March 2016 -

Posted on March 30, 2016 by Matthew Leverknight — Leave a comment

Austrian Student Scholars Conference: 9 Schools, 5 Countries, 1 Incredible Saturday

Presenters and hosts gather for a group photo at lunch on Saturday

On Saturday, February 27th, 20 undergraduate, graduate and professor level economics scholars gathered at Grove City College to present their latest research. The Austrian Student Scholars Conference was inaugurated at GCC in 2004 by Economics Department Chair Jeffery Herbener, formerly the director of the Austrian Scholars Conference at the Ludwig von Mises Institute in Auburn, Alabama. The ASSC serves a similar role to the Mises Institute’s ASC (now AERC), providing a forum for students of the “Austrian School” of economics, associated with Mises, F.A. Hayek, Murray Rothbard, Israel Kirzner and Joe Salerno. However, what makes the ASSC unique is that, as the name suggests, it is intended for undergrads and graduate students to get their first experience in presenting papers and engaging in discourse with fellow students.

This presents a very special opportunity for the serious undergraduate scholar, especially Grove City students. As part of the ECON 420 ‘Economics Colloquium’ capstone class, every economics major is required to present a paper their senior year, but some students write and present papers even sooner in their careers. At this year’s conference, of the 10 Grove City students who presented two were juniors and one a freshman. Other presenters included undergraduates from Ferris State University, Ph.D. students from Auburn University, George Mason University and the University d’Angers along with a few faculty members from various institutions.

The fun kicked off with great conversation between the different groups represented at the conference over a delicious meal of salmon and pilaf on Friday night. The evening’s keynote lecture, named in honor of former economics department chair Hans Sennholz, was delivered by Dr. Matthew McCaffrey from England’s University of Manchester who spoke about the economics of social entrepreneurship. He presented a convincing argument that social enterprises, which provide social good in the context of business (such as TOMS shoes), can deliver aid more efficiently than conventional non-profits or the government. This is due, he said, to business firms being subject to economic calculation which forces them to weigh profit and loss. By weighing these, the social enterprise can be more effective than a traditional charity that just has money given to it.

Showtime for Presenters

Dr. Jeff Herbener introduces GCC’s Susannah Estoker before her presentation

Saturday morning marked the beginning of a full day of paper reading and discussion. The sessions were organized into 1.5 hour blocks, with three papers presented in each. Sessions sorted papers into common themes which this year included Domestic Policies; Technology, Modeling and Economics; Ethics and Economics; International Policies; Labor and Wages; and Money Production. After the papers were presented, with each presenter allocated 20 minutes, there followed 30 minutes of discussion about the papers where listeners could ask questions to clarify points, or make suggestions on issues raised in the papers that could be further investigated.

After two series of sessions it was time for lunch and then on to more papers. By the end of the day, topics including Social Security, labor policy, the Gold Standard and international development had all been discussed. This diversity of topics made the day a quick introduction to serious academic thought on a variety of issues.

Judging

Before the papers were presented, they were read and judged by a panel of Grove City College faculty for the Richard E. Fox Prize. First place (with a $1,000 cash prize) went to Ph.D. student Karl-Friedrich Israel from the University d’Angers, while 2nd and 3rd prizes went to two GCC seniors, David Werner and Jon Nelson. Israel’s paper: “Modern Monetary Policy Evaluation and the Lucas Critique” addressed Robert Lucas’s argument that the results of changes in economic policy can not be adequately predicted using economic modeling. David Werner presented an overview of the effects the California Gold Rush of 1849 had on the monetary supply in his paper: “Gold: Rushing and Minting”, and Jon Nelson’s “The Economics of Science, Technology and Government Intervention” assessed some effects that governmental subsidization of applied research can have on the economy.

L-R: David Werner, Karl-Friedrich Israel, Jon Nelson

After the presentation of the prizes, Dr. Mark Brandly of Ferris State University delivered the Ludwig von Mises Memorial Lecture on “Mises, Calculation and Government Land Ownership”. His recounting of how he came to economics after majoring in math in college and working in the petroleum industry had the crowd laughing. He also managed to make the main topic of his talk: explaining how the government’s ownership of land affects investment decisions in harvesting natural resources, accessible to audience members less familiar with economic theory.

