The Collegian, Sept. 4, 2026

The

The Award-Winning Grove City College Student Newspaper

Collegian

Friday, Sept. 4, 2026 Vol. 112 No. 1

The Princeton Review reviewed Stella Brejwo

Contributing Writer

“I think some people were a little bit frustrated that it was required, but once everyone got back from the sites, they were like, ‘Oh, I really enjoyed that,” Gardner said. Timothy Heiser, another member of the committee, agreed. “The rest of orientation is focused on them and how they are settling into college,” he said. For Heiser, the event enabled freshmen to look outside themselves and ask, “How can I serve?” For Sonja Schwartz, a freshman nursing major, the event was a bit of a mixed bag. With many sites canceling their need for help the night before

The Princeton Review released its annual findings of “The Best 392 Colleges,” and Grove City has moved up and down the ranks with several new ratings. The information recorded in the Princeton Review comes directly from internal reviews, meaning that it is the opinions and perspectives of each institution’s students and faculty that are surveyed. This year, the review explored Grove City College’s strengths and reviewed several of the college’s offerings and school traits. Compared to last year’s results, a few of the school’s ratings changed significantly, with several ratings going up or down several places. Grove City College is back to being No. 1 for the most “LGBTQ-Unfriendly” college after ranking third last year. The college’s student body was also ranked as No. 3 for “Most Politically Conservative Students” and No. 5 among the “Most Religious Students”. The college fell by four places in ratings for having the friendliest student body. Coming in behind Brigham Young University, University of Dallas, Taylor University and The Catholic University of America, Grove City is now ranked No. 7. This is a significant drop from second place last year. The college was ranked No. 9 for “Town-Gown Relations are Great,” which is a measurement for “how well they get along with the local community.” While not in the top 10 for “Best Quality of Life,” the college’s No. 19 spot still

SERVE 10

REVIEW 10

GCC Serve Day

Freshmen pose for a photo on Broad Street during Grove City College’s first serve day.

GCC

Freshmen go to work in community Julia Kramer News Editor

The entire freshman Class of 2030 went out Aug. 22 to serve in the Grove City community for the college’s first Serve Day. A new orientation event that President Bradley Lingo initiated, Serve Day saw 547 students volunteer at over 25 sites across Grove City. “We wanted it to feel like a great day in the kingdom,” Eric Fehr, the assistant dean of student life, said. Although Fehr was part of the team that decided to put the “It’s a great day in the Kingdom” slogan on all the students’ bright red t-shirts, he pointed to President Lingo as the day’s inspiration. “When President Lingo

started, he had a deep desire to see more service taking place around campus,” Fehr said. “Part of that vision was seeing something that provided freshmen the opportunity to be introduced to our community in a way of them learning to give back from the get-go.” While not without its hiccups, the event successfully saw the college’s newest students immersed in their new community. Freshmen did yard work for neighbors and volunteered at local churches, rescue missions and schools, picked up trash off the streets and baked and crafted for different ministries across the city. “We flooded Grove City and the local area with Grove City red,” Fehr said. “We wanted it

to feel like a great day in the kingdom.” Primarily planned by the OB Religion Committee, which began finding sites in March, Serve Day switched the usual script of orientation events. Ryanne Gardner, a member of the committee, believed that getting freshmen to leave campus and think about life beyond college was a good move. “I think it’s important for those students to get off Grove City campus,” Gardner said. “Especially once the year gets going. You kind of stay here. It’s like a Grove City bubble.” A junior who already spent years experiencing the “Grove City bubble,” Gardner maintained that the event’s required status did more good than harm.

“Connectivity can be an issue just because sometimes the students don’t know how to use the card on their phone,” McKelvey said. “They also haven’t been using it correctly, but that can be fixed. A lot of them will sometimes turn on their phone, go to the app and try to access the card there, which isn’t necessary because you’re able to just scan it with your phone off.” According to McKelvey, some people couldn’t get into the building or the cafeteria at first, but those problems ended. McKelvey and Larkin believe the issues weren’t due to the technology itself, but that some cards hadn’t been activated yet. “As far as a user myself, I find it’s perfectly compatible. I’ve had zero issues with it. Honestly, I kind of like it better,” Larkin said. “It’s easier.” Vince DiStasi, vice president for information technology, recommends that skeptical students who want to buy the new physical ID try, for the sake of their wallets, giving the

digital ID a chance. “If you’re not sure you want to use a digital ID, use it because it doesn’t cost you anything,” DiStasi said. “And then, if you don’t like it, you can always get the card later, but there’s no sense of getting the card and then figuring out you want the digital ID. Then you’d be paying the $25 for nothing.” DiStasi also discussed the convenience of the digital option for students, arguing that with digital, they do not need to come to the Crimson Card office to pick up their card. The benefits are also significant to faculty in the Crimson Card office, according to DiStasi. “If we don’t need to print cards, why do we do it?” DiStasi said. “We have to buy cards, we have to buy ink, we have to buy the printers. We have to do all that stuff. There’s additional work on the back end in order for those to work.”

Crimson Card+ here to stay

Steven Mauch

Contributing Writer Time is running short for students still holding on to their physical IDs as the deadline to switch to Crimson Card+ looms. On Oct. 5, those old IDs won’t open doors on campus, and the only way for most students to get in or out will be to use a smartphone equipped with the digital IDs. Students who prefer a physical ID can buy one from the college. First introduced in March, the safety measure has yet to be fully implemented, and many students have not made the mandatory switch. From doubts that this new technology will be effective to fears of privacy breaches, controversy has surrounded this new policy from its first proposal. Resident assistants Joe McKelvey and Brady Larkin noted that while they observed some issues with the IDs at the beginning of the semester, they believe those problems have been resolved.

STEVEN MAUCH

This card won’t open doors after Oct. 5, when digital IDs will be necessary..

Welcome, class of ’30

OB frenzy

‘The Odyssey’

Everything to know about the class of 2030

Dr. Love returns with new relationship advice

Nolan’s blockbuster film sparks debate

COMMUNITY 3

COMMUNITY 4

ENTERTAINMENT 5

Editorial

Sept. 4, 2024

Page 2

From the Tower

To auld acquaintance Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? Some of you may recognize this lyric as the opening line to Auld Lang Syne, a song typically sung to commemorate the start of a new calendar year. Although I doubt you were counting down the days until the start of the 2026-27 academic year at Grove City College, it is important to answer the above question correctly. No, we should not forget the old acquaintances from the previous school year. It does not matter if last year was your senior year of high school or junior year of college. It can be tempting, as life changes, to stop doing certain things, like reading and studying the Bible, eating healthy, spending time with friends, praying, doing homework or talking to your family, among other important things. But they must not be forgotten. As we students find ourselves in another school year, The Collegian returns with new leadership, but the same promise to provide readers with articles that are filled with the information and entertainment you need and want. While the old acquaintances have graduated, the new names and faces in these pages seek to bring to mind the skills and lessons they taught us so. The Collegian strives to uphold the high standards it sets and the trust it has built, perhaps even surpassing them. In this first edition of Volume 112 of The Collegian, the staff has curated a selection of articles that should bring to mind the familiar start-of-the-year buzz that makes this college a special place to live. As for you freshmen, looking through these pages might help you feel like you already have the old acquaintance in mind. News details all the things that have come to campus, including new faculty, a new ID system and a new service project. Community details a guide for freshmen to become acquainted with the Grover spirit, alongside the always insightful advice of Dr. Love. Perspectives spotlights the thoughts of your fellow students, featuring a vision for the opinion section and a freshman pep talk. Entertainment highlights two contrasting, yet rightful legends, “The Odyssey” and Dolly Parton. And finally, sports gets you amped up for the Wolverines’ PAC championship chases this fall. On behalf of the staff, I welcome you to Grove City College and The Collegian. Here’s to God’s blessings in a happy new year.

Matthew Purucker Editor-in-Chief

The Collegian Staff Matthew Purucker Editor-in-Chief

Luke Paglia

Managing Editor

Editorial Board

Editing

Julia Kramer

Olivia Emerick

News Editor

Anastasia Brown

Copy Chief

Community Editor

Copy Editors

Randall Elvin

Kendall Lambrecht Maddie Miller Jaci Morell Vivian Waner

Entertainment Editor

John Hatzis

Perspectives Editor

Natalie Hanna Sports Editor

Staff Writers Garrett Gess Andrew Hutchinson Hannah Leeman Brae Sadler Reagan Thomas

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.

