Tag: Houghton University

Categories
Opinions

Metz Misses the Mark… Again

By Anna Catherman

Big Al’s is dead.

The campus center’s basement dining establishment is quiet. Still. Too still.

Metz calls the rebranded ice cream and hamburger shop “Sizzle and Swirl at Big Al’s”. The moniker change is just one of many which have resulted in many students abandoning their once-beloved hangout spot.

The changes to Big Al’s and the dining hall haven’t all been bad. The Poblano’s bar in the dining hall is popular, and the return of hard ice cream is also very welcome. It’s become apparent that Perry’s ice cream is never coming back to the dining hall in its previous all-you-can eat format. Due to pandemic-related production cuts, Perry’s no longer has the capacity to provide Houghton students with unlimited ice cream. The idea of keeping the dining hall open later was also a popular student request. Athletes especially wanted late-night dining options other than greasy hamburgers and fries.

Replacing meal exchange with extended dining hours turned out to be the least beneficial change – and put the final nail in Big Al’s coffin.

Due to the end of meal exchange, the number of students at Big Al’s each night has declined dramatically. Friends would gather to study, play card games, or just talk. Lines used to wrap around the post office during busy times. Now, it’s rare to spot more than a dozen people at Big Al’s. And extended dining hours? It didn’t provide student athletes with the nutritious meals they requested. They’re getting leftovers. Some nights, they have a few options, but many nights they’re forced to choose between either tacos or pizza. 

Oh, and there’s no more free ice cream, not even the soft serve that was present last year, an issue which was heavily protested at the beginning of the academic year.

Dining services are tricky for any college campus, especially one as rural as Houghton.

Students can’t easily get off campus for a healthy meal or for socialization. Houghton thrives when students band together as a community. Cliche, but true. 

With a few changes, Big Al’s could be an important part of that community again. Reviving Big Al’s wouldn’t take as much effort as some might claim. Bringing back meal exchange would be an instant boost. Many students would welcome back the old Sunday-Thursday meal exchange, but a hybrid approach could be a good compromise. Preserving the new extended dining hours while also allowing students to use one or two meal swipes per week at Big Al’s would be the best of both worlds. 

Restoring menu items that students miss and adding new ones could also help. Buffalo chicken sandwiches could make a triumphant comeback. And maybe, just maybe, some healthy options. Salads? Gluten-free buns for hamburgers?

The smallest change to dining services that would bring the university the most goodwill, though, would be returning our soft serve machine to the dining hall, thank you very much. ★

Categories
Columns

Book Review: Nothing More to Tell by Karen M. McManus

By Julia Collins

Karen M. McManus has written some incredible books, and Nothing More to Tell (2022) has a mystery, family drama, romance, and of course, a dead teacher. 

English teacher William Larkin was murdered when Brynn and Tripp were in eighth grade. Brynn’s family moved away until her senior year, when Brynn came back to the town of Sturgis to solve the mystery of her teacher’s death. She works as an intern for the true crime show Motive while she attends school at St. Ambrose; the K-12 private school where Mr. Larkin was killed. As the anniversary of Mr. Larkin’s death is approaching, the school plans to design a memorial garden, and during their time picking out flowers, Brynn is partnered with Tripp. 

Tripp was one of the three students who found William Larkin’s body. He remembers the interviews with the police where he tried to protect one of the other witnesses, Shane, because Shane had touched the murder weapon (a rock). Now in senior year, Tripp and Shane are good friends. Tripp’s boss tells him that he should help with setting up Mr. Larkin’s memorial garden so he can recover from the trauma of being at the crime scene, which he does reluctantly. 

As the story goes on, Brynn and Tripp visit a gardener, Mr. Solomon, who gives them advice on how to set up the memorial. When they find him dead, they realize that there’s something bigger going on. 

