The Collegian, Oct. 24, 2025

College urges Omnilert signups Campus Safety encourages phone number registration

Matthew Purucker News Editor

Grove City College is encouraging students and faculty to sign up for text message alerts from Omnilert.

Omnilert is the emergency notification system the college uses to warn the campus community about concerns ranging from weather emergencies to swatting calls.

According to a Tuesday email from Director of Campus Safety Seth Van Til, “a severe weather warning, gas leak, fire, bomb threat, crime watch, power failure or other event” are all dangers Omnilert can quickly report to students and college employees, instructing

them on what to do.

“We use it to communicate information that is critical for the community to know,” Van Til said.

As part of this campaign, the college is running a test of the Omnilert system at 11:50 a.m. on Friday. The test involves sending an Omnilert message to email addresses and phone numbers in the system and activating the on-campus siren to alert people who are outside on campus.

“In an emergency, these messages provide critical information to the community,” Van Til said. “They contain the most up-to-date information available to the college.”

In the Tuesday email, Van

Til also encouraged students and college employees to ensure their contact information is correct and in the Omnilert system ahead of Friday’s test. He added steps to make sure students and faculty could receive text alerts at the end of the email.

“The only way to receive voice or text messages in an emergency is to follow the process outlined (in the email) to add your phone and text number and complete the verification process,” Van Til said. “If you do not follow all steps and verify your number, it will not be added to the system.”

“All student emails are en-

Homecoming parade 2025

Holleman engages with students

Julia Kramer

Contributing Writer

It’s not every day that someone has the chance to sit around a table and enjoy a conversation with an award-winning novelist. However, that is exactly the opportunity had by students at Grove City College. Heather Holleman, winner of Christianity Today’s 2024 Book Awards for her novel

“This Seat’s Saved,” held a workshop on campus on Oct. 14 and spoke for Wednesday chapel on Oct. 15.

“As a fellow writing profes-

sor, I had heard for some time about her work,” Adam Loretto, associate professor of English, said. “We had the opportunity to meet in State College in the last year, and we connected immediately over our mutual profession and love for Grove City. The research she has done and the particular expertise she has as a writer and instructor are helpful only for how they help us see Jesus better.”

Noting this passion, Loretto and Chaplain Donald Opitz looked to bring Holleman to Grove City.

Advertised just days in advance, and with fall break approaching, attendance for her workshop was low, but it provided the students who came with a one-of-a-kind opportunity. Not pressed for time or forced to divide attention between many people, Holleman could answer individual questions and foster an intimate time of reading and discussion about her novel, the science of narrative formation and the logistics of publishing.

Holleman read from her book, bringing alive the story of Elita Brown, a sev-

enth-grade girl whose misadventures begin when she could not sit at what she said was the “popular table.” However, as Holleman reached this scene, she set the book down with a laugh and asked the discussion circle for its thoughts.

This discussion moved from her novel to how the students could go about writing their own.

“Young adults, especially young girls, struggle violently with the need to look like the popular kids and have access to the ‘inner ring,’ and I think

HOLLEMAN 10

Grove is Hidden Gem

Emily Fox Editor-in-Chief

Grove City College is Pennsylvania’s top “Hidden Gem,” according to Citizens’ College Raptor online ranking service. College Raptor, which ranks the best colleges in the United States using data publicly available through the National Center for Education Statistics, defines its Hidden Gems as “lesser-known colleges that provide an excellent education to their students.”

Grove City was ranked second among national Hidden Gems. The college was ranked No. 1 of the 25 NCAA Division III Hidden Gems. It was also ranked No. 1 of the 24 private not-for-profit Hidden Gems, No. 1 of seven Hidden Gems in the mid-east U.S. – Delaware, Washington D.C., Maryland, New Jersey, New York and GEM 10

Paul Ryan named Reagan speaker

GCC

The Institute for Faith & Freedom at Grove City College will welcome Paul Ryan, former speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, as the featured guest at the 18th annual Ronald Reagan Lecture at 7 p.m. on Nov. 6 in the auditorium of Crawford Hall on campus. Ryan represented Wisconsin’s 1st District for 20 years and served as speaker from 2015 to 2019.

Known as a “deficit hawk,” he was the Republican vice-presidential nominee in 2012.

REAGAN 10

GCC CAMPUS SAFETY INSTAGRAM

Campus Safety and state and local responders debriefed after the Sept. 28 swatting incident. Now, the college urges students to upload their contact information to the Omnilert system.

OMNILERT 10

MARA BRAK

The Sigma Delta Phi sorority and Phi Tau fraternity built a float inspired “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish” for the Dr. Seuss themed Homecoming parade on Oct. 11. The bubbles coming from the float made it a favorite among student photographers.

From the Tower

Formation in floundering

Perhaps the only Taylor Swift lyrics I’ve truly related to are from her song “Nothing New:” “How can a person know everything at 18 but nothing at 22?”

In anticipation of my graduation this year, I keep finding myself looking back at my freshman self, who, in hindsight, seemed so confident and capable. I remember pulling all-nighters like they were nothing and taking up extracurriculars like it didn’t faze me at all. I now find myself thinking that my freshman self could do all the things my junior self is unable to accomplish.

I assume I’m not the only one, either. The pace of college comes with many successes, but also countless low grades, awkward interactions, missed opportunities and humiliating moments. Three or four years’ worth of these experiences and the realization of failure that comes with them wears on the confidence of all students.

Each rejection from an opportunity that was thought to be guaranteed, every relationship breakup that seems far too personal to be fair and each instance where willpower proves to be inadequate chips away at the ego that most 18-yearolds enter college with. The world, which was once our oyster, proves bigger and tougher than we ever thought, and we ourselves are so small.

But perhaps there is something wonderful about that. Maybe every time we trip in front of a professor, give an answer in class that is wildly incorrect or get stood up for a meal date, we are blessedly reminded of our smallness and our humanity, which demand dependence. These minor defeats and frustrations can serve us if we let them teach us humility instead of growing bitter toward ourselves and our limits. It is good for every individual to feel the weight of their fallibility at times and to recognize that we are not perfectly reliable, even to ourselves.

The more we do, the more we will fail, and utter stagnancy is too high a price to pay to completely avoid mistakes and embarrassments. Both failures we are culpable of and accidents we couldn’t have anticipated break down our youth-induced ego, and for those of us who truly want to learn, this is beneficial rather than degrading.

Not much can be learned when we regard ourselves as altogether capable, for intentional learning requires recognition of the gap between where you are and where you want to be. It seems then that college, with the frequent failings and floundering it entails, teaches us to be students of life who are eager for growth.

If we let the distinction between us and those we look up to motivate us to learn rather than cripple us in insecurity, we will develop a skill that will be applicable throughout our entire lives. It is no secret that everyone makes mistakes, so it seems better to invest in learning the art of letting our errors have a positive impact and push us to grow rather than investing in the pursuit of trying to eradicate every failing and facing self-inflicted chastisement each time we fumble.

While “knowing everything at 18 but nothing at 22” is supposed to imply regression, it gives us an acceptance of our need for more learning, which in its own way is progression.

It seems there is also something to be said about not taking yourself too seriously. If the embarrassment of faceplanting in SHAL Courtyard or getting a C- on your transcript is what it takes to strip you off a pedestal and actively pursue learning, then, in time, these experiences will be well worth it.

Kathryna Hoyman Managing Editor

Collegian Staff

Emily Fox

Editor-in-Chief

Editorial Board

Matthew Purucker

News Editor

Catharine Runion

Community Editor

Christa Bashinski

Entertainment Editor

John Hatzis

Perspectives Editor

Mia Gallagher

Sports Editor

Staff Writers

Mara Brak

Madelyn Braho

Anastasia Brown

Randall Elvin

Alexandria Fox

Natalie Hanna

Andrew Hutchinson

Editing

Olivia Emerick

Copy Chief

Copy Editors

Anna Kasianides

Kendall Lambrect

Jaci Morell

Bonnie Pittman

Campbell Wiersma

My change of heart

Prioritizing life-giving activities

John

Hatzis Perspectives Editor

A major focus of the Grove City College community is reflecting on our culture of busyness. As an avid reader of The Collegian and Cogitare Magazine, I have seen more pieces on this subject than any other. I am not even the first to write an editorial on the topic this semester.

