The Collegian, Oct. 3, 2025

Grove City locks down

‘Swatting’ call prompts lockdown

False report forces students to evacuate public buildings on campus

Matthew Purucker News Editor

A report of a man with a gun near Buhl Library disrupted Sunday afternoon on campus, drawing a heavy police presence, scrambling students around the area and leading to a three-hour lockdown.

Grove City Police received the call at 3:55 p.m. and dispatched officers, who arrived on campus a few minutes later alongside Pennsylvania State Police from Butler, Mercer and New Castle.

After searching across campus and reviewing security camera footage, police found “no evidence of an active shooter, or victims or witness-

es claiming an active shooter was ever present at the library” and said the incident is “believed to be a computer-generated swatting call,” according to a Pennsylvania State Police news release.

Swatting is the act of making a false emergency call to police to draw law enforcement to a location, usually with the intent of causing chaos and harm, as well as distracting or wasting police resources.

“We could not be more thankful for how quickly these local resources arrived or how well they all worked together to bring this to a swift conclusion,” Director of Campus Safety Seth Van Til said.

Soon after arriving, Grove

Coca-Cola CEO gives Sticht Lecture

Matthew Purucker News Editor

J. Frank Harrison III, chairman and CEO of Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated, gave the annual Sticht Memorial Lecture in Business and Ethics on Sept. 24 in Sticht Lecture Hall.

Harrison spoke to students and other attendees about how the role of Christian faith and volunteer service interacts with the bottling company’s business vision and practices.

“Just walk in God’s purpose for your life. … That is true success, whatever that is, and you’ve got to figure that out,” Harrison said. “But go be incredibly successful, walking in your purpose, and then I promise you, you will leave a powerful legacy.”

Harrison began the lecture by discussing Open Eyes, a

Christian service organization which aims to plant churches, provide relief and development and spread Christianity in East Africa. Harrison’s son, James, inspired Harrison to help found the organization after he died while serving as a missionary.

“We (Open Eyes) travel to the most remote parts of the world, remote Sudan, Tajikistan. We go back in these villages,” Harrison said. “They had no idea who Jesus is, but they’re back there drinking a Coke. How does that work? If they can get that answer, I mean, the world would be evangelized.”

Harrison emphasized the necessity of a good corporate culture and the company’s chaplaincy program for its employees, highlighting how it has improved lives. He also reiterated the value of stew-

GCC

From skeptic to speaker

Olivia Petty Contributing Writer

Former atheist and environmental activist Paul

Kingsnorth will visit Grove City College on Tuesday as the keynote speaker of the annual Christian Writers Conference.

Kingsnorth will expound upon his faith and writing in an interview with Dr. Jeffrey Bilbro, professor of English, in the Breen Student Union Great Room at 3:30 p.m. He will lecture at 7 p.m. in Harbison Chapel with an 8 p.m. reception and book signing following in Rathburn Great Room.

Faced with the opportunity to host a writer admired for his “moral seriousness and intellectual acuity” in the words of Bilbro, the college elected to host the event a semester early. After meeting Kingsnorth at a conference in Wisconsin in 2023, Bilbro hoped to invite him to the college, and two years later, Kingsnorth’s book tour will bring him to campus. Arriving in the wake of the last guest, the well-known Andrew Peterson, Kingsnorth’s conference may find it hard to stand out.

Although Peterson focused on the relationship between people and the natural world, Kingsnorth will examine the relationship between people and AI, according to junior English major Sophia Pelsue.

“Most fields are and will continue to be changed by AI and its uses,” Pelsue said. “It’s easy to get sucked into technology and the ways it makes life easier (to our detriment). Kingsnorth could help clearly line out the dangers of AI and specifically the human aspect of relations to technology.” Kingsnorth ran into God while thinking he was running away, forsaking diverse religious pursuits and a life of activism as he admitted in his article, “The Cross and the Machine.” Kingsnorth would say he had nothing to do with this transformation.

“I only knew that I could argue a good case for the injustice of the world made by this ‘God,’ and the silliness of miracles, resurrections and virgin births. I knew I was cleverer than all the people who believed this sort of rubbish, and I was happy to tell them so,” Kingsnorth admits in his book, “The Cross and the Machine.”

A life of activism burned Kingsnorth out. He began to consider not just how to respond to the treatment of the earth but also how to improve it, according to Bilbro.

“In the Kingdom of Man, the seas are ribboned with plastic, the forests are burning, the cities bulge with billionaires and tented camps, and still we kneel before the idol of the great god Economy as it grows and grows like a cancer cell,” Kingsnorth said. “And what if this ancient faith is not an obstacle after all, but a way through?”

In a life made dangerously effortless by technology, it is tempting to stray from natural lifestyles. Kingsnorth will seek to answer that concern.

JOSIAH DETRICH

KETURAH BLASER

Coca-Cola CEO J. Frank Harrison III addresses students in Sticht.

From the Tower

Shaken, but held together by the cornerstone

Though the weather was warm on the evening of Sunday, Sept. 28, the quad was empty. Instead, emergency vehicles filled the campus’s streets. The sound of sirens replaced the usual laughter and chatter of students. The heavy weight of fear and tension hung over Grove City College.

But that’s not what I’m choosing to remember about last Sunday. That day, the spirit of Grove City College was as powerful as it has been throughout the years I’ve lived here. I’ll remember the heroism of campus safety officers who were willing to put their lives at risk to evacuate the library. I’ll remember the campus and wider Grove City area community coming together to support each other through the dark emotions and anxieties of the day. I’ll remember professors and pastors sending texts and emails checking in on students. I’ll remember phone calls from recent grads and Grovers off-campus, hoping to hear that their friends had found a safe space to shelter in place. I’ll remember feeling an unexplainable sense of peace and the Holy Spirit’s presence resting upon me, sitting in my locked bathroom with my roommate and a girl I’d never met as we held hands and prayed for first responders and students on upper campus. I’ll remember people gathering in the chapel praising God for delivering them from fear and danger after we received word that the college was safe. If I was going to be on any campus experiencing a “swatting” incident, I’m glad it was Grove City College.

My roommate and I sat in the dark for three hours. That’s a lot of time to think. As I waited for the all-clear, I thought to myself that this was the best place I could be, considering the circumstances. I knew I was surrounded by a community of faculty, administrators, students, parents, alumni and churches who were all praying for our safety. Matthew 18:20 tells us that where two or three gather in Christ’s name, He is with them, and God was at Grove City College on Sunday. We live in a world saturated with evil. Evil that prompts someone to falsely perpetuate fear and violence with the intention of hurting their neighbors. But despite that, we can rest knowing that we serve a God who has already conquered evil. The battle is won. He has overcome the world (John 16:30), and as followers of Christ, we participate in that victory through our faith in Him (1 John 5). That is what we cling to in these moments.

I believe that our campus was at its strongest last Sunday. Though I didn’t know what the outcome was going to be, I felt safer surrounded by the prayers of the Grove City community than I would’ve on any other campus. That’s not to say we shouldn’t prioritize implementing more precautionary measures to protect our campus, but during those three hours, my assurance came from knowing that my community here serves the Lord and that my God doesn’t abandon His people. How blessed are we that the Lord of the universe, who is entirely self-fulfilling and does not need us, chooses us out of His own goodness and cares about our well-being? Grove City was shaken last weekend, but it was held together by our cornerstone that is Christ (Eph. 2: 19-21). That is what I choose to remember about Sunday, Sept. 28.

Emily Fox

Editor-in-Chief

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

Randall Elvin

Alexandria Fox

Editing

Olivia Emerick

Copy Chief

Copy Editors

Bonnie Pittman

Anna Kasianides

Kendall Lambrect

Jaci Morell

Campbell Wiersma

THE GREEN EYESHADE AWARD

This

Kathryna Hoyman Managing Editor

Art & Photography

Luke Paglia

Photo Chief

Bernie Komoroski

Comic Strip Artist

Staff Photographers

Mara Brak

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.

The bounds of free speech

Olivia Emerick Copy Chief

Recent events have opened the floodgates on discourse regarding free speech, censorship and the media.

Two weeks ago, Disney (ABC) briefly suspended late-night host Jimmy Kimmel for his remarks on Charlie Kirk’s assassination. His words were not a critique of Kirk, but of how President Trump and his supporters reacted.

