The Hillsdale Collegian 1.30.20

Michigan’s oldest college newspaper

Vol. 143 Issue 16 - January 30, 2020

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Hillsdale College students gather at the March for Life.

Nolan Ryan | Collegian

Record number of students attend March for Life By | S. Nathaniel Grime Sports Editor More than 150 Hillsdale College students attended the March for Life in Washington, D.C. last weekend, breaking previous records according to Hillsdale College for Life President Olivia Manocchio.

The attendees filled three coach busses and left on Thursday night to attend the March on Friday, returning to Hillsdale early Saturday morning.

While President Donald Trump addressed the rally last year via a video statement, he became the first president to ever attend the March for Life in person and

delivered an address at a preMarch rally.

Despite once being “very pro-choice” by his own admission, Trump told the crowd that “unborn children have never had a stronger defender in the White House.”

Manocchio said pro-life gains in state legislatures and federal courts, as well as Trump’s presence at the rally, speak for his newfound commitment to the pro-life movement.

“President Trump’s decision to speak at the rally electrified the crowd,” Manocchio said. “His address demonstrated his total support for the pro-life movement, which is quite encouraging.”

Manocchio also mentio-

ned that Trump’s presence forced media outlets, who have previously ignored the March, to cover the event this year, prompting viewers who may not know about the pro-life movement to consider and discuss it.

Junior Tony DeLapp has attended the March for Life in previous years and attended again this year with the Hillsdale group.

“We showed up an hour early to get into the rally, and we didn’t even get close to it because of the amount of people,” DeLapp said. “This year felt like it had the highest attendance in my three years of going.”

DeLapp also said he was encouraged by the friend-

Van Andel Graduate School starts classes By | Abby Liebing Assistant Editor School is in session at Hillsdale College’s Steve and Amy Van Andel Graduate School of Government in Washington, D.C., where students in its first class hope to deepen their knowledge of government on nights and weekends as they work at full-time jobs during the day.

Vice President of Washington Operations and Dean of the Van Andel Graduate School of Government Matthew Spalding said he is pleased with how the inaugural semester has started.

“I think they have gone extremely well. We have a good first round of students and the classes have gone well,” Spalding said.

This semester includes 15 students. The program plans to admit new students every

spring and fall. Spalding said there has already been a lot of interest and he anticipates growth.

“It’s off to a great start,” he said. “There is a very clear and open field here in D.C. There are lots of master’s degrees around town but this one is very different.”

Different from yet complementary to the Van Andel Graduate School of Statesmanship on Hillsdale’s campus in Michigan, the Steve and Amy Van Andel Graduate School of Government has core classes that focus on three areas: political thought and culture, American politics, and statecraft.

These required courses, along with other electives — such as “Deliberation and Legislation” with Sen. Tom Cotton’s (R-AR) and “Contemporary Liberalism and its Policies” with Associate Professor of Politics Kevin

Slack — make up a 36-credit-hour program.

Offering classes in the evenings and on Saturdays throughout the spring, fall, and summer semesters, Hillsdale estimates that it should take two-and-a-half to three years to complete the program, depending on the rigor of each individual’s schedule.

This semester, the graduate school is offering five classes: “The Art of Government” with Hillsdale College President Larry Arnn, “American Founding and the Constitution” taught by Spalding, “Modern Political Thought and Culture” with Director of Academic Programs and Worsham Teaching Fellow Matthew Mehan, “Contemporary Liberalism and Its Policies” with

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of legalizing abortion, but Doe v. Bolton, which would create statewide legislation outlawing abortion.

For either of those court cases to be overturned, it would take a pro-life majority in federal courts, a trend that Trump’s presidency has promoted. Trump’s appointments of Supreme Court justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh have also rallied the pro-life movement and given it a sense of momentum in the last three years.

Manocchio also said that pro-life advocates should “continue trying to change the hearts of abortion supporters” and “continue to support mothers in crisis pregnancy situations and pro-

mote abstinence education.”

Junior Logan Pentecost, who attended the March with Hillsdale for the first time, said it was a good experience.

“It was great to march with so many other young people in defense of the helpless and against the great evil of our generation,” he said.

A defining characteristic of the March for Life each year is the number of student groups like Hillsdale’s that bus to D.C. That wasn’t lost on President Trump.

“Young people are the heart of the March for Life,” Trump said to the crowd. “It’s your generation that is making America the pro-family, pro-life nation.”

Abortion in Michigan: An act, a petition, and the U.S. Supreme Court

By | Ben Wilson Assistant Editor Michigan residents are fighting for a dismemberment abortion ban act through citizen-initiated legislation, leading the way for other pro-life initiatives across the country.

“Right to Life of Michigan is the most prolific organization in the state’s history with regard to this particular provision,” said Genevieve Marnon, legislative director at Right to Life of Michigan. “This is our fifth citizens-initiated piece of legislation.”

While Right to Life of Michigan advocates for limitations on abortion procedures, Democrats in the Michigan House of Representatives are proposing widespread abortion access. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer joined members of the House Democratic Caucus on Oct. 29, 2019, to propose the Michigan Reproductive Health Act. Meanwhile, at the national level, the U.S. Supreme Court

will hear oral arguments for its first abortion case that includes Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh on the bench on March 4, and could potentially hear another case regarding a Michigan abortion law in the future.

By | Sutton Dunwoodie Senior Reporter Track and field athlete Kayla Caldwell ‘13, multisport athlete Tim Mustapha ‘03, and the 1992, 1993, and 1994 men’s cross country teams will make up the 22nd Hillsdale College Athletic Hall of Fame class.

They will all be inducted into the Hall of Fame in an on-campus ceremony on March 28.

Caldwell earned seven All-American honors

during her collegiate career while setting school and national records. Caldwell finished second in the 2012 NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field National Championships when she became the first woman in school history to clear four meters on the pole vault.

The following year, Caldwell set the all-time Division II record in the outdoor pole vault. Nevertheless, Caldwell said her most memorable collegiate experience came in the 4x400 relay,

Reproductive Health Act According to a statement released by the Michigan House Democrats, the RHA was proposed to “repeal outdated and unconstitutional prohibitions on reproductive health care,” referring to a 1931 law that makes abortion illegal in Michigan.

The RHA is a set of sweeping laws that would remove required parental notifications for minors, eliminate a required 24-hour waiting period after requesting an abortion, allow abortion clinics to avoid inspection, and get rid of mandatory screenings for abortion coercion.

“In Michigan, a pregnant person’s options are limited by policy, and that makes it harder to give patients the best

possible care,” said Dr. Sarah Wallett, chief medical officer for Planned Parenthood of Michigan, at an October 2019 press conference. “People who make the decision to have an abortion should be able to access it without obstacles that do nothing to improve their care.”

Michigan is among nine states that have pre-Roe v.

Wade abortion bans on the books. These could be enforced if Roe is overturned.

Marnon said the group is leading pro-life initiatives in the state and across the country.

“We have the best pro-life laws in the United States,” Marnon said. “Alabama and Georgia have nothing on us.”

The 1973 Roe decision legalized abortion in all 50 states. Marnon, however, said Democrats are concerned that with an increasingly conservative Supreme Court, Roe may be at risk of being overturned.

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Charger 2020 Hall of Fame Class announced

Hillsdale in DC held a reception for the new graduate students before the first day of classes.

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liness of strangers at the March from all corners of the country.

“The March for Life is always an amazing experience because every single person there is so friendly,” he said.

“Many people come up to you and tell you how incredibly lucky you are that you attend such a great school. I’m happy that every year Hillsdale has given me the opportunity to march for the unborn.”

While multiple states have passed “heartbeat bills” that disallow abortion after the detection of a fetal heartbeat, Manocchio said the pro-life movement should focus not on overturning the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, which would give states the option

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in which her team won All-American honors.

“Our women’s 4x4 team was not supposed to even make it into nationals and we got in at the last second at the end of season meet,” Caldwell said in an email. “We gave everything we had and ended up All-Americans. It is my only All-American title outside of pole vaulting and I love everything that trophy stands for.”

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News

January 30, 2020

University of Tulsa prof to discuss liberal education By | Ben Wilson Assistant Editor Jacob Howland, McFarlin professor of philosophy at the University of Tulsa, will speak on campus at 8 p.m. on February 4 in Lane 125 on “the crisis of liberal education in America” and 8 p.m. on February 5 in Dow A on “Divine Word and Human Chatter.”

The talks are sponsored by the Office of the President, the Van Andel School of Statesmanship, the Department of Philosophy and Religion, the Collegiate Scholars Program, and the Lyceum.

Howland’s first talk “On the Crisis of Liberal Education in America” will discuss the current education restructure happening at the University of Tulsa.

According to The University of Tulsa’s website, they are currently undergoing a process of eliminating 15 departments and 40% of the academic programs it offers. The university is also eliminating its business and law schools to create a single “professional college” and create one general education curriculum called “university studies.”

“My talk will place the recent destruction of the University of Tulsa in the broader context of the ‘reengineering’ of American education according to the priorities of corporatist progressivism,” Howland said in an email.

Professor of History Paul Rahe worked with Howland for many years at the University of Tulsa and wanted to bring him to campus.

“He is at the center of a struggle to prevent the trustees and administration of the University of Tulsa from destroying the place as a liberal arts institution,” Rahe said in an email.

Rahe sees the liberal arts

being threatened from both sides -- those on the left striving to indoctrinate and those on the right striving to make colleges “job-training” centers.

“One reason for bringing Jacob here is that he has given a great deal of thought to this process of dissolution,” Rahe said. “He can talk both about the particulars of the Tulsa situation and about the draft of things nationally.”

Howland’s second lecture will focus on philosophical topics and be geared toward anyone interested in philosophy or the Christian religion.

“My talk is connected with the theme of liberal education which nourishes and strengthens the individual as such,” Howland said.

“Kierkegaard relates the obliteration of individual character in the present age to the increasingly inhuman babble that today fills our ears and drowns out the Word of God.” Howland has written several books on Plato and the Talmud, Kierkegaard, and related authors.

“Both the Talmud and Kierkegaard are significant,” Rahe said. “Neither has much of a place in our curriculum, so he can supplement what we do.”

The two lectures are for undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty with interest in the future of the American university and the teachings of a prominent philosopher.

“My hope is that the attendees will emerge from the first lecture with a sense of what the world of education out there is going to be like,” Rahe said. “And from the second lecture with a deeper understanding of the relationship between reason and revelation within the Christian world.”

Mock Trial sweeps tourney By | Sutton Dunwoodie Senior Reporter Two Hillsdale mock trial teams competed in the “Hoosier Hoedown” in Bloomington, Indiana last weekend, where the A-team won the tournament with an 8-0 sweep of the ballots.

The tournament featured four rounds of trials. During each round, teams had a chance to win up to two ballots, which are awarded by judges. The team with the most ballots at the end of four rounds wins the tournament.

After racing through the first three rounds of the competition without losing a ballot, the A-team faced the A-squad from the University of Michigan, the 21st ranked team in the country. By defeating Michigan’s A-team, Hillsdale earned their first perfect score at a tournament this year.

Junior Sophia Klomparens, captain of the A-team, said this was the first time this lineup had ever competed together. Klomparens said the win was reassuring as the team moves towards the postseason.

“It gives us a lot of confidence going into Regionals knowing we can get that kind of record from a tournament that is actually much harder than Regionals is going to be,” Klomparens said.

Senior Lauren Eicher said the team experimented with some new material and roles during the tournament and is still adjusting to them. She said the team will look to cut words to save time moving forward.

Eicher credited freshman Megan Williams with having one of the key performances over the weekend as Detective Chesney.

Despite having never played the role before, Williams won an outstanding witness award. “(Williams) was poised, professional, and knew all her facts,” Eicher said. “It was super exciting to see all her hard work pay off.”

The B-team also competed in Bloomington over the weekend and ended the tournament with a 3-5 record. Team captain Andrew Simpson said the team will only get better as it adjusts to the new material written over winter break. Simpson said this was also the first time the B-team lineup had competed together.

“We definitely don’t lack in talent—it’s just polish and that just takes a bit more time,” Simpson said.

The B-team has several freshmen on the roster, and Simpson said the newcomers to the team had a strong showing this weekend.

“We definitely had some strong performances from some freshmen witnesses.

Jenny Wiland and Ethan Tong both play experts and they did a fabulous job this weekend,” Simpson said.

The next time the two teams compete will be at the regional competition in Indianapolis, Indiana on Feb. 8-9. The podium finishers at that meet will advance to the Opening Round Championship Series. Since 2013, Hillsdale has never failed to qualify a team for the Opening Round Championship Series.

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Students partner with Alpha Omega center, promote abstinence education sentations.

“I think that is effective ships through Willing to By | Julia Mullins “The number has actually particularly when it’s high Wait, an organization out of City News Editor been really good because school students speaking Grand Rapids that has creatStudents from Hillswe were all able to be there to high school students, or ed a curriculum for schools dale College began a new for the presentation, and here, college students speak- to teach students about sexpartnership with the Alpha that’s about the number who ing to high school students,” ual risk avoidance and the Omega Care Center in Hills- can go to each presentation Lutz said. “There can be a benefits of abstinence. dale. Through the Respect without it being super overtendency to listen to your Berryhill added that the Everything About Life and whelming,” Berryhill said. peers a little more, knowing program focused on enLove Program, the stuThe team gave its first that there are actually other couraging abstinence from a dents share personal stories presentation last fall to a young people walking this secular, rather than a faithabout healthy friendships youth group at Hillsdale out.” based perspective, which she and sexual relationships, Free Methodist Church.

Lutz said he thinks it’s thought would be helpful for promoting abstinence eduBerryhill said the kids were great that REALL is back speaking at public schools in cation to local schools and ages 11-16, and she received and hopes that people can the area. The REALL Team, youth groups. Sophomore positive feedback from those use the program to oversimilar to Willing to Wait, Sophia Berryhill, the REALL in attendance. Berryhill said come their own mistakes emphasizes the need to form Program student director, relationships based on said she started volmutual respect for indiunteering at Alpha viduals and their bodies.

Omega her freshman “It was actually really year before starting cool to hear about these the program. issues from a more secu“I want to be lar perspective,” Berrya midwife, and I hill said. “Definitely at always knew that I Hillsdale, it’s a lot easier was really passionfor us to go to talk to ate about women’s youth groups and deliver health and caring for that message through a women,” Berryhill Christian setting.” said. “It seemed like After attending Willthe perfect place for ing to Wait, Sophia said me to volunteer.” she is now more comThe program has fortable and confident come in and out of presenting to students in existence over the public schools because past 30 years and she can use healthwas originally called based facts about STDs Concerned About and contraceptives to Teen Sexuality. promote abstinence and REALL Team Adult healthy sexual relationDirector Nancy ships.

DeBacker, who orig“We can deliver a inally started CATS, message that doesn’t said she approached fall on deaf ears by Berryhill about revibringing the teens into talizing the program. the conversation and “Hillsdale College seeing it from another students have been side that they haven’t making an impact on seen before,” Berryhill the community and said. “I think it’s easy to sharing their heart make that association with people about of: ‘Oh, it’s just Christian choosing healthy retheology being shoved lationships since the down my throat,’ but ’90s,” DeBacker said.

I think that was really “It’s fun to work with cool to see these issues them and helping from a more educational them get to know standpoint.” what the pregnancy Berryhill said she center movement is hopes more people will about.” consider joining the REDeBacker enALL Team this semester, couraged students to Alpha Omega Care Center provides baby clothes for women in the Hillsas it prepares to deliver bring back the REALL dale area. facebook more presentations to local program, and she said young adults. Beginning in Berryhill was the first the team is currently reachand help other young adults. February, the REALL Team student to take initiative ing out to schools and youth “I think it’s infinitely will meet on Tuesday nights with recruiting other stugroups to give more presen- important for the message at 7 p.m. in the Formal dents. tations this semester. of abstinence until marLounge.

“Sophia caught the fire, Hillsdale College Direcriage to be something that In the long-run, Berryhill and we revived the REALL tor of Health and Wellness students constantly have said she hopes the REALL program,” DeBacker said.

Brock Lutz was involved before them,” Lutz said. “It’s Team will continue after she “It has been a delight to see with CATS, the program’s morally, emotionally, and graduates and have a more her take hold of the leaderoriginal name, when he relationally the best way to consistent presence in the ship here. She’s done such a was a student at Hillsdale walk through dating relacommunity, so people can great job with outreach and College. He said it’s helpful tionships and marriage. It’s reach out to the program getting other students to for kids in the community important for us as a college and recognize what it does. participate.” to hear testimonies about culture to be talking about She also looks forward to REALL is currently made healthy relationships from these things.” more speaking opportuniup of five members, two college students. Lutz said Berryhill said that she ties in local schools. boys and three girls. Memit’s beneficial for students in and DeBaker attended a “Hopefully, it’ll be more bers share their own stories the community to hear from training program about edwell-known in the commuabout healthy and unhealthy people committed to being ucating young adults about nity as well as on campus,” relationships through preabstinent. sexual activity and relationBerryhill said.

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Slack, and “Deliberation and Legislation” with Cotton.

While Spalding and Mehan’s classes are part of the core and meet weekly, the program allows for one-credit classes, like those offered by Arnn, Cotton, and Slack this semester.

These one-credit courses are generally scheduled to meet on a couple of separate weekends. Setting up elective, one-credit courses this way allows for special guests like senators, justices, or other public officials to teach courses, as well as encourage professors from Hillsdale’s Michigan campus to come and teach in D.C. The program is designed for working professionals, such as government staffers and lawmakers, journalists and media professionals, lawyers, think-tank analysts, and domestic and foreign- policy experts.

Steve Schaefer is a student at the graduate school and also a lawyer at the Office for Civil Rights in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, where he works on conscience and

religious freedom issues.

Though Schaefer is already a lawyer, he wanted to attend Hillsdale’s graduate school because of its mission and dedication to the American founding.

“I wanted to go to a college that I could trust to do what it says it will do —provide me the opportunity to learn from knowledgeable professors and classmates who are dedicated to the ideas of the American founding, and who want to learn-in-orderto-lead,” Schaefer said in an email. “As an attorney, and former high school U.S. government teacher, Hillsdale provides the education that I always wanted, and quite frankly, everyone should receive to be an informed American citizen.”

Schaefer is taking all four classes offered this semester.

He said he’s enjoying his coursework and finding it challenging.

“The most challenging aspect of the courses is to reject the prevailing modern narratives surrounding history and historical figures, and to learn about historical figures and their decisions from examining what they actually

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thought in the context of the times that they lived,” he said.

One student said it’s challenging to juggle not just coursework, but also his fulltime job and his family life.

“How am I balancing?

With lots of caffeine, some very, very early mornings, and some late, late nights,” he said in an email. “But it’s worth it. It isn’t often that one has such an opportunity to study the things we are studying, so I am trying to relish every last drop of my time at Hillsdale during this season.”

Schaefer is also learning to balance his rigorous schedule of four courses and a full-time job. “It’s all about the maxim that my high school teachers told me and I ignored — ‘use your time wisely,’” Schaefer said.

“Reading during commutes is a good idea. I have a history of being a glutton for punishment, and went to law school at night, while teaching full-time. I am really good at doing things this way.”

But even though the studies may be demanding, many of the students are enjoying them so far. One student said a favorite thing about the program is the “exposure to

great academics, scholars, and professionals who work in the realm of politics.”