Kathryna Hoyman Managing Editor

Art & Photography

Luke Paglia Photo Chief

Bernie Komoroski

Comic Strip Artist

Staff Photographers

Mara Brak John Hake

Advertising

John Remaniak

Business Manager

Tava Derr

Social Media Manager

Advisory

Nick Hildebrand Staff Advisor

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.

I do not pretend to have any original insights, nor do I claim to be the most eloquent spokesman against “Grover-achieving” (for original and eloquent insights, I suggest reading Anastasia Brown’s “Staying Quietly in My Room” or Austin Zeilstra’s “Celebrating Our Numbered Days” on the Cogitare Magazine website). But I can provide a few anecdotes that have caused a change of heart on this subject.

I recently asked a few friends of mine to tell me what activity on campus they find most rewarding. All the answers were surprising in their own ways, but the most striking answer was the activity of uplifting brothers struggling to break cycles of sin.

Even more striking was my friend’s explanation that God was putting this service to others on his heart. Since I live to cushion my LinkedIn page, I found my friend’s answer deeply convicting. God speaks to people like that? And people listen? How incredible! (I have had many moments akin

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to this here – we vastly undersell how blessed this place is).

My friend’s answer sparked the realization that God has perhaps been putting things on my own heart, but I had not the eyes to see it. This possibility began eating me up. To seek greater clarity, I began examining the lives of people I admire most on this campus. What are they doing with their time?

What I found was telling.

The faculty I admire most are those who spend hours in their office talking to me and my friends about books, outlandish film ideas and how to achieve true leisure. The students I admire most are active on campus, certainly, but know their limits and are oriented toward people, not credentials. This focus on people is a major dividing line I have observed between myself and the people I seek to emulate.

Now, I do not want this editorial to be dismissive of work. Work has inherent dignity and is life-giving. There was work in the Garden of Eden.

Some of my best college memories were made because of obligations that required countless hours of work. I will gladly carry with me beyond college recollections of, for example, the Orientation Board Off-Broadway production process and the creation of the national tragedies perspectives spread in The Collegian.

The elation of seeing these things come together is a wonderful feeling. The work took focus and effort, and the effort paid off. My re-evaluation did not prompt me to conclude

AWARD

This week’s award goes to Luke for pivoting the photospread at the last minute and for always being dependable and willing to take on any side quest Emily throws at him despite his busy schedule.

that work is bad. It prompted me to conclude that if left unchecked, work can completely drain the soul. Work has often left me too drained for leisure and worship. Work knows no upper bound; its limits must be imposed. A multum non multa, much not many, approach is necessary to make time for life-giving and restful leisure. I will zealously defend dorm hospitality, daily walks and spontaneous prayer as leisurely activities that contribute to personal flourishing. These activities come at a cost.

To make time for life-giving leisure, we sometimes must sacrifice other opportunities, forgo overcommitment and, in extremely rare cases, leave assigned reading incomplete. These things are certainly worthwhile, but they are time-consuming and must be kept in check.

This outlook may shorten my resume, thin my LinkedIn page and make my biography a little less impressive. But I have learned this trade-off isn’t all bad. Since my change of heart, I have found myself spending less time at business meetings and more time in the sun. One may add some extra cushion to my resume, but the second one has made me much happier.

I share this story not to offend the Grover-achievers among us. They remain invaluable members of our community, and I hope they do not judge me too harshly for my reformation. I share this story only because it has been put in my heart to do so.

THE GREEN EYESHADE

The Green Eyeshade Award honors student contributors who demonstrate excellence in their work.

LUKE PAGLIA

MARA BRAK

Standing tall: Life at 6’9”

Jase Herrick Contributing Writer

At six feet and nine inches

tall, Grove City College junior Austin Johncour quite literally stands out in a crowd.

Whether walking across campus or sitting in class, he’s used to catching people’s attention and answering the same questions repeatedly.

“The first thing people always ask me is, ‘How tall are you?’ I’ve probably answered that question thousands of times,” Johncour said.

While being tall comes with its advantages, Johncour admits it also creates a few everyday challenges.

“It’s hard to find clothing that fits. It’s also super hard to fit in the dorm beds here. One big thing is that I have to duck or slouch to walk under most doorways,” Johncour explained. “It’s something I’ve just gotten used to.”

Despite those inconveniences, he keeps a good sense of humor about it.

“People are always comparing their height to mine,” he said. “It’s kind of funny. Everyone wants to see where they measure up and usually, they’re disappointed.”

A close friend of Johncour’s, junior Levi Teets, shared his thoughts when meeting Johncour for the first time.

“Freshman year I just walked into my dorm floor, and I saw him standing there. I mean, I’m no tall guy myself — I’m standing there at 5’7”, while he’s literally looking down at me offering to shake my hand,” Teets explained.

According to Johncour, the second question usually asked

is, “Do you play basketball?”

“Yes, I play basketball for Grove City,” he said. “It’s something I’ve always enjoyed, and being tall definitely helps on the court.”

Another fellow junior, Gabriel Ziccarelli, said Johncour’s height is only part of what makes him stand out.

“Austin isn’t just some tall dude: He is THE tall dude. He’s a great player to watch on the court. I keep trying to get him to join our intramural basketball team, but I think that might be cheating,” Ziccarelli said.

However, the physical demands of both height and ath-

letic activity can take their toll.

“My joints and back are under a lot of stress and hurt very often,” he admitted. “There’s definitely a physical cost that people don’t always see that requires a lot of extra work and rehab.”

Still, Johncour wouldn’t trade his height for anything.

“I’m happy being tall,” he said. “There are some challenges, but life is easier in a lot of ways too. Being able to reach things off the top shelf is definitely a plus.”

While his height often draws attention, Johncour has learned to keep his confidence high.

“People will try to tear you down out of insecurity. You just have to not listen to the noise. Everyone has something that makes them stand out. For me, it just happens to be my height,” Johncour said.

According to Johncour, that confidence has helped him embrace both the benefits and the burdens of being six foot nine. He sees his height as only a part of his identity rather than something that defines him completely.

“Being tall is just one aspect of who I am. It’s taught me patience, confidence and to stay grounded, even when I’m standing taller than most peo-

ple,” Johncour explained. Around campus, Johncour’s height might be the first thing people notice, but friends say his kindness and humor make a stronger impression according to Teets. He’s learned to balance the curiosity and attention that comes with his stature while maintaining perspective.

“He’s just a great dude. We have a ton of the same classes together and he’s always got something funny to say. But when it’s time to lock in for class, he locks in. He’s an overall great guy,” Teets said.

New club supports disabilities

Madeline McMahon Contributing Writer

This year, Grove City College launched its first club created to support those with disabilities.

“His Power-Displayed” meets for dinner every Saturday at 6 p.m. in Hicks cafeteria. All are welcome. This time is intended to build a community and encourage relationships.

Their chaplain, Jessica Pratt said, “Building community takes time.”

However, over time, the goal is that the community will grow into much more than just those who have disabilities.

Once a month on Mondays, His Power-Displayed meets to address issues and struggles they face as individuals with disabilities. Vice President Isabella Dennison said that the hope for the meetings is to “Bring to light what normal people might not be aware of as an issue.”

The club originated when the president of the club, senior Jackson Hays, recognized there was a gap in student organizations that focused on serving disabled students.

“The mission of this club is

to foster a community of fellowship, support and advocacy with students who have disabilities,” Hays said.

Both Hays and Dennison felt as though this was a clear call in their life from the Lord.

“Our goal is to encourage wider awareness of people with disabilities and what the struggles are that we go through…and to (ultimately)

serve others,” Dennison said.

The club seeks ways to ensure that campus is safe and accessible for all who come here.

By creating a space for students to share what would best serve them, Hays and Dennison hope that they will have deeper connections and relationships with others.

“You can’t have change

without people being aware of a problem,” Dennison said.

The club leaders recognize that despite struggles and problems, they cannot and will not allow themselves to be trapped in the sorrow of their past.

They continue to move forward. The leaders of the club are now looking to find ways to make changes: Their first

step includes finding a place to create a needed sensory room for students on campus.

