MeetManhattanUniversity’s NewCampusChaplains!
Mary Haley
Marketing Chair / Asst. Features Editor
Manhattan University appointed two new campus chaplains, Rev. Robert Joerger, C.P., and Rev. Edward Beck, C.P., on Sept. 18. The pair also serves as co-directors of Campus Ministry and Social Action.
The new campus chaplains conduct masses every Sunday and offer spiritual advice on campus. Both Joerger and Beck are a part of the Passionist order of priests, which was founded by St. Paul of the Cross and strives to tend to the suffering of marginalized and disenfranchised people, and seeing how those qualities connect to the suffering of the cross. They also have a unique focus on environmentalism and caring for the earth.
Not only are Joerger and
Beck of the same order of priests, but they also entered into the priesthood in a similar way.
Both went to the same high school, Xaverian High School in Brooklyn, where they embarked on a retreat to the Passionists’ retreat house on Shelter Island, during different years. There, they were both inspired and felt a certain connection to what they experienced, and after a few more visits, both decided to enter the priesthood.
“I thought the priests and brothers who led that retreat had a special kind of connection and power that I saw, even as a highschool student,” Beck said. “So in college, when I was having that kind of disillusionment with studying to be a broker and [realizing] that would not be quite satisfying, I called up that retreat house and said ‘can I come back and visit for a weekend?’ [The priest] didn’t tell me there was no retreat
that weekend, so it was just me and five Passionist priests and brothers. That same sense that they had something I wanted that I didn’t feel had returned, and I thought, ‘I have to investigate this, what is it?’ By the end of college, I decided yeah, I was going to do this, and I went to the novitiate and took vows when I was 21 years old.”
Beck’s 40 plus years in the ministry has not only consisted of working at churches. He also worked in mainstream media for over 20 years, working at ABC News, CBS News and CNN News as their faith and religion commentator. Beck explained to The Quadrangle that he’d never expected to go back to working in campus ministry, especially as he preaches at St. Monica’s parish on the upper east side of Manhattan.
“I didn’t really intend to do campus ministry at this stage in
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Laili Shahrestani Staff Writer
Rosalia Cefalu ‘23, a Manhattan University alumna and current data analytics associate for KPMG, held an event on Oct. 22 in De La Salle Hall, where she spoke to Jaspers about her career.
Cefalu graduated from MU in 2023 with a major in business analytics and a minor in computer information systems.
Following her graduation, she was initially hired to become a tech and data associate at PwC.
After a year in the position, she landed her new role at KPMG.
Both PwC and KPMG are a part of the “Big Four”, which are the world’s four largest accounting firms, according to Cefalu’s presentation. She expressed her gratitude for getting to work for both of these companies. However, she also spoke about how her first job at PwC did not feel well suited for her and that she felt as if she needed a shift in her career.
Cefalu explained to attendees that it is probable that their first job will not be a perfect fit and that it may take time to navigate where they truly belong after they graduate. She encouraged students to be honest with themselves and acknowledge that there is no shame in taking
time to figure out where they belong.
“It’s okay if you start your first job and it’s not your favorite thing ever,” Cefalu said. “I was so convinced that I was going to spend my entire career at one company, and that it would be perfect, so switching was the scariest leap, but my entire life is different now. I feel like a different person. Now that I am two months in, I am definitely way happier, and it is a way better fit that actually utilizes the skills I learned during my undergrad.”
After Cefalu shared her experience with navigating through feelings of uncertainty she faced prior to working for KPMG, students at the event expressed that her insight provided them with reassurance that everything will fall into place as they transition into the workforce.
Sophia Khosrowshahi, a senior majoring in computer information systems and data analytics, spoke to The Quadrangle about how comforting it was to hear Cefalu discuss her journey and successes. Khosrowshahi mentioned how she felt inspired after hearing from an MU alumna who majored in the same fields as her and is now working for one of the Big Four accounting firms.
“Speaking to or listening to alumni is important, simply
Volume CX, Issue 9
OCTOBER 29, 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 9! I am so happy you’re taking some time out of your busy fall schedules to catch up with us and everything happening around campus.
First and foremost, I want to draw attention to an update on the formerly detained journalist and Quadrangle alumnus Jeremy Loffredo, ‘19. Loffredo was confirmed to be home in the states late Monday evening on Oct. 21. We are extremely grateful that he is home safe, and hope to bring you all more on his experience in the weeks to come. For more information on Loffredo’s release and the surrounding situation, please check out the full update here.
