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Award gives students unique opportunities

Former Hillsdale students use their investigative reporting skills thanks to the Phillips Foundation award
Sarah Leitner Sports Editor ard work brings a profit. Tony Gonzalez 08 and Jillian Melchior 09 certainly proved this true. The two Hillsdale alumni each received a part in the Robert Novak Journalism Fellowship. This grant is awarded to journalists by the Phillips Foundation with less than 10 years of professional journalism experience who value constitutional principles, a democratic society, and the free enterprise system. Full-time fellows receive $50,000 and part-time fellows receive $25,000 to pursue their research. There is also an Alumni Fund Fellowship, which is funded by a former Phillips fellow. Melchior was awarded a full-time fellowship, and her research project, titled Cross-Cultural China, has taken her to Hong Kong. From there she plans to go to Beijing and continue to travel across China. Traveling on a tourism visa, she has to leave the country once every month but plans to visit bordering countries. China has more borders than any other country in the world, she said. This is not the first time Melchior has been in China. In 2009, she was a Bartley Editorial Page Fellow with the Wall Street Journal and covered rigged elections. That made me want to come back and get to know Mainland China a bit, she said. Since then, Melchior has been working with The Daily in New York City as an opinion writer, where she still works part time. Melchior said the Phillips Foundation fellowship was something she had been thinking about for a couple of years. The foundation sends out notes about it every year to journalists they know might be interested. Melchior said it was also something she had seen circulated at Hillsdale.

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man has helped Gonzalez find sources anywhere from the auctioneers to the trucking companies. Gonzalez has also received help from Hillsdale College economics professor Robert Steele. Gonzalez worked closely with him while building his proposal, and Steele suggested some themes to look for when Gonzalez was reporting. It was another Hillsdale source, former Assistant to the Director of the Dow Journalism Program Ingrid Jacques, who brought the Phillips foundation grant to Gonzalezs attention. Its pretty impressive they both got an award in the same year, Jacques said. It doesnt surprise me, but nonetheless Im very impressed. Jacques said she sent out the Phillips Foundation information for several years hoping someone would apply. Both Gonzalez and Melchior said they had thought about it in earlier years, but this past year was the right time for them to apply. At that point, I wasnt looking to write a bigger article, but I thought this topic could be something much bigger and better, and I thought, This is the one I want to propose, he said. The grant does encourage me to work on it. If I didnt have backing it would be hard for me to chip away at it. Melchior said she is excited about building her credibility for writing about Asia in the future. Its giving me a great opportunity to become an expert on a foreign country, which is rare for a young journalist, Melchior said. I think what they do is very special and its giving young people an opportunity and putting a lot of trust in them and treating them like adults. I think theyre building a community of thinkers. sleitner@hillsdale.edu

interviews over the phone but has gone on a road trip through states such as North Carolina and Virginia. Gonzalez said his project, titled Buying Barbecue Sauce by the Truckload: How Entrepreneurs Find Profit in the Uncertain World of Lost and Unclaimed Freight, is related to the free market economy. About one percent of everything that moves by truck either gets damaged or sent to the wrong place or when it gets delivered, that business refuses to accept it, he said. From there, whatever is left on the truck goes to auctions. Gonzalez is researching and reporting on the people that go to these auctions and then try and resell those items for profit. It actually is sort of an unknown Discount store owner Bill Mikolay sits on a casket he bought at an unclaimed freight auc-industry, he said. tion in Richmond, Va. Tony Gonzalez 08 won a Phillips Foundation award to write about Theres been a lot unclaimed freight across the country. . (Courtesy of Tony Gonzalez) of small articles about this, but there Last year I decided to go for it and Its incredible, she said. Theres hasnt been a broader story that gathers apply, she said. so much to see, and its so fascinating the expertise of all the people. I think Melchiors fellowship ends Sept. 30, and diverse. I can bring something relevant to the and by that point, she will have spent Gonzalez received the Alumni Fund project. nine months in China. Until then, she Fellowship, which gives him $7,000 in Gonzalez said he first came across said she plans to experience as much addition to a little bit of travel money. the idea when he met a man who ran Chinese culture as possible. Gonzalez said he conducts most of his one of these discount stores. That

In Their Eyes
kegs we went through while I was in school, Otterbein said. Otterbein has a hard time keeping contact with college friends. But fortunately being here I dont have to do a great job keeping in touch. They come back! he said. Most of the professors that Otterbein studied under have now left. The Mark Watsons and John Wilsons have slowly dwindled down over the last 10 years, he said. After graduation, Otterbein remained at Hillsdale coaching part time and working full-time as a fundraiser. When I was fundraising, I wanted to be on the field, he said. After two years Otterbein left Hillsdale to coach at Eastern Michigan State University as a graduate assistant coach. Following this, Otterbein became the defensive coordinator at Ferris State University. Here, at 28 he became the youngest head coach in America. Ottebein changed Ferris State from a lackluster program to a successful, winning team. While coaching at Ferris State, Otterbein heard that Hillsdale had an opening for head football coach. His friends and family knew Hillsdale was where he belonged. After an interview, Otterbein returned to his alma mater in 2001. Otterbein noticed many differences in Hillsdale when he returned. There is a different atmosphere socially, he said. There is a standard of how a Hillsdale student acts and how he treats other people. He also noticed that Hillsdale has a clearer vision of what it is as an institution. Hillsdale is more focused about what it teaches students: the greater truth, to be people of integrity and honesty, and to have a strong work ethic, he said. Otterbein, though, recognizes that his favorite aspects have remained the same.