It was a busy weekend, but a fun one, and a great opportunity to meet students from other institutions. The Austrian Student Scholars Conference is just one of many ways Grove City provides unique experiences to its students.

Posted on March 23, 2016April 25, 2016 by obrienvl1 — Leave a comment

Oniris’ French Students Take Grove City College

Each year Grove City College offers the French students of Oniris the opportunity to experience the American school system for one month. This year GCC hosted five amazing women who were not only a delight to be around, but were so helpful in answering any questions American students had about the French culture.

The French students were asked questions relating to their time at GCC and how specifically their American experience effected them academically, socially and culturally. According to Enza, the American and French school systems are drastically different. While the typical American class runs fifty minutes to an hour and fifteen minutes, the average French class is two hours. Enza also elaborated on the level of intimacy and interaction GCC professors and students share. She concluded her portion of the interview discussing the varying schedules American students have in comparison the French school system.

Marie-Anne describes her experience, in regards to the spiritual atmosphere, as a “Very special feeling.” In 1905 France declared separation from Church and State, which forbids any practice of Christianity in the school systems. Marie-Anne discusses the extraordinary feeling of integrating both believers and non-believers on campus and how drastically different that is from Oniris. Claire was very enthusiastic about GCC’s social life and the numerous clubs and groups students of all backgrounds and lifestyles participate in. The seemingly unlimited amount of activities GCC offers in comparison to Oniris, truly became apparent as the French students attended the Ballroom and Swing Dance Clubs, Glee Club and the Symphonic Orchestra Concert.

Camille and Clémence conversed about GCC’s sense of community and what it looks like from an outsider. Camille said that she felt so invited and welcomed. According to Camille, conversations are more personalized in America in comparison to France, where students are more private and not open to discussing topics other than religion and politics. From the exteriors of buildings to the warm and friendly atmosphere, Clémence felt GCC’s inviting sense of community everywhere. To Clémence, GCC displays a place of life not just a school.

These women were such a joy to interview and I know GCC truly enjoyed hosting them!

Posted on March 15, 2016 by Matthew Leverknight — Leave a comment

Keep on Swinging

Swing Club members dance at the retro themed Sock Hop

Wednesday night, 7:30 p.m. For many Grove City students, Wednesday evenings mean two things:

It’s the middle of the week.
Chef Rudy will be serving her delicious fruit-filled crepes in MAP cafeteria for breakfast tomorrow.

But, for a diverse group of students in all class years and majors, from senior biochemistry to freshman English, Wednesday means something even better, something that brings as many as 50 people to the Crawford Auditorium stage from 7:30-10 p.m. And that is swing dancing.

East Coast style swing, to be precise. Your grandmother might remember it as the Jitterbug, and it’s not too far in style from the Charleston that Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed famously did into a swimming pool in It’s A Wonderful Life. It’s an uncomplicated form of partner dance, with the basic step only requiring three movements: a weight shift to the left foot, weight shift to the right foot and ‘rock step’ back onto the left (this is for leaders, the pattern is right-left-right for followers). The real fun begins when the club’s beloved leaders, Bradley Smith, a junior accounting major from Tyler, TX and Maria Dunsworth, a junior communications and biblical and religious studies major from Erie, PA, begin teaching moves to embellish the basic dance. From simple spins to exhilarating moves like the “Pretzel,” “Washing Machine,” “Tabletop,” “Tornado” and a few scarier sounding but perfectly harmless ones like the “Breakup,” “Shin Splints” and the frighteningly named (but wholly harmless) “Armbreaker Dip,” a semester of Swing Club can transform anyone into the life of every party and wedding reception for the rest of their lives.

2014-2015 club president Victoria Allen (center) with current president Bradley Smith and VP Maria Dunsworth

For many, swing becomes more than a chance to learn how to social dance. It becomes one of their favorite groups of people on campus. Partner dancing becomes both a close knit fraternity of shared experiences and inside jokes about certain moves and songs and a welcoming group that never forgets where they came from. Most members begin with no prior partner dance experience, including the majority of the club’s officers. The first weeks of the new academic year are a time of excitement for upperclassmen, as they meet the new freshmen attendees and actively encourage them to continue. Experienced members often stop in the middle of dances to explain how to do a certain move or simply to offer a high five.

