TheCommuterStudent AssociationNowOverseenby StudentEngagement
Barbara Vasquez
Asst. Production Editor
Manhattan University’s Commuter Student Association (CSA) has undergone changes in the past year, and is now up and running full-time under student engagement.
Previously, the group was functioning under the commuter services and outreach division at MU. According to manhattan. edu, commuter services and outreach was a, “One-stop shop where commuters can connect with each other, find resources and receive support.”
MU has a relatively high commuter population, where, “70% of students live off campus,” according to usnews.com. With such a large density of commuter students,
the CSA plays an extremely important role at the university.
Commuter students may, at times, feel disconnected to campus life, and the CSA hopes to help with this feeling.
“There are many struggles as a commuter on campus, but one specific struggle is feeling like you don’t fit in,” Laisha Delgado, co-president of CSA, wrote in an email to The Quadrangle. “It’s really hard to go to any events on campus or make friends on campus when you’re juggling work, commuting and school work.”
However, CSA aims to ease these struggles through their organization. Maria Galindo, the other co-president of the CSA, shared more on the purpose of the group.
“The purpose of CSA is to offer a space for commuters to connect with other students that may have similar interests as them,” Galindo wrote in an
email to The Quadrangle. “It’s a place for them to feel welcomed and build a community.”
With the disbandment of commuter outreach and a new full-time membership under student engagement, CSA has already begun working on bettering commuter students’ experience at MU. Galindo explains that the group may have experienced some changes.
“Students should expect the organization [CSA] to be different in a good way– we’ve been trying to create more events and collaborate with other clubs,” Delgado wrote.
As for how the organization coordinates with student engagement, Delgado explained that student engagement meets with the CSA regularly to discuss any
Manhattan University
Director
Mack Olmsted Features Editor
Manhattan University recently hired a new residence life director, Ronnie Genee, who has returned to his home town of Riverdale to lead campus residents.
Residence life has undergone multiple shifts in leadership over the course of a year with Genee being the third director. He succeeds Matthew Lewis, who was terminated in 2023 and Eric Rivera, who left the university after his appointment in 2024.
Genee told The Quadrangle that he chose to work at Manhattan University because he believes MU has a unique student population. Genee explained that he cares about serving the community and wants the opportunity to build a program suitable for the student population.
“What I’ve noticed with a lot of the religious institutions like Manhattan University is that the students tend to be students who are looking out for one another, students who really care about service to one another and service to the community,” Genee said. “And that can lead to an opportunity to build a great program here for the students. That’s part of the reason why I came here.”
Within his first few weeks
working at the university, Genee wants to observe and assess the needs of students to try to implement programs that cater to them. Currently, Genee is trying to speak with students as well as staff to see what issues have been present in the past, and if they’re still current issues. He then hopes to put together a plan on how he can move forward within the Residence Life department.
Resident assistant (RA) and junior Vanessa Goncalves told The Quadrangle that she believes Genee will have a lasting impact.
“You can definitely tell he’s trying to pick [the university] up in every way, shape or form,” Gonclaves said. “When necessary, he’s trying to make those changes that some prior people might have stubbornly held on to, so I think he’s gonna have a good impact on the college because he’s open.”
Over the summer, and at the start of the semester, there was no director of residence life. With Genee now at the helm, it allows the department to be more unified and strategic when moving forward with future endeavors.
First year RA Anthony De Castro told The Quadrangle that he appreciates the leadership Genee brings to the table and how he looks forward to working under him.
“It’s very helpful, because
Volume CX, Issue 7
OCTOBER 15, 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,
Hello, and welcome to issue 7! We’ve officially passed the halfway mark of the semester, and I am so grateful you’ve continued to stick with us.
First and foremost this week, I’d like to draw your attention to an article published as an online exclusive last Friday. Manhattan University and Quadrangle alumnus Jeremy Loffredo, ‘19, was detained while reporting in Israel last Wednesday. While he has since been released, he is not free to leave the country until Oct. 20. Loffredo is one of five journalists detained last week and is one of many others who have suffered due to reporting on the Israel-Gaza conflict. The Quadrangle stands in solidarity with Loffredo and all journalists working tirelessly to bring these paramount stories to light. We will continue to provide updates as they become available. The most current information we have available as of Oct. 14 can be read here.
On another note, we are still fundraising to be able to print our 100 years issue in just two short weeks. We are so close to our goal! Thank you to all who have already donated, we appreciate you more than you know. Even if you are not in a position to currently donate, it is an enormous help when you share our fundraiser with family, friends and across social media. The link to our GoFundMe is here. I promise, we plan to make this issue worth your while!
As for this week in issue 7, we have some notable stories for you to check out. In news, we welcome a new residence life director and follow the MU radiation therapy technology department to their annual conference in Washington D.C. In features, we showcase the Rainbow Jaspers’ annual coming out dinner and MU’s resources for midterm success. In A&E, we feature Lotus magazine’s model casting calls and the first Coffee House event of the semester. Lastly, in a packed sports section, we speak to Men’s Golf, a special student athlete of the week and speak to the MU Tennis Club as they enter year two. Check it all out!
Until next time,
ManhattanUniversityWelcomesRonnie GeneeastheNewResidenceLifeDirector
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
having that extra resource, it really does open a lot of new doors,” De Castro said. “For example, it’s always good to have a support system behind you, knowing that you’re not alone. If anything goes wrong, you always have him, especially with Ronnie [Genne] having a bunch of experience in the Res Life field, having a person with a lot of experience behind you, especially as a new RA like me.”
