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Volume 105, Number 25

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

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Referendum passes to encourage Marquette to divest from fossil fuels

Photo courtesy of Miriam Schwabe

Of the 1,553 voters, 87% supported the move to divest. 1,704 of the eligible 7,196 undergraduate students voted.

By Megan Woolard

megan.woolard@marquette.edu

Full time undergraduate students voted on a referendum, presented

by Fossil Free Marquette and put on

by Marquette University’s student government to gauge support for

fossil fuel divestment on Earth Day, Thursday April 22.

For Marquette, fossil fuel divestment would entail selling off its investments in fossil fuel companies that are part of the university’s $700 million endowment fund. An endowment fund is a group of invest-

ments and financial assets owned by the university.

Fossil Free Marquette is the student organization that first presented the idea of a student referendum back at an MUSG senate meeting March 8. Their argument is that the university’s support for

slowly but surely been able to get back to a “normal” life at Marquette.

Organizations like the Wellness Peer Educators have done their part in helping students assimilate through a mixture of online and in-person informational events.

The organization, which looks to promote and provide a campus climate that is centered

around holistic wellness, has held numerous in-person events this year. In addition, they provide students with informational online meetings that look to value and empower each student on campus.

Melissa Variny, a junior in the College of Business Administration, has been a part of the Wellness Peer Educators since August 2020. Variny said curat-

companies that take part in climate change isn’t aligned with Jesuit values.

“This referendum was presented by Fossil Free Marquette and conducted by MUSG, and students were asked to express their voice/vote on a five-year plan for

Marquette University to divest from corporations involved in the fossil fuel industry,” Katie Breck, a junior in the College of Arts & Sciences and president of MUSG, said in See FUELS page 2

Pre-pandemic normalcy in sight for some People look forward to meeting others in person

By Finn Askin

finn.askin@marquette.edu

As the spring 2021 semester has progressed, students have

INDEX

MUU TV

COVID-19 TRACKER.........................................3 MUPD REPORTS..............................................3 A&E...................................................................8 OPINIONS.......................................................10 SPORTS...........................................................12

NEWS

ing programs in order to prevent alcohol and other drug abuse on campus is the main focus of the organization.

Variny feels as if her job as a Wellness Peer Educator has only gained importance due to the pandemic. With anxiety, depression and substance abuse all on the rise for adults, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said there is a large

See NORMALCY page 2

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

OPINIONS

Some songs to listen to by LGBTQ+ artists

Non-attending students deserve recognition at in-person ceremony

Johnson & Johnson

Pride playlist

PAGE 7

PAGE 8

Following pause of vaccine, community discusses impact

rise in demand for mental health services in the United States.

“Our organization does so much more than just speak about drug abuse, sexual violence and alcohol abuse,” Variny said. “We also emphasize and talk about overall wellness and how to better yourself holistically.”

All MU graduates matter PAGE 10

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News

The Marquette Tribune

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

FUELS: Majority of students support move Continued from page 1

an email.

An email was sent out to all fulltime undergraduate students, the only eligible voters, with a link to vote on the referendum.

Voters were asked in the referendum sent out April 22, “Do you support Marquette University’s financial divestment from companies directly involved in fossil fuel extraction & distribution as outlined in the attached document?”

Of the 1,553 voters, 87% supported the move to divest. Of the 1,704 eligible, 7,196 undergraduate students voted, which amounts to an overall turnout rate of 23.7%.

The turnout rate for the March 2021 MUSG election was 24.3%. However, the results of the referendum do not mean that the university plans to divest. “(The referendum) was only used to measure student concern to present to University administration, the referendum’s passing does not mean that Marquette will now divest,” Breck said in an email.

For Fossil Free Marquette the 87% of students in favor of divestment indicate an interest in their cause.

“Marquette should divest the endowment from fossil fuels because it is their fiduciary duty as a university to invest in endowment assets in the best interest of the student body, the people the endowment is meant to serve,” Bruce Deal, a sophomore in the College of Business Administration and member of Fossil Free Marquette, said in an email.

Other schools that have fully divested, such as Georgetown and Creighton, have also started with a student referendum.

Joseph Miscimarra, senior in College of Arts & Sciences and co-founder of Fossil Free Marquette, said that these results are similar to schools that have

Photo courtesy of Fossil Free Marquette

The MUSG senate will look over the results and then vote. If it passes, it will be presented to the university administration to be voted on as well..

recently divested.

“This outcome is also pretty consistent with results from similar referenda at other universities; for example, Creighton got 86% approval for fossil fuel divestiture in 2019, and Georgetown got 91% in 2020 just last year. Both of those schools decided to listen to their students and divest, so we’re hopeful that Marquette can follow their lead and choose to get on the right side of history,” Miscimarra said in an email.

Following the results of the referendum, the MUSG senate will

look over the results.

“We are in the process of presenting Fossil Free’s recommendation document to the MUSG Senate, which details exactly what a fiveyear plan for divestment looks like for Marquette. The Senate will vote on this recommendation, and if it passes through our Senate, it will then be presented to the University administration to be voted on,” Breck said in an email.

At this time the administration has yet to issue a response on the results of the Earth Day referendum. But,

Miscimarra said he expects some sort of statement from the university.

“We are expecting an official statement from them that clarifies their stance on fossil fuel divestiture and outlines their efforts to participate in shareholder engagement to encourage environmental justice. Until full divestment from fossil fuel companies is achieved, our campaign will remain active,” Miscimarra said.

Though students support the move to divest from fossil fuel companies, all decisions surrounding the endowment fund must

be made by University President Michael Lovell and the Board of Trustees.

“Even after the referendum vote, our work is not done,” Deal said in an email. “We will do everything in our power to achieve this goal and will not stop until our demand of full fossil fuel divestment is met.”

Sarah Richardson and Claire Driscol contributed to this report.

NORMALCY: Wellness Peer Educators help Continued from page 1 Variny also said that she wishes more people knew about their wellness coaching opportunities.

These free sessions pair students with Wellness Coaches based on a preceding strengths test.

Variny said students can meet with coaches every two to three weeks and can get help to set up goals and provide students with resources and guidance

without intimidation.

Variny has also led, organized and participated in numerous peer educator events involving information on drug abuse, among other topics. Although these informational game nights are completed for the semester, attending these sessions next year can yield prizes such as gift cards, LED strips and more.

Joey Sullivan, a sophomore in the College of Business Administration, has attended numerous bingo events hosted by the organization. He said these

bingo nights were inviting, fun and informative.

“The events were a great time to take a break from everything and win some great prizes too,” Sullivan said. “The Peer Wellness Educators always make sure to keep things fun, yet informative. They keep things fresh.”

Sullivan also said that they were incredibly cognizant on social distancing guidelines and general COVID-19 safety.

“I definitely look forward to next year when I am able to meet with more of my peers face to face,” Sullivan said “As more

people get vaccinated I think we will be able to make more and more connections” The Wellness Peer Educators have plenty of in-person events to finish off the school year as well. This includes a “Healthy Masculinity” table event in SHAMU (the space between Schroeder Hall and the Alumni Memorial Union) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 27.

There will also be another event April 28 called “Denim Day,” a day that takes place on the last Wednesday of April to riase awarness surrounding sexual

assault. Tabling will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in SHAMU and the Central Mall.

Alana Lapitan, a sophomore in the College of Arts & Sciences and a member of Occupational Therapy Club, said that she has no issues participating in any events on campus.

“Everything I have done so far has felt incredibly safe. Everyone, whether tabling or hosting an event, has been sure to keep their distance,” Lapitan said.

News

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

The Marquette Tribune

Legalization seen as controversial Uncertainty, barriers to recreational marijuana use

By Finn Askin

finn.askin@marquette.edu

Minnesota, Michigan and Illinois have all legalized the use of medical marijuana.

Illinois and Michigan even legalized use of recreational marijuana. Meanwhile, Wisconsin falls behind. Some are questioning why this has happened in the dairy state.

Conflicting state politics seem to have plagued any progress in allowing the fruition of any promarijuana-based legislation.

In fact, as of April 15, Wisconsin Senate Republicans said they would not legalize medical or recreational use of marijuana, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Wisconsin’s neighboring states, specifically Michigan and Illinois, have both passed legislation in the past three years that allow for recreational use for adults age 21 or older. Minnesota has had medical use legalized since 2014 and is currently looking to instate recreational use. Iowa has a very limited medical use program that spans all the way back to 2014.

Wisconsin’s stance, on the other hand, allows only very minimal use of medical marijuana. According to the National Cannabis Industry Association, Wisconsin allows “possession of marijuana-derived CBD oil ... with a doctor’s certification.”

Democrat Governor Tony Evers has supported statewide medical legalization since he began his term in 2019. However, Evers faces large conflict when attempting to propose bills due to the large number of Republicans he faces in the Senate.

Philip Rocco, associate director of undergraduate studies in

political science, said that the relationship between the governor and state legislature is troubled.

“The state legislature within Wisconsin does not work with a healthy or competitive democratic,” Rocco said. “The thing that is choking the issue is the unique quality that Wisconsin is undemocratic.”

The difficulty of the state legislature makes it hard for any Democratic bill to pass, such as those that Gov. Tony Evers may support.

With 21 Republicans and 12 Democrats in the state Senate, Republicans have a heavy partisan advantage. Republicans have held control of the state Senate for the past six years. They have also had control for nine of the past 15 terms.

This is in part due to intense gerrymandering across the state.

Gerrymandering is when district lines are drawn to support one party over another. When the new districts were adopted in 2012, Democrats gathered the majority of the popular vote. They, however, only garnered 39 of 99 seats in the Assembly.

Karen Hoffman, a political science professor, said she agreed with the statement of Rocco.

