Valentine’s Day Specials
Dr. Love reflects on the special day
The
@Collegian_GCC @gcc.collegian The Collegian: The GCC Newspaper Friday, February 16, 2024
COMMUNITY
Usher, Usher, Usher Halftime’s Vegas glam and throwback jams
ENTERTAINMENT
Collegian The Award-Winning Grove City College Student Newspaper
Vol. 109, No. 13
Austrian Student Scholars present Helena Ritenour Staff Writer
This Friday and Saturday in SHAL, the Economics Department will hold the Austrian Students Scholars Conference. Now in its tenth year, the conference was started in 2004 and has been running annually since. The Conference provides a keynote speaker each year, hosting men and women “from some of the most established scholars working today,” Dr. Shawn Ritenour, a professor in the Economics Department said. The Conference was designed to allow students from across disciplines to present their research and work on select economic topics. This includes students both from Grove City and from other institutions. Since its founding, over 400 students have had the opportunity to present at the conference. Students will be presenting on both days of the conference and the top three papers judged by a select panel of the College faculty will win money according to the quality of their work. “For many students, this conference is a steppingstone for them to become professors in various academic disciplines, mainly economics, history and political science,” said Dr. Jeff Herbener of the economics department. Students highly benefit from attending because “the Austrian Students Scholars Conference gives students a forum for doing and discussing research about the different consequences for human society,” Dr. Herbener said. All are encouraged to attend and hear the student and AUSTRIAN 2
Dr. Jeffery Tedford, chair of the Department of Music conducts the Grove City College Orchestra. The orchestra won third place in its division for the 2023 American Prize in Orchestral Performance last month.
GCC
Orchestra ovation Students win national title
Violet Whitmore News Editor
Last Friday, the Grove City College Orchestra performed in the Pew Fine Arts Center for students and the public. The Orchestra performed selections from Sergei Prokofiev, Antonín Dvořák, Felix Mendelssohn, Charles Gounod and Marvin Hamlisch. Two student conductors, Seniors Charlie Hubbell and Patrick Onofrey led the Orchestra during the concert as well as two winners from the 2023 Concerto/Aria Competition, junior Amber Willis and sophomore Wesley Morgan.
“It was awesome to work with student conductors and soloists both last and this semester, and to watch them grow in confidence as we all worked together to put the pieces together,” sophomore cellist Emma Danielson said. This is the second concerto aria student conductor concert she has played in. “Each student seemed fully present on Friday night and their hard work, alongside Dr. Tedford’s and the orchestra’s hard work really paid off with performances that brought audiences to their feet.” The Orchestra recently earned third place in its division for the 2023 American
Prize in Orchestral Performance. The College competed against other elite and accomplished institutions like Concordia and Cornell University, which competed in the smaller College/University program division. The Orchestra is comprised of roughly 80 students from all majors. “I am so proud of our students in the Symphony Orchestra for their outstanding work and contributions toward this award and their continued dedication to excellence,” Dr. Jeffery Tedford, professor and chair of the Department of Music, said. The national nonprofit
competition recognizes the best theatrical and musical performances in the performing arts at all experience levels. “With absolutely no bias against small city versus large, or well-known artist versus unknown, The American Prize seeks to recognize and reward the best America produces,” the organization states. “As with all Grove City Orchestra performances I’ve been a part of so far, the camaraderie on stage was palpable, everyone was there to support everyone else and celebrate their successes together,” Danielson said.
The new Thursday thing Mia Gallagher Staff Writer
GRACE DAVID
Swing dancing is one of the featured events that the SIC hosts. Future events wll include movie nights, picnics and dodgeball.
The Student Involvement Council (SIC) launched their newest campus-wide engagement campaign, Thursday Hangs, yesterday with a swing, line and ballroom open dance. The program, which seeks to foster greater culture and community, will host events every Thursday from 7-9 p.m. in Breen Student Union. The SIC student team, which has had an active presence on campus since its founding last fall, looks to provide a vast array of activities aimed at making the school week more enjoyable. “SIC had the chance to test out similar events last semester,” sophomore SIC Event
Lead Leia Steele said. Steele said. “After seeing a positive response from these events from both attendance and student responses, we were able to brainstorm and organize this new Thursday Night Hangs program as a way for SIC to bring something new to our campus.” “We have found that there tends to be a lack of events on Thursday nights, so we hope that Thursday Hangs will fill that gap and allow students to take a break from their hectic schedules. Our comeand-go type of events are conducive to this idea so that students can take a break and check out our event without the commitment of staying the whole time,” Steeke said. Earlier this week, SIC announced plans for three events. On Feb. 22, March
21 and April 25, they will be holding campus-wide trivia nights where students will be able to form teams of two to six who will put their knowledge to the test. Prizes will be awarded to the winners, making this a fun and engaging event. In addition to Thursday Hangs, SIC has many other exciting activities planned that you won’t want to miss. “Some fun events to look forward to include a March movie night showing Little Women, May the 4th Movie Night, All-Campus picnic, Dodgeball tournament and a concert starring the artist Brandon Isaiah on March 15,” Steele said. To stay up to date with SIC,’ be sure to follow them on Instagram @grovecitysic.
Editorial
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The award-winning Grove City College student newspaper, Feb. 16, 2024
From the Tower
Journalism is not dying
Sports Illustrated is on its deathbed. But what is it that people say? “You can kill the man, but not the idea.” The magazine will celebrate its 70th birthday in August of this year, but as mass layoffs plague their newsroom, it seems the publication is doomed to fall short of this landmark anniversary. Since 1954, Sports Illustrated has been synonymous with sports journalism. Its writers, editors and photographers defined what was important in the world of athletics, providing its subscribers with information, entertainment and novelty. The magazine’s influence was strong enough to define or derail an athletic career. As such, it was a media titan, now absent from newsstands. Several publications have rung in the new year with vicious downsizing and budget cuts. People are scared for the future of journalism. Many have taken to digital platforms to express their concern that, in the modern age of social media, journalism can’t keep up and will end up losing the race that vies for the public’s attention. But it’s not that journalism is dead; it’s that journalism will change. In spite of this adjustment, there are a few set-in-stone truths that are not going away. Journalism, at its unadulterated core, is the “collection, preparation and distribution of news” with the pure principle of truth as its guide. A distinction must be made. Social media is not journalism; journalism is not social media. A journalist can use social media to disperse information, and social media can serve as a home for journalists to share content, but the two are entirely separate entities with entirely separate purposes. I see a caveat in the rush to adapt to the breakneck speed of social media. Journalism isn’t supposed to be hasty, attention-grabbing and entertaining. There are forms of journalism that fall under categories aligning more with social media attributes, but journalism isn’t supposed to be like social media. I’m still confused as to when journalists, publishers and executives got the idea that journalism should be like social media. That sounds horrible. Will journalism be forced to evolve as our culture’s main form of information distribution changes? Yes, but journalism has changed mediums and modes consistently for 2,000 years. The Romans published the first newspaper, Acta Diurna (Latin for ‘News Acts’), in 59 B.C. It was carved into stone or metal, daily, and put in public places for people to read. When paper was thrown into the mix, do you think they lost their minds and chiseled away article after article on their stone slabs about how this was the death of journalism? Probably. Because when it comes to change, people always lose their minds. But the thing is, journalism finds a way. As long as things are happening in the world, people with things to say and people who want to know what’s going on, there will be journalism. I, for one, will be returning to my roots and carving my articles into quartz.
Emma Rossi
Editor-in-Chief
Collegian Staff Editor-in-Chief
Copy Chief
Managing Editor
Business Manager
Section Editors News
Copy Editors
Emma Rossi
Grace Scheller
Hannah Welker Maercy Campion
Community
Mia Gallagher Melody Shillito Kathryna Hoyman Hannah Williams
Perspectives
Staff Writers
Violet Whitmore Emily Fox
Grace Scheller
Entertainment Vince Clay
Sports
Joel Sledd
Photo Chief
David Smith Dom Puglisi Garret Gess Mia Gallagher Abigail Joyner Abigail Kengor Hunter Oswald Brae Sadler Helena Ritenour
Grace David
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.
