I dream of being a funny person for a living, making people laugh and bringing more joy and honesty to the world. A common byproduct of wanting to be an entertainer, especially a funny one, is the need to be liked by any and all people. It’s also a common byproduct of being a woman in my experience. Ironically, wanting to be a comedian and simultaneously wanting everyone to like me is one of the more unrealistic ambitions I’ve ever published in this newspaper. So it’s a good thing that I have no dreams of being a famously realistic woman. Lucked out.
I love jokes so much that I have worked at the National Comedy Center for the past two summers, and am writing my senior comprehensive project on comedy — specifically sex comedy — and stand up routines that detail the terrifying subjects of female sexual desire and vaginas. Halloween is coming up!
At the NCC, and through my comp research, I have learned that comedy is an artform that takes risks, and sometimes those risks don’t pay off. Sometimes comedians put their foot in their mouth, offend people and have to apologize. That sucks because I hate putting my foot in my mouth and offending people and having to apologize, but I accept that it may happen, and use that fact to make choices about what I want my words and my jokes to mean. Because everything, even jokes, mean something. Even with this thoughtfulness, comedy is a risk. I think that risks are good, and should be taken, especially in creative fields. Risk cannot exist, however, without accountability and consequence.
We are living in a time that holds people accountable for what they say more than ever, and we’ve seen every day what a lack of accountability can mean for society and its minority groups. It’s nearly impossible to be a woman on a college campus right now and not be thinking about what is happening at Cornell University. CBS News reported in an Oct. 6 article that a former student at Cornell University, identified as Jane Doe, alleged that she was sexually assaulted by members of the Xi Delta chapter of the Chi Phi fraternity at their house on the university’s campus.
Jane Doe’s civil suit names seven then-members of Chi Phi, and claims that the men drugged, raped and assaulted her on October 19, 2024. This report came after Cornell University had responded inadequately to the report Doe made to campus police following the incident where she said, “I can say with 100% confidence I was raped,” according to CBS. The Cornell Daily Sun, the University’s student newspaper, played a significant role in the publication of the allegations and names of the alleged perpetrators. The Sun described the University’s lack of response to that accusation as “a morbid pattern” of concealment after no criminal charges resulted from the Title IX Investigation conducted by Cornell, as reported by The New Yorker.
Doe’s suit, filed on Sept. 14, against the men, known as “The Cornell Seven,” alleges that one of the men sent a message in the fraternity’s group on Snapchat, called “Chi Phi Actives,” telling members that there was “free pussy” they could find upstairs. Another of the seven replied “I fuckin love chi phi,”and replied to the group adding, “Like you can walk in and whip it out.” The alleged assault then went on for several more hours. According to Thomas Giuffera, Jane Doe’s attorney, there were 57 men in the group chat, and yet, the alleged assault went on.
I just thought of something more terrifying than jokes about sexual desire and vaginas! 57 men who do nothing when a woman is drunk, high and labeled as “free pussy.”
Doe’s case reemerged into the national news cycle in Sept. and on Oct. 10, comedian Shane Gillis hosted Saturday Night Live. Gillis is a controversial figure in the comedy world, as he was hired by Saturday Night Live in 2019 but was fired days later after a video of him using racist and homophobic slurs resurfaced, as reported by NBC News.
His opening monologue on Oct. 10 based in self-depreciating storytelling about his being overweight and trying to return to the gym, quickly veered to the wildly interesting topic of what women wear to the gym and even more interestingly, how he feels about it.
He said against a backdrop of stone-faced band members, “I didn’t know women dressed like whores now.” He went on to comment on the color of women’s gym shorts, “They’re like artificial bait colored… And don’t look. You’re not allowed to look.” His set then took him into an anecdote about time spent in a sauna with comedians Joe Rogan and Theo Von, two more controversial figures in the comedy and podcasting world, and circled back to self-deprecating humor about his body. He said that he was used to jokes at his expense because he was brought up with “Two big fat bitch sisters.”
Gillis faced backlash for his comments on social media, including some from actors and comedians Dan Levy and former SNL cast member Ego Nwodim, and thus, the cultural conversation continues. What is funny? Is it this? Is it funny in the weeks after a rape case makes national news? Is it funny when that case making national news restarts a conversation about large male groups allegedly letting each other commit acts of violence and protect each other from potential consequences? Would it be funny if we had no idea about the Cornell Seven, or if this never was alleged at all?
I mentioned before that I love jokes. I’ll add that I love observational comedy, insult comedy, jokes about sex, self-deprecating jokes and jokes that call out injustices and double standards in our world. I love physical comedy, watching actors fall over and all of Adam Sandler’s work. I love to make people laugh, even if it’s not the most intelligent or thought provoking joke. I love to show off how funny I can be. I love the legacy of Saturday Night Live. I love making people like me. I love when a group of people, often men, who I otherwise would not be able to relate with, laugh at my jokes. I love that free speech allows us to joke, speak out and take risks with our art. These are all things that Gillis’ monologue in the wake of the Cornell allegations have led me to admit to myself.
