Spring 2015 Issue 25

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Friday, May 1, 2015 | Vol. LXXXVII, Issue 25 | Binghamton University | bupipedream.com

The Free Word on Campus Since 1946

With education, a chance to fight subtle adversity

'Breaking Bad' adviser breaks down TV drugs

Microaggression Project gives voice to students facing stereotypes, bias

Chemist Donna Nelson gives BU a behind-thescenes look at hit show

Carla Sinclair

Zachary Wingate

Assistant News Editor

News Intern

On Tuesday night in the Mandela Room, students shared their firsthand experiences with microaggressions and discrimination on campus.

“Diversity is Strength: Binghamton’s Microaggression Project” aimed to highlight Binghamton University students’ own run-ins with intolerance from their peers. Hosted by the Binghamton Association of Mixed Students (BAMS), the Multicultural Resource Center (MRC) and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ODEI), the groups offered faculty and student speakers an opportunity to talk about ways to overcome nuanced prejudices.

The event opened with 17 photographs of undergraduates holding whiteboards with handwritten messages. The statements described the microaggressions, or unintentional acts of discrimination, that have been committed against them. Comments ranged from “’you don’t look like a lesbian,’” to, “I am from Iraq, that doesn’t make me a terrorist,” to, “having an opinion does not make me a ‘sassy black woman.’” The students stood next to their photographs and discussed their experiences with attendees.

Olivia Avila, a member of BAMS and a junior majoring in engineering, spoke about the difficulty of reconciling her white skin and Puerto Rican heritage with both her peers and family.

“When someone says you don’t possess a certain look or trait of your heritage, it makes you feel like you’re

a single. They have just begun accepting applications for the 2015-2016 school year.

According to Robin Rains, the managing director of business development and asset management of Campus Evolution Villages, the company currently overseeing the complex, the renovations for 21 Chenango Street are expected to be completed by August 2015. The Press Building will be completed by Fall 2016, but a portion of the building may be completed for the start of next year as well. Together, the three buildings will be able to house about 300 people.

Lynn Mugodo, the president of OffCampus College Council (OC3) and a senior double-majoring in political science and

To help with the meth-making equations on “Breaking Bad,” showrunner Vince Gilligan had to call in an expert. That very expert was called to speak at Binghamton University on Wednesday.

Donna Nelson, the president-elect of the American Chemical Society (ACS), the largest professional society for scientists in the world, was the keynote speaker for Binghamton’s ACS section award ceremony. Wednesday’s event honored students and professors of the Southern Tier who excelled in chemistry.

Among those recognized were Sandy Zhang, a senior majoring in chemistry, who won the Outstanding Undergraduate Senior Chemistry Major Award in the Southern Tier.

Megan Finley, a recent graduate of BU who holds a doctorate in chemistry, won the Zappert Award for Outstanding Graduating Ph.D. Student in the Southern Tier.

A large portion of Nelson’s talk focused on her work with Vince Gilligan, the creator of “Breaking Bad,” and his team of writers.

According to her, she was flipping through a copy of Chemical & Engineering News when she came across an article about “Breaking Bad,” a show she had previously never heard of, requesting a volunteer science adviser.

“I saw that Vince Gilligan said we don’t have money to hire a science adviser but we would appreciate constructive remarks from a chemically inclined audience,” said Nelson, an organic chemistry professor at the University of Oklahoma. “I sat straight up and I thought, ‘Wow, this is an astonishing opportunity.’”

After watching the first five episodes and realizing the show did not glorify drugs, Nelson decided to apply. She was hired as the volunteer science adviser by June 2008, and was contacted whenever the writers and directors needed a consultation.

Nelson said she saw this as an opportunity to help build a bridge between the science community and the entertainment industry.

“We all know how much influence Hollywood has on the public,” Nelson said. “The producers and writers would get to learn about us and the public would get to see correct science information portrayed.”

Dan Brennan, associate professor of chemistry at SUNY Broome and chair of the Binghamton ACS section, said the ceremony offered a chance to hear about a unique perspective on careers

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Franz Lino/Photo Editor

Elizabeth Signorotti, an adjunct professor of English at Binghamton University, speaks about her path through life Thursday night during the annual “Last Lecture” speaker series. Sponsored by the Student Association Programming Board (SAPB), the series was inspired by Randy Pausch, a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon University who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at the age of 45.

Through unusual means, a fulfilling life

English professor Elizabeth Signorotti urges students to seek success outside academics Emilie Leroy

Pipe Dream News If Elizabeth Signorotti could only give one last lecture in her life, she would stress the importance of traveling off the beaten path. On Thursday evening, she got her chance.

The Last Lecture series, sponsored by the Student Association Programming Board (SAPB), was inspired by Randy Pausch. A computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon University, Pausch was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at the age of 45. After learning he only had a few months of good health left, he gave a final lecture called “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams,” which has

since inspired professors to give a lecture as though it were their last.

Signorotti, an English professor, asked students in both her Adolescent Literature and Children’s Literature courses what they would want to hear her speak about. With their feedback in mind, she geared her talk toward helping students find their ideal careers and overcoming any obstacles they may face. She urged students to follow their own unique path with perseverance, and to remain positive in unexpected circumstances.

“Things get bad, things are going to get bad and if you just hang on they’ll turn around,” Signorotti said. “They always do.”

Signorotti outlined her own

unorthodox path in life, beginning with her childhood growing up on a farm in a small rural community in central California. This small-town upbringing inspired some attendees.

“It was really interesting to see the contrast and learn how she made her way to her career,” said TJ Watt, a sophomore majoring in accounting.

She then traveled through Europe for a year. While she visited the typical galleries and tourist attractions when abroad, she said her best memories came from unconventional experiences like taking a midnight ride on a barge carrying trash down the canals of Venice.

“The memories that get made, they

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Historic Downtown building to reopen as luxury student housing Former home of The Binghamton Press part of threebuilding complex on Chenango Street set to open by 2016 Zuzu Boomer-Knapp Staff Writer

Klara Rusinko/Assistant Photo Editor

Undergraduates Jacqueline Clark, Christopher Coogan, Tara Jackson, Jaineba Chang and Timothy Crump are members of the Summer Scholars and Artists Program. For the first time, students are crowdfunding online for their cross-disciplinary summer research projects.

With crowdfunding, a kickstart to undergraduate summer research Summer Scholars and Artists Program provides platform for students to fund cross-disciplinary projects at BU Pelle Waldron

Assistant News Editor

For students looking to spend their summers conducting research at Binghamton University, funding is now only a click away.

The Summer Scholars and Artists Program, organized by the Office of the Provost, aims to encourage and support undergraduate research on campus across all disciplines. The 20 students selected to participate this summer will spend eight weeks researching fulltime with a faculty member.

However, this year, the students will also be crowdfunding, or soliciting small donations from a large online audience using social networking and digital media.

This summer’s projects are already funded by the provost, but the students are now crowdfunding for future years.

Each student is aiming to raise $3,000 more than the $3,000 they are given for research.

Ashley Serbonich, the assistant to the director of external scholarships, fellowships and awards, is in charge of the program and said it has come a long way since its inception when there were only two participants. According to her, they plan on expanding it in the coming years so that more students can take advantage of the opportunity.

“We have feedback that we get both from the participants of the program and faculty members,” Serbonich said.

“All of them have been very positive and saying how much of a learning experience the program has been for them.”

For some, the program offers an opportunity to explore future career options and interests. Jon Mermelstein, a senior majoring in history, is studying the economic, political and social development of Mesopotamia and the Arab Gulf as it relates to new oil operations.

“I am reaching the point where

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For Binghamton University students pressed for a place to live next year, Printing House Apartments may be the answer.

The new complex is made up of three adjacent apartment buildings: A threestory building at 21 Chenango Street, an already-renovated five-story building at 25 Chenango Street and the 12-story Press Building at 19 Chenango Street.

The floor plans show that the new buildings will have singles, doubles, triples and five-person apartments with personal bathrooms for each tenant. Starting rent ranges from $775 a month for fiveperson apartments to $1149 a month for

North Korean refugee chronicles journey to freedom Justin Seo urges support for those living under isolated country's oppressive regime Zachary Wingate News Intern

Klara Rusinko/Assistant Photo Editor

Justin Seo, a North Korean refugee, shared his story about traveling to the United States in his talk, “Escape from North Korea.” Binghamton University’s chapter of Liberty in North Korea (LiNK), a global nonprofit organization supporting refugees, invited Seo to speak on Tuesday night in Lecture Hall 10.

