The Signal: Spring ‘17 No. 5

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Vol. XLVI, No. 5

February 22, 2017

Serving The College of New Jersey community since 1885

Renowned professor visits from China

‘Vagina Monologues’ empowers students

By Jonathan Edmondson Staff Writer When describing the way in which traditional news media fairs in today’s digital world, China’s most prominent journalism professor said it’s like a “very small ship in a big sea.”

Traditional print media is no longer the dominant force behind how citizens get their news, he explained. Instead, media convergence is the key to future news consumption.

Jianwu Song, who visited the College on Feb. 13, spoke to a group of journalism students in the Beats and Deadlines class about media convergence in China and the ways in which news organizations are adapting to keep up with evolving technology.

Song is a professor at Renmin University of China, where he is also the director of the AsiaInfo Media Convergence Lab. His recent trip to America took him from coast to coast, visiting places like Stanford University and Google, to discuss the current media landscape across the globe.

Song’s research centers on media convergence, which is the way in which traditional print text combines with other forms of media, such as audio and video, to create more engaging content. see CHINA page 2

Natalie La Spisa / Staff Photographer

Performances seek to defy stigmas surrounding women.

By Mia Ingui Opinions Editor

“That’s it. I can’t take this. My vagina is angry!”

A student rose from the crowd in Mayo Concert Hall, taking the audience by surprise. Molly Knapp, a sophomore women’s, gender and sexuality studies major, walked onto the stage, still visibly upset, saying, “My vagina is not going away. It’s pissed off, and it’s right here,” beginning her monologue, “Angry Vagina.”

“If my vagina could talk, it would talk about itself,” Knapp said. “And other vaginas.

Do vagina impressions. It would wear Harry Winston diamonds. No clothes, just drenched in diamonds. My vagina, it wants everything.”

Women In Learning and Leadership presented the “Vagina Monologues” during the weekend of Friday, Feb. 17, to tell stories of self-hatred, self-denial and self-love.

“We forget the vagina. The heart is capable of sacrifice, but so is the vagina. It can ache for us, stretch for us, die for us and bleed us into this wonderful existence,” said Katie

McLaughlin, a senior history and secondary education dual major, in one monologue.

In an ode to empowered minds and bodies, students took the stage while the audience stood up out of their seats and pledged to do their part to end violence against women and proudly shouted “cunt.”

Written by the Tony Award-winning playwright and activist Eve Ensler, the monologues have been performed by the powerful voices of women in more than 140 countries in 48 different languages.

Mary Lynn W. Hopps, director of WILL and a women’s, gender and sexuality studies professor, welcomed the audience to the monologues.

She believes the show was originally created because “something dramatic needed to be done about the violence against women.”

She discussed the history of the monologues and shared a collection of stories about women who, through their struggles, touched millions.

The show officially began with an introduction from three students.

“Women secretly love to talk about their vagina. Mostly because no one’s ever asked them about it before,” said Jaclyn Corbo, a freshman pre-law major.

A monologue performed by senior English and secondary education dual major Jenna Burke entitled “Hair” told a story about loving the natural female body.

Speaker criticizes US criminal justice system

Mauer tells the audience why America’s prisons are filled.

By Thomas Infante Arts & Entertainment Editor An esteemed criminologist spoke in the Library Auditorium on Wednesday, Feb. 15, about the increase in incarcerations, racism in criminal justice and the decrease in crime in a presentation entitled “The Changing Environment for Criminal

Justice Reform.”

Marc Mauer, the executive director of the Sentencing Project — a Washington D.C.-based research center that advocates for criminal justice reform — began his presentation with an overview of mass incarceration, which looks at the rise of incarcerated people in America over time.

According to Mauer, there

INDEX: Nation & World / page 5 Editorial / page 7 Lions Plate Follow us at...

The perfect healthy pasta dish The Signal See Features page 13 @tcnjsignal

Jason Proleika / Photo Editor

are currently about 1.6 million people in either state or federal penitentiaries. The U.S. is the world leader in incarceration rate by a significant margin — for every 100,000 people, nearly 700 will end up in prison.

“Most of this change happened within the last 40 years,” Mauer said. “It all happened seemingly overnight through Opinions / page 9

change of policy and legislature, not a change in the crime rate.”

Much of this change in policy came about during the war on drugs that began in the early 1980s, which brought record numbers of arrests in the U.S. These policies caused police in the inner cities to crack down harder on drug offenders and impose additional mandatory sentencing guidelines on them, resulting in offenders often receiving lifetime imprisonment for their crimes.

In 2014, there were more people incarcerated for drugrelated crimes than there were total prisoners in 1980.

“There are diminishing returns on stopping low-level drug crimes,” Mauer said.

“When an 18-year-old kid gets arrested for selling pot on the corner, another will take his place almost immediately. Just because someone was sent to prison does not mean it will improve our public safety.”

Features / page 13

see VAGINA page 13

Leader digs into campus history

By Jeremy Roth Correspondent

Successful individuals stepping foot on the College’s campus is far from out of the ordinary, but there may have been one that trumps them all: George Washington.

As part of Anthropology Day on Thursday, Feb. 16, Professor of anthropology George Leader took to the Social Sciences Building on Friday, Feb. 17, to present his case as to whether or not Washington once walked on the College’s soil.

At the start of his lecture, Leader reminded everyone of an archaeological site on campus that is rich with history: the William Green Farmhouse.

This building is one that students may have walked by for years without knowing its true historical value.

“The house is more than just the birthplace of TCNJ out here on campus,” Leader said. “It’s an important monument to our revolution that gave birth to the United States.”

The farmhouse is located behind

see MAUER page 3

see GREEN page 3

Arts & Entertainment / page 17

Sports / page 24

TMT Cabaret Exuberant theatrics grace Library Auditorium

Men’s Basketball Lions undefeated at home

See A&E page 17

See Sports page 24

page 2 The Signal February 22, 2017

China / Song lauds use of multimedia in journalism

Song’s work explores the way news is consumed in China.

continued from page 1

“Traditional media has lost its effect on citizens,” said Song, whose talk was translated by Yifeng Hu, an associate professor of communication studies at the College.

As Song explained, 53 percent of the Chinese population uses cell phones as their primary way of accessing news. As a result, news outlets in China have looked to

media convergence to adapt and survive. The Chinese government, which has extensive control over the journalism community, is also pushing for this media renaissance.

To embrace media convergence, Song and his team developed what is known as a “Media Hub,” which is a place where content flourishes and attracts a lot of citizens. In addition to news articles, it also features places where users can enjoy digital entertainment like gaming, pay traffic

Lost wallet in Lot 5 waylays student

By Brielle Bryan Production Manager

• On Feb. 9 at approximately 5:30 p.m., a female student reported to Campus Police that she lost her wallet. The student believed she lost her wallet on Feb. 8 between 10:15 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. after leaving an event in Kendall Hall, according to Campus Police. The student recalled walking to Lot 5, where she got into the passenger side of her roommate’s vehicle and went to her off-campus house on Pennington Road in Ewing, N.J. The student then discovered that her wallet and its contents were missing. She checked her vehicle and driveway and could not find it, according

Chelsea LoCascio / Editor-in-Chief

to police reports. She also checked Lot 5, however, that area was plowed due to overnight snowfall, which possibly affected her search. She told Campus Police that she called the Brower Student Center to see if anyone turned in her wallet, but no one had. According to Campus Police, the student described the missing item as an old leather wallet that contained money, credit and debit cards, as well as her driver’s license. The officer advised her to cancel her cards and contact Campus Police if she locates the wallet or if there are any unauthorized transactions on her cards.

fines and other tickets, interact with government officials and even make cultural industry investments.

Song considers the Media Hub to be similar to a central kitchen.

“These seats are for the main chefs who cook the nicest dish,” Song said. He laughed while showing a picture of where the bosses sit in the hub, which includes a 75-foot-long screen for showcasing content.

While others are trying to mimic Song’s work, he currently has the most advanced media convergence setup in China.

Even with his focus on evolving technology, Song acknowledges that journalism is facing a period of growth and uncertainty worldwide.

“It used to be quite the honorable thing to be a journalism student,” Song said in an interview with The Signal, citing his time as a college student. “Now things have changed. … A lot of individuals who work in the industry have left and switched to other industries.”

He has hope, though, that others will embrace the media’s changes.

“We are thinking of what kind of training can we provide to new students because the media is changing and society is changing,” Song said. “We are exploring these issues, as well.”

SG denounces immigration ban and discusses mascots

Anyone with information can contact Campus Police at 609-771-2345.

Students discuss Trump’s immigration ban.

By Megan Kelly Staff Writer

Campus Police helps a student track down a lost wallet.

Jason Proleika / Photo Editor

Student Government voted to approve resolution RS-2017-01 during its meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 15. The resolution states how SG is in opposition of the recent travel and immigration ban imposed by President Donald Trump’s executive order. “(The ban) has the opportunity to come back, so if you’re seeing in the news ‘Oh, the travel ban isn’t a thing,’ it could still be a thing,” said Tori Mazzola, vice president of Governmental Affairs.

Funding was granted for the restoration of the Library Café furniture, particularly the chairs.

“Weekly, chairs will be taken out and brought back into the Library Café and

Kim Iannarone / Staff Photographer

fixed up, so they’re not disgusting,” said Alex Moulder, vice president of Academic Affairs.

He also said the green bench in the café will be refinished over the coming spring break.

Vice President of Student Services Lindsay Thomas announced that making a new lion costume is being looked into, as the current Roscoe the Lion costume is in disrepair.

“The mascot now is awful — the tail is falling out and it smells,” she said. “We’re willing and open to any ideas.”

Thomas also said moves are being made to get the mascot training program up and running. The program will train students to wear the Roscoe suit and be a mascot at various on-campus events.

SFB funds Unified Greek Council’s educational Step, Stroll, Salute event

By Olivia Rizzo Staff Writer

The Student Finance Board had only one request for funding during the meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 15.

The Unified Greek Council was fully funded $3,750 for its Step, Stroll, Salute Exhibition by SFB. “It’s a performance-based event off organizations and their cultural background. It will give the campus community a chance to learn more about the historical context of

strolling step and saluting,” said Diana Rodriguez, UGC president.

In the past, this event had been used for recruitment purposes, but upon reflection, the organization concluded that it was best to shift the event’s purpose to be a fun and educational experience for the entire campus community.

Funding will cover the costs of a DJ, water, security and a stage.

The Step, Stroll, Salute Exhibition will take place on March 3, in Packer at 7:30 p.m.

SFB funds the UGC’s cultural event.

