Issuu

the continental magazine Fall 2023

in this issue... Which Hamilton House are you?, 36

Adventures of the Hamilton Statue, 44

Community Rallies Around Rev. Jeff McArn, 18

Video Game Specialty Housing Floor, 22

lifestyle Niche On-Campus Jobs, 8 Iron Chef? More like Buff Chef: Cooking at Hamilton, 10

o p i n i o n Exploring the Growth of the Women's Rowing Team, 12 Learning Happens Everywhere. Hamilton Should Act Like It, 14 A Soup a Day... 16

features For Jeff: How Our Community Stood Up for the Soul of Hamilton, 18 Digimon, Doritos, D&D: The Video Gaming Community, 22 Sitting Down with Literature Professor Margie Thickstun, 24 Social Media Sensation Kylie Oblak, 28

t r a v e l I Survived: The Noah Kahan-Cert, 30 Exploring Athens, 32 A Guide to Notable Local Art Exhibitions, 34

on the hill Which Hamilton House are You?, 36 The Underground, 38 One Upon a Time in Rogers Estate, 40 Chatting with Hamilton's Jodel Moderators, 42

junk drawer The Adventures of Alexander Hamilton, The Statue, 44 A Love Letter to Utica, 46 Commons Creations, 48

n ut rs t r ib o

Editors-in-Chief Julia Radomisli ‘24 Stella Essenmacher ‘25

Creative Directors Nathaniel Taft ‘27 Stella Essenmacher '25

Features Editor Zoe Neely ‘25 Opinion Editor Will Kretz '26

Photography Director and Image on Front Cover by Kathleen Deedy ‘24

Lifestyle Editor Camille Martin '24

Social Media Director Zoe Neely ‘25

Junk Drawer Editor Ashley Kolpan '24

Editor-at-Large Deniz Tek '24

Staff Photographers Meave Browne ‘25 Alex Vasquez '27 Katie Kilcoyne '26 Oliver Jackson '27 Kate Scibelli '26

On the Hill Editor Morgan Hodorowski ‘26

Travel Editor Allen Cao ‘24

Staff Writers Vivian Miller '26 Emma DiGiacomo ‘25 Andrew Brennan ‘25 Eric Santomauro-Stenzel ‘24 Kate Scibelli '26 Zoe Regner ‘26 Ava Cargan '27 Sylvia Woodbury '27 Ella Brady '24 Rebecca Pomerantz '24 Caroline Rhodes '24 Layout Editor Ellie Carlson ‘27 Back Cover Photo of Lily McArn by Vivan Miller '26

letter from the editors Dear Readers, Another fall on the Hill, and we are so excited to present you with one of the most wide-ranging issues that The Continental has produced to date. We are honored to feature the beloved Jeff McArn and the students who have stepped up in his absence. Another notable feature is that of senior Kylie Oblak, a successful student athlete and social media influencer. Some prevalent themes in this issue include student employment, faculty mentors, and finding community, which we know are top of mind to those living on the Hill. In classic Continental fashion, this issue is also chock-full of local food reviews, highlights of student travel successes (and mishaps), and even Zoe Neely’s proposal for a Harry Potter-esque sorting into Hamilton Houses. We are happy to introduce a new section, Junk Drawer, for a place to lean into our wackiest, most miscellaneous article idea impulses. The one rule is that there are no rules, and this section fits with our goal to push boundaries and share unique stories about campus that haven’t been told yet. We are so grateful for our talented and enthusiastic editors, layout team, photography team, and staff writers. A big thanks to the talented Nathaniel Taft for stepping up as a Creative Director. We are excited to see what the future holds in terms of creative spreads and innovative graphics, from both him and our wonderful layout editor Ellie Carlson. While we have added several members to the layout team this semester, our Photography Director, Kathleen Deedy, has been a reliable and devoted part of the creative team throughout the past several years. Thank you to our editorial team for having a vision and for all of your hard work, wild ideas, and many laughs in our meetings and brainstorming sessions. We truly could not have done this without everyone. Thank you to our readers for the continued support and enthusiasm. We hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as we enjoyed putting it together! Julia & Stella

A New Side of Campus Employment BY JULIA RADOMISLI PHOTOS BY MAEVE BROWN, JULIA RADOMISLI

Alumni Relations Internship this, Fojo barista that. Here are some jobs you probably didn’t know people did:

WATERING PIANOS I never knew pianos needed watering until I met with Tyler Rodenberger (’25). As a computer science major and geoscience/music double minor, Tyler has been taking piano lessons for the past three semesters. Historically, there has been one high-level piano student tasked with piano watering, and Tyler was chosen at the beginning of this semester after the past piano waterer graduated. Tyler goes around List once a week to water the pianos. Each piano has a humidifier in it that preserves the pads so they don’t dry out. The humidifier links to a rubber tube that curls up under the piano, and Tyler uses a watering can filled with tap water and pad treatment to fill each tube. Each piano needs one half to one full can. Pianos need watering about once every two weeks depending on the piano and the humidity of the room it's in, but the 15-20 pianos that Tyler is responsible for are on different schedules, so he goes around and checks them each once a week. These rounds take 30 minutes to an hour, made easier by the fact that there are 20-30 watering cans prepped and stashed around List (though Tyler sometimes has to mix the pad treatment/water combination himself). He goes early in the morning or late at night so the pianos aren’t in use. In terms of job perks, Tyler gets a huge key ring that jingles and backstage access to Wellin, which gives him an exclusive look at shows to come. After the Halloween show, Tyler told me he was surprised by skeletons and mood lighting backstage when he went to water the piano there. Tyler also works at the rock wall, has a Digital Scholarship Internship at the library, and conducts environmental data science research. His favorite piano would be the one in List 106 because it takes a full can of water, so he doesn’t have to watch how much water goes in. The main lesson he told me he has learned is that there are more pianos around than you’d think.

WALKING DOGS Georgia Brown (‘25) walks the adorable golden retriever Scout around campus. She started this job last Spring when a friend of hers who used to walk Scout went abroad, and recommended Georgia because they knew how much she loved the dog. Georgia also works as a QSR tutor and psych stats TA. She takes Scout out once a week for about an hour, and goes on any route that varies week to week. After working almost two semesters, her favorite part is certainly spending time with Scout and meeting new people who also love Scout and making their days. Georgia has two golden retrievers at home, one of which is also named Scout. She says Hamilton Scout is an angel except for when she smells something she wants to eat and stops at nothing, even diving into bushes, to grab it. Georgia told me that once her friend was having a terrible day so she went with Scout to cheer her up. Once they arrived, Scout dove after a rotten apple wrapped in plastic. Georgia and her friend tried to grab the apple out of Scout’s mouth, but she locked her jaw and would absolutely not let it go. Georgia’s friend went from crying to laughing and they were able to get most of the apple out, but were covered in rotten apple and dog saliva after. They had to take Scout into the bathroom in Minor with them to wash their hands. Scout is adorable and friendly, and well worth any hassle.

STARTING FIRES Sabrina Broderick (‘24) boasts the job title “Arsonist.” She just started this semester after Andrew Jillings told her and a few fellow Adirondack Adventure orientation leaders about the job openings. She and some friends showed up to training and learned how to chop wood with an ax and general fire safety. The rest was history. Sabrina prepares wood for, starts, monitors, and maintains a fire whenever students may need it. She sets up s'mores, and loves getting to sit around and chat with her customers. She shared she had a lovely time helping with the CA fire and appreciated making new friends. Sabrina is a Literature major and Italian minor, and also works as a First Year Course Mentor, Tavola Italiana host, and Italian TA. Though she has only been called as an Arsonist once, she loves lighting fires and says it's certainly her most fun job.

