The Hillsdale Collegian 2.21.19

Vol. 142 Issue 19 - February 21, 2019

Michigan’s oldest college newspaper

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Friendly’s co-founder seeks to donate Monticello replica to Hillsdale

By | Nicole Ault Editor-in-Chief Prestley Blake, the 104-year-old co-founder of Friendly’s restaurant chain, brims daily with new ideas, his lawyer said — and one of his latest is to give 90 acres of property, including a replica of Monticello, to Hillsdale College to use as an educational center.

Months later, that idea is coming closer to fruition, pending mostly on zoning-commission approval in Somers, Connecticut, where the property is. Blake and his wife, Helen, plan to donate the property and some funds for its operation to the college, according to their attorney, Tim Keeney.

The Blakes approached the college in August with

the idea. Since then, college officials and members of the Somers community have exchanged visits and decided to move forward with the project.

“It’s something the Blakes identify with directly, and therefore they feel very good about working with Hillsdale.

It’s an alignment of interests,” Keeney said, noting the Blakes’ appreciation for the college’s values.

Mike Harner, chief of staff for the Hillsdale College president’s office, said the college would likely use the property to run programs for about 50 to 75 people each throughout the year, mostly in the summer. The educational center would fit well with the college’s mission and goals, he said.

“It would go along with

the things that we do at the school. Hostels, CCAs, online courses, Imprimis, all those things are methods of communicating the things that the college exists to support. Having a center, which is the idea for the Blake property, would allow us to do those things for various size groups in various ways,” he said.

He said the college would like to use the facilities for lectures and events, as well as trainings for local students and educators. Its location in Connecticut puts it in the proximity of a good number of friends of the college, he added.

Some local residents do have concerns about the change, and the college is looking to address them, Harner said.

“We want to be good

Senior Chloe Kookgey is crowned President’s Ball queen. Reagan Lasch | Courtesy

Seniors Gill West and Chloe Kookogey were named President’s Ball king and queen on Saturday. For a profile on West and Kookogey, see B3.

Mock Trial advances to state championship By | Joel Meng Collegian Reporter Both team 1126 and team 1127 qualified for The American Mock Trial Association’s Opening Round Championship Series at the Ypsilanti, Michigan Regional Tournament at Eastern Michigan University on Feb. 17. The last time two Hillsdale teams qualified for the ORCS — the highest round a Hillsdale Mock Trial team has reached — was their 2016-17 season.

To qualify for the cham-

pionship series, teams needed to place in the top seven of the 21 teams competing at the regional tournament.

But in the first round, both teams dropped both ballots.

“Round one, we hit Michigan A, which is ranked number five in the nation,” said sophomore Sophie Klomparens, who plays an attorney for team 1126. “We had to win everything else from that point on to have a chance of winning.”

Junior Andrew Simpson, who plays an attorney for

team 1127, talked about how the loss impacted team performance.

“It really motivated the team. Everyone was in peak performance,” Simpson said.

“They were probably the best rounds of the season.”

Klomparens said team 1126 had to treat every team as if it were a reigning champion.

Mock trial tournament staff don’t reveal the ballots for the last round of competition, letting the results only be seen at awards. Tourna-

See Mock Trial A3

Q&A: Noah Rothman By | Regan Meyer Web Content Editor

Noah Rothman spoke on Feb. 19 to students about his first book, “Unjust: Social Justice and the Unmaking of America.” Mr. Rothman is an associate editor for Commentary Magazine and a contributor for MSNBC/NBC News. He also contributes various opinion pieces to other news outlets including The New York Times and The Atlantic.

Noah Rothman, author of “Unjust: Social Justice and the Unmaking of America,” spoke on campus this week. LinkedIn Follow @HDaleCollegian

Why political journalism?

I cringe when people call me a journalist, because I’m not a journalist. I make no pretense towards objectivity.

I have an opinion and a point of view, and I freely and readily express it. That doesn’t give me license to be

dishonest. I try very hard to be honest and forthright and to acknowledge when my biases or predilections or points of view have been challenged in a way that is valuable for people with whom I am predisposed to disagree. But, journalists in my view should at least attempt to be objective, and I’m not objective.

If you’re not a journalist, what are you?

I’m an opinion writer. I’m a political analyst.

How did you get involved in this world of political analysis?

I came out of the entertainment world. I went to college on a performing arts scholarship. I was theatre actor when I was in high school. I was a sophomore when 9/11

See Rothman A2

Prestley and Helen Blake hope to donate property in Connecticut that includes a replica of Monticello to Hillsdale College. Wayne Dumas | Courtesy

neighbors,” Harner said.

Some residents of Somers — which has a population just a little larger than Hillsdale’s 8,000 — are worried about traffic and changes in property use, Keeney said.

The Journal Inquirer, a local newspaper, reported that one neighbor expressed concern about “increasing traffic, adequate parking, and changing the nature of this area of Somers.”

Women’s Swim

But Keeney said traffic won’t prove much of an issue because of the property’s location, and the college will maintain or improve the property by using it.

“The benefits to the neighbors is the maintenance of the property and the conservation of the land,” Keeney said, noting that the Blakes have always tried to use their property generously, allowing local residents to use its trails.

Harner said the college would continue to keep the property open for locals.

Most concerning to Somers residents is the loss of tax revenue that would result from the property becoming a non-profit educational center: “That’s the elephant in the room,” Keeney said.

See Monticello A2

Chargers finish second in G-MAC, Kirner named Coach of the Year By | Danielle Lee Collegian Reporter The Hillsdale College Chargers had three conference champions and placed second in the Great Midwest & Mountain East Conference in Canton, Ohio this past weekend. Head coach Kurt Kirner was also awarded G-MAC Coach of the Year and Hillsdale won its first ever 400 medley relay team G-MAC title.

This year the Chargers fought against 10 teams at the NCAA Division II conference, including their biggest rival University of Findlay, but winning a score of 1572 points still brought them short, and the Chargers fell against Findlay again. Yet despite this lost, the athletes still won 21 medals and swam 44 personal best and 52 season

Voisin. The high stakes and direct teamwork are what made this race enjoyable, Heeres said. With DeTar and Ellingson as seniors, Heeres said this win was a great way to send them off at the end of their swimming career. “‘The Band,’ as we have been referring to that relay all year, has been so much fun together and they are some of my best friends on the team,” Heeres said. “I’m proud to have won Hillsdale’s first 400 medley relay team G-MAC title with those ladies by my side.”

After swimming her first G-MAC meet, Clark said the overall event was thrilling.

Clark placed in the top eight in all of her events, including third in 200 butterfly, and swam four lifetime bests.

Now that the season is over for most of them, Clark said she already misses practicing and competing with the team.

“We gave Findlay some serious competition and I was happy to help contribute to our success and score points,” Clark said. “Everyone stepped it up and swam some inspiringly fast races. It was so fun to support and cheer each other on.”

Despite their outstanding results, racing for four days proved to be very chalSenior Suzanne De Tar, junior Catherine Voisin, senior Anika Ellingson, and lenging. Not only sophomore Katherine Heeres pose with trophies after winning the 400 meter was it physically medley relay at the G-MAC Championships. Brad Heeres | courtesy draining, but the duration affected them emotionally best times. season-best and three person- and mentally, Heeres said.

Grateful to everyone inal bests each, which also set “I think I speak for the volved, Kirner said the award school records,” Heeres said. whole team when I say that is truly a team reward and he “The 200 backstroke is my none of us could do it on couldn’t have gotten it withabsolute favorite event, which our own; we all needed the out the team’s help. made it twice as exciting to support from each and every “It’s a reflection of my win.” girl,” Heeres said. “As I did staff, especially Zoe Tracey Adding more to their viclast year, I came out of this [assistant swim coach] and tories, senior Anika Ellingson weekend with a deeper apthe team,” Kirner said. “Good won first in the 100 breastroke preciation for the team. There efforts involve great people.” within 1 minute and 2.83 is truly no other team that I Kirner is not just a great seconds— 0.68 less than her would rather be on than this coach but also an amazing Findlay competitor. Keeping one, right here.” person to the team, said fresh- up her sprinting tempo up After the G-MACs, Kirner man Stefanie Walker. She said as long as possible, Ellingson said Ellingson is the only one he constantly teaches them to said, was crucial to this win. qualified to compete at the become great swimmers and “You can’t die off on the NCAA Division II Champeople, teaching them lessons the back 50 yards of the race,” pionships. However, there beyond the swimming pool.

Ellingson said. “That being might be a chance for Heeres “He has a great character said, utilizing your time to swim as well. For now, to him, and his ultimate goal underwater instead of on the Kirner said he plans to keep isn’t to make us better swimsurface is key in your race. My Ellingson prepared for this mers, but better people overcoaches and I really focused meet. all,” Walker said. “He definite- on those small sections of the “There’s always a bitterly succeeds in that goal.” race because that’s where you sweet aspect of the end of Freshman Anna Clark said can catch up and pull ahead.” another season,” Heeres said.

Kirner’s award is well-deThe Chargers also shone “But this conclusion held an served. With his passion for first in the 400 medley relay extra special sweetness that swim and love for the team, champions with Heeres, none of us are likely to forget Kirner always inspires the Ellingson, senior Suzanne anytime soon.” team with great confidence DeTar, and junior Catherine

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and energy, Clark said.

“It’s obvious that he loves the sport when you talk to him and our team so much, and I always trust him whenever he says something about my technique or race strategy,” Clark said. “He said the award wouldn’t be possible without the team, but the team wouldn’t be possible without him.”

Sophomore Katherine Heeres ended the meet with a strong finish. She won the 200 backstroke champion for the second time while breaking her third school record; she broke all three within those four days. Heeres said she focuses on her personalized strategy for backstroke, which differs from most swimmers, and getting comfortable with applying it in races. This helped her significantly.

“I was able to notch a

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Health and Wellness Center launches group for stress management By | Madeline Peltzer Collegian Reporter “Hillsdale’s hard. It’s important to know how to navigate Hillsdale—and life beyond Hillsdale—in a healthy way.”

That’s the reason Brock Lutz, Hillsdale’s director of Health and Wellness, gave for the four-week long psychoeducational group he and Todd Koch, a graduate intern pursuing his master’s in counseling, are starting this semester.

“The goal of the group is to learn some basic skills for stress management,” Lutz said. “We’ll discuss things like scheduling, having a healthy

mental perspective, prioritization, and discerning what’s really worthy of stressing over.”

Lutz said the program wasn’t sparked by any particular surge in counseling needs or spike in mental health issues. Rather, it’s part of the college’s ongoing effort to create a support system for particular issues facing students. In the case of the psychoeducational group, the program will focus on education and practical tools rather than being a group therapy session.

“The things that we’ll be sharing are not going to be super personal,” he said. “This is more of a teaching group and

is less intimidating in nature.”

This isn’t the first time Hillsdale has offered a psychoeducational program; the Health and Wellness Center hosted a session four years ago to an excellent response.

This semester, interest has been so great that the center has expanded the program to two sections on two different days of the week.

Associate Dean of Women Rebekah Dell said she believes the program will be an asset to campus life.

“One of the things that makes Hillsdale special is that we’re intentional about growing in community in all areas,” she said. “We intentionally encourage students to

talk to their peers and I think mental health and wellness isn’t something that should be off-limits. Having those conversations that highlight both strengths and challenges is important. That’s honest, vulnerable living and we can all learn something from that.”

Christa LaVoie, a junior studying psychology, said she thinks the program will draw much-needed awareness to the issue of stress at Hillsdale and its serious, long-term consequences.

“Stress is triggered by a hormone called cortisol, which plays a role in many diseases and conditions,” LaVoie said. “The goal is to have lower cortisol levels, but col-

lege students usually have the highest amount because we’re under so much pressure. I don’t think people realize how much of an impact stress can have on us until it’s too late.

And that’s why it’s important to be aware of it, especially in this season when our brains are growing so much.”

LaVoie said she hopes the program will also help change the campus’s attitude toward stress.

“From an RA perspective and as a student myself, I think stress is something we use as a drug,” she said. “Saying ‘I’m ok, I’m stressed’ when people ask how we’re doing is a go-to phrase around campus. When we tell ourselves

we’re stressed, we become what we say we are. That label affects us more than we know.”

That’s why Lutz seeks to equip students with a better understanding of what it means to be a healthy individual.

“We’re all going to encounter stress at some point in our lives,” he said. “The question is, how do we deal with it?”

Sessions began this week and are held Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. and Fridays at 4:00 p.m.

Students who are interested in the program can email Linda Snoes to sign up. Spots are limited.

Women’s retreat to focus on Hillsdale ACS takes first at state chemistry competition spiritual reflection, prayer Catholic Society’s all-campus retreat will include coffee, hymns, fellowship By | Rachel Kookogey Collegian Freelancer Women on campus will be able to spend part of their weekend in spiritual reflection and prayer at a retreat held by the ladies of Catholic society.

The event will be this Saturday in the Mauck Solarium from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“Its a chance to have a retreat without having to leave campus and give up a whole weekend,” said junior Colleen Trainor, who will lead the event.

The event is open to all women of campus, and anyone interested can email Trainor to be added to the list.

The ladies plan to serve with pastries and coffee from Rough Draft before starting the event off with prayer.

Next, junior Bridget Dolowy will lead the women

in singing hymns.

“The goal of the retreat is a day of recollection and peace, so the music will be low-key — I will just play the guitar and lead the singing,” she said.

Over the next two hours, there will be time for personal testimonies, discussion, and for silence, which is “not something we get a lot at Hillsdale,” Trainor said.

Around 11 a.m., the ladies will head up to campus for brunch in the Knorr Family Dining Hall. They will then return to Mauck for Scripture reading and reflection, as well as more time for silent prayer and discussion before finishing with a few more hymns.

“It’s a good way to have a moment of fellowship that’s very intentional,” Trainor said.

“I found that it brings me a lot of peace and centers me.

Most people here so seldom take a morning of just prayer

and fellowship, so it’s a good opportunity for that.”

Senior Ellen Friesen said the event is a good place for students to rest without having to take a whole weekend away. The event will be just enough time to refocus amidst a busy semester.

“A lot of times, for students here, myself included, schoolwork is the lord of our schedule,” Friesen said. “Schoolwork is important, but when I set aside a couple hours to pray and worship the Lord, even when I have schoolwork to do, it shows me that Jesus is the Lord of my schedule.”

The retreat will be a time for community but also silence, according to Trainor.

“It’s time to be with other amazing people from Hillsdale and finding the silence to let that small voice talk,” Trainor said.

Red Cross blood drive falls short of goal by 17 donors The Community Health Goal program, with the help of the Niedfeldt Residence and the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity, partnered with the Red Cross in the Spring 2019 blood drive on Feb. 18 in the Grewcock Student Union.

To date, Hillsdale College has hosted 32 blood drives and collected 2743 units of blood. The crew hoped to reach the semester goal of 105 donors to build off of the momentum of last semester’s success.

Junior Adrianne Fogg has volunteered for the last three blood drives, and she was in charge of the social media campaign.

Rothman from A1

happened. I was already conservative and interested in news and entertainment on conservative talk radio. I took an internship at WABC in New York. I hated it and I wasn’t good at it.

Through a lot of twists and turns, I got out of radio, got a graduate degree in international affairs, and then started writing about politics professionally after grad school. I consumed a lot of editorial opinion and that’s

“Last semester was the first time we’ve gone over our goal; generally we go under pretty significantly,” Fogg said.

The team missed their target goal by 13 donors, finishing the day with a total of 92 donors.

According to GOAL Community Health Program Leader Sarah Becker, they might have reached the required number but students were “ineligible due to low hemoglobin levels, sickness, and other factors.”

Dan Shanley, a junior and Delta Sigma Phi fraternity member said, “Even though we did not reach our goal, we still donated about 75 units of blood, which is still an

what I eventually gravitated towards. That was something that entertained me and kept me engaged.

You’ve written your first book called “Unjust: Social Justice and the Unmaking of America.” What is it about?

People who might not have a lot of exposure to social media advocates might think that this is a pretty unobjectionable concept to which anybody would appeal.

Social justice in the abstract is just a really unobjectionable way of thinking

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amazing accomplishment.”

Becker said she was pleased with the student turnout and the positive environment it created.

“I was at the blood drive at different points throughout the day and was thrilled to see so many students eager to donate and volunteer,” Becker said. “There’s something about helping others in such a tangible and meaningful way that creates a unique environment of excitement and energy.”

Becker is excited for the Red Cross to come back next year as “[they] plan to have blood drives each fall and each spring.”

about fairness and equality in a just society, righting historical wrongs. What could be more American than that?

In its current form, however, it has become the opposite of all that. It is the antithesis of the blind, objective justice we’d see in a courtroom. Its activists have embraced ideas that are antithetical to the American experience. The notion that meritocracy, for example, is a myth or that individual person agency is a lie that your actions in life place you on a course in life that is

Though the students have consistently won the “spirit award,” their overall victory last month was the first since 2012, the first year they attended the competition.

“You really get to see how our chemistry does against other chemistry departments that aren’t liberal arts schools,” Auscherman said.

“It’s also an opportunity to meet other people in the chemistry world and to see how other people do. And it’s a good networking opportunity.”

An all-day event, the Battle of the Chemistry Clubs consists of various interactive chemistry games.

From playing chemistry charades to racing against other schools to finish titrations, a chemical lab process, the 10 Hillsdale students plunged through the four seeded rounds into the finals.

Veronica O’Connor, junior and chemistry major, credits their success to the wide range of knowledge of the team.

“We had biology majors,

This January, the Hillsdale College American Chemical Society chapter defeated more than 10 statewide universities in the Battle of the Chemistry Clubs at Michigan State University.

Though Hillsdale competed against larger schools such as Ferris State and the University of Michigan, Professor of Chemistry and ASC faculty adviser Chris Hamilton said the students’ enthusiasm distinguished them from other competing teams.

“We almost always have a very high energy team,” Hamilton said. “They want to win, but they also want to have fun while they are there.”

Run by the Michigan State University chemistry graduate students, the competition aims to “see who knows the most about chemistry,” according to senior Christine Auscherman, ACS president.

Monticello

In brief:

By | Jake Umholtz Collegian Freelancer

By | Sofia Krusmark Collegian Reporter

from A1

Keeney estimated that the real-estate tax from the Blakes’ property currently brings in $80,000 to $90,000 annually for the town. It is a very small percentage of the town budget, though, he said.

Harner said the college is aware of the community’s concerns about the tax revenue and is working with Somers members to address them, though the college’s presence itself may address some of those concerns.

Keeney pointed out that the educational center may bring in business revenue for hotels and restaurants as people come from out of town to visit.

Somers itself is located 25 minutes from an international airport and within an hour’s drive of Hartford, Connecticut, and Springfield, Massachusetts. It’s only three hours from New York City. The town hosts a lacrosse tournament every year and is known for its horse farming, according to Paul Salva, a Somers pulmonologist and president of the town’s education foundation.

in many ways predestined.

When I talk to social justice advocates on the left and tell them that white supremacists believe all this too, they sort of look at you like that’s sort of outside their paradigm.

But it’s true. The social justice activists on the right and the left have become so similar that their distinctions are blurred to the point where I refuse to make them. They are increasingly intolerant totalitarian moments that are, in my view, incompatible with the American experiment. That is the case I make

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“By New England standards, it’s remarkably beautiful,” Salva said.

