Collegian
The
2026 Homecoming Edition of...
Friday, Oct. 2, 2026 Vol. 112 No. 4
A CENTURY OF COMING HOME Julia Kramer News Editor
Grove City College celebrates a century of Homecoming with new events and old favorites centered on ensuring past and current students feel at home. Following a growing trend occurring across American colleges, Grove City conducted its first Homecoming in 1926. While small and relatively simple, this first Homecoming created several of the core traditions still observed today, such as the dance and football game. This weekend, however, will see a slight shift in these traditions. As Senior Director of Alumni and College Relations Melissa MacLeod noticed, the days’ previous structure, which centered on events happening on lower campus, often kept students and alumni from integrating, or really engaging, within the college. “We really wanted to celebrate our community, our people,” MacLeod said. “That’s actually why we decided to change the schedule up a little bit this year. … We wanted to keep everyone on campus a little more and celebrating together.” Changes to the schedule include lengthening the parade and starting it later in the day, increasing the time attendees can engage with the event and interact with one another without feeling rushed. From faculty lectures to Greek Village now happening on upper campus, the college hopes to remove the disjointed atmosphere and keep Homecoming 2026 a connected community event. With registration also show-
ing in-
creased attendance, the college has spent time finding new ways for people to engage with the college and learn about its history. Prompted by its 150th birthday celebration this spring, the college created a virtual campus tour. This tour, accessible through QR codes near campus landmarks like Rainbow Bridge or Harbison Chapel, has videos about each location’s unique history. The tour features a dozen
stops that the college website says “exemplify the College’s growth over a century and a half.” The tour is also part of a scavenger hunt meant to keep younger families entertained
throughout the busy day as they set out to find the selected locations across the college’s 180-acre campus. While operational since the beginning of 2026, the tour is not the only Homecoming event happening before Saturday. On Friday night, Howard E. Winklevoss ’65, Doug Wicker ‘88, Troy Demmer ‘11 and Jake Loosararian ‘13 will receive the Jack Kennedy Memorial
Alumni Achievement Award for accomplishing distinct success in their fields. Recipients this year come from a range of fields, from risk management to robotics, and each was personally nominated under the award’s criteria for an “extraordinary commitment to bettering the world around us.” The ceremony has awarded over 200 recipients since its establishment in 1964. Friday night will also see alumni couple Tom and Lila Riley, who graduated in the late 1970s, receiving the David Rathburn Distinguished Service award. Hosting club events at their home and mentoring students for years, the couple has been praised for their “exemplary service.” Created less than 30 years ago, the award is not bestowed annually and is reserved for individuals deemed truly worthy. For both events, MacLeod highlighted that students are encouraged to attend. “It’s not just for alums to come home. It’s about our community.” MacLeod said. “We really hope that students feel like they can be a part of Homecoming and that they can celebrate.” Senior education major and member of the sorority Alpha Beta Tau, Molly Miller, has experienced finding Homecoming community firsthand. “I rushed (Alpha Beta Tau) largely due to seeing everyone coming back in their letters for homecoming,” Miller said. “I feel like one of the coolest aspects of Greek life is it connects you to a long legacy of alumni and it’s so beautiful to see that at Homecoming and meet so many people from
HOME 5
Zerbe Renovations up and coming addresses Steven Mauch
Assistant Business Manager
Ricky Andrews
Contributing Writer Grove City College is investing in campus improvements by renovating Hopeman and Lincoln Halls and building new athletic facilities. According to a news release, the college spent $4 million on renovations this summer, with half going to renovate Hopeman Hall. This summer also saw Hicks Dining Hall receive new furniture and a new dining configuration. As part of Impact 150, which the press release describes as “an ongoing effort to raise $200 million to increase student financial aid, improve facilities, and prepare the college … for the next century and a half,” these renovations target the college and students’ top needs. For Hopeman and Lincoln Halls, built in 1941 and 1950 respectively, these renovations
will be extensive. “The end goal is to update Lincoln and Hopeman Halls, which would include new restroom and student room finishes, furniture, HVAC, repainting the brick (and) repairing slash replacing the roof and windows,” Vice President for Operations Susan Grimm said. “Once those renovations are complete, a connector between the two buildings would be constructed.” Grimm mentioned Operations will work with Student Life and Learning to determine what will be in the connector but noted that the Zerbe Health and Wellness Center will move to its ground floor. “These two dorms have not had much attention over the past renovation efforts,” Grimm said. “The plumbing and restrooms were prioritized due to the condition of the plumbing infrastructure. We look at the number of work orders and the nature of them to determine where we spend
excuse policy Elizabeth Jenkins Contributing Writer
the summer, as well as the
As cold and flu season makes its annual rounds across campus, students are increasingly calling in sick, but obtaining an excused absence from Zerbe Health and Wellness Center may be more difficult this year for many. While the Director of Health and Services, Jodi Caldwell, declined to comment on any changes to the center’s policies or an increase in restrictions for obtaining excused absences, sick students report that the center found their symptoms were not up to snuff. Lauren McGuire, a sophomore English major, recently
RENOVATIONS 6
ZERBE 5
GCC
Hopeman hall was built in 1950 and was last renovated in 1990. the most money on repairs.” Grimm noted that the communal restrooms in the basement and ground floors of
Hopeman were redone over
Basham bashes Grove no more
What makes Grove City College home?
Soccer in South Affrica
Megan Basham changes tune on Grove City
Alumni (and Hatzis) wax nostalgic about college life
Women’s soccer team recaps mission trip
NEWS 10
PERSPECTIVES 12-13
SPORTS 15
Editorial
Oct. 2, 2026
From the Tower
Two worlds combine During my freshman year at Grove City College, I felt stuck between two worlds. I had my hometown world, the one I had known my whole life, and my college world, the one I was trying to understand my place in. Even now, it’s weird how isolated a college campus can seem from the outside world. I don’t watch TV here, so I don’t necessarily see how the latest NFL or NCAA Division I football game transpired or what happened in the “hottest” new movies or streaming-service shows. When my parents visited me, I thought it was strange to see my two worlds combine — don’t even get me started on the time my pastor visited — and when my parents come up for Homecoming Saturday, I’ll still think they’re in the wrong place. Even without my more isolating-from-the-outsideworld college lifestyle, I’m sure at least some of you may have experienced (or continue to experience) aspects of this unique phenomenon, which I’ll dub “college-home dualism.” College-home dualism can take many forms, from the food you eat to the activities you do and even to the name you’re called. (I’m often known as “Matt,” “Matty P.” or “Purucker” back home, while most people call me “Matthew” here.) The most common cause of college-home dualism is freedom from the obligations of one’s childhood home. This freedom changes you, forcing you to realign your expectations of life from what you experienced it to mean at home to meet the demands of college life. The side effects of college-home dualism include the out-of-placeness of seeing someone where they’re not supposed to be — like my parents at Grove — but these side effects are good. They remind us that we college students are here to prepare ourselves for the next part of our lives, where we will hopefully use the lessons we learn at college about freedom for good in our next world, “the real world,” for many of us. And ultimately, this development in freedom should strengthen us to pursue the only world that matters: the one Christ will deliver. As you scroll through these pages or stroll across campus, whether in your first year as a student or your 50th year since graduating, I hope your college-home dualism can take root in this 100th Grove City College Homecoming as you find it strange, yet spiritually redemptive, to be here.
Matthew Purucker Editor-in-Chief
Collegian Staff Matthew Purucker Editor-in-Chief
Luke Paglia
Managing Editor
Editorial Board
Editing
Julia Kramer
Olivia Emerick
News Editor
Anastasia Brown
Community Editor
Randall Elvin
Entertainment Editor
John Hatzis
Copy Chief
Copy Editors
Kendall Lambrecht Maddie Miller Jaci Morell Vivian Waner Andrew Wang
Perspectives Editor
Natalie Hanna Sports Editor
Staff Writers
Art & Photography Aidan Besneatte-Cullinane Comic Strip Artist
Liliana Shadlow Christopher Shaw Reagan Thomas
Staff Photographers
Advisory
Advertising
Nick Hildebrand
Ian Schartner
Staff Advisor
Peter Hasse
Business Manager
Steven Mauch
Assistant Business Manager
The Collegian is the student newspaper of Grove City College, located in Grove City, Pa. Opinions appearing on these pages, unless expressly stated otherwise, represent the views of individual writers. They are not the collective views of The Collegian, its staff or Grove City College.
THE GREEN EYESHADE AWARD This week’s award goes to News Editor Julia Kramer! Julia did a great job delegating articles and writing her own as well. Great work Julia, keep it up! The Green Eyeshade Award honors student contributors that demonstrate consistency and excellence in their work.
JULIA KRAMER
Page 2
College ending not end of learning Emily Fox
Community Editor ‘22-24 Editor-in-Chief ‘24-25 “College is the best four years of your life. Enjoy it while you can; it’ll be over soon, and then you’ll have to work for the rest of your life.” This not-so-encouraging but familiar piece of advice has been passed down to seniors for generations. And instead of urging us to live in the present, it creates a foreboding feeling about the future. But rest assured, the end of college isn’t the end of your life. There are still moments of eager anticipation, loud laughter, meaningful camaraderie and formative growth yet to come. This new season of life is only mundane if you choose to view it that way. Though I no longer spend my days listening to lectures in Staley Hall of Arts and Letters, I haven’t stopped learning. The classroom looks different, and the subject matter has changed, but lessons about life and my purpose in the world are no less edifying than the great works of literature I studied at Grove City. Like many recent graduates, I find myself in a season of waiting. I had freelance work coming out of my ears all summer, but now it’s almost completely dried up and I’m in the all-too-familiar cycle of filling out applications and refreshing my inbox, hoping for a response. But in this waiting period, I’ve learned to be content when plans don’t pan out and to appreciate the small joys the Lord gives me each day. Most of all, I’ve learned to let go of control and trust God with my future. My time at Grove City was everything I dreamed it would be and more. I discovered God-given talents, made life-
EMILY FOX
Emily Fox and former Managing Editor, Kathryna Hoyman, embrace after graduating. long friendships, did meaningful work and even met the love of my life. But those four years were also very fast-paced, and slowness is a concept I’ve come to appreciate these past few months. And though waiting for my career to take off is often frustrating, it’s given me more time to pour into the things that matter most to me. I’m able to be present with my family in a way I couldn’t when I was at school; I’ve reconnected with old friends, volunteered at church and picked up hobbies I always wanted to try but never had the time for. I’ve been directing my attention and effort into new and meaningful work. I started teaching Sunday school. Learning to teach little kids has been a bit like figuring out how to read Chaucer in Old English my first semester. Communicating complicated spiritual concepts to little kids is sort of like trying to read without any standard spelling. With time,
commitment and prayer, you start to figure it out. Laughter and deeply meaningful conversations didn’t end when I picked up my diploma either. Like many Grover grads, my summer after senior year was full of weddings. I came together with fellow alumni to celebrate the sacred union of marriage, discuss how we’ve all grown and changed and, of course, dance to “Y.M.C.A.” So yes, my years at Grove City were some of the best of my life, and now they’re over. But though formal education ends, joy, meaning and learning don’t. Seasons of waiting might feel like a consuming void of nothingness, but God is still working behind the scenes. So let’s take some time to remember the gift our college experience is and to reunite with classmates and professors, but let’s not forget that the end of one season is only the beginning of another.
