Tag: Houghton University

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Homecoming is Upon US!

Homecoming
Homecoming - Courtesy of Marcomm
By Abigail Hoover ('27)

It’s that time of the year again Highlanders! This weekend is Homecoming, when students can look forward to a plethora of activities on campus.

One of these events is the annual Collage Concert, in which five music ensembles from the Greatbatch School of Music—Houghton Choir, Houghton Wind Ensemble, Houghton Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Choir and the Highlander Chorus (previously known as the Men’s and Women’s Choir)—will be performing, along with Lyric Theatre. The performance will also include three of Houghton’s professors: saxophone professor Anne Kunkle and voice instructor Luke Ogden will be accompanied by Dr. Sharon Johnson on the piano.

The Collage Concert is “…an opportunity for our current campus community and our alumni to get a sense of the variety of music making opportunities that we have, and hopefully an enticement to come to the rest of our concerts,” said Dean David Clem, the Dean of the Greatbatch School of Music and Associate Professor of Music History.

“Music at Houghton is such a special experience for all of us and it becomes like a family. This is an opportunity to make new connections through something that we have shared, even though many have done so decades ago,” remarked Dr. Kevin Dibble, the Associate Director for the Greatbatch School of Music. Dr. Dibble also leads the choral ensembles of Chamber Choir and the Highlander Chorus.

“As musicians, what we do in our preparation is joyous because we love it, but it is also a difficult process,” he said.

Dr. Dibble described their limited time as the most difficult aspect in preparing for this concert, particularly because they have another concert the week after with an entirely different repertoire.

“The most enjoyable part of this concert preparation has been getting to know the new ensembles,” he said, and added that “it is always a fun process of getting to know the new students within the context of a pre-existing ensemble. I love the newness and thinking about the possibilities.”

Hannah Dunmire (‘26) is a junior in the Chamber Choir and explained that each ensemble would have prepared for about five weeks for the concert.

“The Chamber Choir only practices twice a week whereas for comparison Houghton Choir practices daily, which makes this quick turnaround challenging. However,” she added, “it is so fun to watch the Choir unite since the Chamber Choir is a smaller select group – we tend to move through pieces faster.” 

While the students have been preparing for this concert since day one of the fall semester, “Dr. McGarvey and our other ensemble directors have been involved in music selection and working out details since this past June,” Dr. Clem said. Students and faculty have been working tirelessly to ensure they provide audiences with a night full of “variety, worship, and fun,” Dr. Dibble commented.

“We trust everyone who comes will be inspired and blessed by what they hear,” Dr. Timothy McGarvey, Wind Ensemble Conductor and Producer of the College Concert, said. “We aim to make music to God and to touch the lives of each person who hears us.”

The concert will occur tonight at 7:30 in the Wesley Chapel.  

Coming up this weekend is also the much anticipated SPOT! The event takes place tomorrow night in the Wesley Chapel, from 9 to 11. 

“[SPOT is] a big show where all of campus gets a chance to entertain their peers, where everyone gets a chance to celebrate campus culture and take [a] break from their busy lives as students,” Michael McCutcheon (‘26), one of SPOT’s hosts this year, described. 

Matthew Foster (‘25) is the event’s other host, however both emphasized that they are not co-hosts. 

“The theme of SPOT this year is ‘spotmania’. (A play on wrestlemania),” McCutcheon explained, “…we are competing hosts, constantly trying to get the spotlight and become the one and only host.” 

10 acts participating in SPOT this year will “make you cry with laughter,” McCutcheon said. He also explained that there will be a SPOT band, “playing ‘fight’ themed songs” and a final “grand finale of purple vs. gold,” as Foster described it.

SPOT has been in the making for quite a long time now, with the hosts and acts working hard to bring the whole show together. 

“I believe it was November of last year when Matthew approached me with the idea,” McCutcheon explained, “from then we slowly started brainstorming, thinking up ideas for our ‘spotmania’ theme, even doing things like watching 8 hours of wrestlemania while writing down notes in a google doc.” 

Foster said that the most difficult part of SPOT was scheduling acts and the SPOT band for practices. He explained that it was hard to find a time that worked best for all the performers while not impeding upon academic and extracurricular activities. Besides scheduling, preparing for the show has been very enjoyable.  

“Working with Michael McCutcheon to plan events has been a pleasure because we complement each other well,” Foster said. 