But there are several things that I love so much more. I love safety. I love protecting women. I love living in a community where women can attend parties and have consensual sex without being in danger. I love working out in whatever I want to work out in without the anxiety of what a male peer might be thinking about it. I love accountability more. I love courageous people more. I love a value system that contradicts a social system that allows groups to abuse and ignore others without consequence.
When I first watched Gillis’ monologue, the Cornell Seven were the first thing I thought about. I questioned why. I have no idea if the alleged assailants were fans of Gillis. He didn’t tell anyone that rape is OK and didn’t support the Cornell Seven.
But messages from men in power, especially those that earn notoriety within the realm of art, comedy and free speech cannot stand alone as just jokes. It can never be just jokes when people are victims of violence to which we have become desensitized due to widely accepted misogynist rhetoric.
We are living in a time that holds people accountable for what they say more than ever, and yet, we still have to be way more accountable. In our world at Allegheny, I believe we are trying to be. But we can’t just do it when something like the Cornell Seven is in headlines.
On Sunday, Oct. 18, I sat in the Patricia Bush Tippie Alumni Center amongst dozens of my peers for a two and a half hour presentation on how cultures of sexual assault disproportionately committed by men are perpetuated by patriarchal social pressures. These pressures stop men from standing up to one another even when wrongdoing may be occurring right in front of them. I listened to a discussion that I feel like I’ve had and heard over and over again for years, putting myself into the shoes of men confronted with the dilemma to stand up to friends who engage in sexist, misogynistic, abusive or plainly illegal behavior. I listened to my peers raise their hands with theories about the right ways to respond in these scenarios and why these responses don’t always occur.
Despite the insightful conversation by my peers and the satisfaction I felt seeing a man standing at the front of a room acknowledging the part that men have played in the continuation of abuse and misogyny, I left more sad and more exhausted than ever. The talk felt redundant, and more than anything else, like a reminder that we may have not actually progressed as a society to not only protect women, but to restructure our culture into one that makes it unacceptable to speak inappropriately about women, or in a way that devalues, embarasses, abuses or oppresses them.
I don’t mean to be negative, but this feels pretty negative.
Last week, I was called a whore by a peer to my other peers. I’ve heard him say it about women before and I did admonish him in those moments, but clearly my words did not stick. Maybe I could have tried harder, drawn a harder line, been more angry. Maybe not. I thought about Shane Gillis. I thought about the Cornell Seven. I thought about Jane Doe. I cried and was embarrassed. One word. There went my thick skin and my jokes.
My peer was not Shane Gillis. He didn’t say it on Saturday Night Live in front of millions. I have great friends who support me, and I moved forward fairly unscathed. I am not alleging sexual assault. It was one word in one moment, and as I said before, I try not to take flippant criticism to heart because I plan on being a big star. And yet, to me, all of this is connected.
At some point in my peer’s mind, he thought that he would be safe and felt comfortable calling me a whore. He thought people would agree with him and laugh. He thought he was right. Free speech says that he can do that. He said it multiple times, so someone or something made him feel like that was OK to do.
I asked myself again and again: What made him feel like he could say that? What does this word mean? Do I have a right to really be upset, even if I am the chill, liberated, funny, mature woman I so love to claim I am? I
don’t have an answer for those questions yet. I don’t even have a joke to make myself feel better about those questions yet.
Yes, I’m arguing the obvious thing that the word is not just a word. A joke is not just a joke. I’m sure many will agree. But I am also asking my peers to recognize that the word, “whore,” Gillis’ jokes, and the alleged rape at Cornell University are things that exist and flourish within the same culture that is dominant today. Think about that culture, notice what is and isn’t said around you and ask yourself if the dominant culture that we exist within is one that makes men feel like it is OK to say abusive things, commit abusive actions, or to do nothing when they see their peers doing so.
If changing that culture means losing a laugh at a joke about gym shorts that inherently blames women for being the subject of an abusive male sexual gaze in a patriarchal society, or losing social safety in a group of men because you stopped the fun to protect someone who may have been in danger either physically, emotionally, or socially, that is a sacrifice I urge us all to make. We should make the sacrifice, so that it stops being seen as a sacrifice.
]]>I too have undergone my fair share of seasonal depression. That tormenting sub-32 degree weather haunts me even as I snuggle under my favorite blanket. It is especially punishing when you come from an island of year-round piña coladas and sun tans like me! However, with practice comes mastery, and the lessons I have learned throughout my share of snow days will give me the tools I need to defeat the missed alarms once and for all.
Winter can leave you feeling tired, unmotivated and desperate for our professors to cancel class. However, seasonal affective disorder goes beyond the ordinary winter blues, and persistent changes in mood, sleep, or energy deserve to be taken seriously.