Salva, who visited Hillsdale College along with Keeney, the Blakes, and three other Somers residents in December, said he’s “enthusiastic” about the prospect of the educational center.

“It would set us apart regionally,” he said. “It would bring all the good of a college campus without the worries of an undergraduate campus. It would just raise the profile of the town in a positive way tremendously.”

He said the trip to Hillsdale in December was encouraging: “We’ve seen Hillsdale is a very good neighbor to its community, which says something.”

The Monticello replica, a sized-to-scale model of Thomas Jefferson’s home completed in 2014, is “pretty amazing,” according to Keeney: Its bricks came from the same source as those in the real Monticello, and the Blakes flew down to Virginia to get the plans for the original. The Blakes’ property also includes a personal home that Prestley

in this book.

Do you have any advice for students wishing to enter the world of political analysis or politics in general?

If you want to write about political opinions and analysis, you have to have something to say, in order to have something to say, you have to have a life. You have to lead a life, first. People that want to begin their careers as writers are, unfortunately, at a disadvantage, because they just simply do not have the experience requisite to opine on issues with the kind of au-

biochem majors, and chemistry majors,” O’Connor said.

“There was always a skill that someone was good at across the spectrum, and we had a variety of people who could answer the questions.”

But their preparation, according to Ausherman, was minimal.

“It’s just kind of this fun thing that we don’t prepare for. We go in with what we know and have a good time,” Auscherman said. “It shows that we can have fun but also that our professors have prepared us well for anything chemistry-related.”

O’Connor said Hillsdale’s liberal arts education contributed to their victory.

“We understand the connections that happen through the different sciences,” O’Connor said. “We understand why something is happening, and you only get that learning ability through going to a liberal arts college.

We’ve been challenged in all these different areas.”

Blake built in 1974, and another house built for his daughter, according to Keeney.

Prestley Blake sold the Monticello building to a local eye doctor a few years ago, but the current owner is “very supportive” of the new plan, and a verbal deal is in place, Keeney said.

The next step is a zoning meeting in Somers in April.

The zoning commission has to grant a specialty-use permit for the property to change its purpose from residential to educational, Keeney said. For the next few weeks, the college is working on communicating with the community and being transparent about its plans, Harner said.

“The neighbors very much need to understand what it is that Hillsdale can do and is planning on doing,” Keeney said.

Harner said the college is hopeful that the Blakes’ idea will become reality before long.

“I would say the college is very optimistic for the prospects of the gift and to keep the Blakes’ legacy alive through the teaching that the college does,” he said.

thority that you would have.

Not because they haven’t had a life per se, although that is part of it, but because you haven’t had enough time to read. The only way to be a good writer is to read and read extensively. You only get better at writing by writing and by having editors who review your writing, publishing, trial and error. All in all, it’s experience like anything in life.

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Murray: American class divide continues to grow By | Brian Freimuth Collegian Freelancer

“You can be at an upper class party and use the word ‘redneck’ and nobody will push back at you. You can talk about ‘flyover country’ without fear that anybody else at the party will say, ‘Well that’s really condescending,’” said Charles Murray during a speech at Hillsdale College. “Well, guess what? we people who identify with flyover country know what people mean by that, and we don’t like it. We know what people mean by ‘redneck,’ and we don’t like it.”

On Tuesday, Feb. 19, Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and famous author of “The Bell Curve” and “Coming Apart,” Charles Murray, spoke to students and faculty about the widening class divide between low-income and high-income white Americans.

He claimed that white Americans with college degrees and white Americans with no more than high school diplomas are splitting into two distinct classes with different concerns and social behaviors that have caused them to become politically polarized. Murray said that high-income Americans have socially separated themselves from low-income Americans, who have experienced a decline of religion, marriage, and employment since the 1960s.

Hillsdale students affiliated with the American Enterprise Institute brought Charles Murray to campus through Hillsdale’s Executive Council Program, which coordinates events and visiting speakers.

In his 2012 book, “Coming Apart: The State of White America, 1960-2010,” Murray elaborates on the trends he discussed in Tuesday’s lecture.

“I wanted to describe how it came to be that we have a new upper class and a new lower class,” Murray said.

“New in the sense that they are different in kind from the upper class and the lower class in any other time in American history.”

Since the 1960s, elite colleges such as Harvard have increasingly admitted students with higher SAT scores, according to Murray.

Murray said these trends moved Americans with high IQ’s from their home communities to wealthy cosmopolitan areas, dividing them from the new American

lower class. Murray said the “new American upper class” and “new American lower class” have two completely different cultures.

In the new American upper class, “you have radically different norms for how the kids spend their time, with helicopter parenting being very common, where the kids’ time is programmed intensively; they have all sorts of extra curricular activities, whereas the rest of America is more likely to raise freerange kids. They are way, way different,” Murray said.

He said this new American upper class is characterized by higher incomes and successful family structures and has separated itself culturally from the rest of the country.

“This developed new upper class culture is way different with mainstream American culture,” Murray said. “If it were accompanied by continued attitude of love

Senior Tim Polelle said Murray’s diagnosis was correct, but his solution fell short.

“I think Murray’s pessimistic diagnosis of our situation is correct,” Polelle said.

“However, for such a bad political, cultural, and spiritual problem, the solution he suggests - hunkering down at the small town and personal level, joining a local club or volunteer group - is insufficient to solve the broader problems he identifies.”

Professor of Philosophy and Religion Nathan Schlueter said Murray’s points concerning the disunity of America’s economic classes were persuasive and that Murray showed proper concern for the alienation of low-income Americans.

“Murray’s remarks are a persuasive and powerful reminder that constitutional liberty ultimately rests on specific cultural and moral foundations, that citizenship

American Enterprise Institute Fellow Charles Murray spoke at Hillsdale College on Feb. 19 about the growing class divisions in America. Brian Freimuth | Collegian

of their fellow Americans it would keep us together… instead you have had the new upper class express their disdain… for mainstream America.”

Murray said 40 percent of lower class Americans are born out of wedlock and only 12 percent of lower class Americans have a distinct religious affiliation while one-third of upper class Americans still have strong religious affiliations.

Murray explained that these trends are destructive to patriotism and national unity, and that the new upper class could reconnect with the rest of American by not choosing to separate themselves exclusively into high income communities and schools.

requires character and not just knowledge,” Schlueter said.“Moreover, in his diagnosis of polarization he displayed the kind of sympathy, care, balance, and candor that that all liberally educated citizens should seek to emulate.”

During a Q&A that followed the talk, students and faculty discussed with Murray how volunteering and different career choices would help reconnect Americans divided by income and education differences. Murray suggested that graduates join the military rather than attend graduate school and recommended that students work blue collar jobs in the summer and choose to live in areas with Americans of different incomes.

February 21, 2019 A3

Hillsdale students will have the opportunity the visit the Holy Land this summer through Passages.

Heidi Yacobin | Courtesy

Hillsdale to take students on Passages Israel trip this summer By | Elizabeth Bachmann Collegian Reporter For the first time in four years, Passages, sponsored by the Philos Project and the Museum of the Bible Foundation, is offering an additional opportunity for Hillsdale students to travel to Israel over the summer in addition to their annual Christmas Break trip. For $750, students can spend 11 days in Israel between June 30 and July 10.

Applications are due March 1, and Passages will notify applicants by March 15 if they have been accepted to the program.

Professor of History Paul Rahe, who works with Passages to garner student interest along with Assistant Professor of Religion Donald Westblade, projected that Passages will have trouble filling all their spaces this trip and believed that they will accept “just about everyone who applies.”

According to Rahe, Passages offered Hillsdale a summer bus the first year they approached the college; however, because most Hillsdale students intern over the summer, there were fewer applications than there were over Christmas break.

According to senior Emma McCormack, the campus ambassador for Passages, the opportunity to go in the summer may provide a better experience.

“The summer trip is a rare opportunity for Hillsdale,” McCormack said. “If the group is smaller, participants won’t be as crowded at the sights, will have the opportunity to get to know each other better, and there may even be a couple of sights smaller

Mock Trial

from A1 ment staff announced the awards starting with first place, creating suspense for teams like Hillsdale’s that were on the edge of qualifying.

“We knew we had won the ballots from rounds two and three,” Klomparens said. “But we were worried about the judges in round four.”

Team 1126 ended up taking fifth place with six

groups can go that the huge groups can’t.”

The pilgrimage begins in Tel Aviv. From there, the itinerary includes Jaffa, Nazareth Village, Jerusalem, the Sea of Galilee, the City of David, and the Garden of Gethsemane, each stop interspersed with lectures on Israel’s spiritual and political history. Pilgrims will have the opportunity to pray and reflect at the Garden Tomb, the Monastery of St. Anne, and the Wailing Wall, to swim in the Dead Sea, and to walk the Palm Sunday Road.

Benzing House Director Emily Barnum ’18 travelled to Israel twice with Passages, first as a sophomore and again this winter as a chaperone.

She said Israel “is a very complicated place and an intense place, but I loved it and am drawn to it.”

“I think my favorite part definitely was the people I met,” Barnum said. ”And I feel like that is a key part of the Passages trip. They let students hear from Israeli soldiers, we went to a kibbutz in the Gaza Strip, and we heard from a woman and her family who have experienced the tensions living there. I think just getting that first-hand testimony of what it’s like in Israel is really compelling.”

For senior Sammy Roberts, Israel is most beautiful for the same reasons that it is most turbulent.

“It’s very much a Western country; it was settled by Jews from Europe, and so it’s very familiar in many ways. They have Jewish McDonald’s all over the place,” Roberts said.

“But it’s also very exotic, you see Eastern Christianity there.

It’s nothing like you’ll encounter anywhere else in Europe ballots while team 1127 took seventh place and the last bid to the next round with 5.5 ballots. Sophomore Mason Aberle won an attorney award with 18/20 points.

“It got down to the wire,” Simpson said. “There was the stress of not knowing.

If we had lost, our season would have been over.”

Now each team waits for case changes to come out on Feb. 24, so it can prepare for the Opening Round

or America, but even in other parts of the world because in history, really, Jerusalem is the boundary line between the East and the West, between these two pillars of human civilization. You get this amazing blend that you don’t get anywhere else.”

Roberts first went to Jerusalem with Passages his sophomore year, but since then he has made it an annual tradition, returning as a Passages Fellow for the past two winters. With graduation in the spring close on the horizon, Roberts accepted an offer to join the Passages team as Director of Catholic Initiatives.

Both Barnum and Roberts said the Passages trip to Israel was a transformative experience.

“I don’t know how to explain it, but the intensity is just really fascinating, and it feels really real,” Barnum said.

“Faith matters when you’re in Israel, and I think sometimes here, we lose touch with it because it’s not like you’re actually warring over a piece of land and what narrative properly belongs to that piece of land. So it’s a really fascinating place.”

Similarly, touched by his experiences, Roberts said he is eager to convince interested students to apply for the pilgrimage.

“The Passages Israel trip is this perfect combination of going to the religious sites, but also learning about the modern country and seeing the way the dynamic unfolds there,” Roberts said, encouraging students to apply. “It’s just incredible, especially over the summer.”

Championship Series in earnest.

“Everyone has a lot of raw talent, so we’re going to focus on refining it,” Simpson said.

With their comeback performances, both teams can look forward to at least one more tournament.

“I was super proud of how people pulled through,” Klomparens said. “We’ve been working so hard on this case for months and this tournament was it.”

Students learn coffee tasting, brewing methods By | Julia Mullins Assistant Editor When a representative from Zingerman’s Coffee Company led a coffee tasting class Feb. 18, 12 Hillsdale College students learned how to properly describe the flavors of coffee along with six different coffee brewing methods.

Roaster and trainer for Zingerman’s Christopher Glasow said he teaches the same class once a month at Zingerman’s Cafe in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He said this is just one of the 15 coffee-related classes that Zingerman’s offers to the public.

“I like sharing the things that make coffee taste good,” Glasow said. “A lot of people brew coffee, but a lot of people don’t really necessarily know how to brew it right, so sharing that knowledge is nice and rewarding.”

Glasow opened up the class by discussing elements of brewing: time, temperature, grind size, filtration, ratio, and pressure. He said coffee roasters and baristas use these elements to achieve a desired flavor for different coffee roasts.

Sophomore Johannes Olson attended the class and said he was most interested in learning about the ideal ratios between coffee and

Christopher Glasow of Zingerman’s Coffee Company taught students methods for tasting and brewing coffee on Feb. 18. Julia Mullins | Collegian

water as measured by weight in grams.

“I hadn’t really looked into that kind of stuff. I was always going by volume,” Olson said.

After teaching students how to properly talk about coffee, Glasow demonstrated how to brew coffee using six different methods. He used a V60 pour over, immersion

brewer, Chemex, French press, AeroPress, and a syphon brewer.

Most students had experienced pour over and French press coffee, but few

students had tasted coffee brewed using the AeroPress and syphon brewer prior to the class.

“I like to learn how other people are brewing coffee at home, and what other people’s experiences are,” Glasow said.

Olson said he often uses a French press to brew his coffee at home. After trying coffee brewed with the syphon for the first time, he said he had found a new favorite.

“It had a rich flavor. It was more flavorful,” Olson said.

“I like the idea that it focused more on the flavor of the coffee rather than the body or the caffeine level. I drink coffee for the flavor because I can’t drink it a lot, so when I do, I want to enjoy it.”

William Persson, marketing coordinator at Bon Appetit, said he has been talking about holding an event like this for some time since the class will help students to fully experience coffee and learn more about Zingerman’s as a company.

“It’s more than just the caffeine that we’re getting from it,” Persson said. “I think the class will also allow our students to interact more with the Zingerman’s brand and why we really like them as a company, and why we think they’re a good roaster to be partnering with.”

Olson said he appreciated

being able to ask a coffee expert questions about how to perfect brewing his own coffee at home. For example, Glasow explained the effects of off-gassing in coffee and the importance of the “bloom.” The “bloom” is a quick bubbling up of carbon dioxide and coffee grounds produced by slow pouring.

“I knew I could bloom it, but now I know why I should bloom it,” Olson said. “That was very useful.”

According to Persson, the cafe at Zingerman’s offers customers 10 different brewing methods.

“They have this giant brew board, is what they call it, and it has all these different roasts and then how they taste with a specific brew method,” Persson said. “That really allows the customer to engage with their experience and find what what brew method they prefer or what blend they prefer. It’s super interactive and fun.”

Bon Appetit has considered creating a similar set up at AJ’s Cafe.

“Students are not just at AJ’s quickly, it’s not Jitters,” Perssons said. “They’re here, they’re sitting, and doing homework for hours on end, so why not give them a little resemblance of a real coffee experience. It’s more than just caffeine.”

A4 February 21, 2019

www.hillsdalecollegian.com

The Weekly: Confront, don’t complain (517) 607-2415 Online: www.hillsdalecollegian.com Editor-in-Chief | Nicole Ault Associate Editor | Jordyn Pair News Editor | Nolan Ryan City News Editor | Josephine von Dohlen Opinions Editor | Kaylee McGhee Sports Editor | S. Nathaniel Grime Culture Editor | Carmel Kookogey Features Editor | Brooke Conrad Design Editor | Morgan Channels Web Content Editor | Regan Meyer Web Manager | Timothy Green Photo Editor | Christian Yiu Circulation Manager | Regan Meyer Ad Manager | Cole McNeely Assistant Editors | Emma Cummins | Alexis Daniels | Abby Liebing | Allison Schuster | Calli Townsend | Isabella Redjai | Ryan Goff | Stefan Kleinhenz | Cal Abbo Faculty Advisers | John J. Miller | Maria Servold

The editors welcome Letters to the Editor but reserve the right to edit submissions for clarity, length, and style. Letters should be 450 words or less and include your name and number. Send submissions to the Opinions Editor at kmcghee@hilldale.edu before Saturday at 3 p.m.

Hillsdale needs better on-campus housing options

history of the U.S. and the By | Ben Dietderich Special to the Collegian world), he probably feels entiThere are few things more frightening for a college sophomore than finding out your off-campus house has bedbugs. That was me last year. Technically speaking, they were bat bugs, meaning they originated from the bats living in our walls, but when bat bugs are hungry, they feast just like their bedridden friends.

My first off-campus experience was subpar to say the least. My anticipated roommate left abruptly for a job opening in the Trump Administration, pipes burst, the air-conditioning broke, and I spent second semester living in constant fear that the blood-hungry bugs from upstairs would make a pilgrimage down to my room on the first floor.

Despite this, I am still not an advocate of on-campus housing for upperclassmen.

But that could change if the college provided better options.

The college has said in recent years they would prefer more students to live on-campus. Whether the reasoning is related to on-campus culture, safety, or financial concerns, the college should update its housing options to reflect its new goals.

As it stands today, on-campus housing does have some benefits. Most notably, the ease of mind that comes with the college being your landlord. If a pipe bursts or you encounter pest problems, you don’t have to play tug of war with your landlord — instead, you can just call the full-time maintenance staff.

Ever forget to pay the heating or internet bill? The fear of your credit score dropping also dissipates when the college handles your utilities.

Many on-campus housing options also have cleaning services that at the very least, do seasonal cleans, and in some instances, vacuum and clean the bathroom twice a week.

Hillsdale College dorms do provide all these amenities, but most upperclassmen don’t want to and should not have to live in a dormitory.

They don’t need the same dorm culture freshmen might appreciate — they’ve already made friends and have become accustomed to living on their own.

They don’t want to live in a one-room living space because once you’re that close to adulthood, you desire living arrangements that include kitchens and areas for social gatherings.

Shockingly, a 21-year-old junior isn’t going to want to live in a dry dormitory shared with freshmen because 21 years in (one of the oldest legal drinking ages in the

tled to keep a six-pack of beer in his fridge.

No upperclassman should be charged $730 more a semester to live in the Suites either. Though it’s convenient to once again have an individual room, a single bedroom in the Suites is little more than a dorm room, with only enough space for a twin bed, a desk, and drawers. Each suite has, as the college describes it, a “kitchenette,” which amounts to a sink, microwave, and a fridge, leaving little room for anything but microwaveable meals. This shouldn’t be considered an adequate alternative to off-campus living.

Hillsdale, Michigan isn’t exactly pressed for space.

Housing for on-campus upperclassmen does not need to feel cramped. Nor should it cost at least $1,000 more than what an apartment at 42 Union costs (one of the more expensive off-campus living options).

Instead of building new dorms with shared bathrooms, build larger suites or townhouses, with walls that aren’t paper thin, floors that don’t crack, and yes, with a real kitchen — stove and oven included. Off-campus townhouses are currently available to students, but at a massive cost. Single rooms in one of the recently-constructed College Park Townhouses cost about $850 a month.

Hillsdale would be following many other small-midsize private institutions that have taken the same path. While on a college sailing trip, I visited Hope College in Holland, Michigan. Like Hillsdale, the school is well-funded, but unlike Hillsdale, it has used some of its endowment to build on-campus townhomes called cottages, built in circular formations to encourage community between the homes.

“As you learn, develop and grow in and outside of the classroom, your Hope housing options grow with you,” The Hope College website states. “You’ll start off living in highly communal residence halls your first and second years, then move to more independent but college-supported cottages and apartment living during your junior and senior years.”

Living on-campus does not need to make upperclassmen feel like they’ve been deprived of independence. There is a balance to be struck between the support the college can offer and the freedoms upperclassmen should be able to earn. The college should further its mission of fostering self-governance and develop an adequate plan for upperclassmen housing.