Schaefer has also enjoyed the environment and focus of the program.

“I have a passion for learning about the ideas and people who influenced the creation of America, and it is clear that the professors and students are devoted to the same endeavor — reviving the virtues essential for self-government and happiness in America,” he said.

As the graduate students in D.C. start their studies and continue in their jobs, they are looking to the future and what they will be able to do with the education Hillsdale’s providing them.

One student is thinking of using his education to find a way to combine his love for politics and religion and the intersection between them.

Schaefer wants to use his education for leading and educating those around him.

“I want to use my education to lead, and to educate others,” Schaefer said. “Everyone is a teacher — in word and deed.”

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News Bon Appetit to partner with Physical Wellness class revamped Glei’s for local produce

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January 30, 2020

and it supports your local ten yields fresher ingredients By | Austin Gergens communities,” he said. “A because preservatives are not Collegian Reporter lot of times there is also a necessary to transport over This past November, with lot of waste behind food in a short distances. grocery store that is typically Glei’s has been a local necessary paperwork comfamily run busipleted, Glei’s Orness for 101 years, chards and Greenand is currently houses partnered run by the grandwith Bon Appetit son of the original as a local provider owner. of apples and apple Just over three cider. The partnermiles from camship comes as Bon pus, the orchard Appetit attempts to uses safe methods achieve their goal to keep apples of purchasing 20% fresh all year of their prodround. ucts from locally By replacing the sourced providers oxygen with nitrothrough their Farm gen in controlled to Fork initiative. atmosphere storagWith the partes, Glei’s can store nership, Glei’s joins apples all year long the list of multiple after harvesting. other local food “You basically providers that put them to sleep have partnered and can store with Bon Appethem year-round tit through the to keep them just initiative including as fresh as when Zingerman’s Coffee they came off the in Ann Arbor, street,” owner and Blue Hat Coffee Glei’s will provide local apples and cider as part of general manager in Coldwater, and the partnership. Regan Meyer | Collegian Damon Glei said.

Gunthorp Farms in reduced when you’re buying “Some arguably taste better LaGrange, Indiana. from a farmer.” after they’ve been stored for “We’re looking to expand Crop waste can occur a while.” partnerships where it makes when farmers feel the After a recent census with sense and is strategically pressure to only sell the the USDA, the orchard now beneficial to both parties, “ best-looking fruit to grocery has 75,000 trees in producHillsdale Bon Appetit Gention, and Glei anticipates a eral Manager David Apthor- stores, and dump the ugly parts of their crops that gromuch larger crop coming pe said. “It’s a challenge to cery stores won’t buy. soon. purchase 20% of our food “We don’t really care “We put our name on it, locally, but it is a goal.” about that,” Persson said, “If and you don’t make it 100 Marketing Coordinator they have a weird looking years by putting your name Wiliam Persson believes the on a bad product,” Glei said, Farm to Fork program is im- potato, we’ll buy it.”

“Just because it’s ugly “I don’t want someone to portant for the many benefits doesn’t mean it’s not good,” have a bad experience; if I it provides to the consumer he said. have my name on it, that’s and the provider.

Buying local products ofon me.”

“The food is fresher

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After graduating, Caldwell qualified for the 2016 Olympic Trials in the pole vault. In 2018, she switched her focus to competitive weightlifting.

Caldwell has competed in eight USA championships.

Mustapha competed at the varsity level in track, basketball, football, and baseball for Hillsdale and holds school records in football and baseball. Mustapha said that one thing that attracted him to Hillsdale was the ability to play multiple sports.

“The variety of playing different roles from the main player to a role player was so critical in my development of working well in a team,” Mustapha said in an email.

“I knew it would benefit me later in life. And I just love to compete, so it offered the chance to always be training and competing.”

During the 2000 football season, Mustapha earned

All-American honors by intercepting 11 passes, the most in Division II for that season.

Four of the interceptions were in the same game. Both of those achievements remain school records. Mustapha went on to set the school record with 21 total interceptions. In baseball, Mustapha continues to hold the career records for walks and runs scored.

The 1992, 1993, and 1994 men’s cross country teams will be the first cross country teams ever to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. All three teams won the GLIAC conference championship and finished on the podium at the NAIA national championships.

Bill Lundberg, assistant professor and director of Hayden Park, was the head coach of all three teams and was awarded the NAIA National Coach of the Year award in 1994. Lundberg

said there were many reasons those teams dominated but said the culture of dedication was what separated them from other teams.

“The distinction on those particular teams was the drive and determination of those guys just wanting anything and everything,” Lundberg said. “They had that tremendous desire and work ethic.

To see their talent applied with that, we were blessed, we were blessed.”

Lundberg said he still keeps in touch with some of the runners, but said he’s looking forward to reconnecting with some of the athletes at the Hall of Fame ceremony.

“When you think about when you give and you do things as a professor and a coach, I’ve been blessed just to receive so much back,” Lundberg said. “I still recall that camaraderie and those special relationships.”

By | Reagan Gensejiewski Collegian Reporter With a stronger focus on mental and emotional wellness, a new curriculum for the core class, Physical Wellness and Dynamics is in a trial run this semester. Two different sections of the class are testing the new curriculum. In addition to the two trial classes, Friday physical activity labs have been eliminated for all sections, and class sessions are now held only on Monday and Wednesday to better adjust to the two-credit class. Initially, the Physical Wellness and Dynamics curriculum was taught around the five components of fitness: cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and body composition. That curriculum then transitioned into educating students on how their decisions affect their brain and body.

The experimental classes have essentially flipped the old curriculum, focusing first on how the brain works and reacts to a person’s decisions.

Students watch videos, read articles, and complete group projects to help further their understanding of the brain’s habits. The main goal of the course is stress management and striving for one’s ideal lifestyle that focuses on one’s ideal virtues and morals.

“The goal is to provide a thorough education about the benefits of a proper lifestyle, which of course includes physical activity and way beyond that, the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, and the dangers of a lifestyle that is not healthy.” Athletic Director Don Brubacher said. “A healthy lifestyle encompasses nutrition, sleep, activity, management of stress, quality of relationships.”

The new curriculum also spends more class time focused on building healthy relationships. Last semester Brock Lutz, Director of Health and Wellness, gave a video presentation on quality relationships that was shown to each of the physical wellness class sections.

Lutz references the wellness wheel in his video presentation. The wellness wheel focuses on the different aspects of wellness including physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional.

“We were pleasantly surprised with how well the idea of talking about human relationships was requested to the point where we decided we needed to expand.” said Physical Wellness and Dynamics teacher and head swim coach Kurt Kirner. “We are now getting to the point where we are designing the course around the wellness wheel.”

Though the Friday lab has been eliminated, a few

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labs will be implemented on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Per student input, these labs will be focused on self-defense. In substitution of the Friday labs, students will be responsible for 150 minutes of exercise per week that they will track and record on their own. While in class, they will receive suggestions on different ways to meet this requirement. The system is based on the honor code.

Freshman Jed Thomas is in one of the two experimental sections this semester and is having a positive experience with the switch.

“The new physical wellness curriculum is not only very informative but it is also extremely applicable to our everyday lives,” Thomas said.

“Having a scientific understanding of how our brain reacts to exercise magnifies the importance of a daily exercise regiment.”

If the experimental classes prove beneficial, the whole curriculum is likely to make the switch next semester.

Kirner said that he is hopeful for the new direction that the course is taking.

“It is a course that is designed around an awareness of the student’s lifestyle and trying to find ways to continue to improve upon that and make their lives based around values,” Kirner said.

Man Up series to continue with retreat By | Cal Abbo Features Editor This semester, the Man Up series resumes with an on-campus silent retreat. The event will begin Friday, Jan. 31 at 5:20 p.m. and last until Saturday, Feb. 1 at 10:00 p.m.

Associate Dean of Men Jeff Rogers said he structured the event in three tiers for students who couldn’t commit to the full time. If a student chooses the first tier, he will stay at the retreat the entire time, including meals.

The second tier commits to most of the event with a few exceptions, and the third tier will only join the group at specific times, like when the group prays.

Last semester, as a part of the Man Up series, Rogers took students to Fort Custer, a military post near Battle Creek, Michigan, where students participated in “manly activities” like marching, scaling ladders, crawling under barbed wire, and getting around other difficult obstacles.

This time around, Rogers said he wants to emphasize

the other part of manliness.

“Now, we’re training your interior fortitude, your soul,” he said.

Assistant RA and junior Jeremiah O’Brien will attend the event as a third-tier participant. “It’ll be a new experience for me and a lot of the guys attending,” he said.

“I think it will be a nice break from the constant grind of school.”

“Do you feel a distance from God?” the flier reads. “Is there something in you that wants to take a time-out from everything to truly listen, pray, and reflect?”

O’Brien said he thinks the retreat is a good way for Hillsdale’s men to participate in more religious activities and get away from the world’s distractions. “Hopefully, it will allow guys to contemplate and deepen their relationships with God.” Rogers said this silent retreat is meant to engage men in a conversation with God. According to him, the modern world is just too busy. Phones and media take up too much of our time, and we don’t spend enough time

in silence, reflecting, and praying, he said.

According to Galloway Full RA and senior Ethan Visser, Rogers relies on the male RA teams to recruit students for the Man Up events.

“They talked about the importance of spiritual life in being men and how a big part of spiritual life for the Church fathers is silence and solitude,” he said.

Visser pointed to passages in the Bible which suggest that silence is an important aspect to hearing God’s voice.

To Rogers, the silence featured in the retreat allows men to wade into “deeper waters” in their walk with God. “We all need to pray more,” he said. “Do you ever feel like the silence is too loud, so you put something on in the background? God speaks in that silence, and now you can hear from Him.” Later this semester, the Man Up series will switch back to physicality with a wrestling tournament, similar to past Man Up events.

Students can RSVP for the silent retreat by scanning the QR code on the event posters.

New campus club to focus on midwifery education By | Elizabeth Bachmann Assistant Editor Four Hillsdale women pursuing careers in midwifery set out this semester to amend misconceptions about midwifery, and stand with women in the Hillsdale community through the newly approved Midwifery Education Club.

At their kick-off meeting Tuesday, sophomore and president Sophia Berryhill stated the club’s mission: to raise awareness about midwifery as both a career option and a birthing option, and to support pregnant women in the broader Hillsdale community through outreach and fundraising.

The club centers itself strongly around the word “midwife” itself, meaning “with woman.” Every event the club organizes will center around the best way to serve women in the community, according to Berryhill.

Club members can look forward to upcoming events like partnerships with and fundraisers for Alpha Omega Care Center and the Early Pregnancy Loss Association, as well as panels of professional midwives, nurse midwives, and OBGYNs, and even documentaries about birthing options and midwifery.

“We wanted to partner with that career aspect, but

also educate people about midwifery as a birth option because so many people at Hillsdale want to have families someday,” Berryhill said.

“When you do that, we want women to recognize that they do have a choice.”

Berryhill emphasized that people often overlook both the professionalism of midwifery and the variety of birthing options midwives present. A woman can choose between a hospital birth, a hospital birth overseen by a nurse midwife, a birthing center birth with a certified midwife, or, as long as she has no health complications, a home birth with a certified midwife.

Secretary of the Midwifery Education Club, sophomore Molly Buccola, said that women often don’t take advantage of midwifery services either because they don’t know about them or don’t trust them.

“Oftentimes when I tell people I am getting a degree in biochemistry and am becoming a midwife they are like, ‘Why do you need a science?’” Buccola said. “There are a lot of archaic notions of midwifery that permeate campus. People don’t realize that midwifery is a legitimate medical service. We are licenced medical providers for normal births. That takes a lot of pharmacology,

clinical skills, physiognomy, biology.”

Bucolla, Berryhill, and junior Phoebe Fink, club vice

in the mother’s home or at a small birth clinic, where beds, couches, nitrous oxide — a laughing gas more gentle

Founders of the Midwifery Education Club pose at their first meeting of the semester. Elizabeth Bachmann | Collegian

president, all stressed that midwives can oversee a birth

than epidurals — jaccusies, and other holistic pain relief

options make the process more natural, calming, and mother centered than at a hospital.

Midwifery has long been a career aspiration for Fink, but she said hearing about her sister-in-law’s birth story affirmed her aspirations.

“My sister-in-law had a baby with a midwife. She was on her hands and knees on the floor laboring and the midwife said, ‘It is time to deliver this baby, do you want to get on the bed or stay here?’” Fink said. “She stayed on the floor because it was more comfortable for her in that moment whereas most doctors make you stay in bed so they can see what is going on, but that actually makes it harder to use all the muscles you need to push.”

A midwife, Fink said, is more concerned about the natural process of birth which will happen whether the mother is in a hospital or not.

It was talking with Fink and others that first inspired Berryhill to pursue midwifery. She entered Hillsdale prepared to major in biochemistry and continue on to medical school to become a doctor. However, she began exploring alternative career choice options, and eventually decided to become a nurse midwife.

“I want to be a midwife

because I want to serve women with my career, and midwifery is something that I know I can do that best,” Berryhill said. “I want to be there for women in one of the most impactful and life-changing experiences of her life and connect through compassion, empathy, and commitment to make her birth the best and most rewarding experiences of her life. I cannot see myself doing anything else.”

Bucolla gave similar reasons for pursuing a career in midwifery, but emphasized that most importantly, to serve a mother through midwifery is to guide her towards the most natural birthing experience and show her what, as a midwife, she already believes about birth.

“I am really excited to give women the opportunity to know what a midwife is and to educate them on the idea that they could have a non-invasive, healthy, powerful birth experience where they are in control, they have a birth plan, and they have a midwife who is their friend and has empathy,” Buccola said. “A lot of women think their only option is a hospital where you have 10 different nurses. I think it is so important for women to have powerful, healthy, relational experiences in birthing.”

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Online: www.hillsdalecollegian.com Editor-in-Chief | Nolan Ryan Associate Editor | Abby Liebing News Editor | Regan Meyer City News Editor | Julia Mullins Opinions Editor | Alex Nester Sports Editor | S. Nathaniel Grime Culture Editor | Stefan Kleinhenz Features Editor | Cal Abbo Web Content Editor | Alexis Daniels Circulation Manager | Regan Meyer Assistant Editors | Elizabeth Bachmann | Liam Bredberg | Emma Cummins | Ashley Kaitz |Rachel Kookogey | Sofia Krusmark | Victoria Marshall | Calli Townsend | Ben Wilson 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 anester@hilldale.edu before Saturday at 3 p.m.

The Weekly: Mourn with the mourning The opinion of The Collegian editorial staff

In the wake of the tragic death of Kobe Bryant, an athletic and cultural icon, some are using this opportunity to propagate an agenda.

When basketball legend Bryant died in a helicopter accident on Sunday, alongside his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven other people, the world united in mourning the loss of an icon — except for the woke Washington Post reporter Felicia Sonmez.

During this outpouring of love for Bryant, Sonmez offered her condolences by tweeting an article from 2016 titled “Kobe Bryant’s Disturbing Rape Case: The DNA Evidence, the Accuser’s Story,

and the Half-Confession.”

While a conversation about the allegations against Bryant may be relevant at some point, out of respect for the dead, let’s at least wait until after the funeral to discuss them.

Sonmez probably thinks she was brave for being contrarian and focusing on the stain on his name (this is the age of #BelieveAllWomen), but let’s hope she never has to mourn loved ones while those around her talk about anything other than their goodness.

Let us also remind ourselves of the obituary the Washington Post wrote in

memory of Al-Baghdadi, the leader of ISIS, referring to him at first as an “austere religious scholar.” They’re fine praising a known terrorist, but not Bryant.

Meanwhile, Bryant’s wife is without a husband, his kids are without a father, his parents are without a son, and the world is without a hero.

Unfortunately, Sonmez isn’t the only problem. She is just one of many journalists who forget their humanity because their journalistic pride is in the way. It’s not the story that matters to journalists like this — it’s all about them.

When President George

H.W. Bush died a little more than a year ago, the Associated Press broke the news and described his presidency as one that “plummeted in the throes of a weak economy that lead voters to turn him out of office after a single term.”

If we can’t take a moment to recognize the impact a sports legend or president had on our nation as a whole, if we can’t have the decency and respect to discuss their positive influence — while saving the negativity for another time — and if not even death can bring us together, then we don’t have much at all.

Donald Trump’s March for Life Bryant left legacy appearance hurts the movement of dedication, perseverance

By | Cal Abbo Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others died in a fatal helicopter crash Sunday morning.

Bryant was 41 years old and retired from the NBA just four years ago. His extraordinary work ethic preceded any conversation of his athleticism. He was likely the hardest-working NBA player to date, and somehow, that seems like an understatement.

Over the years, many stories have surfaced demonstrating Bryant’s work ethic.

He frequented the court at the most dreadful hours of the morning. In one instance, while preparing for the Olympics, Bryant called a trainer at 4 a.m. asking for help at the gym. The trainer arrived, worked with Bryant for a few hours, and left to get some sleep while Bryant went to the practice floor to cool down with some shots.

The trainer came back to the facility for the team’s practice at 11 a.m. to see Bryant once again shooting to warm up. In conversation, Bryant revealed he had never stopped shooting after the trainer left, and he went on to finish a full day’s practice with the rest of Team USA. Bryant left a legacy of relentless and unapologetic commitment to bettering himself and inspiring others to follow his lead.

Since his childhood, Bryant and his family have been strong Catholics. Throughout his life, including after an affair in 2003, he relied on his faith to keep himself on track.

Bryant’s commitment did not end with his basketball career. After his retirement, Bryant wanted to improve his business skills and reached out to several successful entrepreneurs. Chris Sacca, a young billionaire and proprietor of a venture capital firm, was one of Bryant’s contacts.

Sacca didn’t think Bryant was serious and referred him to a few starter books and podcasts, thinking it would turn Bryant off.

In the following months, Bryant would text Sacca day in and day out, asking questions and soliciting more advice.

“At 3 a.m., he would be on his physical therapy treadmill and call me,” Sacca said.

“His obsession with learning this stuff was so 24/7.”

With his money, Bryant and his family’s foundation did a lot for the community. The foundation focuses on helping the youth and homeless in Orange County.

It operates a soccer club for homeless youth as well as an organization dedicated to providing permanent housing for the local homeless population.

Since his retirement, Bryant dedicated a lot of his time to his four daughters, especially helping them with their athletic careers.

One viral meme shows a video of Bryant at a basketball game, courtside, with his daughter Gianna. She listened intently as Bryant pointed around the court, offering his sage advice to the young basketball player.

Gianna wanted to attend the University of Connecticut for women’s basketball and continue her family’s basketball legacy.

No matter how hard he worked, Bryant encountered many problems in his career.

In high school, because of his extraordinary talent, Bryant was most comfortable leading his team. But when he first entered the NBA, he clashed with teammate Shaquille O’Neal, another legendary player, who held a dominant role on the team because of his experience.

Bryant had to adjust his playstyle, and he did so successfully, contributing to three consecutive championships while playing with O’Neal. Bryant learned these lessons — humility, cooperation, and putting the team before oneself — during his time with O’Neal, and they shined throughout the rest of his career both on and off the court.

Bryant was committed to winning and winning only, no matter what he had to do.

“I’ll do whatever it takes to win games,” Bryant said.

“Whether it’s sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot.”

More often than not, that meant hitting the game-winning shot. Bryant’s work ethic coupled with his fixation on winning made him a dangerous player.

