Author: Savannah Doviak

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Opinions

Selflessness and Humility in the NCCAA

This past weekend the Houghton cross country team competed at the National Christian College Athletic Association National Championship meet in Cedarville, Ohio. Roughly 50 meters before the finish, Cara Davenport, Houghton College junior, collapsed and was unable to keep going. Moments later, teammate Judith Marklin, Houghton freshman, stopped for Davenport and carried her through to the finish line, crossing it together.

The meet official disqualified both girls, saying they aided each other during the race. The whole situation pushed the women’s team from about seventh place to eighteenth place overall. But in a situation where helping another competitor damages ones own race-time, especially at a national championship meet, should a rule of aiding a teammate apply?

Section 8, subsection f, of the NCAA XC and Track and Field rule book states that an athlete can be disqualified “If unduly aided by a coach, a teammate not in the race or a non-competitor associated with the team.”

Marklin had not yet finished the race, so what exactly did she do wrong? The rule doesn’t include

runners who are also competing, allowing you to question the call made by the official. For those who witnessed the dramatic finish, it is safe to say cheating did not cross their minds, but instead I imagine they saw complete selflessness and love.

In a case where the “rules are rules” mentality wins, there is little to be done. Although many coaches of opposing colleges voted in favor of Davenport and Marklin, saying they should not be disqualified, the meet official had the final say. In the end, it was 100% the official’s decision in the disqualification. Had the assisting of an athlete helped the school, that would be cheating, but should the rule need to apply to all situations? Although the legality of it all makes sense, what does

the situation say about ethics?

The mission statement of the NCCAA reads, “The NCCAA is an association of Christ-centered collegiate institutions whose mission is to use athletics competition as an integral component of education, evangelism and encouragement.”

What happened on the course that day reflected exactly that. Those watching and competing alongside Davenport and Marklin were educated and encouraged at that moment. To see such humility can encourage everyone to do something great when the chance is presented to him or her.

nccaa

An organization, which is meant to be founded on the teaching and ways of Christ, disqualified an athlete for doing exactly what Christ calls us to do. Philippians 2:3 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”

“The selflessness of a teammate to stop their race and give up their individual glory to help a teammate to the finish. That is the reason I coach, because the spirit of sport is revealed and the true character of our athletes shines through,” said cross country and track and field coach, Matthew Dougherty.

“After the race as Judith and I were helping Cara to the bus a girl from another team came up to us and told Cara what an awesome finish she had and how great Judith was for helping her,” explained Houghton senior and cross-country captain Leah Williams.

Despite the NCCAA’s decision to disqualify both Davenport and Marklin, there is still a great story to be told. It almost brought me to tears watching the two of them cross the line. “Cara has been such a strong asset to the team this year and to see her give everything she had to get across the finish line makes me so proud to call her my teammate. And for Judith to sacrifice her own race is one of the most selfless acts I’ve ever seen,” said Williams.

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Stories In Focus

Behind the Scenes: Sodexo Student Supervisor, Ed Taylor

Ask any student worker in the Houghton Cafeteria about Ed Taylor and you will probably hear words like ‘dedicated,’ ‘humble,’ ‘supportive,’ and ‘hard working’ used to describe him. After working in the cafeteria for over 30 years, Ed Taylor is highly respected and looked up to by many.

Ed_Taylor“Working for Ed is like working for a favorite uncle. You know that he expects you to work hard, but you also know that he won’t let the job get too hard for you, and if you mess up, he’ll be right there to help you out,” explained senior, Benjamin Hardy.

Though many may not know of him, the students who work for Taylor speak very highly of him. Taylor currently works with Sodexo as the Student Supervisor, alongside his wife, Tracy Taylor, who also works in the Houghton Cafeteria. Taylor primarily works behind the scenes, though occasionally you can spot him around the cafeteria helping wherever he is needed and never failing to say hello to the students who pass him.

Becoming the Student Supervisor has allowed Taylor to create strong relationships with students and be a role model for them. When talking with Taylor in the cafeteria, no matter the question, he always related his answers about the students and how they are a big impact on his career. “That’s the only reason I’m still here, I like working with the college kids. I have fun,” said Taylor.

“He loves his student workers and the students who come up to eat in the cafeteria for four years of their life, and that care is very obvious.” said Hardy. This care was evident as Taylor and I talked alongside his co-workers, taking time out of his short lunch break.

Ed Taylor graduated from Houghton College in 1982 with a degree in math education. He soon realized teaching was not for him after spending a semester student teaching, which led to his career with Houghton College. He worked in the cafeteria through all four years as a Houghton student and continued to do so upon graduation. From 1982 to 1985 Pioneer Dining Services sent Taylor to work at other colleges but he was able to find his way back to Houghton and has not left since.

While working with Pioneer Taylor had many responsibilities making his workweek over sixty hours. After the switch from Pioneer to Sodexo, Taylor’s current job as Student Supervisor is more focused, giving him fewer responsibilities, allowing him to focus mainly on the students. He oversees and helps the student workers as well as other completing other jobs needing to be done in the cafeteria. “With Pioneer I did everything, now I’m just in charge of the students,” said Taylor, “It was definitely a big change but in the end it was better for me. ”

Dr. Anthony Petrillo, community member and friend of Taylor said of Taylor, “I think that’s why the students are attracted to working with him, he’s a Godly man and does his job well… He lives the statement: ‘To preach the gospel always and if necessary use words’,” said Petrillo.

Having spent many years in the Houghton Community Taylor discussed how he has seen the college change over the years. Taylor said, “It was like one big family, a lot more floor activities, and class activities. That’s something I think they can get back to.” Taylor expressed how he feels Houghton has stepped away from a tight knit community, especially with the building of the townhouses. The school has also grown in number since Taylor first came here, which he also felt has changed the feel of Houghton.

