Crawfordsville, Indiana | December 9, 2011 | Volume 104, Issue 13

Rocha Debate Grips Wabash

ALEX ROBBINS ‘13 “The successful can- OPINION EDITOR didate should have: Dr. Sam Rocha has become a Ph.D. or Ed.D. in a a popular visiting professor among the students at Wa- licensure content area; bash College. His application background and/or for a new Teacher Education Program position has raised interest in historical, questions about his qualifica- theoretical founda- tions for the position and the tions or philosophy of Teacher Education Program’s job description for the posi- education; knowledge tion. Complicating the matter, of state licensure and/ Rocha admits he is not fully or national accredi- qualified for the position. The official reason Rocha tation processes; a has not been given an inter- record of teaching ex- view or scheduled for a talk perience at the college is that the Owen Duston Vis- iting Assistant Professor of level preferred and ex- Philosophy and Teacher Edu- perience in the middle cation is not qualified to meet or high school setting all requirements written in the program’s job description on is required. Commit- the Wabash College website. ment to teaching in Rocha meets the require- a liberal arts setting ment for “background and/ or interest in historical, theo- and evidence of schol- retical foundations or philoso- arship is required.”- phy of education” and also in Teacher Ed Job IAN BAUMGARDNER | WABASH ‘14 his “commitment to teach- Upon hearing that the Owen Duston Visiting Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Teacher Educa- ing in a liberal arts setting.” Description tion Sam Rocha was not granted an interview for a position beyond this academic year, students Some students have been cried out in support of him via email and Facebook, demanding his retention by the College. quick to suggest that the ad- what in fact has happened.” I don’t qualify for the written, to address, you have all kinds mittee put together made of ministration aimed to auto- Rocha has questioned how advertised position or that I of perceptions of what people senior members of different matically disqualify Rocha the job description was written. only qualify to it marginally, need. A job description is kind departments of the College, because of personal conflict “What is a little bit strange but at the same time it raises of like a mission statement.” headed by the chair of the pro- between the professor and to me is how, although I don’t the question of ‘what am I do- Phillips explained the gram, Michelle Pittard. All of Dean of the College Gary qualify to the letter of the job ing here in the meantime?’” process of writing the the applications were vetted.” Phillips that factored into description, I am, in many Rocha noted that, while job description and hir- “The thing I was trying the process. Phillips denied ways, doing the work that the he and his family have ing a tenure-track position. to communicate explicitly in that biases could affect any person who would fill that po- bought into Wabash, he un- “You have, as we have, my email to the student body, hiring situation, noting the sition would do,” Rocha said. derstands how a situation a programmatic need, a de- you must have clear corre- number of people directly in- “In the spring when Dr. Pittard like this has been created. scription that was written to spondence between the skill volved in the hiring process. is on her sabbatical, I know “I don’t feel excluded from meet that need, an open public set and interests and compe- “In other words that I that I’ll be doing a lot of the the interviews. I think that invitation nationwide to any- tencies of the job description would be making a deci- work. In fact, I’ll be the only what happens is that these one who could bring forward that’s being profiled and the sion based on a relational full-time Teacher Education job descriptions—writing a their skills, their credentials,” applicants that apply,” Phil- issue with someone? No. I faculty member, so that cre- job description is an incred- Phillips said. “In search and lips said. “You cannot not mean, I’m not going to re- ates a certain cognitive disso- ibly political process,” Rocha solicitation of that position, have that match. The law re- spond to a hypothetical ques- nance. In my view, it’s abso- said. “You have all kinds of that specific position, that tion like that,” Phillips said. lutely fair and just to say that different interests you have happened. There was a com- See ROCHA, page 3 “But what I can tell you is Swimming Starts Season Strong

RYAN LUTZ ‘13 the pool. got better with every round. some of the tougher competi- of love for the coaches. STAFF WRITER This past weekend the We also had a lot of season tion in the nation. “Yeah it’s a very individ- swimming team placed fifth best times and PR’s too”. “Those guys had a really ual process because we are In a sport where times always at the Calvin College Invita- Some of the outstanding good meet,” Barnes said. “I taking the time to cater it to seem to bet getting faster, tional. Which included five performers this weekend think the freshman did really each individual’s needs. The how you train in swimming top eight finishes during the were Aaron Troyer who well too though.” end goal for us is to get them can mean the difference be- tournament. placed third in the 100-yard This is important for the in the best position possible tween first and second place. “The meet was a lot faster backstroke, finishing with a team this year because with to swim fast for Conference, So far this season the Little this year,” Coach Barnes time of 52.41. Alex Hawkins the loss of Rhinesmith and and for a few of the guys on Giant swimmers have done a said. “But overall I think we and several other team mem- Birrer the team is without a the team the National Meet”. decent job of performing in swam well and I know we bers had a solid meet among superstar talent that can will Naturally the more them to a victory. This envi- seasoned swimmers in this ronment forces every mem- program are already adapting ber of the team to elevate to the changes in training. their performance in the pool. For the freshman, however, Training for swimming is the coaches are being very highly individualized, every vigilant on everything. aspect of a swimmers train- “You kind of have to ing has to be tinkered with, tinker with everything,” the lifting, the diet, the in Barnes said “it’s all about pool workouts and so on. being aware at all times to “Right now in the season what is working for a player we are going to start adjust- and what isn’t. So we need to ing guys’ workouts,” Barnes look at was has worked in the said. “That involves every- past for us as well as think of thing from the volume of what might work well in the their lifting and swimming future.” schedules to what type of rest Now as the season goes they get”. on and injuries happen, train- And the coaching staff ing programs change. This does this for every single leaves the coaches constantly KELLY SULLIVAN | WABASH ‘15 Freshman Aaron Troyer during practice this week. The Little Giants took fifth at the Calvin Invita- swimmer on their team. See SWIM, page 3 tional last weekend. Needless to say it is a labor Page 2 The Bachelor | December 9, 2011

Bachelor

301 W. Wabash Ave. Senate: Get out and Vote! Crawfordsville, IN 47933 Voting Process Changes Aimed at Higher Greek Turnout EDITOR IN CHIEF Peter Robbins [email protected] PETER ROBBINS ‘12 had pretty good success getting

MANAGING EDITOR EDITOR IN CHIEF fraternity guys to vote during Brandan Alford the hour we’ve been at each [email protected] For at least the past four house, with the exception of CREATIVE EDITOR years, the president of the stu- one house. We’ll see how the Yangnan “Paul” Liu [email protected] dent body of Wabash College numbers turn out in terms of the has been an Independent. Tra- Greek vote generally, but right NEWS EDITOR Kenny Farris ditionally, Greek voting turn- now it does look positive.” [email protected] out has been lower per capita Sibert, also a former Lamb-

OPINION EDITOR than Independent voting, so da Chi IFC representative, Alex Robbins this year, Student Senate made alluded to the fact that the [email protected] an active attempt to get frater- Greek community has been SPORTS EDITOR nity students to vote in elec- aware for some time that vot- Brandan Alford [email protected] tions to ensure that representa- ing numbers were down and tives, the President and other had tried to improve them. CAVELIFE EDITOR John Dykstra officers were elected based on “At IFC meetings they used [email protected] a representation of the whole to tell us (representatives) to