As for issue 9, we have plenty to keep you busy. In News, we feature an alumna talk with students about her career at a Big Four company as well as provide an introduction to the two new chaplains on campus. In Features, we showcase an International Night event celebrating the various cultures and heritages represented on campus, along with a Voices on the Quad piece about Lotus Magazine’s Saturday night Halloween Bash. In A&E, we have a *very* special Jasper Jams with picks straight from our staff! We also attended Players’ Disney-themed Cabaret and got a preview into what’s coming soon. Lastly, in sports, we have a basketball preview for the men’s and women’s upcoming seasons and a piece on Thursday night’s annual Manhattan Madness pep-rally event. Be sure to check it all out!
Until next week,
Grace Cardinal
Editor-in-Chief
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
because it helps take the nerves away from applying to jobs and feeling like you’re not good enough, or that you don’t know enough,” Khosrowshahi said. “Honestly, it’s made myself feel better. It’s very helpful, and it’s really good for networking and connections as well.”
Throughout her speech, Cefalu pinpointed key details that current students should look out for once they enter the job application process. She mentioned how various job titles may seem synonymous, yet are completely different. She provided attendees with tips on how to properly read job descriptions, as well as equipped them with specific skill sets that would be beneficial to master prior to applying.
“There are little things that will have you falling behind if you don’t know them,” Cefalu said. “Learn some basic computer skills. Learn how
to store files in a computer, learn basic Excel formulas, remember how interest is calculated.”
Eleda West, a senior business analytics major, expressed that hearing Cefalu speak was beneficial to her because it allowed her to become more informed about what she should do to prepare when it comes time for her to join the workforce.
“The information was definitely really helpful and applicable,” West said.
“Understanding that certain terms or jobs that sound synonymous, really aren’t the same. It was also just reassuring to hear other people’s experience at big corporate firms. I interned at a big corporate firm, and so it was nice to hear about similar experiences in a similar environment.”
Cefalu emphasized the importance of self-reflection when entering a new career. She encouraged students to
make their decisions based on what feels best for them. She also highlighted the idea of trusting the process, and mentioned that without her time at PwC, she would not have ended up at her new role at KPMG.
“After graduation, it’s a huge transition, and you may have a lot of feelings about your new life and your new job,” Cefalu said. “It’s important to distinguish where all of those feelings are coming from, and to make the best decisions for yourself and for your career based on that self-reflection. If you work really hard, your hard work is going to pay off. And if you end up wanting to switch careers, it does not mean you failed anything. Rejection is redirection.”
Cefalu speaking to Jaspers in regard to the differences between job titles and what to look out for when applying to jobs.
LAILI SHAHRESTANI /
THE QUADRANGLE
MeetManhattanUniversity’sNewCampusChaplains!
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
my life,” Beck said. “So it kind of found me in a sense, which I always think is probably the hand of God when I was not looking for it, or I didn’t try to control it. If you asked me a couple of months ago, would I be doing campus ministry, I would have said ‘you’re crazy, no.’ So the fact that I am liking it and connecting with people has been very special, but I think I didn’t choose it, it chose me.”
Although they came from the same high school and religious “origin story,” Rev. Joerger went on a slightly different path over his 47 years as a minister. For the past three years, Joerger has worked as a chaplain at the Bronx Calvary Hospital, a 200-bed end-of-life palliative care hospital.
After preaching around the Bronx and Westchester for many years, Joerger explained how coming to Calvary Hospital was a different kind of ministry when conducting spiritual guidance to patients who were at the end of their lives.
“A predominant number of patients [at Calvary] are Catholic, so they want to see a priest and get anointed and those kinds of things, so it is
quite a beautiful ministry,” Joerger said. “It does not get more real than when you’re in the last, sometimes days or weeks of your life. It is beautiful in the sense that you get to the real stuff with the patients. You’re coming to peace with your life. It was a very healing kind of ministry, but I needed to step away from it for a while. So [campus ministry] is completely different, but you’re never far away from grief with people grieving and students who have lost parents and things like that.”
In his six weeks at Manhattan University, Joerger has seen many similarities of the mission of the Lasallian brothers and his order of Passionists in the campus culture and the engagement of the many Lasallian brothers on campus.
