Letter From The Editor The theme of LIU Brooklyn for Fall 2013 is change, there has been an abundance of it on campus and Seawanhaka Press has been no different. My name is Shannon Thomas, and I am the new Editor-inChief of your campus newspaper. I am a senior English major, and Journalism minor. Originally an LIU Post student, I transferred in the Fall of 2013, and my passion for writing led me to the doorstep of the Journalism department where my journey with Seawanhaka began.
Seawanhaka S t a f f CONTACT
Seawanhaka Press 1 University Plaza #S-219 Brooklyn, NY 11201 SHANNON THOMAS Editor-In-Chief
KAREN MILLER
Managing Editor
My staff and I pride ourselves on continuing to build on the foundation of the previous editor-in-chief to restore credibility to the organization.
Seawanhaka Press | www.SeawanhakaPress.com | SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
The editors and myself work tirelessly every week to carefully pick and cultivate stories that will educate, enrich, and entertain our readers. In past issues, we’ve had an immense range of stories, everything from controversial feature stories that resulted in positive changes at LIU, to exclusive interviews from renowned musicians and actresses.
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NOELANI MONTERO News Editor
In this special Welcome Back issue we have featured wonderful words of encouragement from our new President Dr. Kimberly Cline, Provost Gale Haynes, Chief of Staff and Vice President Dr. Jackie Nealon, and of course the Director of Student Life and Activities Karlene Jackson Thompson.
SHAELYNE MOODIE
I am excited to be apart of Seawanhaka Press’ 85-year old legacy and represent the voice of LIU’s students. I hope everyone continues to read the newspaper to stay informed on what is going on in the community. I especially encourage all students especially the freshmen and transfer students to find an organization they are passionate about. The future of LIU organizations is in your hands. Stay focused, use your time wisely, and have an awesome semester.
JUSTIN ELLIS
A&E Editor
Sports Editor
Info@SeawanhakaPress.com Office: 718.488.1591
Editorial Policies Opinions expressed on these pages do not necessarily reflect those of the staff. Unsigned editorials are the consensus of the editorial staff members. Opinions expressed in articles with bylines are those of the writers. Letters to the editor must include the writer’s full name and contact information. Seawanhaka reserves the right to edit submissions for length and style. Seawanhaka is published by the students of Long Island University Brooklyn Campus.
Advertising Policies Display and classified advertisements are available to the general public, Long Island University clubs and students. For rate and schedule information, call 718.488.1519. Advertising is not free for LIU organizations. Ads should be submitted to the Seawanhaka Press Room or Student Activities Office. Students, faculty and staff must submit a copy of their ID along with the proposed advertisement. Seawanhaka reserves the right to edit ads for length and style. We also reserve the right to refuse those we feel are unfit to print.
Staff Writers
CHASE MELVIN Photo Editor
CURTIS STEPHEN
CONTENT
Page 3- Welcome Back letter from Provost Gale Haynes Page 4- Welcome Back letter from President Cline Page 4- Welcome Back letter from Chief of Staff Page 5- Convocation Day Page 5- Campus Camera Page 6- LIU Remembers Stephen “Slim” Adu- Boahen Page 6- NYC’s Mayoral Candidates Page 7- Message from SLLD Director Karlene Thompson
Faculty Advisor
Page 8- Killer Beauty Products Page 9- The New American Dream Page 9- Journey from High School to College Page 12 -NY Opera Page 12 -DanceWave Page 14- The Weekly Wrap Up Page 14- The Butler Movie Review Page 15- Music Review: 2Chainz
Samiah Alajahmi Sarai Arroyo Ralphnie Edmond Aris Folley Jervelle Frederick Jessica Lissaint Yana Nadelyaeva Christina Nunez Melika Ozbilgen Anisha Robertson Jibril Rahim Desiree Rucker Nicole Williams Page 15- Music Review: Janelle Monae Page 16- Student Spotlight: WLIU’s GM Page 17- Student Spotlight: Kayode Co. Jewerly Page 18- In Case You Missed It Page 20- NCAA: No Compensated Athletes Page 21- Spotlight: Annika’s In It To Win It Page 22- LIU Still Winless 2-0 Page 23- Blackbirds Are Back On Track
Welcome from the Provost
Center of Disease Control recommends everyone to get a yearly flu vaccine. LIU Brooklyn will host the event on Wednesday, September 25 from 10:00am-3:00pm in the Paramount Gym. For more information, please email bkln-uhms@liu.edu. Career Services will be hosting How Entrepreneurs can benefit from Toastmasters. There will be a panelist of LIU Brooklyn Toastmasters On Sept. 20, 2013 1-4 p.m in LLC 515.
BY Karen Miller
Dear Students: Welcome to our newcomers. And welcome back to our returning students. Like you, I am ready to begin the new academic year and continue our honored tradition of teaching and learning. Welcome to the new editor and staff of Seawanhaka, and thank you for continuing the good work of informing and enlightening the Campus community about events and issues on and off Campus. A very special welcome to our new President, Dr. Kimberly Cline, whose vision and leadership have begun to take the University on new paths of program development, student service and fiscal sustainability. At the Brooklyn Campus, we are constantly making improvements to our programs, curricula and facilities to create a stimulating and modern environment for our students. One new feature is the “Contactless” LIU Card, a universal card that provides personal identification and public
safety monitoring, as well as pays for meals at all LIU dining facilities. For now, funds may be added to your card via deposit machines located near our dining halls. In the future, you will be able to load funds via the web from individual accounts. The Center for Student Information (CSI), located in Library Learning Center Room 301, has been issuing these new cards, and will be able to assist you with any questions you have on its use. Be reminded to take full advantage of the support services that are available throughout the semester. These free resources, tutoring at the Academic Reinforcement Center, help with writing and math at the Writing and Math Centers, and computer assistance at the Louise B’69 and Leonard Riggio Cyber Café’s genius corner, can help you excel. I encourage you to participate fully in all the campus activities, including fitness at the Steinberg Wellness Center and a variety of cultural events at the Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts. Our
flowering Campus plazas and sparkling fountains offer restful places to socialize with each other and your professors. A few weeks ago marked the 50th anniversary of Civil Rights March on Washington. During his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.” That is my hope for your time with LIU Brooklyn: that you gain knowledge through our academic offerings and develop the qualities needed to make you into the successful citizen you wish to be and one your family and nation can be proud of. Best wishes for a successful year, Gale Stevens Haynes LIU Brooklyn Provost and Vice President for Operations
Seawanhaka Press | www.SeawanhakaPress.com | SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is now offering free and low cost health insurance. A representative from the department of health will be available to meet students to determine if they eligible for free or low cost insurance. Students interesting in learning more information on affordable insurance can come to the Paramount Gym on Wednesday, September 25 between the hours of 10:00am-3:00pm.
Provost Gale Stevens Haynes. Photo credit: David Gardiner
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A message from our new president
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I had the pleasure of participating in my first convocation as LIU president, officially welcoming LIU Brooklyn’s new freshmen into our vibrant academic community. Sharing this time-honored ritual with the Class of 2017 held a special significance for me, for in a sense, we are embarking on our freshman year together. I am honored to have the opportunity to lead this great institution. Since joining LIU in July, I have met with an array of gifted students, faculty members and administrators on this campus— talented individuals who share a passion for LIU and an indefatigable spirit that is quintessentially Brooklyn. Together, we are working to build the strongest university possible for our current and future students.
