The Collegian, Sept. 5, 2025

Collegian The

Problematic parking persists

Mia Gallagher Sports Editor

An overcrowded parking lot. Over a dozen orange parking warnings dancing in the wind. A department doing its best to accommodate the needs of its constituents.

Once an overhyped problem that students merely complained about, the parking situation on upper campus has become a dire situation – one that Campus Safety has taken steps to combat ahead of the baseball field construction later this fall.

In a turn of events, on Aug. 26, Grove City College Campus Safety announced plans to halt the sale of upper campus resident student parking permits. This decision, made in consideration of the expected lot closures occurring later this fall, has become just another part of a parking problem saga the department has been dealing with for the last few years.

Campus Safety sent out an email early in the summer to notify students of the issue

and provide a solution: a free, long-term parking lot. This unprecedented move made use of the college-owned lot on the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Harvard Street, offering upperclassmen residents a

free alternative and seemingly providing a workable solution to the parking problem.

“We initially limited this free option to those who had previously registered a vehicle on campus so as to avoid

encouraging more students to bring their car to campus for a free permit. ... We have substantial space remaining at the Lincoln Avenue Center and the potential to expand to the lot on the opposite side of

Grove City needs its college

AICUP study finds college impacts local and state economies

Matthew Purucker News Editor

The Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP) published a study estimating that Grove City College accounts for $176 million of the state economy.

The study found the College supports 808 state jobs through either employment or indirect jobs that suppliers, vendors and contractors fulfill. It also recorded the college’s impact on the service, retail and medical sectors. In total, the college provides $13.6 million in tax revenue to local and state governments.

The Federal Reserve classifies colleges like Grove City College as anchor institutions, which are especially important to their local economies.

“You want a college as a neighbor, because schools make good neighbors,” AICUP president Thomas Foley said. “Many people might not realize this, but these colleges collectively contribute $1.5 billion in local and state taxes, and that’s (mainly) used locally to support police, fill potholes and beautify parks.”

The study used the IMPLAN economic database and data from Pennsylvania colleges to determine their economic contributions. The database uses county, state, ZIP code and region-specialized federal economic statistics to calculate the economic activity of organizations.

AICUP also collected data of its own, either college-reported or found from a secondary source. The data the organization gathered include colleges’ employee pay and benefits, operating and capital expenditures, visitor numbers and spending, number and types of students and their spending

ERYNN MCKELVY

Students’ patronage of local businesses contributes to the economic success of the Grove City area.

habits and charitable giving and volunteerism.

According to AICUP, Grove City College and other northwest Pennsylvania private colleges and universities generate $1.2 billion for the economy, $61 million of which goes to local and state taxes, and they support more than 8,000 jobs.

“If a food service truck makes 10 deliveries a day, and one of those deliveries is to a school, you can say that 1/10th

College revises HUMA core

The college’s new HUMA core requires seven courses, including four new Bible classes. NEWS 10

of the driver’s job is supported by the school,” Foley said. “So, on a larger scale, when the impact study found that over 195,000 jobs in Pennsylvania are supported and sustained by these 80-plus AICUP schools, that doesn’t mean that 195,000 people teach at these schools, but it does mean that many people have a livelihood supported by these schools in a significant way.”

The AICUP reported that

member schools account for 195,000 Pennsylvania jobs. Although not that many people work for those schools, Foley suggests that the schools sustain the livelihood of about that many people.

The Grove City Area Chamber of Commerce agreed with the study’s findings that show the importance of the college to the local community.

Man’s best friend? Sabrina Carpenter’s new album cover sparks debate about female empowerment. PERSPECTIVES 8

the building if needed,” Director of Campus Safety Seth Van Til said. “Campus Safety also offers an escort service from dusk to dawn. This service includes escorting to or from the

GCC raises $52.63 million

Luke Paglia

Photo Chief

Grove City College raised a record $52.63 million in the 2024-25 fiscal year, blowing past the previous best of $36.7 million set during the last fiscal year.

This year’s tally surpassed the previous record by 44% and doubled the 2022-23 fundraising total. The benchmark-setting effort was crucial to the college, which relies on donations to support the institution because it refuses to accept federal funding.

The $52.63 million designates donations for various scholarships and projects. Some of the top categories in this breakdown include $11.5 million for endowed scholarships, $1.6 million for passthrough scholarships, $2.6 million for unrestricted gifts and $16.7 million for capital projects. The rest of the funds will go toward academic departments, athletic teams and college programs like the Center for Rural Ministry.

“The College needs to maintain and even increase the level of financial support from donors to position us well for the next 150 years,” Vice President for Institutional Advancement Jeff Prokovich said. “We need to increase our endowment to ensure that all students that want to attend Grove City College have the financial resources to do so.”

The college’s endowment was $216 million before the fiscal year ended on June 30. The $36.7 million from the 2023-24 fiscal year is cash in

From the Tower

Seize the days at college

It is easy to subconsciously divide college into two hemispheres: learning, which is reduced to academics, and experience, which is everything extracurricular.

These two hemispheres seem to pull us in different directions, creating a bloody battle that, as it reaches its cinematic climax, forces a realization that both sides have been fighting for the same thing all along.

Though it’s not rocket science, to say that our growth in college comes from the sum of academics and extracurriculars is revolutionary when we act in accordance with the view. In the same way learning and experience are intertwined, academics and extracurriculars are as well. They are forces that compliment, not oppose. The more we draw them into union with each other, the more we will get from both.

A holistic approach to learning comes when we are willing to treat late-night conversations with friends, leadership positions in clubs and rallying around an insignificant (and perhaps even silly) common goal as formative in the same way our classes are. Similarly, we can benefit a lot when we realize that sitting in classes and spending monotonous hours doing homework are life experiences in the same way Greek life, hall events and IM sports are.

In the confluence of hemispheres, in which academics and extracurriculars come together to provide paired experience and formation, is where the marvel of college lies. We are in a space not only equipped to teach us in the classroom, but also in the time we spend living life with others on this shared campus, whether friends or strangers, like-minded peers within our majors or those on the opposite side of the great STEM/HUMA divide.

This college has provided us with an excellent microbiome in which to both learn and experience, but the opportunities presented will not take advantage of themselves. It is in our hands, and it is our responsibility, to strive to approach all we do with intentionality.

With the near arrival of autumn, it is almost a requisite for every Grover to watch “Dead Poets Society” (or another Robin Williams film, at the very least). Fellow watchers may relate when I say I used to roll my eyes over the schoolboys rallying around the cry of “carpe diem,” thinking it was overly romantic and impractical to constantly maintain a state of being sporadic and intrepid.

But what if “seizing the day” just means being intentional with it? If that is the case, the cry of “carpe diem” not only applies to a daring phone call to the unsuspecting love of your life, but also to writing papers, talking with friends over a meal in Hicks, quiet time with the Lord before classes, late-night study sessions with peers and cleaning your dorm on a Sunday afternoon.

We can treat all of these with more intentionality than we currently do – we can dig into them deeper. If we are intentional with all aspects of our college experience, the academics and extracurriculars we engage in will work together to graduate us into stronger, smarter people who are better equipped to think critically, process change, apply skills and serve others.

Kathryna Hoyman Managing Editor

Collegian Staff

Emily Fox Editor-in-Chief

Editorial Board

Matthew Purucker News Editor

Catharine Runion Community Editor

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John Hatzis

Perspectives Editor

Mia Gallagher

Sports Editor

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Madelyn Braho

Editing

Olivia Emerick

Copy Chief

THE GREEN EYESHADE AWARD

The economics of happiness

Christa Bashinski

Entertainment Editor

Money doesn’t buy happiness, or so the saying goes.

But recent studies suggest the truth may be a little more complicated. The age-old phrase emphasizes relationships and experiences over material wealth as the key to a fulfilling life. While these should never be dismissed, research increasingly points to a clear correlation between money and happiness.

A 2010 study by Nobel Prize winners Daniel Kahneman and Angus Deaton reinforced the classic phrase. It discovered a rising correlation until the individual reached an income threshold of $75,000. At that point, no added wages had an impact on one’s overall disposition.

ness, exceeding the $70,000 recommendation. Killingsworth accomplished this by surveying 33,391 U.S. adults with steady jobs who answered questions about their emotional state multiple times throughout the day for several weeks.

To reconcile the two studies, Kahneman and Killingsworth joined forces, conducting an adversarial collaboration to determine the truth. Through reexamination of Killingsworth’s data, the new team developed an explanation rationalizing their differences.

