Author: hassingerlw18

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Small Campus Big City

One of the main reasons I decided to go to Grove City College was its close proximity to downtown Pittsburgh. Downtown Pittsburgh is a short one-hour drive from campus which means if you have a means of getting to the city, you can access the many experiences Pittsburgh has to offer.

I will be the first person to admit that it is nice to get off campus once in a while, and with Pittsburgh only a short trip down the highway, there are endless opportunities. Pittsburgh has many great restaurants, bars, and great sports teams that you can generally find cheap tickets to. Another great plus to having the city is having stadiums that will facilitate great events and concerts. Earlier in the spring, a group of my friends drove down to Pittsburgh to see Tame Impala perform.

In my time at Grove City, I have been able to attend many concerts, and there are plenty of concert venues in the Pittsburgh area which make it possible to get off campus and experience the big city. One of the biggest misconceptions about Grove City is that it is remote and far away from any forms of entertainment, but this is not quite accurate. One of my favorite things I have been able to do as a student is drive down to Pittsburgh and see concerts, eat some great food, and spend time in a great city.

Another recommendation during the winter season is the Pittsburgh Penguins offer student rush tickets to college students. Tickets range from $20-$35 which would be a relatively cheap college weekend night. Overall, Grove City’s close distance to the city makes it easy to plan a fun weekend either with friends or a date. There are plenty of neighborhoods to discover in Pittsburgh so get out there and get exploring!

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Inside the Economics Department

Before coming to college, I had no idea what I wanted to do. I knew I had general interest in the area of business but did not want to commit to administration. My freshmen year, I entered as a Marketing major with little to no idea where I wanted to go. After taking microeconomics my freshmen year, I quickly realized that I had some interest in pursuing Economics as a degree. I am here to debunk some of the myths that surround being an economics major at Grove City College.

First off, I want to send some praise to the great professors that have made my four years a part of the Economics department so enjoyable. The first myth is that all the economics professors are boring and have little to no care for the students. This could not be more false as the economics professors have continually tried to make curriculum more interesting and more applicable. The professors treat their students like family, inviting classes over for dinner or the Herbeners’ famous spring picnic.

Another myth is that all economics majors do is math. This is wrong, especially in the Grove City curriculum. The economics program at Grove City approaches economics from a logical and mostly narrative understanding of human interaction. The last myth is maybe the most common. Many people will say that in order to succeed in the economics department at Grove City you must have prior knowledge of economics. This could not more wrong, and I would even go as far as saying it is better to go in with no exposure. Austrian economics is at some points abstract and helps to go in with an open mind. Overall, my experience in the economics department has been enjoyable and prepared me for my current job. If you are thinking about becoming an economics major, I recommend talking to a current major or one of the many professors.

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Winning the IF Dodgeball Championship

Intramural sports are extremely popular here at Grove City College. They allow students of all skills and talents to compete in a myriad of sports. Recently, we brought back IF sports which is inner fraternal sports. Inner fraternal sports is the league that all Men’s Greek groups compete for the IF cup, a prized trophy awarded to the fraternity that can succeed at the most diverse level of competition.

IF athletes compete in games like football all the way to bowling. This past month we played in the IF dodgeball championship. The Betas were the number one seed, and we had a first round bye. Games were set up in a standard fashion. Each team lined up on each side of the basketball court separated by the half court line. Standard dodgeball rules applied, and we ended up playing the Sigma Alpha Sigma Fraternity in the final and won in five games.

Ultimately, IF sports gives students the opportunity to compete with their brothers in hopes of winning the IF Cup. This opportunity has been so special to have back as it provides a new way for us to connect with other groups on campus and compete to glorify God. Not only is this a cool way to connect with groups on campus, but also it is a great way to connect with alumni and have pride in the current class of members. The conclusion of the IF season is coming closer with other sports such as softball and soccer entering playoffs. Grove City Greek Life provides a multitude of opportunities to grow closer to the community around you and the rebirth of IF sports brings this growth into the field of competition. While you have the ability to do this without being in a Greek group, playing for your fraternity exhibits a new type of competition on campus that I have found to be very fruitful and a memory I will always remember.

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Luke’s Top 5 Favorite Classes at Grove

As a senior, I have began to look back and reflect on some of my favorite classes I have been able to take here at Grove City. To put them in order is an extremely difficult task. Grove City offers live changing classes in all majors to all students, and I will miss the unique opportunities each class offered. For the sake of listing the top 5, they will be in no particular order, these are simply my favorite classes I have taken. Ranking these would be a whole other challenge. My hope is to provide you with my general elective as well as my economics related classes I had to take.

