degree.

According to the College, “Students explore the core courses at a master’s level and directly apply practical skills in the lab. The proposed program aims to equip students with the necessary skills and competencies required to function efficiently in the field of exercise science, physical fitness and wellness.”

Questions concerning the worship arts minor can be sent to your academic advisor or Daniel Snoke at snokedj@ gcc.edu. For questions concerning a master’s in kinesiology, contact Christy Crute, executive director of Graduate and Online Programs at crutecl@gcc.edu.

Wiman’s poetry has “a contemporary feel to it, but it also feels deeply informed by a more formalist tradition of the past. It reads both like traditional poetry and like modern poetry at the same time,” Mayo said.

Wiman’s life has not been

a simple one due to a nearly 20-year battle with lymphoma. This battle, however, has not held him back from writing.

Wiman hopes students will “get a sense of how poetry might mean something in their own lives, even if they never write a word of it themselves. It really does offer a kind of spiritual insight that’s not available elsewhere.”

Wiman will give a lecture on faith and art at 3:30 p.m. on March 26 in the Student Union and will read his poetry at 7:30 p.m. in Sticht Lecture Hall.

Thank a Donor Day

Last Wednesday, Students gathered in SHAL atrium to write thank you notes to the College’s generous donors as part of Crimson and White’s contribution to the College.

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put together a small ensemble of members to play with us,” Brown said.

“End of last semester, we reached out to a few other people to see if anyone else wanted to join, and we ended up with the group we have right now.”

Co-presidents Brown and Colby have been playing for about a year and a half, while third piper McNeely has been playing for about six months.

“I had joined a bagpipe group back in my hometown,” Brown said. “Everett (Colby) and Joseph (Mc-

Neely) are both self-taught on the instrument. Keiran (McFall) has been playing drums for years, and the other two drummers have just started under Keiran’s instruction and leadership.”

The Crimson Kilt’s appearance on St. Patrick’s Day was their first on-campus appearance, but they hope to play many more times.

On Wednesday, the group played in SHAL as part of the Global Education Celebration, hosted by the Office of Global Programs.

“Our group is quite hopeful in setting up other short concerts in the future for students enjoyment. I do not

know if we will have any other organized performances for the rest of this semester, but we will be back next year, hopefully with more members,” Brown said.

As the band looks to expand their presence on campus, Brown encourages students join the Crimson Kilts.

“If they are interested in joining, and have experience with either drums or pipes, we would love to have them.”

For more information about joining the Crimson Kilts, contact Brown at his Grove City email, brownzj23@gcc.edu.

FAITH & LEADERSHIP

The Department of English will host renowned poet Christian Wiman on March 26.

GRACE DAVID

Upcoming Events... What’s fresh at the Grove?

SIG Madness

6 - 11 p.m.

March 22

Ketler Rec. MAB Arm Wrestling

7 - 9 p.m.

March 22

Ketler Rec.

All Sorority Worship

7 - 9 p.m.

March 22

Harbison Chapel Concert Band & Wind Ensemble Concert

7:30 - 8:30 p.m.

March 22

Ketler Auditorium Admitted Students Day

March 23 Dance-a-thon

6 - 11 p.m.

March 23 PLC Arena Faculty Feud 7 p.m.

March 23

Crawford Auditorium 24 Hour Worship 9 p.m. - 9 p.m.

March 24 - 25

Harbison Chapel Fellowships, Grants & Awards Overview

11 - 11:45 a.m.

March 25

SHAL 110

Christian Wiman: The Art of Faith, The Faith of Art

3:30 p.m.

March 26

STU Great Room Poetry Reading with Christian Wiman

7:30 p.m.

March 26

Sticht Lecture Hall

48 Hour Prayer

8 p.m. - 8 p.m.

April 2 - 4

STU Great Room International Worship Night

7 - 8 p.m.

April 2

Harbison Chapel

Horses & humanity

Emily Fox Community Editor

Grove City College is located within driving distance of a variety of opportunities for students interested in giving their time, talents and compassion to volunteer work.

Just 45 minutes away from the College in Butler County is Elliot Acres Therapeutic Riding Center. The organization provides a unique opportunity for those interested in working with animals and giving back to their community.

The Center serves people two years and older with physical, intellectual and emotional disabilities through equine-assisted therapy. The nonprofit will be hosting a volunteer orientation day from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, April 6 where those interested in giving their time to the center will learn about horse

tacking, leading, grooming, side walking and safety protocols.

The Center’s mission, according to their website, is to “enhance the physical, mental and emotional status of our riders by teaching basic horsemanship principles that aid in improving our riders’ movement, concentration and communication. Our vision is to provide a safe, therapeutic, rewarding experience for people with special needs.”

Beginning in April and continuing through November, the nonprofit serves people with special needs on Tuesdays and Saturdays and hosts retired veterans each Wednesday.

Elliot Acres was founded by Deborah Campbell in a time of grief. Campbell’s own experience of healing inspired her to share what comforted her with others so that they too could experience that comfort. Campbell’s own story began with

horses:

“I started the program in 2003. My husband of 30 years had just passed away in a tractor accident, and I was blessed to have a very quiet beautiful horse that definitely helped me through the grief process. I began helping with Riding for the Handicapped of Western Pa. shortly before his accident, and after his death, I asked the director of that program if she thought I could do this at my barn in Butler. She said she would help me get started, and that was the beginning of a blessed endeavor which helps the rider, the volunteers and of course the horse,” Campbell said.

“We started with one horse and only a few riders. Today we have four horses and two ponies and 40 to 50 riders on the three days we are in operation.”

The Center’s website describes the many ways that riding horses can physically and socially benefit

those with special needs: “The horse’s center of gravity shifts forward/backward, up and down and side to side just as the human’s does. Rotation results as a combination of the three movements.”

Horseback riding can help better a person’s breathing, circulation and digestive system, as well as enhancing the motion of various joints and normalizing muscle tone. It can help develop several social aspects of the person including self-esteem, confidence, concentration and attention span. It also teaches adaptability.