There was an overlooked group, an “unhappy minority,” that made up roughly 15% of people in every income bracket, representing a large number that hadn’t originally been accounted for. These individuals faced problems that money couldn’t solve, such as depression, anxiety and other deeply rooted issues.

steadily as income rises. For the “unhappy minority,” Kahneman’s original conclusion holds: happiness increases with income, but plateaus around $100,000.

So, money can buy happiness, to a degree. The study may have proved a linear relationship between the two, but only when adjusted for the individual’s underlying disposition, one that finances alone cannot change.

“If you’re rich and miserable, more money won’t help,” Killingsworth explained. Ultimately, the correlation did not guarantee a direct relationship. Jennifer Aaker, a marketing professor at Stanford, found that the very nature of happiness shifts with income level. Her research showed that although wealthier individuals tend to report being happier, lower-income individuals often describe their lives as more meaningful.

Kathryna Hoyman Managing Editor

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Advisory

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The researchers surveyed 1,000 U.S. citizens daily about their emotional well-being. The results influenced the financial world by sparking conversations on income and tax policies. CEOs like Dan Price have increased their employees’ minimum salaries to $70,000, according to Newsweek.

Eleven years later, Matthew Killingsworth published work conflicting with the economists’ past findings. He determined that increased income does improve reported happi-

PARKING

continued from 1

long-term lot,” he added.

But with resident student and freshmen permit sales skyrocketing, leading to an overcrowded and unmanageable parking situation, Campus Safety elected to stop selling permits to park on upper campus.

Since a distinction hadn’t originally been made, Kahneman’s data was skewed, as his questions measured unhappiness rather than overall happiness, disproportionately reflecting the dissatisfied minority. Once Killingsworth’s data was adjusted to separate this group, the same pattern that the original group had found appeared. This information proved the two studies hadn’t been contradictory at all, but rather consistent when compared on equal terms.

For most of the population, happiness tends to increase

quickly, the department had anticipated the potential of the issue and took action in attempt to remedy it in advance.

“Having a sense of meaningfulness is associated with longer-lasting well-being than happiness alone,” Aaker said. She used relationships and religion as examples, highlighting experiences that come at no cost, yet continuously add purpose to life.

Bigger paychecks can’t solve all of life’s problems. While financial security clearly contributes to happiness, a well-rounded sense of true well-being is dependent on purpose, as well as the relationships and experiences that define it.

permit provides the holder with access to available parking. It is not a guarantee to park in a preferred location. If on-campus resident student parking spaces are full, resident students will need to park in available long-term parking spaces – not in employee, commuter or Colonial Hall lots,” he explained.

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.

This week’s award goes to Mia Gallagher for conquering numerous setbacks, writing for multiple sections and for her dedication to the overall excellence of The Collegian.

The

Eyeshade

“We do not currently know how many spaces may be needed for this project. Construction project details are still being finalized, and I would not want to speculate on what may or may not happen in that regard,” Van Til said. “The operations team is aware of our parking needs and has discussed the possibility of exchanging the spaces they will need with those in the current contractor lot, pending approval from the borough,” he said.

While some may argue that Campus Safety did not end permit sales early enough or that they could have foreseen the lot reaching capacity this

“We have been working diligently to prepare for possible changes due to the baseball project. We increased the freshman permit fee as a deterrent to bringing a car. We created the long-term permits to both give students a less expensive option and in hopes of creating additional space in on-campus lots,” Van Til said.

To further combat the problem, Campus Safety has offered current resident student permit holders the opportunity to return their current permit for a full refund and a free permit in the Lincoln Avenue Lot.

“We had a significant number of students who wanted to exchange their long-term permits for on-campus parking. Students who are interested in exchanging a paid on-campus permit for a free long-term permit may still do so,” Van Til said.

“The purchase of a parking

While the parking problem is far from solved, Van Til stressed that Campus Safety is doing its part to accommodate the needs of the campus community. As baseball field construction begins, the department will update students about parking and other safety information.

Despite Campo’s efforts, students are frustrated.

“The parking situation has tremendously hindered my experience as a resident permit holder on upper campus, especially as a student who needs to access my car daily to attend nursing clinicals and an off-campus job,” junior Taylor Blythe said.

OB heads’ sage advice

Ava Fahs & Bryce Pope Contributing Writers

Adjusting to life at college can be daunting. Perhaps many of you are taking your first rigorous classes. Perhaps many of you are overwhelmed by the different social circles or leaving your home.

The college transition introduces a host of challenges that can spark personal growth. Here are five pieces of advice that we — your OB leaders— would like to share as you start your freshman year to help you thrive at Grove City College.

1. Know Your Resources Freshman orientation sessions can seem like a flood of information, and the delivery might be a bit dry at times, but the sessions provide crucial information. Campus services, like the Career Services Office, the tutoring program and the Counseling Center, are invaluable resources. So many students

only realize this in their later years at Grove; we encourage you to learn this now. You will have many questions in the first few weeks of school, but do you know where to go to get those questions answered? Leaning on the members of the Orientation Board will help you quickly address your questions, concerns and needs.

2. Make a Friend in Each Class There will be instances when you miss a class or can’t find an assignment on D2L, but if you make a friend in your class, he or she may have an answer — or at least be in the same boat as you. During the first and second weeks of school, try to meet someone in each of your classes. Maybe it’s a person you recognize from an OB event, or maybe it’s someone from your hall. Whoever it

is, connect with that person so that someone has your back in every class. It’s always great to have a study pal!

3. Commit Carefully If you haven’t already, you will hear the term “Grover-achiever.” One of the amazing aspects of Grove is its multitude of clubs and organizations. However, we would caution you against overcommitment. Your priority ought to be your education. If you stretch yourself too thin with overinvolvement, you will burn out.

It can feel like an expectation to have your calendar booked from end to end, but our advice is to find two to three main involvements outside of classwork. Make those the areas where you invest your time.

The place to be on Thursdays

Student Involvement Committee promotes student activity with frequent events

Catharine Runion

Community Editor

Grove City College’s Student Involvement Committee (SIC) is working hard to prepare and plan another semester of Thursday Night Hangs.

The Student Involvement Committee is an organization under the Student Engagement Office, which puts on many of Grove’s most beloved events. They host movie nights (with popcorn and snacks — don’t worry!), Food Truck Fridays and the monthly sticker drops in SHAL.

The committee hosts events nearly every Thursday. In the past, they’ve had game nights, Mario Kart tournaments and crafting. They frequently collaborate with other student organizations like Art & Soul to host nights that publicize the organization and draw on its resources to put on an exciting event.

“SIC hosts Thursday Night Hangs at least three Thursdays a month from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Student Union. They focus on creating fellowship for

students for free,” Event Lead Madison Lynch said.

The diversity of events is an intentional part of SIC’s mission. “We’re aiming to connect students across many interests and grow the college’s community,” Lynch said.

These events are often seasonal. In the past, they’ve had pumpkin painting, Christmas cookie decorating and valentine designing. Other events, like Mood Boards & Mocktails or Folk Art & Fresh Brews, combine snacking with crafting.

Upcoming events will include Mocktails and Masterpieces (Sept. 11), Plant Potting (Sept. 25), Game Night (Oct. 16) and Pumpkin Painting (Oct. 23).

Committee head and Director of Student Engagement Katie Van Dam officially introduced these events, but she says that they have been collaborative in nature since the beginning.

“From what I remember, it was the product of a brainstorming session in one of our meetings. Thursdays are sort of a dead day on campus, so

we came up with the idea of doing a ‘come-and-go’ kind of event,” Van Dam said.

With the rigor of most students’ schedules, Van Dam and her team recognized that not everyone had time to commit to two hours of an activity every week. When Thursday Night Hangs were first advertised, it was with the idea that anyone could just come for 20 minutes and still have a good time.

“We wanted to create an opportunity for students to just come take a study break, grow in community with one another and grow their relationships with the Lord,” Van Dam expressed.

Thursday Night Hangs originally involved collaborations with organizations that the SIC team were associated with. Over the last couple of years, however, more organizations have reached out to collaborate with SIC.

This expansion increases representation of clubs across Grove City College, but it also expands the diversity of events being hosted, since many clubs have suggested their

own ideas for new Thursday Night Hangs. Van Dam and the rest of the SIC team have been thrilled to see these events take off and grow in attendance. They seek to be a place for students

to meet, connect and grow in community.

For those who missed the Org Fair last week, Thursday Night Hangs could be the perfect way to learn about other clubs and meet new people.

Doctor Love

Distance Dilemma

I started dating my boyfriend in the spring, and then we had to spend the whole summer doing long distance. I kept telling myself it would all be worth it once we were finally back together, and I spent three months building up this picture in my head of how amazing it would feel to see him again. Now that we’re back at school, he’s acting kind of … off. He’s not as excited, he’s distracted and it feels like he missed me way less than I missed him. Should I be worried that my relationship is slipping?

