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September 27, 2019 Issue 2 Follow us online

Dordt professor to run for U.S. Congress Juliana Martinez — Staff Writer in our area,” Feenstra said. “Obviously, he’s a fantastic [professor] Last January, State Senator and Dordt professor and we love having him around,” said Dale Randy Feenstra announced his candidacy for Zevenbergen, a fellow Dordt business professor. the U.S. House of Representatives. Feenstra, a “We don’t like the idea of losing him, but what Republican who has represented the 2nd district a great thing to lose him to Congress… we’re of Iowa since 2009, will be facing the 17-year proud of him, frankly.” incumbent Steve King in the GOP caucus next Most recently, Feenstra’s campaign rolled out summer. the “Students for Feenstra” initiative which was For Feenstra, the commitment to run for supported by 220 students from across the state Congress was not a solo decision. A poll of and was also endorsed by Dordt’s chapter of voters in northwest Iowa showed that Feenstra’s College Republicans. soon-to-be opponent was at an all-time low of Senators, representatives, and council 39%. But this race is not just about the numbers; members from across Iowa such as Senator it is also about the timing and the calling to run Anette Sweeney, Councilmen Dane Nelson, for public office. and Senator Tim Kraayenbrink have also shown During Thanksgiving of last year, Feenstra’s their support for Feenstra. National conservative family had an honest discussion at the dinner Photo taken from feenstraforcongress.com radio host Ben Shapiro and China Ambassador table about where national politics are headed Terry Branstad (the former Governor of Iowa) and about the importance of being involved. has traveled a lot during the summer months of run against Representative King. A large group are also in support and have contributed “If we truly believe our faith, and that God has campaigning, he still finds time to spend with of business and AG leaders also impacted his significantly to Feenstra’s campaign. called us, [then]…we have to do something,” family. decision to officially get involved with national In the meantime, the Feenstra campaign will Feenstra said. “He would wake up early in the morning and politics. Constituents from across the 39 continue to raise awareness, support, and funds Feenstra’s family has remained supportive and still shoot [basketball] with me,” said Erika. “He counties in the fourth district have encouraged until the caucuses next year. encouraging throughout the whole campaign did not push responsibilities as a dad aside.” Feenstra to run for congress since 2018. “The Lord leads, and we don’t know how it all process. Erika, Feenstra’s daughter and student In general, the community has also been “We need a leader; we have a current leader plays out,” said Feenstra. “It just feels like the at Dordt University, noted that although her dad heartily supportive of Feenstra’s decision to that is just not listening to us, who is not active doors are definitely opening.” Dordt students begin to The midnight man Sam Landstra — Staff Writer Van Gelder says, motioning at the several open- Live Loved mouthed medical simulation mannequins lying Night falls on Dordt University. The now eerily in beds. “I wanted to get a selfie but…” Lindsay Kuiper — Staff Writer boast in our weakness,” he said, “because when dark campus dwindles in activity as scattered Grabbing a cloth and spray bottle from the cart, we do, it brings people to Christ.” He wants to students, finished with their daily activities, Van Gelder scrubs at spills of fake blood dried A question from a stranger about the “I Am make it clear that Christians have struggles and journey back to their dorms. onto tabletops. Whiteboards are cleaned, chairs Second” bracelet Dordt junior Kade Kroschell no one is alone in their trials. While most individuals near the end of their are pushed back, and trash cans are emptied. wore started a conversation about Christianity With that goal in mind, Krosschell assembled day, Larry Van Gelder is just beginning his. Van Gelder never leaves a room imperfect. that left him amazed. Before he left this would- a team that could share messages to different The 61 year old Custodial Evening Supervisor “I would never admit to this, but some people be stranger, he asked if she would write down groups of people. It transformed into a way for pulls up to the Science and Technology Center think I am… particular,” Van Gelder says. “I some words of encouragement in his journal so this team to share a recorded testimony with at 10:00 pm riding his black Honda NM4 don’t care how long it takes you. I want it to he could remember this interaction. A couple the public twice a week. Over 25 people have motorcycle—the “Bat-bike,” he calls it. look good when you’re done.” days later, he read the note, which parted with filmed their stories and are ready to share their His motorcycle helmet conceals unkempt, After checking adjunct rooms and closets, the words, “live loved,” a statement which God walk with Christ publicly in the upcoming year. wispy white hair and thin wire frame bifocals. Van Gelder completes the nursing wing and had placed on Krosschell’s heart prior to this A buzz was tangible around the Sioux Center Van Gelder wears a “Dordt University heads back to his typical route in the building. trip. These words would eventually blossom community when the first video was released on Facilities” t-shirt and a hefty set of keys hang A motion-triggered path of light precedes him into the new movement “We Are Living September 18. Krosschell’s video appeared to from denim shorts. in the otherwise dark facility. The jingle of keys Loved,” or WALL. hundreds of people as he shared his sobering, Inside, Van Gelder checks emails in his and rattle of the cart break the quiet whir of air Krosschell’s purpose in creating this movement yet inspiring testimony. small, cluttered office hidden on the second conditioning units. is to inspire others to share their stories. “We are “I’ve already seen people finding more and floor of the Science and Technology Center. Van Gelder passes a group of engineering called as Christians to not only be bold, but to more courage to admit their struggles and to In previous years, the space operated as a students doing homework in a second floor admit that, as Christians, we’re not perfect,” maintenance closet. Croutons, a can of pringles, cubby while sweeping up a mess. Late-night Kroschell said following his testimony’s and an empty coffee cup cover papers on his Continued on page 8 release. “The whole reason we acknowledge desk. we’re Christians is because we acknowledge Before joining the Dordt University we need help and that we couldn’t do it on our Maintenance Department in 2003, the Orange own.” City native worked the night shift at a local Since the first video, WALL has also published wholesale meat plant and held stints as a part- Megan Timmer’s testimony. time janitor in British Columbia and a life “My deepest hope in releasing my testimony insurance salesman. is that the Lord works through that action,” “I love meeting people but didn’t like Timmer said. “I hope this video plants seeds the job,” says Van Gelder, recalling his life into hearts so that the Lord is able to grow.” insurance days. “So, I go ‘ehh’ I didn’t like The group held its first event in a chapel at wearing a suit all the time.” Western Christian High School. Finishing up his office work, Van Gelder “For me, the experience was overwhelming.” begins to make his rounds throughout the Timmer said, “I had faith the Lord was going Science and Technology Center. A cart crammed to move and work, but how much he worked in with chemicals, cloths, a cordless vacuum, and that place was unexpected.” other supplies accompany the 17-year Dordt WALL is currently scheduled for numerous employee on his route. The more materials on events throughout this year. The number of the cart, the more efficiently Van Gelder can people scheduling them continues to increase clean. Tonight, he begins in the nursing lab, on a weekly basis. covering for another janitor on medical leave. Photo from Living Loved Facebook Continued on page 8 “These are creepy looking, aren’t they?” Photo by Emma Stoltzfus · News· page 2

Engaged, again

Evangeline Colarossi — Staff Writer “This pop-up booth was a fun way for us matter, but to develop deep relationships with fall, and along with another Dordt student, to switch gears a bit and have an on-campus others in the learning community and, most was able to do an Instagram takeover with the Dordt began Fall 2019 with a new name— celebration with Dordt students, faculty, and significantly, with the Lord,” said theatre Global Education department. University—and a familiar ranking. For the staff,” said Sarah Moss, director of Marketing professor Dr. Teresa Ter Haar. “Relationships “The community that has been built at Dordt fourth consecutive year, Dordt was ranked #1 in and Communication. “We certainly strive to demand a give and take – and this directly is such an integral part of what makes Dordt so student engagement by the Wall Street Journal. take student and faculty feedback into account.” affects the way students engage with each other, special,” said Shannon Oostenink. “Because The marketing department hosted a pop-up The Wall Street journal uses four key areas faculty, administrators, and their coursework.” of the depth of that community, I have still felt booth to convey the news. Before students even ranking schools: resources, environment, Students that live on campus can testify to connected to campus even while being abroad.” read the press release, they sported t-shirts, outputs, and engagement. These areas are Dordt’s level of engagement. Beyond classes stickers, cookies, and foam fingers proudly examined with questions that ask if students and interactive relationships between professors, declaring the win all around campus. are engaged in critical thinking and learning, faculty, and students, there are numerous events The marketing and communication office and if their classes challenge them, prepare planned by various clubs or student activities typically focus on promoting Dordt to high them for life after graduation, and help students to keep everyone in community. For students school students, alumni, and donors, but they draw connections between in-class learning and that travel abroad, they still feel this student seized the opportunity to celebrate with the outdoor applications. engagement, even thousands of miles away. student body. “We want students not just to learn a subject Shannon Oostenink is studying in Spain this Photo from Dordt University Instagram Fiesta! Sleep struggles

