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ASLC elections kick off with release of candidates’ names

Posted by :jprokop On : February 27, 2012
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Miles

The 2012 Associated Students of Linfield College elections are coming up, and Linfield has three prospective candidates running for leadership positions. Junior Nic Miles is running for ASLC president, while sophomore Jennifer Derke and junior Susana Fajardo run for the position of vice president.

Miles is running unopposed for ASLC president this semester, and he said he feels he would be a good candidate because of his belief that he has “the appropriate skills, connections, experiences and mindset to serve as the representation of the student body,” he said in an email.

Since working with ASLC, Miles said he has reached a place where he feels confident in running for the highest leadership position.

“I want to climb the ladder and create a Cabinet of students who have similar goals and ambitions as myself,” Miles said.

Miles has worked as a residence life advisor on campus for Campbell Hall, music entertainment chair of LAB, ASLC club director and chairman of the Activities Council.

In addition to these leadership positions, Miles runs varsity cross-country and track for Linfield, works for the Office of College Relations, has been an Upward Bound tutor for two years and is a “contributing and enthusiastic member to Linfield’s rock and roll music scene.”

“The biggest reason that I think I am the best candidate for president [is] the well-rounded experiences and leadership roles [I] have held during the past three years,” Miles said. “With experience comes confidence.” With no one running against Miles, he feels as though that says something about his character and reputation.

During the upcoming year, Miles has many goals for the future of Linfield. Miles’ main goal is to reconnect students with ASLC.

“With the exception of the recent taxi service, which has been a tremendous success, most of our work isn’t directly visible to the students,” Miles said.

Miles wants to pursue projects that get students excited about being at Linfield and enthusiastic about the “fantastic cabinet that serves them.”

While the presidential race is all but over, the vice-presidential campaign is set for some competitio

Derke

n.

Derke is running for vice president this semester after being a senator for the past two years.

“I enjoy working with peers in Senate and want to continue solving problems and working together,” Derke said in an email.

Along with being a senator, Derke is also a part of the Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority and is their programming council member. She is also involved with the outdoor club, French club, work study and the curriculum committee.

She is a philosophy major and environmental studies and French minor.

Derke’s plans for the future include focusing on a strong unified student body voice and working together for positive outcomes. This would be done through more proclamations and attention to what students are saying and wanting.

“I am a fun person to work with and I will continue to make Senate meetings productive and enjoyable,” Derke said. “I am responsible, compassionate and creative and I bring these attributes to the environments I am in.”

Fajardo

Fajardo is also running for ASLC’s vice president this semester after deciding that she had the qualifications and felt that was the place for her.

“I really believe that student government, especially at Linfield, can be such a force for good,” Fajardo said. “I remember getting out of Senate meetings and feeling like we had actually made a difference. I want to be part of that again and I feel like I have a lot to offer the Senate and the student body.”

Fajardo has held other leadership positions such as being president of her Japan Adventure club and the Gay-Straight Alliance in high school.

Since coming to Linfield, Fajardo has been active in both the Senate and her sorority, Sigma Kappa Phi. During her freshman year, Fajardo was senator for the Ballroom Club, and she gave a special report last year in Senate on bringing back fall break. For the past three years, Fajardo has been the pledge class president, historian, treasurer and vice president for her sorority as well. She is currently the junior pledgemaster and co-chaplain for her sorority.

Fajardo feels she would be the best candidate for this position because of her compassion for the college.

“I truly care about Senate and about the well-being of the ASLC,“ Fajardo said. “Even when I was studying abroad I would always make sure to read Senate reports and keep as up-to-date as I could.” Fajardo makes it a priority to be well informed or become well informed when new information is presented.

Fajardo’s goals for the future are to “reconnect the Senate with the rest of the student body.” Fajardo feels as though having a smaller group, campus-wide email and stronger committees are all good things, but what makes a student government what it is, is a mouthpiece for students’ thoughts and concerns.

“Through [the mouthpiece], the student body can cause change and improve campus.” Fajardo said. She feels the foundational mission has been lost in the reconfiguration of Senate and current disconnection between senators and their constituencies.

“I want to reconnect senators with the rest of campus in order to get a real dialogue going,” Fajardo said. “Student government exists to aid and represent the student body. Student voices should be heard loud and clear.”

Fajardo is aware of the face that students are concerned about sustainability, food and a host of other issues. She believes students have the power to fix them, or at least to bring them to the attention of the college and Board of Trustees.