“I see the kind of student that goes to a [Lasallian] brothers school, and how they are with the brothers all the time,” Joerger said. “[The brothers] have a wonderful way of engaging with students. [The brothers] were founded to educate the children of the poor, and while some other universities, not to compare them, might be kind of ‘elite,’ but the students here might be first generation to get a college education, and I just think
that shows that the brothers dedicate their lives to making sure they do well. That is what happened to me as well in my education.”
As for the social action area of campus ministry at Manhattan University, community involvement and engagement with students are both reverend’s top priorities. With the official opening of the new migrant shelter near MU’s campus on Waldo Avenue and more resources at the Friendly Fridge on Post Road, the opportunities for community and social action are abundant.
“We are trying to do an opening to the [migrant shelter] for the migrants, even though right now they are in need of non-perishable food and mostly toiletries,” Joerger said. “We also started a conversation with the two women who run the Friendly Fridge, and it looks like it’s going to be a really good ministry.”
Beck and Joerger hope that community engagement, not only around Manhattan University, but also within campus culture, flourishes. Beck recalled meeting a student at a pizza social event with CMSA who was Hindu but had been going to mass at the Chapel of De La Salle for three years.
“A young man came up
to me after mass [at the pizza social] and said ‘I’m Hindu,’ Beck said. “I said, ‘well why have you been coming to mass then?’ He said ‘because I feel a sense of peace and connectedness to other people praying. I think we all pray to the same god, and this is here every Sunday but the Hindu temple is not, so this is where I find my space.’ We realize it is a Catholic liturgy, but we’re also going to create prayer experiences that are interfaith like we did for Oct. 7. But I really feel that if Sunday evening mass can grow and that all can feel welcome there, that can be our greatest potential at creating a connected community.”
Music ministry is a large part of the weekly Sunday evening masses, where student vocalists and instrumentalists are directed in singing and playing religious songs and hymns. These students are directed by Andrew Bauer, director of performing arts and adjunct professor. Bauer reflected on how music ministry further provides a feeling of welcomeness into the masses, regardless of a student’s faith.
“You certainly don’t need to be Catholic to enjoy music ministry,” Bauer said. “I would say the majority of [music ministry] students are not
Catholic, but it attracts people of all persuasions, we’re very open to other faiths. We don’t close the door to anybody, and I think everyone can gain some positive spiritual experience, whether you’re religious or not.”
Bauer commented on the addition of the new chaplains.
“We’re just so thrilled to have both of them, and I will tell you that their homilies are really great,” Bauer said. “I’ve celebrated liturgies with them now all through September and they give wonderful homilies and they’re very engaged. They want to work with the community and really become a part of Manhattan University.”
MU Clubs Celebrate the Colors of the World
Karen Flores Staff Writer
Flags, cultural music, festive attire and artifacts filled Kelly Commons as students and clubs came together to celebrate each other’s heritage and cultures during Colors of the World: International Night.
Jubilee Aguilar, campus minister, believes that celebrating the different cultures and ethnicities on campus is important to ensure that students feel seen and explained to The Quadrangle how it connects to Lasallian values.
“Events such as this one are very important to support and have because one of the pillars of Lasallian faith are inclusivity and respect for all persons,” Aguilar said. “I think having clubs with different backgrounds and religions and ethnicities is very crucial, especially since the Multicultural Center hasn’t been very active. It’s good to let the students know that there is an office on campus like the Campus Ministry and Social Action where we encourage them to express their diversity.”
Araceli Cayetano Ambrocio, a junior marketing major, spearheaded this event and expressed that seeing celebrations of cultures is something that gave her a sense
of belonging, which is what she wished to see on campus when planning this event.
“I went to the Mexican Day Parade on 34th Street on Sept. 5, and I loved it, there were Mexican flags everywhere, I felt a sense of pride and belonging and thought ‘I want that on campus’,” Cayetano Ambrocio said. “I want people to come in with their flags, dance their music and share and celebrate it with everybody. I have been part of CMSA for a few years now, I talked to [Aguilar] and told her I wanted to host an international night party. She fully supported me and since the CMSA has its own events, it was up to me to make this event happen. I wanted it to make it a community based event.”
Various cultural clubs and organizations, such as the Mexican student association, Muslim student association, the Albanian club, the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers and many more had tables set up. Students browsed and representatives asked questions as music played in the background.
One of the highlights of the event was the various performances held by members of the clubs.
Kristina Camaj, secretary of the Albanian club, was dressed in Tropoja traditional clothing in which she performed a traditional Albanian dance for
cultures and religions together. KAREN FLORES / THE QUADRANGLE
everyone.