Yage Wang — Staff Writer culture family, said. “I already know what’s Katie Ribbens — Staff Writer disagrees with that sleep schedule. “You’d be happening over there, and there are many better off at night getting your eight hours rather Dordt University hosted its annual Fiesta activities in the Fiesta that I wouldn’t say are The room lights up. The sky grumbles. The than trying to make up for it with naps., she said. on September 20th after the Pops Concert. from my culture.” students awake. While Midwest storms are If a nap is absolutely needed, Professor It’s a late-night, outdoor event for students “It is a generous effort that Dordt has tried legendary, their effects on sleepers are not. Helming has some tips. A short, 20-30-minute to socialize, relax, and get free snacks. As in to make itself more diverse and be more aware It’s the start of the semester and college power nap prevents students from falling into previous years, Fiesta provided a photo booth, of the Spanish-speaking students,” senior students are starting to feel the effects of sleep a deep sleep and waking up feeling too groggy. fish racing, vibrant Latin music, and many other Sarah Siglin said. “But it also showed that deprivation. Rachel Werkhoven, a freshman at If there is time, a 90-minute nap will allow the activities for students. For most people, Fiesta the American stereotype impression about the Dordt, is no stranger to late nights with little brain to complete a full sleep cycle, which is is an enjoyable occasion and, consequently, it Spanish culture.” sleep. As a firefighter, she is used to waking up more beneficial when trying to catch up on attracts people other than Dordt students. Dordt’s annual Fiesta is a student social at a moment’s notice to leap into action. She’s sleep. “I heard about this event from word of activity that has benign and fun-loving not fighting fires at Dordt, but she is fighting to Students describe their experiences with mouth and I think Fiesta is really great,” intentions. The event’s name is literally “party.” finish heaps of homework and feeling the burn sleep deprivation in a myriad of ways. Some, Anselmo Kim, a Northwestern College student, However, there’s always room to grow and of tests. like Werkhoven, experience hallucinations said while chewing hot churros. “It will be improve. “I haven’t gone to bed before three o’clock,” after staying up for more than 48 hours. Others better if there are more people dancing.” Werkhoven said. “And then there was Friday acknowledge they become short-tempered and With atmospheric yellow lights hanging night where I decided to stay up all night. We feel they don’t contribute as much as they’d in the trees and a warm fall breeze, countless ended up going to bed at eight in the morning.” wish to class or their friends. In the spirit of students gathered together at the Fiesta. Abby Werkhoven isn’t the only student having a both adopting the fullest college experience Barrientos, a sophomore student from Costa hard time getting to bed at a desirable time. and avoiding sleep deprivation, students should Rica, taught dancing moves to some girls with Freshman Alex Vaughn said he will, “eventually develop a healthy balance of studying, social delightful music. Steve Marques, an East Hall go to bed at 1:30 in the morning, just to wake activities, and sleep. RA, wore a huge taco costume with his friends. back up at 5.” Fiesta is a time to hang out with friends and While college is a wonderful experience, it form new relationships through free food and can feel like there’s too much and too little time. fish racing. “Last year, I didn’t sleep because I had a huge While the event is fun and well-attended, fear of missing out,” sophomore student Anika students do have some suggestions. Jatho said as advice to freshman students. “I felt “Fiesta is good, but also really repetitive,” like I needed to be there or else I wasn’t going Erika Uribe, a junior student raised in a Latino- Photo by Yage Wang to enjoy the full college experience. That kind of thinking is absolutely a lie. The relationships that you have are going to last if you don’t show up for a movie.” Dordt Wi-Fi Since so many events occur at night, students Yee Lim Shin — Staff Writer the other hand have access points inside each often use the time gaps throughout the day to apartment, making it easier to get on the Wi-Fi. catch up on sleep. Psychology Professor Luralyn Helming Every Dordt student and faculty has received Any type of interference could lead to Dordt’s Photo by Katie Ribbens an email from Student Services on “Being a Wi-Fi to either slow down or cut off altogether Good Wi-Fi Citizen.” The email includes images for the students in their dorms or apartments. showing the “Do’s and Don’ts” of connecting to Signals from microwaves, Google Home the Dordt Wi-Fi and the different signals that devices, Smart TVs, and devices that broadcast Severe weather across South could potentially interfere with Dordt’s signal. wireless signals can break up the connection. What exactly does that mean, and why do we “There’s different Wi-Fi devices going on need to become a good Wi-Fi citizen? that block the official Wi-Fi,” said sophomore Dakota It’s because Dordt’s Wi-Fi system is all Johannes Dijkstra. Dijkstra said that he has seen Lexi Schnaser — Staff Writer the flooding is devastating,” says Hofer. connected. at least 12 different Wi-Fi signals operating at She says there were so many roads that were “It’s all one big huge system,” said Doug once while at his dorm in North Hall. Late in the evening of September 10th, a closed due to flooding the county ran out of Tinklenberg, Dordt’s Systems Administrator. By connecting those devices to the separate tornado touched ground in Sioux Falls, SD. “Road Closed” signs. In the Mitchell area, there “There’s over 300 access points all over device network with a network key, students This tornado was the first twister in South are many bridges that are closed and must be campus.” can lessen the interference with Dordt’s main Dakota’s largest city since 1989. Classified as entirely rebuilt before they can be used again. Each dorm building has an access point at Wi-Fi. an EF-2 tornado, its top winds measured at 125 There are still some local roads that are closed the end of the halls. This makes it “notoriously To find out more information on connecting mph. No one suffered severe injuries; however, for the time being. difficult” to get good wireless signals in the devices to the device wireless network, go to: quite a few businesses in southern Sioux Falls Hofer travelled home this weekend and middle of the building due to blocking from https://u.dordt.edu/dordt/computer-services/ were damaged by the tornado, including Pizza witnessed the damage herself. “It was worse concrete walls. help-guides/connecting-to-device Ranch, the Plaza 41 shopping center, Advanced than I thought it would be. I could see why Apartments like Southview or Kuyper on Auto Parts, and Best Buy. the local schools had to be closed. It was too Many of the tornado sirens in Sioux Falls did dangerous to get around anywhere.” not go off, leaving residents to rely on the radio, Dordt University takes precautions against Diamond Staff 2019-2020 smartphone, or TV for weather updates. severe weather by posting tornado shelter signs This bout of severe weather was not limited around campus, as well as notifying students Chief Editors: Copy Editors: Kjerstin Hasselblad Spencer Short to Sioux Falls. In the few days following the and faculty to take shelter by defense siren, Erika Buiter Harrison Burns Lauren Hoekstra Anthony Siegrist Sioux Falls tornado, towns such as Mitchell radio, TV, or administration personnel. Emma Stoltzfus Tess Hemmila Haemi Kim Emi Stewart and Salem received nearly seven inches of rain, Lindsay Kuiper Alex Van Den Top causing severe flooding. Story Editor: Staff Writers: Sam Landstra Jaclyn Vander Waal Due to the flooding, many county roads, as Allison Wordes Logan Aukes Gretchen Lee Connor Van Hulzen Ben Boersma Juliana Martinez Hannah Van Otterloo well as parts of I-80 were closed because they Layout Designer: Alicia Bonestroo Mike Martinez Yage Wang had washed out from the river. Vanessa Hofer, a Retasya Badudu Sydney Brummel Caleb Pollema freshman at Dordt University, lives near Salem, Evangeline Colarossi Kathryn Ribbens Staff Advisor: and her home suffered devastating flooding. Photography Editor: Zachary Dirksen Caleb Schreurs Lee Pitts “It was heartbreaking to see the destruction. Luke Drooger Danielle Schultz Sawyer Strelnieks We could only plant on a third of our land this Lexi Eekhoff Yee Lim Shin spring, and to lose some more of our crops from Photo by Lexi Schnaser · News· page 3

Oil price rise — affecting The cloud around vaping: students? new cases of lung disease Haemi Kim — Staff Writer Because of Dordt’s rural location, gas prices likely won’t affect students as much. stimulate discussion On September 14, one of the largest oil “I don’t drive enough to see the difference,” facilities in Saudi Arabia was attacked by senior Amanda Davies said. “But I am going Sydney Brummel — Staff Writer are going to be the ‘experiment’ of the long- drones. Up to 17 structures in the facility were home for Tristate, which is in Indiana, and that term effects of it.” The public remains unaware destroyed, and the production of 5.7 million is a long drive, so it would probably suck then, For the past several weeks, the Centers of what potentially harmful substances that barrels per day was lost. but I don’t really think the price affects me that for Disease Control and Prevention and the e-cigarette products may contain and cases of This was recorded as one of the worst much.” Food and Drug Administration have been lung disease are the first visible side effects of disruptions to the world oil supply, followed Though senior Sarah Siglin doesn’t drive investigating the increasing number of lung vaping. by the 1978 Iranian revolution with 5.6 million much except for her thirty-minute commute for illness cases linked to the use of e-cigarette Major superstores and vendors are just barrels lost, and the 1990 Invasion of Kuwait leading youth group on Wednesdays, she took products. The CDC has reported at least 530 beginning to respond to the vaping crisis. On with 4.3 million barrels lost. issue with the price hike. illnesses and seven deaths throughout the September 20, Wal-Mart announced that it will According to CNN News, Patrick DeHaan, “It is going to be more expensive and I am United States. no longer sell any vaping products. head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy, said a college student,” said Siglin. “I also drive In recent years, vaping and various types Regardless of what students may believe that oil prices would most likely detrimentally a SUV and that takes up more gas than other of e-cigarettes have become popular and are concerning vaping, Dordt’s policy concerning impact airlines and huge buyers of jet fuel, but vehicles.” widely used, especially among teenagers. In the activity remains firm. not other usual consumers for car gas. The longer the reconstruction of the oil facility 2018, the CDC reported that 3.6 million U.S. “We don’t allow it on campus at all, just like According to CBS News, one fuel price expert in Saudi Arabia takes, the higher the gas price youths use e-cigarettes. smoking,” said Robert Taylor, Dean of Students. said that the oil price will go up about 10 to 25 may rise. However, as of now, Midwesterners— “That’s when the CDC declared a health Despite the unpopularity of the policy, Dordt cents per gallon which would be, “annoying but Dordt students can hope to not see much of a emergency, because they saw so many pick it adopted the ban on vaping for student wellness. not likely to change consumer behavior.” difference. up from age twelve and higher,” Director of “It looked like a high-risk activity,” said Student Health and Counseling Beth Baas