The Griffin - October 2013

THE

GRIFFIN Philadelphia, PA

October 2013

The Free Student Newspaper of Chestnut Hill College

Art Prof. Returns from Vermont Inspired Taylor eben ’14 news editor It’s safe to say that Margie Thompson, SSJ, MFA, certainly enjoyed her recent sabbatical.

The associate professor of art has returned to campus after a sabbatical leave she took during the spring semester. She spent January, February, and part of March in South Florida, near Miami, where she set up a makeshift studio in a friend’s home and spent her days painting the tropical landscape.

In April, she traveled to The Vermont Studio Center, an artist retreat in Johnson, Vt., which she describes as a “mystical” setting. She earned her MFA at the Center, located in the heart of Vermont’s Green Mountains.

“Vermont is such a sacred place to me,” she says. “It’s different, it’s magical, and you notice it.”

Each month, the Center hosts a community of fifty visual artists and writers who live and work together. “Through open studio forums, informal conversations, and studio visits, resident artists give each other feedback, demonstrate various techniques, discuss other artists

Harry Potter Returns

Check Out Page 8 For More Info image contributed by Margie Thompson, SSJ, MFA

Margie Thompson, SSJ, MFA, at The Vermont Studio Center in Johnson, VT. To get a better look at the painting featured here or check out more of Sr. Margie’s artwork, visit Page 4. who influence their work, and share helpful information about books, galleries, and shows.”

Thompson’s residency allowed her to “focus deeply” on her creative work, and the landscape, which was still relatively frozen at the time, was of great inspiration.

In May, Thompson traveled to New Mexico, where she visited Ghost Ranch and Abiquiu

(pronounced “Ab-ee-kyoo”).

Ghost Ranch used to be a cattle ranch and was purchased by the Presbyterian Church in 1955, which converted it into a retreat and conference center. Georgia O’Keeffe, the acclaimed American modernist painter who is known for her extraordinary depictions of landscapes, plants, and bones, lived in Abiquiu for forty years

until her death in 1986.

Thompson’s excitement is practically contagious as she flips through a book about Ghost Ranch. She has an explanation for every painting and photograph in the book.

“I always admired Georgia O’Keefe as a really strong,

relations, as well as the interdependence among nations. Students are exposed to such ideas through the core requirement of a global studies seminar, but there was no major that solely focused on the evolving ways of the world and Reich wanted to change that.

As Reich said, “It has become a truism today in higher education circles that colleges need to prepare students for living and working in a world that has become more interconnected and in some ways more interdependent. College-educated students today need to become life-long learners about the globalized world in which they live.”

Digital Forensics

to grow, it was brought to the attention of the faculty and staff that a digital forensics undergraduate major would benefit the student population and college as a whole. With this insight, CHC enacted an official digital forensics major for the Undergraduate program this year.

Lisa Oliveri, SSJ, Ph.D., chair of the computer science and information technology department, described the major as being “a segment of computing that develops evidence associated with digital files that can be used in court cases.”

Formerly a concentration within the computer and information technology major, the development of the digital forensics major has led to a more in-depth field of study for stu-

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“Sr. Margie Returns” Continued on Page 4.

College Expands Curriculum with New Majors Global Affairs nicole carney ’16 staff writer Chestnut Hill College has created a new global affairs major for the undergraduate curriculum in response to the increasing demand and popularity of the global studies courses already offered here at the college.

The new major is comprised of courses that incorporate politics, economics, and culture on an international level.

Jacqueline Reich, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, led the campaign for the addition of this new major in the belief that it is important for students to learn about the values of intercultural and international

NEWS

“Global Affairs Major” Continued on Page 4.

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andrea wentzell ’15 senior staff writer When two fields of study are blended, it typically yields a unique perspective. For instance, the field of digital forensics combines both criminal justice and technology, a combination of which creates an everdeveloping and evolving niche, resulting in job demands both in public and private sectors for individuals equipped with digital forensics backgrounds.

For several years, a digital forensics minor has been part of the curriculum here at Chestnut Hill College and a major was part of the Graduate program.

However, as interest continued

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dents. One of the key instructors for this major is Pamela King, M.S, instructor of computer science, who has over 20 years of digital forensics work, 17 of which were spent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). “The program consists of a combination of computer science, criminal justice, and specialized digital forensics courses, since it is [a blend of both] law and technology,” King said.

Due to the split from the former concentration, students are able to dive deeper into current legal and technological debates in a way they could not before.

Along with completing several “Digital Forensics Major” Continued on Page 2.

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The Griffin

THE

GRIFFIN Vol. IV, Issue 2

The Free Student Newspaper of Chestnut Hill College Marilee Gallagher ’13 Editor-in-Chief Skyler Stillwaggon ’14 Managing Editor Layout Editor Andrea Wentzell ’15 Business Manager Senior Layout Staff Taylor Eben ’14 News Editor Michael Bradley ’14 Style Editor Megan Dicus ’15 Style Editor Megan Welch ’16 Opinion Editor Adele Giangiulio ’16 Sports Editor Tiffany Ureña ’16 Sports Editor Chris Shriver ’15 Online Editor Elizabeth Bachmayer ’16 Photo Editor Briana Charlton ’16 Senior Copy Editor Layout Staff Alex Ominiyi ’16 Copy Editors Sally Simons ’15 Susan Magee, M.F.A. Facilitator Make your opinion heard and submit editorials to The Griffin. Submissions become property of The Griffin and are subject to editing for style, clarity and length. The views represented in submissions do not represent Chestnut Hill College.

Submissions also do not represent The Griffin’s position, or that of its facilitator.

The Griffin strives for accuracy and fair representation in all of its publications and factual correctness. If an error is found, email the issue number, the error, and the correction that needs to be made to the.griffin.chc@gmail. com. Corrections may be printed in the next issue.

Advice for Undeclared Majors becky stahl ’16 contributing writer Starting college with an undeclared major can be an exciting way to begin your college career. There are a lot of majors and courses to explore. But what happens when you find yourself in your sophomore year and you still don’t know which major is right for you?

Undeclared Students Shouldn’t Worry According to Ryan Mooney, assistant director of career development, undeclared students shouldn’t worry. Statistics show that people change their careers up to seven times in their lifetime, so being undeclared isn’t such a big deal. “It’s not like the job you get out of college is the job you have for the rest of your life,” Mooney said. Now a lot of employers look for what types of skills a candidate has and what organizations they’ve been a part of rather than just looking at their major.

Mooney advises undeclared students to talk with faculty members and have them share their career experiences. The Career Development Office also has many resources to help students get an insight on possible careers on their BlackBoard site.

Which Career is Right for Me? Before you start looking through the different career resources on the BlackBoard site located under the “What Career Is for Me?” tab, it may also be helpful to view the Career Success Guide tab to give you an overview of what each resource does.

One resource that Mooney highlighted is the Focus Career Assessment that any CHC student can register for (declared majors find this resource helpful, too). Focus is a personalitybased test that matches your personal interests to promising career options. It then directs you to the majors offered at CHC that would prove beneficial to getting those jobs.

After completing the as-

sessment, it would be helpful to meet with Mooney and discuss your results, as well as what further actions you may want to take. “You can compare your interests to someone who is currently in that position,” Mooney said.

You can also search for careers matching your selected major on the “What Can I Do With My Major?” tab on the BlackBoard menu.

The Best Way to Explore a Career Field Mooney also advises students who are undeclared to shadow someone whose career matches their interests before deciding on a major. A student may think they know what career path they want to take, but could then decide it’s not right for them after they shadow someone in that field.

Kaitlin Wolfert, student success advocate, is another CHC staffer who may be an important resource for those who are undeclared. She can advise students on the values and qualities that employers search for and that are often taught

at a liberal arts college. She also stresses that undeclared majors not worry and wants them to know that this “is a great time to explore your` interests and find a major that feels right.”

Wolfert encourages undeclared students to decide on a major that they will enjoy and not to pick one just because it leads to a job with a bigger salary. She doesn’t believe that it’s helpful “to take courses they may not enjoy or feel motivated to achieve.”

This could negatively affect a student’s educational future.

It’s important to find a good job that you are passionate about.

If you would like to be enrolled on Career Development’s BlackBoard site, please email Ryan Mooney at MooneyR@chc.edu. To schedule an appointment with Kaitlin Wolfert in the Office of Student Success, email her at WolfertK@chc. edu. Both offices are located on the third floor of St. Joseph Hall.

First-year book first Digital Forensics Major megan welch ’15 opinion editor taylor eben ’14 news editor Juggling coursework, activities, a job, and a social life is no easy feat. But add in leaving home, living on your own for the first time, and trying to navigate all of the ins and outs of a brandnew environment, and you have the challenging reality of a firstyear college student.

According to 2010 statistics from higheredinfo.org, 22.9% of students do not return to college after their first year. But Penn State University says that “research indicates that students remain in settings that engage them in meaningful learning activities and support their academic and social needs.”