I’ve spent several nights over the years following a rabbit hole of Kobe Bryant Youtube compilations. They haven’t gotten old yet and they probably never will.

Specifically, Bryant made one fadeaway shot over Lebron James, a world-class defender. James played virtually perfect defense, sticking to Bryant like glue, as he jumps back. James reaches out and almost blocks the ball, but Bryant compensates by firing at an ungodly angle with deadly accuracy. The ball grazes the top of the camera frame, hanging in the air for what seems like minutes, before sinking into the basket — a perfect swoosh.

“How can a human make that shot?” I thought.

But I knew the answer. It was an easy one for Bryant.

He made that shot 500 times this season alone, in the dead of night, on the practice floor.

Sometimes, that’s what it takes to win.

Cal Abbo is a senior studying psychology and a columnist on Democratic politics.

He is the features editor for The Collegian.

By | Nolan Ryan President Donald Trump made history as the first sitting president to attend the annual March for Life last Friday, but his presence hurt more than helped the pro-life movement.

This year was my fourth time attending the March in D.C., and it was, by far, the most Trump-crazed one I’ve yet seen. That makes sense.

But while walking toward the National Mall, I saw several vendors selling Trump merchandise (complete with T-shirts that read “Impeach This,” showing Trump flipping the bird), scores of MAGA hats, a flag with a Trump-as-Rambo image, and various signs praising the president for one accomplishment or another.

I got an odd feeling in my stomach. Had I walked into a Trump campaign rally? This was supposed to be the March for Life, not the March for Trump.

“They are coming after me because I am fighting for you,” he said, obviously referencing the ongoing impeachment proceedings. But the March isn’t the place for Trump to set himself up as a political martyr.

Several mainstream media outlets posted March for Life coverage, the lack of which pro-lifers have bemoaned in past years.

As expected, however, the articles almost never explored the reasons we were protesting or what people thought about the March itself. Most of these articles instead covered the pre-March rally as if it were a giant campaign event for the president’s re-

election bid.

No one doubts that Trump’s presence at the March is newsworthy. Editors would have been fools if they hadn’t assigned reporters.

But they refused to tell the whole story about the March and the pro-life movement’s efforts there.

One NPR article featured interviews with protestors at the rally, but it only highlighted their thoughts regarding the president. The piece didn’t include what protestors had to say on the March itself or even why they’re pro-life.

Meanwhile, USA Today reported that after the president’s speech, the crowd began chanting “four more years.” That’s the kind of thing you’d expect from a campaign rally — especially when the March has seen so many of its own chants over the years, like “We love babies, how ‘bout you?” or “Hey, hey. Ho, ho. Roe v. Wade has got to go.”

Trump certainly had some good things to say at the rally, especially early on in his address: “Together, we must protect, cherish, and defend the dignity and the sanctity of every human life,” he said.

He soon turned the speech to focus on himself, though, as he resorted to rehashing his list of pro-life actions.

And, to be sure, pro-lifers should applaud what he’s done with the Mexico City policy and Title IX, for example.

But as pro-lifers, we must be wary of regarding our president as the darling of the pro-life movement. Trump went too far in his address when he arrogantly asserted

that “unborn children have never had a stronger defender in the White House.” His tweet on May 18 would beg to differ.

“As most people know, and for those who would like to know, I am strongly Pro-Life, with the three exceptions — Rape, Incest and protecting the Life of the mother — the same position taken by Ronald Reagan,” he tweeted.

Many people in the conservative wing of the pro-life movement would tell you they don’t support exceptions for rape and incest. Talk show hosts Ben Shapiro and Matt Walsh have both spoken out against such exceptions.

All unborn children are living human beings made in the image of God, and the circumstances leading to their conception, no matter how horrible and heart-breaking, don’t change their value as persons. The fact that Trump tries to justify this view by name-dropping Ronald Reagan seems nothing short of political expediency, especially as he tries to keep his core evangelical voting bloc.

Besides, some have speculated that Trump paid for women’s abortions in the past. We can’t affirm these claims until we see real evidence, but he has never directly answered the question as to whether he has paid for an abortion.

New York Times writer Maureen Dowd said in 2016 that, during an interview, she asked if he was involved with anyone who had an abortion.

“Such an interesting question,” he reportedly said. “So what’s your next question?”

Beyond his inconsistencies

in pro-life views, Trump also hasn’t demonstrated he values human life across the board.

Pro-lifers can’t just wish away his derogatory comments about women, minorities, and the disabled — who all have the same human value as unborn children.

Trump publicly apologized for his filthy comments in 2005 about groping women, but there seems to be no end to possible cases of sexual misconduct on his part.

Especially with the March’s pro-woman theme this year, we don’t need to make a prolife icon of a man who even places himself in situations where there’s the slightest insinuation of improper behavior.

In a time when America is more divided than ever, the pro-life movement needs to strengthen itself across party and idealogical lines.

Conservative groups fighting abortion need to join arms with similar groups on the left, like Democrats for Life of America.

Protestants and Roman Catholics have linked arms in this battle against a culture of death. It’s time for Republicans, Democrats, and independants to do the same if we’re going to have a good chance of actually seeing our nation embrace a wholistically pro-life view.

Lifting up Trump as a pro-life savior is only going to hurt our chances in that regard.

Nolan Ryan is a senior studying English. He is the editor-in-chief of The Collegian.

Brexit brings freedom to UK — but it’s not free By | Alex Nester After three and a half years of debates, delays, and demands, the United Kingdom will finally leave the European Union tomorrow, Jan. 31, 2020. The final arrangements are messy, but also guarantee success at a fair price for Brexiters.

Nearly half of those who voted to leave the EU on June 23, 2016, said they did so because they believe that decisions made for the UK should be made within the UK. Others voted to take back control of their immigration laws.

Gaining the freedom of self-determination comes at a cost — for the United States, that cost was the Revolutionary War. Though the UK likely will not have to shed blood for its independence from the EU, it will have to fork out billions to the bloc. It also risks its relations with Northern Ireland and Scotland.

As Brexit Party Leader Nigel Farage said, maintaining national sovereignty and rallying against globalist governments are critical to preserve freedom, as demonstrated by the World Wars.

“Social democratic politics that have overtaken Britain, Europe, and America were happy to give that all away,” he told Inside Sources in 2017.

Farage is right on both points.

This version of Brexit is

certainly not a clean divorce from the globalist, unrepresentative EU that many Leavers dreamt of and voted for in 2016. But then again, no divorce is.

A strongly-Remain parliament stalled the process of Brexit for the past 42 months.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson called for an election last December, which brought a sweeping victory for his Conservative Party. The election was historic, booting many Remainers from office and paving the way for a pro-Brexit Parliament to pass a bill.

Johnson’s Withdraw Agreement Bill passed through Parliament unamended on Friday, Jan. 22.

Then Brussels passed the terms of the Brexit deal by a massive margin, 621 to 49, on Wednesday. Britain will be officially out of the EU on Friday.

For the past 43 years, bureaucrats in Brussels have had the final say on UK’s labor, immigration, and environmental policies. But the EU has shown countless times its inability to manage much of anything — recall its mismanagement of the refugee crisis from 2015-16.

Now, the UK will have the right to determine its own immigration, environmental, trade, and labor policies, as any nation should have the

right to do.

The UK will abide by the European Union’s regulations until the end of 2020. This transition period is necessary for the UK to form trade deals with the EU and other nations. Johnson’s deal does not allow for another extension of the transition period beyond December 2020, meaning Britain will not be entangled in the EU’s policies for much longer than it needs to negotiate deals. And the UK won’t slip back into the bloc.

But leaving comes at a cost.

The UK will have to pay its yearly dues to the EU for 2019 and 2020, costing more than $22 billion combined — more than half of the $43 billion financial settlement to the bloc.

It’s also important to note how the deal impacts relations between regions within the UK. Disputes between Britain and Northern Ireland, called “the Troubles,” tore apart communities along the border as recently as two decades ago — well within the lifetime of many GenZ’ers. The EU brought peace between the Nationalists, individuals who want to unite Ireland and typically identify as Irish Catholics, and the Loyalists, those who identify as British Protestants. Britain and Ireland’s membership in the EU assured free trade across the border of Britain

and Northern Ireland.

Free trade and free movement across this border must be the first thing Britain addresses to protect the region from another bloody conflict.

And Trident, the UK’s main nuclear deterrent system — which includes four submarines as well as missiles and warheads — are located at a naval base in Scotland.

Further, Scotland’s 2014 referendum on whether or not to remain in the UK was predicated on the UK’s membership within the EU. Many predict a second Scottish referendum to create an independent Scotland that would potentially rejoin the EU. Whether or not the EU’s laws were beneficial to the UK, it’s the duty of a body of people to decide these regulations for themselves — not legislators from far-off countries, with no knowledge or connection to the British people.

The Brexit Johnson delivered isn’t entirely what Leavers wanted, or what it could have been with a better deal.

Britain is learning for themselves that achieving national sovereignty — freedom for one’s country and its people — isn’t free. But it is worth it.

Alex Nester is a senior studying economics. She is the opinions editor for The Collegian.

Opinions

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Vale SA should rebuild Border wall Brazilian city it destroyed would help

Company ignored safety concerns, leading to a dam collapse and hundreds of deaths By | Madeleine Miller On Jan. 21, former executives of Brazilian mining company Vale SA and German certification firm TUV SUD were charged with homicide and environmental crimes for misconduct that led to the catastrophic collapse of a dam above one of its mines. The charges are justly severe, but they will not absolve Vale from its duty to those affected by its crimes.

The greed and dishonesty of Vale SA destroyed a Brazilian town, and, one year later, the mining company plans to abandon it.

Brazil’s Vale owes the residents of Brumadinho more.

It ought to invest in helping the town recover — an effort that will be long-term and not just financial.

On Jan. 21, Brazilian state prosecutors charged former Vale CEO Fabio Schvartsman and 15 other employees with homicide for the deaths of the 270 caused by a dam collapse on Jan. 25. 2019. A waste damn at the Corrego de Feijao iron ore mine six miles east of Brumadinho caved in, sending 11 million cubic meters of toxic sludge careening into mining buildings, houses, and farms below.

Traveling as fast as 50 miles per hour, the mudslide was practically inescapable, and it killed at least 270 people.

In a matter of seconds, the torrent transformed the site into a mass grave. The remains of 11 victims have not yet been recovered.

Investigators found that Vale executives were aware of the dam’s weakness, but declined to make necessary repairs. German certifications firm TUV SUD inspected the dam’s safety in 2018

and found erosion, wash-out, water build-up, and cracks.

“Everything suggests [the dam] won’t pass,” wrote a senior engineering inspector at TUV SUD, according to the Wall Street Journal.

But TUV SUD was under pressure from Vale to certify the dam. If Dam 1 did not pass the safety inspection, Vale would have had to cease operations at Corrego de Feijao, which at the time produced more than $1 million worth of iron ore daily.

Refusing to certify Vale’s dam would have jeopardized TUV SUD’s partnership with the mining giant. The Brazilian government does not closely supervise relationships between mine owners and inspectors, and TUV SUD’s officers feared Vale would have retaliated by canceling business with TUV SUD had it given its operations an unfavorable review.

At the time, TUV SUD had contracts for safety audits at 30 other Vale dams.

Despite finding it unsound, and therefore unsafe, TUV SUD signed off on Dam 1’s safety inspection on Sept.

26, 2018.

If Vale was concerned with the safety of its operations, it would have wanted TUV SUD to provide an honest assessment of its facilities. That Vale coerced TUV SUD into giving it a falsely favorable review shows that Vale was not interested in protecting its employees, but only in continuing its lucrative enterprise.

On Jan. 9, 2019, Schvartsman, CFO Luciano Siani Pires, and other top officers received an email from an anonymous source warning that the company’s dams were “at their limit,” as reported by the Wall Street Journal. The source also

wrote that Vale’s operations were under-funded and under-staffed, and that its equipment was deteriorating.

Instead of investigating the conditions of the company’s facilities, Schvartsman sought the identity of the sender, dismissing him as a cantankerous employee and saying he wanted to “look at [the email’s author] eye to eye.”

Two weeks later, Dam 1 collapsed.

Vale neglected the safety of those affected by its operations. Its corruption killed 270 people.

The company can never atone for its wrongdoing, but it must do everything in its power to help Brumadinho heal from the tragedy.

Since the collapse, Vale has attempted to compensate residents of Brumadinho financially. It gave $25,000 to each victim’s family — $200,000 if they agreed to settle out of court. The company gave $13,000 to those residing near the mine and $4,000 to affected farmers and businesses.

Vale promised to pay the wages of Corrego de Feijao workers for three years and gave 100,000 men, women, and children in the area $250 a month — the equivalent of a full-time minimum wage — through December 2019.

Vale’s payout is expected to total $107 million, but the payments are not a thorough or long-term solution, and some resent them.

A Brumadinho resident told the Wall Street Journal that the cash is “just hush money.”

Still grieving, many in Brumadinho have difficulty saving for a future that seems hopeless, and make purchases to soothe their sense of loss.

Vale is right to try to compensate those affected by the collapse, but it should not believe money alone will atone. Brumadinho residents’ anguish will long outlast the cash payments.

Vale’s decision to leave Brumadinho will cost the area more than the cash payments cover. Corrego de Feijao provided 600 or more reliable jobs and contributed about one fifth of the town’s tax revenue. Brumadinho’s mayor fears the mine’s absence will decrease the town’s budget enough that he will need to cut health care, education, and other services.

Cash payments don’t provide the fulfillment of a job, and they don’t provide the foundation for a prosperous economy. Vale should help residents of Brumadinho become self-sufficient and find a new sense of purpose. The company ought to grant small-business loans and provide entrepreneur coaching and skills training to those affected by the tragedy and sponsor competent counselors to help them work through their grief.

Closing Corrego de Feijao makes good business sense for Vale: The mine contributed only 2% of the company’s total iron ore production, and would cost millions of dollars to repair. But the residents of Brumadinho will not bounce back as quickly.

It would be disrespectful for the company to resume operations on the site.

But because Vale is largely to blame for Dam 1’s collapse, the company is responsible for Brumadinho’s recovery.

handgun purchases to one per month. According to the New York Times, Democrats say these bills are just the beginning.

The most concerning piece of legislation is a red-flag law that allows officials, such as law enforcement and attorneys, to issue search warrants in order to confiscate firearms from people who are deemed dangerous to themselves or others. According to the Washington Post, the law allows police to confiscate weapons from someone based solely on a civil complaint — not for breaking the law.

Despite the media’s fears of violence, and despite the thousands of armed protesters, only one person was arrested at the rally: a woman who refused to take off the mask covering her face. She should have said she was part of Antifa.

Such pesky facts did not stop the media from calling the activists the usual names, from “white nationalists” and “white supremacists” to “white extremists,” whatever that means. This attempt by

the media to smear peaceful protesters defending their civil rights is unsurprising, but sickening nonetheless. In fact, the Washington Post went so far as to call Republican Virginia State Sen. Amanda F. Chase, who attended the rally, a “gun-toting iconoclast” known for her “provocative style.” That sounds an awful lot like sexism.

Media outlets also failed to realize that white people aren’t the only ones who care about the Second Amendment. One African-American protester said that the media “would be mad because there’s no civil unrest, they’ll be mad because there’s no fighting, they’ll be mad that nobody got locked up, they’ll be mad that all the officers are at peace — but guess what, united we stand.”

Although it might seem that Virginia’s laws can’t reach us, the steady erosion of constitutional rights will have wide-reaching effects if left unchecked. For the apathetic among us, the massive turnout at the rally should be an encouraging sign.

Despite fear-mongering and name-calling from the media, thousands of people were still willing to show up and stand up for what they know to be right.

Luckily, the protesters were able to find humor in the rank hypocrisy of the whole situation. The peaceful and multi-racial crowd of socalled “white supremacists” knew who the real racist was: Governor Ralph Northam himself. In fact, some of them decided to give him a taste of his own medicine. One protester, bearing the now-infamous yearbook photo of Northam in blackface, said it all: “Governor Northam!

I think I found the white supremacist. Unfortunately, it’s you!”

Madeleine Miller is a senior studying international business.

Media distorts pro-Second Amendment rally in Virginia By | Ashley Kaitz Anyone who remembers the mainstream media’s frenzied predictions of violence at showings of “The Joker” last year will find its coverage of the peaceful gun-rights rally in Richmond, VA on Jan. 20 strikingly similar.

Media outlets such as CNN and MSNBC agitated fears of violence ahead of the rally and anticipated a repeat of the tragic attacks in Charlottesville in 2017. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency and banned firearms from capitol grounds, saying that state intelligence found “threats and rhetoric online.”

Despite these dire predictions, the rally was peaceful, the activists were polite, and the surrounding area was left even cleaner than it was before the protest.

The rally took place after the Virginia State Senate passed a host of new gun control bills, including the criminalization of private firearm transfers, the ability for local governments to ban guns in public spaces, and restricting

Ashley Kaitz is a sophomore studying the liberal arts. She is an assistant features editor for The Collegian.

Letter to the Editor:

In conversion, remember your roots

By | Korey Maas The anomalous frequency of conversions to Catholicism at Hillsdale College is certainly newsworthy. And despite the traces of condescension and triumphalism that inevitably attend such accounts, the Collegian’s Jan. 16 article, “Core and conversation inspire Catholic conversion at Hillsdale,” did nicely illuminate the manner in which many understand their conversions. Given its emphasis on the important role conversation often plays in such journeys, however,

it is unfortunate that there was no acknowledgement of the conversations that quite regularly do not take place.

Namely, those one might expect potential converts to have early and often both with their parents and with those clergy already entrusted with their spiritual care.

“Passionate and respectful theological conversation” with Hillsdale’s “community of devoted Catholics” is all well and good — if one is not at the same time intentionally avoiding similar conversation with the equally devoted of

one’s own communion. Far too often, students whose interest in another theological tradition has been piqued simply (and silently) begin absenting themselves from worship and study at their own congregation, begin avoiding certain topics with certain professors, and, most curiously, neglect to mention any of this even to their parents until formal conversion is imminent.

Even those not inclined to cynicism might wonder whether such behavior betrays pangs of conscience or a

less than courageous desire to avoid challenging questions.

Given the well-deserved reputation of Hillsdale’s students, one would hope that intellectual honesty and filial piety alike encouraged them to solicit and to welcome feedback — and pushback — throughout the process of any contemplated conversion.

Korey Maas is an associate professor of history at Hillsdale College.

stop flow of undocumented immigrants Trump’s plan to divert funding from Pentagon to build a wall would protect America’s heritage By | Quin Colhour History tells us that nations often resort to building a wall when tensions with neighboring countries are high. According to the New York Times, President Donald Trump plans to divert $7.2 billion from the Pentagon to help build a border wall between the United States and Mexico.

Though sometimes it may seem that the current immigration crisis is over exaggerated, we are engaged in a fight for the American heritage we hold so dear and a country of citizens who understand this heritage.

Our heritage lies within our ability to agree on certain issues that cement the ethical basis for America. The value of human life, limited government, and individual responsibility are the pillars upon which America stands.

This great heritage impresses on us the responsibility to solve the immigration crisis.

Part of that solution lies in a border wall.

This is a problem rooted in what it actually means to be an American. The idea of citizenship in the United States is not merely a geographic term or participation in the American economy.

