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Crossword 02/20/2025

Graduation speakers draw online backlash for pro-Palestinian speeches

At this year’s February Celebration Ceremony, student speaker Faith Wood ’24.5 veered off of their previewed script, denouncing Middlebury’s alleged complicity in the war in Gaza and encouraging audience members to withhold their donations from the institution. Wood’s speech followed last spring’s commencement speech by Adayliah Ley ’24, which also criticized the college’s investments in what Middlebury Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) has called war profiteering. 

Students show school spirit at Winter Carnival and celebrate ski team’s historic success

Middlebury Winter Carnival returned for its 102nd iteration this weekend, showcasing historic athletic achievements and a packed lineup of on-campus events. A triumphant showing from the Panthers led to their best carnival result in six years, totaling 877.5 points and finishing with a team result of second place. Back on campus, students participated in a range of activities, including an ice-carving competition, a film festival, bonfire, two performances of the Winter Carnival Ice Show and the traditional Winter Carnival Ball. 

Time for an academic reckoning?

“There are no solutions, only trade-offs.” The immortal words of economist Thomas Sowell apply as much to college administration as they do to public policymaking. When it comes to academics, I believe it is high time that Middlebury confronts this reality. 

Tolerance and forbearance in hosting outside speakers

In 2017, controversial speaker Charles Murray came to Middlebury a few weeks after the inauguration of President Trump. Our liberal campus was feeling quite raw. Minorities were under scrutiny by a new presidential administration. In that environment, a group brought a speaker to Middlebury to talk about a challenging topic and announced the event with very little notice. 

Winter Carnival Ice Show dazzles spectators, honors figure skater victims of tragic plane crash

After watching the Winter Carnival Ice Show this past weekend, every song feels like it deserves a spin, sparkles take on a new meaning and the possibilities of two blades on ice feel endless. In two stunning shows on Saturday and Sunday afternoon, college and local figure skaters’ impressive maneuvers and theatrics dazzled the audiences that filled Kenyon Arena. 

Women’s swimming and diving places fifth at NESCAC Championship

Last weekend, Middlebury women’s swimming and diving headed to Waterville, Maine to compete in the highly-anticipated 2025 NESCAC Championship. Hosted by Colby College, the four-day weekend kicked off on Thursday, Feb. 13 with the 800 Freestyle Relay, and wrapped up on Sunday, Feb. 16 with the 400 Freestyle Relay. 

Federal budget cuts endanger over $6 million in college’s research grants

Executive orders, looming budget cuts and other changes to major federal agencies by the Trump administration pose a serious threat to over $6 million in scientific research funding at Middlebury this spring. Hundreds of thousands in grants have already been lost, prompting faculty to worry that their ongoing projects will be impacted next.

Panthers take on Williams during Senior Day and “Skate for Sarcoma” home games

The men’s and women’s hockey teams both had poignant and celebratory weekends. From celebrating the female senior players during Friday's game, to spreading awareness about sarcoma cancer on Saturday, the games meant more than just 60 minutes spent on ice fighting for the puck.

Coming down the mountain: What should Winter Carnival mean to Middlebury?

Their neon ski goggles glint against the snow and their cowboy hats are pulled snug over their beanies. Glitter freezes to their cheeks as they grip their numb fingers around the cans tucked into their jackets. It seems like everybody who knows everybody is at the Snowbowl on the third Saturday of February. There’s a DJ playing music from the lodge, too faint to really hear, and it’s bitterly cold of course, but none of that really matters because it’s the Winter Carnival and we came here to see, be seen and feel like Midd Kids. 

SPECS Panther Column — “Loitering for the purpose of prostitution” laws and modern legislation

Loitering for the purpose of prostitution (LPP) is a violation or misdemeanor in many state governments and municipalities across the U.S.. These laws define this charge as wandering or remaining in public spaces for long periods of time with the intent of selling sex or promoting prostitution. While states take varying approaches, many mandate penalties including hundreds of dollars in fines and imprisonment for six months to a year. Furthermore, in some states, if a suspect is caught loitering within the proximity of a school or a church, the defense can become a class A misdemeanor: on the same level as domestic violence, assault or driving under the influence. 

Rania Matar’s “SHE” explores women’s resilience in new Middlebury Museum of Art photography exhibit

On Thursday Feb. 13, staff, students and faculty gathered in Mahaney Arts Center (MAC) to celebrate the opening of Rania Matar’s photography exhibition, SHE. Her work will run until April 20, and tells the stories of young women through portraits taken across Lebanon, France, Palestine, Egypt and the U.S. 

Remembering Luke Hotte, Middlebury's beloved throws coach

Lucien “Luke” J. Hotte Jr., assistant coach and cornerstone of Middlebury College’s track and field program for nearly four decades, passed away on Feb. 10, 2024, at the age of 77. 

A & C it for yourself: spring arts preview

As the snow piles up on campus and winter chills threaten the hopes of an early spring, one of the best ways to stay warm (and entertained) is to attend a local art event. This semester’s offerings range from paintings to theatre, each bringing their unique energy to the Middlebury community. These, of course, are only a handful of some of the exciting events, but the rest can be found listed in the Middlebury Art Events Calendar. Without further ado, here are some upcoming art events to brighten the cold, stressful days of spring semester.

Organizers gather in Middlebury to support nationwide “Not My Presidents Day”

On Monday, Feb. 17 demonstrators across all 50 states rallied for a National Day of Protest under the banner of what organizers from the grassroots movement 50501 called “Not My Presidents Day”. Middlebury’s local protest drew 150 people at the Court Square Upper Green and was organized by Indivisible/Middlebury, a chapter of the broader Indivisible movement that formed in response to President Trump’s first term.

Shoegazing in Vermont: Slowdive and Quannic at Higher Ground

In November of last year, Burlington music venue Higher Ground released tickets for a concert this January by one of the biggest names in the shoegaze genre — Slowdive. Never have I purchased a ticket for a concert so fast. As the band responsible for introducing me to the legendary world of shoegaze and dream pop my junior year of high school, there was no way I was going to miss this concert.

Bread Loaf Mountain Zen Community to consolidate locations in Middlebury

This March, Middlebury will welcome the Bread Loaf Mountain Zen Community (BLMZC) as they fully consolidate in a new location at 76 Court Street. BLMZC is an organization that distinguishes itself from other Vermont Zen communities based on its mission to practice community-engaged Buddhism.

Ranyely Gil Rojas ’28 wins eighth annual Spencer Prize for first year students

On the evening of Jan. 28, the eighth annual Spencer Prize speech competition came to a close with its 2025 Grand Championship. Among an audience filled with friends, peers and former speakers, Ranyely Gil Rojas ’28 was declared the Grand Champion. Her speech centered around the beauty standards that she has faced as a black woman and her journey towards embracing herself.

New housing project Stonecrop Meadows launches construction in Middlebury

On Monday, Feb. 3, Stonecrop Meadows broke ground, marking the inception of a significant construction project intended to address the housing crisis in Addison County and Vermont at large. The building will add 254 new homes to the town, providing more affordable and livable options for individuals and families who work at the college in addition to other local residents. 

“Dress Detectives”: the conservational work of an antique clothing course

Antique clothing was dusted off and brought back to life this past J-Term in the “Historic Clothing Practicum,” co-taught by visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre Summer Lee Jack and Associate Professor of Costume Design at Penn State University Charlene Gross. The class focused on accessioning the college’s existing antique clothing collection, learning about textile degradation and preservation and curating a themed exhibition in Johnson Memorial Building.