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Posted on December 7, 2015December 7, 2015 by kleinsm1 — Leave a comment

Q&A With Redbox Missionary Adrienne Scrima

Senior Communication Studies major Adrienne Scrima is currently studying abroad at the King’s College in New York City. This past summer Adrienne was one of the students accepted into Grove City College’s unique Redbox Missions program, where accepted students are granted funds to complete mission work of their choosing throughout the summer.

Why did you decide to pursue the redbox program and what did that process look like?

I applied my sophomore year and was rejected, but encouraged to apply again my junior year. I applied because it was a great opportunity to do any kind of mission work on scholarship. I applied my junior year after Dr. Graham stopped me in the hallway to follow up and encourage me again. That happened the day after I asked friends to pray for my summer plans. I applied, interviewed (funnily enough my interview sophomore year went far better), went to the theology/missions training sessions, met for meals with the Red Box students, and spent months and months researching, consulting, and praying about my missions decision.

Can you describe your program and the calling you felt towards that area?

I applied to Athletes in Action after a speaker at Fellowship of Christian Athletes spoke about how he was impacted by his experience at an AIA camp. I definitely didn’t feel called. It was the last thing I wanted to do. I thought God had better plans for me, ones that would be more sacrificial and less fun. However, God’s plan was easy to see when every other option for the summer fell through.

What were some favorite moments from the summer?

I began to see that God has gifted me in ways that are advantageous as a journalist. I started to see journalism as ministry. It actually prepped me for my King’s College study abroad journalism program. By far, the best part was the community. Everyone was extremely intentional on being open, vulnerable, and gritty about personal issues. Interns for example, initiated group discussions on homosexuality, beauty, and diversity.

How your experience affected you and impacted those around you, relationally and in your faith?

Relationally, I get to live the rest of my life miserable that I may never experience community like that again. But actually, it just showed me how valuable intentional Christian community is. And how fun it is. I entered the program with the goal to get to know myself better. I felt as though I had a ton of blind spots and wasn’t sure of how I came across. I made sure to ask people why they complimented me or get feedback, criticism on my actions. And my faith is always on a high when I can dialog with others freely and openly about God.

What would you say to a student considering applying for the redbox program? Is it worth it?

Yes. You can do whatever you want. Red Box isn’t for a specific kind of person, Its perfect for any Christian, regardless of calling, with a willingness to serve. Also, learn from my mistakes and don’t think too hard about it. I tried to be the best steward of the scholarship I could be, thus indecisively passing decision deadlines.

Anything else you might like to add that isn’t covered above?

GOD KNOWS WHAT YOU WANT/NEED BETTER THAN YOU DO.

Posted on December 7, 2015December 7, 2015 by kleinsm1 — Leave a comment

The Center for Vision and Values

Would you believe me if I told you that Grove City College hosted an opportunity for students to work at a real economic think tank while still on campus, gaining invaluable relational and professional experience while learning about and dealing with complex political and economic issues? Well, you should. The Center for Vision and Values at Grove City College was founded in 2005 through funding from the Koch Foundation. The center’s website tells us, “The Center for Vision & Values provides a valuable opportunity for engaging in political advocacy.” It does this, by example, through dual student fellows programs (research and marketing), educational lectures and programs on the Grove City Campus, countless research projects and op-eds, as well as a conference every spring.

The on-campus lectures cover a wide array of topics from effective poverty alleviation, to income inequality in the 2016 election, to problems with federal economic regulation. Not only do these events provide invaluable opportunities for students on campus to learn more about the world, but they offer the student fellows a great amount of experience through running them. Brianna Buczkowski a senior marketing fellow with the center expressed great appreciation at being able to work in a professional environment while still on campus, and stressed how much help that will be, regardless of where she ends up after graduation.

