Northrip crowned Belle of the Blue

By WHITNEY LANWAY, Staff Writer

On Saturday, Feb. 23, Chelsea Northrip was crowned Georgetown College’s Belle of the Blue 2008. Northrip is a senior French and psychology double major and represented East Campus in the event.
Belle of the Blue is an annual scholarship pageant for women of the college. Each residence hall chooses a woman to represent them in the pageant, and those women compete in scholarship, interview, talent, poise and appearance categories. The top five contestants are then judged in communication skills where they answer an on-stage question.
The 2008 Belle of the Blue pageant had a theme of “Come Fly With Me” and was hosted by SGA Belle of the Blue Chair Lynnesy Rowland and 2004 Georgetown graduate Blake Reichenbach. Carla Crum, Kim Maraman, Cassandra Kessinger-Kiser, Brent Fryrear and Heather Hunnicut judged the event.
The pageant began with the contestants performing a dance routine to a montage of songs, including “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” and “Come Fly With Me.” Each contestant introduced herself and the residence hall she was representing.
Each contestant then performed her talent. These performances ranged from singing hymns, contemporary songs and Broadway songs to tap, step and baton twirling routines. Some contestants also played the piano and performed monologues; one monologue was an excerpt from the contestant’s children’s book.
After the talent portion, the women competed in poise and appearance, walking across the stage in an evening gown while Rowland and Reichenbach read biographical information and future goals of each contestant.
Belle of the Blue 2007, Whitney McClain, then performed an interpretative movement routine to the Christian song “To Ever Live Without Me,” the same routine that won her the crown last year.
Holli Patton, a sophomore, and Carrie Summers, a junior, made a short presentation about Project Compassion, the student-led organization dedicated to raising money to feed poverty-stricken children in Guatemala. The proceeds from this year’s Belle of the Blue ticket sales were donated to Project Compassion.
After their escorts took the contestants to the stage for the Parade of Contestants, the top five contestants were announced. Lindsay Conner (Sigma Kappa), Whitney Harris (Alpha Gamma Delta), Suzann Hibbard (Phi Mu), Kimberly Horne (Kappa Delta) and Northrip were selected to compete in communication skills.
They were asked, “With this being an election year, what are some of the most important issues to you, as a college student at Georgetown College?” The war in Iraq, healthcare, education and examining candidates’ stances on the issues were brought up by the five contestants.   After each had responded to the question, McClain gave her farewell walk. Once the scores had been tabulated, the awards were announced.
The Miss Congeniality award, voted on by the contestants themselves, went to Elizabeth “Ebeth” Lyon. The Overall Scholarship award went to Northrip.
“I am absolutely thrilled and honored to win Belle of the Blue. I hope that I can be an example of a positive female role model on campus, an encouragement to college women. I feel that being Belle of the Blue is such a privilege, and I am thankful that God blessed me in this way,” said Northrip.
The second runner-up was Horne and the first runner-up was Harris.
Northrip will represent Georgetown College in the 2009 Mountain Laurel Festival.  The festival is located in  Pineville, Ky.

Changing the housing market

A student considers the pros and cons of co-ed habitation

By MADELINE GANNON, Staff Writer

Even though co-ed dormitories are very common and popular on many college campuses throughout America, Georgetown College has yet to add a mixed gender building to their campus.
Currently, there is talk circulating about making one of the existing dormitories (Allen Hall) co-ed.
Dorm life is a very important aspect of the college experience, but it will always have its pros and cons, no matter what gender(s) live there. Even though there are co-ed dormitories on college campuses all across the country, there are still many people who seem to have a problem with the idea on Georgetown’s campus.
In my opinion, co-ed dorms can be very useful for many different reasons. The main benefit that a co-ed dorm provides for the students living there is real-life experience. The world is not split up by gender, and therefore, living in a co-ed dorm could help integrate a person into the real world. Co-ed dorms instill the idea of gender equality to be carried into society.
Also, co-ed dorms give students the chance to mingle with people that they might not have otherwise.  It creates a diverse environment and, therefore, unifies the students who live together.
While I agree completely with the idea, the cons are obvious. The main con is that it could possibly create a more sexually promiscuous student  body. This thought is ridiculous in my opinion for the simple fact that anything that would happen in a co-ed dorm is more than likely already happening in the gender separated dorms that we have now. Young adults have a certain distaste for rules and also a specific knack for sneaking around them. There is no risk that a co-ed dorm would create that isn’t a risk now.
Also, even though it is not a proven fact, or even a statistic, some women feel that living in the same building with men increases their chance of being assaulted or raped. This is an absurd idea, but, unfortunately, there are many women who feel this way. 
I think that a co-ed dormitory at Georgetown would show real growth for a previously particularly conservative Southern Baptist college. This step would bring Georgetown closer to the standard that the rest of the country is held to while keeping our Christian morals and values at heart. Compared to the rest of the world, Georgetown is in its own little box, which could cause problems when students are faced with reality.
A co-ed dorm, as small as the step would be, might bring Georgetown more to the level of the real world.