On College Paige Paige (Fay) Schamberg Community Editor ‘18-19 Managing Editor ‘19-20 Editor-in-Chief ‘20-21
Before I began writing this editorial, I read some of my old ones from my time at Grove City College. It was like meeting an old acquaintance in a grocery store baking aisle. Is that who I think it is? College Paige, is that you? It’s been so long. Yes, it is indeed her. And honestly, just five years later, I don’t really remember who she is anymore. But is that a surprise? I suppose it shouldn’t be. Everything about her changed – even her name. Now, this editorial could go two ways as I reflect on the past five years: I can focus on what has changed or what hasn’t. What would College Paige have wanted to hear? From what I can remember about her, she would prefer to hear about what hasn’t. Change is always expected. We know jobs will come and go. We know new friends will be made, and old ones may fade away. We know that we may move from our hometown to the big city and back again.
Our families will look different each Christmas. And we yearn for it. At graduation, we stand excitedly on the brink of change with open arms and hopeful hearts. We feel alive with the possibilities at nearly every new thing … which makes Homecoming such an unusual experience. After all that change we craved, we still look back and try to connect ourselves with who we used to be. We made it past the brink, and now we can look back in comfort knowing that it all happened the way it should have. The differences between then and now are signs of our progress and proof we’re making our way. But I don’t want to focus on what’s different because I live that every day. While I hardly remember what she was like, I want to spend these few remaining words considering what I may still share with College Paige. What has stayed the same for her? Is there any semblance of that person she was? Well, one thing is for sure: five years out of the Tower, and she’s still writing her editorial in the middle of the night. But, aside from the shining virtue of procrastination, I suppose College Paige would be comforted to know that, even five years later, she is still
writing. She still loves Jesus. She still loves to sit in silence from time to time. She still loves a good book and a hot cup of tea. She still wants to make the world a little better where she is. She is still in a community. There’s so much to be said about how much life changes when you leave Grove City College. You spend four years (more or less) in limbo, sandwiched between your childhood and adult self, spending every day developing your personhood. Then, just as soon as you grasp who you are, you step off campus on move-out day and enter the Rest of Your Life and it just goes faster. You change and adapt to every current that life rushes your way. Suddenly, you don’t recognize yourself anymore. It’s not a bad thing. It’s simply a fact everyone recognizes. So, what stays true? If everything about yourself changes, as God designed it to do, then what really makes you you? I can’t answer that for you. I can only answer it for her. To that young 22-year-old woman who was always a little afraid of change, she doesn’t need to worry. It’s all happened as it should. And she can rest knowing that even when everything else around her changes, she is still herself.
Page 3
Oct. 2, 2026
2026 Homecoming Court
Nathan Devlin
John Hatzis
Tim Heiser
A management major and entrepreneurship minor from Pittsburgh, PA. His best college memory is that not every great college story belongs in print, but two highlights were winning All College Sing with his friends and attending the Presidential Gala.
An English literature major and classical Christian education and philosophy minor from Stafford, VA. His best college memory is within a twenty-four-hour period in the second week of my freshman year, he met the man who would later become his most treasured mentor (John Garrett) and the man who would later become his best friend (Tim Heiser).
A computer programming major and classical Christian education and biblical and religious studies minor from Bethesda, MD. He has way too many awesome memories here to be able to name one. So perhaps the best one is from his Freshman move-in day, where all the crazy adventures began!
Elleri Bayhan
Anastasia Brown
Nicole Fair
A communication arts major from Lakeland, FL. Her best college memory was last year’s Gala. After months of planning and almost 24 hours of setting up with so many of her closest friends, getting to watch almost 700 students (including myself) having a great time in fellowship at the event made all of the hard work so worth it.
An English secondary education and communications major and an international studies minor from New Castle, PA. Her best college memory is hard to narrow down to one, but she loves living in the dorms and being able to pop in to visit friends at all hours of the day or invite girls over to her room for coffee and a long conversation.
A molecular biology major from Leeper, PA. Her best college memory is going stargazing with friends during a meteor shower and seeing 226 shooting stars!
Sam Mayfield
Luke Morton
Bryce Pope
A computer science major and an AI and machine learning, cybersecurity, and mathematics minor from Four Oaks, NC. His best college memory the Gala in 2026 was straight gas, especially the end confetti.
A mechanical engineering major from Columbia, MD. His best college memory is dating throughout college and finally proposing to his now Fiancée, Nicole Fair.
An exercise science major from Wilmington, DE. His best college memories are from adventures he’s had with friends such as camping outings, driving to far away state parks for a day, or hanging out late into the night.
Jasmine Hoagland
Sarah Karns
Molly Miller
An English and secondary education major from Chiang Rai, Thailand. One of her favorite memories here at Grove City was when her and a group of students wrote songs and produced an album together for the school!
An entrepreneurship major and a classical studies minor from Grove City, PA. Her best college memories are small random things, like walking into town with some close friends at 11:30pm to get pizza in the rain and then dancing in the street.
An English and secondary education from Alexandria, VA. Her best college memory is drinking unnecessarily high quantities of apple juice at every moonlight breakfast.
Community
Oct. 2, 2026
Page 4
ANASTASIA BROWN
Freshmen try out a new swing dance trick during the lesson portion of Wednesday’s club meeting. The beloved Swing Dance Club is seeing record numbers of attendees this schoolyear.
In full swing
Dance club rockets past school records Molly Miller
Contributing Writer As Orientation Board’s skit in Orientation Board Off-Broadway showed, Grove City College boasts several dance-oriented clubs and organizations. Potentially the foremost of these is Swing Dance Club (Swing). During these early weeks of school, Swing is currently boasting record-breaking attendance at its Wednesday night meetings in SHAL
courtyard. With so many new students, especially freshmen, excited and involved this year, new people are finding various reasons to join the club. “I think one thing that’s been happening over the past couple of years with swing is that people are rediscovering the value of social dance in general,” Sarah Smith, club president, said. At least at Grove City College, there is a return to more time-proven methods of community. Being active together in a fast-paced, stress-free
Homecoming weekend events calendar In HAL Courtyard...
Hollywood Homecoming 8-11 p.m.. Expect a night of glamor at this year’s homecoming dance! The swing dance club will be hosting a dance from 7-10 p.m. by PEW - feel free to double-dip!
Starting at PLC Lot...
Homecoming Parade 12 p.m.. Cheer for the Greek groups, Homecoming Court, Student Government, Marching Band and alumni celebrating anniversaries ending with 0 and 5, among others!
On lower campus...
Tailgate and Pre-Game Show 4:00 p.m. / 5:15 p.m. Come for the food in the tent between Colonial and the Tennis Courts, stay for the float awards and the pronouncement of 2026’s Homecoming King and Queen!
On Thorn Field...
Football Game vs. Bethany 6 p.m. Come and cheer for our Wolverines! At the conclusion of the game, the sky will be lit up with fireworks to cap off our 150th Homecoming!
zone draws people in, according to Smith. Smith also emphasized the potential draw could be that many Orientation Board (OB) members are involved in the club. Since OB members are often the first faces new students see and students hear about clubs like Swing from them, new students can often join clubs affiliated with OB members. Swing also has a reputation as a sort of “Grove City speed dating club,” and Grovers can find their dance partner for life
through the club. But for many members, this goal is not the primary aim or the result. Often, it is a way to foster and grow relationships. As Smith said, Swing “facilitates an environment where you can do something active and fun while forming co-ed platonic connections with very little pressure.” A dance with someone is not that long. Typically, the club offers a simple mid-week pickme-up where you can socialize and get moving, all to beat the “Wednesday slump.”
Swing as a practical skill can also be easily improved. After the first few lessons, it can be relatively easy to master the basic moves and then build on them through continued lessons and practice throughout the rest of club meetings. The club’s rising popularity is not just among new students. Over the last few years, it has been a testament to the college’s student body, its involvement in extracurriculars and the joy and fellowship found in some good old dancing.
Freshman year across years Alex Christman
Contributing Writer For 150 years, Grove City College has provided new students with an education that aims to prepare them for their future in the workforce, but despite this common goal, the freshman experience has been quite different over the years. Grove City College started as a preparatory school, equipping rural students for college. “It was kids who had been coming from one-room schoolhouses,” Hilary Walczak, director of college archives and galleries at Grove City College, said. According to Walczak, the first classes to enter into the college would have stayed in off-campus boarding houses or rented rooms until the 1900s. Rules were also very strict for the first students at the college, specifically in the way students dressed. “I think Ketler would be appalled at what students are wearing today,” Walczak said. As the college grew, so did the academics and community. During the 1950s and 1960s, the school developed academic departments and specialized education. One tradition that was prominent from the school’s founding until 1971 was freshman “hazing,” which, according to Walczak, “was not mali-
Students in 2017 enjoy the Orientation Board-run Street Dance. cious by any means.” For years, freshmen had to do challenges such as wearing funny hats and performing special dances and cheers at football games. Today, Grove City College offers a very different freshman experience. Freshman Tyler Hollenbach described the school community as friendly and said he has already made a good number of friends, despite classes having been in session for only three weeks. Hollenbach stated that Grove City College has a much better community than most
schools. He specifically mentioned his surprise at how energetic the college’s Orientation Board was during his freshman orientation. Hollenbach said he has been adjusting well to campus life, and activities such as marching band have helped. Hollenbach is also a part of Grove City College’s American Chemical Society and Wind Ensemble. “I don’t know if it would be like that if I went to another college,” Hollenbach said.