Jason Proleika / Photo Editor

February 22, 2017 The Signal page 3

Green / Washington’s troops marched near campus continued from page 1

the baseball field, just beyond the outfield wall next to Green Lane.

Dating back to the 1700s, Trenton, N.J., and what is now one of the best public colleges in the nation, was nothing but farmland.

At the time, the British occupied Trenton, and Hessian forces stood on guard. On Christmas Eve 1776, Washington’s cavalry called the Light Horse split into two groups in an attempted sneak attack.

With one coming inward and one coming down the river, it seemed that they would have come close to the farmhouse, but not quite all the way there.

Although there is no firm evidence of a military presence, documents indicate that when British and Hessian forces fled toward Princeton, N.J., there were skirmishes up and down Pennington Road.

Winter 1777 brought a new commander to Washington’s Light Horse, Polish-born Casimir Pulaski. After Ben Franklin requested his assistance, Pulaski led his men from farm to farm, soaking up any resources that were available in order to survive the harsh conditions.

Given that there was not much infrastructure on the farmland in Trenton, Green Farmhouse would have been easy to find, so there is speculation that Pulaski had ventured through. Phebe Green, the wife of William W. Green — a grandson of the original owner of the Green Farmhouse, according to the farmhouse’s website — wrote a pension application for her

Leader explains Washington’s plan of attack through Trenton. late husband in the 1800s.

On the application is a sworn statement saying that Washington’s Light Horse billeted there. However, the hunt for more information and documentation continues.

The College bought the house in 1960, and not too long after, it was closed up. The last occupant of the house was a football coach who lived there with his family.

Despite its age, the farmhouse still preserved a lot of its history.

Sections dating back from the 1700s to 1800s still remain, including the Flemish brick bond on the oldest section, which was popular with upper middle-class families at the time.

The inside is currently run down, with evidence of feral cats, possums and fecal remains of several other animals. Still, it does not take away the beauty of the building’s history.

“The more we know about it, the more reason there is to preserve it,” said Annie Elfers, a senior sociology major. “It’s the sort of thing that would be a sense of pride for our campus, and also, it’s really a beautiful building.”

Now, with the farmhouse and its history enclosed on campus, it was time to excavate. From 1989 to 1995, South of the farmhouse was explored, revealing artifacts, such as metal, shell, cork and pig teeth.

Jason Proleika / Photo Editor

The dig also uncovered ceramic samples, which indicated what was traded with other nations and the wealth of those who had lived in the house. By measuring the discovered stems and fragments from clay reed pipes, trade deals were made as far back as the 1700s.

Before the sporadic field notes and artifact samples could be organized and published, the professor in charge retired, leaving questions and missing pieces of the puzzle behind.

Of course, this did not stop Leader from taking matters into his own hands. He continually takes his classes out to the farmhouse, educating them and allowing them

to look for a part of history.

“Archaeology is a destructive science,” Leader said. “When you take something out of the ground, you can never put it back in.”

In the 2015 excavations, about 600 new artifacts were recovered, including clay reed pipes, Indian head pennies from the 1800s and ceramic marbles that could have been a child’s toy. Digging also removed layers to see the different types of soil, which corresponded to different time periods.

The search continues for other artifacts and missing pieces that made up the farmland. Recently, Leader reported that they received a donation to do ground penetrating radar, which has the potential to identify smokehouses, military artifacts and privies filled with trash that could signify the time period in which they were from.

“The potential of the house is just absolutely fantastic,” Leader said. “For years to come, students can work on this project, and it’s really about being a detective of the past and trying to piece together what actually went on on TCNJ’s campus.”

Leader concluded that Washington probably did not step foot on campus, however, Pulaski and Washington’s Light Horse likely billeted at Green Farmhouse many times.

“The fact that some of the most important figures in the revolution might have been here on campus is really fascinating,” Leader said.

“It’s something students should appreciate and be aware of.”

Mauer / Criminal justice expert explains problem with prisons continued from page 1 Mauer’s statistics also showed a racial bias in the current criminal justice system.

For example, until the passage of the Fair Sentencing Act in 2010, there were very different penalties toward possession of powder cocaine and crack cocaine. Possession of crack held a minimum 5-year prison sentence, while the laws regarding powder cocaine were more lenient.

Since more Black people are caught possessing crack and more White people with powder, this caused a disproportionate amount of arrests between Blacks and Whites for two similar drugs.

“Crime rates have actually been declining for 20 years,” Mauer told the audience. “But arrests have hardly slowed.”

According to Mauer, at the current rate of decline, it would take 88 years for America’s imprisonment rates to be as low as they were in 1980.

“We need to be more open about discussing research about rehabilitating drug users rather than legislators competing to be tougher on these crimes,” Mauer said.

In addition to the mass amounts of people in prison, the length of their sentences are far longer than those in most other countries. Prisons are now filled with people who will never leave. Approximately one out of nine prisoners is in for life.

“In many Western European countries, it is extremely unusual to be imprisoned for over 20 years for a non-violent crime,” Mauer said. “Young people are also more likely to commit crimes, which means that there are many people who will spend their entire lives in prison with no hope of release.”

Although positive change in policy is happening gradually, there is still a long way to go, according to Mauer.

“We’ve gotten used to this,” Mauer said. “Many prosecutors tell me that they like mandatory minimum sentencing because it makes their jobs easier.”

He also advocated for the use of drug courts, which aim to keep drug offenders out of jail and get them treatment. Although these courts exist in the U.S., they are rarely used compared to the number of incarcerated drug offenders.

There are also conditions for prisoners to be released for health reasons, but this, too, is rare, usually only when the inmate

is at death’s door.

Mauer told the audience that significant change would likely be seen at a state level before federal.

“Some states are managing their crime well,” Mauer said. “ New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and California have all seen a 20 to 30 percent drop in crime rates in recent years with no loss to public safety.”

Recently, California lawmakers approved Proposition 47, which reduced felony drug charges to misdemeanors — a significant step in a state where three felonies will automatically get you life in prison. New York also made progress by repealing the mandatory minimum

Mauer delves into the racial bias behind crack cocaine punishment.

sentencing guidelines of the Rockefeller drug laws in 2009.

For all of the staggering statistics, Mauer remains hopeful that in time, the way in which legislators think of crime will become more practical.

“We need to treat all kids like they’re our kids,” Mauer said. “Half the rise in the incarceration rate is due to increased prosecution. The other half from longer and mandatory sentences.”

The American criminal justice system should focus on rehabilitation and re-entry into society instead of relegating them to a new maximum-security home for the rest of their lives, Mauer said.

Jason Proleika / Photo Editor

page 4 The Signal February 22, 2017

February 22, 2017 The Signal page 5

Nation & W rld

North Korea launches ballistic missile

Both the US and Japan condemn the launch.

By Anandita Mehta Correspondent

North Korea launched an extended range ballistic missile during

the weekend of Feb. 11 that crashed in the East Sea approximately 300 miles from its launch site, according to NBC. The launch was said to have

AP Photo

taken place in honor of deceased leader Kim Jong Il. However, this has been challenged by Yoshide Suga, the Japanese chief cabinet secretary, who claims

it was a provocative measure against Japan, according to CNN. The launch can be interpreted as a threat to the U.S., which is allied with China and Japan — two countries who do not see eye to eye with North Korea, according to The New York Times.

After an outcry from American U.N. ambassadors like Nikki Haley, as well as others from China and Japan, the U.N. Security Council condemned North Korea’s actions as a violation of its previously established resolutions, NBC reported.

President Donald Trump and Shinzō Abe, the prime minister of Japan, issued joint condemnations of their own, according to CNBC. The same source reported that Trump declared he would stand

by Japan, while Abe maintained that North Korea’s missile launch was “absolutely intolerable.”

Sen. Chuck Schumer of New

York said the missile launch was meant to test Trump, according to The New York Times.

One of the potential consequences of the launch is to pit the U.S. against North Korea on the verge of brinkmanship, a state that was last seen during the Cold War, CNBC reported.

The missile only traveled approximately 300 miles before crashing in the East Sea, but reports from NBC and CNBC indicate that it could travel up to four times this distance.

The launch provided North Korean engineers and scientists with data and information that would help them create intercontinental ballistic missiles, according to CNBC. North Korean production of ICBMs would speed up the deployment of anti-missile intercept systems from the U.S. as a response to a potential nuclear threat from North Korea, according to CNBC.

ICE raids strike fear in immigrant communities

By Cait Flynn Staff Writer

At least 683 people living in the country illegally have been detained or deported by Immigration and Customs Enforcement following a wave of raids and arrests enabled

by President Donald Trump’s executive order last month, according to The Washington Post.

The executive order, signed on Jan. 25, expanded the criteria for enforcement of immigration laws.

According to the same source, the order emphasizes prioritizing deportation efforts concerning those who have committed violent crimes instead of those who have committed a crime in general. The order also instructed Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly to pursue means of stripping “sanctuary cities” of their federal funding.

Department of Homeland Security officials have denied any illegal actions or detainments since the executive order was signed. Kelly testified before Congress earlier last week, describing ICE as having its “hands tied behind (its) back” during the Obama administration, and hoping the

new efforts to deport more than 11 million immigrants living in the U.S. illegally will alleviate ICE’s frustrations, according to Fortune magazine.

However, the same source reported that the Trump administration officials describe ICE’s current actions as no different than that of what took place during the Obama administration. As many as 409,000 people were deported in 2012, leading critics to call former President Barrack Obama “Deporterin-Chief.”

Anecdotal accounts of ICE agents waiting outside of schools, community centers, homeless shelters and parking lots have been unilaterally denied by the agency, according to The Washington Post.

A tweet from ICE on Friday, Feb. 17, reads, “Reports of ICE checkpoints, indiscriminate ‘raids’ & sweeps... are false, dangerous, and irresponsible.”

Top ICE officials met with Congress this week to discuss the enforcement efforts, concluding that as many as 186 of those arrested have no criminal record. In separate statements, the agency has only confirmed 20 cases in which the person arrested has committed a past violent or sexual crime,

ICE denies accounts of agents waiting outside of schools.

The Washington Post reported.

Friday morning, the Associated Press reported the interception of a memo by the Department of Homeland Security in which a plan was formulated to deploy as many as 100,000 National Guard members to 11 states to aid local officials and ICE agents in enforcement efforts.

The executive order on immigration did not include plans regarding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals that was signed

by Obama, which allows immigrants living in the country illegally to apply for legal work visas that are valid for two years.

AP Photo

DACA was repeatedly threatened on the campaign trail by Trump, who called it a “horrible order” and promised it would be ended immediately, according to The Hill.