Ben Dietderich is a junior studying Political Economy and Journalism.

The opinion of The Collegian editorial staff

Complaints from students on a small campus are inevitable, but there’s a charitable way to resolve them, and taking to social media isn’t it.

Hillsdale’s many social groups might butt heads at times, albeit in a light-hearted way. Last week, several students took to Twitter to voice snarky opinions about various communities on campus.

The comments were sarcastic

and it’s unlikely hard feelings followed the exchange, but as Hillsdale students, we should hold ourselves to a higher standard.

Twitter isn’t the only battleground. The Student Activities Board faces a wave of criticism after each event it puts on.

The complaints range from food choices to decorations to weather. Yes, weather. But instead of submitting sugges-

tions and recommendations to surveys SAB provides after events, Hillsdale students have a habit of complaining behind closed doors, and in some cases, airing their grievances on social media. SAB encourages feedback — why not take it to them directly?

Confrontation isn’t usually seen as a good thing. But it can, in fact, help resolve tensions if done in a kind way.

Sub-tweeting fellow students or whispering about different groups does not foster an environment worthy of Hillsdale’s mission. It might seem trivial — after all, we’re just having fun, right? — but take the time to think about how your words and actions reflect not just on you, but on the student body at large. It matters.

Sending off Corinn

Reminisce, cherish, and hold fast while your loved ones are here ories we By | Sofia Krusmark Special to the Collegian experienced

that we immediately You don’t recognize the brushed off impact a person has until right after they’re taken away from you.

At 5:30 a.m on Wednesday, the memory was over.

Feb. 13, my lifelong friend, Thank God Corinn was in a car wreck. that these Four days later, her family memories disconnected her from life are buried in support. our minds, When I was told the news somewhere. by a close family friend, the When memories of our childhood I drove to together flooded my entire the hospibeing. We shoved each other tal to see down the torn slip-and-slide my family on the dead grass in my friends and backyard. We celebrated our say goodbye agonizing hours of nervousto Corinn, I ness after our piano recitals resolved to with glorious Fuddrucker cherish the burgers and average shakes. moment in And when distance tore us the moment apart, our precious moments itself. together meant staying up all No one night talking about how life is ever was hard but how God was prepared for good. These memories crashed a hospital into my heart in an instant. waiting But they only resurfaced room — because Corinn was leaving probably me. because we It’s easy to live in this kind never plan of comfort when we are still to be there. surrounded by the people we Walking in, Corinn, a close family friend of the author, was taken off life support last week. love the most. We experience Isaac and Courtesy | Sofia Krusmark moments with them — the Josh, Corinn’s sister responded to my “How into the dreaded room, he sweetest ones. We laugh with brothers, stood up and hugged are you?” with a joyous, “I embraced the moment with these people, but we cry with me hard. Music was playing boldness and invited me to them too. We learn from these softly, little kids were laughing have the peace that surpasses all understanding!” And when share in the precious opporpeople — how to be kind, how and crawling on the ground, I was wrapped in her mother’s tunity to touch Corinn for to love hard, how to persevere unaware of the reason they embrace, I one last time. In the very act — but then we don’t tell them. were there.

And there were moments of touching his dying sister’s It seems almost cyclical I walked down the hallwhen I laughed hard.

Trying hands, he reminisced on sometimes. We live for the way a little more, to another on pig noses that came in one who she was, her vibrant self, next moment, for the memwaiting room overflowing of the many care packages, but also looked ahead to her ories that we hope to make with more family and friends.

Hammie, Corinn’s eight year future restoration. later. These experiences are Joy drenched every person in old brother and I giggled as we We often fail to reminisce profound, and whether we that room. I had walked into a woke the room with a stifled on our memories and savor realize it or not, they impact miracle. “oink, oink.” our friends when we are actuthe person we become. And I relished the moment Then it was time to say ally with them. Memories are yet, we don’t reminisce on when I sang with her younger goodbye, or “see you soon,” as meant to be shared — and not these things when life is good. sister, AJ, as she plucked the I’d rather say. just at the memorial service of These memory-makers live ukulele strings to Corinn’s Taking my hand, Hammie our loved one. It is a beautialongside us and we blindly favorite song. Tears stung my led me into Corinn’s room ful thing to look back fondly walk alongside them toward eyes as we all sang “Happy and clutched me tight, as if my on the memories when you the “next best thing.” We keep Birthday” to her younger grief was greater than his. The are still with the person you going, “living in the moment,” brother —grieving people steady beeping sounds, the pe- live each day with. Because or so we’d like to think. joyously lifted their voices to culiar warmth that came from when we do this, those people celebrate a new year of life of Time passes, but we forget the other people clouding the live cherished. Our ongoing the brother who only wished that people do too. It is in room, the sight of Corinn, the gratefulness paints a vibrant to celebrate the restoration this moment that we look to impact of the crash inscribed picture of active love; we soak of Corinn’s brain. My heart our right and left, and finally on her entire being. The people in it. dropped in shock as her oldest reminisce on the past memmemories of our Our lives become an ongofriendship hit ing celebration of the “thens” me all the more. with the “nows” of the present, With her as we press onward toward the blistered, cal“next.” The memories walk loused hands with us, instead of being left lying motionless behind for us to run back and on the bed, grasp later when it seems all Hammie whistoo late. pered to me, So here’s to Corinn — a “You can touch sister who chose to be a tapthem, Sofia. estry magnificently woven by Don’t worry.

Christ. A friend who screamed They don’t with excitement when you hurt.” shared your life’s joys and I rubbed my buried her head in her hands hand quickly when the boy you had a crush against hers, on hurt you. A songbird who utterly lifeless lifted her voice with the sole but only a mere purpose of lifting up others. shell of my An ambitious leader, who friend’s beausurrendered her whole life to tiful soul. As Christ living with nothing to we walked out lose, nothing to prove, and of the room, nothing to gain.

Hammie patted Here’s to you, Corinn, for my back and living for this day — and that smiled. day — The day that has ar“Sofia, just rived so suddenly, but the day imagine how when you’ve bolted running much better her into our Abba’s arms. skin is in heavI just wish I told you these en. It’s 30 times things before you were gone. better than this,” he said.

Hammie lived in this moment with Sofia Krusmark is a sophme.

Instead of omore studying International Corinn’s sister, Genevieve, says goodbye. Courtesy | Sofia Krusmark refusing to walk Studies.

Opinions

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February 21, 2019 A5

Hillsdale’s female dorms should integrate all grades When dorms include turn to their RAs to ask these empowers RAs to spend more would alleviate an inequality By | Bryce Asberg if each dorm were composed Special to the Collegian students of all ages, freshmen questions. Although RAs are a time fostering dorm combenefit from regular intergreat resource, having addimunity and helping residents of all classes, since the job action with upperclassmen. tional upperclassmen in the who have serious struggles. requirements for women When I moved into GalDuring my time in Galloway dorms gives freshmen a wider Many RAs in freshman RAs would be more standard loway residence hall in the I regularly laughed, pranked, variety of people to befriend. girls’ dorms feel overwhelmed across the dorms. fall of 2017, I was a scared and attended dorm Bible Integrating all grades freshman: I knew only a coustudy with men from all in the women’s dorms ple of people at Hillsdale and classes. It was a great adalso has the potential to it was hard to leave my family vantage to be friends with upperclassmen, “Integrating all grades in the women’s dorms benefit three time zones away. But upperclassmen who had who would be given only a day or so after saying completed more of the ample opportunity to ingoodbye to my parents, there Hillsdale experience than vest in freshmen in their has the potential to benefit upperclassmen, who was a knock at my door. It was I had and were willing dorms and help younger Peter Wenger, then a senior to pass on their wisdom. students grow in maturiwho lived in Galloway. He would be given ample opportunity to invest in And since Galloway was ty. Those upperclassmen was going to all the freshmen a mixed-age dorm, my who take advantage of in the dorm to give them friendship with upperwould themselves freshmen in their dorms and help younger students this information on local churches classmen was not limited be helped since the act and Christian ministries on to resident assistants . In of serving others is a campus. It was one of the best fact, the most influential growing and maturing grow in maturity.” things to happen to me that upperclassmen in my life, experience. semester. including Peter, were not No one has more Unfortunately, half of RAs. enthusiasm and optiHillsdale’s freshmen do not Upperclassmen have mism than freshmen. have the same opportunity to already survived several Enabling freshmen women to with work, but there is a great While at times this may strike befriend upperclassmen. Only semesters at college. They seek advice from other upper- disparity in the expectaupperclassmen as tiring or the male dorms are integrated have good advice on everyclassmen reduces the strain on tions and time commitment overwhelming, enthusiasm is by age, and the college ought thing from English profesthe RA team by decreasing the between a RA in a female upgood. If freshmen tend to be to extend the same advantage sors to President’s Ball attire. amount of time they spend perclassmen dorm and one in too optimistic, then upperto female freshmen.

Currently, freshmen women answering questions. This a female freshmen dorm. This classmen are in danger of be-

Hillsdale needs more 42 Unions, fewer townhouses By | Erik Halvorson Columnist As February draws to a close, Hillsdale is still adjusting to the multitude of changes brought to campus last year. If one were to describe life in the Dale in 2018 with one word, that word would most likely be: “construction.” The past twelve months saw the erection of Christ Chapel, the completion of the still unnamed new dorm, the renovation of Galloway residence hall and the completion of the classy College Park Townhouses. While all of this commotion affected life on campus, not all of the ventures have been appreciated by members of the college community.

For example, students living in the appropriately nicknamed “New Dorm” are happy with the college’s latest accommodations, citing the prime location, in-house coffee shop, and brand-new rooms. Similarly, campus is abuzz with excitement for the completion of Christ Chapel, the largest and most expensive of the many additions being made to Hillsdale College’s campus. Unfortunately, not all of the real-estate investments aimed at Hillsdale students have been quite as well-received.

The College Park Townhouses at the corner of West Street and College Street created quite a stir throughout the community when they were announced. The luxury apartments boasted security, privacy, convenience, and the perk of being fully furnished and move-in ready. Upon first glance, it seemed inevitable that these would become some of the most popular off-campus student housing options available. As it turns out, however, the perks do not come cheap, with the sticker price of a single room starting at $850 a month — and that’s to share the space with at least four other people. If you want your own space you better be prepared to shell out $1,250 a month for one bedroom and one bathroom in a townhouse.

Not many Hillsdale residents are looking for a five bedroom, five bathroom townhouse that would run more than twice the cost of

any other living arrangements currently available. While the townhomes are spectacular, they are excessive. Their opulence and consequential price are the primary reason fewer than 25 percent of their rooms have been filled. As for those that have been rented, they are filled by donors or friends of the college rather than students as the developers initially intended. Few students are willing or able to pay for granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, or wood floors for their college years, especially when so many other quality options are available at half the cost.

One only needs to look to the apartments at 42 Union Street to understand where the demand for housing really lies.

Since their completion in 2016, every unit has been filled, mostly by college students. Like the townhouses, these new apartments also offer new appliances, spacious rooms, and ample common living spaces — but without the exorbitant price tag. A three bedroom, one bathroom unit at 42 Union costs only $2,375 a semester — less than half the cost per person of living in the College Park Townhouses. While the commute to campus is a few blocks longer, 42 Union makes up for it with a popular coffee shop and study spot in its lobby.

Hillsdale students yearn for better off-campus living options. While graduates like to boast about the squalor in the dorms they lived in while in college, students prefer newly renovated houses or modernized apartments. To fill this need, new developers should look to flourishing 42 Union and not the empty townhouses as a template to follow.

As Hillsdale College seeks to update its facilities, private developers in the community are attempting to do the same.

It is evident, however, that only some of these entrepreneurs truly know their market. The nearly-empty townhouses should serve as a warning for would-be landlords in the same way 42 Union is a pattern for success.

“It’s evident

that only some of these

entrepreneurs truly know

their market.”

Erik Halvorson is a senior studying Economics.

coming jaded. Acknowledging these tendencies among freshmen and upperclassmen is important. A mix of ages can moderate both these views — the experiences of upperclassmen can sober freshmen and the energy of freshmen can encourage upperclassmen.

Hillsdale wisely made the decision to mix ages in the male dorms, and I have benefited greatly from this feature of dorm life. Doing the same for the female dorms would be similarly beneficial. Every freshman woman at Hillsdale deserves the same opportunities and privileges that I and every other freshman guy were given by living in a dorm with men from every class.

No one should miss out on the chance to meet a Peter.

Bryce Asberg is a George Washington Fellow and a sophomore studying Religion.

Who’s afraid of Saudi Arabia?

By | Abby Liebing Assitant Editor

When Trump came into office in 2016, he and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, began flirting with Saudi Arabia and the Crown Prince Mohammed bin-Salman (MBS). But in the past few months the budding relationship has fallen on hard times. First, there were hard feelings when MBS had journalist Jamal Khashoggi murdered in the back room of an embassy. And now, the Trump administration faces outrage from both sides of the political aisle for attempting to build nuclear-power reactors in Saudi Arabia.

The House Committee on Oversight and Reform released a report on the recent discoveries and are now threatening an investigation into the “Trump Administration’s Efforts to Transfer Sensitive Nuclear Technology to Saudi Arabia,” per the memo.

There has certainly been shady dealings and attempts to bypass Congress and proceed with the sale of nuclear reactors to Saudi Arabia. But in Trump’s defense, there was zero chance that any congressional committee was going to give a thumbs-up to handing a Middle Eastern power nuclear reactors. So Trump and Former National Security Advisor Mike Flynn got creative.

The Oversight and Reform committee outlined how Flynn and Derek Harvey, who was in charge of Middle Eastern affairs on the National Security Council, worked on a plan to sell nuclear reactors to Saudi Arabia with retired U.S. generals and admirals who had formed a private company in support of the plan. But then the whistleblowers came out.

The committee reported that these ambiguous whistleblowers “provided specific dates and information from the relevant correspondence, as well as the names and

identities of White House officials engaged in these activities.”

The report continued, saying, “For example, the whistleblowers provided new information about IP3 International, a private company that has assembled a consortium of U.S. companies to build nuclear plants in Saudi Arabia. According to media reports, IP3’s only project to date is the Saudi nuclear Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin-Salman (MBS) stands next to Presiplan.”

The report dent Donald Trump in the Oval Office. Wikimedia nized murderer, in possesthe U.S. could control the goes on to sion of nuclear power, but nuclear facilities. In that outline behind-the-scenes look at who else has nuclear case, selling nuclear reactors work the Trump adminpower. to Saudi Arabia could be a istration has undertaken Iran has nuclear power good security investment for to set up nuclear power in and weapons (probably). the U.S. in the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia: fundraising, Pakistan has about 150 U.S. control and involveconstant communication warheads. India has about ment in Saudi nuclear power with the Saudis and Emira140. Saudi Arabia is a lot would assert American tis, etc. And one of Trump’s friends and fundraisers even, more stable than any of those dominance in the Middle countries and has a decent East. The U.S. could, at the “pondered the notion, for very least, make Iran think example, of buying a piece of relationship with the U.S. Congress should take these twice before doing anything Westinghouse, the bankrupt stupidly aggressive.

U.S. manufacturer of nuclear factors into consideration All the dealings for the reactors.” Once the deal went and take MBS’s offer seriously. sale up to this point have public, the administration Furthermore, Iran, Pakibeen done in back rooms knew it would have Trump’s stan, and India are not even and under tables. But fingerprints all over it, but it under the Non-Proliferation selling Saudi Arabia nuappears that the plan was to clear reactors won’t cause actually have everything sold Treaty (NPT). So they technically have no obligations WW3. Thanks to the House’s and built by a community of to use their nuclear power “whistleblowers,” howevprivate companies. for peaceful purposes. At the er, Americans are running These controversial steps very least, selling Saudi Arascared from a deal that could have both the right and left bia nuclear reactants would potentially enhance Americrying “Scandal!” Giving guarantee their entrance into can security and dominance Saudi Arabia access to the NPT. in a turbulent region. The nuclear power, and possibly But it appears that the U.S. shouldn’t fear nuclear nuclear weapons, is rightfulplan to sell Saudi Arabia power going to the big, bad ly concerning. MBS did say nuclear reactors is not just Middle East — it’s already in 2018, “Without a doubt, a business deal. From what there. if Iran developed a nuclear the House committee has bomb, we will follow suit uncovered thus far, it seems Abby Liebing is a junior as soon as possible.” And like the plan was to sell Saudi studying History and Joursure, it’s a little scary to have Arabia the reactors so that nalism. someone like MBS, a recog-

Letter: AEI’s Charles Murray’s unwarranted conclusions Dear Editor, On Wednesday, Charles Murray of the American Enterprise Institute visited campus to speak about one of his books, “Coming Apart,” and the effects modern politics have had on America’s social classes. A few things struck me during Murray’s lecture.

First, Dr. Murray struck me as not fully honest in response to Associate Dean of Men Jeffery Rogers’ question about “The Bell Curve,” a book by Murray and co-author and psychologist Richard J. Herrnstein in 1994 about the relationship between human intelligence and class structure. The book was controversial, particularly because of Chapter 13, in which the authors claimed racial differences have a profound impact on intelligence.

Rogers asked Murray about this particular chapter, to which Murray claimed

critics don’t quote it and don’t treat it fairly. For example, noted econometricians Arthur Goldberger and Charles Manski gave “The Bell Curve” a careful and fair analysis, including substantial quotation from Chapter 13 on race. They show that the statistical work of Murray and Herrnstein was not competently done, and the conclusions drawn were unwarranted.

As for Rogers’ contention that Murray should have known “The Bell Curve” would be weaponized, I first heard of the book before it was published, at an informal gathering where economist Walter Block gloated that it would mean we could stop wasting money trying to educate black people.

Second, although I didn’t read “The Bell Curve” (largely because of Goldberger-Manski and similar reviews), I did read “Coming

Apart.” While I generally agree with Murray’s contention concerning the importance of constructive behaviors and civic culture, I found his statistical analyses unconvincing, and the inferences and conclusions he drew unwarranted. I do agree that good behaviors generate success, but I think his thesis of social bifurcation is wrong, as is his IQ theory. He doesn’t demonstrate them, at least.

There is a serious literature on the importance of learned “non-cognitive skills” (character), which runs counter to Murray’s IQ thesis.

Third, a recurrent theme in his Hillsdale talk is that conservatism has fundamentally changed from focus on limited government to nationalism. I think that’s false. Today’s “nationalism” has a different meaning than “nationalism” of, say, Italy or Germany in the 1930s. Ever

since the end of the Cold War, our leftist intelligentsia has proclaimed the obsolescence of the nation-state, to be replaced by unaccountable international bureaucrats in a system of global governance. In this context, nationalism is about preserving and restoring limited constitutional government.

Finally, what I liked most about Murray’s talk was that he was able to deliver it here, freely, without fear of being physically assaulted by radical leftists. It’s a pity Murray is more concerned with President Donald Trump than with leftists who vowed to fundamentally transform America and are now promising to finish the revolution.

Professor Charles N. Steele, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Economics at Hillsdale College.

www.hillsdalecollegian.com

A6 February 21, 2019

Broad Street property will be demolished By | Emma Cummins and Sutton Dunwoodie Assistant Editor and Collegian Reporter

Due to its dilapidated condition and the danger it poses to public safety, the two-property building on 23 and 25 Broad Street will be demolished by the City of Hillsdale.

