Volume 95 Issue 11

The Fordham Ram Serving The Fordham University Community Since 1918 Volume 95, Issue 11

FordhamRam.com F dh R

Aprill 24 A 24, 2013

Skateboard or Longboard? A Culture of Campus Navigation Organ Dedicated

By DEVON SHERIDAN ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

On the smooth road that snakes behind Loschert Hall — just past Alumni Court South and before it diverges into a fork beyond Salice-Conley Hall — two students casually rove back and forth.

Under a cloudless sky, Felix Chmiel, GSB ’15, and Joseph Casanova, FCRH ’15, are multitasking on their skateboards. While engaging in a creative and physically unique feat of subtle athleticism, the two revel in the simple pleasure of outdoor weather.

The scene gives off a cool vibe — similar to from that of a football game or Frisbee toss on Eddie’s.

Like those in search of a place for a casual game of catch, Fordham offers plenty of spots for multi-wheeled recreation.

Chmiel says he knows the most popular skateboarding spots on campus.

“There’s the four-step over by Empire State Cafe, and at night, if nobody’s there, there's that blacktop over by Hughes,” Chmiel said.

“Compared to the rocky roads

off-campus, almost all the roads and paths on campus are pretty smooth and safe.”

Chmiel and Casanova skate for about an hour working on different tricks (the names of which any Tony Hawk wannabe would be able to identify immediately).

Chmiel works on a heelflip; Casanova, a variel flip.

Upon close examination, there is an innately aesthetic appeal to the tricks. Just like watching a soccer player juggle a soccer ball at length with ease, the results of years of practice are clearly on display.

Like watching soccer, it is not hard to envision sprained ankles and broken bones while watching a trick being perfected on a skateboard. When watching these students, however, the dangerous stereotype that is often associated with skating — particularly when the protection of a helmet is missing — melts away.

Their main concern is not to work up too much of a sweat under the warm April sun before afternoon class.

“It feels great,” Casanova said of the warm, but moisturized, air.

“It means I can skate all day and

at Vietnam War Memorial Mass

By EDDIE MIKUS STAFF WRITER

ELIZABETH ZANGHI/THE RAM

As the weather gets warmer, many students find the best way to get around is on four wheels.

practice my tricks.”

Casanova is not alone.

Blended in with the music of chirping birds and the excitement of Spring Weekend, the recent rise in temperature seems to have amplified the clatter of skateboard and longboard wheels on campus pavements and sidewalks.

For a decade or two, the sight of students riding around on four-

wheeled boards has become a familiar one — a generally accepted ingredient in the well-frosted cake that is Rose Hill’s scenery.

But for some, the influx of boards on campus raises some questions. Perhaps the most popular is, “What’s the difference between a skateboard and longboard?”

SEE SKATEBOARDING, PAGE 13

Seniors Weigh Future Options As Graduation Approaches Seniors Look Back with Mixed Emotions

By MICHAEL CAVANAUGH STAFF WRITER

For the Class of 2013, the arrival of May 18, graduation day, is bittersweet as graduation always is. After all, four years were spent looking forward to ‘the real world,’ to finally being done with school. Now, it seems, all one can do is look back. It was only four years ago that the Rose Hill Campus seemed entirely confusing: Why do we have two libraries? Is FMH really not on the campus? Why is there a “Beer Cave” in that Dunkin’ Donuts?

In time, Fordham became as familiar and welcoming as all of its students know it truly is, making it all the more difficult to leave.

“I can’t believe how fast graduation crept up," Brendan O’Grady, GSB ’13, said. “It’s very exciting but also a bit scary. It’s going to be sad leaving Fordham, but hopefully I can stay involved with the school.”

There are those, however, for whom graduation day is not so bitter: those who are footing the bill for that rather pricey diploma that members of the Class of 2013 will be (hopefully) handed within the next few weeks. Rest easy, parents, because the Fordham insignia emblazoned on that expensive degree four years in the making undeniably connects its recipient with Fordham University, both in name and in reputation.

For O’Grady, that reputation, along with four years of hard work, helped to set him up for an impressive post-college career, one that he will begin in the Technology Advisor

Program of Ernst & Young's Financial Services Office in Times Square.

He gives Fordham a lot of credit for providing and preparing him for a career with such a prestigious company, and hopes to pursue his MBA at Lincoln Center sometime in the near future.

“I think Fordham prepared me well for the human side of work, if you will,” O’Grady said. “All the networking opportunities, especially the informal ones, along with everything else that comes with going to school in New York, prepared me to chat with colleagues and build a working relationship with them, even outside the office.”

Of course, O’Grady is no stranger to the world of finance. He has been working as an intern with LEXCO Wealth Management, in Tarrytown, N.Y., for about two and a half years.

Having experience, even minimal experience, in the field of work a student wishes to pursue is a definite advantage when putting together a résumé, something to which communication major Madyson Spano, FCRH ‘13, is a testament. She interned with QWASI, Inc., a company that offers solutions for SoLoMo marketing, this past year and was subsequently offered a job with the same company.

Students should not worry, however, if they have been unable to land an internship. David Shapir, GSB ‘13, is a perfect example of how a successful career is a very reachable reality without internship experience.

Graduates to Depart from Bronx Home

By JEFFREY COLTIN BRONX CORRESPONDENT

Rose Hill students love the Bronx. We live here, learn here and shop here. This is where many of us had our first love, our first chicken roll or our first drink. We love the Bronx because it is where many of us had our first taste of true independence. But not many students love the Bronx enough to stay here after graduation.

A few seniors interviewed said they intended to move to Upper Manhattan after graduation.

For Tom Haskin, FCRH ’13, that means Washington Heights specifically. The neighborhood would be close to his likely workplace in the South Bronx. Haskin said he loves the Bronx, but “as an outer borough, a lot of the central New York things are hard to

get to.” It takes 15 minutes just to walk to the D Train from his current apartment on Belmont Avenue.

Washington Heights has pretty good train accessibility, Haskin said, and the housing fits a recent college grad’s budget.

He stressed that recent grads have to be cognizant of gentrification: “It’s cool to live in areas that have different ethnic and racial backgrounds than you” — something he has gotten to experience over the last year living just off campus in the Bronx’s Belmont neighborhood.

Other seniors weren’t so sure of their plans. For Claire Cumberland, FCRH ’13, “It’s a whole lot of indecision right now.” She said she is happy that the lease for her apartment on Lorillard Place lasts through August because, “I

SEE ORGAN, PAGE 2

SEE BRONX, PAGE 2

in this issue

Opinion Page 7 Cynicism Aside, Application Pool Continues to Climb

Arts

Page 13

Fashion for Philanthropy Event Raises $7,000

Sports ELIZABETH ZANGHI/THE RAM

SEE SENIORS, PAGE 2

Fordham University conducted a ceremony to dedicate a memorial within the University Church to honor those members of the Fordham community who died fighting in the Vietnam War, as well as to officially bless the church’s new Maior Dei Gloriam pipe organ.

The ceremony began with a prelude featuring music by Johann Sebastian Bach and Richard Strauss, in addition to a performance by the Fordham Women’s Choir of John Rutter’s song “For the Beauty Of The Earth.” The University Choir and the Schola Cantorum performed as well at other points during the ceremony After the prelude, Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of the University, gave some remarks dedicating the new memorial and then proceeded to celebrate Mass.

“We are gathered to honor 23 brave and courageous sons of Fordham, who more than four and a half decades ago, made the supreme sacrifice in the name of our country because of the tragic war in Vietnam,” McShane said in describing the memorial, a list of the names of the deceased etched on a wall in the narthex of the church.

“We are all of us assembled this day to make honor to their heroic lives and express our abiding respect and appreciation for their legacy of selflessness and service to others. By carving their names in these very walls of this historic University Church, we pray that the losses suffered in Vietnam will be forever remembered by future generations of Americans who value and cherish the democracy that is found in genuine peace and lasting freedom.”

The Color Guard led the procession at the start of Mass, which also included several Vietnam veterans in attendance. The entrance hymn was “Gods Of Our Fathers,” which McShane described as “our

For Fordham seniors, imminent graduation is both exciting and scary.

Softball Sweeps Conference Series

Page 24

NEWS

Page 2

SECURITY BRIEFS April 17 Campbell Hall 12:50 p.m.

A grand larceny occurred Wednesday when a female student received a phone call from a person who claimed that the student’s father had been in a car accident. The caller demanded $1000 for damages, and the student complied. The incident was reported that same evening, and the NYPD is investigating the case.

April 18 Campbell Hall 11:45 a.m.

Two students spent an hour stuck in an elevator in Campbell’s Tower One. They were let out after about an hour, and neither was injured.

April 20 Lorillard Place 12:30 a.m.

A female student was walking back to campus alone when she was sexually assaulted outside of 2388 Lorillard Place. Her attacker was a male in his twenties, clean shaven, approximately 6’2”, with a thin build. He was wearing a black long sleeved shirt and jeans, and had on a thick gold around his neck. The student fought him off and returned to campus uninjured. She was later interviewed by the NYPD. April 20 Walsh Hall 10:30 p.m.

A female non-Fordham student was stuck in Walsh elevator B on Saturday for a half hour. She was let out by elevator technicians without injury.

April 21 Salice Hall 12:25 a.m.

A smoke detector in a room in Salice went off late Saturday night unexpectedly. No smoke was present, so the alarm was reset. FDNY did not respond to the situation.

— Compiled by Katie Meyer, Assistant News Editor

April 24, 2013

Alumni Remembers Fallen Colleagues with Memorial FROM ORGAN, PAGE 1

national hymn.”

During the homily, the Reverend Robert R. Grimes, S.J., spoke about a “triple celebration” of the dedications of the memorial and the organ and the fact that the ceremony fell on the fourth Sunday of Easter, a date known as Good Shepherd Sunday.

“We have dedicated a memorial to those members of the Fordham family who gave their lives in service to our country in the Vietnam War,” Grimes said. “We dedicate a new organ for the University Church today, that will, as the Psalmist says, make music to our God, Alleluia. And perhaps most importantly, we celebrate the liturgy of what is known as Good Shepherd Sunday. For on this fourth Sunday of our Easter celebration, the celebration of life and rebirth, we reveal in our Gospel, the tenth chapter of John, that Jesus was called the Good Shepherd.”

Grimes also spoke about the fact that Jesus was a descendant of King David.

“Yes, Jesus is called the Good Shepherd, but he is also called the Son of David,” Grimes said. “And in the genealogies of Jesus that we read in the Holy Gospels of Matthew and Luke, Jesus is a descendant of David.”

Grimes said that several parallels between the two men emphasized the connection.

“For just as Jesus was born in Bethlehem, so too was David,” Grimes said. “And David was, at first, just a simple shepherd, just

ELIZABETH ZANGHI / THE RAM

Members of the Fordham community who sacrificed their lives during the Vietnam War were honored in a ceremony.

as Jesus would become the shepherd of us all.”

Grimes then proceeded to make a comparison between David and the Fordham alumni being honored on the Vietnam War memorial.

“And even as a youth, ruddy and handsome, David the shepherd was brave,” Grimes said.

“When even seasoned warriors would not defend Israel against the Philistine Goliath, the young man stepped forward to defend his people. He put his life in peril when others shied away.”

To this, Grimes added, “And so too did those members of the

Fordham family, who gave their lives in an unpopular war that the nation had great concerns about.”

McShane led a final blessing of the Vietnam War memorial in which members of the congregation were asked to raise their right hand.

McShane then dedicated the organ and acknowledged Schoenstien & Co., the company responsible for constructing the organs.

“The purpose of sacred music is, above all, to give greater glory to God, to lead us all to our homes,” McShane said as part of a blessing given to the organ.

Those in attendance enjoyed

the ceremony.

“Honoring our veterans, and obviously dedicating the new organ here, it really was a wonderful ceremony,” Anthony Piazza, who graduated from Fordham in 1965 and fought in the Air Force as a captain during the war, said.

Referring to a friend with whom he attended Mass, Piazza continued, “We knew some of the young men whose names are on that list there, they were friends, they were colleagues, and just years later, to come here and have their names memorialized is important for the younger generation especially.”

After Four Years in the Bronx, Seniors Branch Out FROM BRONX, PAGE 1

don’t want to leave at all.” She doesn’t know where she’ll move when the lease is up, but she’d be open to living in the Bronx — or anywhere in the city. “There are cool neighborhoods in all the boroughs, even up in Westchester,” she said.

Tim Stahl, FCRH ’13, was in a similar state of indecision. He says where he’ll live after graduation “depends on what I’d be able to find and afford.”

As a psychology major, he has applied to a variety of research jobs and psychology programs in New York City. Manhattan would be the first option for the short commute, he said, but he would be open to staying in the borough he’s grown to love. “[The Bronx] gets a really bad

rap sometimes…but it’s amazing,” he said. “It’s just such a different environment and ambience than other areas in the city. It just has a different feel to it, which I’ve really grown attached to over the years. It definitely feels more like home.”

All the seniors interviewed praised the Bronx, but only one had firm plans to live here after graduation.

Matthew Novick, GSB ’13, was born and raised in the Bronx, and now lives in his own off-campus apartment. But, he plans to move back in with his mother at their house in the Pelham Parkway neighborhood. Novick is one of 457 Rose Hill undergrads from the Bronx. He is looking to get a marketing job in the city but is trying to be responsible about

money. He will probably live with his family for two or three more years. He said that he is “being very realistic in terms of getting my finances ready.” Novick wants to remain in New York City, but he said he does intend to move out of the Bronx eventually. “Personally, I’ve been here my whole life, so it’s time to have a change of pace — in other words, another borough.”

Other seniors echoed Novick’s desires for a change of pace in another borough. Claudia Morell, FCRH ’12, GSAS ’13, would seem to think that’s a good idea. After earning her Bachelors degree last year, Morell decided to stay in the Bronx to attend the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and work in the WFUV news department.

“It feels strange being in the Bronx but not having any of my friends here,” she said. She lives in an off-campus apartment on Crotona, but plans to leave when her lease is up in August. Morell said she feels like the “college part” of her life is over, yet she hasn’t left.

“Unless you’re going to school here or need to be around here I suggest leaving.”

Laura Buckley, FCRH ’13, seems to be taking that advice, moving cross-country to Oakland, California after graduation to take part in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. She doesn’t have plans after her year with the JVC, but she would love to come back to New York City and live in the Bronx.

After four years of exploring the borough, she said, “I feel lucky to have lived here.”

This Week at Fordham Thursday April 25 Discussion with Matt Flegenheimer (New York Times) Lowenstein Center, 7:30 p.m.

A New York Times metro transportation reporter, who graduated from University of Pennsylvania in 2011, is sharing his experiences in the journalism industry and internship experiences prior to becoming a reporter.

Thursday April 25

Saturday April 27

TOP presents: The Two Gentleman of Verona

RHA’s Under the Tent Dance

Collins Auditorium, 8 p.m.

Martyrs’ Lawn, 9 p.m.

The Theatrical Outreach Program is performing an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s The Two Gentlemen of Verona. Entrance to watch the performance is free of charge.

Residence Halls Association (RHA) is sponsoring the annual Spring Weekend tradition: the Under the Tent Dance. The dance will be Great Gatsby-themed and will serve refreshments and drinks.

Monday April 29

Thursday May 2

Zip Line at Fordham

Our Daily Bread

A Lot, 2 p.m.

Pope Auditorium, Lowenstein Center, 7 p.m.

Commuter Student Services is sponsoring a zip-line for students to relieve stress and relax prior to finals week.

For more campus events, visit FordhamRam.com

The Graduate School of Social Service is sponsoring a screening of a documentary portraying the groundbreaking work of three faith-based emergency food programs. Dean Peter Vaughn will then moderate a panel discussion.

NEWS

April 24, 2013

Page 3

The Malcolm X Assassination: A New Perspective on an Old Story

By KATIE MEYER ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

“It was a Sunday afternoon,” John Carroll, associate vice president of security at Fordham, recalled. “I was a young foot patrolman in the 34th Precinct, and I was working a day tour…A number of us received what you call a post change from our foot post to the Audubon Ballroom. Two of us were assigned inside.”

That Sunday afternoon, Feb. 21, 1965, was nothing more than an average workday for Carroll, who promptly reported to the ballroom with his fellow officers. Their detail, as it turned out, was providing added security for a speaking event held by Malcolm X, who would be addressing the Organization of Afro-American Unity (OAAU).

“Malcolm X, he was a very progressive young civil rights leader in that time,” Carroll said. “He had run afoul of other groups…there [had been] a couple of attempts at firebombing his house in Queens, so the police department had some concerns, you know. They didn’t want anything bad to happen to any of our citizens, including Malcolm X.” But on that Sunday, that is exactly what happened.

Malcolm X’s security personnel vetted every person who entered the room to hear the lecture, but as many people know today, a group of armed conspirators was let in with the crowd of some 400 people. The civil rights leader had barely gotten out a greeting to his audience when a commotion broke out in the back of the room.

This was later suspected of being a planned diversion, because while the room’s attention was averted,

DANIEL MURRAY / THE RAM

One of Carroll’s most memorable NYPD experiences was carrying Malcolm X to the hospital after he was shot in 1965.

a man in the front row rushed the stage where Malcolm X was standing and shot him in the chest with a sawed-off shotgun. After the first blast, two other men darted forward with pistols and shot him repeatedly.

White people were barred from the event, so Carroll and the other officer stationed at the ballroom door had not been allowed to enter the room, and they could not see the events unfolding inside.

They were, however, able to hear the gunfire.

“I heard them [the gunshots] going off, and I counted; there were 47 shots that I counted,” Carroll said.

Hysteria erupted in the ballroom, and the shooters tried to flee the scene. Some men apparently went out a window and down a fire escape, and another, according to Carroll, ran through the building and ended up near Carroll himself.

“One individual[…]ran out that door; Malcolm X’s people were

firing at him,” Carroll said. “I was behind the wall back there, but the bullets were coming into the wall.

Thank God it wasn’t a sheetrock wall like they make today, it was all heavy plaster…by the grace of almighty God I didn’t get killed.”

As soon as they were able, Carroll and his fellow officer pushed their way into the ballroom and ran to Malcolm X, who was lying on the stage surrounded by people. Carroll remembers the scene vividly, recounting that “the chairs were crashed all over the place, it was total chaos.”

Many of the people present were less than thrilled to accept the assistance of the policemen.

“I ran up to the stage where Malcolm X’s bodyguard was giving him CPR and mouth to mouth,” Carroll said. “I had an exchange with one guy, one of his bodyguards, who tried to stop me but that didn’t work.”

With the police backups outside cut off from the building by the

mass exodus from within, Carroll and the others were left unaided in what was clearly an extremely serious situation. CPR and mouth to mouth quickly proved ineffective, so a stretcher was readied for Malcolm X. Carroll and the other police officer carried it outside, where they were joined by two other officers. Together, the four of them brought the stretcher across the street to the emergency room of Columbia Presbyterian Hospital.

“We ran there with his body.

I [was] running on the front of the stretcher,” Carroll said. “At that point it wasn’t a matter of… [leaving] him there and wait[ing] for somebody to pronounce him dead. We did everything we could to get him to medical help.”

