04232015

THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF BENTLEY UNIVERSITY SINCE 1963

THE VANGUARD VOLUME LVIII ISSUE IX

University

BY Adam haidermota vanguard Staff writer

Bentley University’s Colleges Against Cancer chapter hosted its annual event, Relay For Life, this past Friday, April 17, through Saturday, April 18. Relay for Life is a fundraising walk that is organized by communities all over the United States in order to support those who are or have been affected by cancer. Teams of people camp out around a track and members of each team take turns walking around the track throughout the 12-hour event.

The purpose of the event is to bring people who have been affected by cancer together in support of one other. At Bentley, there were five main events that were a part of Relay For Life: the Opening Ceremony, Survivors Lap, the Caregivers Lap, the Luminaria Ceremony and the Closing Ceremony.

The Opening Ceremony began at 6:00pm. It kicked off the event by celebrating the lives of those who have battled cancer. It was focused on sharing

Alpha

progress and accomplishments as well as reminding the audience that fighting cancer is a priority that never takes a backseat. Powerful speeches were delivered and then the relays began.

The first lap was what is titled the Survivors Lap in which all cancer survivors present took

hosts

annual

a lap around the track while the audience cheered them on.

After this first lap, there was a Caregivers Lap in which any individual who had ever taken care of a cancer patient took a lap around the track to be honored for their commitment and dedication.

Next was the Luminaria Cer-

Relay

For

emony. This was a particularly emotional part of the event as it was concentrated on remembering those lost to cancer and honoring the survivors of cancer.

As the night progressed, as well as different groups doing laps, there were many activities such as a Bouncy Castle,

THE VANGUARD/Jennifer Wright

Bentley

COMING SOON

THURSDAY, APRIL 23 2015

Knockout and Raffles. A group from Wellesley College even came to perform. The event finally came to a close in the early hours of the morning with a heartwarming closing ceremony that was a fitting close to such a powerful event.

The Colleges Against Cancer club at Bentley University who hosted Relay For Life is part of a much larger organization, the American Cancer Society. Colleges Against Cancer groups across the nation implement the society’s programs on college campuses through four strategic directions. These include cancer education, advocacy, survivorship and Relay For Life. Through these directions, Colleges Against Cancer at Bentley aims to make the Bentley community more aware of the risks and treatments of cancer as well as supporting programs that its parent group, the American Cancer Society, hosts.

The Relay For Life event traces its roots back to May, SEE relay, PAGE 4

Bentley students help raise funds for the American Cancer Society through Relay For Life.

Psi

Omega

presents

Life

Boeing

Boeing

BY jennifer wright news editor

One man, three fiancées, no problem. This is how Bentley’s Alpha Psi Omega (APO)’s spring play, “Boeing Boeing,” begins, but as is the case with everything in life, things quickly go wrong. APO performed the French play Thursday April 16, Saturday April 18, and Sunday April 19, to an audience of Bentley students and community members in Koumanzelis.

The play, set in Paris in the 1960s, follows the life of one man, Bernard, who has three fiancées who all work for different airlines as hostesses.

Everything is working out perfectly for Bernard: he has their travel schedule down to a science and takes turns with each of them based on their pre-scheduled layovers. But one day, due to bad weather and new, speedier jets, all three women end up at his apartment at once. Then he, his American friend Robert, and his hilarious housekeeper

Berthe have to plot together to keep the three women from finding out about one another.

APO, led by president Alyssa Morritt (Class of 2016), has 32 members. For this play, Dan Alfieri (Class of 2018) played Bernard; Ryder Nguyen (Class of 2016) played his visiting friend from Wisconsin, Robert; Twinkle Patel (Class of 2016) played Gabriella, his Italian fiancée; Kyla Reslock (Class of 2017) played Gloria, his American fiancée; Michelle Ohlson (Class of 2017) played Gretchen, his German fiancée; and Nicole Konikow (Class of 2018) played his Housekeeper Berthe. Gabrielle Tetreault (Class of 2017) and Dominic Richards (Class of 2017) produced the show and Shelby O’Hare (Class of 2018) was Stage Manager. They were directed by Andrew Rhodes.

The students involved in APO come from a variety of prior acting experiences.

Some have been involved in theatre their whole lives, from

THE VANGUARD/Jennifer Wright

One man, three fiancées ; something is bound to go wrong

Alpha Psi Omega presents Boeing Boeing to the Bentley campus. local community improvisation groups to high school plays.

Others are completely new to theater. Still, the entire cast works together all semester long to help everyone improve and put on a great show.

As Bentley is a business uni-

versity, many students seek extra-curricular activities to delve into the arts. APO, like many other arts groups on campus, such as the Literary Society or Jazz Band, offers this opportunity. According to the program for “Boeing Boeing,” APO “is a

nationally recognized Theater Honors Society that works to ensure that every school we have a chapter at has a creative outlet through the theatrical arts.”

SEE BOEING, PAGE 4

A Thank You Note

Birch 306

Women’s Softball

A little thank you note from our Editor in Chief.

Check out a new startup company founded by a Bentley graduate!

The team is experiencing a winning streak! Check out their progress!

OPINION 5

ENTERTAINMENT 6

SPORTS 12

2

THE vanguard

April 23, 2015

Editorial

THE VANGUARD

THE CAMPUS EVENT

2015 EDITORIAL BOARD Bentley University, Waltham, MA 02452

Editor-In-Chief

Usama Salim ‘17

Managing Editor

Karan manwani ‘16

General Manager

corey werner ‘17

Copy Editor

evan mcardle ‘17

News Editor

jennifer wright ‘16

Campus Life Editor Features Editor Sports Editor

VACANT megan lieu ‘17 Ian Giancursio ‘16

Business Editor

Danica chugani ‘17

Photography Editor

kristin salazar ‘18

Directors of Production and Layout Director of Advertising Director of Online Services Marketing director in-house creative director social media manager advisor

angela ly ‘17, nghiem phuong hong ngoc ‘17

corey werner ‘17 michelle chiu ‘17 Felicia dodge ‘18 natalia mccullough ‘17 isaiah johnson ‘18 Nicole Chabot-Wieferich Director, Student Activities

Staff Writers devin balkaran ‘15. Emily ellis ‘15, jd towers ‘17, ethan hall ‘17, nick toselli ‘17, stephanie seputra ‘17 ,cam estelle ‘17, Paola Sierra ‘17 Adam haidermota ‘18, joseph greely ‘18, christopher mella ‘18, russell cloon ‘18 Columnists KAREN WANG ‘16, KEVIN LARYEA ‘15, USAMA SALIM ‘17 Production AssistantS MiCHELLE CHIU ’17, USAMA SALIM ’17 Photographers Garrett meccariello ‘17, angela su’17, amanda rose ‘17, michelle ghozali ‘17, nicole gadeloff ‘17, Final Editors ADRIA CLANTON-THUoN ‘17, Matt DWYER ‘17, kiley caravella ‘17, brendan devine ‘17

...find more campus events at events.bentley.edu

BentleyVanguard.com email GA_Vanguard@bentley.edu mail Bentley University, 175 Forest Street, Waltham, MA 02452 USA phone +1 781.891.2912

EDITORIAL

Bentley pulls political move

The Vanguard is the official student newspaper of Bentley University. It does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the University administration; Bentley University is not responsible for statements herein.

The columns found in this newspaper are written by individual authors and do not reflect the opinion of The Vanguard, its Editorial Board members or the University. Comments regarding the columns may be directed to the author and/or The Vanguard.

The Vanguard is published every Thursday of the academic year, excluding examination periods and holiday breaks. It is distributed free to all students, faculty and staff of Bentley University. Circulation is 2,000 copies.

