STAR articles prior to January 2013 can be located in the Archive.
Separate but not Equal
by Sam Wager ’29 • December 06, 2025
Separate but equal is a term first used relating to segregation. The term was used to justify racist policies that allowed the white ruling class to create separate facilities for different people groups. Everything from classrooms to water fountains were made separate: a better one for white people and a worse one for people of color…
A Christian’s Response to the Epstein Files
by Isaiah Borchert ’28 • October 31, 2025
Although Jeffrey Epstein has been dead for over six years, questions and investigations surrounding his crimes, and those who assisted or participated in them, still haunt our politics…
Why Houghton Endorses Women in Ministry
by Rev. Dr. Kristina LaCelle-Peterson • October 24, 2025
The Wesleyan Church, Houghton’s parent body, has supported women in ministry for over 150 years. Despite cultural push-back, then and now, the church has embraced this stance because of what they see in Scripture. What do they see?…
A Lady Preacher, An Amish Couple, and A Handful of Catholics Walk into a Funeral
by Beatrice Brooks • October 10, 2025
A Lady Preacher, an Amish Couple, and a Handful of Catholics Walk into a Funeral. What seems like the start of a corny religious joke is actually the start of a true story about Betty, her late partner Tom, and the unity of those gathered to celebrate Tom’s life…
Don’t Let Today’s Political Climate Make You Go Extremist
by Julia Collins • October 08, 2025
Picture this: you wake up in the morning, look on X to do some scrolling before you start your day, and as soon as you open the app, you see the following discourse: A post detailing the words of Rep. Jasmine Crockett, stating that “the rhetoric that Charlie [Kirk] continuously put out there was rhetoric that specifically targeted people of color.” …
Why Hating Taylor Swift is Misogynistic
by Jesse Voltz • September 16, 2025
During the 2024 Golden Globes, comedian Jo Kody made a joke about Taylor Swift: “The difference between the Golden Globes and the NFL [is that] on the Golden Globes we have fewer camera shots of Taylor Swift.” The camera switched to display Swift’s soured expression, her fellow nominees and guests of the award show shared her discomfort. In fact, the only one laughing was Jo Kody himself…
Reflections of a Senior: The Importance of Connections
by Victoria Arndt ’25 • April 25, 2025
Well, here we are, folks. The end of an era. It feels like yesterday that I was watching my parents drive away as I stood in front of Gillette, and now I’m graduating. Kind of crazy, right?…
Are You TikToking Your Life Away?
by Hannah Farley ’27 • April 11, 2025
Hi! If you’re reading this, I have a challenge for you! It was the summer going into my freshman year of college that I started realizing my Instagram account wasn’t a representation of who I was, but rather who I wanted people to think I was…
Deny, Defend, Depose: How We Are All Luigi Mangione
by Elijah Baciuska ’27 • April 04, 2025
On December 4, 2024, Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was walking in New York City on his way to an investors’ meeting when he was approached from behind and fatally shot…
Interdimensional Elevators
by Rebecca Dailey ’25 • March 28, 2025
I’m late again, and this time, I’m sopping wet. My clothes cling to me as I rush down the hallway. Rain pours down outside and soaks through my jacket…
Who Cares?
by Amanda Zambrano • March 21, 2025
If you had the opportunity to attend chapel on Monday, you had the chance to hear some of the story of Houghton’s 4th president, Dr. Daniel Chamberlain, and his wife, Joyce. The Chamberlains…
Consideration for Others
by Faith Coolbeth ’25 • March 14, 2025
Houghton is known as a friendly and welcoming community and I’d like it to stay that…
Creating In Times of Crisis
by Jonan Pilet • February 21, 2025
Last December, I had the privilege of giving a talk at Houghton University titled Fiddling While Rome Burns…
Love On a Deadline
by Jo Borges Edwards ’25 • February 14, 2025
The concept of “Ring by Spring” is a cultural phenomenon prevalent in many small Christian colleges…
Anxiety
by Rhyan Lorenc ’26 • February 07, 2025
Sometimes I love harassing myself over things I’ve done in the past. This obsession I’ve had…
It’s Time to Kick Pelagius Out of the Church
by Paul Claydon ’28 • January 31, 2025
In the late 4th century into the early 5th century there lived a theologian named Pelagius. Pelagius…
Out of Season: The Death of Christmas Music?
by Jackson Collins ’27 • December 06, 2024
The day is November 28, 2024:Thanksgiving. Location: my house. I was minding my own business listening…
Critique: A Form of Love and Growth
by Sydney Arnold ’27 • November 22, 2024
Have you ever thought that your family was perfect? That they were doing everything right and…
Why Worship?
by Cora Paige ’27 • November 15, 2024
Hey to everyone reading this article! I hope you are having a great Friday, and enjoying…
It All Matters: Complicity, Choice, Repentance and Politics
by Michael Jordan ’27 • November 08, 2024
Because of print turnaround time, I’m writing this before Tuesday’s presidential election. You are reading this after…
Tips From An International Student: Culture Shock
by Sara Martinez ’28 • October 25, 2024
Hello my fellow international students and any other American students that may be reading! I am…
The Privilege of a Horse
by Lydia Scharlau ’27 • October 18, 2024
When people think of horses, they immediately go to major jumps, fancy dressage moves, or as Snoop…
On American Christianity and Its Failures
by Paul Claydon ’28 • October 11, 2024
Everything in life carries a scent. My mother’s town, home to a sugar factory, was burdened by…
In Defense of Ring by Spring
by Caleb Choate • October 04, 2024
Tonight, I cut my son’s hair for the first time. At twenty-five, I have never cut anyone’s…
God Calls Us to Testify
by Dr. Natasha Davis • September 27, 2024
Testimony. Have you ever heard someone’s testimony? Of course, throughout the Bible we read many accounts…
God and Your 20s
by Dr. Craig Whitmore • September 20, 2024
It’s my opinion that your 20’s are your most formative years. Now, I thought about writing…
Theology Matters
by Danielle Skinner • September 13, 2024
I hear them all the time: subtle, and not so subtle, arguments against theology. “Why don’t we…