To conclude, the hosts wanted you to know that “Purple and Gold is personal this year and the grand finale will be a MUST WATCH event with plenty of surprises…be prepared for it to become more than a comedy show!” Foster said. And McCutcheon hinted that “There’ll be many surprises coming in SPOT that no one will see coming.” ★

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Stories In Focus

Ryann Cooley

By Aivery Shuck ('26)

Ryann Cooley has been serving the Houghton community as a professor for 11 years now, but has spent the majority of his life doing photography work. He provides his knowledge and energy in the art department, teaching digital media and photography.

Before Prof. Cooley came to Houghton, he began his journey as a military and business man who dreamed of traveling the world taking photos. To pursue this dream, Prof. Cooley went to college in Santa Barbara, Calif. and then started his career in New York City.

Soon after, Cooley was given an amazing opportunity to follow a missions program to Mexico—escaping the cold of New York—where he photographically documented the missionaries’ work. This experience opened up more opportunities for Prof. Cooley to take photos in a multitude of other countries, and he was able to pursue his dream of traveling the world for many years. Although traveling was thrilling, Prof. Cooley decided to settle back in New York City with his family. There, his advertising career took off as he began photographing for many different companies and magazines. After finding advertising less fulfilling than his past photography work, Prof. Cooley turned to teaching, and ended up at Houghton.

While deciding on which college to teach at, Prof. Cooley said that Houghton was the only school with students who “grilled him with questions for the full hour and a half.” He followed this by saying that Houghton was also the only school that got him thinking, “Holy cow… this is a lot of fun!”

Current art major Rachael Smith (‘26) said, “Professor Cooley’s classes are consistently enjoyable and full of energy. His witty humor and interactive approach makes every class fun. He takes time to involve everyone in discussions, and his thoughtful feedback inspires personal growth and development.” 

Prof. Cooley fosters meaningful and close relationships with his students, and his students appreciate all of the hard work he does connecting with them on a personal level.

Alumna Rachel Smith (Class of ‘22) said that Cooley “supported us outside and inside the classroom as a friend and a professor … we always felt so seen and so valued as one of his art majors.” 

His classes are open to people who have experience taking photos, as well beginners. Chesnie Waddingham (‘26), who is taking Prof. Cooley’s intro to digital photography class, stated that “even before I knew him, I met him, just because his reputation precedes him of being an amazing professor and amazing person. … He finds a good balance of encouraging us and reminding us that there is grace in trial and error when perfecting your craft.” 

Prof. Cooley has had an adventurous career thus far, but it’s far from over. One of the greatest adventures in life is being a teacher, and having the gifts to cultivate knowledge in students. Prof. Cooley is excited to continue building up the art program at Houghton. 

For the first time this spring, Prof. Cooley will be offering a class that prepares students for a photography trip to Puerto Rico during the Spring 2025 semester’s March Break. If you love photography and traveling, join Prof. Cooley on this 10 day adventure! There are limited spots, so start planning soon! ★

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Opinions

God Calls Us to Testify

By: Dr. Natasha Davis

Testimony. Have you ever heard someone’s testimony? Of course, throughout the Bible we read many accounts of people sharing their testimony of how God transformed their lives, but I’m speaking of a testimony by someone you know. Maybe you heard someone’s testimony in church or in class, recounting how God has worked and moved in their lives. Or maybe you have shared your own testimony. God reminds us as believers that we are called to testify. 1 Peter 3:15-16 says, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” So, with that, I am going to share my testimony and I pray that it will bless you in some way.

I’m going to take you back to a time when I was in high school, a senior in fact, and I was ready for the next chapter of my life…college! During my high school years, like most teenagers at that time, I was an active student, always involved in a variety of things both in and out of school. I was also very involved in my home church serving on the Young Adult Usher board, singing in the Young Adult choir for a short time (where I quickly learned God did not intend for me to be a singer), attended Sunday school and church every Sunday, never missed church revivals or homecomings, and participated in church trips. God was a significant part of my life, and at an early age I gave my life to Christ and was baptized. 

So, as an excited and ambitious teenager in my Senior year, I was ready to take on the world and to see where God was going to lead me next. Imagine my surprise when someone I trusted told me one day, “You will never amount to anything.” Unfortunately, there were more negative words to follow that I won’t divulge here, but I’d like for you to let those words sink in for a moment. Say those words out loud and see how it feels. Heavy statement, right? Here I am, a teenager thinking I’ve accomplished so much in preparation for college, academically and personally. This person saw how hard I worked, so where did that statement come from? But yet for some reason, when this person looked at me, instead of seeing my God-given potential, they only saw unworthiness. 

