Author: Rachel Zimmerman

With Purple and Gold Week now taking place during Homecoming week, a new event Hall Brawl, will take place in the spring semester. This year, Marc Smithers came up with the alternative of Hall Brawl, a week of competition between the four residence halls. Krista Maroni, Residence Director (RD) of Lambein Hall, described the event as “Harry Potter” style, with opportunities for students to earn points for their affiliated hall in events ranging from “funny” to “strategic.”

Smithers’ idea “is a blend of what many other institutions are currently doing,” explained Shenawana Residence Director, Jason Stephens. Houghton’s Hall Brawl event will borrow from what other colleges and universities have successfully done, combining it with the creative ideas of Smithers and the campus RDs. “With RDs coming from various institutions, we have been able to take many of their ideas to come together and make it fit within the Houghton context,” Stephens said. “Other campuses have class competitions,” Smithers said, but at Houghton he feels students have greater affinity with their residence halls.

With the competition occurring between the four residence halls, each RD will oversee an activity. “The activities are touching on creativity, trivia, adventure,” said Smithers. Stephens described Shenawana’s event as “a challenge between the different buildings to protect your RD while attacking other RDs and trying to get them out.” Stephens noted “all my RA’s are really excited about it.” Maroni, noted the various “active events,” and explained Lambein’s trivia night, which she hopes will attract students “who wouldn’t come to the active events.” Maroni noted that Lambein’s event will not only award points for the overall Hall Brawl event, but have separate awards as well. Gillette will be hosting a game of human checkers, and Rothenbuhler will host a box sledding event down Roth hill.

Not all students, however, live in one of the four residence halls. The townhouses play a large role in Houghton’s residence life and though they are not part of the main competition, they will be hosting their own event. They will hold a knock-out competition during the halftime of the men’s basketball game that week. The townhouse residents themselves will participate by competing for the residence hall with which they most identify. In addition to the evening residence hall events, Smithers himself will be in charge of what he calls the daily “ Hall Brawl Hunt.” The hunt is an opportunity for students to earn 60 points for their residence hall by answering a question.

Maroni said the intention of Hall Brawl is “healthy, friendly competition that brings students together,” as “a positive way to build identity.” Stephens noted, “We are hoping to allow students to feel more connected to the building,” and in effect, be more connected to Houghton. “I’m excited to see how interested students are in it,” Smithers said. He explained that events such as SPOT have been propelled by student interest. He and the residence directors hope the event will become a tradition. Smithers said “The biggest thing is to help students feel more connected to this place and each other.”

Although only in its third year at Houghton, the tennis program hosted its second annual tennis tournament the first weekend in December. While members of the Houghton tennis team could not participate because of National College Athletic Association (NCAA) rules, the tournament was “open to the general public,” Coach Charlie Ellis said. Through an advertising system of emails and communication “kind of like a pyramid” as well as “word of mouth,” participants came from towns, communities, and high schools all over the Western Tier. Ages ranged between 14 and 62.

As the tournament’s director, Ellis structured it as a round robin tournament, divided between doubles and singles. The doubles tournament was won by Brennan Campbell, a tennis team graduate of the previous year, and Ellis, who substituted for a player who failed to come. Bill Stives, the Wellsville coach, and Ben Wright, the Olean High School coach, were the runners up. Houghton Academy student Tom Kawamura won the singles tournament, with Jason Cui, also a Houghton Academy student, as runner up. Ellis noted that both the Academy students were “very excited about tennis and also interested in Houghton College.”

The turnout for this year’s tournament was about 20 people, an unexpectedly good turnout. “We were actually not going to have it until four or five days before they started advertising,” Ellis said. “We decided to go ahead and have it at the eleventh hour.” Participant Andrew Oden noted that the tournament “ran very smoothly.” As the varsity boy’s tennis team coach at Fillmore Central School, Oden said, “It was a lot of fun meeting people from the surrounding area, of various ages, that are passionate about tennis.” He appreciated the ability to play tennis in the Kerr-Pegula Field-House (KPFH). “Before the field house existed, tennis players would be in hibernation for about five months; now we can play year round.”

Beyond being a great opportunity for tennis players around the area to play together, Ellis emphasized the tournament’s ultimate intention. Last year’s tournament served as a fundraiser for the tennis team’s mission trip to the Dominican Republic. Ellis affirmed the success of the trip, describing the tennis team who went as “a powerful group of men and women” and commending their Christ-like attitude. “When we took off to go to the Dominican Republic I was fearful because hardly anything was planned, but they just stepped up and took over.” Ellis said that the intention for this year’s tournament is to “archive money for future mission trips this year,” based on last year’s successful trip. Referencing the deep impression of that trip, Ellis said, “That’s why we started the tennis tournament. That’s what its purpose is.”

Each year Houghton hosts the Christmas Craft and Art Fair, providing an opportunity for residents of Houghton and the surrounding area to present a wide array of products as part of the Christmas season. This year will be the fair’s twenty-ninth year, held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on December 9 and 10 in the Campus Center’s lower level and Van Dyk Lounge.