Art & Photography Carson Brown Photo Chief

Advertising Ian Schartner Business Manager

Advisory Nick Hildebrand Staff Advisor

Connect with us on Social Media! @gcc.collegian The Collegian: The Grove City College Newspaper

THE GREEN EYESHADE AWARD This week’s award goes to sports editor Natalie Hanna for meticulously reviewing her spread and adjusting on the fly to finish it in style. Keep up the great work! The Green Eyeshade Award honors student contributors who demonstrate consistency and excellence in their work.

NATALIE HANNA

Wide receiver Sam Penna runs with the ball against Waynesburg in 2025.

LUKE PAGLIA

Football ‘should’ win PAC Matthew Purucker Editor-in-Chief

PAC coaches, sports information directors and media members placed Washington and Jefferson atop the 2026 PAC preseason football poll, with Grove City in second. It was no surprise that the two-time defending champions are the team to beat in the PAC. Washington and Jefferson (W&J) defeated every PAC rival by at least two possessions last season, including a blowout win over the Wolverines, the conference runners-up, 34-14. But it is far from a guarantee that the Presidents will claim their third-straight PAC title. “Obviously we’re very honored to be picked as the favorite to win the PAC,” W&J coach Mike Sirianni said in a statement. “It shows how our program has been over the years. It means nothing, though, in terms of who is going to win the conference championship in 2026. “We know how challenging the PAC is; we respect every team, every team on our schedule, and with the unbalanced scheduling, it’s going to be very interesting how that plays out. So, there is going to be a different component to it this year, but we still know it needs to be won on the field.” Grove City should be the biggest challenge for the Presidents to overcome. The

Wolverines return about eight of their starters on offense, including all five offensive linemen. And the offense must improve if Grove City wants to realize its often-emphasized vision. It can and should get better. To be a serious threat to W&J and win the PAC, the Wolverine offense will likely need to score more than the 14 points it managed in last year’s game. The same goes for beating Westminster, another conference title contender. In that contest last October, the Wolverine defense bailed out the offense after the latter gained just 141 total yards and six first downs in a 14-7 win over the Titans. Senior running back Chase Rankin, a 2025 All-PAC honorable mention, may find himself in a rare position for Grove City as an every-down player. Look for him to lead the offense. Sophomore Mike Hollomon is the projected starting quarterback, and he will throw to a senior-heavy receiving corps seeking to improve on last season’s average of 153.91 passing yards per game. “That’s going to allow us to do a lot of special things, having a clear feature and focal point of our offense,” Grove City coach Andrew DiDonato said about Rankin during PAC Media Day. Despite the offense struggling against quality opponents last season, it should be better this time around. If paired with a similarly stout

Letters to the Editor

Space will be provided for Letters to the Editor. However their inclusion is at the discretion of the Editor-in-Chief and Managing Editor. Letters will be printed as submitted unless the editors choose to delete words or portions that are in poor taste, libelous or unnecessary to convey essential meaning. The editors may condense longer letters. Letters must include verifiable contact information, such as an email address. Anonymous letters will not be accepted. The author’s name will appear with the letter. Statement of fact and opinion in letters to the editor, editorials and commentaries are the responsibility of the author(s) alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of staff, the college, its faculty or staff or the student body. Letters must be received by

5 p.m. on the Monday prior to the publication. All letters to the editor will be considered for publication from students, faculty, staff and alumni. To be accepted for publication, a letter must meet one of the following criteria: it relates to an article published in or issue discussed in paper; it contains information of interest to all, or a segment of our readership (alumni, parents, donors, students, faculty and staff); it relates to college news or policy. We reserve the right to edit letters for clarity, correct grammar and punctuation, and length. We will not publish unsigned letters. We will not republish a letter that has appeared in another publication in part or in whole. Letters will be printed in the next edition of the paper in which space is available.

defense that fans have seen make game-changing plays time and time again over the past few seasons, the Wolverines could and should win the PAC and maybe a playoff game or two. Junior cornerback Noah Wheeler, a 2025 AP All-American among several other distinctions, leads a defensive backfield with four returning starters, including graduate safety Ryan Montgomery, an All-PAC honorable mention a year ago. “This is only the third season where I’ve had an underclassman (Wheeler) being voted captain in my 11 years. … Last year as a sophomore, he was clearly one of the best players on our team,” DiDonato said. “But now, we’re really looking for more of a leadership role for him.” How well the defense replaces Ben Bladel, Jack Jollie, Caleb Brubaker and other gaps left in the front seven will likely determine if that side of the ball will be the strength of the team as in prior seasons and if the team can go far in its vision for this season. The bricks should be in place, but will this ‘should win’ become ‘did win?’ The Wolverines will soon answer that question, particularly in season-defining games against top PAC contenders W&J and Westminster. But for now, we’ll see what that answer first appears to be on Saturday when Grove City hosts No. 23 Cortland.

Interested in News? Join our team! For more info about writing for News, email KramerJR24@gcc.edu

Interested in Copy Editing? Join our team! For more info about Copy Editing, email EmerickOG22@gcc.edu

Community

Sept. 4, 2026

Page 3

GCC

President Lingo welcomes students into the Staley Hall of Arts and Letters on the first day of class.

Welcome, class of ’30!

Freshmen bring energy Madelyn Taliaferro Contributing Writer

Over the past several weeks, Grove City College has been busy welcoming 597 new students to our campus, sports teams, classes, clubs, musical groups and more. The group of incoming students consists of 565 freshmen and 32 transfer students. The freshmen class has 297 (52.6%) men and 268 (47.4%) women. The Class of 2030 represents 40 states across the United States, along with seven international students from Canada, China, South Korea and Venezuela. Forty-eight percent of the Class of 2030 will be studying in the Hopeman School of Science, 32% in the Calderwood School of Arts and Letters and 20% in the Winklevoss School of Business. Returning students have been welcoming the newcomers and helping them feel at home. With Orientation

Board events, academic sessions, fairs and plenty of other activities underway, new and returning students alike have jumped right in and been making the most of everything Grove City has to offer. At the center of all these efforts is a desire to help new students feel connected and truly at home in the Grove City community. “This year, our vision was bigger than just ‘connecting’ new students with each other,” Orientation Board Executive member Anastasia Brown said. “We wanted to welcome new students into the communities that have already been established here on campus; to welcome them into our friend groups and rhythms of life, whether we’re sophomores or seniors. “That’s why you may have heard that the initial orientation groups, once called ‘connection groups,’ are now renamed ‘community groups.’ … This freshman class is cer-

tainly going to bless our community through their eagerness and openness to jump into new friendships and wider campus and community involvements, which I have already witnessed in their first few weeks on campus.” When asked to remark upon his observations on the Class of 2030, SGA President Nathan Devlin said that he has “observed the freshman class to be a very genuine group of people who (are) not afraid to dive right into the community. I’m excited for their next four years.” As the Class of 2030 settles into life on campus, they are forming their own perspectives on their experiences. Community continues to be a key theme. “Growing up locally with alumni in my family, I have loved and experienced Grove City College from a young age,” freshman Abiella Bar-

WELCOME 4

Orientation Board sudents move freshmen into Memorial Hall

GCC

Next on tour: Grove City College Olivia Emerick Copy Chief

The Stonebridge Concert Committee has released another exciting lineup of artists to perform on campus this semester. The first concert of the semester will be in partnership with the Center for Rural Ministry as a part of the Songs That See You Tour. Greg Colbeck, Emebelton and Joe LeMon will perform at 8 p.m. Sept. 11 on the library patio.