Page 5
Oct. 2, 2026
Doctor Love
Powderpuff brings energy
Class reunion romance I am one of “the few, the proud” who did not find love the first time around at Grove City and graduated without a ring by spring. But now I am planning to come back to campus for my class’s fiveyear reunion, and I am wondering if this might be the moment that I will meet ‘the one’. Stranger things have happened. But Homecoming weekend is brief - how can I maximize my time to find the man of my dreams during the events? I will start by saying this: you and your peers are neither “the few” nor “the proud.” As a girl who is hoping to get her ring by spring, I know that cases of it are relatively rare. “Creekings” may be common, but they are not universal: in the context of Grove City, I would be overstating it if I said one in five were engaged by the time they graduate. So, it is the people getting “creeked” before graduation who are “the few,” and neither party should be “the proud!” There is nothing wrong with finding the one in college, but there is equally nothing wrong with someone graduating without finding him or her! Now, girl, I understand boy-craziness. I’ve felt it too. And for someone with the Grover mindset of always having your 20-yearplan at the ready, it can be hard for such an integral part of your life story – finding a spouse – to be such a mystery even after four years at a Christian college. But you can’t let it control your emotions or let it define this event for you. So, my first piece of advice is: don’t set all hope in finding him at Homecoming. If you go the whole weekend without finding anyone you might be interested in, that does not mean this weekend was a failure. It merely means it was not meant to be! Secondly, I would encourage you not to be discouraged by your peers. Those “ring by spring” couples are probably on their third child already… and that can sting. Be happy for them, not envious. Know that your timetable for a family is different, and that’s okay – and that you are determined not to stay where you are! Lastly, keep your eyes and ears open! If you talk to people, are friendly and pay attention to what they are saying, “strange things” can and might happen. Getting tunnel-visioned on thinking “he’s so cute!” can distract you from actually listening to him and make you awkward and appear rude (I say this from experience). So lock in this weekend! Oh, and one more thing: please don’t hit on anyone who is a student or celebrating a graduation anniversary of above 25 years. Just thought that might be worth advising. Auspiciously,
Dr. Love M.D.
LUKE PAGLIA
On Monday night, junior and senior women came out in full force to carry out an annual tradition - the Powderpuff Football Game! The junnior class representatives took home the win with a final score of 26-18.
Green discusses constitutional personhood Hannah Mallonee Contributing Writer
President of the Reason for Life organization, Samuel D. Green, argued for the constitutional and biblical view of abortion in a campus lecture Sept. 15. Founding his case on the basis GREEN that the unborn still have the legal protection of “personhood,” Green encouraged Christians to be bold in protecting those still in the womb. “A constitutional ‘person’ includes any human being,” Green said. According to Pew Research, currently 57% of Catholics,
ZERBE
continued from 1
had to go to Zerbe after waking up with a sore throat and a severe head cold. “I was very lightheaded, coughing a lot and very obviously ill,” McGuire said. McGuire skipped class to attend a 9 a.m. appointment, the only available time slot. However, McGuire was refused an excused absence for that missed day of class and the following days of contagion. “What they told me was that they were only giving excuses for people who tested positive with strep or had very extreme viruses,” McGuire said. Caldwell explained that the center has seen more sick students, but these cases don’t always require bed rest or isolation. “Colds are common, and a large portion of the campus
HOME
continued from 1
68% of Protestants and one third of Evangelical Christians do not support the pro-life movement. The Guttmacher Institute estimates that 54% of all abortion patients identify as Christian and a million procedures are conducted on women “of the church” per year. While these metrics often fail to accurately describe the more nuanced perspectives and exceptions the controversy provokes, Green saw this issue as a clear contradiction of his interpretation of the Bible. Citing several passages that include famous characters such as John the Baptist and Jacob and Esau, who moved and responded in the womb, Green argued that the Bible proved that the children were
fully alive and fully human. In a video that Green provided in the lecture, a pastor from Ohio spoke in a commercial on abortion. The pastor asked the people watching to “vote yes” to have the right to abort these children. Green juxtaposed this with Bible passages calling children a gift from God and describing how everyone is made in God’s image by being fearfully and wonderfully made. Green mentioned that by proclaiming “the truth of God,” America could see a decline in Christian abortion rates. Quoting “Horton Hears a Who!” by Dr. Seuss, Green urged his audience to remember that “A person’s a person, no matter how small.”
your group.” “There’s been a real marked effort to grow the Homecoming experience,” MacLeod said, calling the event’s attendance “remarkable” regarding Grove City’s relatively small student population. The college’s goal for this reunion weekend, however, is not just to bring in more people, but to offer a compelling experience for both previous and current students. “We want our alums to come back and feel like this place still means something to them,” MacLeod said. “It models for our students what they can have in the future.” For Miller, this is exactly what Homecoming has shown her. “I absolutely plan on coming back for Homecoming as an alumna,” Miller said. “I think it will be so sweet to come back and see old friends, and the old friend that is the campus itself.”
would need an excusal note if every cold and sniffle led to missed class(es),” Caldwell said. “Excusal notes can be granted offering times when the student was in Zerbe to be evaluated, although this doesn’t always necessitate the need to be out of additional classes.” Several students have expressed concern about the potential of this policy change, predicting it might encourage students to attend class while still infectious. Abigail Davis, a junior middle level education major, discussed the potential risks for students dealing with compromised immune systems. “In the past year, I have already almost been hospitalized twice for fevers. With Zerbe’s new policy, if a person were to have a low-grade fever or a small stomach bug … and Zerbe were to say, ‘no provost excuse,’ that encourages them,
then, to go to class sick, making it much more likely that I could get sick,” Davis said. Davis said that, as someone dealing with a chronic illness, delaying or even preventing students from obtaining medical leave poses a serious threat to students who have compromised immune systems. “While it may not be a big deal for them, it could be a very big deal for me,” Davis said. In the past three weeks, large numbers of students have been absent from classes. Several classes have been canceled for multiple days because professors have been likewise affected. During this and the upcoming flu season, professors and students alike rely on Zerbe to provide sick notes that allow for excused absences. Caldwell commented, citing The Crimson, that students with medical concerns should contact
the professors as well as the health center to gain medical excuses. Professors, however, find Zerbe to be an important part of maintaining class order. Virginia Rawl, an English professor, commented on the helpfulness of Zerbe’s sick policy, saying, “I have appreciated the fact that when the students are legitimately ill, (they can) go to Zerbe (and) be given a note.” She elaborated that professors frequently rely on Zerbe to help them vet students and the validity of their requests for an illness-based excused absence. Caldwell offered that excuses are necessary in many situations and will be provided. She further encouraged students to maintain their hygiene, get adequate rest and isolate themselves if they are experiencing symptoms.
Word on the street Alumni, what’s a place on campus that holds special memories for you? The IM Fields hold so many memories for me as Alpha Omega absolutely DOMINATED IM football and won multiple championships! Dave Starcher, ‘88 Harbison Chapel. I was an alto in the chapel choir and had the joy of practicing every MWF, and then singing for Sunday evening vespers - oh, and I always turned in one of my mandatory chapel cards at the end of the service! Lisa Adams, ‘78
Late-night OB Bible studies in the entry rotunda of Crawford (and occasionally sneaking onto the roof to enjoy the view of the Quad). Philip Tan, ‘13 South Library. We had a weekly ritual of reading poetry together modeled after The Dead Poets Society. “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately...” Adam Loretto, ‘05
The old Gedunk in the PLC. Faculty used to meet every Wednesday for a sloppy joe special.
Charles Kriley, ‘88 I remember my Rho brothers and I smoking pipes on April evenings, right at the Golden Hour (~7pm), high up in one of those trees between Hopeman and Hicks– just like a hobbit! Joshua Mayo, ‘10
Entertainment
Oct. 2, 2026
Page 6
100 years of entertainment
PINTREST
A 1950’s family gatherd around a TV for entertainment.
How entertainment consumption has changed
Randall Elvin
Entertainment Editor Class is over. You just discussed ethical issues in SSFT with Dr. Anderson, learned new Spanish vocabulary with Dr. Studeny or explored finance concepts with Dr. Truitt. You walk back to your dorm, sit at the desk that has been in that dorm for generations and pull out your source of entertainment. No studying is done and no time is spent with friends. All because your head was stuffed in that stupid … newspaper? One hundred years ago, that could’ve very well been the picture (minus our contemporary professors) because there were no TikTok, Reels or even TV. So how did people consume entertainment over the last 100 years? In 1926, entertainment was something you had to seek out. The central source of information and entertainment was in the newspapers. Comics, sports, stories, movie listings and celebrity information were all in the papers. Many people read the newspaper religiously and would not miss a copy.
But that wasn’t the only source of entertainment for long. The radio’s reach was also growing. Voices, music and live broadcasts could be consumed audibly. It is important to note that you couldn’t listen to whatever you wanted, whenever you wanted. You had to wait for the scheduled time that your preferred music, game or commentary came on. Together, the newspaper and radio entertained people for plenty of hours a week. Imagine a college student coming back to their room in 1946. Instead of grabbing a newspaper, they turn on the radio. Suddenly, the room is filled with music, comedy, drama, sports and news. But the outcome is the same as when students are distracted today: no homework is completed and no sleep is had. By 1966, the radio had some serious competition. By then, televisions were common in households. Television gave viewers sitcoms, dramas, variety shows, sports and news without requiring them to leave the house. Entertainment was no longer only re-
served for print and audio. For the average person, the evening could revolve around one question: “What time does it air?” This became especially true for shows like “Batman” and “Star Trek,” which became cultural icons. This created a feeling almost entirely forgotten in the age of streaming: sitting around the television and watching the same live program together. Entertainment was still scheduled. If “Batman” came on at 7:30, you watched it at 7:30. If you missed it, you missed it. Unlike today, televisions were typically shared by one family, so everyone had to agree on what to watch, and dorms did not usually have TVs. However, moving into 1986, entertainment became more personal. Instead of everyone needing to listen to the same radio station or watch the same television program, people could carry their entertainment with them. This is when the Walkman “walked” onto the scene. For the first time, you could put on headphones, press play and create your own entertainment bubble. When a student walked
around campus, they could listen to their favorite music without forcing everyone else to listen to it with a boombox on their shoulder. Then the VHS came onto the scene. Movies were now rentable and rewindable. Movies could fit into your schedule, not the other way around. It seemed like entertainment couldn’t be easier to access. Then came the internet. By 2006, entertainment was a click away. You could sit at your computer and watch videos on YouTube, listen to music through iTunes, customize your MySpace page or put hundreds of songs onto an iPod. Entertainment became something you chose. Instead of waiting for entertainment, you were searching for it. Ten years later, even the computer was becoming unnecessary. The smartphone had taken over. By 2016, your phone could essentially replace half the entertainment devices that existed throughout the previous century. It was your newspaper, TV, radio and music player. Apps took over the need for different de-
vices. Netflix meant you didn’t have to wait for television schedules. Spotify meant you didn’t have to wait for the radio to play your favorite song. YouTube meant you didn’t have to wait for a television network. Now we arrive at 2026. You don’t need to look for entertainment anymore. It comes looking for you, the second you open your phone. A new song. A new episode. A new story. An infinite pool of videos just a swipe away. Instagram and Snapchat can now feed you endless entertaining content. It went from what to watch to what not to watch, due to the volume of entertainment at our fingertips. Over one hundred years, entertainment has gone from something we had to seek out to something that is constantly within reach. What once required a newspaper, radio, television or computer can now be found instantly in the palm of our hand, ready to distract any college student.