“The polarization of Wisconsin politics. The legislature has gridlock about near everything,” Hoffman said. “We are in a really nonproductive place for legislation in Wisconsin.”

Milwaukee County has contrasted the lack of progression in the state legislature by announcing a new law revolving around the possession of marijuana. The new law sets the maximum fine for possession of less than 25 grams at one dollar.

The punishments in Milwaukee County are significantly less harsh than the rest of the state. Anywhere else, one can be charged with a misdemeanor for their first offense and a felony for their second.

“Milwaukee’s one dollar marijuana possession law is a huge step in the right direction for legalization,” Rocco said. “Decriminalization is more important because it’s an issue within racial injustice as well.”

Avery Farmer, a sophomore at the College of Arts & Sciences, doesn’t think Milwaukee should be looking to legalize marijuana right now. This is due to the amount of racial injustice that surrounds drug convictions.

“I think more important to reduce punishment, decriminalize

A subject unaffiliated with Marquette was found passed out in a running vehicle that was running in the 1500 block of W. St. Paul Avenue. The subject was taken into custody.

APRIL 23 An unknown subject damaged a rear window of a non-MU subject’s

The Marquette Tribune EDITORIAL

is more important than legalization. That severely limits the enforcement which would be incredibly beneficial,” Farmer said.

Legalization of cannabis would mean the removal of all legal prohibitions against the drug. Decriminalizing would mean that use would remain illegal, but people would not be prosecuted if their possession of the drug was under a specified amount.

This would lead to less people being arrested for possession of marijuana.

According to Wisconsin Public Radio, Black Wisconsinites are 4.3 times more likely to be convicted for marijuana possession than white people. Milwaukee County, regardless of being home to 69% of the state’s Black population, only accounted for 8% of the convictions.

Hoffman said, “Decriminalization of marijuana in Wisconsin should be looked at with higher priority than legalization.”

With all of Wisconsin’s neighbors having some sort of legalization of marijuana, at least medically, Hoffman believes that “it’s hard to say that we won’t go forward at some point.”

Executive Director of Marquette Wire Natallie St. Onge (414) 288-1739 Managing Editor of Marquette Tribune Annie Mattea NEWS News Editor Benjamin Wells Assistant Editors Megan Woolard, Claire Driscol Reporters Natalija Mileusnic, Julia Abuzzahab, Karsyn Hartfield, Finn Askin PROJECTS Projects Editor Lelah Byron Assistant Editor Amanda Parrish Reporters Grace Dawson, Maria Crenshaw, Aspen Ramos, Beck Salgado ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Arts & Entertainment Editor Skyler Chun Assistant Editor Charlotte Ives Reporters Quinn Faeth, Ryan Lynch, Ariana Madson, Tommy Shaffer OPINIONS Executive Opinions Editor Alexandra Garner Assistant Opinions Editor Aminah Beg Columnists Jenna Koch, Hope Moses, Max Pickart, Lucia Ruffolo SPORTS Executive Sports Editor Zoe Comerford Assistant Editors Nick Galle, Molly Gretzlock Reporters Sam Arco, Bryan Geenen, Jackson Gross, Matt Yeazel, Matthew Valente, Jack Lewandowski COPY Copy Chief Eleanor Mccaughey Copy Editors Kendra Bell, Emily Reinhardt, Kimberly Cook, Bailey Striepling VISUAL CONTENT Design Chief Grace Pionek Photo Editor Zach Bukowski Sports Designer Kayla Nickerson Arts & Entertainment Designer Lily Werner Opinions Designer Mariam Ali Photographers Claire Gallagher, Joceline Helmbreck, Isabel Bonebrake, Nathan Lampres ----

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All of Wisconsin’s neighboring states have legalized marijuana to an extent. Illinois and Michigan have also legalized the recreational use of the drug. Wisconsin‘s state legistlator remains split on the issue.

MUPD REPORTS APRIL 24

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vehicle while parked in the 800 blocks of N. 14th Street.

APRIL 22 A subject unaffiliated with Marquette removed a Marquette’s student property at a business in the 800 block of N 16th street. The subject was cited and the property was returned.

An unknown subject

COVID-19 TRACKER removed merchandise without consent from a business in the 1600 block of W. Wisconsin Avenue.

CUMULATIVE CASES - MARQUETTE 1,327 NEW CASES - 4/19-4/25 9 CUMULATIVE CASES - MILWAUKEE 104,012 SEVEN DAY AVERAGE - WEEK OF 4/21 132

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News

The Marquette Tribune

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

University provides support for vaccinations Campaign rallies people to get doses, shares information

By Julia Abuzzahab

julianna.abuzzahab@marquette.edu

After Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services declared that anyone ages 16 and older could receive the COVID-19 vaccine Monday, April 5, #VaxUpMarquette was created. #VaxUpMarquette is a campaign from the university meant to encourage Marquette students to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

“Marquette is encouraging students, faculty and staff to get the vaccine now that anyone age 16 and older in Wisconsin is eligible. We are running a #VaxUpMarquette campaign with signage around campus.

We have a vaccination clinic on campus and we are sharing information about vaccination sites near campus,” Kevin Conway, associate director of university communication, said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, becoming vaccinated against COVID-19 is a crucial part of stopping the pandemic and creating protection.

“While more COVID-19 vaccines are being developed as quickly as possible, routine processes and procedures remain in place to ensure the safety of any vaccine that is authorized or approved for use. Safety is a top priority, and there are many reasons to get vaccinated,”

according to a statement from the CDC. Some of these reasons include preventing you from getting COVID-19, building protection against the virus, ending the pandemic and being able to gather with others who are fully vaccinated without a mask.

The Marquette Medical Clinic is also encouraging students to get their COVID-19 vaccine.

“Vaccination is one of the key strategies to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Vaccination across populations decreases transmission, hospitalization and death rates, as well as further mutations of the virus. The goal is to reach herd immunity”said Keli Wollmer, executive director of the Marquette Medical Clinic in an email.

Wollmer also said that in order to achieve herd immunity, predictions articulate that 75-85% of the population would need to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Wollmer also said that it is still important that vaccinated individuals continue wearing masks, practice social distancing, avoid large gatherings and get tested if symptomatic. She said that although the vaccines are not 100% effective, they are still one of the best defenses against COVID-19.

While many in the Marquette community are advocating for students to get the vaccine, there are still some that are hesitant or against the shot. Alex DeSimone, a first-year in the College of Arts & Sciences, said that he will not receive the COVID-19 vaccine because of the use of stem cells in its development.

According to the University

Photo by Joceline Helmbreck joceline.helmbreck@marquette.edu

Marquette is encouraging students to get vaccinated now that all people in Wisconsin 16 and up are eligible.

of Nebraska Medical Center, the COVID-19 vaccine does not consist of any aborted fetal cells, but both Pfizer and Moderna conducted confirmation tests utilizing fetal cell lines. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine, however, does use fetal cells in their vaccine development, confirmation and production processes.

Although the Johnson & Johnson vaccine does use fetal cell structures to produce their vaccine, Moderna and Pfizer do not, and were named ethically uncon-

troversial by the pro-life policy organization the Charlotte Lozier Institute. Moderna and Pfizer both use mRNA technology and require two doses of the vaccine, while Johnson & Johnson uses a disabled adenovirus and only takes one shot for full effect according to the Virginia Commonwealth University Health Center.

“I don’t think that the COVID(-19) vaccine is necessary for the world to function, but I’m not here to bash people for getting it.

Marquette would be fine whether

they require the vaccine or not, but I think the ultimate importance of the university’s decision is that they are setting a precedent that could be dangerous,” DeSimone said.

Those interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine can go to the City of Milwaukee Health Department website to find a vaccination center available to them. The COVID-19 vaccine is free, and those ages 16 and 17 need parental consent to get the vaccine.

Weʼre hiring for the 2021-2022 school year!

Various applications are available at marquettewire.org/apply Email applications to Aimee Galaszewski, incoming Executive Director, at aimee.galaszewski@marquette.edu

News

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

The Marquette Tribune

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Graduate programs move up in rankings Nursing, business, law, engineering all see increases

By Claire Driscol

claire.driscol@marquette.edu

Marquette’s business, nursing, engineering and law graduate programs have moved up in ranks nationwide according to a 2022 U.S. News and World Report.

Douglas Woods, vice provost for graduate and professional studies and dean of the graduate school, said this advancement in rankings “underscores Marquette’s commitment to offering an adaptive and enhanced learning experience.”

“Our master’s programs balance theory and applied principals, while also teaching our students the ethical and real world implications of what they

are studying,” Woods said in an email.

One of the programs that moved up was the Graduate School of Management’s executive Master of Business Administration program. The program moved up one spot in its category from last year, marking it now as No. 15. The school’s part-time MBA program also moved up in the ranks, placing it at No. 46, which was a sevenspot leap from last year.

“We are very proud of the executive MBA program at Marquette,” Jeanne Simmons, associate dean of the Graduate School of Management, said in an email. “We have been consistently ranked in the top 20 programs and we are happy with that ranking.”

Simmons also said that the part-time MBA program moving up in ranks is “validation” for the work that has been done to match the program with the needs of the students.

“Our part-time MBA program is focused on working professionals and we have designed

the program around this population,” Simmons said in an email.

“Classes are in the evening and online as well as some blended courses. We are doing everything we can to fit this program into the lives of very busy students .”

“

This is great for the program and a recognition of ... our education here at MU,” MADELINE SCHMIDT Assistant dean for graduate programs

Along with nationally ranked part-time MBA and EMBA programs, Marquette’s Graduate School of Management offers master’s degree programs in accounting, accounting analytics,

applied economics, corporate communications, finance, management, supply chain management and a joint MBA program with law and an online MBA. However, Simmons said what sets Marquette’s Graduate School of Management apart from other programs is its focus on the students.