“We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it,” Kimmel said.

He also likened Trump’s reaction to Kirk’s death to “how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish.”

On the Wednesday following Kimmel’s monologue, Brendan Carr, the Trump-appointed chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), appeared on a rightwing podcast hosted by Benny Johnson.

According to CNN, Carr said, “Frankly, when you see stuff like this – I mean, look. We can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to change

conduct, to take action, frankly, on Kimmel, or, you know, there is going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.”

“There’s calls for Kimmel to be fired. I think you could certainly see a path forward for suspension over this. And again, you know, the FCC is gonna have remedies that we could look at,” Carr added later.

The same day, Sinclair and Nexstar, which own dozens of stations affiliated with ABC, announced that they would indefinitely preempt the show.

After Kimmel was pulled from the air, people from both the right and left erupted in defense of free speech. According to a YouGov poll on the event, “Two-thirds (68%) of Americans believe it is unacceptable for the government to pressure broadcasters to remove shows that include speech it disagrees with.” After seeing the public’s reaction, ABC reinstated “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on its stations.

No matter what side of the political spectrum you fall on, you probably claim to support free speech. Most of us read “1984” or “Animal Farm” in high school; we know it’s objectively bad when a person’s voice is taken away from them. But what if it’s someone we disagree with? What if it’s someone who is not using his voice to generate constructive discourse, but to spread hate and discord? We can see how this balance

plays out in mass media, but also at a smaller scale on social media and even on our own campus.

Free speech is a good thing – obviously. We should feel able to have differing opinions, compare one thought to another and come away with something new. We should also feel able to criticize those in power without fear of censorship.

But we should not use freedom of speech to defend saying harmful, offensive or derogatory words. As Christians, this should be clear. And yet, freedom of speech has become the go-to justification of people spewing bigotry: “This is America, I can say whatever I want.”

We should be thankful for free speech. We should be able to recognize when it is stripped from others, even people with whom we disagree. But on a personal level, we should never use it as a justification for hate speech. Even if you have the freedom to say something, it doesn’t mean you should. Is it helpful? Is it constructive? Or is it causing more division in an already hate-filled world?

It’s concerning that a critique of the president and a small joke at his expense led to Kimmel being temporarily pulled from the air – especially since the administration claims to be a staunch proponent of free speech, as did Kirk.

The band marches onward

Catharine Runion Community Editor

The Grove City College Marching Band is gearing up for the culmination of its season. Along with the final few football games, the Marching Band Festival, which takes place at 7 p.m. on Oct. 4, will feature music that students have been working on for months.

This event features Grove City College’s Marching Band and several other bands from nearby schools. Mercer, Girard, Greenville, Sharpsville and West Middlesex high schools will perform as well.

The festival is enjoyed annually by college students and community members, but its primary focus is to cultivate relationships with local bands and individual musicians. The high schoolers are given an opportunity to perform, showcase their skills and see what the Grove City College Music Department is capable of.

Though not specifically a recruiting event, this is a simple and effective way to promote the college and the department. Department Chair Jeffrey Tedford ’00 is vocal about the program’s role in recruitment. For many students, a strong music program that it is possible to participate in as a non-major is a huge plus; this festival highlights the diversity of the music program to prospective students.

The band’s social media presence has increased over the season. Social Media Manager Hannah Terebessy has been hard at work cultivating reels, memes and feature posts, and the results have been positive.

“I’ve had a focus on recruitment and representation,” Terebessy said. “My vision is to encourage prospective students and marchers to join band by attempting to capture the joy music brings us.” She involves as many different members as she can to foster collective pride and unity.

Terebessy’s posts on Instagram, found under the handle @gccmarchingband, have increased the page’s following by over 200 people. A recent reel has reached over 23 thousand views and has nearly one thousand likes.

This year’s performance, led

by drum majors senior Alec Durfee, junior Rachel Lewis and senior Daniel Garner, is 1980s themed. The show features countless classics like “Separate Ways” by Journey, Toto’s “Africa,” “Take on Me” by a-ha and “Holding Out for a Hero” by Bonnie Tyler.

The band has also expanded their front ensemble to include bass and electric guitars, an updated sound system and, in true ’80s fashion, synthesizers. They are joined in their performances by the Grove City College Front Line.

It isn’t an easy thing to put together a show like that, though; Durfee said it’s a “mammoth project.” In addition to just learning the music, each band member must learn specific choreography to ensure that the visual component is strong.

With over 100 members to coordinate, the resulting show is truly a feat. “Each member is tasked with specific, customized coordinates on the field, rehearsing and memorizing the music and then putting it all together on the field,” Durfee said.

The process started a few weeks before school started. The show was put together, tweaked, practiced and re-

peated until the band operated as a cohesive unit. Durfee said, “While the hot summer days of band camp and early-season practices can be long and tiring, the work pays off when we have pregame and halftime shows to perform for the community.”

All of that hard work is a powerful bonding agent for band members; the band community is an incredibly strong one and one of the most unit-

ed groups on campus. Most members cite this ensemble as being highly impactful on their time at the college.

Durfee is no exception.

“The friendships and memories made during my time in marching band have been some of my greatest highlights in college,” he said. “It’s a great privilege to be part of an organization like this.”

Lewis is a firsthand witness to the band’s dedication and

said that in the end, it’s more than a performance.

“All the band members have put so much heart into their performances,” Lewis said. “I am extremely grateful to be a part of a band where we have the opportunity to praise God through our dedication and performance.”

The performers aim for excellence, of course, but holding Christ at the center elevates it far beyond just being a show.

MICHAEL BOCK

Drum major Rachel Lewis leads the band during the Alumni Tailgate last Saturday.

MARA BRAK

The trombone section performing at the Alumni Tailgate.

LUKE PAGLIA

Sophomore Rebecca West twirls a flag for GCC Frontline.

MICHAEL BOCK

The flute section performing at a recent football game.

Pre-health track

Catharine Runion Community Editor

No one on campus could avoid hearing about the recent Career Fair, even if they wanted to. But a smaller portion of the student population is privy to the Health Professions Fair, which took place later that same evening.

This fair has a different focus and a wildly different scope from the regular Career Fair. Instead of general recruitment, the Health Professions Fair connects students in health-related fields with professional health programs and graduate schools.

A variety of fields are represented at this fair; the more obvious ones are medicine and nursing, but physical therapy and chiropractic fields are present as well. Various graduate schools also come to talk to current students.

Duquesne University, Chatham University, the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, West Virginia University and the University of Pittsburgh will have representatives at this year’s Pre-Health Fair.

The diversity of health professions presented at the fair reflects the wide variety of majors and studies that can funnel into the health industry.

The pre-health track, which is a program at Grove City College, involves significant faculty advising, peer advising and several required classes, all designed to prepare students for a future in the health industry, whether that be grad-

uate school or the professional job market.

Students in the biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, chemistry and exercise science major programs are most likely to follow a pre-health track. However, this track isn’t limited to STEM majors. As long as they complete the requisite coursework and advising requirements, students of all majors are able to follow the pre-health track.

This track funnels into an incredibly diverse spectrum of careers. Pre-health students have gone into dentistry, physical assistantship, physical and occupational therapy, osteopathic and allopathic medicine, pharmacy, nursing and veterinary medicine.

The majors represented by the pre-health track and the Pre-Health Society have seen new life and excitement as a result of the completion of renovations in Smith Hall. According to Pre-Health Society President Martina Stasko, the new spaces are game-changing.

New state-of-the-art technology has brought the prehealth programs to a whole new level. “The snorkel fume hoods and new lab benches in the anatomy lab make dissection efficient and modern; there are also virtual anatomy tables for exercise science majors. I believe these will prepare students even more for their futures,” Stasko said.

The future is bright for STEM programs at Grove City College. Between the addition of STEM Hall a few years ago

and the brand-new renovations in Smith Hall, health-related majors are on the rise and will only get better over the next several years.

Many exercise science majors have been especially relieved by the expansion of their lab space in Smith Hall. The current senior class will have been through three different lab spaces: the small lab in old Rockwell, the small lab in the Physical Learning Center and now the new Smith renovations.

