The Hill Welcomes First Female President
Aubrey Gaudet ReporterDr. Mary H. Van Brunt, Ph.D. was named Spring Hill College’s next president by the Board of Trustees. She is expected to take over the position in January 2023.
The announcement was made Oct. 12. Van Brunt will make history as the first female president of Spring Hill College and only the third layperson to lead the college.
Van Brunt said that when she interviewed for the position, Spring Hill College’s mission stood out to her.
Van Brunt explained, “It’s a community and everyone does live that mission and really cares about the students, the student experience, and each other. That is just precious and that’s what really helped make my decision very easy, that I wanted to leave Philadelphia and come down here to be the president here.”
Chairman of Spring Hill College’s Board of Trustees, Jack McKinney, said the Board went through an 11-month process until they narrowed the candidate pool down to Van Brunt. “Dr Van Brunt gave us the esprit de corps, energy, drive, vision and personality that people felt most comfortable with, that she could be the
leader for Spring Hill College,” said McKinney. “It was really her drive, personality and attitude that she wanted the job very badly and was going to make it work.”
Spring Hill College
Provost, Dr. Rebecca Cantor, Ph.D. said she is excited to experience the new level of
energy and engagement Van Brunt will bring to the Hill when she begins her presidency.
“She’s going to be out in the community, getting to know people, speaking with donors, understanding our students, and working with our academics,” said Cantor. “I love that she has a back-
ground as a provost and comes as a real educator.”
Tyloria Crenshaw, Director of SHC Marketing and Communications, said the Spring Hill community is excited to welcome Van Brunt and to work with her.
“Her commitment to Catholic education and that is evident in her experience, that she studied and worked at catholic institutions,” said Crenshaw. “She is an economics professor and she’s an expert in her field. She really has a vested interest in the education of the individual student.”
Van Brunt previously served as the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Gwynedd Mercy University and as the Founding Dean of the School of Business, Arts and Media at Cabrini University.
For more information on Dr. Van Brunt and the college’s announcement, visit shc.edu.
Class of ‘72 Finally Walk Down the Avenue
Fae Fox ReporterIt took 50 years, but members of the Spring Hill College class of 1972 finally took their graduation walk down the Avenue of the Oaks. Their special ceremony was part of Spring Hill’s Homecoming on the Hill for alumni and family weekend.
Rain forced the 1972 graduation ceremony to move from the Avenue of the Oaks to St. Ignatius gymnasium. Peggy Rolando, a 1972 class alumna, said that the indoor location was “a much less glorious setting
we had hoped for.”
“When we were planning the reunion for the class of 1972,” said Rolando, “several of our reunion committee mentioned doing a new walk down the Avenue of the Oaks. And that’s what we did. It was very gratifying to walk down with many of our classmates. It was a chance to relive a golden moment of our graduation only flash forward 50 years,” she explained.
“It means a great deal to be back at my alma mater,” said Christopher Peters, as he recalled his time here on the Hill. “ I have a fine memory of my time here
and they have prepared me for a wonderful life. And during this reunion, I believe we should honor the people we used to know that had a real effect on us: professors, administrators, and fellow students. They were the best of us.”
Alumni and family weekend took place Oct. 21 and 22. Over 350 alumni and families came to Spring Hill College to celebrate the events around campus.
For more information, reach out to the office of advancements operations in Byrne Hall.
Spring Hill Students Report Possible Mold in Housing
Natalie Williamson ReporterAccording to some Spring Hill College residents, possible fungal growth has spread across Andrews Hall over the course of the Fall 2022 semester.
Seniors Katelynn Berteau and Samantha Merrit found what they said to be mold in their apartment. They noticed the potential mold as soon as they moved in at the start of the semester, especially in the bathroom and air vents. One night, Berteau said she was in the bathroom when the ceiling started to fall on her. “The next day I went to Urgent Care, and they told me I had an upper respiratory infection,” said Berteau.
Merrit and Berteau
took samples of the fungal growth and found that it was Stachybotrys mold. According to the analysis of mold samples, this is a type of black mold that is linked to allergic reactions, upper respiratory infections and toxic effects.
Spring Hill College officials were notified of the issue and moved Berteau and Merritt into neighboring Rubin Hall.
According to Berteau and Merrit, one day after being placed in a new apartment, a maintenance employee painted over reported mold in their new bathroom. The roommates said they continue to deal with mold in their new apartment, but it is not as severe as it was in Andrews.