Sincerely,

Dreaming of April Again

Long distance is HARD on a relationship. There’s a good reason why many relationships stumble or crumble after being apart. But if you spent months building up a reunion in your head, you’re putting a lot of pressure on a new relationship. Don’t put it on a pedestal. Let it take its natural course.

I think it’s great for two people in a relationship to have their own lives, friends and events. That’s how it should be! However, never seeing the other person and being unable to spend time with them can strain even the most rock-solid relationship.

In this case, your honeymoon phase was rudely cut short by summer. While late-night video calls may help, they can only go so far. Right now, I think you each should take some time to get used to the ebb and flow of your new schedules. It’s only been a week!

Is he blowing off meal dates and study times to hang out with the boys, or is he just studying alone? It’s normal for priorities to shift after coming back from summer break. Some people are working to put themselves through school and have to do homework as well. The addition of a job and courses can bring stress to a relationship that wasn’t there over the summer.

My favorite piece of advice to give is this: communicate! Take some time and ask him what’s been on his mind. What has him so distracted? Is it school, work or something else? Tell him how you’re feeling, too. It just might open up conversation and resolve these issues, real or imagined.

If there isn’t clarity after that conversation, it’s time for you to decide whether you want to keep putting effort into the relationship. Honesty is important.

Side note:

Life gets ten times busier after college, so it’s that much more important to ensure that the relationship is a priority and that you both are on the same page. Making time for your girlfriend or boyfriend will let your relationship thrive.

Auspiciously yours, Dr. Love Love M.D.

Derek Bradley joins OGP

Kathryna Hoyman Managing Editor

This year, the college welcomes Derek Bradley as the new director of the Office of Global Programs (OGP).

Bradley graduated from Grove City College in 2003 as a business/communications major with a minor in theatre. As a student at the college, Bradley was impacted by his time spent abroad.

“I did two summer programs teaching English in China. It was incredible. So much so that I returned to China after graduation to teach with the same organization, ELIC. They paid for my master’s degree in intercultural studies through Wheaton, which is where I really learned how to make sense of the differences between cultures,” Bradley said.

According to Global Studies Coordinator Rachel Anderson, Bradley has already hit the ground running, bringing in a host of ideas to expand the reach of the OGP. Among the plans he is working on is a proposal to teach a one-credit cross-cultural training course designed for students preparing to study abroad.

Bradley is filling a role that was most recently held by much-beloved late Jennifer Gilliland. Anderson expressed that “Mrs. G’s” warmth is still very a much part of the Of-

fice of Global Programs. “She would be so proud of the students who walked into our office as freshmen a couple years ago and are now studying abroad,” Anderson shared.

Bradley has already been blessed by the culture of the OGP, one characterized by a love for Christ and for the stu-

ADVICE continued from 3

4. Be Intentional about the Little Things

As a student, you can flourish academically, but if you don’t take care of the other parts of your life, you are not truly thriving. These next four years will develop you as a person and largely set the tone for the rest of your life.

To develop holistically, you can’t just be a “straight-A student.” As children of God, we learn not merely to have a degree, but to better understand the created world and the One who made it.

What we learn here matters. And that learning occurs inside and outside of class. Personal devotionals, long conversations with new friends and participation in mentorship opportunities form your soul just as much

as class discussions. Never neglect the things that don’t appear on a resume, because they are often the things that matter most.

5. Find a Church

Finding a church community is possibly the most important piece of advice we could give you. Make sure that the church you attend enriches your understanding of Scripture and empowers you to serve. As Christians, we are called to serve wherever we go and do it with joy. Service is not merely “the right thing to do.” It is an act that brings glory to our Father in heaven.

Find your church family. Be fed the gospel each week. Serve the people around you.

If you do these things and trust that the God of infinite love will provide, you will find yourself flourishing at Grove City College.

part of this great community,” he said.

Bradley is also enthusiastic about the opportunities the college provides through OGP, sharing that studying abroad can be much more than just a fun and educational adventure.

“I believe an immersive experience abroad can be transformative, and I believe Grove City College students have the unique potential to have a significant impact on the world around them. I believe every Grove City College student should take advantage of the opportunity. It may be one of the hardest things they’ve ever done, but it will be the most rewarding,” Bradley said.

“I believe God is going to do some amazing things in the lives of our students and I’m excited to be a part of His work,” he added.

dents the office is serving.

“It is a dream come true to be able to integrate my faith into the workplace in a way I’ve never been able to before. We start our weekly team meetings with devotions and prayer. I’ve also got two rockstar teammates and an incredible boss. I’m so happy to be a

Students interested in learning more about the vast study abroad opportunities at the college are invited to attend OGP’s study abroad interest meetings, which are held from 4 to 5 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month in SHAL 115. A study abroad fair will also take place from 10 a.m. through 3 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 15 in the SHAL Atrium, and students are always encouraged to stop by the Office of Global Programs in SHAL 319.

Career Services is here to help

Abigail McConaughy Contributing Writer

The Grove City College Career Services Office, or CSO, is focused on helping students with their professional needs.

The office offers advice on professional dress, interviews, resumés, networking and many other workforce-related topics. They help students explore majors and potential jobs, especially those who are undecided about the future.

Through Career Services, Grove City students have access to the “Big Five.” This includes sites such as LinkedIn, Big Interview, Career Shift, What Can I Do with This Major and Pathway U.

The CSO is located on the side of the Physical Learning Center and it features a coffee bar, study space and reservable interview rooms. It goes beyond just being Grover friendly, too: according to The Princeton Review’s career service rankings for colleges, Grove City’s CSO was ranked number 6th in the nation for 2024.

Outside the office lies a world of workplace resources. The Career Services Office takes several business trips with students throughout the year in an effort to further explore what a particular job may look like.

Several CSO events will appear on the calendar this fall.

The annual Career Fair connects students with employers

in order to find jobs, internships and graduate schools. Immediately following this is the Health and Medical Professions fair.

In the Spring they run a fair related to summer camps. The timing of each of these fairs is designed to correspond to the hiring arc of that particular industry or section of the workplace.

There will be lots of resumé advice on the horizon with several events related to design and details of one’s resumé At their last event, members of the CSO shared their favorite parts about working in the Career Services Office.

“I love getting a chance to make an impact with students when it really makes a difference after they graduate,” said Lindsay Luciano. Ms. Luciano ran the latest event.

Ian Harris ’08 co-hosted this event. Harris said, “I enjoy the fact that we are uniquely placed to serve students who have worked for so many years to seek their calling, to find purpose, and understand how to do all things to the Glory of God.” Both expressed joy over working with students. As they have done in the past, the CSO continues to serve students with their needs on and off campus.

From headshots and resumés to free snow cones and networking over dinner, the Career Services Office offers valuable skills to professionally minded Grovers.

Applications being accepted for E+I

The Center for Entrepreneurship + Innovation is taking applications for the E+I Fellowship program, which provides student interns to regional non-profits, startups and community-spirited organizations. E+I has 22 positions available for student interns this fall. Fellows earn $25 an hour working for the host organizations.

Fellows

The application form is available online at gccentrepreneurship.com. Students can also contact E+I Community Manager Emma O’Toole ’23 at OTooleER@ gcc.edu.

Students can apply for the positions until Sept. 14. Don’t miss your chance to gain valuable work experience collaborating with real professionals in your field!

So she does like shiny things...

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce announce engagement

Randall Elvin Staff Writer

Pop icon Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, superstar tight end, are officially engaged. Swift, one of the most popular artists in the world, is known for her record-breaking albums and stadium-filling tours. Kelce, a two-time Super Bowl champion and one of NFL’s most recognizable faces, is equally at the top of his game. On Aug. 26, Kelce took a knee – not on the field, but in his own backyard in Missouri – to ask Swift the biggest question of his life. She said yes.

Their relationship first made headlines in Sept. 2023 when Swift was spotted at a Kansas City Chiefs game sitting alongside Travis’ mom in a stadium suite, sparking dating rumors. Kelce later confirmed that he’d attended Swift’s “Eras Tour” at his home stadium and even attempted to give her his number on a friendship bracelet. What began as playful speculation quickly turned into national obsession. Suddenly, Sunday Night Football looked like Swiftie Easter eggs, while Billboard headlines looked like ESPN updates.

