Houghton STARThe student newspaper of Houghton College for more than 100 years.
Correction: In the October 9th issue of The STAR, the article, “Student Photo and Film Club Proposed” incorrectly asserted that no photography classes would be offered in the foreseeable future. As stated in a previous article (“Photo Classes Restructured”), in addition to offering three new photography courses, the art department has also reworked two additional classes, some which will be offered this semester and in the future as well.
Over-Churched, Jaded Millennials
Dear Editor,
Last Monday, the campus center was inundated with tables and booths advertising local churches. This spectacle featured colorful posters, smooth and shiny pamphlets, homemade cookies and a variety of coffee choices. If that wasn’t enough, one booth featured three young, attractive male pastors with cool haircuts and expensive sneakers. #Relevant.
College-age Christians deserve better than this. We are not consumers for pastors to compete for with coffee, as if the fellowship hour refreshments were deal breakers. We need hymns that nurture us and church families that embrace us as we are. We need liturgy that tells a story we can find a space in, not meta-narratives that always exclude someone. Keep the cookies, Church. Give us Jesus.
I know that this isn’t the fault of individual pastors or churches. The church “fair” last week is the result of a system that has been around for a long time. Still, shouldn’t Houghton College and the Wesleyan Church be leaders in fighting consumerism within the church? Houghton is in a position to counteract that system, and I’m disappointed that such an opportunity was missed.
How could this be improved? Perhaps churches should compete over who can serve the poor, marginalized, homeless, addicted and disabled of Alleghany County as much as they compete for over-churched, jaded millennials.
Mary Cronin
Class of 2017
On Saturday, September 12, members of Egypt’s government resigned as a result of state corruption probe. President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, former general and political activist, accepted these resignations on the condition of continued service until reappointment. El-Sissi tasked Petroleum Minister, Sherif Ismail, with forming a new cabinet within the next week, according to Huffington Post.
Among the those who resigned were Prime Minister, Ibrahim Mehleb, and his cabinet. Just prior to his resignation, Mehleb provided a detailed report on the performance of the government. However, according to two presidential officials, el-Sissi found this report to be rather “unsatisfying.”
Additionally, last Monday Agriculture Minister, Salah el-Din Helal, was arrested over corruption allegations. It was said Helal allegedly accepted bribes in order to help businessmen acquire state territory. These bribes amounted to around one million in U.S. currency. Middle East News Agency (MENA) commented, “He was arrested as part of an investigation into a major case of corruption in his ministry.” Helal was also a part of Mehleb’s appointed cabinet.
According to CNN news, Mehleb failed to pressure his ministers into following through on memorandums of “understanding that el-Sissi signed during a much publicized economic summit in March.” However, when asked about these allegations in a Tunisian press conference, Mehleb walked out of the room.
In an interview with Houghton’s Egyptian-native, John Khalaf, a personal testament was shared on the current crisis in his country’s government.
When asked about his opinion on the current political situation, Khalaf shared both positive and negative effects of the change. Though under terrible circumstances, he stated how “there is hope for change now that we started to fight against people who break the law.” Khalaf’s statement was explicitly directed at the arrest of Helal last week. Khalaf believed the act of arrest was a sign of justice reclaiming its place within political authority. In the past, Khalaf explained, leaders got away with panhandling and corruption. However, this recent arrest has changed everything.
Khalaf further explained how his view was not the only interpretation across the Egyptian state. As a Cairo native, Khalaf shared about the dissension between the current government and Muslim Brotherhood—a radical sect of Muslims founded in Egypt in 1928.
The tension rose out of a political regime two years prior when general el-Sissi overthrew the Islamic president, Mohammed Morsi. El-Sissi was seen as a freedom figure to some, however, others, including the Muslim Brotherhood, saw it otherwise and responded with heightened discord and violence. Since then, multiple riots have occurred, including burnings of over a hundred of churches.
As a Christian, Khalaf recalls planning an escape from the back of his church in case of an attack. However, when asked his view on the future of Christians in Egypt, Khalaf replied on a positive note, “We forgive anyone who does this.” Khalaf also explained how Christians have started to support the government in the past year, which has fostered more political ties. He explained that because of that, they can “now build churches” once again. Cairo received its first land grant to rebuild a church after the destruction this past summer.
Parliamentary elections for a new cabinet will be held in October and continue throughout the month of November. Results will be announced shortly thereafter.
Three off-campus programs were recently approved at last week’s staff meeting as affiliated program options for students. The new options will provide opportunities for students to study in Australia, Uganda, and Southern Oregon. Now that these programs are affiliated, students can apply for Houghton financial aid to go off-campus with them. However, only four students per semester will be granted the approval to receive this aid.
