News
November 2, 2023
One Circle builds momentum
Last year, demonstrations nationwide and through the Goshen College campus and broader community, the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) was upheld by the United States Supreme Court. Though this was a major success for One Circle, the campus affinity group for Indigenous students and an advocacy club, they continue to fight for other issues affecting Indigenous communities. One of the main issues One Circle is presently raising awareness for is the land conflict in Oak Flat, Arizona. Manny Villanueva, one of the co-founders of One Circle, shared what exactly is happening at Oak Flat. “Resolution Copper is a mining company...
October 26, 2023
Westlawn renovation update
The kitchen, fully gutted, is being prepped for new installations. The orange marks on the floor are where new counters will be installed. Brian Mast, director of facilities, admires the foundation for the new glass staircase and lobby. The staircase leading up from the ground floor is completely ripped out. On the third floor, framing for study rooms and classrooms is complete. Overall, construction is progressing on schedule, according to Mast.
October 26, 2023
Students hold vigil for Palestine
The lobby of Umble Center was overflowing with Goshen College faculty, staff and students for a peace vigil dedicated to the recent events in Israel and Palestine. Last Thursday evening, 80 people arrived for the observance which began with people spilling out the doors into the rainy weather. Organized by Luisa Dutchersmith, a junior elementary education (TESOL) major, Fatima Zahara, a junior music and theater double major, Meredith Blossom, a junior English and theater double major and Phillip Witmer-Rich, a junior music and English double major, the vigil was devoted to making space for mourning, prayer, storytelling and silence. Dutchersmith,...
October 26, 2023
Business department tests 7-week condensed classes
This fall, the business department tested out an accelerated schedule for some of its courses, shifting them from a traditional 14-week calendar to a seven-week intensive. For the first half of the semester, International Economics, a three-credit class taught by Jerrell Ross Richer, met for 50 minutes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and for 75 minutes on Tuesday and Thursday. The class of 17 students met for five hours a week but finished at the midterm break on Oct. 12. Michelle Horning, chair of the business department, explained that the reasoning is twofold: to help students have more flexibility in...
October 26, 2023
‘Homies 4 Housing’ pushes for change
“Homies 4 Housing,” a group organized by seniors Annika Alderfer Fisher and Brielle Agnew, and juniors Virginia Jimenez and Arleth Martinez-Vargas, launched their campaign last week by distributing posters across campus. “The group formed as a result of a class,” Martinez-Vargas said. Agnew described the initial purpose for the group, stating: “[We] needed to pick a policy or policies on campus and come up with a campaign to get those policies changed for the better of the students.” The group’s work is inspired by the conflicts that arose over housing last spring when 33 students were waitlisted for the Romero...
October 12, 2023
‘Change will be coming’
Thirty-seven students voted in the Student Senate election held in the Hunsberger Commons on Oct. 4. Gabe Martinez is now president of the Senate; Javier Reyes is the vice president; Daniel Eash-Scott is serving as vice president of marketing; Jaden Richardson is the liaison to student organizations. All candidates ran unopposed. Gilberto Pérez Jr., dean of students and faculty co-adviser to the Student Senate, emphasized the importance of listening to student voices. “The Student Senate is really the one who holds those issues [brought forward by students], and then works to advocate on the student’s behalf to administration,” Pérez said....
October 12, 2023
Homecoming convocation honors alumni
Last Friday, Goshen College faculty, alumni and current students met for a convocation that welcomed alumni back to Goshen and recognized the outstanding work of a few of these alumni. Daryl Abbott ’69 and Pauline (Graybill) Kennel ’53 were announced as winners of the culture for service award. The Dr. Ruth Gunden and Dr. Roman Gingerich champions of character awardees were Melissa (Lehman) Gillette ’05 and Geof Landis ’76. The young alumni servant leadership award was presented to Jeremy Pope ’11. Champions of character awards recognize former student-athletes for positive contributions to their communities and values such as integrity, servant...
