the Quadrangle
ManhattanUniversityPlacedinTop2%of BestSchoolsNationwide.
The Wall Street Journal Ranks MU 52 out of 500 Best Colleges in the United States. PHOTOSHELTER / COURTESY
TheMUAmericanSocietyof MechanicalEngineersChapter ReceivesSectionAchievement Award
Karen Flores Staff Writer
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) at Manhattan University started the semester off on a high note after receiving the section achievement award for its various accomplishments during the 2023-24 academic year.
According to asme.org , the organization’s official website, they’ve referenced their goals as the following, “Enables collaboration, knowledge sharing, and skill development
across all engineering disciplines, while promoting the vital role of the engineer in society.”
Dev Harrop-Williams, a senior mechanical engineering major, is the current president of ASME and elaborated on how the team has prepared themselves for the selection process.
“We had to fill out a form based on certain criteria in May as well as document all the events we did throughout the year which included campus, off-campus and ASME-connected events,” Harrop-Williams said. “Some events included us going to the ASME student leader weekend
conference in Boston, being MU student representative for engineering for prospective students who were applying to colleges and hosting speaker events.”
Harrop-Williams shared with The Quadrangle that Manhattan University created the Black Box, which is now done nationally within other ASME chapters. It’s an event centered around the creation of a chain reaction Rube Goldberg machine, a contraception that completes simple tasks in an indirect yet complex way.
“The ASME organization
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Café1853 Returnsto Campus byPopular Demand
Elizabeth Kalaj Web Editor
On Aug. 22, Manhattan University students were notified about plans to reopen Café 1853 via an email sent from the Office of the President, including the addition of Zaro’s Bakery in Thomas Hall.
This change was a result of switching over to a new food vendor, Gourmet Dining Services, which Manhattan University used several years ago. In that same email, President Milo Riverso announced GrubHub Mobile Ordering being brought to campus in all dining locations and a possible Chick-fil-A addition. However, the announcement of Café 1853 seemed to catch many Jaspers’ attention, from administrators to students.
Café 1853 is set to officially reopen the week of Sept. 9.
The Quadrangle spoke with Manhattan University sous chef Thomas Tomala, who will be stationed in the café starting next week.
“When coming to Café 1853, expect restaurant quality food,” Tomala said.
“Everything is going to be made fresh and made to order.
The recipes we will be using
are meals that are going to grab onto your pallets for a long time and every day that students come in, they should be expecting new food. My goal is to capture everybody’s hearts and stomachs.”
Café 1853 will have the ability to order online, allowing students to “grab and go” to eliminate wait time during busy days. Manhattan University is planning on having the café open from noon to 11 pm on Monday through Friday, and from 4 pm to 11 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
While the menu is constantly being updated, students should expect a wide variety of meals, ranging from salads and sandwiches to salmon and sides. In addition, Zaro’s Family Bakery is set to run alongside Café 1853, providing baked goods, pastries, coffee and breakfast options.
Tomala is excited to be back to cooking at Café 1853, being that it was the location he was originally stationed at when he started his time at Manhattan University.
“Expect the best food and time ever,” Tomala said.
The faculty and administration at Manhattan University are thrilled by the
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Swim & Diving Team Honored with Academic Excellence pg. 9
Volume CX, Issue 2
SEPTEMBER 10, 2024
The Editorial Board
Grace Cardinal Editor-in-Chief
Angelina Persaud Managing Editor
Angelina Persaud News Editor
Molly Callahan Video Editor
Leyla Mercado Asst. News Editor
Mack Olmsted Features Editor Mary Haley Asst. Features Editor
Andrew Mannion Sports Editor
Ivy Jaep Production Editor
Mary Haley Marketing Chair
Elizabeth Kalaj Web Editor
Jill Tuthill Asst. Arts & Entertainment Editor
Emmanouel Sofillas Asst. Sports Editor
Barbara Vasquez Asst. Production Editor
Thom Gencarelli Faculty Advisor
About The Quadrangle
A tradition since 1924, The Quadrangle is a news organization run by the students of Manhattan University. We strive to cover news around campus and the greater community, publishing weekly in print and daily online. Our goal is always accuracy, relevancy and professionalism.
