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Alumnae remember Placement Day with fond memories, lasting traditions
Volume 122 Issue 11
February 8, 2024
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Sam Franklin ‘26 argues for more sustainable alternatives to Davidson’s manicured lawns
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Jennevieve Culver ‘25 reports on recordbreaking runner Anne Berquist ‘25
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The Yowl explores culture of Patterson Court, offers suggestions
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Patterson Court Implements New Alcohol Policy Students Raise Concern on Practical Implications
ROWAN WALLIN ‘27 (HE/HIM) STAFF WRITER
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he Patterson Court Council (PCC) and Student Activities Office have unveiled a new policy this semester regarding alcohol consumption at all PCC organization events. Under this policy, any Davidson student who wants to consume alcohol at a PCC event must swipe their 21+ CatCard on an electronic scanner to receive a wristband that grants them access to alcoholic drinks. PCC organizations were informed of this new policy at their regular Risk Manager Training at the start of this semester. The process of providing alcohol at a PCC event involves Student Activities allotting the organization a fixed amount of wristbands to be administered to students of drinking age. After the party, the organization returns any wristbands that they didn’t use to Student Activities. Through simple subtraction, it is easy to know how many students were dispensed wristbands. The new policy has evoked mixed feelings among the student body. “There was a general frustration or disgruntledness with the new policy — as goes with any new policy they implement — and with the swiping and scanning system,” said Phi Gamma Delta President Alex French ‘25. President of Warner Hall Eating House, Emma Anglin ‘25, had similar sentiments. Anglin said that Warner members were originally “confused as to how it would work logistically and what it would look like for the risk managers. Everybody was surprised that the school was going to take another step to enforce [rules around alcohol.] It’s just an adjustment to make.” However, later details and explanations from Student Activities helped students understand this change. “There’s more clarity now on how [the policy] should work,” Anglin said, “As much as people might think it’s annoying, they know where it’s coming from and they get it.” Assistant Director of Student Activities, Shakaya Walcott, explained the reason for this
new policy. “I’ve noticed that … someway, somehow there’s a lot more wristbands being passed out
should not have been a shortage of wristbands at parties. “Numerically, it was just hard to believe that
A 21+ Catcard amd a under 21 Catcard. Photo by Claire Kelly ‘25. than there should be [at parties]. And we don’t know exactly how it’s happening,” Walcott explained that the majority of students at Davidson are underage, so there
you’re running out of wristbands if I gave you a good amount because the college is small, the majority of the students who are attending the events aren’t always seniors. The majority
of students at Davidson who are seniors are the only ones that are 21+.” With the policy, 21+ students who wish to drink alcohol at events must make sure their CatCard is a “21+” edition. PCC President, Kenzie Leonard ‘24, got her CatCard on the day of her 21st birthday. “It took me maybe 10 or 15 minutes. I went [to the CatCard Services window in Union], they take your old CatCard, they take a picture, and then they print it out and then give it to you.” The new policy adds a layer of efficiency to getting alcohol. By using 21+ CatCards, wristband providers will not have to calculate people’s ages from their birthdays. Only guests visiting Davidson are allowed to use non-CatCard IDs to obtain a wristband at parties. Because IDs such as Driver’s Licenses are harder to authenticate, the use of CatCards minimizes any possibility of an underage Davidson student getting a wristband at PCC events. The policy has multifaceted impacts. “Yes, [the policy] is a safety, liability, legal thing, but it’s also a way for us to track how many people come to the event, or if we really needed to pay for a cop, that way it helps us plan for future events,” Anglin said. While in practice, the scanning requirement should make it easier to keep track of who is drinking alcohol at PCC functions, students remain concerned about a reliable implementation. “My concern with the policy — one that I share with some other PCC presidents and leadership — is that it seems like people may just start pushing events off-campus, […]I worry about the policy encouraging or incentivizing more binge-drinking culture before parties in a pre-game setting. People who know they’re not going to be able to get a drink at the party might show up a little bit too drunk trying to overcompensate.” According to French, this policy’s feasibility “depends on the [PCC] organization.” “I think certain [PCC] organizations are more committed to following out those things and swiping and everything,” French said. “I think it is manageable if everyone [in PCC] has a uniform consensus on actually doing it.”
Tiny House Makes Big Impact on Campus
STELLA DAVIS ‘26 (SHE/HER) STAFF WRITER
There are many creative ways to complete a senior capstone. Last semester, three physics students—Mallory Justis ‘24, Branner D’Amato ‘24, and Patrick Klieb ‘24— began their capstone project: a netzero emission “Tiny House.” As the spring semester unfolds, the endeavor has grown more complex as these students tackle new features and continue construction. The Tiny House is located in the parking lot behind the Sustainability Office, where the seniors spend most of their afternoons
working on it. Justis and D’Amato explained how they have built their home from the ground up. “All last semester was putting up walls and roof and floors and windows. We started from scratch,” D’Amato explained. “This semester, we’re working on plumbing and electrical work.” Many, if not all, of the Tiny House’s features make it extremely sustainable. Each feature incorporates physics principles and reinforces the house’s net-zero status. “The idea is that it can be net zero. There’s a rainwater collection system [...] There’s solar power,” said Justis. “The upper windows
and a lower window on the back that will automatically open and close depending on the temperature in the house to let air in or out or keep hot air in. And then there’ll be blinds that are automated to go up and down depending on how much sun is coming through to keep it cool in the summer.” “The idea is that it’s made to be [so] you don’t have to be plugged into the grid or anything,” D’Amato said. In addition, the trio tried to make most aspects of the house from reused materials. “We’’ve been trying to use many, many recycled materials. Most of the windows and stuff [...] and many other things are all from Habitat for Humanity, so
they’re all recycled,” D’Amato continued. The students receive various kinds of support for the Tiny House, such as the Sustainability Office as well as a contact at Lowes who works with the students to donate items. However, the main funding of the project is provided by a fund through Davidson. “We’ve got a little bit of funding from Lowe’s. [...] But the main thing is the Clark Ross Academic Fund, said Justis. “This [organization] funds Davidson for research
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News
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New Congressional Map Raises Gerrymandering Concerns Campus Party Leaders Offer Insight JAMES GOURLAY ‘26 (HE/HIM) SENIOR STAFF WRITER