To help guide first-year students through their transition into college life, Judith L. Sullivan, M.Ed., associate professor of mathematics and winner of the 2013 Lindback Award, and Barbara Giuliano, Ed.D., adjunct faculty in the biology department, have recently published “From Angst to Empowerment: Strategic Planning for Collegiate Success.”

The book covers a variety of topics, including handling selfdoubt, challenge, and change, and gives specific advice on how to handle each problem.

Throughout the book, there are

“checkpoint” summaries and journal spaces for reflection, with the goal of preparing students for academic success in their first year of college.

“We became increasingly convinced that students would have an easier transition from high school to college if they knew specific ways to help themselves,” Sullivan said, “so we wrote a book that contains seven steps. The steps, if they are followed, lead students from academic angst to academic self-empowerment. We believe that all students can benefit from these same seven steps, regardless of their academic background or what college/university they attend.”

This year, first-year students were assigned to read Sullivan and Giuliano’s book for FYI. “In previous years, the book was always a novel, a memoir or last year’s text on civility,” Krista Bailey Murphy, Ph.D., dean of student life said. “While these all related to the class, it was challenging to tie in with the actual instruction.

Using a book all about succeeding in college seemed like the best use of time for everyone. It is also wonderful to highlight the valuable work of one of our own faculty members.”

First-year student Krystyna Stopyra likes the book and is finding it helpful. “It’s giving us information we need,” Stopyra said. “We should use that information to our advantage.”

Continued from Page 1. writing-intensive special topics courses focused in digital forensics, students can expect to take classes in programming, computer hardware, criminal reporting, criminal law, and digital law.

The major, as a result, works to prepare students to combat technological crime.

Sr. Oliveri believes that “a student majoring in digital forensics [will learn] the techniques of finding and gathering evidence from a computer or other digital device in a manner that would allow it to be used as evidence in a legal matter.

As a result, the digital forensic majors need to not only understand the technology used in gathering the evidence, they need to understand the law as well. At times they may need to give testimony or provide reports of their findings, so knowledge of writing technical reports for court proceedings is also part of their course of study.”

Mike Westcott ’15 chose to major in digital forensics not only because of a neighbor’s influence, but by realizing that he has always been interested in technology. He seems to be enjoying the field already through his courses. “I find it very interesting that bits and pieces of information are always left on your computer even if you

think you deleted it,” Wescott said. “The most intriguing part about the classes is when we do hands-on activities and actually recover data.”

An example of a course in this program is CMDF 300: Advanced Digital Forensics.

The course teaches both law and technology and is a requirement for majors and minors, allowing students to explore the field further. Most importantly, students experience hands-on investigative learning, using tools and techniques of the trade to recover data from different devices.

King acknowledges that the field of work within digital forensics is always evolving and individuals involved are constantly learning. She also stated that there are a “variety of ways to apply your skills, not only through civil and criminal cases, but also through teaching and training law enforcement.” She added that “students would like taking digital forensics as a major because it combines multiple disciplines, computer science and law, but it also applies to business and security. Digital forensics is also a very challenging field so students need to think outside the box and apply their technological knowledge to a lot of different scenarios.”

NEWS Intern Diaries Many students at the college are involved in exciting internships. The Intern Diaries is where students are invited to share their experiences.

This issue’s diary entrant is Stephan Wolfert ’14.

Consoles

FOR

Over the summer, I worked for Ernst & Young, now known as EY, at their New York City location near Times Square.

EY is a professional services firm and is one of the leaders in the Big Four accounting firms (others include Deloitte, PwC, and KPMG). EY is known for their people culture and has won several “greatest places to work” awards. When I began my internship, I wasn’t sure if their people culture was real or just a show, but after spending a week there, I was sure it was real.

I got my internship with EY through persistence. I’d been talking to a recruiter whom I found online two years ago and they put me in touch with another recruiter who works with FTDS (Forensic Technology & Discovery Services), a sub-service line of EY. I hounded them for a long time before I finally got an interview for a paid internship.

Since my major is digital forensics, I worked for FTDS. FTDS does all of the digital forensic work in order to help the forensic accountants and fraud examiners find cases of fraud through technology. I was able to work in the digital forensics lab with the entire FTDS team on various projects.

The projects I worked on were confidential, but they were awesome and incorporated things I’ve learned in my classes.

Pam King, M.S., taught me a lot in my digital forensics classes that I was able to utilize, and my knowledge of business was also extremely helpful.

It was a long summer. I worked around 45 to 50 hours a week. The job required extensive travelling and I got to go to places like Chicago and Orlando. I can see myself doing this in the future and fortunately, I have been offered a full-time position with salary, benefits, and a sign-on bonus. I begin in September 2014.

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Student attends big cheese leadership conf. alicia laureti ’15 contributing writer

This summer I had the wonderful opportunity to go to a conference in Allenspark, Colo., called The Big Cheese.

It was a leadership opportunity to give college students all the tools necessary to have a successful Feel Good Chapter.

Feel Good is a youth-centric organization committed to ending world hunger, with active chapters on 25 college campuses across the United States. Feel Good chapters host delis specializing in grilled cheese sandwiches and 100% of the proceeds are invested in organizations that work to eradicate hunger. At Chestnut Hill College, we sell different types of grilled cheeses to help end world hunger and we hold non-profit events such as deli days.

But Feel Good is not all cheese and games--our job is to engage students and raise awareness about ending world hunger. We work with partner organizations such as The Hunger Project (THP) and CHOICE Humanitarian.

These organizations create partnerships not charity. They work with locals all over the world to promote self-reliance.

Participating in The Big Cheese was something I was not prepared for. Not only was it over 1,700 miles away, but it was a mental journey as well. It was one of the most incredible experiences I’ve ever had though. I got to learn more about what Feel Good does and got to meet some of the people that Feel Good has helped in other countries.

I learned so much about myself through others, and realized how passionate others are about ending world hunger by 2030.

I also got to meet some Feel Good celebrities, such as the founders of Feel Good, Changemakers (a collaborative organization that seeks to solve global issues), and representatives from THP and CHOICE. We learned about where our dollars go: epicenters in Africa or water systems in Mexico.

So what did I take home? A boatload of information worthy of sharing with the college community, a new passion for

making delicious grilled cheese sandwiches, and a new, more global, outlook.

With this new mindset, I hope to contribute more than ever to our Feel Good chapter.

I am currently the president of Feel Good and we have some great things in store. Not only will we be making the most delicious grilled cheeses, but we will be selling items such as Feel Good aprons, sunglasses, and even hats. Also, through small conversations and guest speakers, we want to teach the college community about Feel Good and inform everyone that the vision of ending world hunger by 2030 is possible.

Change begins with an idea, a passion, and a desire. I joined this club as a sophomore in order to spice up my resume.

Since then, my hunger has grown, but not just for grilled cheese. I wanted to know what Feel Good did, how it affected the world, and what I could do to help. So now I encourage you to take that same step! If you have any questions, email me at LauretiA@chc.edu. You can also visit Feel Good’s website at www.feelgood.org.

The Truth About Energy Drinks kerry o’brien ’14 staff writer It’s 11 p.m. You just got finished work and you’re heading home. You’re exhausted. You have a 10-page paper due the next day. You know two things: you’re going to be up all night and you’re going to need an energy boost to stay awake.

If you’re like many college students today, you may get that boost through one of the popular energy drinks: Red Bull, Monster, Rockstar, 5-Hour Energy, NOS; . College students often consume energy drinks in order to pull long study sessions or allnighters. Then, they need to stay awake during classes or be at 7 a.m. sports practices, so they may need more energy drinks.

But before you reach for that can of stamina, you might want to know the facts about energy drinks that manufacturers of the billion dollar industry do not tell you.

Energy drinks can be dangerous, especially because they are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Additionally, people rarely research the amount of caffeine in these beverages. They just assume they are safe because they can easily buy them in cafes, stores, and vending machines.

Janice Kuklick, M.Ed., chair of the physical education department and associate professor of physical education, does not believe that students, or anyone,

should be drinking energy drinks.

“They are filled with sugar, calories, have no nutrition, and are a waste of money,” she says.

Energy drinks contain large amounts of caffeine, a stimulant found naturally in many foods.

Caffeine makes a consumer feel extremely alert, awake, and ready to take on the day. However, according to Kuklick, the amount of caffeine in each beverage does not have to be listed, which is where the danger lies. “Consumers drink them blindly, not knowing whether their drink contains 30 mg of caffeine, 500 mg, or somewhere in-between,” she says. “These are dangerous levels that can affect the central nervous system, and students do not know how their body will react to the caffeine.”

The FDA announced in the fall of 2012 that it was investigating alleged fatalities possibly caused by energy drinks. According to an April 2013 New Republic article by Lindsay Beyerstein, an award-winning investigative journalist, energy drinks are considered dietary supplements and therefore escape the regulations that apply to other beverages containing caffeine. Beyerstein reports that at high doses caffeine can cause “tremors, nervousness, nausea, and insomnia.

Very high doses of caffeine can cause seizures and heart rhythm abnormalities.”

The Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) considers energy drinks an increasing public

health concern. They reported that “A growing body of scientific evidence documents harmful health effects of energy drinks, particularly for children, adolescents and young adults.”

A first-year athlete who did not wish to be named admitted to drinking at least three energy drinks a day when he can afford them. “With schoolwork, early practices and work, I don’t think I could function without them. I know they’re not good for me, but I don’t like coffee and I don’t really feel like I have a choice.”

Kuklick encourages students to kick the energy drink habit.

“People can naturally increase their energy by getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and eating a healthy diet,” she says.

In many cases, energy drink use leads to a caffeine dependency. Take Chelsey Patten ‘14 for example. “When I didn’t have [caffeine], I just felt really, really tired all the time, like I was dragging.” Patten quit drinking the energizing elixirs after she found herself completely reliant on the caffeine.

Sophomore and women’s softball player, Francesca Faillace used to drink energy drinks regularly but decided to give them up. “I knew they weren’t really healthy,” she says. “I also thought they were helping me perform better, but I discovered that I could play just as well without them.”

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Global Affairs Major Continued from Page 1.

CHC saw the importance of adding global affairs to its major offerings not only to allow students to expand their worldviews, but because many other colleges and universities already offer this option to their students.

“The global affairs major was designed to engage students in the study of the broad and deep trends through which the world is becoming more interconnected,” Reich, the coordinator of the political science and global affairs programs, said. “It is also designed to give students concrete skills for navigating our interconnected world such as proficiency in a foreign language, basic knowledge about concepts in international business and international relations, intercultural sensitivity, critical thinking, and strong writing skills.”

What does the global affairs major entail?

Students must complete a total of 42 credits that include core courses for the major, six credits of a foreign language beyond the 104 level, an internship in global affairs, 12 credits in a particular concentration, and a senior seminar.

This course load may seem challenging but four students including Clara Bjernheim ‘16 and Rebecka Rosell ‘16, already became the pioneers for the major this semester and are thoroughly enjoying it so far.

“I was leaning towards political science, but being an international student I thought [global affairs] would be more beneficial,” Bjernheim, a native of Sweden said.

One may think that as international students, they have an upper hand in this field of study, but they, too, are learning new concepts.

“Our first class for this major is Rule of Law with Dr. Reich and it is a good introduction to the major,” Rosell, also a Swedish native, said. “We are learning about all different nations and their governments.

It is interesting how different they are from the democratic governments in the U.S. and Sweden.”

As a learning community, Chestnut Hill strives to educate its students in every aspect, including making them knowledgeable global citizens and helping them gain a better understanding of international relations, which is the goal of the global affairs major.

New writing center director catherine dempsey ’15 SEnior staff writer A busy man with an endless supply of energy, John Ebersole, M.F.A., is the new director of the Writing Center and he couldn’t be more thrilled about it. Since joining the Chestnut Hill College community in 2007, Ebersole has loved working with staff and students alike who continue to inspire him every day.

“The Writing Center tutors are some of the most brilliant and generous individuals I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with,” he says. “I’m humbled to not only have the opportunity to work side-by-side with them, but to serve them as well.”

Ebersole has big ideas to not only make the Writing Center more helpful, but more accessible to commuters, especially those who use public transportation.

“Who wants go to see a tutor for thirty minutes when it takes you over an hour to get to Chestnut Hill?” Ebersole says. “We’re just beginning to experiment with distance-tutoring by utilizing Skype and webcams.”

He is also beginning a cre-

ative writing group at Saint Joseph Villa, where many Sisters of Saint Joseph live, and he can’t wait for that to get started.

“I realize the College would not exist if it wasn’t for the extraordinary vision of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, so I look for opportunities to celebrate their legacy through writing,” he says.

Ebersole has an extensive background in poetry and writing. While growing up in Winter Park, Fla., a suburb of Orlando, he read and wrote poetry throughout high school, contributing to the literary magazine. He also gave readings read at a coffee shop in downtown Orlando.

“They really supported young poets and were happy to take our money, too,” he says.

After finishing his undergraduate studies at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Ebersole began Columbia University’s M.F.A program, where he worked with other talented writers studying poetry.

“Poetry changed my life not only when I realized it was a gift, but when I was humble enough to accept it,” he says.

“This took me a very long time to understand.”

Almost anything can inspire Ebersole to write, whether it be

falling in love, traumas of life, or the nature that surrounds him.

“I guess I find the totality of human experience beautifully traumatic and that’s what inspires me to write-- to articulate that feeling of bewilderment,” he says.

Finally, when asked what advice he would give to the aspiring writers and poets of our community, he delivered to me a simple, but powerful answer: “Between writing poems, write prose about poetry.”

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Sr. Margie Returns Continued from Page 1.

Margie Thompson, Burning Bush Series, 2013, oil on canvas, 10” x 30”

Margie Thompson, Pedernal Burning Bush (left pannel), 2013, oil on canvas, 3’ x 6’

Margie Thompson, Pedernal Burning Bush (right pannel), 2013, oil on canvas, 3’ x 3’

Margie Thompson, Mountain Mystery Series, 2013, oil on canvas, 10” x 30”

independent woman. [She] made her own way as an artist,” Thompson says, as if she’s reminiscing about an old friend.

“To be honest, I also felt like Ghost Ranch was calling me.”

Thompson had traveled there in 2012, but she wanted to go back. She kept seeing ads for Ghost Ranch in a spirituality magazine she subscribes to and she decided to investigate.

Their “Mesa Magic” workshop appealed to Thompson, so she applied for funding and headed for the high desert.

Thompson had already begun painting a new body of work, titled “Atmospheric Colors,” which consists of landscapes. She is familiar with painting woodland, ocean, Caribbean, Alaskan, and European topography, but Ghost Ranch is different. Its unique landscape and color palette were something Thompson had not yet experienced.

Each day Thompson, several other artists, and their instructor ventured into the 102° desert. They even had the opportunity to paint the iconic Chimney Rock. “I thought I was going to die, literally, because of the intensity of [the heat]. It was wonderful and awesome and sometimes awful,” she says. “I

remember after a day of painting almost not being able to walk to my room.”

“Because we were traveling [around the desert], the person who was leading the workshop would only allow us to bring a very limited set of colors,” Thompson explains. The desert is a great place in which an artist can experiment with colors, she says. They mixed red and yellow to create beautiful desert oranges, much more organic than squeezing it out of a tube.

Now that she’s back on campus, Thompson says she feels refreshed from her time away. “[I enjoy] meeting so many different artists and seeing how they paint and what they paint,” she says. “[Learning] what can look beautiful and what can be considered beautiful helps me encourage my students to take what they’re discovering about their own style and stay with it and expand it. I’m not churning out little Sister Margie Thompson artists.”

Twenty-two of her paintings from “Atmospheric Colors” are currently on exhibition in the Martinetti Gallery at Johnson State College. She plans to continue working on the series toward a larger exhibition at The Dwight V. Dowley Gallery on campus within the next year and a half.

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image: Hanna Horwarth, flickr.com

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Halloween Haunts You Probably Don’t Know About Andrea Wentzell ’15 Senior Staff Writer Within the next two weeks, the already festive Halloween spirit might just go into overdrive.

Philadelphia and the surrounding areas will begin to see a flow of attractions and events that just might have the effect of waking the dead. Events range from tours at the well known Eastern State Penitentiary (easternstate. org/Halloween) to Masquerade Balls in Rittenhouse Square (rittenhouserow.org).

However, you might not even know that a few of those haunted attractions and tours are right in your own neighborhood.

Check out these not-so-wellknown tours and events in the area:

tober daily at 7:30 p.m. with additional weekend times at 6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

Spirits of ’76 Ghost Tour

Laurel Hill Cemetery

spiritsof76.com Tickets - $18 4th and Chestnut St. Philadelphia (Old City)

thelaurelhillcemetery.org Tickets- $20 3822 Ridge Ave., Philadelphia (East Falls)

This 75-minute comprehensive walking tour takes you to 20 ghostly sites including stops at the Liberty Bell, Holy Trinity Church, Congress Hall, the Physick House, among many others.

Tours meet at the corner of 4th and Chestnut St. and run in Oc-

Host to a variety of events this Halloween season, Laurel Hill Cemetery will be awakening the dead with the multitude of events planned, such as stage performances from the dead themselves and the Soul Crawl: Haunted History tour.

Briton Lodge Haunted House britonlodge.com Tickets- $22 1808 W. Schuylkill Road Douglassville, PA With 250 years of history, the Briton Lodge Haunted House features 28 cozy rooms that might or might not be host to a number of spirits. Recognized as one of the top ten haunted sites in Penn., this old lodge sits in the crossroads for travelers both of the present and past. Tours run from Oct. 4 through Nov. 2, on weekends at the top of every hour between 7 and 11 p.m.

Haunting at Winding Brook Farms windingbrookfarm.com Tickets - $25 Combo Pack 3014 Bristol Road Warrington, PA

screencap: pennhurstasylum.com

Running throughout October, Winding Brook Farms offers corn mazes, hay mazes, and family fun activities during the day, but when night comes so do the chills. The over 100-yearold, 200-acre dairy farm becomes a ghostly sight. With both a haunted hayride and corn walk of horror, the farm comes to life with ghosts, zombies, and other mysterious things that walk in the night.

