Action can keep despair at bay
College Hall, facing the bay, 1964.

Action can keep despair at bay

Bruce Benidt (’72) Hope is irrational, illogical, fragile and beautiful; and likely the only way anything good happens.  I have learned these things anew at my college, New College, half a century after graduating.  As another class graduates now in Sarasota, two images shine strong…

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The Unbreakable Spirit of New College
Palm Court in 1995. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

The Unbreakable Spirit of New College

Submitted by Robin Jacobs ('03) These days, I find myself more and more connected to the New College community and its values. In the past year, I have shown up virtually and submitted comments to New College board meetings. I have made phone calls to…

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A peek into the experience of a student journalist at New College
Cook Hall with an "authorized personel only" sign. (Graphic made by Chloe Rusek.)

A peek into the experience of a student journalist at New College

The Catalyst is New College’s student-run newspaper, a project of the Newspaper Writing and Production/College Newspaper Editing course and tutorial sequence taught by Professor of Anthropology Maria Vesperi since 1994. Historically, staff and students have excitedly embraced the Catalyst, but this fall has proven to…

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Movies You Should Watch: Autumn Edition
Photo collage of the films featured in this edition of Movies You Should Watch. (Collage by Emma Iverson.)

Movies You Should Watch: Autumn Edition

With September slowly coming to an end and October rolling around the corner, pumpkins are popping up and autumn flavors and scents are reappearing in stores. Though Florida might not have the “full” effects of autumn, the weather begins to become less unbearable and puts…

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Beau is Afraid, but what of? A review of Ari Aster’s latest film
A collage of screen caps from the trailer for Beau is Afraid. Photo by Chloe Rusek

Beau is Afraid, but what of? A review of Ari Aster’s latest film

Ari Aster is an American film director, screenwriter and producer who is best known for writing and directing the A24 horror films Hereditary (2018) and Midsommar (2019). Recently, his third blockbuster film Beau is Afraid was released. It follows our protagonist, an anxiety ridden Beau,…

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OP-ED: What it’s like starting to thesis after the “hostile takeover”
Lex Gorman is starting her thesis next year, she will be continuing to work in the Bulk Bar (started by Jessica Merkel) and will be studying the affects of practicing pro-climate behavior. May 4th, 2023. Picture taken by Basil Pursley.

OP-ED: What it’s like starting to thesis after the “hostile takeover”

I watch friends and faculty dissipate, creating a ghost town out of the college that once seemed like the promised land to my depressed teenage self. Many in my cohort, having arrived Fall 2021, have either already abandoned ship, or plan to do so when…

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OP-ED: Trouble for DeSantis campaign
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in Santa Rosa County. Photo courtesy of the official Florida Governor Media Center.

OP-ED: Trouble for DeSantis campaign

Six months ago, when  the expected “red wave” failed to fully manifest, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis looked seriously competitive for the presidency. Winning a landslide victory in Florida while Republicans nationwide underperformed despite their perceived association with former President Donald Trump, plus the volatility of…

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Faculty members provide commentary following tenure denial
The podium that community members stood before in order to deliver public comment during the Apr. 26 Board of Trustees meeting. Photo by Sophia Brown

Faculty members provide commentary following tenure denial

The Catalyst invited members of the New College faculty to provide written statements, opinions and commentary following the Apr. 26 Board of Trustees (BOT) meeting and the denial of five of their colleagues' tenure applications. Here, they speak on the work they perform at New…

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OP-ED: A completely serious and unironic review of banned children’s books
A teacher reading a proper, patriotic book to a classroom of proper, patriotic children. Photo taken from Pexels

OP-ED: A completely serious and unironic review of banned children’s books

As a culture war wages onward across America, a wave of book bans has reached classrooms and libraries across the country. The bans have resulted in uproars as those silly leftists rage against the prohibition of their false idols. I, for one, think banning children’s…

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