Author: Robbie Davis

Robert is a Senior Communication Studies student with minors in English and Theatre. When he is not on the stage in a production, he is most likely either nose-deep in a book, (averagely) playing guitar, singing his heart out in the shower, or sitting around, deep in conversation with friends.
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Faculty Spotlight: Joshua Mayo

29268B94-B446-4DB3-A71D-BCE0F2944B86In my time at Grove City, I can honestly attest to the caliber of faculty that spans all of the departments.  From English to History to Chemistry to Art, I have experienced professors who not only love their classes but also those taking the classes.

That is not to say I’ve only experienced the kindness and friendship of professors in the classroom or, for that matter, the professors I have had. In the last year I have the pleasure of getting to know the personable Dr. Josh Mayo.

I never had Josh as a professor. In fact, the class he was hired on to teach was added after my freshman year. However, we met initially, I believe, at our church, Grace Anglican. We were aware of each other, but never had an honest conversation.

This fall at Homecoming my housing group, the Tri-Rhos, had a barbeque for the alumni, and I first met Josh. It’s odd how you meet professors outside of the classroom setting, get used to calling them by their first name, and then realize that their actually an employee at Grove City. To this day, despite that he recently received his Doctorate, Josh insists that I refer to him as just that, “Josh.”

During his time at Grove City College, Dr. Mayo majored in English and continues to pursue his love of literature to this day. After meeting his wife at the school, they moved to Oxford, Mississippi and then to Dallas, where he spent time at the University of Dallas.

“It was in that five year span that I began thinking about poetics, rhetoric, and the arts of language, the topics that drive my teaching interests today.”

He always knew he would return to Grove City though. There was something about the quality of people that emanated a joy he couldn’t 394B89A7-CA60-4A1E-A7E0-755E1BAED1CEkeep away from.

Dr. Mayo received his Ph.D. in studying the didactic principles of Shakespeare. Some scholars assert that Shakespeare only intended his plays to entertain, but Dr. Mayo doesn’t adhere to that school. He asserts that Shakespeare clearly wanted his works to be taken as lessons, as evidenced by the play-within-a-play format.

I see Josh and Bethany at Grace regularly, whether it be in the congregation or up leading worship. They haven’t just integrated themselves into campus life, but also in the community.

“Bethany and I love the community here in Grove City. This is where we want to raise a family. It’s a good place to put down roots.”

I have been truly blessed to make the acquaintance of Josh and Bethany. They are both truly wonderful, caring individuals that have showed me the benefit of caring for those around you and for the work that is at hand.

Dr. Mayo is only a single case study of all the truly wonderful individuals who get up in front of a classroom and pour out their passion for 50 minutes to an hour and 15 minutes.

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Forefront: In Faith We Create

18238922_1320117271411861_5427032072239208109_oRecently, creatively-minded Christians have produced art that, while not intentionally bad, speaks only to the redeemed. This movement has managed to appeal to Christians but has altogether remained unappealing to those who do not feel welcome to the church. This does not mean the art is bad; again, I think it has tremendous value to those already in the church. However, this type of art has only a certain market it can reach.

Two Grove City College alumni realized this, and in 2015 Nate Mancini ’13 and Johnny Sikma ’13 sought to reach out to the community of Christians in the arts. They created a festival geared toward faith-driven artists called the Forefront Festival. The end goal was to bring together Christ-followers who are passionately pursuing the arts and offer them an encouragement to strive for excellence while still being accessible to those outside of the faith community. The result of their efforts was an event that produced worthwhile art while not pandering to a faith-based market.

“We wanted Christians to return to the forefront of the arts — to be the kind of people who shape culture and start art movements — so Forefront Festival seemed an appropriate name,” says Mancini. You look at many of the art movements of yesteryear, and there is a distinguishable pattern of strong Christians striving towards a universally recognizable standard.