Keith Otterbein remembers his years as a student athlete

Emmaline Epperson Collegian Reporter eith Otterbein, head coach of Hillsdales football team, is the sort of person around whom anyone can feel comfortable. He drops the gs at the end of his verbs, wears a tracksuit, and puts his feet up on his desk. Otterbein is passionate about two things: the football team and Hillsdale College. In 1975, Otterbein did not plan to attend Hillsdale. I pretty much had already decided to walk on in Eastern Michigan. They were the hot ticket, he said. Late into the year a friend of Otterbeins family, who had attended Hillsdale, thought he should look at the college before choosing Eastern. After a one day visit and and a scholarship offer, Otterbein decided to attend Hillsdale and play football. I felt comfortable with the environment, he said. I felt that I could excel academically and athletically. On the field, Otterbein enjoyed his football experience. One benefit that his athletes have now that he did not is technology. As a player, Otterbein said he would have benefitted from seeing himself play. Other than football, while at Hillsdale, Otterbein was involved in The Fellowship of Christian athletes, Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, and Omicron Delta Kappa, a leadership honorary. There was a good balance of academics, athletics, and social life, he said. In the 1970s, Greek life was more focused on the social aspect of college, Otterbein said. During this time, the drinking age for Michigan was 18, which meant that all college student could drink legally. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night there were big parties. I dont know how many

(Courtesy of Otterbein)

People are open and friendly, and that the community reaches out to people of different backgrounds, he said. The athletic department has grown under Otterbein. He attributes the success to an increase in the number of staff and more motivated and serious students. We have become a flagship institution in academics and athletics, Otterbein said. We maintain a very high athletic experience without sacrificing academics. Otterbein has coached both his sons on the football team and at the same time his daughter was a trainer. Under him, the football team has gone to the playoffs and was the conference champion for the first time in 23 years. Beating Grand Valley has been fun, he said with a chuckle. Developing the football program and knowing that he has helped in re-establishing a winning tradition has been Otterbeins most rewarding experience. Otterbein said he is not going anywhere. I feel called to be here, he said. I want to sustain the success that we have built. eepperson@hillsdale.edu

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A HAND-STITCHED LEGACY
Hayden Smith Collegian Freelancer uesdays and Fridays find Trevathans Sweep & Sew Shoppe bustling with the activity of a sewing workshop: whirring machines, the snipping of cloth, and the soft chatter of half a dozen women bent over their various projects. Trevathans Sweep & Sew Shoppe is situated in downtown Hillsdale, Mich. on the corner of Broad and McCollum Street and has been serving the citizens of Hillsdale since 1948. This family business was started when Don Trevathan, a local minister and evangelist, began selling vacuums for extra income. Duane Trevathan, Dons son, remembers the early days. My dad started this in 48, Duane Trevathan said. It was originally located on Union Street, past the post office, along the side of the fire dept. The late Don Trevathan had been struggling to support his family on the modest tithing provided by his church. Dissatisfaction with his side job among the congregation forced him to leave the ministry. They said we dont want our minister selling vacuums. Duane Trevathan said. The opening of his vacuum store, however, did not keep him from continuing his work with the church. He would continue his evangelical work throughout his life. When he died, mother sold the second store in Jackson, but kept the one here, Duane Trevathan said. He and his wife Patty Trevathan took over the Instructor Jodie Dobbs (right) helps Hillsdale resident Karen Dofrey (left) pin her quilt pieces. Since 2005, Trevathans Sweep & Sew Shoppe has business in 2002. offered quilting and sewing classes to the community every week, on Tuesdays and Fridays. (Shannon Odell/Collegian) I grew up with it and was 15 people in the classroom, but needed room to expand. to buy the building from the city broke out, causing a setback due Trevathans to host potlucks involved in all the aspects of it was probably a fire hazard, The city didnt want to be for a single dollar. to smoke and water damage, occasionally, as well as several it. My sister took over at first. she said. a landlord anymore, Duane There was a garage back but by April 2010 the store was related clubs, such as an embroiMy sister and mother moved it The Trevathans decided to Trevathan said. Before we there, an old Studebaker gaback open, and the apartments dery club. Once a month some down from the Union street loexpand, and where a garage came along the city had let it out rage, Duane Trevathan said. were available for rent. women come and work together cation, Duane Trevathan said. once sat is now a large, open to a succession of problematic We didnt know what we The classroom is great from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on a Patty Trevathan has run a work area with work tables, a tenants. were going to do with it. As an because its designed speproject the Trevathans call the quilting workshop in the new kitchen, a sample room, and a The city allowed local busiafterthought, we said lets turn cifically for this purpose, Mystery Quilt. location since 2005. place for storage. Until recently, ness to submit proposals to it into a classroom. Patty Trevathan said. Theres The many activities lend a It was something I thought the Trevathans only occupied bring the building up to code. The Trevathans blocked off plenty of light to sew in.There sense of life to the shop, as well would be interesting to do, she half of the current building, the We sent a very detailed the garage doors, put windows are no steps, which makes it as draw more people downtown. said. other half was occupied by vari- proposal of 40 pages, Duane in, and installed a handicap easier for people to bring their At first Patty Trevathan ran ous tenants. Trevathan said. bathroom. forty-pound sewing machines in hsmith@hillsdale.edu the workshop out of a small We were really crunched, The Trevathans proposal The project took months to safely. backroom. We could fit 12 or Patty Trevathan said. We won out and they were allowed complete, during which a fire The workshop allows the

