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Campus News

The Tales of New Faculty Amid The Pandemic

Left to Right, top to Bottom: Professor McHenry, Dr. Silano, Professor Bowers, Dr. Gates, Dr. Zhou and Professor McElfish. Photo credit: https://www.houghton.edu/news/houghton-welcomes-8-new-faculty-members/

Article by Burton Brewster (’23)

The new faculty on campus chose a strange time to join Houghton Campus. Everything from the way professors teach to the interviewing process has been re-imagined. It is a tough time to teach, but not all is bad. 

Dr. Jonathan Gates (’85) from the English and Writing and Vocation and Calling Departments, is unique among the new faculty for starting his teaching in the same semester that COVID-19 struck. For him, the challenge came when the campus dramatically switched to an online format. “It was immersion by fire! I’ve been teaching for many years, and I feel very comfortable teaching, but I did not feel very comfortable for a number of weeks adjusting to that so quickly. Literally having one week to turn three in-person courses into three online course. [But] in the end I think it was successful.” 

Professor Elianna McHenry (‘18), the new Assistant Professor of Accounting at Houghton, was also able to start teaching before COVID-19 hit, albeit as a grad student. When asked about difficulties she has had to face as a new professor she said, “Something that makes teaching my subject difficult is that not many people love to study accounting. I’ve made my peace with that, and it doesn’t put a damper on my excitement for the topics, but it certainly makes getting my students excited about our learning a little more difficult.

The interview process for most of the new faculty was finished by March 2020, but some were not as lucky. This was especially true for Dr. Francesca Silano, a professor that joined the History and Political Science Department this summer. She explained, “I came in the beginning of March! As you can imagine, it was not a great time to come. In fact, the campus shut down half way through my visit.” Her interviews were planned to have a live class, but due to the lack of students the department had to get creative. “Dr. Meilaender kindly brought all of his children in to listen to my job talk. Everything was so hectic it took a lot of the pressure off of the interview.” The new Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering, Dr. Ki Shin, did not even get a chance to interview on campus. According to him, the campus was already shut down, meaning that his interviews were entirely online.

Teaching styles have had to adjust thanks to the new measures in place. According to Dr. Jie Zhou of the Physics Department, hands on labs were difficult to demonstrate when social distancing was in place. She explained, “There is not an easy way for us to show [labs] in front of students because we’re keeping social distancing.” The solution was to create as many channels of communication as possible. “The best way of assisting student learning is increasing interaction,” she said. On the other hand, Professor Kaiden Bowers (‘13) who works in the Sports, Recreation, & Wellness Department explained how a change of scenery helped his classes overcome restrictions. “We’re not restricted to just our 20 by 20 classroom.” He said, “We can get out into the woods, go out to the field of dreams, get out to the trails, the soccer field and do different things outside which I think is a good change of pace for students.” All of the interviewed faculty expressed appreciation for students. “I was surprised by many students who have high energy and motivation to learn. This challenged me a lot,” said Professor Shin. And, as Professor Bowers puts it, “I commend the students during this. They’ve been able to adapt and go with the flow. They’ve been really forgiving of the faculty and patient with us. Everyone has played a big role in making it work thus far! ”

The Houghton STAR would like to thank Professor Paul Young for providing the groundwork for this article.

Do you have any of the new professors? How are they doing? Comment below or get in touch with us via Instagram, Twitter, or email (editor@houghtonstar.com)!

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Campus News

“Preserving What Chapel Can Do:” The New Interview Format of Chapel

Nuk Kongkaw and Dean Jordan talk with Dr Drew Hart during last Wednesday's chapel steam.

Article by Justice Newell (‘23).

Amongst the numerous changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the loss of in-person chapel services has been significant for returning students at Houghton College. Despite this change, Houghton’s Spiritual Life department has been deliberate with creating chapel services that still engage and challenge students’ beliefs, all while maintaining the policies enacted to keep Houghton’s students healthy. 

Of note, the format typically used for Wednesday chapels is interview-based. During this service, there are generally one or two guest speakers that are interviewed by either Nuk Kongkaw, Director of the Mosaic Center, or the Dean of the Chapel, Michael Jordan. The topic of discussion varies with each speaker, but a common thread binds them all together. 

According to Dean Jordan, that thread relates to the types of issues present in the Christian world beyond the scope of Houghton. These speakers are, as Jordan proposed, “the many other voices asking some of the same questions, sometimes related questions, and then sometimes questions we don’t even know that we should be asking.” 

 In years prior, Houghton had speakers deliver sermons or presentations before an audience of hundreds of students and staff. But with the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person chapel services became mostly impossible. As a result, public worship time on Mondays and Wednesdays have been lost, with Friday’s “worship on the quad” remaining the only public worship time.

Regarding that change, Jordan said, “ I really treasure things taking place within the context of worship. And I never want to lose that ground permanently. But, I’ve kind of made a conscious decision that this [discussion format] won’t really be worship in that way, you know, like Monday and Friday can be worshipful moments in their ways.”