“It’s really important to connect with all kinds of cultures at the school, because we all have a similar experience where we might be in an environment that makes us feel disconnected from our culture,” Camaj said. “These clubs promote pride in culture and allow us the space to share that feeling with others. I am performing tonight and while I am nervous, I am very excited to share it with everyone and I hope they enjoy it!”
Students were walking around with flags draped around their necks, groups were taking pictures and activities such as bingo and flag Kahoot encouraged students to come together and get to know each other.
Matheo Villada, a junior computer science major, brought his Colombian flag and said he enjoyed playing the flag Kahoot with all his peers.
“My friends invited me, I had a Colombian flag so I figured I could be here to represent,” Villada said. “My favorite part was playing the flag Kahoot. It was very fun. I also liked seeing the different clubs and cultures. It’s important to have those on campus to learn more.”
Gabrielle Blair, a senior
philosophy major, expressed that one of her favorite things about the event was seeing the cultural dances and interacting with new people through the various activities.
“My favorite thing about the event was the cultural dances and the ability for a lot of different cultural groups at this campus to showcase their own heritage,” Blair said. “I was also able to meet a lot of new people with everything that event offered and learn through them as well.”
Francisco Galvan, a student in the MU Camino program, expressed that the event was fun and that it helped students see the world in a different way.
“Estoy en el Camino Program y decidí venir a este evento porque me invitaron unos amigos,” Galvan said. “Estamos aquí con diferentes culturas y personas. Eventos como estos cambian las formas de ver al mundo con las diferentes comidas y las canciones y realmente ha sido muy divertido.”
Translation: “I am part of the Camino Program and I decided to come to this event because I was invited by some friends,” Galvan said. “We are here with different cultures and people. Events like these
change the ways in which we view the world by [showing us] different foods and songs and it’s really been very fun.”
Cayetano Ambrocio hopes that these kinds of events continue to happen but on a greater scale and says that taking the first step and making your experience what you wish it to be is what makes the difference.
“I think it’s all about whatever you make it,” Cayetano Ambrocio said. “If you want to feel represented, reach out to people who can help you or guide you through it. I did that and they provided me with the sources I needed and regardless of how large or small, any help is good. I hope to be able to do this kind of event again but at a larger scale where more people can come, but celebration and expression are needed. That’s what matters.”
Colors of the World Celebration brings MU students of all
MU Students show off their native flags
KAREN FLORES / THE QUADRANGLE
Voices on The Quad: Lotus’s Halloween Bash
Jill Tuthill
Asst. Arts & Entertainment Editor
Lotus, Manhattan University’s student run lifestyle and fashion magazine, held their 2024 Halloween Bash on the quad on Oct. 26, featuring a photobooth, bake sale, costume contest and live music. The event featured student bands such as Suave Dubois, Thrush, Help Wanted and DJ x 6 Kam. The bash was held primarily as a fundraiser to support the magazine as the masthead attempts to print their semesterly issue despite campus-wide club budget cuts. According to Lotus’s website, their goal is “to serve as a platform for artists to collaborate on creative endeavors of self-expression. Through the means of empowerment, art, fashion and beauty, Manhattan College [University] students are encouraged to authentically represent their cultures and identities.”
The Quadrangle set out to find out how attendees felt about the publication’s Halloween Bash as they
attempt to continue to provide their platform to students through both digital and print editions.
Ava Gaspari, senior English major, co-Editor-InChief of Lotus
The Quadrangle: What was your role in planning the Halloween Bash?
Ava Gaspari: Chayse [Martino] and Jack [Devaney] and Ivy [Jaep] did a lot of it, but we worked on the budget and how much we could do without going over budget. We kind of just oversaw everything and made sure everything worked out.
TQ: How do you feel it’s going? Are you happy with the turnout?
AG: I feel like we’ll know when we have the money, but the turnout was way more than I expected, and the bands are doing great. People are in costumes better than I thought. A lot of people are buying tickets, so I think it’s going great.
TQ: What’s your favorite costume that you’ve seen
tonight?
AG: The joker was good. There are guys here really dressed up as, I think, Sherlock Holmes.
Maggie Schediac, junior communications major, asst. Lifestyle and Opinions editor
The Quadrangle: What was your role in planning the Halloween Bash?
MS: I’ve mostly just helped out with setting up a little bit, and I’m here with the bake sale table. …We talked a lot about it at our meetings as well as through our GroupMe and everyone was super super helpful with getting everything together, and it’s been a lot of fun.