Of course, having a sleepy winter morning doesn’t mean you have SAD. For some of us, winter brings the familiar sluggishness that makes missing class or using a token to delay that computer science lab suddenly seem very appealing. In all seriousness, the most frustrating part of SAD is the sluggishness and lack of energy induced throughout these times. If you face persistent struggle, please consider getting some professional guidance. When changes in mood, energy, and sleep begin interfering with daily life, we should take them seriously. Before we declare winter our mortal enemy, I will present a few ways to make the season manageable.
First, befriend the light. Open your blinds in the morning and get outside as often as possible. When you aren’t in bed, you are giving yourself and your body every reason to wake up. That bed addiction is not helping your lack of willingness to get moving. Sometimes, the cold is your best friend. The blinds and light will signal to that fuzzy brain of yours that it is time to leave the blankets; do something, be something. If you are too afraid of the cold (I must admit I fall into this category), get a light therapy lamp. It is a close second, and as a bonus, you may find yourself waking up earlier than our sun in the winter months.
Second, establish constants in your life. Yes, I know that you probably feel sleepy enough in the winter and don’t need another bore! I define my constants based on things that benefit my mind and wellness. Otherwise, that burnout is bound to be your winter final boss!
One particular constant I am re-incorporating as a student is leisurely reading, and I encourage you to pick it up! Ultimately, your mind just needs something comforting to come back to when it feels fatigued. For instance, I have decided to read books that are not part of my course syllabus. Sometimes, my mind — and I’m willing to bet yours too — needs a fun and healthy escape from it all. Instead of opening Instagram for the 100th time, you could pick up the latest novel. I don’t personally read fiction for fun — apologies to you passionate english literature stans. I’ve picked up memoirs instead. If you don’t have a book, find me; I have plenty to give away, no excuses!
Lastly, make yourself cozy. Make your favorite wintertime dessert, call that friend you’ve been missing and enjoy the perks of the season. I know it’s hard. I have trouble waking up early too, even during the summer. It’s normal, it’s human. Don’t beat yourself up after a bad day, but do still give it your best! What makes one successful is not leading “the perfect life,” which is truly impossible, but rather learning from resistance and cultivating your resilience. Through these principles, you make even the toughest seasons gratifyingly intentional. Just like that Multivariable Calculus class you’ve been dreading, there are rough midterms where you go into that class feeling like you’re encountering a foreign language. Either way, through the struggle, passing is probably your biggest accomplishment. So join me in learning how to endure this season!
The earth’s flowers may be dying, and the ice may be settling in, but that does not mean our spirits must freeze alongside them. We cannot always control the season, our workload, or how we feel, but we can create small routines that make difficult seasons easier to navigate.
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(Maddox Brown)
Traditional German foods, music, games and cultural customs were open and available to the entire student body during the event.
Julia Ludewig, associate professor of world languages and cultures and the Max Kade chair in German, planned the event alongside German Language Teaching Assistant Vincent Reif.
According to Ludewig, diversity of perspective is a major reason why Allegheny students should be immersing themselves in as many different cultures as possible.
“Having the ability to think in different ways is so essential,” Ludewig said. “Looking through a different cultural lens does just that.”
She went on to explain that thinking differently includes looking through a different social and linguistic lens as well.“You will not know how entrenched you are in a certain way of thinking until you step out of that way of thinking,” Ludewig said. “Whether that be learning a language or you learn in one of our classes that the way to interact is different.”
Both Ludewig and Reif planned everything from the location and time, to the food and music. However, Ludewig gave Reif a majority of the credit for all of his hard work as well.
“I want to give a big shout out to our teaching assistant, Vincent Reif,” Ludewig said. “The lion’s share of all the prep work is on Vincent’s shoulders.”
One major advertisement of Oktoberfest was that students were given access to free food and drinks that are traditional to German culture and customs.
Zoe Neblett, ’30, a first-time attendee of the event, remarked on the opportunity to explore German customs.
“The food they have is very different from what I’m accustomed to,” Neblett said. “So it’s very nice to be able to experience another culture.”
While being a crucial event for students to put themselves out there and experience another culture, it also allows German students at Allegheny like Hayleigh Brown, ’30, to be able to experience familiar traditions.
“I’m at least half German, so it’s really nice to be able to connect with my culture,” Brown said.
Oktoberfest had a multitude of games and smaller events happening as well. There were two game options for every attendee. The first one consisted of two people standing in front of each other, holding pint glasses filled with water, and keeping them held at a straight angle until the other person would lower their glass first.
Ludewig competed against one of the students in the crowd in the first round and ended up winning.
The second activity was a raffle. Upon entering, students were each given a ticket. As the night progressed, the numbers on the ticket would be called, and students that won were given multiple options for prizes including t-shirts and bracelets.
