Chestnut Hill College Philadelphia PA
The Griffin
Issue 1 ~ Fall 2009 - 2010
Things to do in Philly at Christmastime By Mina Seck ‘10 Contributing Staff
Photos courtesy of CHC History Dept.
Students bring the Christmas spirit to CHC.
College’s holiday traditions are 85 years in the making Students prepare to deck the Hills for an 85th year By Mary Marzano ‘12 Contributing Staff
Some say Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. At Chestnut Hill College,it’snoexaggeration; students, faculty, alumni and even community members come together to celebrate the upcoming holiday season. The class of 1928 began traditions to make the College a festive place for the sisters in residence while students went home for the holidays. In the early days of the College, Christmas celebrations were especially grand with special dinners, plays, visits from Santa, and candlelight tea ceremonies. Celebrations mostly were senior-dominated, with other classes slowly participating more over the years. The first years of decorating were very elaborate: students decorated offices, teachers’ rooms, and even the tables in the cafeteria. Students often went overboard with their decorations, some classes filling entire hallways. Although it’s been scaled down, Christmas Decorating Night remains one of the most exciting events for today’s students. Each class is put to the test as they
compete to make their area of campus the most festively decorated. Alumni come back to watch and offer seasoned advice, particularly for firstyear students as they transform the cafeteria. Although decorations have been scaled down (formerly, girls nailed real pine tree branches
wide holiday decorating is the most memorable part of being in the Chestnut Hill College community. Adjunct professor and class of 1985 graduate Susan Magee, says she and her friends still talk about their senior decorating night. Her class’s theme was “A Mary Poppins Christmas,” although
much as we may have argued over the theme, it was a special evening I’ll never forget, and we’re still good friends with our former president.” On Christmas Decorating Night, most students forgo sleep, choosing to decorate until sunrise instead. For those who choose to slumber, it doesn’t last long; at the end
“It’s nice to see a higher education institution like CHC put forth such a concerted effort to celebrate such a joyous holiday with such vigor” Devin DeVoue ‘11 SGA President
into the wood paneling of Fournier Hall), competition has not. You’ll seldom find an oblivious freshman wandering the main hall of Fournier, the rotunda, or outside. The rule is simple: classes may only see the decorations of those below them. For many, campus-
the girls thought it to be forced by their president. “Last year I got together with three of my friends I graduated with. We were still talking about the decorating controversy and all of our memories from that night,” Magee said. “Almost 28 years later and we’re still talking about it. But as
of the night, seniors begin a parade of dorm-storming with pots and pans to wake up residents, followed by a Christmas carol sing-along at President Sister Carol Jean Vale’s house. Singing traditions continue with annual Carol Night, an opportunity to watch many of the College’s talented musicians perform
Departments on campus engage students through social networking sites By Jarreau Freeman ‘11 Photography Editor With socialnetworking sites such as MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter sweeping the Internet, several departments at the College are joining the trend by creating fun, live, and interactive pages on these sites as a way to create fast and easy communication between students, f a c u l t y, a n d a l u m n i . For many offices on campus, the motivation to launch MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter pages was the ability to reach the student body in a common place of interest.
For a large percent of the college community, that was on social-networking sites. “Student Activities has utilized MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter to communicate with students quickly, and inform them about the ticket and trip information, providing event updates, and encouraging them to check out different types of events on campus,” said Emily Schademan, Assistant Director of Student Activities. Social-networking sites have become a tool to help the Student Activities office effectively advertise events; attract a diverse group of students to events; and create awareness about the Student Activities
office. With over 280 followers between MySpace, Facbook, and Twitter, Student Activities has created a steady fan base that students are responding to. “I think we have been successful on socialnetworking sites because the sites allow students to access the information at their leisure and from the comfort of their residence hall, apartment, or house,” said Schademan.
holiday tunes. Hundreds gather on the rotunda’s five floors of acoustic bliss. The following night, Student Government Association (SGA)’s Winter Formal gives students a chance to dance the night away before finals and winter break begins. It began in 1966 as a junior class event, taking place in what’s now known as the “old gym.” Eventually, the dance moved to the rotunda, where the junior class’s decorations set the scene. “It’s nice to see a higher education institution like CHC put forth such a concerted effort to celebrate such a joyous holiday with such vigor,” said SGA President Devin DeVoue, ‘11. While the events have evolved over the years, there is still much decorating, singing and dancing during the College’s holiday season. With Christmas right around the corner, students are getting pumped for the upcoming festivities. Freshman Michelle Dudzenski said it best: “I’m really excited.”
Photo courtesy of Tammy Schaaffe ‘10
S i m i l a r l y , the Admissions department launched a Chestnut Hill College Admissions Facebook page over the summer with much success. “The undergraduate
Facebook page has been a great way to reach out to many audiences at once: prospective students, current SEE SOCIAL NETWORKING PAGE 11
Christmas is around the corner and that means it’s time to whip out the hats and scarves and get ready to explore Philly at Christmastime. Much of Chestnut Hill’s student body is from the Philadelphia area, but for those who aren’t, the question remains, “What should I do with friends before I go home for break?” There is plenty to do in the area during this time, but you won’t be able to do it all before your last final. Philly is a great place to get a jumpstart into the holiday spirit, so get out there and experience the love this city has to offer during this special time of the year. A Christmas activity closest in proximity to the college would be the Holiday Garden Railway at the Morris Arboretum. The Holiday Garden Railway is going on its ninth year which runs a quarter mile long. It will fascinate visitors of all ages with its fifteen different rail lines and seven loops around the garden. It even includes a trestle bridge you can walk under. The buildings in the arboretum are also decorated to perfection for the holidays. The railway show begins Nov. 27 and runs until Jan. 4, 2010 and is open 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Also just up the hill, there are Stag and Doe nights that have been an ongoing tradition in Chestnut Hill and the community looks forward to it every year. The shops stay open until 9 p.m. and the streets are filled with free samples, carolers, sidewalk sales, and a lot of holiday cheer. There are only three Stag and Doe nights, Dec. 9, 16, and 23, so be sure to mark your calendars so you don’t miss this event. One of the most exciting traditions across the world during Christmastime are light displays. All across Philadelphia there are lots of light shows, some for free. The Holiday House Tour in Chestnut Hill on Dec. 5 is an annual event in which local homes, decorated magnificently for the holidays, open their doors and allow people in to tour them. If interested contact the Chestnut Hill Community Association at 215-248-8800. Longwood Gardens in SEE CHRISTMASTIME PAGE 11
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The Griffin Chestnut Hill College The Griffin
Campus Affairs
9601 Germantown Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19118 CHC-News@chc.edu Executive Editors Tammy Schaaffe ‘10 Editor-in-Chief Cait O’Driscoll ‘10 Editor-in-Chief Photo courtesy of Elena DiCostanzo ‘11
Board of Editors Max Kaplan ‘11 Campus Affairs Jenny Mejia ‘10 Arts & Entertainment
Photo courtesy of Elena DiCostanzo ‘11
College’s Quidditch program sees more numbers and wins during second season Another successful season of Quidditch for Chestnut Hill College
Julie Cassidy ‘10 Arts & Entertainment
By Max Kaplan ‘11
Liz Conner ‘10 National & International
A year after a surprise third-place win at the 2008 Quidditch World Cup in Middlebury, Vt., the College’s Quidditch program has seen growth in players, wins, equipment, and fans. Over two seasons, more than 125 students have mounted broomsticks and competed in Chestnut Hill Activities Team (CHAT)’s annual Quidditch on the Hill tournament. With more than 10 percent of the College’s undergraduates participating, a new approach was in order for the 2009 season. “When recruiting for our second Quidditch on the Hill tournament, we assigned each team a captain,” said CHAT President Lindsay Sladowski, ‘10. “They served as a liaison between CHAT and their team; organized individual practices; and helped build team spirit.” Team spirit was in abundance on the soccer field during the October 2nd tournament. Clad in coordinating, custom shirts and fierce war paint, teams took the pitch by storm. Even Villanova University’s Harry Potter club, the Villanovan Order of the Pheonix, joined CHC students as spectators in packed bleachers, with CHAT members serving free cider nearby. New co-ed rules and 20 Alivan’s Quidditch brooms added a new sense of authenticity to the tournament. For the second year in a row, blue-shirted team Ravenclaw won, despite tough fights from the
Tom Hagerty ‘11 Sports Bridget Kelly ‘10 Copy Editor Kate Sprandio ‘10 Copy Editor Dave Gassert ‘10 Layout Editor Contributing Staff Erin Wolgamot ‘12 Jarreau Freeman ‘11 Julie Cassidy ‘10 Jessica Lee ‘11 Laura Bannon ‘11 Jen Jones ‘12 Jill Sanger ‘11 Ren Craig ‘12 Krissten Appenzeller ‘11 Caitlin Kain ‘13 Kyle Bachmann ‘10 Bryana Carroll ‘11 Max Kaplan ‘11 Tom Hagerty ‘11 Bleu Lane ‘12 Liz Walsh ‘10 Darrell Bachmann ‘10 Faculty Advisor Susan Magee INTERESTED IN JOINING THE STAFF??? EMAIL US!!!! Schaaffet@chc.edu or O’driscollc@chc.edu And keep an eye out for meeting announcements.