Word from the Editor

By AMANDA OWENS, Edtor-in-Chief

Dear Readers:

One of the great things about having an editor’s column is that it can be used for just about anything. Ranting about the Caf? I can do that. Complaining about Valentine’s Day? I can do that too. But for this week, I would rather talk about what readers of The Georgetonian can do.
Because in the end, the readers have a great deal of power over what is printed in The Georgetonian.
This past week, the entire staff of The Georgetonian got together in our bright green and orange office to brainstorm about what we could do to make The Georgetonian more appealing to students.  Our main conclusion was that we need to cover information that is useful, relevant and important to our student body.
We might be editors, but we aren’t psychic. The best way for us to give our readers relevant information is for our audience to let us know what is important to them.
All readers of The Georgetonian can do this in several ways.  First of all, you can always shoot us all a general, private email at georgetonian@georgetowncollege.edu. If you want to go more public, you can send us a letter to the editor at the same address.  Or, if you have a specific comment on a story, you can also check us out online; our website is linked from Spider.
Finally, if you just want a forum for discussing issues then you can write for the Opinion section. Opinions are not limited to only students. They are also open to faculty, staff and other members of the campus community. The Georgetonian is designed to be your medium for sharing what is important to you.  We want and need your contributions.

Sincerely,
Amanda Owens
Editor-in-Chief

Making a decision that counts

Student encourages informed decisions for young voters

By LINDSEY LONNEMAN, Staff Writer

You shouldn’t pick your parents’ candidate.  You shouldn’t pick your boyfriend’s candidate. You should pick your passion—your vote should reflect you.
There are a TON of issues out there, and this is a very controversial election; our economy, the conflict in Iraq, immigration, healthcare, education, environment—these are all potentially undergoing big changes with new leadership.
It’s really overwhelming to try to keep up with the platforms of every candidate on every issue. Personally, I am trying to narrow it down to just a couple of topics, and then, I’ll focus on figuring out which candidate is best for me. So how do you choose your top concerns?
Some of you may be ultra-philanthropic.  You’re concerned with everything: world peace, hunger, water purification, immigration, global warming, education, Wall Street, poverty, etc.  For you, although it must be tough, choose three issues (maximum) that will affect you personally, that you will physically or financially be involved in. Try to take the emotion out, at least for now.
More of you might be lacking in passion.  We’re just trying to be young and live off of our parents.
Concerns? Like, making it to 10 a.m. classes. Or getting the old Philly Cheese Steaks back in the Caf. That’s your perogative. So, find your issue. Maybe, it is gas prices. Or maybe, someone in your family is overseas. There are several issues that affect you directly, you just don’t recognize them.  Pick your poison—even if it’s only one.

Award winning author spoke to campus

By MARY ALICE BIRDWHISTELL, Staff Writer

New York Times bestselling author and Pulitzer Prize winner Gary Wills spoke at Georgetown Thursday, Feb. 21 to share with students, faculty, staff and many campus guests insight on his newly-published book, “What the Gospels Meant.”
Dr. Dwight Moody, Dean of the Chapel, introduced Wills by saying that few people have the “interest, intellect and energy” Wills demonstrates to write books about Jefferson, Lincoln, Kennedy, John Wayne, Shakespeare, politics, religion, education, Catholicism and finally, the gospels.  
Moody continued to say, “I really think what he represents is not a Bible commentator but a public intellectual of the very highest sort.  In this way, he should inspire students.”
Of all the classes students take at Georgetown, there are only two that are required of all students to take; one of those is New Testament 1, which covers the gospels.  Therefore, Wills was able to make a connection with Georgetown students that would have been much more difficult on other  campuses.
Wills’ newest book emphasizes that readers must pay attention to the communities in which the gospels were written.  When reading the gospels, Wills said, “We are able to enter into the community that produced the four gospels and the way that they lived the life of Jesus.  Each drew on different aspects of Jesus’ tradition.”
When asked if he thought “What the Gospels Meant” was an offensive title to Bible readers, Wills said, “This isn’t the only place you can find that out.  To say what they mean is not an exclusive thing.” 
Instead, his book seeks to take an inside glimpse into the communities where Jesus lived in order to learn “what he meant through his life and teaching.”

