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Dear Parents, It is almost my favorite time of year at Houghton - the Holiday season! Our students are exposed to some wonderful traditions during this season. Each year for the past several years, students have sponsored a "Turkey Drive," raising funds to buy turkeys for local families facing economic hardship. We also sponsor a Toy Drive for children of families with needs during the Christmas season. Finally, we celebrate in style with musical events and other holiday observances. There is the annual lighting of the Christmas tree in the chapel on Monday, December 3, and the Christmas Prism, which is a musical drama celebrating the Christmas season. Your student is welcome to attend the Christmas Prism free of charge on Friday, December 7, at 8:00 pm in the chapel. Next time I bring greetings to you I will be doing so with a different name. I am marrying John Hynes, the love of my life, on November 23. It is my absolute privilege to introduce John to the Houghton community. As always, if you have any questions or concerns regarding your student's experience at Houghton, please do not hesitate to contact my office. I count it a privilege to serve the students and look forward to interacting with you. Blessings on you during this holiday season,
Sharra Durham
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| Spiritual Life Featured Program: Imitators of Christ | |||
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Submitted by student coordinators, Amanda Wilgus and Kaitlin Ferris Imitators of Christ is a student-run organization seeking to offer students the opportunity to grow and learn from community men and women of God. We use student applications to prayerfully match each student with a spiritual mentor and role model. Students today are in great need of spiritual role models, and we often hear of positive results from both mentors and students. It is a wonderful opportunity for mature, adult Christians to connect with students in a deep and spiritually meaningful way. Two of this year’s mentors are Naomi (Spurrier) Smith and Mark Alessi. Here’s what they say from the mentor’s perspective: (insert Naomi’s picture here and Greg, feel free to only include a line or two before linking the rest of Naomi’s comments) I am, I confess, an unusually young mentor. Some days I wonder how, at the grand old age of 24, I have any wisdom at all to share with the lovely 20-year-old young lady whom I mentor. Most days, however, I am simply grateful – grateful for the chance to befriend such an amazing young woman, and grateful that my friendship can make a difference in her life. As we meet twice a month to have coffee or take a walk or pray together, I am amazed at the “iron sharpening iron” nature of our conversations. The dialogue we share is often edifying and encouraging to both of us, even when the subject matter is difficult or draining. In the end, mentoring does not require that I know everything. It simply requires that I am willing to listen, to linger long enough to peek into another person’s heart and speak openly about the ups and downs of my own journey. All I have to offer is a transparent life, and in the grace of Jesus, that is enough. Naomi Smith graduated from Houghton College in 2005 and is currently employed in the Office of Advancement |
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Time spent with my student has been a great chance to get together with another brother in Christ, grow in my own spiritual walk, and gain insight into another person's relationship with God. Any time spent with another believer discussing God's word and talking about life in general is always rewarding for me. Involvement with Imitators of Christ is no exception. My student I are reading through a book called The Ragamuffin Gospel, one man's take on God's love relationship with us. We meet once a week for lunch to discuss the book, consider passages of scripture, discuss something God has taught us, or talk about more difficult aspects of our walk with God. Sometimes we just talk about nothing in particular, and we take time at the end to do something fun, like play a game. Imitators of Christ has been a wonderful opportunity to impact another Christian's life. Mark Alessi graduated from Houghton College in ____ and is currently employed in the Office of Technology Services |
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| Spiritual Life: Upcoming Chapels | |||
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Chapel Schedule updated online at: http://www.houghton.edu/spirit/CHAPEL.HTM
Friday, 11/16 Terence Paige, Professor, Department of
Religion and Philosophy Online access available for recordings of chapels: http://www.houghton.edu/spirit/chapel%20recordings.htm
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| A Heartfelt Message from the Resident Director of Gillette Hall | |||
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Denise "Dee" Bartos, Director of Gillette Hall (place Dee’s picture here) Hi! In my role as Resident Director of Gillette Hall, I have the distinct privilege of working with nearly a quarter of all Houghton’s students each year. It was the fall of 2006 (just last year!) when I first arrived to work at Houghton. Prior to that, much of my world related to my alma mater, Roberts Wesleyan College, where I played soccer, graduated with a Psychology degree in 1997, and then worked as an Admissions Counselor. Without a doubt, being a Resident Director is the most challenging job I have ever had. Much like a pastor or missionary, my personal life and professional calling co-exist, operating on a schedule that is anything but 9 to 5. Unusual, yes, and interesting -- always! I never know what context God will use for meaningful interaction with my residents. Most recently, it was the baking of banana bread that provided the context in which a student shared what God has been doing in her life. I guess that is one of the reasons I love this job…to be able to live life alongside these young women, as they ask questions, discover passions, achieve victories, renew hope, and make connections. What a blessing my job is, and what a privilege it is for me to play even a small role in the lives of the women of Gillette. Denise "Dee" Bartos earned a Master’s of Arts in Higher Education from Geneva College. She currently supervises a staff of thirteen Resident Assistants in Gillette Hall.
