Volume 101 Issue 11

The Fordham Ram Serving The Fordham University Community Since 1918 Volume 101, Issue 11

May 1, 2019

FordhamRam.com

Alumnus Addresses Clerical Abuse

Dean of Students Cancels Kingston

By ERICA SCALISE PROJECTS EDITOR

By HELEN STEVENSON and AISLINN KEELY Spring Weekend lost another of its acts as Dean of Students Christopher Rodgers removed Sean Kingston from its lineup.

In a statement to The Fordham Ram on Wednesday, April 24, Rodgers said he decided to remove Sean Kingston from the Campus Activities Board (CAB) Spring Weekend concert. This comes after student groups expressed concerns over a 2013 gang rape allegation against Kingston.

Rodgers said he and the Student Life staff have been listening very carefully as Fordham students discussed the allegations and implications of Kingston playing Spring Weekend.

“Now that these multiple perspectives have been heard, and we have had time to gather all available information—including additional concerns regarding Mr. Kingston’s appearance—I have decided to remove him from the Spring Weekend lineup,” he said.

Rodgers also said that he was impressed with the questions and concerns raised by the students protesting Kingston’s slated appearance and with CAB’s leadership.

“We are mindful that this is an extraordinary measure for the University to take, but also that the concerns raised are extraordinary and have been thoroughly discussed by the student organizations involved,” he said.

Prior to Rodger’s announcement, CAB announced it would keep Kingston in its Spring Weekend lineup. This decision came after CAB and the Office of Student Involvement (OSI) chose to cancel headliner Soulja Boy earlier this semester following his arrest for a weapons violation. CAB representatives have not responded to multiple requests for comment.

Kingston’s cancellation left musical acts Bryce Vine and Whethan, SEE CANCEL, PAGE 5

in this issue

Opinion Page 11 Notre Dame Effort is Not the Only Worthy Cause

Sports

Page 24

Two Football Players Signed to NFL

Culture

Page 13

Former Ram Editor Reflects on Journey in the Bush

EMMA SPOLDI/THE FORDHAM RAM

On Saturday, April 27, Whethan, Bryce Vine and The Usual performed for this year's Spring Weekend concert.

Whethan and Bryce Vine Headline 2019 SW Concert

By RACHEL GOW CULTURE EDITOR

Students arrived to the annual Spring Weekend concert last Saturday with hopeful hearts and broken necks. Following the whiplash

of two canceled artists, Soulja Boy for a breach of contract involving a weapons violation and Sean Kingston for a sexual assault settlement in 2013, students were not sure what to expect. “I was definitely excited for my first Spring Week-

end concert as a freshman, but a little disappointed we didn’t have a headliner,” said Lauren Cassot, FCRH `22.

This was a sentiment shared by many students, both those

SEE CONCERT, PAGE 18

Alumnus, two-term Fordham College board member and author Paul Elie, FCRH ’87, accused Rev. Edward Zogby, S.J., the associate vice president for Lincoln Center for 10 years during the 1980’s, of sexual misconduct in an article from “The New Yorker” released on April 8. Zogby was a resident of Murray-Weigel Hall and died there in 2011.

In the article entitled “What Do The Church’s Victims Deserve,” Elie weaved together a historical summary and personal narrative recounting the Catholic Church’s history of clerical sex abuse.

The article also names Rev. Joseph Towle, S.J., under whom Elie volunteered at a Catholic community center.

According to The New Yorker, Towle, who was credibly accused of sexual misconduct in 1971, lived at the infirmary for elderly Jesuits on the Fordham campus and engaged in internal ministry after he was reSEE ELIE, PAGE 6

University Announces Dean of FCLC

By ELIOT SCHIAPARELLI ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

Laura Auricchio, Ph.D., has been appointed as Dean of Fordham College at Lincoln Center starting August 1, 2019. Auricchio is the first female dean of FCLC. Auricchio previously served as vice provost for curriculum and learning and dean within the Schools of Public Engagement at The New School. She has a Ph.D in Art History and Archaeology from Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University.

Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of the university, and Jonathan Crystal, Ph.D., Interim Provost, expressed their excitement over Auricchio’s appointment in an email announcing the appointment.

“In Dr. Auricchio we have found an active scholar and public intellectual, a skilled teacher and mentor, and an experienced administrator who has held leadership positions of increasing re-

SEE DEAN, PAGE 3

ROBERT YLAGAN/THE FORDHAM RAM

On Saturday, April 27, Residence Halls Association hosted its annual Under the Tent event on Martyrs' Lawn.

Under the Tent Goes Over the Rainbow for 2019 Event

By PATRICIA WHYTE

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The annual Under the Tent dance took place Saturday, April 27. Each year, Fordham Residence Hall Association (RHA) organizes the event on Martyrs’ Lawn.

The theme for this year’s dance

was A Night in the Emerald City, which called for many “The Wizard of Oz”–themed decorations and lights, including an Emerald City backdrop and balloon banner which read “Welcome To Oz.” Each year, the RHA Executive and General Boards vote

on the theme for the dance. As 2019 is the 80th anniversary of “The Wizard of Oz,” board members decided A Night in the Emerald City would be a suitable theme for this year's event.

From there, Executive President of RHA Robert Ylagan, SEE UTT, PAGE 6

NEWS

Page 2

PUBLIC SAFETY BRIEFS

May 1, 2019

CAB Hosts First Spring Weekend Carnival Inclimate Weather Ends Evening Early

By SARAH HUFFMAN

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

April 25 Hoffman St. 8:42 p.m.

Public Safety received a call from the off-campus Fordham housing, Terra Nova. There was smoke caused by cooking.

The FDNY and Public Safety responded. The alarm was reset and students were allowed back in the building.

April 28 Faber Hall 10:45 a.m.

Public Safety received a call about a fire alarm in Faber Hall.

A student burned food in an electric skillet in the student lounge.

FDNY and Public Safety responded. The alarm was cleared and students were allowed back into the building.

April 29 Duane Library 4:30 p.m.

Public Safety recieved a call about an occupied, stuck elevator in Duane Library. They investigsated and found that the elevator was stuck but unoccupied. Repairs were made.

April 29 Hughes Avenue 4:00 p.m.

Public Safety recieved a complaint about excessive noise over the weekend. The complainant stated that since the weather had been getting warmer, students were congregating in the alley next to her apartment and playing music loudly and apparently drinking. Public Safety is investigating. Additional noise complaints were made about the same location by other Belmont residents.

April 30 Lorillard Place 1:19 a.m.

Public Safety received a message through its emergency texting app that a student and her roommate were approached by a male who exposed himself. Public Safety is investigating.

-Compiled by Eliot Schiaparelli

Campus Activities Board (CAB) hosted its first carnival on Friday, April 26 for Spring Weekend. The event was supposed to run from 7:00 p.m. to 11 p.m. but closed early at around 9:00 p.m. due to lightning during the storm on Friday night.

The event featured a Ferris wheel, a set of swings and a ‘roundup’ ride, but these were not able to run at all during the carnival because of weather conditions.

In addition to rides, there were vendors giving out funnel cake, cotton candy and popcorn.

There were games including inflatable skee-ball, a ‘high striker’ and a booth with two carnival toss games.

The CAB general board provided sand art, tie-dye stations and a ring toss game. Maddie Rizzo, FCRH ’20, drew caricatures and Charlie Grass, GSB '21, performed walk-around magic.

Sean Rilley, FCRH ’20, CAB special events co-chair, said he and his co-chair decided to hold a carnival this year instead of the usual DJ event because attendance has been very low the past few years. Rilley and his co-chair Maddie Bria, FCRH ’19, decided that a carnival would be a solid replacement.

“While we had both been to events at Fordham with large inflatables, we noted that we had never seen full-scale carnival rides on campus," said Rilley.

"We thought that would be something the student community would be interested in."

He said they believed the fact that the DJ event was held inside also contributed to its low attendance, so they wanted their event to be outside.

He said they also decided early in the planning process to end the carnival event earlier than the DJ event typically ended in the past because they noticed that very few students remained at the event past 11:00 p.m. He said they also believed that if the event started earlier, more students would attend.

Rilley said he and Bria had weekly meetings starting in January with CAB advisor Francesa Leite to plan the event. They also reached out to CAB General Board and Cultural Affairs

JULIA COMERFORD/ THE FORDHAM RAM

The event featured rides like a Ferris wheel and swings, but they were not able to be used due to rain.

committee for ideas. Once they decided the details of the event, they reached out to vendors to arrange for them to come to campus.

CAB’s Cultural Affairs Committee held its Spring Weekend raffle at the event. The committee usually charges a small fee to its raffle winners to keep the raffles going, but this one was free because it was the last raffle of the year and of Spring Weekend.

The committee raffled off tickets to the Tony Award-winning musical “Dear Evan Hansen” and passes for a helicopter ride over NYC. The Cultural Affairs committee is run by two co-chairs, Bridget McCabe, FCRH'20, and Andrew Brann, FCRH '19. They aim to provide students access to the culture of New York City at an affordable and discounted cost by programming monthly raffles where students can enter and win tickets to events throughout the city.

In regards to the weather, Rilley said he, Bria and Liete kept a close eye on the changing weather reports for the day of the carnival throughout the week. He said the three of them, Assistant Dean for Student Involvement Cody Arcuri and CAB’s President, Kathryn Teaney, GSB ’19, met in A-Lot

to discuss whether or not to keep the event outside or move it to the Lombardi Center.

“Ultimately, because it would be impossible to move the rides or food inside and we thought that students would be less inclined to come to a downgraded version of the event in the Lombardi Center," he said. "We opted to remain in A-Lot, get as many extra pop-up tents as possible and hope for as much good weather as we could get."

He said the rain and wind ruined some of the decorations and made OSI decide that the rides would not be safe to run, even in the hour period at the beginning when the rain had stopped.

“It was pouring, but the CAB instagram had posted that it would be happening rain or shine, and we had umbrellas, so we didn’t care,” said Emma Paolini, FCRH ’21. “We were bummed that the rides would be shut down, especially because I was looking forward to riding the ferris wheel, but we were still excited for some free carnival food.”

Ultimately, the carnival ended earlier than intended. A nearby lightning strike forced Public Safety to shut the event down.

“The rain threw a wrench in our plans on the day of the event, but we adapted as well as we

could,” Rilly said. “It may not sound like a lot, but we spent hours going over big and small details to give the students the best event we could, and I think we did that.”

Despite the rain, Rilley said the carnival had much higher attendance than the DJ event in years past. He said they are proud of the attendance, given the weather conditions.

“Maddie and I believe that the carnival was a strong addition to Spring Weekend and has potential for the coming years,” he explained. “With good weather, we believe attendance would be even bigger!”

He said they would love to get some more games and attractions to fill out the space and give students a landmark event that they look forward to every year.

“Ultimately, we are very proud of the event that we created, and we are grateful to the Office of Student Involvement for taking this chance with us and to the students for coming out, even in the rain,” he said. “We hope that the Friday night event will once again become a key part of every student’s Spring Weekend experience, and we are looking forward to what the Special Events co-chairs will do next.”

This Week at Fordham Wednesday May 1

Wednesday May 1

Thursday May 2

Thursday May 2

Friday May 3

Endowment CIO Guest Lecture

Hot Notes Concert

Commuter Mid-Day Breakfast

De-Stress Fest

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead

Fordham Finance Society will host Eric Wood, the Chief Investment Officer of Fordham University's endowment. The lecture will take place in Flom Auditorium, located in the basement of Walsh library. The event will start at 4:00 p.m.

The Hot Notes will perform its final concert of the semester. The group will perform the songs it has been rehearsing throughout the year. The concert will be in Collins Auditoium located in Collins Hall. The concert will start at 7:30 p.m.

Flom Auditorium 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Collins Auditorium 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

North Dining Room 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Join the Commuter Student Association and Commuter Student Services for a mid-day breakfast right before finals. The breakfast will be in North Dining Room, located next to the marketplace in McGinley Center.

The event will begin at 12:00 p.m.

McGinley 234 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Psychology Club is hosting a destress meeting because of finals. The club hopes to offer a peaceful environment for students to re-center themselves. There will be food and music. The environment advocates for mental health and stability.

Collins Auditorium 8:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.

Theatrical Outreach Program is having its second production of the semester. "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead" by Tom Stoppard is a play about the minor characters in Shakespeare's "Hamlet." Admission is free.

NEWS

May 1, 2019

Page 3

Ellie Kemper Speaks on Experience in Hollywood

By ELIOT SCHIAPARELLI and SARAH HUFFMAN Ellie Kemper addressed Fordham students as CAB’s Spring Weekend 2019 speaker on Thursday, April 25. Kemper is known for her roles in various movies and TV shows, especially “The Office” and “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.”

Kathryn Teaney, GSB ’19, CAB President, hosted a Q&A with Kemper and interviewed her about her life. As a slight change from last year’s speaker event with Josh Peck, students were invited to submit questions prior to the event rather than asking them live. The interview included student-submitted questions in addition to the ones CAB had prepared.

Kemper talked about her childhood and high school experience as well as her time attending Princeton University. She said she got into comedy by doing improv there. She talked about her experience with “The Office,” “Bridesmaids” and “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.”

Kemper told the crowd her favorite episode of “The Office” was “Secretary’s Day.” She also elaborated about what it was like to work with actors such as Kristen Wiig, Tina Fey and Steve Carrell. She said it is important to have good, down-to-earth role models that keep you grounded.

Kemper also talked a little bit about her personal life including her husband and 2-year-old son.

According to Brianna Wagner, FCRH ’21, her answers were well thought out and intelligent.

“I think Thursday was honestly my favorite day of Spring Weekend,” said Wagner. “Ellie Kemper was such a good pick because 'The

COLETTE NOLAN/THE FORDHAM RAM

CAB hosted Ellie Kemper as its Spring Weekend Speaker on Thursday, April 25 in Leonard Prep Auditorium.

Office' and 'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt' are more current and really popular right now. I also appreciated how funny she was while also sounding incredibly smart.”

Kemper said her experience working on “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” was very different from her experience on “The Office” because it was more scripted and less improvisational.

She told funny stories from the

Laura Auricchio, Ph.D., to Serve as Dean of FCLC FROM DEAN, PAGE 1

sponsibility in higher education,” they wrote McShane and Crystal commended her involvement within liberal arts studies.

“She is active in professional and arts associations, including the American Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies and the College Art Association," they wrote.

According to the email, Auricchio has also published in academic journals, exhibition reviews and magazine articles.

She holds accolades such as the Whiting Fellowship in the Humanities, a Fulbright Advanced Student Grant and others from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Her book, "The Marquis: Lafayette Reconsidered," won the 2015 American Library in Paris Book Award.

In a statement to The Fordham Ram, Crystal wrote that he was thrilled about Auricchio’s appointment.

“Dr. Auricchio is an accomplished scholar and an experienced administrator,” he wrote.

“She is someone who will be a strong leader and champion of FCLC while working collaboratively with faculty and with the other deans and administrators.”

Crystal said throughout the interview process, he was impressed by Auricchio’s commitment to bettering the Fordham community.

“When I interviewed her, I was impressed with her commitment to Fordham's mission, her passion for promoting diversity and inclusion, and her ideas for enhancing the academic quality of the college and the student experience,” said Crystal/ McShane and Crystal also thanked the search committee involved with Auricchio’s appointment. Chaired by Anthony Davidson, Ph.D., dean of the School of Professional and Continuing Studies, the committee completed a wide-ranging and productive national search, according to McShane and Crystal.

In addition, they thanked Frederick J. Wertz, Ph.D., who had served as interim dean for FCLC since January 2018.

sets of her different projects and some stories from her everyday life in New York. Teaney also did a lightning round of “get to know you” style questions with Kemper.

Emma Paolini, FCRH ’21, said there was not as much audience interaction this year because there was no audience question and answer, but it gave the speaker more time to talk about what she was interested in.

The event was held at Leonard Prep Theater and drew a crowd that filled the entire bottom section and some of the top section of the auditorium.

At the end, CAB tossed out tshirts like they do at the end of all their Spring Weekend events and played the song “Shallow,” which Kemper said was her go-to karaoke song.

Abby Rizzo, FCRH ’21, is one

of the co-chairs of CAB’s Speaker series. She said she and the other co-chair, Maxson Thomas, FCRH ’19, could not be happier with how the event went.

“Ellie truly could not have been nicer to the two of us and the entire executive board,” said Rizzo.

“She was very gracious and made sure to make all of us feel so special. I think Ellie was so open and honest and I think it made for a great moderated discussion.”

She also told The Ram that her sister Maddie Rizzo, FCRH ’20, made a picture for Kemper the night before the event. Kemper put the photo on Instagram and expressed what a great time she had at Fordham.

Rizzo will co-chair the speaker series again next year.

“From the feedback we received it seemed like we made the right choice by going with Ellie,” said Rizzo. “I can’t wait to see what’s to come next Spring Weekend.”

Kathryn Murphy, FCRH '21, said she enjoyed the event because it was interesting to have a celebrity who loves to share about her experiences in the acting world.

“I got to hear her favorite parts about working on shows that I know and love," said Murphy. "She was very personable and easy to listen to. She did not talk down to us as if we were less than her. It was a very fun conversation.”

Paolini said it was rough waiting outside in the rain, but worth it to see Ellie Kemper speak.

“I enjoyed the speaker event last year and I’m a big fan of Ellie Kemper,” she said. “I was interested in learning more about her and hearing stories about her different projects and the people she worked with on them.”

Recycle

The Ram

NEWS

Page 4

May 1, 2019

Research Spotlight

USG Column

Junior Asks What Being a Good Catholic Means Researches Historical References to the Phrase

By SARAH HUFFMAN

By KRISTEN MCNERNEY

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

Rachel Nolan, FCRH ’20, presented her research pertaining to the question of what it means to be a “good Catholic” at the Research Symposium this semester.

Nolan said last semester in one of her classes, she read an article about a man who called himself a bad Catholic because he struggled to balance his political and religious views. The article said there are many historical figures who would be coined as “bad Catholics.”

“This got me thinking about what it means to be a good Catholic,” she said. “Is there a single definition of the term?