Raúl steps up as Fidel resigns

By MIRANDA ARNOLD, Staff Writer

February 24, 2008 will be marked down in history as the day Fidel Castro officially stepped down from his Presidency.
Fidel announced that he would not serve another term as President in a letter that was published in the “Granma,”  which is Cuba’s on-line version of their state newspaper. The eighty-one year old leader handed over his power to his younger brother, Raúl Castro, permanently.
Raúl had first gained experience when he temporarily took over the country in July of 2006 to cover for Fidel after Fidel’s gastric surgery. 
During Fidel’s recovery, details from the surgery were not to be discussed and Fidel’s health was to be kept secret to prevent enemies from taking advantage of their situation, according to the BBC.
The lack of details for Fidel’s recovery caused some people to speculate that Fidel was dead. Fidel’s temporary leave gave hopes to the U.S. that perhaps the country was closer to changing their government system.
Along with a new president came new thoughts for reform. Many people are still wondering how Raúl will handle this issue. Spanish Latin America Minister Trinidad Jimenez said, “Now [acting President] Raúl Castro can assume with greater ability, strength and confidence, the project of reforms that he himself has spoken of, and I believe that he should start to put these reforms into action.”
Some countries believe that Cuba should become more democratic. UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown said, “We can only hope that a new path will open up after this withdrawal and that there will be more democracy in that country.”
Not only do some UK citizens believe that Cuba should become more democratic; also U.S President George W. Bush said, “I believe that the change from Fidel Castro ought to begin a period of a democratic transition.”
  According to MSNBC, many countries are willing to help Cuba, if they will accept it.

Article Sources: MSNBC and BBC

NPHC Sorority and Fraternity

By KELLEY WEST, Contributing Writer

There has been a buzz in the air this semester about a new fraternity and sorority joining the Greek community at Georgetown College. Students, staff and faculty have been working together to establish these organizations on campus since the beginning of the 2007-2008 school year.
Students J.C. Cambell and Jordan Robinson have become the leaders of this movement by contacting Student Life, other faculty, staff and students to help realize their goal.  Robinson wants to emphasize that, “These organizations are open to the entire campus.” She said, “We will in no way be segregated, we want to live on campus, be a part of Songfest, be a part of Panhellenic and all aspects of Student Life.” She feels that this will only benefit the campus by giving students an additional social outlet.
Recently, groups of men and women interested in joining these historically black organizations have held student led interest meetings. At both meetings the men and women have proposed two organizations to come to campus. At the meeting, both fraternities and sororities were spoken positively for and students voted for which organization they would like to pursue to come to campus first. The men chose Alpha Phi Alpha and the women chose Delta Sigma Theta. Interested men and women are now working towards bringing these organizations to campus.

Students qualify for national honors

By KRISTA CHELF, Staff Writer

Georgetown College students who have achieved high success in their college courses will be rewarded this spring with inductions into academic honorary societies.
 Alpha Lambda Delta is a national academic honors society for freshmen who have earned a GPA of 3.5 or higher in their first semester of full-time undergraduate work.  
“The mission of Alpha Lambda Delta is to promote intelligent living and a high standard of learning, and to assist students in recognizing and developing meaningful goals in society,” Dr. Leverenz, one faculty adviser of this organization, stated.
The students who receive membership will be given honor cords to wear for graduation and be eligible to receive special scholarships.
Phi Kappa Phi will also be initiating new members this spring.  This organization is one of the largest and most highly respected honor societies.  Juniors with a GPA in the top 7.5 percent of their class and seniors with a GPA in the top 10 percent of their class are invited to join this prestigious organization.  This year, around 50 students will be extended an invitation from Georgetown’s chapter.  
Members will be given a special medallion to wear during graduation, and have the possibility to be chosen for a fellowship for graduate and professional study.
These organizations are highly respected on a national level. “We want these students to be recognized for their academic achievements,” Dr. Leverenz said,  “these are prestigious academic societies.”
Phi Kappa Phi will hold their initiation Sunday, Mar. 30 at 3 p.m. in Hill Chapel.  Alpha Lambda Delta will hold their initiation on Wednesday, April 2 at 7 p.m. at the Conference Center.

