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Student Performer Series

Pianist from Junior SPS - Courtesy of Savannah Stitt
By Isabella Bratton ('26)

The Sophomores’ Student Performer Series begins at 8 p.m. on Oct. 25 in the CFA Recital Hall.

The Student Performer Series (SPS) intends to prepare students for performing in juries at the end of the year, and their future capstone recitals. It gives music majors (typically music performance and music education) the chance to become more comfortable with performing. 

Dr. David Clem who is the Dean of the Greatbatch School of Music, explained that the performance, “exists to provide students with the opportunity to work through the challenges of performing, such as performance nerves and anxiety, and to grow accustomed to performing, well before they have to give a capstone recital. From experience, I (and the rest of the music faculty) can attest that the only way to get to a place where you are comfortable performing is to do it repeatedly, and the SPS is a pedagogically sound way of doing that.”

Sophomore Katrina Kaufman (‘26) is looking forward to both performing  for and watching her own classmates perform. 

Kaufman says, “A classmate mentioned to me recently that he is working on a complicated saxophone piece, and a vocalist is preparing a popular Broadway piece for next week as well! You can expect to get a mix of both vocal pieces and instrumental pieces from next week’s performances.”

Kaufman explained that each SPS, this year, is separated by class year. The seniors and juniors have already done their performances, and the week after the sophomores is the freshmen performance. This new division prevents an extremely long SPS that lasts hours. 

Kaufman says that while it makes sense logistically, it could take away from the quality of the performance that they would have with more time.

“Having a limited amount of time to prepare for a performance is part of being a musician,” Kaufman adds.

Dr. Clem explained that the most experienced students should be the most prepared for an early recital, and that’s why the seniors go first and freshmen go last. There is also a fifth performance for people who had to miss their classes, or who wanted to do extra performances.

Kaufman really enjoys seeing others perform, since they are typically on their own in practice rooms, saying, “Seeing others play in SPS has been inspiring to me personally and has given me ideas for techniques that I want to implement into my own playing.” 

Kaufman herself will be playing a Bach Fugue next week, along with a Chopin piece the following week. 

She also enjoys the fact that SPS gives her a chance to perform without the added pressure of being graded on her performance, saying that, “At juries, I am usually thinking about the fact that making mistakes has an impact on my grade. But at SPS, I can focus more on the joy of getting to share with a supportive audience and not worry about being graded.” ★

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Campus News

2023 Homecoming Events

Photo of previous homecoming dance - Courtesy of Rylee Archambault
By Juliana Schmidt

Homecoming takes place from Oct. 5 to Oct. 8 and is four days of community bonding, dancing, concerts and alumni returning to their alma mater. 

Every year, the Houghton community gathers together and celebrates with one another. Alumni look forward to homecoming because it is a chance for reunions and a weekend of different activities. For Houghton students, homecoming week allows the students to participate in Purple and Gold events, which are organized by the Campus Activities Board (CAB). Purple and Gold Week is a friendly competition between the students that involves gathering points by attending various events throughout the week and tallying the points up at the end to see which team wins. The students are divided into their respective teams by last names, effectively pitting friends against friends for the week.   

“I’m excited for P&G week this year, CAB has done a great job planning events throughout the week. It’s a fun tradition that adds some excitement to an otherwise busy time of year and reminds us to celebrate being at Houghton in little ways like being ‘purple’ or ‘gold.’ We hope to see lots of students come out!” writes Jana Newberry, the Director of Student Engagement. 

CAB planned, among many different events, the 80’s Funksplosion homecoming dance on Oct. 6, and SPOT: The 80s on Oct. 7. SPOT takes place in the chapel at 10 p.m. and is a time for the student body to let loose and have a few laughs while enjoying a variety of different comedy acts put on by their fellow peers.   

Junior Emma Ryan mentions that she has always liked homecoming, and it is one of her favorite parts of the semester.

“I look forward to homecoming every year,” Ryan comments. “Because it is a good chance to reconnect with my Gold group members every year and to take a break from homework.” 