Elliot Acres is reliant on the assistance of their volunteers. To accommodate their three to five rider classes, the Center is in need of 15 volunteers on Tuesdays and Saturdays to help with tasks such as horse leading and side walking. Volunteers are most needed from 4 to 8 p.m.

HUMANITY 8

My mom doesn’t like my girlfriend

I took my girlfriend to my hometown over spring break to meet my parents. I thought it went smoothly, but my mom told me she didn’t like her very much. I really like this girl, and I don’t want to break up, but it’s important to me that my family gets along with the person I’m dating. How should I handle the situation?

I believe it is important to sit down with your parents and specifically ask what they don’t like about your girlfriend. Parents want to see their kids with someone who makes them happy and holds the same values as them. Most of the time,

Dear Dr. Love

parents see past a superficial facade some people put on.

It isn’t that your parents are picky, sometimes they genuinely feel you two are not a

great fit.

Speaking from experience, my parents have been able to notice things I couldn’t see until much later. Looking back, I wish I had been willing to hear them out earlier as it would have saved me a lot of time in the long run. I was convinced this person was right for me, but they saw, with unbiased eyes, that they were not the one for me.

It could also be as simple as a bad first impression. Many people are nervous when they meet their significant other’s parents for the first time and may not portray the best version of themselves. However, it sounds like your mom was able to

sense something about your girlfriend that may come up in the future in a negative way. If, when you are speaking with your parents about what they didn’t like about her, they are unable to come up with a substantial answer, then I would try to reason with them.

Your parents have only met your girlfriend once. I would guess you have known your girlfriend for a bit longer. If they spend more time with her, I think they could get a better sense of who she is as a person. One interaction should not be the basis for you two breaking up unless it was a significantly negative experience.

However, if they bring up

a point showing she isn’t the one for you, then maybe you should hear them out. I would suggest this only if she did something such as insulting your family or treating family members in a derogatory fashion. I am willing to bet this is not the issue with your girlfriend, so I would ask her what she thought about meeting with your parents.

Best of luck,

Dr. Love Love M.D.

MELISSA BLAZER PHOTOGRAPHY

Elliot Acres is committed to serving people with physical, intellectual and emotional disabilities through equine assisted therapy.

Alumna serves Hosanna

Mia Gallagher Staff Writer

Many of us at Grove City College step on campus having a relatively mapped-out plan for how our careers and futures will turn out. Along this journey, however, we also find instances where our plans change and divine providence leads us on a path more wonderful than the original.

Enter alumnus Rebecca Hetzer ’95, who has not only seen the power of providence in her own life but has also had the opportunity to share God’s light and goodness with others every day.

Hetzer serves as Director of Mission Resources at Hosanna Industries and was fortuitously introduced to the non-profit organization while at the College. Although she graduated with a degree in Biology, the Lord called her to use her talents to serve others through missions. 28 years later, she remains on fire for service and dedicated to the mission Hosanna pursues with its work.

“I was first introduced to Hosanna in 1994 when I saw a flyer in the mail room that said Hosanna was traveling to Berea, Ky. over Spring Break and volunteers were needed. I went, fell in love with the staff, the work and the whole program,” Hetzer said.

“I don’t know how I would have found out about Hosanna except through Grove City College and that flyer in the mailroom. Although I was a

newer believer, GCC and my college roommate helped me grow in my faith so I could be somewhat prepared for the ministry of Hosanna. That’s what we are, a true ministry to those in need. ‘Hosanna’ in Hebrew, means ‘rescue us, Lord – help.’ We believe we are answering the cries for help in this world and turning the cries of Hosanna into shouts of hallelujah!”

Over the years, Hetzer’s role within the service organization has broadened, giving her the unique opportunity to both participate in on-the-ground mission work and take a more administrative role as well.

“I began as a “field mission worker” where I worked beside the other mission workers and learned the trades, building techniques and how to lead volunteers. As I matured and gained more

SGA offers Faculty Feud, 2024 Gala

Emily Fox Community Editor

Grovers, get ready. We’ve made it past the midterm wall, and the Student Government Association (SGA) has a stacked lineup of events planned to allow students to relax and decompress. Grovers can look forward to the fourth annual Faculty Feud game show and the biennial black tie gala event in the next couple of weeks.

Faculty Feud

At 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 23 in Crawford Auditorium, students will gather to watch Professor of History Dr. Andrew Mitchell host 11 esteemed professors as they battle it out to win Grove City’s highest acclaimed game show. Two teams of five of the College’s finest educators will attempt to guess the most common student responses to a series of survey questions relating to campus culture.

“Various professors and departments will be represented, and with the witty quips of Dr. Mitchell and the snark from some of the professors, students can expect to laugh their tooshies off. The event will allow for goodhumored and appropriate mockery of many things on this campus, and students can expect several campus idioms to make appearances in the answers and Dr. Mitchell’s rapport. As long as Crawford tech systems don’t blow up, it’ll be great!” SGA Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs, senior Jacob Feiser said.

While the event is designed to entertain the College’s community, it is also an opportunity for professors and

students to connect.

“This event allows students to see a different side of many of the professors, to see how those professors interact among themselves and to see much about campus culture they understand. It allows professors to learn more about the students they are teaching – what do they hate, what do they think about this topic or that, etc. Ultimately, the forum of Faculty Feud is a means for both student and professor to see who the other is outside the classroom. Family-friendly fun has a way of bringing us all together, especially when we are letting off steam from the difficulties and annoyances of campus life,” Feiser said.

Gala 2024: City of Stars

The long-awaited SGA Gala is making its return to campus from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. on Saturday, April 6 in the Staley Hall of Arts and Letters (SHAL) and the Breen Student Union (STU) building. SGA has prepared a variety of activities designed for students’ enjoyment at these locations on upper campus.

This year’s theme is “City of Stars,” and the student government association has made sure to thoroughly integrate it into all aspects of the event:

“I am most excited to see the decorations that will be put up in Breen Student Union and Staley Hall of Arts and Letters. Our vision is a starry escape from the everyday cares of college life. While we are hosting Gala in buildings where students often attend classes and study, we want to turn them into something completely dif-

knowledge about the mission and how it operated, I began to build relationships with businesses – trying to get them to believe in what the mission did and eventually, support it financially,” Hetzer said.