GRACE DAVID
Jesus is already there Grace David Photo Chief
When I was on a mission trip in Brazil for two weeks, I didn’t build a single house. I didn’t patch any holes or plant any trees. Instead, our team went on home visits, traveling by foot or truck bed to the villages surrounding Eugênio, where our base was located, exchanging names and stories with the local families who would welcome us into their homes. These families of the Sertão, the eastern countryside region of Brazil, were very accepting of the idea of turning strangers into friends. The best coffee I’ve ever tasted would be in my hand as soon as my foot stepped onto every front patio. Before my cup was even empty, I was introduced to every family member, including the goats and chickens. I may never speak to these families face-to-face again, yet in 30-minute (translated) conversations, individuals would expound on their life stories in great detail. Many were farmers, feeling greatly blessed by the downpour of rain that finally arrived after an extended drought. Some
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continued from 1 professor presentations. The keynote lectures this year will be given by Dr. Sandy and Peter Klein, who are both senior Fellows at the
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the Green
Eyeshade Award This week’s Green Eyeshade Award goes to Copy Chief Hannah Welker for being a living, breathing AP Style Guide and making sure we publish excellence. The Green Eyeshade Award honors student contributors that demonstrate consistency and excellence in their work.
Connect with us on Social Media! @gcc.collegian The Collegian: The Grove City College Newspaper WELKER
had experienced a recent heavy loss or family members with illnesses that were difficult to treat because of the impoverished area they lived in. In these conversations, we prayed together and shared the joy and truth of the Gospel. I didn’t expect the variations of knowledge about Jesus and his power. Catholicism is common in Brazil, but it is frequently twisted by the pagan practices that can be just as prevalent. Still, many knew Jesus, and some even read their Bible every morning. I realized then that I had a slightly skewed perception of what it meant to be a missionary. It’s not just about the physical work that can be done, or just introducing the community to Jesus. Jesus is already there. Of course, these things are necessary, and many families found relief in the food baskets that we brought for them after an intense drought. But our purpose was to develop relationships with these parents and children, rather than make them rely on us and not themselves or the Lord. We were there to support the long-term mission base, who can walk alongside these families for years down the line, offering guidance and Mises Institute. Dr. Sandra Klein is a Clinical Professor and Undergraduate Program Director in the Department of Economics at Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business. Peter Klein is W. W. Caruth Endowed Chair, Professor of
love for years to come. Short-term mission teams alone aren’t going to save a community. We aren’t the saviors; the Holy Spirit is. I was not on a mission trip to bring a community to sanctification with my own power. I am on a mission trip to support, relieve, help, love, bring joy and share the truth. I am not bringing Jesus — He is already there! It is incredible to see how He loves and how His joy is shared in different cultures and communities. I may be from a very different culture than that of the impoverished countryside of Brazil, but it is inspiring to see that we experience the same joy from the same Lord. The children in these communities experience abuse of every kind, yet they have the sweetest smiles and the silliest laughter, especially those who know that they are loved by Jesus. They exemplify this joy like no other. As an American, I am blessed to have the problems I have. How selfish am I to take for granted the freedom and time I have to spend with the One who made me? Every day is a new day to spend with my creator and to find joy in what brings him joy — serving those around me (at home!) in love! Entrepreneurship and Chair of the Department of Entrepreneurship and Corporate Innovation at Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business. He is also the Carl Menger Research Fellow at the Mises Institute.
Interested in Copy Editing? Join our team! For more info about Copy Editing, email rossiel21@gcc.edu
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News The Collegian, Feb. 16, 2024
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New proposal offers student-teacher stipends Emma Rossi Editor-in-Chief Last Tuesday, Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed an increase to education funding in his 2024-2025 budget proposal that could mean money for Pennsylvania student-teachers. Two bills are currently awaiting review in the Senate Education Committee. Both of these bills would amend the state’s Public School Code and increase the budget for student-teacher stipends. The legislation would provide student teaching stipends to help remove financial barriers for aspiring teachers wishing to enter this profession. Professor of Education and Associate Chair Dr. Jarrett M. Chapman ’04 explained the motivation behind the proposal. “This legislation aims to attempt to keep PA-trained educators in Pennsylvania post-graduation to help with the looming teacher shortage,” Chapman said. “Other states have similar programs that attempt to retain teachers, but I am unsure if these actions will work as well in practice as they look on paper. There are
a great deal of other factors that affect where teachers ultimately choose to teach,” he said. Colorado, Michigan and Oklahoma have passed a form of this legislation. In Colorado, student teachers are eligible for the stipends if the state determines they qualify based on whether the student is responsible for a certain amount of their tuition. The Colorado Rural Teaching Stipend gives student up to $4,000 for a semester of student teaching in a rural school district, as long as they “then apply to and work in a rural school district for two years.” “…(D)epending on the final version of the legislation and the implementation, it is a creative way to incentivize seeking employment in schools that are underresourced or otherwise have difficulty recruiting teachers,” Chapman said. In the past two years, about 20 percent of Grove City graduates have stayed to teach in Pa. public schools. If the legislation is passed as proposed, some education majors may be eligible to receive a stipend. While the College itself does not accept federal funds, Grove City
student-teachers could still choose to participate in the program if they are deemed eligible. “Although the Senate and House bills are still stalled, the funding for these ‘loans’ was attached to the state budget. PDE will be providing more information by mid-April as to how students will be able to apply for these funds,” said Chapman. “A great bit of detail will still need to be worked out if/ when the legislation passes. However, based upon our conversations with PDE in its current form,” he said. The legislation also includes a stipend for the teachers who host a studentteacher in their classroom. “While GCC currently has excellent educational partners who host our student teachers, this will be an excellent way for those to receive compensation for mentoring a student teacher,” Chapman added. “However, regardless of the legislation, the Education Department will continue to work with our exceptional K-12 partners who have faithfully poured into our pre-service teachers. This legislation will not change those deliberate and intentional partnerships,” he said.
National News
Lakeside Church shooting rocks megachurch congregation Emma Rossi Editor-in-Chief
On Sunday afternoon, shots were fired at Lakeside Church in Houston, Texas, at the church of celebrity televangelist Joel Osteen. The shooter, 36-year-old Genesse Ivonne Moreno, arrived at the church a little before 2 p.m. wearing a trench coat and carrying a long gun. Moreno brought her 7-year-old son with her. When Moreno opened fire in the hallway, she was confronted by two off-duty officers: a Houston police officer and an agent with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. They fired shots back. Two were injured and the suspect was killed. The first injured victim was a fifty-year-old man who was shot in the hip. The second injured victim is the son of Moreno, who was shot in the head. As of the time of print, the boy remains in critical condition. It is still not known how Moreno’s son was shot. Moreno told the officers she had a bomb and that the yellow tether cord visible on her person was attached to the explosive. After the suspect was taken down, it was discovered that Moreno did not have a bomb or explosive on her person.
On average, 45,000 worshippers gather at Lakeside Church on Sundays. When shots were fired, churchgoers fled to the opposite side of the building and out the doors. 35-year-old Alan Guity, whose family has been in attendance at Lakeside since 1998, was present for the shooting. He told the Associated Press that when he heard the gunfire, he ran to find his mother and they lay flat on the floor as the gunfire continued. Guity said he and his mother prayed and stayed on the floor for about five minutes until someone told them it was safe to leave the building. As he was led outside, Guity could see people were crying and looking for loved ones. After searching Moreno’s home, which is 50 miles from Lakeside Church, the police identified the weapon as an AR-15-style rifle. Moreno was also carrying a .22-caliber rifle. Moreno had a history of mental illness on record and a misdemeanor weapons charge in 2022. U.S. News reports that Moreno was placed in emergency detention in 2016. Her motive is still unknown, but after examining her prior legal records, it was found that her moth-
er had once attended Lakewood. According to the New York Times, the police found “antisemitic writings” from Moreno. “Christopher Hassig, the commander of the department’s homicide unit (said) (t)he AR-15 carried a sticker with the word ‘Palestine’ on its stock. He said that the feelings expressed in her writings appeared to stem from disputes with her ex-husband’s family, some of whom are Jewish,” The Times reported. Osteen is known for his pro-Israel words and actions. Chief Troy Finner of the Houston Police Department, quoted in The Times, explained that the police are not treating Moreno’s actions as a hate crime. “I just want us to simply wait on the facts,” he said. “You got mental illness here. Got a lot of things going on.” In a video from the Associated Press taken in the church parking lot in the aftermath of the shooting, Joel Osteen spoke for the church. “We’re gonna stay strong, we’re going to continue to move forward, there are forces of evil but the forces that are for us, the forces of God are stronger than that,” he commented.