Growing up in the North Korean countryside, Justin Seo said he always dreamed of escaping his home country to explore the rest of the world. Little did he know that years later he would be in the United States speaking out about his experiences.

Seo was invited to campus by Binghamton University’s chapter of Liberty in North Korea (LiNK), an international non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and helping North Korean refugees. In his talk, “Escape from North Korea,” Seo detailed his experiences growing up in North Korea and escaping to the United States.

He described life in his village as paranoid: Most people who wanted to leave feared being exposed by a spy.

Seo said his village was so isolated

that many people knew nothing of life outside North Korea.

Seo and his father attempted to escape the Kim regime twice to seek better economic opportunities. In 2003, he made his way across the border into China by hanging onto the bottom of a train, but was caught by the Chinese police. He was deported and put in a North Korean prison for six months under terrible conditions.

“I’ve never seen human beings like that — hungry, starving and sick,” he said. “From there I knew I would never understand North Korea and I didn’t want to die there.”

Seo’s second attempt in 2005 was successful, and he escaped with his father and friends. According to Seo, it took them a little under two days to cross the Chinese border. They alternated between running and crawling, and were constantly checking behind them to see

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bupipedream.com | May 1, 2015

In Last Lecture, professor urges pursuit of passions LAST continued from Page 1

Dassie Hirschfield/Pipe Dream Photographer

Faculty and student speakers discuss ways to overcome nuanced prejudices at “Diversity is Strength: Binghamton’s Microaggression Project.” Hosted by the Binghamton Association of Mixed Students (BAMS) along with the Multicultural Resource Center (MRC) and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ODEI), the event had a volunteer panel of six students who took questions from the audience and opened the floor to hear attendees’ experiences with discrimination.

Students share experiences with microaggression, adversity DIVERSE continued from Page 1 less of a person,” Avila said. “But it has helped me embrace myself and realize that their ignorance doesn’t have to be mine.”

Students like Mariam Shahid, a senior majoring in philosophy, politics and law, discussed her family’s experiences as Muslims in a post-9/11 society.

“We realize that you’re treating us differently,” Shahid said. “You don’t see white people being selected for extra screenings at the airports, at least in the same numbers. It’s subtle things

that make people of color feel different. And we’re not going to let that slide under the rug.”

The showcase was an effort to make people more conscious of their actions, said Shekar Muruganathan, president-elect of BAMS and a sophomore majoring in economics.

“We want this to be a learning experience and a way to see all the cultures we have at Binghamton,” he said. “We have so many different kinds of people on campus, and we want to make people a little less ignorant and open their eyes.”

Nicole Sirju Johnson, associate

chief diversity officer of the ODEI, spoke at the event. She said that while others’ ignorance is troubling, ignoring the problem will only perpetuate disrespectful behavior and overreacting to the issue will only exacerbate stereotypes and discrimination.

Instead, she said, educating microaggressors about the effects of their actions will benefit everyone in the long-term.

“Responding appropriately is an ongoing process, you’re not always going to get it right,” Johnson said. “It’s important to remember we’re all learning.

Cultural competency is for

get made along the way,” she said.

“They get made in the detours of life.”

Signorotti warned students against focusing solely on finding a career, and said they should instead pursue experiences that are not usually found through traditional academic avenues.

“There’s so much pressure to go out and get it done,” Signorotti said. “Sometimes it’s better to stay back and do the thing that’s not expected of you.”

But for students concerned about job prospects after graduation, Signorotti emphasized the importance of persistence, and shared stories from her own employment search.

After returning from Europe she spent months calling potential employers and eventually landed a job at a newspaper.

“Things work out,” she said.

“They may not work as you expected, but they will work out.”

According to Amanda Wolfe, a senior majoring in English, the committee invited Signorotti to speak because of the popularity of her courses and her experiences.

“When you really like a professor, it becomes pretty clear by the way that you talk about

them and what you have to say,” Wolfe wrote in an email. “I think overall we realized that this was someone that we wanted more students to get to know.”

Matt Costanzo, a senior double-majoring in accounting and business administration, said he related to Signorotti’s stories that emphasized the importance of having meaningful experiences instead of focusing solely on school.

“You have to consider what you are really going to take stock in,” Costanzo said. “You are going to take stock in the people you’ve affected, the thing you’ve built and the skills you’ve gained.”

The memories that get made, they get made along the way — Elizabeth Signorotti BU Professor

everyone. Your attitude leaks, so be positive.”

A volunteer panel of six student presenters answered audience questions and opened the floor for attendees’ to tell their stories.

Panelist Amanda Melendez, an undeclared freshman, said it was important to separate oneself from prejudices others might have.

“We can all be from different backgrounds, but don’t let that limit yourself,” she said.

“Diversity is not a concrete thing.

You should be able to identify yourself however you want. These stereotypes are not you.”

To fund research projects, Summer Scholars go digital FUND continued from Page 1 I am realizing that it is time to shape a vision of what my post-college life will be,” he said. “Spending eight weeks conducting historical research will be valuable in determining whether or not I will apply to history graduate school.”

Greg Delviscio, the associate vice president of communications and marketing at BU, helped with website creation, program promotion

and crowdfunding. He said that after looking into different companies, he realized it would be more cost-effective for the University to create its own crowdfunding website. The page contains information about the current students in the program and allows people to donate money.

“It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of some crowd funding sites, but it has a lot,” Delviscio wrote in an email.

“The hope is to build a culture

of student and alumni giving to build a stronger Binghamton University.”

Crowdfunding is a new method for the University, but Delviscio said that the number of people visiting the website and donating is increasing due to the project’s social media popularity.

“I believe that the program is going to continue to grow,” Serbonich said. “I think the crowd funding program is going to help with that, because that goes into the fund for future

summer scholars and writers.”

Jaineba Chang, a junior majoring in English, is enrolled in the program.

She is writing a novel titled “Tallawah,” which will explore the Jamaican cultural view of post-colonialism.

According to Chang, the program offers its members unprecedented opportunities.

“It is literally funding dreams,” Chang said. “It could get people’s feet in the doors that they want to get into.”

Professor shares secrets behind the chemistry of 'Breaking Bad' CHEM continued from Page 1

Franz Lino/Photo Editor Donna Nelson, a chemistry professor at the University of Oklahoma and the president-elect of the American Chemical Society (ACS), speaks at the Binghamton chapter’s section award ceremony. As the keynote speaker, Nelson shared her experiences as the science adviser for the hit TV show “Breaking Bad.”

in chemistry.

“It’s an important event because it gives us a chance to recognize local talent and to encourage people to pursue chemistry as a possible career path,” Brennan said.

Nelson described her experience working on “Breaking Bad” as fabulous, and said that Gilligan and his writers were passionate about keeping the show as scientifically accurate as possible. Some of her equations and diagrams would appear on Walter White’s journal pages and chalkboard.

She said one of her favorite tasks was working out an equation that would answer how much meth, in pounds,

could be synthesized from 30 gallons of the compound methylamine.

“I still remember the night this came through in my email, I just sat and laughed because it violated so many things,” Nelson said. “We don’t use pounds in a lab and I don’t think I’ve ever used 30 gallons of anything.”

After receiving her award and hearing Nelson’s talk, Zhang said that she planned to go back and re-watch the show with her current chemistry knowledge.

“I watched ‘Breaking Bad’ like three years ago,” Zhang said. “I want to go back and watch those scenes with the chemistry and see if it would make more sense.”

After escaping North Korea in 2003, refugee looks to help others SEO continued from Page 1 if they were being followed.

Seo moved to America after three years in China. When he arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, Seo said he was shocked by all the cars; it took time to adjust to American life.

“For the first year I only ate bread and rice with soy sauce,” Seo said. “American food was too greasy for me.”

Seo stayed at a shelter for refugees in New York City before

moving to Rochester, New York. The rest of Seo’s family escaped from North Korea in 2007, but only his mother came to the U.S. Seo said he plans on continuing his education in computers and information technology and is constantly working on his English.

Although Seo previously spoke at BU in 2013, Kahlil Stultz, treasurer of LiNK and a senior majoring in history, said that his story needed to be shared again.

“He is a North Korean

refugee who suffered from the hands of the Kim regime directly,” Stultz said. “We hope to raise awareness and make sure people are able to identify with North Korea in something that’s a little more substantial than ‘The Interview.’”

Ayla Alvarez, a senior in the individualized major program, said her previous perception of North Korea only came from documentaries, and she was fascinated by Seo’s firsthand account.

“I thought it was pretty crazy

that it was this whole trialand-error situation,” Alvarez said. “It was super interesting hearing that personal spin that you usually don’t get.”

