DeltaKappaEpsilonPhiMu ChapterTriumphsatLion TrophyAwards
Emmanouel Sofillas Asst. Sports Editor
The Delta Kappa Epsilon (DKE) Phi Mu Chapter at Manhattan University received recognition in several categories at this year’s Lion Trophy competition, including awards for philanthropy, service and leadership.
These honors reflect the chapter’s efforts in community involvement and leadership development, showcasing their role in campus life and beyond.
Jake Steinweiss, a senior civil engineering major and chapter president, expressed his pride in the achievement.
“I felt great. It’s definitely a step forward,” Steinweiss said. “We did place last year as well,
so we wanted to improve on where we placed. We repeated in philanthropy, but in areas like alumni relations, we really wanted to boost it.”
The Lion Trophy is awarded annually to the top-performing DKE chapters in the U.S. and Canada, judged across four categories: philanthropy and service, chapter operations, leadership and scholarship.
Phi Mu’s focus on philanthropy has been a cornerstone of their success.
John Packes, a junior chemical engineering major and chapter rush chair, reflected on the significance of the chapter’s recognition at the awards, especially given their status as a newer chapter.
“Even getting third place in certain categories for the Lion Trophy was big for us because we’re still a relatively new chapter compared to a lot of other ones,” Packes said.
“Getting our name out there and being recognized, it feels great. It shows the work that we’re putting in really does mean something.”
Pat Kantor, a junior civil engineering major and brother of DKE, expressed his enthusiasm for the chapter’s commitment to philanthropy, highlighting how much their community efforts mean to both the fraternity and those they help.
“I think philanthropy is one of the most rewarding, because we get to give back to our community,” Kantor said. “We get to help people that are less fortunate. We get to clean up our community, raise money for people that are struggling financially or with health issues like cancer. You give back to the American Heart Association,
Angelina Persaud and Elizabeth Kalaj
Managing Editor/News Editor and Web Editor
Sonia Kreidenweis ‘83, Ph.D., was celebrated with a plaque ceremony from the School of Engineering (SOE) to honor her induction into the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), which is the highest honor an engineer can receive in the United States.
Kreidenweis is the nineteenth Jasper to be inducted into the NAE and the second female engineer to receive such a distinction from Manhattan University.
She received her bachelor’s in chemical engineering in 1983 and went on to California Institute of Technology for her masters and doctorate in chemical engineering.
In 1988, Kreidenweis began teaching as an assistant professor of chemical engineering at San Jose State University and then joined Colorado State University as an assistant professor of atmospheric science. She is also the former president of the American Association of Aerosol Research.
Per a press release posted on manhattan.edu, Kreidenweis has no regrets
from the major she chose.
“I think the choice of my major was a really great one because it included so much fundamental science and math that I really enjoy, which has really been so applicable to working in an interdisciplinary area,” Kreidenweis said in the release.
The plaque for Kreidenweis is now on display in the Scala Room in the Leo Engineering Building. The unveiling ceremony consisted of opening remarks from Anirban De, Ph.D., interim dean of SOE, as well as a speech by President Milo Riverso, Ph.D.
“Dr. Kreidenweis is the first 1980s graduate to join the ranks of fellow NAE Jaspers from every decade spanning over five decades, the 1940s 50s, 60s and 70s,” Riverso said. “For Manhattan University, having 19 NAE Jaspers is a remarkable accomplishment and a testament to the high quality of a Manhattan education.”
After the plaque ceremony, Kreidenweis gave a lecture in Kelly Commons where she discussed her research and its relevance to the modern engineering landscape. Her life’s work involves atmospheric science, mainly pertaining to what types of particles exist in our atmosphere and how it will impact human health and visibility in the environment.
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Volume CX, Issue 6
OCTOBER 8, 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 mcquad.org @mu_quad @mu_quad mcquad
LETTER from the EDITOR
Dear Readers,
Hello, and welcome to issue 6!
First and foremost, I want to thank you all for the immsense support we have received in the last week both on our change.org petition and on our GoFundMe. I have no updates as of now, but I can say your support has been a bright ray of sunshine for our staff in a bit of a gloomy time. We have loved reading everyone’s comments on the petition and connecting with some amazing Quad alumni.
We will be collecting donations for the rest of the semester on the GoFundMe, but especially for the next three weeks, in hopes of printing our special issue the week of November 4. You can click the link here to contribute - any amount, no matter how big or small, is a monumental help to us.
As crazy as it is to say, we’re already at midterms. I feel like it was just yesterday I was welcoming everyone back to campus for fall. This semester has been a busy one, and whether you’re a reader on or off campus, I hope you’ve been able to find a way to keep your head on straight. For me, this has looked like a lot of lit candles and a daily cup of tea, and it has honestly made a huge difference in my routine.
We have a great issue for you this week. In news, we feature Sonia Kredeinweis becoming the 19th Jasper, and second female Jasper, to ever be inducted into the National Academy of Engineering. We also spoke to some members of MU’s chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon about their win at the Lion Trophy Awards. In features, we attend the book launch of MU professor Grishma Shah and the It’s On Us Suicide Prevention event. In A&E, we talk to the new director of Pep Band and take on Scatterbomb’s first show. Lastly, in sports, we have an overview of last week’s games and a feature on Saturday afternoon’s men’s soccer match against Mount St. Mary’s. We hope you’ll check it all out!
Until next time,
SoniaKredeinweis‘83Becomes19thJasperInducted toNationalAcademyofEngineering
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De commented on the aspect of Kreidenweis’ work that he found most interesting - her field research in various national parks around the U.S.
“Dr. Kreidenweis’ field studies have taken her to several US national parks, where she has studied the sources and nature of particulate matter, which reduce visibility, including the impacts of recent wildfires,” De said.
Kreidenweis’ lecture outlined several sources of particles being transferred to the atmosphere, including ocean spray from waves, tropical storms, wind currents, wildfires and biological sources such as mushrooms.
She also focused on the time that these particles are in the air as well as their size characteristics.