The spring conference regularly brings in several thousand attendees, including junior marketing fellow Brooke Dymski’s parents. Her parent’s attendance is how Brooke knew of the center before ever arriving at Grove City College as a student, and how she knew she wanted to be a part of the fellows program. The conference deals with timely cultural issues, such as 2015’s theme of ‘The Family’ and brings in a diverse array of speakers including the lawyers who argued before the Supreme Court on behalf of Hobby Lobby during the 2014 conference on religious liberty.

The Center for Vision and Values is just one example of the culture that is fostered at Grove City College promoting critical thought about issues vital to the shaping of our society. All the opportunities and organizations work together to prepare students to enter the world well-rounded in their education and readiness to make a difference for God’s kingdom.

You can visit the website here to learn more about the center and its work.

Posted on December 7, 2015December 7, 2015 by kleinsm1 — Leave a comment

Students Fight for Life – Gosnell Documentary Showing

In 2010 the nation was shocked when a high-profile federal raid of 3801 Lancaster Rd. in Philadelphia revealed that the abortion clinic housed in that building bore countless violations of health and safety laws and resulting in accusations of murder for 7 infants and one woman. Kermit Gosnell was arrested, accused and convicted in a case that became a beacon of hope for the pro-life movement across the nation, yet few know the details from which the accusations resulted.

This year a documentary called 3801 Lancaster: An American Tragedy was released, the first to include actual interviews from Gosnell. A few weeks before the November release the Pennsylvania Family Institute contacted the Center for Vision and Values on Grove City’s campus to offer students the opportunity to host a premiere at the Guthrie theater in downtown Grove City. Center for Vision and Values student fellow Elijah Coryell teamed up with campus pro-life group Life Advocates, primarily secretary Angela Kim, to bring about the event. About the importance of the film Kim said, “3801 Lancaster is particularly relevant because it isn’t just pro-life. It is reflecting facts that no one can deny—the true story of a man who was convicted of three counts of first-degree murder for infanticide, and more importantly, it raises awareness to the possibility that Gosnell isn’t necessarily ‘special.’”

The event was designed in a way and marketed so as to bring the community together with the general student body in bringing awareness to this important topic. Life Advocates started a multifaceted marketing campaign with a poster campaign, chain emails, social media advertising and speaking about the event in 15+ classes.

The event showcased not only student initiative in taking advantage of opportunities to put together events with real impact towards events they care about, but also connecting with the greater community surrounding Grove City College.

About the general reception from the audience Coryell said, “The showing evoked a mixed reaction from the audience–a mixture of shock, somberness, and steely determination. Shocked by the horrors revealed, somber in the face of the inhumanity, and steeled to do anything to prevent such tragedy from happening again.”

You can watch the documentary here.

Posted on December 7, 2015December 7, 2015 by kleinsm1 — Leave a comment

Inner City Outreach – New York City

At Grove City College there are many unique opportunities, not the least of which are the inner-city-outreach trips which are planned, led and manned by students. These trips are an incredible opportunity to take the Christian truth and grace taught and fostered at the college out into the world to serve. ICO trips take place during Thanksgiving and Spring breaks, and both intercession sessions, and range in location from the Dominican Republic to Guatemala to Canton Ohio. This year saw the second Thanksgiving trip to New York City with a team of 12 students, including the three leaders James Leach, Kira Hellwig and Aurthur LaMotta.

When asked about what differentiated the NYC ICO Leach responded that, “ICO NYC is special in that we don’t have as many clear deliverables as other trips. NYC has better facilities then a team of 12 could ever build in 4 days. This lack of deliverables really focuses the trip on human on human interaction: the stories, emotions, philosophies, mindsets, religions, prejudices, ect. That focus makes this trip something special to me.” With a relational focus there were many unique ministerial opportunities including reaching out to the homeless of NYC which number over 60,000. The ICO NYC team also worked with the Christian Youth Theater, the New York Rescue Mission and conducted street surveys to start conversations about thankfulness with city residents.

