Here’s a student reading in a lounge area of the old Library (now
Hubbard Hall) in 1966. This lounge area was where the Hive is
now–the emergency exit door in the background is behind the Hive’s
kitchen. The student is facing the large glass doors behind the
curtains, which led out into the Ruth McCann Reading Court, the little
courtyard which is still behind Hubbard.
From Barb Sedlock, Archival Librarian
This is a copy of a photo of Defiance College’s first graduating class
in 1888. Mrs. Moll, the lady second from right in the back row,
loaned the original to the college to be published in the August 1955
issue of the Alumni News. You can learn more about Defiance College’s
early history on Thursday, October 27 at 7:30 in Schomburg Auditorium,
where Professor Don Buerk and Archivist Barb Sedlock will speak on
“The Building of a College,” as part of the city’s Town and Gown
lecture series.
From Barb Sedlock, Archival Librarian
People tend to look negatively upon sequels, especially animated sequels as being
inferior to the original product. This isn’t without reason, as sequels are often pushed out the
door with far less thought and effort then the movies that spawned them, with executives
attempting to milk as much viewership out of the product’s reputation as they can. The reason I
believe this is so often been a problem with animated films is because of how animation is
believed to be for children, and children make for such a rich demographic who are seen as
willing to eat anything up without questioning its quality.
Even though I disagree with this viewpoint, whenever I think of an animated movie I
liked growing up, I have to question my own judgement about whether it was really as good as I
remember or if it will fail to stand the test of time. One such movie I remember very fondly,
which happens to also be a sequel, is Balto: Wolf Quest. I actually grew up with the sequel movie
rather than the original, which I didn’t see until I was an adult. I decided to do a bit of a
throwback review this week for a sequel I still believe, even after watching it earlier this week,
gets far less credit then it deserves.
Balto, the original movie, deals with a straight-forward but heavily fictionalized version
of the historical wolf-dog and his heroic efforts to lead a sled team bringing medicine to the
people of Nome, Alaska. If I could compare it to anything, I’d have to draw a parallel between
this movie and Don Bluth’s Anastasia. Both movies feature historical figures and events that are
heavily distorted from how they actually happened, but still manage to thrill and entertain and
most importantly, tell a good story. That said, the first animated Balto movie is fairly par for the
course for what it is, and it might be hard to imagine that such a movie could lead to any quality
sequels without stretching its source material.
Balto: Wolf Quest almost certainly does stretch the material beyond belief, to the point
where the fabric gives way and the contents spill out in a completely original, unexpected
direction. The sequel movie stars the fictional daughter of Balto, Aleu, as she and her father
embark on the titular vision quest to discover her destiny. What makes this sequel unique is the
complete change in atmospherics from the original. Rather than being a colorful but down to
earth adaptation of a historical event, this movie plunges us straight into a mystical world of
ghostly creatures, strange dreams and even apparent magic. Eventually, Balto and Aleu find
themselves placed in charge of deciding the fate of a starving wolf pack, which will in turn help
decide Aleu’s true destiny.
This radical departure from the original story is ironically what saves this movie from
being just another lazy sequel. A description of all this may seem a bit strange for those only
familiar with the first film, but in motion it makes for a graceful, deeply spiritual adventure that’s
as much a journey of the heart as of the body. I was bizarrely transfixed by this movie as a child,
and I was pleasantly surprised to see that it still holds up even today. If you’re looking for a new
but old animated movie to watch with your children or even just for the sheer sake of watching
it, I highly recommend Balto: Wolf Quest as an example of an animated sequel done right.
Visuals
3.5/5. There’s some conspicuous CG here and there that hasn’t aged as well as the rest of
the movie, but at the same time there are parts of this movie where the animation is still stunning,
even eerie.
Story
5/5. The bold new direction that this sequel takes from its predecessor only does it favors,
as it manages to be compelling and atmospheric at the same time.
Voice Acting
3.5/5. Kevin Bacon does not reprise his original role as Balto here, his voice instead
being filled by career voice actor Maurice LaMarche, although the difference is hardly
noticeable! I was surprised that Aleu’s voice acting was much more grating then I remember as a
child, which is what prevents this from having a higher score.
Final Score: 4/5
Written by Alisa Pescosolido
When I was kicking for my high school football team, I never would have thought I would kick in college. As much as I loved it, my world was and still is softball; football was just something I had tried out my senior year. Then Coach Goff started asking around for kickers for this year’s team and I begged Coach Holava to let me play.
My first practice with the boys this fall I missed every kick except one. I was so nervous. Then when I finally made one, the boys cheered and I felt so much better. So many guys came up and told me that it would get better when I was more comfortable with all of them. So all season, I’ve spent my time being the smallest on the field, kicking wherever there is space at practice. A lot of people ask me how it is being the only girl. ‘Is it awkward?’ ‘Do you get hit on a lot?’ I get asked so many questions about how the boys treat me or what I do for a locker room.