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s the 2024 election season approaches, a major political shift is set to occur in North Carolina in the form of Congressional redistricting that heavily favors Republicans. The new map, recently upheld by a federal judge, has been accused of gerrymandering and artificially diluting Black votes. The new congressional map was passed by Republican state lawmakers in October. A month later, two Black voters from the northeastern part of the state sued the State Board of Elections. They alleged that the new map split Black voters between multiple districts and therefore diminished their political power. On January 26th, U.S. District Judge James Denver III sided with Republican leaders in refusing to block the new map. Denver wrote that the plaintiffs were unlikely to succeed in showing that the new map violates the Voting Rights Act. Lawmakers also denied the use of data on racial demographics in making the map. Congressional redistricting has become a topic of interest for both parties. North Carolina Democrats and Republicans both want redistricting reform, but not for the same reasons. North Carolina Congressional Democrats argued that state lawmakers drew new maps without considering public perception, and introduced a bill to increase transparency in the redistricting process. Republicans are pushing for changes in how data used for redistricting is collected. Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) proposed legislation to exclude noncitizens from the census totals used for redistricting, including nonvoters such as children and people disqualified due to felony charges. The contested maps will go into effect during the 2024 election, where Republicans
are set to gain three to four seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. According to Associate Professor of Political Science Dr. Melody CrowderMeyer, partisan redistricting carries major consequences. “Partisan gerrymandering in NC will
as one of the most extreme congressional maps currently in place. “[Gerrymandering] allows a political minority to rule over a majority, and this not only undermines democracy, but also can provoke diminished trust in government and political efficacy as people see that
Republican state lawmakers at the State Legislature redrew the NC Congressional map in October. Photo by W. Edward Callis III. ensure that a state that is about 50/50 Republican/Democratic, and that elected members of the US House accordingly last election, will now be governed by a supermajority of Republicans at the state legislative and congressional levels following this fall’s elections,” CrowderMeyer said. According to the North Carolina State Board of Elections, about a third of registered voters Democratic, a third Republican, and a third unaffiliated. In 2020, Trump won North Carolina by 1.4 percentage points. The Brennan Center for Justice the new map ranks alongside Texas
their voice is not able to bring about change because of structural advantages the ruling party has given themselves to avoid having to be responsive to their constituents,” Crowder-Meyer said. Many Republicans, however, do not agree that gerrymandering is as severe as Democrats make it out to be. “Elections are how the voters decide how well their elected officials represent them in drawing up maps and all other duties,” Stephen Walker ‘26, President of Davidson College Republicans, said in an email. “The arguments that Democrats have been ‘“gerrymandered’” out of winning
these important elections are rooted in assumption, exaggeration, and insincerity,” Walker continued. Walker argued that North Carolina Democrats should focus on their voter strategies, rather than electoral maps. “It’s a shame Democrats are making “defending democracy” their central theme for the 2024 election when this and numerous other examples demonstrate an abject disregard for the voters and their needs. Democrats in NC lost elections which determined who would be in charge of redistricting because they are out of touch with the voters who are responsible for bestowing that power onto officials. Instead of adjusting strategies and policies to win more voters, they are blaming the maps for what they claim will be a very bad cycle for their party.” The North Carolina Primary Election is on March 5th, 2024, with early voting held from February 15th through March 2nd, 2024. The General Election will be held on November 5th, 2024. While redistricting will majorly impact the State Senate and U.S. Congressional elections, its effect is not universal. According to News of Davidson, redistricting will not have a major impact on the State House election. However, two Davidson residents — Lisa Jewel and Beth Helfrich — will compete against each other in the State House Democratic primary. Ultimately, voting will be the biggest determinant in the outcome of these races. “The obvious answer [to countering gerrymandering] is to vote, but also spending time on issues like direct democracy and paying attention to the fact that Republicans are trying to dilute our votes,” said Quinn Dunlap ‘25, President of Davidson College Democrats.“Getting out and voting and advocating on these issues is our biggest defense.”
Senior Physics Majors Put Classroom Skills to Work CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 and that kind of stuff,” continued D’Amato. The students have also received academic support in the form of faculty advisors, including Chair and Professor of Physics Dr. Tim Gfroerer and Associate Professor of Physics John Yukich. Gfroerer attested to the students’ dedication to the Tiny House. Since he incorporates both environmental studies and physics into his coursework, he had a unique perspective as an advisor to the project. “I’ve been teaching this class every fall for the last five years or so. It’s called Energy, the Environment and Engineering Design. It’s cross-listed with environmental studies and physics,” Gfroerer said. “In this class, we learn a bunch of stuff, and in the end we have this thing called Tiny Town, where teams of students build little tiny solar powered buildings. The task, the engineering challenge, is to maintain that interior temperature near room temperature on a sunny, cold winter day.” Gfroerer described the tiny house capstone project as a life-sized version of the structures students build for Tiny Town. “Branner [D’Amato] took that class his first year and I think that was part of the inspiration for this [capstone project],” Gfroerer said. Another comparison that Gfroerer drew between the two projects was the creativity
required for such an undertaking. He pointed out that the Tiny House is a physics project, therefore design plays a crucial role in addition. “It’s fun because it has all the physics stuff, but it has a lot of creative stuff too,” said Gfroerer. Gfroerer also emphasized that while he and his colleague, Dr. John Yukich, were the primary physics advisors for the project, the students are heavily self-sufficient and have done most of the problem-solving themselves. “These students are super independent and super self-motivated,” Gfroerer said of the trio. However, each advisor offers different expertise based on their own specialties. “Dr. Yukich has a lot of experience with construction, so he’s been able to help them think about details related to building the house, like making the electrical system up to code,” Gfroerer explained. “I have more experience with thermal properties of buildings and photovoltaic [properties] which they’re incorporating.” The team has advertised their project on Wildcatsync so that community members have the opportunity to get hands-on experience. “We will definitely be needing some labor when it comes to siding and roofing,” Justis said. “There’s a way you can sign up on Wildcatsync saying you’ll volunteer to help.”