Even the policemen’s best efforts, however, were not enough to save Malcolm X. “We got him in the emergency room and up to the third floor where doctors worked on him,

but to no avail,” Carroll said. He sighed, and shook his head slowly.

“It was just a bad day.”

Carroll struggled to explain the effects of the assassination in a way that would make sense in the context of 21st century society.

“In those years, as you went on into the ’60s, there was an awful lot of civil rights strife in New York,” he said. “There were a number of riots, you know, in Harlem and in other places like Bed-Stuy, and I was at all of them too. It was a very, very difficult time in America…

It’s hard to put those kinds of days in 1965 into today, in the context of today, because we don’t treat people like that today; we don’t do things like that today.”

The violence of the time became a defining part of the civil rights movement in the 1960s.

“Malcolm X knew that the climate of violence in America was so great that he would [likely] not even live to see his own autobiography published,” Mark Chapman, Associate Professor of African and African American Studies at Fordham, said. “The greatest legacy of his assassination was the birth of the black power movement... [It also] had a tremendous impact on radicalizing Martin Luther King Jr., which is something that is not always well-known…After Malcolm X’s death King became much more militant.”

“Things were very different [in those years], but I think that the one constant was that the police did everything they could to make sure that people were safe, and to keep law and order,” Carroll said. “But notwithstanding all of that…” he paused for a moment, seemingly lost in thought. “Yeah.

Bad things happened.”

Pre-Health Dean Says Farewell, Accepts Position at Russell Sage

By GIRISH SWAMINATH ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

Donna Heald, Associate Dean for Science Education and Director of Pre-Health Professions Advising, will be stepping down from her position at Fordham to accept an employment position as Dean of Russell Sage College in Troy, NY. She has contributed to the growth and development of the Pre-Health Professions program at Fordham since 2006.

“The decision to accept a position at another institution was not easy for me,” Heald said. “While I look forward to new responsibilities and challenges in my new position, I will always remember Fordham and the many great people I met here.”

Heald felt that her time working at Fordham was extremely fulfilling on a professional and personal level and enjoyed interacting with members of the Fordham community.

“My work at Fordham has been extremely rewarding and I feel privileged to be part of this community,” Heald said. “I am grateful to so many — students, faculty, staff, and alumni — for their kindness, support, and dedication over these past six-anda-half years. During this time, I have greatly enjoyed working with Fordham students and have been enriched from my interactions with them.”

Ellen Watts, assistant dean for Pre-Health Professions Advising, commended Heald for her numer-

ous efforts throughout her time at Fordham.

“Dean Heald has done a tremendous job leading the Fordham prehealth program, as evidenced by Fordham’s high acceptance rate to professional schools,” Watts said.

“Fordham has had a five year average acceptance rate of 83 percent compared to the national acceptance rate of 45 percent.”

Watts believes that the increased acceptance rates as well as Heald’s relationship with the student body and alumni highlight Heald’s contributions to Fordham.

“The student body and alumni who have worked one-on-one with her to identify and pursue their individual academic goals also show that [Heald] has done an amazing job leading the program,” Watts said.

Besides significantly advancing the Pre-Health Professions program at Fordham, Heald developed majors in environmental science and integrative neuroscience and a minor in bioinformatics.

These new fields have helped attract prospective students to new scientific fields and concentrations.

“A strong leader is one who builds a program that can sustain itself in her absence and that is what [Heald] has done,” Watts said. “Suffice to say we will all miss her presence but the Office of Pre-Health Professions advising will continue to support and promote all of our fantastic students who seek to pursue careers in the health

professions.”

Watts will be overseeing the health professions application process for the upcoming application cycle.

“The Committee on Health Professions is completing our 2013 season as wrap up interviews and the writing of committee letters of recommendation,” Watts said. “I will be overseeing the process this summer, as I did in conjunction with [Heald] last year in my role as Assistant Dean for Pre-Health Professions Advising.”

Heald and Watts have been holding a series of meetings with students in the application process this year “to explain the transition and answer any questions.” She also reached out to students who cannot attend meeting times to speak to her individually.

“Our pre-health program will continue to thrive,” Watts said. “[Heald] and I have worked together with an eye towards improving the program every year and that goal will not change.”

Watts said that she plans on continuing many of the things that Heald worked hard to establish at Fordham.

“I will continue to work closely with the pre-health students at Fordham to provide information and guidance about careers in the health professions, to develop and promote exciting opportunities outside the classroom like the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore Resident Assistant Program, shadowing and clinical research opportunities at St. Barnabas Hospital and our early assurance

SAMUEL JOSEPH / THE RAM

Heald will be leaving her position to become dean of Russell Sage College.

programs in Physical Therapy and Speech-Language Pathology at New York Medical College and to support student groups such as the Laennec Society and the Pre-Dental Club,” Watts said.

Watts assured students interested in pursuing a career in pre-health professions that the program will remain solid.

“I know everyone joins me in wishing Heald well as she begins an exciting new phase in her career,” Watts said. “But please rest assured — any student seeking advice or involvement in pre-health activities remains in very good hands. Our pre-health program is solid, and it will be business as usual in our office. If anyone has questions or concerns now or in the future, they should feel free to

contact me or stop by in person at Keating 207.”

Students were disappointed to see Heald leave the Fordham community but wished her the best as she moves on to a different stage in her career.

“Dean Heald has greatly supported the students at Fordham and we will be very sad to see her go,” Katie Oberhelman, FCRH ’14, said. “I trust that Fordham will be able to fill her position but the Fordham students will greatly miss [Dean Heald's] warm smile and positive encouragement.”

“I was saddened to hear that an esteemed member of the Fordham community was leaving us,” Erika Sanchez, FCRH ’14, said. “She will be missed by many students but I wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors.”

NEWS

Page 4

April 24, 2013

Coptic Christian Panel Addresses Future in Egypt

By DYLAN DEMARTINO STAFF WRITER

On April 8, Fordham hosted a discussion on the status and future of Coptic Christians in Egypt. Coptic Christians are adherents to an indigenous Egyptian form of Christianity and constitute not only 10 percent of Egypt’s population, but also the largest Christian minority in the Middle East. Coptic liturgical practices contain linguistic elements of a pre-Arab Egypt, and Coptic Christianity is one of the oldest forms of Christianity in existence.

Ever since the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood rose to political prominence after the ousting of Mubarak’s regime in 2010, concerns have risen that Coptic Christians, against whom there has been a historic precedent of discernible acts of violence in Egypt, may become victims of religiously-motivated attacks on a larger scale.

The discussion featured four speakers. Dr. John Entelis, chair of the political Ssience department and assistant director of the Middle East studies program, spoke. Michael Wahid Hanna was also there. He is a senior fellow at the Century Foundation, a nonpartisan think tank that addresses a range of public policy issues.

Mark Salah Morgan, president of the Coptic Lawyers Association,

also spoke. Finally, Yuri Pacheco, FCRH ’13, prepared a thesis under the supervision of Entelis concerning the Coptic Diaspora in the U.S. Pacheco is a double major in Middle Eastern studies and Theology, with minors in International Affairs and Orthodox Christian studies.

Western countries are generally willing to behave assertively in the Middle East when they feel their interests are threatened.

Therefore, it was interesting to note that there has not been much pressure put on the Egyptian government to ensure that its Coptic population will not be persecuted. Entelis claimed that this apparent lack of concern for Christian minorities in the Middle East on the part of the predominantly Christian West has a lot to do with the “diminishing constituency of practicing and activist believers in Europe, where Christian identity is becoming less and less of an important and unifying force as secularism has ascended.”

Consequently, he was possibly explaining why countries in North America and Europe have not been breaking down doors to protect the deteriorating Christian communities in Iraq, Egypt and elsewhere in the Middle East.

Morgan proposed that given the relative dependence of countries like Egypt on Western controlled sources of aid such as the approximately $2 billion of

“no strings attached” aid that the United States gives to Egypt each year. Also mentioned was the IMF funding Egypt often receives. It was argued that such aid should be restructured to be contingent on the development of “pluralism” in places like Egypt.

The IMF generally does not concern itself with social issues that are not directly related to fiscal policy in a manner integral to a nation’s economy.

Despite this, the United States could theoretically leverage its aid power to influence Egypt’s behavior. Egypt’s economy is currently suffering severely, an issue that played into the initial revolt against Mubarak.

Entelis advised that it can be a slippery slope in these situations of heightened political tension for any sort of non-Muslim group to be complacent with any sort of abuse of an “other.” In the minds of the majority, complacency, such as allowing the mistreatment of increasingly scant Jewish communities in the Middle East can “give carte-blanche for the mistreatment to all non-Muslims.”

Ultimately, the questions of addressing the problematic position of many Christians in the Middle East, and particularly Egypt, in the wake of the Arab Spring has to do with the development of democracy and “pluralism” or at least inclusiveness according to the panelists. Whatever notion of

pluralism ends up presenting itself, it will likely not be as diverse as one may hope. As the panel was quick to concur, secular, socialist and nationalist political ideologies have all had their day in the sun in countries like Egypt and they have been met with generally poor economic and political results. This has left little doubt to experts that those ideas, which may be marginally more accommodating to Christian minorities, are likely to remain on the shelf for a while.

Some are quick to point to the general clandestine nature and perceived subversiveness of the Muslim Brotherhood. This as well as other recently inaugurated political parties in the wake of the Arab Spring have had to operate previously, in some instances for decades, as illegitimate political factions without open societal recognition. The logistical legacy of being an outlawed political party still weighs heavily on the normative mentality of nascent governments across the region.

The panelists were hopeful that this could change as the ruling organizations such as the Muslim Brotherhood, itself fraught with internal divisions, take true steps towards democracy and allow for the legalization and legitimization of a consistent opposition that can contest and win power electorally, a true hallmark of democracy.

Internships Award Seniors Post-Grad Jobs FROM SENIORS, PAGE 1

David worked as a server and bartender for two years, and for the latter half of his time at Fordham was employed as a Licensed Real Estate Salesperson with Town Residential in the Financial District.

“My experience working in the hospitality industry taught me how to multitask and communicate with people, which helped me immensely during my interview process earlier this year,” Shapir said. “I was able to implement the material I learned in GSB by marketing myself and building my own brand.”

Whether due to his experience working with Town Residential, or the skill-set he acquired through the Gabelli School of Business, Shapir managed to market himself as an appealing enough prospect to attract the attention of the Corporate Services and Real Estate division of financial powerhouse Goldman Sachs. Despite this impressive career path, Shapir, like O’Grady, intends to work towards his MBA or Series 7 Certificate in the future.

For those soon-to-be graduates who do not necessarily find themselves in the same situation, do not fret — there is most definitely a long road ahead, one which Fordham University prepared you well to traverse. As those Fordham laundry bags say, “Once a Ram, always a Ram.”

Panelists Impart Career Wisdom, Journalism Experiences

By KELLY KULTYS NEWS EDITOR

Some jobs require 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. shifts every day. Others may require employees to spend time locked inside for the entire day.

Some jobs, however, allow workers to build a narrative and tell a story or dig around and ask some questions to find the truth, according to Jon Carras, producer at “CBS Sunday Morning.”

These perspectives, offered by three panelists who spoke to students on Thursday, April 18, help to articulate the undefinable career path of journalism.

Julianne Welby, senior executive editor at WNYC and Fordham alumnus (FCRH ’93) and Dr. Beth Knobel, associate professor of communications and advisor of The Fordham Ram, joined Carras.

Knobel was a late substitution for another Fordham graduate, Jonathan Vigliotti, an NBC correspondent, who was called away to report on a story.

The three, each with a background in one of the original mediums — radio, television and print — discussed the ever-changing climate of journalism and offered advice to aspiring students.

Another well-known face in the industry, George Bodarky, FCRH ’93, news director of WFUV and president of the Public Radio News Directors Inc., moderated the discussion, which was sponsored by Fordham’s Public Media Student Journalist Association.

The night began with the question, “What inspired your career in journalism?”

Knobel gave the first answer,

discussing her background, which started at a “primitive newspaper.”

She said that it gave her the start she needed before moving to Ladies Home Journal, which gave her the knowledge about the business and an air of professionalism before moving on to more in-depth reporting assignments.

“There was something I liked about telling news,” Knobel said.

“It’s fulfilling getting the answer to tough questions.”

Welby commended the programs at Fordham for giving her a head start. She said the communications department here was incredible for producing so many great talents before her.

She also discussed the opportunities offered outside of the classroom.

“WFUV let us go out and tell stories,” Welby said.

Carras, who comes from England, said that he knew “the power of TV” ever since he was eightyears-old.

“I got to drag a camera and talk to people,” Carras said. He continued by saying how everyone has a story they would like to tell.

The three then continued discussing their past and current careers, while relating them to advice for the students.

Knobel described her career working as a Moscow correspondent and related it to the importance of social media and the Internet today. This is now how she stays up-to-date on the recent events over in Russia.

Welby discussed how her career today was shaped by a relationship developed at WFUV. This tied directly to Carras’ advice on networking.

“It makes a massive difference,” Carras said, specifically speaking about his current job as the producer at “CBS Sunday Morning.”

Carras said he made himself as valuable as possible in front of the right people and was lucky enough to land his current position.

The three then continued offering advice and answering student questions.

Bodarky began the Q&A by asking a very poignant question that many young journalists wonder — what is essential to have in their “tool set.”

Knobel said that cognitive capacity is more important than literal editing or technical skills.

“You have to be able to write and ask questions,” Knobel said.

“You have to think critically, do your homework, make more of opportunities. The most important skills are still writing and thinking skills.”

Welby said that she is constantly looking online at new recruits’ portfolios and social media accounts.

She even said that it could be counted against a prospective employee if he or she did not have an active social media account or if he or she said the wrong thing online.

“I’ve seen people lose their jobs for opinion,” Welby said. “You have to present professional personas.”

All three stressed the importance of getting involved outside the classroom.

For Welby, WFUV, here at Fordham, was everything. Knobel noted the importance of balancing internships with getting involved at the media outlets here

on campus.

Carras re-emphasized the fact that internships allow students to be more competitive in the market because many get hired from their opportunities.

The last major topic the three addressed was the recent convergence of media outlets.

“You need a multimedia platform,” Carras said. “The more you can do, the better.”

Knobel and Welby, however, also stressed the importance of not losing sight of the fundamentals, while tailoring a resume to fit a job.

“Show off your knowledge of the employer,” Welby said. “I know about this. I know you need me.”

“Explain exactly why you fit,” Knobel said. “But don’t give up the ability to focus of the value of depth reporting.”

The evening ended with personal sentiments.

Knobel described what she did and still does as a correspondent for CBS as the “best job in the world.”

“One day, I definitely am going to have to get a real job,” Carras said.

1,800 Tickets Gone in 3 Hours

KATE DOHENY/THE RAM

Students began lining up for the Under the Tent ticket sales on Monday, April 22 as early at 11:15 a.m. The ticket sales began at 1 p.m. and the 1,800 tickets available were gone by 3:45 p.m. The wait paid off, however, as students who were stuck in the massive line, which stretched to Houlihan Park, were able to get their tickets. For those who missed the sales, the Residence Halls Association will be selling a limited number after the Spring Weekend Concert for $25.

—Kelly Kultys, News Editor

NEWS

April 24, 2013

Page 5

Cookie’s Out of Webster Ave, Burlington Coat Factory In

By KRIS VENEZIA STAFF WRITER

The children’s department store Cookie’s, near Fordham University’s Rose Hill campus, is giving way to the Burlington Coat Factory this June.

The store is located on Webster Avenue between Fordham Road and 193rd Street. Burlington will have 70,000 square feet of space to work with when it opens.

Martin McCormack, FCRH ‘15, said he is happy Cookie’s Kids Department Store is closing, because he was not a fan of the place.

“I never went to Cookie’s,” McCormack said. “It just seemed like a sketchy store in the Bronx and I'm a bit of a brand name type of guy.”

He also said he will go to the Burlington Coat Factory because its clothing is more appealing to him.

“It's a name I know, and it's already got a brand,” he said. “It just seems like a store you can trust that sells high-quality products.”

Cookie’s Kids Department Store has spent seven years at Webster Avenue in the Bronx.

The company has other locations in the Bronx, and a representative for the company has said that Cookie’s will open another department store in the area.

Officials from Cookie’s have said that financial concerns are behind the decision to close the

JACLYN BASILE / THE RAM

The Cookie’s Kids Department Store is closing and will be replaced with a Burlington Coat Factory outlet in June 2013.

location.

Burlington Coat Factory currently has six locations open for business in New York City; the Webster Avenue coat factory will be the seventh. The new store will be its second in the Bronx.

Joe Lynch, FCRH ‘15, said he does not want to see Cookie’s go because it is a part of the Bronx community.

“I think Cookie’s is a symbol of Fordham Road,” Lynch said.

“When the train is pulling up to the Fordham station, I cannot tell you how many times I have recognized the Fordham stop just be-

cause of Cookie’s.”

Lynch said that while he did not frequent Cookie’s, he still likes the store to a larger extent than the Burlington Coat Factory.

“One time I got bored and walked into Cookie’s, but I didn't buy anything,” he said. “The name [Burlington Coat Factory] just isn't as fun [as Cookie’s].”

The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) wants to continue to transform the area outside of Rose Hill by bringing in more brand name outlets.

Even before the announcement

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of Burlington Coat Factory coming to the area, T.J. Maxx opened a location at Fordham Plaza.

The NYCEDC announced earlier this month that it will attempt to transform Webster Avenue into a booming area for many businesses.

The NYCEDC will be working with four other organizations to spur the change, including Fordham University and the New York Botanical Garden.

“The vision plan for Webster Avenue provides a roadmap, not only for connecting great Bronx neighborhoods, but for integrat-

ing historic Bronx institutions with new business and residential development that hold promise for the borough’s future,” New York City Economic Development Corporation President Seth Pinsky said in a press release statement.

Rev. Joseph McShane, S.J., president of the University, has praised the proposal to reshape the landscape just outside of the school’s gates.

“We believe our partnership with the Economic Development Corporation and our sister institutions will bring not just economic development to the borough but a more equitable share in the city’s wealth and resources,” McShane said.

The closing of Cookie’s Kids Department Store and the addition of the Burlington Coat Factory will be one step of the NYCDEC’s plan.

While some Fordham students say they are excited for Burlington Coat Factory to arrive on Webster Avenue, others remain quite indifferent about the entire situation.

Rebecca Van Sambeck, FCRH’15, said she does not have a preference for either Cookie’s Kids Department Store or Burlington Coat Factory.

“I have personally never shopped [at Burlington Coat Factory or Cookie’s],” Van Sambeck said. “I don’t really think I ever will.”

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Apri 24, 2013

opinion

Page 7

Do Not Doubt Fordham, Prospects Continue to Rise

By PATRICK MAROUN STAFF WRITER

Every April, at the Spring Preview event for accepted students, Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of the University, stands in front of thousands of accepted students and their families and exclaims, “Congratulations! You are the most talented class that Fordham has ever had.” Every year he says the same exact thing and not once has he lied.