Since the first online chapel service more than a month ago, students have been engaging with the new interview format of chapel to varying degrees. While many students gather to watch the chapel livestream together, or watch from the comfort of their dorm room, students like David Bowers (‘21) chose to become a part of the discussion. On October 14, Bowers, an Intercultural Studies Major on the pre-med track, facilitated an interview with Grace and Sunday Bwanhot, Nigerian missionaries on mission in the United States. He found the experience to be vastly rewarding.

“As I sort of alluded to in the interview,” Bowers said, “often you see missions as, you know, white people going to non-white communities and breaking their culture and telling them about Jesus as they become more like white people. And I think the image of a couple from the Muslim part of Nigeria, working among the Diaspora in Chicago, just basically breaks that stereotype in every way.”

Aligning with Dean Jordan’s goal for the discussions, Bowers believes that the interview format of chapel is critical for broadening the student body’s perspective on Christianity, as well as reaffirming their core beliefs. He remarked, “I’d say that my biggest takeaway was [the Bwanhots’] testimony of just listening to that call, even when, from the outside, it doesn’t make sense. It’s just that active, intentional submission to the will of God for your life.” 

Student engagement with the new format extends past Bowers’ discussion with the Bwanhots. As a particular strength of the format, Ashley Archilla (‘23) cited the live stream’s chat feature. “There’s the comments section,” she explained, “and they sometimes do include questions from it, so it’s interactive in that way.” 

Dean Jordan also voiced his support for the live comment section, as he believes that it is critical for engaging with difficult conversations. Recounting a recent example, Jordan said, “There was a time when there was something a speaker had said that one of the people in the chat had some concerns about, and they put it out there. And then some faculty came alongside and were like, no, no, this is what this person meant. To me, that was really rewarding.”

He continued, “ Like, how often have I sat in chapel and thought, ‘I wish right now that some of my colleagues could help this go down, because I know some people are having a hard time with it?’”

Though students have shown support for the new chapel format, concerns have also been raised. “The disadvantage [of the format,]” Bowers offered, “is that because it’s sort of off the cuff or unscripted on the part of the interviewees, students maybe don’t get as full a picture of the sort of message that the guests would want to communicate, you know, as opposed to if they had time to plan and prepare a message.” 

Similarly, Archilla was quoted as saying, “I preferred when it was just the guest speakers speaking because they’re free to discuss what they want, and it flows more easily. They gave an introduction and they had a PowerPoint presentation that goes along with it, which I think is engaging.” Due to the technological wall between the viewer and the speaker, she said, it is also easy to “zone out. And it’s easy to just not focus on it.”

Though many things about this semester may be deemed a “work in progress,” the unique problems that COVID-19 has presented offer the world a chance to grow and experiment with new things. Reflecting on the nature of the semester, Dean Jordan concluded, “ Like I say, it’s so surreal. And I really like trying to think through how to best preserve what chapel can do, all acknowledging it’s not what it can be.” Someday chapel will return to normal, but of course, until then, a particular phrase will have to make its way from the recording room to students’ computer speakers, “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord!” 

What are your thoughts on the new format of Chapel? How do you like the Wednesday interviews? Impressed? Find it lacking? Comment below or get in touch with us via Instagram, Twitter, or email (star@houghton.edu)!

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Campus News

Homecoming Looking “Virtually” the Same Despite Pandemic Restrictions

Article written by Hannah Fraser (‘23).

Legacies are built over time. The Houghton legacy continues to grow as students, alumni, and faculty create changes and celebrate victories. This year’s Homecoming weekend gives another opportunity for Houghton to gather and connect. The Houghton Homecoming weekend is an opportunity for alumni and current students to build a legacy and celebrate the direction of our movement as a community. 

This year, despite the given circumstances of COVID-19 restrictions, Homecoming maintains the same goal. Phyllis Gaerte, the Director of Alumni and Community Engagement, said that even though the delivery and platforms are different, the goal is still “to bring together the Houghton College community – alumni, students, families, and friends – to celebrate our rich heritage, discover what is new and current, and to envision the future together.”

The main difference between this year and former years is the virtual aspect. The decision to move to a fully virtual Homecoming weekend was made early in the summer after the guidelines for reopening came from New York State and the Houghton PREP team. Most events will not be in person, but the schedule remains similar. “We will have the Greatbatch School of Music Concert, our Homecoming Legacy Chapel that features our annual alumni awards, class reunions that will be held via Zoom, an art exhibition, equestrian open house, the Highlander 5K, and more,” said Gaerte. She encouraged students to go to the Houghton website where links to the programs will be posted. 

 Programs like “Hands on Houghton” and the Legacy Chapel display aspects of the community outside the student body. “Hands on Houghton” is a way for Houghton to showcase their academic departments, and these virtual activities include art, ornithology, and outdoor recreation. 

