*According to the 2024 Washington Monthly Rankings. @MANHATTANEDU / INSTAGRAM
DominiqueWhyteReceives StabileScholarship
Mack Olmsted Features Editor
Senior chemical engineering major Dominique Whyte was awarded the Stabile Scholarship from the world’s largest engineering honor society, Tau Beta Pi. She was one of 253 students awarded this scholarship this year, nationwide.
According to their website, “Tau Beta Pi is an engineering honor society that represents engineers of all disciplines.” In scholarships, they have, “given away $810,000 and have 660,335 total initiated members.”
Whyte was awarded this prestigious achievement through her academics, leadership skills and campus involvement. She is also an
international student from Jamaica. Whyte spoke to The Quadrangle about her reaction to finding out she was a scholarship recipient.
“I have to admit, I was a little bit taken aback,” Whyte said. “I was like, ‘out of all of these people, they really chose me?’
It was a satisfying moment. I do appreciate the monetary benefits of that because college is not cheap.”
Whyte described her student life to be balanced but busy. She is a part of many professional organizations on campus including Tau Beta Pi, American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AiCHE), Society of Women Engineers (SWE), New York Water Environment Association (NYWEA), Omega Chi Epsilon (OXE) and Pen and Sword honor society. She is also a peer tutor at the Center for Academic Success.
While Whyte keeps her
priorities on academics, she still has time to socialize with friends and clubs. Her friend, senior chemical engineering major Elizabeth Teresa-Apolonio spoke to The Quadrangle.
“I know that she’s very studious, and she always takes pride in her work, she’s very hard working,” Teresa-Apolonio said. “She’s always willing to help anyone, whether it be from our class or underclassmen. She’s very kind, too, and such a good friend. I wish her well and I know that whatever she does, she is very capable.”
Throughout her academic career at Manhattan University, Whyte has been an active member of the campus community. Some of her favorite moments were helping
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LisaChase Named Executive Directorof Marketing
Isaiah Rosario Staff Writer
Following the roles of writer, reporter, anchor, digital media project manager, associate and senior director of marketing at Mount Sinai Health System, Lisa Chase added a new role to her resume as executive director of marketing at Manhattan University on Sept. 10.
A native of Wilmington, Delaware, she graduated from Villanova University and received both a bachelor of science and a bachelor of arts. Soon after, she received a MBA in finance from St. John’s University. Her role at MU primarily consists of overseeing a team of marketing, web development, social media, digital assets publications and editorial professionals.
“Everyone is so nice and warm and welcome,” Chase said about her first couple of weeks at MU. “I feel welcomed as an executive, as well as a Catholic, as a colleague and a friend. The campus is absolutely stunning, bucolic, and beautiful. I just feel at home here. It’s hard to explain. I’m also Catholic, so it’s meaningful to be interfacing with brothers and priests and knowing that there’s a spiritual foundation here.”
Chase’s variety of
knowledge and expertise in marketing at Mount Sinai Health System opened the eyes of workers in the marketing and communication departments. Director of Editorial Services and Publications Kristen Cuppek spoke highly of Chase despite her only being in the office for a short period.
“It’s been really good,” Cuppek said. “She brings a wealth of knowledge from her career … she brings a lot of experience and resources and insights from [Mount Sinai Health System]. It’s been great to hear her perspective on some of our marketing initiatives and advertising programs and things that we’ll be looking forward to doing in the future.” Chase mentioned a number of things that drew her to the university, which included the alumni connection, the location and Jaspers’ enthusiasm for athletics. While filming the video that was displayed at the Manhattan University Yankees game on Friday, Sept. 27, she stated that she loved the energy that came from the cheerleaders, dancers, baseball and softball teams.
A few items that have been jump-started under Chase are new branding and signage, a website overhaul and a new digital media producer.
The digital media producer’s role is to elevate
Volume CX, Issue 5 OCTOBER 1, 2024
The Editorial Board
Grace Cardinal Editor-in-Chief
Angelina Persaud Managing Editor
Leyla Mercado Asst. News Editor
Mary Haley Asst. Features Editor
Jill Tuthill Asst. Arts & Entertainment Editor
Emmanouel Sofillas Asst. Sports Editor
Barbara Vasquez Asst. Production Editor
Elizabeth Kalaj Web Editor
Angelina Persaud News Editor
Mack Olmsted Features Editor
Angelina Perez Arts & Entertainment Editor
Andrew Mannion Sports Editor
Ivy Jaep Production Editor
Mary Haley Marketing Chair
Molly Callahan Video 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,
Many of you may have seen our posts on social media this past week asking for signatures and donations to help keep our publication alive. I wanted to provide you with a bit more insight into why it is we are asking for both, and why we need your help.
At the beginning of the fall semester, our publication was told by Student Engagement that we would be allocated enough funding to cover all of our necessary online platform subscriptions, as well as to print our fall and spring special issues. Unfortunately, the promises made to us did not become a reality, and our newsroom is left struggling to afford existing online.
This upcoming week, we are petitioning Student Government and the administration at Manhattan University to show them that The Quadrangle is an impactful voice on this campus - and is one that needs to stay around. Our mission is and always has been to give a voice to those who need it and to provide the unequivocal truth about what is happening around campus.
While we do need funding to stay alive, in print and online, what we really need from you all is a signature on our petition. Your signatures represent that you support and understand the intrinsic value of having a student newsroom on campus. No matter your connection to the school and our publication, we hope that you will join us in our mission to show Manhattan University that the oldest publication on its campus is wanted, read and needs to stick around.
We appreciate every single one of you who has already taken the time to sign the petition (linked here!) and donated to our GoFundMe (linked here!). The messages you all have left for us mean more to our staff than you will ever know.
I promise to keep you all informed of our progress whenever I have an update. Until then, please keep signing, sharing, reading and talking about your favorite Quadrangle articles and memories with whoever will sit and listen. No matter what our future holds, we plan to do everything we can to stick around for another 100 years.
Until next time,
Grace Cardinal
Editor-in-Chief
LisaChaseNamedExecutiveDirectorof MarketingofManhattanUniversity
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MU’s social media channels with a plethora of videos, create Jaspers’ enthusiasm for academics and athletics and highlight clubs and activities on campus.