Mallory Justis and Branner D’Amato stand in front of their projecy. Photo by Stella Davis ‘26.
Features
Davidson Alumni Reminisce on Past Placement Days
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BELLA ANDJELKOVIC ‘26 (SHE/HER) SENIOR STAFF WRITER Saturday. February 3rd. 8am. Screams erupt throughout the halls. Upperclassmen run through the halls of freshman dorms, taking their newly assigned members to their eating houses. This is known as Placement, a day in which freshmen find out what eating house they are in. It is spent getting to know fellow eating house members with activities, group meals, and parties. Placement day appears as an institutional tradition at Davidson, however it has a history of different traditions. In fact, it was not even called “placement,” instead referred to as “self-selection.” Rusk, the first eating house for women at Davidson, opened its doors in 1977. Since this was the only eating house for women at the time, Rusk developed a long waiting list, making it necessary for Warner Hall to open in 1982 to “relieve Rusk’s overpopulation,” according to the Davidson Archives. Spencer House opened next in 1985, the third women’s eating house on campus, only to shut down in 1992. It had replaced a coed eating house on campus called Fannie and Mable. Finally, Connor opened in 1991, followed by the newest house, Turner, in 1998, both geared exclusively towards women. Previously, freshmen found out what eating house they were in on Friday morning, rather than Saturday like they do now. This tradition changed in 2016 due to the men’s basketball team having a game against Virginia Commonwealth University on Friday night. Since fraternities used to have their bid day on the same day as the women’s selection, they would do “runthroughs” through each of the eating houses before the evening parties. Meg Hill ‘95, a member of Connor House, described the scene. “My biggest memory from the first night on the court was our hall counselors taking us out to some kind of Asian dinner to make sure no one had an empty stomach. And naked guys running around [Patterson] court, slipping and falling… Hopefully, they don’t do that anymore.” Today, freshmen select their desired eating houses by filling out a form on Wildcat Sync where they rank their choices in order of preference (1-4). A computer algorithm is used to make the assignments to keep all of the houses populated. While it aims to give the freshmen one of their top two choices, some get placed in their third or fourth choice house. Beth Bockoven ‘93, a member of Warner Hall, explained that the process was similar during her time at Davidson, but not as strict. “We filled out a placement form where we could rank our choices by 1, 2 & 3, so I guess in a sense we did get to decide.... however, it felt more like an acceptance situation.” Self-selection allowed the freshman girls more autonomy in choosing a house. However the process also meant there was a threat of a house receiving no new members. “We were pretty much guaranteed to get into the house that we wanted, but there was always a risk of houses dying if everybody decided to go to other houses, so it wasn’t ideal in
Rusk Eating House, the first eating house for women at Davidson, was founded in 1977. Photo by Davidson College Archives that way,” Hill said. “I can see why they changed the system but I guess there are pros and cons either way.” Major Gifts Officer Marya Howell ‘91 was a member of Rusk and experienced the consequences of not having a random selection process. “While I was really glad to be able to select the house I wanted to join, it was difficult that most of us ate in Commons our sophomore year because there wasn’t enough room in Rusk for us to eat there.” Emily Hull ‘92, who was in Warner, also noticed the issue of favoritism towards certain houses. “We really did get to choose which house we went to. I believe that ended shortly after my time, because a new house was formed [Connor], and another one [Spencer] died off, so they probably wanted to keep it more equal in terms of popularity.” In an effort to keep each house alive, the selection process was implemented more strictly in 2004. According to the Davidson College Archives, “the self-selection process was changed so that Turner received 32.8% of the new girls applying for entrance into women’s eating houses, which successfully combated the problem of dwindling membership.” Despite various changes in the placement process and evening activities, many traditions have persisted. “I remember my roommate and I got woken up at the crack of dawn or even earlier with older girls screaming our names
Crime Log
Time Reported
Description/Location
01/21/24 2:16 hrs
Injury to Property Offense; Alcohol Offense: Consume by Person Under 21 Ryburn, Inactive
02/01/24 17:30 hrs
Assault Offense: Simple Assault Knobloch Center, Further Investigation
02/03/24 22:38 hrs
Alcohol Offense: Consume Under 21 Chidsey, Inactive
02/05/24 13:06 hrs
Larceny Offense: (Misdemeanor Larceny) Watts, Inactive
and cheering,” Betsey Todd ‘93, a member of Warner Hall, said. “I think there were colorful water balloons involved. In our pjs, we all went with the group to wildly wake up more girls and then collectively ran down to the court. I feel like there were games and lots of fun music and partying.” Emily Hull further described the highlights of the day. “The main thing I remember about self-selection day was people spraying champagne all over the place as we came into the house. There was no theme that I recall, probably just Warner Hall t-shirts… a lot of champagne everywhere and people falling on the floor because it was wet.” Helen Hull ‘91, a member of Rusk, reminisced on a fun activity that took place during the day. “As part of our initiation rite, we had to do a scavenger hunt around campus, with silly tasks like finding a campus security officer and serenading them.” For all of these women, the thought of self-selection day brings them “happy memories” of Davidson—it was a day where the women on campus could come together. “On my hall, there were people who joined Warner, Rusk, and Connor, but we all still hung out together and I loved not having the pressure of sorority rush to worry about,” Hill said.
Perspectives
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Davidson Should Abandon the Lawn SAM FRANKLIN ‘26 (HE/HIM)
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any students of Davidson College might have observed the detailed plaques affixed to trees around campus without realizing that our school serves as an official national arboretum, with more than 3,000 labeled trees and a meticulous record of each specimen’s name, scientific description, native area, and hardiness. The project has existed since 1869, when the school’s faculty sent a letter to the Board of Trustees arguing that the campus “represent in time the forest growth of the State, and if possible, the general botany of the region.” Since that time, the college has lavished resources, energy, and attention on the trees that beautify the campus and support our natural environment. Yet the school has also spent vast sums in pursuit of the opposite objective: the imposition of an artificial environment onto campus, one which costs vast sums of money and effort to maintain, and which stands in opposition to the college’s professed climate goals. In stark contrast to its environmentalist rhetoric, the school has followed in the footsteps of one of the most catastrophic land-use practices of our time. To see this, all we have to do is look down — at the vast green carpet that stretches improbably and unnaturally across campus. Lawns are as much a staple of college campuses as the classroom is, and have spread across the country to a vast extent. By some measures they now cover more than 75,000 square miles, greater than the combined areas of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts, according to a study published in the Journal of Environmental Management. Yet even as the lawn has spread across the country, scientists have increasingly warned against its devastating environmental consequences. These harms are especially visible at Davidson, where the costs of the lawn are visible all around us.