Iron Chef? More Like Buff Chef: Cooking at Hamilton BY DENIZ TEK

The process of cooking at Hamilton College is actually quite difficult since it has a few prerequisites: a space to prepare food, the components to actually cook said food, and the ingredients to make the food.

it, “there is such a small price difference between the seven-meal plan and unlimited that I would spend more money on groceries trying to feed myself the same amount than if I was on the unlimited plan.” Jae concurred with this statement as he mentioned that he would save a couple thousand dollars each semester if he was able to pay each time he went to the dining hall rather than being forced into a plan. When asked if Riley agreed with the idea of individual payments rather than a plan, she disagreed saying that there is a reason why the school forces the students to be part of the meal plan. Although the price of the unlimited plan is high, it allows students to have access to food without having to worry about saving money to buy groceries or spending time cooking food for themselves. Hamilton wouldn’t want people to start skipping meals solely to save money or out of time restrictions for cooking.

As you probably know, students are required to live on the Hill all four years, and not many dorms, especially in your time as an underclassman, have accessible kitchens that are user-friendly. Therefore, space is the first challenge you face while trying to cook on campus. The second requirement is finding the components: pots, pans, mixing bowls, ladles, those big wooden spoons, etc… The third challenge is getting the ingredients. It is doable if you have the monetary resources to buy ingredients from Hannaford and have the time to take the Jitney if you don’t have a car on campus. However, this is only easy if you have the monetary capabilities, and ingredient prices can rack up a pretty heavy fine. This is especially daunting when Another student, Maxwell Lee, is a junior who likes added to the high prices demanded by the school for to cook on a mostly weekly basis. He lives in Bundy and has to travel down to the basement to cook in conyour meal plan. ditions that are not that well-suited for a good meal. There are a few chefs who make it work. The first Hamilton in the past had the initiative of the cooperon-campus chef that I was able to speak to was Jaedyn ative culinary community nicknamed Co-Op; howevThomes who currently lives in Saunders House. Jae is er, this year, not enough students enrolled to keep the on the seven-meal plan, cooking on a weekly basis for program going. Max, who was in Co-Op last year also himself and his friends. According to Jae, he goes to mentioned how, despite being given the opportunity to the dining halls only once or twice a week, and every cook with others there, the strict guidelines that everyother day he prepares meals on his own or with friends. one had to follow made the experience more stressful Jae’s most frequently prepared meal on campus is car- than necessary. There were other initiatives like a cubonara, saying it is “relatively easy and cheap to make.” linary club and a Counseling Center sponsored proAt the start of his first year at Hamilton, Jae claimed gram called Community Pantry, where students could to feel lost in terms of how his cooking-heavy lifestyle get recipes and the ingredients to make them comwas now altered without access to ample resources. He pletely free. Unfortunately, these are no longer being and his friends who lived in Glenview had to take mat- supported by the school. ters into their own hands by setting up weekly community dinners. This seems to be a continuing trend with Cooking is like a lost art here at Hamilton College for other students, especially as freshmen are being forced many. It feels inaccessible for those who might get a onto the unlimited meal plan. bad lottery time for housing. Also, depending on your resources, it is not always something that everyone can Even senior Riley Manion, who opts to cook a couple afford to do on a weekly basis. Cooking is an activity of times per month rather than weekly, felt at a loss that brings people together and might be a much-needwhen the resources to cook were very limited in her ed distraction for students from their rigorous school experience living in North Residence Hall freshman schedule. I encourage you all to consider what it means year. She lived on the top floor and had to travel all to cook and how students can incorporate it into their the way to the bottom floor just to make pasta or use lives. I also encourage the school to consider more stuthe kitchen, which was often poorly maintained and dent-run dining options here at Hamilton to allow studirty. Riley actually wanted to get off the unlimited dents to discover creative meals or just simply prepare meal plan like Jae did last year; however, as she puts themselves for life beyond college.

EXPLORING THE GROWTH OF THE WOMEN'S ROWING TEAM By Ava Cargan Photos by Caroline Burd

Hamilton College’s D3 women’s rowing team is made up of 42 rowers this year. The team includes eight novice rowers (first-year rowers with no previous experience) who have walked onto the team. A walk-on is an athlete who was not recruited for the sport, but rather reached out to a coach to ask to join the team. This year in particular, the women’s rowing team has had quite a few novice rowers that joined the team, which is definitely a direct result of Coach Meg Conan’s welcoming attitude toward novice rowers. The women’s rowing program has been providing great opportunities for students to try a new sport at the collegiate level, and the novices who have walked onto the team are very appreciative.

skill to acquire, but it is fun. The sunsets and sunrises are definitely one of the highlights of the sport. I can not wait to see what the season will bring for the other freshmen on the team and me!” Elise Walters '27 (she/her) describes the experience as a novice joining the team: “The entire team has been incredibly welcoming to all the new walk-ons. Meg has gotten us comfortable with the stroke both in the ERG room and on the water and has created a very positive experience. The team environment is supportive, fun, and competitive. Rowing has been a great way to meet new people in the transition to college.” Coach Meg has done an excellent job of helping the novices learn how to row and get comfortable in the boat.

Seven other first year students and myself reached out to Coach Meg Conan early this year to ask about walking onto the rowing program and have all shared positive experiences. Yami Olivo ‘27 (she/ her) says, “Meg’s response to me joining the team was super supportive. My experience being a walkon to the women’s rowing team has been nothing but fun.” Similarly, Meg Lambert ‘27 (she/her) said that she felt very welcomed by both Coach Meg and the rest of the rowing team: “Coach Meg matched my energy in excitement! She was very supportive and eager, and that has been consistent even when the season started. I’ve felt very welcomed! The walk-on experience has been very exciting.”

The rowing team currently has 3 captains, two of whom also walked on. One of these captains, Emily Borden '24 (she/her), expressed excitement about the growth of the team and the number of novices that have come on. “As a walk-on myself, I love that rowing welcomes walk-ons because it allows people to try a sport that they’ve never done before at the varsity level. With this first year class, we’ve filled two additional boats, one of which is entirely novices! So, I’m excited to build off of the great season we had last spring, and can’t wait to see what this season has in store for us!” So far, the novices have spent their first weeks on the team working hard to figure out the sport and get comfortable rowing, and the growth of the team this season has been Since joining the team, the novices have been work- welcomed by Coach Meg, the captains, and the rest ing to improve their rowing skills and get comfort- of the team. able playing the sport. Olivo says, “Rowing is a hard

Learning happens everywhere. Hamilton should act like it. By Eric Santomauro-Stenzel Photos by Katie Moses

“Hamilton’s campus operates like a small city, but it has the feel of a close neighborhood,” reads the Hamilton College “Campus Life” webpage. “We have our own government, newspaper, radio station, health center, bookstore, orchestra, art museum, theatre, chapel, sports teams, and fitness center.” It’s time Hamilton’s policies reflect the centrality of campus life via forms of compensation and course credit. Students, by and large, run this “small city” as a core part of their time on campus. We organize social events, prepare performances, compete against other institutions, integrate new class years into the community, advocate for our collective interests, and more. I’ve learned the most and grown to “Know Thyself ” primarily from these practical experiences, rather than my courses. This world of activity benefits the College greatly, our smiling faces littered across its marketing material to attract prospective families and donors. The image presented by the College promotes broad engagement as representative of an ideal student.