“A lot of the action is happening in the submicron particles…these tend to be very rich in things like calcium, iron, and other minerals,” Kreidenweis said. “Our atmosphere is actually a very oxidizing medium. Sunlight interacts with [particles] in the
atmosphere to produce ozone, and in that environment a lot of these volatile organic carbon compounds are broken down.”
One source Kreidenweis highlighted was the particles that are emitted from everyday biological sources such as trees and plants.
“I don’t know if you’ve thought about what comes off trees as potentially creating particles in the atmosphere,” Kreidenweis said. “It’s actually quite a large source across the United States, especially in the southeast. We have a lot of vegetation that emits these [ozone] precursors, and we have a lot of organic particles that are produced from that process.”
Kreidenweis went on to explain the importance of understanding what types of particles are in the air and how this contributes to understanding how to combat various environmental challenges in parts of the U.S., as well as prioritizing efforts to preserve human health longterm.
“From the [particle] deposition network, there’s regions in the eastern United States that are somewhat more acidic than in the Midwest, because we have a lot of
agricultural ammonia sources that are neutralizing the acidity before it can touch the ground there,” Kreidenweis said. “Aerosol particles have an impact on human health because of their small size, the same reason they don’t settle out of the atmosphere. They don’t settle in the upper portions of our respiratory tracts, but instead can penetrate down deep into the lungs where they can actually enter the bloodstream. And so that is a reason why we look at impacts of particulate matter.”
Patrick Ryan, senior treasurer of AiCHE, attended Kreidenweis’ ceremony and lecture representing both himself and his club. He spoke to The Quadrangle about what her accomplishment meant to him.
“Sonia’s work and accomplishments are very inspiring,” Ryan said. “Seeing someone who is so intelligent and passionate about their work get the recognition they deserve is always truly motivating.”
Aravind Suresh, Ph.D., spoke Kreidenweis using her education in chemical engineering in a way that positively impacts a critical world issue.
“When we talk about chemical engineering to our freshmen, we tell them that we need chemical engineers to solve the problems of tomorrow,” Suresh said. “Pollution is on that list of problems. It is nice for the students to see someone who has worked in these halls now having a plaque here and being an example of what we have taught them.”
The Quadrangle spoke to the chairperson of the chemical engineering department, Sasidhar Varanasi, Ph.D., about how Kreidenweis’s accomplishment reflects on the quality of education at Manhattan University. He explained how this can be inspiring for other students currently enrolled in the program and a testament to the department at Manhattan University overall. He also spoke about Kreidenweis being the second lady Jasper to be accepted into the NAE.
“A statistic recently came out in Washington Monthly Magazine which reported that Manhattan University [MU] is number one in the country to attract the most females into chemical engineering,” Varanasi said. “So this kind of recognition for female chemical
engineers acknowledges the quality program MU has.”
Kreidenweis also gave credit to her research team for the efforts they made towards collecting data in real time in the field as well as their collaboration over the years. She also expressed gratitude for her education at MU as a stepping stone in her career.
“This is all because I have an amazing research team of collaborators over the last 30 plus years,” Kreideweis said. “They have contributed so much to all of this work. I want to extend a huge thank you to Manhattan for this visit. It’s just been fabulous, and thank you also for the excellent education I received here that really set me on this path.”
She shared a final piece of advice for all aspiring engineers and scientists, but expressed that it is a universal sentiment for all MU students.
“Take advantage of the opportunities presented to you while you’re here,” Kreidenweis said. “There’s a lot of opportunities here and you never know where they might lead you in the future.”
DeltaKappaEpsilonPhiMuChapter TriumphsatLionTrophyAwards
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American Cancer Association. Giving back is very rewarding.”
When asked about the role of teamwork and collaboration in achieving the chapter’s awards, Kantor stressed how crucial it is to their success and overall fraternity life.
“Teamwork is the biggest part of it. We are a group that strives on helping each other throughout life and schoolwork,” Kantor said. “A big example is when brothers who work as tutors in the SRC step in to help whenever someone is struggling with a class. The most important thing about going to this school is our grades.”
Looking ahead, Steinweiss emphasized the chapter’s determination to aim even higher in future competitions.
“I think that we’re hungry to win the whole thing,” Steinweiss said. “It felt great to win it, but there was a bittersweetness to it. Yes, we came in third, and that’s great to get that recognition, but we want that first place.”
Looking ahead, the Phi Mu Chapter remains committed to building on their achievements in service, leadership and community involvement, with a clear focus on continuous improvement and growth.
Pat Kantor (left), Jake Steinweiss (center) and John Packes (right) hold their awards from the Lion Trophy competition.
MU’sSummerResearchScholars PresentFindingsAtAnnualShowcase
Julia Ciampa Staff Writer
On Sept. 26, Manhattan University’s Summer Research Scholars congregated in Kelly Commons to present at the annual Summer Research Scholars Program Showcase.
Over the summer, a diverse group of students from different majors, ranging from computer science to biology, were granted the opportunity to examine different unique academic interests to contribute innovative findings to the vast world of research. After creating and conducting their research, students were required to formulate a visual and oral poster presentation on the relevance of their experimental outcomes.
Advised by Kashiffudin Qazi, Ph.D., senior computer science major Tahiya Azad was eager to join the research program since her freshman year. Azad’s research titled “Automated Neural Network Selection for Workload Predictions In The Cloud” required a plethora of previous knowledge prior to conducting the research.
Azad’s groundwork tested the role that cloud providers play while leasing machines to computer users and examined the prediction of the central
processing unit (CPU) and memory usage of virtual machines leased to users. The hypothesis of her project was that no single neural network model would work best for all workloads as the model with the lowest root-meansquare deviation (RMSE) was chosen for each workload and followed by a test RMSE being calculated.
This research program requires a strong academic background, as Azad emphasized. The support the program provided her will led her to improve her professional outlook on the field.
“I always wanted to do research since freshman year, but I waited to gain more knowledge about the idea of the project,” Azad said. “At the end of my junior year, I decided to begin to consider my summer research topic. This program has granted me the confidence so that I could present my work and answer the questions that the audience had, while expanding upon my academic knowledge with the help of professor Qazi. I would like to thank Dr. Qazi for all of his guidance and mentorship throughout the entire project, as he helped me greatly.”