Students’ reactions to this year’s schedule display the optimism and hopefulness of the student body, as well as some caution about the virtual aspect. Mallory Horn (‘23) said, “I think it’s awesome to see how even in the midst of such a unique season, Houghton has still found so many ways for the community to safely celebrate Homecoming and to connect with one another. I’m most looking forward to the homecoming concert!” 

Timothy Lund (‘23) responded, “I have never been to Homecoming before but the thought of doing it virtually seems a bit bizarre. I think given the COVID situation, a virtual Homecoming is the only way to go about things without creating a health risk… but still it’s going to be quite odd, to say the least.” 

Purple and Gold Week leads to Homecoming weekend, and the week’s events also look different because of the current guidelines. Like Homecoming, the events are mostly virtual, and CAB has planned ways to engage students wherever they are. AC Taylor, the Director of Student Engagement, said “The ultimate goal of Purple & Gold Week is to help foster school spirit and a sense of belonging for students at Houghton.” He said that the goal is the same this year, but it needs to play out differently. Links are posted for virtual events throughout the week. 

One of the events that presented the greatest challenge to translate into a world with COVID-19 restrictions was the Homecoming dance. CAB is hosting a Houghton Photo Stroll instead, which AC Taylor said allows for us to “maintain the dressing up with friends and making memories aspect of the dance while addressing student health and safety concerns of crowd size, social distancing, and time constraints.” 

To finish off the week, SPOT will be hosted virtually on Saturday at 10:00 PM. SPOT is a long-standing Houghton College talent show that features any Houghton student. The hosts for this year, Jakob and Ingrid Knudsen, decided on the theme “Masquerade” before the pandemic, and Ingrid said, “When the pandemic came our idea seemed even more applicable and we just kept going with it!”

Ever since he was a first-year student, Jakob wanted to host SPOT. “SPOT was something that felt quintessentially Houghton,” he said, “Students working together to show off their awesome talents and/or goofy sides,” he said. When his sister came to Houghton, they decided they wanted to host together. 

Challenges due to COVID-19 restrictions meant that Jakob and Ingrid had to get creative with advertising, so they used Instagram as a way to let people know SPOT is still happening and to promote student involvement. They were afraid that because of COVID-19 they wouldn’t receive many submissions, but according to Jakob, “Houghton has more than exceeded our expectations,” and they’re excited about the submissions students and faculty have submitted. 

Students can’t gather in the chapel for SPOT like before, but Ingrid encourages watching while it’s streaming on YouTube with roommates or other friends in a socially distanced way. “It is happening, and we want you there!” She said, “This is going to be the most unique SPOT, at least we think, in Houghton’s history! You will always remember the show that happened amidst the pandemic in 2020, and this will be the only one!” 

The goals of all these events include celebrating Houghton’s community and uniting the student body and the faculty. While the format of these programs will look different, students can still participate in meaningful ways.

What are your thoughts on Homecoming, Purple & Gold Week, and SPOT this year? Excited? Not as interested? Comment below or get in touch with us via Instagram, Twitter, or email (editor@houghtonstar.com)!

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Campus News

Campus Changes Please, but Puzzle

Thanks to the pandemic restrictions that have been put in place, the Houghton campus has had to adapt physically in a number of ways. Yet, the campus isn’t the only thing that needed to adapt. Students also are being forced to confront the new changes on campus, and the response is slightly mixed.

The Dean of Students, Marc Smithers (‘08), headed the Emergency Management Team when the pandemic initially struck. Since then, the “Preparing a Residential Education Plan Team” (P.R.E.P. Team) has been made to handle the pandemic situation which Smithers is still a chair of. 

Speaking of chairs, in the words of Smithers there was a lot of thought put into the furniture around campus. As he says, “There was intentional social distancing of all furniture, we removed furniture from Java 101, [and for] the campus center we made sure that all the furniture would be conducive to social distancing.”

When asked about new classrooms Smithers explained that there are a lot of different spaces being used as classrooms which haven’t been utilized in the past, such as the Chapel and the south end of the Dinning Hall. But these classroom settings may change based on the needs of the students and professors.

The new patio seating area outside the CC. Credit: Evan Tsai

Interestingly, some of the largest changes, according to Smithers, are being done on the outside. “We specifically want to encourage people to be outside more. We created the outdoor patio space through a generous gift, and tried to put canopies up, but those quickly blew away. We’re doing all we can to encourage people to be outside.” During the planning phases of this semester Smithers explained that The P.R.E.P. Team considered adding “Ventilation” to The Big Three, but ultimately decided against it.

Some big changes also took place in regards to the fitness areas on campus. In an interview with Matthew Webb, the Director of Athletics, he said, “We have adjusted a lot, particularly relative to the use of our indoor facilities. Access to our indoor facilities is now more limited and we have a new “registration” system to allow access to our indoor facilities which is a brand new process for everyone.” Webb continued, “We were actually thinking at one point we might not be able to open at all [but] my staff did a LOT of work in putting together a plan so we can be open!”