Carlos Garcia, director of the human rights group Puente Arizona, told The Washington Post that legally questionable arrests will likely lead to the retreat and hiding of the immigrant community.

“If what’s going to happen when people come to check-in (is that) they are going to get detained and deported, I would assume most people will not turn themselves in,” Garcia said.

Germany elects 12th president since World War II Steinmeier has a 79 percent approval rating this month, according to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The special assembly that elected Steinmeier is made up of 630 members of parliament’s lower house as well as an equal amount of representatives from Germany’s 16 states.

Steinmeier garnered 931 of 1,260 votes, Fox News reported.

There were 100 representatives that abstained from the vote, which is cast as a secret ballot, according to The News Nigeria.

According to the same source, Steinmeier faced four opponents for the position: Christoph Butterwegge, Albrecht Glaser, Alexander Hold and Engelbert Sonneborn.

Steinmeier succeeds Joachim Gauck, 77, who has held the AP Photo position since 2012. Gauck does not want to serve a second Steinmeier is concerned about Trump. five-year term because of his age, according to Fox News.

By Rebecca Colnes Gauck was a participant of the pro-democratic movement in Staff Writer East Germany and was dedicated to the rights of freedom, DW Akademie — Germany’s leading international media developFormer German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier ment organization — reported. was elected the German president on Feb. 12.

The same source reported that Gauck has been as popuSteinmeier will be the 12th German president since World lar as Chancellor Angela Merkel, especially among WestWar II, The News Nigeria reported. ern Germans, but opinions have been divided among the

Eastern Germans.

The German president has little executive power. Most of the power is held with the German chancellor. The president is a symbol of the country and a moral authority, according to Yahoo News.

Steinmeier is known to be diplomatic, but is a strong critic of President Donald Trump. He describes Trump as a “hate preacher,” according to Fox News.

Steinmeier has also expressed concern about Trump’s comments that NATO is obsolete, CNN reported.

Merkel, however, has expressed her willingness to cooperate with Trump, according to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The same source reported that despite Steinmeier’s dismay for Trump, he believes Germany will remain an “anchor of hope” in the world.

After Steinmeier was elected, Merkel said, “This is a good day for Germany,” according to Fox News.

Steinmeier was Merkel’s former chief of staff and has served twice as foreign prime minister from 2005 to 2009 and from 2013 until he was elected president. He has also served as vice chancellor, according to CNN.

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page 6 The Signal February 22, 2017

February 22, 2017 The Signal page 7

Editorial

Students should continue to be politically active

President Donald J. Trump has awoken a sleeping giant. We’d be wise to not let it fall so deeply asleep again.

My first semester at the College was defined by your typical firstyear experiences: midnight runs to T-Dubs, trying out countless clubs and laughing at your two friends who actually engaged in “floorcest.”

Yet, through it all, I realized my college experience seemed to be missing something. It was hard to determine exactly what it was, but I didn’t feel this sense of higher purpose, as I imagined it was typical for a college student to feel.

Around Thanksgiving break, the thought I was searching for finally hit me: The College lacks a campus-wide culture of political activism.

Of course, individual students and clubs have always proved politically focused. Yet, the desire to participate in political discourse was not shared by the student body at large.

I included myself in this criticism. Inside the campus bubble, the problems of the real world seemed to fade away. I spent more time thinking about classes, student organizations and friends than I did the upcoming presidential election.

The happenings at our tight-knit college seemed more relevant than whatever insane thing Trump said on the campaign trail.

Besides, Hillary Clinton was going to win anyway, right?

Of course, we all know how the story goes. Trump broke down the Democrat’s blue wall and won an election that pundits said he should have dropped out of a week prior.

It shocked the world, and it shocked our campus. It was a result that reduced many of us to stunned silence and tears.

But then, something started to happen.

Suddenly, for the first time in my two years at the College, that allencompassing political activism, which I began to believe was not a part of this school’s culture, moved to the mainstream.

College President R. Barbara Gitenstein sent an email to the College community the morning of Nov. 9, calling for commitment “to positive action in our lives and our community.”

Vice President for Student Affairs Amy Hecht also sent a mass email to students the day after the election, promoting a discussion with English Professor David Blake entitled “Understanding the 2016 Presidential Election Results.”

Many professors, including my own, devoted their classes to political discussion or related the election to their course’s topic.

Spurred by these actions and their own emotions, students began to fill the Library, Eickhoff Hall and dormitories with thoughtful political talk. Protests sprung up in Alumni Grove and on the steps of Green Hall.

As weeks have passed, the heat of this newly lit political fire has not cooled. The Women’s and Gender Studies Department bussed students and faculty to the women’s march in Washington D.C. Some of my classmates appeared in a headlining photo for a Newsweek article.

This all adds up to the fact the election of Trump awakened a political spirit on campus that was otherwise wasting away as it lay dormant.

The College is composed of thousands of intelligent, talented and powerful young women and men.

Trump was the catalyst for this college to tap into its potential, enabling it to make real, lasting and meaningful contributions to political discourse.

My only ask is this: We mustn’t grow weary as the election fades further into the past. Political activism can’t just be sparked in fouryear intervals. There is so much to fight for right now.

Let’s keep expressing our opinions, protesting and taking real action to ensure political activism is permanently ingrained into the culture of this college. Future political eras could prove less volatile than our own, so let’s establish a tradition of activism now to carry this school through years where thoughtful discourse isn’t as sexy.

The College’s political voice is and should stay a giant that can’t be stopped. Now is not the time to sleep. Stay woke.

— Kyle Elphick Web Editor

Editorial Content Unsigned editorial opinions are those of the Editorial Board, which consists of the Editor-in-Chief, the Managing, News, Features, Arts & Entertainment, Opinions, Photo, Sports, Review and Social Media editors and the Business and Production managers, unless otherwise noted.

Opinions expressed in signed editorials and letters to the editor are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Signal.

Students at the College are more politically active than ever.

Photo courtesy of Cecilia Colbeth

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Mailing Address: The Signal c/o Forcina Hall The College of New Jersey P.O. Box 7718 Ewing, NJ 08628-0718 Brielle Bryan Production Manager bryanb2@tcnj.edu Kyle Elphick Web Editor elphick1@tcnj.edu Ashton Leber Jake Mulick Social Media Editors lebera1@tcnj.edu mulickj1@tcnj.edu Jason Proleika Photo Editor proleij1@tcnj.edu

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An article from two weeks ago first published online titled “10 issues President Gitenstein should think about this semester,” it said the Towers “might be on their last legs” and “torn down,” but at that time, the Towers renovation project had not yet been announced.

President Donald Trump’s executive order temporarily barring immigration from seven Muslimmajority countries has triggered a lot of reaction across the nation and the world, but here at the College, the faculty and College President R. Barbara Gitenstein are actually on the same page. A letter circulated by Professor John Landreau asking Gitenstein to denounce the executive order was more a complement to her email sent to the College community on Jan. 30 than, as The Signal characterized it, a response.

page 8 The Signal February 22, 2017

Interested in news?

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Entertainment?

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Contact us: signal@tcnj.edu Located in room 204 in Forcina Hall.

Meetings every Sunday at 5:30 p.m.

Summer Program Financial Aid Application available March 1st in PAWS using the following navigation:

Main Menu ->Student Self Service ->Campus Finances ->Winter/Summer Fin Aid App Visit http://financialaid.tcnj.edu/

and

Click “Summer Programs” for more information.

Deadline: June 30th.

You must have a 2016-2017 FAFSA on file to be considered for aid.

Remember: • Minimum Undergraduate enrollment of 1.5 units. 5 credits minimum for Graduate Students.

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• Your financial aid file must be complete (no missing items).

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Federal Direct Loans eligibility will be able to borrow during the Summer Session.

Office of Student Financial Assistance, Green Hall 101 at 609-771-2211 or osfa@tcnj.edu.

February 22, 2017 The Signal page 9

Opinions

Students can avoid catching ‘TCNJ plague’

Fighting the TCNJ plague requires medicine.

Flickr

By Michelle Lampariello During the winter months, catching the “TCNJ plague” — an illness going around campus — seems inevitable. Despite conditions that may put students at risk for getting sick, it is preventable if students make health a priority.

Germs spread easily when people live in relatively crowded spaces, and life in a dorm is conducive to illness, unfortunately. Sharing bedrooms, bathrooms and common areas, such as lounges and community kitchens, provide plenty of shared surfaces for germs to wait for their next victim.

Once a few students fall ill, going to eateries, classes

and activities gives the germs they carry the chance to spread throughout campus. This semester was no exception, as sickness quickly transferred through housemates, classmates and teammates.

Sometimes it seem as though the TCNJ plague is a force that cannot be stopped. While the battle against illness in the winter months may be difficult, it is one that students can win if they make health an important aspect of their daily lives.

There is almost nothing you can do to prevent a roommate, friend or significant other from becoming sick.

However, whether or not you catch the bug is controllable.

If people that you live with have fallen ill, make it a point to wipe down surfaces as well as sanitize or avoid touching shared items. Although it may be hard, spend less time with them than you normally would.

If a friend becomes sick, help them out by bringing them food or medicine, not by staying in their dorm to watch a movie with them.

Take preventative measures such as eating a healthy diet with extra vitamin C, which, according to the Center for Disease Control, can “slightly reduce the length and severity of colds.”

Staying active is also important. However, the gym can be a great place for germs to lurk. So, remember to wipe down equipment both before and after you use it.

College students also tend to be more susceptible to illness due to their busy schedules and stereotypically poor sleeping habits. Especially if you are already feeling under the weather, practicing self-care instead of spending a night out with friends may be the difference between getting through the day painlessly and sitting through your 8 a.m. class with a pounding congestion headache.

Try to get at least eight hours of sleep each night, and make time for rest in between classes, activities

and time with friends. While it may not be practical to take a nap each day, it is beneficial to not constantly run from activity to activity. Try to get into a routine that balances responsibilities with your social life that still allows for down time.

The word “plague” implies that illness on campus is a much stronger force than it is. By taking both proactive and reactive measures to combat the spread of germs, it is possible to stay healthy.

Try taking time out of your schedule to wipe down a doorknob, make a salad instead of grabbing a cheeseburger or go to bed just a little bit earlier. This could be all it takes to prevent yourself from catching the TCNJ plague.

Extra vitamin C can help crush colds.

Flickr

Agriculture industry sees growth and change

The agriculture industry is no longer just for farmers.

By Sherley Alaba The agriculture industry is one of the most overlooked industries for college graduates who are looking to begin their careers.

