collegian the2008/12/12 · collegian editor-in-chief the debating society was the first student...

The Grove City College Newspaper

December 12, 2008 Bond seeks vengeance in‘Quantum of Solace’

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Class participates inphilanthropy program

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The

CollegianVol. 69 No. 11

Christmas comesto college campus

By Sarah Beth GrossCollegian Managing Editor

Students returned from Thanksgiving break to acampus decorated for Christmas.

“I just love Christmas decorations,” freshmanDana Murrill said. “They are one of my favoritethings.”

Outside, decorations include: wreaths lit and fes-tively hung on the lamposts, red and green bowshung around campus and the star atop RockwellHall of Science, which graces the campus with itslight every evening.

Students first saw the glow of campus lights dur-ing a special star-lighting ceremony on Dec. 2. The

band gathered facing the quad to play ChristmasCarols as students gathered in the bitter cold, mostof them gathering around the hot chocolate table.

Dean of the chapel Dr. F. Stanley Keehlwetterrecited from memory the Christmas story in theGospel of Luke and prayed for the campus after-wards. Additionally, Sarah Wishing, daughter ofCenter for Visons and Values director Lee Wishing’83, read “Star in the East” by J.M. Lowrie.

With a splash of drama, the star atop Rockwelland the trees on the quad were lit at the end of herreading when she said, “a star appeared.” Gasps andwhispers of delight echoed through the students andcommunity members gathered on the quad as light

Josh KitamuraColonial Hall residents bring Christmas spirit to the apartments by decorating Christmas trees.

By Kara WeaverCollegian Writer

Campus Safety received a callfrom one of a Resident Assistantof MAP North Hall on the nightof Dec. 2.

She reported that she could seesmoke in the hallway and couldsmell something burning.

“When our officers arrivedthey could smell a faint odor ofsomething burning but did notsee any smoke,” said CampusSafety Director Seth VanTil.

They could not immediatelydetermine the source of the odor,so they pulled the fire alarm tomake sure that all of the resi-dents of MAP could safely makeit outside.

The fire department was con-tacted, and the chapel was

Residentsevacuated

Stonebridge announces ‘Fiction Family’ as spring showBy Emily SmickerContributing Writer

Fiction Family, a new band fea-turing Jon Foreman of Switchfootand Sean Watkins of NickelCreek, will be coming to GroveCity Campus on Jan. 23. Theywill perform in CrawfordAuditorium at 8 p.m.

This unlikely duo was the prod-uct of a couple of talented friendssitting down and enjoying a cupof coffee. According towww.maplemusicrecordings.com,after a series of meetings at a SanDiego coffee shop, Foreman andWatkins were inspired to combinetheir similar love for music andcontrasting musical styles tomake a fresh sound. Both singerscame from two drastically differ-ent musical backgrounds;Foreman was from the modern

rock scene in Switchfoot, whileWatkins represents the folksybluegrass style of Nickel Creek.This combination has produceddelightfully positive and catchymelodies, such as the new single

“When She’s Near.” After listening to the song on

Fiction Family’s website,http://fictionfamily.com, freshmanLisa Marcellus describes it as

See MAP, page 7 See Fiction, page 4

Andy BarronJon Foreman and Sean Watkins will introduce the College to their“Fiction Family” in January.

By Darin MillerCollegian Editor-in-Chief

After a semester’s wait, theKennedy Center AmericanCollege Theater Festivalannounced that the Grove CityCollege production of play-wright David Hirson’s “La Bete”will be included in its Januarycompetition in Philadelphia. Thecompetition will take place fromJan. 13 to 17, 2009.

La Bete is the story ofElomire, played by senior PierceBabirack, a playwright who isforced to play second fiddle to alesser writer and actor Valere,played by Doug Backer ’08. ButValere’s appeal to the common-ers wins over Elomire’s patronPrince Conti, played by JesseAukeman ’08, and Elomire mustchoose between his art and hiscareer.

The College’s production ofWilliam Shakespeare’s “As YouLike It” was also nominated,though not selected. Threeactors from the show will jointhe cast of La Bete as individualcontestants in the competition:seniors Amanda Griswold andChris Capitolo, who playedRosalind and Jacques respec-tively, and junior GeorgeHampe, who played Orlando.

Sophomore Rebecca Shermanwill compete as well afterreceiving an individual nomina-tion for her performance asLettice Doufett in playwrightPeter Shaffer’s “Lettice andLovage.”

‘La Bete’makesthe cut

Winterconcert is ‘cool’

Audiences heard the “coolest”jazz north of Pittsburgh when theGrove City College Stage Bandand Jazz Ensemble took thestage for the fifth annual winterjazz concert at 8 p.m. Dec. 5 inKetler Auditorium of the PewFine Arts Center. The event wasfree and open to the public.

The performance showcased anumber of traditional Christmastunes, such as “O Come All YeFaithful,” “God Rest Ye MerryGentlemen,” “Jingle Bells,”“Charlie Brown ChristmasSuite” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” as well as avariety of Big Band and jazzfavorites.

In addition, the stage band per-formed a number of GlennMiller-style group vocals includ-ing “Chattanooga Choo-Choo”and “Home for the Holidays.”The Jazz Ensemble also cappedthe concert off with a number ofLatin, funk and traditional swingtunes. This section of the per-formance featured sophomoreEmily Bzdafka singing on“Chega de Saudade” and “I GotIt Bad.”

The concert was under thedirection of Dr. Joseph Pisano’94, director of music and finearts technology and assistant tothe chairman of the music andfine arts department. See Christmas, page 5

ArchiveJesse Aukeman ’08 as PrinceConti lectures senior PierceBabirack as Elomire.

News2 The CollegianDecember 12, 2008

By Sean MorrisCollegian Writer

In light of economic hardshipand uncertainty, Grove CityCollege’s Center for Vision andValues is educating, informing andpreparing students and publicalike on economic pitfalls, strate-gies and smarts. In the first of six“Freedom Readers” sessions to besponsored by the Center, alumnusLarry Reed ’75 spoke on econom-ic matters at hand.

Lee Wishing ’83, administrativedirector of the Center, opened theevening by noting the recent clos-ing and merging of national banksand businesses. For example, thelocal National City bankingbranch will soon be turned over toPNC Bank. Wishing commentedon the falling value of the dollar.

“Fortunately,” Wishing said,“you are at Grove City College[which] it has long been an oasisof sound economic teaching.”

Dr. Jeffrey Herbener, chair ofthe department of economics,introduced Reed. Reed’s accom-plishments include being currenthead of the Mackinac Center forPublic Policy, former presidentand founder of the Foundation forEconomic Education and theauthor of thousands of journalarticles and five books. Everyattendee at the evening’s sessionreceived a copy of one of Reed’sbooks, “Striking the Root.”

Reed drew attention to the factthat at the beginning of the 20thcentury, government at all levels

took only 5 percent of an individ-ual’s income by way of taxes. Atthe turn of the 21st century, how-ever, that percentage is well overone third of an individual’sincome.

Reed said, “We hear a great dealabout loving one another, yet weare accomplishing goals more andmore by force – not love.”

Reed then shared a story of SirNicholas Winton who was knight-

ed for his heroic efforts duringWorld War II in evacuating chil-dren from Czechoslovakia amidstrising threats abroad. Wintonwrote letters to governments allover the world in hopes of raising

funds to transport the children at acost of $3,500 per child. In theend, 669 children were evacuatedby railroad before war broke out,and, when descendants are fac-tored into the equation, over 5,000people were saved by Winton’sefforts. Reed said that the motiva-tion behind this heroism lies in thepower of love, not for fame or for-tune. In fact, Winton didn’t tellanyone what he had done for 50years.

Reed said government is alegalized force, and America’sfounders believed this. Financialdisaster in Detroit is a microcosmof what may happen in the nationif situations do not turn around.

Reed said that the causes worthusing “force” are the protectionagainst danger abroad and athome, the common defense andthe local infrastructure. Ultimatelyresponsible for protecting peace,government should otherwise“leave us alone.”

“We are fooling ourselves,” saidReed regarding government-spon-sored community improvementeffort, “if we think that we’rebeing more loving by sendingmoney first to Washington andthen back to communities andtrusting them (Washingtonbureaucrats) to do so (send moneyto local communities) and do itwell.”

Reed offered a healthy warning:“When government is big enoughto give you everything you want,the government is big enough totake away everything you’vegot.”

Freedom Readers talk economics

Andy Drabic“Freedom Readers” listen intently to a talk from Larry Reed ’75.


The debating society was thefirst student society founded atGrove City College. And whilethe society no longer exists, thedebate team does, in a big way.

When the debate squad com-peted at rival Hillsdale College’stournament in October, for exam-ple, its teams placed first, thirdand fifth in the varsity competi-tion and first in the novice com-petition. And by the final tourna-ment of the semester, the teamhad won all five of its contests.

“We’re having a good year,”said Dr. Steven Jones, associateprofessor of sociology and coachof the debate program.

Good year is an understate-ment. The squad competes at onetournament a month, and haswon sweepstakes, or overall, forevery tournament they’ve com-peted at this year.

“Most of our teams are win-ning about 75 percent” of thetime, Jones said. “We have wonfirst place at every tournamentwe’ve been to this year, whichhas been nice.” These wins arenot only against small privatecolleges but against major uni-versities and state schools such asMichigan State, Florida StateUniversity and the University ofAlabama. The teams debate who-ever attends the competitionsthey do, regardless of theirschool’s size.

The College is a member of theNational Parliamentary DebateAssociation, the largest debateassociation in the country. Ateach tournament, approximately15 to 20 other schools also com-pete.

Parliamentary debate is uniqueamong types of debate in thatinstead of debating a single reso-lution – the key phrase whichteams defend or refute – for thewhole year, students debate a dif-ferent resolution each round.They learn the resolution 15 min-utes before the debate and havethat amount of time to prepare.Most resolutions are taken fromcurrent events or are broad philo-

Debate team celebrates success

See Debate, page 4


“This is really an exciting day,” saidBrian Powell, Grove City College devel-opment officer, speaking to several dozenstudents and local non-profit representa-tives in the Pew Memorial Room on Dec.5. “It is my distinct pleasure to welcomeyou all to the first ever PhilanthropyProgram Award Ceremony.”

So opened the check distribution cere-mony for communication studies professorDr. Jennifer Scott’s Professional Speakingand Writing class, the first of the College’sthree classes to receive a grant from theCampus Connects Student PhilanthropyProject, which gives funds to courses thatchallenge students in philanthropic man-ners. Scott’s class received funds fromCincinnati-based philanthropist RogerGrein and the Sprout Fund through thePittsburgh 250 Community Connectionsinitiative, which supports 100 communityprojects as part of Pittsburgh’s 250anniversary celebration. Several non-profitorganizations received the funds as dona-tions from the project.

The class divided into seven groups andeach group chose an organization. Of theseorganizations, three received funds. Thestudents selected which were given moneyand how much.

The three organizations selected werethe Bair Foundation, a non-profit Christianfoster care agency in New Wilmington,Pa.; City Rescue Mission, a homeless shel-

ter in New Castle, Pa.; and Mercer CountyHead Start, a preschool for impoverishedfamilies in Mercer, Pa. City RescueMission received $2,000 and the othersreceived $1,000 each.

The Bair Foundation will use the fundsto purchase supplies, while City RescueMission plans to purchase a new dish-washer. Head Start intends to use themoney for educational supplies. JenniferZilla, the representative from Head Start,said that due to government budget cutsfrom the economic downturn, “[we] relymore and more on community funds.”

Senior Bethany Lowe, although not partof the group that chose Head Start, sharedabout how Head Start had helped her. As apreschooler, she attended Head Start in herhometown.

“I’m truly convinced that if it wasn’t forHead Start I wouldn’t have gone to pre-school,” Lowe said. “Even through it’s asmall thing, [I learned] lots of moral les-sons … while I was there.” Her storybrought tears to Zilla’s eyes.

Junior Katie McLay spoke as well.McLay said that when she started theclass, she saw it as a competition, wherestudents competed to win money for theirgroup. Her group was not selected howev-er. Later in the semester when a journalistfrom the Sprout Fund covered the group,he interviewed McLay. When she men-tioned that her group was not selected heinsinuated that she had lost.

“Well, we lost, but I don’t think we real-ly lost,” McLay said. “No one won and no

one lost.” McLay said she had learned that “this

was so much more than a competition. Ifthis is what comes from our group ‘losing’then I think I’m fine with that.”

Scott addressed this later in an e-mail:“When we view our life and our workthrough the lens of vocation, we are calledto excellence based not on competition orartificial standards of ‘success’ or ‘perfec-tion’ but rather on being true to ourselvesand to our own potential. To think voca-tionally means to make an appraisal of theself. We look at ourselves; we identify,accept and embrace who we are called tobe. It also means to look outward, to makean appraisal of the world’s needs and howwe can connect with the needs of theworld.”

Scott said, “A true sense of vocation isrooted in the reality that there is somethingwe must do.”

While learning about philanthropy is notgenerally the focus of a speaking and writ-

ing class, Scott said, “The focus on philan-thropy helped my students develop speak-ing and writing strategies that are effectivewith and tailored to real professionals.”

Senior Kelli Trease said, “Not only didwe get to see the result of our hard workand deliberation but we also got to see theappreciation from the organizations. Therewas a real sense of accomplishment and Ifeel like what I worked toward this semes-ter has truly been a blessing to theseorganizations and the communities theyserve.”

Of the class and the program Scott said,“It’s so much more than good for yourGPA; this is working for the commongood.”

This spring, history professor Dr. MarkGraham and education professor Dr.Constance Nichols will implement theproject in their courses. After that, fundingis not guaranteed. Scott said, “We hopethat we will receive [further] funding sup-port to continue this exciting initiative.”