The two have seemingly been inseparable ever since, with Swift being on the big screen at every Chiefs game and Travis getting a shoutout during each of Swift’s shows. Fans of both superstars have been manifesting the engagement and now that wish has been fulfilled. A ring expert estimated the cost of the ring at $500,000 to $1 million, making it one of the most expensive engagements in recent history. The brilliant cut diamond is said to favor elegance over flash, if such a thing can be said of a stone worth more than half the homes in America. Fans reacted the moment Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce announced their engagement, with their joint post on Instagram racking up over 30 million likes and counting. Many are speculating it could challenge Leo Messi’s World Cup winning post, which holds the record at 74.7 million likes. Fans weren’t the only ones to

Luke Paglia Photo Chief

After nearly 30 years, “Happy Gilmore” returns to the links in an attempt to win his seventh gold jacket. Adam Sandler’s “Happy Gilmore” debuted in 1996 as a low-budget, quirky comedy that took the world by surprise. While golf already had a strong cult following in the 90s, few anticipated the original film’s success. Once it hit theaters, it quickly raked in an astounding $41.2 million with Adam Sandler and Bob Barker winning an MTV Movie Award for best fight.

Three decades later, Sandler finally brought the beloved character back. The film premiered July 25 of this year. The sequel’s release generated a lot of attention as fans anticipated the big return. In its first three days alone, the movie had 46.7 million views, making it Netflix’s biggest debut of the year. Contrary to the original, the budget had little constraint as it cost upwards of $30 million to produce, much of which went to securing bigname cameos. “Happy Gilmore 2” featured

rush to the hype train – celebrities and teammates did as well. Selena Gomez, Swift’s best friend since 2008, was quick to reshare the post in enthusiastic support. Kelce’s teammate and global superstar, Patrick Mahomes, engaged in the buzz by resharing and sending hearts to his legendary tight end. Even ESPN and Billboard joined in, once again blurring the lines between sports and music media by shouting out the two mega stars. It’s rare for a single moment to take over every corner of pop culture at once, but Kelce and Swift did just that. What makes the frenzy even more remarkable is the fact that the couple has only been

together since 2023, yet in that short time, game day fans and Grammy fans have found themselves united in a way previously unseen. In just two years, social media propelled Swift and Kelce to become the most watched couple in the world. This union will certainly stand out as one of the most iconic in pop culture history.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce managed to captivate the worlds of music and sports in a way no couple has before. Their engagement isn’t just a celebration of love, but a cultural milestone that unites millions of fans across the globe. Their “Love Story” had been “Enchanted” from the very beginning, as they

fell hopelessly in love right away. While Swift was burning “Red” with passion, Kelce wore the same Chief’s red with pride. Both were “Fearless” under the spotlight, and now, with their engagement, their love story feels destined to last “Evermore.” Their union may be Kelce’s greatest win and Swift’s greatest masterpiece. While Swift was burning “Red” with passion, Kelce wore the same Chief’s red with pride. Both were “Fearless” under the spotlight, and now, with their engagement, their love story feels destined to last “Evermore.” Their union may be Kelce’s greatest win and Swift’s greatest masterpiece.

Tee time for a sequel

the original star-studded cast, including fan favorite Christopher McDonald as Shooter McGavin. In addition to the familiar faces, the sequel had over 70 cameos from household names. Professional golfers like champion Scottie Scheffler, popular artists such as Post Malone and even football icon Travis Kelce were among the high-profile appearances. The sheer number of celebrities that the producers were able to acquire made the film all the better. What the plot and character development of this movie

lacked in depth was made up for with Sandler’s classic ability to riff with the other comedians and actors. While the sequel’s story of a washed-up golfer looking to make some money didn’t have the most compelling message, the lighthearted nature of the storyline made for an easy watch.

The movie, filled with new comedy, featured several references to the original “Happy Gilmore” that would be hard for a new viewer of the franchise to understand. However, the film did a good job providing context for the first-time

‘Man’s Best Friend’

Christa Bashinski Entertainment Editor

Sabrina Carpenter just released her newest album “Man’s Best Friend,” and it’s proving divisive among fans. The X-rated lyrics are a long way away from the innocent character she played on Disney’s “Girl Meets World.” The singer is largely known for her previous album “Short n’ Sweet,” which debuted at No.1 on the Billboard 200 and featured three top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. She clearly has established herself as a capable artist, but her new tracks have fans second guessing the direction she’s going in.

The album debuted on Aug. 29 and has already shattered records with 64.4 million streams on Spotify in the first week alone. Widely anticipated, its controversial cover art and messages have likely only fueled its marketing. The album stays true to pop stereotypes, as it maintains high-energy and catchy phrases throughout. Lead singles “Tears” and “Manchild” stand out with upbeat, happy-go-lucky beats that are memorable and easy to hum along to. However, by the middle of the album, the songs begin to feel a bit repetitive, as the sounds blend with Carpenter doing nothing to substantially differentiate between each. If you’re listening for pop that will keep you in a good mood without care for the lyrics, this one might just be for you.

watchers who were only there for the big names and bigger jokes.

This movie was nostalgic, providing a blast to the past for the original 1996 release.

The whole movie felt like a casual hangout — just Sandler and a bunch of pro golfers goofing around on the set and the audience laughing right along with them. The fictional antagonist organization, Maxi Golf, felt like an obvious parody of the PGA and LIV golf rivalry, mirroring real-life tensions and distracting from the originality the plot might otherwise have provided.

The movie’s saving grace was the sheer number of professional golfers that made an appearance. Current greats like world number one Scheffler, McIlroy and DeChambeau playing alongside Sandler made for an entertaining climax. Old greats like Daly and Nicklaus also added a touch of nostalgia for any older viewers who watched these guys play in their prime.

For anyone seeking a lighthearted comedy, “Happy Gilmore 2” delivers plenty of laughs, making Sandler’s return a fun success.

Her lyrics boast a theme of female autonomy, relationship complications and self-discovery, albeit through sometimes shallow and often sexually explicit words. Her provocative language reinforces her intent to challenge societal norms and normalize conversations around desire and control. Carpenter continued her record of implementing her sass and humor in her lyrics to make the sound distinctively herself. The album’s weakness seems to be its vulgar lyrics, which take away from the messages that her songs on personal improvement and love may have communicated otherwise.

Contrary to past albums, the pop star chose to stray away from the slower, more vulnerable style that has gained popularity, with very few titles deviating from the fast tempo accompanying her catchy one-liners. What she lacks in depth is made up for in part with production, as her team paired compelling instrumentation with Carpenter’s clear voice.

This album release marks a big image shift for the pop icon as she moves away from her original catering to young audiences. She seems intent on abandoning her Disney Channel persona, making an undeniable splash in the public’s expectations. “Man’s Best Friend” feels like the work of an artist in stylistic transition, with its bold conversation-sparking lyrics often falling short of delivering real substance. As Sabrina Carpenter said herself, “This album is not for any pearl clutchers.”

A Scientific Renaissance

Newly-renovated Smith Hall of Science and Technology

and its awesome features

Along with welcoming the new students to campus this fall, Grove City College welcomed newly-renovated Smith Hall.

Smith Hall may not exactly be a new building, but it sure feels that way. Rockwell Hall of Science was originally built in 1931 during the height of the Great Depression. Ninety-two years later, the doors of Rockwell Hall closed for the last time.

The nearly $50 million two-year renovation is open to students for the first time this fall. The remodel features brand new classrooms, comfortable study spaces and state-ofthe-art laboratories that benefit the student body and promote academic success.

Whether or not you are a STEM major or have classes in Smith Hall, take time to walk the halls of this breathtaking building and admire its futuristic feel.

Man’s best friend?

Sabrina Carpenter and the limits of artistic control

Anastasia Brown Contributing Writer

In recent years, Sabrina Carpenter has made the move that many big pop stars whose careers started on Disney Channel have attempted – to extricate themselves from their pixie-dusted persona and venture into the mainstream media by producing a burst of exceptionally explicit content.

This move by the former “Girl Meets World” star has resulted in criticism as early fans and parents express feelings of betrayal and disappointment. But Carpenter’s most recent album has been met with unique levels of backlash – sparking an important conversation about the control an artist possesses over their own image.

Carpenter’s new album

“Without a cohesive alternative message, listeners are still stuck battling the implications of the album cover.”

“Man’s Best Friend” was released on Aug. 29, but the cover image has been circulating for months. The image depicts Carpenter on handsand-knees before a faceless man who is pulling her hair, mimicking images from vintage advertisements of domestic housewives being abused by their husbands for burning dinner or having bad breath.

The cover seems decidedly misogynistic, with one early commenter saying it “sets (women) back about five decades,” and a nonprofit working to end domestic violence claiming it evokes “tired tropes that reduce women to pets, props and possessions and promote an element of violence and control.”

