The Eagle -- D.C. Guide Issue

American University’s student voice since 1925

theEAGLE

August 16, 2010 Volume 85 – Issue 1

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WELCOME TO D.C.

August 16, 2010

News 2

theEAGLE in this ISSUE

3

NEWS GUIDE TO D.C.

6 9

GUIDE TO AU METRO GUIDE

11

OPINION

21

SPORTS

24

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welcome week CALENDAR

Letter from the editor Due to financial difficulties, The Eagle will be published only once a week, most Tuesdays, for the 2010-2011 school year.

While the change is generally unpleasant for The Eagle staff, we hope that printing only once a week will present new opportunities for The Eagle to improve.

Among these opportunities are: n Better content. Publishing twice a week made it extremely difficult for The Eagle to publish as much quality content as we would have liked. More frequent deadlines prevented indepth reporting and encouraged superficial reporting. The rush to simply produce enough content each week was difficult, time consuming and ultimately wasteful. Printing fewer stories weekly will allow articles to be more thorough, better reported and more carefully factchecked.

Q A better online presence.

Instead of focusing most of The Eagle staff ’s efforts on filling newsprint, we can now focus on doing our primary task — informing the AU community. This year, The Eagle’s website will be updated more consistently with breaking and general news stories. We hope that each day The Eagle’s website will have new, unique and interesting content.

Q A new design. Our old format (broadsheet) was not conducive to our new mission of being more than just a twice-weekly news-

paper. Our new format (known as tabloid) will allow more creative designs and more interesting features. For instance, in this issue you’ll find a full-color Metro map to help you navigate the city. In later issues we hope to keep exploring the new opportunities tabloid format presents. Fully redesigning a newspaper is a difficult task usually done by large staffs armed with data, cash and time. We have none of these luxuries.

We ask for your patience as

generated from our Business Office. Last year our Business Office — which is staffed by students — fell short of this goal by approximately $50,000. In order to ensure the University we would not lose money into the future, we had to cut our budget from $100,000 to about $50,000.

Reducing the number of newspapers we publish saves much of this. Stipend cuts between 50 and 100 percent accounted for another chunk. We will also

“Is The Eagle independent?

No, and yes.” we shape and change the newspaper over the semester until we get it just right.

Is The Eagle independent?

No, and yes.

The Eagle is fully editorially independent and does not have any administrator or University official review our content before publication. We are not, however, financially independent from the University.

Previously we have been extended a $100,000 loan from Student Activities to cover printing costs, stipends and other costs. The Eagle would then pay this loan back using ad revenue

save a whopping $10,000 by having Eagle staff distribute newspapers Tuesday mornings, rather than relying on an outside service.

We will be working throughout the year to permanently fix our financial problems.

Furthermore, The Eagle will be working to fix any systemic flaws that led to these problems.

In the process we will make this newspaper — and by extension this community — better.

Sincerely, Charlie Szold Editor in Chief The Eagle

MONDAY 16

TUESDAY 17

WEDNESDAY 18

THURSDAY 19

FRIDAY 20

‘80s Night 10:30 p.m.

WHERE: Mary Graydon Center — The Tavern WHAT: Rock out ‘80s style with free food, dancing and giveaways. Must have an AU student ID to enter.

Kay Spiritual Life Center Open House 9 p.m.

WHERE: Kay Lounge Lower Level WHAT: Learn more about the spiritual communities of AU at this open house and information session.

AU chaplains and students from the Interfaith Council will be on hand to answer questions.

Quad After Dark 8:30 - 11:30 p.m.

WHERE: Main Quad WHAT: Come out with your new friends to this carnival-like party, complete with inflatables, games, food and even acrobatic performers.

Pick Your Flick Movie Night 10 p.m.

WHERE: Woods-Brown Amphitheater WHAT: The incoming class of 2014 has voted, and the movie this year will be “How to Train Your Dragon.” Bring a blanket to sit on, and enjoy free food and the opportunity to win prizes at this very popular annual AU event.

Opening Convocation 11 a.m.

WHERE: Bender Arena WHAT: AU President Neil Kerwin and various other members of the AU faculty and staff welcome the Class of 2014 in this opening ceremony. Kerwin will make opening remarks, in addition to speeches from Student Government President Nate Bronstein and Scholar-Teacher of the Year Andrew Popper.

class of 2014 profile FALL APPLICANTS:

16,949 ACCEPTANCE RATE:

43% CLASS OF 2014 EARLY DECISION ACCEPTANCES:

400 CLASS OF 2013 EARLY DECISION ACCEPTANCES:

300 AVERAGE HIGH SCHOOL GPA:

3.87 AVERAGE SAT SCORE:

1300/1600 AVERAGE ACT SCORE:

30 MALE TO FEMALE RATIO:

39:61 STUDENTS RECEIVING MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS:

19% MINIMUM MERIT SCHOLARSHIP:

$6,000 INFORMATION ACCORDING TO KRISTEN SCHLICKER, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS

SUB Concert: “B.o.B.” 10 p.m.

WHERE: Mary Graydon Center — The Tavern WHAT: Rapper B.o.B., most notable for collaborating with Hayley Williams for “Airplanes,” and with Bruno Mars for “Nothin’ on You,” is coming to AU, thanks to the Student Union Board. Admission is free to AU students with ID.

August 16, 2010

News 3

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AU protester gets community service, calls pacifism ‘dumb’

By LINDSEY ANDERSON Eagle Staff Writer

JEFF WATTS / AMERICAN UNIVERSITY

FIXING A ‘BROKEN’ SYSTEM — President Barack Obama used AU as the venue for his July 1 speech about immigration reform. Speaking in the new School of International Service building, the president urged Congress to pass immigration reform legislation as soon as possible. He also asked Republicans to give greater support and input to immigration reform. Over 250 invited guests filled the SIS atrium to hear Obama’s speech, including the Rev. Al Sharpton, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and various AU officials, professors and student leaders.

news BRIEFS AU student veteran highlighted in USA Today video series Senior Brandon Krapf was featured in USA Today’s “Degrees of Difficulty” video series on their website. The week-long video series, which began on May 24, explored the struggles of five non-traditional college students. Krapf served in the military for six years, including one year in Iraq, and was offered a job once he finished with the military. Krapf turned down the job offer in favor of pursuing his bachelor’s degree at AU. Krapf attended Ocean County College in New Jersey for one semester and then transferred to AU’s School of International Service in the fall of 2007. The 27-year-old veteran is a member of the Delta Chi fraternity and founded Veterans of American University, a chapter of the national organization Student Veterans of America.

—JULIA RYAN Bronstein hosts online ‘fireside chat’ videos Student Government President Nate Bronstein launched a series of “fireside chat” videos on YouTube and on ausg.org in early May to inform students about campus issues and respond to student feedback. In the first video, Bronstein noted the opening of AU Central on July 1 and spoke about the Community Service Coalition and the SG’s search for a student director of school spirit. In the five videos posted since then, Bronstein has tackled a wide variety of topics, including the soon-to-be-established Initiative to Discover, Empower and Advocate for Students (IDEAS) Department, how to rent textbooks at the campus store, the AUTO program and the SG’s Community Service Coalition. Bronstein hopes to produce one or two videos a month for the rest of the school year.

—JR Elton John to hold November charity tennis event at AU Musician Elton John and tennis legend Billie Jean King announced on July 23 that they will hold their 18th annual World TeamTennis Smash Hits charity fundraiser in Bender Arena this year. John and King will be joined by a host of tennis champions to raise money for the Elton John AIDS Foundation and local D.C. AIDS charities. Ticket prices have not yet been decided, but a representative from the WTT said prices will be announced within the next few weeks and special discounts for students could be included.

—JR

theEAGLE is looking for writers. news@theeagleonline.com

The glass Snapple bottle that Michael Dranove threw at a D.C. military recruitment center was supposed to be a water balloon. But another protester mixed up the request and brought him the bottle instead to Funk the War protest on March 19.

Dranove, a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences, hesitated for a moment, but then threw the bottle filled with yellow paint.

That bottle will cost Dranove six months of probation and 20 hours of community service, beginning in September.

“It was worth it to throw the paint if that’s the sentence they’re going to give me,” Dranove said. “I’d like to say that no matter what the sentence was, I’d do it again, but that’s not the case.”

Dranove was originally charged with defacing government property, possessing a weapon (the Snapple bottle) and three counts of assaulting a police officer for the flecks of glass that

landed on three police officers.

At his May 5 pretrial hearing, two of the assault charges were dropped, and Dranove pleaded guilty to the remaining charges.

He felt like there was enough evidence against him and that he could face jail time, so he decided to plead guilty, said Dranove’s lawyer Mike Madden, a graduate of AU’s Washington College of Law. A police officer, who had observed Dranove throwing the water bottle, was prepared to testify at the trial, according to Madden.

Madden is a lawyer for activists who offers his services in exchange for community service. Dranove agreed to do 40 hours of community service for a cause Madden likes, such as combating homelessness or participating in the anti-war movement, Madden said.

The spring “Funk the War: Bad Romance Street Party” protesters wanted the government to spend less on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and more on education, The Eagle previously reported.

