Professor George is at the forefront of the Pro-Life movement in the United States, and is a co-author of the Manhattan Declaration, a petition signed by many Orthodox, Catholic, and Evangelical Christians defending the causes of life, traditional marriage, and religious liberty.  He was formerly a member of the President’s Council on Bioethics and was a presidential appointee to the United States Commission on Civil Rights.  He is the author of Making Men Moral: Civil Liberties and Public Morality, In Defense of Natural Law, and The Clash of Orthodoxies.

Related posts:

1. The Wabash Wilsonian: George Lewes MacKintosh and His Times
2. Wabash Conservative Union to Host E. Christian Kopff
3. The Struggle for the Courts

It is the beginning of a new school year, and as we welcome the semester, we also welcome the next group of Wabash men, the Class of 2014.  This issue of The Phoenix, while specifically aimed at the freshmen, will be of interest to all of our reading audience. Zach Rohrbach ’12 has produced a well-researched article on our chapel’s organ, which has dazzled audiences for many years now. Michael Nossett ’11, the Student Body Vice President and longtime Phoenix staff writer, has written an insightful article providing advice to our freshmen. We also have been blessed in this issue with two articles from faculty contributors. William Turner of the Math Department has written a pertinent reflection on the importance and nature of friendships, and David Blix ’70 gives his perspective on what being a freshman and student at Wabash is about.

Also inside, Andrew Forrester ‘11 and Ben Williams ‘11 discuss the merits of independent and Greek living, and Steve Henke ‘12 reminds all students how to get the most out of their Wabash education in the form of extracurricular activities.  Andrew Forrester ‘11 also points out the multitude of opportunities to further one’s faith on campus, while Adam Brasich ‘11 discusses the importance of theology in self-discovery.  Finally, Adam Current ‘11 rounds out the issue by taking a look at Wabash’s history of respecting objectivity.

Related posts:

1. To Be a Wabash Man: Five Words of Wisdom for the Class of 2014
2. New Phoenix: The Future of Wabash?
3. March 2009 Phoenix

Find what you like and start devoting time and thought to it. I like the law, so I spend time in Student Senate, political science courses, and moot court. There are clubs for every interest imaginable (http://www3.wabash.edu/orgs/senate/Index/Recognized_Organizations.html), so find your activity, and work your way up to a leadership position. Do not get involved in ten clubs with a full class load, but two or three organizations should do the trick. Remember, you gain much more when you invest significant time and energy. As a Peer Advisor at Career Services, I can tell you that it’s not quantity, it’s quality. Build your schedule slowly and deliberately until you’re jumping higher hurdles than your peers at other schools.

In that vein, branch out! American physicist and bongo player extraordinaire Richard Feynman said, “If I can’t figure it out, then I go on to something else, but I don’t have to know an answer; I don’t feel frightened by not knowing things, by being lost in a mysterious universe…” Don’t be afraid of following fascinating rabbit trails. This fall, I’m doing an independent study on Habsburg art in Europe. I’m a Political Science major with very little knowledge of portrait painting or European royalty. Yet even from the preliminary research that I’ve done, many aspects of the study are informed by my current knowledge and experiences. I’m confident that the skills I gain, even in this seemingly irrelevant area, will more generally expand my analytical and research abilities.

To manage the chaos, turn in important papers on time, and handle, delegate, file or discard papers as they come. Speaking from experience, paperwork will start to pour in from every angle. Until that glorious day when you have a competent secretary, you absolutely must stay on top of the paper mountain. Regarding clubs, keep copies of what you submit to the Student Senate (.pdf files are preferable for your own archives), as well as a running total of your budget (I use M.S. Excel). Core officers should know the money spent and the money available—so updating club financial documents constantly will actually save time in the long run. The Student Senate Audit and Finance Committee sees thousands of dollars unspent every year because of simple clerical errors or dropped responsibilities—don’t add to the waste. Follow through with your budget request, and spend the money you are allocated. Be absolutely positive that you have the money you want to spend before you use it. You can check on the Senate website (http://www3.wabash.edu/orgs/senate/Index/Home.html) or email the treasurer to double-check. More than one student has paid the price for poor communication.

On the subject of communication: keep yourself deliberate, concise, and cordial. Oscar Wilde defines a gentleman as “one who never hurts anyone’s feelings unintentionally.” Emails are notorious for being misread, so take special care to communicate clearly. Handle anything serious by phone or, if you can make the time, in person. Negative impressions are far more difficult to undo, so be careful what you say. Spell check constantly. Good grammar is always in style.

“Laziness in doing stupid things can be a great virtue.”* This is Wabash, not the government. There are certain steps that you can (and should) skip—like utilizing Robert’s Rules of Order at lacrosse practice or ironing your socks. Learn to focus your time on meaningful activities instead of busywork. Keep a budget, but don’t color-code it. Present thorough reports, not obsessively compulsive plans. Communicate with club members; don’t breathe down their necks. Use your time like it is worth something and cut waste.

Budget responsibly. Just because you can does not mean you should. Use limited resources recognizing opportunity cost.  For example, if your club eats pizza, and every other club eats pizza, then you are all excluding a larger National Act, more exciting trips for clubs, etc. While student senators are working against this tragedy of the commons, the real solution lies with a fiscally conservative student body. Spend other students’ money like it’s coming straight from the pockets of impoverished children.

“Plunge into the deep waters beyond your own comprehension, and I will help you to comprehend even as I do. Bewilderment is the true comprehension. Not to know where you are going is the true knowledge. My comprehension transcends yours.” (Martin Luther).

Luther is talking about Christian discipleship, but he certainly speaks more generally to learning from others’ experience. A liberal arts education is all about cross-application and connecting the dots yourself, but don’t forget to recognize and test your own limitations. Talk to people who have been in the position you are looking to fill or improve, and don’t kid yourself about the levels of complexity that you are facing. My own club involvement has been informed immensely through experienced individuals like Terri Fyffe and our venerated former editor-in-chief Cassias Austin Rovenstine ’10. Don’t burden these advisors by using them as a crutch or fail-safe, but let them show you the general lay of the campus activity battlefield.

“The next best thing to saying something good yourself, is to quote one.” With Emerson’s pithy advice, I’ll say that the most important piece of advice that I can offer you is to actively seek input from brilliant people. Look at successful alumni, organizations, or even pledge classes. Get advice, and start learning to draw your own conclusions. From Baker & Daniels (named for ’74 and ’75 Betas) to more proximate successes like Sons of Wabash, men have produced and continue to produce impressive results after their time in Crawfordsville. Find the remarkable people and learn from them.