At the beginning of the semester, senior Brandon
Bonvillain smelled what he said to be mold on his ceiling. After investigating the reported smell, Bonvillain said he found mold and water damage in his bathroom.
“I immediately placed a work order so maintenance could come and fix the leakage and mold,” said Bonvillain, “but it took them two weeks to address it.” He also claimed that maintenance addressed the issue by painting over the alleged mold.
Bonvillain reported that after maintenance addressed the issue, the leaks stopped. However, he said he is still dealing with what he says to be mold.
Senior Resident Advisor, Aaron Foster, also reported alleged mold in his apartment in Andrews Hall. Foster
said he has experienced this issue since April of 2022 when he first moved in.
“Once people started moving in this semester, that is when a hole started to form in my ceiling,” Foster said. He placed a work order on Oct. 3. Maintenance addressed the issue three days later and repaired the hole in his ceiling. Foster said that while his ceiling no longer has a hole, he still has potential mold.
Vice President of Spring Hill College, Dr. Ken England, described the standard procedure the college follows to address reported issues in on-campus housing. “When we are notified, in particular from a student concerned, depending on what we find we will bring in a company to do testing of that
particular room or apartment.” England also explained that the college will make sure the student(s) are relocated or that the issue is remediated as soon as possible.
Spring Hill Now, the college’s video newscast, provided England with a list of students who shared similar complaints of reported mold. England said he will reach out to those students to make sure their issues have been addressed.
Additionally, Nathan Quinn, Director of Residence Life, urged students to report issues as soon as possible so they can address the situation promptly.
Students who have residential issues they feel are not being addresed are encouraged to email kengland@shc.edu.
SHC Enrollment Numbers Grow Despite National Decline
Natalie Williamson ReporterSpring Hill College experienced significant enrollment growth for firsttime freshmen, transfer students and undergraduate students for the Fall 2022 semester.
“This previous enrollment cycle was a good one for our enrollment team,” said Nathan Copeland, Ed.D., Vice President for Enrollment at Spring Hill. “Seeing the way our admissions counselors and financial aid team stepped up and embraced a new vision and strategy was encouraging.
“Spring Hill College is on a trajectory of growth and we are committed to offering a highly regarded education that provides tremendous value,” Copeland
continued. “We’ve maintained this objective for almost 200 years and we look forward to seeing it through for the next 200 years.”
National statistics indicated that college enrollment is down overall and that the trend continued despite returns to campus after the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the National
Student Clearinghouse Research Center, NSCRC, firsttime, first-year enrollment by undergraduate students increased by 4.2%, resulting in a gain of 13,700 students. That increase compares to a decline of 3.5%, or 11,800 students, in Spring 2021.
Spring Hill College has received national recognition for many of its degree programs, including nursing
and business. Mary Beth Hayes, transfer student from Bethel University, said, “When I was looking into transferring for a degree change, I saw Spring Hill’s list of degrees and classes and knew it was a perfect fi t for me.” Hayes also said that Spring Hill College is much more affordable than her previous school.
As current degree programs continue to grow, new undergraduate programs reflect current career trends. Spring Hill is also providing opportunities for nontraditional students to access a college education with new corporate partnerships with Ingalls Shipbuilding and the U. S. Coast Guard. Partnerships with other organizations including the Eastern Shore Chamber of
Commerce, Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, The Mobile County Health Department, and the Montgomery Chamber are expanding the scope of the college’s Center for Online Learning.
The college has continued to earn impressive rankings from Forbes Magazine and Niche.com, as well as awards for its nursing and business programs.
According to these sources, the college earned these distinctions because of its commitment to preparing students through curriculum advancements, career development and the value of its Jesuit, Catholic liberal arts degree.
To see complete collegiate rankings, visit https://nscresearchcenter. org/stay-informed/.
@shcstudentmedia newswire.shc.edu shcstudentmedia livestream.com/ springhillcollege SHC Student Media
The SpringHillian Editor: Victoria Ellis
Art Director: Peri Carr
Web Editor: Codi Clemmons
Advertising Manager: Madeleine Braham
Spring Hill Now Producer: Carson Reeves
Spring Hill Now Director: Kira Babiarz
Reporters: Val Dixon, Fae Fox, Aubrey Gaudet, Natalie Marrs, Sharon Nilsen, Zoe O’Donnell, Isabelle O’Neal, Beau Reed, Natalie Williamson
Advisors:
OPINION
Why We Need to Say Farewell to the Fast Fashion Industry
support of these stores contributes to fast fashion.
