The Student News Site of St. Edward's University

Hilltop Views
The Student News Site of St. Edward's University

Hilltop Views
The Student News Site of St. Edward's University

Hilltop Views
Max Hoelker

Max Hoelker, Copy Editor

Max is a senior English literature major with a minor in psychology. This is his third year as a copy editor for Hilltop Views, and he is ecstatic to dive into writing, editing and all things in between. In his limited free time, Max loves to spend time with friends and read.
All content by Max Hoelker
Jason Schneiderman reads from his collection. Despite the atmosphere of the event, he kept his own demeanor casual and fun, cracking jokes between poems and engaging the audience.

Poetry can be a window to the soul, or give it wings to fly, for this well-read poet

Max Hoelker, Copy Editor
April 19, 2025
The samba dancers, in brilliant blue regalia, take center stage of Ragsdale Lawn. samba is very rhythmic, and moves to a heavy drum beat. There are many variations of samba, but the dancers did not specify which style they used.

A microcosm of Latin America’s spring festival comes to the hilltop

Max Hoelker, Copy Editor
March 27, 2025
These three delectable(?) cheeses are from a variety of places and have a wide range of applicability and deliciousness(?). I won’t say they’re all good (because they’re not) but we’ve definitely got an interesting triad this week.

COLUMN: The best (and worst) so far, I’m afraid

Max Hoelker, Copy Editor
March 27, 2025
A selection of cheeses from the last few editions of these reviews. Clockwise, from top left, we’ve got: truffle goat cheese, honey clover gouda, Greek feta, H-E-B cheddar, and the lovely Wensleydale. Please, hold your applause for my obviously stunning charcuterie skills.

COLUMN: Weird and expensive cheeses (as promised)

Max Hoelker, Copy Editor
March 4, 2025
Oscar Wilde cheddar? Believe me, I was more surprised than you are. Who knows if the Irish poet would approve of such an endorsement? I would imagine not if the cheese were swiss.

COLUMN: Cheeses of Europe, except two of them are from the Americas

Max Hoelker, Copy Editor
March 3, 2025
The white cheddar and pecorino on my kitchen counter. My goal for this series of cheese reviews is to, eventually, review every piece of cheese that H-E-B offers.

COLUMN: New H-E-B brings cheeses galore, does not disappoint

Max Hoelker, Copy Editor
February 20, 2025
Sprinters, hurdlers, and jumpers get together for a team picture during the Track & Field media day. Most of the athletes pictured here had their second race of the season on Jan. 25, and their third race will be this upcoming weekend.

SEU’s Track and Field Team’s postseason-capable indoor season starts with a bang

Max Hoelker, Copy Editor
February 3, 2025
The third float of the opening ceremony for the Okunchi Festival. The festival is a famous three day cultural and religious celebration in Nagasaki. During the event, food stalls can be found in certain stretches of downtown and the parade floats are carried all throughout the city.

OPINION: Japan challenges, stuns beyond anticipated scope

Max Hoelker, Copy Editor
October 31, 2024
Seminet sits in his office, Holy Cross 304. “It takes a particular individual to want to learn not just one language as a second language, but a third language as well,” Seminet said. “… Not only does it open up doors in the world, but I think it also gives you a lot of insight into yourself and who you can be, the potential that you have.”

Exciting new major focused on foreign languages comes to languages, literatures, and cultures department

Max Hoelker, Copy Editor
August 21, 2024
The audience watches and contemplates while Stansel gives her lecture. Of the professors present, three were from the Philosophy department, one from Video Game Development, and one from Communications. Food was provided for everyone present, but students were encouraged to take multiple boxes, as the food was intended for them.

Food and Philosophy series concludes, gives advice, unique perspective on friendships

Max Hoelker, Copy Editor
April 18, 2024
Epau giving his speech on the final day of Convocation. From Uganda, Epau attended Holy Cross Lake View Secondary School in Jinja, Uganda before coming to St. Edward's. He is the first Ugandan Moreau Scholar to come to SEU.