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THE REAL PINK LADIES

Birzers Brainy Beauties gain independence, confidence through Mary Kay, Inc. consulting
Roxanne Turnbull Arts Editor ink bottles and shiny black containers adorn the vanity in junior Abigail Newmans room. If you look closely, stacks of boxes fill her closet all bearing one name: Mary Kay, Inc. Mary Kay Ash created Beauty by Mary Kay in 1963 with only $5,000 and a written set of goals. In a time when most women found it difficult to make it in the professional sector, she hoped to create a company in which any woman could have the opportunity to succeed. Now the company claims over two million consultants around the world. For Newman and six other women at Hillsdale College, being a Mary Kay consultant is more than an after-school job. Under the direction of Associate Professor of History Dedra Birzer, these students learn about the importance of business and independence while providing many women in the Hillsdale area with quality products and service. Birzer became a Mary Kay consultant six and a half years ago through the persuasion of one of her former students. I decided I wanted to give it a try. I realized I had the same cosmetics from my wedding eight year before, Birzer said. I thought I could help moms with small children like myself. I thought I could also help students. Thus, Birzers Brainy Beaties was born. Presently, the group consists of eight current Hillsdale students and 11 graduates. Junior Michelle Smith became a Mary Kay consultant in November of 2010 after going to one of the beauty school

nights Birzer throws every Tuesday. One of the girls in my hall won a facial with [Birzer]. That was the first time I tried Mary Kay. Mrs. Birzer told me she thought I would be good at it, Smith said. She has been selling ever since. Although the business can be difficult to manage at times as a student, the principles of the company help keep consultants on track, she said. Its OK if something doesnt work out, Smith said. If you keep going, youll have some sort of success. You have to tell yourself you can. That is what the company is founded on, that and [Mary Kays] Golden Rule. It says faith is first, family second, and career third. Smiths dedication paid off. She has since earned back all the money she first invested into the company and is now making a profit. I knew going in if I wanted to make any significant money, I would have to put money in, Smith said. Newman joined the business in April of 2011 when Birzer provided her with the opportunity. She agrees with Smith that being your own boss can be Associate Professor of History Dedra Birzer and consultants juniors Abby Newman (third from left) and Michelle Smith (far right) help a client pick out her palate at a recent Mary Kay event. (Joe Buth/Collegian) hard to handle at times. Its been stressful, Newman said. Its the sort of busiI would say Im really acathem the opportunity to make The quality of the people and I love having college stuness that thrives under full time demic and bookish, so I dont individuals feel beautiful about the quality of the products keep dents to work with. My Mary attention, and, as a student, I have a lot of real world smarts, themselves. Being self-emconsultants and customers loyal Kay business has allowed me to cannot afford that. Im just beshe said. Thats why I kind of ployed develops skills they can to Mary Kay, Newman said. get to know students in a differing honest. But it has introduced did it. Getting some practical take with them after college and Even if Im not a represenent way, Birzer said. Its been me to the world of business, the sense has been good. into any field of employment tative for the rest of my life, I a really great way to keep in opportunity to deal with other Kimmels big sister in Kappa they each choose. will likely use the products for touch with alumni as they move women and get to know them Kappa Gamma sorority is also a You have enough people the rest of my life, Newman from being students to being personally, and be in a position consultant. to support you, and you can said. They are that good. friends. of leadership and actual influWe joke that it runs in the motivate yourself. You can still Birzer, as the director of the ence. family, Kimmel said. be successful, Smith said. It unit, says she always tries to rturnbull@hillsdale.edu Leadership and influence All three women agree also gives you confidence. The be a source of support for all of were also some of the reasons that being a part of Mary Kay company is supportive. Its her girls. Her position creates a why sophomore Mary Kimmel instills confidence within each about praising people toward unique and special relationship decided to join the business. and every consultant and gives success. with her students as well.