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Houghton Buffalo Closes

Houghton Buffalo students and faculty gather for picture -- Courtesy of Jannatul Noshin
By Sarah Burton

On Jan. 23, 2023, President Lewis visited Houghton University Buffalo and announced that they would not be accepting any new students to the commuter campus. It was first opened in 2014, and this news has come as a shock to many. In a letter published on Jan. 24, he explains the reasons behind the situation.

The Buffalo Extension Site was not approved to become a Center when President Lewis first applied for it to become one in 2021. Part of the process for it to be approved was consulting existing colleges and universities within the city of Buffalo. 

Erie Community College, Buffalo State College, and Niagara County Community College objected to Houghton Buffalo, thinking that Houghton’s approval would be, as President Lewis paraphrased, “detrimental to existing institutions” in the area.

Due to this kind of backlash in Buffalo, approval was halted and made increasingly more difficult. According to President Lewis, “[Houghton Buffalo] was notified on Dec. 27, 2022 that it would not be approved as an Extension Center.” If Houghton were to continue the fight for approval, the master plan for the entire University would have to change.

He states at the conclusion of his letter that “while we will no longer admit new students in Buffalo… Houghton remains steadfastly committed to our current students… and we will serve them through completion of their Houghton degrees.”

Interim Dean of Houghton University Buffalo Steve Strand describes the loss that is felt by faculty, staff, and students alike, saying that “They [Faculty and Staff] are very committed to the work here… [they] feel a sense of loss because they are intensely motivated by a strong sense of mission to serve students.”

Student Financial Services Specialist Ginny Dadaian also remarks on this sense of loss, showing true passion in her responses. 

“I love Houghton University,” she exclaimed. “All across the US, private and public colleges and universities are struggling, unfortunately Houghton University is a victim of this wave.”

Dadaian, as well as several students, remarked on the impact of surrounding schools in the Buffalo area on the closing of Houghton Buffalo.

 “I was thinking about furthering my education after my two year degree, but now I don’t know what to do,” states David Elliot, a sophomore. 

Many of the students from Houghton Buffalo express deep concern for the branch’s closure. In particular, Desiree Radford has decided to take full course loads for both semesters of 2023, as well as a summer session to complete her degree by the winter. 

“Even though President Lewis promised that we would all be able to complete our degree plan,” Radford says, “I just don’t have faith in that promise anymore.”

Radford also expresses the worries of the student body of Houghton Buffalo, stating “I am left to wonder why minorities always get the short end of the stick. I am very happy being at Houghton Buffalo, but I don’t feel like I am a part of Houghton University. So, I am very sickened by this decision.”

Many students from Houghton Buffalo are deeply concerned about the future of their education and the lack of resources they have now, upon hearing of the closing of their school. Transportation is an issue for several and there is a distinct lack of trust many feel, with many saying the student body wasn’t aware or involved until the visit made by President Lewis.

The closing of Houghton University Buffalo shocked many in the community. It has also challenged the community, with many mixed feelings from faculty, staff, and students about the situation. Its lasting impact has yet to be seen, with some expressing hope for the future and others suffering from a severe sense of grief and discontent. ★

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Campus News

VOCA Leads Networking Trip

Thirteen  Houghton students traveled to Buffalo for a networking event hosted by the Vocational Opportunities and Career Advising Center (VOCA) and the Alumni Engagement Office. Buffalo has a very high concentration of Houghton Alumni that are intentional with maintaining strong relationships with Houghton College.

According to a campus wide email, the event took place on Monday, March 20, and gave students “an opportunity to meet with alumni in one of five career areas: communication, non-profit and human services, ministry, business/finance, or law.”

The day started off with a panel discussion. The panel was made up of four alumni from the Buffalo area that offered advice on transferring from Houghton to the real world and tips on what to do now to prepare for the future. Some recommendations included finding mentors, investing in relationships with current professors, and asking God for guidance. After the discussion, students were given a tour of the Houghton Buffalo site, where the event was held. Longtime history  professor and director of Houghton College Buffalo, Cameron Airhart, shared how Houghton Buffalo offers education to refugees in Buffalo and the way God is at work in their program. Following the tour was a luncheon where students could engage with alumni in smaller groups to ask specific questions about their area of interest.

