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Articles by Amy Swartz
Enrollment updates, departing faculty and new majors
Photo by Madelyn Ciliento '25. Remarks on enrollment updates from President Kathleen Harring began the final faculty meeting of the semester. As of Friday, April 24, the class of 2030 has 342 deposits. Last year at this same date there were 321 deposits, with the year prior to that having 297. 901 students have declined admission and 1900 have yet to respond.
Well, at least I can write about it
Amy Swartz '26 poses with the first Weekly article she ever wrote. Photo courtesy of Amy Swartz. Through my time at The Weekly these past four years, I’ve gotten a front row seat to all of Muhlenberg’s changes. I won’t get into them all here, but if you click on my name on the website, I’m sure you’ll be able to see that I’ve chosen to write about many, many of these changes.
Seniors reflect on their experiences on the field
Muhlenberg women’s lacrosse seniors are honored on Senior Day prior to their final home game of the season. Photo by Muhlenberg Athletics. “Talented lacrosse teams aren’t rare, but a group that loves each other just as much as the game is something exceptional that I am so lucky to have found,” says Annalisa Bio ‘26 as she reflects on her past four years on the women’s lacrosse team. This past Saturday, April 25, women’s lacrosse had their Senior Day at Scotty Wood Stadium on a rainy afternoon.
Faculty boycott in response to administrative decisions halts faculty meeting
Photo by Maddie Ciliento '25 Muhlenberg College faculty meetings follow Robert’s Rules of Order– a guide on the rules and regulations of parliamentary procedure. One such rule is the required number of people present for a meeting, or the “quorum.” The quorum for Muhlenberg faculty meetings is 78 voting faculty members– one more than half of all faculty at Muhlenberg.
Student walkout demands administrative transparency
Mules for Transparency organized a walk out to protest and petition for more transparency between the administration, faculty and student body. Photo by Sierra Addy '27. “As a freshman, I would say ‘Oh you should come here, we should be classmates,’ and now I can’t recommend that anybody come here,” said Ell Torres ‘26 at the Mules for Transparency walkout. At 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb.
Wait, how many days until graduation?
The annual 100 day senior celebration was nowhere to be found this year, causing confusion and frustration for the senior class. Photo courtesy of Muhlenberg's Zenfolio - Kristi Morris. Feb. 6 marked 100 days before graduation for the class of 2026.
CFO’s departure signals need for more staffing changes
Photo courtesy of Muhlenberg College It’s no secret that Muhlenberg has been undergoing significant changes throughout the past few years. From the outsourcing of health services to Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN), to ‘Berg Outfitters, to changes to dining services, to the elimination of off-campus housing and the recent reopening of Martin Luther Hall– Muhlenberg looks very different than it did even five years ago.
An interview with KT McFarland
KT McFarland discusses her career in the political arena with The Weekly leading up her talk with the campus community. Photo by Sierra Addy '27. On Wednesday, Nov. 19, The Weekly’s Editor in Chief interviewed Kathleen Troia “KT” McFarland, former deputy national security advisor during the first Trump administration. McFarland was brought to campus by Muhlenberg College Republicans, and the event was sponsored by the Clare Boothe Luce Center for Young Conservative Women.
Muhlenberg College Republicans hosts KT McFarland
BergRepublicans invites KT McFarland to speak to the Muhlenberg campus. Photo by Sierra Addy '27. Muhlenberg has a rich history of powerful women in the political arena speaking on campus. Within the past few years alone, Jill Biden and Kamala Harris have spoken here at Muhlenberg, drawing in crowds of students, staff and reporters.
Faculty meeting approves new curriculum components for the spring semester
This past Friday, Oct. 17, Muhlenberg faculty had their second faculty meeting of the 2025-2026 academic year. The meeting detailed changes to academic curriculums and major requirements, a new masters program and time allotted for new business from faculty. At the start of the meeting, with President Kathleen Harring’s first remarks, she acknowledged the task force report, saying, “I know it’s hard work.
Task force offers significant recommendations for institutional changes
On Sept. 1, The Academic Program Prioritization Advisory Task Force delivered its 87-page report to President Kathleen Harring and College faculty members. The Weekly obtained a copy soon thereafter. The task force consisted of 10 faculty members and members of the Provost’s staff, who were authorized to spend the summer creating recommendations for changes to different academic programs.
Amy’s Book Club- the ABCs of book review
Welcome back! I hope you’ve had a restful, rejuvenating spring break doing nothing besides lurking on The Muhlenberg Weekly website, searching my name and gawking at my creative genius. I mean, between marveling at my writing or going to Florida for a week, I think there’s a prettyyy clear winner. Anyway, I’m back with another long awaited book review! This time, I’ll be reviewing “The Anthropocene Reviewed” by John Green. Now, don’t let that sentence throw you off.
