The Fordham Ram Serving The Fordham dh University Community Since 1918 Volume 97, Issue 15
September 30, 2015
FordhamRam.com
Huge Crowds for Pope in Central Park By ROB PALAZZOLLO STAFF WRITER
lucky that I could have that opportunity and see firsthand, for myself, someone so influential and [in my opinion] progressive in the Catholic Church.” Pope Francis began his second day in New York with an address at the UN, the first of his tenure as Pope. In this address, he urged both
“Pontifex Maximus” is one of the many titles used for the pope, and it was once the title for the High Priest of the old gods of Ancient Rome. But as centuries wore on and Rome became predominantly Christian, the honorific titlewas handed over to the Bishop of Rome, also known as the Pope, as the leader of the new faith of the Romans. In Central Park last Friday, Sept. 25, current Pontifex Maximus Pope Francis was thrown a celebration not unlike the Triumphs (parades) given to prominent Romans thousands of years ago. There were, of course, differences. This triumph was not in honor of some kind of military victory — the only conquest this man has is of people’s hearts. In addition, this Pontifex Maximus rode in a white Jeep instead of a chariot through a crowd that was tens of thousands strong. Chris Moore, FCRH ’17, was one of the Fordham students who secured a ticket to the event. He said he was lucky enough to be
SEE FRANCIS, PAGE 6
SEE POPE, PAGE 7
CASEY CHUN/ THE FORDHAM RAM
Thousands of New York residents, Fordham students among them, greeted Pope Francis in Central Park on Friday, Sept. 25, during a motorcade procession.
During Visit, Francis Speaks and a City Listens By SIMEK SHROPSHIRE CONTRIBUTING WRITER
This past week in New York City was especially hectic with the arrival of Pope Francis, who was on a ten-day tour of North America. Francis, 78, drew tens of thousands of people over the course of his much awaited three-day visit throughout Manhattan. This visit came as a pit-stop for the Pope, who also visited the cities of Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia. Pope Francis’ papal duties in New York began with the Vespers Service at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Fifth Avenue on Thursday evening,
Sept. 23. He opened his homily with a prayer for the Muslim pilgrims who had died earlier in the week in Mecca, Saudi Arabia during the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Yet, the most noteworthy and applauded aspect of his homily came with his praise of the women who had built the American Church, in which he directed much of said praise to and about nuns. Following the conclusion of the Vespers Service, the Pope made a point to visit children, women, and the disabled as he made his way out of the cathedral. Waiting outside of St. Patrick’s Cathedral to welcome the papal proces-
sion was Shay Haile, FCRH ’17. “There was definitely an air of excitement, and everyone was so thrilled and grateful,” said Haile. “The crowd around me was cheering for everything it saw, such as when people passed by and when police officers passed by. “That’s just how excited everyone was. She said that though the atmosphere on Fifth Avenue was charged prior to the Pope’s arrival, Pope Francis was initially met with little applause as his procession neared the Cathedral,” Haile said. “There was definitely a state of awe felt by everyone when his car approached. I just felt really
University Revokes Cosby’s Degree By LAURA SANICOLA NEWS EDITOR
On Tuesday, Sept. 22, the Fordham Board of Trustees sent an unprecedented message to the Fordham community, condemning Bill Cosby’s alleged willingness to “drug and rape women for his own sexual gratification,” according to an email sent by the unviersity, and stripping the comedian of his 2001 honorary degree of the Fine Arts. The decision comes in light of “now-public court depositions that confirm many of the allegations made against [Cosby] by numerous women,” the email stated. According to the office of the president, in order for the university to revoke an honorary degree, “a recipient’s actions would have to be both unambiguously dishonorable and have a deep impact.” “By his own admission, Mr. Cosby’s sexual exploitation of women was premeditated and ongoing. Equally appalling is his longtime strategy of denigrating the reputations of women who accused him of such actions.”
W.A. HAREWOOD/ AP
Cosby’s now-revoked honorary degree was bestowed in 2001.
In his public court testimony, Cosby admits to having used Quaaludes in his sexual encounters with women. The university’s message reverberated across national media sources, with the response reaching journalists from Fox News to Vulture. But Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of the university, could not keep himself immune
from retaliation – coming from Cosby’s own lawyer. Cosby’s attorney John P. Schmitt wrote to McShane, the letter later being made public by Cosby’s publicist, David Brokaw, according to the Associated Press. It stated that, while the Board of Trustees was within its rights to revoke the degree, Fordham’s SEE COSBY, PAGE 5
Assault Close to Campus Attracts Media Coverage By LAURA SANICOLA NEWS EDITOR
The recent sexual assault of a Fordham student has made local news. Students on campus awoke Sunday morning to a Public Safety email reporting that a student was sexually assaulted around 10:05 p.m. on Saturday in the alley adjacent to the Dunkin Donuts on Fordham Road. Two males loitering in the alleyway accosted the female student, according to the email alert. “One male grabbed her and forcibly held her arms behind her back while the other forcibly groped her body,” the email stated. The incident appeared on Bronx News 12, as well as CBS local news, NBC and WABC-TV. According to the email alert, as one of the males was unzipping his pants, unidentified individuals approached the rear parking lot of the Dunkin Donuts, possibly alarming the attackers. The two fled down East Fordham Road and the student, reportedly uninjured, continued to her off-campus apartment. Fordham Public Safety and NYPD officers responded to the student’s apartment and notified detectives from the Special Victims Unit, who also responded. Fordham also assigned an Administrative Support
Person to the student. An Administrative Support Person is assigned in sexual assault cases to assist a complaintant in receiving assistance and understanding the process and available resources, according to Campus Assault and Relationship Education (CARE). “Fordham's Department of Public Safety is working closely with the NYPD's Special Victims Unit detectives on the investigation,” said Senior Director of Communications Bob Howe. “The university has offered the student all the resources at its disposal.” The email reports that NYPD personnel canvassed the area with no SEE ASSAULT, PAGE 2
in this issue
Opinion
Page 9
The Importance of Different Viewpoints
Culture
Page 15
Preview of the Fordham Theater Season
Sports Page 24 Fordham Football Defeats Monmouth
NEWS
Page 2
PUBLIC SAFETY BRIEFS Sept. 22 Queen’s Court 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. A student reported to Public Safety that her iPhone was taken from her room in Roberts Hall, Queen’s Court. The student left for her Tuesday classes around 10 a.m., her dorm room door was left unlocked and ajar. When she returned, she noticed that her phone was not on her desk where she left it. The phone was the only object missing. Public Safety is still investigating. Sept. 22 Salice - Conley 2 p.m. FDNY and Public Safety responded to a fire alarm at Salice - Conley. Residents on the third floor were cooking lunch when their burgers began to smoke in the oven. There was no damage or injuries from the incident. The room was ventilated and the system was reset. Sept. 24 2512 Hoffman Ave. 6 p.m. Students were making dinner when smoke began to appear. FDNY responded to the fire alarm along with Public Safety. The students burned their food in the oven. There were no injuries from the incident. The room was ventilated and the fire alarm was reset. Sept. 29 2542 Hughes Ave. 10 p.m. An individual was reported painting graffiti on a wall outside of Fordham. Although this wall was off-campus, it is still a part of Fordham’s property. Public Safety responded to the location and canvassed the area. They were unable to find the painter. Public Safety is now investigating the incident.
September 30, 2015
Journal From Abroad
Exploring Defiant Art in England By AUSTIN FIMMANO CONTRIBUTING WRITER
LONDON– The city of London is replete with tourist traps, shopping and incredibly diverse cuisine. It is interwoven with time-honored British customs, like a healthy respect for the queen and the importance of tea, whether it is high or simply brewed in your kitchen that morning. The best part is that every turn holds a piece of history or a marker of a time in London, so mystical that it may well be fantasy. There are many cultural differences that take time to adjust to. Many words are different: elevators are “lifts,” a phone is a“mobile” and no one refills anything: they “top up.” England is a funny place to study abroad for this reason. At first glance, it seems as if everything is the same as back home. I mean, it is the same language, right? I have it a lot easier than friends in Madrid or Rome, but if you fail to look close enough, you may never pick up on the subtleties that separate our loud, young culture from a way of life that has been devel-
oping for centuries longer. The harder you look, the more there is to find. London seems like a city of discovery just waiting for a wanderer like me. I guess New York would feel like that too, in a foreigner’s eyes. But really knowing a city means knowing the gritty side of it. Living in New York has familiarized me with the underbelly of the city — the politics, the crime, the rats, etc. And the more I break through the tourist shell of London, the more I see of the same. (Well, there are considerably fewer rats.) One of the first things that reminded me of real life was the River Thames. The banks of the river are incredibly beautiful and dotted with buildings such as St. Paul’s Cathedral, the London Eye and Big Ben, among many others. But look down and you will see the river swirling with muck and pollution so thick that it does not even look like water anymore. The river is brown and murky, and its shores are full of trash. Strangely enough, within a week of my arrival, there was a call to action. An installation by British artist Jason deCaires Taylor appeared on the south bank of the
Thames in early September. It is a series of sculptures, four ghostly white horsemen, doomed to be swallowed twice a day by the tide. The horses, topped with oil well pumps for heads, face the House of Parliament — calling out the political apathy towards the “environmental apocalypse.” Two of the riders are young children, trapped on their eerie horses, and the other two are middle-aged politicians with hands folded stubbornly over their round bellies. Their faces are scrunched up in indignation and their necks twisted away from Parliament and the children. The sculptures live in and out of the water and only appear at low tide, resurrected twice a day. They can see and survive what we cannot. For me, they serve as a stark reminder that London is not any more a fantasy than New York. Still, I am by no means disenchanted with London. After all, I love New York regardless of its prickliness and its dark side. I think I love London all the more for its grime and its toughness, as well as its two thousand-year-old struggle for constant improvement.
—Compiled by Erin Shanahan, Assistant News Editor
Follow us on Twitter! @TheFordhamRam AUSTIN FIMMANO FOR THE FORDHAM RAM
An installation appeared on the south bank of the River Thames in response to environmental degradation in the area.
Off-Campus Assault Draws Concern FROM ASSAULT, PAGE 1
result and collected possible physical evidence, including video footage. No description of the assailants was provided in the alert. Public Safety said that the NYPD believes individuals in the Dunkin Donuts parking lot may have seen the student’s assailants, and encourage anyone who was in the area at the time the assault occurred to come forward. The assault comes less than two weeks after the Association of American Universities (AAU) released a survey finding that 23 percent of 150,000 student respondents reported to have experienced sexual assault in college. Students hailed from 27 universities, with elite schools comprising some of the highest self-reported assault rates. The incident raised the concerns of the sexual assault task force. “The Sexual Misconduct Task Force is deeply disturbed by the incident that occurred this past Saturday evening,” the task force said in a statement. “Whether or not the perpetrators were members of the Fordham Community, these acts are based in issues that permeate society that say that it is acceptable for human beings to be objectified and have their will and personhood violated,” The statement continued, “We hope that the survivor of this incident received the necessary care following these events. One sexual assault in our community is, by any standard, one too many." Samantha Bannelis, FCRH ’16, lives in Lorillard Towers and goes to Dunkin Donuts regularly. The attack will likely change the way she travels to and from campus, she said. “I will probably walk through Dunkin now rather than walking around it,” Bannelis said. “That area is always very populated with Fordham students, so it's scary to think that something like this could happen so close to campus.” “It's terrifying...how are students supposed to feel safe when they can't walk a couple feet beyond campus without the fear of being hurt?” said Vivek Arora, FCRH ’17. “The university should strive to prevent these kinds of issues before they happen, especially in such close vicinity to our home.”
This Week at Fordham Wednesday Sept. 30
Thursday Oct. 1
Friday Oct. 2
Sunday Oct. 4
Monday Oct. 5
Sustainability Week: How Many Earths?
Lecture: Discovering Ecology
Free Pizza Sketch Comedy Show
Performance of Organist Nathan Laube
Cultural Affairs October Raffle
McGinley Lawn 6 p.m.
Keating 116 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Blackbox Theater 8 p.m.
University Church 4 p.m.
McGinley Ballroom 1 p.m.
Join United Student Government’s Sustainability Committee for this interactive discussion on environmental sustainability. Students will work together to calculate the number of earths it would take to sustain a planet on which everyone lived like they currently do..
Students can learn about urban ecology and sustainability with FCRH alum Jason Aloisio. He is also the founder of St. Rose’s Community Garden. Alsio will talk about his career in urban ecology and urban sustainability.
Fordham’s live-action sketch comedy group, Free Pizza, will perform a show of original, student-written sketches in the Blackbox Theater. There will be a second performance on Saturday, Oct. 3, at 8 p.m. The event is free. Seating is limited.
Renowned concert organist Nathan Laube will perform for the Father James Boyce Memorial Recital. Laube will perform the Maior Dei Gloria Organ on the University Church’s organ. Admission is free.
For more campus events, visit FordhamRam.com
Cultural Affairs will be raffling off tickets to Sleep No More, the Phantom of the Opera andan NBA game between the Nets and the Bulls. All students are eligible to enter with a valid Fordham ID. Winners can buy up to two tickets for $20 each.
NEWS
September 30, 2015
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A Week of Sustainability Scheduled for Rose Hill By JOE VITALE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
How many planet Earths would there need to be if every person lived like you did? How would conservatives — who are often pigeonholed as climate change-deniers — work to make a more sustainable planet? And what has Pope Francis been saying about the relationship between social justice and stewardship to the planet? This range of questions and more will be answered in events during this year’s Sustainability Week, hosted by the Sustainability Committee from Sept. 25 to Oct. 2. The week of events includes talks and movie screenings, and is meant to provide some insight on the intersections of politics, culture, social justice and economics with sustainability. Duncan Magidson, FCRH ’16, the communications chair of the Sustainability Committee, said the week of events is a way of beginning a dialogue with the Fordham community. “We work throughout the year on improving sustainability on campus, but during this week, we have the opportunity to hear a broader array of voices,” Magidson said. The College Republicans, for example, will host a discussion on the Republican party and its relationship with environmental causes. The event, set to host a speaker from Conservamerica, a conservative leaning group that focuses on environmental conservation, will address how conservatives are looking to approach climate change on the global level.
An event on Wednesday, Sept. 30, titled “How many Earths?” will address living sustainably. Presented by the Sustainability Committee, the event will help students calculate how many planet Earths it would require if every person lived like they did. “We hope that our work helps people recognize that they are not alone in their concern for the environment,” Magidson added. “We try to offer ways for people to get involved, whether through the committee, in other sustainable organizations on campus or in the actions they take in their every day lives.” Many of the events are co-sponsored and are meant to focus on issues surrounding sustainability. An event on Friday, titled “Social Justice and Sustainability,” will address the relationship between the Jesuit definition of social justice and environmental justice. The event, set to feature various faculty members and community organizers and hosted by the Dorothy Day Center for Service and Justice, will look at how these two issues intersect and examine how Bronx communities are being affected. Campus Activities Board (CAB) and Students for Environmental Action and Justice (SEAJ) will cohost a showing of the 2009 documentary, The Cove. The film, which was an expose on controversial dolphin-hunting practices in Japan, will be followed by a discussion of progress in recent years. The committee will also present on Thursday, Oct. 1, addressing urban ecology and sustainability. The speaker, Jason Aloisio, the founder of St. Roses Community Garden and St. Roses CSA, will discuss his
COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA
This year’s Sustainability Week, sponsored by USG, included events about environmental sustainability and social justice.
career in urban ecology and its intersection with urban sustainability. In recent years, Fordham has addressed the issue of sustainability in several ways, many of which are highly visible to students. This semester, more recycling bins were placed in classrooms and in buildings across campus. In years past, Fordham was recognized for having its first green building to be built on the historic Rose Hill campus in 2012. The building, Campbell, Salice & Conley Halls were awarded LEED Gold Certification. The new Law Building and McKeon residential tower are also certified as LEED buildings. In addition, the university is also converting its fleet of Ram Vans to biodiesel, having purchased close to 40 new vans and achieving a reduction of 22 percent in carbon dioxide emissions.
The school, according to Magidson, also has plans to install automatic lights in classrooms to reduce electricity wasted when they are left on. The organizers of the week’s events are hoping students live more sustainably beyond Sustainability Week. During the events, the committee is hoping to encourage students toward sustainability-focused clubs like SEAJ or St. Rose's Garden. In addition, the group is looking to provide tips for students on campus, many of which revolve around the three R’s: reduce, reuse and recycle. “The single most important thing you can do to reduce your ecological impact is to consume less,” Magidson said. “Avoid things like bottled water, which requires the production of a plastic product to
contain something you can get for free out of the tap. And when you do purchase a product, avoid singleuse products.” The Sustainability Committee is set to release a Sustainability Guide this semester. Still, the group is aiming to promote the issue on campus and push the university on developing its commitment to sustainability. “There is a lot more the university could be doing to support the cause of sustainability,” said Magidson. Things like dedicated departments, full-time faculty members, and “green grants,” that promote student-produced ideas, are all ways of promoting the issue on college campuses. “We are looking to implement one of these programs at Fordham,” said Magidson.
Gabelli Student Introduces Cryptocurrency Club By ZACH ATANASOFF CONTRIBUTING WRITER
A new club on Fordham’s Rose Hill campus is hosting roundtable discussions on the so-called “financial revolution” started by cryptocurrencies. In its mission statement, the Cryptocurrency Club at Fordham University (CCFU) proposes an interdisciplinary exploration of virtual currencies spanning across various academic disciplines, including finance, accounting, economics, philosophy and computer science. Cryptocurrency is a non-gov-
ernment issued commodity that operates much the same as precious metals like gold and silver. The most prominent form of cryptocurrency, known as “bitcoin,” uses encryption techniques to regulate the generation of units of virtual currency. CCFU’s President and Cofounder Ryan Chand, GSB ’17, “Bitcoin is a totally virtual currency started after the financial crisis [2008] with the hopes of bringing in a decentralized way to control our money,” Chand said. “So we fast forward, I think about seven years now, and bitcoin has grown into a couple hundred mil-
lion dollar industry,” he added. A total of 21 million units of currency, or bitcoins, can ever be created and are released onto the market or discovered at a decreasing rate. The scarcity of the resource makes it valuable. Bit coin emerged as a notable form of currency because of its use on the dark web, says CCFU’s Chief Technology Officer Kevin Leffew, GSB ’17. “Dark websites like ‘Silk Road’ that trafficked illegal substances benefitted from the anonymous, decentralized underpinnings of bitcoin known as the ‘block chain,’”
ZACK MIKLOS/ THE FORDHAM RAM
CCFU is a new club on campus started by a group of Gabelli students to educate about cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.
Leffew said. “While those dark web sites have been shut down, the block chain still has the potential to create a universal, international currency.” Chand equates the block chain to the banks and credit card companies that verify transactions on credit cards. The difference is that banks and card companies operate for fees or percentages, while the block chain provides low cost and anonymous verification for transactions. “The block chain is essentially a permanent ledger where computers verify transactions multiple times to prove they’re real. It removes the sense of an authoritative agency, which is very disruptive,” he said. As a largely unexplored currency, bitcoin’s major issues include its volatility, degree of acceptance and ongoing development. The currency is still in its early stages, so bitcoin is subject to variable and inconsistent values (as a commodity, similar to the variable price of gold,) it is not widely accepted by businesses, and the technology and practices surrounding bitcoin are still being developed. However, bitcoin is gaining ground towards becoming a widely accepted currency. The New York State Department of Financial Services issued its first license to a company dealing in bitcoin on Sept. 22. Also, major companies such as Microsoft accept bitcoin as a form of payment. CCFU will provide members
with a bitcoin starter pack that aims to get students up to speed with the relatively new technology. The starter pack will include a list of prominent firms that deal with bitcoin and a copy of the original white paper in which the creator Satoshi Nakamoto outlined the formula for bitcoin. Meetings will help members understand the implications of bitcoin as a disruptive technology, as well as teach members how to operate a bitcoin wallet and get a job in the emerging industry. CCFU will bring in notable speakers in the field for networking opportunities. The club’s ultimate goal is to host a conference of the College Cryptocurrency Network (CCN), an international student-run organization that began as a coalition of bitcoin clubs at Stanford University, MIT and University of Michigan in 2014. CCFU’s Kevin Leffew says a CCN conference could help establish Fordham as a leading University for studying cryptocurrency and the block chain. “I too believe the concept of money and the way it will be exchanged in the future is a hot and ever changing topic,” said Dr. Christine Janssen, CCFU’s advising professor and the Director of GSB’s Entrepreneurship Program. “I commend students who are willing to break out of the usual mold - including clubs - to create something new that is relevant to both the students and to the changing face of business.,” Janssen added.
