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News

Houghton Professor Performs in “Zoomsical”

Houghton College Professor and director of the Lyric Theatre Amanda Cox has been cast in USUCC: An Original Zoomsical. This show chronicles the story of Hannah the Hound, an adjunct professor of Character Arts at The University School of Unified Character Craft, whose students decide to stage a mutiny after they are unhappy that the school moved online due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Professor Cox portrays the role of Hannah the Hound.

Director Brian Ryu discussed that he and director Julia Krom got the idea for making this Zoomsical “to bring people together and be creative.” Krom also added that the idea to focus on a relevant issue, particularly for those who are attending school in this new environment, was “exciting,” and she also mentioned that working from home “can be tedious,” so “having a project like this as a creative outlet was so fulfilling for us both.” Ryu also brought up that through this musical, they’re showing the schools that did not put the interests of students above their own.

Because this show was filmed remotely, Krom explained that they were able to “secure such prodigious talent, not only because of more available time during the pandemic, but also because we weren’t limited by geography. Cast and crew from Hawaii, LA, Indiana, New York and New Jersey all simultaneously contributed to this beautiful project.”

Both Ryu and Krom were in agreement that casting Professor Cox was an obvious choice. Ryu explained that although they had hundreds of people apply around the world, they did not audition anyone. He also stated that “We loved that Amanda was a professor and had this first-hand experience and interest in helping and educating students. We could tell from the get-go that she believed in the character’s mission and we loved how she brought her own spin to it.” In addition, Krom added that Professor Cox “brings such an effervescent energy to the screen and her background as a professor brought a unique authenticity to the role.” 

Furthermore, Krom says they hope this musical “questions the role of educators for their students during this pandemic.” She also brought up that “Amanda led this discussion with her superb acting and singing, but more so with her advice on the story and project. She was a great mentor for us — both cast and crew — and we hope that whoever watches it comes out sharing her spirit.”

Professor Cox explained that she was cast in this show after submitting to a casting call on Backstage.com. She says she realized quickly that she was in for a “wild and hilarious ride!” as she began to work with the cast and crew. Professor Cox also added that she “really enjoyed filming,” and “learned so much.” She mentioned that in a show like this, the cast not only acts and sings, but they are “also responsible [for] our own lighting, sound, recording our vocals, filming B-roll, etc. We were able to learn so much more about different aspects of TV and film than we would have in a normal production.” Overall, she said that “It has been an incredibly rewarding experience with really wonderful people!”

USUCC: An Original Zoomsical will be available for viewing on the HOCACA TV YouTube Channel, at this link: https://youtube.com/channel/UCH3YOFnkadZXyr39iZ9BECA starting Friday, February 12th.

What are your thoughts and feelings on producing and “performing” a musical like this? Will you wacth? If you do, let the Star know your thoughts! Comment below or get in touch with us via Instagram, Twitter, or email (star@houghton.edu)!

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News

Though COVID-19 Cases Surge Nearby, Most Students don’t fear a Campus Outbreak

Houghton Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, the location of a notable nearby COVID-19 outbreak recently. Credit: Evan Tsai

Article written by Megan Brown (‘23).

October 9th marked the halfway point of Houghton College’s fall semester and served as a reminder that, while active cases on campus remain at zero, the hamlet of Houghton does not fare as well. With 46 new cases of COVID-19 at the Houghton Rehabilitation and Nursing Center as of last Thursday, a case on the college’s campus seems inevitable because of the recent increase.

Even with this grim forecast, few students interviewed expressed additional stress because of the uptick in cases. A couple students even admitted they had not thought about the rise in cases surrounding our campus after the initial email about it from Marc Smithers. Sophomore Psychology major Mackenzie Milne views this as a wake up call, saying “it’s hitting close to home. It is suddenly becoming more of a reality.” 

One worry does unite the students interviewed: the residents and staff at the facility. Communication major Courtney Johson commented, “I think it’s very troubling…because I know a lot of other nursing centers where one person gets it and then a lot of people do. So I am very worried for them.” As the CDC has stated, COVID-19 can be more dangerous when risk factors, such as underlying medical conditions or older age, are involved. Students’ concern lies more with the residents residing at the rehab and nursing facility than with a threat to their safety here on campus. 

For those worried about the threat of COVID-19 coming to campus, Marc Smithers advises that students should not spiral into panic. The absence of students on campus contracting the virus so far this semester shows the dedication of many students’ adherence to the Big Three, which consists of masking, social distancing, and cleanliness. The increase of cases in Allegany County should instead renew the students’ commitment to following COVID-19 guidelines. With a higher concentration of local cases, the chances of a case occurring on campus rises. As Smithers says, “we cannot slip into worry, but we also cannot slip into complacency.”

