Category: Stories In Focus

Today in the Recital Hall, award-winning novelist and Buffalo-native, Joyce Carol Oates, will be hosting a question and answer forum at 2 p.m. The well-known, seventy-seven year old novelist has published over 100 books in just about every genre including novels, memoirs, plays, poetry, and short stories and in styles such as horror, gothic, mystery, and family saga. Dean Linda Mills Woolsey said, “Her work is vast and various.”

The event was made possible by a partnership with the David A. Library of Wellsville. Houghton alumni, Nic Gunning, currently works at the library. He reached out to Oates, explaining that someone of her stature coming in and talking to the library’s patrons and community would be a rare and warmly welcomed experience. When Oates’ lecture in Wellsville was confirmed (which commences tonight at 7 p.m.) Gunning approached Mills Woolsey about the possibility of having Oates speak at Houghton as well, resulting in today’s forum.

Mills Woolsey, a longtime reader and lover of Oates’ work, hopes students will catch a glimpse of Oates’ passion for the craft of writing and come to understand her work in ways that enables them to be good readers of contemporary writers. She went on, saying, “I also hope this will deepen students’ appreciation for creative work that takes on challenging subjects.”

It is one of the aims of the Houghton English and Writing programs to balance the refining of the craft with opportunities to interact with those currently succeeding in the field. For many years the English and Writing department has invited writers to come to the college for students to learn from and speak with.

Senior English major, Hope McKeever, feels the department is excelling in this objective. In the past year especially, she and many others in the program have been inspired and encouraged by the guidance and readings of visiting authors.

Speaking to an artist about their work offers students a fullness of experience that one does not encounter through a work alone.  The authors typically studied by students often tend be deceased, it all feels rather secondhand. Professor of English, Stephen Woolsey compares it to the difference of being told about music and actually hearing a musician play. Luckily, there are still many great writers who are alive and willing to come visit Houghton.

McKeever notes out of all the short stories she read in high school the one that sticks out the most is “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Oates, a retelling of the pied piper which examines ideals of beauty and innocence. “She can draw you into a story unlike anyone I’ve ever read,” said Mckeever, “That is something I would love to emulate in my own work.”

Along with excellence, Oates exemplifies hard work and determination. The sheer volume of Oates’ literary contributions is overwhelming. She has published two or three books every year for the past forty years. She was once seen in an airport sitting on top of a bag-stacked luggage cart writing as her husband pushed the cart along. Her tenacity and productivity is an inspiration to Houghton students.

Mills Woolsey, who finds Oates’ novels disturbing and deeply moving, spoke to the unifying factor of her body of work., “The thread that runs through…is a willingness to look at dark, violent and painful experience with an honest eye, while at the same time often managing to convey a sort of tough-minded hope through the strength of her characters.”
Oates’ stories are cerebral and copious. Her characters, honest and compelling. Her work, captivating, creepy, charming, and hauntingly beautiful all at the same time.

On September 20, head coach of men’s soccer, Matthew Webb, reached a milestone of 100 wins in the victory against the Nazareth College Golden Flyers. Since the win, Webb said, “It’s been fun to reminisce and think about some of the guys who have come through the program all of these years.” Athletic Director Skip Lord said, “Anytime you have the milestone wins, in part it says something about longevity…but it’s longevity with excellence, longevity with success.”

Webb has been coaching for twenty-two years. He started his career at Houghton working in the Student Life Office in Student Programs and served as an assistant coach for women’s soccer for four years alongside current head coach, David Lewis. Then, under Coach Hornibrook, he was an assistant coach for the men’s soccer team for seven years. Now, he is in his eleventh season as the head coach of men’s soccer who are currently 4-3-2 overall and 1-0-1 in the Empire 8 conference. In addition to coaching, Webb is the Associate Athletic Director for the college and the men’s soccer chair for the NCCAA division. Over the years, Webb has provided leadership for the intramural sports program, served as a former Empire 8 conference chair, taught classes at Houghton, taught as an adjunct at other institutions such as Global Leadership for St. Bonaventure’s master’s program, and has been a member of board of elders at the Houghton Wesleyan Church.