Maintaining Davidson’s picture-perfect lawns requires a fleet of lawnmowers, which each produce eleven times more carbon emissions per hour than the average car. Lawns consume vast quantities of water and nitrogen fertilizer, which releases 4-5 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere for every ton manufactured, according to an article published in the Princeton Student Climate Association. They colonize native ecosystems, reducing biodiversity of both flora and fauna, while their monocultures sequester less carbon than native equivalents, which are usually more densely and sustainably populated. Thus, the environmental consequences of lawns can be felt not only in the exorbitant quantities of resources necessary to maintain them but also in the opportunity cost of deforesting vast swaths of land. This argument is also rooted in cost. Davidson is currently driving up costs for students, with nearly double-digit tuition increases and a new policy that forces incoming students to purchase unnecessarily comprehensive meal plans. Rather than seeking to raise revenues, perhaps Davidson should instead turn to cutting costs. Overzealous landscaping, with all the equipment, energy, staff, and raw materials it requires, should be a natural target. To be clear, I am not proposing letting Chambers Lawn run wild, or saying that all landscaping is a waste. These efforts are necessary to maintain a beautiful and accessible campus, and lawns provide a valuable communal space. But Davidson has more lawns than it needs. These vast stretches of green space, which sit empty most of the year, could be left to run wild or intentionally repopulated with native species. This initiative would open up new possibilities for how students exist on campus. It would make the campus a friendlier space for wildlife and help the school achieve its ambitious climate goals – to slash emissions by 50% of 2021 levels by 2025. More than 150 years ago, Davidson declared its intention to mimic the “forest growth” and “natural botany” of the region. And to its credit, the Davidson Arboretum is a wise long-term investment in the natural world and the
Chambers Lawn greets students, faculty and visitors infront of the main classroom building on campus. Photo by Davidson College environment of our campus. But far too little attention, or perhaps far too much, has been paid to the land between the trees. The imposition of lawn-based environments utterly foreign to this part of the world, at the cost of vast quantities of money, energy, resources, and emissions, has failed to meet this goal. To hold true to the original goal of the Davidson arboretum, Davidson should allow parts of campus to return to a wilder, less landscaped state, for the betterment of the school, its students, its plants, its wildlife, and the world.
2024: A Year of Feminist Dissapointments BRIANNA PENNINGTON ‘27 (SHE/HER)
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fter a lifetime of being ridiculed for my “girly” interests, 2023 was the year of girlhood. It was the year I both celebrated and mourned the experience of being a woman. Taylor Swift kicked off her Eras tour in March, and I screamed along to my favorite eras, too loud to hear people telling me that she only writes songs about her exes. The Barbie movie premiered in July, and I donned my best pink outfit with some of my best friends to theaters and bawled as America Ferrera put into words exactly how exhausting it is to be a woman in the real world. For months, I rode the high of embracing my femininity and being unabashedly proud of my interests, sure that I would never come down. However, not even two months into 2024, I already fear that my short-lived bliss was too good to be true. On January 7th, comedian Jo Koy delivered a ten minute monologue at the Golden Globes, with many of his jokes falling flat with the audience, and for good reason. As the camera panned to the embarrassed and disappointed faces in the crowd, I could not help but see the reflection of my own expression. Koy praised the 2023 film Oppenheimer for being “based on a 721-page, Pulitzer Prize-winning book about the Manhattan Project.” As for Barbie, Koy quipped that the film drew inspiration from “a plastic doll with big boobies.” Barbie had several pivotal moments in the film, including a tear-inducing monologue that earned America Ferrera an Oscar nomination. What did Jo Koy, perhaps the target audience for Greta Gerwig’s social commentary on the patriarchy, take away from the movie? “The
key moment in Barbie is when she goes from perfect beauty to bad breath, cellulite, and flat feet. Or what character actors call character actor.” How is it acceptable for these kinds of jokes to be made in 2024? Why can comedians stand on stage and reduce women like me to my looks, my body? As the night progressed, Koy did not seem to learn his lesson. In another segment of the awards show, he targeted Taylor Swift. “The big difference between the Golden Globes and the N.F.L.?” Koy asks the audience, “On the Golden Globes, we have less camera shots of Taylor Swift.” The camera then swept to an unamused Swift, who has faced criticism in recent months for attending Kansas City Chiefs’ games in support of her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, because how dare a woman enjoy football. Several N.F.L. fans, or dads, Brads, and Chads, have complained about Swifts’ screen time during the games even though she has zero control over how many times the camera pans to her, which amounts to a mere fraction of the game. When I hear the men, and even some women, in my life complain about Taylor Swift attending a Chiefs game, I hear that it is unacceptable for me to exist in maledominated spaces. At the end of the night, Barbie took home two out of nine awards for Best Song and Cinematic and Box Office Achievement. On January 24th, nominations for the 2024 Oscars were announced, with women notably missing from several important categories: Pom Klementieff (Best Supporting Actress Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning), Greta Gerwig (Best Director - Barbie), Margot Robbie (Best Actress - Barbie), Natalie Portman (Best Actress - May December), Greta Lee (Best Actress - Past Lives), and
countless others were not nominated. Hollywood has proven time and time again that no matter how hard my female counterparts and I work, our achievements can be overlooked by those of Ken. The Barbie Oscar snubs sparked divided conversation online, with some pointing out the hypocrisy of the outrage over Robbie and Gerwig’s snubs, citing it as the epitome of white feminism. Women of color have been historically underrepresented at awards shows, and women of color are often viewed as ‘not feminine.’ In fact, Greta Lee’s Oscar snub and America Ferrera’s nomination were overshadowed by the conversation surrounding Barbie. This goes to show that even after the feminism wins of last year, we have a long way to go in achieving intersectionality. The Golden Globes were not without its shining moments, however. Lily Gladstone won a Golden Globe for Best Actress for her performance in Killers of the Flower Moon, becoming the second indigenous person to receive a Golden Globe. Quinta Brunson, Ayo Edebiri, and Ali Wong took home EMMY awards for Abbott Elementary, The Bear, and Beef, respectively, making history as the second Black woman to win Best Comedy Writer, the third Black woman to win Best Supporting Comedy Actress, and the first Asian person to win Best Leading Actress in a Limited Series. So far, 2024 has been a step backward in terms of rampant misogyny. However, the past year has shown me just how beautiful it can be when we come together to support and uplift all women. So, dear readers, do not be afraid to embrace girlhood and femininity, and also do not be ashamed to not fit into these categories either. Dance around like no one is watching, sing at the top of your lungs, wear whatever
hairstyle, makeup, or clothes that m a k e s you happy, lookout for one another, and, most importantly, never let anyone bring you down for what or who you love.
