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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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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.” ★

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Opinions

Theology Matters 

By Danielle Skinner

I hear them all the time: subtle, and not so subtle, arguments against theology. “Why don’t we just love Jesus?”, “It’s just so dense”, “It doesn’t really matter”, or my personal favorite: “I’m a pastor’s kid/missionary kid/Bible major/minor, I’m good”. 

Houghton is a beautiful place, with many people from different traditions and backgrounds and I think that is a wonderful thing. However, it seems that many times when we are all able to come together, it’s not because of unity in our desire to think through our own beliefs and be willing to hear others out on theirs, but out of a general attitude of apathy. I hear more criticisms of Chapel and required Spiritual Life classes than of any other requirement on campus (except, perhaps, the infinitely hated Transitions). And the complaints, more often than not, are not directed towards the theology expressed, but towards the very fact that we have to sit through theology at all. 

First off, let’s take a second to define theology. Theology isn’t dusty volumes of heavy books packed with endless, impossible to understand jargon. Theology is simply the study of God. Literally, it’s the word “Theos” (God), paired with the word “Logos” (logic or study). You literally cannot talk about God without expressing some form of theology. It’s just a question of whether your theology will be intentional, well thought out, scripture-based, and logical or half-baked, contrary to scripture, and undefendable. 

I hear, more and more, unsound arguments proclaiming theology as useless, unnecessary, and a low-on-the-list priority to any Christian concerned more with following Jesus instead of appearing Holy. With that, here are some of the most common arguments I hear against having a solid understanding of theology, and exactly why theology is necessary for walking with God.

  1. Theology just doesn’t really matter that much

    As you can probably already tell, theology matters a great deal to me. Our view of God impacts our worldview, our values, who we strive to be, our political views, and our actions. It impacts the songs we sing in worship, the church we go to, and the preaching we listen to. It impacts every aspect of our life and our walk with God. Therefore, there is no other area of human knowledge that could be more important to us. The Bible upholds the importance of wisdom and understanding, throughout the Old and New testaments. Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon are literally called The Wisdom Books, the entire book of Romans is Paul walking us through sound theology, and I could go on.  Without sound theology, heresy creeps into our personal beliefs, churches, and Christian communities. The songs we sing speak of a God inconsistent with the God of the Bible or turn into self-worship disguised as God worship. We can not defend our faith and, in fact, start questioning it with the slightest strawman argument against it. 

  2. Let’s just love Jesus

    First off, I love that you love Jesus. That’s great! But you know what you do when you love someone? You want to know them. You want to know what they like, what they don’t, and what they care about. You want to know all about them and their character. And that is exactly what theology is. It’s studying God, trying to know and understand Him and His Word better. So not wanting to study, talk about, or hear about theology so that we can just focus on “loving Jesus” doesn’t really work. We need to know God to be able to love Him.

  3. We need to leave room for the Spirit to move

    Yes and amen! However, how is knowing less about God going to make Him more able to move in your life? How is it going to give you more discernment in hearing His voice? God, by His very nature, cannot contradict Himself (Welcome to Theology 101). God speaks to us naturally, through creation, His Word, and apologetics, and He speaks to us supernaturally through miracles. There is no great cosmic battle between God the Father and God the Spirit on which way to talk to us. God is one, and in knowing Him more, studying Him makes us more aware of His presence and His voice.

  4. Theology makes people proud and hypocritical

    We all know that person. They are so proud of their knowledge of God, they fail to see that their own life is riddled with sin. The self-proclaimed “Super Christian” who can rattle on about divine simplicity or the absolute attributes of God, but then go cut someone off in traffic, berate the poor Starbucks worker for not getting them their coffee order right, and yell at their kids for not being ready for church on time. We know the person who loves big words and jargon but looks nothing like Jesus. The idolatry of doctrine over God is a subtle but very real phenomenon. It is absolutely true that loving God requires not just hearing the word, not just knowing the word, but doing what He says, following His teachings. However, faith needs to be based on a sound theology. Without knowledge of the truth of scripture, idolatry and heresy run rampant. Faith becomes useless because it is based on a God of our own creation. Faith requires both understanding and action, a sound knowledge of doctrine and a willingness to do what it says. Jesus argued against the Pharisees and Sagisties with a perfect knowledge of scripture and infallible logic. Theology doesn’t make people prideful, sinful nature makes people prideful. Theology combined with action is the solution, not trying to forfeit theology all together.

  5. Theology is too dense and difficult to understand

    True, some theology can be VERY dense. However, I am not arguing that every Christian needs a doctorate of theology. I certainly don’t plan to get one. However, you don’t need a doctorate to have a solid, defendable theology. You don’t need to know the term Divine Simplicity, but you do need to understand that God is self-sustaining and depends on no one, to understand that God can love us perfectly because He has no needs on which that love is contingent and He can not fail as He is not made up of parts or lesser beings, which are fallible.