Is it limited to people who go to church every Sunday? What does that mean?”

Nolan said she is a theology major and has a Catholic background, growing up in the Church and attending Catholic school. She said she approached a past professor, Sarit Kattan Gribetz, Ph.D., asking what to do with her major and Gribetz suggested research. Nolan said Gribetz became her research mentor and was very helpful with the process.

There are two parts to Nolan’s research: historical analysis of the term and interviews with different people within the Fordham community.

In regards to the first part, she said she wanted to explore when the two words “good” and “Catholic” fused together and took on a whole new meaning. She said she used Google Ngram Viewer, which is a program that detects the frequency of a word and how often it has been used since the 1500s. She said she used it to find the first instance of ‘good Catholic’ as a term.

For personal interviews, she reached out to a variety of people with different religious backgrounds including theolo-

USG Finalizes Constitution CONTRIBUTING WRITER

COURTESY OF RACHEL NOLAN.

Nolan presented her findings about what it mean to be a good Catholic at Fordham’s Research Symposium.

gian Elizabeth Johnson, a student, Thomas Schirgi S.J., and Professor Mark Chatman. She said she compiled a list of 10 questions to ask them and tried hard to narrow them down to concise questions that really got to the heart of the matter.

Some of the questions she asked included: What does it mean in your opinion to be a good Catholic, Why do you define it the way that you do, and are there any texts that influence your opinion?

Nolan said she found three main takeaways. The first was that the term is dynamic and does not have one set definition.

She said the first usage in 1825 comes from an Irish story called “The Good Catholic or The Honest Farmer,” about two men who argue what a good Catholic means.

According to Nolan, this proves the controversy and debate is as old as the term itself.

“The second takeaway was that a good Catholic can and sometimes should dissent from the institutional church in order to create and maintain a vibrant tradition of a community of faith,” she said.

Nolan said this was important to her because she has struggled with balancing her personal beliefs and remaining in the church.

The third was that the term good Catholic wields a lot of power, which was a consensus among everyone she interviewed.

“It can be helpful because it encourages self-reflection and betterment of one’s own faith but it can be harmful and a dangerous term when its brandished as a weapon to judge or exclude others from the church,” she said.

“I think it’s important that we’re engaging in topics like this,” she said. “It’s important

BOJEUNG LEUNG/THE FORDHAM RAM

Photo of the Week: Students sat on Martyrs’ Lawn and enjoyed complimentary food and chatted at the Spring Weekend Concert while performers played the annual show.

not just for Catholics because evaluating labels and categories, especially as they pertain to people within the religious sphere, can be very polarizing and can be very ostracizing.”

According to Nolan everyone has this idea of a good Catholic who goes to church every Sunday, but those she talked to said a person should define what being a good Catholic means for themselves. She said debunking that and understanding that not everyone endorses this idea is important for college students.

She said it encourages people to think critically, challenge the church and still be considered good.

She said doing the research helped her become better at looking at and choosing articles.

“Discerning what is important to your research and deciding what is simply not was a hard process,” she said. “I would spend three hours doing research and then find that it gave me nothing. I would go down the rabbit hole.”

This was Nolan’s first time presenting her own research. She thought it was very different because the stakes are higher when saying “this is what I believe.”

Nolan said the process for the research symposium was a little unclear, especially because it was her first research project and her mentor’s first time advising.

She said without a great mentor, she would have been lost.

Nolan suggested that there should be different standards for STEM research and humanities research because they are of such different natures.

“Presenting at the symposium itself was awesome,” she said.

“Hearing other people’s research was really interesting. It was very validating and gratifying. My panel was all female and they all had something to do with religion and theology, so witnessing and being a part of that was really awesome.”

The last United Student Government (USG) meeting of the semester was held on April 25 and saw the finalization of a longawaited new constitution.

Senators decided on by-laws that had been up in the air for a few weeks.

The first was to continue to allow Select Committees, namely the Diversity Action Coalition (DAC), International Integration and Dining, to be chaired by all members of USG, including Senators and Cabinet members.

The second was to discontinue the allowance of only Senators and non-USG members to chair standing committees.

Senators decided Cabinet members can have the opportunity to chair Standing Committees, which include Finance and Budgets, House, Operations, Dean’s Council, Communications, Sexual Misconduct and Sustainability.

Vice President of Student Life Ashley Qamar, GSB ’20, presented the Club Suite Guidelines. Qamar said the guidelines explain the rules and procedures associated with the jurisdiction of the House Committee.

She explained how the House Committee is in charge of allocating certain programming spaces to clubs that might need them, including spaces in the basements of McGinley and Keating, spaces in Collins Hall and Rodrigue’s Coffee House.

Senator Margaret Rothfus, FCRH ’20, and dining committee vice chair Frank LaGumina, GSB ’20, proposed Dining Committee by-laws. They explained how the committee consists of three sub-committees, namely, Health and Nutrition, Sustainability and Facilities.

The Sustainability Subcommittee of Dining conducts regular outreach with the Sustainability Subcommittee of USG, she said. Health and Nutrition subcommittee focuses on dietary needs and food variety. Facilities subcommittee focuses on quality of staffing, hygiene and hours of dining locations.

Rothfus and LaGumina also explained the committee’s mission statement, meeting times and general guidelines.

The committee was previously an unofficial addition to the dining liason position. The committe by-laws were approved by the senate making it an official committee.

Rothfus also delivered the dining report, and said that the acai base at Sambazon in Dagger John’s can now be used as a meal swipe, with Declining Cash Balance (DCB) used for toppings.

Executive President Connor Sullivan, FCRH’19, said he wanted to thank everyone for a successful USG year.

He closed the meeting by commemorating the life of Sydney Monfries, FCRH ’19, and the warm presence she had at Fordham.

NEWS

May 1, 2019

Page 5

Class of 2023 Shows High Academic Calibre University Anticipates 2,200 Incoming Students

By ELIOT SCHIAPARELLI ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

According to Patricia Peek, Ph.D., dean of Undergraduate Admissions, Fordham’s class of 2023 is shaping up to be academically stronger than those which preceded it. As of 8 p.m. on April 30 about 80% of students who committed to the university had put down their deposits.

Peek said the incoming class so far had a 3.6 GPA on the 4.0 scale, which she said was about even with last year’s. 77% were in the top 25% of their high school class, 2% more than in the class of 2022. The average high score on the ACT/SAT was 10 points higher than last year at 1350 vs.

1340.

According to Peek’s preliminary numbers, 34% of enrollees were domestic students of color and another 10% were international.

“Diversity remains a priority as we seek to create the Class of 2023; we have been making some gains in recent cycles and are hoping to continue that trend,” said Peek.

Fordham’s acceptance rate is currently 44% and the university

COURTESY OF THE FORDHAM ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

Thebaud Hall is home to the university's admissions office on the Rose Hill campus.

is anticipating about 2,200 total students in the class of 2023.

The spring preview speech of Rev. Joseph McShane, S.J., president of the university, students from 49 states were accepted this year with the exception being North Dakota.

Peek said so far 45 states and Washington, D.C., plus more than 50 countries, are represented in the deposit pool.

“Each year we are pleased with the talented students we have the opportunity to evaluate as we build the class,” said Peek. “So

many students present diverse backgrounds, experiences, have amazing academic credentials and demonstrate leadership and commitment to service. So far, the Class of 2023 continues to show the promise of excellence.”

The admissions department

made a few changes to the admissions process this year. Peek said they sent financial aid awards to students earlier, communicated more with parents and held more off-campus admissions events.

As for Fordham’s much talked about yield rate, Peek said she expects it to be around 11%, which is in line with past years.

“We try to make incremental gains each year, but this is an especially talented pool with many options,” said Peek. “That puts pressure on improving our yield.”

Lilly Gieseke, FCRH ’23, said that she chose Fordham due to its reputation of as a liberal arts institution.

“I might want to go into languages or something along [the lines of communication]… and to know that I can easily find a place to practice what I learn with real people is very comforting,” she said.

Gieseke said she was also impressed with the New York City atmosphere.

“I liked the fact that the school uses NYC as a continuation of the campus,” she said. “Also I’m pumped to be neighbors with the botanical gardens.”

CAB Sees Second Spring Weekend Line Up Change

Kingston Performance Cancelled Three Days Before FROM CANCEL, PAGE 1

sical acts Bryce Vine and Whethan, as well as an opening act from Fordham, The Usual, as Spring Weekend’s musical performers.

Following Rodger's statement, @studentsagainstsean celebrated the decision with Instagram posts.

The group was actively involved in petitioning for Kingston’s cancellation and attended Student Life Council and United Student Government (USG) meetings, as well as several meetings with CAB, to

address the concern.

The group asked Fordham students to avoid placing blame on CAB or USG members.

“Those students were not responsible for this decision last night and should be left alone,” the post reads. “They did all they could so we ask that you please respect their work and focus on having a fun and safe weekend.”

The group also said it wants the Rose Hill campus to be a respectful and safe place for all.

MATT MASSARO/THE FORDHAM RAM

The Usual, a band of Fordham students, were first in the concert lineup.

“Choose love, not hate,” they students wrote.

Some students, including Colleen Cochran, FCRH ’21, said the controversy around Kingston’s performance pressured many students to decide whether or not to attend the concert. His cancellation removed this pressure.

“I think whether or not to attend the Spring Weekend concert with Sean Kingston in the lineup was a difficult and dividing decision for many students,” she said. “I was glad that the university stepped up to make the right decision, instead of forcing students to divide themselves.”

Micah Excell, FCRH ’19, said that Kingston’s cancellation affected his approach to the Spring Weekend concert: he decided to enjoy the food and environment itself.

“I was disappointed to not have a memorable headliner as my last Spring Weekend performer but don’t blame it on the cancellation as much as I do CAB for not doing their research,” he said. “I’m glad we stood up for victims of sexual assault in the end but I just wish it didn’t take a few days before the concert to decide to do the right thing.”

According to Rodgers, attendance at the concert seemed robust and exceedingly enthusiastic during the Spring Weekend concert.

“The student band was impressive as well and has something of a following,” he said.

Gayathri Thelekatt, FCRH ’21, agreed with Rodgers' assessment.

“I still had a lot of fun at the concert even if Sean didn’t perform,” she said. “I think the energy was still

JESSICA COZZI/THE FORDHAM RAM

Attendance to the Spring Weekend concert was high despite line up changes.

really high and everyone seemed to be having a good time.”

Emily Malacane, FCRH ’21, said she was grateful the concert went on despite the cancellations.

“Music is the most universal thing in the world and I was grateful to still be able to experience artists with my fellow Rams, regardless of Sean Kingston not performing,” she said.

Rodgers commended CAB, Achieving Change Together

(ACT) and Residence Halls Association (RHA) for their hard work throughout the concert process.

“I was very grateful for the hard work of all the staff who devoted their weekends and into late nights to this student event and to the student leaders and programmers in CAB, ACT and RHA,” he said.

“They did a great job despite some unavoidable challenges like the inclement weather.”

NEWS

Page 6

May 1, 2019

RHA Hosts Annual Under the Tent Event Students Emulate 'Wizard of Oz" Theme FROM UTT, PAGE 1

FCRH '19, and Executive Programmer Connor Cunniff, FCRH '20, did much of the event planning. The two worked with hall programmers and other General Board members who wanted to help plan the decorations, food, and other aspects of the event.

“So many people took inspi-

ration for their outfits from the many characters portrayed in 'The Wizard of Oz,'” Ylagan said.

The event was semi-formal, in alignment with years past. The dance had a DJ, dance floor, seating areas and refreshment stations. There was also a separate tent for students 21 and older, which served alcohol.

ROBERT YLAGAN/THE FORDHAM RAM

Students attended Under the Tent Saturday night on Martyr's Lawn.

For Emma Paolini, FCRH ’21, the DJ was the highlight of the event.

“They played all the classic jams, it was so fun to dance and sing along. Also, it was cool seeing people dress to the theme," Paoloni said. "I saw a Glinda, Tin Man and a Dorothy, and lots of people were wearing green.”

This year was the first time ticket sales were available online. Instead of waiting in that notoriously long line outside the McGinley Center like in years past, students were able to purchase tickets at separate times depending on their grade level through University Tickets.

For Kimona Dussard, FCRH '20, Executive Vice President of RHA, online tickets sales proved to be a huge undertaking, as there was some confusion among the student body.

“The turnout was still great," Dussard said. "Online ticket sales did not go as smoothly as planned but the dance floor was still packed all night long."

According to Dussard, RHA hopes to work out the kinks of online ticketing for future events.

In addition to the event’s festivities, the new executive board for RHA was announced for 2019-2020. Collette Campbell,

ROBERT YLAGAN/THE FORDHAM RAM

For many students, the highlights of the night were music and dancing.

FCRH '22, the incoming executive vice president for RHA felt a bond with the previous board as mentors.

“The old e-board and new eboard members were huddled around together and then ‘Livin’ on a Prayer' came on, and we all started singing while crying because we knew we had done great

things this past year,” Campbell said.

Stephanie Guerrera, assistant director for Leadership Development and Training in the Office of Residential Life, advises RHA on the event. RHA also worked closely with the Office of Student Involvement in planning the event.

Paul Elie, FCRH ’87, Addresses Clerical Sex Abuse FROM ELIE, PAGE 1

moved as principal at St. Ignatius School in the Bronx.

Towle is listed as one of the friends who surrounded Rev. Daniel Berrigan, S.J., when Berrigan died at Murray-Weigel in 2016, according to a statement by the Berrigan family in an article

by Ignatian Solidarity Network.

Towle is also listed under the Northeast Province’s list of priests with credible allegations of sexual abuse of a minor. Zogby is not listed.

With the addition of Zogby and Towle and previous reporting by The Ram, The Ram has tracked 10 priests who have lived at Murray-Weigel with credible accusations of sexual misconduct of a minor brought against them.

Bob Howe, director of communications for the university, said the article raises serious and disturbing allegations which will be reviewed by the Special Committee of the Board of Trustees which excludes Jesuit members of the Board or management at Fordham.

“As Father McShane and Board Chairman Daleo said in their January letter to the Fordham community, it is incumbent on leaders at affected institutions to support the survivors and acknowledge the long-term harm that was inflicted upon them,” said Howe.

“It is also critical to ensure that policies and procedures are in place to prevent this from ever happening again, which is why an independent Special Committee of the Board is reviewing allega-

tions of abuse and examining appropriate preventative and remedial measures, with the assistance of outside legal counsel.”

Elie’s account in The New Yorker traces several cases of Pope Francis and Cardinal Timothy Dolan’s attempts to remedy what church officials often call a crisis.

“The problem is more enduring and more comprehensive than that,” Elie wrote in the article.

Several years later, after Elie wrote an extended narrative about his encounter with Zogby when obtaining a master’s at Columbia University, and following the reemergence of clerical sex abuse in the media, he was invited by The New Yorker to write the piece.

“When these things were in the news over the summer, of course I felt that I had to say something in writing,” he said in an interview with The Ram. “I wanted to deal with this story which is so complex, using the most complex means available, long form narrative journalism.”

A large portion of the article details personal anecdotes, including Elie’s encounter with Zogby in which he woke up to the priest exposed and bent over him, making advances in a Lowenstein office. Elie said his first instinct was to deal with the experience on his own, just as hundreds of thousands of others have. Eventually, he reached out to the university.

“When the sexual abuse crisis went into high gear in 2002, I called Fordham to report this, and weirdly enough, I got on the phone with one of my old profes-

sors who was extremely defensive and befuddled by the whole thing,” said Elie.

He was instructed to call the province, but did not.

"I was always mindful of the fact that I was not a minor when the violation took place," said Elie.

Michael Gabriele, director of communications for the Northeast Province, confirmed Zogby was not on the Northeast Province’s Jan.15 list.

"Fr. Ed Zogby was not on our list released in January because there were no credible allegations of abuse of a minor against him,” said Gabriele.

Though the province’s list only includes credible allegations against minors, all allegations, whether they involve a minor or an adult, are taken seriously and investigated, according to Gabriele.

“The Jesuits do not tolerate sexual abuse of any kind,” said Gabriele. “The list we released in January was specific to credible allegations of abuse of minors because of the recent revelations that have led the people of God to rightly desire greater accountability from the leadership of the Church in this area. The Jesuits are the first for a religious order to do so and to provide that kind of transparency.”

According to Elie, gathering information for the article had its challenges, specifically in obtaining information from the province. When he reached out to the Northeast Province, he was put

JULIA COMERFORD/THE FORDHAM RAM

A number of priests on the Jan. 15 list lived in Murray Weigel Hall.

in touch with Rev. Philip Judge, S.J. “He didn’t have all of the facts right about Fr. Towle,” said Elie. “He was supercilious. He didn’t have any wish to figure out or communicate anything other than what was on that list. Such information he gave, he gave grudgingly.”

Judge did not respond to comment in time for publication.

Despite these events, Elie said he found Fordham to be a remarkable university and his relationship with the university is ongoing.

He said he would be interested to see Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of the university, respond to the article.

“I don’t really know how he han-

dles things as a college president.

I just know that something serious happened,” said Elie. “It really happened and I really wrote about it and it’s really in The New Yorker.”

Elie said it was at Fordham that he really got a strong sense of the Catholic literary and artistic tradition that’s been the main current for his work, including the article.

“I think that the way we understand things is by saying what happened in the most truthful and subtle and nuanced way possible," said Elie. “That’s what I’ve tried to do in this article, and I think something like that approach is what the church needs if it’s going to move forward.”

NEWS

May 1, 2019

Page 7

Noëlle Santos Opens Only Bookstore in the Bronx

By ELIOT SCHIAPARELLI ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

Thanks to Noëlle Santos, the Bronx, which has been without a single bookstore since the end of December 2016, now has Lit. Bar. The store, which opened April 27, is part wine bar and part bookstore.

“Lit like literature, lit like drunk,” as Santos refers to it.

Dozens of neighbors as well as Bronx Borough President Reuben Diaz and other Bronx officials came for the store’s ribbon cutting. They cheered as Santos opened the store with a poem.