After lunch, the students departed for their first site visits of the day. A few students went to Jericho Road, which provides medical care to refugees and low-income families. Students interested in the areas of healthcare and human services had an opportunity to engage with people in their desired field.

The rest of the group went to New Era. A panel of employees including alumna, Becky Juroe, told students about the business, their specific positions, and offered advice on how to find a career worth waking up for. Students then had an opportunity to ask questions and talk with the panelists one-on-one. Erik Sorensen ‘20 found this part of the trip particularly beneficial. He said,“I gained a greater understanding what companies are looking for in a Data Science. They are looking for someone who can communicate with others and who have a great personality. ‘Attitude over aptitude’ as Fil Szabluk, the Senior IT Manager for New Era, put it.” The students then embarked on a tour of their headquarters. Ashley Hughes ‘17 said this was her favorite part of the trip because it is such a unique work environment. There was music playing, bright colored walls, turf in place of typical flooring, and ping-pong tables in a few rooms.

The group met back together at the Upstate New York Transplant Services office (UNYTS). A representative from UNYTS gave a presentation on what the organization does, including common misconceptions regarding organ and tissue donations. Employees from the company then met with students in small groups, which were organized by area of interest.

The students that attended the trip said they found the event to be a huge success. Aaron Esienhardt ‘17 said, “I enjoyed meeting with recent Houghton graduates and hearing their perspectives on how they handled transitioning from the Houghton bubble into the real world. Seeing how employees perceive working for nonprofit organizations versus working for regular companies was eye opening. If you ever are presented with the opportunity to network, I recommend taking full advantage of it.”

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Campus News

SkyZone Outing Replaces NYC Bus Trip

This semester, Campus Activities Board (CAB) will not be sponsoring a bus trip to New York City. Instead, CAB will be hosting a trip to Skyzone, a trampoline park in Buffalo.

Image courtesy of CAB
Image courtesy of CAB

As part of its campus social programming, CAB has traditionally organized a bus trip to New York City each year during the month of November. According to Barbara Spaulding ‘17, CAB student director, arrangements with local bus services did not work out as anticipated. “A couple weeks ago, we decided to make the call to cancel the NYC trip and substitute it with something else,” she said.

Instead of cancelling the event entirely, CAB opted to relocate the outing to Skyzone in Buffalo. According to its website, Skyzone is a trampoline park that features a free jump zone, a foam pit, and ultimate dodgeball, along with a variety of other activity areas. The park has become a popular weekend destination in the Buffalo area and provides a great opportunity to enjoy a unique physical activity. As a result of Skyzone’s group pricing incentives, CAB was also able to secure tickets to the park at a significant discount.

Kasey Cannister ‘17 helped to organize the Skyzone trip and is excited to provide an opportunity for students to connect off-campus without needing to worry about transportation or high costs. “With popular activities like this typically far from campus, we have been wanted to provide transportation for a fun outing like this one,” she shared. “We are really looking forward to taking students off campus for a fun event as well as providing a space for a large group of Houghton students to hang out with one another in a popular facility where they would typically only know a few people there.”

The bus to Skyzone will leave from the Campus Center at 12:30 p.m.. and return around 5:00 p.m. Tickets to the event are $10 and can be purchased at the Welcome Desk. Participation is limited to 47 students, and CAB anticipates that tickets will sell out quickly, so Cannister recommended that students come and get tickets while they are still available.

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Stories In Focus

Jason Bintz: Southern Math Teacher Turned Seminarian Turned Houghton Math Professor

The first time Doctor Jason Bintz, Houghton College’s new assistant professor of applied mathematics, attempted to visit the Houghton campus, he found himself snowbound. Fresh from a mild Tennessee winter, he arrived in Buffalo to learn that his ride from the college could not drive into the city. Bintz was ultimately forced to find a hotel room, and conducted the first part of his job interview over Skype. Happily, he made it to campus the next day, and was officially offered the position a few weeks later.

Despite the snowy introduction to Houghton, Bintz was thrilled accepted the offer.

“I was just leaving my house when I got the call,” said Bintz. “I went back inside, and celebrated with my family.”