Senior Abigail Helsel expressed how grateful she was to be able to conduct research for her senior research project in the new lab spaces. “We have two different anatomy-only labs, four different dedicated exercise science spaces and our professors have actual offices now,” Helsel said.

Having so many new tools, technologies and pieces of equipment (such as an environmental chamber which can change temperature, humidity and pressure) broadens the scope of exercise science majors’ final projects and opens up the opportunities for anyone looking to follow the prehealth track. “The possibilities are endless,” Helsel said.

In a time when integrity and character are becoming rare, the expansion of pre-health students’ resources at Grove City College is a game-changer. Now the next generation of doctors, nurses and physical therapists will be joined by ever-strengthening graduating classes from the college.

Broad Street hosts Oktoberfest

Madelyn Braho Staff Writer

Prepare for a busy Broad Street: Oktoberfest is arriving in Grove City next week. Local businesses will be open for a community day on Friday evening.

This will be the third year Broad Street has held an Oktoberfest event. It is organized by Heather Blanchard, owner and operator of D’Licious Bouquets. All local businesses on the street are welcome to participate. The storefront beside Precision Cuts, opposite the Guthrie, will host the Smiling Moose Distillery.

A festive fall

Kathryna Hoyman Managing Editor

This fall, the college’s Greek groups are collaborating to host events for the campus. Amidst the efforts of sororities, fraternities and housing groups to host rush and make floats for the Homecoming Parade, they find time to unite other students, Greek members and independents alike, in a wide range of events.

The Delta Rho Sigma housing group, also known as “the Buffalos,” joined forces with the Nu Lambda Phi fraternity on Sept. 27 to kick off a season of events by hosting their annual “Meat and Greet.”

“We had burgers and steaks – that got great feedback –and some yard games like volleyball, Spikeball, corn hole and Kan Jam. We were excited to reconnect with upperclassmen, meet new students and increase our presence and contribution on campus,” senior Nu Lamb member Andrew Coy said.

Upcoming, the Crons housing group and Tri-Zeta sorority will host their “Pink Dance” on Oct. 3 in Ketler Rec.

“‘Pink Dance’ is an event that the Zetas and the Crons are running to fundraise for breast cancer awareness. This is open to the whole campus, and all are welcome to dance with us and come meet new people! I am so excited to see this year’s turnout and have a fun night with friends!” senior Zeta President Kaitlyn Erickson said.

Another highly anticipated event is “Wolf Creep,” which will be hosted on Oct. 24 by the Tri-Rhos housing group and the Alpha Beta Tau sorority.

“‘Wolf Creep’ is an adrenaline-filled horror walk. I walked through last year, and it was a lot of fun and there were a lot of scares, so I’m excited to help run it this year as a Rho,” junior Max Turner

said. The walk will take place on lower campus, weaving through the college’s Nature Trail.

The campus’ Theta Alpha Pi sorority will once again collab with the Beta Sigma fraternity to host “Monster Mash” on the evening of Halloween in Ketler Rec.

“‘Monster Mash’ is essentially a big dance for all of campus to dress up for a contest and come have fun with friends and meet new people! The last few years, attendance has been on the rise, and we are hoping for even more to show up this year,” sophomore Theta member Jordyn Vandevort said. “All proceeds are donated to the Alpha Omega Pregnancy Center.”

Also held the evening of Oct. 31 will be fraternity Delta Iota Kappa’s “Bonfire Bash” on lower campus. “It will include various activities such as a pumpkin carving contest, Spikeball, cornhole and, of course, a bonfire! Snacks and refreshments will be provided as well. It will be a great time, so you definitely don’t want to miss it!” junior DIK member Brett Belval said.

On Nov. 7, the Gamma Chi sorority and ADELPHIKOS fraternity will host their iconic “Spicy Soup Night” in the Breen Student Union. “It is a time of fellowship, friendly competition and delicious food. I signed up for the competition having no idea what I was getting myself into. My stomach hurt for two days after, but the memories will last a lifetime,” senior ADEL member Benjamin Forastiere reported.

These are a few of the most eagerly awaited events this fall semester, but be sure to keep an eye out around campus and on social media for info on other Greek goings-on during these upcoming months. Whether you only make it to a few or all of these events, it will most certainly be a festive fall at Grove City.

Oct.

The street will remain open, except for a small portion of East Pine, which will be a children’s area. Bookends Bookstore will host free pumpkin painting, and there will be a racecar and a firetruck on display.

Sponsors include Saxony House Furniture, Joden’s Jewelry, D’Licious Bouquets and Bookends.

Treebeard Brown, a local band composed mostly of teachers from Grove City High School, will be performing in the gazebo near Coffaro’s at 6 p.m.

Blanchard also organizes Light Up Night with Santa in December as a way to bring some attention to Broad

Street. “Our downtown is charming and cute, but a lot of us are struggling,” she explained.

Her business is one of the longer-running ones now: She has been open since 2014. Her hope is that having these events will help bring people, especially college students, downtown.

The past two years have been very successful, according to Blanchard. “At one point you couldn’t even walk down the street with how full it was,” she said.

Oktoberfest will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3 on Broad Street.

GROVE CITY OKTOBERFEST FACEBOOK Grove City hosts annual Oktoberfest to celebrate the season.

GROVE CITY COLLEGE

Students are provided with new equipment in one of the laboratories in Smith Hall.

Uprising star Raye

Andrew Hutchinson Contributing Writer

If you are familiar with American pop music, the dominance of singers like Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter, Billie Eilish and Taylor Swift should be obvious.

Only last week, Eilish’s 2019 album “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go” fell off the Billboard Top 200 for the first time since its release. This continued dominance, paired with the worldwide obsession with American popular culture, means finding international gems takes work. However, the British artist Raye has earned her place among the greatest musical talents of the modern era. And hold on, because she is just getting started.

Raye has been in the music industry for the past few years, working primarily as a writer for artists like Little Mix, Beyoncé, Charli XCX and John Legend. Her own music was limited to British EDM and much of it received poor critical reviews for a lack of originality. In 2021, she told social media that her record label, Polydor Records, was preventing the release of her debut album, and by the next year she had split from them.

In 2023, Raye released “My

21st Century Blues” to critical acclaim and indisputable popularity. The song “Escapism” went platinum and was No. 1 on the Billboard UK charts, and the album peaked at No. 2 on UK charts. She proceeded to break the record for the most Brit Awards received at a single ceremony (five), got her first Grammy nomination and performed at the 97th Acade-

my Awards.

Since then, she has appeared at many pop and jazz festivals, and the crowds she drew served as further proof that she has cemented her place in the industry.

From the viewpoint of this classical musician who adores popular music, Raye stands above the current slate of American singers. The con-

Egg hunt Taylor Swift’s secret messages for fans

June Lee

Contributing Writer

Nineteen years after popstar sensation Taylor Swift made her debut in the music industry, the singer/songwriter has announced her 12th studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl.” Fans of the singer are no stranger to the Easter eggs that Swift drops months and even years prior to her releases.

Each of Swift’s albums follows a color theme, with “Life of a Showgirl” featuring orange with green accents. Why orange? One theory is that the color shows support of her fiancé Travis Kelce, as orange is a combination of the red and gold colors of the Kansas City Chiefs.

However, a different theory, one that better incorporates the green accents and the timing of Swift’s hints, posits that the orange and green allude to the oxidization of copper. When exposed to the elements, copper loses its shiny orange sheen for a protective layer of green patina – a notable example of this can be seen in the Statue of Liberty. Similarly, a showgirl in front of the world diminishes in luster over time, but having weathered the public eye, gains something from the experience.

Observant fans have noticed numerous Easter eggs on the new album throughout The Eras Tour, such as the copious amount of orange that appeared in the performance. As the tour progressed, Swift gradually introduced a slew of orange costumes on stage.

Notably, she wore a fire-colored dress in New Orleans for a surprise duet with Sabrina Carpenter, a foreshadowing for the new album’s title track,

which is a collaboration with Carpenter. Finally, the closing set of the Eras Tour featured an orange door in the background, signifying the transition into the new album era.