One of the student winners was Ayesha Huq, ’30, who won one of the first rounds of the raffle, and ended up picking a t-shirt.
“I’m elated, and this event is very special to me because I’m an international student,” Huq said. “Seeing other international students organize this kind of fest is very crucial for other international students to feel inclusive too.”
Oktoberfest has been an annual tradition, and Ludewig emphasized its significance. “It has been a staple for many, many years, and it is arguably one of the biggest events we organize specifically in the fall,” she said.
This year’s Oktoberfest improved turnout from last fall, according to Cedric Rothove, ’29, who attended the previous Oktoberfest.
“It was inside of NV 1, and it was a lot smaller,” Rothove said. “Less variety of foods, and there were less people who attended things,”
The general turnout of this year has raised Reif’s hopes for next fall and the next german TA who will organize future events. “I hope the TA next year will use some of the food we have because I think the food was better,” he said.
Reif hopes to improve Oktoberfest year by year to allow students more than enough opportunities to fully understand German culture.
“I think culture is so important, and teaching different cultures because there are so many different opportunities and differences you may like,” Reif said.
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“There’s no way that’s him,” was the reaction from head golf coach Carter Hassenplug, ’25, when he first saw Aaron Beverly’s application to become Allegheny’s new assistant golf coach.
The application came from the Athletic Department’s decision to open the full-time golf assistant coach position to the public after the retirement of both head and assistant coaches in the past summer.
Hassenplug is an avid watcher of the PGA Tour, the main professional golf tour in the United States, and knew Beverly from his impressive college and professional careers.
“I clicked on it [the application], went through the resume, and I was like ‘oh my goodness, it is him,’” Hassenplug said. “So I reached out to him, had a good Zoom call and he took a position, it was as simple as that.”
Beverly’s golf career began at three years old when his dad gifted him his first plastic clubs.
“I pretty much fell in love with it from the first time I ever played it,” Beverly said. “I played growing up, got really good in middle school, played in high school, got a scholarship to play college, played really well in college then right after college turned pro.”
Beverly played Division I golf at Sacramento State University, where he was named the Big Sky Conference Player of the Year for two consecutive years, set the school single-season record and broke his own record with an average of 71.31 during the 2016-2017 season.
After graduating in 2017, Beverly was a volunteer assistant coach for two years at his alma mater. However, the first year had its season canceled due to COVID-19.
Beverly did not have plans of becoming a coach, but he had his dad as an example throughout his life.
“My dad was always a coach,” Beverly said. “He was my coach, then he coached football and track, kind of everything, and I just saw the impact that he had on people’s lives and I always thought it was really neat. So when the opportunity came for me to coach, I just figured I would try it.”
Beverly first heard about the open position at Allegheny through an email about a job opening, which he called “a divine intervention.”
“I never usually paid attention to much of the emails that I got, that one for whatever reason I saw and applied,” Beverly said. “I didn’t spend a lot of time thinking about it, it was such a cool opportunity for something drastically different.”
As a California native who had never lived outside the state, Beverly thought it was time to try something new. After getting in contact with Hassenplug, he moved to Meadville on Sept. 23.
The adjustments Beverly has been experiencing the most since arriving in Pennsylvania have been mostly cultural, which come with moving from west to east.
“The hardest part has been the food, I would say California food’s a lot better,” Beverly said. “But other than that, it’s different paces of life. California’s so much faster than here and then this town is so small, which is neat because everybody knows everybody. That part has been different for sure, but I think I’m adjusting decently.”
Beverly’s overall experience at Allegheny has been positive so far and the players have been willing to try new things that he suggests, Beverly said.
Gasparo Porco, ’27, a member of the men’s golf team, believes that Beverly’s addition to the team has been great.
“He’s very energetic on the golf course,” Porco said. “Most people think golf courses are quiet and that you don’t show a lot of emotion, but he definitely shows a lot of emotion.”
Porco believes that Beverly’s enthusiasm and uplifting personality has been making him a better player and is a great change for the team.
“He’s definitely someone to like to celebrate with you,” Porco said. “I told him after I shot my best round in college, he came up, was jumping with me and was very happy. You have to celebrate your wins and I think a lot of people on the golf course push your wins away and dwell on the losses, where he [Beverly] pushes the losses away and celebrates your wins.”
Hassenplug described Beverly as knowledgeable and dedicated.
“He has a lot of knowledge about specifics within the game. He knows how to dim it down for specific individuals, who need that help in that way,” Hassenplug said. “He’s very dedicated, locked in all the time. He’s able to focus for five hours straight when coaching.”
Hassenplug also highlighted how personable Beverly is, which he said has been key for building a connection with the players.
In the Presidents’ Athletic Conference, the men’s and women’s golf championships are divided between fall and spring, with the first and second rounds in the fall and the third and fourth in the spring; fortunately, Beverly got to Allegheny in time for the first half.