 In addition, there are other events taking place on homecoming weekend, including the Collage Concert at 7:30 p.m. in the Wesley Chapel on Oct. 6, and the Equestrian Open House on Oct. 7 at 9:30 a.m. at the equestrian center.

Homecoming at Houghton is open for all ages, with a bouncy house, a parade that kids can ride their bikes in, and even a professional juggling and variety show at the Homecoming Parade & Festival on Saturday, Oct. 7. 

Senior Hannah Seow states that homecoming has always been very special to her and is excited for this year’s activities.

“Homecoming,” Seow says, “will always have a special place in my heart because that is where I met most of my friends. It is such an important community-building event that showcases the spirit of Houghton.” ★

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Campus News

Award Winners of Legacy Chapel

From the left: Tim Deckert, Tim Fuller, The Bruno Family; from bottom left: Dr. Carl Lynch, Jeffery Thompson, The Peck Family - Courtesy of Amy Teta
By Abigail Bates

Six alumni awards and one Faculty Emeritus title were presented at the 2023 Legacy Chapel on Friday, Oct. 6.

The Legacy Chapel, formerly known as Founder’s Day, has the earliest record of an alumnus of the year named in 1965. However, old STAR articles suggest that Houghton has been making awards prior to that time.

The Director of Donor Communications and Editor of the Houghton Magazine, Amanda Zambrano writes, “While the name and some of the periphery traditions have changed [over] the years, the heart to celebrate the work of faithful scholar-servants has been constant for a very long time.”

Nominations for an alumni award can be made by anyone through the Office of Alumni Engagement, the Office of Advancement or the President’s Office. Zambrano writes that these nominees are reviewed before the Alumni Board makes the final decision.

The Alumni of the Year is one of the highest awards Houghton presents, and the recipient of this award is Dr. Carl Lynch, III (‘72). He is a highly respected anesthesiologist and professor emeritus of anesthesiology at University of Virginia Health System. For approximately 20 years, Dr. Lynch has been a volunteer with a medical missions organization called Mision de Esperanza, and he is the creator and primary funder of the endowment for the Shannon Summer Research Institute at Houghton University.

2013 Graduates Rachel (Meier) and Justin Peck received the Young Alumni of the Year award. The couple are the founders of 431 Ministries, which reaches out to marginalized women in Central Tennessee. They have impacted the lives of hundreds of at-risk women and their children, Zambrano emphasizes, by providing safety, educational opportunities and the Gospel.

An Alumni Christian Service nominee is someone who has made a significant impact for the Christian faith through self-sacrifice and service. Dr. Jeffrey Thompson (‘01) is an emergency room doctor in Buffalo, New York, who has also served traveling around the world, primarily to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to instruct local emergency room doctors. He’s also a member of the President’s Advisory Board at Houghton University.

The recipient of the Alumni Distinguished Achievement Award is Timothy Fuller (‘79) who has demonstrated exceptional achievement in his profession. He was a long-time Houghton employee who worked in the Office of Admission for over twenty-five years, before he went on to serve as a consultant in Christian higher education until his passing this last summer.

“His contributions both to Houghton and to the field of Christian higher education are truly remarkable; thousands of students found their way to Houghton because of Mr. Fuller,” Zambrano writes.

Timothy Deckert (‘95) is the recipient of the Alumni Appreciation Award. For a decade, he has served on Houghton’s Alumni Advisory Board, where he performed roles ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of the board. Deckert also served on the search committee for a new president at the time of President Emerita Shirley Mullen’s retirement in 2021.

The Fearless Award, introduced in 2022 by President Lewis, is awarded to 2015 graduates, Stephanie (Ford) and David Bruno, who, Zambrano writes, have spent the past two years living out their firm believe in the sanctity of life by refusing the pressure to abort their third child when he was found to have trisomy-13 (Downs Syndrome).

President Lewis also bestowed the title of Faculty Emeritus on Professor Terry Paige, who retired last spring. This title can go to any long-serving faculty member who has retired.