This is a testament to the great work that is being done here at Fordham. We have a great community of students, faculty and alumni whose accomplishments and impact on the city of New York are becoming better known.

For the past 22 application cycles, Fordham’s applicant pool has grown. Each year sees a larger pile of applications than the last and the largest the school has ever had.

Are these surging numbers indicative of students’ greater interest in Fordham or are they merely part of the greater national trend? Since the proliferation of the Common Application, students have experienced an easier application process than they had in the past. Because they only have to fill out all of their personal information once no matter how many schools they apply to, students are more willing to apply to

XXXX GRACE LILLY/THE RAM

Each year, Fordham admits a more accomplished class as its freshman applicants grow in both quality and quantity.

more than just a handful of schools.

I only applied to five schools, a number that I felt was actually reasonable, but many of my classmates applied to as many as 15.

Is it possible that students are not only applying to more schools, but also “reaching” for more schools that they might not be qualified to attend?

I asked Director of Undergraduate Admission, Patricia Peek, to weigh in on Fordham’s place within the larger trend of college application.

“This is our 22nd consecutive year of application increases,” Peeks said. “This increase has not only been in volume; our applications

represent a more geographically (all 50 states and over 100 countries) and ethnically diverse pool (over 40 percent of applicants are from multicultural backgrounds).”

Peek noted that the credentials of Fordham’s applicant pool have risen as wel..

“The applicant pool has also gained in its overall academic quality as measured by both testing (mean SAT of 1213) and high school performance (mean GPA 3.52). The growth in the pool has allowed us to become increasingly more selective with an acceptance rate that for the last several years has been below 50 percent,” Peek said.

I was not around five or 10 years

ago, but I do know that there are only about 50 schools in the country that accept less than 50 percent of their applicant pool. This means that Fordham is not only attracting the attention of talented students, but also attracting a lot of students in general.

Peek went on to discuss Fordham’s shifting recruitment strategy.

“For the last two decades, Fordham has made a concerted and strategic effort to recruit a more national and international applicant pool,” Peek said. “Given demographic shifts, with a decreasing number of potential college bound students in the Northeast to a growing population in the West and Southwest,

it has been important that we seek growth in those areas,” Peek said.

When I made my college decision, almost none of my classmates had ever even heard of Fordham. I got a lot of responses like, “where in Florida?” Despite this, Fordham’s national recognition is ever growing and the University’s constant efforts for improvement should not go unnoticed.

When I give tours every week, almost a third of the buildings that I talk about were built in the last 20 years including: two residence halls and the Hughes Hall renovation in the last three years, O’Hare Hall in 2006 and the William D. Walsh Family Library in 1997. This is in addition to all of the minor touchups, renovations and additions that the University engages in continuously.

Fordham students are too quick to doubt and much too quick to criticize. I think it is time that we take a step back and understand that we are the recipients of a world class education and many of us will be the future of this fine city of New York. It’s time that we all take a little more pride in our one-of-a-kind university, the Jesuit University of New York.

Patrick Maroun, FCHR ’15, is a theology and political science major from Norwood, Mass.

Community Service Goes Beyond Resume-Building

By KATHERINE VALLES CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The image of youth volunteerism has long been students rolling up their sleeves for an afternoon of helping out the less fortunate — perhaps at a soup kitchen, a food pantry or a charity drive.

After their shift, these collegiate volunteers leave with a sense of personal accomplishment, an uplifting feeling from giving a couple of hours of their time to a less privileged community (and more proof of their altruism on their resumes).

After all, what can possibly be wrong when college students generously give up a couple hours of their own free time to see what life on the outside of Fordham’s gates is like?

In many universities and schools around the country, community service is either strongly encouraged or outright required for graduation. This system benefits students and communities surrounding college campuses alike. Students will always have the opportunity to open their eyes to community justice issues, and communities will always have their underlying problems alleviated when students and other do-gooders come to help in neatly designated volunteering shifts.

While Fordham does not require service for graduation, it promotes the Jesuit philosophy of humanes pro aliis, men and women for others.

Yet, this type of service does not aim at eliminating the underlying problems that create the need for charities to distribute

basic groceries at food pantries, or, in an act known as a Midnight Run, for groups of volunteers to run through Manhattan distributing clothing and socks to the homeless. Indeed, the image of volunteers distributing food and money can arguably be one of detachment as well — the social gap between a student at a private university and the people who rely on charity to get by is even more pronounced at soup kitchens and Midnight Runs.

Fortunately, college student volunteerism is shifting from men and women for others towards men and women with others.

“I’ve had a very positive volunteering experience through a service learning class called Works of Mercy, Work for Justice,” says Mohamed Sabour, FCRH ’14, who worked with the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition said. “It opened my eyes to greater issues in the Bronx, and the shortcomings of services provided to them. This was more hands-on; you got to see why and how people were affected by bureaucracy, and why it was difficult to get things done.”

Aside from taking a service learning course, Fordham students can also be placed with community organizations through the Dorothy Day Service and Justice Center.

Vicki Gruta, FCRH ’14, has been working with Jumpstart, which gives academic help to young students from low-income neighborhoods, since January.

“If a student can look past just the deeds and into the systems causing problems in the first place,

GABREL WEBBER /WIKIMEDIA

College students continue to work with service organizations that require responsibility and leadership.

then I absolutely think volunteering can help in addressing underlying issues,” Gruta said.

Gruta appreciates the opportunity that volunteering with Jumpstart has given her to “break out of the so-called ‘Fordham bubble.’”

Although Gruta recognized she might not be able to change things right away, she did find the experience valuable.

“I learned from the people within the community and try my best to empathize with them.

I can become more informed and aware, and let this awareness affect my voting habits and social justice thoughts for the future,” said Gruta.

Even outside of Fordham’s service learning offerings and the Dorothy Day center, student volunteers are taking up service positions that require responsibility and leadership.

Grace Perrotta, FCRH ’14, has been serving as an EMT with her local volunteer ambulance corps in South Jamaica, Queens for the

past four years.

“I acquired a suite of new skills I never knew I was capable of having when I first started, and I get to serve my community in a truly intimate way,” says Perrotta, “One of the most notable experiences I’ve had that has driven me to continue on in healthcare has been being there to help deliver a baby in an elevator.”

Over the course of four years, Perrotta has taken up a large amount of responsibility for a volunteer, ensuring the safety of both patient and ambulance crew as a crew chief and having a part in financial and operational decisions as a member of the board of directors.

“I would characterize my four years of service thus far as both an opportunity for personal growth and a strong personal challenge, Perrotta said.

Instead of dishing out resources to communities vaguely characterized as the “less fortunate,” service becomes more meaningful when

students are challenged to learn from the people they are working with, in an attitude of solidarity.

Of course, as level of involvement within the community increases, so do the demands of service.

“I think this type of service is not something everyone is capable of doing,” said Sabour. “If you do not want to help, then you won’t do it properly.”

“I feel that most college students who volunteer do so out of the goodness of their hearts and with a sincere intention to improve the lives of those in the communities they serve,” Perrotta said. “There are, however, the few people who choose to volunteer for what I could only call misguided reasons. It’s my hope that these people can turn their motivations outward and become a part of something much larger than a line on a resumes.”

Katherine Valles, FCRH ’14, is a biology and theology major from Queens, N.Y.

OPINION

Page 8

The Fordham Ram

R

Serving 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 4,500. The Fordham Ram office is located in the basement of the McGinley Center, Rm. B-52.

FordhamRam.com Advertising: (718) 817-4379 Executive: (718) 817-4380 Fax: (718) 817-4319 theram@fordham.edu Fordham University - Station 37 Box B Bronx, NY 10458 Editor-in-Chief Connor Ryan Managing Editor Canton Winer Editorial Director Rory Masterson Copy Chief Katie Nolan News Editor Kelly Kultys Assistant News Editors Kate Meyer Girish Swaminath Opinion Editor Richard Bordelon Assistant Opinion Editor Joseph Vitale Arts & Entertainment Editor Devon Sheridan Assistant Arts & Entertainment Editor Danielle Garrand Executive Sports Editor Dan Gartland Sports Editor Matt Rosenfeld Assistant Sports Editor Max Prinz Layout Editor Kate Doheny Photo Editor Elizabeth Zanghi Web Editor Anne Couture Assistant Web Editor Courtney Ho Business Directors Nikos Buse Drew Rapp Circulation Director Gary Guarnaccia Distribution Managers Stephanie Kawalski Shannon Marcoux Faculty Advisor Dr. Beth Knobel Copy Team John Bonazzo P.J. Brogan Rosemary Derocher Michael Dauber Elisa Frangaj Alina Gandrabur • Kady Jay Clare Larson • Leona Lam Francesca Leite Catrina Livermore Jack MacGregor Lauren Manzino Shannon Marcoux Katherine O’Marra Vincent Pellizzi Anthony Pucik Stephanie Sarno Kirsten Simons Austin Thomas Opinion Policy The Fordham Ram appreciates submissions to fordhamramletters@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.

April 24, 2013

From the Desk of Katie Meyer, Assistant News Editor The summer before eighth grade, I was really, really excited for school to start. This wasn’t just because I was a giant nerd and loved buying school supplies, although I am sure that was part of it. I was excited because eighth grade was the year that my school began offering foreign language classes, and 13 year old me thought that was the COOLEST thing ever. I was going to be original, too. Not like those other lemmings who took French and Spanish, the “boring” languages. No, I was inspired. I was taking Italian. I was going to read the great works of Dante and Petrarch. I would soon be able to communicate with people around the world!

Or, you know, in Italy and parts of Switzerland.

And so began my six-year love/ hate relationship with the Italian language.

I was first introduced to Italy and Italian a few years earlier by a book called The Thief Lord, which my aunt had gotten me for Christmas.

It quickly became one of my favorite books, not just because it’s a great story, but also because of its loving, romantic descriptions of Venice and use of Italian words and phrases throughout (with a glossary in the back, which I memorized). The language was beautiful, Venice sounded beautiful, Google Images proved that it was beautiful and I wanted to go to Italy. That, and the aforementioned

need to be unique, prompted me to take Italian despite my dad’s very practical warning that Spanish would be much more useful.

In the beginning, Italian lived up to my expectations impressively. I had a good teacher; I did well and actually got a lot of joy out of the novelty of learning a new language. As I got into high school, though, it got a little tougher.

Throughout high school, I had an Italian teacher who was constantly on the verge of retirement, and only stayed on part-time at the school’s insistence when they could not find a replacement. He was a great guy, and I remember him fondly whenever I say an Italian swear word. Unfortunately, his non-profanity-related lessons seldom made sense, and I spent the majority of my three years of high school Italian watching movies. I finished high school Italian in my junior year, and at that point I saw the language as a waste of time, but an innocuous one.

I was more or less indifferent.

Then came Fordham and its core language requirement. I was automatically placed in Intermediate II Italian, but from the beginning, I had suspicions that I wasn’t qualified to be there. It had been a full year since I had taken any kind of Italian class, and even before that year my foundation was questionable at best. I ultimately stayed in the class, though. That is where the hate part of my relationship

with Italian comes in.

In my first semester of college, I learned more Italian than I had in my entire high school career, and I worked harder too. I appreciated the great instruction my professor gave me, and I felt accomplished when I did not immediately fail. I also began to really resent the class, however. It was an arbitrary requirement, and unless an unknown rich great aunt bequeathed me enough money to travel to Europe or something, I probably would not use it practically. I just wanted to finish the class, fulfill the requirement and move on with my life.

But now, so close to the end of my second and final semester of Italian, I think my feelings are changing once again. Do not get me wrong; learning a language is hard. It requires a lot of effort and commitment, and the congiuntivo imperfetto will probably never not be annoying. But now I’m starting to think it might actually be worth it.

Learning another language does not just give you the ability to talk to foreigners, it gives you a connection with them, and with their culture, that is actually pretty profound. When you study sentence structure, slang terms, vocabulary and the like, you can see how native speakers communicate and interact with each other, and you can even get some insight into the history and evolution of the language.

And even though I will not use it every day, Italian can be useful.

As the semester winds down, and with Spring Weekend upon us, everyone at Fordham is beginning to consider what summer will bring, despite the residual, lingering chills which prevent full utilization of Edward’s Parade.

One group of students, however, is carefully considering its final moments on this campus: the seniors of Fordham’s graduating class of 2013.

You, who were the last to reside in Hughes Hall. You, who remember when the business school was nameless, faceless and homeless. You, who have filled out every form, all the requirements and tirelessly checked your my.Fordham accounts to ensure that you do not have holds preventing you from receiving the most expensive piece of paper any of you will likely ever buy. When you walk across Keating’s steps on May 18, you end a period of your lives which you may recall with fondness, anger or indifference.

And so, many of you may be asking, “What now?” In an econo-

my which, though it continues to recover from the near-depression that began in 2007, is not at its strongest for recent college graduates. Many soon-to-be graduates are discouraged as they assess their options beyond Fordham.

Seniors may begin to wonder if their hard-won undergraduate degrees will actually help them in the rapidly changing and unstable economy. Perhaps this question is the most important of all. It means that the road ahead stretches far beyond your eyes. It is not one to be decided by credit counts, time slots or votes.

Rather than see the road after college as fraught with pitfalls, perhaps seniors should see it as covered in opportunities. College has prepared you to do more than write papers and time how late you can sleep in before you are late to class.

College has shown you how to work with minimal sleep under stressful conditions. Sure, maybe sometimes you created those situations yourselves, but it’s a

very similar situation to a boss breathing down your neck asking when the report they asked for will be done. College has given you an opportunity to learn how to network and speak to those with seniority in a professional and respectful manner. College has given you the chance to live in what many call the greatest city in the world.

Maybe right now things do not look that bright. Maybe right now it does not seem like your degree at Fordham was worth it as you prepare for post-grad purgatory, but we at The Fordham Ram believe that it will be, just maybe not right away.

Take a step back and think about it. Fordham has given you numerous intangibles that you may not have gotten at a state institution. By now the catch phrases “men and women for others” and “educating the whole person” are probably ingrained in your head, but they do actually hold meaning. You have learned how to work as a part of a team, which

Last summer, when I was working as a cashier, one of the customers who came through my line was an elderly little Italian lady who didn’t speak a lot of English. Tentatively, I greeted her with buongiorno, and her face just lit up. We ended up having a brief conversation, mostly about how she loved meeting people who spoke her language. There weren’t many.

If I hadn’t been able to speak to that woman it wouldn’t have been the end of the world. I would have bagged her cat food and spaghetti, and she would have gone on her way. Instead, though, I was able to communicate with her, and because of that we made a connection.

Even though I don’t work at the store very often anymore, I know for a fact that if I am there one day, and that lady is there too, she will say buongiorno to me.

Buongiorno! Come stai oggi? (How are you today?)

And I smile at her and say Sto bene.

(I’m good. )

EDITORIAL: Seniors, Hope Lies Ahead

is useful in any industry. You have learned to sacrifice your time for others and not be completely locked in your own little universe.

You suffered your way through two philosophies and two theologies, but you never know in a job interview if your interviewer is a huge fan of St. Augustine’s readings. The skills you gained in those eloquentia perfecta classes will definitely come in handy when you communicate with coworkers.

The message here is do not give up yet. Right now things may look uncertain, and you may be cursing the very institution whose degree may very well get you a sixfigure job ten years from now, so do not worry yourself sick about the job market. Things have a way of working out.

Editorial Policy The Fordham Ram’s editorials are selected on a weekly basis, and are meant to reflect the editorial board’s view on a particular issue.

Do you have strong opinions?

Write for the opinion section!

Send us an email at fordhamramopinions@gmail.com

OPINION

April 24, 2013

Page 9

Cartoon Characters Add to Trash in Times Square

Stephen Fragano

By ANDREW SANTIS STAFF WRITER

“Mommy!

Mommy!

It’s Elmo!,” cries out a little boy who spots the furry, red monster from a distance. “Mommy! Mommy!

It’s Mickey Mouse!” cries out another boy who sees the iconic mouse waving to him from a street corner.

No, these children are not at Sesame Street or Disney World. If they were, the Elmo and Mickey Mouse would not be so creepy looking or be demanding a tip for posing for a picture. These children are in Times Square where knockoff Elmos and knockoff Mickey Mouses, along with fake Cookie Monsters, phony Hello Kitties and bogus Spongebobs, roam the Crossroads of the World, preying on tourists and blockhead New Yorkers, for a picture and tip.

Just two weeks ago, two-year old Samay Kurada and his mother Parmita were in Times Square when they made the fateful decision to pose with Cookie Monster. The supposedly harmless, furry, blue, cookie-obsessed Sesame Street monster demanded a $2 tip for posing with Samay. Parmita said that when she told the Cookie Monster that her husband needed to get cash, Cookie Monster pushed the boy and began calling her and the child obscene names.

The man in the Cookie Monster costume, 33-year-old Osvaldo Quiroz-Lopez, was charged with assault, child endangerment and aggressive begging. In September 2012, Adam Sandler, a.k.a. Elmo, was arrested for going on an anti-Semitic rant in Times Square. He was also arrested earlier that year for harassing people in Central Park. In December 2012, Damon Torres, formerly Times Square’s Super Mario, was arrested for groping a woman. In February 2012, Philip Williams, once Spider-Man, was arrested for assaulting a woman who refused to tip him after he had taken a picture with her two kids.

Besides the recent arrests, the cartoon characters have been caught drinking, urinating in public, using foul language and even fighting each other for pictures with tourists, especially when there is more than one of each character.

Now do not get me wrong. I do not despise the people who dress up as these cartoon characters.

50 Shades of Success

KATE DOHENY /THE RAM

Cartoon characters roam Times Square, while taking photos and haggling unwanting customers for money.

They are, for the most part, trying to make a living, even if it means making $30-$50 like Laura Vanegas (Lady Liberty) might make in an eight-hour shift, or wearing a costume in the summer time and risk fainting, dehydration or a heat stroke.

What I do not like is how they have become the unofficial mascots of the city and how they have added to the congestion of the already narrow streets of Times Square.

Their reputation, as just described, is not great either. Let us not forget that Times Square has always been the city’s blemished district. In the 1980s, Times Square was plagued with crime and pornography.

Today, ugly and useless pedestrian plazas attract swarms of homeless people and street performers to the area, making it impassable during every hour of the day.

Now, with these cartoon char-

acters walking along the street, pestering every passersby, I find myself avoiding Times Square altogether.

So what to do with these characters? According to City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, the city cannot just kick them off the streets.

“Dressing up in a costume and walking around Times Square is, we believe, a First Amendmentprotected activity,” Quinn said when she addressed the Cookie Monster incident.

At the moment there is no regulation for the Times Square cartoon characters, but City Councilman Peter Vallone has been looking to “come up with a way to make this safer, with an eye toward background checks and licenses.” Hopefully the City Council will limit the number of characters that can stand in Times Square (as many as 52 were spotted one afternoon), and prevent them from constantly coming

up to people asking them to take a picture. Let the chumps — I mean customers — come to you, okay, Dora the Explorer?