Dranove helped organize

the event, and plans were made for him to chuck water balloons filled with paint.

At the rally, Dranove kneeled down, and the protesters formed a circle around him, blocking anyone from seeing who threw the paint. But a police officer had apparently been following him, he said, and the second he threw the bottle the officer tackled him and took him to the police station.

Dranove said he threw the bottle to give people confidence that the protesters mean what they say: They are going to end repression and injustice; they are going stop military recruiters and “do all these radical things.”

Pacifism is a major downfall of the anti-war movement, he said. It’s a “dumb way” to make the movement lose.

“These actions are a way to give us confidence,” Dranove said. “We’re ready.

If we have the numbers, we’re ready to take the actions.” landerson@theeagleonline. com

August 16, 2010

News 4

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Public Safety gives tips to new students for Welcome Week

By JULIA RYAN Eagle Staff Writer Welcome Week is a great time for students to get to know each other, make new friends and forge a new identity. But students must be aware of the risks that come with partying during Welcome Week, said Lt..

Rima Sifri, Crime Prevention and RAD Coordinator at AU. Sifri detailed a number of potential safety concerns for students when they attend parties during Welcome Week: Q Students should not trust other students right away and get into cars with people they don’t know.

Q Students should go to and leave parties with the same group of people, and should consider finding alternate routes to parties if possible, Sifri said.

Q Drink in moderation,

don’t accept an open drink and know when to stop drinking.

Sifri said that there have been instances where students need to be transported to the hospital with a blood alcohol content of 2.0 or 3.0.

Sifri also urges students to take advantage of the Safe Ride to Campus Program.

If a student is stuck within a 10-mile radius of AU with no money and no way of getting back to campus, they can hail a cab and have it take them to the Public Safety office. Public Safety will then reimburse the cab fee and charge that fee to a student’s account.

Sifri hopes students will take advantage of AU’s oncampus events during Welcome Week as an alternative to drinking.

Freshmen serve D.C. and AU

By JULIA RYAN Eagle Staff Writer Two groups of incoming freshmen will be spending Welcome Week getting to know D.C. and helping out in the community through the programs Discover D.C. and the Freshman Service Experience.

Freshman Service Experience Many incoming freshman are participating in the Freshman Service Experience, a program that enables students to complete service projects on various work sites in the D.C. area over the course of three days.

This year’s 650 FSE participants will be providing maintenance work, face-toface service and non-profit office support at over 52 organizations and schools in D.C., according to Sara Stahlberg, a senior in the

School of Communication and an FSE coordinator.

When the service programs are completed, students can choose to attend a variety of evening programs on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

These include a screening of a documentary about the Barry Farms neighborhood in Southeast and a performance from dance crew Beat Ya Feet Kings.

Stahlberg hopes that students will be inspired by this year’s FSE theme — “A Passion for D.C.” — to embrace the city and learn more about what they can do to give back.

“I believe it is important for incoming students to embrace this and to devote themselves to D.C, as it is not only where they go to school, but their new home,” Stahlberg said.

Discover D.C. Discover D.C. helps fresh-

men learn more about the neighborhoods of D.C. and about what role each community plays in the larger framework of the city.

Groups of 10 or 12 students take self-guided tours and are given one-day Metro passes to discover one of 21 different neighborhoods in D.C. Sami Green, a junior in the School of Public Affairs and a Discover D.C. leader, said she and her fellow Discover D.C. coordinators worked hard over the summer to revamp the program. The program this year will be more community-based and more geared towards educating students about the cultures of neighborhoods in D.C. “We want to make Discover D.C. more focused on learning about culture, and not just have it be a filler during Welcome Week,” Green said.

Most of the changes being made to Discover D.C.

this year are in response to the growing number of students in the program. Over 400 freshmen are participating this year, up from 350 last year. Green noted that demand has always been high for Discover D.C. — the program took on more leaders this year to make the program open to more students.

Green hopes that freshmen participating in Discover D.C. this year will enjoy the experience and will learn about what it means to be a resident of the city.

“We want to make the students more comfortable in their environment, and we want to make them feel more at home,” Green said.

“We want to help them seek out new neighborhoods and become engaged in their community.” jryan@theeagleonline.com

jryan@theeagleonline.com.

news BRIEFS AU purchases two cleandiesel shuttles

Pay-by-phone feature available for some AU parking

AU added two new shuttles replacements for the fall semester. These new 2010 diesel shuttle engines burn cleaner than older diesel generations, according to Mark Feist, assistant director of Grounds, Vehicle Maintenance and Support Services.

Feist said hybrid buses were considered, but clean diesels cost about $100,000 to $150,000 less than a hybrid.

A web-based GPS tracking system for red, blue and white shuttle routes is in the process of being installed.

The system should be available for viewing by September, according to Feist. An automated passenger count system is also being installed to document AU shuttle ridership, Feist said.

Public Safety now offers AU commuters a “Pay by Phone and Go” service. In effect since the beginning of July, the service is available to those parking in the Nebraska, Katzen or School of International Service garages, according to a press release from Public Safety.

After dialing 1-888-450PARK (7275), the commuter enters information about their location and time parking. A text message reminder is sent before time expires.

Users can also extend their parking session by phone.

First-time users can set up a free account online or by calling the above number. Regular parking charges apply to the service as well as a 35-cent convenience fee.

-ANNA SCALAMOGNA

–AS

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August 16, 2010

News 5

theEAGLE

Wind power, TDR cooking oil lead AU to greener future

involvement OPPORTUNITIES

DC Reads DC Reads is a joint program between AU, its students, D.C. Public Schools and community-based organizations to improve literacy in the district. The program allows AU students to volunteer to tutor elementary school children at off-campus sites.

How to get involved DC Reads will begin accepting applications from Aug. 2 to Oct. 8. Information session will be held Aug. 31 and Sept. 8, 16, 21 and 29. All information sessions will begin at 5 p.m. and will be held in MGC 200 with the exception of the Aug. 31 session, which will be held in room 203/205. For more information contact program director Robin Adams at radams@ american.edu.

AU to be carbon neutral by 2020 through renewable energy, carbon Latino Heritage Month offset purchases Latino Heritage Month service day volunteers will work with Fiesta D.C., an organization

By ANNA SCALAMOGNA Eagle Staff Writer Eating fries from the Terrace Dining Room might not be good for your waistline, but it will soon be good for the environment. A newly purchased Vegawatt, a machine that will convert used cooking oil into electricity and hot water, is one of many new sustainability projects AU embraced recently to achieve carbon neutrality.

The Office of Sustainability announced in May it would have net zero carbon emissions by 2020 through balancing campus-wide emissions reduction and purchases of clean energy offsets.

AU adopted four strategies for the carbon neutrality plan, according to Director of Sustainability Chris O’Brien. These include: n reducing consumption n producing renewable energy on campus n purchasing renewable energy n supporting offsets for remaining emissions AU purchased renewable energy credits from wind power for 100 percent of its electricity consumption, O’Brien said.

This move makes AU the sixth largest university supporter of renewable energy, according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Partnership.

Campus buildings are currently under inspection to determine which are the most and least efficient and where efforts need to be focused. Age is a factor, but recent renovations will make it difficult to predict which buildings are most efficient, O’Brien said.

The Office of Sustainability has also begun researching

options for supporting projects to offset carbon emissions for university travel.

These could include projects in D.C. as well as at some study abroad destinations, O’Brien said.

Students can be directly involved in AU’s sustainability plans through the new Green Eagle program, which the Office of Sustainability is launching in collaboration with Housing and Dining Programs, Student Government, the Residence Hall Association and Eco-Sense.

Resident students will be hired as part-time workers by the Office of Sustainability to implement sustainability projects on campus and to teach their peers to do the same, according to O’Brien.

Green Eagles will also help promote the Campus Conversation National competition this fall and RecycleMania in the spring, he said. The competition will be a three week, nationwide residence hall electricity and water reduction challenge starting in November.

In addition, Eco-Sense plans to undertake projects like expanding the community garden in order to grow food for TDR within the next year, according to Eco-Sense President Jennifer Jones.

Jones said the club members will participate in tree plantings and park cleanups as well as environmental advocacy opportunities in Congress.

The club is also planning discussions and activities related to environmental justice issues, such as mountain top removal coal mining and water privatization, Jones said. ascalamogna@ theeagleonline.com.

that promotes Latino culture in the D.C.-metro area, to provide support for their 39th annual festival in Mount Pleasant on Sept. 27.

How to get involved Contact the Center for Community Engagement and Service office at 202-885-SERV or MGC Room 273.

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Alternative Breaks Alternative Breaks provide student-led groups the opportunity to travel during their school vacations. Students work with community initiatives that address global and local social justice issues.

How to get involved An information session will be held on Sept. 14. Winter and spring break participant applications are due Sept. 22 and summer break participant applications are due Feb. 1. For more information contact Shoshanna Sumka at sumka@american.edu.

Student Involvement Fair Student Involvement Fair provides students with the chance to learn about events, organizations and activities taking place in the AU community and get involved.