Funding for The Vanguard is provided in part by the Student Activity Fee, but relies on advertising revenue to cover the majority of its costs.

Advertising rates are available upon request by contacting (781) 8913497. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement; only publication of an advertisement constitutes final acceptance of the offer to advertise.

The Vanguard welcomes reader feedback, letters to the editor and online comments. We reserve the right to copy edit all articles for grammar, spelling, punctuation, style, libel and length.

When I think of a commencement speaker, I think of a person who will enlighten me before I graduate.

I think of someone who will sum up my college life with words that will prepare me for the world to come. I look forward to knowing their challenges, taking in their considerations and thoughts and listen to their advice.

However, this year, I’m just a little disappointed and, frankly, a little frustrated by the choice of our commencement speaker, but not because I think the president of the U.S. Olympic Committee isn’t big and that I wouldn’t want to listen to him speak. I personally think it’s outstanding that Bentley was able to score such a high-ranking official and have him speak at one of the most cherished events on our campus. At the same time, it’s nothing beyond a mere political move.

And it’s not just me. I’m in the same boat as many

students, especially seniors, who will be the bearers of this political decision making. They were looking forward to being enlightened by those who were leaders in the business world, and not just mere scapegoats for the furtherment of Bentley’s political agenda.

Will this help Bentley in the long run? Yes. Almost definitely yes. Building linkages with Bentley this early on, almost 10 years pre-hand, means that one day we might be able to reap the benefits. I personally would proudly yell from a mountaintop that the beloved University that I graduated from was part of the Olympics. I would, if I am financially well off, donate heavily to allow for this to happen. But it’s just a move with poor timing.

The idea of students being able to choose their commencement speaker is illogical and shouldn’t happen. I have planned enough events to know that if we place power in the hands of students, or even

give them that illusion, then not everyone will leave happy.

The lack of control ensures, to some degree, that students will not retaliate. President Larson choosing the commencement speaker is the right way of doing it.

Ethically speaking, however, is using such a large event for students who will not directly reap the benefits of the act really the thing to do? Even if the reasoning is to lay the ground work for long-term benefits?

I’m personally against that part.

I might not be as annoyed as my fellow students because I’m just a sophomore, but I have had 5 to 6 others talk to me about the subject with passion. I know it might be too late to change now, but for future years, please keep our voice in mind, too. I know we would appreciate the time, hard work and effort that goes into commencement a thousand times more.

Usama Salim Editor-in-Chief

BULLETIN

THE vanguard April 23, 2015 Inspirational quote of the week:

3

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT

MIHIR SAXENA

Courtesy of Mihir Saexna.

be moving to Miami where I will start my job at Burger King in their Leadership Development Program.

MaJOR: Finance HOMETOWN: ATLANTA, GA

What are you involved in at Bentley?

I’m currently a Resident Assistant in the Falcone area, and have been a Freshman Year Seminar Peer Facilitator for the past two years.

What are you looking forward to this year?

I’m most looking forward to enjoying the festivities during the last few weeks of the semester, graduating with my friends, going to India to see my cousin get married, and starting my first job.

What are your plans for the future?

After graduation, I will

What is your favorite event on campus?

Without a doubt, Diwali is my favorite event on campus.

Most of the performers and E-Board members are friends of mine and I had the pleasure of taking an active stance in it when I was on SASA’s E-Board during my junior year.

What are your goals for this year?

My goal is to make the most out of the remainder of this school year. I want to cherish the last few weeks of school with my friends, continue exploring hidden treasures of Boston, and to try not to fall into senioritis.

How are you feeling about graduation?

The word “bittersweet” would encapsulate my feelings towards graduation. There is no doubt that I am looking forward to life without

exams and homework and with a monthly paycheck and having my own place. Having said that I will certainly miss the friendships and experiences that college has given me.

Advice to seniors/ words of wisdom I recently heard a quote that read, “The present tense of regret is indecision”. So for seniors I’d recommend to make the most of the remainder of the semester. Do your best to leave college happy and regret-free.

What can Bentley do to help you with this year?

Personally, I think Bentley has done enough for me. I cannot imagine where I would be without the people at Bentley. The staff, faculty, and community have been hugely responsible for my professional and personal growth.

What is the most valuable lesson you have learned at Bentley?

The people that make the place.

STUDENT CONDUCT SUMMARY March 26 - April 6 22 Total Number of Cases 36 Total Number of Individuals Involved 10 Individuals Dismissed from Responsibility 25 Individuals Admitting Responsibility 0 Number of individuals found responsible by Conduct Board 1 Number of educational sanctions given 0 Number of Work Sanctions 1 Number of Parental Notifications $175 Cash total of fines given 0 Number of students given a Verbal Warning 6 Number of students put on Written Warning 1 Number of individuals put on Probation 2 Number of individuals put on Disciplinary Probation 0 Number of individuals who lost 15 housing credits 0 Number of individuals who lost 30 housing credits 0 Number of individuals put on Suspension (Housing) 0 Number of individuals put on Suspension (University) 0 Number of individuals expelled Provided by the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs

HEALTH AND WELLNESS TIP OF THE WEEK: Remember, it’s a marathon—not a sprint! Make sure to take care of yourself along the road to summer break. Take a minute to de-stress and clear your head by listening to calming music, practicing deep breathing, coloring or crafting, and/or getting some fresh air.

(courtesy of funmozar.com)

Riddles of the week (answers below): Q 1: With pointed fangs I sit and wait; with piercing force I crunch out fate; grabbing victims, proclaiming might; physically joining with a single bite. What am I? Q 2: What kind of coat is always wet when you put it on?

Jokes for the week: The side of the family matters: A child asked his father, “How were people born?”

So his father said, “Adam and Eve made babies, then their babies became adults and made babies, and so on.” The child then went to his mother, asked her the same question and she told him, “We were monkeys then we evolved to become like we are now.” The child ran back to his father and said, “You lied to me!”

His father replied, “No, your mom was talking about her side of the family.”

(courtesy of laughfactory.com) The Bentley Dream: Reaching the end of a job interview, the HR Officer asks a young engineer fresh out of the MIT, “And what starting salary are you looking for?” The engineer replies, “In the region of $125,000 a year, depending on the benefits package.” The interviewer inquires, “Well, what would you say to a package of five weeks vacation, 14 paid holidays, full medical and dental, company matching retirement fund to 50% of salary, and a company car leased every two years, say, a red Corvette?” The engineer sits up straight and says, “Wow! Are you kidding?” The interviewer replies, “Yeah, but you started it.”

(courtesy of laughfactory.com) Beautiful?

A lawyer was just waking up from anesthesia after surgery, and his wife was sitting by his side. His eyes fluttered open and he said, “You’re beautiful!” and then he fell asleep again. His wife had never heard him say that so she stayed by his side.

A couple of minutes later, his eyes fluttered open and he said, “You’re cute!” Well, the wife was dissapointed because instead of “beautiful,” it was “cute.” She asked, “What happened to ‘beautiful’?” His reply was “The drugs are wearing off!”

(courtesy of laughfactory.com) Uhhh...Ok: My friend thinks he is smart. He told me an onion is the only food that makes you cry, so I threw a coconut at his face.

(courtesy of laughfactory.com)

Rhodes Hall - Ground Floor bentley.edu/health

Sounds about right: Instead of “the John,” I call my toilet “the Jim.” That way it sounds better when I say I go to the Jim first thing every morning.

(courtesy of laughfactory.com) Riddle Answer A 1: A stapler A 2: A coat of paint.