Next up, two exciting artists will be participating in the college’s Fall Fest: Jordy Searcy and GCC lumnus Joel Ansett. Searcy is an indie singer-songwriter with over 445,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. He competed on Season 7 of NBC’s “The Voice,” participating in blind auditions and the following battle rounds. Since then, he has released five albums, including his most recent: “Mt. Tam.” Ansett’s music is indie pop with folk and soul influenc-

es. With 87,000 monthly listeners, he is sure to be a hit within the Grove community. Additionally, student bands were given an exciting opportunity to possibly perform at the event. Auditions took place on Aug. 29 for students who were interested in taking the stage as the opening act. Be sure to attend the free concert at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 19 on the Quad to hear some talented artists, including a group of your peers! The Stonebridge Concert

Committee is run through the Student Involvement Council. Junior Ana Monroe, the student lead of the committee, is responsible for the planning of all concerts and most live music events on campus. “One of my favorite things about the live concerts on campus is the opportunity to interact with community members. The live concerts serve as a wonderful opportunity for GCC to minister to and bless the broader Grove City community,” Monroe said.

“So often living on campus can feel like being in a bubble, and these concerts offer a wonderful reminder that we are meant to be in community with our brothers and sisters in Christ in all different stages of life.” Two more concerts are planned for this semester. The Riverside, a folk band, will perform at 7 p.m. Oct. 9 in MAP South Lobby. Tickets are required and

TOUR 4

What’s Fresh at the Grove? In HAL Courtyard...

In Ketler Audtorium...

In SAC Great Room...

All Campus Street Dance

BEST Robotics Kickoff Event

Remembering Wendell Berry

Friday, September 4 8 p.m.

Saturday, September 5 9 a.m.

Monday, September 7 7 p.m.

We might not actually take over the streets of Grove City

Our BEST challenge is one of only two BEST Hubs in Penn-

To honor the life of one of GCC’s unofficial patron saint,

anymore, but we still make it big at this final event in the

sylvania. The event serves as an opportunity for Grove to

who passed away eariler this week, the English Depart-

Orientation Board lineup!

showcase its nationally ranked engineering program.

ment and Fugitives Club are hosting a reading night.

Page 4

Sept. 4, 2026

Commuters striving for community

Doctor Love

OB frenzy

Anastasia Brown

I am a junior member of OB, and it’s one of my favorite campus ministries. Orientation Board is known for its events, but its real heart is to connect with the new freshman class as they enter our college community. The problem is … I am feeling a different connection with one of the freshman guys in my community group. He’s so kind ... so generous ... so caring ... so humble ... he may be the one. But is our age and class difference too much of a roadblock to our blossoming relationship? And this is why OB has the reputation it does. I have never been on OB. But if I were in charge, I would send you packing if you made a move on a guy in your connection group during OB season. Back in my day, we called our connection group leaders moms and dads (weird, right?). But just because you no longer call your connection group freshmen “kids” does not mean they automatically become potential mates. I remember meeting my now-boyfriend at the carnival freshman year — I saw my OB connection group leaders as my big brothers and sisters. OB does great work to connect freshmen to one another — please, for the love of the freshmen, don’t ruin that work! Freshmen change and can change quickly. They find new friends and join clubs. For crying out loud, at least let him have his first midterm before you pounce on him! Last thing I’ll say is — he is the one who should be asking you out. If he has not, that is because he is responsible enough to know he shouldn’t catch a case of the “freshman frenzy” with someone who just last year would have been called his “mom.” If you still feel he “may be the one” after fall break … start dropping hints. Please, write to me after fall break to let me know if the feelings remain — I want to know how this goes! Auspiciously,

Dr. Love

Community Editor

About 3% of our student body are commuters — but on a campus where residential life is a huge part of the student experience, it can be tricky for them to make connections and feel at home on campus. That’s where the newly developing Commuter Student Association (CSA) is hoping to fill in the gaps. The CSA is seeking “to help equip students to pursue their callings at Grove City College by fostering a Christ-centered community and enabling students to choose and enjoy an affordable off-campus living experience,” according to its constitution. Initially the brainchild of Student Life and Learning, this new organization is now headed up by two students: junior Sylvia Adams and sophomore Anjali Kalsani. “I experienced the challenges of navigating college life, both academically and socially, as a commuter,” Adams said about why she decided to start this group. “My schedule was more draining because I had to factor in the time required to drive to and from campus every day, and I didn’t have my own space on campus where I could

ANJALI KALSANI

Commuters must “take their house with them” as they move between campus and at home.

step back and take a break. “I was also faced with the difficulty of finding a community as a non-residential student who was not always on campus. I wanted to help make a difference on campus that would lead to a more positive commuting experience for other students.” During this year’s New Student Orientation, the CSA and Orientation Board (OB) worked with Student Life and Learning to develop several programs for students on the commuter orientation track. Junior Celia Pope was an executive for the Outreach Committee on OB, which works closely with commuters. Her

thoughts on the commuter orientation were that “it was a good time of fellowship and connecting with the commuters on the first day.” “It is definitely a challenge for the commuters to come onto campus and not feel the same about move-in and feel like they are not meeting as many people, but I think the orientation allows for the commuters to start seeing familiar faces of those who are in the same boat,” Pope continued. Kalsani enjoyed the commuter orientation as an opportunity to connect with the new commuters. “This year’s orientation was great. We collaborated with OB to help make a commuter handbook and invite commuters to join our Telegram. Sylvia and I were so grateful to be involved, because we were able to connect with so many of them as well.” Adams is also buzzing with ideas for the CSA in the upcoming months as it becomes an official campus organization. “We hope to find several other commuters who are also interested in this campus ministry and want to be involved in leadership,” Adams said. “We are planning on starting this year small with weekly lunches and several spe-

cial events per semester. Our biggest event will hopefully be OB week every fall, since that is one of the times when we can make the most impact in the freshmen’s lives.” Adams also hopes the group can advocate for the unique challenges commuters face. She would love to see more spaces for commuters to use between classes, as well as an alternative to the policy that a Zerbe health form must be shown for a student to have an excused absence from class. Perhaps a telehealth option would be helpful for students with lengthy commutes. Kalsani is passionate about seeing commuters flourish just as much as any residential student. “I struggled with connecting during my freshman year due to being a commuter,” Kalsani said. “I wanted to ensure that commuters didn’t feel any less a part of the Grove City College community than any other student, which is a big reason why I jumped in at this opportunity. “I hope that this association becomes the backbone of commuter life and continues to help commuters become more connected with Grove City College’s wonderful, tight-knit community.”

TOUR

continued from 3

can be purchased on the Grove City College website. Lastly, Josh Garrels will be performing in Crawford Auditorium as a part of his Ancient Doors Tour with Taylor Armstrong as the opening act. “Josh Garrels is a Christian indie folk artist who writes and performs music centered on the power of the Lord and the promises revealed to His people through Scripture,” Monroe said. “Josh’s music is creative and unique, being explicitly about God while at the same time giving a fresh twist on the worship genre. I think he will be a good fit for the concert lineup at GCC because his music is relaxed with lyrics that encourage his audience to reflect and think deeply about God and His world. “Students should come to this concert because Josh Garrels’ music is engaging, beautiful and lyrically profound and his passion for the Lord is so evident on stage. The concert is also a wonderful opportunity to worship God with friends and the Grove community.” Garrels and Armstrong will perform at 7 p.m. Nov. 14. According to Monroe, tickets are selling fast, so to reserve a spot, visit www.gcc.edu.

JOSH GARRELS

Josh Garrels will be coming to Grove City in November.

WELCOME

make new friends and see and appreciate God in more ways through my education.” The excitement extends into the classroom. Freshman Lydia Dummermuth from Alexandria, Va. said that she “was excited for classes before they started, but after meeting each of the professors and getting a taste of their classes, (she is) even more excited and thankful that (she) gets

continued from 3 bour from Butler said. “Taking dual enrollment classes gave me a taste of the educational side of being a Grover. “Now, being a freshman on campus and being immersed, I love the campus, professors, staff and my fellow Grovers. While juggling things will be a challenge, I am excited to learn new things,

to learn here at Grove City.” For freshman Isaac Burt from Beaver Falls, these first two weeks have already shaped his understanding of vocation and community in several areas of campus life. “In the two weeks I’ve been at Grove City, I’ve already learned what it means to pursue my professional calling and running for the glory of God,” Burt said.

Word on the street For the Freshmen - What has been the biggest surprise in your first two weeks here? The water genuinely tastes horrible. (coming from a Washingtonian though!)

Alec Giacometti ‘30 The biggest surprise in my first two weeks here was the joy the professors have for teaching their subjects!

Abigail Hollinshead ‘30

It was surprising how quickly so many of us became friends in such a short amount of time; the community here is amazing!