The city tried to auction off the building after its foreclosure on back taxes, which amounted to about $55,000.

When no one bought the building, the city bought the property in the second annual tax sale for $75.

According to City Manager David Mackie, “the property is in very much disrepair.” An engineering study conducted by the city said the building is practically beyond repair — with a hole in the roof, sinking floors, and black mold in the basement.

“From the top of the building to the basement, you can actually see daylight where the building is separating,” Mackie said at Monday’s Hillsdale City Council meeting. “The old section is separating from the newer section of the building.”

Ward 3 Councilman Bruce Sharp said at the city council meeting that the property has been a “safety issue” that people have been complaining about for years.

“If we lived in an earthquake zone it would already be down,” Sharp said.

If the city did wish to repair

The property at 23 and 25 Broad Street will be demolished.

Collegian | Josephine von Dohlen

Michindoh Aquifer presentation prompts discussion for Hillsdale By | Josephine von Dohlen City News Editor Some Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana residents are concerned about the underground Michindoh Aquifer, which supplies drinking water to nine counties, including Hillsdale. They say local communities could experience water shortages some town down the road if precautions are not made now.

Artesian of Pioneer, a water production company, seeks to build additional wells that would tap into the aquifer and sell the water to outside counties, including several suburb counties of Toledo, Ohio.

Dozens packed into the Hillsdale County Conservation Club on Tuesday night to listen to Jeremy Rentz, professor of environmental engineering at Trine University, speak about the state of the Michindoh Aquifer and how Hillsdale and the other counties about the aquifer could be affected in the future.

“I hope you all realize this aquifer is a spectacular resource for us,” Rentz said to the crowd. “Nine counties rely on it extensively for their drinking water.”

For lifelong Hillsdale resident Ted LoPresto, this meeting was the second presentation on the Michindoh aquifer

by Rentz that he has attended.

LoPresto said he appreciates Rentz’s lectures because of their educational nature.

“My biggest concern is that Artesian of Pioneer will get permission to go ahead with the wells,” LoPresto said.

Artesian of Pioneer is in the process of building new wells that could pull up to 10 million gallons-per-day from the Michindoh aquifer and bring the water to other counties such as Ohio’s Lucas, Fulton, and Henry counties, according to Rentz.

Current estimates put daily water usage for the nine Michindoh aquifer counties at 75 million gallons per day.

This water supplies Michigan’s Hillsdale, Lewanee, and Branch counties; Indiana’s Steuben, DeKalb, and Allen counties; and Ohio’s Williams, Fulton, and Defiance counties.

“I personally think a 10 million gallons-per-day project, on top of everybody else’s 75 million gallons a day, is a pretty big deal,” Rentz said.

Ohio’s Environmental Protection Agency did approve a tentative date for Artesian of Pioneer’s first production site, according to the Toledo Blade, but the process is still in the very early stages.

Many expressed concern about whether the aquifer could handle an additional 10 million gallons-per-day. Rentz said that while the aquifer has enough water, the water underground travels at an incredibly slow rate, leading to localized issues where wells are built.

“Water moves very slowly

underground, and that’s why it’s not available across the aquifer instantly,” Rentz said.

“You can’t possibly imagine how slow this water is going.”

According to Rentz, the aquifer isn’t necessarily getting empty, but if specific areas were to draw excessive amounts, problems could arise in those areas.

“Across the aquifer, we can handle 10 million gallonsper-day,” Rentz said. “But the problem here is that they want to pull 10 million gallonsper-day at a very specific location, and not all the water across the aquifer is available instantly.”

So while there is lots of water in the aquifer, Rentz said, all the water in the aquifer is not available for the Artesian of Pioneer project.

But just because there is a lot of water doesn’t mean that precautions don’t need to be taken, Rentz said. Aquifers running out of water is not improbable; it has happened across the United States.

“We have drained aquifers across the country, and to think that we can’t drain ours is rather absurd,” Rentz said.

While groundwater can be a renewable resource, Rentz said it must be managed properly.

“We have gotten lucky in the tri-state area for the past 200 years,” he said. “Going forward, if we add more 10 million gallons-per-day wells, that might not be the case.”

While Artesian of Pioneer is in its first stages for an initial project, there isn’t clarity about where one project might lead.

“Concern is not this singular project,” Rentz said. “Our concern is that this is the first project. What does the second project look like, or the third, or the fourth? And once one of these goes in, what is going to stop the second?”

Ward 4 Hillsdale City Councilman Ray Briner attended the meeting and said that he learned that for Hillsdale, there isn’t an immediate impact, but rather something that could cause problems down the road.

“What I learned is that it won’t be an immediate impact on residents in Michigan, since they’re looking right now at putting wells in Ohio,” Briner said. “The thing that would affect Michigan residents would be how close they are to the Ohio border.”

Briner said that the impact could happen 100 or 500 years from now, depending on how many people come and start building wells.

“The aquifer can only service so many people, and we have the perfect number of people right now,” Briner said.

For those interested in more information, a public information session will take place on March 12 at 6 p.m. at the Fayette Local School, 400 E. Gamble Rd., Fayette.

Jeremy Rentz, professor of environmental engineering at Trine University, held an educational session about the Michindoh aquifer. Collegian | Josephine von Dohlen

the building, Zoning Administrator Alan Beeker estimates it would cost the city upwards of $2 to $4 million.

“In all honesty, if somebody really wanted to sink the money into it it could still be restored but you’re talking about $2 to $4 million,” Beeker said. “The city isn’t going to be able to justify that kind of expenditure.”

The city has had two contractors apprise the cost of tearing the building down, and is currently waiting on a third and potentially a fourth.

The bids will be presented at the March 4 city council meeting.

One contractor set the price at $190,000 and the other at $230,000. According to Mackie, that price will hopefully fall.

“The city would like to see the bids at least down around the $170,000 mark,” Mackie said. “But time will tell.”

Some of the money used for the demolition will come from the city’s general fund.

Since the building is classified as a “contributing building”, which means it is a good example of historical architecture, any state or federal agency is not allowed to supply money for its demolition, according to Beeker.

Mackie said at the city council meeting that $60,000 from the budget intending to go toward the Mitchell building will be put toward this demolition, in addition to money from the code enforce-

ment budget as well.

Once the actual process begins, the city will probably have to close down part of the state highway M-99, as well as the sidewalks nearby, which will involve working with St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, a nearby property, according to Director of Public Services Jake Hammel.

“It’ll be tricky but we’ll be able to do it,” Hammel said.

In regards to future plans for the building, the city is just looking to tear down the property first; however, they have considered converting the space into a pocket park, selling it to a developer, or even working with St. Anthony’s Catholic Church or Tim Dixon, the owner of the law office north of the building, to sell the property.

“We would like to try and find a developer or someone who would be interested in rebuilding the site,” Mackie said.

As of now, a date has not been set, but the city is working as fast as it can, according to Beeker.

“I know a lot of people look at what’s going on and say, ‘Well, the city’s not doing anything about it,’” Beeker said. “The wheels of government never spin fast. There’s a process for everything and so we’re doing the best and trying to get it taken care of as quickly as we can, within the parameters of what we’re allowed to do.”

Saucy Dog’s will reopen doors soon By | Nolan Ryan News Editor After closing for water damage in January, Saucy Dog’s Barbeque in Jonesville will reopen in less than a week.

During the polar vortex earlier this year, a water pipe in the second floor of Saucy Dog’s burst the afternoon of Jan. 21 and flooded the kitchen on the first floor, according to Susan Sweeney, whose son owns the restaurant. Repairs started immediately, and Mike Sweeney, the owner, said he worked closely with Servpro Industries Inc., Foulke Construction, and Moore Insurance Services Inc. to get everything back to normal.

Mike expects to reopen on Tuesday for regular business hours.

“Servpro took the wheel in terms of repairs and what needed to be taken out,” Mike Sweeney said. “They told me we’re going to have to get rid of walls, take up flooring, and take down the ceiling. It was a lot more expensive than I originally thought.”

Mike Sweeney says it was fortunate that the water only flooded into the kitchen and didn’t do further damage to the restaurant. Part of the flooring on the second story had to be replaced, but he said those repairs were for for a utility room, so it wasn’t a major problem.

The security cameras detected motion, Susan Sweeney said, and it seems that the water burst began around 3 pm.

“It looked like a waterfall coming down in front of the friers,” she said. “It was leaking quite a while before that, but we discovered it at 11 pm, so there were several hours of a high pressure water pipe and slow leaking.”

After discovering the burst pipe, Mike Sweeney first called Moore Insurance and then brought in Serv-

pro to take care of the water damage. Once the repairs were underway, he said he got in touch with Foulke Construction. Because they first built the restaurant, according to Sweeney, they had the plans for the interior.

“I told them to put it back the way it was,” he said. “I was pretty hands off for the rebuilding process, so I got to work to other parts, like cleaning things that need cleaned, and right now, I’m unbolting chairs and working on them.”

The building is close to 200 years, he said, so the water easily harmed the structure. MIke Sweeney plans to use spray foam in the new ceiling so future pipe bursts won’t cause as many problems.

“The repairs took longer than I thought it would,” he said. “I had no idea water could cause damage that much. Minus 20 degrees at night was a little too much for the building.”

Susan Sweeney was also surprised to see the amount of damage water can cause.

“It was a huge undertaking to get those walls and floor replaced,” she said. “We had move kitchen equipment out and back in. It was amazing how much damage water can do in that short time.”

Mike Sweeney said he was thankful for all the help Moore Insurance, Servpro, and Foulke Construction provided during The reopening is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 26, but Saucy Dog’s might host a special celebration later.

“We might do some kind of event in a week or two, like a grand reopening,” Mike Sweeney said. “For now, we’re just opening back up to business as usual. I’m excited to get back in swing of things.”

City News Local musician offers educational music theory workshops

February 21, 2019 A7

www.hillsdalecollegian.com

By | Madeleine Miller Collegian Reporter Local musician and artist David Youngman will host a Music Theory Workshop at his studio in downtown Hillsdale on Feb. 26 from 6 to 7 p.m. For $10, attendees will have the chance to learn essential note patterns and relationships from one of the region’s finest musicians.

Upon finding that many of his adult students had a disjointed comprehension of music, Youngman began offering music theory workshops to help them understand the relationships between chords and equip them to transpose.

“Theory is just describing why something sounds the way it does; why it sounds good and why it sounds bad.

I’ve simplified music theory and made it step by step,” he said. “I know music theory inside and out. I get music theory, but I’m also very much on the organic side of music.

It’s how you feel; it’s expressing something.”

Interested in art from a young age, Youngman found his love of music around the age of 12. He learned to play a variety of instruments, and remembers staying up late countless nights after school to work on music projects.

Making do with limited equipment, his earliest foray into mixing required only two tape decks. After recording himself into one, he played the recordings back and accompanied them into the other

recorder to combine the two. color painting for a time, he prepared to launch his solo tar Competition in Kansas.

A Lakeview, Michigan found an instructor in Ann career.

His first year of competinative, Youngman studied Arbor who could help him Youngman wrote a number tion, he took 2nd place in the at Spring Arbor University, overcome his wrist injury, and of songs and played at coffee Canadian competition. Deterwhere he earned a degree in studied under him diligently shops and churches, but enmined to improve his ranking, trumpet performance and for two years. countered difficulty securing he observed the technique met his wife, Liz Youngman.

“I completely started over, venues for solo performances. of the most successful comDuring petitors and college, wrote songs to he toured showcase his with his style accordbrother ingly, which and a enabled him friend to place 2nd in throughCanada and Inout the diana and 3rd Midwest, in Kansas. Still gaining not satisfied, he valuable had a custom experiguitar built ence in by the man the perhe considers formance the best guitar and builder in the business world, and fiaspects of nally won both a musical the Indiana and career.

International Youngcompetitions. man and Youngman’s his friend competitive acmade complishments a few jump-started albums his solo career, together, and he began but when David Youngman, a local musician and artist, will host a Music Theory Workshop this month. performing his friend Courtesy | David Youngman throughout decided the Midwest. to go on to graduate school, which was so hard,” he said. “I He realized he would need to Designing, engineering, and Youngman sold his trumpets think of those two years as my make a name for himself in executing his shows on his and devoted himself to guitar, unofficial graduate school.” order to launch his career, so own, he pioneered a style of an instrument he felt would After relearning to play entered the top three fingerperformance involving lights be more conducive to a solo guitar, Youngman went on to style guitar competitions: the and video projection that has career. Shortly after, however, study the Alexander TechIndiana State Fingerstyle Gui- since become exceedingly he developed wrist problems nique, which he describes as, tar Competition, the Canadipopular. The guitarist has that prevented him from “learning to use your body an Guitar Festival Fingerstyle released four solo albums, and playing. as efficiently and effortlessly Guitar Competition, and the is featured on a number of After dabbling in wateras possible,” and was thus International Fingerstyle Gui- group albums.

Students made homemade pizzas as part of Bon Appetit’s food literacy class. Collegian | Elizabeth Bachmann

Mediterranean dinner will help take Academy students abroad By | Stefan Kleinhenz Assistant Editor Taste the Mediterranean this Saturday and help support a trip to Italy and Greece.

Hillsdale Academy will host their annual Mediterranean Feast fundraiser on Saturday to help support its junior and senior classes’ trip to Italy and Greece. Dinner will be served from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a silent auction to follow, sponsored by “Woman’s Life” which matches auction proceeds up to $500. Tickets to the event are free for children under 5, $5 for college students and children 6-11, and $7 for ages 12 and up. The Mediterranean inspired food will be donated by the owner of Johnny T’s Bistro, Rick Tropiano.

Although the trip to Europe is biannual, the Academy raises money yearround to help alleviate their student’s cost, and this event is their largest fundraiser.

Dedra Birzer, lecturer of history at Hillsdale College and one of the coordinators of the Mediterranean Feast, said they’re expecting as many as 300 people. She said their goal in fundraising is to raise $1,000 per kid, to help lower the cost from $3,900.

Thirty junior and seniors going on their trip in the end of March.

“People are already stretching to make sure they can pay for their kids to attend the academy, we want to make sure we can lower the

cost for every kid,” Kenneth Calvert, associate professor of ancient history at Hillsdale College and former headmaster of Hillsdale Academy said.

Calvert has attended the trip since 2003, but this year he’ll serve in a different capacity.

“I had always gone as the headmaster,” Calvert said, “but this year I get to go as a dad.”

Calvert also said that when he was headmaster he had a saying: “Nobody goes unless everybody can go.”

Calvert said that the trip to Europe is mandatory and the academy works hard to make sure they can get every kid to go because it’s a sort of capstone to their classical, history, literary, and religious education.

“I’m convinced of the trip,” Birzer said. “It’s a culmination of the academy’s education.”

The current Headmaster David Diener said that the trip exposes the students to the birthplaces of western civilization.

All are welcome to attend the dinner Saturday night.

“The Mediterranean Feast on Saturday is our students’ primary fundraiser for this trip,” Diener said in an email.

“They work hard to help pay their way, and the fundraiser is in large part what makes this exceptional educational trip possible for our students.”

In recent years, Youngman has switched his attention to art, producing works in various styles of photography, painting, and drawing. But he continues to operate his recording studio and offer music lessons and instrument repairs, and hopes to make music theory accessible through his workshops.

“His vision right now is to be more connected with people through music,” said Juli Yoder, who got to know Youngman through the praise team at their church. “It’s meant to be relational and reach out to people.”

Eric Moore has studied guitar under Youngman for about two years, and is impressed by his honesty and patience.

“I can’t say enough good things about him,” he said.

“His knowledge of music is awesome, and he’s really able to break it down.”

Indeed, Youngman has created a worksheet packet for the workshop which he has tested on his 10-year-old son, and is confident anyone can understand music theory.

“Theory can put you in a box, but think of the first person to ever play music.

What do you do? Once you start finding notes that sound good together or similar to each other, you’ll start seeing a pattern.”

To reserve a spot at the the upcoming Music Theory Workshop, message David Youngman on Facebook.

Children learn food lessons in hands-on class By | Elizabeth Bachmann Collegian Reporter First and second graders from Hillsdale Academy traveled to Hillsdale College’s Searle Center Wednesday morning, where Bon Appétit hosted a food literacy class focused on teaching kids how to make healthy choices. The class included a lesson, a tour of Hillsdale’s kitchen, and a cooking class. Bon Appétit will host another class Friday for third and fourth graders.

Bon Appétit Marketing Coordinator William Persson explained the genesis and goals of the the company’s Healthy Kids program.

“Part of our company mission is to teach people about eating well, and I think this program came out of the fact that children are not always taught that, even though they really enjoy food.

Persson said. “We have found that teaching food literacy at a young age is a good way to combat childhood obesity.”

Hannah Schmunk, manager of Bon Appétit’s food education for children courses, led the class, and primarily focused on showing kids “go,” “slow,” and “woah” foods. That

is, foods they should always reach for, foods they should eat in moderation, and foods that they should avoid when possible.

Students, excited by Schmunks upbeat catchphrase and personality, began to dance around, repeating the mantra eagerly.

They curbed their enthusiasm slightly when Schmunk proposed that they all taste a new fruit and vegetable together that they had never seen before. The candidates were a blood orange and a Jicama, a brown, lumpy tuberous root.

“Kids have an innate food neophobia,” Schmunk said.

“They see something they don’t know and think ‘that’s scary, no thanks,’” Schmunk said. “For me, the two things I want them to walk away with are that trying new foods doesn’t have to be scary, but it can be a really fun adventure, and that fruits and vegetables are delicious. I want them to leave having tasted at least one fruit and vegetable that they love.”

Accordingly, when Schmunk pulled out the Jicama, most of the kids took one look at it, and decided in

unison “ewwwww.” However, after Schmunk explained that tasting new foods could help them discover their new favorite fruits and vegetables, and that if they tried it and didn’t like it, they would not have to eat it, they jumped out of their seats, demanding their piece of Jicama.

After their lesson and taste testing, students took their new knowledge over to a pizza making station, where Bon Appétit Catering Manager Rhula Mitcheltree showed them how to make a no-bake tomato sauce using only fresh ingredients.

“Making the sauce from scratch demystifies things,” Schmunk said. “They are used to seeing sauce in a jar, but what real ingredients actually go into it? We turned pizza into a go-food by making the sauce from scratch with really simple whole ingredients.”

Students each rolled out a personal pizza dough, and garnished it with the fresh sauce and their choice of fresh vegetables. Some kids even used a piece of the Jicama as an unconventional topping.

“They are very receptive to the interactive stuff,” Mitcheltree said. “I was watching

their little faces light up. And their creativity is amazing.

When they were making the pizzas, and using all these different colors, I thought to myself ‘I am so linear.’ I was actually learning from them.”

While their pizzas were baking, Schmunk and Mitcheltree helped students assemble fruit kabobs for dessert, which they dipped in a yogurt, honey, cinnamon sauce.

Mitcheltree kept a sharp eye out while the kids wielded their knives, reminding them to “always be the boss of your knife.”

Finally, kabobs and steaming pizzas in hand, kids made their way to table, where they said a prayer of thanksgiving together, and happily tucked into their healthy creations.