Murder investigations are tough. After being ostracized, assaulted, and held at gunpoint, Brynn is desperate to find out who killed Mr. Larkin. And with Tripp’s help, she does. After calling Mr. Larkin’s old boss, they discover that he was not on good terms with his family. Brynn finds his father, Dexter, who was unaware of his son’s death. Furious, he comes to find Brynn and Tripp at a school dance, where they finally figure out who the killer is, and it’s not who you would expect. This book was complex and intriguing. I would rate it an 8/10, as some parts were predictable, like the plot of Brynn and Tripp developing a romantic relationship. But other parts, such as discovering the identity of the killer, were outstanding. Nothing More to Tell is a great book that I know Houghton readers would enjoy. ★

Categories
News

How Activate Leadership Creates Positive Change

Conference Attendees listen to a presentation
By Jennifer Page

This past weekend, Houghton University held its fifth annual Activate Leadership Conference in the MVP lounge at the Kerr-Pegula Athletic Complex. During the two-day conference, students listened to presentations from Keynote Speaker Marlena Graves and Chair of Religion, Associate Dean of the Chapel and Adjunct Professor of Youth Ministry  Rev. Dr. J.L. Miller; after which, they came up with their own proposal for positive change on Houghton’s campus.

“The Activate Leadership Conference,” said Rachel Wright, Director of the Office of Vocation and Calling and Associate Director of the Center for Student Success, “is an opportunity for students to explore their strengths, develop spiritual disciplines and practices and learn how to use their gifts and talents to create positive impact as leaders in their chosen fields.”

Unlike previous years, when only sophomores could attend the event, the Center for Student Success and Office of Vocation and Calling decided to open up this year’s registration to all Houghton Students.“My sisters participated in the conference their sophomore years and they encouraged me to go,” said junior Will Allen. “I’m very happy that it’s offered to all years now so that I didn’t miss out. I learned a lot about myself and how to work well with others who do not share my strengths.”

During the Saturday session, Allen and the other attendees got the chance to propose a Positive Change Project to a board of reviewers.

“Groups of students come up with an idea of something they want to address or offer either on campus or in the community, which is their proposal for positive change,” said Wright.

  The students do not have to plan the proposal on their own, however. Student coaches (students who have previously attended the conference) ensure that the people on their team get everything they can out of the conference.

  “I loved the experience of both leading and learning about leadership,” said junior Cody Johnson, one of the student coaches for this year’s conference. “It was a fun opportunity to network with people I might not see on campus any other time and grow together.”

  “The Positive Change Project,” continued Johnson, “was a cool opportunity to brainstorm (or “ideate”) with other students about how we can positively influence something at Houghton. It is a reminder to all of us that students and young leaders have the power to implement, regardless of their position or ‘the way things have always been done.’”  Although there is no way of telling if one of the Positive Change Projects will actually be implemented on campus, there is a precedent for it to happen, since both the Mosaic Center and the Campus Groups app started as Positive Change Projects. Perhapsanother  idea first thought of at the conference will be implemented on campus in the coming year. ★

Categories
Columns

Book Review: Lock the Doors by Vincent Ralph

By Julia Collins

Lock The Doors (2021) is a mystery YA novel recommended for ages 14-18 (though even if you don’t fit the age group, you will still likely enjoy the book and relate to the characters). This is author Vincent Ralph’s second book. Ralph lives in the UK and has a wife and two sons. 

16-year-old Tom Cavanaugh and his family have just moved into a new house. Tom does not like this as he struggles with OCD and anxiety due to seeing his mother abused by her ex-boyfriends. Even though she is happily married to Jay now, Tom is still skeptical about how safe they are. He sees holes on the outside of his bedroom door and thinks that the previous occupant must have been locked in. Then he finds the words “HELP ME” written on the wall. It doesn’t take long for Tom to become scared of the house as something was definitely wrong.

At school, Tom meets Amy, whose family had previously lived in his new home. During their first meeting, Amy’s mother was present, which made her uncomfortable. However, the next time Tom and Amy see each other, she is warm and friendly. Amy and Tom quickly become friends, and they begin to feel very comfortable around each other. Tom learns that Amy used to sleep in the bedroom that is now his own and later, at a party, they dance and kiss. Soon after, Tom walks Amy home and meets her parents. Although she denies it, he can tell that something is off about them. Her mother, Jane, is suspicious and cunning, and her father, Chris, is indifferent to his family. Tom does not trust them and concludes that they used to lock Amy in her room. When Tom has dinner with her family for the first time, he discovers that her younger brother, Will, is an artist. Tom recognizes Will’s handwriting to be the same as the “HELP ME” on his wall. Horrified, Tom begins to spy on Amy’s family to figure out what happened to Will and Amy in their old house. What he finds is devastating. The reader has to read it for themselves to get the full effect, as it is a very intriguing read! 