By the end of the semester, when the annual Christmas Ball rolls around, the freshmen can hold their own on the floor as well as the seasoned dancers. As dancers gain more skill, they may begin doing choreographed dance performances or might just spend time listening to swing music and trying to imagine the perfect way to blend moves together into a seamless performance for an audience of two. Swing is one of those hobbies that can be enjoyed for life, and many alumni make finding a new dance community a priority after graduation. One popular feature of swing are the weekly ‘birthday dances’ where any member who celebrated a birthday that week becomes the only one on the floor for a song while partners cut in and out.

I’ve been dancing for 2.5 years, and I can say that it has been one of the most rewarding parts of my GCC experience. I’ve made many friends I never would have even met otherwise, been able to develop a skill I never knew I had and been able to share the joy of dance with other students. It can be challenging at first, but, as you gain experience, the challenge is what makes it interesting. Of course, it’s also a great stress reliever, and excellent aerobic exercise, but in the end, it’s the incredible people that make the Swing Club my favorite place to be on Wednesday night, just like it’s the people that make all of GCC my favorite place to be from August through May.

I asked some fellow members to offer their own thoughts on dancing. Junior Amanda Clagett said that besides making friends, she loves that “Swing is a chance to express each song. It lets you take on the emotions and stories of different people in their songs and express them through dance!” She also advises beginning dancers to remember that everyone was once a beginner, and instead of being overwhelmed by people you consider to be really good and feel afraid you’ll never be good enough to dance with them, understand that a truly good dancer will dance (and wants to dance) with anyone and everyone, no matter their level.

Vice President Maria Dunsworth echoes the importance of the close knit community and recommends that beginning dancers try to dance as much as possible and should not be shy. Sophomore Olivia Ebert offered a musical assessment of the club, saying (singing?) that: “girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes, getting to relax after a long day of classes, time with great people, to dance and to sing, these are just a few of the great things about swing.”

One piece of advice I’d give to any beginner dancer came from a friend who graduated at the end of my freshman year: “Cherish every dance.” In other words, every time you step out on the floor, even if it’s to a song that’s played every week and you’re with a partner that you dance with frequently, the dance you’re about to do is unique and special. If you make it a competition about how many wild moves you can do, you lose the joy of enjoying the moment. So relax, have fun and I hope to see you on the Crawford stage.

Posted on March 15, 2016March 16, 2016 by Tim Lowrance — Leave a comment

Is He the Professor? Dr. Thompson Quizzes Someone Else’s Class

My 12:00 economics class begins in a distinctly odd way.

Before class, a professor who doesn’t belong teaches us something we don’t need to know.

Strange? It’s definitely strange. Annoying? Not at all. To be honest, we can’t get enough of it.

Who is this guy? His name is Dr. Thompson. He teaches mathematics and definitely loves his subject. I can’t think of any other reason why he would bother challenging a bunch of economics students to calculate prime numbers and solve brain-teasers.

Yep, prime numbers and brain teasers. That’s been the name of the game so far.

Here’s how this phenomenon happened…

It was the first day of classes. Monday. My classmates and I cautiously entered “Austrian Economics” about 10 minutes early. As we began to sit down, I noticed a professor up at the front. He was writing on the board. When I looked up to see what he was writing, I got a little nervous. I had signed up for a class on economic theory, but what he had just put on the board was a ginormous number. What could this mean?

Then he spoke: “Do you think this is a prime number?”

Finally one student raised his hand. “I don’t know.”

Dr. Thompson was not discouraged. He cheerfully explained to us how we could know for certain it was a prime number, going through a few simple tricks. Then he left, and our econ professor entered. We looked at each other again. That was unusual.

Next class, Dr. Thompson had another one for us. “What words can you write upside-down, and they’re still a word?” We decided to engage and came up with several of them. Dr. Thompson was pleased.

By the third class, we were eager. We tackled an unscrambling word challenge. Since then, it’s been a jolly old time in econ class. The few times Dr. Thompson’s missed, we’ve sorely missed him.

What do I conclude from this?

I like that professors here at Grove City College are so passionate about their subjects. Even more commendable is the fact that students are willing to tackle challenges outside of what they signed up for. College isn’t just about learning facts for a job. It’s about learning how to learn, in whatever form that takes.