This year’s craft fair is organized by Jessica Jennings, Houghton’s constituent planning and event specialist, to include a variety of vendors. “Each year has increased and we are at the largest number of vendors we’ve ever had.” Jennings explained. “The majority of vendors are from Allegany County, with some being staff, students and alumni of Houghton.” She noted that there are also “a few from the broader Western New York area.” While many vendors will have handmade products, she says also that “some vendors will be selling licensed products,” such as Jamberry nails or Tupperware.

Jennings indicates that overall “there is a really great variety of products” for this year’s fair. In addition to the licensed products there will be an array of ceramics, jewelry, décor, candles, skin care products, alpaca wool, and knitted items, as well as chocolate, maple syrup, and dog treats. Rachel Wright ‘16 and her sister Anna Wright ‘18 are selling original poetry which has been typed out on a typewriter, “Some of these pieces will be typed on some of my watercolors and pencil drawings. We will also do commissioned pieces, either by typing or drawing whatever our buyer would like.”

Members of the Houghton community can expect to see several familiar faces as vendors. Staff members Marshall Green and Susan Peterson will be present, as well as several Houghton alum including Naomi Woolsey and Grace Mangum. Current students Sarah Showers, Hannah Banks, Laura Stockdale, Rachel Wright, and Jill Magara will also be selling.

Vendor Stockdale ‘16 said, “I’m going to be selling handmade hats, gloves, and headbands that I knitted myself. I’ve been selling these plus scarves on the Houghton campus since around freshman or sophomore year on the Houghton Sells Facebook page and it’s gone really well. I’m taking part in the crafts fair in the hopes that I can expand my reach and number of customers.”

Magara ‘17, also a student vendor, is also looking to gain exposure by selling handmade items, “I decided to sell some of my pottery when someone approached me earlier this semester about buying a few of my pieces. A couple friends and I are setting up a table and I think it’ll be fun and also a great way to begin getting my name out there as a local artisan.”

Wright ‘16 agreed saying, “We wanted to participate in the craft fair because it’s a chance to make a little extra money and to get our work out there. Plus, it’s really fun to make work and sell it.”

In the midst of the busy Christmas season, Jennings notes the advantages of the craft and art fair. “There is a great variety of quality items at a wide range of prices,” she said. “So it’s a good opportunity to check off your Christmas list without leaving campus.” The Houghton community has a chance to celebrate Christmas while supporting the creative endeavors of the surrounding area.

This Saturday, November 21, Houghton’s music program will put on a concert performed by the Jazz Ensemble. “The concert will be a collection of standard tunes of the jazz repertoire, and also some contemporary jazz pieces by modern composers,” said dean of the school of music, Armenio Suzano. The concert will also feature compositions by Houghton student Marc LeGrand, performed by the combo ensemble. Big band, the other ensemble within the overall Jazz Ensemble will “be performing more well-known works,” music student Danielle “DJ” Bees ‘17 said.

The Jazz Ensemble is directed by Ken Crane, an adjunct professor whose position at Houghton is entirely devoted to jazz. Suzano noted that the Jazz Ensemble, directed by Crane, “Has existed for many years now, and it has created a very special niche for the performance of a highly specialized repertoire.” Jazz Ensemble members Elizabeth Ibarra ‘17 and Bees commended Crane as a good teacher. “He will correct you if you’re wrong, he’s not afraid to, But he will give you compliments if they’re due.” said Bees. Ibarra echoed this, “It’s a tough love type of thing.” Both students noted, “We all like him.”

Both Ibarra and Bees, expressed their enthusiasm to become part of the jazz ensemble. Ibarra, who had performed jazz in middle and high school, said she “took the one chance I had” to do jazz this semester. Both enjoy the jazz ensemble as something unique, different from their other experiences within the music program.  Bees noted that she likes “how much fun the music is to play. It’s not as much pressure as in other ensembles.” She explained, “It’s a bit more free. There’s wiggle room.” Ibarra described it also as a growing experience. “I’m getting much better at allowing myself to improvise,” she said. She explained, “I have a set way of playing, a set style,” but jazz is “breaking me out of my musical box.”

Both Ibarra and Bees noted “not a lot of people know about the jazz ensemble.” Suzano commends the ensemble in that “they execute their music in the highest possible level of quality and excellence,” and expressed his hopes and enthusiasm for the concert. “This will be an opportunity for Houghton students and for the community to enjoy an evening with music that is truly American and an incredible representative of the best the American spirit of creativity and ingenuity can provide,” he said

This week at Houghton College, New Vision Week, gave students the opportunity to learn explore a call to missions, both abroad and stateside. “The body of Christ as the church is meant to be missional,” junior Elizabeth Chedester said. This was the emphasis of New Vision Week, when Houghton students have the chance to learn about and consider their call to missions, whether it be abroad or at home. The event occurred this year from October 26-30, with a variety of speakers and events to raise awareness of the global church.

