A professor of Bible and religion, fluent in upwards of 15 languages and with a Ph.D. from Harvard University, Paul Keim knows just about everything.   A pudgy, balding man in his 60s with a beard few can claim outside of the Amish tradition, Keim looks the part of a biblical scholar, but at first glance, “basketball star” doesn’t seem like a fitting tagline. However, a heavy influence from sports beginning as a child sparked lifelong relationships and intercultural experiences.   Volleyball, football, tennis, softball, basketball—you name it, Keim played it as a kid. He also pushed himself academically as...

By Nick Yutzy • March 21, 2019 • Features

When I walked into an interview for an intern position my first year at Goshen College, I greeted Glenn Gilbert, director of facilities, and another man who looked at me through rimless glasses. He introduced himself as Lewis, or Lew Naylor, an adjunct professor of chemistry. Then, before he said another word, his phone let out a “ding” and he says to no one in particular, “I just got approved for a new patent!”   Naylor began a life of science over 50 years ago, starting his career as a high school chemistry teacher. He moved on to graduate school...

By Bryce Stopher • March 9, 2019 • Features

Kourtney Crawford, a University of Indianapolis alum, has been named the new head coach for Goshen College women’s volleyball, following the retirement of Jim Routhier, head coach of 32 years.   Most recently, Crawford was an assistant coach for the women’s volleyball team at the University of Indianapolis. Crawford also has held assistant and head coaching positions in numerous locations in the Indianapolis area, including at Warren Central High School and Bishop Chatard High School.   Crawford is from Indianapolis and has no connection to Goshen, but she was quickly drawn to the athletic program and the small and close-knit...

By Cecilia Garcia • March 7, 2019 • News

Following a brief hospitalization, Carolyn Schrock-Shenk, retired professor of peace, justice and conflict studies (PJCS), passed away on Feb. 6. Schrock-Shenk played a defining role in the setup and functioning of Goshen College’s Inside-Out May Term class. Without Schrock-Shenk, there would not be an Inside-Out Exchange Program at GC.   Inside-Out, according to the Inside-Out Center, is a national program to bring college students from the “outside” and inmates, the “inside” students, together for a class. The program allows students to interact with inmates and puts everyone on an equal level. The original Inside-Out program is based out of Temple...

By Patrick Webb • February 21, 2019 • Features

It all began with a cooking video. We’ve all seen those videos cross our Facebook feeds. A pair of well-manicured hands dances across the screen, combining ingredients that culminate in a fancy-looking meal that you too can make in your own kitchen! This video was different. These hands prepared a full day’s breakfast, lunch and dinner. In many ways, this video was similar to all the others: the camera angles and subject matter were familiar. That being said, in this video, the hands were the size of a toy doll’s. I first saw this video in August of 2017. In...

By Riley Borntreger • February 8, 2019 • Features

The Goshen College Faculty Trio performed last weekend to a large, enthusiastic audience. Despite winter weather, Rieth Recital Hall was packed with students and community members for the concert. The faculty trio is comprised of Jose Rocha, Matthew Hill and Solomia Soroka, all professors of music. Rocha conducts the Goshen College Symphony Orchestra and Wind Symphony on top of teaching applied cello and music education classes. Hill, chair of the music department, teaches applied piano, music theory, piano pedagogy and chamber music courses. Soroka teaches applied violin, music theory and chamber music. Hill said that it is important for professors...

By Emily Bennett • January 31, 2019 • Arts

Gilberto Pérez Jr., Goshen College dean of students, announced his bid recently for Goshen City Council. He is seeking the Democratic nomination for District 5, which includes Goshen College, in the May 7 primary election.   Pérez has been a Goshen resident since 2001. He joined Goshen College as an associate professor of social work in 2012.   In 2014, Pérez served as senior director of intercultural development and educational partnerships through Goshen College’s Center for Intercultural and International Education (CIIE) until he was appointed dean of students in July 2017. Pérez is also a member of President Rebecca Stoltzfus’...

