December 2015 - Page 2 of 3 -

Posted on December 7, 2015December 9, 2015 by Emily Rothbard — Leave a comment

Project Okello Funds Living Water

Though nicknamed “the Pearl of Africa” by Winston Churchill for its “magnificence and profusion of brilliant life,” the Uganda we know today is far from the “fairy tale” depicted by the British Prime Minister on his visit in the early 1900s. Its lush landscape and friendly people are still intact, no doubt. But poverty’s grip on Uganda is tight, wringing her people dry of the chance to truly thrive.

And dry indeed, for over 8 million people lack access to clean water, which not only harms health but also hinders crop production and other means of livelihood. For decades, numerous organizations have poured relief efforts into Eastern Africa, providing temporary fixes to keep people going. Too often, though, this sort of relief is just a drop in the bucket for the poor—whose problems go deeper than the material surface and can only be conquered when individuals are empowered to tap their potential for the long haul.

Here at Grove City, Project Okello seeks to do just that. Founded in 2006, Okello is a passionate student group whose mission is “to be an instrument of hope, healing, and Christ’s love” to the people of Uganda through prayer, fundraising, and awareness. Throughout the year, Okello puts together a wide array of events to support its three Ugandan missionary partners, including the Ugandan Water Project—a nonprofit founded in 2007 that has served more than 170 communities through sustainable development projects and community building.

This past November, Okello joined forces with UWP to hold its featured fall event, Wells for Hope—a music and arts festival that funds the installation of rain water collection systems in Uganda with the greater goal of clearing a path for living water to flow through the Gospel. Recruited vendors including students, alumni, and local artisans set up shop around the Student Union, selling a variety of goods from button rings and stationery to photos and hand-carved walking sticks. Through a donated percentage of vendors’ profits and other generous contributions, altogether exceeding $5000, Okello and UWP were able to fund a tank and supply at least 30 years’ worth of clean drinking water to the 350 students of St. Joseph Kakonda Primary School in the district of Nakaseke.

(Photos above courtesy of Ugandan Water Project)

So, not only were students stopping by the STU that Saturday able to tackle some early Christmas shopping and enjoy fellow students’ musical talent. More importantly, they got a unique chance to reach outside the “bubble” and contribute to an eternally worthwhile cause.

“Everyone has the right to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” says Okello’s president, Dan Schafhauser (Finance, ’16), “and the fact that we’re American college students doesn’t give us the right to ignore this in other parts of the world.”

Looking ahead to next semester, Schafhauser and his team hope to continue making an impact here on campus and abroad as they enable fellow Grovers to engage with communities in need. Whether they’re selling chicken patties to send kids to camp in Kenya, hosting Ugandan natives on campus to share their insight, or simply praying for God’s hand to heal the broken, the members of Project Okello are staying thirsty for more opportunities to revive a lost and needy world.

Follow Project Okello on Instagram here.

Posted on December 7, 2015December 7, 2015 by watsonrk1 — Leave a comment

Rigorous Academics at GCC: A Student’s Perspective

I’m a person who likes to do it all. When I was in high school, I always had the longest spiel at every senior night, leaving the announcers breathless as they rattled off every sports team, club, and activity in which I had participated for four years. Naturally, when I was about to start my freshman year at Grove City, I was ready to come to this school and take it by storm.

But I was afraid. I had heard the stories from my brother and friends about how rigorous the academics were. Yes, I wanted to devote myself to my studies first and foremost but what about the rest of the college experience? What about continuing my college career as a track and field athlete? At the end of August, I had plenty of butterflies in my stomach about the prospect of starting my freshman year of Grove City College.

I wish I had been able to read a blog post to soothe my nerves then like I am doing for you. If you are wondering if you will be able to handle the academics that Grove City College offers, as well as have a healthy social life, the answer is 100% yes. If you are wondering if Grove City is a school full of people sticking their noses in books, I am here to assure you that the answer is no. If you are wondering if you can be an athlete as well as have a good GPA, it is completely possible.

I am currently a junior at Grove City and for the past two years I have kept myself plenty busy with activities like varsity track and field, Orchesis Dance Troupe, New Life, Alpha Beta Tau Sorority, and Orientation Board. All of my friends and fellow students have just as busy schedules if not more. All these activities don’t account for all the late night talks about life and faith in a college dorm, endless dances, numerous Coffaro’s pizzas consumed, and intramural sports games.