2001 movie chart toppers Luke Paglia
Managing Editor As we welcome back the Grove City College Class of 2001, take a trip back in time to see what movies topped the charts 25 years ago. The No. 1 highest-grossing movie in the United States in 2001 was “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” One of the most successful movie franchises of all time debuted on the big screen in 2001, and its success didn’t stop there. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter kept coming back up until the release of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” in 2011. Despite coming out 25 years ago, this movie has not lost its luster and is a fan favorite and go-to classic when it gets a bit colder outside.
The year 2001 was filled with a lineup of legendary movies still beloved today. This includes the commencement of the Lord of the Rings movie franchise with “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.” Arguably two of the greatest fantasy movie franchises began in 2001, and both continued to be wildly successful throughout the years and are still regarded as some of the greatest movies of all time. While the top two highest-grossing movies of 2001 explored two of the most wellknown worlds of fantasy literature and cinema, this year also saw animated comedies become childhood classics for many. The inception of the Shrek franchise began in 2001 with “Shrek.” The beginning of this grumpy, green ogre’s story introduced us to its great characters like Shrek, Fiona and
his hilarious sidekick, Donkey. The Shrek franchise has been coming out with movies ever since, with “Shrek 5” confirmed to be in the works. Another kids’ classic from 2001 is “Monsters, Inc.” The big, fluffy Sully and little, green Mike took the screen for the first time in 2001 and saw a highly anticipated return in 2013 with a prequel to the first movie, “Monsters University.” These four films led the box office for 2001, but many other incredible films came out that year. A thrilling heist series began with “Ocean’s Eleven” in 2001. “Jurassic Park III” released this year, continuing the iconic franchise. The psychological, dramatic biopic “A Beautiful Mind” debuted in 2001, along with the satirical comedy “Legally Blonde.”
The main cast of Harry Potter smile for a photo.
DISNEY
Page 7
Oct. 02, 2026
‘Why don’t you have seat over there’ Randall Elvin
Entertainment Editor Anyone who has watched “To Catch a Predator” will remember hearing these lines: “Why don’t you have a seat over there?” “You see how this looks, right?” Chris Hansen would sit across from a shaky man and read back his online messages while surrounded by cameras eager to capture every aspect of his meltdown. Directed by Lance Oppenheim and released by A24, “Primetime” is a satirical drama thriller about fame, obsession and evil. Set in 2006, the movie follows Hansen as he tries to get “To Catch a Predator” into primetime television, with ratings and network pressure constantly hanging over the production. Robert Pattinson plays the role of Chris Hansen, and his performance alone makes the movie worth watching. Pattinson has already shown his range in films such as “Tenet,” “The Lighthouse” and “The Odyssey.” He will also appear in the upcoming film “Dune: Part Three.” In “Primetime,” Pattinson disappears, and Chris Hansen appears. Whenever Hansen enters a sting operation, he struts in like a superhero. Pattinson sells every second of Hansen’s ridiculous confidence. The problem is, the more he believes in his own image, the more unsettling he becomes, and the movie does very well in showing this struggle.
“Primetime” never allows Hansen to be a clean-cut, morally sound hero. Hansen has his own flaws, like his failing marriage and his celebrity status getting to his head. In his mind, he truly believes he is the person to judge evil. Throughout the movie, Hansen faces the question of who gave him that authority. The movie opens with Hansen clearly caring about the ratings of the television show and appeasing NBC, the show’s network. At the same time, it shows his hatred for the people he believes represent true evil. Hansen tells the story that changed everything for him and explains how he came to see evil as a force he had to fight. Hansen genuinely seems to want to catch terrible people, but he also wants the biggest show possible. Without a strong rating, how can he keep his show going? If he doesn’t go for the biggest stories, why would people tune in? During one scene, he insists on waiting for a perpetrator and will not rest until he is caught. Is he doing it to protect the kids or to be the biggest star? “Primetime” never gives the audience a clear answer about which motivation matters the most. But “Primetime” does not just talk about evil and struggles. It forces the audience to sit in it. Hansen pursues disgusting predators throughout the movie, and “Primetime” forces you to feel immersed in the shock of it. The camera constantly cuts to abnormally
YOUTUBE
Robert Pattison portraying Chris Hansen. close shots, making it difficult to distance yourself from what is happening. Chat logs from the predators are read out loud in a disgusting manner that feels like they are being read right into your ear. There is no easy way to look away. The movie makes you face the
reality of what these predators are willing to say and do. “Primetime” separates itself from a traditional movie. It does not simply tell you these people are disgusting; it makes you experience the discomfort of facing them, and that’s what sets it apart. Movies do not always have to fit
the typical mold. “Primetime” does not move neatly from A to B, and it does not give you a clear character arc with a simple resolution. It is strange and unsettling. Movies do not always have to be comfortable. Sometimes they can be an experience.
Sheeran ‘thought out loud’ during Palestine controversy Olivia Emerick Copy Chief
English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran faced widespread controversy after his team fired rapper Macklemore from his tour over disagreements regarding Macklemore’s pro-Palestine statements. While opening for the Loop tour Sept. 5 at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, Macklemore performed his protest song “Hind’s Hall.” The song is named for Hind Rajab, a 5-year-old Palestinian girl Israeli forces killed after firing on her family’s car. “A big part of the reason why I wanted to do this tour in the first place is so that I could stand up in stadiums like this and say two words that are very, very dear to my heart: Free Palestine,” Macklemore said before performing the song. “To all of my Jewish brothers and sisters, criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide, it in no way is criticism of you. This message is for peace, love, for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect and equality,” he added. Macklemore received criticism from the Israeli American Council, the campaign group StopAntisemitism and
Ed Sheeran singing on tour in 2026. pop star Pink. Robert Kraft, who owns the New England Patriots American football team and Gillette Stadium, said Sheeran’s planned concerts would be cancelled if Macklemore was performing. “I agree with Macklemore, too many lives have been lost,
and there has been too much suffering, but only sharing selective information and ignoring the actions of Hamas is not honest and only advances more divisiveness and hate,” Kraft said. The promoter of the tour, Messina Touring Group, decided to remove Macklemore
BILLBOARD
from the lineup due to the controversy. This move upset other performers, ticketholders and listeners. American singer-songwriter Finneas, Irish folk band Boega, Danish pop band Lukas Graham and Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe quit the tour in support of
Macklemore’s pro-Palestine statement. Sheeran’s next concert on Sept. 19 in Philadelphia had no opening acts. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators protested outside Lincoln Financial Field. Sheeran addressed the controversy, apologizing for “making mistakes.” “I don’t want to disappoint fans, and I’ve never wanted to be an activist musician, but this has put me in the middle of an important and passionate argument about freedom of speech and the most complex political issue on the planet,” Sheeran said. “What happened in Israel and at the Nova Music Festival on Oct. 7 was horrific and compounded centuries of Jewish pain. What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate.” Sheeran said. “My heart’s been broken by the scale of devastation and the loss of civilians’ lives. Children’s lives. “This concert is still a place where everyone is welcome, and everyone here can stand beside people that have opposing views. And everyone here can stand by people who they don’t agree with on everything. But they can all agree on singing these songs.”
Oct. 2, 2026
Through the Lens
She’s baaaaack!
Page 8
Oct. 2, 2026
As we are in between photo chiefs, alumna photo chief Grace David ‘24 was called in to contribute some of her post grad photography for the homecoming photospread. She held the Photo Chief position three years and in that time she captured the happenings and joy at Grove City College in incredible ways. Since graduating, David has been working visual design and photography as well as doing frelance photogrpahy on the side. If you enjoy photography and design and are interested in being a part of The Collegian’s photography process, please email the Managing Editor Luke Paglia (PagliaLR23@gcc.edu) for more information.
Page 9
News
Oct. 2, 2026
Page 10
Basham bashes College opens Grove no more history exhibit Liliana Shadlow Staff Writer
Despite previous disagreements with the college, reporter and Daily Wire podcaster Megan Basham applauded Grove City College for holding to its conservative ideals in The InBASHAM stitute for Faith & Freedom’s lecture Sept. 17. Although some may know Basham for her outspoken critiques of the college’s inclusion of “woke” curriculum, courses and choice of chapel speakers in 2021, Basham’s public reception seemed positive. “I almost am sheepish about how welcomed I’ve been,” Basham said in a post-lecture interview, repeating that she felt “so welcomed” during her time on campus for the event. Basham went on to say how pleased she was with Grove City’s adherence to conservative, Christian principles, stating that she couldn’t say the same for many other institutions. Basham said, “I have known stories where nothing happened, there was no prescription and there was just denial (of issues within the school).” For Basham, it seems like the college is now on the right path as a Christian institution. In Basham’s words, “Bravo, Grove City!” Attendee Brae Sadler, a senior economics major and The Institute for Faith & Freedom fellow, also wanted to congratulate the college for the night’s lecture, feeling her appearance on campus marked growth. Sadler emphasized the importance of freedom of thought and openness to disagreement, saying, “It is important to gain outside perspectives, includ-
RENOVATIONS continued from 1
main lines running to the building. Isaac Cooke, the resident director of Hopeman Hall, has seen how these initial renovations have benefited students. While admitting many of these updates are under the surface, Cooke emphasized their central role in preventing flooding, which was common on Hopeman’s ground floor. “The background structural work, while not seen, is improving students’ daily lives by simply working reliably,” Cooke said. “This may not be a flashy part of the upgrade, but a quiet working bathroom is a welcome upgrade. … Feedback from students has been overwhelmingly positive.” Connor Owens, a sophomore living in a quad-suite on the first floor with access to both renovated and unrenovated facilities, echoed this sentiment. He compared the old bathrooms to “a 70’s
ing ones who are critical of us, so that we as an institution can reflect on that.” Sophomore design and innovation student Eli Wick agreed and mentioned how the decision to bring Basham to campus spoke well for Grove City. “This is a great opportunity for Megan as a conservative journalist to reevaluate her opinion on Grove City as a college,” Wick said. Basham herself brought up this point during her talk, which briefly touched on the past controversy. “What I really thought was this is proof of how fair-minded, and forgiving and supportive of free speech Grove City College must be,” Basham said on being invited to speak on campus. While much of the student and faculty debate before her arrival seemed to indicate that Basham would focus on past controversies with Grove City in her lecture, it instead was centered around the role of higher education in protecting Christianity in society. “Christians are the last walls standing in the way of the fundamental transformation of the United States that the secular left has so long sought,” Basham said. Basham’s lecture focused on how liberal ideologies find their way into Christian organizations. She used real-life examples from her journalism work to show how good, Christian organizations could go down the wrong path with just one or two wolves in sheep’s clothing. “Progressives will hollow out your trusted institutions and wear them like a skin suit,” Basham said. Basham also gave listeners a glimpse of her personal testimony. She discussed how
reading classical literature in college, much of which is about Christian beliefs and principles, transformed her life and led to her rededication to Christianity. The lecture wrapped up with an audience Q&A, during which Basham recommended books, offered advice for current college students and encouraged attendees to focus on God’s sovereignty over world events and political disputes. Away from the bright lights of the Rathburn Great Room, most of the couple dozen students in attendance seemed sympathetic to Basham’s message. “We need to leave room for Christian worldview and Christian morals in (classical) works, and not just scrape those works down to the stories or the plot or the characters,” Junior political science major Mallory Campbell said. “I really loved her focus on that.” Several students and faculty — who asked to stay anonymous — questioned the motivation behind inviting her to speak and saw Basham as “divisive” and “disrespectful,” responsible for creating an unfavorable national spotlight and falsely representing the college. Bill Stanton, a senior studying computer science, said that while he knew of the past controversy surrounding Basham, he still felt the college inviting her to speak on campus was a good move. “It’s very important to bring in people who might have different views and to hear what they have to say,” Stanton said. “I thought tonight was really positive; she said a lot of really great things about our school.”