Team photo of CHC’s Quidditch team, left. Devin Devoue ‘11 shows CHC spirit, above.
Campus Affairs
Hungarian Horntails and the Death Eaters. After a rigorous selection process, staff coaches chose a total of 12 outstanding players to compete in the Middlebury College’s 2009 Quidditch World Cup. The team’s Keeper (or goalie) of two years, Devin DeVoue ‘11, said, “Our tournament here at the College is pretty small in comparison to the one in Middlebury. It’s good because it gives everyone inside the College a chance to play. . .and it gets people who wouldn’t normally play a sport an opportunity to go out and have fun.” As for his World Cup experience, DeVoue recalls, “Middlebury is just a wreck. It’s a whirlwind the entire time.” This year’s Quidditch World Cup put the Griffins on the same playing field as more than 20 schools like Texas A&M, Boston University, Washington State University, Louisiana State University, and University of Pittsburgh. Intimidated the Griffins were not: they swept through regional pool play undefeated, with a 190-10 win against Moravian College; a 70-30 win against Lafayette College; and a brutal 40-20 win against Villanova University. Their victories earned them a bye in the Cup’s second half, providing a time gap that may have cost the team its final victory. “We wake up at eight and rage all day,” said DeVoue, “so a two-hour gap between games affected our playing significantly.” In a bloody match against Pittsburgh, the Griffins barely missed the golden Snitch, reversing their lead and ending in singleelimination defeat. A final score tally
shows the Griffins in the fifth-place slot. At the end of the day, 60 anxious fans and a satisfied (albeit dejected) team made the seven-hour trek back to Philadelphia. In an unexpected twist, Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York, invited the Griffins to compete in the Butterbeer Classic, a low-key Quidditch tournament with regional teams on November 14. Scheduled to compete were CHC, Villanova University, Boston University, and Vassar, but a Villanova car accident and last-minute “no, thanks” from Boston meant a one-on-one tournament. Players commend Vassar on their friendly nature, picturesque campus, and good sportsmanship, despite a low turnout. “It was very intimate. We got good exposure with Vassar; everyone was very inviting,” said DeVoue. Unlike World Cup matches plagued by ambulances and nosebleeds, “the games weren’t vicious. It was just about everyone coming together, having fun, and playing the sport.” The Griffins came home with a gold trophy. Nationally, exciting news is brewing within the Intercollegiate Quidditch Association (IQA), the league with which more than 300 teams across the nation are registered. Middlebury College alum and national commissioner Alex Benepe, long-time mentor to CHC Quidditch, is declaring the organization as a nonprofit. To assist in his plans, Benepe has asked CHC Quidditch Commissioner Max Kaplan to join the Board of Directors with members from Emerson College, Washington State University, and Middlebury College.
Career services makes a change By Erin Wolgamot ‘12 Contributing Staff
This year will mark the 85th anniversary of Chestnut Hill College. Over the 85 years the school has been open, the Sisters of Saint Joseph and many others have collaborated and worked diligently to hold this school up to the rigorous standards it has set for itself. The school has always gone above and beyond in helping the students prepare for the next step of their academic careers and the next steps of their lives. Career Development’s, formally known as Career Services, main objective is to be an aid for all students in the college community. After a change of office and a name change, the Career Development team is ready to take advantage of their new office
with a fresh start. Career Services was changed to Career Development because the term “services” makes it sound like you come in once for a service and leave, when really, the career development team wants to help you over all of your four years at Chestnut Hill. The office change was better and more conducive to the student’s privacy and confidentiality. Career Development, located on the third floor of St. Joe’s, provides a variety of services to the student body in order to help them prepare for whatever path they choose after college. Career Development makes themselves accessible to all the students at Chestnut Hill, not only seniors. They offer a variety of service from helping with resumes and cover letters to etiquette dinners and grad school workshops. “I love watching students develop from
freshmen to seniors,” said Nancy Dachille, director of Career Development. Career Development is open to any student with questions, comments or concerns. The Career Development team is here for the student body. They schedule their programs and activities around the student’s schedule, to make their services conducive to the community. They are here for you. Career Development is in existence because they want to help the students of Chestnut Hill College grow and achieve their potential. Between making appointments and using email and Blackboard, the Career Development team is always trying to make planning and organizing a little easier for the student. They are here to help you grow not only as students, but as educated adults trying to take the next step towards the future.
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The Griffin Mask & Foil’s “Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime” brings Wilde’s short story to life By Krissten Appenzeller ‘11 Contributing Staff
Murder, mystery, and comedy; these are all elements of Mask & Foil’s upcoming production “Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime,” an adaptation of an Oscar Wilde short story published in 1891. Many have never heard of this story, as it isn’t as widely known as some of Wilde’s other work, such as his famous novel The Picture of Dorian Gray or his play, “The Importance of Being Earnest”; however, Travis Wolfe ‘12, the play’s director, felt it was an ideal choice for the campus drama crew. “Choosing the play for Mask & Foil was extraordinarily difficult this year,” he said. “We were looking for a play with about equal male to female ratio, about ten cast members, and a run time of about an hour and a half to two hours.” After a long process of searching, aided by advisor Jenn Thorpe and President of Mask & Foil Anna St. Hilaire ‘12, the group stumbled across the little known British comedy. They read the short
summary of the play as a dark comedy with a plot centering on palm reading, murders, and an exploding umbrella. “We kind of instantly knew we found our play,” Wolfe said. “We wanted to combine the excellent drama that [‘A Streetcar Named Desire’], which was put on two years ago, delivered with the humor and satire of “Rumors” which, under Lauren Trusa as director, was a great success last year.” Playing the lead role of Lord Arthur Savile is freshman DJ Lynch. Other actors include freshmen Wes Mandoske, Kaycee Flore, Kyle Congdon, and Alyssa Cherewaty; sophomores Kelly McKay, Dave Forster, and Nina Rosenberg; junior Joe McGovern; and senior Theresa Novrit. Joe McGovern is a veteran actor at the College. “‘Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime’ is the third play I am acting in at Chestnut Hill College. It has been a great pleasure getting to work with this year’s Mask & Foil cast and crew; everyone is so talented and we are all working very hard and doing a wonderful job. This play has been very enjoyable to work in because it has allowed me to bring some
diversity to the part of the old uncle or old Dean that I am portraying, in comparison to portraying someone of my age or younger that I have worked in previous plays,” said McGovern. Novrit adds, “This year’s play is going to be fantastic! “Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime” is intelligently funny and I am grateful to have the chance to participate. The cast has great chemistry with one another, to the point that we spend a little too much time laughing ourselves. Travis has been a wonderful director, always supportive and full of compliments, and Anna’s hard work and support has been just as wonderful. Together they have helped the other cast members and I become great. I hope everyone who can make it out will, they won’t be disappointed!” At the helm of the set production for “Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime” are sophomore Alyssa Gilson and junior Alex Duffy. “Our set managers have created the much-needed visual pieces that need to complement our cast,” said Wolfe. “Their eye for how things need to look and determination to achieve such will be proved the moment the curtains open.”