“Thank you for opening your hearts and helping me show the world what many failed to see, that the Bronx is no longer burning except with the desire to read,” recited Santos. “And that we thrive just like the indie bookseller that you were told died. The numbers don’t lie.”

Santos said she felt she needed to open the bookstore because she felt there was a systemic issue.

She pointed out that the Bronx has 1.5 million people and 10 colleges but no bookstores. Santos first became aware of the death of Bronx bookstores as she worked to save the Bronx’s only bookstore – a Barnes & Noble in Co-Op City. Even if that store, which

ELIOT SCHIAPARELLI/THE FORDHAM RAM

Noëlle Santos, pictured above, opened the only bookstore in the Bronx on Saturday, April 27.

closed in 2016, had been saved, she said the Bronx still would have been grossly underserved from a literary perspective.

“Public transportation was something that was really important to me," she said. "So when we did have the Barnes & Noble in Co-Op City, I thought I was bringing the second bookstore to the Bronx, but it wasn’t really accessible by public transportation.

If you come from where I live in the South Bronx, it would have taken you up to 50 minutes to get to that Barnes & Noble, and we don’t keep our dollars in the

Bronx that way.”

Lit. Bar opened on Indie Bookstore Day. The store in Mott Haven has every kind of book one can think of, from children’s books with a diverse array of faces on the covers to a section on feminism and intersectionality to the young adult fiction like the "Twilight" series. Santos said she picks all the books herself.

“I carefully curated this store," she said. "I make sure the inventory reflects the community, which is mostly Latinx and African American popula-

tion. So we focused on marginalized voices, people of color, the LGBT community, people with disabilities, the whole range."

The store is in the Mott Haven section of the South Bronx, near an area that has started to be frequented by gentrifying influences and is sometimes referred to as So Bro. Santos, however, had a response for those who accused her of gentrifying the area.

“I’ve been accused of supporting gentrification because I stand to capitalize," said San-

tos in her poem. "No, I’m not the type to pick up a picket sign, I’m solution oriented. I said bet to developers, the bad guys and went to home to write my business plan to ensure that faces that look like mine are represented in these market rate districts in a few years time.”

The bookstore was created in large part thanks to a crowdfunding campaign. The campaign, called, “Let’s Bring a Goddamn Bookstore to the Bronx” had a goal of $100,000 but raised over $170,000. Santos thinks people were passionate about both her and the store.

“I’m a black Latina female from the community so people were connected to me as a person who was here and homegrown and doing something that’s by us and for us,” said Santos.

Santos said it was important for her to create a space for art and literature in the Bronx.

“I hope the Lit. Bar brings intellectual visibility to the Bronx," she said. "We have no shortage of intellect. We have no shortage of talent, and we want to have a hub for people to convene and have a place for people who love literature to enjoy the arts and support them, and I hope we expose the youth to bookstores. I didn’t know this was a career opportunity for me until I was 28 years old.”

Congratulations to the Class of 2019!

Graduates, you can still Think Summer, Think Fordham: Audit a summer class for $300.

SUMMER SESSION 2019

Continuing students, let us help you on your way: Summer courses can help you graduate on time.

Session I: May 28–June 27 Session II: July 2–August 6 fordham.edu/summer

NEWS

Page 8

May 1, 2019

Meditation Club Provides Space to Unwind

By CLAY WALTERS

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Students at Fordham University are finishing up their classes this week. While the end of classes may seem like a blessing, this is a time where many students are highly stressed due to final exams being just a daunting week away. However, one club on campus is working to combat that stress.

Final exams are often considered one of the major reasons why college can be a time of immense anxiety. In fact, a scientific report released a week ago by researchers at the University of California Berkeley found that rates of anxiety among 18 to 26-year-old students have doubled since 2008. The report labeled student anxiety on college campuses as a “national epidemic.”

One scientifically proven way for students to relieve stress and anxiety is by meditating. Meditation cannot only reduce anxiety, but it also has many other proven benefits including reducing implicit race and age bias, preventing depression, increasing body satisfaction, improving cognition and helping the brain ignore distractions.

Fordham students interested in practicing or beginning meditation can join the

COURTESY OF ISHA KHAWAJA

The Fordham Meditation Club hosts weekly 30-minute meditation sessions on campus every Wednesday.

Fordham Mediation Club. The Meditation Club hosts weekly 30 minute meditation sessions at Fordham every Wednesday.

“It’s an opportunity for students to meet other people that like to mediate and also introduce a practice that might be unfamiliar to some,” said Meditation Club President Isha Khawaja, FCRH ’19. “We also host off-campus excursions to Om Factory to practice aerial yoga.”

For Khawaja, the best experiences in the meditation club are

doing these off campus aerial yoga trips downtown at Om Factory.

“I’ve never tried aerial yoga before, and flipping and flowing around in a hammock was definitely something new and scary to me,” said Khawaja. “It reminded me how important it is to try new things. I tend to get stuck in my habits and routines, so the aerial yoga sessions definitely refreshed my week.”

Khawaja said her favorite

part of a meditation session is doing the savasana. The savasana is the meditative pose where one lies on their back, faceup. This pose requires one’s legs to be comfortably spread and their arms to be relaxed alongside their body with their palms facing either up or down.

“You traditionally do this at the end of every yoga class,” mentioned Khawaja. “But at Om Factory we did savasana in the hammocks which was incredibly comforting.”

Khawaja had been practicing yoga ever since she was 14-years-old and considers it an important part of her life.

“One of the communities that provided a space was Fordham’s Meditation Club,” said Khawaja.

She said she signed up at the club fair her spring semester of freshman year and began instructing weekly yoga classes.

"Ever since then, I’ve been involved with the club,” she said.

Khawaja said she believes her club is valuable for the Fordham community because it provides a space for like-minded, mindful individuals to practice.

“A lot of people tend to practice their meditation alone, which is completely fine and often easier to do,” said Khawaja. “But community is a really powerful thing and showing up to practice even once a week with other people can really transform your practice.”

Khawaja said she hopes to see the club’s weekly sessions get bigger and stronger.

“The goal is to have a vibrant active meditating community at Fordham,” said Khawaja.

Fordham students interested in joining the Meditation Club should send an email expressing their interest in signing up for the club’s newsletter to the email address: meditationclub@fordham.

FAHS Visits "Art After Stonewall (1969-1989)" Club Seeks to Unite and Educate Community

By SOPHIA GIATZIS

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The Fordham Art History Society (FAHS) hosted its last event of the year on April 28, visiting the “Art After Stonewall (1969-1989)” exhibit at the Leslie Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art. The society, which was created in 2018 by President Liam Otero, FCRH ’20, strives to connect not only art history majors and minors with the vast array of art available in the city, but also all students who are interested in exploring the arts.

“The mission of the FAHS is to more strongly unite and educate our diverse Fordham community (Rose Hill and Lincoln Center) through art-related events that highlight multiculturalism, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, pluralism and globalism,” the club mission statement states.

Gender identity and sexual orientation were heavily explored in the “Art After Stonewall (1969-1989)” exhibit. The Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art, which was founded by Charles Leslie and Fritz Lohman in 1969, is showing the exhibition until July 21 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising that took place on June 28 at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village.

The rebellion was, and still is, considered to be one of the most pivotal points in the movement for gay liberation in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in the United States. Though much has been written about the impact of the movement on American society, there is little known about the key artists and art that came from that movement. The exhibition is the first major exhibition to analyze the impact that LGBTQ+ art from the movement had on the world of art.

“I selected the Leslie Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art as our destination because it deftly melds art and social justice from a generation of artistactivists who spearheaded an ongoing campaign that directly impacts members of the Fordham community and our generation as a whole,” said Otero. “As NYC is Fordham’s campus, I felt it imperative to educate and expose students to one of the most significant moments in the history of our city and country, the Stonewall Uprising of 1969.”

The exhibit contains over 150 works of art and materials spanning a variety of mediums from artists of various backgrounds including Andy Warhol, Catherine Opie, Keith Haring, Judy Chicago, David Hockey and Diane Arbus. The exhibit showcased art that conveyed the anger of a community that wanted a space where they could be

SOPHIA GIATZIS/THE FORDHAM RAM

FAHS hosted "Art After Stonewall (1969-1989)" at the Leslin Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art this Sunday.

themselves without prejudice, discrimination or violence.

A digital reproduction of John Button and Mario Dubsky’s mural that was destroyed by a fire in 1974 conveyed the inclusivity of the community. The mural connects the LGBTQ+ movement with the broader fight for civil rights, showcasing the Black Panther leader Huey Newton along with other figures in the queer movement.

However, as the mural also showcases white, young male bodies scattered throughout the mural, the movement was not exempt from sexism and homophobia itself. The tensions between the different groups and identities within the movement often made it difficult for the move-

ment to find common ground.

The strain in the movement was conveyed in the poster for Azalea: A Magazine for Third World Lesbians, founded in 1977

by Joan Gibbs, Robin Christian and Linda Brown. The magazine was created in response to the other lesbian publications at the time that were not publishing writings by black and Latina writers. The publication went on to showcase the works of Audre Lorde, Stephanie Byrd, Toni Cade Bambera and more. The magazine and other works of art in the exhibit conveyed that the movement had, and still has, a long way to go in the fight for social justice and equal rights for those in the LGBTQ+ movement.

“The experience more strongly connected me to my Fordham peers and faculty, and it further deepened my desire to more actively contribute to the University’s express emphasis on pluralism, compassion and social advocacy,” said Otero.

The Fordham Art History Society is planning more events this summer for the fall and spring semester to caonnect more interested students to the plethora of diverse art that exists in the city.

The Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art is located at 26 Wooster Street in the SoHo neighborhood of New York City.

Admission is free with a suggested donation of $9. It is open Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6 p.m.

May 1, 2019

OPINION

Page 9

The Fordham Ram

For The Benefit and Enjoyment of People

By COLLIN BONNELL OPINION EDITOR

Bushkill Falls, a park located in Bushkill, Pa., should be one of the great wonders of the Delaware Valley.

The park, which consists of over 300 acres in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and includes a series of waterfalls which together descend 300 feet, should be one of the great wonders of Eastern Pennsylvania. Easily accessible from New York City, Philadelphia and Scranton, and located in the heart of the forested Poconos, the park’s location seems ideal. Indeed, it claims to be “the Niagara of Pennsylvania.” Yet, something is deeply wrong with the site.

It is privately owned and operated by Aramark, the same conglomerate which serves as a contractor for private prisons, manufactures uniforms, operates Fordham Campus Dining and has developed a reputation for labor abuses.

Since the creation of the park in 1904, its private owners have ravaged the once beautiful area in pursuit of profit. The banks of the waterfall have been desecrated by handrails, ramps and bridges which seem to cover every precipice. Trees have been cut to clear the view.

The landscape has been altered to make the park more accessible.

Crowds of people swarm the edges of the central stream. The entrance resembles a strip mall. Admission

COURTESY OF FLICKR

Gramcery Park, a private park in downtown Manhattan, epitomizes the problems inherent to for-profit green spaces.

costs up to $16.50.

While I do not doubt that this business venture has proved very profitable, it has destroyed the falls and stands as a textbook example of why wonders like Bushkill Falls should never fall under private ownership. Bushkill Falls is not the only example of a private park which has served to exploit green space that ought to belong to the public.

Gramercy Park in Manhattan is another example, and it shows how such establishments have

been used to further class divides in America. Built in the late 19th century, the private park is only accessible through the use of 383 keys.

To own a key, you must be a resident of one of the luxury housing developments which border the park and pay $350 a year, on top of the $7,500 charge per lot for the buildings which surround the park.

Gramercy Park, located on its own block, is surrounded by a high and ornately decorated fence which allows all passersby to look in, but prevents its greenery from being ac-

cessed by the general public.

The park sits as an empty playground for the rich in full view of the public. In a city starved of green space, this presents a clear problem, yet private parks are not a new issue.

During the 19th century, private development of areas such as Niagara Falls ruined monuments to nature’s beauty across the eastern United States. Meanwhile, the rapid development of the wetlands which once covered what is now New York City urged the creation of Central Park as a public space in

the center of the growing metropolis in the 1850s. The city decided that such a public space was integral for the well being of the public.

Over a decade later, Central Park’s designer Frank Law Olmsted and other New York-based conservationists would help establish America’s first National Park, Yellowstone, as a wilderness area preserved “for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.” In their eyes, the preservation and free access of these lands were vital to the well being of the people.

In the time since Yellowstone was founded, more and more lands have come under government protection and been made accessible to the public. Yet still more lands ought to be acquired and protected for the betterment of the public’s physical and spiritual health.

When reflecting on the destruction of the wilderness of the western United States, John Muir, the great naturalist, once said “God has cared for these trees… but he cannot save them from fools — only Uncle Sam can do that.” We ought to understand that green spaces such as these are as necessary for well being of the public as access to food or water.

They ought to be protected by the government and made accessible to all Americans.

Collin Bonnell, FCRH ’21, is a history and theology major from Hingham, Massachusetts.

Biden Banking on the Blue Wall

By TIMOTHY KYLE STAFF WRITER

On April 25, Joe Biden officially entered the 2020 presidential race, upending the already-packed Democratic field and quickly emerging as a frontrunner. Although he may not have the grassroots support or massive social media presence of more “exciting” candidates like Bernie Sanders or Andrew Yang, Biden remains the best candidate to beat President Trump in 2020.

If the Democrats want to have any chance of retaking the White House, they must rally behind Biden and ensure that he wins the nomination.

It isn’t hard to see how Trump could win again. He possesses a large, enthusiastic base that seems willing to support him through hell and high water. The economy is booming, and all signs point to it continuing to do so until after the 2020 election, barring a sudden crash — a boon for any incumbent seeking re-election. Most importantly, he has built a powerful coalition of voters in the Midwest, voters that might once have considered themselves Democrats but felt left behind by the party’s increasingly progressive rhetoric and apparent disregard for the country’s heartland.

Enter Joe Biden. An avowed

moderate, Biden is attempting to forge a balance between the nativist populism of Trump and the progressive populism of Sanders — a potent strategy that will fare well in the blue-collar Midwest.

Traditionally favoring moderate or “blue-dog” Democrats who are strong on labor and working class rights but less socially liberal than their coastal counterparts, the Midwest went strongly for Trump during the 2016 election whose rhetoric about the “forgotten man” appealed to them over the rank elitism that defined Hillary Clinton’s campaign. Michigan and Wisconsin, both traditionally strongholds for the Democrats and their labor union supporters in the Rust Belt, flipped from blue to red for the first time since the 1980s. It’s clear that the Democrats can no longer rely on the once-solid “Blue Wall” of the Midwest, and nominating someone who is unable to connect with the voters there would be a catastrophic mistake.

It’s possible that Bernie Sanders could provide some of the same economic strength, but many of his other policy proposals, like allowing felons in prison to vote, or broad student loan forgiveness, might lean a little too progressive for a voting bloc that prioritizes economic security over sweeping liberal reforms — and Biden

knows this. He has already repudiated Sanders’ signature MedicareFor-All proposal and proposed a less extreme version of the nowwidespread free four-year college plan endorsed by many Democrats that also includes vocational training for workers. Though perhaps not as comprehensive as the party’s increasingly liberal base desires, Biden’s policy measures are wellsuited and just moderate enough

to appeal to the workers in the Rust Belt that need to be wooed to win the region back.

If he wants to have a chance of beating Trump in 2020, Biden must stick close to his pro-worker, blue-collar bonafides and refrain from falling into the same trap Clinton did in 2016 — attacking a President who is content to shatter all norms both in office and on the campaign trail.

If he keeps his messages focused on economic concerns like rebuilding the middle class and away from the “resist” movement that seems to be fueling much of the Democratic field, Biden has, far and away, the best chance of any candidate at beating Donald Trump.

Timothy Kyle, FCRH ’21, is a history and political science major from West Hartford, Connecticut.

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Former Vice President Biden holds a moderate appeal which could allow him to defeat President Trump in 2020.

Page 10

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May 1, 2019

OPINION

May 1, 2019

Page 11

Notre Dame Effort is Not the Only Worthy Cause

COURTESY OF FLICKR

While the Notre Dame Cathedral is a vital part of history, wealthy people should reconsider what pushes them to charity.

By LAUREN HALLISSEY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

On April 15, a fire broke out at the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, France. The fire caused the collapse of the spire as well as parts of the roof.

Many people were devastated by the damage that was done to the 850-year-old building. As a result, over $1 billion has been raised towards the reconstruction of the cathedral.

While I think it is heartwarming that people were able to raise so much money in such a short period of time, I also find the donations concerning.

I believe that people should be

able to donate their money as they please. I acknowledge that some people are able to connect with or relate to some causes more than other issues that occur in the world.

However, the realization that there are people in the world who have millions of dollars ready to donate within days of a tragedy at a cathedral is startling.

I do not mean to take away from the significance or heartbreak of this particular event. Notre Dame Cathedral has beautiful French Gothic architecture and stained glass windows and thus the place of prayer is also a piece of artwork in many people’s eyes. People from all over the world come to

visit the structure for its religious, cultural and historical significance.

While the event was tragic, and I am glad people care about the cathedral enough to donate such significant amounts of money, such donations call people’s values into question.

There are numerous other tragic events occurring throughout the world that are affecting people’s lives. However, these tragedies are not receiving billion dollar donations within days, and some events are not even receiving a significant amount of media coverage.

For example, one particular emergency that would benefit from over a billion dollars worth

of donations is the Flint water crisis.

Flint, Mich. has not had clean water since 2014. Five years have passed and there are still places in Flint that do not have usable water. The citizens of Flint have had to use bottled or filtered water for drinking, cooking, cleaning and bathing for years.

If a portion of the money that was donated to Notre Dame were directed towards Flint, then the city could have clean water.

Donations would not only help the city pay to fix the quality of their water, but the media would also likely cover the donations.

Thus, more people would be aware of the ongoing crisis.

It is confusing and frustrating that people were able to donate over a billion dollars to a cathedral that was damaged in a fire within a few days when this was not the case for the water crisis in Flint.

I wish people would think more deeply about the people who are facing crises in the world before donating millions of dollars to a single cause.