Another computer science summer research scholar, Thomures Momenpour focused his research on “Optimizing CNN-Based Diagnosis of Knee
Manhattan University hosted all summer research scholars to present their work in Kelly Commons on Sept. 26. @MANHATTANEDU / INSTAGRAM
Osteoarthritis: Enhancing Model Accuracy with CleanLab Relabeling.”
Momenpour spent his summer researching and developing a convolutional neural network (CNN) model to detect the presence and severity of knee osteoarthritis from input x-ray images.
Momenpour’s research findings validated the efficacy of deep learning in medical imaging by presenting a
promising framework for advancing knee osteoarthritis (KOA) diagnosis while showcasing the potential of CleanLab for their labeling of datasets.
Momenpour went over the meticulous challenges he faced while conducting his experiment.
“My research work was undoubtedly rewarding, yet rigorous,” Momenpour said. “Personally, I would say the biggest challenge was getting the data I collected to be clean enough to be used for the model. This was extremely tedious, as the data set originally had a lot of background noise in it, or room for error, which means the x-ray images I took might not have been correctly labeled, which was the greatest challenge I faced.”
One thing both scholars had in common was their research advisor, Adriane Bilous, Ph.D.
“The most rewarding part of assisting with this program is watching the students fall in love with research,” Bilous said. “Everyone comes in with an idea of what they’re going to be when they grow up. Seeing them find something they love to do and all of a sudden they fall in love with research is extremely rewarding. These students are so talented, and finding what they love to do right now is steering them towards whatever that next
step is, and seeing them exceed is so special.”
As the scholars celebrated the finalization of their research, Momenpour reflected on his favorite part of the program.
“My favorite part was the independent work and how we were trusted enough to learn the material by ourselves,” Momenpour said. “The research we conduct is a real world problem that we can contribute our knowledge to, rather than theoretical problems that we face in the classroom.”
Azad encourages prospective students to take advantage of this opportunity, and allow themselves to learn a new, interactive form of education.
“As a proud research scholar, I would definitely recommend future students to do this program, and allow themselves to learn from their advisors,” Azad said. “Your academic advisors are always there to guide you through research so I’d say if you have the chance to do this program, just go for it!”
Summer Research Scholar Tahiya Azad proudly presenting her computer science research at the presentation showcase.
TAHIYA AZAD / COURTESY
MU’s AFROTC Program Welcomes New Lieutenant
Otito Maduegbuna Contributor
Manhattan University’s Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) program has welcomed Lieutenant Colonel Richard J. Nova as a new leader.
The Lieutenant now oversees the training and operations for all cadets from 16 different colleges and universities.
Nova spoke on the skills and values that recruits learn through their experiences with the ROTC program.
“Detachment 560 provides training for cadets to develop leadership skills such as decision-making, team building, and communication that will help them be successful in their professional careers,” Lieutenant Colonel Nova wrote in an email to The Quadrangle. “Manhattan University provides an elite atmosphere to accomplish our mission.”
Focused on turning collegeage cadets into full-fledged commissioned officers in the Air Force and Space Force, several cadets within the program communicated to The Quadrangle the importance of the work cadets do in preparation for their future careers in the United States military.
Olsmael Merisier, a senior and the Cadet Wing Commander of Detachment 560, spoke to The Quadrangle about the importance of their training.
“What you’re being trained on varies depending on what headquarters really want,” Merisier said. “They want you to learn how to be a good follower, because that is one of the parts of being a military member, how to follow orders.”
Lauren Underwood, a senior psychology major and Detachment 560’s Training Operations Squadron Commander, also spoke about the program’s commitment to crafting the next generation of Air Force officers and leaders.
“This is not a club. This is not an extracurricular,” Underwood said. “ROTC stands for Reserve Officer Training Corps. You are here to become an officer. You are here to learn. If you keep that in mind and you show that you are dedicated, you show up prepared with your uniform shined and ironed and paying attention to little details, it is noticed.”
Detachment 560 spans over 16 different colleges and universities throughout New York City and Long Island, all focused on turning cadets into officers. Unlike most of the other schools attached to the program, the AFROTC at Manhattan University conducts their training sessions entirely on Fridays.
These training days are conducted from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and consist of classes on aerospace science (AS) and Leadership Laboratories (ILABs), which focus on leadership objectives and techniques. During these classes, the cadets take part in activities known as group leadership projects or GLPs. During the GLPs, cadets are evaluated on specific tasks related to leadership, critical thinking and followership in the case of junior cadets.
“We evaluate them on their ability to listen to their people, because to be a leader, you also need to listen to your people and not get tunnel vision,” Underwood said. “Did you listen to your leader? Did you step on any toes? Did you try to take command away from your leader? We have different
Several cadets of the AFROTC program with Merchant Marine Academy midshipmen on board a C-17 transport plane during a merged trip with Rutgers University to Stewart Air National Guard Base. MANHATTAN.EDU / COURTESY
scenarios\e for them with each different objective, and that’s our evaluation skill.”
Several of the cadets spoke on the importance of being physically fit, and the confidence needed during their drill exercises and in their careers.
“Some of the things we harp on are confidence, physical fitness and critical thinking,” Merisier said. “Even if you’re unsure, being confident can make that much of a difference.
If you’re leading your soldiers and you can’t give a direct order confidently then are they gonna be trusting you? Are they going to be like, ‘this person has my back’.”
Several of the cadets spoke on the values and mindsets that the program’s leadership tries to cultivate on their paths to becoming leaders in the Air Force.
Cadet Jennovia Mais explained this mentality in detail.
“One thing we always say is to ‘embrace the sucky moments’,” Mais said. “A lot of
us as cadets have failed during training, but the point is to learn from the mistake that you made when you failed so you won’t repeat the same mistake.”
Cadet Melvyn Greene, a prior enlisted member in the U.S. Navy, also touched on the mindsets instilled with the cadets.
“Leadership in this program is very important,” Greene said. “We’re going to be in that role. We’re going to have 500-1000 people we need to lead. We have adapted to those scenarios, to where we can be in those situations and lead effectively.”
When asked by The Quadrangle what their personal favorite things from the ROTC program were, many of the cadets spoke of the relationships they had developed with their fellow future officers over the years.