“I think some kids think of healthy foods as not so delicious, and I just want to flip that in their heads so their mindset towards healthy foods is a positive one,” Schmunk said. The whole idea is that when they think of healthy foods,they think fun, colorful, delicious, adventure, instead of ‘Ick.’ It’s that simple.”

National deer epidemic hits close to Hillsdale

By | Jordyn Pair Associate Editor Officials are keeping their eyes on local deer as disease has spread widely throughout the country.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has been testing deer in Hillsdale County for chronic wasting disease — a fatal disease which can cause deer to have a “zombie-like” appearance, complete with severe malnutrition, drooling, and neuro-

logical problems — after an infected deer was found in Jackson County in July 2018.

Although no infected deer were found in Hillsdale County or neighboring Calhoun County, two infected deer have been found in Jackson County. Neither Branch County or Lenawee County, which both have adjacent border to Hillsdale County, are currently being tested.

The DNR is testing deer in Michigan as part of a management solution for chron-

ic wasting disease, which requires any county within 10 miles of an infected deer to be tested.

CWD is in the same family as “mad-cow” disease, according to Matt Dunfee, director of special programs for the Wildlife Management Institute and CWD Alliance Coordinator. It is caused by a misfolded protein, which then duplicates, causing the animal to degenerate.

Although humans have similar proteins, it cannot

spread to them, Dunfee said.

“What is different about this disease is it isn’t caused by bacteria or viruses,” Dunfee said.

Instead, CWD is spread between deer from contact with shed proteins, such as in saliva or feces. But if enough infected deer are in one area, it can spread through the environment as well. Because CWD is not alive — like a virus would be — it can be active in the open environment.

“There’s not a quick, easy

answer for what CWD is,” Dunfee said.

An infected deer can not show signs of the disease for up to two years, according to Dennis Tyson, a biologist with the Department of Natural Resources. Infected deer will show signs of malnutrition, excess saliva, and neurological problems. Anyone who sees a possibly infected deer is encourage to report it to their local DNR. Montcalm County in Michigan is currently at the

heart of the CWD outbreak, with 45 infected deer found.

The next-highest is Kent County, with only nine infected deer found.

“It’s important to control it in the wild, because we don’t want it to spread exponentially,” said Tyson.

To see a complete list of tested areas, visit the Michigan Department of Natural Resources website.

A8 February 21, 2019

www.hillsdalecollegian.com

Follow @HDaleSports for live updates and news

Men's Track and Field

Chargers place second at Hillsdale Tune-Up By | Scott Lowery collegian freelancer As the events concluded Saturday in the Biermann Athletic Center, one of the most exciting weeks of the season began: championship week. The HIllsdale College Chargers will enter next week’s G-MAC Indoor Championship fresh off a strong finish at last weekend’s Hillsdale Tune-Up. The Chargers finished second with 75 points behind Adrian College, who took the top spot with 126 points.

Hillsdale’s only victory of the weekend came in the high jump as freshman Will Syrus jumped 6.32 meters on his final attempt to take first. Syrus continues to show improvement after battling through

FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22/23

| findlay, oh

G-MAC Indoor Championships injury last fall, and has the athleticism to make a tangible impact as the Chargers continue to search for depth in the field events.

Sophomore Morgan Morrison turned in an excellent time in the mile run, finishing the race in 4:26.05. After a slow start, Morrison ran the last three laps faster than the rest of the field to finish second.

If Hillsdale hopes to surpass last year’s second place performance at the G-MAC Indoor Track and Field Championship, the Chargers will need a excellent performance from junior Joey Humes. At last year’s meet, an event which Hillsdale hosted,

10:00 A.M.

Humes won Track Athlete of the Meet. This year, Humes has the fastest times in the G-MAC this year in the mile and 3000 meter runs, and ranks second in the 5000 meter run.

In the field, freshman pole vaulter Ben Raffin seems poised to make a leap to the top of the conference. Raffin has the third best mark in the G-MAC this season, but his knack for consistent improvement this season makes him a threat to challenge in the pole vault and win valuable points for Hillsdale.

Another key piece for the Chargers is sophomore Ryan Thomsen. Thomsen had a breakout year in the field,

competing well in a variety of events. Hillsdale will look for a strong performance from Thomsen in the heptathlon one of the sports greatest tests of overall athleticism - as he enters this weekend with the second best score in the event among G-MAC competition.

This year, the conference championship meet is held at the University of Findlay, the defending champion in the G-MAC. As the Chargers look to carry home the title, they will face stiff competition up and down the conference - especially from Findlay and G-MAC newcomer Tiffin University. Events begin on Friday in Findlay’s Malcolm Athletic Center at 10 a.m., and will conclude Saturday evening.

Scoreboard

BASEBALL

1 2 february 16 | game 1 1 3 Wayne State 2 0 Hillsdale hitters Colin Boerst: 2-4, BB, SB pitchers Andrew Verbrugge (L, 0-1) 1 2 february 16 | game 2 4 1 Wayne State 0 0 Hillsdale hitters Jake Hoover: 2-5, HR, RBI pitchers David Toth (L, 0-1)

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0

Steven Ring: 3-3, HR, 4 RBI, BB ip h r er bb so 0 5.0 10 7 1 7 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 r h e 0 0 0 2 4 2 0 13 12 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 5 4 Steven Ring: 1-4, 2B, BB ip h r er bb 4.0 4 6 5 0

MEN'S BASKETBALL february 16 Hillsdale Lake Erie

Harrison Niego Dylan Lowry

1 23 26 fgm-a pts 5-10 13 3-11 13

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL february 14 Hillsdale Ursuline

Brittany Gray Makenna Ott Allie Dewire february 16 Hillsdale Lake Erie Allie Dewire Brittany Gray Lauren Daffenberg Grace Touchette

MEN'S TENNIS

r h e 7 11 0 5 9 0

1 13 17 pts 22 21 16 1 11 12 pts 16 11 11 10

2 20 16 fgm-a 9-16 9-14 7-11 2 15 15 fgm-a 5-16 4-8 5-12 4-9

2 final 29 52 27 53 3pm-a reb ast 3-8 2 3 1-4 5 1 3 23 17 3pm-a 4-10 3-7 0-0 3 19 5 3pm-a 0-1 3-5 1-7 1-3

4 25 19 reb 10 11 2 4 19 11 reb 10 4 1 2

final 81 69 ast 3 1 7 final 64 43 ast 1 0 0 1

singles doubles score february 15 3 1 3 Hillsdale 3 2 4 Southern Indiana singles competition scores 2. Justin Hyman def. Marvin Kromer 6-4, 7-5 3. John Ciraci def. Parker Collignon 6-2, 6-2 6. Gabe Katz def. Kooper Falkenstein 6-0, 6-2 doubles competition score 1. Adams/Hyman def. Karelin/Kromer 6-3 february 16 singles doubles score Hillsdale 3 2 4 Bellarmine 0 1 0 singles competition scores 1. Charlie Adams def. Caleb Buckman 6-3, 6-4 2. Justin Hyman def. Evan Bottorff 7-6, 6-3 3. John Ciraci def. Michael Staff 6-3, 6-4 doubles competition score 1. Adams/Hyman def. Buckman/Rueff 6-4 2. Ciraci/Hackman def. Naville/Staff 7-6

WOMEN'S TENNIS

singles doubles score february 16 4 1 4 Hillsdale 2 2 3 Lewis singles competition scores 2. Sarah Hackman def. Tereza Pilzova 6-2, 6-3 3. Katie Bell def. Joie Reisch 6-1, 6-3 5. Sophia Spinazze def. Sophie Davis 6-3, 6-0 6. Madeline Bissett def. Sarah Markun 6-0, 6-0 doubles competition score 3. Matthews/Bissett def. Markun/Davis 6-2

MEN'S TRACK AND FIELD Will Syrus performs the long jump during the Wide Track Classic on February 1. todd lancaster | courtesy

Baseball

Chargers swept in seasonopening doubleheader By | Scott Lowery collegian freelancer

game 1

Wayne State Hillsdale

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16 | johnson city, tn

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Wayne State Hillsdale

| st. louis, mo Hillsdale (0-2) at Maryville (1-4) SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23

| st. louis, mo

Hillsdale (0-2) at Maryville (1-4) SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24

As the game continued, Verbrugge never seemed to find his groove, giving up seven earned runs in five innings of work. Ring continued to make his presence felt at the plate, singling in another run in the third, and blasting a home run to left in the fifth to cut Wayne State’s lead to 7-4.

In the sixth, junior pitcher Kolton Rominski came out of the bullpen and pitched four scoreless innings as the Chargers tried to mount a comeback. After a sacrifice fly by senior Dylan Lottinville made the score 7-5, however, the offense stalled and failed to put any more runs on the scoreboard.

“Offensively, we did a good job responding to those runs early in the game,” Theisen said. “The way [Rominski] was pitching, I thought we had every opportunity to come back and win that game.

Unfortunately, baseball’s

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dh

The 2019 season is one of high expectations for the Hillsdale College Chargers.

The Chargers opened their search for another conference title last weekend with a doubleheader against the Wayne State University Warriors in Johnson City, Tennessee.

While it wasn’t all bad for the Chargers, they struggled to find their rhythm in many areas of the game, losing both games in the doubleheader by scores of 7-5 and 13-1.

“It takes a little while to settle in once you get outside for the first time,” head coach Eric Theisen said. “At the end of the day it’s just two games out of 50. We still have a chance to be one of the best teams in the region.”

In the first game of the doubleheader, junior pitcher Andrew Verbrugge started on the hill for the Chargers.

After easily retiring the first two batters in the top of the first inning, Verbrugge gave up a home run to deep left field. Senior designated hitter Steven Ring responding by driving in two in the bottom of the first to give Hillsdale a 2-1 lead.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16 | johnson city, tn

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an execution game and we weren’t putting balls in play.”

The Chargers struggled all day to find offensive production from the bottom of their order. The bottom six spots in the lineup only managed three hits in 43 at bats on the day, striking out 23 times.

“It’s a major concern if that continues,” Theisen said, “We’ve got to do a better job of battling, especially with two strikes. We just have to do a better job at being tougher outs.”

One of Theisen’s biggest concerns coming into the season was defense, and defense certainly put the Chargers in a tough spot as the second game began. Sophomore David Toth started the second game well, but had to fight an uphill battle after a costly error allowed the Warriors to score four runs in the first inning.

After Wayne State stretched the score to 5-0 with an RBI

single in the second, junior shortstop Jake Hoover got the Chargers on the board with a solo home run. The top of the lineup performed well all day for Hillsdale, accounting for all six of runs with 11 hits in 23 at bats.

“For the top of the lineup to put up some runs against some of the best arms we’ll see all season is definitely encouraging,” Theisen said. “We just need to be tougher outs top to bottom.”

The rest of the game was a forgettable experience for the Chargers. By the eighth inning, the Warriors had a 13-1 lead.

As Hillsdale looks forward to this weekend’s series against Maryville University in Missouri, Theisen is confident his team has the ability to get in the win column.

“We just have to work on pitch-by-pitch focus and being tougher outs at the plate,” Theisen said. “The main focus is going down to Maryville and proving that we’re a better team than they are.”

The Chargers will begin the series with a doubleheader on Saturday, with the games at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. The series will conclude Sunday with the third game beginning at 1 p.m.

february 16 hillsdale tune-up (13 teams) 1. Adrian 2. Hillsdale 3. Taylor long jump 1. Will Syrus

score 126 75 57 distance 6.32m

february 16 hillsdale tune-up (11 teams) 1. Hillsdale 2. Spring Arbor 3. Taylor shot put 1. Nikita Maines 60 meter dash 1. Kajsa Johansson 200 meter dash 1. Alanna O'Leary

score 94 77 69 distance 14.09m time 7.73 time 26.29

february 13-16 g-mac championships (11 teams) 1. Findlay 2. Hillsdale 3. Malone 200 yard medley relay 2. Bickerstaff/Ellingson/Voisin/Rao 200 yard freesyle relay 3. Rao/Lebleu/De Tar/Heeres 400 yard individual medley 2. Danielle Lebleu 200 yard freestyle 3. Katherine Heeres 400 yard medley relay 1. Heeres/Ellingson/Voisin/De Tar 100 yard backstroke 2. Katherine Heeres 100 yard breaststroke 1. Anika Ellingson 200 yard butterfly 2. Catherine Voisin 3. Anna Clark 800 yard freestyle relay 3. Vita/Breay/De Tar/Lebleu 200 yard backstroke 1. Katherine Heeres 200 yard breaststroke 2. Anika Ellingson 400 yard freestyle relay 3. De Tar/Nuet/Voisin/Heeres

points 1935.5 1572.5 882 time 1:47.48 time 1:38.13 time 4:37.24 time 1:53.29 time 3:51.53 time 57.00 time 1:02.83 time 2:06.94 2:10.09 time 7:59.86 time 2:03.35 time 2:19.81 time 3:37.80

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Men's Basketball

Chargers drop second straight conference game By | Calli Townsend assistant editor

Julien Clouette returns a serve during a doubles match against Purdue Northwest on February 9. s. nathaniel grime | collegian

Men's Tennis

Chargers split weekend trip FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15 | evansville, in

SCORE

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16 | louisville, ky

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Hillsdale Chargers 3 Southern Indiana Eagles 4 Hillsdale Chargers Bellarmine Knights

| hillsdale, mi Michigan Tech (0-0) vs. Hillsdale (6-1) SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23

By | Cal Abbo assistant editor The Hillsdale College Chargers split two away games last weekend, losing on Friday to University of Southern Indiana in a close 4-3 match in Evansville, Indiana, and sweeping Bellarmine University 4-0 on Saturday in Louisville, Kentucky. The loss against Southern Indiana marks the team’s first of the season.

“We were coming off of a pretty huge win against Ferris State,” freshman Brian Hackman said, speaking of the team’s 4-3 win against thenNo. 22 Ferris State University on Feb. 20.

Junior Michael Szabo, who usually plays No. 2 or 3 singles, was hurt for both matches this weekend.

The Chargers lost all three doubles matches 6-3, 6-3, and 7-5, putting them at an early disadvantage against Southern Indiana. Junior Julien Clouette was hurt during his singles match, conceding another early point.

After rallying back to lead 3-2, the Chargers lost the final two points.

“That was pretty upsetting,” Hackman said. “We were counting on [junior] Charlie Adams to win at the No. 1 spot, but his opponent

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played well and made very few mistakes.”

Senior Justin Hyman won at No. 2 singles, 6-4 and 7-5, and senior John Ciraci won at No. 3, 6-2 and 6-2.

Sophomore Gabe Katz won both his sets at No. 6 singles, 6-0 and 6-2. Since his match the next day went unfinished, Katz remains undefeated in singles this season.

On Saturday, the Chargers beat Bellarmine 4-0. After winning the doubles competition, junior Charlie Adams and his agent won his first two sets 6-3 and 6-4. At No. 2 and No. 3 singles, Hyman and Ciraci both won their match in only two sets as well, with scores of 7-6, 6-3, and 6-3, 6-4, respectively.

“We bounced back against Bellarmine,” Hackman said.

“We learned not to let our lead slip away.”

The Chargers are back at home this weekend, hosting Michigan Tech University on Saturday at 10 a.m. in the Biermann Athletic Center.

The Huskies have not competed in games that count toward their record yet this season, whereas Hillsdale is off to a 6-1 start.

The Chargers will continue to play non-conference games until March 22, when they host fellow G-MAC team Davis & Elkins.

The Hillsdale College Chargers fell in a close defensive battle against the Lake Erie College Storm on Saturday, 53-52. The Chargers’ offensive output was their lowest in a game this season.

“Going to Lake Erie is always a tough environment,” senior guard Harrison Niego said. “It was their senior night.

Teams always want to make it a memorable one, so we knew it was going to be a difficult one.”

In what was a hard-fought game, sophomore Davis Larson got a bloody nose and senior Nate Neveau caught a black eye.

The Storm started off the game with a 7-0 run against the Chargers. By the end of the first half, Hillsdale closed the deficit to three, 26-23.

With four lead changes and more than three minutes of a tie game in the second half, the game came down to the last minute. Niego made a three to tie the game at 50 with a minute and a half to go.

Lake Erie made a three and Hillsdale answered with a layup with 48 seconds remaining. Down by one, 53-52, the Chargers called a timeout with 10 seconds left on the clock. They got back on the court to take their final shots at victory, but they missed all three.

FIVE, from a10 Senior forward Brittany Gray led the Chargers with 22 points, and recorded a double-double by adding 10 rebounds. She also made a team-high four three-pointers.

“We saw the openings and saw more passes. Shots were falling because we had really good chemistry throughout,” Gray said. “The ball was moving, and we weren’t really stagnant even when when we weren’t scoring.”

Senior forward Makenna Ott also notched a double-double for the second consecutive game by scoring 21 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. She sunk three three-pointers, and said Ursuline’s defensive tendency was to crowd the lane, opening up opportunities for quality shots beyond the arc.

“Especially toward the second half we were scoring at an efficient rate, and also our offense was really good as it has been,” Ott said.

“More outside shots from the three range. Our whole team, they kind of let us shoot

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16 | painesville, oh

Hillsdale Chargers Lake Erie Storm

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| vienna, wv

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Hillsdale (16-7, 12-4) at Ohio Valley (9-14, 4-13) SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23 | columbus, oh

3:00 P.M.

Hillsdale (16-7, 12-4) at Ohio Dominican (15-9, 11-6) “We played great defense.

Most of the time if you can hold a team to 50 points you can win the game, but our shots just weren’t falling, so our area to improve on would be offense,” Niego said. “I think we’ve gotta stay confident. We’ve got good scorers, and when your scorers are confident, they knock down good shots. We’ve gotta get our swagger going again.”

Senior forward Nick Czarnowski led the Chargers with a season-high 10 rebounds. Junior guard Dylan Lowry and Niego each put up 13 points and combined for four assists. Sophomore forward Austen Yarian played well on both ends of the court with eight rebounds and seven points.

“Offensively we were not very good,” head coach John Tharp said. “It was a collection of things. We turned the ball over a little more than we're accustomed to, we didn’t make Lake Erie work on the defensive end, and we didn’t make shots. It was an interesting game because there were

opportunities we’d normally take advantage of that we didn’t really take.”

Tharp also said the Chargers struggled to run the offense the way the normally like to.

“Our timing hasn’t been right. When our movement isn’t happening at the right time, when we’re not reading the defense and screening very well,” Tharp said. “We play a high IQ game, so we give you some freedom but you’ve gotta read how you’re being guarded.

One of the few redeeming qualities of the Charger’s offense on Saturday was their ability to shoot behind the arc.

They shot 32 percent from the field for 25 points, while 27 points came from a 9-24 performance from beyond the three-point line.

“The way our offense runs we do get a lot of threes, but we stress inside first,” Lowry said. “The more we get it inside than not, the better things go. We had a lot of good looks, we can’t complain.

They really packed it in.”

more of those.”

Senior guard Allie Dewire led the team with seven assists and also added 16 points. Fritsche said he’s been impressed with the contributions from Gray, Ott, and Dewire in their senior seasons, especially down the stretch.

“We’re lucky right now.

We’ve got three seniors that are really leading with effort and communication and scout preparation,” Fritsche said. “Those three have been dynamite toward the end of the year.”

On Saturday, both Hillsdale and Lake Erie shot under 35 percent from the floor, but the Storm made only 14 field goals, whereas the Chargers got enough offensive production to eventually win handily.