It is always perceived as one in decline, especially today as there is constant news about the decreasing demand due to the surplus harvest thanks to bumper crops and good weather conditions.

The demand for agricultural products is

Flickr

cyclical by its very nature, however, the industry is continuously progressing and the demand for skilled employees is increasing.

Reports reveal that there is high demand for college graduates with a degree in agricultural programs. It is expected that an average of nearly 60,000 agricultural jobs for high-skilled, collegeeducated people will be created each year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. However, the same source

reported that only 35,000 graduates with relevant skills are expected to enter the market each year.

As you research careers within the agriculture industry, you will realize that innovation is constant. Agriculture is no longer the traditional industry with just cows and plows.

The agriculture industry has become very diverse, which has created roles that did not exist merely five years ago.

As expected, the main demand is for people who have specialized in agriculture and life science-related fields. The agriculture industry needs farm animal veterinarians, pest control specialists, water resource scientists and more.

However, what people do not realize is that the agriculture industry just does not need graduates with specialized degrees in agricultural fields. Agriculture is becoming a dynamic industry, and it now has a need for people with degrees that pertain to finance and data analyzation.

Constant innovation has brought big data into play. Farming equipment may look the same, but it has become very smart. For example, farmers can now take an iPad from their tractor and find out the exact point on the field where the planter missed a seed. All of this

innovation requires college graduates who have obtained advanced degrees in mathematics, computer science and industrial mechanics.

The need for college graduates does not end at jobs that require research and development into new farming equipment and data gathering techniques. We have developed ways to gather massive amounts of data, but we need skilled analysts to interpret this data and pinpoint places that need improvement.

Once the agriculture industry discovered big data and analyzing, then came the demand for cloud-based data sharing, and once again, a whole new type of college-educated person was required. When talking about the cloud, it is important to mention that this data is deemed to be sensitive and many farmers — instead of sharing such data — guard it, leading to a demand for people who are skilled in server set ups and data security.

Agriculture is transforming into a limitless industry. In the next 10 years, companies like DuPont are expected to earn revenues of $500 million from the data analysis services provided to farmers. The possibilities for the agricultural industry are endless and already in play.

Policies

The Signal is published weekly during the academic year and is financed by the Student Activities Fee (SAF) and advertising revenue. Any student may submit articles to The Signal. Publication of submitted articles is at the discretion of the editors.

The letters section is an open forum for opinions. Submissions that announce events or advertise in any way will not be printed. All letters should be sent via email to signal@tcnj.edu. Handwritten letters should be sent to The Signal, c/o The Brower Student Center, The College of New Jersey, PO Box 7718 Ewing, N.J. 08628 or placed in our mailbox in the Student Life Office.

Letters must be received by the Friday before publication and should not exceed 300 words. The Signal reserves the right to edit letters for space and clarity. All letters must be signed, with a phone number and address of the author. Requests to withhold the author’s name will be honored only if there is a legitimate reason.

All materials submitted become the sole property of The Signal. The editors reserve the right to edit or withhold all articles, letters & photographs.

The Signal willingly corrects factual mistakes. If you think we have made an error, please contact The Signal at (609) 771-2424, write to the address listed above or email us at signal@tcnj.edu.

page 10 The Signal February 22, 2017

February 22, 2017 The Signal page 11

Students share opinions around campus “Did you catch the TCNJ plague?”

Mia Ingui / Opinions Editor

Alexa Jones, a junior elementary education and mathematics double major.

“No, but I’m the kind of person to have the plague and still go to class.”

Mia Ingui / Opinions Editor

Keller Gordon, a sophomore English major.

“I hope not.”

“Would you consider a career in agriculture?”

Mia Ingui / Opinions Editor

Emily Tufano, a freshman biology major.

“Depends on what I am doing. If it would have something to do with pesticides, yes.”

Mia Ingui / Opinions Editor

Meghan Currie, a freshman business open options major.

“If I was working on the business side, yes.”

The Signal’s student cartoons of the week...

page 12 The Signal February 22, 2017

A Campus-wide, Science-themed Meal Event

Tuesday, February 28, 2017, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Tasting the Tree of Life Exploring Biodiversity through Cuisine

At this one-of-kind event, balance your diet in a new way! Sample a savory BBQ jackfruit sandwich! Try crunching a cricket!

Or sink your teeth into alligator sausage at our Tasting Bar!

11 A.M.–7 P.M. THE ATRIUM AT EICKHOFF

Meal Event 11 A.M.–3 P.M.

Enjoy the Diverse Tasting Bar 11 A.M.–12:15 P.M.

Join the Keynote Speaker

Join us for “Tasting the Tree of Life” where you will have the opportunity to sample some new tastes alongside familiar

12:30 P.M.–1:30 P.M. MAYO CONCERT HALL

Keynote Lecture “Evolving Food: Exploring Food Biodiversity Across the Tree of Life”

favorites while learning about biodiversity and relatedness of your food!

Dr. Nyree Zerega Botanist and Evolutionary Biologist Northwestern University and the Chicago Botanic Garden

@tcnjscience tastingtreeoflife.pages.tcnj.edu This unique event is a collaboration of the School of Science, Department of Biology, and Dining Services.

February 22, 2017 The Signal page 13

Features

Vagina / Women perform unfiltered monologues continued from page 1

“My husband made me shave my vagina,” Burke said. “It made me look like a little girl, which made him excited. I refused to shave it again. Then, my husband had an affair. But hair is there for a reason. It’s the leaf around the flower, the lawn around the house.”

Freshman political science major Claudia Arias performed “The Flood,” a story of a 72-year-old woman who has not looked at her own vagina in awhile.

“I haven’t been down there since 1953,” Arias said. “We didn’t do this kind of thing when I was a girl. I can’t do this, talk about down there.”

Arias encouraged the crowd to embrace their bodies in ways they were afraid to before.

Similarly, the next story entitled “The Vagina Workshop” encouraged women to explore and understand their bodies.

“My vagina is a shell. A flower.

I learned this in the vagina workshop,” said Sam Franz, a sophomore communication studies and English double major. “I did not see my vagina as something attached to me. It seemed so reductive looking at it. But then, my vagina amazed me. My vagina is a tulip, a shell, a destiny. My vagina: me.”

Emily Mullin, a senior art and early childhood education double major, followed with the brief “Vagina Happy Fact” monologue.

“The clitoris is the only organ in the body created for pleasure, with twice as many nerves as the penis,” she said.

“They Beat the Girl out of my Boy… or so They Tried” told the story of an individual that did not identify with the sex they were born into and explored their struggle to live as their true identity.

Briana Dioses, a senior early childhood urban education and women’s, gender and sexuality studies double major followed

with the “Not-so-Happy Fact:” Approximately 125 million young women have undergone female genital mutilation, according to a 2013 Unicef study.

Gigi Garrity, a sophomore psychology major, followed with “My Short Skirt.”

“My short skirt, believe it or not, has nothing to do with you,” she said. “My short skirt, and everything underneath, it is mine, mine, mine.”

Haley Witko, a senior interactive multimedia major, presented the monologue “Reclaiming Cunt.”

The audience was invited to chant “cunt” until it’s negative meaning was refined.

“The Woman Who Loved to Make Vaginas Happy,” performed by senior psychology major Bridget Appleby, was a shameless ode to unleashing and demanding pleasure in one’s sex life.

“I Was There in the Room” by Katie Mclaughlin, a senior history and secondary education dual major, discussed the most important

Natalie La Spisa / Staff Photographer

Monologues reclaim and redefine ‘cunt.’ tasks of the vagina: childbirth.

Closing the show was Olivia Laura, a senior psychology and women’s, gender and sexuality studies double major, with “My Revolution Lives in This Body.”

“My revolution does not require approval or permission,” Laura said. “It happens because it has to happen. It may be happening already. My revolution is swelling from the insatiable drumming between my legs.”

Although the monologues are

performed annually at the College, each student brought a different perspective to the production.

Alumna Kayla Termyna (’16), former vice executive chair of WILL, said she “couldn’t be happier” with how the show went.

“We all worked so hard, and it’s such a special time every year,” she said. “Especially, this year when a lot has happened, I think that we all need to be inspired and push forward to continue to go out and defend other women.”

Students celebrate Valentine’s Day across campus

By Shirley Ayala and Alyssa Gautieri Correspondent and Features Editor

Love was booming across campus on Valentine’s Day among lovers, roommates and friends as flowers were sold in Eickhoff Hall, people danced in dorms and some were serenaded.

Cidney Robinson, a freshman marketing major, was shocked when she opened the door to her dorm room in Ely Hall to find a group of girls from the College’s Step Team singing Bruno Mars’s “Treasure.”

“It was so nice, I loved it so much,” said Robinson, who was ecstatic about the surprise sent from a friend.

The BlackOut Step Team went from room to room on Valentine’s Day to celebrate students who received a Dance Gram from someone on campus.

In addition to Dance Grams, students were able to purchase red and pink roses from the College’s Humanitarian Engineering Club.

Spreading the love around campus even became educational as Chi Upsilon Sigma, the National Latin sorority, hosted an event on Feb. 14 in which attendees were taught about their individual love styles, such as preferring acts of service, words of affirmation, quality time, physical touch or gift giving.

On Feb. 13, the Residence Hall Association hosted its “Bearing with Valentine’s Day!” event in which students were able to build their own stuffed animal including bears,

Photo courtesy of Luke Schoener

Students celebrate at a Valentine’s Day dance.

penguins and unicorns. Students also colored Valentine’s Day-themed pictures, indulged in pink and red cookies and played with heart-shaped stickers.

Additionally, the College’s Harry Potter-themed club, The Order of the Nose-Biting Teacups, hosted a Valentine’s Day dance on Friday, Feb. 17. At the dance, students played the club’s version of “The Newlywed Game,” had a Secret Cupid gift exchange and enjoyed snacks and crafts.

“I think the event was important because it wasn’t a party for couples or loving relationships. It was a party for the club members both single and taken to love everyone and to feel loved,” said Anna Chervinsky, the publicist of The Order of the Nose-Biting Teacups and a technology engineering and education double major.

The Culinary Club Presents...

Lions Plate

: 20-minute pasta dinner

By Julia Dzurillay Columnist

Flickr

Pasta dishes are customizeable.

The dance allowed students to bring friends and meet new people.

“We had fun dancing (to the) music playing through the entire dance, and overall, it was a positive experience on my end,” Chervinsky said.

Love was at a peak for many students, regardless of whether they were single or in a relationship.