“Students can wield so much influence at Linfield, but sometimes we forget it,” Fajardo said. “We are the force and next year I want to make magic happen.”

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Samantha Sigler/News editor
Samantha Sigler can be reached at linfieldreviewnews@gmail.com.

Professor emeritus of history explores novelist’s life

Posted by :jprokop On : February 27, 2012
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Dr. Richard W. Etulain, professor emeritus of history at the University of New Mexico, came to Linfield on Feb. 22 and discussed the life of novelist Wallace Stegner, who Etulain believes to be the most important writer of the American West since John Steinback. Christina Shane/Staff writer

A collision of history and literature occurred Feb. 22, as students and scholars gathered in the Austin Reading Room of the Nicholson Library to hear a special guest lecture on a novelist’s life.

Thanks to the Ken and Donna Ericksen Endowed English Department Fund, nationally recognized scholars such as Dr. Richard W. Etulain, professor emeritus of history at the University of New
Mexico, are brought to Linfield’s campus.

Etulain gave his lecture, “Wallace Stegner: Wise Man of the American West,” bringing Western American history to life through the literary works of Wallace Stegner, who Etulain considers“ Our most important writer [of] the American West since John Steinbeck.”

Etulain has had an extensive career combining history and literature as he has been both president of the western History Association and the Western Literature
association.

“Professor Etulain straddles the fence between the two disciplines,” David Sumner, professor of English and environmental  studies, said when introducing the historian.

“I was trying to ride two horses at one time,” Etulain said.

So was his fellow historian and novelist, Wallace Stegner, the Pulitzer Prize-winning historiographer of the twentieth-century American West—who was the main subject of Etulain’s lecture.

Etulian’s lecture was teeming with academic stories—many of which were personal experiences with Stegner himself. In 1995, Etulain published “Stegner: Conversations on History and Literature,” which features intimate conversations between the two scholars.

His interviews encompassed not only historical and literary discourse, but also addressed environmentalism—a philosophy that Stegner reinforced in many of his novels.

“I thought the most interesting part was the fact that Stegner was fairly successful despite not publishing
novels under one specific genre,” freshman Summer Yasoni said.

Dr. Etulain addressed those who are familiar with his work and desire more information, as well as those who had never heard of him, which represented a fair amount of those who attended.

Roughly one-third of the audience raised their hand when asked if they had previously known the works of Stegner.

“I tried to show Linfield students and faculty members how much [Stegner] has contributed to our understanding of the American West,” Etulain said.

Etulain’s most recent work, “Abraham Lincoln and Oregon Country Politics in the Civil War Era,” is expected to be published next year.

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Christina Shane/Staff reporter
Christina can be reached at linfieldreviewnews@gmail.com

Men’s tennis takes a swing at the new season

Posted by :jprokop On : February 26, 2012
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Freshman Luke Klienmen serves during a match against George Fox University on Feb. 24 at home. Photo courtesy of Tyson Takeushi

The men’s tennis team began in full with what assistant coach Matt Levering dubbed its “building season” Feb. 24.

Friday’s match ended with an 8-1 loss for Linfield.

Despite the loss, the team is not disappointed.

This year, seven freshmen joined the squad. With half of the team being new players, Levering said this is a season of transition.

The coaches aren’t looking for wins, Levering said. “I measure success by the amount of effort I see out on the court,” he said.

The match was against the George Fox Bruins, who had a similar season last year.

With more returning players, Levering said he knew this match would be a tough one.

Freshman Lukas Klienman, who played No. 2 doubles, said there is a lot of room for improvement. Klienman acknowledged that the George Fox team would be tough because they have a lot of talented players.

“A lot of their players are 10 times better,” Klienman said. “They’re more experienced.”

Assistant coach Levering also said that experience was a major factor.

The Wildcats are in a period of rebuilding, but not all players are new this year. Senior Cody Levien, playing  with junior Zach Lyons on No. 1 doubles and provided the Wildcats with their only point for the match, with a win of 8-4.

Levien wasn’t concerned about the loss.

“I had fun,” Levien said. “I see it as more of a game than just a sport.”

Levien’s statements seem to be the general consensus of the team. More than wins, improvement and fun are most important.

The weekend’s second game on Feb. 25 proved to be far more successful. The Wildcats beat the Lewis & Clark Pioneers 6-3, making their Northwest Conference  record 1-1.

“What we want to see is improvement in every match,” Levering said, referring to the goals of the team.

With so many new faces on the team, and each player improving with each match, the future looks bright for the men’s tennis team.