Carpenter’s fans have fired back, convinced that the image must be part of some larger, heavily satirical scheme. After all, the lead single from the album is the belittling and diabolically catchy hit “Manchild.” But if Carpenter’s goal with this album was to create a misogynistic cover that would be undermined by songs that clearly assert female autonomy, she has done a terrible job maintaining that dichotomy.

The themes addressed in the album are eclectic, from the man-hating in “Nobody’s Son” to the desperate pleading with a former lover in “My Man on Willpower.” Without a cohesive alternative message, listeners are still stuck battling the implications of the album

cover.

Carpenter has been questioned extensively in interviews about her thought process in creating the cover, but most of her responses have been jabs at her criticizers: “Y’all need to get out more… (the album cover) is perfect for what it represents.” But what does she mean for it to represent?

In an interview with CBS, Carpenter explains that she sees the cover as being about control: “As a young woman, you’re just as aware of when you’re in control as when you’re not… For me, this whole album was about the humanity of allowing yourself to make those mistakes, knowing when you’re putting yourself in a situation that will probably end up poorly.”

Unfortunately, that is exactly the type of situation being created by this album. Whether her intention was genuinely

to satirize old motifs of gender roles, or whether the album cover is just thinly veiled ragebait, Carpenter has certainly not achieved any goals of female empowerment with her imagery.

A further issue lies in the ways this new album will be used by individuals outside her diehard fanbase. Media can – and often is – interpreted in many ways, and an artist cannot wholly be held responsible for every interpretation. But some forms of visual media must be held to an additional level of responsibility because of their more explicit ability to be misused. Since Carpenter’s imagery is objectifying women in such a targeted manner, it seems reasonable that she should continue to be pressed for a more thoughtful response to her choice of frontispiece of her new album.

Victims deserve justice

Epstein’s victims should get the chance to tell their stories

Madelyn Braho Staff Writer

Despite being dead for nearly half a decade, Jeffrey Epstein has been all over the news.

The American financier has become infamous for underage sex trafficking on his private island. Disturbingly, throughout his years trafficking children, Epstein maintained numerous high-profile connections with the likes of Bill Clinton, Donald Trump and many more.

In 2006, Epstein was charged for unlawful sex with a minor, and in 2008 he briefly went to jail for soliciting prostitution. Epstein was arrested on sex trafficking charges in 2019, and shortly after died in prison by suicide.

His girlfriend and accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell was later convicted of sex trafficking and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

The main concern on the public mind is the so-called “Epstein Client List,” a list of clients and co-conspirators who took part in Epstein’s exploitation and abuse of children. While flight logs listing who rode his private plane have been released by the courts, the Department of Justice recently announced that their “systematic review revealed no incriminating client list.” The DOJ “did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties,” despite previous indications by Attorney General Pam Bondi that the Department possessed incriminating evidence. Conspiracy theories abound regarding Epstein, and the

“Client List” is a topic of much speculation. President Trump himself has taken part in these, claiming in 2024 he would release the list. The president has since waffled on that commitment, and as this is being written, no more court documents are set to be released to the public. Even so, rumors continue to spread.

But why should we care? Epstein is dead, and Ghislaine Maxwell is in prison (at least for now), yet the scale of Epstein’s abuse took more than just two people to accomplish. There were certainly others who were aware of Epstein’s conduct and said nothing, possibly including the current president. Hundreds of girls, reportedly up to a thousand, were harmed, and their testimonies are still largely unheard. The story of Jeffrey Epstein is a story of injustice. There is also corruption all

the way through this story. The justice system allowed Epstein and Maxwell to perpetrate these crimes. The same justice system let Epstein off in 2008 with an embarrassingly light sentence and recently transferred Maxwell to a minimum-security prison. Justice amidst corruption is difficult to accomplish. Truth can be complicated to explain or even determine. The people who flew on Epstein’s plane and who stayed on his island were complicit in something, but that does not mean they were all accomplices in his crimes. Figuring out who directly participated in the abuse is not as simple as finding a file marked “Epstein Client List,” as much as we might wish.

Justice is more than vengeance against wrongdoers. Too often we lose sight of that, especially when the main outcome of our “justice system”

is purely punitive. Justice also includes caring for those who have been harmed, listening to them and protecting them. Very few of Epstein’s victims have been able to testify before a court, and for the most part, their stories remain unheard. This Wednesday some of the survivors gave a press conference on Capitol Hill announcing their intention to compile their own list of perpetrators. Instead of trying to get Maxwell to testify before Congress, more effort should be put toward helping the victims in whatever ways are needed, including protection from further harm.

As much as we might want the truth to be clear and solutions to be simple, that is not the reality we live in. Epstein’s crimes are going to follow us for a long time, and we need to be able to address them with restorative justice in mind.

The triumph of ‘old-timey’

Cracker Barrel’s controversial logo change emphasizes the value of tradition

Abby Bonaquist Contributing Writer

On Aug. 19, Cracker Barrel unveiled a logo rebrand that shook the internet.

The new logo removed the image of long-time ambassador Uncle Herschel on his rocking chair and replaced it with a simple image of the words “Cracker Barrel” over a yellow background in the vague shape of a barrel.

The rebrand was a betrayal of Cracker Barrel’s values. The “old timey” feeling of Cracker Barrel was lost by reducing the logo to something you might see from any corporate restaurant. From a marketing standpoint, being old fashioned is Cracker Barrel’s differentiating point – it’s what sets it apart from its competitors.

Fans were quick to express

their outrage. After receiving wide-spread negative criticism, including a Truth Social post from President Trump, and a market value loss of $140 million, the company took to their website to retract their new logo. They stated their appreciation for customers’ devotion to the original Cracker Barrel brand and said that the “old timer [logo] will remain.”

“If the last few days have shown us anything, it’s how deeply people care about Cracker Barrel. We’re truly grateful for your heartfelt voices,” the company wrote in a statement released on Aug. 26.

The decision to change the logo was part of a broader ef-

fort to overturn declining revenue. The company has been facing losses for the past couple of years, so the rebrand may have seemed like the right move to increase traffic into the restaurant. Obviously, it was not.

While sometimes it is a necessity for a company to rebrand, this was not the case for Cracker Barrel.

The company may have felt like their logo was old-fashioned and in need of revamp, but they were on thin ice because “old timey” is part of their core identity. To remove what is old-fashioned is to remove everything Cracker Barrel stands for.

As someone who works at

Bob Evans, a restaurant with a similar style to Cracker Barrel, I know the Cracker Barrel clientele. They come to Cracker Barrel expecting the same thing every time – hence why it’s called comfort food. By changing the logo and removing the core brand identity, customers feel like they’re losing the nostalgic restaurant they know and love.

A straw poll by USA Today Florida found that 90% of respondents disapproved of the logo rebrand, while 6% were indifferent and 4% loved it. Clearly, Cracker Barrel did not do sufficient research on what customers wanted before launching their rebrand.

Julie Felss Masino, the current CEO and mastermind behind Cracker Barrel’s big moves, was hired in 2023 to help the company recover from the past couple years’ losses; however, in this case, she has contributed to them.

Adventures in cookishness

The logo rebrand is not Masino’s only move for Cracker Barrel. She also organized the remodeling of the seating and lighting inside the restaurants and updated some menu items. All these things were working to raise customer positivity – it was only when she tried to change the identity of the restaurant that she began to stumble.

Masino should have stuck to the path of improving the restaurant experience rather than attempting to change the fundamentals of the brand.

Since retracting the new logo, Cracker Barrel’s stocks have started to rise even higher than they were before the disastrous logo launch. Cracker Barrel would be even more successful at bringing sales up if they focused on customer concerns instead of pursuing modern rebrands no one asked for.

Perspectives editor shares an assortment of recipes for the inexperienced chef

John Hatzis

Perspectives Editor

Besides the time Dr. Mayo and I pranked the class by having me read a fake tutorial paper, my favorite memory from Dr. Mayo’s Civilization and Literature class was his content-adjacent tangents known as “Adventures in Bookishness.” For Book One of John Milton’s “Paradise Lost,” Adventures in Bookishness took us on a journey through LibraVox audiobook recordings of Satan’s speech on his high throne. As those who have listened to LibraVox recordings may imagine, the results were mixed. Some impressions of Satan were quite impressive and eerie. Others outsourced acting choices to a voice modifier, leading the class to find the impression

less dramatic and more hilarious.

Since Adventures in Bookishness remains one of the highlights of my Grove academic career, I was inspired to name my summer cooking experiments in honor of it.