Seawanhaka Press | www.SeawanhakaPress.com | SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
This is an exciting time to be at LIU Brooklyn. There is evidence of progress and innovation across the campus. I would like to share a few highlights:
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We have introduced a new B.S. in Entrepreneurship, a unique, hands-on degree program in which students will launch real businesses as part of the curriculum. A new state-of-the-art Learning Resources Center will bring the Harriet Rothkopf Heilbrunn School of Nursing
to the forefront of nursing education. Our pharmacy school will be home to a new Center for Pharmaceutical Innovation, which will enhance graduate-level research and training, and will foster collaboration between industry scientists and academics. LIU Brooklyn was ranked among the top New York colleges for both personal attention and return on investment. I would like to linger on the last example for a moment, because it speaks directly to value. LIU Brooklyn was ranked #14 on Affordable Colleges Online’s list of the 84 colleges in New York with the highest ROI. Students who graduate from these colleges earn more over their lifetimes, on average, than those who graduate from other New York institutions. This validation reinforces and reflects our ongoing commitment to increasing the value of our students’ degrees and preparing them for successful careers. I look forward to seeing you on campus and partnering with you to make this a productive and rewarding year. Sincerely, Kimberly R. Cline President
Dr. Kimberly R. Cline, the female president of LIU. Photo Credit: www.mercy.edu
A message from our new chief of staff
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here’s something special about the way a college campus comes to life each September. The beginning of a new academic year is a time of promise and excitement. I am thrilled to be sharing that excitement with you for the first time this year.
I am delighted to be a part of Long Island University’s proud tradition of access and excellence, and in the few short months I’ve been on staff, I’ve become quite fond of LIU Brooklyn.
Jackie Nealon, Chief of Staff Photo Credit:Justin Ellis
I love the spirit and the diversity of this campus, and I’m excited about my role in telling our story. From our distinctive
schools of study to our NCAA Division I athletics program to our renowned Polk Awards, LIU Brooklyn has so much to offer. It’s a great New York institution and an engine of opportunity for our students. I look forward to collaborating with student leaders, faculty and administrators to grow the campus and to continually enhance student life at LIU Brooklyn. I want us to develop shared rituals that will live on for generations as essential parts of the LIU experience. LIU Brooklyn pulses with the energy
of the borough it calls home, creating a fertile atmosphere for new ideas. Let’s put our heads together and think big. The only limit is our imagination – and we know that is never in short supply at the corner of Flatbush and DeKalb Avenues. Wishing you all the best this academic year and beyond! Sincerely, Jackie Nealon Chief of Staff and Vice President for Enrollment, Campus Life and Communications
Liu brooklyn convocation day
BY Noelani Montero
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all semester started up with bang during LIU’s 2013 Convocation Day. Students new and old were invited to join the festivities that essentially opened the 2013-2014 school year. The Steinberg Wellness Center Gym was nearly filled to capacity while incoming freshman were addressed by Rabbi Josh, Chancellor Joel Press, President Kimberly Cline, Keynote Speaker Irene Natividad, and SGA President Anthony Allen. “Begin this day with a dream of what you want—what you want your life to be,” said keynote speaker Irene Natividad during the oration Pilipino native Irene Natividad was the keynote speaker of the convocation. She graduated from LIU Brooklyn in 1971 and since then became the first Asian-American chair of the National Women’s Political Caucus. She speaks many languages and has taught at Columbia University and Herbert H. Lehman College.
“It’s hard to pick just one!” said freshman Danielle Spencer. The clubs set up tables in the Paramount Gymnasium in order to inform new students of their club, to share information on their mission, and to ultimately get new members.
Convocation 2013 on the Brooklyn Campus. Photo credit: Justin Ellis
shared her experiences at LIU as well as adventures of being an international student. She also discussed the importance of recognizing the skills employers are looking for. According to Natividad, adaptability is the number one skill for young people to acquire in this rapidly changing environment. Employers are also looking for international business and management skills.
SGA President Anthony Allen closed the event with reading of the “Convocation Pledge.” Afterwards, faculty cordially and officially welcomed students to LIU Brooklyn. The convocation speakers positively influenced many students. “I feel like I could learn something from their experience—they inspired me,” said freshman and potential computer
“Our goal was to get two pages but we got four!” said Dominique Burgess, president of the Amazing Educators Influencing our Youth club. Many clubs were successful in requiting new members. A lot of the kids seemed motivated” Burgess continued. “You will only learn if you are proactive in your education,” said Natividad. “Be a part of what’s happening here” urged Natividad.
Campus Camera: How did you spend your summer vacation? BY Chase Melvin
Katrina Anderson, Biology, Junior
Nico Jonathan Petit-Homme, Occupational Therapy, Sophomore
Adam Khan Psychology, Freshman
Sanne Louwers Marketing, Junior
“I spent the summer in New Zealand (where it was winter) harness racing, running and hanging out with friends.”
“I’ve been training for the Track & Field team and relaxing in my hometown of Linden, New Jersey.”
“Most of my summer was spent getting ready for the upcoming semester, but I was able to see a lot of friends before leaving the UK.”
“I went camping with friends and trained heavily for the Tennis team.”
Seawanhaka Press | www.SeawanhakaPress.com | SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
As an LIU Brooklyn alumna herself, she
science major Keeyana Washington. Students were then led to the Campus Fair—where a multitude of LIU’s clubs requited and met with the freshman class.
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Liu remembers Stephen “Slim” Adu-Boahen
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n Sept. 12, the LIU Brooklyn community was given another opportunity to say goodbye and present their love in memory of Stephen Adu-Boahen also known as Slim. This day had marked two months of Boahen’s unfortunate and untimely death. Boahen reportedly died of internal bleeding after falling from his balcony on July 12. Boahen came to LIU Brooklyn in 2007 as an honors student. He made a name for himself as he became actively involved on campus with organizations such as SGA and Future as Men. He also held the position of Residence Hall Assistant.
Seawanhaka Press | www.SeawanhakaPress.com | SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
Boahen had recently graduated from LIU this past May with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science, along with a Minor in Psychology. Boahen was also accepted to the LIU graduate program for Fall 2013.
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The memorial started with a prayer from the family minister. Current students, alumni and faculty members alike took to the podium one by one to
express their love and remembrance of Boahen. There was not a dry eye in Kumble Theater, where Boahen memorial was held. The Boahen family received a standing ovation as they walked into the theater. The Boahen family came to the podium and expressed their love for their son and brother. Mr. Boahen states that he is proud of his son, all his accomplishments and the fact that he was able to touch so many lives. “Stephen was really one of a kind—a true friend, a wise individual, and a well put together young man. I truly believe he had no flaws and if I had to find something it had to be he was too nice (which still isn’t bad) but he was a special person who I thank God everyday that I am able to call my friend and my brother,” says recent LIU graduate and close friend of Boahen, Davian Williams. Remarks were given by various LIU figures including Dean Williams of Institutional Advancement and Student
NYC’S MAYORAL CANDIDATES
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he Bloomberg years are coming to an end and the big question now is, who will be the next mayor of the Big Apple? The primary elections were held on September 10th and the candidates in the running for the coveted position are Joseph Lhota (republican) and Bill de Blasio
A slideshow presentation of Stephen Boahen’s life. (Left) Friends leave heartfelt messages in Boahan’s memory. (Right) Photo Credit: Chase Melvin (Both)
Affairs, current SGA President Anthony Allen and Natasha Lewis, Coordinator of Student Civic Engagement and Community Relations. The African Student Association also performed a dance in tribute to Boahen’s memory. Boahen is from Ghana, Africa. Jermaine Isaac, former SGA President and close friend of Boahen, presented a video along with a collage of pictures of Boahen with friends of the past years. Former SGA Vice President, Rafael Molina and Melissa Lent, Associate Director of B.S. in Health Science present
Boahen’s parents with his degree. The memorial ended with a recessional of African drum beating. After refreshments in the Lobby of the Humanities Building, the Boahen family and friends gather around the red arches outside of campus and held a moment of silence once more. Boahen will truly missed but always remembered on the campus of LIU Brooklyn. As many Twitter and Instagram pages say, “Forever Slim.”
by Jervelle Frederick
(democrat). The dealings of the mayor are instrumental to the functioning of the everyday life of each New Yorker—LIU students, of course, are not exempt. It is important to understand the Bloomberg policies in order to fully come to a decision on which man to support.