“Fast forward to now, I now write grant proposals to philanthropic foundations, coordinate the volunteer program, serve as head of the fundraising team, special events coordinator, lead the Hosanna Harvest program and many other administrative tasks placed before me on a daily basis.”

Day to day however, Hetzer can usually be found in the field working with volunteers to complete various projects, ranging from building a wheelchair ramp to painting the inside of a home, to putting up a new roof. Though her work often

requires hard work and patience, Hetzer leans on the Lord, her co-workers and the organization’s volunteers to strengthen her servant’s heart.

“I say that the entire nonprofit sector needs more people and servants badly. It is not promoted enough. I think folks think they will “be poor” all their lives working for a non-profit; this is not true. One can make a good living serving the Lord in this capacity and more students need to know this,” Hetzer said.

“I’m very grateful for this opportunity to share my story and hopefully encourage some young students to pursue Hosanna or other non-profits for the benefit of God’s Kingdom here on earth, showing and sharing His love with others.”

ferent. We hope to take these common spaces we spend much of our time in and transform them into something extraordinary. I look forward to seeing students take a step back from their schoolwork and make memories that will last a lifetime,” Senior Vice President of Social Affairs, Abigail Haught said. The event will feature various types of music playing in the Student Union to accommodate a variety of styles of dancing, including live music from the Grove City College Stage Band and common popular music for informal styles of dancing. SGA will provide programs for students to pick up as they walk into the event specifying when different types of music will play.

Students can capture the moment with their friends at a photo booth, and they can get prints of their photos or access them in a shared online drive. Hors d’oeuvres such as bruschetta bites,

Seven questions with…

Cassley Jackowski

Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach

What do you like the most about being a coach at Grove City College?

I love that we can talk freely about Jesus and make Him the center of what we do as a program. I also love the students here and their love for life and Jesus and their drive to grow in their faith.

If your life had a soundtrack, what would be your main theme?

Joy and chaos!

If you had to play/coach another sport, which would you choose?

I would coach women’s basketball. It is another sport I have a lot of love and passion for.

If you could take your team on a retreat for the weekend, where would you like to go?

I would take them to the St. Lawrence River to experience the river and its views. It’s a place where I feel close to God and speaks volumes about God’s creation.

If you could go back in time to any era, which would you choose?

gourmet popcorn and a cheese spread will be served in SHAL, along with mocktails developed by Parkhurst in collaboration with SGA. A surprise movie will also be playing in Sticht Auditorium.

“The movie will be a surprise, but the theme we have chosen may give students a good hint,” Haught said.

There has been some concern among students regarding the ticket prices for the event. The Student Government Association has listened to these concerns and acted to best serve students:

“According to past SGA records, the original prices we had planned for Gala were identical to Gala prices in past years. However, we have received a lot of feedback from students who were surprised at the prices and reached out to us about them. We considered this feedback and made the decision to lower the ticket prices. We wanted to make sure

I would go back to my high school years knowing everything I know now.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

There are two ways you can enter a room - As a “here I am, look at me person” or an “Ah, there you are” person. Wherever you are, be a “There you are” person not a “Here I am”B person.

What are three things that make you happy?

A lot makes me happy; it is hard to list just three. My family, the water and my job.

VIOLET WHITMORE

SGA senior Michael Gomez selling Gala tickets. Prices have been reduced to $10. Buy them today in STU from 12 to 4 p.m.

REBECCA HETZER

GCC alumnae Rebecca Hetzer ‘95 works with non-profit Hosanna Industries serving others through a range of service projects. The organization embodies its namesake, Hosanna, which means to help.

Through the Lens

Grove on the Green Students enjoy the early March sunshine

the first day of

Grove City College has the wonderful pleasure of experiencing the most intense fluxuations of the Western Pennsylvania weather, but that just allows us to find so much more joy in the sunny days we recieve.

It may be brisk and icy right now, but look forward to bright smiles, a bustling campus, and gardens bursting with vibrant colors just around the corner!

As

Spring, March 19, blew by this week in a flurry of wind and snow, campus reminisces on the warmth of the sun from just a week earlier.

Photos by Grace David, Photo Chief

Love is not love

Homosexuality is incompatible with sexual love

Mason Bennet

Contributing Writer

Over the last decade, the American people have become increasingly accepting of the gay community and their lifestyle under the guise that “love is love.” Fortunately, most Evangelical Christians have responded appropriately, by rejecting the LGBTQ+ lifestyle. Still, many conservative Christians, though well-intended, have not comprehensively considered their position.

In their rebuff of the LGBTQ+ lifestyle, many wellmeaning Christians say

things like, “I don’t care that gay couples love each other, their lifestyle is sinful.”

While I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiment that all homosexual activity is sinful, I believe there is a flaw that is even more rudimentary. I assert that it is impossible for two gay individuals to love each other in a sexually intimate way.

An examination of the true nature of love will show that contrary to popular belief, love is not solely an emotion. Love is also not solely an action. Instead, as Thomas Aquinas claimed, love is a set of two essential desires.

Love is only present when the lover desires both the good for the beloved and union with the beloved. In

short, when an individual desires the good for another person, they desire things for the other person that will cause them to flourish.

As Thomas Aquinas points out, the best possible thing for any person is union with God. For this reason, union with God is essential for all people’s flourishing. Because of this, in the context of the first desire for love, “the good” can be defined as anything that brings a person closer to God, and “the bad” can be defined as anything that separates a person from God. Under this view of love, it quickly becomes apparent that the “love” that gay couples have for each other is at best, non-existent.

In the confines of a same-

sex relationship, the two essential desires for love — the desire for both the good of the beloved and union with the beloved, are at complete odds with each other.

By virtue of the fact that homosexuality is a sin, it is impossible for a person to desire a sexual union with a person of the same sex without harming both their partner’s and their own flourishing. By desiring a sexual relationship with someone of the same gender, he is desiring the person he supposedly loves to sin. Because the very nature of the sexual union he desires further separates both him and his partner from God, it cannot be reconciled with the need to desire the good for

the beloved. When a person desires union with the beloved through the means of a homosexual relationship, he is, in turn, desiring the bad for the person whom he misguidedly claims to love. If he truly desired the good for his “partner,” he would not desire union with him in a sexual context. Simply put, desiring union with someone through a same-sex sexual relationship is incompatible with loving that person.