Seo urged more dialogue on North Korea, and encouraged people to write to their congressman to pressure the Chinese government to help refugees.

“One human life is very important,” Seo said. “Dream and never give up hope, that’s most important.”

A three-story building at 21 Chenango Street, an already-renovated five-story building at 25 Chenango Street and the 12-story Press Building at 19 Chenango Street are in the process of becoming new student housing. Applications are being accepted for the 2015-2016 school year, with starting rents ranging from $775 a month for five-person apartments to $1149 a month for a single.

Built in 1904, Press Building to become luxury student housing HOUSING continued from Page 1 philosophy, politics and law, said the number of students moving Downtown has been increasing steadily over the past few years and that expansion would help in the long run.

“I think Downtown luxury housing will help alleviate the pressure of housing on campus that the increase in enrollment is likely to cause,” Mugodo wrote in an email. “Students having an alternative option off campus will ensure that campus does not become overcrowded.”

Of the nearly 13,000 undergraduate students enrolled at BU, approximately 7,000 live offcampus. Steven Molinari, a senior majoring in political science and the vice president of OC3, said that while an increase in off-campus housing options is necessary, it is important to expand on-campus resources as well.

“Off Campus College Council is always concerned for the well-being of our constituents,” Molinari wrote in an e-mail. “We should be focused on improving our organizations such as OCCT so that when future students arrive, our University will be prepared.”

Amy Pollock, the assistant director of housing for Residential Life, offered a statement on behalf of ResLife saying that off-campus housing had little effect on the amount of students choosing to live on campus.

“Residential Life continues

to house a large number of our returning students on campus, all freshmen, as well as many new transfer students,” Pollock wrote.

“We have no plans to build new, on-campus housing at this time.

We will continue to partner with Admissions to be sure we are able to meet the needs of our students who wish to live on campus.”

The Press Building is considered a historic building by New York State and its basement once housed a massive printing press. It was built in 1904 to house the Binghamton Press newspaper.

Since the relocation of the Binghamton Press, the building has been used for various office spaces.

In 2010, the building was water damaged after an effort to put out a fire at the Midtown Mall, prompting the restoration project by a local developer. The building was sold for $2.1 million to 19 Chenango Empire LLC, while 21 and 25 Chenango Street were sold for $500,000 and $1 million to 21 Chenango Empire LLC and 25 Chenango Empire LLC, respectively.

According to Rains, Printing House Apartments is the next step in expansion for both the University and the city.

“The University is focused on Downtown and a lot of the kids like being Downtown,” Rains said.

“Given the supply and demand in the market and the fact that the University is growing, it just looks like a logical thing to do.”

PAGE III Friday, May 1, 2015

Address: University Union WB03 4400 Vestal Parkway E. Binghamton, N.Y. 13902 Phone: 607-777-2515 FAx: 607-777-2600 Web: bupipedream.com

Ballin' Out

Police Watch

Spring 2015

A lighter take on campus crime

editor-in-ChieF* Nicolas Vega editor@bupipedream.com

Aaron Berkowitz | Police Correspondent

MAnAging editor* Emma C Siegel manager@bupipedream.com

Dirty Laundry TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 3:30 p.m.- Officers were called to Onondaga Hall in College-in-the-Woods for reports of harassment, said Investigator Patrick Reilly of Binghamton’s New York State University Police. The victim, a 25-year-old female resident director, said that an 18-year-old female was the suspect. Two weeks ago, the suspect was smoking too close to the building so the victim went out to inform her of this. The suspect then told the victim that she should burn the victim with her cigarette. The victim was disturbed by this and went back inside. Two weeks later, the victim responded to a flood in the laundry room of the hall. The suspect was there and she said to another person at the laundry room that the victim steals clothes. The victim told officers that she does not steal clothing. The victim then went back to her room and contacted UPD. Officers visited the suspect, who said that she did not make the comments. The suspect was informed that she would be hearing from the Office of Student Conduct.

Academics Anonymous WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2:02 a.m.- Officers were called to Academic Building A for reports of trespass, Reilly said. A cleaner found a 32-year-old male sleeping in one of the computer Pods and told him that the building was closed. The suspect went upstairs and the cleaner believed that he left the building. Two hours later, the suspect was found by officers sleeping on a couch in the building. The suspect was asked what he was doing there. He said that he missed the last bus so he decided to sleep in the building.

The suspect was told that the building was closed and he left the building.

YakYak WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 11:58 p.m.- Officers responded to O’Connor Hall in Dickinson Community due to reports of an intoxicated female, Reilly said. Officers arrived at the room of the 18-year-old female and they were told that she locked herself in the bathroom. They knocked on the bathroom door and told the suspect who they were. There was no answer. They then unlocked the door themselves and found the suspect lying face down in a puddle of vomit. The suspect was asked what she drank and she said coffee. The suspect’s roommate said that she thought the suspect had been drinking alcohol. Harpur’s Ferry was called and when they arrived the suspect told them that she had a few mixed drinks. The suspect declined any medical attention. The roommate was told to keep an eye on the suspect and to contact UPD if she needed any help.

neWs editor* Alexandra K. Mackof news@bupipedream.com Asst. neWs editors Carla Sinclair Pelle Waldron Gabriella Weick oPinion editor* Esmerelda Murray opinion@bupipedream.com releAse editor* Odeya Pinkus release@bupipedream.com Asst. releAse editor Kathryn Shafsky sPorts editor* E.Jay Zarett sports@bupipedream.com John Babich/Pipe Dream Photographer

Shaftak Haque, a sophomore majoring in computer science, stands with a giant inflatable ball after signing it on the Spine. Wishmakers on Campus rolled the ball around campus to encourage donations to Make-a-Wish Foundation.

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Corrections

“They think we’re going to go away, but we’re

— Eric Ellerbee, a Baltimore native, during protests in Baltimore, Maryland.

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Arts & Entertainment

In his new documentary, a BU student's vision emerges Franz Lino/Photo Editor

In independent film, Shola Gbemi delves into the world of social justice, hip-hop culture and self-identity Jonathan Ortiz | Staff Writer As I interviewed student filmmaker Shola Gbemi on Monday afternoon regarding his forthcoming documentary, “Emerge,” I was convinced that he was a man headed in the right direction.

A large part of our conversation explored the current fight for social justice; my mind could not help but race with concern over the riots observed in New York City, Berkley, Ferguson and, most recently, Baltimore. However, even the most turbulent movements can be united.

“This is a generation where it is necessary for the youth to

take a stand for social justice,” said Gbemi, a senior majoring in psychology. “How do we do it in a meaningful way?”

Gbemi’s answer to that question is “Emerge,” set to be released May 1 on YouTube. His film explores the significance of the fight for social justice, the use of social media by today’s youth, hip-hop culture’s influence on the Black experience and the development of selfidentity. “Emerge” delves into the mind of the young Queens native during his journey to complete his first fiction novel. Although the film’s primary purpose is to promote Gbemi’s novel, the depth to which the documentarian investigates the Black experience in the United States lends “Emerge”

the authority to stand alone as a powerful social commentary. “’Emerge’ was the result of a lot of conversations I had with myself,” Gbemi said. “I’m confident that anyone who takes the time to watch this film won’t finish it without rewinding at least once.”

The documentary also examines the structure of minority culture that is shaped by influential minority leaders, from writers like Maya Angelou and Langston Hughes to hip-hop artist Kendrick Lamar. To Gbemi, influential figures like these do a great deal of justice for minority culture by depicting the Black experience in a positive light. In Gbemi’s perspective, Kendrick Lamar is more than just a rapper; he is

a poetically charged musician capable of touching base with his audience in a thought-provoking and soul-stirring use the art form as a medium to tell stories about their lives.

Writing has been a passion for Gbemi since he started writing poetry in high school. His goal was to publish a major work by the time he reached 21-years-old as his rite of passage into adulthood. Gbemi’s novel, set to be finished sometime in June, follows the narrative of two African-American college students trying to derive purpose from their experiences at school. The novel coalesces Gbemi’s personal reflections and the experiences that he has collected from both his life and his friends’ lives.

While growing up in Queens has added to Gbemi’s unique perspective by exposing him to a little bit of everything, he attributes much of his success to his mother. Gbemi states that despite struggling financially, she provided everything that he needed growing up and that without her, he probably would not have ended up attending Binghamton University.

“To this day I’ve seen my mom struggle financially too much,” Gbemi said. “Seeing that pain makes me work hard to change. Her struggles are the building blocks to my goals and motivations.”

Gbemi, however, has no intention of following writing or filmmaking professionally.