How easy it was to adapt to campus life!

Calvin Edwards ‘30

Gracie Harbaugh ‘30

Selah Mae Boer ‘30

Everyone on campus is eager to help when asked.

Hope McKinley ‘30

How easy it is to get my steps in.

How big of a thing syllabuses are here.

Kai Wray ‘30

Entertainment

Sept. 4, 2026

Page 5

WHAT’S NEW to review?

Brand New Day: Brand new records Randall Elvin

Entertainment Editor

UNIVERSAL PICTURES

Book v. movie

‘The Odyssey’

Randall Elvin

Entertainment Editor “The Odyssey” has been retold countless times; directors have repeatedly tried to translate Homer’s 3,000-year-old epic into a smash-hit movie. World-famous director Christopher Nolan seized the opportunity to bring Homer’s epic into movie theaters. Many viewers were disappointed due to the differences between the book and the movie, while many other viewers loved his ambitious interpretation. Those who have previously read “The Odyssey,” whether in high school, in leisure reading or in Classical Literature with English professor Andrew Harvey, will note that Nolan’s version contains noticeable alterations. There are a few reasons for the changes, but the most reasonable explanation is that Homer’s epic is enormous, and filmmakers simply cannot transfer every page onto a movie screen. This is true for many book-to-movie adaptations. Something must be cut. The scenes that are left out can leave an empty feeling for some faithful readers while

simultaneously allowing other viewers to love it for its interpretation style. According to the English professors, that is part of the challenge and freedom of adaptation. One professor described Nolan’s film as an “imaginative retelling.” The distinction was obvious when it came to the main character, Odysseus. In Homer’s epic, he is a character renowned for his cleverness and pride. Harvey describes him as “a different guy” when comparing the Odysseus of the movie with the Odysseus of the book. This change is important because modern movies tend to reveal how heroes react internally as well as externally. Professor Joshua Mayo weighed in on the difference by sharing that the “Odysseus in the book was not worrying about the lives taken in Troy.” In Nolan’s version, Odysseus is carrying the weight of war with him and is filled with guilt over the collapse of civilization. The same transformation can be seen in Nolan’s treatment of the gods in contrast with Homer’s treatment of them. In Homer’s “Odyssey,”

Long Live the Queen Luke Paglia

Managing Editor For many years, she reigned over the country music industry with her soulful lyrics and twangy tunes and took the screen by storm in many movies and TV shows across the decades. Dolly Parton sadly died at the age of 80 on Aug. 25. However, the legacy she left in the music and media industries will certainly not be forgotten. Parton’s career started at 10 years old when she began performing music on Knoxville radio stations. She was instantly a hit, and even the world’s biggest country music stars recognized her. One of these was Johnny Cash, who invited her to perform at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, the most prestigious of stages in the country music world. A couple of years later, Parton moved to Nashville to pursue her career in country music and released her first album “Hello, I’m Dolly.” In just a few short years, she achieved her first solo No. 1 single with the song “Joshua.” In this

time, she also released some of her all-time popular songs including “Jolene,” “I Will Always Love You” and “9 to 5.” Parton’s career did not end here, though. In 1980, she made her film debut in “9 to 5,” which earned an Oscar nomination for the title track. She was also featured in various other quite popular projects across the 1980s and 1990s and earned a couple of award nominations. Later, Parton received numerous awards, including the Living Legend Medal from the Library of Congress, and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) recognized her for selling over 100 million units worldwide. One of the last things Parton did in her career was release a collaborative rock album, “Rockstar,” for which she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Parton impacted the country and even the world in a much larger way than just through the entertainment industry. She supported many charities and foundations throughout her career and ultimately was

Athena actively engages with Odysseus while Poseidon works against him. At the beginning of the book, the reader is introduced to the gods at Mount Olympus gathered around talking about Odysseus. However, in the movie this is never shown, and although Nolan does not deny the supernatural, Nolan presents the gods through divine intervention rather than showing gods as major or minor characters on screen. Mayo believes that since we no longer live in a pagan world, which had a very different understanding of morality and heroism, Odysseus had to be different from the book. He was a complicated and morally ambiguous hero, a kind of character very rarely represented in modern movies. Movie audiences expect their heroes to be likeable and whose actions can be justified. In Homer’s “Odyssey,” Odysseus doesn’t fit that mold because of his violence, deception and unfaithfulness. Nolan understood movie audiences and molded the character to be redeemable to a modern audience.

Harvey calls it an “epic movie in every sense” and proclaims that Nolan was the “only guy for the job.” Even with the changes he brought, Nolan insisted on preserving the feeling of an epic. Monsters, warriors and an extraordinary journey were displayed on the 70mm IMAX film, the pinnacle of film advancements. Throughout all the criticism and heavy expectations, Nolan was bold in his handling of this movie, and fans turned out in droves. “The Odyssey” earned more than $1.4 billion worldwide and became Nolan’s highest-grossing film. That number tops his other major films, such as “Inception,” “Interstellar,” “The Dark Knight,” “Tenet” and “Oppenheimer.” Nolan’s success does not mean that he recreated Homer perfectly. In fact, his success may prove that he did not need to. Mayo’s advice may be the best way to approach the film: “Think of it as a great myth that’s retold and don’t expect it to be the same as Homer’s ‘Odyssey,’ and you’ll delight in the choices.”

Dolly Parton plays the guitar on stage. a huge part of paving the path in country music for future female country music stars to walk down. “It’s hard for me to imagine the world without Dolly. Dolly’s heart was as big as her talent. She was not only a great singer/song writer/actress/TV

PINTEREST

star. Dolly also lived her art,” artist Cyndi Lauper said. “She used her art, her fame and her money to help so many people. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve thought to myself, ‘What would Dolly do?’ She was a great role model for all of us.”

Many movie adaptations have been made about Marvel’s wall-crawling hero, Spider-Man. Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield found huge success in their respective Spider-Man movies, but neither comes close to touching Tom Holland’s Spider-Man. Compared with the other Spider-Men, Holland has become the most commercially successful version of the character. Backed by the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Holland has been Spider-Man since his first appearance in “Captain America: Civil War” in 2016. But the latest movie, “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” has hit a level few movies touch. As of Aug. 30, the latest movie has reached $2.3 billion worldwide. Those numbers firmly secure “Brand New Day” at the number four spot for all-time grossing films worldwide. Additionally, “Brand New Day” is currently holding a 90% critic score and a 98% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. The movie clearly has the numbers, but does it live up to its hype? “Brand New Day” presents a more mature Spider-Man, as this is Holland’s fourth solo movie, so his maturity canonically follows suit. Unlike his previous movies, Holland’s Spider-Man relies less on the larger “Avengers” storyline. The producers went for a more street-level environment, and to do that they brought in Jon Batalon’s character, The Punisher. For a franchise that usually focuses on massive superhero conflicts, the street-level tempo was a welcome addition for many fans. Holland was not the only star in the cast; Zendaya reprised her role as MJ, Mark Ruffalo returned as Bruce Banner, also known as the Hulk, and Sadie Sink joined the MCU as a newly introduced character. The movie’s structure is one of its strongest qualities, which is certainly needed in a movie with a runtime of two hours and 30 minutes. The slower moments display the depth of Spider-Man in ways that haven’t reached the big screen before. Peter Parker clearly deals with the loneliness and responsibility that comes with the mask. These moments are coupled with the humor that follows Peter Parker and the action that follows Spider-Man. All these elements work together to create a movie that keeps audiences in their seats waiting for what comes next.