said. Taylor. “We want our students to be healthy, and “Vaping initially started as a way for cigarette- so anytime we are aware of something that’s smokers to give up smoking cigarettes,” said potentially harmful or definitely harmful, we Baas. However, research has shown that very want to talk about it.” few people use e-cigarettes to stop smoking but While Dordt does not allow vaping on campus, Commons’ new grounds simply become smokers of both products. students have varying opinions on the matter. Lindsay Kuiper and Lauren Hoekstra — Staff apartment living. The overall history of vaping is questionable, “Although I don’t vape, I have many friends Writers Another significant change is the new brand even before the recent outbreak of lung disease. who do,” said sophomore Lauren Hoekstra. “I of coffee that has been added to the Commons. The e-cigarette company that has been receiving think that people should be allowed to make Change has come to the Commons. According to Adam DeKleine, student manager, some of the highest media attention, JUUL, their own choices, and the government should Instead of stir-fry year-round, the Commons the company that caters to the Commons called formerly advertised that their products did have more of a hands-off approach.” has implemented a weekly cycle of new food, Creative Dining has decided to implement not contain nicotine, the chemical that causes Sophomore Jake Thorsteinson has a different including za’atar, rice bowls, taqueria burrito tea and coffee from Thrive Market. Creative a smoker’s addiction. However, the CDC take. “I think that Dordt’s policy is good. bowls, dashi noodle bowls, and, of course, stir Dining was impressed with Thrive Market’s reported that just a single JUUL pod contains Nicotine in young people is not what we need fry—all in an effort to draw students back to the mission and core values: they provide healthy the equivalent of the nicotine found in a whole more of nowadays.” Commons. and organic products to consumers while also pack of cigarettes. For more information about vaping, its effects, “The hope is the migration [to the Grille] giving back to struggling families. It was not until May of 2019 that the FDA and the steps to quitting, consult the Student won’t be as strong,” Jake Jensen, manager at the Juliana Tien, self-described coffee enthusiast, required e-cigarette producers to list all their Health and Counseling Center’s Wellness Commons, said. Lunch-hour traffic to the Grille drank about 1 cup of Commons coffee for every ingredients. In November, companies will have Resources on the DUC webpage. required the hiring of new staff and managers 32 cups of coffee from somewhere else. This to list their potentially harmful contents. “Awareness is always a good thing,” said Baas, this year, which has resulted in the absence of year, she’s enjoying the coffee a lot more, By advertising familiar flavors, such as grape “It’s important to remember that our bodies rice bowls as new staff are trained. But Jensen “I am already experiencing a difference,” or cherry, vaping companies have successfully are God’s temple, and vaping is potentially and Nick Lawrence, also a manager, aren’t Tien said, “I’ve been drinking it a lot more, and attracted many underage customers. As of the harmful. Let’s not jump into it without doing done. even the decaf is good so I’ll have it at night for last couple of weeks, Florida and Michigan due diligence.” Jensen is excited to try a new concept in the supper too.” have banned such flavored vapes. The states’ near future: “Chef’s Table,” a smaller, fancier, Changes at the Grille include a new staff and goal in doing so is to remove the temptation for invite-only plated dinner. It would include managers and the absence of rice bowls, which minors to buy e-cigarettes in the first place. some recognizable faces on Dordt’s campus, have been pushed to the side temporarily as new Baas stated that the greatest concern regarding like President Hoekstra or Robert Taylor, and staff are trained. Lawrence and Jensen hope these products is that the brains of adolescents would most likely be available for around 15 the changes at the Commons will attract more and young adults “are more susceptible to people per session. Other new ideas include traffic. [nicotine] addiction…They don’t know what cooking lessons in the Commons to teach “The hope is the migration [to the Grille] all the effects of [vaping] are over the lifespan. students practical recipes and cooking skills for won’t be as strong,” Jensen said. So those people that vape in this generation Contributed Photo Diversity in thought

Lauren Hoekstra — Staff Writer understand what was going on and how it was work. It does not combine with God using me to divine Educators, including Abraham, Buddha, different from what I grew up with,” Ptacek bless others,” Mendieta Gauto said. “Reformed Jesus, Muhammed, and the most recent named Over the past ten years, enrollment trends of said. “We all worship the same God, so that’s sees everything as worship. Pentecostal, which Bahá’u’lláh. The Bahá’í belief holds that students coming to Dordt from a non-Reformed what matters.” is Arminian, separates the two.” an individual who believes in any of these background have increased. Most of the students Growing up in an Assemblies of God, Non- Adam Jones, who wished to have their name incarnations of God is saved. with a non-Reformed background come from Denominational, and now an Evangelical Free changed for privacy reasons, feels a little behind “My parents told me that I was part of a Baptist, Catholic, Evangelical Free, Lutheran, church, Emi Stewart, a senior from Ames, IA, in discussions about religion. Muslim cult,” Smith said. “That turned me off Presbyterian, or unspecified denominations. struggled with accepting Reformed thought. “I will try to participate in conversations about from religion. I can’t even try anymore.” She is The percentage of students from Reformed “God knows everything,” she said, concerning religion,” Jones said. “I will just be limited in no longer part of the Bahá’í community. backgrounds has dropped, especially regarding free will. “Surely within that He knows who is what I can talk about.” “Dordt as an institution does present itself as those from a Christian Reformed Church (CRC) going to be in Heaven versus in Hell.” Jones grew up going to Methodist, Lutheran, very closed-minded to outsiders,” said Smith. background. In 2007, 61% of students were According to Stewart, Evangelical Free and Reformed churches and attended public “However, the people at Dordt are incredible CRC, compared to only 39% in 2017. churches are “reformed, but not hell-bent on it.” school. and diverse. I wish that Dordt would present As of fall of 2017, about 40% of the campus “We believe TULIP and Calvinism is there, “Dordt as a whole has made the transition itself and the student population better so that entered with a religious background that was but we just have a looser grasp on it,” Stewart from public school to private Christian school we can continue to have diversity in thought. not Reformed, an increase from 2007 where said. very easy,” he said. “[The professors] have been The kindness and love that you can find here only 24% of students were not Reformed. Jazmín Aramí Mendieta Gauto grew up in the very accommodating in all the classes to me.” [at Dordt] is in individuals, not denominations.” “People usually react poorly [to my beliefs],” Pentecostal and Assemblies of God churches But some students don’t identify as Christians said Mykaela Ptacek, a senior from Mount in Paraguay. According to Mendieta Gauto, at all. Leslie Smith, a senior who wished to have Ridge, KS, who grew up Catholic. “A classmate in Pentecostal churches you can lose your her name changed because she feels she would once tried to start a fight almost with me before salvation if you “mess up.” get in trouble with Dordt leadership, defined class. He said, ‘You worship Mary, don’t you?’ “The covenant does not apply to the whole herself as spiritual, but not religious. And it was right before a test too. If you don’t family,” Mendieta Gauto said. “If you have a Smith grew up non-denominational, but know what it [Catholicism] is, try going once. child who is an atheist, he can go to Hell.” during her freshman year at Dordt, she cut You can’t quite capture the differences in Pentecostal and Assemblies of God churches church out of her life and stopped identifying words. Go with an open mind. Don’t think that believe that the Spirit moves free and tangibly. as Christian. ‘Oh, they are so crazy, so staunch.’ Just go!” Religion is primarily composed of having a “Christianity felt like an exclusive club,” she Many students from non-Reformed personal relationship with the Holy Spirit, and said. “The CRC is very much about liturgy and backgrounds come to Dordt concerned not Jesus is the gate to the Holy Spirit. According to rules. I call them ‘sit down, stand up’ churches.” about denominations but about its status as a Mendieta Gauto, Pentecostals tend to separate During her freshman year, Smith found a Christian university. spiritual and non-spiriutal aspects of life. religion that worked for her. The religion of Contributed Photo “Throughout CORE-100, I was just trying to “For example, my work as an LCA is just Bahá’í teaches in the multiple incarnations of · Sports page 4

Dordt football gets back on Pep band makes big strides track on campus Connor Van Hulzen and Luke Drooger — Staff A somewhat slow second quarter saw only Spencer Short — Staff Writer offering scholarships to play with the pep band Writers one score by either team, with sophomore tight at some point.” end Lucas Warner catching a 6-yard touchdown Anyone who has attended a Dordt home Along with these broader, entire band A week after a disappointing but unsurprising pass from freshman quarterback Kaleb Maresh football game recently may have noticed a focused visions, Rose has also showed a desire loss to perennial NAIA powerhouse to put Dordt up 21-3 heading into halftime. lot brassier sound coming from the home side to take Nate, Holly, and other members of the Morningside, the football team endured the Coming out of halftime, the Defenders turned of the field. Although the pep band club has band to some form of training or just sit in long journey to Jamestown, ND to get back in to the run game to grind away time on the clock. been at Dordt for years now, there has been a on a pep band practice for a larger university. the win column—and break a school record— A nearly six-minute-long drive resulted in a push this year by President Hoekstra and other Not only would this be helpful for a student’s against the University of Jamestown Jimmies. 