Bachelor - Wabash Collegebachelor.wabash.edu/issues/2011s/Issue_15.pdf · Bachelor is subject to...

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Bachelor THINK CRITICALLY • ACT RESPONSIBLY • LEAD EFFECTIVELY • LIVE HUMANELY the student voice of wabash since 1908 February 4, 2011 volume 104 • issue 15 Spor Spor ts, 7 ts, 7 T T r r ac ac k R k R ela ela y y s s New s, 2 s, 2 R R at at er er s on R s on R et et ention ention New s, 3 s, 3 Celebr Celebr ation of S ation of S tudent tudent R R esear esear c c h h In This Issue: College, Board “Play Offense” RILEY FLOYD ‘13 EDITOR IN CHIEF “The last couple of years . . . we were playing defense—pretty aggressive defense. In addition to the market crash we had John- ny Smith then we had Patrick Woehnker even before that. We had Bill Placher. These are tough things for a community like this. . . . And this year we could really focus on offense. I think playing real- ly good defense was a very good offense the last couple of years. But now I think that we’re making some bold moves,” President of the Board of Trustees Stephen Bowen ’68, said. Bold moves indeed. The Challenge of Excel- lence Campaign that kicked off last October already raised $38 million of its $60 million goal. A Mellon Grant will fund the Col- lege’s new Asian Studies program. And a grant from the Arthur Vining Davis Foundation aims to improve student retention. Bowen lauded all of these accomplishments, and, of course, reflected on the Lit- tle Giants’ Monon Bell vic- tory. “The fact that the Mel- lon Foundation wants to invest in Wabash College is a great thing. . . . And when you hammer DePauw 47 to nothing, that’s just icing on the cake.” The Board of Trustees met last weekend for one of their three meetings of the academic year. Last weekend’s meeting was their second this year. And Bowen was impressed. “We have done some retrenchment on the cam- pus, and our objective now is to make us as strong as we can be the way we’re configured now. So we’ve started a capital campaign, and we are well into that. And so far the early returns are very good. And we are raising money for students, faculty, our business leaders program, immersion trips, and all of that—all goals of the Strategic Plan. Even though we’ve had to retrench, we’re still pursu- ing our Strategic Plan, and I don’t think a lot of colleges are doing that,” Bowen said. Bowen and the other Trustees met with newly tenured faculty for dinner last Thursday evening and with junior and senior stu- dents for another dinner last Friday evening. In addition to the College’s accom- plishments, it’s the interac- tion of being back on camps that energizes Bowen. “Just being here is terrif- ic,” Bowen said. “I like see- ing the students. I love see- ing the faculty. I really miss my friend Bill Placher.” ALEX MOSEMAN | WABASH ‘11 The Career Services Center continues to help students plan for the future with resume, interview, and networking help. JOEL BUSTAMANTE ‘11 MANAGING EDITOR In baseball, getting a hit 30-percent of the time is considered phenome- nal. For the Career Service Center’s Internship Week, 1.7% is pretty good. That’s the amount of students who routinely sign up for the Career Ser- vices events out of the entire student body population. “Students need to not only invest in their school activities, but also in their future,” Director of Career Ser- vices Scott Crawford said. “Activities are only one aspect of your time here, but your career will be the majority of your life.” According to a recent survey con- ducted by the Bachelor, 54-percent of the 55 students who responded report- ed only attending a small portion of the events held by the Career Services. “Of the events I don't attend, it is generally a combination of me not being interested in the particular topic and doesn't work in my schedule,” one student said. Even more disconcerting is the amount of the same students who attend multiple events. Most events allow 15-20 students to sign up, yet there are at least four students on aver- age that attend more than one in a giv- en week. It seems that these slots are getting filled because the same stu- dents are routinely signing up. “Some students just enjoy going to the events even after they’ve secured a job,” Crawford said. And why aren’t students taking advantage of one the few Career Ser- vice Centers to open up multiple resources without charge or hassle to the students? It seems that student interest is at a very low number. “As a sophomore, Career Services isn't a priority right now,” another sur- vey participant said. Seniors accounted for the majority of the survey participants, while fresh- men responded the least. As the end of their Wabash careers draws nearer, it Students Lack Interest in Career Services Events See, TURNOUT, Page 3 Despite a Week Dedicated to Internships and Resumé Building, Career Services Notices Low Student Turnout Snow Storm Hits Campus See, TRUSTEES, Page 3 ALEX MOSEMAN | WABASH ‘11 As snow and ice moved toward the midwest on Monday afternoon, campus services prepared for the meterological onslaught. By late Monday, President White encouraged students to keep laptops and cell phones charged in the event of a power failure. Tuesday and Wednesday saw some classes cancelled. Most classes continued as normal. Meanwhile, other colleges and universities across the state cancelled classes altogether. PHOTO COURTESY OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS President of the Board of Trustees Stephen Bowen ‘68 lauded the College for making progress despite the financial downturn.

Transcript of Bachelor - Wabash Collegebachelor.wabash.edu/issues/2011s/Issue_15.pdf · Bachelor is subject to...

Page 1: Bachelor - Wabash Collegebachelor.wabash.edu/issues/2011s/Issue_15.pdf · Bachelor is subject to the applica-ble rate card. The Bachelor reserves the right to deny requests for publication

BachelorTHINK CRITICALLY • ACT RESPONSIBLY • LEAD EFFECTIVELY • LIVE HUMANELY

the student voice of wabash since 1908February 4, 2011 volume 104 • issue 15

SporSpor ts, 7ts, 7TTrr acack Rk Relaela yy ss

NNeeww s, 2s, 2

RRatat erer s on Rs on Retet entionention

NNeeww s, 3s, 3

CelebrCelebr ation of Sation of S tudenttudentRResearesear cchh

In This Issue:

College, Board“Play Offense”RRIILLEEYY FFLLOOYYDD ‘‘1133EDITOR IN CHIEF

“The last couple of years. . . we were playingdefense—pretty aggressivedefense. In addition to themarket crash we had John-ny Smith then we hadPatrick Woehnker evenbefore that. We had BillPlacher. These are toughthings for a community likethis. . . . And this year wecould really focus onoffense. I think playing real-ly good defense was a verygood offense the last coupleof years. But now I thinkthat we’re making somebold moves,” President ofthe Board of TrusteesStephen Bowen ’68, said.

Bold moves indeed. The Challenge of Excel-

lence Campaign that kickedoff last October alreadyraised $38 million of its $60million goal. A MellonGrant will fund the Col-lege’s new Asian Studiesprogram. And a grant fromthe Arthur Vining DavisFoundation aims to improvestudent retention.

Bowen lauded all of theseaccomplishments, and, ofcourse, reflected on the Lit-tle Giants’ Monon Bell vic-tory. “The fact that the Mel-lon Foundation wants toinvest in Wabash Collegeis a great thing. . . . Andwhen you hammer DePauw47 to nothing, that’s justicing on the cake.”

The Board of Trusteesmet last weekend for oneof their three meetings ofthe academic year. Lastweekend’s meeting wastheir second this year. AndBowen was impressed.