Thank everyone for his help. No matter how much work you put in, you will fail without people supporting you in your leadership—be it voters, attendees, donors, or co-conspirators. Heartfelt gratitude makes everyone’s day brighter.

In summary, think hard, keep people close, and goals in mind. Thanks for reading.

Related posts:

1. The Gentleman’s Role: An Insider’s Defense of Student Government at Wabash
2. You’re a Wabash Man Now: Recommendations for the Class of 2013
3. To Be a Wabash Man: Five Words of Wisdom for the Class of 2014

So many times, we are told “find yourself” and that we need to search, learn, test, and explore all other faiths. While this is good advice, it’s good to remember that it doesn’t mean we need to completely throw out what we’ve been taught already. Wabash is very lucky to have a vibrant group of faith-based organizations, and it’s integral to your development into a leader to cultivate your faith.

For me (and many others I know), college has been a time of great growth. What I have been taught has been strengthened because of being involved with a great group of guys in Wabash Christian Men. Being involved in WCM and Bible studies has helped me to fulfill the Wabash mission by helping me to think critically, act responsibly, lead effectively, and live humanely. I know if you search here at Wabash you’ll find that to be true for you.

Among the faith-based groups, I know the most about Wabash Christian Men, so I’ll discuss that at length and then mention some of the other prominent faith groups on campus.

Wabash Christian Men/CRU: Wabash Christian Men is an inter-denominational group that is associated with Campus CRUsade for Christ. Their weekly meetings are on Wednesdays at 9:00PM in Baxter 101. They usually have a short time of worship, followed by a message given by a local pastor. WCM also helps coordinate and plan the student-led Bible studies in each fraternity or dorm. Some of the WCM activities include Fall Retreat, a Campus Crusade-sponsored event in October and Winter Conference the first week of January. For both of those events, WCM members go to a retreat center and we spend the weekend with other Campus Crusade groups from around Indiana where we spend time relaxing, digging into the Bible, and meeting girls from Butler. WCM goes on various trips to visit with other CRU groups (especially Butler) at least once a month and sometimes more! WCM/CRU also hosts various speakers and events throughout the year so don’t be afraid to come to a meeting and get involved!

Newman Center: The Newman Center is a Catholic group that has a long tradition on the Wabash campus. They have their own building at 310 S. Grant Avenue that is used for many meetings & events including Holy Hour, Liturgy of the Hours, and Bible studies. The Newman Center also either hosts Mass in the chapel or transports students to St. Bernard’s Catholic Church every Sunday. This year they will be hosting a few speakers, including co-sponsoring Robert George with the Conservative Union. They will also be doing a few service projects and will be making a couple trips to hear speakers around the area.

AMP’D: Athletes Making Plays Daily is a Christian group (associated with Athletes in Action) that is focused on reaching and supporting the athletes at Wabash. Their weekly meeting is on Thursday nights, and they usually have worship and a message. They do numerous retreats and events throughout the year, and have made an impact after just a few years on campus as a distinct group that shares some of the same goals (and members) of WCM.

Muslim Student Association: This group helps to connect Muslim students on campus. They host some speakers and have regular meetings but one of their biggest events is their annual dinner that is open to the entire campus. Last year, their speaker focused on a comparison of Christian and Muslim views of Jesus and was (from all accounts) a very thought-provoking event with great food!

While those are the main faith-based groups, I know there are a few others (such as Orthodox Christian Fellowship) that are no less worthy of mention, but may still be in a growing phase. I encourage you to check them all out, but most of all, I encourage you to continue growing in your faith. When it comes to meeting and getting to know people on campus with common interests, faith lies at the very center of those common interests. The bonds you make with people who share the same faith and value system will have a much greater impact than bonds that you make with people in any other group on campus…so get involved and grow in your faith!

Related posts:

1. Keeping the Faith: Religious Opportunities at Wabash
2. In Times Like These: Dean Warner on Faith and Tragedy
3. Set to Light: Sophomore Perspective on Wabash Religion

“The piano is a kitten; you stroke it and it purrs. The organ is a monster; you strike it wrong and it strikes back.”

Professor of religion Dr. David Blix ’70 recalls these words from his high school organ instructor. Such a characterization often seems very apt for an instrument capable of such awe-inspiring and majestic sounds. And, as Dr. Blix knows well, having served during two of his undergraduate years as the Wabash College organist, the pipe organ is quite unforgiving to the organist who hits a wrong note. But the pipe organ is more than an imposing monster. In the same piece that reaches the fortissimos of the 32’ Resultant that shake the very ground of the Pioneer Chapel, an organist can coax a soft string melody out of the 8’ Unda Maris. But beyond that, the college’s pipe organ is an instrument whose history and engineering are as enthralling as the sounds of the pipes themselves.

Of the instruments that dominate the classical music of the Western World, the pipe organ is unique. Without discounting that the craft of instrument-making allows room for varying degrees of artistry and perfection, the fact remains that a violin is a violin, a trumpet is a trumpet, and a piano is a piano.  Such is not the case for the pipe organ. Each pipe organ is unique in its construction and character, so each organ is unique in its history, and each organ deserves a chance to have its story heard. The history of the pipe organ that sits in the Pioneer Chapel is one that is quite interesting and closely connected to the larger history of the college.

For a college with Presbyterian roots and a deep respect for tradition, Wabash’s pipe organ holds an important place in the school’s history. Prior to the construction of the Pioneer Chapel in the late 1920s, the college made heavy use of what is now the Wabash Avenue Presbyterian Church for events such as commencement and for religious functions. The church had housed its own organ since 1903. Thus, having been quite used to having an organ, it might have seemed obvious that once the new chapel was built, it too would need an organ. In 1935, about six years after the dedication of the Pioneer Chapel, Wabash did commission Aeolian-Skinner Organ Company, which built the instrument as its opus 935 (i.e. the 935th organ built by the company). President Louis Bertram Hopkins signed the college’s contract with Aeolian-Skinner on April 1, 1935, and the $12,000 construction of the organ was funded through a donation by James W. Milligan, Class of 1885, in memory of his wife Sara Lawson Milligan and in honor of his father Rev. Thomas Stuart Milligan, Class of 1839. The organ has three manuals, 31 stops, and 28 ranks, for a total of 1,866 pipes, according to the Aeolian-Skinner archives. The organ is electric action, which means that the valves that bring air to the pipes are opened by means of electromagnets that respond to the organist’s striking the keys. Electric action organs are not to be confused with electronic organs, which are in concept much closer to synthesizers than pipe organs.