Genne wanted to let students know that they could reach out to him as a resource for future Residence Life questions.
“I would love for students to come and tell me the things that we need to do better on, things that are working and how their living experience is,” Genee said. “But I think that my plan is to be here and be here for the students. Whatever the students need, whether it has to deal with residence life or has to do with something else on this campus, I’m here for them to give them the best experience I can.”
TheCommuterStudentAssociationNow
OverseenbyStudentEngagement
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
issues that need addressing.
“In regards to our relationship with student engagement, we work with Vaiden Ferraro, who is VP of commuter affairs,” Delgado wrote. “We coordinate via a group chat and bi-weekly meetings with Vaiden and she relays anything we need help with to student engagement.”
This change has had a positive impact on the group and its members already, according to Galindo.
“Working with student engagement has helped us create the experience we want our commuters to have,” Galindo wrote.
Both CSA and student engagement are hoping to work towards creating more
opportunities for commuter students in order to better their time on campus and to further expand the community of CSA.
“Now that we’re fully under student engagement it should be easier to reach more commuters,” Delgado wrote. “But other students at MU can show their support for CSA by simply going to our events and promoting our club through their own clubs or just by word of mouth.”
Galindo also expressed that CSA is open to new students year round.
“All students are welcome to join CSA,” Galindo wrote.
In the near future, the CSA has events planned, including an empanada social on October 21 and collaborations with other clubs on campus such as the Black Student Union (BSU) and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE).
The Office for Residence Life can be found in the fifth floor ofThomas Hall. GOOGLE / COURTESY
The MU Radiation Therapy DepartmentTechnology Attends the Annual ASTRO Conference in D.C
Karen Flores Staff Writer
The Manhattan University radiation therapy department attended the American Society for Radiation Oncology Conference in Washington D.C. to speak about their achievements.
According to astro.org the society is, “the premier radiation oncology society in the world with more than 10,000 members who are physicians, nurses, biologists, physicists, radiation therapists, dosimetrists and other health care professionals who specialize in treating patients with radiation therapies.”
The site goes on to explain that it, “is dedicated to improving patient care through professional education and training, support for clinical practice and health policy standards, advancement of science and research and advocacy.”
Students who were
interested in attending the conference were asked to fill out an application, which included writing an essay as well as looking at other qualifications.
One senior and one junior from MU were chosen to attend.
Kasey Howard, a junior radiation therapy major, was one of the two students chosen to attend the meeting. She shared that her uncle, an MU alumus, was the reason why she decided to venture into a career involving radiation therapy.
“The reason why I did it is I always liked healthcare, but could not see myself being a doctor or a nurse so I looked into other fields,” Howard said.
“I read about radiation therapy and thought it was really interesting. At the time, one of my close family members, my uncle, was sick, and he just started receiving radiation therapy. He was an MU alumni.
Manhattan University is one of the few schools that offers radiation therapy and I decided to come here.”
Angela Oliveira, another MU alum, is the chair for the
department of radiation therapy technology. She was invited to present at the conference this year and her topic was centered around bridging the gap for enhanced radiation therapy education.
“This national conference for radiation therapy professionals is where we can connect and collaborate and network on new advancements in the field,” Oliveira said. “I was invited to present this year in Washington, D.C. and the topic was from classroom to clinic, bridging the gap for enhanced radiation therapy education. It really focused on ways that we could connect the two areas so that students have a better experience in the clinic after they’ve completed their didactic coursework during their undergrad.”
Oliveira was a radiation therapist for 14 years prior to moving into higher education. She saw that there was a disconnect between what students learned in the classroom and what they learned when being in a clinical setting.
“I really noticed the significant gap between the preparedness of students from when they started their coursework compared to when they entered the clinic,” Oliveira said. “Being able to research and study this area actually helped us make improvements within our program, which we’ve seen a really positive improvement from just speaking to our clinical educators and our instructors here at the college.”
Within the radiation therapy technology department, students get the chance to shadow someone inside a radiation therapy clinic prior to their acceptance in the program. Oliveira explained that this is something that is crucial for students who are trying to figure out what they wish to pursue a career in.
“I think that’s really important because our profession is so specific, and it’s really important that applicants
and students know exactly what they’re getting into,” Oliveira said. “We’re dealing with a very sick population, so it’s important that they have an understanding of that, and this is also a career for someone who is looking for deep patient interactions.
That’s a really big part of our job as radiation therapists, someone who’s looking to help others and improve the patient experience.”
Victoria Humann, the clinical coordinator of the radiation therapy technology department, shared a bit about what students do within the major in order to prepare for a career in radiation therapy.
“The clinic aspect is required for radiation therapy and students have to do 240 days of clinics,” Humann said. “We assign them into their clinics so they know when they come into our program that they are responsible to do those days. This is a great field, it’s a small field but if patient care is something you are interested
in and you enjoy the sciences and math this is a career you should look into.”
Howard reflected on her experience at the conference and expressed feeling very inspired by seeing her professor present her work to everyone and meeting those who have already gained valuable experience from being in the field.
“Seeing my professor present in a national conference put into perspective how these are experiences and goals I could achieve too,” Howard said. “Her teacher pushed her to go to these presentations and now she is the one speaking while being a program director. It makes me feel like I can do what she has done as being able to network with some of the biggest names in the radiation therapy field are experiences that I will never forget. I hope that donors and alumni continue to sponsor and fund for students to go to these kinds of conferences because it was such a great experience.”