How to get involved The fall fair will take place Sept. 15 from 11:30 to 2:30 p.m. on the Quad.

How to get involved

By ANNA SCALAMOGNA Eagle Staff Writer Looking to stay involved after Welcome Week? Check out AU’s new Community Service Club.

The new Student Government-sponsored club will coordinate different projects and create more service opportunities.

The CSC is an umbrella organization that connects service resources on campus and streamlines communication among all of them, according to SG President Nate Bronstein.

The organization was created last semester by School of Public Affairs sophomore Stephen Bronskill. He said it was a way to bring together students and organizations that do not normally collaborate, and it pools their resources to make a larger impact than they could have

separately.

The CSC is planning volunteer opportunities to take place in the fall for students to help prepare food at D.C. Central Kitchen, plant trees with Casey Trees and serve veterans at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

The AU Center for Community Engagement and Service — formerly the Community Service Center and currently located in Mary Graydon Center 273 — will work with the Coalition, Bronstein said.

Staff members of the Center will attend weekly meetings and give the Community Service Coalition requests for volunteers to be conveyed to the student body.

Individual students working on social action projects can also use the Center for Community Engagement and Service to connect with the Coalition and receive support for their projects.

Organizations that have already joined the coalition include the Roosevelt Institute, College Republicans, College Democrats, Eco-Sense and the School of Public Affairs Leadership Program.

The Lions Club and myImpact.org will also be working closely with the Coalition.

This is the first time the Lions Club, an internationallyknown service organization, will be brought to campus, and it will help connect the Coalition to service resources all over D.C., Maryland and Virginia.

Another resource is the website myImpact.org, started by AU alumnus Chris Golden. The site is a vehicle for documenting volunteers’ commitment to service. Users can create a free profile and update it through Twitter or directly through the website. Volunteers record, share and track their impact.

This year’s Freshmen Service Experience program will be using the site, according to Bronstein.

There will be a kick-off meeting for all students interested in the SG’s fledgling coalition during the second week of school. Weekly meetings and weekly service events will take place throughout the rest of the year, Bronskill said.

Updates on volunteer events can be found on the CSC’s website or on its Facebook page. Any students interested in joining the coalition’s leadership team or having their organization join the coalition can contact Bronskill at stephen. bronskill@ausg.org. ascalamogna@ theeagleonline.com

August 16, 2010

GUIDE TO D.C.

6

REESE FLYNN MCARDLE / THE EAGLE

IS THIS CLICHÉ? — D.C.’s Chinatown neighborhood, a quick ride down the Red Line to the Gallery Place-Chinatown station, is home to Verizon Center, the Shakespeare Theatre Company and countless Chinese restaurants. Also, taking a picture in front of this arch, spanning H Street NW, is a required cliché thing to do during your time in the nation’s capital.

Don’t fear the cliché: Monuments at night and other D.C. traditions

By CAITLIN E. MOORE Eagle Staff Writer Unlike most students moving to universities in rural areas and college towns, we at AU have the advantage of having Washington, D.C., at our fingertips. It’s easy to get stuck staying safe on campus and claim you’ve lived the “District” experience, but until you step foot out of Tenleytown, you’re only hurting yourself. Here’s a guide to make sure you live up to your full D.C. potential with some of the few absolutely quintessential (and mostly free because we’re broke) things to do before you graduate, no matter how overdone they may seem.

Visit the monuments at night For the first year of your college experience, it is almost 100 percent guaranteed that you will visit the monuments. It is also

nearly 100 percent guaranteed that every time a friend visits from home, they will request to see said monuments. Some may consider it trite, but it’s a necessary evil, and honestly, a lot more fun than some of your more pretentious classmates may have you believe.

However, if you’re going to see the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the Mall for the 30th time, do yourself a favor and head out after the sun goes down. There’s something simply whimsical (and not to mention beautiful), about seeing the lights shine on the massive structures once the city turns dark. Everything seems a bit more ethereal, so it feels slightly more like you have the place to yourself. You can take photos to share with your pals from home and add it to your “First Semester in the District!!!” photo album that is required by AU

freshman law to upload to Facebook after the first few weeks in the city.

Note: No matter how overdone it is, it is absolutely required to take a picture of yourself pointing up at your home state at the World War II Memorial.

Attend a protest Upon your first return home, whether over fall, Thanksgiving or winter break, one overanxious, eager aunt or uncle will be at your side grilling you about all the political goings-on in the world, testing to see if your presence in the nation’s capital has at all improved your knowledge of foreign affairs. By attending a protest, you can, not only rock out with people as passionate as yourself about something, but also have ammunition for all the blood relatives testing the extent of your D.C. experiences.

(Be prepared to defend the

topic of the actual protest you went to, as it is more than likely on a subject they do not agree with.) As college students, it is our duty to fight the man, and nothing feels quite as Districty as doing so in Lafayette Park across from the White House, with a bandanna on your head and poster in hand.

Do free, artsy stuff downtown D.C. is full of fun free things to do that only require money for the Metro ride. The go-to free activity in the city is touring all of the museums in the Smithsonian Institution. You can look at the Hope Diamond and Tyrannosaurus Rex fossils at the Museum of Natural History, or Amelia Earhart’s historical plane at the National Air and Space Museum or go gawk at some of the Muppets or Superman’s cape at the Museum of American History.

If exhibits aren’t really your style, the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage has a free performance at 6 p.m. every day, ranging from esteemed jazz performances to middle school choirs.

The stage is beautiful and the performances are lovely, and definitely something everyone should head to once, if only to make yourself feel a bit classier. If cultural experiences are more of your thing, D.C. has several street festivals throughout the year with live music and food vendors selling to thousands of people across numerous city blocks. The Japanese Street Festival, which follows the National Cherry Blossom festival every spring (also something every student should go to at least once), has everything from anime carts to Dance Dance Revolution stands to made-to-order sushi merchants. If hipster stuff is more your style,

there’s always the Crafty Bastards Arts and Crafts Fair in Adams Morgan, or, if you’re more of a thrift shopper, the weekly flea market at Eastern Market.

Don’t be afraid to be cliché — take a picture with Lincoln, grab food at Ben’s Chili Bowl, picnic on the Mall and get a deep focus picture of a cherry blossom with the Jefferson Memorial in the background. Get off campus and get into the city, one District staple at a time.

Plus, once you’ve visited and done the typical and necessary D.C. stuff, it’s easier to be pretentious about all the underground clubs “no one else knows about” later in your college experience. cmoore@theeagleonline. com

August 16, 2010

Guide to D.C. 7

theEAGLE

Historical facts about Tenleytown

Feeling lazy? Order out

By STEFANIE DAZIO

By RACHEL KARAS

Home, sweet home Eagle Staff Writer Tenleytown was founded, or rather "evolved," around a tavern operated by John Tenley in the 1780s. This tavern was previously located in what is now the CVS parking lot. Some accounts refer to him as John Tennally, or 'Tennallytown,' but "Tenley" was probably the original spelling. However, John Tenley and his siblings were illiterate, and signed their names with an X - leaving the spelling up to others.

John Tenley had operated other taverns and probably came here in the 1780s because it was on the tobacco rolling route to the port of Georgetown. Tenley's tavern was the first public eating establishment north of Georgetown, and because of its dominance in the community, the area became

known as Tenleytown.

Tenleytown is the oldest village in Ward 3 and likely the second oldest village in the District, after Georgetown. The Tenley's tavern served as the focal point around which a cohesive group of inhabitants and businesses gathered.

Tenleytown encompasses the point of highest natural elevation in the District, which is just south of Alice Deal Jr. High School. This was the perfect place for Fort Reno during the Civil War, even though no fighting occurred there.

The Tenleytown Historical Society is working to install and inaugurate the Tenleytown Heritage Trail this fall, which will feature signs telling local history.

Source: Tenleytown Historical Society President Jane Waldmann.

Eagle Staff Writer Some days, the walk to Mary Graydon Center can seem like a cross-country hike. Embrace your laziness!

Pick up the phone or log on to www.campusfood.com to order from a number of local restaurants. Curb your cravings, no matter the cuisine, with this selection of great delivery in D.C. Your lunch or dinner will usually arrive at your dorm within an hour, allowing you more time to study, sleep or watch another episode of “Jersey Shore” – the possibilities are endless.

American: Chicken Out Rotisserie Price: Entrees cost around $10 4866 Massachusetts Ave. NW (202) 364-8646

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

1864 — A volunteer detachment overlooks Tenleytown from Fort Gaines. The fort was in the approximate location of AU; it was razed to allow for the extension of Massachusetts Avenue.

Even if you have never ventured down by the Washington College of Law, don’t be too chicken to try this great rotisserie. Chicken Out offers salads, sandwiches and a variety of hearty chicken dishes that are delicious for lunch or as a family-style dinner to order with your friends. Try the quarterchicken with mashed red skin potatoes and cinnamon applesauce to keep both you and your wallet full.

Chinese: Canal Express & Little China Cafe Price: Entrees cost around $10 4830 Macarthur Blvd. NW (202) 333-5678 Get all the goodness of Chinatown without ever leaving the common room.