Yes, Grove City is going to prepare you for your future job. Yes, they are going to push you academically and there will be many nights where you will be writing papers, reading, or doing lab reports, but Grove City will teach you many more valuable life lessons than just that. Grove City will surround you with lifelong friends who will be there for you when you do poorly on a quiz and when your heart gets broken by a Christian boy who felt like “God called him” to break up with you. Friends who you get so close to that it blows your mind that you only have known them a semester. Friends who will pray for you when you are struggling with anxiety, depression, and faith issues. Friends that will encourage you to be in the word and post sweet notes with Bible verses on your door in the dead of night.

Grove City will help you to seek God first, each and every day. You will find yourself in classes where the teacher doesn’t tip toe around controversial issues from a Christian perspective and where professors actually pray before your tests and quizzes. You will find yourself even becoming friends with your teachers, who will remember your name and even invite you to their houses for meals. At Grove City, you are so much more than just a number you are precious daughter or son of Christ and no one lets you forget it.

Grove City College isn’t just a school that will grow you academically. In just the two short years I have been here, I have grown so much—socially, spiritually, and in every area. I look at the person I was coming in freshman year and I don’t even recognize her. I have grown to become someone I would have admired in high school and, though God isn’t close to being finished with me yet, I know that I am so much closer to Him than I ever was in high school.

If you’re looking for a school where your GPA is all you’ll have to show for your four years, Grove City College is not the place for you. If you’re looking for a college where you’ll remember all the memories and good times at college, pick Grove City. You should pick Grove City if you are ready to be pushed in every area of your life, if you are ready to go home on breaks and have your family members notice positive changes in you, and if you want the whole college experience. I can guarantee that you that you will not be left unchanged.

Posted on December 7, 2015December 18, 2015 by Anna Scofield — Leave a comment

Grovers Abroad: Samantha Parry

During her sophomore year at Grove City College, Samantha Parry (‘16) received an e-mail inviting her to apply to the college’s study abroad program in Nantes, France. Samantha, who had always wanted to visit Europe, decided that this opportunity was too good to pass up.

The following year, Samantha spent the fall semester with twenty three other Grove City College students, from a variety of majors, at the Grove City College European Study Center in Nantes, France.

One of the unique aspects of the Nantes program is that it gave Samantha the opportunity to earn credits for her mechanical engineering major. Through one of her classes at the Université de Nantes, Samantha gained helpful insight into the field of engineering beyond learning technical skills.

“We took most of our classes through Grove City, but one class that we took with French students was called Engineering Management and it was basically learning about different cultures and then learning how to manage projects cross-culturally,” Samantha explains. “We learned about how cultural nuances can affect how you make a business deal or work on a project and things like that, so that was cool to learn about but also cool to get to know French students…I think that getting to know them, doing projects with them, and learning about French culture helped me be more objective in how I treat people and situations and I think that learning more of the business and personal relations side of things is something that engineers don’t really get through engineering school,” Samantha explains. “If you are going to be an engineer one day, you’re going to have to deal with things internationally. Technology is worldwide and it [studying abroad] gives you so much more of a global perspective that I think is really important for anyone, including engineers.”

Although Samantha says that it was an adjustment to live in a different culture, she explains that Nantes became like a second home to her. She distinctly remembers a moment when she felt at home in France.

“I was out in town during the day and we went down to do some shopping and I think we went to get lunch crêpes,” she recalls. “Sometimes there are street performers, but on this particular day there was a whole drum line and choreographed dance group. They had all these different types of drums and there was a huge group of people around who were enjoying them. It was so cool that a lot of people took the time just to watch them. Even just that day, realizing that I could get around the city totally fine—I knew where to go, I knew where to shop, I had my favorite crêpe place—it was like it became my home city…being totally immersed and getting to the point where I felt really comfortable in the city and in a different culture and being able to enjoy it with them [the locals] was a cool moment.”

Not only did Samantha learn more about French culture, but she was also able to explore other European countries during breaks. One of Samantha’s favorite memories from her study abroad experience was meeting up with a Grove City student who was studying abroad in Italy at the time.