Bill De Blasio speaking to potential voters. Photo Credit: media.salon.com
by Shaelyne Moodie
Bloomberg brought us the controversial Stop and Frisk policy which has been said to unfairly target minorities. On the other hand, crime in the city under the Bloomberg Administration took a dramatic plunge. Bloomberg was also a business oriented man who catered to big businesses. Bill de Blasio has been running a campaign portraying himself as antiBloomberg. He is considered far left compared to both Bloomberg and
Republican candidate Joseph Lhota. New York City has not had a democratic mayor for over 12 years. The candidate sees the city operating within a “Tale of Two Cities” complex and is set on reconstructing New York City. De Blasio also promises to pull the reins on the controversial Stop and Frisk policies. He also intends to collect higher taxes from those making $500, 000 a year or higher. De Blasio’s plans are causing uproar amongst many big company owners. Many CEOs fear that such an act would bring New York City face-to-face with a debt crisis that it is not at all ready for. Many say that this change could be especially detrimental to the operation small businesses. Small businesses
are already struggling from rents that are just too high and paying adequate wages. Opponents have said that tampering with the city’s policies too heavily will cause a backlash—an uprising of crime in the city. Republican candidate Joseph Lhota has often been referred to as another Bloomberg. In a recent article published by the Daily News, Lhota said that he agreed with 85 % of Bloomberg’s decisions but is ultimately his own man. Bloomberg has not chosen to endorse either man as of yet and plans to focus on finishing his final term. He has, however expressed that he will assist the candidate who comes out on top on Nov. 5.
A message from student life and and leadership development
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ear Students:
What an exciting time to be an LIU Brooklyn student! You are a part of an historical moment in LIU’s history being a student when LIU’s first female president, Dr. Kimberly Cline, has her inaugural year as president. Things are changing as LIU Brooklyn poises itself as the leader of the College Town that Downtown Brooklyn is becoming. The Office of Student Life and Leadership Development has been working with colleagues of like offices from Universities and Colleges in the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, toward collaborated events, like a talent show, movie night and concert. And, we have been sharing best practices in our quest to bring you the best possible services. Our Student Government President, Anthony Allen, is set to begin a series of meetings with the executive presidents of the colleges in our area to share ideas, network, and collaborate.
Student Life enters the 2013-2014 year off the high of having excelled in our community endeavors last year, engaging more that 800 students in community service projects. For the first time is years we exceeded our goal in number of pints of blood collected! We hosted the national ASGA conference catering to over 100 students from all over the nation, and international students as well. We are focusing this year on sustainability, commuter student issues and leadership workshops. There will be several opportunities to engage students in leadership development, service learning, student organizations, community relations, event planning, strategies for realizing academic success, and a host of social student activities. If you are not a member of a student organization there is no better time to join, as we will be encouraging our students to host pertinent conferences, and to answer the call for various presentations nationwide. As I close I’d like to congratulate the following recipients of the Student Government Association 2013 Achievement Scholarship: Mussaffa Khan, Stephanie Fermin, Sean James, Marsha Jones-Wilson, Shirnelle Joseph, Goldie Leibowitz, Sheenelle Calliste, Victoria Smith, Dilruba Sultana and Rejvi Shaju. You too could be gaining an SGA Achievement Scholarship next year if you begin participating now, and file the application. Applications are available online at http://www.liu.edu/ Brooklyn/StudentLife/IASA/SLLD/ Organizations/SGA The deadline for submitting applications is December 2, 2013. So stop by Student Life (M-311) today. Sincerely, Karlene Jackson Thompson, M.A., M.S. Director of Student Life and Leadership Development
Seawanhaka Press | www.SeawanhakaPress.com | SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
Additionally, Student Life has embraced the idea of one LIU and will be working more closely with LIU Post this year, not just on events but sharing day-to-
day planning, and implementation of policies and procedures to bring more of a commonality between the campuses as far as our urban-ness and suburbanness allows.
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Killer Beauty Products: What you don’t know about your cosmetics
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BY Magdolen kellel mph (c)
Seawanhaka Press | www.SeawanhakaPress.com | SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
ead in lipstick, arsenic in eyeliner and cadmium in mascara? Ladies and gentlemen, listen up! Are you paying attention to the chemicals in your everyday cosmetic products? I hope you are, because the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is not!
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The FDA does not require approval of soap and cosmetics ingredients before they are released for sale.
are not subject to pre-market approval by FDA. However, pre-market approval is required for the color additives used in cosmetics (including those in lipsticks), with the exception of coal-tar hair dyes. Also, when you think of beauty products, you may not necessarily think of your bar of soap or the soap pump in your bathroom. It is, however, in the same category as your makeup, deodorant and shampoo.
And is this a big deal? It is, if you consider that the average woman uses between 10-15 personal care products a day! Or put another way, the average woman applies about 120 chemicals per day to her face, neck, hair, eyes, underarms, and other places! And, gentlemen don’t feel left out; you use about four to five products every day also exposing yourself to some dangerous chemicals as well. Most of the chemicals in these products are not just being absorbed by our skin; they are also being washed down the drain and harming our environment.
Did you know that your soap contains triclosan? Do you even know what triclosan is? Well, before I tell you what it is, let me tell you that the FDA has been deciding whether it’s safe for the past 40 years. Triclosan is a chemical added to many different consumer products to reduce and prevent bacteria contamination of these respective products. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that the consequences of “exposure to low environmental levels of triclosan are still unknown” but some recent studies suggest otherwise
Maybe she’s born with it? Maybe it’s the lead. In a study conducted by the FDA in 2010, scientists learned that over 400 lipsticks that were then being sold on the market were positive for lead. Lead is a poisonous metal that back in 1978 was banned from paint products because it was causing young children to develop blood and brain disorders.
A study conducted in 2010 by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revealed an early onset of reproductive development among rats that were exposed to triclosan for 21 days.
In particularly, Maybelline Color Sensation by L’Oreal USA had the most shocking results: their lipsticks contain 275 times the amount of lead that was found in the least contaminated lipstick. To this day, the FDA has not set standards for the amount of lead allowable in cosmetics. Lead and other chemicals can enter the bloodstream through a person’s lips and eyes. Shopping for “lead-free” make-up is a must. FDA regulates cosmetic safety under the authority of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act). The FD&C Act requires that cosmetics marketed in interstate commerce be safe when used as directed in the labeling or under customary conditions of use. Cosmetics
Although the FDA argues that the effects of chemicals seen in animals may not predict what might happen in humans, , would you want to expose your child to triclosan knowing that it might prematurely jumpstart his or her puberty? In 2007, the public health departments at University of Michigan and the City University of New York (CUNY), Princeton University and Hunter College, CUNY released a collaborative study on triclosan and determined that soaps with the chemical were “no more effective at preventing illness or reducing bacteria on the hands than plain soap,” according to the study. So, why are we still using triclosan if regular soap is just as effective?
Lipstick and other beauty products often contain metals and orher chemicals. Photo Credit: www.youbeauty.com
The FDA was supposed to release the results of this study on triclosan in 2012, but we’re still waiting for it. Until they release their findings, companies can continue to use this chemical in their products. According to Illinois State Representative Jan Schakowsky, The U.S. cosmetic industry is the least FDAregulated. Since the FDA Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act of 1938, there has been no update. This outdated law does not have regulations enforcing ingredient safety in cosmetics. Because of this, the FDA does not have the power to recall products even if they are harming consumers. That is why Representatives Jan Schakowsky and Ed Markey of Massachusetts introduced the Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Act of 2013 to the FDA on March 21, 2013.