Students Going Even More Broke Thanks to High Cost of ATM Fees By Jennifer Jones ‘12 Contributing Staff
If there’s one thing college students always need, it’s cash. On Chestnut Hill Colleges’ campus, there is one ATM that is located just past the main security desk in Fournier, a convenient spot for residents and commuters who are constantly on the go. What isn’t so convenient however, are the fees banks charge non-customers for use of their ATMs, plus additional charges your bank will charge you for using another bank’s ATM. CHC’s ATM belongs to the Police and Fire Federal Credit Union (PFCU); a bank made primarily for active or retired police officers, firefighters, and select organizations, which CHC students are invited to join. On Griffin Days there are several representatives from the bank ready with paperwork inviting you to join. But what if you already came to CHC with a bank account and didn’t want to open another one with PFCU? When accessing money from the campus ATM, you will be prompted regarding a surcharge fee of $1.50 if you are not a member of PFFCU. So if you bank with Wachovia Bank, for example, and you withdrawal $20 from the campus ATM, you will be charged $1.50 by PFCU and an additional $2.00 by Wachovia. Instead of walking away with $20, you are actually only getting $16.50 of your own money. “It’s [the surcharge fee] unfair to us poor college
kids because we already do not have much money” said CHC freshmen, Jamie Gillepse. Freshman Mercy Eustace agrees. “It’s an outrage because it is the only way to get money without leaving campus,” she said. The impact of ATM surcharge fees is being felt, not just as CHC, but on campuses all over the country. According to a recent article on MarketWatch.com, published by Dow Jones & Company, student Abe Hunter at Iowa University reports spending over $500 on ATM fees alone in the last two years at college. A study done by Student Monitor, a college market-research firm, shows that students spend $200 a month on general expenses and items, which translates to a lot withdraws from convenient oncampus ATMs. Bankrate.com, a bank account comparison site, reports that ATM fees have been raised for three-consecutive years. In 2009, bank customers paid an average fee of $3.54 to use another bank’s ATM, an increase of 16% from 2004. (This includes the fee charged at the ATM, as well as any other fees charged by the customer’s bank.) Clearly, the best way to avoid the surcharge fees is to become a member of PFCU. However, for some students this may not be a very convenient option Some students would like to see the college switch to a different bank’s ATM, but for the college that option is not yet available. Unfortunately, due to the small community of students here at Chestnut Hill College it proved difficult to get an ATM on
campus at all according to Krista Murphy, the acting dean of student life. “As a smaller school (and with so many people getting cash back for purchases or just no longer using cash in general), we do not get enough transactions to make the ATM “investment” worthwhile from a banking standpoint,” said Murphy. Senior and Maryland resident, Tim Derbyshire, switched to PNC bank after living at the college for a while because the surcharge fees he encountered when withdrawing money from home became overbearing. “I would go home and come back with huge amounts of cash because it was the only way I could avoid the fees,” he said. Derbyshire chose to open a bank account with PNC because they have a branch location very close to the school allowing for convenient banking, and he can also access the bank close to home in Maryland without a problem. PNC bank, the providers of the extremely popular surcharge-free ATMs at Wawa, a food staple for locals and the majority of the tri-state area, allows members of any bank to withdraw money from their ATMs completely free of charge. With some accounts, according to their Web site, PNC will even reimburse you fees charged by other banks for use of their ATMs. Clearly, bank charges are here to stay, but there are ways to minimize their impact on your bottom line by being a smart bank customer. For more information on bank fees and some tips on how to save on ATM transactions, visit http://www. bankrate.com and type ATM fees into the search box.
In tough economic times, Piazza Perk is a competitive coffee option for students By Laura Bannon ‘11 Contributing Staff
In an age where chain coffee shops rule, six-adjective drink orders are standard, and wireless internet access costs more than a drink, Fitzsimmons Hall’s Piazza Perk is a breath of fresh air. Devoted customers and baristas lovingly call it “the Perk” and write on its walls in chalk. Circulating coupons have made caffeine fixes even more affordable than before. Its gargantuan cookies have become a staple late-night dessert. However, the road to a full-fledged coffee shop has been a long one. The Perk’s wide selection today is a far cry from its offerings when it opened nearly two years ago. What began as a bare-walled,
nearly empty room with little more than coffee and tea has evolved into a flourishing coffee shop and campus hotspot. Tasty additions as of late include home-baked cookies, mixed nut bars, and Odwalla bars. Its shelves also offer chips, bottled water, juice, energy drinks, and bottled Starbucks Frappuccinos, with yogurt, sandwiches, and fruit coming in the near future. The most popular and recent change to the Perk is a new schedule: they’ve extended their hours and are now open from Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. with limited weekend hours. A survey of area coffee shops makes sense of the Perk’s slowroasted success. The shop’s affordable prices, sans gas and tax costs, are friendly to the college crowd’s bank accounts (a large coffee is just $1.75).
Its atmosphere is welcoming, with an ever-changing rotation of familiar faces socializing, working, or playing guitar. As of early November, the College’s Photography Club uses the Perk as a gallery to display photos from recent themed shoots. Head barista Elena DiCostanzo ’11 has helped the Perk create a presence online, too, with a Facebook group and blog to feature drink updates and specials. She recommends trying a Creamice, the shop’s signature frozen treat. The Frappuccino’s more sophisticated stepsister comes in flavors like mango, coconut mango, Irish crème, mocha, caramel, vanilla, and raspberry. With the number of baristas shooting from two to six and a rapidly expanding menu, the Piazza Perk has finally received the attention it deserves.
MEMORABLE QUOTES Elena DiCostanzo ‘11: “To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.” -Oscar Wilde. Shantel Small ‘10: “The only reason we do not FLY is simply because we have forgotten that we ALL have WINGS.” - Unknown Mark Urmson ‘10: “Live like you mean it, love till you feel it...nothing is real till it’s gone.” - Goo Goo Dolls Colleen Tozer ‘10: “Real leaders are ordinary people with extraordinary determination!” - Unknown Kairi Suswell ‘13: “More life, more love, more inspiration.” - Unknown Alvin Ehiriodo ‘11: “Be kind to others, for you know not their struggle.” - Unknown
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The Griffin
Warm and Fuzzies Derrick’s Story By Ren Craig ‘12 Contributing Staff
If I only knew then what I know now, I would have been able to appreciate the moments a lot more; I wouldn’t have been so angry. I also wouldn’t have waited so long to say what I wanted or needed to say, but instead I never got the chance. Maybe, if I just knew then what I know now I could have stopped it from happening. But I didn’t, and it took me five and a half years to figure it out for myself. It’s funny how adults always tell children “You’re too young to know anything about that!” We grow up a lot faster than what people tend to believe. But I knew in August of 2003 at the age of fourteen that I fell in love with the last person I would ever expect. I first met him while I was hanging out with a group of my teenage angst friends. He called my friend’s house and we all decided to trek down to his house, a few blocks over, to spend the day. I was a fourteen year old giggly girl, wearing sneakers that sparkled and jeans from Kohl’s, and there, at the end of the block, had to be the most intimidating person I’d ever seen. There he was, decked out in red plaid pants, black converses and some random local punk band’s t-shirt, with a denim vest filled with patches, safety pins, studs, and all different types of metal. That was my Derrick. That last month of summer had to be my favorite and most dramatic one. That summer consisted of Derrick in and out of lawyer meetings and court dates from a vandalism crime he had committed before I met him. But what could I do? I was in love and there wasn’t anything that was going to keep me separated. So we wasted those last summer days hanging out with friends, sharing secrets, sneaking out to the beach late at night and falling in love with summer, as well as with each other. It was March 2004 when Derrick’s trial finally came; he pleaded guilty and was sent away from me to Florida. He broke up with me a week prior because he knew he was leaving and told me not to wait for him. He said he believed that I could do better. “But I don’t want to do better, I want you!” That plea never worked for me. Although he was sent away, we still wrote letters back and forth of how we will be together once again and how he was going to start a new life. But soon my sophomore year of high school was arriving and I would be getting caught up with new friends and activities. Derrick had stopped writing and he was released in June 2005. Through the grapevine, I heard that he was back in New Jersey but I had not heard from him. The next month, in July, I was sitting home talking with a friend of mine about Derrick and while in the midst of saying “The next time I see Derrick,” there was a knock on the door. I opened it to find him standing there. I immediately collapsed into his arms and started crying. He was completely emotionless and asked if I was okay and then asked for the things I had taken for him to take care of when he left. After he left my house that night, I barely heard from him and knew things had forever changed. He began seeing a new girl. Wrapped up in emotions, I threw away, burned, and ripped apart all he had given me—letters, pictures, stuffed animals, drawings, bracelets—everything. I told myself he never loved me and was just lying to me because he was a jerk and that’s all he knew. For the next couple of years, he came and went out of my life. I would randomly bump into him at Dunkin’ Donuts, a bike trail, and summer church fairs. I would spend a few hours or days here and there with him but never had the courage to ask what had happened between us and had accepted what we had come to. He never kept in touch, and I constantly wondered what I was doing wrong.