Another pressing issue that could benefit from large donations is climate change. Donations would be useful in helping countries transition to renewable energy sources.

Money could also be used towards carbon sequestration to reduce carbon in the environment.

Additionally, money would be useful for climate research and

raising awareness of this research.

I find it surprising that we have not seen donations of this magnitude when it comes to climate change. The very planet we live in is rapidly growing inhospitable due to our inability to take action.

Many steps that countries need to take require money. This is an issue that affects every single person in the world, as we are already seeing the effects of climate change.

Many other crises in the world, including the Flint water crisis, do not have the same resources as that of the Notre Dame Cathedral. Even worse, they do not have enough people who care about the problems to create change.

There are numerous causes that could benefit from donations, especially over a billion dollars worth of donations, that are constantly ignored.

My hope is that there will be leftover money from the reconstruction which will go towards one or a few noteworthy causes.

In particular, it will be beneficial to donate a portion, if not all, of the leftover money to help fight poverty in France.

If this ends up being the case, the donors should be happy that their money is going to a good cause to help people in a country that they clearly love.

Lauren Hallissey, FCRH ’19, is a communications and culture major from Queens, New York.

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Serving the Fordham University campus and community since 1918 The Fordham Ram is the university journal of record. The mission of The Fordham Ram is to provide a forum for the free and open exchange of ideas in service to the community and to act as a student advocate. The Fordham Ram is published and distributed free of charge every Wednesday during the academic year to the Rose Hill, Lincoln Center and Westchester campuses with a readership of over 12,000 and a web readership of over 300,000. The Fordham Ram office is located in the basement of the McGinley Center, room B-52.

Website FordhamRam.com Email Address theram@fordham.edu Editor-in-Chief Aislinn Keely Managing Editor Hannah Gonzalez Business Director Donald Dugan Operations Director Briana Scalia Editorial Director Lindsay Grippo Executive Director Colette Nolan Copy Chiefs Vanessa DeJesus Maggie Rothfus News Editor Helen Stevenson Projects Editor Erica Scalise Assistant News Editors Eliot Schiaparelli Sarah Huffman Opinion Editors Briana Scalia Collin Bonnell Culture Editors Rachel Gow Kieran Press-Reynolds Sports Editor Jimmy Sullivan Assistant Sports Editors Andrew Posadas Dylan Balsamo Digital Producers Kristen Egan Katherine Morris Photo Editor Julia Comerford Visual Director Bojeung Leung Faculty Advisor Beth Knobel Editorial Page Policy

The Fordham Ram’s editorial is se-

lected on a weekly basis and reflects the editorial board’s view on a campus issue.

Opinions Policy The Fordham Ram accepts submissions to fordhamramopinions@gmail. com. Commentaries are printed on a space available basis. The Fordham Ram reserves the right to reject any submission for any reason, without notice. Submissions become the exclusive property of The Fordham Ram. The Fordham Ram reserves the right to edit any submissions. The opinions in The Fordham Ram’s editorials are those of the editorial board; those expressed in articles, letters, commentaries, cartoons or graphics are those of the individual author. No part of The Fordham Ram may be reproduced without written consent.

May 1, 2019

From the Desk | Donald Dugan

The Perils of Polarization In his first inaugural address, President Lincoln pushed for a compromise between Northern and Southern sympathizers that was vital to the preservation of the Union.

His calls for unity and disapproval of violent conflict encouraged conversation between leading representatives on both sides.

Although this address was given in a vastly different era, parallels can be drawn between the polarization in his era and ours.

Appreciating the balance of dialogue that Lincoln’s first inaugural speech strove to encompass is vital in understanding how members of our current society can begin to depolarize from within.

The United States has experienced a steady increase in polarization since the 1980s. Greg Lukianoff, president of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, defines particularly effective polarization as “people who can identify with either two main political parties increasingly hate or fear the other party” in his book, “The Coddling of the American Mind.”

This fact along with an increased understanding of Lincoln’s Inaugural address dialogue, inspired me to observe the way both conversation and compromise is viewed in my per-

sonal life.

I wanted to know how people reacted to conversation. Did they refrain from expressing their full views?

Did the conversation end in anger and regret? Or did they learn something from an opposing view?

Family events are often a breeding ground for political disagreement as close members of a group feel comfortable expressing differing views.

At one of my family’s recent events, a small conversation began across the table between two members which began to intensify as both individuals felt great importance over their opinions. The conversation was interrupted by a third party, who argued that these sorts of disagreements had no place at Easter Brunch.

While this was an understandable request, I disagreed with the philosophy behind it. My uncle and I, a family member who I debate with furiously and often, stepped in. We argued that the conversation should go on.

This request was not rooted in my uncle’s and my contentious attitudes, but in the productive past experience of debating one another. As our constant debates forced us to question our beliefs, they not only helped solidify our opinions but also exposed us to information unfamiliar to us.

Although it had occurred in my personal life, I was curious to see how this issue was being addressed across the country. I then came across an article published in the Washington Post titled “Politicians can’t seem to do it, but these citizens are learning how to find common ground.” The author Colby Itkowitz illustrates the conversation patterns of Americans in a post 2016 country.

One particular American citizen quoted in the article, Donna Murphy expressed the pressure she experienced speaking to people with different political opinions. She said she and others in her life were afraid to talk about politics because they felt it could escalate to a shouting match rather than a productive dialogue.

She claimed that without speaking to people who disagreed with her, there was no possibility that she or whoever she was debating with could move forward on an issue.

As the Washington Post article continues, it begins to highlight an organization named Better Angels.

Aimed at depolarizing the United States’ political landscape, it hosts conferences all across the country where people with opposing political views sit down and have a conversation.

These conversations aren’t aimed

at convincing one group of another’s ideas but are simply aimed at getting both groups to understand the opposition’s views. With an organized start to fixing the polarization that occurs in our society, I believe it will inspire private conversations of the same depth.

Using these ideals as example, I believe that dialogues like these can occur not only in organized settings but in everyday life, about any topic, and with any person.

I use this column to make a call to each person reading this to challenge your prior convictions every day. In a world of distractions, take the time to connect with one another regardless of the emotion you may feel during the process.

Editorial | Spring Weekend

Spring Weekend’s Success, Regardless of Its Celebrity This past Saturday, students gathered on Martyrs’ Lawn for Fordham’s annual Spring Weekend concert put together by Campus Activities Board (CAB). Performers for the event included The Usual, Bryce Vyne and Whethan; notably, Sean Kingston — the show’s intended headliner — was not one of them.

The Ram commends Christopher Rogers, dean of students, for earnestly listening to the testimony of those on campus who respectfully advocated for Kingston’s removal and deciding to pull him from the concert lineup. It was the work and persistence of the United Student Government (USG) and Students Against Sean that led the university to make the right decision.

Kingston’s impending performance at Rose Hill was a point of much contention among the student body for several weeks prior to the event.

The Ram wholeheartedly encourages robust community-oriented dialogue. As the university’s journal of record, we aim to provide a space for this discourse and for the sentiments of all members of our diverse

student body within our pages.

In retrospect, we acknowledge that our Editorial Board should have entered the dialogue earlier and vocalized its support of “Students Against Sean” to further encourage the university to remove the performer before a decision had been made. We chose not to do so, though, in an attempt to preserve the integrity of our news coverage.

We stand by both our news and opinion coverage as valuable additions to the conversation, along with this editorial published after the fact.

In order for a community to thrive, it is crucial that its members have opportunities to express their opinions, to be vocal about causes they believe in and to be critical of institutions they believe are not doing right.

The Ram did not condone CAB’s choice to keep Kingston in its Spring Weekend lineup. We also believe the Office for Student Involvement (OSI) took too long to pull Kingston from it afterward. However, we understand the thoughtful deliberation each group put into its respective decision and acknowledge the

difficulty it must have taken to come to both.

It is clear CAB faces an annual challenge in getting a Spring Weekend performer that students will enjoy and OSI will approve. The group works hard each year to work within this acceptable middle ground. It is understandable that CAB would hesitate to pull its main performer with such a grim likelihood of getting an approvable replacement within the given timeframe.

Nonetheless, the tumultuous events leading up to this year’s concert must be avoided in the future.

Some problems were out of CAB’s control, like Soulja Boy’s unexpected arrest; others, like the problems surrounding Kingston, were preventable.

To safeguard against similar situations in the future, CAB and OSI must maintain a stronger vetting process for potential performers.

OSI should take into account the content of headliner’s past as much as it does the intended content of their performances.

Spring Weekend is a celebration of the closing academic year and a moment for members of the Ford-

ham community to come together under the Jesuit values they honor throughout it.

This year’s Spring Weekend concert was successful as a result of both CAB’s dedicated planning and the Fordham community’s willingness to hold a powerful campus actor accountable to the university’s Jesuit identity.

The Ram believes those who claimed the event was unsuccessful because of the unexpected cancellations, and those who did not attend the concert for the same reasons, have missed the point of the event entirely.

Continue to engage in thoughtful dialogue about the ongoings of campus organizations, what they can do better and how those goals can be achieved going forward.

Be vocal about what you disagree with, but be mindful that your justified critique does not slip into unwarranted censure.

And those who are still disappointed to not have fire burned on the makeshift dance floor that is Martyrs’ Lawn should learn to go forth and set the world on fire instead.

Want your voice heard?

Write in to us at fordhamramopinions@gmail.com

CULTURE

May 1, 2019

Page 13

Former Ram Editor Reflects on Journey in the Bush South Africa, Where the Sun Sets on an Empty Prison

ALL PHOTOS BY JOERGEN OSTENSEN/THE FORDHAM RAM

Former assistant news editor Joergen Ostensen, FCRH ‘21, reflects on the time he has spent in South Africa, where he has taken classes at the University of Pretoria and visited places like Robben Island.

By JOERGEN OSTENSEN STAFF WRITER

The sun was rising above the bush as our vehicle made its way to the lion. This was the same lion whose roars I had heard just beyond the boundaries of camp the night before, under the blazing stars and the reddish glow of the moon.

He sat there now, his mane catching the light. I will probably never forget how beautiful his hazel eyes were as they looked in my direction.

It was truly a moment to imagine a different relationship between humanity and the other creatures of this wonderful planet — a world devoid of greed, hate and exploitation.

Context of the history of South Africa in mind, I am overcome with sadness at how such experiences were and continue to be denied to the native people. I am reminded of Nelson Mandela’s description of seeing elephants and lions for the first time while he was in exile in Tanzania.

Lamenting how the apartheid regime restricted the movements and liberty of black people in South Africa, Mandela wrote that, while in Tanzania, he was exposed to “the Africa of myth and legend for the first time.” While it is no longer illegal for Africans from townships and informal settlements to visit the wild places of their country, it is hard

to imagine them ever being able to make such a journey.

South Africa, 25 years after the end of apartheid, is the most unequal nation in the world, according to The World Bank. The generational poor is segregated into unspeakable places, with little opportunity for social mobility.

I spent a considerable amount of time in one of these places, Plot 175, located in Pretoria North. People live in houses made of sheet metal on unpaved streets littered with trash. One weekend, a man was stabbed to death by a Zimbabwean immigrant, prompting a xenophobic rally in front of the nursery school at which I volunteered. Another informal settlement I visited was segregated, with whites living on one side of the school and blacks on the other.

In the classroom, the attendance sheet defined the students by their race and their country of origin.

One of the black teachers told me that if he were to walk over to the white side, he would likely receive racial taunts.

The legacy of apartheid hangs in the air in these places like the fog that obscured our view of the Atlantic Ocean from the top of Cape Town’s picturesque Table Mountain. South Africa is starkly split, simultaneously a constant cognizance of the country’s brutal history and

the presence of immense natural beauty.

At the University of Pretoria, where I have been taking classes, students struggle with food insecurity, affordable accommodation and passing classes taught in English, which is usually not their first language. There are homeless students who illegally sleep in the university library.

This reality, which is the case at universities around the country, gave rise to the #FeesMustFall movement in 2015. Fees Must Fall caused the cancellation of the 2017 Ubuntu Program because protests sometimes turn violent; in February, a 20-year-old student protester named Mlungisi Madonsela was shot and killed at Durban University of Technology by private security forces using live ammunition on campus.

Despite these realities, my time here has not been dominated by misery. I vividly remember one evening on campus where students came together to celebrate their culture with an event with the theme of Vernac and Expression. Students of all races recited poems, sang love songs, rapped, danced and played instruments. It was wonderful hearing so many of the country’s 11 official languages represented and seeing the happiness on the faces of all those in the crowd. Knowing that

black students would not have been allowed to enroll in the university and the content of their performances would likely have been banned during apartheid, the event was a reminder of how far this nation has come in the last 25 years.

No description of my time in South Africa would be complete without sharing the profound experience of visiting Robben Island.

The activist and poet Dennis Brutus, who spent a year and a half in the island’s prison in the cell adjacent to Mandela, described life there as “a barred existence,” caged in a world of “cement-grey floors and walls/cement gray days/cement-grey time.”

Walking on the island, it was easy to see why Brutus viewed the prison as a total separation from everything colorful, meaningful and beautiful.

However, it was our tour guide, who had been sentenced to 20 years on the island at the age of 18, who helped me to understand just how profound it is to go there. He described the awful experience of being transported by car from the distant Pretoria, hand and foot bound with chains, a metal ball in his mouth to prevent him from speaking. He told us that he did not expect to survive the boat trip. Released in 1991, he spent seven years on the island.

Hearing him tell us about his release demonstrated that a major re-

versal occurred when the prisoners were freed. South Africa and the rest of the world is still filled with injustice. However, this man, who expected to die on Robben Island, gets to teach people like us that what happened to him was wrong. He got to leave at the end of the day. This is a beautiful show of change.

The sun was setting into a yellow haze as the boat transported us back to mainland. Every wave slightly lifted the boat. Every wave reminded me of how far this island is from the rest of the world. Every wave called up how political prisoners were separated from their families, their hopes, their dreams and their lives.

I cannot help but think about my own country. I cannot help but think of the more than 2 million Americans in prisons.

I cannot help but make the connection between incarcerated Americans like Mumia Abu-Jamaal and Leonard Pelletier and South Africans like Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and Ahmad Kathrada, who were eventually freed despite advocating and engaging in a violent struggle against injustice.

I cannot help but think that the Robben Island they knew must be similar to the prison in Guantanamo Bay. I cannot help but think that America has a lesson to learn from South Africa, where the sun sets on an empty prison.

Page 14

SPRING WEEKEND

BOJEUNG LEUNG/THE FORDHAM RAM

BOJEUNG LEUNG/THE FORDHAM RAM

May 1, 2019

COLETTE NOLAN/THE FORDHAM RAM

From left to right: Charli XCX performing at the Tinder Swipe Off Concert; Juice WRLD at the Tinder Swipe Off Concert; Ellie Kemper as the Spring Weekend Speaker.

BOJEUNG LEUNG/THE FORDHAM RAM

JULIA COMERFORD/THE FORDHAM RAM

Over the weekend, students had the opportunity to attend multiple concerts this weekend with Saturday’s Spring Weekend Concert (left) and Friday’s Ramblers spring performance (right).

BOJEUNG LEUNG/THE FORDHAM RAM

Students enjoyed the chance to unwind at the Spring Weekend Concert.

JULIA COMERFORD/THE FORDHAM RAM

The CAB Spring Weekend Carnival featured funnel cake, cotton candy, candy apples and other classic treats.

May 1, 2019

SPRING WEEKEND

Page 15

BOJEUNG LEUNG/THE FORDHAM RAM

Students enjoyed an overcast Spring Weekend Concert on Martyrs’ Lawn with food and dancing to the performances of student band The Usual, as well as Bryce Vine and Whethan.

COURTESY OF THE USUALS

JULIA COMERFORD/THE FORDHAM RAM

JULIA COMERFORD/THE FORDHAM RAM

JULIA COMERFORD/THE FORDHAM RAM

Clockwise from top left: student band The Usuals perform at the Spring Weekend Concert; Campus Movie Fest puts on their annual student film screening; Mikey Day and Alex Moffat perform as the Spring Weekend Comedians; students let loose at RHA’s annual Under the Tent dance.

Page 16

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May 1, 2019

CULTURE

May 1, 2019

Page 17

The Final Slice: An Ode to Hometown Pizza

Welcome to the final edition of “The Slice Shop.”

I am writing this piece with tears in my eyes thinking about the months of great pizza I’ve been able to experience and share.

This column has been dedicated to the slice shops of our neighborhood: the amazing, the not-so-amazing and everything in between.

From walking into the shops for the first time to chatting up the folks behind the counter to taking that first bite, finding new and exciting local spots has been outstanding. I truly believe one of the best ways to understand the culture of a neighborhood is through food, and the slice shops around Fordham are some of the most friendly and unique places out there.

With this column coming to an end, I wanted to make my final piece a little different. Instead of giving another review of a local shop, I wanted to use my last

Slice Shop article to tell you about a special joint. It is near and dear to my heart, located right around where I grew up.

I’m from the great state of Wisconsin, and I grew up right outside of the city of Madison. I spent years working in another city right outside of Madison called Sun Prairie.

My mom also worked there for years while I was growing up and I spent a lot of time there, both by myself and with family and friends.

Not only is Sun Prairie special to me for these connections, but for another reason: they have the best pizza I’ve ever had.

Salvatore’s Tomato Pies is a new-ish place in Sun Prairie, having been around for about eight years now. When the place opened up, it immediately became a big deal.

It began with the crazy idea of using locally-sourced ingredients from Wisconsin farmers and food producers to make great pizza.

And guess what? The pizza was great.

Sal’s makes cool pies that I have not seen anywhere else. They have the classic tomato pie not only but special pies too, like the “Woodsman” with sauteed mushrooms, leek, chive and truffle oil atop a local cheese called Pleasant Ridge Reserve. Another is the “Terrance’s Favorite,” with sausage, peppers, caramelized onion and goat cheese.

My personal favorite is the one and only Figgie Piggie, topped with figs, bacon, blue cheese, arugula and spicy honey. Best pizza ever — I’m telling you.

Sal’s is special to me, of course, for the delicious pizza they create.