“The second [favorite memory] would be in Florence, which is the place we went during Thanksgiving break. I had previously contacted a Grove City student that was studying in Florence and we met up at the steps of the Il Duomo and he walked us around and took us to his favorite gelato place and then we sat on a bridge there, looking at the famous bridge in Florence. Sitting there, at nighttime, eating gelato, with someone else from Grove City in Florence at a popular landmark was surreal,” she says.

After returning home with gifts for her family members and a camera full of photos, Samantha says that she would love to go back to Nantes.

“If you would have asked me which country I would have wanted to study abroad in [before college], I wouldn’t have said France because I would have rather gone to Spain or Italy, but after going to France and living in Nantes, I realized how much I loved it and how much France had to offer. I learned so much and I loved it there” she says.

Learn more about the Office of International Education here.

Learn more about the mechanical engineering program at GCC here.

Posted on December 6, 2015 by Addie Fox — Leave a comment

Faith, Freedom, and Family

Faith and freedom are the founding principles that Grove City stands on, but after being on campus you’ll come to realize that it also stands for Family. Grove City seems to attract generations of students following in their parents’ or siblings’ footsteps. Why is that? What makes high school students want to come to the same college as their parents? I decided to talk with one of these legacy students to get some insight.

Clifford Hovis ’16, an entrepreneurship major, knew at a young age that Grove City was the place for him. His career at the college started a little earlier than most of his peers; he attended Pre-Kindergarten in Pew Fine Arts. He talked about coming to various college functions with his parents while growing up, whether it be football games or Homecoming. Grove City was a family affair to Clifford, with his parents, sister, 1 uncle, 3 aunts, and various distant relatives attending the school. He describes attending Grove City as an old family tradition.

With so many members of his family that had attended Grove City, he grew up hearing stories about professors, the campus, Greek life, and other traditions. His father, Cliff J. Hovis, graduated from Grove City with a degree in Marketing in 1989. While his mom, Lynn (Johnson) Hovis graduated with a degree in Business Administration in 1989. When the time came for Clifford to start looking at colleges, he knew exactly where he wanted to go. Much to his mother’s nervous dismay, GCC was the only school he visited and applied to! Luckily his parents’ nerves were calmed when he was accepted to Grove City in 2013.

What does Grove City College mean to you?

It is a place where I feel like home. Grove City has played such a major role in the lives of my family members; it gave them a solid foundation to start their lives with. They are all so thankful when they look back on their time at Grove City, because of the things they learned and people they met. For my family, Grove City is their legacy and I hope to continue that legacy.

Why do you think Grove City College attracts generations of students?

Grove City is a conservative Christian school that instills strong values into its students. These students leave GCC and pass them on to their peers and family. People care here, what other school can you go to where your professors actually care about you? Grove City is like a big family, I can’t imagine going anywhere else.

Posted on December 6, 2015February 1, 2016 by Emily Hostetler — Leave a comment

The Lascell Girls

This year I got the amazing opportunity to live in a quaint house just a few feet from campus with eight other girls. During this semester, this house became a home to me. I cried there, I laughed till I fell on the floor there, I became someone there. I know it sounds cheesy, but it is true. These girls have become some of my closest friends and confidants. This house has enabled us to become a family. Some of my favorite memories are Saturday morning brunches with chocolate chip pancakes, going around the table saying our highs and lows of the week and most importantly the late night conversations.

After I tell people I live with eight other girls they typically give me the same look of “yikes, how do you have so much estrogen under one roof.” First, let me preface that like most girls, my housemates and I are not completely alike. We range from horseback riders, to lacrosse players and even writers. Some of us don’t talk at all while some of us talk way too much. No matter our differences though we agree on two core values. We all adhere to a no drama policy and we all want to use our abilities to serve one another, others and most importantly the Lord.

One of our service events this semester was our thanksgiving party. The party wasn’t the typical thanksgiving cuisine. Instead of the usual turkey and mashed potatoes, we had different types of food ranging from Italian to Polynesian food. We invited a bunch of our friends, made about six different pies and had our guests bring canned goods that we donated to the local food bank.

One of my favorite memories living in the house was our Halloween party. For weeks leading up to the event, we worked hard painting, crafting and creating this Pinterest based party. My friends Palmer and Megan made this unbelievably lifelike tree out of newspaper, cardboard boxes and spray paint.

The Lascell girls and this house have shaped me into the person I am today and I will always be thankful for all the great friendships and memories I have made at Grove City College.