He aims to become a family and adolescent therapist and even dreams of starting his own nonprofit organization for young men of color, speaking to his passion for promoting community and minority culture. Gbemi is also the winner of multiple leadership awards, with his most recent, the Council Foundation Award for outstanding leadership, to be awarded on May 1.

Advice from Marion Jeffries, the president of NAACP Astoria, has given Gbemi the motivation to continue his work.

“She told me that if I can use my talent to portray my people in a positive way, I’ll be doing them more social justice than I can fathom,” he said.

DCP redefines high school stereotypes in latest production Students spend their Saturday morning in detention for stage adaptation of John Hughes' "The Breakfast Club"

Each line was recited powerfully, creating a spirited performance that wouldn’t be expected on a small stage in C4

Chloe Rehfield | Staff Writer High school isn’t the only place for a brain, a beauty, a jock, a rebel and a recluse. In the Dickinson Community Players’ (DCP) adaptation of John Hughes’s cult classic “The Breakfast Club,” they can come to college, too.

For the show, DCP transformed the iconic film into an intimate play and the C4 Multipurpose Room into the very familiar Shermer library. The play follows the stories of the five troubled high school students in-depth, not failing to mirror the relationships and layered character development evident in the film.

Stage manager Maddy Lipson wanted the scenes onstage to resemble the movie almost exactly and, along with director Rachel Wasserman, succeeded in recreating both the set and notable character dynamics.

“There are things that were so iconic in the movie that we had to put in,” said Lipson, a sophomore majoring in linguistics. “Of course, there were some other parts that we didn’t think were necessary to remake.”

Wasserman was careful to choose which lines to include and which to omit, and her precision proved to be beneficial. Each line was recited powerfully, creating a spirited performance that wouldn’t be expected on a small stage in C4.

The cast members have great chemistry and naturally bounced lines back and forth.

They effortlessly move along the stage and around throughout the room, bringing the audience into their world of Saturday morning detention.

Josiah Rawlings, a freshman majoring in industrial engineering who plays Bender, encompasses the dark pain Judd Nelson emitted in the movie, touching the audience with compassion and pity for the misunderstood teen. Harrison Rothbaum, a junior majoring in philosophy, politics and law, does a great job fulfilling the role of Andy as he timidly talks about his father and protects Claire proudly and confidently. The actors took time to get in touch with their characters and often stepped into their shoes outside of rehearsals, hoping to create even more convincing portrayals.

Neil Seejoor/Contributing Photographer

Those in the play agreed that the small cast was a plus, and after two and a half months of practice, they consider themselves a family.

Their closeness is apparent on stage, and makes for a more comfortable and believable vibe.

“This is a fun show. It’s simple,

but the complexity of the ideas makes things more interesting,” Rawlings said. “The dynamics come very naturally if you’re honest about who you are as a character.”

DCP’s “The Breakfast Club” brings a cult-classic to

Binghamton University, and anyone wanting to relive his or her favorite high school movie should see the play.

Showings are April 30, May 1 and May 3 at 8 p.m. in the C4 Multipurpose Room. Tickets are $3.00.

5

RELEASE

May 1, 2015 | bupipedream.com

Some tall asshole standing right in front of the stage

Someone smoking a doobie in public

GAS PEDAL

A senior crying because this is their last Spring Fling

A non-senior crying in public for any reason

A hipster-type head-bobbing to The White Panda

Someone wearing a flower crown

Alcoholic drinks stored in a Sodexo cup

Carefree guy on molly who just wants to spread the good vibes

Someone eating a fried Oreo and “totally regretting it”

One of the ride operators flirting with a student

A group of shirtless people

Baxter doing something obscene

Any mention of Coachella

Someone from Pi Kappa Phi pedaling slowly

Group of hoopers

Someone with a terrible sunburn

An entire group of friends in crop tops

The sun

EE

A fallen snow cone

Harvey Stenger playing beach volleyball in short shorts

B I N G O

A frat boy wearing pastel shorts

Gross PDA

FR

S PRI NG F LI NG

Someone complaining how they don’t know any of the headliners

Time to start day drinking? Bingo!

Take a sip every time you cross something off, chug if you win Odeya Pinkus | Release Editor Kathryn Shafsky | Assistant Release Editor Emily Mancini | Staff Writer Guess what, Binghamton?

Saturday is Spring Fling, and if you are planning on skipping it, don’t. There will be rides. There will be games. There will be food that you probably have to pay for but, hey, your meal plan is running low anyway. Your day will probably start out with some casual drinking, and end with dropping your freebies while crowd-surfing. Don’t have enough things to keep you occupied? Look to the left for Release’s handy Spring Fling bingo board, or try and complete our bucket list!

Here are 10 goals to make this Spring Fling the best one yet.

1) Sample food from every station after day-drinking without throwing up 2) Take a video from the swings ride without dropping your phone 3) Get Hoop Troop to teach you a trick 4) Stop by the Pipe Dream table to take a Weekend Warrior photo 5) Go to the table for every offcampus housing community and tell them you’re SUPER interested in signing a lease, then sign a lease 6) Get a free T-shirt. We’re not sure if they give those out, but you should try anyway 7) Get something from every table, freebie or not 8) Find Harvey Stenger and take a picture with him 9) Join a random group of dancers or musicians 10) Krump during Bad Rabbits

J.K. Rowling's political side gets air-time in new mini-series A small town's government council faces big time challenges in HBO's adaptation of "The Casual Vacancy" Jacob Shamsian | Executive Gold Black Belt After writing the seven most famous fantasy books of our lifetimes, it made sense for J.K. Rowling to try out another genre for her follow-up. But “The Casual Vacancy,” published in 2012, was, for some readers, a little too real. It’s a social-realist novel in the tradition of Dickens and Dostoevsky, getting into the sorry lives of the poor, asking why bad things happen to good people and putting the blame squarely on petty bureaucrats. Now, readers will be able to see Rowling’s first post-Potter effort come to life on screen in a three-part HBO miniseries.

Rowling isn’t a politician, but she’s never been shy about her political opinions. She wrote dozens of full-throated tweets against Scotland’s independence during last year’s election, and has loudly supported liberal-minded government aid for the poor — aid she credits as having gotten her through her difficult years before she became famous.

“The Casual Vacancy” is a dramatization of those liberal principles. The story has several overlapping subplots that surround the death of Barry

Fairbrother, a council member on the government of the small town of Pagford, England. The council is split into two camps: those who support the government providing for The Fields — the poorer part of town filled with junkies and other people in need — and those who want to disassociate with it.

Barry supported the unity between Pagford and The Fields, and his death creates a “casual vacancy” on the seat of Pagford’s council that needs to be filled. In Barry’s absence, both parties prop up their puppet candidates.

In three one-hour episodes, the miniseries adaptation of “The Casual Vacancy” focuses the debate’s stakes over the local community center (with a methadone clinic), and whether or not it should be transformed into a country house (with a spa). The change makes the themes all the more tangible — we see people receiving treatment and the center is a haven for people without any place to go. It’s a testament to the power a local government can have to help people.

The novel was written for adults, and took pains to make that evident, but those parts are largely excised from the series. A condom in the book is “glistening in the grass beside her feet, like

the gossamer cocoon of some huge grub.” A character has sex in a cemetery. Rihanna’s “Umbrella” plays during a funeral, to everyone’s shock. None of that’s in the television series, but they aren’t really necessary anymore.

At this point, contrasting “The Casual Vacancy” with the “Harry Potter” books is a dated exercise.

Rowling’s liberalism is the real subject in “The Casual Vacancy,” and it comes through onscreen.

But of course, Rowling’s ideas only make sense if the viewer can see how the characters are affected by them. A novel can be of any length, so Rowling can take the time to form full characters like Krystal Weedon, a promising young teenager held back by a traumatic childhood and a heroin-addicted mother, and Andrew Price, a romantic hopeful who strikes back against his domineering, abusive father.

It takes time to learn about characters and form an emotional relationship with them. A fulllength television series might have the appropriate amount of time, but a movie or threehour miniseries usually doesn’t.

Instead, the series sustains emotional involvement with quality acting. Michael Gambon — who plays the conniving Howard

Photo Provided

Mollison on the pro-spa team and is so goofy you might mistake him for moonlighting as Albus Dumbledore — is the only really famous one, but they’re all good

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actors and look like real people.

No character in “The Casual Vacancy” is purely good or evil. A character may have good intentions but may still be uncharitable, or

may be charitable but neglect their family. The victims, Rowling says, are created by circumstance.

Society’s casualties are created not purposefully, but instead casually.