(Courtesy of rd.com)

THE vanguard

April 23, 2015

RELAY

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

1985 at a track in Tacoma, Washington. Dr. Gordon Klatt ran and walked around a track for 24 hours as his family and friends watched on in order to raise money for the American Cancer Society’s formidable fight against cancer. As he travelled those 83.6 grueling miles, he envisioned how he could get others to join and thought up of the concept of Relay For Life. He ultimately raised $27,000 in what was a formidable display of strength and determination.

The next year, he put his thoughts into motion and 19 teams took part in the first Relay For Life event where they raised $33,000. His idea has come a long way since then and Relay events across the globe have raised almost $5 billion.

Relay For Life is just one of many kinds of Relay events.

Relay For Life covers the entire community. In addition, there are many more specific relays, such as College Relay, High School Relay, Relay Field Day and Relay Recess, each of which are concentrated on different age groups in school set-

tings. The most interesting event is perhaps the Bark For Life event, in which dogs are included through additional activities at the event.

Bark For Life can be integrated into any other Relay event to enhance it. Judging by the Bentley community’s reactions every time therapy dogs are on campus, perhaps this would be an addition that we might see at Bentley’s future Relay events.

Every year Relay For Life events around the country raise more than $400 million. The American Cancer Society uses these raised funds for a variety of vital causes related to cancer.

First and foremost, they put donations into research. The research they fund looks into finding answers about improving cancer patients’ quality of life, causes of cancer and cures for cancer.

The American Cancer Society also puts the donations towards many other caused. For example, they fund American Cancer Society Hope Lodges, in which cancer patients away from home can stay while receiving treatment. They also fund the “Road To Recovery” Program, which match-

NEWS es patients with no means of transportation to and from their treatments with volunteer drivers. These drivers take out time to help cancer patients get to and from their appointments. Their “Look Good…Feel Better” program is a free service in which women battling cancer are taught how to improve their appearance and self-image during chemotherapy. Finally, their “Reach to Recovery” support program matches survivors with those who have been diagnosed so that they have someone to talk to who understands.

The funds raised by Relay For Life contribute to all of these various programs that together are truly a force in the fight against cancer. The American Cancer Society covers all needs and aspects of the fight in regards to all the various programs that they have established and through Relay For Life, they have a great fundraising event with which to help support them. This year, at Bentley University, there were a total of 69 teams with 754 participants, raising a total of $50,308.52. Donations are still being accepted online until August 31.

BOEING

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

The members of APO certainly understand the benefits of mixing the arts in with business. According to their Facebook page, “Simply because we attend a, primarily, business school does not mean we can’t express our artistic minds and be who we feel. Whether it be an actor, singer, costume designer, sound/lights operator or a person who loves working with their hands and building props and sets, APO-Chi Iota Cast is the place to be.”

APO is a nationally recognized theatre organization, founded in 1925 at Fairmont State University in West Vir-

ginia. Bentley formed its own chapter, called the Chi Iota Cast, only a few years ago.

The organization produces a show every semester, as well as hosting an Arts Festival in the Spring. Last Fall they performed HARVEY, a play about a man with an imaginary friend: a 6’.1.5” rabbit.

In the Spring they performed ENRON: The Musical, following the lives of the main players of the Enron scandal every Bentley student studies upon first arriving on campus. Next semester, in the Fall of 2015, they will be performing “First Date.” Already looking for actors, any student interested in getting involved should contact them at GA_APO@bentley.edu

THE VANGUARD/Jennifer Wright

4

The APO cast performing in Boeing Boeing.

OPINION

THE vanguard

April 23, 2015

5

A NOTE FROM THE SPORTS EDITOR

Ian

BY IAN GIANCURSIO SPORTS EDITOR

As I prepare to leave Bentley University, I take a moment to reflect on my time as a student over the last four years.

It is hard to believe that my time at Bentley has come to an end. I vividly remember move-in day when I moved in to my dorm in Miller Hall, a new freshman with a whole world of opportunity in front of me. It was hard to say goodbye to my parents, but I knew I was ready for a new experience.

I was fortunate enough to have an awesome floor with a bunch of great guys, and the friendships I made in my freshman year have lasted throughout my time here. Those friends have been my roommates since sophomore year, and it has been

Giancursio:

fun experiencing college with such a supportive group of friends.

During my time at Bentley, I truly feel like I took full advantage of many of the opportunities on campus. Right away I began writing for the Vanguard.

I had the fortune of having an RA who was the Sports Editor at the time, and I had known I wanted to write for the sports section of the school paper, so it was a perfect set up.

I also became a part of the Bentley Christian Fellowship in my freshman year, and am incredibly grateful for the friendships I have made through the group. I know that I have made lifelong connections over the past four years that I will keep wherever I go.

Being Sports Editor this year was an incredibly rewarding experience

A

Senior

Farewell

that I will always remember. Not only was I able to gain invaluable leadership skills, but I also was able to see my writers grow and improve their skills over the year. I hope that I was able to provide the right amount of guidance and support to them, and I know that the future of the Vanguard is in good hands.

On May 16th, when I walk across that stage, I know it will be a surreal moment to realize that my college experience at Bentley is over.

However, I know that my time at Bentley was well spent, and I will be eternally grateful for all the educational and extracurricular opportunities that were provided me here.

Good Luck to all my fellow graduates in all your future endeavors, and take advantage of every opportunity you are given! Ian Giancursio enjoying his time at New York, New York.

Courtesy of facebook.com

From

A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR IN CHIEF

Thank yous, denials and goodbyes from the EIC

There is only one week left. Wait what. I mean seriously what? There is honest to god not enough time before this semester for me to comprehend what is happening. I need at least another week to understand how fast this semester went by.

I’ve been through record snowfalls (and subsequently record snow days I’m guessing) to the point where I got sick of having too many days off.

Yes that was a thing at some point. I call up my friends back home in Kuwait and explain this new concept of wanting to go to school because I didn’t want snowdays. Well first I’d have to explain the concept of snow before we get to the snow days part. But still, I can promise you, they won’t get it.

This semester, along with its very eventful winter, also brought with it a whole flurry of additions to my life. I honestly still cannot fathom that I now run a school paper.

If someone would’ve told me when I was a senior in high school that I would

be running a University paper, I would end up laughing then like a maniac. And here I am now.

I have been through 11 issues (this is my 12th now).

I’m also part of an awesome team that hit homerun after homerun. Along with my co-chair on CAB, Sam Jung, April marked our 8th consecutive event that had over 50 people attend. And if we take out a single anomaly, it would be the 7th event we have had over 200 people attend. It has been an amazing experience working with him alongside my committee, who by the way, I’m so thankful for. If you guys are reading this, thank you so much for an awesome year as well as an amazing bunch of friendships. Oh and I’m sorry I’m so bad at remembering names :3.

Over this past semester as well as through the Vanguard, I have met so many cool people, including my awesome General Manager and Managing Editor. We’re even living together over the summer! I’ve also met a great friend that I honestly cannot thank enough for being there for me through a very stressful post spring break semester.

She probably has had to make me calm down a million times over. Yet she still likes me somewhat. Or at least I think so.

I now turn to my senior friends. To Olga Frech (mommy!), Amanda Dicristoforo (my favorite girl!), Julie Delongchamp (just pure awesome), Julizabeth Cedano (the beautiful one), Ian Giancursio (my main man), Ben Gutwetter (homeboy), Arjun Agrawala (my brown main man?), Sophia Sirage (the President of the world; yes you may hate Soph haha), Kelsey Miller and Catie Bello (y’all my favorite hetero couple!) and of course, how could I forget our ninja Vicki Lin! I’m sure I’m missing some other people, and I apologize about that part. Anyway, I’m still in denial about being in denial that I won’t see you next year. I feel like that shouldn’t be a reality at all.