Times Square is the heart of New York. It is a pity that it continues to have a bad reputation.

Everyone dreams of coming to the Big Apple to see the lights, watch a play on Broadway, shop and have a bite to eat at a famed New York City restaurant. They did not come to take a picture with a fake Elmo.

Both tourists and New Yorkers can do without these creepy cartoon characters. They mean no harm, at least we think, but there is no need for them here. New York does not need a mascot. Disney World and Sesame Street do.

But, regardless of my feelings, if these “street performers” could make it here, should they not be able to make it anywhere?

Andrew Santis, GSB ’16, is a marketing major from Flushing , N.Y.

QINRUI HUA /THE RAM

Elmo and Minnie Mouse accost passerby in New York’s biggest tourist destination, attracting some and frustrating other.

Senate Fails American People, Sinks Background Checks

By JOSEPH VITALE ASSISTANT OPINION EDITOR

The gun control debate continues to make waves in Washington D.C. and in the media as measures to extend background checks stalled in Congress.

While gun violence in America remains at a higher rate than in any other country, millions of Americans are looking to government leaders to extend measures to prevent more atrocities. Meanwhile, pro-gun groups stand with money to spend and rights to defend, leading to a messy, ugly divide in

the current political landscape.

This past week, the Senate voted against a number of bills which would enact further restrictions on purchasing guns in America.

The measure that would assure background checks on gun purchases and eradicate “gun-show loopholes,” came up with just 45 of the 60 required votes to pass in the Senate.

The gun-show loophole extends to online exchanges and classified advertisements, which is how 40 percent of all guns are purchased in the United States.

The event struck as a victory for

those looking to protect every aspect of their right to bear arms, while President Obama called the failure “a shame.”

According to current federal law, background checks are necessary in transactions completed by licensed dealers. The issue is that these particular “gun-show” transactions are not conducted by licensed dealers. According to federal law, a dealer is one who devotes “time, attention and labor to dealing firearms as a regular course of trade or business with the principal objective of livelihood and profit.” Individuals who

sell guns from their private collections through online services and at gun show are thus excluded. If the Senate passed the bill, criminals would be legally barred from purchasing guns through either of these methods.

In a recently featured article, The New York Times reported on the easiness by which one can purchase a gun on what they call the “land of a few rules,” or the Internet. When using websites such as Armslist.com and other smaller services, for example, sellers post ads for guns they are willing to sell SEE GUNS, PAGE 11

It would be pretty safe to say that most, if not all, people desire to succeed in life. It is an internal desire every humans share. We all, in short, want to be successful in some fashion. Why wouldn’t we?

Establishments of higher learning such as Fordham persist in preparing students for lives that are gratifying. This end is achieved by preparing students to improve their chances of being successful.

Last year, when I was a graduating high school senior, the thoughts of what life might hold after high school surely raced through my head, and I had that common desire to be successful in any endeavor I might pursue.

I would imagine that the students of Fordham’s graduating class of 2013 have roughly the same thoughts as “12 grade me” had.

I think, however, that so many of us young adults plan on being successful without ever really defining success.

As simple as the word “success” appears, it is a much more complex idea than one might think.

The word “success”, in my eyes, can be comparable to the word “dog.” See the resemblance?

I would hope you do not see the resemblance, because visually, the two words are totally dissimilar and do not even share a letter. They are similar, though, in the respect that each word is a general term that can apply to many kinds of variations.

For example, a dalmatian, is a dog, a poodle is a dog, a golden retriever is a dog, etc. Any breed of dog one can imagine is in fact a kind of dog.

Although they are all dogs, however, it is pretty hard to say that a dalmatian is the same as a poodle or that a golden retriever is the same as a shih tzu.

Such is the case for success.

Success comes in all different shapes, sizes, color — you name it.

There is a plethora of forms in which success can be recognized; the thing that makes this terribly corny analogy complete is the fact that, like dog breeds, no two ideas of success are identical.

Success does not always mean making a ton of money, but a fat paycheck can be an essential for some.

Being famous or having a recognizable name may be someone’s cup of tea, while some find success in lying low and having a handful of truly good friends.

The list is limitless, and each person’s idea of success is just as unique as each person’s fingerprints. This facet of success is one of the most unique of all.

In a way, success comes only by first identifying what your success entails. Identifying is half the ever-important battle of achieving success.

So, have a fun, safe summer, and much luck to all of the seniors and their futures on the road to success.

OPINION

Page 10

John Castonguay

April 24, 2013

Vice’s Boldness Is Saving Journalism

By ZACHARY VASILE STAFF WRITER

Killing Doesn’t Warrant Hate

As both the city of Boston and the nation begin to recover from the devastating attack at the Boston Marathon and the ensuing manhunt, we are forced to decide how to react to the Tsarnaevs.

Dzhokar Tsarnaev, 19, has been accused, along with his deceased brother, of creating and setting off two pressure-cooker bombs, killing three and wounding over 180 people. He survived the gun battle that killed his brother and is now responding to questioning from officials.

President Obama’s administration has chosen, since Tsarnaev is a naturalized U.S. citizen, to prosecute him within the federal court system rather than by a military tribunal; he has not been been read his Miranda rights, however, which investigators claim is legal due to a precedent for “public safety exceptions.” He has been formally charged with using a weapon of mass destruction to kill, and he could be sentenced to death if convicted.

It is for others to argue over the legalities of the method of his interrogation, the setting for his trial and even the ethics of the death penalty if that is ultimately his sentence.

At this point in time, I am more concerned with how we, as individuals, will choose to react to Tsarnaev.

How do we understand the man responsible for the murder of innocents? How do we respond to the man who designed a bomb that intentionally caused the mutilation of countless runners and spectators, as 51 survivors remain hospitalized and three are in critical condition?

Our immediate reaction is understandably to believe that his actions warrant our hostility; we might think he is a monster.

However, we should recognize that he is still a human being and refusing to give in to the temptation to hate.

Dzhokar may represent the worst that mankind has to offer, but he is still human. Our common humanity is not erased by his horrific actions but instead calls us to respond with love, not hate.

A refusal to hate is not, as some would characterize it, a weak form of tacit approval; love must not be understood as mere toleration.

To love is to seek the good of another, and in this case, being held responsible in the court of law will be best for Tsarnaev.

Love allows us to respond constructively to this tragedy, while hate paralyzes and destroys. Tsarnaev will not raise the dead, heal the wounded or console their families; only deeds motivated by love will be able to begin to treat our national wound. Terrorists expect Americans to respond with hate, but we need to recognize that by hating we only damage ourselves.

In the words of Booker T. Washington, “I shall allow no man to belittle my soul by making me hate him.”

Vice, the journalistic champion of all things unorthodox, has been turning out magazines since 1994. Only recently, however, has the arts and culture magazine captured the eyes of so many young people.

A series of YouTube exposés, every bit as controversial as they are informative, have garnered Vice’s channel over 2.4 million views. With curiosity-piquing titles such as “World’s Scariest Drug,” “Getting High Injecting Snake Venom” and “Suicide Forest in Japan,” the 20-50 minute segments seem perfectly tailored to a demographic that demands all of the lurid details packed into an efficient timeframe.

Unsurprisingly, Vice is not without its detractors.

Adam Karlin of “The Faster Times” blog savaged the magazine and its YouTube series as “sensational” and “pandering,” while ThinkProgress. org slammed Vice for orchestrating the infamous Dennis Rodmanmeets-Kim Jong Un episode as an irresponsible stunt meant to garner ratings for the magazine’s new HBO series.

That anger, however, is largely misplaced. Far from making a mockery of journalism, Vice is saving it. When the Internet opened up the floodgates of information and print went into its existential crisis, calmer minds advised that a new model would come forth. Now one has, if those in the media establishment had the eyes to see it.

Make no mistake — Vice is not your grandparents’ news source.

There is no distance between journalist and subject, no dashing Anderson Cooper waiting in the wings to deliver a comprehensive, rational narrative. Instead, Vice dives right in and takes what it can get.

COURTESY OF WIKMEDIA

Vice publishes 25 minute segments of sensationalist content, which has attracted both praise and criticism.

In the YouTube segment entitled “The Cannibal Generals of Liberia,” Vice’s outrageous journalism is on full display, as reporter Shane Smith trudges through Monrovia’s flooded slums with characters like Joshua Blahyi, “General Butt Naked,” who claims to have made a deal with the Devil by drinking the blood of children before battle. The Vice team then proceeded to bail ex-warlord “General Bin Laden” out of prison, interview him on a city rooftop, dodge reprisals by a mob of Bin Laden’s victims and then bribe the police for their freedom. All in all, the scene unfolding is so surreal that it cannot help but captivate.

The truly valuable thing about the Vice series, as illustrated by the Liberia episode, is that it ventures beyond the “safe zones,” in more ways than one. The news crews do not have U.N. protection. Reporters pick sides. No images are blurred out. Personnel swear when something goes

wrong. Vice shocks its viewers out of apathy in an honest and unique way that Gen Yers and younger viewers respond to and enjoy.

Some scholars are starting to see the magazine’s unorthodox approach as a positive consequence of the changing face of media.

“In a world that is so hungry for information, consumers need to tell the difference between well-vetted information and things that aren’t so reliable,” Dr. Paul Levinson, professor of communications and media studies at Fordham University said.

Though Levinson has not seen Vice, he is well aware of the trend towards less formalized journalism.

“Total objectivity is a myth,” Levinson said when asked about reporters who take sides and deliberately insert themselves into news stories. “Same thing with facts and emotion. It’s a false dichotomy. But any development where you have more people more informed, and the source is

not deliberately deceitful, then that, I think, is a positive step.”

Now more than ever, viewers demand access to the uncensored stories that they want to hear about. Vice, in all fairness, cannot be criticized for giving people stories that truly intrigue them and leaving audiences more knowledgeable than when they first clicked “play.” In a country where only 37 percent of the population can locate Iraq on a world map, any new way of educating the public should be welcomed with open arms.

Though the Internet may kill print journalism as we know it, it also gives reporting a new medium in which to thrive. At its best, Vice can be a part of a proud journalistic rebirth.

Traditional media would do well to remember this, and the tenuous vital signs of their own industry, before penning another attack.

Zachary Vasile, FCRH ’14 is a communication and media studies major from Southington, Conn.

Ram on the Street Compiled by Joseph Vitale, Assistant Opinion Editor

What are your summer plans?

“I am interning at the New York City Council Parks and Recreation Department.”

— Danny Murphy, FCRH ’16

“I am going to be working as a camp counselor.

After that I will be attending nursing school.”

— Patricia Dejusus, FCRH ’13

“Sleeping.”

— Luke Palmer, GSB ’16

“I will be taking summer classes and then working as a life guard as well.”

— Juliette Arcodia, FCRH ’16

Do opinions run through your veins?

Write for the Opinion section.

Email fordhamramopinions@gmail.com

OPINION

April 24, 2013

Page 11

Pro-Gun Groups Continue to Sway Votes in Congress GUNS, FROM PAGE 9

and wait for buyers. Often times buyers fail to supply background information and government forms, and federal clearance is skipped so the process is waived; as a ressult a buyer’s criminal history remains unknown. The New York Times made a point to track down as many potential buyers as possible by way of posted cell phone numbers. They were led to a handful of buyers who possessed a plethora of previous charges.

One of the buyers reached was contacted through numerous posts offering $200 in cash for a handgun. He had previously been convicted of burglary, motor vehicle theft and domestic violence.

Each of these charges legally bans a person from possessing guns, yet the loophole in the system allows these kinds of people to gain access to guns.

Following the news of the bill’s failure to pass, President Obama spoke at a press conference with the families of victims of the Newtown shooting.

“Sooner or later, we are going to get this right,” he added. “The memories of these children [of Sandy Hook Elementary School] deserve it, and so do the American people.”

Following the voting, it becomes difficult to blame any single figure that has played a role in the furthering of the debate of gun control. This includes advocates of gun control, a frustrated president and nearly every Democrat in Washingtont who stand against

the immense National Rifle Association (NRA) and almost every Republican in Congress. Both sides continue to weigh on the conscience of the Senate, with advocates of gun control having everything to gain.

On Wednesday, the NRA’s president, Wayne LaPierre, urged members to blitz their Senators with phone calls, letters and emails. The NRA spent an additional $500,000 on Wednesday in an effort to denounce Obama’s “gun ban.”

It also led senators to tell complete lies about the proposed bill.

Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK), for instance, told voters it would lead to a tax increase. Senator Jeff Flake (R-AZ) insisted the measure would require background checks to be place on office bulletin boards in the workplace.

Others accused the measure of instilling a national registry system.

None of these measures, however, were ever even suggested in any legislation.

While the American people remain in favor of enacting measures that extend background checks, pro-gun organizations such as the NRA continue to conjure misguided and misinformed rhetoric and might have influenced legislative decisions by using money and lobbying. According to a Luntz poll, 85 percent of gun owners who are not members of the NRA support mandatory background checks on all purchasers at gun shows and through online services.

PETER SOUZA/WIKIMEDIA

Former Rep. Gabrielle Gifford continues to be a strong proponent of gun control following her attempted assassination.

Just as important, 69 percent of gun owners who are members of the NRA support the same background checks. This represents members speaking individually, not on behalf of the organization.

While we have the highest civilian gun ownership of any country, most Americans do not own guns (75 percent of gun owners own at least two).

Also, according to a survey conducted by the National Policy Opinion Center, gun ownership has decreased in the past few decades. In 1973, guns were in about every other household in the country. Now, it is 1 in every 3.

About 1 in every 5 American citizens owns a gun, down from 1

in every 3 just 30 years ago. Even with declining ownership rates, America maintains a murder rate 3 to 5 times higher than any other country. In the latest AP survey, 86 percent of those questioned supported extending the background checks to gun shows and to online purchases.

“The American people are trying to figure out,” President.

Obama said. “How can something have 90 percent support and yet not happen?”

Well, President Obama: It takes a flaw in the democratic system, a misuse of elected power and a disconnect between consensus and rhetoric.

While advocates of gun con-

trol have made their pitch and garnered incredible widespread support, the dilemma lies in the politics, in the lobbying and in the amounts of money being spent.

As Gabrielle Giffords put it, the elected representatives blatantly “ignored the will of the American people.”

Senators may have defended their choices to vote against measures with their logic and their conscience. The American people, however, remain with unanswered questions and unsatisfied demands — the antithesis of democracy.

Joseph Vitale is a political science and English major from Staten Island, N.Y.

Think Summer, Think Fordham Summer Session 2013 Session I: May 28 - June 27

Session II: July 2 – August 6

Catch up or get ahead!

• The Classical Tradition, EP 3 (CLAS 4020) • Epic Journeys (ENGL 3225) • Introduction to Physical Anthropology (ANTH 1200) • Business Communication (CMBU 3225) Or choose from 200 courses available this summer at Fordham University Learn more at

fordham.edu/summer or call 888-411-GRAD

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Page 12

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fordhamram.com

April 23, 2013

The Fordham Ram is going to Antartica for summer vacation.

This will be our last issue of the semester.

We’ll be back for your info-tainment in the Fall.

THE FORDHAM RAM

Arts & Entertainment

April 24, 2013

Page13

Fordham Boarding Culture, Commuting to Class on Four Wheels FROM SKATEBOARDING, PAGE 1

Short answer? It is complicated.

For outsiders (that is, those who choose to walk to class), the question is at the crux of a confusing difference between the two types of boards. Even for the advanced riders, the lingo can be tough to keep straight.

For instance, both longboarding and skateboarding fall under the same umbrella verb: “skating.” The question of the difference in boards is both a harmless and understandable one that even some veteran skaters struggle to concretely answer.

“It’s pretty simple, I guess,” Chmiel said. “Longboards are just longer, with bigger wheels and they’re easier to control. But for an exact answer [you have to] look that up; that’s something Google could tell you, not me,” he said when he was asked to name the differences in the two types of boards.

Terrence Walsh, FCRH ’15, says he has been longboarding since his senior year of high school.

“I guess longboarding is more cruising around getting from place to place,” Walsh said. “Skateboarders do that too, but skateboarding is a little slower and more technical.”

To a casual observer the differ-

ences are also probably noticeable.

Skateboards are small, usually less than 35 inches in length, and louder on pavement. Longboards, characterized by their long length (easy enough) and ability to carve wide turns, can run up to 55 inches in length and generally ride smoother against the ground.

For anyone even vaguely familiar with boarding, this information may seem laughably novice, but the fact of the matter is that plenty of students, either by chosen ignorance or sheer bad luck, have never been around a skateboard culture before college.

The dichotomy between skateboarding and longboarding raises questions about the skateboarding culture at Fordham because boarding is, to varying degrees, a culture and lifestyle as much as it is an activity For Casanova and Chmiel, two dedicated skateboarders, there is indeed a difference, especially in terms of longboarding’s relatively easy accessibility compared to skateboarding.

“I feel like there’s more longboarders, because people don’t skateboard at college,” Casanova said. “I think maybe they’re scared of getting hurt and [longboarding] is safer in a way, but that’s what I think is cool about

ELIZABETH ZANGHI/THE RAM

Student try out new tricks on campus and rock the California style.

longboarding because more people can get into skateboarding via longboarding.”

JP Raynal, FCRH ’15, is an example of someone who recently found longboarding’s alluring accessibility.

As a sophomore in college, Raynal took up longboarding only last semester.

“I started longboarding about five or six months ago and had some serious issues balance-wise,” Raynal said.

“However, I stuck with it and bought a sector nine board and have been riding around Fordham since.”

As for the safest place for a beginner to practice, Raynal said he enjoys skating past Fordham Prep and near Martyrs Court — coincidentally, the same area Chmiel and Casanova frequently visit with their boards.

The dichotomy between skateboarding and longboarding gives rise to playful jesting, too.

“Longboarding is definitely cooler,” Walsh said.

Chmiel gave reciprocal feelings from his seat as a longboarder.

“Skateboarding is for nerds,” Chmiel joked.

But one thing that does unite the two groups of boarders is their mutual feeling about their experiences with Fordham security.

“They don’t like us riding in crowded areas — they think it’s a pedestrian school,” Walsh said. “I’ve just been told to keep [my skating] to behind the buildings that are around the fences. I don’t really have a problem with them; they tell us to stop, but you just walk around until they leave and get right back on.”

As The Fordham Ram interviewed other boarders on campus, a pattern seemed to be apparent.

“If we have too many people skating over in some spots people will complain, but they never harass us,” Casanova said. “They never bother you.”

When asked about Fordham’s official regulations, answers were muddled.

“I thought technically we weren’t supposed to skateboard,” Casanova said, “but I thought it was an unspoken rule that we could. I haven’t seen it in the handbook. It’s safer for us to skate here on campus compared to off-campus where people can be less understanding.”

Fordham’s student handbook states that skateboards “may not be ridden on campus” due to the threat of injury to pedestrians.

Raynal says he has a more bureaucratic idea of Fordham’s skating policy.

“It has recently come to my attention that it is against Fordham policy to skateboard/longboard around campus when people are around,” Raynal said.

