Michigan’s oldest college newspaper
Birzer holds book signing at Broad Street
Walberg slams College Scorecard
Congressman calls Department of Education project a ‘tremendous problem’ for Hillsdale
Hillsdale Academy will celebrate its 25th anniversary this weekend. Macaela Bennett | Collegian
Hillsdale Academy celebrates 25th anniversary By | Macaela J. Bennett Editor-in-Chief Hillsdale Academy opened 25 years ago to lead schools to a return to classical education principles. Today, hundreds of schools across the nation model themselves off its example. “We are a model to celebrate,” said Mike Roberts, Academy assistant headmaster and athletic director. “While the standard schools should hold students to has been lowered, the Academy has continued to have high standards no matter what culture says.” This weekend, the Academy will celebrate its 25th anniversary, and many—from parents to donors and legislators—will attend the celebration to commemorate the school’s success. Like Hillsdale College, the
Academy was founded upon the Judeo-Christian tradition, and it aims to prepare students both for continued education and to be good citizens, according to Roberts. “We are the K-12 expression of the Hillsdale College mission,” Academy Headmaster Kenneth Calvert said. While many people grew increasingly concerned about the lack of quality education in 1980s America, several schools returned to emphasizing classical educations, Calvert said, and Hillsdale Academy helped lead the movement. Because this was a divergence from the majority of America’s schools, college Provost David Whalen said it was important for the Academy to thrive. “The Academy venerates tra-
ditional institutional standards of the West,” Whalen said. “Fidelity to some old thing is often regarded as some quaint eccentricity and more often as an inability to stand on your own intellectual feet. We’re going against the tide, so if we do it, we must make it excellent.” U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.), who frequently visits the Academy and will participate in its weekend celebration, said he admires the school’s commitment to timeless principles. “What’s impressed me is its acknowledgement and respect for Judeo-Christian, biblical principles done in a way that says, ‘We’re not ashamed to say we believe these basic principles
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Marine Challenge Friday By |Lucile Townley Collegian Freelancer
Greg Vylytel | Courtesy
Friday at 7 p.m., under the lights of the Muddy Water Stadium, Hillsdale students will get a chance to see what the United States Marine Corps are all about. For only $5, students can pit themselves against the physical and mental test that is the Marine Challenge—and get a free T-shirt. Teams of 8-10 students will compete against each other with the top three teams winning prizes. What students will be doing in the challenge remains confidential, as part of the challenge is handling the unknown. “The physical challenges are tailored so anyone who wants to participate can,” Co-Director of Campus Health and Recreation Rachael Hille said. The Marine Challenge promises a great workout and team-building exercise. Students who are in Physical Health and Wellness can also receive extra credit for participating in the event, Hille said. Those interested should email rhille@hillsdale.edu to reserve a spot for their team. Volleyball stays hot Chargers tied for first place in South Division, play home-opener tomorrow night.
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Country music star Trace Adkins sings his hit “Honkey Tonk Badonkadonk” at the Hillsdale County Fair on Wednesday evening. Anders Kiledal | Collegian
Trace Adkins performs at County Fair
By |Stacey Egger Collegian Reportr When Trace Adkins took the stage at the Hillsdale County Fair at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday night, it was a moment many members of the audience had looked forward to for a long time. Sherry Huff drove from
Holly, Michigan to attend the concert with her two daughters Hannah and Abigail, who live in Hillsdale. “I’ve been a fan since before they were born, maybe 18 years,” Huff said. “He was as awesome live as he is on the radio.” The Hillsdale County Fair brings in one major musical act
each year, and the decision to bring in Trace Adkins was very popular. The entire arena was packed. Adkins, who released his debut album Dreamin’ Out Loud 20 years ago, has since released seven more albums and developed a huge fan See Adkins A6
By | Kayla Stetzel one of my goals was to meet him, and we just hit it off,” Bizer Collegian Reporter said. Wednesday night, Broad After expressing interest in Street Market hosted a book writing a biography of Peart, signing celebrating the publi- Anderson later approached cation of Professor of History Birzer to write the piece. Birzer Bradley Birzer’s latest book, enthusiastically accepted. “Neal Peart: Cultural Repercus“I guess I’ve been thinking sions,” a biography analyzing the about writing this book since life and contributions of drum- 1981, but I started it last Christmer Neil Peart, the backbone of mas and finished it in June,” the progressive rock band Rush. Birzer said. Faculty, students, and friends Birzer has already written flooded Broad Street Market to several biographies, including give their praises, and discuss works on Tolkien, Charles CarBizer’s work. roll, and others scholarly figures. For Birzer, Rush represents But, as a life-time Rush fan, his more than a rock group, and new book was a thrill to write. Peart in particular occupies a “It’s not like the typical, special place in his life. scholarly biography he writes— “I was in detention in 7th grade,” Birzer remembers. “The two other guys I was in detention with knew I liked progressive rock, so they asked me if I had heard of Rush, and I said no. I went out later that day and bought ‘Moving Pictures’, and it just clicked. Though I’ve never met him, he is kind of like a big brother figure to me.” Bizer’s book attempts to offer Professor of History Brad Birzer holds a copy of a more holistic his new book at a promotional event in Hillsdale portrait of Neil on Sept. 