Emma DiGiacomo ‘25, for example, tells me “peer comparison inadvertently has a role in encouraging participation. For

ments like classes and paid jobs, how many students can make time to meaningfully research and advocate for student issues? As a former Student Assembly (now Student Government Alliance) President and Vice President, I can confidently answer: not many. Amid many conflicts rooted in exactly that question, our SGA advisor, the then-Director of Student Activities who had been advising SGA for many years, told our administration that after all the other responsibilities students had, SGA usually landed as the 4th or 5th priority for its members. It simply is not feasible to the most part, Hamilton students are very driven, and move complicated initiatives forward without a subseeing their classmates in jobs and other extracurricu- stantial, consistent time commitment. Across activilars adds an unseen pressure to be doing the same.” Di- ties, these barriers land most heavily on marginalized Giacomo says she’s happy to be involved in magazines, communities. Students who need work-study to afford clubs, and a job, but that she landed there in part to “fit Hamilton, for example, are structurally disincentivized from spending their limited energy on unpaid or unthe role of the well-rounded Hamilton student.” credited work. Students also serve a more fundamental role for the College as orientation leaders. Every year, dozens of stu- Providing a stipend or course credit for participation in dents volunteer to be the student introduction to Ham- key roles like student government is one way to incenilton for incoming first-years. “This year, my orientation tivize students to make more space for it in their schedparticipants talked at length about how they only en- ules. It’s not unheard of: according to the American joyed their outdoors trip because of my co-leader’s and Student Government Association, a national student my facilitation. Without creating this safe environment, government professional association with 809 instituI feel that freshmen would have a much more difficult tional members, about 77% of elected student officials time acclimating to the first-week stresses of college,” receive some form of remuneration through “salaries, tuition waivers, scholarships, stipends, computers, cell DiGiacomo said. phones, reserved parking, concert tickets, clothing alMost students, like DiGiacomo and fellow orientation lowances, class credit” and more. leader Aisling Mockler ‘24, greatly enjoy the activities they engage in outside of class. “I think Hamilton prides The last time I proposed the idea to a Hamilton College itself on having a population of students that does what Dean of Students in fall 2021, I got laughed at. On Octhey love because Hamilton makes it possible for them,” tober 9th, 2023, Dean of Students Chris Card was more Mockler told me. “However, this expectation means open to discussing the idea when I asked about it at an that students can be taken advantage of in order to do SGA meeting. “Would I be willing to engage in that exploration? I suspect I would, though I would have some the things they love.” very tough questions to ask,” he said. In the non-profit sector, passion for the work is often used by leaders to justify lower-quality working con- There isn’t one clear-cut answer to improving campus ditions and wages. What other excuse may Hamilton engagement. But what is clear is that Hamilton students have to give students responsibility for the well-being are expected to do it all. We’re encouraged to learn and of several 17 and 18-year-olds for days, requiring two work outside of the classroom but only institutionally weeks of training in advance, without pay? While this incentivized to succeed within it or in jobs that primarobservation is most stark for orientation leaders, it can ily serve the administration’s interests. The College’s recent investments in experiential learning prove there is easily be applied elsewhere. common ground on the value of out-of-classroom edWhen it comes to student leadership, we see more trou- ucation. It’s time to embrace that ethos where students bling patterns. Faced with more ‘mandatory’ require- already are. 15

a y . D . . a p u A So amille Mar tin C y b

Yes, the word on The Continental street is true. I, with the help of a few friends, tried all the Cider Mill soups so you don’t have to—but you probably still should. If you haven’t already been to the Clinton Cider Mill, you’re severely missing out on one of life’s greatest joys. If you have been, have you tried their soup? If yes, keep reading to find out if you agree with my top choices. If not, definitely keep reading. Consider this your new to-do list. After sampling an inhumane amount of soup over the past week or so, I have paired down the thirteen (!!!) varieties to five fan favorites for five different kinds of days you might encounter this fall. Let’s get into it.

On a Chilly Day: On a crisp and chilly fall day, the Cider Mill lobster bisque just might be the way to go if you’re in dire need of some off-campus dining. With its rich and creamy flavor, it is just like a warm hug in a cup. It’s the perfect soup to rejuvenate you as the leaves begin to fall and the days grow colder, and as Maggie Nye ‘24 put it, “the lobster bisque makes me feel born again.” Couldn’t have said it better myself.

On a Rainy Day: It’s a cold and rainy day on the hill. You’ve walked miles between KJ and Science Center all day and nothing can seem to warm your hands or your soul. Oh, but there is a cure! Head on down to Elm St. and get yourself a bowl of broccoli cheddar soup. Everyone knows the Panera rendition, but look no further than our very own Clinton for, dare I say, an even tastier option! Broccoli cheddar soup is the ultimate comfort food for a gloomy, wet fall day.

On a Snowy Day: While the first snowflakes of the season begin to fall outside, you may find yourself searching for a warm comfort food haven. What better than a steaming bowl of velvety soup filled with bacon bits, cheddar cheese, chives, and potato pieces? The Cider Mill’s loaded baked potato soup provides an unusual yet delicious concoction that is perfect for those cold days watching campus become a winter wonderland.

On an Unseasonably Warm Day: We all know those few days every fall when the temperature spikes before crashing back down at an alarming and perplexing rate. Perhaps you’re already in full autumn mode. Summer clothes packed away, sweaters at the ready. You’re in desperate need of soup, but you’re already fighting off sweat and would hate to add insult to injury with a heavy, albeit delicious, chowder or bisque. Allow me to direct you to the turkey sausage and kale soup. Although kale might be spooky to some, I promise this soup is bursting with flavor and is still light enough to enjoy during the year’s final heat waves.

On Literally Any Day Ever: *Enter roasted red pepper and gouda soup.* I don’t think I’ll ever be able to say enough about this soup. With its unique and tangy flavor combinations, it is refreshing yet extremely comforting. Rain or shine, summer or fall, snack or meal, the roasted red pepper and gouda soup is perfect, just perfect. Please try it.

FOR JEFF:

HOW OUR COMMUNITY STOOD UP FOR THE SOUL OF HAMILTON

BY VIVIAN MILLER 18

Reverend Jeff McArn did so much good during his time as Hamilton’s Chaplain that it is

difficult to know where to begin celebrating him. An endless source of inspiration, joy, and thoughtful advice, he is an invaluable resource for every person lucky enough to work with him. After his unceremonious termination in June, Hamilton students, faculty, and staff from all facets of campus life rallied together in defense of McArn and his 27 years of work. As I said, it’s difficult to know where to start celebrating him, but I think there is no greater demonstration of all the good he has done than the fierce outcry of support he garnered from the community. So, Jeff, this piece is dedicated to you, your dedication to this college, both now and over the past 27 years, and your indelible, incredible legacy. When the news broke, it felt like chaos. I remember texting everyone and anyone who I thought would have details about McArn’s sudden and unexplained firing from his role as Chaplain. First, a small disclaimer: since much has been written about what happened in Hamilton publications such as The Spectator and The Monitor, as well as in local news, I will not be rehashing the details in this feature. For readers unfamiliar with the situation, just know that senior Hamilton administrative staff has unequivocally confirmed that the termination was not due to any malfeasance. Back in late summer, when there were more questions than answers, it became clear that Hamilton’s community was not going to accept this decision. Two chaplaincy personnel immediately quit in solidarity, and a petition launched by recent alumna Abigail Moone ‘23 quickly gathered over 1,000 signatures, demonstrating widespread support for McArn. An open letter re-published in The Monitor in mid-July, written by Professor Scott MacDonald and signed by over 130 faculty members, stated that Jeff “has taught students, assisted us in teaching ours, and has become among the most admired and beloved contributors to the academic lives and work of both students and faculty.” Not long after this, Hamilton’s faculty passed a motion recognizing McArn’s 27 years of extraordinary service within the chaplaincy and beyond. The ferocity and determination with which this community defended McArn’s work and worth is deeply moving and inspirational, and it wasn’t just faculty standing up.

