Author: Shannon McDade

Shannon is a senior political science and marketing management double major at GCC who will be going to law school in the Fall of 2016. Goal in life: to be a woman for all seasons.
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Spotlight: Grove City College Touring Choir

If you are looking for a way to get involved on campus, the Grove City Choir Touring Choir may be a great idea for you. It is the only faculty directed audition choir on campus. Currently, we have 44 members and are directed by Dr. Katherine Mueller. I can truly say that after three years of being in this spectacular choir, it has positively impacted my Grove City College experience as much as any other group. The other 43 individuals in the choir have become my Grove City family. Before I really talk about what this choir has meant to me, I think it’s important that you get a feel for what the choir does.

Every year, during the week-long break in the spring, the GCC Touring Choir goes on tour to a specific area of the United States. This area could be anywhere. In my tenure at GCC, we have traveled to California and the west coast, NYC and PA, New England (including Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, etc.) and this year we traveled to Washington D.C. and southern areas. Much like ICO (international mission) trips, the whole break is used to move from church to church and sing concerts for local congregations. We see ourselves as a mission singing group and almost all of our repertoire is sacred music. At night, we stay in host homes from each of the churches. All of this is at no cost to the student.

Overall, this group has become my family. Each of us loves music and is committed to using our talents to achieve excellence and to glorify our Lord. It is a group of fellowship as well as hard work. I would not take back one second of my involvement in this group. What time I have given to it has been returned to me with blessings in spades. I hope that prospective students take advantage of this wonderful group and opportunity.

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How to Make the Most of Your College Experience

As a senior a few weeks before graduation, I look back at my four years at Grove City College and wonder how they went so fast. I found a family away from home, I participated in so many great projects and organizations and I had so many great late nights. I can barely fathom that this chapter in my life is coming to a close. So as I am leaving, I would like to give tips to those who do still have time about how to make the most of your college experience.

Get Involved

I know that you have probably heard this one before. Maybe this advice is so common because it is true. That is what I am going to go with. Most of my closest friends are not from my classes; they are instead from the organizations that I joined. This is a time when you can get involved in projects and organizations that truly interest you. If you spend all of your time sitting in your room, I can guarantee that you will not get as much out of college as your involved peers.

Study Hard

Does this sound boring? Maybe. However, I can tell you that you will be much more willing to give up some of your time later for fun things if you are not playing catch up from a poor grade earlier in the semester. Remember, ultimately you are called here to be a student. Do not take that lightly.

Invest in Friends

You may have some of these friends for life. These are the people who will be at your wedding and who will pick you up when you need help. When I leave this school in a few weeks, one of my greatest accomplishments will be finding such great people who help me grow and fostering the beautiful friendships with them that I often feel unworthy of.

Do Not Shy Away from Faith

Our College’s slogan is that, “Faith and Freedom Matter.” One of our goals is faith. I will look back on these four years knowing that they greatly impacted my faith and spirituality. Do not shy away from this part of our school. I leave here a better woman because of the ways I have grown in my faith. Students here are so lucky because we can discuss faith with our professors and friends. It is like we are in a huddle preparing ourselves for being lights in our future work forces.

I hope that these tips help you. These four years will be some of the best times of your life. Live them to the fullest.

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International Justice Mission: Stand for Freedom

There are so many powerful service oriented groups on Grove City College’s campus. There are service honorariums such as Crowne and Sceptre, Roundtable and Mortarboard. Grove City College supports a national service fraternity in Alpha Phi Omega. There are groups such as Project Okello who seek to provide clean water to families in Africa. However, a group that really speaks to me is called the International Justice Mission. Their goal is to bring awareness to and to ultimately stop human trafficking, which is unbelievably prevalent in modern societies around the globe. Every spring, the International Justice Mission hosts an event called Stand for Freedom, which unites college students all over the country in the active mission of stopping human trafficking and slavery, sometimes by students physically standing for a period of 24 hours. I had the pleasure to interview an executive member of Grove City College’s chapter of IJM about their incredible group and community; you can find the interview below. I am so proud to be part of a campus that is committed to understanding and helping our global community as well as our local one and also humbled by my fellow students care and compassion for others.