Regardless of the homosexual couples’ claims of “love” for each other, the inherently sinful nature of their desire for union makes it impossible for them to truly love each other.

Weakness in the weekends

Abigail Kengor Staff Writer

Friday is a hallowed day, constantly exalted as the light at the end of the dark and dreary tunnel of the week and its toil. There is some truth to that. Our culture is arranged to hurtle through every waking hour in the constant pursuit of progress and production. The result is that the weekend presents a sharp and dramatic break from that vortex, in which workwearied people exhaustedly launch into the opposite extreme: fun, relaxation and rest.

This can be conducted immoderately, but not necessarily. Aristotle, Chesterton and other such geniuses ac-

HUMANITY continued from 4

on Tuesdays and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. The nonprofit has also considered the busy schedules of college students:

“I have a board in the tack room which has the volunteers available on the day and they sign up to help when it works for them. I then text them to check their availability to help that day and time. If the volunteer cannot help on a regular basis, they just let us know and we note the times they are available,”

claimed the value of leisure. There’s a distinct discontinuity, though, between their understanding and our practice. Just as we must sleep every night to rejuvenate our bodies and minds for the next day, it’s evidenced, through nature, that rest is a frequent requirement for human health physically and mentally.

Rest is not merely mindless, unconscious recharging of the machine of the human brain and body, rather, it is the reviving of a body, mind and soul through respite from work and slowing down to comprehend the beauty and joy of being alive. It’s remembering the deeper, antiutilitarian calling of the human person to know and love God, along with serving Him. This enlivens us to serve Him better in our later work.

It’s not about being a ro-

Campbell said. Volunteers attending orientation day must be 14 years or older and should first register on the Center’s website, where they can find their required liability release and photo release paperwork. The nonprofit welcomes any and all volunteers and does not require them to have any experience working with horses.

“We’ve had volunteers who never worked with horses before, and now they know how to tack, groom, lead, clean stalls and basic horse care. We strive to give everyone a

botic agenda slave during the week and breathing, laughing human on the weekend, rather, a peaceful child of God every day.

“Stopping to smell the roses” is a classic expression for relishing everyday joy and beauty. There are two ways: actively pursuing it by setting aside the time to go on a walk to appreciate the beauty and the situational reception by slowing down your walk to class to appreciate the beauty on the path. Both are important.

This applies not only to nature walks but all of life, especially work. Sometimes work should be set aside to intentionally pursue God’s presence in one’s life (through joy, beauty, etc.), but it’s always time to recognize His calling, purpose and provision of joy in every situation. If a task has any appeal,

positive experience working with us and our riders,” Volunteer Coordinator and Social Media Manager Jordan Somma said.

Students assisting at the Center may receive credit for community service or even a Community Service Recognition Award for their work.

Volunteer work is just as rewarding to the volunteer as it is to the person assisted.

““Being a volunteer gives a person the chance to see firsthand how important a horse and riding can affect a person with disabilities. Some riders cannot participate in other

which it often does, dwell on it. If it’s absolutely abysmal or irrecoverably mundane, then make it a sacrifice to God and glorify Him by doing it well despite aversion.

After all, while toil was added to work after the Fall, Man still worked in the Garden before sin. If we can tame that displeasure by penitently accepting that punishment and pushing further to enjoy the goodness beneath, we can find more satisfaction in all work.

Gardening is both a messy battle with weeds and fire ants and an explorative, creative interaction with nature. This was Man’s first job, and it glorified God by serving Creation. Its glorifying nature remains, though toil was added. In the most undesirable, we can still glorify God through our work—schoolwork included.

sports, but they definitely can ride a horse. The smiles on their faces are so rewarding to see,” Campbell said. Students and faculty interested in making an impact with Elliot Acres may find more information by contacting them at 724-9912477, emailing dechorsesr1@ gmail.com, visiting their website, elliottacrestherapyriding.org or following Elliot Acres on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. The Center’s address is 168 Headland Road, Butler Pa., 16002.tention span. It also teaches adaptability.

Exams are stressful, but we talk about tests as prisoners on the way to torture, expressing sympathies and whispers encouraging strength; a degree of this makes sense with the rigor of college, but it seems too reflexive a response, in total loss of the joy of our chosen education. Work is the majority of how we spend our lives, so it should be enjoyed rather than escaped.

The weekend is still great; it’s an extension of the Sabbath, a time set aside for enjoying life and rest, made necessary by the whirlpool of our culture. But our response can be a bit more resilient against cultural discouragement. We can resist it by seeking the underlying joy in the overemphasized toil of work.

Eare so rewarding to see,” Campbell said.

Students and faculty interested in making an impact with Elliot Acres may find more information by contacting them at (724) 991 –2477, emailing dechorsesr1@ gmail.com, visiting their website: elliottacrestherapyriding.org, or following Elliot Acres on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. The Center’s address is 168 Headland Road, Butler Pa., 16002.

Aaron Rodgers for V.P.

Emma Rossi Editor-in-Chief

Robert F. Kennedy has announced that one of his frontrunners for Vice President is New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

On Jan. 9 of this year, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio closed an article about Rodgers with quite the prophetic piece.

“In fairness, Rodgers isn’t stupid,” wrote Florio. “But he’s not nearly as smart as he thinks he is. And he’s clear ly willing to bend the truth to suit his purposes. Which probably means he’ll run for office at some point. God help us all.”

Rodgers, along with for mer Minnesota governor and professional wrestler Jesse Ventura and lawyer and in vestor Nicole Shanahan are at the top of his list. Kennedy is running as an independent in this year’s presidential election, and I feel a safe con jecture to make regarding his recent news about his vice president choices is a cam paign plea for attention.