Photo courtesy of Rev. Jeff McArn

Photo courtesy of Samuel Cho

I spoke with a few of the many students working in the Chaplaincy who have had to work overtime to fill the gap left by McArn’s absence. Many of the efforts to celebrate McArn were done without his knowledge. Gabriel Bit-Babik ‘25 and Stephen Socolow ‘25 have done arguably more than any others to advocate for Jeff McArn. As a team, they interviewed around 40 students and faculty members, collecting statements to recognize McArn’s time at Hamilton. When I spoke with Socolow about what motivated him to do this, he said, “If I hadn’t met him, I would never have done anything regarding the chaplaincy at all [...] he’s a man that really cares about his students.” Eva Jo McIlraith ‘26, Chaplaincy Social Justice Intern & Fellow, echoed Socolow’s statements, also stating that after having negative experiences, it was McArn who “really taught [them] what a healthy religious institution looks like.” Caz Ullem ‘24, Protestant Chapel Intern, reflected that “[McArn] is an irreplaceable faith leader on the Hamilton campus, and his leadership, thoughtfulness, inclusivity, and relentless compassion is sorely missed.” These sentiments have been repeated over and over by those who had the opportunity to work with Jeff. As a statement signed by student leadership and read aloud at a faculty meeting put it, “McArn was the best part of Hamilton.” Throughout this steady stream of support, one question hasn’t been answered — what are Jeff ’s thoughts? He will return as a Senior Lecturer teaching two courses next semester, and I had the privilege of speaking with him to reflect on the work he has done and the work he still hopes to do. Always humble and graceful, McArn has handled the situation with a calmness and unerring sense of personal integrity that I can’t help but find jarring. It seems to me that he can find a silver lining in anything. I’ve included an abridged transcript of our conversation, with minor edits for clarity. Conducted over Zoom during a stay in Manhattan, McArn (and his beloved dog Lily) greeted me with a smile. The Continental: What are you most proud of accomplishing during your time at Hamilton? Rev. Jeff McArn: I think the biggest thing that has had the most impact is the establishment of the thirdfloor [chapel] space, which was way back in 1999. [...] That was a really important foundation for a lot of other things. Beyond that, trying to create a Chaplaincy team also has been an important part of the

long trajectory of my time at Hamilton. A primary priority has been to create a team that is diverse enough; trying to keep Jewish leadership, Catholic leadership, and Muslim leadership as a team that is also interested in collectively doing stuff together. The Continental: What is a lesson you’ve learned from working with students for so long? McArn: The great benefit in my life and working with students is learning through students' eyes, new ways to think about religious concepts, theological interpretations, and scriptural impact. It's really something I know I miss already. And I value very much being able to see things through new lenses. From people who have a pretty deep religious background, to people who don't have that much of a background but are interested in engaging— just learning from those students over the years has been a valuable thing for me. And in terms of spirituality too, broadening my sense of what spirituality means, or religious engagement for that matter, it's really helped me. The Continental: What’s a goal you have for your spiritual and educational work going forward? McArn: I’m most immediately excited to teach these two classes again, maybe for the last time. I can spend another semester on campus to get some closure with relationships and to this long Hamilton chapter. [...] I am committed to religious life and spiritual engagement. I'm grateful for the opportunity to chat with you. And, really, I'm excited about being around Hamilton. The Continental: I and many others admire your kindness and your spirit. What's something that you live by to cultivate that, bring that into the world, and encourage it in others? McArn: We've just been in New York City for about a week now. Walking around, it's just interesting to me that some people are not going to look at you or engage, but quite a few do. That's a simple little gesture, but I've come to think it’s important to say: I see you, you're a person, I'm a person. And the very least I could do is to acknowledge your personhood and that we are involved in this life together. [...] I think if you believe that we are interconnected and that we have a responsibility to each other to care for each other then you need to demonstrate that in the way that you interact with people you don't know. It’s pretty simple and doesn't require a lot of complex thought, theology, or philosophy. Even if there's a wildly different way of life, or understanding of language or ideologies, that's still a person. And they’re valuable.

JefF'S time as Chaplain may have come to a close, but he is still a vital and valued member of the

Hamilton community. I hope he knows that many people have his back, including myself and every person I mentioned in this piece. I hope our community remembers that, in times of strife, we have the power to come together and create meaningful change. I hope most of all that we follow Jeff ’s example and lead always with kindness, compassion, and generosity.

S O

ITERAT

H L T I W

Margie Thickstun By Will Kretz Photos by Katie Kilcoyne

I talked to the beloved literature professor first amid

rumors of her retirement (she won’t be leaving until 2026) and next under the incorrect calculation that 2023 was her 35th year of teaching (it’s actually her 36th). Nevertheless, there needn’t be an occasion to speak with Margie.

The Continental: You’ve said that Commons has the best breakfast deal in Clinton, and I feel I see you a lot in Commons. I was curious if you had any thoughts on the new dining service, whether you've noticed any changes, if you like any improvements? Professor Thickstun: There were some awkward glitches at the beginning, but actually, I've been eating in McEwen, and I think the food there has been quite good. I went out to dinner at a real Chinese restaurant and was super disappointed, and the next day I had szechuan tofu in Commons, and it was really good. I mean, wait a minute, right? Bon Appetite was really focused on local, and it's not clear how much Parkhurst is doing the local thing. The sustainability stuff. But that may just be a difference in advertising.

24 24

The Continental: So in 1988, when you started, you said in an interview that, “In college, there should be distribution requirements” and "that requirements work against our worst selves.” Obviously, the school now has an open curriculum with the writing intensive requirements and QSR requirements. Do you think that those requirements are enough? Do you still think the same way about requirements? Thickstun: No, I've changed my mind, and not because I don't think that distribution requirements are good. But when we had distribution requirements, students would arrive, they would have picked things without meeting with me, and my students tended to be STEM-phobic. So they would look for the least resistance, the least icky, and then they would check them off. Now, I have students, I let them do what they want. I get to know them a little bit, and then I say, you know, you really should try that because of these things. And I have more moral authority to say, I know you, and I know your interest, and this would be good for you.

The Continental: You said later, that “co-ed classrooms have not gotten to the point where they can meet women's needs as well as they ought.” There's an interesting context of that being around a decade after the merger. But at this point in time, do you think things are better in the co-ed classroom? Thickstun: Yes, but I have to qualify that. So I went to a women's college, and I was highly alert to classroom dynamics. These days, most of my classes have only women in them, or many women in them. So, the dynamic is less of an issue. I think we're getting to a point where you don't necessarily have to be at a single sex school in a single sex environment to have the benefits

that I got as an undergraduate from being in a place where there were lots of scary old women. Now, I'm an old woman, and I try to be scary, but I'm not very successful at the scary part. But, you have role models. I think about my young colleagues, you have to take them seriously, you wouldn’t dream about not taking them seriously. The Continental: You host the annual Milton Marathon, where you read the entirety of Paradise Lost in the library. What is your pitch to students to attend? Thickstun: The first time I did this, I did it because there was an alum who was doing it at his school, and

he had sent me a t-shirt. I thought, I should try this. It's a popular international thing. I said to my students, you have to commit two and a half hours of your Sunday. You pick out chunks. I'm the only person who has to be there all day, and my goal is that I'm never alone. So it's successful if I'm never left alone. So that's a very low bar. And you learn different things when people are reading to you than when you're reading to yourself. Particularly something that's long and complicated. You tend to get into the skim mode, even if you're trying to pay attention. And there's so much in the poem that we can't talk about in class, that I know that I'm never gonna get to, but when people are reading, I have to live through those passages and listen to those lines. The first year I was anxious, and then after that, I kept thinking when I got up on Sunday morning, why am I doing this to myself? But then we get into a zone and I learn a lot. And the students, as we read in a circle, as we go around, they become more comfortable reading out loud because the quality of the reading improves, particularly if people like Brian Collett come in and read a little or Amy Koenig in Classics. There are great faculty readers on campus. A lot of times people decide they're gonna stay all day. I've had kids show up who are not in the class and say, this is on my bucket list: Paradise Lost for the day. Last April, an alum arrived, dropped off her boyfriend, who stayed for the whole thing. They had come up from DC. He was in his fifties, an economist, who had always 26 wanted to do this. I said, “You gotta hang on to that