I would still want to wish you guys a happy life after senior year, and I hope all of you invite me to the important events in your life! (or just paint a giant picture of me in your living room above the fireplace. That will count as my presence

there. Yes yes. You need nothing else to be there.

Just a giant painting of me. I’ve also been thinking of having a full size painting of me hanging in the student center, but we can talk about that later).

I also loved this year for helping me become a better me. I’ve grown in ways I thought I never would. I have learnt to stand up more for what I believe in. It taught me to stick to my ideals and continue to respect others despite their opposing thoughts.

I like to think I’ve learned how to act in public bet-

ter (my motto in life is that we don’t grow up, we just learn how to act in public.) Of course many of my friends would disagree, but as usual, I’m always right.

It’s hard fitting everything I want to say as a goodbye to my Sophomore/Junior year in college in a mere 6-700 words, but I’ve tried my best. All in all, to my friends, I love you guys.

Those who aren’t my biggest fans, I’m sorry and I hope we can be friends one day! (I’m pretty chill I promise!)

Courtesy of leadingwithtrust.com

USAMA SALIM A sophomore majoring in EconomicsFinance.

A little thank you from the Editor in Chief.

THE vanguard

April 23, 2015

ENTERTAINMENT

CAMPUS VOICES

Birch 306; Keep you pants on

Falcons share their thoughts.

What is your favorite Jason Derulo song? brandon forde ‘16 MaJOR: CIS

I’m going to Google him real quick. Watcha Say from 2010 in my glory days.

Courtesy of facebook.com

Bentley graduate, Greg Zito, is the founder of Birch 360.

BY Mikaela gilick vanguard staff writer

George illiopoulis ‘17 MaJOR: finance

In my head.

Allie downs ‘17 MaJOR: management

Whatcha Say.

Once again there is a story of a Bentley graduate starting his own business, and this time around it is for a good cause. The new belt company, Birch 306, was started by Bentley’s own Greg Zito, who recently graduated in December. When Greg first came to Bentley, he lived in Birch 306 where he met his best friends and began his journey to finding his path in life. To him, the dorm room “symbolizes the start of a transition.” This transition has led him to pursue his own business.

The idea first came to light when Greg’s friend mentioned that he wanted a stylish, reasonablypriced belt. Highlighting its mission, the company’s motto “Do Good. Wear Good.” simply shouts a great business worth looking in to. Currently specializing in men’s

belts that are entirely made in America, Birch 306 plans to expand into women’s apparel soon.

The company’s focus is to provide customers with high quality products for an affordable price. However, not only did Zito “want to provide people with something nice to wear,” he also had a desire “to help others.” Although he, like many of us, did not know what he initially wanted to do, Greg utilized his time at Bentley to find his passion. Now that he owns Birch 306, he helps others find their passion, too, by donating a portion of all revenues to student scholarships and collegiate leadership programs.

Beginning this summer, an application to the scholarship will be available on Birch 306’s website, given below. Open to any student in college, the scholarship will be awarded based on merit.

The company understands that the cost of tuition is becoming an increasing problem in many people’s lives and wants to do its part in helping as many people as possible.

Helping people was one of the two reasons Birch 306 is open today, the other being Greg’s desire to open his own business. With the support of his girlfriend, the Bentley Entrepreneurship’s Pitch Party, and Professor Montalbano, Zito realized “that it’s okay to not follow the traditional Bentley path and to pursue what makes [him] happy.” Such a sentiment is something that I hope many people come to have.

At the moment, Greg solely runs the company.

Birch 306 currently offers a selection of five belts on its website, with more options arriving this summer.

Another plus- there’s free shipping if you buy at least two belts! Some examples of the patterns on the belts include the American flag, lobsters, and fish. All belts are listed at $35.00, which is moderately less than the price of comparable belts offered by major competitors.

Be sure to check out the survey option on the website (coming soon) to voice your opinion on future belt patterns sold!

Can’t wait to have a Birch 306 belt around your waist? Go to www. birch306.com and buy a few!

jEnna Amari‘16 MaJOR: management

Talk Dirty to Me

Courtesy of birch306.com

6

BY kristin salazar photography editor

One of the many new belt patterns that are available for sale.

ENTERTAINMENT

The best rap album ever BY evan leake

Vanguard staff writer

April 23, 2015

CAMPUS VOICES

Falcons share their thoughts.

What are your plans for summer? andrew lam ‘17 MaJOR: finance

I want to have an internship or I might go to China.

Courtesy of lyrics.wikia.com

In rap music, there is an upper pantheon of the best records, immortalized by their influence to the game and hip-hop culture. Based off of an MC’s flow, their lyrical ability, storytelling arcs and beat selection, there are clearly defined classics that become seminal for all real fans of the genre to continue to enjoy for decades after their release.

With these metrics in mind, there is a clear omission for the place of Capital Punishment, rapper Big Pun’s first album, in the lists of best ever.

Born Christopher Rios, Big Pun grew up in New York and came into rap music during the golden era of the 1990’s. As a member of the Terror Squad with rappers like Fat Joe, Pun quickly rose through their ranks to become the hottest member of the Puerto Rican communities’ rap scene.

Similar to the debates over the place of white artists in rap now, Pun’s Hispanic roots were often considered a handicap in becoming famous, especially outside of the East Coast. Upon the release of Capital Punishment, his first solo record, Big Pun proved that race was no hindrance in taking up the mantle of rap greats, becoming the first Hispanic rapper to go platinum.

Big Pun’s ability on the microphone cannot be overstated. The entire track list of Big Pun is a showcase in his unparalleled skills. As vivid in descriptions as Nas,

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Big Pun’s Captial Punishment is in the lists of best ever. as present as Biggie Smalls, as lyrically dense as Big L and as diverse in topics as 2Pac, Pun’s album is the perfect snapshot of what it meant to be a 90’s rapper. Going platinum on the back of songs like “Still Not a Player”, a typical rap song in the vein of “Big Poppa”, the album does feature a wide selection of different topics beyond the trappings of money, girls and fame.

Equally introspective as mafioso, he raps about the realities of being successful in rap, but still a member of underserved and secondclass community. More than anything though, Pun’s bars are unrivaled, even to this day. Multi-syllabic rhyming schemes are difficult for anyone to write and spit, but to make them mean something separates Big Pun in the history of rap.

Unfortunately, Big Pun left the world far too soon.

Facing health issues stemming from a childhood injury and his weight, Pun had a heart attack, and had his life tragically cut short, leaving behind a family. Chris Rivers, Big Pun’s son, has since continued the bloodline in rap music.

At 21, Chris Rivers is just starting his rap career, and does not go on the strength of his father’s reputation.

Instead, he humbly reminds the world what made his father so great, with unapologetically strong bars and the supreme confidence in front of a microphone. It is honestly chilling to hear Chris Rivers, seeming to channel the spirit of his father and will no doubt become a popular rapper on the back of it.

Recommended Listenings: Capital Punishment, front to back. It is one of the greats for a reason.

Jorge zankiz ‘18 MaJOR: accounting

I might do a road trip to Brazil when I go back home.

katherine hidchenko‘17 MaJOR: undecided

I am moving to Florida.

Priya roy ‘18 MaJOR: managerial economics

Courtesy of thisis50.com

I’m bartending in India.

Chris Rivers is following his father’s footsteps to continue the bloodline in rap music.