Swift’s fascination with numbers has also provided several Easter eggs. In the official video thumbnail of “I Can Do It With A Broken Heart” in August 2024 and in a TikTok video from October of the same year, a sign with “A12” on it appears, referring to Swift announcing her 12th album at 12:12 a.m. on Aug. 12, 2025 – 12 weeks after her revelation that she had bought back the rights to all of her previous music. Even the final performance of her Eras Tour was held on Dec. 8 in a reversal of the Aug. 12 date.

If the meticulous planning to produce all these Easter eggs

seems elaborate, it is nothing that the singer’s “Swiftie” fans have not come to expect. Hidden messages such as these have become commonplace in Taylor Swift’s work for years now, with fans meticulously analyzing aspects such as her attire, choice of words and music videos, hoping for clues on her next project in the weeks, months and even years ahead. For some fans, it is a constant balancing act to not read too much into a picture, but for those who have less interest in scouring small details, they are also simple enough to ignore. The Easter eggs and other connections in Swift’s work provide two types of enjoyment for fans, giving them freedom to choose to what level they wish to engage with her music.

Raye’s self-released album could not be further from the bland similarity of those albums, and she includes Hollywood ballads like “Oscar Winning Tears” with chill sing-rap in “Five Star Hotel” and “Escapism.” Her sound varies even more in some of her singles, including jazz in “What a Difference a Day Makes,” “Genesis” and a bit of genre-bending in “Worth It.” If you take a fancy to most forms of music that have constituted “popular music” over the last 70 years or so, she has done it.

tinued supremacy of the same artists for nearly a decade has led to a lack of originality, as seen in albums like “The Tortured Poets Department,” “Cowboy Carter” and even “Man’s Best Friend,” a harshly explicit album that, despite a good reception from its audience, has more audible homogeny than Sabrina Carpenter’s other releases.

Most recently, she released the single “Where Is My Husband!” and at the same time announced a new album and world tour. The song, which features a jazzy brass section and immaculate genre-blending between big band jazz, soul and rap will likely resonate with a number of Grovers for a shared desire for marriage! In the past week, the song has accumulated 23 million streams on Spotify, and in a world of Jack Antonoff synth and Taylor Swift melancholy, Raye’s power shines through in a vibe reminiscent of a posh, British version of Lana Del Ray, with even better vocals. Whatever you like to listen to, Raye may have what you have been looking for, and I hope you enjoy her irreproachable live vocals, stage presence and down-to-earth personality.

Reflecting on

the

TikTok ban

Randall Elvin Staff Writer

Imagine it’s 1:47 a.m. and you swore you’d study in an hour … two hours ago. Instead, you’ve gotten up to date on “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” watched the Steelers’ latest low lights and learned the newest slang that can only bring down your IQ.

Many readers don’t have to imagine this because it’s their reality. From trends, humor and seemingly endless communities, TikTok has something for everyone. TikTok has easily become more than just an app to the younger generations – it’s the default for gaps between classes, meals and study sessions.

That’s why news of a TikTok ban rattled people across the nation. Concerns over the security of the app have been discussed since 2020. Five years later, these concerns are still relevant. The Chinese app has been suspected of letting the Chinese Communist Party access millions of users’ data. With Americans making up more than 170 million users, the U.S. government saw this as a serious national security issue.

Lawmakers drew up plans to crack down on TikTok in 2020, 2023 and 2025. Most recently, we remember TikTok going dark to those located in the U.S. for less then 24 hours before President Donald Trump signed an executive order to extend its usable time. Many users were ready to move on from TikTok and hopped on Instagram reels. Some even switched to the RedNote app which, ironically, is also Chinese-owned.

A few dedicated TikTok users even deleted the app since it was unusable. When the ban was lifted, the app wasn’t available in the Apple store for

multiple days, which was frustrating to those who rely on it for entertainment – maybe too heavily.

When TikTok was up and running again, many students let out a big sigh of relief. It’s not just a time eater: It’s a hub for timely news. For younger generations, TikTok rivals and may even surpass legacy platforms of news like Twitter or cable news. According to Pew Research, one in five U.S. adults under 30 say they regularly get news on TikTok, a statistic that is only going up. The speed at which videos get uploaded and the amount of time users spend on the app contribute to this fact.

Feeds can shape moods and moods can shape campus morale. A celebrity engagement with someone like Taylor Swift can spread like wildfire, sparking others to share it with their friends. Fans engage in excitement in the dining hall or in classes. On the opposite end, news of a political assassination can also spread rapidly and cause solemnity and silence in those same areas. Any global event is at the fingertips of millions of users on one of the most popular apps of all time. Wonderful news, tragic news and anything in between explodes on TikTok almost instantly.

TikTok may take up more hours than we would like to admit, but it’s also where culture and news are spread faster than anywhere else. It keeps conversations alive and creates trends that can bring people together. Seeing how people react, laugh and debate is all part of connecting to each other. For anyone who is on the app or not, TikTok will continue to direct culture, news, study breaks and how many of us interact with others.

INSTAGRAM

INSTAGRAM

Under the lights

The annual Grove City College football night game

On Saturday, Sept. 27, the Grove City College Wolverines faced off against the Washington & Jefferson Presidents. The Wolverines were defeated 14-34 in a hard fought game.

Every year, the night game is an exciting event that the whole community goes all out for. The evening atmosphere alongiside the whiteout theme creates a captivating energy for fans and players alike.

The game is always capped off with a spectacular firework show.

The annual night game for the football team marked the begining of PAC play for the Wolverines. Read more about their game in the sports section on page 11.

by Luke Paglia, Photo Chief

Julia Kramer Contributing Writer

If I am honest with myself, my survival skills are severely lacking.

After the events of last Sunday, I have realized that if a shooting really occurred, I would be one crispy, bullet-riddled individual. As I was going for a walk that fateful afternoon, contentedly oblivious as I listened to my music, a friend motioned for me to take off my headphones, informing me that armed policemen were swarming the library.

Despite the alarming nature of this news, I felt no alarm, only a mild curiosity. Others around me were filming on their phones, and after a moment of silence, I continued my walk. Nothing felt all that serious. Moments later, I was again motioned to take off my headphones and informed to stay away from the library, the tone more urgent, but again I just watched curiously as I waited for someone to figure out what was going on.

Police cars were flashing all around and an officer was patrolling the grass, but surely if this was serious, there would be more alarm, right?

“You guys need to get in your dorms right now,” a student inside Lincoln ordered, which seemed to cement the reality of the situation. But even then, I was wondering about the necessity of it all.

Individuals scattered about me and disappeared into their

False alarm

Fake threats numb us to real danger

dorms, and I was left alone, walking slowly away. Could I still get a walk in if I just went off campus? My thoughts were interrupted when a student came up to me, with the same dazed and confused look on his face, aksing if I knew what was occurring. After some back and forth, it turned out he knew more than I did, and the word “shooter” was introduced into the growing theory, but I still felt almost no sense of alarm.

“You should go to your dorm!” a friend yelled to me from his second-story window, the tone of urgency slightly awakening me as I tried to summon the fear needed to change my trajectory. But then other voices started calling to me, “What’s going on? Do you know what’s happening?”

Bewildered and not knowing which windows were addressing me now, I tried to reply logically without claiming anything I did not know for certain.

But like two old ladies gossiping from their balcony trellis, the situation felt commonplace, like swapping news about a sports event, not a school shooter. Slowly, however, I began to head to my dorm on the other side of campus. Walking through the crowd, I saw people were still picnicking on the quad, the vibes still high and the Spikeball still out. Was anything actually happening?

Then the alarms started to go off. Heads looked up, and then down at their phones, and I began to run, but like a bunch of huddled sheep, no

one seemed to be moving with me. Conflicted and unsure if I was making too much of it all, I turned around and informed those on the sidewalk that maybe, possibly, they should also go to their dorms as well. Then I finally booked it back to my room. As we all know, there was no shooter; it was all a hoax. I could have gone on my walk, and Spikeball could have gone on uninterrupted. But looking back, I cannot help but wish I

had acted with more wisdom. However, I understand why I, and many others, did not. How many of us have nonchalantly hidden under our desks as a “shooter” supposedly roamed the building? How many of us have slowly slipped on our slippers in the middle of the night as our alarms screamed at us that fire and brimstone were upon us? When did “alarms” become synonymous with unnecessary inconveniences?

How can schools put safety first without numbing their students with constant cries of a nonexistent “wolf?”