3-yard rushing touchdown for senior running administrators for the band to become a more musical education, it would also be a time to The 5 ½ hour drive to Jamestown also included back Levi Schoonhoven. One successful solidified part of the Dordt athletic experience. see what it’s like in the ‘big leagues’ and how a stop in Brookings, SD at South Dakota State Jamestown drive later, the Defenders held a 28- Pep band, headed by music education majors one might transfer over those skills to a smaller University to get in a light walk-through—in 10 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Nate Van Holland and Holly Tanis, has received group. which players go over what plays they’ll run— The fourth and final quarter saw Dordt seal blessings from both the administration and Dr. Currently, there are a little over 30 current and a stop at a Fargo, ND hotel for the night the game emphatically. Another Tyler Reynolds Onsby Rose, a new professor of music. Rose, members in pep band, and they are always open before the game. rushing touchdown expanded the lead to 35- although taking more of an oversight position to having more people join in on the excitement. Despite these less-than-optimal circumstances, 10. On the Defenders’ next offensive drive, a in the pep band, has years of experience in Practices are every Wednesday at 8:15 P.M. in the football team rolled into Jamestown ready fumble returned for a touchdown meant that conducting and performing with athletic bands the band room. Whether you’re part of Campus- to play. Senior wide receiver Levi Niesen and Jamestown brought it just a little closer, to 35- during his 26 years of teaching at various Community Band, Concert Band, or just want sophomore quarterback Tyler Reynolds scored 16, though it would prove to be too little too universities, such as the Ohio State University to see if you can still play your high school on two four-yard rushing touchdowns on both late. and the University of South Carolina. instrument again after all these years, the pep of their first two drives, giving the Defenders One rushing touchdown later by sophomore “We plan on playing around seven or eight band is open to you. an early 14-3 lead at the end of the first quarter. Reece Schnell, the Defenders had the game events a semester… It’s mostly going to be “Pep band is just a good time,” said Van all wrapped up with a new record to boot. football, but we will also be playing at some Holland. “You can come, hang out with your Schoonhoven rushed the ball thirty-five times basketball and even volleyball games,” said friends, laugh, and play some awesome music for a Dordt record of 298 yards. Rose. “It’s an exciting opportunity and I believe while having fun at the same time. It’s just fun.” “I wasn’t getting touched until I was five or it is a very valuable part of [the] university.” six yards past the line of scrimmage on every So with all this hype built and administrative play,” Schoonhoven said. “I could tell their support behind them, where do Nate and Holly game plan was to stop our option game because see themselves taking the pep band in the we weren’t really able to get outside and to the future? sideline.” “We’re trying to get a bigger game After the game, running backs and tight ends presence,” said Tanis. “We’re really trying to coach Devin Eekhoff said, “The offensive organize better and get more people to sign up. line had an amazing focus up front and were Even though we have the administration behind able to be very physical and dominate. [Levi] us, it’s more of a support push.” Schoonhoven ran tough and really helped us “We’ve gotten a lot of interest from Onsby, secure this win.” he’s more present than the directors in the past,” This week, the Defenders move on to play said Van Holland. “He wants to try and get Photo from Dordt Football Twitter @dordtfb Dakota Wesleyan at home at 1:00 pm. some sousaphones for us… along with maybe Photo by Spencer Short Dordt cross country competes and heals Mike Martinez — Staff Writer conference performers. potential for the season.” saying is that we’re running for something Junior Anthony Ghiorso sees a lot of potential Although the Cross Country team is looking bigger this year,” Ghiorso said. “Us guys wrote The Dordt University Cross Country team for the success they can have this year. forward to another great season, for them, it’s ‘Do it for David’ on the back of our calves to opened with a great start. Both the men’s and “For the guy’s team, we ran well, but not what a lot bigger than just racing. They keep David give us a burst of energy when running gets women’s team placed first out of seven in their we’re capable of,” Ghiorso said. “It was a good Temte in mind, a teammate who tragically lost hard. We wish he was here with us, but we opening meet, the Herb Blakely Invite. Though first meet, but there is a lot of improvement to his life over the summer. continue to run for him in God’s glory.” Dordt hosted the event in Sioux Center, it was be made.” “We’ve tried to do little things to remind us of As the men’s team remember David on their originally planned to be held in South Dakota, at Joe Anderson, a freshman for the men’s team, David in a healthy way,” Wolf said. “We have calves, the women’s team made wristbands. the Dakota State Invite. Due to severe flooding is excited to see what’s in store for Defender team shirts for a commemoration of him, just “It’s not just the running aspect of it, but near Dakota State University, it needed to be nation this season. to remind ourselves what running is all about. David lived very freely,” Postma said. “That’s moved. “It was an encouraging first race for not When you put any sport against the loss of a something we all took away from it. We can live “We really appreciated the work that the knowing what to expect,” said Anderson. “Just teammate, winning and losing is secondary to freely and run freely, even when we don’t feel maintenance did here at Dordt,” Coach Nate seeing how we performed was cool to see.” what those personal relationships are.” like racing.” Wolf said. “With it being a short turn-around, “The girls’ team is healthy right now, so it’s Not only do they have t-shirts to honor him, Both teams will travel to Doane University on the meet itself went well for all the athletes.” good to get everyone out racing,” sophomore but both the men’s and women’s team have September 28th for the Dean White Invite. Dordt returns a talented squad on both the Mary Kate Postma said. “We were able to get taken another approach as a sign of tribute. men’s and women’s side, including many all- off to a good start, and we have a lot of good “A general theme of what a lot of people are New head coach to lead Defender baseball Caleb Pollema — Staff Writer “I think our guys have probably figured this the players in their group,” said sophomore everybody kind of knows.” out in the first week: I’m intense,” Bacon said. catcher and group leader Cameron Pfafman. Bacon’s intensity, energy, and sense of humor Coaches often find their passion to coach their “If you aren’t intense about your marriage, your “They are able to hold them accountable to not have all been injected into his team that enters teams out of gratitude to the coaches that have intent is not going to be there. The same goes only positively benefit the team but also the its fourth week of fall practice in preparation for influenced and developed them in the past. for your workplace. The same for everything in group in the weekly competitions.” the spring ahead. This can most definitely be said for new Dordt your life. That is the biggest thing that I want With fall practice well under way, the team is While there has been much excitement around baseball coach, Nathan Bacon. our guys to know is that they have to be intense excited for the upcoming season and all that it the addition of Coach Bacon, that doesn’t mean “I think for any of us sitting in an office and and intentional about everything. We are about will bring. that the transition has been easy for his family doing this and working with guys and giving up developing a whole person.” “Coach has challenged us in more ways than as his wife and daughter prepare to move to the hours, it’s because someone did that for you This fire has most definitely renewed the team just baseball,” said sophomore pitcher and Sioux Center. and made a lasting impact in your life,” Bacon after coming off of a tough season. The coaching group leader Kevin Fokkema. “The guys have “The family part has been difficult,” Bacon said. “God put it on my heart to be on college staff has implemented program standards of really taken these challenges and run with them, said. “Not only are you apart, you spend twice campuses and He used men that impacted my making the GPAC Conference tournament and it has really show in the way we practice as much money and eight times as much time life to make it clear the direction I should go.” every year and maintaining a team GPA of 3.25. and interact with each other as a collective on facetime and on the phone.” Before Bacon arrived in Northwest Iowa, These standards have led to an increased group trying to become better in every aspect Despite the difficulty of the transition, it has he played collegiate baseball and completed amount of organization and accountability of our lives.” been worth it for Coach Bacon and his family his undergrad in History at Avila University throughout the program. Both of these Bacon is looking forward to the upcoming especially for what they are gaining by coming in Kansas City. He also served as the head principles are found in the newly formed team semester and his first season as head coach to Dordt. assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for small groups. of the Defenders, but there is one thing about “My wife and I both wanted to be at a Christian the University of the Ozarks in Arkansas. The small groups get weekly points for Dordt that he wished were different. institution,” Bacon said. “We felt like Dordt had Coach Bacon brings a new energy to the Dordt attending chapel, going to class, and eating “I think probably the biggest thing I would the value base and the sense of community that baseball program, which finished 8-28 last meals together which are counted by each group change right now is having a ceiling in my we wanted and were looking for.” season. For Bacon, he challenges his players leader. office,” Bacon said, jokingly. “I mean everyone Bacon is excited for the future of Defender to be intense not only on the field, but in every “By creating smaller organizational groups, can hear what I say so it keeps me accountable, baseball and his players are anxious to get on aspect of their life. the leaders develop a closer relationship with but also when I have to get at some guys, the field to open the 2020 season. · Arts & Entertainment· page 5