For students in a long-distance relationship or those with friends and family back home, the holiday may serve up its fair share of challenges. However, students such as Lloyd Padmore, a freshman business major in a long-distance relationship with a student who attends Rutgers University, tried to make the best of the holiday centered around flowers, chocolates and heart. “(Long-distance relationships) are a challenge, but they are worth fighting for,” he said. “(My girlfriend and I) are meeting up this weekend, and we will be celebrating then, so Valentine’s Day is not completely a lost cause with us.”

Mackenzie Gascoyne, a sophomore nursing major and a single student at the College, believes the holiday is about love in general, not solely about significant others.

“To me, Valentine’s Day is about being with the people in your life that you love and that love you back — whether it be a boyfriend, girlfriend or best friend,” she said.

Regardless of how you celebrated the holiday — on the day of or the weekend after with family, a significant other, friend or yourself — hopefully your Valentine’s Day was filled with unconditional love and happiness.

When was the last time you had a homecooked meal? Have you been living off junk food since the spring semester began? If so, you might be feeling groggy and lethargic.

When you’re constantly doing homework, eating healthy seems nearly impossible. But when there’s a will, there’s a way, and there is definitely a way to eat well without sacrificing time or taste. This quick pasta recipe is great for a college student on the go.

The meal includes as many, if not more, vegetables than pasta. Don’t worry, though,

you will still be eating the carbs that you love while sneaking in some extra nutrients.

You can also easily adjust the recipe to fit your taste. Add marinara or pesto sauce, peas and carrots or a different type of cheese.

The sky’s the limit with this simple meal.

Ingredients 1 tablespoon butter 4 tablespoons olive oil 1 handful of pasta 1/2 red or green bell pepper, diced 1/8 onion, minced 1 handful of spinach 3 tablespoons parmesan cheese Parsley, for garnish Salt and pepper to taste

Directions 1. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt and olive oil. Cook pasta according to the directions on the box.

2. Strain pasta and coat with one tablespoon of olive oil. Set aside.

3. In the same pot, melt butter. Add onion and cook until translucent, or for about one minute.

4. Add red or green pepper and salt. Cook another two minutes.

5. Add spinach and cook until wilted.

6. Add one or two tablespoons of olive oil.

Return pasta to pot. Add in parmesan cheese while stirring.

7. Top with parsley, salt and pepper.

page 14 The Signal February 22, 2017

February 22, 2017 The Signal page 15

: Feb. ‘06

Campus Style

Monologues become tradition

Alyssa Gautieri / Features Editor

Students perform ‘The Vagina Monologues’ each year.

Every week, Features Editor Alyssa Gautieri hits the archives and finds old Signals that relate to current College topics and top stories.

It has become an annual tradition for students at the College to perform “The Vagina Monologues,” a show in which women discuss issues such as rape, sexual slavery and violence against women.

Although the performances don’t change much from year to year, each student-performer adds creativity and perspective to the show. This year, Women In Learning and Leadership hosted the annual show during the weekend of Friday, Feb. 17, in Mayo Concert Hall.

The numbers are impressive: 700 universities and colleges are involved in it; 37 women from the College performed in it this year; it has raised more than $30 million for women and girls worldwide; and it is empowered by one word. Vagina.

The monologues transform a taboo subject into a conversational one, retelling the stories of more than 200 women who spoke to Ensler about their vaginas.

“Women talking about vaginas makes them more confident,” Maya Eilam, senior English and women’s and gender studies major and a director, said.

Fellow director Honor Friberg, senior women’s and gender studies major, added, “It’s saying that the vagina is more than just an organ, it’s a concept.”

The monologues explore a range of emotions, from the comical responses to what

does your vagina smell like and what would it wear, to the heart-wrenching story of a Bosnian woman’s rape.

The College has hosted “The Vagina Monologues” for five years, and while the script does not change much, it still attracts a full house annually. Jessica Deringer, junior psychology major, attributes this to the personality each actress brings to her monologue.

“Each person interprets it differently, so you fall in love with new monologues each year,” she said.

Among the standout performers this year were Leslie Stickler, junior psychology and women’s and gender studies major, who threw an on-stage tantrum for “My Angry Vagina.”

Eliana Reyes, sophomore communication studies major, had the audience and her fellow actresses on stage bursting out in laughter with her orgasmic moans in “The Woman Who Liked to Make Vaginas Happy.”

The cast slowly gathered on stage as each woman delivered her monologue, and their unity ultimately extended to the audience. At the end of the show, Hopps asked every woman who has ever been or known a victim of violence to stand and break the silence. Then, she asked everyone committed to ending violence against women to stand – which brought the entire applauding audience to its feet.

Flickr

Left: Jean jackets are making a comeback. Right: Slip-on sneakers are a must for the warmer weather.

By Jillian Greene Columnist In the midst of Mother Nature torturing us with her freezing temperatures, it seems that she may finally give us a break. This week, we will see weather in the upper 50s and lower 60s, and I couldn’t be more excited.

What will this raise in temperature mean for you fashion wise? It may be time to break out some spring clothes and ditch the winter coats, hats, scarfs and gloves. However, be sure to keep these items handy considering the unpredictable weather this time of year.

Last week, I saw students around campus in T-shirts when the weather suddenly shifted to 60 degrees. However, this spring-like weather was followed by a snowstorm the next day.

One moment I was sitting outside soaking up sun rays in a short sleeve shirt and capris, and hours later, I was shoveling snow off my car bundled up from head to toe.

This week, however, Mother Nature won’t tease us with one day of spring weather, instead, we are expected to see an entire week of sunny skies.

If all goes well and the weather stays on schedule, this week will be filled with warmer weather, spring outfits and happier faces across campus. I’m predicting the winter coats replaced with lighter jean jackets, zip-up sweatshirts or loose tee’s.

My go-to outfit will be jeans with a loose long sleeve T-shirt paired with my slip-on sneakers. Slip-on sneakers are gaining popularity because they are stylish, yet comfortable for both men and women. If you haven’t got yourself a pair yet, I definitely recommend them because they are fitting for every season.

These sneakers are perfect for this time of year, when the weather can change from spring to winter within hours.

Take advantage of the warmer weather this week and wear those spring outfits you’ve been dying to dig up from the back of your closet.

Celebritease : Disney teases upcoming projects

Left: Emma Watson plays Belle in Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast.’ Right: Sheeran releases new music off his upcoming album.

By Mackenzie Cutruzzula Columnist As it gets closer to the premiere of Disney’s live-action film “Beauty and the Beast” on March 17, Disney has begun to tease other upcoming projects to keep fans excited. Donald Glover, also known as Childish Gambino, has signed on to play Simba in the live-action version of “The Lion King.”

James Earl Jones will once again return to Pride Rock to portray Mufasa from the 1994 animated movie. Actress Angela Lansbury has joined the

cast of Disney’s upcoming sequel “Mary Poppins Returns,” playing the Balloon Lady who wreaks helium havoc in the park during one of Poppins’s outings with the Banks children.

According to PEOPLE, the character was introduced in “Mary Poppins Comes Back,” the second book in P.L. Travers’s series. Lansbury originally voiced Mrs. Potts in the 1991 animated version of “Beauty and the Beast.”

The Beckham family headed to Canada for a fun and exciting vacation on the mountains. David Beckham admitted it was his first time

hitting the slopes on Instagram, while his wife Victoria posted her matching snow outfits with her daughter, Harper.

“It’s so beautiful up here plus having a special time,” Beckham wrote on Instagram on Friday, Feb. 17. “Btw my first time ever boarding or even on the slopes.”

The eldest Beckham child, Brooklyn, broke his collarbone during the trip after posting a video on Instagram showing off his skills.

Despite her sister Kendall Jenner walking the runway during Paris Fashion Week, Kim

Kardashian West will not return to the city five months after her high-profile robbery. Her representative confirmed that she did not plan to attend. In early February, Kardashian West met with French authorities in New York City, where she testified in the robbery case to identify the men that broke into her apartment.

Ed Sheeran rung in his birthday by giving the world a gift: a new song off his upcoming album. Sheeran admitted it was a favorite of his. “How Would You Feel (Paean)” follows hit singles “Shape of You” and “Castle on

Flickr

the Hill.”

The music video features Sheeran rocking a classic flannel and crooning the ballad in one room as the camera pans around him. The romantic song was rumored to be his girlfriend, Cherry Seaborn’s, favorite track off the new album, “Divide.”

Sheeran has known Seaborn since high school, and it was rumored that the two have been a couple since 2015, but only recently went public.

Personally, I am excited to see more music from Sheeran in the next month.

page 16 The Signal February 22, 2017

Summer Business Institute for Non-Business Majors June 19 – July 26, 2017 Gain essential business knowledge in a single course.

Curriculum combines project-based study, company site visits, skill-building workshops, and guest speakers to cover integrated program themes: • Introduction to the business world • Development of strategic perspective • Financial performance measurement and evaluation • Strategic management, organization, and leadership • Ethics, corporate responsibility, and

businessinstitute.tcnj.edu

entrepreneurship

Questions?

Contact George Hefelle, TCNJ Business Institute, hefelleg@tcnj.edu or 609-771-2540

D113 SummerBusInst_Signal.indd 1

1/30/17 12:45 PM

WANT TO BE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PAPER?

Interested in sports? Entertainment? News?

We’re looking for:

Writers - Be the one who brings the story to campus.

Photographers - Capture the events and bring the story to life.

Assistants - Join our staff and help make this paper happen.

Contact us: signal@tcnj.edu

Located in room 204 in Forcina Hall.

Meetings every Sunday at 5:30 p.m.

February 22, 2017 The Signal page 17

Arts & Entertainment

Indie rock rules at CUB Alt show

Jason Proleika / Photo Editor

Left: Secret Mountain starts off the night with a set of indie rock originals. Right: LVL UP closes the performance with a high-energy set list.

By Kevin Rehberger Correspondent Students were bopping their heads to rock music at the latest CUB Alt show on Friday, Feb. 17, in the Decker Social Space. From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., students heard performances from three bands: openers Secret Mountain and Crying, and headliner LVL UP. A lot of people in attendance seemed to be the most familiar with LVL UP. Devyani Mishra, a freshman biology major, said she had heard of LVL UP, but did not know much about the other two bands before they performed.

This didn’t matter to Mishra, however, because all she wanted to do was come out and listen to live music.

“Even if you don’t know the performers, it’s always nice to hear live music,” she said.

Secret Mountain, a New Jersey band, was up first. The band wasted no time getting into its first song once all the

equipment was ready to go.

“We’re just going to start,” guitarist Ray Chalmé said.

Secret Mountain kicked off the night with several songs including “Shift Happens,” which is also the name of the band’s recent album.