I appreciated the brief times I spent with him, because when we were together it was as if we had never separated. We often sat in comfortable silence just enjoying each other’s company and would talk about secrets, what we’d seen, and what we wanted to do in our years ahead. He began to get caught up with drugs and alcohol and was bouncing from house to house living the life he once had, yet again. However, the days where I would leave for college were approaching and I had to bid farewell once again. I assumed the next time I was around I would bump into him again and finally ask what’s been going on with him. But that day never came. February 8, 2008 while I was away at college, I received a phone call from his younger brother telling me that Derrick was struck by a car while crossing the street at night and was in St. Mary’s Hospital in Langhorne, Pennsylvania. He was pronounced brain dead and was going to be pulled off life support that night. I dropped everything that I was doing and had to call my father to come pick me up at school to drive me to the hospital. I cried hysterically the whole way there asking my father why he couldn’t drive any faster, even though he was already going 90mph. When I got there I found where he was, spoke to his stepmother and father, and they told me to go say goodbye. I sat beside him with his hand which felt so lifeless, cold, and heavy inside mine. And that’s when I had begun to say all the things I never got the chance to say. “Of course, I came. How could you think I wasn’t going to? You know just because I haven’t heard from you in months that I would still be the first by your side. I love you. But that’s no surprise, you already know that too. I remember the first day we met. We were both fourteen, young, and stupid. I remember the clothes you wore that day. I remember the first time you told me you loved me. But I will never know if you truly meant it, will I? You’re such an ass for what you did to me. I loved you with all my heart and you just came and went as you pleased and I let you, no questions asked. How could you do this? I don’t understand why you’re laying there. Get up! Get up and don’t lie to me anymore. Stop giving me stupid excuses. You’re not really dying. You’re my Superman. Nothing can kill you. I love you. I love you and I’m so sorry for telling you that I was letting you go. You know I didn’t mean it… I was just so hurt from you leaving me. I thought about you every day wondering what you’re doing and if you’re safe. But you don’t have to run anymore. God is going to take care of you so I can finally rest knowing you’re somewhere safe. I love you so much Derrick Van Sojka; with all my heart. Just because you are not here physically does not mean you are not in my heart. You will be with me every day. And when I get older, much older, I will get a tattoo for you, I promise. I pinky promise. I love you. I love you so much. But you can go now. It’s okay. I will take care of everything. Goodbye.” It wasn’t until after months of searching for answers, talking to family members, close friends, and reading letters that he wrote to other friends, that I finally realized what has happened. In my eyes, Derrick made the biggest sacrifice I could ever imagine. His friends and family spoke up and told me what Derrick hadn’t wanted them to tell me. They all told me that Derrick loved me so much, so very much, that he had pushed me out of his life so I wouldn’t get hurt. Derrick knew what was going to happen to him and knew where his life was leading, thinking he wasn’t worth anything and felt as if there was no hope for him. He didn’t want to drag me down because of how much he loved me, despite how much he wanted to be with me. So he pushed me away because he wanted me to live the life I still had and wanted me to do better than him. I didn’t know that then. I found out when it was too late. But I still love him. That’s my Derrick.
An Unexpected Gift By Bryana Carroll ‘11 Contributing Staff
My sister is one of those people who, in my opinion, is very difficult to get along with. We see things very differently and, being only 17 months apart, it has always created issues in our relationship. While growing up, we were two peas in a pod. We would dress up Barbies together, dress up my brother together, and I always looked up to her. As we grew older it became more and more difficult to get along. She never wanted me to hang out with her friends and our tastes differed in just about everything. I would get frustrated and defensive with her because she always acted like my mom and I felt as though she was always judging me. Since college, we have gotten along better. I think this is mainly because we can’t steal each other’s clothes or spy on the other’s activities to gain leverage around our parents, but whatever the reason, it has been a positive change. Now don’t get me wrong, I wish we talked more and that we both didn’t have such high demands in work and school, but I know she is always
there. It wasn’t until last year that I realized just how much she was there. After fall of ‘08 my dad had been unemployed for almost six months. We were struggling a lot financially and I was convinced I wouldn’t be coming back to Chestnut Hill College in the spring. The money just wasn’t there to pay for our outstanding balance. It was a couple days into giving up hope that I received a phone call from my mom. She said that the balance was paid and I could go ahead and register for classes. My heart just dropped. How did this happen? We didn’t have the money for this. My mother proceeded to tell me that my well-off uncle knew we were struggling and had asked my sister, his god child, if there was anything he could do. She had a rent she could barely pay for, sorority fees that were overdue, and no money to live on. She could have said anything, but what she said was, “Help Bryana, she needs it more than I do.” It was the most selfless act anyone could have done for me. I am still here at CHC because of my sister, and no matter how many fights we get in I could never forget what she did for me. The most beautiful thing that anyone can witness is watching someone who is struggling extend a hand to someone else. I love my sister more than words, and I hope that one day I can give her a miracle like she gave me.
A Four-Legged Wish Come True By Elizabeth Walsh ‘10
Contributing Staff On July 13 my cousin Anna Moulton was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphona. At just 14 years old, Anna was informed by her doctors that she would have a long four months ahead of her. Although Hodgkins is one of the most curable Lymphoma’s to have, Anna was forced to endure many surgeries, chemo therapies and radiation therapies. Anna is bright-spirited, athletic and very active, so you can imagine how difficult it has been for her. A couple of weeks ago, Anna wrote to the Make A Wish foundation. She told them her story and how for years she has been begging her parents to get her a dog. A few weeks later
her wish came true; the foundation not only found Anna a puppy, but also sent a stretch white limo to bring Anna and her family from her home in Massachusetts to pick up her new puppy in Connecticut. Anna has been overjoyed to welcome this new puppy to her home and it has really helped her through this tough time. Anna’s mom has made a page for Anna on caringbridge.org where her story is shared, and family and friends from all over can read her journal entries and send her kind words. Organizations such as Make a Wish Foundation and Caring Bridge are so important and helpful to those who are suffering from illnesses like Anna. As a Human Services major and an advocate for those in need, I urge everyone to take the time and see what you can do to help those who are suffering from illnesses like cancer. There are many ways to help, and at Chestnut Hill College the service opportunities are endless!
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The Griffin
national & international A Plus Sign, a Scandal and a Pledge Controversial religious icons among topics of debate in Congress determined that the cross represented an advancement of religion, regardless if it is in a remote area not seen by the Contributing Staff public because it is on federal land. On Oct. 5, 2009, the Supreme To settle the order of the cross being Court opened its session welcoming a removed, the Government then traded a First Amendment, business and habeas section of land nearby to make the cross corpus case, as well as many others. privatized; relative to pulling a seed out The violation of the Establishment of the middle of an apple and not calling Clause is in question when it comes it an apple. Justice Scalia argued, “It’s to Salazar v. Buono. Skilling v. U.S. erected as a war memorial. I assume it challenges the “honest-services” theory is erected in honor of all the war dead… and Kiyembe et al. v. Obama is the the cross is the most common symbol nail-biter that the public is waiting for. of the resting place of the dead.” The rebuttal presented by Peter The Constitution states, “Congress Aliasburg, ACLU lawyer, “There is shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or never a cross on the tombstone of a prohibiting the free exercise thereof” in Jew.” In question is the challenge the first amendment. Salazar v. Buono Buono brought to the court in addresses an eight-foot cross erected in which, the justices will debate if the Mojave Desert Preserve to honor the argument is substantial, being WWI veterans. Frank Buono, a former that Buono lives in Oregon, not preserve employee wishes to prevent California as well as the legitimacy the permanent display of this cross. The of land transfers regarding religious issue is fostered from a previous denial purposes funded by the government. of request for a Buddhist shrine to be Decisions are yet to be made. In the business world, former constructed in a relative geographical Enron CEO Jeff Skilling has appealed location. The Buono case was granted certiorari in February 2009 and the his convictions that include conspiracy, oral arguments were heard on this past securities fraud, insider trading and Oct. 7. The lower ninth circuit court deceiving auditors. Skilling claims
By Jessica Lee ‘11
to be tried by a prejudiced jury and brings into question the honest services theory that says [Enron] employees were bound to serve honestly and did not intend to achieve private gain over company gain. The Supreme Court accepted to hear the appeal in the dawn of 2010. Related cases in the court include Conrad Black and former Alaskan politician Ted Stevens. Two days into Obama’s presidency he signed executive orders to close Guantanamo Bay, “Gitmo,” in one year, on Jan. 22, 2010. The Supreme Court will be hearing oral arguments in February or March regarding the release of detainees, specifically 17 Uighers, an ethnic minority group of Chinese origin. Palau has agreed to allow up to a dozen Uighers to have temporary housing up to two years on the island until they regain a footing on society. Palau has already accepted six former detainees. The appeal stems from an original case (Boumediene v. Bush) that included George W. Bush’s denial of release from Guantanamo Bay after being ordered by Judge Ricardo Urbina to do so. According to the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia only the legislative and executive branches
are able to allow foreigners into the United States. Bush’s administration had declared that the Uighers were not allowed into the United States. Obama appealed after the American Defense Department announced these prisoners as no threat and non-enemy combatants. This type of case is a habeas corpus that addresses the war-on-terrorism and is a first of its kind to be in the hands of the United States Supreme Court. The prisoners are being held under indefinite incarceration, without cause and with daily torture. They cannot be extradited due to the fear of further prosecution by the Chinese government, but there is nowhere for them to go- except the U.S. For the next year the prisoners and guards will await for orders upon Guantanamo Bay. Oral arguments are prepared initially by both parties of the case for the Supreme Court to hear. Decisions are later based upon rules set by previous cases, laws and evidence. This session, the court is in order and taking an array of topics and disputes. Whether it be first amendment, business or habeas corpus the justices have their hands full.