Canal Express is just one of many great Chinese takeout places in D.C., and its menu can satisfy any Asian craving. Start your meal with egg rolls or steamed dumplings, and order the beef lo mein or General Tso’s chicken as an entree. An added bonus: Canal Express also offers seven flavors of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.

Indian: Mehran Restaurant Price: Entrees cost around $10 2138 Pennsylvania Ave. NW (202) 342-0056 This self-proclaimed “house of kebobs and curries” serves up the Indian subcontinent’s best flavors.

Even if you are not a fan of spicy Indian food, Mehran Restaurant makes many mild dishes for meeker palates. Get the chicken tikka kebobs or the chicken curry for a hotter meal. Don’t forget naan!

Italian: Buca di Beppo Price: Small portions cost around $20, large portions cost around $30 1825 Connecticut Ave. NW (202) 232-8466 Fans of MTV’s "The Real World: Washington, D.C." might recognize Buca di Beppo from the first episode, but now its authentic Italian can be on your plate and not just your TV. Be careful, though – small or-

ders of the entrees serve two to three people and large orders serve four to six. Splitting the meal with friends will give you a normal portion and a cheaper check.

The entire menu is delicious, but try the stuffed shells or the veal parmigiana.

Sushi: Satay Club Asian Restaurant & Sushi Bar Price: Entrees cost around $10, sushi costs anywhere from $5 to $15 4654 Wisconsin Ave. NW (202) 363-8888 For days when the Eagle’s Nest sushi does not whet your appetite, there is Satay Club. Its extensive menu of Asian cuisine is great, but it also makes some of the best sushi in Northwest D.C. The Dragon Roll and the Crazy Roll are both worth their prices, but the cheaper maki rolls are all tasty as well. Pair your sushi with the miso

For when the walk to MGC is just too far to contemplate soup for a complete meal.

Mediterranean: Quick Pita Price: Sandwiches cost around $5, entrees cost around $10 1210 Potomac St. NW (202) 684-8514 When you are craving a taste of the Middle East, Quick Pita delivers quality food at college-friendly prices. In addition to the regular entrees, their menu also includes sandwiches for meat lovers and vegetarians alike. Try the mixed platter – chicken tawook, beef kofta and lamb kebob served with rice, hummus and a salad.

Share with a friend, or save the leftovers for the next time you feel like having a Mediterranean meal.

Mexican: Alero Price: Entrees cost around $10 to $15

3500 Connecticut Ave. NW (202) 966-2530 Travel south of the border from the comfort of your desk by ordering from Alero, one of DC’s best traditional Mexican restaurants.

Alero serves up all the regular items, including burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas and fajitas. Order a chicken tamale platter or Chiles en Nogada – roasted Poblano peppers stuffed with Angus ground beef, raisins and apples. For dessert, treat yourself to the sopapillas, warm fried pastries with cinnamon and sugar.

Pizza: Pizza Movers & Calzones Price: Pizza costs anywhere from around $10 to $20, depending on size and topping 1618 Wisconsin Ave. NW (202) 684-2892 If you would like to think outside the Domino’s and Papa John’s boxes, get your next pizza from Pizza Movers & Calzones. In addition to pizza, this restaurant offers everything from wings to pasta to chicken shawarma – shaved chicken with Middle Eastern spices. For indecisive days, there is the 14-topping Mover’s Sampler, but for simpler pizza, order the BBQ Chicken or the Mover’s White. Try one of their many specials for a great deal on your meal, including appetizers.

Dessert: The Cheesecake Factory Price: One slice of cheesecake costs about $8 5345 Wisconsin Ave., NW. (202) 364-0500 Nothing appeases a sweet tooth quite like the perfect slice of cheesecake. Instead of venturing to the Cheesecake Factory in Friendship Heights, let the dessert come to you. Three favorites are the Ultimate Red Velvet Cake Cheesecake, the 30th Anniversary Chocolate Cake Cheesecake and the Pineapple Upside-Down Cheesecake. If you cannot finish a whole piece, put it in the refrigerator – there is no doubt you will want to finish it eventually. rkaras@theeagleonline.com

August 16, 2010

Guide to D.C. 8

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Courtesy of IRFAN KHALIL

IT’S 9:30 SOMEWHERE — Fans pack one of the biggest and most popular venues in D.C., the 9:30 club. A moveable stage allows the club to host small acts as well as big name draws such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Drake.

D.C. venues: One for everyBy YOHANA DESTA Eagle Staff Writer D.C. is known for many things — namely politics, monuments and overpriced universities. But the nation's capital has a burgeoning music scene that is busting at the seams. Simply take a stroll down U Street, and you will find some of the most unique music venues in the country.

Perhaps the biggest and most well known in the Northwest quadrant of the District is 9:30 club. The venue has a huge stage, great sound system, bare dance floor and a balcony for those who want to view bands from a safer location.

Over the years, the venue has hosted music acts ranging from Bob Dylan to bands like the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Minor Threat. In the past year alone, Drake and Wale have performed, as well as groups such as Arctic Monkeys and The Dead Weather. The venue caters to all genres of music, and the tickets usually stay near $35.

Its popularity means that the venue is usually packed and lines can wrap around the block. Be smart and arrive early for prime positioning.

Once inside, hardcore fans

flock to the dance floor so they can see the musicians up close and dance when the music starts pumping. (One of the few downsides is that it can be incredibly hot and cramped.) If you are there, be ready to sweat and be jostled by the hundreds of fans around you. If that's not your style, you can always head to the balcony and watch the show from above. 9:30 club offers the best of both worlds for a music fan.

Black Cat is essentially the hipster little sister of 9:30 club. It boasts a coterie of the best indie bands around, mixed with well-known musicians like the legendary Wanda Jackson. Tickets are generally cheap, ranging from $10 to $20 depending on the popularity of the artists, and tickets are very rarely sold out. The venue itself is small but wide, with exposed pipes overhead and a dance floor that holds approximately 100 people. It is more intimate than some other concert places but still has enough space for fans to dance and move around.

Upstairs, there is a vegan restaurant that serves delicious meals and desserts, solidifying the Black Cat's hipster status.

If you want a venue that has a slightly darker feeling, head over to the aptly named Rock 'n' Roll Hotel. The building is dark, and the walls are covered with posters of rock legends like Jimi Hendrix and the Ramones. Upstairs, there is a bar and a jukebox that constantly streams punk and screamo. In addition, there are velvety lounges named after bands and decorated accordingly (e.g., the My Bloody Valentine Lounge.)

Downstairs, the stage and dance floor are small and narrow, and fans are within arm's reach of the musicians.

The bands range from sweet, indie newbies like Bad Veins to foul-mouthed party monsters like Amanda Blank. It is a great place to hear new bands for a cheap price, and you can mingle with the rockers after a set.

If you are looking for an even more intimate place in D.C., cue DC9. At first glance, DC9 seems like a crowded bar, but upstairs there is a small stage and standing area. DC9 is more like a cozy attic with some amps and microphones. The stage is barely raised, and the floor could probably hold no more than 30 people. Tickets are cheap and never sold

out, which is ideal for seeing a concert on a whim. The performances are extremely intimate and host a range of virtually unknown singers and bands. It has a great garage band vibe going, making it the ultimate venue for a low-key night.

For those who don't care for indie rock or dance floor venues, turn your attention to Blues Alley. Located in Georgetown, Blues Alley is the ideal D.C. venue for those who want to enjoy a nice dinner and a performance from an array of jazz and blues musicians, both local and famous. The venue is small and smoky — the ideal setup for an intimate jazz performance. Tickets might run you upwards of $50, but it's worth it to be a part of the legendary jazz scene in D.C. No matter what your musical preference — rocking out at big shows or sitting and sipping during smaller performances — you can find a venue that offers it in the District. ydesta@theeagleonline.com

theEAGLE seeks photographers and designers. photos@theeagleonline.com design@theeagleonline.com

August 16, 2010

GUIDE TO AU

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AU offers musicians opportunities to stretch vocal cords, talents

By MICHAEL W. RICHARDSON Eagle Staff Writer Coming to college can often serve as a sad excuse to give up your hobbies. Meeting new people, coping with a grossly-expanded reading schedule and timing your Terrace Dining Room trips to monopolize on fresh food leaves little time to pick up a guitar or work on your voice.

But if you’re a musician or singer, AU offers plenty of excuses to rekindle your craft, whether you dream of playing with the National Orchestra or jut want to strum a few chords with friends.

Some of the most prominent music groups on campus are specifically for singers. AU has three established a cappella groups that range in styles and membership.

On A Sensual Note, the all-male group, has been a fixture of AU life for the last 12 years, singing songs reaching back to the classics mixed in with contemporary tracks. For women, Treble in Paradise fills a similar role. Dime A Dozen, a co-ed a cappella group, is getting ready to celebrate their 10year anniversary and making plans for the celebration performances.

“It’s a really great way to meet a completely random group of people and try out some different music,” said Layal Brown, a senior in the School of Communication and School of International Service and business manager of Dime A Dozen.

Brown credits a cappella for solidifying her love of singing here at college.