Hester Peirce speaks on faith and finance Emily Fox
Community Editor The School of Business hosted U.S. Securities and Exchange Commissioner (SEC) Hester Peirce this past Monday to discuss her role in the executive agency and answer student questions. “Business PEIRCE school majors and students from disciplines across campus heard about the importance of the work that Commissioner Peirce and others at the SEC do to help bolster a sound foundation for the free enterprise system and U.S. capital markets. She inspired us with her commitment to freedom and human flourishing,” the Dean of the School of Business Dr. Michelle McFeaters ’88 and ’02 said. Peirce majored in Economics at Case Western Reserve University and attended law school at Yale. Before being appointed to the SEC by former President Donald J. Trump in 2018, Peirce worked in other government roles including Senior Counsel on the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, as well as being a Staff Attorney as a part of the SEC’s Division of Investment Management. She also acted as an associate at Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering (WilmerHale), according to the SEC government website. She is currently serving her second five-year term as a Republican member of the Commission. The SEC is an executive agency tasked with the job of regulating the market through writing and enforcing policy. The agency’s website describes its responsibilities, “The SEC’s mission is to protect investors; maintain fair, orderly and efficient markets and facilitate capital formation.” The bipartisan agency receives its power from Congress and consists of five commissioners, with a maximum of three members sharing the president’s political party. The commissioners draft and vote on a policy affecting the country’s mar-
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impacted her professionally: “This project showed me that I was very passionate and willing to invest in this project, especially when it came to supporting a mission such as Harvest Bridge. This business grew my communication skills and has pushed me into getting more involved in things, especially in school, that I have been passionate about, but haven’t been able to invest in,” said Shelatz. Regarding her personal growth, Shelatz said, “I felt like even though this business was a lot, it allowed me to work well with a team, and we grew closer because
kets. Peirce spoke to an audience of approximately 225 students, faculty and alumni between the two events she participated in. This included a Q & A event in Sticht Lecture Hall where she answered students’ questions regarding various hot-button topics, including cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investing. She also attended a fireside chat with President Paul McNulty ’80 on Monday evening where she spoke to alumni, faculty and students. Peirce explained the tensions revolving around the SEC’s authority regarding cryptocurrency. The agency’s role regarding the complex and controversial issue is questioned due to Congress’s current legislation of large bills regarding their authority over cryptocurrency. The agency therefore must evaluate whether it is complying with the jurisdiction it has received from Congress to ensure it does not overstep its authority. She expects the most prominent issues the agency will deal with in 2024 will involve implementing the vast flow of policy the agency has created the government’s emphasis and work regarding treasury markets and climate rule. She also discussed her faith at both events explaining how it continues to impact her career today. Peirce stated it was her desire for capital markets to help humanity that drove her towards working for the SEC. She believes the market should be designed to serve citizens’ needs and allow them to reach their potential by channeling money to hardworking people through capital markets. This relates to her Christian belief that all people are endowed with dignity. Peirce advised students to remain intellectually curious in all that they strive for because the questions they ask might lead them towards a career they never considered before. She recommended students consider applying for the internship opportunities offered by the SEC.
of that. This showed me ultimately my limits for how much I could handle, but it was such a fun experience, especially when it comes to hands-on learning and gaining more experience to enter the business world.” In the last eight semesters the course has been offered, students have donated a total of $26,445.86 to charities. Through the eCommerce class, the Entrepreneurship Department has been able to bridge two defining aspects of the College: quality education and Christian mission. It has provided an opportunity for students to serve God, both by pursuing their vocational callings as well as Jesus’ call to serve God by serving others.
Community The Collegian, Feb. 16, 2024
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Upcoming Events...
What’s fresh at the Grove?
Austrian Scholars Conference Feb. 16 - 17
Lunar New Year Celebration 6:30 - 8 p.m. Feb. 16 Ketler Rec.
25th Annual Physics Club All-Nighter 7 p.m. - 7 a.m. Feb. 16 STEM
Broadway Revue 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17 PFAC 106
Vitalant Blood Drive 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Feb. 19 Ketler Rec.
IFF: The Truth About Modern Policing
6:30 p.m. Feb. 19 Sticht Lecture Hall
LinkedIn Headshots
4 - 4:45 p.m. Feb. 22 Rathburn Hall
Food Feedback Forum 5 p.m. Feb. 22 Old MAP
Professionalism & Etiquette Night 5 - 6:30 p.m. Feb. 22 Rathburn Hall
Spring ED Talks Feb. 22 7 p.m. Sticht Lecture Hall
Leadership Workshop Series: Group Conflict Management 7 - 8 p.m. Feb. 22 SHAL 210
Virtual Resume Writing Lab 7:30 - 8:15 p.m. March 4
Negotiation Workshop 6 - 7 p.m. March 7 SHAL 110
Our Town and Doubt Plays
March 14 Our Town 5 p.m. Little Theater Doubt 7:30 p.m. Ketler Auditorium
GCC INSTAGRAM
Members of Convenant Clay displayed their products at the Venture Village booth at Homecoming 2023. The group included juniors Molly Gleason (CEO), Aliyah Shelatz (COO), and Abby Mason (CMO) as well as senior Elliott Stratton (CFO).
E-commerce students share the wealth Emily Fox
Community Editor Students earned and donated over 5,000 dollars to various charities last semester through an eCommerce class offered by the Entrepreneurship Department. Executive Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship + Innovation Yvonne J. English’s ’97 students earned a profit greater than an individual course has made since 2015 according to a Grove City College press release. The five teams were required to design, produce and sell their own product. Each group’s earnings were donated to a charity of their choice. Students sold their products on Shopify, an online platform they received access to through the College. Ella Douglass, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of her group’s company, Radiate Truth, described the process of coming up with and creating her company’s product with the help of her company’s CEO, Alex Anderson. “For Radiate Truth, we came together and made hats with encouraging designs backed up with Bible verses. We wanted to encourage our customers to ‘share the Gospel through what they wear,’” said Douglass. “Alex Anderson has a Cricut in her room, and it was a simple idea that we knew college students, our primary customer segment, would enjoy…we knew hats would be quick and easy to make, ship and sell,” she said. “The four of us created the designs and ordered blank hats in colors we thought would sell best. Once we made the designs, we printed
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Founders of Radiate Truth with sold their products online during the course as well as at Venture Village. The all sophomore team included Alex Anderson (CEO), Cayden Testa (CFO), Ella Douglass (CMO) and Brendan Stull (COO). them off Alex’s Cricut, cut them out and ironed them onto the hats.” Radiate Truth chose to give their earnings to Family Guidance, a charity serving the city of Pittsburgh. “We talked with Professor Smith in the Entrepreneurship Department, and he advised us to reach out and partner with Family Guidance, a nonprofit
organization that shares the Gospel with underprivileged children living in Pittsburgh through their Promise Summer Camp and one-on-one mentoring programs,” Douglass said. Another company, Covenant Clay, also created a Biblically rooted product. The group designed clay bracelets and key chains inspired
by Isaiah 64:8. The group also chose a charity serving through ministry, Harvest Bridge. According to the charity’s website, they support Christians in South Asia while spreading the Gospel. Chief Operations Officer (COO) Aliyah Shelatz reflected on how the assignment WEALTH 3
The Collegian, Feb. 16, 2024
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Seven questions with…
Reflections on Valentine’s Day: A letter from Dr. Love
As you walk out of your dorm, someone taps you on the shoulder. You whirl around to see your boyfriend with an armful of flowers, a huge stuffed animal and chocolates. Once he hands you the flowers, he pulls a handwritten letter out of his back pocket. As you reach for it, you hear a loud ring. It keeps going. It’s your alarm. I’m sure many of us girls have had dreams like this before. For some of us, it’s been a reality. Guys, take notes. The most exciting day of the year for yours truly has come around once more. ‘Love Story’ by Taylor Swift has been on repeat and the Notebook has been a must-watch. The stores have been filled with red and pink heart knick-knacks since Christmas, as I’m sure many of you have noticed. Giant teddy bears have taken up residence on shelves and stores are having their Valentine’s Day-inspired sales. Unfortunately, I did not get my hands on a limited-edition Stanley Cup with a little heart on it this year. So, if any of you feel like giving Dr. Love a lovely belated Valentine’s gift, my mailbox is open! All jokes aside, this day can be a fun time or a rough time for guys and gals alike. On Grove City’s campus especially, couples are everywhere. On Valentine’s Day, the public displays of affection are magnified 10 times their normal level. Carnation petals will be on the ground for days to follow, chocolates will be sold out and people holding hands are a common sight. If you are anything like me, this may bring you joy to see so many people happy with their person. However, I know that a season of singleness on a campus full of couples can be difficult. Don’t worry! God has a marvelous plan for you. Don’t try and rush into a relationship just for the chocolates (even if they are really good chocolates). For all my taken and single gals out there, a Galentine’s party is just as fun as a date with a boyfriend. Dressing up, getting flowers for the table and eating good food sounds amazing to me. The memories made with your friends will be precious, and you won’t be alone on a day that may be a bit hard otherwise. This is a recent trend I love and will definitely be participating in for years to come. Don’t be shy and give it a try!