News 3The CollegianDecember 12, 2008

By Sarah BoydCollegian News Co-Editor

Think back to that Christmasmorning years ago when youunwrapped the toy that was at thetop of your Christmas list. ThisChristmas, such moments ofChristmas morning delight willbe made possible by Grove CityCollege students’ donations to theSalvation Army’s “Treasures forChildren” program.

Until next Tuesday, new toysfor children ages birth to 13 with-in a price range of $15 to $25 canbe placed in the “Treasures forChildren” box by the mainChristmas tree in the BreenStudent Union.

Omicron Delta Kappa, the jun-ior and senior leadership andscholarship honorary, encouragesstudents each year to share a toywith a child in need through“Treasures for Children.”Formerly known as “Toys forTots,” the program began in1992. Once affiliated with theMarine Corps, “Treasures forChildren” now runs through thework of local bodies of theSalvation Army.

Senior Liz Bicehouse, secretaryof ODK, said, “ODK is commit-ted to serving our campus andcommunity … We can help tomake a child’s Christmas extraspecial by providing them a giftto open on Christmas morning.”

As senior Caleb Vits, ODK

president, explained: “We partici-pate in [the] Salvation Army’s‘Treasures for Children’ notbecause it looks good or because‘we just always have,’ butbecause it’s a tangible way toshow Christ’s love.”

Once the toys leave theCollege, the Salvation Army willdistribute them among local chil-dren.

Vits recognized the value ofoutreach to children in the nearbycommunity.

“We often want to see ministryas being on-campus and we seemissions as being across theworld,” he said. “What’s left outis the local community …‘Treasures for Children’ helps thelocal children trapped in relativepoverty.”

Normally, the process for pur-chasing toys for the “Treasuresfor Children” program worksslightly differently than it does atthe College. Businesses choose tosupport “Treasures for Children”and display gift tags in theirstores. Each tag bears the name,gender and age of a specificchild. Then, as shoppers maketheir holiday purchases, they canchoose a particular child forwhom to buy a Christmas gift.

Here at the College, however,the task is simplified. Studentscan purchase a toy appropriatefor any age or gender at anystore. Then the Salvation Armywill match the toy to a child in

need. Each family that benefits from

“Treasures for Children” is indi-vidually interviewed by a mem-ber of the Salvation Army, andthe family’s need is determined.All families involved in the pro-gram “meet minimum poverty

guidelines,” according to theSalvation Army’s website.

“Most of us do not know thefeeling of having no presents toopen on Christmas morning,”Bicehouse said. “Donating a toydoesn’t take much time ormoney, but it could completely

change a little boy or girl’sChristmas morning.”

As Vits said, “Getting a toyfrom someone, even if you don’tknow who they are, can be soaffirming that there is someonewho cares for you. That’s whywe do ‘Treasures for Children.’”

ODK hunts for ‘treasure’

Class project touches community

Aaron YaegerIn anticipation of Dr. Erik Bardy’s then-upcoming marriage, junior Mark Hottell and seniors

Buddy Fickley, Jeff Oskamp and Aaron Yaeger filled Bardy’s office with crumpled newspapersafter classes on Nov. 19. Bardy found the papers, including Collegians, on Nov. 20. Having beencreeked earlier in the semester, he was married over Thanksgiving break.

Newspaper recycled in new way

Dear Students: This is the ninth of ourarticles from the College’s InternationalStudy Center in Nantes, France. Eachweek we will print another letter fromthe Grovers abroad. Bonjour, Grove City!

Well, our semester here in France isquickly coming to a finish and we willsoon be leaving Nantes for good. We’releaving with mixed feelings as some don’twant their European experience to endquite yet, but Christmas is calling us hometo our families.

The students spread across the continentfor Thanksgiving break for one last adven-ture before the final push into exams. Wehad students travel to Northern Ireland,England, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain,Switzerland, Italy, Greece and a fewEastern European countries that it wouldprobably be better not to mention.

I headed to the land of Christmas mar-kets, bratwurst and smiling, blond,English-speaking girls: Germany.Christmas time in Germany was nothingshort of magical. Their fervor forChristmas could only be rivaled by that ofthe United States, but in Germany it feltmore authentic. Since Germany has noThanksgiving holiday to look forward to,they start their Christmas celebrationsmid-November, and they only build in

intensity as the date nears. I headed from Cologne to Rothenburg,

to Munich, to the Bavarian Alps, in a peri-od of time that just barely did each desti-nation justice. The highlight of the trip forme would have to be the Bavarian Alps, asthe picturesque snow-capped peaks gaveeven the Rockies a run for their money.Plus the Alps have castles interspersed inthem every so often, so they might even

have the upper hand. I grudgingly leftGermany, my only comfort being thathome would offer some degree of thiswinter wonderland, no matter how small itwas.

As students, we’ve had quite a transfor-mation this semester. We’ve gone fromwide-eyed, nervous, obviously Americanstudents who were scared to even take thetram to the city center to experienced, still

obviously American travelers that havecovered the majority of the continent withrelative ease. We’ve come to call Nanteshome and I will say from personal experi-ence that there were few things better thissemester than getting off of the train aftera long trip and feeling the euphoria ofreturning to something familiar.

I recently talked with an alumnus fromthe very first year of the internationalstudy center in Nantes and he gave me thebest description of life here in the twohouses: Grove City’s own version of “theReal World.” Take 16 students from a vari-ety of majors, locations and backgrounds,put them in a house together for fourmonths, and see what happens. The onlything we were missing was the cameras.We’ve had many laughs and maybe a fewcries, but in the end we’re flying home asone big happy family.

It will be hard to leave Nantes and theEuropean lifestyle in general. All jokesabout the French aside, they are some ofthe warmest people in the world. Leavingthe laid back French lifestyle for the fast-paced hubbub of America will be a hardchange to return to, but most students andtheir bank accounts will agree that quitesimply, it’s time to come home. MerryChristmas Grove City.

Au revoir,Nickolas Rendall


Salut!FRENCH CONNECTION

Students prepare to head home

Courtesy Nickolas RendallJunior Nickolas Rendall in the Bavarian Alps.

“almost having a Beatles-likevibe, with flowing vocals andsimilar instrumentation.”

The project of Fiction Familyand the creation of their upcom-ing self-titled album, thoughexciting, has been slow-paced andrelaxed. Since their primary com-mitment is to their original bands,Switchfoot and Nickel Creek,Foreman and Watkins worked ontheir collaborative album whenconvenient for them on returntrips to San Diego. Despite thespread-out process, FictionFamily’s self-titled album is set tobe released on Jan. 20. TheFiction Family performance willbe just three days after thealbum’s release.

Students are eager for theupcoming show. Though FictionFamily is new and unfamiliar tosome, once people hear that it

consists of Jon Foreman ofSwitchfoot and Sean Watkins ofNickel Creek they are thrilled.

Freshman Mary Trease is look-ing forward to the show becauseof this partnership between two ofher favorite bands. “I love whenbands are so different because itis a collaboration on their differ-ent strengths,” Trease said.

Senior Colleen Doughersummed up the view of themajority of students as she said:“Why wouldn’t two amazingindividual performers make oneamazing show? I’m so excited tosee how Sean Watkins’ folksystyle melds with JonathanForeman’s deep lyrics! They bothare so open to crossing genrelines that they can’t go wrong!”

Tickets are $15 for students and$18 for general admission inadvance, and $20 at the door.They can be purchased Dec. 8 to10 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. andJan. 19 to 23 in the BreenStudent Union. Tickets can alsobe ordered online now atwww.itickets.com.

Fictionfrom page 1

Collegian awards Green EyeshadeDuring the 2008-09 academic year, The Collegian initiated the

Collegian Green Eyeshade Award for newspaper staffers who showexemplary work each week.

The winner for the Nov. 14 issue was senior Jessica White for herrestaurant review and continual hard work for the Collegian.

sophical questions, Jones said.Students need a wide knowledgebase to debate.

In Parliamentary debate, theGovernment team interprets anddefends the resolution. TheOpposition tries to refute theGovernment. After numerouspreliminary rounds, the judgesdecide on eight to 16 teams whoadvance to the “out rounds,” orsemi-final, single eliminationrounds.

Jones said the team has always“broken” – sent to the out rounds– multiple teams.

The debate squad, comprised of20 students, meets twice a weekto practice and prepare for com-petitions. In these practice roundsthe students debate each other,but at competitions Grove CityCollege teams do not face eachother.

The meetings are largely stu-dent-run. While many collegeshave a full-time debate coach,Jones coaches on the side. At theCollege, the upper level debaterscoach the lower level ones.

Occasionally the two finalteams left in the competition willbe Grove City College teams.

When that happens, the Collegehas “closed out,” and the teamsdo not debate each other. “I wantthem to think as a squad morethan as individual teams,” Jonessaid.

Junior Luke Juday, squad presi-dent, and sophomore DayneBatten his partner won the firstthree tournaments the Collegecompeted in this year.

Additionally, “Kelsey(Winther) is possibly the singlebest refutation debater I’ve everseen,” Jones said. Last year,Winther received the honor of topspeaker at the national competi-tion. This means that she present-ed herself better than all the other

debaters present.There are four varsity teams on

the squad, and Jones said he isconvinced that any one of theseteams “can win any competitionany time.”

The squad’s final competitionfor the semester was held Dec. 5and 6 at Loyola University inChicago, Ill. The team again sawsuccess, taking first for the fifthtime this year.

The squad will compete at theirnational tournament in Californiain March.

“Last year we had two of thetop four teams,” Jones said.“Frankly I’d like to do thatagain.”

Debatefrom page 2

Courtesy Kelsey WintherThe College Debate Team has seen great success this semester.

appeared in the darkness.Harbison Chapel has also been

decorated for the holidays. “It is pretty much decorated the

same every year,” Donna Calessaid. “The two trees, wreaths onthe pillars, a garland with lights in

the chancel as well as on the bal-cony railing with two wreaths.The windows in the chapel willhave a globe with candlesbetween the present poinsettas.The globes are not added until theFriday before the Candlelightservices.”

The only thing that does occa-sionally change is the decorationson the trees.

“There were small red bowsone year, doves another, but in

recent years, it has changed tojust white lights with the bowwith streamers hanging down,”Cales said.

Many events, including wed-dings, occur over the holiday sea-son in the chapel.

“We want the chapel to bebeautiful but tasteful for the sea-son,” Cales said.

The chapel takes a lot of effortto decorate every year. Beginningafter chapel on the Thursday

before Thanksgiving break, main-tenance and housekeeping staffassist with decorations in order tomake it beautiful.

“It takes two days to fully deco-rate,” Cales said.

Although they do not use can-dles in the general decorations,“pew candles with globes areadded for the candlelight servicesthroughout the chapel as well asin the balcony,” Cales said. “Theyare lit for both services.”

Not only are the chapel and quaddecorated for Christmas, but theBreen Student Union and down-town Olde Town Grove City arealso graced with Christmas decor.

In the Breen Student Union, agarland of Christmas stockingshang from the ceiling.

In Olde Town Grove City, treesparade throughout the shops onBroad Street and many storeshave donned more extensiveChristmas decorations.


Business plans look to futureBy Anne Marie BoothCollegian News Co-Editor

The word ‘finals’ usuallybrings to mind endings – the endof a course, the end of thesemester and the end of the year.George Howley’s entrepreneur-ship class in business planninghas a final project that, for somestudents, will be anything butfinal.

For 10 of Howley’s students,their final projects may be futurecontenders in the College’sannual Business PlanCompetition. In preparation fornext spring, a group of businessprofessionals were brought in onNov. 18 and Dec. 2 to judge stu-dents’ business plan presenta-tions and to give the students a“real-world” perspective as totheir feasibility.

“The business planning classhas been a critical element instudent’s success in [theBusiness Plan] competition. Ithelps structure organizations andshortens the rewrite process.”said Dr. James Dupree, the chairof the department of entrepre-neurship.

According to seniors EmilyWisor and Sarah Sims, whose

business plan is for an organiza-tion called Ethics Elite, “[Thecourse] takes students throughthe step-by-step process of start-ing their own company.Students learn to conduct indus-try analysis, forecast financialsand ultimately pitch their plan toa board of investors during thesemester.” Ethics Elite focuseson serving an international com-munity.

Other plans include theexpansion of an existing lawncare business, a website for col-lege student travelers and atoothbrush manufacturing com-pany with a commitment toserving local charities with theirproduct line. Each plan wassubmitted in writing prior to thedate of their presentation andwas made available to a judgingpanel. Judges included MikeHufnagle of First NationalBank, financial planner TimothyDean and John McKinley ofRachel’s Roadhouse and a vicechair of First Western BankCorporation.

Howley, who taught the classfor the first time this semesterand oversaw the presentations,also has an extensive businessbackground. He has served as a

judge for the Business PlanCompetition in previous yearsand has worked for companiessuch as US Steel, SYSCO andBoise Cascade.

Howley required his studentsto write weekly business memosas a part of the class; this helpedstudents to prepare for the writ-ten portion of their final project.Students gained experience inprofessional writing thatenhanced their business plans.The consensus among the pan-elists was that each written planwas very professionally done.The few questions that theyraised about specific plansfocused, for the most part, onfinancial projections. The pan-

elists aimed to determine if eachplan was feasible – in otherwords, can it work? Will aninvestor profit if they put moneyinto that plan?

The panel had other considera-tions as well. When Hufnaglewatched each presentation, helooked at “the preparedness ofthe participants as far as havinganswers to questions that aroseand the fluidity of the presenta-tions.” Perhaps just as impor-tantly, he considered “the confi-dence showed by the students inmaking their ‘plan’ work.”

