The Student Council is a vital and fundamental part of the student body at Houghton College. They are a collection of students that represent the various aspects of being a student at Houghton, such as a representative from athletics, academics, and each class, etc. In an interview, Cassie Cavell (‘23), the Representative for the Class of 2023, echoed this statement, saying, “Student Council is a peer-elected group of students that represent the student body as a whole in all areas of life at Houghton.”
According to the coordinator of the Student Council, AC Taylor, the Student Council has a significant role in aiding all Houghton students to have a voice when it comes to events, conditions, and circumstances here. He remarked that “Student Council represents student concerns and opinions to the institution through councils, committees, and relationships with administrators.”
The Student Council, once known as SGA, or Student Government Association, has observed a few changes in 2021, including their office space being renovated and a name change. While Cavell stated that “the office actually did not physically move,” she did note that, “it just got remodeled and renamed over the summer! The CEO’s (chief executive officer or someone in a higher leadership role) new space features inviting glass doors on which our office hours are posted. We love the grand conference table as it incorporates our mission to hear every voice. There are also chairs for hanging out and chatting.” This inviting and comfortable space can be found exactly where the SGA office used to be, for any students interested in voicing a concern or wanting to get in touch with any of the representatives or members of the Council.
Being a member, as any of them will tell you, is a rewarding and honorable position, meant to ensure all students at Houghton College feel connected to all the administration, faculty, and staff. Class of 2022 Representative Hannah Heinl (‘22) explained that elections for the Student Council will be held on Thursday, February 24th, with petitions beginning on Monday, January 31st and closing on Monday, February 14th. Heinl also added that during the Monday, February 21 Student Council meeting, candidates will be able to give their speeches.
Cavell also commented on the election process and what an interested student should reflect on: “They should evaluate their current experience in leadership, communication skills, advocacy, and self-motivation.” There are several tasks members are required to complete each week, including sharing feedback, utilizing office hours, and continuing projects; it is no task to be taken lightly.
Another member of the Student Council, Haley Dejager (‘22), the Athletics Representative, stated, “Whether you have limited leadership experience or lots of it, I think the student council is a great opportunity to serve your fellow students! Be prepared to dedicate a couple of hours a week to various council and committee meetings. There’s also a team atmosphere in which members collaborate on many projects, while still maintaining a personal agenda specific to an individual’s role.” Even when the tasks and expectations flow in regularly, the Student Council members work together to support each other and keep each other going. Dejager also stated, “Most importantly, I really enjoy the feeling of making a difference on our campus. Knowing you’re making a difference and being able to see that difference come to life is a really great thing to experience.” While it has many responsibilities, it is a respectable and significant position to have at Houghton College, and any student hesitating to campaign should head over to the newly renovated office space named the Campus Engagement Office, and speak with any of the members there.
Taylor encourages students who are interested in running to, “Go for it! The institution wants to know what students are thinking and feeling and the Student Council is the go-to structure.” Dejager also stated, “Most importantly, I really enjoy the feeling of making a difference on our campus. Knowing you’re making a difference and being able to see that difference come to life is a really great thing to experience.” While it has many responsibilities, it is a respectable and significant position to have at Houghton College, and any student hesitating to campaign should head over to the newly renovated office space named the Campus Engagement Office, and speak with any of the members there. ★
Prospective students will have the opportunity to attend meals, classes, meetings and events similar to those available to current students. According to Rutledge, “All things Houghton students do daily. We want them to be able to envision themselves as Highlanders, asking themselves, ‘Is this the place for me for the next four years?’” 
Harold “Skip” Lord, Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, explained this is the “first time” Houghton College has hosted the WNY 3 on 3 Tournament. He said, “It is unique in that most of these kinds of events are hosted outdoors in the summer in a kind of street ball format. Holding it in the field house will allow us to start before any of the other outdoor tournaments happen. We are hoping it will eventually grow into a fairly large and popular event.”
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.
This year’s banquet is a continuation of a long standing tradition in Gillette Hall. A history so long, according to Resident Director (RD) Laura Cunningham, “I’m not sure when it actually began. It has always, just, existed.” Cunningham said she even checked with René Stempert, Head of Custodial in Gillette, who has worked at Houghton for 23 years. Stempert said the banquet was already a tradition when she began working at Houghton. In regards to the location of the banquet every year, Cunningham said that it varies. “During my time here it’s been held in Mount Morris, Olean and Wellsville.” She continued, “I like that we explore different venues in the area and encourages residents to visit different communities outside of campus.”
The CHA is a group that offers distinction to schools and instructors who they deem meet specific equine standards. “Our facility is CHA certified, it meets a certain level of standard for teaching and facilities,” said Lauren Grifoni ‘19, an equestrian major. “Your facility doesn’t have to be CHA certified,” added Andrea Crickard ‘17, another member of the program. According to Grifoni, not only is Houghton’s equestrian center one of the nicest in the area, it is also one of the only facilities certified by the CHA. The combination draws a lot of people from the area to events, like the conference, that the center holds.
Events created through the program planning class start as assignments from assistant professor in the department of sport recreation and wellness Laura Alexeichik. She encourages them to be creative and to think about events that will appeal to what those in the Houghton community want or need. “Through this class my students are learning the details of creation, design, and the employment of events. It’s difficult to plan successful events,” Alexeichik said.