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Shenovations: Updates and Repairs to Shenawana Hall

By Colin Campbell

On January 24, Marc Smithers, Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students, announced that Shenawana (Shen) Hall will be closed for the 2022-2023 academic year to undergo renovations. Established in 1960, Shen has housed “Shenmen” for 62 years. More than just a building, the residence hall has developed a strong culture throughout its history. The news that Shen is going to close in order for the college to make repairs and updates to the building comes with a mix of emotions but mainly excitement, as the thought of living in a restored Shen brings joy to many people. However, hearing that a building, which holds so many memories, will go through a change like this also brings about a feeling of panic. 

What will the Shenmen do for a whole year in Lambein Hall? Are they still going to be considered Shen residents? When Shen is reopened, will the culture of the past fade away? One of the freshmen Shen residents, Ben Davidson (‘25), after spending most of his first year in Shen, calls it home. He, along with many other residents, feel that it is due time for Shen to be renovated. Davidson plans to stay a Shen resident for his duration at Houghton and feels that life in Lambein will be different from Shen. He says, “We are deeply rooted here,” and the thought of the culture changing is scary. This feeling is supported by Dillon Bell (‘22), who is in his fifth year of living in Shen. He says, “Shen is the dorm that never sleeps.” He has enjoyed his time in Shen and would describe the residents as rowdy but intentional. While he cannot wait to see the renovations of Shen, he hopes that the culture can carry the same energy that it currently holds into the updated building. A concern of his is that COVID-19 may prevent the culture from flourishing back into what it once was.

Shen’s culture took a hit from COVID-19, which could be difficult to revive. The renovations being made to Shen will not only affect the culture of Shen but will also impact the culture of women residents on campus. Since Lambein will be used as a male resident hall, most of the women on campus will be living in Gillette Hall. This means there will be a significant increase of residents in Gillette, which will provide its own challenges. While this change may provide a unique experience for campus life in this next academic year, it may be the start of a beneficial shift in structure.

With bright hope for the future, the men’s resident director of both Shen and Rothenbuhler (Roth) Hall Shua Wilmot believes that while the culture may shift, the fundamental characters of the buildings will not be lost but further embraced. Wilmot quotes, “In their transition to Lambein (and to Roth and elsewhere), it is my hope that the students coming from Shen will continue striving to exemplify Shenawana’s values of Strength, Honor, and Brotherhood in their healthiest, most Christ-like forms. I hope to cultivate an environment in Lambein in which incoming and returning students alike will enjoy a balance of exciting, new experiences with the rich tradition of brotherhood that this year’s Shen Men will bring with them.” Good things are coming for Houghton College and for the future of Shenawana Hall. Pray that the current and future men of this resident hall will be blessed with strength, honor, and brotherhood.★

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Houghton Announces Spring 2022 Commencement Speaker

By Bryce Preston

On Friday, February 4, 2022, President Lewis announced in an email to the Houghton community that a speaker has been chosen for this year’s commencement ceremony. Rev. Gabriel Salguero will address the graduates at Houghton’s 135th commencement ceremony, which is set to be held in Wesley Chapel this May.

Salguero serves as a pastor at The Gathering Place, a large multi-ethnic church in Orlando, Florida. He is also the founder and the president of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition. Salguero’s work has been featured on the Discovery Channel and the Oprah Winfrey Network, and he has been named one of America’s most prominent Latino evangelical leaders by numerous publications including The New York Times and Huffington Post.

President Lewis explained that the process of selecting a commencement speaker involved thought and prayer. “More than anything I wanted to invite someone grounded in our Christian faith, to inspire, encourage, and challenge the class of 2022 and the Houghton College community. Rev. Dr. Salguero will certainly do all of those for us. His ministry and his message challenges the church to courageously live out our faith.”

Excitement about the announcement has also been expressed by members of the Class of 2022. Logan Callen (‘22) explained, “Being a theology major who is looking at this kind of work for my future, I couldn’t be happier with the announcement that Dr. Gabriel Salguero would be our commencement speaker! All of his amazing work in the world is truly inspiring and a model for the kind of path that I want to take.”

Faculty members have also expressed their enthusiasm over the commencement speaker selection. Dr. Änna Pettway has incorporated Salguero’s work into her curriculum for Psychology of Race and Racism for several years. She commented,

“I was so thrilled to hear that our commencement speaker this year will be someone who has challenged me and so many of my students to think about activism as an extension of their faith.” Pettway continued “Rev. Salguero introduced me to the God of Hagar – a God of proximity and solidarity, who hears us and sees us and meets us right in the middle of our suffering, and encouraged me to be a person of proximity and solidarity, who hears others and meets others right in the middle of their suffering.”