Fast fashion refers to clothing that is quickly mass-produced to keep up with the latest trends at low costs. In my opinion, the fashion industry is responsible for environmental harm and the mistreatment of fashion industry laborers.
Aubrey Gaudet Columnist
Think about how many clothing pieces you bought when the trend was hot, and now these items sit in your closet or have found their way into the trash. Brands such as Shein, H&M, Zara, and Forever 21 are known for selling trendy and affordable clothing, but few people know how their
Consumers should replace fast fashion with a more sustainable alternative.
According to the Australian company, Good On You, specializing in ethical and sustainable fashion, fast fashion contributes to water pollution due to the industry’s use of toxic textile dyes. Good On You also explains how the industry’s use of mass amounts of polyester contributes to global warming and the addition of microfibers
released in the ocean from the wash cycle. Even the use of “natural” textiles in the fast fashion industry is harmful because of the high volume of pesticides and water used to treat the fabrics.
An article published by the Commonwealth Human Ecology Council called the issue of workers’ rights in the fast fashion industry a “modern slavery problem.” Fast fashion brands open
factories in countries where they can exploit workers to keep production costs low while sacrificing the human rights of laborers who work in poor conditions.
On the other hand, sustainable brands are typically not cheap, and some brands like H&M are taking steps to reduce their footprint with an “environmentally conscious” line of clothing. In an article posted on Michigan State University’s knowl-
edge portal globalEDGE, mentions some benefits of fast fashion such as it produces more profit, consumer spending, and customer satisfaction, but this does not outweigh the consequences.
Don’t get me wrong; I have Zara, Urban Outfitters, and other fast fashion-produced clothing in my closet. Still, I can make an active decision to no longer support these companies instead of restarting the cycle by throwing out cheaply made clothing for sustainable options. Instead, I can encourage you to start thrifting and to find out if your favorite brand pays their workers a living wage.
To learn more about the effects of fast fashion on industry laborers visit fashionchecker.org.
Students Express Why They Want to Bring Back Yearbooks
was in 2009 and the earliest publication was titled “The Corsair”, which was published in 1926. These yearbooks featured the class roster, student organizations, clubs, sports teams, and events throughout the year.
Many Spring Hill students have expressed they would like to see the college bring back yearbooks to highlight the events during the school year and encapsulate memories.
The college’s yearbook went by many names throughout the school’s history, the most recent publication was known as “The Torch”. The last time The Torch was published
EDITORIAL POLICY:
Senior Emily Polanco sent a message to a Class of 2023 group chat with a photo of an old Spring Hill College yearbook. The caption read, “Let’s bring back the yearbooks,” followed by responses and interactions from multiple students. Polanco said, “By bringing back yearbooks, we’ll be able to look back at our memories from The Hill. It’s a memento that we can carry with us after graduation.”
In regards to bringing the yearbook back for current students, it would be bigger and better because the school has more teams, events, and organizations that could be highlighted.
Organizations like Bowling and eSports were not around in 2009 and could be recognized in the pages of a new yearbook.
The SpringHillian is published four times each semester from August until December. The views expressed herein do not represent the views of Spring Hill College and are not the views of the faculty, administration, staff or students. They are the views of the individual columnists.
Senior Aaron Foster is currently in the process of spearheading a yearbook to be finished by the end of this school year. The Student
SUBMISSIONS:
Government Association has been discussing the idea during their meetings.
Foster stepped up to ensure the students would get what they want out of a new Spring Hill yearbook. “I think a yearbook is a great way to commemorate our class,” Foster said. “I’m hoping future SGA’s will continue the yearbooks. They’re truly a great way to show the highs and lows of our class.”
Foster hopes that a yearbook will preserve his class’s legacy on the Hill for many years to come.
Overall, it seems that students’ requests have been answered after all. With the yearbooks being brought back, it allows students to go back and look through the many memories they had through their year on the Hill.
The SpringHillian publishes guest submissions at the discretion of the student-editor and section editors. Submissions should be less than 300 words, and editors reserve the right to edit the submissions for length and content. Original writings should be mailed or delivered to: Student-editor, The SpringHillian, Communication Arts, Spring Hill College, 4000 Dauphin Street, Mobile, AL 36608. Submissions may also be sent as emailed attachments to: shcmedia@email.shc.edu.