The opinions expressed in The Quadrangle are those of the individual writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editorial Board, the University or the student body.
Join The Quadrangle
The Quadrangle’s staff holds weekly open meetings on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. in Kelly Commons Room 412. All are welcome to come and join the club.
Connect with The Quadrangle
LETTER from the EDITOR
Dear Readers,
Welcome to issue 2! Here on campus, we’ve begun to settle back into our day-to-day routine with classes, athletics, and clubs back in full swing.
Last week, the university held its annual club fair (check out features for more on this!) and it was great to see clubs old and new out and about recruiting new members. For my student readers, always feel free to come to our meetings on Tuesday at 4 p.m. in Kelly 4.12. We’re always looking for new faces to add to our staff!
In my issue 1 letter, I failed to mention our Catholic Media Award winners from this summer. Some of you may have seen the announcement on our Instagram, but I wanted to take the time to officially shout out those writers who earned this incredible achievement. The CMA awards honor outstanding achievements in Catholic journalism, communications, and other forms of media. They aim to “highlight and honor the efforts of individuals and organizations that excel in portraying Catholic teachings, values, and stories in a compelling and authentic manner,” according to their website. All of the stories nominated were written from January to December 2023.
We had four winners total this year: first and foremost, our previous EIC Jocelyn Visnov won first place for “Best Investigative Journalism” with her piece, ‘Alumni Speak Up in Support of MC Faculty Rights After Dozens Face Elimination’. Our Managing Editor Angelina Persaud and I won first place in the “Best Article About Faith on Campus” category, with our co-written piece ‘WGRC Drops L From Official Name’. Taking second place in that same category was Asst. Arts & Entertainment Editor Jill Tuthill, who won for her article ‘CMSA’s Off-Campus Trips Make a Return After Being Suspended During COVID’. Please join me in congratulating these writers yet again!
I also wanted to address another small change you may have noticed coming into the new academic year. Our social media handles have changed to reflect the shift in our school transitioning from a college to a university. If you do not follow us already, please check us out @ mu_quad on Instagram and X. We also created a brand-new TikTok account, @muquad_, on which we will be posting videos from interviews and other BTS content. Stay tuned for more!
Until next time,
Grace Cardinal
Editor-in-Chief
Café1853ReturnstoCampusby PopularDemand
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decision to reopen Café 1853.
The Quadrangle spoke to Nicole Brosnan, a former student of the university and current associate director of orientation and student engagement, about her thoughts on the reopening of the campus spot.
“I think that we are obviously a pretty small campus that didn’t have many options when it came to dining,” Brosnan said. “It’s awesome that we are adding more options, especially places where people can get together, enjoy a meal and feel that sense of community. I think it is really important.”
Brosnan reminisced back to her freshman year as an undergraduate student when Café 1853 was last opened before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
“The name ‘Café 1853’ is all about Manhattan University history, so I think that is what makes it one of the cooler places to enjoy a meal on campus,” Brosnan said. “While it has not been called it recently, the sitting area is technically called ‘The Student Union’ so I think
it is nice to get students back in there and make it another friendly place.”
Students are intrigued by the idea of having an additional major dining area on campus. When speaking to Grayson Jones, a senior psychology and criminology major, the idea of a place to hang out on campus without needing a meal plan seemed ideal.
“I think it is going to be a great place for somebody that lives off-campus if they can’t necessarily go to Locke’s [Loft] in between classes because they do not want to pay for that food,” Jones said. “Specifically, they have a different option to hang out while waiting for their next class and grabbing food.”
Tomala had some final thoughts to share with The Quadrangle.
“We have the menu and the staff ready to go,” Tomala said. “I just hope to make you all happy with the food, which makes everybody happy.”