boys locker room from … a TV show,” and said that the new ones are “a lot nicer.” Of the old bathrooms, Owens also complained about other problems such as broken faucet handles and leaking pipes. When discussing students’ responses to the upgrades, Cooke said, “We’ve even had guys on other halls come down from their halls to use the renovated bathrooms.” When asked if the renovations solved the problems they intended to, Owens said, referring to the plumbing fixes, “I guess, yes, they band-aided those for now, but there’s still other bathrooms that are not renovated yet that have the same issues.” And the college “probably spends more (money) on maintenance calls at this point than it would have cost them to just fix the bathrooms.” Hopeman renovations, and the rest of the bathrooms, will be completed over the next one or two summers, as funding comes in, according to Grim.
Renovations in Lincoln will begin after Hopeman’s completion and will similarly depend on funding. For the athletic facility renovations, however, the timeline is predicted to be shorter, though just as extensive. These updates will include the new baseball field, Stewart Field and the creation of the McNulty Athletic Center. Lower campus will also receive some significant attention with the installation of a new athletic complex. “A lower fieldhouse that would be the new home to football, lacrosse and tennis is in the design phase,” Grimm said. As the college has stated, the McNulty Athletic Center will be a “year-round 50,000 square-foot air-supported dome featuring a four-lane track, flexible space for intramural and varsity sports, fitness and conditioning equipment and locker rooms.” Jeffrey Prokovich, vice president for advancement,
Jack Davis
Contributing Writer The gallery, titled “Celebrating a Legacy of Faith and Freedom,” is full of artifacts and artwork from the college’s 150 years of history, from its founding, April 11, 1876, to the present, and will be open until Nov. 19. The exhibit is in the Pew Fine Arts Center gallery and is open to the public from 4-8 p.m. on weekdays. It will also be open during Homecoming, Saturday, from 1-4 p.m. Hillary Walczak, director of college archives and galleries, and her team spent the past year designing this exhibit. Using a combination of photographs, models, videos and artifacts, the exhibit captures the wide scope of the college’s history. From the college’s construction to the creation of extracurricular activities, the exhibit conveys the fullest and most immersive picture of the college’s history to date. The exhibit also features Grove City history that the public most likely does not know. Each piece of the exhibit, Walczak said, is meant “to connect (the audience) to the various mediums and walk through campus history one moment at a time.” While the exhibit follows the history of the college on a large, year-by-year basis, from its first years as the Pine Grove Normal Academy to its sesquicentennial anniversary celebrated in the spring of 2026, Walczak also wanted to display the college’s story through the personal experiences of the students and administration
VOLLEYBALL
continued from 16
teams because it usually takes us one or two sets to figure out how to be efficient against the other team,” Hart said. As conference play continues, the Wolverines look to hold on to their strong overall record, currently the best in the PAC, and accumulate a solid record against PAC members. “We are looking to go far said the dome “is being built to benefit the whole campus community.” “We don’t have the facilities to accommodate all the varsity athletes,” Prokovich added. Prokovich mentioned that the construction timeline for both facilities should be six
who made the college what it is. The exhibit highlights the legacy of the college through glimpses of campus culture and the obstacles Grove City has experienced. Notable challenges that the college has endured include two world wars and the landmark Supreme Court case, “Grove City College vs. Bell,” which made national news. “The college’s legacy can be seen through the many ups and downs,” Walczak said. According to the Grove City College website, artifacts displayed in the exhibition range from different aspects and eras of the college. Some artifacts included in the exhibit are pictures and uniforms from decades past, the headpiece of a former Willie the Wolverine costume and parts from the “USS Grove City College Victory,” a ship christened during World War II. The goal of the exhibit, the college says, is to “show how much things have changed since 1876 and how much has stayed the same.” Walczak designed the exhibit for an audience outside of current Grove City College students. While not exclusively aimed at alumni, Walczak explained that she designed the exhibit for alumni to feel nostalgic. According to Walczak, the exhibit also gives an opportunity for alumni to connect to different eras of the college while feeling nostalgic for the campus where they went to school. “We hope that people are able to stop in and learn something new,” Walczak said.
this year, and it starts with a good PAC record. Coach recently talked about how our playoff mindset starts with doing our job and winning the PAC again,” Klusch said. The team will face its second official conference rival, Waynesburg, at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Grove City College Arena. “I think we should be able to dominate the match against Waynesburg if we control our side of the net and stay disciplined,” Hart said. months or less. “The projects are all designed to enhance the student experience,” Grimm said. “Whether they are new buildings and fields or renovations to existing spaces, they in some way benefit students.”
Oct. 2, 2026
Page 11
Oct. 2, 2026
Perspectives
Page 12
What makes Grove
Knowing home for the first time Rev. Chad E. Lawrence ‘96 Contributing Writer
If T.S. Eliot is right and home is, indeed, where one starts from, then home is both a nurturing pod and a launching pad. It is where our roots begin to grow deep and receive nourishment, where shoots are sent out and begin to explore and where wisdom is planted within and cultivated. It is also the place from which we are launched into the wider world to explore and discover, to expand and reproduce. When I graduated from Grove City College, 30 years ago, I never anticipated landing in so many different places. There was the year in Tyler, Texas, with Youth With A Mission, where I met my wife, followed by brief stints in Brazil and Colombia serving as missionaries to street children. Next, there was the longer season in Bakersfield, Calif., where our first three daughters were born and my unforeseen-to-me vocation of teaching began. Then, we moved back across the country for three years at Trinity Anglican Seminary in Ambridge, followed by the longest stint to date: 13 years in Beaufort, S.C., serving at an Anglican church and as the founding headmaster of Holy Trinity Classical Christian School. My journey since leaving Grove City College has been varied and surprising. All the while, the foundation laid during my time here has served me remarkably well. Though my myopic vision obscured my appreciation of the gift I was receiving at the time, I look back and see the many ways that God used my years at the college to prepare me for where I would go and what I would do. The grounding of Grove City’s Christian community
GCC
protected me during my particularly vulnerable years as an undergrad, tilling the soil of my heart, preparing the way to receive the Gospel. The broad, robust Christian liberal arts education opened the door for my future teaching, theological studies and pastoring. I now look back upon my years in Grove City with much gratitude. “We shall not cease from exploration / And the end of all our ex-
ploring / Will be to arrive where we started / And know the place for the first time.” — T.S. Eliot, Four Quartets, “Little Gidding,” section V While I am not sure my exploring is over, I surprisingly find myself back “home,” “knowing the place for the first time.” We’ve been back here in Grove City for four years now, and, undoubtedly, one of the
real joys has been interactions with the current students and faculty: whether through hosting student teachers in my position as dean of Grove City Christian Academy, or enjoying the vibrancy the college students bring to our worship and life at Grace Anglican Church, or cheering on the Wolverines from the sidelines or theater seats or teaching a class as a guest lecturer in the education department or rejoicing in the privilege of
having coffee with a brilliant professor. Truly, it is as if I am knowing the place for the first time, now with clearer vision, and it is good to be home. As Grove City College celebrates 150 years, my hope and prayer is that my alma mater will continue to serve as the same nurturing pod and launching pad for others as she was for me. May she be “home” for many others, for many more years to come.
Reconnecting and returning Julia Sikora ’26
Contributing Writer Flying candy in the parade, cheering from the stands at the football game and the sweet taste of caramel apples: these were always my first images of Homecoming Weekend as a student. Coming back for Homecoming this year — now as an alum — has given me the opportunity to reflect on my favorite parts of the weekend through the lens of reconnecting and returning. The day begins along the sidewalks of Broad Street, where there is no shortage of entertaining floats to watch. It is a chance to see the individuals who continue to pour into campus life and the new
faces who have joined familiar groups — people who have dedicated themselves to Grove City in one way or another. I am reminded of the spirit of campus life and how it shaped me. I grew through the friendships I formed with the people around me, and now I can witness that same growth in so many others. Later in the afternoon, everyone gathers at Thorn Field for one thing: the Wolverines! It is such a blessing to see the team, the cheerleaders, the band and the spectators come together to support and celebrate Grove City. Events such as the football game on Homecoming Weekend provide an opportunity to see how easily we can share in the Grove City community. As students, we showed our support through the time, effort and energy we poured
into Grove City. As alumni, we can return and give back. No matter what year we graduate, we can still cheer for the same team. We can cheer for the school’s future, just as we cheered for it in the past. Finally, we top off the day with caramel apples. For me, caramel apples are a staple of Homecoming Weekend, one that I remember vividly. As a member of SGA, it was always a scramble to order the apples, prepare the caramel and staff the booth before handing out the traditional treats. It was a tradition that started long before my time and one we sought to continue. I would not trade that time for anything. From the caramel apples came shared memories. Through the headaches and hardships, Grovers were there. They were there during the late
nights dipping caramel apples. They were there receiving a classic fall treat. Grovers come back. Traditions continue. While the caramel may now be served in cups rather than coating a full apple on a stick, the heart of the tradition is still there. We take the heart of Grove City with us, long after we leave the caramel apple stand and Grove City itself. Our experiences at Grove City College, both good and bad, connect us with an entire network of people —and that is what is truly sweet about Homecoming. This weekend, I am reminded of a place that I once called “home.” I can look at the buildings, MAP, SAC and HAL, but they do not mean much on their own. They became something more when I was learning, eating weekly
meals and staying up studying in those places. They were filled with memories — shared memories with others. When we return to those places together, the memories become real again. I am so blessed that Grove City becomes home again when it is filled with the people who made it so special. I am excited to reconnect and return to the community that shaped me. Though I have new routines and new faces that I see every day, I can still pour into others from afar, pray for them and, as Paul wrote to the Colossians, seek the things that are above together. As alumni return to their alma mater, we remember that while we may be far removed from the towers and campus, the spirit of Grove City College life continues to dwell within us.