In that moment, time stood still for me as those words sunk right down to my soul, crushing my spirit. Was this person right? Did they see something in me that God didn’t see? Maybe this was God’s way of telling me not to pursue college because I was not smart enough or there was something I lacked. So many emotions were felt at that time that I walked away from this person feeling defeated, angry and broken. In that brief moment in time, I went from a joyous teenager to feeling that I somehow failed God by not being good enough, that someone felt compelled to tell me I would never amount to anything. 

So, after walking away, you’re probably wondering what I did next after that encounter. I went home and told my momma, that’s what! Through tears streaming down my face, I recounted for my mother what this person said to me, and in all her infinite Christian southern momma wisdom, my mother gently replied, “So are you going to believe that one person’s opinion about you or what you know to be true of what God says about you? Are you going to let them define your life for you or are you going to define it for yourself according to God’s will for your life?” And that was that. The tears dried up, and with a renewed spirit, I understood that I could not and would not let that person make me think less about myself. That not only was I smart enough to attend college, but after earning a bachelor’s degree, two terminal degrees and several certificates, I thrived in college! 

In all honesty, after telling my mother what happened, I almost halfway expected her to find this person and bless them with a good ol’ piece of her mind, but that was not the case. Instead I was taught a very valuable lesson that changed my life: never allow someone’s opinion of you to overshadow what God knows and says about you, and that’s my testimony. 

As crushing as it was to hear that statement, it was also my God-given fuel to always lean into one of my favorite Bible verses. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11).

Reminder. HIS plans for you, not others; what HE thinks of you, not others.

What is your testimony? Have you shared your testimony with someone who needed to hear it? If not, I encourage you to do so and write them down in a testimony journal. Whenever you can, share His goodness to encourage others that He can do the same for them. That moment in my life strengthened my relationship with God. Now at this time in my life, knowing how far God has brought me spiritually, personally and professionally, is why I always carry an attitude of gratitude for everything HE has done in my life. For the truth is, just because that person thought I would never amount to anything, is the reason God used me to show and prove, that according to His plan, I actually amounted to everything. 

May God bless you always and in ALL ways!

Witness to God’s goodness,
Dr. Natasha Davis

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Columns

Why Women Are Terrifying!

Written By: Samuel Cobb (’27)

Look, let’s be honest here. Some people are afraid of heights, others of spiders. Then there’s me— bravely navigating the treacherous waters of a female-dominated university. Yes, the irrational fear of women, but I’m not talking about the cartoonish run-away to the Arctic type of situation. I’m not afraid they’ll hit me with their purses or yell at me for wearing socks with sandals (though it has happened). No, my fear is a bit more subtle, a little more nuanced. The truth is, women make me nervous in the most awkward, bumbling ways. 

You see there’s something about their mannerism, their mastery of small talk, that leaves my hands clammy and my tongue to swell up in my mouth. Either I end up talking too much or too little. “You like cats? I liked a cat once. He got run over by a car.” Wait, there are women at the homecoming dance? I guess I’ll hide by the punch table and snack on goldfish and fruit snacks. 

It doesn’t matter if it’s an after-class chat or just a casual encounter in the dining hall. Even if I knew them for my entire college career, the results are still the same. I freeze up like Shen Pond in December. I scramble to find something meaningful to say, something that they will look back on and think “Wow, that guy is cool.” Instead, the words that come out are not cool guy words, but “So.., you like…uh, weather? … Snow good?”

And don’t get me started on group scenarios. It’s like standing in front of a firing squad made up completely of charm and intelligence. I laugh nervously at jokes I don’t get, make a few comments on the snowfall, and pray they don’t ask the dreaded haircut question. The weather app is oftentimes my companion and friend in these situations. Whenever I manage to survive one of these encounters I have to drown my pain in a glass of Upstate New York low-fat Chocolate milk to clear my head (Current count: 85 glasses). 

Before you state the most obvious solution —therapy?— I have considered it. But I am sure that it is not that big of a problem per se, and can’t people keep their little quirks? Some people are afraid of clowns, which is valid, and I am afraid of the person who can read my very soul. And I already participate in therapy, albeit a little homebrewed version (I have an unopened Lego box in my dorm room). 