It would seem the overarching theme of the relationship of Fordham’s security and administration with skaters is one of apprehensive acceptance. For both parties, this arrangement may be the best compromise and the result has produced experiences like those of Raynal, who finds the skateboarding culture on campus to be “welcoming.”

Walsh agreed, and he noted the camaraderie that skating harbors.

“If you’re riding around, and someone sees that you have a board similar to theirs, they’ll just stop you and introduce themselves and maybe ask, ‘are you trying to ride when

ELIZABETH ZANGHI/THE RAM

Boarding is a balancing act for Rams.

it’s sunny tomorrow?,’” Walsh said.

“I skateboard everywhere,” Casanova said. “To parties, to the caf, to the library, but it’s most fun to skate with friends.”

From seasoned veterans to friends of skaters who simply want to see what all the fuss is about, Fordham’s skateboarding culture is thriving among the greenery of Rose Hill.

As for those who want to know the best way to get in on the fun: “Just go skate,” Casanova said.

SAMUEL JOSEPH/THE RAM

Skateboarding is not allowed on campus, but that does not stop students.

Fashion For Philanthropy Annual Show Raises $7,000

By DYLAN DeMARTINO STAFF WRITER

The Rose Hill Gymnasium was buzzing Friday, as Fordham’s Fashion for Philanthropy held its “Fashion is Art” runway event.

The event served as the organization’s annual spring fundraising initiative to benefit the Make-a-Wish Foundation’s Metro and Western New York chapter.

The event was a full-on fashion show featuring 23 student models and showcased a variety of outfits.

Many of these outfits were donated by corporate sponsors. Some of the outfits, however, were designed by Fordham students who spent a significant amount of time producing a series of outfits to help contribute to the show.

Fordham Fashion for Philanthropy is a student group that operates with the purpose of helping Fordham students with interests in the fashion industry gain professional insight and experience. Each year, the

club partners with the Make-a-Wish Foundation to raise money. Like any large event involving a visual component like a musical or a convention there is a very long amount of time that goes into planning the event.

Megan Hynes FCRH ’13, a political science major and current president of the executive board has been involved with the planning of the show since her sophomore year. In terms of group coordination to orchestrate the event, she said “There’s a lot of planning and a lot of contact between executive board members. We start planning in the fall semester but by the week before the event, we’re pretty much in constant contact from 3 p.m. until 1a.m. every day.”

Rose Diaz-Vazquez, FCRH ’15, is a psychology major who modeled three dresses during the show. She previously modeled in her hometown of El Paso, Texas. She agreed that the time commitment becomes greater as the week of the show approaches with a full dress rehearsal taking about three hours. Diaz-

Vazquez was not daunted, and expressed that “it definitely motivates me to know that I’m helping others.”

Justin Segovia, FCRH ’14, a psychology major and marketing minor who designed five of the student, made outfits that were exhibited at the show including one worn by Rose.

“I can’t even count all of the hours I’ve spent this semester designing and sewing the dresses I planned for the show this year,” Segovia said. “It has been a lot of work, but it’s been great to have the opportunity to improve my skills as a designer while knowing that my work is contributing to help bring the Fordham community together to appreciate the talents of its students. I can say with certainty, though, that it cost me a little sleep in the last week to be sure.”

Segovia went on to explain say his general views of the organization, “I like how this organization has really brought together a lot of Fordham students who are interested in different aspects of the fashion industry.

From design, to business, to modeling, we’ve all had an opportunity here to allow our common interest to converge in a way that is beneficial to all of us as young professionals as well as to others,” Segovia’s work contributed to the “Fashion is Art” theme of the event by developing a dress line that was tonally aloof, visually ethereal and featured a thematic application of subdued floral patterns to contribute abstract as well as naturalistic thematic overtones. This showcased the melding of other mediums into the dresses themselves in accordance withthe theme of the event “Fashion is Art”.

Fashion for Philanthropy made notable use of social media as a way of promoting the event and engaging the audience during the show by encouraging attendees to follow Fashion For Philanthropy on Twitter @ fordhamffp and to tweet #runwayart during the show.

In addition to using ticket donations as a way to raise money, there

were also a large amount of high fashion items up for grabs in a series of raffles. Everything from shoes to sweaters, from bags to wallets and a full suit was donated by a variety of companies including Jeffery Campbell, Black Halo and Michael Kors.

After accounting for raffle donations and outfit pledges, in total over 40 different companies participated financially in one capacity or another in helping Fordham’s Fashion for Philanthropy raise money through the event. The level of sponsorship involvement showcases a phenomenal job on the part of the executive board to cultivate agreements with sponsors. Hynes was excited about the way that the group has been able to develop consistent sponsorship relationships with several of the companies. She expressed her confidence in the financial success of this year’s Fashion Show, saying that “we come closer and closer to the top end of our goal of $10,000.”

This year, FFP raised $7,000 toward their cause.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Page 14

April 24, 2013

TSeersucker Campus MovieFest in Full-Swing he

By EDDIE MIKUS

KEVIN ZEBROSKI This Spring Weekend’s Under the Tent is Great Gatsby themed, and the advertising flyer shows that the dance will draw stylistically from the upcoming Baz Luhrmann film. Promotional materials for the film have been heavily electric, with a forceful sonic presence and nearly steampunked set design in the typically gaudy style of Lurhmann’s films, and it all seems very sensational. The motivation for such an interpretation likely stems from a need to please modern audiences with an audiovisual overload and captivate the modern moviegoer in the same way that Gatsby captivated his friends and guests with displays of impossible wealth, glamour and personal secrecy.

A more historically-minded look at the roaring twenties would reveal a less sensational era, at least by our modern expectations of glitz. The ‘20s were sensational because they followed a long spell of utilitarian workwear emphasis. The stuff that conjures mental imagery of the hard working American miner with a heart of gold and dusty lungs was being replaced by the delicate tailoring and finery of an economic boom. Americans were done scraping the earth and begun reaping its benefits through tireless swinging and partying. Fitzgerald would likely describe the Roaring ‘20S as a fatiguing blur of personalities bumping up against each other in their most chemically enlivened states. It was a decade of weekends.

The Roaring ‘20s was not a collection of harsh clashing color pallets and gaudy jewelry, at least sartorially. The American twenties were a validation of the pinstripe, the idea that humans were somewhat entitled to regality. Out of the 1920s came a sense of personal adornment without self conscious reservation and all of the confidence one might choose to associate with bold self presentation.

It was not about showing off, but rather finding comfort in exposition, throwing your best look into the public view without worrying about offending the neighbors with brightened sensibilities and metallic accessories. The tie bar and pin were popular during the 1920’s because they were acceptable in the business sphere since silver was compliant with grayscale, but they also provided a sense of individual accomplishment.

I have a simple guideline for anyone seeking explicit recommendation. Take whatever formal wear you already own and feel comfortable in and then subvert its natural composition with some irreverent twist. Try to intentionally break at least one fashion “rule” you have picked up over the years of indoctrination in a way that makes you feel more comfortable and more prone to party. My personal favorite is the old tie for a belt substitute.

I occasionally choose to do it because I hate belts and love ties. The supposed rules of sartorial conduct say that I can only wear one tie at a time, but the sounds of the Jazz Age ring truer.

STAFF WRTER

Growing up, many Fordham students had dreams of one day going to Hollywood to enter the filmmaking business. Some have gotten the opportunity to make movies during their time on campus.

Fordham University recently participated in Campus MovieFest, a national competition that allows college students to produce five-minute long films.

“Basically, for a week, students are allowed to use professional filming equipment that the Campus MovieFest provides,” said Marisa Schmidt, FCRH ’15, who directed a movie with two other students for the event.

“For a week, they come up with a movie, and they have to film the entire thing, to have everything drawn up and included.”

Schmidt also talked to The Fordham Ram about her own entry into the competition.

“My movie was a documentary about the Battle of the Bands that occurred at Fordham,” Schmidt stated.

“Our movie had montages at the beginning where we acted as if we were bored and we had these montages of us doing silly things because we were bored. And then it went into these montages of Battle of the Bands, what’s happening on Friday.

And then we had montages of the different bands, Keating Steps, Bright Red Cardinal and La La Lush, in our

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Campus Movie fest causes people to rush for the video camera every year in hopes of winning the grand prize.

video. We interviewed them, we interviewed people at the event, and we interviewed people before the event.”

Participants said that they enjoyed the movie experience “It was actually a lot of fun,” Matt Windels, FCRH ’13, who plays a fictional resident assistant gone rogue in a film directed by Alex Avalos, FCRH ’13, said of the acting process. “I like to think I did pretty well.”

The competition also introduced the students to some of the challenges faced by filmmakers.

“We lost a lot of our sound for the footage, because the microphones died,” Schmidt said. “We basically took the ones we did have sound for

and used them in our video, and then the ones that we didn’t have sound for but really liked, we put sound over. We used Bright Red Cardinal’s original song in our movie to kind of cover that up.”

Windels told The Fordham Ram that his team encountered some challenges with regards to the length of their film as well.

“No movie always ends up exactly like you want it to,” Windels said. “We had to cut it a lot to make the fiveminute maximum.”

Schmidt also explained what the next steps are for the entries into Campus MovieFest.

“I know that this week, April 26,

they’re going to be showing the top 16 videos from this campus, and the Best Picture and the Best Drama and the Best Comedy from this campus,” Schmidt said. “And then after that, all the movies get uploaded onto YouTube. The winner of the Best Picture here gets to go to Nationals.”

Schmidt was referencing the Campus MovieFest in Hollywood, Calif. which consists of the top entries from college campuses all over the nation.

“My career would be in education; I just did this for fun,” Windels said.

“It’s not even about winning the contest for me, it’s about filming a movie and having fun with it.”

Dining Out: Juliette

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Juliette is an excellent choice for Sunday brunch if you do not mind the wait.

By LINDSEY MARRON CONTRIBUTING WRITER

This past Sunday, my wonderful parents graciously took my financially distressed self to brunch. Okay, so I may have completely suggested the idea and planned the entire excursion to my liking, but let’s be honest, reader: would you not have done the same thing, given your only option to brunch is at the Caf? Now is the time when you nod your head in utter agreement. Anyway, the spot that I chose to check out is a lovely and charming French brasserie called Juliette.

Located in the heart of Williamsburg, Juliette is found just off of the corner of Bedford Avenue and

North 5th street. Trying to score a table at the restaurant’s busiest hour of 12 p.m. noon was no easy feat, but the half hour wait was more than bearable as I meandered through the plethora of record stores, jewelry shops and food specialty stores in the area.

Juliette’s crowning highlight is it’s antique bar, circa 1930, which serves as a visual centerpiece that adds to the cohesiveness of the restaurant’s atmosphere. The ambience at Juliette was a major contributor to what was undeniably one of the greatest brunch experiences I have ever had. Directly in the center of the restaurant is Juliette’s whimsically fantastic sun room. Natural sunlight floods the room and envelopes

the profusion of green, hanging foliage which serves as a sort of canopy that adorns the quaint room. Just in time for the warm summer months ahead, Juliette recently reopened its rooftop terrace seating and bar.

Juliette truly captures the authenticity of a Parisian brasserie. From its original French light fixtures to its tabletops and signage, Juliette maintains its French brasserie atmosphere. Although I have never actually been to Paris, when I am in this restaurant I imagine myself sitting in a French café that resembles the likes of the perfectly Parisian eateries that were featured in Midnight in Paris, a personal favorite of mine.

Upon sitting down, my eyes were immediately drawn to the drink selection. I am not sure if that is a testament to my character, but if it is, I will drink to that! My mother and I ordered blood orange mimosas and my father stuck to his classic bloody mary. Not overly sweet and just tart enough, the mimosas were warmly welcomed by the two of us.

For brunch, I ordered the timeless classic eggs benedict. My father ordered the roasted banana stuffed French toast and my mother decided on the buckwheat crepe “complete.” The three of us shared sides of applewood smoked bacon and lamb sausage. My eggs benedict was accompanied by prosciutto cotto, hollandaise sauce, home fries and a side of greens in a light vinaigrette.

My only qualm about my meal was that it was not served hot enough. I am a firm believer in food being transported from the kitchen to the table piping hot. All of the

flavors of a dish reach their fullest potential when they are served hot.

That being said, what my dish lacked in heat it made up for in flavor. There was the perfect amount of hollandaise sauce covering my poached eggs, not too much that the english muffin could turn soggy and my eggs would drown in the sauce, but just enough that I was able to scoop up some of the residual sauce with my home fries. The home fries were seasoned and, to my pleasant surprise, came with caramelized onions, which complemented the robust flavor of the roasted potatoes.

My father had a certain look in his eyes while he was eating his French toast that can only be described as sheer infatuation. He was completely enamored with his brunch, so much so that he was tempted to ask for another order.

Juliette provided the perfect atmosphere and tasty fare that this broke college girl was craving. Go to Juliette and experience the romantic enchantment of this French brasserie for yourself.

Overall Location Food Quality Atmosphere Hospitality Price $$$ (Out of 4

’s)

Interested in writing restaurant and food reviews? Email: fordhamramculture@gmail. com

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

April 24, 2013

Page 15

Editor’s Pick: Beach House

By KATE DOHENY LAYOUT EDITOR

Beach House opened after Dum Dum Girls for Vampire Weekend the day before Easter 2010 in Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Md. That was the first time I heard such a sound. I did not fully appreciate Beach House’s awesomeness at that concert, because, naturally, I was focused on seeing “Vampy Weeks” perform.

I recognized that they were a good band, but I had spent the minutes that I was waiting for Ezra Koenig and his prepster friends to come on stage staring at the lead singer of Beach House, Victoria Legrand. Not because I was tranced by her amazing singing abilities, but because of her absurd hair.

Two years later, I looked beyond the unique whatever-ness upon her head and gave another listen to the music of Beach House, simply because I had randomly remembered they existed.

The band’s newest album Bloom (2012) boomed into my ear drums. If I knew music terms that would describe the way the group’s music sounds I would totally insert them into this sentence.

But, since I don’t know fanciness, I will just try to explain the greatness of Beach House in my own peasantry.

This woman’s voice is like that of an angel. Either way, it does not matter because it’s working.

The amount of passion in Victoria’s voice is unquestionably inspiring.

Listening to Beach House is also the perfect vacation from those two songs you’ve been lis-

PHOTO COURTESY OFELIZABETH ZANGHI

Beach House is not to be missed, unless you hate incredibleness.

FLICKR/ WIKIMEDIA

Beach House is a must-see for anyone who likes good music.

tening to on repeat for the past two weeks. The way the instruments hold in unison is like hearing the hollow sounds of a seashell to your ear, or even just sitting on the shore with ears wide open as the waves rush in.

Beach House’s music is the opposite of that whole game you play with chocolate chip cookies.

I’m talking about when you are eating a chocolate chip cookie that doesn’t taste good the first bite, but you eat more to find out if it will taste better.

The band’s music is more like a freshly-baked, delicious, homemade chocolate chip cookie that your grandmother just took out of the oven; from the first bite you know this won’t be the only cookie you eat from the blazing hot baking sheet.

To sum it up with a classic phrase that is actually accurate: Beach House’s music evokes emotion.

Now I’ll give you some quick

facts about them so you are more knowledgeable when you brag about your new favorite band to your friends.

Beach House formed in 2004 and is from one of the most decent states of the United: Maryland. If the band had to be pushed into a genre other than alternative, they would be thrown under that confusing “Dream Pop” label.

Alongside singer Victoria is talented male guitarist Alex Scally.

That is their basic background info, other than the obvious fact that they are really cool.

Visit their musical websites, pages and events on the interweb and listen especially to all those people who appreciate some really great hair. It’s like you can hear she has great hair.

I think you need to stop reading this and start listening to Beach House. Which is what I’ve been doing the entire time I’ve been writing this.

Dish West When: Friday, April 26 What time: 4 p.m. until 8 p.m.

Where: 135 W. 18th St Price: $35 Do not want to take part in the Spring Weekend festivities this Friday? There is no need to sit alone in your dorm watching “Grey’s Anatomy” reruns; New York City offers a delectable alternative. This Friday, don’t miss the four-hour tasting event with over 40 vendors that is Dish West. Sample chocolate pretzels with bacon pieces on them from the Baconery, more flavors of wings than you can think of from Atomic Wings and seafood from Flex Mussels. If the food does not catch your eye, which would be impossible, the bottomless bar featuring Moretti Beer and City Winery should wet your whistle. Either way, chomping and sipping delicious decision is a way better option than wandering around your dorm.

Sakura Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival When: Until Sunday, April 28 What time: All day Where: 990 Washington Ave, Brooklyn How much: $5 for students

This weekend, do not miss your chance to finally be amidst rows of blooms during the last weekend of the Cherry Blossom Festival. The festival is featuring a cosplay fashion show, manga workshop, tea ceremonies, flower arranging, Japanese dance performances and tours for interested onlookers for its last weekend. Get away from campus, and the library, before the final craze to see the last glimpses of the petals begins.

— COMPILED BY DANIELLE GARRA ND ASSISTANT ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Send tips, event listings or comments to fordhamramculture@gmail.com.

42 Continues Trend of Historically-Based Films

By KIERSTEN SCHMIDHEISER STAFF WRITER

Brian Helgeland’s latest movie, 42, debuted on April 12 to great success, grossing over $27 million on opening weekend. This adaptation of the life story of Jackie Robinson, the first African American in Major League Baseball, stars Chadwick Boseman (“All My Children”) as the legendary player and Harrison Ford as the man who put him there, former manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Branch Rickey.

Critics gave the film positive reviews, and moviegoers raved over it.

More interesting than the movie’s cinematic quality, however, is what its success reflects about audiences today.

Jackie Robinson started from humble beginnings: He was born in Cairo, Ga. in 1919 and was raised by a single mom in a sharecropper family. He eventually continued on to school at the University of California, Los Angeles. The movie explores his journey from a player on the Negro League’s Kansas City Monarchs to major league player on the Brooklyn Dodgers, his breaking the color barrier in professional athletics in the United States and

MOVIEPOSTERS.COM

COURTESY OF PAM ZAZZARINO

Nora Geraghty co-starred in the Mimes and Mummers latest production.

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his gradual acceptance from his teammates and baseball fans alike.

Robinson met great success in his the baseball career; he earned the title of National League Rookie of the Year and, in 1949, was selected as the National League’s MVP. In 1962, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, and his number, 42, is the only number that is retired from all teams in the League.

42 does not gloss over the instances when Jackie Robinson faced vehement racism as the lone African American in the league. His own teammates started a petition to keep him from playing, and fans

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Today’s movies are unafraid to expose America’s less praise-worthy past.

and other teams heckled him, including one particularly disturbing encounter in which Phillies manager Ben Chapman, played by Alan Tudyk, taunts Robinson while he’s at the plate.

Because we live in a different era today, hearing such blatant racism may come as a shock to many viewers. But, Hegleland takes the correct path by keeping these emotionally-charged encounters in his

movie. It reminds viewers of the struggle faced by so many Americans in the face of discrimination and of the ignorance of such a point of view.