NEWS
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September 30, 2015
Fordham In The Bronx
Bronx Bookstores Come and Go, But Belmont Public Library is Here to Stay By MICHAEL DOBUSKI BRONX CORRESPONDENT
A few years ago, a small bookstore on Westchester Ave. underneath the L train closed its doors for the last time. 6sixty-three-year-old LaVerne Harris opened the shop, cheekily named Books in the Hood, in the winter of 2007 as a way of showing local kids that reading could be fun. Harris and her son created more than just a bookstore, however. The shop became a center for Bronx authors to meet and talk about their work. The space was also used for poetry slams (which Harris emceed), story time for younger kids and people who just wanted to read on one of the two couches or feed the store’s pet turtle. Unfortunately, the wealth of knowledge and warm community atmosphere could not last. Though Harris dipped into her retirement fund to keep her business above water, Books in the Hood shut down in December of 2011. It was the last independent bookstore in the borough. The story of booksellers in the Bronx did not end with the shuttering of a tiny independent outfit in Longwood. A more resounding
conclusion came last year, in Bay Plaza, after a labored and prolonged leasing dispute ousted the last Barnes & Noble, leaving the nation’s poorest congressional district devoid of booksellers. Books may not be the first things that come to mind when thinking about the Bronx, but perhaps they should be. After all, Edgar Allan Poe lived here the last few years of his life, during which time he wrote some of his most famous poems, including “Annabel Lee” and “The Bells.” Mary Higgins Clark, famed suspense writer known for her 1975 novel “Where Are the Children,” lives here, as did Oliver Sacks, whose 1985 book “The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat” gave the scientific community renewed fervor and a greater insight into the world of neurology. There is an undercurrent of literary brilliance here, one just needs to know where to look. It is such a shame that outlets for this creative potential are becoming harder and harder to find. They are not impossible to come across. Though it may appear that literature in the Bronx has been pushed out by things like economic hardship and lack of interest, the re-
MICHAEL DOBUSKI/ THE FORDHAM RAM
The New York Public Library Belmont Branch offers an array of book options and modern architecture.
ality is that bookworms may just be adapting to changing conditions. CrossBronx is an online literary magazine published by the Bronx Council of the Arts and backed by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, the Greater New York Arts Development Fund, the
CASEY CHUN/ THE FORDHAM RAM
Vigil for Healing and Hope
On the steps of Keating Hall facing Edwards Parade, students gathered together and held a Vigil for Healing in light of the bias incidents. The event was held by the Jewish Student Organization, ASILI, United Student Government, Campus Ministry and the Office For Student Involvement. (See below for more information.)
Carnegie Corporation and The Scherman Foundation. CrossBronx compiles all forms of prose and poetry from local writers who, according to poetry editor Helen Dano, “have their ears pressed to the soul of the Bronx; their hearts caressing the energies, perspectives, sounds and edginess that make this Bronx unique.” Energetic writing like this is a theme that is carried through CrossBronx. It is lively, dramatic and pulpy. Similar to Carlos Henriquez’s jazz show from a few weeks ago, this is art that is best enjoyed in a frenzied, caught-up-in-the-moment sort of way. There are other glimmers of hope. On Hughes Avenue and 186th street is Frank Simone Square. What makes it notable, however, is the modern-looking building on the corner. The New York Public Library opened its Belmont branch in 1981, serving the community not only with a wealth of books, but also as a center for Italian and Italian-American heritage. The library is composed of two stories and a glass ceiling to let in some natural light. There is a tiled reading area with a potted tree in the corner that conjures images of out-
door park spaces. In the entryway, a small display highlights the work of Frank Palombo, who was the in-house graphic artist for three Bronx borough presidents. The walls are lined with everything from Charles Dickens to anime. There is an expansive section dedicated to Italian language and culture, as well as an equally extensive space for Spanish-language books. Walking around the library is a strangely melancholy experience. It makes you realize that it is becoming harder and harder to browse for things. Every search is so directed now. That is the beauty of old-fashioned, brickand-mortar locations stuffed with books. They allow you to flip to a random page and read about a Persian model chariot from the fifith century, or how Nabakov’s “Lolita” impacted popular culture, or how to make lima bean puree from Peru. More than that, what is really striking about the Belmont branch is that it really feels like any familiar library. That is a good thing, though, because public libraries and book distributers do not need to be fancy. They do not need an app or social media presence. They just need to be there.
Campus Briefs & Bites New VP of Mission Joins Campus Ministry
Gabelli Alum Awarded Honorary Degree
School of Continuing Studies Steps Down
Fordham Organizations Hold Vigil for Healing
Father Michael C. McCarthy, S.J., will join Fordham Campus Ministry as the vice president for mission integration and planning. In an email, Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of the university, welcomed McCarthy to Fordham and sent his best wishes to Monsignor Quinn. Earlier this year, Quinn announced that he would be returning to the Diocese of Scranton, Pennsylvania. Quinn has served as the vice president for university mission and ministry since 2009. McCarthy currently serves as the executive director of Santa Clara University’s Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education and is the Edmund Campion Professor in the religious studies and classics departments. At Santa Clara, McCarthy is also the assistant for mission and identity to the university president. McCarthy will begin his work at Fordham on Jan. 1, 2016.
Eugene Shvidler, GSB ’12, was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree — the University’s highest honor — on Sept. 2, 2015. Shvidler, earned his MBA and an MS in International Taxation from the Gabelli School of Business in 1992 and at the Royal Automobile Club in London, respectfully. Currently, Shvidler is a trained mathematician, a noted winemaker, oil executive and international philanthropist. Because of his support of Jewish centers of learning around the world and his significant gift to establish the Shvidler Chair in Judaic Studies at Fordham, he was awarded the honorary Doctorate. Rev. Joseph M. McShane, SJ, president of the University, James P. Flaherty, FCRH ’69, member of the Board of Trustees, Zara Shvidler, Rabbi Berel Lazar, chief rabbi of Russia and Stephen Freedman, PhD, provost of the university were present on Sept. 2 to award Shvidler.
Dr. Isabelle Frank, dean of the School of Professional and Continuing Studies (PCS) will step down from her position at the end of the Fall semester. Frank will pursue a job in international higher education at the City University of Hong Kong. In Hong Kong, Frank will serve as a visiting fellow on special projects in the Office of the Provost. Frank was appointed dean in August 2009, and has played a major role in the school of continuing studies at Lincoln Center, Rose Hill and Westchester campuses. Dr. Ron Jacobson, professor of communication and media studies and associate vice president in the Office of the Provost, will serve as the interim dean of the School of Professional and Continuing Studies beginning in January 2016. A search committee will be established to fill the role of a new dean for the School of Professional and Continuing Studies.
On Sept. 29, membersof the Fordham community held a Vigil for Healing in light of the recent bias incidents which occurred on campus. At 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday, students gathered on the steps of Keating Hall, facing Edwards Parade to stand together and participate in the process of healing. The event was held by the Jewish Student Organization, ASILI, United Student Government, Campus Ministry and the Office For Student Involvement. Before the event, students wrote positive statements on paper bags. These bags were then displayed with tea lights during the vigil. Hans Leuder, FCRH ’16, and president of ASILI said, “This is an important event because the student body needs to show that, above all else, care about each other and that the students will stand up for each other. At the end of the day we are all peers and this is our our home.” — Compiled by Cailin McKenna and Erin Shanahan, Assistant News Editors
NEWS
September 30, 2015
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After Several Surgeries, Professor Welborn Regains Sight By SAMANTHA FRANCO CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Fordham Theology professor Larry Welborn absorbs life through reading academic texts and interacting with his students and fellow faculty members. He loves to research, teach and inspire. However, how can one teach the subject they adore when they have declining vision? How can one read, write or interact with others on a daily basis when they can barely see? These are the types of questions that haunted Fordham professor Welborn when he lost his vision in fall 2013. “When you make your living by reading, writing and teaching, the idea that you might lose your eyesight is very frightening,” said Welborn. In October 2013, Professor Welborn was sailing with his wife at the Yale Club on New York Harbor when he began to realize that his field of vision in his right eye was going dark. After a few days had passed with no results in sight, he went to an ophthalmologist who immediately put him into emergency surgery.
The ophthalmologist then told him that he had suffered a large tear in the retina of his right eye. By the beginning of his surgery, half of the vision in Professor Welborn’s right eye was gone. The recovery process took eight weeks, including a prescription to lay in a face down posture. Due to the surgery, Welborn was unable to resume teaching; so the Theology Department Chair Patrick Hornback petitioned the Dean of Faculty of Arts and Sciences John Harrington for Welborn to be placed on medical leave, which was granted immediately to him. Welborn returned to Fordham in December 2013 still recovering from his surgery, but able to teach. His recovery lasted through the spring semester of 2014. By the beginning of the fall semester, however, he began to notice yet another decline in vision, this time in his left eye. His students noticed as well and brought it to the attention of the theology department, who told Welborn to visit a doctor. He decided to see a retinal specialist in New York City, who told him he would need another two surgeries to rectify the rapidly
growing problem in his left eye. Originally, Welborn was scheduled for a faculty fellowship in the spring of 2015, which is the period of time granted to a professor for them to do research and compile his findings. However, the Provost Stephen Freedman granted him another medical leave to preserve his faculty fellowship for the future. On Feb. 20, 2015, Welborn underwent his second surgery, which also had an eight-week recovery period. On Sept. 1, he went through his third surgery to remove a cataract that had developed as a result of the previous one. “It was a shock and surprise [that this happened] because no one in my family history had ever had this problem before,” Welborn said. Since his vision improved, Professor Welborn has been able to return to life as normal. He can legally drive again, instead of having his wife and sons drive him around for his errands. He also utilized his time to publish many works. During his recovery period, Professor Welborn published a monograph on May 1 with Columbia University Press, published another book
COURTESY OF THE FORDHAM THEOLOGY DEPARTMENT
Professor Welborn’s vision has improved due to several eye surgeries.
on Sept. 15 and finished three chapters of his upcoming book. Currently, Welborn is working on his faculty fellowship for the fall semester. He travelled to Amsterdam this past July, in between surgeries, to talk about one of his major papers at an academic conference, where he was asked by two publishers to publish a book based on his paper. His paper is about the generational conflicts in the Greek and Roman world in early Christianity, which he says is still relevant today because economic recessions have caused unemployment for the younger generations, creating conflict between the young and
the old. He has been working since August to expand the paper into a book. He hopes to finish the book by November so he can return to Fordham by next semester. “I am eager to come back to campus in January because I miss my students and fellow faculty members,” Welborn said. “After each one of the surgeries, colleagues at Fordham called me and my wife to see how things are going to express support. I can’t imagine many universities where that sort of humanity and caring is shown to employees. And that experience goes all the way from the top of the university down.”
University Revokes Honorary Degree Amid Assault Allegations FROM COSBY, PAGE 1
statement was "so irresponsible as to shock the conscience… [it] grossly mischaracterizes both Mr. Cosby's actions and his deposition testimony, in language more befitting a tabloid journal rather than a respected institution of higher learning." He assailed the university’s statement, which references Cosby’s testimony as a factor in the university’s decision, arguing that Cosby has denied all allegations of sexual misconduct and has not been charged with a crime. "Nothing in his testimony admits to any nonconsensual sexual contact with any woman whatsoever," Schmitt said in his letter. "As you know, Mr. Cosby has been convicted of no crime and has steadfastly maintained his innocence." In his letter, Schmitt also contended the university’s statement that: "Equally appalling is his longtime strategy of denigrating the reputations of women who accused him of such actions." He claims that it is “unfounded” and "seems intended to lend gratuitous support to defamation lawsuits that are presently underway and in which the issues are hotly contested." The attorney also noted that in its statement Fordham left out a history of financial donations made by Cosby over the years. Schmitt is a Fordham Law School alumnus. It all began on Thursday at about 2 p.m. with an email from the Office of Fr. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of the university, informing the Fordham community that the university's
Board of Trustees unanimously voted on a motion to revoke Bill Cosby's 2001 honorary doctorate of the fine arts. The president of the university filed the initial motion for the revocation. Bill Cosby is an actor, comedian and public figure. He delivered the 2001 commencement speech to Rose Hill students. The decision comes in light of
the honorary degree it bestowed upon Cosby in 2013. On Tuesday, Sept. 29, Brown University President Christina Paxson sent an email to the Brown community announcing the revocation of Cosby’s degree as as he no longer represents “honesty, fair play, love of family and respect for humanity,” or the “values that the Brown community holds dear.” The ac-
ness of the allegations of rape against him." Since then, media sources report that over 40 women have claimed to be victims of his sexual misconduct. "That Mr. Cosby was willing to drug and rape women for his sexual gratification, and further damage those same women's reputations and careers to obscure
COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA
Brown University, pictured above, also revoked Cosby’s honorary degree amid sexual assault allegations.
high-profile sexual assault allegations made against Cosby that gained national attention when the October 2014 accusation by comedian Hannibal Burress went viral. Since then, two more schools have followed suit. On Thursday, Sept. 25, Milwaukee-based Jesuit university Marquette also announced that it would be revoking
tion is a first for all three schools. Fordham’s email states that Cosby was chosen to receive the honorary degree "not least because of the significant role he played in breaking the color barrier in American television and popular culture, and his position as an inspirational figure for millions of African Americans. At the time, there was no public aware-
his guilt, hurt not only his victims, but all women, and is beyond," the email said. Several schools across the nation have given Cosby honorary degrees over the years, including Oberlin College, Boston University and the College of William and Mary. The latter's college newspaper reported earlier in September that the college would not rescind
Cosby's degree. The president of the college, which had also never rescinded a degree before, was reported to have said that the criteria to determine a degree withdrawal would be "very messy." Similarly, a few colleges have already ended their relationships with Cosby in other ways. In July, Spelman College ended a professorship tied to Cosby, according to ajc.org, despite the fact that Camille and Bill Cosby donated $20 million to Spelman College in the ’80s. Other schools that have cut ties with Cosby include Berklee College of Music, Temple University and High Point University. "As a Jesuit university, Fordham could no longer stand behind the degree it had bestowed upon Mr. Cosby, hence this unprecedented action," continued the email from the office of the president. While this may be the first time the university has rescinded an honorary degree, it is not the first time that the Fordham community has called for one to be revoked. In February 2015, eight members of university faculty founded Fordham Against Torture (FAT), which created a petition calling the university to revoke former CIA chief John Brennan's, FCRH ‘77 honorary degree. Among their requests was that the president promote "reflection within the Fordham community on how our university can better live up to the values espoused in its mission statement." Although the petition gained over 700 signatures from faculty, students and alumni, the Board of Trustees unanimously voted not to revoke Brennan's degree.
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NEWS United Student Government Updates
September 30, 2015
APES Creates Anthropology Community By KATIE MEYER MANAGING EDITOR
Fordham University is home to over 90 student clubs and organizations, nearly 30 of which are categorized as “academic.” But in recent memory, there has never been a club associated with one of Fordham’s major social science departments: Anthropology. That is, until recently. Several students within the Anthropology department are taking it upon themselves to rectify their discipline’s lack of representation in extracurriculars. Their method? APES. The acronym stands (quite appropriately) for Anthropology People Exploring Stuff. And as one of the club’s founders, Alex Gaylord, FCRH ’16 explained, that title essentially sums up the club’s mission. “We really just wanted to have a forum for people who are interested in anthropology,” she said, adding that this includes both students studying anthropology, and also non-majors who are simply interested in learning more. “The primary purpose of APES is to have fun with a subject that students can relate to from nearly any background,” Lindsey Canas, FCRH ’16, another founding member, added. “The discipline is so diverse; anyone can discover a niche that they identify with, and we welcome open discussions or new ex-
periences that can help broaden our understanding of humanity and how people interact with the world.” APES technically started towards the end of last spring semester. But Gaylord said that since they began advertising more and reaching out to more anthropology students this fall, their numbers have grown markedly. “This semester we’ve gotten as many as 25 people at our meetings, where last semester we were pretty lucky to get ten or so,” she said. As of now, APES is still not an official club, though the members are pushing to change that status by the end of this year. One of the requirements a proposed club must fulfill in order to be officially sanctioned by the university is meeting “a need not presently met by any other club, organization or department.” And according to its current members, APES does just that. “I think it's exactly what the anthropology program needs, because it's all about people,” Becky Ferguson, FCRH ’16 said. “I knew very few anthropology majors outside of the research I was working on, and I think that the human connection is just really vital, especially for our major.” Within the anthropology department, there are four sub-fields: cultural anthropology, archaeology, physical anthropology and linguistic anthropology. Although it is not one of Fordham’s bigger departments,
Club Approvals Jewish Student Organization Approved Unanimously FLASH Magazine Approved
Upcoming Events Sustainability Week: Wednesday Sept. 30, 6:00 p.m., McGinley Lawn • “How Many Earths?” Thursday, Oct. 1, 1:00 p.m., Rose Hill Commons • “Republicans and the Environment” Friday, Oct. 2, 5:30 p.m., Keating 116 • “FCRH Alumni Lecture: Discovering Ecology in the Urban Jungle” Friday, Oct. 3, 5:30 p.m., Campbell Commons • “Social Justice and Sustainability” Gaylord said that it can be difficult for anthropology majors to maintain academic relationships with each other, simply because they tend to have such different focuses and areas of study. Kimberly Consroe, the club’s academic advisor said APES could change that. “When I was a student, one of my favorite things was hanging out with people who knew the professors I knew, and who took the classes I took, and who ultimately had similar background interests in anthropology and archaeology,” she explained. Consroe added, “What I’ve noticed here is that this program really needed to have a bit more camaraderie among the students, and the fac-
New Name, Same Message: Fordham’s Smart Girls Group Rebrands
COURTESY OF EMILY RALEIGH
The group Spire & Co. plans to start chapters in the UK and South Africa.