The organ was dedicated on Tuesday, October 29, 1935, with a religious service in which Paul R. Matthews, Class of 1913, accompanied two hymns on the organ: the Hymn of St. Margaret and the Doxology. Following the religious service, William R. Zeuch, Vice President of Aeolian-Skinner, played the dedicatory recital.

The organ console and the west chamber.

There exists in the college’s archives a strange letter concerning the accompanist Paul Matthews. The letter seems to be part of an internal correspondence between Aeolian-Skinner employees G.L. Catlin and W.D. Hardy shortly after the contract with Wabash College was signed. It is unclear how the letter found its way into the college’s archives. It reveals that a 5% commission was to be paid to Mr. Matthews, who “is very particular about nothing ever being known about this part of the deal and asks that we pay him in cash.” Hardy goes on in what seems to be an attempt to justify this questionable situation, writing, “It is one commission that is earned as we would never have heard of the deal except for him[,] and his constant advice as to what was going on made it possible for me to do the right thing all the time.” How exactly he helped and if he was indeed deserving of a secret commission is a mystery, but it is an intriguing one, regardless of the intentions of either Paul Matthews or W.D. Hardy.

Not too long after the dedication of the organ, in the August of 1936, the Swell 8’ Vox Humana rank of pipes was replaced under warrantee. After that, the next major improvement didn’t come until July 1951 with the installation of new felted caps in several of the ranks.

The assertion that the organ has played a somewhat important role in the history of the college may seem strange today, but there have been times in the college’s past in which the organ was a much more prominent part of the college culture than it is now. For years, there was even an assigned post for a Wabash student who was given a generous scholarship in order to serve as the college’s organist for various weekly functions and special events. The first college organist, as reported by the March 1, 1936 issue of an organ publication known as The Diapason, was Robert Stofer ’41. Dr. Blix was the second to last college organist. He served during his junior and senior years from the fall term of 1968 until he graduated in the spring term of 1970. He kindly agreed to recall some of his memories as college organist for The Phoenix.

Until the early 1970s, the college required all students to attend mandatory chapel talks every Monday and Thursday. Additionally, the college hosted Wednesday and Sunday religious services in Pioneer Chapel. (The religious chapel service that now meets regularly on Wednesdays during the school year in Tuttle Chapel on the second floor of Center Hall is a direct descendent of this practice.) The college organist was expected to provide prelude and postlude music for each of these weekly occurrences, as well as hymns for the religious services. The college organist, therefore, was quite an involved position, as he was required to prepare for and play four services a week. However, such a job did not come without its rewards. In addition to the invaluable experience and the prestige of the position, the college organist was compensated with a full-tuition scholarship. “My mother later used to joke,” Dr. Blix recalls, “that all that money and time and driving to Indianapolis for piano lessons paid off!”

There was one prerequisite for college organist, and that was that the student needed to be able to play “Old Wabash.” Dr. Blix describes the accompaniment of “Old Wabash” on the piano very simply: “It’s not too easy!”  But, he says, “imagine trying to play that on the organ . . . It goes so fast, you have to be very careful that at one point you don’t get your hands and feet swinging in the same direction and go sliding off the organ, because there’s a real risk of that!” Nevertheless, he practiced and perfected, and he became the organist after the graduation of his predecessor Larry LeSeure ’68. After Dr. Blix, a man by the name of Charles Duncan ‘72 took over the post. Dr. Blix recalls, “He was organist for a year or two, and then they discontinued required chapel . . . Once that happened, there was no longer a need for a college organist, at least not one who would be paid full tuition.”

The expression pedals on the organ open and close shutters in the pipe chambers in order to manipulate the volume of the sound.

With the demise of mandatory chapel, it would appear from the sparse information available for several years following that the organ was no longer at the forefront of the consciousness of the college.  But Diane Norton, the Circulation and Music Collection Coordinator at the Lilly Library, remembers otherwise. Her late husband, Fred Enenbach, was professor of music between 1969 until his passing in 1984. She recalls a college culture that bore a very appreciative attitude toward music, and she comments that organ and other musical performances were much better attended than they are now. She remembers that Professor Enenbach would collect the programs from all of these performances during his tenure at Wabash, but, unfortunately, that collection has been lost.

The next recorded improvement to the organ came in the late 1980s. In 1972, the Aeolian-Skinner company had closed, but Goulding & Wood Organ Company of Indianapolis renovated and computerized the console and took over as the company maintaining the organ in 1987. The computerization of the console allowed the changing of the stops and the manipulation of the organ’s presets to be controlled electronically.

However, the organ eventually fell into disrepair. Dr. Larry Bennett, who also agreed to share some of his memories with The Phoenix, recalls the sorry state of the organ when he came to Wabash to chair the music department in 1995. Many of the pipes were dead, some of the leather parts were “worn to a frazzle,” and there was the persistent question of whether the organ would work on a given Freshman Sunday or Baccalaureate service. Around this time, Dr. Roger Ide ’59, a nuclear chemist from Nevada who had also been college organist as a student, began contacting the school about what he could donate that would be of help. In 1998, the estate of Dr. Ide established the Roger H. Ide Performance and Care Fund. The fund was used to restore the organ once again, and it continues to be used to perform general maintenance on the organ. The fund also established an annual Roger H. Ide Organ Recital, of which there have been eleven. Marilyn Keiser of Indiana University gave the inaugural recital on November 1, 1998. Since then, the recital has alternated between featuring international organists and American organists. Last February, the recital featured Stefan Engels of the University of Music and Theatre “Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy” in Leipzig, Germany. During his visit, Engels was very complimentary of the state of the organ and the fact that, despite all of the renovations, the organ has remained true to its initial design and feel. The twelfth annual Roger H. Ide Organ Recital will be held on Sunday, January 23, 2011 at 3:00pm. Dr. Walter Hilse of the Manhattan School of Music will be the organist, and he plans on having a program that will honor the 200th anniversary of Franz Liszt’s birth in 1811.

In 2006 and 2007, Dr. Bennett was contacted by Stephen Schnurr of the Organ Historical Society (OHS) about the possibility of including Wabash’s organ in a national tour. On July 17, 2007, a group that the Journal Review estimated at about 230 people listened to a concert played by Schnurr and Kankakee High School student Micah Raebel at the Wabash organ. Wabash was one of several Indiana organs featured that day for the OHS group, according to their website, including the organ at DePauw University. In addition to the recital, Mr. Schnurr also did some extensive research on the organ and published the results in an article in the June 2007 issue of The American Organist.