I would rate this book a 9/10. It was hard to get into, as there is less action, but the climax is stunning. Tom is an interesting character to read about, while Amy is more mysterious, and my perception of her shifted several times. Overall, this is a good book that I enjoyed reading. I am looking forward to more thrillers from Vincent Ralph.★

Categories
Opinions

Phones or Friends

By Hope Willert

It’s common knowledge that many Millennials and Gen Zers are addicted to their phones, and it often seems as though they are glued to them. There is no exception to this at Houghton University. During chapel, one can see students pulling out their phones and laptops to get some homework done or text some friends. While walking around in the dining hall, a group of students can be seen sitting together at a table; however, rather than talking with each other, they all have their heads down and phones out. This is a problem, and it isn’t going to go away unless we confront it.

While the American culture today requires college students to use their phones for many reasons, such as texting, calling, emailing, using social media, listening to music, watching videos, and several other things, one must wonder if these 18-22 year olds are going on their phones more than they really need to be and if the amount of time that they spend on their phones is detrimental to their relationships.

A recent study done at Baylor University found that Baylor students spend an average of eight to ten hours on their phones per day, with 60 percent of the students admitting that they may be addicted to their phones. The study also showed that the majority of this time is spent sending texts and emails, as well as scrolling through social media.

Such a large amount of cell phone use can be very detrimental to relationships, as students spend increasingly more time on their phones and less time interacting with each other in person. While it’s true that cell phones are often used as a distraction for students, whether from stressful relationships or from school, this can be taken too far. James Roberts, one of the main psychologists from this study, explained that cell phone use is a paradox in that it can be “both freeing and enslaving at the same time.” A certain amount of time spent scrolling on phones can be helpful to take one’s mind off of school work, however, it can very easily become an addiction. Roberts explained that “we need to identify the activities that push cell phone use from being a helpful tool to one that undermines our well-being and that of others.”

While there is no solution that will automatically solve this problem, there are several things that college students can do to counteract this issue. First of all, students can check the screen time on their phones to see if they are spending too much time on them. They can also make an effort to make more plans with their friends rather than endlessly scrolling on their phone for hours, as well as decide not to go on their phones as much when they are with others. Ultimately, this issue can only be solved individually. Will you make the effort to make a change in your phone habits? ★

Categories
Stories In Focus

The Becoming of President Lewis

By Joshua Carpenter

As the President of Houghton University, Dr. Wayne D. Lewis is a busy man. His responsibilities as president frequently take him off campus, and many times, even out of state. One week he may be working in his office, the other, somewhere across the country.  

According to President Lewis’ wife, Monica Lewis, he “has had a very demanding job most of our marriage and all of Whitley’s [their daughter’s] life[,] so we’re accustomed to his 40% travel, weeknight and weekend commitments.” 

When he is on campus, students will usually see him giving a speech during chapel or eating in the dining hall with his family. However, because of his schedule, students may find it hard to approach him, or, other than what he says about himself in chapel, students may feel as though they barely know him. 

Sophomore Vincent Ocasio says, “I would love to talk with President Lewis behind closed doors because he seems very firm and bold in what he believes in, and I want to know if he is the same person behind closed doors as he is in front of chapel.” 

Mrs. Lewis, who has been married to President Lewis for 19 years, describes her husband as a “God fearing, relationship building and compassionate man,” who, “wholeheartedly gives what he can because God has been so generous to him.” 

 Dr. Lewis grew up in the city of New Orleans surrounded by family. Because his parents went back to school when he was a kid, and because of the nine-year age difference between him and his younger sister, he spent a great amount of time with his extended family. 

His mother’s side of the family was in and around the city of New Orleans, and his father’s side of the family lived about two hours from New Orleans in Patterson, Louisiana.  

As Lewis said, he “routinely spent lots of time with grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and second cousins, who were more like brothers and sisters to me than my cousins.” 