Alec Jernstedt Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach What do you like the most about being a coach at Grove City College?
For my guys out there, don’t be afraid to take this chance! This day, or any day following, is the perfect opportunity to give that girl you’ve been crushing on some flowers. It will most definitely make her day. For your girlfriend, I would personally recommend some of her favorite candy, a genuine letter or note and her favorite flowers. I love tulips and roses, but there are so many other flowers out there that girls love. Be creative!
Definitely the people that I get to work with both on the team and in the administration. Everybody
With that, who says Valentine’s Day is the only day full of love, flowers and romance? I believe that the energy brought to Valentine’s Day should be kept up all year. With extra love,
is focused on a vision for excellence and it makes things easy. If you were an animal, what kind would you
Dr. Love Love M.D.
be? A lion.
Alpha Sigma’s superb Superbowl Emma Rossi Editor-in-Chief
The men of Alpha Sigma came together to host their annual Superb Owl Party this past Sunday. The end of Greek Unity Week for the fraternities means the Housing Groups take center stage. With the Tri-Rhos lighting up the dance floor at the Extravaganza on Saturday night to the Superb Owl Party on Sunday evening, students had their weekend schedules booked with good old-fashioned Grove City fun. While the name “Superb Owl” may imply that this gathering was in celebration of local extraordinary nocturnal birds of prey, it was actually a Super Bowl watch party. President of Alpha Sigma junior Lee Murray is to thank for the planning of the night’s festivities. Murray joined forces with Alpha Sigma sweetheart Madeline Helm and Dr. Piastro, wife of Alpha Sigma advisor Dr. Jef-
frey Tedford ’00. “Our main contributors were definitely Lee Murray, our president who contacted the pizza vendors, Alpha Sigma sweetheart and Moose Queen Madeline Helm who baked all of the homemade desserts and Dr. Piastro who made lots and lots of buffalo chicken dip,” Alpha Sigma Historian sophomore Matthew Schley said. Students were welcomed into Crawford Auditorium with a spread of Helm’s cookies, chocolate-covered pretzels and cupcakes; three crockpots of Mrs. Tedford’s buffalo chicken dip with chips and 40 pizzas courtesy of Parkhurst Catering. The event brought out almost 200 students. Many were there for the football game, others came for the commercials and some came to cheer for Taylor Swift for each of her 13 on-screen appearances. “The atmosphere was electric,” Schley said. “We had a good balance of football fans and people there to socialize
If you had to play/coach any other sport, which would you choose? I love basketball, and coaching an indoor sport would be nice in Western Pennsylvania. My high school basketball team has won seven of the last 11 state championships, and I like playing still. If you could go back in OLIVIA GRIMES
Members of the Alpha Sigma housing group at their Superb Owl Party. and watch the commercials and halftime show.” Also in attendance were Usher fans and those who heard one of Usher’s songs at the Ganza the night prior and decided to see what he was all about. When asked why there were no superb owls in attendance at their namesakes’ festivities, Schley had an insight into their noticeable absence. “There were no superb owls in attendance because owls are notoriously not big fans of Usher’s music,” the Historian explained.
Despite the lack of firstclass feathered fauna, those in attendance spoke highly of the event. “This was my first year attending the Superb Owl party, so I didn’t know what to expect,” junior Meg Daughtery said. “I was relieved to find there were no real owls in attendance, but the event was ‘superb.’ I was not disappointed. There was good food, and it was fun to hear people cheer and boo and give their commentary about the game and commercials and halftime show.”
From Grove City to Nashville
Mia Gallagher Staff Writer
Nine hours southwest of Grove City College lies Nashville, Tenn. – the country music capital of the world. This iconic city – filled to the brim with star-studded singers, engaging entertainment and memorable musical moments – not only provides up-and-coming performers a forum for creativity but also presents many other exciting job opportunities. Enter Grove City alumna Samantha Funderlich ‘20, who, through her career as an Entertainment Manager,
FUNDERLICH ’20
works behind the scenes to make Nashville the hub of entertainment and excitement it is today. “As an Entertainment Manager, my role is split between venue work and corporate collaboration. For the venue, I am scouting and booking artists for performances every day of the week for two locations: NashHouse and The Row. This ranges from independent musicians next door to International A-Listers like Charles Kelly, Chris Young and Rhett Akins,” Funderlich said. “The other half of venue
work is managing a team of sound engineers and visual technicians. The corporate side is a lot more of your typical business tasks including cross-departmental communication, networking and creative lineup strategy for the month.” In addition to the responsibilities that come with her full-time position with POP Hospitality Group, Funderlich has also had the opportunity to grow her own business, Darkest Valley Management, as well. While balancing two demanding NASHVILLE 9
time, what period would you pick? I would go back to the Wild West and be a rancher. Is there a professional athlete who has inspired you? If so, who? I always loved Muhamed Ali. I wasn’t always the most confident at times so seeing somebody who believed in themselves and what they stood for so passionately was inspiring. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received? I don’t know about best but my old coach told me when I got my first job just keep my mouth shut for the first two weeks. It actually really helped me avoid sounding dumb or overstepping and to find ways to truly be helpful. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? The Greek Isles. It always looks so beautiful, and I love the food.
Through the Lens
Through the lens, Feb. 22, 2019
Page 6
The Collegian, Feb. 16, 2024
For the love of basketball Wolverines take the court on Valentine’s Day
Another basketball season is in the books for the Wolverines. Those in the stands of the Arena have seen competitive passion and sportmanship on full display on the historic court. The energy both teams bring to the court, from the first jump ball to the final buzzer sound, is electric. They play for the love of the game and the love of their teammates, representing well the athletic department’s tradition of excellence. The women and men play their last regular season game tomorrow at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. respectively against the Chatham Cougars.
Text by Emma Rossi, Editor-in-Chief Photos by Grace David, Photo Chief
The Collegian, Feb. 16, 2024
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Perspectives The Collegian, Feb. 16, 2024
Page 8
Death penalty debate A just punishment Etienne Pienaar Contributing Writer Given that someone accused of a capital crime (first-degree murder or other high crimes against humanity) has been convicted by due process of law, they should be executed with swift and humane means. The definition of swift is a oneappeal limit and execution within six months of the guilty verdict. The definition of humane is a reliable and minimally gruesome method that causes death within thirty seconds of being administered. We agreed to the resolution and defined modern United States as our current system of government, which, although subject to imperfections and detestable corruption, nevertheless remains a Constitutional Republic stressing the due process of law. We pursued three headings of argumentation: God’s Law, Natural Law and the Preservation of a Stable Society. While the Mosaic Law is fulfilled in Christ, God’s Law for punishing the intentional murder of humans made in His image is binding upon all times and places. The Creation principle of Imago Dei (Gen. 1:27-28) is powerfully reiterated to Noah post-Flood: “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed; for God made man in His own image.” (Gen. 9:6) These Creation principles were applied in the theocratic state of Israel for pre-meditated murder (Deut. 19:4-13) and in the “eye-foran-eye” principle, the punishment for harming human life should fit the crime (Ex. 21:22-24). In the context of religious persecution, Jesus corrected the Pharisees, who had misconstrued this principle to allow personal vengeance (Matt. 5:38). Modern America is not even close to a theocratic state; however, because of Paul’s clear teaching that God has given the state the “power of the sword…to execute wrath on evildoers,” (Rom. 13) the Creation principle of putting murderers to death still applies. If, allegedly, God’s Law has no bearing on the death penalty in America today, we cannot escape the implications of Natural Law. “We hold these truths to be selfevident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” In the simplest of terms, humans have a right to live. No one, especially not criminals, may take that right to life away without due process. If criminals unjustly take the life of another, they have
committed an injustice by taking someone’s life without due process. Therefore, if they are convicted through due process, they should be executed because they have forfeited their right to life by taking someone else’s. To quote R.C. Sproul, justice is “getting what you deserve.” The victim deserves to be
Just mercy Abigail Kengor
severely corroded. And yes, God
Staff Writer
can provide graces for miraculous conversions in the craziest of crim-
There is a time for the death pen-
inals, and by His grace, the Gospel
alty, but is that time
is hard to avoid. But some crimi-
now?
nals still die unrepentantly.