2024-2025 school year.
TheMUAmericanSocietyofMechanical EngineersChapterReceivesSection AchievementAward
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decided to model our event and made it something they wanted other schools to implement on a national scale as well,” HarropWilliams said. “Essentially each team gets a black box filled with unknown items and they’re expected to create a Rube Goldberg machine within a certain time frame and are given a score based on points and specific criteria.”
Sabrina Scalzo, a mechanical engineering graduate student at MU, was one of the previous presidents of the ASME chapter as she began her presidency in the midst of COVID-19. She spoke about her time within the group.
“During my second year
at MU, COVID had begun and the group did a couple of virtual events and it was during my third year, which is when I became president, and everyone was slowly coming together again that the group made a cool transition,” Scalzo said. “But a big part of me being the first president after COVID was strengthening the communication with our advisor, Dr. Saboori, as well as making a space for people to get to know each other.”
Kelly Roff, a sophomore mechanical engineering major and the social media coordinator for ASME, emphasized the importance of broadcasting and sharing information about events and the opportunities that come out of joining student organizations.
“I think having this college chapter prepares us for the
real world and gives us access to a network of people within the profession,” Roff said. “It’s harder to get people that continue to come back and stay and for them to keep going to events. Some of the professors would talk about different events, and then we would try to recruit [at] them. We really just want to make it so people continue to want to come back.”
Harrop-Williams said that while budget cuts and other uncertainties were and continue to be prevalent, he is proud of all the work he and the previous e-board members have done in order to keep the chapter a success.
“Learning how to be creative with money, whether it’s fundraising or where to cut costs and figuring out how to make events that still achieved our goals of
engagement and sense of professional development has been a group effort,” HarropWilliams said. “We just want to keep improving and take some sort of action that wasn’t taken before but that will have a lasting positive impact on the group.”
Scalzo expressed being thrilled by the group for their recognition and encourages students to get involved in groups that can help them meet people and further their knowledge about their potential career paths.
“I just want to first say how proud I am of the whole organization,” Scalzo said. “I think that every single executive board has really done so much, including my own, and everyone before me. I think that all this hard work has really paid off. I’m glad that
they are getting the record, the recognition, and I just hope that freshmen get involved and learn as much as they can while they are at MU.”
Chef Thomas at Cafe 1853, where he will be stationed for the
ELIZABETH KALAJ / THE QUADRANGLE
StudentLeadersStruggleto PrepareforClubFairDueto BudgetUncertainties
Jill Tuthill
Asst. Arts & Entertainment Editor
Equipped with tri-folds and sign-up sheets, student leaders set up camp on the quad for the annual club fair on Tuesday, Sept. 3, to raise awareness about their groups and pitch them to prospective members. However, with clubs yet to receive their allotted budgets for the year, preparations for this year’s fair looked a little different for club leaders.
Typically, at the beginning of each academic year, clubs are provided with a certain amount of money that can be used to cover club maintenance costs such as equipment, supplies, food and anything else that is necessary for the upkeep of their organization. Without the allocation of specific club budgets, student leaders have been left to question how their groups will operate this fall and how to attract new members.
The Quadrangle spoke to Justin Atwater, LGBTQ+ chair of Manhattan University’s chapter of It’s On Us, a student organization that aims to combat and bring awareness to sexual assault on college
campuses.
“With the budget changes, it was a lot harder to plan for the club fair this year because of various things such as the cutbacks on color printers,”
Atwater said. “It’s difficult to plan events and really get the club going to advertise to people without knowing how the year is going to go.”
Atwater wasn’t the only student leader to struggle with preparations for the club fair this year. Sophia Rosellon, a senior biology major and president of the biology club, told The Quadrangle that she also ran into issues while trying to use campus color printers that are now only accessible with approval from library staff.
“I was like, ‘how was I supposed to know?’” Rosellon said. “So I was running around trying to print these things out, and they came out kind of bad. So that was a problem.”