It takes no small amount ofwork to construct a businessplan from the ground up and nosmall amount of courage to pres-

ent your very first business planto a group of professionals.While Hufnagle and the otherpanelists did have pointed obser-vations of each groups’ plans, hesaid that “overall … the studentsall did an outstanding job.”

Each future businesspersonwill take their experience andthe feedback they received toprepare their plans for their sec-ond round of presentations at theannual Business PlanCompetition on May 1.

The competition is open toall students. Students interestedin competing should plan toattend an informational meetingon Feb. 5, 2009 in HAL 316 at5 p.m.

Student Business Plan DescriptionsHB Industries: Senior Melissa Borza and junior Rachel Henderson aim to “give you a reason tokeep smiling” through the toothbrush “Refresh.” Half of the profits from sales of “Refresh” will goto local charities, while the other half will be reinvested in the Pittsburgh-based company.WeekendWarriorTrips.com: Seniors John Moyer, Jonathan Pombo and William Rogerson designedthe travel social network and application WeekendWarriorTrips to connect college students andyoung professionals through a platform for sharing weekend trips and ideas.Ethics Elite: Seniors Sarah Sims and Emily Wisor formed a team to launch a nonprofit companythat will offer online ethics training programs for business professionals in China. All courses will beoffered in Chinese with a particular emphasis on character development.The Boys of Summer: This lawn care business was started by juniors Nick Mariano, Ryan Thomasand Jack Adams. Mariano started the business in the spring of 2007 and decided to draft a formalbusiness plan during the fall of 2008.

Christmasfrom page 1


With Christmas break fastapproaching and finals in fullswing, the last things most stu-dents are thinking about aretheir upcoming classes nextsemester. Unless they are takingIntersession. And for a numberof students, Intersession willlook very different this year, asthey study abroad for the twoweek J-Term. Five professorswill lead three intersession tripsabroad in January.

Dr. Lois Johnson, director ofthe Office of InternationalEducation, oversees the trips.For Intersession trips she said,about a third of the trip is a cul-tural experience and two-thirdsis educational. “Sometimes thatmight mean letting go of someassignments to add that [cultur-al] dimension to it,” Johnsonsaid.

Johnson is co-leading one ofthe trips with professor CarlaLigo, part-time Spanish profes-sor, to the American-ownedPeterson School in MexicoCity, Mexico. They are takingearly childhood educationmajors to student-teach overIntersession.

“I’m doing the educationcomponent, and Carla Ligo whois a native of Mexico City isdoing the cultural and languagecomponent,” Johnson said.

“I personally would like thestudents going on this trip to …

learn about a different culture… [be] open to new situationsand relationships and … obtaina more rounded education bybroadening their horizons,”Ligo said.

The Peterson School isEnglish-speaking for pre-schooland kindergarten, then bilingualfor the remaining grades.

The students will stay in thehomes of teachers from theschool. Johnson said it is thefirst time that she knows of thatthe College sent student teach-ers south of the border.

Dr. Mark Reuber, fielddirector of the Office ofInternational Education and Dr.Marvin Folkertsma, chair andprofessor of the department ofpolitical science, will co-lead a

Humanities 302: ModernCivilization course in Nantes,France. Nantes is the location

of the College’s InternationalStudy Center.

Reuber and Folkertsma willtake some two-dozen studentsto France with them. Over 100students expressed interest, butmost were put on a waiting list,Folkertsma said. Folkertsmahopes students will gain a“hands-on experience with thesights, sounds and context ofmodern civilization, with spe-cial attention to France and itscontributions to the modernworld.” Students will also visitParis and the D-Day beachesduring the trip.

Dr. Andrew Markley ’82,chair of the department of busi-ness will lead an internationalbusiness course to Zhengzhou,China for a week and then toBeijing for the second week.Zhengzhou is a provincial capi-

tal located about 350 milesfrom Beijing. Students will stayat the SIAS InternationalUniversity in Zhengzhou.

“We will be looking at inter-national business topics ofcourse with particular applica-tion to China,” Markley said.The course will discuss China’sculture, exchange rates, politi-cal risks, economic environ-ment, management and interna-tional marketing.

Since first opening its doorsto outside business in 1978,“China obviously has dramati-cally changed in terms of aneconomic environment to dobusiness in,” Markley said. “30years later it’s hard to find acompany that doesn’t havesome significant connection toChina.”


Big men ‘suit up’ for charities

Students study abroad for January term

Andy DrabicSophomore Matt McNicoll and Lilian Harvey grace the stage at “Big Manon Campus.”

Sigma Theta Chi raises money for American Cancer Society at annual Big Man on Campus

See Travel, page 7

Students play on the playground at the Peterson School in Mexico.

By Carl LaamanenCollegian Writer

Last Friday over 300 people gathered inthe IM Room for the annual “Big Man onCampus” pageant hosted by the SigmaTheta Chi sorority. For 17 years the sororityhas been putting on “Big Man” to raisemoney for the American Cancer Society.

Twelve contestants starred in the pageant:freshmen Adam Gernhard, Soren Kreider,Ron Templeton and David Schools; sopho-mores Matt McNicoll, Jarrett Shotts andBrandon Tigges; junior James Jennings; andseniors Bryan Jarrell, Brent Kerul, BobLandsparger and Dave Salera.

The contestants went through threerounds before the judges picked six tomove on to the final round. In the firstround, the contestants showed off theirfashion sense in the formal wear competi-tion.

The second round was the talent competi-tion, which was a crowd favorite andincluded impressive performances. Therewere musical numbers, stand-up comedyroutines, piano playing, a swing dance andan interpretive dance.

After the talent competition, the contest-ants moved on to the beach wear part of thepageant. Eachof the contestants tried one last time toimpress the judges and to progress to thefinal round.

The finalists were announced after theintermission and the final round of “ques-tion and answer” began. The six finalistswere Kreider, Landsparger, McNicoll,Salera, Schools and Tigges. Each of themcame onto the stage, picked a question andtried to give an appropriate answer to helpthe judges make the final decision.

After taking everything into considera-tion, the judges arrived at their decision.The runners-up were Saleraand Tigges, who received $25 and $50respectively for placing. The winner of BigMan on Campus 2008was Landsparger, who took home the victo-ry and $100. As a senior, Landsparger hadparticipated in “Big Man” in years past buthad yet to win.

The event was a success, not only forLandsparger, but also for the AmericanCancer Society, as close to $3,600 wasraised to help in the fight against cancer.

Outside the bubble...


Markley said the course willlook at not only general culturalissues “but we will also be talk-ing about culture in the contextof Chinese business.” As part of

their experience, students willvisit Yutong-Volvo, the biggestbus manufacturer in Asia.

“I think it’s a great opportu-nity because we get to experi-ence the issues and we get tomeet with the companies andget the perspective of the issuesfrom the front line,” Markleysaid.

But there’s more to the travel

Intersessions than a two-weektrip to an exotic location. EachIntersession group meets up tohalf a dozen times before goingon the trip to lecture, takequizzes and discuss readings,then meet again after the tripends to turn in writing assign-ments.

“So it’s not just going andsightseeing,” Johnson said.

Travelfrom page 6

opened so that students wouldhave a warm place to go whilethe building was examined.

“I was just about to fall asleepwhen my friend knocked on thedoor and told my roommates andI to get our coats on, becausethere was a fire. I didn’t believeher until I smelled the smoke inthe hallway,” freshman Northresident Molly Depew said.

“There was a lot of confusionat first, because people didn’treally know what was going on,but the RAs did a good job ofexplaining what was happen-ing,” Depew said.

When the Grove CityVolunteer Fire Departmentarrived on the scene, they beganto check the area for the sourceof the burnt smell.

The Fire Department andOperations personnel scannedthe area around the odor andused a thermal imaging camera.

Finally, they narrowed thecause to the hall’s water foun-tain.

After unplugging the fountainand waiting for a while, the odorcompletely vanished.

Once the source of the prob-lem was revealed, students wereallowed back into the building.

“I had hoped on catching upon sleep, and I had just gotten tosleep when we had to get out,but it was okay, because I got apicture with a fire truck,” fresh-man Becca Easterling said of thedisruption.

Campus Safety did note somepotential fire hazards duringtheir inspection of the building,including large amounts of com-bustible decorations, decorationshung on lamps and extensioncords that are run under carpetsand doors.

Campus safety encourages stu-dents to exercise judgment in thequantity and nature of the deco-rations that they use in theirrooms.

Thankfully, there was no actu-al fire, though precautions mustbe taken to avoid future inci-dents.

“We will gladly help to makesure we get to enjoy the season’sdecorations while still keepingour students and staff safe,”VanTil said.

Need help with last minute shopping? TheAmerican Red Cross of Trumbull and Mercercounties can help. Visit the office at 517 W. MainStreet in Sharpsville from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Available gifts include first aid kits from $4.95to $28 for adults, children and pets. First Aidbooks for people, cats and dogs are also avail-

able. For more information, call Susan at (724)-962-9180.

The Red Cross is also looking for volunteers toanswer phones, make deliveries, do computerwork and help with disaster services. Those inter-ested may call Lesley at (724) 962-9180 or stopby the Red Cross office in Sharpsville.

The use of technology has allowed twoGrove City College students studyingabroad in Nantes, France, to audition forthe spring musical. For the first time ever,the theater auditions were open to stu-dents who were unable to audition oncampus in person for the March 2009production of “My Fair Lady.”

The musical’s director, Professor Betsy

(Boak ’77) Craig, held electronic audi-tions on Nov. 17 for two students study-ing at the Nantes Study Center in Nantes,France. Juniors Mark Bernardo andJordan Zimmerman auditioned at 7 p.m.in France, 1 p.m. EST.

Craig used the computer programSkype, essentially an instant messagingprogram with both audio and video

options, to conduct the auditions.“They both did a reading and sang a

song like everyone else,” Craig said. “Iwas able to ask them questions and seethem on the video monitor.”

“My Fair Lady” is a popular Broadwaymusical about Englishman professorHenry Higgins, who undertakes the taskto transform Miss Eliza Doolittle, a

Cockney flower vendor, from a trampinto a lady. Craig held auditions inNovember because of the short rehearsaltime before the show in the spring semes-ter.

“My Fair Lady” will take the stage at7:30 p.m. March 11 to 14 and at a 2 p.m.matinee on March 14 in KetlerAuditorium of the Pew Fine Arts Center.

Musical audition occurs via Skype

“His career in shreds, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich clungdefiantly to power Wednesday, ignoring a call to step down fromPresident-elect Barack Obama and a warning that Senate Democratswill not let him appoint a new senator from the state,” theAssociated Press reported. Although it is the privilege of the governor to select a replacement

senator when an elected senator resigns, Blagojevich has beenaccused of scheming “to enrich himself by offering to sell Obama’sSenate seat for campaign cash or a lucrative job inside or outsidegovernment,” the AP reported.

“Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. said at a news conference in Washingtonthat he was Senate Candidate five in the government’s criminalcomplaint – a man Blagojevich was secretly recorded as sayingmight be willing to pay money to gain appointment to Obama’svacant Senate seat. Jackson said he had been assured by prosecutorshe was not a target of the investigation, and he emphatically said hehad not engaged ‘whatsoever in any wrongdoing,’” the AP reported.

Many Democrats are quietly edging away from Blagojevich as hiscareer crumbles, hoping to avoid implication in any illegal action.

If Blagojevich is convicted, or resigns on his own, then LieutenantGovernor Pat Quinn will step into office and the responsibility willfall to him to nominate a new senator.

Recession impacts even the Santa ClausesAlthough most people think of Santa Claus as a jolly man who flies around on Christmas night distrib-

uting gifts to all those who made it onto his “nice” list, the reality is sometimes as pleasant as it is plausi-ble. For, just as reality dictates that Santa Claus cannot fly to all the houses in one night, so it also causeseven the Santa Clauses of the world to be affected by a recession.

71-year-old John Hauck, a member of the Amalgamated Order of Real Bearded Santas, a self-describedunion for “real-bearded gentlemen dedi-cated to the joy of being Santa,” hasalways worked the holiday season in hishometown as a Santa Claus.

This year, however, he is having tocommute over two hours into New YorkCity “because, like most businesses thesedays, even the Santa business is strug-gling,” ABC reports.

In previous years, Hauck worked in hisown county, but the store with which hecontracted cut back on Santas from itsholiday display.

“I worked four days a week, 10-hourdays, full days,” he told ABC. “I countedon that money every year. It’s gone now.”

The AORBS told ABC News that Santabookings are down 50 percent this year.

-Compiled by Sarah Beth GrossCollegian Managing Editor

Illinois governor refuses tostep down despite pressure

Even Santa Claus must struggle sometimes.

Applications being accepted for scholarship

Samuel Robinson ScholarshipWho is Eligible? Junior and Senior students in full time attendance at the College who are members ofthe Presbyterian Church, U.S.A., recite the answers to the Westminster Shorter Catechism and write anessay on an assigned topic.Amount: Up to $1,000. Not based on need.

Those interested in applying for this scholarship may find information on-line at:www.pcusa.org/financialaid/programs/samuelrobinson.htm

The deadline for the completed work is April 1, 2009. However, the deadline to sign up for this schol-arship is Feb. 20, 2009. All interested parties may contact Donna Cales at [email protected].