Marcus Dean, Director of Off-Campus Studies, shared that Houghton has chosen to approve these programs for a few different reasons. Faculty gathered to vote and discuss each of the reasons before approval.
Houghton previously ran their own Australian studies program which is currently on hold. Not wanting to limit students’ options, the Off-Campus Studies Committee recommended the approval of the Australia Studies Program through the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU). Students from Houghton have yet to participate in this program.
Recent alumna Amanda Monday Buckley (’14) had nothing but positive things to say about her USP experience. She said, “I still am talking about the most wonderful four months of my life where my eyes were opened and my worldview changed drastically. I had an extremely positive experience… I left a piece of myself over there and I dream of when I can visit East Africa again.” Upon hearing the news of the recent approval she went on to say, “I am so happy it is finally approved because I loved it and I think other Houghton students would enjoy it too.”
At one time, Houghton College was the transcript school for the Oregon Extension (OE). Meaning, students who participated in the program received Houghton College credits on their transcripts. Dean explained that about ten years ago, Houghton made the decision to discontinue their relationship with the OE, as our core values did not align. Because of this, students were not allowed to participate in the OE for a number of years. Dean discussed that the OE has completely new leadership and professors so he considers it to be the “OE 2.0.”
Senior Holly Chaisson spent the fall 2015 semester at the OE. When asked about her experience in the program she said, “My experience at the OE was extremely positive….this opportunity allowed me to structure my studies around my niche interests and was an exercise in academic independence and creativity.” She said the experience “reinvigorated” her academically and reaffirmed her vocational aspirations. According to Chaisson, “The OE is a radically different type of college experience, one that offers students a slower and deliberately paced way of life, one invested in both deep thought and in community.”
Senior Allyson Murphy also went with Chaisson to the OE. She said, “I was given an opportunity to think in a capacity not as readily available at Houghton. College life is stressful. . . Multiple commitments bog down the average dedicated college student. The OE simply asks that students intentionally read, discuss, and reflect in communal openness. . . I still daily think about the work I was able to do at the OE.” About the cultural experiences she was able to engage in, she shared, “My group went backpacking in the Trinity Alps of Northern California for a week, the Oregon Coast, and San Francisco. Each of those trips were incredible.”
Despite having incredible experiences, Buckley, Chaisson, and Murphy each had to creatively fund their experiences with grants, loans, and small scholarships since their programs had not yet been approved by Houghton and they could not take their financial aid with them.
As the Director of Off-Campus studies, Dean recommends students interested in creating their own off-campus experiences should discuss options with their advisors.
Houghton College Buffalo offers refugee students a chance to learn in an environment tailored to each student’s individual needs.
Through the program, students are able to study in their own neighborhoods, in a learning community that offers individual attention, small class sizes, and a curriculum tailored to develop English language and other skills needed for the workplace.
The program just began its second fall semester, and enrollment numbers are growing.
In August, New York State approved the program as an official extension center of Houghton College. The extension site serves a diverse and growing international community, which includes many immigrant and refugee families.
“While other Christian colleges serve refugee and immigrant students in their urban programs,” commented academic dean, Linda Mills Woolsey, “I do not know of any other program that has worked so intentionally with refugee communities and churches to design a program tailored to the needs of a specific community.”
Over the course of this school year, the program will launch internships for their students. Beginning in the spring, 12 of the second-year students will have the opportunity to participate in an off-campus internship, which will give students hands on experience, tailored to their particular interests.
“We hope that what we’ve learned in our program will be a model for others, since Buffalo, New York is not the only urban center with a growing immigrant, refugee community,” said Mills-Woolsey. “It is clear that the work we are doing here meets one of the world’s deep needs in a way that embodies the Wesleyan commitment to the useful work of the Holy Spirit.”
The educational opportunity this program provides is meeting the needs of many new Americans on Buffalo’s West Side. “Houghton is providing basic educational opportunities for these people in a hands-on way that enhances their chances of success,” commented Cameron Airhart, Dean of Houghton College Buffalo.
According to Mills-Woolsey, when Houghton began this program, some of Houghton College Buffalo’s regional neighbors needed to be convinced the school would be offering something unique and would not just be stealing their students.
Mills-Woolsey recognized President Mullen, Dr. Airhart, and friends of Houghton College as they worked hard within the program. Their hard work has helped leaders of other colleges see Houghton College Buffalo’s Christian grounding, focus on English language learners, and unique learning community.
Moreover, “Houghton College Buffalo benefits Houghton by fulfilling the college’s core mission to make high-quality Christian liberal arts education accessible to students from diverse backgrounds and to prepare them for leadership in their communities, churches, and workplaces,” commented Mills Woolsey.