But it’s more than that.

I have had countless meals there with friends and family. I have had dates there. I have eaten there with co-workers to relax after work. Sal’s is the type of hometown place that makes you feel good the moment you walk in and is meant to be a place where you share good food with good people.

I think we all have a hometown restaurant, cafe, coffee shop, bar or slice shop that holds a special place in our hearts.

In honor of “The Slice Shop,” never forget the places that make you smile.

COURTESY OF FACEBOOK

Dan Ziebarth reminds everyone never to forget their hometown slices.

“Don Quixote” Thrives in Dysfunction

By MATTHEW DILLON STAFF WRITER

After 25 years of troubled production, Terry Gilliam’s “The Man Who Killed Don Quixote” finally hit theaters. “Don Quixote,” originally a 17th-century

novel by Miguel de Cervantes, has been the subject of countless reinterpretations. Gilliam manages to offer one of the better reimaginings.

The film stars arrogant director Toby (Adam Driver), who remains indignant and unsatisfied

even after finding success. While filming an advertisement in Spain, he returns to the small village where he once shot his “Don Quixote” based student film.

Hoping to rediscover his longlost passion for film, he instead finds that his production had

COURTESY OF FLICKR

Terry Gilliam’s “The Man Who Killed Don Quixote” has finally hit theaters after 25 years of troubled production.

disastrous consequences for the villagers and Javier (Jonathan Pryce), who Toby cast as Don Quixote, never stopped playing the part of the wayward knight.

Like much of Gilliam’s work, “The Man Who Killed Don Quixote” is uneven.

However, when the film comes together, it is wonderful and hilarious.

Pryce’s performance as a man who genuinely believes himself to be Don Quixote is convincing enough that the shoemaker might as well be telling the truth. While Javier is not technically the real thing, the film nonetheless effectively captures the essence of the character.

The character’s tenuous grasp on reality works well with Gilliam’s absurd sense of humor, especially the film’s fourth wall breaks. A few jokes overstep those boundaries a little, but even those are couched by the premise.

Overall, the film does a remarkable job at exploring the novel’s themes about trying to live up to flawed ideals through absurd personas.

While Pryce fully commits to his role as a shoemaker turned “immortal knight,” Driver is the main attraction.

Driver gives a surprisingly nuanced performance as an egotistic, reprehensible director who refuses to take responsibility for his actions.

He finds comedy in the character and even injects some humanity — all without excusing

his behavior. I have yet to see Driver in a bad role, and this may very well be his most memorable one. He takes it so seriously that it adds a whole new level of comedy to “The Man Who Killed Don Quixote.” It is especially evident in moments like when Toby decides to prove his identity by performing an impromptu showtune.

“The Man Who Killed Don Quixote” is one of Gilliam’s less abstract films. It has the non sequiturs that characterize his body of work, but otherwise it follows a fairly standard narrative structure. Unfortunately, that clashes with Gilliam’s style at a few points. The film starts rough, and the jokes do not really land until Toby reunites with Javier.

The writing and actors are at their best when they run loose; the film seems to be aware of that, as certain character arcs and plotlines fall to the wayside throughout. The film is adept at a lot more than just comedy, though, as it contains some powerful messages.

Even Gilliam’s best works have their rough patches, and in some ways that is what makes the experience.

His style of comedy and storytelling is rooted firmly in dysfunction, so it is only appropriate that his movies are not perfectly oiled machines.

“The Man Who Killed Don Quixote” is no exception and, all in all, it is one of Gilliam’s most memorable ones.

CULTURE

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May 1, 2019

Actors Help "Avengers: End Game" to Shine

By GREG MYSOGLAND STAFF WRITER

Eleven years since the release of “Iron Man,” Marvel Studios has completed the first long chapter in the overall story of its sprawling cinematic universe. “Avengers: Endgame,” which provides the epic resolution to the conflict begun in last year’s “Avengers: Infinity War,” lives up to its name. The film concludes some of the franchise’s longest-running storylines and retires some of its longeststanding heroes. It is a profoundly moving film that has to be seen to be believed — a truly unique spectacle in cinematic history that touches on a wide array of emotions.

With half the universe’s population erased from existence by Thanos’ (Josh Brolin) use of the Infinity Stones, only a few of our heroes remain (though enough to still make up a large ensemble), all of them scattered and broken.

The original six Avengers and James Rhodes/War Machine are joined by Rocket Raccoon, Nebula, Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel, and Scott Lang/Ant Man for a desperate attempt to avenge the fallen and undo the calamity.

But one of the things “Endgame” does better than most of its Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) predecessors is generate genuine uncertainty as to the success of its heroes. To describe how or why would risk spoiling some of the film’s many surprises. I can

say, however, that the loss of hope from several characters that the galactic wrongs can be corrected allows the film to address themes of grief and trauma, giving it the emotional charge of a great character drama.

This is thanks in large part to the graceful work done by screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely (who have scripted several of the MCU’s strongest installments) and the all-star cast.

Showcasing this cast before several of its members leave the MCU at the film’s conclusion is obviously one of the main goals of “Endgame,” and arguably its biggest success. Chris Hemsworth (Thor) and Mark Ruffalo (Hulk) continue to show why they are perfect for their roles, the former earning some of the biggest laughs and one or two standout character beats.

However, the dramatic changes made to Thor and Banner may not please all viewers.

Karen Gillan provides another understated, effective turn. Nebula, her character, experiences abuse as Thanos' his adopted daughter which serves as an important reminder of his cruelty.

Thanks to one of the script’s clever surprises, Gillan is able to display the character’s trauma in several distinct manners, which is truly impressive to watch. Jeremy Renner is, for good reason, the most thoroughly broken by Thanos’ genocide.

This allows for an intense and haunting performance that shows

why Renner, who has been underrepresented in past installments, is one of the most versatile performers in the franchise.

But this last outing belongs, rightfully to Robert Downey Jr., Evans, and Scarlet Johannsson, given their fundamental importance to the entire Marvel franchise. There are not enough words to fully express the range of emotions these three figures guide the viewer through.

Evans gets to display rare vulnerability thanks to the universal tragedy, while also delivering some of the film’s most cathartic moments with his trademark charisma. The script recognizes that Natasha is very much the heart of the Avengers, and this allows Johannsson to shine brightly as a hero whose love for her adopted family is so strong that she never loses faith.

And Downey Jr. simply is Tony Stark. The unbreakable link between the actor and his character make his emotions feel genuine on a level few screen performances ever reach.

Tony Stark’s journey in the film has a profound emotional gravity as a result.

Of course, there is plenty going on behind the scenes that needs to be addressed. Directors Joe and Anthony Russo deserve immense praise for all their efforts, especially their ability to create some of boldest, most well-shot blockbuster action sequences ever filmed.

COURTESY OF FACEBOOK

"Avengers: End Game" showcases the talent of its star-studded cast.

Marvel Studios president Kevin Feigealso deserves recognition for guiding the entire massive franchise to this historic moment and beyond. I could go on and on.

But it suffices to say that, while

it features some problematic and likely controversial choices, “Endgame” succeeds spectacularly as both a deeply heartfelt ending and an exciting new beginning.

Students Embrace the Mosh This Spring Weekend FROM CONCERT, PAGE 1

those that wished to keep him on the lineup. Despite the divergent opinions regarding the rapper, there also seemed to be a general consensus that Campus Activities Board (CAB) and the university should have handled the situation better.

United States Government

(USG) expressed support for the removal of Kingston, while CAB wanted to allow him to perform.

Dean of Students, Christopher Rodgers, had the final say, canceling the rapper only three days before the show.

“I just wish that we had never booked Kingston in the first place,” said Christopher Kerrane, FCRH `22. “Or that he had been removed

earlier so we could have added another artist to the concert.”

Despite these disappointments, many students still braved the sub 60-degree weather to watch the remaining two performers, Bryce Vine and Whethan, in addition to the student group and winner of Battle of the Bands, The Usual.

The Usual, a New York al-

COURTESY OF RAM ARCHIVES

Bryce Vine jokes with eager students between songs during Fordham's Annual Spring Weekend Concert.

ternative band, opened for Vine and Whethan. While crowds remained relatively thin at this point in the afternoon, the band seemed to be having a lot of fun and got people’s blood flowing.

Vine performed next. The 30-year-old) is well-known for his singles “Drew Barrymore” and “La La Land.” Sporting a tee-shirt with an image of Tupac smoking marijuana on it, he commanded the audience with a great stage presence.

Students eagerly jumped on each other’s shoulders and crowd surfed (or made unsuccessful attempts to do so) at the artist's request. He also garnered laughs for pointing out students drinking Fireball during the performance.

“That doesn’t seem very godly to me,” Vine said.

Later he commented that the audience “seemed pretty lit for a bunch of sober kids.”

For some, Vine’s humor sparked future interests in the artist.

“I didn’t know a ton of Bryce Vine’s songs going in, but he was honestly so funny,” said Sydney Veazie, FCRH `22. “I want to listen to his music more now.”

Others were big fans prior to Spring Weekend and found him really enjoyable live.

“I listened to Bryce Vine’s music a bunch before he was announced as the performer,” said Camille de Carbonnel, FCRH

`22.” “I thought he was great at the concert.”

While Vine seemed to foster a connection with concert attendees, Whethan, the following performer had a more subdued presence. He stayed by the DJ booth for the entirety of his show and did not talk much with the crowd.

Instead, the 19 year-old opted for a more seamless and continuous performance, transitioning from one EDM song to the next without interruption. He played a few of his better-known tracks such as “Superlove” and “Savage,” but the majority of the set list consisted of remixes of popular songs.

Here, the audience seemed to take a dichotomous approach.

Some attendees bobbed their heads half-heartedly and tried to stay grounded among their rowdy peers.

The students that had the most fun, however, were those that embraced the mosh pits. Instead of complaining about getting pushed, they pushed back.

“I think you just had to dance in order to have a good time,” said Ashley Blasi, FCRH `22. “I love moshing, so I just hopped right in.”

Perhaps the best concert summary comes from Derik Boghosian, FCRH `22.

“I mean it was no Sean Kingston or T Pain, but it was fun.”

CULTURE

May 1, 2019

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From Medium to Vogue: A Teary Goodbye

By ISIAH MAGSINO STAFF WRITER

It was the fall semester of my junior year when I found myself sitting across from Professor Beth Knobel PhD in her expansive office tucked in Faculty Memorial Hall. At the time, Dr. Knobel held the esteemed title of Chair of the Communications Department and I, having no idea what I was doing, was intimidated.

Dr. Knobel is no stranger on this campus. She knows everybody — better yet, everybody knows her. In a frantic e-mail regarding my missing official class credit (nothing to worry about, I’m graduating on time) with one of the athletic advisors, I informed him that I was taking on an independent study with the queen.

His response was: “you couldn’t be in better hands.”

What’s the point of this introduction? The point is that it was that day, when naive me somehow stumbled into her office by chance, that ultimately launched my career that I am now so passionate about.

I’m stubborn, not easily swayed and very, very opinionated (refer to my past columns). Going into university back in 2015, I remember telling people that studying and pursuing journalism would never be on my radar. But somehow with her magic and way with words, Dr. Knobel pushed me into doing just that — something that I will be forever thankful for.

Life in journalism began on Medium a platform designed specifically for people to write anything from op-eds to reported pieces and editorials. For my very first journalism class, I covered CLOT’s fashion show during NYFW. After I went to the event and wrote my piece on it, I confidently posted it on Medium

only to receive feedback from my professor saying, “too much opinion.” Turned out, objective reporting was nowhere to be found in my initial stages of writing. Who knew people read things that do not have a stance on something?

Fast forward to two years after the series of tragic posts on Medium, I now have my own contributor page on Vogue.com. Now, to make sure my final column for The Fordham Ram doesn’t consist of me boasting about myself, I’m going to continue on by arguing why journalism was the best thing to happen to me.

"There’s no money in it,” I used to say and still continue to hear all the time from older people in the industry. If that’s the case, then so be it — at least for while I’m young. Of course I’d like to make a lot of money; I love Valentino! But the events, people I’ve met and memories I’ve made in the industry thus far eclipse the shortened stipend.

Last Sunday, Vogue sent me to cover the debut of "Dreamland," starring Margot Robbie, at the TriBeca Film festival. I was sitting in my town car on the way to the red carpet wearing a silk Marni shirt when it hit me: what other industry would allow me to experience something so glamorous as a college student? What other industry would allow me to do the things I’m doing now and live out the fantasy I have always dreamed of?

Because of journalism, I met one of my favorite designers, Prabal Gurung. Known for his efforts to close the gap between the East and the West, I learned that Gurung is as kind as he is talented.

Shortly after, I went to the Studio Museum in Harlem’s annual luncheon at the Mandarin Oriental where both Alicia Keys and Teen

Vogue’s editor-in-chief made an appearance.

I’ve been to five fashion months, rubbing arms with some of the industry’s biggest names. The list goes on.

Although I am now realizing that I did just actually boast about myself, I hope the experiences that I have shared ultimately motivate aspiring journalists to pursue what they’re most passionate about.

I will not lie and say it’s all glitz and glamour: it’s not. Fashion journalism is especially hard with the hits that many magazines are taking and, yes, a lot of your work will be for free (it shouldn’t be, but I’ve had four fashion internships that were all unpaid).

It took me nearly a year of interning at Vogue to finally start reporting for them, but again, the experiences I’ve gained as a young adult are truly unmatched.

Maybe I’ll change my mind in the future or maybe I won’t, but until then, I’ll enjoy the glamorous events, endless champagne and sparkly clothes.

Overall, this rollercoaster ride of journalism is unique in itself, and I’m thankful I’ve never pursued something that requires me to sit at a cubicle all day. Journalism allows you to get out there, feel and experience.

You get to understand the world around you and help people get their voices heard. Cliché, but there aren’t many things more rewarding than that.

I remember coming across a piece published by National Geographic that documented the lives of marine animals living in plastic. Sifting through the piece filled with dolphins trapped in nets and fish weaving in an out of plastic bottles, I felt an intense feeling of guilt and revelation. It is moments like these when you realize how important journalism is; you

have the ability to call attention to an ongoing issue.

Shifting from my preaching, I’ve decided to share some advice that I’ve received from various mentors: 1) Be bold: interview the people you want to speak with and never be afraid of their status.

2) Speak with your friends. Oftentimes, normal conversations bring up controversial topics and news.

3) To learn journalism, you have to do journalism.

To end my final column at The Fordham Ram, I want to ensure that

the staff understands that they have played a major role in why I am so passionate about journalism. To have a prestigious organization publish my fashion rants about Vineyard Vines and other fashion faux-pas around campus goes to show how amazing they truly are.

In closing my fashion column, always remember: first impressions consist of the first thing that comes out of your mouth and what you wear. So stay chic and remember to always put effort in how you decide to present yourself for the day.

Until next time, Isiah S. Magsino.

COURTESY OF FACEBOOK

Isiah Magsino reflects on his love for journalism in his last article for The Ram.

Who's That Kid? | It's Sabrina Boyd FCRH '21!

Sophomore Finds Her Purpose Through WFUV

By VANESSA DeJESUS COPY CHIEF

Sabrina Boyd, FCRH ’21, came to Fordham lacking direction but not ambition.

When she first came to Fordham, she wasn't sure what her intentions were. However, she arrrived hopeful that the comprehensive liberal arts education would help her determine what paths she was meant to take.

“I really wanted to take advantage of being in New York City," she said. "I am a theatre kid and a musician at heart, so the proximity to Broadway and the varying music scenes was probably what ultimately drew me to Fordham during the college decision process.”

Attracted to the history of New York, she moved across the country from Orange County, California by herself, which she said was a big deal.

“I moved around a lot growing up, but we had been living in California for the past six years,” she said. “Sure, we have Hollywood out in California, but I’ve always

been much more attracted to the stage than the screen. I think having the opportunity to expose myself to the Mecca of live theatre and a central music hub was too much to pass up.”

A double major in history and communications and minor in music, Boyd said Fordham has helped her focus her passions into something as fulfilling as it is academic.

COURTESY OF SABRINA BOYD/ FOR THE FORDHAM RAM

Sabrina Boyd, FCRH `21, thanks Fordham for letting her explore her passions.

“I feel like my focus has shifted to a more academic route since I originally arrived, but I think I could do a better job at incorporating my creative interests into my daily life, and that is definitely a goal I’ve set for next year because I really don’t want to give up on those passions even though they aren’t necessarily my majors,” Boyd said.

She described her experience at Fordham so far as positive.

“This is going to sound ridiculously cheesy, but I have really learned a lot about who I am as a person by attending this school,” she said.

She praised the core requirements for helping her explore and hone her interests.

“I’d say so far my experience at Fordham has allowed me to reevaluate where I am and prioritize what’s important to me academically, career-wise and life-wise,” Boyd said.

She said she is passionate about many things and grateful that Fordham allows her to pursue those things.

“My biggest fear was having to

give up on some of my passions when coming to college, and so far I am relieved to say that hasn’t really been the case,” she said.

She joined WFUV this year and credited it for bringing so many great memories to her Fordham career.

“I am most involved in WFUV, where I’m working in the sports and news departments,” Boyd said. “The experiences I’ve had and the skills I’ve gained through radio work have been so integral to my sophomore year."

Boyd believes that working at WFUV is her most memorable experience this year. She said it has offered many opportunities and has the potiental to offer many more.

As her time at Fordham is nearing the halfway mark, she said she looks forward and is contemplating what her Ram legacy will be.

“I’d like to be remembered as intelligent, kind, creative, passionate, honest and hard-working in everything that I do…someone who is unique and has the potential to make a difference in people’s lives,” Boyd said.

CULTURE

Page 20

May 1, 2019

Keeping the Mental Health Dialogue Going

The semester is drawing to a close. At this point, I want to reflect on the need to continue the dialogue about mental health by turning the spotlight on the Fordham University community itself. I posed a simple question to my fellow students: why is it important to have an open dialogue about mental health in college?