One way that Chase looks to enhance social media is to create day-in-the-life videos of students on campus. The first one will feature a player from the MU baseball program.
“I’d like every club and every activity to have a represented student to do a day in the life of,” Chase said. “The club picks them or the president picks them, or if the deans pick their favorite student that they would like to see highlighted on a reel. I’m looking forward to getting these out for all of the schools, all of the clubs, all of the activities. I think it’s really helpful for other potential students looking at Manhattan University to say ‘yes, that’s how I want my day to go’.”
With all these ideas, Chase wants to make sure that she also receives input from her staff. Assistant Director of Web Communications Melissa Battaglia stated that Chase is someone who truly values the opinions of other faculty in the department.
“She is someone who has
said to all of us that she inputs all of our opinions because we have been at the University a little bit longer than her, and she will include us in any conversation that we want to be a part of,” Battaglia said. “She definitely takes all of our input, and then is taking that and leading a great charge to get the Manhattan University new name out there.”
Chase is also looking to spread the message that student success starts at MU. She believes that success is the baseline of the brand. A new way of showing students’ success will be showcased through a new honor society that will be announced officially in the coming weeks.
The honor society will be different in that it doesn’t have
a GPA requirement, rather it’s meant for leaders. The society will welcome students who are outstanding in a specific aspect of academics or sports life. An important step that Chase looks forward to taking during her time here is expanding into areas where MU does not have a well-known reputation, as she believes the university can hit the northeast market.
She is fully supportive of enrollment expanding into the Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania markets. Enrollment is also looking into expanding within California this year. Although MU may not have a marketing budget to put out commercials yet, Chase is looking to take steps forward into putting the brand of MU on a national stage.
DominiqueWhyteReceivesStabileScholarship
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others and socializing with fellow students. Her advice to underclassmen is to join campus organizations, meet people and take advantage of the networking opportunities MU offers to the student body. She encourages her peers to help one another achieve academic success.
Last year Whyte participated in Manhattan University’s mentorship program. Her mentor, alumna Emily Elber, was proud of Whyte and reflected on her achievement.
”Dominique [Whyte] was my first mentee and was an amazing introduction to the [mentorship] program,” Elber wrote in an email to The Quadrangle. “She is one of the most motivated, intelligent, and enthusiastic future
engineers that I have ever had the pleasure of working with. We have kept in touch since the program ended, and I have followed her journey with pride and admiration. She has accomplished so much more than I could have ever imagined possible, between her multiple internships, research projects, awards, and more. I am truly in awe of her. She will go on to accomplish incredible things, and I can’t wait to see her impact on the world.”
After graduation in May 2025, Whyte plans on entering the industry as a chemical engineer and has already been offered two full-time employment opportunities.
New Executive Director of Marketing of Manhattan University, Lisa Chase. MANHATTAN.EDU / COURTESY
ManhattanCaucus: UnderstandingtheIndictmentof NewYorkCity’sMayorEricAdams
Elaina Batista Contributor
New York, NY- New York City’s Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted on five federal charges, which puts his seat of mayoral candidacy at risk.
As of Thursday, Sept. 26, the 57-page indictment was unsealed and released to the public. According to CNN, the five federal charges Adams is facing are as follows: bribery, wire fraud, conspiracy and two counts of soliciting illegal foreign campaign donations.
The counts of indictment were announced by the southern district attorney of New York, Damian Williams. The focus of the investigation was on whether Adams colluded with the Turkish government to obtain illicit foreign campaign contributions in exchange for acting on its behalf, as reported by the New York Times. This news has taken a major blow to his administration, as attested by New York Magazine; Adams has lost his top legal adviser, police commissioner, schools chancellor and health commissioner.
These events unfolding have put pressure on all New York government officials, especially the governor of
New York, Kathy Hochul. On Sept. 26, Fox reporter Morgan McKay posted a statement on X from Hochul, which read, “While I review my options and obligations as the Governor of New York, I expect the Mayor to take the next few days to review the situation and find an appropriate path forward to ensure the people of NYC are being well-served.”
As stated by Politico, the charges against Adams specified that he accepted free travel on Turkish Airlines and luxury hotel rooms worth more than $100,000, along with other perks, including illegal contributions to his 2021 mayoral campaign. With this, Adams compounded his gains from straw contributionsmeaning a person who illegally used another’s money to make a political contribution in their own name - by using them to defraud New York City and steal public funds on the testimony of the United States Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors claimed that Mayor Eric Adams facilitated the opening of the Turkish consulate in Manhattan by using his newfound authority as mayor.
Before maintaining the mayoral office, Adams was captain of the NYPD from 1984-2006. In 2013, he was elected the Brooklyn borough president. He has served as the
city’s mayor since 2022.
Adams appeared in court Friday, Sept. 27 to face his five federal charges. The mayor was arraigned before a federal magistrate judge in Manhattan on Friday at noon, according to an order issued by Judge Dale Ho, the judge assigned to the Adams case.
“I ask New Yorkers to wait to hear our defense,” Mayor Adams said, per real-time updates from the New York Times.
Prior to his arraignment, Adams promised to resist the accusations and to remain in government. As of Friday afternoon, Adams pleaded not guilty to all five federal charges, according to the New York Times. The arraignment lasted less than 20 minutes, and during this arraignment, he stated that he understood his rights and waived his right for the 57 page indictment to be read aloud in court. After the hearing, Mayor Adams’ lawyer, Alex Spiro, spoke outside the courthouse and claimed Adams was “the victim of a targeted investigation,” as reported by New York Times live updates on the case. Spiro plans to ask the court to dismiss the charges at the next court hearing on Wednesday, Oct. 2.