Angelia Oliveira, chair of radiation therapy department, presenting her research at the ASTRO conference.
ANGELA OLIVEIRA / COURTESY
(Left to right) Angela Oliveira, Kasey Howard, Kristen Cada, and Victoria Humann Representing Manhattan University at the ASTRO Conference
ANGELA OLIVEIRA / COURTESY
ManhattanCaucus:An UnconventionalStyleOf Campaigning:Trumpand HarrisTakeTheMic
Elaina Batista Contributor
On Oct. 6, an episode of “Call Her Daddy”, a podcast hosted by Alex Cooper, was released featuring Vice President Kamala Harris. Audiences had mixed reviews on the appearance.
One of the main grievances people had with Harris appearing on “Call Her Daddy” was that it appeared as though Harris was not taking this election seriously. This interview caused a great deal of criticism on the internet as reported by NewsWeek. Harris’s opponent, Former President Donald Trump has also been on several podcasts throughout his campaign and has not received the same level of criticism.
Cooper recorded an introduction to her podcast “Call Her Daddy”, explaining that she has no intention of telling people who to vote for and where they should align politically. She even stated that she gave Trump the same opportunity to have a sit down
conversation and have the opportunity to get his message across to her listeners. Trump declined her offer.
Within the forty-five minute long podcast between Harris and Cooper, they discussed everything from relationships and sex to sexuality and trauma. Cooper’s platform mainly appeals to Gen-Z and millennial women, but the episode received a lot of backlash due to the fact that listeners do not want politics entering a space that is meant for casual fun, as discussed in an article by CBS
One of the main topics of this presidential election was the overturning of Roe v. Wade, so Harris took the opportunity to speak directly to young female voters and urge them to understand how important this upcoming election is. Harris emphasized the importance of women having control over their own bodies and argued that Trump’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade was ultimately “immoral”.
In addition to sitting with Cooper on her podcast, Harris recently appeared on the basketball podcast “All the Smoke,” hosted by Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson
Vice President Kamala Harris on Alex Cooper’s “Call Her Daddy.” FT.COM / COURTESY
and on Howard Stern’s radio show.
Trump has been on several podcasts throughout his campaign, including Logan Paul’s podcast, “Impulsive”.
The 90-minutes Trump had on Paul’s podcast did not spike as much discourse on the internet as much as the sit down between Cooper and Harris. Paul also extended an invitation to President Joe Biden to appear on the podcast before Biden withdrew from the election. Paul asked Trump
questions ranging from pop culture and the existence of aliens to the fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson, artificial intelligence, deep fakes and technology, according to NBC Trump was also a guest on “Flagranta”, a comedy podcast hosted by stand-up comics Andrew Schulz and Akassh Singh and on former-MTVreality star now comedian Theo Von’s podcast, “This Past Weekend With Theo Von.”
More listeners seemed to think that this interview was
less “problematic”, according to Mother Jones, due to the fact that Von’s questions represented inquiries from a large voter base.
According to the New Yorker, both Harris and Trump have acknowledged that they must understand how voters of America are consuming their media, and how adapting to the new age is crucial to their campaign.
Features Manhattan University’s Rainbow Jaspers Hold Annual Coming Out Dinner Celebration to Honor LGBTQ+ Voices
Laili Shahrestani and Angelina Persaud Staff Writer and Managing Editor/News Editor
The Rainbow Jaspers held their annual Coming Out Dinner celebration on Oct. 10 to honor the LGBTQ+ community on campus and spread awareness about the Pride Center.
The Rainbow Jaspers have been hosting the dinner for several years now, however, the Pride Center itself has only been open since 2023. The Pride Center serves as an extension of the Rainbow Jaspers, and gives them an affiliated space to share resources and support with the LGBTQ+ community.
According to a press release about the Pride Center on manhattan.edu, the center serves as, “A gathering place and supportive environment for LGBTQ+ Jaspers…working on policy development, building an alumni network and operating as the central outward-facing institution for the LGBTQ+ campus community.”
Current president of the Rainbow Jaspers, Ashley Karlosky, spoke to The Quadrangle about why she came back to the dinner for the second time after having attended her first event as a freshman.
“It was really inspiring to see how open and honest people were with their stories,” Karlosky said. “And it also just confirmed for me that I like this community here, I want to get more involved with it. I think it’s so important, not only for me, but also for other students to see there’s such a big community here that is so willing to support you at the drop of a hat, we love you.”
The Coming Out Dinner celebration served as a safe space for individuals of the LGBTQ+ community to come together, and speak about their experiences freely.
The Pride Center along with the Rainbow Jaspers are motivated to create an open environment for students to be true to themselves without any external judgment.
Grace Coutu, a sophomore and the social media manager of the Rainbow Jaspers, emphasized the importance of holding these types of events at Manhattan University, and developing an inclusive campus for the students.
“Things like this are really important, especially for freshmen and younger students,” Coutu said. “Because even though the LGBTQ+ community is obviously at a much better place than it ever has been, it’s still very difficult for students to work through that, especially if they come from unaccepting families.”
Aaron Schoepf, a junior and a current member of the Rainbow Jaspers, added on to the idea that events such as the Coming Out Dinner celebration allows for LGBTQ+ students to feel accepted and true to themselves. He highlighted how the Pride Club
and Rainbow Jaspers create an area for students to embrace who they are openly and wholeheartedly.