SpringHillian
Around The Hill
Senior Carson Reeves embraces sophomore Cece Light after the Women’s Soccer Senior Day celebration.
Picture by: Kira Babiarz
Senior Kira Babiarz participating in Domestic Violence Awareness month in front of Yenni Hall. Picture by: Codi Clemons
Student group at Monte Sano State Park while on the Adventures Retreat. Picture by: Campus Ministry
Senior Aaron Foster grills at the Homecoming on the Hill tailgate.
Picture by: Kira Babiarz
Rugby player looks to pass the ball against opponent to move down the field.
Picture by: Kira Babiarz
Payton Nicoud, Ceci Lincoln, Daria Lundberg and Ashlyn Johnson seen enjoying the rugby game and tailgate.
Picture by: Fae Fox
Around The Hill
Senior John Abate smashes car at Domestic Violence Awareness Month booth.
Picture by: Kira Babiarz
Students gathered around the fire during the Adventures Retreat. Picture by: Rachel Younce
Tri Delta members celebrate winning Sigma Chi’s annual Derby Days event.
Picture by: Isabelle O’Neal
Men’s and women’s soccer seniors together after their last regular season match at home.
Picture by: Rachel Younce
Junior Ridge Chautin playing cornhole during Homecoming on the Hill festivities.
Picture by: Fae Fox
LIFESTYLE
Spanish Students Teach Classes and Engage with Community
Aubrey Gaudet ReporterSpanish 101 students taught classes with the English as a Second Language program to further their language skills while engaging with the community.
The Spring Hill College Foley Center organized this involvement bringing the community and SHC students together.
Dr. Cinthya Torres, Associate Professor of Spanish, brought her students to the Foley Center as part of her Spanish 101 coursework to help teach and learn with the students in the community ESL classes as part of a language lab exchange. According to Torres, “During ninety minutes, students engaged in fun activities where they had the opportunity to help community members improve their English language skills while practicing their language
skills in Spanish.”
Torres explained the importance of the ESL program, the language lab exchange, and how as an educator and immigrant, she understands the struggles, but also the satisfaction of learning a second language.
Torres said, “Seeing the enthusiasm of students every time a lesson goes well, the effort they put into their teaching, and the relationship they are
building with other students and the community at large confirm to me the importance of this type of service program and the role faculty plays in supporting students’ personal and professional growth.”
According to Torres, this language lab exchange was also to allow students to engage with intercultural communities while gaining a new perspective on the importance of becoming
proficient in a second language.
Lead teacher and junior, Kaitlyn Bernard, said, “It’s really hard to learn a new language and it’s really eyeopening to see these adults who have worked endless hours all day long come to even further their education just to communicate while they are in this country.”
Grace Forbes, ESL program lead teacher, said, “I learn so much more from
my students their attitudes, their patience, the way that they are willing to learn and commit, and it’s so much more than I could ever teach or convey in a lesson.”
According to Torres, the program enrolls about 100 students each semester, and averages a 60 percent attendance rate.
For more information on the community ESL program, contact the Foley Center at foleycenter@shc. edu or 251-380-3057.
New Derby Days Winner Takes Home Trophy
O’Neal ReporterMembers of Tri Delta raised the most money for the Huntsman Cancer Insitute at this years Derby Days event.
Tri Delta took home the trophy, beating Phi Mu who has been the holder of the Derby Days trophy for the previous two years.
The rivalry amongst sororities encourages members to continue to raise money up until the very last minute possible.
“We were counting [raising] money up until just about the last second when the Deltas put in their last massive donation that put them far in the lead,” said Sigma Chi member Chris Brignet.
Sigma Chi members host Derby Days, which brings students together to raise money for the Huntsman Cancer Institute.
Every year, members
from all Greek organizations compete in Sigma Chi’s week long event to raise money. From this year’s Derby Days event, members of Sigma Chi fraternity raised $5,100.
Sigma Chi hosted sororities Delta Gamma, Tri Delta and Phi Mu in their annual Derby Days fundraiser. The three chapters attended a bid day event. The event showcased Sigma Chi’s “horses,”
also known as Sigma Chi members on Oct., 18. Each chapter raised money for their desired horse pick.
October 19, was the dodgeball tournament where first place went to Phi Mu with the help of Sigma Chi members Zachary Albert and Ethan Sisk.