After Secret Mountain, it was Crying’s turn to play.

This New York-based band comprises singer Elaiza Santos, guitarist Ryan Galloway and drummer Nick Corbo. A number of students seemed to enjoy the band’s work, as many of them cheered when the band said it would play its song “Wool in the Wash.”

“I guess you know it,” Santos said in response to the cheers.

One song by Crying, “ES,” stood out compared to the other songs played, as it used chiptune: electronic music that replicates the sounds used in retro video games.

Despite not knowing much about the band before, Mishra seemed fond of Crying’s performance.

“I think I liked Crying the most,” she said while hold

a T-shirt she bought from the band’s merchandise stand.

The crowd really got into Crying’s performance, and the band members were grateful for the warm reception.

“We are Crying. Thanks for being so nice,” Santos said just before the band left the stage.

The night concluded with New York-based band LVL UP comprising drummer Greg Rutkin and guitarists Mike Caridi and Dave Benton. Corbo, Crying’s drummer who was also a part of LVL UP, performed as the band’s bassist.

Corbo, Caridi and Benton handled all of the vocals, too.

The group wasted no time getting started. LVL UP performed a number of songs to finish the night up, including “Hidden Driver” and “Pain.”

A crowd favorite, LVL UP had the audience’s energy up as the attendees were headbanging to songs throughout the band’s performance.

For those who missed the show, some of the bands’ songs can be accessed online for free on their Bandcamp pages.

TMT hosts cabaret-themed performance

By Alyssa Apuzzio Staff Writer

The Library Auditorium was in full swing the night of Friday, Feb. 17, with TCNJ Musical Theatre’s Cabaret Night, an event dedicated to students’ passion for music and vocals.

“Everyone auditioned two weeks prior to the show and practices on their own time,” said Sarah Reynolds, vice president of TMT and a junior English and secondary education dual major.

Reynolds, who performed in the show, said

the theme is always put to a vote, and TMT elected a cabaret-themed night complete with songs from film, television and Broadway.

The opening number was “Friends On The Other Side,” from Disney’s “The Princess and The Frog.” Beau Aranosian, a senior interactive multimedia major, performed the vocals with the help of two volunteers.

Aranosian sang to the audience as well as to the two men onstage, sharing exaggerated looks with one another. Aranosian’s deep and ominous voice emitted a sinister charm, and he even ended the song with a

Natalie La Spisa / Staff Photographer

Aranosian portrays a villain from ‘The Princess and the Frog.’

maniacal laugh.

In the next number, “Cheek to Cheek” from the 1935 classic American comedy “Top Hat,” senior English major Henry Albright channeled his inner Fred Astaire.

Albright’s voice was cheerful and pleasing, while his performance was lighthearted and sweet. About halfway through his performance, Albright walked over to the front row and pulled a girl from her seat to dance with him. The audience laughed and cheered while the two waltzed around the stage.

Loriana Attanasio, a junior health and exercise science major, has attended TMT’s Cabaret Night in the past and had nothing but rave reviews of the show in the past and present.

“This is my third year seeing the show, and it gets better each year,” Attanasio said.

“It incorporates a little bit of everything, and everyone involved is very talented.”

A few numbers later, Brooke Buonauro, a senior communication studies major, and Jonathan Edmondson, president of TMT, a former member of The Signal staff and a senior journalism major, joined forces to sing “You Are The Music In Me” from “High School Musical 2.”

Buonauro took over at the piano during the performance, while Edmondson

leaned over the piano as they sang to each other sweetly. With a smile on everyone’s face, it is safe to say the performance transported the audience back to their middle school days.

Kathleen Fox, a senior interactive multimedia major, sang “I’m A Good Person” from “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.” It was a hilarious change of pace, as she interacted with the audience, pointing at them while maintaining an amusing expression on her face.

The song was explicit and generated roars of laughter from the audience. Fox succeeded in making the audience sing along with her during the chorus.

Similar to Fox’s cheeky and hysterical performance, Jenna Burke, a senior English and secondary education dual major, did a rendition of “You Stupid Bitch” later in the show, also from “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” which caused an uproar of laughter from the audience. Both of the comedic numbers were likely stuck in the audience’s heads long after the show.

Right before intermission, Alec Skwara, a sophomore history and secondary education dual major, and Sam Chang, a junior philosophy major, sang a duet to “Lava” from the Pixar short “Lava.”

see THEATRE page 19

page 18 The Signal February 22, 2017

‘Lego Batman’ revamps classic series tropes

By Grant Playter Staff Writer

The audience sits in eager anticipation as the cascade of production company logos trickles to a stop. Soon we are looking at nothing, and for a moment there is only darkness on the screen. Then, the booming voice of Batman (Will Arnett) invades the IMAX theater, the sole sound in the darkened chamber: “All important movies start with a black screen.

Artists seemed to have milked Batman for all he is worth.

There’s Batman movies, TV shows, video games, amusement park rides and not to mention the comics that kicked his career off. But in spite of this deluge of content, or maybe because of it, what Batman is and why he is so popular seems to have been lost. Despite it’s lighthearted, familyoriented nature, in a way, “The Lego Batman Movie” is the most honest depiction of not only modern Batman, but all Batman iterations.

The movie is packed with jokes and gags. From the one about black screens at the start to another about white screens at the end, the movie is incredibly aware of what

it’s trying to be.

The Batman depicted in this movie is different than any given Batman we’ve seen. He’s egotistical, loves to fight, loves himself even more, but also has this odd blend of campy and brooding moments. He’s a bit like a Batman Crock-Pot, where you throw in bits and pieces from each continuity to make the perfect vigilante for this particular plot.

The show has a delightful awareness of Batman, and it has a ton of fun riffing on the conventional tropes with which he’s associated. Batman is excessively broody to the point that the Justice League doesn’t invite him to their 65th annual get together.

Robin embodies all the pep of the ’60s series while also serving as a great counter to Batman’s antisocial personality. The cheer and naiveté of the character is great for a lot of laughs and Michael Cera absolutely nails the role. My favorite part of the film is their relationship, with Batman’s ego and antipathy harshly bouncing off of Robin’s sunny demeanor.

There are flaws in the movie, as well. I love Zach Galifianakis as the Joker, but his plot of trying to get

Batman to recognize him as his “one true enemy” where he is the sympathetic figure kind of rings hollow for people familiar with the depths of the real Joker’s insanity.

While action-packed, the movie is longer than two hours, with multiple fine stopping points before the ultimate conclusion. I was a bit fatigued at points, and the kids that the movie is targeting would likely be even more tired. The amount of time they spent hammering in the trite wholesome theme of the importance of friends and family likely contributed to that enervation.

Having said that, these don’t hinder the overall product much. The movie is smart, witty and hits all the right notes for fans of Batman and fans of Lego, alike. They pack in an incredible amount of references, from esoteric villains like Condiment King or The Eraser, to wry references to other media like “King Kong,” “Harry Potter” or of all things “Doctor Who.” The action is excellently done and has all the explosions and one-liners kids could want. There’s plenty here for any audience, so grab a seat, microwave some Lobster Thermidor and check it out.

Left: Batman’s Lego persona is more ridiculous than serious. Right: The film features familiar Batman characters like Robin.

AP Photos

Speaker discusses artistic design in Brown Bag

By Mackenzie Cutruzzula Columnist The thought behind graphics is more important than the design of an image, according to a prominent graphic designer who spoke at the College on Friday, Feb. 17.

Craig Welsh, principal and creative director of Go Welsh designs and co-founder of Society of Design, spoke during the College’s Brown Bag lecture series in a speech entitled “Narrow Minded.” For Welsh, graphic design comes down to being single minded, but not in a closed-minded way.

Being narrow minded at Go Welsh means being meticulous.

They strive to design simple, but effective graphics at the Lancaster, Pa., studio.

For example, Welsh read students a long quote by Eleanor Roosevelt and explained how to make the quote single focused.

The end result was that the quote could be summed up by “Consider what has value. The whole point of life.”

Welsh’s design process focuses primarily on research. In his process, graphic design is 5 percent design, as in the feeling you get from an image, and 95 percent design thinking, which is the strategy behind the art.

He said his interns are most surprised to learn that the actual

creating doesn’t happen until the fourth step of the project.

Welsh is always looking for creative ways to ask speakers to appear at the annual Pennsylvania Society of Design Conference.

He illustrated his creative flow by explaining how the society came up with its project to ask graphic designer Jessica Hische to deliver a speech.

Hische was originally from Pennsylvania, like Go Welsh designs, but moved out to California for work. After making a list of everything they could find about Hische, the society

decided to use her home state and social media presence as the basis for the invite.

The idea for the invite was to use 27 Pennsylvania license plates to spell out their request.

This meant convincing 27 people to legally change their plates and explaining to the Department of Transportation why they needed questionable letter combinations approved. The end result was a photograph of all the plates on a wall that was used to tweet at Hische.

“Bigness is undeniable. Loudness is undeniable,” Welsh said

Welsh speaks about the principles of graphic design.

about the tweet.

Welsh specifically made the invitation public to make it harder on Hische to decline. As the tweet gained more attention, Hische eventually responded that the effort made her cry and she would definitely speak at the conference.

“I like how he explained that design strategy is 95 percent of the process,” said Maria Fegeley, a sophomore graphic design major. “As a graphic design major, this made me excited for the future.”

At Go Welsh, blending life

David Colby / Staff Photographer

and work experiences is the core of the company. Welsh, whose career started in architecture before switching to graphic design, emphasized researching clients inspires his work along with his own experiences.

After his divorce, Welsh designed a snarky campaign for Barneys New York around the theme of registering items on a bridal registry that you wouldn’t want to fight over in court. While in college he incorporated his humor into all of his projects, including advertisements for the graphic design department that were centered around double entendres.

“I loved the way he expressed how his work is part of his life experience,” said Emily Fuentes, a junior communication studies major. “His passion made me want to get out there and create something.”

Welsh reminded students that the most important skill in communication is listening because a client often isn’t being direct with what they want. He wanted students to understand the value of creating meaningful work.

“You know what a job well done gets you — more work,” Welsh said. “When you finish a project with a company, you want them to give you another project right away.”

For Welsh, a job well done creates a lasting impression on the design community.

February 22, 2017 The Signal page 19

Chance wins awards with ‘No Problem’

This week, WTSR Assistant Music Director Nelson Kelly highlights some of the best new albums that the College’s own radio station, 91.3 FM WTSR, puts into its weekly rotation.

Left: Chance celebrates one of his several wins. Right: Chance’s fans have long awaited the rapper’s victory.

