The issues of The Phoenix from this last semester are now online!

First, in our September issue, we welcome the Class of 2015 to Wabash College. As the freshmen are no doubt are realizing, the rhetoric of admissions and orientation has given way to the dull task of work and thought. In this issue several upperclassmen give their insight into how to make your Wabash experience a good one.  Jeremy Wentzel ‘14 gives advice on how to spend your free time in Crawfordsville.  Matt Michaloski ‘14 encourages campus involvement through the Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity.  And, on a more philosophical note, Bob Cassady ‘12 admonishes against the fake virtue of niceness.

We also have some of our new brethren joining us as contributors.  Isaac Taylor ‘15 discusses the Federal Reserve, while Zachary Crozier ‘15 talks about the U.S. credit rating.  Rounding out the issue, Micah Chowning ‘14 reflects on 9/11 and Zachary Rohrbach ‘12 provides a recap for the recent economics debate on campus between Dr. Webb and Dr. Rocha.

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Next, in our December issue, we raise questions concerning the current push for the college to add a gender studies requirement.  Zachary Churney ‘14 summarizes the campus dialogue on the issue, and Matt Michaloski ‘14 and Ronald Allman ‘14 interview Dr. David Kubiak on the issue.  Robby Dixon ‘13 and Jeremy Wentzel ‘14 also provide their both of their takes.

Also in this issue, Zachary Churney ‘14 interviews Dr. Hollander on the European Union and its economic state.  Jeremy Wentzel ‘14 recounts what it means to truly be a “Wabash Man” according to Greg Castanias ’87, and Will Folsom ‘15 and Seton Goddard ‘15 reflect on Homecoming 2011.  We also discuss the 2012 presidential race, Thanksgiving, and patriotism.  Finally, we are are privileged to be joined by Dr. Alexandra Hoerl, professor of political science, who gives a primer on republican theory.

2011 was a magnificent year for the Wabash Conservative Union Events program.  Through support of Wabash College, supporters of WCU, and a the help of Young America’s Foundation, we were able to bring in top-notch speakers.

It all started in March with our first visitor to campus, Star Parker.  Star delivered a bold and straight-forward talk on the continuation of government-endorsed welfare and poverty among minorities in urban areas.  Star goes as far to say that the culture of dependency within the inner-city is a government “plantation” that does not instill values of hard work or moral behavior, and has led to an increased dependence on abortion.  In April, WCU was able to bring former Congressman and Presidential candidate Tom Tancredo to campus.  Mr. Tancredo spoke on the importance of a melting-pot, prosperous United States.  In his mind, to most effectively ensure that the US is a melting pot, immigrants need to assimilate into the English language as well as maintain definitive cultural aspects and heritage.  Finally in September, WCU was proud to welcome Jimmy LaSalvia of GOProud.  Jimmy spoke on the importance of broadening the tent of conservatism to include gay Americans.  He offered 2008 exit polling data, as well as working relationships with various tea party and conservative groups in DC to prove the fact that the “number one goal is to defeat Barack Obama in 2012.”

As a group, we were glad to bring in such a wide array of opinions and intellect to Wabash College.  With the diverse variety of knowledge came large student crowds and larger-than-expected faculty participation.  The Wabash Conservative Union is in an up-swing.  There’s no doubt about it.  We would like to thank our readers of The Phoenix, and loyal visitors to our website.  In addition, we would like to extend a deep gratitude to our donors.  Without your help, these events would not be possible.  If you have never contributed to WCU, please consider a small gift today.  Our donation link is accessible at the top of the page.

In addition, please check out the complete albums for the photos below!  Just click ‘photos’ above to see the history of WCU!

The Wabash Conservative Union would like to thank all the efforts of faculty and students who promoted and attended this event, as well as Mr. LaSalvia for making the trip to speak at Wabash College.

Information and Press:
http://www.goproud.org/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxmhd10XJEQ

When:
Wednesday, September 21st
8:00pm  (Reception to follow)

Where:

Baxter Hall 101

Wabash College

410 West Wabash Avenue

Crawfordsville, IN 47933

1 hour distance from Indianapolis International Airport

Within our lives we must all prepare for the end. And so it comes to pass that the Class of 2011 will no longer walk our scarlet halls nor breathe deep the intoxicating airs of the Arboretum. They must take their leave of this College. But we should mourn not. For after our graduation we will all be made equal; no longer divided as Philosophy majors or Pre-Med, but all take on the title Alumnus. As T.S. Eliot puts it at the end of his Four Quartets: “We shall not cease from exploration/And the end of all our exploring/Will be to arrive where we started/And know the place for the first time.”  In this issue, Adam Current ’11 and Nolan Eller ’11 offer final articles about their time here. Current gives his 47½ theses, not all of which are actually theses. Eller takes a look back at Morris Hall. Zach Rorhbach ’12 interviews Dr. Samuel Rocha, a rising star among the faculty.

It has become an enduring topic of our campus publications to write about Enduring Questions. The debates will continue and the course will become refined over time, but at the moment John Plaiss has some words for the course.  The campus has had quite a few speakers recently, among whom are Star Parker and Bryan Stevenson. Jeremy Wenztel and Zach Churney offer retrospective pieces on their talks.