Allegheny finished the first two rounds in second place, with Kessler Potter, ’28, finishing in third place and Mekayl Maajid, ’28, finishing in second place for the individual awards. (Potter is also a member of The Campus staff and was not involved in the production of this story.)
Beverly was happy with the outcome of the tournament.
“I got here and the guys won the second tournament, that was really neat,” Beverly said. “I take zero credit for it, I was just happy to see that they all played well.”
He has defined his coaching style to be as adaptable as possible. According to him, Beverly doesn’t expect players to play like him, as everyone is different on the golf course.
“Everybody’s got their own strengths and weaknesses, especially when it comes to golf. Every swing is different,” Beverly said. “I try to be open to listening to how everybody does it differently and then give them just some suggestions here and there, places I think that can help.”
Beverly is competitive and says that he is looking forward to winning championships with the Allegheny golf teams. He also has hopes for his players as individuals.
“Player to player, I would love for every person to want to get better at golf from the time they started here from the time they left,” Beverly said. “To also just be a better person overall, more mature.”
Hassenplug expects to keep working with Beverly for years to come.
“However long he loves it and however long he wants to be here, we’ll have him,” Hassenplug said. “It’s only been three weeks but I think he’s loved it, I think he likes the new atmosphere. I hope he likes it for at least a couple years to come and can pass on his knowledge to three or four classes of kids as they come to the program.”
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“I heard free food and I ran over here,” Farris said. “Jumped out of my dorm, out of my bed. Food.”
Organized by Ghost Club, Student Art Society and Leadership & Engagement, the event offered food, drinks and activities for students looking for something fun to get into over the weekend.
For some, Hallo’Gheny was a chance to grab lunch or spend time with friends. For others, it was an opportunity to get out of their dorms and meet people.
Rayza Rengifo-Mello, ’30, was carrying two iced pumpkin cookie butter lattes, one for herself and another for a friend. She rated the drink a 9.9 out of 10.
“I got two because my friend wants one, and I’m just taking one to my room,” Rengifo-Mello said. “I really love it. It’s really good.”
Rengifo-Mello said she also liked the social side of the event. Even standing in line gave students an opportunity to meet someone new.
“I like that we get to meet new people just in the lines, get food, get drinks and all that,” Rengifo-Mello said.
Anna Turhan, ’27, was surprised by how many students showed up. She had expected a quieter Saturday, with students recovering from the school week rather than attending another campus event.
“I feel like there are a lot more people than I expected,” Turhan said. “I’m happy to see people outside and participating.”
Turhan thought the number of events happening at once could make it harder for students to attend everything they wanted. Alongside Hallo’Gheny, students had a football game and other campus commitments on their schedules.
“I don’t know why we have all of these things going on at the same time,” Turhan said. “It feels like there’s too much going on.”
Turhan recalled seeing bigger crowds at similar events during her first year, when she said activities were spaced out differently. She had also attended a training session earlier in the day, adding to an already busy weekend.
Farris, who had come from the football game, understood the scheduling concern. Having multiple events at once meant students had to choose how to divide their afternoons.
At the same time, Farris appreciated having options instead of spending another weekend in a dorm room.
“Usually the weekends are a little bit more boring. There’s nothing really going on,” Farris said.
On the other hand, Rengifo-Mello thought having several events in one day could give prospective students a better idea of campus life and the opportunities available outside class.
She said having Hallo’Gheny alongside other activities was “a great thing to do,” because prospective students could see what a typical weekend of campus programming looked like.
Students also had different opinions about the two-hour event window. Farris thought the timeframe itself was reasonable, even if it conflicted with the football game.
Rengifo-Mello said another hour would have helped students who were working or had other responsibilities.
“I feel like it could be better for like one more hour at least,” Rengifo-Mello said, because some students “don’t get to really enjoy what’s going on.”
Turhan suggested moving the event later in the afternoon rather than starting earlier. She said a Saturday brunch-time event was not necessarily a bad idea, but a later start could make it easier for students to participate.
For Farris, the overlap came with a trade-off: deciding where to spend time was inconvenient, but there was finally more than one place to go.
“Honestly, I like it,” Farris said. “It’s still occupying our time.”
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Em
Oh Rory, Rory, Rory. You looked beautiful at this dance and I love how excited you were for it. I wish Dean was more excited with you, or at least faked being excited after seeing how excited you were. This scene of boy being lame but pretending to be excited for girl, but not pretending well enough so girl dims her excitement and then boy confusingly concedes to doing the thing he was not so excited for which girl can sense, making her ultimately less excited and more anxious than she was before she brought boy into the mix is horrible! But she needs boy in this scenario.
Emily was right though. Dean should have certainly come to the door, and I’m fairly unsympathetic with the fact that he even agreed to just honk to alert Rory to his presence. Who is raising this boy?