The sensory room would be for people, not just ones with disabilities, to step away from campus for a quieter space designed specifically with lighting, textures, sounds and different kinds of equipment to help calm the senses.

JOHN HAKE

The tallest man on campus, Austin Johncour, plays varsity basketball for the college.

JACKSON HAYS

From left to right: Jessica Pratt, Jackson Hays and Isabella Dennison manning a booth at Fall Fest.

TALL 10

Doctor Love

Does the flame still flicker?

I ran into my ex at a campus event the other night and we ended up chatting like no time had passed. It felt fun and familiar, almost like the old days, and now I can’t stop wondering if that spark is still real. Should I think about giving us another chance, or am I just chasing ghosts?

– Signed, Sweater Weather and Second Chances

September through November: the months when all the canon events happen. The air is about to turn crisp, and you end up faceto-face with someone you never thought you’d talk to again.

The echo of what once was … it feels almost poetic, doesn’t it? It’s so easy to drop back into the banter and tease each other. You can be comfortable with this person because they know the real you, the person few get to know. But just because it’s comfortable doesn’t mean it’s right.

Are you chasing ghosts?

You’re seeing a glimpse of the past in the present. Is it a newborn spark, or is it the memory of the original spark? Don’t take a five-minute conversation and use it to open up a chapter that has already been closed.

Being drawn into the past for a moment is so nostalgic and feels like returning to a place you never thought you could. But remember that you two have changed. The person you have lingering feelings for? They don’t exist anymore. The reasons you broke up are still there.

If you two dated freshman year of college, chances are that you two are on very different paths now. What originally pulled you to each other is still there, under all those years of different experiences, but it’s distant now.

The hope is that you both have evolved into better versions of yourselves. Reconnection isn’t totally out of the question. Maybe the timing would be right this time, but I wouldn’t get your hopes up.

What time did you write this to me? Trust me, anything feels possible after 11 p.m., especially getting back together with your ex. Waking up in the morning really puts things into perspective, let me tell you.

Before you text him, think back to why the relationship started and then think long and hard about why it ended. Are you seeing your ex as the person they are now, or as somebody you used to know?

Remember, you don’t HAVE to take my advice. If you do end up trying to reconnect, I wish you the best of luck. Just know this: It’s important to keep moving forward and find that person who will give you the world and more, who will chase after Jesus with you with enthusiasm.

Auspiciously,

Making a joyful noise

Alec Durfee Contributing Writer

On Saturday evenings, the sound of piano playing and singing can be heard from inside Grove City College’s iconic Harbison Chapel.

A look inside would reveal roughly two dozen students standing in a circle below the chancel steps, singing from red Trinity hymnals.

Each week, the college’s Hymn Sing club assembles for a time of worship through singing hymns and fellowship.

“People call out their favorite hymns by number from the hymnal, which we do for about a half-hour,” senior leader of Hymn Sing Eli Weikal said.

“Then, we have a brief period where we will go around and each student says their name and answers a ‘question of the day,’ chosen by club leadership. After introductions, we will take (hymn) requests for about 20 minutes or so, before we close with prayer for the night,” Weikal added.

The Hymn Sing group began in 2009 with a group of freshmen who all attended the nearby Covenant Orthodox Presbyterian Church. The group would host a time of bible study, singing and prayer in the chapel every Wednesday evening.

This eventually morphed into mainly hymn singing on Saturday nights. As time

passed, the growing gathering of Grove City College students even gained the attention of the college’s former President Paul McNulty ’80.

“In 2016, President McNulty invited the Hymn Sing group to his house during the December study day. It became an annual tradition for the McNultys’ to invite the Hymn Sing group over,” sophomore Joshua Youngquist, a member of Hymn Sing leadership, said.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, leaders of the Hymn Sing group discussed forming an official campus club to reserve rooms and raise funds for the group more easily. In 2023, the group voted to become a club and completed

the process shortly after.

Youngquist believes the current Hymn Sing club rallies around the common fellowship of Grove City College students with less emphasis on official membership.

“We are less a club that sings hymns, but more a worship-focused fellowship that has added a club component to be able to raise money and support the different events we do,” Youngquist said.

“Unlike other campus activities, Hymn Sing allows you to show up as little or as much as you want ... it’s a cool way to meet people who aren’t in (your normal) circles, including many freshmen,” Weikal added.

While Hymn Sing primarily offers an outlet for students to sing hymns together, the club also provides additional opportunities for student fellowship. “Family dinner,” organized by Youngquist, is a weekly gathering in MAP Dining Hall, where many students who attend Hymn Sing eat together at one large table.

The club also plans extra events, including an English country line dance each semester and an annual Labor Day hike to McConnell’s Mill State Park.

“Community is definitely a big aspect of the group,” Weikal commented.

“We get some freshmen who enjoy it and stick with it all four years. We also get other people who only start attending spring of their senior year.”

No formal sign-up is needed to participate in the Hymn Sing activities, though members keep in touch via group emails throughout the year.

“If you like singing hymns and you like fellowship, or if you like English country dancing and dinner in MAP on Wednesdays, we’re a great place to be,” Youngquist said.

To learn more about the college’s Hymn Sing Club, email Eli Weikal at WeikalEJ21@ gcc.edu or visit Harbison Chapel on Saturday evenings from 9 to 10 p.m.

The many lives of Dr. Hall

Ellie Smith Contributing Writer

Dr. Josiah Hall has lived an interesting and varied life.

You may know him as a professor in the Biblical and Theological Studies (BATS) Department at Grove City College.

However, he also grew up as the child of missionaries in Kenya, studied civil engineering at Stanford University, earned his doctorate in the New Testament in Texas at Baylor University and has played and now helps coach rugby.

Hall lived in Kenya from 13 months old through high school. His parents were both teachers and dorm parents.

“My parents were what we might call missionaries to other missionaries, so they worked at a missionary boarding school,” Hall said.

The purpose of this school, as Hall explained, was for missionaries to stay in the mission field as long as possible and have their kids be educated at the same time.

Hall eventually came to the United States for college, matriculating at Stanford University for civil engineering. However, in his time there, he sensed a call to something different.

When he told his college campus minister that he wanted to go to seminary after college, the minister said, “If you want to be a good pastor, you should probably go work for a little while first. First of all, make sure you don’t want to do this thing that you just spent five years of your life getting ready to do. Most people you are ministering to are working 50 to 60-hour weeks, and if you don’t know what that’s like, then you are going to have a really hard time ministering to them.”

Hall took this advice and worked as a civil engineer for five years; after that, he decided to go to Covenant Theolog-

ical Seminary in St. Louis. He earned his PhD at Baylor University, writing a dissertation focused on the Gospel of John. In January of 2023, he got his current job at GCC.

As Hall expresses, he enjoys interacting with students, helping them get excited to learn and encouraging people to think in new or different ways. This has had an impact on the way he teaches.

“I love teaching because I get to keep learning. Every day I can find a new way to explain something and then when I prepare new classes, I am learning something that I didn’t know. You don’t know something until you can teach

it,” Hall said.

Students have loved Hall’s pedagogical approach to class and teaching style. This keeps his students engaged.

“I have never thought more about a class than I have about the Hall classes I have been in,” junior BATS major and rugby player Sawyer Wiersma said. “He has a way of making you interested in the subject whatever it is, be it Greek participles or the authorship of the book of Revelation.”

Evan Wheat, who is also a junior BATS major and a rugby player, agreed: “He brings it to life in a way I have never thought about it before. Things that I just skimmed over I am now having to look at and understand, and there is so much more here than I thought there was.”

“He runs a very good discussion. He is very intentional about the kinds of questions that he has students discuss in small groups.... (Hall shows) that kind of intentionality and that kind of thoughtfulness in how you frame that discussion to make it be very beneficial for the students. I never walked away feeling like that was pointless or a waste of time,” Johnny Adkins, Hall’s teaching assistant, said.

Dr. Love

Love M.D.

SYDNEY BREDENBERG

Hymn Sing members gather in Harbison Chapel to sing their favorite hymns.

GCC

Dr. Josiah Hall outside of the Staley Hall of Arts and Letters.

SYDNEY BREDENBERG

Pirouettes and paparazzi

Christa Bashinski Entertainment Editor

“Dancing with the Stars” has taken over TVs across the nation at 8 p.m. every Tuesday.