Interestingly, one of the most controversial changes is in the way signs have been handled in the Campus Center. “We have a lot of signage around campus to point out to people what our expectations are,” Marc said, “and custodial helped us to identify where on campus those signs needed to go.”

Some student reactions have been less than enthusiastic though. “I think a lot of [the changes] are good, especially for safety of everyone,” Louis Schriver (‘22) explained, “but in the [Campus Center] doorways that come from the side from Roth Hill the first [door] is an entrance but the stairs there are UP ONLY. So if you’re actually following the traffic laws you need to walk into the building, walk to the other stairwell, and then go down, which is really annoying.” Demetri Court (‘24), a new London Honor’s student echoed these same concerns when he said, “I think most of the [measures] are making sense and are not too intrusive, but the signs on the doors – and on the stairs as well – I got big problems with.”

Overall, it seems like most changes have been met positively, as according to Smithers, “I have a lot of pride in our students and I think that that’s been affirmed most every day that I’ve seen students back on campus. I’m just very appreciative.” And, in the words of Regan DeWeese (‘23), “I’m proud of the policy they’ve put into place. I think they have a good sense of what they’re doing and I feel safe!” 

What are your thoughts on the changes around campus? Glad? Confused? Comment below or get in touch with us via Instagram, Twitter, or email (editor@houghtonstar.com)!

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Campus News

Deborah Birx to be Featured Speaker in Houghton College’s Virtual Commencement

Compiled as a mix of live and prerecorded events, both baccalaureate and commencement will take place this year—online. Next week, links to the events will be posted to the commencement website, and the ceremonies will stream at the times for which they were originally planned.

Baccalaureate, a worship service the night before graduation, will begin to stream Friday, May 8th, at 6:30 p.m. EST. The college choir will virtually perform “Anthems of Love” by Dan Forrest, under the direction of Dr. Daniel Black. This performance consists of several components–Dr. Black recorded conducting, accompanist Andrew Reith on the piano, and each choir member recorded singing separately. “Houghton’s AV department and Marcom [will] work together to assemble all of the videos,” says Dr. Black. “Choir members and anyone else will have a nice keepsake in the form of a video they can watch for decades to come.” In addition, Judy Congdon will be contributing recorded organ performances to both Baccalaureate and Commencement.

Rather than the usual longer address, three faculty members will speak during the service for about three minutes each. The senior class nominated Professors Sarah Derck (Bible), Peter Meilaender (political science), and Doug Gaerte (communication). “I feel very honored to be asked to do this, especially this year,” says Gaerte, who has spoken at Baccalaureate twice before. “I think it will be a very meaningful time of worship and reflection and being together as best we can in this moment. The baccalaureate service is a very special time in which we emphasize and affirm our connections as a community of faith.” Derck comments, “I’ve always enjoyed the Baccalaureate service in the past. Being a worship service, and one so heavily shaped by the experiences of the graduating class, it feels like a fitting acknowledgement of their contribution to our community during their time at Houghton… I love reflecting on the students’ growth in Christ during this service.” 

In addition to these professors, pastors Bill and Kristen Allen—parents of graduate Emily Allen, as well as Katie Allen (‘22)—will give a parental blessing. Andrew Cahill, custodial manager at Houghton, and Rev. Todd Glendenning, both parents of graduates, will give the opening and closing prayers. “It’s an honor to represent Houghton and the graduates this way,” says Cahill, father of Brennen Cahill (‘20), a fourth generation Houghton graduate. “I think I’ll be significantly less nervous doing it this way (on video) rather than just having one chance at it in front of 1500 people.”

“Covid-19 has uprooted the plans of all of Houghton’s seniors,” says Emily Allen (‘20), who finished her theology degree in December 2019 and went on to TA for the Honors in London program, which was sent home mid-semester. “I would implore Houghton to facilitate an in person meeting at a later date for our class to have a final reunion. Houghton has always been a place that emphasizes the importance of deep fellowship and community, and that convinces me that the move to virtual graduation is one which attempts to remain faithful to this commitment even amidst difficult restrictions.” Allen plans to attend Asbury Seminary in the fall. 

Commencement will stream beginning at 10:00 a.m. EST on Saturday, May 9th. Normally, graduates process around the quad, following a bagpiper, before entering the chapel for the ceremony. This year, Benjamin Havens (‘21) recorded bagpiper Alastair Hutton (‘10) on campus, and the recording will be played as the background for a slideshow, compiled of candid photos and videos of the senior class. A faculty member from each department will read the names of that department’s graduates as usual; seniors have been asked to submit photos of themselves to accompany each name as it is read.

Daniel Bussey (‘20), a vocal performance major, will sing “How It Ends,” a song from the musical Big Fish, which he will also be performing in a recorded senior recital. “It’s a piece about how life is a conglomeration of different things, but it all ends well. I think that’s an important message for us to hear right now,” says Bussey. 