The one federal charge, wire fraud, pertains to the claims that Adams
misrepresented the genuine sources of donations received through “straw donors” in order to fraudulently obtain public matching funds for his campaign. All of his charges are related to his connection with the Turkish government. Additionally, Politico claims that Adams has demonstrated a strong interest in Turkey for most of his career. Prior to becoming mayor, he served as the president of the Brooklyn borough and attended close to 80 celebrations of the country. Mayor Adams faces a
maximum 45 year prison sentence if found guilty on all five charges in the indictment. Furthermore, Jumanne Williams, the public advocate for New York City, would take over as mayor if Adams were removed from his position. This case will continue to unfold with the Southern District Attorney, Damian Williams, spearheading the case and the ruling made by Judge Dale Ho. make an account and begin connecting with alumni from their respective industries.
Tour de Bronx To Have Its 30th Annual Ride
Andrew Mannion Sports Editor
The Bronx Tourism Council will be hosting the 30th Tour de Bronx on Oct. 6, a ride that goes through all the different parts of the Bronx in variations of 10, 25 and 40 miles.
The ride was first organized in 1994 by the Bronx Tourism Council and the Bronx borough president. This event was created in order to showcase the beauties that remain throughout the Bronx, as well as to promote healthy lifestyles by making biking easier.
The chief of staff of the Bronx Tourism Council, Luis Garcia, has done the Tour de Bronx himself. He spoke to The Quadrangle about how the meaning behind creating the event has rung true over the years, and has been one of the best parts of the ride.
“My favorite part of Tour de Bronx is the fact that it showcases the diverse neighborhoods of the Bronx,” Garcia said. “It’s a fantastic and unique way to experience the culture and community spirit. The ride truly showcases and celebrates the unique character of each neighborhood, making it not just about cycling but also about connecting with the heart
of this amazing borough.”
For the 30th anniversary of the event, the Bronx Tourism Council plans to make this the biggest event to date. Alumna of Manhattan University and director of communications and marketing at the Bronx Economic Development Corporation Jilleen Barrett has made it her job to add new aspects to the race to make the ride one that’s even more memorable.
“This year, we decided to go a little bit bigger and hire a race photographer,” Barrett said. “We decided we would give everybody bib numbers and the race photographer would do his best to get everybody. All these photos are going to go on a website, SmugMug, and people can go look up their bib number and find pictures of themselves. I’m really excited for everybody to be able to look up their own pictures and purchase them from the site, because I think that it’s a nice memento to have.”
Kaitlyn McNiff, the philanthropy chair for Manhattan Univerity’s Sigma Delta Tau (SDT), has also been a part of organizing the event by recruiting volunteers. She shared what she believes makes the ride special to the community.
“The Tour de Bronx is an amazing event which allows the entire Bronx community
Riders prepare to take on the Tour de Bronx. EVENTBRITE.COM / COURTESY
to come together in order to promote healthy living and free access to activities such as bike riding,” McNiff said. “I think the Tour de Bronx is so important because it gives an opportunity for people from all backgrounds to come together and celebrate what they have in common: a love for the Bronx.”
With every year that goes by, the event grows in size. With it being the 30th anniversary, Barrett said that this is one of the most exciting renditions of the ride.
“There were 5000 riders at last year’s race, and we’re shooting for around that again this year,” Barrett said. “It is the biggest free bike tour in the entire state. For 30 years, we have pretty much gone all out, and I’m really excited about seeing it for the first time.”
PromotingBreakingtheSilence: AwarenessMentalHealth andSuicide PreventionatManhattan University
Laili Shahrestani Staff Writer
Mental Health at MC held an event in Kelly Commons to advocate for mental health awareness as well as suicide prevention. The goal of the event was to send a message out to students that pain should not be experienced in isolation and it is crucial to reach out to someone when experiencing hardship.
Suicide is a leading cause of death among adolescents.
Carol Ciancutti, the director of the Manhattan University Counseling Center, spoke to The Quadrangle about the significance of checking in with those around you and working towards a world free of suicide.
“Suicide is the second leading cause of death in college-age students, and it is the most preventable kind of death,” Ciancutti said. “As
a community, we should get comfortable asking questions, and recognizing when someone is in pain. They must be in such pain that suicide is the only solution that they can see. The more we can see the warning signs, we can then engage in conversations, show them we care, and prevent more of these tragedies.”
The event highlighted the idea that nobody should feel as if their emotions are too difficult to work through, and that all students should reach out to somebody whenever they are experiencing issues.
Nicolette Caneda, a graduate student and representative of Mental Health at MC, spoke about the importance of recognizing that no student is alone when it comes to their feelings. Caneda mentioned how students should take advantage of all of the resources available on campus that promote positive mental health practices.
“You are never alone in any
kinds of feelings that you are having,” Caneda said. “Feelings that you are not understanding may be really overwhelming, and you might think that you are alone, but there’s so many resources on campus. People may feel like a burden when they’re allowing somebody to take the time to listen to problems that you feel as if you should be dealing with on your own, but I’d say to take people up on their offer to help and hear you.”
With the abundance of social clubs and athletic teams at MU, there is no shortage of opportunities for students to create support systems. Not only are social groups one way to meet new people to talk to, but the counseling center is also available for anyone on campus who would like to speak to someone.
The counseling center acts as an asset to better assist students who may feel upset, overwhelmed or simply just want somebody to listen to
them.
Ciancutti encouraged students to make an effort to prioritize their mental health, and take time to get in touch with their emotions without feeling ashamed of them.
“I think one of my goals as the director is to normalize and encourage people to take care of their mental health,” Ciancutti said. “It’s just like going to the gym. You go to the gym to exercise your muscles. It’s just another form of taking care of yourself. I just want everybody to know that counseling services are available. They are a free service that you have as a student here.”
The goal of Mental Health at MC is to advocate for more students to get out of their comfort zones and seek the help that they may need.
Many students have already utilized the mental health resources on campus. Attendees at the event spoke about how college can be a stressful and difficult time, and how thankful they are for the accommodations MU provides.
The Quadrangle spoke
to Anne Hagan, a junior and member of the track and field team, on how the mental health facilities on campus provided her with the proper skills needed to balance her athletic career, education and overall mental health.
“I think Mental Health at MC has always played a huge part during my time here,” Hagan said. “I transferred from another college because of their lack of mental health awareness. With being a part of athletics, I’ve had a lot more mental health facilities available to me, such as the Counseling Center. They checked in with each of us, and I felt like that was super valuable.”