As for the recent history of the organ, the number and enthusiasm of students of the organ has been quite high the past couple years. On April 27, 2009, the music department hosted a noontime program called “Bach’s Lunch” that featured three organ students from the college studying under Cheryl Everett, adjunct instructor of piano and organ. On December 7, 2009, a second incarnation of “Bach’s Lunch” occurred, with the intention of maintaining the regular occurrence of the event as long as the college has interested organ students.

Beyond the imposing majesty and façade of the monster that certainly characterize the Wabash pipe organ, there is a softer side in its history. Once a centerpiece in the day-to-day culture of the college, the reputation of the instrument that is James Milligan’s legacy has in the past fallen from the pedestal on which it once stood. But through the enthusiasm of its students and the generosity of its benefactors, especially Dr. Roger Ide, Wabash’s organ remains today the fine instrument that it was at its dedication 75 years ago. Wabash is fortunate to have such a well-preserved piece of history and the alumni and students that keep it alive.

–

Very special thanks go out to Larry Bennett, David Blix, and Diane Norton for sharing their firsthand knowledge on this subject and to Linda Petrie, Marilyn Smith, and Beth Swift for their research assistance. Also, all of the otherwise uncited historical information above can be found in the history of Wabash College by Stephen Schnurr published in the June 2007 issue of The American Organist.

Related posts:

1. New Phoenix: Welcome Class of 2014!
2. On Being a Freshman at Wabash College

College is a time of experimentation, and you have a very broad and wide list of choices to make. Some of the more obvious experiments associated with college are obviously negative. You have the option of trying various drugs (e.g. marijuana) or alcohol underage, and in the process you can hasten the deadening of your brain cells and act in otherwise stupid and obnoxious manners and perhaps suffer the consequences. Unfortunately that is the path that many otherwise bright people take here and at other colleges. However, there is another path of experimentation offered to you—a straight and narrow path that leads to many manifold blessings. This college and its liberal arts education offer you the opportunity to expand your mind in many directions. By sampling from the intellectual buffet presented before you in our curriculum, you learn more about yourself. Chances are that much of what you sample and devour will not necessarily be integral to your profession, and therefore the world might deem it “impractical.” However, I would argue that much that is “impractical” constitutes the most important benefits you can possibly derive from your Wabash education.

Who are you? Starting with your name, work your way on down through your identity. How much of that have you chosen for yourself, and how much of it have you simply accepted as a given from your parents? Who exactly are you? As wishy-washy a question as that is, to some extent it is the question of your college experience. If you have never before thought about who you are, you will not be able to avoid it over the next four years of your life. Indeed, your time here will be foundational in forming answers to those questions. Your friends, your professors, and your interaction with the great minds of the past and present will force you to think about everything you ever thought you were.

There are two approaches that you can take towards this intense questioning and investigation. You can transform yourself into a flamingo, putting your head in the sand so as to avoid the storm. Reading or hearing opposing viewpoints troubles you so much that you just cannot take it anymore. You prefer your basic understanding of yourself, politics, theology, etc. and so seek to avoid further complication. This approach is many things, but an education it is not. If you avoid opposition and graduate from college in the exact same intellectual state you were in four years prior, you have not grown in your knowledge of life or yourself. Only if we follow a second approach can we look back upon our Wabash education and see four years well-spent. To borrow a concept from negative theology, we know ourselves best by knowing who we are not. The best way to achieve this viewpoint is to engage with the ideas we encounter and then pass judgment upon them. However, you cannot pass judgment properly without having at least taken a look at it.

Religion is an interesting field in which to discuss this matter because it is one of the most purely subjective subjects taught at the College. How am I to test religious claims? I can apply social theory or other litmus tests to religion, but it can only take me so far into the realm of the divine. Therefore, while I am certainly not claiming that there is no objective truth in this area, I cannot necessarily prove to you that your theology is wrong in the same way that a mathematician can show me that my calculations are completely off. However, we all come to the table with our preconceived dogmatic notions. Most of us were raised within a religious tradition, and until we left home there probably has been little opportunity (or reason) to question it or explore outside of it. How much do you know about your faith tradition? Where did it come from? What does it mean for you to be a member of your communion? Does it ring true to you because you were raised in it, or it is true for you because you have claimed it as your own? While some might not think there is a difference, I think there is. I might possess something that I’ve inherited from my family, but until I have sought to understand and appreciate it, is it really mine in anything other than a superficial, shallow sense?

Religion has a human aspect to it. While those of us who are religious in some form or another recognize a divine spark at the core of our faith, we must realize that whatever we have has been communicated by humans who are not much different than us. Hopefully that does not weaken your faith, as it shouldn’t. If we look at the core doctrines of nearly any faith tradition, we see definitions and distinctions that have arisen with a purpose. There is a reason that the doctrines concerning the nature of God have been explicated with such precision, and that is because arguments arose within the early Christian church about his nature. Church theologians saw a doctrine that they believed to be aberrant and heretical, and so a reaction was required. Ideally, they knew what they were doing. In other words, they knew what they were rejecting and why they were rejecting it. If they did it right, they would have sought to understand the heresy and how it was a threat to their theological perspective. By encountering and understanding foreign ideas, the church did not proceed towards a wishy-washy, tolerant open-mindedness, but instead inched its way towards a precise and stable theological precision. Few things come directly straight down from God to man in the form of angelic vision. There is a process of reaction and development that occurs in the history of religion, and it is quite applicable for individuals as well. If it works for church bodies, why wouldn’t you like to give it a shot?

We come to college to be educated – not brainwashed (hopefully). One of the reasons that I’ve been thankful that I did not attend an explicitly denominational college with a particular theological axe to grind is that it has allowed me to more fully explore the world around me and develop my theological perspective based upon my diverse studies. I don’t know if I would be the same person had I gone to a different college, but I can say with full honesty that my faculty mentors have not individually pushed me in one way or another – a credit to Wabash College. The College provides you with the opportunity to explore your faith in a productive way. Crawfordsville provides a wide assortment of churches and inviting, friendly clergy willing to answer questions and help you think them through. We have faculty that rightly balances social theory and theology, which allows you to properly analyze your religious experiences and put them in context. Campus ministries are very active, as Andrew Forrester has written about in this issue, and can help you on your faith journey. Please do take advantage of these things.

Also, please recognize that you do not need to change your faith. Developing is not the same thing as changing or switching. Think of it more along the lines of adolescence. You are the same person, only your self-understanding has increased. Knowing where your faith tradition comes from shows you where, to an extent, you have come from. Knowing the theology of your church and others forces you to think about what you actually believe. Perhaps you will become more enamored with the faith of your fathers and become more devoted to it. Your investigations perhaps will drive you deeper into your faith, and in the process you will be more entrenched against future problems. You will not be blindsided later in life by arguments, doctrines, theories, and histories that might shatter your faith. Education – properly done – should not harm one’s religion. It will only strengthen it, given the divine source of all true intelligence.