Fright Factory frightfactory.tv Tickets - $25 2200 S. Swanson St. Philadelphia (Pennsport) With tours running every weekend, this aging former factory turned insane asylum might leave you as the only one left alive in your group. Fright Factory tops the Travel Channel’s list of America’s Scariest Haunted Attractions, and with its 25,000 square feet of haunting, it’s no wonder.

Pennhurst Asylum pennhurstasylum.com Tickets - $40 combo pass 100 Commonwealth Drive Spring City, PA Originally opened in 1908, the Pennhurst Asylum was once a state school that housed over 10,000 mentally and physically disabled patients. The school was known for its cruel and abusive nature, and therefore, was closed in 1968. Pennhurst has miles of underground tunnels and blocked hallways, as well as, four frightening attractions, including a Ghost Hunt, The Tunnel Terror, The Dungeon of Lost Souls, and the Asylum itself. This place will literally take your breath away.

Tears of Our Fathers, Sins of Our Sons Catherine Dempsey ’15 Senior Staff Writer Packed with a cry for revolution, love, and reflection, Crazy Kyle and the Folk Revival bring forth issues that are facing our society today using only an acoustic guitar, a harmonica, and Chestnut Hill College’s own, junior Kyle Mick’s soothing blues voice. Tentatively titled Tears of Our Fathers, Sins of Our Sons, the record displays the concerns of our nation and paints a picture of

pure confusion as Mick navigates us through the wreckage.

It’s recorded well with vocals and instruments balanced so nothing is overwhelming the other. “Just A Word of Warning” croons with “we lost who we are/in this world of make believers” delivering a powerful message to it’s listeners in a very blunt way. There is nothing subtle about this release, as Mick wants you to understand exactly what he’s trying to say. The content gives homage to well-respected folk musicians with tracks like “My Generation” lyrically telling a story as Bob Dylan did with his popular songs “Hurricane” and “Tangled Up in Blue”.

Mick has been playing guitar for five years and this is his breakout release. It was recorded at The Lonely Music Group in N.J., where he also recorded a demo record (“The

Fools, The Folks, And The Failures”) using some of these tracks (Dr. Death, The Shadow of Change, and The Edge of Paradise) in high school.

Mick says he would like people to have an open mind before listening to this album.

This isn't the typical folk music that you hear on the radio like Mumford and Sons or The Lumineers. “The folk music that I play is more geared to how folk music was played in the 1960's,” he says. “Its controversial, politically challenging, and hopefully makes people question the world around them.”

He says he’s looking forward to playing tracks from this album live in the near future. Be on the look out for Crazy Kyle and the Folk Revival at the Grape Room this semester.

contributed by: Jacqueline Garrison Photography

Crazy Kyle and the Folk Revival, the eponymous one man band created by Kyle Mick ’15, on Oct. 14 released it’s debut album Tears of Our Fathers, Sins of Our Sons.

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The Griffin

Top 5 Halloween Movies

Megan Dicus ’15 Style Editor

3) Friday the 13th

1) Hocus Pocus

Hocus Pocus is a well-known comedy featuring three wild witches, the Sanderson sisters, who originate from 17th-century Salem, and who through unsuspecting magic, come back to haunt the town nearly 300 years later. This is definitely one of the most popular movies to watch during the month of October. It isn't the scariest movie out there, but people of all ages enjoy watching it, as it welcomes the Halloween season with laughter.

Another infamously gory film directed by Sean S. Cunningham is Friday the 13th. The story takes place in 1979 at Camp Crystal Lake, when the camp re-opens after being closed for almost a decade. It was said that in 1957, a boy by the name of Jason Vorhees was swimming in the lake when he suddenly drowned. Ever since then, counselors have been murdered mysteriously and other strange things began to happen. But now that the camp is open again, it’s about to get a lot worse. Many more counselors are murdered by Jason, as he wreaks havoc and takes his revenge out on the place where he was killed many years before.

2) Halloween

Halloween is a classic thriller directed by John Carpenter in 1978.

The story begins in 1963 and focuses on 6-year-old Michael Myers. After coming home from trick-or-treating, Michael stabs his older sister to death. For 15 years, Michael is held in a mental institution, but somehow manages to escape the night before Halloween in 1978. His doctor has a very strong feeling that Michael is heading back to his hometown to kill again on Halloween night and goes there to stop this massacre from happening. This movie is one of Carpenter’s best movies.

4) It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown This movie isn’t scary or gruesome, but it’s definitely a classic Halloween film. Made in 1966 and directed by Bill Melendez (the voice of Snoopy), this cartoon shows the Peanuts gang getting ready for the Halloween season. For the first time ever, Charlie Brown is invited to a Halloween party hosted by Violet, who most of the time is mean to him. The characters all have unique costumes they wear, and even Snoopy gets dressed up. Meanwhile, the only person who isn’t at the party is Linus, who is awaiting impatiently for the great pumpkin in the town’s pumpkin patch.

5) Psycho

This old time movie is one of the scariest films from its decade. Directed in 1960 by “master of suspense” Alfred Hitchcock, the story focuses on Marion Crane, who is trusted with $40,000 in cash, but leaves town to start a new life. After she has traveled very far, a storm suddenly appears and she is forced to pull into a parking lot where she notices the Bates Motel. She meets Norman Bates, the caretaker, and he shows her to her room. She goes in the bathroom, flushes pieces of paper down the toilet, and takes a shower--but she does not come out alive. A mysterious figure repeatedly stabs her and she falls to her death.

This film is one of Hitchcock’s most famous movies and definitely a movie to watch during the month of October.

@JimmyFallon: “I once got a text from my mom that said, “HOW DO YOU TURN CAPS LOCK OFF??” #momtexts”

@The EllenShow: “Love my new iPhone, but I’m not using the fingerprint scanner. At least not in states where I’m wanted. They ain’t gonna catch me that easy.”

@SamLansky: “My despair over getting sick with a mild head cold is probably similar to how medieval people reacted after catching the bubonic plague.”

@HankGreen: “It occurs to me that you can’t pick a pickled pepper. You can pick a pepper and then pickle it, but there are no pickled pepper plants.”

as when Harry and his friends struggled against Lord Voldemort.

According to J.K. Rowling’s Web site (www.jkrowling.com), this new Warner Bros. movie, which will develop into a series, follows Newt Scamander, the author of the Hogwarts text-

book Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (also the name of the film). This extension of the magical world sounds absolutely incredible in itself; however, what makes it even better is that Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, will be writing the screenplay for the film.

“Having lived for so long in my fictional universe,” Rowling wrote on her Web site, “I feel very protective of it and I already knew a lot about Newt.”

She would never let her precious fantasy world fall into the wrong hands, much to fans’ relief.

“As I considered Warners’ proposal, an idea took shape that I couldn’t dislodge,” she wrote. “That is how I ended up pitching my own idea for a film to Warner Bros.” Since Rowling is writing the screenplay, there can be no doubt that the film is going to be spectacular and true to all things magical.

However, the only sad news about this upcoming film is that it will not include the original Harry Potter cast that fans have come to adore. Fantastic Beasts will include all the familiar magic, creatures, etc. from Harry Potter, but the story itself will be set in New York seventy years before Harry’s story begins.

Even though Harry and his friends will not be gracing us with their presence in this film, it will still be an incredible experience, not to mention, it will give fans an opportunity to learn more about the world in which their favorite witches and wizards dwell.

There is no word, yet, about when production on the film will begin, as Rowling has most likely not put her finishing touches on the script.

Tweets of the Month Fantastic Beasts: The Wizarding World Returns Briana Charlton ’16 Senior Staff Writer

The wizarding world of Harry Potter that many people have come to love will be returning to the big screen and fans can expect just as fantastic an adventure this time around

Harry Potter Alliance

The Griffindors Brotherly Love Cup Saturday, Oct. 19 Stop by the Chestnut Hill Griffindors table for baked goods, a sorting hat quiz, wands, and more !

The Hunger Games Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2 p.m.

The Courtyard Watch your favorite professors reenact the Hunger Games! Grilled cheeses from Feel Good will be on sale, as well as music and a raffle for your favorite professor.

Raffle voting will take place in front of the cafeteria the week before the games begin.

The Griffin

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Superlative People: CHC’s Student Fashion Line Marilee Gallagher ’13 Editor-in-Chief

Alexander Omoniyi ’16 staff writer The goal of a college education is to help you get a job but what happens when you enter college already an entrepreneur, in charge of your own business?

Not many students can attest to having accomplished such a feat but transfer student Khamil Johnson is one of the few. Currently in his junior year, and first, at Chestnut Hill College, Johnson is the owner and operator of his own clothing Web site (www.superlativepeople.com).

“At first it was just a thought

image: Liana Florez ’15

I played around with,” Johnson said regarding the idea to start his own business. “Then I figured I should pursue my aspirations so I started my own online clothing store.”