October 12, 2023
Student-led autism social group doubles in size
Last year, The Record reported on a social group for Goshen College students with autism spectrum disorder. The group is run by Brooke Lemmon, professor of education and director of special education at GC, and consisted of six students. In the past nine months, the group has more than doubled in size; on any given meeting day, up to 16 students will show up. Lemmon said that a few key aspects have changed; the group is now meeting twice a month instead of weekly, and for the first time since its inception, it meets in the evenings. “We always met...
October 12, 2023
Green wins national oratorical contest
Jakyra Green’s speech claimed first prize in Mennonite Central Committee’s binational intercollegiate C. Henry Smith Peace Oratorical Contest, after winning at Goshen College’s contest in February 2023. Green’s speech, titled “The Privilege of Peace,” focused on the illusion or privilege surrounding peace for Black people and their realities in America. Green, a senior English and education major from Elkhart, received a $500 award plus a $500 scholarship from MCC. One binational judge wrote the following in comments on the binational contest scorecard, directed to Green: “Excellent, powerful delivery from beginning to end. You kept the audience engaged, appealed to their...
October 12, 2023
Marine biology program casts off with new lead professor
For five Goshen College marine biology students, going to class this semester means stepping into a boat and motoring into the Florida Keys. Phillip Allman, associate professor of marine biology, is the new director of GC’s marine biology program at the recently refurbished J.N. Roth Marine Biology Station in Layton, Florida. Ashley Christison, a junior marine biology major from San Diego, said a day of class opens with a discussion in the morning followed by time on the water or activities in the afternoon. On their first day of class, the students learned about ocean and wind currents and practiced...
October 5, 2023
Ellington takes on DEI leadership
For months, the role of director for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) at Goshen College was empty, until last May when the position was filled by Aja Ellington. “The Committee on DEI has responsibility for the campus as a whole — students and employees all together,” said Jody Saylor, chair of the committee on DEI. “We’re gathering resources and information to support people across the institution … Aja Ellington is the face of the student side.” Ellington develops professional trainings on DEI, assists with oversight for affinity groups, works toward education and bias training and serves on the MLK planning...
October 5, 2023
Rodriguez juggles to take first place at Kick-Off
Kick-Off, the annual talent show held by the Goshen College Campus Activities Council (CAC), was held last Saturday in Sauder Concert Hall. As a long- standing tradition, students and staff alike looked forward to the evening with many classes the day before buzzing with conversation in anticipation for the acts and outfits that would be presented. Kevin Schultz, assistant director of residence life, was in charge of the planning this year. “We had weekly meetings to delegate tasks and come up with ideas or solutions to barriers,” he said. “Each member of CAC was assigned tasks based on their skill...
October 5, 2023
Adult, graduate enrollment surges
The number of students enrolled in adult and graduate programs at Goshen College this fall more than doubled from a year ago, driven significantly by a demand from local schools for teachers, and especially teachers who specialize in working with students for whom English is their second language. GC enrolled 102 students in adult and graduate programs this fall, a 149% increase from 41 one year ago. The program has a variety of offerings, including new online classes in transition to teaching, an English Learner’s (EL) certification, a bachelor’s in business management and a Master of Social Work (MSW). “After...
October 5, 2023
Shifting culture inspires book
Over the past 20 years, the cultural, demographic and religious identity of Goshen College has substantially shifted. The history of the college’s identity regarding inclusion of LGBTQ+ students and employees as well as integration of BIPOC individuals is captured in a new book from John Roth, professor emeritus of history “A Mennonite College for Everyone(?): Goshen College and the Quest for Identity and Inclusion, 1960-2020.” Lawrence Giden, specialized community engagement coordinator of the center for community engagement and former adviser for the Black Student Union, was particularly drawn to Roth’s chapter regarding Mennonites and race relations. Giden noted that in...
September 28, 2023
HSI: Laying the foundation for what’s to come
Though Goshen College was thrilled to receive the designation of a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) last January, it was still unclear to many what this meant practically for students. According to last year’s press release, the designation comes as a result of the college having 25% of its full-time undergraduate students identifying as Hispanic and a high number of students who demonstrate financial need. The primary benefits of the designation are that the college now has access to Title III and Title V funds through the U.S. Department of Education. For example, GC became eligible for and recently received a $3...