Rosellon also noted that the events she has planned for the biology club this semester have been altered to ensure that they are free of any mandatory cost for members or the club itself. However, she is concerned about how this will affect club engagement and activity among members.
“My brain has been on
Student leaders present their clubs to new and returning students as they flood the quad. @MUSTUDENTENGAGE / INSTAGRAM
it constantly, just because I don’t know what to give people that they’re going to want if we don’t have the funds for it,” Rosellon said. “I can’t tell what’s happening.”
While most clubs have
adjusted their plans to some degree due to budget uncertainties, two clubs in particular, MCTV and the communication club, decided to make a radical change and combine together to form one united organization: the Manhattan University Media Network.
The Quadrangle spoke with sophomore Marykate Palmisano, a communication major and vice president of the newly combined group.
“[Last year], we weren’t really given a budget, so there weren’t a lot of projects that we could actually do,” Palmisano said. “So there was really no point in trying anymore.”
However, Palmisano told The Quadrangle that through the joining of the two clubs, they’re trying to take matters into their own hands and change their approach in providing their members with worthwhile experience and resources.
“At least for our club, we’re very much motivated
in making a difference on campus,” Palmisano said.
Despite the behind-thescenes struggles, they were once again successful in recruiting new members and informing students about their clubs as they flooded the quad, according to Palmisano.
Anthonio Whyte, a freshman in the Kakos School of Arts and Sciences, agreed that the club fair was helpful and informative.
“I’ve signed up to four or five different clubs,” Whyte said. “So it very much has stuff I like and that I want to venture into. It’s been super cool.”
Gilman Scholarship Recipients Take on the World through Study Abroad
Karen Flores Staff Writer
The global presence of Manhattan University continues to expand as three current students and one alum have received the U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, which gives those who receive the Pell Grant the chance to study abroad.
The recipients include Laenaly Guerrero, an MU alum, Konstantinos Nalpantidis, a junior English major with a concentration in creative writing, Karolina Ratnikova, a computer engineering major and Juan Ortiz Soler, a senior International Studies major with minors in philosophy and religious studies.
Ortiz Soler is preparing to study in Morocco during the next semester. He shared with The Quadrangle a bit about how he is navigating his time to immerse himself into the Arabic language. He is also a six-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.
“I’m all into my academics this semester and especially in Arabic 101, which is taught by Professor Mohammed,” Ortiz Soler said. “ [I] make the effort to ask him to introduce me to a bit of Arabic 102 because I’m taking Arabic 102 and 103 in Morocco. So I’m basically just trying to immerse myself in the Arabic language and culture as much as I can before the next semester. I also want to work within the U.S. Department
of State and this scholarship seamlessly connects with what I want to do post-grad.”
Nalpantidis, a five-year Marine Corps reservist veteran, was able to travel to Mexico during the summer session to complete one of his course electives. The course was ENGL 292/392: Food Writing in Literature. As part of the course, he traveled to Mexico City, Puebla, Hidalgo and Oaxaca.
“We read some gastronomic literature and we would write about the food we tasted after the matter,”
Nalpantidis said. “Afterwards we would go into depth about the different aspects of the food, how it was made, what was used to make it and we discuss what these things can do in regard to impacting a culture.”
Ratnikova, originally from Russia, spent a month in Florence, Italy during the summer and completed the course RELS 216/300: Saints & Catholic Imagination. She expressed that being able to study abroad really helped her not only get to experience the country but also to get her
elective courses done.
“I had to take a summer class to make sure I stayed on track with my schedule and I figured I might as well go somewhere and get more out of it than just academic credits,” Ratnikova said. “I studied Italian in high school so I was pretty interested in the country. And I was like, ‘Why not see the world if I have this opportunity, especially with the Gilman Scholarship?’ I enjoyed it all very much.”
Ratnikova encourages students who are interested in studying abroad to apply for
the scholarship.