It’s about upholding liberty, the rule of law, the value of human life, and human rights. These values define American society.

Failure to secure the border makes it challenging to ensure that those who become participants in the American story share these values. A legal immigrant becomes a citizen because they respect these values. An illegal immigrant disrespects them by not becoming a citizen at all.

A border wall between the United States and Mexico is neither an act of violence against Mexico nor those from Central American countries who hope to immigrate to the United States.

Instead, it is a proven way of stopping the flow of undocumented immigrants in order to protect American culture and ideas.

The vast majority of border walls today are built by nations in dangerous parts of the world who have found success by preventing illegal immigration. Israel, located in an area affected by political turmoil, erected a border wall on the West Bank in order to deter terrorism and illegal immigration. This strategy has proven to be 80% effective, according to Israel’s Foreign Ministry.

When interviewed about their border, Hungarian foreign minister Peter Szijjarto told Fox News, “Since we built a fence, and since the police and army have been there, we basically have no illegal migrants on the territory of the country.”

If the United States seriously wants to solve the issue of illegal immigration, it is time to take a look at how the wall helps to make sure America stays American.

Countries need secure borders. The more information the government has on its immigrant population, the better they can help immigrants to integrate.

Due to the current state of the visa system, there is a disconnect. Some individuals hoping to reside in the United States permanently abuse the visa system and overstay, undetected by the U.S. government. About 40 percent of illegal immigrants enter the country legally, but outstay their visas according to the nonpartisan Center for

Migration Studies.

Now, there is a silent population of 10.5 million undocumented immigrants as of 2017.

Illegal immigration has taken a toll on government welfare programs. According to the Center for Immigration Studies, illegal immigration is responsible not only for a lower employment rate among less-educated Americans, but also lower wages.

“Low-skilled native workers would be helped by the wall as they would face less competition from illegal immigrants. High-​skilled workers would face less competition from immigrants… who work in high technology jobs,” the Center for Immigration Studies reported.

According to the Orange County Register, “These foreigners are mostly hardworking, decent people.

But they’re taking jobs that would have otherwise gone to American workers — and black Americans are especially hurt. The glut of foreign labor enables employers to hold down wages, making it harder for working-class Americans to bootstrap their way into the middle-class.”

Mark Morgan, a border patrol chief under former President Barack Obama, said that despite bipartisan support to stem illegal immigration, something changed: “What changed is that at one point it was wanted and needed, and now, because we call it a wall, it’s immoral. Really? That’s what we’re talking about now? The size and width of the barrier is the delineation of what is moral or not?”

One of the most popular objections to the wall is its price. The most liberal of these price estimates suggests the wall would cost around $20 billion, an amount that sounds staggeringly large, especially from the perspective of a tax-payer. However, the wall would cost only 0.0338 percent of the federal budget.

This is just a fraction of what it would take to continue financing government programs for low-income immigrant families, who cost the U.S. approximately $50 billion each year, according to the Heritage Foundation.

A border wall would, in fact, be cost effective.

Though a wall is not a perfect solution, segments of walls along the U.S.-Mexico border have helped cut the flow of undocumented migrants entering the country. A section of the wall along the border near the town of Yuma, Arizona, has proven to be more than 90% effective, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

Unfortunately, the wall has become a symbol of racism to many Americans, who think erecting it is the national equivalent of spitting on Mexico. The truth, however, is that the wall is not for the purpose of excluding all Central American and Mexican migrants from the United States, but rather of preserving America from the negative economic effects of a large population of undocumented immigrants.

The wall is a rational course of action for a country that is in dire need of self-definition. Building a wall is the first step toward an America that allows immigrants the real opportunity to become Americans, not just have better jobs.

Quin Calhour is a freshman studying biology.

A6 January 30, 2020

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Ruth Brown seeks fifth term on County Board of Commissioners By | Madeleine Miller Collegian Reorter Ruth Brown announced Jan. 16 that she will seek a fifth term on the Hillsdale County Board of Commissioners, representing the 1st District. Using the campaign slogan “Retain Ruth for Results,” she said she is proud of what she has accomplished for her constituents and hopes to continue serving them with dedication.

Brown said she is seeking a fifth term because of positive feedback she has received from her colleagues and constituents. She said she is proud of what she has accomplished for Hilldale residents, but knows there is still work to do.

“What drives me is my constituents,” she said. “As long as I have a passion for my constituents and can do the job, I want to keep going.”

For the second time, Brown faces a contender for the office. In 2016, she defeated Sam Nutter, who currently serves as the City of Hillsdale’s planning commissioner. Now Doug Ingles, former mayor of Hillsdale, challenges Brown.

Brown and Ingles both emphasize their considerable experience in public service

and their passion for their constituents. Both Republican candidates, they appreciate the importance of managing the county budget responsibly.

“It’s a big election. The community is changing in great ways,” said Ingles, owner of Stadium Roller Rink.

“What it comes down to is, voters will have to decide who’s going to do a better job.”

Hillsdale Mayor Adam Stockford, who is running for the 58th District seat in the Michigan House of Representatives, agreed that the results of the Aug. 4 primary elections will be interesting.

“It’s exciting to see so many seats being contested,” he said. “However the races turn out, we’ll have better representatives, because we’re all forced to do better when we have to compete,” he said.

Although she hopes her past successes will be an advantage to her as she campaigns, Brown said she knows she must continue working hard for the people of Hillsdale.

“I’m confident, but not complacent,” she said. “I don’t sit back, I fight back.”

Born in the Chicago area, Brown moved to Hillsdale as a girl and graduated from

Hillsdale High School. Her father taught history at Hillsdale College, and she said she has always believed in what the college stands for.

After graduating from Eastern Michigan University, she taught for nine years before working at a travel agency in Jackson. Since 2006, she has operated her own travel agency from home.

Brown served for a time as the Great Lakes regional director of the American Association of University Women, a non-profit organization that promotes women’s equality. While there, she helped coordinate an initiative called “Women in Politics,” which encouraged women to participate in politics.

“Women should have a seat at the table when decisions are made because these decisions impact their finances and futures,” Brown said.

When a Ward 2 city council seat opened up in 2009, Brown decided to “put [her] money where [her] mouth was.” She ran unopposed, and was elected to the Hillsdale City Council. After serving two terms on the city council, she was elected to the Board of County Commissioners in 2013, on which she has since served four terms.

In her past terms, she

helped improve the county offices by moving them from the Courthouse Annex to the former Hillsdale Daily News’ building, which she said has increased employee morale and productivity. She also co-founded the Hillsdale County Suicide Prevention Coalition.

Brown said she considers economic development and drug abuse to be the biggest challenges to Hillsdale County.

“Everything with a person starts with a job,” she said, and explained that drug users “need a helping hand up and out.”

She said she plans to attract employers that will pay a “living wage” to ensure that Hillsdale County residents have access to jobs that will support the best quality of life.

In addition, she hopes to help former drug addicts become responsible citizens by providing them access to job training and counseling.

“I’m not a good old boy,” she said. “I’m just a hometown girl who grew up in Hillsdale and cares about the place, and I know how to get results around here.”

Ruth Brown will seek her fifth term on the Hillsdale County Board of Commissioners. Courtesy | Ruth Brown

WCSR to get new owner: ‘Another chapter in history of our business’ By | Matt Fisher Collegian Reorter WCSR Radio Hillsdale, a longtime staple of its community, will soon be under the management and ownership of Jamie McKibben, owner of McKibben Media Group of Jackson. WCSR signed a purchase agreement of $3.8 million with McKibben Media Group to acquire WCSR 1340 AM, 92.1 FM, and 99.5 FM. Michael Flynn said he made the decision to sign a purchase agreement with McKibben after the passing

of his father Tony Flynn, the former station manager at WCSR. “This is not the end of something, just another chapter in the history of our business,” Flynn said. “Jamie brings a lot of youth and enthusiasm. He knows a lot of nuances of the new technologies.”

A Hillsdale native himself, Jamie McKibben praised WCSR and its staff.

“I grew up listening to the radio station, and they do a great job,” McKibben said.

“It’ll be the same as it has been. Not much of the station

will change from week to week.”

Scot Bertram, general manager for Radio Free Hillsdale, also complimented WCSR and its involvement in the community and college.

“The Hillsdale community relies on WCSR and the station is a wonderful example of how relevant and necessary local radio is,” Bertram said.

“We have had students work for WCSR while attending Hillsdale, and I look forward to talking with the new owner after the transfer is complete.”

WCSR’s local news coverage was a major selling

point for McKibben who also revealed that WCSR will continue to broadcast Hillsdale College sporting events.

“They’ve been doing such a great job, locally. They’re going to keep doing what they’ve been doing,” Bertram said. “I think the challenge radio has is not being local enough. And WCSR is local, so hyperlocal.”

Similarly, McKibben does not anticipate any significant staff changes with Flynn continuing at his current position. “It will take a while to settle in and make some changes. I don’t think there

will be any radical changes,” McKibben said. “The staff will be the same.”

McKibben, however, said he’s interested in growing Hillsdale student engagement and involvement with the station.

“I believe with the college teaching classes, I think there are opportunities for kids to work as interns and part-time employees and maybe even full-time employees for the radio station.”

Martin Peterson, Hillsdale College senior and aspiring radio host, praised his experiences with WCSR and

encouraged other students to look into the station. “I’ve been on the air since sixth grade, and it has been a true blessing. Working with such great people and doing something I love has been a great experience.”

As a part of the acquisition agreement, McKibben filed in December with the Federal Communications Commission to receive permission for the exchange of license. McKibben said he expects the FCC to approve the grant in early spring, granting him control over WCSR.

Hillsdale County Republican Women learn about economic and political principles of libertarianism

Hillsdale College Associate Professor of Economics Charles Steele addressed community members at the Hillsdale County Republican Women’s first luncheon of 2020.

Madeleine Miller | Collegian

By | Madeleine Miller Collegian Reorter The Hillsdale County Republican Women learned about the principles of libertarianism in its first luncheon meeting of 2020. Hillsdale College Associate Professor of Economics Charles Steele discussed the economic and political implications of libertarianism.

Each month, the Hillsdale County Republican Women host a luncheon with an accompanying political lecture.

President Lucille VanAken said learning about this month’s topic, libertarianism, was valuable.

“It’s important to understand libertarianism to understand republicanism,” she said.

Steele explained that libertarianism is not a party, but a set of principles.

He said it is not an all-encompassing ethical system and deals only with interpersonal relations and the use of force.

“Who owns you?” he asked guests.

One responded that God does and another — Hillsdale County Commissioner Ruth Brown — said “my constituents.”

Steele explained that the libertarian answer is “no one,” “I do,” or “God does,” and defined libertarianism as a political philosophy that holds individual liberty as the highest political value.

“Liberty,” he said, “is the freedom from coercion.”

Steele said libertarians uphold the individual rights of self-ownership, freedom of thought and action, and ownership of the fruits of one’s labor.

These values are paralleled by the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness upheld by the Declaration of Independence, he said.

He described force as restricting freedom of action, and said that it is only justified when a person’s actions go beyond what is proper, violating

someone else’s rights. Therefore, the government’s proper role is to protect citizens’ rights and property.

“Libertarians see the state as the means and individuals as ends,” he said.

After explaining the foundations of libertarianism, Steele explained libertarian views on current issues, including the economy and drugs.

He said libertarians believe all transactions should be conducted on the free market, absent of government interference.

“People should be free to choose and innovate,” he said.

Steele said the government should not supply infrastructure or schools, as they can be better provided by private firms. To those who could not afford an education, the government could give vouchers to cover private-school tuition.

To conclude, Steele said he believes libertarianism can best sustain civilization as it

advances. He explained that if, for the next 100 years the world GDP grows at 2% annually—a modest estimate— people will be, on average, six times wealthier in the next century than they are today.

“People and governments will have power, and if we can’t learn to respect each other’s rights, we will tear each other apart,” he said.

With the presidential elections approaching, Hillsdale County Republican Women Vice President Connie Gale said upcoming luncheon speakers will focus on the candidates.

“The luncheons are educational,” Gale said. “They help make us better decision-makers.”

VanAken agreed that the luncheons are particularly important during an election year.

“They help us to be informed and know what we’re voting for,” she said.

available for viewing, while the other two shows are in the process of recording and will premiere in the spring.

Bo Barnett created the setting, characters, and story for each of the games used in the active shows. “Not of the Gods” is a podcast available on SoundCloud, and the “Misadventures of Notable Nobodies” is a live show that plays on Friday nights at 7 p.m. on twitch.tv. Both games take place in the “World of Sol’raan,” in which the world is recovering from everyone gaining free will, according to Barnett.

“They’re slowly trying to take things into their own,”

Barnett said.

“Not of the Gods” is set in A.D. 196 and has a more serious situation, as many of the characters are in a state of not knowing, according to Barnett. The “Misadventures of Notable Nobodies” is set in A.D. 900 and has a more light-hearted situation as the characters know more about themselves and the world. “‘Misadventures’ is where ‘Dungeon and Dragons’ meets ‘The Office’ kind of feel,” Barnett said. “There are lots of mishaps and miscommunications.”

Barnett said he is happy with the recent rise in the popularity of “Dungeons and

Dragons,” along with other tabletop role-playing games as a result of notable shows.

“It’s been great to see it come back into the public eye as much as it has,” Barnett said.

Additionally, Barnett said the shows have given him more confidence as a creator, as he is able to practice his story-writing and character-creating skills with friends before introducing his ideas to a larger audience.

“Alison has been great about setting up the new studio area that we’re working out of,” Barnett said.

McDowell said leaving the downtown space was a

difficult decision because she enjoyed seeing customers and hosting events. With the home studio, however, McDowell said she gets to spend more time with her kids.

Since moving the business to her home, McDowell said her daughter has learned more about the shows. She added that her daughter is particularly helpful when it comes to designing children’s shows for youth groups at their church.

“My daughter can give her input and see what it takes to run a business,” McDowell said. “It’s really interesting to see her get so involved and see how the show works.”

Kingdom Geekdom moves business to home studio By | Julia Mullins City News Editor A recent move for Kingdom Geekdom and The Blossom Shop has benefited both businesses. Kingdom Geekdom moved from its downtown location to a home studio at the beginning of 2020, and The Blossom Shop moved into the vacated space.

Heather Webster became the owner of The Blossom Shop in November 2019 and said the new building offers her many advantages.

“The lighting is better, and it’s a more modern building,” Webster said.

Alison McDowell, owner

of Kingdom Geekdom, said she and her husband chose to move because business grew more than she expected.

“The marketing, screen printing, and online shows all took off,” McDowell said, “so, we renovated the top of our house into a home studio.”

McDowell said she helps local businesses and artists with marketing.

“The marketing is really fun because you get people who bring you their passions,” McDowell.

Kingdom Geekdom currently records shows four nights a week, according to McDowell. Two of the shows, McDowell said, are currently

City News

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January 30, 2020 A7

Maintaining tradition at Jamie’s Barbershop By | Rachel Kookogey Assistant Editor The weather outside was cold and wet, but inside Jamie’s Barbershop it was warm and cozy. The woodpaneled walls and landscape mural were reminiscent of the Brady Bunch house, or the Andy Griffith show, which was the inspiration for the shop’s remodeling in the 1970s.

“I don’t know if I would ever change it,” the owner Megan Smith said as she cut the hair of Ricky Carter, one of her regular customers. “I really like the nostalgia.”

Although not always under the same name or ownership, Jamie’s Barbershop on Bacon Street in downtown Hillsdale has been established in the community since the 1940s.

Almost four years ago, Smith bought Jamie’s Barbershop from the previous owner, Jamie Vreeland, so he could retire. Smith met Vreeland when she was in beauty school and stopped by the barbershop on Friday afternoons to watch him work.

“I always said I never wanted to own my own shop,” Smith said. “But when I first

stopped in here, Jamie told me I would own the shop one day. I laughed at him and said, ‘Yeah, I highly doubt that.’”

Smith has worked professionally in the hair business for six years, but she has known how to cut and style hair since her mother taught her at the age of 13.

After attending Hillsdale Beauty School post-high school and working two parttime jobs as a cosmetologist, Smith bought the barbershop in August of 2016.

“He knew he wanted to retire, but he wanted to make sure the business would stay open and that his people would be taken care of,” Smith said.

“And he knew that I had the same mindset as him,” Smith continued. “That I really wanted to keep it as a barbershop, that I would not turn it into a salon. I like to keep it men-oriented because this is one of the last barbershops around.”

Smith has maintained typical barbershop practices, including the traditional hottowel treatment.

“A hot towel is along the lines of a facial,” Smith said as she massaged Carter’s face before wrapping a steaming

Batman (left) with Debbie Wilson (right) at Project Connect in Hillsdale Free Methodist Church’s gymnasium.

Elizabeth Bachmann | Collegian.

Abortion from A1

If the Supreme Court were to overturn Roe, the legality of abortion would be left to the individual states, establishing a legal path for states’ pre-1973 abortion bans, like Michigan’s, to take effect.

“Pro-abortion activists know that Roe’s days are numbered and that Roe was poorly decided and shouldn’t stand,” Marnon said. “That’s why they want to make Michigan a pro-abortion state.”

State Rep. Eric Leutheuser of the 58th district said he doesn’t see the RHA gaining traction in the legislature.

“It’s not going to go anywhere,” he said. “It was a reaction to legislation being passed in other states.”

New York, Virginia, and Illinois signed their own reproductive health acts into law last year. These states now have few restrictions and standards on abortions.

“It’s become a game of copycat,” Leutheuser said.

“States with Democratic governors and legislators are trying to show their prochoice bona fide by introducing legislation like this.”

Leutheuser said there is no expectation that this bill will get hearings or move through the houses, as both have a pro-life majority.

“It’s a symbolic gesture,” he said. “It’s not lost on anyone that it’s an election year and could be used to do fundraising and shake the money tree for progressive candidates.”

Dismemberment Abortion Ban Act While Whitmer helped propose the RHA, pro-life groups are advocating to get other legislation on the books that would prohibit the dismemberment abortion procedure.

Volunteers across Michigan collected more than 300,000 signatures from residents to ban dismemberment,

a common method of performing late-term abortions.

A dismemberment procedure is defined by the law as “any instrument, device, or object to dismember a living fetus by disarticulating limbs or decapitating the head.”

The signatures could lead to a bill that would add an additional clause to the 2011 partial-birth abortion ban law, which allowed for dismemberment abortions. The new clause would prohibit the use of dismemberment abortions, commonly performed during the second trimester.

With the addition of the clause, an abortionist found guilty of performing this operation would wind up with a prison sentence of up to two years and a fine of $50,000.

As opposed to the traditional method of passing a bill through both houses and the governor’s office, Michigan Right to Life is using citizen-initiated legislation to get around Whitmer’s promised veto.

“If the legislature is not being responsive, citizens with wide grassroots support can have petition drives,” Leutheuser said.

A minimum of 8% of the votes cast in the most recent gubernatorial election must be collected during petition drives. If the signatures are deemed valid, two options are available. Either the bill can go to a public vote on the ballot, like Proposal 1 that legalized marijuana, or a bill can be sent to both houses and upon winning a simple majority, skip the governor and become law.

Right to Life of Michigan has used the latter option with success four times previously, including to ban partial-birth abortions and take abortion out of insurance plans.

“It’s what they call ‘veto-proof,’” Leutheuser said.