By Jennifer Zuccaro Correspondent

Ever since The Recording Academy’s announcement that streaming-only releases can now be considered for Grammy nominations, rap fans everywhere have been anxiously waiting to see if Chancelor Bennett, better known as Chance The Rapper — the unsigned artist from the West Chatham neighborhood of Chicago — might be able to add several Grammys to his growing list of accomplishments.

Chance started receiving attention following the release of his second mixtape, “Acid Rap,” in

2013. His popularity grew steadily as a result of guest performances on shows including “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and “Saturday Night Live.”

His performance on the latter made him the first unsigned artist to perform on the “SNL” stage.

He was also featured on a number of albums by popular artists and collaborated with Kanye West on his latest album, “The Life of Pablo,” which received praise from music critics.

In May 2016, the release of his album “Coloring Book,” a fusion of hiphop and gospel music that received critical acclaim and debuted at No. 8 on

the Billboard 200, was the first streaming-only record to crack the top 10 and catapulted the young Chicago native into stardom.

Since then, from headlining the Magnificent Coloring World Tour, to being featured in a Kit Kat commercial, it seems that Chance is well on his way to becoming among the most well-rounded artists.

It came as no surprise when Chance was nominated for seven Grammys, of which he won three: Best Rap Performance for “No Problem,” Best Rap Album for “Coloring Book” and Best New Artist for which he had to beat out stiff competition

like The Chainsmokers.

Other big winners of the night included Adele, who won all five of her nominations, including Album of the Year for “25” and Song of the Year for “Hello,” and Drake, whose “Hotline Bling” earned him wins in both the Best Rap Song and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration categories.

In spite of Chance’s success, he has never failed to remain humble. When accepting the Grammy for Best New Artist, Chance, a devout Christian, opened and closed his speech with the same line: “I claim this victory in the name of the Lord.”

Flickr

Chance took the stage to perform one of his more gospelsounding songs, “How Great,” which included featured singers Kirk Franklin, Francis and the Lights and Tamela Mann, along with an entire gospel choir, all dancing vigorously while praising God. His modest attitude only makes it that much easier for the rest of us to bask in the glory of his successes because during a time when it seems as though the bad always triumphs over the good, it is therapeutic to watch good things happen to a great person.

Theatre / Students perform musical numbers continued from page 17 Released with Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out” in 2015, Lava is the musical story of a lonely volcano in the middle of the ocean that yearns for love.

In addition to Skwara and Chang’s soft and sweet vocals, Rachel Zook played the ukulele onstage. Zook, a freshman interactive multimedia major, said she has only been playing the ukulele for a little over a year.

“I come from a family that loves music — my Dad played guitar,” Zook said. “I didn’t pick up the guitar, but I picked up the ukulele.”

Returning from intermission, “High School Musical’s” “Bop

To The Top” was performed by Eric Schreiber, a junior chemistry major, and Reynolds, who wore a bright blue dress with ruffles and flair, channeling her character Sharpay’s style and whimsical personality.

Schreiber and Reynolds traipsed around the stage, stepping on the stool onstage and dancing with one another. The number was fun, cheesy and lively, pleasantly mirroring the scene in “High School Musical.”

During the second half of Cabaret Night, two songs were sung from Disney’s latest hit “Moana.”

Junior nursing major Chelsea Korn performed “How Far I’ll Go,” which was nominated for

a Golden Globe and Academy Award, and about pushing one’s limit and potential.

Korn’s number was soft yet empowering, while the next “Moana” number, titled “You’re Welcome,” was eccentric and full of entertainment.

Performed by the conceded demigod Maui in the film, Kyle Elphick, web editor for The Signal and a sophomore journalism major, perfectly matched Maui’s confident and arrogant presence, singing with an egotistic tone, exaggerating his hand gestures and making pompous faces.

When the tempo accelerated toward the end, Elphick jumped

around the stage and amped up the energy in the room, finishing an unforgettable performance.

Angelica Vanderbilt, a junior English and elementary education double major, truly enjoyed all of the performances.

“A lot of my friends major in music, but there isn’t musical theater or acting major at TCNJ, so nights like this are a cool change,” Vanderbilt said.

Vanderbilt finds the talents of the performers “kind of crazy” and very impressive.

“Shows like this are amazing because we get to see hidden talents that we normally don’t know exist among students in all different majors,” she said.

Band Name: Surfer Blood Album Name: “Snowdonia” Release Number: 5th Hailing From: West Palm Beach, Fla. Genre: Surfy Indie Rock Label: Joyful Noise The latest effort from Surfer Blood is mystifying in its simultaneous spontaneity and expert songwriting. Frontman John Paul Pitts wrote this album to showcase the backup vocals and harmonic abilities of the rest of the band, and this presents itself in beautifully layered vocals on each track. “Snowdonia” still contains the signature hooks and surf guitars associated with the band, securing tracks like “Frozen” and “Dino Jay” a place in Spotify Indie playlists for months to come.

Must Hear: 2. “Matter of Time” 3. “Frozen” 4. “Dino Jay” 5. “Six Flags in F or G”

Band Name: Thigh Master Album Name: “Early Times” Release Number: Debut Hailing From: Brisbane, Australia Genre: Lo-Fi Indie Punk Label: Bruit Direct Disques Thigh Master takes everything the American lo-fi/indie scene is and does it with an Australian accent.

If I told you to imagine a band that practices in an old, decrepit brewery, you would probably imagine a band that sounds like or is Thigh Master. Jangly guitars and supercharged apathetic, dismissive vocals will make you feel like a bad person for just trying to listen to this album, but it’s a self-depreciating action to be cherished.

Natalie La Spisa / Staff Photographer

Left: Albright serenades a volunteer from the audience. Right: Members of TMT perform together.

Must Hear: 3. “Company” 6. “Hippy View” 8. “Whiplash”

page 20 The Signal February 22, 2017

Fun StufF

ANSWERS ON THE NEXT PAGE

February 22, 2017 The Signal page 21

Fun Stuff ANSWERS

Basketball Word Scramble 1.

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layup dribble paint center assist perimeter benchwarmer backboard technical rebound penalty screen overtime guard granny shot quarter bounce swish halftime backcourt

PrintableParadise.com

page 22 The Signal February 22, 2017

Sports

Lions play final home game for Henderson

Left: Palombi scores 17 points against the Raiders. Right: Dana makes two free-throws and snatches five rebounds.

By Dylan Calloway Staff Writer

In the last game of head coach Dawn Henderson’s coaching career, the Lions scored a season low 38 points and lost 52-38 on Wednesday, Feb. 15, against Rutgers University-Newark.

With the loss, the Lions no longer qualify for the upcoming New Jersey Athletic Conference tournament. Meanwhile, the Scarlet Raiders placed in the final sixth seed through a tiebreaker with Rutgers University-Camden.

It was a rough night for the

Lions offense, who only made 14 out of 53 shots. The Scarlet Raiders forced 14 turnovers in the first quarter alone and built a 14-point lead by the end of the quarter.

After the first quarter, the Lions hung on, but could not close the gap. Junior forward Chiara Palombi scored 17 points, almost half of the team’s total score and led the team with eight rebounds. Junior forward Nikki Schott also contributed eight points and five rebounds.

The Lions weren’t able to slow down the Raiders offense.

Raiders senior guard Maria Simmons hindered the Lions defense,

registering a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds.

“Rutgers has some quick, strong defenders at the guard spot,” Henderson said. “They disrupted our game plan of getting the ball inside where we might have had an advantage.”

Senior guard Kim Dana and senior forward Katy Amato played their last game in Packer Hall. Dana scored two free-throws and grabbed three rebounds. Meanwhile, Amato secured five rebounds.

Henderson leaves a substantial legacy at the College. After brief coaching jobs at Worcester State

College and Drew University, Henderson began coaching at the College in 1993. Since then, she led the women’s basketball program to four NJAC championships, nine NCAA championship appearances, a Final Four appearance and 436 wins.

Henderson ranks 21st in career wins in active Division III women’s basketball coaches with 482.

“It has always been a combination of the players we were lucky to have recruited, strong assistant coaches and determination to work together,” Henderson said. “When there is a commitment to being the best that you can be from a group

Photos courtesy of Sports Information Desk

of people with a common goal — that’s what TCNJ women’s basketball has always been about.”

After a monumental career, Henderson looks back at her cherished moments.

“There were so many moments in a 24-year career: from the first time the team made the NCAA tournament in 2009 (to) when the team took a bus trip to Maine and won the conference four times,” Henderson said. “When the team traveled five times to either California, Arizona and Florida to the Final Four — all the relationships with my players, so many moments.”

Cheap Seats

Legend of Lundqvist grows with 400th victory

By Michael Battista Staff Writer

On Saturday, Feb. 11, the New York Rangers played the Colorado Avalanche in what was another regular season game.

Colorado has been struggling this season, allowing the Rangers offense to come alive in the third period when defenseman Kevin Klein, left winger Rick Nash and right winger Kevin Hayes all netted goals.

As the final buzzer rang, those in Madison Square Garden erupted in cheers. Not only for the team’s offense in the 4-2 win, but because of their goalie.

Goalie Henrik Lundqvist wasn’t playing a normal game that night. The victory marked his 400th regular season win in his 12-year tenure with the New York Rangers.

The 34-year-old Lundqvist became the 12th goalie in NHL history to reach the 400 win mark, doing it in the shortest time compared to any other goalie — 727 games — becoming the only Swedish-born player to reach the feat thus far.

Rangers fans know how much Lundqvist’s accomplishment means not only for the team, but for the man himself.

Even though he was drafted in 2000, Lundqvist’s first season was in 2005, right after the NHL lockout the previous season. Rangers fans were anxious for a new goalie after longtime goalie Mike Richter left the roster and retired after the 2003 season.

Lundqvist not only stepped up to Richter’s role, but he’s been one of

the major cornerstones for the Rangers in more than a decade and earning the nickname “King Henrik.”

He has won 30 or more games 10 times over his career and currently looks to be on his way to hitting that mark again this season.

His style of play is completely unorthodox, but unpredictability and athleticism is what has gotten him to 400 wins. While he plays using the butterfly style — a technique in which the goalie gets on his knees and uses his entire body and guard pads to guard the lower part of the net — Lundqvist’s speed has kept opposing offenses thrown for a loop.

I’ll never forget certain moments, particularly playoff games, where Lundqvist essentially saved seasons from ending early.

During the 2015 playoffs, I remembered watching the first round games against the Pittsburgh Penguins on the edge of my seat in Travers Hall. Every single game was decided by a single goal and seeing centers Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby with the puck in the Rangers zone is one of the most terrifying feelings a Rangers fan can feel.

