SEPTEMBER 4, 2019 • VOLUME 90 • ISSUE 2
The official student newspaper of Quinnipiac University since 1929
OPINION: IMMIGRATION P. 4
ARTS & LIFE: VMAS P. 6
SPORTS: WHERE ARE THEY NOW? P. 11 By JESS RUDERMAN Staff Writer
John Lahey is as much of a school mascot as Boomer for many Bobcats. From his famous selfies to his occasional appearances during May Weekend festivities, for 31 years there wasn’t a Quinnipiac student who didn’t know his name– until now. After an absence of a mere year from campus, it seems that Lahey’s once celebrity presence is beginning to dwindle as almost half of the undergraduate class have started to ask ‘Lahey, who?’ “It wasn’t easy for me to stay away for a year after being president for 31 years and three months, but I did it and I’m more than thrilled to be back on campus to be teaching this semester,” Lahey said. The former president officially retired from his long-time position at Quinnipiac on June 30, 2018 although what many consider ‘retirement’ was far from his mind. A philosophy student throughout his academic years, Lahey always knew he would return to teaching. The professor currently teaches two onground courses– Tuesdays and Thursdays, Case Studies/Business Ethic 01 (SB 410) at 9:30 a.m. and Logical Reasoning 01 (PL 202) at 8 a.m. in addition to the online version of PL 202. “I didn’t get a PhD in philosophy to become a university president. I had no idea what a president was or did. I love philosophy, I love teaching philosophy and even in my 31 years as president at Quinnipiac, I taught 26 of those years,” Lahey said. “The students that I have in my two classes seem very eager to learn and excited so it was a very positive experience and I hope the whole semester goes as well.” This may be the first time Bobcats have See LAHEY Page 3
THE CHRONICLE ARCHIVES
Dean of CAS to step down
Smart leaves a legacy of accomplishments focused on improving student experience
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Robert Smart, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, is stepping down and leaving a big pair of shoes to fill. In an email sent by Interim Provost Jennifer Brown on Aug. 29, she announced that Smart would be returning to his position as full-time faculty in the department of English until his retirement in 2021. Smart has been teaching for 47 years and has spent the last 20 at Quinnipiac, first as the chair of the English department before becoming dean of CAS in 2014. In these last six years specifically, Smart has been focused on enhancing the student experience. “What if we could say to students, don’t pick a major because you think it’ll give you a job, because that job might not be there by the time you graduate? Stick with where your passions are,” Smart said. Jeremy Gustafson, Student Government Association (SGA) liberal arts senator, has worked with Smart on several initiatives, including a project to add more bulletin boards to CAS1. “I am sad to see him go,” Gustafson said. “He loves to meet students and understand their college life and how they’re doing. He
is also passionate about other things, like the Student Center, which he was a key component in creating.” Smart’s theory is that the focal point in any educational institution is the students. Four years ago, Smart said he used to have students outside his door before graduation, panicked that they weren’t prepared for the work life outside of Quinnipiac. “I need every single graduate from here to feel absolutely fearless,” Smart said. “Whenever I would talk to the students outside that door, they were afraid. It was clear that they didn’t feel somehow well enough prepared for the world they were entering. I thought to myself, that’s not right.” When Smart first became dean, he got to work on his vision for CAS so that students felt prepared, both inside and outside of the classroom. Wesley Renfro, the associate dean of the college of arts and sciences, said this legacy is impressive. “I think he will be remembered for being a tireless and effective advocate for CAS,” Renfro said. “Examples of his success include the 20 new full-time faculty that have joined CAS, the CAS 360 advising model, and the new Advising Commons in CAS1.” This 360 model promotes offered re-
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The new CAS advising center in CAS1 is one of Smart’s accomplishments as dean. sources for students to take their major and apply it to a career, upon graduation. Smart has also been a spearhead of interdisciplinary programs, Renfro said, such as the environmental studies/science program. On top of this, he has revolutionized the morale in CAS, despite the uncertainty he inherited in 2014. “He assumed the deanship during a difficult and uncertain time and his capable and calm stewardship allowed faculty and staff to focus on their first priority: students and their education,” Renfro said. “All of these things and countless others have helped im-
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prove CAS and make it a place where faculty and staff can work to their fullest potential which helps students learn and thrive.” Part of Smart’s iconic stature is his office. When students walk in, they will find an open door, pictures of his grandkids taped onto his computer and a pin on his jacket that reads “I was first in my family to go to college.” Even more infamous is the bowl of candy on his desk. “One of my favorite things about him and his personalityis that he has a whole bowl of See CAS Page 2
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INDEX
Staff Writer
CONNECT
By GARRET REICH
Opinion: 4
Arts and Life: 6
Sports: 10