The Counseling Center and Mental Health at MC are available to any students who want to talk to somebody or need general assistance navigating through college life. The Counseling Center is located in Miguel Hall, Room 501. For anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts or are in immediate danger, call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-3255.
The logo for Mental Health at MC. @MENTALHEALTHATMC / INSTAGRAM
Features
The Black Student Union Hosts Fourth Flea Market Success
Natalie Schmitt Contributor
Manhattan University’s Black Student Union (BSU) held their first flea market of the semester with a lively and welcoming atmosphere, filled with both music and free snacks.
Faramoluwa Davis, president of the Black Student Union, spoke to The Quadrangle about why being a part of the club is so important to her.
“I wanted to make each person in this school understand how it feels to be a Black person on campus– I wanted the freshmen that come in to understand that they could have a home here no matter what,” Davis said.
BSU is a club that strives to create a more welcoming and inclusive environment in all aspects.
“We are going to be having more professional
development events for the Black community, like resume writing and Linkedin profiles,” Davis said.
Sterling Grant, a senior communications major with a concentration in integrated marketing communications at Manhattan University shared with The Quadrangle how her business inspired the start of these flea market events with BSU.
“For my business, Sweet Heat Thrift, which I started back in September 2022, we’d normally go around to other campuses,” Grant said. “We specialize in vending at college campuses like Marist College and we saw how beneficial it was for student vendors there selling their own products and their own business lines.”
Grant herself is a small business owner of both Sweet Heat Thrift and The Silver Lining.
“I brought that opportunity here to Manhattan University because everyone deserves an opportunity to make money,”
Grant said. “Promoting small businesses is really important and what better place to do that than a college campus because we see each other every day. It’s nice to have an opportunity to support each other and get more exposure for our businesses and also just share the collective love of fashion in New York City.”
Makayla Dorvil, a senior psychology major, is a coordinator for the club and shared why joining BSU was important to her.
“I wanted to be a part of Black Student Union because I wanted to be a part of a change in the school about creating a more welcoming environment not just for black students, but for everyone on campus,” Dorvil said.
Dorvil provided The Quadrangle with an exclusive insight on what she hopes to plan for a future event.
“I want to do a hair braiding event, just talking about African-American hair and the history behind it and how we got to braids, twists and cornrows–and learning how to do it in a friendly and welcoming environment,” Dorvil said. “I started learning
how to do hair myself during COVID and it’s definitely hard, but once you’re able to do it, you get to experiment with so many different hairstyles!”
BSU has a plethora of events coming up that they are hoping will encourage
others on campus to embrace inclusivity and promote a welcoming environment. You can follow their Instagram page @manhattanu.bsu for more information on their upcoming events.
Manhattan University’s BSU welcomes students to its fourth Flea Market!
Sweet Heat Thrift’s stand at the Black Student Union Flea Market.
NATALIE SCHMITT / THE QUADRANGLE
Features
A Look Into SpiritualAppointmentsDirection At Manhattan University
Ty Jackson Contributor
The spiritual direction program at Manhattan University offers students an opportunity to deepen their prayer life and enhance their relationship with God.
This initiative is meant to be inclusive, catering to individuals from various religious backgrounds and traditions. Students and alumni meet with a spiritual director every four to six weeks to provide consistent support and allow participants to grow in faith and personal development over time.
The program’s origins began about a decade ago, when a recommendation from external reviewers suggested that the institution should incorporate spiritual direction into its campus offerings.
At the time, MU faced the challenge of not having qualified individuals available to fulfill this role. The turning point came when Brother Daniel Gardner, FSC, volunteered to provide spiritual direction.
Brother Daniel has helped shape the program into what it is today by offering personalized guidance to students. He spoke to The Quadrangle about the value of spiritual direction.
“You [students] have the ability to relieve any doubts you may have about your own faith, create a rhythm and test your balance,” Brother Daniel said.
Individuals can explore and confront their spiritual doubts and questions, exploring the supportive environment the
program offers.
Additionally, students are invited to contact Brother Daniel directly via email to find a spiritual director who best fits their individual needs.
While the spiritual direction program offers valuable support to students, it is important to acknowledge that not all challenges will be resolved immediately. The purpose of spiritual direction is not to provide quick answers but to foster a deeper connection with oneself and with God. Through regular meetings with a spiritual director, students are encouraged to explore their faith and spirituality over time, with the goal of emerging with a stronger sense of their spiritual identity and a more profound relationship with their divine being of choice.
“One of the key aspects of the spiritual direction program is its close alignment with the Lasallian mission of Manhattan University,” Brother Daniel said.
Through spiritual direction, students and alumni are provided with a space to address various social and emotional challenges, including those related to their faith or personal experiences.
The program serves both a spiritual and holistic function, supporting the overall wellbeing of participants.
MU’s campus minister, Jubilee Aguilar, emphasizes the significance of spiritual direction, comparing it to other forms of emotional and mental health support.
“Spiritual direction is necessary for everybody, similar to counseling, therapy, or meditation,” Aguilar said.
“If students don’t know the Lasallian context, it will help them understand how to connect their faith with the
Brother Dan, who has helped shape the program into what it is today.
MANHATTAN.EDU / COURTESY
Lasallian tradition since it is very inclusive. It’s very important to get a mental health check, and meeting with a spiritual director is a great resource and should be advertised more throughout campus.”
A notable strength of the program is its accommodation of students from various religious backgrounds, including those who identify as spiritual but not religious (SBNR).
It acknowledges the increasingly diverse spiritual landscape of modern college campuses and provides a space where students from different
faith traditions can find the support they need. If a student identifies as Jewish or Hindu, for example, Brother Daniel helps connect them with a rabbi or guru, respectively. This adaptability makes the program accessible and relevant to students from a wide range of spiritual backgrounds.
Religious studies professor Jovita Geraci, Ph.D., highlighted another important dimension of the program, explaining that it offers a unique complement to the academic side of religion at Manhattan University.
“Religious studies is about the study of religion from
a historical, sociological, anthropological perspective rather than a faith-based or personal one,” Geraci said.