TQ: How do you feel like it’s going? Are you happy with the turnout?
MS: I’m actually really happy with the turnout. I was a little nervous at first, but there’s been a lot of people here, and I’m really happy.
TQ: What’s your favorite costume that you’ve seen
Lotus had multiple student bands slated to play live music for the duration of the event. GRACE CARDINAL / THE QUADRANGLE
tonight?
MS: Probably the inflatable dinosaur.
Michael Freeman, sophomore mechanical engineering major, student attendee
TQ: How do you like the Halloween Bash? Are you having fun?
MF: I just got here, but I’ve been to these before and had a good time.
TQ: Do you like the live music from the student bands?
MF: Yeah.
For updates regarding Lotus’s print status, or to access their GoFundMe, find them on Instagram @lotusmagazinemu.
Jasper Jams: Quadrangle Staff Picks
Elizabeth Kalaj Web Editor
Music is such a universal yet personal language that many individuals use and experience. People worldwide can relate to the same lyrics, while others can have extremely stark music tastes. While The Quadrangle staff has their love of writing in common, they all bring unique and diverse perspectives and creations to people. This Jasper Jams allows the staff to once again share pieces of themselves, but this time through other peoples’ work instead of their own. I implore you to take this as an opportunity to peek into the minds of the people behind the articles.
The compilation of songs below were suggested by various Quadrangle staff members as a song that either encapsulates their music taste or simply serves as an interesting recommendation. I encourage you all to take a moment, open Spotify (or Apple Music) and listen to some songs you may not have heard without this article. I did, and I am now returning back to my playlists with several new additions.
Darlington County by Bruce Springsteen
Suggested by: Andrew Mannion, Sports Editor
Starting off strong with a true icon, Bruce Springsteen! I am not going to lie, I saw Springsteen in concert when Zach Bryan had him sing on stage but have never done a deep dive into his music. This song won me over very quickly being that it had such fun instrumentals with an amazing story that went from beginning to end all in one song. It talks
about escaping New York and going somewhere a bit quieter. This song is a classic example of true songwriting. As a senior in college, listening to this song felt like Springsteen had foreshadowed my life.
Favorite lines: “We drove down from New York City, where the girls are pretty but they just want to know your name”
Son of a Preacher Man by Dusty Springfield
Suggested by: Grace Cardinal, Editor-in-Chief
This song reminds me of my mother. When Grace had first sent it I did not recognize the name. Yet within the first five seconds of the song, it took me back to childhood nights when my mom would play this song on repeat in the kitchen. This song is a classic reminder of a sort of forbidden and unholy love. Songs like this may not be everybody’s favorite, but they have the perfect formula that allows them to stay alive and loved for so long. I am thankful that I was able to feel extreme nostalgia when listening to this for the first time as an adult.
Favorite line: “Being good isn’t always easy, no matter how hard I try”
Superstar by Pretty Sick!
Suggested by: Ivy Jaep, Production Editor
I have never heard of this song or group before, but I am so happy I have now. This song is exactly my cup of tea when it comes to the music I listen to on a daily basis. I connected to the music and lyrics on so many levels and listened to the rest of the album throughout the evening. If you liked any of the songs in my past Jasper Jams, I highly suggest you listen to this one. More importantly than
any of the technicality from this song, it made me genuinely feel something. If I had to rank the songs on this list, and thank goodness I do not have to, this one would rank number one based on my first impression of it.
Favorite lines: “When everything’s easy / why do I put up a fight? / I could be a superstar / whatever you like”
The Impression That I Get by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
Suggested by: Mack Olmsted, Features Editor
This song is interesting to me because it has such an upbeat tune yet is talking about such an existential thought. It talks about so many complex feelings and emotions. I can confidently say that I have never heard a song about this exact story and I love that about it. This was another automatic addition to my playlist.
Favorite lines: “I’ve never had to knock on wood / but I know someone who has / which makes me wonder if I could”
What Kind of Love by Childish Gambino
Suggested by Jill Tuthill, Assistant Arts and Entertainment Editor
This song made me feel a lot of different ways. Personally, I tend to like all genres of music and types of songs. With this song in particular, I would most likely not find myself craving to listen to this again. However, I have to give credit where credit is due, in that his voice is angelic and his speaking to singing ratio is spot on. No matter the opinion, there is no debate in the fact that this song is art.
Favorite line: “What kind of
love done feel this way? / What kind of love would make me fall?”