According to Sigma Chi’s event coordinator, Keegan Abell, “Phi Mu won dodgeball and the derby race that was
held on Thursday, but Tri Delta raised the most money for the Huntsman Cancer Institute pushing them into first place.”
Though there are sometimes rivalries, sorority and fraternity members collaborate with philanthropies in an effort to help each other raise money for a better cause.
“I am so proud of how much of an impact our tiny chapter can have on such amazing causes like this one,” said president of Tri Delta Sydeny Roland. “Helping other fraternities and sororities philanthropies is what this is all about at
the end of the day.”
The Huntsman Cancer Institute is a National Cancer Institute where patients with all types of cancer are treated.
According to the U.S. News and World Report, Huntsman Cancer Institute has been ranked among the best cancer hospitals in the world.
For more information on the Huntsman Cancer Institute go to https:// healthcare.utah.edu/ huntsmancancerinstitute/ or https://sigmachi.org/ category/huntsmancancer-institute/.
Badger Baseball Scrimmage for Homecoming Weekend
Zoe O’Donnell ReporterSpring Hill College alumni had the opportunity to relive and make new memories during the baseball scrimmage series on homecoming weekend.
The purple and white baseball scrimmage separated the 53-person baseball roster into two teams. The teams played each other in a series of three games on Oct. 21 and 22.
Badgers fans, including SHC baseball alumni and former baseball head coach, Frank Sims, lined the edge of the field to cheer on the baseball team. After two days of competition, the purple team came out victorious going two for three
against the white team.
According to alumni and students, the Historic Stan Galle baseball field is one of the many places on campus that holds memories both on and off the field.
Particularly, alumni Lawrence P. Howen, class of 1983, spent most of his days during baseball season supporting the Badgers.
“The only time I did not watch a baseball game was when I was stuck up there in class. If you weren’t out there playing, you were watching,” Howen said.
After Howen reunited with his friends and reminisced about their time on the Hill, he emphasized, “I was put here, right here in 1979 by God so I could meet the people I met, and those people are all here right now. I absolutely love
them; they became lifelong friends.”
Alex Martinez, named MVP of the purple and white series, described the emotions he felt during the game as fans watched. “It was definitely electric, it was really cool to have all of them and see all of them up there. It was a really good environment and really cool to be a part of,” Martinez said.
Martinez said that baseball continues to contribute to the community through family.
“It’s a really small school, so everyone knows each other. And once we are all out there on the field it attracts a lot of fans, alumni and students. Once we get that support we play and show what we are about. It is a really good homie vibe,”
Martinez said.
For more information about SHC baseball go to their social media page at https://twitter.com/shc_ baseball and https://www. facebook.com/SHCBAD-
GERS/.
For statistics of their previous seasons go to https:// www.thebaseballcube.com/ content/college_history/20264/.
Celebrating SHC Senior Women Soccer Superstars
Marrs ReporterSpring Hill College commemorated the Women’s Soccer Team senior players’ dedication to their school and sport at the senior day soccer game on Oct. 23.
The game against Delta State University marked the soccer team’s final game of the season. Many students and alumni were present to show their support. Parents from around the country were among them as well. They all wished to join their daughters on the field for senior day.
Dawn Reeves, mother of senior Carson Reeves, traveled from Birmingham, Alabama to support her daughter. “It’s been an absolute honor to have had a front row seat to all of her successes,” she said, “For the past four years, Carson’s positive attitude and her commitment to the women’s soccer team has never wavered. Regardless if they are winning or losing, she would choose Spring Hill College all over again.”
Supporters waved post-
ers in support of the senior players. Grandparents, families and friends cheered from the sidelines. Everyone watched the field as the badgers rivaled their opponents in the close game. The final score was 0-1 with Delta State winning the game.
Head coach Samantha Thomsit reflected on her last game with this years’ seniors. “I was feeling very proud of them,” Thomsit said, “They are highly devoted to not only the team but everything Spring Hill stands for.”
The game’s conclusion was accompanied with embraces between teammates
and relatives both on and off the field. Tearful parents stood back and watched as the girls huddled together one last time as a team.
“It means everything to be here today, absolutely everything,” said Brett Linss, father of senior goalie Hannah Linss, “She’s a fighter, she has always been a fighter.”
The soccer team’s senior day was held during the Homecoming on the Hill event. For more information about upcoming Spring Hill College events, visit https:// www.shc.edu/academics/ academic-information-resources/academic-calendar/.