Webb always sets high goals and standards for his team every season. Specifically, they want to win the Empire 8 conference, qualify for and win the NCCAA national tournament, and have a team GPA of over 3.2 with no individual GPAs below a 3.0. “I think if goals are not set at a high enough standard, they aren’t worth striving towards but they need to be attainable…something [we] can build towards,” said Webb. Additionally, as a team they want to support other sports teams on campus by attending at least one of their games. Webb thinks it’s important for his team to be disciplined academically, athletically, and spiritually. Because he desires to see spiritual development among his players, the team has mandatory devotions early on Friday mornings

With regards to coaching, Webb said, “The most rewarding thing is building those relationships with the players, seeing guys graduate from our program. Becoming husbands, becoming dads.” The success Webb has had is largely a result of the time he takes to relate to his players. Senior Matt Munkittrick said, “[He] makes a good effort outside of the soccer field to get to know the players and that helps in practice and in the games as well.” During preseason, the entire men’s soccer team is invited over to the Webb’s house for a picnic which lets his players know they are always welcome at his home because they are his “extended family.” Webb is often described as a “player’s coach” because he cares about the kind of men his players become and stays in contact with them after they graduate to see how they’re doing. Lord said, “One of the ways you can tell the impact of a coach has on their student athletes is how many weddings they’re invited to.” Usually, his summers are booked with plenty of former players’ weddings for his family to attend, so it’s safe to say Webb has made a large impact on many of the players he’s coached throughout the years.

During the school year, senior Jens Omdal is a political science major. During the summer, however, he is a professional circus performer working for the Aerial Trapeze Academy. Based in South Florida and Palm Beach, the Aerial Trapeze Academy are experts in the performing arts, presenting circus shows as well as teaching workshops in trapeze to the public. Omdal works as an aerialist and a juggler, specializing in tricks on the flying trapeze and fire juggling. “It’s something I enjoy,” says Omdal. “It’s definitely a challenge but it’s rewarding.”

Omdal began his training in the art of circus performance when he was 11 years old, when lessons were offered at a kid’s camp he attended. As he became more skilled, Omdal went on to work professionally with the circus as his summer job. When asked what initially attracted him to the trapeze, he responded, “I think it’s that I was scared of heights. It was a way of overcoming an obstacle.”

Omdal’s typical workday begins at eight in the morning, teaching students the mechanics of flying trapeze.  Some days are devoted to these classes, with each lesson lasting about an hour. If it’s a performance day, the afternoon is spent setting up for their evening show. Omdal remarks that the Academy’s schedule fluctuates fairly often. “Show times vary; in the summer there’s a lot of carnivals and festivals that want us to perform, so it’s possible we would perform every night for a week. Other times you go three weeks without a show. It depends on where the attractions are.”

When asked specifically about his job description, Omdal described himself not only as a performer, but also as a staff member. “The circus term for it is a Roustabout-someone who sets up the show. Everyone begins as a Roustabout; so you know how to set up the rig, change sets. If you can’t do that, then you’re not helpful to the show, and if you’re not helpful to the show then you are destructive. If all you are capable of is your own particular act, then you’re only good for five minutes.” As well as contributing to set up, Omdal performs a juggling act, starting with a few balls and then slowly increasing the difficulty level up to juggling fire. He also does an Adagio act, meaning an act showcasing an acrobatic partnership typically with a man as a stabilizing base while a woman performs flips and twists. Finally Omdal performs tricks with four other artists on the flying trapeze. These tricks include layouts, or forward moving backflips, and a plounge, which involves placing the trapeze bar behind your hamstrings and arching your body upside down. Acts on the flying trapeze require careful precision and planning. Omdal commented, “We have our tricks planned beforehand because we want our tricks to work together aesthetically as well as sequentially.”

Omdal could feasibly make his living working professionally as a performer and aerialist. When asked why he attends Houghton, he replied, “I desire an education, and Houghton is my outlet for that. A lot of people who perform in the circus make it their career and livelihood. But it’s a short-lived career because of the toll it takes on your body, after 15 or 20 years in the industry your body is well advanced.” Despite the risks involved, Omdal remains passionate about his role as performer, as well as its impact on his life. “Circus is a way of making art with our bodies.  We are creative in our own right. One thing the circus had taught me is that you have to commit. If you’re performing a trick on the trapeze and you don’t commit, you’re going to fall.”

Sodexo works hard to provide food that the students will enjoy and also will be able to work for students of all different backgrounds and lifestyles. Students need food that will give us the nourishment we need for stressful weeks, all-nighters, and the generally busy life of a typical Houghton student.

Growing up, a lot of kids are told to eat what is in front of them, and not complain, we’re not always allowed the luxury of being a picky eater. Here at Houghton, however, Sodexo cares about what we think of the food and what we want to eat, and they are willing to listen.

Houghton is fortunate to have a Food Advisory Committee (FAC). This committee is still relatively new. The FAC only started last year, but have already been able to make an impact and implement nutritious changes to the diet provided by Sodexo.

Essentially, the FAC works as a liaison between the student body and the Sodexo workers. They raise questions such as, is the food good, are the students enjoying it, is there one dish students like more than another, etc. These are all questions Sodexo needs feedback on, and the committee lets students voices be heard.