Buy Ethically, Think Globally, and Support Fair Trade By Liz Conner ‘10
National & International Editor As a part of Chestnut Hill’s holistic education, being socially aware is paramount to our education. Not only inside the classroom, but out, students are encouraged to be educated about the plight of others, and more importantly, to seek to end these injustices. Whether it’s through feeding the homeless, cleaning up Camden, or teaching in Tanzania, our student body is dedicated to service. One example of this is through Chestnut Hill’s support of international fair trade. On Wednesday, November 18th, Chestnut Hill held its annual fair trade exhibition in which, local, independent businesses throughout the surrounding area gathered in the music corridor, and sold their fair trade products. From fuzzy animal hats and gloves, to chocolate bars, there was something for everyone to enjoy. Some of my particular favorites were, Infusion Coffee and Tea Gallery and Ten Thousand Villages. Located in Mount Airy, InFusion Coffee and Tea Gallery, which carriers only fair trade beans, was selling as well as, providing free samples of their coffee. For more information about Infusion Coffee and Tea Gallery, check out their website at: http://www.infusioncoffeeandtea.com. Similarly, Ten Thousand Villages, has over 60 years trading fairly under its belt! Providing a myriad of items such as jewelry, home decor, and purses, Ten Thousand Villages in committed to upholding the ethics of fair trade. For more information go to: http://www.tenthousandvillages.com/home.php. Wondering what fair trade is? Fair trade believes in providing marginalized farmers or any
Photo courtesy of http://www.rootsandgroove.com
other artisan throughout the world with equal, or fair wages, which insures that workers are not being exploited for their labor. Rather, fair trade believes in equal pay, for equal labor. Often, through globalization, workers are exploited by companies such as Nike, where an average worker in Indonesia makes $1.25 a day– simply, the production cost versus the cost of the shoes typically, $60-100 is radically uneven, which increases profit for Nike, but continues to keep the worker impoverished. Therefore, the main goal of fair trade is to reverse the negative impact globalization has had on these less developed countries, and seek to end the oppression of these workers by allowing for a sustainable income, which may in turn, help to reduce poverty. So buy ethically, think globally, and support fair trade. The impact you have is a great one. Look for the Certified
Fair trade has become a major political issue in the last few years, especially with coffee. Infusion offers fair trade coffee.
Fair Trade (CFT) logo on products in the supermarket, and try to be aware of where your clothing is coming from. Every purchase you make has an impact; therefore, think before you buy, and try to buy fair trade whenever possible. To learn more about fair trade visit: http://www.transfairusa.org/. Article reprinted with permission of 75acresofawesome.com
Photo courtesy of http://www.european-fair-trade-association.org
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sports UNDER THE UNIFORM, ATHLETE INSIDER - WOMEN’S BASKETBALL By Jill Sanger ‘11 Contributing Staff
Jenna Beck – Senior
Photo courtesy of chc.edu
Davina Yacab – Senior
Photo courtesy of chc.edu
Major: History
Major: Criminal Justice
Minor: Secondary Education
What basketball star would you compare your playing to? Shaquille O’Neal
Who is your favorite basketball player? Maya Moore (UConn). As team captain, what is one goal you’d like to see the team achieve this year? I would like to see our team make it to the playoffs, and have a fun season while we are doing it. You’re the team prankster, what’s one of the funniest lies you’ve told a freshman? I told them that there was a bed on the bus for away games that only the seniors got to sleep on. What class at CHC would you recommend any student to take and why? I would recommend any history course by Suetta because he is awesome! Who on the team is the “cheerleader”? Millie, Colleen, and Aiesha - our team managers are probably our best “cheerleaders” and one of our greatest support systems.
What is the best song to listen to before a big game? Gucci Mane What do you think is your team’s biggest strength this year? Our greatest strength is that we have A LOT of talent, but we need to all put it together and be disciplined enough to achieve and meet our goals - meaning winning the championship
Carley Glass – Senior
Photo courtesy of chc.edu
Major: Psychology What basketball star do you look up to? LeBron James What’s the best thing about playing two sports in college? The best thing about playing two sports in college is that you are always active and in shape. What do you think is your team’s biggest improvement from last year? We always had the heart, we just never really had the numbers (players) behind us. This year we have a big incoming class, and transfer students. Our talent is great this year so we expect to do well.
After graduation, what will you miss most about Chestnut Hill College? I will miss my teammates, friends, and coaches.
What is the funniest thing that has happened so far this season? Erica’s swimsuit malfunction during pool workout (laughs).
Who on the team is the “mom?” Carley Glass
Who on the team is the “funny one?” Ericka “Butta Beans” Furrowh
SEE BASKETBALL PAGE 8
Red & White Night By Jill Sanger ‘11 Contributing Staff
An energetic sea of Chestnut Hill fans filled the bleachers as the Men and Women’s Basketball teams displayed their talent at Red and White night Tuesday evening in the Sorgenti Arena. With booming music from “DJ Dav” and comical announcing by Rich Carrington, the fans were full of life as the night kicked off with free t-shirt giveaways followed by an inter-squad scrimmage between the Women’s team. What started off as a close game, slowly turned into a blowout as the Red team got hot in the second half winning the game 29-12. Freshman Lindsay Alexander tallied 14 points to lead the visiting team to victory. Her teammates included Jessica Pruiti, Jenna Beck, Jenn Delahanty, Latoya Laing and Ericka Furrowh. The white team featured Yelissa Boyer, Chanta’l Hardy, Aiesha Smith, Megan Shaugnessy, and Davina Yacab. “This game was fun to play in front of our fans and now we know where we are and what we need to work on,” said Co-captain Jenna Beck.
“I’m confident that we have the tools to have a successful season and I’m excited for it to start.” Next, four lucky fans were chosen to compete in a hotshot competition, which consisted of shooting the ball from different spots on the court. Regardless of how many shots were made, Chestnut Hill basketball jerseys were given to each of them. The winners were Mike Wenz, Joe Rucinsky, and two siblings of our own basketball players. The men’s team then excited the crowd again as they made their debut, bombarding fans with more free t-shirts. After a showy warm-up, the teams battled it out. The game, highlighted by a few dunks, stayed tight the entire time. Julian McFadden controlled the Red team at point position with seven assists as his team lasted the White team 24-22. His teammate Ryan Cook scored a high with 12 points. Also assisting the Red team was Andre Rivers, R.J. Handy, Dan Comas, Mike Perry and Marcus Hardy. The White team included Trenton Davidheiser, Brandon Williams, Francis Ashe, Mike DiRugeris, Chris Oluwole, and Kwambina Coker.
Williams, a junior, did not think the inter-squad scrimmage was an ideal game simulation. However, he did believe it was a great way to introduce themselves to the Chestnut Hill community. “It was fun to get a chance to play in front of our friends and family,” he said. To continue a fun night, Jeter, Rivers, and Cook participated in a slam-dunk contest with crowd applause determining the winner. After Rivers and Cook advanced to the final round, it was clear that defending champion Cook was the one who awed the audience the most once again. The night was finished off with a dance competition between the Men’s and Women’s teams. Williams and Coker, with lots of help from Jeter’s younger brother, clearly showed up the shy women’s team who had only one big performance from Furrowh. It was a great way to end the night with a laugh. So, come out Griffin’s fans and watch these teams in action, as their season premiere is a double-header against Bloomsburg University on November 16 th at 6:00 p.m.
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The Griffin Athlete Spotlight - Chestnut Hill College’s Men’s Basketball By Kyle Bachmann ‘11 Contributing Staff
Francis Ashe
Julian McFadden
Christopher Oluwole
Photo courtesy of Greg Gornick Photo courtesy of Greg Gornick
Academic Major: Accounting
Academic Major: Undeclared
Academic Major: Marketing
Year: Freshman
Year: Senior
Hometown: Greenbelt, MD
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
High School: Eleanor Roosevelt
Position: Guard 1) How many years have you played basketball? Been playing basketball since I was six. 2) Who is your favorite basketball star? Penny Hardaway, Lebron James, Brandon Jennings. 3) Coming off an historic season, how do you feel your team will fair this season? This season we should be as good if not much better than we were last season. I expect us to make a challenge conference championship. 4) Is there a higher standard for this year’s squad? This team is held to a higher standard because we all have the experience and the talent. Plus, we added key pieces and players that can play very well at our level and style of play. 5) Why did you pick the number you have? Any significance? I wear number 1 because Penny Hardaway was my favorite player when I first started playing basketball and have kept it ever since. 6) NBA 2K10 is a popular basketball video game, what team do you always choose and who is your favorite player? Do you create yourself? In NBA 2K10, I play with the Memphis Grizzlies and Allen Iverson. It’s only right to create yourself on that game, you wouldn’t be a real basketball player if you didn’t.