I have a slightly broken picker, so I must admit that I was charmed at Tristan’s persistence in trying to get Rory to go the dance with him. That being said, Rory obviously made the right choice to reject him, and Tristan’s value certainly went down in my eyes after, well, all of his time on screen ever throughout this show.
Dean’s value also went down!
It is clear that Dean has a sort of anger problem. Tristan was annoying and rude, yes, but Dean embarrassed Rory with his outburst and prioritized his own ego on an important night for Rory. Threatening to kill someone while making a first impression gets a ‘no’ from me. Still, Dean is a child and showed good restraint by not fighting Tristan full out. So of course Dean wins. I just hate the unregulated emotions and embarrassment that Rory had to go through, and then sort of pick up the pieces after the fact.
Also, Paris, girl. Chill. Oh my god. I know we are supposed to feel bad for her, and trust me, we do. But preemptively assuming that everyone else has hidden insecurities and struggles, treating Rory like she did and then losing her mind at the dance wasn’t cute. Get it together, Paris. More than anything, you seem sad. I suppose this storyline is probably supposed to be most useful for the Parises in the audience. We all know a Paris, and we wish her the best.
I’m glad that Rory and Dean had an OK rest of their night and that they established that they are boyfriend and girlfriend. Exciting, but I kind of hate the way that conversation went. Like just say what you want Dean, damn.
Falling asleep was an oopsie, and unfortunately turned what could have been a cute time between Lorelai and Emily into a terrible walk down teen pregnancy memory lane. I see where Emily is coming from, as I often do, but I really felt for Lorelai at this moment. She learned how it felt to really be out of control of her daughter, the most important thing in her life. We got a glimpse into their true relationship dynamic, which I liked even though it meant a short bout of not speaking and a revoked invitation to the Christmas party.
That hurt me to be honest. The first thought I had when Emily disinvited Lorelai was that life is short and someone is going to die. And there goes Richard, who didn’t die of course, but came close enough. Thank you Richard.
Luke was a champ this episode, and god does he love Lorelai, which makes me love him, but at the same time, I have absolutely zero patience for men that drag their feet. Screw hot Mr. Max, Luke! He should mean nothing to you.
Shout out to Emily for once again being right and clocking the sexual tension even whilst her husband lay on a gurney with an uncertain future. We Ems are one and the same.
Lorelai please chill and stop suggesting that your teacher boyfriend give your daughter an A. That would be great. “But what about my required reading? Mr. Medina, is this my extra credit work cuz Missy just had to take a test?” Yuck, Lorelai. Truly, get a grip. Rule number one: If the minors at your man’s job call him “Mr. —,” you do not say “Mr. —” in a sexual context. We all tend to be quippy when we are kissing a hot man, but less talk, more kiss. Seriously.
Lo
What a screw up from Lorelai, kissing Max Medina at Chilton. Definitely not one of her best moments. I hate how she freaked out over Rory’s “attachment” to Mr. Medina. Isn’t that the goal? See your kid liking your new boyfriend? I’m confused over here Lorelai.
The only positive outcome of the whole kiss scandal was Emily’s memorable line “He’s just a man, Lorelai.” Is that true Emily? Because on one hand, I think Mr. Medina is not just a man, he is an intellectual, overly confident and sexy teacher who lets his girlfriend’s daughter call him Norman, for god’s sake. On the other hand though, you are right my queen Emily — men suck. Almost always. “Not all men but always a man,” type of thing. Would Max Medina likely be the one breaking Lorelai’s heart at the end of the day? Let me know.
Not intelligent, confident and maybe just a tiny bit sexy was Todd, Lane’s little crush who turned out to be a complete disappointment. I can see where Lane came from, I liked Todd’s style, until he opens his mouth and blows up his whole appeal. Todd says he likes “whatever” music, literally to the girl who has to go to school undercover so her overly religious mom doesn’t catch her wearing an “evil rock music” themed shirt. Lane, I hope you find a decent man soon girl, I feel you, same over here.
Just for the sake of continuing the hate men wave, let’s talk about Rune, the short king who thinks he can’t shame women for being tall. Rune, my patience for guys like you ran out by the time I was 12. Truly. Little Rune saying he couldn’t go out with “that,” referring to beautiful tall Lorelai, threw me over the edge. What is more beautiful than tall women with gorgeous long legs? Because it’s certainly not Rune.
Now Luke, oh Luke, please just ask Lorelai on a date. You want, she wants and we want.
For the purposes of bringing something positive to the conversation, Suki and Jackson are adorable together. The subtle “enemies to lovers” start of their relationship to their overwhelming nerves during their first date was so cute and relatable. Excited to see more of their funny dynamic next week.
We will be back with our thoughts on episodes 13 through 16 next week!
Keep watching the show!
