“You Can Get There from Here.”
Even before I became a student at Grove City College, I heard this line from one of the college’s most beloved professors: Dr. Powell. He had this crazy notion that if I cast a vision for something I want to do, whether large or small, at this school I could do it. His faith in Grove City College’s potential to bring to life even my biggest ideas intrigued me, but as a prospective student I had no clue how true it would prove to be.
It Started Out as a Bit of a Joke
Flash forward to sophomore year, when I was a member of the Student Government Association (SGA). Early in the year, SGA held a meeting for the express purpose of brainstorming. Unfortunately, my small group had more of a light brain mist going on than a brainstorm, and I needed to find something we could rally around. I remembered a video I had seen on the internet a few weeks back, a ridiculous game called bubble soccer. We had nothing better, so we pitched that.
Standing there in front of the rest of the elected students, I almost sheepishly described the game. It is played like soccer, but with each player wearing a large, inflated bubble suit. This allows for hilarious contact and crashing without injury. I was excited to tell them about a sport that many had not heard of, but I admitted that it probably wasn’t feasible at a small school like ours. I mean, state schools weren’t even trying this yet. However, the presentation received unanimous support. I was floored – did they actually want to try to do this?
Attempting Something Big
Okay. We were going to do this. I formed a team, and we started to figure out how. Since this game had been invented in Europe, only certain areas in the U.S. had it available. We finally found a small company near Philadelphia named BumpBall that was willing to drive out to us. Next, we had to convince the administration. Many meetings and emails later, we had the green light. I was so excited. My idea was actually happening.
Opening up brackets to each freshman hall, we developed the tournament as an end-of-the-year capstone to the new students’ various intramural competitions throughout the year. The buzz began to grow. We had 21 halls and nearly a hundred people on board. Once students saw our posters, they began to get excited.
Let the Games Begin
4 p.m. May 1st arrived, and the freshmen and their fans lined the slope at the edge of the intramural fields. I started the games and watched as fantastic bouts of adrenaline and laughter ensued. Standing there with a megaphone, I thought back to the beginning of the year. How did I get here? It was then that I realized the truth in what Dr. Powell had said. If you set your mind to it, you can make your dreams a reality at Grove City College. You can get there from here.
Check out our video of the event:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpk0IylusmE
Category: Campus Events
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.
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.
Project Okello Funds Living Water
Though nicknamed “the Pearl of Africa” by Winston Churchill for its “magnificence and profusion of brilliant life,” the Uganda we know today is far from the “fairy tale” depicted by the British Prime Minister on his visit in the early 1900s. Its lush landscape and friendly people are still intact, no doubt. But poverty’s grip on Uganda is tight, wringing her people dry of the chance to truly thrive.
And dry indeed, for over 8 million people lack access to clean water, which not only harms health but also hinders crop production and other means of livelihood. For decades, numerous organizations have poured relief efforts into Eastern Africa, providing temporary fixes to keep people going. Too often, though, this sort of relief is just a drop in the bucket for the poor—whose problems go deeper than the material surface and can only be conquered when individuals are empowered to tap their potential for the long haul.
Here at Grove City, Project Okello seeks to do just that. Founded in 2006, Okello is a passionate student group whose mission is “to be an instrument of hope, healing, and Christ’s love” to the people of Uganda through prayer, fundraising, and awareness. Throughout the year, Okello puts together a wide array of events to support its three Ugandan missionary partners, including the Ugandan Water Project—a nonprofit founded in 2007 that has served more than 170 communities through sustainable development projects and community building.
This past November, Okello joined forces with UWP to hold its featured fall event, Wells for Hope—a music and arts festival that funds the installation of rain water collection systems in Uganda with the greater goal of clearing a path for living water to flow through the Gospel. Recruited vendors including students, alumni, and local artisans set up shop around the Student Union, selling a variety of goods from button rings and stationery to photos and hand-carved walking sticks. Through a donated percentage of vendors’ profits and other generous contributions, altogether exceeding $5000, Okello and UWP were able to fund a tank and supply at least 30 years’ worth of clean drinking water to the 350 students of St. Joseph Kakonda Primary School in the district of Nakaseke.