“I would say the team. There’s always someone there for you if you’re going through something,” Cadet Rubi Garcia, who joined the ROTC program as a sophomore, said. “We
work out together, we study together, we do a lot of things together and I love having that team.”
Cadet Underwood also spoke on watching the cadets under their training become confident and effective leaders.
“My favorite thing about this program is watching cadets transform into outstanding leaders,” Underwood said. “I think of who I would want to serve with active duty, and I love all of the relationships and all of the people and opportunities that I’ve been given here at the detachment.”
Members of Detachment 560 expressed their thoughts to any potential recruits looking to get involved with the AFROTC program.
“You can come here with a fresh start to give yourself the opportunity to grow,” Greene said. “You’ll gain a lot from it if you’ll allow yourself to gain something from it. So you have to put in the work, you have to give the effort. It’s like with anything else, you put in time for it, you gain something back.”
Mockingbird,MorrisonandMore: O’MalleyLibraryCelebratesNational BannedBooksWeek
Jill Tuthill
Asst. Arts & Entertainment Editor
The O’Malley Library’s staff celebrated Banned Books Week with their annual display, featuring titles that are often challenged in school curriculums throughout the United States.
These books often include content regarding race, sex education, religion or LGBTQIA+ characters or themes that are claimed to be sexually explicit, according to the American Library Association (ALA).
The display began on Sept. 22 in alignment with this year’s national Banned Books Week, which ran until Sept. 28. However, O’Malley’s display has continued past the end of the week to allow for more students to see it.
The display changes each year, but a list of titles that have been challenged the most are gathered by Digital Humanities and Research Librarian Lauren Paradise.
This year’s display included
“Flamer” by Mike Curato, “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas and more, with the past year’s including other well-known books such as “Beloved” by Toni Morrison and “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. The books this year were supplemented with graphics presenting the figures on challenged books, composed by the ALA. One of the graphics states that the number of unique titles that were challenged jumped from 2,571 in 2022 to a steep 4,240 in 2023.
Sarah Sheehan, director of reference in the library, said that Banned Books Week is especially relevant for students, whether or not they’re aware of their proximity to censored titles.
“One of the things a lot of students don’t realize is that books that they have read may be under challenge,” Sheehan said. “They challenge Harry Potter every year because [they say] it promotes witchcraft. Doesn’t matter that it taught an entire generation to read, right? And especially books that feature uncomfortable themes are always targets.”
Depending on the context, books can be challenged by
taxpayers, parents or patrons of a specific library. The board of that library then decides based on the reasons given by the challenger whether or not the book should be pulled from the shelves. However, according to Paradise, there has been a recent shift in the way people are challenging books, and the process has turned away from being a local, individual process to more of a legislative one as people begin to challenge books in larger groups.
Amy Handfield, associate librarian and director of access services, has been primarily responsible for the curation of the display since she was first hired by Manhattan University in 2012. Handfield believes the reason for the rise in book challenges is the challengers’ lack of recognition of individual freedom to information and the right to access it.
“You’re not just deciding for your child, per se, or yourself; you want to decide for everyone,” Handfield said. “If one person decides that something’s bad, what determines if that’s right? You might have one person that thinks Kurt Vonnegut is ‘just dirty’ or something, but it’s more than that. And apparently,
This year’s display included “Flamer” by Mike Curato, “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas and more, with past year’s including other well-known books such as “Beloved” by Toni Morrison and “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee.
JILL TUTHILL / THE QUADRANGLE
The books chosen for the Banned Books Week display this year were supplemented with graphics composed by the ALA that visually represent the figures on censorship and challenged books.
JILL TUTHILL / THE QUADRANGLE
it’s growing.”
Paradise attributes the challenges to changes in the ways of thinking about younger generations and whether they’re exposed to content that is appropriate for their age, or if they are developing in ways that are similar enough to the way older generations grew up.
“I think a lot of the stuff in this country seems to stem from worries about kids, and what the kids are reading, and how the kids are different from how an older generation thinks they were at that age, or different from how an older generation feels like kids should be,” Paradise said. “And I think reasonable people disagree about whether a kid should be able to check out anything they want when they’re 12, when they’re 16, when they’re 18, or when they’re 8. And the group that thinks that there should be restrictions on that is getting a lot louder right now.”
Handfield and Paradise agreed that the importance of Banned Books Week nationally and at MU is difficult to boil down to one thing, but said
that the foremost reason that they do it is to facilitate conversations that wouldn’t have happened otherwise. Handfield emphasized that open discussion is important for people to decide how they fit into the picture of censorship, rights to information and freedom of opinion.
“Just the awareness that it happens, whether you agree with it or not,” Handfield said. “And to give a venue for it to be discussed and or even just thought about.”
The banned books exhibit has been an annual tradition at the library since at least 2012, but Handfield and Paradise guess that it has happened for at least a few decades before they arrived.
Handfield’s upcoming Halloween themed display is currently in the works, and the library staff encourages students to visit when it goes up on Oct. 15.
Manhattan Caucus: “Clash of Perspectives: Highlights from the Vice Presidential Debate”
New York, NY- Tuesday, Oct.1, was the first and only Vice Presidential debate between Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. The debate was hosted by CBS News and was moderated by CBS News’ Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan. It was 90 minutes long and covered topics ranging from foreign policy, reproductive rights, threats to democracy, immigration, housing and much more. As reported by CBS, candidates were not allowed to bring pre-written notes or props on stage, and had two minutes to answer per question and two minutes to respond. They were allowed one minute for rebuttals.
According to CNN, the debate had around 43 million viewers, which was enough to make the Walz-Vance debate one of the most-watched single telecasts of the year in the United States. With this debate only being 35 days away from the presidential election, the candidates used their time to push the policies and opinions of their running mates.
CNN pollsters found that there was “no clear winner”. Nonetheless, many viewers felt
as if the debate had a positive “tone” as reported by CNN For most of the debate, the candidates were respectful of one another. The Economist wrote that the American people were almost “transported back to a different era of politics.”
