Page 2 – The Waltonian

The crowd goes wild! People clothed in red, cheers and whoops and fists pumping the air. Everyone is smiling, laughing, dancing and enjoying the energy of the stadium. The stands are full of adoring fans, chanting words in unison. A lovely scene, one that every person in that crowd is sure to remember for a long time. But the question is this: are we at a Kansas City Chiefs game, or a Taylor Swift concert?

Unless you are one of those fortunate people without social media, or simply make a healthy practice of avoiding pop culture updates, I’m sure you’ve heard of the Swift-Kelce matchup. And I’m not talking about D’Andre and Jason (go Birds). I’m talking about Taylor and Travis. The saga has been ongoing since this past July, according to Billboard. Since then, Kelce has attended the Eras Tour twice, and Swift has been to numerous Chiefs games. They have had several other public appearances, but I am not here to chronicle their entire relationship history – that’s the unfortunate job of entertainment writers across America. However, there is plenty of controversy and conversation surrounding this couple, and I’m here to bring that to light.

Most people I’ve asked have very little to say about the situation, but that’s because I actively choose to surround myself with people who care very little for scrutinizing the private lives of celebrities. Those who do have something to say, though, are usually pro-Swift. They have no problem with the star singer showing up on the TV when the Chiefs game is on. However, some have said that it is distracting from the actual game to have the cameras constantly on Swift. Sure, that could be a nuisance, but what self-respecting camera crew wouldn’t turn towards such a shining face? The ball will get to one end of the field or the other regardless, but we might only get this one chance to see Taylor’s all-red fit. But is that really what we’re watching the game for? Who’s the real star of the show here? Regardless of how you feel about football or Swift, it seems that the main problem to come out of this whole situation is the ongoing popularity contest between Swifties and NFL diehards.

My thoughts? Both Taylor Swift, the person, artist and brand that she is, and the NFL, encapsulating one of America’s favorite sports, are popular enough that they don’t really need each other to gain a following. On the contrary, I think it is brilliant that two different fan bases have this thread of connection between them. It is a testament to the coming together of different communities over a shared enjoyment. That is something that entertainment, sports and other industries are supposed to be doing anyway, aren’t they? Shall we then treat the Swift-Kelce alliance as a Romeo and Juliet scenario? Albeit preferably with less bloodshed? Two seemingly opposed parties are brought together by two lovebirds. I think this tie between the two worlds is a beautiful thing. It is also the closest thing we here in the good old “U.S. of A.” are going to get to a royal couple.

Furthermore, this obsession with the couple screams of immaturity, which is sadly nothing new for American media outlets and is to be expected from the masses on TikTok. However, we might all take this moment as an opportunity to back up, examine ourselves and ask the all-important question: why are we so obsessed with who’s dating who? Especially when the “who” is a famous person? It is honestly none of our business, and obsessing over what Taylor’s next album will be like because of this relationship is, frankly, odd. Get a hold of yourselves. Get a hobby. Take up crochet. Or check out Mac Macolino’s article about arts opportunities at Eastern, and try something other than scrolling through gossip feeds. Just a thought!

But I digress. Please take these criticisms and callouts all in good fun, it was really never that deep. My point is that Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, at the end of the day, are two adults who are pursuing a relationship, and the fact that they have spotlight-heavy careers shouldn’t necessarily mean that they deserve constant scrutiny. I hope the two can simply “Shake It Off” and continue living their lives with no “Bad Blood” forming between them.

If you have ever seen a smiling, white-bearded man dressed in all black zipping across campus on a Razor scooter, then you have some familiarity with the wonderful man that is Dr. Frederic Putnam, who prefers to go by Mr. P. He is a professor of Bible and Liberal studies here at Eastern, with most of his work done within the Templeton Honors College, and he is retiring at the end of this semester. I had the honor of asking this beloved professor a few questions regarding his teaching life, inspirations, and philosophy on learning. His answers show a degree of care and effort that I found unmatched in my experience as an amateur journalist. It is a true privilege and joy to share some of his story with the readers of The Waltonian.

“What began your journey as a teacher?”

One day, when I was perhaps thirteen years old, one of my aunts rushed out of a room in which “the grown-ups” were having a heated discussion, came right up to me and demanded, “Freddy! What do you want to be when you grow up?” I said, “I—I don’t know. A teacher, I guess”. At which she stormed back into the room, and I heard her say to my grandfather, “I knew it—it’s all your fault!”