Movie trends today indicate that audiences are willing and ready to take a closer look at difficult parts of our past as a nation. Lincoln, starring Academy Award-winner Daniel Day Lewis, explored the President’s struggles in moving a nation

so firmly rooted in slavery toward an ideal that he knew as the morally correct direction for the country to take. It shows the biased viewpoints of many people during the time period, not only of average citizens but of politicians as well. Django Unchained, although more of an action movie, also includes raw depictions of some of the atrocities that took place under the institution of slavery.

The growing dominance and popularity of historically based films speaks to the mindset of society. These movies are not seen as an attack on the history of the South.

They are met with warm regard, and they seem to inspire audiences about the growth that the country has and will continue to achieve.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Page 16

April 24, 201

WHO’S THAT KID? MICHAEL MCCARVILLE A MEMBER OF FCRH ‘14 MAJOR: ENGLISH HOMETOWN: PHOENIX, ARIZ. Describe yourself in a couple sentences for the readers.

I hail from the deserts of Arizona. Transferred to Fordham from Pace University after my freshman year. Not a big fan of describing myself in only a couple sentences.

What is your favorite aspect of Fordham and why?

Big fan of Fordham Experimental Theater. I’m a member of the stand-up group and am consistently amazed at how talented and hilarious everyone part of FET is.

If there was one thing about Fordham you could change what would it be?

Less pastel colored shorts.

What is your favorite thing to do in New York City?

Big fan of traveling and, by association, eating food. I like to find the most hole-in-the-wall spots and

Karen Hill

frequent them until I vomit.

What is something about you that not many people know?

I once owned a calculator watch.

What is your favorite class at Fordham?

As an English major I prefer English classes, but as a human I prefer the easiest classes.

What is a personal goal you would like to accomplish over your four years here?

Graduate with all limbs intact.

What show, food, artist or movie would you consider your “guilty pleasure”?

Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. Only I never feel guilty watching it, and neither should you.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHAEL MCCARVILLE

People may believe that Michael is a King’s Speech kind of guy. He’s not.

What is the biggest misconception people have about you?

At first glance people think, “What an awesome, handsome, well-dressed, hilarious, all-around great guy who probably loves the movie The King’s Speech.” I’ve never seen The King’s Speech.

Any insight on the new pope?

There’s a new Pope?

Do you have plans, career or otherwise, for post-college life?

I’d like to continue living in NYC or possibly move to the West Coast, doing anything short of prostitution to pay the rent. Also, stand-up.

What activities, clubs, projects

or organizations are you involved with at school?

I’m in the aforementioned Fordham stand-up group and also one small part of a great big band called Bright Red Cardinal.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what would you bring with you?

The Internet.

If you could go back to your first day at Fordham, what advice would you give yourself?

Don’t jump off a set of stairs and break your foot in your first semester at Fordham. (I jumped off some stairs and broke my foot in my first semester at Fordham.)

Vice Adds New Dimensions to News

By DANIEL FINNEGAN STAFF WRITER

In 1994, three best friends from Montreal named Shane Smith, Suroosh Alvi and Gavin McInnes bought out a government-funded magazine, Voice of Montreal, which intended to provide work and promote community service. The three friends, after dropping the original publisher, changed the name to Vice, intending to focus on independent arts and pop culture matters. Less than 20 years later, Vice boasts over 900,000 readers and operates in over 30 countries.

Considering the origins of the magazine and the name change to Vice in 1996, it was not until 1999, when they moved their headquarters to Williamsburg in Brooklyn, that the magazine began to gather a large following.

Originally only a monthly newsprint notorious for its vulgar and subversive content, following their move to New York, Vice began covering more serious news topics, while championing an “immersionist” style of journalism. While many worried the transition would alienate its young and rebellious fan base, readers soon fell in love with their “Do It Yourself” journalistic style, which Vice is now known for, viewing it as an alternative to the standard routines of traditional news outlets. From an in-depth look into Islamic extremism in Libya, or a visit into the drug dens of Colombia, Vice continually explores areas of the world that do not receive honest and unbiased reports, through both their magazine and through their immensely popular web channel.

While Vice had already expanded its magazine to an online format, it became increasingly clear to CEO Shane Smith that videos were going to be the next step in the Internet revolution. In 2007, Vice released a documentary through

their film production company, titled Heavy Metal in Baghdad, a huge success at the Toronto International Film Festival. The win marked a shift in identity to film journalism. They also launched a web channel in 2007 called VBS.tv (Vice Broadcasting System), which was an online television network featuring news reportage and minidocumentaries that tackled international social and political issues.

As Smith told Forbes in 2012, “We saw that everyone was building a YouTube or a Hulu or a Facebook.

Everyone was spending all their money on platforms but none of it on what you put in the pipe. So we said ‘O.k., eventually the market’s going to catch up, and everyone’s going to need content.’”

Vice’s first major expansion, however, was into the sound recording industry back in 2002 when they created Vice Records in conjunction with Atlantic Records, representing popular artists such as The Streets and Bloc Party. The following year, Vice continued its’ expansion, signing a deal with Warner Books to publish an anthology of its best features entitled The Vice Guide to Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll.

While Vice does own a film distribution company, it is on the smaller screen where their expansions have been most successful.

Although their plan for a Vice TV show starring David Cross with Showtime never worked out, Smith persisted in believing that their aggressive film journalism was wellsuited for television.

In 2010, Vice partnered up with MTV to produce a show called “The Vice Guide to Everything,” which is a travel series that examined various cultures, politics and art throughout the world. In 2012, Vice released a new series on HBO, with Shane Smith as the host and Bill Maher and chief creative officer Eddy Moretti as executive pro-

ELIZABETH ZANGH/THE RAMI

Vice’s claim to fame is publishing shocking scenes or articles.

ducers. The series aims to “show some of the scariest, weirdest and most absurd customs and practices known to humanity.” While it has been successful in releasing its own television news programs, Vice agreed in 2010 to share their VBS. tv content with CNN, which not only legitimizes Vice even further as a credible news source, but also allowed their content to be spread among a wider and vastly different audience. As Vice continued to expand into popular mediums, it also began to innovate new areas that a media company could explore.

Through their premium web video channel, VBS.tv, Vice began covering new channels such as art, music and technology. Its technology platform, found at Motherboard.tv, is a joint product between Dell and Vice that serves as an online community, focusing on “the exploration of the nature and culture of technology,” while its music channel, called Noisey, is a video-driven music platform that focuses on the music scenes of 10 specific countries and also documents emerging musical talents from around the world. Noisey also provides its audience with album

reviews, live performance footage and feature articles on burgeoning fashion styles in the music industry. The art platform, which is their most ambitious channel to date, is known as the Creators Project. Vice, in conjunction with Intel, began the Creators Project intending to depict the increasing role of technology in releasing various artworks, such as the piece The Creators Project ran on Adrià Navarro’s gallery Inkscapes, detailing its use of an enormous video screen, which shows the process of creating the drawings.

Since its inception in 1994, Vice has been a voice for the youth culture, even after its focus shifted to a more serious and political style.

Its greatest impact came at a time when all newspapers and magazines were being forced to move their content to the Internet and also when the television industry began to shift towards digitally enabled television.

Having already made believable advancements in the media industry, the only thing one can predict about Vice is that it will continue to keep it’s audience entertained.

Spring Weekend has finally arrived, and it is time to party with your friends for the last time before you all become distant and stressed inhabitants of the Walsh Library.

While this a fun time of celebration with your friends, time for friends is often sacrificed for finding hookups or spending time with your beau. Spring Weekend or not, this balancing act of friends and relationships is never easy nor fair.

The first way to even out time between best friends and boyfriends or girlfriends is to rally up the posses. Have your friends and their friends all hang out as one. You can all get ready together before heading out to the main events.

The fact of the matter is that it is healthy as a couple to hang out with all your friends and get to know each other. This process only works, however, if you and your lover stop using your mouths to make out in the corner and instead start conversations with the group instead.

Sequestering yourself as the “cutesy” couple in the corner is only going to frustrate your friend, and create a lasting distance.

Cooling it on the PDA is essential. People are not thinking in their heads, “aw, what a cute couple;” they are thinking, “ew, will they please stop.” Call your friends jealous all you want. It’s true that jealousy is not a flattering trait in anybody, but provoking jealousy is ugly.

Think about it: do you really need to hold hands everywhere you go, showing off ? Despite your “puppy” love, you are not a dog with a high possibility of getting loose. You are a human being with self-control.

Enable the self-control and restrain the PDA that may make you feel special, but simply makes everyone else feel uncomfortable. That’s a little lesson in utilitarianism from Philosophical Ethics for y’all.

One of the shadiest things you can do as a friend is just leave with your love of the night. Before you leave, say your goodbyes and make sure your friends have someone to walk home with.

Also, as the single friend you should not walk away leaving your friend alone with their boyfriend, girlfriend or whomever unless they give you the “getting lucky wink” of approval. Maybe your friend isn’t comfortable being left alone, or actually does want to spend more time with you.

As a boyfriend or girlfriend you have to be understanding and trusting when your partner wants more friend time. If your girlfriend wants a quality girls’ night out, let her. If your boyfriend wants to play FIFA for a night, let him. Group hangout sessions are strictly mutually planned in advance, not an annoying “Hey, can I join?” self-invitation.

The bottom line is that single friends need to respect those in relationships and those in relationships need to respect friends who are single. We are college students, not mind-reading psychics. Be honest. Be receptive. Be a good (boy/ girl) friend.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

April 24, 2013

Ram Reviews

Page 17

FET Presents: The Pillowman

Music Review

Phoenix Bankrupt!

By KATIE NOLAN COPY CHIEF

Phoenix, the alternative rock band from Versailles, France, just released its fifth album, Bankrupt!!, on April 22. This album is a strong follow-up to Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, which won a Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album in 2009. Bankrupt! roars to life with “Entertainment,” which is very “Turning Japanese” but still manages to have a modern sound.

“S.O.S in Bel Air” features Thomas Mars’ characteristic vocals. His habit of repeating words like a record stuck on repeat has a cool chant-like effect on this song.

Other classic Phoenix touches include the title track, a 6:57 minute track that divides the album

AP

Phoenix’s new album keeps fans interested, while sticking to their sound.

with a sort of intermission much like “Love Like a Sunset Pt. 1” did on Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix.

In an age when music consumers mostly buy singles, including tracks like “Bankrupt!” feels like a statement about the nature of an album and why the medium is still relevant. Overall, the album is heavy on synth and grooving dance beats. Nothing on this album quite

sounds like “Lisztomania” or “1901,” but this is a good thing.

The album manages to be interesting and experimental for the band while keeping the sound fans love.

Following up to a successful album like Wolfgang can be hard, but Phoenix has pulled out the stops and come out with a great album that takes an old New Wave sound and makes it fresh.

Music Review

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs Mosquito

By JOE VITALE ASSISTANT OPINION EDITOR

There is a certain risk in producing a Yeah Yeah Yeah’s record in a, well, post-Yeah Yeah Yeahs and post-Strokes era. Today’s postpost-rock genre is one nostalgia of the booming New York City rock ’n ’roll scene that, in the early 2000s, surpassed the vibrancy and excitement of today’s downtown Brooklyn scene.

On with their fourth LP release, Mosquito, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs seem to be tired of being retro and even more exhausted of being wistful. They often fail to evoke the alternative, however, and the effect is an unfound post-rock vibe.There is a sense that each of the members (lead vocalist and pianist Karen O, keyboardist and guitarist Nick Zinner and percussionist Brian Chase) are suffering an identity crisis and none of them know where to look next. What they come up with is fragmented music, with some tracks pushing the idea of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and others repressing it. The residual elements of the album remain truest to the group’s core and prove to be the scant memorable moments of the longawaited release.

The title track has most of the elements that make the Yeah Yeah Yeahs great. Karen O’s voice stands at the front of the instrumentals with every sound slathered in distortion.The repulsiveness of the lyrics, however, manages to throw off every ounce of sonic pleasantry on the track. “Mosquito land on your neck/Mosquito drink whatever’s left/He’ll suck your blood,” Karen O shouts. Its biting ugliness is as grotesque as the album art, devoid of the aesthetics I falsely presumed the trio to know all too well.

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs in full form, teenage girl angst and all.

Throughout the album, there are a handful of tracks that sound like teenage angst pouring out of the lips of a matured and aged rock star. The paradox is not graceful but gritty; the effect is repulsive anger devoid of passion. “Area 52,” for example, is composed of screechy guitars that hum on and on until the song ends with a cheesy zapping effect.

“Sacrilege” and “Subway” are two of the most unique tracks the Yeah Yeah Yeahs have put forward. The former closes with a booming chorus and is immersed in sweet guitar riffs chiming together, setting up Karen O’s voice booming the beautiful, rich sounds she is famous for producing. The latter maintains a falsetto over a rhythmic subway clanking sound in the background, during which Karen O produces some of the most engaging lines on the entirity of Mosquito: “Caught my reflection in the subway car/ Though look at you whoever you are/I waited and I waited.”

There are a collection of tracks

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that embody what the Yeah Yeah Yeahs should be writing more often. On “Under the Earth,” for instance, the opening vocals kick in and Karen O’s voice is smothered in their signature reverb sound. The final minute of this track is one of the most beautiful moments on the album, playing out dark and dismal and sounds until you get to the point where you remember why you liked the Yeah Yeah Yeahs in the first place.

The parallel between the lyrics and the instrumentation on “Subway” seems to play out much of what the Yeah Yeah Yeahs were all about: a lonely subway ride somewhere in New York, looking for somebody but finding just yourself.

The baseline template traces all the way back to 2003, with Fever to Tell and yet it seems nobody — not even the Yeah Yeah Yeahs themselves — know how to make the changes to progress, all while being mindful of the magnitude of why and where it all began.

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PHOTO COURTESY OFVANESSA AGOVIDA

Fordham student actors in FET’s The Pillowman explore dark themes.

By JOHN BONAZZO THEATER CRITIC

Martin McDonagh’s The Pillowman delves into some dark places in its depiction of artistic freedom and morality. To its immense credit, Fordham Experimental Theater’s (FET) production acknowledges and explores these themes with help from a great creative team and cast.

The play tells the story of Katrian, a writer living in a totalitarian state who is arrested after a string of child murders that resemble the plots of his stories. He is interrogated by detectives Ariel and Tupolski, then thrown into jail with his mentally impaired sister Michaela, who is suspected of helping commit the murders. Their tense exchange ends with Katurian acting on his aggression. After the detectives read his graphic stories (which are relayed to the audience as well), they bring Katurian in for a final confession.

He makes Ariel confront her demons, but Tupolski outsmarts him.

Despite some final revelations, Katurian is killed, but not before leaving his mark on the world.

The play confronts big topics, such as artistic freedom and the ethics of torture in a clever way. The exploration is not limited to what is shown onstage, however; the second act begins with a disturbing child crucifixion scene that makes sense in context but will most likely bother some viewers.

Directors Tim Bridge, FCRH ’14, and Assistant Director Shannon Morrall, FCRH ’15 make sure the show’s intensity never fades, pacing each scene perfectly. The minimalist set of only a few tables, chairs and props complements the small space on which the action takes place. The stage is lit by one solitary light bulb, which suits the prison-like setting and perfectly modulates the mood.

The show has been cast with some gender-blind roles, which works really well. Mike Dahlgren,

The Pillowman Co-Directed by Tim Bridge and Shannon Morall Starring Mike Dahlgreen, Johnathan O’Neill, Vanesa A govida, Hallie Bowen FCRH ’14, brilliantly shows Katurian’s tortured psyche as he deals with the real world implications of his work. Jonathan O’Neill, FCRH ’15, provides much-needed comic relief as Tupolski, and his second act monologue is a show highlight.

Ariel is normally played by a male, but Vanessa Agovida, FCRH ’16, gives her brittle-edged character some much-needed dimension, especially after a revelation in the second act. The character of Michaela, also originally male, runs the risk of being cutesy, but to her credit Hallie Bowen, FCRH ’13, largely avoids these trappings and makes the audience care about Michaela despite her actions.

FET’s The Pillowman makes for a thought-provoking evening, in which a tense atmosphere and some great acting augment a larger theme. It will keep the crowds talking when they leave the theatre, an impressive achievement indeed.

The show’s cast and crew set out to make the show a deep production that tackled far-reaching themes.

The show “blends together some really dark themes with a lot of really funny material in a way that is tasteful and thought-provoking” O’Neill said. I hope that it caused a lot of audience members to question what they think about the power of art, storytelling and censorship.”

Assistant director Morrall agrees.

The show “is able to evoke such a wide range of emotion… The content is so dark, even disturbing at times, but it is portrayed in such a way that audience members will find themselves laughing,” she said.

PHOTO COURTESY OF VANESSA AGOVIDA

Actors portrayed individuals living in a totalitarian state.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Page 18

April 24, 2013

Spring Weekend 2013: Schedule and Information Wednesday, April 24

6:30 p.m. (doors open) Jerry Greenfield Lecture Location: McGinley Ballroom Ice Cream Reception immediately following lecture

Thursday, April 25 7:00 p.m. (doors open) Campus Movie Fest Finale Location: Keating

CHRISCOBAR/WIKIMEDIA

This is the event that we have been waiting for all year, so let’s make sure that we get all of the logistics right so our fun is not stopped. Spring Weekend is open to all current Fordham students and their guests (two are allowed per student). Make sure that you have your current Fordham ID on you so you can sign in your guest at each venue. You are responsible for your guests and whatever they do; you can get in trouble for their actions.

Do not be stupid. If you live in a residence hall, and your guest will be staying with you, policies apply to them. If you have any questions, ask your RDs/Residence Life about the policies.

Friday, April 26

4:00 p.m.

Rose Hill Rush Location: Starting Line in front of McGinley 7:00 p.m.

Ramblers Concert Location: Keating 1st 8:30 pm (doors open) Jane Doze(DJ) Location: A-Lot

Saturday, April 27

General Information:

Large bags are not permitted in venues No beverages or food can be brought into the Jane Doze or Saturday concert venues Weapons are not permitted Professional cameras are not permitted Lasers are not permitted

12:30 p.m. (doors open) Andy Grammer and GROUPLOVE Concert Location: Martyr’s Lawn 9:00 pm Under the Tent Dance Location: Martyr’s Lawn

Sunday, April 28

Final details:

Doors open for the Saturday concert at 12:30 p.m. There are some great openers, activities and BBQ for everyone before the show.

Get there early!

Spring Weekend festivities

6:00 p.m. (doors open) Comdedian John Heffron Location: Fordham Prep

— Information courtesy of Jenn Lackie, assistant director for student organizations and programing

Think Summer, Think Fordham

Summer Session 2013 Session I: May 28 - June 27 Session II: July 2 – August 6

• Catch up or get ahead • Improve your GPA • Advanced and core classes in every discipline • Visitors welcome Learn more at fordham.edu/summer or call 888-411-GRAD

eeo/aa

April 24, 2013

Sports

Page 19

Despite Win Over GW, Baseball Still Last in A-10 Strong

Weekend for Track and Field

By DOMINIC KEARNS STAFF WRITER

As Fordham neared the halfway point of its A-10 campaign, the Rams hosted George Washington in a pivotal series. While the Rams avoided another conference sweep, they continued to drop tough games.