“The college study abroad program is probably the best way for young adults to travel somewhere else while doing academics and the Gilman Scholarship was a big reason as to why I was able to travel,” Ratnikova said. “So if you want to study abroad and have the time to fill out the application, it’s really worth a try.”
Karolina Ratnikova and the rest of the RELS:216/300 summer study abroad cohort. KAROLINA RATNIKOVA / COURTESY
The Communication Club and MCTV Merge to Create Manhattan University Media
Laili Shahrestani Contributor
As the start of the fall semester begins, Manhattan University’s MCTV and communication club have merged into one set organization, now known as the Manhattan University Media Network.
The executive board of the new network explained that the combining of these two clubs brings together an abundance of new opportunities for Manhattan University students who are looking to find more ways to stay involved around campus.
The Quadrangle spoke to Marykate Palmisano, a sophomore and vice president of the Manhattan University Media Network, regarding the key shifts that will occur as a result of the merger. She goes on to speak on the wide range of extracurriculars that various types of students are able to
engage in around campus.
“We’re going to open the club up to people that aren’t just in a media production concentration,” Palmisano said.
“If they’re interested in sports, we have opportunities for them where they interview or record people at sports games. Or, if they’re interested in fashion, they could film things for Lotus Magazine. It’s kind of just opening it up to anyone who has an interest in anything involving videography or photography, or even just leadership in general.”
Billy Walker, a junior and the co-president of the Manhattan University Media Network, spoke to The Quadrangle about the long-term goals and aspirations of this new organization. He discussed why the idea to combine both clubs will greatly benefit the student body as it brings new ways for students to stay updated and interactive within the Manhattan University community.
“The motive is just to highlight and share the stories
of specific events that happen on campus every year, whether it be places that everyone loves to go to, or regarding other students and faculty members,” Walker said. “Combining both of these general memberships will grow our numbers so we can easily spread assignments across the board. We have so many ideas such as student dorm tours, interviewing people’s favorite professors and ‘what to pack for college’ types of videos for the incoming freshman.”
With both the communication club and MCTV expanding into something much bigger, there is more space for students in all concentrations to get involved.
When speaking with The Quadrangle, sophomore Ashley Karlosky, the social media manager of the Manhattan University Media Network, stated how the club’s door will be open for anybody interested in gaining experience in any aspect of the arts. She mentioned how this new network will not be
hyper-focusing on one specific area of media, instead, it will provide inclusiveness toward various fields of knowledge for handfuls of students to gain experiences that will allow them to become more affiliated with their campus.
“Our goal now is much bigger,” Karlosky said. “We are focusing on multiple concentrations. That includes journalism, advertising, sports media, PR and integrated marketing (IMC). We are hitting all of those aspects. This year we are looking for people that are into photography, or maybe into digital media art. We are looking for those people to fill those roles.”
The creation of this new network not only brings new
opportunities for students, but has been developed to appease the new generation of media consumption. Karlosky spoke to The Quadrangle about how the new club was designed to reflect how students communicate in the modern era.
“There has been much change in how we communicate with the world,” Karlosky said. “Think of the Fizz app as an example. We see students communicating through that online platform every single day, making jokes, talking about events, talking about culture. So we acknowledge that change. I think it was just that time where it needed to be reflected in what we’re doing as a media production club.”
Manhattan University’s high-tech media equipment being put to good use throughout the development of the new network.
BILLY WALKER / COURTESY
Manhattan University students creating media and entertainment for Campus Life.
BILLY WALKER / COURTESY
Meet Manhattan University’s New Orchestra Director!
Julia Ciampa Staff Writer
Starting the new academic year off strong, Manhattan University’s Orchestra has welcomed a previous orchestra coach and mentor as the new music director: Sharon Gunderson.
Previously, Gunderson’s passion for orchestral music as both a violinist and a violist has contributed to the growth and success of the university’s group since 2009.