“He makes the cafeteria an inviting place for freshmen to work. He sets the mood and makes work fun,” said Hardy.

Taylor is someone who genuinely loves his job and has a positive outlook on life. When discussing a large pay cut he received to be able to continue working at Houghton after the switch from Pioneer to Sodexo, his response was simply, “It’s a benefit for me, now I get to work with my wife everyday.”

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News

Name Change Delayed for Houghton Coffee House

When a school-wide vote resulted in the name “The Taco Shack” for the new Houghton College coffee house, the college deemed it inappropriate and turned the issue over to the SGA.

Taco ShackAfter Java 101, a small business previously owned by Greg Bish, closed this summer, Sodexo took over opening a new coffee house on campus. To decide on a name, Tina Powers, general manager for Sodexo and Houghton Dining Services, suggested the students have a say in the process. Sodexo and the college then created a school wide competition, allowing students to submit potential names for the coffee house room and then vote on those submissions, promising the winner $250.00 in Big Al’s money.

According to the SGA and Sodexo there were flaws in the vote, resulting in more votes for “The Taco Shack” than there are Houghton students — another reason why the winning name will not be chosen.

SGA held a meeting Tuesday, October 8, 2013, to discuss a potential solution. The outcome now stands that if an agreement cannot be made to keep the name Java 101, Cool Beans is next in line, followed by Boom Roasted, explained Dr. Pool, Vice President of Student Life.

“I just want it understood it’s due to the fact that it wasn’t taken seriously,” said Powers when speaking on why the room is still unnamed. Realizing the issue of naming was left to a group of students still unhappy in the change of ownership and overall feel of the coffee house, James Ward, Sodexo manager said, “In the long run it is probably best that Student Life and SGA make the decision.”

Long before Sodexo, Starbucks, The Taco Shack, and even Java 101, the room was used as a campus radio station. By student demand, SGA worked and raised the funds to open an on-campus coffee house which birthed the original Java 101. Since then the room has been in use by Houghton students, faculty, and community members, serving as a place not only to get their morning cup of coffee but also a place for studies, socializing, and numerous student-run events.

“I think having a coffee house on campus is a critical piece for students today,” said previous Java 101 owner Greg Bish.

When talking with Bish, his main concern, given the fact the only reason there is a coffee house is by student demand, is “that students still feel ownership to the space, proud of the space and have a voice in its future. ”

“I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of it for so many years and help give it direction,” said Bish.

As weeks go by and the room remains unnamed, students and faculty are faced with many questions. What will the name be? Who gets the prize money? When will the name be announced? As the issue of naming the room gets passed from students to SGA back to student life and so forth, there are no definite answers.

Pool expressed that a name should be finalized soon after October break along with a solution about what to do with the prize.

Categories
News

Annual Faith and Justice Symposium to Focus on Hunger

Houghton College‘s third annual Faith and Justice Symposium addressed the issue of “Global Poverty and Hunger,” on local, national, and global levels.

Dr. Ndunge Kiiti, Houghton Professor of intercultural studies and also director of the Center for Faith, Justice and Global Engagement said, “We can end hunger in our time. We have the knowledge, technology, and resources, but do we have the will and commitment to fighting the injustices that perpetuate these challenges? The Symposium is designed to help us unveil the connections and seek solutions—linking faith and justice to respond to poverty and hunger at all levels—local, national and global.”

Faith and JusticeHoughton’s Center for Faith, Justice and Global Engagement partnered with Bread for the World, with a shared goal to challenge individuals to be aware of and engage in global issues. This year’s theme, “Global Poverty and Hunger: Unveiling the Connections, Seeking Solutions” featured seventeen speakers from across the country. According to Kiiti, the Center for Faith, Justice and Global Engagement aimed to have an interdisciplinary approach by providing diverse speakers and numerous activities.

Each year the Center for Faith, Justice and Global Engagement chooses a theme based off of reviews from the previous year’s symposium. One of the main points from the previous symposium was that many of those involved in human trafficking are involved as a result of living in poverty and are in need of a way to feed and take care of themselves and their family. After student surveys and discussions by those in the Center, the topic for this year’s symposium was decided. This year’s symposium will dissect the issues of poverty and hunger; not only global but also issues lying in Allegany County.

Amanda Wojcinski was one of five students who attended the National Gathering, a Bread For the World event this summer to help prepare for this years symposium. Wojcinski explained, “The biggest thing [about hunger] is that it’s both an issue in America and abroad.” In planning the symposium a main goal was to “[connect] students locally ” as well as “reaching out to the global community.”

Some of this year’s speakers included Eugene Cho, renowned activist and co-founder of One Day’s Wages. Aside from that, Cho is also the founder of Quest Church and the Q Café. He was a recent honor of 50 Everyday American Heroes for his work.

Other notable speakers included representatives from several branches of Bread for the World; a panel from Allegany County local farmers, cooperatives, and the Salvation Army; well-known universities such as Harvard, Auburn, and Eastern University; and activist organizations such as UNICEF, Worker Justice Center, and Catholic Relief Services.

The Symposium’s activities will address the issues of hunger in many ways and give opportunities for students and others to get involved in the discussion. There has been an ongoing a campus wide food drive and there will be an art auction where all donations go towards local hunger and poverty issues; also open to students will be various panel discussions, a coffee house, and a hunger dinner.

The symposium will conclude next Thursday, October 3 with a response discussion by Dr. Ron Oakerson, Houghton College professor of political science, regarding the Mango Outgrowers Project in Sierra Leone.