What is your name and position in IJM?

My name is Andrea Rice and I am the secretary for IJM for the 2015-2016 school year.

Describe the goal/mission of IJM and what they do on campus?

The global IJM works with college campuses across the United States to combat slavery. Throughout our years as a chapter here at Grove City, we have sought to first bring awareness to the issues of human trafficking and slavery and the profound impact it has on all of us daily. Second, we have been proponents of Congressional bills that IJM has brought forth in order to bring about change in the legal system. Finally, in order for IJM to actually go out into the world and reach people in need, they need funding, especially as a non-profit organization; as a group on campus, we have been able to provide some assistance in that.

What is Stand for Freedom all about?

Although Stand for Freedom’s goal changes year-to-year, the event still has one overarching goal: bring slavery to the light & seek justice for the voiceless. Literally, Stand for Freedom can mean standing for 27 hours for the 27 million people enslaved all around the world today, including in the United States. What many young adults do not know is that human trafficking can happen anywhere, not just in third world countries. Human trafficking could be happening where you shop or get your favorite food. These enslaved people deserve a voice and for people to stand for them, not just one day a year, but every day.

What did the Stand for Freedom event at Grove City look like this year?

In years past, IJM has provided us with potential bills that needed to be signed in order to make it to Congress. This year, IJM urged the college chapters around the country to raise $1,500 in order for IJM to be able to fund 20 rescue missions. Being a smaller college, here at Grove City, we set our goal at $500. With the incredible support of students and faculty, we raised roughly $630. Every dollar of that will go towards rescuing those who are living in modern-day slavery, a world you or I could never imagine.

What have you personally gotten out of IJM?

Being a part of IJM has been a humbling experience. Although this topic is heavy and can be depressing, it is real, raw and on God’s own heart. Jesus came to pay the penalty for our slavery to sin, giving us freedom from our own sin and death. We are called to bring justice to His children who are enslaved. I have become more mindful of where I spend my money, knowing that I could indirectly be supporting slavery. I know that although I will be going into healthcare, I am not disconnected from this issue, because it affects all of us wherever we are.

What would you say to prospective students about this organization?

I would urge prospective students to join this fight. Whether that means here at Grove City College, at home, at church, at a summer internship or job, the fight does not have any boundaries. Here at GCC, we would love for more students to get involved in IJM because we need more voices for those who had theirs taken away from them. What we talk about is not easy, but it is real and there is hope.

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Law School: How to Get There from Grove City College

I came into Grove City College with a dream. I am leaving having started the beginning of that dream. My dream is to be an attorney and I will be attending law school next fall. To some people, this sounds unappealing and to others, downright repulsive. However, I know that some of you share my same dream. For those few people, you may wonder what it is like to go to Grove City College while attempting to propel yourself into this career. Well, I am going to share my own experience with you. Full disclosure: I am a senior at GCC, so I can’t give you a full account of what law school will be like (though through second hand accounts, I have heard that it’s very…time consuming). I will however, share my experiences up to this point.

  1. DO NOT STRESS

    about what major you will pursue in college. Law school is one of those magical places that does not care what you majored in. They don’t even care if you double majored in college. So feel free to pick what you like and don’t feel pressured to stick with political science or history. A writing intensive major helps, but is not required. Law schools only care that you did well in the major that you chose.

  2. GPA Matters.

    While your choice of major does not really matter when you are hoping for law school, your GPA does. Law schools will especially be looking at GPA and LSAT score when they are considering accepting new students. So, go to office hours if you are struggling with something and be proactive on your work. I have spent some late nights berating myself and wishing that I had just started sooner. You can succeed here.

  3. Take advantage of our new minor!

    To those incoming freshman, I wish I could be you. Truly. Grove City College, as of the fall of 2016, is offering a new minor in Pre-Law. It will be a great opportunity to gain special knowledge and experience about a future in law.

  4. Connect with professors who may have connections to this field.

    I had the opportunity to be a research assistant to one of the well-known political science professors here who was able to advise me in this area. Also, there are some great attorneys as professors and faculty on campus. Our college president fits this model, as does a great professor in the business department. Another great way to connect to law-like people on campus is through the Law Society.