While students may believe COVID-19 would not dare enter into the creekstone-clad asylum after the success Houghton College has had this semester, Smithers continues to stand by his stance that the campus will soon see an active case “not due to our campus community not practicing safe habits but more so because the virus is just too prevalent in our area.” Precautions to the virus’ spread are in place not because they eliminate the chance of contracting COVID-19 but because they decrease transmission. With a higher volume of cases locally, the chances of a student or faculty member contracting the virus increases, too.

Because of this possibility, the campus needs reminders of safety precautions because it is easy to become relaxed in Houghton’s “new normal.” However, of the students interviewed, only two professors discussed the local rise in cases with their classes: Professors Susan and Benjamin Lipscomb. Both professors reminded students of the proximity of the Houghton Rehabilitation and Nursing Center to the college and, like Marc Smithers, urged students to double down on following COVID-19 protocol.

What are your thoughts and feelings on the surge in COVID-19 cases at the nearby nursing home in Houghton? Worried about the residents? Worried about the safety of those on campus? Not very concerned? Comment below or get in touch with us via Instagram, Twitter, or email (star@houghton.edu)!

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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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News

Remote Learning: Hindrance or Help?

By Vicotria Hock (’23)

The COVID-19 Pandemic has resulted in a unique semester for students at Houghton. Some students are learning on campus, with various protocols in place such as the Big Three (masking, hand washing and social distancing) while some are learning from home, entirely online. Others are on campus, but have a mixture of online and in-person classes.

Riley Gastin (’20) is in her final semester at Houghton. She says that “being online for my last semester is bittersweet. Although I am saving a lot of money and I am able to spend time with my family and local friends, I definitely miss being on campus with my friends and professors. Houghton is such a special place which makes it extra hard to be remote. Everyone has been great though, professors and classmates are so helpful and are making this much easier than it could have been.”

Both Cory Messerschmidt (’21) and Isabela Godoy (’23) have acknowledged there are some challenges that have arisen with regards to remote learning. Messerschmidt mentioned that some professors have had difficulty with things such as “sharing their screen” and “making the microphone pick up sound,” though he did mention that he’s “thankful that they’re giving us the option this semester.”

Godoy discussed that for her, the switch to online has been pretty tough. She also stated that there have been some technical difficulties from both her and Houghton, and she added that staying motivated in front of a computer can sometimes be difficult. Having said that, she also feels Houghton has “converted their online teaching decently, but it is still very confusing when you have to check 15 different websites to see what your next homework assignment is.”

Seth Greene (’22) is enjoying the opportunity to spend time at home. He says that the extra time he’s had at home with his friends and family has been “a blessing,” and he also added that he’s  “found professors to be very understanding and accommodating in making sure that remote learners are able to fully participate despite the challenges of virtual schooling.”

Although Ryan Ozzello (’21) is on campus, the majority of his classes are online. He explained, “because it’s virtual, I’m able to create my own learning environment for class and spend more time quiet and focused, the way I learn best.” Outside of class, he’s “able to meet in person with classmates to study and be actively involved in many in-person organizations and clubs.” He ended with some compliments about the experience as a whole so far, saying “Houghton has successfully met me where I am during this less-than-ideal time to ensure that I am learning, growing, and engaging with the full college experience.”

Students have had a variety of different experiences so far this semester. Although there have been a few challenges with online learning, professors have been helpful in ensuring that those students who are online are still able to learn with the rest of the class.

Are you studying remotely this semester? How’s your experience? Comment below or get in touch with us via Instagram, Twitter, or email (editor@houghtonstar.com)!

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News

Voting this November

Article written by Matthew Uttaro (‘22).

One of the greatest rights afforded to Americans is the right to vote. It gives us the unique ability to hold those in government positions accountable to us, and it makes our voices as citizens powerful beyond our angry tweets and Instagram posts. We have the power to influence government action. Yet, even with this being the case, just over half of those eligible to vote actually do cast a ballot.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 61.4% of the eligible voting population exercised that right in the 2016 election. That means just under 200 million people voted in that election, compared to the total population of the United States that year, 323.1 million. How could the political landscape be different if even just one percent more voted on average?

One of the most common reasons people do not vote is that the process seems too hard. The process of getting registered, of making time in your day to go to your polling place, and making the constant effort of being knowledgeable of the issues seem to be too much alongside our everyday commitments. With the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, it only gets harder. So why should you make the effort?