Though she was originally in AU’s school choir, Dime A Dozen and a cappella performances offered some-

thing unique.

“It’s very different from a choir,” Brown said. “You have to be engaging with the audience and sell the song.

It’s much more interactive.”

Aside from those a cappella gatherings, there are many more groups available to singers including the AU

ber Singers, both groups perform several times a year at the Katzen Arts Center for students and the general public.

Of course, we don’t all have angelic voices. Even if you’re not a singer, the instrumental organizations on campus offer a full range of musical

"You have to be engaging with the audience and sell the song.”

-Layal Brown Gospel Choir and “Picnic, Lightning,” which performs show tunes and other earworms from your childhood. For those with a more classical ear, the AU Choral Ensembles offer a taste of traditional vocal talent. Broken up into the American University Chorus and the American University Cham-

styles and experiences.

A key part of any university’s culture is that brief space where the athletics on the court or field meet the musicians looking to pump up the crowds. The AU Pep Band was first established in 1930 as a partnership between AU Athletics and the Department of Performing

Arts. It has been giving our athletes that extra motivation ever since. With over 60 members, the pep band makes itself known at a number of events on and off campus, from pep rallies and basketball games to a main stage performance at the National Cherry Blossom Festival in 2009.

For string enthusiasts, the AU Symphony Orchestra plays classical pieces including Beethoven and Mendelssohn. The orchestra plays three major concerts per season with music from the last 400 years in addition to their performances with the choral ensembles. Under accomplished conductor Jesus Manuel Berard, the orchestra considers itself a musical ambassador representing the school, according to their website.

The AU Jazz Ensembles take the same work ethic and apply it to the contem-

porary. Meant as an exploration of jazz, Jazz Workshop members play tunes from the likes of John Coltrane and Charles Mingus, but also arrange their own pieces to help harness the creative energy of the medium.

Jazz Ensemble, available as a performance class, is more structured, holding regular classes and performing at Katzen twice a year.

For those looking for less structure and more opportunity, relative newcomer group Spinoza offers a social practice space where performers of all stripes can come and fine-tune their work, or just noodle around on an instrument.

“Spinoza is a non-committal, low-key club,” said Helen West, a sophomore in the College of Arts and Science and president of Spinoza.

“We talk about our music and get together to play. It’s Q see MUSIC on page 10

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a good way to get into the musical community at AU.” Spinoza has expanded to encompass both musicians and singers. The group embodies the principal that practice is its own reward, putting fun and satisfaction above artistic output. That is not to say that Spinoza does not actually produce anything. The group is involved in giving back to the AU and D.C. music communities. Their yearly Practice-a-Thon, in which members rotate into a soundproof plexiglass box and practice for eight straight hours, has raised money for the Sitar Center, which provides children in the District with the opportunities to discover mu-

sic for themselves.

This is just a partial list of the musical opportunities on campus, whether you are diligently practicing for an audition or simply enjoying the camaraderie of other singers and musicians. Though the music community at AU sometimes hides below the surface, its members are passionate about it.

“It’s fabulous,” Hunt said.

“It’s a small program, but it’s absolutely phenomenal.”

Brown agrees.

“It’s great that there are a bunch of things,” Brown said.

“There’s really something there for anyone.” mrichardson@ theeagleonline.com

REESE FLYNN MCARDLE / THE EAGLE

KEEP IT SHORT — The Mary Graydon Center is one of many buildings on campus mostly know by its acronym.

In short, AU abbreviates

By MAGGIE HOLLANDER Eagle Staff Writer

University reclaims Princeton Review’s ‘most politically active’ title

By ETHAN KLAPPER Eagle Staff Writer The Princeton Review ranked AU the "most politically active" college Aug. 2 as part of its annual Best 373 Colleges guide.

This is the third time AU has claimed the top honor since 2006. AU was previously ranked most politically active in 2006 and 2008.

George Washington University topped the list in 2007 and 2009.

This year, GWU fell to fourth place. College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, Maine, claimed the second spot.

Student Government President Nate Bronstein hailed the top ranking, saying the distinction was a very accurate one for AU's student body.

"It shows precisely what we are. We're movers and shakers. We're loud," Bronstein said. "You see it in the way we treat our elections like Super Bowls."

AU's Director of Admissions, Greg Grauman, agreed.

"We should feel pride in this ranking," he said in an e-mail. "It is a recognition which reinforces what we have known for a long

time about the students at AU. American University students are hard-working, intellectually curious individuals who are passionate about creating meaningful change in the world. I am pleased more prospective students will become of aware of our campus identity as a result of this ranking."

The rankings are determined by student surveys.

An average of 325 students per campus participated in the 80-question, online survey. The overall rankings are based on the latest survey "and/or previous two school years," according to the Princeton Review's website.

AU also received high marks for its career services and its location in this year's survey. The AU Career Center was ranked 15 on the career services list, the fourth straight year it has placed in the top 20.

AU continues to see a rise in "best-fit" students, who are passionate about creating meaningful change in the world, not just students interested in studying political science, Grauman said. eklapper@theeagleonline. com

Welcome, new students, to Washington, D.C., where even our city’s name is abbreviated. It’s a hard knock life for newbies, so to make it easier, we here at The Eagle thought it would be nice to impart the wisdom we may or may not have had when we started at this school by explaining a little of what all the random abbreviations, acronyms and terms here at AU mean. It is in no way a complete list, but hey, some things you have to learn on your own. We’ll start with the most basic of them: SIS SIS is short for the School of International Service here at AU. While some people come to the District with the hopes of taking part in the national government in the nation’s capital, others look beyond our country and towards the rest of the world. AU is the perfect place for that (especially since it is smack-dab in the middle of the embassies). On top of that, the new SIS building has already been graced by the presence of President Barack Obama, so there has never been a better time to take an SIS class than in their brand-new quarters.

SPA The School of Public Affairs, despite its acronym, is not a place for relaxation.

(Get it? “Spa?”) The government school at AU, SPA has found its home in the Ward building on campus. There you can find tons of adjunct

professors who teach when they are not actually helping run (or stop) the government, as well as many dedicated full-time professors, many of whom are researching or writing books of their own.

SOC No matter what your intended career path, you are going to need to be able to communicate, so there is a good chance you’ll be taking a class in the School of Communication. You’ll find it on the third floor of the Mary Graydon Center. Full of current, former and future journalists, publicists, etc., there is opportunity aplenty in SOC. Kogod Though slightly more explanatory than the acronyms that make up the other schools, the Kogod School of Business at AU is often only referred to by its proper name. As one of the newer buildings on campus, Kogod houses new technology and individual study rooms.

Careful though, call it "KSB," and you'll likely be met with blank stares.

CAS The College of Arts and Sciences is where both students sure of their path and the undecided mix in a plethora of classes and majors, from, well, arts to sciences. (Both the literature and biology department make their home in CAS.) With AU’s general education requirements, you are guaranteed to take a CAS class at one point or another.

Ged. Ed. Speaking of general education … general education classes (or “gen eds,” for short), are required courses separate from whatever major(s) or minor(s) you are taking. The hopes are that you will not sleep through class and you will come out a more well-rounded student.

Basically, this way, you go out into the world knowing a little bit about everything, as well as a lot about some things.

The Tale of Two Benders Be careful, there are two Benders – Bender Library and Bender Arena. Ninetynine percent of the time, if someone tells you they are going to Bender (and not on a “bender,” as there is a distinction), they usually mean Bender Arena. The library is just generally called the library.

MGC The Mary Graydon Center houses the dining hall and the majority of student activities, as well as the student government and a number of open spaces to grab a snack with your meal swipes, EagleBucks or just normal cash or credit. You will likely never refer to it by its full name.

It's also were you can find The Eagle's office. We're located in MGC 252, so drop by.

TDR The Terrace Dining Room, otherwise known as TDR or “tidder,” is the home of AU’s only main campus din-

ing hall. (Do not be fooled.

When D.C. buildings refer to anything as a “terrace,” despite the linguistics, it almost always means what any other city would refer to as a “basement.”) Enjoy your meal plan here, and check out the website to know when some of your favorite foods make an appearance.

North Side/South Side North and South Side refer to the locations of the dorms on AU’s campus. North Side contains Leonard, McDowell, Hughes and Nebraska, while South Side houses Anderson, Centennial and Letts Halls. While there are many stereotypes about one side versus the other (generally the loud people versus the quiet people), you’re just going to have to find out for yourself which is the right choice.

OMG FML Self-explanatory, and otherwise summed up as, “It’s finals week, and I have four papers to write and five tests to study for, and I haven’t started any of it yet.”

This guide ought to help get you started, but if a student or professor throws out some letters, you don’t understand, don’t fret. For more information about AU-specific abbreviation or slang, check out the guide to abbreviations on your AU Portal, or just ask an upperclassman – we swear, they don’t bite (unless you ask them to). mhollander@theeagleonline. com

August 16, 2010

METRO GUIDE

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Section and cover photos: REESE FLYNN MCARDLE / THE EAGLE

READ BETWEEN THE LINES

By STEFANIE DAZIO and RACHEL KARAS Eagle Staff Writers Although it may seem like everything you need lies on Metro’s red line, many other hidden treasures are scattered throughout the city.

