May 02, 2024 issue 09 Loquitur

WE

ARE THE

2023-2024 Editorial Staff

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

CHRIS PERRI

MANAGING EDITOR

JASON FRIDGE

NEWS EDITOR

EMILY SHULTZ

LIFESTYLES EDITOR

BROOKE PROTESTO

VISUALS EDITOR

ANDREW STOVENOUR

SPORTS EDITOR

SAMANTHA TADDEI

PODCAST EDITOR

JASON FRIDGE

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

SEAMUS FEELEY

ADVISER

WENDY ROSENFIELD

MISSION

The Loquitur student newspaper and website are integral parts of the educational mission of the Cabrini communication department, namely, to educate students to take their places in the public media.

Loquitur Media provides a forum of free expression. All members of the university community may submit work to the editors for possible inclusion. Publication is based on the editorial decision of the editors.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The Loquitur accepts letters to the editor. The letter should be less than five hundred words, usually in response to a current issue on Cabrini University’s campus or community area and are printed as space permits. Name, phone number and address should be included with submissions for verification purposes. All letters to the editor must be sent via email to loquitur@cabrini.edu.

Eleven minds, one mission

By Loquitur Editorial Board

The spring semester brought with it a new challenge for the Loquitur newsroom: we were left with 11 total staff members. In addition to the reporters who transferred from Cabrini before the start of the school year, we lost five reporters and three editors over winter break.

Despite our low numbers, our staff continues to produce quality work, win awards (this week alone: one first prize, two second prizes and an honorable mention at the Keystone Media Awards), and tell the stories that matter the most.

Redesigning the print

Toward the end of the fall semester, we collectively agreed that the overall design of the paper needed to be changed. It wasn’t very visually engaging, and it wasn’t something we felt would make passersby stop and pick up.

We studied what we liked and disliked from other newspapers and create ideas from that. It was difficult because we were limited on time and resources, and there was a point where we asked ourselves, “Is this even worth it?” But of course, it was; creating the best paper we can is always worth it to honor the previous 65 years and to make something uniquely our own.

Personnel changes

With students choosing to move on to new schools or graduating, we were left with vacancies at key positions. Down to just four second-year editors and the smallest staff our newsroom saw in a half-century, everyone had to step up to keep our operations running smoothly.

Select first-year staff writers were promoted to fill gaps as editors, helping to manage story progress and designing pages for layout. Instead of having an entire semester to serve as understudies for the editorial staff, these writers jumped right in and learned the ins and outs of the newsroom overnight.

On top of some staff members taking on new roles, there was an intense focus for everyone on getting stories turned around in time for layout nights. Some weeks were much harder than others, but our staff always found a way to get quality content published and printed.

A positive impact

The work we’ve been able to produce with our small staff yielded extremely positive feedback from the community, particularly from alumni, and are routinely shared by them on social media.

Our work also sparked conversation and questions from alumni who are more curious than ever to find out why the school is closing. It’s rewarding to see the work we’ve put in actually make an impact on the way our audience thinks and feels about the school’s situation; our job is to keep the community informed and seeing the real results of that helps us tremendously.

One thing we all agreed on was that despite our low numbers, the quality of our work could not slip. We had to be very deliberate about the stories we chose and who would be best to take them on. Having a small staff didn’t stop us from covering the most important stories, and we’ve been able to print 10-page papers, the maximum number of pages we’re allowed.

Reflecting on 65 years

As we reflect on the 65th anniversary of our beloved Loquitur, we are reminded of our incredible journey. In the face of adversity, conflict, and ethical challenges, we remain steadfast in our commitment to upholding the values and traditions that defined the Loquitur for the past six and a half decades.

Our resolve to persevere, to adapt, and to do the best we can with the resources we have is a testament to the indomitable spirit of this publication.

As we prepare to bid farewell to Cabrini, let us remember that while our numbers may be few, our passion for journalism, our dedication to our readers, and our commitment to honoring the legacy of the Loquitur burns brighter than ever.

This 65th anniversary edition stands not only as a celebration of the past, but as a testament to the resilience, perseverance, and unwavering spirit of the Loquitur staff, both past and present.

Since 1971, Dr. Jerry Zurek’s life’s work was making Cabrini the place it is today. In the 2000s, Zurek developed the Social Justice Matters curriculum and brought Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini’s legacy to life.

In 2005, Zurek formed a Cabrini chapter of Catholic Relief Services, a global humanitarian coalition dedicated to fighting world hunger and poverty.This chapter was a catalyst for the organization’s spread across the country.

He also built a nationally recognized journalism program, and won countless awards. He oversaw coverage of the vast majority of Cabrini’s history during his time as Loquitur advisor.

In this role he also educated thousands of young journalists, many of whom continued on to become professional reporters and editors, and helped them to tell the stories of their campus and the world around them.

The Loquitur staff would like to extend our thanks to Dr. “JZ” Zurek for his decades of dedicated service to Cabrini and work in social justice and journalism. This 65th anniversary edition of the Loquitur is dedicated to him.

The 1964-65 Loquitur staff. Photo courtesy of Dr. Jerry Zurek.

Dr. Zurek assisting students in the newsroom, 1987. Photo via Cabrini Flickr.

Grief and resilience: the Loquitur’s journey through 9/11

By Samantha Taddei Sports Editor

As the sun rose on September 11, 2001, Cabrini University’s campus buzzed with the familiar energy of a new academic year. Students hurried to classes, professors prepared lectures, and in the Loquitur newsroom, editors and reporters set about nailing down upcoming deadlines. Little did anyone know that within hours, the oncetranquil campus would be swept by waves of shock and grief.

The Loquitur, like countless newsrooms nationwide, found itself thrust into the forefront, capturing the raw emotions, reactions, and impacts of a day that reshaped history and deeply marked the Cabrini community.