Downton delivers ... to its fans Gretchen Lee — Staff Writer has come true nearly four years later. in Downton style. That being said, this movie The Downton Abbey movie starts a few years focused a great deal more on creating a sense Since the Downton Abbey TV show first after the show’s end. The Crawley family has of familiarity for fans than writing a solid, graced our screens in 2010, it has captured the just received word that the king and queen of discernable plotline. There are numerous hearts of a very loyal and loving fanbase across England will be staying for a night at Downton plotlines throughout this story, but only a few the globe. Abbey as they tour the English countryside. of them gain any sense of conclusion at the end Contributed Photo The timeless story of the Crawley family The household flies into a fury as they prepare of the film. This makes sense as it was derived in providing just enough additional content to takes place during the decline of the British to host the royal family. They face several from a drawn-out television series. the characters lives to make it interesting, while aristocracy in the late 1910s and early 1920s. complications along the way including, but not What the movie lacked in structure, however, also leaving each of them in a great place. The residents and staff of Downton Abbey limited to: aggravating chefs and butlers from it made up for in fantastic costume and set If you have seen the Downton Abbey TV experience a range of challenges, mistakes, and the royal household, Lady Violet’s aggressive design, fanservice, humor, and dialogue. series, the movie makes a wonderful addition to emotions as they navigate the new world they scheming to advance her son’s status, a broken Every scene was a delight to the eyes and ears. the show. For those who are unfamiliar with the are entering. From Dame Maggie Smith’s fiery boiler, inconvenient rain, an assassination plot, This was also a very satisfying ending for the series and are simply looking for an enjoyable portrayal of Lady Violet to Michelle Dockery’s and a series of missing valuables. characters. movie to watch, the background knowledge Lady Mary Crawley, the actors brought drama This movie was undoubtedly written for One of my concerns going into this movie was provided by the show is a necessary prerequisite and entertainment to all six seasons of the series. the fans. From the classic witticisms by Lady that it would disrupt the way the TV show ended, to understanding the characters and context. After the show came to an end in 2015, fans Violet to the bumbling footman to the general which was an ending I, and many other fans, It is a great continuation of a beloved show, asked for a movie follow-up—and their wish grandeur of the set, everything was perfectly felt very satisfied about. The movie succeeded but not a very well-developed movie on its own. Ad Astra review Zachary Dirksen — Staff Writer Gravity or First Man. Ad Astra is a character co-workers. Roy has no time for distractions. Neptune is blue, but it’s also black—connoting study of Roy McBride. Roy’s only clear emotional attachment is to both the dark events at the Lima base and Roy’s Space travel is a stressful job, even in the McBride is the epitome of stoic. He’s a his father. Roy admires his father and aspires ever-darkening image of his father. future. It’s a battle for survival against the legend among his superiors for having an to reach the same explorative and scientific Brad Pitt as Roy McBride is fantastic. Pitt has forces of nature. One wrong move could kill impressively low resting heart rate, even in the heights. But, as Roy’s journey continues, his been on a roll this year, following up a career- you. Keeping a level head is key. That’s why worst conditions. Roy is the ideal astronaut: father’s darker side is revealed. As Clifford’s defining performance in this summer’s Once Major Roy McBride is the best at what he does. mission-driven, calm, and competent. But, sins become more evident, Roy’s emotions do Upon a Time in Hollywood with yet another Those seeing trailers for Ad Astra will when dangerous power surges begin to wreak as well, resulting in a climax that isn’t so much one. Pitt’s stone-faced stoicism slowly melts undoubtedly see the film as some kind of havoc on earth, Roy is thrust into completely exciting or intense as it is cathartic. Viewers throughout the film. Pitt’s squinted eyes and hard-sci-fi space epic, like Interstellar or unfamiliar territory. hoping to see a dramatic showdown or tense clenched jaw are constantly at war with his The Martian. It isn’t. It isn’t even a drama or Supposedly, the surges originate from an escape will find neither here, and that’s bound inner self. Roy McBride’s face dominates most survival movie set in or around outer space, like old project base in Neptune’s orbit. Project to be disappointing for some. of the screen in Ad Astra, and Pitt is aware of Lima, led by Roy’s genius father, Clifford, Director James Gray crafts an aesthetically that, emoting (or not emoting) to a pitch perfect was thought to be missing. It has been sixteen beautiful universe for the film, giving us some tee. years since communication between Lima and of the most impressive and realistic looking As stated before, some might be disappointed Space Command mysteriously ceased. Space space travel footage in cinema, period. Nothing with this film. Those buying a ticket for a space Command is sure that Roy’s father is alive and looks computer generated, and nothing looks adventure with buggy chases on the moon and causing trouble. They want Roy to travel to Mars miniature. Shot on 35mm film, the visuals a stone-cold hero will be disappointed. This to try to re-establish contact. Roy immediately have a gritty, tangible feel to them that helps movie isn’t for everyone. Some might find it agrees. To him, it’s just another mission. to sell the near realism of the film. Hoyte Van boring, while others might find its perspective McBride has internalized his emotions. They Hoytema’s cinematography shines as well. pretentious. While these opinions are valid, have no place in his job and, thus, no place in Each new planet Roy visits has its own color when the credits rolled and the lights came up, his life. His marriage is on the rocks, and he scheme that fills the frame. The moon isa I found Ad Astra to be a moving, beautiful film. Contributed Photo looks down on his more outgoing, vulnerable silvery white, while Mars is a dusty orange. Mega album review: III, The Lumineers; A Modern Tragedy Vol. 3, grandson; All My Heroes Are Cornballs, JPEGMAFIA Caleb Schreurs — Staff Writer slow build in “Leader of the Landslide” follows destruction of civilization. Despite sounding by throaty synths and sonic chaos, keeping a Junior’s realization that he is the product of nihilistic, the EP ends with the line “I know if listener on their toes, and never in the same spot Friday the 13th saw the release of multiple his parents’ failures and must control his own I die young, the truth is forever.” This album for more than a moment. notable albums from all across the musical destiny. With a layered crescendo though the takes an escapist reaction to issues around us, spectrum. Like all artforms, they are reflections piano, guitar, and scratchy vocals, we follow with substances and self-loathing, as a response SONG BREAKDOWN: on the culture in which they were created. This Junior as he throws off the mantle of addiction to the troubles plaguing our culture today, WILL LISTEN TO AGAIN: album review seeks to examine three albums and failure and chases his own future. III, which grandson covered in the first two entries “Gloria” - The Lumineers in three distinctly different genres as products while haunting and somewhat disheartening, in the Modern Tragedy trilogy. “Life In The City” - Lumineers of and reactions to our frenzied and chaotic marks a shift in the Lumineers’ sound, from “Jimmy Sparks” - The Lumineers culture. VSCO girl anthems to a reflection of real issues All My Heroes are Cornballs; JPEGMAFIA “Rock Bottom” - grandson surrounding us daily. While the aforementioned mentioned artists “Jesus Forgive Me, I Am A Thot” - III, The Lumineers. For some, however, this album may be an in this list border on mainstream, JPEGMAIFA JPEGMAFIA Three years after their release of their second example of “whataboutism,” where we overlook is more underground, occupying a rising spot “Post Verified Lifestyle” - JPEGMAFIA highly-praised studio album Cleopatra, The our own issues and vices and examine those of in the genre of experimental hip hop. Previous Lumineers’ sound has become more stripped someone else. “We can’t be that bad, look at the projects have focused around social justice DELIGHTFULLY MEH: down, but their storytelling is more stellar than family in this story,” one might say. In this way, issues, the artist’s heroes and inspiration, and “Donna” -The Lumineers ever. III tells the story of three generations of the III is a result of our current cultural climate. commentary on the music industry. The lead “It Wasn’t Easy To Be Happy For You” - The Sparks family, each stricken with issues ranging single of All My Heroes are Cornballs, “Jesus Lumineers from alcoholism (“Gloria”), to gambling, and A Modern Tragedy, Vol. 3; grandson Forgive Me, I Am A Thot,” is a dynamic piece, “Salt And The Sea” - The Lumineers substance abuse (“Leader of The Landslide,” Canadian electro-punk rocker “grandson” jumping from gritty samples to soaring auto- “Oh No!!” - grandson “My Cell”). has never been quiet. While some say to keep tune vocals, paralleling the artist’s lifestyle to “Die Young” - grandson In the delightfully tight storytelling, we hear politics out of music, grandson (A.K.A. Jordan religious images. “Grimy Waifu” - JEPGMAFIA Junior Sparks, the son of Gloria and Jimmy, Benjamin) writes nearly exclusively political Each song in the album is an exercise for “PTSD” - JPEGMAFIA caught in the middle of his parents’ issues. The works, focusing on issues such as climate the ears, as it jumps from aggressive electric change (“BLOOD // WATER”), capitalism guitar samples to vaporwave-esque piano BURN IT DOWN: (“Bills”), and school shootings (“thoughts & lines. Despite touching on some social issues, “JPEGMAFIA TYPE BEAT” - JEPGMAFIA prayers”). such as gun violence and police brutality, there His third studio EP, the conclusion of the is seemingly no central theme. Though not a DARK HORSE(S): Modern Tragedy trilogy, focuses more on tight concept album like III, the work pushes “My Cell” - The Lumineers the self-loathing that these conditions have musical boundaries, even within an already “BasicBitchTearGas” - JPEGMAFIA brought him. Grandson begins with “Rock experimental genre. Bottom”, a full-throttle rock anthem reflecting JPEGMAFIA redefines himself as an artist, on how society found itself in this mess, and and has no problem making his listeners ask questioning where we could possibly go from questions about the content they are ingesting. here. The album digresses into ballads of self- With the other two albums giving listeners a loathing, following the singer’s attempt to more concrete response to our modern culture, destroy himself with drugs and alcohol. JPEGMAFIA airs toward the abstract as an The final installment in the Modern Tragedy absurdist reaction towards the climate in which series touches less on societal issues, and it was created. It attempts to focus on social more on the desperate people living within the issues, but that attention is quickly taken away Contributed Photos · Feature· page 6

Shakespeare in the elements