Here's just a few for you to check out.

Dupont Circle

wn Tenleyto AU

ia Columb t h Heig s

U Street

y Judiciar e r a u Sq

Adams Morgan sVan Nes UDC

Capitol South

Foggy Bottom U GW

Eastern Market

Rosslyn

Metro Center

n Pentago City

rd Navy Ya

Stadium Armory

green LINE / yellow LINE Food Julia’s Empanadas WHERE: 14th St. and Park Rd. NW STATION: Columbia Heights (Green Line) COST: Empanadas cost about $4 Julia’s sells delicious, simple food for even the tightest college budget. Their authentic empanada recipes come from around the world, offering meat varieties from Chile, Spain and Jamaica as well as vegetarian options. Grab some gazpacho and potato salad if an empanada isn’t enough. Try the Healthy Meal Deal – an empanada, salad and soup for only $5.91.

Food Ben’s Chili Bowl WHERE: 1213 U St. NW STATION: U Street/African-American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo (Green and Yellow Lines) COST: Burgers for $5; fries and milkshakes for $3 Suffering from late-night chili cravings with no place to go? Look no further than Ben’s Chili Bowl, open from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. (4 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays). This D.C. classic has been serving half-smokes, hot dogs and (of course) chili since 1958.

Entertain yourself with the pictures of world leaders and pop culture icons who have dined at Ben’s while noshing on your own original chili half-smoke.

Entertainment/Food Busboys and Poets WHERE: 14th and V St. NW STATION: U Street/Cardozo-African American Civil War Memorial (Green Line) COST: Events are free Named for poet Langston Hughes, who once worked as a restaurant busboy, Busboys and Poets is a café with a small bookstore and a side room for open-mic nights.

With poetry slams, film screenings, talent shows and more, the focus is often discussing social justice and peace.

Museums/Monuments/ Memorials African American Civil War Memorial and Museum WHERE: 1200 U St. NW STATION: U Street/Cardozo-African American Civil War Memorial (Green Line) COST: Free The nation’s first and only memorial to the African Americans that served in the Civil War, this museum honors the sacrifice and bravery of these troops.

Recreation Washington Nationals WHERE: 1500 South Capitol St. SE STATION: Navy Yard (Green Line) COST: Tickets start at $10 If you’re OK with sitting in the nosebleeds, consider catching a Washington Nationals game for only $10.

It’ll be well worth the ticket to see new pitching phenomenon Stephen Strasburg on the mound.

One-Stop-Shopping The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City WHERE: 1100 South Hayes St., Arlington, Va. STATION: Pentagon City (Yellow and Blue Lines) COST: Varies by store Commonly known as the Pentagon City mall, this three-floor shopping center is perfect for an indoor shopping spree. With over 170 stores and a food court, it's well worth the long commute.

CITY LIVING— Grab a delicious falafel at Amsterdam Falafelshop in Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan, left, or read a good book at Politics and Prose on upper Connecticut Avenue, right.

blue LINE / orange LINE Food Georgetown Cupcake WHERE: 3301 M St. NW STATION: Foggy Bottom (Blue and Orange Lines) COST: Cupcakes and drinks cost around $3 Whether you visit after a meal or just for fun, your sweet tooth will fall in love with this famous bakery.

Now the star of TLC’s “DC Cupcakes,” they use the finest ingredients to create cupcakes that are well worth the 20-minute wait and $2.75.

Though all 90 flavors are fantastic, the red velvet and chocolate ganache cupcakes are a must.

Food We, the Pizza WHERE: 303 Pennsylvania Ave. SE STATION: Capitol South (Blue and Orange Lines) COST: $4-5 for a slice, $1618 for a pie For all the New Yorkers and New Jerseyans craving a slice of home, try this New York-style pizzeria with its specialty pies.

Entertainment Eastern Market WHERE: 225 7th St. SE STATION: Eastern Market (Blue and Orange Lines) COST: Free Eastern Market is the District’s oldest continually operated fresh food public market. It has been a great place to buy fresh fruits and vegetables and to peoplewatch for the past 136 years.

Museums/Monuments/ Memorials Korean War Veterans Memorial WHERE: National Mall STATION: Foggy Bottom (Blue and Orange Lines) COST: Free The haunting faces of the infantrymen coming out of woods make this one of the most stirring monuments in D.C. Visiting this and other memorials on the National Mall at night is something every student should do.

Recreation National Arboretum WHERE: 3501 New York Ave. NE STATION: Metrobus B-2 via Stadium Armory (Blue and Orange Lines) COST: Free If you grow tired of city blocks, take a trip to the National Arboretum to remember what nature looks like. The Bonsai garden closes early, so be sure to make that one of your first stops.

One-Stop-Shopping The Shops at Georgetown Park WHERE: 3222 M St. NW STATION: Rosslyn (Blue and Orange lines) COST: Varies by store Smaller than the other area malls, the Shops at Georgetown Park offers high-end stores including Anthropologie, J. Crew and Dean and DeLuca.

Recreation Rock Creek Park WHERE: 5200 Glover Rd. NW (Nature Center and Planetarium) STATION: Van Ness (Red Line) COST: Free This national park offers many cycling, hiking, rollerblading and running trails.

Don’t forget to bring a bag lunch to enjoy nature at one of the many picnic spots.

One-Stop-Shopping Old Post Office Pavilion WHERE: 1100 Pennsylvania Ave. NW STATION: Metro Center (Red Line) COST: Varies by store With an observation deck 270 feet up, the Old Post Office Tower gives you one of the best views of D.C. for free but also provides stores and an international food court. But if you want to keep your head out of the clouds, be sure to check out the stores featuring tours of the city – on foot, Segway, trolley and bike.

red LINE Food Greek Deli WHERE: 1120 19th St. NW STATION: Dupont Circle (Red Line) COST: Sandwiches cost around $7, entrees cost around $10 A location named a best “Dirt Cheap Eat” by Washingtonian Magazine, Greek Deli’s daily line out the door proves it is one of the city’s best culinary finds. Order the lamb souvlaki sandwich and the chicken lemon soup for a truly fantastic and filling meal. Greek Deli is only open weekdays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., so plan an afterclass lunch trip. Your taste buds will beg you to return.

Food Amsterdam Falafelshop WHERE: 2425 18th St. NW STATION: Woodley ParkZoo/Adams Morgan (Red Line) COST: $6 for a falafel, $4 for fries This vegetarian eatery offers falafels and fries that won’t break the bank, offered with a choice of 21 different sauces and toppings.

This takes fast food to an environmental level, with small packaging to reduce the store’s carbon footprint.

Entertainment Politics and Prose WHERE: 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW STATION: Van Ness (Red Line) COST: Events are free This independent bookstore/café not only supplies the literature, but the authors too. Within two miles from AU and even closer to the Tenleytown/AU Metro station, Politics and Prose hosts free events occur regularly, bringing readers together with their favorite writers. A café downstairs seals the deal.

Museums/Monuments/ Memorials National Building Museum, 'Lego Architecture: Towering Ambition' Exhibit WHERE: 401 F St. NW STATION: Judiciary Square (Red Line) COST: $5 Tired of thinking collegiate thoughts? Go back to your childhood with these huge Lego reproductions of famous structures like the Empire State Building and the Sears Tower. The model of the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, took 340 hours to build, is 17 1/2 feet high and uses 450,300 Lego bricks.

August 16, 2010

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Guide to AU 15

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Get down to serious work with these quiet, or not-so-quiet study spots

By ALLIE MOONEY and STEPHAN CHO

that supports steady work.

Eagle Staff Writers

Bender Library A classic choice, the library is a fitting choice for both individual study and group work. There are private study rooms on the first floor and incredibly comfortable office chairs in the basement floor that you should score if you are in for a long night.

The second floor is the "quiet floor" (the couches near the elevator provide a view of the quad), and the Mudbox on the lower level offers the important study tools of caffeine and sugar. The library rents laptops, headphones, locks and other supplies, but it can be a hunt to find a socket to plug in your electronics. Bender Library is open 24 hours a day Sunday to Thursday, and closes at 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

It's Sunday morning. The clock reads 11:00 a.m., and you've hit the snooze button too many times to remember. Slipping out of your grogginess, you realize you've accomplished less than half of the schoolwork you need to have done for Monday. For these times when you are in search of the best location to do some damage control, here are some spots on campus that may serve you well.

Battelle-Tompkins Atrium The Battelle-Tompkins Atrium has the perks of being outside — natural lighting and white noise — without the distractions of squirrels, birds, bugs or passing friends. The small lounge area in the building is home of the College of Arts and Sciences offices, and the quiet comings and goings-on of the offices allow for a calm atmosphere

"The Beach" If you require some extra vitamin D and a little background noise to study, claim a spot on "The Beach."

The Beach is that scraggly

patch of grass between Mary Graydon Center and South side dorms frequently covered with sunbathers and Frisbee-throwers. Generally quieter than the Quad, the Beach is a good option when you need some fresh air to complete a reading assignment. The only catch: You might get distracted people-watching. But you'll probably get a tan too.