This act will mend FDA loopholes by setting guidelines on what ingredients are prohibited to use in cosmetics and personal care products. It’s time for all of us to wake up and become involved. Here’s what you can do: write to your local government official, refrain from buying products with harmful ingredients, and most importantly, tell everyone you know that just as we read the labels on food and medications, we also need to read the labels on personal care products. As personal care product consumers, we must stand up for ourselves and advocate for tighter FDA control over products that can harm us and our environment For more information visit: http://goo.gl/v2U4ei http://goo.gl/D9cpVb
The American Dream: What it means to me
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e live in an age where everyone’s stress level has peaked. Whether it’s from work or school – we all share one thing in common, we endure life’s stresses in order to achieve our version of the American Dream. A tradition that started from the time of the Pilgrims, the American Dream has served as a beacon of hope for thousands around the world. What does it mean for students on our campus? For athletes, including the international students, the American Dream is to become a professional athlete and ultimately play for a United States professional team. For those who choose to not to go down that route, their answer to What is your version of the American Dream? varies. Honors student Ayan Roychowdhury, is in his second professional year of Pharmacy school. “Coming from a family full of doctors and Pharmacists, who studied in India and here in the U.S., puts welcomed
BY Ryan Sahadeo
pressure for me to succeed,” said Roychowdhury. Similarly, we are faced with an interesting statistic – more and more students are becoming the first in their families to attend college, myself included. For us, the American Dream means that we can provide a better quality life to those of our loved ones who worked endlessly to get us where we are today. “I automatically think of a person of immigrant status, achieving success here in the United States,” said Farzana Rahmaan, a senior and biology student Farzana’s thoughts aren’t unusual by any means. We all have a preconditioned notion that the American Dream is linked to immigrant status or success. To prove this, Credit.com recently conducted a study. The results showed that most respondents (27.9 percent), said the American Dream means retiring financially secure at 65. Coming in at second place, 23 percent of participants defined The American Dream as being
Photo Credit: www.bradyocallahan.files.wordpress.com
debt free. These results were derived from about 1,000 complete interviews with Americans 18 and older, including an approximately equal number of men and women. Credit.com’s Co-Founder and Chairman Adam Levin stated, “Once upon a time, the American Dream was owning a home full of thriving, college-bound kids, two cars and little debt. Now it appears that for many Americans, the American Dream has changed.” “The poll underscores something I have long suspected – there’s a great deal of
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BY Christina Nunez
oing to college has been something I’ve looked forward to since my freshman year of high school. Now that I am finally here, I have realized I had entered a completely different world.
I was welcomed to world filled with individuals with beautiful dreams and ambitions. A place where people do not need to be frightened by society and are accepted for who they truly are. Over the summer I didn’t anticipate that entering college as a freshman would surpass the nerve-wracking transition from elementary school to junior high. Truth be told, the first day of entering such a new beginning was the most frightening yet phenomenal day of the year. It was a day filled with puzzled faces, wrong turns and eager student grasping new information.
Regardless of which generation you were born into, you have an idea or firm belief in what the American Dream is. Though many people are still without the means to live out their American Dream, one thing remains certain. In a world where drive and determination still matter, we as the up and coming generation owe it to ourselves to make sure we achieve success. It is our time to shape the future and to make our dreams a reality.
my own decisions prevented me from feeling that I’ve gained a life lesson while being there. I am an English major and have always desired to be since I wrote my first novel as a child. My first day entering LIU Brooklyn was one of those experiences where the butterflies wouldn’t leave my stomach until I rode the train back home.
Photo Credit: www.fansided.com
As I look back throughout my last four years of high school, I remembered the excitement of finally graduating and finally being surrounded by new people. High school was supposed to be a time of growing. Unfortunately, for most it was one of the toughest periods in their life. It was a place where being yourself wasn’t accepted and having complications were made fun of. It was a place where bullying was most common and being denied by society
was common. High school was a time where being independent wasn’t an option—a place where you were told of your responsibilities beforehand. It was often a place where you weren’t allowed to make certain decisions for yourself.
As a freshman, my biggest fear was entering the wrong classroom or accidentally raising my hand to use the restroom. I have begun to realize that in college, independence is all that you receive and that your experience there is what you make it.
For most, high school was a suffocating experience. I felt trapped being in an environment where you weren’t allowed to have a say and having restrictions on personal freedoms is an uncomfortable one. For me, never being able to make
I have learnt that college is the time where your actions will directly affect your future. Now is the time where playing games and slacking off isn’t optional.
Seawanhaka Press | www.SeawanhakaPress.com | SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
The Journey From High School to College
nostalgia for a promise that increasingly and tragically no longer exists,” Levin continued.
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NY OPERA IN DANGER OF CLOSING Downtown Brooklyn Presents Dancewave DOORS FOREVER
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BY Shaelyne Moodie
BY Shaelyne Moodie
ew York City Opera might have to call it quits if unable to raise $7 million by the end of September. The City Opera has embarked on a $20 million fundraising effort that is needed to be fulfilled by the end of this year, which is nearly twice the fundraising amount that was reported last year. According to City Opera Artistic Director George Steele, the $20 million is not only for the production of this season but also, “ to continue forward on solid financial footing.” This announcement comes just days before the premiere of “Anna Nicole” which is a co-production with Brooklyn Academy of Music. BAM is located just a few short blocks away from LIU Brooklyn.
Seawanhaka Press | www.SeawanhakaPress.com | SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
Steele said that they plan to cancel shows if the target goal of seven million dollars isn’t raised by Sept. 30th and also plans to cancel the entire 2014-2015 Season if they cannot raise the additional $13 million.
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Performers from DanceWave Studios, Brooklyn N.Y. Photo Credit: Shaelyne Moodie
“We don’t have any credit,” Steele explains. “So what money we have at the beginning of the month is the amount we can spend.”
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he Downtown Brooklyn Partnership kicked off its monthly events with Dancewave on Sept. 5.
The City Opera has already to tried to balance its budget before its home at the Lincoln Center in 2011. The company has led a wandering existence since then with performing less than 20 times a year. “When you have a smaller aggregate audience, you have fewer people attending the company and fewer potential asks,” said the artistic director. But Steele remains hopeful for this season and others to come. He says the company has been going in a good direction of the administration, the union contracts and making art.
Dancewave Studios took to the streets of Albee Square, located at corner of Fulton Ave and Bond St., where they presented three different performances from their students.
BAM’s newst musical Anna Nicole. Photo Credit: Galoremag.com
The first act from the DanceWave studio was, Trio, a modern ballet performance. The second act was a solo, which was more of an emotional ballet while the third act was a modern jazz performance by a class of 13 dancers and one male. The performance ranged from different ethnic groups and ages. The event attracted a large crowd that included shoppers, supporters of the dancers, and curious onlookers. DanceWave is a dance center, located
in Brooklyn at 45 Fourth Ave. They are hopeful to enthuse students to express themselves through a groundbreaking model of dance education. The coordinators of the Brooklyn based studios pride themselves on accommodating all types of dancers from beginner stages to advance master classes in all genres of dance. Their mission is to transform the lives of New York City youths and expose them to world-class pre-professional performing acts training. Dancewave is confident that they can show current and prospective students a more creative and versatile outlet. For more information on Dancewave, visit their website, www.dancewave. org and for information on events in Downtown Brooklyn, visit www. downtownbrooklyn.com.