JasonBintzCMYKBintz began his career in higher education as an undergraduate student at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia. Like Houghton, Covenant is both a liberal arts college and a member of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities. Bintz graduated from the institution with a degree in mathematics in 2003, and immediately found work teaching high school math in nearby Chattanooga, Tennessee. Three years later, he decided to continue his education, but in a different field.

“In my time working with high school students, I felt called to seminary,” said Bintz. “I wanted to receive the same training a pastor receives.”

This new vocation led Bintz to the Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts, where he and his wife resided until his graduation in 2008. From there, Bintz returned to teaching math at the secondary level for one last year before he made the choice to pursue graduate work in applied mathematics at the University of Tennessee. He graduated with his Ph.D. this year.

“At the end of the day, I wanted to be in a college setting,” said Bintz.

During his time at the University of Tennessee, Bintz worked on two main projects in the area of mathematical biology. One attempted to find the best way to allocate resources in order to benefit a specific species, while the other involved building a mathematical model to evaluate the policies implemented by hospitals to reduce Clostridium difficile infections. Bintz remains interested in the broad range of mathematical applications for biology research, and hopes to eventually interest his students in this area.

According to Linda Mills Woolsey, Dean of the College and Vice-President of Academic Affairs, Bintz’s work using math to support biology research, along with his abilities as an interdisciplinary thinker, helped tip the balance in his favor during the hiring process. Kristin Camenga, former chair of Houghton’s department of mathematics and computer science, as well as a member of the search committee that hired Bintz, echoes this sentiment.

“One of the things that impressed me about Jason is his care for people and his deep interest in subjects that cut across disciplinary lines,” she said. “The fact that he has a seminary degree and a Ph.D. in applied math gives him a broad base of knowledge to connect with others, but Jason did research to find out about other faculty at Houghton and their interests to discover commonalities. I really think he will be a great addition to the math faculty and the college at large!” 

Bintz first met with the search committee from Houghton for a short interview in early January at the 2015 Joint Mathematics Meetings in San Antonio, Texas. They met once more during his February campus visit before Bintz was offered the job. While he had applied other places, Houghton was always his preference.

“I had a pretty strict profile in mind of where I wanted to be,” said Bintz. “Houghton was the only school that fit the profile, and the job was exactly what I wanted to do.” He adds that he is also excited for his wife and three children to experience the kind of community Houghton has to offer them as a family.  “We’re really happy to be here.”

This semester, Bintz teaches Calculus I, Multi-Variable Calculus, and Probability and Statistics. His experience in his field, his commitment to his faith and family, and his enthusiasm about the college community all point to his being an excellent fit for Houghton.

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Return to the Radio: Alternative Buffalo 107.7 Review

“Your reason to return to radio has arrived” is a phrase commonly quipped on Buffalo’s radio station  Alternative Buffalo FM 107.7. It is a motto they live up to. The station surprisingly reaches all the way out to Houghton with reception extending across campus. It even has a mobile app or you can listen online. It is a relatively new station that has already got a lot going for it. It gives an excellent alternative for those who are tired of your typical pop radio station tunes, such as Iggy Azalea, Taylor Swift, or One Direction. For those who have forsaken radio altogether in favor of their iPod, try returning to this radio station.

Alt Buffalo plays a wide range artists ranging from legends like Nirvana to young new artists such as George Ezra. Popular artists such as Bastille, Lorde, Hozier, and Coldplay are commonly featured on the station, some even before they became international hits. Along with these big names are lesser known, but equally talented and entertaining musical artists. Alt Buffalo plays many up-and-coming or obscure artists, giving music lovers the opportunity to expand their musical library. Some artists you might discover include Panama Wedding, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Sir Sly, and Glass Animals.

Especially focused on the theme of discovery is the “The Underground Collective” session on Sunday nights 6-8pm. During this time they play only “underground” and indie rock artists, ones you mostly likely have not heard of, but that the station believes deserve to be listened to.

Similarly, “Localized” on Sunday nights 8-9pm features artists from Buffalo, Western New York, and surrounding areas. Local musicians can submit their music for the opportunity to gain exposure and listeners can hear local talented musicians. Joywave, a band out of Rochester, NY is now receiving a little more national attention, was featured on Localized.