I had the privilege of attending the first festival, and I can attest to the caliber of excellence. Photographers, authors, painters, dancers, and critics alike came together to discuss the profound impact their faith had on their work, be it explicitly faith-based or not. Nate and 18209056_1320754578014797_2428433757382773533_oJohnny premiered a film that they co-wrote and produced, not about a Christian’s struggles, but about a human’s struggles. Despite the lack of “I am a Christian” message, it still spoke to the need of a greater fulfillment and purpose that Christians only truly find in their relationship with God and, as artists, in displaying his truths.

Not long after the first festival, Nate approached Rich Christman ’14, and the event began to form into a second incarnation. Johnny moved to Los Angeles, and Nate “asked [Rich] if [he] would like to come as his partner in Johnny’s place.” Rich said of course, and they quickly began to form a greater vision. They didn’t just want events to be the premier resource Forefront had to offer, but the people who would attend the events. They created an online platform for Christians in the arts to connect and collaborate.

Sadly I wasn’t able to attend Forefront ’17, but they upgraded the experience significantly. Not only was there a festival to exhibit artists, 18216787_1321083947981860_8383942365351858937_obut also a conference to host lecturers (primarily the featured artists) to discuss their craft, be it directly related to their faith or not. While Forefront ’15 feature Pittsburgh-based artists and favors from friends, Forefront ’17 featured “artists from six different states… as well as two different countries,” including a TED Fellow.

Forefront has grown significantly, with a drive not only to promote the creators, but rather the creatives. Who knows what the next Forefront may hold? Maybe you could be a part of it.

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Finding a Church-Home for your Four Years

Grace 2One of the most overlooked issues of choosing a college is subsequently finding a church to attend. The Grove City area is home to many churches from a variety of denominations. From the point of finding a church, then comes the process of accessing how you fit in to the community. Ideally, any congregation would be welcoming and open to visiting members. Thankfully, being in a college town, the congregants are aware that the students need a place to call home and a church in which to worship.

While I could review all the churches in the area and rank them in “attendability,” that wouldn’t give you an adequate account of all that the nuances of the churches and what they have to offer. Instead, I will recount my experience at the church I have come to call home in the hope that it will serve as an example of how finding a church and plugging in can truly benefit both you and the community you join.

I attended four churches growing up, all technically “nondenominational,” but all very different in their worship style. I’ve experienced everything from gospel choirs to modern worship settings, all of which very legitimate in their own right. Coming to Grove City, I thought I would end up in a fairly contemporary church, keyboard, electric guitar, and drum set included. What I ended up with was far different, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Midway through my spring semester freshman year, a friend invited me to go with them to Grace Anglican, and I’m thankful that I did. The community there has been incredibly beneficial for me. At first the liturgy was strange for me, but I quickly realized it was a thoughtful, worshipful way to engage with God’s grace in our life. The recitations serve to focus the congregations minds collectively on the God who has so mercifully brought them together.

The majority of the congregation is not Anglicans or they were not raised as Anglicans; however, the key to Grace is the gospel-rooted sermons. Both Ethan Magness, the rector, and Eric Rodes, the assistant rector, ensure that every message that comes from the pulpit is infused with our reliance on God for salvation. I have been encouraged not necessarily in my failures, but in Christ’s fulfillment of our insufficiency.

It’s hard to feel welcome in a new community, but Grace insures that the students that attend are included in the mix. They are welcome in Bible studies, church dinners, and even as ministers in the service. Students are welcome to be worship leaders and even, in my case, chalice bearers during communion. I’ve also been an actor in the annual Christmas play at the church.

I’m sure it seems as if I’m making a case for Grace, and I’ll admit I’m biased. I also want to make it clear, though, that Grove City students are able to find churches they can call home. It’s a very reassuring fact that a home can be found away from home.

If you are wondering what type of church you can call home while at Grove City College, check out this list of local churches on the GCC website.

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One Acts: Low Risk, High Reward

According the laws of economics, the higher the risk involved in an investment, the greater you can potentially get out of it… or at least that’s how I understand it as a Communications major and English minor who’s spent most of his time in the theatre over his four years at Grove City College.

However, according to the economics of Grove City Theatre, something I am well versed in, the Spring One Act Festival is not only the lowest time commitment, but also one of the most fun productions on campus.