The president of the graduating class, Alicia Cline (‘20), will present the class gift. The graduates will also hear from Dan Bates, who, according to President Mullen, “will give a word of commendation from the board of trustees.” President Mullen and Dean of the Faculty Paul Young will speak from the chapel stage, and Daryl Stevenson (‘70) will speak on behalf of the 50th reunion class, and present a gift to the Class of 2020. 

This year’s commencement speaker is Dr. Deborah Birx, the Coronavirus Response Coordinator for White House Coronavirus Task Force. She is also a 1976 Houghton graduate (the same class as President Mullen). She was scheduled to come speak this year before the coronavirus outbreak and her appointment to the task force, and is miraculously still able to speak despite the crisis. She will provide a prerecorded address.

In place of breakfast with the president, seniors will receive gift boxes from the college including their diploma covers and some fun surprises. And as there can’t be an in-person reception after the commencement ceremony, there will be virtual chat rooms so graduates can converse with their professors, family, and friends. “Each academic department will create a Zoom meeting,” says Michelle Miller, administrative assistant for the president’s office. “The Zoom meeting links will be sent to graduates, faculty and staff along with the PDF of both programs the week leading up to commencement. These virtual receptions will begin at noon, following commencement.”

“Graduation weekend is about four years of hard work and stepping out into a new future,” says Peter Meileander, the third professor asked to speak at Baccalaureate. “I am glad the college is making an effort to celebrate as best we can.”

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Campus News

Parade Honors Houghton’s Healthcare Personnel

The volunteer fire department participated in the parade.

In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, the Houghton community celebrated its local first responders and healthcare workers. On April 15, 2020, around seventy vehicles lined up to form a parade, whose route passed two healthcare facilities near the college: the Houghton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center (HNRC) and Houghton Universal Primary Care (UPC), both located on Luckey Drive.

The event was initiated by Patricia Barber, administrator at HNRC, who contacted the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce about showing appreciation for their employees. As a member of the Chamber of Commerce board, the college’s community engagement director Phyllis Gaerte led the coordination. According to Gaerte, Barber’s request cited employees’ “around the clock” work to protect HNRC residents: “They are a great bunch of staff members and I just want to show them that the community is behind them 100%.” The group of organizations involved in the event included Houghton College, Houghton Academy, 3 Bums Pizza, Houghton Wesleyan Church, and the Houghton Volunteer Fire Department.

The parade included personal vehicles decorated with signs and balloons, as well as emergency vehicles, the Houghton Academy school bus, and a college Highlanders bus. As vehicles lined up behind Houghton Wesleyan Church and the college facilities building next door, Gaerte observed that more people were arriving than initially expected. The final line that proceeded towards the healthcare facilities started at the entrance of Houghton Wesleyan and ended with many cars in the fire hall lot. Two police cars blocked traffic on Route 19 for several minutes so that the procession could safely move forward.

Parade participants got creative with their vehicle decoration.

In addition to the parade, healthcare workers were thanked with free pizzas, wings, and subs delivered by 3 Bums on the same day. 

Gaerte’s invitation to the event, posted publicly on the Houghton Wesleyan Facebook page, advised adherence to social distancing regulations – specifically that all participants should remain in their vehicles at all times. Nonetheless, event attendees expressed appreciation for the opportunity to see friends in person, even if from a distance. (Familiar faces in the parade included Profs. Young, Gaerte, Zoller, and Freytag, women’s soccer coach Nikki Elsaesser, and Pastor Wes Oden, among many other community members.)College physician Dr. David Brubaker works at the UPC health center; he was unable to attend the event due to a class he was teaching, but thanked the college, Houghton Wesleyan, 3 Bums, and the Houghton VFD for “putting on this very thoughtful and encouraging event.” He added, “in the midst of a situation that has caused uncertainty and has required significant adjustments for everyone in the community, I’m thankful for the flexibility and support [UPC staff] have felt as we have navigated changes to our workflow. I’m grateful too for the ways in which people have embraced the efforts to slow the spread of the virus; I think it has made a big difference.” He also expressed gratitude towards members of the local health department, “who have been working tirelessly to care for the people of this county and to support local medical providers.”

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Campus News

Living Through History: Houghton Campus Closes due to COVID-19 Pandemic

The Houghton campus sits empty several weeks from the end of the spring semester. A pandemic viral respiratory illness, coronavirus disease 2019 (also known as 2019 novel coronavirus and abbreviated as COVID-19), has led to school and business closures across the U.S. and travel restrictions around the world.