“We definitely took a lot of shots. We missed a lot of those, but we just did a good job on the offensive glass and getting putbacks,” Gray said.

“Eventually, they started to fall. I just think we had a lot of great looks in that game, and that was the difference.”

Lake Erie led by one at halftime, but the Chargers held the Storm to just five points in the third quarter,

and 11 in the fourth quarter.

“Our kids’ willingness to stay the course and believe in each other was huge,” Fritsche said. “In the second half, we really separated. That’s an indicator of maturation.”

The Storm shot just 26.9 from the floor all game. Gray said the team’s preparation on scout defense paid off in a big way.

“We made them take the shots we wanted them to take,” Gray said. “They didn’t get any easy looks from us, and that really makes a difference.”

Dewire recorded a double-double, leading Hillsdale with 16 points and 10 rebounds. The Chargers forced 19 turnovers, translating to 24 points, whereas Lake Erie scored only five points off of turnovers.

Despite scoring just 26 points in the first two quarters, Fritsche said he wasn’t displeased with his team’s offensive approach.

“We got every shot we wanted in the first half and we just didn’t make them,” Fritsche said. “But we didn’t get down about not scoring.

Our kids stayed encouraged.”

Gray made three three-pointers and scored 11

Their first two scores of the game came from threes by Niego and sophomore guard Connor Hill. Neveau made a three in the first half to give the Chargers their first lead, 21-19, and Lowry’s three with six minutes left in regulation gave the Chargers their last lead of the game, 47-44.

Saturday’s loss bumps Hillsdale down to third place in the G-MAC, behind Findlay (20-3, 14-2 G-MAC) and Walsh (19-7, 14-4 G-MAC).

The Chargers are now 12-4 in the G-MAC with four conference games remaining in the regular season.

Tharp said he hopes the loss motivates his team for the next two games on the road.

“We hope it fuels them.

At this time of year you can’t feel sorry for yourself,” Tharp said. “They’ve worked so hard since they arrived on campus in September. Here we are, we have four regular-season games left.”

This week the Chargers will take a road trip to play Ohio Valley on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and Ohio Dominican on Saturday at 3 p.m. Hillsdale has already beat these teams at home this season, 80-60 and 67-65, respectively.

Lowry said the key to a pair of victories this weekend will be a solid defense.

“We play our best offense when we're really dialed in on defense,” Lowry said. “That’s where it’ll start.” points, and freshman guards Lauren Daffenberg and Grace Touchette scored 11 and 10 points off the bench, respectively. Ott scored nine points and grabbed a teamhigh 11 rebounds.

The Chargers’ two wins on the road are just their third and fourth of the season away from home, putting their road record at 4-5.

Hillsdale’s next two games are its final road contests of the regular season. Tonight at 5:30 p.m., the Chargers take on Ohio Valley University, a team that has lost 58 consecutive games dating back to 2017. The Chargers beat Ohio Valley at home on Jan. 10, 78-61.

On Saturday, Hillsdale travels to Ohio Dominican University for a 1 p.m. tip-off. The Chargers lost to Ohio Dominican at home on Jan. 12, 76-65.

The Chargers remain in fifth place in the G-MAC standings, behind four teams that have already clinched positions in March’s G-MAC tournament. The top eight teams in the regular season standings earn spots in the tournament.

charger chatter: Corinne Prost Corinne Prost is a senior from Peoria, Arizona. She is studying Rhetoric and Public Address at Hillsdale, and is on the women’s tennis team.

Q: When did you first pick up a tennis racquet?

CP: I first picked up a racquet when I was about 10 years old. I was playing soccer at the time, and I wanted more playing time. My neighbors came over one day, and said they were going to a tennis clinic so I had my mom sign me up and I loved it immediately. I loved the way the ball felt hitting off my racquet.

Senior Corinne Prost. hillsdale college chargers | courtesy

Q: What’s a life lesson you’ve learned while playing tennis here?

Q: How has faith been a part of your membership on the tennis team?

Q: How do you balance being an athlete, a student, and a part of Greek life?

Q: You’re recently engaged!

Tell us about it.

CP: Positivity through perseverance will ultimately give you the breakthroughs you need. It’s okay to rely on others — this is a tough lesson for everyone, no matter how independent they think they are. To truly allow others to meet you where you’re falling short and be open about your flaws allows you to be stronger through developing humility.

CP: I love the team prayer before every match. It’s a long-standing tradition, but it really sets the tone for every match. It reminds us that there’s a greater glory to be had, and it takes that pressure off — that no matter what happens, God is a proud Father who is always going to be excited for you and happy that you offer such a gift from Him to Him.

CP: Sometimes not everything is going to be perfect like you want it to be.

You’re going to be sweaty at a meeting, you’re going to be gross from a match, or rushing over in pin attire to change for practice, but to be open and honest with those around you about your goals — people will be receptive to that and admire it. They’ll recognize the purpose behind what you do and respect that.

CP: God made it very clear that it was right. We’ve been openly discussing the possibility for a while.

[My fiancé Cole] came to the Kappa house for lunch, and afterward was playing on the piano and made me come sit by him. He pulled the ring box out of his pocket and put it on top of the piano, and leans over and starts singing “Will You Marry Me?” to me.

---compiled by Isabella Redjai

Charger

A10 February 21, 2019

www.hillsdalecollegian.com

Women's Tennis

Chargers remain unbeaten after narrow road win SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16 | romeoville, il

By | Ryan Goff assistant editor

Ally Eads runs during the Wide Track Classic on February 1. todd lancaster | courtesy

Women's Track and Field

Chargers prevail at Hillsdale Tune-Up By | Scott Lowery collegian freelancer

Throughout the season, the Hillsdale College Chargers have shown flashes of the team that won last year’s G-MAC Indoor Track and Field Championship. At last weekend’s Hillsdale Tune-Up, the Chargers had one last moment of brilliance before they get a chance to defend their title. Hillsdale finished first at the meet with 94 points.

Nearby Spring Arbor University finished second with 77 points, with Taylor University taking the third spot with 69 points.

After winning last year’s G-MAC championship by more than 100 points, the Chargers hope to repeat their success, but it will take each member of their young team.

Hillsdale graduated eight seniors who combined for 83 of the team’s 199 points last year.

Freshman thrower Nikita Maines continues to throw well in the shot put, tying her own school record of 14.09 meters on her way to victo-

FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22/23

| findlay, oh

G-MAC Indoor Championships ry. Maines ranks fourth in the G-MAC in the shot put this year, and has the power to challenge for a title this weekend. In the weight throw, Maines set a personal best of 14.80 meters to finish fourth.

One of the most encouraging signs for the Chargers was the resurgence of a healthy Kajsa Johansson. After a few weeks of battling injury, Johansson ran the 60 meter dash in 7.73 seconds, just one-hundredth of a second off her personal best and three-hundredths of a second off the school record.

Johansson is a key piece in Hillsdale’s quest for another title. The sophomore sprinter is in the middle of a breakout season, recording the fastest 60 meter dash time and the second fastest 200 meter dash time in the G-MAC this year.

The Chargers also saw success in the 200 meter dash from freshman Alanna O’Leary, who set a personal best of 26.29 seconds on her

Women's Basketball

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way to a first place finish.

Hillsdale will draw its strength from the distance events. Senior Ally Eads leads the conference with the fastest time this season in the mile run, and ranks as the second fastest in the 3000 meter run.

Sophomore Maryssa Depies will also challenge the field in the 3000 meter, as she’ll go into the weekend ranked third in the conference. In the 5000 meter run, junior Arena Lewis currently stands second in the conference.

Hillsdale should also be competitive in the 800 meter dash, as sophomores Abbie Porter and Calli Townsend both enter this week ranked in the top five in the G-MAC in the event.

The conference championship will be held this weekend at the University of Findlay’s Malcolm Athletic Center.

Events begin on Friday at 10 a.m., and conclude Saturday evening.

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| hillsdale, mi TIME TBA Michigan Tech (9-4) vs. Hillsdale (3-0) SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23

“We were tied at threeall, and it was a little bit anticlimactic because she was in really good control of the match,” Walbright said.

“Sarah played a really great match.”

Spinazze also contributed to the match with a win of her own in no. 5 singles.

“They came out ready to play, but fortunately we were able to pull it out,” Spinazze said. “This match was a good experience to help prepare for the rest of the season.”

At the beginning of the season, Walbright noted the difference the freshmen on the team were making in practice. Their important wins this weekend proved just how much they can add to a championship-level team.

“Sophia played great and that was a really big win for the day. I was definitely proud of both of the freshmen,” Walbright said.

“They’ve added a lot, not just tennis-wise, but in their personalities, too. They’re really fun to have on the team.”

With senior Halle Hyman and Matthews out of the singles lineup against Lewis due to illnesses, the bottom end of the team’s dominance

is a testament to the depth of the Chargers.

“I think one of our strengths is that girls technically at the bottom of our lineup are strong players and could be playing higher on other lineups,” Walbright said. “We’re very deep, for sure.”

The singles losses came narrowly. For sophomore Hannah Cimpeanu, the most recent Player of the Week in the G-MAC, the length of the match put her on the losing side. She lost the first two sets 6-4, 6-2, with many deuce games that were settled in the next point. The G-MAC dropped advantage scoring this season, effectively making deuce games win-by-two.

“If you had been watching the court, you wouldn’t have known who was winning because both girls were calm and steady,” Walbright said.

“And they were both just creaming the ball.”

The tight match came down to a battle of consistency, according to Walbright.

“Her opponent was really steady,” she said. “She didn’t make many errors and had a nice game.”

Katie Bell returns a serve against Ferris State on February 10. ryan goff | collegian

Chargers extend winning streak to season-high five By | S. Nathaniel Grime sports editor

Allie Dewire brings the ball up the court during a game against Findlay on February 9. s. nathaniel grime | collegian

In a close match on Saturday, the Hillsdale College Chargers beat the Lewis University Flyers, 4-3. The win puts Hillsdale at 3-0 on the season.

The match started off with Hillsdale dropping the first point. The Chargers went 1-2 in doubles play, losing the first two courts in narrow 6-4 sets, which coach Nikki Walbright attributed to the Lewis’s fast start.

“A lot of credit to the other team because the girls really came out to play,” Walbright said. “They had great energy and we just started off slow. With how quick the sets go, we just didn’t have time to catch up.”

The third court, led by junior Kamryn Matthews and senior Madeline Bissett, won 6-2.

Down to the Flyers, the Chargers won all four match-winning points in singles. Bouncing off a pair of long three-set matches last weekend, both freshman Sarah Hackman and sophomore Katie Bell won their matches in straight sets.

Rounding out the match, freshman Sophia Spinazze and Bissett won their matches soundly.

The match-clinching win came from Hackman, who had command of the match all the way, according to Walbright.

Hillsdale Chargers Lewis Flyers

SCORE

The Hillsdale College Chargers began their season with four consecutive losses. They turned it around in the next month and a half, winning eight of their next 11.

Then, they again dropped four straight. Since then, however, they’ve won a season-high five consecutive games.

Their current winning streak continued last week thanks to a pair of road wins. On Thursday, Hillsdale overcame a stagnant start to defeat the Ursuline College Arrows, 81-69. Two days later, the Chargers beat the Lake

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14 | pepper pike, oh

FINAL

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16 | painesville, oh

FINAL

Hillsdale Chargers Ursuline Arrows

Hillsdale Chargers Lake Erie Storm

81 69

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| vienna, wv

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23

| columbus, oh

64 43 5:30 P.M.

Hillsdale (13-11, 11-7) at Ohio Valley (0-24, 0-19) 1:00 P.M.

Hillsdale (13-11, 11-7) at Ohio Dominican (13-12, 10-9) Erie Storm 64-43 in their best defensive effort of the season.

Head coach Matt Fritsche said he’s been pleased with

his team’s movement toward more consistency as the year has progressed.

“I would use the word

streaky early in the season,” Fritsche said. “Offense is always going to be a little streaky. There’s just going to be days. But defensively, our kids have matured a ton.”

Hillsdale has won its last five games by an average of 15.6 points, and has held its opponents below 70 points in four consecutive games.

On Thursday, the Chargers and Arrows played a close first half and entered halftime with the score tied at 33. But Hillsdale shot 54.2 percent from the floor in the final two quarters and led during the last 16 minutes of regulation.

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February 21, 2019

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Junior Reagan Cool hosts weekly dinner parties at her off-campus appartment. Collegian | Carmel Kookogey

Culture

‘Necessary Society’: Junior hosts dinner parties to ask cultural questions By | Carmel Kookogey Culture Editor Thud. Thud. Thud. It’s Friday night and Reagan Cool is making seven pizzas. The herb-seasoned dough makes another thud against the counter as she pushes in her rolling pin.

When junior Reagan Cool went to Washington, D.C., in the fall, as a part of the Washington-Hillsdale Internship Program, she was thinking about intentionality. Having been inspired by Shannon Evans, a Catholic mom and Bible study author on Instagram who started an initiative called “Friday Peace Feast,” Cool wanted to do something similar at Hillsdale. A year after she first had the idea, Cool now hosts weekly Friday evening dinner parties at her off-campus house, calling the ritual the “Necessary Society.”

Around 6 p.m., people start to filter through the backdoor into the small apartment, carrying pizza ingredients and exchanging greetings, mingling and talking, or helping to prepare the meal. After a while, guests start to drift to the main room, sitting cross-legged on the floor around the perimeter of the room as Cool piles glasses and silverware and plates on the coffee table in

the middle.

Cool described the atmosphere as “very natural.”

An important aspect of Evans’ Friday Peace Feast is inviting her mixed-income neighbors over to dinner simultaneously, Cool explained, to foster discussions and to help people realize that perhaps they are not as different as they think. Cool adapted the concept to fit her goals for the Necessary Society.

Each week, the group of 10 or more students will discuss a contentious topic, which Cool announces via Facebook earlier in the week.

“Some of the topics I come up with myself,” Cool said, “But I also take suggestions from friends. I try to choose topics that aren’t going to hurt anyone’s feelings but also have a range of opinions.”

After opening in prayer, Cool poses her question to the group, before ducking back to the kitchen to take the pizzas out of the oven.

“People typically take a couple bites of food, and then somebody opens up with a response, and we go from there,” Cool said.

Before the guests arrived, Cool helped her younger sister, who was visiting from Adrian, Michigan, to swaps out pans of dough in oven as she shared the topic from the

first Necessary Society dinner: The uses and the dangers of technology.

“We ended up talking about how it influences a child’s academic development,” she explained. “My youngest sister has never grown up without screens, whereas I have. Our generation is right on the cusp of that change. What are the effects?”

Some of the other dinner party conversations have included cremation and the restoration of historical sites.

Last Friday’s topic: Profanity in artwork.

Sophomore Isaac Kirshner responds first, alluding to an article by Professor of History Bradley Birzer which he also read aloud at the dinner.

“Concerning children,” Kirshner said, “swearing is always and everywhere violent.”

Other voices joined in to break apart the question, and define the term: When is it okay to use profanity in art? Is there a difference between artwork that involves profanity and artwork that is irreverent?

Is there a different standard for profanity allowed for men and women?

Cool said her main goal in starting the Necessary Society, whose name comes from number 1886 in the Catechism of the Catholic Church,

‘thank u, next’: Grande’s latest album is the dose of realism our Instagram captions needed

The song also received a flood star; space, I’ma need space/ By | Allison Schuster of support on Twitter by I’ma need space, I’ma, I’ma Assistant Editor fans who eagerly supported need space,” the chart-topFollowing an absolutely Grande’s self-assured attitude ping, Grammy-award-winelectric release of two singles in the face of tragedy. ning pop sensation sings complete with elaborate Less than a month bepoetically in “NASA.” music videos to promote her fore the scheduled album Combined with the overtly new album, the long-awaited release, Grande dropped feminist declaration, “This is release of Ariana Grande’s another teaser song, “7 rings,” one small step for woman,/ “thank u, next” dropped Friwhich debuted as No. 1 on One giant leap for womanday, Feb. 8.

“Billboard Hot 100,” further kind” at the beginning of Grande described the confirming public disposition “NASA,” lines such as this album as a “friendship antoward the album. build to an overall message of them,” revealing a new focus With track titles like “i can empowerment and honesty, on friendship, appropriate be needy” and “break up with regarding Grande’s personal given the tumulrelationship extuous love life of periences, somethe past year. With thing women this statement, the of all ages can album can be boiled relate to. down to two words: Grande’s female empowertendency to ment. write feminist After receiving lyrics is nothing national attention new. Her August for breaking off 2018 album her engagement “Sweetener” to Pete Davidson featured track and following her titles like “God ex-boyfriend Mac is a woman” and Miller’s unexpected “successful,” and passing, Grande lyrics like “girl, released “thank u, you too, you are next,” a saucy look so young,/And back at her previous beautiful and so relationships. The successful.” song was the first Both album from the album to covers are be released and was The cover of Arianna Grande’s single “thank u, next” re- Grande’s first dropped in early leased in November to promote the full album. | Wikimedia in color, rather November. than black and Commons Sharing a name white, reflecting with the album, the song your girlfriend, i’m bored” her newfound identity and “thank u, next” sums up (note the lack of capitalizaconfidence only a year followGrande’s sentiment toward tion), Grande shows that she ing a terrorist attack at her these past relationships. With doesn’t need to put on an 2017 Manchester concert, in chorus lyrics like “Wrote appearance of having it all which 22 people were killed some songs about Ricky, now together, but rather acknowl- and over 500 injured.

I listen and laugh,” Grande edges that she has faults Although Grande stuck to doesn’t leave much to be read — such as being too needy her typical feminist theme, between the lines. Rather, — but chooses not to dwell “thank u, next” focused on in her usual confident and on them. Instead of obsessmoving on from difficult cirdecisive style, she singles out ing over how many minutes cumstances, whereas “Sweetex-boyfriends (or ex-fiances) to wait to text a guy back, ener” spoke more about love by name. Bold.

Grande ushers in a new age and happiness, reflecting her This song shook the nation of upfront speech, throwing former period of engagement soon after its release, and grammar to the wind and and relative peace. Significant Instagram was flooded with telling guys exactly how she promotion of her first two homogenous captions, unfeels, specifically when she’s singles built up public excitecovering just how much the bored and wants them to ment toward the album, and, phrase “thank you, next” resdump their girlfriends. as usual, Grande supplies onates with the dating culture “‘I’ma need space, I’ma, enough genuine heart to live of millennials and Gen Zers.

I’ma need/You know I’m a up to the hype.

was to foster better community on Hillsdale’s campus.

Though the college does offer close-knit communities, Cool was looking for a specific kind.

“We actually have a great community here, but I feel like on the weekends sometimes we lose it,” Cool explained.

“You might know everyone in your class, but there’s something really spiritual about sharing a meal, so I wanted to provide an opportunity for that.”

Junior Nina Hufford pointed out that the word “profane” implies something offensive to God, as distinguished from art or words which are merely offensive to us.

“Can only something intended to be holy be profaned, then?” junior Timothy Green asked.

Trays of pizza circulated continuously, in addition to salads, wine, tea, and cookies, as guests threw their various questions into the ring to be wrestled with. When one thread was exhausted, Cool tugged at another.

“What about social media?

That sounds very millennial of me, but with social media, profanity is everywhere.