The FAC is made up primarily of students, but is headed by a Sodexo employee. Last year it was headed by general manager Tina Powers, who worked hard to meet the students’ needs. It was her idea to put up the opinions board where students could write suggestions or complaints in order to be heard. Powers  would read and respond to every single one, no matter how inane the suggestion or complaint might be.

This year, though the leadership of the committee has changed, but its attitudes of service to the students has not. The committee is now is headed by new general manager Kathie Guyler. The board gathers once a month to discuss the issues going on in the dining hall, such as foods students really like, foods students disliked, the rearranging of some food stations, and various other topics. One of the issues faced last year was the removal of napkin holders on tables, which surprisingly created far more discontent than they thought it would. These are all decisions the committee deliberates and decides on in the hopes of making a better situation for all.

Junior Melissa Maclean has been a member of the committee since it began. She said she joined due to her interest in nutrition, and loves being a part of it because it means she “has a say and can advocate for health on campus.”

The committee has only met once so far this semester, but there is room in the committee for more people to join this year. If you are interested in nutrition, in advocating for health, and for making an impact, then the FAC is a great place to start.

As the season changes and the natural beauty of Houghton’s campus is transformed by autumn, one group on campus is working to ensure that the Houghton community cares for this vibrant area. The Eco Reps, the college’s student organization for sustainability and creation care, are now preparing for a full year of encouraging students to engage with the environment surrounding them.

The group, created by Sustainability Coordinator Brian Webb, started in the fall of 2013 as a way to engage students in environmental issues. There was previously a Creation Care Club at the college, but it never drew in large groups of students. Its lack of popularity motivated Webb to approach the concept of a student organization in a different way. Unlike a regular campus club, Eco Reps is a function of the Office of Sustainability. This allows for continuity year-to-year through Webb’s direct involvement in facilitating the organization, as well as for the use of the sustainability budget to aid in financing Eco Reps programming.

“This way there’s a synergy between students’ ideas and the sustainability goals that the college has put together,” said Webb.

Last year, members of the Eco Reps planned a coffeehouse campfire event in the woods, organized a Faith and Sustainability panel, and started the process for two long-term projects. One of these projects seeks to reform the college’s lack of institutional policy to use sustainably sourced paper, which Eco Rep Coordinator, senior Lauren Bechtel, is continuing to discuss with the administration. Another project will  attempt to raise funds to install an apple orchard in the green space between Steese Cottage and the tennis courts. While both Bechtel and her co-leader, Eco Rep Coordinator and junior Daniel Bellerose, look forward to pursuing these initiatives, their main goal for the year can be summed up in one word: awareness.

“Overall, the purpose is awareness,” said Bechtel. “Awareness of how you can make more sustainable decisions on an individual level, but also how we can work together as a community to be wise with what we’ve been given.”

In order to accomplish this objective, as well as to ensure that Eco Reps become a recognizable name on campus, the organization has put more emphasis on planning events to engage the Houghton community. As part of the Young Evangelicals for Climate Action fellowship program, Bechtel and Bellerose participated in a weeklong training program last August that readied them to take leadership positions this year.

“We were able to write down goals and build a solid concrete foundation to move into the school year with,” said Bellerose. “Our big goal for this year is to reach out to every discipline.”

To connect with every department, major, and campus group may seem like an intimidating task, but the Eco Reps are prepared for the challenge. Bechtel and Bellerose have set up monthly themes that will culminate in one event per month. For example, September’s theme “Get Outside” will end with a Trail Mixer this coming Saturday, September 26 in which the Eco Reps will provide free trail mix and guided walks through Houghton’s trails. Other events will include a panel on Faith and Sustainability to offer some philosophical and theological motivations for caring about the environment, and an Arts and Environment Expo next semester.

“Studies have shown that when it comes to environmental issues, people don’t respond to facts,” said Bechtel. “People respond to personal experiences or their previous background, whether that’s religious or political or geographical locations. We’re hoping to communicate the need for action on environmental issues in a way that’s not necessarily based on fact and reason, but on experience and how we perceive reality.”

Now in its third year, the Eco Reps program has grown to fifty-two official members. Thirty students attended this year’s first meeting, and all of them signed up to help plan this year’s activities and events. Webb is thrilled with the enthusiasm.

“It’s an answer to many years of prayer, for me,” said Webb. “Now, finally, large numbers of students are engaging with this and understanding how creation care interacts with our faith.”  

Thanks to the undertaking of Webb and this group of conscientious students, the Eco Reps are primed for another year of engaging in their own understanding of creation care. The Houghton community at large is set to benefit from their continuing efforts.

Purple and Gold Week is coming! Students who have participated in this event before may think this article is being run a semester early, but in fact, it is not. Starting this year, Purple and Gold week will be moved from spring to fall semester in order to coincide with Homecoming Week.