PHOTO EDITOR student body’s true wishes. encourage our fraternity mem- Ian Baumgardner “Before this year, you bers to vote, but a lot of guys [email protected] would go to the library, you never really did,” Sibert said. BACHELOR ADVISER would tell them what grade The motion to alter the Howard Hewitt [email protected] you were in, and they’d hand voting system was first you a piece of paper with all made by Senator Alex Rob- The purpose of The Bachelor is to the races you were eligible to bins ’13, who is also running serve the school audience, includ- ing but not limited to administrators, vote for,” said former Senator for president in this election faculty and staff, parents, alumni, Brock Sibert ’12. community members and most and is a fraternity member. importantly, the students. Because Current Student Senator “Basically the idea was that this is a school paper, the content and character within will cater to Matt Knox ’13 outlined the Robbins made a motion that the student body’s interests, ideas basic changes in the system. and issues. Further, this publication there would be polling booths will serve as a medium and forum “The changes I’ve noticed at fraternity houses,” Farris for student opinions and ideas. are, not only do we have a said. “The motion left the vot- Although an individual newspaper, the Board of Publications publishes booth stationed at the library ing commission to determine The Bachelor. The Bachelor and during lunch and dinner hours, how exactly that would be BOP receive funding from the Wabash College Student Senate, but we also have a booth set up done. I thought it would be very which derives its funds from the Wabash College student body. at every fraternity house dur- simple to just use meal hours ing lunch and dinner,” Knox during the week, and it just Letters (e-mails) to the editor are welcomed and ecouraged. They said. “We wanted to try to made sense because there are will only be published if they in- clude name, phone, or e-mail, and get the Greek system more nine fraternities on campus and COREY EGLER | WABASH ‘15 are not longer than 300 words. involved in the election pro- ten afternoon meals. It’s not The Bachelor reserves the right to Friday’s lunch hour marks the final voting round for this year’s stu- edit letters for content, typographi- cess instead of having them just being in the house; meals dent government elections. Brittian Warner ‘13 takes advantage of cal errors, and length. All letters received become property of this come to a central location on take place in a common area. new fraternity voting Wednesday at Beta Theta Pi fraternity. publication for the purposes of campus. It really doesn’t give Just being by the booth gets reprinting and/or redistribution. Hall are usually reserved. And By today, it will be clear them an excuse not to vote.” people out to vote, generally.” the library is just so central.” whether the changes to the Profanity may appear in the pub- Knox said voting proctors lication, but only in cases of direct Though he had been initially However, Farris explained voting system were able to quote or if profanity is necessary at the library and the frater- pleased with the system, Farris to the content of the story. Please that after the process is com- greatly increase the Greek do not confuse profanity with nities convened every night mentioned that some people plete, the Senate will be able voting turnout. Either way, obscenity. No article or picture of to ensure that no student had an obscene nature will appear in have suggested some further to evaluate it and easily make we’ll have to wait for a presi- this publication. voted twice. As of Wednes- changes they would like to see. any changes they see fit. dential election with an inde- The Bachelor is printed every day, Voting Commissioner “One of the complaints that “It is just a motion, not pendent candidate to know Thursday at the Journal Review Kenny Farris ’12 believed the in Crawfordsville. It is delivered I’ve had is that there’s not a an amendment to the con- for sure whether a high Greek freely to all students, faculty, and system was an improvement, staff at Wabash College. voting booth at Sparks,” Far- stitution, so it could be population turnout will influ- based on what he had seen. ris said. “My response is that changed in the future if peo- ence the results of an election. All advertising published in The “It’s hard to say right now; Bachelor is subject to the ap- we wouldn’t be able to do that ple think this system doesn’t plicated rate card. The Bachelor library voting has not changed reserves the right to deny requests during lunch hours because the work as it is,” Farris said. for publication of advertisements. much,” Farris said. “We’ve rooms around the Sparks Great Student organizations of Wabash College may purchase advertise- ments at half the listed rate.

The Bachelor is a member of the Hoosier State and Indiana Col- legiate Press Associations (HSPA and ICPA).

Announcements

Friday, December 9 - Sunday, December 11 Vanity Theater: Yes Virginia, 7:30 p.m. (2:00 p.m. on Sunday)

Monday, December 12 - Saturday December 17 Final Exams.

Tuesday, December 13 Midnight Munch, Sparks Center Great Hall, 11:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.,

Thursday, December 15 Spring Semester Tuition and Fees due at Busi- ness Office.

Sunday, December 18 - Monday, January 16, 2012 Recess.

Thursday, January 5 - Friday, January 6 Written comprehen- sive exams for seniors (double majors only).

Monday, January 9 - Tuesday, January 10 Written comprehensive exams for seniors.

Wednesday, January 11 - Friday, January 13 Oral comprehensive exams for seniors. The Bachelor | December 9, 2011 Page 3 Comps Changes Evident to Seniors

JACOB BURNETT ‘15 of the curriculum in the major to make STAFF WRITER them more coherent. The faculty in Wabash College’s numerous tra- each department want to help give ditions govern student life: Chapel the seniors the chance to show what sing, rubbing Eli Lilly’s head on the they have mastered here at Wabash.” staircase in the library for good luck, The senior comprehensive exams the Monon Bell game, etc. But Janu- have undergone another minor change ary brings the most anticipated and recently. Instead of having the oral perhaps dreaded, of traditions for examinations first semester, the se- seniors: senior comprehensive ex- niors take the oral examinations the ams. These exams consist of a writ- same week as the written examina- ten exam and oral exam to test the tions. By taking the tests in conjunc- senior’s knowledge of their major, tion, the administration believes the minor or area of concentration, and process is more efficient and practical. overall education at Wabash Col- The at-large bids, the third profes- lege. The tests have gone through sor on the oral comprehensive exam several changes throughout the years. board outside of the senior’s major “Twenty-five years ago senior and minor, are determined through a comprehensive exams were collegiate computer algorithm. Dean Phillips and community based” Dean Phillips believes that the comprehensive ex- said. “Guys would actually go down ams aren’t necessarily an obstacle. to a local state park and work together “One thing to remember is that the with faculty to prepare for their ex- exams are one way to show what you ams. It was kind of a retreat event.” have learned carefully, reflectively, Currently, the faculty focuses atten- and substantially,” Dean Phillips said. GRANT MCCLOSKEY | WABASH ‘12 tion on the senior comprehensive ex- “They are not a hurdle to get through. Senior Andre Adeyemi has started preparing for comprehensive exams in January. Under recent changes, Andre will take his oral and written exam the same week. ams as summative or comprehensive The exams are an opportunity to en- moments that capstone the student’s gage the material and faculty. My “I want to take studying day by day good review, and it refreshed some as- experiences as a major in a department advice is to engage and tackle the and break it up in chunks” Adeyemi pects of rhetoric that I haven’t gone over and at Wabash. The faculty works experiences, use them to look back, said. “I don’t want to cram it all in in a while. We could’ve gone through hard to identify the ways to make the and recognize the big issues and at once. I want to work through the the material a little faster though.” exams more coherent. The faculty concerns that they have experienced concepts associated with my ma- The senior comprehensive exams tries to make the written and oral ex- in their major. This is the defining, jor and then focus on my minor. have gone through some changes in ams a more successful experience. golden opportunity as a liberal arts I want to go through all my notes the previous years, but one thing is “They want to make the exams student to show that you know how that I have taken over the years.” for sure: the tests are meant to ana- more effective for testing what stu- to develop themes and coherencies.” Adeyemi also took the capstone lyze certain aspects of the liberal dents learn” Phillips said. “Their dis- Andre Adeyemi, a senior ma- course for rhetoric which was de- arts education. The time has come satisfaction has caused them to rethink joring in Rhetoric with a minor in vised to help students prepare for to separate the boys from the men. their curriculum. They might add a Political Science, is preparing for the senior comprehensive exams. This whale of a tradition will keep capstone course or tighten the levels senior comprehensive exams by “The senior seminar did help for the on keeping on for the Wabash man. breaking the studying into pieces. most part,” Adeyemi said. “It was a Rangel ‘15 Plays Drums for Autistic Kids TAYLOR KENYON ‘15 tic kids with their problems.” sic program was really good.” STAFF WRITER Rangel has developed a As a result, Rangel par- What do advanced drum- true passion for musical ticipates in many of Wa- ming skills have to do with therapy through drumming. bash’s musical opportuni- therapy for autistic chil- “I’ve played music my ties. Two examples include dren? The answer is “every- whole life,” Rangel said. “I’ve the Wabash Jazz Band and thing” for Joseph Rangel ’15. played drums my whole life the Wamidan music festival. Rangel is a Wabash fresh- as well and I still continue.” Rangel believes that man from Alamo, Texas. He He started playing percus- the Wabash music pro- is a former cross-country run- sion in fifth grade and contin- gram pushes his skills ner and baseball player from ued into high school. While compared to high school. PSJ Memorial High School. in high school, he joined the “It’s more straightfor- Rangel now lives in Martin- prestigious Drum Core In- ward here,” Rangel said. dale Hall as an Independent. ternational. According to “When you’re expected to do He plans to major in music the DCI’s website, 8,000 something, you do it. Dur- and minor in psychology at students audition for “fewer ing high school, they would Wabash College. He chose than 3,500 positions.” Ran- baby you into doing things. this major/minor combina- gel proved his dedication, yet I used to think, ‘Why is this tion so he can use his pas- he decided to attend Wabash guy showing me this?’ I sion for music to help others. instead of a music school. like the Wabash way more.” “I’ve always been inter- “I came to Wabash be- When he is not drum- ested in music my whole life cause my counselor gave me ming, Rangel creates mu- and I think it’s a great career a great opportunity,” Rangel sic on his computer. Vari- GRANT MCCLOSKEY | WABASH ‘12 Joseph Rangel ‘15 drums while relaxing between his classes. opportunity,” Rangel said. said. “She told me it was one ous music genres influence “With music and psychology of the best schools for men. I how he makes his music. dub step,” Rangel said. ming about two hours a day. I want to get involved with applied and took the trip here. “I listen to a lot of hip- To increase his speed, “I want to be the best drum- musical therapy to help autis- I liked it and saw that the mu- hop, electronic music, and Rangel practices drum- mer I can be,” Rangel said. Rocha SCAC Discusses Spring quires that there be a match, so that ing issue within the large debate. what you can’t do is say, ‘well, “We have committed college re- this person has some or half of the sources to it and made the commit- National Act Survey skill set that we need, wink wink, ment to support the program as a li- nod nod, I’m going to let that per- censure program first and foremost,” TYLER HARDCASTLE ‘15 “Artists also have some crazy de- son in the door.’ You can’t do that.” Phillips said. “So when you think STAFF WRITER mands, all the stuff you read about Rocha’s main concern is fo- about if that’s your primary com- Every time National Act rolls around they want.” said Francoeur. “On cused on the mission of Wa- mitment, which it is, your staffing it brings with it debate over who should top of these sometimes outlandish bash Teacher Education. has to follow that, your staffing has play or what music genre should be requirements, many logistical is- “The job description, which is open to support that mission. If you had brought to Wabash College. This year sues must be settled. When we have and available for anyone to read on the more staff to work with you could was no exception. This year brought the contract locked in we have to go college website, clearly is principally do more things perhaps. In our case, new ideas in the dubstep and coun- through a stage production company.” steered toward the accreditation of we have two full-time, tenure-track try music genres, but these new ideas “There are a million variables teachers,” Rocha said. “I think that’s persons committed to that particu- brought new energy into the conflict. that go into getting just one art- important, I don’t think that schooling lar and foremost task of licensure.” The Senior Council Activity Com- ist, people seem to think it is is outside the domain of education. Rocha refused comment on whether mittee goes to great lengths to much simpler,” Francoeur said. But I don’t think that schooling has he was led to believe he would be hired find the best fit for Wabash. Mac Miller came in first place by an a monopoly over what education is.” for a tenure-track position, saying, “A lot of work goes in behind the overwhelming majority in the SCAC’s Phillips addressed the licens- “I’d prefer not to comment on that.” scenes that many people don’t see,” survey. Third Eye Blind and Big Sean said Cleve “CJ” Francoeur ‘13, mem- came in second and third, respec- ber of the SCAC. Although last year tively. The results of the survey were Swim a survey was not used to choose rather surprising given the mood of Lupe Fiasco, two were used this year. the campus leading up to the survey. tweaking and altering the train- late to his players and get his ideas “Mac Miller actually won first, sec- ing program for their athletes. across helps a lot when figuring out “In the first survey we go through the general genres and some names that ond and third pick. Which is kind “You have to think of it as a long term training plans. Much work must of surprising because people were process,” Barnes said. “Because you be done before heading to Florida. the student body is looking for,” said Francoeur. “In the second survey we saying that they wanted country or need to take the time to get to know “We have about six or seven weeks something other than rap,” said Fran- their bodies and see what they can of work to put in before we head listed all the names and prices, we used this to figure which was most popular.” coeur. The surveys were accurate and handle and that takes a lot of work.” out to Florida,” Barnes said. “Right widely completed. Just over half of It comes down to the communi- now though it is about getting their The process is far from over at this point. The Senior Council must the student body filled out the survey. cation between the coaches and the energy systems ready for levels of The Senior Council will make athletes. Sometimes they pick up on short high intensity, so that way they then approve the most popular art- ist. After this they begin the back the final decision and an- things that the coach won’t and vice are better prepared for race days.” nounce the result late next week. versa. Coach Barnes’s ability to re- and forth with the artist’s contract. Opinion The Bachelor | December 9, 2011 4