Sept. 4, 2026

Through the Lens

Campus life begins anew

Page 6

Page 7

Sept. 4, 2026

The semester starts as OB volunteers welcome new students. They enjoy the start of campus life at the Graffiti Dance and other OB events including All-Campus Worship. As returning students arrive and classes begin, campus comes to life. Faculty and students attend the opening convoction in Harbison Chaple. Campus wastes no time in coming to life as sports games and community events ensue over the following days. by Carson A. Brown, Photo Chief

Perspectives Wisdom for freshmen Sept. 4, 2026

Page 8

How to approach college life

Bryce Pope

Contributing Writer On behalf of the Orientation Board here at Grove City College, I would like to offer a heartfelt welcome to the Class of 2030! We are thrilled that you have chosen this college as your home away from home to continue to learn, grow and be formed more into the person God created you to be. When I say “we,” I mean the young men and women who swarmed your car your first day here. Not only were they overly eager to carry your fullsized fridge up to your dorm, but they have been praying over you all for the past six months and are excited to welcome each one of you into the community we cherish so closely here at the college. I would encourage you to talk with as many OB members as possible! They greatly desire to be your friend. So, if you were worried about making friends, don’t worry, you already have 100. The amazing people who lead this school, who I am blessed to call friends, have given me the great privilege of addressing you all, and I want to take advantage of this opportunity to share some Grover wisdom I wish I understood better as a freshman. Grover life tip #1: Learn to say no. Grove City College has a multitude of opportunities to choose from. With 22 NCAA sports, over 130 clubs and organizations and countless spontaneous worship sessions and Bible studies, you won’t have a hard time getting involved in some way on campus. In fact, because of all these opportunities, it may be very easy for you to become

GCC

OB helps unload car during freshmen move in on Aug. 19. over-involved. The reality of college is that academics take up a lot of your time, as they should. Then, you have friends that you want to hang out with. And after those two pillars, you have the mysterious third of college life they call sleep. Regardless, time is a college student’s precious commodity and what you choose to do with it matters. So here is my advice: choose four to five clubs or organizations that pique your interest in the next few weeks. Make a list of the pros and cons you see in each club, and, most importantly, know realistically how much time you have to give. Then cut that list to two clubs, one with a larger commitment and one with less time required, and get involved. Find a community there, continue to observe if these are commitments you can make and dive in. Know that it is okay to step away if it is too much. Rest is a

crucial part of living a healthy college life. If you aren’t being filled up with encouraging relationships, time with the Lord and relaxation, how can you expect yourself to commit to anything fully? Find your limits, stick with them and get involved in the way that both benefits you and the people you commit to. If you have this skill already, congratulations! That is a gift God has given you. My advice still stands: learn to say no. Grove life tip #2: Don’t waste your time here. Class of 2030, I believe God has called you here to this campus for a reason beyond your academics. He has called you here that you may experience life in Christ in a new way. However, this won’t be an easy task. The temptation to relevance is a challenge you will have to fight against continually. At Grove City College, it is very easy to fall into a track of desiring to become the “ideal Grover” who is on top of academics, involved on cam-

pus, “knows” what the future looks like and has the “ring by spring” mentality. None of these objectives are inherently wrong; however, if they become the main focus of why you are at college, you will quickly lose sight of what is most important: your relationship with Christ. I would encourage you all to view Grove City College as a place where spiritual formation and personal growth are at the core of everything done on this campus. This place truly is a wisdom-seeking and discerning college that desires for you to know the Lord and treasure him more than gold or silver. Do not let time slip by where you neglect to pursue intentional time with the Lord. God wants to work in your life here, and He wants to do so in amazing ways. You only have four years here, and I can tell you that it goes by faster than you could ever imagine. Engage with the difficult questions and enjoy the process of growing here.

I can also tell you that if it weren’t for the community here on campus, I would not be standing before you today as a Christian. I came to school struggling with the idea of what it meant to be a man of God in a world that all too often captivates the desires of the heart. Because of the intentionality of staff, students and faculty alike, the Lord has shaped my soul through their care to become a man who stands firm in his faith and desires greatly to do every action out of love for God and neighbor. Not only that, but campus is extremely safe. So safe that if you want to claim a spot in the dining hall, your water bottle will not do. No, you need to leave your phone, wallet and keys to properly ensure your spot won’t be taken. Class of 2030, once more, welcome to Grove City College. A version of this article was delivered as a speech during the opening session of freshman orientation.

Data centers not the problem

Brae Sadler Staff Writer

If you are like most Americans, you do not like data centers. According to a May Gallup poll, 70% of Americans oppose data center construction in their communities. That makes data centers more unpopular than nuclear power plants. Why do Americans oppose data centers? The most cited reason is resource use, especially water and electricity. People believe that building data centers threatens resource sustainability by increasing consumption and prices. This fear is not unfounded; data center construction can result in higher utility prices. However, this problem is not inherent to data centers; rising prices are the result of government policy. Energy markets in the United States are highly regulated, and these regulations support monopolies incentivized to raise prices. Data centers are a net positive for society. We can promote data center growth while keeping energy prices down. Data centers generate tangible value that is improving all our lives. First, data centers are powering artificial intelligence (AI), and AI is already making the world a better place. For example, a July study from the

Mercatus Center found early evidence that AI is driving the creation of independent businesses. Second, AI is advancing other technologies. To lower costs, tech companies are investing in modular nuclear power plants, which are more environmentally friendly than fossil fuel plants. Lastly, data centers could help push humanity into space. One of SpaceX’s stated goals is to build data centers in orbit. However, none of these benefits must come at the expense of your wallet. The reason prices are increasing is that market mechanisms are being hampered. In competitive markets, high prices signal profit opportunities to any business that can sell below others. This creates a “race to the bottom” in prices. Persistently high prices suggest something is preventing competition. The reason: monopolies. Most energy markets in the United States are monopolized. State public utility commissions grant regional monopolies to local utilities. Prices are not decreasing because competition is prohibited. Non-incumbent energy companies are never given the chance to undersell monopolists. State governments try to protect their citizens by setting a rate of return that an energy utility can earn. If the govern-

SIEMENS

A data center is shown. ment can set the rate of return equal to a company’s cost of capital — the lowest return a project can have for a company to invest — then there is no incentive for the utility to raise prices. The utility does not make more money by charging more. Unfortunately, that only works in theory. Policymakers are incentivized to set the guaranteed rate of return above the cost of capital. First, there is no objective way to measure the cost of capital. The idea that the government can calculate a rate of return equal to the cost of capital is a non sequitur. Second, policymakers want to avoid blackouts. Energy failures invite voters to kick out the

people responsible. The government will avoid setting the rate of return too low and so tends to set it too high. Some monopoly predation is better than being fired for a policymaker. High rates of return incentivize data center construction. A utility receives a high guaranteed rate of return on any investment it makes, and the hyperscale data centers used to power AI require large infrastructure investments. Energy companies are legally entitled to recoup those investments — by raising prices on all ratepayers. Monopoly power turns your money into subsidies for energy utilities. This phenomenon is not new;

the economists Harvey Averch and Leland Johnson identified it in the 1960s. Guaranteed rates of return are old news. High energy prices are not inherent to data centers. They are the result of government-granted monopolies in the energy industry. If we want to tackle energy prices, we must decrease the monopoly power of utilities. The truth is that our grid is outdated, and the problems we are seeing today have existed for decades. Banning data centers to keep prices down is not a long-term solution. The only way to permanently resolve our energy price problems is to attack the root: government intervention.

Page 9

Sept. 4, 2026

Recycling its failed past Democratic socialism’s midterm rise

Hannah Leeman Staff Writer

With November’s midterm elections quickly approaching, the Democratic primaries have advanced several surprising candidates. The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) have pulled off unexpected wins throughout the country, prompting many to question the future of the Democratic Party and the political landscape at large. Formed in 1982, the DSA has experienced a surge in membership, recently surpassing 100,000 members, and has chapters in all 50 states. Its ideology has proved appealing to younger voters, with many of its supporters landing in the 18-to 30-year range. The DSA is an independent political organization simultaneously placing its members on the Democratic ballot while growing its own political party. Its website denounces capitalism as “a system designed by the owning class to exploit the rest of us for their own profit” and calls its audience to concentrate power back into the hands of everyday people. While it rejects its Marxist-Leninist past, critics point to its policies and commitments which seem to suggest the opposite. Major Republican figures frequently label the DSA as communist, and some

John Hatzis

Perspectives Editor Welcome back to another year of The Collegian! It is an honor and a joy to return to Grove City College’s official campus publication. The Perspectives page flourished this past year, and it is good to be back. When considering how I wanted this year to go in Perspectives, I thought of our “vision” statement for the section, which I put in my first-ever column for the paper: “The Perspectives page aims to cultivate rich conversation on the cultural and political trends of our day, both on campus and around the world. Our conversation aims to examine how we ought to think and how we ought to live. We are grounded in Grove City College’s commitment to Christ-centeredness and the conservative values of excel-