“We have done someretrenchment on the cam-pus, and our objective now

is to make us as strong aswe can be the way we’reconfigured now. So we’vestarted a capital campaign,and we are well into that.And so far the early returnsare very good. And we areraising money for students,faculty, our business leadersprogram, immersion trips,and all of that—all goals ofthe Strategic Plan. Eventhough we’ve had toretrench, we’re still pursu-ing our Strategic Plan, and Idon’t think a lot of collegesare doing that,” Bowensaid.

Bowen and the otherTrustees met with newlytenured faculty for dinnerlast Thursday evening andwith junior and senior stu-dents for another dinner lastFriday evening. In additionto the College’s accom-plishments, it’s the interac-tion of being back on campsthat energizes Bowen.

“Just being here is terrif-ic,” Bowen said. “I like see-ing the students. I love see-ing the faculty. I really missmy friend Bill Placher.”

ALEX MOSEMAN | WABASH ‘11

The Career Services Center continues to help students planfor the future with resume, interview, and networking help.

JJOOEELL BBUUSSTTAAMMAANNTTEE ‘‘1111MANAGING EDITOR

In baseball, getting a hit 30-percentof the time is considered phenome-nal. For the Career Service Center’sInternship Week, 1.7% is pretty good.That’s the amount of students whoroutinely sign up for the Career Ser-vices events out of the entire studentbody population.

“Students need to not only investin their school activities, but also intheir future,” Director of Career Ser-vices Scott Crawford said. “Activitiesare only one aspect of your time here,but your career will be the majority of

your life.”According to a recent survey con-

ducted by the Bachelor, 54-percent ofthe 55 students who responded report-ed only attending a small portion of theevents held by the Career Services.

“Of the events I don't attend, it isgenerally a combination of me notbeing interested in the particular topicand doesn't work in my schedule,”one student said.

Even more disconcerting is theamount of the same students whoattend multiple events. Most eventsallow 15-20 students to sign up, yetthere are at least four students on aver-age that attend more than one in a giv-en week. It seems that these slots aregetting filled because the same stu-

dents are routinely signing up.“Some students just enjoy going to

the events even after they’ve secured ajob,” Crawford said.

And why aren’t students takingadvantage of one the few Career Ser-vice Centers to open up multipleresources without charge or hassle tothe students? It seems that studentinterest is at a very low number.

“As a sophomore, Career Servicesisn't a priority right now,” another sur-vey participant said.

Seniors accounted for the majorityof the survey participants, while fresh-men responded the least. As the end oftheir Wabash careers draws nearer, it

Students Lack Interest inCareer Services Events

SSeeee,, TTUURRNNOOUUTT,, PPaaggee 33

Despite a Week Dedicated to Internships and ResuméBuilding, Career Services Notices Low Student Turnout

Snow Storm HitsCampus

SSeeee,, TTRRUUSSTTEEEESS,, PPaaggee 33

ALEX MOSEMAN | WABASH ‘11

As snow and ice moved toward the midwest on Monday afternoon,campus services prepared for the meterological onslaught. By lateMonday, President White encouraged students to keep laptops and cellphones charged in the event of a power failure. Tuesday andWednesday saw some classes cancelled. Most classes continued asnormal. Meanwhile, other colleges and universities across the statecancelled classes altogether.

PHOTO COURTESY OF PUBLIC

AFFAIRS

President of the Board ofTrustees Stephen Bowen ‘68lauded the College formaking progress despite thefinancial downturn.

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PAGE 2 The Bachelor February 4, 2011

301 w. wabash Ave.

crawfordsville, IN

47933

EDITOR IN CHIEFRiley Floyd

[email protected] EDITOR

Joel [email protected]

NEWS EDITORGabe Watson

[email protected] EDITOR

Alex [email protected]

SPORTS EDITORBrandan Alford

[email protected] EDITORJoel Bustamante

[email protected] PHOTO EDITORAlex Moseman

[email protected] ADVISOR

Howard [email protected]

The purpose of The Bachelor is toserve the school audience, includ-ing but not limited to administra-tors, faculty and staff, parents,alumni, community members andmost importantly, the students.Because this is a school paper,the content and character withinwill cater to the student body’sinterests, ideas and issues.Further, this publication will serveas a medium and forum for stu-dent opinions and ideas.

Although an individual newspa-per, the Board of Publicationspublishes The Bachelor. TheBachelor and BOP receive fund-ing from the Wabash CollegeStudent Senate, which derives itsfunds from the Wabash College student body.

Letters (e-mails) to the editor are welcomed and encouraged. Theywill only be published if theyinclude name, phone, or e-mail,and are not longer than 300words. The Bachelor reserves theright to edit letters for content, typographical errors, and length.All letters received become prop-erty of this publication for thepurposes of reprinting and/orredistribution.

Profanity may appear in the pub-lication, but only in cases ofdirect quote or if profanity is nec-essary to the content of the story.Please do not confuse profanitywith obscenity. No article or pic-ture of an obscene nature willappear in this publication.

The Bachelor is printed everyThursday at the Journal Reviewin Crawfordsville. It is deliveredfreely to all students, faculty, andstaff at Wabash College.

All advertising published in The Bachelor is subject to the applica-ble rate card. The Bachelorreserves the right to denyrequests for publication of adver-tisements. Student organizationsof Wabash College may pur-chase advertisements at half thelisted rate.

The Bachelor is a member of the Hoosier State and IndianaCollegiate Press Associations(HSPA and ICPA).

BACHELOR

Reserve your Spot for the IndyNetworking Event, Feb. 17.

E-mail Betsy Knott([email protected]).

www.wabash.edu/alumni/ra/indy

Off-Campus Study ApplicantsAccepted, Look to Next Steps

Raters Addresses Retention, Finds NumbersRight on Par With Historical Expectations

Announcements

Tuesday, Feb. 8The Write Stuffwriting session11 a.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 8Student SenateMeeting 7 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 10Black HistoryCelebration 7 p.m.Fine Arts Center

Friday, Feb. 11Visiting Artists SeriesL’aventura Londo8 p.m. Salter Hall

Friday, Feb. 11Wabash Stand UpComedy 8 p.m.

GGAABBEE WWAATTSSOONN ‘‘1133NEWS EDITOR

Threats from economic strife and legal allega-tions had made student retention a concern forWabash. But with numbers now in, the dataappears to affirm Wabash’s security.

Wabash currently enrolls 237 freshmen, 218sophomores, 208 juniors, 166 seniors, and twounclassified (non-degree-seeking) students, mak-ing a total of 831 students. While these numbersmay seem to drop dramatically by grade level,Dean of Students Michael Raters indicated that,excluding a drop in unclassified students, thesedata are “right on the projected numbers.”

“A couple years ago when the economy wentsouth we were very fearful of a reduction in theupper classes,” Raters continued. “But overallthose numbers are right on what we historicallydo.” “From a retention perspective to the positive,what we would expect to go on has gone ondespite the poor economy.”

To help improve student retention and overallsuccess, Wabash has implemented the EarlyAlert system, which is described on its website asan “online resource … designed to facilitatequick intervention with students who may behaving some difficulty at Wabash, both in and outof the classroom.”

“A truly successful retention program doesnot only know why students leave, it keeps stu-dents here, Raters said, “and we now have amuch better mechanism in place.”