Bachelor Editorial Board The Voice of Wabash Since 1908 EDITOR IN CHIEF CREATIVE EDITOR MANAGING EDITOR Peter Robbins Yangnan “Paul” Liu Brandan Alford

NEWS EDITOR OPINION EDITOR CAVELIFE EDITOR SPORTS EDITOR Kenny Farris Alex Robbins John Dykstra Brandan Alford Students: Rocha Earned Interview

Upon hearing that Dr. Sam STAFF EDITORIAL College who wish to see him leave, people in training, we the students Rocha, Visiting Professor of Edu- they have not spoken out with the are certainly not entirely unqualified cation and Philosophy and Rugby same passion. Besides, few profes- assessors. Coach, did not receive an interview The situation at hand is very com- sors have been as present at campus We, The Bachelor staff, together to be considered for a tenure-track plicated because there are nuances activities, promoting Wabash and its with the student body as evidenced in position with the Teacher Education to the hiring system, as explained in values in any measure, as Rocha has campus-wide emails and a Facebook program, students began to cry out Dean of the College Gary Phillips’ in his year and a half at the College. page, request that Dr. Sam Rocha be via campus-wide emails in defense of email on Monday, that cannot be While part of the Dean’s job is to granted an interview to stay on at Wa- the professor. The large number of disclosed for students to know due determine who is qualified to be on bash in any capacity that is possible students who have sent emails on his to legal obligations to protect the the faculty, the very strong praise of within the College’s hiring process. behalf is a testament to the impact the privacy of the candidates and also to Rocha by the student body should be And if it is not possible, we request professor has had on the College as a protect the College. of some value in any consideration information from Center Hall, once whole. After all, what other measure Given certain hurdles that may or the Dean would potentially make the process is complete or whenever of a teacher’s positive impact could may not prevent Rocha from getting about Rocha. It is the students, after it is legally possible to disclose such there be than the feeling by his stu- an interview, the sentiment of the all, who have learned from him both information, why exactly Dr. Rocha dents that he has taught them some- student body is clear: ideally, Rocha in and out of the classroom, and as would be excluded. thing beneficial? would stay as a professor at Wa- critical thinkers, responsible ac- bash. And if there are students at the tors, effective leaders and humane Why I Truly Hate the “Like” Button

adopt is only the beginning of facebook’s influ- The oft-bemoaned political apathy of U.S. ence, however. voters (and, especially, non-voters) may be near- Another apathy-inducing feature is the ability REED HEPBURN ‘12 OPINION COLUMNIST ing the end of its reign, as evidenced by grassroots to simply post items to our own walls. Once upon movements such as the Wall Street occupation and a time, if we found a song, video, picture, etc. that the Tea Party. But another manifestation of apathy we particularly enjoyed, we would show it to a is taking hold of our country’s youth, which I will friend or two-- in long past ages, in person-- whom call, for lack of a better word, “cultural apathy.” I we believed would share in our appreciation. Now believe that the decreased attention spans, over- we broadcast the item to everyone-- and thus no stimulation, and minimized social accountability one. Posting a video, for example, on our wall, engendered by the overlapping hegemonies of we know how it will appear to most people-- as facebook, Twitter, and the smartphone have trans- just another entry in their feed, to be ignored, nine ever expressed, especially in person. While it is not formed our generation’s concept of “cool.” While times in ten. No one that doesn’t like the video will uncommon to hear fraternity guys raving about this there have long been American celebrities who take the time to finish it, much less comment, so or that video, for example, the infamous “Friday,” make it “cool not to care,” today’s young culture we have nothing to lose and only praise (mostly in it is almost always in a tongue-in-cheekmanner. exhibits what seems to me to be an unprecedented the form of “likes”) to gain. Thus there is nothing Indeed, the videos that “go viral” these days tend prejudice against honest enthusiasm that threatens at stake in our endorsement. To post an item on a to be not for their cinematic or musical genius, but to turn our entire lives into just one huge ironic friend’s wall shows enthusiasm, since you liked for how bad they are, whether that comes from Re- joke. the item enough to think of who else, specifically, becca Black’s singing and lyrics or a performer’s As a very occasional tourist of the twitter- would enjoy it, and to open yourself up to their ridiculous 1980’s pants which we say we love but sphere who still uses a phone whose screen just feedback (which you are much more likely to get wouldn’t be caught dead wearing in real life. gets smudgy when you press it, I must admit that I when the item is addressed to that specific person). Because of the lowered stakes, ticker-tape tonal- am only closely-familiar with one of my fingered We are becoming, through outlets like this, accus- ity, and shortened attention spans brought on by culprits-- facebook. But this may be the ringleader tomed to stakes-less endorsement, afraid to show facebook and its partners in crime, we’ve become of the three. Originally a network of self-generated enthusiasm about anything. a popular culture that is essentially afraid of itself. profiles (an entirely separate, but equally disturbing The culprit who receives my most viciously- We are afraid to heartily endorse (or criticize) any- can of narcissistic worms) amounting to a roid- wagged finger is the “like” button. We scroll thing for its genuine artistic or intellectual merit. raging rolodex with e-mail capabilities, face- through our “friends’” thoughts, experiences, We either “like” something with a single click, or book’s series of self-reinventions over the years memories, etc. and flippantly approve of certain are “over it,” once its buzz has died out-- which has pushed more and more of its focus onto the entries, free of any responsibility to explain our often occurs because it loses cult appeal by becom- “news feed.” This ticker-tape stream of updates on reasoning for such approval. We are similarly ing too popular. Although through this stoicism we our “friends’” lives turns those of us who are our excused from indicating the level of our affec- may avoid ridicule for loving the “wrong” things, genuine friends (which is a vastly smaller amount tion for said entry. A written comment implicitly we also deprive ourselves of the full enjoyment than most people’s facebook friends, or those we betrays the enthusiasm or lack thereof behind the that only comes from openly embracing those art- even call friends in real life) into a mere entry in a comment, but “liking” is the minimal commitment. ists, books, movies, and more that we truly appre- ledger. The clerical gaze which we are induced to Genuine excitement about a song or video is rarely ciate for their real, honest merit.