MAPfrom page 1

Red Cross offers first aid kits as gifts, looking for volunteers

Life8 The CollegianDecember 12, 2008

Life 9The CollegianDecember 12, 2008

By Anne Marie BoothCollegian News Editor

To the tune of “12 Days ofChristmas”

At the end of the semesterMy teacher gave to meA pop quiz on Chapter 23

At the end of the semesterMy teacher gave to meTwo eight-page papersAnd a pop quiz on Chapter 23

At the end of the semesterMy teacher gave to meThree bad grades,Two eight-page papersAnd a pop quiz on Chapter 23

At the end of the semesterMy teacher gave to meFour lists of terms,Three bad grades,Two eight-page papersAnd a pop quiz on Chapter 23.

At the end of the semester

My teacher gave to meFive bio labs,Four lists of terms,Three bad grades,

Two eight-page papersAnd a pop quiz on Chapter 23.

At the end of the semesterMy teacher gave to meSix extra chapters,Five bio labs,Four lists of terms,Three bad grades,Two eight-page papersAnd a pop quiz on Chapter 23.

At the end of the semesterMy teacher gave to me

Seven take-home essays,Six extra chapters,Five bio labs,Four lists of terms,Three bad grades,Two eight-page papersAnd a pop quiz on Chapter 23.

At the end of the semesterMy teacher gave to meEight presentations,Seven take-home essays,Six extra chapters,Five bio labs,Four lists of terms,Three bad grades,Two eight-page papersAnd a pop quiz on Chapter 23.

At the end of the semesterMy teacher gave to meNine new assignments,Eight presentations,Seven take-home essays,Six extra chapters,Five bio labs,Four lists of terms,Three bad grades,Two eight-page papersAnd a pop quiz on Chapter 23.

At the end of the semesterMy teacher gave to meTen means of failing,Nine new assignments,Eight presentations,Seven take-home essays,Six extra chapters,Five bio labs,Four lists of terms,Three bad grades,Two eight-page papersAnd a pop quiz on Chapter 23.

At the end of the semesterMy teacher gave to meJohn Piper readings,Ten means of failing,Nine new assignments,Eight presentations,Seven take-home essays,Six extra chapters,Five bio labs,Four lists of terms,Three bad grades,Two eight-page papersAnd a pop quiz on Chapter 23.

At the end of the semesterMy teacher gave to meTwelve days to do theseJohn Piper readings,Ten means of failing,Nine new assignments,Eight presentations,Seven take-home essays,Six extra chapters,Five bio labs,Four lists of terms,Three bad grades,Two eight-page papersAnd a pop quiz on Chapter 23.

Collegian writer delivers poetic renditionof timeless Christmas classic

‘The End of the Semester’


Andy DrabicThe entire cast of characters that tried out for Big Man on Campus line up for a final group shot.

Andy DrabicSenior Bob Landsparger celebrates being named Big Man on Campus.

Andy Drabic“The King” makes an appearance during junior James Jennings’ act.

Big Men on Campus


Touchdown and Twirling

Contributed PhotoTwo freshmen RAs with their girls. (L-R) Junior Kristen Hebel, fresh-men Mallory Martin and Nikki Packard and junior Leslie Hardeman.

Megan MoughlerThere was a lot of spirit and pride for both AEX and the Tri-Rhos at theinterfraternity football game.

Contributed PhotoStudents get into the spirit of dance at the Crimson Ball.

Adam AljetsAn AEX rush by junior Jonathan Coopersmith goes through the hole in the Rhos’ defense.


SudokuInstructions:Fill in the grid so thatevery row, every column and every 3x3box contains the digits1 through 9.

The catch is ...* a number canappear only once ineach row* a number canappear only once ineach column* a number canappear only once ineach 3x3 box

The Bay State BiasBy Shawn McGonagle

Turn upsidedown for solution.

Courtesy of www.sudukogame.com

Journalists earn Naughty List statusBy Kelli GradelCollegian Life Editor

At the North Pole, there is animmense workshop full of elves.There are nine flying reindeer.There is a quaint house with agolden doorknocker reading “TheClauses.” Inside lives a portlywhite-bearded man with a jollyround face and a fondness forbright red coats.

Of course, you wouldn’t seeany of this if you went to visitthe North Pole. It is all under-ground.

“We used to operate aboveground,” admitted a jovial SantaClaus, “but with modern satelliteimaging, we would have peopleconstantly trying to see what wewere up to. It was a hassle mov-ing everything, but in the longrun, it was worth it.”

So Claus spends his year man-aging the underground workshopwith the help of his wife, theelves, and Nicholas Claus, theeldest of his 47 children.Although few people are evenaware that the Clauses have chil-dren, they all play an integral partin the family business, managingregional branches that facilitateChristmas list collection, naughti-ness monitoring and presentdelivery across the world.

Claus cites poor journalisticreporting as the reason for publicignorance about his family.

“I suppose I shouldn’t expect

too much,” Claus said, “but evenafter hundreds of years, theydon’t always get my name right.They either confuse me with myoldest son, Nicholas, or myyoungest, Kris Kringle Claus.”

In fact, the media has perpetu-ated considerable misinformationabout Santa Claus. Claus wasadamant that he and his reindeerhad never run over his owngrandmother or anyone else’s.Still, he chuckled as he recalledsome common misconceptions.

“I’ve given up on the wholechimney thing,” Claus said.“These days, most chimneys areeither neglected or blocked any-way.” Claus insisted that his rein-deer are perfectly capable oflanding on the lawn instead ofthe roof so that he can use thedoor.

Claus also noted that someincorrect popular songs hadresulted in rather nasty lettersfrom uptight parents.

“All of this ‘he sees you whenyou’re sleeping, he knows whenyou’re awake’ nonsense is ridicu-lous. I run a tight schedule as itis. Besides, watching small chil-dren while they sleep seems agrievous invasion of privacy,”Claus said.

He added, “Naturally I run intoproblems with walking into peo-ples’ houses in the middle of thenight, but if they didn’t want methere, they would stop asking meto bring presents.”

Claus also receives consider-able grief over his naughty list.But recently the number of com-plaints has been overwhelming.

“You wouldn’t believe all thehate mail I’ve been getting fromirate journalists who have beenput on the naughty list,” Claussaid. “Apparently they thoughtthat negligent misreporting aboutme wasn’t grounds for removalfrom the nice list.”

Ironically, Claus himself is notin charge of original naughtylists. Instead, Claus’ extensivenetworks of elves monitor naugh-tiness and report to regionalheadquarters, which in turn reportto Claus.

“Throughout the year, it’s myjob to compile various reportsfrom all 46 regional offices intoone list,” Claus said. “With that

much information, it would benegligent not to proofread, so ofcourse I check it twice.”

Claus pointed out thatChristmas has changed a greatdeal since its inception.

“Back in the day, we used to beable to make all our toys in-house: toy soldiers and woodenrocking horses and whatnot. Nowkids want brand-name toys, cellphones and Xboxes,” Claus said.

“So most of the elves don’tmake the toys anymore,” Claussaid. “They buy them from themanufacturer and ship them toour regional offices.” Apparentlymost of the elves don’t mind thechange, since they receive exten-sive travel compensation.

But the real mystery of SantaClaus is how he manages todeliver presents to millions ofchildren within a single night. Ofcourse, Claus doesn’t do all thework himself; help from his 47children lessens the workloadconsiderably.

“The kids each have their ownsleigh and reindeer team,” Claussaid. “I initially tried to handleeverything myself. But with thereindeer overpopulation problem,Mrs. Claus insisted on this solu-tion.”

As for the exact details of theChristmas Eve run, Claus simplyshrugged with a twinkle in hiseye.

“Mrs. Claus handles all thelogistics,” he said. “Don’t ask me

how she does it. It’s all magic tome.”

Claus insists that the real magicis how he manages to eat all thecookies left for him. A singleglass of milk and two Oreo cook-ies are at least 200 calories. Evenif Claus visited only one millionhouseholds on Christmas Eve andonly half of the families leftcookies, he would gain more than28,000 pounds of body weightovernight.

“Every year, Mrs. Claus tellsme I need to go on a diet beforeChristmas,” Claus said.

Somehow, Claus manages thecookie feat. Still, when hethought about Christmas thisyear, he said, “Maybe I can justconvince the kids to draw me anice picture instead.”

A mock interview with Santa Claus

Santa Claus checks lists twice.

What will you leave for Santa:a glass of milk and cookies or anice picture?


Students ‘suit up’ for Project OkelloBy Darin MillerCollegian Editor-in-Chief

You may have noticed them:dressed to the nines in three piecesuits, their hair a mess and theirclothes starting to smell. No, theydidn’t live on the streets for aweek, rather they remained in thesame suit for seven days to serve abetter cause – Project Okello – andgrow closer through the experi-ence.

The Suit Challenge, founded lastyear by current senior DaleMcCarthy, requires that seven mendress in three-piece suits for aweek. Period. 24/7, these studentssport their suits. This year’sChallenge wrapped up on Sunday.

“We were simply establishingourselves last year and did theChallenge for the pure joy of it,”McCarthy said. “Upon our returnthis year, many people werealready familiar with theChallenge, so it just made sense todo it for a good cause. ProjectOkello is a very worthy cause toget behind.”

As McCarthy said, “ProjectOkello is a group of Grove CityCollege students who are commit-ted to prayer and action for north-ern Uganda. Anyone is welcometo get involved with our activitiesand weekly meetings.”

Each suitist was sponsored byfriends and faculty per day for theweek, “similar to how someonemight be sponsored for each kilo-meter they run in a [five kilometerrace],” McCarthy said. Money isstill coming in, but so far the grouphas raised over $400 for the cause.

There were seven suitists – seniorsSeth Grissett and McCarthy; jun-iors James Parkin, James Oord andRoss Kucks; sophomore TaylorMierow; and freshman SpencerFolmar. McCarthy, Kucks andParkin were returning suitists fromlast year.

“We span the classes,” McCarthysaid.

The challenge is not easy.Difficulties include not bathing,sleeping in a suit and participatingin athletics. But each of the suitistsgladly faced these challenges.

“Sleeping in the Suit is perhapsone of the most enjoyable parts ofthe Suit Challenge, as it is bothcomfortable and warm – especiallynice with these cold nights we’vebeen having,” Kucks said.

Grissett added, “I did wonder ifmy tie was going to strangle methe first night.”

Grissett has an added challengethat none of the other suitists face:a girlfriend on campus. “Needlessto say I feel terrible for her at somepoints,” he said. “She stills sup-ports me whole heartedly, andbesides that I have had no qualms.”

The suitists are human though,and at times feel the desire to giveup.

“I am most tempted to back outwhen I begin to smell myself,”Kucks said. “This was not a prob-lem during last year’s event, butfor some reason, this year’s smell[was] a little over the top. I typical-ly have it kept under control, butnot always.”

Parkin said he most wanted toback out “Saturday morning duringthe RHO/AEX game. This goes for

both years, because I [could not]put enough layers on to stay warm.The suit’s breathability dramatical-ly increases wind chill.”

But the bonds of brotherhoodthat the suitists form keeps themfrom giving in to the urge tochange.

“We have bonded uniquely thisyear through a variety of ‘suitable’events,” Kucks said. “Evening teais a wonderful time of day to enjoyeach other’s company, a goodscented tea and generally unwind.”

Parkin said that going into thisyear’s competition he wasn’t surehow the group dynamic wouldwork out, since he didn’t knowseveral of the members before-hand. “But it [was]splendid,” he

said. “Between almost nightly teaand smoking time occasional breadbaking sessions and constant affir-mation around campus from othersuitists, our bond has been growingever stronger as each day passes.”

McCarthy said that last year thegroup consisted of the “only guysthat I could round up that wereactually willing to go through withit,” McCarthy said. “They ended upbeing a choice group of suitists.”

This year was different however.“This year, we were faced with thedecision of bringing in four newsuitists,” McCarthy said. “Plentyof guys would like to think thatthey would have no issue with it,but you really don’t know untilyou’ve faced the Challenge head

on. This year’s suitists were chosenbased on friendships and recom-mendations.”

Another interesting aspect of theChallenge is that it brings studentstogether across the housing board.Kucks is a member of the BetaSigma fraternity, McCarthy andParkin are in the Alpha EpsilonChi housing group and the remain-ing students are independent.

But the differences in housingdid not hurt the group dynamic.

“I liken it to the Monkees backin the 60s,” Oord said. “TheMonkees were four guys randomlychosen by a Hollywood TV studioto create their perfect boy band fora hit TV show. None of the bandmembers had ever met each otherbefore, but they were placed insuch an unusual, intense and verypublic situation that, by virtue ofhaving to work together in theircrazy situation, they became closeand great friends. That’s reallywhat this Suit Challenge is like.”

And for these students, giving uppersonal hygiene for a week isworth the experience.

Oord said, “What’s one weekwithout showers in comparison tothe glory and friendships that wehave achieved!” He added, “I alsohope that our presence on campusencouraged people to think outsidethe box and to engage in a littlefree thinking.”

McCarthy said the Challenge is atribute to what a person canaccomplish within their ownresources. “If seven guys can raiseover $[400] for Africa by simplywearing suits for seven days, justthink of what you can do.”

Evan MooreThe Suitists.

By Beth HydeContributing Writer

Many people view the GroveCity YMCA as a place for recre-ational sports activities. But onceeach month, people gather in thegym – not to shoot hoops but todance to the music of a liveband. These dances are calledcontra dances, which are similarto the dances shown in the popu-

lar film “Pride and Prejudice.”Grove City College students

and residents from the surround-ing communities have thisunique opportunity to experiencecontra dance thanks to RuthAnne Lachendo.

Lachendo moved to GroveCity just over three years ago.Shortly after her arrival, shebegan the dance group in orderto meet new people and teach

contra dancing.English country dancing was

popular in Europe. When it wasbrought to the States, it slowlymorphed into contra dancing. InEnglish country dancing, eachdance is accompanied by a spe-cific piece of music. Also,English country dancing does notallow participants to touch in theturns, though they can touch dur-ing turns in contra dancing.