According to Mills Woolsey, the program is financially self-sustaining and returns revenue to the general budget in a way that benefits the main campus. Airhart confirmed, the location is currently enrolling 33 students; and as the student body expands, class sizes retain their small structure.
As this unique program expands, it is seeing success with students traditionally viewed as at-risk or high-risk.
According to Airhart, Houghton College’s 81% graduation rate among associate’s-degree-seeking students far surpasses the national average of 3 percent.
“We focus on economically and culturally disadvantaged students and we are committed to a high-quality, focused education delivered within the means of our funding sources, which do not include student debt,” said Airhart.
As explained by Mills Woolsey, many young people in these communities are working to learn English, often as a third or fourth language, and some are seeking to regain academic ground after war or geographic displacement disrupted their education.
“By helping these students achieve their educational goals and preparing them for employment, the program also benefits their Buffalo communities,” commented Mills-Woolsey.
Houghton College is often a meeting place for Christian/Wesleyan organizations and events. This past week there was a pastors’ conference with over 180 clergy and spouses in attendance; over the summer months hundreds of students and adults flock to Houghton’s campus for sports and youth camps, family camp, conferences and retreats. Perhaps less known, however, is the college’s own efforts to minister to others outside of the campus.
For the past several years, Houghton has selected, funded, and sent out two teams of students to work as counselors at Christian summer camps. Headed by Director of Church Relations Steve Dunmire and Office Manager for Ministry Resources Betsy Sanford, this year’s teams included Naomi Prentice (’18), Brittany Hark (’16), Marshall Brady (’17), Dan Thompson (’16), Kadesha Glasgow (’16), Kirsten Brady (’18), Ryan O’Vell (’16), and Greg Wagner (’16).
These students were split into two teams, led by Marshall Brady and Brittany Hark.
Students apply for a position on the summer ministry team at the end of the spring semester. If hired, they work for roughly eight weeks at various summer camps from the first week of June through early August.
Prentice, a sophomore and member of the women’s volleyball team, said that her decision to apply was influenced by her own experiences at summer camp. The camp she attended as a child, Chambers Wesleyan Camp, “always had ministry teams” who she saw as “role models” and “bonded” with. “I always wanted to do that”, she said. A veteran member of the team, senior Dan Thompson, encouraged her to apply, Prentice added.
Kirsten Brady, also a sophomore, says she applied because she, “love[s] getting to know people’s stories. Her brother and teammate Marshall Brady said that for him, “It felt natural that [joining the ministry team] was the next step” after going to camps his whole life.
When asked if being a representative of Houghton helped, hindered, or had no effect on their ministry, Marshall Brady noted that in his case, it “was a tremendous help in our ministry. Houghton is widely known for its great people and strong community. Because of the college’s outstanding reputation, many doors were left open for our ministry.” Hark said that this aspect of the summer ministry team has developed during her time on the team. She said that during her first year with the team, “it was undetermined what the main purpose of [the summer ministry team] was going to be… [we hadn’t] struck a balance between representing Houghton and doing ministry.” Now, she added, the sole purpose is ministry. “If we do a good job ministering, we do a good job representing [Houghton],” she said.
Each team member faced unique challenges and triumphs throughout the summer. Prentice felt that she was given new insight into how much faith-potential teenagers have. “The teens I worked with broke stereotypes,” she said, adding that “they taught me to seek growth in my own faith.”
Marshall Brady said that for him, the most difficult part of traveling to the different camps this summer were the “hellos” and “goodbyes” but “The key… was to think about the impact we had, leaving them with the feeling that someone cared enough about their lives to help them make a difference.”
Going deeper into tough issues with the older campers proved to be a challenge for Hark. She said that some of her campers confided to her about their experiences with depression, suicide, and abuse. The difficult part for her was being with the campers for only a week, she reflected that in that time “you’re not able to promise to be a solution for them.” Her and both teams’ response to interactions like these was to try to work with camp directors to connect struggling kids with local churches, and so they are not “left in the dust” after camp is over.
Despite challenges, many of the team members stated that they felt that God had stretched them and helped them grow as people. Kirsten Brady certainly concurs, saying, “[Participating in] the ministry team was honestly one of the powerful and amazing experiences and encounters I have ever had with God. If you want to be tested, pushed, and gain a new sense of peace and direction while serving then this is the place to go.”