Along with the email announcement about the speaker came an update on the college’s plans for this year’s graduation weekend festivities. At this time, the college plans to offer an in-person celebration of the Class of 2022, including a Baccalaureate Service on Friday, May 13 and the Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 14, both of which will be held in Wesley Chapel. 

Hannah Heinl (‘22), the Class of 2022 Representative on Student Council, said, “I am excited for graduation and all that is being planned or in the process of being planned. I know that everyone involved in the planning process is also excited and hopeful that this year, graduation will look a little more normal than it has for the past few years.”

This spring will also mark President Lewis’ first commencement at Houghton. When asked about this new experience, Lewis said, “The first day of classes and commencement, as the bookends of the academic year, have always been my favorites. I am proud of all the Houghton class of 2022 has accomplished in face of unprecedented circumstances and challenges, and I am excited about how God is going to use them to change the world.” Commencement is a time of celebration of both the graduating Class of 2022 and of President Lewis’ first year at Houghton. The people of Houghton are thrilled to include Rev. Dr. Salguero as part of this ceremony.★

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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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Campus News

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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Campus News

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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Dr. Wayne D Lewis Jr. Announced as 6th President of Houghton College

Dr. Wayne D. Lewis will take over from President Mullen this fall as the 6th president of Houghton College. COURTESY OF AMY TETTA

On Wednesday, April 28, Dr. Wayne D. Lewis Jr. was announced as the 6th president of Houghton College. Following President Shirley Mullen’s announcement on October 20th of her resignation after 15 years in the position, the school has spent over half a year eagerly waiting to find out who would be the next individual to take up the role of school president.

So who is Dr. Lewis? Hailing from New Orleans, Lewis graduated from Loyola University with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. However, his formation as a leader began even before college. In his first message to the student body, during Wednesday’s chapel, Dr. Lewis cited his time as a high school drum major as a key influence on him, saying this was his “most formative leadership experience, even at this point in my life… there’s nothing I believe that prepared me more.” Going on to receive a master’s degree in Urban Studies from the University of Akron in Ohio, Lewis then received a PhD in Educational Research and Policy Analysis from North Carolina State University, with a minor in Public Administration.

Dr. Lewis is certainly no stranger to the field of education, and though his experience in this area includes time dedicated to higher education, it is by no means limited to it. “I selected education as a career a long time ago now,” he said an introductory video released on the Houghton College YouTube channel, “because of my deep love for students… I knew that I wanted to spend the rest of my life and my career working to create opportunities for students.” This started, says Dr. Lewis, with his time working in K-12 education in Louisiana and North Carolina public schools, particularly focusing on special education. 

After Dr. Lewis finished his doctorate, he served at the University of Kentucky as a professor of Educational Leadership. He then moved on to serve in a public office, as the Executive Director of Education Policy and later the Commissioner of Education for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Before coming to Houghton, Dr Lewis’ most recent position was at Belmont University, as the inaugural Dean of the School of Education. Furthermore, he has authored one book, “The Politics of Parent Choice in Public Education: The Choice Movement in North Carolina and the United States,” and has published numerous other pieces on topics in education, included in both edited volumes and peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Lewis’ positions and writing outline the figure of an individual who is dedicated to improving education for all in practical ways, both through what he says and what he does.

In the introductory video, Dr. Lewis also emphasized the necessity of Christian liberal arts institutions in our current time and climate. “I have no doubt God uses places like Houghton College,” he says, “to prepare leaders for today and tomorrow, to deal with some of the most difficult, the most intractable problems our world has ever seen… to have a small role in what God is doing here at Houghton, is more than I could ever imagine.” ★

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River Dog Fly Shop Now Open in Houghton

A glimpse at artwork in the River Dog Gallery. COURTESY OF ERIN MAGGIO

Those in the Houghton community have probably noticed that the building which was once Subway and then vacated for a bit now houses a new business: the River Dog Fly Shop.

Walking into the store, one is almost inundated with how different the interior is to what the chain sandwich shop once looked like, seeing walls covered with fishing lines, hammocks hanging in display, a big desk area taking up the center of the main space, and the side area turned into a quasi-art gallery.

Owner Indrek Kongats emphasized that the store was based around the outdoors very broadly, though the name is focused on fly fishing. Nearly anything that is centered around outdoor activity is found here. There are hammocks, backpacks, knives, and more. They are aiming to also exploit more water and boating activities, with canoes and kayaks.