I do not have the answers. I am glad I did not have to put my survival skills to the test last Sunday, but I am left unsettled. No doubt, many of us will experience similar events in the future, and I only pray that I will have learned to use sound judgment by then, knowing that someday the false alarm might just be true.

Striking the right balance Navigating the

perks and perils of technology

Luca Cosentino Contributing Writer

There is no algorithm that can tell you how to perfectly balance the use of technology in our lives –that is left for us to decide.

Melvin Kranzaberg, an expert in the history of technology, declared the first law of technology: “Technology is neither good nor bad; nor is it neutral.”

It is up to us, as a student body and as individuals, to determine how we utilize the resources available to us in a proper manner. There are benefits to the technology we have within our grasps. Social media helps keep us interconnected, making communication easier than ever. Telegram group chats and channels help spread the word on campus events and

COCA-COLA

continued from 1

ardship, generosity and servant service to the company’s vision.

“Every person that I met (at Coca-Cola Consolidated) that weekend was all in for the mission, passionate about the gospel of Jesus Christ, passionate about business and operational excellence and deeply committed to servant leadership,” President Bradley Lingo said

meetings quicker than anyone could have imagined.

AI can also greatly speed up the process to make things, such as drafting emails and making designs and illustrations. I have used AI like Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT for many personal projects, unrelated to academics.

While technology may be very useful in certain situations, the integration of such powerful tools also has its setbacks.

When asked about the effects of using AI on student’s performance, Dr. Jeffrey Bilbro, a professor of English here at the college, commented, “The early studies on students who use it as a study aid indicate that students feel like they are learning more, and then when it comes time to take a test or write an in-class essay, they perform worse. So, if you’re attending Grove City College to be educated … offloading formative work defeats the purpose that brought

in his speech introducing Harrison, referencing the time he visited the company eight years ago. “It was incredibly impressive, by far the most impressive corporate culture that I had ever seen.”

Near the end of the speech, Harrison connected the topics of the lecture to the t-factor Leadership Initiative, a company program that encourages the development of Christian culture in organizations.

Harrison started work-

you here.”

Are we truly learning when using AI as a tool, or is AI a crutch we depend on? When the crutch is removed, will we crumble to ground? A high reliance on AI could be the force that leads to one’s downfall.

Likewise, social media, while increasing the speed of communication, can be negative as it may produce too much consumption.

Dr. Bilbro continued the matter, saying, “Most of us are bombarded with far more information than we can deliberate about and respond to.” With such great access to a wide variety of information, parsing it all can be more exhaustive than if there was less data to sort through.

A balance is needed to maintain a healthy relationship with technology. Finding that balance is the unfortunate part of the process.

Dr. Brian Dellinger, chair of the Department of Computer Science, mentioned Romans

ing for Coca-Cola Consolidated in 1977, and he is the great-grandson of the company’s founder, J.B. Harrison, who brought Coca-Cola bottling to Charlotte, N.C. The fourth-generation business leader became chairman and CEO of the country’s largest independent Coca-Cola bottler in 1996.

“He’s really brought transformation to the company,”

former Vice President Mike Pence said. “He’s created a

14:1-3 in response to finding a balance with technology. In connection to Romans, he says, “Social media, like a lot of technology, doesn’t fit well to a one-size-fits-all all solution. If social media is moving you away from Christ – then get away from it. If you use social media and find that it doesn’t move you away, then keep on keeping on.”

It is up to the person to make the choice of what is good for them and to act accordingly for their best interests.

Between academia and socializing at Grove City, there is a constant battle on how to handle the technology around us. The unfortunate truth is that one must experiment to find a solution. Everyone is different in their own aspects, and as such, the answer varies from person to person.

Social media is a great way to stay connected, but too much “doom scrolling” loses its original purpose. AI, a helpful tool to speed up tasks

purpose-driven culture that honors God, serves others, pursues excellence and profitability and (it) has a record of success that is the envy of the marketplace.”

Harrison’s presentation was one of the annual lectures that honors J. Paul Sticht, namesake of the lecture hall in the Hall of Arts and Letters. Sticht led R.J. Reynolds Industries, Trans World Airlines, Campbell Soup and Federated Department Stores. He graduat-

and generate content, cannot force us to truly learn and understand the material at hand.

As a student body with a focus on academia, the choice is ours on how to maintain our lives in conjunction with technology. While there is a duty on us, the student body, the college has a duty in how they responds to ever-growing technological dominance. When asked how to handle AI from a professor’s standpoint, Dr. Dellinger commented, “The challenge in teaching is always to separate out what you’re trying to teach from the mechanism you used to teach it. I try to find find new ways of teaching the same skills and core ideas with a new mechanism for providing that.”

Adjustments need to be made from both sides of the spectrum for a healthy relationship to be formed. Integration is possible; we just need to find the balance.

ed from Grove City College in 1939 and died in 2008.

“Be a risk taker for Christ in order to commit your life to him. You’ll be amazed (at) the difference he’ll make in your life about 40 years from now, or 50 when you’re my age. What a difference,” Harrison said. “Get the foundation strong in Christ. Read, pray, obey. Read the Bible, study the Bible, memorize the Bible. … Pray about everything. Pray all the time.”

Response: LGBTQ incompatible with Christianity

Mason Bennett Contributing Writer

There is an epidemic of people who call themselves Christians while simultaneously supporting the LGBTQ lifestyle.

Scripture clearly condemns homosexuality. Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13, Romans 1:26-28 and 1 Timothy 1:8-11 explicitly forbid same-sex relations.

It’s not up for debate. Anyone who claims that Scripture approves of homosexuality is willfully ignorant.

In her article, “Friendliness should not be conditional,” Madelyn Braho suggests that Christians should be “friendly” to all people. There is some truth to this claim. As Christians, we have a duty to extend kindness, graciousness and love to everyone.

Scripture teaches us that all people are made in the image of God and are therefore entitled to some level of respect, regardless of how their sin has degraded that image. Later in her article, Braho claims that this friendliness and love is worth nothing if it is not extended to “our brothers and sisters in Christ who are queer.”

“A relationship with God does not require perfection, but it does require repentance.”

At first, I was perplexed by her claim. After all, “queer Christians” do not exist. Queerness and Christianity are fundamentally incompatible.

There are certainly Christians who struggle with homosexual desires. There are certainly Christians who have a homosexual past of which they have repented. But when people claim to be queer, they are celebrating their sin and taking pride in their homosexual desires, actions, identity and lifestyle.

This celebration of sin is fundamentally at odds with Christianity.

A relationship with God does not require perfection, but it does require repentance. When Jesus offered the adulteress forgiveness, he told her to “Go, and sin no more.”

He didn’t tell her to celebrate her sin. He certainly didn’t tell her to make it her identity. Instead, Jesus commanded her to leave her sin behind and to pursue life in Him.

Repentance is a necessary condition for a relationship with Christ. Anyone who celebrates, takes pride in or identifies with their sin has not repented of it and therefore

cannot be a true follower of Christ.

There are plenty of Christians who struggle with homosexual desires, have repented of them and have a genuine relationship with Christ. But no one who glorifies, affirms and continues to participate in a homosexual lifestyle can honestly claim to be a true follower of Christ.

Even more alarming is Braho’s claim that our tolerance towards people should not be conditional on their trying to “erase part of themselves.” As Christians, we should never tolerate or accept sin. Jesus certainly didn’t. Christ commands us to cut off the sinful parts of ourselves.

Matthew 18:9 states, “And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.”

As Christians we must encourage members of the LGBTQ community to erase the sinful parts of their identity and lifestyle. In order to genuinely love someone, we must desire the good for them.

The greatest good for all people is union with God. But

it is impossible to be in union with God while knowingly participating in and affirming a sinful lifestyle. Therefore, in order to love the LGBTQ community, we must not tolerate their sin (nor should they). In fact, tolerating their sin is the least loving thing we could do for them. If we accept their sinful lifestyle and identity, we are implicitly encouraging them to live in a way that leads to eternal separation from God. Instead, if we truly love them, we must urge them to repent from their sin and turn towards Christ.

Natural rights are sacrosanct Tim Kaine is wrong: Our rights do come from God

Anastasia

Brown Contributing Writer

Ten years ago, Tim Kaine nearly became vice president of the United States as Hilary Clinton’s running mate.