 Returning to his immediate family, Lewis described that his parents’ “determination to earn their undergraduate degrees, both to provide a better economic situation for the family, and to model the importance of education” had a great impact on him and his sister, even to the point that they followed in their father’s footsteps and went to the same undergraduate school that their father went to, with his sister getting an MBA at the school where their mother got her undergraduate degree. 

To Lewis, “parents have been, and continue to be, a big part of my life. They are a big part of the people who have shaped me into who I have become.” ★

Categories
News

Kindschi Faith and Justice Symposium

Artwork from Joel Mulindwa's "Chaos Portfolio"
By Jax Johnson

Beginning on January 30th and continuing through February 2nd, the Center for Faith, Justice and Global Engagement will host their annual Kindschi Faith and Justice Symposium, which will be centered around the theme of “War and Conflict: Creating Sanctuaries in Times of Violence”. 

The Symposium will feature five different events throughout the week:(1) a lecture with Belinda Bauman, (2) a workshop with Elsa Barron, (3) an art gallery opening and discussion with Houghton alumnus Joel Mulindwa, (4) a lunch discussion with Theodore Kuchar, and (5) a panel discussion on conflict-induced migration. 

As the director of the Center for Faith, Justice and Global Engagement, Brian Webb has worked to organize this event and says that he is, “excited about this year’s speakers, who will address conflict from many different perspectives, including its impact on immigration, the environment, social justice, and interpersonal relationships.” He also talks about this year’s theme, saying, “‘War and Conflict: Creating sanctuaries amid the violence’ is certainly appropriate for today. While the war in Ukraine looms large in our minds, there are many other conflicts going on around the world today from Afghanistan to South Sudan to the Congo to Yemen. Conflict is not only horrific in its own right, but it also exacerbates other global challenges including human migration, hunger, and poverty.” 

Of the five symposium events, all will host a variety of perspectives and ideas. The first event is a lecture given by Belinda Bauman on Monday, Jan. 30., from 7. to 8:15 p.m. in Library 323. Bauman’s lecture is titled, “From Wrong to Strong: How Trauma Can Forge Resilience” and follows the topic of trauma and how to overcome it. 

The second event is a symposium workshop with Elsa Barron called “Faith in the Future: Environmental Peacebuilding in the Face of Conflict and Climate Change”, which discusses the connection between conflict and climate change, and how the two can have a strong impact on the other. This workshop will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 31, from 4:30 -5:45 p.m. in Library 323. 

On Tuesday, Jan. 31.,from 7-8 p.m. in the Wesley Chapel Art Gallery, there will be an art gallery opening and discussion with Artist and Houghton alumnus Joel Mulindwa, who brings light to the stories of both the victims and the perpetrators of war. 

On Wednesday, Feb. 1, a lunch discussion will occur from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the South End Dining Hall with conductor Theodore Kuchar, who will  talk about the dynamics between Russia and Ukraine to illuminate the complexities of the situation. In conjunction with this event, Kuchar will lead the Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine in the Westley Chapel at 7:30 p.m. that same night;tickets for the concert can be purchased from the Houghton Hub. 

The symposium will close with a panel discussion on conflict-induced migration on Thursday, Feb. 2, from 7-8:15 p.m. in the Center for the ArtsRecital Hall. This event will present stories of those who have been affected by conflict , while also showing the hope that can be gathered. 

The Kindschi Faith and Justice Symposium offers a wide variety of events that shed light on the impact of world conflicts, as well as the stories of those who have been impacted by them.   By participating in these events, people have the opportunity to learn something new while connecting this knowledge with a foundation in faith. ★

Categories
News

ACCESS Club

Access Club Table welcomes a Visitor during Activities Fair
By Anna Catherman

First-year student Kendra Warner is seeking to make Houghton a more accessible campus and foster community among its disabled students through a new support group. 

Warner, who has several disabilities herself, immediately felt at home when she first toured Houghton University during a Highlander Preview Day last year. She came primarily to visit a friend, but fell in love with the campus and stayed for ten hours straight. She liked the community, classes, and professors. “Literally all of it,” she said with a smile. 

Warner, a Communications major, is willing to speak candidly about her disability. On this particular day, she walked unaided, dressed in blacks and grays, wearing high-heeled shoes. But on many other days, Warner uses forearm crutches or a wheelchair due to her functional neurological disorder. The disorder, she explained, can cause “a lot of havoc”: epilepsy, paralysis, fatigue, tremors, and tics. She also has amplified musculoskeletal pain syndrome. 