“It’s a privilege to be able to share these stories with Houghton students and fellow alumni,” Zambrano—who created the citations read aloud during the Legacy Chapel—writes, “and to be able to cast a vision for what God can do in and through each and every one of us.” ★

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Campus News

Sophomore Leadership Conference Returns

By Elise Koelbl

It was gone but not forgotten. After a year of strict COVID-19 guidelines forcing its absence, February 4 marks the return of the Sophomore Leadership Conference, just in time for it’s 5th year. The Sophomore Leadership Conference is an event for sophomore students to further understand their strengths and show them their abilities as a leader. This year’s theme is titled “Activate: Leadership, Gifts, and the Kingdom of God,” which is notably different than in past years where the theme was “Oh The Places You’ll Go.” This continues to be a program designed to promote leadership in young students.

The person in charge of organizing the event is Rachel Wright. When asked about the decision to direct this event towards sophomores, she stated, “This event has focused on the Sophomore year as students near the time to officially declare their major and there were already existing opportunities like Transitions, Senior Seminar courses, etc. for students during other years. Because of the pandemic, the event was canceled in 2021, so we are opening this year up to those who would have been Sophomores last year.” The event itself goes from the evening of Friday, February 4 to all day Saturday, February 5. There will also be an exclusive dinner with Kindschi Faith and Justice Symposium guest Rev. Dr. Soong-Chan Rah on Monday, February 7 for all of the conference attendees.

Adelaine Morgiewicz (‘24), who is currently a sophomore, plans to attend the event. Like many sophomores, she received an email from Houghton’s Office of Vocation and Calling informing her of this event. As someone who is still undecided in her major, she is excited to attend to gain a better understanding of herself as a leader. 

Highlights of what is included at the conference with the $20 registration fee include: participants completing the Clifton Strengths Finder Assessment; students completing a Positive Change Project during the event, which can feasibly be enacted during their time as students; as well as Conference swag; and Saturday meals. 

Guests this year include Dr. Greg Bish, the Keynote speaker, who is also the Chief of Staff at Houghton College; Dr. JL Miller, the Associate Dean of the Chapel at Houghton College; and the Strengths Coach, Dr. Ellen Marmon, a Professor of Christian Discipleship and the Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program and Asbury Theological Seminary, who will be Zooming in to the Conference; Sharon Mulligan, the Director of Academic Support and Accessibility Services at Houghton College, who will be leading an Ideation Session; and Rev. Dr. Soong-Chan Rah, a Robert Boyd Munger Professor of Evangelism at Fuller Theological Seminary, who will be having dinner with Conference participants on Monday.

The administration is excited the Sophomore Leadership Conference was able to return after its absence last year. With a variety of guest speakers, attendees will experience a helpful and informational event. ★

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Campus News

MLK Day Changes Wrought by Snowstorm

By Anna Catherman

Across the nation on Monday, Jan. 17, Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday was celebrated with a variety of activities. Houghton College had planned to commemorate the day with a variety of special programs in lieu of classes. Unfortunately, a blinding snowstorm with a foot of snow put Houghton’s plans on pause. The chapel speaker, Rev. Dr. Carolyn Peeler from Macedonia Baptist Church, was unable to reach Houghton safely, and other planned events were canceled as many faculty members worked remotely. 

Prior to the event, the STAR interviewed President Wayne D. Lewis about what he was looking forward to about the day. He explained how growing up, he went to various services commemorating the day over the years, and expressed deep appreciation for how Houghton sets aside a day away from classes for the occasion. “The day for me is really special because it gives us the opportunity to pause what we’re doing and reflect on his life and his legacy, just as a leader who’s had an incredible impact on our country.”

Though the day did not look like it was planned, Houghton still invites students to pause and reflect. Posters were hung around campus, and they remain up for students to read. From academic departments to the dining hall, these posters inform passersby of the accomplishments of Martin Luther King Jr., as well as other prominent black figures. David Stevick, Director of Library Services, explained that in lieu of the planned poetry and children’s book readings, the library has set up displays of books for students to peruse throughout the coming days. 

Some of the other festivities, including the chapel service, will be rescheduled. According to Dean of Chapel Michael Jordan, Rev. Dr. Peeler’s talk is now scheduled for Feb. 21. The Dirty Bird Chicken & Waffles food truck’s visit has not been rescheduled at this time. Also in limbo is an evening concert by Priscilla Ozodo-Acevedo (‘10) and her band. 