Honestly, I love being on the team. The guys think of me like a little sister and have my back. If anything were to happen I know for a fact that those guys would take care of it. They are always there offering support and are there when I have a rough day. My favorite thing to do on a bad day is go to practice. I love being around them and being part of this team. Sure they tease me, but they tease like big brothers pick on little sisters. They are always good for a laugh and they are honestly such a big family.
The Saturday of Homecoming was hands down one of the greatest days of my life. Not only did I make my first two collegiate extra points, but my boys and I are also beat Anderson. When I scored, the boys were so excited and I felt so supported. The boys went nuts, they all high-fived me, someone picked me up, it was crazy. I loved it. I am so lucky to wear #12 for the Defiance College Football team and get the chance to be part of such a great group of guys and such a great program.
Come support DCFB at Hanover College in Indiana next Saturday, October 29 at 1:30 P.M. Go
Jackets!
Written by Jordan Osborne
With President Mankey’s inauguration in mind, here’s an image from another inauguration in DC’s past, President Noel Johnston’s in 1964. The ceremony was held outdoors in late October; notice the bare trees. The DC choir is leading the procession, with faculty following the flag carriers. Whitney Hall can be seen in the background, and Dana is unseen but to the photographer’s right. People seated in the left background are waiting for the ceremony to begin.
From Barb Sedlock, Archive Librarian
Catharine A. MacKinnon once said “In a society in which equality is a fact, not merely a
word, words of racial or sexual assault and humiliation will be nonsense syllables.” On Tuesday,
October 11, The Office of Intercultural Relations held a sexual assault panel. The panel was
made up of students and staff alike, and was hosted by the It’s On Us Campaign as a portion of their ‘Month of Action.’ The conversation started off with talking about what sexual assault really is. The proper definition is that sexual assault is a crime of power and control. The term sexual assault refers to sexual contact or behavior that occurs without explicit consent of the victim. Of course this is a sensitive topic, taboo almost, but it is a topic that everyone should be aware of.
What most people don’t realize, is that sexual assault can begin with the things a person
says and how they think. It can be as simple as saying “that test raped me.” By saying this,
you’re taking away the seriousness of rape. Things like this can be triggers to survivors. The very
root of this language starts with sexism, in the degradation of women or men through
stereotypical gender roles. A person’s attitude and beliefs shape the way people view rape
culture. People usually do not realize that they support rape culture in the things they say and by
being a silent bystander when they witness something.
There are good and bad talks about rape culture and sexual assault. The good talks
support the survivors and make it easier for them to decide to speak up for themselves. Bad talks
can degrade the survivors and downplay what may have happened to them. These good talks,
like the one held on Tuesday, are a good way for people to become knowledgeable about a very
serious topic. The panel members did a very good job of covering various aspects of the topic.
The members talked about why people do not speak up about what they witness more often,
which has become an issue on the Defiance College campus in the last few years. People are
afraid of the backlash they may receive from their peers, they are scared people may treat them
differently because of the stigma tied to rape, or they are afraid of getting a friend in trouble.
There are tons of excuse why people do not speak up, and yes they are excuses because there is
no reason to not speak up about a topic so serious. The trouble is, is that most people do not have
much knowledge about rape culture and sexual assault and therefore, do not understand what
qualifies as sexual assault. Sexual is qualified as any type of forced or coerced sexual contact or
behavior that happens without consent. Sexual assault includes rape and attempted rape, child
molestation, and sexual harassment or threats. With this knowledge, it is easier to determine if
this has happened to you or someone you know. It is time for people to speak up and stand with
the survivors. The support is needed and sexual assault is not something that should be let go
easily. Think of it this way, what if it was your mom, sister, or brother? How would you feel?
With this in mind, speak up for those who cannot.
Written by Gabby Justice
The month of October has been buzzing with discussions and sidetalk of the presidential debate and the two candidates. Around campus much of the beginning of classes has dealt with talk about Trump or Clinton. People have asked: Are you voting? Who are you voting for? Why are you voting for him/her? or What is his/her stance on this topic? As November gets closer and the race for our nation’s new president continues much of this talk with continue and become more heated. However, on college campuses today most of the population is uneducated about the political views and stances for each candidate. Instead, college students are more focused on what snapchat filter or meme is the best. Today’s younger voters should be educated to make a more informed decision.
The two main candidates for the election are Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, but a third party candidate can always be included. Main goals of Trump include reducing taxes for all, implementing better cybersecurity, defeating ISIS, creating a booming economy, and prioritizing jobs, wages, and security for all Americans. In contrast, Hillary’s main goals consist of implementing higher taxes for the wealthy, protecting immigrant rights by ending racial discrimination, ensuring LGBT rights and ending violence against transgender individuals.
Around campus I asked 40 random people about the upcoming election. The results concluded that most of campus is divided on whether they want to vote or not. I found that 19 will not vote and 21 will. Of the people who claimed they will vote, Clinton led the poll followed by Trump and then third party candidates. However, the tally for each candidate was evenly distributed only varying by a few votes. In addition, several of the people that participated stated, “Both candidates are terrible.” As we approach November, most of us could assume that people have made up their minds about who they want to be our next president. However, many people that I asked are still undecided as to who they are going to vote for. Nonetheless, I encourage you all to educate yourself about all parties and their stances on important topics to help you make an informed decision on who to vote for. Finally, I encourage everyone to register and vote for a president that they believe can help America.