GC students invest in the college’s future

By STEPHANIE BOXX, Staff Writer

Georgetown College has an opportunity for students to learn how to make the most out of their financial future.
The Investment Team is a group of junior and senior students who meet for about an hour each week to discuss the buying and selling of stocks.
The group began with an endowment of $50,000 from Georgetown College.  Through wise investments in companies such as Marathon Oil, the Investment Team now has $160,000.  All dividends earned are put towards scholarship funds for students. 
The Investment Team is advised by Dr. Nancy Lumpkin and led by student manager Crawford Houston. 
To be a member of the team, one must be a junior or senior, but team members don’t have to be majoring in business or finance. No prior knowledge of the stock market is necessary, but students must be committed to learning and gathering information on various stocks for buying and selling.
Members use this opportunity to learn about how the stock market functions and how to make wise business or personal investments.  Students also analyze financial trends.
Members come from different backgrounds and have different majors, which allows for diversity in the team’s portfolio. 
Taras Golditchuk, a junior Business and CLC-French major, will possibly be taking over as student manager of the Investment Team in the 2008-2009 school year. He joined the team because, “it simply represented the best opportunity for me to get involved and somewhat familiar with the stock market without investing my own money.”
With the uncertainty of the stock market today, students on the team are investing in stable companies. By investing in these companies, students have a chance to be involved with companies that have a direct effect on their own lives.
E-On, a Germany-based electric company, owns Kentucky Utilities Company, which provides some electrical service to Georgetown College.
Texas Instruments, one of the world’s largest technology companies, is the maker of some of the most popular math and science calculators for students. 
Any students interested in applying to be a member of the Investment Team should contact Robin McClure at x8205.  Students can also visit McClure in her office Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m.  Applications must be submitted by March 7.

Senior spotlight: Sean Schweickhardt

By KRISTIE POWELL, Staff Writer

Sean Schweickhardt is among the most recognizable faces at Georgetown. A senior philosophy major from Louisville, Schweickhardt is someone who has loved his time at Georgetown College, and the college reiterates this sentiment.
Schweickhardt is involved in several organizations and teams.  He is a proud member of Lambda Chi Alpha, runs cross country and track, is a residence director and is a leader of the Campus Outreach program.
Although widely involved, it seems as if Schweickhardt makes many friends by a simple, lackadaisical stroll through campus. Schweickhardt makes frequent appearances at the Mulberry Café, the LRC, Student Center and  the Quad. He is a man who knows no stranger. Certainly, many have encountered Schweickhardt’s friendly demeanor without even knowing the man behind the face.
“One of my favorite things about Georgetown is that you know everybody. I love walking across campus and being able to say ‘hi’ to the majority of people I pass,” said Schweickhardt.
Reflecting upon his time at Georgetown, Schweickhardt has difficulty naming only one factor which has influenced him most.
“Campus Outreach is something that has developed my spiritual walk,” he said. In fact, Campus Outreach will play a part in Schweickhardt’s post-undergraduate career. He plans on working for the Campus Outreach affiliation at Centre College.
Schweickhardt has grown as a member of other organizations as well.  “I’ve learned a lot from my experience with Residence Life. Res Life is all about relationships and building community,” he said.
Indeed, it is obvious that relationships play a significant role in Schweickhardt’s life. He attests one of the greatest things about going to a small school is being able to maintain strong relationships with not only students but faculty as well. He is especially fond of his major department. “I have deep admiration for the entire philosophy department. Those three guys—I respect them as men of high character and academic leaders,” Schweickhardt said. 
Schweickhardt believes he has evolved a lot as a student at Georgetown.  “Spiritually, I’ve grown. It’s neat to reflect back on how Michael Craddock influenced me when I was a freshman, and he was a senior. I want to be that for other people,” Schweickhardt said.
College has altered what Schweickhardt takes seriously. He reveals how he has found grades to be less important than maintaining strong connections with others.
For this lighthearted spirit who sees himself “telling people about the gospel” in 10 years, Schweickhardt is an encouragement to many. Schweickhardt’s one complaint is the lack of “playing in the quad.” He challenges the campus to play “more ultimate frisbee this spring.”
A philosophy major at heart, Schweickhardt gives this advice to underclassmen, “College is four of the most important years of your life, and also, they are the four most wasted years. Spend your time finding who you are, what you believe and what you are passionate about.”