Despite the inclement weather, Houghton was still able to honor Dr. King and reflect on his legacy. ★

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Center for Sustainability Hosts Open House

By Megan Brown

On a bitterly cold Friday afternoon in late January, while most students were heading back to their residences or leaving campus for the weekend, I trudged up Roth hill on my way to an event occurring on the third floor of the Chamberlain building: the Center for Sustainability Open House.

As I entered this cozy room in Chamberlain, decorated with recycled paper chains handcrafted by Mary Chichester (‘22), an intern at the Center for Sustainability (CFS), I was greeted by a room full of people playing an environmentally-themed game of Kahoot, eating cookies, and getting to know each other. Both the space and the people were welcoming. The large windows revealed a bright and beautiful winter scene outside, framed with a variety of plants perched on the windowsill. In the corner, a bookshelf was full of a range of items, from an impressive collection of literature about sustainability and social change to Russian nesting dolls. Music gently played in the background. The room not only serves as an office for the Center for Sustainability but also provides a delightful hangout space for students and interns alike. It additionally serves as the office for Brian Webb, who heads the CFS.

When I asked what he loves most about his job working on issues of sustainability on campus, Webb remarked “I love Houghton students, getting to work with them, and building connections with them, both in and out of the classroom.” He acknowledged the many difficult challenges that our planet is facing, but noted that “the passion our students have for sustainability and protecting God’s creation gives me hope for the future.”

The first CFS intern with whom I engaged in conversation was Clayton Hardiman (‘22), clad in his signature ball cap and sipping a steaming cup of hot chocolate. He encouraged me to help myself to the array of snacks being served, and he even offered me a bottle of local honey. On the down low, he also invited me to take one of the mugs that the coffee and other hot beverages were being served in. Hardiman serves as the Garden Coordinator for the CFS, a position that he noted mainly consists of planning during the winter months. When asked about what the CFS means to him, he shared that the CFS “brings the issue of ecological care and creation into a Christian perspective.”

After chatting with some other interns and students attending the open house, eating some delicious cookies, and drinking a hot cup of coffee, I left the CFS with a complimentary bottle of honey and a smile hiding behind my mask. Next time you’re on the third floor of the Chamberlain Center, I encourage you to also stop by to visit the fine people at the CFS. You can sit down to parooze a book about environmental issues, have a meaningful conversation about sustainability with people who are well-versed on the subject, and perhaps have a spot of tea. ★

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President Lewis’ First Semester in Review

By Joshua Carpenter ('24)

​In the Fall semester of 2021, Houghton College welcomed Dr. Wayne D. Lewis, Jr. as its 6th President. Since then, Lewis’ first semester has ended, with his second having just begun. Meanwhile, positive feedback on his presidential performance is flowing in from all over Houghton.

​Micah Williams (’23) sat down with the STAR in an interview to discuss his first impressions of President Lewis, noting his appreciation for Lewis’  frequent presence on campus, also adding that “It’s nice to see the president of the school where they are just sitting in chapel and being there with us, or even just seeing him drive around campus and knowing that his presence is there… it’s nice to just have his presence there.”

​Looking at President Lewis from a professional angle, Dr. Gaerte, a communication professor who has been teaching public speaking for more than 35 years, observed his inaugural address with positive remarks, referring to it as “outstanding”. Gaerte also wrote that , “ He struck an effective balance between honoring Houghton’s long traditions and showing connections to past presidents like James Luckey, Stephen Paine, Dan Chamberlain, and Shirley Mullen, and yet clearly articulating how he will continue to shape Houghton going forward in his own unique way. That can be a difficult balance for a new president – how do I respect the past and those who helped create this office before me yet while establishing my own vision for my presidency.”

