At eight years old, I picked up Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone for the first time. For Halloween that year, I dressed as Hermione Granger. My ninth birthday party was Harry Potter themed. I was first in line at Barnes & Noble for the midnight release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. During early high school, my room transformed into a Gryffindor paradise. … Continue reading Death of an idol

As a senior, I thought I would say a few things about experience I have had here at Gustavus Adolphus College. I keep reminiscing about our time here as students and the things we have accomplished and observed. Four years ago, each one of us made the decision to pursue a degree from Gustavus. I am sure I am not the only one who has … Continue reading Here’s to us

While many of us—namely, juniors and seniors—will never see the completed Nobel Hall and Theater expansion, we already are seeing the destruction the big yellow crane in leaving in its wake.  Where, exactly, do the liberal arts fall within the much touted “STEAM” education framework? The Nobel expansion is much needed—the place is currently like walking around in an asylum.  It’s dry, emotionless, industrial, and … Continue reading Is “STEAM” based learning good for Gustavus?

I’ll be honest, I spend a lot of time on my phone.  Between several social media accounts, keeping up with my friends and family back home, and my problematic addiction to The Sims Freeplay, it’s a miracle I manage to get anything done.  But it’s not just my phone: computers, iPads, and music all play an important role in my everyday life, helping me with … Continue reading Technology: the modern plague

For a Swedish Lutheran college in the Midwest, Gustavus has a pretty impressive variety of cultural events on campus. Our student body may not be as diverse as our mission statement likes to claim, but those students who are from a variety of ethnic backgrounds still manage to have a strong voice when it comes to their student organizations. As a frequent attendee of events … Continue reading Attend local cultural events

Ever since I was a child I have thrived in academic situations that involved using creativity. I looked forward to Art Class (that came twice a week for less than an hour); I lived for the days in English that we got to do creative writing rather than simply analyzing why a character’s shirt was red on page 146. I was fortunate enough to attend … Continue reading Students deserve creative freedom

Have you ever wondered how ABBA was discovered? Celine Dion? Or where the song Volare came from? Look no further than Eurovision, the Eurasia wide song contest. The most important day of the year is coming up, May 12. You may ask yourself, why May 12? It is not just National Brunch for Lunch Day, it’s the Eurovision Song Contest finale. I was first introduced … Continue reading Viva Eurovision!