After receiving her bachelor’s degree in violin performance from the New England Conservatory in Boston, Gunderson has enjoyed her time as a freelance violinist, while simultaneously assisting the director of performing arts, Andy Bauer, with several church recitals, masses and orchestral needs.
Through all of his experience working alongside Gunderson
and the orchestra on campus for years on end, Bauer felt assured that Gunderson would be a significant addition to the performing arts board of directors.
“I have been working with Sharon for over 25 years, as she and I have worked together in pick-up orchestras outside of Manhattan University as well,” Bauer said. “Upon interviewing for the open orchestra position, I knew that Sharon understood the character of the university, and I knew that she would be the perfect fit.”
Gunderson hopes to make some changes to the orchestra group to enrich all that the program has to offer.
“I think it’d be nice to develop some little chamber ensembles,” Gunderson said. “Even just incorporating some duos or trios to help make people better musicians through teamwork would be nice. Also, maybe we can try to visit some concerts together
Orchestra Students performing at Manhattan University’s 2023 Festival of Lessons and Carols, under the direction of former Orchestra director, Gwendolyn Toth. MANHATTAN.EDU / COURTESY
or do some other listening exercises together to explore better musical techniques.”
In addition to Bauer’s
confidence in Gunderson’s anticipated success as the new director, president of the Manhattan University Orchestra, Grace Dillon, hopes that this change will only enrich members’ experience within the group.
“Since Sharon was with our group last year as a coach, we were so happy to hear that she landed the position,” Dillon said. “[With her] as our director, I’m excited to have more of a choice in the music that we play, because in years past, we’ve just kind of shown up for the year and performed the music that was assigned to us. With Sharon, now everyone has a voice in what we’re playing that we’re passionate about, as well as music that is challenging and fun to listen to and play.”
Dillon also told The Quadrangle that she hopes that Gunderson will continue to aid the musicians with any orchestral needs.
“I really love that Sharon is not just there to conduct,” Dillon said. “She’s there to help everyone, and because she plays the viola, she’s willing to sit in the ensemble with us and help people with tempos, rhythms or anything they need. So it is clear that her goal for this year still is to be able to play with us, and not just be a director or conductor.
So I think it’ll be very, very beneficial for us as a small group, and help us grow in both our skills and hopefully our numbers of members.”
Bauer agreed with Dillon’s faith in Gunderson.
“I believe Sharon has a very well-rounded vision of what the students at Manhattan are capable of and how far to challenge them,” Bauer said. “Sharon agrees that we want to move our musicians to the next level of technique and musicianship, fostering a digestible amount of challenges within their music… I am most excited to see a shift in the number of orchestra members while raising awareness of our talented group under Sharon’s direction.”
Gunderson told The Quadrangle that she is excited to work alongside the great group of students that make up the orchestra’s executive board.
“They are awesome,” Gunderson said. “I am very glad for people like Grace to be on the board. I know it hasn’t necessarily been the easiest road to follow in the orchestra for the last few years, so I want to know what works, what they want to play and their general desires for what’s going to happen.”
The New Manhattan University Orchestra Director Sharon Gunderson pictured rehearsing music on her viola, alongside her furry friend, Ziggy. SHARON
COURTESY
Performing Arts Night Gives Students a Sneak Peek Into the Talent on Campus
Karen Flores Staff Writer
The fifth floor of Thomas Hall was lively last week as colorful posters decorated with photos of previous Manhattan University concerts, student showcases and performances were on display, as students looking to get involved with the performing arts met and talked with current board members.
A variety of groups, including the Manhattan University Players, Orchestra, Scatterbomb, Pep Band and more collaborated with the goal of inviting all new and current students to share their talent with the campus community.
Robert Nolan, a senior computer engineering student, has been involved with the MU Players since his freshman year and reflected on how his involvement with the group has influenced his college journey.