Voting is the manifestation of democracy in our country. It allows us to go above and beyond with our beliefs on issues, to make real, substantive change by electing those that we feel will fight for this change. You may view yourself as apolitical, or someone who doesn’t bother with politics at all; however, the case remains that you do something every day thanks to politics. If you are a commuter, you drove here today on a road that was made possible by a political decision. Regardless of your status as a student here, you most likely receive financial aid. The entire concept of student loans was born from a political decision.

Perhaps you are passionate about a specific issue. Maybe you are seeking to make the world a better place for people of all walks of life. While the government may be a key player in the issue you are seeking to address, it may also be the most effective avenue for change. Granted, voting once and doing nothing else may not grant the change you wish to make in the world, but combining it with activism towards that cause and voting every chance you get is most certainly a step in the right direction.

Indeed, the process of voting will be much different this election cycle due to the pandemic. The good news is that you can still vote safely and easily! You can do all things voting-related (besides the actual act of voting) online in New York State, including registering to vote, applying for an absentee ballot, and finding out your polling location. If you live out of state, a number of states have implemented voting reforms designed to make voting easier for this upcoming election. You can go to Vote.Org to find out more about how you can vote in your state.

On September 1, 2020, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a new online absentee ballot application portal in which all registered voters can request their ballot in just a few minutes. This supplements the paper application system previously used in which voters had to print off a request form, fill it out, and mail it in to their local Board of Elections. In New York, an excuse is required when applying for an absentee ballot; if Houghton is not in the county you live in, you can check ‘absence from county on Election Day’ as your excuse. If you live within Allegany County and you would rather not vote in person due to worries about COVID-19, you can request an absentee ballot and check ‘temporary illness or physical disability.’ It is important to do this as soon as possible due to current delays with the United States Postal Service.

Another option is voting early. In New York, early voting begins on Saturday, October 24, and runs through Sunday, November 1. What this process allows you to do is to vote at your polling location in your home county before Election Day. What you need to do in order to vote early differs from county to county and of course in different states as well. New York residents can navigate to this website to learn more about early voting based on their county. If you live outside of New York, go to Vote.Org and select your state to find out your voting options.

The final option is to vote in person, as normal, on Election Day. This is most likely not feasible for many students who live outside of this county and/or live far away. Depending on where you live as well, there is a slightly higher risk voting in person on Election Day than it would be to vote by mail or to vote early, due to the Coronavirus pandemic. If you do vote in person, make sure you take the proper precautions and wear a mask as well as wash your hands often. Check with your local Board of Elections to find your polling location as well as when you can vote.

Are you voting in this year’s election? Why or why not? Comment below or get in touch with us via Instagram, Twitter, or email (editor@houghtonstar.com)!

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News

Two Views on: We are All Houghton

“Acknowledgement Does Not Equate Demand”

By Caroline Zimmerman

“Conservatism: A Dialogue on the Pressing Subject of LGBTQ Awareness”

By Christian Miller

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News

Tuition Reset Will Make Houghton College Best-Priced Christian College in the Nation


Article written by Vanessa Bray (‘21).

Houghton College is set to become the best priced Christian college in the nation. On September 22, 2020 Houghton announced its plan to reset the college’s annual tuition price. This reset will take effect beginning in the fall of 2021 and every returning and incoming student will be eligible to receive the benefits of this plan. The college’s tuition will be $15,900 for the 2021-22 academic year ($7,950/semester). Under this plan Room, Board and Fee prices have been frozen and will not increase next year. The reset is said to reinforce Houghton’s mission “To provide high-quality Christian education to students from all socioeconomic backgrounds and life circumstances—including those impacted by COVID-19.”

Jason Towers, who worked alongside President Shirley Mullen, Dale Wright (Vice President for Finance), John Oden (Executive Director of Advancement Services and Operations), and Marianne Loper (Director of Student Financial Services) to develop this plan confirmed that they were working on this plan prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Towers said, “This work was started well before the pandemic. . . In looking at graduation trends, we saw a correlation between a student’s decision to continue for all four years at Houghton and finances. Some students with very high potential were unable to benefit fully from a Houghton education and we wanted to ensure that cost was not a barrier for students in their choice of education. The COVID-19 pandemic has created financial hardship for many families and accentuated the need for simplicity in the cost of college. . .This new published cost helps to remove confusion around what a student will pay and makes Houghton an option for more families.”

When asked if Houghton intends to honor this plan indefinitely, Towers had the following to say: “We are committed to this new level of transparency and affordability. Will future years’ tuition prices include small increases to compensate for inflation? At some point, that is certainly possible, but any changes will be based on the new tuition rate of $15,900.” 