FIND OUT HOW GOOD YOU REALLY ARE.
liu.edu
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II needed needed to to hone hone my my skills skills in in marketing. marketing. LIU LIU Brooklyn Brooklyn had had exactly exactly what what II was was looking looking for. for. Their Their Office Office of of Career Career Services Services helped helped me me land land an an internship internship at at Def Def Jam Jam Records. Records. -- Stephanie Stephanie Persaud, Persaud, Class Class of of 2013 2013
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WEEKLY WRAP UP
BY Ann DULuC
strapless black, turquoise and white color blocked dress with a satin hem and matching pumps with a metallic toe and with her hair down. America’s sweetheart shut down the rumors of any romance with her costar George Clooney. She later said to Associated Press that George always been a close friend of her for many years.
T Seawanhaka Press | www.SeawanhakaPress.com | SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
o wrap up this week in the celebrity’s world, the point focus was on New York fashion week and The Toronto International Film Festival. Both started studded events that was taken over by Hollywood this week.
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In Toronto, the Academy Award winning actress, Sandra Bullock hit the red carpet for her movie Gravity without her costar George Clooney this past Sunday. The actress was wearing a Narciso Rodriguez
In other news Kanye West, Justin Bieber, Ciara, Nicki Minaj, Nicole Kidman, Katie Holmes, Jessica Alba, and more hit New York fashion week by a storm. This whole week some of your favorite celebrities was supporting their favorite designers by showing up to their shows. The most popular show for the week was Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, Diane von Furstenberg, and Marc Jacobs. Actress Zoe Saldana is off the market. The 35 -year old actress pulled a Kerry Washington and had a top secret wedding ceremony in London in July. The actress got married to Italian artist, Marco Perego. A source that is close to the couple told US weekly that “It was super small but very romantic and beautiful.” The ceremony was attended by just a few close friends and family members of
Movie review: The Butler
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Congrats to the happily married couple Emily Blunt and John Krasinski! The newly weds are expecting their first child together. The 30 year old actress’ rep confirmed to US weekly that they will be welcoming their first child together in a few months. The rep also confirm that the couple are very excited to become parents for the first time. The couple tied the knot in Italy back in 2010.
close to Nicole and he tried to hit his brakes, but he couldn’t stop in time. Another witness told TMZ that Nicole was very furious and shaken up after what happened that she called the cops and they said they were on their way.
The Academy Award winning actress, Nicole Kidman, was hit by photographer, Carol Wu, while going into her Manhattan hotel Thursday afternoon. Kidman had just left the Calvin Klein fashion show when she was struck by Wu’s motorcycle. As Kidman was entering her hotel, Wu didn’t break in time knocking Kidman down to the ground, causing her to lose one of her shoes. Witnesses who were at the scene told TMZ that Wu got too
Nicole Kidman being helped up after falling. photo credit: l.yimg.com
BY Destiny l. robinson
f vivid and heartfelt scenes that pull the viewer into the past and make them want to laugh, cry or fight for the characters on the silver screen was Lee Daniels mission when producing “The Butler”: he succeeded! With stellar cast members such as Oprah Winfrey, Forest Whitaker and Cuba Gooding Jr., it was almost impossible for “The Butler” not to be an instant success. “The Butler,” played by the Forest Whitaker, begins his story on a cotton farm in the antebellum south.
Photo Credit: www.ijreview.com
the couple. The newlyweds walked out earlier this month at a restaurant in London with wedding rings on their left hands and had people speculating. The two reportedly went public with their relationship in May.
Whitaker’s character, Cecil, is shown as a young field slave forced to watch his helpless mother carried away by their master into a shack to be raped and then
immediately after serve as the prime witness in his father’s murder by that same master. This is only the opening scene and yet Daniels’ has already strapped viewers in and secured their seat belts for a roller coaster of graphic, emotional and thought-provoking scenes. As the movie progresses, we watch young Cecil’s trials and maturation into a grown man, a long way from his slavery beginnings. Now free and equipped with the skills of a fine “house n-gger,” a term he must learn to abandon for the more formal title of butler. Cecil is a hard working family man, with the lovely Oprah Winfrey as his sassy, social housewife and homemaker for himself and their two boys.
The story line quickly thrusts Cecil into the White House, filling the rarely vacant position of third butler and we watch him excel as not only a butler, but sometimes consultant to generations of Presidents during monumental events in African American history. The events ranged from desegregation to the voting rights. Daniels’ manages to incorporate humor, and love scenes into what would otherwise have been a very heart wrenching film.
mUSIC rEVIEW: 2CHAINZ b.o.a.t.s.: me time
BY kabraun dixon
a female rapper on his album Fergie probably wasn’t the best choice. Maybe Iggy Azalea or Nick Minaj would have fit better to deliver a few bars. However, Fergie’s mesmerizing vocals over the chorus does help make the song a memorable.
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Chainz has released his sophomore album, B.O.A.T.S: Me Time. It’s a follow up to his Grammy nominated debut album Based on a T.R.U. Story.
“Where You Been? (Feat. Cap 1)” – This song is slightly acceptable and 2 Chainz has nothing to do with it. Instead, it’s all because of a little unknown rapper by the name of Cap-1 who delivers an impressive voice through an instantly recognizable flow. At the end of the day, it’s still 2 Chainz’s song but he fell very flat. “I Do It (Feat. Lil Wayne & Drake)”- This song was very well put together. It was clever how 2 Chainz, Weezy and Drake fed off of each other’s verses. It was something different, a good different. Another interesting part of the song is at the 4:47 mark where an unknown singer sings about some “me time” which is the theme of the album. “Netflix (Feat. Fergie)”-The production and the concept of this song really made this song stand out. If 2 Chainz wanted
“Black Unicorn (Feat. Chrisette Michele, Sunni Patterson)” – “Non-turn up songs” are unimpressive from 2Chainz. This is no exception. “Outroduction”- This isn’t the type of songs to end an album with. There is nothing special here. A sophomore album is supposed to show the growth of the artist and incorporate some type of originality. 2 Chainz failed to do this with B.O.A.T.Z II. 2 Chainz is proving to his listeners that he is a seasonal rapper and may not be relevant forever. Final Grade: C+
J
anelle Monae’s sophomore effort, The Electric Lady, offers a fresh touch on an old- school sound where she takes elements from R&B, Funk, Rock-inRoll, Pop and Disco. Monae takes her listeners on a journey to the world of her alter ego Cindi Mayweather. There are a few tracks that capture the essence of what the album is about. “Suite IV Electric Overture”- It’s a short opening instrumental to the album. It’s very similar to what Alicia Keys did with the The Diary of Alicia Keys. Although it was a bit unnecessary, it was still a nice touch to the album. “Givin Em What They Love” (Feat. Prince) - Janelle Monae certainly held her own on this song alongside Music Icon Prince. The powerful production and aggressive lyrics helps makes this a great song to start an album. “Q.U.E.E.N.” (Feat. Erykah Badu) Monae serenades her free spirited lyrics with her less-is-more vocals over a thumping beat. The first single of “The Electric Lady” also offers a bizarre, yet genius verse from four-time Grammy Award winner Erykah Badu. “Electric Lady” (Feat. Solange) - The title track offers a more relaxed and smooth experience than the two songs before. It features Solange, whose verse seemed lost because she sounded so much like Monae. Like in “Q.U.E.E.N.”, Janelle Monae delivered a few impressive bars which contributed to the song more than Solange did. “Primetime” (Feat. Miguel) - Continuing the slower and soothing sound as its predecessor, Primetime is possibly one of the best tracks vocally, lyrically and as a whole. Grammy winner Miguel joins Monae on a stunning vocal acrobat. Next to Erykah Badu, Miguel serves up the best feature performance of the album.