The experiences were varied and exciting, from jumping through closing subway doors to rescue a team member stranded on the platform, to worshiping with fellow believers at the Big Apple Chapel on Sunday morning, to debriefing at the end of each day by sharing highs and lows. The team had grown close throughout the semester leading up to the trip by weekly meetings and bonding activities, but came together more than they could have predicted as they worked closely to bless the people of New York. As Leach put it, “I would totally recommend the experience! It has definitely opened my eyes to a depraved humanity in our own backyard. Along with that, how good it is to have the Hope which has the answers for that depravity.

ICO NYC2 — Team member Elaina Kimpel with pigeons while surveying in Central Park.

The team kept a daily blog here, where you can read stories and see pictures from their ministry.

Posted on November 30, 2015November 30, 2015 by kleinsm1 — Leave a comment

Grovers Abroad: Q&A with Raquel Fereshetian

Raquel Fereshetian is a junior communication studies major with a minor in business. She is currently spending a semester abroad in Florence Italy at the international institute Lorenzo de’Medici. After graduation Raquel hopes to enter into a marketing or design job in the fashion industry.

Why were you interested in studying abroad?

I decided to study abroad because I wanted to step out into the world and experience and see life in a new way. I was also encouraged by many upperclassman and family members.

What did the process look like in regards to finding your program?

There were many different options in finding a school and program abroad. The GCC international office of education put me in contact with upperclassman who had previously studied abroad to help guide me and share their own experiences. I really valued the inside advice that they provided which allowed me to finally choose Florence and my institute, LdM.

What does your program look like in Florence, classes and living situation?

I attend Lorenzo de’ Medici, an Italian international institute located in different places all around the heart of the city of Florence. I am taking classes including Visual Communications (Graphic Design), Sociology of Consumerism, Intercultural Communications, Anthropology of Fashion, and of course, Italian. I especially appreciate the very highly educated Italian native teachers and the insight they provide on their respective topics. I directly enrolled into the institute so, although I am not directly included in a program, I enjoy getting to know those who are through my classes and the many activities (museum visits, tours, and wine tastings) that the school provides. I am even involved in a free ceramics club! I live in an apartment in the city with three roommates, a walk from the main center. I absolutely love my authentic Italian apartment, and although I have a lot of new responsibilities, it is wonderful to be able to feel accomplished living on my own.

Could you generally describe what your experience has been like so far?

I experienced very little culture shock as I find I am able to adapt quickly, however, the stress of life abroad is very hard to get used to. There is something new to experience or to see every day which can sometimes be overwhelming. I, however, have found that the growing experience that study abroad provides is completely worth all of the difficulties. My time in Florence has been faster than I could ever imagine, and I have found myself soaking up the last few wonderful moments I will have in this city that has become my home.

What are some of your favorite places or experiences you’ve had while studying abroad?

I had the wonderful privilege of traveling all around Europe during my time here in Florence, including Belgium, Italy, Hungary, France, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, and Slovenia. Out of the nine countries I have been able to explore, I have grown to especially love Italy. I found that taking time to immerse myself into the Italian culture has allowed me to even more appreciate my home here. I absolutely loved having authentic Italian experiences and learning the inner workings of life here. In Italy, a bigger country than I ever realized before, I was able to travel to small and large cities, beaches, lakes, and islands. My favorite moments included times when I could converse and befriends locals.

Would you recommend students consider studying abroad, and how important do you think it is to a college experience?

YES. Studying abroad is a once in a lifetime opportunity where you can learn and grow immensely. The weeks before leaving for Italy I kept asking myself why I chose to part from everything that was familiar to me: friends, family, my school, and my country and live in a completely unfamiliar place. I was challenged by someone close to me that the Christian walk is not about being dependent on the securities of life but instead stepping out of that comfort. In addition to this challenge, I would say that studying abroad has been a key time for me to reflect on my life and future desires.

You can follow Raquel’s journey on her blog here (http://becomingflorentine.com/)