Compared to similar alternative stations in other regions, Alt Buffalo keeps itself to the more indie and true alternative side of things. Other similar alternative stations sometimes begin to feel like a borderline pop station by playing too many top chart artists like Imagine Dragons or Fall Out Boy. While 107.7 does play some popular artists that fit into the indie or alternative genres, they steers clear of artists who do not belong on their station.

One drawback to Alt Buffalo is sometimes it can get slightly repetitive. If you listen too often you may find yourself hearing to the same songs multiple times in a week, which is perhaps a flaw of music radio stations in general. As more music comes out, however, they are always updating their playlists.

Besides just the radio station, a new and exciting addition to the Buffalo area from Alt Buffalo is their concert series. One of these series, called “You Saw Them First,” features lesser-known artists they expect to become big. Featured last spring was Bear Hands, who have their hit single “Giants.” Bear Hands went on to perform at Alt Buffalo’s big concert, the first Kerfuffle.

The unforgettable Kerfuffle concert happened in July at Canal Side under the skyway in Buffalo. It featured artists Bricks and Mortar, Semi-Precious Weapons, the Kongos, the Bleachers, and Cage the Elephant. Going from 3 to 11 p.m., the show had 10,000 people and was well-worth the price of admission.

With the success of summer concert and the growing popularity of the radio station, Alt Buffalo hosted the Kerfuffle Before Christmas. The concert featured artists Airborne Toxic Event, Jungle, Robert Delong, Neon Trees, and Walk the Moon – who recently came out with a new album, Talking is Hard.

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News

Buffalo Slammed By Snow

The Buffalo Region, including numerous Houghton College students, alumni, faculty, and staff residing in the Buffalo area, were hit by a large winter storm Tuesday morning. The storm, which originated in Siberia, formed when a high-pressure system over the West Coast stretched up through Alaska and a low-pressure system over central U.S. created a trough. Cold air then migrated over the North Pole, and rolled South through the trough, which resulted in freezing temperatures across Canada and the entirety of the U.S., according to PBS. Record low temperatures were reported across all 50 states and reached areas as far as parts of the Caribbean.

MattVoganSouthern areas of Buffalo received upwards of 60 inches in less than 24 hours, and as of Wednesday, were projected to accumulate two and a half additional feet overnight. Sarah Stupke, a senior who is student teaching in Buffalo this semester, said, “I have never seen so much snow in my entire life.” The snow crippled the area, shutting down Interstate 90, leaving people stranded in their cars for days at a time. The amount and weight of the snow made rescue efforts difficult, resulting in in a total of seven storm related fatalities. One of those fatalities was the death of a 49-year-old man in Alden, whose car was buried in 12 to 15 feet of snow when he was found.

Houghton professors who live in or around the Buffalo area have taken precautions in regards to commuting to work by cancelling class or holding classes via Skype. Some students, however, have had no choice but to prolong their travel plans. Hayley Day, a senior who is studying off campus in Buffalo this semester, was stranded in Washington D.C. when flights on Monday were cancelled. As of Wednesday night, Day doesn’t know when she’ll be able to fly back to Buffalo.

In addition to impacting the Buffalo area, the closed interstate and roads have affected the Houghton College campus, prolonging the delivery of fruit for Sodexo food services. The storm has also prevented the trip to Buffalo, organized by the senior class, to watch the premiere of The Hunger Games: Mocking Jay Part 1 in Cheektowaga.

The snow didn’t only bury airports and interstates, but also covered schools and homes. Ryan O’Vell, a senior who is also student teaching in Buffalo this semester, said, “The school I am supposed to be teaching at is buried under several feet of snow. I have only gone to school Monday, and it looks like that may be all for this week.”

JosephOsborne_DoorWhile some were prevented from going to work, many Buffalo residents have been unable to leave their homes. Both Stupke and Josh Phelps, a 2014 graduate, have been unable to leave their residences. “We’ve gotten about 5 feet of snow, and can’t really leave the house without getting lost in the snow,” Stupke said. “Today was the first we were finally able to see the houses across the street for the first time since Monday night.”

Phelps, however, is maintaining a positive attitude and considers himself lucky. “Because of the road closures and travel bans I haven’t been able to go anywhere including work. Luckily we have enough food and everything, so not leaving the house isn’t a big deal,” he said. “We didn’t get too much snow here, at least compared to just a couple miles north like my uncle, who lives in West Seneca, has about 4.5 feet of snow and has been trapped in his house since Monday night. I talked to him today, and he doesn’t think he’ll be able to get out until this weekend at the earliest.”