13100915_236548083367948_187737983363438110_nEvery Spring semester, between four and five productions are put on, ranging from 10-25 minutes. These shows range from comedies to dramas, even some longer skits, but all are student directed. Even the festival and most of its logistics are coordinated by two students, who function as liaisons between the faculty, the directors, and the technicians.

I got my start in One Acts during the Spring of my Freshman year, not in directing or acting, but in tech. I helped assist the run crew move props and sets between shows. After that experience, I knew that I had to be involved more in the process. After that I acted in a play and then directed three.

For my final semester at Grove City, I decided I wanted to take a crack at acting again, and I’m excited to jump back into the fray.

The talent that comes out in One Acts is astounding. Due to the less demanding schedule in comparison to a main stage full length production, students who would normally shy away from theatre come out in droves. The fresh faces make for a fun, collaborative experience.

13138737_236555066700583_691817548328236843_nNot only do One Acts bring out the acting talent from across campus, but also encourage writers to present their original plays. Last spring we had two original plays go up in the same festival. It was a tremendous experience.

Perhaps you do theatre in high school, and you’re worried you won’t have time for theatre or perhaps that you won’t be able to commit to the rigors involved in theatre that you weathered before college. Fear not. One Acts allow for you to still be involved and express your passion for theatre without overwhelming you.

Perhaps you’re worried that you won’t get cast because you’re not a familiar face in the theatre department. Once again, you have nothing to worry about. In the upcoming festival, only six out of the 12 actors have acted in productions before. That’s half! One allow for anyone who comes out to have a chance at theatre.

I’ve been so thankful for the fun times I’ve had through One Acts. So when you get here, come one out. They’re worth your while.

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Words from a Commencement Speaker Finalist: A Passion for Washing Feet

Recently I had the honor of being one of six student finalists to speak at the 2017 Commencement. To a little dismay, I was not selected, but I certainly don’t count the chance as a failure or a let down.

While I won’t be able to deliver my thoughts to the Class of ’17, I thought I would at least let them be read. Perhaps words from someone headed out can be of use to someone coming in.

A Passion for Washing Feet

There are certain qualities that distinguish better from best, achiever from overachiever… or Grover-achiever.  The person who spends 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. in the stacks, STEM, or Student Union, researching their term paper, calculating profits and losses, or coding for their senior project. Grovers are characterized as passion-driven dreamers who know no limits, who know what they want, pursue it, and, more often than not, achieve it. This stems from our sense of calling as believers to set goals and follow through.

We’re asked at a very young age “What do you want to be when you grow up?” and we’d answer with only logical responses: doctor, football player, spaceman, pirate, ballerina, cowboy. Clearly all attainable goals for a 5-year-old.

As silly as some of those dreams were, we were convinced, at least for a moment, that’s what our futures held. As time moved forward, so did our aspirations, but we still were asked that fateful question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

We left high school and were welcomed into the Grove City College community. We came here with a major, and if you didn’t, hopefully you have one now. Maybe you’re like me and you switched majors once… and then twice. Whether Hicks, MAP, or the STU, HAL, Hoyt, Rockwell, STEM, or PEW, we’ve all faced moments that have left us wiped out and looking forward to the next break.

How did we find ourselves in such a predicament? Drive. Passions. Dreams. We were told to “pursue our passions” and “follow our dreams.” But what happened when we thought we wanted to be a forensic accountant, but we’ve changed course and now we’ll start a career in marketing? When we were convinced we would go to medical school, but now we’ve realized the program we wanted to pursue just wasn’t the right fit?

The truth is that these are larger versions of the issues we’ve dealt with every day at Grove City. A test that was harder than we expected. A class that was more demanding than we felt we had time for. A friendship lost due to a misunderstanding or a failure of communication. To a degree we have all been faced with these trials, and we have all gotten to the other side, which is why each and every one of us is here today, ready or not, to leave our red-bricked residence.

But what about the future? Have we been just the right amount of prepared for a world out there that is just the wrong amount of confusing?