From “Boy Meets World” actor Danielle Fisher to GRAMMY-winner Scott Hoying, there’s a celebrity for every fan to cheer on.

The show pairs celebrities from various fields with professional dancers like the well-known Witney Carson and Valentin Chmerkovskiy to put on weekly performances that showcase different dance styles and themed challenges.

A star-studded panel of judges scores each performance on a one-to-10 scale, while viewers at home cast their votes. The combined scores determine which couple must leave the competition each week.

This season has sparked special attention ever since ABC dropped its list of soonto-be dancers, featuring many familiar faces who are already household names. The buzz likely contributed to the season’s record-breaking debut, with 5.4 million viewers tuning in, a 45% increase from the previous year. Ratings have continued to climb as audiences stay engaged, casting votes for their favorite couples in real time. Each week has outdone the last, with fan participation surging. Week two alone saw a 67% increase in votes from the premiere.

The show has just finished its sixth week, officially passing the halfway point as the remaining contestants face the final five performances. What began as 14 “couples” has slowly been whittled down to the last nine. The most recent episode embraced a popular “Wicked” theme, with pairs doing anything from the tango to the foxtrot as they whirled their way across the stage. Comedian Andy Richter and his partner Emma Slater have

faced relentless uncertainty as they have consistently earned the lowest scores, constantly expecting to be sent home. And yet Richter has officially entered the second half of the competition to the praises of some and the wails of others. The unwavering support of his fans has propelled him forward week after week, even as he continues to receive a consistent score of six from the judges.

On the other hand, alligator enthusiast Robert Irwin and “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star Whitney Leavitt have risen to unexpected glo-

ry as they took the world by surprise, proving their skill as capable dancers. They were quick to win over the public’s favor, consistently putting on a show and swiftly taking over the TikTok FYP following each performance. Leavitt currently holds a slight edge over Irwin, having earned the season’s first three perfect 10s, with only a single nine from Derek Hough keeping her from a flawless score. While Leavitt’s dance scored the highest, it was Irwin’s dedication night, honoring his late father, that won the hearts of many.

As demonstrated by the

ratings and the conversations surrounding the show, “Dancing with the Stars” is about far more than technical skill. While many of the celebrities are already well known, most enter the competition with little to no formal dance experience, making the journey one of growth. Week after week, viewers witness more than just routines, as each performance often draws on heartfelt tributes and personal stories, turning the dances into an emotional endeavor. The dances the contestants perform stay with the audience far after the music fades.

Holy hits

Andrew Hutchinson Staff Writer

In recent months, the mainstream pop music industry has had a surprising addition: Christian music.

In a field that has historically been, perverse and openly hostile to conservative forms of Christianity, listeners are now increasingly wanting clean, God-honoring music. Currently, the song “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” a collaboration between contemporary Christian artist Brandon Lake and secular artist Jelly Roll, sits at #40 on the Billboard Top 100, and at a recent award show, Jelly Roll stated that he was devoted to having a heart for Jesus.

While the entire music industry has not begun making wholesome content, singer Forrest Frank has seen success with his solo albums “Child of God” and “Child of God II,” the latter of which reached #12 on the Billboard Top 100 Album chart.

Frank’s music has retained the patterns of his previous music as a member of Surfaces, with an inescapable mission of praising God. Songs like his breakthrough single “Up” put his chart rankings at a similar level to established artists like Gracie Abrams and Tate McRae.

While the reason for this rapid change in listener taste may never be clear, many studies have shown that Gen Z desires more clean music and television than previous generations.

While there is still no shortage of listeners for music of secular artists like Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, Bad Bunny and Cardi B, clean Christian music is more appealing for younger listeners. This trend will likely continue as Gen Z and Gen Alpha mature. The future growth of the genre is unknown, but Christian pop has begun to find its support among the masses.

Turning Point’s halftime takeover

Randall Elvin Staff Writer

When Super Bowl LIX kicks off on Feb. 8, millions of Americans will tune in to see the two best football teams go head-to-head with one of the most-watched musical events in the world right in the middle of it.

Yet this year, the choice of Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny to headline the halftime show has sparked plans for a rival musical perfor-

mance to air simultaneously, courtesy of Turning Point USA (TPUSA.) Known for its fiery patriotism, TPUSA is touting an “All-American Halftime Show” as counterprogramming. It’s another example of a cultural divide bringing two visions of what it means to be “American.”

Why is Turning Point USA choosing to do this? Bad Bunny, who is known for big hits in the music area, is also known for being a polarizing and unfiltered political commentator.

He has publicly criticized President Donald Trump, specifically his immigration policies, calling ICE officials numerous explicit names. Bad Bunny frequently takes politically charged digs in his music videos. Additionally, this will be the first time an American Super Bowl halftime show will be in Spanish, which sparked controversy among those who consider the Super Bowl to be an American pastime.

Last year’s halftime show was also heavily political, but instead of immigration controversies, Kendrick Lamar’s show touched on racial symbolism, civil rights and systemic injustice. Some audience members see back-toback years of the NFL’s centerpiece performance being used as a political platform as two years too many. With a good number of fans pointing this out, Turning Point stepped in to set up a reverse ideological message.

The sentiment Turning Point USA strives for is an “All-American Halftime Show.” This strongly aligns with their own values, and this performance is just a new way they can get their message across and support those who feel the same way.

Turning Point was founded in 2012 by the late Charlie Kirk, who advocated traditional conservative principles like limited government, free markets and a tough-on-crime stance. Over the last decade,

the nonprofit has transformed into one of the most influential youth conservative networks in the country. According to Turning Point USA Students, there are well over 800 college chapters that encourage students and youth to engage in political conversations. A big reason for Turning Point’s idea is that Kirk, their founder, was assassinated in September. Under their new leadership, Erika Kirk, the

organization has adopted a bolder and more defiant tone, calling out the “erosion of American values.”

What the show will entail is mostly under wraps for now, but speculation includes artists like Carrie Underwood, Phil Wickham, Lee Greenwood and many more. Turning Point’s stance is to bring conservative and traditional American principles back to the spotlight.

Hear the horn

The Grove City College Marching Band performs at events across campus.

MARA BRAK MARA BRAK

MARA BRAK

Among the many extracurricular activities offered on campus, the Grove City College Marching Band is one that many students have an affinity for. Whether you march with them or enjoy watching them on Saturday afternoons at halftime, the marching band is loved by all.

The marching band can be found performing at various events across campus. They are most notable for their spectacular halftime shows at football games, but they also lead musical crowd cheers throughout the entire game.

In addition to football games, the marching band also marches with the college parade. They perform exceptionally during the entire march down Campus Drive, Pine Street and Broad Street.

Thank you to all members of the marching band for the joy and entertainment that they bring to the students, faculty and families of Grove City College!

by Luke Paglia, Photo Chief

Record atten-dance

The safe ground at swing and ballroom

Benjamin Treadwell Contributing Writer

John Hatzis, my excellent and cheerful editor, raised an interesting question this week: why have swing dance and ballroom dance hit record attendance? What is so special about them?

I posit that the more traditional dance forms are our last refuge in the modern fraught relationship between the two genders. Men and women, due to a combination of philosophy, politics and culture, are to a greater or lesser extent engaged in what The culture commentators call ‘The war of the sexes.”

Guys and girls, generally speaking, get along significantly worse than in the past.

Feminism has aged poorly — it started wanting human rights for women, and it is now simply the voice of male-hate.

Unsurprisingly, men are annoyed, and misogyny intensifies in the “manosphere.”

Statistically speaking, women are drifting left, and men are drifting right.

Modern American culture continues to be extraordinarily, repulsively obsessed with sex, which means that young men and young women have very little space to interact without at least questions of romantic tension appearing.

America’s youth who haven’t lost hope in marriage (and reportedly many have) are

trying to find somewhere they can interact and get to know each other without worrying about relational ambiguity or emotional confusion.

The traditional dances at Grove City provide exactly this opportunity. As one of my friends helped me realize, the older etiquette involved helps form an atmosphere of platonic interaction.

There are no questions (or at least many fewer) when a gentleman asks a lady to dance. It is the same favor he could and will extend to many of the other ladies attending the dance.