I don’t know much about Ventura or Shanahan, but I know quite a bit about Rodgers. The man is ex tremely good at football, but off the field, Rodgers has a chronic ten dency to paint himself as a transcendent philosopher

who is really into a certain kind of herbal medicine. He oscillates between SoCal stoner and that one guy in your Western Civ. class who read Emmanuel Kant in tenth grade. He went through a phase where he would sit in front of his home office bookshelf full of philosophy books and niche novels during virtual video interviews with various entities. Last February, Rodgers went on a “darkness

deliberate his next contractual move with his former team the Green Bay Packers. He indulges in a psychoactive drink called Ayahuasca that he explained helps him “see how to unconditionally love” himself.

This is a bit of surprising news, but it’s not a complete shock if you hear what Rodgers says about politics. When addressing the Covid-19 vaccine scandal he found himself wrapped up in after mis

thoughts on the Kelce’s choice and its political implications.

“I’m going to take my man RFK Jr., independent, and (Kelce) can have, you know, Tony Fauci or some other pharmacrat and we can have a conversation about this,” Rodgers said in Oct. of 2023, mentioning Robert F. Kennedy.

Have I painted a picture? He’s quite the character, and he is a strategic choice for

Addressing inconsistencies in the police force

Helena Ritenour Staff Writer

At a recent talk I attended given by a police officer who believed wholeheartedly in what the police are currently doing, I was struck by the inconsistencies of police supporters.

Their solutions, while having some validity, do not seem to fully address the concerns the rest of society has, and do not seem to fully grasp the extent of the issues. Some select police supporters believe young people should get married early and have lots of children, thus solving the modern policing problems. But what does this really solve?

Creating a large family does not instantaneously make one a ‘good’ or ‘virtuous’ person, rather the opposite effect could occur.

Having many children increases the population, yes, but possession of a compass or ability to enact justice has nothing to do with the number of siblings one has. Rather, it has to do with the morals and values you were raised to uphold.

Being from a large family does not necessarily predict how a child will be taught to act and to assume so is dangerous. The police participating in corrupt or ill practices relating to other individuals and their use of force on these individuals is not immediately solved by being married young or having a large family. The problem stems from a misguided understanding of how to approach individuals who may lack cognitive abilities or look different from the officer. To be a just person and to enact justice is not solved by being married too young or having the perfect nuclear family.

In addition to this, propolice force supporters also provide another solution to the modern policing problem: to simply be a virtuous or a good person. This idea, while in theory has potential, misses the fundamental natural state of the world we live in. There will always be evil people who do evil things, and society needs people who have a correct sense of right and wrong to be able to carry justice out.

However, without a framework by which to understand and build what virtue truly is, being virtuous will never solve the problem. Should society simply tell its officers to be better? This does not seem to be helpful to the complexity of the issue. Does this mean that society should encourage everyone to just be a good person in order to solve complicated social concerns? This does not seem to be a viable solution.

Similarly, if one claims that being virtuous is the solution to modern policing problems, and yet, in the same breath, puts down and crudely insults someone they disagree with, this does not seem to be the correct posture to the issue. To call another to virtue without operating within the same framework of belief will never work. Police officers need clear boundaries, rules and education to make the right choices and to avoid causing more harm to marginalized groups.

Police must learn to build stronger and healthier relationships with their communities and the people they serve. Having larger families and being virtuous does not solve the modern policing problem and believing it will is dangerous for the criminal justice system of the future.

Word on the street... If you could recommend one class, what would it be?

Isaac Good, ‘26

If I had to narrow it down to one class, I think every Grove City College freshman should take, being the biased Econ major that I am, I am going to have to go with ‘Principles of Microeconomics’ with Dr. Fuller. It’s a very good class, I liked it a lot. The best economics course in my life and it’s the reason why I switched to Econ.

Caleb Repp, ‘24

If there were one class I would recommend for a freshman to take, it would be ‘General Logic’ with Dr. Franklin. The reason why I say that is because it grounds you in a manner of critical and logical way of thinking will provide you immense utility for any intellectual project you endeavor to complete.

Alex Christman, ‘27 Last semester I took ‘Entrepreneurial mind’ with Professor Sweet. I highly recommend it. It teaches you not only how to run a business and stuff like that, but it also teaches you how to think and why we think the way we do.

Sam Clark, ‘25 I would recommend taking ‘Biblical Ideas’ with Dr. Moller, she is a great professor, and she really loves what she teaches. The class covers a lot of topics that aren’t talked about, and I learned a lot. You do a lot of tangible things that help learn what you might have interests in.

Tomas Klein, ‘26 I would recommend all freshman take ‘Foundations of Economics’ with Dr. Ritenour. It’s a wonderful class and you learn all the basics you need.

Dylan goes electric Folk icon’s legendary switch on stage

Emma Rossi Editor-in-Chief

On this day 59 years ago, Bob Dylan released his fifth studio album, “Bringing It All Back Home,” distancing the singer from his folk roots in a way forever defined as when “Dylan went electric.”

Fans of Dylan’s traditional folk sound were outraged at his progression towards a rock sound. When he took out an electric guitar at the Newport Folk Festival, he was met with boos from the crowd. Many artists con sidered it a sort of betrayal on Dylan’s part, as he was seen as the leader of the folk movement at the time.

Five days before the festi val, Dylan released his most famous song, ‘Like A Roll ing Stone’ which is lauded by many as one of the great est songs of its era. At the time of its release, the song seemed to fall on deaf ears. Dylan and his band were driven off the Newport stage shortly after the song.

Most people ac credit the Newport Folk Festival as the debut of Dylan’s new electric sound. While the summer songwrit- folk.

NPR

Tunes from the Tower ‘Eternal Sunshine’

Dom Puglisi Staff Writer

“What I did to break away, was to take simple folk ery and attitude to them, use catchphrases and metaphor combined with a new set of ordinances that evolved into something different that had not been heard before,” he

The story of Dylan going electric has become a piece of folklore in and of itself.

tions and even stories of folk icon Pete Seeger trying to chop the cord to Dylan’s Fender Stratocaster with an

Whether it’s folklore or fact, legend or lunacy, the story of Dylan going electric has one persisting truth at its core, the artist had changed his sound, and as a result

turned the rapidly growing folk

Dylan’s choice to take an electric guitar out at a folk festival solidifies the notion that he was a rebel among rebels, making a crowd full of artists who thought they sider who among them was truly revolutionary.