A shocking interruption

At 8:46 a.m., Flight 11 hit the World Trade Center’s North Tower, followed by Flight 175 crashing into the South Tower at 9:03 a.m. As the nation watched in horror, students filled classrooms across campus, already immersed in their morning lectures.

Renee Herrmann, class of 2003 and then-managing editor, recounted the immediate impact of the news on campus. “I went to Dr. [former history professor Joylon Pitt] Girard’s class and he turned the news on and just said ‘You know, we’re going to process this.’” Herrmann recalled the confusion and numbness in the classroom. “So we turned it on and the first plane had hit but it was very confusing because like we didn’t know what was going on. Like, was it an accident? Did something else happen? And I think we turned it on in time to see the second plane hit.”

Amy Wirth, class of 2003 and Loquitur news editor, said, “Once we got to that class, we just watched the whole thing. There were people in the class who have family in New York. One was a COM major our year. Her dad worked in the World Trade Center and it wasn’t until a few hours later that there was confirmation he was okay.”

Vince DeFruscio, class of 2004, and another key staff writer, expressed his determination to cover the unfolding events. “I can remember calling Dr. Zurek and leaving a message. I remember saying, ‘I don’t know if you’re seeing what’s going on, but I want to do the story. I want to work on the story.’”

A race against time

The paper was nearly complete when news of the attacks broke. Realizing the magnitude of the events, the editorial team decided to overhaul the entire issue. “Pretty much everyone gathered into the newsroom anyway, because it was layout day, and immediately everyone was like, ‘Yep, we’re redoing it.’ There really wasn’t a lot of debate. We knew we were doing it,” Wirth recounted.

The staff swiftly divided responsibilities. Some editors stayed back to make calls and gather information from contacts who had ties to the events, such as alumni in New York.

“Everyone handled their different aspects. And we pretty much divided that from the beginning. And then the staff really came together to assist where needed,” Wirth said. Others, like DeFruscio, captured the raw reactions of students and faculty.

Scramble for information

As news of the attacks trickled in, the atmosphere in the newsroom shifted to urgency and disbelief. In 2001, the technological landscape was vastly different, presenting significant challenges for the Loquitur newsroom. Without Wi-Fi or smartphones, accessing and verifying news was a cumbersome process.

“We did not have TVs in the newsroom at this time, so Renee and [photography editor] Justine DiFilippo lugged their TV from their dorm room,” Wirth recalled.

As Wirth explained, “There was no such thing as the internet. There wasn’t Wi-Fi. We couldn’t log on to watch anything from our computers.”

As the staff scrambled to collect stories and insights, they contended not only with the inherent delays of slower media but also with the flood of unverified and sometimes conflicting reports that characterized early coverage of the attacks.

“We were just in the newsroom all day making calls to people who either had a connection to Cabrini or had gone to Cabrini. I believe the person I spoke to in New York was at Cabrini for a semester and then transferred,” Wirth explained.

Reporting under pressure

Despite these challenges, the Loquitur staff demonstrated remarkable resilience, channeling their focus to the task. “I do know that for a really long time I felt disconnected from it because I just kind of put my focus on reporting and doing it,” DeFruscio reflected.

The team’s commitment to delivering accurate news was unwavering, even as emotions ran high. “Imagine being a college student who already might feel homesick. And then you see that kind of a thing happening. And you’re scared and you’re alone and you’re not with your family,” DeFruscio said.

“I really am struck by how serious everybody took it at the Loquitur that day. People recognized the gravity of it and took it seriously and took pride in their work that day. And that’s a tall task for college kids. That’s a tall task for anybody.”

Navigating emotional terrain

DeFruscio vividly remembers the shock that swept through campus. “This was completely out of left field. We just had this sense of security that nothing like that could ever happen in our country. It was just completely like a UFO landing in the middle of Times Square,” DeFruscio said.

“It was not supposed to happen. And we had just for decades been bolstered by this false sense of security that we were separate. And we were across an ocean. We were, you know, impenetrable. And we learned that day that we weren’t. And it was a really hard thing to live through.”

For many, the attacks marked a turning point in their lives. Both Herrmann and Wirth found themselves questioning their chosen path. “That was the day I decided I wasn’t going into journalism anymore,” Herrmann revealed.

However, for DeFruscio, the events of 9/11 solidified his passion for journalism. “It was an honor for me to be able to record that day. That was the validation, like, that’s what I was going to school for. That’s what I wanted to pursue. That’s what I do now,” DeFruscio said. Today, he is executive producer of WXTF Good Day Philadelphia.

DeFruscio reflected on the camaraderie that emerged in the face of adversity. “It was an emotionally charged day. Despite the fear and uncertainty, there was a sense of unity among us.”

“I think it’s part of that heart of Cabrini that we really rallied around our friends who were from the metropolitan area and made sure that they were okay,” Herrmann said.

Cabrini student comforts friend awaiting her father’s response. Photo by Justine DiFilippo.

Smoke filled a clear blue sky. Photo by Cyril A. via Flickr.

Loquitur war coverage: from Vietnam to Ukraine

By Chris Perri Editor in Chief

Throughout the publication’s history, Loquitur reporters covered Vietnam War protests, as well as the wars in Iraq and Ukraine, giving a unique perspective to each.

The Vietnam era

Loquitur reporters wrote about the anti-Vietnam War sentiment that largely garnered support from young Americans. One such story covered a peace rally held at Villanova University with actress and activist Jane Fonda.

The story on the Villanova peace rally ran in the Loquitur on Oct. 31, 1972, and was written by Terry Cavanaugh. The rally itself occurred on Sep. 29 of that year, and featured speeches from Fonda, folk singer Holly Near, anti-war activist and former California state senator Tom Hayden, and a Vietnamese activist named Li-On Thieu.