I cooked dinner most nights using Sunbasket meal kits, which provided ingredients and detailed instructions. “Adventures in Cookishness” dived into deserts, entrees, breads and other tasty items made with a more experimental approach. I cannot give a higher recommendation to making food over going out when time allows. It is not only more cost-effective but also provides an opportunity for relaxation when done in solitude and delight when in the company of others. The satisfaction of accomplishment when someone enjoys your dishes is unmatched.

Here are a few recommendations for simple recipes even an amateur like me couldn’t mess up.

Buttermilk biscuits and pancakes

I’m just saying, Pillsbury does not compare! And your leftover biscuits can be made into croutons – and speaking of croutons…

Steak salad

Homemade croutons are a big plus for this dish, and chopped strawberries are a must. If you could make blue cheese dressing from scratch, that would really level up this meal. Cook the steak medium rare in a frying pan (or sub it out for pulled rotisserie chicken) and chop some veggies, and you’ve got a keeper!

Pecan pie:

I am an apple and pumpkin pie kind of guy, which made this delicious pie a pleasant surprise! Make sure you buy chopped pecans.

FUNDRAISING

continued from 1

hand and does not include pledges.

Capital projects are attractive to students and faculty as they are often widely used and appreciated. Now, students and faculty are reaping the benefits of the newly refurbished Smith Hall, which used some of that capital project funding to finish the $48 million renovation.

“I have had the opportunity to have microbiology and anatomy lab in the building. Having lab spaces specific to these courses has allowed me to practice lab techniques, such as dissection, which is a vital skill to develop for future healthcare professions,” senior biochemistry major Annalina Brant said. “Smith Hall has been a huge improvement to the STEM department to

contribute to many students’ future success!”

Other projects include the baseball field scheduled to be ready for the spring 2026 season and the initial capital needed for the McNulty Athletic Center and the lower campus field house.

“These gifts are above average because of our current campaign, Impact 150, celebrating the college’s 150th anniversary in 2026,” Prokovich said.

January 2026 will mark 150 years of Grove City College, which has increased attention from alumni and other donors to fulfill the college’s Impact 150 fundraising campaign.

“We anticipate another significant fundraising year in 2025-2026 because we will begin to see the gifts from the David Rathburn estate gift,” Prokovich said.

Former chairman of the

Fondue:

You can find surprisingly simple recipes for fondue!

I made a Wisconsin cheese quartet and a chocolate peanut butter mix. My favorite cheese dippers are green apple and Italian bread. Chocolate dippers must include strawberries. This meal is probably the most expensive to make, but infinitely cheaper than eating out – I served four people for roughly $10 a person!

“Chick-Fil-A” milkshakes and frosted lemonade:

This one is a big money saver. A regular container of Breyer’s ice cream and Oreos combine with whole milk to make four delicious cookies and cream milkshakes at a fraction of the cost. My friends and I also made ice cream and lemonade from scratch, and the combination was worth all the effort.

Sourdough bread:

As I started the 10-day

process of making the sourdough starter from scratch, I realized that while the breadmaking process is not majorly challenging, it is quite time consuming. This one is worth your while if you are willing to put in the time — if not, consider soda bread.

Steak fried rice:

Another dish for those who want the top-dollar taste for a modest cost. I only like onion and eggs with my rice and protein, which made my adventure simpler. This recipe can be personalized in all kinds of ways to accommodate its diners.

I hope you find these recommendations helpful as you ponder your own Adventures in Cookishness. Even if you do not plan on doing much cooking at school, learning more about the process can help you be aware of healthy eating at the dining hall. Enjoy your adventure!

board David Rathburn died in 2024 and left the college $70 million. The 2025-26 fiscal year will see the first use of the legacy gift. This money will be divided between financial aid and capital projects. Seventy-five percent of the donation will support student financial assistance and the remaining 25% will go toward building improvement.

“These gifts benefit students, from increasing scholarship opportunities to ensuring they have access to the latest technology and state-ofthe-art facilities to supporting programs that help them grow in wisdom and faith,” Prokovich told Grove City College in July. “And while figures like these may seem like they are beyond comprehension, we hope to build on our momentum so that we can provide even more opportunities and scholarships for our students.”

Perspectives Policy

The purpose of the Perspectives section is to give a space for student voices. Here, student writers have the space to critique, question and analyze the world around them.

Perspectives articles represent the views of the individual writer. They do not represent the views of The Collegian, The Collegian staff or Grove City College. While pieces in Perspectives are subjective by nature, The Collegian has standards for publication. Articles submitted for publication are expected to provide arguments of substance that rely on fact and are void of foundationally emotional and biased arguments. This is not a space to par-

rot party lines. Perspectives articles are expected to take original stances, and, where applicable, consider the interaction of faith within their topic. This is a space where all voices can be heard. It is our goal as The Collegian staff that Perspectives reflect the diversity of thought represented on the college’s campus.

If you would like to submit an article for publication or want further clarification of The Collegian’s expectations contact Editor-in-Chief Emily Fox, Managing Editor Kathryna Hoyman, or Perspectives Editor John Hatzis.

Court rejects landfill permit

Matthew Purucker News Editor

The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania rejected a Tri-County Industries Inc. permit to reopen the Tri-County landfill off Grove City’s South Center Street Ext. in an Aug. 7 decision.

The news thrilled members of the Citizens’ Environmental Association of the Slippery Rock Area (CEASRA), who have opposed the landfill resuming waste disposal operations for decades.

“This is the most promising court decision that has occurred in our 35-year battle against the landfill reopening,” CEASRA media liaison Dan Biddle said.

Since the landfill’s closure in 1990, Tri-County has used the landfill as a transfer station. If the court had approved the permit, the company could deposit a maximum of 4,000 tons of waste into the landfill per day, six days per week, for at least 10 years.

“This volume of out-of-state garbage would have created an incredible volume of truck traffic, noise, dust, birds and negative environmental conditions for miles surrounding the greater Grove City area and certainly (would have) been a noticeable eyesore to the college students and community,” Biddle said.

The court decided to revoke the permit because the landfill is within 10,000 feet of Grove City Airport. A 1997 law prohibits landfills within that distance because landfill waste can attract birds within the flight path of airplanes. That endangers planes, which can collide with birds or ingest them into their engines.

Tri-County reasoned that the law did not apply to the landfill due to the company’s earlier permit that allowed the landfill to be active from 1950-90. The court disagreed because Tri-County did not have a valid permit at the time of that legislation (1997).

“I don’t know that the college would be terribly affected by it,” English professor Jeffrey Bilbro said. “Certainly, (there) would be a lot more traffic on that road, but I don’t think that’s a huge deal. … How concerned would (students and faculty) be about the groundwater contamination from the landfill, and particularly the fracking waste?

“There’s pretty good evi-

dence that it’s not nice stuff. And other landfills operated by Vogel (Holding Inc.) and other landfills in PA that have taken this stuff have a pretty bad history of contaminating the groundwater and the streams in the area.”

According to Biddle, Tri-County filed an “unlikely” petition with the Commonwealth Court to rehash oral arguments, and CEASRA submitted its responses. If the court denies that rehearing, Tri-County could appeal to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, which could accept or decline to hear the case.

CEASRA previously appealed the permit to the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board, the judicial branch of the Department of Environmental Protection, before appealing to the Commonwealth Court.

“Our legal battle against the landfill will continue for quite some time, pending decisions by the Commonwealth Court and potentially the Supreme Court. CEASRA will continue their fundraising efforts and filing environmental grant applications to afford future legal actions,” Biddle said. “Though the landfill battle has been our focus for the past few decades, CEASRA will also study and engage in other environmental issues that could negatively impact the greater Grove City and Slippery Rock communities.”

According to Bilbro, Tri-County was surprised by the decision, having already begun construction on the landfill property. Bilbro has followed Grove City environmental issues since becoming a professor at the college in 2021.

“I think students need to know about it. I worry sometimes that college students, maybe they go to church in the community, or they go to Walmart or something, but they don’t really attend the place they’re at because you’re not from here, you’re not planning on living here. I get that,” Bilbro said. “But I think just at least being aware of some of these local political issues is really good practice for being a good citizen of the local place that you inhabit, wherever that is, because you’re a resident here now. So even if you don’t vote in local elections, you still belong here, and you have an obligation to pay attention and do what you can to help out.”

Write for The Collegian

College revises HUMA core

Four new classes focus on Biblical truth and Christian Life

Emily Fox Editor-in-Chief

The class of 2029 will be the first to take the four new required courses of the college’s reenvisioned humanities (HUMA) curriculum.