OPINION Friday, May 1, 2015

W

Go With the Flo

e shouldn’t be the ones breaking the news to you, but there are two weeks left until commencement. Graduation is obviously an important event for every senior, but many soon-to-be-alumni revel in the event that precedes diploma distribution: the commencement speech.

Stephanie Courtney will be delivering this year’s speech.

Not too familiar with who she is?

Most students only know her as the quirky actress behind Flo, the Progressive Girl. And with that image in mind, many make quick judgments about her potential as keynote: some are thrilled, others are underwhelmed.

No, she’s not a Silicon Valley pioneer or famous politician, but she doesn’t need to be. Stephanie Courtney is a Binghamton University alumna who has accomplished a tremendous

amount after her own four years here.

Courtney is best known for her portrayal of Flo. We know this — we’ve seen the commercials, and a few of us might have even dressed up as her for Halloween once (or twice). Despite the fact that Flo is obviously Courtney’s most popular work, we as a student body have to separate the actress from the act. We are just as guilty, having previously published an article condemning the University’s use of it’s alumni database and encouraging the

administration to look beyond “Flo.” But we’re taking a step back and are encouraging campus to do the same. Let’s stop reducing Courtney to the bubbly, made-up girl in fifteen-second advertisements and see what she has to offer.

Unsurprisingly, Courtney has built a career outside of her famous insurance salesperson persona. She’s a real success — her credits include a stint on the hit drama “Mad Men,” and you can even see her perform a small role in “Blades of Glory”

if you pay close attention. She’s also a damn funny comedian, having been a member of the Groundlings, an improvisation group that boasts Will Ferrell, Kathy Griffin and Lisa Kudrow as alumni.

Like many of us, she came to BU with lackluster expectations, but made the best of it. Whether moving on to graduate school, future employment or parents’ basements, many future graduates can find comfort and camaraderie from a speaker with whom they have shared

experiences. Courtney probably has the same college memories of sweating in Tom & Marty’s and poor decisions at The Rat, and she managed to turn out okay.

It’s safe to assume that after a similar four years, you will be too.

Courtney is a liberal arts success story: she has managed to take an English major and translate it into a net worth of about $3 million, a feat that many of Harpur College’s most prideful minds wish to accomplish by 2020. She pursued her dreams

of becoming an actress and made a living doing it. Soon-to-be graduates should welcome the opportunity to listen to some of Courtney’s secrets to success.

She offers a wealth of knowledge not only to those graduating, but to others in the audience as well.

She created her own prosperity from our university. Listen to her story, embrace it, learn from it.

Some may complain that Courtney isn’t an out-of-thisworld persona coming to impart their wisdom on us. But that’s the point. She’s one of us.

Views expressed in the opinion pages represent the opinions of the columnists. The only piece which represents the views of the Pipe Dream Editorial Board is the Staff Editorial, above. The Editorial Board is composed of the Editor-in-Chief, News Editor, Opinion Editor, Sports Editor, and Release Editor.

Don't brush hookups aside, be amicable and accountable

Options available for encountering past sexual partners after engaging in casual one-time experiences

Maybe you'll get lucky and realize that your hookup can be more than that guy you let in after your housemates are all asleep

Michael Rulli

Sex Columnist

So, you had that casual hookup last night. Now what do you do?

It may be Springhamton all of the sudden, and the student body has seemingly grown from 2,000 to 20,000, but you know that you’re still going to bump into him or her every time you pass through the Marketplace.

There are a few noble options to take, and there are others that are just straight-up rude. I also think there are major differences regarding what’s acceptable

for those who are heterosexual and those who are homosexual, especially considering how open someone on campus is with their sexuality.

I know I’ve blatantly ignored some people in the past, so hopefully y’all can learn from my regrets a bit.

For all intents and purposes, a lot of people partake in hooking up, whether it’s though Tinder, Grindr, Brenda, or the old fashioned way: simply meeting while blacked out on the weird dance floor at the back of The Rat. After that walk of shame, there is always that next potentially shameful moment: running into them.

For me, as a flamboyant and

easily spottable gay man, it’s hard to avoid this moment. Now, an important thing to remember for gay men and women and all the other gender identities out there: everyone is at a different level of openness regarding their sexuality.

For starters, if I know my hookup is still very much in the closet, I certainly won’t acknowledge his existence unless he acknowledges mine first. This seems the most acceptable etiquette to follow, simply because I do not want to be the one to out anyone.

The next major determining factor is usually that bit of guilt and fear of judgment lingering in the back of my head. For some reason, we like to shame ourselves before we let others shame us.

I can be straight-up rude on days like these, and you can be waving or trying to speak to me, and I’ll just keep my headphones and sunglasses on as a barrier so no one can see me react to you.

This is something I do not want to condone. It is 2015, y’all, and we cannot continue to shame the concept of being sexual beings.

It is very simple to be cordial and polite and simply wave back.

Perhaps, you can even spark a conversation — maybe you’ll get lucky and realize that your hookup can be more than that guy you let in after your housemates are all asleep.

Now, for the straight people out there: a lot of the same advice can work for you, too, but you

Are you a skilled with a pencil?

Pipe Dream is looking for an editorial artist for the 2015-2016 year.

Email editor@bupipedream.com to apply.

don’t have to worry about outing anyone. So, whether you’re a senior just moments away from bouncing out of here or a freshman who just touched a boob for the first time (ladies, this one can be for you, too), we need to remember to account for other people’s feelings. Instead of doing what I usually do, let’s at least try to acknowledge one another.

There is no reason for anyone to feel shameful for following their carnal passions. You’re not a slut just because you hook up, and you’re certainly not better than anyone because you pretend you don’t.

— Rulli is a junior majoring in English.

7

OPINION

May 1, 2015 | www.bupipedream.com

Negative perception of GMOs is damaging and unwarranted Critical viewpoints of genetically modified organisms lead to unjustifable policies worldwide Maybe it's a problem of knowledge. The reality is that food geneticists are not mad scientists injecting tomatoes with syringes of green goo

Derek Stampone

Columnist

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have an image problem. They have been denigrated by groups calling for an outright ban. In response to these activists, certain restaurants, such as Chipotle, have removed GMO ingredients from their menus. While a call for fresh, nutritious and unprocessed foods is a noble cause that can vastly improve public health worldwide, is the fear of GMOs justified, or is a crusade against GMOs representative of a larger problem with science?

In January 2015, the Pew Research Center and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) conducted a poll to find out what Americans and scientists thought about science; a troubling takeaway concerned GMOs. While 88 percent of AAAS scientists said genetically modified foods are generally safe, only 37 percent of the general public concurred.

No other scientific issue, from climate change to vaccinations, had this large of a disparity.

Maybe it’s a problem of knowledge. The reality is that food geneticists are not mad scientists injecting tomatoes with syringes of green goo. In fact, modifying the genome of organisms has occurred for millions of years, with or without human intervention.

Whether with random mutations coupled with natural selection or human-induced selective breeding, biodiversity changes over time. Humans have taken advantage of genetics in order to develop plants and animals with desirable traits. The resistance to pests and herbicides, improved yield and increased nutritional value have been instrumental to the development of modern society through selective breeding.

The science of genetic engineering also plays a role in health care. Consider recent developments to genetically modify viruses in an attempt to combat brain cancer. Researchers at The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke University are using a genetically modified

version of the polio virus to treat glioblastoma multiform.

This Phase I study has shown great promise thus far and is a proof of concept for curing other debilitating diseases.

In spite of the positives associated with GMOs, there are groups of ardent critics that bully developing nations to ban GMOs. Food security currently tops the list of important human necessities. A healthy diet wards off other health problems. GMOs offer an opportunity to turn the tide in favor of farmers in developing nations. By improving their food security, they can focus on improving the rest of their lives and their countries. It’s hard to care about democracy, women’s rights and education when you’re hungry.

In contrast, those in the developed world demanding a ban on GMOs and increased “traditional” farming do so from a table stocked with a cornucopia of affordable food. Yet these critics who rely on scientific consensus to support climate change will shun scientific evidence in support of the safety of GMOs. The cognitive dissonance is discouraging.

It’s a myth that famines are simply caused by a lack of food.

It’s not just bad weather or a failed crop; famines are a result of failed human intervention. A misguided policy to ban GMOs will compound starvation. To support bans on GMOs is to support the starving of others.