By MARIANYS MARTE STAFF WRITER
Emily Raleigh, GSB ’16, did not plan on becoming an accomplished businesswoman and entrepreneur straight out of high school. In fact, Raleigh’s Smart Girls Group project simply started as a way to help her younger sister through her freshman year, a kind of field guide to being a strong, motivated and smart girl. “It was a hobby,” said Raleigh. “So many people told me I could turn this into a business, but that really wasn’t my prime focus.” Four years later, Raleigh’s mindset has changed completely. Thanks to the unprecedented success of her company, Smart Girls Group. What started as a small, digital magazine grew into a popular website with an audience of ambitious young women from over 50 countries worldwide. The website is full of
editorial-style articles and blog posts. Similar to what you might find on Refinery29 or Mogul, created by real smart girls — girls with the desire to be independent and successful. Raleigh was inspired by the website’s influence and was curious to see how the Smart Girls message, which was so powerful online, could translate into real life. Now, Smart Girls Group is about to undergo another pivotal transformation as it launches a completely rebranded website this week. “We’re raising the volume on everything we’ve done for the last four years,” said Raleigh. Smart Girls Group will now be known as Spire & Co., a name that has a significant connection to the company’s everlasting mission. Not only does ‘spire’ represent the highest point on a summit, but Raleigh also pointed out that it derives from the word’s meaning, “to be able to breathe a little bit easier.” The sec-
ond half of the name embodies three key aspects of the business: content, collaboration and community. Throughout the process of rebranding, the company acquired a staff of five editors, four contributing writers and three other part-time employees. In an effort to be fair and appreciative of their hard work, and due to the company’s advertising partnerships with professional clients such as Jamba Juice, the team of editors is now paid. Spire & Co.’s new website will be full of original text posts and imagery to promote an environment of creativity and inspiration for young women all over the world. Though its name may be different, the company’s message remains the same: “Be Smart. Share Smarts.” Because of the rebrand, this idea will continue to be spread across the globe — in addition to the over 30 Smart Girls campus chapters in the United States and chapters to come the United Kingdom and South Africa. “We’re picking pockets all over the country and all over the world where we can grow our communities,” said Raleigh, “it’s a universal program that has a lot of flexibility.” The Spire & Co. team wants to help empowered young women become successful by giving them a platform to share their unique ideas and show support for each other along the way. Raleigh was eager to develop the new brand and “continue to serve the needs of the girls in a way that allows us to grow with them.” Spire & Co. may be expanding more each day. But to Raleigh and her team, the preservation of the original Smart Girls group message and sisterhood will always be what matters most.
Student Life Council Wednesday, Sept. 30th, 2:30 p.m., Bepler Commons Current Agenda: Bias Incident Discussion and Student Culture Discussion The public can add to the agenda through slc@fordham.edu
ulty too…we don’t have a place for kids to hang out and be able to meet one another and communicate with one another…those are the types of things that you hope you foster in an academic community.” The club’s founders hope that this renewed sense of camaraderie extends to non-anthropology majors as well. “Not many students outside of our department understand what we are studying or why we are so passionate about it,” Canas said. “I hope that we will be able to form connections campus-wide and help others gain an appreciation for what we’re working on.” Gaylord agreed. Sometimes, she said, Anthropology gets ignored, or
discounted as a serious discipline. “I think people think it’s one of those departments were the work is just very generalized,” she said. “And sure it’s broad, but that’s really kind of a misconception. There are a lot of really interesting and specialized projects that are happening in our department. There are people who get research grants who do really cool things that I think should be acknowledged.” “And,” she added, “Anyone can find an interest within this subject. Political science, communications, media studies — all that stuff is related to anthropology in really profound ways.” “Plus,” Canas added, “who doesn’t love Indiana Jones?”
Francis Speaks, and His Message is Heard FROM FRANCIS, PAGE 1
both Catholics and non-Catholics alike to choose environmental and social justice over power and material prosperity. Pope Francis tied the worsening of the environment to the disadvantagement of the poor, who are “cast off by society, forced to live off what is discarded and suffer unjustly from the consequences of abuse of the environment. These phenomena are part of today’s widespread and quietly growing ‘culture of waste.’” Pope Francis’ agenda coincided with the U.N.’s Agenda 2030, a global set of goals focused on caring for the environment and for the poor that are projected to be reached by the year 2030. Pope Francis also praised numerous countries for the agreement with Iran on the nuclear energy program and received substantial applause for his support of education for girls. Malala Yousafzai, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Pakistani activist who was shot by the Taliban in 2012, offered her applause from the balcony of the General Assembly hall following Pope Francis’ speech. Douglas Spring, FCRH ’17, watched the address in his dorm room. “I think it meant so much to the global community for Pope Francis to address the U.N. Millions of people across the globe admire him because he has brought new life to the Catholic Church,” Spring said. “The address at the U.N. reiterated his message of
global peace, which can only be achieved together.” On Friday, the Pope visited the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in lower Manhattan before making a procession through Central Park on his wryly termed “Popemobile.” He then traveled south to Madison Square Garden, where he delivered the Papal Mass in front of well over 20,000 people. The 90-minute Mass reinforced the Pope’s message of peace and presented an ode to the city about how the poorest people often go unnoticed on the streets: “[The poor] are the foreigners, the children who go without schooling, those deprived of medical insurance, the homeless, the forgotten elderly. These people stand at the edges of our great avenues, in our streets, in deafening anonymity.” At the closing of the Mass, Archbishop of New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan took the stage to express the gratitude shared by New Yorkers for Pope Francis’ visit. Billboards across the city displayed advertisements for Fordham and emphasized the Jesuit tradition that are central to the university’s identity. Fordham also held an online lottery for students to obtain free tickets to the papal processions. All three campuses were also abuzz with activity as many dorms and public spaces showed live coverage of the Pope’s every move.
NEWS
April 29, 2015
Page 7
Papal Visit Draws Thousands in Central Park FROM POPE, PAGE 1
only ten feet from the barricade, and taller than the people in front of him. He thought that meant the view would be perfect — but the excitement of the crowd upended that plan. “Then we heard a car drive by, and everyone freaks out, stands on their tiptoes and holds their camera up in the air. So then it
was kind of hard to see at that point,” said Moore. The parade through Central Park began after Pope Francis’s visit to Our Lady Queen of Angels school on 112th Street in East Harlem. There, the Pope was breathlessly greeted by students, posed for selfies and embraced everyone who came near. But the Central Park parade
COURTESY OF TIM BOUFFARD
The Papal procession through Central Park attracted over 80 thousand viewers.
set a new level of adulation for the Pontifex. Police said around 85 thousand people made it into the park. Devoted individuals camped out before dawn in order to secure a good spot. The pope, late from leaving Our Lady Queen of Angels, arrived in Central Park in his Black Fiat 500L — a long way off from the limousine used in most motorcades) by around 5:20 p.m. After a quick change to the white Jeep (the “Popemobile”), he was off down the West Drive. The Pontifex was surrounded by an enormous security detail. Moore said the motorcade included so many cars ahead of the pope that the crowd was unsure when he was actually coming. “From like 3 o’clock on, everyone was standing up and expecting him at any moment. So every time a car drove by, you could just hear people yelling, and everyone would get really excited, only to find the Pope was actually still on the way,” Moore said. Unlike the motorcade in Washington D.C., there were no children breaking through barricades to embrace the Pope and give him gifts. Security was far too tight — dozens of men surrounded the Popemobile at all times. There was no moment of spontaneous crowd mingling as in other cities. Even outside the security zone (which was encapsulated by a ten-foot fence) in Columbus Circle, police officers were everywhere. Security checkpoints were even set up at the entrance to the
Time Warner Center. The sheer size of the crowd did cause some problems. In addition to the aforementioned lines, restroom service was less than ideal. Portable restrooms were set up, but lines were, in some places, 45 minutes long. Frustration grew. Many of the facilities were out of toilet paper. Water ran low. Tempers simmered. Scattered shouting matches began. But it did not matter. The Pope, as always, had a smile on his face. He waved to the delight of onlookers, some of whom burst into tears. The Bishop of Rome’s bright white robes shone in the late-afternoon sun against the backdrop of trees with just a hint of the orange and gold of autumn on their leaves. “It was a very, very moving event,” said Moore. The moment was fleeting, however. By 5:20 p.m., the fifteen minutes of triumphant parading were over. The Pope, the man who commands so much respect and adulation, climbed back into his Fiat and was driven to Madison Square Garden for Mass as the crowd dispersed. Of course, it was not entirely that easy. Eighty five thousand people (plus more un-ticketed people from the area) cannot dissapate instantaneously. Problems were apparent from the moment one descended into the Columbus Circle subway station. MTA officials gave up on collecting fares — fearful of the bottleneck that would ensue at
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turnstiles, they just opened the emergency exit doors and waved the sea of humanity through. Due to overcrowding, D trains were running local on the West Side. The temperature in the subway was noticeably higher than outside. Police were everywhere. For Fordham students looking to take the Ram Van without a reservation, things also looked bleak. Dozens of people waited inside and outside at the Lincoln Center campus a block away. But for Bernadette Haig, FCRH ’18, the chance to see the triumph of the Pope, the Holy Father, the Pontifex Maximus, Bishop of Rome and spiritual leader of over a billion Catholics around the world outweighed any of the struggles. She said she had to see him. “Pope Francis has captivated the world with his humility and kindness…there's something magnetic about him,” said Haig. That magnetism — something cited by countless fans of Francis — makes it seem fitting, then, that the Pope’s Latin title, “Pontifex Maximus,” derives from the Latin, “Greatest bridge-builder.” But etymology, titles and Roman history aside, Haig said that above all, that late September afternoon was simply an experience she will never forget. “To stand [in] this great man's presence was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I wouldn't have missed it for anything,” said Haig. Eighty thousand New Yorkers agreed.
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September 30, 2015
OPINION
Page 9
The Fordham Ram
The Importance of Discussing Different Views By AINSLEY KILPATRICK STAFF WRITER
President Obama recently stated that college students are too coddled and limited in their worldviews. Do you agree? Does this happen at Fordham? If so, how can we change that? Since the rise of the millennial generation, society has discussed the sheltered nature of our upbringing and the benefits and repercussions. Everyone has heard stories of their parents out riding bikes and building forts in the woods with no method of communication and no safety measures to ensure they arrived home safely when the street lights turned on. In stark contrast, millenials have been accompanied to every play-date and given cell phones as early as third grade as a means of communication and protection. However, in recent years this overbearing protectiveness has extended beyond physical safety to mental health. What’s even more interesting is that this movement has come from the millennials themselves, seeking to safeguard their emotions, leading to a self-coddling movement. President Obama discussed this new wave of political correctness when he spoke in Des Moines, Iowa. “I’ve heard some college campuses where they don’t want to have a guest speaker who is too conservative, or they don’t want to read a book if it has language that is offensive to African Americans or somehow sends a demeaning signal towards women. I gotta tell you, I don’t agree with that either. I don’t agree
that you, when you become students at colleges, have to be coddled and protected from different points of view. Anybody who comes to speak to you and you disagree with, you should have an argument with them. But you shouldn’t silence them by saying, ‘You can’t come because I’m too sensitive to hear what you have to say.’ That’s not the way we learn either.” Are we truly so coddled? In defense of these movements, one must realize that our generation was raised in a time when attention was drawn to the harms that result from bullying due to events in places like Columbine and Virginia Tech. Focus shifted to the fragility of the teenage psyche, and we have consequently developed an increased sensitivity to the emotional health of our comrades. By targeting micro-aggressions, the college community is attempting to create a safe environment for those who have suffered from traumatic events or systematic sexism and/or racism. However, while it is important to encourage a supportive environment, the censoring of these “microaggressions” is leading to a limited worldview. A student organization at Brandeis University organized a public display to bring attention to legitimate micro-aggressions that minority populations face on a daily basis. The Brandeis Asian American Student Association displayed examples of such micro aggressions including, “Aren’t you supposed to be good at math?” and “I’m colorblind! I don’t see race.” However, students complained to the administration that
JAQUELYN MARTIN/AP
President Obama stated that college students need to expand their horizons when it comes to different points of view.
the display itself was a micro-aggression, and it was promptly removed with an apology from the university president. This reaction served not to protect the mental health of the few, but to shut down conversation for all. When students are restricted from discussing these micro-aggressions, it harms the potential for productive discourse that leads to community wide understanding and change. With expanding awareness of the various prejudices that exist in society comes an expansion of topics which are deemed “triggering”, and in some cases, off-limits. Our generation has identified countless social injustices and openly condemned them as unforgiveable. However, our communal reaction has created the
wrong effect. Our reaction should be to start a dialogue. Our focus should be on constructing a support system for those who have been victimized by any form of prejudice and provide a network for them to feel safe. As college students, it is our unique responsibility to be the promoters of progress in society. Progress comes from beginning the discussion of the root of these prejudices and countering them on an academic level. As a liberal arts institution, Fordham has a prime opportunity to provide wide perspective on the issues at play. Our history and anthropology students can discuss where these issues originate. Our sociology and philosophy students can discuss how our modern culture interacts with the ethical harms of these micro-aggressions.
Gabelli can offer insight as to how these prejudices affect workplace performance, and psychology students can identify the short- and long-term effects on mental development. If we, as a student body, can come together and openly discuss these issues, we can then understand them in a way which could lead to the effective development of a safe and supportive community for everyone. If we continue to shut down discussion under the guise of political correctness, we are doing a disservice to our community and rejecting our role as learners in an academic environment. Ainsley Kilpatrick, FCRH ’17, is a philospohy and anthropology major from East Greenwich, Rhode Island.
Pope’s Visit Inspires Increased Student Outreach
ANDREW MEDICHINI/AP
Pope Francis recently visited New York City and will continue his journey throughout the United States.
By COLLEEN FAHY CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Pope Francis’ visit to New York City this past weekend certainly created a lot of buzz around the world. Many would say that no group was more excited than members of the Fordham community (after all, we are the Jesuit University of New York, and Pope Francis is the most popular Jesuit in the world at the moment making incredible changes to our world!) The Pope’s homily at the vespers service at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral on Fifth Avenue in the heart of Manhattan Wednesday was one of the most highly-anticipated events during his time in the United States, and
the service did not disappoint. While watching the live broadcast, two elements of faith mentioned in his homily touched my heart as both a religious young woman and a student of a Jesuit university, where we are taught the Jesuit ideals of being “men and women for others” and, above all, thinking outside of ourselves in an effort to “go set the world on fire.” The first thought-provoking point made by Pope Francis regarded the idea of a spirit of gratitude; many of us receive so many blessings in our lives whether we believe it is done by God’s hand or some other form, and Pope Francis urges us to recall these things with a grace of remembrance. This grace calls us to remember the road we traveled on to get where we
are today, and to acknowledge how far we have come and to feel grateful for our achievements. A line that particularly struck me from the homily was about the “remembrance of the amazement which our encounter with Jesus Christ awakens in our hearts.” Immediately, I thought of my own time at Fordham working with Campus Ministry and being a part of all the wonderful events they carry out around the Fordham community. I grew up in a Catholic home, so Jesus Christ has always been a part of my life. However, I never fully appreciated the peace my faith could give me until I came to college. During my freshman year, I made a point of going to weekly 8 p.m. Mass and the routine has stuck with me today as a
junior. There was not one huge, lifechanging moment that solidified my relationship with Jesus, but going to Mass and feeling the whole Fordham family come together as one despite different majors, hometowns and interests has definitely been an experience that awakened my heart to all the good around me. When Pope Francis asked “Are we good at counting our blessings?” I really reflected on how going to Mass on campus gives me a sense of peace. For the hour while I am there I do not think about the stress of things that sometimes feel like they will overtake me, I only think about the good things in my life that will never be taken away. The other outstanding element of faith Pope Francis spoke about was the spirit of hard work. He described how God wants us to serve others and pay forward all the good graces we receive as this is the truest way of making the world a better place. With a shout out to the Jesuit value of “men and women for others”, the Pope examined how the “closeness to the poor, the refugee, the immigrant, the sick, the exploited, the elderly living alone, prisoners and all God’s other poor, will teach us a different way of resting, one which is more Christian and generous”. When I thought about this idea in terms of my own life, I thought of the service projects I have been lucky enough to have par-
ticipated in throughout my two years at Fordham. During my freshman year, I was a part of a Martin Luther King Day of Service with a small group of Fordham students. We traveled to an elementary school across from campus to play games and tutor children as part of an after-school program. During my sophomore year, I spent my spring break in New Orleans working with Lantern Light Ministry at the St. Joseph Rebuild Center for lowerincome individuals in need of food, medicine and other resources. Now, as a junior, I look forward to any opportunity through Fordham or otherwise where I can go and serve my community. I think part of the reason I look forward to these types of projects is that I have truly been influenced to think outside of myself as a part of my larger Jesuit education. This reminded me of what Pope Francis was saying: we must take time to rejuvenate and take care of ourselves, but we must do so in a way in that we never lose sight of those less fortunate who need our help. I think a spirit of gratitude and hard work are perfect things for everyone to contemplate, but I feel that as Fordham students, it is a topic that hits home and causes us all to reflect on our behaviors. Colleen Fahy, FCRH ’17, is a communication and media studies major from Newtown, Connecticut.
OPINION
Page 10
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September 30, 2015
From the Desk | Margarita Artoglou
Conflating Confidence with Comestics Hi, my name is Margarita and I am a makeup hoarder. Here is an example: I own at least 40 different types of lipstick. I wear lipstick very infrequently, and yet I feel an intrinsic urge to buy more. Listen, I know there are people with a bigger problem than mine. There are people who own hundreds of products, people who feel the need to buy out an entire line of products when a brand launches a new collection. Still, I understand what it is like to have a makeup addiction; I am just inhibited by my college-student budget. I am a fan not only of makeup itself, but of the entire beauty community. I love the makeup artists on YouTube who film tutorials, the bloggers who review the new releases and the Instagrammers who post close-up shots of their eyelids after creating masterpieces with eyeshadow. But I feel like I cannot fully embrace my love of makeup, at least not without a little guilt. After all, the beauty industry was built by exploiting women’s insecurities
and turning them into profit. How can I support such an industry with a clear conscience? Makeup itself can be empowering, which is why so many people are passionate about it. Anything that boosts people’s confidence has my support. But the makeup industry often uses their advertisements to knock people down, then offers their products to bring them back up. That’s not a confidence boost; it’s a marketing strategy. Even walking down the beauty aisle at the drugstore can bring out insecurities. All the new products that promise to perfect your face can seem aggressive after a while. Just the fact that these products exist is enough to make me second-guess my natural face. I did not realize there was so much that could be fi xed! The products seem to scream out at me: “Cover those bags under your eyes! Lengthen those lashes! And for the love of God, can someone please contour that nose?” Then I remind myself that wearing makeup is not required for me to be a fully-functioning member
of society. I have black circles under my eyes, but so what? If concealing them makes me feel more confident, then I will, but if I wake up in no mood to put products on my face, then I will not. Wearing makeup (or not wearing makeup) is supposed to be a choice one makes in order to feel confident and empowered. The media and the makeup industry can make it seem like beautifying yourself every morning is the key to happiness, but that is not necessarily true. Remember that they are trying to sell you a product and will use any means possible to do so. This does not mean you should shy away from makeup alltogether. Just remember that this is about you, not the model on the display. Advertisements will try to tell you that your skin is not clear enough unless you buy a particular exfoliator, or they will try to sell you a glamorous lifestyle that can be attained if you buy just one more lipstick. But it never ends there. The goal of the beauty industry is to hook you in and make you
spend money, but you can resist temptation. Think critically before buying: are you purchasing a product because you are excited about how it will look, or are you purchasing because the media told you that you have a flaw and a cosmetics company told you this product will fi x it? Buy and wear things that make you happy. The beauty industry will try to get you to buy as many products as possible, but you ultimately get to decide how much (or how little) actually gets the honor of being applied to your beautiful face.