So while my soul is being read like an intriguing novel by Mary Shelly, I’ll do my best to survive the fast-approaching homecoming party. I’ll be fine as long as the opposite sex doesn’t ask me too many questions, or make eye contact for too long. Because even though women are frightfully scary I might eventually build up the courage to say “hi” before I die.

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Campus News

Equestrian Show!

Equestrian Hunter Jumper
Equestrian hunter jumper schooling show - Courtesy of Anna Catherman
By Sadie Nakamura ('26)

Houghton University’s Equestrian Program is hosting a riding competition this Saturday at the school’s Equestrian Center to showcase their riders’ skills and horses’ athleticism. 

While the Equestrian Center hosts a variety of shows, the Horse Trial, Combined Test and Dressage Schooling Show is unique because it caters to riders of many disciplines. Contestants can display their abilities in dressage, show jumping and cross country. Dressage riders perform tests evaluating the obedience, flexibility and athletic ability of the horse. Show jumping competitors lead their mount in jumping fences, pushing the boundaries of speed and height. Cross country riders take jumping to another level by tackling a variety of obstacles in different terrains. 

Houghton graduate Hannah Williamson (’19), the equestrian events coordinator and director of the show, explained that each rider will perform different tests depending on their riding level. Riders can decide to specialize in dressage only, or perform dressage and jumping together. Another option is to choose the horse trial, which starts with a dressage test, followed by a stadium jump course, and finishes with a cross country course.

Some of Houghton’s own students are planning on riding in each of the three events. 

“You do all three phases in one day and go from one to the next,” said Lianna Elliot (’26), a junior riding in the beginner novice division with a horse named Everett. “I am excited about the horse show because it will be the end of our evening class and we will get to show our progress.” 

Another eventing student, Greta Hewson (’26), is riding three horses: two lesson horses named Digger and Willon, as well as her personal horse, Gunner. 

“I am hoping to show off the hard work I’ve been putting in the past couple of weeks,” Hewson said. “My eventing class started two weeks before all other classes started, so we’ve been working on this stuff for a while and I’m looking forward to seeing everything come together.” 

Not all the Houghton competitions are riding for class requirements. Danielle Skinner (’27), discussed her excitement to ride with her young personal horse, Jersey. The dressage portion of the competition can provide experience for horses who are newer to the showing world. 

“It’s going to be [Jersey’s] first dressage show, so we entered her to get more experience before the November dressage show. I’m hoping to get a good first experience for Jersey, as well as some good comments from the judge,” she said.

The Horse Trial, Combined Test and Dressage Schooling Show is starting at 8:30 a.m. and running until 5 p.m this Saturday at 9823 School Farm Rd. HU’s Equestrian Center is going to be a bustle of activity, and riding students are excited to see their friends and family come out to the barn to support their accomplishments. Williamson added that all shows at the Equestrian Center are open to the public.

“I would love to see a good turnout to this show, because it has so many different elements for people to enjoy,” said Hewson. “It’s our most versatile show of the year and some of the best weather!” ★

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Stories In Focus

After Party Groups

By Anna Lloyd ('26)

This week, sixteen small groups across campus met for the first time, utilizing a six-week curriculum called “The After Party” to help navigate discussions regarding Christian engagement in politics.

These groups are jointly sponsored by the Office of Spiritual Life and the Kingdom Initiative, with the goal of drawing students, faculty, staff and community members into conversation with one another. The groups will wrap up in the first week of November, just in time for the election, and culminate in the Kindschi Symposium on Faith and Justice on the topic of civility. For students, it is also an opportunity to earn Around-the-Table credits toward their fall chapel attendance. 

Bethany Tubman (‘25), leading one of the small groups, said, “The After Party is a unique opportunity to engage in meaningful and intentional conversation about how Christians should navigate the American political climate. I’m so thankful that Houghton is partnering with the After Party.”

Given the topic these groups are centered on, worrying about the content and atmosphere surrounding these conversations is to be expected. However, that fear is partly what these groups are designed to address.

“[Students] need opportunities to reflect on the meaning of Christian citizenship without getting caught up in the media hype, overhead polemics, and online frenzy,” Dr. Meilaender, Dean of Religion, Humanities and Global Studies and the Kingdom Initiative Director, shared. “This fall’s After Party groups should provide the chance to do that, getting together with a few brothers and sisters in Christ – faculty, students, and staff – to talk with each other about how we engage in public life, live out the faith, and respect our fellow citizens, even when we disagree sharply.” 

