Peace Comes to Gordon College

By: Angela Rodriguez


WENHAM, MA-- When students at Gordon College think about the world outside of their little bubble, they aren’t automatically drawn to the need for peace. But perhaps it is time Gordon students and the rest of the Christian community realizes the need for peacemakers.

On September 21^st Gordon College observed the International Day of Peace in a different way than the rest of the world. The Department of Sociology and Social Work at Gordon College used this opportunity to launch their new minor, Peace and Conflict Transformation. Special guest Dr. David Steele, an expert on peace and conflict transformation, spoke to the students in chapel, and in discussions about the need for peacemakers during this time of turmoil. 

Good Night, And Good Luck

By: Angela Rodriguez


This saying, “Good Night, and Good Luck” has long been one of my favorites. As a child I read about the famous Newscaster that I wished to be like when I was older, and Edward R. Murrow has been an inspiration. This movie portrays the important life Murrow lived, and it was great to see how positive the media can be.

Murrow and his coworkers at CBS knew what was important for the people of the U.S. to hear, and they did it despite the ever-present concern that they could be seen as communists. Set in a time when Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy had set fire to the Americans way of thinking by accusing everyone and anyone of being a communist, Murrow lived the life of an honest broadcast journalist. He knew his obligation was to the people and to tell them the true and accurate facts, so he did what he knew was right. 

Because of Murrow's stand on telling the truth, he helped expose Senator McCarthy for the true person he was. Murrow is an inspiration to all who hope to become honest journalists.  

Christian Vega Finds New Opportunities at Gordon

By: Angela Rodriguez

WENHAM, MA-- Christian Vega, 20, didn’t know what he was getting into when he first came to Gordon College from Miami, FL. “I wanted to play soccer and go to a Christian College,” he said. “My opinions’ probably going to change when it gets cold.”

Vega, a Sophomore Business Administration major, came to visit Gordon a few times last spring, and got connected with the Men’s Soccer coach and team. He had been at Valencia Community College in Orlando before transferring here. His friend Kasia Jezequel, 20, a Junior History and Education major, recommended Gordon. Jezequel and Vega are friends from Miami, and went to the same high school. “We had been talking about soccer since he’s been playing forever, and I knew the coach. I wanted to plug him into a good Christian school,” Jezequel said.

Vega said he was interested in Gordon because of soccer, but didn’t know schools like this existed. “I think it’s gorgeous. It’s quiet, peaceful, and not crowded compared to the other schools I visited.” Vega said. He likes the people and new friends he’s made on the soccer team and in his classes, and is getting involved with all that Gordon has to offer. Besides all that is available on campus, he is able to go into Boston and see a different part of the country. “I’m able to go in and hang with my friends from home that have come to Boston. I see them more now than I ever did at home.”

Aside from the aesthetics of Gordon, Vega said he appreciates the spiritual side of Gordon. “The people are crazy how they have such a strong religious background. You don’t see that in colleges where I’m from.” He feels like he is able to get connected with other Christians on campus.

Slave Trade Comes to Gordon

By: Angela Rodriguez


WENHAM, MA-- Gordon College students, faculty, and staff had the privilege of learning about the present day slave trade this past week. Jody Hassett Sanchez is a film documentarian who recently did a film on the life of three people who help out those who have struggled with or been apart of slavery. "Slavery is illegal, but there's more slavery today then ever before." Sanchez made many students wonder about the cause that so many have forgotten about, or never known of. The need to take action is now, and a community of Christians can make that move to better the world we live in.

Classic Book on Writing, Remains Relevant to Modern Writers

By: Angela Rodriguez


WENHAM, MA-- “I love Uncle Will!”, said Alyssa Maine, 21, of Gordon College. She wasn’t talking about someone related to her, but about William Zinsser’s book On Writing Well.

Zinsser has affectionately been called “Uncle Will” because of how helpful his book is, and how appreciative journalists today are for his writing. Zinsser first published his book in 1976, and journalists today find it as helpful.

“I have often found myself unsure of how to best say exactly what I want to say. Don’t care about who will read what you write,” said Maine who’s learning about Zinsser in her journalism class. “Write for yourself, and yourself only. Zinsser gives the courage to write on, and write from that place of ego.”

Zinsser gives practical methods on how to write an article well. It is simple advice that every journalist needs to know. He writes on the use of clutter in articles, “most first drafts can be cut by 50 percent without losing any information or losing the authors voice.”, says Zinsser. Students grow up writing papers and assignments with adverbs and adjectives, but Zinsser stands by his belief of less clutter. “You will clutter your sentence and annoy the reader if you choose a verb that has a specific meaning…”

“I like him. I mainly enjoyed his chapter on grammar.” Stuart Knechtle, 22, said of Zinsser. “Because I felt although I’ve had grammatical lessons growing up, his succinct discourse on things such as qualifiers and mood changes gave me a fresh look at writing.” Knechtle also felt as Maine did, that Zinsser is helpful and emphasizes the important principles of becoming a great journalist.

Both Knechtle and Maine are aspiring journalists, and are grateful to Uncle Will for his advice. Journalists have been using Zinsser since he first published his book, and he is still being used in this next generation of journalists. Maine said, “he encourages writers to write what they want to write.”

Gordon College Community Informed by Various News Sources

By: Angela Rodriguez

WENHAM, MA-- When Dr. David Wick, a history professor at Gordon College, was interviewed about where he gets his news he stated, “I like to listen to the radio for the big headlines in the world. I then wait a few days for the stories to develop, and read Newsmagazines.”

            Wick, however, is unlike a few of the other Gordon College community members. Aleah Tarnoviski, 19, a student at Gordon College was interviewed about where she gets her daily news. CNN and The Huffington Post are her two main news sources. Tarnoviski reads them “…because I can quickly get the top stories. I know I have to take everything with a grain of salt when reading The Huffington Post because they’re more prone to write negative articles about conservative groups.”

            Tarnoviski says she gets all her news from online, and does not look for print or television news. Tatyana Parsons, 19, Junior at Gordon College also said that she gets her news online. Her top sites are BBC and The Moscow Times, “because they’re international, and I can get world news without censorship.”

            Is it the difference of age that has these two students and professor of Gordon College accessing different news venues, or simply a preference? Other students interviewed have also stated that they get their news primarily from Internet sources. They said they like that they can have easy and fast access to what is happening in the U.S. and the World. 

            News is accessible in different forms of media, it is evident that there are different venues that people in the Gordon College community tend to use.