“I think events like this are super important to let people know that there is a group on campus that is a safe space if they don’t feel comfortable for any other reason,” Schoepf said. “It is just a space where we can have events like these, and people can be like, ‘Oh, I don’t have to wear this mask’.”
Through the tradition of the annual Coming Out Dinner celebration, Karlosky spoke about how it acts as a way for LGBTQ+ students to reclaim their stories from their own
personal lives, and share them with others who may have had similar experiences. She goes on to explain how events like these are empowering for many students, and bring support to anybody who may need it.
“A lot of people’s coming out stories are touchy subjects,” Karlosky said. “They’re not always the most fun, beautiful, accepting experiences and so being able to reclaim that and speak it out in a safe space with people that truly support you is almost like reclaiming your power back and your narrative on the story.”
Members of the Rainbow Jaspers prepare for the Coming Out Dinner celebration. ANGELINA PERSAUD / THE QUADRANGLE
Unlocking Manhattan University’s Resources for Midterm Success
Leyla J. Mercado Asst. News Editor
Midterm week is no stranger to Manhattan University students. Between packed libraries, hefty schedules and multiple iced coffees, students are in the midst of a busy, and often stressful, exam week.
As students juggle numerous tests and assignments, it’s often expressed that the pressure
to perform well can become overwhelming. Manhattan University aims to provide students with numerous resources and support during stressful times.
The counseling center and the Center for Academic Success (CAS) are two vital resources that aid students and provide MU’s campus with limitless support.
The university’s counseling center serves the purpose of being there for students whenever it comes to their overall well-being alongside their mental and emotional health.
According to manhattan. edu, the counseling center provides a, “wide range of counseling services which include developmental, preventive and remedial approaches to student development.” The center’s clinicians also consist of, “licensed psychologists, social workers and mental counselors from different cultural and theoretical backgrounds.”
While dealing with midterms, the counseling center allows students to find a sense of tranquility and openness. Students have
access to a trusted official to discuss troubles or overloading stress, which can be helpful to maintaining their mental health.
The counseling center is also more accessible to help students whenever they’re in need through scheduled appointments.
The Center for Academic Success is another effective source that offers study sessions and tutoring in the Learning Commons, Writing Center, the Leo Learning Center and the Lee Learning Commons.
According to manhattan. edu, the “CAS is committed to providing student-centered programs and initiatives designed to enhance learning and promote success and persistence.” It further adds that the CAS core values consist of, “a student-centered approach to learning that emphasizes self-directedness, excellence and integrity.”
Henriette Feldman, a sophomore elementary/ special education major with a concentration in Spanish, spoke on how CAS has been there for her during midterm week.
“I feel that they help me whenever I need a tutor,” Feldman said. “I could go there and ask for one in whatever subject I’m having trouble with at the moment. They always pair me with someone who knows the subject or course really well and it increases my grade overall. I couldn’t ask for a better form of academic support on campus. Especially during exam week, it’s the greatest help.”
With one-on-one peer tutoring, students can get the academic support that they need. Assistance is available for midterm exams through the Center of Academic Success.
The university provides various outlets to create an easygoing and relaxed environment. Students have made it evident that they feel assisted by professors and campus resources.
Zendrah Bonnick, a sophomore student and political science major, spoke more about what this means to her.
“It is nice to be able to reach out to professors or offices for help with assignments or to just clarify things before the midterms,” Bonnick said. “For me and a lot of other students, knowing that there are people to reach out to for more help is really useful. It’s hard to not feel like everything is happening at once with so many exams and things to do, but with the support I’m given by MU, I can definitely say it’s made it easier for me.”
For students who may need additional support, The Learning Commons in Thomas Hall can be accessed at 718862-7414, and the counseling staff at 718-862-7394.
LotusModelMagazine’s Casting Brings Fashion and Stories to Life
Asst. Sports Editor
Lotus Magazine at Manhattan University recently held an open casting call for models for its upcoming 15th issue. This semester, the magazine wants to combine stories with creative photo shoots, aiming for a smooth presentation highlighting its subjects’ unique stories.
The casting process for models is essential, as the team looks for individuals who fit the magazine’s vision of creativity and self-expression. A dedicated group of editors, stylists, photographers and coordinators work together to plan and carry out each shoot, showcasing the diverse talent in the college community.
Michaela Scully, a senior and communication major, shared her vision for the 15th issue of Lotus.
“This year is going to be really special because we obviously have two new editors in chief, Ava [Gaspari] and Ivy [Jaep] and they’re aiming to combine the photo shoot aspect more with the editorial and written aspect,” Scully said. “In the past, it’s been very separate concepts, but we’re looking to have an overall flow within the stories and the photo shoots this year.”
Scully explained the photo shoot process, starting with the creation of a Pinterest board to visualize the desired poses, makeup, hair and clothing. Once the concept is laid out, they determine the number of models needed and choose a location.
The Lotus team has designated makeup artists, hair stylists, and photographers to support these visions. Stylists play a crucial role in production to ensure their vision translates to the final product.
“Last year, I did all the graphic design for the layout, which was fun,” Scully said.
“Seeing it in print is always so satisfying and rewarding.”
When discussing the qualities necessary for success in this collaborative environment, Scully emphasized teamwork and open communication.
“You have to be ready to put your best foot forward with all aspects and be open to creative expression through fashion,” Scully said.
Scully also praised the photographers for their creativity during past shoots, which included capturing the stylist’s vision through accessories such as nails and jewelry.