(Photos above courtesy of Ugandan Water Project)
So, not only were students stopping by the STU that Saturday able to tackle some early Christmas shopping and enjoy fellow students’ musical talent. More importantly, they got a unique chance to reach outside the “bubble” and contribute to an eternally worthwhile cause.
“Everyone has the right to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” says Okello’s president, Dan Schafhauser (Finance, ’16), “and the fact that we’re American college students doesn’t give us the right to ignore this in other parts of the world.”
Looking ahead to next semester, Schafhauser and his team hope to continue making an impact here on campus and abroad as they enable fellow Grovers to engage with communities in need. Whether they’re selling chicken patties to send kids to camp in Kenya, hosting Ugandan natives on campus to share their insight, or simply praying for God’s hand to heal the broken, the members of Project Okello are staying thirsty for more opportunities to revive a lost and needy world.
Follow Project Okello on Instagram here.
Legacy of Laughter
When the papers pile high and stress hits hard, laughter may indeed be the best medicine—especially when you get a good dose of PhD-caliber antics. Grovers got their fill a few weekends ago when a professor boy band by the name of Un-Direction took the stage of Crawford Auditorium, making its grand debut with a “gob smacking” rendition of a One Direction classic renamed “What Makes You Love This School.” As Un-Directions’ manager, I had a front-row seat to the making of Faculty Follies 2015—an experience neither I nor the 800 in attendance will soon forget.
As an annual event that premiered in the late ’70s, Faculty Follies has become a longstanding tradition that not only provides comic relief for the hardworking, but also strengthens community on campus.
“We learn together, we eat together, we pray together—it’s good to laugh together as well,” says political science professor Dr. Coulter (’91). As a seasoned participant, he’s seen Follies evolve from its early days as a departmental variety show to its current status as a cross-disciplinary compilation of outlandish skits.
In 1977 the Chapel Staff birthed the event, which was soon adopted by the honorary societies Omicron Delta Kappa and Mortarboard. Representing ODK, I got to work with the student-faculty team that made it all happen. Though quite a project to tackle—from skit and video development to recruitment of faculty, prop collection, and advertising, as well as the pressure of pulling it all together in just two short rehearsals, somehow it turned out alright. Aside from learning some lessons in event planning and collaboration, I got a unique chance to be part of a Grove City legacy and make a few memories in the process.
As an event that “allows students to see the faculty’s lighter side,” in the words of ODK Advisor Dr. Smith (’72), Follies 2015 did not disappoint. In the opening act, “Evolution of Dance,” fancy-footed faculty broke down the decades from “The Twist” and “Thriller” to “Can’t Touch This” and “Bye Bye Bye.” Additional musical talent was showcased in the “Lip Sync Throwdown,” and English professor Dr. Harvey comically shed light on mopeds, mullets, and more in his “Very Serious Poetry Analysis” of Macklemore’s “Downtown.”
Other acts poked fun at campus culture, such as “Snapple Facts with a Grover Twist.” For instance, according to Snapple Fact 890 “The number one or the word one appears on the dollar bill 16 times,” while Grover Fact 890 revealed that “The words ‘faith,’ ‘freedom,’ and ‘no alcohol’ appear in the Crimson student handbook 16 times per sentence.”
In a parody of Rob Cantor’s “Shia LaBeouf,” prominent historian Andrew Mitchell terrorized the audience with his infamously tough grading, causing students’ GPAs to “topple to the floor, eviscerated.” But Un-Direction soon lifted the crowd’s spirits with their hilariously heartwarming hit single, the lyrics of which quickly reminded everyone of “What Makes You Love This School,” from Starbucks in the Student Union to professors who teach students to “avoid the booze” and “seek the Truth.”