Editorial | Academic Life
Trigger Warnings in College Classes This summer, an article in the Atlantic received considerable attention for criticizing American universities’ use of trigger warnings on course material that might cause an emotional reaction. The article claimed that this increasingly prevalent practice coddles students and concluded that the trigger warnings contribute to the general oversensitivity of today’s college students. While it is important to push college students out of their comfort zones, provoking negative responses in students who have had traumatizing experiences is not constructive to their education or their development as people. While trigger warnings should never censor valuable course material, or provide an excuse for students to ignore difficult content, they do have a legitimate place in college classrooms. Media that we expose ourselves to is usually rated for content by some governing body. Movies have the MPAA, video games have the ESRB, music has explicit ratings, yet books never warn readers of potentially explicit
content. This is why we need trigger warnings for class materials. These are not meant to, and should not, deter people from reading the content. Rather, they are designed to give readers advance notice of any particularly sensitive material that could conceivably elicit emotional reactions. This concession to feelings is not unreasonable; students have a right to know if they should expect anything extreme when they open a book for class. They should know if violence is described in graphic detail or if sexual assault is discussed, because the unfortunate reality is that for some students, these subjects do pose a significant concern. Disputing that fact is unconstructive. And because there is no other source for these warnings, the responsibility falls to the professor. Far from detracting from academic enrichment, trigger warnings actually have the potential to improve the learning process for many students. Instead of dealing with the emotional con-
sequences of a panic attack or traumatic flashback after the fact, a trigger warning has the power to prevent that negative experience completely, therefore allowing students to focus more fully on the valuable aspects of their classwork. As a Jesuit university, it is important to ensure that all students feel welcomed in their classes, not threatened. If a simple trigger warning in a syllabus can allow a student to study without the fear of having a panic attack, it is a worthwhile motion. That is not to say that the warnings do not come without inherent risks. As many professors have complained, the proliferation of trigger warnings on course material has come alongside a rise in formal complaints against professors who employ controversial material in their courses. And this has had the negative side effect that professors become afraid of retribution that could threaten their jobs, and so forgo challenging material for milder options. What there should be is balance, both from students and
from faculty and administration. Students should be mindful of the distinction between being traumatized and merely offended. Good course material should force students to question their beliefs and confront uncomfortable ideas and yes, on occasion, offend. While students have a right to concessions for their mental health, they do not have any immutable right to constant comfort. And administrators, in turn, should recognize this difference as well — they should see that trigger warnings have an appropriate, even harmless, place in college. It is only when they are misused or taken advantage of, that censorship becomes a concern. The mission of all universities, regardless of religious affiliation, is to educate and develop students into contributing members of society. By enabling all students to have fair access to course materials, universities that offer trigger warnings for course content are supporting their students’ abilities to reach their full potential.
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OPINION
September 30, 2015
Page 11
The Debate on Ad-Blockers
Kathryn Wolper
Ad-Blockers Encourage Better Advertisement Content
Industry and Environmental Responsibility
By TYLER DIKUN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Apps like Adblock Plus and Crystal have skyrocketed to the top of Apple’s paid-apps list. Known as extensions to encoders, these apps provide a necessary filter against the all-too-familiar, irrelevant and annoying pop-up ads. While these digital advertisements combine the misery of having to wait longer than expected to load an unwanted ad with the aggravation of accidentally clicking on one, the ad-blocking technology has sparked an ethical dilemma over its use. After all, take away the ads, take-away the revenue. Right? The advertising industry can only be described as a three-headed giant. Consulting firms like Strategy Analytics have estimated advertising spending at nearly $187 billion in 2015. Of that $187 billion, the fastest growing sector of advertising, digital, has increased 2.5 percent from 2014. The striking figure from Strategy Analytics is that paper-based ads were the only branch of advertising to experience a reduction: 1.8 percent from 2014. If the ad industry continues to move away from tangible advertisements, we can expect an inundation of those noisy, disorienting ads that no one wants to hear. Ad-blocking combats this problem by promoting ‘acceptable ads’. These ads are described by Adblock Plus’ founder Eyeo as those which are not annoying, do not distort or disrupt page content, are transparent in their intent to be ads, are appropriate to the site they appear on and are effective without shouting at the user. This process of filtering through ads that are deemed acceptable comes with a price to content providers. Media companies that have adapted to the digital age
contend that advertisements amass a large portion of their revenue. The latest earnings report from The New York Times shows that digital ads have contributed one-third of an overall revenue of 148.6 million. Threatened with a crippling loss of ad-generated revenue, companies like The New York Times are pushing back against the “unethical” nature of ad-blockers. Many companies have gone so far as to refer to programs like Adblock Plus as extortion. Essentially, content providers believe that if they do not pay a fee to ad blocker apps, they should better prepare for a loss in revenue. Companies who pay this fee are white-listed by Adblock Plus and can continue to feature advertisements. Where those affected see an ad-blocking mafia, I see regulation. For an undisclosed fee, adblockers are trying to promote better advertisements. Companies become white-listed by ad-blockers
by modifying their ads to be less aggressive. Without regulation, ads would continue to seize hold of more data on one’s prepaid data plan and open the door to fraudulent phishing schemes that already plague the Internet. Ad-blockers are, in fact, sending a message to many publications that the current advertisement experience for the average user is sub-par. The system of intrusive pop-ups and mysterious tracking software needs to stop. Interestingly enough, an argument arises over the possible zero revenue that is lost by content providers. Does a company actually lose out on revenue from ad-blocking programs if visitors to a specific website would never have gone there in the first place? Mathew Ingram of fortune.com equates this argument to the music industry. If I pirate music that I was never going to buy in the first place, am I stealing revenue? Instead of being held hostage by
the intrusive nature of digital advertisements, the Internet should set a new standard for how advertising content is displayed. I find it frustrating to sit through five minutes of advertisement videos during a 25 minute YouTube clip. Content providers will bemoan their potential lost revenue until they either confide to the format of an acceptable ad or, sadly, find loopholes in the system. Advertisement that is more relevant to the consumer is more lucrative to the advertiser. If adblockers prove to be the destructive thieves of the Internet that many claim them to be, take them down. However, I would rather see the potential for a new ad publication process which would change the advertisement experience. Is that not a fundamental rule of the freemarket capitalist system? Adapt or die...your choice. Tyler Dikun, FCRH ’18, is undecided in his major from Wyckoff, New Jersey.
BRIAN KERRIGAN/WIKIMEDIA
The use of ad-blockers has become a controversial topic with the rise and over-saturated nature of Internet ads.
Advertisements Necessary for Media to Flourish By JACLYN WEINER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The effect of ad-blockers has been a buzzing topic in the news lately. During the past year adblocking has been on the rise. According to an ad-blocking report provided by PageFair and Adobe, the use of ad-blocking has grown by 48 percent in the United States since 2014. While ad-blocking can be beneficial and convenient to users, it has the potential to significantly damage the income of many online businesses such as media companies, tech companies, prospective writers and online content creators. Most social media sites, video streaming services and news sites are free. Internet users are spoiled with free content. Due to this, it does not cross most of our minds that even though the sites are free, they often incur significant costs to provide the content. The way that most of these sites get the revenue to keep delivering their products for free is through advertisements. According to Pagefair and Ado-
be, 126 million monthly active Chrome users, 48 million monthly active Firefox users and 9 million monthly active Safari users are using ad-blocker applications. The sheer numbers of people using adblockers have come at a cost, and that cost is rising every year. It is estimated that blocked advertising cost $21.8 billion dollars in lost revenue in 2015, and that number is expected to rise even further in 2016. The rise of ad-blocker use has the potential to be the death of free Internet content. Popular websites that have been used for free for years may have to start charging users in order to keep their services running. This especially concerns smaller sites that do not have the backing of multimillion dollar companies. Although larger companies may not be as affected as lesser revenue sites, they will still feel the effects of ad-blockers. One of the most prevalent examples of this is news sites. The rise of the internet has dealt the traditional media harsh blows. Revenue brought in by print advertisements has been
steadily declining. According to Forbes, News Corp’s print business has suffered significantly, especially due to advertising. Advertising revenues declined from over $4.1 billion in 2010 to $3.4 billion in 2014. A large contributing factor to the decrease in revenue is the movement of advertising from print to online sources, which resulted in most news sources creating online presences in order to stay relevant and stabilize profits. Due to the rise of adblockers, newspapers are not only losing revenue from a lack of print advertisements but are also losing revenue from online advertising. Ad-blocking app use is expected to grow even faster due to iOS 9, Apple’s newest operating system, which allows ad-blockers to be used on mobile devices, which has never been possible before. Not long after the release of iOS 9, ad-blocker application Peace, spent 36 hours in the No. 1 paid app spot on the App Store but the brevity of its success was not due to the app falling in the ranks. Rather, the programmer of Peace, Marco Arment, pulled the app
from the market. Knowing the harmful effects ad-blockers have, he could not in good-conscience contribute to the problem, no matter the money he was making. “Achieving this much success with Peace just doesn’t feel good, which I didn’t anticipate, but probably should have. Ad blockers come with an important asterisk: while they do benefit a ton of people in major ways, they also hurt some, including many who don’t deserve the hit,” Arment wrote on his blog post, following the removal of Peace. But shortly after Arment’s removal of Peace, another ad-blocker app, Crystal, rose in rankings to take the top spot. Whether you are an ad-block user or creator, it is important to remember that even though ad-blockers are an immediate convenience, they have severe long-term effects on the future of media.
Jaclyn Weiner, FCRH ’18, is a communication and media studies major from Wantagh, New York.
In the wake of a recent emissions scandal, Volkswagen stands at the nexus of ethics and image management. Earlier this month, the EPA divulged that Volkswagen has been allegedly using what the EPA calls a “defeat device” during emissions testing on its diesel cars in the U.S. since 2008. This defeat device consists of software that dramatically reduces the vehicles’ emissions during laboratory testing to levels that are significantly lower than practical, on-the-road emissions. This blow to Volkswagen’s reputation was reflected in the stock market as the company’s shares fell. Although Volkswagen’s diesel cars make up a small portion of its vehicles that are on the roads in the U.S., the scandal encourages general consumer mistrust of the company and its practices. Volkswagen has begun to manage the scandal by appointing Matthias Müller, former chief of Porsche (a subset of Volkswagen), as CEO to replace Martin Winterkorn, according to the Wall Street Journal. Winterkorn issued a personal apology and Volkswagen has stopped selling the cars involved in the EPA allegations, according to the Wall Street Journal. Despite these efforts, the damage to Volkswagen’s reputation with consumers has already been done. Consumers who buy diesel Volkswagen vehicles for their supposedly excellent fuel economy feel duped by the automaker. The allegations undermine what consumers felt were their informed and eco-friendly car-buying choices. The implications of cheating on emissions testing seem especially relevant in light of the recent attention to the importance of global commitment to the environment. Earlier this month, world leaders committed themselves to 17 Global Goals, which include an emphasis on clean energy and climate change. Furthermore, Pope Francis spoke clearly and urgently about climate change during his momentous visit to the U.S. This scandal shows the intimate link between consumers, policymakers and companies in the effort to stop and reverse climate change. The EPA has standards in place to keep emissions low, and consumers must trust EPA standards and testing during their decision making processes before making purchases. However, manufacturers are an integral link in this chain. Without ethical and cooperative participation in EPA testing, consumers, policymakers and companies cannot work effectively together towards the same goals. The scandal demonstrates a discrepancy between the goals of Volkswagen and the goals of the EPA. Volkswagen’s alleged lapse in ethics is a discouraging marker for consumers who are concerned with ethical consumption and rely on the policies of authorities like the EPA to make informed and conscious purchases.
OPINION
Page 12
September 30, 2015
Fordham Needs to End Honorary Degrees
A PseudoBuddhist Awakening
By MATTHEW MICHAELS STAFF WRITER
Commencement is a wonderful time for all involved, most of all the students who have worked tirelessly for their degrees. Fordham, like many schools, has a keynote speaker who, along with several other notable guests, is awarded an honorary degree. This meaningless tradition, which only diminishes the accomplishments of the young students who earn real degrees, must be stopped in light of recent information. In 2012, John Brennan, FCRH ’77, was deputy national secretary advisor for President Obama’s administration when he was honored at Fordham’s commencement. After the disgraced General David Petraeus resigned, Brennan became the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Brennan has defended and advocated for the use of torture, and is responsible for unethical and questionably illegal spying techniques used by telecom companies on U.S. citizens. When Brennan was announced as speaker and honoree, some members in the Fordham community rightly took offense. One member of the graduating class created an online petition saying “Fordham University is implicitly endorsing the ‘War on Terror,’ the use of rendition, the CIA’s heinous drone campaign, and the subversion of the rule of law in America, including the assassination of its own citizens.” The petition continues, “as a member of the class of 2012, I strongly condemn such an endorsement and would like it to be known that John Brennan does not represent the Jesuit values that I have developed as a student at Fordham University.” Orlando Rodriguez was one of seven faculty members who founded Fordham Faculty Against Torture (FFAT), a group created last school year in response to the release of a senate report on torture. FFAT created an online petition, which currently has 747 signees, in hopes of revoking Brennan’s honorary degree. FFAT pointed out that “the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops explicitly supported the McCain Feinstein bill to prohibit torture.” The founders of FFAT also mentioned a remark Pope Francis made: “Torturing people is a mortal sin. It is a very serious sin.” The founders of FFAT and I agree that honoring “one of the main architects of our questionable counter-terrorism policy” is irresponsible for a school that prides itself on the Jesuit tenet of “men and women for others.” FFAT also believes that by not revoking his degree, Fordham is implicitly saying that torture is permissible and “makes us complicit in the truth-bending efforts by our government to not mention the word torture, to call it by euphemisms that make us complicit in torture if we go along with them.” Last spring, the board of trustees unanimously voted to not rescind Brennan’s honor, instead calling out Congress and the pres-
Michael Byrne
JOHN MINCHILLO/AP
The Fordham administration recently retracted Bill Cosby’s honorary degree amid rape and sexual assault allegation.
ident for being accountable for what is clearly Mr. Brennan’s job and responsibility. Brennan still has an honorary degree from Fordham. In 2001, Fordham awarded comedian and actor Bill Cosby with an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts. At the time, he was extremely respected in the entertainment industry for being a pioneer for African-Americans in television. Cosby had previously been accused of sexual misconduct, but in the fall of 2014 a scandal broke and at least 51 women have come forward to claim Cosby had raped or sexually assaulted them in some way, with allegations dating for crimes as far back as 1968. Court depositions have shone light on the fact that Cosby purchased drugs such as Quaaludes to use on women he targeted sexually. Until last week, Cosby, despite all the news, still had an honorary degree from Fordham. By not rescinding honorary degrees, Fordham is failing to live up to its Jesuit mission and values. For a while, the fact that Fordham had never before rescinded an honorary degree was an excuse the administration had made to continuously turn a blind eye. However, just because there is no precedent does not mean we should not create one. Even Bill Cosby thinks that change is good, as he said in his keynote speech, which is available on Fordham’s website. He said “People change what they want to do all the time. It’s okay to do that. It’s okay to change.” He also uttered a more ominous line in that speech: “The outside world has no assurances, it has no structure and nobody plays fair,” a sentence applicable to his misdeeds. Honoring these men is as egregious as awarding Henry Kissinger the Noble Peace Prize, but apparently we live in a universe where both can, and do happen. I sent Robert Howe, the senior director of communications for Fordham University, an email regarding the degrees of Mr. Brennan and Mr. Cosby on Sept. 17. In the email, I asked him various questions including why Fordham had not revoked Cosby’s honorary
degree after many other schools have done so, if Fordham cared about the victims of sexual abuse and if the University is committed to its Jesuit values and mission. I waited patiently for a response, and it came in the form of an email sent to the entire Fordham community on Sept. 24. In an official University Statement sent by Mr. Howe on behalf of the Office of the President, it was announced that Bill Cosby’s degree had been revoked. The trustees had voted unanimously to revoke his degree that day, eight months after other schools and companies started separating themselves from the fallen star. The school took the proper measures, but did so slowly. The last line of the email, “as a Jesuit university, Fordham could no longer stand behind the degree it had bestowed upon Mr. Cosby, hence this unprecedented action,” shows that Fordham can take unprecedented actions when needed. Cosby and Brennan are not the only examples of dishonorable men that Fordham has bestowed degrees upon. Newscaster Brian Williams spoke at the 2011 Commencement and was thus awarded an honorary degree from Fordham. In 2015, the country’s most famous newsman was found to have embellished stories, compromising his journalistic integrity. He served a six month suspension, and NBC reassigned him to MSNBC. He resigned as a member of the board directors for the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation. His actions are not as reprehensible as those of Brennan or Cosby, but we should not be honoring a man who shirked his responsibilities and acted irresponsibly. Williams still has an honorary degree from Fordham. In 1972, then Secretary General of the United Nations, Kurt Waldheim spoke at Fordham’s commencement. Although Waldheim was a noted diplomat and would later serve as President of Austria, he was a Nazi during World War II. During the war, Waldheim was a lieutenant in the army intelligence. During his life, he lied about his involvement, denied any wrong-
doing and insisted that he knew not of the atrocities committed by the Nazis. Evidence and common sense seem to contradict Waldheim’s stance and show a man who refused to take proper action. Waldheim, dead for eight years, still has an honorary degree from Fordham. The Fordham administration cannot expect its students to develop and grow based on its mission and values if it does not hold itself to the same standard and reward disgusting people. Having a committee of faculty and students to select and approve of the awardees of honorary degrees would be a positive step for Fordham. FFAT recalls that last year, one department chair suggested having University department chairs act as an ad hoc committee for the selection process. However, a choice like Bill Cosby can still slip through the cracks, because the person may be considered honorable at the time but might commit heinous acts later or fall out of grace from the publication of new information. Fordham must stop awarding honorary degrees altogether. These arbitrary honors are meaningless and can only result in negative publicity for the University. Nobody is perfect and there may very well be many people who are adored and worshipped but have controversies in hiding. Any celebrity or person with a bit of spotlight can be honored by a school, making the title insignificant. Just ask Dr. Kermit the Frog and Dr. Kanye West, who have been so honored by colleges. Fordham would not be alone in its absence of honorary degrees. Cornell, MIT, Stanford and Rice are prestigious universities across the country that do not award honorary degrees. In addition, the University of Virginia has never had an honorary degree since its creation in 1817, due to the bequest of founder Thomas Jefferson. These schools have gotten along just fine without honorary degrees. Why can’t we? Matthew Michaels, GSB ’17, is a marketing major from Hightstown, New Jersey.
People respond to stress and depression in their own unique ways. Some organize their belongings, while others exercise. I tend to try to find eternal truths within existence. It is a bit more complicated than jogging two miles, but let me tell you, it is utterly more fulfilling if you can actually succeed in doing it. God knows I cannot, but the people who can seem exceptionally happy. There’s something appealing to a negative, non-religious person like myself about a belief system that claims no definite God and whose basic tenets include the idea that to live means to suffer. Buddha sounded like he had the right idea. I wanted to immerse myself in his teachings. I was wary, though, because I had seen and agreed with the criticisms of white appropriation of Eastern culture such as in the book and film, Eat, Pray, Love. I did not want to be like Julia Roberts gallivanting through another people’s sacred way of life, solipsistically searching for my own happiness. Like every angst-ridden new college student, I am confused about being thrown into this unfamiliar environment. I was finally getting comfortable in high school, and now I have to learn a whole new set of social rules and try to make human interactions with a whole new group of people. When I realized this, my overly anxious brain attempted to look for a greater meaning in life. For a single night, I truly believed that I was going to convert to Buddhism. I looked up plane tickets to Nepal. I researched programs that would let me stay with local village families. I ordered a few books with the theme of “Buddhism for Beginners.” I did all of this with absolutely no specific knowledge of what Buddhism entailed. All I knew was that Buddhists seemed peaceful and I wanted to be peaceful, too. I have since realized that the answers to my problems will not be found in a romantic appropriation of someone else’s way of life. Happiness is tough to find, and even when you think you have it, it seems to slip away again. You try to figure out new ways to capture it and hold onto it for eternity. For some, the solution is Buddhism. For others, the solution is not contained in any mainstream philosophy. I have come to accept I belong to the latter group. I do not mean for this to sound depressing. Searching for ultimate happiness is tough, but the journey of life can be satisfying in and of itself. I am not going to find the answers to life in a single book, and there will not be one doctrine that will make me understand the universe. But that does not mean I cannot laugh at a funny movie or simply enjoy a beautiful day. Woody Allen said it best in Hannah and Her Sisters: “I should stop ruining my life searching for answers I’m never gonna get, and just enjoy it while it lasts.”