We all came to college in varied intellectual states. However, it would be a crying shame if we did not progress at all during our time here. Wabash offers so many opportunities to grow intellectually and otherwise that, to some extent, it is almost impossible to avoid them. Even if you do not take certain classes due to their “impracticality,” you cannot avoid the dinner conversations or interactions with professors that force you to think and reevaluate. It is the wonderful thing about Wabash. Education is all around you. All you have to do is simply embrace it and allow yourself to go on a journey. You will not regret it, because you will know yourself all the better.

Related posts:

1. Socks for Christmas: Dr. Ayala’s Gift to Wabash
2. Keeping the Faith: Religious Opportunities at Wabash
3. Meet Dr. Wilcox: An Interview with the New Religion Professor

This school offers challenges and opportunities like no other institution. Over four years here, you can do such things as: study abroad in a foreign country; conduct graduate-level research; get any number of internships/funding for internships; form a club/lead an initiative; run for office; manage the largest student government budget in Indiana; come under the individual tutelage of a faculty member; go on immersion trips; etc…. Wabash offers to you the entirety of its resources, both tangible and intangible, to assist you in your educational journey and to help you have the best time of your life!

Yet this place is also a difficult one, presenting you with some very unique challenges that are not always so enjoyable. There are no girls; there are no easy courses; there is no detail-oriented, mile-long list of “do’s and don’ts.” Instead, with the Gentleman’s Rule as your guide, you are given the keys to your education and are entrusted with the responsibility of being a gentlemen and a responsible citizen. That is an awesome task – both in that it is an “awesome” (excellent) opportunity to make your own decisions, and that it is an “awesome” (weighty) responsibility that you now must bear.

As you are by now finding out, it is both a privilege and a challenge to be a student at Wabash. But, these opportunities and challenges are meant to shape you so that you might reach your full potential as a man, so that you might know what you believe and why you believe it, and so that you might learn how to conduct yourself and to lead others with integrity and honor – in short, so that you can become a Wabash Man. Are you ready to begin?!

You have just been rung in and are preparing for a semester of studying, of going to football games, of pledging/getting used to life on your own, and of acclimating to college life all around. It is an exciting time! But, it is also a crucial time. The decisions you make now will impact you for the rest of your years here and, more broadly, for the rest of your life. A poor decision now with regard to academics, alcohol or other substances, sleep, or study habits (among other things), will have unintended consequences that will haunt you far longer than any intended benefits you might have received from them, and will, if you are not careful, develop into a bad habit that will cause you even more sorrow. Whether these will only restrict your options for the future or will cost you the opportunity to “ring out” of this hallowed place, the decisions you make and the habits that you develop now will determine your coming years. To put it bluntly, freshman year is a make or break year.

With this in mind, I hope that you will take to heart five words of wisdom gleaned by three years here at Dear Old Wabash – wisdom gained by trial and by error on my part, and by observation of fellow classmates gone before. I give you these not as pompous admonitions of a Senior, but as your brother in Wabash concerned that you take advantage of the opportunities you are provided here, and avoid the pitfalls that are the challenges of this place – that you might become a Wabash Man.

Be Humble: First things first, no one can learn if he is not willing to do so. You have heard the saying, “you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.” So too you can come to Wabash and be led by professors in your studies, by administrators and coaches in your activities, and by upperclassmen in campus life, to all of the good things that this college has to offer; but, if you do not learn from what they say, you will not benefit from it. Scripture says that “Humility comes before honor” – i.e. that admitting ignorance, struggles (whether academic or personal), or failure is the first step to respect and integrity, and that approaching situations or disagreements with a humble attitude is the first step in the right direction. On the other hand, it also says that “Pride comes before destruction” – it is the first step down the road of unrest, disrespect, and if not failure, than a diminution of the good you can accomplish and the capacity you have to learn. So, bearing this in mind, be humble, be teachable, and be able to learn from your mistakes.

Be Thoughtful: If you could ask every student (and professor, no doubt) what one word of advice they could give you, it would most likely be this: THINK! Wabash is designed to help you think – to examine the world around you and question why it is the way it is, what makes it tick, and why you are who you are. By all means, do think critically, question why you believe what you believe, or why something is said to be true or untrue. But, that is not the only use for thinking. A Scripture that my mother always advised me with is this: “Be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to become angry” – in other words, think before you speak, write, or do anything! Think before you post that picture on Facebook, before you say that insult, before you take that drink, before you react to that email. As professors will be sure to mention: think about what you are going to write before the day it is due! Plan ahead for test, papers, and assignments. As you learn how to think more critically, apply that to your study habits, to your academics, to your campus life.

Be Connected: It will not take you long to notice the caliber of men you are in the company of at Wabash. The students of Wabash College are what, in many ways, make it the respected institution that it is – these are men with the potential to do great things, to be great leaders, and to be great mentors and friends. Likewise, the men and women of the Faculty and Administration are invaluable to the educational experience Wabash offers, and will willingly share the next four years of their lives with you to build you more into the man you are to be. Seek these resources out! Hang around these quality men and women of the faculty, administration and students. Learn from them, and pay attention to them. Let them guide you and help you in your studies, in your personal matters, and in everyday life. “In the abundance of counselors,” the scripture says, “there is great reward.” Surround yourself with men and women of character, and they will be a great asset to you not just in your years here at Wabash but in the many to come. Be willing to do that yourself when it is your turn!

Be Involved: Given the size of this school, you would not expect there to be as much activity as there is. There are so many clubs, organizations, homecoming events and more to participate in that it is hard to keep track of all of them, much less decide which to be a part of or to not! But, by all means, do be a part! One of the greatest ways to learn how to be responsible is by taking on the responsibility of leadership and commitment. Academics must come first, but you will miss out greatly if you do not take advantage of the myriad opportunities this place provides to you to lead and be involved, whether in student government, in sports, in the Sphinx Club, or in recreational clubs. Likewise, be involved in class and travel opportunities. The liberal arts and the immersion trips offered by this school can add tools to your educational toolbox that can inform your worldview immensely. Take advantage of these opportunities to experience the world and the subjects that you never thought would interest you, and do not miss out on the chance to broaden the scope of your knowledge.

Be Zealous: Finally, take the advice of one of the most humble and caring men at this College – former Dean of Students and current Director of Athletics, Thomas Bambrey: “Care about what you do”. Put your whole heart into everything you do here, be it your studies, your fraternity, your club, Chapel Sing, or day-to-day life – care about what you do.