For the most part, the two candidates emphasized their running mates’ position on certain topics. When asked about abortion, Tim Walz supported Harris’s view point on abortion and simply stated, “This is basic human rights… We trust women. We trust doctors” as reported by the official transcript from CBS
Tim Walz also made the point that he and Harris understand women are not getting the care they deserve from their physicians because they feel as if they would be prosecuted for helping these women and providing them care. In Vance’s rebuttal, he stated that he and Trump recognize that the United States is a diverse nation with various legal requirements for each state. Vance also fully supports Trump’s choice to leave abortion up to the states.
In the debate, Vance said, “I want us, as a Republican Party, to be pro-family in the fullest sense of the word. I want us to support fertility treatments. I want us to make it easier for moms to afford to have babies.”
Vance also denounced his support for a national abortion ban and said that he and Donald Trump are simply in support of pro-family policies.
The Republican candidates’ position on abortion was especially relevant this past week in light of Melania Trump’s memoir. The 45th First Lady has not had much of a presence in the political scene, but on Oct.8, her memoir is set
to be published.
In her memoir, Trump discusses a woman’s right to their own bodily autonomy.
As reported by the Guardian, Melania states in the book, “It is imperative to guarantee that women have autonomy in deciding their preference of having children, based on their own convictions, free from any intervention or pressure from the government.”
Trump also discusses the fact that she and her husband have disagreed politically before, and writes, “Occasional political disagreements between me and my husband… part of our relationship, but I believed in addressing them privately rather than publicly challenging him.”
Elaina Batista Contributor
Sen. JD Vance and Gov. Tim Walz are shown on screen during a vice presidential debate watch party in New York on Oct. 1, 2024. VICTOR J. BLUE / COURTESY
Grishma Shah Hosts OnCampus Launch Event For New Book, Anagram Destiny
Grace Cardinal & Kayla Werth
Editor-in-Chief & Contributor
Grishma Shah, Ph.D., held an on-campus launch event for her brand-new book, “Anagram Destiny”, on Sept. 26.
Shah’s book was officially released Sept. 3, but the event marked the launch to the campus community. According to the official book synopsis, “Anagram Destiny” is, “A soul-warming love story, nestled in an inspiring tale of the American Dream and an Indian Dream shattered by the evils of globalization—that pays homage to a generation of immigrants who held their heads low so one day, their children lift could theirs high.”
Shah had many key themes she wanted to include in the book, but most importantly she wanted to recognize the struggles of her parents’ generation of immigrants.
“If you go through thematically, there’s this big theme of community inside, particularly the Indian American community in the United States, and how we lift each other up in many ways,” Shah said in the panel. “A lot of that has embedded itself into the book, because I do say it’s an homage to my parents’ generation who went through all this, and I wanted to write about it in a very positive way, in a community building sense of way.”
Shah immigrated to the U.S. from India at the age of seven. Her experiences as an immigrant child living in a motel played heavily into her inspiration behind writing the book. Shah spoke to the panel about the privilege she feels being able to write the stories of her parents and those who came before her.
“There’s a generation of immigrants who is always on survival,” Shah said. “They
survive, and then the next generation gets the privilege of writing their stories. This is usually how it works. And so I consider myself really privileged to be able to write a story like this. And I think that’s what I mean by the American dream. I think this idea that if you work hard enough, if you follow a certain path, if you do whatever is necessary…they’ll [future generations] have a choice.”
Shah began her writing journey back in 2018, and shared the ups and downs of the writing process. As for the biggest challenge she faced, Shah had just one word.
“Motivation,” Shah said in the panel. “I think anyone who is a published author, or anyone who writes pretty regularly will tell you, don’t wait for the motivation. It’s about consistency. The idea is to just sit and do it for half an hour, an hour, two hours, whatever it is, every single day… I used to wait for motivation… And nothing was getting done. It was six months later, there were like, 5000 words. So then I got really driven and just sat every day and dedicated two to three hours, no matter what happens, I had to sit and write.”
Sebastian Patchouli, a senior accounting and global studies double major, has a special connection with Shah after studying abroad with her in Singapore and Japan over the winter intersession. He found the event to be a beneficial opportunity for students to hear the behind-the-scenes of what went into Shah’s writing.
“It was really cool to be able to sit down and hear more about what drove her to write the book,” Patchouli said. “That was really cool and it was nice to just hear her inspiration and how her family played into it, and the different people that inspire her.”
Shah encouraged students and young writers to always carve out the time for their passions.
“Especially most of you being in college, you’re probably constantly at homework and other demands, and so it’s really easy to forget to do something that you care
about creatively and just have to be writing,” Shah said. “I think there’s so many demands pulling at us that we forget to do the one thing that brings us a lot of joy sometimes, and so I would say, find consistent time for it.”
Another student, Ysabella Rincon, a senior management and global business double major, has Shah as her advisor. She enjoyed the opportunity to see Shah be vulnerable about her story and dive into her thought process while writing.
“My favorite part was probably the Q & A, because she got to express so much about her interests, what got her into writing the book, how she merged her culture and the experience that she had, but also, she mentioned some stereotypes come from truth,” Rincon said. “It’s the fact that so many people can most likely relate to the story, even if they’re not from that same exact background. I’m an immigrant myself, so I can see my story and I know a lot of people are gonna be able to relate to this book. I felt like it was such a privilege.”
Despite the book officially
releasing one month ago, the MU event held a special place in Shah’s heart.
“I’ve been here for 16 years,” Shah said after the panel in an interview with The Quadrangle. “This is my second home. It was so heartwarming to have students come to me and say they want to do this event, and then actually have so many people turn out for the event… I really love this community, and I particularly find that MU students are very empathetic and kind, and so they’ll resonate with a novel like this, because it’s all about building compassion.”
As for why students should pick up a copy?
“If you enjoy globalization and culture and global business or international relations, it sort of takes all the themes and elements and puts it in a really digestible love story,” Shah said. “And who doesn’t like a good love story?”
Those interested can purchase Shah’s book, “Anagram Destiny” on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Simon & Schuster and other online retailers.
Grishma Shah, Ph.D., before Thursday’s panel. GRACE CARDINAL / THE QUADRANGLE
Grishma Shah, Ph.D., meeting students at her book signing shortly after the panel.