2Chainz album cover, B.O.A.T.S.: Me Time Photo Credit: fistintheair.com
BY kabraun dixon
“Dance Apocalyptic”- You might have heard this song on the Cover Girl commercial and it fits there, but, not on
Photo Credit: www.josepvinaixa.com
this album. It contains a weird sample of Juicy j’s “Bandz A Make her Dance” and is too much for an album where she started very strong. “It’s Code”- After a couple of misses for the album, Janelle Monae lifts the electric lady back to the high standards it deserves. “It’s Code” has a really original sound to it but still fits very well with the album. Her vocals take you back to the Jackson 5 days. “Victory”- Monae takes it to church while still keeping that jazzy touch. She really lets her voice soar for this track and offers one of the albums best melodies. “What An Experience”- The perfect way to close the album. It’s one of those songs that only fits as the final song. She wasn’t trying hard to end the album in a bang because she already delivered a string of solid singles throughout the album. Overall the album was original, and fresh. It had great production, good vocals, consistent well put together lyrics and tells a story. The only downfall was the track list was a bit lengthy, she should’ve cut out the lack luster songs. Final Grade: B+
Seawanhaka Press | www.SeawanhakaPress.com | SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
Here are a few songs that captivate the essence of the album. “Feds Watching (Featuring Pharrell)”- The album’s lead single also serves as one of the albums strongest. It’s a smart choice for 2 Chainz to link up with Pharrell because Pharrell knows how to take the modern sound and give it a special twist (examples “Blurred Lines, “Beautiful”, “Milkshake”, “Get Lucky”, etc.). Plus, of course, it wouldn’t be a 2 Chainz song without a simple but catchy hook.
“Beautiful Pain (Feat. Lloyd, Ma$e)”With a more sorrowful production than other songs on the record, it ”Beautiful Pain” seems as though 2 Chainz’s goal was to make a more emotional song. Sadly, he fell a little short. He had all the right ingredients: A slower instrumental, Lloyd on the chorus and the preacher/rapper Ma$e. The song just didn’t seem genuine enough. So We Can Live (Feat. T-Pain) – “Mama don’t work, heater don’t work/Police pulled me over and said he seen weed on my shirt…” It’s something about this song that seems to be a more genuine and personal song from 2 Chainz. It’s not perfect but it is better.
mUSIC rEVIEW: jANELLE MONAEThe electric Lady
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Student Spotlight: WLIU RADIO’S GM PERLA JORGE
BY Shannon Thomas
camaraderie between the executive members of WLIU and the regular staff. Jorge said,“ I want the staff and executive board to feel as one, my goal is to make WLIU feel like more of a family.”
Perla Jorge, General Manager of WLIU Radio (Top and bottom photos) Photo Credit: Shannon Thomas (Both)
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Seawanhaka Press | www.SeawanhakaPress.com | SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
his week’s Student Spotlight is on LIU Brooklyn senior, Perla Jorge, the new general manager of the campus radio station, WLIU.
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Jorge became involved with WLIU during the Spring 2009 semester. She started off as a staff member and her love for music motivated her to become more involved at the station, and she eventually became the program director. Jorge said, “As music was always my passion, being involved in radio made me more interested in the media aspect of it.” A Psychology major, Jorge chose to concentrate in developmental psych she because she loves children and believes children need the most attention when they reach their adolescent years. “At that age I feel they [adolescents] need to speak to adults that will give them a lot of wisdom and talk about their own experiences so that they can learn,” Jorge said. When Jorge was the program director, she was in charge of the shows, and music that would be played on air at WLIU. As the general manager, Jorge oversees every component of the radio station. She makes sure the program director, the music director, and the other departments of the station do their parts to keep the station running smoothly. “There really isn’t a change in the positions,” Jorge explained, “But
there is a change in responsibility.” The 22-year old student leader also feels her studies in psychology enhance her leadership abilities when it comes to, decision-making and helps her handle conflict resolutions better. The senior Psych major said, “I’m willing to work with someone to make their ideas work even if I know it won’t simply because I’m willing to learn from it,” she stated. As general manager, Jorge aspires to fix the internal state of the radio station and wants to build a stronger sense of
When Jorge is not fulfilling her duties as general manager or attending classes, she works as an ambassador for The Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, where she gives tours, and helps people navigate their way through the improvement district of Downtown Brooklyn. She also enjoys all genres of music especially R&B, hip-hop and soul music. The music enthusiast confessed, “I have an old soul; you can learn a lot about me through the music I listen to.” Despite her busy schedule, Jorge manages to keep track of all her daily tasks by utilizing checklists and preparation to properly manage her time. “I feel like everything is mental, if you mentally prepare yourself and have the proper mindset, everything else will fall into place,” said the new general manager. Jorge also keeps the memories of her late father to stay motivated and inspired to accomplish her goals. Listen to WLIU on WLIUBK.com or at 88.1 FM on the Tune in app on an iPhone or Android device.
1) Blurred Lines Robin Thicke feat. T.I. 2) Type of Way Rich Homie Quan 3) Hold on We’re Going Home- Drake 4) We Can’t Stop Miley Cyrus 5) Royal Lady Gaga 6) Part II (on the Run) Jay-z Feat. Beyonce 7) Still Into You Paramore 8) Blood on The Leaves Kanye West 9) Love More Chris Brown 10) Honeymoon Avenue Arianna Grande
Student Spotlight: Kayode co. Jewelry
BY jERVELLE fREDERICK
realized that the material could be used in multiple ways such as bracelets and necklaces. The up and coming mogul plans to expand his brand to not only just jewelry but clothing as well. He has even began to raise his client list to celebrity status. “My greatest accomplishment is pmy work on Rihanna,” said the young entrepreneur. “She just looked at it and was like ‘Yo you made this?’ I made her a specific piece with Egyptians, Nefertiti and King Tut because I know she liked that stuff. She just threw it right on and she started talking to me,” Owolabi said. Being of Nigerian decent, one wonders whether heritage will be a factor in Owolabi’s work and where he hopes to see his brand. To this he said, “My jewelry has to do with everything that goes around in the world. This is an African guy brining you these products. I want to see my company everywhere around the world. There aren’t a lot of Black designers, I want to inspire a lot of young Black people. The clothes I’m trying to bring are something different that everybody can wear. I wanted to add a little bit of African twist, but also American and European modern styles as well.”
has his attention, Owolabi said, “The Fashion side is my side [business]. LIU, I’m doing it just for business but out of my whole mind, I learn fashion through myself.”
Thanks to practice, it takes the designer 10 minutes maximum, to produce a chain. The jewelry are 18 carat gold plated so they will last really long and prices range from $100-$600. All profit goes into investing in the company.
The Brooklyn native is actually a transfer student from South Plain College in Texas where he also ran track before returning to Brooklyn.
The question of how Owolabi stumbled unto fashion comes to mind, he replied, “Basically I’ve been spoiled since I was little. So I was wearing a lot of designer clothes and all of that stuff and then I just wanted to buy more clothes and more clothes and then I just starting saying, ‘Why don’t I just start making my own stuff?’”
To future clients, the designer/CEO words were, “My brand is Kaydoe Co. It’s handmade, quality jewelry, made of creativity love, life, passion and the company expresses your way of living.” To see sample products of Kayode Co. jewelry, visit KayodecCo. on instagram and for inquiries, contact Kayode at kayodecojewelry@gmail.com.
When asked why major in Business Administration when fashion evidently
The idea of doing jewelry was born after Owolabi was making a body chain and
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new empire is being built in the world of fashion and the young man behind it all is determined to fight his way to the top. Olukayode A. Owolabi Jr., third year Business Administration major at LIU’s Brooklyn campus, is the founder and CEO of a jewelry company called Kayode Co. Jewelry.