The curriculum acknowledges the deeply polarizing atmosphere that many people are familiar with when it comes to discussions around politics, and instead seeks to re-orient participants in these conversations toward living out identity in Christ through the way that they engage with others.

“As Christians,” Interim Dean of Spiritual Life and Chair of Religion, J.L. Miller said, “we must find ways to subvert the current cultural draw towards polarization…to help one another have caring and charitable conversations with people from all walks of life.” 

As participants engage in their small groups, they will be asked to consider questions such as “Who has disappeared from your life because of politics?” in order to shift discussions from being primarily about party, policy and ideology, to being centered on relational practices, relationships and spiritual values. The curriculum stresses that this doesn’t suggest that Christians should not take part in political discussions or actions. Rather, “The After Party” takes this approach because, at this time, the political arena is dominated by a way of relating to one another that ultimately attempts to deny the worthiness and value of those whom you may disagree with. The hope is that as individuals refocus on relating to one another in a way that affirms their being created in the image of God. In this way, we will be able to move forward into conversations that do involve party, policy and ideology in ways that are helpful and beneficial. 

Miller shared that it is his “sincere hope that our campus’ participation in the After Party will help all participants grow in their ability to demonstrate Christ’s love during a contentious time in the public sphere.

A group participant, Mary Blake (‘26) said of her experience in an After Party group: “I’m excited to have the opportunity to be in an After party group with other people who are looking to honor God and prioritize loving their neighbor in the election season. I hope that these discussions inspire us to be more active in building relationships with people who may see things differently than us and less passive in having difficult conversations.” ★

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Campus News

An Evening of Opera and Shakespeare

Lyric Theater
Credit Kaitlyn Avery
By Abigail Bates ('26)

Houghton University’s Lyric Theatre will perform “An Evening of Opera and Shakespeare” in the CFA Recital Hall both this Friday and Saturday.

Beginning at 7:30 p.m., the show will include excerpts from plays, operas and even a few musicals. Emily Quick (‘25) explained that although Prof. Amanda Cox is Lyric Theatre’s director, several scenes have been led by guest directors. Quick has collaborated on scenes with Rachael McVeigh (Class of ‘23), and professors Dr. Kimberly Prins Moeller (Associate Professor of Voice) and Prof. Luke Odgen (Graduate Music Coordinator and Part-time Music Faculty).

Quick explained that while people tend to equate Shakespeare and opera to the words “boring” and “dull,” the directors and cast members have tried to make the performance fun for all audience members.

“In reimagining some of the iconic scenes in this show, we’ve incorporated our own twists; in addition to the expected drama,” she said, “we have fun science experiments, bubbles, and no shortage of comedic moments.”

Warren Torraca (‘26) explained that cast members have multiple roles. He will be playing scenes as Lysander from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, Beadle Bamford from “Sweeney Todd”, Benedict from “Much Ado About Nothing” and Malvolio from “Twelfth Night”. Despite how fast they had to prepare for a show in the first month of the semester, Torraca is excited to be able to act in a variety of different roles.

“Each scene,” he said, “is a new moment in a story; Professor Cox also allowed us to not be bound by the classical interpretation of each scene.”

Melanie Grace, a senior graduating in ‘27, said her favorite roles—out of many she’s performing—are Beatrice from “Much Ado About Nothing”, Hansel in “Hansel and Gretel”, the third witch in “Macbeth” and what she considers “the silliest role I’ve ever had the pleasure of doing”: the “little boy old man fairy spirit” from “The Magic Flute”.

“For me, fleshing out every character was probably the most difficult but always some of the most fun,” she said.

Grace has enjoyed acting alongside her fellow cast members in many long rehearsals, and watching how “everyone tries different things with their characters.” She disclosed that they have all been working hard to make their many characters seem like normal people that someone “might talk to today, [with] just a little bit of a different way of speaking.”

“Each character has such depth and motivation behind their actions that, in most cases, has been building over the course of the show.” Evelyn Simanowski (‘25) said that because they are only performing short scenes, “[their] job as performers has been to bring [out] as much of that developed character … Bringing the characters out of their original context and still making them real people with believable stories has been a challenge, but one that has only made me grow as an actress.”

Simanowski is performing Rosalinde from “Die Fledermaus”, Beatrice from “Much Ado About Nothing” and Sibella from “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder”. She is excited to share all the different scenes the cast has been preparing with their audiences.