Now, the Democrat senator is stirring controversy with public claims that undermine the very principles on which America was founded.

During a Senate confirmation hearing, Riley Barnes, who has been nominated to serve as the assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labor, was quoted paraphrasing the Declaration of Independence.

Barnes told the committee, “All men are created equal because our rights come from

“The Founding Fathers... [understood] they were only articulating truths already in existance within the weave of the world - truths first written by the Creator.”

God, our creator — not from our laws, not from our governments … We are a nation of individuals, each made in the image of God and possessing an inherent dignity … This is a truth that our founders understood as essential to American self-government.”

Kaine fired back in a four-minute response that railed against the Trump nominee and rejected the founding presuppositions of the Declaration.

“The notion that rights don’t come from laws and don’t come from the government but come from the Creator — that’s what the Iranian government believes,” Kaine said.

“(The Iranian government

is) a theocratic regime that bases its rule on Shia law and targets Sunnis, Bahá’ís, Jews, Christians and other religious minorities. They do it because they believe that they understand what natural rights are from their Creator. So, the statement that our rights do not come from our laws or our governments is extremely troubling … (and) does not create a place of safety or comfort for folks,” he explained.

Senator Kaine’s comments come from a philosophy of “legal positivism,” which the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy defines as a “thesis that the existence and content of law depends on social facts and not on its merits.”

FOOTBALL

continued from 11

that were exposed by W&J over the weekend.

“Adversity builds character. Win or lose, we show back up ready to continue to grow in our visions and [our next game] is just another opportunity to do that,” Ellis said.

“It’s going to be a good game. It should be a pretty good atmosphere, (and) our fans travel well, so it always feels like we have a crowd backing us. We need to continue being anchored in our identities every day this week to be ready for this weekend. I know this team will work hard all week and we will go into Saturday having faith that we are prepared to get back on track and get a win,” he said.

Grove City returns to action tomorrow, Oct. 4, to face off against the Geneva Tornadoes. The game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. in Beaver Falls, Pa.

Legal positivism undermines any inherent or “natural” laws of truth and justice and instead enshrines human governments, lawmakers and other “social facts” as the final definers of law. Unfortunately, this conclusion divorces God from the public sphere.

Senator Kaine continued his statement: “The motto above the Supreme Court is ‘equal justice under law.’ The oath that you and I take (is a) pledge to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, not arbitrarily defined natural rights. People of any religious tradition, or none, are entitled to the equal protection under the laws of the 14th Amendment.”

Kaine’s dismissal of natural rights is where his claims become untenable. After all, the Founding Fathers who wrote the Constitution and later lawmakers who adopted

the amendments did so with the understanding that they were only articulating truths already in existence within the weave of the world – truths written first by the Creator. Without a Creator or natural law to turn to as a source, Senator Kaine has very few laws or rights of citizens that he can back.

The “arbitrarily defined” natural rights which he is attempting to undermine can only be replaced by even more arbitrarily defined manmade laws that can be written and rewritten by anyone with sufficient political power.

The obvious inconsistencies in Kaine’s thinking are only compounded by various other conclusions he attempts to draw with no basis.

He wants the same conclusion as Riley Barnes – a world

A note from the editorial board

Thank you, campus leaders

Adversity reveals character. If last Sunday’s events showed us anything, it showed us that our college employs men and women of immense character.

Thank you, Campus Safety and local law enforcement, for your swift and deft handling of the situation. You put yourselves in potentially mortal danger for our safety, and that is a heroic act we will not forget.

Thank you, Parkhurst, Counseling Center, Residence Life and Christian Formation staff, for extending your support in the hours and days following the lockdown. Your selflessness has not gone unseen.

Thank you, President Lingo, for your prudent decision-making. It took bravery to forge ahead in the aftermath of the lockdown, and you wisely stood your ground

while showing grace to those still reeling from the threat.

Thank you, college faculty, for the charity you extended with regards to deadlines and exams. We have personally felt your love, and it touches us to know how much you care.

And lastly, thank you to all the students who showed leadership last Sunday.

While campus-wide group chats abounded with astonishingly cavalier comments, you responded to the active threat calmly and maturely. We cannot thank you all by name, but we wanted to acknowledge that your response to this adversity revealed your character, too. Those who raised you should be proud.

- The Editors

Lockdown timeline

3:55 p.m.

Grove City police received call reporting man with gun*

4:02 p.m.

Police cleared students from library*

4:04 p.m.

News of active threat spread from student to student*

4:10 p.m.

Hicks cafeteria evacuated, other buildings followed*

4:29 p.m.

First email alert sent to students, “Potentially dangerous situation”

4:44 p.m.

Lockdown made official, second email sent to students

6:02 p.m.

Third email sent to students, “No active threat”

6:54 p.m.

Lockdown lifted, fourth email sent to students

6:55 p.m.

College posted statement on Facebook

7:03 p.m.

Fifth email sent to students debriefing incident

7:05 p.m.

Pennsylvania State Police released statement*

7:35 p.m.

Grove City Police released statement*

8:05 p.m.

First Lingo email sent to students, “Very unsettling afternoon”

10:04 p.m.

Second Lingo email sent to students, “Classes will proceed”

*Asterisks indicate approximate times

LOCKDOWN

City Police and two Campus Safety officers organized outside Hoyt Hall before entering the library to evacuate students. Almost immediately, students fled in all directions.

Some ran to houses along Main Street, while others darted to the IM fields. More students rushed inside residence halls and other on-campus buildings.

“I was (working) behind the desk when two men in police uniforms and ARs (assault rifles) ran through the front doors and began yelling for everyone to exit the building,”

senior Christian Paschke said.

“At first, I was kind of stunned and didn’t know what was happening.

“Then, I saw three girls sprint past the desk and out the door, and everyone seemed to freak out and started to leave the building. I was praying I wouldn’t hear gunshots, and I luckily never did. Once we got back, it was a kind of eerie scene with shoes left behind around campus, along with earbuds, phones and wallets that were left around the library until students were walking around again.”

Although students near the front of the library exited without much trouble, students farther back had a much tougher escape. Students first tried leaving through the emergency exit doors on the first and second levels, but after being unable to open them, students dove out windows on both floors.

Junior Hayley Oakes, who jumped out of a second-story window, suffered what she said was a “minor leg injury”

“In that moment, I truly believed that I might die. It’s been hard since then because many people don’t understand what it was like to feel that fear, to think it was really happening and to experience those overwhelming emotions.”

and had to go to a local emergency room.

“In that moment, I truly believed I might die. It’s been hard since then because many people don’t understand what it was like to feel that fear, to think it was really happening and to experience those overwhelming emotions,” Oakes said. “I never imagined I’d have to make a split-second decision like throwing myself out of a library window, injuring myself just to get to safety.”

The Collegian, as well as state, local and campus police, did not receive reports of other injuries.

Emergency exit doors automatically unlock during a fire, but Van Til said a red button beside the door “must be pushed” to unlock in other emergencies.

College President Bradley Lingo said that the Operations Department confirmed the emergency exit doors worked when used as intended.

“If you’ve never operated the emergency exit door before, which most students would never had occasion to do, and you’re panicking and under pressure, it’s possible that you would not understand how to operate that emergency exit door,” Lingo said.

Once police started clearing students out of the library, students began communicating about the threat of an active shooter.

AHN, GCC announce scholarship partnership

GCC News Release

Allegheny Health Network (AHN) and Grove City College are proud to announce a new partnership designed to invest in the next generation of nursing professionals and address the growing demand for skilled nurses in Western Pennsylvania.

Through AHN’s Talent Attraction Program, eligible students in Grove City College’s Johnson School of Nursing who commit to working for two years at an AHN facility following graduation can receive scholarships of up to $10,000 during their final two years of study.

Founded in 2022, AHN’s Talent Attraction Program (TAP) is a work-study initiative designed to increase diverse candidates in allied health fields and registered nursing while addressing critical workforce shortages. The program includes a mentorship component, pairing students with seasoned hospital employees for professional and personal support.

The collaboration underscores AHN’s ongoing commitment to strengthening the

region’s healthcare workforce and provides Grove City College nursing students with a unique opportunity to begin their careers with financial support and guaranteed placement within a leading health system.