Just like we changed our ambitions from cowboys to accountants, from pirates to practitioners, and from doctors to, well, I hope some of us still want to become doctors, we must reassess our purpose for pushing through the difficult tasks that lie ahead, for pushing through the bank statements and the blank stares, the days of doubt and the fear of not being enough.

Grove City College has equipped us for this.

It is a place that takes the confident and knocks them down a little, challenging them to think about the world which for years they took for granted.

But it’s also a place where the meek and the uncertain are given the tools and experiences to be a little more sure of the world that is so unsure of itself.

We’ve been given the skills, the facts, the ambition to move forward boldly. So where do we start?

Perhaps the answer lies in what our true passion should be. Perhaps the only way to truly make it in this world is to have a passion for washing feet, for service, one that forgoes our own comfort and safety to care for the least of these. A passion with a purpose.

Don’t misunderstand me. The passion you may have for jazz or bottom lines, circuits or chromosomes, whatever it may be, is important, but allow it to start from a place of service.

We are living in uncertain times, where division is easier to find than unity and where it is hard to differentiate between fact and feeling.

Grove City College has given us the charge to make a difference, whether on a global, national, or local level. As the faculty, staff, and administration of Grove City have shown us, the best leaders are those who put others first.

Class of 2017: I encourage you to remember always the purpose for which you were born. Because after all our caps are tossed and every dorm room is cleared out, what inevitably follows is the adult version of “What do you want to be when you grow up?” “What are we going to do with our lives?” No matter what your answer—whether it involves this company, that grad school, or some other adventure beyond, may you never forget your primary role as a servant, called by God to utilize all that He has given us for His purposes. May you always be faithful to him who will always be faithful to you.

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The Fellows Initiative: Pursuing Excellence

Pittsburgh FellowsAs a graduating senior, one of the most frightening questions you are faced with is “What comes next?” While you know that the past four years have prepared you for the journey ahead, a little healthy stress may find its way into your  thought process.

I had the good fortune of securing what my next step would be back in the end of my fall semester. I was accepted into a program known as the Pittsburgh Fellows, which is a leadership development program based out of St. Stephen’s Church in Sewickley, just a short drive from Pittsburgh.

The Pittsburgh Fellows is dedicated to helping recent graduates at the beginning of their career. Through one of the many partners the Fellows are associated with, from PNC to UPMC, the Fellows work full hours from Monday through Thursday, learning from the businesses with whom you are placed. It’s a wonderful way to experience and learn more about the business world straight out of school.

Another way in which the Pittsburgh Fellows trains their Fellows is through mentorship with local business leaders, providing them with a professional sounding board that they can use and be built up by. The Pittsburgh Fellows doesn’t want to send their Fellows into the business world blind, but rather with a network around them that wants the best for them and looks to serve their best interest.15289148_1306178019420328_529824465072875269_o

The program is not only looking to foster career growth but also personal, spiritual growth. Fridays for the Fellows are dedicated to taking classes at Trinity School for Ministry, focusing on leadership, theology, and community involvement. The program’s seeks to prepare future business leaders, specifically focusing on positions within businesses in the Pittsburgh area.

One of the greatest resources the Pittsburgh Fellows provides a network of business-minded individuals, both program alumni and partner organizations. This network is formed and maintained with the intent to create a Christ-centered community, there to build up and assist young professionals and business leaders alike. Regular networking events and opportunities to connect are available for the Pittsburgh community.

While Pittsburgh has one of the most reputable programs, there are 25 programs across the United States that are dedicated to cultivating young Christians into strong leaders in their community. Along with the Pittsburgh Fellows, Grove City Students are currently participating in the Charlottesville, VA and Washington, D.C. Recently advertisements for the Chattanooga Fellows were posted around campus. Grove City is known for producing quality individuals, and these programs want to capitalize on these individuals, giving them more opportunities to excel.

I’ve had many opportunities to interact with current Fellows and those who run the program, and I am thrilled to be getting this opportunity. There’s nothing like the feeling of not only having a plan, but also having a plan that you know has long term benefits.