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[email protected] [email protected] The Bachelor | December 9, 2011 Page 5 The True Definition of Dead Week

Dead week is suppose to be a week when stu- First I have a definition by a relatively new but dents have no assignments due. It is suppose to be great professor. Dr. Wilson’s position on dead week the week when no new information is presented in “It is the week where you find dead students all STEVAN class. It is suppose to be the week where students over campus.” STANKOVICH ‘12 can study for finals and work on papers due during The next quote is by the highly esteemed Dr. OPINION COLUMNIST finals week. Olofson “The hypothetical week where you don’t Clearly if you are not a freshman you under- get work. “ stand that this definition of dead week does not The amazing and incredible administrative assis- exist at Wabash College. This is the week where tant Pam Sacco graciously gave me her wonderful students that have been procrastinating all semester perspective of dead week “One week until finals have an insurmountable amount of work due. For and students are gone, and I get a lot of work done. the students that have been working all semester Yeah for Christmas Break!” this is the week you still have a mountain of work The glamorous Professor Hoerl wearing her due. This work contains projects, papers, home- purple/pink tiara and with a big smile on her face have very little work to due and the smart ones try work, critiques and tests. Dead week is also when offered her earth-shattering theoretical insight on to avoid students who bring last minute concerns.” professors cram the rest of the semester’s course the definition of dead week. Finally Professor Byun gave her clear and con- material that they have not gotten to, into the last “It’s a time when students have a legitimately cise socio-economic, cost-benefit analysis of dead two to three days. high work load and for some students this situa- week. This was the most shocking definition, and I Since I have been feeling overwhelmed this tion is made even worse by the fact that they’ve suggest everyone prepare to run out and get a gun week, I decided to offer students what profes- procrastinated on work that they should have done after this assessment. “Students look like the walk- sor’s definitions of dead week are. This will allow earlier in the semester. Sometimes students come ing dead except wearing pajamas, I guess we need students to be on the same page as the faculty. This to me at this time and all I can think is ‘I wish you to get ready for the ZOMBIE APPOCALYPSE!” article will be the handbook on what is expected would have come in a month ago.’” I hoped this article provides a survival guide of Wabash students during dead week for years to Next Professor Salisburry gave her genious for my fellow Wabash men for future dead weeks come. historical assessment on the definition of dead to come. Also this article clarifies for all students So as a public service for my fellow Wabash week as “Professors lecture and pretend not to what is expected of them during dead week. Finally brothers, here are the definitions of dead week of- look at zombified students who are clearly worried I will offer my definition of dead week. Since fered by many of Wabash’s great, most-esteemed, about their work and not what the professors have Wabash always fights, Wabash cannot be dead. academically groundbreaking, awe-inspiring, to say.” So Wabash men when anyone asks you how dead and amazing genius faculty. Note: dead week is Professor Warner, knowledgeable on all things week is, reply “Dead Week! What is Dead Week?!” the perfect time to praise your professors so they Wabash, and forever one of its leading academics remember you when they are thinking about your offered this accurate portrayal of dead week “It is final course grade. the period when professors Christmas Dominates December Music