“We have small class sizes so students get to know each other and learn from each other and we have an ethical focus in all of our classes,” Simmons said in an email. “Those are two of the hallmarks of the GSM programs.”

The College of Nursing’s Master of Science program also moved up, placing it at No. 60, a nine-spot leap from last year.

Madeline Schmidt, assistant dean for graduate programs, said this jump in rankings will help with the recruitment and retention of students who want to come back to nursing’s M.S. program.

“This is great for the program and a recognition of the success of our education here at

MU and the experiences of the students,” Schmidt.

According to Marquette’s website, students in the M.S. program can specialize in “acute care nurse practitioner, adults, adult-gerontology, children, nurse-midwifery and health care systems leadership.”

Within all of these disciplines, Schmidt said the mission and vision of Marquette and the College of Nursing is ingrained, setting the program apart from competitors.

“When we graduate the Marquette Nurse, they are nurses who have leadership and reflective practice,” Schmidt said in an email. “They care for all patients with Magis, attention to social justice and live the values of Cura Personalis.”

Looking forward, Woods said Marquette’s graduate programs will continue to expand its “online offerings” in order to continue delivering a transformational education to students.

GET MORE FROM YOUR SUMMER. Registration is now open for Summer Studies.

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News

The Marquette Tribune

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Marquette works toward HSI designation Original goal of 2026 may not be met but initiative continues

By Megan Woolard

megan.woolard@marquette.edu

Marquette has continued to make progress on becoming a Hispanic-Serving institution.

Back in 2016 when the initiative was originally introduced, the university had a Hispanic and Latinx enrollment of 9.7%.

The university’s HispanicServing Institution initiative has gained 4.2% more undergraduate students since the fall of 2016, making this year’s student body the most diverse in Marquette’s history.

The original goal, introduced in the spring of 2016, was aimed at increasing Hispanic student enrollment by more than 15% within 10 years. The initiative’s goal is to increase Latinx

undergraduate enrollment to represent 25% of the student body by the 2026-27 academic year.

“One of our strategic plan goals is around creating a culture of inclusion — if Marquette is to be a leading university, we need to diversify our student body,” former Provost Dan Meyers said back in 2016, when the goal was first introduced.

To become an HSI, the institution must be either a two or four year accredited college, have a significant enrollment proportion of low-income students and have Hispanics represent 25% of the full-time undergraduate student body.

However, last semester Provost Kimo Ah Yun stated in a virtual coffee chat Sep. 29, 2020 that the HSI initiative was no longer part of the university’s strategic plan. The strategic plan helps to map out the university’s goals and future plans.

Ah Yun and Jacqueline Black, associate director for Hispanic initiatives, said that the university may not be able to become

an HSI within the timeline that was originally set. The original timeline would call for the university to become an HSI by the 2026-27 academic year.

“The HSI steering committee is working with university administrators and campus partners to determine a pathway forward and we are committed to continuing the work to attract and support underrepresented students,” Black said in the Sep. 29 coffee chat.

The university’s HispanicServing Institution initiative has gained 4.2% more undergraduate students since the fall of 2016, making this year’s student body the most diverse in Marquette’s history.

Becoming an HSI opens eligibility to apply for Title V funds.

The funds may be used for educational materials, improved facilities, faculty development and more.

“Our vision is to be among the most innovative and accomplished Catholic, Jesuit universities in the world – that

cannot happen unless we embrace the perspectives, cultures and knowledge of our diverse students, faculty and staff,” Ah Yun wrote in a Marquette Today statement.

Some efforts Marquette has made to establish itself as an HSI include an overall 15.4% increase of the Hispanic population between students, faculty and staff. Funds for the community include $33 million in financial aid for the 202021 academic year and over $200,000 raised in 2020 for the Ellacuria Scholarship for undocumented students.

“I am proud of you and of the progress being made through your efforts. But the work is nowhere near done,” Ah Yun said in an April 15 Marquette today statement . “While we are in tough financial times, I have been working with the HSI steering committee to determine our way forward. Rest assured, the important work of attracting and supporting underrepresented students will continue.”

In 2016 there were no HSIs in Wisconsin. Since then a group of Wisconsin institutions such as Alverno College, Marquette University, Milwaukee Area Technical College, Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, Mount Mary University, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the University of Wisconsin-Parkside have formed the Hispanic Serving Institutions Network of Wisconsin.

These institutions are working toward becoming an HSI or have already become one.

Alverno College was the first school in Wisconsin to receive the designation back in 2017. St. Peter’s University in New Jersey was the first Jesuit school to become an HSI. While Marquette has made progress, there is still a ways to go before the university can officially receive the HSI designation by the original timeframe of the 2026-27 academic year.

Some struggle to stay motivated, engaged As semester wraps up, challenges continue to arise

By Natalija Mileusnic

natalija.miluesnic@marquette.edu

Students and faculty are finding various ways to remain PAID ADVERTISEMENT

motivated and finish off the semester strong, all while working through a semester with various challenges, such as the hybrid format many are experiencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Angelina Galullo, a first-year in the College of Communication, said it was often difficult to remain motivated this semester.

“The previous semester was easier and I had a good adjustment coming out of high school,

where everything was online,” Galullo said. “However, this semester I’ve had harder classes and found it hard at times to push through and finish my work.”

Mason Kitter, a senior in the College of Business Administration, said that he was excited about his final semester at Marquette.

“Graduating and receiving my degree that I have worked for four years to earn is what is making me motivated,” Kitter said.

“At times it was difficult because of the pandemic and how Marquette was doing online school, but being a senior is what kept my drive going.”

A. Jay Wagner, an assistant professor of journalism and media studies, said this semester was

a challenge.

“There are a lot of unforeseen circumstances in addition to all the precautions that we’re taking,” Wagner said. “I felt prepared for it and knew what I was getting into as far as understanding the additional challenges.”

Marquette has included three Mental Health Days throughout the semester thus far, which were Feb. 9, March 10 and April 20. The final Mental Health Day is May 5. The days allowed for students to take a break from class work and have the day to themselves, which ensures that they are not being overworked mentally.

“Even though we were supposed to take a break from doing work on the Mental Health Days, I found myself catching up with school and just taking the whole day to relax and pace myself,” Galullo said. “It let me catch up on my work and gave me the extra push that I needed for my assignments.”

Wagner said that he has remained positive and optimistic throughout the semester.

“I stay motivated by wanting to be the best teacher that I can for my students,” Wagner said.

“I understand that there is additional challenges, but I continue to press on and be the best

teacher that I can be.”

Wagner said understanding the challenges this school year has presented is key to being a successful educator.

“I am being as compassionate and understanding as I can,” Wagner said. “I understand that everyone is going through this differently. This has been a real challenge for a lot of people, so continuing to push forward is important.”

Galullo said that she continues to stay motivated, despite struggling at times.

“Taking a step back and really figuring out what I need to get done that day and not stressing myself out is how I stay motivated,” Galullo said. “Mental health is really important, so that’s always one of my first priorities when I am finishing up work, or even studying for a test.”

Wagner presented students who are struggling with advice to finish off the semester.

“Everyone should do their best,” Wagner said. “My one piece of advice is to communicate. Your professors want to help and that there are a lot of challenges out there right now.

So, communicate when you do need help because if we don’t know, we can’t help.”

News

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

The Marquette Tribune

7

Students discuss Johnson & Johnson vaccine Following rare blood clot issues, the CDC paused distribution

By Claire Driscol

claire.driscol@marquette.edu

The Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a joint statement April 13 recommending a pause on the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine due to six reported U.S. cases of a rare blood clot after receiving this vaccine. Only a week before this pause did Julia Rodrian, a sophomore in the College of Nursing, receive the recalled vaccine.

Although the pause on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has been lifted as of April 23, Rodrian said news of the recall was concerning.

“It was definitely a little concerning that it was recalled only a week after I had received it,”

Rodrian said in an email. “The article headlines caught my eye right away.”

Rodrian had chills, fever and soreness after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. However, these side effects are common amid all three COVID-19 vaccines, and had gone away by the time the recall was announced, which relieved some of her concerns.

Despite the six U.S. reported cases of blood clots from the vaccine, a report from Yale Medicine also noted that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has generally had “noticeably milder side effects than the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.”

However, milder side effects aren’t the only appeal the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has brought forth. Unlike Moderna and Pfizer, the recalled vaccine only required one shot to be deemed effective and could be stored in a regular refrigerator.

This made the vaccine ideal for vulnerable populations.

“The Johnson & Johnson vaccine was perfect for homeless

populations or lower-income households in general,” Rodrian said in an email. “With only needing one vaccination, people would be able to receive one shot and move on.”

Despite the convenience of Johnson & Johnson, it had only been administered to around 6.8 million people in the U.S. at the time of its recall, making up only around 8% of the U.S. population that is fully vaccinated.

With six reported U.S. cases of women developing rare blood clots — making up an extremely small percentage of the population who have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine — the risk factor of developing this disorder remains relatively low.

“With such a small percentage of people with these dangerous blood clots they should not have stopped giving it,” Rodrian said in an email. “It’s difficult with the covid vaccines right now in general because so many people are watching every move.”

However, Beka Tait, a sophomore in the College of Nursing, said pausing the administration of

the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was a “smart move.”

“Six people might seem like a small number in the grand scheme of people who received this certain type of vaccine, but the vaccine is still very new,” Tait said in an email. “Scientists are still learning new things every day about the virus and how to prevent it.”

As an aspiring nurse, Tait said being extra cautious in this case is “extremely important.”

“As nurses, we are our patient’s advocates,” Tait said in an email.

“For those six women, they need an advocate, someone who will speak up and say ‘it’s time to take a step back and reevaluate.”