Blast from the past: Bryan Adams visits the ‘Burgh

David Smith Staff Writer

Friday, March 15, Canadian rock star Bryan Adams performed a 27-song setlist at PPG Paints Arena straight out of the ‘80s.

It is not too often that a 60-year-old can perform at a level as immaculate as Adams.

If you would close your eyes, and when I doublechecked the videos I took, Adams sounded just as great as he did thirty years ago.

The last time Bryan Adams was in Pittsburgh, about five years ago, I didn’t attend the concert. For years I had wondered why I had never seen him live. Out of the many concerts I’ve attended, Adams was missing but at the top of my bucket list.

Over winter break, when I discovered he scheduled Pittsburgh, I had to jump on getting tickets for myself and my roommate. We had been talking for well over a year about how awesome it would be to see Adams in concert. We were slightly skeptical that Adams might not sound as he did when he released the hit singles “Cuts Like a Knife” and “Summer of ’69.” He proved us wrong.

The show commenced with an intricate video of Adams in a tireless car and a spoken

introduction. Adams opened the set with a newer song called ‘Kick-Ass’ and then quickly went into the hits. He played ‘Can’t Stop This Thing We Started,’ from his 1991 album “Waking Up the Neighbors” and the 1984 hit ‘Somebody’ from his classic album “Reckless.”

Throughout the songs, Adams ran across the stage with such vibrant energy, oscillating from one microphone to another.

Later, Adams played a quick and upbeat version of his hit ‘Heaven,’ which actu-

ally worked out well considering it was performed early in the set.

By the end of the show, there weren’t many hit songs Adams didn’t play. Another interesting song choice was ‘Here I Am,’ featured in the animated film “Spirit.” He played two songs from the “Spirit” soundtrack which each sounded just like the recording. My favorite performance of the night was ‘Cuts Like a Knife,’ which is also probably my favorite song of his. Toward the end of the show,

Adams told a story of how he opened for The Kinks in Pittsburgh in one of his first professional concerts. He also told another story about how his mother allowed him to drop out of school to pursue his dream of becoming a musician. I’d say it worked out well for him.

The concert was everything that I could have hoped for. The audience was pumped and participated throughout; I hardly sat the entire time.

Although I had missed Adams five years ago, this surely made up for it.

“Eternal Sunshine” by Ariana Grande is the grand return of one of modern pop’s most stalwart artists. After an unusual fouryear delay, Grande has come back with an uncharacteristically personal album detailing the aftermath of her recent divorce.

The album starts unlike any other in Grande’s discography with groovy, danceable early 2000s R&B throwback songs, “bye” and “don’t wanna break up again.”

The Pharrell-esque production on the latter is especially nostalgic, giving a sunny, bouncy platform on which Grande can sing about her recent breakup. As always, Grande’s vocals are the heart of the project, airy, wispy and strong with every track. Her song “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)” serves as a prime example of very intentional and impactful vocals.

The lyrics present on this album are also a step up from Grande’s usual fare in my opinion, as the personal subject matter of the album leads to more heartfelt lyrics. The lyrics on “ordinary things” were especially touching and relatable, with Grande’s grandma delivering a touching close to the song. The problem with this album, however, is Grande’s instrumental choices.

Outside of the previously mentioned 2000s R&B jams, the beats Grande chooses tend to be plain and generic. The trap drums present on most songs sound outdated, and although they fit an album like “thank u, next” with its grungy antihero aesthetic well, on a far more personal and softer album like “Eternal Sunshine” they sound out of place.

The worst culprit here is “yes, and”, a song trying to be a dancefloor anthem but landing extremely flat, driven by a generic chopped-up beat that appeals to current trends in pop. Its very forced nature makes Grande sound robotic.

The more thoughtful and lowkey production of the title track fits the album much better, and I believe Grande would have served herself better by ditching the trap and dance sounds and embracing more of a pensive R&B feel, the type of vibe the subject matter of the album leans towards.

Grande takes risks in producing a more emotional and touching album with great vocal performances, yet I wish she had been willing to conduct the same risks in instrumental choice rather than playing it too safe. Score: 70/100. Best Song: “bye” Worst Song: “yes, and?”

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE

Track and Field opens at Bethany

Joel Sledd Sports Editor

Although the weather doesn’t show it, spring is here, and with spring comes a new season of Wolverines’ outdoor track and field.

The Wolverines are heading outdoors after finishing another indoor season, filled with record-breaking performances and a men’s PAC Championship title.

The 2024 season will be Head Coach Jessica Cooper’s seventh year at the College. Now entering the outdoor season, Cooper hopes to continue the team’s efficient performances through the spring.

“I’m really proud of both of our teams for all they accomplished this indoor season. We had several school records broken, a few of which were broken multiple times. Overall, it was an exciting season and we’re hoping to carry that momentum into the outdoor season,” Cooper said.

The team is scheduled to compete in six more invitationals and the PAC Championship in April. The men and women started their outdoor season on March 16 with the Bethany Invitational held at Bethany, W.V. against Division III and Division II schools.

Opening the 2024 outdoor season, the women placed fourth out of 12 teams with 75 total points.

To help propel the Wolverines, a series of junior ath-

letes swept the 5000-meter, starting with junior Lydia Bennett, who took runner-up with a time of 18:57.24.

Junior Grace Smith would finish less than a second behind Bennett for third place, junior Virginia Williams took fourth, junior Julia Bauer placed fifth, junior Kaylynn Johnson took sixth and the series was capped off by junior Ella Lyle at seventh.

Freshman Cayla Lawrence finished second in the 1500-meter and third in the 800-meter events. On the field, sophomore Megan Wise earned third in the shot put and freshman Elly Bruner stole fourth in the long jump.

Finishing fourth out of 13 teams, the men fielded two winners and many more close finishes. Junior Ryan Lenhart won the discus event, throwing 153 feet and three inches. Sophomore Michael Chambers was the second Wolverine victor of the day. Chambers cleared 13 feet and 7.25 inches for first place in the pole vault.

