As retirement looms, Pete Hovland discusses how he’s handled changes in student behavior over the years

Brock Heilig

When 29-year-old Pete Hovland first stepped on the campus of Oakland University in 1979, things looked a lot different than they do today. Now, 44 years later, Hovland is set to retire after an uber-successful and illustrious career. 

As the head coach of both the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams for more than 20 years, Hovland’s conference championships came about as frequently as possible. Of a possible 64 conference championships that were played during his tenure, Hovland-coached teams won 62 titles, only missing out on two league championships.

It was undoubtedly a remarkable run, and as Hovland’s official retirement date (May 7) approaches, he discussed how things have changed over his 44-year career.

‘Okay’, what do ‘Boomers’ know about diversity?

By Bridget Janis

Baby Boomer (born in 1946 – 1964)

By now everyone knows the ‘okay, boomer’ jokes that have been floating around the past year. This generation is claimed to be the ones that know nothing about technology, and are out of touch with the current times. and are always too opinionated, usually in the worst ways. This generation was born after the end of World War II and they were the hippies in the 60s and 70s. Baby Boomers were impacted with events like the Civil Rights Movement, the Space Race, and the Beatles craze while they were young. 

In Brighton, MI, Robert J sits in his home answering questions about the baby boomers. Courtesy of Bridget Janis.

Baby Boomer, Robert J, was raised in Brighton, Michigan and currently lives In Howell, Michigan. He received his degree at Michigan Technological University works as a Quality Manager at Rivian. Robert provides an insight into how his generation may have not been the most accepting or welcoming. As he describes himself as one of the more lucky boomers that was raised with a sense of awareness when it comes to diversity, he feels our society is heading in the right direction.

The Parent Generation

By Alec Zajac

Generation X (born in 1965-1980)

As we evolve into the time we are introduced to great things, people, technology, etc., but after so many years comes a new generation. Following the baby boomers and precedes the millennials, generation X is the name given to the Americans born between the mid-1960s and the early-1980s. This generation is more tech-savvy than the baby boomers. This generation has been shaped by influential events such as the Jonestown mass suicide, the Fall of the Berlin Wall and the Westgate scandal. This generation grew up talking about the moment we still talk about today, Neil Armstrong, the first astronaut to walk the moon. They have added history to the books and today, we call them, the Gen Xers! 

Lisa F. provided by Alec Zajac.

From Generation X, Lisa F. was born on July 24, 1974, and raised in Michigan her entire life. She attended Henry Ford II High school and graduated in 1992. She then moved on to the college level receiving a degree at Oakland University in 1999. Lisa is now a social worker working at the State of Michigan Department of Human Services. If Lisa was to be featured in an article, she would want the audience to know that she is a single mother and first-generation American. Focusing on Generation X, here is Lisa speaking on her awareness of the changes for diversity in our community. 

The Millennial

By Gabe Crowder

Generation Y/Millennials (born in 1980-1996)

When you think of millennials, you usually think of anyone under the age of 40 due to mainstream media generalizing the millennial generation. The years for millennials is actually 1980-1996. Millennials grew up with technology but not in the same way as Gen Z and Gen Alpha. They had to grow up with the technology as it changed and grew. Millennials are blamed for many things such as the housing crisis or the economy receding but should be defined by their contributions to technology and continuing progress towards diversity.

Our Generation

By Lexie McGill

Generation Z (born between 1995 – 2012)

The passing of the torch – the relinquishing of responsibilities and obligations from one generation to the next. How people go about fulfilling the duties American society delegates to them changes from generation to generation; along with this, forging new values that are unique to their generation. Generation Z is currently the largest generation within the United States, and one of their biggest strides is bringing attention to the issue of diversity. When it comes to civil rights, the United States has come a long way. With the perspective of Gen Z’s progenies, America will continue to make greater efforts in social justice that hope to impact its successors and impress predecessors from generations prior.

Born and raised in the heart of Detroit, Michael Ledbetter is one of the many members of Generation Z. His identity is of an African-American male of twenty-three years who is currently working a manager role at CVS. In the interview, Michael provides a unique perspective on what diversity means to him, and how he maneuvers in a world-changing way to reflect the values of what the word means to his generation.

Does Generation Alpha understand diversity?

By Meg Speaks

Generation Alpha (born in 2012-present)

Eight-year-olds to newborns; Generation Alpha is the first generation that has been completely exposed to the internet and social media since birth.  This generation is expected to be the most tech-savvy and entrepreneurial-minded. They will most likely want to work for themselves instead of joining a big business.  As always, this generation will be better educated than the previous generation and will have more information about social and political issues at a younger age due to exposure to social media.  Major terrorist attacks such as 9/11 will seem insignificant to Generation Alpha, but they will be very aware of the idea of school shooters.

Callie Slotman, an 8-year-old holds a pet bunny at the Horse Expo at the Michigan State Campus in Lansing, Michigan on Friday, March 16th, 2020.

Callie Slotman, is an eight-year-old homeschooler from Perry, Michigan.  Callie is a twin with her brother Imri and an older sister to Titus. They have chickens they raise at their house that the kids take care of every morning before they do school work.  Her favorite subject to learn about is science because she gets to do experiments and “it’s really fun.” When she’s not doing school work she likes to draw, paint, and crochet. Her family attends a church of Christ in Swartz Creek and goes at least three times a week. Callie’s parents teach them that they should treat everyone equally and the only race is the human race.