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Campus Assassin Game

Assassin Game Promotional Image - credit savannah stitt
By Jiana Martin

On Monday, Sept. 11, the Campus Activities Board’s (CAB) first campus-wide game of Assassin began. 

CAB Director, Senior Joey Schunemann, was the brains behind bringing the game to life. He stated that inspiration for this activity came from watching campus-wide games of paintball Assassin featured in the TV show “Community.”

“I had a dream of everyone getting into a chaotic frenzy creating a movie-like representation,” Schunemann explained.

At the beginning of the game, assassins received a fellow student’s name, their target, and a stress ball, their weapon. The goal of the game was simple: kill your target, acquire their target, and move down the hit list until you are the last one standing. Besides a handful of safe zones like the bathrooms, dorm rooms, dining hall, and classes and chapel when in session, targets could be killed at any moment. This meant that students had to always be on guard and ready to run.

With $150 flex dollars on the line, alliances were formed, deals were made, and friends and enemies gave tips. 

Senior Alexa Binney enjoyed the short amount of time she survived. A friend aided her assassin, causing her to be killed on the first day. She was glad to be killed early since it allowed her to resume a daily routine without being on high alert. It also made it easier for her to freely track the game’s progress. 

“It was fun to spectate,” noted Binney.

For future Assassin events, Binney suggested altering the killing method by, for example, using clothes pins. This was not her first time playing a form of Assassin, but she enjoyed taking part in a larger-scale version and would participate in future games. 

The men’s cross-country team created one of the main alliances that survived the longest. One of the team members, Junior Sam Lyon, was a part of this alliance, and he collected 12 kills this way. His toughest kill entailed a stakeout in the Campus Center with help from his cross-country teammates. As a part of the plan for one of the cross-country members to win, Lyon was eventually killed. In the end, the whole team was eliminated.

This was Lyon’s first game of Assassin and he hopes the campus does something like this again. He enjoyed the community building because it allowed him to meet new people as well as reconnect with old friends.

“I had a blast. I’ve always wanted to do something like that,” Lyon said, “and the event did a great job of bringing people together.”

With 104 participating students, Schunemann is happy with how the event turned out. 

“Overall,” Schunemann said thoughtfully, “the reception was great.”

Schunemann received various forms of feedback regarding adjustments to the rules and randomizing the list better. If CAB organizes another Assassin game, there will be changes and improvements. 

Two finalists remain, and it is yet to be announced who the official winner is. However, plans are in development for revealing the champion.★

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Chapel Returning to ID Scanning from QR Codes

By Isabella Bratton

Scanning into Chapel via student IDs returns in the Fall 2023 semester after just a year of QR codes. 

Dean of the Chapel Michael Jordan says that since students are more likely to have their phones rather than their student IDs, the intention—of the original switch—was that QR codes would be more convenient. It also seemed like a natural step due to the advancement in the use of technology at Houghton. 

“Campus Groups is still in development,” Senior Cody Johnson (‘24), President of the Student Body, wrote, “and the chapel team–Dean Jordan and the students who run tech–frequently encountered problems with the QR code.” 

There are ongoing problems with the wifi in the chapel, Johnson continues. Historically, the building hasn’t had wifi to discourage students from working during Chapel, but it needs wifi for the QR code system.

 “Chapel skipping was a fairly minor consideration,” Jordan says. “We thought about it some, but it was not a major motivating part of the decision [to take away QR codes].” 

Jordan explains that although he wishes Chapel skipping didn’t happen, it’s not exactly preventable.

“Chapel skipping doesn’t really make me angry on a personal level,” Jordan states, “though of course I wish it didn’t happen. It’s always been part of places like Houghton with a mandatory chapel, and I don’t like trying to play a game of cat and mouse where we try to ‘catch’ people, so we try not to be overly punitive.” 

Other than the technological reasons, the substantial amount of extra work that resulted in the implementation of QR codes was another reason to get rid of it. Because students were running into so many issues trying to scan in, it created more work than before, trying to fix them and for those who had to respond to emails from students about the malfunctions. ★

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New 2023-2024 Student Life Staff

By Rebecca Dailey

This Fall 2023 semester, Houghton Alumni Bill Burrichter (‘92) is the new Vice President for Student Life, and Josh Bailey (‘16), Morgan Neno (‘22), and Andrew Reith (‘22) are the three new Resident Directors.