DSA leadership has openly identified as Marxists. But what can these victories really tell us about the future of U.S. politics? In recent years, democratic socialist candidates have won congressional state seats and mayoral offices throughout the country. Zohran Mamdani’s election as mayor of New York City, for instance, dominated the news last November while Francesca Hong narrowly lost the Democratic primary for governor in Wisconsin. The buildup to this year’s midterms, however, may signal something larger. Forty-six states have held their primary elections, confirming which two candidates will run against each other in November. Within the last few months, the democratic socialists have secured the party nomination in multiple states: Angie Nixon in Florida for U.S. Senate, Chris Rabb in Pennsylvania, Darializa Avila Chevalier and Claire Valdez in New York, Melat Kiros in Colorado and N’kiyla “Jasmine” Thomas in Oklahoma. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, current New York Congressmember and frontrunner in 2028 Democratic presidential polls, also officially rejoined the DSA a few weeks ago. Other candidates, such as Mayor Mamdani, were endorsed by democratic socialists but do not describe themselves as part of the DSA. The victories have raised

DAILY MAIL

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez poses with Zohran Mamdani. concerns over the future of the Democratic Party, especially among the party itself. Yet it is difficult to tell how much a handful of primaries will affect the political landscape of the next few years. Experts have been cautious not to read too much into these wins. Some believe they confirm the DSA’s growing power in far-left states, claiming this is only the start of its plan to gain a footing in Congress. Others pass it by as a shortlived trend among the younger generation. At this point, it is simply too early to say. In the past, Christians have sometimes allied themselves with democratic socialism.

Mid-20th century European Christians believed the cause of socialism best followed Christ’s instruction to care for the poor. Yet the materialist roots and secular trajectories of modern socialism call into question whether Christianity and socialism can ever truly align. This especially seems to be the case insofar as these “modern” versions are utterly committed to non-Christian agendas like pro-choice, pro-LGBTQ+ and the end of law enforcement. And while most of the DSA disavow its Leninist past, its playbook recycles the same moves, pretending to give ownership and control to the

people while concentrating economic production and power in the hands of the government. The upcoming generation of Christian students would do well to study these new issues at play to better evaluate the moral, spiritual and political legitimacy of this burgeoning movement. As the example of mid-20th century European Christians so clearly demonstrates, Christians have fallen on both sides of the issue. The DSA professes to reject Marxist teaching, but can we trust its claims when many of its positions seem to recycle the failed past?

formed and forming myself into the kind of person who never, ever confessed sin or any form of woundedness. Woundedness is weakness, I thought, and weakness leads to abandonment. But opening up to God and his people has only deepened my relationships. My worldview was proven wrong. My two friendships have only become stronger. Iron can now better sharpen iron. These moments gave me a new perspective. I needed to be humbled, to have any vain pretensions of “coolness” or self-justification smashed so that the King may be glorified. I needed to be brought low so that He may be made high. Being humbled, confessing sin and sharing sorrow strikes me as things that cause me to lose life, or at least the image of my life I try so desperately to preserve. And yet, in these moments I find myself closest to “that which is truly life” (1 Tim 6:19). It is a strange paradox worthy of being the Way

of God. This edition marks the first The Collegian for the Class of 2030. We in the Tower have the task of crafting an opening message to the freshman. My message, and my prayer, is this: have the courage to be intimate. Find someone you can trust, who takes an interest in your life, and open up to them. Grove City College is, if nothing else, a refuge for sinners who love in a loveless world. The world truly does “love the darkness rather than the light” (John 3:19). Yet we can take heart in following a Savior who had the courage to bring light into that world anyway. We can trust that God brings that light with the promise that by stepping out into it, we can be cleansed. Here’s to another year in Perspectives. For those interested in writing for Perspectives, please email Perspectives Editor John Hatzis at hatzisjs23@ gcc.edu.

A new perspective

“I needed to be brought low so that He may be made high.” lence and freedom of expression.” Reading this, I was struck by what this kind of Perspectives section would require: to have such a dialogue, our writers must have courage. It takes courage to be brave enough to share one’s opinion on a controversial topic. We had that kind of courage in spades last year: we had writers debate the new statement of faith and take on the leading stories of our day, from the Epstein Files to the assassination of Charlie Kirk. We even had writers stand up to the universal phone ID mandate and win an exemption for current students. I want to zero in on a different kind of courage: the courage needed to open up. It takes courage to be intimate. In last year’s Homecoming edition, we ran an article where a student discussed the blessings of her Inner-City Outreach

mission trip despite her own unfaithfulness to God’s plan. Last semester, we ran a piece by a student mourning the loss of his cousin, the former chairman of Grove’s Board of Trustees. These pieces let us into the writer’s heart, and because of that, their insights remain with me still. I suppose intimacy is on my mind because my summer has been bookended by rare moments of intimacy. Both in the days immediately after the end of last semester, and in the days immediately preceding my arrival at college this semester, the Lord put it on my heart to share uncomfortable life details and sin struggles with trusted Grove friends. Both moments came after a sudden conviction that occurred despite my considerable internal resistance. Opening up in this way is completely against my MO. I spent most of my life being

Draw for The Collegian!

If you don’t want to see this atrocity again, consider drawing for The Collegian! We are in desperate need of a new comic strip artist. The Collegian provides excellent opportunities for students who are interested in showing off their artistic ability. Email John Hatzis (hatzisjs23@gcc.edu) or Luke Paglia (paglialr23@gcc.edu) for more information.

News

Sept. 4, 2026

Page 10

GCC

New faculty gather for a photo before the beginning of the academic year.

Nine new professors are the ‘very, very best’ Julia Kramer

News Editor Freshmen are not the only new faces around campus, as nine new professors, including alumnus Joshua Snyder, the new dean of the Hopeman School, have joined the college’s faculty this academic year. Beginning in August of 2025, the hiring process was intensive and rigorous. “It’s a long process,” Peter Frank, the provost and vice president of academic affairs at Grove City College, said. “We really want to hire folks who are a good mission fit with Grove City College and our Christian mission.” Unlike other companies or organizations that can hire throughout the year, colleges must think in advance and hire with each academic year in mind. Taking up anywhere

SERVE

continued from 1

or the day of, many groups lacked direction or sufficient work to do. “I was definitely humbled by the fact that I was picking up trash for two hours,” Schwartz said. “But I think I could have been more helpful.” Schwartz approved of the day’s focus on serving but challenged the idea that it had to be mandatory. “I don’t know if I would make it mandatory,” Schwartz said. “I think a lot of Grovers would do it regardless.” While not all freshmen may

from six to eight months to make an official decision, each candidate must undergo several evaluations before receiving an offer. After passing preliminary virtual interviews and a full day of in-person interviews on campus, candidates are often asked to provide a research presentation and teach a class on campus. This last step is crucial for Frank. While any professor can be intelligent in their area of discipline, Frank stressed that the college is specifically looking for a person who can be both a “scholar and a teacher.” “We work really hard to bring in who we think is the very, very best,” Frank said. While not all this year’s new professors can claim previous teaching experience, each comes into the classroom with

a new niche and area of expertise for students in their major. From practicing “unique historical methodology” to experimenting in “quantum magnetism” to conducting “novel cell imaging approaches and systems biology,” these professors were chosen because they offered something that students could not already access. “We’re interested in how they might incorporate students into their research,” Frank said. “Whether that’s through independent projects or even within their courses.” The new alumni professors are chemistry professor Rachel Clark, mathematics professor Jared Kettinger, education professor Michael Pelloni and physics professor Allen Scheie. Music professor Sarah Gilbert, history professor Abigail Gomulkiewicz, communica-

tion professor Rudy Sunrin Kim and management professor Jennifer Roy round out the new professors. Kim is already impacting her students and their future research. “She works hard to make the material digestible,” Elizabeth Jenkins, a junior English and communications major in Kim’s Research Methods class, said. “It’s hard to gauge in a week or two of class what a professor’s really like, but honestly, she’s really sweet, really helpful. She’s really encouraging.” Excellent research, however, was not the only criterion the college was seeking. As an institution whose mission is to equip students through a “Christ-centered” learning experience, the college also evaluated each applicant’s faith. “We want folks who really

understand and think deeply about how they would integrate their Christian faith into their discipline,” Frank said. “People who are really committed to Grove City College’s Christian mission.” For some professors, being allowed to include their faith while teaching is a new experience. Clark previously taught at Slippery Rock. “I love that she starts every class with prayer to help focus our learning on the one who made all of the intricacies of science that we get to discover,” Claire Wisler, a junior exercise science major in Clark’s General Chemistry class, said. “It’s wonderful to know that she is invested in furthering our understanding of God’s creation.”

have felt the day was necessary or efficient, many recipients of the day’s work were beyond thankful for the help. Tracy Barr and her friend Amanda DiAlesandro were two of these. “As two single moms trying to keep up with everything, having these incredible students step in and help us meant more than we could ever put into words,” Barr said regarding the lawn work freshmen helped them with. “They went above and beyond, and the compassion, kindness and genuine care each one of them showed truly touched our hearts.”