Godspeed, Class of 2014!

Related posts:

1. New Phoenix: Welcome Class of 2014!
2. What do we Mean by a College? Words of Wisdom from the Past
3. A Freshman Survival Guide: Nuggets of Wisdom for the Class of 2012

The Morris Hall independent dorm.

It’s time for “Name the Fraternities at Wabash!”…your first test as a freshman. This is your chance to list the options of living situations that you have, evaluate them, and choose the group of guys that you’ll spend the next four years around. Let’s think about all the easy ones to remember first: FIJI. Theta Delt. TKE. Beta. GDI. Wait…GDI? What are they doing in that list? They’re not a fraternity! The Godd*** Independents are nothing but a bunch of non-partying losers who stay in their old dirty dorms and off-campus houses, have no social life, and complain about Sparks food all the time. Nobody would want to be a part of them!

So let me interrupt this degrading of independents to let you in on a little secret…being independent is the best kept secret on this campus. Yes, that will sound like blasphemy to some, but I’m here to tell you that it’s the truth. Now before some “brothers” get all “fratty” and decide to egg my car, let me say one thing: this isn’t an anti-fraternity article written by a bitter FIJI de-pledge or TKE drop-out. I’m simply an “independent evangelist”…spreading my gospel of freedom and brotherhood to Wabash. Yep, that’s another sentence that will make fraternity members cringe. But it shouldn’t be that way. So how can I claim true brotherhood by being an independent?

Well, first of all, if you haven’t noticed already, Wabash is pretty much a big fraternity anyway. Think about it. We’re a group of 900 men who are going through one of the most exciting (yet challenging) times in our lives. Whether we spend our time studying playing Call of Duty in a dorm or in a fraternity, we are constantly surrounded by the same group of guys whether in class, in sports, or during three-hour Student Senate meetings. Wabash, as a whole, bonds us together and creates our brotherhood. We don’t need to be a pledge to do that. We have that unity whether in Martindale, Morris, or 410 Crawford.

Also, being a political science major and a staunch conservative, I know some of you may be looking for a political reason to be independent. If that’s the case, you can take comfort in knowing that you’re upholding the Constitution (which all good conservatives love to hear!). Being independent allows you to maximize your first amendment right of freedom of association! (Glenn Beck would be proud of my analogy). Although I know we all have a choice of housing at the beginning of our Wabash career, who really knows what group of guys they will be hanging out with senior year? Mine have changed slightly over three years, and being independent means I get to choose my living situation as my friendship and housing needs change. So just remember, being independent=upholding the Constitution.

Finally, and most importantly, independent life is thriving at Wabash more than ever (despite 50-year old dorms). I’m a second generation Morris Hall dweller, and my father is constantly amazed at the amount of activities and fun that we have as independents. Things like IMA cookouts, “Movie on the Mall”, and College Hall parties just didn’t happen in the late 70’s with independents. Plus, when it comes to Homecoming, you get to take pride in creating your float, chant, and doing Chapel sing without any hazing character-building activities. In fact, even though I didn’t do Chapel sing (something I regret from my freshman year), I have more respect for the independents who choose to participate because (just like all things independent), it is completely voluntary. Independents are some of the most active students you will get to know on campus….especially the freshmen. That’s not an insult to fraternity members, it just means that events in the house (once again, especially for freshmen) might get in the way of being involved with other campus clubs or events.

But here comes the obligatory statement regarding housing… Although I love being an independent (GDI ‘til I die!), I know it’s not for everyone. I knew when I got to Wabash that a fraternity was not for me, even though many tried to tell me it was. Maybe you feel the same way. I have plenty of good friends in fraternities, and constantly tell me why (insert Greek letters here) is the best house. What I hope is that you don’t dismiss being independent as having no fun, no brotherhood, and no sense of tradition….because my experience has been completely opposite of that. It’s just like anything else you do; you get out of it what you put into it.

Though I fully believe that being independent is the best kept secret of the college, I encourage all freshmen (and upperclassmen) to remember that no matter what choice you make about your living situation the next four years: we’re no doubt brothers with who we choose to live…whether Lambda Chi, Phi Delt, Phi Psi, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sig, or yes, even independents, but we’re first and foremost brothers of the college. Explore being an independent…but no matter what, welcome to the brotherhood. Welcome to Wabash.

Related posts:

1. The Greek System: Its Place at Wabash College
2. Tradition Freely Chosen: Independents in Chapel Sing
3. The Fraternity System: Its Place at Wabash College

The Sigma Chi fraternity house.

On my first visit to Wabash College as a high school senior I thought I knew right away the greatness of this place.  The one thing I was not sure about was the Greek system one finds at this beloved institution.  Everyone, as they grow up, hears stories about what it is like being in a fraternity and how horrible pledgeships are, and I committed to Wabash with absolutely no intention of being a “frat boy” as my old high school friends now like to call me.  When I came back to Wabash a second time for honors scholar week I was told I would be staying in a fraternity for that weekend.  Although a sense of excitement overcame me when I found out I was going to be hanging out at a fraternity all weekend, I still went into the weekend having no intention of joining one.  This idea of me not joining a fraternity changed after I walked through the door of the house I was staying at.  The magic of being taken in and accepted by a brotherhood of “college” guys so openly was overwhelming.  I immediately fell in love with the fraternity system found at Wabash without even knowing more than that everyone happened to be really nice.  Eventually I accepted a bid from that fraternity and through pledgeship became an active brother.  Although the initial euphoria wore off as I got deeper into the Greek lifestyle it was quickly replaced by the deep since of respect and love I started to feel for the great tradition and brotherhood that I was now part of.

When discussing the Greek system at Wabash College the first issue that must be brought up are the differences between us and them, to be more specific the difference between the Wabash fraternities and those of other schools.  The most immediate difference one will find is how Wabash conducts its rush process.  As we all know, Wabash fraternities open rush to incoming freshmen in the March of their senior year, before they are even out of high school.  This is obviously quite different from other universities.  Although I earlier wrote of the magic of Wabash rush, I cannot overlook how difficult and unsettling it can be for someone not even out of high school to make such a big decision that will effect the rest of his life.  It can be and for the most part should be a difficult decision.  Other universities around us such as IU do not begin their rush until several weeks into first semester.  And everyone knows about our foes to the south, who give their gentle little freshmen a whole semester to ease in to their new surroundings before they can rush.  Although it is tough to make a decision as big as becoming a pledge at a particular fraternity in such a short amount of time, it works well with the type of lifestyle that one will live here at Wabash.  At Wabash, where the lack of the opposite sex is constantly felt, the word brotherhood gains a whole new meaning, and having the rush process start as early as it does helps cater to the brotherhood of Wabash in general as well as the brotherhood one will find within the walls of a fraternity.  Beginning rush in March gives a future freshman that much more time to become acquainted with not only a lot of future freshmen but also with a lot of current students of Wabash.  This of course can help freshmen adjust better to the lifestyle a Wabash man chooses to lead.