“It depends on the photo shoot and what the stylist is looking for,” Scully said. “For my shoot last semester, I aimed for more of an editorial look with both headshots and body shots.”
Scully also reflected on this year’s casting call, noting the participants’ eagerness. “Everyone seemed so confident and sure of themselves, and they looked amazing,” Scully said. “I’m definitely excited for this production.”
Liz Dong, the photography director and a senior digital media art major, along with Milan Marukovich, the model coordinator and a sophomore civil engineering major, shared their insights on the vision for the 15th issue of Lotus magazine.
“This semester, we’re really focusing on embracing everyone and showcasing our diverse population, especially with our photo shoots,” Marukovich said. “We aim to celebrate all of us and highlight the artistic side of Lotus.”
“We’re always trying to push new ideas and elevate each photo shoot, making sure everything we do is something we’re proud of,” Dong added.
Dong emphasized that the decision-making process of the magazine is collaborative, involving stylists, editors and the entire team to ensure alignment with their vision. She described the process from photo shoot ideas to final decisions.
“Everyone pitches ideas, and we sit down to see which ones align with our vision for the semester,” Dong said. “We then have modeling casting calls and coordinate the shoots throughout October.”
Marukovich reflected on the standout moments during the casting calls, highlighting the participants’ confidence.
“It’s amazing to see people come out and be confident,” Marukovich said. “That’s what I love about my job—bringing out that confidence in others.”
The pair discussed the challenges they face, especially with communication and teamwork.
“We have weekly meetings to ensure effective communication and collaboration,” Marukovich said. “The entire magazine relies on everyone doing their part, and it’s rewarding when
everything comes together.”
Dong passionately described her experience as the photography director of Lotus magazine over the past three years.
“Being able to see everyone’s vision come to life is my favorite part of the semester,” Dong said. “It’s an honor to execute their ideas through photography.”
Lotus is one group on campus that stands out for bringing people together who love fashion, design and makeup. Marukovich spoke about what makes Lotus stand out at Manhattan University.
“There’s really nothing like Lotus on campus,” Marukovich said. “It allows people to express themselves through fashion, design, and makeup. I’m grateful for the connections I’ve made and the experiences I’ve had through this club.”
Emmanouel Sofillas
Model Coordinator Milan Marukovich’s Lotus shoot from Spring 2024 called Babushka. LIZ DONG / COURTESY
Head Stylist Michaela Scully's Lotus shoot from spring 2024 called Primordial.
/ COURTESY
arts & eNtertaiNmeNt
Coffee House Kicks Off Another Semester Showcasing New and Old Talent
Mack Olmsted Features Editor
Coffee House returned this semester on the fifth floor of Thomas Hall with musical performances, stand-up comedy and poetry readings, where participants showcased their talents in a casual and judgment-free environment.
Seniors Matt Regalado and Jill Tuthill have been hosting Coffee House for a year and are
excited to continue highlighting student talents throughout the current academic year.
Regalado first performed on campus through Coffee House, where he gained the courage to take the stage and display his talent to like-minded peers.
“I remember when I was a freshman, I was nervous about performing and playing music or singing in front of people,” Regalado said. “It was Coffee House that sort of got me into that mind space of being able to perform and sing in front of people and show them who I
The Coffee House stage where students perform music, standup, poetry readings and more.
MACK OLMSTED / THE QUADRANGLE
am musically.” Regalado encourages anyone interested in performing but who might be scared of being on stage to go to a Coffee House event.
“If you’re too scared to perform, just come and watch, and you’d be surprised how easy it is to sign up to sing something or to say something,” Regalado said.
Samantha Pavlik, a senior at Manhattan University, got on stage for the first time and did a reading on an original poem she wrote.
“This was my first time, and I planned it about seven minutes before I went up,” Pavlik said. “I was just inspired by people putting themselves out there, so I just did it, and I’m always surprised about the talent on campus so I figured maybe I’ll give it a shot. It was so scary. I just kept looking at my phone, but I felt good about myself, and I tried it, and it was fun.”
Lochlan Reeder, a senior at MU, performed an original song he wrote. He is a frequent attendee at the Coffee House events.
“It was pretty chilly tonight, there were a lot of nice vibes, a few new people and a lot of old faces, too,” Reeder said. “Coming back to campus, Coffee House is a good start to the year and I thought everyone did a good job and they got a decent variety of performers in here. My favorite part about it all is the vibes. You’d look over at your friend and talk about the performances being cool.”
Senior Mark Dusovic was another attendee who performed an original song he had written. He described his experience to The Quadrangle.
“It’s fun to be here and meet people and hear them,” Dusovic said. “I have been to
Mark Dusovic performing one of his original songs.
MACK OLMSTED / THE QUADRANGLE
pretty much all of them since I was a sophomore and they are awesome. I like them because my friend runs them and it’s always fun to play your music and hearing people’s original music.”
Regalado was pleased with the performances last Thursday and hopes that new people will continue to attend the event.
“It’s a whole new semester, this is just the first one of the year and I hope
everybody comes into our next one and checks it out,” Regalado said. “If people are interested, they can follow us @mccoffeehouse on Instagram.”
*Editor’s Note: Jill Tuthill is The Quadrangle’s assistant A&E editor.
Jasper Jams: Songs For Your Next Workout Session
Ty Jackson Contributor
As a college student, I feel it is important to find ways to nourish the body and mind. To relieve the pressure I have, I head to the Kelly Commons Fitness Center on a regular basis to get some exercise. Regardless of what type of exercises people do at the gym, I often notice people multitasking in some way.
