The Waltonian

On Monday, Nov. 11, Eastern University held an open house for potential undergraduate students. So, what is the current state of Eastern University Admissions? What are the requirements to attend Eastern? And what trends do we see in recent years in enrolling students?

I had the chance to sit down this past week with EU Admissions’ own Ben Krentzman. Krentzman is the Associate Director of Admissions for Recruitment. When I asked Krentzman about minimum academic requirements for admission to Eastern, he said that Eastern does not look at admissions in such a black and white way. Eastern is interested in bringing in students who can “handle a college workload” but that are also interested in Christian servant leadership and individual faith formation. GPAs, Krentzman noted, are not good indicators of who a person actually is. Something might have happened in a person’s life that drastically affected their high school grades; that does not mean they are not meant for university.

As far as numbers go, last year, Fall 2018, Eastern newly enrolled 381 students (first years & transfers). This is consistent with the last four years as Eastern has enrolled between 356 students (Fall 2017) and 428 students (Fall 2016). This year, Krentzman tells me, EU is ahead of pace having already admitted 436 students to the University. Last year at this time, they had only admitted 317 and the year prior 395 (Note the difference between admitted and enrolled. These students have been accepted; they are not committed to Eastern). Krentzmen tells me there are many reasons for this increase. One is Eastern’s Fast Pass program, which is starting to get recognition by high school students who want to finish in three years, as well as new financial aid opportunities which help make university more affordable for students. So, perhaps we will also see a spike in enrollment.

Also, it is important to note what kind of students are enrolling at Eastern. Religiously, students enroll at Eastern from all major Christian sects including Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Protestant denominations. Evangelical and Independent Churches hold the top spot, with between 82 (Fall 2016) and 107 (Fall 2018) students enrolling each year. Interestingly, for a Protestant university, the next highest numbers come from Roman Catholics. In Fall 2016, 60 Catholic students enrolled in the university and in Fall 2018, 57 Catholic students enrolled. After that, we have many different types of Baptists (Eastern’s historical denominational alignment) enrolling between 41 (Fall 2017) and 50 (Fall 2015) students each year.

Ethnically, while the largest portion of students enrolling at Eastern are white (45%-50%), over the last four years, Eastern also has had relatively diverse enrollment. As many as 165 (26.3%) Hispanic students (Fall 2016) have enrolled in the last four years and as many as 128 (22%) African American students (Fall 2018).

Looking at the trends in Eastern’s admissions can tell us a great deal about the current state of Eastern University and its future. One important thing this data shows us is that for a small liberal arts university, it is relatively diverse both in terms of Christian denominations and in terms of ethnicity. This has been, in past years, one of Eastern’s strong suits. It appears it will continue to be.

Sources: Eastern University: Office of Institutional Planning and Effectiveness, Office of Admissions

On Tuesday, Feb. 5th, nearly 47 million people tuned in to watch President Trump give his third State of the Union address. A general feeling of dismay in our government and especially our President has been popular (even more than normal) as of late. However, I think we owe it to our nation to pay attention to what President Trump put forth in his speech. Perhaps what he said could even serve to bring us together, even if we are rallying around past mistakes.

One thing President Trump was adamant about was the success of the First Step Act. Our law and order President has chosen to get right on crime, or at the very least, start heading in that direction. Trump praised the First Step Act, saying that it “gives nonviolent offenders the chance to reenter society as productive, law-abiding citizens.” This may not have been what we expected from President Trump, nonetheless, it seems to me it might be just what we need. This first step is the right step towards a more comprehensive criminal justice reform. As the President said, “America is a nation that believes in redemption.” Perhaps it’s time we start acting like it.

Second, was President Trump’s handling of the border security issue. In the past, Trump has been aggressive at best concerning this issue. Whether it was saying that Mexico will pay for the wall or allowing the government shut down to go on as long as it did. This time, however, he seemed to approach it from a slightly different angle.