BY angela su

Staff photographer

7

VC & PE VCs react; rush into cybersecurity Companies THE vanguard

April 23, 2015

BY Xiaofeng Xie VC & PE Principal

during the development stage.

Inevitably, companies will have to face more challenges related to cybersecurity in the future.

Although many companies have strived to improve their cybersecurity system, the majority of these companies are still vulnerable to cyberattacks. In recent years, venture capital firms have invested millions of dollars into multiple startups such as Harvest.ai, Good Technology and Synack. These startups are well aware that the traditional way of data loss prevention is ineffective when it deals with the new hacking techniques. Thus, these companies primarily focus on developing artificial intelligence combining with advanced encryption technology to strengthen data security system. W ith the increasing awareness of data security, the cybersecurity industry will grow at an unprecedented rate and more companies will be willing to invest more capital to maintain their business by enhancing data security system.

Courtesy of userfunction.com

Recently, cybersecurity has become one of the biggest concer ns for companies and gover nment agencies. Companies like Target and Home Depot experienced serious cyberattacks and they had to pay millions of dollars for the settlements to compensate their customers in the past three years.

As more companies start to store customers’ information electronically, data security becomes a critical aspect for the operation of a company nowadays.

In the article, Venture capitalists see big opportunities in a changing cybersecurity space, Mark Sullivan points out that some venture capitalists believe that there are big opportunities in cybersecurity since an increasing number of companies are threatened by cyber-attacks.

At this point, security industry and its enterprise customers are still developing security system and risk management system to prevent data

breach. However, this approach is not considered as the best measure to protect companies against the ever-changing cyber-attacks. As a result, venture capitalist like Mark Siegel argues that “the new breed of security and intelligent response is going to be machine lear ning”, he thinks that humans alone are not possible to deal with the constant threat of management. Hence, it is necessary to integrate machine lear ning into cybersecurity management because machines are much powerful than human in terms of detecting attacks, fixing problems and sorting out false positives.

Moreover, other venture capitalists suggest that companies need to integrate security system into their business software instead of developing business software and security system separately. In this way, the data in the database or software will gain stronger protection since the integrated security system can detect potential unsecured codes or bugs in the business software

Data security increasingly becomes a critical part for the business operation.

going

public

Courtesy of theepochtimes.com

8

Etsy went public last week.

BY Eric Emerson VC & PE Principal

The first quarter of 2015 has been shown to be the slowest period for companies to go public in the past two years.

There have only been 38 companies that have gone public since the start of 2015, which is nearly 60 percent lower than last years first quarter. Those that have gone public have raised $6.2 billion, which is near 68 percent lower than that of the previous year as well. There are opinions that there has been a lot more private money available to startup companies that are allowing them to grow independently for longer periods of time before going public and giving up a portion of their company.

Additionally, last year there was a strong push from private equity firms to bring their companies public in order to begin seeing the retur ns they wished to see, while this year there has been less exter nal force to go public on young startups. This has also been during a time where the S&P 500 has been rising at a higher rate than previously at 2.3 percent in the past year.

Although there is curiosity as to what the rest of 2015 may bring, analysts on Wall Street believe that there are three companies getting

ready to go public that will have a large impact on the market, while bringing more money and investor interest to startups.

These companies include “Etsy, the online bazaar for handmade jewelry and artisanal knit caps, and Virtu Financial, one of the dominant firms in the world of high-speed computerized trading, and the retailer Party City is also set to make its debut.” Although these companies are extremely different, investors have been focusing in on them and the IPO of these three companies are expected to be some of the largest this year, valued at $1.8 billion, $2.6 billion and $2 billion, respectfully.

Etsy has been viewed as a new comer to the industry and is investors are interested in its unique culture and growth over the past year, even stating that they intend to save a portion of the IPO for sellers on its platform. Virtu Financial is attempting to go public for a second time in two years after initially postponing its first IPO due to a publication that sparked controversy over high frequency trading.

Party City, interestingly enough, has been a private company for nearly 70 years only deciding to go public after control was bought by Thomas H. Lee Partners three years ago.

OPINION MINDFUL MUSINGS WITH KAREN WANG

There is scrambled shouting, explosive laughter, elders sitting calmly at the head of the table and an excess of food. Between heated conversations concerning career paths and the whereabouts of long lost relatives, it’s clear I am at a family gathering located at an overly embellished banquet hall. Aunts and uncles whose names I cannot recall are reminding me of how little I used to be and how I may not remember the precious bonding moments we shared. I turn a blind eye to embarrassing jokes by my father and laugh hysterically at my cousins’ attempts at keeping up with the Joneses. As a twenty year old quickly approaching her senior year in college, I now crave times like these where dozens of relatives are able to spend one rowdy evening together around the dinner table.

The majority of my adolescent life consisted of early Saturday mornings at Chinese school and the constant nagging of my mother to speak my native tongue, Mandarin. While my parents tried their best to integrate their heritage into American traditions, the scales tipped rapidly to and fro. My reluctance stemmed from the inconvenience of speaking two languages and the unforgiving realities behind Asian stereotypes. Fortunately for this hyperemotional budding youth, growing up in the Bay Area bubble meant Asian supermarkets and popular Boba joints were plentiful and no one thought twice about the color of your skin. I was raised in a house where everything new had to be tried at least once (including all sorts of questionable foods). My best friends at school were Indian, Pakistani, Chinese, Vietnamese, Mexican; the list goes on. Race was never an issue in a world where minorities were abundant.

Almost immediately after heading East for college, I noticed a dramatic shift in perspective.

Dumbfounding questions were thrown my way from strangers in alignment with their generalized ideals of the Asian culture.

Being inept at most types of mathematics, snide comments about how I wasn’t really Asian if I was bad at math left permanently stunned creases along my forehead. Was being a Chinese female raised in America really that outrageous? I gave them the benefit of the doubt. Despite the blaring differences between my physical appearances and that of others, many people would tell me— but you’re not like most Asians. And they were right. But I’m also not like most people. I enjoy red and purple hues in my hair, yoga and long hikes for fun, and ear-splitting electronic music. I quickly began to question my motives. Had I deliberately created a barrier between my heritage and myself?

During my time abroad I experienced racial prejudices far beyond the run-of-the-mill jokes. Being harassed by locals in several European countries clouded my initial excitement of true cultural immersion. In order to combat the slanderous chants and surly glares in what would be my home for the next few months, I quickly picked up the Italian language and used it habitually. When my family came to visit at the end of the semester, it was as if the locals had upped the ante. I could always feel their eyes prying us apart from the hundreds of people walking by. There were close encounters but we managed to return home safely, tongues raw from biting back our words.

There was no reason for me to be ashamed of my genetic makeup, yet it stung that these people saw me for nothing more than a color.

Being Asian by heritage means I am the one responsible for bringing about change. People will put you down based on their petty misinformed bias, but there is never an excuse for ignorance.

I am Chinese by birth, American by choice, and if you only see me for how narrow my eyes are, I only see you for how narrow your mind is.

April 23, 2015

9

FROM THE EIC’S DESK

Si, Io Sono Chinese Difficulty KAREN WANG A junior majoring in Marketing.

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USAMA SALIM A sophomore majoring in EconomicsFinance.

“I’m taking a year off to find myself.”

That was a phrase that always annoyed me, partially because I never understood what it meant.

What is finding yourself?

I think even blind people know where they are, or have these people who are finding themselves suddenly become demented and assumed the identity of Waldo without knowing?

It wasn’t until much long ago when I had to make my university choices that I understood what this phrase meant. It was more like “what was I born to do, and who am I” kind of question. And I’ve given myself quite a few good hard looks in the mirror, but I don’t know who I am. There’s nothing but a bare reflection looking back at me. And even though I know I’m whole, it was the very first time I felt empty. I didn’t really know myself. Who was I exactly? I needed to find myself.