It’s On Us at MU Shows Their Support For PreventionSuicide
Mary Haley Marketing Chair/Asst. Features Editor
September is suicide prevention month, and Manhattan University’s It’s On Us chapter made it their priority to discuss the topic at their event on the campus quad on Monday Sept. 30.
It’s On Us is a national club that is “dedicated to college sexual assault prevention, training a national network of student-led campus chapters to become peer-educators; developing suites of prevention education programs; and conducting and publishing research to expand the field of knowledge on violence prevention,” according to itsonus.org.
The university’s chapter of It’s On Us decided to get involved with spreading awareness about suicide prevention because of the tie between suicide rates and sexual assault survivors. Those who have been assaulted are more likely to have suicidal ideation, and It’s On Us highlighted that while also recognizing all who have struggled with suicide.
The group wanted to hold an event that was simple but able to host a comfortable conversation.
Ari Flores, underclassman president of It’s On Us, explained the bigger reason behind this event and what it meant to her.
“As a survivor of sexual assault, it’s really important that we know we are not alone in this world,” Flores said. “If I put my story out there, people will come and open up more. If we all share stories, it shows a lot of support towards the community and the school in general. It makes us seem more connected in ways we did not think we could be.”
To lead to this campuswide support, the group gave away ribbons of many different colors, each representing a
Multiple colors of ribbons were on display for people to wear to show how suicide has affected them. MARY HALEY / THE QUADRANGLE
different reason for supporting suicide prevention. Students were able to choose their color based on what it represented. Red was to represent a person dealing with the loss of their partner to suicide, teal represented a loss to suicide, green represented attempted suicide, along with many other colors.
The table also had a mirror to write positive notes on to reflect back on whoever looked into it.
When Justin Atwater, the chapter’s LGBTQ+ chair, got to the table, almost all of the ribbons were gone and the mirrors had no more room on them to write messages. Atwater explained to The Quadrangle that seeing this showed just how much this event resonated with the campus, and why these sometimes “taboo” topics need to be talked about more.
“I stayed for the last hour
and when I got there, there was already no space left on the mirrors, you could not even look at yourself through them,” Atwater said. “There were also only two blue ribbons left, and the blue ones are showing allyship for the month of suicide prevention. That was our quickest ran out ribbon, so it really showed that we have a lot of support on campus wanting to advocate for suicide prevention, which I thought was amazing.”
Genevieve Keelen, social media coordinator of It’s On Us, is one of many students who experienced a suicide on campus in the spring of 2021. She explained to The Quadrangle the importance of making this topic more normalized to discuss on campus.
“[Manhattan University] has had a suicide on campus while I have been here and in the
same building that I lived in,” Keelen said. “I just remember it being very grim on campus, and everybody knew about it, but no one was talking about it or doing anything about it. From my knowledge, there was not much done through the school to address the issue and to make sure the students were taken care of after that. They did offer counseling services, but they did not bring in anyone to speak about it to the community, they did not host events to talk about it, they did do Jasper Day of Wellness, which was a step forward, but then again, how much is that doing?”
With all of the success It’s On Us found from the event, the club is planning on introducing even more opportunities for sexual assault prevention and suicide prevention with fundraisers and more interactive events.
“Our events are usually just tied down to one table at our quad tables or in the spring we usually have events in Smith [Auditorium] or in Kelly [Commons],” Atwater said. “We want to make it more widespread instead of just one area on campus.”
For anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts or are in immediate danger, call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800273-3255.
arts & eNtertaiNmeNt
Former Pep Band Member John AppointedHammond as DirectorNew
Laili Shahrestani Staff Writer
Manhattan University’s Pep Band experienced a shift in leadership by appointing former member John Hammond as the new director of the group.
Hammond is currently a graduate student at MU and was previously a trombonist for the pep band. This change in leadership came as a shock to the band, due to the fact that the group has a track record of hiring more experienced faculty members for this particular position.
When speaking to The Quadrangle in regards to his new role, Hammond mentioned that he feels well-suited for the big shift. He touched on how his prior experience as a member
of the Pep Band allows him to get to know and understand his current students better.
“I have been in Pep Band since my freshman year,” Hammond said. “I am a second year graduate student now, so I definitely have gotten to know everyone. I’ve been there for their first years. I’ve been to every practice and all the games. I do feel like I really know and understand them very well.”
Students presently enrolled in the Pep Band feel as if the culture of the group has not changed at all since Hammond stepped into his new role. Current band members spoke about how having a director who was in their shoes not too long ago makes it easier for them to relate to one another, as well as understand each other better.
John
DelJuidice, a junior in
the MU Pep Band, spoke to The Quadrangle about how having a current student and former band member take on this new role fosters a positive and understanding environment.
“I have faith that he’ll do a great job this year,” DelJuidice said. “I think it is nice that he has prior Manhattan University Pep Band experience, and so he is able to understand a little bit more of who we are, what we like to play and how we like to conduct ourselves.”
With Hammond being a part of Pep Band for several years, he seems to be fully aware of what should be expected of the band, as well as what skills the students may need to have a successful year. The current president of Pep Band, Dennis Peitler, spoke with The Quadrangle in regards to how this shift in leadership brings a sense of ease to the team due to the fact that Hammond can
relate to his students.
“I like having a former member take over because there is a level of comfort and transparency,” Peitler said. “I think that goes with him being a previous member of the band.”
Although current Pep Band members expressed feelings of gratitude toward Hammond’s new position, they also held a few concerns regarding his lack of directing experience. Peitler went on to mention how he has faith in Hammond and believes he is doing great so far, yet his absence of experience is something that may be a concern.
“I think we definitely could have benefited in other ways by having an older faculty member as director,” Peitler said. “John may not have the necessary skills to give us the kinds of notes that a more experienced person would, but I think he
has done great so far.”
DelJuidice expressed how Hammond being a current graduate student at MU is convenient for the band, considering the fact that he is on campus and around his students all the time. DelJuidice acknowledged and admired Hammond’s efforts, while simultaneously sharing his feedback.