This week, the team will have two away matches. The first is against Pacific Lutheran University on March 2. The second will be against Willamette on March 3.

“We have a lot of room for improvement, [but] I think it will be a good season.” Klienmen said.

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Caleb Goad/Staff writer
Caleb Goad can be reached at linfieldreviewsports@gmail.com.

Lacrosse begins with scrimmage

Posted by :jprokop On : February 26, 2012
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As the first opening game approaches for the women’s lacrosse team, the Wildcats are preparing by playing scrimmage games.

The team traveled to Forest Grove on Feb. 26 to participate in a tournament.

Three club teams, Portland Purple, Rose City and Ohana, participated in the tournament, as did Pacific University.

The Wildcats played their first game against Portland Purple, losing 11-3.

“Our philosophy is that every game we get better,” junior Libby Sturges said.

In their second game against Rose City, the Wildcats came out on top, winning 8-3.

In the game versus Pacific University, the Wildcats lost 9-3.

The women hope to beat Pacific when they play the team again in a real game on March 14.

The final game against Ohana came out in the Wildcat’s favor, winning 7-3.

“Every half we’ve played this season has been better than the last half,” Sturges said.

While this tournament was good practice for the Wildcats, next weekend is an important game. The
women play against Redlands, a team from California. The lacrosse team hasn’t played a team from California in seven years.

“We always keep it classy,” Sturges said. “We have a great group of girls.”

Freshman Halee Helgerson, who played lacrosse all four years of high school, said she is excited for the season.

“My goal for the team is to have a better record than last year,” Helgerson said.

Next weekend’s game is at 1 p.m. March 3 at home on the soccer field.

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Meghan O’Rourke/Opinion editor
Meghan O’Rourke can be reached at linfieldreviewopinion@gmail.com.

Support for teams can ensure achievement

Posted by :jprokop On : February 26, 2012
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Welcome back to what is sure to be another jam-packed semester of exciting sports at Linfield. Unless you live under a rock, you’ll recall that our softball team is the defending national title-holder, and its season got underway last week. Is a repeat title in the works?

The baseball program is beginning the season with high expectations as well, and the chance to finally break open the deep playoff run that’s been millimeters out of reach for the past few seasons.

And in sports news, the Trail Blazers had a recent piece of feel-good news that will have Portland fans everywhere bouncing in their seats with joy and excitement.

But first, our softball team. Last Wednesday, the reigning national champion Linfield softball program began its title defense, and what a defense it was.

Catball pounded helpless National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics foe Concordia-Portland in a back-to-back, 7-3, 10-3 beat down at the newly-christened Del Smith Stadium.

From the look of things, the team is picking up right where it left off last season with a full head of steam. Senior slugger Emilee Lepp had a padded stat line, finishing with five hits, six RBIs and a homer.

The fresh pitching tandem of senior Lauren Harvey and sophomore Karina Paavola had an impressive collective performance as well, striking out 14 combined batters.

Make no mistake, folks: even with many returning starters to anchor the team, promising newcomers plugging holes and a unanimous preseason No. 1 ranking, repeating as national champions is extremely difficult.

I think this team is capable of pulling it off, and hopefully come May, it can take its talents to Salem, Va., and play for the national championship.

On the men’s side of sports, the baseball team looked poised to have a breakthrough season. For the past few years the team has been playoff-bound but has always come agonizingly close to a deep run before running out of gas.

This season’s team received a lofty preseason ranking at No. 4 in the nation.

You will recall that last year the team peaked at No. 3 before eventually finishing at No. 9, and this year’s team looks better on paper than it has in years.

If it can play to its potential and stay healthy, Linfield fans might have double national titles to celebrate for the first time in a very, very long time.

Now, about those Blazers. Earlier this week, former Portland center and current retiree Joel “The Vanilla Gorilla” Pryzbilla has decided to return to Portland for the veteran’s minimum contract, a surprising move that has this writer giddy with anticipation for his first game back.

Pryzbilla has been getting back into NBA shape for months, and after passing a physical Sunday, he’ll be eligible to play as early as March 1.

On Feb. 27, the team will sign him and make a choice on which player currently on roster to waive.

If you ask me, put Greg Oden and his two bum knees on the chopping block and finally rid Rip City of his bloated contract.

It’s time to wash our hands of this “era” and the good vibes surrounding Pryzbilla’s return ought to more than compensate for the severance of this once number one draft pick.

When you really think about it, Pryzbilla’s choice is as inspiring and surprising as any I’ve ever seen. The Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat, two of the NBA’s hottest teams this season, were seriously courting him to shore up their depth in the middle.