Despite the trials that the storm presented, the people of Buffalo have pulled together to help one another. The Buffalo Bills, in need of assistance clearing their stadium in preparation for their upcoming game on Sunday against the New York Jets, offered locals $10 an hour for shoveling snow, and even game tickets depending on how many hours they worked.

Sarah Hutchinson, a 2014 graduate, said Buffalo has been living up to it’s title as the ‘City of Good Neighbors.’ “I’ve been hearing many stories of Buffalonians doing all they can to help each other out,” she said. “Yesterday, I talked to a guy who spent his morning rescuing six Burmese refugees who were trapped in the snow after working a midnight shift. Stories like this really make me appreciate where I live, even if it snows five feet before Thanksgiving.”

Stupke is asking for prayers, not for herself, but for those who the storm has left stranded. “Please pray for all of those who are stranded without food, or are in their cars,” Stupke said. “Pray that people get to them soon, and get them to safety.”

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Stories In Focus

Patrick Ishimwe, Giving Non-Traditional Students a Voice

Senior Patrick Ishimwe, executive officer of nontraditional students, grew up wanting to help people.

Born in Rwanda, moving from there to Congo, to Kenya, and eventually to Togo, where he lived for ten years, Ishimwe grew up in what he described as an “unstable environment.” Yet, he said, “there was always someone to help,” and through that, his family got “all the help we needed.”

Having moved to Buffalo, where he went to City Honors School for two years, Ishimwe eventually arrived at Houghton looking for a Christian environment and a good soccer program. Ishimwe initially did not consider SGA, but during his Sophomore year, a friend, Ben Hardy, convinced him to go to a meeting. Ishimwe was intrigued, and by his Junior year, he ran for the Senate and became part of the SGA. The SGA, he realized, was an opportunity to be a helpful voice on campus.

AnthonyBurdo_Patrick Ishimwe

However, among the changes the 2014-2015 year brought was the elimination of the Senate. Again Ishimwe made the decision to participate in SGA, this time becoming the Executive Officer of Nontraditional Students. In this role, Ishimwe deals with reaching out to the students of Buffalo who do not have the opportunity to go to traditional college.

Placing great value on education, Ishimwe is personally invested in the programs. “Education is just the key to success,” he said. In a recent Facebook post, Ishimwe wrote, “Jesus did not die on the cross just for us to live an average life.” He said, “Education showed me you don’t have to lead that life.” In his SGA position, Ishimwe is able to share this opportunity with students who otherwise would have no access to it. “They’re no different from us,” said Ishimwe, “We’re just fortunate enough to be able to afford to go here.”

Having attended school in Buffalo, Ishimwe has a personal understanding of the purpose and value of the programs for nontraditional students. He discovered that one of the students in the program was a good friend, and was able to see the positive effects. He noticed that his “friends from high school struggle with staying in college and getting a degree.” Ishimwe, in his position, is now able to see the tangible results of the programs.

Ishimwe describes his office as giving Buffalo students in the program “a voice on campus.” He keeps the SGA informed on how the programs are going, but also is responsible for sharing opportunities for involvement with other Houghton students. He and SGA president Katharine Labrecque have formed a committee that will be bringing in lecturers and possibly Buffalo residing Houghton alumni, who will inform Houghton students of opportunities to serve in Buffalo.

Patrick Ishimwe is a political science major, minoring in business and French. His desire to help people, to make a difference, is the root for his ultimate dream of going to law school and working with the United Nations. For now, he speaks for himself and reminds Houghton students, “Buffalo is a mission.” Although there is much to address for the rest of the world, for now “it’s preparation for future experiences.”

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News

New VOCA Office Opens in Campus Center

A noticeable new edition to the Van Dyke Lounge, is the Fleming-Farver Vocational Opportunities and Career Advising (VOCA office). The office was made possible by a generous donation by Thomas, Ph.D. ’64 and Phyllis (Fleming ‘65) Farver. The VOCA office, lead by Director Kim Pool and Coordinator Brian Reitnour, including other staff such as Administrative Assistant, Cindy Hannigan, Vocational Specialist Rebecca Rowley, Dean Jordan, along with multiple VOCA counselors, offers services that were previously offered in the Career Services Office.