Year: Freshman
Position: Guard
High School: Chestnut Hill Academy
1) How many years have you played basketball? I’ve been playing basketball since I was four. 2) Who is your favorite basketball star? My favorite players are Lebron James and Chris Paul. 3) Coming off an historic season, how do you feel your team will fair this season? I think the team will do very good this year. We have a lot of talent and plan to do a lot of good things this season. 4) Is there a higher standard for this year’s squad? It is a higher standard because we feel like we are a better team. 5) Why did you pick the number you have? Any significance? I picked number 3 because ever since I started playing sports it has been my number of choice. 6) NBA 2K10 is a popular basketball video game, what team do you always choose and who is your favorite player? When I play 2K10, I use the Cleveland Cavaliers because one of my favorite basketball players is Lebron James, and they have Shaquille O’Neil.
Photo courtesy of chc.edu
Photo courtesy of Greg Gornick
Hometown: Darby, PA High School: Girard College HS Position: Forward 1) How many years have you played basketball? I have played basketball since I was in middle school. 2) Who is your favorite basketball star? My favorite basketball star would have to be Lebron James. 3) Coming off an historic season, how do you feel your team will fair this season? I think we have a chance to do some great things this season, and the leadership of our seniors can really help us go further. 4) Is there a higher standard for this year’s squad? Yes, very much. We have a lot of experience and talent on this team to do some great things. 5) Why did you pick the number you have? Any significance? No there is no significance. But the number five was the number I wore during high school. 6) NBA 2K10 is a popular basketball video game, what team do you always choose and who is your favorite player? When I play I always use the Cleveland Cavaliers because Lebron James is my favorite basketball player.
Photo courtesy of ivyleaguesports.com
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The Griffin An inside look at CHC’s Women’s Basketball team FROM BASKETBALL PAGE 8 Maryanne Glass - Senior
Chanta’l Hardy – Senior
Photo courtesy of chc.edu
Photo courtesy of chc.edu
Major: Psychology
Major: Business Administration (Marketing)
If you could hang out with any basketball player for a day who would it be and why? LeBron James because he is one of the best players and has so much love for the game.
What basketball player do you idolize the most? Sheryl Swoopes, Michael Jordan, and my cousin Kisha, she’s tough!
Because of surgery, you’ll be sidelined for the first half of the season, how do you plan on staying mentally focused for your return? Being sidelined is extremely upsetting, especially because it is my senior year. To stay mentally focused I will keep going to every practice to watch and learn new things from my teammates and I will continue to encourage and cheer my team on and be there for support! What’s your favorite thing about being a twin? My favorite part about being a twin is always having someone there to talk to and to be there for me. What game are you looking forward to most this year? Philadelphia University because they are our rivals and they also won the Championship for our division last year. Who on the team is the “butt of every joke?” Jenn Delahanty
Rumor has it you can sing, what singers do you like? I’m a soul singer, kind of shy about it though. I like India Arie, Jill Scott, Floetry, Lauren Hill and Fantasia. I love gospel music. Transferring in this year, what is your favorite thing about the CHC squad? My favorite thing about the squad is that we all have different personalities, but I feel a common sense of desire to win. We definitely will prove the league wrong this year, no doubt. God said what is last shall be first; I believe it! You are #22, any significance to that number? I had one of my best seasons with #22 at Harcum College, so I decided to keep it. Sheryl Swoopes is also #22, so that’s a plus! Who on the team is the “academic nerd?” I’d say Davina because she is always in the lab. I’ve also had late night encounters in the library with Jenna and Jess.
GRIFFINS LOOK TO SOAR UNDER NEW ATHLETIC DIRECTOR A fresh new face has arrived in the CHC Athletic Department By Tom Hagerty ‘10 Sports Editor
Photo courtesy of chc.edu
This year, the Griffin athletic department welcomed a number of major changes to campus. The most noticeable change has been the addition of Lynn Tubman as athletic director. Tubman, who has spent the past five years serving as an associate athletic director at Philadelphia University, now has the task of developing a young sports program here at Chestnut Hill College. Tubman has a strong background and is familiar with building a collegiate sports program; in addition to having valuable experience at Philadelphia University, Tubman has held administrative positions at Penn State Mont Alto, LaRoche College, and
Drexel University; she has a number of goals for the college’s athletic program and overall, her main goal is for CHC to be a perennial face in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference. “[Becoming] a model Division II program is the ultimate goal. So when you look at the CACC, which I think is a very good conference, you think of Chestnut Hill,” said Tubman. Under Tubman’s guidance, the Griffin athletic program has already progressed a great deal from last year. This past fall season was a tremendous example of this positive development as many of the teams received attention from NCAA D-II and the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference. Volleyball, which endured a tough season last year, recorded its first conference win in the school’s D-II history despite facing a number of injuries in the process. Coach Kim Feeny’s squad is poised to compete next season in a tough conference as the entire team returns with much-needed experience. A young yet talented women’s soccer team completed an impressive turnaround this season and finished with a record of 11-8-1, 8-3-1 in conference play. As a result of the team’s strong conference mark, the Griffins hosted a CACC playoff game on Nov. 3. Coach Seamus O’Connor’s team lost the playoff game to Dominican College 2-1, but the conference recognized their hard work with a number of deserved accolades. Coach O’Connor garnered the coach of the year title and sophomore Lauren Riff, the team’s leading scorer and co-captain, was named CACC player of the year. Teammates Tara Morey, a junior midfielder, and sophomore defender Lauren Brown earned second team all-conference honors as well. Overall, women’s soccer enjoyed a successful season and next year appears to be just as promising as the team returns a number of key players including Riff, Morey, Brown, and freshman goalkeeper Jessica Veazey. The remainder of the 2009-2010 year looks to be
a bright and exciting one for the Chestnut Hill athletic program as well. Men’s and women’s basketball commence this winter and both teams are determined to surprise their respective opponents. Coach Jesse Balcer’s men’s squad returns all five starters and has the ambition to advance deep into the conference tournament in March. Last season, the Griffins became the first team in school history to earn a NCAA Division II playoff spot. Eventual conference champion Philadelphia University defeated the Griffins by a close score of 67-63 in that contest. Coach Balcer believes that this season’s team has the ability to finish better than 5th in the South Divison (as projected by the CACC Preseason Coaches Poll). “In all my years as head coach, this is the most complete team I have ever had,” said Coach Balcer. “We have great leaders, great kids, and great players. I am really excited to see what kind of impact this group can have on the CACC and the region as well.” After the break, the 2010-year should be an interesting athletic season for the Griffins as a number of teams will compete against tough competition and attempt to live up to high expectations. The men’s tennis team will step onto the court in March anxious to build off an impressive 2009 campaign, which concluded with a playoff appearance. The Intercollegiate Tennis Association has ranked the men’s team in the top ten for the region (Ranked #9 in the November 10th ITA Poll) and a consecutive playoff berth is certainly within their grasp. Coach Bob Spratt’s baseball squad battled through the 2009 season and just missed out on clinching a playoff spot. Baseball returns to action this spring with a healthy roster and a talented crop of freshmen that will have the opportunity to contribute right away. While the
SEE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR PAGE 9
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The Griffin Basketball season returns at CHC By Darrell Bachmann ‘10 Contributing Staff
As the basketball season is set to start, head coach Jesse Balcer is ready for his to team to hit the floor running and start winning games. The Griffins had a very challenging season last year as they had six wins and 22 losses. Despite this disappointing record, the Griffins made school history with a postseason appearance in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Championship Tournament. The first sports program at Chestnut Hill College to reach postseason play at the NCAA Division II level was the men’s basketball squad last season. Coach Balcer liked the way his offense played last season as they scored just under 70 points a game. “There are always plenty of things to improve upon,” Balcer said. “Right now, we need to get better on the defensive end because ultimately, that is what is going to get us to where we want to be.” Last season the Griffins gave up just over 73 points per game. Balcer has big goals for the upcoming year for his team. “One goal is to win the Sportsmanship Award in the CACC,” he said. This award shows that people respect the way the team plays the game. Coach Balcer also wants to win the Conference Championship. Balcer is entering his 7th season as the Griffins head coach and his strategy is the same. “I try to put each player in the best possible position to maximize their specific talents,” he said. Balcer wants his team playing hard, fair, and, most importantly, playing together “I feel like we are bound for success,” said Balcer.
Being a head coach for a college team is challenging, as the coach has to stay focused on winning and make sure his players are doing well in the classroom. Balcer’s number one priority is to make sure that all of his student athletes are going to receive their college degree. “Academics comes above athletics every day of the week and that is emphasized to my players from the moment they set foot on campus,” he said. Balcer schedules the practices around the players’ class schedules, so they can go to class and not miss any basketball. “Being a student athlete is exactly what the words say, student first, athlete second.” Balcer loves coaching his players. He teaches the game and its relativity to the game of life. “The beauty of coaching a sport is getting the team to realize that there are so many life situations that are being taught through the sport,” he said. Discipline, teamwork, communication, timeliness, and hard work are some of the life lessons that the players can learn, which can help them become successful after basketball. “I am constantly educating,” Balcer said. The Griffins can’t wait to step on the court and make it back to the post-season. Balcer will challenge his team to become better players this year, as they want to finish with a better record than last year’s mark of 6-22. “We talk about being the best team in the league,” Balcer said. The team has a lot of pride, and plans on showing that on and off the court. “I want the team to have a great experience and to remember all the good times we are going to have because I believe that this is what college athletics is all about,” said Balcer.