​In search of a personal comment, The STAR reached out to President Lewis to ask him some questions to better understand his own thoughts and feelings towards his presidency and Houghton in general. He answered, “The Houghton College community, including students, staff, faculty, and alumni, have been incredibly welcoming, kind, and gracious to me and my family. We are thankful that God brought us to such a generous and Christ-centered community.” President Lewis  also commented on what he thinks are Houghton’s greatest strengths, having said, “Houghton’s greatest strengths are its people and its faith. I have never served at an institution with a more loyal and committed community. Our people love Houghton, and it shows… As well, the Houghton community’s historic and continuing belief that God will faithfully provide resources and direction to the college is a hallmark and tremendous strength of our community. I share in that longstanding faith belief. As long as we “Trust in the Lord with all [our] heart and lean not on [our] own understanding; in all [our] ways submit[ting] to him, he will make [our] paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

With a presence welcomed by both students and faculty alike, President Lewis has shown Houghton that not only is he enjoying its people, but his presidency as well.★

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Excitement Builds for Houghton’s Sixth Presidential Inauguration

On October 1, 2021, Dr. Wayne D. Lewis Jr. will be inaugurated as the 6th president of Houghton College. Photo Courtesy of Michael Blankenship.

By Anna Catherman (’24)

Purple and Gold Week will come to a climax on Friday, Oct. 1 with the inauguration of Houghton College’s sixth president, Dr. Wayne D. Lewis, Jr. Dr. Lewis has been serving in the role since June, but traditionally Houghton’s presidential inaugurations have taken place the first weekend of October, usually alongside the numerous annual Homecoming activities. While Homecoming has been scaled back this year, the Inauguration is set to provide a unique experience for students currently on-campus, as well as faculty, staff, and a handful of invited guests.

The main event of Inauguration weekend will be the ceremony itself, which is set to take place in the Wesley Chapel on Friday from 10-11:30 a.m. With concerns around COVID-19 still plaguing much of the country, the crowd will be smaller than previous inaugurations, but there will be some distinguished guests. 

Inside the chapel will be President Lewis’s family and friends, along with some Houghton faculty, staff, and students. Dr. Shirley Hoogstra, president of the Coalition of Christian Colleges and Universities, will be in attendance along with delegates from a handful of colleges, including John Schneider from Harvard University. Schneider is a Houghton alumnus and a great-great-great grandson of Willard J. Houghton. Alumni, community members, and others are being invited to watch the Inauguration via a live stream.

The ceremony will have a strong worship element, as requested by President Lewis and his family, and will feature many members of the Houghton community in responsive readings, prayers, and speeches. Student Body President Malachi Yeager (‘22) will be representing the Main Campus students in the ceremony. He will be participating in a charge to the President, given alongside Patricia Davis, who will be representing Buffalo East Side, and Aaron Salomon, who will be representing Buffalo West.

Yeager told the STAR “I am honored to be a part of such a historic event. This was not something I had anticipated being a part of when I was in the running for Student Body President. It’s not often Presidential Inaugurations take place and thus I hope the Lord blesses the ceremony and President Lewis’s future service to the college.”
Many other events will take place throughout the weekend, according to Dr. Cathy Freytag, one of the Inauguration Committee members. “It’s been a long, detailed process with many, many stakeholders.”

There will be a gala on Thursday evening, an art gallery presentation and a meet-and-greet on the quad Friday afternoon, and a celebratory concert and fireworks on Friday evening. 

Thursday evening’s gala on the Quad will feature New Orleans jazz, snack stations, and dancing. Faculty, staff, and students are all invited to attend, and formal attire is encouraged.

Dr. Carrie Magin was commissioned to compose an original song, entitled Into Twilight, in honor of the Inauguration. “I’ve been commissioned by ensembles and professionals from across the U.S., but it’s been such a special honor and privilege to compose this new work for our very own Houghton College Wind Ensemble. The students are hard at work on bringing this piece to life, and we’re all hopeful that it will be impactful in celebrating and commemorating the significant event of President Lewis’s inauguration.” Into Twilight will debut at 7 p.m. at the Greatbatch School of Music’s Inauguration Concert.

Dr. Ted Murphy will be presenting on Houghton’s artwork collection at 3 o’clock p.m. in the Ortlip Art Gallery. “Strangely Warmed”, a piece made specifically for the Inauguration, will be the highlight of the event. It is a colorful, post-impressionist style oil and mixed medium painting. Dr. Murphy talked to President Lewis personally before embarking on the project, and planned it according to his taste. The piece will be shown alongside a number of other works in an exhibition entitled  “Archive: A History of Art at Houghton College.”