“The Coulter Report,” came next, featuring none other than the distinguished Dr. Coulter, who had the crowd roaring with his sarcastic commentary on Campus Safety’s black bear avoidance strategies. Student-produced videos also sparked some snickering, including “Faculty Fight Club,” “McLachlan’s Papers,” “Just Do It,” “Drake and Dr. Drake,” and last but not least, “The Most Interesting College President in the World.”
In the final act, “Test of Knowledge,” a team of students challenged professors’ proficiency of pop culture. After guessing that “bae” stood for “bacon and eggs,” it was clear that faculty needed assistance to fight off such culture savvy collegians. In a flash, President McNulty came to the rescue, conquering every question with ease and scoring the win for faculty, sending defeated students stumbling back to their seats.
To celebrate their victory and eternal prestige, the entire cast of faculty swaggered off stage to “Downtown” and hopped on kiddie bikes and scooters to wheel their way up the aisles and out the door.
… And not one in the crowd could have asked for more.
A Marketing Major’s Experience in GCC’s Elevator Pitch Competition
The Elevator Pitch Competition is an annual event at Grove City College. Students from all majors participate and pitch their own original business ideas. There are two categories in this competition: social and commercial enterprises. The event starts with a preliminary round to narrow the candidates to 10 finalists from each category. This year we had 102 students from all majors and years participate!
I took the opportunity to participate this year as a senior for the first time. As a marketing major, I have always been interested in entrepreneurship. This year I decided to take Entrepreneurship 101 and a requirement in the class is to participate in the Elevator Pitch Competition. To be honest, I was nervous. My marketing and business classes have been focused on strategy and marketing of existing companies and products. Now I was given the challenge of creating a unique business idea and the task to pitch the idea in 2 minutes to a panel of judges. I brainstormed, worked with my professor and finally developed an original idea. It was a great experience that pushed me out of my comfort zone.
My introductory entrepreneurship class is full of students from all majors so the ideas discussed are diverse. Grove City College gives you the opportunity to explore different disciplines which helps develop us into well-rounded students. The Elevator Pitch Competition is the perfect example of the collaboration of different majors on business ideas. In the finals, there was everything from an engineer major pitching a photography equipment idea to a political science major pitching a news aggregate website for millennials. All years were represented in the finals. It is a really unique opportunity at Grove City for freshman to compete with seniors. Although I am not an entrepreneurship major and do not plan on starting my own company, I appreciate the opportunity to learn new ways of thinking and the chance to develop my own business idea.
The Elevator Pitch Competition occurs every fall at Grove City and it gets better every year! To learn more about entrepreneurship at Grove City College, check out their page!
Driving the McNultys
Homecomin
g at Grove City is a time of fun, hanging out with old friends, and networking with alumni. However I had an opportunity that put all of those on the backburner….I was asked to drive President McNulty and Mrs. McNulty in the homecoming parade! (Let me just begin by saying they are without a doubt the
sweetest, most humble couple!)
Having never met Grove City’s First Family, I was extremely nervous about the prospect: President McNulty was Deputy Attorney General of the United States and Mrs. McNulty is a style icon! If that isn’t intimidating enough, I was driving them in someone else’s 2014 Stingray Corvette…no pressure right? As time drew near for the parade, I began to think about what I would say to them; as a senior graduating in December, this may be my only chance to talk with the couple one-on-one. I began reminiscing about my time at Grove City, my professors, all the classes I had taken, but how do I begin to shed a light on how much I have grown since coming to this wonderful school? Grove City is more than a school, it is a community of people devoted to their values and the pursuit of education.