“She doesn’t have the opportunity to veto it.”

towel around it.

“I’ve been waiting for this day for so long,” Carter said.

Smith explained that she

several customer requests.

“I started asking customers what about the face shave they really wanted, and they said

does not give face shaves, but decided to start the hottowel treatment that usually accompanies face shaves after

they really wanted to know what the hot towel feels like,” Smith said.

Smith has been able to add

this longer service now that she has help from Dixie Plush, who joined the barbershop team about a month ago.

“I’ve been an instructor at Hillsdale Beauty College for nine years, and my hours got cut, so I wanted to stay either teaching or going into a salon,” Plush said. “I actually stopped in to watch Megan cut guys’ hair, and we got talking, and it just so happened that she needed help.”

Plush also said she’s enjoyed transitioning from an instructor back to a student again.

“Megan’s a great teacher,” Plush said. “A men’s haircut isn’t just a basic men’s haircut, there’s a lot that goes into it.”

Many of the finer techniques Smith learned from Vreeland when she first bought the shop and apprenticed under him for some time. Vreeland still works in the shop on occasion, as he likes interacting with the customers.

“I still have some friends that like to come in and hang out and talk and do the old-fashioned barber thing,” Vreeland said.

Several regular customers,

By | Elizabeth Bachmann Assistant Editor

And, of course, Batman watched over the whole event, signing autographs and looking out for evildoers.

Jennifer Rose, a Community Action Agency housing specialist, helped organize the event.

“Basically it is a onestop shop, which is good for people who don’t have a car because it is hard to get places,” Rose said. “They can come here and get any kind of service you can think of.

If you need it, we have it. It’s really cool to see the community come together for it.”

Debbie Wilson helped her hearing-impaired friend take advantage of these exact services after learning about Project Connect through advertising on the radio.

“She can’t hear, so when I heard it on the radio, I said, ‘That’s where I am going,’” Wilson said, “because I thought she might be able to get help here because she is homeless.”

Wilson’s friend met with

medical services and was referred to a Community Action office that will help her with her hearing problems.

To ensure that each participant maximizes his advantage of the Project, Rose explained, the organizers set up a “passport system.” As participants visit each station, they got their passport stamped and were automatically entered into various drawings and raffles for free services and items.

Young mother Rachael Forant discovered Project Connect for the first time this year. She took advantage of the service to pick up some pajamas for her kids who are staying at their grandmother’s house while Forant finishes recovery.

“It is nice to know that there is advice and a bunch of help out there. It just lets people know that there are people who care because there are a lot of people who just think there is nobody to help them,” Forant said. “And

burden for women to have to go to the alternative routes of abortion.”

Since 1992, courts have used the undue burden standard as the test to evaluate whether state laws on abortion are constitutional. In the 1992 case Planned Parenthood v. Casey, the U.S. Supreme Court wrote “an undue burden exists and therefore a provision of law is invalid if its purpose or effect is to place substantial obstacles in the path of a woman seeking an abortion before the fetus attains viability.”

If a judge strikes the law down, an appeal will be sent to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati, Ohio.

“It’s also likely that the sixth circuit will deem it to be unconstitutional, but we don’t know that for sure,” Marnon said. “They have not had a dismemberment ban come before the sixth circuit before.”

A dismemberment ban like Michigan’s has been passed in 12 other states and was struck down in 10 of them. Mississippi and West Virginia didn’t challenge the law because neither have an abortion clinic in the state that uses dismemberment methods.

“Given that we have plenty of abortionists in the state that do it, I’m pretty confident that it will be struck,” Marnon said. “At that point, it will be appealed to the Supreme Court.”

A crowd marched in front of the U.S. Supreme Court during the 2020 March for Life on Jan. 24. Courtesy | Paula Skwarek

The interior of Jamie’s Barbershop in downtown Hillsdale on Bacon Street. Courtesy | Megan Smith.

like Carter, were “here before Megan was,” but Smith inherited those regulars.

When she answered the phone and talked to a customer booking an appointment, she sounded like she was talking to an old friend.

Both Smith and Vreeland said they’ve also gotten to know several Hillsdale College students who have used their services.

One Hillsdale College customer, senior Alexander Yun, was visiting for the first time on recommendation from a friend.

“A friend of mine got his haircut here, and he said it’s an old-time barbershop where you can get a straight razor shave in the back, so that appeals to me,” Yun said. “I like the old-timey feel.”

Smith said she was “lucky” to have Jamie’s training, because most salons don’t have as much skill in cutting men’s hair. According to Smith, she intends to maintain the barbershop just as it is.

“I don’t want guys to have to go into a salon and feel surrounded by women,” Smith said. “I like that I can keep this oriented toward men so they know they have a spot.”

there truly is a lot of help.”

For Forant, Project Connect is especially helpful because it helps break the cycle of addiction. She said just knowing about these resources prevents rehabilitated-substances abusers from falling off the wagon and landing back on the street.

According to Clint Brugger, who helped organize Project Connect in conjunction with the Community Action Agency and the Hillsdale Housing Continuum of Care, this is the exact purpose of the event. He and fellow organizers aim to assist people in building stable homes and lives.

“Ultimately our goal is to engage people who are experiencing a housing crisis, or who are homeless, to move them towards housing,” Brugger said. “The intent is to really help people more toward self-sufficiency, so the more we can do to connect them to resources, the better off they will be in the long run.”

Project Connect provides resources for community Hillsdale Free Methodist Church in partnership with the Hillsdale Housing Continuum of Care took one-stop shopping to a whole new level at their Project Connect last week, even flying in the superhero Batman to watch over the event.

Project Connect aims at connecting homeless and impoverished community members with resources that will help them become self-sufficient. The event is free and open to the public, providing services like hair cuts, free hot meals, addiction help, health counselling, legal aid, and vaccinations.

In addition, Salvation Army, Domestic Harmony, Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness, and Disability Connections, and other organizations staffed kiosks laden with informational pamphlets, free samples, t-shirts, and staff eager to connect with those who need help.

Before a petition drive begins, Right to Life of Michigan seeks to pass the bill through normal routes.

“We have always gone through the regular legislative routes first,” Marnon said.

“In this particular case, we did not get the veto, but we got the votes in both chambers, so we know we have the votes.”

Based on the 2018 election, the minimum signatures needed for this drive was 340,047. On Dec. 23, Right to Life of Michigan turned in 379,418 signatures to the Michigan Bureau of Elections.

The bureau will decide in the next few weeks if the petition drive met the quota.

If so, the legislature will have 40 days to vote on it again.

“We voted on it last term,” Leutheuser said. “If we vote in the affirmative again, it becomes law.”

Right to Life of Michigan is anticipating challenges from Democrats over the bill.

“Planned Parenthood or the League of Women Voters will likely file a lawsuit that this is an unconstitutional law,” Marnon said.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said she will “never enforce” this law if challenged by a judge. Marnon said this is “not their first rodeo” and are prepared for Nessel’s unwillingness.

“We put in intervener language,” Marnon said.

“It allows for members of the house or the senate to intervene on behalf of the state and defend this law, so we don’t have to rely on this particular attorney general.”

Marnon noted it is likely a judge will deem this law unconstitutional because it is a pre-viability ban and current law restricts banning abortions before viability.

“There are other ways to kill babies in the second trimester,” Marnon said. “They will claim that it’s an undue

A Michigan Law Before the U.S. Supreme Court?

In March, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear its first abortion related case with Kavanaugh on the bench. June Medical Services LLC v. Gee challenges a law that requires abortionists to obtain admitting privileges — the ability of a doctor to admit a patient to a local hospital — before performing abortions.

Right to Life of Michigan

submitted an amicus curiae brief for this case urging the court to repeal Roe with it.

“The Roe v. Wade decision went beyond the scope of their power, violated the process for amending the U.S. Constitution, and has undermined the legitimacy of our nation’s judicial system,” Right to Life of Michigan wrote in a January 2020 press release about the brief. “The Supreme Court has recognized that the government has an interest in protecting the life of unborn children, and the brief asks the Supreme Court to live up to their own standards.”

The brief said that even if the court isn’t ready to overturn Roe, June should stand independently because “abortionists often have no relationship with local hospitals.”

“This will be the first test case with a majority conservative justices,” Marnon said.

“This will be Brett Kavanaugh’s first at-bat.”

If the court doesn’t overturn Roe with June Medical Services LLC v. Gee, Right to Life of Michigan is prepared to bring forward its dismem-

berment case.

The pro-life group decided to back a dismemberment ban because it believes the ban is the most likely legislation to be reviewed by the nine justices on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Chris Gast is the director of communications at Right to Life of Michigan and said the case could lead to the reversal of Roe. “The last time we saw the court really expand the ability of states to impact the issue of abortion was when they allowed the partial-birth abortion to stand,” Gast said.

“Since we have a partial-birth ban, why don’t we just add the definition of a dismemberment abortion to it?”

The potential case would ask the court to use the same logic they used in the 2007 Gonzales v. Carhart case that upheld partial-birth abortions to now remove dismemberment.

“They can review Roe anytime, it’s just when they’re courageous enough to do the right thing,” Gast said.

SPORTS

A8 January 30, 2020

www.hillsdalecollegian.com

Swimming

Chargers split tri-meet; finish regular season 12-3 By | Rachel Kookogey assistant editor The Hillsdale College Chargers split their last regular meet of the season last Saturday, winning against Ohio Northern 215–40 and losing to Case Western 169.5–92.5 in the Cleveland tri-meet.

The Chargers finished the regular season with a 12-3 dual meet record, which Head Coach Kurt Kirner said is the best record he has seen in his 10 years coaching Hillsdale’s team.

“We have a good mix of talent and depth this year,”

Kirner said. “It is the best I’ve had in quite a few years.

The general opinion among the swimmers and coaches was that the Chargers put up good times considering their fatigue.

“I was genuinely surprised by my times,” freshman Leah Tunney, who took first in both the 1000 freestyle and 200 backstroke and second in the 100 backstroke, said.

“Everyone was pulling really good times considering we were all tired.”

“I didn’t get great times, but we are really sore and tired right now, so I think we did pretty well for being in

that state,” sophomore Taylor Boyle, who took second place in the 100 breaststroke, said.

“They were tired, but it was a healthy tired,” Kirner said. “I look for consistency. If they’re consistent, we know that they’re a lot more prone to be at their best in two weeks.”

This week the Chargers have begun “tapering,” which means they steadily decrease their amount of swimming each day in order to rest before the conference finals start on February 12.

“We try to decrease the volume of swimming but

increase the amount of racing we do,” Kirner said.

“Not tiring the athletes out, but readying their system to swim lifetime best times at the conference finals.”

None of the three teams the Chargers lost to this season are in their conference, the Great Midwest Athletic Conference, so the Chargers have won against all the teams they will face in the conference finals.

“Everyone has a really positive mindset going into the finals,” Tunney said.

“We’ve proved ourselves throughout the season.”

Chargers energetic in first home meet of season The Hillsdale College men’s track team’s first home invite of the season was defined by improvement and energy.

In the field, freshman Charlie Andrews came in second in the high jump with a vertical jump of 1.92 meters. He was followed by junior teammate Ryan Thomsen who finished third with a jump of 1.87 meters.

Sophomore Ben Raffin took second place in the pole vault with a vault of 4.87 meters.

In the long jump, Senior Ryan Thomsen leapt 6.83 meters to take second.

Multi-athlete sophomore John Baldwin came in third jumping 6.78 meters.

Rounding out field events,

freshman Joshua Nichols won the triple jump with a jump of 13.05 meters.

On the track, junior Adam Wade won the 400 meter dash running in 50.68 seconds. Freshman Ian Calvert raced to second with a time of 51. 53 seconds.

Freshman Joseph Ritzer placed third with a time of 53.62 seconds.

“I was feeling kind of sick, so considering that, I ran close to my PR,” Calvert said.

“Coach was happy about it, so I was happy about it.”

The distance guys took to the 800 meter dash, led by freshman Sean Hoeft who won with a time of 2:00.08.

His teammate Isaac Waffle came in second. Dylan Palmer ran a 2:04.24 and placed fourth.

Hillsdale looked strong in the 3000 meter run as well.

Sophomore Adam Wier ran for second place with a personal best time of 8:53.80.

“Adam was our excellence award winner,” head coach Andrew Towne said. “He ran a nice 3k with a big PR from basically the same time last year.”

Freshman Mark Sprague took third with a time of 9:02.46. He was followed by his teammate, junior Morgan Morrison who ran 9:07.21.

Baldwin shattered his own school record he set the previous week in the 60 meter hurdles. He ran 8.19 seconds and ended second in the race.

“I had some really good competition in the finals that came out of nowhere,” Baldwin said. “The guy in the lane next to me pushed me and I ran a new personal best. I’m glad primarily just

to be consistent and improving.”

To end the day of competition, the men’s 4x400 meter relay team won with a time of 3:26.36. The team was made of freshman Benu Meintjes, Wade, Calvert, and Baldwin.

“Our legs were strong and I was happy with my leg of the race,” Calvert said. “It’s a good team.”

About the meet overall, Towne said, “Nothing blew my mind, but a lot of people are moving in the right direction which is what you need because you can’t go win a conference title with two or three people, you have to have a full team.”

The men’s track team competes next this Saturday at the at GVSU Mike Lints Alumni Open in Allendale, MI.

Women's Track and Field

Chargers display improvement in regular season home opener The Hillsdale College women’s track team had its first home meet of the indoor season. It was full of energy which led to success.

“It’s always nice to compete at home,” head coach Andrew Towne said. “The kids responded well to it.

They had friends from sororities and class watching them compete and there was more energy.”

In the field, sophomore Alexie began the strong day of competition with a first place finish in the high jump, clearing a season-best of 1.63 meters.

Coming off of a stress injury in her foot, senior Kathryn Bassette competed well vaulting 3.29 meters for a sixth place finish.

“The height was pretty average, but the big improvement was the process. After the break, it’s hard for me to find my rhythm,” Bassette said. “This last week I felt so much better. My run was really fluent from my full approach on a bigger pole and it was a mental confidence

booster.”

In long jump, freshman Emily Gerdin lead her team with a third place finish jumping 5.16 meters. She was followed by Carlin MacDonald-Gannon who jumped 5.08 meters to claim fifth place. Senior Danielle Jones ended eighth jumping 4.9 meters. Macdonald-Gannon placed second in the triple jump as well with a jump of 10.26 meters.

Continuing her dominance in her events, sophomore Nikita Maines threw for third place in shot put (13.56 meters). Maines was named the G-MAC Women’s Field Athlete of the Week for her performance. Michaela Burkhauser ended fourth throwing 13.52 meters.

Freshman Katie Weldy threw 12.04 meters for sixth place.

In the weight throw, Maines earned her title with a second place finish and a throw of 17.32 meters. Burkhauser and Weldy placed fifth and eighth in the event, respectively.

The team performed well on its home track. Freshman Allison Nimtz won the 60 meter dash with a time

january 23 Hillsdale (11-7, 7-2) Walsh (17-2, 8-1)

Connor Hill Davis Larson Austen Yarian Patrick Cartier Dylan Lowry Mike Travlos Tavon Brown Cole Nau Trenton Richardson

january 25 Hillsdale (12-7, 8-2) Malone (11-8, 5-4)

Austen Yarian Dylan Lowry Patrick Cartier Connor Hill Davis Larson Tavon Brown Cole Nau Trenton Richardson Mike Travlos Kyle Goessler Jacob Ngobi Jack Gohlke

1 2 FINAL

30 32 62 41 26 67

fgm/a 3pm/a ftm/a pts reb ast

6/11 2/5 1/1 15 2 1 6/11 0/3 1/1 13 3 0 5/12 1/3 1/3 12 8 1 4/11 0/0 1/1 9 6 2 3/9 1/3 1/2 8 3 3 2/3 1/2 0/0 5 2 0 0/1 0/0 0/0 0 2 1 0/1 0/1 0/0 0 1 1 0/0 0/0 0/0 0 1 0

1 2 FINAL

41 40 81 26 34 60

fgm/a 3pm/a ftm/a pts reb ast

8/12 5/7 2/2 23 4 3 7/13 3/8 1/1 18 2 2 9/13 0/1 0/0 18 5 1 4/7 0/2 3/4 11 5 8 3/6 1/2 0/0 7 5 2 2/2 0/0 0/0 4 4 3 0/1 0/1 0/0 0 0 2 0/1 0/1 0/0 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0 0 0 0/1 0/1 0/0 0 0 0 0/1 0/1 0/0 0 1 0

january 25 Hillsdale (5-14, 2-8) Malone (13-5, 7-1)

Grace Touchette Julia Wacker Sydney Anderson Lauren Daffenberg Anna LoMonaco Jaycie Burger Sydney Mills Maverick Delp Kennedy Pratt

1 2 3 4 FINAL

18 15 21 28 82 22 16 14 38 90

fgm/a 3pm/a ftm/a pts reb ast

7/11 3/4 5/6 22 1 6 7/11 1/3 3/4 18 7 3 6/15 4/8 0/0 16 5 2 3/8 2/4 0/0 8 6 1 4/4 0/0 0/0 8 4 0 2/9 0/5 3/4 7 4 2 0/2 0/0 3/4 3 6 1 0/0 0/0 0/0 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0 0 0

WOMEN'S TRACK AND FIELD january 24 Hillsdale Conference Crossover 60 meter dash

time

200 meter dash

time

1. Allison Nimtz

of 8.12 seconds. Alanna O’Leary won the 200 meter dash with a time of 26.34 seconds. On her heels was teammate Zalonya Eby who ran 26.82 seconds. Nimtz came in third in this event running it in 27.58 seconds.

Freshman Dakota Stamm also competed for first place in the 400 meter dash. She won with a time of 58.48 seconds.

Kaitlyn Rust ran the 800 meter race in 2:23.71 which was good for the victory.

Her teammate, sophomore Amber Mango, took second place with a time of 2:25.22.

The Chargers dominated the 3000 meter run, placing girls in the top four spots.

Junior Lauren Peterson lead her pack with a win and a time of 11:02.12. Senior Addison Rauch came in behind her with a time of 11:03.03.

Freshman Natalie Martinson and Kate Vandersteldt placed third and fourth, respectively.

Junior Carmen Botha won the 60 meter hurdles in 9.36 seconds. She was followed

by Judith Allison who ended second with a time of 9.49 seconds. Freshman Jillian

Roney ended in 9.70 seconds for fourth place.

“It was my first home meet and it was really exciting,” Botha said. “It was probably the most fun I’ve had racing.”

Towne said he takes pride in the 400 meter hurdles indoors which is normally contested as an outdoor event.

“It’s a focal point within our program,” he said.

Allison ran the race for the first time in her collegiate career and came away with the victory. She ran the race in 1:04.32 seconds.

Junior Calli Townsend came in a close second with a time of 1:04.97. Roney and Botha took third and fourth, respectively.

To end the day on the track, the women’s 4x400 meter relay won with a time of 4:08.73. The team was made up of Stamm, O’Leary, Rust, and Mango.

The women’s track team competes on Saturday at the at GVSU Mike Lints Alumni Open in Allendale, MI.