Samantha Wu, FCRH ’22, said the transition from high school to college often marks the first time that many young adults are independent or away from their homes and families. “It’s a huge part of the transition to college

and for overall health.” This point is incredibly important, as newfound independence often comes with loneliness, especially when trying to establish the first friendships in a sea of strangers. Residential college students are constantly surrounded by their peers and often develop an increased sense of self-consciousness and vulnerability.

“People struggle to find control and deal with their stress, leading to unhealthy coping mechanisms that harm the brain and the body,” said Margaret Whalen, FCRH ’21.

During college, especially if you live on campus, there is high

exposure to and pressure towards partaking in drugs and alcohol.

In addition, the social environment often leads to unhealthy relationships and risky sexual behavior, as the “hook-up” culture is prominent on many campuses.

Academic stress also hurts mental health. All of these factors can also contribute to sleep deprivation, which is “likely significantly associated with mental health problems in other domains,” according to Psychology Today.

Fostering an open dialogue about mental health helps to mitigate the negative impacts of these behaviors and help people reevaluate their motivations for taking part in them. “Open dialogues will encourage people to manage stress in healthy ways that also ensure academic success and a positive university environment,” said Whelan.

Mental health issues are incredibly common among college students. One survey by the Association for University and College Counseling Center directors found that anxiety is the top pre-

senting concern among college students (41.6%), followed by depression (36.4%) and relationship problems (35.8%). Students must know that there is no shame in talking about mental or emotional struggles. This can only help.

Isabelle Kilbride, FCRH ’22, said she feels all mental health issues deserve attention. “Whether it ranges from slight stress or major depression, everyone is affected and there needs to be a safe place to speak and feel as though you have support,” said Kilbride.

Receiving help, in any form, can lessen the future severity of the problems. Ignoring them will only make things worse, as we often blame ourselves for problems and neglect forgiving ourselves for simply being human.

As Nicholas Zaromatidis, GSB ’21, wrote in an email, an open dialogue is needed.

“Because what’s the alternative? Keeping your emotions bottled away?” he said.

Doing so almost always aggravates the condition. By gaining

support and learning that they are not alone, students can adopt coping mechanisms for the stress that college puts on them.

My work on this mental health column this semester has taught me so much about the need for an open discussion in order to best work to improve the mental health of college students.

Seeing how many people are affected by mental health issues further proves this need. Mental health should be treated the same as physical health. If you break your leg and do not tell anyone, it will never get better. Mental health is no different. There need not be any shame towards admitting vulnerability.

If you are struggling with mental health issues, do not hesitate to contact the following resources: Fordham University Counseling and Psychological Services (RH): 718-817-3725 Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 Crisis Textline: text START to 741-741

The Ram Crossword: No Beats, Just Books Seniors Jack, Gabby and Claire are all rapidly approaching their (Vitamin C song , 10 letters).

We want to thank you for your participation in the crossword and implore any readers to give

crossword-making a shot and fill this half page in the fall. It’s easier than you think (or we’re worse than we think). P.S. — look out for a special crossword in the Commencment Issue.

Across

31. Purple or white root plant 34. Oprah’s TV channel 35. Slippery “Mario Kart” powerup 37. Donkey, in Egypt 38. Where you should be for the next two weeks, colloquially 41. Direction from London to 66-Across (abbv.)

42. Pull-out bed storage 44. Nickname introducer 45. Wedding and graduation speeches 47. Shared information 49. Basic practices, with “outs” 50. Fab opposite 51. Weather forecasters 54. Maiden name introducer 55. Section of 38-Across for checking out 60. Ashes’ homes

1. “Mario Kart” mode that drifts for you 5. Resident of 67-Across 9. Farm measurement 13. Exhausted 15. Down to the _____ 16. Show, in old Britain 17. Daisy, but make it purple 18. The largest continent 19. “The Treachery of Images” subject 20. Section of 38-Across for the NYT and the WSJ 23. NYC Bar advice-giving grp.

24. Natural Los Angeles tourist destination 25. Gary, to Selina Meyer 27. Sounds of realization 28. Enlarged thyroids

ANSWERS ON ANOTHER PAGE

62. Option on Howie Mandel’s game show 63. Categories of music 64. Art follower 65. Lack of difficulty 66. County in England, New Jersey and New York 67. Noteworthy garden 68. “A” in “BA” 69. SMS message Down

ANSWERS TO ISSUE 10

1. Do it now, or __ 2. A 12 beating a 5, say 3. Greek prefix meaning four 4. Alternate golf driver 5. Expect

6. Flying or herniated 7. Operatic solo 8. Breakfast or lunch 9. Nile snake 10. Section of 38-Across for storytime 11. Job of a congressperson 12. Female sheep 14. _____ level (in the food chain) 21. Storefront window decor 22. Fri., Sun. neighbor 26. Student’s plan for ADHD, say 28. Spoil 29. Hedwig or Errol, for example 30. Sign shortly 31. Graders and lab techs 32. “6, 1, 3,” say

33. Section of 38-Across for searching and citing 36. “___ Miserables” 39. Hawaiian instrument, for short 40. Slavery 43. Preceder of carte or mode 46. For assessment 48. Jackson 5 hit 51. Regulations 52. Repeat partner 53. Long-tailed shrews 54. Au natural 56. Inkling 57. Back 58. Group of actors 59. “Thank U, ____” 61. Joffrey, to Cersei

CULTURE

May 1, 2019

Page 21

Editor's Pick | Photography

iPhones Work Hard But Photographers Work Harder

By JULIA COMERFORD PHOTO EDITOR

The first photograph was made in 1816 by Nicéphore Niépce using a camera obscura and a process that took several days.

Today, you do not have to be a chemist and skilled inventor to take thousands of photographs in that same period of time and in much better quality (with your iPhone XR).

As the Photo Editor of The Ram for its past three volumes, I want everyone to know the importance and impact photography has on society. Photography, its process, meaning and the moments it captures have evolved along with society without always being noticed.

I used the word “make” to describe photographs created in the beginning stages of photography and “take” to describe photographs created in the present day.

In the 1800s and the years before iPhones, photographs were made by hand.

Photographers manually put film in a camera and developed it in a dark room. They would then dry the film and proceed to make prints using a separate developing process.

Photographers and photojournalists everywhere would use massive enlarger machines, light exposure, chemicals and many hours in a low-lit dark room just to make a few photographs.

I know the struggle of this process because I have done it myself. The many grueling hours spent in a dark room manually making a photograph by trial and error are worth it for the result of a beautiful handmade photograph.

Because of this long process of making a photograph, photographers before iPhones clicked their camera buttons with caution. They did not take many photographs in order to conserve film and time.

Each photograph was thought out carefully and was perfectly made to capture a precise moment in time that was rich in meaning. This is what made these photographs so meaningful.

Flash forward to the iPhone years: the manual photography process is extinct, and you do not have to have one piece of knowledge about photography and its process to make a photograph.

Everyone and anyone can be a “photographer” because all you need is an iPhone. You will not find people spending several

minutes formulating how they will take a great photograph because they only have one or two more shots to do it.

When your mom is taking a photograph of you heading to your senior prom, she is most certainly not just taking one photograph. She will take hundreds, if not thousands, of the same photograph with not even a click but a tap of a virtual button with ease.

She will most likely not make a physical print of the photograph and simply post it on Facebook amongst millions of photographs that float around lost in the Internet.

Does the ease of being able to make hundreds of photographs today with such thoughtless effort cause the meaning and substance of photographs to be lost?

What does all of this mean for the future of photographs?

The answer to this is up to us: the present society. The next time you take a photograph, pretend you are Nicéphore Niépce for a moment.

Pause and think about the moment you are about to capture and what it means to you. Take the time to make a physical print of that moment because it will be something that you will have forever and its meaning will never be lost.

COURTESY OFFLICKR

iPhones have changed the nature of photography, yet the manual process of making prints still has its merits.

Student Comedians Garners Laughs at Spring Weekend

By RACHEL GOW CULTURE EDITOR

Erin Kiernan, FCRH `19 wore thong underpants backwards for three years, a story she told a packed Fordham Prep theater on Sunday night to roars of laughter and applause. Kiernan won the campus stand-up competition, granting her a spot in the starstudded comedy line up.

She, as well as Andy Vega, FCRH `21, opened up for Alex Moffat and Mikey Day, two “Saturday Night Live” comedians best known for their bits as Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., respectively. , Vega kicked off the comedy event with a short stand-up rou-

tine. He poked fun at himself, especially his efforts to hide his sexuality in high school, comparing the act to playing a video game.

“Sometimes I liked to play on difficult,” he joked, “I did theatre and went to prom with a group of friends.”

Andy’s confident stage presence and relatable content made him instantly likeable among the audience.

He was followed by Kiernan, who told a number of anecdotes along with her thong story —apparently her grandmother thought pickles had a thousand calories and subsequently stopped eating them. Kieran joked the same way she would with a group of friends.

This ease and nonchalant nature added a special quality to her

performance and made it my personal favorite of the night.

The student performers were then followed by the professionals who had much longer routines.

Day performed first, beginning with some well received Fordham humor.

One bit hit especially close to home as Day parodied the differences between The Ram and the paper, Fordham’s two main student publications. He then parlayed into sure to please parentsbeing-bad-at-technology humor.

However, because of his unique means of parental manipulation (he told his dad he had been signed up for an automated hat service that would send hat emojis each day), it strayed from the typical clichés and landed better

than expected.

Day finished with some anecdotes about embarrassing adolescent attempts at talking to girls, asking a Fordham student to play his seventh-grade love interest.

Moffat followed, beginning his routine with his German alter ego.

While the accent was a hit, some of the jokes failed to land, something Moffat acknowledged after.

“I love performing to a room of 600 angry and confused students,” he said. “To those nine that enjoyed it, thank you.”

He then started a series of short comedy bits, making fun of Fordham’s Ram Van service, messing up lines from famous movies, interacting with audience members and playing “Piano Man” by Billy Joel on the piano.

Moffat’s humor tended towards the more crude side and he continually teased that Fordham may not pay him. Moffat’s ability to adapt his jokes in response to the audience exemplified his professionalism; it was evident he had performed many times and was comfortable on stage.

Both SNL comedians poked subtle fun at Fordham and its students for religious affiliation, wondering how inappropriate they were allowed to be or how godly a service called the Ram Van could be.

This was similar to comments made by Bryce Vine during the Spring Weekend concert as he pointed out students drinking in the crowd. For all performers, the jokes landed well.

COURTESY OF RAM ARCHIVES ANSWERS TO ISSUE 11 CROSSWORD

Saturday Night Live's Mikey Day performed for Fordham Students on Sunday night along with Alex Moffat

Page 22

ADVERTISEMENTS

May 1, 2019

SPORTS

May 1, 2019

Men’s Tennis Falls in Second Round of A-10 Championship

By DYLAN BALSAMO

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

Page 23

Beyond the Scoreboard: An Unwritten Rule is Holding Back Baseball

By ANDREW POSADAS

Fordham Men’s Tennis has been a good, if not very good team, all season. They have a strong team core with a load of underclassmen to keep the program going strong.

However, in the grand scheme of things, they have had one enormous Achilles heel all year: keeping their momentum going.

This weekend, the squad was in Florida for the Atlantic 10 Championship. This was the postseason, where there is no room for error in terms of a team staying on their game.

First came a Thursday matchup with Saint Louis, a meeting that was a pretty good overall telling of most of Fordham’s season: dominant. First, junior Finn Kemper and sophomore Max Green won 6-2 over Saint Louis’ Oscar Pachon and Ignacio Tintore. Then sophomores Alex Makatsaria and Lutwin de Macar earned a 6-2 victory against opponents John Paul McKenzie and Pavel Badaiants, securing the doubles point for the Rams.

Saint Louis did not stand much of a chance in singles either, as the Rams made quick work of them.

De Macar defeated Badaiants 6-4, 6-0, while Makatsaria made quick work of Tintore 6-1, 6-1, and freshman Jofre Segarra took down McKenzie 6-2, 6-2. With those wins, Fordham had secured their fourth point, meaning Kemper, Green and junior Fabian Hansch Mauritzson’s matches did not need to be finished. Fordham shutout Saint Louis 4-0.

With the win, Fordham came into their Friday matchup feeling auspicious, and for good reason.

However, the next day saw the

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

The Rams suffered a second round loss in the Atlantic 10 Championship.

other side of the 2018-19 Rams: a team that knew how to win but really struggled stringing wins together. The opponent was Richmond, and the outcome was not as great as the day before.

Fordham dropping the doubles point barely ever happens, but Richmond had their number on Friday. Kemper and Green won their bout against George Lovitt and John Walsh 6-4, but Makatsaria and de Macar’s loss to Campbell Erwin and Klein Evans 7-5 and Mauritzon and Allen Thornes’ loss to Matthew Fernandez and Joshua Keitelman 6-3 put Fordham down early, a place they were not incredibly familiar with finding success from.

Singles saw a similar fate for the Rams. Kemper lost to Walsh 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, Makatsaria was defeated

by Erwin 6-4, 6-4 and Segarra dropped his match with Joseph Nardini 6-2, 2-6, 6-2. Maurtizson had defeated Fernandez 7(7)6(4), 6-2, but it was too late.

Green and de Macar’s matches were unfinished.

With a final of 4-1, Richmond had defeated Fordham, eliminating the Rams from the tournament and effectively ending their season.

After the matter, Kemper made it clear that the team looks at the weekend in a positive light and a sign of talent that can be built upon.

“Overall, the tournament has been a great success,” he said.

“Advancing to the second round for the first time in years is amazing. Obviously, it is always tough to lose, especially when a game is that close, but Richmond was a great team. I am confident that we will come back stronger next year and go even further in the tournament.”

Come time for the fall, Fordham will return to the court and will be aiming to build upon the foundation the program has built from this season.

Women’s Tennis Makes a Championship Run to End the Season

By GIGI SPEER STAFF WRITER

Last Wednesday and Thursday, Fordham Women’s Tennis competed in the Atlantic 10 championship tournament at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Fl. where it faced some tough competition. The Rams were seeded seventh in the tournament and opened up play with a 4-0 sweeping win against the tenth-seeded George Mason University.

Last year, the eighth-seeded squad matched up against the ninth-seeded Saint Louis, earning an easy 4-1 victory as senior Tatiana Grigoryan and her graduated doubles partner won the third spot, and junior Maia Balce and senior Gianna Insogna earned a second doubles victory.

Balce and Insogna, along with senior Whitney Weisberg, continued their success in singles, as Fordham took the third, fourth and sixth singles points, respectively. The Rams could not keep their momentum, losing to the eventual winner, Virginia Commonwealth University, in the second round.

The team first took the doubles point, as freshmen Nicole Li and

Genevieve Quenville won 6-0 at third doubles and first doubles squad. Sophomore Arina Taluyeno rounded out doubles success with their 6-2 victory.

Taluyenko continued to dominate, winning first 6-1, 6-2, as junior Maia Balce won 6-1, 6-3 at second doubles and Alexis Zobeideh finished the day off with her 6-1, 6-1 sixth singles sweep.

The next day, the Rams faced George Washington University, who they had lost to 2-5 in the regular season. Unfortunately for the Rams, they could not manage to get past the dominant Colonials, who would eventually go on

to lose on Friday to the eventual runner-up Richmond.

Despite Li and Quenville’s 6-0 third doubles victory, the team could not come together to win the doubles point or any of the three singles matches.

With this loss to GW, the Rams overall win percentage evened out at .500, improving from their 9-10 record from last season, and it includes many individual player highlights from the season. From freshmen stepping up throughout the season to consistency from the experienced upperclassmen, the 2018-2019 season is something to be very proud of.

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

Fordham Womens Tennis ends its season with an overall record of 11-11.

Don’t admire your Home Run. Act like you’ve been there before.

Tell me something, Major League Baseball: where is the fun in that?

The term “unwritten rules” is synonymous in just about every sport. Besides the official rules mandated by each sport’s respective league, there are always specific rules known by all players but spoken by none of them.

Yet, in the sport of baseball, these unwritten rules are clearly more enforced throughout a game than in any other sport. To be clear: I do not disagree with all of them. For example, when a pitcher is in the midst of throwing a no-hitter, I will concede to the unwritten rule that no player or coach in the dugout should talk about said no-hitter in progress.

Unfortunately, I believe one rule in particular is becoming DETRIMENTAL to the continuing growth of Baseball. This unwritten rule only applies to the hitter and does everything to protect the pitcher’s ego. Upon hitting a home run, the batter is expected not to marvel at their own success.

Instead, the hitter is supposed to jog around each base and touch home plate as if nothing ever occurred at all. Why should they wait until they get back into the dugout to celebrate the most exciting play in baseball?

Enter Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson. Anderson entered the national spotlight back on Apr. 17 against the Kansas City Royals. In the fourth inning, Anderson blasted a two-run home run to give the White Sox the lead.

Now, according to those unwritten rules, Anderson is required to “act like he’s been there before” in the subsequent seconds after hitting that home run, right?

Well, not exactly. Anderson would first look over to his team’s dugout before tossing his bat and screaming in jubilation before rounding the bases. Unfortunately, Kansas City did not enjoy his home run celebration as much as he did.

In Anderson’s next at-bat two innings later, Royals pitcher Brad Keller hit him in the back with a fastball going 92 miles per hour.

Anderson and Keller then proceeded to exchange words until both benches cleared.

As a result, Major League Baseball rightfully suspended Keller for five games. Anderson would be suspended one game for calling Keller a racial slur during their altercation. Anderson was un-

apologetic in defending his home run celebration and reacting to being hit by a pitch.

“I’m going to continue to be me, continue to play the game hard and how I know how to play it,” Anderson told media members postgame.

What perplexes me the most in this situation are the mixed signals being sent by the MLB. In response to Anderson’s quotes, the official Twitter of the MLB posted pictures of his quotes with the caption, “Keep doing your thing, Tim Anderson. #LetTheKidsPlay.”

If Commissioner Rob Manfred and other baseball officials really believe in their slogan to let the kids play and have fun, why hasn’t there been more of a discussion concerning retaliation for a home run celebration? How can the kids have fun when their favorite players on the professional level are getting thrown at just because they showed a little personality in helping their team win?