Burrichter, the new Vice President for Student Life, has been working at Houghton for nine years as the Executive Director of the Center for Student Success and taught psychology courses. While in the role of Vice President, every day is a little different. He hopes to connect with students, and to both create stability and raise the bar of expectations in the residence halls and in the administration for student success. Burrichter’s favorite parts about Houghton are the students and the Christian community. When he is not working, he can be found outdoors in the woods, biking, canoeing, or even doing farm chores.

The new Resident Director of the townhouses, Bailey, has been a part of the Houghton campus community for four years. As this is his first full-time position at Houghton, he hopes to develop a unique townhouse culture and community in addition to bringing the townhouses closer in connection to the university. Bailey is also in charge of creating and developing programs such as the Townhouse Barbecue, taking care of work orders, and giving support to students. He likes being athletic, from a workout to playing sports. His favorite parts of campus are K-PAC, the Houghton Woods, and the people.

Reith is the Resident Director of both Lambein and Rothenbuhler. While this is his first year in residence life, Reith is also a member of the adjunct faculty teaching private piano lessons with the Greatbatch School of Music. He is a collaborative pianist for Lyric Theater as well as other performances. He hopes to continue fostering a culture supporting students and their interests when developing events and programs and meeting with RAs and students. Reith enjoys Sci-fi, live performances, and cooking. His favorite part about Houghton is the community and the rich group of individuals.

As the Resident Director of Gillette, Neno hopes to connect with students and support them as they grow and develop. During her time at Houghton, she was a resident assistant for two years. Every day is a little different: from meetings with RA’s and students to community-building activities and to taking care of maintenance issues. When Neno is not working, she likes to bake, spend time with others, and be outside. Her favorite parts of Houghton are Gillette, the people and the woods. ★

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2023 Senior Class Gift

Envisioned Design for the Senior Class Gift -- Courtesy of Amy Teta
By Abigail Bates

During the One Day Giving Challenge on Friday, April 21, the senior class of 2023 will participate in multiple donor challenges to raise funds in support of the 2023 Senior Class Gift to Houghton University.

Since the Class of 1925, graduating classes at Houghton have upheld a tradition of producing a meaningful addition to the campus; a practice originating with President Dr. James S. Luckey. In the beginning students pledged sums to Houghton within ten years of graduating, which developed into annual physical additions to the campus through donations and student funding.

Some of these class gifts include the Christmas Tree outside of the Campus Center (Class of ‘15), the apple orchard by the tennis courts (Class of ‘16), the circle of bench swings near Gillette Hall (Class of ‘18), the mosaic sculpture in the shape of a strand of DNA (Class of ‘19), the KidsZone inclusive playground at the Kerr-Pegula Athletic Complex (Class of ‘21), and the recent portrait of President Wayne D. Lewis Jr. (Class of ‘22).

This year’s gift is a renewal of the path that goes from Centerville Road up to the Stevens Art Building. The additions include a repavement of the entire path, five new LED fixtures, a metal handrail running up the length of the path, and a class gift sign inscribed with Romans 15:13.

Senior Kathryn Evans, the Representative of the 2023 class, decided on the Senior Class Gift with two other members of the Senior Class Cabinet—Senior Emmanuella Osuzoka and Senior Mary Vandenbosch.

“We all sat down with Amy Tetta,” Evans explains, “to just discuss the three options and out of the three options we thought that the path was going to be the best addition, and impacted all of campus and not just one area. And it would impact community members as well.”

After the Senior Class Cabinet’s selection, others, mainly in administration, are directing the implementation of the project; a project of great benefit to the university, Evans emphasizes.

Senior Jax Johnson agrees with renewing the path due to the difficulty of spotting it in the winter, especially without a railing. They also describe how it is particularly difficult in the winter for their friends, who are all art majors and walk the path regularly.

“I think making it [the path] a safer, more accessible environment will be good for [seeing the path],” Johnson says, “and also [will] probably have greater use.”

With the 2023 Senior Class Gift already in construction, students can expect to see the finished product in time for this academic year’s commencement ceremony. ★

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“Fellowship of the Bands” to bring rock ‘n roll to Houghton

The Fellowship of the Bands Poseter -- Credit Joey Schunemann
By Anna Catherman

This Friday night in the Chapel, rock bands from around campus will converge for the inaugural “Fellowship of the Bands”. 

Organized by CAB Coffeehouse Director and Junior Demetri Court, “Fellowship of the Bands” is a concert featuring alternating bands playing in an “informal atmosphere”. Many of them are groups that don’t get to play during Coffeehouse or other events on campus. 