Responses to this announcement varied among the student body. An anonymous sophomore excitedly stated, “I think that the tuition reset is super generous especially when so many families are struggling financially due to the current state of global health. I strongly believe that as Christians it is our duty to care for the less fortunate, and this tuition reset is a fantastic way to provide a Christian Liberal Arts education to those who might come from families that are struggling financially during these times.”

Senior Phoebe Mullen stated, “I have to admit that my first response to hearing about the tuition reset was not ‘That’s great!’ but ‘What are they going to cut? Where’s the money coming from?’ If it’s going to benefit students overall, and there’s funding to cover the change, then I’m all for it. My friends are mostly seniors, though, and they’re annoyed we’re not still going to be here for the change!”

According to the statement released by Houghton College’s Public Relations, the college raised $41 million for student scholarships through the generosity of donors to the IMPACT Campaign for Greater Houghton. Returning students can expect the new tuition rates to be partnered with a revised financial aid process. 

Marianne Loper, Director of Financial Services, shared her excitement for the future financial packages that will be available to students,“I cannot even express how thrilled I am to share it with everyone and talk through the math of how it will truly save families money. I have had the opportunity to walk a few students through what their packages will look like for 2021-22.  Every student has been surprised and animated about the numbers.  It is not just the numbers but it is [the] ease and ability to comprehend it.  Students will be able to clearly see how the math worked and could follow every step.  It has been so encouraging to me and confirms this move was the right thing for the college and students.”

With the 2021-2022 FAFSA being available as of October 1st, both Towers and Loper encourage students to start applying early.

What are your thoughts on the impending tuition reset? Thrilled? Suspicious? Comment below or get in touch with us via Instagram, Twitter, or email (editor@houghtonstar.com)!

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We Are All Houghton Project Challenges School to Listen to Past and Present LGBTQ+ Experiences at Houghton

Credit: instagram.com/weareallhoughton/

We recognize that controversy surrounding this topic is ongoing, particularly regarding the recent paintings of the Spirit Rock. The STAR is still working to prepare our coverage of those events, and would invite anyone with thoughts or information on the subject to get in touch with us at star@houghton.edu.

2020 has been a year riddled with controversy, what with the U.S. Presidential Election looming, ongoing discussions concerning the best handling of COVID-19, and protests over racial tensions still dominating the streets of cities across the country. Small, rural Houghton has not been an exception to tensions and polarization, as disagreements have been anything but tepid, especially concerning the We Are All Houghton project recently rolled out by alumni Josh Duttweiler (’15) and Amy Coon (’14). 

We Are All Houghton, presented during the alumni art exhibition RECOLLECTIVE (held September 4, 2020 to October 3, 2020 in the Ortlip Gallery), consisted of light projections of quotes by LGBTQ+ alumni around notable spots on Houghton’s Campus, including buildings like Fancher Hall, Luckey Memorial, and Wesley Chapel. Quotes came from a group of recently graduated alumni—Collin Belt (’15), Mitch Galusha (’14), Sally Jacoby Murphy (’13), Sarah Jacoby Murphy (’13), Holly Chaisson (’16), and Emilie Powles Ocock (’14)—along with some who opted to remain anonymous, including current students.  

This project incorporated an anonymous survey which encouraged any person connected to Houghton College, whose sexual orientation and/or gender identity is “unaccepted by the college”, to answer and participate in. The survey served purposes twofold: one, “to allow those who would like to participate in the show in the Ortlip gallery to do so,” as select quotes would be projected in the gallery in hopes of amplifying additional LGBTQ+ voices from the school, and two, to present findings to the college after the show’s closure, so “administration can both hear from and better understand its students,” the survey form explained. 

Along with the physical exhibit in the Ortlip Gallery, the project has a website, weareallhoughton.com, as well as a page on Instagram (@weareallhoughton) which currently has 705 followers (as of Monday, October 5). The website explains the background and purposes of the project, introduces the alumni involved, and links to the survey. The Instagram page portrays photographs of several of the projections as well as quotes submitted as part of the survey. 

As the website explains, the project was largely in response to Houghton College’s involvement in the Supreme Court Cases regarding interpretation of Title VII and Title IX. The Supreme Court, in August 2020, concluded that firing an employee on the basis of being gay or transgender constitutes a violation of the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This is pertinent because it interprets that Title VII protects LGBTQ+ Employees. Houghton College’s involvement, which became known to a group of alumni in August of 2019, was as an amicus curiae. Essentially, this means that they provided insight or a perspective to the court that they might not have considered or been aware of. The position that the amici took, which included Houghton College, was that the language in Title VII (which also relates to Title IX), does not and should not include protection for LGBTQ+ employees. 