Sports
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Anne Berquist ‘25 Soars To New Heights, Smashing Personal Records Junior Track Star Berquist Extends Personal Record Streak with a 4:57.58 Mile
All of this makes being a member of the team a joy to Berquist. The men’s and women’s teams are very close, making her support system vast. Additionally, when it comes to having to balance her athletic and academic careers, Berquist shared that her professors are understanding and encouraging, great about getting her the help she needs, informing her on what she’s missed, and even curious to know how races have gone. Taking all of this with her, Berquist ‘25 is ecstatic for the indoor conference at the end of the month. Both she and her team have been putting in endless hours of work, and she’s excited to see how this pans out at conference.
JENNEVIEVE CULVER ‘25 (SHE/HER) STAFF WRITER
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nne Berquist ‘25 has been continuously smashing records as a member of the Women’s Cross Country and Track and Field team, recording a personal best at every race since April 2023. A long time runner, Berquist explained she began her running career in the fifth grade, falling in love with the sport and with the opportunity to represent her school. Since then, “it has been a constant in [her] life.” Berquist went through the recruitment process her senior year of high school, but, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, she was unable to meet the team or have an official visit at Davidson before committing. However, this didn’t stop the Women’s Track and Field team from making sure she felt welcome. Individual teammates took the initiative to reach out to her, setting up calls, FaceTimes, and going out of their way to make her feel as welcome as possible. The coaches especially, Berquist explained, made her and her parents feel extremely supported, “emphasizing that [I] would be a person first, then an athlete, which resonated with [me] as [I] was thrilled to run but didn’t want to sacrifice her academics and passion for learning.” The team and her coaches have continued being that support system for her. The team, she shared, is “a great group of women who all support each other and have common goals. It’s an amazing part of the sport.” This has clearly had an impact on Berquist, as she is running better than ever. This past weekend she ran a 4:57.58 mile, winning her first ever collegiate event. In December, Berquist ran a 9:51 3K at a 5:17 mile pace, and a 18:13 for the 5K, with a 5:50 mile pace. At A-10 Cross Country Championships, she came in 19th; the top 15 are awarded all-conference, so she was right in with the best runners in the division. Last year, she finished in the 70s, so her improvement is evident. When asked what she believes has allowed her to improve so much, she shared, “it’s kind of a cliché, but I think for runners it’s really important to do the little things. This summer I was very intentional about cross training and alternating aerobic exercises, like the bike and the elliptical, which are a way to get in my cardio workouts without putting too much stress on my body.” Her mindset has also changed, saying she “mentally focuses on a mantra, telling [herself] not to overthink and overanalyze but to stay positive throughout the race.”
Anne Berquist ‘25 Racing the Queen City Invite Photo by Tim Cowie
30 Meets 30: I-77 Exit to Bear the Name of Davidson Basketball Legend Stephen Curry LOGAN JAIN ‘26 (HE/HIM) STAFF WRITER
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tephen Curry ‘10 has added another accolade to his already impressive trophy cabinet. On December 7th, The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) voted unanimously to rename I-77 Exit 30 to “Steph Curry interchange” after the NBA superstar. Exit 30 leads into the town of Davidson and Davidson College, where Curry was a standout on the Men’s Basketball team from 2006-09. According to Davidson Athletic Director Chris Clunie, the new name has yet to be finalized, but it will pay homage to Curry’s name and legacy in some capacity. The NCDOT cited Curry’s “accomplishments on the court” as well as his “generosity, kindness, and strong values” in its resolution. During his 3-year college career, Curry averaged 25.3 points per game and shot 41% from behind the 3-point line. He was twice named the Southern Conference Player of the Year, and led the Wildcats to an improbable Elite Eight run in the 2008 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. Regarding Curry’s legacy at Davidson, Clunie stated that Curry“changed everything for us in terms of elevating the
Artistic rendering of a new look for Exit 30. Graphic by Stella Mackler school, elevating the recognition around the school, and helping folks have a better understanding of what Davidson is as an institution and athletic program.” He also called Curry “the best ambassador for Davidson College that we’ve ever
Women’s Basketball Standings
Standings Update
Team
St. Joe’s George Mason Richmond VCU Duquesne Rhode Island Davidson Loyola Chicago St. Louis La Salle Dayton Fordham
W
L
STK PCT
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1 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 6 6 7 9
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had… He’s just a man of integrity and embodies leadership in everything that he’s done on and off the court, even more so off the court in terms of being a leader in his community.” Doug Hicks ‘90, Davidson College President, cited the importance of Curry’s contributions off the court in a statement to the college community. “Alongside being the greatest shooter in basketball history, he has generously shaped the wider Davidson community, from supporting our college students to making the gym renovation happen at Ada Jenkins Center.” His myriad philanthropic efforts include the Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation that he started with his wife, Ayesha Curry, in 2019 to combat poverty and food insecurity in Oakland, California. He also started the Curry Scholarship at Davidson College, which supports women’s athletics. The number 30 is inextricably linked to Stephen Curry, as he sported it during the entirety of his college career and still wears it today in his 15th season in the NBA, all with the Golden State Warriors. Now not only will it hang in the rafters of Belk Arena, but it will also appear alongside his name at the renamed Exit 30.