Lynda Connor, a staff nurse at Marquette, also noted the importance of caution in the FDA and CDC’s decision to pause administration.

“COVID-19 vaccine safety is a top priority for the federal government, and all reports of health problems following COVID-19 vaccination are taken very seriously and investigated thoroughly,” Connor said in an email.

Marquette had plans to administer the Johnson & Johnson vaccine April 14, a day after the recall was announced. Due to this, the scheduled clinic was canceled, which would have been the first time Marquette administered this vaccine.

However, Marquette having yet to administer the Johnson & Johnson vaccine prior to the recall was simply by chance, as Connor said Marquette administers whatever the state gives them and cannot request a specific vaccine.

Connor also noted that the initial production of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was slower than that of Moderna and Pfizer, and wasn’t approved for emergency use authorization until around two months after its counterparts.

Although the recall is only another hurdle in the fight against COVID-19, Connor said vaccines are and will continue to go through the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history.

“We should feel very confident knowing the safety systems in place are working,” Connor said in an email.

The Marquette Tribune

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Arts &

Entertainment

Page 8

Pride playlist: Songs to listen to by LGBTQ+ artists Songs include “Still Dreaming,” “Bitter,” “Bloom,” “I wish”

By Ariana Madson

ariana.madson@marquette.edu

With Marquette University Student Government’s Pride Week taking place this past week, below is a playlist featuring a few LGBTQ+ artists. Each artist briefly discussed also has a recommended song to add to your spring playlist. Though it was Pride Week, Pride Month is during the month of June.

Fletcher – “Bitter” Fletcher is an artist whose 2015 debut single “Warpaint” rose up on the Spotify Viral chart. In 2020, she released an EP with a song titled “Bitter.” This song is about the feeling one has when their ex moves on and is with a new person after the breakup.

Some lyrics are “I know they said it’s kinda stupid / But it’s just the way I’m feeling right now / And I hate that I could tell that someone’s / Probably in my shoes by now, right now,” and in hearing them, it’s easy to feel the bitter energy. This song is perfect to add to your morning walk to class.

Troye Sivan – “Bloom” Troye Sivan is an Australian singer/songwriter. His second studio album “Bloom” came out in 2018 and contains the title track “Bloom.” This song has a soft beat with an 80s vibe in the opening verse. The song is about a relationship and how it’s been the one you’ve been waiting for, Sivan likens it to spring and blooming when that person is around. When looking at the lyrics “Now it’s the perfect season / Yeah, let’s go for it this time / We’re dancing with the trees and/ I’ve waited my whole life,” you can feel the excitement of the relationship and the happiness the song exudes. This is a perfect song to add to your exercise playlist.

Hayley Kiyoko – “I wish” Hayley Kiyoko is a singer/ songwriter who is well known for her role in the Disney Channel original movie “Lemonade Mouth.” The single “I Wish” was released in 2019. The song talks about how Kiyoko seems to be in a relationship that she knows isn’t

Photo via Flickr

Hayley Kiyoko is a singer/songwriter who is well known for her role in the Disney Channel original movie “Lemonade Mouth,” and her single “I wish.”

working and wishes she could just find the perfect match. Some of the lyrics are “No, you don’t like that I do what I want like all the time / We butt heads ’cause you don’t pay me no attention / And you’re selfish with your affection (Oh)” and here it can be seen that Kiyoko is struggling with this relationship. This song is perfect to play while making breakfast in the morning.

Sam Smith – “To Die For” Sam Smith is an English singer/ songwriter. They truly gained big recognition through being featured

on the song “Latch.” Their voice is incredibly velvety and one song that truly portrays this is “To Die For.” This song was released in 2020 and is featured on their 2020 album “Love Goes.” The song is soft and has a light beat with featured strings and piano. It’s a song that talks about how they’re just looking for that one true love when a love is lost. With lyrics like “You don’t leave my mind / Lonely days, I’m feeling / Like a fool for dreaming,” it can be seen that they are longing for the love they thought they had. This

song is perfect to have on in the background while taking a nap.

Raveena – “Still Dreaming” Raveena is categorized as an American singer/songwriter. She had an EP released in 2017 and her first album “Lucid” was released in 2019. A song off that album is “Still Dreaming.” With a dreamlike opening, the song makes you feel like you’re floating as you listen, almost as if you’re sitting in the passenger seat staring out the window and daydreaming.

Raveena sings “I don’t want lose that feeling / Sleeping in your

arms, still dreaming / And if I, if I froze time / Could you forever, could you forever be mine?” and it’s clear that the song is about wanting to stay with someone forever, even if you don’t know what the future holds.

This song is perfect to have on your study playlist or while doing busywork.

Though there are many more LGBTQ+ artists, these are just a few that you should go give a listen to. A few others include Clairo and Todrick Hall.

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Arts & Entertainment

The Marquette Tribune

9

Fun activities to do around Milwaukee this spring Lakefront Brewery, Milwaukee Kayak Co. among places

By Ryan Lynch

ryan.p.lynch@marquette.edu

With the April showers passing and the May flowers beginning to bloom, Milwaukee’s spring weather will soon start to look a lot sunnier, and with that comes some traditional Milwaukee spring events. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic still going on, venues have had to limit the amount of attendance that these events can have.

Boerner Botanical Gardens As the flowers begin to bloom, the Boerner Botanical Gardens may be a nice place to enjoy the outdoors. From the arboretum to the rock garden, it can be easy to spend the entire day exploring the 40 acres of garden space with friends.

The spring garden will open May 1, and will be open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. The education and visitor center is also open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Lakefront Brewery If you’re a fan of comedy and you’re 21 or over, head to the Lakefront Brewery May 2 for two shows at 6:00 and 8:30 p.m. There you can eat, laugh and relax for an hour and a half.

Photo by Nathan Lampres nathan.lampres@marquette.edu

As the weather gets warmer in Milwaukee, there are more opportunities to be active outside.

Tickets are $30 for two ($15 per person), $60 for a four-person table and $90 for a table that fits up to six people.

Tickets can be reserved online.

Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful, Inc. Interested in giving back to the community this spring?

Here is an opportunity to do just that. You can enjoy the pleasant

spring weather by volunteering with Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful as a litter cleanup volunteer. The process is simple and awards you a lot of flexibility.

After registering online, you can organize your own group and choose the time and location in Milwaukee where you want to clean up. The nonprofit organization will supply you

group or on your own, you can choose a location in Milwaukee that could use a cleanup, get some gloves and get to work.

Milwaukee Kayak Co. Take a short break from studying for finals and explore Milwaukee waterways with friends during the warmer months! Milwaukee Kayak Co., located at 318 S. Water St., offers tours, rentals and lessons for those who want to learn more about the rivers flowing through the city.

Milwaukee Riverkeeper also offers online and downloadable routes to map your journey.

Seven Bridges Trail Spring can also be a great season for hiking. Located in Grant Park at 100 Hawthorne Ave., this trail offers a 2-mile trail with various trees, wildflowers, creeks, trees and more. There are various stone paths and bridges to pave the way as you venture through the streams and ravines.

with the litter cleaning materials you will need for your efforts.

Registration is open until Oct. 31, so if you enjoy the event, you will have plenty of opportunities to do it again.

If you are interested in cleaning up your community but are not interested in volunteering through an organization, you can always work independently. In a

Fans mourn hip-hop legend Earl Simmons, DMX Rapper’s legacy combines dark past with hopeful future

By Quinn Faeth

quinlan.faeth@marquette.edu

The world lost a rapper named Earl Simmons, better known as DMX, April 9. Simmons died at the age of 50 at a hospital near his home in White Plains, New York. He had been in the hospital for a week after suffering a heart attack April 2.

Simmons’ legacy is one that combines a dark past with a hopeful future, as he dealt with addiction before releasing his first studio album in 1998. That album, “Flesh Of My Flesh, Blood Of My Blood,” reflects those struggles in an often passionate and purposeful tone as heard in his song “Coming From.” At the time, he incorporated themes of spirituality in his music and

through how he carried himself.

One example of this is in his song “Ready To Meet Him,” which talks about uniting with the Lord.

That debut album of his peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard chart, as well as four other albums in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

He’s the only artist whose first five albums reached that top spot.

Simmons was also nominated for three Grammys over the course of his career.

Simmons was able to have an impact on hip-hop fans everywhere. One student in particular is Jack Began, a junior in the College of Business Administration. Began is a huge hip-hop fan who also runs “Rapper Rank,” a social media account that does a variety of reviews and rankings of the rap industry.

Began said that DMX paved the way for many future hip-hop artists.

“His voice had a life of its own.

His blurring of the lines between

the mainstream and underground rap scenes was groundbreaking,” Began said. “His transparency surrounding his struggles spoke to everyday people in ways few artists, regardless of genre, could ever convey.”

Perhaps Simmons’ most popular song “X Gon’ Give It To Ya” is what many students know from his music repertoire, as it has over 426 million streams on Spotify. His other songs, such as “Where The Hood At” and “Party Up,” also have more than 150 million streams.

The late 90s and early 2000s were a flourishing time for hiphop with artists like Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, Wu-Tang Clan, OutKast and Ice Cube all making music at the time. Amidst all that talent, Began said that DMX and his music stuck out the most.

“I mean, it’s impossible not to acknowledge the run he had in 1998 with ‘Flesh Of My Flesh, Blood Of My Blood’ followed up by ‘It’s Dark And Hell Is Hot,’” Began said. “He was,

Photo via Flickr

DMX’s most famous song is “X Gon’ Give It To Ya,“ released 2003.

hands down, the best rapper alive, in a year where Jay-Z drops ‘Vol. 2,’ OutKast drops ‘Aquemini,’ and Lauryn Hill drops ‘Miseducation.’ He was a one of one.”