Write for Perspectives! Come join Perspectives as we have dynamic, diverse, and delightful conversations on the things that matter most. Whether you are a student, alumnus, or faculty, we are interested in your opinions on issues of faith, culture, and campus life. We welcome pitches and submissions anytime. Interested writers should email Perspectives Editor John Hatzis at HatzisJS23@gcc.edu.
Page 13
Oct. 2, 2026
City College home? An education in love
John Hatzis
Perspectives Editor I am coming into my last Homecoming as a student with a surprising strand of somberness. I, of all people, have no right to be somber about Homecoming. I have been blessed with the opportunity to ride in the parade alongside some of my favorite people. I met Tim, Anastasia and Jasmine at the very start of my Grove journey, and they journeyed with me every step of the way. I have always admired how they love people; it makes them leaders worth following. I met Sam much later in my college career and was immediately endeared by his earnestness and sincerity. Whenever I see Luke and Nicole walking together, I cannot help but be uplifted by their genuine love for one another. Elleri, for her part, ranks among the funniest people I have ever met and was without a doubt the best co-host I have ever worked with. Molly and Sarah both radiate a joy that can only come from the Spirit of Joy. Bryce and Nathan are the student body’s most important leaders, and as someone who has served with them, I can attest to their strength, servant-heartedness and grace. These seniors are far too admirable to have me in their company — I am blessed far beyond my rights to be on Homecoming Court with them. Yet, at this moment, something is still gnawing at my heart. Like Charlie Brown before Christmas, I feel adrift in the season. The season of Homecoming has unique joy for seniors, but also a unique sting. This is the last Homecoming we will celebrate before we, too, are separated from the daily rhythms of campus life. I am reminded of the advice I was given (in
jest) by a senior before his graduation: “Don’t get old.” Seeing our friends return for Homecoming is a joy, but it reminds us of why we missed them in the first place. C.S. Lewis touches on this when he describes the sadness of losing a friend in “The Four Loves.” Now that Tessa lives in Ohio, Kinley in Virginia, Ava in Maryland and Braedon in New York, the team that made the legendary “Good Books” class so special is separated. I miss them. I have had some hard semesters in college (there is even a period dubbed the “season of sorrows”), but this semester has been the one most marked by wistfulness. Julia is no longer around to plot crazy pranks in her apartment. Colton is no longer perched in MAP South with his dressy teaching outfit and a great book. Emily and Kathryna no longer light up the Tower with their jubilance. I probably will never jump on a trampoline with John again. My responses to my sorrow are lamentable, but I would posit the sorrow itself is not. Would I rather it not be so? Love always results in some form of sorrow. True sorrow is, in fact, impossible without love. It would be better to feel the sorrow that comes with missing a person than the dullness of life that comes from missing (and thus loving) no one. Grove City College intentionally inculcates that love of people. From The Fugitives to Orientation Board, from AEX to Philosophy Soup Nights and from Swing Dance to Inner City Outreach, small communities form bonds full of mirth but also great depth. Grove inculcates not only a love of people but also a love of place. This applies to the specific place of Grove City, but also to the other places Grovers call home. I have a senior friend whose job search is limited to a half-hour drive from his home church. He knows how formative a church is and has adjusted his future (and
attendant salary opportunities) accordingly. I have another duo of friends, recent alums, who now live a stroll away from campus. Their work commute is longer than needed, but as a result they live near the place and people that matter. These examples of loyalty to hometown and home church attest to the success of a Grove City education. This college has formed loves to rightly value home and spiritual growth over a large salary. If education aims at cultivating a richness of soul (compared to the shallow richness of a pocketbook), its ends are achieved in my friends. Reflecting on the sorrow coming from my impending farewell, I realize Grove City’s education worked in me as well. I would not miss this place if it did not leave its mark on me. The thought of leaving soon would not cause a pang if it did not matter. The other week, a little boy stumbled up to me while I was on my hammock. He wanted a turn swinging on the hammock, and it was a delight to give it to him. His mom began talking to me about Grove City and the English department. She had graduated years ago and was strolling through campus with her children. Afterward, I had the vision that one day, perhaps, my own son might stumble through Grove City’s campus. That vision leaves me enchanted and invigorated. The month of May need not be a goodbye to Grove City. There is a chance that roots started at the college will grow deep in this town. Yet even if called elsewhere, I can take heart that, to quote our beautiful Alma Mater, the spirit of Grove City “dwells within us.” And I can look at all the alumni who come from around the country to visit campus this weekend and see living proof of the truth of those words.
GCC
“The Music of the Spheres” by Aidan Besneatte-Cullinane
Soup cans, sparkles, and the future
Kinley Bowers ‘26 Contributing Writer
In college, my cousin Sid was one of those goody-goody overachievers who ran numerous clubs, made besties of his professors and never looked a B in the eye. Recently, I called to ask him about life in the “real” world, and he was sitting in his dark apartment, wrapped in a blanket to save money on electricity while eating soup. “Soup is the cheapest food you can buy while maintaining a sense of dignity. I am at the bottom of the food chain.” But don’t be deceived: he also just married his true love, moved to England and is doing work he loves — a summary that certainly paints his life in a different light than that of the troglodyte soup slurper above. There are at least two vantage points from which to view every story. Before graduating, before deciding to move back to my hometown and live with my grandma, before getting a job teaching, writing and editing for the Delightful Art Company, the alum life looked a little menacing. I took this concern to my ever-optimistic father, and he reframed it with a phrase that I have since worn thin: “This is exciting, Kinley! The future is sparkling with uncertainty.” The future can loom, or it can sparkle. I don’t mean to romanticize the scrappy, soupy, post-graduation afterlife, but there is something exhilarating about independence and ownership. There is a thrill in the stinging newness of a thing. As expected, I’m finding I must dig a little deeper to discover opportunity and community than I did at college. For some reason, the city of Harrisonburg fails to provide an OB committee or an Org Fair. But as Dr. Bilbro once said (in the privacy of his office), “there are many ways to become a vegetable,” and so we must continue to dig, seek and build so we may grow. There cannot be growth without some form of change. That’s growth — the result of positive change across time. Grove City College, that brick fortress populated with big hearts and big minds, was a chapter in my story, and it will inevitably affect every subse-
quent chapter. Each phase of life exposes new strengths and weaknesses within us and unveils unprecedented joys and sorrows around us. When we are introduced to a new plane, it angles our perspective afresh. We can choose to appreciate this prismatic quality of life, or we can tramp a flat line through it — afraid, careless, blind. Outside the academic establishment, I find that the hands-on things of life have continued to instruct me in a not-so-didactic way: things like picking up a toothless stranger who had wrecked his bike (I don’t necessarily recommend this as a habitual activity); accidentally killing a gut-hooked fish and crying all the way home as civil war music played over the car speakers; cradling an eyelid-less baby purple martin, placed in my hands by the head editor of Plough magazine; reading aloud C.S. Lewis while my students sculpt hrossa; driving to D.C. to hear the dying Ben Sasse speak on gratitude and work; making meals with my grandmother every Tuesday night; listening to the crêpe maker at the farmer’s market rave about Arvo Pärt; holding a bouquet alongside a friend as she makes marriage vows; singing hymns around the fire. Even disciplining myself to do what terrifies me so I might learn more of this “newness” and look back without regret — these little things have taught me much. I love the Wendell Berry poem that starts like this: “The years have not brought him the philosophic mind. The years have brought him love and grief.” Many of life’s lessons cannot be distilled into written paragraphs or taught from a lectern — but they can and do grow our hearts. While plenty of Grove City’s students already have perspectives that transcend grades and resumes, life as a graduate is forcing me to live beyond them. How should I live on my own? Do I still strive for excellence? Can I carry myself in solitude as I do in company? Will I see the sparkling prospects ahead or metaphorically sit in the darkness beneath a blanket? (Sorry, Sid.) How beautiful it is when our character can steadily grow in wonder, humility, love, faith and thankfulness regardless of our circumstance.
Sports
Oct. 2, 2026
Page 14
Strong showing from men’s and women’s golf Natalie Hanna Sports Editor MEADVILLE — The Grove City College men’s and women’s golf teams competed at Allegheny College’s annual Kuhn Invitational on Sept. 2021. The women’s team placed ninth out of 13 teams, with sophomore Emily Burling finishing third out of 73 competitors. She tallied a score of 150, posting 74 in the first round and 76 in the second. Senior Lauren Kardos totaled 166 over the two days, shooting an 80-86 split to finish 21st, and junior Sydney Goettel tied for 50th after shooting 192 (92-100). Sophomore Mackenzie Boley and junior Gabby Kinneer took 55th and 59th, respectively. Boley summed 196 (99-97), and Kinneer shot 199 (105-94). The Wolverines finished with a team score of 698 on 36 holes. “I think our ability to stay
positive, encourage one another and continue working even when things do not go exactly as planned has helped to make us stronger,” Kardos said. “We are dedicated and fully committed to putting in the work, and our overall consistency and team chemistry have helped to play a role in the success we have seen so far this season.” The men’s team secured 10th with a team total of 622 after competing against 11 other teams, and junior Luke Gronbeck led Grove City with a 12th-place individual finish out of 63 men. He shot 74 in the first round and closed with 73 in the second for a total of 137 on the 36 holes. Gronbeck has stood out this season, taking second at the Westminster Invitational, placing third by shooting six-under at the Penn State Altoona Toftrees Invitational and being named PAC Men’s Golfer of the Week twice. “It’s definitely been a good
start to the season, and I’m very thankful that I was able to put a good weekend together at Toftrees,” Gronbeck said. “I have been putting well this season, and I think that has played a major role in being able to put a good score together.” Senior Nathan Young placed 27th at the Kuhn Invitational by shooting rounds of 77 and 76 for a 153 total. Junior Will Nelson took 40th with a 158 (81-77), while senior Tyler Derstein finished 55th after shooting 82 back-to-back for 164. Rounding out the lineup with a 170 (86-84), junior Seth Hartman took 60th place. “Throughout preseason and into the school year, our team has bonded very well, and I think that allows us to play our best golf when we’re on the course,” Gronbeck said. “We all love to practice and get better alongside our teammates, and the culture has encouraged everyone to improve as much as they can so we can
GCC ATHLETICS
Sophomore Emily Burling led the women’s golf team with a third place finish at the Kuhn Inivtational on Sunday and Monday. obtain good results as a team.” The men also won the team title at its annual Grove City Fall Invitational Monday with a score of 296. Additionally, Young earned the individual medal by shooting a two-under 70, and two other Wolver-
ines joined Young in the top five. Gronbeck took third with a 74, and Hartman shot a 75 to place him fifth. The women will host its Grove City Fall Invitational
GOLF 15
Sports at a Glance Results
Football (36-6):
W, Saint Francis (0-1)
Men’s Soccer (2-1): W, Waynesburg (3-3-2)
Women’s Soccer (3-0): W, Saint Francis (3-4-1)
Women’s Volleyball (3-1): W, Saint Francis (5-6)
PETER HASSE
Junior Luke Ladas takes a shot on goal. The Wolverines kept their perfect PAC record intact with a narrow win against Waynesburg.