I had just started playing cornet in school, and was good enough at music—and only at music—that we all (I include myself) assumed that I would become a music teacher. I started college as a music education major, loved and breezed through music classes and hated and despised my education classes to the extent that I transferred to another (Christian) college with no sense of vocation and a strong anti-vocation to becoming the minister of a church. I nonetheless went to seminary, loved my professors, and with the encouragement and support of a former employer, went on to grad school, where I soon began to dream of returning to teach in the same seminary, which I did, and where I taught for more than twenty years.

“How did you come to Eastern? What drew you to Templeton?”

I was content where I was teaching (at another Christian college), and knew only that the Templeton Honors College existed, primarily because its first dean, Allen Guelzo, and I had been friends and graduated together from college. I knew nothing else about THC.

After hearing that a position would open, and with the encouragement of friends, I visited the website talked with some folks about THC, and saw that my pedagogical development, which was barely tolerated at my then-school, would be far more welcome at THC, even supported and encouraged, I applied and was offered a position on Christmas Eve 2011 (a v. nice Christmas gift).

“If you could impart any advice to those following in your footsteps, what would it be?”

“[A]dvice is a dangerous gift, even from the wise to the wise, and all courses may run ill.” (Gildor to Frodo, LOTR I) […]

I suspect, however, that the best advice is simply to love the Lord your god with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and your neighbor as yourself, and to remember that your students (and your colleagues) are your neighbors, that every one of them right now “has a hard fight with an unfavoring world”, and so let your self “be moved to deal kindly with him, to bid him be of good cheer, to let him understand that we are also fighting a battle; we are bound not to irritate him, nor press hardly upon him nor help his lower self” (John Watson 1903), in the name and for the sake of Jesus Christ, who came to serve and not to be served.

“What would you like to say to the students whose lives you’ve impacted?”

One person’s impact on another is normally unknowable for decades, by which time so many other persons and circumstances have affected their lives that any part I may have played will have shrunk to insignificance. But to those students who know that I have treated them poorly, either personally or professionally: please forgive me, especially if I ever had the gall to offer you advice.

Mr. P gave plenty more answers, but alas, we have limited space in this paper. His list of inspirations is as widespread as to include Beethoven, Augustine, past professors, Emily Dickinson, bell hooks, his parents (Stanley and Elizabeth), Gawaine (of Sir Gawaine & the Greene Knight), and of course, Josef Pieper. And though the full answer was certainly far more in-depth and profound, we will have to be content with a snippet of what Mr. P said about what teaching means to him: “teaching is the joy of reading and then thinking together—talking and listening—about what we have read.”

When asked about retirement plans, Mr. P gave this perfect answer: “Firstly, and fundamentally, I don’t know what retirement will bring: many or few years of life, debilitation, or any of the other slings and arrows that flesh is heir to. Proverbs 27.1 constantly hovers in the back of my mind.” He also, however, gave a delightful to-do list that included: writing, reading, re-reading, canoeing and camping, time with family, and “puttering.”

If you’re reading this, I assume you are in some way connected to a college. More specifically, you are connected to Eastern University. Whether you are staff or student, stray goose or professor, you play some role here. Perhaps you have found yourself wondering why you are here. I can’t answer that question for each individual, but I can explain why I and a few of my friends are here. The short answer: for the wacky, weird and wonderful.

Personally, I’m here because where else would I get to roller skate through classrooms at one in the morning? Would I get this experience of flying down the same hallways I walked the previous afternoon on my way to class if I didn’t go to college? Of course not!

Sophomore Psychology major Thea Dietze tells me one of her favorite memories is playing hide and seek in McInnis. A junior friend of mine, who wishes to remain anonymous, claims he once walked barefoot through the Dining Commons to obtain a gallon of milk. Several people attest to having slept in classrooms during finals season.

I’ve seen RAs chase after mice armed with nothing but a plastic Wawa bag and pipe cleaners. I’ve sat in Walton’s prayer chapel with friends, singing hymns and musical theater songs until midnight. I’ve lain on the baseball field at night in frosty February with a now-graduated senior who showed me all the constellations she learned in an Astronomy class.

These experiences are just a handful of examples of what the purpose of college is. Of course, we’re here to be educated, to learn new things and to prepare for life after educational institutions. But we’re also here to make friends and cultivate experiences we would not get outside this community. Specifically, we’re here to have fun in the most unexpected ways possible.