Davidson Women’s Basketball Senior Spotlight Video
Arts and Entertainment 6 Fiddles, Guitars, Basses and Banjoes – The Burnett Sisters Band COLE ERICKSON ‘26 HE/HIM STAFF WRITER
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oo Eeee! The grass has never been bluer at Davidson College thanks to The Burnett Sisters Band who performed in the Duke Family Performance Hall as part of Davidson’s Traditional Music Series. The band, which consists of multi-instrumentalist sisters Anissa, Sophia, and Anneli Burnett, brought a blend of bluegrass, gospel, and folk-tunes to campus, infused with a youthful, modern twist. For the sisters, a typical set list might include songs with Dolly Parton inspired vocals, traditional gospel melodies, and even original compositions. Classics like “Draggin’ that Bow” and “Sugar Moon” may precede revamped songs like their smooth rendition of “Cumberland Gap” followed by off-beat “Lizard on a Leash”—an original number written by the sisters’ friend. “We keep our sets so diverse when it comes to music,” says eldest sister Anissa. “We wanna throw in a swing song here and a dancing song there and a fiddle song there. It just kinda keeps people on their toes.” Alongside the three powerhouse sisters, band mates Justin Alexander from Sweetwater, Tennessee and Geary Allen from London, England provided twangy, syncopated rhythms on banjo and guitar as well as a third voice to the sisters’ soaring harmonies. Together, the band works like a young, springy machine. Whether they crowd around a single mic to deliver brassy three part harmonies or spread across the stage in a duel between banjo and guitar, the group’s energy is an undeniable indicator of their sense of family and friendship. “I thought it was interesting how the band said they had to stand behind each other a certain way when performing on stage,” says Emily Smith ‘26. “That way they can listen and play off each other.” The band formed, as the sisters joke, when they were all born. As children, they joined the Junior Appalachian Musicians group (JAM) where they learned to play music by ear: “the traditional mountain way,” Anissa says while tuning her fiddle during the
performance. Later, bandmate Justin Alexander joined after they all took a bluegrass and old-time music program at East Tennessee State University. Additionally, Anissa met Geary Allen when they were hired for the same Tennessee Bluegrass Band. Geary’s Doc Watson inspired flatpicking technique proved him a strong addition to the band. After forming, the group found common ground in artists like The Carter Family, Alison Krauss, Hank Williams, and the Punch Brothers: artists that continue to guide and influence their style today. “Their song choice really highlighted everyone’s individual skills and style—from the fiddle to Flatfoot dancing,” says Finny Roach ‘27. “I found it strange how my head was bobbing and my foot was tapping to the music without me even thinking about it. Very catchy.” Flatfoot is a form of “mountain dancing” not unlike Tap or Irish dance. Youngest sister Anneli danced alongside the band for the concluding numbers. She performed on a square of wood equipt with a mic to catch the patter and snap of her feet on the surface. Her nimble dance—especially when she threw her leg like a pinwheel to give the illusion of it rotating three-hundred sixty degrees—drew gasps of amazement from the audience and provided an added flare of excitement to the entire spectacle. Despite their fourth sister leaving the band to settle down and begin a family of her own several years ago, The Burnett Sisters have continued to share the music they love with audiences for seven years. And they certainly plan to continue. Today, they teach music to children at the Boone JAM program—the same program they had joined as kids—to instill the tradition of Appalachian folk songs in a way that engages young audiences and the next generation of listeners. When asked what their goal is for each performance, the sisters chuckle in agreement: “We just wanna make sure the audience is out there enjoying what they hear, having fun, but also appreciating the roots music.” Cole Erickson ‘26 (he/him) is an English major and Digital Studies minor from Freeland, Maryland. He can be reached for comment at coerickson@davidson.edu
The Burnett Sisters Band. Photo by The Burnett Sisters Band on Instagram.
The Room Where it Happens: Frolics, Fall Fling, and More CAMERON UNICE ‘27 SHE/HER STAFF WRITER
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ave you ever wondered how Frolics artists get selected? Who gets a voice in the process? How much it all costs? Union Board’s Concert Committee Chair, Auden White ‘26, walks us through the logistics. The Union Board Concert Committee, composed currently of around 37 students, begins the process by creating a survey for both Winterfest and Frolics sent out to the student body in October. In 2023, the survey received around 870 responsesalmost half of the student population. This survey takes a holistic approach, gauging students’ interest in genre, trends, and ideas. The committee also utilizes past surveys to show trends and potential artists. Next, the committee narrows the options down to around forty artists, sending the results to an agent at East Coast Entertainment. The agent sends back the artists’ availability and pricing rates. White explains the process has about a “25% success rate… artists are very busy people and sometimes the funding doesn’t work out how you expected it to.” Some artists, according to the agent’s spreadsheet, cost upwards of $500,000 (ahem, Rod Wave). Dominic Fike was priced around $300,000 and bands like Mt. Joy and MGMT were priced too highly for the concert committee to consider. According to White’s spreadsheet, the budget of the Concert Committee is around 30% of Union Board’s total budget, with some wiggle room for negotiation with the artist. White then goes to the Concert Committee meeting, where the group views a short description and video of each artist. The members who attend the meeting then take
a vote on who they think is best for the two different events. For the Winterfest artist selection, the committee used a rank choice to decide between four different artists.