VOCAVOCA will support academic departments and advisors, as well as help students find internship opportunities and connect with Houghton alumni for potential career opportunities through the use of a service called Houghton Connects. According to Pool, the VOCA office hopes to streamline career resources for Houghton students as well as “significantly increase the number of internships and jobs in our online database, specifically in Buffalo and New York City. We also hope to launch an online system that will house internships and streamline the process for registering and receiving approval for an academic internship.” Although, she said, “academic content and approval of academic credit are under the jurisdiction of the Academic Records Office, academic departments, and faculty.

Reitnour stated, “We also hope to talk with students about the broader concept of vocation and God’s calling, which spans beyond one’s occupation to include civic responsibility, relationships with friends and family, church participation and extra curricular activities.” Reitnour also said, “Discovering one’s vocation is more than just searching within to identify unique interests and attributes. It also involves taking a deep look at the world’s needs. We hope to connect students with opportunities to use their skills to serve the needs of the world.”

“The previous location [of Career Services] was tucked away and too small to effectively reach out to 1,000 students. The new location is highly visible and accessible, not only to current students but also prospective students and parents,” Hannigan said. “Its visibility during campus tours communicates Houghton’s commitment and institutional priority to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to be prepared for life after college.” She said that the rest of the Van Dyk lounge will be receiving new furniture in the next few weeks to compliment the VOCA décor.

VOCA offers services to all Houghton students, not just upperclassman. Pool said, “First years and sophomores will definitely benefit from talking with a VOCA counselor early about choosing a major and career options.” In addition to this, students can take advantage of the career assessment tests available at VOCA, as well as Houghton Connects and workshops. Upcoming workshop topics include subjects such as networking, resumes and cover letters, and interviewing skills. A student can even request to do a mock interview with a VOCA counselor.

The new location has already seen in increase in student activity. Students can make appointments in person as well as online, at http://www.houghton.edu/students/voca/. Pool said, “Whatever your class year, we encourage you to make an appointment today to talk with a VOCA counselor who can assess where you are in the four year plan and make sure you are headed in the right direction.”

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Stories In Focus

Houghton Alumna’s Blog Reaches Thousands

The blog has over 400,000 hits. The Facebook page has over 50,000 likes. Countless have been touched by the story of Ben Sauer, “a little boy waiting on a miracle.”

When her four year-old son Ben was diagnosed with Stage IV Glioblastoma, a rare cancer typically found in adults, Houghton alumna Mindy Sauer took to the web to blog about the journey of her little boy and the vitality of her faith. From her point of view, the mission of her blog was simple. As she wrote in one of her blog posts, “For whatever reason, God is using our circumstances to draw people to Him. So many stories, just like this one, of people being drawn to God because of how they’ve seen Him throughout our story. The world does not revolve around us. We are just one piece of the puzzle. And people are watching to see how God will move.”

Blue4Ben_Joshua_DuttweilerThe prognosis for surviving glioblastoma is not a good one. Indeed, the doctors told Mindy Sauer and her husband that Ben’s chances of survival rests, at best, at about three percent. Nevertheless, as Mindy Sauer wrote on her blog, the Sauer family has chosen not to respond in resignation, but instead to rely on God “who has a higher purpose for our ‘mighty’ Benjamin and that He will work a miracle in his life.”

Writing at bensauer.blogspot.com, Mindy Sauer has been busy communicating the story of her family through stories that are visceral, raw, and honest. She writes about a family vacation in Orlando, where a native western New York family discarded its winter coats for swimsuits; a chance for the Sauers to take a break from reality. She tells stories of Ben, of “mini-miracles,” of instances in her life (both now and in the past) where she felt truly touched by God.

Not surprisingly, friends of the Sauer family have created a campaign, “Blue4Ben,” to show support and be a center for charitable donations to help offset the family’s medical bills. Thanks in part to Mindy Sauer’s writing and heart-tugging stories, Blue4Ben has gained awareness not just in the region, but around the world. Various colleges, the city of Buffalo companies, Jet Blue airlines, along with many others have all participated in Blue4Ben and gave generous donations to the family. Flicking through the Facebook album “Going blue4ben,” one can see schools, soldiers, newsrooms, businesses, and even Donald Trump arrayed in blue–an obvious indicator of the traction that this campaign has received.