So even though Thompson doesn’t really belong in our class, we welcome him there. He shakes up the routine and gives our brains a bit of a warm-up to do economics.

As Dr. Thompson himself put it when our professor entered: “I got them all primed for you.”

Posted on March 15, 2016 by harringtonrm1 — Leave a comment

The Intramural Frisbee Legends: The TryHards

Ask anyone from Grove City College about the competition in intramural Frisbee and there is no doubt that the legendary team, the TryHards, will be mentioned. There are two seasons of IM Frisbee a year, one in the fall and one in the spring. The photo pictured below is from the fall of 2015, when the TryHards won their third straight IM championship.

The TryHards originated from the freshman hall of 2MP (second floor Memorial) and have since expanded each semester. This team of friends has remained undefeated for each of the three seasons that have been together. As a combined 28-0 the TryHards do not look like they are slowing down.

When asked about what motivates the team to continue to dominate at their sport and not get lazy, their response was, “We do it for our city, the kids and most importantly for the cotton!” This fun-loving team of guys epitomizes the goal of sports at GCC, to compete hard and to have fun. The spring season of ultimate Frisbee is on the horizon and you could be sure that the TryHards are the team to beat.

Posted on March 15, 2016 by Katie Birmingham — Leave a comment

Student Research Spotlight: Sophia Gebert

Can you do research at a small, undergraduate, liberal arts college? Yes! Grove City College has a flourishing research program spread among various programs in both technical and non-technical majors. Dr. William Birmingham, the department chair of Computer Science, is one of many professors at GCC passionate about engaging undergraduate students in research. Using distributed artificial intelligent, Dr. Birmingham creates next generation computer games for mobile platforms. Sophia Gebert, a senior Computer Science student, is one of four students working in Dr. Birmingham’s lab.

How did you become involved in research at Grove City College?

Last year while studying, one of my computer science friends began talking about the research project he had just become involved in with Dr. Birmingham. I was intrigued by the work he was describing, which led me to talk to Dr. Birmingham about joining the project. A team of four students, including myself, was formed to develop a mobile game. At the end of last year, we completed the game and have moved forward to begin working on this current project.

What is the research you are conducting?

Our project is to explore the types of games that fit naturally on an Apple TV. We believe that “ported” smartphone, console or PC/Mac games to the Apple TV do not provide an engaging game experience. We are currently developing “Screamin’ Tators,” which is the game of hot potato adapted to a video game. The game involves players connected to each other via the Internet trying to keep potatoes—Screamin’ Tators—off their screen. The game uses simple swipe gestures to move the potato and asks the player or the audience to shout phrases during the game.

My role in the project right now is to develop in-app purchases for the game. Specifically, I am designing power-ups which players can use to sabotage other players, such as adding fog to the opponents screen, as well as defensive power-ups, such as adding grease to the screen to assist the player to move the potato faster.

A screenshot of the "Screamin' Taters" game. — A screenshot of the “Screamin’ Taters” game.

Do you receive any form of compensation for your work, such as class credit or monetary compensation?

Grove City College awards computer science elective credit by considering the class as an independent study. Generally, research counts as one to two credits per semester. In order to receive class credit, you are required to develop a syllabus with your professor outlining what your goals are for the semester. Additionally, you must give an end of the year presentation to faculty and students to communicate your results.

Grove City College also allows students to obtain the IP rights to their game, which they can then use to further develop or sell their game.

What has been the hardest part of your research?

The hardest part of my research was learning how to program on a new platform. It is especially hard because the platform is relatively new, so there has been little previous programming done on it. I was also unfamiliar with the programming language that we are using prior to beginning the project, so there was a large learning curve initially.

What has been the most rewarding part of your research?

The most rewarding part of my research is working with the team to develop a vision for the game and discuss design ideas, then see them come together each week. Being able to transform a creative idea into an actual product makes the work worth it.

What non-technical skill have you found yourself using frequently?

The non-technical skill that I have used frequently is communication. I have learned how to express my ideas effectively and share my opinions with my team members. Communication has been a key component of working as a successful, efficient team.

Since you and two of your team members are all graduating this year, what is the future of this research project?

As I mentioned earlier, the school allows you to obtain the IP rights to any games that you have developed while working as a student researcher at Grove City College. Our team hopes to get the rights to this game so we can continue to work on it, and hopefully sell it, after we graduate. If that doesn’t happen, this project will be handed off to underclassmen to continue to develop it.