Written by Madysyn Creighton
DC’s Homecoming parades used to be a big event in Defiance. This is a
float created by the Beta Sigma sorority for the 1964 parade, in front
of what is now the Carpet Unlimited store on N. Clinton, south of the
College. The Ayersville High School band is behind the float.
Photo donated and taken by Larry A. Van Brackel
From Barb Sedlock, Library Archivist
Last Sunday, October 2, St. John United Church of Christ held the 17 th annual
candlelight vigil for the Four County National Alliance for Mental Illness. The service
was opened by a few speakers from NAMI, Les McCaslin and Ron Hofacker, The
explained what their organization is all about: giving support and education for the
individuals who live with mental illness and families of those who live with mental
illness. They said that they strive to help the public better understand mental health.
After explaining what NAMI was all about, there was an array of
presentations. The Tacketts, a local family band, performed a few heart-warming
songs, one with their two young daughters. The pastor of St. John United Church of
Christ, Jim Brehler, spoke on how faith can be tied in to getting through the
complications of mental illness. At the end of the service, everyone gathered at the
front of the church, were given signs and candles, and walked around campus to
give awareness to NAMI and mental health issues.
In the middle of the service, after hearing from the leaders of NAMI, a woman
was invited up onto the stage to talk about her own experience with mental illness.
She explained that her mother suffered from depression and her sister suffered
from bipolar disorder. Growing up surrounded by people that are struggling with
their mental health was hard on her, she continued, and when she got older, she
suffered from anxiety. The part of her life that she focused on was her son, who
suffered from multiple mental illnesses, even from a young age. Throughout the
story, one is led to believe that the story ends happily ever after, but she ended by
explaining that her son still suffers from schizophrenia.
Mental illness is a rough thing to have to endure, and it is not an easy thing to
overcome. If the woman’s speech taught nothing else, it was that mental illness is
not simply fixed by a few doctors, medication, and therapy; it takes a lot of time,
commitment, and support. People who suffer from mental illness are not alone in
their struggle, and there will always be organizations like NAMI and people like
those who attended this vigil that will provide the support they need.
Photo by Nami Four County
Written by Erin Conner
Basketball season is around the corner. In light of that, let’s take a look back on
last years Defiance women’s basketball season and what they plan to accomplish this
year! Last year, the women worked hard and made it to the conference tournament.
They did not have the season they had hoped for, and they faced a lot of diversity, but
through it all still accomplished a goal they set out for. I sat down with a couple of the
players and their coach, Jessica (Cox) Morris, to find out what changes they plan to
make to bring this team to a winning season.
Q: Do you feel prepared for this season?
-Brittany Osborne: Yes, I feel like once practice starts here in 2 weeks,
everything will fall together
-Sam Ervin: Yes
-Erica Smay: Yes, I am excited and looking forward to my final season and
holding nothing back.
Q: How do you feel about last season?
-BO: We completed one of our goals we’ve had for a couple years, which was
conference. So I feel good about that, but we still need to keep working.
-SE: It wasn’t ideal but we made conference.
Coach Cox: Happy that we made the conference tournament, it was an
experience we needed to have. I am not thrilled with the overall performance.
Q: What are some skills you worked on in the offseason?
-BO: I worked on driving and shooting 3’s. I want to be more aggressive when it
comes to finishing at the basket and also expand my shooting range.
-SE: I worked on handling the ball more, and outside shooting.
-ES: Mainly more pull-up moves and driving compared to staying on the
perimeter. Also defensive quickness.
Q: What are some of goals you plan to focus on for this upcoming season?
-BO: As a team, we are focusing on our offense and executing our plays.
-SE: A team goal, win conference. My personal goals are to average double
digits and to have better post moves.
-ES: Our team goal is to win conference and I feel like it is a very achievable goal
we lacked experience for in the past. My personal goal is to hold whoever I am
defending to less than their average score, and to use my knowledge and experience to
reach my potential.
-CC: Our goal is to win conference and play the way we are capable of playing,
consistently.
Q: Do you feel that the girls are well prepared for this season, given the
experience of this year’s team?
-ES: From open gyms, we have worked well together. We have leaders among
the group and underclassmen who are very quick to adapt. We are focused on our
abilities as a team.
-CC: For the first time, it is nice to say that we have experience. I have high
expectations for what this team can accomplish this year.
With a conference appearance last year, it is clear this team has one common
mindset when it comes to this season: they are hungry for a conference championship.
With the experience the team this year has, they believe they can show the school and
the conference what they are capable of. This seems to be building up to be a season
of grit and grind, leave it all on the court basketball. With high expectations for this
season, they are going to need more than just the will to win alone. The home opener is
set for Saturday, December 3rd in a conference matchup with Franklin college, with
another two home games to follow on the 7th and 10th, conference matchups as well. It
is setting up to be a solid season for Defiance College Women’s Basketball!