The college designed each of the new classes to give students a greater understanding of Biblical texts and how their themes can apply to Christian life and interact with modern culture.

The college revisited the HUMA core in adherence with the 2017 GCC strategic plan requiring academic programs to be reevaluated after so many years. The process of developing the new curriculum began four years ago when the college gathered an interdisciplinary group of faculty members to analyze the former program. They then split into subcommittees to develop the new courses added to the core.

“After assessing the previous core, gathering data from the entire faculty and other stakeholders and benchmarking the Grove City core against other Christian colleges, we determined that the Biblical and theological context in the core should be expanded,” Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Peter Frank said. “The GCC faculty, administration and the Board of Trustees believe that all Grove students should be thoroughly grounded in the Christian liberal arts, and this framework will provide the foundation for all majors and all vocational pathways that students pursue.”

The new core requires students to take seven courses. Students will no longer take Biblical Revelation or Christianity and Civilization. They will instead take four new courses designed to teach them about the Biblical narrative, faith and ethics. Students will continue to take Western Civilization, Civilization and Literature and Civilization and the Arts.

“The HUMA core is one of

“As a large employer, (the college creates) a substantial economic impact by providing jobs to many of our friends and neighbors, while also bringing students, families and alumni

the aspects of Grove City that I’ve most been looking forward to,” freshman Lillian Foos said. “I appreciate that Grove City isn’t just focused on developing my experience in my major, but also my understanding about what it means to be human, what morality is and what truly matters. Throughout the HUMA core, I’ll be in classes that are made up of students from all majors, backgrounds and experiences which allows me to gain new perspectives on important topics.”

The HUMA core’s new introductory course, HUMA 100, Becoming Wise: A Christian Vision of Learning and Living, will familiarize students with the Biblical account of creation, the fall and redemption. The course will also explore the study of liberal arts as it relates to these themes. HUMA 100 will cover material from Cornelius Plantinga’s book “Engaging God’s World.” Christianity and Civilization, the former capstone course of the HUMA core, references the book.

HUMA 261, Scripture and Theology for the Christian Life I, will focus on who God is, the meaning of being a human, what it means to be people of God and God’s mission and students’ roles within it. Students will study themes found within Biblical texts and consider how they relate to the Christian life and modern culture. This discussion will continue in HUMA 271, Scripture and Theology for the Christian Life II. This course answers who Jesus is and the ponders the shape of the Christian life in the world.

“The new HUMA 261/271 courses will offer students a more in-depth introduction to the Bible and Christian theology,” Dean of the Calderwood School of Arts and Letters Paul Kemeny said. “The professors have designed the course in a way that we think will help equip students with tools for reading intelligently, inter-

into our area who in turn have a positive impact on our businesses by shopping, dining, staying in hotels and enjoying our various amenities,” Beth Black, the executive director of the Grove City Area Chamber of Commerce, told Grove City College in August. “Beyond all

preting correctly and applying accurately the Bible for the life now at the college and after college.”

The new capstone, HUMA 300, The Gospel and the Good Life: A Christian Vision for Ethics, will close the core by considering ethical topics and what the “good life” looks like for Christians. Students will study critical responses to ethical frameworks counter to the Christian vision.

“We hope that students will first see that these courses all fit together as part of the larger story of God’s work in this world and that they will see how they fit into this story. Also, studying the Christian liberal arts provides students with a set of tools and a way of thinking about the world that will help them in any career they pursue,” Frank said. “The HUMA core is an important set of courses that were established to root students in understanding the world correctly, as it really is, and thus helping them to more deeply experience life in this world and a vision for the world to come.”

While freshmen have already begun taking some of the new courses, upperclassmen will continue to follow the old framework.

“I’m kind of sad that they aren’t offering the New and Old Testament alternative for Bib Rev. I hope that the new courses are able to cover Biblical texts as deeply as those two courses did for me,” senior Mackenzie DiCello said. “I have high hopes for the new courses though, and I’m excited that they were designed intentionally to give students the ability to think practically about how we can apply what we learn in the classroom.”

Those interested in reading a more detailed breakdown of the new HUMA core should visit gcc.edu and look for the humanities core in the Majors & Departments section of the website.

of this, Grove City College is a good neighbor that supports local organizations, events and businesses throughout the year financially, with volunteers and interns, as well as equipping graduates to be desirable employees.”

Wolverines golf gears up for their fall program

Emily Fox Editor-in-Chief

Grove City’s men’s and women’s golf teams are ready to hit the course for the fall season. Last weekend, the women played their first invitational at Youngstown State and the men’s team played a 36-hole tryout to determine its roster and prepare for the upcoming season.

The men’s team hopes to build on its success this past spring after taking second at the McBride-Behringer-Allen Invitational, where sophomore Luke Gronbeck medaled by shooting 73. Three of the team’s players also placed in the top 10 at the Thiel Invitational. Junior Nathan Young finished best among returning players, tying for ninth with a 78.

“We lost a significant amount of experience with our seniors who graduated in May.” Golf Coach Brad Isles said. “That said, we have had some promising underclassmen step up and we are excited to see how they perform this fall.”

Gronbeck is expected to be a key player after consistently placing in the top five throughout his freshman season. Young will also lead the team at the front end of the lineup. Other experienced players include junior Tyler Derstein and seniors Jonah Kozora, Cayden Testa, Michael Astrab and Brian McDonnell.

“I’m excited for the upcoming season. We lost some seniors that played a big role on

the team, but we have guys that can step up, and I think we can compete for a PAC championship,” McDonnell said.

The men’s team plays at the Malone Invitational today at 10:30 a.m.

“My hopes for the season are to win a PAC championship. We have a solid squad of guys, and we are ready to make a run. I am excited to see how we compete this season and hopefully it is the result we are looking for,” Astrab said.

The women’s team kicked off their season this past Monday, taking third place at Youngstown State. Junior Lauren Kardos finished in 13th place with a round of 89. Kardos earned a Second Team All-Conference distinction at the PAC tournament last spring, and the team finished fifth overall.

“I feel we made great strides as a program last season, and we expect to see that growth continue this year. Coach Amy Smith has been instrumental in building the team up, working on our culture and pushing for positive results through practices and in tournaments,” Isles said.

“We are making big investments in player development for both the women’s and men’s programs and, while the results may not necessarily be immediate, we are putting pieces in place to position our golfers to be their best on the course. From a team perspective this year, we have a legitimate chance to be in the top four in the conference. We

lost no seniors and most of our returning players have significant tournament experience,” he said.

Isles has hopes for Kardos to make top 10 in the conference and for Hailey Muñoz to be an All-PAC performer. Other experienced players on the women’s team include sophomores Sydney Goettel and Gabrielle Kinneer, junior Madylin Galbreath and seniors Rebekah Gaehring and Julianna Jacobs.

The team will compete at the Thiel Invitational at 1 p.m. on Sept. 6.

“I’m hoping to grow both in our individual games skillwise and collectively as a team. We’ve been putting work into build(ing) team culture, and I think that will pay off in our performance as well. Our coaches are also putting a lot of time and effort into helping us perform to our potential, so

Women’s volleyball opens with a sweep at Battlefield Classic

Mia Gallagher Sports Editor

It’s a Wolverine winner and 3-0 sweep for the Grove City women’s volleyball team, who opened their season Friday and Saturday at the Gettysburg College Battlefield Classic.

With these victories – including an exciting, comefrom-behind victory over Shenandoah – the team stands ready to face whatever the rest of their challenging non-conference schedule has to offer.

“The teams we played this past weekend were very talented and challenged us in numerous ways. We had to adapt to their tough defense and adjust our offense in order to efficiently score, as well as change our serving strategy,” senior setter Brooklyn Wirebaugh said.

“These challenges were valuable, as I believe they will prepare us for the games ahead – especially since many of the teams we will face this weekend just began their season, so it is more difficult to prepare for the games. I think we can use the resilience we showed this past weekend and carry it into this weekend, knowing that we can adapt to the potential challenges our opponents present,” Wirebaugh said.

The Wolverines opened their weekend of play last Friday against a talented Dickinson team, emerging victorious with a final set score of 3-1.

Leading the team’s offensive

SOCCER

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nal.

R.I.T. held an edge in both shots (18-3) and shots on goal (9-3) over the Wolverines, keeping junior goalkeeper Maddie Mills, who recorded seven saves, busy in her first collegiate start.

Though the team struggled against Nazareth’s strong defensive front in their Saturday setback, an impressive defen-

effort was junior outside hitter Sarah Hart, who tallied 18 kills on the day. She was followed by classmate Alayna Dorst and sophomore Brooke Manfull, who contributed 11 and eight kills, respectively. Manfull, Wirebaugh and junior Sarah Harris combined for 46 assists, setting the Wolverines offense up for success.