Before technology developed, you could at least avoid it more, if you weren’t a part of it yourself. Is our repulsion, or

lack of repulsion, influenced by our exposure to it?”

Green pushed back on the concept that all profanity in art is bad, and said that good art has an inherently provocative value.

“If it doesn’t make you think, it’s not worth looking at,” he said.

Cool popped in and out to fill plates, share more pizza, or take away emptied dishes as the evening carried on, the kitchen sink faucet still running in the background at one point as she stopped to make a point or hear a guest’s comment.

“My objective isn’t for us to come together and reach some resolution,” she explained afterward, “or that there are these standards that Hillsdale students should believe. It’s really relationship-based: We’re here to have friendship.”

Cool shared that after returning from her semester in D.C., she noticed her tastes had changed.

“I came back from WHIP and suddenly didn’t like the parties I used to like, and a friend told me, ‘I think it’s because you go into a room full of people, and nobody actually has community with one another,’” she said. “And that’s exactly it.”

Cool said she thinks this has to do in part with matu-

rity.

“I had some people last week say, ‘I love this, this feels like something my parents would host.’ And it wasn’t really patronizing: They were saying that they didn’t know you could have something like this. I think sometimes we subject ourselves to this definition of ‘I am a child.’

We’re adults: We should act like it. In a lot of ways we have a lot of responsibilities, so why wouldn’t we gather like adults?” she said.

She added that most students, herself included, are simply seeking to be known and to have their thoughts heard.

“I think that’s what people are yearning for when they go to the parties that aren’t actually satisfying,” Cool said.

“Until you go somewhere where you are known, it’s easy to believe in the shadow of what is right. Not to be a total Hillsdale student, but there it is. When that’s all you ever have, it’s pretty good, because at least you’re with people, and you can normally find someone to talk to.

Maybe something about all your sweaty bodies dancing together — I mean, it’s a good workout, but I can go to the gym for that. I’m here to know people.”

See dinner b2

Pasties that ‘feed the soul’

Hillsdale alums open The Pasty Company in Colorado By | Sofia Krusmark Collegian Reporter For Hillsdale alumni Roxanne and Nathan Seither, taking a hike was one of the best things that ever happened to them. It was there, on the coast of Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, that they tried their first pasties-and fell in love. From then on, their freezer became the home of many more homemade pasties.

At the end of January 2019, Roxanne and Nathan — who graduated in 2013 and 2015, respectively -- opened their own business called The Pasty Company in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and have begun selling pasties wholesale to various food businesses within their local community.

“Coloradans love two things,” Roxanne explained.“Beer, and being outside. And those are two things that pasties completely

go well with.”

Their inspiration for opening a business was just the continuation of early dreams.

“The whole time we’ve known each other and dated, the idea of opening a business has always been something we wanted to do,” Nathan said.

“We’ve always loved food, and we’ve always cooked together.”

The business began with a simple conversation in a bakery. Nathan, who was studying operations management at University of Colorado Colorado Springs, began to see the value in opening his own business and practicing the skills he was learning in his master’s program. Seithers said that when he talked with a family friend from church, Steve Boonzaaijer, who owned his own Dutch pastry shop, it finally clicked.

“I was just sitting in his bakery with him and just watching people in the shop and seeing this opportunity,”

he said. “Everything came at once, seeing what I learned at Hillsdale, learned from community, and from my MBA class. It all came together.”

The idea appealed to Boonzaaijer, too, who was hoping to add more savory pastries to the menu. Aside from seeing the pasty as a “good complement” to his existing menu, Boonzaaijer said he also saw selling the pasties as opportunity to promote the new business.

“We really liked the appeal of giving him a platform to launch his business,” Boonzaaijer said. “Every businessman has had people help him on his way and give him an idea, inspiration. We are no different. When we see someone working hard, we see it as an opportunity to pay it forward.”

The idea came about in October 2018. Almost immediately, the Seithers See pasty b2

cert will be accessible, and the songs of James Taylor will be recognizable. The set includes jazz renditions of “Your Smiling Face,” “Fire and Rain,” and “Shower the People,” among others.

“It’s gonna be real entertaining and real easy to understand what’s going on,” Horton said. “Some jazz things are a little complex, but these kinds of of concert are not stuffy things. I am gonna have a lot of fun!”

Holleman said that this is an important opportunity, especially for jazz students, to see professional musicians.

“Any of the music students studying jazz should be here to hear their instructors perform, because that’s part of the learning process,” Holleman said. “You’re in lessons and then you’re listening to the professionals do what it is you are studying. This is a

great example for them.”

Holleman emphasized that this concert will be different from previous Hillcats endeavors in that James Taylor is not a jazz musician, but a pop, rock mix. He encouraged students to take advantage of this opportunity to see a professional jazz ensemble.

“The fact that we have a professional jazz ensemble on our campus on a regular basis is very unique. You might find that at a couple of the really big schools, but you are not going to find that at a lot of schools,” Holleman said. “So the fact that we have that inhouse here in little Hillsdale is impressive. These performers are at a very high professional level, and at the last concert, they were very well received.

Students really saw that these guys are top-shelf performers.”

Hillcats to perform James Taylor By | Elizabeth Bachmann Collegian Reporter

“It’s gonna be smokin,’” Music Department Chair James Holleman said of the upcoming Hillcats Faculty Jazz concert.

This Friday the Hillcats will jazzify the music of James Taylor in the McNamara Rehearsal Hall at 8:00 p.m. No tickets are required.

The concert will feature vocalist and bassist Hank Horton, a voice and base instructor at Hillsdale. He will play and sing along side the other Hillcats as well as some students.

Senior Shadrach Strehle will be on bass, and a string quartet comprised of sophomore Trevor Vogel, junior Keely Rendle, sophomore Zsana Bodor, and senior Honor Perrine will accompany select songs.

Horton said that the con-

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Pasty from B1

began taking steps to formally open the business. After hours of creating recipes, writing out finance plans, and developing marketing platforms, the couple finally received their business license at the end of January.

Immigrating from Cornwall, United Kingdom, iron miners introduced savory pasties to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in the 1800s.

Due to their portability and convenience, pasties were an easy meal that still provided sufficient nutrients to sustain the miners throughout their workday.

Roxanne explained that the pasty is the kind of food you would find in a pub, “where you find the food of a working man.”

Made from scratch from beginning to the end, pasties demand both patience and intricacy.

After crafting a dough similar to a pie crust (“A great pasty dough has to remain flaky while also being very sturdy,” Roxanne said), Roxanne and Nathan hand-chop all the filling ingredients.

“We decided to grate our vegetables and use ground meat because we feel it evenly distributes our flavors more,” she added. “After our fillings are made, we wrap and crimp every pasty by hand. Then we bake them.”

To introduce the uncommon food to a brand-new audience, the Seithers serve pasties to their friends, family members, and even to their next-door neighbors. Whether by sending a pasty off

with their mountain-biking neighbor or baking one for an ice-climbing adventurer, the Seithers agreed the best way to introduce the new food is through “organic” relationships.

“The people that we are engaging with help us manage this,” Nathan said. “It’s all very community-oriented. We try to tap into those trusted friendships and try to develop the business in that way.”

He added that this organic method of marketing also allows The Pasty Company to continue to develop and improve its product.

“We need honest feedback, which comes from good, honest friendships,” Nathan said.

Rev. Don Armstrong, the rector of their home parish, praised the couple for their creative contribution to the Colorado food community.

“It’s not another hamburger, or another taco,” Armstrong said. “It’s very healthy, but an easily edible food for busy people. The best foods are the ones that are narrowed down, that are very healthy, very local, personally prepared, expertly crafted, nothing fast, nothing mass produced, and that’s exactly where the pasty fits.”

Building off of their friends’ feedback, the Seithers began to form relationships with their buyers. With the goal of helping retailers sell every pasty that they buy wholesale, their business model aims at building genuine relationships to market their business.

“Their incentive is to sell your product and suddenly the buyers become your salesmen and your marketers all at

once,” Nathan said. “We love supporting them. We want them to succeed, and we do our part so that people know about them. We also want to get to know our buyers, and it’s all based on the way that we live our daily lives, so as to not be disingenuous.”

Abigail Panabaker ’13, a long-time friend of Roxanne, credited Roxanne with much of her own cooking education.

Aside from “emanating deep respect for the entire cooking experience,” Panabaker said Seither’s generosity and creativity shone in the kitchen.

“She is fearless as a chef.

It’s one of my favorite things about watching her,” Panabaker said. “She is adventurous about her flavors, and her recipes were bright and delicious and refreshing and inspiring.

The dishes that she created felt wholesome and put together.

It was a complete experience in one dish.”

Panabaker described the Seithers as “thoughtful, warm, and kind,” and said it was no surprise to her that The Pasty Company is already thriving.

“It’s the perfect brainchild of all of their strengths. Roxanne and Nathan are already business- oriented people.

They understand money, they understand people and relationships, and how to get people together for the right reasons,” Panabaker said.

“They invest in the place that they live in and they have for a really long time. This is another way for them to give back to the area where they live.”

Roxanne is the creative director of the Pasty Company while Nathan tracks their

inventory and finances. Due to their success, they have not yet needed to take out a loan.

Long-time friend Michael Papesh attributes the company’s success to Nathan’s driven nature.

“Nate was always strongwilled and determined to start something special. More than anything, Nathan loved good food and good company,” Papesh said. “Out of all the business ideas we’ve hashed out late into the night over drinks, it made sense that he and Roxanne would settle on something that blesses the people around them.”

While at Hillsdale, Roxanne studied English while Nathan studied political philosophy. The two agreed that this education was formative to the success of their business.

“I didn’t learn about business finance, but what I did learn, from an economic standpoint, is how to understand the wants of your buyers,” Nathan said. “You get the pulse of what you’re looking at, and getting a liberal education helps you understand your surroundings better. If you’re learning how to think, then everything is possible.”

Their shared love for the Hillsdale community greatly influenced the Seithers to foster a new community in their new hometown. Colorado Springs lacked community, so Roxanne emphasized the need for good food to bring people together.

“We ask, ‘how is this business going to help us be good stewards of this community?’” Roxanne said. “With the increased use of personal

technology, social media, and division created by modern politics, we’ve noticed that there’s a lot of detachment from community. But what people are yearning for, whether they realize it or not, is community.”

Roxanne said that if there is one thing in the world that people can use to relate to one another, it’s food.

“Put that together with

failed to thwart his dramatic reading.

Giving liveliness to the people in his book, Covington conveyed the many speakers’ attitudes through his inflection, shaking his arms up and down when emphasizing a point, and even singing a deeply southern rendition of “I shall not be moved” with great vibrato.

Covington said he was extremely impressed by the faith of the people in the Appalachian church. Despite their poor economic statuses and lack of formal education, he said they were very well-

both hands.”

“I knew then why the handlers took up serpents. There is a power in the act of disappearing; there is a victory in the loss of self,” he said.

“It must have been close to our conception of paradise, what it’s like before you’re born or after you die,” he said.

The periodic pauses from his dynamic readings allowed the audience to hear anecdotes about other dangerous encounters in his field.

Some notable encounters included: getting punched in the face by a member of the Klu Klux Klan, having his Jeep torched by a group of hunters, and surviving a firefight with a Salvadoran army patrol.

“To Mr. Covington, his life seemed more interesting told in stories,” said junior English major Henry Brink. “Everything he did seemed commonplace to him because they were just everyday things.”

Covington said that he chose to search for stories in the most dangerous spots because there is little competition.

“You can’t doubt he experienced the things that he wrote about,” junior English major Dietrich Balsbaugh said.

“After hearing him read, you knew that he knew it was real, whether or not you’ve experienced it. Especially something as outlandish as the handlers.”

Despite all the carnage he has witnessed, the personal pains he has endured, Covington sees God in those who persevere through suffering.

Even though he has experienced both thrill and terror in his adventures, Covington takes the greatest joy and comfort in one of the simplest activities: walking his grandchildren home from school.

By | Carmel Kookogey Culture Editor Dennis Covington was born in 1948 and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. In college, he studied under American short story writer Peter Taylor at the University of Virginia, where he earned his bachelor’s degree.

Covington was drafted upon graduation, and served two years in the U.S. Army before entering the University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop, whose alumni boast several influential writers, including Flannery O’Connor, Donald Justice, and Marilynne Robinson. Covington has taught at multiple universities since then, including Miles College, the College of Wooster, the University of Alabama-Birmingham, and Texas Tech University, where he is now Professor Emeritus of Creative Writing.

Published in 1995, “Salvation on Sand Mountain,” the story of Covington’s true encounters with snake-handling churches in Southern Appalachia, is by far the best known of his books, and was a 1995 National Book Award finalist.

His most recent book, “Revelation: A Search for Faith in a Violent Religious World,” was published in 2016.

On journalism, and how Salvation on Sand Mountain came to be written: Covington described how he became a stringer for the New York Times while appealing the denial of his tenure at the University in Birmingham where he taught writing classes.

“I got a shot because the Atlanta bureau chief called me one day and said, ‘There’s a really important news conference in North Alabama. I can’t get there today. Can you run up there and take notes?

And if you do a good job, maybe the assignment editor in New York City will let you write the piece.

“Well the press conference — I got there too late! I had to pick up my kids at school.

There was one man left, he was walking down the hall. I said, ‘Tell me what happened in there, what was the deal?’

He just reached in his pocket, took out a mini cassette, and said, ‘Listen to that.’ It was the phone call of the kidnapper to the family of the young woman he’d kidnapped, demand-

ing a ransom. I wrote the article, and the assignment editor at the New York Times absolutely loved it.

“I followed up with articles about that case, I wound up covering tornadoes in the south, true crime, Hurricane Andrew, that kind of thing.

And every week, I would give the editor three suggestions for stories. The first black mayor of Birmingham, he was under a felony indictment, and I said, ‘This is a big story.’ The second one was dual murders involved with Satan-worshippers, or something. That was really the one I wanted to cover. And the third one was this preacher, a snake-handling preacher, who was on trial for trying to murder his wife with rattlesnakes. Now I’d never heard of snake-handling. I mean, when I was a boy, I loved snakes, but I’d never heard of that in church. That was the one I didn’t want to do, because I thought that the New York Times just wanted to make fun of him. But I went up there, covered the trial, and when the article appeared in the Times, I got a call from a book editor. I didn’t know him, but he just said, ‘Mr. Covington, this is the book you were born to write.’”

On his books: Covington has published six books, four nonfiction and two novels. By his own account, each one involves violence of some kind. Covington described the plot of “Redneck Riviera: Armadillos, Outlaws and the Demise of an American Dream,” a book about his fight with hog-hunters to claim his inheritance of “two and a half worthless acres of land” in Florida.

“I got a friend of mine, and we built this cabin that could be torn apart and put in the bed of my truck. He said, ‘I’ll go in there and I’ll survey that land, I ain’t scared of them rednecks.’ And we did it: Eddy went in there and surveyed, sure enough, it was my land.

The day before hunting season opened, we erected this cabin.

“The next day they all came in saying, ‘You can’t do this, you can’t build!’

And I said, ‘Oh really, I can’t do it? Do you know who’s land this is?’

‘No, nobody knows whose land this is.’

‘This is a survey: it’s my land. Git. Off. My. Land.’

Roxanne and Nathan Seither display a pasty from their business in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Roxanne Seither | Courtesy

community. It’s two things that everyone needs,” she said.

“Metaphysical and physical.

Food feeds the body and the community feeds the soul.”

In order to do this, however, the food — or pasties — have to be shared.

“For some reason, food tastes better when you’re enjoying it alongside another person. I think that’s just part of being human,” she said.

Visiting writer speaks on snake A conversation with American handling in Southern churches author Dennis Covington By | Austin Gergens Collegian Reporter

The small Dow A and B conference room bustled with eager students and excited professors who awaited author Dennis Covington’s reading from his renowned, “Salvation on Sand Mountain,” an account detailing his experience with Christian snakehandlers in the Appalachian Mountains.

Professor of English John Somerville Jr. invited Covington to speak on Feb. 18 as part of the Visiting Writers Program, which brings in well-known contemporary writers throughout the year to speak about their work and themselves with Hillsdale students.

“We’ve been doing this program for about 25 years now. We’ve had the pleasure of bringing many writers to campus, but one of my favorites is Dennis Covington,” Somerville said. “This is his third visit to campus.”

Sophomore Carmel Kookogey introduced Covington and highlighted his educational background from the University of Iowa’s Writers Workshop, from which literary giants Flannery O’Connor, Donald Justice, and Marilynne Robinson have also hailed.

His 1995 National Book Award finalist, “Salvation on Sand Mountain,” has the same genius.

Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, “city boy” Covington, chose to sport work-worn jeans, leather cowboy boots, and brown widebrimmed hat.

“Hey y’all” were Covington’s first words. His native Alabama accent shown through.

“I’m a little hoarse, and I’ll be a little coarse later on,” he said.

But by God’s good grace, the hoarseness dissipated and

Dinner from B1

The Necessary Society’s goal is to create a different, intentional kind of gathering, she explained.

“There is authentic community here,” she said. “Even if you don’t know everyone when you walk in, when you walk out, maybe you don’t remember their name the next time you see them, but you know the things that they

“I knew then why the handlers took up serpents.

There is a power in the act of disappearing; there is a victory in the loss of self.” versed in the Bible.

“They knew the Bible, backwards and forwards,The King James Bible,” he said.

“Cause what the handlers say is, ‘if it was good enough for Jesus, it’s good enough for us.’”

The audience responded with laughter.

Perhaps the most climatic account of the night was the description of his involvement in a snake handling ceremony.

He held the largest rattlesnake he had yet laid eyes upon.

Almost dreamlike, he said, “I didn’t stop to think about it. I just gave in. I stepped forward and took the snake with believe, and you shared a meal together. That’s really what Christ wants us to do.”

Though the group of people comes from a variety of backgrounds and different denominations of faith, Cool said that so far, she has not needed to dispel any tension during discussion.

“People respect one another. Maybe that’s part of this thing that we encounter in college, where you think,

‘I’m not mature enough for this.’ But you’re not willing to be the first person to be the immature one, and so it just raises everyone to a standard of maturity,” she said.

“Can we take something derogatory and redeem it?”

Cool had asked earlier in the evening. The Necessary Society raises a toast and says, “Why not?”

“So they wound up shooting up the cabin, eventually.

They torched my Jeep. One day a line of men showed up, some of them were a SWAT team from the local police department, and there were FBI agents. The FBI guys said, ‘Are you Dennis Covington?’

I said, ‘Yeah, what’s going on?’ He said, ‘Well our agents came across your cabin down there in Florida, and we just wanted to find out whether you were still alive.’ So that became a great time.

“I remember when I suggested the book project to my editor, he said, ‘Now Dennis, I’m sure that’d be a lot of fun, but no bullets, no book.’

When I called him to tell him, I said, ‘They shot up my cabin, they torched my Jeep, they’re trying to kill me,’ he said, ‘Great! You got the contract.’”

On snake-handling: “I was under the influence of the Holy Ghost at the time, so there was no fear.”

Advice for young writers: “I used to tell my students, ‘Just go to the most dangerous place you can get to, and write about it.’ And they would say, ‘Why would you want to do that?’ And I would say, ‘Because there’s no competition.’

“You go to the most dangerous place, there’s not gonna be a lot of other people trying to cover it! That’s what I did.