“I am not only an actor but I am the tech director for our shows,” Nolan said. “I do still implement engineering skills, there’s a lot of macro stuff you have to do such as building round lights, programming the lights, all that. No matter what
kind of person you are, there is a role here for you. I got a job this summer and one of the things [my boss] was really impressed by was that I got this technical director role and the work it involved.”
Mark Dusovic, a senior mechanical engineer, said that being a part of the MU Jazz Band is something that he enjoys doing and that has allowed him to continue his hobby outside of academics.
“Balancing this with my academics is not hard and it does not feel like a commitment for me as much as it is a hobby,” Dusovic said. “There are times where I’m like, it would be really nice not to have to leave some place for rehearsal, but at the end of the day, I enjoy doing it to the point where I can build my schedule around it. We have a lot of good musicians, we have a really good teacher, and it’s overall a good time.”
Madison Hackett, a senior digital media arts major and a double minor in business and music, shared with The Quadrangle a bit about why she decided to join a performing arts group during her last year of college.
“I added the music minor last semester and I would
MU Players showing off their performance pictures KAREN FLORES / THE QUADRANGLE
never have considered myself musical maybe a year ago,” Hackett said. “But now, after being welcomed into MU Singers, I see that everyone is so amazing and nice. Andy [Bauer] is a great professor, so it makes you feel like you can leave academics for a bit and relax with music. I’ve been challenged to sing more in my music minor classes and joining singers has helped with that.”
Chayse Martino, a senior psychology major, is the president of Scatterbomb, the MU improv comedy group. She feels like being part of the performing arts groups on campus has helped her grow.
“I found myself making funnier comments in class, being more outgoing with people that I have met for the first time,” Martino said. “So it’s definitely just an all around outlet, but also, not just on cliche, but a lifestyle and a way to evolve more as a person.”
Michaela Scully, a senior communication major, agreed with Martino and added that seeing the group grow as a whole has been a wholesome experience.
“The first show I watched with my friends during my senior year was Scatterprom,” Scully said. “My friends were in Scatterbomb, they recruited me and the club has grown so
much, and I am so grateful to have this form of expression that is silly but builds confidence at the same time.” William Reed, percussionist in the MU Orchestra, encourages students to get involved with the performing arts groups on campus.
“If anyone wants to join orchestra or any performing arts clubs, they are always welcome,” Reed said. “We’re always looking out for new members. Reach out to the club members and even if you do not want to be a performer, come down and attend one of our many concerts: the arts are for everyone.”
sports
The MU Swim and Diving Teams Impress With Their Academic Excellence
Karen Flores Staff Writer
Both the women’s and men’s swim and diving teams were selected by the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association (CSCAA) to join the Scholar All-America Team for the spring 2024 semester.
According to GoJaspers, the women’s and men’s teams received a cumulative GPA of 3.47 and 3.15, respectively, with the women’s team being one of 563 teams to achieve a 3.30 and above.
Jonathan Carsen, a junior double major in business analytics and computer information systems, believes that one of the biggest things that played a role in the recognition of both teams is their level of accountability.
“The biggest thing is that first and foremost, we are student athletes with an emphasis on student, so that means that academics come first no matter what,” Carsen said. “It’s definitely about accountability, not just in competition or in the pool, but what we do in our classes and it’s definitely a culture thing where once you have to hold yourself accountable in every measure it becomes second nature.”
Brian Hansbury, coach of the women’s and men’s swim teams, shared the same thoughts and talked a bit about how he interacts with his athletes to ensure they are supported.
“These kids are here for an amazing education that Manhattan University is offering, and that has to come first,” Hansbury said. “You can’t be an athlete without strong
academics. With my athletes, we have accountability in the classroom as well as in the pool, so if they’re not getting the job done, we’re going to talk about it. I’m going to check in on how they are doing and how I can help. We need to make sure that our athletes understand that academics come first.”
Grace Dillon, a senior digital media arts major, said having a support system within her teams has also played a role in her academic success.