“We are thrilled to partner with Allegheny Health Network to offer this impactful opportunity to our students,”

Dr. Patty Annear, director of the Charles Jr. & Betty Johnson School of Nursing at the college, said. “This program not only eases the financial burden of nursing education, but it also gives our students a clear and meaningful pathway to begin their careers in a supportive and high-quality healthcare environment.”

“This partnership with Grove City College is a strategic investment in the future of nursing in Western Pennsylvania. By providing financial assistance and mentorship opportunities, we’re building a strong pipeline of talented professionals ready to deliver exceptional care within the AHN system,” Eileen Meade, vice president of Growth & Mobility and AHN Talent De-

RIGHTS

continued from 9

where citizens are entitled to inalienable rights that result in indisputable equality. But without natural rights embedded in our world, Kaine has no basis on which to draw these conclusions.

Two hundred and fifty years ago, facing similar complaints as those lodged by Senator Kaine, Alexander Hamilton wrote: “The sacred rights of mankind are not to be rum-

— Hayley

Oakes

After not finding the alleged active shooter, more state and local police reached campus at around 4:10 p.m. That allowed law enforcement to divide into multiple teams to expand the search to Hicks Cafeteria, Pew Fine Arts Center (PFAC), Staley Hall, STEM Hall and other campus buildings to look for the alleged shooter and search and evacuate students. One of those newly arrived units, the Mercer County Critical Incident Response Team, investigated PFAC.

The college first officially alerted students through an email sent at 4:29 p.m., which said, “Police are investigating a potentially dangerous situation at the GCC library. Lock yourselves inside and away from the library.”

The college emailed students twice in about 90 minutes following the first email with updates. One “issued a precautionary lockdown” for the campus, while the other told students to “continue to shelter in place.”

Campus Safety “lifted the precautionary lockdown” in a 6:54 p.m. email alert.

After the campus ended the lockdown, Lingo addressed the college with two emails late Sunday evening to inform and comfort students.

“I wanted to make sure that (students) knew that there was not, in fact, someone with a gun or a shooter on the campus, that we weren’t the only

campus that was affected by a swatting call and, most importantly, that there were resources at the Christian Formation Office and Student Life Office to help them,” Lingo said, referencing the similar false calls that West Chester University, Shippensburg University and Millersville University received the same day around the same time.

“We were fortunate that this did not result in any loss of life or injuries from a shooter, but there’s still emotional trauma (about) an unsettling series of events. And (I was) making sure that the students knew that there was help available for them.”

Following the incident, Van Til said Campus Safety “held several after-action debriefings” to discuss adjusting safety policies, but the department has not finalized potential changes.

Lingo also created a special committee, which Vice President for Operations Susan Grimm and Vice President of Student Life and Learning Larry Hardesty will lead. It will analyze this incident and recommend areas to improve, so the college can be better prepared for similar events in the future.

“The silver lining to this event, as unsettling and challenging as it was, is we couldn’t have possibly created a better drill to assess our preparedness,” Lingo said. “So we’re going to be taking advantage of this opportunity to assess every aspect of our response to the event and think about how we can even be more prepared in the event that something like this were real.”

velopment & Modernization, said.

Students interested in learning more and applying for admission into the Johnson School of Nursing at Grove City College can contact Dr. Annear (AnnearPA@gcc.edu) or visit www.gcc.edu/nursing.

The Johnson School of Nursing prepares students to become skilled, compassionate nurses through a distinctive partnership between Grove City College and Butler County Community College that provides the best of both worlds – excellent liberal arts education and top-tier clinical training.

Allegheny Health Network, part of Highmark Health, is an integrated healthcare delivery system serving Western Pennsylvania and portions of surrounding states. AHN provides patients with access to a complete spectrum of advanced medical services, including nationally recognized programs for primary and emergency care, cardiovascular disease, cancer care, orthopedic surgery, neurology and neurosurgery, women’s health, diabetes and more.

maged for among old parchments or musty records.”

Laws, on their own, cannot claim to create “inalienable rights,” since laws can be undermined or overturned. Instead, Hamilton concludes, “(Rights) are written, as with a sunbeam, in the whole volume of human nature, by the hand of the Divinity itself, and can never be erased or obscured by mortal power.”

TENNIS continued from 12

Yurko rolled to a 6-0, 6-1 victory at second. Joines posted a perfect 6-0, 6-0 result at third singles, and senior Courtney DeCarlo followed with a 6-2, 6-1 win at the fourth spot. Senior Julia Ehrenberger added a 6-1, 6-0 decision at fifth singles, and senior Cana Severson closed the sweep with a 6-1, 6-2 triumph at sixth.

The Wolverines also swept doubles play. The freshman duo of Stitt and Flanigan teamed for a 6-4 victory at first doubles. The senior duo of Joines and DeCarlo battled to a 6-4 win at second and Severson and Ehrenberger rounded out the sweep with a 6-1 victory at third doubles.

At the beginning of the season, the Wolverines were selected second in the annual preseason coaches’ poll with 55 points, including one firstplace vote, following an 11-5 overall record and a 7-1 conference mark in 2024. Grove City stands as the leading challenger to defending champion Allegheny, who claimed the top spot in this year’s poll.

Joines, a returning Second Team All-PAC honoree in both

singles and doubles, headlines a strong Wolverine roster. She is joined by Kiehl, with an impressive group of newcomers that add depth and talent. Beatty, Stitt and Yurko are all listed among the PAC Players to Watch for 2025, signaling the immediate impact Grove City expects from its first-year class.

With a balanced lineup of veteran leadership and young talent, the Wolverines aim to build on last year’s success and compete for the PAC championship, two seasons removed from their 2023 championship.

The conference regular season concludes on Oct. 11, with the six-team PAC tournament scheduled for Oct. 14–18. The winner will secure the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championships, which is a goal Grove City looks ready to pursue.

After taking on the defending PAC champion Allegheny Gators on Wednesday, Oct. 1, the Wolverines return home tomorrow, Oct. 4, to face off against the Washington & Jefferson Presidents. Action is set to begin at 1 p.m. at the Walters-Zbell Tennis Courts.

LUKE PAGLIA

The women’s tennis team won their match against Franciscan.

Sports

Golfers populate podium at Franciscan Invite

Mia Gallagher Sports Editor

The Grove City College golf program found renewed success last Saturday, Sept. 27 at the Franciscan University Invitational. With podium placements produced from both the men’s and women’s teams, their performance bodes well as the PAC fall championship looms ever closer.

Leading the way for the men’s team was sophomore Luke Gronbeck, whose 72-stroke finish allowed him to top the invitational’s 40man field. This first-place finish helped propel the Wolverines to fifth overall with a score of 315.

“It felt nice to top the podium at Franciscan. I have been playing consistently all season, so it was nice to finally be able to put together a winning round,” Gronbeck said.

Joining Gronbeck in his efforts was junior Nathan Young, who shot 79 on the day to clinch 12th place. Young was followed by sophomore Seth Hartman and senior Jonah Kozora, who placed 22nd and 29th, respectively. Senior Cayden Testa secured a 38thplace finish and rounded out the Wolverines’ performance for the day.

“My teammates and I have put in a lot of work this fall, and I think it just shows how competing in practice together and playing matches against one another helps to get those

“I think the majority of our success will come from continuing to push each other both on and off the course. We have built so much confidence as a team this season, and I think that is huge for us going into the fall portion of PACs.

competitive reps in,” Gronbeck said.

“We will continue to push each other in practice and try to make those rounds as competitive as possible. If we can continue to get a little bit better every day, we can be playing our best golf come October.”

Junior Lauren Kardos came away from Franciscan with a podium finish of her own as her 83-shot performance earned her third. The team would go on to secure fourth overall, tallying a team total of 331.

“I felt pretty good about my round overall. I played solid on the front nine coming in with a third of 39, but I definitely did not play my best on the back. I think everyone struggled a little bit more on the back nine. Of course, I always want to put together my best round, but it just did not come together this time, and that’s okay. I am happy with how we all competed. I think as a team, we will take what we learned with us into our home invite on Oct. 6,” Kardos said.