Love, Em & Lo
Sometime in the past, society collectively decided that “good weather” specifically meant sunshine, blue skies and a temperature that you could reasonably expect people to wear shorts in. People always seem to be celebrating a sunny day around 80 degrees Fahrenheit, then treat clouds, wind and cooler temperatures as problems that need to be dealt with. However, I personally prefer cooler weather somewhere around 50 degrees Fahrenheit with an overcast sky, a steady breeze and a green landscape stretching into the distance.
I’ve heard other people say that sounds like miserable weather. They hear the word “overcast” and imagine a depressing afternoon spent indoors. They feel a gust of wind and go to grab another layer of clothes. I understand that it can be chilly, but it is still 20 degrees Fahrenheit above freezing, which is not that cold to me. A cool overcast day possesses a distinctive atmosphere that a bright, sunny afternoon cannot match.
The temperature is the foundation of my preference. Between 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit, the air is still decently warm while cool enough to feel refreshing. Even if that is too cold for you, a sweatshirt or jacket could solve your problem and provide sufficient warmth. I am someone who doesn’t really get cold, so that is not an issue for me. It also avoids the issue that comes with hot, sunny weather; if you are outside for too long and doing something physically demanding, it can get very hot very fast. Exercising, hiking, exploring or even just walking around becomes much easier without becoming a race to find shade or air conditioning. I overheat very fast, and it makes me lightheaded, so I prefer it to be way too cold compared to way too hot.
The wind is equally important. Powerful gusts can be unpleasant, but a consistent breeze contributes to the character of a cool day. It moves through trees, across fields and creates a motion throughout the landscape as well as a nice calming sound. The sensation of cool air against one’s face can be soothing, particularly alongside another calm activity such as a leisurely walk. Washington is very mountainous, and one of my favorite feelings is when I am hiking — preferably not near a ledge — and there is just a nice cool breeze going up the slope, watching all the trees sway.
Overcast skies are also pleasant. I am someone with sensitive eyes, and the prolonged exposure in bright sunny weather can be particularly harsh, even with sunglasses. Clouds soften the light, reduce glare and give the environment a more low-key feeling. Buildings, forests and distant mountains can look especially striking. There is a calming atmosphere that I can only describe as tranquil and unappreciated.
Perhaps my favorite part of this weather is the greenery that often comes with it. I come from Seattle, where it is green all year round. It is also particularly cloudy — and often rainy — there as well. The contrast between the gray sky and rich green landscape is remarkably beautiful. This is one of main appeals of an area like Seattle and the main reason that it has earned the nickname “Emerald City.” Because Seattle is on the water, these specific surroundings and ambience are particularly soothing with the sound and feel of the water.
This weather is particularly prevelant in early fall, before the trees start to turn and lose their leaves. I will admit that other seasons and their weather have their own merits.
Summer sunny weather can be nice, assuming it does not get too hot, and a cool breeze can create its own distinct atmosphere. Snow-covered landscapes, even if especially cold, can be magical in their own way, especially in areas that do not receive snow very often.
However, what sets my weather of choice apart from these others, is that you will usually not see as many people outside. I am someone who hates large crowds, and prefers to be out and about when there are relatively few people. In sunny weather, there are usually people everywhere, and in snowy weather, there are people who are going out to play in the snow. In cloudy weather, I usually do not see all that many people outside, mostly because there is less incentive to spend time outside if the weather isn’t sunny.
This adds to the peaceful atmosphere of these cool cloudy days, it allows me to take in my surroundings without the distractions of large crowds. It is particularly satisfying to walk through a quiet green area, with only the wind and rustling leaves for company. It creates an atmosphere that encourages people to slow down and actually take in the surroundings.
Ultimately, I believe the best weather is not necessarily the kind that is most commonly considered beautiful. For me, a combination of cool temperatures, overcast skies, a steady breeze and a landscape full of greenery constitutes the perfect weather for me. Sunshine and warmth certainly have their place — especially when you do not see them for a long time — but they are not the only conditions that are worth appreciating. Sometimes the most pleasant surroundings are the calmest ones, and while most people consider that miserable weather, I consider it to be the perfect day.
]]>According to Vice President for Institutional Advancement Mathew Stinson, successes in these programs have led to new scholarship and financial aid initiatives.
“With the success of the ‘In For Allegheny’ campaign and the amount of funding that’s been coming in through our alumni, quite frankly, sooner than we anticipated, it was time to figure out what’s next,” Stinson said. “What’s next is being able to provide fully funded academic scholarships to people who not just from a GPA perspective are a good fit, but the quintessential Allegheny alum is somebody who wants to go out and make an impact in their community, in their state, in their country, in the world.”
This new opportunity is called the Allegheny Impact Scholarship, and it will cover 100 percent of tuition costs and enroll up to 50 incoming first-year students each year.
The first cohort of Impact scholars will include students from the Class of 2031, according to Allegheny’s website.
Stinson mentioned that there are certain criteria that prospective Impact Scholars have to meet in order to be selected.