“Being a smaller team as well as a co-ed team, we practice together and we go to meets together,” Dillon said. “We are very supportive of each other, because we’re so intertwined. You’re learning some time management skills, you’re putting your all into everything you do and I definitely took a lot of inspiration and mentorship from my team members.”
Carsen said he is amazed
by his teammates and knows that these titles are reflective of their hard work and dedication.
“I’m amazed by my teammates constantly, of what we’re able to achieve, and also how much better we’re getting, especially in the pool and out of the pool as well,” Carsen said. “The team culture has always been ‘you can do it.’ There are times where it really is overwhelming. Times of certain games, needs, practices and assignments aren’t always going to be inconvenient, just because one affects the other, but it’s a part that you learn and you understand. So I was not surprised by how many of us were named MAAC scholars and of our recognition because I know how hard we all work to be successful together.”
Only a few months into his coaching tenure, Hansbury is already impressed by the group of student athletes he
gets to coach and is optimistic for the future of the team.
“I’m very impressed by them so far, their ability to communicate and be adults at an age and a period in their life where they’re starting to figure out what they want to do, where they want to be, who they want to be, is amazing,” Hansbury said. “I commend the group of young men and women that I work with for their maturity level and their academics speak for themselves, they’re fantastic in the classroom. I’m really excited to get them in the water and look forward to the season with these Manhattan Jaspers.”
Jasper Games of the Week
Andrew Mannion Sports Editor
Women’s Soccer
The Jaspers women’s soccer team only had one game this week where they proved dominant for all 90 minutes against Delaware State. They won the game in a 5-0 blowout and improved their record to a 4-2 for the season.
The rout started early, as Sami Derrico placed a shot perfectly past the Delaware defense. This was only the start of an offensive onslaught as MU sent off 25 shots throughout the match, 13 of which were on goal.
The Jaspers added two more goals before the end of the half, as Arancha Artunes and Amrit Amora scored in the 38 and 42 minute, respectively.
In the second half of the game, the Jaspers offense continued to stay on a roll. Sami Derrico achieved her second of the game on a shot assisted by Reina Callahan, who made her season debut. Nicolette Caneda also headed in a goal after a perfect cross from captain Julia Nicholas.
The defense continued their stretch of dominance, as they had yet another shutout. Delaware State did not manage to get off a shot in the game. They did not allow a goal in their past four games and a total of 367 minutes of game time. Compared to the two total shutouts from last year, the Jaspers have shown incredible improvement thusfar and contend to have one of the best defensive units in the MAAC.
The team is set for their
netting two goals.
VINCENT DUSOVIC/ COURTESY
first game of MAAC play next Saturday, as they head up to Buffalo to take on Canisius University.
Mens Soccer
The Jaspers men’s soccer team had an exciting match against the 25 ranked Seton Hall this past Sunday. The Jaspers were aggressive early, not giving Seton Hall many chances to squeeze their way in and set an offensive tone.
Nothing converted for either team during the first half, leaving the game tied at 0.
In the 67 minute, the Jaspers freshman forward, Ziv Dahan, put a shot from 18 yards out into the back of the net. However, the referees deemed the shot offsides and held the call after going to video review.
The Seton Hall Pirates found their moment soon after, as in the 67 minute Til Kaushke scored and give the Pirates a 1-0 lead. This goal proved
to decide the game, and the Jaspers fell to the Pirates 1-0.
The Jaspers will play next on Saturday, taking on LIU at Gaelic Park for their Senior Day game.
Women’s Volleyball
The Jaspers Volleyball team found themselves in another tough stretch, as they dropped games this week to Portland, Columbia, Fordham and Syracuse.
In the game against Columbia, Maike Bertens and Mikalah Bertens led the team in kills throughout the game. This led to a closely contested third set, in which the Jaspers dropped it 23-25. Their next game will be against Le Moyne University, when they head to the Penn Invitational down in Philadelphia.
Women’s Soccer dominates Delaware State in 5-0 win, with Sami Derrico