On April 16, Fordham hosted the Iona Gaels, a team they had already beaten once this year. However, the Gaels exploded for three first inning runs off junior J.C. Porter. After a sacrifice fly plated Iona’s first run, Christian Choman split the gap in right center for a two out two-run triple. After Porter settled down, the Rams responded with two third inning runs. After the first two Fordham hitters were retired, the Rams strung together three consecutive hits to make the score 3-2. Iona added single runs in the fourth and fifth innings to restore its three run edge, but Fordham scored in the sixth to make the score 5-3. With three innings remaining, Fordham needed one big rally to complete its comeback.

The Gaels continued their steady offensive output, scoring two more runs in the final two innings. Fordham made a push in the ninth and made it 7-4 on fresman Joseph Runco’s single, but freshman Charles Galiano’s bases loaded groundout ended the game.

Iona won just its fifth game of the season, and Fordham prepared for the next day’s trip to Siena.

In upstate New York, the Rams fought tooth and nail with the Siena Saints in an extra inning affair.

Freshman Cody Johnson stymied the Siena offense through five innings, and the game remained scoreless until Fordham broke the deadlock in the sixth. With two outs and nobody on, Runco singled and stole second base. This set the stage for senior Mike Mauri, who promptly doubled in the game’s first run. Siena then scored two of its own runs in the bottom half, as the rally was spurred on by an error. With runners on second and third and no outs, the Saints scored once on a wild pitch and went ahead on a sacrifice fly.

In the eighth inning, Fordham showed some resolve and tied the game at two. With one out, Mauri earned his second RBI with a clutch single into center field.

Mauri then attempted to steal second base, but the rally fizzled after he was thrown out. Meanwhile, Siena could not get much going against senior reliever Rich Anastasi, who retired eight consecutive Saints hitters. In the 10th inning, Fordham left two runners on base, and Siena made them pay. After Anastasi allowed a two out double, junior Tim Swatek came in for relief. After he issued a walk, Mike Fish drilled a first pitch fastball out for a 5-2 Siena walkoff win.

“We need to execute,” head coach Kevin Leighton said. “We have obviously had a hard time scoring runs so it’s going to come down to bunting, moving runners, executing a hit and run and knocking in runs when we have opportunities.”

Fordham returned home for its

Kevin Fitzgerald and Ryan Polo qualify for IC4A’s 1500m run

By RYAN SCANLON STAFF WRITER

SAMUEL JOSEPH /THE RAM

Fordham has four conference series left to play to get out the A-10 basement. The Rams play at Bulter this weekend.

three game series with the George Washington Colonials, but the Rams were manhandled by GW starter Aaron Weisberg on Friday, April 19. Weisberg allowed just five hits in his complete game shutout, and the Colonials cruised to a 9-0 victory. Fordham’s only legitimate scoring chance came in the first inning, when the bases were loaded with one out. Nonetheless, an odd play prevented Fordham from scoring. Freshman Ian Edmiston hit a sharp groundball towards the left side as Mauri was racing for third, and the grounder hit Mauri’s leg. The play resulted in a dead ball out, and the runners could not advance. After junior Sam Careccia struck out, the threat subsided and Weisberg entered a groove.

The Colonials used small ball to score in the first inning, but they doubled their edge in the third with a Xavier Parkmond blast to left. Despite the GW home run, Fordham senior Joseph Charest kept the Rams within striking distance until the sixth, when Owen Beightol accounted for two Colonial runs. With one out, he delivered an RBI triple into right field, then executed a gutsy play and stole home. Even though the scoreboard only said GW led by four runs, Beightol’s steal signaled an impending Fordham defeat.

After the Colonials added a run in the seventh inning and four in the ninth, the Rams fell on the wrong end of a 9-0 decision.

On a gorgeous Saturday afternoon, Fordham honored its finest baseball alumni, including Vin Scully, Walter O’Malley and Frankie Frisch, with plaques before the annual Alumni Day game.

The ceremony appeared to inspire the Rams, who played their most complete game in over a month.

Fordham sent junior Chris Pike onto the mound, and his pitching delighted the home crowd. The offense took advantage and scored its first run in the second inning when freshman Joseph DeVito was hit by a pitch. In the third inning, the Rams exploded for four runs and knocked GW’s starter out of the contest. The dramatic inning was fueled by six Fordham hits, a single-inning season high. By the time Fordham’s order finished batting

around, the Colonials had fallen into a 5-0 hole.

Those five runs were more than enough offense for Pike, who recorded eight strikeouts and allowed only one run in his eight stellar innings. He only surrendered multiple hits in the seventh inning, when GW scored its single run. The win improved Fordham to 2-9 in A-10 play.

“I mean, it’s been rough in early conference play, but I hope we can come back and go on a tear,” Mauri said.

The series finale compressed all its scoring into three innings, and the Colonials made their rallies count in a 5-2 win over Fordham. After a scoreless first inning, GW jumped ahead for three runs in the second. After the Colonials scored once, Mauri made a crucial two out error in right field and allowed two more GW runs to score.

While Mauri usually plays first base, Leighton wanted to give junior Brendan Maghini a spot start at first. Fordham answered with one run in the third, but missed a chance to plate another run. After Mauri’s RBI single, the Rams had runners on the corners with one out. However, a shallow fly ball and a pop-up kept potential runs off the board.

The Colonials added two more runs in the fourth frame on the strength of four hits, and effectively ended freshman starter Jimmy Murphy’s afternoon. During the inning, four straight hitters reached base, and Murphy needed an inning-ending double play to escape further damage. In the bottom half, Fordham mustered another run on freshman Ryan Phelan’s RBI single, but the offense could draw no closer than 5-2. Outstanding pitching from freshman Brett Kennedy and Colonials starter Kenny O’Brien silenced both offences, and the game ended as a 5-2 Fordham defeat.

“We still have a long way to go and the goal doesn’t change because we’ve had a tough start,” Leighton said.

The Rams are 13-27 overall, and 2-10 in the Atlantic 10. Fordham hosts Columbia in a doubleheader on April 24, with games scheduled for 4 and 6:30 p.m. and will travel to Butler for a weekend series.

Fordham Golf Concludes Busy Spring

By BOBBY THOMPSON STAFF WRITER

The Rams golf team has been busy on the links this spring. The Rams started off the spring with two 8th place finishes in Pennsylvania at a weather-shortened La Salle Invitational and Villanova’s annual Wildcat Invitational. At the La Salle Invitational, individuals Nick Polvino and Ben Alcorn actually led the way for Fordham, finishing higher than any of the starters. They rounded out the top 20 for the tournament as they finished with a 78 and 79 respectively.

Unfortunately for Fordham’s starting five, the tournament was shortened due to inclement weather, and they were not able to redeem themselves after scoring in the low 80’s on Day 1.

The next week the Rams traveled to Malvern, Penn. to compete in the 54-hole Wildcat Invitational at the White Manor Country Club.

Fordham again finished eighth, with Temple taking the title. The Rams played a demanding 36 holes on Day 1 of the tournament, followed by a round of 18 on Day 2. When it was all said and done, senior co-captain Jason Del Rosso lead the way for the Rams finishing in 22nd place. Ben Alcorn followed up his strong finish at La Salle finishing in a tie for 26th place. Two strokes behind Alcorn was Jeff Hogan, finishing in 35th place.

The following week the Rams traveled to Portsmouth, R.I. to compete in the URI Invitational, where Fordham tried to defend its title from 2012. Fordham was unable to go back-to-back as host school URI won the tournament, but the Rams were able to jump up three spots from Day 1 to finish in fifth place.

Del Rosso once again lead Fordham, as he finished in second place for the tournament, vaulting the Rams into the top five. Del Rosso was beat out by five strokes for the individual title by Rhode Island’s own Brendan Chicorka.

SEE GOLF, PAGE 23

The Fordham men’s and women’s track and field teams were in action over the weekend, coming off an impressive showing at the Metropolitan Championships.

While most of Fordham’s athletes competed at the Wolfie Invitational hosted by Stony Brook University, two runners from the men’s side took part in the Larry Ellis Invitational hosted by Princeton University.

Graduate student Kevin Fitzgerald and junior Ryan Polo made the trip to Princeton on Friday, April 19 in an effort to better their times in the 1,500m run and earn a qualifying bid for the IC4A championships. Fitzgerald had already hit the standard for IC4A’s, but his time of 3:49.32 to finish 15th bettered his previous mark.

Polo came in at 3:50.86 to finish 22nd and also managed to qualify for IC4A’s down the road.

The Wolfie Invitational featured a handful of first place finishers and clutch performances that proved to be crucial down the stretch. The men’s team boasted a 1-2 finish in the 800m run. Sophomore transfer student Lester Taylor continued his strong first year with the Rams by winning the 800 in a time of 1:53.54. Senior captain John Cosgrove was right behind to finish second in 1:53.66. Senior Sean Atkinson took the gold in the 400m hurdles, hitting 54.04. He came back and took silver in the open 400m run in 49.13. The men also won the 4x400m relay. The team of junior Sam Houston, junior Sean Collins, Taylor and Cosgrove combined to hit 3:17.99.

The women’s team had similar success. Junior Titi Fagade took part in the 400-m dash (after mostly being used in the 800-m run throughout the year). She took first with a time of 56.28.

The Rams stacked this event with five total runners finishing the in the top 11. Sophomore Kristen Stuart finished second in 57.79, while grad student Nicole Ragucci finished third in 57.93. Sophomore Mara Lieberman, who had been competing in the 1,500m run frequently this season, took the line for the 800m run. She ran very well, finishing first and hitting 2:14.18. Finally, the women’s 4x400m relay equaled the success of the men, finishing first. The mark of 3:52.95 was set by Ragucci, sophomore Melissa Higgins, junior Averie Sheppard and freshman Danielle Rowe.

The Rams will be racing next week in the much heralded Penn Relays hosted by the University of Pennsylvania on April 25-26.

SPORTS

Page 20

April 24, 2013

NHL Blog

Rangers End Devils’ Disappointing Season

By ANTHONY PUCIK STAFF WRITER

The New York Rangers were one of the best teams in the NHL last season and were on pace to make their first Stanley Cup Final since the last time they won it in 1994. Their rivals, the New Jersey Devils however, spoiled their Cup chances in the Eastern Conference Finals; Devils rookie Adam Henrique stuffed in a puck past Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist right in front of the net in overtime of Game 6 to give the Devils the 4-2 series win.

The Devils ended up losing to the Los Angeles Kings in the Stanley Cup Finals, but their victory over the Rangers,made the defeat a little less difficult to handle. The playoffs weren’t much easier for the Rangers, who had to watch their best season in nearly two decades go down the drain against a team that both they and their fan base loathe.

This season has been a much different one for both the Rangers and the Devils, aside from the fact that there are only 48 games in the season. The Rangers have not been having the same success that they had last season, struggling to maintain a playoff spot due to lack of offensive production. The Devils were one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference coming out of the gate this season, but injuries to key players, like goaltender Martin Brodeur and winger Ilya Kovalchuk, have hurt the Devils down the stretch and sunk them down to the basement of the Eastern Conference.

Heading into Sunday afternoon’s game, the Rangers were in eighth place in the Eastern Conference with 50 points, and the Devils were 10th with 44. With both teams only having four games to play, three after Sunday’s game, a loss of any kind by the Devils would eliminate

them from playoff contention, and the Rangers would be the team to do it. Even with Brodeur’s return, the Devils have still had a difficult time winning due to their inability to score goals. The Rangers, on the other hand, have been on a tear as of late; a trade deadline move sending winger Marian Gaborik to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Derick Brassard, John Moore and Derek Dorsett provided the Rangers with the depth that they needed on their bottom two lines to finally start producing offensively on a much more consistent basis.

Bottom line, as of late, the Rangers have been red hot, and the Devils have been ice cold. This continued on Sunday afternoon.

A first-minute wraparound goal

by Rangers captain Ryan Callahan set the tone for the Rangers early, and they never looked back. They tacked on three more goals and defeated the Devils 4-1, which eliminated the Devils from playoff contention and put the Rangers in a much better position to make the playoffs as the season ends.

So the Rangers were eliminated from the playoffs last season by the Devils, and the Devils were eliminated from playoff contention this year by the Rangers. Mike Emrick‘s infamous call of “Henrique, it’s over!” after his Game 6 overtime winner no longer rings in the Rangers’ ears.

The Rangers got their redemption against New Jersey, and now have a chance to make it back to the playoffs once again. For the Devils, the utter jubilation they felt defeating their rival Rangers to get to the Stanley Cup Finals was derailed by their loss in the finals, and now by being eliminated by those same Rangers before they even had a shot at the Stanley Cup. The tables have turned on the Devils, and they have turned in the Rangers’ favor.

Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/theram_sports

Varsity Scores & Stats Baseball Iona 7 Fordham 5 (IONA) V. DeMaria 2-4, 2RBI (FOR) J. Runco 3-5, 2RBI Fordham 2 Siena 5 (FOR) M. Mauri 2-5, 2RBI (SU) M. Fish 2-4, 4RBI, HR George Washington 9 Fordham 0 (FOR) J. Runco 3-4 (GW) O. Beightol 2-5, 3RBI George Washington 1 Fordham 5 (FOR) S. Careccia 2-3, 2RBI (FOR) C. Pike (W) 8.0ip, 6K

George Washington 5 Fordham 2 (FOR) M. Mauri 2-3, RBI (GW) M. Murakami 3-3, RBI

Men’s Track Princeton Invitational 1500m K. Fitzgerald 15th- 3:49.32 R. Polo 22nd- 3:50.86

Softball Wolfie Invitational Dayton 2 800m Fordham 5 1st- 1:53.54 (FOR) E. Fortier 1-2, 3RBI, HR L. Taylor (UD) K. Vazquez 3-3, RBI 400m Hurdles S. Atkinson 1st- 49.13 Dayton 1 Fordham 4 Women’s Track (FOR) C. Ianiro 1-1, 2RBI Wolfie Invitational (UD) N. Mariano 1-3 400m T. Fagade 1st- 56.28 Women’s Tennis Fordham 4 800m Duquense 1 M. Lieberman 1st- 2:14.18 Fordham 3 Xavier 4

Athletes of the Week Each week The Fordham Ram’s Sports editors honor one male athlete and one female athlete for their on-field performance as its “Athletes of the Week.”

Sean Atkinson

Michele Daubman

Senior

Sophomore

Track & Field

Softball

Atkinson was one of two event winners at the Wolfie Invitiational, winning the 400m hurdles in 54.05.

He also finished second in the 400m with a season best time of 49.13.

Daubman was named A-10 softball Pitcher of the Week for the third time this season. Daubman picked up a complete game victory in each of her two starts against Dayton.

News & Notes

WIKIMEDIA

The Rangers knocked the Devils out of playoff contention with a 4-1 win Sunday.

• Fordham football will hold its annual spring game this Friday, April 23 at 7p.m. This will be the first time the spring game will be held at night on Jack Coffey Field.

• This Wednesday, April 24 Fordham baseball will participate in “St. Baldrick’s Day.” Players will shave their heads in support of the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, becoming “basebald” players. The hair trimming will follow the Rams’ doubleheader with Columbia.

• The men’s tennis team will be a 10 seed in the A-10 conference playoffs to be held this weekend at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio.

The Rams will take on No. 7 seed Richmond in the first round on Thursday.

• Senior Jaime LaBovick ended her record breaking hitting streak on April 20 against Dayton. Her streak of 28 straight games with a hit broke an A-10 record.

• Fordham baseball honored eight alumni at their annual Alumni Day on Saturday, April 20. Fordham alumnus Jim Houlihan, GSB ‘74, presented Fordham with eight plaques, honoring eight baseball Ram greats including Frankie Frisch, Ed Walsh, Vin Scully and Jack Coffey.

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April 23, 2013

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THE FORDHAM RAM

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SPORTS

April 24, 2013

Smith Senior Profile: Jamie LaBovick Matt’s Says Minute

“We’re all told at some point in time that we can no longer play the children’s game; we just don’t know when that’s gonna be. Some of us are told at 18, some of us are told at 40, but we’re all told.”

That quote from the movie Moneyball feels very fitting at this moment. This is the last ever edition of “Smith Says.” Some of the readers out there may be happy about that, but I’m not. In the wake of last week’s events in Boston, it’s hard for me not to get sentimental about the world of sports.

Whenever the world gets turned upside-down, it is often the case that sports bring us back to a state of normalcy. After the events at the Boston Marathon last Monday, professional sports joined in America’s overwhelming support for Beantown, and even gave us some of the most memorable moments. The video of the entire crowd singing the National Anthem at the Bruins game against the Sabres on Wednesday night sent chills down the spine of everyone waching it. Even the Yankees, the Red Sox’s hated archnemesis, put up signs in support of Boston and played the Red Sox traditional “Sweet Caroline” during a game.

The Bruins game evoked memories of President George W. Bush throwing out the greatest ceremonial first pitch in the history of baseball. Bush walked out of the dugout at Yankee Stadium just over a month after 9/11, gave a thumbs-up and delivered a perfectly placed strike right down the middle. About a month earlier (just 10 days after Sept. 11), Mike Piazza hit a home run that meant so much more than the two runs that scored on the play. It was the first home run hit since baseball was stopped by 2001’s terrorist attacks. America had come back swinging for the fences.

Another event that was somewhat lost in all of the Boston news was the story of Teddy and Cincinnati Reds third baseman Todd Frazier. 30-year-old Teddy, who has Down syndrome, is an honorary batboy for the Reds. Last Thursday, Teddy was in the dugout watching his best friend Todd walk to the plate to hit. Before Frazier’s last at-bat, Teddy told him, “Come on, man, hit me a home run, man, I love you.” Frazier hit one out to centerfield and was greeted at the plate by Teddy, who was so excited to high five and celebrate with his best buddy that he forgot to grab the bat from home plate. The two then gave each other a hug in the dugout, after which Teddy looked up to the sky and pumped both of his fists. And people ask me why I love baseball.

The bottom line is the world of sports means everything to me, and it brings us back to our normal lives. Whenever some unforeseen disaster or tragedy fires one up and in and knocks us down, it is sports that pick us up and help us dig into the batter’s box.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading as much as I’ve enjoyed writing.

Stay low, boys. Keep those legs moving. Be perfect.

— Alex Smith

DREW DIPANE/THE RAM

Jamie LaBovick came all the way from Peoria, Ariz. to play for the Rams. She attended Sunrise High School.

By MATT ROSENFELD ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

Jamie LaBovick is a senior pitcher and infielder for the Fordham softball team.

The Peoria, Ariz. native was a twotime 5A All State selection at Sunrise High School and led her team to a 5A state championship in 2006. She was also named to the EA Sports Softball All-American second team in 2009.

When LaBovick arrived at Fordham, she immediately made an impact. She was the fifth Fordham Ram to receive Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year honors while leading the team in batting, with a staggering .342 average.