— Stampone is candidate in Physics.

a

PhD

Senior Columns Quitting is sometimes the best option Passion is key to Letting go of certain goals after accepting failure proves beneficial enjoying experiences Madison Ball

Columnist

It’s hard not to sound incredibly cliché when giving general advice or talking about lessons you’ve learned along the course of a journey. Of course, expressions like “expand your horizons” or “do what makes you happy” have only become hackneyed because they are genuinely good pieces of advice — but we already know these statements, so I’ll try to spare you.

I’ve tried to think about some of the things I would tell a young Madison if I had the chance. As is the case with anyone, there are a lot of things I wish I had known, but I will just share one sentiment here.

I hear a lot of people say “never give up.” This idea is inspiring, and if you really love what you are doing and have faith in your own success, you shouldn’t give up. But I’m going to give a different message: sometimes, it really is OK to give up on something.

I’m serious — there are plenty of situations where the best thing you can do is give up and walk away. Not only is that sometimes the best option, but it is often also the most difficult one. Coming to terms with the fact that whatever goal you’ve been trying so hard to reach just isn’t going to happen, and that it’s time to move on, takes courage. Strength is not digging at an empty barrel; strength is accepting yourself and your own capabilities and letting go of what isn’t productive in your life.

The word “quit” tends to have a negative connotation but there is nothing wrong with altering your dreams to fit your skill set.

In fact, that is what you should do. You may dream of being a mechanical engineer, but if you can’t get through Calculus I, this probably is not a realistic dream for you, which is OK. Walking away can save you from stress, poor grades and more failures down the road.

I was on Binghamton University’s swim team during my freshman year. I’ve been swimming since I was six-yearsold and, like everyone else,

wanted to swim Division I when I got older. Twelve years later and I was doing just that, but hated swimming. I literally dreaded swimming from the moment I woke up in the morning. Don’t get me wrong — being on the team here was an honor — but I hated the sport. This was accompanied by the fact that I just wasn’t as good as I used to be at a younger age when I initially decided to pursue Division I. Swimming was a waste of valuable time, so I quit. It was a huge part of my life and it was difficult to come to terms with the fact that I struggling to improve.

Sucking it up would have been easier than altering my life so drastically. Quitting was one of my proudest moments, however, because I decided for myself that I was done being miserable and acted on it.

You’re not a failure because you cannot succeed at one thing — there isn’t a person in the world who can succeed in everything. Spending valuable time doing something you aren’t good at, especially if you don’t love it, won’t get you far.

Your preferences and skills

change throughout life, and your goals should change with them.

— Ball is a double major in political science and philosophy, politics and law.

You're not a failure because you cannot succeed at one thing — there isn't a person in the world who can succeed in everything

Binghamton experience abundant with memories Love for university highlights unforgettable undergraduate journey Miriam Geiger

Columnist

Dear Binghamton, Know that I love you. Know that a bond formed as I headed east on Route 17 before my freshman year, exclaiming as I passed each mile marker.

Binghamton 247. With every eight miles came another sign, another exclamation. I drove to

I want you to know that I love you and am grateful for everything that beging here has given me

Binghamton in late August, just in time for the final orientation, sneaking in right before classes began. I was a wide-eyed kid from Ohio who was to live in Onondaga Hall in College-inthe-Woods and had never stepped foot on campus before.

It was risky, but it was a small risk.

Dear Binghamton, Know that I love you. Even after your rains soaked through both of my rain coats and waterlogged my first cell phone.

Especially after slipping in the mud in the Nature Preserve at least once each academic year.

Though I complained, I walked through these interminable winters bundled in a black coat that went past my knees and claimed to remain warm through -20 degrees Fahrenheit. These might be more general loves of mine, but the clouds here are frequently epic. I often look up, turn my eyes to the hills, and know my help will come in the form of a walk down twisting two-lane roads, a camera in hand, elevation equal to and exceeding Glenn G. Bartle Library Tower.

With such a landmark, how could I ever be lost?

Dear Binghamton, Know that I love you and all of the seemingly disparate communities that welcomed me in my time here. Whether these communities arose due to living space (4MX, Hayes), religious observance (Woot, Judaism?), community service (Challah for Hunger and, by extension, the Sodexo staff in Appalachian Collegiate Center who generously shared their space with us), shared classes, days spent in the printmaking studio desperately trying to make good art and, of course, the fallout shelter located at WB-03, also known as Pipe Dream. (Thank you, copy, for tolerating that run-on sentence of all run-on sentences. Feel free to restructure.)

I am continuously thankful that I chose to leave my room and explore, and in my explorations, have found many friends. Some of you were only for a semester, while others have spanned my entire college career. Some of you have been the professors and

mentors who challenged me to examine whatever preconceived notions I held dear, to learn more, to do better, and to not fall back on the limits of my comfort zone. I wish I had time to go to more office hours. Some of you have been counselors at the University Counseling Center, helping me navigate anxiety and a sense of low self-worth.

Thank you for your patience and consistently good advice.

Some of you, my friends, will be with me long after I don a silly green robe and walk across a stage. In your eyes and in your actions, I see the foundation for a future that is vast and long-lasting. So whether we’re road tripping the Lower 48 this summer, attending each other’s celebrations in five years, or working with each other in 10 years, or 20, I want you to know that I love you and am grateful for everything that being here has given me.

— Geiger is a senior doublemajoring in English and studio art with a concentration in printmaking.

Escape safe options and instead pursue engaging coursework David Forrest

Columnist

T-shirts and shorts have retuned to campus, which can only mean one thing at Binghamton University: the spring semester is nearly over. This season has a special significance to me this year, because it means that we’re getting closer to the dreaded graduation day that our parents and relatives have constantly reminded us about.

As this is my last semester at BU, I often find myself thinking about how I got here in the first place. The reality is that I, like many others here, almost ended up at another school. In fact, as a high school senior, I was not sure if I wanted to go to BU but eventually made the decision to attend. Forgive me for this cliché, but looking back, I’m glad that I did.

From the moment I stepped on campus, Binghamton surpassed my expectations.

My fears about my randomly assigned international roommate quickly melted away as we clicked from our very first interaction and instantly became close friends. We befriended nearly our entire hall together, which made for an entertaining freshman year.

It may sound ironic, but one of the most important lessons I learned at college wasn’t taught to me in a classroom. I taught it to myself while changing majors.

When it came to choosing a major, I changed my mind more often than Binghamton’s weather changes in a day.

I, like many incoming freshmen, didn’t know what I wanted to study at first. I thought business was a safe default option, but realized a few weeks into ECON 162 that math and graphs weren’t my strong suit and that transferring into the School of Management probably wasn’t the best idea. At first, I resisted change and stuck with the business-oriented courses.

The problem was that I was not ready to admit that I didn’t know which major to choose. As a result, I stuck with classes that pushed me towards SOM until I took a political science course my second semester.

Whereas work in business-

oriented courses was tedious and difficult, writing papers, reading and participating in my political science courses didn’t really feel like work to me. I was passionate about the coursework, and it showed. This experience taught me the value of pursuing passions, which is exactly what college is about — finding yourself both socially and academically. I learned that studying what you enjoy, as opposed to what you think will get you the best job, is the best way to spend college.

While learning this lesson, along with many others, I accomplished great things. I met great friends and convinced myself that I wanted a life in politics, only to realize later that it wasn’t for me. I spent countless nights on State Street and also enjoyed nights in with a few close friends. Through it all, I learned a lot about myself and made countless memories with people I will never forget. For these things, and for so much more, I thank you, Binghamton.

Congrats, seniors, but remember that our best days are ahead of us. To those who have yet to start their journey at BU, remember that Binghamton is what you make of it. If there is one thing I learned here, it is to go into situations with an open mind, because the reality may be better than you could have imagined.

— Forrest is a senior majoring in political science.

I learned that studying what you enjoy, as opposed to what you think will get you the best job, is the best way to spend college

8

FUN

bupipedream.com | May 1, 2015

Fun.

RELEASE DATE– Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis

ACROSS 1 St. with a panhandle 5 Polio vaccine developer 10 Stash 14 Jockey strap 15 Native of Tehran 16 “Now I get it!”

17 Loaf pan filler 19 Mane man of film?

20 Fruity rum drink 21 Fills 22 Give authority to 25 Gets in the crosshairs 26 English subjects?

27 One may be proffered at a wedding 29 Mistletoe branch that was Aeneas’ pass to the underworld 32 Eavesdropping org.

35 First name in jazz 36 Lets up 37 Adversaries 38 It’s 0 at the equator: Abbr.

39 Something to lead a horse to 41 Rained hard?

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SPORTS

May 1, 2015 | bupipedream.com

BU splits twin bill at Cornell

Bearcats blanked, 6-0, in opener, respond with 9-3 victory

Caroline Sardella/Contributing Photographer

Junior catcher Lisa Cadogan delivered four RBIs in BU’s 9-3 victory over Cornell on Tuesday.