Hayden addressed the crowd with criticism of the Nixon administration and South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu. He also sharply called out the secrecy of the American government’s activity in Vietnam, specifically the Pentagon Papers. “There has never been two Vietnams except in the American imagination,” he said. Hayden concluded, “The only way to be patriotic is to do what is good for America, to resist this war now, in action, so that historians will write a history that future generations can be proud of.”

In her remarks, Fonda declared, “The forces that are now ruling this country are tampering with our minds, and we must free our minds.” She also told the audience that the 1972 presidential election was a time for people to think for themselves. “Democracy is not blind obedience to [the Nixon administration] who is lying to us,” she said. The election would see President Richard Nixon defeat Georgia Senator George McGovern in a landslide win.

Voices from Iraq and Ukraine

With the U.S. involved in conflicts in both Iraq and Afghanistan in the early 2000s, and Ukraine and Russia currently at war, the Loquitur provided stories from a variety of viewpoints.

Christine Kulp, a 2009 Cabrini graduate, wrote and edited for the Loquitur from 20072009. In 2008, she wrote a story about an Iraqi student at Villanova who fled the war to study in the United States. “Stories of Iraqi refugees and the need for aid in Iraq were making national headlines,” Kulp said. “[Journalism professor Dr. Jerry Zurek] informed the news team about a student Iraqi refugee at Villanova. I volunteered, not entirely knowing what to expect.”

Kulp said that she did not conduct much research, instead choosing to focus on the humanitarian element rather than approach it as a hard news piece. “I simply listened to her story,” Kulp said. In the article, Kulp touched on the source’s dire situation surrounding her education.

She detailed the source’s graduation from high school and acceptance into her dream college. “Her most prized possession was her education. For as long as she could remember she wanted to be a doctor and attend medical school,” Kulp wrote. “Upon high school graduation she received her wish and was one of the 250 students accepted

into the school of her dreams ... She lived her ‘perfect life’ for a year as a university student, but each day was lived in constant fear, with no sense of safety or security at all. It was just a matter of time before getting hurt.”

Kulp also was careful to avoid politics and controversy, issues that largely underscored the conflict. “We chatted as any two college students would about lighter topics, but the weight of her experiences was heavy,” Kulp said. “I felt a slight unease running the story, considering the potential risk to her safety. I aimed to avoid delving into the political aspects. My focus was on sharing her personal story, highlighting the human side of the war rather than its political dimensions.”

Writing the story created a lasting impact on Kulp. “The experience added a layer of empathy and anxiety to my life, even to this day. It underscored the reality of innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire of conflict,” she said.

Humanitarian benefit Kulp also stressed the importance of war reporting. “Often, we in America feel insulated from such tragedies of war. From the conflict in Ukraine to the ongoing crises between Israelis and Palestinians and beyond, encountering humanitarian narratives in the news is heart-wrenching,” she said. “It is also vital for fostering understanding and spurring action. Whether through advocacy, donations to relief efforts, or gaining insights into political candidates’ stances on pertinent issues, these stories compel us to engage responsibly and effectively, particularly when exercising our right to vote in elections.”

More recently, the Loquitur produced a story about a former Wayne, Pa. resident living in Ukraine named Dasha Andrienko, who works to help refugees from the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia. Loquitur reporter Lashay Smith, a 2023 Cabrini graduate, wrote an article featuring Andrienko and her work.

Additionally, Smith and fellow reporter Jacob Pegan, also a 2023 graduate, hosted a podcast with Andrienko to give her a platform to answer questions and speak on her experiences. The podcast marked a shift toward multimedia storytelling in addition to print journalism, allowing a new medium for Loquitur sources to tell their stories.

Tom Hayden and Jane Fonda speak at Villanova University in 1972. Photo courtesy of Jerry Zurek.

Andrienko and her family. Photo courtesy of Dasha Andrienko.

The evolution of Cabrini’s election reporting

By Jason Fridge Managing Editor

Covering presidential elections on a college campus is tricky. Not only is it a challenge to navigate political jargon, but competing with major news stations can make it difficult for young journalists to stand out with their coverage.

Multiple Loquitur reporters shouldered this hefty task over the years. From covering presidential debates, conducting campus polls, and talking with party leaders, Cabrini’s newsroom stood up to the challenge of informing students about the most important issues on their ballots. With Decision 2024 right around the corner, here are some of the ways the Loquitur covered past presidential elections.

Bridging the gap

One of the Loquitur’s first big attempts at presidential election coverage came in fall 1984, where the Loquitur staff embarked on a five-part series digging into that year’s presidential race. The campaign featured incumbent president Ronald Reagan (R) running against former vice president Walter Mondale (D).

For the final article in that series, titled “Perspectives on Politics,” reporter Gia Myers wrote about one of the debates. She watched the event live, taking notes about the important details, and created a bulleted list that laid out where the candidates stood on certain issues.

Myers, who graduated in 1987 with a degree in English communications, saw reporting on the debate as a way to inform an uninterested student body.

“[At the time] I felt that there was a general apathy among college students towards politics,” Myers said. “Today young people are very politically aware and active, but in the ‘80s we had other priorities.” The political climate of the 1980s was far different than now. Back then, it was easy to avoid mass media.

“Around campus in 1984, we didn’t connect with the candidates or the issues,” Myers said. “It didn’t seem pertinent to our lives at the time. We were focused on getting a job, and what our lives in our early 20s would look like.”

Knowing her classmates’ position, Myers summarized the information in an easily digestible format. She broke down complicated topics like economic policy, the budget, environmental regulations, and the Soviet Union to activate the student body.

“I wrote the article with the intention of helping my fellow students understand what the issues were in this campaign so that hopefully it would encourage them to vote,” said Myers.

Era of student involvement

College-aged students in the 2000s became an important bloc of voters eager to make their voices heard. Reporters on campus reflected that interest, with unique approaches to building a politically active campus.