It just goes to show that the love for a city like Portland can trump the desire to join a title-contender, and that Rip City’s fans truly are the greatest on Earth.

When Pryzbilla steps onto the court for the first time this season in a Blazers jersey, the Rose Garden just might explode from the sheer noise Blazers are certainly going to make.

With that feel-good story in your minds, I bid you adieu. Go watch some sports this week, both at Linfield and on television. Remember: fans are half of the equation!

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Chris Forrer/Sports columnist
Chris Forrer can be reached at linfieldreviewsports@gmail.com.

Positive outlook gives next season hope

Posted by :jprokop On : February 26, 2012
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With the final buzzers going off, both the men’s and women’s basketball teams ended their seasons.

In the final game against the University of Puget Sound, the women’s team met its downfall in a final score of 75-61.

Following the women’s final game, the men’s team also played its final game, in which it lost 80-67.

The teams’ records were less than what the teams wanted, but they still look at the season as a success.

“The season went well,” freshman Alex Christensen said. “We had two great seniors who led us throughout the season. Although we didn’t have as many wins as we would have liked to, it was a year for growth, and I think all of us showed growth on the basketball court and grew together as a team.”

The women’s Northwest Conference record was four wins and 12 losses. The men’s NWC record was three wins and 13 losses.

“The main challenge that we faced was being such a young team,” Christensen said. “Playing against teams that play mostly juniors and seniors, when most of our team was freshmen, made it difficult. We had to learn quickly and grow up fast, but it means that the next few years we will improve.”

Although the teams didn’t win many games, they said the team overcame some big challenges.

“We only had three upperclassmen, which was a challenge,” senior Brynna Fuller said. “It is tough to adjust to the speed of the college game and learn the ropes of the program, but our freshmen did a good job. We also had a few injuries throughout the season that made things more difficult.”

The team did its best to work around the challenge of the large number of new players.

“We improved greatly from the beginning to the end of the season,” Fuller said. “We worked well together as a group and had a lot of team chemistry. We also had a few people step up when we needed them, which was great to see.”

The two teams knew never to give up during their games, which helped them keep a positive outlook on the season.

“We were a team that gave everything we had,” freshman Lauren Sheppard said. “We never lost on a lack of effort. As a team, we became close friends on and off the court. We were able to make great strides in progressing our program.”

Both teams look forward to next season with the hopes that their growth continues.

“Since we have so many underclassmen, we will just keep improving and be able to win some of the close games we had,” Christensen said.
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Kaylyn Peterson/Sports editor
Kaylyn Peterson can be reached at linfieldreviewsports@gmail.com.

’Cats stomp out first games

Posted by :jprokop On : February 26, 2012
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Junior first baseman Kyle Chanberlain tries to tag a Lewis & Clark runner when he dove back to the base during the Feb. 24 game at home at Hesler Field. Kaylyn Peterson/Sports editor

Even if a team is ranked top 25 in the nation, it doesn’t mean that playing against a team that is now 0-11 for the season comes easy. The Linfield baseball team still finds a way to pull it off.

“What makes us a good team is that we play the entire game,” senior Jesse Boustead said. “We play every inning and don’t give up.”

The Wildcats played two different games Feb. 25.

The first game was a showcase of the ’Cats’ talent for hitting the ball.

With 13 hits, the Wildcats routed the Lewis & Clark Pioneers 14-5 in the first game. Not only was their hitting successful, but the pitching as well.

Senior Ryan Larson started the game and pitched four innings, only allowing two runs.

Larson probably would have gone deeper into the game, but he was hit in the arm with a hit ball back to the mound. He finished the inning and started the fifth but was pulled after two batters.

Senior Casey Cameron came in for an inning and ended up being the winning pitcher for the ‘Cats. Senior Robert Vaughn and sophomore Garett Speyer also made appearances on the
mound.

The Pioneers played better in the second game against the ’Cats, but eventually fell to Linfield 7-1.

The Wildcats scored the most runs during the third inning, scoring three runs. First to score that inning was senior Zach Boskovich, who scored on junior Clayton Truex’s hit.

Junior Jordan Harlow batted in Chamberlain, scoring the second run of the inning. The last run of the inning was brought in by Truex.

Sophomore Zach Brandon started the game for Linfield and pitched five innings with only one earned run. This game was the second win for Brandon out of two starts.

Freshman Chris Haddeland made his second appearance of the year and pitched four scoreless innings, only allowing one hit.

