Exploring Psalms with Rabbis

By Katie Thompson

Rabbi Baruch HaLevi spoke in front of a chapel filled with Gordon students and faculty on September 11, 2009, the first of several rabbis scheduled to speak on campus for an educational series entitled Exploring Psalms with Rabbis.

Gordon’s Dr. Marvin Wilson, a biblical studies professor who was instrumental in setting up the series, introduced HaLevi.

“The Psalms, or the ‘hymnbook’ of ancient Israel, has had profound influence in shaping the thought and worship of Judaism and Christianity,” said Wilson in a recent press release.

Having a rabbi speak at a Christian college may seem contradictory, however Gordon student Aleah Tarnoviski ’12, an Elementary Education major, was interested in the fact that a rabbi would be speaking in chapel.

“I was interested when I heard that a rabbi was coming because being a Christian is the fulfillment of the Jewish faith. It is our history, and I enjoy learning about it.”

HaLevi spoke on the importance of the Psalms, particularly examining Psalm 145, King David, and the universal lessons that can be learned.

He emphasized emulating God in our behaviors, thoughts, and actions.

“We need to live these Psalms in the way we act,” he said.

Whether Jewish or Christian, HaLevi delivered a message applicable to all.

Zinsser's 30 Year Old Book on Writing still Speaks to Modern Reporters

By Katie Thompson

Imagine using a 30 year old refrigerator, watching a 30 year old television set, or driving a 30 year old car. Most wouldn’t even consider using these “ancient” items in an era where new technology abounds.

Now also imagine reading a 30 year old book offering advice on non-fiction writing. Could it possibly still be relevant to modern reporters in a journalistic world so different from the one in which the book was originally written?

It seems unlikely, yet William Zinsser, author of On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction, has made it happen.

“It’s just the basic stuff, simple things that you can work on that make the biggest difference in your writing,” said Katie Zarrilli, ’12, a Communication Arts major from Gorham, ME.

On Writing Well offers advice on a wide array of topics within the writing field that is highly applicable to modern reporters. He has sought to share his knowledge of professional writing with the next generation of journalists.

Deborah Devenney, ’12, a Communication Arts major from East Haddam, CT felt that, “He (Zinsser) was very practical and had a grandfatherly tone about him, like he was passing on wisdom.” Devenney was impacted by Zinsser’s respect for the English language and his advice to choose words carefully.

“He has a love for words and using them properly that I can only hope to achieve,” she said.

Zarrilli also found elements of On Writing Well that she will carry over into her writing.

“I really liked when he (Zinsser) talked about hearing yourself in your writing,” said Zarrilli, who continued, “I want to work on my own sound and voice so that eventually people won’t have to see my name but will know the work is mine.”

Zinsser’s book not only provides grammatical and stylistic advice, but encourages writers to believe in themselves and to constantly revise their writing to bring it to its highest potential.

“On Writing Well has given me more confidence in my writing,” said Zarrilli.

While a 30 year old refrigerator, television set, or car may seem impractical and irrelevant all these years later, Zinsser has proven that his book On Writing Well has withstood the test of time.

College Students Mixed About Online Journalism

By Katie Thompson

A common trend sweeping over the world of journalism has arrived at Gordon College. More and more across the nation, print news has been evaporating into world of online journalism, and beginning this Fall Gordon College’s own newspaper, The Tartan, will be going completely online.

In the past, The Tartan, student led and operated, has offered students a place to catch up on what is going on around campus. As the paper now looks toward the future of going completely online, it will seek to keep its same basic values and principles.

As journalism has become increasingly accessible online, the nation’s youth are turning to the Internet to access the information that is important to them.

Katie Zarrilli, 19, a Communication Arts major, now receives her news almost exclusively by means of the Internet. She follows the Web Site of her home news station to find out what is going on locally, nationally, and globally.

“It is important that everyone knows what is going on; news connects people,” said Zarrilli. The Tartan going online will provide Zarrilli with another way to keep up with the news, especially that pertaining to her life at Gordon.

Not all students, however, are as willingly accepting of the trend of online journalism. Hala Coker, 19, a Deciding major, believes that The Tartan should remain a printed publication.

“No one is going to read it. In my opinion no one seemed to read it when is was in hard copy, so I’m not sure that people will make the effort to go online to read it now,” stated Coker.

Coker acknowledges that she has never been a big newspaper reader, yet she still represents a large percentage of students who will not be so readily accepting of a solely online Tartan.

Thus far there have been mixed reviews on the paper going online, just as there is currently a large national divide as to whether online journalism will prove to have a positive or negative effect on the field of journalism.

As The Tartan makes its biggest transition in over 50 years of publication, only time will tell whether students will make the transition with it or if it will simply fall to the wayside.