Imagine if the NBA had an unwritten rule which prevented Golden State Warriors Superstar Steph Curry from basking in the glory of hitting a three-pointer from 30 feet. And if he did do so, the opposing team was allowed, through unspoken rules, the opportunity to flagrantly foul him the next time he had the ball on offense.

Or how about if Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi were not allowed to admire their work after a free-kick goal from 25 yards out because they didn’t want the opposition to give them a hard slide-tackle in response? It would all but render sports to be nothing more than banal and vapid.

The reason why basketball, soccer and football are thriving globally is because they do a better job of promoting what baseball lacks: athletes with larger-than-life personalities.

The MLB’s best player, Anaheim Angels Outfielder Mike Trout, is also baseball’s most popular athlete. Yet last year, according to a firm which measures consumer appeal of personalities called Q Scores, Trout was found to be as popular as the NBA’s Kenneth Faried, a current bench player for the Houston Rockets.

Faried is obviously no star, but this speaks volumes to how far behind baseball is lagging.

Take some advice from someone in the current demographic from which you seek more viewership, Rob Manfred= tell your pitchers to stop being so soft and let your hitters inject something other than steroids into your game: individuality.

COURTESY OF FLICKR

White Sox Shortstop Tim Anderson is bringing individualism into the MLB.

SPORTS

Page 24

Track Enjoys Success in Tune-Up for A-10s

By ANDREW POSADAS ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

For Fordham Track and Field, along with the rest of its conference constituents, all roads lead to Amherst, Mass. this weekend for the much-anticipated Atlantic 10 Championship. But before the Rams hone in on a potential conference championship, there were two meets over the weekend that required the team’s immediate attention.

First on the agenda: the Penn Relays, a prestigious meet that has been around for well over a century in Philadelphia. On day one of the relays, the Rams decided to add some history of their own at the University of Pennsylvania.

The day would belong to the distance medley relay team comprised of senior distance runner Laurel Fisher, sophomore sprinter Sarinnagh Budris, senior middistance runner Aidan Moroz and junior distance runner Katarzyna Krzyzanowski. She held off Yale University’s final runner in the last leg of the race to capture first place in the college division event.

Their time of 11:34.28 shatters the previous Fordham school record set back in 2009 by nearly 25 seconds. More importantly, beating the likes of Yale and the University of South Carolina solidifies that the Rams are a legit program.

Fordham would add three more top-10 finishes on the second day of relays. Senior sprinter Mary Kate Kenny, sophomore sprinter Kathryn Kelly, freshman sprinter Dominique Valentine and freshman mid-distance runner Helen Connolly competed in the sprint medley relay. They finished their relay in 4:07.66, good enough to take seventh place in the event.

On the men’s side, the distance medley team just missed out on matching the women’s team with event titles. Junior distance runner Sean Sullivan, graduate student runner Louis Santelli, sophomore mid-distance runner

Christopher Strzelinski and graduate student runner Brian Cook finished in 9:51.05, a season-best for the team. They finished just seconds behind the University of Tennessee and the University of Pittsburgh to take home third place.

The Rams final top-10 finish of the day came in the sprint medley relay. The group of senior sprinter Jared Benn, sophomore sprinter Antony Misko, freshman sprinter Chase Krug and freshman mid-distance runner finished in 3:35.68 to claim ninth place.

Fordham competed in both the women’s and men’s 4x800 relays on the final day, securing two more top-10 finishes to culminate a stellar weekend in the city of brotherly love. Specifically in the women’s 4x800 relay, the team of Moroz, Fisher, senior mid-distance runner Kate McCormack and sophomore sprinter Dana Beggins earned a fourth place finish. They were also able to qualify for the Eastern College Athletic Conference Championship in the process with their time of 9:11.71.

On Sunday, select members of the Rams finished off the weekend by participating in the 2019 Peacocks and Brick City Classic in New Jersey. Notable finishes include freshman mid-distance runners Jillian Jones and Angelica Piccini finishing second and third, respectively, in the women’s 800 meter run. In the men’s 800 meter run, junior mid-distance runner Jordan Milite had a solid showing, grabbing a top-five finish in his event with a time of 2:01.94.

Now, head coach Tom Dewey and the Rams set their sights on the Atlantic 10 Championship this week, which will be hosted by the University of Massachusetts from May 4-5.

Also, a special shoutout goes to coach Dewey for being introduced into the Fordham Athletics Hall of Fame this past Saturday at the second Fordham Athletics Gala. Congratulations, Coach!

May 1, 2019

Golf Finishes in Last at Season-Ending Atlantic 10 Tournament

By JIMMY SULLIVAN SPORTS EDITOR

Fordham Golf showed some signs of improvement throughout the spring season, and this was exemplified by a fifth-place finish at the Rhode Island Invitational two weeks ago.

However, at the Atlantic 10 Championships this past weekend, the team struggled to perform up to par and finished last among 11 teams at the Grand Cypress Golf Club in Orlando, Fla. In fact, in addition to finishing at the bottom of the tournament, Fordham finished 39 strokes back of La Salle University, the 10th-place finishers. Even worse, the Rams put together just four rounds under 80 at the tournament; for reference, the tournament winners, Virginia Commonwealth University, did not post an individual round above 78.

The Rams got off on the wrong foot on Friday by posting a combined score of 332, 44 strokes over par. The only player below 80, and the only player to consistently perform for the Rams all weekend, was junior Tomas Nieves, who started the tournament with a 78. Aside from him, freshman Billy Harrison posted a 12-over 84, and seniors Tommy Hayes and Josh Madarang each shot an 85.

Things got significantly better on Saturday, and the positive news was not just limited to the on-course play. Head coach Paul Dillon, who just completed his 23rd season at the helm of Fordham Golf, was inducted into the Fordham Athletics Hall of Fame.

Dillon could not be at 583 Park Avenue to accept the honor, so his sons, Paul, Jr., Matt and Kevin–who is best known for playing Johnny Drama on HBO’s “Entourage” — accepted the award on his behalf.

With the head coach staying with his team in Florida, the Rams bounced back slightly. Nieves shot a 77 and Madarang rebounded impressively with a three-over 75, but Harrison and Hayes shot 80 and 85, respectively. On Sunday,

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

Tomas Nieves was a bright spot in an otherwise gloomy weekend for Fordham Golf.

Nieves continued his strong play, but the rest of the Rams could not keep up.

While the junior was one stroke away from even par at 73, no one else was able to stay below 80.

Madarang shot 80 on the nose, Harrison had his worst round of the week with an 85 and Hayes did not do much better with an 82. While Fordham shot better on the final two days of the weekend than it did on the first, the Rams were still statistically the worst team on the course every day of the tournament. This was not the consistency Fordham was looking for. Also competing individually

for Fordham was sophomore Anthony Wells, and his three rounds of 92-80-84 did not count against Fordham’s tally in the tournament.

Nieves’ 12-over 228 was good for a tie for 29th on the individual leaderboard over the three days.

This offseason will be an interesting one for Hall of Famer Paul Dillon and his Rams. Hayes and Madarang are gone, but the rest of the team will likely return. Fordham will look to rally with better play and better performances in the 2019-20 season, and the Rams will look to put this season behind them as soon as possible.

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SPORTS

May 1, 2019

Page 25

Student-Athlete Column: Finally Home

By MARIA TRIVELPIECE STAFF WRITER

Well, I have great news. The traveling has subsided and our Fordham Softball team has been hosting home games at the wonderful Bahoshy Field in the Bronx.

There is more time to complete assignments, walk around campus and occasionally sleep. But, the end of the season is approaching, and it is crunch time.

Finals are creeping up on all of the students at Fordham University. We will be trying to keep our focus on the books even though the weather is warmer and the sun shining invites us to come bathe in its rays. The Atlantic-10 Tournament will be here before we even realize. This means that the concentration has to increase, the productivity needs to reach a new high, and school needs to be taken care of.

But this is the best time of the year. It is what you wait for as a student-athlete. You prepare all year for these few games in May.

Every run and every lift are to condition us to persevere through the long season. Every extra rep, extra swing taken and situationpreparation are all for this time.

You practice being under pressure, thriving in the clutch and containing the nerves so that when the time comes and you are called to make that big play or get that monumental hit, you are ready.

Your coaches have given you all they can and your trainers have made you better and healthier.

Now it is time to lay it all on the line. This weekend I will play my last home series on Bahoshy Field.

I did not think this time would come so soon, though when does anyone ever think something so amazing could come to an end?

But it will, and I won’t be ready for it. Yet I will forever be grateful for the opportunities my sport has given me. From May 8 to May 11, we will look to defend our Atlantic 10 title in the tournament. It is an exciting time, and I hope that you will follow us on our journey.

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

After a record-long road trip to start the season, Fordham Softball is happily home.

By DYLAN BALSAMO

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

The last few seasons have not been kind to the New York Football Giants, and nobody has let the team know that more than its loud, if nothing but loyal, fanbase.

The question of how long New York can last with now 38-year-old Eli Manning as the starting quarterback has been percolating for a couple of years, but in terms of its coverage, it has felt like much longer.

The NFC East has had no shortage of quarterback talent in recent seasons. The Eagles have had two deep Playoff runs and a Super Bowl victory, thanks to two talents in Carson Wentz and Nick Foles, and Dak Prescott proved to be effective for the Cowboys, he sent Tony Romo straight to the CBS broadcast booth. In today’s NFL, there are more talented quarterbacks than ever before, but the Giants organization has said time and time again, Eli is the guy.

But for how long?

New York has been near the cellar of the NFL for the past two seasons, including a dismal 13-3 record to finish off 2017. Not even with the offensive starpower of wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., now a member of the Cleveland Browns, was Eli able to lead the Giants to success over these past two seasons. In 2018, Manning not only had Beckham but Penn State’s Saquon Barkley, a running back who had one of the greatest rookie seasons on record and was named Offensive Rookie of the Year come the season’s end.

Fans and analysts alike have pointed fingers at Eli, but Giants higher-ups, including General Manager Dave Gettleman, have said over and over that Manning was their quarterback, and he was not the problem. In that dismal 2017 season, a November Week 13 game against the Oakland Raiders saw first-year Giants head coach Ben McAdoo bench Eli Manning for a familiar face in New York, Geno Smith. The game ended Manning’s streak of 210 consecutive games started, and backlash from benching Manning

sounded from former Giants players and coaches all over.

McAdoo was fired two days later. The Giants’ precious Eli was protected from being hurt again.

This past weekend in Nashville was the 2019 NFL Draft, a chance for the teams with the worst record from the season before to hand pick the top collegiate football players in order to fill their personal holes and put the franchise right back into contention with those at the top. The Giants entered the draft with the sixth overall selection, which was not a bad pick, and there were a few options in terms of young quarterbacks. Obviously, the top prospect on the table was Heisman trophy winner and two-sport athlete, Kyler Murray, but it came as no surprise to anybody when the Arizona Cardinals took Murray first overall taking him off the market.

As any football expert would tell you, the next best option for a quarterback in the draft was Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins, a Heisman contender, a Big 10 offensive powerhouse, and even a New Jersey native. If a team is going to draft a quarterback and they could not have Kyler Murray, Haskins would make the most sense, but logic and reality are two very different worlds.

The Wednesday night before the Thursday draft, Gettleman made it clear that the Giants were

aiming for a quarterback, but it was not Dwayne Haskins; it was Duke QB Daniel Jones. Haskins was still on the table, but the Giants took Jones instead, and the consensus from Jones’ scouting report was nothing too special.

Some have even said he is backup material.

After making the pick, many were dumbfounded, wondering why the pick was not Haskins or why the Giants did not try to trade for Josh Rosen from the Cardinals like the Miami Dolphins did.

Gettleman immediately came out on the defensive, claiming there were teams that would have taken Jones. He said, “I know for a fact there were two teams that would have taken him in front of 17.” Reports have speculated that these two teams were the Redskins and the Broncos, but there is questioning on whether or not that is true.

The real question is, why did Gettleman get so defensive when picking a player who was clearly not as good as other options?

Why is he keeping his cards so close? Who is he trying to protect? Jones? Manning? It is all a little perplexing.

The Giants are a very old school organization and chooses to function as such, which is fine. But the least they can do is try and make their fans understand the direction the team is looking to go in.

COURTESY OF FLICKR

Daniel Jones is the Giants’quarterback of the future. Many are unhappy about it.

Varsity Calendar HOME AWAY

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Baseball

Softball

Thursday May 2

Friday May 3

Saturday May 4

Sunday May 5

George Mason 3 p.m.

George Mason 2 p.m.

George Mason 1 p.m.

Rhode Island 12/2:30 p.m.

Rhode Island 12 p.m.

Rowing

Track

A-10 Championships 9 a.m.

Monday May 6

Tuesday May 7

Wednesday May 8

A-10 Championships TBD @UMass

Page 26

SPORTS

May 1, 2019

Fordham Baseball’s Jake MacKenzie Swipes His Way Through the Atlantic 10

By JACK McLOONE

SPORTS EDITOR EMERITUS

“The slowest guy in the world can be safe if he goes on a curveball in the dirt.”

Fordham Baseball’s sophomore shortstop Jake MacKenzie is, by no stretch of the imagination, the slowest guy in the world. In fact, he has the kind of speed and base stealing acumen that would make you upset if the guy behind him hit a home run while he was on base.

To drive him in is to deprive yourself of one of the more exciting plays in baseball: the stolen base.

Fordham’s baseball program is relatively new to this whole “stealing” thing. For years, their offensive production lagged well behind their pitching, despite having the occasional good bat like Joey Runco or Luke Stampfl. This was thanks in large part to Houlihan Park’s deep outfield, a pitcher’s dream but a batter’s nightmare. The offensive struggles finally changed last season, and for a simple reason: The Rams started stealing bases.

Last season, the Rams finished first in stolen bases in the entire country, swiping 169 bags. That season, they finished 35-19-1, their most wins since 2007.

“Not only did they buy in last year, but they really saw the results of it,” said Fordham head coach Kevin Leighton of the team’s new style. “It led to wins, so it’s a much easier pitch to new guys. There’s no real kickback on it. That’s our style, that’s how we want to play.”

Leading the way for the Rams was then-freshman shortstop MacKenzie, who stole 34 bases in 42 attempts.

“I think Jake has been a key part of our success on stealing bases,” said Leighton. “I think he is a guy that probably didn’t need too much of our help in coaching him to steal bases, but I do think [assistant coach Rob] DiToma has coached him into an elite base stealer capable of 35-plus [stolen bases].”

MacKenzie also managed to hit eight home runs to lead the team, finished second with a .291 batting average and used to his speed to leg out six triples. All of this is to say he was very deserving of his Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year honors.

“I expected Jake to play as a freshman,” Leighton said. “But I didn’t really expect him to put up some of the numbers that he did, especially the home runs.”

“Coming in, I was just hoping I could crack the starting lineup,” said MacKenzie. “I wasn’t expecting much, and I think that was part of the reason I was so successful.

You don’t really have many expectations; you’re not really pressing. You’re just going out and hey, whatever happens, happens. It was honestly a surprise to me to do as well as I did, but it was awesome.”

For MacKenzie, this success was rather surprising, and not just because he was a freshman. He didn’t have a huge amount of high school success, being recruited just

by Fordham and one other school, Quinnipiac, which is right near his home in Wallingford, Connecticut.

“I was not really highly-recruited out of high school,” he said. “I don’t think I was that good in high school at all.”

But for Leighton, there was a lot about MacKenzie that he liked. Especially, as you can note by omis-

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

Fordham shortstop Jake MacKenzie is one of the leading base-stealers in the nation, and he does it with more than speed.

sion above, Leighton didn’t mention being surprised by the stolen bases.

“We thought Jake was the perfect type of guy for our program,” said Leighton. “He was an aboveaverage runner, barrelled balls consistently, and showed good defensive skills in the infield. I thought he was a gamer and the type of kid that would drive the other team crazy.”

Part of the reason MacKenzie may not have drawn a lot of looks was he didn’t have any eye-popping stolen base stats, in part because he hadn’t been taught the technique.

He learned it at Fordham from Leighton and DiToma.

“The main thing is just not psyching yourself out,” he said.

“You don’t want to try to have it in your head that you’re going automatically,. You’ve just got to kind of read the pitcher and pick a good count to steal on. And that’s just the basis of it.”

That’s the thing about stealing a base: it is, on the whole, pretty straightforward.

“It’s not really about moves; it’s about how fast he is to the plate,” MacKenzie explained. “If he’s a little slower to the plate, we’ll say, ‘Oh, we don’t need that big of a lead today. We can go a little shorter and just read the pitcher.’”

With still a month left in the season, MacKenzie has already reached the same 34 steals mark that he hit last season. And while his power and on-base percentage have unsurprisingly sagged a bit in his second season, he already has more overall hits than he did as a freshman and is hitting a robust .333, easily leading the team.

Besides just leading to more runs, there’s a palpable energy when someone steals a base, not unlike that after a large home run.

“When you see a guy steal second, steal third and get a run out of it, that hypes everyone up because

he didn’t really do much, but he stole,” said MacKenzie.

The energy change isn’t just from the stealing team side.

“It rattles the other team too, that’s a part of it,” laughed MacKenzie. “They get really upset when we’re stealing on them.”

Like Leighton said: Driving the other team crazy.

It had been five games since MacKenzie stole a base, before he stole two against Albany yesterday.

It’s his longest steal-less streak this season. But after spending his offseason doing more than just working on his swing and stealing bases, MacKenzie shouldn’t let that bother him.

“It’s also a lot of mentality things, because going in you can set all these high expectations for yourself but after doing some mental coaching, stuff like that, I can view the season as an opportunity for increased success as opposed to an opportunity to fail,” he said.

Football’s Isaiah Searight and Dylan Mabin Signed as Undrafted NFL Free Agents

By JIMMY SULLIVAN SPORTS EDITOR

Two members of Fordham’s football team are making the leap to the NFL. Senior tight end Isaiah Searight and senior defensive back Dylan Mabin were both signed shortly after the NFL Draft’s conclusion on Saturday. Mabin was signed by the Oakland Raiders while Searight was picked up by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Searight was a three-time all-Patriot League selection in his time at Fordham. The 6’4”, 250-pound tight end had a career year last season, with nearly 500 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 42 catches. Searight was the team’s second-leading receiver to fellow senior Austin Longi, who hauled in 61 passes for 716 yards.