Allison Wordes — Staff Writer would have been like—in rain or shine. particular setting, except his historical plays. even the most ignorant and stubborn of people. I “The best part about Shakespeare is the Leaving the plays in an ambiguous setting would claim that Shakespeare has the greatest Saturday, September 21: Walking up the festivity,” said De Smith. “It’s a good allows for overlap between culture, keeping it influence on literature and those that read and path to the Hill Theater is like ascending to adventure.” alive to this day. study literature.” another, quieter world—a realm of story, of Attendees used black trash bags to protect “The coastal and more contemporary setting De Smith wanted his students to see how Shakespeare’s midsummer land. The small themselves from the drizzle. The theater looks made this play unique,” said junior Secondary theatre fits into a community. There is a core group of Dordt English majors are heralded like a sea of blue, yellow, and black shimmering English Education major, Zac Vanderley. “I set of players, pared down after about 40 years by the sound of trumpet music as they shuffle plastic. Wet as it may be, the stage is set, and the think one major similarity [to Shakespeare’s of productions that take the main roles. The upwards through misty air. Led by Professor show must go on. day] is the audience participation. Shakespeare’s actors come from a variety of places, including Bob De Smith and his wife, Rebecca, the group “I think the weather and the wind would plays always acknowledge the fourth wall.” Milwaukee, Madison, and Minneapolis. had driven seven hours east for two things: be the most challenging, because there are De Smith tries to arrange the trip every time “I think the show surprised me in the aspect camping and Shakespeare. elements that you have to work through to get the Shakespeare class is taught, on an every- that all the actors were there by choice and how The American Players Theater, a world-class to the audience,” said sophomore Abby Mulder, other-year basis. However, it has been over four much passion they had for the plays was clearly classical theater, put on two plays—The Book of who is majoring in Elementary Education. years since the last venture, so it was time to seen,” Mulder said. Will and Twelfth Night—in their outdoor theatre Plays in the day of the Globe Theatre would go again. “I was challenged to be more creative in my at Spring Green, WI. Because of its remote have been held on an outdoor stage. That stage “Part of it is tradition,” said De Smith, personal acting, while also challenged to read location, the company can create a unique would not install a roof until years later. describing why the trip is offered. “The fact more Shakespeare,” said Vanderley. atmosphere, reliving historical theater. Thespians built the thrust stage with painted Shakespeare has continued to stay around, and “Oftentimes theater is in a formal setting and wood and sparse decorations. The rest is left to we can be a part of it.” people spend a lot of money to see it,” said De the actors and the audience’s imaginations. He said it’s a good experience for the Smith. “For theater to be readily accessible to De Smith referred to the word “transferability” Shakespeare class and other English majors to the public is crucial—this art form should never to describe why Shakespeare has remained so go and see live theatre rather than just reading be an exclusive event for only the elite, or those popular even to this day. about it. who can afford pricey tickets. It is for everyone “He’s not a modern,” said De Smith, “but it’s “I’m always astonished at the timelessness of to enjoy.” easy to translate his world to this one.” Shakespeare’s stories,” said Vanderley. “They This was an opportunity for students to This transferability is helped by the fact can be adapted into different settings, but the understand what a play in Shakespeare’s day that Shakespeare’s plays are not placed in a themes and ideas inside each story challenge Photo by Erika Buiter Meet Dr. Derek Chitwood

Sawyer Strelnieks — Staff Writer then continued at USC and received a masters Chitwood said, “I like the idea that we are the engineering department. Chitwood noticed and PHD in Environmental Engineering. called to help our students really develop a a lot of competition between professors in his Dr. Derek Chitwood is one of the many new McDonnell Douglas, an aerospace Christian worldview.” experiences at other colleges, but here at Dordt faculty on Dordt’s campus this semester. After manufacturing company, offered him a job. Out of all the other colleges Chitwood applied the staff has helped him settle in by getting 18 years serving communities all over the Chitwood turned down this offer and instead to, Dordt University felt like it fit best and him up to speed on what students have already world, Chitwood and his wife Amy have moved pursued his call from God to serve. related to his mission to teach with a Christian learned and what still needs to be completed in back to the United States. Chitwood is looking Chitwood began his teaching career overseas worldview. their education. to help teach Dordt engineering students with a teaching English at the American University Chitwood’s big picture look at his job is to One of the challenges during his first couple Christian worldview from his own experiences. of Armenia. He then worked with small inspire some engineers to apply what they’ve weeks at Dordt has been teaching Fluid Chitwood has had the dream of becoming an communities by designing water systems and learned in a holistic way by serving communities Mechanics. Chitwood said he is starting to astronaut since childhood. In high school he had engineered a ceramic flowerpot water filter to like he felt called to do. get into a good rhythm and the courses he is the chance to meet an astronaut and was told that help with poor water quality. “Everybody I have met in this department teaching are heading in the right direction. if he wanted to pursue this profession, he first had After serving around the globe, Chitwood felt [engineering] has been very missional,” said Chitwood said he really enjoyed his first few to study aerospace engineering at a good school called to come back to the United States and Chitwood. “They care for the students so that weeks at Dordt University and hopes to see this and get into the air force. Chitwood completed teach at a Christian university. they will grow deep in the kingdom of God. This place as a long-term investment to serve and his undergrads in aerospace engineering at the “I resonated with the mission of the university doesn’t feel like a job, it feels like a ministry.” teach engineering with a holistic worldview. University of Southern California but couldn’t [Dordt University] and the way they want Chitwood has noticed the teamwork and continue with the air force due to an injury. He to communicate a Christian worldview,” willingness to help between the professors in Faculty fishbowl - Chem 305 Disengaged: students who Evangeline Colarossi — Staff Writer and launched into a hearty discussion of which they most closely related to, and how they leave Every Tuesday evening, a handful of seniors think these views relate to science – or life – circle around tables and learn about the as a whole. Throughout the meeting, hot topics Emi Stewart — Staff Writer former student Megan O’Gorman. “And my philosophy of science. The course is similar like capital-T Truth, moral relativism, and parents did not go to a four year school, so it to Core 200, but amped up and turned into a even losing sleep over Planet Nine rose up. Despite being ranked #1 in student was probably the most surprising choice for a three-hour night class. However, last Tuesday Perhaps the lightest topic of the night was that engagement for the fourth year running, Dordt college.” the students got a small break from the mental of morality. They discussed this not only in a is not immune to students leaving. O’Gorman studied digital media production work of deciphering philosophers like Kant scientific manner, but also in a human way. Nationally, only 72% of college students at Dordt for two years, but ultimately made and Kuhn. Instead of the regular class, several “Are morals just something that fits within choose to continue their college education after the choice to leave. Although she attributes the professors from various departments at Dordt a culture as well?” asked senior Michael freshman year. According to 2017 data collected main cause of her departure to personal health came together in a “Faculty Fishbowl” to do Buma. “They shift around the world. Is it just by the National Center for Education Sciences, struggles, there were other factors that affected what philosophers do best: argue. something we decide that is okay?” Dordt is above the nationwide average at a the decision. Professors Josh Matthews (English), Tom In response to their questions, many of retention rate of 81%. For earning a bachelor’s “The first time I was regarded as an outsider Clark (Mathematics), Carl Fictorie, and the students received questions in return. degree over the span of six years, the national was move-in day my freshman year,” said Channon Visscher (Chemistry), and recently The evening focused on the idea that many graduation rate is 60%, while Dordt’s is 73%. O’Gorman. retired professor of physics John Zwart munched things can be relative to one’s understanding. Dordt does seem to be in a good place when That day, an alumni parent had zeroed in on on cookies and donuts as they discussed the Professors chose to bring up more questions to compared with national averages of retention her non-Dutch surname. “’O’Gorman?’ That’s aspects of baseball, science, and truth. the students and to each other, rather than state and graduation rates, but there are still students Irish. What are you doing here?” During fall semester convocation, President things as if they were facts. who opt to transfer to different schools, or While she didn’t take it as being more than Hoekstra shared an article by Walter Anderson “Things come down to morality,” Clark said. simply drop out. a lighthearted joke at the time, O’Gorman said including the following joke. “Why can’t you do something? Is it just because Primary motives for leaving campus include as her time at Dordt went on, it became a more “Three umpires are sitting around over a beer, of social constructs and pressure? If you do financial issues and academic incompatibility, prominent issue for her. Increasingly, she began and one says, ‘There’s balls and there’s strikes, something that is disagreed with, you’d have to but there are additional reasons. to notice the presence of an inside group and and I call ‘em the way they are.’ Another says, feel the humiliation of it.” “One of the biggest reasons I left is Dordt an outside group, both in terms of ancestry and ‘There’s balls and there’s strikes and I call ‘em Many shared their viewpoints. “In science, doesn’t offer the bachelor’s degree that I want,” religious affiliation. the way that I see ‘em.’ The third says, ‘There’s you’re trying to line up these experiences to find said Mary, who requested that her name be “I have talked to Catholics, Lutherans, balls and there’s strikes and they ain’t nothin’ something that is shared even from different changed for privacy. She felt that going to a Baptists, and people of no specific denomination until I call ‘em.’” perspectives,” Clark said. Christian college was an expectation placed who, like me, had been unknowingly treated The professors read through these viewpoints To top it off, the students need to think through on her by her family because her two older like an outsider,” said O’Gorman. “I realize their own gleanings from past readings in order brothers went to Dordt. “No school is perfect, Dordt is founded on Reformed theology, and it to decide which umpire they side with the most. and sometimes it takes a few tries before you should be acknowledged, but times change, and The evening ended with spinning heads and find a place that you can really feel at home and so do people.” more questions than the night began with. As that best suits your needs.” O’Gorman feels that the culture on campus it turns out, three hours of philosophy is more While many students on campus feel that could stand a revision. “I think the best thing than even a snack break can fix. But, for these Dordt has become a second home for them, Dordt could do is acknowledge different students, it was a time of hearing what their some believe the community is inadvertently worldviews… and accept the differences of mentors had to say concerning the philosophy unaccepting. the students, instead of trying to fit them into a Photo by Carl Fictorie of science. “I definitely did not grow up Dutch,” said mold,” said O’Gorman. · Feature· page 7