Simmons had a large following

throughout his entire career up until his final days. According to a New York Times article, fans gathered outside the hospital in White Plains and held up their arms in the shape of an X.

The Marquette Tribune

Opinions

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

PAGE 10

Editorial Board

Natallie St. Onge, Executive Director Annie Mattea, Managing Editor Marquette Tribune Kelli Arseneau, Managing Editor Marquette Journal

Alexandra Garner, Executive Opinions Editor Aminah Beg, Assistant Opinions Editor

Ben Wells, News Executive Zoe Comerford, Sports Executive Skyler Chun, A&E Executive Lelah Byron, Projects Editor

Eleanor Mccaughey, Copy Chief Grace Pionek, Design Chief Zach Bukowski, Photo Editor

Kate Hyland, Social Media Executive Aimee Galszweski, Station Manager MUTV Reese Seberg, Station Manager MURadio

STAFF EDITORIAL

MU should recognize all graduates at in-person commencement With the hard work put in by graduating students during their time at Marquette as well as the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic brought on this school year, it is important that graduates get the proper recognition they deserve during commencement week.

Marquette University announced April 20 that it will be hosting inperson graduation options for graduates during the commencement weekend of May 22 and 23.

The university will be hosting an in-person Baccalaureate Mass Saturday, May 22 at the Eckstein Commons between the Alumni Memorial Union and Schroeder Hall.

There will also be overflow seating with simulcast available at the Chapel of the Holy Family and the Monaghan Ballrooms in the Alumni Memorial Union.

After this, there will be a virtual commencement ceremony, which will include messages from University President Michael Lovell, the senior student speaker, the commencement speaker, as well as an alumni video, closing prayer and the Alma Mater. Each college and school will also have a tab on the

website where each graduate can include their name, degree and photo.

Several in-person commencement ceremonies will also be held. In-person ceremonies will be held May 23 for undergraduate and graduate students will be held at American Family Field at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., respectively. Every graduate who signed up for the in-person commencement will be able to have their names read and walk across the stage to receive their diploma cover. Undergraduate and graduate students are allowed to have a maximum of two guests at the in-person ceremonies.

The School of Dentistry and the College of Health Sciences professional programs will host separate in-person activities with livestream options available before and during commencement week as well.

The university should be commended for providing graduates an opportunity to be formally and publicly recognized for their dedication and hard work during their time at Marquette.

For many students and their loved ones, a commencement ceremony serves as a culminating recognition of their effort and work often

over a two to four-year period and being able to share the accomplishment of graduating with others is a significant milestone. Additionally, considering the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to students’ personal and academic lives this year, receiving recognition for overcoming those challenges is especially important.

Additionally, the university’s decision to allow for and make accommodations for students to invite two guests should also be acknowledged, as this may have required additional planning and funding. This is a great feat for the university, especially considering there was no in-person graduation held for the class of 2020 last year due to the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite these positive efforts, the university must ensure that all graduating students are recognized, even if they don’t decide to attend in-person commencement.

Students who decide to participate virtually in commencement will not have their names read at the inperson ceremony and although Marquette is allowing for all students to attend the in-person ceremony,

not all students may feel comfortable attending in person during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Savannah Charles, a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences, expressed concern about graduating students who choose to virtually participate in commencement not being publicly recognized at the in-person ceremony on her personal social media accounts. Charles said in an email that this information was confirmed by University Special Events.

“To clarify, students attending virtually will be ‘recognized’ by having their photo, name, and degree shared on the website under each College’s individual tab,” Charles said. “To my understanding, all students will be recognized this way.”

The Office of Marketing and Communication did not respond to requests to confirm this information.

Having your name and photo listed on a website is not the same level of recognition or experience as having your name read at a graduation ceremony. With the unprecedented and challenging circumstances this year has brought, all graduating students deserve the same respect and recognition, regardless

that America’s justice system would prevail and convict Chauvin of this brutal killing.

Brenda Hill, an advocate for lower-income communities in Detroit, stated it best: “We don’t have any trust in this criminal justice system ... I should be assured that by this time everyone saw (the video of the murder). I’m disgusted, I’m hurt by everything.”

Especially among Black Americans, there is minimal trust in the criminal justice systems due to its history of inequitable and unjust rulings.The Chauvin trial persisted for nearly three weeks from late March to April 20, where the prosecutors and the defense pled their cases, featuring testimonies by both prosecution and defense witnesses.

Two testimonies, most notably, expressed deep distraught, concern and discomfort when recalling the traumatic, fatal events that led to the murder.

Charles McMillian, a resident of Minneapolis, broke down in tears, noting that he told an officer on the scene, “Man, he said he can’t breathe,” and could tell Floyd was

struggling and would eventually die at the hands of the officers.

Similarly, Darnella Frazier, the 18-year-old who filmed the murder, became overcome with emotions as she explained the scene, noting that Floyd was terrified and suffering. She even said that the longer Chauvin kneeled on Floyd’s neck, the more pressure he used.

Testimonies like these are not only emotional and filled with immense pain, but they provided significant evidence of Chauvin’s disregard for Floyd’s life. Chauvin disrespected human life. In fact, he decided, by kneeling on Floyd’s neck for nearly ten minutes, that George Floyd’s life did not matter to him; He deemed Floyd’s life as insignificant.

The verdict, guilty of seconddegree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, is a ruling of basic human rights, rights that individuals have the moment we are born into this nation, rights that George Floyd had: the right to life and the right to not be tortured.

There is no political agenda or argument that could take that away from Floyd.

The politicization of Black lives must not exist; Members of the Black community are human beings.

There is a major difference in saying “Black Lives Matter” than there is “Blue Lives Matter.” Any effort to compare life to an occupation is absolutely absurd.

Black lives matter. It’s simple: The right to life is not political.

George Floyd existed as a human being, he deserves to be alive today and there is no excuse nor reasoning for his murder. It is the right verdict.

The jury did the right thing, not the courageous thing. It is the bare minimum standard of accountability.

Police officers rarely face criminal charges in regards to police brutality. They should not be above the law and continue to abuse their power. It is wrong and unjust. It is time to press charges against officers who use violence and hold them accountable.

The answer is simple: Chauvin is guilty, police brutality is guilty and policing is guilty. This was accountability. Justice has not been served.

This was a mere step in the grand scheme of things.

of whether they attend in person or virtual commencement.

For this year, Marquette should make accommodations for students who can’t or don’t feel comfortable attending in-person commencement and still read all graduating students’ names at the ceremonies, especially considering there was no in-person commencement last year.

Due to the unprecedented times, Marquette should acknowledge all students graduating this year in the class of 2021. Many students may feel that having their names read over video is more rewarding than having their name only listed on Marquette’s website.

Moreover, the university should update its commencement policies to ensure that students can be publicly recognized at future in-person ceremonies, regardless of whether they can attend or not.

Graduating college, at the undergraduate or graduate level, is a huge accomplishment. All students should be recognized with their class and not penalized for not being able to or not feeling comfortable to attend in person.

Chauvin trial ruling matter of human rights, not politics

Max Pickart Since videos of the murder of George Floyd surfaced in May 2020, millions of individuals around the United States and world knew and recognized that Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin killed Floyd, without any regard for Floyd’s life nor humanity.

As he knelt on Floyd’s neck for nearly 10 minutes, Floyd gasped for air and pleaded for his life. Chauvin did not care, and, ultimately, he caused Floyd to die.

Derek Chauvin murdered George Floyd. He committed a crime, both legally and morally. We watched a man murder another — a power that no person should have.

A murder was committed on American soil by an individual and a policing institution that is supposed to protect and serve. There was no question that Chauvin was guilty of murdering Floyd and cutting his life short.

Yet, there was immense hesitation

Keeping the Floyd family in mind, it is essential that we pursue systemic change that ultimately removes structures that contribute toward white supremacy.

Police brutality is still on the stand and major, substantial reform is necessary immediately.

American citizens and politicians must commit to eliminating racial bias in policing and the criminal justice system. It is our duty and our right to commit toward an equitable America, free of prejudice and racial bias.

A more equitable America can only be achieved if people of different political ideologies work together and remain committed to racial justice. We must take a stand for the human rights of Black, Indigenous and people of color in American society. We must further demand justice for all victims of police brutality and the systemic racism that perpetuates America’s systems.

Max Pickart is a first-year student studying Writing-Intensive English.

He can be reached at max.pickart@marquette.edu

Opinions

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

The Marquette Tribune

Black women, girls matter too

Hope Moses Black women and girls are at the forefront of social movements in the United States risking their lives and livelihoods for social change. Yet, our own needs and gendered experiences are minimized or ignored while emphasizing that Black lives matter — just not ours.

The backbone of social movements in America always resembles the spine of a Black woman, who, like most Black women, are expected to heal our communities before they heal themselves. Our history seems to be populated with unsung heroes and the erasure of Black contributions by Black women for this exact reason.

For example, Anna Pauline (Pauli) Murry, a queer Black priest, American activist and legal theorist, was directly involved in and helped articulate the intellectual foundations of two of the most important social justice movements in the 20th century. Legislation that Murray was responsible for writing guided Thurgood Marshall, first African American Supreme Court Justice, three years prior

to the Brown v. Board Education decision — ruling that racial segregation in public educational facilities is unconstitutional.

In all senses of the word, Murry was an activist, yet she does not have a day, week or month dedicated to her. This is because history enables the erasure of Black women and their contributions to the fight for equality.

Unfortunately, history is repeating itself right before our eyes. The Black Lives Matter movement, a Black-centered political will and movement that affirms the humanity of Black people, was created in 2014 by Black women: Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometi. Although Black women created this movement, it seems their accomplishments and strives toward racial equality go unnoticed.