As people do their gym routine, they may be listening to a podcast, watching a movie, or talking with a friend while exercising.
I multitask by listening to my music library while working out, which always motivates me. For today’s edition of Jasper Jams, I’ve curated what I consider to be the best songs to play to rile you up for whatever type of exercise you plan on doing next. Hopefully, these songs will get you locked in just as much as they do for me.
No One Knows by Queens of the Stone Age
This song is essential for my workout mix because it gets you immediately pumped up with its catchy guitar riffs. The song is sung in a way where Josh Homme’s vocals express raw emotion, leaving me in the moment. The whole song gives off vibes of The Beatles, but if The Beatles used questionable substances to write music. Regardless, this song is perfect if you put all your energy into something, not just exercise.
Favorite Verse: “I journey
through the desert / Of the mind with no hope / I follow / I drift along the ocean / Dead lifeboat in the sun / And come undone / Pleasantly caving in / I come undone.”
Face to Face by Daft Punk
Daft Punk are absolute titans when it comes to the EDM genre. There are dozens of their songs I could’ve selected; practically all of them are perfect for a gym session, but I ended up choosing this one, which I feel combines the best of their funky and fresh beats while also having deep lyrics. The song is about facing reality and confronting your emotions in the moment, which I feel is relatable and encouraging. Combine that with the song’s heavy use of synthesizers and samples from artists like Electric Light Orchestra, and you have a song that’s ideal for any instance where you need to be motivated.
Favorite Verse: “What’s going on? Could this be my understanding? / It’s not your fault I was being too demanding / I must admit, it’s my pride that made me distant / All because I hoped that you’d be someone different
Pet Cheetah by Twenty One Pilots
If you want to unleash the most feral and blood-hungry parts of your mind, Twenty One Pilots has you covered. Sometimes, you feel trapped in your anxieties, and all you want to do is escape; all you can do is wonder what to do next. Then you realize all you must do is take your troubles and keep moving forward. When
Tyler Joseph sings, “I wanna stop time, I’ll sit here ‘till I find the problem,” I felt that! Coupled with the immaculate percussion provided by Josh Dun, this song is wonderful all around, especially when you need to hype yourself up.
Favorite Verse: “I am on an island, no one to confide / Eight days straight, eight hours each and not one line / I can feel pressure start to possess my mind / So, I’ll take this beat I should delete to exercise.”
Butterflies and Hurricanes by Muse
Now, we’ve come back to the songs with major intensity. This song is about finding your inner power incarnate. This song uses its orchestral sound to great benefit, almost feeling like you’re in an action movie. While the song never mentions anything about butterflies or hurricanes, you genuinely feel the immersion that you’re surrounded by those two words that don’t make much sense when put together. Not much else to say. Instant banger.
Favorite Verse: “Change everything you are / And everything you were / Your number has been called / Fights and battles have begun / Revenge will surely come / Your hard times are ahead.”
Lies by CHVRCHES
I like CHVRCHES because my twin likes CHVRCHES. I can guarantee they watch Love Island instead of listening to music when they work out, but this one’s for you, Frida! This song’s energetic techno beats are on full display, making
you want to get up and do something productive. That feeling is found in the lyrics, too, saying there will always be people around to support you through good times and bad. This song is an upbeat, robotic hodgepodge of positive vibes to challenge discomfort. This is precisely the type of song you would hear being played during an ‘80s gym montage.
Favorite Verse: “Icon of symmetry, swallowing sides / Fall down in front of me, follow my eyes / But I’ve got to see you moving, waste no time / Teach me, make me holy ‘till / I can sell you lies.”
Borderline by Tame Impala
If you couldn’t already tell by my previous song choices, I like to listen to songs that have a variety of instruments used in their production. With this song, every instrument, every note stands out on its own, leaving you with no choice but to bust a move somehow. When you’re working out, you’re already moving your body at total capacity, so why not listen to this song? It’s also a song that ties back into anxieties and being pushed to your limits. Sometimes, all you need to do is connect with yourself no matter what you’re doing, and you’re golden.
Favorite Verse: “Here I go / Quite a show for a loner in L.A. / I wonder how I managed to end up in this place / Where I couldn’t get away.”
Closer by Kings of Leon
Kings of Leon is a band that has been around since my early
childhood. It’s only recently that I heard another one of their songs and came across this one. This song is captivating with its ominous instrumentals and profound messages of recovery and vulnerability. Very few songs have sent me directly into the world it creates, like this one has. In the sense of an intense workout session, this song should make you want to push everything to the absolute maximum, proving to yourself you can demolish any obstacle in your path.
Favorite Verse: “Driven by the strangle of vein / Showing no mercy, I’d do it again / Open up your eyes / You keep on crying, baby, I’ll bleed you dry / Skies, they blink at me / I see a storm bubbling up from the sea / And it’s coming closer.”
Berzerk by Eminem
Eminem is one of the HipHop GOATs, and I don’t care what anyone says. This song, in particular, is the song you play when you need a friend to put you in an ecstatic mood. If you have this song in your workout rotation, just remember to savor the life you have, no matter how insane you make it. In addition to the banger rhymes, Eminem consistently adds to his raps and samples from songs by Billy Squire and the Beastie Boys. I’d put this song up there as one of Marshall’s best.