We go about our lives, doing what other people have dictated for us, and live by their set of rules.

We’ve molded ourselves into becoming what others have wanted, perhaps for themselves, and I remembered the phrase from one of my favorite songs “Curtains are drawn but we’re still dressed.”

There are a million ways to analyse this, but here’s one of my theories. We have been put on show for so long, that we’ve

in

finding

become used to it. It doesn’t really matter who we really are, what our niche in life exactly is, because even when no ones watching, we’re still playing the characters we’ve been built into. We don’t try different roles to see which one suits us, because we’ve never gotten out of our original cast.

What happens if one day we get fed up of who we are? What if one day we want to find who we are, and just understand ourselves, but its too late? What if we’re so iron clad into this fixture that we never get out of it till it fully sets and drills us into itself? And I’ve heard people say “I know what I want to be. I want to be a doctor,” or “I want to be an engineer.” Honestly, I envy the people who say “I want to do arts,” or “I want to play music”.

We stare down at these people like they’re inferior, when really, most of us are the lost souls who have no idea what we want to be.

For me, I heard the sounds of people saying “doctor, doctor doctor.”

Sometimes at night I might’ve even heard whispers of people telling me that. And so I went for it. I went for what the world intended me to do, because it seemed like the logical step to take.

Money, job security and a good name; it seemed like the perfect package.

Except I was the unhappily wrapped gift inside it.

I feel it inside me. I feel that I’m made for a reason, but I wish I knew what it was. And when I say made for a reason, I don’t mean I feel like I’m chosen, or I’m

yourself meant to be famous, but really made for something, a purpose.

Kingdoms have fallen because the menial slaves couldn’t get their jobs done properly.

But I still don’t know my true happiness. I still don’t know my true calling if you like to call it that.

And throughout this passage I’ve said we, us, you and me, and so far its just been a figure of speech really. But are there others out there who’re looking at a reflection they don’t understand, or is it just me? Because I bet there are many people who get something.Maybe not a full picture, but even a hazy one is fine. Maybe pixelated, maybe shaky, but I just feel like I wish I knew who I was. I go into exams and I come out of them wanting to rip my own head off, because I don’t get what’s going on. I don’t understand the reality of the matter. I don’t know who I am. Maybe if I did, I’d do something I love rather than something that is conventional. I really want to know who I am, I really want to understand the reason for my existence, but I feel it would take time, and I’ve always been taught time is money. Granted that I most probably will do nothing useful in this time, but thats the illusion I live in, becuase lets face it, giving up on a dream ( in this case finding yourself) because of the time it will take to accomplish is foolish because time till pass by anyway, but for now, I will find the comfort in knowing that I’m not alone, that I have someone beside me in this ugly world of unknown.

10

THE vanguard

April 23, 2015

SPORTS

Baseball takes two out of three from St.Michael In Game One of a threegame series against the Purple Knights of St. Michael’s College, Bentley’s power was too much to handle for the opposing side. In the seventh inning, the Falcons broke a 2-2 tie with a crushing three-run homer from senior right fielder, Tom Nagy. This was Nagy’s seventh of the season, putting him in sole possession of the secondmost homers in the Northeast-10 Conference.

The moon shot gave the Falcons a commanding 3-2 lead, all the run support that senior starter Connor Root would need.

Root went the distance for the first complete game for the Falcons this season, striking out a season-high eight batters en route to his second win of the season.

This was an important victory in the first game of a crucial conference series for the Falcons.

In the first game of the doubleheader on Saturday, Bentley lost a heartbreaker in the 12th inning. Heading into the bottom of the ninth

the Falcons were trailing 2-0. However, they forced extras after freshman Nick Neshe swiped home as a result of an errant throw by the St. Michael’s pitcher.

This was a great comeback by the Falcons, but unfortunately came up just shy. In the 12th inning, the Purple Knights regained the lead and shut the door on game one of the Saturday doubleheader to tie the series at one game a piece.

The second game was identical to the first; however, this time Bentley was fortunate enough to come out on top. Senior Ryan O’Connor’s offensive efforts played a huge role in the victory. He tripled to right in the second inning and was then driven in by an RBI single from junior Bryan Rocha. Then, in the bottom of the 12th inning, O’Connor got things going with a lead off hit-by-pitch.

Rocha and freshman Nick Neshe followed up by reaching safely to load the bases for the Falcons.

Sophomore Carl Farnham then delivered his first collegiate RBI at no better of a time. Farnham crushed a deep fly to plate

O’Connor and give the Falcons a much-needed 3-2 extra-innings victory, stunning the Purple Knights and sending Bentley home with a walk-off win.

This improved the Falcons to 7-16 overall, 5-6 in Northeast-10 Conference play and was a motivating victory for them coming down the stretch. played two of the top three teams in the NE10 and despite their best efforts, fell short in both contests.

Bentley currently sits in fourth place in the NE10 and with only one game left, they wont be able to catch the third place team Merrimack. However, they are only one game ahead of Southern New Hampshire in the standings so it is possible for them to slide back.

This Saturday, Bentley will play Pace on the road in the regular season finale. Given the standings are the way they are, it will prove to be an important one for the Falcons. They don’t want to slide down the standings to a team that on paper is worse than them.

It has been a season of

ups and downs for this Falcons team. They have been streaky throughout the year with good and bad play but they find themselves in good position here in late April.

With one game to play it is important to have a good showing and to carry some momentum into the playoffs and stop their current two game losing streak.

Courtesy of Sports Information Office

BY thomas day

Vanguard Staff Writer

Senior Ryan O’Connor played a huge role in the victory.

Tennis opens NE-10 Champships with win BY ian giancursio

Courtesy of Sports Information Office

Sports editor

Evan Chomka performed extremely well during the match.

The Bentley men’s tennis team opened up the NE10 Championships Tuesday with a closely fought victory over Assumption in the quarterfinals, overcoming a 2-1 deficit in doubles play to win four out of six singles matches and advance to the semifinals on Thursday.

After finishing the season at 7-3 with a dominating five-game winning streak, the Falcons entered the playoffs as the number 4 seeded team and looked to begin their journey to the finals by overcoming Assumption.

Earlier in the year, Bentley defeated the Greyhounds by a match score of 7-2, overwhelming Assumption in both the singles and doubles matches to send the opposition home. With a rematch on the table, the Falcons knew that it would be of utmost importance to win in order to catapult themselves towards their ultimate goal of winning their first NE-10 title since 2011.

In an exciting quarterfinals match that truly lived up to expectations, the Falcons overcame a 2-1 deficit to storm back in singles match play and defeat Assumption by a score of 5-4. Bentley rallied for four wins out of the six singles matches to stun the Greyhounds and advance to the semifinals.

Prior to the comeback, the Falcons had difficulty in doubles play as they fell behind 2-1 after losses in both the No. 1 and No. 3 ranked matches. The Falcons did manage a win in the No. 2 match, however, with freshman Brendan McCarthy and George Samander teaming up to win 8-1.

Once singles play began, the match was an entirely different story. Samander recorded a win in the No. 3 singles match by a score of 6-1, 6-3, and Chase Rosa dominated the No. 4 match by a score of 6-1, 6-3. In the No. 6 match, Evan Chomka continued the steamrolling effect by completely overwhelming the opposition and winning 6-0, 6-0.