CARSON BROWN

Students pray together during the all campus worship event. Grove City College has the fifth most religious students in the country, according to Princeton Review.

REVIEW

continued from 1

Freshmen work during GCC Serve Day.

GCC

makes the college’s beauty and perceived safety notable. The Princeton notes that one of the college’s greatest strengths is the diligence of the professors. The survey highlighted that the professors are known for their accessibility and engaging teaching styles. Most of all, the review revealed that students felt that their teachers are “very caring, and they want us all to do well.” Hand in hand with this metric were the survey responses

concerning professors’ expectations. Students generally reported that their professors set challenging but achievable expectations, which created an environment where their dedication was rewarded. For a total quality rating of their professors, Princeton reports that on a scale of 60-99, Grove City professors earned a score of 96/99. In the student review portion, Grove City College students were called “Passionate about pursuing a relationship with God” and passionate about their nickname “Grover achievers”. Academic ratings

show that, on a scale of 60-99, students graded the school at 85/99. This score reflects how much they felt they got back from their efforts in class. Students noted that while they spend much of their time studying, there is still time to pursue friendships and recreational activities. For them, the culture on campus grows students as individuals and as a community of faith. As one response said, “(My peers) are so encouraging. From uplifting me in my academics to walking alongside me in my relationship with Jesus, I feel very supported here all around.”

Sports

Sept. 4, 2026

Page 11

Fall sports return to action

Sports at a Glance

Natalie Hanna Sports Editor

A variety of teams on Grove City College’s campus have already begun their fall seasons, some of which are defending champions looking for a consecutive title, and each team is deepening its roster by adding multiple freshmen. Women’s Volleyball Grove City College’s women’s volleyball team earned first place in the PAC preseason coaches’ poll after winning the PAC championship for the first time since 2001 last season. Four members of the team landed on the Players to Watch list, with seniors Kendra Klusch and Sarah Hart earning First Team All-PAC last season, along with teammates Alayna Dorst and Lily Lagaras receiving All-PAC Second Team and All-PAC Honorable Mention, respectively. In addition to these four players, the team has great depth. “Any of our players in our rotation has the ability to take over a game. … If each player can fulfill their role, the opportunity will be there for an individual to have a standout moment,” coach Leo Sayles said. The team will start its run for a second consecutive championship title Sept. 30. The Wolverines began nonconference action by sweeping La Roche Tuesday. Men’s Soccer Another team that won its first championship since the early 2000s last season was the men’s soccer team. The team is looking for another title this season after taking the top spot on the PAC preseason poll. Twenty-first-year head coach Mike Dreves, PAC Coach of the Year for the 2025 season, returns senior Noah Gray, PAC Offensive Player of the Year, and senior Colton Hudson, PAC Defensive Player of the Year. Both were All-Americans. Hudson, along with senior Jake Kimmich, received All-PAC First Team honors. Junior Luke Ladas earned AllPAC Honorable Mention recognition.

Results Men’s Soccer (0-0):

T, Carnegie Mellon (0-0-1)

Women’s Soccer (4-4):

T, Penn State Behrend (0-0-1)

Women’s Volleyball (0-3): W, La Roche (0-1)

Men’s Golf:

5th/15, Westminster Invita-

The men’s soccer team celebrates their PAC Championship victory in 2025. Dreves noted that the strong senior class will be looking for big roles this season. After starting the season with three home games this week, the team will continue to strengthen its game plan and fitness as conference play begins Sept. 16 on Don Lyle Field. Women’s Soccer Last year’s women’s soccer team secured its 10th league title and third in a row, which helped the Wolverines land the top spot in the PAC preseason poll. The 2025 PAC Coach of the Year, Melissa Lamie, returns the PAC Offensive Player of the Year, senior Tori Stevenson, the PAC Defensive Player of the Year, senior Hannah Mitchell, and the PAC Newcomer of the Year, sophomore Lauren Muhanna. Mitchell, Stevenson and Muhanna earned First Team All-PAC recognition last season. In addition, sophomore Ady Waters earned All-PAC Second Team honors, while senior Maddie Mills, junior Kiara White and sophomore Emily Horst earned All-PAC Honorable Mention. After opening its season with an away game on Tuesday and two home games this weekend, the team will begin PAC play Sept. 16. The team’s goal in the two weeks leading up to its first conference game is to learn its weaknesses and strengths, so it will be ready for anything

when that first PAC matchup rolls around. Women’s Tennis The women’s tennis team is returning to play this fall with a young but strong roster. Ranked No. 2 in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) preseason coaches’ poll with five returning players who earned All-PAC recognition last season, the 2026-27 season may look promising for coach Shea Prins’s team. As freshmen last season, sophomores Grace Stitt and Grace Yurko earned All-PAC First Team honors for singles, while fellow sophomores Emma Flanigan and Blaire Beatty received All-PAC Second Team honors. Junior Iris Kiehl earned All-PAC Honorable Mention. In doubles, Stitt and Flanigan earned All-PAC First Team honors, while Yurko, Beatty and Kiehl received AllPAC Second Team honors. The team also welcomes senior Isabel Kleiman, first-year sophomore Mia Summers and freshman Reagan Doughtery. The Wolverines opened their season Aug. 29, and PAC play will begin Sept. 12 at Walters-Zbell Courts. Men’s Golf The men’s golf team welcomes back last year’s PAC Most Valuable Player, junior Luke Gronbeck, who took first at both the fall and spring championships last year and

GCC

set a school record at the fall championships. Other strong members of the team this year include seniors Tyler Derstein and Nathan Young, who took the title at the Grove City “MBA” Invitational. An experienced group of other seniors and juniors will push to make the lineup this fall, and coach Brad Isles welcomed five freshmen to the team as well as first-year senior Jake Kimmich. The team began its season on Monday and is participating in the Malone Invitational Friday and Saturday. Cross Country The Grove City cross country team also returns this fall for another season, with coach Paul Collier welcoming 10 male freshmen and eight female freshmen. The women’s team placed sixth overall in last season’s league championship meet, while the men’s team placed second. Sophomore Frank Colsen individually placed fourth as a freshman and was one of two athletes on last season’s team to rank in the top 10. Both the men’s and women’s teams will head to New Wilmington Friday for the Westminster Invitational to kick off the season. Keep an eye on these teams’ schedules, as many games, matches and meets will take place this season.

tional

Women’s Golf:

2nd/7, Westminster Invitational

Women’s Tennis (0-7): W, Houghton (0-1)

Upcoming Football:

Sept. 5, 12 p.m. vs Cortland

Men’s Soccer:

Sept. 4, 6:30 p.m. vs Baldwin Wallace

Women’s Soccer: Sept. 4, 4 p.m. vs Lycoming

Men’s & Women’s XC: Sept. 4 at Westminster Invitational

Men’s Golf:

Sept. 4-5 at Malone Invitational

Women’s Golf:

Sept. 6 at Mount Union Fall Invitational

Men’s Tennis:

Sept. 4, 3:30 p.m. vs John Caroll

Women’s Tennis:

Sept. 4, 3:30 p.m. vs John Caroll

Women’s Volleyball:

Sept. 4, 4 p.m. vs Wooster

Wheeler leads Wolverines to watch Matthew Purucker Editor-in-Chief

It is not an exaggeration to say Noah Wheeler was excellent on the field for the Grove City College football team last season. The junior cornerback flew around the secondary, locking down opposing wide receivers game in and game out. Wheeler had four interceptions, critical in a defense that had 26 total, the most among all NCAA Division III teams. “When we say play fast, there’s guys who truly understand what we’re trying to do. They just know our system,” Grove City football coach Andrew DiDonato said. “Free, though, is that they are allowed to be creative within that system. So, they know their assignment, but they also have a feel for the game. … And then they play full. They play with joy.” Wheeler began his sophomore season with an electric performance. His two interceptions, including a game-changing pick-six to start the second half, propelled Grove City to a first-week upset at Cortland, the 2023 national champion. “And Noah Wheeler plays fast, full and free, and that’s why he’s such a special player,” DiDonato said. Wheeler’s return of a

blocked field goal for a touchdown against Waynesburg during the homecoming game also solidified a crucial victory. But the D3football.com preseason All-American’s excellence extends beyond playing football. “Everyone sees his contributions on the field, the interceptions, but he’s a spiritual leader for us,” DiDonato said. “He’s strong in his faith. He’s strong academically. Socially, the guys love him. So, I just say this: he’s not only a model on the field; he’s a model of all four parts of our vision, and that’s what makes him special.” Women’s Volleyball Sarah Hart Senior outside hitter Sarah Hart recorded a team-high 388 kills (3.56 kills per set) in her first year with the team. Hart was essential in Grove City’s first PAC Women’s Volleyball title win since 2001. Hart also earned All-PAC First Team and PAC All-Tournament Team honors and led conference outside hitters with a .292 hitting percentage. Women’s Soccer Tori Stevenson Senior midfielder Tori Stevenson has been a critical piece of Grove City’s attack for the last three years, including a 16-goal junior season that earned her the PAC Offensive Player of the Year award.

CURT EQUI

Noah Wheeler runs with the ball. Stevenson powered the Wolverines to their third straight conference championship last season, and the 2025 USC All-Region honoree will seek another strong year in 2026. “She (is) very productive in terms of goal scoring but also in terms of creating a lot of things for us offensively,” Grove City women’s soccer coach Melissa Lamie said in an athletic department video

Monday. Note: Stevenson scored three goals and assisted another in Grove City’s 4-4 tie against Penn State-Behrend Tuesday. Men’s Soccer Noah Gray Then-junior midfielder Noah Gray scored 14 goals and tallied seven assists to lead Grove City to claim its second-ever PAC Men’s Soccer

title, its first since 2005. Gray received PAC Offensive Player of the Year and United Soccer Coaches (USC) All-American second-team honors for his efforts and may be the focal point of the Wolverine attack once again in his senior season. Gray has 24 career goals, eight of which were game winners.

Sports

Sept. 4, 2026

Page 12

LUKE PAGLIA

The Wolverines take the field against Washington and Jefferson before the annual night game on Sept. 27, 2025.

Football building on strong foundation

Reagan Thomas Staff Writer

The Grove City College football team enters the 2026 season with high expectations, experienced returners and a clear vision that extends well beyond wins and losses. After continuing to establish itself as a contender in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC), the Wolverines are focused on growth on and off the field as they prepare for another challenging campaign. Coach Andrew DiDonato emphasized that the program’s goals are rooted in something bigger than football. “To glorify God in the pursuit of earning a degree, building lasting relationships and competing for PAC & national championships. This is the vision for our program,” DiDonato said. “Our expectations each season are to continue laying bricks towards this vision as we build upon the solid foundation of those who’ve built before us.” That foundation includes a roster filled with returning talent and experience. One of

Linebacker Caleb Brubaker finds the ball and runs with it. the most noticeable areas of development has been on the offensive side of the ball. After replacing several starters in recent seasons, the Wolverines now return a larger core of experienced players who have spent significant time developing within the system. “We lost a lot of starters on offense from the 2024 season into last season,” DiDonato said. “However, this year, we have a lot of players returning.

The growth of the offense has been exciting to see.” While the offense continues to develop, the defense is expected to be a major strength for Grove City College. The Wolverines return a veteran secondary that established itself as one of the nation’s most opportunistic units last season. “Our defensive secondary is a major strength for us,” DiDonato said. “We return four starters from a unit that fin-

DOUG NASHTOCK

ished first in the country in interceptions a season ago.” The Wolverines also boast continuity in other key areas, including the offensive line and special teams. “Our offensive line returns multiple starters with experience playing together,” DiDonato added. “Finally, we return our punter and kicker from a top special teams unit.” Beyond statistics and returning starters, Grove City College’s program culture

remains centered on faith, relationships and preparing student-athletes for life after graduation. A phrase frequently emphasized within the program is “4-40-Forever,” which reflects the longterm impact the coaching staff hopes to have on its players. “Football lasts four years, the degree and career will last 40 years and faith and relationships last forever,” DiDonato said. “We want people to see a team that glorifies God by playing out of the overflow of our satisfaction in Christ.” As the Wolverines begin the 2026 season, they hope to combine experienced leadership, defensive playmaking ability and a growing offense with the faith-centered culture that has become a defining characteristic of the program. With conference championship aspirations and a commitment to developing young men both on and off the field, Grove City College enters the fall looking to continue building toward its vision one brick at a time.

Wolverine in pinstripes Natalie Hanna Sports Editor

David Leslie was a catcher for most of his baseball career until he started pitching during his sophomore year here at Grove City College. Leslie pitched for three years at Grove City College, graduating in 2025, and one year at the University of PittsLESLIE burgh. But four years is all it took for the New York Yankees to take notice of Leslie’s talent. Since being drafted in the ninth round in July, Leslie has been playing in scrimmages and developing his skills at the Yankees’ training facility in Tampa as he awaits spring training. Leslie spoke about his time on the Grove City baseball team as one of formation, saying, “It gave me the opportunity to fail and learn.” His coaches stuck with him and saw his potential before he saw it in himself, and he came out of Grove City College a completely different, better and more prepared player. While a student-athlete at

“I don’t think I would have the college career I had if it were not for my faith. … I would have been so in my head and so upset at myself when I would fail, that I wouldn’t have made it out of Grove City.” the college, Leslie earned AllPAC First Team Honors in 2023 and 2025, leading the team in strikeouts (84) in the latter year, which was also the season when the Wolverines won the conference championship for the first time since 2008. In the same season, he started 12 games during his senior year, went 9-2 with a 2.05 ERA and held batters to a .178 batting average. He had one complete game and was named PAC Pitcher of the Week twice. After graduating in May 2025 with a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, he went on to play his last year of eligibility at the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned his master’s in sports science. But what has landed Leslie in the Yankees’ farming system besides just training and skill? Mental toughness. Practice gives him confidence in a game, but he has also fostered a healthy mindset, which enables him to focus on the big picture before entering a game: it’s just a game, and he’s “trying to have

more fun than everyone else.” By the time he steps onto the mound, he now feels prepared, but he is also simply ready to have fun competing. His mantra is “one pitch at a time,” and the second he lets go of the ball, the next pitch is the only thing that matters. Leslie also credits a lot of his success to his coaches. The multitude of coaches who helped him along the way each contributed something unique to who Leslie is as a baseball player today. Josh Forbes, Butler High School’s head baseball coach, is the first person who introduced Leslie to the mental side of the game, pushing him when he didn’t play at a level he knew Leslie was capable of and getting him out of his head. Grove City College’s baseball coach, Matt Royer, was the one who really taught Leslie how to pitch. By teaching him the fundamentals that Leslie still uses today, he formed him into a pitcher early in that specific path of his career. At the University of Pittsburgh, head coach Mike Bell

David Leslie winds up for a pitch. and pitching coach Clay Martin took Leslie to a new level, improving his pitches and his mental game. Coach Martin specifically pushed him to have fun, an important part of Leslie’s mindset to this day. Most importantly, Leslie expressed that he would not be where he is today if not for his faith in God. “I don’t think I would have

SCOTT BEAVEN

the college career I had if it were not for my faith … I would have been so in my head and so upset at myself when I would fail that I wouldn’t have made it out of Grove City,” Leslie said. “The only reason I can have that perspective and view this as just a game, that I’m having fun (playing) — that’s why I play — is because of my identity in Christ.”