guy.” How do I pitch it? I say, you have to do this, it’s part of the course. The Continental: So I learned about the REAL program, where classes were taught in dorms. I was curious what that program was like. Thickstun: It was a project of the Dean of Students office, and the first time I taught in it was much earlier than that. I was presented with this pilot program. Would you be willing to do it? And that year I taught in South, and it was all first-years. They lived in the same building, they were in your class. So that had some you know, niceness to it. The problem that I found with the program is that you committed to the course in the summer before you knew your other classes. So people were often making bad academic choices for themselves. My class meets when the calculus class you need to be in is meeting. I'd walk down the hall and knock down people's doors saying get out of bed, class is starting. There was a kind of camaraderie. I think the idea was to create a sense of community, but this is a small enough campus that you don't need to work hard to do that. The Continental: Either this year, in your remaining years here, maybe even beyond in retirement, what are you excited for? Thickstun: I don't know. Retirement is terrifying. It's like graduating from college. You could do anything. What will it be? Or you could do nothing. Well, I

"I knew what I really liked and I just did those things, and what I should have done was laid the groundwork for learning later in life. " don't think that will happen. I really like being around people. I like working with students and new students every year. It's very invigorating. I get to meet new colleagues all the time and find out about their interests. I like hosting social events. I figure I can keep doing that once I'm retired. And, of course, everyone hopes for grandchildren. And I have one daughter-in-law who's promising. Because I was one of those mothers. My mom was like, “when you have babies, you're gonna pop them out,” and we all popped them out. I thought, I'm not doing that to my sons. So we didn't script reproduction, and we didn't script sexual orientation. And at one point, I thought, what have I done? I'm never going to have grandchildren. So I just borrow them. The Continental: Do you have any advice for first years? Thickstun: So right now at this moment in the semester, pace yourselves. Eat properly, get enough sleep, get exercise, all the mom stuff. Which is really hard. It's hard for any person, no matter what age, entering a new environment. It's so exciting and you get all caught up in it. Plus, it's really hard at first to figure out how hard you're supposed to be working. So try to pace yourself, to give yourself breaks, And then also give yourself a break if you screw up. Okay, so you screwed up, get back up and do better next time. Because you sort of can feel like, oh no, I've ruined everything because I didn't study for that test properly, and now it's over. It's not over. The Continental: Do you have any advice for seniors? Thickstun: What I regret most about my own undergraduate education is that I was very narrow minded.

I knew a lot of things were stupid, like economics and philosophy and most sciences, which is ridiculous. I knew what I really liked and I just did those things, and what I should have done was laid the groundwork for learning later in life. I did take an art history class my senior year, and I'm really glad I did. It helped me look at something and say, “Oh, I like the texture or the design,” as opposed to “that's pretty.” And the same thing with music: What should I be listening for? You have a whole life. It's not just a professional life. What are you gonna do outside of your job? You also have no idea what's going to be important in your professional life and what kinds of things you might need to know. There are lots of things that I theoretically could teach myself, but it's just so hard when you're an adult, you have so many distractions. The Continental: I was wondering, do you have a favorite place on campus? Thickstun: If you walk out of Buttrick, there's that English cut-leaf beech in front of it. You can go inside it. That's my favorite place on campus, really. You can hide in there. The Continental: You have a sort of an expertise on the trees on campus. How did you gain that knowledge? Thickstun: So I like trees. I do a lot of camping in the summer. All of my life up until about five years ago. I took a botany class in 1998, I think. But also there is a master plan that has the whole campus mapped. Every tree is a GPS point. Click on it. It'll tell you the kind of tree, how old it is, when it was last fed, when it was last treated for insecticides, everything. Because this is a very, very managed campus even if it's supposed to look natural. So I just like trees.

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From Hobby to Business: The Inspiring Journey of Social Media Sensation Kylie Oblak By Ella Brady; Photos by Kate Scibelli

Think about your daily routine: waking up, go- Oblak’s life, which eventually took her to Haming to class, eating dinner, doing some homework, and going to bed. Now imagine 7,000 people eagerly refreshing their Instagram feed searching for updates of these daily activities, idolizing every move you make and looking to your account for inspiration. For senior Kylie Oblak, this is her reality. I was able to sit down with Oblak and discuss her Instagram account, @kylierunssmiley. While she shares details of her daily life on this platform, running the account is so much more than just taking pictures of mundane activities and posting them online. Oblak started her account 4 years ago just for fun and didn’t think anyone in her life would ever see it. The account centered around training, injury recovery, and lifestyle. Like many high school seniors, Oblak was undergoing a transformative time full of major life decisions including where to attend college and, for Oblak specifically, whether or not that decision included a collegiate athletics career. Instagram served as a creative outlet to document this period of

ilton. Oblak’s account has since exploded into a podcast, blog, and business, now boasting more followers than any other NESCAC athlete. Oblak’s success can be attributed to her passion for spreading positivity, chasing goals, and finding balance in life. The account serves as a source of joy and passion in Oblak’s life, and she shares that same sense of joy with her audience. The direct message inbox of @kylierunssmiley is crawling with viewers thanking her for sharing relatable stories and being a bright light during hard times. Followers have personally shared gratitude for inspiring them to come to Hamilton and for Oblak’s role as a tenacious motivator. The ability to help people acts as a dominant motivator for

Oblak; therefore, she makes a habit of spending at least an hour each day thoughtfully responding to these messages and constructing a unique community with an inconceivable reach.

ly balancing the academic, athletic, social, and professional aspects of her life. She would encourage anyone wanting to jumpstart a social media career to just go for it. Oblak hopes to continue posting for the foreseeable future as Oblak’s social media presence is not only a way she navigates senior year of college and into to inspire and connect with others but also a sig- post-grad life, hopefully in a city working a 9-5 nificant source of income. Oblak often partners and running marathons. with brands that align with her values such as nutrition and clothing companies. The lucrative business side to social media caught the attention of her parents and slowly morphed Oblak into a businesswoman. Handling NIL deals as an undergraduate student-athlete has provided her with invaluable real-world experience that she knows will be beneficial in a career setting. Oblak’s audience and support system keep her going through the ebbs and flows of careful-

I SURVIVED: THE NOAH KAHAN-CERT BY EMMA DIGIACOMO This September, I made simultaneously the best Yet, we continued to blast hits from Pitbull to Lady and worst choice of my life by purchasing Noah Gaga, blissfully unaware of how truly slow we were Kahan tickets a week ahead of the concert. moving. It wasn’t until a fellow classmate (ML ‘25, you know who you are), casually walked past our My partner in crime for this expedition was Han- car off into the sunset, when I processed that we nah Vogt, a fellow Noah enthusiast and maker of had moved 0.1 miles in the last hour. I watched questionable decisions. Our plan for the night was in horror as more and more concertgoers ditched simple yet flawless: jet off to Syracuse and then their cars to trek on the side of the highway. At promptly shed tears of joy as Noah belts his heart this rate, with over two miles left on this strip, we out. Neither of us could have predicted the treach- would miss the entire concert. Deducing that we erous journey that was about to befall us. were also at the site of the New York State Fair, I cursed the cars filled with children that were our Our first sign of danger was a traffic jam that was direct competition, pushing our ETA further and not for the faint of heart. Awaiting our turn to get further back. onto the highway, Hannah and I naively laughed at the chaos of honking horns and road rage. But And that’s when it happened. Following Waze’s after we merged, all hell broke loose: we were sud- directions, we split from the pack. Suddenly, we denly at a complete standstill. were moving not 1, not 10, but 25 miles an hour down the freeway. Jetting down the I-690 West,

there was no greater feeling of pure joy. The sun setting over our 2011 Subaru Outback, wind ripping with the smell of state fair corndogs, I felt on top of the world. Against all odds, we were going to make it.

ing lot. That unreasonably delicious pitstop was my saving grace, the light at the end of the tunnel, the little voice in my ear saying “it will all be okay.” With that, Hannah and I were rejuvenated to continue our long journey. No matter how long it would take, we would get to Noah. As if hearing our prayers, Waze suddenly redirected us down a series of mysterious backroads, a mix of twists and turns that got us to the concert in under twenty minutes. It was a miracle.