El Salvador was the most dangerous place in the world for journalists when I went.

Juarez, Mexico was the most dangerous place for journalists when I went. Syria, by far, was the most dangerous place in the world for journalists when I visited. They were being kidnapped, beheaded. I heard about a young woman who was being kidnapped and tortured by ISIS, nobody else knew.

“But anyway, that’s what I always would tell them.

Then, one of my students came back, and he had gone to Mexico in the middle of the drug war, and interviewed a drug cartel hitman on the second floor of an abandoned warehouse. And he did a great piece! But that’s when I stopped saying that.”

“You know what’s the most dangerous of all, though?

Love. That’s a different thing entirely. Love? What do you do with love? Who even thought about that?”

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February 21, 2019

Destination Johannesburg:

B3

Local pastor and family move to South Africa

called of God to develop their selves couldn’t overstate By | Cecelia Pletan God-given gifts, to prepare the impact their studies at Collegian Freelancer them for the ministry of the ICBM have made, Tanya said.

When Steve and Tanya propagation of the Gospel of Some students said they had Briix asked their kids if they the Lord Jesus Christ and to to throw away all their old wanted to move to South Afri- teach them to live and work sermons because of how far ca, the kids had one question: by a Christian world view.” they’d come.

Can we take the hamsters?

His interest in teaching Safety concerns and stolen “I said, ‘You wanna move and equipping other pastors mail (“no Amazon!” Steve to South Africa?’ and our kids internationally began in 2012, lamented) are both everyday said ‘What does that mean?’” on a missions trip to India. At realities in Johannesburg, Tanya explained, “It means a pastors’ conference where in addition to the cultural you get two suitcases: one he was teaching, he witnessed healing from apartheid and for clothes and one for toys, pastors sleeping on floors becultural and traditional differand that’s it.” No room for the cause they had travelled from ences between separate tribes. hamsters, unfortunately. distant locations and had no Steve pointed out that the Local pastor Steve Briix beds to sleep in at night. Briix tribal South African culture is and his family are moving to said it was humbling for him very different from the AmerSouth Africa this summer, to see their faithful commitican “melting pot.” where he will assume the ment to pray for each other, “It’s like everything blendposition of academic dean at to learn, and to grow in their ed together versus a chopped the International College of faith. salad — and we’re clearly the Bible and Missions in JohanMost of the pastors, howtomatoes.” nesburg, South Africa. This ever, freely admitted they had The Briix’s said their misrelocation comes after sion, along with ICBM’s, 13 years of heading up is to speak God’s word Pine Ridge Bible Church and teach their students college ministry, where how to apply sound bibBriix currently leads lical principles to their the weekly Tuesday lives and churches. night Equip ministry Steve said his is only in partnership with a temporary position Intervarsity ministries. because the goal is to Briix also oversees a train a replacement who number of programs on is actually from South the Hillsdale College Africa. campus, including a “The vision is for it student-to-student mento be Africans training toring ministry, a weekly Africans,” Steve said.

Thursday night study se“We’re taking five to 10 ries on Christianity, and years, but if you notice, a ministry group called we’re just kind of living Prayer-for-the-Nations. College pastor Steve Briix and his family will there with no end date.”

Before he arrived in move to South Africa where he will serve as Steve’s regular day Michigan, ministries like academic dean at a seminary. Steve Briix | now is balanced bethis were only a dream Courtesy tween overseeing student of his. A graduate of the very little knowledge of or Bible studies, meeting with Dallas Theological Institute, training in theology. Briix said students, fundraising, and Briix was unsatisfied with his after that experience, he felt finishing his dissertation. normal 9-to-5 in the Dalcalled to someday share his While in South Africa, he said las business world, and he seminary experience with oth- he expects his days to be filled reached out to the seminary to er pastors like those he met at with meeting with faculty and ask if the Baptist association the conference. staff, teaching a class or two, had any openings for a college After a few years of misand overseeing the updating minister. sions trips elsewhere around and revision of curriculum, in They had exactly one in the globe, the position of order to raise the college’s acQuincy, Michigan, a position academic dean opened up ademic standards, which have at Pine Ridge Bible Church. at ICBM. After visiting the been steadily climbing since He decided to move with his college for two weeks last its founding in 2000. wife Tanya to the place they summer, the Briix’s decided Hillsdale students are sad would call home for the next to accept the job. They were to say goodbye, but excited to 13 years. initially hesitant to take the see what lies in store for the Best-known on campus for volunteer position, as they family. Senior Carrie Olson, his leadership of Equip, Briix would have to completely who has known the Briix famis quick to correct anyone who depend on fundraising. But ily since freshman year, said might call it his brainchild. He when they saw how much the she was shocked to hear that said it actually began when students sacrificed to learn they were moving. “It wasn’t a group of college students every day, they decided it was something I ever saw them suggested having a weekly worth it. doing, but the more I hear Bible study at the Briix’s house “We were there for a them and their children talk over dinner.

Saturday class and the dean about it, the more I am excited “Just listening to students of students made a big deal for them. I can’t wait to see about what would be helpful about, ‘Oh, we need to go pick what they do.” is really how it got started,” up white bread and peanut In everything they do, Briix emphasized. The group butter,’” Briix said.

Steve said his family have takhas grown since then and It wasn’t until later when en the words of Saint Paul in now meets at Free Methodist they found out the students 2 Timothy 2:2 to heart: “The Church. had purchased a taxi ride with things which you have heard With experience in training the money they would have from me in the presence of and leadership, Briix is excited spent on food for the day. many witnesses, entrust these to put his skills to use at the “We went to seminary and to faithful men who will be International College of Bible we lived off of hamburger able to teach others also.” and Missions (ICBM), where, helper, but this does not even according to its website, their compare,” Tanya said. mission is “to enable those And the students them-

Historic Hysteria:

Feline gossip columnist stalks campus By | Callie Shinkle Columnist The Collegian premiered a new gossip column once again on March 7, 1939 (when will these columns stop?) entitled, “The Kitty.” This column had an absolutely psycho approach to delivering gossip, referring to the anonymous author as a legitimate kitty cat, in the third person no less.

It sounds like a joke, but the December 15, 1942 column began with this quote: “Kitty prowls this week very, very, very slightly. She prefers the warm fireside, her nose tucked musingly into soft fur.”

Excuse me?

Most people probably couldn’t continue reading after that introduction, but I like to think of us Hillsdale students as troopers so lets ignore that and keep reading to see how the kitty theme works into the actual content.

“Kitty stirs — something is bothering her. Isn’t Eileen lovely? John R. thinks so,” reads the December 15, 1942 issue of The Collegian. Kitty please stop ‘stirring.’ You are disturbing the masses.

The kitty cat crawling across campus had no trouble brewing tea. On April 18, 1939 it reported, “Carolyn has given back her pin again.

We don’t really mind — but

it is hard to keep track.” The insults are a thousand times worse when they come from a cat, I’m not going to lie.

The May 23, 1939 edition said, “The Pi Phi social chairman had better be careful about leaving her mail around, especially when it’s from the Alka Seltzer Company— Looks bad— looks bad.” Who are you to judge, you cat?

The April 11, 1939 edition read, “Spring vacation should bring a lot of news for this column — but we can’t get anyone to confess.” Well that is a total disaster. I take back all I said before; I have lost all my faith in cats.

On October 24, 1939, “The Kitty” took a new approach to gossip-telling: “Meowing Rhythmically.” What does this mean, everyone asks?

Yes, your worst nightmare: a gossip column with a rhyme scheme. For example, the Kitty reported, “The Kitty’s been told that the calculus fold — which does its share of the dome-work, — was amused at Sir Tuohy when, paperless blew he: I’ve too much housework for homework!” Excuse me while I ponder what made less sense: that entire quote or the fact that the Kitty tried to rhyme ‘housework’ with ‘homework.’

Let’s not meow rhythmically

again. (The people must have spoken because the Kitty never rhymed again.)

“The Kitty” continued “meowing” until 1945. During this time The Kitty did not cease to deliver the campus news. On December 2, 1941, she wrote, “Those two Delt pledges Marty Atkins and Bruce Wright, must be denying themselves the pleasures of life. They are never seen with a gal (their own) around the square. What’s the trouble boys? Are you too wild and woolly for our trembling maids, or have you been getting ‘NO’ for an answer?” The Kitty was ruthless.

However, on October 16, 1945 the Collegian reported the news of the end of the column in a dramatic fashion that is most appropriate when dealing with feline writers.

“Hillsdale mourns today the loss of one of it’s best-known personalities. A member of the Collegian staff, she died at noon today, the hour when the papers were distributed to the student body. Political issues and baseball news took secondary importance as A. P. Wires carried the flash: the Kitty is dead.”

Rest in Peace, Kitty, you will forever be immortalized in the brains of students and Collegian archives.

Gill West was crowned 2019 President’s Ball King on Saturday. Regan Lasch | Courtesy

‘Impeccably Hillsdalian’: West and Kookogey crowned king and queen By | Cal Abbo Assistant Editor After warming up the crowd Saturday evening, Hillsdale College President Larry Arnn announced the king and queen of the 2019 President’s Ball — seniors Gill West and Chloe Kookogey. Despite the lighthearted celebration, beneath the crown and title lies four years of hard work and a serious dedication to Hillsdale’s values.

Professors selected students they wanted to nominate to the court through an emailed poll. From there, the top ten students — five women and five men — submitted answers to questions ranging from ‘What is your major?’ to ‘What are four words you would use to describe yourself?’

Five panelists — Professor of Economics Roger Butters, Professor of English Dwight Lindley, Professor of Politics Adam Carrington, Associate Dean of Women Rebekah Dell, and wife of the college president Penny Arnn — evaluated the nominees through their questionnaires and a 20-minute interview.

After deliberating, the panel agreed that West and Kookogey deserved the honor of king and queen. None of the candidates knew who had won the title until it was announced at President’s Ball.

“I did not at all expect to win. When they announced my name I was taken aback and really, really surprised,”

Kookogey said. “All I was thinking was, ‘Now I need to dance with Dr. Arnn.’ That was probably the thing I was most nervous about, but it was comfortable.”

West was equally surprised. “I’m not really a popular person. Now I know it’s about faculty decisions, so you can afford to be less popular among the student body,” he said. “I was honored that I was chosen, but it was kind of funny that I got a crown. I thought that was strange.”

For those on the panel, though, the decision was easier. After the interviews and discussion, picking two students was tough but clear enough to be unanimous.

“Everyone who gets recommended is outstanding. You read through their resume and personal statements, and you honestly wonder, ‘Where do such people come from,’” Butters said.

“That decision did not come without some bitterness.”

Butters described the decision-making process as determining “fractions of degrees” between excellent students. “Every time you choose one thing you refuse something else, and the thing being refused was in and of itself of extraordinary quality and goodness,” he said. “What you’d really like to do is just give trophies to everybody, but you can’t.”

For Kookogey, the process helped her reminisce about her time at Hillsdale and how

far she’d come. “It was a great opportunity to reflect and I probably encouraged my own natural nostalgia more than I had to,” she said.

While West and Kookogey described their career at Hillsdale, panelists listened, impressed by that they had accomplished.

“You see these students as seniors and what they’ve become and how they’ve grown into really outstanding young men and women,” Carrington said. “They are, by the way, smarter and more mature than I was at that point. And to think that Hillsdale has had something to do with their growth and maturity is amazing for me.”

The panel was tasked with identifying students by their commitment to and understanding of Hillsdale’s values rather than simply weighing GPA, extracurriculars, and community service. “Who represents the kind of young person that we would want to come out of Hillsdale?”

Carrington said, describing the criterion the panel used.

“What kind of person bought into the mission, thrived here, was good for the community, and really exemplified what we would want to see as a result of being at Hillsdale?”

To Lindley, Kookogey and West are “impeccably Hillsdalian” and represent “the kind of students we want Hillsdale to produce.”

Jackie Dupre at an overlook of the Yellow Mountains in China. Jackie Dupre | Courtesy

German student spends Semester at Sea By | Ryan Goff Assistant Editor

A year and a half ago, junior Jackie Dupre left Hillsdale to travel the world.

After studying abroad in Germany between her sophomore and junior year, Dupre enrolled in Semester at Sea, a program that allows undergraduates to take college classes while traveling the world on a ship. Afterward, she decided to summer in Germany as well, making her stay a total of 14 months.

During that time she visited 10 different countries and a total of four continents.

An international business major, Dupre is fluent in German and is also a member of Pi Beta Phi. This past year and a half wasn’t the first time she had to make a major adjustment to a new lifestyle and community, however.

Her sophomore year, she transferred to Hillsdale from Sacred Heart University in Connecticut.

“I’ve gone through freshman year so many times,” she says. “Every time you move, you have to find new friends and common interests.”

Dupre first approached the German department about studying abroad near the end of her first year at Hillsdale.

The faculty prescribed an accelerated program to prepare her for study in a foreign language, since at the time she was only in German 102, the second course in the college’s German program. Although

faculty normally require completion of the second year language courses 201 and 202 to study abroad, they deemed Dupre “ready for the challenge,” she said.

Assistant professor of German Stephen Naumann led the study-abroad program the year Dupre enrolled.

“It was wonderful having her as part of a fun Würzburg group in 2017, during the very first weeks of her German adventures,” Naumann said in an email. “She was extremely motivated to get the most out of her time abroad, and is now reaping those benefits in a multitude of ways.”

Dupre said going to Germany gave her the confidence that she was capable of living on her own in a foreign country, especially after having to figure out things like health insurance.

“Out of everyone I had to talk to, none of them spoke English,” she said. “It was awful!”

The year abroad also gave her the opportunity to meet new people from all over the world, like Nikolo from Florence, or Sophie from Edinburgh, or Kasia from Poland.

Last summer when Dupre was still in Germany, she met up with a group of friends from Hillsdale who happened to be traveling through Europe — Senior Brooke Sabina, who was in Germany in between a Collegiate Scholars trip to Greece and the start to her summer semester at Oxford University, and Sabina’s

Chi Omega sister and Stables housemate, senior Shaylynn Schultz, who is also close friends with Dupre. The group had a wild time in Munich.

“The best part was swimming in the Isar river in the pouring rain,” Sabina said.

“The water flows down from the Alps and runs very fast.

We jumped in at the bridge and it carried us all the way down. It was one the best memories of my entire life.”

From Germany, she also made a quick reunion with a friend in Ghana. Junior Fiona Kelly, who spent last semester helping teach schools in a rural village in the country, met Dupre in a nearby city during Dupre’s stop in the country during Semester at Sea. “We stayed at a fancy hotel in Tacherati for a night because Fiona was having an awful experience,” Dupre said. “The woman who was supposed to be queen of the village was in Italy until November. We caught up and sat by the pool for five hours.

I fried! The African sun is mean!”

Traveling abroad has given Dupre a lot of opportunities for building new friendships.

Even at Hillsdale, Dupre seems to know people from all corners of campus.

“Starting over isn’t fun, but now I have friends everywhere,” she says. “It’s amazing I’ve been able to meet so many people and not be stuck. You constantly get to find out who you are.”

B4 February 21, 2019

The Costume & Bridal Barn in Hudson, Michigan has more than 8,000 handmade costumes available for rent. Madeleine Miller | Collegian

Costume & Bridal Barn one-stop shop for event attire By | Madeleine Miller Collegian Reporter Dozens of rubbery faces gawk at you from above, their faces frozen in an array of grotesque contortions. There’s a gray man with three eyes, three mouths, and three noses; a classic, but particularly uncomely witch; an extraterrestrial creature vaguely reminiscent of a sea monkey; and the pitiful visage of an oaf who appears to have had too close an encounter with a hand blender.

Lower your gaze and it will come to rest on the bright and kindly countenance of Brenda Wright, welcoming you to the Costume & Bridal Barn in Hudson, Michigan, about a 25-minute drive from Hillsdale. Elegance meets fantasy at the one-stop shop, which offers costume rentals, wedding gown sales and rentals, tuxedo rentals, alteration services, and more.

Wright learned to sew in

school and never stopped.

She taught herself to sew just about anything, never relying on patterns to execute her projects.

“It just made sense. I started thinking about what the results would be if I did this or that, and then I just took it and ran with it,” she said. “I can do just about anything.

I do alterations, I’ve made clothes from scratch.”

As her children grew up, she created costumes for them to wear on holidays and to school events, and soon friends and community members began requesting pieces.

When she lost her job as a factory secretary, she decided to start her own business, launching the Costume Barn in 1988. Four years later she added a bridal section, and the Costume & Bridal Barn was born.

Wright originally worked out of her husband’s pole barn.

“I would hang stuff on his tractors, and he would

say ‘What are you doing?’ and I would say, ‘I don’t have enough room so I’m using yours!’” she said.

Once she had saved enough money to erect a space of her own, her husband Dan Wright built her a shop at the edge of their property in Hudson.

“I took the square footage she was using in the barn and doubled it, and then added 30 percent, and shortly after she moved in, she had it full!” he said.

Wright estimates she now has over 8,000 handmade or carefully curated costumes available for rent. Her costume room is filled wallto-wall and ceiling-to-floor with a vast array of getups, astounding in both variety and quantity. From Disney characters to vintage ensembles, each costume is made of quality material and includes the complete suite of accessories needed to produce an authentic and impressive effect.

Wright derives inspiration from current movies, but also

enjoys fashioning creations of her own imagination. Sometimes she’ll stumble upon a piece — a hat or a mask — and design a costume to accompany it. Savvy and innovative, she often uses materials from unexpected sources.

When her husband managed a factory that produced convertible tops, she incorporated the leftover scraps of cloth into her costumes.

“Whatever material I’ve got, I will make something out of it,” she said.

A shelf full of lookbooks showcases her work, her children and grandchildren modeling her masterpieces.

Her favorite, a peacock, is striking even in photograph.

A lush cascade of plumage descends from a waistband to the ground, each brilliant feather hand-sewn into the tail. Wright rents out four iterations of the Santa suit: velvet, cotton, corduroy, and plush. In the costume room she stores a knight’s suit of armor, which she estimates 50

men have donned to propose marriage.

The bridal portion of Wright’s shop is yet another trove of quality and unique attire, offering a selection of elegant wedding gowns in all styles. Vintage, consignment, and new, Wright’s dresses are available at every price point.

Costume & Bridal Barn is a convenient shopping outlet for prospective brides, offering custom porcelain, silk, and fresh floral arrangements and a bevy of decoration rentals including card boxes, candelabras, pillars, lace and netting, lattice walls, and free-standing curtains.

County resident Fred Eisenhower recently rented a tuxedo from the Costume & Bridal Barn, and was astounded by the variety of its offerings.

“It just looks like a simple pole barn from the outside, but it’s quite a unique place,” he said. “If you want to dress up in a costume, she’s got it there. I don’t know any other

place like it.”

Wright says prudent business decisions are the reason for the longevity of her enterprise. Because she owns her building and its contents, Costume & Bridal Barn was able to weather the 2008 recession with aplomb and remains one of the few permanent costume shops in the area. Wright relishes the freedom of self-employment, explaining that if she ever finds herself weary of stitching, she simply sets it aside for a time.

Dan Wright said it’s been “amazing” watching the growth of his wife’s business.

“I’ve seen her go from working out of a garage to now having 2,100 square feet of wall-to-wall costumes and dresses. I see her put in so many hours.”

But her hard work is not without reward.

“Every costume has a story,” she said.