8.12

1. Alanna O'Leary 2. Zoe Eby 3. Allison Nimtz

26.34 26.82 27.58

1. Dakota Stamm

58.48

1. Kaitlyn Rust 2. Amber Mango

2:23.71 2:25.22

1. Lauren Peterson 2. Addison Rauch 3. Natalie Martinson 4. Kate Vanderstelt

11:02.12 11:03.03 11:10.11 11:29.29

400 meter dash 800 meter run

3000 meter run

60 meter hurdles

1. Carmen Botha 2. Judith Allison 4. Jillian Roney

400 meter hurdles

time time

time

time

9.36 9.49 9.70

time

1. Judith Allison 2. Calli Townsend 3. Jillian Roney 4. Carmen Botha

1:04.32 1:04.97 1:05.08 1:06.84

1. Stamm/O'Leary/Rust/Mango

4:08.73

4x400 meter relay

Maines's efforts in field earn her Athlete of the Week award in G-MAC By | Kate Pipher collegian freelancer

MEN'S BASKETBALL

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Men's Track and Field

By | Kate Pipher collegian freelancer

Scoreboard

high jump

1. Alexie Day

time

height

1.63m

pole vault

height

long jump

distance

triple jump

distance

shot put

distance

weight throw

distance

6. Kathryn Bassette 3. Emily Gerdin 5. Carlin MacDonald-Gannon 8. Danielle Jones 2. Carlin MacDonald-Gannon 3. Nikita Maines 4. Michaela Burkhauser 6. Katie Weldy 2. Nikita Maines 5. Michaela Burkhauser 8. Katie Weldy

3.29m 5.16m 5.08m 4.90m

10.26m 13.56m 13.52m 12.04m 17.32m 15.61m 14.18m

MEN'S TRACK AND FIELD january 24 Hillsdale Conference Crossover 400 meter dash

1. Adam Wade 2. Ian Calvert 3. Joseph Ritzer 800 meter run

time

50.68 51.53 53.62 time

1. Sean Hoeft 2. Isaac Waffle 4. Dylan Palmer 10. Charles Holbrook

2:00.08 2:00.32 2:04.24 2:16.46

2. Adam Wier 3. Mark Sprague 4. Morgan Morrison

8:53.80 9:02.46 9:07.21

3000 meter run

60 meter hurdles

2. John Baldwin 7. Ryan Thomsen

400 meter hurdles

time

time

8.19 8.88

time

1. David Downey

1:01.98

1. Meintjes/Wade/Calvert/Baldwin 2. Holbrook/Palmer/Waffle/Hoeft

3:26.36 3:42.38

2. Charlie Andrews 3. Ryan Thomsen

1.92m 1.87m

4x400 meter relay

high jump

time

height

pole vault

height

long jump

distance

triple jump

distance

weight throw

distance

2. Ben Raffin 2. Ryan Thomsen 3. John Baldwin 5. Joshua Nichols 7. Will Syrus 1. Joshua Nichols 9. Steve Weideman 14. Kai Panethiere

4.87m 6.83m 6.78m 6.26m 6.19m

13.05m 14.92m 13.03m

Sports

www.hillsdalecollegian.com

Scoreboard

Women's Basketball

SWIMMING

january 25 Ohio Northern vs. Hillsdale vs. Case Westen Reserve 400 yard medley relay

time

2. Heeres/Addis/Voisin/Taylor 5. Bickerstaff/Boyle/Pyhel/Snell 9. Matti/Slepian/Clark/Henderson 10. Steyer/Douthitt/Leathers/Briskey

4:07.26 4:15.72 4:22.25 4:24.65

1. Leah Tunney 3. Sarah Clark 4. Anika Fassett

10:36.74 11:11.19 11:13.84

3. Madeline Breay 7. Stefanie Walker 10. Victoria Addis 11. Carissa Henderson

2:01.86 2:06.28 2:09.34 2:09.37

1000 yard freestyle

200 yard freestyle

time

time

100 yard backstroke

time

2. Leah Tunney 5. Sydney Slepian 8. Allie Matti 9. Taylor Steyer

1:00.58 1:03.72 1:05.96 1:06.12

2. Taylor Boyle 6. Hannah Douthitt 7. Marie Taylor

1:11.36 1:13.17 1:14.66

1. Catherine Voisin 3. Madison Pyhel 4. Anna Clark 6. Bailey Bickerstaff

2:10.62 2:15.93 2:20.11 2:22.24

100 yard breaststroke

200 yard butterfly

time

50 yard freestyle

time

2. Katherine Heeres 4. Carissa Henderson 6. Danielle Snell 10. Becca Briskey 14. Caylee McComb

24.92 25.77 26.25 27.15 29.43

100 yard freestyle

time

2. Marie Taylor 4. Catherine Voisin 5. Anika Fassett 6. Madeline Breay 11. Becca Briskey

55.11 57.19 57.46 57.81 1:00.86

1. Leah Tunney 3. Katherine Heeres 7. Allie Matti 8. Hannah Douthitt

2:06.97 2:10.01 2:22.65 2:24.87

3. Madeline Breay 6. Victoria Addis 8. Taylor Boyle 10. Stefanie Walker

2:34.20 2:38.73 2:40.68 2:41.23

3. Sarah Clark 4. Madison Pyhel 8. Anna Clark

5:26.27 5:27.45 5:45.27

3. Anika Fassett 6. Bailey Bickerstaff 7. Sydney Slepian 11. Lizzie Leathers

1:00.56 1:04.01 1:04.16 1:09.40

2. Danielle Snell 6. Catherine Voisin 7. Allie Matti 9. Sydney Slepian

2:16.78 2:20.83 2:21.76 2:25.62

2. Taylor/Henderson/Heeres/Tunney 5. Fassett/Pyhel/Addis/Bickerstaff 7. Breay/Walker/Steyer/Briskey 11. Boyle/Clark/Douthitt/McComb

1:40.05 1:45.61 1:46.76 1:51.68

200 yard backstroke

time

200 yard breaststroke

time

500 yard freestyle

time

100 yard butterfly

time

200 yard im

time

200 yard freestyle relay

time

Softball FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7

| chattanooga, tn

11:00 A.M.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7

| chattanooga, tn

4:00 P.M.

Hillsdale vs. Columbus State Hillsdale vs. McKendree SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8

| chattanooga, tn

1:30 P.M.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8

| chattanooga, tn

4:00 P.M.

Hillsdale vs. North Georgia

| chattanooga, tn

11:00 A.M.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20

| rosemont, il

6:00 P.M.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20

| rosemont, il

8:00 P.M.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9

Hillsdale vs. Montavello Hillsdale vs. Lewis

Hillsdale vs. Parkside

Chargers on losing end of high-scoring second half By | S. Nathaniel Grime sports editor

time

Hillsdale vs. Lee

January 30, 2020 A9

Once again, the Hillsdale College Chargers found themselves in a close contest in the second half. This time, it was on the road against the third-place Malone University Pioneers, and despite scoring 49 points in the second half and 28 points in the fourth quarter, Hillsdale didn’t come out on top.

Close games have been a theme for the Chargers in a frustrating season, and their last five games have been decided by less than 10 points. Hillsdale has lost the last four of them, including Saturday’s 90-82 loss against Malone.

The Chargers (5-14, 2-8 G-MAC) have won just one of their last eight games overall, and despite Saturday’s 82 points being the second-most they’ve scored in a game this season, it wasn’t enough to turn their current slide around.

Hillsdale trailed 38-33 at halftime, but a strong third quarter put them ahead with 10 minutes remaining, 5452. The Pioneers outscored the Chargers in the fourth quarter, though, 38-28.

Malone shot 68.4% from the floor (13 for 19) in the fourth quarter, and 70% (7 for 10) from beyond the three-point line. The Chargers shot 50% (8 for 16) from the floor and 42.9% (3 for 7) from beyond the arc. Pioneers guard Holly Groff provided most of the damage, making five of six three-point attempts down the stretch.

Malone made 14 of 29 three-point attempts overall, and shot 52.4% total. The Chargers had one of their best shooting games of the season, going 48.3% from the floor and 41.7% from beyond the arc, but again, it wasn’t enough.

Sophomore guard Grace Touchette led the Chargers with 22 points, going 7 for 11 from the floor, 3 for 4 from three-point land, and 5 for 6 from the free throw line. She also had a team-leading six assists.

Senior center Julia Wacker had a season-high 18 points, and has scored 30 points in her last two games combined. She also went 7 for 11 from the floor and grabbed a team-high seven rebounds.

Senior guard Sydney Anderson followed with 16 points and made a team-leading four

three-pointers. She is now averaging more than 10 points per game this season.

Sophomore forward Anna LoMonaco came off the bench for 14 minutes and went a perfect 4 for 4 from the field, scoring eight points with four rebounds.

LoMonaco has become the Chargers’ first option at forward off the bench, and her eight points on Saturday tie a season-high.

Sophomore guard Lauren Daffenberg, who has endured a stretch of shooting struggles recently, had a better performance Saturday, making two of four threepoint attempts. She scored eight points total, her most since Jan. 9.

Daffenberg averages 12.2 points per game this season and has shot 30.7% from beyond the three-point land overall. She also had six rebounds on Saturday.

Junior guard Jaycie Burger scored seven points in a team-high 37 minutes on the floor. She’s been one of the Chargers’ leading scorers in conference play this season, averaging 11.6 points per game against conference opponents.

Freshman Sydney Mills, who despite coming off the bench this season leads the team with 116 rebounds, played for 20 minutes and scored three points with six rebounds.

The dip in scoring was rare for Mills, who previously scored 18 and 12 points in her last two games before Saturday.

The Chargers return home to host No. 14 Walsh University tonight. The Cavaliers lead the G-MAC with a perfect 10-0 conference record. On Saturday, Hillsdale will get a chance to exact revenge against the Pioneers, who visit for a 1 p.m. game. Tip-off tonight against Walsh is at 5:30 p.m.

Saturday’s game will be a busy one at Dawn Tibbetts Potter Arena, as the team will celebrate Hillsdale College Alumni Day, Senior Day, and Autism Speaks Day. After this weekend’s two-game homestand, the Chargers will have six games remaining on their regular-season schedule. They have games against Trevecca Nazarene University, Kentucky Wesleyan College, Ursuline College, and the University of Findlay on the road, and games against Tiffin University and Cedarville University at home.

| canton, oh

SATURDAY, JANUARY 25

final

Hillsdale (5-14, 2-8) Malone (13-5, 7-1) THURSDAY, JANUARY 30 14

82 90

| hillsdale, mi

5:30 P.M.

| hillsdale, mi

1:00 P.M.

Walsh (17-2, 10-0) vs. Hillsdale (5-14, 2-8)

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1

Malone (13-5, 7-1) vs. Hillsdale (5-14, 2-8) G-MAC STANDINGS SCHOOL

G-MAC OVERALL

1. 14 WALSH 2. KENTUCKY WESLEYAN 3. MALONE 4. CEDARVILLE 5. FINDLAY t6. OHIO DOMINICAN t6. LAKE ERIE 8. TREVECCA NAZARENE 9. ALDERSON BROADDUS 10. URSULINE t11. TIFFIN t11. HILLSDALE 13. OHIO VALLEY

17-2 19-1 13-5 14-5 10-9 10-10 8-12 7-12 6-13 5-13 7-13 5-14 2-13

10-0 10-1 7-1 7-3 6-3 5-5 5-5 4-6 3-7 2-7 2-8 2-8 1-10

SATURDAY, JANUARY 25

82 90 Malone Pioneers

Hillsdale Chargers

FIELD GOAL

48.3% (29/60)

52.4% (33/63)

THREE POINT

41.7% (10/24)

48.3% (14/29)

FREE THROW

77.8% (14/18)

71.4% (10/14)

REBOUNDS

40

27

ASSISTS

15

20

TURNOVERS

18

9

POINTS OFF TURNOVERS

12

28

SECOND CHANCE POINTS

9

8

POINTS IN THE PAINT

34

38

FASTBREAK POINTS

0

4

BENCH POINTS

11

23

LARGEST LEAD

6

9

charger chatter: Sydney Mills Q: How did you start playing basketball?

A: I started playing basketball in kindergarten. My parents are really big basketball players and they both played in college, so that’s how I got into it. I can remember, back in second grade, me and my dad shooting a lot in the backyard, and that’s really where I got started.

Freshman Sydney Mills hillsdale college athletic department

Q: Why did you decide to play basketball at Hillsdale?

A: Honestly, a lot of it was Coach Fritsche. He’s just an awesome guy and you can tell that he’s really genuine. And when I came here for different visits, all of the girls were super welcom-

ing, and I also liked the feel of the small campus.

Q: What is your team dynamic?

A: Like I said, the girls are really sweet, and we get along really well. Coming in, I was definitely nervous. We have seven freshmen on the team, so we’re really young, and all of us get together because we all live in McIntyre.

And it’s been nice because the older girls are always trying to do things as a team so that we mesh better.

Q: What are your favorite memories from this season?

A: I tend to mess around with the freshmen a lot, like just being in the gym and shooting

with each other, and just messing around. Our coach Michelle will be in the gym shooting half-court shots with us, and I think those are my favorite times.

Q: Do your parents come to your games?

A: Yeah, they come to everything. They’re super supportive.

It’s really nice to see a face in the crowd, and I can always hear them yelling from the sidelines!

Q: What do you do in your free time?

A: I like to watch Netflix! I’m really big on Grey’s Anatomy, and I like to snack on ice cream a lot too. Rocky Road is my favorite flavor to get.

Q: What has been your favorite class so far?

A: I really liked Calculus with Professor Gerstle. He started each class with a joke and even though they weren’t the best sometimes, it just makes your day.

Q: What are you looking forward to for the next season?

A: Since we’re a young team, I think that this year of experience is going to make us more confident on the court, so I’m looking forward to seeing how we start next year when we know what we have to do.

--compiled by Ashley Kaitz

Charger A10 January 30, 2020

Men's Basketball

Chargers split road trip; fall to second in G-MAC By | Calli Townsend assistant editor

The Hillsdale College Chargers couldn’t overcome a first-half deficit to beat the Walsh College Cavaliers on Thursday, but they came back strong on Saturday to stomp on the Malone University Pioneers.

Splitting these two conference games puts the Chargers at a 12-7 overall record, 8-2 in the G-MAC. Walsh now takes over the number one spot in the conference rankings, dropping the Chargers down to number two, and Findlay sits in number three.

Thursday’s 67-62 loss to Walsh is Hillsdale’s fourth loss to the team since switching to the G-MAC in 2017.

The Chargers, however, will have a chance to redeem themselves against the Cavaliers on their home court in a couple weeks.

“Walsh is a really good basketball team,” head coach John Tharp said. “We were down by five and we gave up two threes right before the half. I think we were all really disappointed with how we played in that first half. We didn’t compete and communicate the way we have been to win games.”

Neither team led by more than four throughout the beginning of the first half.

The Chargers trailed by one, 19-18, with eight minutes left when a pair of free throws set the Cavaliers on a 10-3 scoring run. By the end of the first half, Walsh led 41-30, giving the team just enough of an edge to beat the Chargers in the end, despite being outscored 32-26 in the second half.

Senior guard Dylan Lowry played nearly the entire game against Walsh, on the court for 38 of the game’s 40 minutes. He scored eight points and dished out three assists.

“Dylan has played a lot of basketball for us and he’s a guy we’ve asked a lot from,” Tharp said. “He runs the

THURSDAY, JANUARY 23

| north canton, oh

final

Hillsdale (11-7, 7-2) Walsh (17-2, 8-1) SATURDAY, JANUARY 25

62 67

| canton, oh

final

Hillsdale (12-7, 8-2) Malone (11-8, 5-4)

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| hillsdale, mi 3:00 P.M. Malone (11-8, 5-4) vs. Hillsdale (12-7, 8-2) SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1

point for us and has to shoot and guard other shooters.

He’s done a better job on both ends of the floor and we hope he has a great end to his senior year.”

Junior guard Connor Hill played his best game of the season so far with a career-high 15 points, two steals, and one assist. Fellow juniors Davis Larson and Austen Yarian each added 13 and 12 points, respectively.

Yarian also led the team in rebounding with eight for a nice, well-rounded performance.

The Chargers’ game against Malone had a similar start with several lead changes and a narrow gap in points, but this time it was Hillsdale who enjoyed a large scoring run with 12 minutes to go and headed into the locker room with a 41-26 lead at the half.

Yarian played another great game that led to a career-high in scoring with 23 points, 15 of which came

from beyond the three point line.

“When Austen plays the way he played on Saturday, we’re really good. He scored from the three-point line and he scored in the post, passed the ball, and rebounded,” Tharp said. “He’s really a key to the end of the season. He and Tavon Brown keep on getting better and they’re so important to our team.”

Three other Chargers scored in double digits as well: freshman forward Pat Cartier (18), Lowry (18), and Hill (11). Cartier also had five rebounds and three steals.

“With our offense being motion and the position, I play I set a lot of screens for other guys on our team.

I wouldn’t say the coaches necessarily set up the offense or call three point plays for me intentionally but I think it’s more of having so many other threats on our team that can score the ball,” Yar-

G-MAC STANDINGS SCHOOL

1. 21 WALSH 2. HILLSDALE 3. FINDLAY 4. CEDARVILLE 5. MALONE t6. LAKE ERIE t6. OHIO DOMINICAN t6. KENTUCKY WESLEYAN 9. ALDERSON BROADDUS 10. TREVECCA NAZARENE t11. TIFFIN t11. OHIO VALLEY

G-MAC OVERALL

9-1 8-2 7-2 7-3 5-4 6-5 6-5 6-5 4-6 2-9 1-10 1-10

18-2 12-7 12-6 11-8 11-8 12-9 9-11 7-11 6-13 2-18 7-14 4-16

ian said. “When I set a good screen for guys like Dylan or Davis and force my defender to help off of me, that normally leaves me with enough space to shoot comfortably and confidently.”

The Pioneers attempted a comeback, starting the second half off with a 9-2 scoring run and narrowing Hillsdale’s lead to nine. But the Chargers reacted with intensity on the offensive end to extend their lead up to 30 at one point, leading 70-40. The Pioneers certainly couldn’t come back after that, ending the game with a final score of 81-60.

“It’s a testament to how well our team can respond to adversity,” Hill said. “We lost a tough one to Walsh and lost our position at the top of the standings, and we could’ve easily laid an egg against a good Malone team. But we came together and played a great game and we’re proud of how we responded.”

Malone was the final G-MAC opponent the Chargers had to play for the first time. Now they’ll take a break this Thursday, resuming games on Saturday as they start working their way through the second round of conference opponents.

“I think that we do have some pretty good momentum going into the back half of the regular season,” Yarian said. “I think that as a team we know how good we can be and how versatile we are and that we’re just as hard to guard as any other team in our conference. We have a lot of guys contributing to our success on the court right now and I think that’s necessary for us in order to keep this momentum we have.”