Eighty-two alerts were sent on behalf of 61freshmen last semester. Of these, only 8 receivedacademic warning, and only three were placed onthe “out list.”

While 11 of the freshmen enrolled at the end offall semester are no longer enrolled, only three of

them were because of their grades. And all threeof the students who failed out had received atleast two alerts throughout the semester.

“Nobody fell through the cracks,” Raters said.“Every one of those young men, we knew theirstory.” With 61 freshmen alerted and only threenot allowed to return, the Early Alert systempotentially saved 58 freshmen. “But this is thefirst semester of the early alerts system, so wecan’t analyze data yet,” he continued. But asmore data accumulates more progress and knowl-edge will accumulate in the future.

Nineteen sophomores, 10 juniors, and 10 sen-iors also received warning letters, of whom threesophomores, one junior, and three seniors werenot allowed to return.

Again Raters stated that these numbers arehistorically consistent. “That said, we alwayswant to do better,” he said. “We always have toomany warnings; we always have too many outs.But the numbers are about what they usuallyare.”

A noteworthy national trend is beginning toshow that reveals sophomore and junior years asthe ones in which students most struggle. Ratherthan becoming comfortable after their first yearof college, students tend to either get complacentor overstressed. While the Early Alert system ini-tially focused on freshmen, it may be incorporat-ed more into the upper grades.

One thing Raters wished to emphasize wasthat students take warning letters seriously.“Help make it a campus-wide issue,” he encour-aged, so that a framework can be built aroundany struggling students.

GRANT MCCLOSKEY | WABASH ‘12

Dean Raters discussed progress in studentretention rates from the past semester. 831students are currently enrolled at the College.

SSAAMM BBEENNNNEETTTT ‘‘1144STAFF WRITER

One of the most profound aspectsof a Wabash education is its greatdedication to study abroad opportu-nities. The program promotes intel-lectual growth and cultural under-standing. But many students decideto study abroad to tap into the areasthey are most interested in and thatthey haven’t yet explored.

This semester, the efforts andapplications of so many studentsreached its culmination just like ithas in semesters past. Many stu-dents were approved by the Off-Campus Studies Committee andgiven the go-ahead to begin apply-ing to the specific programs thatthey are interested in directly. How-ever, the actual process that stu-dents had to go through was not asimple task. Regardless, accordingto Director of Off-Campus StudiesDavid Clapp, this year’s applica-tion process “went smoothly,” andthis year’s pool was “very strongand very difficult to choose from.”

One student who has beenapproved by the Off-Campus Stud-ies Committee, Hung Duong ’13,plans to apply for acceptance fromthe Dennis Institute for StudyingAbroad and to travel to Copen-hagen, Denmark. There, if every-thing goes accordingly, Duong willstudy early childhood development,specifically the effects of autism.First, he has “to apply directly to theprogram,” and he “will get instruc-tions on how to do that from theCommittee very soon.”

He will have the chance to par-take in practical observation andactually interact with children whosuffer from autism. “We’ll haveseminars on autism,” Duongexplained, which will consist of les-

sons on current views on autism,possible causes that lead to the dis-ease, its symptoms, and the differ-ence between developmental needsof children who suffer from autismand those who do not suffer fromautism.

“We want everybody to go,”Clapp said. “We really believe thatstudy abroad is one of the mostimportant and life-changing oppor-tunities anybody could have. Theword ‘transformative’ comes tomind.” Unfortunately, not every-body who applied to be approved bythe Committee could be accepted.While Clapp could not yet official-ly state how many students wereaccepted, he said “we can send

about half of the people we wantedto send.” Those who have beenawarded the approval of the Off-Campus Studies Committee in thepast can attest to its remarkableeffect on their lives. But Clapp can-not emphasize enough that theCommittee and the campus is “pur-posely encouraging, and we wanteverybody to go.”

In addition to applying to theirrespective programs, students whohave been approved must also startthe process of getting a visa, pur-chasing airfare, and “we need tomake sure that department chairsand the Registrar have approved allcourses that accepted study abroadstudents plan to take,” Clapp said.

“Wabash offers many variousresources for its students,” Duongsaid, “The College has many oppor-tunities that become evident as longas you dig deep enough.” Thesemust be the sentiments of allWabash students, especially thoseaccepted to partake in a studyabroad program. The College iscertainly a very supportive environ-ment and the campus is invested inmaking sure its students become aseducated as possible. The studyabroad program develops the cultur-al experience and a way for stu-dents to specialize and entertaintheir specific interests.

ALEX MOSEMAN | WABASH ‘11

The successful applicants to Wabash’s Study Abroad program will travel throughout the world next year. Acceptedstudents still wait to apply to selected institutions in their country of choice.

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PAGE 3The Bachelor February 4, 2011

FFrroomm PPaaggee 11

seems that those about to leave are most concerned withtheir future.

“As a senior I'm either trying to get a job or move on tograd school. Networking will become very importanttoo,” Evan Rhinesmith ’11 said. “Within the next fouryears, knowing how to interview effectively and build a sol-id resume will be very valuable.”

Even as alumni, Wabash men are able to utilize thewide variety of job placement services that the college pro-vides. The Career Services Center has had multiple grad-uates from the class of 2010 comment on their inability toutilize the resources available while they were students.

“The best thing I did at Wabash was to get into CareerServices early. They helped me plan ahead for life aftergraduation,” one member of the class of 2010 said. “It wasextremely helpful to focus on the big picture and not getstuck in the daily coursework that is Wabash."

All hope is not lost, however, as those who routinelyappear at the events report positive results.

“The opportunities are great and offer room to grow asa young professional to be,” one survey participant said.

The Career Services Center echoed the importance of stu-dents preparing for life after Wabash.

“Take advantage of it,” said Crawford. “Wabash menhave more of an advantage than they realize.”

Turnout

FFrroomm PPaaggee 11

Bowen also commented on the College’sfive-year Strategic Plan adopted in 2008.The plan sets forth the Board’s goals. Asidefrom providing monetary support for stu-dents and faculty, the Plan focuses onadmissions efforts, immersion trips, andinternships, and the Crawfordsville commu-nity.

“We want to focus on Crawfordsvilleand increase our involvement with Craw-fordsville and see what kind of contribu-tions of human capital we can make,”Bowen said.

Regarding new building projects on cam-pus, Bowen couldn’t say with certaintywhen the next building campaign wouldbegin. He did, however, mention the possi-bility of a follow-up campaign to the Chal-lenge of Excellence that would begin a fewyears after 2013. And Bowen has specificsin mind.

“We could do something about Sparks,which in our view has just never worked forthe College,” Bowen said. “It doesn’t seemto be a place people go. So the questionwould be what could we do? How would itbe redesigned?”

“The other thing I think we really need todo at some point is focus on the independ-ent men’s housing. We took care of the

fraternities, and I think we really need totake care of the dorms. And maybe part ofthat project gets bound up with Sparksbecause you’ve got Morris and Wolcottright behind Sparks. So those are the twothings that we were focused on before wehad to put the master plan aside,” Bowensaid.

Between last Saturday’s meeting and theTrustee’s next meeting over graduationweekend, Bowen pointed to one thing hewants to accomplish

“We’re going to accomplish it, and Ican’t tell you what it is yet. But just payattention,” Bowen said.