Both English country dancingand contra dancing are intendedto gather the community andallow attendees to socialize. Menand women traditionally switchpartners after each dance andsometimes during a dance.

The constant switching of part-ners allows all ages to dancetogether. As a result, people neednot feel pressured to attend acontra dance with a significantother.

Contra dancing is done in twolong lines. The men line up in along row facing the line ofwomen. Each person dances withthe man or woman directly oppo-site. During the dance the cou-ples take turns progressing up ordown the lines of dancers.

The music is traditionally per-

formed by live instruments, butpeople often dance to recordedmusic as well. During eachpiece, the caller hollers out themoves in time to the music.

The local contra dancing grouphas enjoyed sharing this nuancedform of dance with the commu-nity. Membership has grown toinclude students from theCollege, community membersand people from neighboringtowns.

College professors have joinedas well. One of these is Dr. GaryWelton, professor of psychologyand assistant dean for institution-al development who joined alongwith his wife, Gaye. The Weltonshave assumed leadership of thegroup within the last fourmonths. In addition to serving asa facilitator, Gaye Welton fulfillsthe role of caller.

“The thing I enjoy most aboutcalling is getting it right,” shesaid. “You almost get a mentalrush because you have to call itahead early enough so that peo-ple know what’s coming. Thereis a whole knack to it … feelingthe music.”

She appreciates the sense ofunity created when people per-

form the same moves.“The people are dancing it all

together,” she said. “It makesyou feel really great.”

Gaye Welton went on toemphasize that many beginnersattend the monthly dances. Shesaid that students and adultsshould not be nervous to try con-tra dancing because there is alarge community of beginners;people attend the dances to havefun.

When the group was originallyformed, Lachendo did not plan toimpact the campus. The contradances, however, provide achance for students to release thetensions of the school week.

“It gives some students … aglimpse of heaven,” sophomoreAbby Marsch said.

The atmosphere at the dancemakes each individual smile.“You can’t go to a contra danceand stay unhappy,” Marsch said.

Contra dances meet the firstSaturday of every month in theYMCA from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.,and people may come and go asthey please. The admission feefor students is six dollars. Formore information, visitgrovecitycontradance.com.

Contra Dance: Grooving like Jane Austen

In Chapel this week

Sunday, December 14Christmas Candlelight Services6:30 and 8:30 p.m.

COMMUNITY LIVING PRIVILEGE: PART VI

Diverse groups give backNu Delta Epsilon

Rho Rho Rho

Phi Omega SigmaZeta Xi Omega


The Nu Delta Epsilon housing group isrelaxed, laid back and likes to have funpresident senior Dave Salera said. About90 percent of the group is involved in var-sity athletics, and this affects the way theNu-Dels serve the community and helpeach other.

Last year the Nu Dels held a cornholetournament which raised money forCamps Across America, an organizationthat brings inner-city kids to sports campsin the summer. They are also trying toorganize a stand-up comedy competition

in the spring to raise money for charity.“We’ve been trying to expand a little bit,”Salera said of the service events.

Because a majority of the Nu Dels areon the football team, Salera has seen howthe group has been able to encourageeach other through the training and prac-tice. The older members of the grouphave also been able to help the youngermembers in the same major with theirschoolwork, because of their previousexperience in the major.

“We’re a growing group; we’re startingto be involved in the campus more thanbefore,” Salera said. “In the future it’sgoing to be better than now.”


The Rho Rho Rho housing group con-sists of “friends living together and whoenjoy being together,” senior ShaunYasaki, vice president of the Rhos, said.The Rhos are very involved on campusand in the community in a number ofdifferent ways.

Every year the Rhos rake leaves inGrove City for the residents and anymoney that they raise from that theyuse to help sponsor a child. They alsohave a highway that they have adoptedthat they go and clean up during theyear.

The biggest event the Rhos hold isthe Extravaganza in February, a freeall-campus dance, which is in its 24thannual running this year.

“The Extravaganza brings in the moststudents on campus of any dance,” sen-ior Pierce Babirak said. Many members

of the Rhos also serve in SGA, OB andMen’s Governing Board.

Even with all of this involvement theRhos manage to find time to help outfellow members in need. Yasakirecalled a time when one of the mem-bers had an “abrupt medical condition”one night last year and several of theRhos got together to lift him up inprayer.

“We strive to be one of the most wel-coming groups,” Babirak said. TheRhos are “pretty well diversified,” sen-ior John Easlea said, and their involve-ment in many different things on cam-pus shows this to be true.


The Zeta Xi Omega housing group,better known as the Zenoids, is “asrelaxed as it gets; whatever you’re into,you’d be a fit,” junior Russ Greenfield,Zenoid vice president, said. JuniorDave Kuhta said the Zenoids are agroup that gains their identity throughtheir individuality, and that’s whatbrings them together as a group.

The Zenoids have a number of eventsduring the year to create unity withintheir group. These range from goingwhite water rafting as a group to hold-ing an event consisting of bowling, bas-ketball and hot dog eating contests.

While the Zenoids don’t hold a largescale service project, each of their

members serves individually where heis called to serve. Junior Jake Simsworks at George Jr. in Grove City, jun-iors Jason Kish and Eddie Lee work atsummer camps over the summer andKuhta volunteers at the Grove CityMedical Center.

The group has also helped at theGrove City soup kitchen and participat-ed in Relay for Life.

“We do our own thing, we enjoy itand everything works out,” Greenfieldsaid. Both Greenfield and Kuhta agreethat the group tries to keep their indi-viduality through the group’s communi-ty, and that is a major focus of theZenoids.

Greenfield said, “We have a bondingyou wouldn’t have being an independ-ent.”


The Phi Omega Sigma housinggroup, better known as the “Possums,”mostly comprised of groups of friendsthat join each year, president seniorTim Su said.

“It’s kind of segregated at first, buteveryone has gotten together realwell,” he said.

The Possums are involved on campusin many different ways. Some of theirmembers have led ICOs, and many ofthem are involved in varsity sports.

In the past few years the Possumshave held wiffle ball tournaments toraise money for children in Grove Citywho cannot afford health care. Thisyear they are planning a Halo tourna-

ment to raise money to help fightrheumatoid arthritis, which affects analumnus of the group who graduatedlast year.

Su has seen ways that the group sup-ports each other, but what sticks outthe most to him is the encouragementoffered by members willing to helpothers with their schoolwork.

“If someone has problems withschool, the other guys will step up andhelp him out, tutor him, whatever ittakes, even if it’s late at night,” hesaid.

The Possums are a diverse groupwith many different majors and inter-ests, but they are able to spend timewith each other and encourage eachother through the common tie of thehousing group.

Courtesy David SaleraThe Nu Dels work together and support each other on and off the field.

Courtesy Shaun YasakiJunior Tyler Mills (middle) and seniors Alex Burkhardt (left) and Pierce Babirak(right) rake leaves, donating the funds raised to sponsor a child.


This is the sixth and final in a series on theGrove City College Community LivingPrivilege. Throughout this semester,Collegian writer Carl Laamanen has pro-filed groups on their role in the community.

Entertainment 15The CollegianDecember 12, 2008

FILM REVIEW

Twilight rushed by swooning teensVampire movie receives conflicting reviews

By Sarah Beth GrossCollegian Managing Editor

Beloved by teenage girls and flocked toby fans of all ages, “Twilight” is an overtlylow-budget film that lacks realistic dia-logue, polished acting and any source ofintrigue or plot twists.

For anyone who has not heard about ityet, the story in “Twilight” is that a highschool junior moves from Phoenix, Az., toForks, Wa., a rainy, grey town where shefinds love in a most unusual source.

Captivated by a vampire’s unusual self-denying love for her, Bella Swan (KristenStewart) finds herself quickly entwinedwith the vampire community and ininescapable danger from one particularlytenacious bloodsucker.

What sounds like a possibly promisingstory instead stacks all the action into thelast twenty minutes, leaving the rest of themovie for conversation.

The plot is slow moving and assumes itsviewers have no logical thinking skillswhatsoever. Most of the dialogue is teenangst, and there is an entire scene wherethe two main characters do nothing butstare meaningfully into each other’s eyes.What is more, much of the movie is spentsimply watching them watch each other!

Her love interest, Edward Cullen(Robert Pattinson), swears to protect her,saying, in one particularly melodramaticmoment, “You are my life now” and prom-ising that he wouldn’t let anything hurther.

While the sentiment may appeal to mostwomen, coming from a 17-year-old whoseriously needs acting lessons, the wordscause more laughter to flutter through thetheater than sighs of longing.

That is not to say sighs of longing didn’techo in the theater throughout the movie.After all, a film hardly grosses $37.5 mil-lion on its first day without a certainamount of attractiveness – for “Twilight,”his name is Edward.

Why has this character universally cap-tured the hearts of young women?

Edward is self-sacrificing, polite, gentleand chivalrous. He absolutely adores Bellaand desires to delight her heart. He pro-tects and cares for her.

Edward throws himself in front of vansfor Bella, catching her as she falls so thatshe doesn’t even get hurt sliding to theground.

Being able to read thoughts, Edward isoffended by the foul thoughts in the mindsof the men who attack Bella in one scene.He is angered to the point of distraction

that they would think of her in such ademeaning way. After racing in to save herfrom these ruffians – a noble scene in itsown right – Edward tells Bella that shedoesn't understand what they were think-ing and asks her to distract him.

All three times I saw this movie, a cine-ma-wide sigh of delight passed throughthe audience. How amazing that this mancares enough about Bella, treats her withso much respect, that he cares how otherpeople treat her.

Later in the movie, Edward invites Bellahome to meet his family. A truly charminggroup, they are happy to see her and setabout delightfully cooking in order tomake her feel more comfortable. Edwardpolitely introduces Bella to his family, allof whom are vampires and have the natu-ral bent to eat her, yet they set aside theirown desires because they value humanlife. In fact, later in the movie they risktheir own lives in an effort to protectBella.

This family is almost like a fairy tale –their honor and respectfulness and generalmerriment explain Edward’s astonishinglygentlemanly behavior towards Bella. Ourhearts naturally recognize a desire to serveothers – the fact that the father vampire isa doctor is more than an irony, it illustrates

an understanding of self-sacrifice that farsurpasses many of today’s movie heroes.

Although the movie has no cinematicmerit – nor should it be recommended forany film awards – it is undeniably lovedand that in itself makes it worth anotherlook when browsing movie possibilitiesthis winter.

ALBUM REVIEW

Tracy Chapman does it againSoul-stirring lyrics and soothing vocals

highlight new albumBy Jake PattonContributing Writer

Tracy Chapman’s album, “OurBright Future,” is nothing new.Of course it’s a new album, butChapman is up to the same tricksthat made her famous in the late’80s. Complete with folk-ladenmelodies and affecting lyrics,“Our Bright Future” bringsexcitement to Chapman’s estab-lished fan base, as well as enoughpunch to interest those who haveyet to sample her music.

Made famous in 1988 with herdebut album “Tracy Chapman,”Chapman has been a prominentvoice for liberal politics andsocial conscience ever since.

While no particular song maymatch the height of her past suc-cesses “Fast Cars” and “Give MeOne Reason,” the LP as a wholemay be Chapman’s most com-plete work to date.

“Our Bright Future” features12 songs. The album begins withthe slow-moving ballad “SingFor You.” One of my favorite

tracks from the album, this is achorusless tune that speaks ofpast romance. Chapman boasts“Knew all the words to the popu-lar songs / With the radio on fullvolume / I remember there was atime / When I used to sing foryou.” As with many of her songsin the past, this is a light tune thatinduces relaxation.

The second song, “I Did ItAll,” is a ragtime ditty that show-cases the versatility ofChapman’s talents. While thelyrics are typical for Chapman,the western-inspired feel makesfor an interesting song.

As with many of her previoussongs, Chapman reflects on expe-riences from her past. She sings“I did it all / I didn’t ask permis-sion /What kind of life / Is not anexhibition / Crash and burn / Andthen you know you’re living /Some pain a few tears after / Tothe last line of the final chapter /I did it all.”

Another highlight from thisalbum includes the track “SaveUs All.” Pouring out her heart,

Chapman delivers a hopeful mes-sage in this quiet, slow song. Notafraid to sing about her deepestthoughts, the singer/songwriterpleads, “I’ve heard that yourgod’s older / Buddha AllahKrishna / Manifest with manyfaces / Worshiped the world overin foreign places / I assume yourgod must love you / I know Jesusloves me / And my god is goodand great and true / But if pridegoeth before the fall / I hopesomeone’s god will save us all /Save us all / And love the sinnerstoo.”

Other notable tracks include“Our Bright Future”,“Conditional” and “A Theory.”Each of these songs falls into thefamiliar theme of either religiouscontemplation or love that hasbeen lost.

While the same message hasbeen delivered by Chapman overthe years, her pure and smoothvocals have been the key to hersuccess. “Our Bright Future” isno different, bringing listeners ataste of her beautiful voice.

Although the critics may notrave about this album, the fansare certainly excited about it.Senior Steve Kennedy said, “I

love this CD! I recommend ‘OurBright Future’ to anyone wholoves to hear a beautiful voiceand a powerful message!”

‘Our Bright Future’ is Tracy Chapman’s ninth LP.

Edward shows Bella his special powers.

Entertainment16 The CollegianDecember 12, 2008

FILM REVIEW

Back with a vengeanceBond finds a ‘quantum of solace’

after Vesper’s deathBy Darin MillerCollegian Editor-in-Chief

James Bond has always been a contro-versial hero: he’s a womanizer and a killerwho somehow manages to smile and saysomething witty after every ordeal; but notuntil Daniel Craig stepped into the role in“Casino Royale” did most fans know why.