Assumption rebounded to tie the match at 4-4 behind two desperation efforts to stave off elimination. Daniel Camacho and Chris Waung won the No. 5 and No. 1 matches, respectively, setting up a showdown in the No. 2 match between Bentley’s McCarthy and Assumption’s Marco Leung.

A riveting, back-andforth match-up saw the two athletes split the first two sets. In the third set, the two battled to a 5-5 tie, putting the onus on McCarthy to summon inner strength to overcome Leung.

McCarthy answered by jumping ahead 6-5 and holding serve, a huge boost shifting all momentum to McCarthy.

In the final set, McCarthy overwhelmed Leung with punishing shots to win 7-5 and send the Falcons to the semifinals.

Bentley will face Merrimack in Thursday’s semifinals, a monumentally important match-up featuring the regular season NE-10 champion Merrimack, who finished with a 10-0 record.

SPORTS

THE vanguard

Men’s Lacrosse sits in fourth place

11

TEAM SPORTS STANDINGS MEN’S LACROSSE

BY austin miller

Vanguard Staff Writer

NE-10 STANDINGS School NE-10 Overall Saint Anselm 1 8 0 1 10 0 American Int’l 0 10 0 2 11 0 Merrimack 9 1 0 11 1 0 Assumption 5 4 0 8 6 0 Le Moyne 10 0 0 12 1 0 Southern NH. 1 9 0 2 12 0 Adelphi 8 2 0 10 2 0 Bentley 5 5 0 6 6 0 Franklin Pierce 8 2 0 11 2 0 Pace 5 5 0 7 6 0 St. Michael’s 4 6 0 6 7 0 St. Rose 3 7 0 4 9 0

WOMEN’S LACROSSE NE-10 STANDINGS Courtesy of Sports Information Office

Heading into the home stretch of the season, the men’s lacrosse team has looked good and been able to pick up some big wins. The team won three in a row heading into last weeks games against Merrimack and Le Moyne. All three wins cam at home and against some tough conference competition so adding on two more conference wins would go a long way in Bentley’s playoff push as they head into the final weeks of the season.

Finishing off the season with three road games in a row isn’t an easy task and starting it off with a win against Merrimack could have proved crucial to the team’s success going forward.

Merrimack sits at 9-2 and right above Bentley in the standings. It was a tough contest for the Falcons as they fell 13-5 against Merrimack on the road.

Merrimack was able to get out to a good start scoring 4 in the first quarter, but Bentley hung in and kept it close for the majority of the night.

Matt Sanford and Cutler Dimond were able to bury their own goals in the first in order to keep the score within 2.

At the end of the first half Bentley continued to hang in. They kept the score at 7-4 with a chance to pick up a big win if they could close it out in the second half. The third quarter was consistent with the previous two as Bentley continued to trail but held it within 4 goals. Bobby Hinds added an unassisted goal halfway through the quarter to keep the team alive heading into the final period.

The fourth quarter proved to be too much for the Falcons to handle. They were

April 23, 2015

Senior Cutler Dimond had two goals for the Bentley team. shutout in the period while Merrimack tallied four more goals of their own. Given the way the Falcons hung in throughout the contest it was a tough loss to take.

The final score didn’t indicate the way the game went, but during this time of the year all that matters is winning games to climb up the standings and be in the best position possible heading into the postseason.

Bentley had a chance to bounce back against the second place Le Moyne team but it would be a tough task as they had only lost one game all year and is undefeated against NE10 competition.

Unlike the Merrimack game, Le Moyne jumped out to a quick start and didn’t let up on the Falcons all night. At the end of the first half Le Moyne had a commanding lead 13-3 and the game was all but lost for the Falcons at that point.

In the second half Bentley was able to tally a few more goals to put up 8 but after the first it wasn’t enough to get the job done. Le Moyne ran away with this one and beat the Falcons in commanding fashion 18-8. Last week lived up to its difficult

expectations for the Falcons going in. They played two of the top three teams in the NE10 and despite their best efforts, fell short in both contests.

Bentley currently sits in fourth place in the NE10 and with only one game left, they wont be able to catch the third place team Merrimack. However, they are only one game ahead of Southern New Hampshire in the standings so it is possible for them to slide back.

This Saturday, Bentley will play Pace on the road in the regular season finale.

Given the standings are the way they are, it will prove to be an important one for the Falcons. They don’t want to slide down the standings to a team that on paper is worse than them.

It has been a season of ups and downs for this Falcons team. They have been streaky throughout the year with good and bad play but they find themselves in good position here in late April.

With one game to play it is important to have a good showing and to carry some momentum into the playoffs and stop their current two game losing streak.

School NE-10 Overall Merrimack 1 10 0 3 12 0 Stonehill 10 2 0 13 2 0 Adelphi 11 0 0 14 0 0 Le Moyne 11 0 0 14 1 0 Saint Anselm 6 5 0 7 6 0 American Int’l 2 10 0 5 11 0 St. Michael’s 4 7 0 4 8 0 Assumption 5 6 0 9 6 0 Southern N.H. 4 7 0 6 7 0 Southern Conn.

1 10 0 3 12 0 Franklin Pierce 5 6 0 7 6 0 Pace 2 9 0 4 10 0 New Haven 9 2 0 12 2 0 Bentley 7 4 0 8 5 0

BASEBALL NE-10 STANDINGS - NORTHEAST DIVISION School NE-10 Overall Saint Anselm 4 11 0 10 21 0 Franklin Pierce 12 1 0 34 2 0 St. Michael’s 3 12 0 9 22 0 Southern N.H. 11 2 0 25 7 0 Bentley 5 6 0 7 16 0 Merrimack 5 9 0 13 14 0 Stonehill 10 4 0 23 9 1 Assumption 4 9 0 8 22 0

NE-10 STANDINGS - SOUTHWEST DIVISION School NE-10 Overall Southern Conn.

6 7 0 15 16 0 New Haven 5 5 0 9 11 0 Le Moyne 5 6 0 12 17 0 St. Rose 4 6 0 7 17 0 American Int’l 4 7 0 9 19 0 Pace 9 4 0 16 14 0 Adelphi 6 4 0 13 14 0

SOFTBALL NE-10 STANDINGS - NORTHEAST DIVISION School NE-10 Overall Bentley 7 8 0 10 14 0 Stonehill 9 6 0 16 12 0 Assumption 9 9 0 18 15 0 Franklin Pierce 5 11 0 5 17 0 Saint Anselm 11 5 0 20 7 0 Merrimack 8 8 0 16 22 0 Southern N.H. 13 3 0 24 6 0 St. Michael’s 2 14 0 2 24 0

NE-10 STANDINGS - SOUTHWEST DIVISION School NE-10 Overall Adelphi 11 4 0 21 17 0 New Haven 7 8 0 13 15 1 American Int’l 4 11 0 7 22 0 Le Moyne 9 6 0 18 11 0 Southern Conn.

7 8 0 14 16 0 St. Rose 5 10 0 13 19 0 Pace 11 7 0 19 13 0 Mass. - Lowell 0 0 0 0 0 0

WOMEN’S TENNIS NE-10 STANDINGS School NE-10 Overall Stonehill 10 2 0 13 7 0 Southern N.H. 11 1 0 12 6 0 New Haven 3 9 0 3 13 0 Assumption 7 5 0 9 10 0 Adelphi 12 0 0 15 4 0 Bentley 6 6 0 7 15 0 Merrimack 8 4 0 15 9 0 Saint Rose 2 10 0 3 12 0 St. Michaek’s 8 4 0 8 5 0 Saint Anselm 4 8 0 4 9 0 Franklin Pierce 1 11 0 1 12 0 American Int’l 0 12 0 0 12 0 Le Moyne 6 6 0 8 11 0

MEN’S TENNIS Courtesy of Sports Information Office

NE-10 STANDINGS

Junior Matt Brigham had two goals for the Bentley team in the game against Le Moyne.