  5. Take your LSAT early!

    As of today, LSAC (Law School Admission Council) offers the test four times during the year. They occur in June, September/October, December and February. If you can be prepared in June before your senior year, which means at LEAST three months of studying daily as well as hopefully taking a prep course, do it. It allows you to apply sooner which in turn puts you at an advantage to get more scholarships (since law schools accept on a rolling admission). It also means you’re not stressing about studying at the beginning of your Senior year. September/October is the next best time, and many people take it this test. If you are not fully prepared in June, wait. It’s better to have one good test score than to take it twice because you did not do so well on your first.

  6. Don’t lose sight of your goals!

    College is extremely fun. Truly, I will look back on my time here as some of the best years of my life. You will have great friends, late nights, trips to Pittsburgh and plenty of ways to make the most of your experience. However, DO NOT lose sight of why you are here. You are a student. Don’t forget that your ultimate goal here is to prepare yourself for a career. So work hard and don’t lose sight of your dreams.

Summation: You can get there from here. I hope to one day welcome you into the attorney family.

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GCC Goes to CPAC

One of the most beautiful things about Grove City College is the myriad of passions that different students have. One particular hobby that many Grove City students seem to share is their love and involvement in politics. This isn’t surprising. The College is built on the foundation of “faith and freedom,” and itself has participated in defiance of government influence through its battle in the Supreme Court of the United States in the 1980s. It is logical then that students here are very zealous in their political beliefs. One way that Grove City students express this passion is through their attendance of the Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC. Every spring, Grove City takes a few dozen students to CPAC; this year was no different. I had the chance to ask one of the student organizers of this trip, Brianna Buczkowski, a few questions about this incredible trip. Her answers are below.

What was your involvement in the organization of the Grove City trip to CPAC this year?

“Out of the student fellows [for the Center for Vision and Values] I was asked to be the point person for the trip meaning I led the discussions, created a new system for sign-ups and delegated other responsibilities to the fellows and also worked the closest with Mr. Wishing and Mrs. Vinton on the planning and execution.”

How many students attended CPAC this year? Is this a typical number?

“We had about 44 students attend. Our funding is adequate for us to take a coach bus full of students. Because the Center heavily subsidizes the trip the number of attendees, naturally, has to stay limited.”

Are students able to get out of classes to go to CPAC?

“Unfortunately no, students do not get officially excused from class, but professors are generally very understanding and supportive of students going on this trip.”

What kinds of opportunities to Grove City students have at CPAC?

“CPAC is only one aspect of the trip, which is officially called the D.C. Networking Experience, which is really what it is more so than just CPAC. We plan an alumni mixer event at the Heritage Foundation which is widely attended by alumni in the D.C. area, a breakfast at the Charles Koch Foundation and other think tanks and similar organizations for students to actually go to and network. And of course, we stay right at the Gaylord Convention Center where CPAC takes place so in free time students have direct access to the speeches going on and the exhibit halls and other events happening in conjunction with CPAC.”

Describe one of your favorite experiences at CPAC.

“Sitting in the media section in the back while speakers talked and being able to see people I see on TV! Super cool!”

CPAC is an awesome experience to network and hear speeches by the top conservatives in the U.S. If you get a chance to go, I hope you take it!

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An Open Letter from the Student Who Thought That She Was State-School Bound

blog post about making a college decision

Dear Senior Prospective Student,

It’s April. Crunch time. You’ve applied to schools, big and small, and have gotten your acceptances. Your college decision is looming over your head. Each day, you come up with an official decision. The next day, your official decision no longer seems so official and you are ferried back to square one.

Does this sound familiar? It certainly does to me.

I was this high school senior; I could not seem to make the decision. I applied to over 10 schools hoping that in the time between applying and May 1st (the deposit deadline), clarity of where I should spend the next four years of my life would strike me. It never did. Mid-April, I was still majorly mulling over what I should do.

My dreams had always been big. I had played sports my whole life and loved that scene. Movies pictured fun, loud, sports games at Division I schools and it seemed like everything I wanted. State schools have everything: every club, every major, every society, everything you could want, or so I thought. In November, I was convinced that I was headed to University of Maryland to join my already established friends for the best four years of our lives.