Houghton students, faculty and staff are aware at this point how changing circumstances and rules have resulted in their seclusion away from the main campus. All instruction, as well as a variety of support services and student engagement opportunities, have moved to online formats. Here is the timeline of key events in New York State and within the Houghton community:

February 1, 2020: Houghton College publishes a Frequently Asked Questions page to address concerns about planned response to the novel coronavirus, of which no cases had been reported in New York State.1

February 27, 2020: First meeting of Houghton’s Emergency Management Team.2

February 28, 2020: The Emergency Management Team emailed faculty to inform them that over February break (February 29 to March 8), they should begin considering how they might transition to online instruction.2

March 1, 2020: First case of COVID-19 in New York City confirmed by Governor Andrew Cuomo.3

March 4, 2020: Nine people who were in contact with one infected Westchester County, NY attorney test positive for the virus.3

March 6, 2020: Cuomo announces that 4,000 people across New York State are in “precautionary quarantine” (healthy people who recently traveled through affected countries), as well as “dozens” in mandatory isolation.3

March 9, 2020: Following Houghton’s February break, students who traveled to countries with a CDC3 rating (at that time, China, Italy, Iran, and South Korea) self-isolated away from main campus residences. The recommended quarantine period was 14 days.4

March 12, 2020: Cuomo bans all gatherings of 500 people or more, and says that facilities below a 500-person seated capacity should reduce occupancy by 50%.3

Houghton’s Emergency Management Team makes the decision to bring home all students studying abroad.2

March 13, 2020: On Friday morning, an email from Dean of Students Marc Smithers is sent with an attached letter from President Shirley Mullen, announcing that Houghton would be moving to online-only instruction starting Monday, March 23. All chapels are cancelled (as gatherings of over 500 people). The plan at this time is to have regularly scheduled classes March 16 through March 18, with students required to move out of college residences by noon on Thursday, March 19. All college-sponsored international travel, including Mayterms, is suspended through at least July 1, 2020.5

March 15, 2020: On Sunday evening, two Houghton students enter self-isolation– one who developed a cough after traveling internationally during February break, and that student’s roommate as a precaution. The ill student was tested for COVID-19.6

March 16, 2020: Early Monday morning, an email from President Mullen announces that all classes are cancelled due to infections in Allegany County and the one ill student being tested.7 Over the following few days, further emails urge students to leave campus as quickly as they can, while residence halls and dining services remain open for students unable to leave earlier than Thursday, March 19.

Cuomo, in coordination with CT and NJ governors Murphy and Lamont, orders restaurants to close except for take-out and delivery, and all gatherings over 50 people banned until further notice.3

March 17, 2020: College housing past March 19 is opened to some students: international students unable to travel to their home countries, students whose homes include people at high risk for coronavirus, and students whose home situations are “disruptive to their flourishing.”8

March 18, 2020: With 3,437 confirmed cases in New York State, Cuomo orders non-essential businesses to have at least 50% of employees work from home.3

March 20, 2020: An email from Marc Smithers and Dale Wright announces that room and board costs for the spring semester will be prorated; the costs of services not received will be credited to the accounts of returning students as discounts on next year’s charges.9

New York State reports 8,300 COVID-19 cases and 53 deaths.3

March 22, 2020: By 8pm on Sunday, all non-essential businesses in New York State are ordered to close.10 Non-essential gatherings “of any size for any reason” are banned.11

In response to these restrictions, Houghton professors move out of their offices to work from home.2

New York State caseload reaches 16,278 (10,764 of these in New York City).3

March 23, 2020: On Monday, all classes resume in fully online formats.

For the time being, approximately ten students remain in college housing and continue receiving food from Metz, under the special provisions described on March 17. (This does not include any students being quarantined due to possible COVID-19 exposure.)2

March 25, 2020: An email from Betsy Sanford announces that New York State restrictions on gatherings over 50 people, lasting into May 2020, will prevent the Houghton College community from gathering in person for commencement and other end-of-year ceremonies. Virtual ceremonies on the previously planned dates are promised to celebrate class of 2020 graduates, the reunion class of 1970, senior student athletes, Hall of Honor athletes, and faculty and staff retirees. In-person celebrations will be rescheduled to other dates.12

March 26, 2020: New York State’s number of confirmed COVID-19 cases reaches 37,258 (21,393 in New York City).13

All four Houghton students who were being tested for COVID-19 receive negative results.14