Trump implored Congress to work with him on a comprehensive strategy to secure the border. While maintaining that “Legal immigrants enrich our nation,” and that he “want[s] people to come into our country in the largest numbers ever.” It just has to be done legally. Perhaps, it is the case that the sentiment of this wall is not about keeping people out, but rather, about bringing people in the right way. Perhaps it is about a sense of nationhood, an American Creed, an American Identity—into which we ought to welcome people, legally.

Third, was President Trump’s support of the culture of family and life which many have been calling to be instilled in America today. President Trump said, “Let us work together to build a culture that cherishes innocent life. And let us reaffirm a fundamental truth — all children — born and unborn — are made in the holy image of God.” Furthermore, it was not just pro-life talk but, what seemed to be, genuine pro-family talk.

President Trump proclaimed himself as the “first president to include in [his] budget a plan for nationwide paid family leave — so that every new parent has the chance to bond with their newborn child.” While little information is given about this piece of the budget, it seems that this is something President Trump may offer to help bridge the gap between left and right on issues of family. It will be interesting to see what comes of it.

The last thing I want to discuss here is the general sentiment of President Trump’s speech. The President, in the first few minutes of his speech, said: “Victory is not winning for a party, victory is winning for our country.” This was the general feeling Trump seemed to be attempting to portray in his speech. One of coming together, working together, and being great together. President Trump called the state of our union strong—but is it? When was the last time you felt unified talking with someone across the political aisle?

Is our attacking each other on Facebook and Twitter really unifying us? The answer is no. If we really wish to live out the sentiment in President Trump’s speech, we have to come together on our common ground and realize that democracy, whether you like it or not, is about the common good. If we are to move forward as a nation both during and after the tenure of President Trump, we have to be willing to find common ground, to work together and to fight for the victory of our country, not our party.

With the proposition of a no-deal and hard Brexit becoming a reality, I think it’s time for us as Americans to catch ourselves up to speed on what is happening concerning Brexit.

Right now the issue is the deal that has recently been approved by Teresa May’s cabinet. On Wednesday, the 14th of November, May appeared from No. 10 Downing Street and delivered the news that the deal had been backed by the cabinet. Among acknowledgments of the tough decisions and threats of no deal and no Brexit, May said the deal would accomplish the following things: deliver on the vote of the referendum, take back control of UK money, laws, and borders, end free movement, protect jobs, security and the UK as a whole. Her Cabinet members, and fellow members of parliament, however, do not agree that the deal does any of these things, or if it does, not in the best way it could.

Now, what May is proposing in the 585 page document? May stated in parliament on November 15, that the deal ends the free movement agreement under the EU, replacing it with a “skills-based immigration” system. Moreover, her deal secures a “free trade area” with the EU. Essentially keeping them in a similar economic deal with the EU. They would be the only developed country to have such a deal. May’s proposal would also take the UK out of the fisheries and agricultural agreement. It would further allow the UK to be independent in foreign and defense policies, while maintaining a security partnership with the EU, which would include extradition, info exchange, etc. and lastly the Northern Ireland backstop.

There seem to be three main problems most MPs have with the deal. First, UK sovereignty—if the UK is subject to the EU in any way, no Brexiteer will vote yes. Second, a hard Brexit—the Labour party claims they are united and not a single one of them will vote yes if the deal does not provide the “exact same benefits” as remaining in the EU customs union. Lastly, no support—at the session of Parliament on November 16th when May took questions concerning the deal, there was not a single MP totally in favor of the deal. The deal as a whole, not only displeases the two main parties (Tory and Labour) but the SNP, DUP, Lib-Dem, etc.

The last point I’d like to make concerns a vote of no confidence. The majority party (Tories) can call for a vote of no confidence. If this happens and May wins, she earns herself an immunity year. If she loses, then a general election would be triggered. Which could result in a Labour government, a party not particularly concerned with delivering on the referendum. If Labour wins it could also result in a second referendum, which I think would be even more destructive and divisive to the UK.