According to Court, the event is “not a competition” – it’s about collaborating. “Good times, good atmosphere, good vibes all around,” he said.

“Fellowship of the Bands” will begin at 9 p.m. to allow students to take advantage of the other events on campus that night, including the choir concert, various athletic events,and the “One Day Giving Challenge”.
Junior David Olson is leading one of the groups set to perform, and playing in another. As a singer and guitarist, Olson is excited to play in a unique setting he hasn’t gotten much experience with at Houghton. 

“I’m psyched about the event because it is a unique chance to play a harder style of music that wouldn’t necessarily fit in your average open mike setting,” Olson wrote. “It also gives me an opportunity to play with a drummer and bassist in front of people which will be super fun for me.”Director of Student Engagement Jana Newberry has been involved in the planning of the event, whichis set for one of the busiest days of the semester. The “One Day Giving Challenge” is also taking place Friday, with the “Fellowship of the Bands” being the final activity of the day. Houghton’s largest fundraiser places a large amount of emphasis on student involvement, and the fun events that close the day serve as a reminder that all that’s going on is for the students. There will be a Nugget and Fry Bar in the Reinhold Campus Center beginning at 8:30 p.m., so friends can hang out and grab food before the concert.

Olson encouraged students to come out and support the musicians. 

“Everyone should come because it’s gonna be wicked fun,” Olson says.“The atmosphere is gonna be amazing and you’ll get to see your friends take this opportunity to go out on a limb and act really strange!”

Court did the same. 

“It’s going to be rock ‘n roll and a merry band of people …“[h]ow many times does the chapel play any sort of rock?”★

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Mosaic Center Closing

Photo Wall in the Mosaic Center -- Courtesy of Christian Welker
By Abigail Bates

On Friday Mar. 10, President Wayne D. Lewis, Jr. announced the closing of the Mosaic Multicultural Center.

“Many individuals,” President Lewis wrote, “view the space as exclusive and unwelcoming, leading to the effect of few students engaging in the learning experiences the space was intended to foster.”

In the Fall 2023 semester, the space will become a Campus Ministry area led by Dean Michael Jordan for Emmanuel Scholars, Life Together Groups, and a new campus-wide discipleship program. The ambassador program from the Mosaic Center will continue as the Intercultural Ambassadors, and will work on promoting intercultural connections and events.

For various reasons, the Mosaic Center began to increasingly fall short of its intended goals leading to the decision to close the center.

“Houghton,” President Lewis wrote, “will be able to more effectively accomplish the institution’s goals in this area if our goals are separated from the Mosaic Center and the physical space it now occupies.”

While many students recognize the problems of the Mosaic Center, some are dissatisfied with the administrative response.

“I do agree that the Mosaic Center often felt like an unapproachable place,” Senior Benjamin Dostie (‘23) writes. “There used to be more events there in my freshman year that allowed majority population students like me to interact in constructive ways . . . Even if President Lewis was right that it wasn’t meeting expectations, it would have been nice to see some corrective action or collaborative effort to align it with stated values before such a drastic action.”

Senior Isabelle Murch (‘23) feels that the Mosaic Center went from one extreme to the other without being given the tools to thrive. She wishes time was taken to listen to the entire student body, and rather than closing it, restructure the center to become proactive in celebrating diversity.

Some students are also concerned with removing a safe space for people of differing racial and ethnic backgrounds. Sophomore Kimberly Borges Edwards (‘25) and Junior Caroline Zimmerman (‘24) wrote about the negative impact closing the center will have on diversity at Houghton, and the lack of care and support marginalized students feel from administration as a result of this decision.

Women’s Area Coordinator Raegan Zelaya remarks that while she understands the reasoning behind closing the Mosaic Center, Houghton–as an institution–can’t claim to value diversity if we aren’t doing everything we can to safeguard and develop it.

“If anything,” Zelaya writes, “it feels like it just further demonstrates that the university is only interested in the kinds of diversity that are convenient for marketing purposes. It is outrageous to have diversity as a pillar in our strategic plan when we are actively cutting the programs and spaces that help empower diverse students to succeed.”

The Intercultural Ambassadors, renamed from the current ambassador program, will provide intentional and impactful programming on campus to foster intercultural connections and learning through student leadership. President Lewis writes that these student leaders will help plan events for heritage months, assist the MLK Day Committee, and organize campus conversations. It is simply the space being closed, he comments.