In “Casino Royale” audiences learnedwhere Bond started, and about his firstlove: Vesper Lynd, who played andbetrayed him. “Quantum of Solace” chron-icles Bond’s largely unauthorized missionto discover who was behind Vesper’sdeath, and settle the score. While the ideaof a vengeful Bond has been toyed withbefore – take “Die Another Day” forinstance – it was never to this extent. Thisis important because it shows how Bondcan take everything that happens to him inthe next 20 films with a smile and a wittyremark. Never again will Bond be broken,since he was broken before, or nearly, inthis film. “Quantum” is Bond on the edge,about to snap.

“Quantum” should not be viewed solelyas a sequel to “Casino Royale” but aseither an extension to the prequel that is“Casino Royale” or as a link unitingCraig’s first film with all the others.

Additionally, “Quantum,” more than anyother Bond film, delves into Bond’s char-acter. While the film seems to be non-stopaction, brutal from beginning to end, it isin this action that we see Bond’s charactermost notably. Vesper’s death hit him, hard.Now he’s hitting back, with everything heis.

If it seems like Bond is flat it is becausethat is what he’s forced himself to be.Does Bond wear armor? In “CasinoRoyale” he says that Vesper stripped itfrom him. Now with his soul naked for theworld to see, Bond is what every man

would love to be under the circumstances:an unstoppable force. No iron armor now– he is made of iron himself.

The first cue that “Quantum” is a transi-tional work is in the opening credits. Inmost Bond films, silhouetted womendance sensually around the text as themovie’s theme plays. In “Casino Royale,”card suits fluttered across the screen,weaving in and out of a silhouetted Bond.In “Quantum,” the credits begin with sanddunes, which slowly gain a sensualappearance as the wind toys with them andeventually dissipate, giving way to the fig-ures of silhouetted women once again.Bond in transition.

Fans of the old films can take solace inthe fact that classic Bond will return in thenext film. This is confirmed in the finalimage in “Quantum” – the famous gunbarrel shot from the other films.

“Quantum” begins with a car chase, oneof four scenes that were filmed too closefor comfort. Perhaps it’s no coincidencethat Jason Bourne shares the same initials,but in “Quantum,” Bond has stolen manyof Bourne’s tricks, including his knife-fighting skills.

So has director Marc Forster, who bringsthe camera into the action, snipping eachclip short a second later. The result:breathless, speedy fight scenes and chaseson foot, in car, boat and plane.

These were probably well choreo-graphed, but no one would be able to tellbecause Forster continuously shoves thecamera into the action, then changesangles before eyes can adjust – particular-ly in the boat chase, when Bond uses hiswits to destroy two pursuing boats; it isimpossible to tell how he destroyed eitherof them because of the close shots andquick editing.

Another divergence from classic Bond isthat writers Paul Haggis, Neal Purvis and

Robert Wade, all back together from“Casino Royale,” resisted almost everyurge to throw in comedy. Because of this,the slightest joke seemed hilarious – a nec-essary break to ease tensions.

All Bond films have a basic plotline.“Casino Royale” diverged from this, as did“Quantum.” But in “Quantum,” the plot-line serves solely to build Bond’s charac-ter. There was hardly even a twist – in thebeginning we believe that either oil or dia-monds are at stake when really it is drink-ing water.

The environmental politics seemed a bitmuch, but Bond has traditionally dealtwith whatever captured headlines at thetime: tense relations between England andthe Soviet Union, North and South Korea,the space race.

The writers should have focused moreon the character of Mathis, played byGiancarlo Giannini. Back from “CasinoRoyale,” Mathis not only sets Bond on theright trail to find out what DominicGreene (Mathieu Amalric), the film’s vil-lain, is up to, but also puts him on the pathto finding solace after Vesper’s betrayaland death. The character seemed con-trived, with one purpose: a short, breath-less monologue as he makes his exit.

Where Forster’s vision shone was in thepost-production editing. Alicia Keyes andJack White collaborated on the first everduet for the film’s theme song “AnotherWay to Die” — gone, apparently, are thedays when Bond songs were titled afterthe film itself — and throughout the film,the musical styles from each location, be itEurope or South America, are woventogether with the film’s theme and theBond series theme in a very beautiful way.

From Bolivian brass to Austrian orches-tra, all are intricately incorporated togetherin the soundtrack. There was also a beauti-ful scene featuring the Italian opera

“Tosca,” and Bond wreaking more havoc.Other highlights in the film included a

not-so-subtle nod to “Goldfinger,” whichserved to give Bond his one lover for thefilm and also to wake him to the fact thatholding his grudge was killing everyonearound him. By the end of the film, Bondhas lost more friends than probably anyother Bond film in the franchise.

So amidst this death and destruction inhis reckless pursuit of vengeance, whatkeeps him from going over the edge? Hisfriends try to help him. But the sympathiz-ing Mathis and kindred spirit Camille(Olga Kurylenko) – also out for vengeance– can only do so much. Camille tellsBond, “I wish I could set you free.”

Can anyone really set him free? WhileBond has transitioned, seen in the way hedeals with Greene compared to earlier vic-tims, it isn’t over. Even after he finally fin-ishes his mission to avenge Vesper, heisn’t fully healed.

But what would drive many mad has notdestroyed Bond.

At the end of it all, M tells Bond, “I’mglad you’re back,” to which he replies, “Inever left.” Then he smiles.

Remember that smile, because he wearsit in the rest of the franchise. It is also ourcue that what he’s gone through has onlymade him stronger, and awakened him. Hemay never trust as fully again, but you canbe sure that he’s found reason enough togo on, which is why Bond fans can takesolace in “Quantum.”James Bond (Daniel Craig) and bond girl Strawberry Fields (Gemma Arterton) attend a event hosted by Dominic Greene.

Bond (Daniel Craig) rushes to stop vil-lain Dominic Greene from completing ashady trade deal with a South Americandictator.

ThingsDoto

Entertainment 17The CollegianDecember 12, 2008

Finals week is the perfecttime for studying hard andslacking harder. We at theentertainment section under-stand this thirst to break themonotony of on-campus lifeat finals time and have a fewsuggestions to lighten up thiscoming week.

Go to www.whitepages.comand type in a first or lastname that you would havefound hilarious as a six-year-old. Then type in a randomstate, city or zip code. Pressenter and appreciate the factthat there are still people whorefuse to legally change theirnames.

Head on down to the CoffeeGrove on Broad Street fordelicious desserts and sand-wiches and a dose of much-needed caffeine. The CoffeeGrove is a great atmospherefor relaxing, but it’s also adecent place for studying andyou’re more likely to get atable there than in the BreenStudent Union.

Exercise your brain (like youaren’t already doing so) andtry your hand at online cross-word puzzles or Sudoku.Papers like the Seattle Timesand Daily Telegraph offerfree puzzling fun.

When you’re feeling the needto escape campus and satiatea burning hunger for appetiz-ers, why not go to Rachel’sRoadhouse for their deli-cious $0.25 wings? Indulgeyourself on hot or sweetbourbon wings, Mondaythrough Thursday from 9p.m. until the kitchen closes.Go online to www.spring-fields.com for directions andhours.

The Guthrie Theater willfinally be playing mature-aged films beginning tonightat 7 and 9:30 p.m. withshowings of the new end-of-the-world epic “The Day theEarth Stood Still,” starringKeanu Reeves and JenniferConnelly. The film will runthrough Dec. 18. But, never avenue to forget the littleones, the Guthrie will also berunning special matineeshowings of “Madagascar:Escape 2 Africa” on Saturdayand Sunday at 2 and 4:15p.m.

- Compiled by Kelsey Keatingand Anna Brinkman

Entertainment Editors

BOOK REVIEWS

‘Tis the seasonStaffers share their favorite Christmas books

Every family has their own set of traditions,many of which occur around the holidays.And what’s more traditional and holiday-ishthan curling up with a good book and a mugof hot cocoa? The Collegian editors were allasked to share their childhood nostalgia bywriting about their favorite Christmas book.Here are their picks.

“The Christmas Miracle of JonathonToomey” by Susan Wojciechowski (1995)

Each Christmas, I love to read this story of atalented woodcarver, Jonathon Toomey, whosegruffness earns him the name “Mr. Gloomy.”A friendly widow and her son commission thewoodcarver to make a nativity set in time forChristmas. As Jonathon carves each figure, heslowly responds to the kindness of the widow.Only after releasing the pain that prompted hishardness can Jonathon finish the mangerscene and find joy. The author uses repetitionand well-developed characters to create herpowerful story. In addition to the message ofrestoration, I enjoy the book’s richly detailedpictures.

Life Editor Arielle Bateman

“The Tale of Three Trees: A TraditionalFolktale” by Angela Elwell Hunt and TimJonke (1989)

This story is about three trees on a hill whodream of what they’ll become when theygrow up. The first wants to be a treasurechest, the second wants to be a sailing ship,and the third doesn’t want to leave the hill atall – he just wants people to look up at himand think of God. The lumberjacks have otherplans. The first tree was made into a manger –which held the greatest Treasure of all onChristmas night. The second was made into afishing boat – where a Man rode Who calmedthe sea. And the third was cut into strongbeams that were shaped into a cross, and peo-ple looked up and saw the Son of God. I lovethe rich illustrations and the immensely pow-erful message of this story.

E! Editor Anna Brinkman

For children: “The Most Precious Gift: AStory of the Nativity” by Marty Crisp andFloyd Cooper (2006)

A boy and his dog pay a visit to the infantChrist. From this simple story comes a tale oflove and self-sacrifice highlighted by wonder-ful illustrations that open the nativity story toall who come to the stable.

When the children have gone to bed:“Holidays on Ice” by David Sedaris (1997)

This short collection of essays includes theSantaland Diaries that is the basis for a one-man play often performed this time of year. Attimes irreverent and yet thoughtful, theseessays are meant to be read aloud withfriends.

News Editor Anne Marie Booth

“A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens(1843)

Most of us are familiar with versions ofCharles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” madefor the silver screen; even the Muppets presenttheir own spin on this classic. But thisChristmas, consider curling up by theChristmas tree with a cup of tea and the origi-nal short novel form of the timeless tale.Dickens transports his readers on a midnightjourney of redemption, as three spirits revealto Ebenezer Scrooge the vanity of his ways.Scenes come alive in a fresh and charming

way through Dickens’ lively prose and memo-rable characters. Most of all, reading this talereminds us that the Scrooges in us all receivea second birth through the One whose birthwe celebrate at Christmas.

News Editor Sarah Boyd

“The Polar Express” by Chris Van Allsburg(1985)

I have loved trains ever since I was little,and this is one of the first books I rememberfrom when I was young. It involves all thegreat things about the Christmas season –snow, Santa, and hot chocolate, to name a few.It is a great book for kids and adults alike! Irecently found it in my room, and I just mayread it again on Christmas day.

Photo Editor Andy Drabic

“Why the Chimes Rang” by RaymondMacDonald Alden (1994)

This short story tells of a magnificentchurch with bells so sweet that they are said tobe rung by angels, but the bells only soundwhen a magnificent offering is given to theChrist-child. People come from miles around,offering gold and other riches, but the bellsfinally ring when a poor boy from the villageplaces his last silver coin on the altar. I lovethis story because I think we, like the peoplein the story, are often too caught up in theglory and wonder of Christmas. We all wantto hear the music without realizing that it issometimes the smallest gifts and the sinceresthumility that make the difference.

Life Editor Kelli Gradel

“The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” byE.T.A. Hoffman (1816)

I remember a Christmas, when I was verylittle, when my cousin got a traditional nut-cracker soldier. Our Christmas tree was deco-rated in a variety of angels, animals, cartooncharacters, snowmen and other figures, andlike the story “The Nutcracker,” I wouldimagine that the ornaments would come to lifeand have a battle. In the story, the nutcrackerends up fighting a seven-headed mouse kingto save the little girl, and while we didn’t havemice in our house, there was a stuffed mouseornament on the tree that reminded me of thestory. Sometimes I would take the ornamentsoff and play with them on the tree, pretendingthat they were alive. I always liked that sort ofstory and hoped that they really did come tolife after I went to sleep.

Sports Editor David Janssen

“Santa’s Twin” by Dean Koontz (1996)What a wonderful take on typical Santa-

fare! Dean Koontz spins a wonderfully eviltale about the mugging and kidnapping of ourbeloved fat friend by his fiendish twin brother,Bob Claus. Determined to keep Bob fromruining Christmas and turning the reindeerinto stew meat, it’s up to the young heroinesCharlotte and Emily to journey to the NorthPole and rescue Santa Claus. My memories ofthis twisted tale were only of unadulteratedjoy at the sheer quirkiness of Koontz’s poeticwriting and Phil Park’s imaginative illustra-tions. “Santa’s Twin” continues to warm myimpish little heart.

E! Editor Kelsey Keating

“How the Grinch Stole Christmas” by Dr.Seuss (1957)

After my senior year of high school I partic-ipated in a summer theater program and

played the Grinch in “Seussical the Musical.”The combination of rhyme, story and inventedwords, all of which incorporate the Christmasspirit masterfully, touches me greatly. And ithelps that it’s a story which spans the ages andage groups.

Editor-in-Chief Darin Miller

“The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry (1906)This title should be familiar to anyone who

enjoys reading O. Henry. For those of youwho haven’t yet been introduced, “The Giftof the Magi” is a Christmas Eve short storyabout a young couple just getting started in aNew York City flat. Della desperately wantsto get Jim something special for Christmas,but all she has is $1.87…and several feet ofbeautiful hair, worth $20. Della never stopsto consider whether it’s wise to sacrifice hergreatest treasure for one she loves. And hereI must stop for fear of meddling with one ofO. Henry’s signature surprise endings!