One of the most successful efforts happened in 2007, when then-Editor-in-Chief Kaitlin Lynch reported on the Democratic primary debate hosted at Drexel University. As part of this debate, Democratic National Committee Chair Howard Dean hosted a student-based press conference with college editors from around Philadelphia. Lynch represented Cabrini alongside editors from Drexel, University of Pennsylvania, Temple University, and Villanova University. The article focusses on Dean’s views on electing a Democratic candidate in 2008. With the Iraq War still in full swing and health care a concern, the piece argued for a change in leadership.

In recent years the Loquitur avoided open endorsements of presidential candidates. Instead, editorial staffs focused on informing the student body about the importance of voting and being an informed citizen.

In an editorial for the Nov. 1, 2012 edition of the paper, the staff urged undecided voters to research what candidates best fit their views.

“We at the Loquitur believe that students should take full advantage of voting this election,” the editorial reads. “Voting is important - but being an informed citizen is crucial. Educate yourself on these important issues. Ultimately life changing decisions will be left up to someone else, whether you believe in them or not.”

Also featured in this edition was a student survey of local colleges and who their students planned to vote for. The results showed a narrow edge for incumbent Democrat Barack Obama, but nearly a third of those surveyed claimed that they were undecided, not voting, or not registered.

A similar poll conducted by the 2016 editorial staff used an informal survey in Founders Hall to see how students felt about issues related to the presidential election. The results of this poll showed 90% of students who participated planned to vote.

Importance of voting

During the most recent presidential and midterm election cycles, the Loquitur pushed Cabrini students to learn ballot issues and be active voters. In 2024, Editor-in-Chief Chris Perri wrote an article spotlighting the candidates in Pennsylvania’s attorney general race. The piece gives a brief overview of each candidate, their policies, and any endorsements.

Myers believes getting college students to vote is important. “Looking back, it made me realize that although many years have passed, we’re still grappling with the same issues,” she said. “It feels like we haven’t made a whole lot of progress, but I still have hope. I’m hopeful that we’ll find a way to make progress and I think younger people getting more interested in politics is awesome. It’s important to get [college students] active and confident to go to the polls to vote. I’m hoping that urgency will help us make things better in our country.”

In 2016, the Loquitur asked students to share their election issue concerns. Photo by Emily Rowan.

Breaking barriers: commitment to a social justice legacy

By Emily Shultz News Editor

Cabrini’s proud motto, “Education of the heart,” pledges a commitment to social justice and the greater good and the creation of legacy and purpose in every student it touches. The Loquitur’s ties to social justice came to fruition through Cabrini faculty’s efforts to shape a curriculum with a lasting impact.

The beginning of social justice education

Former communication professor Dr. Jerry Zurek explained that in the 1970s many colleges downplayed their Catholic identity to draw in a larger student population. At the time, Cabrini only had about 400 students. Some questioned if Cabrini’s Catholic and Italian connotations dissuaded potential students from enrollment.

“When I began teaching, we were actually thinking of changing the name of the college to Radnor College,” Zurek said.

Dr. Sharon Schwarze, former philosophy department chair, helped pave the path for a new justice-focused curriculum. In 1989, Cabrini introduced the SEM 300 course. Its previous course, SEM 100, dealt with identity, helping students understand who they are and their role in the community. The new 300 course requirement introduced community engagement to students through hands-on learning opportunities.

Schwarze commented, “Social justice was part of that ‘89 curriculum, but it wasn’t as explicit as it was later on.”

She said, “It was a little bit different from what other people were doing. I don’t know that other schools actually had any kind of curriculum demand to think about the common good. And I think we still have problems in our own country, trying to think about the common good today.

Dr. Dawn Francis, chair of the communication department and 1993 graduate, agreed, “If more of us thought about the common good, we’d be better off, or more people would be better off.”

Francis experienced the curriculum firsthand, “Service learning is really how I would term it, but with an emphasis on understanding more of the root causes and the context for why it is you are going out into the community to do service.“ While in college, Francis volunteered in an after-school literacy program for Philadelphia youth. She also volunteered for a literacy program for children and adults in Norristown.

A second implementation

Despite the course’s introduction, it still fell through the cracks in some ways. Occasionally, the Loquitur would publish an article about racial or LGBTQ+ issues. However, few of its pages, if any, were dedicated to social justice. There was also little focus on Mother Cabrini’s mission and her story as the patron saint of immigrants. SEM 300 wasn’t the end of the faculty’s push for social justice education. In 2002, Francis, Zurek, and other staff worked on designing and implementing the Justice Matters program as curriculum committee members. Francis said, “It truly does tie back to our institution’s mission and Mother Cabrini’s works of service, you know, all throughout the globe; how she used her whole life to be a model for how to serve others and care for others and educate others’ hearts. It was totally in line with our mission and who Mother Cabrini is.”

Francis explained the importance of using gifts and talents in service of others, “I really think it’s important to understand that we’re a part of one human family. And that what we do has ripple effects on, you know, people who are local to us, and also across the globe. decisions we make every day impact others in really important ways. And we really should understand our responsibility and our role in that.”

Similarly, Zurek took notice of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus’ work in developing countries; tackling issues no other Catholic institutions ever discussed. For example, Zurek pointed out how the Cabrini sisters ran a daycare called Centro Social da Criança Mafre Cabrini in São Paulo, Brazil around 2005. The daycare was specifically intended to care for the children of sex workers.

The Loquitur’s new era takes off

In 2009, the faculty’s efforts to implement the Justice Matters curriculum finally paid off. Education for the Common Good courses were born and served as a catalyst for the Loquitur’s new chapter.

The newspaper flourished publishing stories that made a difference, with articles spreading awareness about issues such as mental health, LGBTQ+ discrimination, immigration reform, global warming, human trafficking, homelessness, global food insecurity, and much more.