English Man in New York by Sting
Suggested by: Emmanouel Sofillas, Assistant Sports Editor
This is another song about the complexities of the New York world. The song indicates being unapologetically yourself, even if you seem to stick out because of it. This is another song that I would not have originally listened to on my own, but am happy to have experienced it. Times have changed since 1987, but some truths always remain the same. No matter how welcoming New York is to different cultures, it is up to individuals to hold their head up high and keep on going.
Favorite lines: “Gentleness, sobriety are rare in this society / At night a candle’s brighter than the sun”
Happiness by The 1975
Suggested by: Mary Haley, Assistant Features Editor
As a diehard Swiftie, this was a hard listen being that I am not a Matty Healy fan in the slightest. However, this song really impressed me. The beat, instruments, lyrics and vocals were beautifully combined. This is the type of song I would Shazam in a bar because I would be so disappointed if I never heard it again. This is a prime example of loving the art without loving the artist.
Favorite lines: “Oh, oh, I would go blind just to see you / I’d go too far just to have you near / In my soul, I’ve got this feeling, I / Didn’t know until I seen ya”
Come With Me by Surfaces
Suggested by: Karen
Flores, Staff Writer
This song recommendation came with a description of “played on a highway and the vibes were immaculate,” and after listening to it, I could not agree more. The song has a very impressive flow and I would like to reinforce Karen’s comment on its “vibes”. I will certainly be playing this on my road trip this winter.
Favorite lines: “And when the days feel like the same ol’ circle / We’ll bend the lines and make a new one / Just to find the place where time is free”
The Alcott by The National featuring Taylor Swift
Suggested by: Angelina Perez, Arts and Entertainment Editor
I have said it before and I will say it again: I could not possibly write a Jasper Jams that does not include Taylor Swift, even though I am not the one suggesting it. This song, however, is one of her lesser known pieces and I am excited to listen to it when my attention is purposely highlighted on it. This song is everything the music industry is supposed to be. There were so many amazing artists creating this in a single space and I would have done anything to be in the room when it was created. There is such a genius dialogue between the artists that tells a story from the beginning to the end of the song. This song makes me feel so deeply in ways that music is supposed to. I am very happy I got the chance to rediscover it.
Favorite lines: “You tell me your problems (have I become one of your problems?) / And I tell you the truth (could it be easy this once?) / It’s the last thing you wanted (everything that’s mine is a landmine) / It’s the first thing I’d do (did my love aid and abet you?)”
A Night at the Magic Kingdom: Celebrating MU Players’ Fall Cabaret
Leyla J Mercado Asst.News Editor
Manhattan University Players showcased their fall cabaret, A Night at the Magic Kingdom, this past weekend, leaving the audience dancing, singing and laughing along in their seats.
The hour-long show consisted of a collection of Disney’s timeless works, performed through song, acting and dance.
There were 22 performers set to take the stage through 20 Disney classics, opening with Beauty and the Beast’s “Be Our Guest” and closing with “Dig A Little Deeper” from The Princess and the Frog.
Sophomore Malcolm Naughton, the assistant director and performer,
discussed what preparation for this year’s cabaret looked like and the personal connection he felt when working on this showcase with the support of the other MU Players.
“I think most people grew up watching movies and even watching the castle in the beginning, it’s so cool and magical, so we named it that for that reason,” Naughton said.
“We had a chance to do what we wanted with this, making it pretty and making sure everybody sounded really good and everyone came through with that. We met up whenever we could, in the [Black] box, the lounge or our rooms, just to talk about any ideas that we had. We would text each other constantly and it was a lot of late nights but it was fun.”
Midway through the night, the performances of “A Whole New World,” “Remember Me,” and “Gaston” captivated the
audience, leaving them with a combination of reactions that made them emotional, excited and with a laugh or two.
The MU Players let their talent take the stage when performing each iconic Disney classic, leaving everyone singing along to whichever one they knew.
Sophomore Marisa Goodwin, one of the assistant directors and performers, spoke about the inspiration for the performance she wanted to showcase to the audience before her.
“With my love for Disney as a child, I knew I had to make this good,” Goodwin said. “I love Disney, my family loves Disney and so many other people love Disney … I’ve got to sell the dreaminess of it all.”
Goodwin continued to express that the audience experience was paramount in her director and performer role.
“I would like the audience to walk away with a smile,” Goodwin said. “That’s really the point of the whole show, we all just want people to have fun and people in the audience to have fun with us. I think we did that, and I hope we did that.”