Late goal preserves perfect PAC record Sam Fetherlin Contributing Writer
Grove City College’s men’s soccer team extended its perfect start to conference play to 4-0 after a late goal from senior Ryan Merrick secured a 2-1 home win over Waynesburg University Saturday. The Wolverines held the top spot in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) entering the weekend while Waynesburg sat in the middle of the standings after an away victory at Bethany. While Grove City was considered the favorite due to the Wolverines’ superior record and home-field advantage, Waynesburg proved a tough opponent to break down. It was only through a penalty kick that the Wolverines managed to score the opener, with senior midfielder Noah Gray converting the spot kick at 12:37. Gray shot to the left and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way. It seemed the Wolverines were on their way to a comfortable win, but that expectation soon proved wrong as Waynesburg maintained defensive solidity and held out for a halftime score of 1-0. The match got even more interesting when Waynesburg equalized at 58:58, as the visitors stole the ball on the left flank and slid it through the Wolverines’ defense into the penalty box. Sarpong Kwabiah’s quick shot beat senior goalkeeper Anthony D’Ippoli-
to. The ball flew into the roof of the net, and suddenly the Wolverines felt pressure to regain the lead and maintain their perfect start to conference play. With only 100 seconds remaining, Merrick scored the dramatic winning goal. Gray beat his man down the left and, from the edge of the penalty box, clipped an inviting ball into the center. Merrick was on hand to steer a header back across goal, and the game finished minutes later. The win marked a satisfying turnaround following a midweek nonconference loss at home to Wooster. The final whistle prompted celebrations from players and spectators as the Wolverines secured all three points in their bid for a regular season first-place finish. On a weekend when rival Westminster drew, Grove City widened its lead at the top of the PAC standings. “The game did not go as we expected,” Gray said. “It was a much more physical and chaotic game than we’ve been used to this season. We had to have a bit of grit and fight to get a winner. I’m so proud of the way we battled and kept pushing. “It’s obviously been a strong start to conference play for us, being 4-0. We are a very experienced team and have a ton of young talent, which is a rarity. We’re capable of producing a really special season.” Merrick echoed this senti-
ment. “This season has been off to a great start. We’re excited to keep playing, and we have high hopes for the rest of the season,” he said. “But we understand we have a lot of work to do, and we have aims of going further than we did last year.” The victory over Waynesburg came on the Wolverines’ Senior Day, making it particularly meaningful for Gray and Merrick, two of eight seniors on the roster. “As a senior, I’m trying my best to milk every second out of this last season,” Gray said. “I’m playing for the last time with my best friends — it’s special. I’m excited to see what the rest of this season holds, and I’m trying to take in every moment I have on the field with my brothers.” Whether that final season will extend into the postseason remains to be seen, although the Wolverines have put themselves in position to make the playoffs. Next for the team is a conference match against Chatham University at 7.pm. Friday on Don Lyle Field. “This senior group is extremely tight as friends and has been training hard together for four years, throughout the school year and summer,” Merrick said. “Personally, they are my best friends, and we have so much fun playing together and we’re all looking forward to a final season together.”
Men’s Golf:
1st/18, Grove City Fall Invitational
Men’s Tennis (0-7): L, Ashland (1-0)
Women’s Tennis (7-0): W, Franciscan (6-2)
Men’s Cross Country:
10th/22, Lock Haven Invitational
Women’s Cross Country: 4th/22, Lock Haven Invitational
Upcoming Football:
Oct. 3, 6 p.m. vs Bethany
Men’s Soccer:
Oct. 7, 4:30 p.m. vs Westminster
Women’s Soccer:
Oct. 7, 7 p.m. vs Westminster
Women’s Volleyball:
Oct. 3, 2 p.m. vs Waynesburg
Women’s Golf:
Oct. day, 1 p.m. at Grove City Fall Invitational
Women’s Tennis:
Oct. 3, 12 p.m. vs Penn State Behrend
Men’s Tennis:
Oct. 3, 12 p.m. vs Penn State Behrend
WOLVERINE WEEKLY HONORS
Nathan Young Men’s Golf Golfer of the Week
Carson Wilt Men’s XC Newcomer of the Week
Cayla Lawrence Women’s XC Runner of the Week
Josie Jones Women’s XC Newcomer of the Week
Ryan Merrick Men’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week
Taylor Leary Women’s Soccer Newcomer of the Week
Sports
Oct. 2, 2026
Page 15
ASHLEY PORCELLI
GCC ATHLETICS
Iris Kiehl prepares to swing at a ball. The team improved to 4-0 after securing a win against Geneva.
Women’s tennis defeats Geneva Garrett Gess Staff Writer
BEAVER FALLS — Grove City College women’s tennis record remains perfect after defeating Geneva 6-1 on the road Saturday. With five straight wins to start the season, the Wolverines are having their best start since 2018. Grove City took two of three doubles matches to claim the opening point against Geneva. After the Wolverines lost the first doubles match, sophomore Grace Stitt and freshman Reagan Dougherty cruised to a 6-0 victory, while junior Iris Kiehl and sophomore Blaire Beatty earned a 6-1 win. The Wolverines carried the momentum into singles play, winning five of the six matches to earn a 6-1 final after their opening point. Sophomore Grace Yurko opened Grove City’s singles victories with a 6-4, 6-3 win. Dougherty followed with a 6-2, 6-0 victory. Kiehl continued the Wolverines’ run, winning 6-1, 6-1. Beatty produced the same score. Sophomore Emma Flanigan closed out Grove City’s singles wins by defeating her opponent 6-0, 6-1. “We have a really young team with nine out of 14 girls being freshmen or sophomores. The upperclassmen have been great role models and support, and even though there are only a few of them, they have a big impact on leading us underclassmen,” Flanigan said. “The underclassmen have really made a big impact on the lineup, but beyond just ability, they bring a lot of energy, strong work ethic and competitiveness to the team.” Although five of the team’s six starters are sophomores or freshmen, they are not without experience. Five starters this year also started for the Wolverines last year, with four starting as freshmen. With much of the roster not even in their last or second-to-last season, the Wolverines might be far from their peak. With the win over Geneva, Grove City also secured their fourth conference victory of the season. The Wolverines have won all five of their matches this season, including four by 7-0 scores. Grove City opened the season with sweeps over Houghton, Westminster, Washington & Jeffer-
FOOTBALL
continued from 16
aging to Telfer. “Part of our defensive vision is to limit offensive production,” he said. “Seeing that Saint Francis only scored at the end of the fourth quarter shows me our defense truly lived in vision out on the field today, and it was awesome to see.” While the win was signifi-
son and Waynesburg. So far so good, Grove City will look to make a run for the PAC title after coming in as the runner-up last year. Historically, the women’s tennis program has been dominant, winning 25 straight titles from 1987 through 2011 and five since then. This year, the Wolverines are looking to win their first PAC title since 2023. Standing in their way is Allegheny, the defending champion and conference favorite. Grove City will host the Gators next Saturday for a contest, which could preview a playoff matchup. “This year, Coach has really emphasized loving each other as teammates and sisters in Christ, as well as loving our opponents well as a goal slash mission for the team,” Flanigan said. “As far as actual tennis goals go, Coach wants us to be more comfortable and aggressive at the net and to get better at placing the ball in the open court. In my opinion, we’re going to need a lot of hype and energy to win the PACs, which is something the team has been really good at this year. “Additionally, I think the doubles point will be big, and I think every player will need to be patient, mentally tough and play with freedom. There’s definitely the talent to win PACs on our team if we can all play smart and confidently.” With lots of tennis to be played, this year’s Wolverine squad is like the 2023 PAC title team. In that year’s preseason poll, Grove City was not even projected to finish in the top two. Allegheny then outplayed Grove City in their regular-season match. The Wolverines found resolve, proving the pollsters wrong and winning convincingly in the rematch against Allegheny for the title. While last year’s team came up short by losing in the PAC title match, Grove City looks to flip the script this year. Last week, Stitt won PAC Player of the Week, and Dougherty was named PAC Newcomer of the Week. The two pair up in doubles matches and continue to succeed. The Wolverines played at Franciscan Monday and will return to Walters-Zbell Tennis Courts to host Penn State Behrend at 12 p.m. Saturday. cant, Telfer emphasized that the team’s focus extends beyond the scoreboard, especially since the win did not affect PAC standings because Saint Francis is transitioning to Division III. “The win showed that no matter the result, we are out there to glorify God,” Telfer said. That perspective has helped the team remain grounded after an important victory.
The women’s soccer team poses in front of Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa.
Soccer in South Africa Natalie Hanna
ing time working with native children, specifically with these mentor coaches and their teams, by running clinics and practicing with them. The team also played some matches against a high-level professional team connected with the ministry, a unique opportunity. The team spent a lot of time with the kids on these teams, and sophomore Bryn Baker expressed that coaching and building relationships with them was her favorite part of the trip. She saw God moving through the formation of these relationships with the kids and all the people they met. “There was something so special about seeing how excited (the kids) were to play soccer and how easily they found joy in the simplest things,” Baker said. “Being around them reminded me that ministry doesn’t always have to look complicated.” In addition to assisting with coaching, the women’s soccer team also had the opportunity to break out into small groups during the clinics and share Bible stories with the kids. While the kids were in school, the team spent time with each other, learning about the area’s culture and experiencing the beauty of God’s earth. Marais took them to a variety of locations to sightsee and take in the glory of creation, including Table Mountain, Stellenbosch, Boulders Beach Penguin Colony and a Muslim district in Cape Town. “We got to spend significant
time learning about God, how he is working in other areas of the world and just sitting in his presence,” sophomore Ella Lotz said. Aside from using soccer to impact the community it was working in, the soccer team also found that its mission trip impacted its players. They grew individually and as a team, strengthening their relationships with God and each other. They learned more about one another off the field and shared about their personal walks with God. “I think what made our relationships deeper was that we got to see different sides of each other. We had honest conversations, encouraged each other when things were hard, prayed together and had so many opportunities to talk about what God was teaching us individually,” Baker said. “We weren’t just teammates for those two weeks; we were learning how to walk through an experience together and support each other spiritually.” Now, as the team is back on the field this fall, its experience in South Africa is showing itself through its team culture. “Being in this context away from home and united ‘on mission’ is a hugely unifying factor for the team,” Lamie said. “As a group we grew over the course of those two weeks, but that growth has continued into our season as we try to stay ‘on mission’ during the season and work to intentionally grow spiritually and relationally as a team.”
at least once a week and staying focused and intentional during our range sessions, I believe we can put ourselves in a strong position heading into PACs,” Kardos said. Gronbeck is also looking forward to future matches.
