Written by Kaelyn Spickler
The 175th anniversary of Roanoke College has proven to be special for many different reasons. This semester in particular, we’ve had some very interesting and exciting things that kept our campus buzzing since students set foot back on campus in January. While we had some lows, like the Salem-wide water outage right after spring break, this crazy summer/winter/spring mix weather we’re having or the Commons dishwasher being broken for a fortnight and a half, let’s take a moment to look at the high points of the semester!
- RC Named top producer of Fulbright Scholars: At least one Fulbright student has represented RC every year for the past five years. This year was a record-breaking year with six finalists, with one student winning, freshman Casey Wilson, and one student anxiously waiting her results.
- Athletes Earn Recognition: Junior Josh Freund had his hard work on the basketball court payoff when he was awarded not only 1st Team All-ODAC Player of the Year, but also 2nd Team All-American. Freshman Quinn Harlan earned her title as the 2018 ODAC Women’s Track and Field Rookie of the Year as she clocked the second fastest 60M time in DIII history.
- Women’s March Downtown: Despite the rainy, cold weather on Saturday, Jan. 20, thousands of students, children, men and women lined the streets of downtown Salem waving their posters to bring awareness, demanding a change. The march was not focused solely on women’s rights, but also equal rights for the LGBTQ community and immigrants.
- Amanda Knox Speaks at RC: Olin Theater was packed as everyone was intrigued about Knox’s story and what it was like to be falsely accused of a crime. Knox told her story and about her experience in prison as the overflowing audience listened intently.
- “Basically Tarantino” Film Festival: Six films created, directed, produced by and starring RC students were shown on the big screen of the Wortmann Ballroom for their fellow classmates and professors to enjoy.
- Men’s Basketball Team Competes in ODAC Championship: The Maroons entered the ODAC Tournament as the number two seed, closely behind Randolph Macon. They fought their way through the tournament but fell short to Emory and Henry in a nail-biter championship, ending a strong season for the men’s team.
- Paper Blooms Festival in Olin: For two years the community has been diligently working by hand to create flowers out of paper, and the finished product was put on display in Olin Gallery this semester. Many students were found sipping tea and taking some much needed rest and recuperation time while admiring the work. Once the exhibition closed, the flowers were arranged and donated locally.
- Roanoke’s Got Talent: CAB provided RC students with the opportunity to let their talents shine. Many students took the stage to sing their hearts out or to break out their best dance moves. Senior Jose Alvarado won the audience over with his silent comedy routine.
- Outlast- WRKE: Junior Elijah Wilhelm created and directed a live event held in the WRKE studio. 9 players signed up to see how long they could last without access to food, chairs, bathrooms or their cellphones, and were not allowed to sleep. Players were gradually eliminated until the remaining four forfeited after seven hours to make freshman Brice Hall the winner of the $300 grand prize.
- Maroon Madness -Sponsored by SGA: The stands were packed in the Cregger Center on Saturday, Feb. 3 as the Men’s Basketball team took on Shenandoah followed by the women’s team taking on EMU. RC fans cheered on the Maroons and received free concessions and a t-shirt.