The Wolverines continued to find success in other events on the field. Junior Nick Petucci earned second in the triple jump and senior Nick Gustafson took second in the shot put. Lenhart also picked up fourth in shot put. Petucci finished fifth in the long jump, followed by sophomore Eddie Luckey in sixth.

Both Gustafson and Lenhart are the first two Wolverines to qualify for the All-Atlantic Region Track &

Field Conference (AARTFC) Regionals competition held on May 15 and 16.

A large group of Woleverins qualified for the AARTFC regionals for the indoor season. Now, they are repeating that success outdoors.

“This was one of the largest groups to qualify for the indoor AARTFC championships.” said Coach Cooper. “I anticipate that we’ll have a large group qualify for the outdoor championship as well.”

On the track, senior Cory Boyer timed in 60.54 to take fifth in the 400-meter hurdles. Sophomore Luke Roberts posted a time of 33:35.06 for sixth in the 10,000-meter and senior William Zeisler took sixth in the 3000-meter steeplechase.

The Wolverines had a strong performance at Bethany, setting the tone for the rest of the season. The Wolverines are heading to West Virginia for their next meet, and the PAC Championship will take place on April 25 and 26.

“Most of our season, we can focus on competing against ourselves. The conference championship is completely different. While yes, we want to strive for great performances, the focal point is how can each of us help this team reach its potential,” Cooper said.

The Wolverines will continue their 2024 campaign at 10 a.m. tomorrow at Morgantown, W.V. for the West Virginia Invitational.

NFL stars finding new homes in wild free agency

Joel Sledd Sports Editor

After a chaotic NFL season, it is only fitting to have an equally chaotic start to free agency. Several stars are on the move this offseason as teams are hoping to switch up their roster personnel for a better season.

NFL free agency seems to get more spontaneous each year, and the 2024 off-season is no exception. A large chunk of starting Runningbacks (RB) and Quarterbacks (QB) have already found a new home.

The Pittsburgh Steelers completely overhauled their QB room in less than a week.

On March 10, former Denver Broncos QB Russel Wilson announced his intention to sign with the Steelers. Wilson was released by the Broncos, forcing the organization to take the biggest dead cap hit in NFL history at $85 million. The Steelers signed a low-risk, one-year contract with Wilson for the league minimum of $1.21 million.

Less than a week later, QB Kenny Pickett would be traded to the Philadelphia Eagles.

According to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pickett reacted poorly when he learned Wilson was the new starter. For this reason, the Steelers’ front office decided trading the disgruntled QB would be the best option.

A day after Pickett was

traded, the Steelers signed another quarterback to back up Wilson. The Chicago Bears traded QB Justin Fields to the Steelers for a conditional sixth-round pick which can become a fourth-round pick if certain conditions are met. This trade by the Bears affirms their intention to draft University of South Carolina quarterback Caleb Williams in the upcoming draft.

Outside of Pittsburgh, another star QB is on the move.

On March 11, long-time Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins signed a fouryear contract with the Atlanta Falcons. Cousins has made over $231.7 million over his career so far. This new contract with the Falcons adds $180 million with $100 million guaranteed.

The Vikings also lost Josh Dobbs, to a one-year freeagent contract with the San Francisco 49ers. These transactions cost Minnesota. To fix this issue, the Vikings scraped the bottom of the barrel and picked up quarterback Sam Darnold. The Vikings hold the 11th overall pick in the first round, so there is an opportunity for the Vikings’ front office to pick a rookie.

Back in the American Football Conference North, former Cleveland Browns quarterback and Comeback Player of the Year recipient Joe Flacco has signed a oneyear deal with the Indianapolis Colts. The Browns signed Jameis Winston to backup

Sports at a Glance Results

Baseball (8-7):

Loss, at Case Western Reserve (10-6)

Loss, at Baldwin Wallace (3-2)

Men’s Lacrosse (6-4): Win, at Kenyon (16-7)

Win, vs. John Carroll (13-11)

Women’s Lacrosse (4-3):

Loss, at Buffalo State (14-11)

Win, at Fredonia State (16-9)

Softball (8-6):

Double-Header Win, at Penn State Altoona (2-1,8-5)

Double-Header Win, at Penn State Fayette (9-0,15-4)

Men’s Tennis (5-2):

Win, at Indiana-East (5-2)

Win, at Alfred (9-0)

Water Polo (2-8):

Loss, vs. Mercyhurst (17-7)

Loss, at Penn State Behrend (17-14)

Upcoming

Baseball:

Mar. 23, 1 p.m. vs. Westminster

Mar. 27, 4 p.m. at Pitt-Greensburg

Men’s Lacrosse:

Mar. 23, 3 p.m. vs. York Pa.

Apr. 3, 6 p.m. vs. Saint Vincent

Women’s lacrosse:

Mar. 21, 3:30 p.m. at La Roche

Mar. 27, 4 p.m. at Bethany

Softball:

Mar. 22, 3:30 p.m. vs. Pitt-Bradford, Double-Header

Mar. 23, 1 p.m. vs. Geneva, Double-Header

Men’s Tennis:

Mar. 23, 1 p.m. vs. Carnegie Mellon

Mar. 23, 3 p.m. vs. Houghton

Water Polo:

QB Deshaun Watson.

This offseason, we have also seen a lot of running backs transfer. RB Derrick Henry signed with the Baltimore Ravens for a two-year, $16 million contract. Henry went into the offseason as a free agent after eight years with the Tennessee Titans.

In an unexpected move, the Cincinnati Bengals released RB Joe Mixon after seven years of service. The Bengals signed Colts RB Zack Moss as a replacement. Mixon eventually found a new home in the Houston Texans who signed him to a three-year $27 million extension.

The Bengals are also finding difficulty with wide receiver Tee Higgens, whose contract negotiations fell through.

The Green Bay Packers held one of the most impressive running back rosters when they signed former Las Vegas Raiders RB Josh Jacobs. Jacobs signed what is essentially a four-year deal worth $48 million if certain conditions are met. The Packers then released RB Aaron Jones, who went on to sign with their division rival, the Vikings.

The Eagles also stole RB Saquon Barkley from their divisional rival, the New York Giants.