“One of my favorite things about live theatre,” Simanowski said, “is that it’s a collaborative art form that requires the collaboration of the audience with the performers, not just between performers.”

Simanowski added that “the scenes that we’re presenting are so deeply human that they really bring the art down to earth and are relatable to everyone. They remind us what it’s like to laugh, and cry, and really just feel deeply.”

Tickets to the show are $5, and are available online at “Tickets: An Evening of Opera and Shakespeare” or at the door. An ASL interpretation will be available at the Friday performance. Contact Amanda Cox (amanda.cox@houghton.edu) with any questions. ★

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Campus News

Women’s Athletics

Three sports photos: Women's Soccer, Women's Tennis, Women's Field Hockey
Women's Soccer, Women's Tennis, Women's Field Hockey - Courtesy of Jason Mucher
By Anna Huizenga ('26)

This upcoming Saturday, three Houghton athletic teams will be up against Russell Sage College, Hartwick College and Utica University. 

The women’s tennis team got a big win against Utica when they defeated them 9-0 last Saturday, which was an encouraging start to conference play after a tough season last year. 

“I am most excited for conference matches this season to see how much we’ve improved since last fall 2023,” Arija Grant (‘26), a member of the tennis team, shared. “I love working hard with such a great group of people where we all encourage and push each other to be better tennis players and people. Van rides with the team are also a highlight of [the] tennis season.” 

Their first win was last Saturday against Utica where they “snapped an 18 game loss streak.” Head Coach Jordan Crouch said the tennis team was on their “way for a great season.” 

“It’s been a long time coming,” Crouch said, “but this team has been working hard to build upon the rich athletic history here at Houghton.” 

With a 5-0 record, women’s field hockey is already proving themselves to be a dominant team as they enter conference play this weekend. Hartwick has been a tough opponent in past seasons, making this upcoming match extra intense. 

“I am so excited to see how far our team can go,” Deborah Cross, a senior on the team, shared. “I truly believe that we can win the E8 championships!” 

The field hockey team has been practicing hard to improve different skills. Cross said that they are seeing a lot of progress on the field, giving them reason to believe that they can push harder and achieve their goals this season.

The women’s soccer team is also off to a promising start. In their first conference game last Wednesday, they beat Hilbert 5-0 with goals from four different players. 

Head Coach Esther Pellegrino has confidence in the team’s ability to succeed this season, mentioning the team’s great results when they won against No.25 Penn State Behrend last Saturday.

“It’s always the most fun as a coach to see how the new players fit in and also to see the work that the returners have put in in the off season paying off,” Pellegrino shared. “I’m encouraged by the amount of growth I’ve seen on the field as well as off the field already. This team shows up each day to compete hard and invest well.” 

Aivery Shuck (‘26) appreciates being a part of the women’s soccer team and the wider Houghton Athletics community. “Houghton athletics is such an important part of campus; it brings people together and unites many of us with our shared love of sports,” she said. “We have built a program based on love and integrity, and the knowledge that all the glory we gain on the field goes to God.”

This weekend will be full of great competition as the Highlanders give it their all on the courts and fields, with women’s tennis playing Russell Sage at the outdoor courts at 12 p.m., women’s field hockey is going up against Hartwick at Burke Field at 1 p.m., and at 3:30 p.m., women’s soccer is facing Utica on at the field. ★

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Opinions

God and Your 20’s

By Dr. Craig Whitmore

It’s my opinion that your 20’s are your most formative years. Now, I thought about writing a piece on politics, church leadership, or some other non-divisive concept, but I really think this topic is more worthy of your attention. Your 20’s are crucial to forming the person you will become. I am not discounting the importance of earlier stages of life. Childhood experiences often have an incredible influence on your future self. In my own life, I trace my decision to get serious about following Jesus to my time in middle school. You can probably look back to experiences in high school that helped shape your journey here, to Houghton.

But the 20’s, where you are now, in my opinion, are working at a whole other level. This is when many of us first get to live our lives how we want. We start choosing when we go to sleep (I’m sure none of you reading this ever stay up past 11pm on a school night), if we eat breakfast, brush our teeth, wash our clothes (please decide to do all of those, your future self will thank you), and what habits we want to continue into our future. 