They’ll face Malone again, but this time on their home court on Saturday. Saturday’s game is Hillsdale College Alumni Day as well as Autism Speaks Day. Tip-off is at 3 p.m.

www.hillsdalecollegian.com THURSDAY, JANUARY 23

62 67 Walsh Cavaliers

Hillsdale Chargers

FIELD GOAL

44.1% (26/59)

41.5% (22/53)

THREE POINT

29.4% (5/17)

31.8% (7/22)

FREE THROW

62.5% (5/8)

88.9% (16/18)

REBOUNDS

31

35

ASSISTS

9

8

TURNOVERS

10

10

POINTS OFF TURNOVERS

11

12

SECOND CHANCE POINTS

5

10

POINTS IN THE PAINT

40

22

FASTBREAK POINTS

5

5

BENCH POINTS

5

22

LARGEST LEAD

3

14

SATURDAY, JANUARY 25

81 60 Malone Pioneers

Hillsdale Chargers

FIELD GOAL

57.9% (33/57)

38.8% (19/49)

THREE POINT

37.5% (9/24)

41.7% (5/12)

FREE THROW

85.7% (6/7)

94.4% (17/18)

REBOUNDS

28

25

ASSISTS

21

8

TURNOVERS

6

11

POINTS OFF TURNOVERS

14

4

SECOND CHANCE POINTS

4

2

POINTS IN THE PAINT

42

26

FASTBREAK POINTS

3

3

BENCH POINTS

4

15

LARGEST LEAD Tavon Brown shoots a free throw during a game earlier this season. s. nathaniel grime | collegian

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January 30, 2020 B1 Master Penman Jake Weidmann is featuring his work in the Daughtery Gallery until Feb. 19. Sofia Krusmark | Collegian

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I cry during ‘The Bachelor’ so you don’t have to By | Haley Strack Collegian Freelancer I know we were all on the edge of our seats last week, but rest assured — this episode delivered.

Episode four starts off with host Chris Harrison (a total dreamboat, why can’t he be the bachelor?) telling the girls that their “journey will take you all around the world... and it all begins... in Cleveland, Ohio!” Everyone, contain your excitement.

Victoria F. receives the honor of going on the first one-on-one this week and she is ecstatic when she sees that Peter has planned a romantic plane ride for the couple: “Why are we at an airporttt omg no no please omg no!!! Stop !!!

I’m literally drooling I can’t breathe.” She is literally drooling.

The pair is serenaded by country singer Chase Rice.

You may not know him, but Victoria does. It turns out Victoria and Chase dated — a fact Peter was blissfully unaware of. Things get awkward when Peter says, “Maybe we’ll dance to a Chase Rice song at our wedding.” Maybe, Peter, maybe.

The two go on a romantic dinner and Victoria F. tells Peter about Chase. The conversation goes something like this: Victoria F.: “Chase and I used to date.”

Peter: “Like, the singer Chase?” (Victoria nods) “Wait what… no… I talked to him… like… what… like…”

Captivating dialogue.

Victoria F. has an emotional breakdown, runs away, and cries in a corner before Peter, reluctantly, gives her a rose.

The first group date activity is a football game. Is it a good idea to pit two teams of emotional girls against each other and give them full permission to tackle, push, and beat each other?

Always.

Not to mention, these girls are already missing enough brain cells. I fear they might go brain dead altogether if a football hits them the wrong way.

Regardless, at least you don’t have to worry about the Super Bowl this weekend — the real game already ended. It’s fitting this week’s episode is in Cleveland; I didn’t think anyone could be worse than the Browns, but here we are… the Bachelor Bowl.

Let me tell you — it was a major upset for the Killer Bees this season. One of the only times we’ve seen Shiann step up this year, but we hope to see it continue in coming games. Right now, it’s not looking good for Mykenna (I’ve heard trade talks are afoot), but she still has some time.

The girls trade in their pads for evening gowns and get ready for the night. The cocktail party is going fine, until a blast from the past struts in. Just when you thought we got rid of her — here comes Alayah.

The girls seem rather perturbed.

Victoria P. loses her mind and erupts into tears when Alayah calls her out for being “sketchy.” Victoria remains strong and tells Peter that “my truth is the truth” (my newest answer when President Arnn asks what the true is), but to no avail.

Peter, amidst the dropped jaws and waterworks, makes an appalling decision to give Alayah the group date rose. Remember, Alayah wasn’t even on the group date. There must be some sort of divine intervention involved to magnify the drama (ahem, looking at you producers).

There’s another one-onone with Kelsey, but it’s really not worth discussing.

Take my word for it.

The episode ends with a commercial for depression medication. And honestly, after suffering through the whole fifty minutes, I might need it.

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Master Penman, Jake Weidmann, engages viewers in meaning of art By | Julia Mullins City News Editor At age 26, Jake Weidmann became the youngest person to earn the title “master penman,” and today, he is one of 11 people in the world who currently hold this prestigious title. He was also one of the first artists during his time to carve his own pens, make his own ink, and carve his own frames.

Weidmann’s artwork has been on display in the Hillsdale College Fine Arts Building’s Daughtrey Gallery since Jan. 22 and will continue to hang in the gallery until Wednesday, Feb. 19. He has brought 26 pieces to the gallery ­—24 originals and two prints.

Weidmann practices several artforms, such as carving, and he works his calligraphy into his drawings, paintings, and sculptures to create pieces that tell viewers a story.

“That’s one of the greatest abilities that the artist has that I think is too often abdicated or just flat out neglected,” Weidmann said. “I think that the ability to tell a story, the ability to point to something higher is the real power that art has. And I love to do that and incorporate symbolism and story into a piece that really wraps the viewer up in the piece and gives them a good starting point.”

Weidmann said there is a stigma around modern art that isolates the viewer from understanding the piece or the artist’s intention, but he said this doesn’t help the art, the artist, or the viewer to better understand one anoth-

er on a human level.

“I think bringing people back in to be able to engage with art means humbly holding their hand and giving them a starting off point because art was always used, historically, as a universal language,” Weidmann said.

“That’s why art was commissioned by so many of the churches during the Medieval and Renaissance period was to tell the stories within the Bible to the illiterate, and not only can you convey some of the facts of this story that you

you’re not a stranger there and that you actually belong,” Teren Sechrist said. “He translates for you, which I think is a gift because a lot of times, artists don’t like to do that. They think you should understand their language, and you should be able to look at the pictures and read the symbols, but Jake, with humility, understands that we don’t all get it.”

Teren Sechrist said her personal favorite piece of art is “Crown of Script,” which dictates Isaiah 53:4-5 in one

and I think about that all the time. I want one of those in our teacher’s lounge because every child matters.”

While viewers will respond differently to each piece, Weidmann said he anticipates that “Sojourner’s Rose Bronze” and “C.S. Lewis and the Untamed Lion” will resonate with members of the Hillsdale Community.

“The ‘Bronze Sojourner’s Rose’ has a lot of profound symbolism behind it and required such a great deal of technical execution — t’s the result of years of process and work to get it to that point,” Weidmann said. “‘Sojourners Rose’ is a very special piece to me, and I’m excited to see that and how it’s received on this campus, especially with the obvious love of this classical school for bronze sculpture.”

Tyler Sechrist, who is an art and theatre major, Jake Weidmann poses with his certificate of Master Penmanship said this is in his Denver studio. Courtesy | Hannah Weidmann the first time can wrap it up in this beauticontinuous trajectory that Weidmann’s original artwork ful romance and the way that creates a crown of thorns has crossed the Mississippi it is conveyed through the from the words.

River — as Weidmann’s home hand of the artist.”

Although this is her studio sits in the foothills of Weidmann said he is tryfavorite piece, Teren Sechrist the Colorado Rockies. He ing to use his own art to get said her heart is “all wrapped added that “Sojourner’s Rose back to using classical methup” around Weidmann’s piece Bronze” is 200 pounds, requrods and having a classical “The Little Sparrow,” which ing its own custom hanger ethos of using symbolism and he created after the tragedy and three people to lift the trying to convey something at Sandy Hook Elementary in piece onto the wall. much higher to his readers.

2012 to convey a message of Weidmann said some Teren Sechrist said she and hope. This piece shows that viewers may miss the portrait her son, junior Tyler Sechrist, every life is precious in the of C.S. Lewis because many have been following Weideyes of God, and the calpeople are not familiar with mann since Tyler Sechrist was ligraphic flourishing off the the author’s face. “C.S. Lewis in elementary school. She said wingtips shows the impact of and the Untamed Lion” is she appreciates Weidmann just one, small life. the moment when Lewis and his art because he does “I just absolutely love that conceived of Aslan and meets walk the viewer through a one — not a little sparrow him face to face, according to piece. falls to the ground without Weidmann.

“I’m not trained in art, so the Lord knowing it,” Teren This piece, along with I don’t know all that art symSechrist said. “I do a lot of “Mightier,” are two of Tyler bolism, but he helps you cross work in one of the Barney Sechrist’s favorite works. Tyler that bridge into the visual Charter School Initiative Sechrist met Weidmann for world and makes you feel like schools here in Michigan, the first time in the spring of

See Weidmann B2

Grammy’s honor Kobe and celebrate music in LA Kobe and Gigi Bryant died in a helecopter accident earlier this week.

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By | Regan Meyer News Editor As news of Kobe Bryant’s death spread after the helicopter accident that killed him, his 13-year-old daughter, and seven others on Sunday morning, the 2020 Grammy Awards were largely forgotten — an afterthought on a dark day for Los Angeles, America, and the world.

The musicians at the ceremonies could have easily glossed over the tragedy and focused on their wins and personal glory. But, instead, the thousands of people

gathered in Staples Center, the house that Kobe built, put aside their brief moments of glory to honor the legacy of not only a basketball legend but a man of integrity, kindness, and faith.

The tributes were not personal. They were not used to talk about that person’s personal grief or hardship in the time. One came with no words at all, just a spotlight on Bryant’s retired jerseys on the wall of the Staples Center for the duration of the show.

Host Alicia Keys began her opening monologue with a tribute to Bryant,

singing “It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday” with Boyz II Men. “We never imagined in a million years we would have to start the show like this,” Keys said. “Never, never, never, never, never.

But we wanted to do something that could describe a teeny bit how we all feel right now.”

The tribute was simple, unassuming.

Barely over a minute long, the song showcased the vocal talent of those onstage but focused on the task at hand, honoring a great basketball player and an even greater man.

In a way it was a lot like Bryant, incredible talent used in an extraordinary but humble way.

Amidst the Kobe tributes, the stars still performed music and won awards. 18-yearold pop star Billie Eilish dominated the awards, sweeping the four major categories: song of the year, record of the year, album of the year and best new artist.

Lil Nas and Billy Ray Cyrus performed a medley of “Old Town Road” remixes and took home awards for best pop duo/group performance and best music video.

B2 January 30, 2020

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Aquila Theatre’s delivers sub-par Odyssey rendition By | Abby Liebing Associate Editor

Homer wrote, “Sing to me of the man, Muse, the man of twists and turns,” and Aquila Theatre decided to take it quite literally in its Jan. 28 production of “The Odyssey” at Hillsdale College.

Muddling the line between a dramatic production, musical theater, and a Sparknotes summary of “The Odyssey,” Aquila confused its audience members.

Aquila’s adaptation of Emily Wilson’s translation of “The Odyssey,” directed by Desiree Sanchez, tried to deliver a powerful, modernized message of the traumas of warfare and how it affects those soldiers who come home.

This focus is taken from Aquila’s work with the veterans in The Warrior Chorus program, a noble cause that aims to “train members of the veteran community in leading discussion groups based around ancient Greek works.” But though the effort

and message were noble, the production fell short.

With its six actors playing eighteen different characters, character transitions were confusing.

And then there was the singing.

Within five minutes of the actors coming on stage, Athena, played by Maggie McMeans, broke into song asking an Olympian god (perhaps Zeus, but the character transition made it difficult to tell if it was him or Hephaestus) why Odysseus was being tortured and kept from home.

As Athena’s song kept going, it felt that perhaps Aquila was about to turn “The Odyssey” into a musical theater production. But then the singing abruptly ended and dramatic, Sparknote-esque summarizing of Odysseus’ journey began.

The majority of Odysseus’ summary took place in the befuddling surroundings of the Phaeacians’ island where the king and queen and their

subjects assumed an aggressive demeanor and egregious South-Westernish accents.

Then suddenly there was another song bursting forth from Demodocus, played by Reece Richardson. Though the song tried to soulfully and emotionally paint a picture of

“Maybe the actors were trying to make audience members feel like Odysseus himself: lost and confused.” the hardships of warriors and their return home from war, it fell short and only succeeded in raising the question, “is this production supposed to be a musical or a play?”

At the end of the song, Odysseus began to summarize his tale of woe. Though

World premiere of ‘On Pine Knoll Street’ at Sauk Theater By | Julia Mullins City News Editor The Sauk Theatre will present the world premiere of “On Pine Knoll Street” on Thursday, Feb. 6 at 8 p.m. Executive Director of the Sauk, Trinity Bird said the Friday, Feb. 7 performance will be followed by a special reception with playwright Mark Cornell and the woman who inspired the character of Marilyn.

“We’re really excited about sharing a new piece of work with our community and that we have an audience in this county and in our theater that will come see this,” Bird said.

“There are a lot of community theaters that would never produce a brand new work because they know their audience just wouldn’t come.”

Bird, who is the director and also plays Curtis, said the play’s central theme is “caretaking,” and the play is inspired by real events in the playwright’s life.

“We know that it’s inspired by a real experience he had, where he was asked to care for his neighbor’s mother,”

Bird said. “And that’s sort of the same basic set-up of the play: My character is asked to watch the mother for the weekend. We also know that his son is on the autism spectrum, and the son in the play has autism, so that is also inspired by truth.”

Keegan Oxley is 12 years old and will be playing the son, Mitchell, in the play.

“Some of the best things about playing Mitchell is that I get to learn more about the physicality of kids who have autism and see more through what they do with that, which I think is interesting,” Oxley said.

Oxley has been acting for four years and said he enjoys portraying Mitchell’s joy for life.

“What I like most about Mitchell’s character is how much happiness he finds in absolutely nothing,” Oxley said. “I think it’s really cool that he can find something that wouldn’t be special to someone else but to him it is.”

Bird added that if he had to label the play, he would call it a “dramedy” –– a come-

many of the tales of Odysseus’ journey are powerful and would have been the perfect platform to relay the message a soldier’s struggle to come home, Aquila was content with make Odysseus’ adventures a blurred summary. Skipping over important

dy-drama.

“I like to call it a ‘feel everything’ play, and Mark really liked that,” Bird said.

“It’s not just drama and it’s not just comedy.”

Trinity said he is looking forward to opening night and seeing how an audience responds to the play.

“It’s often very funny, and then it’s equally very emotional,” Bird said. “Mark’s very good in his writing about balancing the emotion and the comedy. And sometimes you’re thankful there’s a joke or a giggle because otherwise it’d be really heavy.”

Bird said he hopes that people who have never been to the Sauk will come out and see the play’s debut.

“The craziest thing about our theater –– and I’ve been here a long time –– is that there are people who’ve lived in Hillsdale County their whole life who don’t know we’re here,” Bird said. “And I think if we can get them to come and see one show, they’ll want to come back.”

events such as Odysseus’ near death experiences with Scylla and Charybdis and the sirens, and then his discontentment with Circe and Calypso, Aquila missed opportunities to provide a sobering picture of a veteran’s trauma in coming home.

After a drive-by summation of Odysseus’ journey, Odysseus suddenly arrived at home. Once he revealed himself to Eumaeus (Richardson) and his son Telemachus (Cassidy), Penelope, played

by Hannah Sinclair Robinson, suddenly took the spotlight with very long, somewhat irrelevant speeches. If the production had been the full recitation of Homer’s epic, then Penelope’s speeches drawn directly from Homer would have not been out of place. But after shabbily summarizing some of the most important moments of the text, Penelope’s musings about her dreams and her repetitive reflections on her own sorrow felt random and ill-placed.

Once Penelope ended her long-winded contemplations, when it was finally time for the climactic slaughtering of the swaggering suitors who disturbed her, Aquila fell drastically short of produc-

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ing a satisfactory climax and ending. With only one suitor to kill and an unconvincing fight scene that led up to his death, Aquila seemed to have misunderstood that Homer’s climax was the slaughter of the suitors. The ending wrapped up so quickly that it felt incomplete.

Though Aquila attempted to highlight how war affects warriors and their homecoming, the most significant takeaway of the production was confusion. Between the musical outbursts, rough character transitions, deplorable accents, and oddly selected speeches, the whole energy and emotion of the play felt contrived and difficult to follow.

But maybe the confusion of the production was intentional. Maybe the actors were trying to make audience members feel like Odysseus himself: lost and confused.

Weidmann from B1 2018 when Weidmann came to visit Livingston Classical Academy near Brighton, Michigan.

Tyler Sechrist stepped in to run the audio visual components of Weidmann’s presentation. After Weidmann found out it was Tyler Sechrist’s birthday, they went to dinner and Weidmann said he would send him a signed print of any piece Tyler Sechrist chose.

After Weidmann forgot to send the single print, Tyler Sechrist said he ended up sending him two signed prints.

“I got those around Christmas last year and when they came in the mail, it kind of dawned on me: ‘I’m the manager of the art gallery, I should probably at least invite him to come to the College,’” Tyler Sechrist said. “I sent him a text and asked him if he was interested in coming to the college to do an art show, and he was thrilled.”

During Weidmann’s time on campus, he taught several masterclasses, gave a public lecture, and talked with

guests at his reception. Tyler Sechrist said Weidmann has taught him to be more patient while creating his

“Psychology has helped in my approach to fine art, to really see and understand art as a bid for connection between the artist and the viewers.” own art. Outside of art, however, Tyler Sechrist said he enjoyed spending time with Weidmann.

“One of the biggest things about Jake is his humility and being down to earth,” Tyler Sechrist said. “I took him around campus, and he was blown away by the Chapel and the Heritage Room. He

was willing to spend the afternoon just hanging out.

Sometimes I feel like you get an idea of some artists that are pretentious and better than everybody else, and he is not that in any way.”

Weidmann was a psychology major and biblical studies minor at Biola University in California.

Although he does not actively practice a career in psychology, Weidmann said his background in the study has helped him create art that builds a connection between himself and the viewer.

“Psychology has helped in my approach to fine art, to really see and understand art as a bid for connection between the artist and the viewer,” Weidmann said.

“And it’s helped effectiveness of my art with the understanding that I’m essentially trying to have some kind of relationship with the viewer, I’m trying to relate with them on some level, and essentially, spark an emotion, invoke a reaction within them.”

‘The Two Popes’ reminds us how to bridge ideological divides to have collapsed. points of doctrine, act out By | Nolan Ryan “This project was about of love and concern for the Editor-In-Chief trying to get these two posiinstitution they lead.

Everyone knows you tionsRoginto dialogue with each After the media firestorm Fred shouldn’t politics and “A Beautiful other,” McCarten said. over the Vatican leaks scandal, ers, thetalk soul behind religion, at the The story revolves around which uncovered sexual abuse Day inespecially the Neighborhood.”

CourThanksgiving table. Differenc- the disagreements between and financial corruption, es tend to make things ugly. the two Catholic officials, Bergoglio is summoned to But differences are sometimes disagreements which are tem- the pope’s summer residence. important enough that they pered with must be discussed in hopes friendliof settling an issue. This is ness — for certainly true for people of the the most same faith who have competpart. ing views.

BeneSuch is the problem predict and sented in Netflix’s “The Two Bergoglio Popes,” directed by Fernando represent Meirelles. The film attempts two wings to reconcile two sides of the within the Roman Catholic Church, and Roman it masterfully displays how, Catholic when opposing sides collide, Church: both often bring good and bad the one to the table. supporting Or, as Pope Benedict XVI unwavering reminds Cardinal Jorge Berdedication goglio: “You think your sins to teachings disqualify you, but we are all and practicsinners.” es, the other Benedict (Anthony Hopadvocating kins) calls in Bergoglio (Jonfor a need athan Pryce), the future Pope to adapt the Francis, to discuss church church to matters and Bergoglio’s desire the times Anthony Hopkins (right) casted as Pope Benedict in to step down as archbishin favor of ‘The Two Popes.’ Facebook op. The entire film depicts reaching possible conversations the two those marmight have had in their meet- ginalized by society.