The first round of the NFL draft is scheduled to take place on April 25. Until then, many teams still have time to compensate for lost players.

Apr. 6, 9 a.m. at Austin Apr. 6, 2:20 p.m. at Macalester

Track & Field:

Mar. 23, 11 a.m. at West Virginia Open Apr. 6, 9 a.m. at Slippery Rock Invitational

WOLVERINE WEEKLY HONORS

Danny Stone Men’s Lacrosse Defensive Player of the week

Ryan Lenhart Men’s

Colton Lehberg Men’s Lacrosse Newcomer of the Week

Madison Nazigian Women’s Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Week

Brookie Brodie Softball Hitter of the Week

Taylor Blythe Women’s Lacrosse Newcomer of the Week

Jameson Sposato Men’s Tennis Player of the Weell

Wolverines Softball sweeps

Claims pair of double-header matches

Garrett Gess Staff Writer

After starting off the season 4-6, the Wolverines softball team has finished a fourgame hot streak, winning two doubleheaders against Penn State Fayette on March 13 and Penn State Altoona on March 14 to put them at 8-6.

In the first doubleheader, Grove City secured a commanding 9-0 victory displaying an exceptional performance both offensively and defensively. Continuing their momentum, the Wolverines maintained their strong showing in the second game, clinching a resounding 15-4 win. Their offensive firepower and defensive prowess were on full display, as they effectively controlled the game securing another impressive victory.

The next day, in game one at Altoona, Grove City found themselves trailing 1-0 with two outs in the top of the seventh inning. However, sophomore shortstop Rylie Eaton stepped up, delivering a notable performance by smacking a two-run double. This hit brought home junior left fielder Ella Krarup and sophomore center fielder Noel Anthony.

Following Eaton’s pivotal hit, junior first baseman/ pitcher Brooke Brodie retired the Lions in order during the bottom of the seventh, securing the win. Brodie, with a record of 2-2, pitched a complete game, allowing only one run and four hits across seven innings while striking out three. At the plate, Brodie went two for four, while Eaton finished with a twofor-three performance.

In the next game, Grove City found themselves down 5-2 after five innings but mounted a comeback, scoring four runs in the sixth inning. Senior catcher Lauren Harris narrowed the deficit to 5-4 with a two-run double,

bringing in Brodie and junior third baseman Rachel Zona. Harris then scored the tying run on a single by freshman left fielder Evelyn Montone. Montone subsequently scored the go-ahead run on a single by junior second baseman Maci Linhart.

Grove City extended their lead in the seventh inning, with Brodie tripling in Zona and then scoring on a single by freshman pitcher Abigail Meadors. In game two, both Brodie and Linhart also contributed doubles. Harris, Meadors and Montone each

went three for five at the plate, while Zona finished two for four. The Wolverines amassed 17 hits in the second game. Despite trailing 3-0 early on, Grove City managed to claw back with single runs in the fourth and fifth innings. Krarup singled in Linhart in the fourth inning, while Eaton crossed the plate on Meadors’s fifthinning single. Meadors, with a record of 4-2, earned the victory in game two after allowing three earned runs across seven innings, while also tallying three strikeouts.

Brodie earned PAC Hitter of the Week. Brodie contributed significantly to Grove City’s success last week, aiding them to a flawless 4-0 record. She showcased her prowess by achieving a remarkable .615 batting average, going eight for 13 at the plate with four triples throughout the four games. Additionally, she crossed the plate five times and drove in four runs, culminating in an impressive 1.231 slugging percentage for the week.

Currently, Brodie maintains a solid .364 batting av-

erage this season and leads the Wolverines with an impressive .697 slugging percentage. Additionally, she boasts a 2-2 record with a commendable 2.15 earned run average as a pitcher.

Grove City will host a series of softball games today at 3:30 p.m. The Wolverines will play against the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford in a doubleheader. Tomorrow, Grove City will host the first conference opponent of the season, Geneva College, in another doubleheader matchup starting at 1 p.m.

Hockey duels it out in championship

Joel Sledd Sports Editor

Away from Grove City College, a different group of athletes have finished their season on the ice. The College’s club ice hockey team recently completed their season in the championship game in one of their biggest and most successful seasons yet.

This year, the club ice hockey team has grown in players and capabilities. Led by Head Coach Jonathan DiBenedetto, Wolverines ice hockey had a total of 18 athletes on the roster, seven of whom are seniors.

“This season was the first season we had as a full team, where everyone was able to consistently come to games,” senior team captain Drew Yecko said.

“The season was a lot of improvement for everyone, just learning to play at a higher level – more competitively and more as a team to build unity,” sophomore Bobby Hershey said.

This is also the first year the club ice hockey team has been officially funded by the

College as the Covid-19 pandemic caused some delay in the development of the club ice hockey team. The generous funding from the athletic department allowed the team more time on the ice this year outside of games.

Their extra practice time was exhibited in the championship game, where they competed in a high-scoring shootout.

At Baierl Ice Complex in Cranberry Township, P.a., the Wolverines found themselves in the championship game. With a Wolverines’ goal scored just six seconds left in regulation, the highly competitive teams tied the match 8-8, forcing the game into overtime. Unfortunately, the opposition scored first in the sudden-death overtime match to finalize the score 8-9.

Although they lost the championship, many players on the team were impressed at their achievements, considering the circumstances.

“That was the goal we set for ourselves. In this league, we’re guaranteed to make the playoffs, but we played against the team with the best records and the best games. We wanted to win this game to prove something, even if it’s just to prove to ourselves we could win,” sophomore Josh Elverson said. With the end of a successful season, the hockey club is looking to expand their operation for next year. The team has reached out to 15 interested incoming freshmen with the hopes of extending their roster.

matchup against CarnegieMellon University’s club team later this year, but the team is awaiting confirmation.

The Wolverines are also in development for a potential

The leadership is excited to see how the club sport will grow and what competition they might face in the future.

GRACE DAVID

Senior Pitcher Kaitlyn Constantino after the windup during the 2023 season.

CAMPBELL WIERSMA

The Wolverines out on the ice at the Baiel ice complex