Following Kardos were classmates Sydney Goettel and

—- Lauren Kardos

Gabrielle Kinneer, who took 18th and 21st, respectively. Freshman Mackzenie Boley lent a 26th-place finish to the team’s total, while senior Rebekah Gaehring rounded out the lineup from 33rd place.

“I think the majority of our success will come from continuing to push each other both on and off the course. We have built so much confidence as a team this season, and I think that is huge for us going into the fall portion of PACs. Our culture has grown, and this is so exciting to see for the future of the program. I think if we stay focused on making putts and approaching the green with accuracy, we have a great chance of finishing top three,” Kardos said.

The Wolverines will return to action this Monday, Oct. 6. The men’s program will travel to Beallsville, Pa. for the Waynesburg University Invitational, while the women will host their annual Grove City Fall Invitational at Grove City Country Club. Both squads will then compete for the PAC title Oct. 13th and 14th in Warren, Ohio.

Wolverines winless in white out wipeout

Natalie Hanna Contributing Writer

Grove City’s football team opened its PAC schedule with a tough loss to Washington & Jefferson on Saturday, Sept. 27.

The Wolverines scored their first touchdown in the third quarter with a 50-yard pass from junior quarterback Sutton Ellis to classmate wide receiver Sam Penna, followed by the extra point from freshman kicker Brady Lane, bringing the score to 34-7. Penna caught three passes for a total of 58 yards throughout the game, while Ellis threw for a total of 83 yards.

Senior running back Ian Demeri led the team with 142 rushing yards and closed the scoring with a two-yard touchdown run in 21 attempts, bringing the final score to 3414. W&J outgained Grove City 448-281 and held a 35:5024:10 lead in possession time.

“(It’s) obviously not the outcome we wanted, but it doesn’t change our identity. The last couple weeks we have not been playing to our best potential, and as we get into week five of the season, we need to be reaching that,” Ellis said.

On the defensive side of the game, senior linebackers Caleb Brubaker and Jack Jollie had 17 and 12 tackles, respectively. Senior linebacker Ben Bladel shared a sack with senior defensive end Jordan Karczewski. Despite the loss, the team is prepared to bounce back and “attack the rest of the PAC the same way we did the last three games: we will play our game and just keep meshing as a team,” according to Ellis.

Football (1-2): L, W&J (14-34)

Men’s Soccer (5-2-1): W, Allegheny (5-1)

Women’s Soccer (3-4-2): W, Geneva (2-0)

Women’s Volleyball (9-4): L, Geneva (2-3)

Men’s Golf: 5th/16, Grove City Fall Invitational

Women’s Golf: 4th/7, Franciscan Invitational

Women’s Tennis (6-2): L, Allegheny (2-5)

Upcoming

Football:

Oct. 4, 7:30 p.m. at Geneva

Men’s Soccer: Oct. 4, 1 p.m. vs. Thiel

Women’s Soccer: Oct. 4, 3:30 p.m. vs. Thiel

Women’s Volleyball: Oct. 4, 1 p.m. vs. Bethany

Men’s Golf: Oct. 6 at Waynesburg University Invitational

Women’s Golf: Oct. 6 at Grove City Fall Invitational

Women’s Tennis: Oct. 4, 1 p.m. vs. W&J

Men’s Tennis: Oct. 4, 1 p.m. vs Cedarville

Men’s & Women’s XC: Oct. 3 at Lehigh Paul Short Run

WOLVERINE WEEKLY

“We are really going to have to catch our footing over the next seven weeks to give ourselves a chance for a playoff berth,” Ellis said. Having graduated a strong group of seniors last year, this year’s offense is working to find their rhythm with the addition of many new players and moving parts. They will be working hard this week and confronting the weaknesses

Lauren Muhanna Women’s Soccer Newcomer of the Week

Alayna Dorst Women’s Volleyball Offensive Player of the Week

Noah Gray Men’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week

Luke Gronbeck Men’s Golf Player of the Week

STEPHEN RYDZAK Lauren Kardos took third at the Franciscan University Invitational.

GCC ATHLETICS

Luke Gronbeck took first at the Franciscan University Invitational, topping the 40-man field.

LUKE PAGLIA Ellis threw for 83 yards in the loss to Washington & Jefferson.

Top of the tri-match Wolverines sweep opponents at Waynesburg

Reagan Thomas Contributing Writer

The Grove City College women’s volleyball team showcased its strength and depth last Saturday, Sept. 27, improving to 9-3 overall after securing two victories in a tri-match hosted at Waynesburg University’s Rudy Marisa Field House.

In the opening match, Grove City defeated host Waynesburg in a PAC inter-divisional showdown, winning 25-17, 25-27, 25-16, 25-12. The Wolverines followed up with a non-conference win over La Roche, 25-12, 25-11, 18-25, 2517.

Junior standouts Alayna Dorst and Sarah Hart led the offensive charge against Waynesburg, each tallying 11 kills. Junior Kendra Klusch added eight kills, while sophomore Brooke Manfull contributed six on 13 attacks.

Junior setter Sarah Harris recorded 14 assists, and Manfull added 10 more. Klusch served three aces, with Dorst and sophomore Lilly Wojtala each adding two.

Defensively, sophomore Lil-

ly Pool led with three blocks, while Wojtala and Dorst recorded 14 and 13 digs, respectively.

In the nightcap against La Roche, Dorst again led the team with 15 kills, supported by senior Lila Stonehouse with nine and Hart, Klusch and freshman Taylor Ripple each contributing eight. Pool added seven kills. Senior setter Brooklyn Wirebaugh distributed 25 assists, while Manfull and freshman Eliana Porta each had 11.

Wojtala led the back row with 15 digs, followed by Dorst with 12 and sophomore Bailey Elliott, who posted a career-high 11 digs.

“During the match, I honestly am very calm. My adrenaline kicks in and I just go out and have fun. My teammates also make it really easy to just step in and play free,” Elliot said.

“I’m super competitive, so during intense rallies all I want to do is get a crazy dig or up!

Can’t let the ball hit the floor,” Elliot added, when asked about her mindset during intense rallies.

“Team chemistry is what

makes this team who they are. We are absolute goofs, but also a highly competitive bunch and that is very evident during our games! The energy is truly electric,” Elliot concluded. Outside hitter Hart also commented on her approach

at the net: “I just try to make good decisions — being aggressive when the set is good and keeping the ball in play if the set is off. If a certain shot is working that game, I try to keep doing it until it doesn’t work.”

After hosting the Golden Tornadoes of Geneva College on Wednesday, Oct. 1, the Wolverines square off against the Bethany Bison tomorrow, Oct. 4. Action will kick off at 1 p.m. in the Grove City College Arena.

Wolverines best the Barons

Garrett Gess Contributing Writer

The Grove City women’s tennis team took down Franciscan 6-1 in a home match last Monday, Sept. 29 to improve to 5-0 in conference play and 6-1 on the season.

In singles action, Grove City clinched the team victory with five wins, four of which came in straight sets. From the first singles position, freshman Grace Yurko produced a key come-from-behind win, securing two of three sets to seal the victory.

Senior Peyton Joines then rolled to a 6-2, 6-0 triumph at third singles, while sophomore Iris Kiehl dominated at fourth singles with a 6-1, 6-0 win. Freshmen Emma Flanigan and Blaire Beatty both record-

ed 6-0, 6-0 shutouts at fifth and sixth singles, respectively. In doubles play, the Wolverines picked up key victories in the second and third matches. Yurko and Joines teamed for a convincing 6-0 win at second doubles, while Kiehl and Beatty secured a 6-2 triumph at third doubles. The Wolverines hosted their senior day festivities against non-conference Mount Aloysius last Saturday, Sept. 27. The Wolverines dominated from the start against the Mounties. In singles play, Grove City swept all six matches. At the top of the lineup, freshman Grace Stitt earned a hard-fought 6-2, 2-6, 1-0 (106) win at first singles, while TENNIS 10

JOHN HAKE

Junior Lily Lagaras attempts a tip during the Sept. 9 women’s volleyball match against Carnegie Mellon.

JOHN HAKE

The Wolverines currently sit at 2-3 in the PAC with more conference matchups on the way.

LUKE PAGLIA

Courtney DeCarlo and Peyton Joines celebrate together during their doubles match.