Friday Tea: Wheaton's imbroglio
and some good news
My alma mater is in the news for a hilariously awful public relations blunder. Russ Vought, architect of Project 2025, is unfortunately a graduate of Wheaton College. The college congratulated Vought’s confirmation on social media, then pulled down the post and put up an apology/explanation, then castigated progressive alumni as “incendiary and unchristian,” and now has clammed up entirely.
Two alumni letters are now circulating, which I snarkily refer to as the “Not My Christian” and “Fascists Are Friends” letters. The difference in tone and content is telling, as are the signatories.
The letters provide a window into the family fight to determine the future of Wheaton and evangelicalism. And it truly is an in-family fight. Many Wheaton families are split between the letters—I signed one and my younger brother signed the other.
Given that Wheaton’s president quietly met with Vought a few weeks ago, I don’t have much hope that Wheaton’s administration will reject Christian Nationalism. But in 50 years when they pretend they were on the right side of history, I’ll be there with receipts to prove otherwise.
In less awful news,
has a lovely interview over at about her research on Charlotte Partridge and Miriam Frink in my archives. I’m absolutely delighted that the intertwined C&M brooch ended up as a central design element.More encouraging news: we had a primary election in Milwaukee with eight (8!) candidates to fill our open Alderperson seat. Much to my surprise and delight, the socialist candidate came in first!
My son came with me to vote yesterday and took home a sample ballot. After I explained how you could fill in the bubbles or write in a name, he wrote in my name for Superintendent of Public Education and our neighbor’s dog for Alderperson. Or perhaps it would be Alderdog?