Kayode’s Wolf Link Neckalce Photo credit: Kayode CO. Jewlery
Seawanhaka Press | www.SeawanhakaPress.com | SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
Rihanna and jewlery designer LIU student Olukayode “Kayode” Owolabi (left to right) Photo Credit: Kayode Co. Jewlery
(Above) King Tut necklace worn by music artist Rihanna. Photo credit: Kayode CO. Jewlery
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Seawanhaka Press | www.SeawanhakaPress.com | SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
in case you missed it
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By Justin Ellis
George Kalafatis and Jim Leyland. Photo Credit: www.attheplate.com (George Kalafatis) Liza Eckert (Jim Leyland)
G
eorge Kalafatis was a husband, father, friend and is considered by most, the greatest baseball player in LIU history. On Aug. 23, 2013 inside the Steinberg Wellness Center, LIU held its inaugural Leadership in Sports seminar. To celebrate the occasion, family and former teammates appeared in remembrance of the man they miss dearly. Guests included his wife Fran Kalafatis, and daughter Lara Kalafatis. George Kalafatis’ ex-teammate Eugene Spatz, Detroit Tigers Manager Jim Leyland and Bench Coach Gene Lamont, also came for the event. George Kalafatis was drafted by the Detroit Tigers after his impressive performance on LIU’s baseball team in 1963.
However his career path didn’t go as planned; Kafatis never made it to the major leagues, but he still left his imprint on the game he loved so much. He became a sports agent and helped give the gift of free agency to the game, and had the opportunity to represent many professional players such as Mike Hargrove, manager of the Cleveland Indians and former Boston Red Sox player, Jim Rice. It has been 18 years since Kalafatis unexpectedly passed due to a heart related condition in his Ohio home. Although they visited LIU to pay respects, the baseball legends also reminded the student athletes present to be leaders. Jim Leyland said, “George Kalafatis may not have intended on
being a leader, but he certainly became one. He had the willingness to switch careers, once he figured out that a major league career just wasn’t a possibility.” George Kalafatis may have loved baseball and made it his life, yet he understood the importance of learning. “His passion was to play baseball and he also appreciated the education he received,” said Fran Kalafatis, the wife of the late sports agent. Leyland who has been involved in professional baseball for 50 years, took notice of his teammate’s approach to the game of baseball. “George had the foresight to not put all his eggs in one basket,” said Leyland. “George looked beyond the glory of baseball.”
Leyland then directed a comment towards the LIU athletes in attendance he said, “Most of you are not going to be professional athletes, so enjoy the moments you are experiencing now, such as the teamwork and competition.” When asked, what would George say to the athletes of today Leyland responded, “He would say don’t panic in the big situations. Remain relaxed and at ease, just concentrate on the goal.”
Seawanhaka Press | www.SeawanhakaPress.com | SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
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NCAA: no compensated athletes allowed
by justin ellis
C
ollege athletes need to start being paid. The heated debate swirling around paying college athletes isn’t new. But the time has come. As a billion dollar-a-year industry, college athletes – most of whom couldn’t afford to be in school without a scholarship – are being preyed upon. This is practice is an abomination. And while professional athletes from various sports are speaking out, the question remains – will the NCAA listen?
Seawanhaka Press | www.SeawanhakaPress.com | SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
In recent years there were some gigantic TV contracts that have been handed out. Even the coaches like Charlie Weis of the University of Kansas are receiving multi-million dollar contracts. But who is looking out for the players? In April 2010, the NCAA and CBS reached a deal worth $11 billion for the annual NCAA Tournament.
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And yet few of those in the negotiating room can ever fully appreciate, much less understand, the hurdles that the athletes are enduring to score a basket or even to simply run sprints in practice. All these months later, it’s hard to forget the frightening sight of Louisville Cardinals Guard Kevin Ware on the ground in pain. His right leg was severely damaged after experiencing a compact fracture while trying to block a three-pointer. And while some believe that Ware might not have suffered a career-ending injury, who knows what type of player he’ll be when he returns? But consider this – if he lost his a chance to be prospect for the NBA, the NCAA still gets to just wash their hands of Ware. Louisville doesn’t even have to renew his scholarship since it’s just for one year. The NCAA doesn’t allow fouryear scholarships. At universities nationwide, it’s hard to miss students carrying – or wearing – team merchandise. It’s a whole other profitable industry. Unfortunately, the university’s “best players” can see their classmates buy team jerseys and can only dream of making a buck off their tireless work on the playing field. The cost and profits of the merchandise is chump change compared to schools creating in-house TV networks –
Cam Newton after winning the National Championship in college Photo Credit M.Brobible.com
including the Big Ten Network, Long Horn Network, Pac-12 Network and in 2014 the SEC Network, just to name a few. In fact, there’s so much money involved that even if schools were to give all their athletes a cut of the profits, they’d still have plenty left in the bank. And yet greed conquers fairness. Equally unfair are transfer student rules. When students transfer schools, they are forced to sit out one year unless they have special permission. If a student were to transfer schools within a conference they sit out two years. What makes this a problem is that coaches get to move freely without restraint even if they haven’t finished a contract. In college football, Lane Kiffin coached the Tennessee Volunteers for just one season after agreeing to coach the team for six years. After that one season, he left to coach the University of Southern California (USC). He was forced to pay a buyout of $800,000. But given the salary he was set to earn at USC, the buyout was fairly small. If Kiffin were a player, he’d have to wait a year. Although the NCAA has tried to take the issue of compensation for athletes completely off the table, it hasn’t
stopped many from trying to address it. Now playing for the NFL’s Detroit Lions, Reggie Bush was stripped of a Heisman Trophy and National Championship for “improper benefits” while playing at USC. An NCAA investigation found that he improperly received a car and a rent-free home. Of course the NCAA takes issue with Bush, but what about all the money they made off his No. 5 jersey or his televised National Championship games. USC itself also lost multiple scholarships and was placed on probation.
Newton won the respect of many for finding a found a hole in the system that allowed him to get paid. While Newton’s father was essentially “pimping him out” to the highest bidding team, Newton pled ignorance to the payments. In the process, though, he may have opened a loophole that others may follow in the future. Newton kept his awards, got paid, and Auburn made plenty of money while obtaining the championship. For his part, Newton went on to become the number one overall pick of the Carolina Panthers.
Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver A.J. Green also was hit with the NCAA hammer when he was a college athlete in 2010. Green was suspended four games. His crime? Selling an autographed game-worn jersey. And yet it’s the same thing that colleges essentially do every day in campus-based stores, minus the autograph. There are plenty of lessons to be learned in the dazzling career of Cam Newton, who went from a junior college player to a star at Auburn University. But the accolades aren’t simply because he singlehandedly put the team on his back to then win the Heisman in 2010 and a National Championship one year later.
To add on to the tragedies of the NCAA they even make video games with its athletes using their “likeness” and still don’t pay them. They attempt to cover things up with not using names and replacing them with just numbers but we all know who each player is supposed to be. Hopefully, this unfair practice will come to end since former players are suing for using their images and personas without compensation. It’s a start. But more needs to be done. It’s well past time that the NCAA cut a check instead of always cashing one.
spotlight: Annika’s In it to win it
By Samiah alajahmi
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Volley ball player Annika Foit on the court. Photo credit: LIU Athletics Chase Melvin (Bottom)
he has an athletic physique, a shy presence, and a killer spike hand. Yet her bright smile is the first thing that catches your attention when you approach her.
At the moment, Foit is still weighing her future plans. She is contemplating returning to Germany or staying in the New York to further her academics pursuits.