In the glory days of
A government-ordered towards
medieval and Bibli-
the good of its people should seek
cal
to transmit God’s mercy so they do
e m -
not die unrepentant. In designing effective laws, we should not rely on the miraculous as the normal order of nature; with God instituting government (Romans 13), we should understand He has instituted ways for us to bring His goodness to people by ordinary means. Divine intervention is a special and wonderful thing, and He will use it in His time. But as good stewards of His love, we should seek to inalive, but is dead; meanwhile, the murderer is still alive despite having forfeited that right. To give justice to the victim and the victim’s family, the state must put the murderer to death. The sentence of life in prison is insufficient because it fails to give justice to the victim and the victim’s family while also being a cruel and unusual punishment for the murderer. Finally, the death penalty is necessary for preserving a stable society. Without the death penalty, we rob the victim’s family and friends of justice and encourage vigilante justice such as observed in the Wild West. Some argue the death penalty is not a deterrent for potential murderers. However, in our current system, because convicted murderers have nearly unlimited appeals, the likelihood that someone will be executed is slim to none. The reason the death penalty in modern America doesn’t work as a deterrent is because we don’t use it often enough.
pires and Christian kingdoms, execution was an enactment of divine justice,
stitute His order of good naturally, making room for His mercy. This means giving criminals as
government
much time to repent as possible,
was an institution of di-
rather than executing them and
vine justice. Further, the death
sealing their status on the path
penalty was an incentive
to redemption. I am not limiting
towards repentance. Cer-
God’s power to convert them in-
tain death looming over
stantly but recognizing He likes to
one’s head is due causation
use us to do so. He desires “not the
for contemplation of judg-
death of the sinner” but repentance
ment and remorse for his grave
and life (Ezekiel 18:23). So, if pos-
sin in his final moments.
sible, we should leave it to the Au-
because
the
Our government is not a
thor of Life to take or spare it. Un-
Christian government seek-
less in self-defense, don’t hasten
ing to reflect divine justice,
the condemned’ s death. God can
instituting laws and ways of
take care of that as He will, like at
living oriented towards the
Damascus or with Dismas.
holiness of its people. And its
Speaking of St. Paul, what about
people show it. Take particu-
his passage about “not wielding the
larly the citizens who com-
sword in vain?” Romans 13 is about
mit heinous crimes putting
obeying governmental authority.
them on death row: how
While the government has author-
many of them were raised
ity, this does not exonerate every
with a loving mother teach-
authoritative action; otherwise, we
ing them to say their prayers
arrive at the divine right of kings.
at night, Sunday school or
The government also must wield
VeggieTales? How is some-
the sword well, and it is on our
Swift, terrifying punish-
one raised in the moral
government’s appropriate use of
ment for capital crimes
darkness and corruption of
authority that this debate falls.
will put a deterring fear in
gangsters, drugs and abuse
Finally, we deal with “life for life.”
the hearts of potential mur-
from infancy, completely
We killed Jesus on the Cross, and
derers. In our current sys-
separated from the Gospel,
yet by that very death, He spared
tem, it is also possible for
expected to contemplate
our life. This is the forgiveness and
convicted murderers to
the Four Last Things as he
mercy He has shown us, not disre-
confronts the first of them,
garding justice. This brings us to
and come to repentance of
forgiveness. If the fact that your
his crimes in his final mo-
brother’s murderer has been killed
ments?
puts your heart at rest, this is not
Matt Walsh, if we have more
Don’t misunderstand me,
necessarily the virtue of justice; it
compassion for criminals
we all have natural law in-
may be the vice of revengefulness.
than for innocent people,
stilled in our hearts directing
Tread carefully, for you deal not
then we are being cruel to the
us away from grave crimes,
only with man’s body but man’s
get out on parole, a situation that occurs with approximately eight percent of
convicted
murderers
in America. To paraphrase
community at large.
but moral compasses can become
soul.
The previous is a summary of the arguments presented by Etienne Pienaar, Lucy Tuttle, Abigail Kengor and Dan Peterson on Thursday, Feb. 8th, 2024, at a debate hosted by the GCC Socratic Club.
The Collegian, Feb. 16, 2024
Page 9
Word on the street...
What’s the worst way to spend Valentine’s Day? Elijah Snow ‘27
TRUMP.NEWS
Biden’s cognitive challenge Hunter Oswald Staff Writer
Well, it appears the question many Americans are wondering these days is whether or not President Biden knows what is going on or not. When looking at the past week, it was quite clear that Biden and his advisors did not know what they were doing. On Feb. 5, a report by the U.S. Department of Justice was released regarding the investigation of President Biden for obtaining and holding classified documents at his private residence in Delaware and the Penn Biden Center. The report gained major attention after the report’s author, Special Counsel Robert Hur, mentioned Biden’s questionable cognitive state. As Hur stated, “We have also considered that, at trial, Mr. Biden would likely present himself to a jury, as he did during our interview of him, as a sympathetic, well-mean-
NASHVILLE
continued from 9
jobs may be difficult at times, Funderlich has risen to the challenge with excitement and optimism for what the Lord has in store. “Being able to interact with people all day, every day is definitely the best part of working in venue and talent management. I try to see every interaction as an opportunity to love and impact others. Building relationships with them and hearing about their lives has taught me to treasure perspectives and be more apt to ask questions before jumping to judgment on any situation,” Funderlich said. While at the College, Funderlich majored in English and participated in a handful of extracurriculars – symphonic orchestra, theater stage crew and secretary for Sigma Theta Chi, to name a few. But her college experience that contributed most to her career success came from a faculty mentor and one extremely formative class: “I honestly would not have achieved anything in my career if Dr. Cedric Lewis had not been at Grove City and offered Music Marketing. After this class, he helped me get an internship with a small label in Ohio and met with me weekly to chat about artist management and provide wisdom I still lean on in my day-to-day work. After grad-
ing, elderly man with a poor memory. Based on our direct interactions with and observations of him, he is someone for whom many jurors will want to identify reasonable doubt. It would be difficult to convince a jury that they should convict him by then a former president well into his eighties-of a serious felony that requires a mental state of willfulness.” Upon Hur claiming Biden’s poor memory would not get him a guilty verdict, Biden called for a press conference where he angrily stated, “I’m well-meaning and I’m an elderly man and I know what the hell I’m doing,” and declared that his “memory is fine.” Despite some of Biden’s advisors and strategists seeking to downplay the whole episode, the situation is clearly a lose-lose situation for Biden. The fact that the report declares Biden as a senile man followed by Biden’s own aggressive response to the report, creates a conflicting story which Biden cannot recover from. If Biden is aware of his actions and remembers taking classified uation, he was always available for calls or any help I needed with client contracts. Dr. Lewis is truly a blessing,” Funderlich said. Funderlich’s story not only illustrates her determination to make a name for herself in a competitive industry but the depth of her faith and character as well. Let it be a lesson for all current Grove City students to explore, find your vocation and lean on mentors and others, as Funderlich did, to achieve your career dreams. “For anyone looking to hop into the entertainment industry, go talk to Dr. Lewis, seriously! Remember, the worst someone can say is “no,” so reach out to people who have jobs you like and ask lots of questions! Otherwise, just be kind and don’t forget that if you’re meant to work in the industry, God will make it happen, probably in ways you’d never expect,” Funderlich said. “Be kind. Be willing to learn. Remember, everyone’s path looks different so don’t be quick to compare! And lean on God and those you love when you need some help.”jobs may be difficult at times, Funderlich has risen to the challenge with excitement and optimism for what the Lord has in store.