“Houghton remains committed to intercultural education and engagement,” President Lewis explains, “which is why the ambassadors [program] is remaining, with an explicit focus on facilitating and supporting Christ-centered intercultural education and engagement.”

Contact Vice President Marc Smithers for more information on the Intercultural Ambassadors. ★

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We Asked, You Responded!

Thank you to everyone who filled out our Mosaic Center Survey.
Here are some of the responses you had

Forms response chart. Question title: Do you believe the Mosaic Center was fulfilling its stated purpose "to be a dynamic space that hosted conversations, programming, and educational activities that promote issues of cultural diversity"?. Number of responses: 44 responses.

Forms response chart. Question title: What was your initial response to President Lewis' email?. Number of responses: 44 responses.

Forms response chart. Question title: Do you believe that the decision was the best path forward?. Number of responses: 44 responses.

Forms response chart. Question title: Would you be interested in participating in Dean Jordan's new "Campus Ministry Space" or the new Campus-Wide Discipleship Program?. Number of responses: 44 responses.

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A Star is Born (We Are One) (STAR April Fools 2023)

A Rendering of the Phenomena Based on Chaapel's Description -- Courtesy of Savanna Stitt
By Jax Johnson

The strangest of occurrences were reported over the past weekend. Word has spread that a bright light was seen originating from the Houghton STAR office. This bright light was first discovered by Senior Skye Chaapel late one night. They explained the events saying, “As I was walking to the printer one night, past the STAR office, I noticed an odd glow coming from their door’s window.  It was a strange, bluish white glow.  When I peeked my head into view of the window, I saw something that I would never believe if I hadn’t seen it for myself.  The members of the STAR were turning INTO a star in front of my very eyes!  I watched as things started to melt in their office from the heat.  I had to back away otherwise I might have started to melt!” It is quite a relief that Chaapel got away from the situation without harm. The office itself was another question, which certainly required further investigation. 

After getting hearing from Chaapel, I knew this issue needed an expert. I decided to call on Houghton’s own private investigator Hans Rothenbulah and we met to discuss the Star office oddities. “As I vuz vawking past zuh Star Office, I noticed a peculiah light emanating from inside. I tried zuh door vunce, but it vuz locked, so I vent back to my uhzer inwestigation for zeez miniscule Kuhs,” he explained while holding out a few tiny plastic cows with 4-22 written on them. 

Multiple reports note that members of the STAR staff have been acting strangely. But becoming a real star? That is certainly fascinating news. Thankfully Chaapel is not alone in their reports.  Junior Johanna Lamont noted that she recently found that the editors of the STAR have not been their usual selves. 

“It’s weird but the star editors have been acting super odd recently. I can’t put my finger on the change but something is different I guarantee.” Lamont continued by expressing that the editors have had a particularly glowing presence recently. 

Unfortunately, the cameras within the office seem to have melted, so more information as to the incident Chaapel witnessed cannot be fully ascertained, but it is clear that something odd is happening in that room. This article is one that may leave more questions than answers.  Do they all share the same thoughts, or does each point of the star function separately?  Who is going to pay for the melted cameras? How much heat does a STAR editor give off? Are members of the Lantern at risk of a similar affliction? It seems that only time, and perhaps some bright STAR editors may hold the answers. ★

We Are One

We Are One

We Are One

We Are One

We Are One

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Mac Lab Mannequin Mishaps (STAR April Fools 2023)

An Artistic Rendering of what Joshua Experienced -- Courtesy of Savannah Stitt
By Joshua Carpenter

Last night, Mar. 30, Junior Joshua Carpenter was found in the MacLab ceiling bound from the neck down in computer cables.  

The first responder on the scene was Safety and Security Guard Todd Williamson, who only works at night due to a restraining order he received from hunting down and restraining scan-and-scrammers during chapel.

“I don’t know how else to explain it,” says Mr. Williamson, “but there was this weird monster-like growl coming from the MacLab as soon as I entered the Chamberlain Center.” 

Although by the time Mr. Williamson arrived at the MacLab, the growling stopped. 

“Then there was nothing,” says Mr. Williamson. “Out of fear, I spun around my Houghton-issued Red Ryder BB gun and checked the room for any potential threats.” 

By the time Mr. Williamson had cleared the room, he heard struggling from above, which was immediately followed by Carpenter’s bound body breaking through the ceiling and falling on the floor in front of Mr. Williamson. 