“I think that the lack of directing experience might be something that John will have to work on, but it is also great that he’s a student,” DelJuidice said. “As a student, he will be able to show up to all of the meetings that we have, because he lives on campus and is always around. I think that helps maintain the flow of the group a lot easier.”
John Hammond on trombone, smiling with his former colleagues during his time as a Pep Band member.
JOHN HAMMOND / COURTESY
The MU Pep Band performing and getting the crowd excited at an athletics event. (Pictured: Pep Band and Dennis Peitler on far right)
JOHN HAMMOND / COURTESY
Scatterbomb is Back, Bigger and Better Than Ever!
Elizabeth Kalaj Web Editor
Manhattan University’s improv club, Scatterbomb, took the stage for their first show of the academic year.
The night was advertised as “Sammerbomb” after Samuel Holert, a club member, who “stole” the show. He joked around with the crowd for about ten minutes before the show, then started with the opening scene.
Holert admitted that being on stage can be nervewracking, but the fun comes from the people on it and the receptiveness of the crowd can be so rewarding.
“I think improv is something that everyone could do,” Holert said. “We all improv daily, when we talk to people, we have a conversation and we are improving because we do not know what they are going to ask you.”
Quickly after his solo act, new members sitting in the audience broke out from the crowd in their new Scatterbomb merchandise and took the stage, joining the returners.
The improvised skits began inspired by words shouted out by the crowd, including “Mets,” “carrots,” and “schizophrenia.” The cast then took these words and bounced off one another’s ideas, ultimately formulating the first half-hour of laughs.
Sophomore Karie Alvarez, an audience member, was very impressed with the show and all of Scatterbomb’s members. This is the fifth show she has attended, and she explained why she keeps returning for more.
“I come to Scatterbomb because they are just hilarious,” Alvarez said. “I love coming here. It is such a fun time with friends to just come on a Friday night and see a show together done by MU’s own amazing improv group.”
This performance was the first for about half of the Scatterbomb members. Their membership recently jumped and was recognized through all the different energies brought to the stage.
Kristina Bopp, a freshman and mechanical engineering major, was amongst these new members who made their first debut.
“I did theater all through high school with a mix of tech [technical] and acting,” Bopp said.“When I saw the booth at the club fair, I was like ‘you know what, I am funny and I can join this’ and that was it.”
Bopp felt great after her multiple appearances on center stage during the night’s show.
“I feel good,” Bopp said. “I do not know where I came up with singing ‘Ice, Ice, Baby’ but it came and it delivered. I love being on stage and my performance was very true to myself.”
The Quadrangle spoke to Chayse Martino, president of Scatterbomb, about her thoughts leading up to the night and the difference between leading past groups and the larger group they have now.
“I was definitely nervous because at practice, there was just a bunch of different and new energies that were not always meshing,” Martino said. “Then, we practiced the whole opening bit and I was very confident about that to get the crowd excited. Once we started, I felt like all my worries went away because of how smoothly everything was going and how receptive the audience was.”
Martino agreed that seeing the crowd tonight and studying its different energies and receptiveness may influence a few things about future shows.
“We cannot say too much,” Martino said. “Definitely expect the unexpected with Scatterbomb this semester, and expect more shirts coming to the shows!”
Scatterbomb performs their first show of the semester. ANGELINA PEREZ / THE QUADRANGLE
New Lobby Gallery Artist Comes to O’Malley Library
“She saw the corinthian column, and she decided that she wanted to make it a site specific piece.”
Manhattan University has a new art exhibit at the entrance of the O’Malley Library featuring a column, piano keys and motorcycle bikes made with industrial-grade aluminum foil.
Amy Handfield, the director of access services for O’Malley Library, oversaw the entire process and collaborated closely with artist Jude Tallichet from conception to the current display.
“I’ve managed this gallery since 2018, and this year, the collaboration between the library and the artist came about because we were introduced to each other,” Handfield said. “I explained the space and said, ‘Perhaps you’d like to take a look’. I looked at her art and said, in my head, ‘I want to meet this artist, and I want her work to be here’.”
When Handfield first brought Tallichet to campus, she did not expect her to want to do one of the site-specific pieces, which are works of art designed specifically for a particular location and interrelated to that location.
“When [Tallichet] and her assistant visited, I took them around the library, and on the second floor, we have a Corinthian column near an atrium area near the windows and it’s one of the original columns of the old building from 1941,” Handfield said.
A blurb by Tallichet is between the front desk and one of the motorcycles. It reveals her inspiration and hopes for those who decide to stop by and appreciate her creativity and vision.
“In the exhibition ‘Bootleg Index’, I try to disrupt conventional modes of seeing and encourage a deeper engagement with the familiar and the overlooked by manipulating texture and form,” Tallichet wrote.
“My initial sources; the Library’s Corinthian column, motorcycles, and keyboards, aren’t exactly unfaithful to their translations, but hopefully they recede rather dramatically into the backstory. I want the artwork to sprout secondary and tertiary meanings. I hope to embrace the inherent mystery of the world around us by inviting curiosity, empathy, humor, and a sense of wonder by creating spatial experiences that maybe transcend the boundaries of language.”
Handfield asked Tallichet to compose an initial meaning for each piece, allowing students and faculty to interpret it in their own way.
“They come as objects, and that’s fine, but I wanted her to convey what she wants other meanings to come about,” Handfield said. “If someone said to you, ‘what does this piece mean?’ a response would be to ask them what they think it means, and it’s not a cop-out,
The display in O’Malley Library. ANGELINA PEREZ / THE QUADRANGLE
it’s what she wants, almost like you have primary meaning.”
Handfield elaborated on the diverse range of artists featured in the exhibit, noting their unique approaches and intentions with the space.
“Every artist we’ve had here, ceramicists, photographers, painters and collaborative exhibitionists, has had different intentions, meanings, and mediums,” Handfield said. “But much of what [Tallichet] works with are more spaces, so she does more installation work. If you happen to be here during the first week of classes, you would see Jude and her assistant on
the second floor molding the column; there’s a physicality to it.”
Sophomore physics major Sydney Gaddy has enjoyed seeing the art displays in the library since she first arrived at MU last year.
“Before the art piece that we currently have, I was already used to the previous artwork, which I would appreciate as general art that most people can understand,” Gaddy said.