  1. Old Testament History with Dr. Byun: I know I said I was not going to rank these but this one would definitely be my top contender. First off, Dr. Byun is easily one of the best professors on campus. This combined with his unique and vast knowledge of Old Testament history and outstanding course outline create an experience that allows you to really grasp the purpose of the Old Testament. Difficult questions are raised and answered with the help of course material and immense dedication to teaching students about Old Testament history.
  2. Econometrics with Dr. Fuller: Metrics was hands down the most challenging course I took at Grove. Every economics major is required to take this class, and it was the challenge that made it so rewarding. Econometrics simply is a hybrid between a high level statistics course and a high level economics course. Dr. Fuller’s young personality and vast knowledge make this class extremely fun but again difficult for most.
  3. Middle Eastern Politics with Dr. Kengor: MEP (Middle Eastern Politics) was a fantastic course taught by Dr. Paul Kengor, the chair of our political science department. What made this class a fantastic learning experience was the expertise of the instructor. Dr. Kengor’s teaching style is relatively laid back and might seem unprepared but this would be false. Kengor’s vast knowledge and preparation for each class is incredible, making this class a must-take.
  4. Courtship and Marriage with Dr. Bright: I am not in a relationship, and C&M with Dr. Bright was a fantastic class that taught me how to approach relationships from a biblical and Christian perspective. Dr. Bright is one of the nicest professors you will ever meet and truly a role model and someone you could tell anything to. Classes are interesting but still provide a challenge for its students.
  5. Stagecraft with Dan Wolfe: I am currently in Stagecraft and its been one of the most hands-on classes I have ever taken. Stagecraft is unlike any other course you will take on this campus but is extremely applicable. In Stagecraft, I have learned how to use power tools and have learned new approaches to the design process in theater productions. Dan is laid back and another great guy on campus to know that has produced TV shows and movies at the highest level and is a must take as a senior.
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Apartment Life

Grove City College, Colonial Hall Student Housing - IKM Inc

As you grow older at Grove City College, living opportunities begin to increase. For the most part, freshmen men will live in either Memorial Hall or Hicks Hall until their sophomore year when more opportunities open up such as Lincoln, Ketler, Hopeman, or even the Colonial Apartments. Personally, I joined a fraternity my freshmen year so it is popular to live on the hall with your group.

But, my senior year, my roommate and I decided to enter the lottery for an apartment. Our hopes were to give us more room and ultimately more independence from the regular student life set up. It also helps if you are student teaching to have a kitchen to make meals for the day. The apartment comes with many pros but of course with everything there is a cost. The first most obvious cost or downfall is that you are further away from the heart of campus. This means you must add extra time into your schedule to account for the walk to class. Another cost is food. The apartments provide a full kitchen with the intention that students will cook for themselves. For a college student that is low on time or a budget, cooking food becomes more arduous.

Despite these downfalls, the apartments provided a multitude of benefits to students who live there. Some of the stand-out pros that I have found are the increased independence and the opportunity to learn how to cook. After college you enter the real world, and it is nice to have prior experience in cooking meals, especially on a budget. Another plus is the size of the space. Colonial offers spacious rooms and updated appliances. Overall, Colonial offers a sense of independence that you do not get anywhere else on campus, and it forces you to grow and live on your own. For me being so involved in my fraternity, I do not know if I would have done it again, but it has been a great experience and one I will always remember.

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Tam O’ Shanter: A Golf Course Review

Welcome! - Picture of Tam O'Shanter of Pennsylvania Golf Course, Hermitage - Tripadvisor

As spring rolls around campus, the weather begins to improve the opportunities to be outside begin to become more present. While some students like to go hiking or hammocking, I have fallen in love with playing local golf courses in Western Pennsylvania. Playing golf for me provides stress relief and an amazing opportunity to connect with different people off campus. Western PA’s rolling hills and mild climate provides an optimal layout for nice affordable golf courses.

Last week, I played Tam O’Shanter in Hermitage. I had played this course multiple times before but had never taken the time to review the course in general. To begin, Tam O’Shanter is one of my favorite golf layouts around the College. The course is around 30 minutes from campus so its relatively accessible. Inspired by the rough and natural layouts of traditional links style courses, Tam O’Shanter plays around 6,500 yards from the back tees.

In my opinion, this course provides the most challenging golf experience when it comes to local golf courses. Greens are fast, fairways are tight, and par 3s are generally long and unforgiving. While it might be the toughest challenge, it is one of my favorite places to play. The pros in the pro shop are always kind and love college students, and the food at the turn is very well priced and tastes great.

One of my favorite aspects of Tam O’Shanter is the course layout. Tee to green, this course provides a very scenic and enjoyable golf experience featuring winding fairways and small undulating greens. Overall, I recommend any golfer to take a weekend and a couple of friends to enjoy the historic Tam O’Shanter–just remember to bring some extra golf balls. You are going to need them.

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Inner City Outreach: A Leader’s Perspective

Over Spring Break, I was blessed to have the opportunity to lead ICO Arizona. ICO Arizona is one the many opportunities students have to travel around the United States to serve a local church and community. My first exposure to ICO was my sophomore year. I knew an upperclassman through my fraternity that was leading a student led trip to Tucson, Arizona. Looking back, I have never really been able to figure out why I exactly went but attribute my participation to God. My first year I was able to participate in the trip as a regular attendee but was later asked to lead the trip. The following is an account of my leadership experience and the unique opportunity ICO provides to students across campus.