Posted on December 6, 2015December 10, 2015 by Logan Hammerschmitt — Leave a comment

The Second Annual Innovation Club Christmas Party

For those who don’t know, the Entrepreneurship Department can throw a great party, as is evidenced by the success of the innovation club’s second annual Christmas Party at Beans on Broad. The party featured many key events, including games like Settlers of Catan and Bananagrams, a white elephant gift exchange, a chili cook-off, and of course an open tab that allowed students all the coffee and pastries they could handle! Throughout the night, more than seventy five students from all different majors joined us for an evening filled with holiday cheer and of course Christmas music.

The beauty that resides in this party is hard to describe. It is the culmination of a semester of great meetings for the innovation club, and a time for the whole department, and those from other departments, to unwind from a crazy semester and enjoy each other’s company. One of the times that makes this party so great is that many of our professors and staff are able to come and play games with the students. This year, professor Howley, professor Mech, and Mrs. Stillwaggon got themselves into an epic game of Settlers of Catan against reigning champion Karolina Lagerquist. Additionally, the party had a chili cook-off featuring Chicken Chili and Buffalo chili made by professor Howley, and beef and bean chili made by professor Carson. They were all so delicious that it was impossible to chose a winner!

The party has been the brainchild of the innovation club’s board of directors (Logan Hammerschmitt, Karolina Lagerquist, Ben Che, and Jordan Jensen) for the past two years. The party takes a lot of planning, but the end result greatly exceeds the effort put in. There is little doubt that this event is one of the highlights of my fall semester here at Grove City College, and the party shall continue on for years to come.

For those of you who missed the party, experience it here! Here is a 360 degree video of some of the things that happened at the party!

https://youtu.be/CZX5Ppz3e0E

Posted on December 6, 2015December 6, 2015 by craigme1 — Leave a comment

Pay No Attention to the Men and Women in White

It’s your first day of college and you have everything mapped out from your move-in time to your room number, so there won’t be a shock when you arrive on campus. You feel totally prepared for anything, yet when you pull up next to your dorm with all your boxes packed—there’s a feeling of surprise when legions of people in matching white shirts ascend upon your car and walk off with your belongings. At first you panic, but the box-carrying warriors in white introduce themselves first as enthusiastic fellow students, and then as the Grove City College Orientation Board—“OB”, for short.

OB is a longstanding organization at Grove City that has been helping freshmen and transfer students transition and adjust to their new lives at college. While other schools across the country have freshman orientation teams, OB’s purpose at Grove City is unique, and goes far beyond move-in day. OB puts on almost 3 consecutive weeks of awesome events from dances, movie nights, ice cream socials, sporting events and much more. These events make it feel effortless and comfortable for new students to meet their classmates, and possibly their lifelong friends.

The members of OB (nearly 100) are split into 5 committees responsible for planning, producing and attending the various events, so while they work hard, they get the chance to play hard, too. There is never a shortage of fun and excitement at an OB event. However, at the end of the day, the primary mission of OB is service. OB is a ministry that aims to serve by building personal relationships that have a foundation in Christ. When not planning events, the committees spend weeks praying for each incoming student, often by name, and lifting each other up as they prepare for your arrival. All 100 members want to meet you, want to serve you, and want to seek out that kind of relationship with you.

Posted on December 3, 2015December 5, 2015 by Emily Rothbard — Leave a comment

Legacy of Laughter

When the papers pile high and stress hits hard, laughter may indeed be the best medicine—especially when you get a good dose of PhD-caliber antics. Grovers got their fill a few weekends ago when a professor boy band by the name of Un-Direction took the stage of Crawford Auditorium, making its grand debut with a “gob smacking” rendition of a One Direction classic renamed “What Makes You Love This School.” As Un-Directions’ manager, I had a front-row seat to the making of Faculty Follies 2015—an experience neither I nor the 800 in attendance will soon forget.

As an annual event that premiered in the late ’70s, Faculty Follies has become a longstanding tradition that not only provides comic relief for the hardworking, but also strengthens community on campus.

“We learn together, we eat together, we pray together—it’s good to laugh together as well,” says political science professor Dr. Coulter (’91). As a seasoned participant, he’s seen Follies evolve from its early days as a departmental variety show to its current status as a cross-disciplinary compilation of outlandish skits.