The game was close throughout the first seven innings, but in the eighth inning, the ‘Cats scored four runs and extended the lead with six runs to ensure their second victory of the day.

The ‘Cats played their final game against the Pioneers in a game that ended in the bottom of the ninth. With a man at first and second, the score was tied with one out.

Junior Michael Hopp came up to the plate and hit a chopper to the shortstop.

In an attempt to get a double play to end the inning, the Pioneers blew the double play with a throw that went past the first baseman. This allowed Linfield’s runner to score from second to win the game.

The ‘Cats didn’t play their best this weekend, but they prevailed and won the series 3-0.

“It’s nice to have three league wins under the belt, and we are working on various lineups to help us be successful down the road,” Cameron said.

The Wildcats’ next games are at 11 a.m. March 3 against Pacific University and  at noon March 4 in Forest Grove, Ore. The team’s next home games will be March 10 and 11 against Willamette University.

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Carson Crepeaux/Staff writer
Carson Crepeaux can be reached at linfieldreviewsports@gmail.com.

Women’s tennis pulls ahead of competition

Posted by :jprokop On : February 26, 2012
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Category: Sports

The women’s tennis team swept the competition during its most recent match.

The Wildcats faced off with the Pioneers of Lewis & Clark College on Feb. 25 in Portland and played against the George Fox Bruins on Feb. 24 in Beaverton.

Ending the week for the Wildcats, the team went up against Lewis & Clark College for its third Northwest Conference competition and came out on top with a three win record.

The entire team kept up an undefeated record by beating everyone in the competition.

Starting the day off, the Wildcats came in with a clear game plan to beat their opponents. Winning five of the six singles matches, the team started the game off right.

To add a finishing touch, the Linfield team brought in three wins for the doubles competition, finishing the game with eight wins and one loss in its game against the Pioneers.

A day prior to the Lewis & Clark game, the Wildcats had set their eyes on the win against George Fox University. Each player won her match against the Bruins.

The six singles players dominated the floor in winning six of their sets, adding points to the board for Linfield. The doubles players who won eight of their sets continued the streak.

“I hope that we keep playing as a team and help each other grow as people on and off the court,” freshman Erin Crofcheck said. “We are a strong team, and I hope that we can show that and have it pay off by winning our conference.”

The Wildcats won the game with nine victorious sets, while the Bruins had none.

Heading in the right direction, the team has high hopes of sending themselves to regionals.

“I really hope we can win conference and advance a few rounds in regionals too,” sophomore Caroline Brigham said. “So far, it looks like we are on the right track to accomplishing that.“

In having these hopes, the team sees the challenge of reaching it. With nine freshmen on the team, the adjustment to college level athletics can be a factor in the success of the team.

“Being a freshman, it is so different being on a college team than it is being on a high school team,” Crofcheck said. “College is way more competitive.”

“Our women’s tennis team has this energy and pumped vibe that I feel before every match. This team makes me feel ready to compete and we have such great team chemistry.” freshman Kaila Nip said. ” I love the competition that we face and the competition within our team that pushes us to be better players.”

The team’s next competition will be March 2 against Pacific Lutheran University, and again March 3 against Willamette University. Both games will be played at home.

“I am most excited to compete against [Whitman College and Whitworth College],” Nip said. “They are our toughest competition this year and our matches are exciting. This past Saturday, we beat Whitman and it was the best feeling in the world.”

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Kaylyn Peterson/Sports editor
Kaylyn Peterson can be reached at linfieldreviewsports@gmail.com.

Softball brings in the new season with a win

Posted by :jprokop On : February 26, 2012
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Senior Emilee Lepp edges forward in attempt to steal home plate during the second inning of the game against Concordia University on Feb. 22 at Del Smith Stadium. Kaylyn Peterson/Sports editor

The Division three softball champions returned to the newly dedicated Del Smith field to reclaim their title Feb. 22. The Wildcats kicked off their season with a doubleheader game against Concordia University. Ready to start its season, the team is determined and focused.

“There’s definitely going to be a good deal of competition in our conference this year,” senior Jordan Mixsell said. “Our game doesn’t really care about who you are or what your reputation is. All that matters is who shows up to play that day. It will be important for us to keep our intensity up for every game, no matter the opponent.”

Starting the day off at 3:30 p.m., the first game of the season commenced. Not letting Concordia score, Linfield was the first to put points up on the board. Sophomore Ashley Garcia scored the first point of the game, hitting a  home run over the fence in left field during the second inning.