  1. All-campus email from Marc Smithers: “Important: Response Plan and Frequently Asked Questions Concerning the Coronavirus.” February 1, 2020, 9:11pm.
  2. Emails from Marc Smithers to the STAR, March 25-27, 2020.
  3. NBCNewYork.com, https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/timeline-tracking-the-spread-of-covid-19-in-tri-state/2313123/ (accessed March 26, 2020).
  4. All-campus email from Marc Smithers: “Important: Ongoing College Response to COVID-19.” March 9, 2020, 8:54am.
  5. All-campus email from Marc Smithers: “Letter from President Mullen Concerning COVID-19 | Student Q&A at 11am and 12pm.” March 13, 2020, 9:10am.
  6. All-campus email from Marc Smithers: “Further Information for Students, Staff, and Faculty Regarding COVID-19.” March 15, 2020, 9:59pm.
  7. All-campus email from Shirley Mullen: “Updated memo to the community.” March 16, 2020, 7:44am.
  8. All-campus email from Shirley Mullen: “Next Steps in our COVID-19 Journey.” March 17, 2020, 7:49am.
  9. All-campus email from Marc Smithers: “Important Information Regarding Pro-Rated Room and Board Credits.” March 20, 2020, 5:16pm.
  10. News12.com, http://www.news12.com/story/41924579/restrictions-on-gatherings-businesses-take-effect-as-ny-cases-surge-past-15000 (accessed March 26, 2020).
  11. NYC Health, https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-main.page (accessed March 26, 2020).
  12. All-campus email from Betsy Sanford: “Memo from President Mullen.” March 25, 2020, 10:16am.
  13. New York Magazine, https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/03/new-york-coronavirus-cases-updates.html (accessed March 26, 2020).
  14. All-campus email from Marc Smithers: “Final Update on COVID-19 Test Results.” March 26, 2020, 10:50am.
Categories
Campus News

Long-Standing Faculty Member Retires Unexpectedly

Less than three weeks into a new semester, Dean of Houghton College Buffalo and History professor Cameron Airhart has announced his retirement. This decision marks an end to a forty year career, more than thirty of which have been spent as part of the Houghton faculty. Airhart came to Alleghany County in 1987, and – until two weeks ago – was one of oldest members of staff, running only a few years behind Paul Young.

Originally a Northwestern graduate, Airhart began his studies with a BA and ended with a PhD in history from University of California Santa Barbara. He is a medieval scholar with a particular interest in St. Frances, something which influenced his teaching. “There was no topic in the arena of medieval European history,” recounts Dr. Benjamin Lipscomb, a former colleague and friend, “or in a whole lot of other areas where Cameron didn’t have something informed to say.” Students agree with this assessment, citing Airhart’s incredible knowledge of the period as a great asset. “He gave me some different ideas about what the Middle Ages were actually like,” remarked Katherine Stevick ’19, who took his Western Civ. course. Stevick is now pursuing a degree in Political Science.

Airhart’s legacy, however, extends far beyond his role as a venerated professor. He was instrumental in creating Houghton Honors and Houghton College Buffalo – programs that most students now consider established and integral parts of the college’s identity. “He put together an honors track when nothing of the kind existed anywhere at any Christian college,” said Lipscomb. “The idea of bringing together a cohort of students for an intense formative experience….that was an utterly novel idea.” From this first honors ideas came others, and under Airhart’s expertise as Director of Honors – a role he filled from 1996 to 2008 – the program expanded and multiplied. According to Lipscomb, this not only enriched student experiences but enrollment, significantly bringing up percentages. “Cameron is a force,” he commented. “His energy to make connections, to set up arrangements, to think and think and think about the creative and unexpected ways and to see the thing get done is something to behold.”

This is particularly true of the Houghton Buffalo program, which is based on helping students overcome obstacles: language constraints, citizenship issues, day jobs. Although Airhart did not found the One Symphony Campus, according to Dr. Ron Oakerson, he was integral in its current success. “The program located there evolved into one that is almost entirely dedicated to the education of refugees,” he remarked. “It is largely [due to] his [Airhart’s] vision and energy.” Before his departure, Airhart also took steps to expand the Buffalo program into other areas of the city, including a campus for ex-convicts and another for the African American community on the East side.

The same vision and energy that allowed Airhart to creatively approach program building also served him well as a teacher. “He was a very good storyteller,” recalls Stevick. “He made history seem alive… I really liked just listening to him lecture.” Lipscomb agreed, saying “it is possible… hard to say, and possibly alums from long ago would correct me…but he is the best pure lecturer I have ever heard.” Although Airhart had not taught a class on Houghton’s main campus for over four years – devoting his time to Buffalo instead – his legacy as a speaker remains intact.

Today Airhart is using those skills to pursue his own projects and spend more time with his children and grandchildren. His position in Buffalo has been temporarily filled by Rev. Steve Strand, who will serve as an interim dean until a permanent replacement can be hired.

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Campus News

CAB Celebrates Bees

A local beekeeper came to Houghton on September 10th, as part of a CAB event put on by Abigail Taylor. “During the semester, each CAB member plans and puts on a small event for campus, called a Pop Up,” explained Taylor. “We don’t advertise until the day of the event. When I was in the planning stages for my pop up theme, I came across the random fact that September is National Honey Month. I love honey, I love bees, and I am passionate about the ‘save the bees’ movement, so I thought this would be a cool idea.”

Taylor’s theme found a warm reception from students visiting the table. “I loved the event!” said senior Tyger Doell. “I was really happy to see that she was promoting something that’s really important. A lot of people don’t think of bees that often, so I’m really glad that they linked it to the important aspect of bees, instead of just talking about honey.”  

