Abigail Kengor<\/a> · Contributing Writer<\/p>\n\n\n\nA senior gift should contribute something good to the campus. It should attest to the graduating class\u2019s love for the college they leave behind, emblematize the culture which has shaped them and contribute to the patriotic spirit of those who continue to dwell there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The senior gift leaves a lasting mark by which future students may identify that class. The SHAL courtyard fountain from the class of 2010 and the brick sign welcoming all Crawford visitors are some examples of past seniors\u2019 finer work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is also ideal that the gift adds something meaningful to student life, not merely ornamental, or even worse, ugly and utilitarian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To fulfill these standards, I propose the senior gift should be a plaque, akin to other memorial nameplates around campus, proudly displaying the lyrics of our good college\u2019s alma mater, \u201c\u2018Mid the Pines.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It needn\u2019t be too large; it could decorate a wall somewhere prominent on campus, such as in the Student Union or SHAL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This would contribute meaningfully to campus in several ways. Mainly, it would honor the school anthem\u2019s lyrics, which currently suffer ignominy in hearts and minds on campus, from both natural ignorance and aversion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many students don\u2019t sing the alma mater simply because they don\u2019t know the lyrics. They aren\u2019t written anywhere on campus. They\u2019re rarely emphasized outside of opening convocation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At graduation and football games, the melody is played; but without provision of the lyrics, who can hope to sing along? A plaque with lyrics is at least beginning to spread them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And alas, for many whose memories do glow faintly with it, they just don\u2019t like the song. While this is harder to solve, this hatred might at least be reduced by familiarity, which doesn\u2019t always breed contempt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The tune is, admittedly, a bit difficult to sing when only practiced once a year. But if we learn the song, it won\u2019t be quite so hard anymore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As for those who dislike the words themselves, I encourage you to revisit them at this article\u2019s end; the lyrics extol the dearest features of our campus: the plenitude of pine trees, the majestic architecture and the close community, all sources of many warm memories that connect our hearts so staunchly to this place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They celebrate the \u201cspirit of (Grove City\u2019s) life\u201d that has shaped so many of us, in faith and culture, and will hopefully remain with us hereafter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You may find some outdated descriptions of Wolf Creek\u2019s average volume, but even this is a feature that connects us to our history and to past students. This brings me to my next point: history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Perhaps the alma mater\u2019s popularity is antiquated, or you consider its musical quality still unredeemed, and want to replace it with a new anthem. From such a position, this senior gift would still be a worthy investment. Why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even an unimpressive song has a place in posterity. If \u201c\u2018Mid the Pines\u201d were to fall completely out of favor, it would still be nice for students to know this song that once moved their scholastic predecessors\u2019 hearts in more patriotic days when the ode was robustly sung.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An alma mater cultivates the virtue of pietas \u2014 the patriotic gratitude for what God has given by where He has placed us. It praises the good qualities of our college, pondering it and celebrating it in community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the good Christian, conservative school that we are, let\u2019s take a step for beauty, for virtue, for tradition! Let\u2019s not contribute our money to architectural innovations or other changes, but to the preservation and promulgation of our beloved school\u2019s history and culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the graduating class, let\u2019s celebrate and gratefully honor what Grove City has done for us. We can communicate to future classes the love that we had for this place and contribute to the choirs of future students who sing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2018Mid the pines in columns growing, \/ By the stream so deeply flowing, \/ Dear to hearts with mem\u2019ries glowing \/ Stand the halls we love. \/ Hail to thee, our Alma Mater! \/ Praises from each son and daughter! \/ Pledges of love and honor \/ Grove City still shall own. \/ Tho\u2019 the land and sea may part us, \/ Far remove thy towers and campus, \/ Staunch and true, there dwells within us \/All the spirit of thy life. \/ Hail to thee, our Alma Mater! \/ Praises from each son and daughter! \/ Pledges of love and honor \/ Grove City still shall own.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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