E.Jay Zarett Sports Editor

After being shut out in the opening game of its doubleheader against non-conference opponent Cornell on Wednesday, the Binghamton softball team, led by junior catcher Lisa Cadogan, responded in the nightcap. Cadogan delivered three hits and four RBIs to lead BU (18-17, 8-5 America East) to a 9-3 victory. In the process, the junior tied the program singleseason RBI record with 44 runs driven in on the year.

“I think she has done a really good job this year,” BU head coach Michelle Burrell said. “She has been staying nice and relaxed in the box. I think she has gotten really comfortable, and she’s not trying to do too much.”

The Binghamton bats came to life early in BU’s final game against the Big Red (17-24, 8-12 Ivy). Cadogan opened the scoring in the first, knocking in freshman infielder Stephanie Bielec to give BU its first lead of the afternoon.

After Cornell tied the game in the bottom half of the frame, the Bearcats struck again in the second.

Junior outfielder Sydney Harbaugh and freshman outfielder Jessica Rutherford each singled home a run before Cadogan drove the ball to right field for a double, plating three to put BU up, 6-1.

The Bearcats would score again off of a two-run homer from freshman infielder Kate Richard in the fifth and off a Cornell error in the following inning en route to the 9-3 victory.

“I was happy with the way we responded in the second game,”

Burrell said. “I definitely think they picked it up and I thought that was important going into this weekend.”

While the Bearcats’ bats were hot in game two of the doubleheader, the opener was a different story.

Cornell freshman pitcher Maddie Orcutt stifled BU on the bump.

Orcutt allowed just two hits in the contest, a single by sophomore outfielder Gabby Bracchi in the second and a triple by Harbaugh in the third, while striking out four batters to lead her team to a 6-0 blanking of Binghamton.

“I think we were looking to go to Cornell and keep playing with a lot of energy like we have been,” Burrell said. “I think for whatever reason, kind of being on the road, we didn’t necessarily start with it in the first game.”

The Bearcats will now turn their attention back to conference play when they take on Maine in a three-game series beginning Friday. Binghamton is currently in third place in the America East standings, one-half game in front of Albany and UMBC, who currently share fourth, and one-half game behind Maine. The top four teams in the standings will advance to the AE tournament May 7-9, hosted by the highest seed.

“We have kind of seen as a team that when they’re up and they’re playing for each other they seem to perform better,” Burrell said about the upcoming series. “I think we’re going to need to make sure that we come in and have a lot of energy from the start and make sure we have it from the beginning of the game to the end of the game.”

BU and Maine are slated to begin the series with a doubleheader today. First pitch is set for 2 p.m., with a second game following shortly after. The series is scheduled to conclude Saturday beginning at noon. All games will take place at the Softball Complex in Vestal, New York.

9

Bearcats' season concludes in California BU golf team finishes seventh of eight at Big Sky Championship Orlaith McCaffery

Assistant Sports Editor The Binghamton golf team concluded its 2015 spring season by traveling to Angels Camp, Calif., to compete in the Big Sky Golf championship. The Bearcats came in seventh in the eight-team tournament that began and ended their postseason hopes. Finishing at the head of the pack was Idaho, which had the lowest totals in each of three rounds, firing a total score of 856.

BU got off to a sluggish start on Monday, hitting 325 (+37), which landed it in last place after the first round. Senior captain Josh Holling led BU with 77 (+5) strokes. He was followed by freshman Kyle Wambold and senior Jack Sedgewick, who each shot 82 (+10). Over the weekend, Sedgewick was named Golfer of the Week by the Big Sky Conference for his impressive performance at the Rutherford Invitational hosted

by Penn State, in which he placed first out of 75 golfers.

On Tuesday, BU came back from its disappointing start to the competition, lowering its total round score by 26 shots good enough for fifth-best of the day.

The five-man squad finished the round with a score of 299. Pacing the Bearcats was sophomore Sameer Kalia, who shot two under par. He eagled the 10th hole and had birdies on holes seven, eight, nine and eighteen.

“Sameer had an awesome round,” BU head coach Bernie Herceg said to bubearcats.com.

“He had one bad shot, but he was able to recover from it. He just shot well and made some better scores today.”

Sedgewick and junior Jesse Perkins also contributed to Binghamton’s improved performance. Each shot a 76 (+4).

“Jack and Jesse each played

solid rounds, but both had one hole that ultimately kept them from better scores,” Herceg said to bubearcats.com.

Heading into the third day of competition on Wednesday, Binghamton looked to improve on its performance and advance in the standings. The Bearcats, however, could not best their second round results, shooting 303 (+15) on the day. Kalia and Holling both fired off rounds of 74 (+2) and had four birdies apiece en route to finishing 19th and 24th, respectively.

Despite Binghamton’s strong individual outings in certain rounds, Herceg believes the team could have performed more consistently.

“I have mixed feelings about the tournament,” Herceg said to bubearcats.com. “If we played as well in the first round as we did in rounds two and three, it would have been a different story.”

This week’s tournament marked the last collegiate competition for two seniors, Josh Holling and Jack Sedgewick. The third senior on the Bearcat roster, Stephen Mincone, did not compete in the tournament.

“It’s tough emotions with Josh and Jack playing their final tournament,” Herceg said to bubearcats.com. “They have been

two great leaders and studentathletes since their start here.

They both have great work ethic and set solid examples for the younger players. I truly hope that their dedication and loyalty to this program rubs off onto the younger guys. They will both be greatly missed.”

First-place Idaho is the only team from the tournament that will advance to NCAA regional competition.

SAMEER KALIA:

229 (+13): 19TH JOSH HOLLING:

231 (+15): 24TH JESSE PERKINS:

236 (+20): T-31ST KYLE WAMBOLD:

238 (+22): T-33RD JACK SEDGEWICK:

246 (+30): 40TH

Photo Provided

Senior Josh Holling shot an overall score of 231 (+15) at the Big Sky Tournament this weekend, finishing in 24th place.

Binghamton heads to AE Championship Armstrong, Garn aim to lead Bearcats to strong performance Jeff Twitty

Assistant Sports Editor After wrapping up a stellar spring season at Cornell last weekend, the Binghamton men’s and women’s track and field teams are now set to compete in the America East championships this weekend, hosted by Albany. With the men finishing fourth and the women finishing in third in BU’s 2014 effort, head coach Mike Thompson hopes that his teams will continue to climb up the ranks in the nine-team championship.

“My goal is to be top three for sure, for both,” Thompson said. “But I think if we compete like we’re capable, we can be second for both sides.”

The Goliath keeping the Bearcats — and every other AE team — out of the top spot is the host, Albany. Having taken the top spot on the women’s side for six consecutive years and earning its 10th straight title on the men’s side in 2014, Albany’s perennial success has come to be an expectation in the conference.

But that’s not to say the Bearcats won’t try their luck at clawing at the Great Danes’ pedestal this weekend.

Sophomore Keishorea Armstrong and graduate student Alexis Murray have impressed in jump events throughout the season — with the former already having taken second in the triple jump at this year’s indoor championships in February.

“On the women’s side, jumps, sprints are the big events for us,” Thompson said. “But we have potential in the throws and some middle distance runners that could do pretty well for us.”

On the men’s side, distance is key according to Thompson, and rightfully so. Senior middle distance runner Jesse Garn has garnered national attention over the course of the season, most recently clocking an IC4A

qualifying time of 1:47.03 in the 800 meter event at the Bucknell 5-Way Meet on April 18.

Other IC4A qualifiers for the Binghamton men include sophomore sprinter Jon Alkins and senior thrower Brandon Bordeau. With Alkins and Bordeau named as the Athlete of the Week for the men’s track and men’s field categories, respectively, on April 21, the success of the other Bearcats’ sprinters and throwers will be crucial to their success this weekend in Albany and beyond.

“That’s mainly what I’m hoping for [this weekend],” Thompson said. “To see more people make it to the ECACs and IC4A meets and also get more people solidified for the Regional Championship at the end of May.” With the ECAC/IC4A championships set to kick off on May 15, the AE championships will be the final chance for many Bearcats to qualify.

But for athletes like Garn and Armstrong — pacing the conference in their own right — this weekend will serve as another opportunity to perfect their performances before potentially heading onto the national stage.

“Garn and Keishorea [Armstrong] are capable of making it to the NCAA Final Round championship in Oregon,” Thompson concluded.