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Policy Development: A Description of the Houghton College Taskforce on Community |
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Submitted by Jack Connell, Executive Director of Church Relations, and Chair of the Taskforce Approximately every ten years, Houghton College does a thorough review of its "Statement of Community Responsibilities." This statement (which can be viewed on the Houghton website at http://campus.houghton.edu/orgs/student_life/Student_Guide/resp.htm) casts a vision for the type of community we believe God has called us to be at Houghton -- who we are, what we value, what we stand for, and how we will "do life together" in this Christian community of higher education. President Mullen has called together a "Presidential Taskforce on Community" comprised of faculty, staff, students, and administrators who will review this statement and make recommendations to the president of any changes that they believe need to be made. This process of review will include receiving input from the various constituencies of the college, and is expected to last through the 08-09 academic year. Any changes will ultimately be approved by the Board of Trustees. The taskforce has already made the decision to focus initially on the issue of social dancing on campus. This decision does not emerge from the belief that dancing is the most important part of our community statement, or from any desire to rush through the discussion about dancing. To the contrary, it is the hope of the taskforce that in dealing with this issue first, the Houghton community can explore and discuss it thoroughly -- and then move on to a productive discussion of some of the more substantive issues of community. We know that you as parents are deeply interested in the kind of community your student is a part of while at Houghton, and so we welcome your input and suggestions as we review this statement. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the statement, and then forward your comments to either Jack Connell (jack.connell@houghton.edu) or Sharra Durham, the Vice President of Student Life (sharra.durham@houghton.edu). We also ask for your prayers as we engage this important process of reviewing and refining the kind of community God is calling us to become. |
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| Upcoming Athletic Events Through the Holidays | |||
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For more information go to: http://www.houghton.edu/sports/ Men’s Basketball F 11/16 & S 11/17 @ Rio Grande University Tournament T 11/27 @ Walsh University F 11/30 @ SUNY Canton S 12/1 @ Paul Smith’s College T 12/4 Home vs. SUNY Canton F 12/14 @ Buffalo State Tournament S 12/15 @ Buffalo State Tournament M 12/17 @ Mt. Vernon Nazarene University S 12/29 @ Fisher College (MA) W 1/2 Home vs. Walsh University F 1/4 Home vs. Ohio Dominican University S 1/5 Home vs. Mt. Vernon Nazarene University Th 1/10 Home vs. University of Maine – Fort Kent
Women’’s Basketball F 11/16 & S 11/17 @ Rio Grande University Tournament T 11/27 @ Walsh University W 11/28 Home vs. Alfred University F 11/30 @ SUNY Canton S 12/1 @ Paul Smith’s College T 12/4 Home vs. SUNY Canton F 12/8 Home vs. Mansfield University S 12/29 @ Fisher College (MA) F 1/4 Home vs. Ohio Dominican University S 1/4 Home vs. Mt. Vernon Nazarene University Th 1/10 Home vs. University of Maine – Fort Kent
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Notes of Importance:
From Troy Martin, the Director of Student Financial Services For the Spring 2008 semester, student billing statements will be issued the first week of December and payments are due by January 2nd.
The college accepts two payment methods for any balance owed after aid and/or loans are applied: 1) Payment in full prior to each semester (VISA and MasterCard accepted). 2) Monthly payment plan made through AMS/TuitionPay. Enroll at 800.635.0120 or www.tuitionpay.com. (Only for new, Spring contracts). You must be enrolled with AMS/TuitionPay by December 28th.
Failure to have balances paid for Spring 08 by Jan. 2 may subject your student account to a $100 late registration fee.
From Elaine Tooley, Textbook Coordinator for the Campus Store It’s textbook time again! Let the Campus Store make purchasing student textbooks easy! There are three ways to purchase textbooks through the Campus Store: pre-pack orders, online orders, and off-the-shelf orders. Contact the Campus Store for ordering dates and additional details! Contact the Store via telephone (585-567-9620), fax (585-567-9577) or email (campusstore@houghton.edu). |
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