Johnson’s motivation to start Superlative People was not driven solely by a love of fashion, but also by the memories he had of clothing when he was a child. “I can remember days going shopping with my mother,” Johnson said. “It was a time that we could connect with each other and build my creativity all in one breath.”

After the shopping trips, Johnson would spend hours drawing logos and sneakers for what he envisioned his clothing brand would be. He knew meticulously what kind of patterns he liked and what colors blended well together. He had an eye for design and one look at his web site plainly shows that.

Johnson’s mission statement for his site is a simple but true thought. “Fashion is an expression of one’s self and a way to convey creativity,” he said. “It’s one of the most amazing things when individuals create new styles by putting different pieces of clothing together.”

That creativity is really what pushed Johnson to do what so

many want to but don’t have the ambition to do—start their own business. Through Superlative People, Johnson hopes to inspire other budding fashionistas in much the same way he was inspired. His company is more like a movement, geared at bringing people together through something as universal as clothing and fashion.

Currently, the site is in its infancy, but that doesn’t mean that Johnson’s efforts aren’t showing. He already has the rights to sell items from the clothing lines of Y.Y.O, Poison Apparel, Rays Collection and I.R.A.N. Collection. Additionally, Johnson’s site sells Nike Apparel Air Jordan sneakers, which is no small feat for a start-up company in just its sixth month of existence.

Ultimately Johnson’s vision is to see his site become all-access for men, women and children. He wants it to become a place where anyone can personalize their own style without difficulty. He has the passion and drive to see this come to fruition and with the business skills he is sure to gain at CHC, it is only a matter of time until everyone will know the name, Superlative People.

Kyle’s Music Pick: Dr. Dog Kyle Mick ‘15 Music critic Few indie bands have crossed as many genres, or have broken down as many musical barriers as Dr. Dog. Hailing from West Grove, Penn., this motley crew of tenacious musical geeks has built an enduring reputation for creating a truly unique soulful sound.

Blending an eclectic vibe of funky Motown beats, sunny pop lyrics, and a hint of acid rock, these pioneers of weird are looking to retake the musical spotlight after being forced to open for freshman act, The Lumineers, on their North American tour.

Armed with everything that has made Dr. Dog cool, these geeky savants are out for blood with their eighth studio album titled, B-Room.

From the moment you listen to the first track on B-Room titled, “The Truth,” you immediately get that vibe that has made Dr. Dog so famous in the music world. A cheery xylophone intro lick reminiscent of the television show, “Mr. Rodgers,” plays nicely in the background, while a smooth-playing Eric Slick drums up a beat that you could easily clap too. Scott McMicken on guitar, and Toby Leaman on bass, have outdone themselves by cre-

ating a beautiful mix of swirling guitar work and funky bass playing that makes the listener feel as if they are stepping back in time to the early days of 1970s rock and roll.

On a later track titled, “Broken Heart,” the fiery vocals and falsetto of McMicken and Leaman, really adds to the scat-like rapping and upbeat drum tempo that makes this song oddly appealing. While the lyrics and in-

strumentation on both of these tracks is nothing new from what Dr. Dog has created in the past, this band has still managed to create innovative rhythmic compositions and vocal work that will be thoroughly appreciated by new and loyal fans alike.

If you’re a fan of Weezer, MGMT, or Wilco, definitely check out Dr. Dog’s new album B-Room expected to hit record stores on Oct. 1.

image: Liana Florez ’15

Superlative People, clothing company, allows Khamil Johnson ’15 owner and operator the freedom to pursue a life long passion.

Neighborhood Profile: Northern Liberties Michael Bradley ’14 Style Editor Philadelphia is a city of neighborhoods. From Fishtown to South Philly to Mount Airy and everything in between, each sub-division of the city has its own vibe and sub-culture. Throughout the year, The Griffin will look at different hot-spots in each of these unique neighborhoods and first up is Northern Liberties.

Northern Liberties

Also known as NoLibs, is a hip, up-and-coming neighborhood in the city. It’s loaded with coffee shops, restaurants, and nightlife. The crowd is composed of seriously cool college kids and recently-graduated people in their twenties.

It’s the Brooklyn of Philadelphia.

Where is it?

Located just northeast of Center City, Northern Liberties, is a small neighborhood consisting of about 15 square-blocks bordering the Delaware River.

How to get there?

From Chestnut Hill, hop on the Chestnut Hill West or Chestnut Hill East Regional Rail line, and get off at Market East (13th St. and Market St.). Next, get on the subway, Market-Frankford line (nicknamed the “El”) heading toward Frankford Terminal, and get off at the Girard stop (just a 5-minute ride) and you’ll be two blocks from N. 2nd St., the heart of NoLibs.

Dr. Dog recently released their eigth ablum entitled B-room.

The band will be appearing at the Electric Factory twice next year on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1. Currently they are the freshman act for The Lummineers North America tour.

What to do?

The Piazza at Schmidt’s (N. 2nd St. and Germantown

Ave.) is a smorgasbord of activity. Every Sunday at 10 a.m. they host the Brooklyn Flea Market—a Philadelphia extension of the famous New York shopping extravaganza.

Browse old furniture, vintage vinyl, and pop-up shops sponsored by local clothing vendors.

Can’t make it on Sunday?

There are a ton of other destinations at the Piazza open all week: PYT (a burger joint with some seriously crazy concoctions), Darling’s Diner (authentic diner food, open 24/7), and Sole Control (a sneaker store specializing in rare, exotic finds).

One Shot (W. George St. and N. American St.): Arguably the hippest coffee shop in the city, One Shot is home of one the most delicious and most decadent breakfast sandwiches in the city. Appropriately named the “Ultimate Breakfast Sandwich,” it’s made of two fried eggs, brie, bacon and a hash brown on a buttery bagel. Not feeling so adventurous? Try the weekly omelet/breakfast burrito, or just enjoy a cup of their house-roasted coffee.

North Bowl (N. 2nd St. and Poplar St.): Leave it to Northern Liberties to make a bowling alley cool. This nightclub meets bowling alley is the ultimate hang out spot. Aside from bowling, North Bowl boasts an enormous arcade, a café/restaurant, and multiple lounges to hang out in. Warning: North Bowl is 21+ after 9 p.m., but don’t worry— they open at 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and at 12 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

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The Griffin

Harry Potter 5

4

Festival Events

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Oct. 18 – 19 Wizards & Muggles are welcomed into the Chestnut Hill, as it is transformed into Hogsmeade Villiage during Oct. 18 - 19. Here is a list of events and shops involved in the event.

2 1

Friday, Oct. 18 images: Barbara Daye ’17

CHC Quidditch In 2008, Quidditch on the Hill started to bring together members of the Chestnut Hill College community. Throughout the years the program has developed to included the annual Brotherly Love Cup, Quidditch World Cup trips, and more.

As one of the many activities here at CHC, Quidditch has become both a mainstay and a notable activity within the small community.

Above, the 2013 CHC Quidditch team is pictured. Each hold a special position within the team from chaser to snitch. If you are curious whom each are check out these player profiles:

1. Cristina Diaz, ‘15

Position: Chaser Major: English Literature Hometown: Toms River, N.J. Fun Fact: Diaz is double jointed.

2. Keianna Simms, ‘17

Position: Beater Major: Forensic Biology Hometown: Silver Spring, Md. Fun Fact: Simms was a member of her crew team in high school.

3. Hugo Rey, ‘17

Position: Chaser Major: Psychology Hometown: Jersey City, N.J. Fun Fact: “I’m Jamaican!”

4. Joshua Woolaver, ‘17

Position: Chaser Major: Communications Hometown: Old Forge, Pa. Fun Fact: Woolaver is a frequent blood donor.

5. Rob Pipe, ‘16

Position: Keeper Major: Early Childhood Edu. Hometown: Drexel Hill, Pa. Fun Fact: Pipe played hockey for 14 years.

Opening Ceremony and Quidditch Pep Rally Top of the Hill Plaza 5:30 p.m.

Dumbledore’s Powers Maze Woodmere Art Museum 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 19 The 4th Philadelphia Brotherly Love Cup (Quidditch Tournament) Chestnut Hill College 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

The Hunt for the Horcrux (Scavenger Hunt) Germantown Ave. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Dumbledore’s Powers Maze Woodmere Art Museum 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Complimentary Knight Bus 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Defense Against the Dark Arts Classes Noon and 3 p.m.

Sorting Hat Demonstration 1-2 p.m.

Harry Potter Activities Magic, Face Painting, Fortune Tellers, and Meet Your Favorite Harry Potter Characters Germantown Ave. 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Hogsmeade Shops & Restaurants Knockturn Alley Gravers Lane Gallery

Big Bean Shop Top of the Hill Farmers Market The Quill Shop Muse House Madame Monika’s Magical Emporium Bohemian Crafts Co. Gladrags Wizard Wear Salon & Day Spa Spa Elysum and Fringe Quality Quidditch Supplies Chestnut Hill Sports Dumbledore’s Villages Ten Thousand Villages Madame Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions J. McLaughlin Chestnut Hill Honey Dukes Sweetshop Zipf ’s Candies The Phoenix Feather El Quetzal Inc Pudding Lane Bakery Baker Street Bakery Weazley’s Wizard Wheezes o’doodles Tugwood’s Beauty Potions.

