Westminster Spotlight: Cross Country Star Jessie Kuykendall

 PHOTO COURTESY JESSIE KUYKENDALL.

BY ALLIE KENNEBECK 
ASSISTANT EDITOR

Jessie Kuykendall, a senior exercise science and health psychology major, made St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference cross country history with her third consecutive conference title on Oct. 27, 2018.  Kuykendall is highly decorated in awards around the SLIAC Conference, including 11 career Runner of the Week Awards.  She is known around Westminster’s campus as “the girl who can freakin’ run,” says Jonathan Ruzzo, ’20.  However, her story does not end at her running ability.  Jessie is also an integral member of the Westminster community and has goals for after college.

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Jesse McCartney: Not Leavin’ the Music Scene

Jesse McCartney performed at Westminster College on Sept. 22. PHOTO BY CAILEY EDWARDS.

BY THERASIA BRAUTGIAM, CAILEY EDWARDS, MADISON INGRAM & BRENDEN PURSELL.

Jesse McCartney, heartthrob of the 2000s, successful actor, singer and creator of the chart topping single “Beautiful Soul,” sat down with The Columns’s team for an interview before performing on campus Sept. 22.

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President Lamkin Responds to Student Concerns

PHOTO BY JULIAN RICHARDSON.

BY JULIAN RICHARDSON
GUEST CONTRIBUTOR

Dr. Fletcher Lamkin, president of Westminster College, who returned to the college’s campus in November of 2017, sat down for an interview with students to answer questions, concerns, and speculations raised around the campus. President Lamkin, whose efforts for fundraising and enrollment reached record heights during his previous time at the college (2000 – 2007), says that one thing students need not worry about is the accreditation of the college.

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Pair of Seniors Contributes to Symposium Preparation, Coordination

Isaac Coronel’s Symposium logo: a sun-like flower with an eye and galaxies in the center, neutrons circling the pedals and a DNA stem added by Dr. Chris Halsey. IMAGE COURTESY OF ISAAC CORONEL.

BY JIM MALVEN 
ASSISTANT EDITOR

The Columns interviews 2016 Hancock Symposium student representatives Isaac Coronel and Ella Leslie.

Reflections and Lessons from the Class of 2016

PHOTO COURTESY OF WESTMINSTER COLLEGE.

BY COURTNEY GALLAGHER 
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF 

This Saturday, the class of 2016 will walk through the columns one last night time as graduates of Westminster College. The Columns asked three students, Jordyn Williams, Lori Hoertel and Jamie Striler, to reflect on their time as undergraduates as they look forward to their futures and post-grad life.

Semester at Sea: Q&A with Katie Crawford

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BY COURTNEY GALLAGHER
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Business communications major Katie Crawford, ’17, is spending her spring semester at sea, taking classes on a ship in the middle of the ocean, while traveling to 13 different countries. To learn more about her experience, check out the following Q&A.

The Benefits and Challenges of Studying Abroad: Q&A with Cooper Smith

PHOTO COURTESY OF COOPER SMITH.

BY LUKE GERAU 
GUEST CONTRIBUTOR

Business communications major and Westminster soccer player Cooper Smith, ’18, has been studying abroad at the University of Winchester in England this semester. To learn about Smith’s experience in England, I talked with him via video chat. Portions of our conversation have been edited for clarity.

Students Share Their Perspectives on Christmas

BY JIM MALVEN
STAFF WRITER

The month of December not only means finals, but also the beginning of many winter holidays. Westminster students celebrate these days with a wide variety of customs and traditions. Here is a look at Christmas — the winter holiday most commonly celebrated at Westminster — from the perspectives of three students: Jon Antel, ’18, from Columbia, Missouri; Isaac Coronel, ’17, from Mesa, Arizona; and Manfredo Flores, ’18, from Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

Meet the New SGA President

BY COURTNEY GALLAGHER
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Zach Stafford, ’17, has been elected Westminster’s 2016 President of the Student Government Association. Stafford is from Belleville, Illinois, and is majoring in environmental science and history and minoring in geology. He is also the Geologian President and a member of Phi Delta Theta and the History Club. Before being elected SGA President, Stafford served on SGA as his Sophomore Class President and Junior Class Senator. The Columns caught up with Stafford to learn more about the new president and his plans for the upcoming year.

Student Spotlight: Sydney Franklin

PHOTO COURTESY OF SYDNEY FRANKLIN.

BY COURTNEY GALLAGHER

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Sydney Franklin, a sophomore from Dallas, Texas is the Campus Activities Board’s Community Relations Chair. Check out this Q&A to get to know her more!