This year, LaBovick is going out strong. The high school pitcher has returned to the circle, logging major innings for the Rams this year while also contributing at the plate.

LaBovick is fresh off an A-10 record 28 game hit streak. She leads the team in batting again this year, batting .416 in her 154 at bats. She will graduate in May with a degree in business administration.

The Fordham Ram: You were really good in high school, but you live all the way out in Arizona. What made you come to Fordham from all the way out west?

Jamie LaBovick: I was initially recruited by schools out on the West

Coast and the Southwest, but once I came to Fordham, I really fell in love with New York, the facilities and the Fordham spirit. I just really love the Fordham camaraderie.

TFR: You were a pitcher in high school, but when you got here you didn’t pitch much until this year.

How did you adjust to the change?

from the school came and it was home. Some of my old teammates came and we got to spend time with them too.

TFR: How did it feel to get the Atlantic 10 all time hit streak?

JL: It was fun. It’s kind of cool knowing that my name will be in the record books.

JL: With Jen Mineau being here, I didn’t need to pitch. So, I just played first and that was fine. I really didn’t mind.

TFR: What about your favorite non-softball moment?

TFR: You contributed a lot right when you came in; did the jump in competition come easy to you?

JL: I think rooming with Charlotte Stoddart of the basketball team is the best. She brightens my day.

Every day when I come back to the room she has the little English accent, it’s great.

JL: At first it was kind of a shock, but after fall season and practicing with the team you kind of adjust, so it wasn’t really a shock.

TFR: What is your favorite position to play and why?

JL: I would definitely say pitching.

You get the ball every pitch, and you have to pay attention. At first base you can kind of daze off.

TFR: What was your favorite softball moment while here at Fordham?

JL: I think the Alabama game [last year] was the best. A lot of people

TFR: What will you miss most about Fordham?

JL: Probably Charlotte [laughing]. Seriously, though, I’ll miss New York, I’ll miss my teammates and I’ll miss this campus.

TFR: Do you have any plans after graduation? Are you going to go back to Arizona or stay here?

JL: Job-wise, I haven’t even looked yet, so I definitely think I’m going back to Arizona and just kind of take my time with that. I’m not in a rush.

DREW DIPANE/THE RAM

LaBovick was primarily a pitcher in high school, but most of her time at Fordham has been spent at first base.

After 82 games spread out over roughly five and a half months, the NBA season all comes down to the highly anticipated playoffs. There are many intriguing first round matchups, so without further ado I present my first round predictions (granted, I’m writing this after the end of day one of the playoffs, but I promise that these are still my original picks).

Heat-Bucks: Heat in four. Do I really have to explain this one? Let me put it this way: Remember when the Knicks dropped confetti after beating the Heat in game four of the first round last year? The Bucks should throw a ticker-tape parade if they match that feat.

Knicks-Celtics: Knicks in five.

Although Boston is a formidable opponent, the Knicks played one of their worst all-around games on Saturday and still won. Look for Boston to steal one at home, but Melo, J.R. and company will be too much for the aging (and Rondo-less) Celtics to handle.

Pacers-Hawks: Pacers in five. It astounds me how the rebuilding Hawks managed to get the sixth seed; it really is a testament to the parity in the Eastern Conference.

Even a Pacers team without Danny Granger will be able to beat Atlanta in a relatively comfortable fashion.

Bulls-Nets: Nets in seven. If only the Bulls were playing the Heat or the Knicks in the first round, they would surely have a much easier time. After a truly terrible performance in game one, the Bulls have cemented their reputation as a team that plays down (or up) to the level of their competition. I cannot see them getting blown out each game like they did on Saturday, even though the news that Derrick Rose will miss the playoffs must have been debilitating (although not entirely surprising).

Thunder-Rockets: Thunder in five.

This will admittedly be one of the most fascinating one-eight matchups in recent memory, with James Harden facing his former team. The Rockets deserve better than to play a juggernaut Thunder team, but such is the life in the brutal Western Conference.

Spurs-Lakers: Spurs in six. Kobe’s presence would have evened the competitive balance in this series; without him, however, I just don’t see the Spurs succumbing to this Lakers group. They simply lack chemistry, proving that putting a bunch of highly talented individuals together does not equal instant success. If anything, this team validates the success that LeBron, Wade and Bosh have achieved in Miami.

Grizzlies-Clippers: Clippers in six. Basketball is the one sport where good offense beats good defense.

The Clippers’ explosive offense will overwhelm the Grizzlies’ vaunted defense. Simple as that.

Nuggets-Warriors: Warriors in seven. Yes, they lost game one, but it took 28 points from possibly the most underrated point guard in the league, Andre Miller. With the many injuries that Denver faces, they are very vulnerable. Stephen Curry is one of the most dynamic players in the game, and the team actually seemed to play better after David Lee got injured. Hey, I had to pick an upset somewhere, right?

— Matt McCormack

April 24, 2013

Women’s Tennis Season Ends at A-10 Tournament

SPORTS

Page 23

By DAN GARTLAND EXECUTIVE SPORTS EDITOR

DREW DIPANE/THE RAM

Anika Novacek was part of the only doubles team to win against Duquesne.

By TARA SLEDJESKI STAFF WRITER

The season may be over for the Fordham women’s tennis team following a loss to Xavier in the Atlantic 10 tournament, but prior to that loss it first managed a big win.

A year after a disappointing loss to a lower seed in the A-10 tournament, the Rams pulled off a win against Duquesne in the tournament.

The Rams went into the tournament ranked seventh and got the 4-1 win in the opening round against 10th seed Duquesne. The tournament opened up on Thursday, April 18 in Charlottesville, Va. On that day, the Rams kept up a recent trend of losing the doubles point before a strong singles showing.

The Rams lost two of their three doubles matches en route to losing the point. The team of Angelika Dabu and Julie Leong was the only one to win their doubles match. In singles, Sarah Ali, Anika Novacek, Bella Genkina and Amy Simidian all won their matches.

“It was really nice to advance past the first round into the quarterfinals.” Dabu said afterward.

The win over Duquesne allowed the Rams to play the next day, Friday, April 19 in Charlottesville.

In a rematch of a game from two weeks prior, the Rams took on 2nd seed Xavier to try and avenge their 4-3 loss. Unfortunately, the second

match against Xavier had the same result as the first, as the Rams lost 4-3 again.

Once again, the Rams got off to a slow start, losing the doubles point. Leong and Dabu were once again the only doubles team to win. Novacek won her singles match; Dabu and Leong also took theirs. The match came down to Ali’s singles match, in which she lost in three sets.

“The 4-3 loss was somewhat heartbreaking because we came so close to moving on and defeating the No. 2 seed, who eventually lost in the finals of the conference tournament.” Dabu said. “However, we all had a lot to be proud of because we fought our hardest and did not give up.”

While the Rams did not get quite the finish they wanted to their season, they did improve from their previous season and throughout this season.

“The 11-8 overall record is still pretty strong to me,” Dabu said.

“Knowing how we each had to overcome our own confidence issues after a rough start.”

The Rams also look strong going into next year, with Simidian being the only player departing.

“Next season, we will be without our top player and senior captain, Amy, so there will be some adjusting to do,” Dabu said. “But I’m sure we will stay a strong team leading up to next year’s conference tournament, where we hope to do greater damage.”

Above, you see my name with the title “executive sports editor.”

I like sports; that should be obvious. But every so often I have a deep existential crisis: My hands sweat, and my asthma acts up. Why do I care about sports? I ask. Why do sports matter?

I had several of these moments last week.

Between the marathon and the Red Sox matinee, Patriots Day is a great sports day in Boston. The Bruins were supposed to play the Ottawa Senators that night at 7:30 p.m., but what happened at 2:50 p.m. made that all seem trivial.

That game was postponed, and the Celtics’ game against the Atlanta Hawks scheduled for the following day was canceled.

That’s when my hands started to sweat. Basketball and hockey seemed so painfully inconsequential. These are things to which I devote entirely too much of my time, and suddenly it all appeared insignificant. Three people were dead, and many more injured. This was no time for games.

At the time, yes, sports seemed unimportant, but I knew how important sports would soon become in Boston.

Boston is a sports town. It’s

probably the best sports town in America. As someone who roots for all New York teams, I’m not afraid to say that. I mean, one of the SWAT vehicles used in the manhunt for the second bombing suspect had a Bruins sticker pasted on the side-view mirror.

Last Wednesday, before the two suspects had even been identified, the Bruins played the first sporting event in Boston since the attack.

Boston icon Rene Rancourt was on hand to sing the national anthem, but after “the dawn’s early light,” he dropped the mic and let the sold-out crowd of 17,565 take over. If you watch the video, though, you can see not everyone was singing — many were crying.

They did the same thing that Saturday, the day after the second suspect was captured; and they did it at the Red Sox game that afternoon as well.

It was through sports that many people across the country decided to show their support for Boston. Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Keith Yandle, a Boston native, wrote “pray for Boston” on his skates for his game on the day of the bombing. On Saturday, he wore a special jersey during warm-ups with the name of Martin Richard, one of the victims.

Ballparks and arenas around the

country showed their support by playing Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline,” which the Red Sox play in the middle of the eighth inning of every game. Over the years, the song has become synonymous with Boston, so much so that my former co-editor Erik Pedersen would lament the Fordham band’s decision to play it at football and basketball games, saying, “It’s a Boston thing.” Even the Yankees played the song. That’s right — the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry was put on hold, so you know the country was really going through some tough stuff.

But, that’s not even the best “Sweet Caroline” story from the week. No, that happened on Saturday. Neil Diamond himself showed up at Fenway a half hour before game time and asked, “Can I sing today?” I guess the short notice made it hard to find an instrumental version of the song, so Diamond sang along to his own recorded voice. He was terribly out of sync, but no one cared.

After Diamond finished, the Red Sox came to bat, and Daniel Nava hit a three-run homer to put them up 4-2. “Boston, this is for you,” the play-by-play man said.

The Yankee fan in me hated myself a little bit for taking joy in a Red Sox win, but I felt good about being a sports fan.

Fordham Golf Tees Up for Atlantic 10 Championship FROM GOLF, PAGE 19

Alcorn continued his strong play along with senior co-captain Brody Nieporte as they rounded out the top three of Fordham’s season high nine competitors in the tournament.

Last week, the Rams traveled back to Rhode Island to compete in the New England Championship at one of head coach Paul Dillon’s favorite courses, Newport National.

“Every year we look forward to playing at Newport National, Dillon said. It is one of the best venues we play as the course is always in great condition. The New England Championships also always draws a strong field of competition as some of the best schools from the Northeast will be competing.”

The Rams ended up finishing in seventh place as UConn and URI took the top two spots respectively.

Captain Jason Del Rosso once again led the team, finishing in eighth place with a two day score of five

over par (74-75). Sophomore Ben Alcorn played well once again as he registered back-to-back 77s in a tie for 18th place. Junior Brandon Nolan finished one stroke behind Alcorn as he fired a 77 and a 78.

Brody Nieporte (+16) and Jeff Hogan (+23) rounded out play for the Rams.

The Rams conclude their spring schedule this week at the A-10 Championship in Orlando, Fla. Orlando native Jason Del Rosso looks forward to competing in his fourth and final A-10 championship.

“The A-10 is obviously one of the coolest tournaments we get to compete in,” Del Rosso said. It’s always great to finish off the year in Florida with the guys as it almost acts as a second spring break trip. Every year, we have just as much fun together as a team off the course as we do on it.

I’m sure this year will once again be the same and be a great endnote to my four years of golf at Fordham.”

MICHAEL DWYER/AP

The Red Sox honored slain MIT police officer Sean Collier at Fenway Park in Saturday’s game against the Royals.

Upcoming Varsity Schedule Home games in CAPS Football

Baseball Men’s Tennis Track & Field Softball Golf

Thursday Apr. 25

Saturday Apr. 27

Friday Apr. 26

Sunday Apr. 28

Monday Apr. 29

Tuesday Apr. 30

SPRING GAME 7 p.m. at Butler 3 p.m.

at Butler 12 p.m.

at Butler 12 p.m.

MANHATTAN 7 p.m.

Atlantic 10 Championship Mason, Ohio Penn Relays Philadelphia, Pa. at St. Bonaventure 3 p.m.

at St. Bonaventure 12 p.m.

Atlantic 10 Championship Coral Springs, Fla.

at St. John’s 3 p.m.

Wednesday May 1

Sports Softball 11-5 in Conference After Sweeping Dayton

April 24, 2013

Page 24

By MATT ROSENFELD SPORTS EDITOR

The Fordham softball team is quickly nearing the end of its season. As the number of games winds down, each contest becomes more and more important. That is especially true of conference games.

Heading into last weekend, the Rams sat in fourth in the Atlantic 10. Not the most comfortable position knowing that only the top six teams make the Atlantic 10 Tournament at the end of the year.

All that being said, Fordham took care of business on Friday and Saturday, defeating A-10 foe Dayton twice to give the Rams two very important conference wins.

“Those wins were huge for us to get some confidence and momentum as the season winds down,” head coach Bridget Orchard said.

“We hope to be playing our best come tournament time, and this

past weekend showed we have what it takes.”

The weekend would provide Fordham with an unlikely hero.

While the usual suspects had their moments for Fordham, it was sophomore Cora Ianiro that came through in the biggest spots.

On Friday, the scoring started in the top of the third when two Dayton RBI singles put the Flyers up 2-0. That would be all sophomore Michelle Daubman would give up, however.

Fordham answered right back in the bottom of the inning. After a single from junior Elise Fortier and junior Gabby Luety was walked, sophomore Brianna Turgeon hit a double to center field that scored Fortier and gave the Rams runners on second and third with only one out. Dayton would get out of the jam, though, as a fielder’s choice and strike out kept the Flyers ahead 2-1.

Sophomore Kayla Lombardo

LI YANG/THE RAM

Daubman was named A-10 Pitcher of the Week and was 2-5 at the plate.

would tie the game in Fordham’s half of the fifth with a solo home run to right field, her sixth long ball of the year.

Fordham made its move in the sixth. After Daubman set down Dayton for the third straight inning, the Rams came to bat needing to make something happen.

Daubman walked to start off the inning and was followed by a single from senior Chelsea Palumbo to give Fordham first and second with nobody out. After a groundout advanced the runners to second and third, Orchard pinch hit Ianiro for sophomore Sammi Smith, hoping to get a big hit.

“Although she hasn’t had the game experience,” Orchard said, “we knew she could do it because of how she has stepped up at practices hitting live off our pitchers and during intersquad games. I had a good feeling and glad the opportunity was there to put her in.”

The decision paid off for Fordham. Ianiro hit a line drive triple down to the right field line that scored both Daubman and Palumbo and gave the Rams the lead 4-2.

“We’re really big on taking advantage of the opportunities [Orchard] gives you,” Ianiro said. “We worked so hard in the offseason, so coming up to the plate, even though I hadn’t had a lot of at bats, I still had confidence.”

Smith re-entered the game to run for Ianiro and was promptly driven in by Fortier to bring the Fordham lead to three runs. Daubman would struggle a bit in the last inning, surrendering two hits, but the sophomore came through, stranding three Flyers on base to end the game and give Fordham the 5-2 victory.

Daubman would be right back in the circle for the Rams on Saturday as Fordham looked to complete the sweep of Dayton.

Two errors in the top of the first put the Rams behind 1-0 very early in the contest. The lead would stay 1-0 for Dayton as Flyer sophomore Kayla English held Fordham hitless through the first four innings.

DREW DIPANE/THE RAM

Sophomore Taylor Pirone got the save in Tuesday’s win over Iona.

Fordham finally got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth. Daubman hit a single to center for the first hit of the game, which was followed by a sacrifice bunt by Palumbo to get her to second. Sophomore Paige Ortiz walked to give Fordham first and second with only one out. Sammi Smith was due up, but in a repeat of Friday’s game, Orchard decided to pinch hit Ianiro in the big spot.

She came through again.

“I would definitely say I was more confident in the second game,” Ianiro said. “The more hits you get, the more confident you are going forward.”

Ianiro’s second big hit in two days tied the game at one. After senior Jamie LaBovick flew out, Fortier stepped to the plate and delivered in a big way. The junior hit a long home run over the left field wall onto the tennis courts behind Bahoshy Field to give Fordham a

4-1 lead that they would not relinquish. The home run was Fortier’s 15th of the season.

Daubman finished strong, allowing only one hit in the final two innings to give her 16 wins on the season. The sophomore from North Massapequa, N.Y. has proven to be the strongest pitcher on the Rams staff.

“Michelle has definitely emerged as a number one on our team and in the entire conference,” Orchard said. “She has stepped up in the big games and battled to get us back in contention for the top seeds in the tournament.”

Fordham also defeated Iona on Tuesday, 8-2.

Fordham is now 27-16 overall and 11-5 in the conference. Fordham is now in third in the A-10, with six conference games left on the schedule. They will take on St. Bonaventure on the road this Friday and Saturday, April 25 and 26.

Fordham Sailing Qualifies for National Semifinals for First Time

By DAN GARTLAND EXECUTIVE SPORTS EDITOR

COURTESY OF MARY KATE CERVIN

The team rang the Victory Bell after qualifying for the national semifinals.

Many students might be surprised to learn that Fordham has a sailing team. They might be even more surprised to find out that the team is really successful.

Last week, for the first time in the team’s history, the Rams qualified for the national semifinals in the co-ed Dinghy division by finishing eighth in their conference championship regatta.

There were 18 schools competing at the conference championships, with eight spots in the national semifinals on the line.

Fordham had two pairs of sailors competing: Connor Godfrey, GSB ‘16, and Dan Canziani, FCLC ‘14, in the A Division, and Emma Pfohman, FCLC ‘13, and co-captain Adam Keally, FCRH ‘15, in the B Division. Co-captain Mary Kate Cervin, FCRH ‘15, served as

first alternate.

During the first day of competition, Fordham and Cornell battled for eighth, but at the end of the day’s 24 races, Fordham led by 20 points. (A first place finish is worth one point, second place is two points and so on. The team with the fewest points wins.)

Fordham gave a few points back early the next day with a pair of lackluster finishes but rallied later in the day to secure eighth place, only 11 points behind SUNY Maritime for seventh.

Cervin said the experience was gratifying for all involved.

“We’ve kind of gone through some struggles this year,” she said.

“We started the season with, like, 25 kids, and now we have, like, 16. We’ve definitely developed so much as team […] so I think after coming through all that and still being able to reach one of our major goals felt so good.”

Among the challenges the team faces is a shoestring budget. Being a club sport, money is tight.

But, Cervin says, the team has a supportive alumni base which makes generous donations. The rest of the money comes from selling raffle tickets in the summer months.

A portion of those funds will pay for the team’s trip to the national semifinals this coming weekend, hosted by Hampton University and Old Dominion University, both in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia. The field there will be split into two 18-team segments, with the top nine from each group advancing to the finals in May at the University of Texas.

Cervin hopes that the team’s success will earn them the recognition they think they deserve.

“We’re trying to make a name for ourselves, not only on campus, but nationally,” Cervin said.