Defensively, Dorst led the Wolverines in digs, notching 18 on the day. Sophomore Lilly Wojtala was right behind her with 17 digs, while Hart and Manfull supplied another 11 digs apiece. From the net, sophomore Lilly Pool paced the Wolverines with four blocks. Her efforts were aided by Hart, Manfull and junior Kendra Klusch, who produced seven blocks total.

“It feels great to be able to contribute to our successful weekend. I’m proud of how I played with a new team and I’m so proud of how the team supported each other the whole time,” Hart said.

Following an early 3-0 victory against Neumann Saturday morning, the Wolverines battled back from a 0-2 deficit against Shenandoah to complete the sweep, winning the final set 15-9.

Pool paced the Wolverines’ offensive effort, securing nine kills in the comeback. Hart and Dorst followed Pool, tallying eight and seven kills apiece. Supporting their efforts were Harris and Wirebaugh, who combined for 27 sets in the outing.

sive stand allowed the Wolverines to hold the Flyers, who held an 18-3 edge in shots, to only two goals.

“We have a really solid and established defensive line with all returning players. On the offensive end we mostly have new faces, so it will take a bit of time to learn how each other play and form some connections as a group on the field,” White explained.

“It will take some time, but as we play together, practice

From the net, junior Lily Lagaras led the defense with five blocks, followed by Pool, who secured four. Dorst and Wirebaugh locked down the back row with a combined 35 digs between them.

“Coming out of this weekend with three wins and knowing I was able to contribute feels incredibly rewarding. We’ve put in so much hard work during preseason – not just in practices, but also in building chemistry with our newcomers – so to see all that effort pay off in such a big way is really encouraging,” Wirebaugh said.

“Moving forward, I think continuing to build those bonds, both on and off the court, and being reminded of our ultimate goal in playing the sport, which is for the Lord’s glory, will help us become stronger and help us reach our goals together,” she added.

After traveling to Oberlin, Ohio this weekend for matchups against Wooster, Oberlin and Adrian, the women’s volleyball team will open their home program Tuesday, Sept. 9 against Carnegie Mellon. The match will be the culmination of the team’s Blood Cancer Awareness campaign, an effort led by Head Coach Leo Sayles to raise funds for the Grove City Cancer Institute. With action beginning at 6 p.m. in the Wolverarena, please consider attending the event and supporting all involved in the campaign.

and even just hang out, we'll strengthen our bonds as a team and learn to work well together. I'm excited to see what the team is going to look like in the next couple months as we continue to learn about each other and work together,” she said.

The Wolverines will open their home schedule tomorrow, Sept. 6 against Case Western Reserve University. Action will begin at 1 p.m. on Don Lyle Field.

I hope that will show throughout this season,” Jacobs said.

Sports at a Glance

Results

Men’s Soccer (0-1-1): T, Carnegie Mellon (1-1)

Women’s Soccer (0-1-1): L, Nazareth (0-1)

Women’s Soccer (0-1-1): T, Catholic (0-0)

Women’s Volleyball (3-0): W, Shenandoah (3-2) Women’s Tennis (0-1): L, John Carroll (0-7) Men’s Tennis (0-1): L, John Carroll (3-4)

Women’s Golf: 3rd/6, YSU Kickoff

Upcoming

Football: Sept. 6, 12 p.m. at Cortland

Men’s Soccer Sept. 6, 2 p.m. vs Wooster

Women’s Soccer: Sept. 6, 1 p.m. vs CWRU

Women’s Volleyball: Sept. 5, 2 p.m. vs Wooster

Women’s Tennis: Sept. 10, 4 p.m. vs Geneva

Men’s Tennis: Sept. 13, 1 p.m. vs. Wooster

Women’s Golf: Sept. 6 at Thiel Invitational

Men’s Golf: Sept. 5-6 at Malone Invitational

Men’s and Women’s XC: Sept. 20 at PAC Preview

Focusing on their vision Football preps for their daunting 2025 schedule

Nedilynn Bowser Contributing Writer

The Grove City Wolverines are gearing up for another highly anticipated season.

Ranked 23rd in the D3football.com Top 25 preseason poll and second in the PAC Coaches Poll, expectations are great heading into a 2025 season filled with fierce competition up and down the schedule.

With Grove City’s first game away at No. 10 Cortland tomorrow and more season-defining matchups on the horizon, the team hopes to build upon the strong foundation it established during preseason training camp and reach the playoffs for a third-straight season.

Boasting a defensive core of seasoned veterans and an offense eager to prove itself, the Wolverines seem confident to handle whatever challenges this season-opening test will hold.

“Our program is built on vision. We have brick phrases in our program that we lean on for a lot of situations. One of the first brick phrases and our personal favorite is ‘focus on your vision, not your circum-

“We believe that playing on the road is a circumstance and if we focus on our vision nothing can take our eyes off what we are doing,”

--Anthony Brunette

stance.’ We believe that playing on the road is a circumstance, and if we focus on our vision, nothing can take our eyes off what we are doing,” senior fullback Anthony Brunette said.

“We build continually off all the reps we do throughout a practice week, repeating many different situations until we are used to seeing it and it becomes second nature. As to the mental toughness side – we are anchored in our identities and understand that playing in a hostile environment cannot make us change them, and it is this fact that allows us to play as one unit,” he explained.

That focus is sure to be front and center as the team heads into the all-important first game of the season. Due to the vast veteran presence on its defensive side – including a preseason All-American leader in senior linebacker Ben Bladel – Grove City has

found some early motivation and momentum. Several returners bring encouragement on the field while also leading the team to foster attitudes of positivity and resilience.

“We returned a lot of people on defense and not as many on offense. It has been fun meshing with new guys that we may have not played with before. We really clicked when we had a scrimmage at the end of camp against Thiel. We put it all together and started to see our efforts paying off,” senior fullback Micah Walizer said.

The Thiel scrimmage allowed both sides of the ball to return to game-ready form. While the defensive side provided familiar stability to the team, the offense continued to bond, improve and expand the roles of its skill positions.

With opening kickoff just over 24 hours away, Cortland, one of the top teams in the country, will see if the Wolver-

ines are ready to become a national power. Throughout the offseason after the team’s 1714 playoff loss at Johns Hopkins, the coaching staff has instilled values of repetition and simulated game-like pressure during practices to ensure the team does not faulter in the biggest moments.

For the Wolverines, the goal is not to survive but to maintain their identity on the road.

Veteran leadership – alongside new talent – will be the key to success this 2025 season. If defense holds the line and continues to set the tone, Grove City could find itself in a position to obtain a crucial early season ranked win. Nevertheless, one thing remains imperative: the Wolverines intend to keep their vision front and center – no matter the circumstances.

Women’s soccer splits on opening weekend

Mia Gallagher Sports Editor

After a productive offseason and successful preseason, the Grove City women’s soccer team opened their 2025 program with a 2-2 draw last Friday against the R.I.T. Tigers and a 0-2 setback against the Nazareth Flyers on Saturday.

These matches mark the start of a daunting non-conference schedule designed to test the reigning PAC champions ahead of conference play, which will commence later this month. Despite the challenges faced in their season openers, the team remains confident that these struggles will pave the way for success down the road.

“Our upcoming non-conference games are going to be against some tough opponents, but they are going to be very good for us as a team.

We'll be able to learn more about the way our teammates play in hard games and benefit from the tough competition. It will definitely be a battle, but I believe we can pull off some wins,” sophomore forward Kiara White said.

“We wanted our season to be this way, and to go up against teams that were going to push us out of our comfort zone, so that way we are prepared when heading into PAC play,” junior midfielder Emma Dailey added.

Dailey and White both contributed to the scoring effort in the 2-2 decision against R.I.T. – each notching goals in what proved to be an evenly matched competition.

Minutes into the match, Dailey received a perfectly threaded assist from freshman forward Lauren Muhanna, giving the Wolverines an early 1-0 lead.

“It was an awesome feeling to contribute to the team not just through the goals, but to be able to finish on an opportunity that the hard work from our teammates provided for us is awesome! Being able to score was just a cherry on top to be honest,” Dailey said.

After conceding a goal to the Tigers later in the first half, White punched in her unassisted goal to regain the lead before halftime.

“It feels great to be able to contribute to the team and put all the hard work from preseason to use. We're also such a tight knit group of girls, so not only am I scoring for my team, but I'm also scoring for my friends,” White said.

The Tigers broke through the Wolverines’ defense late in the second half to even the slate, giving way to the 2-2