The next immediate difference between us and them is where freshmen live after they decide to pledge a fraternity.  Outsiders find it quite odd when they learn that pledges begin living in their respective fraternity house the day they move on to campus.  This is obviously different from other schools in which freshmen do not begin to live in their fraternity house until they are active brothers, most of the time not even until their sophomore year.  Although there is no real reason that I know of for which freshmen begin their Wabash experience in the fraternity house, the product that results from this is amazing.  Once again the word brotherhood comes into play.  Much like rush, starting out in the fraternity house right away will give a whole new meaning to brotherhood that only a Wabash man can know.  As one will soon learn most of the fraternities at Wabash have a special room just for freshmen to sleep called the cold dorm.  Trust that nothing brings a pledge class closer together than when they all live in one big room together for a year.

Now we have a rudimentary understanding of how fraternities at Wabash are different than other fraternities. I must now press how important the fraternities really are to both the college and to us students.  Without the Greek system at Wabash the college would have a very difficult time attracting new students to the campus.  From the time a prospective student first visits this beautiful campus to the time he moves in on Freshman Saturday the fraternities are constantly on showcase.  And it seems that Greek life at Wabash is always a point of discussion with prospective students, amongst other things such as our great academics or how crazy Dr. Webb really is.  The fraternities are one of the greatest if not the greatest attraction Wabash has to offer.  The great traditions along with the congenial and brotherly attitude that the fraternities offer give the college the swagger that it requires to be the great institution it really is.  The fraternities of Wabash also reach out far beyond the boundaries of campus.  Whether freshmen pledges are out door knocking raising money for Muffy, or a group of brothers devotes a Saturday to help put a new roof on a house for Habitat for Humanity, the fraternities have a profound effect on the community around Wabash as well as within.

Once one becomes a legitimate part of the Wabash family he will learn how important the fraternities are to so many students on campus, and how the fraternities help them make it through their time here at Wabash.  In his article last year entitled “A Perspective on Fraternities,” my fellow Phoenix writer, Jake Nettnay, wrote that the fraternities of Wabash help students form their own “safety nets” through their newly found brothers.  I must commend Jake on making this astute observation.  Whether one is having family problems, girl problems, or academic problems, the support one can find in his particular house can help a young man with any problem that may face him through any day to day problems he may encounter.

As Russell Kirk once said, “the past is a great storehouse of wisdom.” As a conservative publication we here at The Phoenix along with Mr. Kirk believe that being guided by the wisdom of those wise men that have been in our position before is paramount for success.  Therefore I will now offer a couple words of advice that I found useful when they were told to me as a freshmen.  First, as a freshman you ought to open yourself to the Wabash community.  As I have written to the point of exhaustion in this article, Wabash is a brotherhood, and the sooner one recognizes that he is now a part of that the sooner he will be able to reap the benefits of being a Wabash man.  Secondly, although you are now a Wabash man, remember that you are a freshman.  There is a whole campus full of bright young gentlemen here who have simply been here longer and understand how things should be better than a freshman might.  So in the end although you are now a member of this Wabash community, remember to respect those who have been around longer than you.  You can learn a lot and be better off simply by observing those upperclassmen around you.  Just make sure you’re observing the right ones, for even a great place like Wabash still will have its hiccups.

Lastly, understand that Wabash and its Greek system will not show its effect on you until you are outside of it.  This last semester, while studying abroad, I realized how much different I am after being within the walls of Wabash for a few years.  With every new situation I found myself in, I always found myself thinking back on the fact that I would be simply incapable of doing things as effectively as I can now without the skill set that Wabash and its Greek system has taught me.

I will never be able to make a totally accurate observation of how important the Greek system is to Wabash and how close it is to the hearts of all her students, faculty, and alumni. Something that sacred simply cannot be put into words.  I hope that these words will help a new member of the Wabash community better understand how important the presence of these fraternities really are and how without them Wabash would not be what it is today.  Always remember that by making the choice to become a Wabash man you have openly accepted the road less traveled.  Being a Wabash man is not easy but it is certainly worth it.  This same goes with the Greek system at Wabash, being a brother of a fraternity here will certainly be one of the most difficult things that you ever devote yourself to, but it is worth it.

Related posts:

1. The Fraternity System: Its Place at Wabash College
2. The Best-Kept Secret: Independent Living
3. On Being a Freshman at Wabash College

What do you think of Wabash thus far? Do you have enough experience to form an opinion, or is it too soon? And what of your new proud paperweight, “These Fleeting Years”? Have you read it yet? Let’s expand our scope.

What do you think of Global Warming—epic hoax or dire emergency? How about gay marriage—do only bigots oppose? What of immigration—hasn’t Arizona merely enforced federal law? But most importantly, have you walked under the Arch?

As you already know, college bombards you with a new world of facts and opinions. Blazing the trail are your professors by day, fellow students at night, and your own conscience in the meantime. So how does one handle having their eyes opened for the first time?

The answer is strikingly simple: Do your own homework on other people’s claims, and form your own opinion. Seek Truth. Never be afraid to question, and when thing appear fuzzy, pray to God for guidance. But before we venture too far, let’s muse on the notion of “opinions”.

1. Look around you. You are surrounded by a little thing called objective reality, where objects exist and events actually happen. Snap your fingers three times. Hear the sound? Since you know for a fact you caused it, the next issue is the quality of your sense perception, which determines the loudness of said sound. What if you are talking to a friend? In order to carry on a conversation, you must filter their words through your biases, which are constantly changing through time both a priori (through reason alone) and a posteriori (through experience). Yes, like our opinions, biases change. Now for two implications.

First, events around us actually happen, but we all interpret them differently. However, do not think that because we all cannot agree, objective reality does not exist: Consensus has never made the sun blue or stopped a bullet. All the same, no human is completely “unbiased”. Rather, think of it this way: Some biases are merely closer to reality than others; hence, they are more highly valued.

Second, everyone necessarily has a bias—and this is not a bad thing. It gives the world a certain richness in that by examining other’s biases, we experiences new ideas through dialogue. If this helps, imagine biases as the lens in which we view the world, best revealed when encountering an opposing viewpoint. After all, there must be a reason why two people can look at the same thing and reach two different conclusions.