Campus is buzzing with excitement for the rare and historic event. “I think it is going to be a very special time, not just for the institution, but for President Lewis.” noted Phyllis Gaerte, an Inauguration committee member. She, along with Greg Bish, are the only members of the committee who have served on an Inauguration committee before; they both played roles in planning President Shirley Mullen’s inauguration.

Numerous students also were eager to share their thoughts on the events. Grace Deitrick (‘23) said she is “deeply excited.” Kathryn Groff (‘23) expressed surprise and enthusiasm at the fact that such an important event was taking place during her four short years here.

President Lewis himself took a few minutes out of his busy schedule to talk to the STAR. When asked what he was most excited about, he explained he’s excited for the college to come together and mark such an important event in Houghton’s history. “We’re a college that’s been there for 140 years, almost, and only the sixth college president, that’s pretty remarkable. Thankfully, this is not something that the college does very often, due to stability in leadership, and so I think it’s a great opportunity for us to come together…and to thank God for how far he’s brought us and to prepare for the next chapter in the college’s history.” ★

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Optimism for the Future: Breaking Down Houghton’s 2021-2022 Budget

By Justice Newell (’23)

While 2021 still carries much of the baggage from its predecessor, it is time to look forward to what next year will bring. Fingers crossed, it will be better than last year. With that being said, Houghton’s 2021-2022 budget shows signs that it certainly will be! 

In terms of what the budget looks like for the upcoming academic year, Mr. Dale Wright, the Vice President for Finance at Houghton, reports that 29% of the budget goes toward financial aid to students; 35% is allocated to paying Houghton’s personnel; 15% goes toward maintaining the campus and paying utilities; and the remaining 21% is distributed amongst smaller budgets, such as those for the academic departments.  

As for where the money comes from to create the budget, together, tuition, fees, and room and board account for approximately 85%, with contributions, grants, and endowments garnering the rest of the budget.   

In planning for the upcoming school year, Houghton’s budget reflects the unique situation that COVID-19 has presented, all while holding true to the enduring goal of providing a high-quality Christian education for an affordable price. To that end, Mr. Wright attributes the college’s success during these times to three important factors affecting its financial situation. 

 Firstly, Houghton has historically been “careful planning and manag[ing] expenses,” creating what Dean Marc Smithers referred to as a “balanced budget.” Essentially, a balanced budget just means that the expenses do not outweigh the revenue, or, the money earned. Secondly, though many colleges run on a tight budget, Mr. Wright explained that through the assistance of generous alumni and friends of Houghton, much of the financial burden placed on the college is offset. Likewise, the third factor for Houghton’s continued success is the relief provided by the federal government. Especially during times in which special precautions need to be taken to slow the spread of a pandemic, any financial support to help pay for personal protective equipment, like masks or disinfectants, helps keep the budget in check. 

Though the world now knows how to combat the spread of COVID-19, this often means that institutions can expect a considerable financial burden to help with that mission. For Houghton and other colleges, this means that more funding is required in the upcoming year to help keep with current health and safety standards. In a joint statement from President Mullen and Mr. Wright, they said, “We have allocated increased funding towards technology, cleaning protocols, personnel and testing, to name a few areas. [And while it is a significant feature of the budget,] it is not a large percentage of the overall college budget. Further, a portion of these expenses have been partially offset by federal assistance.”  

Aside from being records of Houghton’s financial history, the budget’s purpose is to provide students the best overall experience during their college years. From resetting the tuition to a 20-year low, to creating 90 new scholarships, to funding Division III athletics, and paying for residential life programming and student engagement opportunities, the budget is ultimately student-centered.  

According to Dean Smithers, in his experience heading the Residential Life Office, Houghton would allot approximately “$10 per resident for residence life programming.” Moreover, part of the Residential Life funding comes from the clubs and organizations fee that students pay at the beginning of each semester, combined with additional money from the budget. So, it can be assumed that the same can be said for the 2021-2022 school year.