Helen Draper, another senior who stopped by the event, agreed with the need for more education surrounding bees. “They’re often overlooked,” she pointed out. “When people think of bees, they think of bee allergies or bee phobias. Even if you have those issues with bees, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be concerned about their prevalence, because they play a key role ecologically.” Statistics agree with Draper: a study from Cornell University, reported in The Ecologist and the USDA’s AgResearch magazine, found that honey bees contribute 14 billion dollars to agriculture in the US alone. While most of that money comes from boosts to crop harvesting through pollination, all of that work on the part of the bees results in a lot of honey.

While commercially farmed honey is available to students in the dining hall, Taylor wanted to offer something special at the event. “I invited a local honey producer from Fillmore, Wagoner’s Bees and Produce, because I wanted to have local honey available to buy,” she said. “Deb, from Wagoner’s, also had a lot of educational material on bees and why they are so important to our earth, so that was really interesting.”

The approachable beekeeper also educated students on some of the surprising uses of honey, including its antimicrobial and wound-healing properties. As surprising as Wagoner’s account of curing her husband’s staph infection with honey might sound, it’s not implausible. A study from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) confirms the antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of honey, as well as its merits for pain relief. “It’s a good staple to have in your cupboard, because it’s useful for so many things,” affirmed Draper.

Alongside the hard facts, Taylor kept a lighthearted spin on the event. “I designed four different button pin inserts that people could color and then wear,” she said, “and we had free honey stix for everyone that stopped by.” Doell appreciated the takeaway nature of the pins as a memento to keep the enthusiasm for honey and for bees fresh when September passes.

Overall, Taylor was pleased with the turnout. “It was a pretty easy event, very low key, but we got a lot of good feedback and people enjoyed learning more about bees!” she said. “And a lot of people walked away with yummy local honey, so that’s definitely a plus. It was a unique thing to do on campus, and I got to buy balloons shaped like bees.”

 

Categories
Campus News

Introducing the Houghton Trail Map

Hikers, fear no more: the Houghton trails can now be explored with the aid of a map. Although it is a longstanding feature of the college’s wild surroundings, the Houghton trail system remained in dire need of an updated map until the fall of 2017. As the semester progressed, Eco Reps and student Elijah Tangenberg ‘20 converged on the same idea: a GIS survey of the trails to provide a satellite-based map available to students and the public. While Eco Reps’ first GIS project involved mapping the domestic and wild trees around campus, they also wanted to create a visual of the seven miles of walking paths on Houghton property.  Fortunately for the organization, Tangenberg had recently developed a web app housing a satellite survey of the trails as an extracurricular project for REC 227 in the fall semester.

Tangenberg took on the project as a combination of service and learning, wanting to refine his skills with GIS (Geographic Information Systems) while simultaneously providing a resource to the campus. “I had worked with GIS before, and I’m probably going to continue working with it,” said Tangenberg. He described the technology as “a very ubiquitous tool that people use for virtually anything that has to do with where data is on a map.” His current project is helping to design ARC-GIS Hub, a data-sharing tool for a non-profit in his home state of California. “I’m interested in water management,” he explained, “and it’s one of the primary water-management tools out there – and understanding GIS is just a major asset no matter what you’re planning on doing with geography, or design, or environmental policy.” Despite this, he noted, “It’s very rare to have a lot of undergrad involvement in GIS, and most of the time it’s in the context of landscape design, or real estate – there’s not a lot of environmental focus.”

While Tangenberg notes significant improvements in GIS since the days when the trails were originally designed and mapped by a team including Coach Bob Smalley and Doris Nielsen (of Nielsen Center fame), the technology originated in the 1960’s and was used to map the original trails with reasonable accuracy. However, the old map no longer gives a very good picture of what you would find on a hike in the Houghton forest. “Over time, the trail system kind of evolved,” explains Tangenberg, “And over time we actually experienced a period of trail loss.” The T-shaped intersection between the Connector Trail and Devil’s Back used to be a four-way stop, for instance, with the Connector Trail making another loop on the opposite side. This is the version of the trails recorded in Smalley’s original map. “If you go there today,” says Tangenberg, “There’s a good chance you’ll get lost, because that trail simply doesn’t exist anymore.”

Tangenberg hopes the up-to-date map will allow students to hike the trails with confidence and responsibility. “Mabel’s trail, in my mind, is one of the trails that I would want to see more used,” he specifies, “because it’s just not on the beaten path for a lot of people. It’s usually a trail that people get lost on . . . but it’s a beautiful trail.” According to Tangenberg, Mabel’s trail was named for Doris Nielsen, “as a little signature on her role in the project”. Tangenberg also hopes to see the map used in the maintenance and stewardship of the trails and in encouraging student accountability and engagement. “The one thing I would emphasize is that the trail system is there to be used,” affirms Tangenberg, “and with the trail map, it’s now much easier for somebody to navigate it and to interact with it better. And that’s the whole reason why it exists in the first place. You can go out, learn about our area, walk around with friends, stay out overnight, use it as a retreat space and as a space to reconnect with your vocation in God.”