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OPINION
Page 14
September 30, 2015
Upacking Islamaphobia in the United States
BRANDON WADE/AP
Teenage Ahmed was arrested for bringing a homemade clock to school, which authorities thought was a bomb.
By TARYN LOFTUS CONTRIBUTING WRITER
When Texas teen, Ahmed Mohamed, brought a homemade clock to school, he was expecting praise from his teachers. Instead, administrators called the police because they thought he had brought a bomb to school. The police detained him for several hours and interrogated Ahmed without the presence of his parents. National coverage of this event did not focus on this injustice and instead rationalized the school’s response. This media coverage itself emphasizes the severe Islamophobia in our country. A simple Google search of “Ahmed” yields countless articles intended to destroy the massive support system for Mohamed after
the arrest went viral. Aspiring politicians have publicly voiced antiMuslim sentiments (Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson stated that he “absolutely would not agree to” a Muslim president; Donald Trump claimed that he would be looking into removing Muslims from the country). Elaborate “conspiracy theories” have surfaced, some declaring that the clock was in fact a bomb, and others going so far as to say that the arrest of Mohamed was planned as part of an intricate scheme in which the fourteen-year-old used his invitation to the White House as an opportunity to blow it up. Regardless of how much support is being offered to Mohamed, the vast amount of publications and people voicing anti-Muslim opinions validates that Islamophobia in America is a very real
and degrading issue. For a nation that claims to be immune from religious prejudice due to the designated freedom to practice one’s own chosen religion, there seem to be countless incidents of bias against Muslims. These prejudices do not end there though. Slightly over a week ago at Fordham, an incredibly derogative racial slur was crudely carved into the door of an AfricanAmerican student, and a backwards swastika was discovered on the same floor a week later. Although the swastika was not specifically directed towards some particular individual (as far as authorities are concerned), this is just another example of the ignorant approach that some American citizens take to religious prejudice. There are individuals who see religious insults as casual interactions.
As a white Christian I would be lying if I said I have ever been the victim of racial or religious prejudice, as is the case, I would assume, with most white Christians. However, those of other faiths have not received that some privilege. Anyone who uses the popular social media Vine will likely be able to recognize the “Surprise Jihad” videos in which popular culture is used as a platform to stage the 9/11 attacks in a six second video. These videos typically start off with some TV show reference, often where one or more characters then fly away, and the scene changes to depict a plane entering the World Trade Center with a Muslim yelling “allahu akbar” in the background. Several of these short clips have gone viral, taking to sites like Twitter and Facebook. The fact that these clips were so popular speaks volumes about the lack of concern that people have towards the well-being and self confidence of those of Islamic faith. In a world where “random screenings” at airports allow for Muslim fliers to be targeted as potential threats and searched as white people are assumed to be safe, it is surprising that more people do not consider how degrading it must be to constantly be viewed as dangerous. When the clock that a fourteen-year-old student has altered and rebuilt of is mistaken for a bomb, the reaction should be one of disgust at the administrators who tried to suppress this boy’s innovative passion. There are countless individuals who did react accordingly, expressing their
admiration for the boy’s determination and offering encouragement for him to continue his education and strive to overcome the religious prejudice. However, for each supportive statement, there is a crude insult to either Mohamed’s intelligence or religious affiliation. Islamophobia itself is more dangerous than the Muslim community as a whole. Unrest in the Middle East has led to massacres of Muslims, for the most part of those who have had no intention of becoming extremists. More civilians have died from the wars resulting in 9/11 than from the incident itself, and the danger continues beyond that. Consistently degrading an individual simply for being a member of a religious community is so detrimental to one’s self-worth. One other possibility is for that individual to embody all of what is being said of him or her, in sort of a self-fulfilling prophecy, and a peaceful individual could very well become an extremist. The evidence of Islamophobia in America is overwhelming, and all it takes is one teenager building a clock to draw out those who are severely plagued with an unjust hatred of a community due to the actions of few. If Islamophobia truly is the most dangerous aspect regarding Muslims, then it is those who degrade members of the Islamic faith that are the real dangers to society.
Taryn Loftus, FCRH ’19, is a communication and media studies major from Windsor, Connecticut.
Is Fordham Too Inaccessible for Future Students? By THERESA SCHLIEP CONTRIBUTING WRITER
According to The New York Times, Fordham ranks 164 out of 200 universities on the College Access Index. This index reviews an institution’s commitment to making college affordable to lowincome students. Through a holistic compiling of data like pell grant shares, the graduation rates of students who receive them and the price that lower and middle income students pay, the index deems Fordham’s performance less than impressive. One can be moderately satisfied that Fordham made it onto this ranking. It shows that the university is making minimal effort to make a prestigious Jesuit education available to those that can not afford it without institutional aid. However, 163 universities with five-year graduation rates of 75 percent performed better than Fordham. Some people might contend that, as a private university, Fordham does not have the responsibility that public universities have regarding college affordability for lower income students. They would support this by claiming the administration and financial office’s job lies in providing the best education to students that can afford its steep price tag. Public universities are state funded, and thus must commit to allevi-
ating the financial burdens some must face, whereas private universities are endowed with the privilege of allocating their private money to whatever will increase endowment. Others, though, might claim that Fordham emits an air of exclusivity and aristocracy. While our campus has diverse Greek and Gothic buildings, the typical Fordham student’s Instagram feed lacks socioeconomic diversity. One might say that Fordham invests more money into aesthetic choices rather than the students that warrant the prestige that demands such stoic buildings. The top seven universities rated on this list are public schools. However, the next five are private, and there is a homologous mixture throughout the rest of the top rankings of both private and public schools. Why is Fordham not ranked higher? New York City and the Fordham community are abuzz with excitement with the arrival of the Pope. In fact, it was difficult to ignore the hype of his arrival. People were gathered in the McGinely Center to watch his speeches, and students and faculty alike discussed his arrival with anticipation. After all, it is not everday that a pope processes through our city’s streets. In speeches to Congress and the United Nations, he espoused typical Catholic ideals like the
RAM ARCHIVES
The New York Times recently published the College Access Index, which ranked universities based on affordability.
abolition of both abortion and the death penalty. The highlight of his rhetoric, though, was his preaching of an intrinsically Jesuit Catholic ideal- that we should be both compassionate and generous to the poor. Where, then, is this generosity? Fordham claims to encapsulate the Jesuit tradition of men and women for others. But, we are not for others if our education is only available to a small cohort of society. Intellect does not coalesce into the upper strata of wealth. Those who have prosperous minds should grace the halls of our great school, not those with prosperous
wallets. Some might be OK with the fact that Fordham is not affordable to all. Some might be OK with the effort, or lack thereof, on Fordham’s part to increasing its affordability. I am not. I am not OK with the concept that perhaps many Fordham students must struggle with both work and school to afford its hefty price tag. I am not OK with the idea that, in order to obtain a Fordham degree, students have to take out overwhelming amounts of student loans that can burden their prosperity for years to come. The Bronx is one of the most
culturally, socially and beautifully diverse urban areas in New York City. Fordham University should parallel that. Fordham’s affordability is indicative of a national problem of augmented college costs. However, I do believe Fordham can change that tide. I love this school. I wish that all that want to contribute to our intellectual and social community are able. We should invest into the minds of the brightest and greatest students, regardless of wealth or social status. Theresa Schliep, FCRH ’19, is undecided in her major from Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey.
CULTURE
September 30, 2015
Page 15
The Fordham Ram
Taking the Stage This Semester at Fordham By MADELINE HOEPF CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Numerous opportunities exist for Fordham students looking to both enjoy and contribute to high quality theatrical productions on Fordham’s Rose Hill campus this semester. Rose Hill’s three primary theatre clubs — Mimes and Mummers, Theatrical Outreach Program (TOP) and Fordham Experimental Theatre (FET) — serve three distinct artistic missions and have an active presence on campus. Whether you prefer classic shows or newer productions, these groups provide many options. While the Mimes are the oldest theater group on campus (a tidbit of Fordham theater trivia) their productions reflect a variety of tones both contemporary and classic. Their first show of the season, “Bonnie and Clyde,” is directed by Courtney Self with musical direction by Ben Chavez, both of whom are professionals hand-picked by the Mimes to work on the project. Sarah Hill, FCRH ’17, expressed excitement in describing the show’s intriguing aesthetic as “‘fire’…and sometimes ‘dust bowl hipster’.” While the musical is set to open soon on Oct. 8 in the historic Collins Auditorium, the Mimes’ second show of the semester, “Bedroom Farce,” a British meta-farce by Alan Ayckbourn, will hold auditions soon after “Bonnie” closes. Since Lincoln Center theatrical productions are open to theatre majors only, the
Mimes strive to provide non-theater majors at both Lincoln Center and Rose Hill “the experience of a mainstage-style production to students otherwise not able to participate in one,” said Hill. Elle Crane, FCRH ’16, a member of both the Mimes and FET, agrees with Hill that “we are people who love to do theater, even if we may not be pursuing it as a career or academically. This in turn makes our theater an incredibly welcoming community.” FET on the other hand, a club which Abby Gibson, FCRH ’16, describes as “a small but mighty group of students who seek to push the bounds of what theatre can be,” selects its several shows through an ongoing student-proposal process as the semester continues. Housed below Collins Auditorium in the propcloset-turned-Blackbox Theatre, all of FET’s shows are student-directed, produced and often student-written. FET’s first show of the semester, “The Little Prince,” specially adapted for the Blackbox stage and directed by Jane Skapek, FCRH ’16, and Cat Gallagher, FCRH ’17, opens Oct. 15th. Skapek and Gallagher hope to emphasize the play’s broader motifs of childhood and imagination through experimental technical direction and staging. AJ Golio, FCRH ’16, FET’s president, is enthusiastic about the range of artistic possibilities available to directors this season as opposed to past seasons. “This is our first year as
THE FORDHAM RAM ARCHIVES
Mimes and Mummers took on the popular show Rent in spring 2015.
a referendum club, and our enhanced budget means we can support larger and more involved shows than ever before.” A bigger budget not only means more technically sophisticated mainstage shows, but also means that FET’s sub-groups can experiment more this semester. “With the number of shows we have per semester, and the amount of creativity and variety we put into our shows, we can really use the extra funding to our advantage,” Phil Thompson, FCRH ’19, of Free Pizza Sketch Comedy said of
the unprecedented budgetary flexibility FET received this semester. FET’s three other umbrella groups — Verbal Essences Spoken Word, Fordham Stand-Up and Stranded in Pittsburgh Improv Comedy — are also looking forward to growing and experimenting artistically this season, whether performing in the city at esteemed venues like the Gotham Comedy Club, as Fordham StandUp does annually, or collaborating with other college troupes and creating trademark show formats as Sam Farnum, FCRH ’16, hopes
Stranded in Pittsburgh will be able to do throughout the year. “I’d like to continue collaborating with other college groups...and I’d really like to push the troupe to create a new show format that is uniquely our own,” said Farnum, the troupe’s leader. TOP the third theatre group on campus, does not have a “home venue” in the way of the Mimes and FET. Rather, as TOP member Andrew Maddigan, FCRH ‘16, explains, TOP’s goal is to “bring high quality productions to high school students in the Fordham community and surrounding communities who would otherwise not have access to them.” TOP’s first show of the semester, “Twelve Angry Men,” directed by seniors Max Beyer and Alexis Jimenez, opens Oct. 23. TOP’s second show will be Romeo and Juliet. Part of making shows accessible to students may include workshops in drama, acting or writing. President Jane Skapek, FCRH ‘16, spoke of new developments in outreach this semester for TOP as well: “This year, we are working on a partnership with a local after school program and possibly our first bilingual outreach program.” From the unconventional flare of “Bonnie and Clyde,” to the immersive and imaginative “Little Prince,” and finally the intense, iconographic “Twelve Angry Men,” and all contained within the month of October, the upcoming theatrical season at Rose Hill promises innovation, experimentation, and new heights of artistic expression.
Athletes Winning in the Fashion World By NICOLE HORTON CULTURE EDITOR
Without a doubt, social media has enabled athletes to share their lives with fans outside of their respective sports, showing off their personalities and senses of humor. Prior to this, sports stars were only known outside of their sports if they made forays into movies and music (Shaquille O’Neal’s ill-fated rap career), or dated a celebrity. Nowadays, your favorite athletes can Instagram a photo of a new outfit or you can see them show off their style in post-game interviews. Here are some of sport’s most fashionable athletes, who bring their A-game to the red carpet and have gained respect in the fashion industry. Serena Williams — As one of the most recognizable names in tennis, Williams is known for her daring fashion choices on and off the court. At the U.S. Open, she has sported fashion choices such as denim skirts, knee-high boots and a white trench coat. Throughout her career, the singles player has extended her fashion influence. She has had her own lines with Puma and Nike, and in 2004 she took the next step by starting her own fashion line. This past April, Williams became the first black female athlete to have a picture by herself on
DREW GURIAN / AP
Russell Westbrook is known for taking fashion risks that set him apart from his peers.
the cover of Vogue. Also, now she has Drake cheering for her at New York Fashion Week 2015, so that’s a major fashion win. Tom Brady — As a New York Jets fan, this is painful to write but it is undeniable that Brady is considered one of the best dressed athletes. Brady has mastered a classic black tux, but can also switch it up with a bright blue or velvet tuxedo jacket. Having a supermodel wife certainly amps up his red carpet appearances, along with the fact that
he is very comfortable around cameras (obligatory Spygate reference). Danica Patrick — The NASCAR star routinely stuns on the ESPY red carpet, competing with the female actresses and singers in attendance for the coveted best dress award. Patrick favors short dresses and bright colors, either wearing a colorful dress or a black dress with bright accessories. Patrick’s fashion statements have made her a known name in both fashion and entertainment. Cristiano Ronaldo — This year
the Real Madrid player was named one of GQ Magazine’s Top 20 most stylish men. In 2006, he opened his own fashion boutique named CR7. Ronaldo is known for wearing impeccably tailored suits and tuxedos. Also, not many athletes would walk the red carpet with crutches like Ronaldo did at the 2008 ESPY Awards. Lindsey Vonn — Like Ronaldo, the American alpine skier showed how important fashion was to her by taking on the runway with crutches following a knee injury. Vonn has an ally in one of fashion’s most important figures, Anna Wintour, who dressed her for the Met Gala in 2013. Most recently, Vonn attended the 2015 ESPYs wearing a red dress with a daring high slit. Dwayne Wade — The Miami Heat star and his wife, actress Gabrielle Union, were one of the most fashionable couples at the first ever New York Men’s Fashion Week 2015. Wade played a substantial role, partnering with the Naked Brand to aid the launch of new campaigns, along with presenting his bowtie collection. Union told E! News, “[His closet] kills my closet. His closet looks like Esquire and GQ.” She went on to say that he had a shoe vault built in their home. Russell Westbrook — While there is a debate about who is the
best dressed NBA player, with some saying Wade deserves the accolade, it is undeniable that Westbrook has the boldest style. “If CenturyLink Field was any louder, Russell Westbrook would be wearing it,” Drake said at the 2014 ESPYs. The Oklahoma City Thunder star does not shy away from patterns, like cheetah print and florals, as well as with bright colors. Caroline Wozniacki — The Danish tennis player can certainly talk fashion with fellow player Serena Williams, who she has called one of her best friends. This year, Wozniacki graced the cover of Sports Illustrated. She also recently stunned at Michael Kors Spring 2015, wearing a black vintage pleated dress and neon orange shoes. Although Wozniacki does not have her own fashion line, she has an array of endorsement deals, including Stella McCartney for Adidas and Rolex. Henrik Lundqvist — The New York Rangers goaltender is frequently seen at fashion shows in NYC. He has modeled Crown Collection, his clothing line that supports the Garden of Dreams Foundation. He provided a simple explanation to Forbes for his popularity in fashion. “When you’re a hockey player, if you make any effort to dress nicely, you, um, stand out a bit.”
CULTURE
Page 16
La Dolce Vita
Oktoberfest In September By PASQUALE GIANNI CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Ben Franklin once said, “beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” If beer is the formula for happiness, then Oktoberfest is the place where that happiness can be fully realized at the table of brotherhood and celebration. The experience is truly memorable and off the charts. And somehow, much to my own surprise, I was able to see a lot of Munich as well. I hadn’t prepared myself for how wonderful it would be, and I left with appreciation for this jewel of Bavaria. Oktoberfest is a celebration that traces back to Oct. 12, 1810, where a weeklong feast was held in order to honor the Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig’s marriage to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen, and it has been a tradition ever since. Why the bulk of the festival now takes place in September is an awkward question to ask the locals, but the best explanation has to do with the weather, which is much more conducive to outdoor beergarden fun without getting the chills. Nevertheless, whether you go in September or the beginning of October, it’s remarkable. To this day, my grandfather, who served in the U.S. Army, cherishes the memory of his Oktoberfest experience in 1957. Well, almost 60 years later, I am here to attest to the timelessness of this joyous annual feast. The traditional costumes worn by locals consist of lederhosen with suspenders and a button up shirt for men, and dirndls meant to purposefully show quite a bit of cleavage for the women. They are a must, because the guy showing up in jeans and a soccer jersey is guaranteed to get some unwanted stares. The
CAROLINE LEBRANTI/ THE FORDHAM RAM
Oktoberfest spans three weeks and has millions of people attending.
food is delicious: sausages, roasted chicken, schnitzel and kaese spaetzle (a German homemade pasta cooked with beer, onion and cheese). Then, of course, there’s the beer. Italy is known for wine, Russia, vodka and Germany, beer. This is the kind of fair that will leave you never reaching for a Budweiser again. Just like most things German, the beer is made to perfection – smooth, balanced and full of hops and flavor. At the festival, each beer has its own tent, but getting there early in the day is a must in order to secure a spot, because latecomers on a Saturday could be waiting for hours to get inside, let alone a seat at a table. The only thing more enjoyable than the beer may have been the camaraderie. Everyone was warm, welcoming and spirited, all in the name of a good celebration. As they say, “Prost!” – a meaningful personal toast aimed at the heart which is followed by a hearty clink of the oneliter beer mugs in an almost purposeful effort to spill a bit. Be ready for lots of them!
Two days at Oktoberfest is plenty, so a three and a half day trip left me with some free time to explore the city. Although it might be safe to say that Munich is not as aesthetically beautiful as Rome or Paris, it is charming in its very own way, and the efficiency of just about everything is astonishing. The trains are sleek, modern, fast and frequent. Even the escalators function on a motion-sensored basis in order to save energy. Marienplatz, the city center since 1158, was teeming with shops, cafés and historical sights. Here, one can climb the steps at Saint Peter’s Catholic Church for just one euro and catch some of the more spectacular views of the city. I will now also tuck this experience in my heart for the rest of my life, just as my grandfather has done for all these years. Make it a point to go to Oktoberfest, because it is a noisy and happy testament to mutual sharing and celebration, and you too will have the opportunity to live exhilarating moments and create memories to cherish forever. Prost!