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The Suitist Challenge: Going Without for Those Without

12719238_798202740307410_759971832251914852_oEvery year, a group of seven gentlemen dress-up in three-piece suits and don’t shower. These men also have a formally-written constitution, arrange a photo shoot, and advocate for missions work in Africa. While this may seem like a strange list of attributes, they all describe the gentlemen that call themselves the Suitists.

Every year, this group wears their suits (without taking them off) to raise money for Project Okello and the ministries that Okello is supporting at that time. Throughout the week, the Suitists hold Bible studies and often grab meals together, to promote the unsanitized solidarity that keeps their Suits on and smiles beaming.

The hope of the challenge is that by foregoing bathing and a daily change of clothes, as well as donning a classy outfit (albeit for an entire week), that their efforts will garner questions about why they’re doing what they’re doing. This in turn receives an explanation of the cause being supported and the mentality behind wearing Suits for an entire week. Ideally, the explanation results in the donation of a few dollars from the inquisitive individual.

Not living in an ideal world, this is not always the case. In all honesty, that can sometimes be discouraging, especially when you’ve slept and lived in the same suit for the last three days, share about the importance of what you’re doing, and then get flat out rejected. It’s a disheartening experience.

But by the middle of the week, a few of us recognized this, and decided to discuss how we were feeling and why that was. What we came to realize was that it was not because of our failure but because of our focus on ourselves. It was not about the Suits or the Suitists, but rather what God was doing through us.12694837_798674956926855_1193190340596571167_o

After we had this revelation, it was far easier to move forward with our week. It was by no means easy, as not showering does come with many downsides, but it was still far more fulfilling and tolerable. We quickly came to realize that it was by no means the thing we were doing that was the most important aspect, even though it was important. It was far more important to remember the God who we were serving by serving others.

And so the Suitist Challenge will continue. What started as a mess was made to be beautiful through God’s faithfulness. Be it a gentlemen’s fundraiser or a local ministry, Grove City College students are committed to serving the least of these, foregoing their own comfort for the benefit of those around them.

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Tau Alpha Pi: Theatre Honorary Revitalization

16804433_389820321374056_3708237260065769812_oThe fall of my sophomore year at Grove City I was inducted into Tau Alpha Pi, or TAP, the theatre honorary on campus. In order to qualify for the honorary, you need to participate in two areas of theatre production, be it acting, directing, crew work, or management, and show a dedication to the department and its goals.

It was an honor to be selected as an applicant, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time in the department. In the spring of that same year I was elected the positions of Treasurer and Co-Social Chair. It was great to be able to take part in the inner workings of the department, and I was honored to be elected.

By the end of my sophomore year, however, many of the heavily involved members of the group had graduated, and we were left with an executive team which had not been involved with the organization for long. This was not necessarily a bad thing, but it left gaps in our knowledge base which put us at a disadvantage.

The beauty of the Grove City theatre department, and the campus in general, is that its students are passionate and driven, and this leads to a strong desire to not just pursue but advance the activities that they have found so much joy in doing. Sometimes, that takes a little time, but the dedication, when unwavering, pushes you through to the other end.16836096_389820291374059_182559591086010225_o

This was the case with TAP. For a year, my junior year, we struggled to find the best way to move forward. We knew that with our lack of information in certain areas, we’d need to find new, innovative ways to advance the individuals in the organization as well as the reach across campus. Ideas were thrown around suggesting cabaret nights and large fundraisers, nights of short scenes and flash mobs…

But something just was not clicking. Be it the grand nature of the suggestions and the dwindling number of members or perhaps that daunting questions of “Can we really do this?” hanging over our heads, we didn’t know how to move forward. Those are the best moments, though. The ones when you’re just not sure how to move forward. The ones where moving forward, or even to the left or right, is necessary to prevent from falling back.

Funds were our biggest issue. As an organization, the only way we received funding was from new member dues, and then we would spend about that for our annual theatre celebration. This was great, but with more funding we knew we could do a lot more to benefit if not the campus, then at least the department.