Even Houghton has been swept in the wave of blue. On Tuesday, March 14, the Houghton students, faculty, and community members were asked to wear blue to raise awareness. Anthony Petrillo, Houghton Academy’s network administrator, explained that the Academy also began involvement in the campaign. Over the past week a video about Ben’s story was shown in chapel to create awareness. The video was followed by a ticket sale allowing students to dress down for a day from their normal school uniforms. Proceeds from the ticket sale went directly to the Sauer family to help offset medical costs.

Bruce Brenneman, former Houghton professor and family friend to the Sauers, spoke highly of the Sauer’s love for their children and faithfulness in God through these difficult times. “It’s a heart-warming story and the strongest thing about it is that even in the midst of such tragedy they’ve been able to speak so strongly of their faith and the fact that Ben is a gift to them,” said Brenneman, “It’s impacted hundreds and hundreds.”

For those interested in learning more about Ben and the Blue4Ben campaign, visit Mindy Sauer’s blog at bensauer.blogspot.com or her website, blue4ben.com. As she says on her blog, the greatest way that you can begin to help is through prayer for Ben. Bracelets are also being sold through her website. Additionally, bracelets will be available in the CAB office starting today. Those seeking additional ways to create more involvement on campus can contact Greg Bish at greg.bish@houghton.edu.

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News

National Sacred Honor Choir Prepares for Upcoming Tour

The majority of music majors were out of town for pre-tour concerts in Buffalo and Syracuse this weekend, leaving the music buildings dark and empty. “A musician learns with each performance that which cannot be taught in rehearsal,” says Dr. Brandon Johnson, director of choral activities and recent recipient of the Horne-Blanchard chair here at Houghton. These performances before the “real” tour serve as a check-up for the choir to see what work still needs to be done.

This year the College Choir will be touring from the 27th of February to the 9th of March through the mid-Atlantic states, performing in states along the east coast from NY to Virginia, ending with the concert in Carnegie Hall.

College_Choir“It is part of our mission to share the Good News with people,” said Dr. Johnson. “It is not enough for us to create beautiful music; we also need to share it.”

Most of the performances on tour are in churches with a few concert halls dotting the schedule. Every year the choir receives multiple letters from attendees telling of how the music touched them. “On an educational side,” said Johnson, “we learn the beautiful nuances of the repertoire that can only be achieved through the heightened awareness of performance.” Before each concert, the choir gathers and discusses any new meanings revealed in pieces by the audience’s response or the way certain voices blended to give emphasis to a different word or phrase, lending a new perspective to music the choir has been working on for months.

The flagship performance for this tour is of course the concert in Carnegie Hall. “It’s huge for our visibility as a school,” said 2nd year graduate student Christopher Olsen, choir manager. “Houghton faculty have performed in the small-halls in Carnegie before, but this may be the first time the Houghton name has been in the main hall.”

The College Choir will be joined at Carnegie Hall by members of the Men’s and Women’s Choir, singers from Roberts Wesleyan, a chamber choir from Liberty University, in addition to choirs from several Christian high schools for the performance, together making up the National Sacred Honor Choir. The ensemble, comprising well over 200 people, will rehearse for four days in at Hawthorne Gospel church in northern New Jersey, spending nights at a nearby Salvation Army camp.

Graduate student Kelly Vankirk, coordinator of the National Sacred Honor Choir, spoke with me about her involvement. “It is extremely busy, but it’s a huge honor to be singing such great, spiritually rich music in prestigious hall. We are bringing together Christian choirs from all over the northeast, some from even farther away. One of the goals of our time together is to help the younger singers, and ourselves, to see the context of faith and music together.”

Because of the Carnegie concert, several music professors other than Dr. Johnson will be traveling with the choir and will be giving masters’ classes for groups of advanced high school students before several concerts.This type of teaching serves to advertise for the college’s programs and has been done to a limited extent on past tours, but never to the extent reached this year with Professors Davies, Hijleh, Hutchings, and Newbrough all traveling with the choir.