Diamond Spa Potage’s Cauldron Shop Kitchen Kapers Madame Puddifoot’s Night Kitchen Professor Sprout’s Sweet Shoppe Cake Hog’s Head Tavern Tavern on the Hill The Great Hall Iron Hill Brewery Hogsmeade Grill Chestnut Hill Grill The Burrows Chestnut 7 Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlor Bredenbeck’s Bakery & Ice Cream Parlor The Leaky Cauldron McNally’s Tavern Hogwart’s Kitchen Drake Hagrid’s Hat Weaver’s Way

Opinion The Griffin

Subjective Scrutiny Gabriel henninger ’15 STAFF ARTIST

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Tea Party to Blame for Gov. Shutdown nicholas kowalski ’16 contributing writer

corporate tv lacks diversity Frances ellison ’14 contributing writer Unless you’re a white, heterosexual male or female, the current diversity of television, or lack thereof, can leave you feeling a bit disappointed. For those who fall into the “other” category, it’s frustrating to turn on the TV and not see anything or anyone to relate to. It’s not easy being green, or in my case, black.

One of the cons of media conglomeration is that the entertainment media is often homogenized and tailored very narrowly to fit the needs of a specific market segment, like people in their twenties or baby boomers. The viewing public is only watching what the corporations want us to see.

The current state of television programming is a shining example. Basically, current network television offers six kinds of shows: competitionstyle reality shows, gritty cop dramas, supernatural teen romances, buddy comedies for those in their twenties, the Disney channel (which really is all one show when you think about it), and every now and again, something fresh and different, like “Breaking Bad” or “Once Upon A Time” (which has a majority of female protagonists).

Look a little deeper and you notice that in those six types of shows, the actors/ actresses are all of one color: white. That’s not to say that these shows aren’t good--I love “How I Met Your Mother” as much as the next person. But it is ridiculous that in

2013, we have shows like this that depict five people in their thirties, who live in New York City and only seem to know other white people. In most shows, black people or any minority for that matter, are only used as props, commonly referred to as the “token,” or to characterize a stereotype.

If you remember in 2006, the conception of the CW was supposed to be a merger of the failing networks, the WB and UPN, the only network station in recent memory that was specifically for people of color. The original concept was that it was supposed to feature shows from both networks, and for awhile, it did.

The original lineup had shows like “Supernatural” and “Everybody Hates Chris,” both sharing prime time slots. Yet, despite the fact that the latter was a popular hit, it was forcefully pushed to Friday nights and eventually quietly removed. The same happened with many of its counterparts: “Girlfriends,” “Half and Half,” and “All of Us.” If you watch the CW now, it’s like watching a 24-hour presentation of Twilight.

What happened to the original idea of black and white television co-existing? Or was it the plan all along to get rid of UPN and anything like it? It seems that in order to generate profit, big money corporations have redefined the word “conglomeration” to mean the quiet removal of anything original and diverse.

Oh yeah, Big Brother’s coming for us, and we’ve let him into our homes every night around 8/7 central.

The United States government shut down on Oct. 1 as the Republicans and Democrats could not come to an agreement on the white elephant in the room: Obamacare.

The finger of blame has fallen on the Republican Party; however, the entire party is not to blame.

Many Republicans have spoken against the choice to shut down the government in hopes to defund the Affordable Care Act. The Tea Party, a minority wing of the Republican Party, is truly to blame for this shutdown.

This political minority group believes that they have the right to cause the shutdown of the government because they do not want the American people to experience the benefits of the Affordable Care Act, a law that they have opposed since 2010. According to a national poll released

on Oct. 1 by Quinnipiac University, 72 percent of American voters disapprove of the Republican shut down of the federal government to block the Act. Now it is true that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and President Obama are refusing to negotiate with the Tea Party wing of the House. But should they?

The law has survived approval in the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government, as well as Obama’s reelection.

The American people and their government have spoken, but the Tea Party has not heard them.

Senator Ted Cruz, a Tea Party activist from Texas, is the leading voice of this movement to allow a government shutdown to block this law. He is afraid that the American people will not want to repeal this law because as he has been widely quoted as saying, they will be “addicted to the sugar, addicted to the subsidies.” Clearly, if the American

people like the law, then the Tea Party activists will have failed. In addition, this fight is more about Republican tactics and not about the law itself, according to Democratic pollster and political blogger, Geoff Garin.

Despite their best efforts to defund it, the Tea Party watched the implementation of the Affordable Care Act on Oct. 1 still happen anyway, because it was deemed essential, meaning it is unaffected by the shutdown.

The Tea Party has tried repeatedly to kill this law with no success. Why do they think they can hold the American people hostage by shutting down the federal government in a far-flung hope to defund the Affordable Care Act? If you have a contrasting opinion on the Affordable Care Act or government shutdown and would like to express it as a letter to the editor, please contact Megan Welch (WelchM@chc.edu).

The Curious Case of Edward Snowden aizaz gill ’13 staff writer Rebel. Traitor. Whistleblower.

Hero. Patriot.

This wide-ranging spectrum spans the list of things that former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and National Security Agency (NSA) employee Edward Snowden has been called by the U.S. government, public and media.

The former contractor for the NSA came into recent national prominence when he admitted that he intentionally disclosed classified details of several topsecret United States and British government mass surveillance programs to the press.

According to Snowden, the NSA demanded that major telecommunications companies hand over customers’ names, street addresses, and other personal information, along with “detailed records of calls they made across town or across the country to family members, coworkers, business contacts and others.” The surveillance did not end there. The range of U.S. spying spanned the spectrum from allies like Germany to antagonists like China and Russia.

What followed was the “Summer of Snowden” as the U.S. government conducted an international man hunt for Snowden, who may have been responsible for the most significant leak in U.S. history. The case for label-

ing Snowden as a traitor became even stronger when he hid in Hong Kong and then lived in the terminal of a Moscow airport for weeks in order to evade capture

by U.S. authorities.

Former Vice President Dick Cheney called Snowden a “traitor” and stated that his actions constituted “one of the worst occasions in my memory of somebody with access to classified information doing enormous damage to the national security interests of the United States.”

In response, Snowden stated that “being called a traitor by Dick Cheney is the highest honor you can give an American.”

My first reaction was to smile at his witty response, but then the line stayed with me and forced me to consider whether or not Cheney was right.

There is no doubt that the United States of America is different than the rest of the world.

The famous French historian, Alexis de Tocqueville, remarked in the 1830’s that the United States was “exceptional” and “the most democratic country in the world.” We, the American people, believe in the idea of American exceptionalism -- the belief that America is the freest, most democratic, wealthiest nation in the world whose mission from God includes promoting democracy both domestically and overseas. It’s why we have culturally iconic lines such as “Truth, Justice and the American

Way.” If the idea of American exceptionalism is true, then we should stand up and applaud Snowden’s actions. Why? Because Edward Snowden had the fortitude to stand up against the government of the most powerful nation in the world. He had the courage to reveal the ugly actions of a government which was spying on millions of its own people and its allies abroad knowing that he would be considered a traitor.

Thomas Paine, the famous writer of Common Sense, once said that “the duty of a patriot is to protect his country from its government.” If we are to continue calling ourselves the most democratic nation in the world and the leader of the free world, then our government cannot have these overreaching surveillance programs which make the “Big Brother” from George Orwell’s 1984 a reality.

I consider the actions of Edward Snowden to be heroic. It is my fervent hope that Snowden will be recognized for coming forward and doing the right thing when thousands of his fellow NSA employees continued spying on their fellow citizens.

After all, in 1776, there was another group of men who were labeled as “traitors” because they believed that loyalty to an unfair and overbearing government was no longer the same as loyalty to what is right.

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The Griffin

Discrimination at homecoming Caffeine and the College Student maci Kociszewski ’16 contributing writer

A western Pennsylvania high school switched a transgender student’s name from the ballot for homecoming king to the ballot for queen without his consent in a move that is completely despicable and cruel.

High school is traumatizing enough for most--with acne, puberty, crushes and the fair share of drama. Add to that the fact that transgender youths are going through a transition that most other people are unaware of, and it can really make for an unbearable four years.

Some people can be mean and cruel at that age, insulting those who are different just because they can. This attitude is the product of how some teenagers are raised, which isn’t an excuse, but it happens. But a whole new problem emerges when the adults who run educational institutions are still stuck in this childish mindset.

The school would have been widely criticized if they hadn’t let Kasey run for Homecoming royalty at all, but the fact that they changed his ballot from King to Queen adds insult to injury. When the school board met, they kept the school’s ruling to keep Kasey’s name on

the homecoming queen ballot, and decided that they would meet to discuss this injustice at a later date, which happens to be just two days after the school’s homecoming game.