The Times political staff reports that a vote is coming soon. Already, close to 30 of the 48 needed letters to the 1922 committee have been sent calling for the vote. As May swaps and reforms her cabinet due to resignations and threats of such, it seems to me that the vote approaches. What Tory would replace her in such a situation? Some speculate the newly appointed secretary of work and pensions Amber Rudd, others speculate Michael Gove (secretary of state for environment, food, and rural affairs), others Jacob Rees-Mogg (an outspoken hard Brexiteer). Further, the BBC reports that EU and UK have agreed in principle to May’s deal. How does this affect the party’s confidence in her? Either way what is clear is that the Tories must unite on one candidate if they are to maintain their leadership in the government, and right now, that does not look promising. The longer it takes May to get support for her deal, the faster a vote of no confidence approaches. It will certainly be an interesting few months. So, pay attention to Brexit and what happens because you never know how this might affect us.

Sources: BBC, standard.co.uk

This past Friday the library was open a little later than usual. Thanks to our wonderful library staff, somewhere around 150 people were crowded into an area in the Warner Library third-floor atrium. But why? Why would there be 150 people in our library on a Friday night? Because this past Friday the Agora Institute for Civic Virtue and the Common Good hosted one of Christian Humanism’s finest, Mr. Gregory Wolfe. Wolfe studied both at Hillsdale College and Oxford University. While at Oxford he started the world renowned C.S. Lewis society. Wolfe then went on to write many books including, The Operation of Grace and Beauty Will Save the World; he also founded Image Journal in 1989.

The Agora Institute, led by our new director Dr. Lia Howard, hosted multiple events with Wolfe this past week, including a tour of the art in Adena Potok’s synagogue and home. Adena is the wife of Chaim Potok, one of the 20th Century’s great Jewish artists and writers, and coincidently a contributor to Image. This was a wonderful experience: the chance not only to experience the beauty of the art and culture but the generosity of Adena, her willingness to teach, and her desire for us to learn about Jewish culture and art. Later on, that evening some of the Agora Fellows and Templeton staff met at the Merion Tribute house to have a conversation about art, beauty, and culture with Adena and Mr. Wolfe. Their graciousness and wisdom was greatly appreciated and we thank them both deeply.

Wolfe’s lecture Friday night pertained specifically to an idea that has shaped his life. In response to Rod Dreher’s, The Benedict Option, Wolfe came forward with his, Erasmus Option. Basically, Dreher suggests that the narrative of decline is true. Western civilization is getting worse by the day and any attempt to save it by Christians is futile: Christianity lost. Therefore, Dreher invokes the movement of St. Benedict and his monastic order; in response to the fall of Rome, they pulled out of society to live in small closed off communities. Dreher proposes the same move by Christian communities today.

Wolfe’s Erasmus Option suggests that this narrative of decline is false. Good Christian art, beauty and culture is out there; we just have to stop being lazy and go find it. The tradition will revive itself, it is not doomed, it just needs to be worked with. Wolfe proposes a dialogue between faith and culture—art that grapples with faith. This is exactly what Wolfe has done with Image. Wolfe and his colleagues are living out the Erasmus Option, searching for and finding good Christian ‘culture creating’ art. Wolfe believes that Christian Humanism is the way to break this narrative of decline. Humanism does not have to be secular; in fact, Wolfe would assert that it did not start out secular. It started with great Christian thinkers.

Today, Christian’s everywhere get frustrated with art that, if we are being honest, is downright awful. Art is not beautiful because the person who created it goes to church every Sunday. Art is beautiful because the person who created it has honed their craft, and they use that craft to describe, love, fight, and struggle with their faith. That art is out there; that culture exists. It is our job to search for it, to not be lazy, and to spread it like wildfire. I leave you with words from Wolfe that I believe center the Erasmus Option; “Christianity spreads by envy.” Others do not envy piety, they envy beauty. Therefore, let our art and our lives portray the beauty of the faith, not just the good parts but the struggles as well.