September 30, 2015
Dining Out | Allison Russo
Michelin Star Taste on a Pizza Hut Budget I consider myself a foodie in the sense that I go to Smorgasburg occasionally and like to buy produce at the Union Square Farmers Market. So when I had the opportunity to eat at JeanGeorges, I couldn’t pass it up — but this was a kind of next-level foodie-ism that I’d never experienced, and couldn’t possibly have prepared myself for. I’m talking three Michelin stars, and multiple four-star ratings from the New York Times. For those of you who aren’t familiar with this Asian-inspired, French restaurant, it’s located in Trump Tower facing Central Park and Columbus Circle. Floor to ceiling windows offer incredible views, and luxe seating keeps you comfortable for the full dining experience, which took over two hours. Dinner is served as a selection of three courses, with plenty of other bites coming in between. One employee has the sole duty of circulating with a platter of six kinds of bread. The meal begins with an amuse bouche, a small selection of appetizers including fruits and cheeses, before the first course arrives. I ordered the goat cheese gnocchi, which was the best thing I ate all night (besides dessert). It came topped with fried artichokes and served with a lemon-olive oil dressing. I also tried the peekytoe crab salad, which was a bit disappointing — it was served with a savory honeydew melon gazpacho, which was
more like a sorbet. For my main entrée, I had the black sea bass, which was cooked perfectly. The top was crusted with nuts, and it came in a delicious broth. Dessert was the true star of the show. In between dinner and dessert, they brought bites of lemon and berry sorbet as palate cleansers, served on a silver tree. I ordered the chocolate dessert tasting, which included white chocolate ice cream, a chocolate tart with cassis jam, chocolate lava cake served with vanilla ice cream and a hazelnut milk chocolate candy topped with 14 carat gold. After all of this, a selection of macarons, candied ginger and chocolates were brought to the table. And after that, someone came around with an apothecary jar filled with strips of marshmallow. She asked if we would like freshly cut, homemade vanilla bean marshmallow, and after nodding (obviously), she snipped several cubes with golden scissors. While the food was very good, I feel it’s a bit overpriced. Expect to drop close to $300 for dinner for two. The service is as good — if not better than — the meal. The waitress had the answers to all of my questions without skipping a beat, my glass was never lacking ice water and there was always some kind of food in front of me. Eating at Jean-Georges is like watching an impeccably choreographed dance, staged in the most beautiful restaurant I’ve ever dined in.
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CULTURE
September 30, 2015
Page 17
Fitness Classes in NYC Add Fun to Gym Routines By AMANDA GIGLIO CULTURE EDITOR
While getting into a gym routine at college may be hard, there are more interesting ways to exercise than the usual treadmill and elliptical at the Ram Fit Center. With Soul Cycle being the newest and most talked about exercise class, it is clear that there is a desire for more innovative fitness classes. New York City is a great place to look for free or inexpensive fitness classes and workouts, and seeking out cool options is a great way to get into the city and explore. For the yoga fanatics there are hundreds of options to choose from for a new yoga experience. Three Jewels in the East Village has classes that are all donation-based. Yoga to the People has multiple studios in Manhattan and Brooklyn with dropin rates from five to 10 dollars. Yoga Agora and Hosh Yoga, in Astoria and Williamsburg, respectively, both have five dollar classes. The Earth Wellness Cafe and Go Yoga, both in Williamsburg, have drop-in classes for $12. The most expensive studio drop-in rates are Yoga Vida and Harlem Yoga Studio with $16 classes, which is still a steal for a good yoga class. Studios with great intro-rate deals include Sonic Yoga, Bikram Yoga NYC and Yogaworks, with a month of unlimited yoga for around $30. For a very different yoga experience, Willkommen Deep House Yoga hosts visiting yoga instructors every Monday and Tuesday for vinyasa flow and other practices backed to music. Prismatic
lights and a twinkling disco ball top this rave-meets-relaxation yoga vibe. This studio is located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, with classes at 7 and 8:30 p.m. Mats are complimentary. For anyone who loves dancing, 305 Fitness is the best place to start. These classes combine easy-to-follow, DJ-fueled dance sequences with conditioning and resistance moves like lunges and jumping jacks. The music will make you forget to feel self-conscious of your sub-par dance moves. For the early birds, Morning Gloryville has sunrise rituals starting at 6:30 a.m. that pump you up with dance floor powered music and resident spinner Tasha Blank. If you are more competitive, Swerve Fitness combines cycling and racing for a more aggressive workout. Classes are divided into three teams that race with a scoreboard showcasing the leading team. There are recovery periods of varying intensity and free-weight arm rounds to round out the class at about 45 minutes. You can re-fuel at the smoothie bar afterward. New customers get two rides for the price of one. As trampoline studios have become more popular, fitness classes have been developed to add to this experience. Studio in the Sky is the 92nd Street Y’s rooftop gymnastic facility, aimed at adults. Whether beginner, intermediate or advanced, there is a class for everyone. Open workouts are $20 for two hours. Another trampoline fitness studio is JumpLife in Tribeca. The studio founder, Montserrat Markou, believes that airborne fitness increases
CAROLINE LEBRANTI/THE FORDHAM RAM
Yoga classes can be taken all over the city, including rooftops and gardens.
production of red blood cells and lowers blood pressure. While these fitness classes are all fun and exciting to partake in, sometimes you need some incentive to work out. The incentive of food is a great way to get your friends to join you for that high intensity workout. Located in Bushwick, Brooklyn, The Cobra Club is a coffee shop, music venue and gym, with the motto “Yoga for your
Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction By DELANEY BENISON STAFF WRITER
Director Scott Cooper takes on the most notorious gangster in U.S. history with Johnny Depp’s haunting performance as South Boston’s own James “Whitey” Bulger. Black Mass, based on the book by the Boston Globe’s Dick Lehr and Gerard O’Neill, breaks down the underground world of the Winter Hill Gang all the way up to the FBI, resulting in what is known as the Unholy Alliance. The idea and intent of this movie was not to glorify Bulger; in fact, it shows a very grim depiction of (what the Boston Globe refers to him as) the “Satan from Southie.” The purpose of the movie truly lies not only in enlightening the audience of Bulger’s crimes (though very present), but also the shocking alliance he would have with the FBI’s John Connelly. This relationship resulted in a further crime spree stretching over 10 years that ended with Whitey serving two life sentences in prison. Joel Edgarton acts as John Connelly, the crooked special agent from the FBI, who calls on an old friend from the playground to help bring down the Italian mob in Boston during the 80s. Edgarton gives a lights-out performance as a hungry and desperate Connelly looking for any way to climb the ranks of the FBI from his old neighborhood in South Boston. He starts with making a top echelon informant out of one of the most dangerous gangsters in history. We know how the story ends. We have watched the news and
ever crossed paths with Whitey Bulger. Perhaps more fascinating than the Whitey-Connelly relationship is the Whitey-Billy relationship. Billy Bulger, Whitey’s younger brother, was the president of the Massachusetts State Senate. This clearly shows the contrast of nature versus nurture and how the clean cut Billy worked to keep his affairs out of the affairs of his big brother, despite Connelly ‘s hardwork to bring him into the operation. Billy is played by Benedict Johnny Depp in one of his most devious roles yet. Cumberbatch, who perfectly compliments Depp in read the paper. This could lead to an almost every way as a sensible, anticlimactic ending for any movie. hardworking family man. Depp However, in this case, just because and Cumberbatch subtly reveal we know the ending does not mean the quiet love between brothers we know the story. Lies, crimes and that would lead to a disgraceful blood-thirsty killers give us insight end for both of them. into Whitey’s infamous rise to the To some, this movie may glotop of the gang world, along with his rify a murderer, but what it really relationship with the FBI. Bulger’s does is expose an unbelievable partnership with Connelly shows breach in government and porBulger clearly taking advantage of tray crime in a way that makes Connelly’s childhood admiration it unclear who the bad guys are. of him and using it as a justificaScott Cooper found the essence tion to commit heinous crimes on of what it was to belong to this the streets of Boston. These bloodcommunity and what blind trust chilling scenes are found in Depp’s looks like from the outside. A true form of character acting, which, Black Mass is a ritual in which in this case, is acting without a heart. Satan is worshipped. This movie Depp brings creepy and sadistic to does not worship the “Satan of a new level, leaving us awestruck Southie,” but it certainly shows of and sympathetic to anyone who the people who did.
dark side. Spirits for your soul.” This venue has inventive classes like Metal Yoga on Sundays and Wednesdays. After your workout, enjoy coffee
and a doughnut or a beer special. For Friday evening Happy Hours, Uplift Studios has High-intensity Interval Training Happy Hour, combining intense cardio with light-resistance training and Strength Happy Hour that is slower-paced and heavier weights. Each class comes with a glass of wine afterwards, as you comfort your friends after a hard workout. For the Shake Shack lovers, Shack Track & Field uses burgers and fries to motivate anyone. This is Shake Shack’s free fitness club that meets for a three to five mile run on the second Tuesday of every month, or in collaboration with JackRabbit Sports, a 40-plus-mile bike ride on the first Saturday of the month or an hour-long yoga session on the third Saturday. All workouts end with food and a round on the house. If food does not motivate you to take a fitness class, I do not know what will. Even though it is a little different from your normal gym routine, going into New York City and taking a couple of friends to try a new fitness class is a great way to have fun and get some exercise at an affordable price. If all else fails, just the trek to the D train is enough of a workout.
Front Row | Claire Del Sorbo
Hand To God The star of one of the most demented puppet shows ever created is the antithesis of a Henson puppet: a gray sock with a mane of red fur, googly eyes and a stitched mouth. Primitively constructed, his name is Tyrone, and he’s as evil as any renowned supervillain can get. Tyrone can be seen in “Hand to God” at the Booth Theatre. I ventured into Manhattan’s theater district this past Saturday to check out this dark comedy. In this delightful Sesame Street meets The Exorcist romp, under the direction of Moritz von Stuelpnagel, playwright Robert Askins describes an analysis of the Christian faith — and how detrimental suppressing personal vices can be to anyone of good morals. Set in Cypress, Texas, the majority of “Hand to God” takes place in the basement of a church ministry in a room that resembles a preschool; the walls are adorned with colorful posters praising Jesus and toys and stuffed animals are all over the room. Jason (Steven Boyer) is a meek teenager, trying not to look mortified as his widowed mother, Margery (Geneva Carr), prepares a small group of young volunteers for a Christian puppet show. Joining him are the apathetic and contemptuous Timothy (Michael Oberholtzer), who is smitten with a much older Margery, and the deadpan Jessica (Sarah Stiles), who is somewhat interested in puppets. Overseeing them all is Pastor Greg (Marc Kudisch), a charming priest who attempts to woo Margery with Bible talk. Jason constructs Tyrone, a small hand puppet to be used in the show, who eventually is the antagonist of the play. One day, Tyrone, a mute critter, begins talking in a guttural snarl from Jason’s own mouth. Then, he begins spitting out vulgar insinuations about Jason’s budding feelings for Jessica, putting their relationship on an uncomfortable strain. Jason tries to
silence Tyrone, the impish embodiment of his inward desires, but the puppet threatens, “If you try so much as to take me off your hand, next time you wake up it’ll be me stapled to your arm.” Tyrone soon becomes the dominant force, imposing his evil whims onto Jason, leading to both disaster and hilarity. The entire cast is commendable across the boards, but Boyer is a tour de force in his multifaceted performance as the innocent, soft-spoken Jason and the otherworldly, vulgar Tyrone. It’s alarming, almost frightening, how quickly he jumps to and from these polar opposite personalities, conveying Tyrone’s overbearing dominance and Jason’s fearful submission one after the other, or even at the same time. Jason’s scuffle with Tyrone is not the only un-Christian atrocity seen in “Hand to God”. Margery becomes sexually involved with Timothy. Their tryst is one of the more absurd subplots of the play, as he seduces her into abandoning her religious convictions. Mutilation, exorcisms, and a puppet sex scene that puts “Avenue Q” to shame all ensue in these 115 minutes. Despite all these monstrosities, they all seem to incorporate humor well through the show. In different ways, every character in the play carries these hidden desires, but have always refused to act on them. Askins suggests that concealing vices is not only unhealthy in the short run, but ultimately leads to disaster. With that in mind, Tyrone may not be the devil, but rather a very frustrated Jason finally unleashing all of his anger and hormonal urges through Tyrone. With a perfect balance between satire and humanity, “Hand to God” has become an unlikely hit. Above all, the play takes just about everything that makes the world as terrifying as it is and turns it into something at which we can laugh.
CULTURE
Page 18
The Ramantic How to Move On “The caf is where my hook-ups go to die,” I jokingly said many times to my friends freshmen and sophomore year. This comment usually followed a trip to the caf where I dodge the boys — and, yes, I call them boys — with whom I had interacted intimately over the weekend only to never be acknowledged by them ever again. Both girls and guys at Fordham have experienced that “Fordham look away” from someone a couple days after you really thought you hit it off with them the weekend prior. Unfortunately, Fordham is too small a school to see someone on the weekends and expect to not see them everywhere around campus. The best way to handle the cold shoulder? Don’t let it happen. I find that my transition from freshman and sophomore year to where I am now was a dramatic one. I went from putting my head down or finding something to look at on the opposite side of Eddies when passing a former hook-up, and feeling horrible after, to stopping and letting my friends go ahead of me to ask a former hook-up how he is. At least a smile, even if it is not returned, will make me feel better than just ignoring the person all together. If you can be cordial and polite, you can avoid the awkwardness and maybe even develop a friendship with someone that you probably would have ended up disliking. If this person responds by treating you rudely, being nice to them will only spite him or her, so it is still worth it. Trying to develop a cordial friendship with someone you were actually in a relationship with is a very different scenario. There are usually negative emotions lingering post-breakup. Hurt feelings and anger can make a situation very uncomfortable. While avoidance is not the answer to making the posthookup less awkward, it may be helpful when emotions are out in the open. Right after a break-up, or even at the beginning of a so-called break, space for both people is the most important thing. This means that even if you are ready to move on and are comfortable being with the other person, they may not be. You should allow them space to get over the relationship. Respecting their space can be difficult because this may cause you to miss time with your friends. When you are part of a couple that breaks up, the repercussions should never be diffused to your respective or shared friends. That will cause dialogue about the relationship and breakup and cause all the bad memories to linger. The next step after giving the person space would be to become cordial with him or her. The best way would be to casually greet the person next time you see them. If that goes well for an extended period of time, then it is smooth sailing from there. Remember, time heals all wounds, and in many cases a friendship is possible if you both want it. Harboring bad feelings toward someone you were once intimate with is never good. In order to avoid having uncomfortable interactions with someone who you have hooked up with, be outgoing and friendly to them. On the contrary, when ending a romantic relationship, especially a long term one, giving the other person room to breathe before reintegrating him or her into your life is best for both people.
September 30, 2015
Who’s That Kid? | Natalie Fiorenzo
Student Motivated by Service and Athletics By ZACK MIKLOS ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
Fearless. That is the one word that describes Natalie Fiorenzo, FCRH ’18. Her unique approach to life has led to her impact on the Fordham community. From community service experiences to athletic endeavors, Natalie has done it all. When making her college decision almost two years ago, Natalie recalls having to choose between eight schools. “It was a tough decision, but the minute I stepped on Fordham’s campus, I knew it was the place for me. It is directly in New York City, which is right in the middle of everything,” she commented. She wanted a place to exercise her adventurous spirit. By getting involved at Fordham, she was able to find the outlet she had been looking for and make a difference. Recently, she participated in a Global Outreach (GO!) trip to Brazil, where her mission was to show the local community the value of sustainability. While there, she helped build a garden with recycled materials from a local disposal plant. The garden was later filled with fresh produce to offer the surrounding community healthy, pesticide-free food options. Natalie boldly decided to travel to Brazil spur-of-the-moment. “It was inconvenient, and I was not sure what I was getting myself into. I signed up anyway, and I am glad I did,” she said. “I remember being attacked by vultures one day, while I was working. It is moments like this made this experience unforget-
COURTESY OF NATALIE FIORENZO
Natalie Fiorenzo’s sense of adventure has guided her through her time at Fordham.
table,” she added. Natalie also participates in rugby at Fordham, where she has had great success. In her team’s latest match against Drew University, she scored three times. Her efforts contributed to a shocking 121-0 win, one of the largest margins of victory the team has ever achieved. When asked what she enjoys most about rugby, she responded, “I really just like the people. Our group dynamic is great, which has helped us do so well.” Beside service and athletics, Natalie is a lifeguard at Fordham’s pool. On a daily basis, she works
to keep the pool area under control and the swimmers safe. She is an undergraduate student at Fordham College Rose Hill and has yet to decide upon a major. She believes she will find her destined area of study in a matter of time. Getting more involved and trying new things is where her passion lies. Everything else will fall into place. “Try to live in the moment,” said Natalie, when asked how what advice she would give to students looking to get more involved on campus. “Have fun and follow what you are passionate about.”
Review | Concert
At Global Citizen, An Impressive Lineup and Social Awareness By MEGHAN CAMPBELL STAFF WRITER
The 2015 Global Citizen Festival was held this past Saturday, Sept. 26, on the Great Lawn of Central Park. The event was part of the Global Poverty Project, which is fighting to end extreme poverty by the year 2030. The festival kicked off to a slow and overall exhausting start. After the gates opened at 2 p.m., audience members had no choice but to stand crowded together in order to let the maximum amount of people in. With no entertainment or speakers until 4 p.m., the crowd quickly became restless. After what seemed like an eternity, host Stephen Colbert appeared on stage in a large trench coat under which stood co-host Hugh Jackman. The two provided a humorous introduction that took some of the edge off the crowd before introducing the first act, Coldplay. The group got the crowd going by playing some of its hits including “Yellow,” “Viva la Vida” and its most recent hit, “Sky Full of Stars.” In the middle of the
set, lead singer Chris Martin introduced surprise guest Ariana Grande and the two performed “Just a Little Bit of Your Heart” together, which was well received by the audience. The next headliner to perform was singer songwriter Ed Sheeran, who performed a variety of his hits including “A Team, “Photograph” and, together with Chris Martin, “Thinking Out Loud.” Sheeran’s energetic performance and talented use of his loop station was a hit with the crowd. In between headliners various speakers talked about the different causes Global Citizen was fighting for, such as equal rights, an end to poverty and conservation of the environment. Presenters included Joe Biden, Leonardo DiCaprio, Bill and Melinda Gates and prime ministers Matteo Rinzi of Italy and Erna Solberg of Norway. The most anticipated headliner of the night was Beyonce, who had the audience going nuts over her mash-up of songs including “Crazy in Love,” “Survivor” and “Halo.” She also performed “Drunk in Love” with Ed Sheer-
an, which was very well received by the audience. Her non-stop set included a total of three outfit changes and 17 songs all of which the crowd loved. At the end of her set, Beyonce introduced Michelle Obama to the stage, who was loudly greeted by the audience. The first lady introduced her new campaign 62 Million Girls, which is fighting to provide girls across the world with a quality education. She asked members of the audience to post pictures of themselves on Twitter or Instagram stating what they learned in school with the hashtag #62milliongirls. Obama’s speech was followed by an inspiring speech by Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, who was met with thundering applause. Yousafzai spoke of the importance of education for all children across the world and the profound impact it has on their lives. Her inspiring speech earned the loudest round of applause of the night. The final act of the festival was Pearl Jam who performed hits such as “Given to Fly” and
CAROLINE LEBRANTI/THE FORDHAM RAM
Global Citizens assembled a lineup of influential figures that attracted a large crowd.
“Better Man.” The standout moment of their set was singing Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song” alongside Beyonce during which they played a recording of one of Nelson Mandela’s speeches.
They ended the night by playing “Rockin’ in the Free World” when all the Global Citizen guest stars danced on stage. Overall the night was a success and created awareness for many important causes.