“We have a chance to compete for the championship this year, but it is going to take all of us playing good golf for all four rounds,” he said. “It’s important to get off to a good start this fall to set us up for the spring.”
out well if we continue to remain consistent in our training and gaining moment(um) in our races throughout the season.” On the women’s side, Grove City placed sixth in the 2025 PAC championships. However, the result was without Lawrence, who was studying abroad, and the freshman standout Jones. “Adding races to my season helps to give me goals throughout my training, which can be very motivating as opposed to last year, when I was doing workouts without the
competitions,” Lawrence said. The Wolverines have already beaten Geneva, Waynesburg, Hiram, Westminster, Thiel, St. Vincent and W&J. In 2025, W&J and Geneva tied for first. However, both teams depended on senior talent. The top three W&J runners graduated, as did Geneva’s top two. It is early in the season, and Grove City has not faced the 2025 third-place Franciscan squad, but with Wolverine improvement, Grove City has a good chance for a title run. A unique quality of Grove City College cross country is the number of Grove City High School runners on the team. Frank, Jones, Sarah Sabella,
Alayna Bishop, Alexis Bishop and Lily Lawson all trained and raced together in high school. “It's been a lot of fun training with old teammates again,” Jones said. “It was definingly super helpful coming into the season with some familiar faces. It’s also been such a blessing to get to know these new teammates and grow and learn with them how to serve God through our sport.” Alexis Bishop added, “It's been so encouraging to run with old teammates and get to go a step further in our relationships because now we are all running for the same reason: to bring Christ glory.”
As the Wolverines turn their attention toward Saturday night’s Homecoming matchup against Bethany, Telfer said the team’s preparation process remains unchanged. “The team shifts its focus to the next opponent by acknowledging what we did well and what we need to work on,” he said. “We watch film and practice all in the name of going deeper in vision. We also have a phrase, ‘Be where your feet
are,’ to help us fight through distractions and focus on each rep.” As Homecoming approaches, the Wolverines look to build on their first victory rather than dwell on it, and despite the excitement surrounding the event, the team’s mindset remains consistent. “Our mindset is what it always is, and that’s to glorify God,” he said. “We like to say, ‘Focus on your vision, not your
circumstance.’ No matter who we’re playing or what the occasion is, we’re focused on why we’re playing, and that’s for God.” Grove City hosts Bethany at 6 p.m. Saturday in the first-ever Homecoming night game at Thorn Field, where the Wolverines look to carry the momentum of their first win into their conference opener.
Sports Editor Every three years, the Grove City College women’s soccer team travels to South Africa to partner with Ambassadors Football in Cape Town. This year, 16 members of the current team boarded a plane in mid-May for the two-weeklong trip. Head coach Melissa Lamie, assistant coach Maggie Miller and Ben Marais, the national director of Ambassadors Football, coordinated the mission trip. According to its website, Ambassadors Football is an international ministry with offices around the world using the sport of soccer to “bring hope and positive change to some of its most vulnerable communities. Based in Cape Town, the ministry reaches people across the country through coaching programs, camps, tours, and outreach in schools, prisons, clubs and local communities.” One of the most impactful programs the ministry implements in South Africa is coach development. Through courses and small-group mentoring, Ambassadors Football trains coaches to become father or mother figures to their players. By reflecting this type of leadership, coaches can then equip team members to eventually step into similar father or mother roles in their communities. After spending the first few days learning about the organization, the women’s soccer team spent most of its remain-
GOLF
continued from 14
Monday, followed by the PAC championships on Oct. 12-13. “If we continue to put in the work through short-game practice, playing nine holes
LOCK HAVEN
continued from 16
Sports
Oct. 2, 2026
Page 16
Cornerback Cameron Epps had one interception against Saint Francis. The Wolverines celebrated their first victory of the season on Saturday.
ALEX DIVITTO
Football earns dominant first win of the season Wolverines beat new PAC member Saint Francis 36-6 Reagan Thomas Staff Writer
LORETTO — The Grove City College football team put together its most complete performance of the season Saturday, earning a convincing 36-6 road win over Presidents’ Athletic Conference newcomer Saint Francis to complete its nonconference schedule. The Wolverines controlled the game from start to finish, piling up 432 total yards and 25 first downs while holding Saint Francis to just 202 yards of offense in the program’s
first NCAA Division III game. Freshman running back Nico Casciato rushed for a career-high 102 yards on 16 carries, while quarterback Mike Hollomon threw for 239 yards and two touchdowns and added a rushing score. Senior receivers Darviae Gray and Sam Penna each caught touchdown receptions, as Grove City (1-2) gathered momentum heading into Homecoming weekend. Junior defensive end Connor Telfer said the victory reflected the team’s commitment to its culture. “It was awesome getting the
36-6 win today,” Telfer said. “Grove City football really lived in vision out there, and it was clear to see by the way we were playing fast and free.” The Wolverines wasted little time taking control. On their opening possession, Hollomon capped a 12-play, 73-yard drive with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Penna for a 7-0 lead. Grove City extended the advantage to 10-0 later in the first quarter when Brady Lane connected on a 27-yard field goal. A key defensive play helped create the next score. Soph-
omore linebacker Andrew Moberg recovered a Saint Francis (0-1) fumble and returned it to the home team’s 35-yard line, setting up a touchdown run from senior running back Sutton Ellis that pushed Grove City’s lead to 170. Hollomon added a threeyard rushing touchdown with less than a minute remaining in the first half, giving the Wolverines a commanding 24-0 advantage at the break. The defense continued to dominate after halftime. A bad Saint Francis snap resulted in
a safety, and Gray later caught a 28-yard touchdown pass from Hollomon to stretch the lead to 33-0. Devon Thomas added a 42-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to complete Grove City’s scoring. Moberg led a strong defensive effort with eight tackles, a sack, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Cameron Epps added an interception, while Aiden Kitts and Brayden Gerst each recorded eight tackles. The defensive performance was especially encour-
FOOTBALL 15
Legging it at Lock Haven Christopher Shaw Staff Writer LOCK HAVEN — The Wolverine cross country teams traveled east on Saturday to compete at the Lock Haven Invitational. “The course was a fun one to race, probably the fastest one we will run all year,” freshman Isaac Esh said. “It was very flat with a nice mixture of cornfields, wooded areas and wideopen segments. With the cool weather, it was almost perfect running conditions.” A mix of Division II, Division III and fellow PAC teams from across the state attended the race. The Grove City men placed 10th as a team, ahead of Washington & Jefferson and St. Vincent. Sophomore Colsen Frank led the Wolverines, finishing 16th overall with an eight-kilometer time of 25:24. That mark was the third fastest in school history. Sophomores Kaiden Williams and Sam Elston, along with freshman Carson Wilt and Esh, rounded out the scoring five, all going sub-27. Williams and Wilt also posted top-25 all-time runs. Additionally, Grove City took second as a team in the JV race, with sophomore Tyler Davis and freshmen Carter Williams, Ben Tan, Colin Vickery and Asher Stevens placing in the top 30. The Wolverine women placed fourth overall as a team and first among Division III
squads. Ten of 12 returning runners set a personal record. Senior Cayla Lawrence placed eighth with a top-10 six-kilometer time in Grove City history (21:55). Freshman Josie Jones finished 10th, running a 22:09. Juniors Rebekah Burger and Julianna Lindberg, along with sophomore Erika Doolittle, finished off the scoring five. Jones, Burger and Lindberg also ran top-25 times in Wolverine history. This meet was crucial practice for the team as the Mid-Atlantic Regional meet — the qualifiers for nationals — will be held on the same course Nov. 14. Between the Lock Haven Invite and the Westminster 5K Invite held Sept. 4, a lot can be concluded about the strength of PAC competition this year. Across the two meets, the Wolverine men have already beaten Thiel, Westminster, Hiram, Waynesburg, W&J and St. Vincent. Grove City, runners-up to 2025 PAC champion Geneva, fell to Golden Tornadoes once again in the 5K season opener. They will rematch at Oberlin on Oct. 17 — both teams’ final meet before PACs. “We are mainly focusing on using our depth as a key advantage. If our 2-7 runners can move up and compete with Geneva’s 3 and 4 runners, we should be in a good position,” Frank said. “This should work
LOCK HAVEN 15
MATT DURISKO/MAGNOLIA MEDIA PA
Libero Lilly Wojtala passes the ball. The Wolverines earned their fifth straight win Saturday.
Volleyball victorious Natalie Hanna Sports Editor
LORETTO — The Grove City College women’s volleyball team earned its fifth consecutive win on Saturday, defeating Saint Francis 3-1 (25-19, 2527, 25-20, 25-15) and bringing its overall record to 13-3. Senior Sarah Hart led the team offensively with nine kills. Senior Kendra Klusch followed with eight, and senior Alayna Dorst and junior Lilly Pool each chalked up six. Additionally, junior setter Brooke Manfull tallied 15 assists, with senior setter Sarah Harris contributing 10. Manfull and Harris each had three aces, with Dorst adding two. Third in the NCAA Division III in blocks per set, Grove City’s defense contributed greatly to the four-set victory. Twelve Wolverine blocks proved to be valuable in hold-
ing off the Red Wolves. Pool led the defensive effort with seven blocks, senior Lily Lagaras had six, Klusch recorded five and sophomore Taylor Ripple posted three. The team’s block has been a huge strength throughout the season and continues to prove its worth match after match. “Teams just can’t hit around our block,” Klusch said. Also on the defensive front, the back row has been elevating Grove City’s play, especially thanks to the freshmen. In addition to junior Lilly Wojtala’s team-leading 15 digs, freshman Reagan Riordan contributed 10. Manfull and Dorst tallied eight and seven digs, respectively. While Grove City’s offense and defense played important roles in securing the victory, another particularly crucial aspect of the match was the team’s ability to overcome the opponent’s serves. Following
several aces in the first two sets, the Wolverines handled the serves effectively for the rest of the match. “It was impressive to see the passers reset after a long run and take ownership of serve receive,” Klusch said. Although the match does not count in conference standings because Saint Francis is a provisional member of NCAA Division III while transitioning from Division I, the match still proves what the Wolverines can accomplish as they transition into official PAC matchups. Since beginning their PAC schedule and four consecutive home matches against Geneva Wednesday, the team continues to improve aspects of its game, including “picking up the deep ball to zone one,” according to Klusch. The team also wants to “improve on adapting faster to
VOLLEYBALL 10