With the hopes of establishing a connection with those who enjoy “A Night at the Magic Kingdom,” sophomore Ari Flores elaborated on the impact the fall cabaret left on her as both a performer and an individual.
“I walked away with a higher version of myself,” Flores said. “Even though it was a small performance and it’s not as big as a theater, it just proves that we could always start small and go big eventually. Even as a small group it’s still fun and we can still do something we can enjoy. We love singing, we love music and just showing our passion for that with a good amount of people just shows how dedicated we are with our passions.”
Olivia Bailey, the director of this year’s cabaret and vocalist,
shared her vision for the group going forward with The Quadrangle.
“We have a stacked general membership,” Bailey said. “I feel as though this is the most talented the groups have been in my three years. We also have a lot of people who like to take charge of things too, which helps because there’s so much that goes into these productions. It’s nice to have people who are assertive and who love to do it.”
MU Players opened the cabaret with junior Kevin Cullen singing Beauty and the Beast’s “Be Our Guest” as Lumiere.
ANGELINA PEREZ / THE QUADRANGLE
Sophomores Malcolm Naughton and Layla Luciano singing Tangled’s “I See The Light”. ANGELINA PEREZ / THE QUADRANGLE
2024-25 Manhattan Basketball Preview
Isaiah Rosario Staff Writer
Last year was less than successful for Manhattan University Basketball. Men’s basketball finished 7-23 overall and 4-16 in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play last year. The women’s team on the other side had a better regular season, finishing 18-11 overall and 11-9 in MAAC play.
The men’s team, seeded ten, lost to Iona in the opening round of the MAAC Tournament, and the women’s team, seeded four, lost to Canisius in the quarterfinal round. Both programs are high on the season and anticipate a bounce-back year.
Both programs are returning their top scorers with Shaquil Bender and Ines Gimenez Monserrat. Monserrat averaged 10.8 points on the season and Bender averaged 13.8 points. Both programs lost key pieces to the transfer portal as Jade Blagrove and Anne Bair transferred to new programs. On the men’s side, the team lost Seydou Traore to the University of Iowa.
Some key transfers to join the program for the women’s team include Hana Muhl, and Caroline de Klauman. The men’s key additions to the program from the portal include Devin Dinkins.
“I think this year we have more returners from last year, we have a solid team and the new transfers are great, they will also help us a lot,” Montserrat said when speaking about the new additions to the program.
Bender was selected to the All-MAAC second team and Jaden Winston was selected to the All-MAAC third team. Petra Juric for the women’s team was selected to the All-MAAC second team and Monserrat was selected to the All-MAAC third team.
“Coach [Vulin] gave us the news in the middle of
practice, it was a surprise and my first reaction was looking at Petra and high five to her,” Monserrat said via email to The Quadrangle. “It is a great honor but we need to make it real. All our teammates were so happy for us and I just looked at them and smiled. I want to win the third team all-MAAC (or better) not only for me but also for my teammates because they have always supported me in everything.”
As for Bender, he wasn’t shocked by the news.
“I wasn’t surprised,” Bender said. “I expected it, but it’s only preseason. I still got to make it happen, make it a reality, and I want to be higher than second team anyway.”
The Lady Jaspers have failed to make it over the hump to a championship win. They made the MAAC Championship in two of the last three years. The quarterfinal loss in 2023 was certainly one to remember.
“This team has tremendous
potential,” Juric said about the upcoming season. “Our new additions, both freshmen and transfers, bring so much passion and skill. As a team, we’ve all agreed that the key to success in the MAAC this year is to put the team first and give it your all. We want to play together and play for each other, and give our absolute best every game.”
Monserrat and Juric have been named captains of the women’s team for the 2024-25 season. Juric mentioned that one of the biggest changes she has seen since last year is her change in mentality and leadership. As a person, she has become more mentally tough, more resilient and confident as a player.
Both Bender and Winston have made it their mission this year to become leaders to the new players in the program. They hope the lessons they learned last year will hopefully guide the team to a lengthy playoff run. Winston put emphasis on making sure that the team will stay together.
“We will stay together,” Winston said. “I love who we are as a team, looking at our opponents, looking at us. I feel I love who we are. Really hopeful for this season. Expect big things, but we have to stay together despite anything you know, stay together. Play together through ups and downs, through the course of the season.”