September 30, 2015
SPORTS
Page 19
The Fordham Ram
Men’s Soccer Ends Non-Conference Play By TARA CANGIALOSI STAFF WRITER
Following its win at Fairfield last week, the Fordham men’s soccer team looked to capitalize on its next three matches, two of which were played at Jack Coffey Field. The Rams first topped the 21st ranked Columbia Lions 1-0 on Sept. 23 and then tied the NJIT Highlanders 0-0 on Sept. 26 after two periods of overtime. Three days later, the Rams dropped its contest at Lehigh 3-0. Fordham’s win over Columbia came at a critical time in the season. With only a few games remaining before the start of play against Atlantic 10 Conference rivals, the Rams needed an energizing win. The only goal of the match came in the 74th minute on a combination play. Senior captain Ryan Cupolo controlled the ball around midfield, and fed it forward to fellow senior Tommy Granot. 30-yds from goal, Granot attempted to send the ball across but a Columbia defender got his foot in at the last second. Instead of crossing the field, the ball glanced off the defender’s heel and trickled away. Freshman Janos Loebe was right there as he swooped in on the loose ball and drilled a shot from 12-yds out. The ball curved inside the left post and past Columbia’s keeper, giving Loebe his second goal of the season and Fordham a 1-0 lead. “It was good that he scored there because it was an important game against a ranked opponent,” said senior Ryan Walsh. “It showed the potential that our team has this year.” Two minutes later, Janos Loebe
ZACK MIKLOS/ THE FORDHAM RAM
After defeating Columbia 1-0, drawing with NJIT and falling to Lehigh, the Rams will begin Atlantic 10 play on Saturday.
almost made it 2-0 when he caught Columbia’s keeper out of the net. Luckily for the Lions, defender Bryce Terrill saved the shot to keep it a 1-0 game. For the final fifteen minutes, Fordham’s defense held strong for the 1-0 win. Fordham’s keeper Rashid Nuhu caught a few balls off corner kicks, earning his first career shutout. The upset was Fordham’s first win over a ranked opponent since Sept. 9 2012, when the team defeated 22nd ranked Brown 1-0. “I think we played with a lot more confidence,” senior Kyle Bitterman said. “[But] we still have to improve
in all aspects of the game.” Three days later, the Rams faced off against NJIT but did not come out as successful. After 90 minutes and two extra periods, the Rams and Highlanders tied 0-0. The game was evenly-matched from the start, as there was a lot of back and forth between the two teams and a lack of possession. One of Fordham’s best scoring opportunities came in the second minute, when Bitterman’s header went off the cross bar and Janos Loebe’s rebound shot was high. The game became very physical in the second half with both teams earning free kicks. Fordham had
more in NJIT’s final third, including a Janos Loebe shot that hooked over the top of the net, but were unable to score. The scoreless game continued into overtime, where neither team scored to end the game in a draw. Nuhu kept the Highlanders at bay with three saves, earning his second consecutive shutout and his first A-10 Rookie of the Week honor. On Sept. 29, the Rams headed to Bethlehem, PA to take on Lehigh in its last game against a non-conference rival. Though close at first, the Mountain Hawks eventually beat the Rams 3-0. Lehigh got its goals in the 13th,
66th and 83rd minutes and looked dominant throughout the match. The Rams fell short on the scoring end again, generating no significant opportunities. The Fordham men’s soccer team is at a critical point in its season. With a 2-4-3 record at the end of non-conference play, the Rams need a pick-me-up as they enter competition against A-10 competition at the end of this week. Though its record is not where it needs to be, the Rams do have positives going for them. Their defense has been stronger than is reflected in scores. The back line includes several sophomores – Christopher Bazzinni and Matthew Lewis – who have more experience than they even realize. “We have three or four players that played 21 games for us last year as freshman,” head coach Jim McElderry said. “Those guys are not your typical sophomores, [but] like veterans coming back.” This experience, paired with the seniority of Cupolo, Walsh and Andres Penfold, juniors Andy Hickey and Ole Sandness, and the addition of graduate students Lars Zimmerman and Gabe Stauber on the offensive end are all advantages for the Rams. In the first few games against conference rivals, Fordham needs to utilize its talent and execute its offense the way they did in the latter part of the season in 2014. If the team comes out strong to start, there is potential for another Cinderella run come tournament time. The Rams are next in action on Saturday Oct. 3 against the La Salle University Explorers at 1 p.m. at Jack Coffey Field.
Golf Competes in Vermont, Finishes Sixth By SAM BELDEN ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
Over the weekend, Fordham Golf kept its season going with a sixth place finish at the Quechee Club Collegiate Challenge. While the Rams combined for solid scores and finished in the top half of the 12-team field, they were unable to mount any successful charges as individuals and were shut out of the top 10. The event was held at the Quechee Club’s 6,840 yard, par 72 Highlands Course, a 2012 Brian Silva redesign, in Quechee, Vermont. The Rams opened the event with a 302, putting them in fifth place after the first round. However, while most of the competition improved their score on day two, Fordham took a step backward. Fighting through rainy weather in the early part of the day, the team finished with a 305 to drop to sixth. Junior Fernando Morett had the lowest total score of all Fordham players, shooting rounds of 75 and 74 to tie for 14th. Sophomore Joseph Trim was not far behind, signing for twin 76s en route to a tie for 25th. This is the second event this year in which two Fordham players have finished in the top 25. The rest of the Rams were not as fortunate. Freshman Tommy Hayes
THE RAM ARCHIVES
After placing fourth and 12th in their first two fall tournaments, the Rams golf team placed sixth on Sunday in Vermont.
shot rounds of 77 and 78 to tie for 37th. After pacing all Fordham players in the first two events of the fall, sophomore Matt Schiller opened with an 80 and followed it up with a 77 en route to a tie for 46th. Sophomore James Mongey matched him, signing for a 74 and 83 in his two rounds.
“For a course with greens as tricky as the ones at the Quechee Club, and for weather as brutal as it was in the early morning of the second round, finishing sixth was solid,” said Trim. Junior Oscar Cabanas, playing as an individual, shot rounds of 87 and 76. His score was not counted with Fordham’s other five.
Dartmouth, the tournament host, was the winner, turning in rounds of 285 and 293 on its way to a fourstroke victory. Rhode Island’s Billy Walthouse was the medalist, opening with a 68 and closing with a 70. John Lazor of Dartmouth and Makenzie Denver of Rhode Island each shot a 67 to share the low round of the
week. While the sixth place finish was by no means a disappointment for Fordham, the team members still feel that they have more to leave on the course — and with just two events remaining on the Rams’ fall schedule, time is running out to seriously contend. While their finishes this season include a tie for fourth at the Ryan Lee Memorial Tournament, a solo 12th at the Hartford Hawk Invitational and the recent sixth, they have yet to contend throughout a final round. “I feel like we could have played better in all three of those events. All of us feel like we’re not quite playing to our full abilities at this point, whether it’s lackluster ball striking or a poor short game,” said Trim. “My takeaway is we need to work on our preparation for the event and making the most of our practice rounds to be ready for the first round.” Golf will see action next at this weekend’s MacDonald Cup, hosted by Yale University. There, the Rams will face some stiff competition and more rainy weather, but they will be prepared. “If we can withstand the elements and stay level-headed out on the tough golf course, then I think we can show a lot of schools that Fordham Golf will be a serious competitor for seasons to come,” said Trim.
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September 30, 2015
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THE FORDHAM RAM
SPORTS
September 30, 2015
Varsity Scores & Stats
Brendan O’Connell
Toronto Blue Jays: Best in the East “Touch ‘em all, Joe! You’ll never hit a bigger home run in your life!” It has been a long time — 22 years, to be exact — since Joe Carter hit a walk-off homer for the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 6 of the 1993 World Series to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies, the last time the franchise appeared in the postseason. After winning back-to-back championships in 1992 and 1993, the Blue Jays have failed to make it back to the playoffs since. Until now, that is. On Saturday, the Jays officially clinched a postseason berth, as they lead the AL East by four games over the New York Yankees, with eight games to go in the regular season. Cue the champagne. Currently the only Canadian team in the MLB, the Blue Jays have inspired a nationwide fanatical craze, adding band-wagoners by the hundreds with each step closer to the postseason. At the trade deadline in late July, the Blue Jays, whose record hovered at about .500, decided to go all-in. With the division up for grabs and a front office shake-up possible at the end of another postseason-less season, Toronto started making moves. Looking for a spark to propel the team to the top of the division, the Jays completed a trade with the Colorado Rockies for the dynamic but injury-prone shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, in return for shortstop Jose Reyes. In addition, Toronto bolstered its pitching staff by acquiring David Price, one of the best starting pitchers in the MLB, from the Detroit Tigers, Mark Lowe from the Seattle Mariners and LaTroy Hawkins from the Rockies as part of the Tulowitzki deal. Led by MVP candidate Josh Donaldson, star outfielder Jose Bautista, power-hitter Edwin Encarnacion, veteran catcher Russell Martin and veteran pitchers like R.A. Dickey and Mark Buehrle, Toronto has seized control of the AL East and will enter the postseason among the favorites to reach the World Series. The front office, including General Manager Alex Anthopoulos and President/CEO Paul Beeston, nailed it. Following the deadline, the Blue Jays have gone a combined 37-14 in August and September. David Price has been stellar, with a 9-1 and a 2.30 ERA; Troy Tulowitzki, though injured for some of his Jays days already, has been tremendous when healthy, while Donaldson and Bautista have guided a strong core to prominence. The Rogers Centre has been buzzing, teeming with more and more enthusiastic supporters as the end of the season draws near. Typically a ballpark with more empty seats than filled ones, the stadium has experienced a revival as a result of the team’s successful 2015 campaign. Packed crowds have witnessed history in the making over the course of the past couple months, cheering loudly, waving towels and sporting rally caps, creating a raucous atmosphere reminiscent of the days of the early ’90s. This home field advantage will play a role in the postseason, as Toronto currently sits tied for the lead in the American League standings. Though their fans are ecstatic to finally be back in the postseason, the question now is how high these Blue Jays can fly, and whether Canada’s team can capture the championship of America’s national pastime.
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Football Monmouth 3 14 7 7 31 Fordham 14 21 13 6 44 (MU) Chaney 68 yds, 2 TDs (FOR) Anderson 5 TDs Men’s Tennis Hofstra Invitational (FOR) Durkovic Women’s Tennis Army Invitational (FOR) Sato Volleyball Davidson Fordham VCU Fordham
Men’s Cross Country Battle in Beantown 10th 8K J. Annelli 36th- 24:42.9
2-1
Women’s Cross Country Battle in Beantown 20th 5K A. Grebe 118th- 18:43.6
2-1
Water Polo MIT Fordham
5 11
Conn Fordham
7 18
Harvard Fordham
11 4
3 1 0 3
Brown Fordham
0 1
NJIT Fordham
0 0
Fordham Lehigh GOALS: Forrest (LU) 13’, Forrest (LU) 65’, Forrest (LU) 83’
0 3
Golf Quechee Club Chall. T-6th
Harris Durkovic
Kristen Ostach
Sophomore
Junior
Tennis
Volleyball In a straight-sets victory over VCU, Ostach was Fordham’s top offensive performer, recording a careerhigh of 13 kills. She added seven more in the Rams’ loss to Davidson two nights before.
Each week, The Fordham Ram’s Sports editors honor one male athlete and one female athlete for their on-field performances as their “Athletes of the Week.”
News & Notes • Women’s Soccer Returns to
NSCAA Regional Rankings After a weeklong hiatus, Fordham Women’s Soccer was back in the NSCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Regional Rankings, standing at No. 10 in the Mid-Atlantic region. The Rams are 6-3-0 on the season so far. Hofstra still holds the top spot. Fordham will be in action twice this weekend, hosting Rhode Island on Thursday and traveling to Philadelphia for a matinee against Saint Joseph’s on Sunday.
• Anderson and Redd Earn Player of the Week Honors After helping the Rams to a high-powered victory over Monmouth, junior quarterback Kevin Anderson and junior placekicker Makay Redd were honored by the Patriot League. Anderson was named the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week, while Redd was named Special Teams Player of the Week. Anderson threw for 340 yards and five touchdowns, while Redd nailed two field goals, including a 54-yarder.
• Men’s Cross Country is 12th
in Recent Poll Coming off of a 10th
place finish at last weekend’s Coast-to-Coast Battle in Beantown, Fordham Men’s Cross Country was ranked 12th in Tuesday’s USTFCCCA NCAA Division I Regional Cross Country Rankings, rising from last week’s 15th. The team will race again next weekend at the NYC Metropolitan XC Championship.
•
13 8
Men’s Soccer Columbia Fordham GOALS: Loebe (FOR) 74’
Athletes of the Week
Durkovic turned in the strongest performance of any Ram at the Hofstra Men’s Invitational. He won a pair of matches to advance to the semifinals. Once there, he made a strong effort before falling to Wagner’s Allen Wang.
Jack McLoone
Nuhu Named A-10 Rookie of the Week On Monday, Men’s Soccer freshman goalkeeper Rashid Nuhu was named the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week. He recorded a pair of shutouts over the week, helping the Rams to a win and a draw. It was the second consecutive week that a Fordham player received the award, following Janos Loebe. – Compiled by Sam Belden
Can RGIII’s Career be Saved? The odyssey of Robert Griffin III is an unbearably sad one, made more so by the fact that there was not much he could do to change his course. The Washington Redskins understandably bet the farm on RGIII being a franchise-altering player, trading their 2012 number six overall pick, their second rounder that year and three more first round picks to the Rams to move up to the number two slot. The gamble looked good at first, as RGIII’s rookie season seemed to be a resounding success. However, following his torn LCL and ACL in the NFC Wild Card game, everything took a turn for the worse, both in his career and his relationship with Washington. While I am usually not a firm believer in any sort of effect a “change in scenery” can have, with Griffin I find it warranted. Washington’s transgressions against RGIII and his health have been well documented, and they culminated this year in him being named the third-string quarterback on the roster behind proven studs Kirk Cousins (he of the highest interception rate in the NFL) and Colt McCoy (one of many failed Browns signal callers). And being a third stringer, it could happen. Ever since he was placed in that role, to the point where he played safety on the Washington scout team, rumors have been swirling. His contract is structured so that a trade is unlikely, but there are multiple teams interested if he is cut outright. RGIII has always come off as a guy who really just wants to play football, has a fun time doing it and makes it fun for the rest of us. He just cannot do that in Washington. One of the potential landing spots for Griffin is the Buffalo Bills, which I think would be a great spot. Besides finally having an offensive line that could block for him and a system that would benefit from his leadership, he would have a coach in Rex Ryan who could routinely draw attention away from the potential superstar. Another potential spot is the Philadelphia Eagles. While it may seem a bit too soon to bail on Chip Kelly’s main prize this offseason in Sam Bradford (why did we think that would work out?), an RGIII type player could fit right into his high-octane offense. However, they do not offer him the line protection that he needs at this pivotal point in his career. Once again, the Cleveland Browns are in search of a franchise QB, since Josh McCown is not as good as they pretend he is, and Johnny Manziel probably never will be. Mike Pettine does find ways to get his playmakers the ball, and has built a strong line with picks not used on little guys from Texas A&M. Griffin is a player who threw for 3200 yards as a rookie, completing 65.6% of his passes for 20 touchdowns and tossing just five interceptions. He just needs to be protected, both by a real offensive line and by a coaching staff and management who understand that the guy just wants people to like him and wants to be able to do his job sans distractions. I hope RGIII escapes the Washington maelstrom. An NFL with more exciting players is a better NFL, and he is just that. Maybe then we can see a happy RGIII for the first time in two years.
SPORTS
Page 22
Anthony Pucik
September 30, 2015
Cross Country Competes in Boston By ALEXANDRIA SEDLAK
Pat Costello
STAFF WRITER
Remembering Yogi Berra I never personally got the chance to see Yogi Berra play, but I would always see him when I went to Yankee Old Timer’s Days with my dad when I was growing up. While players like Reggie Jackson and Rickey Henderson were always met with loud applause, when Berra stepped out onto the field, you could feel the electricity in the air. Fans, both young and old, would give a standing ovation and countless chants of “Yogi! Yogi!” for arguably the greatest living Yankee at the time. “You can observe a lot by watching,” is just one of the many Yogisms that Berra graced us with over the years, and in this case it is apropos for his baseball career. The Yankee catcher was a 15-time All-Star, three-time American League MVP and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972. His numbers over his 19-year career were astounding. He batted .285 with 358 home runs and 1,430 RBI. He also had 10 World Series rings to his credit, and to top it all off, he caught the only perfect game in World Series history, thrown by Don Larsen in 1956. “If you come to a fork in the road, take it.” Berra’s success in baseball didn’t stop after he retired, though. After being a Yankee for his entire career, he spent some time on the bench as a manager for both the Yankees and Mets. In his first season with the Bombers in 1964, the team ended up 99-63 and won the AL pennant. After an eight-year hiatus, Berra retuned to a managerial role with the Mets. In his first season, the Mets went 83-73 and followed it up with an 82-79 season in 1973 and the National League pennant. “Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good, too.” As impressive a player as Berra was, he was an even better person. His good humor always put a smile on the faces of his kids and those around him. Even when he was fired from the Yankees in 1985, he was given a standing ovation from all the players on the team bus after the news of his firing broke; that’s how respected he was. His sons, Dale – who played for the Yankees in his Major League career, – Tim, Larry, and Larry’s daughter Lindsay described their father and grandfather as a role model who spoke the same way about a CEO as he would a garbage man. While he may have “never said most of the things [he] said,” Berra was an amazing baseball player, and remains the model for what it means to be a New York Yankee. His play on the field was trumped only by his contagious and happy personality, which he graced us all with during his time in pinstripes and beyond. “It ain’t over till it’s over.” Sadly it is, Yogi, but we’ll never forget you. Thanks for the memories, and maybe you’ll finally be able to find out whether Jackie Robinson was really safe or out.
Over the weekend, the Fordham men’s and women’s cross country teams traveled to Boston to compete in the Coast-to-Coast Battle in Beantown. This was a tough meet for everyone competing, as there were many teams with hundreds of runners in each race. In the end, the men’s team came in tenth out of 21 Division I programs, while the women’s team finished in 20th out of 24 teams. The men’s cross country team had a great finish on Friday. Graduate runner Jonathan Annelli was the first Ram to cross the finish line, with a time of 24:42.9 placing him in the 36th spot. Senior Quincy O’Connor followed him with a 64th place finish, coming in with a time of 25:08.3. Next was sophomore Thomas Slattery, who came in 73rd with a time of 25:19.1. “The race went well in terms of how we raced it because we focused more on finishing closer to one another in a pack,” Slattery said. “We could not have done that better.” Senior Michael Turi, at 25:20.6, finished in 75th. Sophomore Nik O’Brien was the last Ram to place in the top 100, with his time of 25:22.2 putting him in 78th place. The men’s team had a solid finish, placing 10th overall. The women’s cross country team also ended well in Friday’s meet. Freshman Angelina Grebe was the first of her teammates to finish, with a time of 18:43.6 putting her in 118th place. She was followed by
The Thrila in Manila
COURTESY OF KERRY SORENSON
The men ran in a pack, while the women also ran well up in Boston.
freshman Kate McCormack, who finished in 142nd place with a time of 18:59.9. Sophomore Stephanie Leo, with a time of 19:01.1, placed 145th. Next was classmate Brynna Harum, who placed 157th with a time of 19:14. Junior Brianne Roche, with a time of 19:20.4, finished in 164th place. Finally, Rachel Picard was the last of the Rams to come in the top 200 spots, crossing the finish line with a time of 19:41.9, which put her in 177th place. Overall, the women’s team had a good day with a 20th place finish. The race went well for the team, with each runner pushing the others to do better. Considering the fact that there were so many runners in each race, the Fordham Rams decided to try and run as a pack.
The results definitely showed this, as a group of the men finished within 14 spots of each other. Though the teams might not be too fond of their finish times, they ran their best. They will continue to work hard and improve their performance, but overall they have had a successful three weeks. “It was a great race to see how well we all worked together considering we are a fairly young team,” McCormack said. “I am very excited to see what we can accomplish this season as a team.” The next time the cross country teams compete will be on Friday, Oct. 9. They will be hosting the Metropolitan Cross Country Championships at Van Cortlandt Park at 1:30 p.m.