Searight will head into training camp as part of an organization in transition. Tampa Bay hired a new head coach — former Cardinals head coach and longtime NFL assistant Bruce Arians.

Meanwhile, quarterback Jameis Winston is in the final year of his contract. Searight will also have to emerge from a crowd of talented tight ends; primary tight ends O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate combined for 11 touchdowns last

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

Isaiah Searight and Dylan Mabin will try to make it to the NFL after spending the past four years with Fordham Football.

season. Nonetheless, Searight’s athletic profile and ability to be a downfield threat — two skills he showcased throughout his Fordham career — could pay dividends as he tries to make the 53-man roster.

Mabin was also drafted for his athleticism, as he ran a 4.40 time

in the 40-yard dash at his pro day.

Mabin is an athletic corner who, at 6’1” and 190 pounds, also isn’t afraid to get physical. He was named to the Patriot League’s all-defensive first team for the second straight season in 2018; he did this in spite of missing two games after suffering a leg injury

in the first game of the season against Charlotte.

If Mabin is unable to break through and see playing time in the defensive backfield, his tackling ability and athleticism could help him make the squad as a special teamer. Brian McLaughlin of HERO Sports reported on

Saturday that Mabin chose the Raiders as his final destination, which means that he likely had other offers on the table, as well.

Mabin will try to impress Raiders head coach Jon Gruden and the rest of the Raiders staff in his attempt to make the final roster for week one.

Ultimately, if you were to choose two players to make it to the NFL off of Fordham’s 2018 roster, these would be the two you would choose. Mabin and Searight were the team’s senior captains this season, and their abilities, combined with their leadership skills, were likely the main reasons for their respective acquisitions.

This is also somewhat of a bookend for a bygone era of Fordham football, as Mabin and Searight were part of the last recruiting class former head coach Joe Moorhead brought to Fordham. Moorhead is now the head coach at Mississippi State University after leaving Fordham to become the offensive coordinator at Penn State after the 2015 season.

As for Mabin and Searight, they will try to join their old teammate, Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds, as Fordham players on NFL rosters. For now, though, they will happily accept their status as undrafted signees.

SPORTS

May 1, 2019

for Nets Teams in the NBA are no longer looking past the once sadly forgettable and now upliftingly formiddable Brooklyn Nets.

Coming off a surprisingly good regular season that completely defied the expectations of every basketball expert, they are finishing with the sixth best record in the eastern conference. Despite their 22-point loss at the hands of the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference First Round being our last impression of them, there is still the optimism of a bright future and the potential of top free agents coming to Brooklyn, joining the roster and improving the team.

General Manager Sean Marks exits the 2018-19 season and enters the 2019-20 season looking like a basketball genius that is saving a franchise. He and his current administration have done a better job of cultivating talent and creating avenues of improvement through trades, but even with the improvements that have already been made, there are still a few loose ends to be tied up.

These problems, however, can be fixed if the Nets play their cards right.

Firstly, there is the question of D’Angelo Russell and how much money will be invested into him. Russell is coming off a career year averaging 21.1 points per game, 7.0 assists per game and 3.9 rebounds per game.

D’Angelo has some leverage due to the fact the organization offered a $100.6-million-dollar restricted free-agent tender offer to Otto Porter, who declined and resigned with the Wizards. Russell is an all-around better player both statistically and physically.

Secondly, Brooklyn absolutely needs to address Caris LeVert’s long term future with the team.

He is eligible for an extension this summer and will make $2.6 million next season before getting an extension or testing free agency. LeVert is Brooklyn’s best two-way player when he’s healthy.

How much will he get?

Lastly, GM Sean Marks needs to find a way to get rid of Allen Crabbe’s expiring $18.5 million which will require the organization to ultimately give up draft picks or maybe a promising young player. The Nets have multiple draft picks: No. 17, 27 and 31 in the second round. Marks will have to be flexible and strategic to see where things go.

This summer is going to be an intriguing next step for the Nets organization. GM Marks has previously expressed confidence that Brooklyn can attract big free agents, with the team’s winning ways and player-friendly atmosphere. Will they give D-LO a maximum extension? Sign a top free agent like Leonard or Durant? Keep the core of LaVert, Russell, Dinwiddie and Allen?

We shall see. This summer the ball is in Brooklyn’s court to be one of the top heavyweights in the association.

Anthony Cardone

Varsity Scores & Stats

Matt West Make or Break Summer

Page 27

Baseball Fordham Saint Peter’s W: Martin (2-1) L: Feliciano (0-4) S: Melendez (1) (FOR) Tarabek: 2-5, R, RBI

8 5

Men’s Golf Team: 963 - 11th (FOR) Nieves: 228 - 29th Women’s Tennis George Mason Fordham (FOR) Zobeideh: 6-1, 6-1

0 4

Softball Providence Fordham W: McGrath (8-3) L: Trinidad (3-3) S: Aughinbaugh (2) (FOR) Michael: 2-3, HR, 2 RBI

0 4

Fordham Massachusetts W: Aughinbaugh (14-9) L: Rausch (5-4) (FOR) Roark: 2-3, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI

0 4

Fordham UMass Lowell W: Mikulski (5-5) L: Rand (3-5) S: Weissert (1) (FOR) Labella: 3-5, 2 R

9 2

Fordham UMass Lowell W: Metelski (3-4) L: Wall (2-1) (FOR) Vazquez: 1-4

2 8

Men’s Tennis Saint Louis Fordham (FOR) Makatsaria: 6-1, 6-1

Fordham UMass Lowell W: Becker (2-3) L: Martin (2-2) (FOR) Baker: 4-5, R, RBI

2 3

Fordham Richmond (FOR) Mauritzson: 7(7)-6(4), 6-2

Fordham Albany W: Martin (3-2) L: Kuszka (2-2) S: Karslo (2) (FOR) Coules: 2-4, 2 2B, 4 RBI

7 5

Fordham George Washington (FOR) Grigoryan: 3-6, 3-6

Women’s Track & Field Brick City Classic (FOR) Jones: 800m - 2:25.08 - 2nd

1 4

Fordham Massachusetts W: Breidenbach (9-4) L: McGrath (8-4) (FOR) Burbridge: 2-4 Fordham Massachusetts W: Breidenbach (10-4) L: Aughinbaugh (14-10) (FOR) Storm: 2-3, HR, 2B, RBI

Athletes of the Week Jake Baker

Sarinnagh Budris

Junior

Sophomore

Baseball

Women’s Track & Field

Budris was a part of two very successful runs during Fordham’s first day at the Penn Relays. She ran in the heats of the 4x100 in a group that was .10 shy of a school record and in the distance medley in a team that set the school record.

Baker was named Atlantic 10 CoPlayer of the Week. He batted .667, going eight for 12 with four runs scored, seven RBI and a couple of stolen bases. On Saturday against UMass Lowell, he went three for four and had a career-high eight RBI.

Each week, The Fordham Ram’s sports editors honor one male athlete and one female athlete for their on-field performances as their “Athletes of the Week.”

News & Notes • Team Success at Penn Relays

This weekend saw the Fordham Rams Men’s and Women’s Track & Field teams compete at the Penn Relays, and it became a weekend to remember. In the distance medley, the women’s team of Laurel Fisher, Sarinnagh Budris, Aidan Moroz and Katarzyna Krzyzanowski not only won the college division event, but they did it in historic fashion, setting a school record time of 11:34.28. The record for Fordham had been set in 2009, with a time of 11:58.63. The team won the event by a mere .16 seconds, as Krzyzanowski just edged out the last runner for Yale.

• Rams to the NFL

• Honor Announces Transfer

On Monday night, Men’s Basketball freshman

guard Nick Honor announced over Twitter his plan to transfer to Clemson University next season. This move came just hours before it was announced that Honor had been named the 2019 Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association Rookie of the Year for his work with Fordham this season. “I would like to thank the Fordham community and coaches for giving me the opportunity to play college basketball,” Honor said over Twitter.

• Szumilo Heads to FDU

Fairleigh Dickinson University announced on

Two Fordham Football players signed contracts

with NFL teams shortly after the completion of the 2019 NFL Draft, as defensive back Dylan Mabin signed a deal with the Oakland Raiders, and tight end Isaiah Searight signed on with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Mabin missed three games this past season but still managed to record 42 total tackles, with 36 solo tackles, and be named first team All-Patriot League. Searight is also a first team All-Patriot League player and received Fordham’s RIch Marrin FCRH ‘65 LAW ‘68 Most Valuable Player Award.

Friday that their new Women’s Basketball head coach would be Fordham’s associate head coach Angelika Szumilo, effective immediately. Szumilo has spent the last seasons at Fordham, working under head coach Stephanie Gaitley. Szumilo and Gaitley have worked together for a total of 16 seasons, including Gaitley’s head coaching tenures at Monmouth and LIU Brooklyn.

What’s Up With

Men’s Track & Field Brick City Classic (FOR) Milite: 800m - 2:01.94 - 5th

– Compiled by Dylan Balsamo

the Champs?

3 5

6 3

6 11

1 4

It seems as if the defending world champion Boston Red Sox are still recovering from the celebrations last season. A stunning 108 wins last year is already looking out of reach just two weeks into the season.

The Red Sox are currently in fourth place in the AL East and have a record of 11-17. Their pitching and hitting have not been the same after having the MVP and multiple MVP candidates on the team last year.

So what is the problem? No one is injured on the team besides Dustin Pedroia who played three games last year, so that’s not the excuse. They did not lose anyone to free agency besides Kimbrel, who is still out there.

It’s the pitching. Chris Sale is 0-5 with an ERA above 6. The Red Sox just signed him to a five year, 145 million dollar deal. The pitching ERA as a team is 25th in the majors at 5.18 and their batting average is 22nd at .235. They have only hit 30 home runs and 120 runs this year after last season they led in both with the Astros.

Mookie Betts, last year’s MVP, who hit .346 with 32 HR, 80 RBI and 30 stolen bases, is hitting .260 with just four HR this year. No one has really hit in the clutch this season and their bullpen has been a mess without Kimbrel. Ryan Brasier and Matt Barnes have been the committee of closers so far and it has not been pretty.

The Red Sox were so good last season; in fact, it was probably the greatest Red Sox team of all time.

But so far this season it could be the complete opposite. Especially in a division filled with powerhouses.

The Yankees, even with their injuries, have been very good surprisingly but when everyone comes back, they will be a dangerous threat. It seems like no one is making contact with any baseballs against the Rays down in Florida with a team ERA that was under 2.00 for the first two weeks of the season, who also are in first place, which the Red Sox trail by 7.5 games and it’s not even May. So what could be the spark or the bright spots of this season to help get the Sox back to where they need to be? One potenatial catalyst for Boston is rookie Michael Chavis, one of the Red Sox top prospects who absolutely raked from the plate during spring training and has already hit two home runs during the first week of baseball in 2019.

Another option for the Sox is to go out and get Kimbrel back. They could sign him to a one-year deal to help strengthen the back of the currently struggling bullpen and then he’ll be able to test the free agency waters again next year, considering the fact that no one went after him this year. If the Red Sox make the playoffs in the form that they currently stand in, their bullpens won’t stand a chance against other bullpens like the Yankees, Rays and Astros this year.

Come on champs, baseball season has already started.

SPORTS

Page 28

May 1, 2019

The Fordham Ram

Baseball Drops Two of Three in Final Out-of-Conference Series

By JACK McLOONE

SPORTS EDITOR EMERITUS

The pitching has been there for Fordham Baseball all year, but the offense has struggled to get on track all season long. The Rams’ series on the road against UMassLowell showcased the opposing sides of these two trends in a split doubleheader on Saturday before ending up right back where they started with a 3-2 loss in extras on Sunday. The Rams are now 26-20.

The offense came to play in game one of the doubleheader, taking a 9-2 win, largely on the back of junior left fielder Jake Baker. He went 3-4 for four RBI, including a two-RBI triple in the seventh. Additionally, sophomore second baseman C.J. Vazquez and junior right fielder Alvin Melendez stole two bases each.

On the mound, the Rams evenly divided the workload, giving three innings apiece to sophomores Matt Mikulski and John Stankiewicz and the final three to junior Brian Weissert.

The first two gave up one run each while Weissert faced just three batters over the minimum.

Stankiewicz’s ERA went up for the second straight start in a row, to 1.20, but is still good for sixth-best in the country.

In the second half of the doubleheader, the pitching was much more suspect. In the seven-inning affair, due to it being the back half of an out-of-conference doubleheader, the Rams lost 8-2.

The warning signs were there early when freshman Cory Wall

JULIA COMERFORD/THE FORDHAM RAM

Fordham’s struggles against UMass-Lowell came on the offensive side, as the Rams failed to score more than two runs in all three games.

worked into a runners-on-the-corners jam with two outs before getting a strikeout to end the threat.

In the second inning, he did not fare as well, but escaped giving up only one run. Luckily, the Rams had also scored in the second inning off of a Baker sacrifice fly out.

In the next inning, Wall gave up three more runs on four hits and only got out of the inning thanks to a strike ‘em out, throw ‘em out.

Fellow freshman Gabriel Karslo relieved Wall in the fourth but fared no better, giving up four runs in his frame to squarely put the Rams out of comeback range.

On the offensive side, the Rams had just five hits, all singles.

In the rubber match on Sunday, the Rams sent senior Anthony DiMeglio to the mound, who

gave up just two runs — both in the first — but had to work hard, getting into multiple jams but escaping all but the first one.

The Rams’ offense, meanwhile, were threatening early thanks to a leadoff double by Vazquez, but he stayed put. In the first five innings, the Rams had a runner on second in four of them, including bases loaded with one out in the fifth, but failed to drive any of them home.

They finally got on the board in the sixth inning when Baker, who had a huge weekend, singled home a run. After stealing second, he was driven home by Melendez, tying the game at two runs each in the sixth inning.

There it remained into extra innings. The Rams had yet

another bases-loaded, one-out situation in the eighth that they squandered, and they had runners on second and third with two outs in the 10th inning that they also failed to drive home.

In the bottom of the 10th, in his second inning of work, junior Kyle Martin gave up back-toback doubles after striking out the first batter to give UMassLowell the walk-off win, 3-2.

Despite the loss, the volume of traffic on the basepaths for the Ram offense was an encouraging sign for Fordham baseball head coach Kevin Leighton.

“Although we came up short, we did swing the bat well, we just couldn’t push runs across in the third game especially,” he said in an email. “I think if

we keep hitting the ball like we did and getting guys on, we will be able to score runs.”

Meanwhile, the strength of the pitching will be a major factor in keeping the Rams in close games.

“I’d say the biggest thing is that we have a pretty talented group of pitchers that have worked hard throughout the year,” said Leighton. “After that, they have done a great job of limiting big innings, and making some pretty big pitches when we have needed them to.”

The Rams will have three more series to try and improve their standing in the Atlantic 10 conference ahead of the A-10 Championships which will be played at Houlihan Park. Their first will be on the road against George Mason starting Friday, May 3.

Fordham Softball Drops First Conference Series of the Season

By EMMANUEL BERBARI STAFF WRITER

The first round of the Fordham-UMass softball rivalry, 2019 edition, went the way of the Minutewomen this weekend in UMass’ quest to dethrone Fordham as Atlantic 10 champions, which it was one game away from accomplishing in 2018. UMass was able to close out the competitive series, as was highlighted by a 4-1 win in Sunday’s rubber game, handing the Rams their first conference series loss of the season.

With the loss, Fordham fell to 24-22 overall and 15-5 in league action, while the University ofMassachusetts creeped closer toward the top of the standings, improving to 23-19 and 11-4, respectively.

After dropping the series opener 6-3 in the first leg of Saturday’s doubleheader by virtue of another Madie Aughinbaugh complete game win, UMass showcased its resiliency, grabbing the final two games of the series and never trailing Sunday’s finale.

The Minutewomen teed off freshman pitcher Makenzie McGrath in Saturday’s nightcap, pushing across 11 runs (eight earned) in her six innings of work, cruising to a 11-6 victory. In the series finale, UMass struck first when senior Kaycee Carbone

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

After losing this three-game series, the Rams only lead the Minutewomen by one game in the A-10 standings.

banged a first-inning RBI double off Aughinbaugh, and never looked back. Senior Kaitlyn Stavinoha crushed a two-run homer in the third to provide muchneeded insurance. Fordham senior Jordy Storm laced her 10th homer of the season in the fourth, a solo shot that crept the Rams within striking distance, but ulti-

mately did not spark a rally in the 4-1 loss.

Fordham felt extremely comfortable handing the ball to Aughinbaugh with the series on the line, but her first loss in conference play haunted the Rams in the finale. In her 14th conference start, the previous 13 coming as victories, she allowed four

runs (three earned) on eight hits, walking none and striking out just three batters over six innings. If the Ram offense been clicking on all cylinders, that outing normally would have been enough.

Facing UMass junior ace Quinn Breidenbach, who scattered six hits over seven strong innings of one-run ball, a middling perfor-

mance for Aughinbaugh’s standards would not be enough.

Breidenbach’s dominant performance spanned the entire weekend, firing 4.2 innings of one-run ball in the series opener, coming on in relief to keep the Minutewomen within striking distance and earning a complete game win on Saturday to pull her team level in the series. Despite allowing nine hits and six runs, only one run was earned, and Breidenbach made the necessary adjustments to come back and stifle Fordham on Sunday.

On the series, she allowed a total of three earned runs in 18.1 innings, a jaw-dropping effort over a three-day stretch.

After managing to plate six in the first two games, Fordham only collected six hits and a walk on Sunday.

The Rams return to the Bronx to round out the regular season this week. They host the Big East Conference leader St. John’s University on Wednesday afternoon in a sturdy non-conference challenge before resuming conference play with three games against Rhode Island to round out their slate.

With a strong performance this upcoming weekend, the Rams can secure first place in the Atlantic 10 once again.