30. Laura Williamson | Collegian Peart. It assesses his overall intellectual and cul- it’s a lot more personal,” Birzer’s tural impact. wife, Dedra, said. “The book is basically an Reactions at the book signing explanation of Peart as a writ- were all positive. er,” Birzer said. “He has written “It’s great that Brad can write a number of travel books and about what he loves,” said Prosome fiction in addition to his fessor of Theatre James Branlyrics. I tried to tie all of that to- don. “When you’re an academgether to suggest that there is a ic, you get into the field because coherent man of letters behind you really love stuff, and you the drummer. He does so much don’t always get to work with it. more.” That he can be a great academic While Peart is widely ac- and historian, but also delve into knowledged as one of the most something that is an interest and talented and innovative percus- real passion of his—it’s great.” sionists of all time, few are aware Lecturer of History Miles of his literary successes. Peart, in Smith IV agreed: “I’m excited addition to being the primary about it. I’m excited to have him lyricist for Rush, has published back. Dr. Birzer is a scholar who five books ranging in topics can really transcend his discifrom science fiction to travel pline of history using all sorts memoirs. of other mythologies that lend Birzer was offered the op- themselves themselves to music portunity to write about his idol and art.” while he was on sabbatical last Overall, both students and year, living in Colorado with his faculty are glad to have Birzer family. back on campus, and his new Best-selling science fiction book, “Neil Peart: Cultural Reauthor Kevin J. Anderson, percussions,” was certainly a friend and publicist of Peart, labor of love for Birzer. Peart lived nearby. would be proud. “When I went to Colorado,
Kirby Center chief Matthew Spalding testifies before Congress
Matthew Spalding, Associate Vice President and Dean of Educational Programs at the Kirby Center in Washington, D.C., testifies before Financial Services Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives at a hearing on the five-year anniversary of the Dodd-Frank Act Aaron Sandford | Courtesy
The Confederate flag is an important part of our history The flag, brought to the forefront of public discourse by a shooting this summer, should be preserved along with the memory of those who died in the Civil War. A5
‘Dancing at Lughnasa’ Cast announced for Hillsdale’s Winter theater production. B1
By | Macaela J. Bennett Editor-in-Chief By giving a history of the rule of law in the West, Hillsdale College Professor Matthew Spalding attempted to show a congressional committee the dangers resulting from the Dodd-Frank Act on Sept. 17. In his testimony, Spalding, the Allan P. Kirby Center for Constitutional Studies and Citizenship’s associate vice-president and dean of education programs, warned Congress that laws like Dodd-Frank pose an imminent threat to America’s prosperity. “If the administrative rule now threatening to overwhelm American society becomes the undisputed norm—accepted not only among the academic
and political elites, but also by the American people, as the defining characteristic of the modern state—it could well mark the end of our great experiment in self-government,” Spalding told the committee. Two weeks ago, the House Financial Services Committee hosted five speakers, including Spalding, to discuss the fiveyear effect of the Dodd-Frank Act, which President Barack Obama signed in 2010 to bail out large financial firms after the 2008 financial crisis. The committee’s chairman, U.S. Rep. Jeb Hensarling (RTX), said he asked Spalding to speak on the panel because he is one of the most “qualified experts capable of reminding members of Congress of the
Internet Sales Tax To Start Today All Internet purchases in the state of Michigan will be taxed six percent to support market fairness. A7
Ramshackle Brewery brings old ales back to life in Jonesville.
Emma Vinton| Collegian
By |Macaela J. Bennett Editor-in-Chief Hillsdale College’s absence from the Department of Education’s College Scorecard potentially indicates bigger problems to come for schools that don’t play by the federal government’s rules, U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) said Wednesday. “This Scorecard is a tremendous problem if it develops further,” Walberg said, adding he hopes the next presidential administration will rescind it. The Scorecard may be only the beginning of the White House’s refusal to acknowledge Hillsdale’s existence, Walberg said. The next step could include prohibiting Hillsdale from receiving accreditation. “Who really cares about the fed’s policy—until things that determine accreditation and standing of the school in academia,” Walberg said. “This is something that Hillsdale will have to contend with.” President Barack Obama announced the Scorecard’s release on Sept. 12, saying it is a useful tool for college prospective students and their parents to access and compare “reliable data on every institution of higher education.” Walberg instead calls the Scorecard a “one-size-fits-all plan to give more and more control to the federal government of the educational experience.” The Department of Education excluded Hillsdale, as well as other schools that don’t accept federal funds like Christendom and Grove City Colleges, from the “comprehensive” list but it was noted solely with a
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great principles upon which our country was founded,” Hensarling said in an email. “Dr. Spalding offered keen insights into the thinking of the Founders and the vital importance of the rule of law.” Spalding said he wanted to show that the growing administrative state, manifested through laws like Dodd-Frank, violates the rule of law process, which is the “centerpiece of how we are self-governed.” Spalding said what he provided to the committee reflects Hillsdale’s mission in the District of Columbia to “give teaching backed up with real knowledge.” Provost David Whalen agreed, calling it a “perfect testament of Hillsdale’s place in
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