In 1977 the Chapel Staff birthed the event, which was soon adopted by the honorary societies Omicron Delta Kappa and Mortarboard. Representing ODK, I got to work with the student-faculty team that made it all happen. Though quite a project to tackle—from skit and video development to recruitment of faculty, prop collection, and advertising, as well as the pressure of pulling it all together in just two short rehearsals, somehow it turned out alright. Aside from learning some lessons in event planning and collaboration, I got a unique chance to be part of a Grove City legacy and make a few memories in the process.

As an event that “allows students to see the faculty’s lighter side,” in the words of ODK Advisor Dr. Smith (’72), Follies 2015 did not disappoint. In the opening act, “Evolution of Dance,” fancy-footed faculty broke down the decades from “The Twist” and “Thriller” to “Can’t Touch This” and “Bye Bye Bye.” Additional musical talent was showcased in the “Lip Sync Throwdown,” and English professor Dr. Harvey comically shed light on mopeds, mullets, and more in his “Very Serious Poetry Analysis” of Macklemore’s “Downtown.”

Other acts poked fun at campus culture, such as “Snapple Facts with a Grover Twist.” For instance, according to Snapple Fact 890 “The number one or the word one appears on the dollar bill 16 times,” while Grover Fact 890 revealed that “The words ‘faith,’ ‘freedom,’ and ‘no alcohol’ appear in the Crimson student handbook 16 times per sentence.”

In a parody of Rob Cantor’s “Shia LaBeouf,” prominent historian Andrew Mitchell terrorized the audience with his infamously tough grading, causing students’ GPAs to “topple to the floor, eviscerated.” But Un-Direction soon lifted the crowd’s spirits with their hilariously heartwarming hit single, the lyrics of which quickly reminded everyone of “What Makes You Love This School,” from Starbucks in the Student Union to professors who teach students to “avoid the booze” and “seek the Truth.”

“The Coulter Report,” came next, featuring none other than the distinguished Dr. Coulter, who had the crowd roaring with his sarcastic commentary on Campus Safety’s black bear avoidance strategies. Student-produced videos also sparked some snickering, including “Faculty Fight Club,” “McLachlan’s Papers,” “Just Do It,” “Drake and Dr. Drake,” and last but not least, “The Most Interesting College President in the World.”

In the final act, “Test of Knowledge,” a team of students challenged professors’ proficiency of pop culture. After guessing that “bae” stood for “bacon and eggs,” it was clear that faculty needed assistance to fight off such culture savvy collegians. In a flash, President McNulty came to the rescue, conquering every question with ease and scoring the win for faculty, sending defeated students stumbling back to their seats.

To celebrate their victory and eternal prestige, the entire cast of faculty swaggered off stage to “Downtown” and hopped on kiddie bikes and scooters to wheel their way up the aisles and out the door.

… And not one in the crowd could have asked for more.

Posted on December 2, 2015December 6, 2015 by Sarah Stites — Leave a comment

Top 10 Places You Must Visit Before Leaving Grove City College

Most of the excitement in Grove City, PA takes place on the college campus. There’s certainly no disputing that. However, although Grove City might seem a relatively sleepy town, there are many hidden gems that can make your off-campus experiences quite interesting. Here, we’ve collected the top ten destinations (more or less in the vicinity of the college) that you must visit before you graduate.

Guthrie Theatre – Built in 1927, the old-timey Guthrie boasts a movie-viewing experience “where the atmosphere of the past and the technology of the present create memories for the future.” What’s not to love?
Leesburg Falls – Just off a small road about 10 minutes from campus, you’ll find a beautiful waterfall just waiting to be explored. Visit in the summertime and you can wade in the pool at its base.
Thrifty Threads – We all know college students are poor. Find amazing deals at this great thrift store that is always running deals. I mean, clothing there is regularly $.50, but it’s always nice to get ten items for $1.
McConnells Mill State Park – With a spectacular gorge shaped by glaciers, the park provides ample space for whitewater boating, climbing, hiking and more.
Emmett’s Orchard – Exploring Emmett’s makes for an excellent autumn Saturday jaunt. Although you can’t pick the fruit, you can certainly buy it. (Their honeycrisp apples are to die for!)
Moraine State Park – Visit in August or September prepped to swim in the refreshing lake. Come with friends, games and a picnic.
Grove City Outlets – Want a shopping excursion? People come all the way from Canada to visit the Outlets’ 140 stores, so you’re lucky to have them in your own backyard.
Presque Isle State Park – A visit to Lake Erie’s beautiful beaches makes for a perfect Labor day excursion. Plus, entrance to the park is free!
The Brewery – Located in quaint downtown Slippery Rock, The Brewery is a popular destination for students who have just turned 21. For those underage, the food is great too.
Downtown Pittsburgh – Especially if you’re not from the Pittsburgh area, you have to visit the city at least once! You can attend a Pirates game, enjoy fine dining or see a show.