2. Keeping in mind this notion of objective reality being expressed through dialogues and biases, it goes without saying that this is accomplished via arguments. But what are arguments? Arguments are a way of convincing others of one’s bias. They are comprised of logically ordered thoughts, constructed from words that best reflect reality, much like using the appropriate building blocks to construct a frame over a given foundation.

Also like a building, when one changes the blocks (i.e., words), they change the integrity and look of the structure. When one unknowingly expresses a word or thought contrary to reality, we call it being wrong; when one does it purposely, we call it lying. Next, seeing something completely contrary to reality is called insanity. But beware: The line between wrongness and insanity is easily blurred.

Still with me? Good. Now let us return to your view of Wabash.

What do you think? Presently, your view has been shaped by your limited experiences on campus. Looking back, I remember that after my first few days, I felt slightly overwhelmed. The same view held weeks later. My eyes were so entranced by the constant barrage of firsts, it honestly took until second semester to say I liked Wabash. As time gave way to years two and three, I thought my opinion of Wabash was well formed. That is, until a certain book—or paperweight rather—somehow found it’s way on to my summer reading list.

What follows in this section will be a few highlights in my journey through Wabash’s past. But don’t let what I say supplant your own reading. I repeat, do not take my word. Research your own opinion.

1. Without a doubt, my favorite part of the book was the inaugural address given by Wabash’s first president, Rev. Elihu Baldwin, given on July 13, 1836. An amazing orator, I must say that due to a) thin-skinned, God-fearing atheists, and b) the malignant tumor of political correctness which is currently assailing our society, there are many sections of this speech that simply would not fly today. Here are a few examples (emphasis mine):

“What but a correct understanding of our moral relations to God and our fellow creatures, and to eternity as well as time, are observed to secure the sensibility and wakefulness of conscience? Nor can the tenderest and most elevated emotions of the heart exist in the absence of religious truth. The study of mental and moral philosophy and the Christian system, as presented in the sacred oracles, is doubtless indispensable to the highest cultivation of the heart” (p. 18, emphasis mine).

“Most highly do we approve the adoption of the Holy Scriptures as a textbook in our Colleges and Universities. Their regular and appropriate use cannot fail of exerting a happy intellectual and moral influence. We are not so well persuaded that it comports with their character and high design to use them merely as a classic; and still no less as a substitute for the elegant compositions of Greek and Roman authors” (pp. 23-24, emphasis mine).

“Let the revelation which God has given to unfold them, be made his constant study and supply a part of his early training. It constitutes the only sufficient religious and moral guide” (p. 24, emphasis mine).

“No student surely should consider his education complete while he remains comparatively ignorant of the Sacred Writings” (p. 24, emphasis mine).

Perhaps one day I will return to give this speech the full-blown praise it deserves. But for now, let me address a red flag raised by the ever-judgmental, relativistic multiculturalists: “But he was a pastor and this was pre-1859. Before Darwin we didn’t know religion was a disease! And was Wabash not, from the beginning, a school free from church and state? You know, no Christianity allowed?”

To my well esteemed critics, I say this: Like our very government, Wabash was founded so no ecclesiastical entity could tell it what to believe; however, that does not mean religion did not have a place within its borders. Though our founders could not secure it as a specifically Christian institution, they nonetheless recognized the value of an independent institution immersed in the Christian tradition. And note this is not so the Holy Scriptures could be mocked in C&T discussions.

2. The inaugural address by Wabash’s Third President, Rev. Joseph Farrand Tuttle, given on July 24, 1862. Here’s the passage (as it appears) that stood out:

“If I have not misinterpreted the signs of the times, the pendulum of popular opinion is swinging towards skepticism. . . . This conviction has grown stronger with years, that the real dangers to faith are found in the insidious processes by which these brilliant thinkers in Europe and this country are striving to undermine a simple faith in God’s Word, and to beget the belief that there are better books, greater philosophers, more reasonable hopes than The Book, its sages and its Heaven” (pp. 46).

And to think we read Marx in C&T not for his hideous opposition to American principles, but for his quaint historical value! Let it be duly noted that despite this minor opposition, I proceeded to read “The Communist Manifesto” on my own time. At least now when I accuse the Left of being dirty Marxists for trying to divide our society into distinct, class-based groups—or rather, their utter disdain for the rich and subsequent need to tax/punish them accordingly—I simply refer to Marx. Ex malo bonum.

3. The athletic philosophies of Coach Francis Cayou should be taught in order to instill deep, enduring school spirit, and all-around swagger. Though our school spirit is already intense, who doesn’t like romanticizing? See Dean (and future ninth college president) Bryon K. Trippet’s Chapel Speech from 1953 for more information regarding this Golden Age (pp. 175-180).

4. Operation Frijoles. Freshman, learn this by heart. The professor’s reactions ice the cake (pp. 148-151)!

5. Although C&T is on it’s way out, the opinions expressed in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s are in no way different than the great debates of 2009-2010. Historical irony? You decide (pp. 183-186).

So that I might not be accused of hypocrisy, I will close this micro-treatise by mentioning a few books and people that have molded my opinions since Freshman Saturday, August 18, 2007.

* The books “Generations” (1991) and “The Fourth Turning” (1997) by authors William Strauss and Neil Howe. Challenge the very foundations of how you perceive history and view our present “Crisis Period” not as an isolated incident, but another in a string of ‘Turnings.’ Trust me: These books are sweet Academic Heresy.

* Think the Gospels are dry and alien? Read “The Circle Trilogy” and “Green” from my favorite author, Ted Dekker, and watch them come alive! From here, you will likely dive into “Showdown,” “Sinner,” and “Saint” and leave with a newfangled fascination and respect for a supposedly outdated tradition.

* Ever scratch your head after reading the Huffington Post? Read “The Communist Manifesto”. No, seriously—it explains a lot.

* Immanuel Kant’s “What is Enlightenment?” If you apply his logic to modern-day Academia, you might be a redneck for going against Boomer Orthodoxy.

* Adam Brasich ’11, dear friend and leader of the Wabash Conservative Union. As Providence would have it, I wound up his roommate during October of 2007, thereafter spending the rest of freshman year questioning the core of my beliefs on a daily basis. Our late night philosophical and theological discussions gave me a new lease on politics and Christianity, waking me from my intellectually drunken stupor. When sophomore year rolled around, I joined the Wabash Conservative Union and life took a turn for the better. (At least until the election.) Now for the plug:

Freshman, join the Wabash Conservative Union: We’re the friendliest bunch of guys you will ever meet.

Related posts:

1. Papiere Bitte: The Reality Behind the REAL ID Act