The Davenport Lounge After moving from its original location in the old School of International Service building, The Davenport Lounge is a promising place to curl up with coffee and get your study on.

The intimate setting and warm colors give the Davenport a relaxed, academic atmosphere, with enough background noise to prevent any deafening silence.

Often called the "Dav," this coffee shop will have brand new equipment to keep up with the steady stream of students between classes and will have a more intui-

tive layout to help with line management. The Dav is overall a great place to go to relax, curl up with a book and get things done.

Dorm study lounges If you are particularly distracted by noise, check out the sound vacuums that are the Anderson and Letts Hall study lounges. Comfortable couches and numerous tables will surround you in a studious environment, so head to the Letts or Anderson study lounges if you need to force yourself to finish an assignment on time.

The Centennial study rooms are equipped with a wide table so that you can spread out and stay focused. The Hughes formal lounge is has many tables and chairs, and people are often dispersed throughout the room to get their last bit of homework done.

The Katzen Arts Center The Katzen building across Massachusetts Avenue from main campus is not only

home to AU's art student population, but it is also a good outlet for a quick escape. From the moment you enter, the muted noises of busy students and the beams of light from the overhead sunroofs will create an atmosphere of quiet concentration. The two floors of the main complex are peppered with an assortment of comfortable lounge seats.

Kay Spiritual Life Center Basement While AU's chaplains and others may sometimes reserve this space for events, services and meetings, it can also be a great place to peek in and grab a seat for some study time. The staff of the chaplains' offices are friendly passers-by in this generally quiet environment.

Main Quad If you feel like taking a break from the stifling busybody environment of the library, take your books outside for a change. The Main Quad is an excellent place to

read a book, take a nap or just have a pow-wow with some friends. Naturally, it's also a great way to mingle and make new friends, as you're likely to see fellow students hanging out in between classes or playing impromptu games of Frisbee or volleyball.

Picnic tables between McDowell and Hughes (next to the giant statue from Easter Island) Another great outdoor location, the picnic tables on the deck behind McDowell and Hughes are just secluded enough to foster focus without feeling claustrophobic. The hustle and bustle of outdoor activity is kept to a minimum in this spot, but you still get the fresh air, sunlight and other advantages of being outdoors.

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REESE FLYNN MCARDLE / THE EAGLE

THE VIEW’S NOT SO BAD — While the beautiful view can be distracting, the second floor of the library offers serious quiet for those looking for a classic study environment. Don’t be surprised to find a few sleeping upperclassmen splayed out on the couches between classes. The library also has group study rooms if you want to hammer-out a group project or just chat with friends.

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see STUDY on page 15

Mary Graydon Center and Ward Lobby.

At a glance, the first floor of the Ward building is remarkably similar to the Mary Graydon Center lobby. While not exactly the most ideal places to study on campus, they conveniently come equipped with food and snack outlets. If you have an early class, familiarize yourself with these locations. They are excellent spots to brush up on some last minute notes before class while sipping on morning coffee and having a quick bite to eat. news@theeagleonline.com

Behind these walls: What’s in a name?

By STEFANIE DAZIO Eagle Staff Writer Have you ever walked through Mary Graydon Center and wondered who Mary Graydon is? The Eagle went to AU Archivist Susan McElrath to find out "who's who" in regard to some prominent AU buildings.

Eric Friedheim Quadrangle Dedicated: 1991 AU Alum Eric A. Friedheim was a journalist and publisher. His name is also on the School of Communication's Journalism Center. The quad was dedicated in 1991, 11 years before Friedheim's death.

Hurst Hall Previous name: College of History building Groundbreaking: March 9, 1896 Completed: February 1, 1898 John Fletcher Hurst, a Methodist bishop of D.C., founded AU and served as its first chancellor.

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Guide to AU 16

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Katzen Arts Center Groundbreaking: November 14, 2002 Opened: 2005 Cyrus and Myrtle Katzen donated $15 million in money and art to the

AU Arts Center, according to the Washington Post.

Myrtle had previously taken art classes at AU. McKinley Building Previous names: Ohio College of Government, McKinley Memorial Building, McKinley Hall Cornerstone: May 14, 1902 by President Theodore Roosevelt Completed: 1917 President William McKinley was a friend of John Fletcher Hurst.

Kay Spiritual Life Center Groundbreaking: June 9, 1963 Dedication: October 3, 1965 Abraham S. Kay, donor and AU Trustee (195463), was also a Washington civic leader, businessman and philanthropist.

Kay, a Jew, was originally worried that his donation for a spiritual center to a Methodist campus might cause some problems, but then-AU president Hurst Anderson convinced him it would only add to the school's diversity, according to AU records.

Mary Graydon Center Previous names: University Hall (1925), Women’s Residence Hall (1926),

Mary Graydon Hall (1946) Completed: 1925 Mary E. Graydon donated money to AU in 1894 that would be solely used for women's education, with the stipulation that she not be associated with her gift and that "no publicity be given to [her] name.”

Her gift has become the Patrick Clendenen Fund for Women's and Gender History in the Department of History, named after her grandfather, according to AU records. Since then, the building, which was formerly a women’s residence hall has become a student center, bearing her name.

Battelle-Tompkins Construction: Central core (1926), West Wing (1957), North Wing (1964) The central core of the Battelle-Tompkins building was built as a memorial to the Battelle family.

John Gordon Battelle, Jr. was an AU Trustee from 1920 to 1923. The building’s wings were named in honor of the Charles H. & Lida R. Tompkins Foundation.

Kogod School of Business Previous names: John Sherman Myers Law Building and New Lecture

Hall (separate buildings) Groundbreaking: 1963 Dedication: 1964 The main building was constructed to serve as the home of the Washington College of Law, which merged with AU in 1949 and was named in honor of John Sherman Myers, the dean of WCL from 1956 to 1967. The New Lecture Hall opened in September 1968 and connected to Kogod in 2009.

Business mogul Robert Kogod and his wife Arlene donated a "generous gift" to the university, according to AU records.

Bender Library Groundbreaking: May 14, 1977 Opened: January 15, 1979 Dedicated: April 21, 1979 Named in honor of Jack I. and Dorothy G. Bender (Bender Family Foundation).

Bender Arena Groundbreaking: 1985 Opened: 1988 Howard Bender and his wife Sondra, then an AU trustee, funded the arena, named for Howard's father Jack. However, the arena is sometimes known as the Phil Bender Arena, although no Phil Bender

actually exists. In 2006, some students made up "Phil" – a short, chubby, bald man, according to the Washington Post.

Butler Pavilion Opened: 1987 AU alum and Trustee Abbey Joel Butler donated $1 million to AU, according to the New York Times.

The combined Bender Arena-Butler Pavilion complex was known as the Adnan Khashoggi Sports and Convocation Center when built, named after Adnan Khashoggi, a Saudi Arabian arms dealer who was a member of AU's board of trustees.

Khashoggi was later tied to the Iran-Contra affair, and his name was subsequently removed from the building.

Ward Circle Building Opened: February 1969 This building is bordered

by Ward Circle, named for Revolutionary War Major General Artemas Ward, George Washington's second-in-command. sdazio@theeagleonline.com

business @theeagleonline.com

REESE FLYNN MCARDLE / THE EAGLE

MARY GRAYDON CENTER — Mary E. Graydon donated money to AU in 1894 with the stipulation that it be used exclusively for women’s education and that “no publicity be given to [her] name.”

August 16, 2010

Guide to AU 17

theEAGLE

Meet the president: Kerwin still loves AU, 40 years later

By STEFANIE DAZIO Eagle Staff Writer

EAGLE FILE PHOTO

RELAY FOR LIFE — The AU community raised over $48,000 last year to help fight cancer. The all-night event usually takes place in Bender Arena.

Mark these on your calendar: D.C. and AU events for this year

By JULIA RYAN Eagle Staff Writer Every AU student knows that there are a few events that can't be missed this school year. Here are some of them: Sept. 6-11 – CIVITAS Week There's no better way to learn how to become a part of the AU student body than CIVITAS week. In past CIVITAS weeks, AU students have learned how to be more respectful and civil to each other through workshops, social events, a Wellness Fair and a prominent keynote speaker. The Kennedy Political Union will be bringing “Hardball” host Chris Matthews to speak on Sept. 7th. Later in the year, look for KPU to bring in a big-time former presidential candidate.

Sept. 19-25 – Artemas Ward Week – The SG coordinates this annual week of fun in honor of Revolutionary War hero Artemas Ward, whose statue stands in the center of Ward Circle.

Past Ward Week events have included a movie screening from the Student Union Board, panels and speakers from various student groups and a closing celebration on the quad.

Oct. 2 – AIDS Walk Washington – The AU community has always had a large presence in this five-kilometer walk on Pennsylvania

Avenue. AU students and student groups often form teams and, in past years, have come in the top 10 for fundraising. Money raised during the walk benefits the HIV/AIDS programs of Whitman-Walker Clinic, according to the AIDS Walk Washington website.