Favorite Verse: “Just like I did with addiction, I’m ‘bout to kick it / Like a magician, critics I turn to crickets / Got ‘em still on the fence whether to picket / But quick to get it impaled when I tell ‘em, “Stick it!” / So sick, I’m looking pale—wait, that’s my pigment / ‘Bout to
sports
Birdies All Around: Men’s Golf Off to a Successful Season Opener
Angelina Persaud Managing Editor/News Editor
The Manhattan University Men’s Golf team is making a name for themselves at the start of the season with their sixth place finish at Ryan T. Lee and a first place tie at the SHU Classic.
Ryan T. Lee was the team’s first appearance of the season, including for the team’s freshman athletes who didn’t hesitate to bring all their effort onto the green. Against 16 other teams, the Jaspers were up seven shots from 36 holes.
Some notable performances came from the team’s freshest talent, including Cabell Faulkner who scored two birdies and had back to back -1 marks. Additionally, Louis Vandeputte made a key birdie on hole 18 and tied for 13th overall. Freshman Róbert Leó Arnórsson also made similar scores to Vandeputte and was up two at the end of the match.
Faulkner spoke about the view the team has of itself following their performance at Ryan T. Lee.
“We put in a lot of work in the weeks preparing for the Ryan T. Lee because we knew we needed to show who we truly were, and what we were capable of,” Faulkner said. “And after the first day, I think we definitely showed people that were capable of being in the hunt. And it was a great feeling for all of us.”
The team’s first place with Hofstra University at the SHU Fall Classic was another tournament that showcased the potential of the players while allowing them to seek room for improvement.
Keith Prokop, coach of the golf team, spoke about the team’s ambitious nature and how they have “lofty goals”
they are hoping to achieve even beyond the SHU.
“I still think as a team we have extremely lofty goals, so we need to be learning from every experience,” Prokop said. “I still think we could have been able to capitalize on a couple things here and there. Obviously proud of the results in general, because running an event at the division one level, it’s extremely difficult to do.”
The official tie occurred with both MU and Hofstra up 37 among eight other teams in the competition. Arnórsson came in to lead the team to a tied score of +1 after scoring three birdies in a row. He also scored in 41 holes, the most out of any player for the tournament. According to a press release from GoJaspers, “The T1 is the Jaspers’ best team performance since earning second place at the Metropolitan Intercollegiate last fall.”
Arnórsson spoke about how individual mentality is a crucial aspect in maintaining focus and skill during these competitions.
“It’s such an intellectual sport, and you can’t control what the others do, and you can’t have an effect on others like how the shots can,” Arnórsson said. “So it’s really important to just focus on yourself and not look at the leaderboard too often.”
Vandeputte also commented on his main takeaways from the SHU and how it helped shape his perspective on team effort.
“One thing I learned from the SHU event was to never stop fighting for the team, because I was playing really bad, and I thought my score would never count,” Vandeputte said. “But eventually the tie happened, and I learned to fight for the team until the end. So that’s something I learned from that event.”
The team also spoke about the strategies they’ve enacted this season, early on, to ensure
they give themselves the best possible chance of success. Among these strategies include relying on statistical software to determine areas of strength and weakness when it comes to hitting specific shots and targets.
“One thing coach [Prokop] has changed in the program this year is we’ve taken a really statistical approach to our practice, so we use statistical software to help us practice with purpose and practice parts of our game that we’re struggling with individually,” Faulkner said. “Even though golf is a team sport, it is very individual, and in that we all have our own strengths and weaknesses, and out on the golf course, we’re playing by ourselves. And so the statistical practice has really helped us find the little parts of our game that we
need to work on.”
Prokop also commented on the individuality of the sport, noting that being alone on the course for extended periods of time requires checking in with players frequently about their mental health. He noted that the sixth place to first place tie turnaround was a test of mental strength for the team.
“It’s really hard for college age males to be able to be extremely open about what’s going on mentally,” Prokop said. “I think that first tournament was so humbling… allowed them to open up and say ‘we need to be able to be stronger mentally’, especially when things get rough. We’re not a finished product yet, but I’m very happy with how open
the 10 of my guys are mentally about what’s going on, because that is what’s going to separate us moving forward.”
Cabell has hopes for the future of the team and himself as a player. His main goal is to focus on the growth of the team and improve their strengths together into the regional competitions.
“I want each and every single one of us to be able to look back over the years and say, ‘I gave it everything I had’,” Cabell said. “We put in 100% effort, each practice, each tournament, each off day, to utilize our time wisely and and with that, I don’t see why we can’t win regionals.”
Louis Vandeputte at the Ryan T. Lee tournament where the team placed 6th out of 16 teams.
sports
Madeline Feller Named StudentAthlete of the Week
Elizabeth Kalaj Web Editor
On Sept. 23, Maddie Feller, the senior center back for the Jaspers women’s soccer team, won the MAAC Student-Athlete of the Week award. This title was given to Feller after her outstanding performance on the soccer field and in the classroom.
Feller scored her first collegiate goal against Sacred Heart University on Sept. 21 and her second goal in the following game against Marist. Feller’s goals in both games were assisted by Sami Derrico, a senior forward on the team and her fellow classmate.
“Normally she [Feller] is
on the polar opposite side of the field than I am,” Derrico said. “But, on corner kicks Maddie comes into the box and she is the type of player that will go for the ball if it is ever up in the air for grabs which makes her one of the main people I look for. So, when the play happened twice, I knew that it was not luck.”
In Feller’s time at Manhattan University, she has played multiple positions on the team. Her flexibility and dedication to the team has been instrumental in their success.
“Maddie has always been a person with a strong presence and drive,” Derrico said.