After hearing of this, a group of alumni wrote a letter to President Shirley Mullen to voice their disappointment, both in Houghton’s decision to sign on the amicus brief, as well as their lack of communicating about it to current students and alumni. President Mullen responded, saying “The reason that Houghton signed the amicus brief was to say that the petitioner’s claims should be reviewed in Congress…The question at stake is whether the very best way to provide protection for LGBTQ persons is to ground that protection in the definition of ‘sex’ as that was established in Title VII and Title IX.” 

The exhibit was in response to the college’s involvement in these Supreme Court cases, as well as the experiences of LGBTQ+ students at Houghton at large.

Responses have been multitudinous. Mullen shared an open letter which was posted on the school’s website (see: https://www.houghton.edu/blog/an-open-letter-from-president-mullen/). This addressed the issue and also introduced the panel which they scheduled into Homecoming weekend: Houghton Alumni Family Dinner Conversations: Learning to Discuss Difficult Topics in a Polarized Context, which was held on Friday, October 2. Duttweiler was glad that this panel was being hosted, but “was disappointed that Amy and [him], as the artists of the project would not be included in any further conversation.” 

In terms of general reactions, Duttweiler and Coon expressed their overwhelmed feelings at how many positive responses they received from both participants and allies, saying they received many personal messages of gratitude for the project and, overall, received nearly 100 survey responses from LGBTQ+ current students, alumni, and staff/faculty. Duttweiler said, “their stories are heartbreaking. It’s a sobering reminder of the pain that the college’s policies have caused.” 

Of the matter, Coon shares similar sentiments, but wanted to add that she was “feeling a little disappointed in the reactions of those who are looking for a theological debate,” saying the project is not about that but rather “about truly listening to those who are hurting and learning how to sit in those feelings. I hope when people hear the hurt of their community, they then ask themselves how they can help and what they can do better instead of arguing about who is right and who is wrong.” 

Many of the responses from current students did take this theological approach in showing their disagreement with the project. 

Cory Messerschmidt (’22) believes that the project is a direct attack on the principles of the college. “The college has a God-given duty to shepherd its students…you have to truly love someone to share the truth with them, and the individuals involved with this need to hear the truth of the biblical gospel. This is a great opportunity to love them, but instead we’ve given them a platform for their attack on the college,” he said. 

Another student, Blythe Gilbert (’21), had a similar attitude, focusing more on the aspect of steering LGBTQ+ people away from “homosexuality, or any variety thereof, [which] is forbidden in the Bible.” As Messerschmidt said that Houghton should shepherd its students to the truth, Gilbert emphasized his belief that Christians are called not just to love, but to lovingly correct people to help them move closer to Christ. “To be sure, Houghton should tolerate and welcome LGBT students. I agree, certainly, that they should not be afraid to speak. However, they should not expect a Christian institution to be anything less than truly Christian.” 

Students who expressed their support of the movement focused less on theological debate and arguments, and more on their gratitude for the movement, along with acknowledging the need for support and inclusion for the LGBTQ+ members of the Houghton community. 

Emily Warner (’21) values the way that the project has called Houghton to act, both now and in the future. “Houghton has claimed to care deeply for its queer community. I would love for that to be true. We Are All Houghton is holding Houghton to its word—demanding that Houghton apologizes and does what it needs to ensure that queer students’ experiences are better in the future. I sincerely hope that Houghton will follow through and make concrete changes to care for and support the Houghton queer community, without feeling the need to remind us how wrong they think we are along the way.” 

Skye Chaapel (’23) and Caroline Zimmerman (’24) both pointed out how the project has displayed how the LGBTQ+ community is marginalized and excluded from the overall population on campus, and thus shows the “overwhelming need for [this] representation,” as Zimmerman said. The project, in giving voices to these people, both in alumni and those currently on campus, chipped away at just that. 

Another major focus of many of the supportive responses to the project was the fact that it showed the deep pain that has been inflicted on the LGBTQ+ community on campus. “There may be backlash and misunderstandings, but our classmates, friends, and people we haven’t had the pleasure of meeting yet are hurting. I just hope that from this we learn to not corner someone into some category or theological argument, but learn to listen to understand,” said Rachel Caine (’23).

If nothing else, it is clear that We Are All Houghton has given voice to those who have not always had the platform to share their experiences safely, and that Houghton’s “community” may have work to do to reconcile that term we value so much with those who have felt anything but welcomed into the community here. 

Duttweiler and Coon plan to continue the project “as long as it is helpful” and are seeking feedback on how to best go about doing this in the future. 

What are your thoughts on the We Are Houghton project? Angered? Validated? Comment below or get in touch with us via Instagram, Twitter, or email (editor@houghtonstar.com)!

Categories
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)!