The Bowdoin Orient

Dear Bowdoin College, Over the past few weeks, a fruitful controversy erupted surrounding my use of the word "pagan" to describe cultural currents I saw streaming through elements of Bowdoin's GLBTQ community. Through hours of conversation with professors, discussion with fellow students, and book browsing in the library, I came to see that there is a lively debate about the meaning of the word "pagan." So I should clarify—when I wrote it, I had just read the provocative 1994 essay, "A Pagan Theory of Sexuality" by Camille Paglia, who transfigures and glorifies paganism invoking the word as shorthand for our "Greco-Roman" inheritance as compared with the more traditional inheritance from what she calls the "Judeo-Christian moral tradition." In any case, after these discussions, and after Ivies weekend, it is clear to me I was in the wrong.

Elections for Bowdoin Student Government begin today and you need to decide if, and how, you are going to vote. But, in order for you to believe that voting is a worthwhile use of your time, you need to understand why, or if, BSG matters. This is exactly what I was wondering as I walked around campus this week taking note of the hundreds of posters plastered on every wall—specifically, I asked, "What exactly is BSG for?"

Dear visiting students, Congratulations on your admission to Bowdoin College. The task of the admissions office here is not an easy one—many of the students who apply can handle the course load at the college and would be great contributors to the community, but admissions saw something special in you, and we want you to come here.

A family member tiptoes downstairs for a midnight snack. My mother, a former aerobics instructor, awakes to the creaking of the floor, disturbed that these unhealthy habits exist. She yearns to see her family healthy and works hard to keep us that way: she encourages us to stick with sports, and she sets a good example.

What is the one thing our environmentalism, romance with urban rap music, and emphasis on study abroad hold in common? I think it is a disdain for suburban life. I can count on one hand the students I've met here favorably inclined towards these post-war dwelling spaces, yet more than half the students at Bowdoin call one of them "home." What gives?

What if, after fumbling the first few lines of the inauguration oath, Justice Roberts or President Obama had blurted, "Awk-wuuuurd!" Surely, an already uncomfortable situation would be rendered far more embarrassing for the nation and it would have humiliated both of them. Given that the pronouncement of "awkward" almost always intensifies the discomfort in an interaction, why does our generation remain addicted to this term?

Think for a moment about all those soccer matches, football games, tennis lessons, footraces, and gym classes that were part of our rearing. Recall the friends you made while playing, the post-game gatherings of local families, the silent aspirations to make the high school team as you took batting practice in the basement of the school gym. Remember the rituals of half-time oranges and the superstitious shoe-tying before taking the field. Just for a minute, bring to the forefront of your mind the images—cheering for your siblings from the sidelines, hearing advice from your dad about how to perfect your throw, and reacquaint yourself with the inner adolescent arrogance telling you that going pro might be possible.

Dear first years, Why did you pick Bowdoin in the first place? If you really think about it and try to recollect your initial inclinations, you'd admit there was something seductive about the idea of a liberal arts education. The idea of such an education was vague, and it still is, but you were told by your admissions counselor or parents what it was and something about that appealed to you.

This year, our College brought forth a reaffirmation of its commitment to "the common good." The year began with a convocation address by President Mills where he said, "each of us here is a participant in a noble enterprise. We are the current guardians of the liberal arts tradition and the latest generation to take up a treasured Bowdoin obligation, and that is our unique obligation to exert our minds and our talents in service to the common good."

Nate Krah '08 described it as "quicksand," Ken Akiha '08 called it "soup," and John Hall '08 said it was "almost comical." Regardless of how they described the muddiness of the 2006 Cross-Country National Championship, Bowdoin's top seven runners grinded through ridiculous terrain to capture 17th place out of the 32 teams at the meet.

Maybe in the year 2574 we'll have robots on planet Zyborg programmed to run a certain distance in a certain amount of time compete against each other for the Intergalactic Champion-Chip. But that would hardly be as exciting as Bowdoin men's cross-country's second-place finish at the Division III New England Championship over the weekend.

After running 4.75 miles at less than 5:15 per mile, the men of NESCAC cross-country teams will be less than a quarter-mile from the finish line of the 8k (4.97 miles) race. The runners will dig deep down and whoever finds the energy to kick the hardest will be this year's NESCAC champion. Every spot matters.

The Bowdoin Men's Cross-Country Team claims state championship, eyes NESCAC championship, Top 10 at DIII Nationals The black-capped chickadee is Maine's official state bird. Maine's official state berry is the wild blueberry. The Bowdoin Cross Country Team is the official Men's Division III state champion.

Mud, muck, and hills couldn't stop men's cross-country captain Owen McKenna '07 from claiming the three things he came to the University of Maine-Farmington Invitational for?a course record, a Polar Bear victory, and pie.

It's easy to get antsy and run too quickly at the beginning of a race?especially if it's the first race of the season against archrival Colby. The Bowdoin Men's Cross-Country Team was able to resist this temptation.