Supernovas: Past Editors-In-Chief Reflect On The STAR and Beyond
After graduating from Houghton with a double major in Math & Philosophy in 2010, I went on to graduate school at the University of Notre Dame where I earned Masters degrees in Architecture and Architectural Design and Urbanism. In the past four years my wife Amy [Buckingham] VanderWeele ’10 (former section editor) and I have lived, worked, and studied in Chicago, South Bend, Washington DC, Rome, and Philadelphia. After four years of living out of suitcases, we have now settled down in Providence, Rhode Island where I work as an architectural designer for Union Studio Architecture & Community Design and Amy works for the Town of Cumberland’s Office of Children, Youth, and Learning.
I had the time of my life working for the Star. Amy and I still bring it up once in a while, laughing about terrible headlines we came up with at 3 in the morning, or that time a student mumbled about our poor judgment in subject matter and was later spotted discussing the finer points of an article with a friend in the coffee shop, or best of all that time a Financial Aid staffer came up to us with tears of laughter in her eyes thanking us for our April Fools’ story, “Baptist Bus to Visit Houghton.” It was thrilling to be so dialed-in to the conversations around campus and it was a tremendous honor to lead the dialogue week in and week out.
Joel VanderWeele
Editor 2009-2010
Supernovas: Past Editors-In-Chief Reflect On The STAR and Beyond
I’ve reported stories and hosted our news show, Morning Edition, for our National Public Radio (NPR) affiliate in Binghamton, NY since the end of 2013. But getting here was no small feat. Recent-Houghton-Grad-Monica – young and naive, yet self-confident – was just crazy enough to apply for the job after an internship at the NPR station in Kansas City. What a time that was! Interviewing NRA members, mixing audio, investigative reporting. But it all started from the first, most beloved, stepping stone that is the Houghton Star. 2010-2011 was a year that turned girls into women (you remember, Kristen?), honing news judgment through whatever means accessible. The most grandest – and often the most depressing – night of the week was Wednesday night when the editorial staff worked magic laying out the paper until 3:00am in the Star office. And of course, took a break to cut the lights, get office chairs in position, and crank Lonely Island’s “I’m on a Boat.” Thank you, Houghton Star. All good things to the future of the newspaper that still means so much.
Monica Sandreczki
Editor 2010-2011
Supernovas: Past Editors-In-Chief Reflect On The Star and Beyond
I was a wet-behind-the-ears, wide-eyed freshman wandering around the campus activities fair when a boisterous voice yelled out, “Well, hello there!–join the Star!” The voice belonged to Monica Sandreczki, then editor-in-chief of the Star. Her influence prompted me to sign up and so began a four-year stint at Houghton’s weekly.
There were many things that impacted me from working at the Star, but what I will always remember is this: locking up the Star office at 2 AM (and sometimes later) on Thursday mornings after sending the paper to print. The chilly, lonely campus at that hour might as well have been paradise with the elated, full feeling rising from somewhere in my chest. Our paper, a team effort, was going to be published. We had spent a week keeping our ear pricked for stories, pestering writers (“are you going to send that article in? ARE YOU??”), chasing down sources (sometimes literally), drinking umpteen cups of Sodexo Starbucks coffee, and it was all for producing this essential piece of campus dialogue. Work at the Star was lots of fun and deeply satisfying.
Now, after graduating last year with a degree in political science, I work for a health organization that serves refugee communities in Buffalo, NY. While my work is rewarding in a different way, I admit that sometimes I start to get wistful for the work at Houghton’s little paper. So thanks Monica, Kristen, all other section editors that I’ve worked with, and most especially last year’s be-sweatered staff. It was a blast.
Sarah Hutchinson ’14
Editor 2013-2014
Dear Editor,
As the school year comes to an end I want to share about how God has been working in me. A year ago I lost my only child to cancer. Bonnie died less than a year after graduating from Houghton college in 2013.
I have struggled with my loss. Every day I yearn to see Bonnie again, but I know she is with God in heaven. As John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” It comforts me to know that those in Christ will never perish because they have everlasting life.
The Holy Bible teaches that every human being has a soul. Our soul is our true self. It is where our complete, core existence is found. Our soul is who we really are. Every Christian can have the assurance that even in physical death there is eternal life that follows. Our body may die but the soul of every Christian goes to heaven. A believer’s physical body then awaits Christ’s call when their physical body will be united with their soul. I Thessalonians 4:13-18 says that those who have fallen asleep (died) will be gathered, both soul and body, unto their Lord.
My question is, “What is in your soul?” Is your identity based on your looks, what you do, your sexuality, receiving justice, or getting your own way? Or is your soul grounded in Christ? Is your main desire in life to love God and keep His commandments in order to honor Him?
Life on earth is not fair. We will not always get what we think is our right. However, our identity needs to be in Christ alone, even if that requires us to let go of those things we treasure here on earth.
Yours in Christ,
Dr. Jim Szymanski