The format of the traditional social dances establishes a place where the default male-female interaction is one of friendship. It removes our culture’s prevailing gender ex-

pectations, tensions and barriers.

If a man or woman has no friends of the opposite gender, traditional dance is a fine place to gain some. Dancing with someone is one of the more effective ice-breakers culture has come up with for breaking down the wall between men and women.

All this is, I deeply suspect, why swing and ballroom presently have record attendance. I am not saying that it is not due to more or better efforts by the club execs or to a statistical fluke. It could even be a movement among people to recover the art of dancing beyond chaotic mosh-pit grooving.

These are distinct possibilities. Indeed, the world being as complicated as it is, it could

be a combination of any of these reasons. But I will continue to argue that at least part of it comes from young men and women who desire to have some interactions with each other that aren’t “weird.”

So let us celebrate! The cultural relationship between male and female does not have to be dysfunctional. Guys and girls can, in fact, speak to one another without there necessarily being any kind of romantic or creepy undertones.

The high attendance at ballroom and swing club means that, perhaps, at least at Grove City, there is hope that the divisions between men and women can be reconciled — at least as best they can this side of the new creation.

Honoring ‘’Mid the Pines’

The senior gift should be an alma mater plaque

Abigail Kengor Contributing Writer

A senior gift should contribute something good to the campus. It should attest to the graduating class’s love for the college they leave behind, emblematize the culture which has shaped them and contribute to the patriotic spirit of those who continue to dwell there.

The senior gift leaves a lasting mark by which future students may identify that class.

The SHAL courtyard fountain from the class of 2010 and the brick sign welcoming all Crawford visitors are some examples of past seniors’ finer work.

It is also ideal that the gift adds something meaningful to student life, not merely ornamental, or even worse, ugly and utilitarian.

To fulfill these standards, I propose the senior gift should be a plaque, akin to other memorial nameplates around campus, proudly displaying the lyrics of our good college’s

“[The college alma mater] praises the good qualities of our college, pondering it and celebrating it in community.”

alma mater, “‘Mid the Pines.” It needn’t be too large; it could decorate a wall somewhere prominent on campus, such as in the Student Union or SHAL.

This would contribute meaningfully to campus in several ways. Mainly, it would honor the school anthem’s lyrics, which currently suffer ignominy in hearts and minds on campus, from both natural ignorance and aversion.

Many students don’t sing the alma mater simply because they don’t know the lyrics. They aren’t written anywhere on campus. They’re rarely emphasized outside of opening convocation.

At graduation and football games, the melody is played; but without provision of the lyrics, who can hope to sing along? A plaque with lyrics is at least beginning to spread them.

And alas, for many whose memories do glow faintly with

it, they just don’t like the song. While this is harder to solve, this hatred might at least be reduced by familiarity, which doesn’t always breed contempt.

The tune is, admittedly, a bit difficult to sing when only practiced once a year. But if we learn the song, it won’t be quite so hard anymore.

As for those who dislike the words themselves, I encourage you to revisit them at this article’s end; the lyrics extol the dearest features of our campus: the plenitude of pine trees, the majestic architecture and the close community, all sources of many warm memories that connect our hearts so staunchly to this place.

They celebrate the “spirit of (Grove City’s) life” that has shaped so many of us, in faith and culture, and will hopefully remain with us hereafter.

You may find some outdated descriptions of Wolf Creek’s average volume, but even this

is a feature that connects us to our history and to past students. This brings me to my next point: history.

Perhaps the alma mater’s popularity is antiquated, or you consider its musical quality still unredeemed, and want to replace it with a new anthem. From such a position, this senior gift would still be a worthy investment. Why?

Even an unimpressive song has a place in posterity. If “‘Mid the Pines” were to fall completely out of favor, it would still be nice for students to know this song that once moved their scholastic predecessors’ hearts in more patriotic days when the ode was robustly sung.

An alma mater cultivates the virtue of pietas — the patriotic gratitude for what God has given by where He has placed us. It praises the good qualities of our college, pondering it and celebrating it in community.

As the good Christian, conservative school that we are, let’s take a step for beauty, for virtue, for tradition! Let’s not contribute our money to archi-

tectural innovations or other changes, but to the preservation and promulgation of our beloved school’s history and culture.

As the graduating class, let’s celebrate and gratefully honor what Grove City has done for us. We can communicate to future classes the love that we had for this place and contribute to the choirs of future students who sing:

“‘Mid the pines in columns growing, / By the stream so deeply flowing, / Dear to hearts with mem’ries glowing / Stand the halls we love. / Hail to thee, our Alma Mater! / Praises from each son and daughter! / Pledges of love and honor / Grove City still shall own. / Tho’ the land and sea may part us, / Far remove thy towers and campus, / Staunch and true, there dwells within us /All the spirit of thy life. / Hail to thee, our Alma Mater! / Praises from each son and daughter! / Pledges of love and honor / Grove City still shall own.”

BRAEDON WEIGLE

The cost of compromise New Church of England leader divides Anglicans worldwide

Anastasia Brown Foreign Correspondent

The Anglican church has recently made international headlines with the appointment of Dame Sarah Mullally as the Archbishop of Canterbury, making her the first woman to lead the Church of England.

This move has been hailed by some – including several members of the University of Oxford, whom I have heard speak on this topic – as evidence that the UK is “finally catching up.” The University of Oxford specifically sees itself as being primordially “behind the times.” Some colleges in Oxford didn’t permit female students until the early 2000s.

Now the campus has an active campaign to “catch up” with some mystical metric of progress. I could give a list of examples that I have already witnessed, from art choices in new university facilities to speaker lineups for public lectures. Perhaps because of its longing to “catch up” with the times, the consensus within British intellectual strongholds seems to be that Mullally’s appointment is a net-positive, simply on the grounds that she is a woman.

Of course, intellectuals are only one slice of the population. The Presbyterian church I have been attending in Oxford regularly prays for a reinvigoration of conviction within the leaders of “our state church.”

Internationally, many churches in the Anglican Communion have responded to this historic moment by reordering the “foundation”

on which they base authority. Most notably, the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON), which initially met in 2008, regathered this month to “prayerfully respond to the abandonment of the Scriptures by some of the most senior leaders of the Anglican Communion.”

The initial meeting of 2008 intended to encourage the Church of England to rethink “revisionist teachings” on topics such as marriage, sexuality, church leadership and Christ’s identity. The conference argued the Church of England undermined the gospel in their decisions and warned senior leaders in the Anglican Communion of their concerns.

The appointment of Dame Mullally was the final nail in the coffin. GAFCON declared they would reorder the Anglican Communion and reject the “Instruments of Communion, namely the Archbishop of Canterbury.”

“The Future Has Arrived,” GAFCON declared – a future that returned to historic Anglican principles. GAFCON’s new direction will be incredibly consequential – about 50% of churches in the Anglican Communion are led by GAFCON, including Grace Anglican in Grove City, and an estimated 80% of regular Anglican church attendees are attending those churches. A choice to step away from the authority of the Archbishop of Canterbury is a massive shift for the denomination.

Like any point of contention in church history, there is a valid concern about the discord and disunity growing within the global church. Our discord is aggravated by our cultural moment that, sadly, thrives best when fed with a steady diet of contention.

With the ambition to main-

tain church unity while also remaining consistent with their interpretations of Scripture, many parochial church councils (PCCs) of conservative-leaning Anglican churches have passed resolutions under the “House of Bishop’s Declaration on the Ministry of Bishops and Priests.”

These declarations solidify, as a congregation, their personal teachings on these topics, allowing the church to break with the official doctrine of the Church of England without leaving the general Anglican Communion.

The arrangements are based on “Five Guiding Principles,” which stress that the Church of England has reached a clear decision on all orders of ministry being equally open to both sexes, but at the same time recognizes and wishes to accommodate those who disagree, as their position remains recognizably Anglican.

The aim is to enable mutual flourishing across the whole Church of England. This is a historically unique way to approach moments of division – but at what cost of compromise?

Much more ink could be spilled in support or condemnation of either side of this coin, but the goal for all churches in the Anglican Communion after these unprecedented changes should be a careful reconsideration of their priorities and a revival in claiming the ultimate authority of Scripture. That “sola scriptura” ideal hearkens back to the Protestant Reformation and the early years of the Anglican Church. In fact, the GAFCON meeting was notably held on the anniversary of the martyrdom of prominent Reformation-era Anglican church leaders Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley during the reign of Bloody

Mary.