“I think we have a few people

that can place very high at the ECACs and IC4As […] this weekend will really show us how good of a team we are.”

The 2015 America East Outdoor Track and Field championships are set to begin on Saturday with the first event starting at 10 a.m. from the Track and Field Venue in Albany, New York.

Garn and Keishorea [Armstrong] are capable of making it to the NCAA Final Round Championship in Oregon — Mike Thompsont BU Head Coach

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Cadogan ties BU single-season RBI record See Page 9 Friday, May 1, 2015

Swinging for the fences

Photo Provided, Emily Earl/Pipe Dream Photographer, Caroline Sardella/Contributing Photographer

Clockwise from top: Senior outfielder Zach Blanden currently leads the conference in batting average (.364), on-base percentage (.483), and slugging percentage (.559). Junior second baseman Reed Gamache was 3-for-4 and belted a solo homer in BU’s opening 4-3 victory over St. Bonaventure. Redshirt junior catcher Nick Pancerella hit a game-winning single to propel the Bearcats past the Bonnies in Tuesday’s nightcap.

Blanden, Thomas, four-year starters in Bearcats outfield, push each other to higher limits Ashley Purdy

Contributing Writer Last week, Zach Blanden topped out the America East in four offensive categories. He was first in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and runs scored. Right behind him was fellow senior outfielder Jake Thomas, who ranked either second, third or fourth in all the same categories.

Then on Monday, Thomas jumped on top, surpassing his teammate for first in batting average and on-base percentage.

After BU swept St. Bonaventure on Tuesday, Blanden reclaimed his lead over the league. His .364 batting average, .559 slugging percentage and .483 on-base percentage are all good for first, although his 31 runs fall one short. Thomas remains close behind, however, sitting in second or third in all the same categories. One may wonder how long that will last.

“It always seems like

whenever I do well, he does even better,” Blanden told Pipe Dream in an interview before the two played hot potato with first place.

“He always steps up his game in accordance to mine.”

Both four-year starters, Blanden and Thomas have watched each other develop — and pushed each other to develop — over the years. And they’ve done so in strikingly similar fashion.

While Blanden mostly played right field, Thomas played left.

Thomas batted third in the lineup; Blanden became the leadoff hitter his second year.

When Thomas put up national numbers their sophomore season, setting new school records in on-base percentage (.517) — which ranked third in the nation — and walks (45), his name peppering the top-five of the conference stat sheets, Blanden’s name was right there too, in the top-10 of seven different statistics.

“I just think they feed off each other,” Binghamton head coach

Tim Sinicki said. “I think it’s one pulling for the other and at the same time pushing each other to be better.”

“We’ve never actually talked about it, but I do think that there’s a little bit of competition in between us,” Blanden said with a laugh. “We came in the same year, and this year, he and I are really going at it back and forth … And so I think it’s a good friendly rivalry that we have, and I think it’s really helping the team.”

The two rank in the top-20 of the conference in nearly every category, though they normally fall in the upper half of that. This season, each has garnered AE Player of the Week honors, with Thomas receiving the nod on Feb. 17 and Blanden on April 13.

They’ve been integral members of a team that won the AE title the past two seasons, and yet Blanden has somehow managed to shy away from the limelight.

Thomas, a two-time firstteam all-conference player and

first-team ABCA All-Northeast Region selection in 2013, has been a bit more of a high-profile player than Blanden.

But Blanden’s recognition within the team has been substantial. For all his progress and commitment, the threeyear right fielder was asked to make a change entering this season. Former center fielder Billy Bereszniewicz — who is now playing in the L.A. Dodgers organization — graduated, leaving a gaping vacancy in the outfield. So Sinicki decided to shift Blanden into the role.

Blanden flourished, and he attributed his success to learning from Bereszniewicz. Sinicki saw the growth stem from Blanden’s work ethic. Thrown onto the field from day one, Sinicki said Blanden had to learn much on the fly. But given how willing Blanden is to put in extra work and how involved he is in his development, that led to “an outstanding senior year.”

Debatably more distinctive about Blanden is his proclivity

for leadership. One of BU’s tenants is to showcase leadership on and off the field, and Blanden has that pegged. The team selected the Homer, New York native as captain before he was No. 1 on the field, because he was already No. 1 in their hearts.

“I think Zach’s personality really is what gets him a lot of respect away from the field,” Sinicki said. “I think he’s got a way about him that shows everyone he really cares about them individually.”

“I actually like the role [as leader] a lot,” Blanden said.

“When you first come into college, there’s a big learning curve. And as much as I can do to help [the younger players], teach them about the game in the way that I can, I really like doing that.”

One thing Blanden is in prime position to teach — and so is Thomas — is to embrace the underdog role. The Bearcats may have earned a trip to the NCAA tournament the last two years, but they were never the favorites

of the conference. The two-time reigning America East champs aren’t the favorite this year, either. Last year, BU made history when it dropped its opening game in the AE tournament and then raged through six eliminationbracket games to take the title.

The team lost three of its most dominant players since then. But that’s college. Rosters are always in flux, and Blanden and Thomas have stepped up to the plate.

“I think the position that we’re in right now, there’s not a big difference between the three seed and the last team in the conference,” Blanden said.

“There’s a lot of parity. But playing with our backs against the wall is nothing new for us: We know how to perform under pressure.”

The Bearcats currently occupy fifth in the conference standings with a 6-8 AE record, 16-16-1 overall. With nine AE games left, BU has ample time to ascend the rankings. And one can be sure Blanden and Thomas will lead the way.

Late-inning heroics propel Binghamton to back-to-back walk-off victories over St. Bonaventure in home doubleheader Noah Bressner

Contributing Writer There was no shortage of suspense for the Binghamton baseball team in its doubleheader against St. Bonaventure on Tuesday. Both games of the series were scheduled to be played as shortened seven inning games, but the Bearcats rallied from behind in both contests to force extras.

In the bottom of the eighth in second matchup of the day, with the game-winning run waiting on third, redshirt junior catcher Nick Pancerella delivered.

With an RBI-single down the

left field line, Pancerella batted in freshman infielder Paul Rufo to end the game, 4-3, and allow the Bearcats (16-16-1, 6-8 America East) to sweep the Bonnies (14-202, 2-13 Atlantic 10) at home.

The Bonnies struck first in the nightcap, when senior catcher Dylan Dunn blasted a two-run shot over the center field fence. On the mound, St. Bonaventure’s starting pitcher — freshman Aaron Phillips — held the Bearcats scoreless until the fifth, when BU ignited a comeback by scoring in each of the next four innings.

After junior infielder Reed Gamache knocked in his third run of the doubleheader, sophomore

catcher Eddie Posavec reached first on a walk in the sixth before freshman infielder CJ Krowiak tripled to bring Posavec in and make the tally 3-2.

Attempting to keep Phillips on the mound for a complete game, the Bonnies were struck by fatigue in the bottom of the seventh. A wild pitch to the backstop was enough to tie the game at three and force extra innings for the second time.

After a scoreless top of the eighth, BU wasted no time in the bottom of the frame. Rufo reached first and advanced to second on a throwing error. A passed ball advanced Rufo to third before

Pancerella lined the game winning hit to give the Bearcats the win, 4-3.

The bottom of the Bearcat lineup, namely Rufo and Pancerella, played a major role in securing Binghamton’s victory.

“You win it with the bottom of your order,” BU head coach Tim Sinicki said. “We need contributions from everybody, one through nine, and it’s great to see the job get done.”

In the first meeting between the two, St. Bonaventure also struck quickly, driving in a run in the top of the first. Responding just as quickly, BU plated a run of its own in the bottom of the

inning, courtesy of an RBI double from Gamache.

After a run by the Bonnies in the second, Gamache struck again in the fourth, belting a solo home run to tie the matchup at two a piece. Throughout the series, the junior hit at a .500 clip, going 4-for-8 at the plate.

“He came up with some clutch hits today for us, drove in some runs and made some really good plays on defense,” Sinicki said of Gamache. “So he’s a guy we rely on and a guy that, when he’s playing well, makes us go.”

Down, 3-2, going into the bottom of the seventh, Posavec produced a double and scored off

of a double by freshman catcher Jason Agresti to force the game into extras. Following a scoreless eighth, junior third baseman David Schanz singled, scoring freshman outfielder Chris McGee to secure BU’s first win of the day, 4-3.

The Bearcats are set to return to America East action this weekend with a three-game home series against UMBC. First pitch is scheduled for noon on Saturday with a second game following shortly after. The series is slated to conclude Sunday at 1 p.m.

All games will take place at the Baseball Complex in Vestal, New York.