“There will be a minimum GPA, just to make sure academically they are capable of handling an Allegheny education,” Stinson said. “The second part is getting a feel for what students really want to roll up their sleeves and make an impact. It could be in a lot of different things, it could be impact in their community, it could be impact in their research, it could be impact in the arts, impact in athletics, just something where it’s not a student that’s just going to hang out in their room and not really be involved.”
The scholarship also allows students to combine financial aid with developmental opportunities according to Stinson.
“I think Allegheny is already very good at producing leaders that the world desperately needs,” Stinson said. “So, as a signal to the folks who will be accepting those impact scholarship opportunities, knowing that leadership development is going to be also at the core of what we’re doing.”
According to Director of Financial Aid Natasha Eckart, in addition to the Impact scholarship and CAP, a tuition promise that will affect both current and future Allegheny students has been implemented.
“The tuition guarantee is kind of on the opposite end of the spectrum from the CAP program,” Eckart said. “It is guaranteeing that a student from PA or Ohio will not be paying more than $20,000 in tuition, whereas the CAP program is saying that we are going to meet full tuition for students in PA and Ohio that have a threshold of their income is below the threshold of now $75,000 as far as their adjusted gross income.”
Vice President for Enrollment Management Jennifer Winge elaborated that the CAP increase is expected to increase enrollment opportunities specifically for students from Pennsylvania and Ohio.
“We currently have about 56% of our population coming from Pennsylvania and Ohio, so it’s a very important part of the full student population,” Winge said. “We want to make sure we’re a top choice, a first choice school for more students in Pennsylvania and Ohio. We may expand it over time, but right now we’re starting with our backyard and where we get over half of our students.”
One potential outcome of these initiatives is an increase in Allegheny’s student population.
“We’re also looking to build and grow our enrollment, so we hope to be a school of roughly between 1500 and 1600 students,” Winge said.
Winge says the new financial initiatives will blend seamlessly into existing structures.
“To meet the promise, we’re leveraging our existing aid structure, so think about merit scholarships that are offered through the Trustee Scholarship through the Kappa Scholarship and then we have a new initiative which is the Impact Scholarship and then of course we do offer significant Allegheny institutional aid for need-based assistance,” Winge said. “We’re just enhancing that even more for many students.”
A hope for these initiatives is to increase the ways in which Allegheny appeals to applicants.
“We’re now promising that students can make a choice about which college is the best fit, not necessarily which one is the least expensive,” Winge said. “We want them [students] to understand that their net cost at Allegheny is comparable to going to a state funded institution. No matter your income level, no matter your decision to submit the FAFSA or not, if you’re from Pennsylvania or Ohio, we’re going to commit that you won’t pay any more in tuition than what you would if you would go for in-state tuition at Penn State.”
The CAP threshold has also increased from $50,000 during the 2026-2027 academic year to $75,000 for the 2027-2028 academic year, and Eckart says efforts to expand opportunities have driven the change.
“We’ve been doing a study of our success with the CAP program and always evaluating opportunities where we can expand or better serve both our market with prospective students but also our current students,” Eckart said. “There has been some insight into a need to help evaluate or increase that threshold to better serve out students in the local region.”
Winge says the changes will impact both current students and the college’s retention rates.
“That’s also going to benefit roughly between 40 and 50 current students that didn’t have that before,” she said. “So it was intentional and it is our hope that it just helps make it easier for students to stay.
Like Stinson, Eckart says funding goals are ahead of schedule thanks to donors. “We always do evaluation of our current programs, but I think a lot of it goes back to where we’re at currently with our campaign, particularly the ‘In for Allegheny’ and the funding that our generous donors have been providing,” Eckart said.
Winge says that current debate over the value of college degrees influenced the timing of the decision.
“You’re probably reading in the media and hearing how the general public is questioning the value of a college degree, and so we really want to combat that and make sure they understand the value personally, professionally, in terms of what they can experience here at Allegheny,” Winge said. “We want to make sure that folks know much earlier in their college search process that it can be very financially manageable for them to choose a private institution like Allegheny.”
College leadership knows these new initiatives are costly investments, but she says the expansion of accessibility is worth it.
“This was our senior leadership within our trustees and our administration saying, ‘We know that this is going to be an investment, we’re going to be allocating more financial aid to our current students, but that’s the right thing to do,” Winge said. “We wanted to make sure that students currently enrolled fall under the tuition guarantee.”
Eckart hopes these initiatives will benefit everyone involved and grow even more in the future.
“I think a success would be that, obviously, it’s not only still in existence but is expanded and morphed into something that is serving our current population,” Eckart said.
Winge also believes the results of these initiatives will reduce the financial burden on students, whilst increasing the value and reputation of an Allegheny education.
“It’s the right time for us to be more transparent and bold about the value of an Allegheny degree,” Winge said.
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