Their refusals to back down from conviction in the face of the greatest pressure set a precedent that GAFCON secretary Paul Donison highlighted in his assessment of current events. The part of the story he skips is that a third man was also burned at the stake with Latimer and Ridley in the center square of Oxford – and that was the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Cranmer, who established many of the first liturgical structures of the Church of England. It is understandable why many Anglican churches still seek paths that would maintain unity and a historic tradition, thus combating the spirit of dissention that characterizes our age. But the appointment of Dame Mullally must not be taken lightly and should be the catalyst for further discussions about the future of the Anglican Communion.

There is no ‘just war,’ just war A reflection on the ceasefire in Gaza

Madelyn Braho Staff Writer

Israel has violated the Oct. 11 ceasefire agreement, something which seems counterintuitive to the concept of a ceasefire. According to statements by the IDF, the most recent attack was in retaliation to two Israeli soldiers being killed in Rafah by the terrorist organization Hamas. In response, up to 45 Palestinian civilians were killed in the returning strike. Hamas has said they were unaware of any actions taken in Rafah, and that they have not had any

“The Israeli millitary has bombed hospitals and prevented aid from coming into the Gaza Strip.”

contact with members in Rafah since March.

The trouble with this situation is that it’s very hard to know whose information to trust. For so many people, news about Gaza has come from independent reporters and even Palestinians themselves trying to use social media to raise money to escape. Hamas and Israel are not reliable sources of information either, as it benefits sides of a military conflict to hide how much they really know or what they are doing.

For the rest of us outside of the Gaza Strip, it’s much like trying to stare through fog to see what is happening. There

is major Palestinian civilian death occurring, that is for sure. The Israeli military has bombed hospitals and prevented aid from coming into the Gaza Strip.

The treatment of environmental activist Greta Thunberg, who was taken prisoner, along with other members of the Freedom Flotilla earlier this month should indicate that something is not right, at least once the situation has reached starvation levels.

We created laws governing the kinds of violence governments are allowed to enact. This statement alone shows us what kind of world we live in. The fact that these laws have

been violated repeatedly by many countries is a testament to human willingness to break rules we agreed to if it benefits us.

Declaring war is not usually a moral act. World War II may have been the exception, except that the United States did not join the conflict because of the Holocaust, but because someone attacked us.

Trying to call something a holy war, saying that you will win because you have the moral high ground or declaring that God is on your side is a prideful and incredibly foolish position to take.

We do not know the mind of God, and God is also presumably too farsighted to take sides in human conflicts. If he

does, it could be argued that he takes the side of the people currently in danger, such as the civilians and the starving. The statehoods of Israel and Palestine are complicated and have caused what are now decades-long problems that we as individuals cannot see all sides of. Neither can we fully grasp the violence that has been happening in Gaza for the past two years, or even the past 80.

However, what we can do, or should at least try to do, is be careful of assigning moral definition to the actions of governments and armies, two categories that are not known for taking the most moral path. The conflict in Gaza is not a holy war; it is simply war.

Pennsylvania – and No. 1 of the five Hidden Gems in Pennsylvania.

“These rankings are simply a recognition of Grove City College’s quality and value based on empirical data,” Nick Hildebrand, director of college communications, said. “College Raptor’s focus on smaller schools magnifies Grove City’s strengths – excellent academics, conservative values, Christ-centeredness and affordability – and makes the college stand out.”

According to College Raptor’s website, Hidden Gem colleges must fulfill five criteria. They must receive less than 5,000 applications each year, have less than 7,000 people in their undergraduate student body, accept higher than 10% of applicants each year, provide more than five unique majors to students and rank in the top 50% of College Raptor’s overall ranking.

College Raptor ranks Grove City College 68th out of the 1,729 colleges included in its overall national ranking.

The national ranking is determined by College Raptor’s assessment of each college’s first-year retention rate, the median SAT and ACT scores for incoming freshmen, the average faculty salary, the school’s student-to-faculty ratio, its endowment per student, four-year graduation rate, six-year graduation rate and the college’s selectivity index, which refers the percentage of accepted applicants divided by the number of accepted students who actually commit to the institution.

Each of these data points are then weighted to determine the school’s ranking. The retention rate is weighted 23%. SAT and ACT scores, average faculty salary and student-to-faculty ratio are all 11%. The selectivity index and the endowment per student are each six percent, and the four- and sixyear graduation rates are both 16% of the weight.

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guys’ continued presence will further elevate the program to new heights.

“We not only expect to showcase our classic pyramid stunts but continue to make those stunts more dynamic. Our limits are being pushed every practice, with boundaries being exceeded with each new stunt we attempt, both as a group and individually,” Erickson said.

To catch this year’s cheer squad in action, be sure to attend the football game on Saturday as the Wolverines face off against PAC rival Westminster. The game will kick off at 1 p.m. on Robert E. Thorn Field.

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tant Coach Amy Smith said.

“Lauren consistently shot in the 70s and low 80s, set school records, won events and led by example. Gabby dropped over 20 strokes between last year’s PAC championships and this year’s,” Smith concluded.

“At the beginning of the season, I was really struggling with a horrible slice. All season I was working on straightening out my shots and learning to play with a slice. I also had to accept that I’m not going to be perfect every single shot,” Kinner said.

“On hole two on Monday, I got a birdie, which really encouraged me for the rest of the day.” Looking ahead, she added, “I really want to focus on staying consistent again and to take better advantage of when I do hit really good shots.”

Smith noted the team’s upward trajectory:

OMNILERT

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tered into the system by the college. … Adding phone numbers requires a verification process and can only be done by the owner of the phone number.”

Students can also add parents or emergency contacts to the Omnilert system by typing in their phone numbers and emails.

The Sept. 29 swatting call motivated the college to seek to increase the number of phone numbers in the Omnilert system. During the incident, the system notified 4043 emails, 893 texts and 764 voicemails, reaching a total of 4,354, per Van Til.

“Our concern is that only 893 text messages were sent to verified phone numbers,” Van Til said. “With approximately 2,800 college students and staff, this means that only a third of our community members received text messages, texts being the most immediate notification stream.”

REAGAN

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He also served as chairman of the House Budget Committee from 2011 to 2015 and led the powerful House Ways and Means Committee in 2015.

Ryan and former Vice President Mike Pence, who serves as distinguished visiting fellow for the Institute’s Center for Faith & Public Life, will engage in a public conversation on the theme of “Morning in America Revisited: Reagan’s Lessons for Today’s Challenges.”

The lecture is free and open to the public, but reservations are required. For registration and more information, visit faithandfreedom.com.

The Ronald Reagan Lecture illumines the 40th president’s contributions to America and the world.

Each year, the Institute hosts an individual who worked for, knew or has produced important work on Reagan.

In accordance with the mission of the Institute for Faith & Freedom, the goal of the Reagan Lecture is to promote the principles of faith and freedom to the next generation of American leaders.

TALL

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When asked if he had any kind of unusual story about his height since he has been at the college, he had a very insightful answer.

“Typically, someone as tall as me would have a few funny stories, but I really don’t.

Besides hitting my head a few times or being too tall for some chairs, there isn’t really

“We know that students don’t always check their email, and that’s a problem when we’re trying to notify them of an emergency or dangerous situation on campus that’s happening in real time,” Nick Hildebrand, director of College Communications, said. “The best way to get the word out to the campus community is via text, so it’s important for everyone on campus to get their phone numbers into the system.”

If students and faculty do not receive Friday’s message as a text, phone call and email, Campus Safety has suggested that members of the campus community update their contact information by visiting the college’s Omnilert website (gcc.omnilert.net) and following the instructions listed in Tuesday’s email from Van Til.

As students learn about the life and accomplishments of Ronald Reagan, they can see the values of faith and freedom played out on the biggest political stage in the country.

After leaving Congress, Ryan launched the American Idea Foundation, a non-profit organization that works with local organizations and academics to advance evidence-based public policies to alleviate poverty.