By Megan Bower • January 25, 2019 • News

Two Goshen College faculty members will be stepping into new leadership positions beginning July 1. Beth Martin Birky will transition to the position of associate dean; Jan Bender Shetler will transition to director of international education. Birky, who currently is serving as Title IX deputy coordinator, is a 1983 GC graduate and holds a master’s degree from Arizona State University and a doctorate from Loyola University Chicago. She has served in numerous roles on campus since 1993. Most recently, Birky has taught English along with women and gender studies classes and served as English department chair and WGS director. Previously,...

By Kristin Troyer • January 17, 2019 • News

Most students know of the Good Library Gallery. However, there is more to the gallery than meets the eye. Fritz Hartman, Good Library director and manager of the art gallery, explained that the gallery was built as part of the original design for the library. Since 1967, a great variety of displays have been held in the gallery. The gallery hosts two to four galleries each year and has held over 150 unique galleries since its inception. Nonetheless, delays in building construction pushed the first 1967 gallery to another location, according to Joe Springer, Mennonite Historical Library curator. The first...

By Patrick Webb • January 17, 2019 • Features

Every once in a while, it’s discovered that a staff member at Goshen College has an alternate identity. Pamela Osborne, the help desk manager at ITS, is one of these people. In addition to saving the lives of people unfortunate enough to encounter the many faults of modern technology, Osborne is the founder and owner of Juxtapose, a vibrant art gallery and shop in downtown Elkhart that displays everything from sculptures and paintings to handmade jewelry and chocolates. Osborne grew up in Upland, Indiana, living there through high school. After graduating, Osborne attended Indiana State University for two years. “The...

By Carter Mckay-Epp • January 17, 2019 • Features

“Dribble-dribble. Cross-cross. Between the legs. Hit the three!” said Roderick Wilmont, an assistant coach. This is how afternoon basketball practice begins for the Goshen College Men’s Basketball Team. “Get hot, Ryan!” Wilmont yelled to a first-year during a shooting drill. This may sound typical of a college basketball practice, but the man yelling it is not your average coach. Wilmont grew up in the Miami area playing basketball, where he did not start playing the game until he was 7 or 8 years old. “My mom played basketball at Baylor University and my dad was all about football,” Wilmont said....

By William Troyer • November 28, 2018 • Features

Since its inception in 1968, Goshen College’s Study Service Term (SST) has sent over 7,000 students to 24 different countries. And for the past 15 years, Tom Meyers has worked as director of international education at GC — a role which involves overseeing the SST program and further developing it. For Meyers, a graduate of Goshen College, the SST program has been a big part of his life. Meyers has had the unique advantage of experiencing SST as a student, faculty leader, parent and director. As director of international education, Meyers has a long list of responsibilities: organizing all the...

By Cecilia Garcia • November 7, 2018 • Features

By many measures, Richard Aguirre is a model of American success. He won awards as one of the fastest milers in the country as a high school track star. He became an accomplished journalist, supervising a staff of 35 as a senior editor at the Salem Statesman Journal in Oregon. He served as director of public relations at Goshen College for nearly a decade and now holds the title of community impact coordinator. But he is deeply aware of how his own story intertwines with that of his family, complicating the telling. He strongly believes that his family story mirrors...

By Tomás da Fonseca • November 2, 2018 • News

“Dribble, dribble, cross, cross, between the legs, hit the three!” Basketball practice is just starting as the men’s team starts their first drill of the afternoon. “Get hot, Ryan!” Coach Roderick “Rod” Wilmont yells to a first-year during their next shooting drill. A lot of NAIA basketball practices may sound like this, but the man yelling these phrases is not your average coach. Wilmont grew up in the Miami area playing basketball. He said he did not start playing the game until he was seven or eight years old. “My mom played basketball at Baylor University and my dad was...

By William Troyer • October 31, 2018 • Sports

Just like students, faculty are more engaged when they are excited about their work. Upon beginning her tenure at Goshen College, Goshen College President Rebecca Stoltzfus immediately began to think of ways to reinvigorate the faculty. One of the ways Stoltzfus has done so is with Faculty Renewal Grants. Thanks to these grants, GC has provided 20 faculty with funding for academic projects and upgrades to equipment and academic programs.   The grants were introduced by Stoltzfus in November 2017. Of the $1,000,000 raised by Stoltzfus in her first six months for a President’s Innovation Fund, $335,000 was dedicated to...

By Patrick Webb • October 24, 2018 • Features