But that’s when the real nightmare began. Suddenly, Waze let out a desperate cry of “REROUTING.” Our ETA switched from ten minutes to an hour and twenty minutes. The directions were taking us back into the traffic we had just gone through thick and thin to pass. There was no shot we would even make the encore. Upon arriving, we ran out onto the lawn, expecting the worst. But lo and behold, Noah hadn’t even After this blow, we were simply ready to give up. gone on stage yet. We hadn’t missed a single minBut that’s when I saw it. The flaming fluorousents ute. It was like the universe had finally taken pity of a red cowboy hat, beckoning me in. It was Ar- on us and gave us a miracle. Hannah and I danced by’s. With the echo of “we have the meats” rever- the night away, having the time of our lives. We berating throughout me, we pulled into the park- left still in disbelief at our luck, and vowed to recount our tale to anyone who would listen.

Exploring Athens By Andrew Brennan

In roughly a week,

I will be halfway through my semester abroad in Athens, Greece. Going into the semester, it was clear that everything would be different from the quiet, usually snowy, English-speaking community of Hamilton. Although I certainly have missed Hamilton’s more structured everyday life, the bustling city of Athens has opened up many doors to new experiences through its history, people, and culture. As a classics major, the primary draw towards studying abroad in Athens was its history. I have been able to appreciate and understand history more effectively since I can not only read about the subject of classics in the classroom, but actually interact with and observe the archaeology, the topography, the sites, and all of the other physical evidence around me. I have the ancient wonders held in the National Archaeological Museum, the great architectural marvels of the Acropolis, or the hidden cemetery of the Monastiraki Metro Station less than an hour away from my apartment. These unique opportunities have enhanced my learning experience tremendously. However, it is the people in Athens who have made my living experience truly exciting. Next to my apartment, there is a little bar that sells pastries and sandwiches. Almost every morning, I buy something from there. Even though the barista and I only have brief interactions, it brightens my day to see someone with a warm smile whom I can say hello to. I have begun working for a local magazine, and the woman in charge welcomed me into her home, where she helped me get started, and she even invited me to her kid’s pizza party afterward. I have continued to play ultimate frisbee in Athens, where I have found a tight-knit community of Greek people and expatriates from around the world. It has been very nice getting to know them and learning about their experiences growing up in or moving to Greece. As I start to learn the language, I also begin to interact with local Athenians in Greek. They have been incredibly helpful and supportive, and they are equally enthusiastic in practicing their English with me. Greek culture, which more-or-less surprised me at first, is what has ultimately tied together my entire studying abroad experience. Although it took a while to get used to Athens’ somewhat notorious traffic laws and the outspoken and almost overly hospitable nature of Greek people, these details helped me appreciate the specialness of my time in this new place. One of the great upsides of Athens is that there is so much to do and to learn about. There are countless museums and archaeological sites, farmers' markets with fresh local produce, a variety of delicious foods, a vibrant nightlife, and everything is accessible by walking or by public transportation. Even the tourist spots and hidden gems outside of Athens are easily accessible by ferry or bus. Through my program and on my own time, I have ventured to many other places in Greece. My personal favorites so far are the Temple of Poseidon and Metsovo, which have made me appreciate the diversity of Greek geography and culture. While I look forward to going back to Hamilton, I will savor every moment I have left in Greece as I continue to explore its rich history, language, and culture.

A GUIDE TO NOTABLE LOCAL ART EXHIBITIONS By Sylvia Woodbury

Sporting Fashion: Outdoor Girls from 1800 - 1960 Recently at the Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute, Utica Now at Taft Museum of Art, Cincinnati, OH; through January 14 Dispelling the myth that women were historically sedentary, their activity confined to household chores or dainty pastimes, this dynamic exhibit presents over a century of women’s sporting costumes. The curation is playful, even comedic: an ice skating mannequin from the 1810s is posed as if fallen, with ice skates raised akimbo. Representing a diverse range of sports, including biking, bowling, riding, archery, mountaineering, and promenading, the exhibit depicts both an energetic portrait of female activity and a history of evolving gender norms. The remarkably preserved ensembles, though old, are far from stale; they emphasize the liveliness and verve of a group often regarded as still. A brazen motorcyclist, hands at her hips, sports a pair of leather jodhpurs, gloves, and helmet, as well as a red fur jacket. Mannequins model bold patterns — cheetah print and plaid — and elaborate silhouettes. The fashions of the day did not, after all, prevent 19th-century women from scaling sheer rock faces; rather, they did so wearing long skirts, puffed sleeves, corsets, and straw boater hats.

1890s mountaineering outfit. Photograph by Sylvia Woodbury.

Fashioned by Sargent Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; through January 15

Theater costume worn by actress Ellen Terry as Lady Macbeth; in background, John Singer Sargent, "Ellen Terry as Lady Macbeth," 1889. Photograph by Sylvia Woodbury.

Though John Singer Sargent’s portraits mostly feature stationary models, an arch of an eyebrow or a twist of the lips deftly animates each subject. Their dress works in tandem to suggest personality, affiliations, career, and status. The MFA’s exhibition illuminates Sargent’s painted portrayals of fashion alongside preserved clothing worn by the sitters — including an intricately beaded theater costume, as well as striking high fashion — thus highlighting the power of performance as captured and created by the artist. As a premier portrait painter of the Edwardian elite, Sargent recognized the influential role of adornment in conferring or detracting from respectability. He frequently chose or altered the attire in which he depicted his subjects, removing or adding adornment, adjusting color, and arranging the drapery of dress to best suit his clients. Sargent’s expertise is especially displayed in the 1881 portrait “Dr. Pozzi at Home,” featuring the eponymous doctor wearing a robe of bright crimson and a soft, introspective expression. The painting has all the sensuality of a baroque work, yet is refined by a balanced stateliness. Dynamic brushstrokes engender a sense of liveliness, while the face and hands remain lambent and fine. Sargent’s touch is precise, but never cold: his sensitive portraits reveal warmth in their careful attention to individuality as influenced by, or straining against, the norms of upper-crust society.

Manet/Degas The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City; through January 7 This dizzying, dazzling retrospective of two masters of Impressionism portrays their frequently fraught and mutually inspiring relationship through more than 160 paintings and sketches. Subjects, compositions, and palettes echo one another, yet each virtuoso proves his individual powers across an expansive collection of works, especially through frequently overlooked pieces. Degas’ “The Singer in Green,” from 1884, suggests an extraordinary sense of atmosphere, a confluence of lights allowing shadows and pops of color to move along the singer’s body. Captured in the high grace of a recital, the singer’s skin gleams and the blue fringe of her neckline and skirt bristles. The background is a cacophony of color. Manet’s works, while generally more serene, are no less potent. Consider “The Balcony,” from 1868: fellow painter and muse Berthe Morisot is portrayed luminously against a dark background; she can level you with her eyes. Viewed together, the paintings sensitively communicate a sense of intricate and evolving métier shared, but never muddled, between the artists; Manet and Degas collide, converge, and finally emerge distinctly. Bring comfortable shoes, and a granola bar.

Manet and Degas Exhibit. Photograph by Sylvia Woodbury.