Has your research experience shaped your plans for graduation?

My research experience has had a tremendous impact in shaping my plans for after graduation. The project confirmed my interest in mobile development, and led me to pursue a career with a company working in their mobile development sector.

Do you have any final thoughts?

Do an independent study. It is a relaxing learning environment that allows you to work closely with faculty members and build professional relationships. It also looks good on resumes and gives you something to talk about on job interviews. I was able to find my passion through undergraduate research, and all student at Grove City College have that opportunity as well.

To learn more, check out Grove City College’s computer science department page.

Posted on March 15, 2016 by Nathan Chanski — Leave a comment

Q&A With The #DreamsGoLive Team

There is a movement going on at Grove City College. It’s called #DreamsGoLive. #DreamsGoLive is an initiative started by Grace Leuenberger – senior communications major at Grove City – which began in order to bring light to the musical acts performing on the Grove City College stage.

In an attempt to bring quality music to the campus, Leuenberger and the team of Stonebridge Concerts (a campus organization that brings bands to Grove City College) set out to start something new this year. But instead of me trying to tell you, I’ll let Leuenberger and the president of Stonebridge (Josh Delk) tell you all about it themselves in my interview with them.

See the Q&A interview below:

Tell us a bit about the start of Dreams, Grace. Where and when did you think of it, why “Dreams Go Live” and where did it come from?

(Grace) #DreamsGoLive began back in the summer when I started getting more serious about my interest and enjoyment of music, and my belief that it provides inspiration to communities and individuals alike. I went to a concert in July that was held in this field in the middle of nowhere and singing under the stars with thousands of other people just floored me. I knew that we had to have that same feeling of excitement and inspiration at Grove City College, so I started developing the idea of making a dream I had for good music and conversations about music to become central to the life of Grove City College. And DreamsGoLive was born, a movement to bring inspirational musical concert acts to GCC, and cultivate a sense of appreciation for excellent music. I wanted people to engage more firsthand with music: live music, concerts, albums, people in the industry, etcetera.

In the end, DreamsGoLive is really about inspiring people to look at art and music and creativity as a means to bring about change and shape their communities into better, collaborative places. The huge inspiration for me is a man by the name of Larry Kloess who runs a business in Nashville called Cause A Scene. The motives behind CAS are totally in line with DGL, and Larry was a HUGE inspiration and virtual mentor to me as we set these goals to bring more music into our college community. We’ll actually be featuring Larry’s story in a DreamsGoLive blog series that will come out in April.

How did Dreams get started (the school’s involvement, Stonebridge connection, etc…) practically speaking?

(Josh) When Grace began working on this idea to have a student-led concert and featuring a popular national act on campus in the Spring, Kara Mazey and I got in contact with her to talk about what this concert might look like. We quickly realized that her idea lines up with the mission of Stonebridge, and that it was only natural for them to work with Stonebridge on helping plan this event. Early in the fall semester, the idea for a series of student-led concert events on Admitted Students Day was pitched before the school administration, and they pledged to give us the financial support we needed to make it happen! Since then we’ve been working closely together to make this concert the best that it can be: the concert of our time at GCC.

(Grace) Josh pretty much got it! Myself and my #DreamsGoLive initiative partner, Molly Wicker, approached some different campus leaders about getting this thing supported and backed up in the long run, and that’s what happened. We are fortunate to have an administration and faculty who supports the expansion of arts programs like this on our campus, and see the value it adds to our community.

How is the Dreams initiative being executed (what types of promo tactics are being utilized to get the campus involved/excited)?

(Grace) We really want people to see that The Oh Hellos are people making thoughtful, creative, beautiful, inspiring, fun music. So we’re trying to keep it fun, trying to show people how their personalities are, what their energy is like. Once anyone goes to their shows or sees them perform live, they know that this band is special, so we are trying to capture that spirit and show people that this concert is worth their time and money. It’s a band everyone can love and get in to, I think!

(Josh) We’ve been working very hard to make The Oh Hellos accessible to the student body. Links to the interviews, articles, and the band’s live performances are regularly posted on our social media sites. Because this is such a big event, we’ve also been marketing this event to the Pittsburgh area and the tri-state area. This concert is also the only date on their Spring tour in Pennsylvania, which has been useful in marketing this as a unique event.