  6. No one can ever fully understand God

    Yes, this is true. We all possess an imperfect theology. Our human reasoning is fallible and unable to fully comprehend an infinite, all knowing, and all present God. However, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try. We are all sinners in the process of being sanctified, who can never truly be free from the presence of sin on earth, but in growing closer to God by pursuing righteousness, we also grow closer to God through studying theology, though imperfectly. 

    The pursuit to know God is one of the most influential experiences we can go through. A solid understanding of theology should humble us, strengthen our faith, prepare us to “give a defense to anyone who asks”, and most importantly, align, not only our values, but also our actions more and more with Christ. How in the world could that possibly not matter? ★
Categories
Campus News

Freshmen 2028

Class of 2028 standing on the Houghton Chapel steps.
Courtesy of Michael Blankenship 
By Rethy Armes ('26)

Each year the number of enrolled students has increased here at Houghton University. Houghton is founded on Wesleyan Christian values and currently exists as the most affordable private Christian university which draws students in. 

Three freshmen were asked about their decision to attend Houghton and how their first week went. 

Ethan Obergfell, a freshman who lives in the area, said, “the strong Christian student body and the fantastic people” drew him in. He heard about it through friends and family members who also went to Houghton.  

Obergfell said that before he came to Houghton, he attended a school with a graduating class of 81 students. Although the class size is comparable, he stated it “feels much larger because everyone is more spread out.” 

He remarked the first week has gone well and he is looking forward to his freshman baseball season. 

Obergfell chose Houghton because he liked “the baseball culture they were creating and” wanted to be a part of it. He plans to “major in business and sports recreation so later in life [he] can become an athletic director.” 

After his first week, Obergfell said he enjoyed the first baseball practice and watching another student give haircuts. 

Johnathan Nelson is a freshman from Pittsburgh, PA on track to study Exercise Science. He is on the men’s soccer team and part of the Science Honors program. 

Nelson chose to attend Houghton for a few reasons. He said, “[he] wanted to play soccer in college [and] wanted to get a quality education, which Houghton offers.” He also chose to attend “Houghton because of their unique campus.” 

The university’s campus is roughly 1,300 acres and is beautiful year-round. Nelson said one of the perks of living here is that, “Houghton has a large campus, everything is walkable. This means that you don’t need a car to get to places and can enjoy everything on campus.”

Kisheri Ehabe is a freshman who heard about Houghton through a teacher. The teacher said this was “a school with a TCK [third-culture-kid] friendly environment.” 

Ehabe is from Cameroon in Central Africa and is unsure when she will be able to return because of flight costs. She thought she would “do better in a Christ-centered community.”  

Ehabe is planning to study Global studies and Communications. At Houghton, she said she would have the opportunity “to be in a good environment at an affordable price” and be able “to go to London for the honors trip.” 

As part of the Honors program that Houghton offers to freshmen during the spring semester, Ehabe will be going to London and is “looking forward to visiting the cities and going to shows and events.” 

These three freshmen came to Houghton for similar reasons, and their faith played a part in it. They are looking forward to the rest of their semester and are excited about what it will bring. ★

Categories
Stories In Focus

Embracing the Shift

Portrait of Joey Schunemann
Courtesy of Kaitlyn Avery
By Hannah Strudivant ('25)

Embarking on a lifestyle change can be both exhilarating and terrifying. Whether someone is driven by a desire for new challenges, seeking better work-life balance, or simply craving a fresh start, transitioning to a new profession requires careful consideration and strategic planning. 

Joey Schunemann (‘24) is the jack of all trades: working for the Admissions Office in reception, leading tours and working among Student Life while on the Campus Activities Board (CAB) for three years. 

For being only a recent graduate himself, Schunemann has courageously stepped into the role of Resident Director (RD) for Houghton University’s two men’s halls: Shenawana Hall and Rothenbuehler Hall. 

Schunemann, with no prior residence life experience, effortlessly leads with organization and purpose.

“It was a complicated transition to the RD role,” Schunemann stated, “and I felt prepared but certainly nervous at times… Ultimately I just have to trust that I will be given what I need in the season that I need it.” 

Schunemann is grateful for all the support he has gotten from everyone in the Student Life office. 

The endless support and wisdom that is willingly provided in this community is the type that keeps people wanting to stay. Schunemann accredits CAB for preparing him for this role. He stated, “It is interesting to have no prior RA experience, but I really do feel like my time as a camp program director, counselor, and CAB director have all been silently equipping me over the years.” 

Schunemann’s story is a testament to the power of transferable skills and the importance of supportive environments in making significant career transitions. 

For those considering a similar change, Schunemann’s experience serves as a valuable reminder that preparation, adaptability, and the willingness to embrace support can make all the difference in turning a daunting change into a rewarding new chapter. ★