New campus swag shop, energy efficiency, and more news in brief

Currents swag shop opens

Beloit’s local retail partner, Walnut Creek Apparel and Gifts, has opened Currents, the store’s second location, in Beloit’s Powerhouse. The shop sells college-branded apparel and gear seven days a week from its spot on the main floor of the student union and recreation center. Beloiters at a distance can purchase T-shirts and swag through on the online shop.

Fourth Mackey Chair Le Guin pictured on stamps

In July, the U.S. Postal Service unveiled a new stamp in its literary series featuring a portrait of the late Ursula Le Guin. The award-winning, cross-genre writer best known for her science fiction and fantasy work was the fourth distinguished writer to hold Beloit’s Lois and Willard Mackey Chair in Creative Writing. She taught an advanced course during the 1991-92 academic year.

This spring, American novelist and short story writer Bonnie Jo Campbell will teach the workshop when she joins Beloit as the 32nd Mackey Chair. The Boston Globe heralded Campbell as “a master of rural America’s post-industrial landscape.” Her most recent short story collection is Mothers, Tell Your Daughters. Her national bestseller, Once Upon a River, was released in 2011.

Major Merger

Beloit officially merged its Religious Studies and Critical Identity Studies academic programs into one entity this fall, the Department of Critical Identity Studies. The program features a revised curriculum that reflects the nature of both areas and advances the work of equity, anti-racism, and community building.

Powerhouse Recognized

Beloit’s Powerhouse received the 2021 Energy Efficiency Excellence award from Focus on Energy, a Wisconsin initiative centered on establishing energy efficient programs across the state. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers presented the award in person at an outdoor ceremony at the Powerhouse in September.

Historic Football Season

The Buccaneer football program endured a hiatus last season, but they’ve roared back this fall with the largest squad in program history and the biggest incoming class. This season, 77 student-athletes are wearing the blue and gold.

Climbing the Rankings

Beloit moved up five spots in the U.S. News & World Report overall rankings and landed near the top of several sub lists, including best first-year experience, best value, and best undergraduate teaching. For the second year in a row, Beloit is ranked among the top 10 most innovative liberal arts schools.

Professor Jack Street

Credit: Beloit College ArchivesAs this magazine went to press, we learned of the Sept. 12 death of Professor Emeritus Jack Street, a beloved teacher of French and Italian for 54 years who had an impact on generations of Beloiters.

Look for a tribute to Professor Street online and in the pages of our winter edition.