Amy’s Book Club- the ABCs of book reviews
Hello, everyone! I hope you’ve all had a wonderful week, and that you’re settled in with a nice, hot cup of tea and a clear mind, ready to consume the intimate knowledge of a new book. This week, my comfy cozy digital book club is focusing on Brit Bennett’s “The Vanishing Half.” Light and slight spoilers ahead, but only enough to hopefully entice you to read the novel.
Amy’s Book Club- the ABCs of Book Reviews
Hello, world! Welcome to my digital book club. Though unfortunately we don’t have a physical space filled with homemade mugs and cozy candles, I still plan to provide an in-depth look at some of my favorite (or least favorite) most recent reads. So make a cup of tea in the Keurig you promised your parents you would finally use this year, and fluff up your old mattress topper just right. Let’s get reviewing.
SGA representatives report on institutional committees
The Weekly has reached out to various representatives of Muhlenberg’s Student Government Association (SGA) who sit on institutional committees. Institutional committees are SGA’s term for faculty committees with student representation with SGA. Below is an overview of the missions of these committees, as well as what they’ve been working on this semester.
Political Science Department hosts election post-mortem
Muhlenberg students are tired. With Vice President Harris holding a rally in the Life Sports Center on the final day of her presidential campaign, to a highly polarized election day where Muhlenberg students flooded the polls and Donald Trump being elected the 47th president of the United States– it’s been a tumultuous election season.
On the eve of Trump win, students show up to the polls
Nov. 5, 2024: Election day in the United States for arguably the most polarized election in recent US history. Americans nationwide are exercising their civic duty by voting in this historic presidential election. Muhlenberg is no different, with students active at the polls all day, forming lines with hours-long waits. Just after noon, the polling line in Seegers Union spanned across the building, wrapping from the Great Room around to Java Joe’s and into the alcove of Seegers 108-109.
Vigil for Palestine
On Oct. 1, the Muslim Student Association (MSA), Middle Eastern Student Association (MESA) and Jewish Voices for Palestinian Liberation (JVPL) collaborated on a vigil for Palestine and the lives lost in Gaza, hosted in Parent’s Plaza. In a joint Instagram post between the three organizations, they described their mission of the vigil in the caption: “As the genocide in Gaza worsens, the West Bank and Lebanon are facing constant bombardment, threats of violence, and assault.
New faces on campus: Lehigh Valley Health Network
Through an article posted on the Muhlenberg website, shortly followed by an email sent out to the student body, Muhlenberg College students were notified that their health and wellness experiences here at Muhlenberg would change drastically. This article and subsequent email detailed the partnership between Muhlenberg College and the Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN)—affecting both the Health Center and the Counseling Center. Beginning on Aug.
Fish Out of Water
On Dec. 15, 2023, my fish tried to kill himself. I can’t help but wonder—what did I miss? What were the warning signs that I was too busy to recognize? Too selfish, too self-absorbed in my own life and my own problems to even think, for a singular moment, about what could be going through Jr. Jr.’s head. Just because a glass barrier and a predisposition to breathing water separate us physically, how was I so ignorant?
SGA welcomes four new representatives
On Sunday, Sept. 8, the Student Government Association’s (SGA) special election results became official. Four students, all from the Class of 2028, won the special election, gaining SGA seats for the entirety of the academic year. The newly elected representatives are Charles Cuadra ‘28, Lauryn Glass ‘28, Amanda Growney ‘28 and Alessandra Rodriguez ‘28.
New faces on campus: ‘Berg Outfitters
With an email sent to the student body on Aug. 5, the beloved ‘Berg Bookshop was laid to rest, being replaced with ‘Berg Outfitters. As detailed in Dean of Academic Life Gretchen Gotthard’s email, University Gear Shop took over the “day-to-day running of the campus store” beginning on July 1.
A new era for Greek life
Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) at Muhlenberg College has had a massive project in the works for multiple years- and it’s finally come to fruition. On April 15, members of the Muhlenberg community involved in Greek life received an email from Associate Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life Natalie Shaw announcing an updated policy, allowing first-year students to participate in sorority and fraternity recruitment during their second semester.
Another year, another tuition increase
“It was unmanageable before, now it’s just comical.” One anonymous student gave their candid thoughts on the most recent raise in tuition. As Muhlenberg students head towards the upcoming school year, with more rules already in place regarding all students having to live on campus all four years, the absolute last thing students want to see is an email in their inbox explaining a tuition increase. Yet, on Feb.