The BLM movement may be the largest social movement in United States history, and in the summer of 2020, was a global force to be reckoned with. Police brutality, the excessive and unwarranted use of force by law enforcement, has haunted our people for so long and Floyd’s death encouraged people to go out and protest this. There are now 40 BLM chapters globally, showing how powerful Black women are in positions of power. Although

Photo via Flickr

A mural of Breonna Taylor, who was killed by police March 2020.

this movement emphasizes the idea that Black lives matter too, the movement tends not to focus directly on the challenges that Black women face.

For example, Breonna Taylor, a Black medical worker who was shot and killed by Louisville police officers in March 2020 during a botched raid on her apartment, died in silence. For months, not much about her death circulated through the media. However, George Floyd’s death in May 2020 sparked global protests, outrage and calls to change the oppressive system that allows this to happen. While Taylor’s death was acknowledged during the summer of 2020, it was in the

shadow of Floyd’s death, the attention seemed to be focused on him a lot more.

This is not the say that the George Floyd case is unimportant, rather, it is a prime example of how Black women are the shadows of our Black men; to be seen but not heard.

A July 2020 study conducted by the American Psychological Association shows that the outcomes of Taylor’s death and Floyd’s death are anything but a coincidence. The study concludes that “a one-size-fits-all approach to anti-Black racism leaves Black women’s concerns overlooked” and that “this ‘intersectional invisibility’ means that

as of 2013.

Rarely is academia largely regarded as a pursuit for information, exclusively dedicated to what its name suggests: academics — learning to be pursued for its own sake, not in order to achieve any sort of higher means. Yet, this idea is often

interactive environment. Many people feel themselves academically slipping through the cracks and becoming burned out due to online learning.

Seniors in high school who lost a year and and a half of in-person learning may not have been adequately educated to move on to college-level academics and institutions must be sympathetic and aware of this.

Academia must reform itself in order to maintain the integrity of deeper learning. Nationally, the United States should follow in the suit of other nations like Norway and Finland, and make public college education free, funded through a Wall Street tax. This would help ensure that knowledge is extended to people of all socioeconomic means and that it exists to simply help people grow intellectually and prepare people for the skills needed to perform life’s essential occupations.

Institutions, including Marquette, must do their part to maintain the welfare of the student body, whether this is through giving students financial breaks, increasing scholarships or dimming the cutthroat environment that characterizes a higher education so interwoven with a capitalist system.

Higher education must uphold

movements that are supposed to help Black women may be contributing their marginalization.”

Intersectionality, to simply put it, is the idea that all oppression is linked. This means that a Black woman may experience misogyny and racism, but she will experience misogyny differently from a white woman and racism differently from a Black man.

As America prepared to protest for Daunte Wright, a recent victim of police brutality in suburban Minneapolis shot and killed this month by an officer at a traffic stop, we need to also protest for Ma’Khia Bryant, a Black girl who was shot and killed by an officer in Columbus, Ohio this month as well.

Our movement fails to protect Black women and girls, which needs to change — so Black girls like Bryant and Black women like Taylor have the chance to grow old. We must remember working toward racial and gender equality needs to be intersectional; accounting for the experience of Black women and girls alike.

Hope Moses is a first-year student studying journalism. She can be reached at hope.moses@marquette.edu

Higher education must value learning, not profit

Lucia Ruffolo Academia and higher-level education must change its accessibility to others and how it chooses to promote student learning.

College enrollment rates have been on the decline, declining by an average of 1.67% per year since 2010. During the COVID-19 pandemic, enrollment rates dropped even further.

Enrollment fell by 4.5% for the spring 2021 semester and 4.4% for the fall 2020 semester.

While college enrollment rates are higher than what they were half a century ago, higher education has still not managed to be fully inclusive.

One of the biggest barriers preventing higher enrollment numbers are the astronomical costs, which have risen by 144% over the the past 20 years. The average cost of a for a student living on campus at a four-year university is $25,864 a year, and at a private four-year private university, a student pays an average of $53,949 a year. Twenty years ago, the price of college at a four-year university was half of this, at around $12,300 per year.

Marquette tuition and fees for the 2021-2022 school year totals nearly $60,000.

The costs of college have become equivalent to annually buying a car or putting a down payment on a house, and young adults who seek higher education are expected to just simply nod and accept this reality. Average student loan debt has exceeded $30,000, and individuals often continue to have student loan debt well into their adulthood, the average person taking 18.5 years to pay of their loans, starting at age 26 and ending at age 45.

It is no surprise that some people are choosing to opt out of college and are calling academia a sham. The brute American capitalist force that turns every aspect of life into a for-profit business has already had its way with higher education, operating like a business, instead of an institution dedicated to the knowledge and learning of students. Contemporary language surrounding higher education proves this to be true.

College is referred to as investment, a sort of temporary penance that is required if one hopes to make a livable wage in the future, as college graduates make about $17,500 more annually than non-college graduates,

“

Institutions, including Marquette, must do their part to maintain the welfare of the student body.”

seen as something that can only be achieved by the economically privileged and in higher education’s current method of operation, that is the truth. People cannot pursue learning for leisure and personal fulfillment when the thought of paying thousands of dollars is looming over their head.

Due to the fact that classes have been online this year, people are contemplating the value of college, as learning is often done best in an in-person,

11

the idea that research, education and the pursuit of knowledge are important, beautiful things, and an essential component to life which should be achievable by all people.

If higher education does not transition its goal, it will be yet another virtue unjustly sacrificed on the altar of a marketdriven society.

Lucia Ruffolo is a first-year student and is undecided. She can be reached at lucia.ruffolo@marquette.edu

Statement of Opinion Policy

The opinions expressed on the Opinions page reflect the opinions of the Opinions staff. The editorials do not represent the opinions of Marquette University nor its administrators, but those of the editorial board.

The Marquette Tribune prints guest submissions at its discretion. The Tribune strives to give all sides of an issue an equal voice over the course of a reasonable time period. An author’s contribution will not be published more than once in a four-week period. Submissions with obvious relevance to the Marquette community will be given priority consideration.

Full Opinions submissions should be limited to 500 words. Letters to the editor should be between 150 to 250 words. The Tribune reserves the right to edit submissions for length and content.

Please e-mail submissions to: alexandra.garner@marquette.edu. If you are a current student, include the college in which you are enrolled and your year in school. If not, please note any affliations to Marquette or your current city of residence.

Sports The Marquette Tribune

STEINER REBOUNDS FROM INJURY, RECEIVES MORE PLAYING TIME SPORTS, 15

Tuesday, April 27, 2021 PAGE 12

Chapman, Diener open sports complex

Photo by Zoe Comerford isabel.comerford@marquette.edu

Former Marquette basketball guard Joe Chapman runs his Chapman Basketball Academy in the gym at the Athlete Performance Sports Complex in Mequon, Wisconsin.

Former MU guards hold first practice at Mequon facility

By Zoe Comerford

isabel.comerford@marquette.edu

Less than seven months after Joe Chapman, Travis Diener and Steve Becker broke ground on the Athlete Performance Sports Complex, the facility ran its first workout April 1.

“It’s been a process, but it’s gone pretty smoothly and pretty fast,” Diener, a former Marquette basketball guard, said. “When the pandemic hit,

you didn’t know the uncertainty of everything. … From the very first steps of it, they were really upfront and honest with us on when they thought they could complete it by and pretty much accomplished that goal on opening exactly when we thought we would.”

The complex had a staggered opening as Becker, who owns Athlete Performance, had restarted his business in early March 2021. Then, the gym received permission for full occupancy later in March once the bleachers were put in.

“To have our first tournament (the weekend of April 10) and have all these kids here on

a nightly basis is what we saw months ago, and it’s come to fruition,” Diener said.

Chapman, who was Diener’s teammate, finally has a facility for his Chapman Basketball Academy. The camp, which started four years ago, now has 63 total teams and 1,500 kids that train five to six days a week.

Athletes anywhere from five to 21 and 22 years old train with Chapman and his staff, which includes Diener, former Marquette forward Todd Townsend and University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh assistant coach Kelly Frings.

“The sky’s the limit (for CBA),” Chapman said. “We

want to venture off into Chicago as well and start a CBA there and get some home roots there. …

We’re thinking about extending to Madison as well.”

For Chapman, who started his CBA training in Marquette women’s basketball junior forward Chloe Marotta’s basement, having a facility makes it easier to build clientele.

“Being in one spot, you don’t have to worry about being in a school or private facility,” Chapman said. “Now it’s about sending it out to everyone and continuing to grow it.”

With some schools being completely virtual, Chapman said there are also more camps in the

mornings and later after practices at night. Not only do they have large group sessions, CBA also has one-on-ones, small groups and film sessions with kids.

“That’s why we wanted to build a facility because sometimes when you’re in school, you can’t get in (the gym) during the day,” Chapman said. “This is important to build something that kids can come in throughout any time of the day.”

As a lead trainer, Diener’s schedule changes every day.

While he has occasional workouts with athletes in the mornings, it is in the afternoons and after school when most kids

Sports

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

The Marquette Tribune

13

VOLLEYBALL

Hannah Vanden Berg ready to embrace leadership role Sophomore discusses unique season, bright future for MUVB

By Molly Gretzlock

molly.gretzlock@marquette.edu

In a year full of challenges, hardships and all the highs and lows in between, the Marquette volleyball team was faced with numerous obstacles during its 2020-21 season.

Despite cancellations and the quarantine periods, Marquette finished its season with a 10-4 record and a run in the BIG EAST Championship match against Creighton University.

“In the end it was hard not making the NCAA Tournament and obviously this year was very weird, a lot of uncontrollable (factors),” sophomore outside hitter Hannah Vanden Berg said.