An especially unique aspect of the shop is the art gallery, dubbed the “River Dog Gallery,” located in a small room off the main shop area. The work contained there includes etchings, oil and watercolor paintings, wood sculptures, and mixed media pieces. Notably, all pieces are originals and signed by the artists. There are also nature and sports artwork books and magazines which feature art from sporting artists—both displayed and not.

Some of the most notable artists with work on display and for sale are Gordon Allen, C.D. Clarke, Rod Crossman, Felix Eljas, Walter Look, and Morten Fadum.

Clarke and Crossman both have local ties. Clarke, born in nearby Rochester, NY, is one of the nation’s most talented watercolor and oil artists who primarily paints fishing, hunting, and outdoor scenes, according to Sporting Artisans. Crossman, who was raised mostly in upstate New York, is another sporting artist, and he loves to fly fish. His work can be found in a number of sporting publications regularly.

“Our fine collection of sporting artists is only equaled by top galleries in New York city…‘we’ve brought a little bit of Manhattan to Houghton!’” their website (riverdogflyfishing.com) exclaims.

Pieces are available for purchase and custom framings are available for any prints which are not yet framed.

Kongats says he has high hopes for the expansion of the art gallery. He has spoken with Houghton College ceramics professor Aaron Harrison about the opportunity of having more local artists involved in the gallery. He eventually hopes to make the gallery more of a destination that people will want to travel to see, which he hopes to accomplish by getting the word out about it.

While the art may draw in a certain crowd, there are other compelling aspects. Along with the already mentioned outdoor items, the shop also has sporting DVDs and reads; gifts, including mugs and cups; sporting dogs; and t-shirts. The t-shirts include River Dog Fly Shop specific shirts as well as more generic “Houghton, NY” shirts, which Kongats said were a particular fan favorite among the groups of college students who have visited the store.

As time goes on, it seems Houghton students will come to know the River Dog Fly Fishing Shop as a place to stop for any of their outdoor needs, artists will find it to be a wonderful place to display and sell their work, and art fans will put it on their lists of galleries to see. ★

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SEC, CAB, and STAR Offices Undergo Remodeling

By Anna Catherman (‘24)

A few of Houghton’s most prominent student organizations will be playing musical chairs this spring. Soon after students move off-campus, remodeling efforts will begin on the current Student Government Association (SGA) and Campus Activity Board (CAB) offices. These spaces, located in the campus center’s basement, will now be home to the newly-formed Student Experience Council (SEC), CAB, the Houghton Star and the Boulder.

Talk of the renovations began in the fall, when the new Committee of Student Organizations (COSO) realized that there would be funds left over from the Student Activity Fees due to decreased in-person programming as a result of COVID-19 restrictions. 

Mary Vandenbosch (‘23) of the SEC explained that COSO asked, “Ok, what can we envision that’s going to be a place that is welcoming for the student body and that can also act as a professional space for their meeting, and also just be a great place for students to plan ideas and come up with new ways to promote events and organizations?” 

COSO’s vision for the project is apparent even in the initial drawings, which promise a bright, user-friendly space. AC Taylor shared an artist’s rendering with The Star which shows a bright future for the office. Gone will be the SGA office’s red walls, replaced by glass doors which will allow passersby a peek in at the office’s occupants. The doors will be open during office hours and allow students to wander in and talk with their representatives. The built in countertops are being removed, and some of the desks are being moved to other areas. The space will be equipped with a brand-new conference table which will seat 10-12 students, and allow for larger meetings to take place in the space.

The new space will be able to be rented by any student group or organization looking to host an event – just like the Van Dyk lounge. Vandenbosch hopes it becomes an important resource for the clubs in the future. 

The former CAB office is being transformed into a student publication suite. There, writers and staff for the Houghton Star and the Boulder will have a space to meet and plan newspaper issues and yearbook publications, as well as design the printed copies of The Star. 

“[The Star]’s been stuck in a very small, barely 15 foot across, office.” Josiah Wiedenheft, co-editor of The Star, explained. “Especially difficult during the time of COVID. We can only have like two people in there at the time.” 

The new publication suite will allow for higher occupancy and promote collaboration between colleagues of each of the organizations. 

Most of the work is set to be done in May, with a few finishing touches possibly occurring later in the summer. Students staying for Mayterm will doubtless get a glimpse of the construction being done. Those returning home for the summer will be able to check out the new space when they return in the fall. ★