Meet The Sundial Staff

Editors: 


Co-Editor in Chief: Grace Gardiner 

Randolph College Class of 2015

English Major emphasis in Creative Writing, Latin Minor

Photo Credit: Dara Niketić c/o 2015



Grace Gardiner is a gothic/feminist/magical-realist senior BFA English (Creative Writing) major and Latin minor; she is currently serving as the 2014-2015 Co-Editor of Randolph College's student-run newspaper The Sundial. In her copious amounts of free time, she haunts front campus' green space, pitchfork in hand, waiting for the cherry blossoms to return. 

Co-Editor in Chief: Phuong Tran

Randolph College Class of 2015

Communications Studies and Philosophy Double Major

Photo Credit: Eli Shadrach 

Clark Kent is famous for his two identities: reporter and Super Man. Phuong likes to entertain herself with the thought that as a staff writer for The Sundial, while she may yet be able to save the world (due to the kryptonite of daily living and weekly partying), she can at least write more powerfully than a steam locomotive and leap tall metaphors in a single bound.

As Phuong’s college days are coming to an end this year (yes, she has mastered the skill of writing papers the night before they are due), and as she has grown to care less about passing an exam than passing out in random places (trust me, you don't want to find yourself waking up in the kitchen holding an empty cup of ramen without a single idea of how you got there), Phuong wants to be more involved in the community by working at The Sundial and bridging the gap between students and Randolph College administration. 

Phuong has been working as a writer for The Sundial for two years. This year, she is taking on an exciting-yet-challenging mission: being the newspaper's co-editor-in-chief with her friend Grace, who happens to be a master of words and witchcraft.

Blog Editor and Cartoonist: Katya Schwab

Randolph College Class of 2017

Communication Studies and Philosophy Double Major

Photo Credit: Jansen Photography 2012

The Sundial’s resident “doodle” artist and blog editor, Katya Schwab, calls the Rocky Mountains of Denver, Colorado home.  Part of the Class of 2017, she is currently pursuing a double major in communications studies and philosophy. Katya enjoys writing any type of story for The Sundial that brings awareness to the college’s community and debunks the Randolph rumor mill.

Aside from working with The Sundial, Katya is President of the Macon Activities Council at Randolph and a Head Resident. When not buzzing around the College, she repeatedly challenges gravity.  Her passions include skydiving, rock climbing and hiking the purple mountains majesty of Colorado.














Staff Writers

Evan Smith

Randolph College Class of 2015
Philosophy Major

Photo Credit: Danielle Robinson

Evan chose Randolph because of his great-grandfather’s legacy in Lynchburg for coaching all-time tennis greats Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe.  Unfortunately Evan has a phobia of tennis racquets which is why he has instead focused more on academics and leadership.  Currently he is Student Government President which is quite historic given that he is the first black male majoring in philosophy from Richmond, Virginia who likes the Minnesota Vikings, thrift shopping, and dining hall water to ever to be SG President at Randolph.  This is his first time on the staff, and he hopes to write some groovy pieces.  Stay fly!

Photo Credit: Henry Sho Kellam

John Ruml:

Randolph College Class of 2017

Undeclared Major

John Ruml is a sophomore at Randolph College. He previously attended Maggie L. Walker Governor's School in Richmond, Virginia. Though his major is currently undeclared, he has interests in classics, film, and journalism. He believes that he can bring a unique perspective to The Sundial and is excited to be on board.








Donald Saltmarsh:

Randolph College Class of 2016

Photo Credit: Donald Saltmarsh

Economics and Political Science Double Major

Donald Saltmarsh is a Junior Economics and Political Science double major at Randolph College. He is a minor in Business and runs Cross Country and Track, serves as a Student Government senator, and is a Macon Activities Council coordinator. Amidst his participation in various teams, clubs, and groups on campus he enjoys writing food reviews of various restaurants in the Lynchburg area, as well as writing about happenings both in and outside of the red brick walls.

Photo Credit: Katherine McCallister 

Katherine McCallister:

Randolph College Class of 2017

Biology Major, Journalism Minor

Katherine McCallister is from Riverside California. She is a sophomore biology major with a journalism minor. She is also Vice President of two clubs here at Randolph: Red Cross and Circle K International. She volunteers with the Natural History Collection Project in Martin science building, and plans on volunteering at the college's organic garden this year. She is personally interested in writing more about the science department here at Randolph because she believes not many students know of the uniqueness or quality of education that is offered in Martin, let alone the vast opportunities.

Photo Credit: Anthony Ratledge

Anthony Ratledge:

Randolph College Class of 2017

Physics Major, Computer Science Minor

Anthony Ratledge grew up a military brat, attending three high schools in two countries over the course of the four years. As a Randolph Student he chose physics as a major to work with numbers and do math, but thought it was important to have those numbers mean something.

His writing style is highly indicative of a sardonic approach to the mundane. He sees The Sundial as the perfect outlet to provide the Randolph Community with stories, advice, and other commentaries adding a personal twist.

Quingchuan (Auden) Deng

Randolph College Class of 2016

History Major

Photo Credit: Tatiana Henry

He eats. He sleeps. He lives on earth. He wastes. He enjoys.

He plays video games. He plays sports.

He listens to the old records of the billboards. He performs arts. He paints canvases. He colors sheets of paper. He manipulates all colors.

He reads books, Tons of books. He prefers literature. And falls in love with Jane’s women. He reads history. He is eager to know everything.

He likes poems. He is intoxicated by Oscar Wilde. He imitates Wilde.

He is called Auden.

Photo Credit: Craig Hein

Nathan Heinicke-Peart

Randolph College Class of 2017

Undeclared Major

Nathan Heinicke-Peart is a sophomore writing for The Sundial for his second semester. In his free time Nate listens to and plays blues music. He also enjoys running, hiking, and  learning about railroad history and geography. 

Photo Credit: Krista Sadler

Alex Pinto
Randolph College Class of 2017
Curricular Studies Major

Alex Pinto is a small town girl who is proud to call the Eastern Shore of Maryland her home. She is class of 2017 at Randolph. She is interested in pursuing a Curricular Studies major and completing the Master’s Program in Special Education. She also plays soccer for the Randolph Women’s soccer team, works as a Gold Key Guide, and  serves as a Student Government representative. In her spare time, she loves going to the beach, working out, spending time with family and friends, and listening to music. Alex is very excited to be on The Sundial staff for the first time and having the opportunity to write about what she loves: sports.

Isabella Farias

Randolph College Class of 2018

Undeclared Major

Photo Credit: Alejandra Farias

Fighting evil by moonlight and never running from a real fight, she is the one named Isabella Farias. Alumni of Hogwarts and a proud Ravenclaw, Isabella has joined The Sundial staff hoping to use her wondering mind to learn more about her new home at Randolph College. By combining her love of writing, photography, and video making, Isabella plans to turn the multimedia journalism minor into her major. Isabella is most often found on quite nights attending the haunted hotspots on campus or watching her favorite Disney movies.