Copy Editor Corrie Schwab

“The Polar Express” by Chris VanAllsburg (1985)

This is the most magical story about hav-ing faith and believing what is unseen. I lovethe description of the warm food and drinksthat are served on the train and how joyousseeing Santa was! All in all, it is just the per-fect story to curl up and float away to theunseen!

Advertising Manager Sammi Vermilya

“The Velveteen Rabbit” by MargeryWilliams (1922)

Who could not love this story about aChristmas present, forgotten initially andsnubbed by the “more expensive toys” but,once needed, loved beyond measure?Williams is exceptional – she is able to tell asimple story about a stuffed animal and yetbring people to tears wtihin the first fewpages due to the resonate truth she conveys.“Once you are Real,” the Skin Horse tellsVelveteen Rabbit, “you can’t be ugly, exceptto people who don’t understand.” For peoplewho understand the joy of loving until ithurts, the Velveteen Rabbit is not only oneof the best Christmas presents but also thebest Christmas book.

Managing EditorSarah Beth Gross

Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” isan enduring Christmas classic.

Perspectives18 The CollegianDecember 12, 2008

TheCollegian

Editorial StaffEditor-in-Chief:

Darin MillerManaging Editor:

Sarah Beth Gross Senior Copy Editor:

Kelley SmithLayout Editor:

Megan OsborneCopy Editors:

Andrew HartCorrie SchwabDavid Janssen

Katie McIntyreKevin Schellhase

News Co-Editors:Sarah Boyd

Anne Marie BoothLife Co-Editors:

Kelli GradelArielle Bateman

Entertainment Co-Editors:Kelsey KeatingAnna Brinkman

Sports Editor:Jane Wilson

Photo Editors:Andy Drabic

Joshua Kitamura

Business StaffBusiness Manager:

Karen BourquinAdvertising Manager:

Sammi VermilyaDistribution Manager:

Brandy Tillow

AdministrativeStaff

Administrative Adviser:Amy Clingensmith

Faculty Adviser:Dr. Jason R. Edwards

OPINIONS appearing on thesepages, unless expressly statedotherwise, represent the viewsof the author and are not thecollective views of TheCollegian, its staff or GroveCity College.LETTERS TO THE EDITOR mustbe no longer than 500 wordsand should be sent to DarinMiller at Box 2197 or [email protected].

Letters must be received byMonday at 5 p.m. TheCollegian reserves the right toedit or hold any letter.

Anonymous letters will not bepublished.

The Collegian is published byGrove City College, Grove City,Pa.

Since 1891The Grove City

College Newspaper100 Campus Drive

Grove City, Pennsylvania 16127Phone: (724) 458-2193

Fax: (724) 458-2167www.gcc.edu/The_Collegian.php

[email protected]

LETTER TO THE EDITORS

The Gospel abounds through graceDear Editors,

With the end of this semester, freshmen havehad a taste of life here at Grove City College,and the seniors among us can see the endapproaching rapidly. I want to pass on a part ofthe College’s recent history, especially to theunderclassmen.

In September of 2005, when I was a freshmanmyself, a memorial service for a student fromthe class of 2007 was held in Harbison Chapel. Idid not know Lauren Castanza, who died in ahiking accident, but I went to hear about thisyoung woman who had impacted our campusdramatically.

Lauren loved God. She hosted prayer gather-ings for this College in love. She shared her con-cern that this was a well-situated but barrencommunity. At the memorial service, a studentread the passage she had cited as representingthe College – II Kings 2:19: “Then the men ofthe city said to Elisha, ‘Behold now, the situationof this city is pleasant, as my Lord sees; but the

water is bad and the land is unfruitful’” (NASB). We have wonderful resources, but unless our

water is from God, we are hopeless, suckingfrom broken cisterns (Jer. 2:11-13). A senior atLauren’s memorial service encouraged thosepresent to regularly pray for our College. I havebeen a weak intercessor, I confess (I Sam.12:24), but I along with others have prayed thatwe members of this College would grow closerto God.

You have probably realized, upon coming tothe College or since arriving, how you and theothers around you are far from what we maylike to claim to be. Yes, there are many trueChristians here, but even if they are “nice” peo-ple or try to break that hypocritical stereotype,we all reject God in motive or action myriadtimes every day.

Ironically, this is the first part of the best edu-cation we can receive: to comprehend our needfor a mediator and propitiation for us, and to seethat in Jesus Christ alone we have this. When we

fall upon His grace, we find our identity ischanged – He lives in us and we are His (Gal.2:20; Rom. 8:9; Rev. 5:9-10). From there, wecan truly fulfill the purpose of an education, thatis, to joyfully share God’s glory by worshippingHim in more and more of the facets of our lives,in and out of class.

Remember that people are praying for you.Remember this college in your prayers. Andremember that we all fail and must depend onGod’s gospel, not any gospel we fabricate.Please keep this in mind, whatever you do overbreak. Remember that, best of all the interces-sors, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit pray forGod’s children constantly (Heb. 7:25; Rom.8:23-27). Be encouraged. Pursue God in Christabove and through everything else. Receive thebeautiful Gospel which applies to all of life onand off this campus – for this is the ultimate edu-cation.

Sincerely,Senior Josiah Momose

Living in the past: The needfor history education

By Kendra DoerrContributing Writer

In the book inspired by the truestory of a determined teacher,“The Freedom Writers Diary,”Erin Gruwell says to her class,“Raise your hand if you knowwhat the Holocaust is.” Afteronly one hand is raised, theshock of reality hits: manyAmerican students do not knowbasic historical facts.

One story does not prove thedeficit of history in Americanclassrooms, yet even PresidentGeorge W. Bush states that todayour children have gaps in theirknowledge of history. Bush said,“Ignorance of American historyand civics weakens our sense ofcitizenship. To be an American isnot just a matter of blood orbirth; we are bound by ideals,and our children must knowthose ideals.”

An American citizen shouldknow basic facts of history. Asstudents become aware of histo-ry, they gain an understanding forthe voting process and knowl-edge to participate in governmen-tal affairs. A core education inhistory is needed, yet it is notincluded in every classroomacross America. Schools, instead,spend too much time testing stu-dents with standardized tests toimplement history into the every-day classroom.

The Pennsylvania System ofSchool Assessment plays aprominent role in what is taughtin classrooms across the state.Math, reading and science arecurrently tested through thePSSA, but not history. Theimplementation of the PSSA cre-ates tension because teacherswant to ensure that students passthese exams.

There is a push for students toachieve high scores on standard-ized tests because there are con-sequences schools must endure

for not meeting the nationalrequirements of the No ChildLeft Behind Act, a federal lawimplemented in 2002. NCLBrequires each state to strengthenefforts for the improvement ofacademic achievement.

Some principals and adminis-trators actually have eliminatedhistory from the curriculum inattempt to raise test scores. ACalifornia elementary schoolteacher had to form her ownafter-school U.S. history club inorder to teach U.S. historybecause the principal said it wasan “extra” subject and not as crit-ical as reading class.

According to E.D. Hirsch, theuse of history can improve stan-dardized test scores in reading. Inhis book, “The KnowledgeDeficit,” Hirsch proves generalbackground knowledge is neededfor students to become successfulreaders. Students come from avariety of backgrounds, yet thehistory of a country remains thesame. History, therefore, providesa common, shared knowledge forstudents to build upon.

A good education goes beyondreading, math and science. A bal-ance between standardized test-ing and the ability to teach allsubjects is needed. Yes, readingand math tests should continue.But teachers must integrate his-tory into their curriculum when-ever possible, whether by sched-uling a specific block of time forhistory or by simply shutting theclassroom door and ignoringmandates when told not to teachit.

Now is the time to stopencouraging ignorance and tostart encouraging history in theeveryday classroom no matterwhich subjects are tested onstandardized tests. By doing this,every student will respond confi-dently when the teacher says,“Raise your hand if you knowwhat the Holocaust is.”

No Child Left Behind leaves children out

By Meredith BollingContributing Writer

40 percent of students graduatingwith a teaching degree never evenenter the field. Of those who do, 33percent quit within the first fewyears. Why would so many stu-dents spend hundreds of thousandsof dollars, four years of hard workand the time and energy of jumpingthrough all the hoops of teachercertification or only to decide not toteach? As a third-year educationmajor, I am beginning to under-stand.

Today’s public education systemmay seek intelligence, creativityand passion on paper applications,but in practice, it is more concernedwith obedience. Like compliantcogs, teachers are expected to slippassively into the well-oiledbureaucracy of No Child LeftBehind “programs” and turn quietlyin the gears regardless of the effica-cy of the teaching strategies that theprograms impose.

Programs, no matter how differ-entiated and effective they claim tobe, cannot replace intelligent, giftedteachers who know the educationalneeds of each individual studentand have experience in how tomeet those needs effectively. Irecently talked to a veteran teacherof 32 years in a public elementaryschool labeled a “Reading First”school due to low scores on thestandardized reading exam.

“When the Reading First programofficials came in, they told us thateveryone must do x, y and z, and ifyou don’t like it, leave,” the teachersaid. The Reading First officialstried to implement reading educa-tion by timed stations. Right awayshe saw several key pieces missingfrom the program. The stations,even when well orchestrated, weredifficult to differentiate. They werealso deficient in building the com-prehension, higher level thinkingand quality writing that shouldaccompany reading. She decided,

with hesitant permission from herprincipal, to buck the system anduse the reading and writing work-shop approach that had effectivelytaught students in her class to read,comprehend and write well for 30years. The result? Not only didmore of her students reach “bench-mark” on Reading First tests thanany of the other classes, but her stu-dents’ comprehension, fluency andquality of written response were soimpressive that Reading First offi-cials agreed to allow her to continueher practice. They insisted, howev-er, on applying the term “learningstations” to her teaching strategy inan attempt to cover the obvious factthat there are alternative methods ofteaching reading and comprehen-sion more effective than those theReading First rules dictate.

This teacher won a small victoryfor the 20 students in her class. It isa different story, however, for newteachers who do not have enoughseniority or tenure to choose a bet-ter option than the mandated pro-gram. Tragically, most teachers arepressured into giving up effectivepractices for the less effective meth-ods of wholesale education pro-grams.

Within the next few years, the vet-eran teacher informed me, NCLBimprovement programs – such asReading First – will take an evenmore outrageous step towardteacher-proofing the curriculum byliterally scripting each lesson. “I amplanning on being retired beforethen,” the teacher said. “I’m certainif I was reduced to performingscripted lessons something insideme would die.”

In ages past, teachers garneredrespect as intellectual authorities.Today, they are indoctrinated andcontrolled by the educationalbureaucracy as mere pawns andpuppets. Tired of dutifully follow-ing the faulty advice of prescribedprograms, some of the best andbrightest are leaving the teachingfield.

Sports 19The CollegianDecember 12, 2008

By Andrew ParryCollegian Writer

The Lady Wolverines swimteam pulled off the impossiblelast weekend. The team beat theWashington and JeffersonPresidents – LongneckerInvitational and Presidents’Athletic Conference champions– by a score of 1,102.5 to1,095. This was one of thegirls’ biggest wins in recentteam history.

The meet came down to thefinal relay in which the girlsneeded to perform well. The

Lady Wolverines ended upplacing first and third in theevent, leading to the eventualwin over Washington andJefferson.

The relay began with fresh-man Kate Wilt swimming a55.45, then handing it off tofreshman Emily Kramer whosplit a 55.62. Third was fresh-man Jenna Richert who split a53.63. Finally, anchor sopho-more Sarah Page split a 53.92,securing the victory for GroveCity. The relay team’s finaltime was 3:38.62.

Many swimmers put up

incredible season bests in mul-tiple events. Page was a stand-out at the meet. She posted twowins with the 100 freestyle at53.33, and the 100 butterflywith a 59.99, breaking theminute barrier. She was also theanchor to several of the win-ning relays.

Wilt captured two wins: the200 freestyle with a time of1:59.52; and the 200 breast-stroke with a time of 2:30.64.Wilt also posted a second placefinish in the 500 freestylebehind fellow Lady WolverineRichert, who had a time of

5:15.99.Richert was another success

at the meet. She posted a win inthe mile (1650 freestyle) with atime of 18:13.74. Richert alsowon the 500 freestyle in stun-ning fashion with a time of5:14.51. Finally, she dominatedthe 200 Butterfly with a win-ning time of 2:12.79.

Other strong performancesincluded junior AmandaThompson who took secondplace in the 100 (1:02.02) and200 (2:11.34) backstrokes, aswell as the 400 (4:45.93)Individual Medley. Freshman

diver Bethany Johnson tookseconds in both the one-meterand three-meter diving events.Other runners up includedsophomore Sarah Bargery inthe 100 breaststroke and seniorRebecca Smiddy in the mile.

The win against Washingtonand Jefferson made a statementin the PAC. The incredibleyoung talent mixed with strongsenior leadership is propellingthem to the top. The teamhopes to continue on the pathof success and has set its eyeson the Presidents’ AthleticConference Championship.

WOMEN’S SWIMMING AND DIVING

MEN’S SWIMMING AND DIVING

Team out-swims Washington and Jefferson by 7.5 pointsLady Wolverines cause upset

Team takesanother win

By Andrew ParryCollegian Writer

Total annihilation is the onlyway to describe the men’s swim-ming and diving team’s perform-ance this weekend, placing firstamong seven teams and amass-ing a total of 1,601 team points.The Longnecker Invitational onDec. 5 and 6 included three ses-sions that started off with abang.