Trustees

STEVE ABBOTT | WABASH ‘09

Career Services is open to both current students as well as alumni. Despite resumé and cover letter assistance, mockinterviews, and internship panel discussions, last week’s Internship Week saw little turnout. In surveys conducted by theBachelor, students, especially underclassmen, indicated that Career Services just isn’t on their priority list.

“The other thing I think wereally need to do at somepoint is focus on the inde-

pendent men’s housing. Wetook care of the fraternities,and I think we really need to

take care of the dorms.”President of the Board of Trustees Stephen

Bowen ’68

Students Present Work at AnnualCelebration of Student Research

PHOTOS COURTESY OF PUBLIC

AFFAIRS

Last Friday, students gaveposter presentations andtalks to fellow students,faculty, and members of theBoard of Trustees at theCollege’s annual Celebrationof Student Research.Afternoon classes werecancelled so that allstudents could attend thecelebration.

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Opinion 4TThhee BBaacchheelloorr FFeebbrruuaarryy 44,, 22001111

The voice of Wabash since 1908

Bachelor Editorial Board

EDITOR IN CHIEFRiley Floyd

OPINION EDITORAlex Avtgis

MANAGING EDITORJoel Bustamante

NEWS EDITORGabe Watson

SPORTS EDITORBrandan Alford

CAVELIFE EDITORJoel Bustamante

Wallies, Strive for the Unobtainable!What is the unobtainable? By definition,

it is that which cannot and will not beachieved—yet for whatever faulty reason-ing, Wallies, and humans in general, willthemselves to pursue and achieve it, regard-less. The futile chase for what we cannotattain is the pastime of many; yet, for what-ever reason, no one examines how utterlyfutile the search itself is.

As a small, liberal arts school, this ques-tion is particularly applicable. Most of ourgraduates will face a relatively unstableeconomy (despite 2010’s ever-so-slightturnabout) where their purposely ambiguousdegrees are increasingly becoming theexception to the rule. As a result, hurdlessuch as acquiring the job, getting the inter-view, becoming someone, will seem moreand more unobtainable. Take a look aroundand this will become glaringly apparent:Wabash’s men didn’t even earn a ranking in

Payscale.com’s Top Liberal Arts GraduateSalary ranking.

This needn’t be as frightening as itsounds, mind you. We understand that thereis a certain level of fear which is associatedwith not obtaining that which one hassought after; failure, along with the familiar

characters of disappointment, disenchant-ment and disillusion, is not the most invit-ing of friends. Understandably unpleas-antries, such as being rejected from a certainsociety or not being allowed into a certaingrad school, are not enjoyable.

At the very base level, however, if oneunderstood every next step he was about totake, then living would amount to nothingmore than reviewing a text for whichrereading offers nothing new.The feelingof not knowing what comes next is notactually horrible, but rather the opposite; insome ways uncertainty is frighteninglyinvigorating, liberating and exciting. Recallthe last time when you thought that theprize would be rewarded to you. Bloodrushes, emotions and passions rise. Thesefeelings are undeniably rewarding andworthwhile.

As such, Wabash, your swagger address-

es this exact concept. Over the four years,our community encourages its men to walkproudly, take chances, and strive to betterthemselves. These are all uncertain thingswhich Wallies have to work towards,despite that they may never walk, talk orachieve. The Bachelor staff relishes in thisfact, and especially that Wabash men dare tobe themselves. They are upfront with thosewho test them, those who examine them.Similarly, they are bold with life—despitethat life will tell them that things are unob-tainable, useless and futile.

So, as the next semester begins to offeryou opportunities, don’t listen when theytell you to not try for that high paying job orinternship, Dean’s List, the play, or theSphinx Club. Try out anyway. Whoknows—you might succeed?

TThhee IIssssuuee:: In entering the spring semester,Wabash begins a newinternship, grad school and jobseason.OOuurr SSttaannccee:: Don’t let words likeunobtainable infect yourvocabulary--Always Fight!

For the second or third time in threeweeks, I am yet again sick. Although thistime, I think it is the real deal and landed mein bed for most of the day. I suppose ifanyone is to blame it is myself; however, Ithink this attitude comes from deep insideme and has been there my entire life, some-times leading me into trouble, other times togreat success, and as in this case, to sick-ness.

Thinking back to my Philosophy 144course, existentialism, I remember reachinga point about three-quarters of the waythrough the semester when it naivelyoccurred to me that it was utterly impossi-ble for me to ever live each day as if itcould be my last. To me, this would involve

pursuing every aspect of life at 1,000 mphuntil I died of exhaustion. However, thisview was quickly contrasted when a seniorsimple voiced, “Well, that may be whatyou would do, but maybe I would nap.” Ihate sleeping. It baffles me when I thinkwhat I could do with 6 more hours per day.

My whole life I have struggled with thisnotion of potentially taking a moment torelax on a Friday night rather than run fromcampus to campus on a whim. I wish Icould put my finger on just what it was inme that created such a strong will fromwithin me to never look back at missedopportunity—but I simply do not knowwhat it would be. This will has only beenaugmented this semester as it is my last asan undergrad. Every current medical studentI speak to sternly looks me in the eyes andtells me to have as much fun as possible thislast semester. Further, there are brothers oncampus I know I will probably be leavingbehind forever. Yes, we may meet here orthere; but it is simply fact that most of our

interactions with each other are numbered. My mind quickly averts to Aristotle’s

Nicomachean Ethics and this idea of a bal-anced life relative to myself. Yet, I havealways wondered if anyone great ever livedany sort of mean. Were not the people fromhistory that make it into print those withsome tragic flaw influencing their actionsthroughout their life? I suppose I willalways struggle with my overly-excessive-carpe-diem attitude, and probably have afew more days in bed feeling like hell aftera long weekend, and suppose I will have tolearn to factor in time for rest at some point;but even as I write this I cannot help butthink I could just rest in May.

My Last Three Weeks Have Been A Blur

How Constitutional is Care?

JAKE EZELL

OPINION COLUMNIST

On Monday this week a federal judge inFlorida struck down President Barack Oba-ma’s healthcare bill as unconstitutional. It isthe most severe ruling to date given that ithas the support of 26 state attorney generals.U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson ruled thatthe healthcare bill’s individual mandate is anoverextension of federal authority. The indi-vidual mandate encroaches on the liberty ofAmericans by forcing them either to pur-chase health insurance by the year 2014 orpay a penalty. I applaud the judge for rulingagainst this abhorrent piece of legislation.

The ruling is a major setback for Democ-rats because the individual mandate is theonly possible way the federal governmentmight be able to afford covering the morethan 30 million uninsured. Proponents of thebill argue it is only by requiring healthypeople to purchase policies that they canhelp pay for reforms, including a provisionthat individuals with pre-existing medicalconditions cannot be refused coverage. Asnoble as this endeavor may appear, it is notwithin the federal government’s legalauthority to do.

The most common argument against the

healthcare bill is that the Constitution pro-vides enumerated powers to the FederalGovernment, and reserves the rest of gov-ernmental powers to the states in the 10thAmendment. Since the Constitution doesnot grant Congress any such power tocoerce the people to purchase healthcare, thepower resides in the state governments.Democrats have combated this argumentby contending that the individual mandate isauthorized by the Commerce Clause.