It was at this moment that we realized what was right under our noses: the talent of the cast. We were surrounded by so many wonderful individuals, particularly musicians, so why not showcase that. Before each show our Fall musical, Anything Goes!, we put together a bit called Tips4TAP. As the audience gathered into the lobby, we would send out a group of students to perform a musical number for those waiting to get in. Along with this we put a tip box out for the audience to make donations if they so desired. This was a tremendous hit!16991734_389820294707392_5172919371770678756_o

Then we were faced with a question we hadn’t quite anticipated: what next? Now that we had more money, what should we do with it? The answer we came up with proves not only the goodwill of the students but also the desire to see individuals flourish in theatre.

Every year, students are sent to a national theatre festival to perform and compete against other actors. Through department funding, we are able to help these individuals get there. The festival, though, offers workshops and exercises spanning all areas of theatre. We decided to put together a fund to send a non-actor to the festival each year and let them take advantage of all the resources it had to offer.

Just like that (and by “just like that” I mean after a year of a lot of thinking) we knew how we could benefit those around us through the honorary. I am very proud to call myself a member of Tau Alpha Pi.

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The Power of Theatre: The Process of Performing

Theatre is a wonderful medium that allows the actors to engage directly with the audience, to feed off of the energy in the room, and put on a show that will amaze.

This spring Grove City College put on Oliver Goldsmith’s She Stoops to Conquer, a comedy about mistaken identity and true love. I had the honor of playing the role of Diggory, a half-wit butler who causes more trouble than he can fix. This was my last full-length show at Grove City, and I enjoyed the cast immensely. I had the opportunity to work alongside some of my best friends and even make a few new ones along the way.

Above all, we strived to put together an entertaining, meaningful production for the audience. Goldsmith’s intent was not to just put on a comedy for the sake of laughter, but also for purpose of thought and engagement. Beneath the surface jokes lie a wellspring of meaningful commentaries on classicism and empowerment of women. While laughter plays a large role in the show, there is so much more to be gleaned from the text, and it’s the actors’ jobs to make that come to light.

For being a liberal arts college of 2,500 students, Grove City always amazes me at its quality of performances, and that goes beyond the acting. While the acting is impressive not only for a school without a Theatre major, but also for students in majors from Computer Science to Mechanical Engineering and from History to Communications, the technical work at Grove City exceeds expectations. Lighting, sound, sets, and props come together in a way that exudes skill and dedication.

Just like it does in its various other departments, Grove City’s theatre impresses and excites those who experience it.

Here is a video made by Daniel Peiffer highlighting She Stoops to Conquer and the creative process called Inside the Actor’s Mind.

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Student Spotlight: Jake Jastrzembski, Ministry and Mentorship

I’ve been in the Rhos with Jake Jastrzembski for two years now, and I’ve appreciated the opportunity to get to know him. Currently, he serves as our chaplain, and this stems from his desire to serve people.

During his time at Grove City, Jake has pursued a degree in Biblical and Religious Studies, eventually aspiring to a life as a minister. In preparation for a live of service, he’s volunteered at a Grove City professor Dr. Bibza’s, church, leading both their middle school and high school youth groups.

“It’s been an incredible chance to be able to work with these kids. I want to make a difference in their lives, and God has given me the opportunity to do so.”12079608_10205072035102305_9070116695398246080_n

While Jake has been mentoring the youth of the church, Dr. Bibza has mentored Jake, providing him with a strong ministerial example.

Along his work with the church, Jake is a member of S.E.A.D., or Students Excited About Diversity. Jake joined S.E.A.D. out of a desire to seek racial reconciliation.

The way I have seen Jake’s servant heart has been as a brother and chaplain of the Tri-Rho Housing Group. jake has led the Rhos spiritually for a year, hosting Bible studies and prayer groups, and he’s available for any of the guys who may need to talk about a struggle they’re having.

Jake’s unflinching willingness to care for those around him is a testament to the caliber of person at Grove City. I have come in contact with many individuals who are caring for those around them. I’ve been able to ind a community of people across campus with servants hearts.

Above all, people are willing to listen. That’s a quality that is not often found nowadays, but I’ve certainly been able to find that in people like Jake.

I can’t due to enough to describe this fine man. This is just a small picture of Jake. He’s a little guy with a big heart.