Annika Foit is one of LIU Brooklyn’s most celebrated student-athletes. After winning the Northeast Conference Player of The Year last year, dominating in volleyball – while still maintaining a high G.P.A – Foit’s most admirable quality remains her humble attitude . Finding the right college is often a difficult decision, but LIU made it easy for Foit, “I contacted some coaches and LIU was the first one that really said they wanted me,” she recalled. “And I saw that the coaches had a lot of experience. They told me they were bringing other European players. So I felt more comfortable and I like that it’s in New York City.”
Foit wants to pursue her Masters in chemistry and is looking forward to an internship next summer, working in a research lab. As for her future in volleyball, Foit is absolutely certain. “I will always play volleyball, until I’m 60 years old,” she said with a laugh. “I will always play.”
Foit comes from Hausach, Germany. She traveled to New York for the first time in 2010 to enroll in LIU. Now, she’s in her junior year majoring in chemistry and remains a powerhouse on the court.
“[It’s a] little Poland. I can get the sausages and everything I want,” she said of the Polish eatery that she often frequents, Karczma. “It feels like home. [And] when I get a little bit homesick, I go there and buy all this stuff.”
Foit unwinds after a long game. Photo credit: Chase Melvin
As a student-athlete, Foit has a lot on her plate. When asked how she manages her busy schedule, Foit said, “Academics are my number-one priority. And when it goes well in academics, it goes well in volleyball.” If anything, the intense focus that Foit brings to her game also helps her in the classroom “It’s hard sometimes, [but] I know what I have to do,” she explained.
While happy and well-accomplished, Foit believes that she still has a long way to go. “I always think there is more that [I] can do. I want to do everything, so later on I don’t want to think ‘Oh my God I could have done this and that,’” she said, smiling. “I want to do more and be the greatest me.” Seawanhaka Press | www.SeawanhakaPress.com | SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
Her transition to life in the Big Apple has been a tough, but pleasant experience. “I like that even though I’m not at home, I can find everything. I’m from Germany [and] my parents are Polish, so I am Polish-German.” And given her cultural identity, Foit fits right in whenever she visits one of her favorite neighborhoods in the city – Greenpoint, Brooklyn.
In describing what she does in her free time, she – not surprisingly – explained that it was playing beach volleyball. But Foit’s other passion is music, especially Electric House bands and artists.
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LIU still winless 2-0
BY Justin Ellis
U
pdate: After starting the season 0-3-1, the Blackbirds finally won it’s first game Manhattan.
The LIU men’s soccer team has stumbled to a 0-3 start season, including a disappointing home opener on Sept. 9 in which the Blackbirds were blanked by George Washington, 2-0. While goalkeeper John Connolly struggled throughout the game, George Washington’s keeper, Jean-Pierre van der Merwe, managed to consistently halt LIU’s advances. The Blackbirds took a total of 13 shots – with four from goal, including two each from junior midfielder Tanner Sica and junior forward David Nuernberg. The Blackbirds held scoreless although the squad had its chances to break the shutout – Sica took six shots, two on goal.
Seawanhaka Press | www.SeawanhakaPress.com | SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
It was only four minutes into the match when George Washington got on the board as Jonny Forrest scored a goal from 15 yards out.
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Already facing a one-goal deficit, the Blackbirds were dealt another blow when George Washington’s midfielder Ross Higgins scored from 8 yards away. That would be all George Washington would need to earn their second win of the season. LIU will have another chance to win its first game on Sept. 11, facing off against LA Salle at the Brooklyn Campus. But it won’t be until the middle of the month before the squad can get to .500.
Sophomore Tanner Sica. Photo Credit LIU Athletics
blackbirds are back on track
By Justin Ellis
U
pdate: LIU recently played in the Blackbird Invitational winning all three of its games, including coach Kyle Robinson’s 100th win as LIU coach. This came after a tough streach by the Blackbirds. LIU sophomore Tamara studying economics at Campus, but it’s clear knows her way around court.
Ignjic may be the Brooklyn that she also the volleyball
In their Sept. 6 match against University of Pennsylvania (Penn), LIU took a slim 8-7 lead – after a crucial kill from Ignjic in set one. Once the Blackbirds took this lead, they never looked back; Penn did attempt a comeback bringing the set to 17-20. But that didn’t faze LIU as the Blackbirds won the set 25-20. Early in the second set, LIU held a lead of 6-3, Penn quickly rallied to tie it up at six.
With the game tied at one, the third set was closely contested with both teams unable to pull away from one another. But Penn ultimately won it, 25-22. And with that, Penn was only one set away from taking the game. The Blackbirds managed to force a crucial fifth set and wasted little time, taking an early 3-0 lead. At one point, LIU led 10-4. By then, the Blackbirds proved unstoppable and won the game 3-2. For the women’s volleyball team, it was the first of a trio of games in the Maryland Invitational. It was the only bright spot. Their next match came Sept. 9 against home team, Maryland.
For LIU, the first set was an uphill climb as they were quickly down, 3-0. Later, LIU was only down 8-7 in the set after blocks by Djuric and Rice. Maryland responded and took an 11-8 lead. And while the Blackbirds managed to push ahead, Maryland responded with a 4-0 run, finding themselves with a 15-14 lead. Maryland would use this late push to take the set 25-17. In the early parts of the second set, the two teams were tied 6-6. LIU would then hold a lead of 12-9 on the backs of Foit and Rice. But they just couldn’t hold on. Maryland fought late in the set to tie the game, 20-20. The surge continued with Maryland scoring seven late to finish off LIU 25-21. Ultimately, though, the third set proved fatal for LIU in the game. The Blackbirds played hard throughout until the game was tied 9-9. And then Maryland got offensive. Mounting an
8-2 run, Maryland took a 17-12 lead. And while the Blackbirds made a late push, it wasn’t enough as they lost the set, 25-22 – as well as the whole game, 3-0. In LIU’s final game of the invitational, they were pitted against the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC). The first set started off well for LIU with two aces by sophomore Adriana Vinas Joy, giving the Blackbird 2-0 lead. UMKC took advantage of an LIU error to go up 9-6. But UMKC wasn’t without its own errors letting LIU back into the set – leaving it tied at 14. Later, the set was tied at 21, until UMKC put the game away with a kill and a block ending the set 25-22. In the second set, UMKC came out strong taking a 6-2 lead. LIU would bring the game back to 8-8. LIU would eventually take a lead with an ace from freshmen Nicole Hopton. The set remained close, but UMKC ultimately
prevailed winning it, 27-25. With their backs against the wall, the Blackbirds elevated their game. A total of seven kills from Foit and junior Mia Radisic propelled the Blackbirds to a 12-4 lead. The LIU team soon found themselves with a 19-10 advantage, ultimately winning the set 25-18. The fourth and deciding set proved thrilling. After a kill from Radisic, LIU received a 12-11 advantage. But UMKC tied it soon after. The two teams continued to battle until the score reached 15-15. After this point UMKC won the set and the game, 25-21, despite late efforts of Foit, who had a kill in an attempt to fight off a UMKC match point. With a 2-4 record, the Blackbirds are looking forward to an upcoming fourgame homestand. Among the teams they’ll play during the mid-September matches, Cornell and Hofstra.
Seawanhaka Press | www.SeawanhakaPress.com | SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
Later, Penn was in control of the set with a score of 24-21. The lead was shortlived, though, as junior Vera Djuric and graduate student Jessica Rice helped to even the score at 24. This last bit of effort only delayed the inevitable as Penn won the set 30-28.
Tamara Ignjic played a vitol role in LIU’s victory. Photo Credit LIU Athletics
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Seawanhaka Press | www.SeawanhakaPress.com | SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
v olle y b all
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Blackbirds dominate invitational