ICO is one of the best things that has ever happened to me on this campus. The ICO (Inner City Outreach) program is such a unique way to serve the Lord along side people on campus you maybe would never talk too. What makes it so unique is that is completely student led. While the ICO and chapel department at the school help train the leaders, it is up to us when we get down their to be spiritual leaders to the rest of the people on our trip. The task is daunting! To know that you are responsible for a large amount of students is not an easy thing to accept. But what ICO provides is not only the lifelong relationships with your service community but also an opportunity for students to go out of their comfort zone and lead fearlessly into an unknown area. A lot of times students have natural abilities to lead but are not often exerted out of fear or lack of opportunity, but the ICO program provides opportunities for leaders and non-leaders to serve the Lord as well as find a church community that can pour into you, even if they live across the country.

A lot has been said about “short-term” missions but I can confidently say that ICO programs should be considered by all freshmen when coming into Grove City. There are endless opportunities for you to serve God on and off campus, but the ICO program has been one way that has personally affected me, and I want to see as many people have the same experience I did. While it might not be Arizona, every ICO program offers a fresh look at God that can be extremely fruitful for college students. I cannot wait to see you all out there serving!

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Green Meadows: A Golf Course Review

Spring at Grove City is one my favorite times on campus. The cold and snowy days are quickly replaced with the warm and pleasant breeze of Western Pennsylvania. As the weather becomes more lively, so does the campus. There is a surge of students outside to enjoy the warmth, either by studying outside or just hanging out with some friends.

One of my favorite things to do when the weather shifts is to find some friends and play one of Western Pennsylvanians many golf courses. Last week, I ventured to Green Meadows Golf Course in Volant, PA. Green Meadows is a short 20-minute drive from campus and offers a fantastic golf experience for golfers of any skill level. Green Meadows was first opened for play in 1960, so its fairways and greens have had time to reach maturity.

Green Meadows provides a test to every golfer. The course layout is a tight course with four dogleg fairways and some grass bunkers. There are sand bunkers that come into play on most holes. The sloped greens are fast, and three of them are undulating. Par for the course is 72. From the forward tees the course measures 4,680 yards and around 6,500 from the back tees.  The longest hole on the course is hole 12, a par-5 that plays to 587 yards. The shortest hole on the course is #9, a par-3 that plays to 170 yards from the back tees.

From my experience, I would recommend watching out for #7, a 438 yard par-4 challenge and the #1 handicap hole on the course. Hole #7 provides a tee shot that favors a high draw due to trees that line the left portion of the landing area and dogleg fairway. It can be tempting to cut down the fairway and play over the trees but attempting this is dangerous and can often make your second approach shot more difficult. My success on this hole has been from playing a long iron to widest part of landing area and playing another long iron into green.

My favorite thing about the course is its lush fairways and rough. Last week was not my first time playing Green Meadows, and every time I have played in the past, the greens have been rolling and well-kept, and fairways are manicured and always lush. For $15 for 9 holes, the experience is unbeatable.

In the next coming weeks I will be providing more course reviews of local Grove City golf courses. Playing recreational golf is just one of the many ways that students can get off campus and enjoy the beautiful weather. I cannot wait for more students to experience the great time that Green Meadows offers.

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From Roommate to Life Long Friend

Ever since I was young I wanted a brother. I was still lucky to have a sister, and as I have gotten older, I have become much closer to her, which I have cherished. While I loved growing up with a sister I wanted a brother to play catch, ride bikes, and scrape my knees with. I never had that and dearly longed for it, especially as I got older and began to face new challenges in my life.

Fast forward to my senior year in high school, and it’s time to pick a roommate. Picking a roommate is quite honestly one of the closest things to a shot in the dark you can encounter.  There is an immense sense of pressure when deciding to live with someone. Doubts begin to flood in: does the person like the room cold or warm? Does he like to stay up late or go to bed early? Is he clean or messy? Living with someone slowly becomes the scariest challenge college has to offer and you are not even on campus yet.

My experience is much different than what I had expected. I expected to change roommates a couple times into college in order to find the right fit. My assumption was completely wrong. Throughout the past three years I can finally say that I have the brother I always wished I had. The fears of living with someone quickly diminished as I began to grow closer and develop a genuine friendship. As a senior in my second semester, I am beginning to reminisce on my time at Grove City College, and I have begun to realize that my most valuable takeaway from Grove City will not be my degree but the life long friend and brother I know I will have in Jack.

I am blessed beyond belief to have someone that I know I can trust and help me through the darkest times in life and celebrate in life’s most joyful moments. I can confidently say that I would not be where I am in my life without the help and guidance that I have been given. I understand that I got extremely lucky finding someone that I was completely compatible with. And the harsh reality is maybe you will not get as lucky the first try. But to prospective students, if Grove City College is your future home, developing relationships to people here is the most valuable thing you will get from your time in college. While some might disagree, I can confidently say that I have the brother I always wanted and a friend until the day I die.