By Zoe Neely; Photos by Oliver Jackson

Have you ever wished you had your

very own house à la Game of Thrones or Harry Potter (maybe a little bit of Divergent tossed in there)? Little did you know, Hamilton has our own house system (that we made up) based on naming conventions around campus.

Which H Hamilton House are You? H House Root

House Johnson

In House Johnson, you’re pragmatic, logical, and knowledgeable. You like things to be rigid and clear. But House Johnson is often forgotten amongst many. Did you know the full name for Wally-J is Wallace Johnson Hall? Or that the Health Center is actually the Johnson Center for Health and Wellness? The Johnson name is not as well known on campus. If you’re in House Johnson, you might be a bit more aloof or solitary. But, House Johnson does have two big hitters in its corner. When it comes to Christian A. Johnson Hall, colloquially known as CJ, the wrought iron and stained glass windows are some of the most beautiful architectural pieces on campus. The Kirner-Johnson Building is also probably the most populated and frequented building on campus. People rely on House Johnson more than they know.

If you’re part of House Root, you like to be organized, but you’re also naturally artistic, love a good book, and are a continual work in progress. You can be secretive but also you have a good sense for balance in life. Root Hall (the dorm) is classic and reliable. Root Hall (the academic building) will be beautiful if they ever finish building it. Molly Root House is one of the best kept secrets on campus. There’s nothing like sitting on the porch on a warm day looking out at KTSA pond. Elihu Root House is the engine of the school. As a building, it’s beautiful with its creamy yellow exterior and secret gardens behind the house. Inside the building, it’s a quiet but efficient workhorse with the Registrar and Office of Community Living dictating the lives of every student on campus. House Root has a far reach and is a powerful entity.

House Glen No one is more at peace or in touch with nature than House Glen. If you’re in House Glen, you live and breathe the outdoors. You have long standing alliances with House Kirkland and House Root, as they have left you as stewards of the Root and Kirkland Glens. Your wilderness survival skills are unmatched as well as your problem solving skills. You have to be smart to survive the great outdoors. You have a vast resource center in the Glen House that fuels your adventurous and daring spirit. When it comes to shelter, you prefer a more primitive style with Glenview, but you enjoy the quiet and serenity that being so close to the forest provides.

House Kirkland House Kirkland has deep roots. Dating back to the original Kirkland College, House Kirkland is historical, pensive, creative, and cultured. The Kirkland lofts are some of the most coveted housing on campus with their beautiful two story bay windows and spiral staircases. It’s the most aesthetically pleasing housing on campus. The Kirkland Green (also known as the grass outside McEwen) is perfect for impromptu amphitheater recitations of Shakespeare or Donne. Or you can just eat lunch out there when it’s sunny too, I guess. I think the only thing we use the Kirkland Cottage for is when you sign that big book as a freshman and shake Presiden Wippman’s hand. But it's cute to look at the other 364 days a year – so cottage-core!

THE UNDERGROUND This past summer, Sadove Student Center experienced significant renovations to promote increased student use in the basement. Aptly titled The Underground, this social space boasts a speakeasy-esqe atmosphere with new video game consoles, arcade machines, and many other new amenities to promote this theme.

BY MORGAN HODOROWSKI PHOTOS BY KATHLEEN DEEDY

THE THEME The Underground’s new theme creates a relaxed, intimate environment using dark colors and multiple lounge spaces. The walls are painted red and black with warm, dim LED lighting which, compounded with the dark colors, captures this speakeasy-esque atmosphere. In terms of furniture, The Underground displays a complete change from its previous style—bright colors with interspersed high-top and rolling tables. Now, the space features a myriad of furniture types: red and black leather couches, high-top tables, a row of booth seating, and velvet chairs ensconced in a couple coves along the wall. There are also party lights with different settings—solid colors to flashing lights—to further elevate the social space. Overall, The Underground’s revision reflects its attempt to become more student-friendly and unified in theme.

THE GAMES The Underground also harbors new gaming services and options. Prior to this semester, the school only offered a Nintendo Switch. However, now the space includes the PlayStation 5, which adds more gaming outlets for students. Moreover, with multiple televisions installed, students can engage in different forms of media at the same time. While some students might play video games, others can watch movies, play music, or just have the TV on in the background. The option for multiple televisions at once adds a certain versatility and flexibility in the spatial use that does not restrict its access to one form of engagement at a time. Beyond new video game services, The Underground now features two arcade machines and a bubble hockey machine, expanding the space’s entertainment uses. The arcade machines boast an array of old-school games—classic Mortal Kombats, Sonics, and Mario games—emphasizing a classic retro feel. Additionally, the bubble hockey machine is another fun, competitive form of entertainment. And, in the credenza, there are also a litany of board games, from Codenames to UNO to Trivial Pursuit. The Underground aims to increase student use with these expanded entertainment options.

Starting with the Grand Opening, The Underground is a new place for campus events and club meetings. With these new amenities and themes, it is not only open to individual student use, but organizational use: clubs, classes, and campus programs can host gatherings in the space, and already there are many plans in motion for events to happen down there. In effect, The Underground reflects broader on-campus efforts to appeal to students and create functional, entertaining social spaces.

Once Upon a Time in Rogers Estate... From the pen of Rebecca Pomerantz and the camera lens of Maeve Brown

he rule is that you have to live on campus all four years. But if you’ve ever wandered past the library and into the parking lot next door, you might find a fox or bear who can show you that there’s more. Or they’ll ignore you while they viciously destroy the remnants of a scooter that’s lying in their path. Now that I’ve left you adequately befuddled, we’re in the correct headspace to dissect a very unique housing option known as Rogers Estate.

One resident complains of the mundanity of the rainbows that he sees from his window on a daily basis, while another describes the turmoil of living in a tourist destination. Most mornings, she is rudely awakened to the sound of townspeople scouring the attic of her home for fossils and traces of ghosts. If she had just gotten used to the smell of melting plastic instead of bringing it to the attention of a campus safety officer who ripped out the furnace, then the ghosts would still be sound asleep. Now, she’s forced to live in a “burning hellscape,” as the rainbow-hating resident describes it.

My interviews with Rogers residents have uncovered a slight schism within the dorm. While they all notice that the doors to their rooms lock from the inside, leaving them stranded until campus safety makes their nightly rounds, the culprit of this phenomenon remains a point of dissent. One resident is disgusted by any mention of a supernatural accomplice. He chose Rogers to experience the lifestyle of a “middle-aged nine to five accountant,” whose “place of work and sanctuary are separate entities.” He demands that the other side find concrete evidence of ghost debris to ground their superstitions in reality. Mia Cohen, a sophomore who has endured the worst of the ghost schemes, politely requests that the disbelievers “stop taking my trauma and throwing it in the garbage.”

As you can probably imagine, the residents of Rogers Estate are just as eccentric as the ghosts who presumably live there. If Philip V. Rogers was alive today, he would be delighted to meet the cast of characters who inhabit his kingdom. He would also be curious to know why the majority of students choose a dorm other than Rogers. Is the level of intellect going down at his beloved institution or is this just a wave of poor decision making?

Students often rule out Rogers as an option once they learn how far it is from civilization, but no one who I spoke to could say precisely where it is located. When asked to do just that, one student hypothesized that it is the closest dorm to London. Needless to say, Rogers residents do not get many visitors. They enjoy a sense of security and privacy that is only threatened by the piercing stares of deer who populate Rogers Way, a term coined by Charlie Haberstock ‘25. Many residents prefer the eerie solitude of this walk to the social calamities of Martin's Way. Their intrusive thoughts flow through the surrounding woods and into the minds of unsuspecting animals and supernatural beings alike. No wonder these creatures felt inclined to pluck my innocent scooter off the road, dismantle it for parts, and then pick the lock of every bedroom in Rogers.