and picks the artists she thinks sound the best live and bring the most energy to their performance. She also takes into account her friends and other students’ experiences
Ashes to Amber performing at Union Board Winterfest 2024. Photo by Union Board. Concert Committee member Catherine Tadlock ‘24 explains that when choosing artists, she “watch[es] videos of live performances so we can get a sense of what they may sound like at Winterfest or Frolics.” Tadlock takes this information
with past performers to inform her decision. After the vote, they move to the E-board of the Union Board to talk budget. According to White, the money portion of concerts can get a little confusing. Every artist listing has a range of prices, with
college shows tending to fall on the lower end. Davidson provides its performers with backline, or sound-system equipment, which also drops the price. Once the artist has been pitched, the Union Board committee offers a suggested budget with which the Concert Committee can work. Typically, the Concert Chair can decide the price cap for certain artists. White says that “we have enough money to get somebody you know, but not enough money to get someone everyone likes.” Having a bigger budget would not necessarily ensure a 100% satisfaction rate. Artist rates have been growing exponentially, around 10-25% a year. Even as the Union Board budget for the Concert Committee fluctuates, the Frolics performers are exciting to watch. The committee plans to make the final selections for Union Board’s spring concert, Frolics, by Valentine’s Day. They take a vote on February 5th to narrow down the artists from the top four contenders. Even though the options vary widely in genre, White expressed a lot of excitement for any option. While he couldn’t divulge names, he did offer their genres: folk, indie, alt/electronic, and throwback. Joining the Union Board Concert Committee means getting a voice in the decision-making process of Frolics and Winterfest—applications to the committee are open in March. Cameron Unice (She/Her) is a Political Science major from Richmond, Virginia and can be reached for comment at caunice@ davidson.edu
Living Davidson
7
Crossword Timely Advice
Crosswords by Victor Fleming ‘73
Across 1 French honor society Pi ___ Phi 6 Sign of boredom 10 Annoying child 14 To no ___ (uselessly) 15 Agcy. that inspects workplaces 16 Gutter locale 17 Unfamiliar with 18 Cowardly ___ 19 Editor’s “leave it” 20 Start of a quotation by Chief Justice John Roberts 22 Court reporter, e.g. 23 Quizzes 24 Big barrel 26 Demand payment from 27 Cosmonauts’ space station until 2001 28 Part 2 of the quotation 32 Davidson’s is higher (abbr.) 34 Chilean poet Pablo 35 Auctioned auto, often 36 Prefix meaning “nine” 37 West, Clarke and Marsh 41 7-Up alternative 43 www.davidson.edu e.g. 44 Part 3 of the quotation 48 Alternative to Sony or JVC 49 Dadaism founder Jean 50 “No ___” (menu phrase) 51 Not by ___ (way off target) 54 “Bye-bye!” alternative 56 End of the quotation 59 Chair & Professor of Religious Studies Wills 60 Animal seen by Goldilocks 62 Charitable gift recipient 63 Beseeched 64 Pealed 65 “It’s the end of ___!” 66 Abbr. before “prof” 67 Churlish 68 Bernhardt, Miles or Vaughan
Down 1 ___ Science Laboratory 2 Night, to poets 3 Retain counsel 4 Bosch portrayer Welliver 5 “It’s ___ cause” 6 Acronym shouted by one taking a risk 7 “Like that’s gonna happen!” 8 Dr. Seuss’s Cindy Lou ___ 9 Goldin or McCarthy 10 Blue-ribbon word 11 Like films with adult themes 12 Lakeside, O’Henry or Park 13 Jackson Hole mountains 21 That, in Tijuana 22 Kind of poker 24 Chicken George portrayer in “Roots” 25 Blue hue 27 Sea, to Sartre 29 Baseball game segment 30 “___-Cop” (1987 movie) 31 Big name in pet foods 33 “That’ll ___ you” 36 Lover of Psyche 38 Passenger plane 39 “Yadda, yadda, yadda” 40 “The Old Man and the ___” 42 Cotton cloth 44 Cantaloupe cousin 45 Belk and others 46 Overturns 47 Hoover ___ 52 “Golden touch” king 53 Massey of acting 55 Throw forcefully, in Gen Z lingo 56 Glove insert 57 Basic desire 58 Slangy assent 60 “It’s so-o-o cold!” 61 ___ de toilette
CHECK BACK IN FOR THE ANSWERS AND OUR NEXT CROSSWORD SOON!
Naples in Mooresville?
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SAM GREENBERG ‘27 (HE/HIM)
re the flatbreads at Commons just not cutting it? Are you craving something that Mandolino’s just can’t provide? Then take I-77 N just one exit to reach this little, not-sounderground gem. On a bustling Saturday night, a reservation is required to dine at 90 Novanta Pizzeria in Mooresville. Three different seating options at Novanta help tailor your experience, and you can’t go wrong with any of them. Whether you choose a booth that provides a more private meal, the standard tables that let you take in the charm of the restaurant, or the bar counter which provides views of their classic wood-fired pizza oven, this eatery is a must for any Davidson student or curious reader. 90 Novanta Pizzeria features a wide selection of Italian food, from traditional Neapolitan pizzas to calzones to a large number of pasta options. Even the pickiest eaters will be able to find something that excites them. Despite being full on a Saturday night, the service was very attentive. My waiter spaced out visits to the table in a perfect manner, allowing me to relax and enjoy the meal without making me feel forgotten. Once it was time to order, I opted for the traditional calzone and my dining partner went with the Margherita pizza. Given the quick nature of a wood-fired pizza oven, the food was ready and at the table within fifteen minutes. The Margherita pizza was done perfectly and featured some slight charring to create leopard spots.
The calzone was also cooked well, with a slightly crispy outer crust opening up to a doughy inside. The delectable mozzarella and a not too sweet pizza sauce were also high quality, a rarity at pizza joints due to the addition of sugar in the US that isn’t found in the natural sweetness of Roma tomatoes. My recommendation would be to get a pizza for each party member and share, as each one has its own personality. However, if you aren’t ravenous, a pizza would comfortably feed two. Overall, I would strongly recommend visiting 90 Novanta Pizzeria in Mooresville, especially if you can appreciate authentic Italian cuisine. The upbeat atmosphere, friendly service, and delicious food makes for a lovely meal. 10/10.