 Though the configuration of Houghton’s budget has been relatively similar year after year, on occasion large changes are made, and their effects are felt throughout the campus and community. The most recent example of this is the decision to cut the lacrosse program at Houghton. While this change may dishearten many students and community members, Mr. Wright suggests that the reallocation of these funds toward “track and field, cross country and intramural programs [will] benefit a wider range of students” than before.  

Though life has not yet returned to normal, the college’s financial situation indicates that things are looking up. In spite of all of these changes, students can expect a “normal-looking” semester – you know, all things considered.★

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Meet Houghton’s New Rainbow Alliance Cooperative

The RAC team. Courtesy of @hcrainbowallliance on Instagram

By Vanessa Bray (’21)

Houghton’s newly formed Rainbow Alliance Cooperative (RAC) is a student-led organization with the goal of helping to further Houghton’s invitation of community to reach everyone. RAC is not a subgroup of “We Are All Houghton.” These two groups have developed separately, with “We Are All Houghton” being made up primarily of Alumni, and RAC consisting of current students. Although these groups are unaffiliated, RAC Event Manager, Emily Warner (‘21) says they “plan to listen well to all members of the Houghton community, including alumni, so that we can heal past hurt and avoid future harm.” 

 Warner states, “the unifying purpose of RAC is to love people well.” RAC Student Networker Sarah Halvorson (‘22) adds that the cooperative exists to “create a space for loving, healthy, Christ-centered relationships amongst all peoples of any sexuality, gender, religious background, political or religious stance on the matter. To create a space where conversations can be had and people can connect with each other and support each other…it exists to advocate for the continued inclusion of LGBTQ+ students and to increase visibility for the community at Houghton.” 

The RAC is not an LGBTQ+ advocacy group aiming to change the college’s stance on LGBTQ+ issues. Neither is the group intended to subvert any beliefs or convictions that community members may have regarding LGBTQ+ matters.  “This isn’t some kind of progressive agenda…” says Halvorson, “this is how can we make a college that talks a lot about community, a real community for all people coming from all backgrounds, because at this point not everyone feels super accepted into the community. So, how do we get those people to connect and to feel loved and safe?”

Talk of developing a space dedicated to welcoming this dialogue began last semester. Inspired by the events that took place surrounding the painting and repainting of the Spirit Rock, RAC Coordinator Chelsea Wood (‘22) explains “We saw a need for something to be created on campus for support… after that people were like ‘we need to have a more official thing that’s dealing with topics like this on campus.’ So, we formed a cabinet and went through the process of trying to make it a club and realized that that wasn’t really what we were trying to make…Then [we] went a different route of being something similar to the Mosaic Center.” The Rainbow Alliance Cooperative falls under the direction of the Dean of the Chapel’s Office and has been described by Dean Jordan as a support group.

The cooperative has worked closely with Dean Jordan to ensure that RAC continues to exist in concord with the values held by the college. Both Wood and Halvorson emphasized RAC’s desire to “work with the school.” They expressed gratitude for the positive reception and opportunity granted by Houghton’s faculty and staff towards instituting RAC. Dean Jordan said he is “…So thankful for the current groups of students involved with this because they have great ideas that are consistent with our mission.”  

One main goal for the RAC is to establish longevity. “What can come from this being on campus is so big,” says Wood, “and being able to lay down the groundwork for something that can last after us is incredible.”  

The RAC does not intend for their cooperative to foster an exclusive dialogic space. Their objective is to provide opportunities for students who identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community, and those who do not respectively, to share in equal engagement. RAC’s advisor Michael Green is hopeful that the Rainbow Alliance Cooperative’s presence will help to “demystify LGBTQ+ people on campus and lead to a stronger and more inclusive Houghton community overall.”

So far, the RAC held a well-received meet-and-greet on March 4th and led LGBTQ+ sensitivity RA training. They have a variety of upcoming events planned to offer different ways for anyone on campus to be involved and engage with the topic. 

You can follow them on Instagram: @hcrainbowalliance & Facebook: Rainbow Alliance Cooperative. The RAC invites you to email them any questions you may have at hcrainbowalliance@gmail.com ★