The thought is at the periphery reason is understandable, nobody ALEX TOTTEN ‘13 December is a horribly bleak of American consciousness, but the knows about the music for the other CAVELIFE COLUMNIST month. As the seasons trend towards sentiment is true, there are those who two holidays. , the weather turns for the do not celebrate Christmas, and those Hanukah, also known as Chanu- Song is a shining example of a rogue worse conditions imaginable. It’s people are completely forgotten year kah, Hanukkah, Chanukkah, Chanuka song willing to step up and steal the starting to get cold, and with the cold by year. The other two powerhouse and the Festival of Lights, has existed limelight from Christmas. comes the driving snow and sheering holidays of December, Hanukah and as an idea for centuries before Christ Kwanzaa, on the other hand, winds, mixed with ice and probably Kwanzaa, are left at the side of the was even born. In remembrance of doesn’t have a champion like Ha- rain, making outside conditions com- road of Holiday cheer, waiting for the Maccebean Revolt, it’s been nukah. Most of the songs are only pletely unbearable. Light even leaves their turn in the limelight—a time hard to place when exactly Hanukah known in the celebrating community, the northern hemisphere as daylight that will never come. Disregarding started to be celebrated. Regardless so, although it is a refreshing change is blotted out with the ever noticeable the Christmas themed decorations of actual date, the idea has existed to a focus in family and ideals rather charge towards the winter solstice, and color schemes that line the walls for centuries, but without musi- than religion, there hasn’t been main- the darkest day of the year. Truly, this of every department store in America, cal recognition. There are religious stream success like Hanukah. With would be a horrible time of the year, there is one decoration that is im- songs, mostly only known in the varying songs called, The Kwanzaa if it weren’t for Christmas. portant above the rest, and that is the Jewish community, but none with Song, including some raps, there Christmas is, without a doubt, the . the mainstream success, excluding doesn’t appear to be any standardiza- best holiday ever. The lights, the dec- As the world is becoming more po- Dreidle, Dreidle, Driedle, by Samuel tion with the mainstream music of orations, the gift giving, the eggnog, litically correct, the Christmas season Grossman, which everyone is aware Kwanzaa, which is tragic. and the music make Christmas the has been asked to share December of. There was no quintessential Christmas music needs to step best time of the year. On the darkest with the other holidays, forming the Hanukah song, until the great Adam aside. The same old songs playing days of the year, Christmas comes as triumvirate of the Holiday season in- Sandler took it upon himself to save through Macy’s as I try to shop are a champion of good times and cheer, stead. With this change, more things the holiday. With his starting to get so bland. Kwanzaa, it’s bringing festivities to its wayward have become holiday oriented instead movie Eight Crazy Nights and a time to step up and make an awesome populace, gently cooing them to sleep of Christmas oriented, except for the song from his album, “What the Hell song to replace some of this tired as Santa arrives to pull of the most music. Holiday music has always Happened to Me?” “The Chanukah Christmas music, or, at the very least, legal B&E imaginable. Indeed, it is been dominated by Christmas music, Song,” he thrusted Hanukah onto get something in the rotation and stop an amazing holiday, but what of those or generic wintery music, but never the mainstream stage. Although its bench warming. who don’t celebrate it? music of Hanukah or Kwanzaa. The popularity has faded, The Chanukah Letter to the Editor Wade for Dean Dear search committee and faculty deciders, Sam Rocha loves Wabash. True, many faculty members and administration love Wabash, and many more say they love Wabash. But words and actions are the currencies of politicians and lovers, respectively. Some would rather have us lose the Bell so it not ring two weeks each year. Some would rather not support our athletes at home games. Some would rather not attend student events, or even of Advancement department events. Some would rather not have anything to do with clubs. Some would rather not shoot the breeze with the young men on this campus. And while When Dean of Advancement Joe words may swell of how much one loves Wabash, we should be reminded that Emmick leaves his post at the end of ALEX ROBBINS ‘13 Wabash is not red brick and trillions of printed pages nor are words a sufficient this semester, the college will search OPINION EDITOR measure of love. frantically for the next person to lead Rocha does not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. While Wabash in is endeavors for increasing many professors also share this love, their deeds stop short of his. It is fine to and protecting the endowment. While have different degrees of love; I hope you love your family more than you love he may not meet specific qualifica- your coffee. Different degrees of love is natural. His actions, however, demon- tions that the job will require, it can- strate a love surpassing others’. Dr. Rocha argues that love is best-expressed by not be said that the best candidate for presence. That’s a lesson I painfully learned 9,000 miles away from home this the job is Tyler Wade ’12. seen him do for Wabash is kiss babies summer. That’s a lesson every young man learns their freshman year at Wabash. Wade operates with an undoubted on the track behind the Wabash That’s a lesson to be taught and to be lived. love for Wabash College and passion sideline. Dr. Rocha is present often, and present many times when no other professors for all things scarlet that could not be Now, I’m not an alum and have or faculty are there. He wants to be with the students--he wants to be with us. He questioned. Whether it’s by serving made no financial contributions to is with us in the classroom, he is with us on the storied brick walkways, he is with us in the cheering section, he is with us on the rugby pitch, he is with us at depart- as the Vice-President of the Student the college yet. However, I have to as- ment events, he is with us at parties, he is with us at club meetings, he is with Body, blessing your ears with Public sume that the keys to gaining us.... He loves. And that’s why we love him. Announcing skills at football games, donations from alumni is a reminder It may be said that he shouldn’t have fallen in love, that he shouldn’t have been calling play-by-play action for Little of the love we all have for Wabash and enchanted by Wabash. After all, many professors sojourn here for a brief year or Giant basketball, or running the lingering memories of days gone by. two, and can leave just as easily as they left grad school. I would argue, however, Sphinx Club, Wade never takes his If only one living person could revive that if you can stop yourself from loving then you couldn’t truly love at all. hat of Wabash salesman off. those memories and remind a man Love is the true measure of who belongs at Wabash. Yes, there are logistics The next time you see him watch of the passion and loyalty he should and details which make it seem like it will be too difficult for Rocha to stay at how many hands he shakes, how continue to have for this place, it is Wabash. But what do husbands and wives do after they discover they will have many names he knows, and how Tyler Wade. a child, after they love the child? Do they not make arrangements for having the many conversations he can have while Eventually Tyler Wade needs to child stay with them for 18 years? Love overcomes obstacles. That’s what the walking toward the next conversation. be named Dean of Advancement at students are asking of the administration. Overcome whatever obstacles there are. The ability that Wade has to commu Wabash College. I guarantee that it Your actions will show your love for us, and lay another enchanting brick upon nicate about Wabash with an array of would be the single greatest move the foundation of what makes Wabash great. different types of peoplenatural born ever made for this college’s endow- Sincerely, political. The only thing I’ve never ment. Micah Chowning Cavelife The Bachelor | December 9, 2011 6 Christmas Across the Globe How China, France, and Latin America Celebrate Christmas China: An Ever-Evolving Christmas Culture JOHN DYKSTRA ‘13 len said. “My mom has Christian friends, and CAVELIFE EDITOR they go to the Christian church and celebrate Christmas there on . They will eat The materialistic aspect of Christmas is not there, have a communal dinner, and then have a foreign to younger, and in some cases even old- Christmas mass.” er generations of Chinese citizens. However, older generations are also becom- Dr. Qian Zhu Pullen, BKT Assistant Profes- ing more fluent with the gift exchanging Christ- sor of Chinese History and Language, said the mas tradition, but not the actual meaning of way Chinese people celebrate Christmas de- Christmas. pends on their age. “My 80 year old aunt asked me last year if “Instead of having a family gathering or re- I would get her a ,” Pullen said. union [Christmas in China] is all about young “So, everyone actually knows what Christmas people, young friends being together,” Pullen is, but older people like my aunt will never un- said. “So, on Christmas Eve young couples go derstand the meaning of Christmas Day instead out to dinner and exchange gifts. It’s like anoth- of getting gifts. The only thing she knows is that er Valentine’s Day—just to give them a chance it is a foreign festival and that people give gifts.” to exchange gifts and have a date.” According to Fox News, 80 million to 130 Pullen said the materialistic facet of Christ- million Chinese citizens are Christians. None- mas appeals most to Chinese youth, and depart- theless, it is not common to see Christmas deco- ment stores have accommodated that interest. rations outside of department stores “Christmas has become very commercialized “Families do not decorate,” Pullen said. “De- in China because it is about giving gifts,” Pullen partment stores will have Santa in their stores, said. “In China, factories and department stores so people can take pictures with him. You can will have this Christmas gift section for the hear Christmas music everywhere if you go out young people to choose gifts for their friends, on Christmas Eve. Department stores will have parents, and lovers.” on and decorations, but only China’s older generations celebrate Christ- for commercial purposes.” mas in a more traditional manner by attending China’s celebration of Christmas is not too Christmas masses. It is common for non-Chris- different from America’s celebration of the holi- tian citizens to accommodate their Christian day in regards to gift exchanging and material- COURTESY OF ORANGE CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY friends at church on Christmas Eve. ism, and the images of department stores prove “Merry Christmas” in Chinese calligraphy. “My parents’ generation [does not celebrate just that. the way the younger generation does],” Pul- Latin America: Family-Centered

TIM TAN ‘14 STAFF WRITER

As the holiday season approaches, thoughts of family, friends, fond childhood memories, and home begin to draw near. However, for those members of the Wabash community who hail from Latin America, home is very far away indeed. Like many other countries, Christmas time is probably the most important obser- vance on the Christian calendar. For most kids who grow up opening presents on Christmas morning, it might seem strange and maybe a little infuriating that kids in many countries around the world get to open their presents a day earlier. Yet that is exactly what young celebrants in Uruguay and Argentina do. In other Latin American countries, kids are allowed to stay up past midnight in order to open their presents. As many of the rituals, traditions, and celebrations in central and Latin Amer- ica originate in Roman Catholicism, a person celebrating Christmas in Europe, for instance, would easily recognize many of them. Yet, due to the influence of traditions held by African slaves and native indigenous peoples, many of them oral traditions, there is a rich admixture of cultural expression that finds voice during the holiday season. Caroling, for example, is a feature associated with Christmas in almost ev- COURTESY OF VELOSOLEX-IN-BRITTANY.BLOGSPOT.COM ery locality it is celebrated in. In Mexico, this tradition is particularly hallowed. France’s celebration of Christmas is more food-oriented than America’s. Oysters Families decorate their homes with flowers and evergreens, welcoming the Holy are an elaborate meal that French families prepare for Christmas festivities. Family into their households. Each night of the nine-day holiday period, bands of carolers known as santos peregrinos, or holy pilgrims, assemble for the proces- sion of . They then proceed from house to house looking for a place to lodge, carrying candles and chanting songs, and thus reenacting the Nativity France: Emphasis on Food story. In much of Latin America, Christmas Eve, or Noche Buena as it is known, REED HEPBURN ‘12 is a day that is primarily dedicated to family. Many attend the STAFF WRITER known as the Misa del Gallo, or Rooster Mass. Many families also choose to stay home and gather around Nativity scenes and sing traditional holiday songs In France, just as in the U.S., Christmas, or Noël, is probably the known as villancicos, many of which can be traced all the way back to medieval most extensively-celebrated holiday. Many of our traditions are shared by Spain. At the stroke of midnight, loved ones exchange gifts, wish each other a the French, such as family gatherings, exchanging of gifts, tales of Santa Merry Christmas, and sit down for the big dinner that has been prepared earlier Claus (Père Noël, or “”, to the French), and shimmering in the day. snowflake//holly-berry/etc.-shaped lights suspended across city The constant arrival of new immigrants and the influence of popular cul- streets. Not surprisingly, though, France just doesn’t seem to make as big a ture have seen the introduction of such secular traditions like and deal out of Christmas as we do. For example, university students get only the . In Mexico, Santa brings the gifts, while the traditional gift- two weeks off for Christmas vacation, and even then, most work during bringers, the Three Wise Men that are known to fill children’s shoes with candy, that time to pay for living expenses. In fact, many of those students in retail tangerines, nuts, and sugar cane, arrive on the feast of . But however it positions even work on Christmas Eve and Christmas day, since the major- is celebrated, by individuals and communities, the holiday still remains a time for ity of adults who work throughout the year take those days off. families to gather and take a welcome break from the grind of daily life. One key difference in the French celebration of Christmas is the timeline. French families have a lavish meal on Christmas eve, which begins early in the evening and often lasts until midnight or later. Traditional French Christmas repast includes escargot, oysters, and a festively decorated cy- lindrical cake called the “Bûche de Noël” or “ log.” Champagne is a common drink here, as at all celebrations, but a drink that is specific to the holiday season is vin chaud, a hot spiced wine made with cinnamon, clove, sugar, and oranges. The festivities culminate after the meal at midnight, when the opening of presents commences. Often a family member dresses up as Santa to distribute presents. The fact that the presents are already under the tree when Santa shows up may help to explain a lower rate of childhood belief in Santa Claus. France is not immune, however, to the problem the U.S. experiences of “Christmas Creep.” Decorations are also coming up earlier and ear- lier in France, now arriving as early as the first week of November. Store soundtracks are sprinkled with Christmas music beginning at this point as well. Christmas music-- just like year-round music-- in France consists of both traditional French songs and American imports, so Parisian and Mar- sellais mall-goers know just as well as we do what Mariah Carey wants COURTESY OF TRIPADVISOR.COM for Christmas. Large Christmas decorations are suspended onto buildings in Mexico City. The Bachelor | December 9, 2011 PAGE 7 It’s an Indie Christmas! Indie Artists Add Twists to Christmas Music