Well played school board, well played indeed.

In my opinion, it’ll be lucky if the school board even meets again about it, seeing as the T (transgender) in the LGBT community is often overlooked.

When we have backwardthinking people like this running our nearby school systems, it not only feeds false notions into the mindset of future leaders, it also reflects the mindsets of our current leaders. If that school board can’t understand the simple concept that sex and gender are two completely different things, then what does that say about the rest of the Pennsylvania schools, mayors, governor, and other Pennsylvania representatives?

It’s not surprising considering the fact that same-sex marriage is still illegal here. Not to mention the violence and killings inflicted on so many LGBT people today, like the dismemberment of a transgender woman in July.

Start taking notes Pennsylvania, because Kasey Caron is about to teach you a lesson of love, respect, and equality.

megan welch ’16 opinion editor

Drinking three to four cups of coffee a day can slow teenage brain development, according to a new study funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation.

Researchers at the University Children’s Hospital in Zurich found that even a moderate consumption of caffeine could ruin a teen’s ability to enter into deep, also known as REM (Random Eye Movement), sleep.

This prevents the brain from being able to make important connections that are vital to the formation of an adult brain.

This study is just another addition to the already massive amount of information that says that caffeine is damaging to teenagers and young adults.

And as an avid coffee drinker, this is definitely scary.

But even with all of this information, my coffee habit isn’t going to stop. The reason is fairly simple: I have a lot to do.

I take six classes, work two jobs, am in five different campus organizations, and have friends and a social life.

With all that on my plate, there’s no time to sleep.

I simply do not have enough

hours in the day to maintain my grades, pay my bills, do things that matter to me, have fun and sleep. So sleep is always the first to go, because it is the easiest to go without.

And this is where caffeine comes in.

It’s a simple fix: it’s fast, cheap and effective, and for all intensive purposes replaces my need for eight hours of sleep a night. Because of this, I drink coffee every day, and rely on it to keep me alert.

I know I’m not the only one.

My schedule is pretty standard for a typical student, and so is my addiction to caffeine. If you look around a classroom on any given morning, I can guarantee that at least three students will be clinging to a travel mug like it’s their last hope. And in some ways, it is. That caffeine is the only thing keeping tired brains awake through a long day, so it’s clear that we’re not going to stop drinking coffee anytime soon.

But perhaps caffeine wouldn’t be such a necessity if there wasn’t so much pressure on students to do it all.

A college course load is in itself a full-time job. But on top of that, most students have to work at least one part-time job

to support themselves, find internships so they can get jobs once they graduate, participate in athletics or activities to boost their resumes, and learn to be functioning adults in society all while trying to make time for fun and, if we’re lucky, keep our sanity. And failure simply isn’t an option when the rest of our lives ride on the success of our college years.

So if we need a few cups of coffee or a Red Bull to get through the day, who can possibly blame us? It isn’t healthy, but there’s really no alternative.

Make your opinion heard by submitting letters, articles, or cartoons to The Griffin.

Submissions become property of The Griffin and are subject to editing for style, clarity and space concerns.

Submissions represent the opinions of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent The Griffin’s position.

Please send all submissions and ideas to Megan Welch at WelchM@chc.edu.

Harry Potter Festival In Chestnut Hill

Oct. 18 & 19, 2013 Friday Evening, Oct. 18 5:30p.m., Opening Ceremony, Top of the Hill Fountain Plaza 10a.m. - 6p.m., Dumbledore’s Powers Maze, Woodmere Art Museum

Other Activities Include: Fortune Tellers • Face Painters Magicians • Caricatures Games and Activities Specialty Food, Drink, and Retail

Saturday, Oct. 19 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., The Phila. Brotherly Love Cup, Chestnut Hill College 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Dumbledore’s Powers Maze, Woodmere Art Museum 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Complimentary Knight Bus Service 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., The Hunt for the Horcrux Noon and 3 p.m., Defense Against the Dark Arts Classes 1-2 p.m., Sorting Hat Demonstration

For More Information and a Detailed Schedule Visit ChestnutHillPA.com

Sports

The Griffin

Growth of Div. II Athletics at CHC Marilee Gallagher ’13 editor-in-chief

Ever since Chestnut Hill College made the jump to D-II, the athletic offerings have grown tremendously. Attention to the athletic programs has also increased to accommodate the student-athletes, a group that makes up about 1/3 of the entire student population.

Over the years, the college has even begun to see the fruits of the labor from this renewed excitement in athletics. Every semester the teams see tons of their players on the academic honor roll as well as see the Griffins constantly active and involved on campus.

The results have begun to show on the field as well. Just two years ago, the men’s lacrosse team was ranked in the USILA Coaches Poll and last year, the women’s and men’s tennis teams reached the NCAA tournament, making it the first time for the men and the first time both were in the tournament together. The

women’s team has since built on this, receiving a national ranking of their own for the 2013-14 season.

Chestnut Hill is seeing their athletic teams perennially reach the postseason, which is a testament to the work and dedication of the student athletes and the widespread support the college has placed behind these excellent programs. According to Albert Stroble, tennis head coach and assistant athletic director, it is also a result of the ability to recruit. “Recruiting has been the biggest challenge,” he said, regarding the tennis teams. “Slowly but surely we’ve brought in a couple kids every year to build the program where it is today.

The move to D-II brought more scholarships which of course brought a better ability to recruit top athletes as Stroble mentioned. The improved recruiting has most definitely shown in the results.

One of the ways CHC has recruited especially in the past few years, has been to tra-

verse the country’s borders.

For sports such as basketball, it may make sense to recruit within America but for others like soccer and tennis, globally, other countries place stronger emphasis on these sports.

The uptick of international recruits has been evident and again, it has shown in the results. Being able to bring in these top students has really been one of the best ways the college has grown their athletics and really demonstrated the desire to make that push to the top.

It is for this reason that The Griffin plans to introduce a new series to the sports section: “International Athlete Spotlight.”

We want to feature a different athlete from a different team each issue and want to hear your story. The Griffin wants to provide the rest of our student body a chance to get to know our athletes, especially those not from this country, in a perspective that isn’t solely focused on the courts or fields.

Flyers Rebound with New Players ADELE GIANGIULIO ’16 SPORTS EDITOR Hockey is back and the Philadelphia Flyers’ season is underway. Following a shortened season in which the Flyers missed the playoffs for the first time in six years, the team has a lot to prove.

After buying out spacey goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov and the always classy Danny Briere, the organization added many new faces to the roster.

Paul Holmgren, Flyers General Manager, inked big names such as defenseman Mark Streit, excaptain of the New York Islanders, goaltender Ray Emery, who is coming off a spectacular 17-1 season with the Chicago Blackhawks, and the most prominent signing is that of forward Vincent Lecavalier. The ex-captain of the Tampa Bay Lightning has played over 1,000 games in the NHL, has scored 383 goals, and has a Stanley Cup to boot.

With such talent and leadership experience added to the roster, second-year captain Claude Giroux hopes to bounce back from a less than great 20122013 season. With only 13 goals in the 48-game season Giroux displayed little to none of the

on-ice magic he’s renowned for.

However no one goes through a slump without learning from it.

With a strong support system in associate captains Kimmo Timonen and Scott Hartnell, and the additional guidance from Lecavalier and Streit, the team has the leadership and experience to balance out the excess youth.

The Flyers opened their season against the Toronto Maple Leafs with the ever-passionate Philadelphia crowd cheering them on. Mason earned the starting spot and was sharp between the pipes. The first period kept a very fast pace as the Flyers’ defense and offense showed the energy and persistence that they lacked last year. However, the period did not see any scoring until the last 6.9 seconds when the 22-year-old Brayden Schenn, netted the first Flyers’ goal of the season on the power play.

Unfortunately it wasn’t enough to win and neither were the efforts put forth by the team in the next two games. The lack of what looked to be commitment also seemed to show and as it does so often in sports, the head coach was the one to take on the blame.

In perhaps a shocking move considering the season was just three games old, Holmgren made the decision to fire head coach of five years, Peter Laviolette.

Laviolette’s shining moment with the team was leading the Flyers to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2010, but his system of play has since gone stale.

Craig Berube, assistant coach to Laviolette, former player and coach of the Philadelphia Phantoms, has been named the Flyers’ 18th head coach flanked by Ian Laperriere, who was a part of Laviolette’s 2010 team, and John Paddock, one of the winningest coaches in the American Hockey League.

Berube made his coaching debut against the Florida Panthers and led the Flyers to their first victory of the season with goals from Braydon Coburn and Brayden Schenn. The game was an ugly win for the team filled with bad penalties, and a discombobulated powerplay, but Berube will take it.

Going on 40 years since the Flyers’ last Stanley Cup victory this revamped team is playing not only for redemption, but to bring the Cup back to Philadelphia.