Josh, how do you think that Dreams has influenced the Stonebridge and the school’s attempt to bring good music to the campus?

(Josh) Since its inception, the purpose of Stonebridge has been to bring Christ-centered, quality and intelligent music to Grove City in order to foster community and connection through music. DGL marks our recommitment to this idea and to the student body, by bringing in larger national acts that the students can really connect with.

What developments have you been most proud of this year, and what are you most excited for in the upcoming months?

(Josh) I’m most proud of the work our members have done throughout our events this year, and their contagious enthusiasm for music. With a lot of first-year members in the group, I’m looking forward to seeing them take the lead on projects and stepping into leadership roles in the coming year.

(Grace) This event has required so many complicated circumstances to come together in a short amount of time. I am most proud of the fact that we were able to set a goal and are carrying that goal out. On April 2nd, we really are going to have an amazing live act on campus and show our community that music is an inspiring, important thing for us to experience. I am so excited to see how this show impacts our community, how people are able to enjoy it and revel in the fun of the evening. And I’m excited for the blog series we’re launching after the concert is over. It’s a great way to continue the momentum, and it’s going to be called “Making Music Matter: Stories From the Industry.” We have some significant names from industry whose stories we get to tell, and it’s going to be so neat to do that. A true honor.

The spring concert headliner is The Oh Hellos. Can you share about the (sparknotes version) process of choosing them and bringing them to campus?

(Grace) Well, a lot of emails. Lots and lots and lots of emails. Many, many file folders on the computer. Oh, and more emails. *Laughs*

(Josh) Exactly. Booking a band starts with getting in touch with their manager or booking company. From there, the two starting points are price and the date you want the band to play. Those are settled through a contract, where both parties make revisions and send it back and forth until everybody agrees and it’s signed. After that, the planning begins! That’s pretty much how we booked these bands, just at different times. Having two bigger bands means lots of details, which is what we’re still working on now!

Why do you think The Oh Hellos are the right choice for the campus of Grove City College?

(Josh) I think Grovers are really going to connect with this band, if they haven’t already! They have an incredible live energy and stage presence, and their music ranges from foot-stomping folk anthems to introspective ballads, all under the indie-folk umbrella that I think mostly covers the students’ musical interests. Their music is also incredibly rich with Biblical and theological themes and narrative, especially their new album Dear Wormwood, named after C.S. Lewis’ classic work The Screwtape Letters. It seems like the idea of a worship band or “Christian” artist alienates a lot of people, while the Oh Hellos bring a positive and thoughtful message with exciting and engaging music.

(Grace) Josh really nailed it! You can also read this blog by a student on why he loves TOH.

We really wanted to pick an act that makes great art. That is The Oh Hellos. And with nine members who are known to crowd surf, I think we’ll have fun with it too.

What is your piece of advice for anyone who wants to start something or change something within their college campus?

(Josh) Don’t let red tape, logistics and details get in the way of making your idea come to life. If you’re committed to seeing it through, the details will fall into place.

(Grace) My mentor, Larry Kloess said it best: “You have your own story and your own path of ahead of you: so live that out. Don’t chase after other people’s dreams. Don’t compare them. Pay it forward, find ways to serve others, find where there’s a problem to be solved, a need to be met. And come alive in what you do.” Time and time again, words like Larry’s have guided this dream, inspired me to believe that dreams are worth pursuing, that hope is worth having. I do not believe that it’s coincidental this dream-chasing experience has happened over the course my senior year — a time in life that has forced to me take Larry’s words to heart, a time that has urged me to consider how I can continue to come alive in what I do long after this particular dream has passed on. Throughout this year as I’ve been having meetings and sending emails and dreaming big, I have also applied to two post-grad programs, five summer internships and seven full-time jobs. This time and these experiences have collided together, forcing me to reflect on not only what I want to do with my life in both the present and the future, but also prompted me to consider a question I’ve had to ask so many times this year: why. Why? Why go for this job with such little pay? Why pursue such a big dream when your days at this college are numbered? Why invest in something with such little return? Why? As I thought about why I wanted a certain job, I kept arriving at the same answer: I love dreams.