Despite the exhilaration of all this freedom, I’ve often thought of the 20’s as an extended version of Lord of the Flies. Most of my poor decisions in life trace to these years. God graciously guided me through so many potential pitfalls that I’ve seen many 20-somethings fall into. I have a family friend who attends another college here in New York who has already seen three students in her dorm complex taken away by either ambulance or police since the beginning of the semester. Freedom is great, but without the choice to act responsibly, it seems to always lead to problems.

One choice that I would argue is of paramount importance is what you choose to do about “church” in your 20’s. I once heard the results of a study that found Christian university students used more water (to shower) during church service times on Sunday mornings than any other day of the week. I haven’t been able to verify the accuracy (nor even the existence of this study), but I would imagine that the concept wouldn’t surprise many of you. I can remember when I was a 20-something undergrad deciding that I would attend the “Church of the Fluffy Pillow” instead of making the trip to a local church.

My own journey through my 20’s was very … tumultuous. I struggled with understanding my place and purpose in life, even as a life-long Christian. Depression, losing my sense of self, and struggling to make friends were all part of this magical experience. I attended five different schools trying out several different degree programs along the way (including teaching, which it took five years to come back to). I stayed moderately involved with local churches, but it wasn’t until I really started serving in a youth ministry that God “grounded” me in a good way. I found that serving others at church helped me better understand myself, what I wanted to do, and gave me clarity on where God was leading me. I’m pretty sure I got much more from being a youth group volunteer than the youth did. Including a wife: finding my spouse at church, someone who was heading the same way that I was in life, has been the greatest blessing God has sent my way.

And here is where I would make my appeal to you as a once-was-20-something, current father of three 20-somethings and a part-time youth director (well, mini-director at best – we only have 30 5th-12th grade students): find a way to stay plugged in with a local church. Whether you just attend on Sundays (the pastor will probably memorize your name the first week), attend their college group (staffed by people who, oddly enough, want to minister to 20-somethings), volunteer in children’s programs (they will think you are OLD, but you will definitely be loved on), or serve in some other capacity, God will use it to help shape who you will be for the rest of your life.

The 20’s are perhaps the most difficult, fantastic, challenging, formative time of life. God used the experience of volunteering at a local youth group to pull me from the doldrums of 20-somethingness and into the person I am now. You also might find that plugging into a local church helps set you up for the rest of your wife … er, life. ★

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Stories In Focus

Ransom Poythress

By Lydia Merrill ('25)

“If you’ve ever been a student in one of Dr. Ransom Poythress’s STEM classes at Houghton University, you probably know that he is enthusiastic and dedicated,” Lydia Zampella (‘25) said. Yet, there’s so much more to Poythress than what’s seen in the classroom. From his journey to Houghton and his life beyond academia, to the story behind his childhood stuffed animal, Froggy, there’s a wealth of experiences and passions that define him. 

Growing up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA, with his brother and family pets, Poythress had a Christ-centered childhood with the support of his parents. The intellectual environment that his parents provided inspired him to get a Biology degree, and later a Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Biology from Boston University. His diverse background in faith (which includes multiple denominations) and the rural location of Houghton led him to teach in the university’s biology department. Beginning with his first job at a toy store called Zany Brainy, where he enjoyed organizing the LEGO section, Poythress discussed some of the experiences that shaped him into who he is today. 

“I went through a time in my early 20s where I kept trying to find value and worth in things other than Christ,” Poythress said. “First it was intelligence, then athletics, then relationships, then finances, and God kept chastening me by taking these things away. It was an incredibly painful period of life, but I can see now God’s loving care through it all. He disciplines those he loves and he really wanted me to trust and depend on him alone by removing the idols in my life (Hebrews 12:4-11).” 

Although Houghton is home to Poythress, he finds it interesting to think about where life could have led him. When asked about his potential alternate career, Poythress shared his passion for writing on the intersection of Christianity and science. 

“I’ve really enjoyed writing about apologetics, especially presuppositionalism, and how it applies to all facets of life and work,” he explained.

Even if some Houghton students haven’t had him as a professor, it is likely that they have found him on the quad demolishing the competition in ultimate frisbee—one of the many hobbies Poythress enjoys. Otherwise, his interests in board games, reading, watching movies and spending time with his four kids keeps him occupied.

“We are so blessed as a community,” Emma Ryan (‘25) said, “to have an influence like Poythress here with us to share York Peppermint Patties from his office and a strong faith based education with students.” 

Poythress never fails to make distraught students feel better since, admittedly, when asked whether or not he considers himself a silly goose, he shared: “In certain circumstances with certain people, absolutely.” ★