By Kate Scibelli

The Continental Magazine acknowledges the harmful and troubling content that has been posted on Jodel in the past and any distressing memories that may resurface by discussing the app. This article is intended to shed light on those who work to maintain a respectful community on Jodel.

While being a Jodel moderator is a cool position to have, it comes with a lot of power over student speech. This system of electing frequent users as moderators of the anonymous app and putting them in charge of content that might not even pertain to their location can allow for harmful content to slip through the cracks, despite the app's positive intentions. Its place-based format means that users likely interact with each other in person. Because of this, Jodel mods play a key role in maintaining a fun but safe community, both virtually and around campus.

The Adventures of Alexan The statue of Alexander Hamliton is one of the most April 24th, 1990

recognizable landmarks on the Hamilton College campus. Since its installation in 1918, the statue has appeared on countless posters, pictures, and publications of Hamilton College. As popular as it is on paper, the statue has also been victim to many campus pranks. Here is an incomplete recount of major events that ever happened to our beloved Alex.

February 13th 1980 Students woke up on the morning of February 13th, 1980 to find an empty granite base standing in inches of snow. Alex, who was estimated to weigh between 800 to 1000 pounds, left its home for the first time since 1918. To illustrate how long Alex had been there, in 1918 World War I had just ended; by 1980, when Alex went missing, English Band the Clash had released their legendary album London Calling. The afternoon of April 2nd, 1980, students on campus received the news that Alex had been found and was on his way back home. A community member found the abducted Alex on his property in Augusta, NY, about 10 miles from campus. In early May, Alex returned to his deserted granite base.

Alex was painted as famous DC comics villain “The Joker,” as a group of about 200 prospective students did their campus tour. The vandalism on Alex raised many concerns on campus, as it cost a lot of money to restore. One of the main complaints about the vandalism was the non-water-based paint, which could not be scraped off easily. Just like the disappearance a decade ago, the prankster remained at large, although some students suspected a man with green hair and an uncomfortably creepy smile.

April 1st, 1995 Alex left his granite pedestal again on April Fool’s Day of 1995. A damaged dump truck, which belonged to a construction team on campus, was found next to the damaged Alex. It seemed like the pranksters had stolen the truck and used it to pull down Alex. After suffering significant damage including a broken-off arm, Alex was sent for repair at the studio of John von Bergen, class of '63, a sculptor in Clinton. The pedestal was also taken down as part of the process to reattach Alex to his home. Von Bergen had not only fixed the damage due to the pranks, he had also found and repaired two mysterious bullet holes.

No charges were filed, as neither campus safety nor the school had concrete evidence on who the “kidnappers” Nov 28th, 1995, Alex finally made his return on camhad been. One popular suspicion was on Colgate students. pus. Once again, no charge was officially filed. However, reliable suspicions were placed are on members of some Greek organizations on campus, who may have attacked in response to the college’s unwelcoming residential life decisions.

P.S. This list is not a to-do list. P.P.S Special thanks to Burke Library Archivist Jeremy Katz & Professor Isserman on my research process.

nder Hamilton, the Statue By Allen Cao

Honorable Menitions

Baller Alex

Bandana Alex

Dreads Alex

Headless Alex

A LOVE LETTER

CHICKEN RIGGIES

Comets Coffee The Dunder Mifflin Branch that was Closed CHICKEN RIGGIES Utica Greens

Two staples of Utica’s cuisine include Chicken Riggies and

Utica Greens. For those of you who are not familiar, Chicken Riggies is a pasta dish born right here in our little Upstate New York paradise. It is made of rigatoni pasta in a creamy tomato sauce with hot and or sweet peppers and of course, chicken. This dish is such great comfort food, especially now that we are getting into the colder months of the year. Chicken Riggies will be able to warm your soul and put a smile back on your face…they have special powers that way. Chicken Riggie expert Ella Joan Brady ‘24 states that Chicken Riggies are “amazing and life-changing, almost as good as my close friend Ween’s pasta, who is a professional chef.” That is a raving review if I have ever heard one.

UTICA GREENS

Top 5 things Utica Might be known for (in no particular order):

TO UTICA

Overall, I think that every student at Hamilton College should probably not be allowed to graduate without tasting these two staples of our college’s hometown/closest neighboring city. If you were to meet someone from around here after you graduate, I would guess that there is about a 75-85% chance that these dishes are brought up, and how silly will you look if you have not tried them or even heard of them? They’d also be great dishes to get with your parents or other visiting family members. I know parents weekend is behind us, but if you have any other visitors throughout the year, let them take you out on their dime. Parents LOVE the niche Upstate New York facts!

W YORK

BY ASH LEY KO LPA N

Utica Greens are a little different. I think the word “green” really says it all. They are composed of escarole, a green leafy vegetable, peppers, cheese and garlic. There are many different variations of the dish with different add-ons to make each restaurant’s or family’s version unique. At first, I will admit I was skeptical. It did not look as appetizing as the glorious pasta dish, and honestly, it looked a little suspicious. Yet, in the name of journalism, I tried it and was very pleasantly surprised! The texture threw me for a loop at first but it was quite delicious. When asked about Utica Greens, Camille Martin ‘24 exclaimed to the magazine, “I love garlic!” as the flavors really popped and exploded in her mouth.

C O M M O N S For people who get bored easily, hate the lines that 12 O’Clock Commons spawns, or want to chef it up, try out these Commons (and McEwen) creations that our readers have sent in.

EGG STATION FRIED RICE Submitted by Zoe Neely '25 The best Commons creations come from using the ingredients that you can amass from all sorts of stations around the dining hall. Since day-old rice works best, consider preparing the rice as you lug a to-go container full of it to class for a day. Commons and McEwen have mix-ins and sauces for days. Don’t skimp on the seasoning!

FETA WATERMELON SALAD This summertime staple is here as long as the dining hall watermelon is. Just throw some feta and sunflower seeds on watermelon, and you’ve got a salad. Don’t mix it, though, the feta will start to spread and look funky. You can tweak the salad to your liking with additions of balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, herbs and spices, hot sauce, or corn from the salad bar.

ICY FOGBUSTERS Submitted by Lydon Kelley '25 We all love an Icy Alex from FoJo, but when your bank account is getting parched, drink some Fogbusters to satisfy your dependence on caffeine. To make sure the ice doesn’t melt all the way, fill the cup completely with ice and pour the dark roast in. It might not be icy, but at least it's room temperature and free!

DR PEPPER FLOAT

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Although the introduction of the Pepsi lineup in the dining halls has mixed reviews, it means that the root beer floats have been replaced by Dr. Pepper floats. Dreaming of it is often the only way to get through an exhausting lab period.

C R E A T I O N S By Stella Essenmacher Photos by Sofia Weinstein, Jeffrey Cheng

ICE CREAM SANDWICH We can all agree that Parkhurst’s dessert selection beats the daily lemon bars we had last year. Roll these sandwiches in some sprinkles and chocolate chips for a boost as you head to your painful calculus midterm.

TRIPLE CHOCOLATE COOKIE

Submitted by Claire Williams '25

Bonus points for the immaculate peanut butter spreading job here. For those with allergies, think about decking your chocolate cookie with some whipped cream and berry compote from the waffle bar instead.

AFFOGATO It’s tough to not let the coffee melt the ice cream, so get the deepest Fogbusters flavor and put just a little bit in the bowl. Then, throw in a hunk of either salted caramel or vanilla ice cream in, so that it gets soft but does not melt completely. Bonus points for jumping off the deep end and trying other flavors. Mint and coffee, anyone?

BUTTER

Submitted by Tyler Rodenberger '25

Both peanut butter and butter are salty and creamy, and the creaminess of the bananas add to this effect. Best served with a cold glass of creamy milk and ice cream.

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