However, the Commerce Clause, whichallows the federal government to regulateinterstate commerce, does not apply to theindividual mandate because there is nointerstate commerce when private citizensdo not purchase health insurance. Lack ofcommerce is not analogous to commerce.

The federal government cannot coerceaction on the part of private citizens who donot wish to participate in commerce.

Proponents of the individual mandatewill cite the mandate for drivers beingrequired to purchase automobile insuranceas justification for a mandate to purchasehealth insurance. People who do not haveautomobile accidents must subsidize thepeople who do in order for the system topay for itself. They argue health insuranceshould work the same way. But there areseveral problems with this analogy.

First, the federal government does not(and cannot) mandate that individuals pur-chase car insurance, for reasons delineatedabove. Only the individual states have man-dated that all drivers must purchase carinsurance.

Second, states only mandate that indi-viduals purchase liability insurance—that is,insurance that pays for the claims of person-al injury or property damage of anotherparty who is not at fault. States do notrequire people to purchase insurance fortheir own car. Protecting others from yournegligence is not the same as forcing you to

protect yourself, as the individual mandatedoes.

Lastly, a person has a choice whether ornot to operate an automobile on the publicroadways. There are viable, alternativeoptions, such as public transportation, forthose who do not wish to be forced to buyautomobile insurance. There aren’t any suchalternative options in Obama’s healthcarebill. A person either purchases health insur-ance or pays a $695 tax per year. Familiesmust pay $2,085 or 2.5% of their householdincome. So much for not raising taxes for95% of Americas.

But Americans should not consent to thehealthcare bill whether it is constitutional ornot. I cannot imagine a way to surrendermore individual liberties than by allowingthe federal government to run our health-care. The government now has jurisdictionover every aspect of our lives. Nothing issafe from its control. Any number of man-dates can be enacted in the name of preserv-ing our health, or lowering healthcare costs.I hope supporters of this bill have consid-ered the numerous and dire implicationsthat this bill will foster.

TED PLUMMER ‘13

POLITICALCOLUMNIST

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Dear Sir,

Michael Carper’s article “Loafing Around in Loafers” did a disservice to those fewof us who understand the importance of good footwear. He begins by noting the rise inappearances of boat shoes on campus, but claims that the change is due to “an overallshift in guys’ opinions about the formality of their shoes.” This simply isn’t true.Rather, the boat shoe trend is indicative of a major flaw in these guys’ fashion sense. Everheard the phrase “Form Follows Function?” The idea is that we design things, from shoesand belts up to skyscrapers, so that they are best suited for their intended use.

The intended use of boat shoes is, wait for it, boating. They are designed to be the all-day shoe of a person who is boating, an activity which, as I understand it, rarelyappears in a Wabash classroom. These shoes are designed to be versatile, so when you’reclimbing around the slick gunwales trying to reset a line or just walking around on shoreyou have comfort and a secure footing. They say you can judge a man by his shoes, andguys who wear boat shoes around campus because they’re “trendy” are asking to bejudged as boys, not men. I own two pairs of boat shoes myself, but you’ll never see mewearing them unless you see me when I’m boating.

However, my real issue with the article is the suggestion that loafers are a logical nextstep from boat shoes. While I appreciate and applaud Mr. Carper’s effort to encouragemen on campus to wear better dress shoes, this is not the right step. What the article doesis give an excuse for boys to move from their Top-Siders to one of the most casual dressshoes. While wearing loafers with worsted wool (that is, a suit) is fine, one should usethem sparingly. Loafers look better when used to dress up cords and khakis.

I have a few other quick corrections and suggestions. First, be not afraid of thesneaker: there’s nothing wrong with wearing a good, clean pair of sneakers. If you’reinto the whole dressed-up idea of deck shoes, then try a pair of canvas sneakers in whiteor other neutral colors. If you’re feeling more adventurous pick up a pair of Super HighTop shoes from a good line like D&G, Diesel, Givenchy, or (if you have to) Nike. It’sno surprise that guys are moving away from sneakers, but it’s not because they wantto dress more formally. Most sneakers are dull and boring; pick up an atypical pair andyou’ve got a real fashion piece.

Second, get SEVERAL good pairs of dress shoes. The time of year is equallyimportant in deciding what shoe to wear as the rest of your ensemble. For the winter,stock up with dressier boots. Every designer is now making boots that are completelyacceptable for a formal office. Try suede boots with a grey suit for that formal event orjeans during the week. For springtime, you want to avoid heavy black shoes, so go fora simple chocolate-brown lace-up. Before this fall, pick up a new pair of oxfordseither in black for your pinstripe suit or in brown for sport jackets.

The point is, make your shoes versatile! Just as boat shoes are supposed to providethe versatile shoe for a boater, the function of so many shoes we casually label as “dressshoes” is so much more than that. Mr. Carper is right to note that we need more vari-ety in footwear, and the first step to accomplishing that is purchasing some high qual-ity shoes of several colors and styles then rotating through them to keep the style (andthe shoes) fresh.

So Gentlemen—especially those of you in the “Yacht Club” who are apparently con-vinced that Sperry Top-Siders are the final word in footwear fashion—I implore youto take a good look at the shoes that are out there. I promise that you will find some-thing that turns you from a witless trend-addict into a smart-looking Wabash Man.

–Stephen Maynard ‘11

Dear Sir,

Although I ultimately disagree with Ted Plummer’s anti-abortion rights conclusionin his Jan. 28 op-ed, “Dissecting Abortion Rights,” I congratulate him for his thought-ful essay. I’m a Roman Catholic, but I support abortion rights because I follow my reli-gion’s tenet of informed human conscience. And on that basis I’m obligated to consid-er arguments like Mr. Plummer’s as closely as I trust he’d consider mine.

I’m most intrigued by his use of the legal principle of reasonable doubt. Mr. Plum-mer asserts that if we apply that precept to abortion in the way we use it to render courtverdicts, we then have to accord fetuses the same latitude (that there is reasonable doubtabout whether life begins only at birth) and overturn Roe v. Wade. I would argue theopposite, as did Roe v. Wade: it’s precisely because of reasonable doubt that we preserveabortion rights, at least in the first trimester of pregnancy, when the lack of fetal con-sciousness that Mr. Plummer alludes to makes it all but impossible to claim that abor-tion is homicide in a legal sense.

Mr. Plummer notes that we still consider adults who fall into comas to be “fully humanpersons.” But, as the Terri Schiavo case reminded us, a person who falls into a vegeta-tive state similar to that of an early-stage fetus may also have life support legallyremoved. In other words, at that point we’ve arrived at a reasonable doubt, albeit a painfulone, about whether this is still a viable human being – just as we hold a reasonable doubtabout whether an early-stage fetus has become a viable human being. It’s a right of rea-sonable doubt that we have to accord a woman when, for whatever wrenching person-al reasons, she opts for an early-stage abortion.

My humble hope is that this helps Mr. Plummer understand my position a bit better.His essay certainly helped me better understand his.