In 2021, Ryan was named a partner at Solamere Capital. In 2022, he was named vice chairman of Teneo, a global CEO advisory firm.

Ryan serves on the board of directors of the Fox Corporation, SHINE Medical Technologies LLC and Xactus. He also serves on the advisory board of Robert Bosch GmbH.

He is a professor of the practice at the University of Notre Dame and is distinguished visiting fellow in the practice of public policy at the American Enterprise Institute. He is on the board of trustees of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute and on the board of directors for the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

anything interesting about it. I think that really says something. I’m just another guy walking around campus,” Johncour explained.

At the end of the day, Johncour is just another student navigating college life — though he has to duck under a doorway a little more often than most people.

“Being tall has its challenges, but I wouldn’t change it. It’s just who I am.” Johncour said with a smile.

“Numbers don’t lie! We went from shooting a team score of 793 in the 2023 fall PAC championship to 780 last fall, to 750 last week … ours

HOLLEMAN

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Holleman’s mission to capture this in story and provide an alternate hope is powerful,” sophomore Grace Cordle said.

For Holleman, providing this “alternate hope” is essential not just for evangelism purposes, but for assuring the quality of her book.

“You wanna know how to write a bestseller?” Holleman said during her conversation. “Just follow the hero’s journey.”

The hero’s journey is a template of the sequence of events found in almost every story.

It takes an individual from the ordinary world and calls him to adventure. On the journey, he meets friends and mentors who help him undergo many trials. This culminates in the hero being faced with his deepest fears or greatest temptations, which he is ultimately victorious over.

“We are wired to want this story,” Holleman said.

Recounting later, Professor

HALL

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Dr. Alden McCray, Hall’s colleague in the BATS Department, also has seen his intentionality in what he does.

“(Hall has) a real passion for his students. He is a great example of a professor who is very student driven in the way he approaches his course, in how he plans his teaching and how he goes about that,” McCray said.

Hall’s passion extends beyond the classroom. Hall played rugby from age 10 through college and now helps out the college’s rugby team, going to practice once a week and attending games.

Both Hall and Wheat communicated that they enjoy the physicality, discipline, the channeling of aggression and emotional control it teaches and how the game forces you to be present.

“Because you have to be under control in the midst of this violence, you have the ability to demonstrate the power of a Christ-like life in the midst of (it). You can play hard, you

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the Wolverines up 42-6.

Teets intercepted an Allegany pass on the next drive, sealing the game in the Wolverines’ favor.

Rankin noted that the team’s preparation is getting sharper every day.

“Over the week leading up to the game, we spent time studying the guys that have come before us and learned from them to grow in our program, unit

the momentum gained from a strong fall and PACs is the commitment of our student-athletes. We’ll work more on strength and conditioning, review and analyze in-depth statistics from the fall and do everything we can to be ready for a good week of training during spring break,”

Joshua Mayo, chair of the Department of English, agreed, finding that even the process of writing fiction “done correctly” may be a spiritual discipline as well as a creative endeavor.

“Story writing demands the whole of our synthetic imagination,” Mayo said. “It asks us not only what we think, but also what we love.”

Whether attendees were aspiring novelists or contented readers, Holleman’s discussion provided the conceptual and practical tools needed to write a compelling novel and ultimately understand the gospel truths that make it so.

Holleman offers various other avenues to connect with students and those interested in Christian ministry. Those interested can find her recorded chapel lecture on “Seated with Christ” and “The Six Conversations Workshop” on my.gcc.edu or on her blog, “Live with Flair,” at heatherholleman.com.

can work hard, you can hit hard, you can take hits hard and you can do that in a way that is honoring to God, and I think that it’s fun to see the men out there do that well,” Hall said.

His rugby players have appreciated the seriousness and experience he brings to the field.

“He brings so much intensity to the field. I think it is easy for us as a club sport to just take it easy and be there for fun, but he brings that excitement for the game,” Wheat said.

In a short time, Dr. Hall has become a well-loved professor inside and outside the classroom at Grove City College.

“I just love that he is just so generous with the amount of time that he gives to people and the care that he exercises. I think that is really, really good. And I think you see that testified in the fact that students keep coming back to him for advice, keep coming back to him for class, after they might not need to for their requirements. He is consistently someone they want to spend time with,” McCray said.

and positional visions. By the time the game came around, we had so much confidence in our vision that allowed us to play freely as a team. This game taught us that we are a great team when we truly put our identity in our visions on the field,” Rankin said.

The Wolverines will return on Saturday to face Westminster on Robert E. Thorn Field. The action is set to begin at 1 p.m.

the spring season,” Smith said. Both coaches emphasized the importance of team culture.

GCC

is definitely a program on the rise!”

Both coaches are focused on maintaining momentum heading into the spring.

“The best way to build on

Isles said. Smith added that the women’s team will stay connected during the off-season.

“We’ll continue to be a team by communicating regularly, gathering for social events, participating in a missional service project, enjoying team dinners, praying for one another, etc. Our golfers will spend time working on their game on campus and on their own as they’re able,” he said.

She also shared plans for their spring break trip, which includes team building, spiritual development, mental mindset training, practice and play.

“It’s the ideal way to kick off

“Coach Amy Smith has done a tremendous job working on and improving both of our teams. While golf is a highly competitive individual sport, we know that pooling together the best individual rounds also leads to team success,” Isles said.

“It’s a challenge — but we’re committed to this. Our team is working diligently to build a culture of excellence, accountability, care and celebration,” Smith added.

The fall championships mark the halfway point of the 2025–26 PAC season. Both teams will return to action in March, with the spring championships scheduled for April 24 to 25 at Mill Creek Golf Course in Boardman, Ohio.

GOLF

Lauren Kardos considers her shot at the PAC fall championship.

Male cheerleaders return to ‘The City’

Mia Gallagher Sport Editor

When it comes to the concept of “male cheerleading” at the college, maybe the silly, slapstick dance routine performed during halftime of the annual Powderpuff game comes to mind. Or perhaps you think of the shirtless college superfans that lead the student section during football games.

But for a couple of students, including senior Collin Alexander and sophomore Truman Poole, their desire to pursue new experiences and forge new relationships led them to redefine what being a male cheerleader at the college means.

“A couple of close friends said they were interested in varsity cheerleading, so we reached out to the coach to voice our interest and follow through,” Alexander said.

“I was interested in joining a varsity sport that allowed for me to continue with my other activities and commitments and was flexible as well,” Poole added.

Their decision to join the varsity squad renews a storied tradition of male involvement in the college cheer program. According to Hilary Walzcak ‘09, director of college archives and galleries, the program’s earliest records indicate that it originally began as an all-male squad whose male involvement has ebbed and flowed throughout the college’s history.

“Historically speaking, (in) the 19th and 20th centuries, it was more common for men to be the cheerleaders and not women. Cheerleading originated as an elite all-male activity at Ivy League schools. Women started to cheer more during and after WWII. Mostly because there were (not) guys to do it during the war. And then it became a more female-dominated sport,” Walczak said.

“This team is so deeply in love with God that their love for Him outflows into this wonderful community that is uplifting and full of joy.”

Their choice has also revolutionized the way the team approaches the acrobatic stunts they are known for. According to senior captain Kaitlyn Erickson, the guys’ roles in back spotting and basing have been key to these stunting improvements and have freed up practice time for the girls on the squad to perfect their sideline chants and dances.

“Having male cheerleaders on the team makes a huge impact on our abilities within stunting and allows for higher and more complex skills. This year’s experience has been

— Collin Alexander

acknowledged an initial hesitancy to pursue the program, primarily due to the stereotypes associated with male cheerleading.

“The worst thing you can do is avoid something because of fear of what others will think,” Alexander explained when asked what advice he has for other men interested in cheer.

“It’s fine to try something and not like it; it’s also okay to try something and like it. That’s how I approached this experience; if I didn’t like it after pre-season, I wasn’t going to do it. But I wasn’t go-

positively impacted by their presence, as they add an entirely different dynamic to the group, where we can establish newfound trust, great community and a unique collaboration effort,” Erickson said.

According to Alexander and Poole, their reception by the team and wider college community has been generally positive, allowing them to set a precedent for the team going forward. Alexander, however,

ing to not try because of what I thought or feared others would think of me.”