“Her journey from freshman year to this year has not been easy. Nothing had ever been guaranteed, especially for
@JASPERSWSOC / INSTAGRAM
Maddie, and for this year to be the year that she’s having where she is playing ninety minutes every game is the perfect ending that she deserves.”
Derrico was not the only person to give credit to Feller as a whole person. Head Coach Brendan Lawler spoke on Feller’s testament to the game of soccer and her teammates.
“Maddie just has the personality and the skill set that makes her want to go and do anything for the team, including jump above people and score goals,” Lawler said. “Our team value is ‘team first’. This team just exemplifies this and is always trying to get better. Specifically, this senior group as a whole has
come a long way from their first year and I think it speaks to their character and who they are as people.”
The Quadrangle spoke to Feller about what this award and her success this season means to her.
“It feels great and it keeps me confident and motivated throughout these games,” Feller said. “I think the support system is the most important thing within our team. We are each other’s number one fans and it is so fun to go out there and play with all of them as if we are a family.”
In addition to goals scored, the team has had extreme
defensive success thus far in the season. Feller has been a key part of this achievement.
“Our main focus has been making sure our defense is strong because most of us believe that defense wins games,” Feller said. “We had a pretty new defense this year so we were all figuring out how to play with each other. Now, we are all just locked in and I think we all have the same goals in mind and want to win.”
Following graduation, Feller plans to continue her education and is hoping to attain her Doctorate in Physical Therapy.
Maddie Feller, senior center back of the Manhattan University soccer team, received the student athlete of the week award.
Maddier Feller, senior center back.
MU Tennis Club is Serving Up Steps To Expand Their Group
Karen Flores Staff Writer
The Manhattan University Tennis Club, which is currently in its second year, continues to introduce students across campus to a fun and interactive way of remaining active with the goal of being able to play on a competitive level.
Sorcha Gield, a senior accounting major, is one of the co-captains of the team. She shared a bit about the current structure of the club with regard to practices and different drills they perform based on skill level.
“We meet two to three times a week this year,” Gield said. “One of our goals when practicing is to be able to get people to spend a decent amount of time playing. We have a diverse range of skill levels, which is great. We have people who’ve just started, those who have played competitively and those who play recreationally which is really great. So at practice, we split it up in different sections such as one group doing drilling, another just playing matches, and then a group that
is centered around learning basic technique.”
Gield has been reaching out to other schools that may have a tennis club or team in order to build connections that could help her elevate the MU Tennis club not only to be able to play matches with them but to also make the team one that could compete in different tournaments.
“My goal for this year is just being able to get connections with other schools that could be a sort of guidance when we prepare our team to take part in competitions,” Gield said. “We have a lot of schools in the area that are willing to play, but there is a club circuit where you play matches, where you play to go to Nationals, different tournaments. Having these connections and friendships would be able to help me figure out how to form part of the club circuit.”
Ishaan Jani, a sophomore political science major, is co-captain of the team. He shared that his prior experience in teaching tennis has transcribed into helping MU students learn how to play in a safe way.
“I’ve actually worked as a private tennis coach myself in my hometown in Jersey,” Jani said. “So I had experience doing that. It’s a little different, though, because when I coach, it’s usually young kids or adults 50 years and older. It was never really anyone around my age. But I do enjoy working with my friends and teaching them, it’s a new experience and we always have a good time.”
Despite the club still being relatively new, Jani finds that speaking about the club and encouraging people to come and stop by for an afternoon has had a positive impact on the group.
“Last year, a lot of people did not know we had a tennis club because it was so new,” Jani said. “So I felt that was a good way to promote the club itself over here. When I told my friends about it, they’re like, ‘Oh, that’s cool.’ And then we’re trying to set up more matches, more practice slots and it grew in momentum. So one, it’d be more like interacting between us and other teams, so people on the club itself would enjoy but also it would spread the name of the club, which is another goal of ours, to expand our club.”
The club also provides equipment such as balls and racquets for those who may not have any kind of prior exposure
to the sport. The club also implemented a $75 fee to help with purchasing equipment and for any matches they join.
“We supply the tennis balls and racquets, while they are not at the level that a competitive racquet would be at, they are great for those who are learning or playing recreationally,” Gield said. “You are also welcome to bring your own racquet if you have your own racquet that you personally like. But if you’re just starting out, we do have stuff you can use. We have a $75 fee that we asked for, which is really to help buy more supplies and to have funds for our matches in the spring. We did lose some people because of the fee, but overall retention was great this year.”
Emma Huerta Cedrone, a sophomore biology major, is a member of the tennis club. She expressed that this club is a good way to remain active and to make new friends. She encourages people to join no
matter their skill level.
“It is a way for me to stay active after being busy with all my academics,” Huerta Cedrone said. “It is a little bit of a reset after classes, you meet new friends that you can call up if you want to hit the tennis court in Van Cortlandt and tennis can be a lifelong recreational sport for you. If you are looking for any of these things, this club is the place for you.” Jani and the club welcomes anyone who wishes to join.
“For anyone that is looking to join the team, they’re more than welcome to join,” Jani said. “Whatever skill range you are, right, we try to be as inclusive as possible. So don’t be scared if you have never held a racquet before. You’ll get taken care of. You’ll be helped right along the way into getting better. And it is fun! It’s like a community that you have, where you meet people who wouldn’t have met otherwise. It’s a good way to make friends, and it’s a good way to get better at the sport, and to just stay active as a whole.”