I come alive in dreams. I love how dreams are universal, how children and teenagers and moms and dads and grandpas and grandmas all have dreams. I love hearing the eagerness in someone’s voice when they’re talking about what gets them excited. I love witnessing the motivation and determination they adopt as the pursue a big goal. I love seeing the smile that spreads across their face when you affirm the hard work they have done to get to where they are now. I love helping people find the inspiration to use their talents. I love mapping out the exciting journey one takes as they pursue something they thought they’d never get the chance to. I love being part of something bigger. I love dreams, and even more than that, I come alive in them; I am inspired in the midst of them; I want to fight for them; I believe in the importance of them.

While it can be true that sometimes people don’t care, sometimes things get so hard you want to quit, sometimes people don’t want to believe or love or cultivate dreams, myself and other students have learned firsthand that people do really care, that dreams are not an allusion, that college students do believe that little moments matter, the dreams are worth chasing, that something is happening even in the little moments that each of us are a part of. So we are not going to quit. Why? Because we believe that dreams matter. We have been forever changed because of the dream we’ve been chasing this year. The hard work is going to pay off. The dream is going live. What dream do you have? Chase it. Cultivate it. Love it. Don’t give up on it. It is so worth it.

To learn more about #DreamsGoLive at Grove City College, please visit the website at:

http://dreamsgolive.com/

Also, watch the campaign kick-off video below:

[vimeo 146860730 w=500 h=281]

Introducing #DreamsGoLive from DreamsGoLive on Vimeo.

Posted on March 15, 2016 by Sarah Logie — Leave a comment

Exploring Art Electives: A Look at Ceramics Class

This semester I’ve had the opportunity to take a ceramics class here at Grove City College. I had some room for electives and thought I would try out Beginning Wheel Throwing, a three-credit art elective offered every year. My older brother had taken it when he was a student here and recommended that I take the class. I’ve always had a love for art and enjoyed taking art classes in high school, so I figured I would give it a go.

Initially, I was surprised at how difficult wheel throwing can be! The first few classes were a little rough, and I am definitely still working on my technique. But, I’ve found that if you work hard and get a little help from more experienced individuals, it gets easier and can be a whole lot of fun. The art of wheel throwing is fascinating and unlike any other art I’ve ever attempted.

The process definitely takes some time, so patience and care are very important. From wedging, coning and centering the clay on the wheel, to opening it up, bringing the walls up and determining the shape of the piece, there are many details that need to be completed thoughtfully. Once the piece is finished on the wheel, there are several more steps that still need to be considered. The piece needs to dry so it can be trimmed and details added. It then needs to be fired, glazed and re-fired to produce a successful piece of pottery.

I didn’t realize all the time and effort that goes into one piece of pottery, but there’s beauty in the process. It’s so neat making mugs I can actually drink out of and vases that I can put on display with some flowers. The class costs $90, but that means you can use as much clay as you want throughout the semester and produce as many pieces as you’d like.

Although wheel throwing is tricky, it’s extremely fascinating at the same time. There’s so much creativity to be had, and the atmosphere is peaceful, giving you the freedom to make whatever you want. I would definitely encourage anyone interested in art and making things with your hands to give wheel throwing a chance – the end products make the process worth it! It’s a great way to be creative and have fun, especially amidst traditional classes filled with readings and papers.

Posted on March 15, 2016 by Tim Lowrance — Leave a comment

GCC Hosts Trip to Prize-Winning Play and Panel Discussion with President McNulty

A day in Pittsburgh. A Pulitzer Prize-winning play. Dinner with GCC President McNulty.

Yes, this was a great weekend for the many students who went on Grove City College’s trip to see the play “Disgraced.”

This trip was a small part of the college’s student experience project. Through this project, faculty and staff seek to bring students in contact with theatrical productions. But beyond just viewing plays, their desire is to generate discussion and learning from the themes brought forth in the productions.

I was one of the couple dozen students who got on the bus for Pittsburgh that day.

Through the rainy drive, I had some time to think about the play we would be viewing. I heard that it would be controversial.

That it was. For those unfamiliar with Ayad Akhtar’s “Disgraced,” it tells the story of a Pakistani American named Amir. The snippet of Amir’s life shown in the play is chalked-full of conflict. Almost all of this conflict arises from misplaced tradition, prejudice and betrayal. Charlene Shaw, one of the coordinators of the event, remarked on Facebook that it was a “sharp, honest, focused snapshot in 90 minutes of the complexities of our global society.”