–Tim Padgett ‘84

Dear Sir,

We might choose to investigate the validity of Ted Plummer’s conclusion reached lastweek, refilling the logical ground between premises and conclusion somewhat differ-ently.

First, one would like to define the point at which a human being has come intobeing--a difficult task. Qualities essential to being human are hard to define, butPlummer gives us a pair making a good deal of sense: thinking, and possessing homosapiens DNA. These qualities cannot define what is essentially human, but they are asolid enough place to begin. Given them, intelligent gorillas would not be human andbrain dead humans would not be human.

At what stage of proto-human development is the quality of thinking met? Certain-ly some time after birth. Depending upon how strict we are about what in particularhuman thinking is, thinking might not occur until age six or twelve or might never occurin some individuals. Now this seems inconsistent with common sense, or a commonrecognition of what is human. For example, children are humans, no matter what theirage. What do we recognize in them? Perhaps some people raise children for no rea-son other than that their adorableness brings joy, but it seems that we treat children dif-ferently from kittens. We know that they are different in kind from pets, that they willgrow into people like us, and that what is possible for them far exceeds what is possi-ble for us. The possibilities children carry within themselves are incredible, and this iswhy they are more important than their elders, and why the world must be organizedaround them. Greater possibilities turn into greater realities, and well-educated childrenbecome better teachers and explorers.

Since we recognize the possibilities inherent in children, we must determine whatseparates children from their precursors. Perhaps we should examine another lifeform. I will choose some species of frog. When has the frog become a frog and whenis it not yet a frog? First it was a single cell, then it was a group of cells, then a tadpole,but as it grew over the course of a few weeks I saw that it changed enormously. Even-tually it matched my picture of what a frog was, though it was not done changing. Thefrog was one organism that changed through time. It was never ’egg nature,’ never ’tad-pole nature,’ never ’frog nature.’ The frog was never defined by my frog concept, nomatter how complex my concept became. Its existence as a frog was not dependent uponfulfilling the qualities of a system I had constructed. Frogs exist, and no matter how thor-oughly I have investigated their character I will always be behind the complexity ofmicroscopic and macroscopic relations constituting a frog. The idea that I can proclaimto a swamp of frogs cycling through life, “you are a frog and you are not a frog” is ridicu-lous. Frog eggs are frogs. Frog tadpoles are frogs. The activity of the fertilized frogegg contains within itself a present and future reality. Imagine someone killing a six-teen-year-old cicada larvae but refraining from killing a cicada, telling you the first was-n’t a cicada.

It seems unreasonable to categorize some people as human and others as nonhu-man based upon their stage of development. Quite often our children die from physi-cal causes prior to attaining adulthood. Their existence as human beings was notdependent upon reaching an end physical state. Any argument for the validity ofabortion must recognize that the unborn have the right to live as all humans do, but thenillustrate the conditions justifying murder.

–Christopher McCauley ‘11

I think I have found the Crawfordsville ofEngland.

Locals call the town nearest to meGrantham, and that’s what the maps say aswell. Like all things though, some placesunwillingly receive less desired names, like“that hole,” or aren’t even known by 99% ofthe population.

It’s not this sad fate that links Granthamto our collegiate home in my mind. Manysmall towns in England and the UnitedStates don’t have any immediate nationalname recognition, and in my mind that’squite fine. These connections I’ve drawnwould probably never have existed if I did-n’t go to school right outside of the townand could easily venture into town.

First, both Crawfordsville and Granthamhave a famous son. Crawfordsville hasLew Wallace, the Civil War general andBen Hur author that gives the town a con-nection to the course of United States histo-ry. Grantham has Isaac Newton, whoselofty place in history and science is unques-tioned and leaves him on the front pages ofhistory.

Yet Newton and Wallace stand on moreequal footing because very few people knoweach person’s hometown. Grantham andCrawfordsville aren’t known as the homesof each town’s famous son in mainstreamthought. Newton’s home and the Lew Wal-lace museum aren’t particular hotbeds forcasual tourists, leading to only a small influxof visitors to each town.

Not every town, large or small, needs ahistoric former legislature or a famous oldchurch or a battlefield, and in each town I’veseen a pride develop towards what eachviews as its own (or at least the thought ofusing its namesake for business).

Second, both Crawfordsville andGrantham’s city centers have suffered due tolarge, all-in-one stores built close to thecity edges. Like Wal-Mart and Kroger inCrawfordsville, Grantham has been overrunby ASDA, which sells a little bit of every-thing, and a Salisbury’s mega-grocery store.

Almost every storeowner posts signs intheir window saying “SALE 50% off” or“Final Reduction Sale,” looking for cus-tomers to catch a bargain. Thrift shopshave replaced restaurants or other specialtystores.

What Grantham doesn’t have is a consis-tent body of students that support its citycenter. Storeowners in Crawfordsville knowthat Wabash students can form a fairly con-sistent patronage through upperclassmenrecommendations and feeding campusevents like speakers and club meetings.Without Wabash student patronage, down-town Crawfordsville, especially its restau-rants, would suffer.

Since every student at Harlaxton Collegeonly spends a semester here, pub ownersand clothing store managers in Granthamdon’t have the relationships to draw stu-dents consistently to the city center. Nor dostudents here have the resources to volunteerin such a short time like Wabash students dofor events like Freshmen Orientation.

Finally, railway talk exists in both towns.Grantham has developed into a commutertown that sends many people off to Londonto work, study, or visit as a day trip. Thethought of a day trip to a place two and ahalf hours’ drive away seems absurd inAmerica. That’s the equivalent of someonefrom Crawfordsville commuting daily intodowntown Chicago!

Yet it happens every day in Grantham. Atrain ride to King’s Cross station in Londontakes just over one hour and puts one near auniversity, the British Museum housing theRosetta Stone, and the London Under-ground.

If high-speed rail ever developed acrossAmerica, Crawfordsville could greatly ben-efit. Since Crawfordsville still holds anAmtrak stop, faster trains could stop intown, transporting people to metropolitanIndianapolis and Chicagoland in relativelyno time. With the United States economybecoming less dependent on manufactur-ing, a strong rail station in Crawfordsvillecould help become a source of life if man-ufacturing continues to suffer.

KENNY FARRIS ‘12

ABROADCOLUMNIST

PHOTO COURTESY OF AIRSOFTCANADA.COM

“Like Wal-Mart and Kroger in Crawfordsville, Grantham hasbeen overrun by ASDA, which sells a little bit of everything,

and Salisbury’s mega-grocery store.”

OONN CCOONNNNEECCTTIIOONNSS

Grantham, England andCrawfordsville, Ind.

Letters to the Editor

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Dressing well can start the day off right

Looking Sharp andPlaying the Part

MMIICCHHAAEELL CCAARRPPEERR ‘‘1133CULTURE COLUMNIST

Alright freshmen, (and especiallypledges), listen up. Most, if not all, of youhave been initiated. If not, you will be soon.That period marks the end of many things,like pledge tests and character-building.One of your new-found freedoms is nothaving to dress up for chapel, much lesseven attend it. Though I’m not going topreach about chapel attendance, an impor-tant lesson nonetheless, I will cautionagainst throwing your appearance to thewinds.