Last year it was announced that Merrimack College and Sacred Heart University will join the MAAC as a full member institution. Juric spoke about her excitement to have two new programs join the MAAC Conference.
“I’m really excited to face the new teams this season,” Juric said. “Sacred Heart and Merrimack are great additions to the conference, and I think they’ll make the competition even more exciting and fun. I know both teams have been successful in their previous conferences, so I’m excited to
see the level of competitiveness they will bring. A fun fact— our Associate Head Coach, Callan Taylor, is one of the most accomplished players in Sacred Heart’s program history, which definitely adds some extra motivation when we play them.”
With the additions of the new teams also comes a new conference tournament setup. The top ten teams in the standings will be the only teams to travel to Atlantic City, NJ with a chance to get a bid to March Madness.
“I mean, it wouldn’t change anything from the start,” Bender said. “We know that, since only ten teams make it, every game counts. We got to win from the getgo. December does not matter, we start now.”
The men’s team will open their season on Nov. 4 at the University of Maryland and the women’s will open their season on the same day at Rutgers University.
Jasper Nation Gathers for Annual Manhattan Madness Event
Victoria Schiller Contributor
Jasper nation gathered outside of Draddy Gymnasium on Thursday night, Oct. 24, for Manhattan University’s annual Madness event. Students packed the building as the cheer and dance teams, Pep Band, Student Engagement and Brother Jasper hyped up the crowd before the evening’s main events.
The Quadrangle newspaper had the opportunity to speak with student attendees, players and coaches after the event.
Daniella Beggins, a junior business management major on the cheer team, talked to The Quadrangle about her second-ever Madness and what led up to their performance.
“It was special this year because we split up into game day and competition teams, but we all came together to perform this routine,” Beggins said. “More than half of the girls are new to cheer, so it
was a little rocky to get here, but the result was totally worth it and we felt so accomplished doing it.”
For many freshmen students, this was the major student event on MU’s campus.
For freshman biochemistry major Aidan Febus, he had his first Madness experience while performing with the Pep Band.
“It was more than I expected,” Febus said. “Where I come from, we don’t have pep rallies like this, so I enjoyed it, especially being a part of the Pep Band.
Hunter Kwan, another freshman with a major in psychology, spoke to The Quadrangle after the event.
“I was really excited because my roommate is on the cheer team, so I was excited to cheer her on,” Kwan said. “A bunch of my friends were in it, so it was cool to see them have fun. It was a great environment to be in.”
For some senior students, attending Madness for the last time provided a bittersweet moment. Olivia Corsino, a senior marketing major and a member of the Jasper Dancers
since her freshman year, spoke to The Quadrangle about her emotions following the event.
“It’s crazy,” Corsino said. “It still hasn’t hit me that this is my last one. I feel like I still have 500 more Madnesses to dance at. It’s my favorite time of the year. We call it “Jasper Dancer Christmas!”.”
Corsino, one of the captains on the team, participated in choreographing the dance performed at the event.
“Me and our other two captains, Molly and Christina, choreographed the whole thing, so it was really fun to get to show off our choreography,” Corsino said. “But I do think the best part is just being with my teammates. We all have such a great time together and we do gifts for everybody before we perform. Those are my best friends on campus, so it’s just so much fun to do what I love with them.”
Gianna Arias, a senior psychology major, believes that music is part of what made this year’s event so special.
“I definitely think the music is a big part of it,” Arias said. “The whole energy of the school coming together is honestly the best thing the school could have. The team’s harmony definitely makes me want to join in.”
The main event of the evening was the announcement of the men’s and women’s basketball team rosters and the introduction of the teams’ coaches. Heather Vulin, head coach of the women’s basketball team, told The Quadrangle how she felt after the big event.
“We’re truly grateful to our MU Student Engagement staff for putting on an incredible Manhattan Madness,” Vulin wrote in an email to The Quadrangle. “We truly appreciate being a part of it and having our basketball teams and all the Spirit Squads featured. I can’t wait to pack Draddy this year with the school spirit we saw last night! The Sixth Borough was rockin!”
*Editor’s Note: Elizabeth Kalajcontributedtoreporting.
Manhattan Madness featured performances from the Jasper Dancers and the cheer team.
/ THE QUADRANGLE
Draddy Gymanisum was full of energy at Manhattan Madness. ISAIAH ROSARIO / THE QUADRANGLE
The Lady Jaspers during their introduction at Manhattan Madness. ISAIAH ROSARIO / THE QUADRANGLE