ALEX TOTTEN ‘13 ing home for Christmas. It’s MUSIC COLUMNIST weird, it’s different, but it’s expected. As Indie is the last bastion Even local bands are get- of creativity in this bleak ting into the holiday cheer. world we call “Music”, it’s Indianapolis’s own Standard only natural that Indie bands Recording Company has been have been taking Christmas putting out A Very Standard classics and making them into Christmas, an album that modern music smash hits. showcases the band’s on the Ever since Pomplamoose did label. Instead of doing what that super hip Hyundai com- She and Him and Bright Eyes mercial, i.e., sold out, indie have done by taking clas- bands have been throwing sics and covering them, they their hats into the Holiday take musical tropes instead of music scene. Bringing clove songs and remake them. In lay cigarettes, cool scarves, and man’s terms, they make new general apathy, the hipsters Christmas songs by taking have officially re-invented themes of Christmas music Holiday music in their own and lyrics and changing them. image, something they’ve The songs seem dark and anti- seen to do so well within oth- Christmas, which is indicative er instances. of the musician’s overall hip- The most prevalent ex- sterness, but, again, that isn’t ample of a cool, hip new in- necessarily a bad thing. On terpretation of Holiday music COURTESY OF POPSICULTURE.BLOGSPOT.COM volume one, Munice’s Arrah is She and Him’s A Very She Members of She and Him, Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward pose for their recent album, A Very She and the Ferns put out “Merry and Him Christmas. Zooey and Him Christmas. The album was released in October. Christmas, not ” a song Deschanel, known for the about the commercialism that Christmas movie Elf, and will remember that Descha- Him took everything that was tive son and Bright Eyes’ Christmas has gained. No lon- indie powerhouse M. Ward nel sang with Will Ferrell so good about those songs, wunderkind did roughly the ger about cheer, Arrah points started She and Him in 2008 in Elf) and make them their the relateability, the nostalgia, same thing She and Him did. out the hypocrisy of Christ- with the release of Volume own, which is the only way to the coziness, and made them He took classic Christmas mas, something unseen in One, which was a mix of cover. The songs retain their super cool and hip, which, re- songs and put a fresh new spin mainstream Holiday music. Alt Country, light psychede- original lyrics and sound, but gardless of what mainstream on them, but, unlike She and With every field, as much lia, Indie and Twee Pop, and the instrumentation is unique. music says, isn’t always a bad Him, he made them markedly as people hate hipsters, the overall audible gold. With A It’s undeniably fresh, which thing. The fringe re-invents, darker. Bright Eyes has never fringe changes and transforms Very She and Him Christmas, is something that Christmas and, in this case, they changed been a terribly happy band, so what gets complacent and which was released in Octo- music needed. Listening to it for the better. this move makes sense, and it Holiday music isn’t immune. ber, She and Him take classics archaic copies of old songs Along the same lines, Bright changes the overall meaning There’s a bright light on the such as “Sleigh Ride,” “Blue sung by artists long since Eyes’ A Christmas Album, of the songs he’s performing. horizon. No longer is the sta- Christmas,” and “Baby, it’s passed gets a bit tired. The was making Christmas songs He takes, “I’ll Be Home for tus quo acceptable; change is Cold Outside” (which some standards were far too stan- Indie before it was cool. Christmas” and makes the lis- in the cold winter breeze. dard, they stagnated. She and Conor Oberst, Wichita’s na- tener think that he’s not com- Students, Faculty Showcase Talents FRITZ COUTCHIE ‘15 guitar too and sang his original song STAFF WRITER “Insert Name Here.” Larry Savoy ’14 sang “Don’t Change,” and fresh- At this year’s Wabash Has Talent, man Adam Neal played movement hosted on Friday, December 2 in the 13, “The Swan” from the “Carnival Fine Arts Building, local music au- of the Animals” by Saint-Seans. Cam thorities judged many acts in this Stewart’ 15, known by his stage name year’s talent competition. Freddy Franchise, rapped an original Wabash Has Talent grants students song “Head Held High.” Dirty Mercu- of Wabash College the opportunity ry—a band comprised of Caleb Delk’ to showcase their skills in a manner 15 and Philip Kubisz’ 14 both of Kap- that lacks the constraints of the vari- pa Sigma, sang a song called “Come ous clubs and productions that rep- My Way”. Visiting Modern Language resent the Fine Arts extra-curricular Intern Sophie Scharrier sang a song in to Wabash College. Freshman David French, her native language, to round Gunderman of Kappa Sigma was not out the show. Although he did not aware of Dirty Mercury until the com- perform his own act, John Murrell ac- petition, but after listening he thinks companied many others on the piano. they are excellent and hopes they play After winning, Crepinsek performed around Kappa Sigma more frequently. “Free Fallin’” as performed by John Anton Crepinsek ’13 was this year’s Mayer. winner; he performed “Colder Weath- Although there was a struggle to fill er” by the Zac Brown Band. Taking seats this year, with an all campus e- second place was Diamond Reese ’12; mail sent 10 minutes before the show he sang “Change is Gonna Come” noting that only eight people were in COREY EGLER | WABASH ‘15 as performed by Sam Cooke. Third attendance, seats did begin to fill once Diamond Reese ‘12 sings “Change is Gonna Come” in the fourth annual Wabash Has place was given to Reginald Steele the show started and those who went Talent competition. Reese placed third overall. ’12 for his version of the improvisa- gave positive reviews. tional song “What You Want Me Too” Rudolph Altergott ’13 said, “I was ence. This could be a great Wabash thought his song was amazing.” based on cupcakes, Christmas, pup- very impressed with the diversity of event.” It is anticipated that Wabash Has pies, and DePauw. the acts. We had freshmen, seniors, an Alejandro Maya ’13 said “Trevon Talent will take place next year as Other performances were also well intern and some of the performances has the voice of an angel. I just wish well, continuing the four year Wabash received. Freshman Trevon Stovall were incredibly creative. Next year, I the judges gave Freddy Franchise tradition. sang “You Raise Me Up” by Josh would like to see a couple more par- [Cam Stewart] more criticism; they Groben. Sam Bennett ’15 played the ticipants and definitely a larger audi- only complimented his shirt when I Santo Elected into Hall of Fame Posthumously