“Since it’s a library, we’re getting people from all different walks of life, and when I saw them taking down the old art, I was expecting another, more
classical and widely accepted art style. So when I saw the tin foil, I thought it was interesting. I think it’s just a strange piece for a library, but it is interesting and temporary.”
Gaddy emphasized the importance of showcasing art in a space primarily dedicated to work, believing it enriches the student experience as they enter.
“It’s important that since we are a small school when we have artwork, it’s in a space we all use,” Gaddy said. “It helps give a good vibe and avoids making the space feel sterile.”
Angelina Perez Arts and Entertainment Editor
Jasper Games of the Week
Women’s Volleyball Manhattan University lost 3-0 to the Iona Gaels in Wednesday night’s women’s volleyball match-up. After a tough first set, the Jaspers fought back in the second set, taking a 15-6 lead, but Iona came back to win the next two sets and the match.
Iona started the match strong, scoring five of the first seven points. MU briefly led 13-10, but Iona went on several scoring runs to win the first set 25-20, with the Jaspers losing the last three points due to errors.
In the second set, MU got off to a good start, leading 12-4 and building a nine-point advantage. However, Iona came back with a 10-1 run to tie the game at 16. Both teams
traded points, but Iona won the set 25-23, helped by Mackenzie Wiggins’ four kills during their run. In the third set, Iona stayed in control, though the Jaspers tied the game at 21 after a disputed call. Iona still managed to close out the set 25-21 to win the match.
Maike Bertens earned her fifth double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 kills, and freshman Lizzy Kovach added 9 digs. Iona was led by Wiggins with 11 kills and 13 digs, while Mija Jegers had 13 kills and 9 digs. Jaylyn Simon contributed 32 assists for the Gaels.
Men’s Soccer MU took control of their game against Canisius, winning 3-0 at Gaelic Park on the afternoon of Sept. 28.
The Jaspers scored with goals from John Bernardi in the 30th minute, Sebastiano Musu in the 37th, and Tony Yeboah in the 78th, while controlling the pace of the game.
The Jaspers started strong, keeping most of the possession and shutting down Canisius’ attacks. Defender Nassim Akki played a key role, marking Canisius forward Ely Sidibe throughout the match.
Bernardi scored the first goal with a free kick from over 20 yards out, leaving Canisius goalie Jack Petrie unable to stop it. MU continued to press, with fullbacks Enseh Sanneh and Noah Boyce adding pressure. Akki made a long pass from near midfield that found Musu, who headed it into the net to make it 2-0 in the 37th minute.
Yeboah added the final goal in the 78th minute after receiving a pass from Henry Hamilton and easily beating Petrie. Manhattan outshot Canisius 15-10 and controlled 63% of the possession.
Women’s Soccer MU and Mount St. Mary’s ended in a 0-0 tie on Wednesday afternoon at Waldron Family Stadium. The tie earned the Jaspers their fifth point in
the MAAC season after four conference games. MU controlled much of the second half, especially in the last 15 minutes. Olivia McMaster had a shot saved by Mount goalkeeper Adelaide Paredes in the 84th minute, and with just 37 seconds left, Amaya Hill’s shot from the top of the box went over the goal.
The Jaspers outshot Mount St. Mary’s 22-4, with a 15-1 advantage in the second half. They also earned 15 corner kicks, while the Mountaineers only had one. MU had nine shots on goal compared to just one from Mount St. Mary’s. Sami Derrico, Arancha Antunes, Julia Nicholas, and McMaster each had two shots on target. Goalkeeper Molly Brunk only needed to make one save, thanks to a strong defense. She is now tied for the MAAC lead with six shutouts.
Emmanouel Sofillas
Asst. Sports Editor
Women’s
Jaspers Fall to Mount Saint Mary’s 2-1
Owen McWalters Contributor
The Jaspers clashed with Mount Saint Mary’s College at Gaelic Park on Saturday afternoon. In a physical game that was filled with penalties and opportunities, MU fell short in a 2-1 loss.
Mount Saint Mary’s found success early, as they netted their first goal just six minutes into the game. The goal was courtesy of Maks Czyz. He found himself open on a corner kick that would find the back of the net for the Knights. This
1-0 lead set the tone for the Knights in the first half.
Coming into the second half, it seemed as if that tone had switched almost immediately. Just four minutes into the half, Jaspers forward Sebastian Musu would charge the net and draw a penalty in the box. He would convert the awarded penalty kick and knot the game up at one a piece. Musu commented on his successful approach for the kick after the game.
“I’m very confident with myself,” Musu said. “Of course, those moments take a little bit of time and you think a little bit. Then at the
end of the day I say to myself ‘I’m going to score every time I hit the ball.’”
The Knights responded quickly with a goal of their own. Just 10 minutes later, Graham Douglad would fire a shot into the Jaspers net and put the Knights up 2-1. That would prove to be the game-winner.
The rest of the game would have the Knights sitting back in a defensive front. An aggressive Jaspers team would tack on additional fouls and a yellow card. Although a valiant effort, the Jaspers would end up dropping the game 2-1.
Although quiet, the offense was still able to fire off 17 shots throughout the game, including
four of them being on goal. With some chances that missed the net and others that were stopped by Knights keeper, Julian Marcos.
“We did pretty well to create chances in the first half,” Musu said. “We approached well. We played with our tempo. We got the penalty, we scored the penalty. I think we did some good things.”
Looking forward, the Jaspers will take a trip down to Jersey City for their next matchup against St. Peters.
The struggling Peacocks have yet to find a win on the season with a record of 0-7-2 (0-1-1 thus far against
the MAAC). Jaspers forward Tony Yeboah commented on how the team will have to respond next Saturday.
“Sometimes (the game) doesn’t go your way, but that’s just part of the game,” Yeboah said. “It doesn’t mean we did not work hard. We work harder, and we’re going to continue working harder so that we can bounce back. We never gave up. Last season we did a lot by going to away games and winning a lot of those games. I think that we can do that this season too.”
The game proved to be a tough loss for the Jaspers. They will now move to 1-1 in MAAC play.
The coaches of the team declined to comment following the game.