Warner has a deep appreciation for the Houghton community and all she’s experienced here. She has had flexibility from professors when she has been unable to attend classes due to pain or sickness. “Ever since move-in day, life has been 10 bazillion times better than high school, and I could not be more grateful for Houghton,” Warner said. 

Still, there are challenges. She struggles to attend some events, especially outdoor events like picnics, in her wheelchair. And disabled students on campus can feel isolated in their unique challenges. 

Warner yearned for something she’s wanted since high school: a dedicated disability support group.

That dream is becoming a reality. Warner has founded a new group: ACCESS, short for “ACcessibility, Cohort, Encounter, Student, Support”.

ACCESS will focus on two areas: providing support for students with disabilities and raising awareness of disabilities campus-wide. Warner, who will be the club’s president, has had the vision for ACCESS since her sophomore year of high school. She suffered from bullying and has never had a support group for her chronic illnesses and disabilities. 

“I wanted to create a place where people feel safe and supported,” she said. 

Fellow first-year student Lee James is a co-founder of ACCESS. James, a History and Education double major, met Warner at a workshop about getting involved on campus during orientation weekend. When Warner asked questions about starting a support group for disabled students, James, one of the other attendees, expressed interest in joining the club once it was started. Warner invited her to help found it. James, who has a tic disorder, shared Warner’s passion and enthusiasm for providing support to disabled students. “Me and Kendra [Warner] were a really good combo,” she shared. Warner used her communications skills to advertise the club, while James enjoyed pounding out the logistics. 

Sharon Mulligan, Director of Academic Support and Accessibility Services, will serve as the faculty advisor for the club. Mulligan’s job is to communicate and advocate for students and their needs. Mulligan said that Warner approached her “[S]o excited to be in a place where others were experiencing the same things.” She is glad to see a student-led organization that will provide ongoing support. 

ACCESS is planning to begin full-force this semester, providing regular support meetings, awareness activities, and accessible events. Meetings will be open to all students, not just disabled students. And their campus-wide events will be accessible for those with disabilities.

ACCESS’s mission, according to Warner, is simple. “We want to engage the campus.”

For information on meeting times and locations, contact Kendra Warner. ★

Categories
Opinions

A Quiet Place to Stay: 24 Hours a Day

By Caleb Kasper

The life of a college student can often be quite busy. Finding time to finish assignments, work through readings, and studying can be challenging for some. As a self-proclaimed “night owl,” I feel like my peak efficiency and focus doesn’t set in until later into the evening. There’s nothing else that I continually fail at doing than getting busy in the morning and early afternoons.

​My typical day generally consists of a few classes in the morning and afternoon. Mixed in with chapel and grabbing lunch, there tends to be little time to sit down and get to work. Like many others on this campus, I’m also a student-athlete, so each weekday, I block out roughly two hours of my day for practices, as well as various other times on weekends and weekdays for competition. As a member of the cross country and track teams, I eat dinner with my team most nights. Given this, by the time eight o‘clock rolls around, I’ve likely just begun figuring out what needs to be done for the next day. If I shower before homework, we’re talking 8:30. With a more demanding schedule as a second-semester junior, I’ve been engaged in a lot more focused work this year. When I need to grind and focus, the environment I am in plays a big role. Without the right environment, I struggle to focus.

​I’d imagine that a good number of people reading this find a quiet environment with little distraction to be key to focusing. I can’t focus in my room because my bed is always calling my name with open arms. Floor lounges in the resident halls can be hit or miss as well. Chamberlain is okay but usually occupied, and I find the Campus Center to be quite distracting. I realize that others like my sister, recent Houghton graduate Zoey Kasper, prefer a more active study space. Hers consisted of the most comfortable bean bag you’ve ever experienced, disco balls, and music. The bean bag alone would tank any of my plans to be productive. If you share similar preferences to me, though, you may find the library to be the perfect spot. Generally very quiet, not often busy, and an abundance of resources and outlets. Outlets are a must since my laptop battery capacity has significantly deteriorated since my freshman year.