ALEX ROBBINS ‘13 the amount of torture that it is knowing that Ron that he left us and the world too soon and we were OPINION EDITOR Santo will never know that he was honored for never able to honor him during his life. being what he was, a great baseball player who was This week, legendary Cubs third baseman Ron the heart and sole of a team and a city for many “Not even the heartbreaking playoff Santo, number 10 as Cubs fans love to recall, summers, because last December, Ron Santo died losses or terrible seasons of recent can was finally granted baseball immortality—he was after his long, hard-fought battle with diabetes. It is a true shame that it took so long for a man compare to the amount of torture that elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. it is knowing that Ron Santo will never What’s funny, as a Cubs fan, is that the one man who, undoubtedly in the minds of fans (even Car- who all Cubs fans wanted for so long to get what dinals fans) should have been elected long ago had know that he was honored for being he deserved is finally getting his bust, yet, it is to to endure questions most of his life about what it what he was, a great baseball player most of us the saddest thing we have encountered was like not being in Cooperstown. Now, it is truly who was the heart and sole of a team as Cubs fans. Not even the heartbreaking playoff bittersweet. Sweet that everyone’s favorite Cub, and a city for many summers...” losses or terrible seasons of recent can compare to Ron Santo is heading home to Cooperstown. Bitter Sports The Bachelor | December 9, 2011 8 Little Giants Prepare for Scots

BRANDAN ALFORD ‘12 from his 5.6 average a season ago as SPORTS EDITOR a junior. “This is exactly what our team For the second season in a row, wants,” Zinnerman said. “We are Wabash and Wooster’s basketball ready, and we are going to be even teams will meet in Crawfordsville in more prepared on Saturday. We want an early season battle between un- this game and we feel like we can beatens. The two teams will play Sat- give them a run for their money.” urday at 2 p.m. in Chadwick Court. Freshman Kasey Oetting has had Wabash comes in the contest with a strong start to his collegiate career, a 7-0 record overall, 1-0 in North averaging 9.1 points per game. Senior Coast Athletic Conference games. Nick Curosh has been a strong pres- The Little Giants already won a road ence in the post, both offensively and victory over Denison (71-65) last defensively, averaging 6.4 points and Saturday before coming home to face 8.1 rebounds per game. the Scots in their first NCAC contest The Scots certainly will have at Chadwick Court. a different look this season than “This is a statement game for us,” they featured a year ago. Gone are senior Derek Bailey said. “This is graduated seniors Ian Franks, Nathan going to be, by far, the best team we Balch, and Bryan Wickliffe who play this season. We want to come combined to average 40.3 points, out and show that we are a pretty over half the team’s average, and 16.2 good team, too. rebounds per game. Franks was the “We have the pieces to the puzzle, NCAC player of the year the past two and can make a championship run. years, including first-team all-NCAC Hopefully we can show that Satur- for three consecutive years. Balch day.” was a first-team selection a year ago The Scots (5-0, 1-0) come into GRANT MCCLOSKEY | WABASH ‘12 while Wickliffe was a second-team this week not only having to prepare Senior guard Brian Shelbourne goes up for a shot in the basketball team’s game against Calumet College of St. Joseph (Ind.) on November 19. selection. for their road tilt against the Little However, the Scots do return Jus- Giants; Wooster will first play host focus and play together as a team. ing advantage of 5 boards per contest. tin Hallowell who has started strong to another conference favorite in Everyone has to understand their role Offensively, Wabash has relied on in his senior season. Hallowell is av- Wittenberg tonight. This week begins and do their part.” a balanced attack with seniors Bailey eraging 13.0 points and 5.4 rebounds an important stretch of games for the Through seven games, the Little and Aaron Zinnerman leading the per game entering tonight’s contest. Scots in the early going as they face Giants have played excellent defense way. The duo is averaging 16.9 and Freshman guard Xavier Brown has the Tigers and Little Giants before en route to their unblemished record. 13.9 points per game, respectively, been huge for the Scots to begin his heading to Puerto Rico for games Wabash’s opponents are only aver- and have combined to hit 31 three college career, leading the team with Dec. 19 and 20. aging 53.1 points per game while pointers while shooting 50 percent a 17.8 scoring average to go with 3.4 “They are going to come in here shooting only 40.5 percent from the from long range. Fellow senior Brian rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. wanting to win,” Wabash head coach field. The Little Giants are forcing 14 Shelbourne has averaged 8.4 points As a team, Wooster is shooting Antoine Carpenter said. “We have to turnovers per game with a rebound- per game, an impressive increase be prepared mentally and have that See HOOPS, page 10 Raeburn Reflects on Successful Season

BRANDAN ALFORD ‘12 cient and what you need to improve upon.” who started on defense gives us confidence head- SPORTS EDITOR While his squad came up short against Mount ing into the offseason.” Union, Raeburn certainly had plenty of reasons to One question, not one new to this year’s team, While the stings of last Saturday’s 20-8 defeat be pleased with his team’s defensive effort. The will certainly be the quarterback situation head- at Mount Union is still fresh in the minds of the Little Giants limited the Purple Raiders to 236 ing into the spring. After orchestrating one of the entire Wabash football program, the successes of a yards of total offense, including 136 yards rushing greatest comebacks in Wabash history, senior Tyler 12-win season and quarterfinal appearance are hard on 42 attempts. That defensive effort was head- Burke has the opportunity to apply for a fifth-year to ignore. lined by senior linebacker C.J. Gum’s performance. of eligibility after spending his sophomore year at For the first time in three years, the Little Giants Gum totaled 13 tackles and 2.5 sacks against an Western Michigan. Also, Chase Belton, who started captured an NCAC championship, avenging con- offense that entered the game only having allowed 11 games this fall, returns for his senior season. secutive losses to Wittenberg en route to the title ten sacks all season. Sophomore Andy Walsh made several appearances and an automatic playoff berth. A year after failing “C.J. played amazing all year, but down the this year, and is expected to compete for the spot to make the playoffs a year ago, Wabash went on stretch and in the playoffs he was unbelievable,” this coming season as a junior. an impressive run to the quarterfinals, earning Raeburn said. “As a whole, we played well defen- “Whether Tyler returns or not, we try to cre- home wins against Illinois College and North Cen- sively. ate competition at every position,” Raeburn said. tral (Ill.) before falling to the Purple Raiders. “We didn’t play the run as well as I would have “Everyone needs to have a great offseason so they “As I reflect back on the season, I am most im- liked, and Mount Union was able to rattle off some can have an even better year next season.” pressed with the progress our team made from the big runs that hurt; but if we had played better on The fact that this season came to an end with a start of the season until late in the year and into the special teams and offense, we had a chance be- loss, in a game many players felt they had a chance playoffs,” Wabash coach Erik Raeburn said. cause our defense kept us in it.” to be more competitive, is not one this coaching That playoff run came to a difficult ending for That defense got huge contributions all year, staff relishes. However, there are certainly posi- Raeburn, not only from a football perspective, but and especially in the three playoff games, from tives that can, and will, be drawn from this year’s a personal one. Raeburn is a Mount Union alum- four freshmen. Houston Hodges, A.J. Akinribade, successes. nus, having played and coached for the Purple Cody Buresh, and Denzel Wilkins will certainly “Hopefully the playoff run will give us some Raiders for a total of ten years. Beyond that, his be pieces that next year’s defensive unit is built momentum heading into the offseason workouts uncle, Larry Kehres, is the Purple Raiders’ head around. and some confidence heading into next season,” coach. “We got some great play from those four play- Raeburn said. “From a recruiting perspective, you “Playing against my uncle was tough,” Raeburn ers on defense,” Raeburn said. “It is impressive for hope it gives you a boost and generates some ex- said. “It’s the first time I have ever rooted against those guys to play at such a high level in such a citement when prospects consider our program.” Mount Union. I think it was good for our guys to short time in our program. See FOOTBALL, page 10 play against them. It shows you where you are defi- “The fact that we return so many of the guys All-NCAC Kyle Najar Sr. DB 1st Team Cam Sobleski So. P Jonathan Horn Sr. WR Honorable Mention Bryan Elliot Sr. C Cody Buresh Fr. LB Weston Kitley Jr. OL Jorge Diaz-Aguilar So. DL A.J. Akinribade Fr. OLB Houston Hodges Fr. DB C.J. Gum Sr. ILB Pat Clegg Jr. DL D3football.com All-North Region Austin Hodges Jr. DB Wes Chamblee Sr. RET 1st Team C.J. Gum Sr. ILB C.J. Gum - Defensive Player of the Year Wes Chamblee Sr. RET A.J. Akinribade – Newcomer of the Year 2nd Team Erik Raeburn – Coach of the Year Weston Kitley Jr. OL 3rd Team 2nd Team Pat Clegg Jr. DL Chase Belton Jr. QB Vann Hunt Jr. RB Wes Chamblee Sr. WR Jack Ruddy Sr. OL Jake Shaffer Sr. OL Luke Zinsmaster Sr. DL The Bachelor | December 9, 2011 PAGE 9 Early Basketball Action Photos by Grant McCloskey ’12 (top) and Kelly Sullivan ‘15 (bottom)