Leading Young Life reaps rewards

Jaclyn Vander Waal — Staff Writer involved. Young Life Sioux County is listed in went to one student’s Boyden-Hull High School over coffee can lead to great spiritual growth. Dordt’s club directory. football game. The next day, the student showed “God didn’t intend discipleship to be optional,” Dordt students have been offered the Vasquez instructs Young Life leaders to avoid up at his Dordt football game. she said. “It wasn’t meant to be something that opportunity to serve through Young Life chasing students down with Bibles. Instead, they “They invite us over to their games and events was easy or that would fit in the mold of your International, a parachurch ministry that must earn the right to be heard by participating and desire a relationship with us,” Mackey said. life but should shatter that mold and allow God involves caring adults who work alongside in students’ daily lives. The leaders seek out Anderson has witnessed how high school to reshape it into something amazing. I have churches to show the love of Christ to high students and get involved in what they enjoy. students crave deep relationships. Students seen God work in amazing ways in my life and schoolers. “Every leader here is making a difference,” benefit from having a person to go to with in the lives of all those involved in Young Life, Alex Vasquez, area director of Young Life Vasquez said. their joys and successes but also with their and I am waiting in anticipation for this next Sioux County and a 2018 Dordt graduate, is These trained leaders have found that Young sorrows and frustrations. She found that the year and what God will do.” passionate about the youth in his club. His goal Life is all about building relationships with most important part of leading is being willing Anderson said her experiences with the is to make the community around him better. high school students in the community. Each to listen to her students through their highs and students of Young Life have blessed her and He said he strives “to be a leader and a bridge leader has three to eight students with whom lows. challenges her fellow Dordt peers to consider between different sub-communities.” they closely connect. They share meals, talk “A lot of high schoolers feel alone,” she said. leading. She said it is a step of faith that they Vasquez has seen his role in Young Life over coffee or ice cream, go out to a movie, and “It is great to be a person they can go to.” will never regret because nothing is more overcome many barriers among students in the attend their games and concerts. Not only does Young Life provide students rewarding than helping others. Sioux Center community—barriers of ethnicity, Mackey started getting involved in the lives of the opportunity to express their feelings, it also “Kids need leaders. High schoolers need culture, denomination, gender and age. his Young Life students by coaching the Sioux allows them to be themselves without fear of someone to lean on. I’m blessed every day by “Young Life has been the vehicle that Jesus Center Storm hockey team. Although he only judgment. Conversely, Anderson also enjoys my involvement with Young Life,” Mackey has given me to make a difference in the lives of knew the basics of the sport prior to coaching, being herself and having the freedom to be said. “Our slogan is: ‘You were made for this!’ the people around me, for this community and he found it to be an excellent way to get to know weird, a welcomed break from the stress of her and that is so true.” for myself,” he said. his students. He has seen the effect investing in own life and college. Five Dordt students—seniors Matt Benardis these students has. They quickly warmed up Simply being involved in a student’s life can and Kristin Rundle, and juniors Faith Anderson, to him as a leader and were willing to share have a big impact. A student more reserved Brady Mackey and Grace Lepensky—and two aspects of their lives with him. about her faith shocked Anderson by stepping Dordt alumni—Paige Visscher and Marcus De Initially, he said the leaders had to go out up and proclaiming her faith at Young Life’s Weerd—have helped Vasquez develop the new of their way to be involved in the lives of the Castaway Club camp this summer in Detroit club over the past year as Young Life leaders. students. Now, it’s a two-way relationship. The Lakes, MN. It encouraged Anderson to see how Northwest College students and alumni are also students also reach out to them. For example, he small actions such as talking with her students Contributed Photo Opinion: preaching and teaching aren’t the only job options for Christians Ben Boersma — Staff Writer hear that I’m an English major automatically Stereotypes exist for a reason, but they can’t giving easy answers when the people involved assume that I’m going into education — as if describe the variety within a group. Many need something deeper that speaks to what I’m a writer. that’s literally the only thing you can do with writers, such as Ernest Hemingway and George they’re going through. But, okay, if you’re reading this article, that an English degree. If they are decent enough R.R. Martin, started out in journalism before I’m a storyteller at heart, one who also speaks sort of goes without saying. After all, I wrote to ask me what I plan to do with my degree turning to other styles of writing. If you’re his mind. I prefer to address the hard issues in this thing. and I tell them that I’m going into journalism; willing to put the effort in, writing can become a way that’s encouraging to both believers and But it wasn’t always that way. I started out my their responses are usually one of two things: a a rewarding career. However, it takes hard non-believers alike. Writing does that. It puts college career as an engineering major. After warning of how hard it is to make a career out of work and discipline to get there. The fact that those issues into perspective- either by showing about a semester, I realized that the classes writing, or an appreciation that I’m going into I’ve committed to a career in my field of study someone struggling through them just like you were mostly math, which I did not enjoy, and a field that supposedly needs more Christians should imply that I’ve also given some thought and me, or by placing them alongside the good not much for science or design, which I loved. It in it. to the consequences. things that are also happening in this world. got to the point where I saw no purpose for the Frankly, I find both responses frustrating. Both To the second response, I say this: there are When people see that, their reaction would be math I was being taught, unless the computer assume something about my choices and future. plenty of Christian writers around. There are one of hope, which should drive them to search crashed. Now, if I had to choose a personal trait The first assumes that writers end up struggling also plenty of Christian journalists. As I see it, for the only source of hope: Jesus Christ. I don’t that I would consider a vice, it’s that I will give through their work and don’t get paid much for the problem is that many of them prefer to stay have to become a pastor or a teacher in order most anything a fair try but if I don’t see the their efforts. The second assumes that I’m going in the market that preaches to the choir rather to effectively spread the gospel. In fact, you point in doing it, I check out. to go into a field ripe for harvest and that I’m than finding ways to spread the gospel to those could say it’s all the same job, just by a different So I switched to English, much to my relief, going to turn it completely around. who haven’t heard. We often shy away from means. In that sense, preaching and teaching are and my annoyance. You see, most people who To the first response I say this: I get it. issues like disease, war, and broken families, not the only options for people like me. Dordt French classes Opinion: letter to the editor In the previous issue of the Diamond, you mask, Swift seeks to take that mask off. declining published a review of Taylor Swift’s latest Lover is not an album for the masses in the way album, Lover. While this article was well that the original article claims. Rather, it is a love Yage Wang — Staff Writer French conversations take place on campus or written, I felt that it missed some important letter from Swift to herself. It is long because see any French used in daily life, they tend to points regarding the album as a creative work, Swift wants it to be, the songs on the album As a new semester starts, the French classes assume that they won’t use it in the future either. as well as misrepresenting some of the album’s are there because Swift wants them there. Yes, are facing a crisis—the number of students However, French is practical is in many intent. many of the songs feel as if they were plucked enrolled is steeply declining. In the spring different fields. According to a study by the Released in 2017, Reputation shocked not from Swift’s diary, but that’s where she writes semester, there were still 10 students, including University of Virginia, French is the second only Swift’s hardcore fanbase but also anyone most of her songs. The songs are placed in a 3 campus staff, in the Elementary French class. most useful language for business. Students with ears who had been around for her previous way that makes Swift happy. She takes creative However, for this fall, the number of students who are business majors can use French in their five albums. liberty on this album, as she should, seeing as participating in the current Intermediate French future working positions to make connections It was a clear departure from her previous this is her album. The songs on Lover are not class is only three. and interact with people in Canada, Europe, and works; however, it was not the first departure ones written by a lovesick teenager—they are One of the main reasons previous students Africa. from the perceived “norm.” written by a 29-year-old woman who has been have dropped French classes is busy schedules. Sarah Selenga, the TA of the Intermediate When Taylor Swift released Red back in 2012, through immense trials in an extremely public It can be difficult for students to find time and French class and who is originally from Congo, the media flew into a frenzy as Swift straddled spotlight, and who has every right to sing songs energy to fulfill the language study requirements. says that French has significantly affected her the line between her country roots and pop about the things she cares about, even if that In addition to students who drop French classes, life. music. When 