St. Edward’s University hosts Convocation 2024, brings educators from across the world to remember, create hope

Max Hoelker, Copy Editor
March 4, 2024
A series of half marathon finishers. With the State Capitol Building in the background, the marathon has a sense of grandeur worthy of the Lone Star State. The divider to the right separates the half marathon finishers from the full.

32nd Austin Marathon takes off, hilltoppers embrace decades-long city tradition

Max Hoelker, Copy Editor
February 19, 2024
Junior guard Jayden Johnston prepares to attempt a three-pointer. Sophomore center Sean Elkinton blocks the Dustdevils' defense to leave him open to shoot. Johnston had a total of eight points and four rebounds.

GAME DAY: Men’s basketball earns hard-fought victory against Texas A&M International University

Max Hoelker, Copy Editor
February 5, 2024
Professor Risa Ginther is going over her lessons in the adjunct professor offices. She makes an effort to integrate popular culture and her students' interests with the textbook lessons to make sure students stay interested and engaged.

OPINION: Students have an interest in adding a Japanese minor, the university should listen

Max Hoelker, Copy Editor
January 30, 2024
Traditional Thanksgiving food, at its finest: steaming turkey, cranberry sauce, fresh stuffing, and mashed potatoes.

OPINION: Thanksgiving is an important American holiday that can (and should) continue despite its dark origins

Max Hoelker, Copy Editor
November 29, 2023
The McNair Scholars Program celebrates 20 years on the hilltop this fall. Current students hold signs that proudly state “I am McNair.” (Emilio Casanova / Hilltop Views)

McNair Scholars Program celebrates 20 years on the hilltop

Max Hoelker, Copy Editor
October 30, 2023
Pages 5 and 6 of volume one of “Creepy Creatures.” These artists decided to use the separate layers to draw different but complementary subjects. The spider in purple is weaving the web in green; the ghost in green seems to be coming from the knife in purple. Each artist took their own approach to having two separate but connected layers.

Graphic design club educates students on artistic processes with Halloween-themed workshop

Max Hoelker, Copy Editor
October 24, 2023
Kelleher, Houston, Hausenfluck and Edwards sit in armchairs addressing student attendees.

Craft distilling panel educates students on industry in Texas, spirit distilling process

Max Hoelker, Copy Editor
October 17, 2023
John Martens, Ph.D., gestures at his audience in the Jones Auditorium on the first floor of Ragsdale Hall. Martens is the Director of the Center for Christian Engagement at St. Mark’s and is passionate about spreading Catholic teachings through healthy and welcoming ways.

McCarthy Lecture speaker brings Pope Francis’ goals for the Catholic Church to the hilltop

Max Hoelker, Copy Editor
October 10, 2023
The beautiful books hidden in Sorin Hall, tucked away from interference from SEU administration and rare book scalpers.

OPINION: A rather fanciful solution to the lack of books on campus

Max Hoelker, Staff Writer
October 2, 2023
Sen poses with her two collections of work: "The Pathless Sky" and "A New Race of Men from Heaven" after giving a lecture as part of the university's Visiting Writers Series.

Writing, identity and travel: Award-winning author captures the hearts of SEU students

Max Hoelker, Reporter
September 25, 2023
Fleck Hall stands at the outer edge of campus closest to South Congress Avenue. It offers a multitude of classroom and meeting spaces for students, faculty and staff to take full advantage of. Once construction concludes, it will house a portion of the university's new nursing program.

Construction to begin in Fleck Hall

Lola Claire and Max Hoelker
September 25, 2023
Enthused prospects watch Schatzman’s enthralling presentation at the recent meeting.

Dungeons, Dragons and Dice: Tabletop role playing finally makes its way to the hilltop

Max Hoelker, Reporter
September 19, 2023
Freshman Hogan Heikkinen runs for St. Edward's University's cross country team on Sept. 1 at the Southwestern-Concordia Opener.

Southwestern-Concordia Opener showcases freshmen cross-country runners

Max Hoelker, Reporter
September 10, 2023
Load More Stories