But no one should ever doubt the King, as Henrik stopped nearly every shot that came at him. He only allowed one goal in during those four games and the Rangers won every single one of those games en route to advancing to the next round, four games to one.

Lundqvist has done a lot in his career from winning the Vezina Trophy in 2012, to making the NHL All-Star Game

Lundqvist is the face of the Rangers franchise.

three times and helping the Swedish national team win the gold medal during the 2006 Winter Olympics in Italy. It’s easy to see why so many people, not just including Rangers fans, see Lundqvist as one of the modern day elite goalies in the world and why he has earned the moniker of “King.”

With another incredible notch under his belt, Lundqvist will need to put the achievement behind and focus on winning the remaining games if he hopes to

AP Photo

overcome one task that has alluded him his entire career: winning a Stanley Cup and riding down New York’s “Canyon of Heroes” as a champion.

Until then, Lundqvist will continue to play his position at an elite level. While there may be some bumps in the road and some rough games, no matter what happens, the citizens of Rangers Town will always be on their feet as the PA system in Madison Square Garden blares out, “And in goal, No. 30, Henrik Lundqvist!”

February 22, 2017 The Signal page 23 Swimming

Mets / Several swimmers qualify for NCAA regionals continued from page 24 the Lions to a slim lead over the Profs. Gajdzsiz, Nesbitt and Vitabile were joined by senior Adam Coppola for a first-place finish with a time of 1:21.35 in the opening event, the 200-freestyle relay.

By the end of the second day, the Lions had a firm 20.5-point lead. Skoog won the 100-backstroke with a time of 50.04 seconds. The program record for that race is 49.56 seconds. Coppola took third in the same event with a time of 50.96 seconds, less than a second behind his teammate.

Gajdzsiz, Vitabile and freshman Harrison Yi earned the Lions points in the 200-free. Vitabile took second with a time of 1:39.33, Gajdzsiz took fifth at 1:40.89 and Yi took eighth with a time of 1:41.98.

Vitabile and Gajdzsiz finished in second and third place in the 100-free with times of 45.02 and 45.15 seconds, respectively. Junior Philip Binaco and Nesbitt were not far behind in sixth and seventh place, respectively. Binaco finished with a time of 46.46 and Nesbitt finished 46.67. The efforts of the four Lions qualified them for the championship finals.

The Lions performance earned several swimmers a spot at the NCAA regionals next week.

“Seniors Coppola and Nesbitt will be heading to NCAA’s for the

Nesbitt helps the Lions win the 400-yard freestyle relay.

first time along with rookie Yi,” Bishop said.

By the end of the third day, the Profs were on top despite the efforts of the Lions.

“Yes, we were disappointed that we finished second, but we accomplished our primary goal of qualifying a strong group for NCAAs,” Bishop said. “We’ve won our share of title, but we always want more.”

The women’s team’s thirdplace finish was made possible by the determination of the team.

Sophomore Maddie Hynoski

swam on an injured shoulder throughout the weekend, earning top times in several events.

“She worked through some shoulder injuries this whole season and had to kick most practices, so for her to have best times in three events is amazing,” Harnett said.

In the 100-fly, Hynoski finished fourth and earned the team 26 points with a time of 58.84 seconds. Hynoski also earned points in the 50-free and the 100-free.

Junior Debbie Meskin worked through some issues with her back

Photo courtesy of Sports Information Desk

to earn points. In the 400-individual medley, Meskin hit the wall fourth at 4:49.73, earning her team 26 points. In the 200-fly, she finished fifth with a time of 2:13.09.

“Her determination is what got her through this weekend,” Harnett said.

Rippey, Askin and sophomore Courtney Thompson gave the Lions even more points in the 200-fly, finishing ninth in 2:17.23, 12th in 2:20.43 and 15th in 2:24.08, respectively.

Senior Brenna Strollo finished

her career with a fourth-place finish in the 200-back, an event the senior has struggled with in the past, according to Harnett.

Sophomore Gabi Denicola set the tone for the final stretch of events on Sunday with a personal best of 17:54.08 in the 1650-free, earning her fifth place. Denicola was not satisfied with her times in the 500-free and 200-free earlier that weekend, so her personal best finish in the 1650-free was a great way to finish the weekend.

The women’s diving team also showed spirit in both the 1-meter and 3-meter events. Senior Sarah Grassi earned first in the 1-meter with a score of 467.80 and second in the 3-meter with a score of 401.10.

Junior Hannah Raymond took second runner-up in the 1-meter with a score of 432.65.

“Sarah was in second place going into finals on the 1-meter board and (upped) her game at the finals to finish first,” Harnett said. “It was a great way to finish her career.”

Harnett believes the season has showcased the Lions teamwork.

“That is what this team has been about this season — teamwork,” Harnett said. “Our squad size was down this year, so everyone had to pick up some of the missing pieces at dual meets. That carried through into Championships. I’m am very proud of this team. They worked hard as a team, and they succeeded as a team.”

CHANGING MAJORS? CHANGING MAJORS?

The School of Engineering is accepting change of major/program

plan applications

for TCNJ students (including current engineering majors) interested in the following programs: Biomedical Engineering Civil Engineering Computer Engineering Electrical Engineering Engineering Science (Management and Policy & Society specializations) Mechanical Engineering Technology Education iSTEM Change of Program/Plan (Change of Major) forms are available online http://recreg.pages.tcnj.edu/forms/

Completed applications are due by Friday, March 3, 2017 in Armstrong 147 Acceptance depends on available space and previous academic performance.

Decisions will be available to students by March 10, 2017

Signal

Sports

Lions secure second seed for conference playoffs

Left: Bermudez scores eight points and grabs 10 rebounds. Right: Stanford scores 22 points.

By Otto Gomez Staff Writer

The Lions finished their regular season on a strong note as they defeated Rutgers University-Newark 68-55 on Wednesday, Feb. 15. The team completed a perfect season at home this year, going 12-0 and winning every home game by at least six points. Their 14-4 overall conference record earned them the second seed in the New Jersey Athletic Conference tournament, resulting in a bye over this past weekend.

In their last regular season game, the Lions needed a strong performance from senior forward

Corey Stanford because senior forward Bobby Bracket and junior guard Eric Murdock, Jr. were out of the lineup. Stanford came up big, scoring 22 points and grabbing seven rebounds, as well.

Junior forward Elias Bermudez also played a key role in the win, almost securing a double-double with eight points and 10 boards.

Sophomore guard Joe Montano added 13 points in the win off a strong shooting night.

The game was close throughout, as Rutgers-Newark hung tough all night. The Lions were down just four points with seven minutes to play, but they pulled away with a

13-2 run capped by Stanford scoring a lay-up with 2:36 remaining.

The Lions did not shoot well from outside the arc, resulting in a tight game most of the time.

However, their accurate free-throw shooting and lockdown defense secured the victory.

The strong home crowd was an important factor in the game, something that has not gone unnoticed by the coaches and players, alike.

“The biggest difference at home for us this year has been the incredible fan support from the TCNJ campus community,” head coach Matt Goldsmith said. “The crowds have been fantastic, the environment has

Photos courtesy of Sports Information Desk

been great and hopefully the crowd will be rocking again on Tuesday.”

On Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 7 p.m., the College will square off against the third seed, New Jersey City University, in Packer Hall and will have a huge audience supporting them. The matchup will be the third consecutive year that these two teams meet in the NJAC playoff tournament. After the 2014-15 season, the sixth-seeded Gothic Knights defeated the third-seeded Lions, 74-60, in Packer Hall. The following year, the fifth seed Lions defeated the then top-seeded Gothic Knights, 92-82, in Jersey City, N.J. Goldsmith shows extreme

confidence in his team going into the game.

“The biggest thing the team has to do is play our brand of basketball,” Goldsmith said. “Playoff games come down to the little things. We always say take care of the small details, and the results take care of themselves. If we can focus in, trust our instincts and continue to do what we have done for most of the year, we should put ourselves in a position to get a good result.”

The Lions are striving for their first conference tournament championship since the 1997-98 season, while the Gothic Knights recently took the title in the 2010-11 season.

Swimming teams trudge through stiff competition

By George Tatoris News Editor

The men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams raced, leapt and swam through more than 40 events apiece at the Metropolitan Conference Championships held during the weekend of Friday, Feb. 17.

For the men, it was a close meet, but they still had not accumulated enough points to outshine the Rowan University Profs.

No matter what place the Lions finished for the final event of the meet, the 400-yard freestyle relay, they could not topple the Profs unless the top team somehow fell to ninth or below in the final event of the weekend.

Despite the tremendous odds, the Lions still poured their all into the last race.

“Winning the last race of a championship meet as close as this one gives the team a huge mental boost heading to NCAAs,” men’s head coach Brian Bishop said. “That relay will probably be ranked in the top five at NCAAs, which sends a strong message to the rest of the country that we will be a force at the Championships.”

The team of sophomore Alexander Skoog and seniors Ryan Gajdzsiz, Andrew

Lions Lineup February 22, 2017

I n s i d e

Lawler wins the 200-breaststroke race.

Nesbitt and Scott Vitabile nosed ahead of the quartet of Profs with a time of 2:59.94, more than a minute faster than the Profs.

The effort earned the four Lions shots at Nationals, although the team itself managed a second-place finish with 1396 points, 17.5 points behind the Profs. The Lions have won 18 of the last 23 Metropolitan Conference

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Photo courtesy of Sports Information Desk

Championships, according to Bishop.

“This was one of the closest meets in conference history,” Bishop said. “The only one that was closer was in the early ’90s, and we came out on top at that meet. It was thrilling to be a part of such an exciting meet. Great competition brings out great performances, and we had many outstanding efforts by our team.”

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The women’s team fought for a thirdplace finish at the meet, gathering a total of 933 points. The University of Bridgeport took first with 1098 points, and the Profs were not far behind with 1086 points.

Working with a smaller squad than usual, members of the women’s team had to sign up for races they were not comfortable with, according to head coach Jennifer Harnett.

“One of the things that stood out most to me was some of the swimmers that swam in events they might not have been their first choice, but swam them because the team needed points in those events,” Harnett said.

This has been a common theme all year for the undersized squad. This weekend, junior Robin Lukens earned her team 12 points in the 1650-free, sophomore Laura Rippey switched from the 200-breast to the 200-fly for the better scoring opportunity and freshman Samantha Askin made the top heat in the finals of the 400meter individual medley.

The men’s team had standout performances, as well. Strong races and dives on the first day of the meet propelled see METS page 23

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