Zurek said, “It’s one thing for us to learn through our head and another thing to learn with our heart. That’s when you can really teach what you believe.”

Reporting on rising tuition costs at Cabrini

By Andrew Stovenour Visuals Editor

In the ever-changing world of university finances, where every increase in tuition sends concern through the student body, one aspect remains constant: the role of journalism in uncovering the truth behind these economic decisions.

In the past 65 years of the Loquitur, there has been plenty of coverage of this issue. Two reporters who wrote articles about tuition prices were Brendan Noone and Chris Pesotski.

Noone, who wrote “Tuition increase raises questions” in 1993, reminisced about the process involved in reporting on rising tuition numbers. “I remember interviewing a couple folks at admissions. I think we got the news that it was raising from $9,020 to $9,742 in the mail … And then they also because of the backlash had to talk about it a little more publicly as to why they were doing it.”

In the original article, Noone wrote, “According to a letter circulated by President Antoinette Iadarola this Easter break … Students will experience an increase in tuition from $9,020 to $9,742, raising the tuition for residents to $16,532.”

Noone said of community sentiment at the time, “It was more about ‘What are we doing to build up the school?’ … We need more tools and less toys.” Negative coverage often resulted in pushback from those at the top. “When we would write something that wasn’t the company line, it was very possible that you wouldn’t get the access to administration that you potentially needed.” Despite these obstacles, the team remained steadfast in their commitment to informing the community.

Noone said the reporting process around why Cabrini needed more tuition money, began with a central question: “You have to follow the money right? Like, where did that money go? And what was it used for? It’s the seeds that were planted, it’s the money trail.”

A different but similar view

Chris Pesotski, the news editor in 1991, also reported on the rise in tuition. Eventually, that experience led him to work in college financial aid offices later in life.“Traditionally,” he said, “we would begin hearing rumors about what the number was going to be … normally it was fairly late in spring that students would be informed about what the increase would be.”

In an article in 1991, Kimberly Marshall, a news section reporter, wrote, “Trustees approve record 15 percent tuition and board increase for ’91- ‘92,” which says “[Former president Sr. Eileen Currie] said that the reasons for the increase are the downturn in the traditional-age-college student population, and unclear levels of state and federal funding … Cabrini will cost $8,350. Room and board is $5,515.”

Pesotski also talked about the challenges the newsroom faced.“We would put a request to the CFO (Chief Financial Officer), who at the time was John Barclay, to ask him for an interview a week before, because we knew they weren’t going to tell us anything before the board approved it. So, right after that, we would be granted an interview where we would discuss what the numbers actually were.”

Financial insights

Since his time on the Loquitur, Pesotski has worked in financial aid admissions as associate vice president of enrollment at University of the Arts, director of financial aid at Rowan College at Burlington County, and spent nine years as a consultant working with colleges and universities on pricing.

“It was more about ‘What are we doing to build up the school?’ … We need more tools and less toys.” “ “

The crux of this issue lies in confronting the realities of financial instability. “There is no way for most schools to survive without raising tuition on a regular basis,” Pesotski said. In an era where the value of a bachelor’s degree is scrutinized, colleges grapple with the reality that they need to deliver quality education while balancing the books.

Tuition keeps rising

With tuition increasing at an alarming rate even now, going from $8,350 in 1991 to $34,665 in 2023, there is no shortage of questions to be asked about tuition. In 1983, Paul Moser wrote the article titled “Administration justifies 9.5 percent tuition increase,” where he reports that then-President Antoinette Iadarola raised the tuition to $13,900, saying, “This comes at a time that U.S. inflation is about 3 percent, and many colleges are trying to hold a 2.5 to 4 percent rise.”

The Loquitur has been running for 65 years, and in that time the paper has covered a number of controversies here at the school.Tuition has been an ever-changing problem all across the nation, and the Loquitur has always been sure that students understand what this means for them, as the students are the most effected.

Pesotski recalled about his time on the Loquitur, “It was a lifestyle, it was everything you did, it was like being on a sports team.” Noone added, “You have a big responsibility at 65 years … people put a lot of energy into this over all those 65 years.”

Covering the African American experience

By Gekeya Pinder Staff Writer

Cabrini was not always the diverse school it is today, but the Loquitur covered issues that impacted African Americans’ daily life.

When Martin Luther King Jr. died in 1968, the story, “King: Profile in Peace,” was used as a lesson for students to be kind to new Black students who would be attending the university that fall. In later years, the Loquitur featured stories focusing on “Historic Black Americans” and “Black Education.”

Racism at Cabrini

In 1989, when a racist incident toward a minority student on campus came to light, the Loquitur staff struggled with how to cover it.

Rachel Slaughter, Class of ’89, said, “We had some sort of a racial issue at Xavier Hall, there was some racial slurs written somewhere and I wanted to cover that but that wasn’t on the Loquitur’s agenda and if it was, it wasn’t a story given to me. I do remember that it was covered in a brief way, but in a way that I wanted to expand on and bring more awareness to the racial intolerance that some of us felt on campus.”

The story, “Racism plagues campus again,” reflected on what happened with the racist incident It was written around the same time as the story, “Minority enrollment hits record low,” which reflected on Black students not wanting to attend the university because of the outbreak of racist incidents.

Slaughter said, “As a person of color, I spoke up and wanted to do more coverage of local and national events that involved people of color. That was always my push as a person who thought of herself as a rebel or very socially and racially aware.” She continued, “The issue that I covered was that there wasn’t enough integration for people of color on the campus. I felt like I was missing some sort of acceptance during that time.”

Getting coverage of Black issues was specifically not on the agenda for the Loquitur, but Black editors pushed that agenda for the African American community that was growing in population at Cabrini from 1989-1999, to show that they were heard and understood as well.

The change in coverage

The Loquitur’s focus shifted as the years went by, especially around 2020 when the awareness of racism and police brutality against African Americans opened everyone’s eyes.