In the garden there, Benedict ings, as imagined by Meirelles, This should sound familiar. needles Bergoglio on comhence the “inspired by a true It’s the same story that plays ments he made to the media story” line at the beginning. out in politics, culture, and regarding the celibacy of the Screenwriter Anthony religion. It’s the age-old feud clergy and homosexuality.

McCarten said in an interbetween conservatives and Benedict accuses the carview that with so much anger liberals. The film, however, is dinal, saying he openly gives between progressives and con- careful to show that both men, sacraments “to those who are servatives, the middle seems though they disagree on finer out of communion.” Bergo-

glio responds that he believes giving communion “is not a reward for the virtuous. It is food for the starving.”

“So what matters is what you believe, but not what the church has taught for hundreds of years?” Benedict asks.

Bergoglio then quotes

Mark 2:17, saying “‘I came to call sinners,’ as the church has taught for thousands of years.”

Later in the same scene, in an exchange with obvious consideration for current American politics, Bergoglio challenges the pope on the notion of building walls.

“Mercy is the dynamite that blows down walls,” Bergoglio says.

And this is the mercy the men learn to show one another, despite their faults. Both confess their doubts about their own spiritual callings.

Bergoglio reveals how, as a young priest, his fear of the government led to the deaths of his Jesuit brothers. Benedict, though he is the head of the Catholic Church, asks for Bergoglio to hear his confession regarding his part in the sex scandal, how he relocated a pedophile priest.

“The Two Popes” ultimately praises this mercy. It encourages the viewer to show this radical, explosive mercy to others. Without turning a blind eye to wrongdoing, we need to relearn how to be gracious to individuals who don’t believe everything we do.

While this film’s dialogue, acting, and score are all fantastic, the one place it falters is in a slightly exaggerated depiction of Benedict and his

attitude toward the papacy, which may be due to the film’s soft liberal bent. In 2005, he told German pilgrims that he didn’t want to become pope, that he instead wished to spend the end of his life in peace.

“At a certain point, I prayed to God, ‘Please don’t do this to me,’” he said. “Evidently, this time he didn’t listen to me.”

But during the scene at the papal conclave, the meeting where the cardinals elect the next pope, Meirelles depicts an eager Benedict hoping to nab the papacy, lest a more revolutionary cardinal be granted the title.

Still, this is a minor flaw in an otherwise superb — and necessary — film. I found it applicable to my own experience as a Protestant, particularly in the ways Christians from our own tradition handle their differences. The messages of forgiveness and brotherly love resonated with me as a Christian, though they offer something to even the secular viewer.

What the film does best in its message of bridging divides is to remind us that, with some exceptions, no one side of an issue is entirely in the right or wrong.

Or, as Bergoglio says, “when no one is to blame, everyone is to blame.”

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‘The best of both worlds’: Dear Dale, Hillsdale’s home-grown students By | Christian Peck-Dimit Collegian Reporter For many students, going to college means moving to another state and cultivating a new set of friends a in a completely new community.

But some students at Hillsdale College spent their K-12 years only minutes away at Hillsdale Academy or in the Hillsdale Public Schools. For them, college has a unique meaning.

everything is,” Birzer said. “I definitely like it. It’s nice to just go home for dinner when I need to, and it really helps at the beginning of the first semester. I think the transition is a lot easier because they were so close by.”

While some students enjoy the ease with which they can visit their families, which Birzer does about once a week, others, like sophomore Nolan Sullivan, make a specific effort not to see their

“Me and Dr. Calvert, we have this handshake that we’ve done with each other since I was in seventh grade. We still do it now and then when we see each other.”

Spending your college years only a few short miles from where you grew up is an exceptional opportunity, one which many students take full advantage of.

One such student, freshman Gretchen Birzer, said she enjoys furthering her education while still remaining closely connected with her family.

“It’s really nice having family nearby and just having come here already knowing what’s going on and where

Tip-Up from B4

children.

Each year, attendees of the Tip-Up Festival vote by ballot for a new mayor. This year they elected Brad Wickham, an active member of the Hillsdale County Conservation Club, who runs the 3D Archery Programs.

“Basically, I get to watch over everything and just have a good time,” Wickham said.

“This is my first year being mayor and my fifth year helping.”

He said he enjoys the whole thing, but if he had to choose a favorite part, it would be the ice fishing and

parents as much.

“That’s something that I talked about with my parents before I came to college,” Sullivan said. “I want to make it an independent college experience. I love my parents, but I wasn’t going to live at home and miss out on the experience of really being on campus.”

Proximity to home isn’t the only thing that makes home-grown students’ experiences at Hillsdale unique.

Going through their primary the people.

“The fish come in all day long, and it’s fun seeing all the different ones. The guys that go ice fishing will go out in boats, canoes, and kayaks, or if the ice is good they’ll be out there all day, everyday,” he said. “It’s just nice visiting with everybody.”

But the festival is more than just sitting on the ice and waiting for the fish to bite.

There’s something for everybody, and the festival brings the community together.

“It’s a whole family ordeal,” Wickham said. “We’ve got games for the kids and if the ice is safe, we’ll take them out

education with friends who now attend Hillsdale lessens the difficulty of creating an entirely new social circle. This is especially true since Hillsdale is a small community in which the idea that “everyone knows everyone else” truly applies.

“A lot of these guys, I’ve known them and their families for as long as I can remember,” Sullivan said, “so it’s kind of funny to take my friend’s dad in a class.”

However, friendships formed before college don’t apply only to fellow students.

“Me and Dr. Calvert, we have this handshake that we’ve done with each other since I was in seventh grade,” Sullivan said. “And we still do it now and then when we see each other.”

Sullivan maintains that the Academy is an excellent school, and he credits it with forming many of the friendships he has now.

“Big thanks to the Academy. I love that school with all my heart,” Sullivan said.

“They’ve given me the best friends I’ll ever have, and a lot of them are here with me at Hillsdale.”

Junior Logan Tharp said that home-grown students of Hillsdale are in a unique and wonderful situation.

“I have the best of both worlds at Hillsdale,” Tharp said. “I have the feeling of being home and remaining connected to friends and people I knew before college, but at the same time, I have everything that college has to offer.” fishing.”

LoPresto said the kids are her favorite part of the event.

“I enjoy the kids fishing derby, watching them catch fish. Sometimes they’ve never caught a fish before, and they get so excited about it,” LoPresto said. “I also like the social aspect of bringing people out in the wintertime to visit and see old friends. People don’t really have anything to do in the winter, so this gives them something to do.”

From ice fishing to euchre, the Tip-Up Festival brings people of all ages together for a weekend of outdoor fun.

Bold claim: ‘Hillsdale, fashion capital of world?’

By | Callie Shinkle Columnist Throughout The Collegian’s history, many reporters have said that Hillsdale fashion is, well, maybe not the best.

For instance, on April 1, 1993, The Collegian ran an article entitled “Hillsdale Named Worst Dressed.”

However, on Sept. 18, 1986, these sentiments changed.

Collegian staff reporter Libby Clifton made the bold claim, “Hillsdale Fashion Capital of World?”

Move over Milan — this could be huge news.

Clifton said, “Every Hillsdale student has basic necessities of dress which are needed to survive the rigorous schedule of college life. Two, which are the most characteristic of women at Hillsdale, are seen regularly.”

According to Clifton, these are the jean jacket and the oversized men’s oxford shirt.

I can’t argue with either of those, but I wouldn’t say they are exactly groundbreaking in the fashion game.Throughout the article it became clear that while some wear Versace, others Prada, the fashion elite of Hillsdale College sport sweatshirts.

Clifton wrote, “On any given day, a casual stroll through

the Union can present enough letters to fill a can of GREEK alphabet soup.”

She continued, “Sororities and fraternities have created color schemes that even the human eye cannot perceive.

The once symbolic colors representative of each house, have evolved into every color combination possible, including white on white.”

Sleek, innovative, dazzling: all words I am expecting Vogue to use with regards to the Hillsdale fashion trend.

Clifton also talked to the fashion icons themselves, the students, for their input on these styles.

She wrote, “Senior Trey Dolle commented, ‘Untied shoelaces are a sign of physical and mental frustration among Hillsdale males.”

Footwear as a metaphor for deeper struggles is truly a superior way to dress.

Before we book a permanent room at the Dow Hotel for Anna Wintour, let’s take a look at how fashion evolved in the following years.

On Sept. 21, 1989, Jennifer Lyon, MB Haliburda, and Amy Phillips wrote, “Reverently we interviewed an array of Hillsdale students to uncover their ‘likes’ and ‘dislikes’ of the fashion scene

on Hillsdale’s campus.”

They continued, “The biggest faux pas for men seems to be sporting black socks with athletic shoes, and for women, oversized jumpers are out. Other don’ts include jean jackets worn with jeans, white socks worn with loafers, ribbed tank tops, and black Reeboks.”

In addition, the reports wrote, “The guys expressed a dislike for bright make-up, especially blue eyeshadow. They prefer girls to wear clothes that ‘fit’ rather than over-sized or tight clothes.”

That is great fashion advice, buy clothes in your size. It is a really easy one to forget when you go shopping.

With regards to male fashion, the reporters wrote, “Many girls prefer to see guys with the Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein look.”

It’s no surprise that girls wanted boys who could afford designer fashion. I don’t know if that was necessarily breaking fashion news.

At the end of the day, Hillsdale has always offered an array of styles ranging from horrifying to majestic and I predict this trend will continue for years to come.

January 30, 2020

I have a huge problem with talking about people behind their backs around campus. I’m not trying to spread rumors, but I get really excited about spilling tea to friends and it quickly spreads. Why is it so hard to keep my mouth shut?

-Gossiping Gabby Gabby, Living on a small campus means two things: everyone knows everyone and everything. If you only tell five people and each of them tells five people … well, you get the idea. Moreover, with social media and anonymous chatting apps, rumors can spread very quickly.

You’re not alone in your excitement to spill the tea.

Recent studies show that the average person spends about 52 minutes a day gossiping.

Psychologists suggest that humans have been wired to gossip for survival since prehistoric times – it’s the way we strengthen social bonds, determine who is trustworthy, and learn news. But our genetic wiring doesn’t excuse putting others down.

Try swapping negative thoughts for positive ones; for every person you want to gossip about, think of one good quality they have. Assume that whoever you are talking about could likely find out what you said about

them due to our small campus. Unless it’s something you’d be okay with them hearing, consider not saying it at all. Tell your friends about your goal to stop gossiping so they can help you.

On the other hand, don’t bottle things up. If you need to get something out of your system, try calling a trusted sibling, parent, or mentor back home since they don’t have a connection to the involved parties.

Finally, remember how gossip about others impacts you. Ask yourself if you really feel better after trashing people or if it just leaves you feeling unfulfilled. Gossiping may provide short term joy but often is draining in the long run. Remember how it will affect your social life.

The friends you gossip to are likely concerned that you’re gossiping about them behind their backs. If they view you as untrustworthy, you’ll no longer have friends to gossip to, so that’s one way to solve your problem.

-Dale To submit questions to Dear Dale, contact The Collegian on social media or email cabbo@hillsdale.edu

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www.hillsdalecollegian.com

January 30, 2020

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David Houghton inside the Mendenhall Glacier near Juneau, Alaska (left) and hiking the Titcomb Basin in the Wind River Mountain Range in Wyoming. Courtesy | David Houghton

Quick Hits: David Houghton A weekly rapid-fire interview

What is one scientific concept that baffles you? Electricity. The wind turbine spins and next thing you know, you can plug in a hairdryer?

That baffles me. Would you rather live in the tundra or in a rainforest? Oh boy, I like them both. A rainforest has more biological diversity, but way more tropical diseases.

The tundra is gorgeous in the summer but cold and dark in the winter. I’d probably go with the rainforest. What is the weirdest animal you’ve ever seen in person? I really like horned lizards. They look like little toads. They have frills around their neck and if you harass them, they squirt blood out of their eyes at you.

I saw those in Southern Colorado, which was pretty neat.

I also do a lot of scuba diving and, even though they are common, there is something inherently unnerving about an octopus. What is one thing most people don’t know

about you? I raced competitive triathlons for years. If you could be the one to make a big breakthrough in science, what would you want it to be? Some strange organism living in some strange environment that has some really unique properties like curing cancer or something. What is one thing on your bucket list? Visiting the most remote wilderness of every continent, at least once. Do you believe in or follow any conspiracy theories? Actually, no. I don’t really buy into conspiracy theories. Except Epstein didn’t kill himself. That one is true.

If you could film a documentary, what would it be about?

The journey of humpback whales from their breeding grounds in Hawaii up to their feeding grounds in Alaska.

I don’t think anyone’s ever filmed one giving birth before or all of those basic behaviors we know very little about. I used to lead whale-watching

tours in Alaska and loved watching them jump out of the water or feed as a group.

And just being in the ocean for a year filming them would be really cool. Do you think scientists will ever be able to study aliens? Alien life?

Yeah. If there’s water on other planets there’s probably life.

But it’s probably archaeans or really primitive bacteria.

Studying little green men? Eh, that’s a little harder to swallow.

What is the most interesting random fact that you know?

The critter with the largest brain relative to its body size isn’t people or dolphins. It’s ants. And there are probably more individual ants than any other type of land animal, so they may be taking over soon.

Who was your role model growing up? Definitely my father. What is something you believed for a long time that turned out to be false? I was a senior in college before I realized there was no such thing

as elbow grease. I remember I spilled something on the floor and my girlfriend said, “rub some elbow grease on it,” and I said, “I can’t find that product in the store anywhere!”

Yeah, that was pretty bad. She gave me this look like: ‘I can’t believe you’re going to graduate school.’ What is one of the most common questions you get asked in class? Something along the lines of: “What good are mosquitoes?” Most people ask it as a philosophical question, not realizing that mosquitoes are actually extremely important pollinators of blueberries and other delicious wild foods. If you could be on any game show, which one would you pick? Jeopardy. As long as there weren’t too many questions about art and theater. If you could pick any historical or contemporary figure to give a lecture at Hillsdale, who would you choose? Meriwether Lewis, the guy who actually went

into the untouched wilderness and saw things that nobody, not even the natives, had ever seen before, and he came back to talk about it. That would be awesome. A contemporary figure would be J. Michael Fay. He’s a biologist who walked 3,000 miles through the Ndoki Rainforest in Africa wearing sandals and documented all kinds of species that no one’s ever seen before. He’s just a real modern-day kind of Lewis. How would you spend $1,000,000? If I could convince my wife to move, probably buy a boat and open up a dive shop in some remote part of the coral triangle. If you could only eat one type of cuisine for the rest of your life, which would you choose? I’m a pretty simple eater. I could very happily live on eggs and avocados. What is something a lot of people assume about you? Where do I begin? That’s a very serious question because I’m a biology

professor and students make a lot of false assumptions.

People see the Bible on my bookshelf and ask some pretty discourteous questions like, “What’s that doing there?” and “Is that just so that you can know the enemy?” So, I think in general biology professors are assumed to be atheists or non-believers, and that’s not the case at all. They don’t assume that I go to church, that’s for sure. Then they see me at church and kind of freak out. What is one trend from your childhood that you wish you could bring back? Good music. 1980s pop and hair metal, with actual instruments. None of this autotuned mumble-rapping with video game noises that you hear today.

David Houghton is a professor of biology. This interview was conducted and compiled by Tracy Wilson and has been edited for length and clarity.

Campus Chic: Vika Nuñez How would you describe your style?

Fun. Classic. I try to be unique and personal.

What recent developments have you seen in your own style?

The fish board at the Hillsdale County Tip-Up Festival. Courtesy | Peggy LoPresto

Hillsdale County Fishing Festival: 60 years and counting By | Calli Townsend Collegian Reporter In the 1960s, several ice fishermen threw a few dollars into a hat. Whoever caught the biggest fish won the money. Over the past 60 years, Hillsdale County has continued and expanded this tradition with its annual TipUp Festival at Baw Beese Lake.

This year’s four-day festival began on Jan. 23 and continued through Jan. 26 as people from all over Hillsdale County gathered together to fish, hunt, cook, play card games, and more. The Hillsdale County Conservation Club hosts the yearly festivities.

Phil Wines, President of the HCCC, said the Tip-Up Festival got its name from the

type of fishing pole ice fishermen use.

“When you catch a fish, there’s a flag that will tip up and let you know you’ve caught one,” Wines said. “It’s like what you see in that Lincoln car commercial.”

Despite the cold and rainy weather, the citizens of Hillsdale County still came out to enjoy this annual tradition.

Tip-Up Festival Chairman Peggy LoPresto said, though she couldn’t an exact head count, they had about the same turnout as last year.

“Saturday night I know we had well over 250 people, and on Sunday afternoon there were probably between 250 and 300 people,” LoPresto said.

Wines has been a part of

the Tip-Up Festival for seven years now, and he’s seen several changes throughout the years.

“The fishing has always been in it,” Wines said. “Slowly, we’ve added in the other events to keep the public coming out together. The coyote contest has been added most recently, and that was at least 20 years ago or better.”

This year they also served breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings, along with a steak fry on Friday and a pork loin dinner on Saturday.

Those who attended the festival participated in chainsaw carving, a euchre tournament, music and dancing, a cash raffle, and other events for

See Tip-Up B3

I was very preppy when I came here, and I still sometimes am, but I think I’ve definitely been influenced by friends who are more stylish.

I just see what someone else is wearing and think, ‘I wonder if I could do that too,’ and then you just try. I’m definitely heavily influenced by my bank account. If I can find something secondhand that’s unique and not quite off-therack, I always go for that. And I would say the first year of college is very chaotic, so once you figure out what you like wearing, there’s something a little constant that you’re like, “Yeah, I know I like this style.” I’ll just wear that and it becomes my look, and then people kind of know you cause, like, you wear those types of shoes or whatever.

clothes all the time. So if I find something that will probably always look good, then I’ll stick with that.

What advice do you have for someone who wants to start developing their own look?

Don’t be afraid to copycat someone else’s style just to try things out because nothing is truly original. You’ll always be copying someone. Even if you think you’re being unique,

you’re just copying other people who are trying to be unique too. So don’t be afraid to copycat, also don’t be afraid to try something crazy — like tights and combat boots. I’ve never done that. Play around with patterns and textures. I think that’s the coolest thing about fashion. It’s so unique to humanity. It’s very tangible, and I like that.

Vika Nuñez is a sophomore.

This interview was conducted and compiled by Ben Jagoda.

Who or what are your main fashion inspirations?

Winona Ryder. Just because she’s cool, and not because I actually wear what she wears.

Jodie Foster. I think every movie that I’ve seen Jodie Foster in, I’ve wanted to wear what she’s wearing. Also, Julia Roberts. It’s very pop culture influenced. And then, Audrey Hepburn, because she’s kind of like the perfect form of style.

Do you try to keep up with fashion trends or do you just stick to your own thing?

It’s really interesting to see what’s trending cause it just goes in cycles. In one way yes, but also no, because fashion trends come and go and I don’t want to buy new

Ben Jagoda | Collegian