“Spiritual direction is on equal footing with any other MU club in my mind: if a student finds belonging, connection and support there, then that is great and it will certainly enrich their college experience.”
Brother Daniel also noted that inclusivity, accessibility and focus on long-term spiritual development ensure that the program remains a valuable resource for all students regardless of their religious background or spiritual journey.
Features
Bringing The Big AppleExploreInternational: Winter Study Abroad at Manhattan University
Julia Ciampa Staff Writer
As the cold weather quickly approaches New York City, Manhattan University’s winter study-abroad groups have begun to book their trips.
Each year, Manhattan University offers a plethora of exciting opportunities for Jaspers to fully immerse themselves in different opportunities to explore new horizons around the world.
This coming winter, several university faculty including Brother Robert Berger, William Mulligan, Edgar Zavala, Ph.D., Andrew Skotnicki, Ph.D., Emmett Ryan, Ph.D. and Daniel Savoy, Ph.D., will embark across the world with students.
Each professor has been assigned to a specific program. The programs being offered include trips to Paris, Venice, Rome, Barcelona, Ireland and
Buenos Aires in Argentina. As registration for all programs opened in early September, one trip in particular met its capacity for registration within five days, as it is one of the most popular programs offered.
Brother Robert, professor of religious studies, will run the exceedingly popular 2024 winter intersession trip to Rome, Italy, taking off on Dec. 26.
The course is a two-week intensive titled “Saints and The Catholic Imagination”.
Brother Robert talked to The Quadrangle about his excitement for students to experience a different culture.
“I want students to experience the richness of other cultures,” Brother Robert said. “And also to get out of their comfort zones for a while and to see the world through different eyes. I am confident that this trip will give students more confidence in terms of focusing on material, and I think professionally, it widens
their viewpoints in terms of the global influence that they are going to experience abroad.”
Senior Hannah Burgoyne will be joining Brother Robert’s trip to Rome, as her previous study abroad experience at Manhattan University in 2023 was a memorable one for her.
“In the spring of my sophomore year, I had the unforgettable opportunity to study abroad in Madrid for a semester,” Burgoyne said. “I think that when you start a study abroad trip, you’re very outside of your comfort zone, but having people from school who have the same experience as you forms strong bonds. When you spend a lot of time with people, you just naturally bond over things you have in common, which we try to reinforce. The bonds I have made during study abroad at MU have been so special to me.”
The facilitator of the Ireland trip, adjunct professor of music and theater William Mulligan, shared the importance of his role in fostering a community as the program coordinator.
Mulligan implements a certain requirement within his program where each student must post on Instagram a minimum of 10 pictures per day.
Mulligan utilizes this requirement to foster a community among the students, as this requirement allows everyone to see their trip in ways that they haven’t before. Creating a sense of community and belonging while abroad remains at the core of these study abroad trips, which both Brother Robert and Mulligan believe is a special component of studying abroad.
Brother Robert also believes that study abroad is interconnected to the values that Manhattan University holds as a Lasallian institution.
“The worldwide notion of Lasallian schools plays a
Manhattan University’s Study Abroad Department announced the various trips being offered earlier this month.
@STUDYABROADMC / INSTAGRAM
significant role within these trips because I usually take my students to other international Lasallian institutions,” Brother Robert said. “Through seeing other institutions and Lasallian organizations besides Manhattan, I aim to get the students to recognize elements of social justice in terms of what other cultures experience. I also try to familiarize the students with values that are different from their experience in the United States.” Mulligan looks forward to the winter study abroad program, as he mentions that he commonly sees students gain a deeper understanding of themselves.
“In my own experience with the students, they seem to grasp a greater sense of themselves and their place in the world,” Mulligan said. “When you’re at college and you’re on a small campus like Manhattan, it sometimes is easy to get lost in that world. Being in a different country opens you up to other people’s existence, cultures and different ways of living. Students are allowed to theoretically feel the warmth and culture of other lifestyles, as we bring our own senses of wonder and experience to the table.”
Photos courtesy of: Angelina Perez, Elizabeth Kalaj, Molly Calahan, Ally Haskins, and @manhattanedu on Instagram.
MU’sScholarsShakespeare Take Their Education to Broadway’s Romeo and Juliet
Ty Jackson Contributor
Brian Chalk, Ph.D., and his English 329 class will head downtown to see “Romeo and Juliet” live on Broadway on Nov. 13.
This process began when Chalk approached the Kakos School of Arts and Sciences dean, Marcy Kelly, Ph.D., to support the cost of the tickets.
Starring Kit Connor and Rachel Zegler as Romeo and Juliet, respectively, these characters are an impulsive pair of star-crossed lovers who hurtle towards their inescapable fate.
The play is directed by Sam Gold, who has prior experience adapting Shakespeare’s plays into the modern lens with his
2022 work “Macbeth.” The play also incorporates floor seats, which puts the audience up close for a unique theatrical experience, similar to seating arrangements used in the seventeenth century.
Chalk teaches several Shakespeare-centric classes at Manhattan University, including the 329 course for English majors. The goal of this class is to articulate the ideas and language of William Shakespeare as a playwright through the lens of acting out his plays.
In the eyes of Chalk, a modern production of a classic Shakespeare play can open a new representation of how one might have perceived the play prior.
“The ability to combine New York City with the subject matter of my class on Shakespeare’s early career
specifically, was a really inspiring coincidence,” Chalk said. “I hope [the students] have a great time and that [the Broadway play] increases their awareness of all the amazing things that are going on a very short distance from where we are as a university.”
Junior English major Bella Cannizzo shared her enthusiasm with The Quadrangle about seeing her first show on Broadway.
“I have never been to a live Broadway performance, so I am really looking forward to seeing ‘Romeo and Juliet’ with our class,” Cannizzo said. “I hope to gain a better understanding of live performers and live audiences.”
Cannizzo mentioned the importance of Chalk’s interpretation as students go through certain scenes as a class.
“Through acting out certain passages and scenes, you can really put yourself in the position of the characters and feel what they’re feeling,” Cannizzo said. “Dr. Chalk helps explain what the characters [are] thinking, and I get a lot out of that.”