Black Loquitur editors and reporters such as Sydnee Reddy, Troi Patrick, Toniann Gooden, and many more, wrote stories or reflections of who they were as Black students at a predominantly white school.

Racism wasn’t the only topic that was covered regarding the African American experience; the paper also covered what the university offered for their BIPOC students.

Patrick’s story, “Being a Black Student Union board member,” showed the importance of being a part of a club that reflects who she is, and provides a welcoming place for everyone like her.

Patrick, (‘21), said, “During the time I attended Cabrini, I was doing the Loquitur and the Black Student Union. I felt like it was important to me to be in a group that had a presence on campus that was meant to uplift Black students on the Cabrini Campus.”

The Loquitur helped Black editors be a voice for other Black students on campus who felt unseen.

In 2021, Reddy (’23), wrote “Being Black on a campus that cut Black studies,” reflecting on what other Black students may been feeling. Reddy won a 2022 Keystone Media Award for this story.

Reddy said, “When the decision was made to cut Black studies, I felt unseen as a Black student. It was a Perspectives opinion editorial, so it was all my thoughts wrapped in a story. Plus, I believe I was speaking for the majority of Black students on campus.”

The Loquitur may have left the African American experience unnoticed for a while, but ultimately, it helped Black writers speak up for what they believed in and what others were afraid to say.

Lifestyles

A legacy of inspiring speakers and events

By Emma Regulski Staff Writer

The Loquitur celebrates its 65th year of publication in 2024, but it always played a vital role in the community by capturing a diverse range of speakers and events.

Renowned speakers

Cabrini University has been privileged to host some of the most esteemed speakers, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel. He delivered the keynote address for the President’s Convocation in 2006. Reported on by Cabrini graduates Katherine Brachelli LaHart (‘07) and Brittany Liberatore (‘08), he said, “To remain silent and indifferent is the greatest sin of all,” inspiring students to see that they have the power to make a difference in the world.

Liberatore said, “Although soft spoken,Wiesel quickly grabbed the audience’s attention through his use of words. They still sat enthralled, as Wiesel’s words rang in their ears, ‘Create hope out of despair.’”

The university also welcomed renowned academics, such as Dr. Cornel West who, when speaking at the Urban Education Symposium in 2022, challenged students to think critically about the world around them.

Tarana Burke, founder of the “Me Too” movement, touched the audience with her stories and goals to stop marginalizing sexual violence. The university awarded her The Ivy Young Willis and Martha Willis Dale Award for her contributions to civil rights.

Reported on by Cabrini graduate Amy Kodrich (‘22) she said, “[Burke] led a powerful discussion addressing those who are survivors and those who want to support, accommodating to all the alternatives that could play a role in sexual violence, as promised. Audience members were inspired and touched by her words. Many sat in awe, others nodded in agreement, and some were even brought to tears.”

A legacy of events

Beyond academic and social justice topics, Cabrini’s events brought the campus together in countless ways.

Bridget O’Donnell, director of Student Engagement and Leadership, said, “I have really enjoyed the semi-formal dances ... the semi-formal dances are planned by members of

Student Government Association and Student Athlete Advisory Council, and it is great to see these two student organizations come together to brainstorm big ideas for a great night out and put them all into place. The dances are always a huge success.”

Anne Filippone, dean of Student Engagement and Leadership said “I’ve had so many favorite events at Cabrini. I have always said that New Student Orientation was a favorite time of year for me because of all the excitement of new beginnings.

Commencement is a really special time as well. We recognize the outstanding accomplishments of student leaders in so many ways, and then to see students walk across the stage is truly special. You’ve watched them learn and grow over their time at Cabrini.”

“Another event that I always enjoyed was Cabrini Night at the Phillies. I loved this event because we would take a large group of students to the ballpark for the game, and faculty, staff, alums, and campus partners always came out for it.

The Dance Team would perform, someone from Cabrini would throw out the first pitch, the chorus would sing the national anthem. There was always so much energy and excitement and it was a great event,” Filippone recalled.

In addition to the semi-formal dances and sports games, Cabrini hosted a wide range of events. From cultural festivals such as the African American Heritage Month Celebration and the Latino Heritage Month Fiesta, to academic symposiums including the Science and Engineering Fair and the Arts and Research Symposium, these events showcased the diversity and talent of the students, faculty, and staff.

Cabrini also hosted concerts, plays, and art exhibitions that featured local and international artists, further enriching the campus culture. Whether it’s lecture, performance, or celebration, the events provided opportunities for connection, growth, and fun, making Cabrini a vibrant and inclusive community.

Jake Eagle, senior computer science major, said, “Halloween Havoc has always been my favorite event, I’ve loved it ever since I was a freshman. It’s a great way to bring the whole campus together and my teammates and I have always had the best times there.”

Armani Parker (‘23), former president of the Black Student Union.

Photo from The Loquitur.

Decades of impact by Loquitur editors

By Brooke Protesto Lifestyles Editor

In 65 years, the Loquitur saw many editors come and go, each producing work that gained recognition outside Cabrini. Those who went the extra mile to curate such impactful stories often graduated after winning state or national honors.

Advocating for Black studies

In 2021, digital communication major and former Media Managing Editor for the Loquitur Sydnee Reddy, wrote “Being Black on a campus that cut Black studies,” an article that foresaw Cabrini’s financial future.

Reddy dug deep into Cabrini’s public financial records, questioning why courses in Black studies, religious studies, gender studies, and more were being cut, but former President Donald Taylor received continuous increases in pay.

Courses were not the only part of the institution being cut; many faculty members lost their jobs as well.

The news of these courses being cut was not even originally shared by the institution; the Philadelphia Inquirer reported it first. Reddy was taken aback.