information to his private residence, then this merely confirms Americans’ distrust of him and further solidifies the claim that Biden and his family are nothing more than exploitative criminals. If Biden is as Hur portrays him to be, an old man with a poor memory, then this report merely confirms Biden’s mental decline that has been noticed over the past several years. Besides the clear setback to Biden’s credibility of his cognitive awareness, the report will likely cause damage for Biden in terms of his family’s current legal problems and ongoing speculation regarding impeachment. Now, some might wonder what any of the family’s legal problems or impeachment have anything to do with the DOJ report or his press conference. Well, the answer is that the situation will play a significant part in addressing whether or not Biden knowingly and willfully assisted in criminal acts. The major skepticism surrounding the Department of Justices’ handling with the ongoing investigation of Hunter Biden for
tax evasion and obtaining a firearm illegally has since generated suspicion that the DOJ and Attorney General Merrick Garland are covering for Biden. With Biden declaring he has no memory issues and is fully aware of what he’s doing, then this makes Biden’s complicity with his son’s schemes even more probable, which is further illustrated by existing evidence of his involvement in his son’s foreign dealings with the nickname “the big guy.” When looking at the issue of impeachment, the fact that Hur stated they couldn’t prosecute him because they believed they couldn’t get a guilty verdict brings a great deal of suspicion that Garland is willfully hiding evidence, thus obstructing justice, on Biden’s behalf. While the whole situation puts Biden and his associates in trouble, Americans must stand for the rule of law and remember that no one, regardless of their position or circumstance, is above the law.
The Worst Way to Spend Valentine’s Day Alexandra Frank Contributing Writer The worst way to spend a Valentine’s day Is in the library, scribbling away Fluorescent lights in place of moonbeams Gloom, not sunlight, through the window streams You crack open a hefty book on Descartes Feeling tired rather than fluttery in the heart Suddenly—a note is placed upon your desk By a mysterious and unseen romantic guest You quickly unfold it, with anticipation It says: “What’s the answer to this equation?” Defeated, you have been labeled “tutor” Instead of sought out by a handsome suitor So, with a sigh, you shelve your books And avert your eyes from the flirty looks The worst way to spend a Valentine’s Is tucked away in Academia’s confines
Many believe the worst way to spend Valentine’s Day is alone. That ominous word. So many are bothered and so many are disturbed by it. Maybe you just had a heartbreak or maybe you have spent every Valentine’s Day on your own. To me, I believe this is a wonderful way to grow and find yourself. A wise man by the name of Matthew McConaughey once said, “Spending time alone and not enjoying the company is a healthy, constructive practice because there’s only one person we’re stuck with in this life.” This is the way I would encourage others to spend this coming holiday because the most important thing you can do in this life is to prioritize who you are and who you want to be. Sarah Barker ‘25 Having dinner with your dog at a red carpet restaurant.He’s wearing a bowtie. It is less than ideal. Emily Stoll ‘25 As someone who loves Valentine’s Day, as cliché as it sounds, I think the worst way to spend Valentine’s Day is sad. I know it’s tempting to get down in the dumps if you’re single on this day, but the way I see it is an excuse to treat yourself or a friend to a box of chocolates or a good coffee! Don’t spend Valentine’s Day alone, even if you’re not in a relationship! Spend it with friends or family who bring you joy! Helena Ritenour ‘25 The worst way to spend Valentine’s Day is finding out that your long distance boyfriend can’t come see you because his car is broken. True story. Samuel Hertzer ‘24: The worst way to spend Va l e n t i n e ’s Day? Probably being beaten with clubs and beheaded for not renouncing your Christian faith, because that’s how Saint Valentine himself spent February 14th oh so many years ago.
Entertainment The Collegian, Feb. 16, 2024
Page 10
‘True Detective’ returns to roots David Smith
Show’s fourth season heads north to Alaska
Staff Writer
The new season of “True Detective” titled “Night Country,” is a return to form, although Nic Pizzolatto did not create it. Though Pizzolatto’s absence is noticeable, Issa Lopez carries the torch well. Unlike seasons two and three, season four incorporates supernatural elements to the murder mystery like the infamous first season. “Night Country” stars Jodie Foster and Kali Reis as Detectives Liz Danvers and Evangeline Navarro. The season takes place in the fictional town of Ennis, Alaska, and follows the investigation behind the disappearance of eight scientists from a research station. Season 4 is also garnering excellent reviews, currently holding a 93 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 67 percent rating from the audience. Both ratings are the best since the first season. In fact, critics are also deeming “Night Country” the best installment of
FILM SCHOOL REJECTS
“True Detective” since season one. What makes “Night Country” so unique compared to the previous three seasons is that it is influenced by great works of film. In an interview with The A.V. Club, Lopez credited John Carpenter’s “The Thing,” the Overlook Hotel from Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining,” and the spacecraft Nostromo from Ridley Scott’s “Alien” as inspiration. Lopez was also inspired by the Billie Eilish song “bury
a friend,” which serves as the theme song for the show due to thematic similarities between the song and the “Night Country” screenplay show. The shakeup of gender roles in “Night Country” works out well, illustrating the diverse world of crime investigations and Alaska. The feminist revision of “True Detective” also illustrates the complexities of the police force and the complexities of the relationships between
Yeah! Usher, Usher, Usher stuns at the Superbowl Emma Rossi Editor-in-Chief
Super Bowl Sunday has a little something for everyone. Some people watch for the commercials, some for the football and others watch for the halftime show. Usher delivered more than a little something for the latter, putting on an epic performance featuring Alicia Keys, Ludacris, will.i.am. and even H.E.R. with an electrifying guitar solo. The performance combined elements of both the opulent Las Vegas backdrop, where the Super Bowl was played this year, and blinged-out tropes of the traditional football uniforms and marching band halftime routines. The first song in the set was Usher’s “Caught Up”, which was paired with a dazzling dance routine from and entourage of Vegas showgirls, a full marching band and his own backup dancers dressed in all white. He transitioned to his slower songs by welcoming Alicia Keys to the stage amid a swirl of red fabric that matched Keys’ crystal-coated crimson catsuit. The duo was reunited 20 years after their hit “My Boo” was released, the very song they sang together in front of a sculpturesque grand piano. From there, Usher strutted the stage right into his next hit, “Confessions” which was introduced by 2000s rap hall of famer Jermaine Dupri. Usher expedited his costume change by stripping his shirt off before disappearing
from the stage to give R&B icon H.E.R. the spotlight for her guitar solo. H.E.R. shredded on her bright-red Strata, giving Usher’s hit “Bad Girl” an electric sound that welcomed will.i.am to the stage. A newly costumed Usher, dressed in a jumpsuit inspired by football pads, spun onto the stage in roller skates, joining will.i.am and a full crew of skating dancers to sing “OMG.” To close his star-studded performance, Lil John, Ludacris and Jermaine Dupri joined in their own blue suits to round out Usher’s career hit set list with “Yeah!” This last track served as the perfect capstone for a concert that personified the era of Usher and his music. The concert was only fifteen minutes long, but within that time, the stars on stage and the decked-out dancers created a scene similar to that of the Vegas Strip. The set had several moving parts making it impossible to see everything at once. The opulence and glamour of the city’s showy culture paired with the signature style and sound of 2000s Hip-Hop and R&B suited the stadium’s atmosphere perfectly. The theatrics were taken to new levels with the surprise appearance of Jackson State University’s marching band, Sonic Boom of the South. While college marching bands are no stranger to the
halftime show’s stage, the 300-member Sonic Boom brought the distinctly American sport’s sound to life. The use of drone cameras gave those watching at home a stadium view of the band’s choreography. The band surrounded the stage, marching in various formations, including one that spelled out “Usher.” The concert was an aesthetic collaboration between Kim Kardashian’s brand Skims, designer Virgil Abloh, his Off-White team and Dolce & Gabbana. Usher’s halftime show precedes his upcoming tour Past Present Future, which begins in May of this year.