School NE-10 Overall Stonehill 8 2 0 15 5 0 Bentley 7 3 0 13 7 0 Adelphi 9 1 0 9 3 0 Merrimack 10 0 0 11 6 0 Le Moyne 5 5 0 7 11 0 Southern N.H. 4 6 0 4 12 0 Assumption 6 4 0 9 10 0 St. Michael’s 2 8 0 2 9 0 Franklin Pierce 2 8 0 2 10 0 American Int’l 0 10 0 0 11 0 Saint Anselm 2 8 0 2 9 0

12

THE vanguard

April 23, 2015

SPORTS

Bentley Softball rides five-game winning streak Vanguard Staff Writer

After their own five-game losing streak, the Bentley softball team has bounced back in a big way with wins on the road against Franklin Pierce and St. Michael’s.

“The team’s mentality has been game-by-game during the win streak and everyone does their job,” sophomore pitcher Kelsey Smith said.

The Falcons (10-14, 7-8 in Northeast-10) have scored 34 runs over the last five games.

Bentley started off by winning a three-game series against Franklin Pierce, dropping the first game 10-3, before topping the Ravens 8-5 and 3-1 the next day. The team then went to their final stop of a nine-game road trip, where they swept St. Michael’s 6-4, 8-0 and 9-2. Leading the team in the circle was Smith and junior Kelly Ferris.

Bentley’s only senior left fielder Shannon Connor lead the team in its third victory against St. Michael’s, notching four hits in as many at-bats, and lead the team with three RBI’s. Smith, who had two RBI’s of her own from a home run to complete a good allaround performance in the circle and at the plate, joined Connor as a top performer on the day. Smith’s home run was the fourth in Bentley’s 2015 season.

“I was pleased that my individual performance was good enough to contribute to my team’s wins against St. Michael’s,” Smith said.

On the second-game on Sunday against St. Michael’s, sophomore center fielder Kelsey Kennedy had a great performance in Bentley’s 8-0 rout against the Purple

Knights in six-innings.

Kennedy went 2-2 at the plate on the day, and drove in two runs. In Bentley’s five-game winning streak, Kennedy batted in sevenruns, including an impressive four RBI’s in Bentley’s first win of the streak against Franklin Pierce. The team rallied from a 5-2 deficit going into the seventh inning, where they scored six runs in the top of the inning to take the second game of the series 8-5. The Falcons combined for 18 hits on the day, as they took the third game against the Ravens 3-1.

Kennedy was pleased to help her team in the recent five-game stretch.

“I am proud of my individual contributions to the team,” Kennedy said. “It’s a great feeling having your hard work pay off. Although, I am a big believer in there is always room to improve.”

Kennedy contributed her performance as just part of a bigger team emphasis.

“The coaches have put a strong emphasis on the phrase ‘do your job’,” Kennedy said, “meaning being able to execute when it’s your turn. I admire our coaches passion and dedication, always believing in us not just as players, but as people.”

Smith mentioned the same message as Kennedy.

“The team’s mentality has been game by game during the win streak and everyone does their job.”

The “do your job” approach was key part of the Falcons’ wins, as the team put together performances both offensively and defensively.

“In regards to both sides, our team was very successful in key situations,” Kennedy

said. “We hit the ball great and played well defensively.”

The Falcons committed no more than one error a game within the five-game stretch, and the pitching staff combined for nine strikeouts.

The Falcons next take head to Stonehill today, to play two make-ups against the Skyhawks that were originally scheduled for April 1. The Skyhawks and the Falcons have met only once this year on April 13, where Ferris threw a four-hit shutout to push the Falcons over Stonehill 1-0.

Smith said that the team’s focus would be the same.

“Our mentality is gameby-game, everyone goes in confident that they will get their job done,” Smith said.

Kennedy highlighted that the game-by-game approach has been a key to the Falcons’ recent string of victories.

“Our game by game-bygame mindset has contributed to our recent success,” Kennedy said. “Being able to continuously work hard and stay focused each day has lead to our success.”

As the regular-season winds down, the team’s focus turns on making the play-offs.

With six-games to go, Bentley sits in sixth place in the Northeast division of the NE10. The top four finishers from each division move on to the Northeast-10 championships.

The Falcons currently sit only .5 games back from fifthplace Merrimack and will have one final opportunity to beat the Warriors on April 26, a make-up game from April 21.

Merrimack swept the Falcons last week, beating the Falcons 11-6 and 5-2 in two games.

Kennedy is confident of the team’s ability to make their goals reality.

“Our team goal since the fall

FALCON FALCON OF THE WEEK FACT:

132

KELSEY SMITH SOFTBALL

Bentley Softball - Most Career Hits (as of Apr. 21) 1. Alex Hitchcock 20062009, 169 hits 2. Lauren Frasier 20012002 147 hits 3. Liz Matthews 19992002, 138 hits 3. Dina Ferriero 20062009 , 138 hits 5. Deb Partridge 19911994 136 hits 6. Lisa Tisbert 20022005 135 7.

Shannon Connor 2012-2015 132 hits

k. sMITH YeAR 2017 HOMETOWN JAFFREY, NH POSITION P

has been to make playoffs,” Kennedy said. “We are still in the hunt and I don’t see that focus changing.”

Smith noted that the team would just have to execute in order to increase their postseason hopes.

“We expect to execute and play hard and win as many games as we can,” Smith said.

The Falcons only games remaining are within the Northeast Division of the Northeast-10, which means every game will be crucial.

Bentley’s next two games are against Stonehill (16-12, 9-6 in Northeast-10 play), who sit at third place in the Northeast Division of the conference.

Both the Falcons and the Skyhawks have only played 15 games in the conference, which trails most teams who

Shannon Connor leads the team into its third victory.

UPCOMING EVENTS APR

Men’s Tennis vs. Merrimack 2:00 PM

APR

Baseball vs. Saint Anselm 12:00 PM

APR

Softball vs.Southern NH 2:00 PM

APR

Baseball vs. Southern NH 12:00 PM

MAY

Baseball vs. Franklin Pierce 3:30 AM

23 Kelsey Smith (Jaffrey, N.H./Conant HS), a lefthanded pitcher on the Bentley University softball team, has been selected as the Falcon of the Week after leading her team to five road wins in three days from Apr. 18-20.

Smith was in the center circle for three of those games, amassing a 3-0 record with a 1.17 ERA while giving up only seven hits and three runs in 18 innings. Included was a one-hit, eight-strikeout shutout in the middle contest of a three-game series with the Purple Knights.

Smith also got it done with the bat during the winning streak, hitting .538 (7-13) with three doubles, a triple, a homer, six RBI and a sparkling 1.154 slugging percentage.

Bentley is back in action Thursday with a doubleheader at Stonehill.

have played 16. Sitting with the most games played is fourthplace Assumption, which sits at .500 with a 9-9-conference record. Franklin Pierce and St. Michael’s were seventh and eighth place in the Northeast Division respectively.

The Falcons also have a three-game series remaining against defending Northeast-10 Conference champions Southern New Hampshire, who sit in first place in the Northeast Division. The Penmen are ranked third in the NCAA East Region, behind Caldwell and Adelphi; and 24th in the NFCA Coaches poll.

The Falcons match-up against the Skyhawks at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. today Apr. 23 at Stonehill. The match will be played Fr. Gartland, C.S.C. Field.

Courtesy of Sports Information Office

BY russell cloon

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