“I honestly was very confused. It kind of made me heated because as a Black student on the campus, even though I wasn’t in the major whatsoever, it basically got rid of an opportunity for Black students and also non-Black students to learn about Black culture and just Black studies in general,” Reddy said.

She added, “Especially at a PWI [Predominantly White Institution], we kind of need those classes so people can expand their minds, learn more, and just understand people who are different from them.”

Being heard was Reddy’s priority. She and many other students on campus were hurt by the institution’s actions. “I tried to mainly just have it come from the heart,” she said.

“A lot of Black students didn’t feel seen. It didn’t feel as though the school really valued them as students here. Even though a lot of students weren’t in the program, it felt

as though the school didn’t care about Black culture, or Black history, everything that encompasses that.” Reddy added.

The solid reporting done by Reddy earned her and the Loquitur the 2022 Keystone Media award, but that was not her goal. “When I wrote the article I wasn’t honestly expecting to win an award. I was just like ‘Okay, I’m gonna write this because this felt very important to me and I wanted to speak my mind about it because I thought it was crazy, this is insane’ and so I was like ‘okay, let me write this article.”

Today, Reddy works as an advancement services coordinator at Mercy Career and Technical High School.

Elevating fair trade

In 2007, Amanda Finnegan and Meghan Hurley wrote a series of articles surrounding fair trade. Fair trade is the oppurtuinty for farmers to get paid fairly, and work in good conditions.

Not only did their reporting affect the Loquitur, but it also affected Cabrini’s dining hall. Sodexo changed their coffee and fruits to come from fair trade-certified outlets. Hurley wrote the article, “Fair Trade: steps taken, long road ahead.”

Finnegan was editor-in-chief of the Loquitur, and is current editor of “By The Way,” the Washington Post’s travel site for news, tips, and city guides.

Finnegan said, “Cabrini was one of the first campuses to move toward fair trade goods. It raised awareness to people on campus that the goods we were consuming, that people aren’t always being paid fair wages.”

She added, “You have a choice in the products that you buy, you can pay more to ensure that someone is being paid a fair wage. Cabrini was at the forefront of that.”

Finnegan and Hurley’s reporting on fair trade won the two reporters an award to travel to the Middle East. During their time there, they got to work with Iraqi refugees. Finnegan recalled, “It was a really big deal for us to win it because we were college students that won a professional award. By the time we both took the trip, we were graduated and I was just starting my career in journalism. We got to take this trip with other professional journalists and I think that it felt like a really big deal for us to get noticed.”

That was not the only award the Loquitur won that year. Finnegan said, “The year that I was editor was the year that the school won the Associated Collegiate Press Pacemaker Award, which is the highest award in college journalism, and the first time the Loquitur won it. I really see that as our legacy. We tried to push larger issues, but also have them relate back to the campus.”

Finnegan looked back on her time on the Loquitur. She said, “Working on the Loquitur really shaped my life. It showed me that journalism can be a career and it showed me that it was something I’m good at.”

Just a few of the state and national awards won by Loquitur reporters through the years. Photo by Seamus Feeley.

Seven-year-old Maina was forced to work in dangerous conditions. Photo via Catholic Relief Services.

Cabrini’s legacy of women in sports and Title IX

By Samantha Taddei Sports Editor

In 1972, the Nixon administration enacted Title IX, a landmark legislation that revolutionized gender equality in education and athletics.

Title IX grants women athletes equal opportunities in sports within educational institutions that receive federal funding, spanning from elementary schools to colleges and universities. As a result, a new era of opportunity for female athletes began, especially at Cabrini University.

Setting the stage

An all-girls college until 1970, Cabrini laid the foundation for its athletic legacy with its first sports teams in softball, women’s basketball, and field hockey. Since the university’s inception, athletics was a cornerstone of campus life, and the school boasts an impressive record of 146 conference championships and two NCAA championships.

Despite the university’s rich athletic tradition, the journey toward gender equality in sports had challenges.

Laura Wiseley, a former athlete on the softball team and Loquitur sports editor, recalled how women’s softball didn’t have a field on campus during her time at Cabrini. “Nobody came to our softball games because we played off campus. … We had to drive up to Norristown and had to take a bus,” she recounted. As a result of Title IX, the women’s softball team eventually obtained a field on campus.

Breaking ground

Title IX legislation arrived at a pivotal moment in the university’s history, coinciding with its transition to coeducation. In 1997, Leslie Danehy made history as Cabrini’s first female athletic director.

The hiring of Jackie Neary as a coach that same year also marked the beginning of a new era of success for women’s sports at Cabrini.

“If I look at Title IX back when I was a student athlete, I think the big thing was the girls were getting the same stuff the guys get,” Neary explained. “I look back in the ‘80s, men got so many things and all of a sudden, we started getting sneakers, sports bras. That didn’t exist prior to that. We’ve come a long way, but we still have a long way to go.”

Loquitur lens

Wiseley’s dual role as a sports editor and athlete provided her with a unique perspective on the evolution of women’s sports at Cabrini. “The Loquitur played a crucial role in shaping perceptions and advocating for the greater recognition of women’s athletics on campus,” she reflected.

In terms of coverage, Wiseley emphasized the Loquitur’s commitment to equality. “I feel like we did try to keep it equal. We tried to cover who had the big game that week or who had the biggest story. It was, here’s the schedule, here are the big games. Let’s go cover those with the same enthusiasm as we cover everybody else’s sports,” Wiseley said.

In a field typically dominated by men, Wiseley said her contributions were valued by Loquitur staffers for their quality rather than her gender. “It was always, ‘She knows what she’s talking about,’ rather than, ‘Oh, she’s a girl,’” Wiseley recalled. “I just think the staff that we had during that time were just awesome, amazing, talented people, but good people.”