“But I think we handled that pretty well and I think that moving forward we have that chip on our shoulder and everyone returning so I think we are going to use this at our advantage moving for this season into next.”

Vanden Berg built up her

resume this season. The 6-foot2 hitter finished second in kills for the team with 124 and hit .214. She started in all 51 sets over the 14-match schedule and added nine service aces, 65 digs and 21 blocks.

“She can score points,” head coach Ryan Theis said. “She makes some defensive plays.

She’s immensely improved from her freshman to sophomore year and she’s what’s going on the side of the net.

She is learning the game and significantly improving.”

The Little Chute, Wisconsin native has been making improvements since the beginning of her career at Marquette. In her first-year campaign in 2019 she was named to the BIG EAST All-Freshman Team, posted 222 kills, 163 digs and 41 blocks.

Through the two seasons Vanden Berg has had as a Golden Eagle, she has been a key player in many areas around the court, which Theis believes will only keep getting better.

“She (has) stepped up when it was her time, balls go to her and she produces. From her accepting the scholarship offer to watching her play as an 18-yearold to stepping up with injuries

her freshman year,” Theis said.

“We expect big things out of her, and she’ll bring them. Her head is in the first place. She just takes everything in stride.”

This season Vanden Berg recorded double-digit kills in five consecutive matches from Feb. 25 against St. Louis to April 2 against St. John’s in the BIG EAST Conference semifinals match. Her playing contribution helped the Golden Eagles sweep St. John’s, which led to MU advancing to the conference championship game against Creighton April 3. Vanden Berg credited her teammates for the successes she had on the court this season.

“We relied on each other and trusted each other,” Vanden Berg said. “We all knew we could do it, we all knew we could do it.

Putting that trust together and knowing that (we) will do our parts really helped.”

Vanden Berg’s niche and talents for volleyball also can be attributed to her calm and collected personality.

“The staff would all say this about her, I don’t have daughters, I have three sons,” Theis said. “But if I had a daughter, I would want one as mellow and

Photo courtesy of Marquette Athletics

Vanden Berg (2) goes up for a hit in Marquette’s match against Iowa State.

laid back as Hannah. Things are not going to bother her, and I cannot say that about three of our boys.”

Although Marquette missed a bid to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2010 season, Vanden Berg said the team is using it to their advantage looking ahead to next season.

“We are working on anything we can work on in these few months we have to train before next season, it’s (going to be) a quick turnaround,” Vanden Berg said. “(I am) just excited for what’s to come and learning from this past season.”

As the Golden Eagles get prepared for the quick turnaround to the fall season, one thing the

squad has to their advantage is that everyone is expected to come back and use the extra year of eligibility that the NCAA granted due to COVID-19.

Among these players returning next year are graduate student middle blocker Savannah Rennie, graduate student right side hitter and setter Taylor Wolf, senior outside hitter Kaitlyn Lines and senior outside hitter Hope Werch.

“It’s amazing,” Vanden Berg said. “It’s great everyone is coming back, we are comfortable with each other, we know how to work with each other. That’s a good upper hand we have going into next season.”

MEN’S SOCCER

Bennett’s team receives at-large bid, faces LMU MSOC makes NCAA Tournament for first time since 2013

By Sam Arco

samuel.arco@marquette.edu

For the first time since 2013, the Marquette men’s soccer team is headed to the NCAA Tournament with an at-large bid after finishing the regular season 8-2-1 and being BIG EAST Conference Midwest Division champions.

“I’m really happy the NCAA recognized our body of work this season,” head coach Louis Bennett said. “I’m pleased for the program and just excited that we have a team back in the tournament that’s capable of doing some damage.”

Bennett will be making his eighth NCAA Tournament appearance throughout his 25year career as a Division 1 head coach. Bennett led the UW-Milwaukee Panthers to five trips to the tournament before coming to Marquette, while this will be the third time he’s taken the Golden Eagles to the Big Dance.

The Golden Eagles, who were ranked No. 18/17 in the country,

had their best season in terms of win percentage since 2012, which lands them a date with the No. 4 Loyola Marymount University Lions of California in the second round of the tournament set for May 2 in Cary, North Carolina, a start time is still to be determined.

The Lions finished the regular season with a 6-0-2 record.

They were champions of the West Coast Conference, defeating No. 23 Saint Mary’s in the title game, thus earning an automatic bid to the tournament in back-to-back seasons.

Defense will be a common theme in this one, as LMU has only allowed two goals all season and holds the best shutout percentage in the nation at .0750, while Marquette comes into the matchup after only allowing more than two goals in one contest all year.

Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Chandler Hallwood has been one of the main reasons for Marquette’s resurgence on the defensive side of the ball this season. The transfer from Gannon University had a stellar regular season in net for the Golden Eagles with a 7-1-1 record while being named BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Week on two

different occasions.

Since this will be the first NCAA Tournament appearance for most members on the team, the lads celebrated accordingly after hearing their name called during Selection Monday.

“When we heard our name get called my jaw just dropped,” redshirt sophomore defender Alex Mirsberger said.

“Everyone was just in shock and then of course we all had to hug it out and celebrate.”

Mirsberger is enjoying his standout season for the Golden Eagles, as the Brookfield, Wisconsin native was named to the BIG EAST All-Tournament Team. He also landed Second Team All-BIG EAST Honors for

the season.

Despite being picked to finish fourth in the BIG EAST Midwest Division this season, Marquette is one of three teams from the BIG EAST selected to compete in this year’s reduced field of 36, joining Georgetown and Seton Hall.

Though falling 4-1 to Seton Hall in BIG EAST semifinals didn’t help the Golden Eagles’ tournament chances by any means, Bennett feels there was some good that came out of the loss.

“The loss definitely gave us some realization that we aren’t a perfect team, and that we need to focus on not revealing our weaknesses,” Bennett said. “I

Photo courtesy of Marquette Athletics

Marquette men’s soccer lines up prior to a match against NIU Feb. 7.

definitely think it’s given us more motivation to get better heading into the NCAA Tournament.”

Along with dealing with COVID-19 pauses throughout the season, this is the type of adversity the Golden Eagles have had to overcome while being the underdogs all season, which they said has brought the team closer to one another.

“After seeing the preseason polls, we wanted to prove everyone wrong because we knew we’re a good team and capable of winning it all,” Mirsberger said.

“For the last three years I’ve been here, this is definitely the closest team we’ve had on and off the field. We all have each other’s backs and have stayed together as a collective group.”

This will be Marquette’s fourth trip to the NCAA Tournament in school history. The Golden Eagles are 1-3 all-time, with their lone win coming in their most recent trip in 2013 against Akron in the first round.

Marquette and LMU have only faced each other one time prior, with the Lions winning 2-1 back in 2006.

The winner of the matchup will move on and play in the third round May 6.

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Sports

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Tuesday, April 27, 2021

MEN’S BASKETBALL

CHAPMAN: Building a one-stop shop for athletes Continued from page 12 come to train. He also facilitates the weekend tournaments.

“I have the flexibility to be around my family, my kids, then come here and work kids out and that’s kind of what the next step is for me in my life,” Diener said.

Not only is Diener a huge part of Chapman’s camp, Fox Sports Wisconsin broadcaster and former Marquette forward Steve Novak also helps out by running shooting camps and by coaching the fourth grade boy’s team. Another Golden Eagle connection who comes to the camp frequently is former head coach Steve Wojciechowski, whose sons Jack and Charlie play there. Diener and Chapman’s kids also play in CBA camps and for their respective aged teams.

“A lot of former (Marquette) players’ kids play for us, which is a great sign as a former player,” Chapman said. “It’s a onestop shop for all of our kids. We can grow them up in the program learning life skills through the game.”

Though Athlete Performance is right near the lobby and the gym is down the hall, Diener said they are aiming for synergy within the building.

“Whether they’re basketball players (or not). We’re going to have volleyball in here as well.

Photo courtesy of Marquette Athletics

Travis Diener (34) and Joe Chapman (32) played together on the 2003 Dwyane Wade-led Final Four team. Now they have a sports complex in Mequon.

We have indoor soccer,” Diener said. “Those athletes that go in there, they do what they have to do from a weight training standpoint flexibility (and) mobility standpoint and then they come in here and work on their skills.”

Chapman said the complex has a little bit of everything — athletes can lift weights, shoot around or work on integrative health.

“Really, for an athlete, you don’t have to do anything else but be here,” Chapman said.

During the pandemic Chapman said his staff has thought more creatively.

“We did more Zoom work during COVID,” Chapman said.

“We did more yard workouts. We did more mental health things with our athletes.”

In terms of COVID-19 regulations for the building, Diener said if there’s a tournament, only two spectators are allowed per athlete and masks are recommended for spectators and referees. They also sanitize after every game

to try and keep everyone safe and healthy.

“That’s something we’ve never had in our lifetime, to see players and little kids playing in masks,” Diener said. “Hopefully with the vaccines coming out and the steps we’re taking, this virus will be eliminated sooner rather than later so kids can get back into schools and playing sports without masks.”

Both Chapman and Diener played on the 2003 Final Four team with Dwyane Wade and

with the complex being in Mequon, which is 16 miles away from Milwaukee, there’s still a strong Marquette connection.

“Marquette is something that bonded (Diener, Chapman and Novak) when we played together,” Diener said. “Twenty years later we’re still close and friends. … What’s special about Marquette is our close-knit family-type atmosphere. That bond will live on until the day we pass away.”

MEN’S LACROSSE

Sean Richard takes advantage of opportunities in net Stimmel attributes goalkeeper’s success to consistency, optimism

By Jack Lewandowski

jack.lewandowski@marquette.edu

As the Marquette men’s lacrosse team travels to New York this week for their regular season finale against the St. John’s Red Storm April 30, one member of the Golden Eagle squad has continued to build a successful season in the crease.