“It scared me pale,” says Mr. Williamson. “The kid nearly fell on my head he was so close to me. I tried to see if he was alright, but the fall had knocked him unconscious.” 

Covering Carpenter’s mouth was a thick layer of duct tape. After peeling the tape from Carpenter’s mouth, Mr. Williamson listened in confusion as Carpenter screamed in terror. 

“It was like he was looking right through me – in the gaping hole that became of the ceiling, in which there was nothing, nothing until there appeared something so horrible that defies all logic. Out from there, in the dark space above us, peeked the head of a woman with long black hair, but with the plastic face of a mannequin.” 

However, in the next instant, the face retreated into the ceiling as Mr. Harrison rushed Carpenter out of the MacLab and into the night. 

After Mr. Williamson saw to Carpenter’s health, they immediately reported the incident to The Houghton STAR’s News Editor, Joshua Carpenter (‘24), who has no relation to the previously described Carpenter. In the interview that followed, it was discovered that the MacLab has a small civilization of mannequin heads in its ceiling.  

Free of his cable bounds by the heroism of Mr. Williamson, Carpenter describes what he saw dwelling in the dark recess of the MacLab’s ceiling: 

“I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe… Mannequins on fire in the ceiling of the MacLab… I watched plastic talk in the dark while I was the only human around. All those moments will haunt me in time, like eyes that never close.” 

Mr. Williamson shared concerns of his own, for himself, Carpenter, and any other student who may fall victim to the mannequins in the ceiling. 

“Yeah, what he said.” 

As of today, Mar. 31, Mr. Williamson has resigned from his position of Safety and Security guard and has retired to a remote location to live out the rest of his life with his wife.  

Carpenter, however, is nowhere to be found. All that is known of his whereabouts is that he left the Campus Center in the direction of the rising sun. 

His last known words were as follows: 

“Beware of Gwendolyn.” ★

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Lyric Theater’s “Into the Woods”

"Into the Woods" Cast Members rehearsing -- Credit Savannah Stitt
By Abigail Bates

Starting March 30 – this Thursday – at 7 p.m., four performances of Lyric Theatre’s “Into the Woods” will be held in the Wesley Chapel. Following opening night, March 31 and April 1 have a show at 7 p.m., with a matinee at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

“We’ve been rehearsing since January, and we actually cast the show–we had auditions and everything back last November,” says Professor Amanda Cox, director of the musical.

Professor Cox does this so singers have time to start preparing their characters and music, especially for a more complicated musical like “Into the Woods”, a musical written by James Lapine, with music by Stephen Sondheim.

Singers spent about two weeks learning the music, and then they created staging. After this step, the singers layered in who their role’s character is, and how to interact with other characters onstage.

“It’s like building blocks, but if you skip some of the bottom ones, the whole thing’s gonna fall down,” Professor Cox laughs.

The remaining steps are props, costumes, and everything else, including the pit orchestra conducted by Dr. Timothy McGarvey. He’s responsible for keeping the show moving through cues to singers in the more complicated portions of Stephen Sondheim’s melodies.

“He [Sondheim] is a very inventive and creative, and kind of–difficult to learn sometimes–composer. He makes really interesting rhythmic choices that are unexpected,” Professor Cox comments.

Singers have to simultaneously learn the notes and rhythms while training their brains to anticipate different and unexpected rhythms. On top of this, Professor Cox explains, the singers are memorizing the lyrics and dialogue, as this musical contains an even mix of dialogue and lyrics.

Key difficulties for the singers lie in counting correctly to begin on time and singing in the right places during group numbers.

Junior Josey Ikker (‘24) is double cast for the role of Red with Grace Vuolo (‘24). Ikker  practices  memorizing lines and lyrics by playing the music or scene on repeat and listening to the line before hers for timing. As she’s worked with her role, she has formed a deeper understanding of Red.

“With Red,” Ikker says, “she does have that level of innocence, like there’s more innocence in her than how I’ve pictured it when I first watched the show. And you see her as, like, this very innocent girl at first. But then, as the story continues, you kinda see, like that small sense of the dark sense of humor that she has.”

“Into the Woods” is a story about humanity and choices, Professor Cox says. It’s about seeing others as human and trying to empathize and understand the choices they make, even if you disagree in the end.

“My favorite thing of sharing with an audience,” Professor Cox says, “is always just the absolute magic and power of theater to invite people to think about things that they didn’t know they were gonna think about when they walked in the door. It’s like, a little bit subversive, but in a good way.” ★