​When I choose to go to the library during the week, I roll up around 8-8:30 p.m. I’ve found the library basement to be a preferred spot. Not to be taboo either, but the library’s basement has some of the best bathrooms on campus. When I’m down there I can always get focused and work more efficiently. However, like most things, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. About 1.5-2 hrs into my work session I am kindly reminded to wrap things up because the library is closing in ten minutes. I pack up my belongings and head out, trying to puzzle when I can cram in everything that I didn’t finish. I’ve also been getting to the point where I just don’t go there that much anymore, because it’s not worth packing up all my stuff and heading over there just to pack it all up again soon after I arrive and either head somewhere else or straight to bed. There also aren’t many convenient times for me to go that are available either.

​The library is open Monday through Thursday until 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday until 5 p.m., and is closed Sunday. It was during my Sophomore Year that I decided to make my first personal visit to the Library to do some homework. I remember looking up the hours just to see what they were. I was shocked to see that at 10:11, the library had already been closed for 11 minutes. I always thought that college libraries were open 24/7 so that students always had a quiet space to read or work or get away from their roommate who likes cats too much. Quite honestly, I think the library should be open 24/7, or at least open for students to use later, especially on weekends. Obviously, the library can only be staffed during the day, but couldn’t it be open longer for studying?

​This is especially true during finals season. As somewhat of a procrastinator, the time during and surrounding finals week becomes extremely busy. It’s also a time where I am consistently convinced that it’s time to drop out, yet I keep coming back for more. All of the work that I had put off during the semester comes back to confront me and there is a looming sense that there’s more to get done than time in the day. Not having access to the library while working late can be highly inconvenient and frustrating during finals.

I think the student body could greatly benefit from a review of the library hours and possibly extending them. For all the student-athletes, procrastinators, science majors (praying for you all), night-owls, all-nighters, or whatever reasons you’re up late doing homework, you should have the freedom and accessibility to study in a quiet space whenever you need to. Everyone has late nights. ★

Categories
Columns

A-Compelling Club

By Caleb Tiedemann

It is not uncommon knowledge that Houghton is almost literally located in the middle of nowhere. Due to this common problem which can leave many students bored and with no way to destress, the college is very accommodating when it comes to extracurricular activities. Normally one may spend all their time drinking Java’s near-unlimited caffeine-laced products or spending countless hours on their Organic Chemistry homework. Therefore, it is important to find something calming that still stimulates our young minds. 

Luckily, Houghton has various different clubs for whatever may pique your interest. One of the many clubs that has come to my attention and become quite active is Houghton Heartsong; an Acapella Club. Seeing as how Houghton has an entire building dedicated to the study, creation, and production of music, it seems fitting for there to be multiple clubs dedicated to students who love the musical arts. 

Houghton Heartsong was created by juniors Grace Vuolo, who majors in music industry and minors in vocal performance; and Jon Hutmire, who majors in music industry and minors in business administration. The two act as leaders of the club with Vuolo acting as president and Hutmire as vice president. The mission of Heartsong is, as stated by Vuolo: “A club where people who like to sing of any musical background can come and have fun making music with our voices.” Some students may have already witnessed Heartsong’s musical ability at the Tree Lighting Ceremony prior to Christmas break.

When asked why she wanted to start Heartsong, Vuolo shared her inspiration as the 2012 film: “Pitch Perfect”. During her high school years, She fell in love with the movie and felt inspired by what they did with acapella. At that moment, she vowed that she would not attend a college without an acapella club. Prior to her attending Houghton University, there was no acapella club, so she started one herself, creating Heartsong in her freshman year. She wanted to make a club for everyone on the vocal music spectrum, from lower skill and familiarity to higher. Heartsong is a club for students to learn and grow, developing their vocal skills together. Due to the wide range of abilities, everyone’s skill set, or lack thereof, can be utilized. 

At the moment, Heartsong consists of ten members, and students not already involved are more than welcome to attend. I have attended various musical productions put on by the Greatbatch School of Music, and know that there are a lot more than ten people who have been gifted vocally. Large school productions can be very stressful, but Heartsong is a place for students who just want to have fun and relax. You can find Heartsong meeting in room 145 of the Center for the Arts from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Fridays, or you can email either Vuolo or Hutmire with any questions about the club. ★