It left a lot of us thinking.

We got to keep thinking as we chewed on some delicious local pizza and accompanying desert.

Gathering in a large room, we sat and engaged in conversation with the panel composed of faculty members and the president. Their answers helped us make sense of the themes of the play, even extending to discussions of the PATRIOT Act, current racial issues in the business world and the history of countries that have had to integrate vastly different cultures. Many students presented their opinions and reservations about the subject.

Following this symposium, we got on the bus to drive back to campus. It was another thoughtful, “stare-out-the-window” kind of ride.

I am excited to write about such an opportunity. Viewing intriguing art forms and grappling with difficult current ideas are things that I came to college seeking. Grove City College does a fantastic job of giving students opportunities to think and engage with different ideas and worldviews.

Posted on March 14, 2016March 30, 2016 by Emily Hostetler — Leave a comment

What is the Spiritual Atmosphere Like on Grove City’s Campus?

One of the main questions prospective students ask the Office of Admissions at Grove City College is, “What is the spiritual atmosphere like on campus?” According to Jenny Moyer, a sophomore sociology and business major, “it depends what you make of it.” She went on to say that “it has the opportunity to be as much as you want, but it is up to you.”

One’s spiritual walk with the Lord looks different to each and every person. You might find your greatest worship and enjoyment of the Lord through Bible studies, church services, mentorship, mission trips or worship nights. In the paragraphs below, I have highlighted some of the main areas of Grove City’s spiritual atmosphere and share a little bit of my journey. I hope it gives you a glimpse into what it would be like to be a student at GCC.

Bible Study

In terms of Bible studies on campus, there are a lot of different options to get involved. There are Greek Group Bible studies, Bible studies through Campus Ministries who help facilitate the creation of groups based on an individuals’ schedule, and of course, Bible studies that you can get involved in within the local church community.

chapel — Picture provided by Grove City College

Church

Just within walking distance from the college, there are many local churches. These include, but are not limited to, East Main Presbyterian, Christ Presbyterian Church located in the YMCA, Grace United Methodist Church and Tower Presbyterian Church.

Churches that are within a 20 minute drive that many students attend are Sandy Lake Wesleyan, Grove City Alliance Church and Gateway Evangelical Presbyterian Church. For more information on different denominations, times and locations, please see the Local Churches page on the Grove City College website.

ICO: Inter City Outreach

In regards to mission trips, many students are involved in ICO’s. ICO stands for “Inner City Outreach” and are organized by Grove City students and take place over various breaks, like Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter. Each ICO team partners with a local church or ministry in the area that needs volunteers. Grove City has ICO’s going all over the world ranging from Jamaica, to California and even to Guatemala. Each individual team member of the ICO is responsible for raising the adequate amount of support by sending out support letters to family and friends, bake sales and more. Typically the cost of an international ICO trip ranges from $1,000 -$3,500, while local trips cost less than a few hundred dollars.

ICO's

Warriors

Every Thursday night, Grove City College hosts Warriors at 9 p.m. in Harbison Chapel. Warriors is a group of students who are enthusiastic to share their talents for the glory of God. Within the dimly lit chapel, students are welcome to come in and out during the worship time, sing or just sit and listen to the voices that are raised up to God. The group also hosts Extreme Warriors for those who like to start their week off right on Monday mornings in the Chapel.

My Journey

I personally have participated in a mentoring program with one of the seniors on campus. We get dinner every Tuesday evening and it has been an incredible time to just be filled and be reminded, especially during stressful times, to look at the my life in perspective of eternity. I also attend Warriors every Thursday night. I genuinely appreciate the dimly lit chapel where I can worship the Lord in my own way without feeling like people are looking at me. I also attend the Grove City Alliance Church every Sunday and was part of the worship team last semester.

So, for me, to answer your question of what Grove City College’s spiritual atmosphere is like, I would agree with the statement “you will seek [the Lord] and find Him, when you seek Him with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13). Basically, it is not difficult to find the opportunities to grow in your faith. There are a ton of different opportunities at Grove City, but it is up to you to pursue them if that is what you desire.