Sato, Zobeideh Reach Semis at West Point By VINCENT DeBELLIS STAFF WRITER
This past weekend, Fordham Women’s Tennis travelled to West Point to compete in the West Point Invitational. In the singles A bracket, junior Mayu Sato reached the quarterfinals for the Rams, with wins over Sophia Dzulynsky of Quinnipiac (2-6, 6-2, 11-9) and Alana Prinos of Providence (6-2,6-2) before falling to the overall number one seed, Anna Grigoryan of LIU (63, 6-3). Freshman Alexis Zobeideh also competed in the singles A bracket and took a first round loss to Katie DeRienzo of Sacred Heart (6-4, 6-3). In the consolation bracket, Zobeideh defeated Saint Peter’s Malleva Hedberg (8-0), and then fell to Akron’s Sophia Geier (8-3). In the singles B bracket, sophomore Estelle Wong was defeated in her opening match by Paulina Torres of Albany (6-4, 4-6, 10-3) and junior Hannah Drayton lost her opener to Alba Sala of Albany (7-5, 4-6, 10-7). In the singles C bracket, freshman Whitney Weisberg lost her first match to Rianne Van Son of LIU (6-0, 6-0). In D singles, sophomore Carolina Sa lost in the first round to Olga Ostrovetsky (6-4, 1-0 ret.). Junior Destiny Grunin, also competing in D singles, was defeated in her opening match by Isabell Klingert of Seton Hall by a slim margin (6-2, 4-6, 15-13). In doubles A play, the team of Drayton and Wong won its opener over Jovana Kencic and
Chassidy King of Albany, New York, (6-2) before falling to the eventual finalists, Jacqueline FitzRandolph and Srna Stolsjevic of UConn (6-2) in the Round of 16. Also competing in A doubles were Sato and Zobeideh, who won three matches en route to the semifinals. They defeated Pejovic and Sala of Albany (6-4), the #3 seeded Shah and Cusick of Cornell (6-2) and Saint Bonaventure’s Martinez-Santouri
and Bowe (6-2) before eventually losing to Alderman and Pletnyeva of UConn (6-2). In B doubles, Sa and Weisberg suffered an opening round defeat to LIU’s Leysen and Rhallab (60). The team of Grunin and Insogna picked up an early win over Providene’s Takanaka and Biciunas, (6-4) before losing to Mok and Spiritos of Army (7-6(5)). The Rams will participate in the Albany Invitational in Albany, New York, Oct. 9-11.
SAMUEL JOSEPH/THE RAM
Sato won in singles play, while two doubles’ teams earned victories.
October 1, marks the 40th anniversary of one of the most beautifully brutal boxing matches of all time. Ali-Frazier III, or what became known as the Thrilla in Manila, was the rubber match between two of the greatest boxers of all time. Tensions between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier were at an all-time high entering their third encounter. Muhammad Ali is widely considered to be the greatest fighter of all time. He was a two time HeavyWeight Champion of the World, and feared by everyone; well, everyone except Joe Frazier. Smokin’ Joe was one of the hardest hitters in boxing, and wasn’t afraid of anyone or anything. The Philadelphiabred fighter was the antithesis of Muhammad Ali. While Ali was keen on dancing, showmanship and quickness, Frazier was a hardhitting southpaw and a blue collar guy. He was the physical incarnation of Philadelphia’s spirit. He hated Ali, and Ali hated him. The Oct. 1 meeting was not a fight; it was a war. For the first three rounds Ali danced and put on his normal theatrics, something Frazier was not able to handle. Then, after a patented hard hook from Frazier, everything changed. Ali realized that this was no time for fun and games, and the fight moved into a whole new dimension. In the ten rounds that followed, the two titans stood toe to toe against the ropes and gave each other everything they had. Frazier, grunting with every shot he threw, landed body shots that sounded like a freight train hitting a brick wall. Ali, whose hands made lightning second guess itself, threw flurries at Frazier that no mortal should have been able to withstand. It was a bloodbath. By the thirteenth and fourteenth rounds both men looked like they had been to hell and back, a sentiment that they would both later agree upon. The slobber knocker was ended after the fourteenth round when the referee, doctor and corner men decided that Frazier could go no further. The only person who disagreed was Frazier himself, who protested the decision. Ironically enough, it was Ali who wanted to quit, and would’ve if Frazier’s corner hadn’t stopped the fight first. Ali won by Technical Knockout, retaining his title by a narrow margin. According to him, it was the closest he had ever been to death. The fight has gone down in history as one of the greatest ever. Joe Frazier would go on to fight two more times before retiring in 1981. Ali retired the same year after two hard to watch losses to Larry Holmes and Trevor Berbick. Most agree that Manila should have been their last fight. After the 14th round, Frazier’s corner man said to him, “no one will forget what you did here today.” Forty years later, no one has forgotten what either man did that day in the Philippines. It was a triumphant day for both fighters, regardless of the outcome. There is no denying that the fight was truly a Thrila.
SPORTS
September 30, 2015
Page 23
Volleyball Splits Two A-10 Matches By DEVIN ADAMS STAFF WRITER
Fordham Volleyball hosted the Davidson College Wildcats on Sept. 25 to open up Atlantic 10 conference play at the Rose Hill Gymnasium. Unfortunately for the Rams, they dropped a tough four-set match to the Wildcats. Davidson took an early 5-1 lead on Fordham, but the Rams were able to rally behind strong play from sophomore Molly Oshinski and junior Kristen Ostach, and took the lead 7-5 after six unanswered points. After an intense back and forth between the two teams the Rams emerged victorious taking the set 25-21. The intensity rolled over to the next set with the teams continuing to trade the lead. No side leading by more than three throughout the entire set, but the Rams eventually dropped the set 25-23 to the Wildcats. The back and forth battle between the two teams was a theme for the match as the third set got started and the Rams battled out to a 7-6 lead. After falling behind 16-10, Fordham rallied behind a pair of Oshinski kills and a pair of aces by freshman Natalie Martinez to bring the game within one. Despite a tough fight from the Rams they ultimately dropped the set 30-28. In the fourth set the Rams kept it competitive early, but Davidson went on a 7-0 run that proved to be too much for Fordham to overcome. The Rams lost the set 2518, and Davidson took the game three sets to one. Oshinski finished the game with a team-high 15 kills while
Martinez contributed three aces. Freshman Olivia LaPorta added three blocks, sophomore Emily Fronk added 47 assists and senior Brianna O’Neil led the team with 13 digs. Fordham continued conference play on Friday, Sept. 25, against the Virginia Commonwealth University Rams. Fordham got out to a slow start in the first set committing multiple attacking errors and falling behind 13-6. The team eventually found its rhythm and scored seven unanswered points to tie the game 13-13. Fordham continued that momentum and went on to win the set 25-21. In the next set, Fordham took a commanding lead at 12-4. Despite rally attempts by VCU, Fordham never relinquished the lead and won the set 25-18. The end of the third set was a nail biter for Fordham, who held the lead for most of the set until VCU took the lead 20-19. Behind back-to-back kills from freshman Brenna Jones, Fordham rallied to win the set 25-22 and complete the sweep of the Rams from Virginia. Ostach led with 13 kills while LaPorta had two aces and three blocks, both team-highs for the ame. Fronk added 29 assists and Oshinski had nine digs in the victory. Fordham is now 7-11 on the season with a 1-1 record in the A-10. The Rams continue conference play on the road next with a trip to Dayton, Ohio, on Oct. 2 to face the Flyers at 7 p.m. and stay in the Midwest to take on St. Louis on Sunday, Oct. 4, at 2 p.m.
By SAM BELDEN ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
Talk about a productive weekend. It had already been a banner year for Jordan Spieth, and he left the Tour Championship at Atlanta’s East Lake Golf Club on Sunday with two important things: the world No. 1 ranking and a check for $11.5 million. Hey, if you win the FedEx Cup, the PGA Tour’s season-long points-based competition, that tends to happen to you. Spieth’s 2015 season has been one of the best in recent memory, but even a devoted fan could be forgiven for not seeing this one coming. Prior to last week’s deciding event, his record at East Lake was uninspiring. Furthermore, it had been weeks since his last top 10, and when Spieth has hit slumps in the past, it’s taken him a while to get his game back. Watching him on Sunday, however, one wouldn’t have been able to tell that he’d been scuffling; the 22-yearold Texan managed the course cooly and was nearly automatic with the flatstick. That Tour Championship performance was a microcosm of Spieth’s entire season. Through it all, he kept a level head on his shoulders and pulled off improbable shots that put him out in front. In fact, Spieth’s performance over the past nine-or-so months has arguably been the greatest display of mental toughness in the sport of golf since that of Tiger Woods in his heyday. As a part of his rise to the pinnacle of the game, Spieth has had to overcome three major obstacles: the PGA Tour’s membership requirements, his on-course demons and a pair of elite rivals. In examining his conflicts with each of these three forces, we can get a better idea of exactly how Spieth went from a world-renowned junior golfer to the force of nature that we get to watch today. In the winter of 2012, Spieth left the University of Texas after just three semesters. Why? He felt that he was good enough to play on the PGA Tour, and he didn’t want to waste any time in getting out there. When Spieth failed to
earn his 2013 tour card through Q-School, many pundits crowed that the move had backfired, but they were wrong. After scoring a few sponsorship exemptions, he tied for second at the Puerto Rico Open and never looked back. With his name now officially on the radar, Spieth continued to accept free passes into various tournaments until he won the John Deere Classic in July, finally securing his membership. From the very start of his pro career, it was clear that Spieth was cut from a different cloth. For most players, it takes years to learn how to consistently contend on the PGA Tour, but he started doing so almost immediately. His membership saga will always be an essential part of the story of his career. Of course, consistently contending is just one part of the equation. In order to become the player he is today, Spieth had to learn how to win, and to do that, he had to do plenty of losing first. After the aforementioned Deere victory, Spieth endured a long drought — one that lasted more than a yearand-a-half, in fact. In 2014, he had four good chances after 54 holes but came away winless. Still, it was a good season, all in all, and Spieth
righted the ship this season, notching five PGA Tour victories (and four runner-up finishes) en route to a new record for most money won during a single season. Last season, his final round scoring average was 70.4; this year, it’s 68.8. Finally, Spieth has risen to the top even while in the midst of a pair of top-tier rivals: Rory McIlroy and Jason Day. All three had strong seasons in 2015, but with a pair of majors and three other wins, Spieth’s was the best of the bunch. Even that doesn’t tell the whole story. While McIlroy began the year in the No. 1 spot, Spieth had to fight his way up from No. 9, passing eight talented peers and getting his points average up to where few have ever gone before. Last week, Day was No. 1 after catching fire in the playoffs, but Spieth responded again and left little doubt as to who belongs on top. Throughout his entire career to this point, it’s seemed that Spieth has never stopped moving. He was on the PGA Tour at 19, won his first major at 21 and was the youngest player at East Lake last week at 22. Now, it’s everyone else that’s going to have to scramble. If they don’t, Spieth will leave them in the dust.
JOHN AMIS/AP
Speith’s $22 million in earnings this season is the most in PGA Tour history.
Varsity Calendar HOME AWAY
Thursday Oct. 1
Friday Oct. 2
Football
Lafayette 6 p.m.
Men’s Soccer
La Salle 1 p.m.
Women’s Soccer
Rhode Island 7 p.m.
Water Polo Volleyball Golf ZACH MIKLOS/THE FORDHAM RAM
Men’s Tennis
Sunday Oct. 4
West Point Head Race La Verne/MSA 3 p.m.
Gary Troyer Tournament Dayton 7 p.m.
St. Louis 2 p.m. Macdonald Cup Quinipiac Invitational
Monday Oct. 5
Tuesday Oct. 6
Wednesday Oct. 7
Davidson 7 p.m. St. Joseph’s 1 p.m.
Rowing
The women picked up their first conference win of the season this weekend.
Saturday Oct. 3
Page 24
SPORTS
September 30, 2015
The Fordham Ram
Football Dominates Monmouth at Home By DREW CASEY ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
On a picture perfect fall afternoon at Rose Hill, the Fordham football team dominated the visiting Monmouth University Hawks on Saturday, Sept. 26, winning 54-31 en route to its third victory of the season. Fresh off his Patriot League weekly accolades, junior quarterback Kevin Anderson did not miss a beat. In fact, the signal caller again earned Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week honors for tossing five touchdowns for the second straight week. “The key to Kevin’s success has been his preparation and coach [Andrew] Breiner getting him ready to play,” fourth year head coach Joe Moorhead said. “All the success he has is because he works hard at the mental part of it. He works hard at the physical part of it and being a great division one quarterback is very important to him.” The Marshall transfer made quick work of the Hawks defense, tossing his first touchdown pass just 4:04 into the game. Capping an 11 play, 86-yd drive that included a 49-yd completion to junior wide receiver Robbie Cantelli, Anderson connected with freshman wide receiver Corey Caddle for a 5-yd score. Later in the first quarter on Monmouth’s second offensive possession, Fordham’s defense helped get the ball quickly back into Anderson’s hands. Senior defensive back JQ Bowers intercepted his first of two passes of the day from Monmouth redshirt freshman quarterback Cody Williams and gave Fordham possession at its own
ZACK MIKLOS/ THE FORDHAM RAM
Playing their third straight home game at Jack Coffey Field, the Rams blew out the Monmouth Hawks 54-31 on Saturday.
31-yd line. The turnover was also the first of five takeaways forced by the Rams’ defense. “They [the defense] did a great job,” Moorhead said. “The primary factor in determining football games is turnovers and explosive plays. If we’re able to create more turnovers than we give and we’re able to have more explosive plays, generally speaking, you’re going to win a lot of football games.” After the help from its defense, the Rams’ offense turned up the efficiency as the unit engineered a near 70-yd scoring driving in just 2:17. Sophomore running back Chase Edmonds reached the end zone after Anderson found him from 24-yds out. The touchdown was Edmonds’ sixth total touchdown on the season, but there
was more to come. Monmouth cut into the Rams’ early 14-0 lead with a field goal late in the first quarter, but Anderson again found Edmonds through the air early in the second to put Fordham up 213. With the 16th ranked Rams in control, Monmouth running back Lavon Chaney found the end zone on the ground before Edmonds answered in a big way for Fordham. The All-American scampered for an explosive 56-yd touchdown run to put the Rams up 28-10. After an Anderson interception and ensuing Monmouth touchdown, Fordham looked for more in the final minute of the second quarter. The aggressiveness paid off as Anderson connected with freshman Jordan Al-
len for his first career collegiate reception, a 60-yd touchdown with 27 seconds left in the first half. Fordham led 35-17 at the halftime break. The Rams opened the second half up with a pair of field goals from junior place kicker Makay Redd. The second of the pair was good from 54-yds, setting a new career long for the Alamo, California native. Consequently, Redd was named the Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Week on Monday. Minutes later Monmouth was set up at the Fordham 1-yd line, poised to cut into its 24 point deficit. The Rams forced the Hawks into a third and goal situation in which the visiting team elected to go to the air. For Williams and Monmouth, it could
not have gone any worse as graduate linebacker Stephen Hodge intercepted Williams’ pass in the end zone. Hodge’s interception complemented his team-high 15 tackles in the game. Anderson continued his successful afternoon on the ensuing third quarter drive by tossing his fifth touchdown of the game. The first year quarterback found freshman Austin Longi from 10-yds out to extend Fordham’s lead to 48-17. Junior running back Kendall Pearcey was the final Ram to score on the day. He did so on a 21-yd rush early in the fourth quarter on a welldesigned fake end around. Monmouth added two further touchdowns to account for the 54-31 final score. Anderson finished with 340 yards passing to go along with the five scoring strikes, while Edmonds collected 137 total yards to go along with three total scores. Cantelli led all Fordham receivers with 119-yds on seven catches. Fordham is now 3-1 and opens Patriot League play next Saturday, Oct. 3, at 6 p.m., as they travel to play Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. Lafayette is currently 1-3, but rallied from a 14 point deficit for its first win of the season this past Saturday at Wagner College in Staten Island. “[We’re going to] continue to take it one at a time,” Moorhead said when asked about the team’s next game. “Not look too far forward. Not look too far back.” The Rams were chosen to finish first in the seven team Patriot League in the conference’s preseason poll.
Men’s Tennis Falls Short at Hofstra Invite By TOM TERZULLI CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The men’s tennis team began tournament play by traveling to Long Island to participate in the Hofstra University Invitational on Friday, Sept. 25, and Saturday, Sept. 26th. Spirits were high for the team coming off a very impressive opening weekend, where it won two matches on the road over Siena and Rider. The good feeling did not translate to the opening tournament, as the team struggled to advance from the early stages in both singles and doubles competition. Play began in the singles A flight in which Fordham was represented by senior Pedro Alonzo and sophomore Joseph Kavaloski, a pair who was successful in doubles competition in the Rams’ season opening victory against Siena. That success did not translate, however as both failed to advance past the opening Round of 16. Alonzo fell to the flight’s eventual champion, Stony Brook’s Sam Taieb (8-1), and Kavaloski was trounced by Wagner’s Juan Alanis (8-2). The struggles continued in the B flight with two more Fordham representatives falling in the opening round. Sophomore Joey Brander lost his first singles match of the young season when he was thwarted by Seba Rojas of St. Peter’s (8-1). It was the same situation for freshman Nikolaj Borak, who was handed his
SAMUEL JOSEPH/ THE FORDHAM RAM
After starting the season strong with road wins over Siena and Rider, the men’s tennis team struggled this past weekend.
first singles loss by NYIT’s Tomas Lieb (8-3). The C flight was the only section of the bracket in which the Rams had just one representative, and the results were much of the same. Sophomore Cameron Poscillico was the first Ram to advance past the opening round, but it was through an opening round bye and not a victory. Poscillico lost what was his first match of the tournament to NYIT’s Alex Martinez (8-2) in the quarterfinals. The lone bright spot for Fordham was the play of sophomore Harris
Durkovic in the D flight. Durkovic was the only Ram to advance past the Round of 16 without a bye. He secured Fordham’s first win of the tournament with an (8-3) defeat of Saint Peters’ Justin Sinprasith. His success did not stop there as Durkovic advanced to the semifinals and defied home-court advantage when he drubbed Hofstra’s Kevin Devine (8-2). One win away from the championship match, Durkovic’s run came to an end at the hands of Wagner’s Allen Wang, who would go on to lose in the title match. The Rams’ other representative in the
flight was much more indicative of how the rest of the day went. Freshman Chris Caroli was bounced by Kevin Huynh of NYIT (8-2) in the Round of 16. The team hoped to avenge their singles performance in double’s play. Unfortunately, the struggles from the singles portion seemed to carry over, with all three Ram doubles teams losing in the opening round. In the A flight, the team of Alonzo and Kavaloski succumbed to home court advantage, falling in a close matchup (7-6) to the Hofstra duo of Niko Vulinovich and Gustav Akes-
son, the eventual A flight champs. In B flight action, the Rams were handed their worst loss in double’s competition. Durkovic could not recapture his magic from the singles portion, as he and Brander were thrashed by the FDU duo of Adam Chan and Kiran Mani (6-1). Finally, in the C flight, the pair of Borak and Posillico was defeated by the Wagner team of Wang and Jakob MostynKolb (6-4). Some other positives for Fordham came in the singles consolation brackets, with two Rams advancing past the first round without a bye. The two were Kavaloski in the A flight and Poscillico in the C flight. Kavaloski trounced Hofstra’s Marcus Smith (8-6) to advance to the semifinals, where he would fall to Jorge Rodriguez of Saint Peter’s (97). Poscillico advanced with a close (9-8) rout of Saint Peters’ Gabe Russotto, before his run came to an end by Kenzo Kauffman of Stony Brook (8-2). There was another Ram that advanced past the opening round in Caroli, but it was by default, and he was bounced (8-4) in the semifinals. Every other loss came in the opening round, namely: Alonzo in the A flight (8-3), Brander (8-1) and Borak (8-2) in the B flight. The Rams have a chance to avenge their performance next weekend (Oct. 2-4), when they travel to Hamden, Connecticut for the Quinnipiac Invitational.