As I woke up on the morning of the Homecoming parade, I realized what I would say: nothing. Nothing I say could ever fully, adequately describe my experience at Grove City. Instead I would focus on actively listening; the amount of wisdom the McNulty’s have surpasses anything I as a 21 year old college student could ever comprehend. So as the day passed and we prepared for the parade, I listened. I listened as they spoke with former GCC President Dr. Charles S. MacKenzie, Marathon Executive Vice President Donald Templin ’84, and other Grove City legends. As I drove them down Broad Street past the crowd of cheering people, it all began to hit me. Grove City will always be with me. The information I have learned and the people I have met will stay with me throughout my path in life. President McNulty never imagined that his path would lead him back to Grove City one day, but to him it is home now. That is what Grove City will always be to us whether we move away to follow a career, choose to settle here, or simply return once a year for Homecoming: it’s home.
Connecting with the Future: Career Fair 2015
On a chilly gray Wednesday in late September, there’s a special buzz on campus. The time has come for the annual Career Fair—and for students to begin knocking on some doors. Recruiters from across the country fill the Intramural Room with high hopes of finding their ideal candidates, and students clad in suits and heels make their entrance with resumes in hand, ready or not to connect with their futures.
For collegians caught up in the craziness of this thrilling yet uncertain stage of life, preparing for what’s next is undoubtedly daunting, as recent graduate Emily Fritz can attest. “Bridging the mental gap between academia and real-world experience is actually kind of difficult,” admits the 2015 Accounting & Finance alumna, but she found that starting early in the process helped to ease the transition.
Taking advantage of the opportunity to sharpen her professional communication skills at the Career Fair her sophomore year, Fritz introduced herself to Grossman Yanak & Ford, a regional certified public accounting and consulting firm headquartered in Pittsburgh. Making this first connection built the foundation for an ongoing relationship which led to a summer internship and eventually the full-time audit associate position Fritz holds today.
Although her strong work ethic as a student and aptitude in the classroom undoubtedly set her up for success, Fritz doesn’t underestimate the importance of the Career Fair in preparing her for post-college professional life. “Grove City has one of the largest career fairs I’ve ever seen and offers as many opportunities to make professional connections as you can possibly get,” affirms Fritz, who is just one shining example of the many success stories that unfold every year.
With over 160 employers and graduate schools in attendance this year, it’s no wonder that students are raving. Since launching its first Career Fair back in 1999, Career Services has faithfully invested in the development of this annual event which has grown significantly over the past two decades. This year the Intramural Room was packed with booths boasting numerous full-time, internship, co-op, and summer positions for every major in various locations ranging across 23 states. A significant number of alumni recruiters attended the fair, offering fellow Grovers helpful insight from the other side of the commencement-day stage.
The fair’s sheer magnitude for a school of Grove City’s size is certainly unique, but perhaps even more impressive is the breadth of fields represented. From big name organizations that have attended over the years like Ernst & Young, Peace Corps, Teach For America, General Electric, Mylan, Honda R&D, PNC, HP, and Chick-fil-A to government agencies including the Department of Justice, ministries such as Fellowship of Christian Athletes, seminaries like Westminster Theological, and graduate schools including Penn State and Carnegie Mellon Universities, the Career Fair yields a full harvest of positions ripe for the applying.
Another notable organization with a faithful attendance record is UPMC, one of the leading nonprofit health systems in the U.S. Their past recruiters have said that “Grove City College students come in and make an immediate impact for us in helping position our organization in a dynamic and changing marketplace that health care finds itself today.”
Grace Leuenberger was one of those stand-out students. As a Communication Studies major with a special knack for design, Leuenberger found her niche with UPMC as a Creative Services Summer Associate. Upon making the connection as a junior at last year’s Career Fair, she applied and was hired soon after. “I learned a great deal about design and project process and am walking away from my summer at UPMC with a valuable set of communication and marketing-related skills … [that] I feel will serve me well in a variety of professional settings in the future.”
No matter where your passions lie nor how well defined they may be, there’s no better way to move forward than checking out the Career Fair. For upperclassmen on the job hunt, opportunities to connect abound. For underclassmen, the fair presents an incredible opportunity to explore internships and summer jobs and develop professional networking skills that can be of great value before diving into the formal job search down the road.
As the festive winter season approaches, only time will tell what stories unfold from Career Fair 2015.