So there you go. Your off-campus experience doesn’t have to be dull–you just have to know where to go! For more ideas, visit the Grove City Area Chamber of Commerce Webpage.

Posted on December 2, 2015April 17, 2016 by Meghan Gallagher — Leave a comment

When the Student Becomes the Teacher

Sarah DeMar, a senior Pre-K- 4th grade Elementary Education major and Spanish minor, knew she was going to be a teacher since the second grade. With a light in her eyes Sarah describes “a passion for kids and teaching the next generation” as what initially drew her to enter the esteemed realm of educators. Almost to the finish line Sarah took a few moments to walk me through a day in the life of a student teacher, but also why Grove City College’s education department feels more like family than any other on campus.

Unlike Sarah there are those (myself included) who have very little idea what their future holds while either applying to schools or even walking across the stage to receive their diploma. One piece of advice Sarah has, especially for those contemplating education, is to just give it a shot. Right off the bat starting in October freshman year, students begin observations in local schools. Though actual teaching experience does not begin until the end of sophomore year, Sarah assured me that you can tell pretty quickly just based on observing a classroom if education is the place for you.

One aspect of the education program I wanted to uncover myself involves the whole process of certification, which seemed quite daunting to me. Sarah assured me that I was correct in that regard, but also noted several outstanding professors who walk education majors through every step in the process. Upon graduation education majors do not receive their certificates right away, but after hypothetical mountains of online paperwork and at least three exams, they finally receive an official certification typically in July. Teaching math to elementary school students

So: student teaching. These two, small words carry a lot of weight behind them as they pretty much signify an education major’s first trial run at their future. No pressure though.

Student teachers have two placements: the first only a month long, and the second lasting the rest of the semester. Sarah’s current, second placement is a little unique in the fact that she teaches a “math lab” where students ranging from first to fifth grade come to her classroom instead of being placed in singular classroom. Where a student teacher is placed is dependent on which school and location the education professors believe each student will thrive. Furthermore each student teacher is not immediately thrown into teaching full time, but gradually works up to it so by the last week in the semester the student has complete autonomy in the classroom with little intervention from the teacher.

Typical Weekday for Student Teacher Sarah:

6:30 AM – Alarm goes off

7:00 AM – Out the door and driving to Mercer, PA

7:25 – 8:10 AM – Set up in the classroom, reviewing lesson plans for the day, talking with other teachers

8:10 AM – School starts!

Sarah has seven cycles of students including tutoring, and six classes that come in throughout the day.

2:45 PM – Students leave

3:15 PM – Leave Mercer for work in Volant

5:15 – Drive back to Grove City College

5:45 – Back at Grove City for dinner and prep for the next week’s lesson plans (due Friday)

One perk of student teaching, Sarah explained, is that besides a bit of lesson planning her weekends are practically free!

Dressing up for student teaching at Mercer Elementary School

Sarah’s biggest piece of advice for those considering education as a profession is to take advantage of your advisers and use the wisdom they can provide! Even if you’re hesitant about the major, or the prospect of being a student teacher is mildly terrifying at times, through talking with various professors in the major and observing classes at local schools you’re able to figure out fairly quickly if this is to be your career path of choice. Finally, the education department serves as a family away from home. Sarah described that everyone – students and faculty alike – have each other’s backs. From day one freshman year education majors have all of their classes together and are treated to a vast curriculum library devoted solely to education majors. If an encouraging, family atmosphere with tremendous results is what you’re looking for in an education program, I would recommend pressing pause on your college search and heading over to Grove City College for a visit – it might just feel like coming home.

Want to find out more about student teaching at Grove City College? Visit the education page here!