Julian McFadden ‘10 dribbles towards the net in a game against Bloomsburg.
Women’s soccer comes up short in quarterfinals By Kyle Bachmann ‘10 Contributing Staff
Chestnut Hill College turned up the pressure in the final stretch but came up short against Dominican College in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Quarterfinal on Nov. 3. Dominican College took the initial momentum taking the first five shots within the first few minutes of the game. Freshman goalkeeper Jessica Veazey made six saves in the loss. The Griffins were down 2-0 late in the second half as Junior forward Lauren Riiff made a goal to cut the lead in half. The Griffins continued to play aggressively, but during the last few minutes were unsuccessful as the Lady Chargers were able to hold on and advance to the CACC Semifinals beating the Griffins 2-1. The women’s soccer team finishes the 2009 season at 11-8-2 overall and 8-3-1 in the CACC. The team has improved significantly from last season as they had five wins and 15 losses overall and having won 2 and lost 9 in conference play. Seamus O’Conner, head coach of the
women’s soccer team believes this year was very successful. “Every player has been a stand out player and has helped contribute to our success this season,” said O’Conner. Team co-captain Jackie Nevius feels that this team will only become better. “The team has improved significantly since last year, we played some great games against tough teams, she said. “This team can only improve in the upcoming years, just with the talent that Seamus is able to bring in; I have no doubt that they will see a conference title.” Nevius is having difficulty realizing that her college sports career has come to an end. Though the team has increased in not only talent during her last four years, but has reached heights the school has never seen in CACC play in just their third year. “I want the other players to know that it was great playing with them and to take advantage of their time here,” said Nevius. A note from Nevius to her teammates: “Four years on that field passes by quickly and they have to play every game like it’s their last, enjoy the sport and always have fun with it.”
Photo courtesy of chc.edu
Lauren Riiff ‘11 and the rest of the Women’s soccer squad have been making improvements.
New director excited about potential of Chestnut Hill College athletics FROM ATHLETIC DIRECTOR PAGE 9
excitement of watching some teams fight for a playoff spot might captivate the attention of a number of supporters, the one team to watch this spring will be men’s lacrosse. The 2010 season will be the inaugural season for men’s lacrosse and Coach Rich Carrington’s Griffins will compete in a solid East Coast Conference. The addition of the men’s lacrosse team brings the total number of sports available at CHC to 14. In addition to the 14 athletic teams that compete in the NCAA, Chestnut Hill College has reestablished the intramural programs offered to students. Tubman expressed that
in order for the institution to progress, the college must have a “stronger, more visible intramural program.” Rich Carrington, who also serves as the coordinator of intramurals and recreation, has already provided students with a number of fun intramural activities this semester. CHC intramurals has sponsored kickball and flag football tournaments, and in late September nine teams competed in what were called the Griffin Games. The event was an Amazing Race styled challenge in which participants were given a clue and then had to complete a variety of tasks around main campus. There was an enthusiastic student turnout for these
events and all students are encouraged to get involved in future intramural activities. The Griffins have proved that despite the fact that this is a young Division II program, they are ready to compete now in their respective sports. The timely progression of the program as a whole has the college well on its way to transforming itself into a model program in NCAA Division II. More information concerning Chestnut Hill College sports can be found on the Griffin athletics website at www.chc.edu/athletics.
Photo courtesy of chc.edu
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The Griffin
Arts & entertainment Who is Agent Moosehead? By Cait O’Driscoll ‘10 Editor-In-Chief
No, Agent Moosehead is not a mischievous student, a crime-solving moose, or anyone else you should be worried about meeting when you’re walking around campus late at night. In fact, Agent Moosehead is an exceptionally innovative band based in the Philadelphia and surrounding area. Agent Moosehead describes themselves as a band that “harnesses the power of chromatic harmonic structures, minor key tonalities, repetitive melodic phrasing, odd time signatures, driving guitar riffs and sudden changes - all of which culminate in a Prog-Jazz / Instrumental-Rock style that is distinctively innovative... and addictive!” So, who are these guys, and what on earth are they talking about? Agent Moosehead can be loosely described as jazz/rock fusion, but Moosehead’s music spans so many more genres than just this. From Nintendo music to Frank Zappa covers to their snappy originals, Moosehead’s style is extremely unique and difficult to pinpoint. This band not only has their very own style, but they play at speeds you might have thought impossible and time signatures that are seemingly unfathomable. Drummer Jon McNally compares the band’s sound to Frank Zappa, King Crimson, They Might Be Giants, The Mars Volta, and early era Nintendo music. CHC Junior Yannick Wallace calls Moosehead, “Dynamic. The band provides a listening experience unmatched by any other band I’ve heard in that genre.” “Agent Moosehead is a great band to see live. I’ve seen them play a number of times now, and each time has been a fun and worthwhile experience,” says Junior Tom Hagerty. The band formed in the summer of 2003 and eventually evolved into the imaginative sound-scape it is today with Chris Dippolito on guitar, his brother Pete Dippolito on bass, John Briley on keyboard and synth, and Chestnut Hill College’s own Jon McNally on drums. This unique band has talent and chemistry that most bands can only aspire to
achieve. Agent Moosehead also showcases an impressive horn section featuring Tom Madeja on trumpet and flugelhorn, Dan Peterson on saxophone and bass clarinet, and Anthony Triplett on bass trombone. Agent Moosehead has performed in many different venues in the Philadelphia and surrounding area. When asked to choose his favorite, McNally replied, “World Cafe Live because that seems to give us the most opportunity to get our name out. A lot of local press like to do stuff on WCL.” McNally was torn between Ed Mann and Aaron Goode when asked his favorite Agent Moosehead “guest star.” Of Ed Mann (percussionist for Frank Zappa), McNally said, “It was really fun and great to play with somebody that was involved with original Frank Zappa compositions and performances.” Aaron Goode also has an impressive resumé. He recently finished playing with Jay-Z on his Blueprint 3 Tour and he has also performed with John Legend, Jill Scott, and many others. He has even played on such shows as “Saturday Night Live” and “The Late Show with David Letterman.” McNally said, “It’s gratifying to know that someone of his caliber would be willing to play with a band like ours, it gives us perspective.” The band’s first studio CD, “Neil, Throw the Switch!” was released last year and features nine of their creative originals, written and arranged by guitarist and front-man Chris Dippolito (with the exception of track eight, “Roboham,” written by Chris Dippolito, Pete Dippolito, and Jon McNally). McNally’s favorite Moosehead song is, “Dr. Doom, because of the many different parts and how each part kind of features a different section of the band.” Keep an eye out for Agent Moosehead in 2010! They’re next show will be at the Tritone on South Street on January 20th. For more dates and to check out some of their music go to: www.myspace.com/agentmoosehead. You can also check them out on Facebook by searching Agent Moosehead. “Neil, Throw the Switch!” is available for sale for only $10 a piece. If you’re interested in purchasing a CD, contact Agent Moosehead online, come to a show, or ask Jon McNally (or even myself) the next time you see one of us in the hall or in class.
The Split Currents profile By Bleu Lane ‘12 Contributing Staff
“Refusing to be defined since 2009” is the motto that appears on the business card of the band, The Split Currents. “What people don’t know is that it is a direct reference to our interview style,” says Ryan Moore, 21-yearold lead vocalist and guitarist. While it proved to be an accurate motto, it is possible to get enough information out of an interview to try defining them. The band members are Moore and two other Chestnut Hill College seniors, Koh Chiba, who is the bass player, and Garrett Senior, who plays the saxophone. The band currently does not have a drummer so they use a small iPod-esque device that they have named RoboBob to provide the beat. Moore and Chiba met while taking guitar lessons, then started playing together. They have played in a few bands together in the past, but The Split Currents has been the most solid collaboration. When asked how Senior became a member of the band, the boys couldn’t agree on one reason. Chiba says they added a saxophone “to create a more unique sound,” while Moore says Senior was brought in “to add sex appeal.” Their music is self-described as “funkadelic pop rock” but they
say they are trying to move towards more danceable music. Their song writing process begins with the music being created first, then, according to Moore, their “divinely inspired” lyrics are written to fit the music. They just recorded a demo titled Revival. The demo, which features the songs “Dead Man Walking” and “We’ve Got to Get Up,” is available on the band’s website www.thesplitcurrents.com and they will also be handing the demos out around campus. Most of their focus has been on this demo so they haven’t been playing many shows lately. Usually they play at coffee shops and events on campus. The Split Currents most recently played at the Summerhouse on Oct. 22. They are hoping the demo will help them book more shows at a variety of venues. All of the guys listen to a wide genre of music. When asked who their musical influences are, the following answers are given: hip-hop, 60s rock, obscure black metal bands from East Berlin, gangster rap, classical, and funk. As far as where they see the band in the future, they cannot see much past trying to book shows in the present. They say the band is just for fun, although they do have one goal for the future. “We want to play at Obama’s re-election inaugural ball,” says Chiba. So while you wait for that performance, keep an eye out for local shows by The Split Currents.