Redshirt first-year Sean Richard has proven many times this season why he will be a threat to the BIG EAST as a dominant goalie for years to come.

“Right now my consistency in between the pipes statistically has grown,” Richard said. “My ball-stopping ability has also grown as well.”

When he was young, Richard would take part in regional tournaments through national premier club lacrosse programs around the country. Despite being a great

player at a young age, Richard owes all his success to his coaches who watched him grow as a player.

“They brought a group of 25 guys from around the state (of Michigan) together and built us into a program,” Richard said.

Later on, Richard achieved lacrosse glory in high school at University of Detroit Jesuit High School, where he was named a three-time team captain, first-team all-state and he was also a twotime all-conference player.

When it came time to choose a university where he would continue his lacrosse aspirations, Richard signed his letter of intent just three days after visiting Marquette.

“You come here and there’s just a certain vibe that’s like ‘I want to be here,’” Richard said.

With the COVID-19 pandemic cutting Marquette’s season short after just seven games in 2020, Richard optimistically spoke about his opportunity to play at Marquette despite the shortened season.

“The one thing I took away from (last year) was how lucky we are to be at a school where lacrosse is a preferred division one sport,”

Photo courtesy of Marquette Athletics

Richard (72) directs his teammates in a game against St. John’s April 14.

Richard said. “Take away the division one (status) and the historically good teams, it’s more-so about the bonds that you have on the team.”

Over the course of the pandemic, Richard saw the upside that came with more time at home, which provided more time to work, better himself and get closer with his teammates.

“It was a mix of talking to the team and working out. We did Zoom calls and said to ourselves, ‘there’s more for us to do besides better ourselves,’” Richard said.

“Whether it was a makeshift bench press in the basement or putting

textbooks in our backpacks (and running), we had a good release from school to grind.”

Another big addition that was made to the team was the recent hiring of head coach Andrew Stimmel, raising questions as to how the team would perform under new management. Richard praised the work that his new coach put in on and off the turf.

“I think (what makes him special is) his consistency,” Richard said. “Coach Stimmel has been consistent the last two years about what he wants to do and where he wants to take this program and what it’s going to be about.”

Even amid the tough season the Golden Eagles have had this year, Richard never saw a decline in the morale of the Marquette coaching staff.

“It’s obviously been a tough season, blame COVID, blame injuries … but he has not taken a day off, you never see him in a bad mood,” Richard said. “They (coaches) come in consistently and we always have a good week of practices due to that.”

As for what the rest of the season has to hold, the redshirt firstyear goalie has a positive outlook on what is to come for the Golden Eagles as he continues to sharpen his skills every game.

When asked about what it means to finish strong this season, Richard immediately spoke of his older teammates.

“Finish strong to me means leaving it all out there, especially for the seniors,” Richard said. “It’s all about executing what we worked on, this is a young team and we’re executing how we should be. It will drive a culture into the program that the next two or three years will be able to build on.”

Sports

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

The Marquette Tribune

15

WOMEN’S LACROSSE

Steiner battles back from knee injury in first year Midfielder chooses LAX despite playing 3 sports in high school

By Jackson Gross

jackson.gross@marquette.edu

For redshirt first-year Leigh Steiner, sports have always been part of her life. Her father played football, basketball and baseball in high school. Her mother went on to play basketball at South Dakota State. Both her brother, Grant, and sister, Erin, play sports as well.

Growing up in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, she played quite a few sports herself, including basketball, lacrosse and soccer.

Steiner picked up the sport of lacrosse from her sister. She grew up and played with her future teammate at Marquette, sophomore defender Kate Pearson, as kids, as they lived just 10 minutes from each other.

Steiner would carry on playing both lacrosse and basketball in high school at Holy Family High School in Victoria, Minnesota. She had a decorated career in both sports, being named team captain and team MVP her junior and senior seasons in addition to earning five letters in lacrosse. For basketball, she was also a two-time team MVP and a Minnesota Miss Basketball finalist in 2019. At 5-foot-11, she was the team’s point guard during her time at Holy Family.

“I definitely miss it, it was

Photo courtesy of Marquette Athletics

Redshirt first-year midfielder Leigh Steiner (3) runs with the ball in her crosse during Marquette’s 16-4 victory over University of Oregon Feb. 26.

super fun, we had a really fun senior season,” Steiner said.

“We made it to state and my five best friends were on the team with me.”

Steiner missed her first season at Marquette due to a knee injury which happened in high school.

While the physical aspect was tough to recover from, Steiner said that it was the mental aspect of coming back from an injury

that was the much larger part of her recovery.

“A lot of people think it’s all physical, but the mental part of it is even bigger and I think it’s really about knowing that you put in the work,” Steiner said.

“I spent the entire summer at a training facility in Minnesota. I had such great physical therapists and trainers there that really gave me the confidence in my

Photo courtesy of Marquette Athletics

Leigh Steiner (3) high fives her teammates prior to the Golden Eagles’ 14-10 loss to Louisville March 14.

knee and my strength again to be able to play.”

Even with all the work put in, Steiner said it was still scary during the first few weeks of practice.

“It’s really scary starting out, I definitely was not myself the first couple weeks of practice, so that’s why I decided to redshirt, but I think that knowing you put in the work, you did everything,” Steiner said. “With injuries they are very specific about everything you do, so knowing you follow through on that you just have to trust yourself.”

Head coach Meredith Black has really seen it all when it comes to injuries, and one of the ways she helps players recover is by keeping them engaged in the program.

“At the end of the day you want to keep them engaged in the program,” Black said. “Luckily for Leigh by the time she got to Marquette she was able to physically be able to play, so she could do enough that she didn’t have to sit there and not do anything.”

During her first year, Steiner was able to make some good friends, including fellow sophomore midfielder Emma Soccodato. The two met during a volunteering activity.

“We got a volunteering thing with the team and we ended up getting paired up to work this bouncy house for the kids and I remember being a little nervous but we ended up hitting it off,” Soccodato said. “From that moment on we were pretty good

friends and then this year we just became inseparable. She lives next to me so we hang out almost every single night.”

With the two playing the same position on the field and being such good friends, it has paid dividends on the field for the Golden Eagles. According to Soccodato, it makes a big difference.

“It’s such a big difference,” Soccodato said. “When you are so close with somebody off the field and then you go on the field with them, they always have your back. I love playing with her (Steiner). We definitely have a huge connection … and on the defensive end I just know she’s always there if I get beat.”

Outside of lacrosse and friends, Leigh wants to be involved in real estate because of how she views math.

“I came in thinking I wanted to go into the science side, but I took a few classes and I realized I have more of a math brain, so my brother actually works in real estate,” Steiner said. “I love to use math to problem solve.”

Steiner specifically wants to work and focus on low-income housing after she gets her degree.

“There’s a company in Minnesota that works with the lowincome housing sector, so I think if I could do something with that it would be really cool,” Steiner said. “I loved volunteering at homeless shelters in high school, that would definitely be my dream.”

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Sports

The Marquette Tribune

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

TENNIS

Rodecap’s squads see early exits in BIG EAST tourney Both programs fail to reach finals but win opening matches

By Matthew Valente

matthew.valente@marquette.edu

Both Marquette tennis teams made early exits in the 2021 BIG EAST Tournament that took place at the Cayce Tennis & Fitness Center in Cayce, South Carolina April 22-26.

The women’s team faced Georgetown in the first round and dominated the Hoyas with a 4-0 sweep. This victory came with help from No. 1 doubles Natalija Popovic and Guilia Turconi, who won their match 6-4. The No. 4 singles player Emilija Kojcic and No. 5 singles player Elizabeth Desmarais also won their. matches. Kojcic won her match 6-2, 6-3 and Desmarais won her match 6-1, 6-1.

This team win against Georgetown helped the Golden Eagles advance to the quarterfinals, but

Photo courtesy of Marquette Athletics

The men’s tennis team huddles before their sweep over Eastern Illinois.

ended up falling to the top seed Xavier, where they were swept 4-0. This was the second time iim less than a week that Marquette faced Xavier.

“We made some good progress this season during a difficult year, but there is still plenty of room to grow as a team,” Steve Rodecap, director of tennis, said in a statement. “Everyone was able to gain some valuable experience and we look forward to getting back on the court as a team in the fall.”

While the women’s team was eliminated during the quarterfinals, the men’s team made it a bit further.

The Golden Eagles played their first match against Villanova April 23 and won 4-1. Marquette’s win came with contributions from the No. 3 doubles team, Rami Scheetz and Shaddy Khalafallah, who won 6-3. The top three men’s tennis singles players all won their matches: No. 1 singles Fran San Andres won his match 6-2, 6-3, No. 2 singles player Luis Heredia Gomes won his match 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 and No. 3 singles player Stefan Dragovic won his match 6-3, 7-5.

With this win the third-seeded Golden Eagles advanced to the semifinals to play St. John’s April

Photo courtesy of Marquette Athletics

The women’s team huddles before their match against Drake Feb. 27.

25. However, they fell to the No. 2 seed, St. John’s, 4-2 in the semifinals. This was the first time in five seasons that Marquette has not played in the BIG EAST Championship match.

The team did attempt a comeback despite being down 3-1. The first win came from No. 1 singles player Fran San Andres who won his match 6-3, 6-3. This win almost ignited a comeback from the Golden Eagles. After his win, No. 3

singles player Stefan Dragovic won his match 6-3, 3-6, 7-5. He pushed through to make the score 3-2, but it just wasn’t enough to win.

Neither team advanced past the semifinals. While the women’s team ended the season with a losing record of 6-8, the men’s team finished 10-7. However, both teams have completed their respective seasons and will not be competing in the NCAA Tournament.

Graphic by Kayla Nickerson