The
Yowl
Irreverent student journalism since 2004. Castigat Ridendo Mores.
inside
yowl.com/startingsostrong
The We’re Back Bitches Issue
February 7, 2024
Vail Commons Review of Davidson Things You Learned Frat Throws Campo Men’s Basketball Abroad: How to Still Themed Party so Annex to be Team This Year: Mid Get Turned Down They Feel Bad ShutConverted to By Girls But in a ting it Down Quadruple Different Language Page “This was for Y’all” Page Sardines Page Disappointing Page Nein
Hunger Games Style Cannon Shoots Off Every Time Someone Drops An Eating House
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ust a few days after upperclassmen across campus awoke to the screams of a sea of drunk girls sprinting down the hill—they’re waking to a new sound. Monday morning, Mike Goode installed a new version of the SSafer warning system to alert campus when a member drops their respective eating house. Now whenever a house loses a member, students will receive a projection in the sky and a cannon firing in the sky as a tribute, an idea taken from the Hunger Games. Inspired by the rush of humanity running around outside Commons at 7am on Saturday, a Student Activites worker remarked that rush for Eating Houses was reminiscent of the teen book series but with less character development and more alcohol poisoning. Since the introduction of the new house members to their respective new homes, first years have been inspired by their older counterparts and have also started to check out and drop their houses. “Once I found out the cocaine was reserved for seniors only, I immediately lost interest,” said new Jester, Erica Gorgonzola ‘27. “Plus, we just had our first house meeting which is also the first time I’ve seen any of these people sober.” Former Warner Sophomore. Lulu Limón, found her name and face projected on the PCC Casualty Counter. “When I got to the house at 5:48 PM I was told there was no more food. I was then told that we had gotten into a
‘Donner Party style approach to the food shortage problem’ and quickly left before I found out what exactly that meant.” In order to avoid the same financial fate, Rusk has announced a plan of removing certain members as a cost cutting measure. Rusk announced that a Survivor style voting out of a member each week will continue until the budget balances. Current plans to throw a Marie Antoinette and French Revolution themed party (the social chairs spent time in Paris while abroad, could you tell?) will require several weeks of voting members off the island. Finally, we’ve heard cannon booms announce recent trades, as former Warner members were sentenced to exile up the hill to live in Turner. Warner has had to try to dump salary cap commitments in an attempt to save money. They’ve announced that it had traded 3 eating house first year prospects to Turner in exchange for a future placement day first round pick in a salary saving move. Unable to pay their draftees from placement day, Warner has had to pivot towards a rebuild and now hopes that their future house draft picks will be willing to join without having to be able to ever eat in the eating house. Additionally, they announced that the Warner Wild Thing had been released from his contract for “stealing several sandwiches and exacerbating the internal food crisis”.
The Night Before Placement A Poetic Addition to the Yowl
‘Twas the night before Placement, when all through the campus Not a first-year was stirring, not even on Lampus The balloons were hung from the ceiling with care In hopes that the freshies soon would be there; The students were nestled all snug in their beds While visions of pink whitney danced in their heads; And houses down the hill, and one upon a hill, Finished preparing for a long day’s thrill
• • • • • • • • • • •
BREAKING: The Worst Person You Know is Now an Orange Theory Fitness Instructor Page “Let’s Get it!”
What to Wear on a Night Out When it’s so F**king Cold Outside Page Bare Shoulders
Nummit Accussed of Unethically Curating “A Vibe”
B
reaking news for all who have long suspected it—Nummit has been accused of aesthetically curating their staff to ensure the correct vibe in their $10-dollar-coffee-with-tip environment. Two weeks ago, an un-anonymous whistleblower tipped off The Yowl as to how exactly their barista interview went. “You know, everything was going great over the phone,” says Amanda Hump, a sophomore in Connor. “Then they asked me to come for an in-person interview, and since I was coming after class, I was in leggings and Nikes.” She claims to have stepped only one foot in the establishment before horror consumed the faces of Nummit’s two baristas on duty. She was then escorted out of the cafe while Barista #1 explained to her the full discography of The Smiths. We were also contacted by a current Nummit worker, whose identity has been concealed out of fear of retaliation. They explained to us the “vibe schedule,” Nummit’s peculiar way of keeping track of shifts. “You know, since I dress in a sort of niche indie boy Kafka-esque The Doors type of way, I’m not allowed to work at the same time as the other guy who wears baggy jeans and 4XL tshirts,” Our informant explained. “I normally have to work with the nose-ring Olivia Rodrigo girlies. My boss said that we have to have at least three different aesthetics present at one time, to cater to our diverse and fashionable audience of cafe-goers.” The audience, though mainly white, does see a unique array of fashion choices, from crocs and socks to overalls-wearers to the high heels of 60 year old professors who for some reason make the cafe their space for office hours. When contacted for comment, Nummit’s representatives had this to say: “Isn’t it a vibe though?”
Frat Pledge Ideas
Therapy Pledge: has to go to therapy once a week Health Challenge Pledge: has to do the Sandy Helfgott health challenge each week Academic Weapon Pledge: has to participate at least 3 times every single class Yowl Writer Pledge: has to write a non-anonymous Yowl article every week Audit Pledge: has to audit a course this semester and get at least a C on the final War and Peace Pledge: has to read War and Peace Pro-Life Pledge: has to hand out Pro-Life flyers at the Chambers flagpole once a week Pro-Choice Pledge: has to come yell at the Pro-Life Pledge every week (would be ideal if these pledges were in two different fraternities) Jehovah’s Witness Pledge: has to spread the good word to all the senior apartments Sleepyhead Pledge: has to get at least 10 hours of sleep every night Commons Pledge: has to get full meal plan at Commons
2024 Ins and Outs
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter, Away to the window I flew like a flash, Opened the curtains and looked up to see The sun rising over the trees Gave the lustre of mid-day to PCC lawn below When, what to my wondering eyes did appear But the sophomores of four eating houses With fanny packs and smiles, filled with amazement I knew in a moment it must be Placement! More rapid than eagles the sophomores they came, And the chairs whistled and shouted and called them by name: “Now, Connor! now Ruskies! Now Warner and Turner! On Jesters! on Frogs! on, Weebs and Cows! All through Belk! All through Rich!
The
Yowl
WRITERS Matured Man Hugh Jass Clarinet Proud Gal
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Boofed with beer, now I’ve got a yeast infection.” - myself coming up with a good one-liner
Our 2024 Predictions: - Jimmy Kimmel canceled - Increased admitted students force addition of fifth acapella group to keep top 10 student-to-acapallea ratio intact - Taylor Swift engaged -Kroger scandal - Asbestos discovered in Richardson dorm - ADHD meds over the counter
Note: The Yowl is a satirical supplement to The Davidsonian. Hence, nothing in it should be taken as truth.