1989 came out, people were once means singing about love and relationships. To there are also not many new students interested “Learning French allows me to acknowledge again polarized as she released an album that say that this album reaffirms her as an “eternal in joining the classes. more literature and documents about my set her apart from her teen idol roots. Saturday teenager” is an insult to her natural talent, hard According to Professor Leendert Van Beek, country because they are all written in French,” Night Live even aired a sketch for the fake work, and dedication. Taylor Swift deserves who teaches in Dordt’s Language Studies Selenga said. medication “Swiftamine,” a prescription drug respect and recognition for the work she’s done Department, the root of the problem stems from Another benefit of studying different for adults who suddenly realized they liked and everything she’s sacrificed in order to get two things. First, students in Sioux Center are languages is that it stimulates the brain to stay Taylor Swift. where she is. not broadly exposed to many other languages more active than people who are monolinguals. Both Red and 1989 were reinventions of sorts, This is not an album made for the masses, nor except English and Spanish. According to the New York Times, “Being allowing Swift to grow in her music and style. is it intended to “reaffirm her place in the music Second, students generally do not think bilingual, it turns out, makes you smarter. It can Last week’s article made the bold claim that industry as the eternal teenager” as the original studying French is practical. have a profound effect on your brain, improving Lover was meant to reaffirm Swift’s place in article so boldly claims. This is an album for “Students usually only look for short term cognitive skills not related to language and even the music industry as “the eternal teenager,” but Taylor Swift, by Taylor Swift, about Taylor profits but not considering for the future,” said shielding against dementia in old age.” that is simply not true. Swift has been fighting Swift. We as listeners are just lucky enough to Van Beek. “French is useful for many different In addition to French, Dordt also offers to be recognized as an adult woman for years, get to listen. majors, not only for Language studies.” Dutch, Latin, Greek, and Spanish language but not just any adult woman. In an industry - Hannah Adams, Sophomore He believes that because students don’t hear programs. where in order to succeed, one must put on a Secondary Ed: English major The Back Page page 8

While recycling in America struggles, Dordt finds more sustainable solutions Gretchen Lee — Staff Writer various places, and the recycling bins in the research into them in the near future. Grille are made of recycled milk jugs that can Jasper and Vekony also encourage students As a Christian university that believes in being be used for years to come. to use less glass and repurpose the glass they good stewards of God’s creation, what is Dordt “We encourage people to be cooperative,” do use. If students wish to recycle glass, Sioux doing to fight the recycling issues America is Wilson said. “We are happy to cooperate with Center’s website advises residents to drop facing? students on recycling, but we expect them to glass items off directly at Brommer Sanitation, According to the World Trade Organization, take initiative themselves.” which is contracted by the city for garbage and China issued a statement in 2017 that they Some of the students taking initiative on recycling pick-up services. would no longer be accepting plastic and paper campus are members of the Sustainability Club, Dr. Joel Sikkema, the director of the pro- scraps of any kind. Being the largest importer which is co-chaired by seniors Ellie Jasper and tech program, agrees with the encouragement of U.S. recyclables, China’s decision has put the Anna Vekony. to use less glass, saying that it creates more United States in a position where its recycling “[The recycling situation] puts responsibility environmental damage due to the amount of centers are no longer able to keep up with the on us as Americans to find solutions for our own energy it takes to melt and transport the heavy amount of recyclable waste produced. As a plastic,” Jasper said. “We need to harness our material to places that process glass. result, much of the plastics put into recycling creativity.” Sikkema encourages students to look at the bins are dumped into landfills. The Sustainability Club has recently spent waste hierarchy pyramid, which lays out the While recycling in America has become more time discussing how Dordt can continue its options of what to do with waste. It lists options Photo by Gretchen Lee difficult, Dordt is working to cut down on waste. steps towards reducing waste. Some of their (prevention, reuse, repurpose, recycling, we should be doing before we get to that.” Howard Wilson, Dordt’s vice president and ideas include working to eliminate plastic at recovery, and disposal), in order by which they Like the Sustainability Club, Sikkema sees the chief administrative officer, said the current the Commons and grille, providing bamboo- should be considered. At the top, “prevention” new recycling challenge as an opportunity to goal is to reduce the amount of recyclable waste made cutlery or creating initiatives for students and “reduce” encourages people to cut back on creatively reevaluate how to take responsibility by providing students with more sustainable to bring their own reusable silverware, and waste creation. Recycling is the fourth of six for our waste and cut down on how much we options around campus. In the Commons, providing discounts for students who bring their options. produce. reusable boxes are available for takeout food, own containers to the Grille. All these ideas are “Recycling has become our go-to solution,” “Ultimately,” Sikkema said, “we need to ask, water-bottle refilling stations are available in still in development, but they hope to put more Sikkema said. “In reality, we have several things ‘What is best for God’s creation?’” (cont.) Midnight man (cont.) Living Loved Continued from page 1 KDCR and turns the volume all the way up. Continued from page 1 and, in turn, bring revival to a whole community studiers offer Van Gelder a rare opportunity to Music echoes throughout the building. The movement’s Instagram and Facebook of believers. interact with other humans while working. Many individuals would find loneliness pages post multiple time a week. A man’s For more information, follow @ “I think it keeps an older person younger in this scene, yet Van Gelder embraces the testimony on Monday, event recaps on wearelivingloved on Instagram and Facebook too, being around young people,” Van Gelder seclusion—and he’s not ready to leave anytime Wednesday, and a woman’s testimony of or go to wearelivingloved.org. says. “I don’t feel like I’ve changed much in 17 soon. Friday. While WALL is not affiliated with years.” “Seven, eight more years?” Van Gelder says. Dordt University, many followers of the page For the most part, students at Dordt keep “I see no reason to quit.” are Dordt students. the buildings on campus clean and respect the He isn’t alone. At 61 years old, Van Gelder “Living loved is a daily decision, relationship, jobs of maintenance workers, according to Van is one year removed from the second most and commitment,” Krosschell said. “Each of Gelder. Nonetheless, an ill-advised prank or populous demographic of male janitorial us has been gifted a testimony—whether it’s a two often gives Van Gelder and his colleagues workers in America (60). An estimated 47,000 drastic one or one where you feel like you have more work than they bargained for. men work custodian jobs at the age. However, no story, because other people feel like that and “People don’t realize it takes us extra time a sharp decline exists afterwards. Only 28% of can relate to it. In 2 Corinthians, Paul says how out of our schedule to get stuff like that cleaned these individuals continue into till 69, like Van the basis of a testimony is for the furtherment of up,” Van Gelder says. Gelder hopes to. the kingdom.” At 3:00 am, the Science and Technology Van Gelder checks his email one last Krosschell hopes that through this movement, Center is empty. Work study students left hours time before punching out at 7:00 am. Light revival will take place on an individual level ago, and the engineering majors called it quits illuminates the Dordt campus. In an hour, Photo by from Living Loved Facebook at 1:00 am, the same time Van Gelder took his students heading to class will find a fully break. In the solitude, Van Gelder tunes a radio cleaned Science and Technology Center. Life after Dordt Anthony Siegrist — Staff Writer monetary situation now,” Bender said. “I also really want to have kids and we can’t…until we Four years seems like a lifetime to incoming make enough to support [them].” freshmen when they are first beginning. But In 2019, student loan debt climbed to a total of after they learn to brush off the nerves and dive $1.5 trillion dollars spread across a population into college living, the years rush by and... of 44 million indebted graduates, according to BAM! the Pew Research Center. That number is the They’re a college graduate. highest it has ever been. Here’s where the tricky part comes in-- “In college you’re raking up the debt but don’t independent adult living. Instead of worrying even worry about it,” Bender joked. “Now that about what meal the Dordt Commons is going I’m done, I’m getting emails about paying off to serve next Saturday, graduates must concern my loans. That level of responsibility doesn’t themselves with job hunts or menial tasks like just come with marriage, it comes with being bills and taxes. done with college and being out of the house.” Jalyn Bender, a Dordt Alumni, graduated a The Benders are uncertain about life after theater major. The next day, she got married. Aidan’s graduation. Bender’s dream job is Within 48 hours, Jalyn went from being an to be a stay-at-home-mom, and it always has engaged college student to a married college been. However, until she and her husband are graduate. ready, Bender stays active in the community, At first glance, the only noticeable thing that which enables her to get to know many people has changed about Jalyn is a shorter haircut— of different generations. This also allows her to fondly self-proclaimed as her “mom cut.” stay connected with her friends still at Dordt. Currently, the Benders are living in Sioux “I do definitely miss [Dordt] already. I Center. Bender’s husband, Aidan, will continue especially miss my theater department [because] his senior year at Dordt. In the meantime, that was such a big part of my life. I love being Bender stays busy with what will be four part- involved in shows; that was my favorite part of time jobs. Dordt,” Bender said. With a taste for variety, Bender currently teaches English online to children in China and teaches tumbling at Studio R, a local dance studio. In the next couple weeks, Bender will also start working as a CNA at Royal Meadows and a barista at The Fruited Plain. For some, life after college can be hard to get accustomed to, and there is a lot of responsibility involved. “I’m much more conscious…about our Contributed Photo