men and women. The relationships between men and women in the show are often strained and unfulfilling. Jodie Foster’s character, Liz Danvers, functions as the anti-hero of the show. She is a hardened cop in a bluecollar community. This is, perhaps, Foster’s best acting role since “The Silence of the Lambs.” Although the setting is dark, bleak and frigid, people are constantly hustling and bustling around town. That does not mean that they
are doing proper things, but the townspeople are as integral to the show as much as the detectives. So far in the series Danvers and Navarro have played by the book, but with the last few episodes, things are about to change. The themes in season four are quite compelling and, to some extent, transcend the themes from the previous seasons. Lopez is coy about whether the police, scientists and Indigenous Alaskans who consume the story are dealing with malevolent spirits. Regardless, Lopez incorporates horror elements seamlessly. It is almost as if John Carpenter directed it himself. From a macro point of view, “Night Country” offers plenty of interesting aspects; however, the individual characters and relationships are more foreboding than they are alluring. “Night Country” is currently streaming on Max and HBO. The sixth and final episode will air on Feb. 18.
4 albums of 2024 Dom Puglisi Staff Writer
Here are the four albums that I am anticipating the most and which I think one should keep a lookout for in 2024:
“Only God Was Above Us” by Vampire Weekend Vampire Weekend as a full band has not released an album in 11 years. In the 2010s, the band was on top of the alternative rock world after releasing an iconic and boundary-pushing trilogy of albums defining a whole era of this genre. After such a long wait, I have no idea what this album will sound like, but I guarantee it will be an eclectic mix of music from across the globe united under the snarky yet poetic lyrics of frontman Ezra Koenig.
JID and Metro Boomin Collab Album This album is extremely exciting to me as it will present the meeting of a skillful rapper and producer at the peak of their powers. JID’s 2022 album “The Forever Story” was a masterclass showcase of lyrical ballads on street life and gymnastic flows devouring the beats. Speaking of beats, Metro Boomin’s album “Heroes and Villains” recently had multiple live performances in which Metro’s beats were
arranged into lush orchestral performances. With the hot streak these two have been on individually, this album is practically guaranteed to be spectacular.
“Loss of Life” by MGMT Synth-pop pioneers MGMT have been fairly quiet since their comeback album “Little Dark Age” in 2018. Since then, their music has become very popular with the younger generation, especially through the TikTokification of some of their greatest hits. I am very interested to see how they will respond to this resurgence in popularity, especially with the more acoustic sound of the single “Mother Nature” differing greatly from their most popular songs.
“The Tortured Poets Department” by Taylor Swift When an artist is literally on top of the world, touring across the globe and at the center of practically all media attention, what direction do they take their music in? This is what intrigues me most about Taylor Swift’s newest project: will she embrace more stadium pop or go back into her singer-songwriter bag? With the type of extremely dedicated fan base she has, she is free to take her music in any direction and expect support, a kind of artistic freedom many pop stars are not able to enjoy. An intriguing prospect for sure.
Sports The Collegian, Feb. 16, 2024
Page 11
Sports at a Glance Results
Women’s Basketball (11-13): Loss, vs Washington & Jefferson (60-53) Win, at Thiel (100-63) Win, at Waynesburg (80-42)
Men’s Basketball (13-11):
Win, vs Washington & Jefferson (80-75) Win, at Thiel (59-52) Loss, at Waynesburg (61-43)
Men’s Lacrosse (1-1): Win, at Bethany (26-1)
Loss, at Salisbury (17-11) Junior guard Chase Yarberough in the 80-75 victory over Washington & Jefferson
GRACE DAVID
Wolverine basketball clinches playoff seed
Garrett Gess Staff Writer
The men and women’s basketball teams have clinched a spot in the PAC playoffs. For the men’s team, they are heading into the playoffs with momentum after a late-game win on the road against Theil and a victory at home over Washington & Jefferson. The Wolverines took down Washington & Jefferson 80-75 at home, to improve to 9-10 in the PAC, 5th in the standings. Lead by Junior guard Chase Yarberough, who scored 28 points, the Wolverines claimed their playoff seed with one more regular season game remaining. Following Yarberough in scoring was sophomore guard Mike Christenson who claimed 17 points for the team and freshman center Isaac Cherry with 12. The men executed a comeback at Thiel in the final minutes to win 59-52. Despite trailing 51-48 with less than two minutes remaining, the Wolverines rallied as Christenson tied the score at 51-51 with a clutch three-pointer. Following a crucial defensive stop, Christenson broke the tie with a 15-foot jumper at the 1:00 mark, and junior forward Jaxon Weyforth extended the possession with an offensive rebound. Yarberough played a pivotal role in securing the win, going 4
TRACK & FIELD continued from 12
record for the indoor distance medley relay, beating the previous record by 38 seconds. For the 1600 relay, junior Carolyn Colteryahn, sophomore Audrey Karwowski, junior Natalie Minnaar and Bennett, timed in at four minutes and 13.36 seconds for ninth place. As the indoor season ends, a new competition will take place for some of these athletes. The All-Atlantic Region Track and Field Conference (AARTFC) has already begun deliberating which student-athletes to invite to
for 4 at the foul line in the final minute. Christenson, who led the Wolverines with twelve points, also contributed with two successful free throws in the closing moments. The men’s strong defensive performance held Thiel to 32 percent shooting, while the Wolverines shot 35 percent from the field. The team also dominated the boards, out-rebounding Thiel 43-39, with Cherry leading the way with seven rebounds. Yarberough contributed six rebounds. Cherry showcased his defensive skills with four rebounds and three blocked shots, while Yarberough recorded three steals. The women lost in a home game against Washington & Jefferson 60-53, dropping to 10-9 in PAC play. The women outpaced Washington & Jefferson in rebounds with 52. However, last week was complete domination when they won on the road at Thiel with a historic 100-point total, winning 100-63. Grove City saw a standout performance from junior guard Jaden Davinsizer, who contributed a team-leading 16 points in the recent game. Three teammates also made significant scoring contributions, with senior forward Kat Goetz posting 15 points, junior guard Mara Polczynski adding 11 points, and sophomore guard Reese
Hasley tossing in 10 points on an efficient 4-of-6 shooting. From the outset, Grove City took control, establishing a 9-0 lead and maintaining the advantage throughout the game. The Wolverines dominated the first quarter with a 27-9 lead and continued their strong performance into halftime, leading 52-23. In terms of shooting accuracy, Grove City showcased a 49 percent success rate, making 39 of 80 attempts from the field. The team also asserted its dominance on the boards, amassing a commanding 55-23 rebounding edge. Grove City secured 26 offensive rebounds, while Thiel managed 18 defensive boards. Goetz led the rebounding effort with eight boards, and Hasley contributed seven rebounds along with seven assists. Freshman guard Alexa McDole added three assists to the team’s performance. Polczynski and freshman guard Bethany Thompson each recorded three steals. Despite the assertive play, Grove City maintained good ball control, finishing the game with only nine turnovers, compared to Thiel’s 16 turnovers. The game concluded with a comprehensive victory for Grove City. They play Chatham for their regular season finale tomorrow on 1 p.m.
the annual AARTFC indoor championship. This event consists of DIII colleges from the Metro, Mideast, Mid-Atlantic and Niagra regions. This year, the AARTFC championship will take place at Nazareth University on March 1 and 2. Several Wolverines have qualified for the AARTFC. Bennett, Mitchell and Gustafson were some of the first to qualify with great performances at the Youngstown State University (YSU) Icebreaker Invitational held in December. Senior Gabe Dunlap would later qualify for the heptathlon for his effort in the YSU Mid-Major event.
Most recently, Petucci and the women’s distance medley relay, consisting of Smith, Karwowski, Bennett and Herrmann, earned a qualifying spot after last week’s SPIRE Invitational. The Wolverines will return to the SPIRE Institute for another invitational in Geneva, Ohio. This will be the last regular indoor invitational before the indoor track and field PAC Championship at 1 p.m. on Feb 22 in Youngstown, Ohio. The Wolverines will then resume their season outdoors at the West Virginia Invitational on March 16 in Morgantown, West Virginia.