Just because you aren’t ordered to wear asuit doesn’t mean you can’t pay some atten-tion to what you wear. I strongly urge you toexplore “genuine” casual clothing:

The next step is some decent pants. Youdon’t need to wear khaki slacks. Jeans areperfectly acceptable, as are corduroys. How-ever, what’s important is to avoid the marksof “teenage” jeans: rips and tears, dyes, andbagginess. Pardon my old-fashionedness,but blue jeans are blue. If the back of yourpant cuffs drag in the ground, they’re toolong. If the waist rests more than two inch-es below our belly button, they’re too big.Slimmer pants create a cleaner silhouette,regardless of the material.

One of my favorite additions to an other-wise-boring set of clothing is socks. Dresssocks, unless you’re involved in some phys-ical activity, are surprisingly comfortable.White socks are plain ugly, especially com-pared to some colorful argyle socks, whichare fairly easy to find. Even better are brightstripes or polka dots. That sliver of bright-ness between your neutrally-colored pantsand shoes is a welcome addition.

The first rule of thumb is: sweaters,sweaters, sweaters. First, they have practi-cal value. Like me, you probably have anouter jacket, built for rain and snow. Youstill need some warmth. A sweater playsthe role of a sweatshirt, but is much classier,and you don’t have to deal with the unneed-ed hood, since your outer jacket probablyhas one. You don’t even need a button-down, collared shirt to wear a sweater. Justput on a crew-neck solid-colored shirt.

Speaking of your foot, shoes are a deal-breaker. Ok, no deals are actually beingmade...but shoes greatly influence the rest ofyour clothes. Flashy basketball sneakers orbeat-up running shoes may be practical, butare hardly “adult” shoes. Once you startwearing leather shoes, real shoes, you can’timagine wearing anything else—not onlyare loafers or desert boots more comfortable,but they last longer. If anything, at leastfind some boat shoes.

As mentioned earlier, temperatures likethese demand some sort of jacket. I seepea-coats everywhere, which is great.They’re a good break from the typical rainjackets or North Face. If you want a littlemore variety, however, I encourage you tolook at Harrington or brown leatherbombers. Both are “mature” options thatkeep you just as warm, without lookinglike what everyone else is wearing.

Now, you may be asking yourself, whocares? I go to an all-guys school, why can’tI wear sweatpants and a hoodie to everyclass? No one’s going to stop you. Howev-er, there’s a certain amount of pride invest-ed in a man’s clothing. Wearing clothesyou can take pride in may not change yourday a lot, but you’ll feel more prepared asyou go about your morning routine. More-over, though you may deny it, what youwear indubitably affects what students, fac-ulty, and staff think of you. So follow mysuggestions, and be bold.

Addendum regarding Mr. Maynard’s letter: First off, thanks for taking the time to write aresponse. I must have at least one reader.

I agree with a lot of what Mr. Maynard says, regarding boots and sneakers. My aversion tothem comes from the frequency to interpret “sneakers” as “tennis shoes,” which are common-ly ugly. My advice is, after all, supposed to be for the average student, not the sartorial sagelike yourself.

I will agree to disagree about the form of shoes, especially boat shoes. Form follows func-tion, of course, but not to an absolute degree. Wearing khaki pants no longer designates a mem-ber of the British Army. It can be fun to point out, “That’s not what you’re supposed to wear,”but often the only difference between clothing made for a specific purpose, like, as you write,boat shoes, and a piece of clothing widely accepted for general wear, like khakis, is time.

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RRYYAANN LLUUTTZZ ‘‘1133STAFF WRITER

Ohio Wesleyan University hashad a death grip on the NCAC forthe past three years. This yearhowever, things have changed.

At the NCAC Indoor RelaysWabash College won for the firsttime in three years. “Our bigfocus was coming together as ateam, working hard and believingin each other” Coach Morgan said.The track team has always beenknown for its cohesiveness. Thisyear they are coming together in awhole new way with the imple-mentation of their slogan “NextLevel”. That theme came fromthe feeling the tem had after plac-ing second at conference last year.“Last year our team came backand made our presence known inthe NCAC when we got 2nd atthe indoor NCAC meet, but 2ndplace isn’t something to be satis-fied about” Patrick Posthauer said.

One of the reasons that “NextLevel” is a great theme for theyear is because it applies to everyaspect of your life. “In the class-room, on the field and spirituallywe are working to get to the nextlevel” Morgan said. After gettingclose to a conference title last yearthe only way to take it to the nextlevel is to win it all. The wholeteam is more than ready to achievethat goal. “Our guys are intenseand yearn for a championship”Matt Scheller said, “We got a tasteof that this weekend, and we arehungry for more”.

This reminder of working to getto the next level is a big reasonwhy the team was able to beat

OWU for the first time in threeyears. There was also anotherchange in the teams philosophythat helped them edge out OWU.

“This year we are a lot morefocused on us” Morgan said, “pastyears we put too much pressureon ourselves, so we are keepingfocused on ourselves and just stay-ing strong”.

By having an inward focus theteam took one more worry off itsshoulders and made it easier tocompete at their highest level. Theteam really bought into it, becauseno one asked the coaches whatthe team scores were until the lasttwo events. This showed that thefocus was truly on them.

John Haley is one of the trackrunners who is for this new focus.“We don’t talk about other teamsin practice. We just focus on our-selves and let everything cometogether” He said.

Even though it has been threeyears since the team has beatenOWU no one is becoming satis-fied or complacent.

“It does boost our confidence,but we are humble and haven’ttaken our eyes off of our maingoal, to be NCAC champions”Posthauer said. That feeling ismutual throughout the entire team.Jake Waterman agreed that “Allthis win has done has made it allthe more clear what our team iscapable of”.

The coaching staff is on thesame page as well. “We stillremind them what it takes to get to

that next level and they haveadopted it as their own,” Morgansaid. The team has definitelygained confidence from that win atthe NCAC Relays but they arestaying grounded.

“A lot of guys are even puttingin more work now” Haley said,“guys are coming into practiceearlier to stretch and get warmedup sooner, and the distance guysare even running in the morningsnow”.

Beating OWU for the first timein three years is a huge step for theteam on reaching their goals. Butthe season is still young and theyare continually working towardsthat Next Level.

“Our goals have not altered inthe least. Yeah, we beat OWU,but they aren’t the only team wehave to beat. We have an entireseason left ahead of us, and thegoal is to be better than all ofthem,” Scheller said.

Track Takes NCAC Relays

ALEX MOSEMAN | WABASH ‘11

Freshman Charles Smothers took home the 55-meter dash title.

ALEX MOSEMAN | WABASH ‘11

Sophomore John Haley was partof the two-man 55-meter hurdlerelay team whose victory helpedpropel Wabash to the team crownSaturday.

Little Giants end NCAC stranglehold by Ohio Wesleyan, look ahead toTiger Invitational on Feb. 5 and to team’s first shot at rival DePauw.

KKYYLLEE BBEENNDDEERR ‘‘1122STAFF WRITER

Barring any additionalMidwestern blizzards, the#11 Wabash College bas-ketball team will travel toOhio for a much-anticipat-ed Saturday rematch withthe top team in the nation -the Wooster FightingScots.