Should faculty members be compensated for teaching MILA courses?
A few weeks ago, I wrote an article about the Muhlenberg Integrative Learning Abroad (MILA) program. After numerous discussions with faculty, I gained insight on how much time faculty spend on their MILA programs. I had never explicitly thought about MILA professors getting stipends for their courses, I just assumed they did. After conducting interviews with faculty members about the new MILA guidelines, I learned that they don’t get any stipends for teaching a MILA.
The future of the MILA program
The Office of Global Education has undergone a significant number of changes in the most recent academic year, as the department has been going through massive staffing turnover. Donna Kish-Goodling, Ph.D., who retired as director of global education in 2022, fell back into her old position last semester. As of Feb. 19, Kish-Goodling is listed as the interim dean of global education, while Marcia Morgan, Ph.D. is designated as the dean of global education as per the College’s website.
Commuters brave the storms
With Muhlenberg calling a campus-wide snow day this past Tuesday, and the potential for more snow and ice in the upcoming weeks, concerns are being raised about the safety of commuter students in events of inclement weather. The College has comprehensive guidelines in the case of weather-related emergencies. This includes their Inclement Weather Policy, and their Snow and Ice Management Policy.
New semester, new support
This past semester, there were numerous votes presented before the Student Government Association (SGA) general assembly from different student organizations requesting funds to improve their student group and bring new ideas and experiences to the wider campus community. Disciple Christian Fellowship (DCF), was given funding for 17 students to go on a retreat in Harrisburg.
Not just another a cappella article
This is a tough article for me to write. I’ve had this idea for such a long time, but the courage that’s needed to say what I’m about to say cannot be overlooked. I’ve stirred awake night after night over this, thoughts of what writing this article says about me playing on loop in my brain. But I knew that I could no longer keep quiet about this. So, I’m going to call myself out before anyone can– I am a superfan of a cappella on this campus and I am not ashamed. I do not use these words lightly.
Top ten “Glee” covers that rival the originals
After a wildly successful first edition of cover rankings, I am back with a vengeance. So you thought I wasn’t objective; you wanted me to include your random soft-rock white man songs. Well, I reject these demands and say “NO!” I refuse to be influenced by gen-Xers (dad). This is why I am transporting you to another time and place: Lima, Ohio in the 2010s. That’s right, we’re doing the best “Glee” covers that are better than the originals. Why? Because. I. Can.
Books and Busy - The Muhlenberg Weekly
The boxes seen all around campus, decorated with beautiful designs, have a large mission on the horizon. Their contents, books with soon-to-be new homes, are going to be donated to the Allentown School District. From now until Dec. 1, book drop boxes can be found in Seegers Union, Moyer and Hillel, ready to accept book donations for children in kindergarten through high school.
A tale of two competing papers
I am a writer and editor for The Muhlenberg Weekly. It isn’t a shock to anyone that I absolutely love the organization. I also love collegiate-level journalism just as a concept. Here, students are able to write according to their own agenda; what they deem to be important. This gives college students an opportunity to have a voice on their own campus, which otherwise may be forgotten.
‘Berg belongs to alumni for a weekend
This past week, all of campus was bustling for Alumni Weekend, which took place from Sept. 8 to Sept. 10. The Alumni Affairs Office put together 49 events for Muhlenberg alumni, with class years ending in 3 and 8 celebrating special milestone reunions. All facets of campus life helped support, plan and create an amazing weekend filled to the brim with fun and educational events for Muhlenberg graduates.
Alumni thought ‘Berg belonged to them
While Alumni Weekend is a time of celebration for alumni, students and staff, this most recent weekend also entailed a time of stress and violation for some students. Multiple students have come forward with reports of alumni ignoring their boundaries and barging into residence halls, greek life houses and individual dorm rooms. Eva Schwartz ‘26, Brown Hall resident, details her experiences interacting with alumni this weekend.
in conclusion...2023 - The Muhlenberg Weekly
The Muhlenberg dance department closed out the season with “Dance Emerge” which hit the stage this past weekend, Apr. 28-30, in the Studio Theatre. All ten pieces were student choreographed and student performed, making for a production that truly highlighted the passion and talents of dance students. Dance styles that were featured in the show included contemporary, jazz, tap, hip-hop, modern and improvisation.
St. John’s Church Foundation
Where History Comes Alive in Richmond A year before Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence in 1776, he attended the Second Virginia Convention at St. John’s Church in Richmond. Alongside George Washington, Richard Henry Lee, and other important figures in the American Revolution, Jefferson listened as Patrick Henry gave his passionate and now-famous “Give me liberty or give me death” speech.
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