Strong Showing at Little State

RYAN LUTZ ‘12 sophomores Dylan McBride and Drew Songer all However, he realizes they still have much work STAFF WRITER finished third in their weight classes. left to accomplish. Tommy Poynter ‘15, Pat Parham ‘15, Josh “The regional championship is still a long way The Little Giant Wrestling team had a strong Sampson ’14, Cody McKinnon ‘15, Greg Rhoads off so we need to focus on the next competition showing this past weekend as they hosted the Little ‘12, and Austin O’Neal ‘13 all finished in the top and keep building from there,” Strausbaugh said. State Championships. Wabash had two individual eight of their weight classes. The Little Giants return to action this weekend champions and six top-3 finishers in the two-day As a team the Little Giants are currently ranked on the road in Naperville, Illinois at the North Cen- event. 28th in the latest NCAA Division III coaches’ poll. tral Invitational. The next time Wabash will wrestle Wabash junior Jake Strausbaugh won the 149 Strausbaugh thinks the team is poised for a suc- in front of a home crowd is on January 21st when lb. weight class and was named the Most Outstand- cessful season. they host the Max Servies Wrestling Duels. ing Wrestler of the tournament. He defeated two “There is no doubt our team has the potential to This year’s Midwest Regional is hosted by Case top-seeded wrestlers en route to the victory, besting win a regional championship.” Western Reserve on February 25th in Cleveland. Reece Lefever from Indiana Tech by a score of 10-7 in the championship. Another weight class championship perfor- mance was turned in by sophomore Dalton Stanley in the 165 lb. class. Stanley entered the tournament seeded fourth in his weight class but knocked off second seeded Wisconsin-Whitewater wrestler Cedric Gibson 6-5 in the championship match. Strausbaugh was excited about the victory but has his sights set much higher. “Winning a tour- nament is always a good thing and getting most outstanding wrestler really shows that I’m headed in the right direction,” Strausbaugh said, “but the only thing I’m interested in is a national champion- ship.” The Orrville, OH native is a two-time MVP for the team and qualified for the national champion- ships last season. Other top finishers for the Little Giants included senior Josh Boyer, who finished second in the 125 GRANT MCCLOSKEY | WABASH ‘12 lb. weight class. Freshman Colin Downey and Jake Strausbaugh led the Little Giants with his title in the 149-pound weight class this past weekend. This Weekend in Wabash Sports

Friday Track and Field @ Illinois Wesleyan 12:00 p.m. Saturday Wrestling @ North Central Invitational 9:00 a.m. Basketball vs. College of Wooster* 2:00 p.m.

*NCAC Contest (All Wabash teams with NCAC championships in 2011 will be honored.) PAGE 10 The Bachelor | December 9, 2011 Little Giants Well-Represented in Alliance

KYLE BENDER ‘12 Interestingly, according to the same STAFF WRITER alum, there are at least 10 high school football complexes in the surround- As most NCAA Div. III football ing area deemed more impressive fans know, Mount Union has long than Mount Union Stadium. The been a dominant force, winning 10 Northeastern Ohio region is well- national championships in the last 18 known for its strength of high school years. programs and also hosts the Pro Foot- At the college ranks, sustained win- ball Hall of Fame in nearby Canton, ning seasons often breeds additional Ohio. While Indiana is remembered financial support from loyal alumni, for its large high school basketball proud of their institution’s perfor- arenas, Ohio makes its mark for im- mance. Mount Union is no different. posing gridiron facilities. Upon arriving in Alliance, Ohio, The last time Wabash faced the Wabash fans were impressed with Purple Raiders was in a 2002 semi- the Mount Union Stadium complex, final matchup in Alliance. Just as which featured amenities such as a before, Little Giants fans came from large Daktronics scoreboard and spa- all across the country to support the cious three story press box. College. Wabash fans were loud and Inside the press box, pictures of proud from 15 minutes prior to kick- former Purple Raiders players once off until the last Little Giant left the named national player of the year or football field. to All-American teams adorned the “I think the UMU folks were im- walls leading to the media tables. The pressed by how well Wabash traveled KELLY SULLIVAN| WABASH ‘15 faces of Wabash CFO Larry Griffith and how strongly we supported our Loyal Wabash fans invaded the tailgate at Mount Union last Saturday, proudly marking their territory with a conspicuous scarlet flag. and head football coach Erik Raeburn team,” Political Science professor were sighted, fabled Mount Union Lexi Hoerl said. “We had a good noticed by the Purple Raiders. Aside from a state-of-the-art press football players from the past. crowd, though we weren’t really able “I had a couple of great conversations box, Hollett Little Giant Stadium The atmosphere in Alliance on to group the students into a “student with Mount Union fans at halftime boasts all the bells and whistles found Saturday certainly had the feel of a section” because of the fact that seat- and they were impressed,” he said. in Alliance, with perhaps a more successful program who knew they ing was assigned. “Furthermore, the females in their dedicated and passionate fan base. were good at what they do. Perhaps “The Wabash crowd got a little fired band were pretty keen on several One noticeable component lacking due to the lack of live-stream video up when their band lined up in front of our students and the energy we during Saturday’s contest was the of the games, Mount Union fans of us just before the half and started brought. Although there were Mount presence of Purple Raiders students. routinely pack the stadium each week playing; that led to a round of pro- Union fans sitting on our side of the Only a handful of Mount Union un- to watch their Purple Raiders destroy Wabash cheers and we sang “Old field, we drowned them out with our dergraduates were spotted in the end Ohio Athletic Conference foes. As Wabash” during their first halftime chants. zone bleachers. one Purple Raider alum said during song, which was a nice moment.” “All in all, despite their national The Wabash faithful can be proud of the game, fans don’t come to watch A large group of Wabash students, ranking and reputation, it really just the growth of its football program bloodbaths, but rather to witness including junior Ryan Cronin, made felt like another game for our team. and how it has grown into an emerg- perfect execution on both sides of the the long trip. Cronin believes that Afterward, I think our fans and the ing national power, ready to chal- ball. the support by Little Giants fans was team both felt we were just as good lenge the likes of Mount Union and as them and deserved to be there.” Wisconsin-Whitewater.

KELLY SULLIVAN| WABASH ‘15 A Sizable contingent of the stands at Mount Union were wearing Wabash scarlet last Saturday for the team’s playoff game vs. the Purple Raiders. Hoops Football 50.6 percent from the field, includ- season, knocking off the top-ranked Conference. ing 43.8 percent from beyond the Scots 69-68 in overtime. “Any coach would aspire to have One thing is for sure: a season three-point line. The Scots are av- “I feel like that experience gives the kind of success coach Moore has like this definitely can’t hurt when eraging 80.6 points per game while us poise,” Zinnerman said. “All four had,” Carpenter said. “I aspire to Raeburn and his staff head to high allowing only 62.6. Opponents are seniors played big minutes in both be where coach Moore is and if my schools throughout the Midwest in only shooting 38.5 percent from the of those games. That gives us a lot tenure at Wabash lasts that long, I’d the coming weeks. field, including a paltry 22.2 percent of experience, knowing how the love that. We have had some suc- While the future of Raeburn’s pro- from deep. environment is going to be.” cess, and we are going to continue to gram seems particularly promising A year ago, the Little Giants and Wooster won the NCAC regular build on it. It is going to be a great after the 2011 campaign, it is impor- Scots split the season series, with season and tournament titles a year matchup on Saturday, and we are tant to note the players that paved the road team winning both match- ago. The Scots advanced to the Divi- just glad that it is going to be at our the way for those successes: the ups. In last year’s first game, the sion III championship game against place.” 2011 senior class. Two conference Little Giants entered 13-0 while the St. Thomas (Minn.). Under head Saturday’s game will tip-off at 2 championships, three playoff berths Scots were 14-0. Wooster won that coach Steve Moore for the 24 sea- p.m. and one quarterfinal appearance is a first matchup 67-65 before Wabash sons, Wooster has become the gold tremendous legacy left by those 17 exacted some revenge later in the standard in the North Coast Athletic Little Giants.