Wiseley’s time at the Loquitur equipped her with the confidence and experiences that facilitated her transition into a career as a sportswriter for the Delaware County Daily Times. As one of the few women in her field at the time, her journey was characterized by breaking barriers and overcoming stereotypes.

The Neary era: coaching for change

Jackie Neary’s tenure as a Cabrini coach is legendary. She started the women’s lacrosse program in 1997 and entered the Cabrini Athletics Hall of Fame in 2013.

“It started with a freshman from South Jersey who went to the president and said, ‘We want women’s lacrosse. We have men’s, we want women’s.’ And they said yes, so that’s how it started,” Neary explained.

Neary amassed a remarkable record, with 21 conference championships in 26 full seasons. Additionally, she has led the university’s field hockey team to six conference championships since 1996.

Wiseley explained that her roommate was on the field hockey team and was recruited by Neary to play at Cabrini. “You know, I had never really heard about that before, coaches really reaching out to female athletes. I thought that was really cool. I know that men’s sports have been doing that for a very long time. That was the first I had heard about that for women’s sports, again, 25 years ago.”

Neary’s profound impact on Cabrini athletics goes beyond trophies and titles. She’s been a driving force for change, advocating for equal opportunities and empowering female athletes.

Wiseley said, “[Neary] has a very famous alumni in Kylie Kelce, who is out there now continuing on Jackie’s work. I’ve seen her on TV running field hockey clinics and things like that, which is awesome. Any time it can be highlighted that women are athletes and we’re just as competitive as the guys and we want to win, we want to play, we want to get in there, that’s never a bad thing.”

Neary agreed. “I knew as a coach, for my hockey team to be good and my lacrosse team to be good, I had to get out there and sell Cabrini. So, what helped me sell Cabrini over the years was getting a turf field, getting locker rooms, those types of things enabled me to now compete with schools that I was losing kids to.”

Title IX’s impact over the years

Wiseley noted the strides women’s athletics has made. “Look at Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, they’re doing amazing things. They’re getting great amounts of coverage and recognition for it.”

Neary said, “I think it’s amazing how males now want to watch females play sports. I don’t know if that was happening 30 years ago. I really credit women’s soccer with it. The U.S. women’s soccer team really fights for fair wages.”

She continued, “I think that’s the big thing with Title IX. You’re glad it’s there because when you need it, you want to pull that. I’ve been very blessed that I didn’t have to pull it. I think that says a lot about the leadership at Cabrini and the athletic department over the years. From John Dzik to Kate Corcoran right now and in between.”

Jackie Neary coached the Cavs to 21 conference championships in 26 full seasons.

Photo via Cabrini Universty Athletics.

Cabrini’s softball field was built on campus in 2002. Photo via Cabrini Athletics.

Springboard to sportswriting

By Nate Mazurek Staff Writer

Philadelphia has a rich history of sports championships. One of six cities that won at least one championship in the NHL, NFL, MLB, and NBA, Philadelphia’s combined total of 19 championships in these leagues ranks seventh among North American cities.

But Philadelphia is not the only place with a history of championships. Over its history, Cabrini athletics has captured 146 conference championships, a national championship, and a national championship runner-up.

Since the university is so close to Philadelphia, the Loquitur staff has had many opportunities to write about championships in the area.

Kevin Durso: sportswriter

Kevin Durso, a staff writer for the Loquitur during the 2011-12 school year and sports editor for the 2012-13 school year, dreamed of sports writing and the Loquitur gave him that chance. He is now a inbound marketing copywriter for Stream Companies, a Phildelphia area advertising agency.

“I always wanted to be a sportswriter. I really wanted to be a baseball writer and had started my own Phillies blog before I ever arrived at Cabrini,” he said. “Getting to cover sports in person was really the fuel for this as I went through my years with the Loquitur and beyond.”

Before shifting into copywriting, Durso was a Flyers hockey insider for 97.3 ESPN-FM. Though there were no professional Philadelphia sports championships during his years at Cabrini, Durso covered many of the school’s championships.

Durso dove into the opportunities Cabrini’s communication department offered. “I joined Cavalier Radio, then WYBF The Burn, in the spring of 2011 and from my first broadcast was completely hooked on going to games, being a presence, and getting as much experience as possible,” Durso said.

“Later that fall, when I joined the Loquitur, I immediately jumped into sports coverage… and looked for every opportunity I could to do as much as possible to be around and as hands-on as possible. That only continued over the next three years of my college career and has continued ever since as I shifted to covering the Philadelphia Flyers and the NHL.”

“In my first year with the Loquitur in March 2012, the men’s basketball team made it to the national championship game of the Division III NCAA tournament. The entire communication department was really dedicated to getting the best coverage we could with limited people credentialed,” Durso said.

“I covered the Final Four and national championship games for the Loquitur and helped on the broadcast on Cavalier Radio. Unfortunately, after a thrilling win in the Final Four, the team came up short in the National Championship and lost by three points.”

Future success of writers

The Loquitur not only produced some phenomenal articles on sports, but set its staff writers and editors up for success in the future.

“There are many lessons I can take from my time writing for the Loquitur that can be applied to my current job. In addition to my full-time job as a copywriter, which certainly requires the writing skills, preparation, and teamwork that comes with being part of a staff like the Loquitur, I also freelance for 97.3 ESPN-FM in South Jersey covering the Philadelphia Flyers, and that takes every element of my coverage as a sportswriter with the Loquitur and brings it into the world of professional sports,”

Durso said, “One thing that I take away from my time with the Loquitur that I still use in that role is being flexible. You have to be able to create quickly and on-the-fly as a game happens or as news breaks, and you have to be able to evolve in the way people consume the news and what they are looking for from your content. The foundation for those values were set from my days in the Loquitur newsroom.”

Cabrini’s championship wall in Dixon Center. Photo by Seamus Feeley.

Former Loquitur staff writer and sports editor, Kevin Durso. Photo via LinkedIn.