Jason Stephens, Resident Director of Shenawana Hall, said the motivation behind the change is twofold. “Residence Life felt like it would be great to move this week up to Homecoming so alumni can participate in Purple and Gold activities. We want students to begin to build that affinity towards Houghton, and what better way than to have friendly competition that can incorporate alumni, faculty, staff, and current students.”

This year, students can look forward to some new events, alongside the well-known Campus Activity Board (CAB) Coffee House, SPOT, and the homecoming dance. Every night at 6 p.m., CAB will be hosting events outside the Campus Center, including Powder Puff, Ultimate Frisbee, Glow in the Dark Capture the Flag, Pudding Tug-O-War, and Whipped Cream Twister. Additionally, the SGA will be doing lunch activities, which will include minute-to-win-it style competitions.  

Coordinators of this year’s Purple and Gold Week have also decided to re-establish an old Houghton tradition. In the past, students were assigned either purple or gold at the beginning of their first year and stayed on that team for the remainder of their time at Houghton. Kasey Cannister of CAB said, “It was a really big rivalry and every student took the competition seriously…This year’s freshman have been assigned a color and returning students will be asked to choose a color.” Returning students will choose their team during the first event of Purple and Gold Week: the T-shirt pick up, which will take place after chapel on September 28. Team sizes are limited to the number of shirts available.

For those wondering what will replace Purple and Gold Week during the dreary month of February, rest assured Residence Life has another plan in the works. A new week called “Hall Brawl” is being planned. Although details of the event are not yet completely clear, CAB representatives said that—as the name suggests—it will be a competition between Gillette, Lambein, Roth, and Shen. For students living in the townhouses or off-campus, Kasey Cannister says, “Our plan right now is that [they] will still be encouraged to compete. They will simply join the dorm they used to live in.”  

As the week comes to a close, the Advancement Office will host a Fall Festival, which has been a tradition for the past 7 years. On Saturday, October 3, there will be live music playing from the chapel steps from 10:30-11:30 a.m., a tent with game booths run by student organizations and the alumni board, a bounce house, and refreshments which will include cider, doughnuts, and popcorn. Phyllis Gaerte, Alumni Engagement Director, said there will be an inauguration for the first annual Purple and Gold Week of the fall semester. She also said she is thrilled with the level of excitement and participation that students have brought to this year’s event. Students are invited to participate in all the events that are taking place during this semester’s reimagined Purple and Gold Week.

The business department welcomed new faculty members, Pil Joon Kim and Naomi Christensen, this fall. Kim will serve as the Assistant Professor of Business Administration and Christensen as Instructor of Accounting. Christensen was a member of the 2008 Houghton class. She graduated as a Business and Accounting major and was involved in track and field. Many of the current business professors also taught her when she was a student at Houghton. As a student, Christensen enjoyed how “down to earth” her professors were and how they made studying business practical and applicable to daily life. She hopes to implement some of these same principles as she gives her students hands on learning that will prepare them for experiences in the field of accounting.

Before returning to Houghton as a faculty member, Christensen worked at a certified public accountant firm for three years. Later, she applied her work experience to a job with The Seed Company, a Wycliffe Bible Translators affiliated program. She worked out of Texas assisting in translation projects by creating budgets, business plans, and assessing partners overseas. As a field business analyst, she has traveled with The Seed Company to Nigeria, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. Christensen mentioned the importance of learning to speak the language of business and to present it with integrity. She hopes that this semester will provide her with opportunities to explore what it looks like to integrate ethics and accounting. This fall, Christensen is teaching Financial Accounting and Auditing.

Kim agrees, “It is important to execute ethical norms when performing financial transactions.” Moreover, Kim believes that finance should be a field that Christians study in order to encourage the financial system to serve its intended purpose. Kim mentioned that the focus on financial studies should be “learning ways to mitigate unfair financial damages caused by conventional financial systems, rather than solely to gain wealth.” As an advocate for justice in the financial world, Kim reinforces Houghton’s goal to develop Christian leaders in many different fields of study. Before coming to Houghton this year, Kim taught at a large public university and a smaller private university. He expressed that he is looking forward to working at Houghton because a smaller scale school encourages individual attention for each student. Before teaching, Kim was a student at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, Illinois. During his masters and doctoral programs, Kim studied and researched many different subjects including corporate finance, fixed income, investment, and asset pricing, to name a few. Currently, he hopes to expand his research in financial markets. This includes topics such as security, bond, foreign currency, derivatives, and financial interest. Kim stated, “It is my duty as a financial professional to teach students to stay within the system and directly engage in the management of wealth which God has entrusted to them in a way that is honoring to him.” This fall, Kim is teaching Business Communication, Entrepreneurship, Financial Management, and Security Analysis & Portfolio Management.