This year’s co-coordinators, Bethany Rudolph and Elizabeth Chedester, highlighted the theme “from the cross, through the church, to the world.” It was meant to “reveal the way a personal relationship with Christ can translate into actions with a global impact,” Maria Waterfield, ‘17 explained. “It’s turning something personal into something more tangible, visible.” Rudolph and Chedester echoed this in their emphasis on the call of all Christians to missions. “Missions is not intended only for special people,” Chedester said. “We’re all called to missions.”

The choices for New Vision Week speakers reflect this emphasis. Rudolph and Chedester chose speakers with a variety of backgrounds, Christian and non-Christian, American and non-American. “We want everyone to be able to relate,” Bethany explained. From this touch-point, they hope for students to consider the challenges issued by the speakers as well as the events. “New Vision Week challenges students to consider missions,” said associate professor of intercultural studies and missions, Marcus Dean, noting the variety of ways a Christian can be involved in missions, from going overseas to financial support to prayer support.

Besides the various speakers, New Vision Week featured several events, such as a  documentary, prayer walk, and culture fun night. “We really tried to put something fun or interesting every day,” Waterfield explained. “The goal this year to make it more the forefront of people’s minds.” The events combine to raise awareness for the call to missions and the global church. Rudolph noted the intention of the documentary on persecution “to create more awareness for what it looks like to be a Christian in the world.” Waterfield, who looks forward most to the prayer walk, explains that it will inform participants of situations throughout the world while creating the opportunity for prayer. The week ends with worship night, “a nice way to close off the week,” said Waterfield.

Dean notes that New Vision Week has “a long tradition at Houghton College,” for at least fifty years, although it has changed in name and in structure. As it has continued to grow and change, Dean too emphasizes the universal call for Christians to missions. “We can’t think anymore that the mission field is someplace else- so how do we get involved?” New Vision Week both raises the question and offers information for students to reach their own conclusions.

Rudolph’s hopes for New Vision Week reflect this, “for Houghton to become a place of more global awareness, more intentional living.” This can occur through the week’s goal of “increased awareness of brothers and sisters around the world” in Christ as well as “those who don’t know the gospel yet.” Ultimately, as Maria Waterfield says, New Vision week hopes “to show people that there are ways to be involved no matter where you are, what you’re doing.”

After serving as Associate and Academic Dean for eight years, Dr. Linda Mills Woolsey has decided the time has come for her to leave the office.

Through her time as Department chair and in the CCCU leadership development program, Mills Woolsey entered her role as Dean with the necessary leadership experience and skills. Yet the office of Dean was not something she was seeking. When encouraged to apply to the CCCU leadership development program, Mills Woolsey said at the time, “I have no intention of being a Dean,” even noting on the application “I don’t feel I have a calling.” She felt a deep calling to teaching, and had teaching positions at Nyack, King, and most recently, Houghton College.

A phone call from President Mullen several years later changed her course. “She wanted to have an Associate Dean who knew the college,” Mills Woolsey remembers. She thought and prayed. “I thought, if I’m needed three years I should consider it. I said ‘yes.’” She moved on to become Academic Dean from there. Mullen noted, “After doing a national search we didn’t find a candidate. We realized our best available candidate was right here among us.”

Mullen says now, “Dr. Mills Woolsey has been exactly the right person to be in the position at this time.” Her husband, Dr. Stephen Woolsey, noted her strengths in the position. “She loves to problem solve and help people find resources.” He described her also as “absolutely fair minded,” an important quality in an office where you must “support equally all parts of the college.”

Although Mullen and Mills Woolsey herself noted her years of office have occurred during a “a time of great turbulence in American higher education,” Mullen asserts “in general she has helped to move our academic program forward.”  Mills Woolsey has brought about the new fields of music industry, data science, and the beginnings of an engineering program, as well as “creating the academic master plan for Houghton’s future development and curriculum.” Mullen says additionally “she strengthened our connection with the Lilly network of historically faith based colleges as well as such groups as the AAC&U.”

After eight years in office, the average being five as Dean, Woolsey noted she is ready to go back to teaching. She expressed “very mixed feelings about leaving the Dean’s office,” but explained also she was “pretty burned out” by last spring. “I thought I’d only be a Dean for a short time. I didn’t pace myself.” She is stepping down from the position after prayer about timing, in hopes of finishing her career with her “first love,” teaching. “After all these years, that’s what I’m really excited about,” she says. She hopes as well to finish a book manuscript of her poetry, which she has not had time to devote to while serving as Dean.

Mills Woolsey will end her term as Dean by summer 2016. While a new Dean has yet to be found, Mullen says “We’re in the process of looking for a new Dean at this point” and when a decision is made, “we’ll certainly let the student body know.” “Dean Woolsey has decided that this is the right time to leave, so we need to make it the right time for the institution.” She looks on Dr. Mills Woolsey’s term as Dean as “a testimony to her love of faculty and students,” which Woolsey herself expressed. “Even though I love teaching I saw the calling as a chance to serve Houghton students and faculty,” she said, noting the dedication of Houghton faculty and the “energy and intensity” of the students.