Junior English major and theater minor Max BennettMyles shared his appreciation for Chalk’s teaching style compared to other English classes he’s taken.
“The class is special because of how open and honest it feels, that we won’t be shamed for seeing a perspective differently than others,” Bennett-Myles said. “Compared to when you are reading [a play], it’s often in one ear and out the other, but when you’re acting it out and performing it, you’re seeing everything beyond just the words, and it stays with you.”
Mary-Abigail Caglione, a junior adolescent education major with a concentration in English, wrote to The Quadrangle regarding Chalk’s vision of Shakespeare’s plays and how they have positively impacted the classroom setting for herself and her classmates.
“As a future English teacher, I hope I could be half the teacher [Chalk] is,” Caglione wrote in the email. “I’ve never been more interested or passionate about Shakespeare than what he offers to the class. The small details and intimate analysis that he allows me and others to make in our personal lives and relationships is the best part. I never thought I could relate to Romeo or Juliet until I realized Dr. Chalk made it possible.”
Chalk continued by addressing how many people understand the general idea of Romeo and Juliet, but only on a surface level. The story can be
interpreted in many different ways because of how flawed Shakespeare writes his story and characters.
“In a number of ways, Romeo and Juliet is a play people take for granted, assuming that they know it very well, when actually they don’t,” Chalk said. “It’s a complicated and disturbing play about how conflicts can pass themselves down from one generation to another and how violence seems to be the only solution to these problems, and how we should seek opportunities to fund nonviolent solutions and to not underestimate young people.”
Chalk carries this notion to each of his class sessions, which students say has benefited their education and made them perceive English literature differently from when they stepped inside the classroom.
“Romeo and Juliet” will be on Broadway for only 20 weeks, with its final show being played on Feb. 16, 2025.
arts & eNtertaiNmeNt
Who Did It? Meet the Cast and Crew of And Then There Were None!
Angelina Persaud Managing Editor/News Editor
Murder-mystery fans beware as the Manhattan University Players have announced the cast for their fall play based on Agatha Christie’s book, And Then There Were None.
The MU Players had a rather large turnout for their auditions for the play, with 27 students showing up for various characters. This is also the first time in several years that the Players have turned to doing a murder-mysterythemed production.
Martin Marchitto, the director of the production, spoke to The Quadrangle about how he came into the role and got involved in putting the cast together. He was originally the director of Players in 2018 but left due to other employment opportunities. However, a quick return offer from Andy Bauer, director of performing arts, allowed him to make a return to Players.
“I jumped at the opportunity because some of my favorite memories are working at Manhattan University and with the students of Players, so I was thrilled to be returning,” Marchitto said.
He also explained his process of casting, which involved having students prepare a monologue for a specific character. However, Marchitto also introduced the concept of reading together for auditions, where he had students pair up and observe how their characters would interact on the stage.
“I would give them some direction about the scene,” Marchitto said. “There’s a Vera and Emily scene in which I talk about how the two characters are polar opposites. And so they’d read the scene, and because I’m trying to learn who the students are, I would sometimes give them adjustments, and I’d say ‘play this scene like a love scene’ or ‘I’d like you to be the aggressor’.”
Marchitto also emphasized that he looked for students who could think creatively about their roles and offer additional
insights into their characters without excessive guidance.
“I want to see that they’re creative, that they can think on their feet, and that they can come in with some ideas, but also be able to adjust those ideas based on the direction that I’m providing them,” Marchitto said. “At one point, it was magical because I gave some direction to two women and asked them to really go for their goals and it was this knock-down moment where they really went after each other, and it was exactly what it needed to be.”
Aaron Schoepf, the production manager for Players, was tasked with putting together the production and technical crew, choosing the set designer and creating an appealing atmosphere for the play. He also assists in the dramaturgical aspects of the production, where he looks into specific names, items, or cultural norms relating to the play.
When it came to the diversity of the cast, Schoepf commented on the talent and community he felt from his fellow castmates, as well as the opportunities Players had for everyone.
“The great thing about Players is we do a lot of shows, so there’s always more opportunities,” Schoepf said. “We need so many people for tech. There’s always ways to stay involved in Players and involved in the production, which is really great.”
Schoepf has been with Players since his freshman year when he was cast as citizen number two in “Enemy of the People.” He highlighted how his love of theater has influenced his time with the cast and Players.
“I’m very passionate about theater, so being able to put that energy into a production felt really good,” Schoepf said. “I knew I wanted more responsibility and a production manager is that. I am in charge of a lot of people, so it feels good to see this production really flourishing.”
Annie Brennan, house manager for Players and stage manager for the play, has also been with Players since her freshman year. She spoke to The Quadrangle about her
favorite part of helping create a production: the cast coming together.
“I just love getting to see the cast all in one room,” Brennan said. “I like seeing it all come together. I think that the hardest part of stage managing is getting everyone together. So being able to see everyone in one room and really see it come to life is my favorite part.”
She also spoke about her success collaborating with Marchitto, including his presence and ability to connect with the students.
“Marty is great,” Brennan said. “He’s so involved. He just really wants everything to run on time. He really wants to see Players grow into something new and something fresh. I definitely think that he has our best interest and I think he’s super involved, which is so important.”
Brennan also highlighted the different audition strategies that Marchitto and herself employed to help bring out the diverse skills of the cast.
“A lot of the time, most directors will have one person at a time come in, they’ll read and then they’ll leave,” Brennan said. “Marty asked people to stay. He wanted people to read again. He wanted people to read with other people. The audition process wasn’t the normal way that we usually do it.”
Olivia Bailey, president of Players and the role of Emily Brent in the play, says that she prepared her role by
doing character analysis to understand her character’s backstory.
“You have to think a lot about your character’s backstory, who they are, where they come from, and what their goals are,” Bailey said. “With every character, you need to map out what their goal is for the play, because that’s how you create the character arc. So we’re spending a lot of time on analysis and just figuring out who we are as people and implementing that into our character story as well.”
Bailey also spoke about cast chemistry as a crucial aspect of the production since the Players must bring authenticity to their roles. This often results in humorous moments where they may have to play a character opposite their personality and interact with their friends in their character persona.