Few Little Giants orDivision III basketballenthusiasts can forget theJanuary 8 showdownbetween the NCAC’s twobest teams, when Woostersurvived a 67-65 nail bitterthat involved everythingfrom power outages torambunctious ChadwickCrazies creating a stand-ing-room only atmosphere.

For Wabash to knock offthe undefeated Scots, theywill need to continue theirwinning play from last Sat-urday’s game – a 74-65home win against Kenyon.Playing without sharp-shooter AJ Sutherlin (outwith ankle sprain), the Lit-tle Giants moved to 16-3on the season and 8-3 inNCAC play behind WesSmith’s 25 points andDerek Bailey’s career-high16 points.

The win came on theheels of a four- game roadtrip which the Little Giantssplit after surprising lossesto Wittenberg and OhioWesleyan. Following thisweekend’s extended Ohioroad trip (games at Woost-er and Denison), the teamwill finish out the regularseason with three games athome.

“The stretch of roadgames certainly took a tollon us,” Head Coach MacPetty said. “Allegheny wasa 9 hour drive, Witt – 4hours, Oberlin – 6 hours,and Ohio Wesleyan – 4hours. When we’re on theroad, the guys really haveto control distractions andjust keep simple routinesthat can be replicated each

game.“They also have to plan

ahead with their school-work because we usuallyget back to campus verylate after the weekdaygames. Our guys do agreat job making sure theystay in contact with theirprofessors and reschedulethings such as missedlabs.”

After a blistering 13-0start to the season, Pettyand his squad have seen achange in how the rest ofthe conference approach-es games against the LittleGiants.

“We’re getting every-body’s best game,” Pettysaid. “Teams are excitedfor the chance to knock usoff so they’ve watched alot of tape. We’re seeingmultiple defenses and dou-ble teams on Wes on anightly basis. Guys likeCurosh and Shelbournenow have the opportunityto step up more becausethey are being left open in

order to shut down our bigscorers.

“We’ve had several set-backs with injuries to Zin-nerman and Sutherlin, butthey should both behealthy the rest of the wayout. These next few gamesare huge for us, becausethey control our seeding inthe conference tournament,and ultimately our destinyregarding the NCAA tour-nament.”

In order for the LittleGiants to finish the regular

season strong and headinto March playing theirbest ball, Petty believes hisplayers must successfullyexecute the little thingsneeded to win basketballgames. Limiting turnovers,getting to the free throwline, rebounds, and play-ing solid defense are allareas of emphasis in thecoming days.

The leadership of theprogram’s four seniors willalso be needed.

“I always tell my sen-iors at the beginning ofeach season to leave alegacy,” Petty said. “Ithought Haltom, Brock,and Kavalauskas did agreat job of doing this lastyear and they are a keyreason for the successwe’ve experienced thisyear. As the season nears aclose, now we look tothese seniors.

“This past weekend, we

honored Josh Estelle ‘00– one of the greatest play-ers to every play forWabash. What few peopleknow about Josh and histeammates is that they hada 30 game home winningstreak, which led thenation. That team left alegacy. It’s all about thelittle things each teamdecides to carry on and thepride they take in theirplay.”

The Wabash-Woostergame tips at 2:00 p.m. Sat-urday. Live radio and statscan be accessed via theCollege website. StudentSenate has purchased acharter bus for loyal fansto travel to the game. Thebus will leave Craw-fordsville promptly at 7:30a.m. Contact StudentBody President SteveHenke to reserve a last-minute seat; spots are lim-ited.

Not so long ago,things were pretty simplearound the basketball pro-gram here at Wabash.Thee weeks ago he LittleGiants were sporting a13-0 record, including anunblemished 5-0 confer-ence mark. The team wasrolling, having foundevery bounce and goodbreak a team could askfor (see: Derek Bailey atKenyon). They werepreparing for top-rankedWooster to come intoCrawfordsville, givingthe Little Giants the per-fect opportunity to solidi-fy their position amongthe national title con-tenders. Back then, theplayoff picture was prettyclear. Now? Not so much.Following a heartbreak-ing 2-point loss in thatJan. 8 contest with theFighting Scots (67-65)and a pair of road confer-ence losses to Wittenbergand Ohio Wesleyan, theLittle Giants are scram-bling to regain theirearly-season form.

Playing in a tradition-ally top-heavy conferencein the NCAC doesn’t lenditself to a regular out-pouring of at-large bids tonon-qualifying teams inthis conference. Over thepast decade, Wooster’sdominance in postseasonplay hasn’t helped theperception that thisleague is nothing morethan a one-team show.However, strong show-ings this year by theLittle Giants and Tigershave made for an interest-ing stretch-run as the sea-son comes to a close.

While there is definite-ly a level of uncertaintysurrounding Wabash’schances, this week’srelease of the NCAA’sfirst Regional Rankingsof the season has certain-ly shed some light onhow the league has beenviewed this year.Surprisingly, the Little

Giants three losses in fourcontests have not putmuch of a damper ontheir regional standing.Coming in at the No. 3spot in the Great Lakesregion, the Little Giantscould not ask for a betterposition at this junctureconsidering their recentstruggles on the road.

Trailing the FightingScots and Hope College(14-5) out of theMichigan IntercollegiateAthletic Association, bothleading their respectiveconferences, Wabash’s in-region record of 15-3 islooming large, and in thebest way possible. Eventhat loss to Wittenberg,which comes in at theNo. 5 in the region, has-n’t hindered Wabash inany serious manner. Whatthis means is that, essen-tially, the Little Giantscontrol their own destiny.However,their chances atsecuring an at-large bidwill largely be contingentupon if top-ranked teamscan handle business andsecure their conference’sPool A automatic bid.With that said, rematcheswith Wooster Saturdayand Wittenberg in twoweeks could very welldetermine their postsea-son fate. How Wabashfinishes the regular sea-son and competes in theNCAC tournament willbe integral factors in theselection committeeseyes, obviously. But ifthis past football seasonshowed us anything, thepostseason selectionprocess is anything but asure bet, unless of course,you have that automaticbid.

Basketball Primedfor Rematch withFighting Scots

COURTESY OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Senior Wes Smith led the Little Giants with 25 points in theirvictory over Kenyon.

Hoops PlayoffPicture Still Unclear

BRANDANALFORD

SPORTS EDITOR

“We’re gettingeverybody’s bestgame. Teams are

excited for thechance to knock us

off.”Coach Mac Petty

Feb. 5 @ WoosterFeb. 12 vs. HiramFeb. 16 vs. WittenbergFeb. 19 vs. Oberlin

Remaining Schedule

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Track and Field Sends StrongMessage to NCAC Competition

ALEX MOSEMAN | WABASH ‘11

Action from Saturday’s NCAC Indoor Relay meet at Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio. TheLittle Giants took home the crown, finishing first in the eight-team competition.

Senior Justin Allen (above) was a member of Wabash’s 3200-meter relay team that finishedsecond on the afternoon.Sophomore Austin Hodges (top left) helped lead Wabash to a victory in the Sprint Medleycompetition.Junior Sam Glowinski (left) finished second in the pole vault competition, in which Wabashhad the top two finishers.Freshman Brad Pusateri (bottom left) finished second in Saturday’s shot put event.