Learning new skills, receiving varsity gym access and gaining front-row seats to football and basketball games were among Alexander and Poole’s reasons for originally joining the squad. But when asked what makes this experience truly worthwhile, they both claimed it’s the teammates they have gained along the way.

“Jokingly, my brothers have said that being on the team must be great — you have to hang out with girls. But oddly enough, the best part is being on the team. In high school, I knew some of the cheerleaders, and they were not the nicest people, yet this team is so deeply in love with God that their love for Him outflows into this wonderful community that is uplifting and full of joy,” Alexander said.

Looking ahead to the remaining football schedule and the upcoming basketball season, Erickson believes the

Sports at a Glance

Results

Football (4-2): W, Allegheny (42-6)

Men’s Soccer (11-2-2): W, Saint Vincent (4-0)

Women’s Soccer (9-4-2): W, Saint Vincent (3-0)

Women’s Volleyball (13-6): W, Thiel (3-0)

Men’s Golf: 3rd/10, PAC fall championship

Women’s Golf: 4th/11, PAC fall championship

Women’s Tennis (9-4): L, Allegheny (1-4)

Men’s Swimming (2-1): W, Penn State Behrend (168-119)

Women’s Swimming (2-1): W, Penn State Behrend (187-103)

Men’s XC: 10th/26, Oberlin Inter-Regional Rumble

Women’s XC: 20th/26, Oberlin Inter-Regional Rumble

Upcoming

Football:

Oct. 25, 1 p.m. vs Westminster

Men’s Soccer: Oct. 25, 3:30 p.m. vs. W&J

Women’s Soccer: Oct. 25, 1 p.m. vs. W&J

Women’s Volleyball: Oct. 25, 11 a.m. vs. Chatham

Men’s Swimming: Oct. 25, 1 p.m. at Ashland

Women’s Swimming: Oct. 25, 1 p.m. at Ashland

Men’s & Women’s XC: Nov. 1 at PAC championship

Caleb Brubaker Football Defensive Player of the Week

Emily Horst Women’s Soccer Newcomer of the Week

Camden Thomas Men’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week

Tori Stevenson Women’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week

Hadleigh McNay Women’s Swimming Swimmer of the Week

Mollie Massella Women’s Swimming Newcomer of the Week

George Witte Men’s Swimming Swimmer of the Week GCC

The cheer team performing a stunt during the annual night game.

GCC ARCHIVES

The cheer squad boasts a storied tradition of male involvement.

GCC CHEER

The 2025 cheer squad posing together during their annual media day.

GCC CHEER

The 2025 male cheerleaders posing together during media day.

CHEER 10

Wolverines go Gator hunting Football downs Allegheny during fall break

Chance Rains Contributing Writer

Impressive performances on offense, defense and special teams led to a dominant road win for the Wolverines as they defeated the Allegheny Gators 42-6.

The Wolverines’ offense was led by strong performances by junior running back Chase Rankin and senior running back Ian Demeri. Rankin totaled 17 carries for 96 yards and a touchdown, while Demeri rushed 14 times for 59 yards and two scores.

Junior quarterback Sutton Ellis completed eight passes on 18 attempts for 108 yards and a touchdown. In relief, senior quarterback Ethan Wiley stepped in and went two-offour for 58 yards.

Junior wide receiver Seth McGroerty was the team leader in receptions and yards, totaling five catches for 113 yards. The Wolverines’ defense was led by senior linebacker Caleb Brubaker with 11 total tackles. Allegheny was held to 182 yards and one touchdown.

The Wolverines forced three turnovers, including an inter-

ception and two fumble recoveries.

Grove City opened strong with senior cornerback Nick Heltzel forcing a fumble on the opening kickoff. Junior cornerback Levi Teets recovered the fumble, setting up the Wolverines’ offense at the Allegheny 26-yard line. Demeri would score on a seven-yard run, giving the Wolverines an early 7-0 lead.

On the next drive, the defense forced the Gators to go three-and-out. Allegheny’s punt attempt was blocked by senior linebacker Ben Bladel, with the ball being picked up by Brubaker and returned to the two-yard line of Allegany. Demeri scored on a two-yard run the next play, widening the lead to 14-0.

Both teams traded punts for the next four possessions until Ellis scored on a one-yard run.

Freshman kicker Brady Lane’s PAT was good, giving the Wolverines a 21-0 lead.

Allegheny would score on their final possession before the half, missing the extra point, cutting the college’s lead to 21-6.

Halfway through the third quarter, the Wolverines went

66 yards in 11 plays and capped the drive with a 12-yard scoring rush by Rankin to push the lead to 28-6. On Allegheny’s following possession, the Gators drove all the way to the 27-yard line, but junior defensive end Dave Cowher forced a fumble that was picked up by senior defensive end Jordan Karczewski to give the Wolver-

Gronbeck makes history as golf shines at PACs

Reagan Thomas Contributing Writer

A sophomore from the college, Luke Gronbeck, etched his name into Wolverine golf history this week, earning medalist honors at the PAC fall championships held at Avalon Lakes Golf Course.

Gronbeck’s 36-hole score of 139, highlighted by a record-breaking program finish of five-under (67) in the first round, led the men’s team to a third-place finish in the 10team field.

“I got off to a really good start in that first round. I made a couple birdies, which really settled me down and built some momentum for the rest of the round,” Gronbeck said.

“Throughout the tournament, my putting was solid. I felt very confident on the greens, which was a great feeling to have, especially in that tournament setting.”

His performance not only secured the individual title but also set college records for both the lowest single-round

“The feeling going into fall championships was we could play loose and free without feeling a burden of expectations. We wanted the golfers to just go out and enjoy the experience, play relaxed and stay calm...”

and 36-hole scores at a conference championship. Gronbeck finished six strokes ahead of Allegheny’s Christopher Hoffman, the runner-up.

“It was great to earn a medal in the fall. While we’re still only halfway there in regard to the PAC championship as a whole, it was a really good start that felt rewarding after the work me and the team have put in this fall. My goal is to personally shoot under par again, which I think will help the team make a run at the PAC title,” Gronbeck said.

Junior Tyler Derstein placed 14th with 156, while Nathan Young followed in 18th with 158. Sophomore Seth Hartman and senior Jonah Kozora placed 30th and 36th, respectively.

— Brad Isles

“The feeling going into fall championships was we could play loose and free without feeling a burden of expectations. We wanted the golfers to just go out and enjoy the experience, play relaxed and stay calm in an arena where pressure — or just one or two bad swings or bad choices — can derail a promising round,”

Head Coach Brad Isles said.

“Luke’s five-under 67 in the first round of PACs was simply a superb round of golf. That he followed that with an even-par 72 in much worse conditions during the second round may have been even better,” Isles concluded.

On the women’s side, the college placed fourth out of 11 teams at Squaw Creek Golf Club. Junior Lauren Kardos

ines the ball, closing the third quarter.

The two teams would swap possession for the next two drives before Ellis delivered senior fullback Anthony Brunette his first career catch for a four-yard touchdown strike to make the score 35-6 with 7:20 left in the game.

Allegheny’s next drive re-

sulted in a punt, and the Wolverines had a field goal attempt blocked on their possession, but an offsides penalty on Allegheny kept the drive alive for the Wolverines. Freshman running back Shepherd Miller cataloged a two-yard rushing score on the next play to put

Luke Gronbeck’s 5-under total set a program record

championship.

led the Wolverines with a seventh-place finish, shooting a two-day total of 170. Sophomore Gabrielle Kinneer followed in 18th with a 185, while seniors Hailey Muñoz and Rebekah Gaehring, along with sophomore Sydney Goettel, contributed to the team’s 750 total.

“We had a strong fall, so we were optimistic heading into PACs without feeling stressed

out by it. We had played especially well in our home invitational a week earlier, shooting a team total of 347 — our best performance of the season. We have nine women on the team, any one of whom would represent Grove City well in an event. They have all put in the time and effort on the course and in the golf room,” Assis-

JOHN HAKE

Junior quarterback Sutton Ellis went eight-for-18 on pass attempts, tallying 108 yards in the team’s matchup against Allegheny.

LUKE PAGLIA

Junior Dominic DiNinno secured a pick six during the Oct. 10 match vs. Waynesburg.