Right at the start, a team com-prising of freshman KirkGagliardo and seniors DrewSnyder, Tim Whitbeck andCaleb Courage got the teamfired up in the 200 freestylerelay.

Snyder was the first leg of therelay and led off with a 21.47,one of his season bests.Gagliardo followed up with aseason best split of 20.85.Whitbeck, a former nationalchampion, split a 20.10, also aseason best. And then Couragedove in.

At this point, every swimmeron the pool deck was yelling andscreaming because the teamknew the varsity record for therelay could be broken. Couragetouched in at a 19.56, finishingthe relay at a 2:21.98, breakingthe school record by one one-hundredth of a second.

The team also shattered thepool record set back in 2006.This relay began a winningstreak for the swimmers, whatthey call “seeing water catchfire.”

Many swimmers had break-outswims at the invitational.Freshman Ben Bowser won the200 Individual Medley with atime of 1:57.53 as well as the400 Individual Medley with a

time of 4:17.05. In both raceshe touched out 2007 championand PAC star Brandon Smith ofWashington and Jefferson.

After the relay triumph,Courage swept the sprintfreestyle events, winning the 50(20.34), 100 (45.62) and 200(1:43.72) freestyles. He was alsothe anchor to the 200, 400 and800 freestyle relays.

Other winners at the meetwere: senior Peter Larsen, win-ning the 100 butterfly in 52.31;sophomore Camden Coppelli,capturing the 100 backstrokewith 53.75 and Lincoln Larsen,winning the 200 breaststroke in2:11.93.

Grove City College won all ofthe relays in the meet. After therecord-breaking 200 freestyle,the 400 freestyle relay includingGagliardo, Peter Larsen,Whitbeck and Courage won witha time of 3:05.57. The 800freestyle relay with Gagliardo,freshman Nick Hamilton, sopho-more Nate Nielsen and Couragewon with a time of 6:57.86.

The 200 Medley Relay teamof Coppelli, Lincoln Larsen,Peter Larsen and Whitbeck, wonwith a time of 1:34.55 – aLongnecker Invitational record.The final relay was the 400Medley Relay with freshmanClay Beckner, Bowser,Gagliardo and Whitbeck, win-ning with a time of 3:34.90.

Other swimmers who per-formed well were: sophomoreBennett Keefer in the 100 and200 Breaststroke; sophomoreChris Marasco in the 100 and200 Butterfly, junior ChipCressman in the mile (1650) andthe 400 Individual Medley; andseveral others who posted seasonbests.

Men take ninth at regionalsCROSS COUNTRY UPDATES

By Mary Rachel RobbinsContributing Writer

On Nov. 15, the Grove City men foughtthrough the rain and the mud on the eight kilome-ter course at Greene County Airport to place ninthout of 41 teams in the Mid-East RegionalChampionships.

Every week, Grove City cross country headcoach Sean Severson gives his runners a word, aphrase or a mantra to focus on for the upcomingrace, from “Dream Big” to “Become a BetterRacer.” For Saturday’s Regional race atWaynesburg he continued the tradition by choos-ing a phrase that was close to the heart of each of

his athletes – “The Seniors.” During this last race of the season, the men gave

their seniors the best gift they could give in returnfor four years of self-sacrifice: they gave their all.

Sophomore Garrett Cichowitz led the team witha 17th place finish and time of 26:01. He wasclosely followed by his teammate Senior DanSpaulding, who was 22nd with a time of 26:14.

Cichowitz said, “It was a privilege for me to goout and give it my best for the team, but mostimportantly for God.” While remembering thefour seniors who helped make this program whatit is today, this team did not forget to give Godthe glory and honor for blessing them with thegift of running.

By Tim SuCollegian Writer

For the last three years, every race hosted byWaynesburg University at the Greene County Airporthas had the same conditions: rain, and lots of it. Nov.15 was no exception. The juniors and seniors knewevery detail of this course. Saturday was the fourthvisit to this course in three years which included aprior race this season. Everyone had a taste of whatwas to come, but this time the competition was at amuch higher level. With 305 top runners in theMideast region spanning 44 teams, the LadyWolverines had a rough road ahead.

Freshman Mary Rachel Robbins stated, “RachelNelson saw Julia [Seward] go down … and pulled

her up, saving her from being trampled by some 300girls. This act displayed Rachel’s great sportsmanshipand unselfish attitude as she put her teammate beforeherself.”

Senior Kristen Carter was the first finisher for theGrove City team, taking second place overall andcompleting the course in a time of 22 minutes and 6seconds.

Grove City totaled 186 points to earn fifth place forthe team. Johns Hopkins took the team title with 80points. The Grove City women finished sixth the yearbefore.

For most of the women’s team, this race markedthe end of the season. However, Carter and Sewardcontinued on to the NCAA Division IIIChampionships.

Women take fifth at regionals

Three runners represent College at NationalsBy Tim SuCollegian Writer

On Nov. 22, some of the nation’s best intercollegiaterunners gathered at Hanover College in Indiana. Thechampionship course was relatively flat with a fewrolling hills. The temperature that afternoon was 23degrees. Hundreds of fans lined the course to cheer onthe runners.

For both the men and the women’s cross countryteams, this year produced spectacular runners. Bothteams worked hard throughout the season, plowingthrough summer training, pre-season camp, and invita-tional races on the weekends, all of which on top of therigorous academic workload from Grove City College.

Three runners individually qualified for the DivisionIII National Championship meet: sophomore GarrettCichowitz and seniors Kristen Carter and Julia Seward.This is Cichowitz’s first, Carter’s third and Seward’s

second time qualifying.Cichowitz was the first to run the eight kilometer

men’s race, completing the course in a time of 25:48 tocapture 133rd place out of 278 runners.

Seward and Carter ran their six kilometer race atnoon. Seward came in 38th place with a time of 21:49and Carter came in 131st with 22:41. There were 279runners competing in total.

As Carter looked back on her final cross country sea-son, she said, “I have ran cross-country for eight years,and this past year was the most rewarding season Ihave ever had. I have never competed with a team thatwas as united, as focused and as selfless as this year’steam. I am proud to say I ran with those girls, and Iwill miss them tremendously.”

This race culminated the impressive season for boththe men’s and women’s teams. For the College, boththe men and women brought home the Presidents’Athletic Conference Titles in cross country.

Sports20 The CollegianDecember 12, 2008

AEX defeats Tri-Rhos in annual match up

INTRAMURAL FOOTBALL

By David JanssenCollegian Sports Editor

Saturday morning felt cold. Reallycold. Despite temperatures below 20degrees, more than 100 people arrivedat 10 a.m. to cheer for the brothers ofAEX and Rho Rho Rho as they compet-ed in their annual tackle football game.

The AEX/Rho football game traditionbegan in the late ’90s. Members of bothgroups spend two months before thegame practicing and preparing. A lot oftime and hard work goes into the game.

Before game play began, junior BethBieber and AEX senior Caleb Vits ledthe attendees in the national anthem;Bieber sang and Vits accompanied onsaxophone. Rivalries were put aside assenior Josh Skipper of AEX and seniorPierce Babirak of the Tri-Rhos tookturns leading the group in prayer.

Once the teams took their places onthe frozen tundra, the struggle began. Attimes, the game seemed to blur the linesbetween rugby and football. Both teamsfought to get the ball down the field, butlittle happened until late in the first half.

Senior Chris Martin, AEX president,said, “The 2008 matchup was a verydefense-oriented game; both the AEXand Rho defenses made scoring diffi-cult.”

With less than a minute to go in thehalf, AEX quarterback junior JonathanCoopersmith maintained the ball andrushed for a touchdown. Martin saidthat the Rho defense prevented an AEXconversion, so the score remained 6-0.

Despite consecutive attempts towardthe end of the game to complete a pass-ing drive, the Rho players failed toscore.

Senior Dan Huber, Rho team captain,said, “The bitter cold really had aneffect, with our receivers not beingabout to catch the ball when we neededit most at the end of the game. It took atoll on everyone, because every timeyou hit the ground, it was like hitting aconcrete wall.”

Though no scoring took place in the

second half, one exciting momentoccurred when AEX safety juniorJordan Roberts intercepted the ball, run-ning it back 30 yards in the last secondsof the game.

Reflecting on the game, AEX teamcaptain senior Josh Skipper said, “I con-sider it an immense achievement tohave beaten the Rhos, and not by much,mind you. They played a skillful game,and I sincerely applaud their uprightsportsmanship, which was encouragingfor my brothers and I to observe.”

Skipper also said that “what makesthis game so significantly intense is thefact that we have one chance todemonstrate two grueling months’worth of practices, not to mention theexcitement of the many cheering alum-ni who make the journey back to wit-ness the great legacy they have passedon.”

After the game, Skipper and the menof AEX reclaimed the dinner tray thathas served as the official trophy since2002. The men of Rho Rho Rho wonlast year’s game.

Adam AljetsCold temperatures cannot keep the Tri-Rhos or AEX off the field.

After five straight losses, theGrove City women’s basketballteam bounced back with threewins in a row against Geneva,Westminster and Allegheny.

The team’s fifth loss cameagainst conference foeWashington & Jefferson on Dec.1. The team played well in thefirst half, keeping the game with-in seven points. But W&J surgedahead in the second half for a winof 63-30.

The Lady Wolverines were ledby freshman Megan Gebrosky,who had a career-high 13 points.Sophomore Christine Slatergrabbed a team-high 10rebounds.

With just a seven-member

team, led by captains seniorRaeann Szelong and juniorsLaura Miller and Krista Beechy,the Wolverines team is half thesize of most.

But the losses for the smallsquad came to an end with threewins in a row.

In a 68-58 win against Genevaon Dec. 3, Miller fired in acareer-high 18 points while Slateradded 14 points and a game-highnine rebounds.

Szelong added a dozen pointswhile Gebrosky posted 11 pointsand four assists.

Then on Dec. 6, the teamchalked up its second win againstWestminster, beating the Titans40-36 and limiting them to just

23 percent shooting from thefloor. Grove City also forced 20turnovers.

To extend the win streak tothree, the Wolverines pulled out a54-51 victory over visitingAllegheny on Dec. 10.

Grove City broke a 49-49 tiewith 48 seconds left on a three-point play from Szelong.Allegheny closed to within 52-51but Miller sank both ends of aone-and-one with four secondsleft to extend the lead back tothree. A desperation heave at thebuzzer by Allegheny fell wellshort.

A major obstacle the playerswill have to overcome is growingfatigue throughout the season.

Against W&J, for instance, eachteam member played for about 15minutes, and four women playedmore than 30 minutes.

“We need to figure out how toput 40 minutes of play togetherwithout letting up,” Beechy said.She added that they are not at thispoint yet, but she expressed opti-mism.

“We all understand our roles onthe team and how hard we haveto work in order to be success-ful,” Beechy said.

This year the team features atwo-guard, three-forward lineup.The team has no center but usesthis to its advantage. AgainstW&J, Grove City pushed the ballup the floor quickly to capitalize

on its athleticism. The team’soffensive strategy, under the lead-ership of coach Sarah Harris, willkey on the fast break to createchanges for layups and uncontest-ed shots.

On defense, the team will alsotry to utilize its quickness andathleticism. Beechy said that theteam will strive to play toughdefense until the shot goes up orthe team forces a turnover.

The Lady Wolverines havemany goals this year, both on andoff the court. On the court, theteam hopes to get a .500 winningpercentage and always giveabsolute effort.

(David Larson contributed tothis story.)

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Team wins three in a row after slow start

MEN’S BASKETBALL

By David LarsonContributing Writer

The Grove City men’s basketball teamwon its conference opener 58-44 overWashington and Jefferson on Dec. 1 at theGrove City Arena. Grove City controlledthe tempo of the game with stiflingdefense and a balanced offensive attack.

The Wolverines were led by senior RyanGibson who had team highs of 16 pointsand six rebounds. Senior guard JoeMcCoy added 11 points, and junior AndyO’Keefe scored nine points. Grove Cityimproves its standings to 5-1 overall and2-0 in the conference. While theWolverines accomplished a successfulstart, they hope to achieve even more inthe future.

“The team goal for the season is to winthe PAC championship,” O’Keefe said. IfGrove City wins the post-season PACtournament, they will clinch a spot in theNCAA Division III Tournament.

This task, however, will not be easilyaccomplished. O’Keefe noted that theteam’s success requires passion and focusfrom every player.

This season, Grove City plans its suc-cess on the defensive end. The team takespride in holding opponents to a low shoot-ing percentage. In its three wins this sea-son, Grove City has held its opponents to40 percent shooting or less from the field.

Head coach Steve Lamie refuses toallow the Wolverine defense to becomecomplacent. In practice, the players con-tinue to work on their defense underLamie’s instruction. One drill the teamfrequently performs is called the shelldrill, which helps the defensive playerslearn to quickly adjust to the offense’spasses.

The shell drill also enforces the trust andcommunication necessary among teammembers. O’Keefe said that recently, theteam’s communication has become one ofits strengths.

On the offensive end, the players hopeto become more aware of one another’stendencies. As the season continues, theteam will integrate more complex offen-

sive schemes and will look to utilize itsadvantages.

The team is hoping to push the ball upthe floor quickly after missed baskets todemonstrate its athleticism. While theteam lacks size, their big men are athleticand O’Keefe said the team should be ableto exploit this advantage.

The team also pulled off two wins inovertime during the past week. On Dec. 3,the team beat Geneva, 68-64, andWestminster 89-81. They lost their Dec.10 game against Hiram 66-56.

Team uses defensefor success

Fred JennyJunior Andy O’Keefe scored 21 pointsduring the team’s win against Genevaon Dec. 3.

collegian the2008/12/12 · collegian editor-in-chief the debating society was the first student...

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