Philadelphia Auto Show By Jessica Lee ‘11 Contributing Staff
This time of year always welcomes the Philadelphia Auto Show at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Come see “hot” production cars, exotic and concept cars, vintage and classics, and we can’t forget the environmentally friendly green cars that are introduced more and more every year. The show began in 1902 and attracts more than 200,000 car enthusiasts each season. Many people come to see what is hot and new for the upcoming production year, while some come to take pictures with their dream car. Whatever your motivation may be, it is a great opportunity for any car lover. Experts are present for questions and wait eagerly to express all features of their specialty vehicle, or you can just enjoy the view from afar as the flashy truck rotates on display. Most vehicles you can sit in, get under the hood, or kick the tires. If you need a break, get in, put the seat down, and relax. Unfortunately, many of the exotic cars are only for viewing pleasure as the rooms are usually filled with club music and packed to the walls with spectators. Tickets can be purchased on www.phillyautoshow.com or upon entrance at the ticket booth. The show begins on Jan. 30 and runs through Feb. 7, 2010. See you there. Hours are:
Mon-Fri 12 p.m.-10 p.m. Sat 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday’s vary
Photo courtesy of phillyautoshow.com
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The Griffin FROM SOCIAL NETWORKING PAGE 1 students, faculty, staff, a n d a l u m n i , ” s a i d Admissions Counselor Lori Boccuzzi. “Also, what makes Facebook a unique form of advertising is that ‘fans’ find you; instead of the school sending a letter or an email, it is up to the person interested to find our Facebook page and become a fan. “ The Admissions department also sees Facebook as a tool to inform current and prospective students about what is occurring within the college community, from accomplishments of alumni, to the Colleges average SAT score; it’s all just a click away on Facebook. “The Facebook page allows anyone who has any ties to CHC to be able to communicate with one another,” said Boccuzzi. “If a high school senior has a question about what the dorms are like, they can ask and their question could be answered by a student currently living on campus. It allows for easy and direct communication.” T h e S t u d e n t s Activities and Admissions departments are not the only ones taking advantage of the popularity of social-networking sites. Logue Library also has a Facebook page that is open to students to ask research-related questions; questions about inter-library loans; and book renewals, among other topics. Facebook has provided another means for instant and direct communication with a Logue librarian. CHC Electronic Resource Librarian Diane Arnold can be reached throughout the day via Facebook, e-mail, and through Meebo, an instant messaging system open to anyone. The additional library communication options can be found on Logue’s website under the Ask! link. With various fan pages popping up all over Facebook, the College has future plans to consolidate all of the CHC Facebook pages into one large page. “A few months ago, I realized that small Facebook groups were popping up for specific departments around the College,” said John Keller, CHC Website Manager. “For example, Student Life, Undergraduate Admissions, and the Alumni Association all had Facebook pages. I think it’s great that these departments in the college were trying to reach out to people to get their message out there. After consulting with Lori Boccuzzi in Admissions, it became apparent that it would be more effective to combine these smaller Facebook pages into one. “ Keller is confident that the consolidation of all the CHC Facebook pages will help both the users and the college by creating a more simplistic way for Facebook users to obtain information about the department they are interested in. “If the Facebook page was split, fans would have the unwelcome task of having to find each individual CHC fan page and become a fan,” said Keller. “Consolidating the Facebook pages also empowers the smaller departments in the College to reach a broader fan base; now even Sister Joan in the Math Center can easily communicate with all of CHC’s fans. If she had her own individual Facebook page for the math center, her fan base would have been significantly smaller, and her message less effective.”
FROM CHRISTMASTIME PAGE 1 Delaware County has a spectacular Christmas show that expands over all of their gardens. The displays begin on Nov. 26 and run until Jan. 10, 2010. Besides having spectacular light shows, you can watch ice skating performances, have breakfast with Santa, or enjoy a meal at The Terrace Restaurant which features a café and full service dining. Visit their website for more information, www.longwoodgardens.org. Center City Philadelphia is full of energy throughout the year, but at Christmastime the city really sparkles. The tree lighting at City Hall and the Christmas Village that operates throughout the entire season outside of City Hall are worth visiting. The Christmas Village is a new tradition in Philly, this only being its second year, and it features various shops in the concourse outside of City Hall. It is a way of completing some holiday shopping and taking in some traditions at the same time. The traditional light show at Macy’s is also something you don’t want to miss. This began as a tradition at Wanamaker’s years ago, but Macy’s has continued the tradition since Wanamaker’s closed. There are also several theater productions at the many theaters in the city. The most traditional would of course be the Nutcracker performed at the Academy of Music. Also showing at the Academy of Music is Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. Visit the Kimmel Center’s website for more information on all the upcoming holiday shows, www.kimmelcenter.org. Whether you have a car or not, there are many ways you can have a fantastic time during the holidays. Simply walk up the hill to enjoy Stag and Doe nights or venture downtown for ice skating at Penn’s Landing. You can also take a drive on West River Drive and look at the illuminated Boat House Row or simply bundle up and walk around the city to feel the holiday cheer.
RA Selection 2010-2011
Resident Assistants Needed! Please attend one of the sessions below for more information about becoming an RA!
Information Session I Monday, November 30, 2009 2:00-3:00pm Martino 309 Information Session II Wednesday, December 2, 2009 7:00-8:00pm Martino 321
Information Session III Wednesday, January 20, 2010 2:00-3:00pm Martino 309 Information Session IV Monday, January 25, 2010 7:00-8:00pm TBA
Heaven & Earth Salon 505 ½ Germantown Pike Lafayette Hill 610.828.0211
Chestnut Hill College Faculty & Student Discount Coupon This coupon entitles you to 15% off any service Or Get 1st Service at Full price and 2nd Service 30% off (must be equal or lesser value than 1st service) Hours: Sun. 10-2, Mon. 3-9, Tues., Wed., & Thurs. 9-9, Fri. 9-6, Sat. 8-5 Call for appointment 610.828.0211 Please bring coupon to Salon to redeem!
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The Griffin
Love Taking Pictures? Need to Build a Portfolio? Or Add to Your Resume?
Photo courtesy of: http://static.fizber.com/images/photographer.jpg
Become a photographer for
The Griffin
If you are interested please contact: Jarreau Freeman, photo editor, at
Have a Greener Christmas By Caitlin Kain ‘13 Contributing Staff
FreemanJJ@chc.edu for more info!
During the holiday frenzy, it’s easy to forget that “green” means more than Christmas trees and cash. The season’s surge in retail spending and mass production mean more opportunities for non-biodegradable waste, like plastic, treated cardboard, and countless reams of wrapping paper. 1. When shopping for gifts, consider bringing reusable shopping bags. Not only are they more convenient and easy to carry, but they’re environmentally conscious, too. The Wall Street Journal found that the U.S. uses 100 billion plastic shopping bags annually, with 12 billion barrels of oil going into their production. 2. Find alternatives to traditional wrapping paper, as it isn’t recyclable. According to funtimesliving. com, “wrapping paper is often dyed, laminated and/or contains non-paper additives such as gold and silver coloured shapes, glitter, plastics, etc., which cannot be recycled.” 3. Look for a “100% Recycled” mark on any card you send. 4. Unplug lights when you leave the room, and consider investing in LED lights. Never-ending strands of pointy, yellow lights are indeed festive, but if no one sees them, what good are they? Don’t’ forget to unplug and turn off lights in your residence hall room, too. A do-it-yourself gift option: Button Wreath Ornament (courtesy of Martha Stewart) What you’ll need: Needle-nose pliers or wire cutters, 16-gauge copper wire, or 22-gauge green floral wire (cut to 9-inch lengths), 72 buttons for each wreath, scissors, satin ribbon (1/8 inch wide and 6 inches long), seam binding for decorative bow 1. Using pliers, make a small loop at one end of the wire. 2. Thread buttons onto the wire until you have enough to form the size of the wreath you want. Our wreaths are 2 1/2 inches in diameter. 3. Using pliers, bend the plain end of the wire around the looped end. This will form the wreath. 4. Use the satin ribbon to make a loop for hanging the wreath; tie the ribbon in a knot about 3 inches above the wreath.
Photo courtesy of marthastewart.com
5. Tie a bow of seam binding to decorate the wreath.