Around April, my perspective changed. I visited several of the small schools I had been accepted to and I realized the difference. The small schools, especially Grove City, felt like home. Not all students were power-walking to class with their heads down and phones out. Instead, students stopped my tour guide on her way, said hi, and asked to catch up later. Grove City’s Office of Admissions remembered my name and asked to interview me (and all the other prospective students) to see what my fit at this school could look like. They invested in me.

Could people have invested in me at a large school? Absolutely. However, it is not as easy or valued at schools with zounds of students. You are only one face in a very large crowd.

Every professor that those students have had do not stop them in the hallways to say hi; my professors do.

Their college president may not know their names; mine does.

I asked several of my senior friends, “What do you think you’re going to miss most about this school?” All their answers are the same, “The community here.” Our community between students, professors, and faculty is rich, unparalleled and cherished.

So, if I could go back and tell my 17-year-old self anything, I would tell her to jump. Don’t look back. Maybe you are drawn to a school that is totally different than the college you imagined for yourself. That’s okay.

That small school called Grove City College will surpass every expectation that you had about college and will be some of the best years of your life.

 

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The Story Behind Grove City College’s Supreme Court Case

On one of my first visits to Grove City College, way back in the spring of 2012 as a prospective student, I was approached by a member of the Office of Admission. This staff member asked me if I knew about the Supreme Court case that Grove City had participated in during the 1980s. I had not and told him so. He then gave me the typical (and perfectly good) short 1-2 sentence explanation of what that case entailed. “It allowed us to refuse federal funding. It was really a big deal.” Upon hearing this, I was satisfied with the explanation and did not think about the case again, except of course to give the same short explanation to anyone who was asked me about my college or to future prospective students.

Fast forward to 2016. I am a senior political science major going on to law school and I know nothing more about Grove City College’s glorious Supreme Court victory than I did four years ago. To give honor to my major and my future career and to inform the masses about what this case really means for our school (especially for students and their families), I did some digging. Hopefully this short summary will give you what I have so desperately lacked for four years: a deeper explanation of the actually extremely meaningful and valuable thing that is Grove City College v. Bell.

Grove City College in 1983 was not so different than it is today. At the time, the College did not accept any federal funding, and thus, thought they should be able to refuse to sign the federal government’s standard “assurance of compliance” form (“COURT TO DECIDE CASE ON SEX BIAS”, 1983). Basically, signing this form means that the College would agree to follow all government policies. Of course, Grove City College did not want to do this. So, they had a long standing battle with the government as to whether Grove City College could be forced to sign and comply with this form. The Supreme Court of the United States decided that yes, since the college received federal funding in the avenue of student federal loans, the College’s compliance could be compelled only in financial aid office (Lascell). Then the 1984 Congress, not particularly liking the ability of Grove City College to ignore other federal regulations, passed a bill saying that if any part of the school has federal connections, the entire school must comply with all federal regulations. So, the College responded by refusing any dollar of federally touched money: grants, loans or otherwise.

So, what does this mean for us today?

  1. Generally, we are exempt from federal regulations.
  2. Our financial aid office does not accept any federal loans or grants. Rather, we have our own programs for those students in need.
  3. We are free to promote faith as we choose.
  4. We limit student indebtedness.
  5. Our athletic statistics are not monitored by the federal government.
  6. We stand by our pillars of “faith and freedom”.
  7. The federal government cannot track demographics of our students.

Just by attending GCC, I already knew my college had strong principles. However, we then choose to truly live by those principles. In the words I have heard many times at this institution, “Faith and freedom matter.” Yes, they certainly do.

Here’s a great video that sums up the whole case!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTCOa9KT7L4&w=560&h=315]

Works Cited

“COURT TO DECIDE CASE ON SEX BIAS.” The New York Times. The New York Times, 22 Feb. 1983. Web. 02 Apr. 2016.

Lascell, David M. “Grove City v. Bell.” GROVE CITY COLLEGE v. BELL:(n.d.): n. pag. Grove  City College. Web. 02 Apr. 2016.