Written by Stephanie Gordon
Virtue: High moral standards and excellence. Valor: Great courage and bravery. Stories of virtue and valor abound among the Hillsdale College community. The students, alumni, faculty, staff, and supporters of Hillsdale College embody the meaning of these two words by striving for excellence and carrying out courageous acts and deeds. In my nearly three years of managing the College’s blog, I’ve seen great growth in all areas, and with growth comes change. I am proud to announce the blog’s new name, “Virtue and Valor: The Official Blog of Hillsdale College.”
In 2013, the College launched its Student Stories Blog. The blog was home to stories written by students who highlighted happenings around campus, the College’s culture, and its academics. To this day, the blog continue to have a team of talented student writers who create unique blog posts that give insight to all things Hillsdale College. Without the student writers, the blog wouldn’t be half of what it is. So why change the name?
Thanks to data analytics, it became very apparent that the blog was reaching more than just students and those who happened to stumble upon it online. We (the Marketing Department) learned that the blog, with hundreds of thousands of readers each year, was becoming a more active tool for prospective students and families, alumni, and those just wanting to learn more about Hillsdale College. Numerous departments and staff writers around campus began using the blog to house articles for various newsletters, admissions information, and athletic highlights, to name a few. Que the name brainstorming.
It was not an easy or quick process to land on a name that embodied something so big. Having immersed myself in all things Hillsdale College these past few years, I’ve learned what Hillsdale and its people personify. While doing my best thinking at the kitchen sink, “Virtue and Valor” was conceptualized among dirty dishes and Dawn dish soap.
There are numerous individuals behind the scenes that help “Virtue and Valor” succeed, but it’s the stories shared through various lenses that set it apart. Did you know several Hillsdale students are EMTs? Are you looking for advice on tackling an interview, writing a college essay or managing a busy college schedule? Did you know there are hundreds of Hillsdale graduates living in Hillsdale County? Did you know Dr. Ian Church put Hillsdale on the map when it comes to philosophy with a $2.5 million research grant? The variety of content is something we continue to be proud of, and it wouldn’t be possible without the people of Hillsdale.
Witnessing the blog’s growth and the College’s growth showcases excellence. It shows virtue. Witnessing the transition of students into alumni who carry on Hillsdale’s legacy in their lives is valorous. With “Virtue and Valor,” we are committed to sharing stories and news about the people of Hillsdale College that highlight the unique qualities and experiences of our institution. Welcome to “Virtue and Valor: The Official Blog of Hillsdale College.” We are so glad you’re here.
Pictured left to right: Monica VanDerWeide, ’95, Lauren Smith, ’25, Erika Kyba, ’26, Grace Canlas, ’27, and Stephanie Gordon, managing editor. Not pictured from the blog team: Anna Baldwin, ’25, Brennan Barryhill, ’27, Greta Jones, ’26, Jessica Kidwell, ’24, Victoria Kelly, ’24, Kayla Mullin, ’27, and Katrin Surkan, ’25.
Stephanie Gordon, a lifelong Hillsdale native, is the managing editor of the Virtue and Valor: The Official Blog of Hillsdale College. She is married to chiropractor, Dr. Matt Gordon, and has three children – Eloise, Flora, and Jack. When she has a spare moment, she enjoys paleo baking, floating on Baw Beese Lake, and breaking a sweat at the gym.
Published in November 2023