“The way that the show is casted is perfect,” Bailey said. “I play a character who is, I would say, the opposite of myself. She’s very mean, extremely religious, and she’s cruel. I think it’s fun to explore what that relationship looks like when I’m acting with all of my friends, because I have to be mean to all of them. A lot of things come up in rehearsal, we find things, we explore characters a bit, but overall, it’s been fun.”
Owen Sweeney, a new member of Players and the role of Phillip Lombard in the play,
says that landing the role was a shock to him.
“This is my first production,” Sweeney wrote in an email to The Quadrangle. “I never really tried out for a play before and didn’t expect, as a newcomer, to really be considered for any roles. It came as such a surprise to me when I got my role. I’m especially grateful because my role is so central. I’m humbled to have that much trust placed in me for my first production.”
Sweeney has high hopes for the play and hopes to deliver a stellar performance on opening night.
“Personally, all I really want is to entertain everyone and keep people engaged in the story,” Sweeney wrote. “What’s the point in coming to the theater if the show isn’t fun or interesting? I just hope people are surprised and enjoy their time watching us perform!”
If all the cast and production crew echo one sentiment, it’s their passion for theater and excitement for people to enjoy the productions put together by Players.
“I want it to come alive,” Bailey said. “I want people to have a different interpretation of the show itself with the people that they know. I also think that with such a popular show, a lot of people who don’t usually come see our shows will come see them. I’m hoping that this can be a new introduction into what we do, because we do really great stuff.”
Cast of ‘And Then There Were None’ does a read through of the script. AARON SCHOEPF / COURTESY
Jasper Jams: Songs to Get Ready To Before Going Out
Elizabeth Kalaj Web Editor
I hope your first month back at school has been filled with many coffee runs, train rides, laughs with friends and makeup sessions in front of the mirror. I am honored to write my first Jasper Jams on something I am extremely passionate about, songs perfect for doing your hair and makeup before going out.
Most of you know what it feels like to be tearing apart your closet in search of a shirt or debating between three different red lip tints while you promised your best friend that you’d be outside her apartment in Riverdale in ten minutes. Getting ready for social events can range from stressful to exhilarating, depending on the mood that the music establishes.
I believe I have found the perfect collection of songs that hype people up and make them sing their hearts out while holding their eyelash curlers. Here, I share with you the songs that hype me up before going out.
All-American Bitch by Olivia Rodrigo
This song is a staple in my playlist because it screams, “I am THAT girl.” Olivia Rodrigo’s songs hold a certain place in my heart because she is my age and perfectly portrays the female experience through her music. In this song, she defines what it means to be unapologetically yourself and love every minute.
Rodrigo starts the song on a calm note and then completely transforms the song into an absolute release of chaos.
Favorite verse: “I don’t get angry when I’m pissed / I’m the eternal optimist / I scream inside to deal with it / Like, ‘Ah’,”
Free by Florence and the Machine
This song has become one of my favorite songs from the first time I listened to it. It is one of the few musical pieces that fully encapsulates how I address my anxiety. On the days I have to get ready in my room without any of my friends around, I often play this song to release any of the struggles I am feeling within and to simply dance it out.
Favorite verse: “I’m always running from something / I push it back, but it keeps on coming / And being clever never got me very far / Because it’s all in my head / And ‘You’re too sensitive,’ they said / I said, ‘Okay, but let’s discuss this at the hospital’.”
Pink Pony Club by Chappell Roan
This song is another amazing piece that takes specific details and examples of situations, yet everyone who listens can relate to it somehow. Roan represents how hard it can be to become one with yourself due to judgment and fear or rejection from people we love, yet how freeing it can be once we finally do so. This song is a lovely reminder
before social events to be who you are and do what you enjoy.
Favorite verse: “God, what have you done? / You’re a pink pony girl / And you dance at the club / Oh mama, I’m just having fun / On the stage in my heels / It’s where I belong.”
Tough Love by Gracie Abrams
Gracie Abrams has a way of creating albums that can be listened to under any circumstances. However, this song is an anthem to all women with strong female friendships. Many people in the media have argued that society has become antirelationship and that this song is a testament to that. The best part about this song, in my opinion, is that romantic relationships can be excluded entirely from this song. Instead, Abrams denies the idea of having a flirty night with random men, which means much less than valuable time spent with her female friends. Listening to this while borrowing tops from girls down the hall and walking over to An Beal Bocht puts me in the perfect and most appreciative mood.
Favorite verse: “No chance I waste my twenties on random men / Not one of them is cooler than all my friends / And I hate to leave him bleedin’ / But I know, know what I’m leavin’ for.”
Pretty Isn’t Pretty by Olivia Rodrigo
Another song from the “Guts” album made it onto the list. When showering or getting ready to go out, I often shuffle the entire album, but this song specifically scratches the part of my brain that screams
“female rage.” This song tends to shuffle perfectly on my playlist when my shirts feel too cropped or my under-eye bags shine through my concealer. While this song may seem inherently harmful, it reminds me that an individual can never be perfect, even though we all try to be, which makes me feel much less alone. Additionally, the song has a fantastic beat, making it even more magical.
Favorite verse: “And I bought all the clothes that they told me to buy / I chased some dumb ideal my whole f*cking life / And none of it matters, and none of it ends / You just feel like sh*t over and over again.”
Lady Like by Ingrid Andress
I’m unsure if you have sensed a theme in this list by now, but female empowerment is the type of energy I try to attract before entering social environments. This song reminds me that I am “untameable” and “unframeable.” As a woman who is loud, confident and takes up space, this song reminds me that those characteristics make me unstoppable instead of something that makes me insecure.
Favorite verse: “But I’m a lady like, whoa / I could bring you to your knees / And get you kicked out the Garden of Eden / Untameable, unframeable, Mona Lisa / Oh, kiss you like a whiskey fire / Turn around, leave your heart in a riot / Lipstick in a cigarette pack on the dash / I’m a lady like that.”
Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen
This banger is selfexplanatory regarding how it has made it on the list. It is all about how nothing can get in the way of having a good time! The fast pace and clever lyrics can get anyone pumped up to go on an adventure.
Favorite verse: “Don’t stop me now, I’m having such a good time / I’m having a ball / Don’t stop me now / If you wanna have a good time (wooh) / Just give me a call (alright) / Don’t stop me now (‘cause I’m having a good time, yeah yeah) / Don’t stop me now (yes, I’m havin’ a good time) / I don’t want to stop at all.”
I Can Do It With a Broken Heart by Taylor Swift
It cannot be a Jasper Jams or a playlist I recommended if there is not at least one Taylor Swift song on it! This song is fun, deep, silly, upbeat and sad, all in three minutes and thirty-eight seconds. It is the perfect example of resonating with lyrics while dancing to the beat. No matter what happens Monday through Friday, this song reminds us that we can go out and do everything we want and more.
Favorite verse: “I’m so depressed, I act like it’s my birthday every day / I’m so obsessed with him but he avoids me like the plague / I cry a lot but I am so productive, it’s an art / You know you’re good when you can even do it / With a broken heart.”
Women’s Volleyball Suffers Tough Loss to NJIT
Despite the tough loss, there were positives for the Jaspers to take out of the game.
game, Emmons was helpful in maintaining the team’s positive attitude.
Manhattan University women’s volleyball faced NJIT in their first home game Tuesday night. Despite the team’s dedication and teamwork shown, they dropped the game 3-0.
The Jaspers found themselves down early, giving NJIT a 10-3 start in the first set, before they would eventually lose the set. This set the momentum for NJIT, as they won the following two sets, despite efforts by the Jaspers to tighten up the score.
Per an article published on GoJaspers, NJIT entered the match up with MU with a 4-12 record, including a pair of straight set losses to Syracuse, a 3-1 loss to Penn, and a 3-0 win over Le Moyne.
In the second set, freshman Fiona Vandyke entered the match with great energy as the opening outside hitter. Even though the team had some early setbacks, Vandyke felt mentally in it to win it.
“It’s all just mental. I feel like because physically we’re there, I feel like we’re there,” Vandyke said. “I see it in practice all the time. I just think we need to just follow through and push through. That’s the mental part of it; you just kind of have to have short-term memory loss, that play didn’t happen, the next play.”
Vandyke scored several points for the Jaspers in Tuesday’s game. Her ability to put her all into the court is something that did not go unnoticed by her teammates, especially junior setter Sarah Emmons. Throughout the
“Believing in my teammates and trusting them that they are going to put the ball away with any set that I give them, I just throw myself around a lot to give them opportunities,” Emmons said. “I think our energy had a little bit of a rocky start, but keeping that high intensity and just pushing through the whole game helped us stay in it.”
Assistant coach Sara Atai saw opportunities for improvement from the team throughout the game. She spoke on the potential for the team to cut down on mistakes, and turn them into scoring opportunities.
“I hope to see more errors converting to points,” Atai said. “I liked the performance of Fiona Vandyke, she played very well. I think there were a few moments where we played our game in our proper style, and
those moments, I was happy that we were able to do it.” In the following sets, though, the teams recovered and showed tremendous perseverance. They pushed hard until the end, demonstrating that they were not easily discouraged, even though they lost the match with final scores of 21-25 in the second and third sets. Manhattan was the fifth MAAC team to play NJIT so far this season.
The Jaspers will start MAAC play with three straight games against Sacred Heart, Fairfield and Iona. The first of those games will be on Saturday, Sept. 28.
Scarlisa Fernandez Contributor
The team meets in a huddle.
SCARLISA FERNANDEZ / THE QUADRANGLE
Mikalah Curran (#16) in action,
Manhattan University Flag Football Gears Up For Year Two
Owen McWalters Contributor
The Manhattan University flag football team, which was formed just last year, looks to build upon its foundation and take considerable steps forward in year two.
Last year, the Manhattan University flag football team played a total of six games.
The Jaspers played two games at Gaelic Park against their New York City rivals, NYU, in which they won one and
lost the other. The team also traveled to Maryland to play in a tournament, but unfortunately lost to Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in the playoffs.
The team will be playing NYU again this season. Rivalry games like those against the NYU Violets spark a clear excitement for the Jaspers flag football team. Max Gonzales, now a second year player for the team, spoke on NYU and how he looks forward to games against them.
“NYU is obviously one of
our rivals, but also a cross town brother of ours,” Gonzales said.
“They are here in New York, and we show great respect to them and their organization. We absolutely loved getting the opportunity for them to come visit us and play us a couple times last year. Record wise, we split our decisions. It’s awesome that we have that brotherhood here in the city, and we look forward to playing them again this year, probably a of couple times.”
This year, the Jaspers are not only looking to improve on their record from last year, they’re also looking to practice more often and play more games as
well. Anthony Passafiume remarked on the team’s work ethic and how often they hope to work this year.
“We practice twice a week,” Passafiume said. “We practice on Monday and Wednesdays, 8-10. We would like to get a film room day at least every other week. That’s usually an inclassroom activity, as you could see from being out here.”
The team looks to capitalize on their practice time in order to be more successful during their games this year. Now in their
second year, they will have more games to participate in against schools across the area. Passafiume said how he is excited for the upcoming year for the team.
“We’re definitely looking to have more games than we did last year,” Passafiume said. “So I’m excited to get this team, get the camaraderie going. We have more guys than we did last year as well, and so far so good. You know, we’re organized, we’re competitive, and I can’t wait to see what the season holds for us.”
On top of looking to improve their record and looking to practice more often and play more games, the Manhattan University flag football team is looking to hold fundraisers, grow their brand, and get their name out there as well. Brendan Matos, another player on the team, shared some thoughts on how to grow the team’s finances.
“We’ve done a really good job of maximizing our potential on social media,” Matos said. “We’re trying to come up with more creative ways. A lot of people now know that we had a football team back in the 60s, going into the 80s. We’re looking to donations from the alumni, get them out and see if they can support. We’re looking to hold fundraisers throughout the fall, whether it be on the quad or on our own terms. We’re really looking to do a whole bunch of new things.”