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Sandberg and the Phillies Target 2014 JOESEPH Golding ’17 Contributing Writer On April 1, the first day of the 2013 Philadelphia Phillies season, the team fell to the Atlanta Braves by a score of 7-5. They followed that uninspiring performance by going 73-88 in their next 160 games. And then perhaps fittingly to the narrative of the season, the Phillies’ year came to an end just the way it had begun, with a loss to the Braves, this time by a score of 12-5.

The Phillies sat 20.5 games behind the division leading Braves and were a disappointing 53-67 as of mid-August. They had charged back in the weeks before the All-Star break but the second half of the season was very unkind to the Phillies.

For a team that opened the season with the third highest payroll and renewed playoff aspirations, sitting at 14 games under .500 was not at all how the front office imagined the season.

The team was plummeting in the standings and it was evident that the clubhouse needed a change. Following their off day, the news broke that Charlie Manuel, the Phillies manager for the previous eight and a half years, had been fired.

The same skipper that led Philadelphia to two straight World Series', winning one, was now talking to his former players about not being around.

It hit hard around the fan base and players like Chase Utley stated that he "...owes a lot to Manuel," while other players collectively agreed he was like a father figure in the clubhouse. When Manuel was fired, it was also announced that Hall of Fame second baseman and current third base coach, Ryne Sandberg, was named interim manager.

The same day, the Phils dropped a 4-0 contest to the Los Angeles Dodgers, amassing just three hits. It would take another shut out by the Dodgers for Sand-

berg to finally pick up his first win on Aug. 18. Starting with his first win, the Phillies would go 19-20 for the rest of the season. Still unimpressive but the slight improvement was a big enough sign for the Phillies front office because they named Sandberg permanent manager with a three-year extension and an option for 2017.

Having solved their manager situation, the Phillies still have the huge question mark of GM Ruben Amaro Jr. Amaro has made smart short term moves in the last couple of years, such as trading for Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay, Hunter Pence, and Michael Young but the only result of these trades long term, was an inflated payroll and depleted prospect depth. It also does not help that the Phillies have one of the worst contracts in baseball with Ryan Howard.

Amaro has not set this team up to win anything in the near future and the only solution at this point is to rebuild.

The future of this team is going to be built around Cole Hamels and Dominic Brown as the organization’s highest upside prospects continue to develop. This might take a few more years, but the Phillies are optimistic that when these guys are ready, this team will once again be able to head in the right direction.

They have power arms like Adam Morgan, Jesse Biddle, Kenny Giles, and Severino Gonzalez. Offensively, their top prospects are J.P. Crawford, Shane Watson, Maikel Franco, and Roman Quinn. That quartet has plenty of speed and power. They have potential now, they just need some depth.

Their future lies in the hands of Amaro and he, and Sandberg, will best determine if in a couple of years, this team looks like Manuel's 2009 Phillies or the Phillies of 2013.

The Upcoming Game Calendar Can Be Found At

thechcgriffin.com

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image: Elizabeth Bachmayer ’16

Women’s Tennis Focused to Win CACC Championship Marilee Gallagher ‘13 Editor-in-Chief The Chestnut Hill College women’s tennis team once again showed that they are on the rise as they secured a road win over Concordia University, who had been previously undefeated in CACC play. The win also marked the 100th in the career of head coach and assistant athletic director, Albert Stroble.

Stroble, who is credited with building this program into one of the top 50 teams in Division II, has been the head men and women’s tennis coach since the 2006 season.

He ushered the teams forward as the school transitioned to D-II and has since made a name for himself as one of the top coaches in the CACC, receiving two Coach of the Year awards in his time with the college.

“Reaching the 100 win milestone was a personal achievement for me,” Stroble said, adding that the victory was that much sweeter coming against the powerhouse of the CACC in Concordia. “To beat them on their home courts, to give them their first loss and obviously the 100th win being on top of that, it was a great win and the girls really enjoyed it.”

Concordia joined the CACC in 2009 and had not dropped one single conference match during that time period. But in 2013, it was and will be Chestnut Hill that is the only CACC team with an unblemished record as they finished undefeated, for the first time since joining D-II , in conference play.

This perfect record ensures the college the top seed in the upcoming CACC Championships, which could pit them against Concordia in a rematch of last year’s finals.

But this time, Stroble expects the result to be different. “To have finally beaten Concordia for the first time, I think it makes it easier going forward,” he said in reference to the chance the teams meet again. “I stressed during the Concordia match that we had to want it more than they did and the girls really embraced that. We have that mentality and if we have that mental-

Sports

The Griffin

ity, I feel like we can beat anybody.”

Fortunately for the Griffins, the tournament will once again take place on their home courts, a place that has been very friendly to the ladies and according to Stroble, gives a “good advantage.” Since 2010, the team has gone 30-10 when playing at home, something the coach credits to the great and supporting CHC fanbase.

The success for the team has not come without due adulation and Stroble credits it all to the ability to recruit.

“When I first came here we were Division III and the program was really not very competitive,” he said, adding that “slowly but surely,” the recruiting has improved and has paid off. “I look back four, five years ago when I first brought in Danielle Knott ‘13 and Maria Parapouras ‘13,” Stroble said. “They were the cornerstone of what we were trying to build.”

Through that recruiting, the tennis program has grown, making a dramatic leap from a 3-17 record in 2009 to 13-9 the next year and currently, to 11-1 in 2013. Prior to the season, the Griffins also achieved a national ranking for D-II, which according to Stroble, “is another milestone for the college.”

But the coach has no intention to be satisfied with complacency because the way he sees it, CHC is on the cusp of something great. “Concordia was ranked 37th when we beat them,” he said, “so I think that is just another great stepping stone to hopefully increasing that ranking. We have a lot of good teams on our schedule that we can move up in those rankings and possibly be in the top 30 or 40.”

A top ranking like that would almost assure the team admittance into the NCAA Tournament for the third straight year. But before those championships in the spring, there is an empty spot in the trophy case for the CACC Championship, which is just waiting to be filled. “If we continue to play well and continue to work hard,” Stroble said, “I think the cards are stacked in our favor.”

image: GriffinAthletics.com

Michael Goldstein, former goalkeeper and newly appointed assistant coach of the men’s soccer team, holds the College record for saves, wins, and shutouts.

Goldstein Returns in New Form Tiffany UreÑa ’16 Sports editor

After a successful four-year career as a student athlete at Chestnut Hill College, former goalkeeper, Michael Goldstein, is adding to his list of accomplishments as a Griffin through an assistant coaching position with the men’s soccer team.

During his four years at CHC, Goldstein was a two-year captain, became the college’s all-time leader in saves, wins and shutouts and received the Coach’s Award in his freshman and senior seasons. Although Goldstein graduated last year, his time off of the soccer field did not last very long as shortly after graduating, Goldstein received the opportunity to come back to the pitch and the coach that he credits for much of his success.

“My dream after playing has always been to coach at the highest level possible for myself,” Goldstein said. “Coach Keith Cappo has provided me with a great opportunity to come back and not just coach with him, but learn a lot from the more experienced coaches on the staff.”

Goldstein says that the advantage he has over other coaches, is his relationship with the players. “What makes this opportunity unique is that I’m familiar with a majority of the team since I’ve spent time over the last four years sharing the field with these guys,” he said.

“One slight problem other coaches new to a program face is that they have to learn about their players on and off the field. Since I already know them, I can focus my time on other things.”

Although this is Goldstein’s first time coaching at the collegiate level, he has coached for local teams Continental FC, the Continental FC Academy, and YSC. His time with these teams has helped him prepare for coaching at the level of CHC. “With CHC, I am learning things both on and off the field – like how to deal with different situations, how much planning needs to be done in order to get everything done, and other roles that coaches serve that I never did realize as a player,” Goldstein said.

Not only does Goldstein help the team with on field duties, but he extends his assistance to the players off the field. “I think the players know they can come and talk to me about a lot of different things, whether it be about soccer or not, because they were already familiar with me as a player,” he said. “I try to offer guys advice and somebody to talk to, not just from a coach’s perspective, but a friend perspective as well, since it is then easy to be honest and truthful, which is respectful from their perspective as well.”

Goldstein has nothing but praise for the other members of the coaching staff for the Griffins and is fortunate for

Current Record Men’s Soccer 5 - 4 - 2 Women’s Soccer 2 - 7 - 1 Women’s Tennis 11 - 1 Volleyball 6 - 11

the position. “This is truly a great opportunity to be back here with such a great group of players,” Goldstein said. “This opportunity really puts my respect at an even higher regard for all the coaches I’ve had throughout my life, and how many things need to be done not just on the field, but off the field as well.”

Goldstein hopes that his time at CHC can help him achieve his dreams for the future. “I hope that one day my career takes me to the highest level of coaching that I possibly can,” Goldstein said. “The goal is to become a collegiate head coach somewhere, so this position has helped me learn the day to day operations coaches have to deal with.”

image: GriffinAthletics.com

(Current as of 10/10) Men’s Cross Country Sam Mondello ’17 placed 12th in the 8K at the Wilmington Area School Meet.

Women’s Cross Country At the Wilmington Area School Meet Paige Antail ’17 placed 12th in the 5K.

For more information, visit: griffinathletics.com