By now, everyone should already know to bake cookies, drink pumpkin spice lattes and watch Gilmore Girls. These are the standard fall activities. But where else does one turn to beyond the Pinterest lists and Instagram infographics for advice on the ideal fall experience? The Waltonian, obviously. Here is your step-by-step guide to having a fantastic season:

Step 1: Appreciation

Fall is the most beautiful and possibly the best time of year. Therefore, take the time to appreciate the beauty of the autumnal splendor that October and November give us. Breathe in that crisp air, admire the warm hues of fallen leaves and listen to the crunch of those leaves underfoot. Notice small things that are unique to this time of year.

Step 2: Avoidance

I cannot stress enough how much candy corn will ruin your overall autumn experience and, by extension, your life. Avoid these nasty conical candies at all costs. Once you remove this from your life, you can continue on toward the fall of your dreams. It may also behoove you to take precautions to avoid sickness this fall. Wash your hands, take your vitamins and get some sleep. Seriously. You’ll be able to enjoy every beautiful gift that fall can offer if you’re in good health.

Step 3: Attire

Obviously, sweaters are essential. Consider making your own through crochet, knitting or thrifting with friends. However you obtain this garment, it is vital that you have a go-to cozy sweater. (And socks!)

Step 4: Apples

Apple cider, apple cider donuts, apple pie, apple crisp, apple tart, the list goes on and on! Anything apple is a good idea. But the best way to enjoy apples is to go pick your own. You could organize an orchard trip with friends or steal a few stray fruits from a tree growing outside an apartment building in your neighborhood (definitely not speaking from personal experience). Either way, getting outside and admiring the fruit while you consume it is a quintessential fall experience.

Step 5: A Pile of Leaves

This step is the most important one on the list. It’s self-explanatory: make a pile of leaves and play in it. It is the greatest happiness in a season of decay.

Step 6: Avant-garde

Mix up your traditions! If you celebrate Thanksgiving, consider switching the traditional menu for something a bit more exciting. Swap turkey for steak or chili, mashed potatoes for sushi or cranberry sauce for mango chutney. If you typically go pumpkin-picking, try pears instead! Never been on a hayride? This is your year! Bake a different type of cookie, find a new hiking spot, splash in puddles or watch new spooky movies.

By: Ella Curcuruto

One of the first rules of creative writing is to have a good hook to intrigue your audience. I bet this hook got you interested, didn’t it? Introduction to Creative Writing, taught by Professor Katrina Hayes, is a gem in Eastern’s English department. I took the course this last fall semester, and it was probably the best way I could have started my time here at Eastern.

The class covered three units: poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction. For each genre, we had a chance to submit our original pieces to our in-class workshop groups. We spent time together carefully critiquing and praising each other’s words, delving into the particulars of our peers’ writing. The workshop time was always a fruitful and helpful step in the writing process. My favorite unit was poetry; hearing the beautiful language that my fellow writers presented to our groups was an absolute joy.

Let’s get down to some particulars. First of all, the homework load was reasonable and in line with the expectations of the class. The workload is entirely manageable and often fun to do! Over the semester, our primary homework assignment was to read chapters from Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic and write a reading response.

These responses prompted meaningful in-class conversations on the “creative life” and what that looks like in a specifically Christian context. We also were tasked with reading examples of poetry or short fiction/non-fiction pieces as beautiful examples of what we were striving for in our work. Overall, the class provided a space to allow much-needed creativity into my otherwise busy, regimented life.

The real joy in taking this class, though, is that it is taught by Professor Katrina Hayes. She is the kindest person I have ever been taught by and has a heart capable of attentive care to all her students. My personal experiences and interactions with her were outstanding. She wrote me a sweet note and included the poem ‘First Lesson’ by Philip Booth as an encouragement after I expressed to her the difficult time I was experiencing in my personal life. But besides this, I noticed how she treated my classmates, giving people special attention when needed and putting extraordinary effort into ensuring everyone felt safe, comfortable, cared for, and on track with their education.

“Creative writing was a wonderful experience for me and was one of my favorite classes this year. The teacher and my peers helped me reclaim my love for poetry, fiction, and everything in between,” fellow classmate and dear friend Thea Dietze said. Nobody was left behind to struggle for themselves in the class; help was always there if needed.

With this one seemingly run-of-the-mill class, Professor Hayes creates a welcoming, enriching environment that covers a fantastic amount of creative ground. The afternoons I spent in McInnis 105 will remain in my heart and pen for years to come, and I hope you get the experience to share in that as well.