Concordia temporally pulled ahead by scoring two points during the beginning of the fourth inning, only to lose the lead in the second half off the inning when Mixsell scored off of sophomore Katy Brosig’s double. Later that inning, Brosig and senior Jaydee Baxter scored off of a triple hit by senior Emilee Lepp.

Linfield continued its lead into the sixth inning, where it scored three more runs, winning the game 7-3.

Not wasting any time, the team continued the doubleheader, starting a second game with Concordia.

Once again, Linfield took an early lead by putting two points on the scoreboard during the first inning. Lepp hit a double to center field, allowing freshman Grace Middelstadt to score.

The second run of the inning was scored off a sacrifice hit by senior Staci Doucette, which brought in Baxter.

The third inning proved to be a successful one, with the team bringing in five runs. Junior Karleigh Prestianni hit a home run, which also brought in junior Rachelle Ridout and Lepp.

A second home run by sophomore Haylie Watson during the inning also brought in sophomore Kristin Herren.

During Linfield’s final inning at bat, the team scored two more points after a second home run made by Prestianni.

The second game ended with a score of 10-3, putting the Wildcats record at 2-0.

The Wildcats were intended to play three doubleheaders against Whitworth University on Feb. 25- 27, however the first day of the competition was postponed due to high winds.

“We definitely have high hopes for this season,” sophomore Shelby VandeBergh  said.

“We have talented returners and also a great freshmen class this year,” she said. “With that combination, I think we can do really well. I think we are all just looking forward to getting back on the field together as a team.  We want to come together as a team and play our best softball at the end of the year.”

Ready for their next games, the team puts major emphasis on the team as a whole.

“What’s great about our team is that everyone has a role,” VandeBergh said. “Not one player carries the whole team. I think that goes back to our team motto, “as one.” Each person on the team has a role that is necessary for our success.”

With their final season starting, the seniors hope to pass something on the younger players.

“There’s a bond on our team that is unlike any other that I have been on and I hope that tradition of strong team chemistry continues,” Harvey said.

“It’s up to them what they want to make of their experience, but I know they will make it as enjoyable as possible.”

The softball teams next competition is  on March 4 against Lewis & Clark University in Portland and March 5 at home against Pacific University.

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Kaylyn Peterson/Sports editor
Kaylyn Peterson can be reached at linfieldreviewsports@gmail.com.

Dinner at Dillin is improving

Posted by :jprokop On : February 26, 2012
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Category: Opinion

One of the first things I couldn’t help but notice upon returning for Spring Semester was the bread table at dinner in Dillin Hall. It was especially conspicuous the first night, being set up on a large table in the middle of the buffet area.

Although it has since moved to the corner between the soup and the vegetarian station, and in doing so radically altered the formation of food lines, it is still a widely popular feature on the dinner menu.

I, for one, appreciate the option of having a slice of bread with my dinner. Besides being someone who genuinely likes bread, there are some nights when all I really want is a big hunk of bread with butter and maybe some soup to dip it in.

There are sometimes rolls, too, which are easier to balance on the side of a plate or slip into a pocket for later. When you’re short of time around lunch and pinched for money when it comes to grocery shopping, it’s nice to have a leftover bread roll that you can grab and eat on your way to class.

I know that I’m not alone in my appreciation of the bread buffet.  The line for bread is always substantial, and sometimes it is so long that it’s easier just to bypass the bread altogether and wait for the crowd to clear.

The quality of the bread seems consistently good too, no matter how much we may complain about the quality of Dillin’s food in general.

I have, however, also heard complaints about the way the bread buffet works. It is nearly impossible to cut yourself a slice of bread without putting a hand on the loaf to hold it steady, and some people are not comfortable with eating bread that has been touched by so many people.

The other complaint that I hear is that the butter runs out quickly. Very nearly everyone who gets bread at dinner spreads it with butter. Not that I can blame them—it is good.

The other new feature that people have been talking about is the new salad area. Besides the regular salad bar, you can now have salads created for you. I haven’t tried these yet, being the kind of person who likes a plain lettuce-and-carrot salad without dressing or anything, but I have friends who just love it.

Despite the continuing campus jokes about the quality of the food at Dillin, the bread buffet and the new salads both indicate that Dillin is making attempts to meet our demands.  I appreciate that Dillin Hall is listening to the opinions of the students, and from the chat I hear during dinner, so are many others.  You never know how much better the quality of our food can get.  Maybe we’ll come back next fall to find even better dinner options.

 

Sharon Gollery

Culture editor

linfieldreviewculture@gmail.com