Upcoming
Women’s Basketball: Feb. 17, 3 p.m. vs Chatham
Men’s Basketball:
Feb. 17, 1 p.m. vs Chatham
Water Polo:
Feb. 25, 7 p.m. at Queen’s Feb. 26, TBA at Ottowa Feb. 27, TBA at Carleton
Men’s Lacrosse: Feb. 17, 3 p.m. vs Ohio Weslyan Feb. 20, 4 p.m. vs Thiel Feb. 24, 12 p.m. at R.I.T.
Women’s Lacrosse: Feb. 20, 5 p.m. at Baldwin Wallace Feb. 26, TBA at Warner Mar. 1,TBA at Gordan
Baseball:
Feb. 16, 5 p.m. at Berea Feb. 17, 3 p.m. at DePauw Feb. 17, 6 p.m. at Kenyon
Men & Women’s Track & Field: Feb. 17, 10 a.m. at S.P.I.R.E. Invitational Feb. 22, 1 p.m. at Indoor PAC Championship Mar. 16, TBA at West Virginia Invitational
Men’s Tennis:
Feb. 16, 3 p.m. at South Virginia Feb. 17, TBA at Randolph Feb. 23, 4 p.m. at Wilkes
Softball:
Mar. 14, 3 p.m. at Penn State Altoona Mar. 22, 3:30 p.m. vs Pitt-Bradford Mar 23., 1 p.m. vs Geneva
Men & Women’s Swim & Dive: Feb. 16, 5:30 p.m. vs PAC Championship Feb. 17, 5:30 p.m. vs PAC Championship
WOLVERINE WEEKLY HONORS
Kat Goetz Women’s Basketball Player of the Week
Nick Petucci Men’s Track & Field Field Athlete of the Week
Sports The Collegian, Feb. 16, 2024
Page 12
Spring sports roundup
Lacrosse enters third season of action Joel Sledd Sports Editor
Three years ago, the Grove City College Athletic Department announced the introduction of a new team. Now entering their third year of contention, the women’s lacrosse team looks forward to bringing a new kind of competition to the PAC and building upon the foundation laid in the previous two seasons. Third year Head Coach Cassley Jackowski hopes to bring the Wolverines deeper into the postseason. “We are always changing and evolving as the program grows. We are more experienced so naturally everything is coming a bit easier than before. We are more aggressive defensively this year and offensively we are more creative and have a better understanding of our systems,” Jackowski said. The team introduces three
new freshmen to the roster: attackers Taylor Blythe and Gwen Shilling and midfielder Tori Stevenson. With plenty of returning players to lead the way, the Wolverines aim to be more aggressive this year. The Wolverines were ranked fourth in the PAC pre-season poll. At the top of the board is the reigning champion Washington & Jefferson followed by Allegheny in second. Starting off the 2024 season at Baldwin Wallace, Grove City will then travel to Clearwater, Fla. to compete against Warner and Gordan College. The first home game of the season will take place on March 9 against Oswego State and conference play will not begin until March 27. At 5 p.m. on Feb 27, the women will travel to Berea, Ohio to play Baldwin Wallace on Tressel Field.
A pack of Wolverines on the attack in the 2023 season
GRACE DAVID
Returning to defend the diamond Joel Sledd Sports Editor
GRACE DAVID
Junior outfielder Bryce Tagliatella at bat in the 2023 season.
With the onset of spring comes a new season of Wolverines baseball. The team, led by returning head coach Matt Royer, is expecting a ruthless season with a series of tough non-conference games. They start their regular season with a three-game series in Berea, Ky., and then participate in the annual RussMatt Invitational in Florida. The Wolverines welcomed 15 new freshmen to the team, nine of whom are pitchers. “I love working with freshmen. Most people think it’s challenging, but they really listen, they do what we ask and they’re working hard at it and improving. Good pitching is hard to find, but these guys are stepping up and improving,”
Royer said. Also joining the team this year is new assistant coach Ryan Kalbfus. Coach Kalbfus is an alumnus of Gannon University, where he played for six years. He will fill Coach Kyla Sasala’s role while he is coaching the AAA Portland Sea Dogs. The next generation of leaders has been stepping up to fill gaps from last year’s large senior class. “From a leadership standpoint, they will be missed, but I think now we have a good team chemistry and they left us in a good spot that we can just pick up from where we left off,” senior pitcher Nick Guidas said. Competition has gotten even tougher this year as the PAC has expanded the playoffs from four teams to six allowed in the postseason. The playoffs will also be a double-
elimination style tournament for the first time this season. The Wolverines were ranked second in the PAC preseason poll with Washington & Jefferson leading the conference. In previous years, the conference has always been a close race between Washington & Jefferson and the Wolverines with a distant thirdplace team. This year, Royer and his team are hoping to surpass the PAC competition and make a deep run into the DIII tournament. The 2024 season starts today at 5 p.m. as the Wolverines travel to Berea, Ky. to compete against Berea College. The Wolverines will stay overnight to play in a double header tomorrow, starting with DePauw University at 3 p.m. and Kenyon College at 6 p.m.
Joel Sledd
as well in the pole vault, setting yet another school record with a 13 feet 5 ¼ inch mark. On the track, sophomore Alex Mitchell took fifth overall and first for DIII athletes in the 400 meters. The distance medley relay team made up of senior Nick Mady, sophomore Isaac Busler, freshman Max Ware and freshman James Yoho took fifth for the distance medley relay. The women started with an impressive performance in the distance medley relay team placing second overall with a time of 12 minutes and 25.32 seconds. Freshman Annie Herrmann and juniors Lydia Bennett, Kaylynn Johnson and Grace Smith performed well enough to set a school
Wolverines tennis Track & field nearing end return to the court of indoor play Haley Vaughn
Contributing Writer As the season approaches, Head Coach Nathaniel Horner and his team are working hard. With only two seniors graduating from last year’s lineup, Horner is hopeful regarding the 2024 roster. “We lost two great seniors who moved onto new chapters of life and are doing well. This year, we have a big senior class of four young men who are loaded with talent and phenomenal leadership qualities. It’s always sad to lose seniors, but we have a culture that allows these guys to step up and fill in” he said. The team welcomes three freshmen, Eric Jordan, Jose Pablo Leon and Rodrigo Galvez Morales. “They are absolutely fantastic and such a joy to be around. All three have grit
and determination to get better, great work ethic and are wonderful assets to the team,” senior co-captain Collier Kaufman said. Off-season practices prompted high hopes for Coach Horner regarding the upcoming season. “Off-season went great. It really shows you what guys are serious—you really find out where your investment in the program is. Off-season is where nobody is watching you put the work in. Time will tell. You don’t really know what the guys did until you see them practice,” said Horner. The Wolverines are headed to Buena Vista, Virginia to take on Southern Virginia University and Randolph College. “Both teams are talented, and we’re excited for the challenge,” Horner said. An upcoming match to
look forward to is against Allegheny College. “Allegheny is the biggest match for sure. We played them in the finals and lost, any match is crucial in practicing to go against them” Kaufman said. Coach Horner is already working to ready the team for the PAC Championship stating, “We are preparing hard. This year is the toughest schedule since I’ve been here. A lot of men’s PAC teams have depth and have gotten better. There are a lot of teams with new coaches and players. We’re playing a lot of tough matches to prepare for the unknown. We just need to make sure we’re good and ready to go. It doesn’t matter who they are and what they’ve got.” The Wolverines will play their first match at 3 p.m. in Buena Vista, Va. against Southern Virginia on Feb. 16.
Sports Editor
The indoor track and field season for the Wolverines is coming to a close. The men and women of Grove City College traveled to Geneva, Ohio last Saturday for the SPIRE Invitational where they faced off against dozens of opposing teams. For the men, the Wolverines had placed fifth in three events to earn first among DIII athletes. On the field, junior Nick Petucci lead all DIII athletes in the triple jump with 44 feet and 6 ¼ inch leap to place fifth overall and set a new school record. Similarly, senior Nick Gustafson placed eighth overall for the shotput with a 49 feet 1 ¾ inch throw to take first for DIII athletes. Sophomore Michael Chambers would finish first for DIII athletes
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