Oct. 5 – Breastival – Women's Initiative will sponsor their fifth annual festival to educate students about breast cancer and other women's health issues. Past Breastivals have included information booths as well as games, food and various freebies.

Nov. 9 – Women's Initiative Dance Marathon – This dance marathon, sponsored

by Women's Initiative, will raise money for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, according to Women's Initiative Director Quinn Pregliasco. The entire campus community is invited to come together and dance the night away for a good cause.

Nov. 15 – Elton John Charity Tennis Event – Music megastar Elton John and tennis legend Billie Jean King have chosen AU's Bender Arena as the site of their 18th annual World Team Tennis Smash Hits charity event, according to the World Team Tennis website. John and King will each captain teams composed of tennis champions such as Andre Agassi, Anna

Kournikova and Stefanie Graf. Money raised from the event will go to local D.C. AIDS charities and the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

March – Greek Week – If you choose to go Greek, don't miss this week of friendly competition. Sororities and fraternities band together in teams to compete and earn points. Last year the team with the most points at the end of Greek Week took home $1,000 to donate to their favorite charities.

April 11 – Take Back the Night – Over 400 people turned out last year for a night of protest and remembrance of sexual assault. The event, sponsored by Women's Initiative, usually starts with a march and is followed by a forum in which participants can tell their personal stories.

April – Relay for Life – After weeks of fundraising, the AU community comes together at this all-night event to enjoy food, entertainment and music. The Relay for Life committee raised over $48,000 at last year's event.

April – SUB End of the Year Concert – The Student Union Board gives a final send-off to AU students with a big-name artist in Bender Arena. Past concerts have included Thirty Seconds to Mars, Jimmy Eat World and Bob Dylan.

For Dr. Cornelius Kerwin, running AU is a family affair.

Kerwin met his wife Ann, — who graduated with an art history major in 1971 — in the spring of their junior year, and married her about a year after graduation.

Their elder son Michael, a 2005 graduate, met his wife, Kara, here as well.

As AU's first alumnus president, Kerwin chose this university and his major —

Kerwin attended AU through a series of loans, and he worked several jobs on campus while a student here. He spent time working in the microbiology lab, as well as in the first beer hall on campus.

After having to take out loans for school, Kerwin makes it one of his yearly goals to raise additional funds for student scholarships.

"I have a pretty good sense of the challenges that a lot of students face financially," Kerwin said.

Although Kerwin spent

"I have a pretty good sense of the challenges that a lot of students face financially," -Neil Kerwin political science — because of his father's one-year term as a Connecticut state senator.

"I was interested in politics very early in my life because of my father," Kerwin said.

Despite his love of politics, Kerwin never wanted to follow in his father's footsteps and run for office.

Kerwin came to AU in the 1960s to study the social and political change going on in the nation's capital — opportunities which would not have been available to him in Connecticut.

Kerwin is well known for his love of basketball, on display every year at the annual "Shootout: Battle of the Presidents" with the Student Government president. Kerwin lost for the first time last year to former-SG President Andy MacCracken.

But when he was a student here, Kerwin tried out for the Eagle basketball team.

He didn't make it.

"In retrospect, I didn't have the talent to be competitive at the college level," he said.

"I have to grudgingly admit that the coach made the right decision."

his college summers playing sandlot ball and working at a factory in Connecticut, these days he spends his summers traveling and planning for the coming year.

"This is a 12-month institution," he said, adding that he puts in the same hours yearround.

He starts his day between 6 and 6:30 a.m., works out every other day, sends and reads scores of e-mails and attends countless meetings, both on and off AU's campus.

Kerwin has worked at AU for the past 35 years — he started in 1975 as a faculty member in the School of Public Affair's Department of Public Administration and has been at the University ever since. Including his years as an undergrad, Kerwin has been at AU for a total of nearly 40 years.

But for Kerwin, nothing is more rewarding than his work here.

"I've always loved what I do." sdazio@theeagleonline.com

neil KERWIN stats

AU POSITIONS AU’s 14th President (Sept. 2007-Present) Acting and Interim President (2005-2007) Provost (1997-2005) Dean of School of Public Affairs (1988-1997) Faculty in SPA, Department of Public Administration (1975-1988) DEGREES BA in Political Science (AU) MA in Political Science (University of Rhode Island) PhD in Political Science (Johns Hopkins University) HONORS A 2009 Washingtonian of the Year (Washingtonian magazine, Jan. 2010 issue) A fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration A former president of the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration Founding Chair of the Section on Public Law and Administration of the American Society for Public Administration Member of the board of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities Source: american.edu.

August 16, 2010

SG Executives ready for coming year with new goals, initiatives Profiles of Bronstein, Tagami, Levandoski and Hiebel

By ALLIE MOONEY Eagle Staff Writer Nate Bronstein President Nate Bronstein is a junior in the School of Public Affairs and the School of International Service and hopes to revive the Student Government with a renewed sense of community both among SG senators and between the SG and the rest of the student body.

Aside from Bronstein's work in the SG, the native Pennsylvanian is a Bald Eagle expert at the Philadelphia Zoo, where he volunteered there during his senior year of high school.

He dreams of using education and politics together to empower youth, and in 10 years he hopes that he "will be out of debt from AU, [will be] teaching in Philadelphia and will have successfully coordinated service resources in the region to connect youth and empower them to make a difference in the world."

Maia Tagami Vice President Maia Tagami, a senior in SPA and the School of Communication and newcomer to the Student Government scene, is vice president for the SG. Tagami dreams of eventually lobbying for issues and policies in D.C. once she graduates.

Tagami is working for the students of AU by overseeing programming, special events, the Kennedy Political Union and the Student Union Board. Tagami is overseeing the planning of Welcome Weeks as her first major project as vice president.

"We are doing things differently than we have in the past, and it's coming together very nicely. It is looking to be one of the best Welcome Weeks yet, if I may say so myself," Tagami said.

Guide to AU 18

theEAGLE

Tagami dreams of being a rockstar (a la Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs) and enjoys Trolli gummy worms and pineapple as her favorite snack.

Ed Levandoski Comptroller When it gets down to the logistics and financial concerns of the SG, Ed Levandoski is your man.

Levandoski, a senior in SPA, will be serving as comptroller for this year's Undergraduate Senate.

He has been working over the summer preparing the AUTO and Bike Lending Programs for the coming year. As for his plans for the financial realm of SG, Levandoski plans to make the organization more fiscally transparent.

The comptroller also has an affinity for dinosaurs, particularly the Stegosaurus.

"All I know is that whatever job I take, I want to be able to make a difference in whatever field I am in," he says.

Kent Hiebel Secretary Kent Hiebel will be serving as the SG's secretary.

A sophomore in SPA and SOC, Hiebel is working hard to ensure the availability of the SG to the student body through developing the orientation magazine, "The American Companion," along with a revamped website and logo. His favorite class at AU was Writing for Mass Communication, and he hopes to eventually do legal work for a government organization in the future.

Hiebel encourages freshmen to get involved.

"AU and Washington, D.C. offer some amazing ways for you to do just about anything," Hiebel said. amooney@theeagleonline. com

Former AU employee admits to stealing $400,000 from WCL journal

By STEFANIE DAZIO Eagle Staff Writer A former AU employee pleaded guilty May 20 to stealing nearly $400,000 worth of checks made out to AU law journals over a period of six years, according to the office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia.

Martine Tavakoli will be sentenced for interstate transportation of stolen property on Sept. 22 and faces up to 10 years in prison.

Tavakoli worked at the AU Law Review, a student-run legal journal, from 1981 through September 2009.

Tavakoli, 49, of McLean, Va., worked first as an administrative assistant for the Law Review and was promoted in 1998 to coordinator, law journals, according to the U.S. attorney's office.

In September 1998, Tavakoli opened a new bank account under the joint name "AULR c/o Martine Tavakoli," using the AU taxpayer identification number and

her own home address at a branch of SunTrust Bank in McLean, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Officials say Tavakoli deposited checks made payable to the Law Review and the other law journals in the secret bank account, a total of just under $400,000, from January 2003 to June 2009.

As part of her plea agreement, she will pay back this sum to AU's law journals.

AU personnel confronted her about the account in September 2009, when she confessed to using the funds to pay her rent, credit card bills and other personal expenses on a regular basis, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Tavakoli's theft and transport of the funds to Virginia is a federal felony, according to Ben Friedman, special counsel to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia.

The next step is the filing of sentencing memoranda, in which the two sides make arugments for how long Tavakoli should serve in prison. The memoranda

must be submitted by Sept.

10, according to Bill Miller, spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia.

After that, Tavakoli will be sentenced in a public hearing on Sept. 22 in front of U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman at the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, Miller said.

While the maximum sentence can be up to 10 years, Friedman said sentencing guidelines recommend 18 to 24 months in prison and repayment of stolen property.

Assistant Federal Public Defender Mary Petras is representing Tavakoli in the case, according to the D.C. Federal District Court, but Petras was unavailable for comment.

SunTrust Bank representatives declined to comment, citing confidentiality.

Lepre said university policy prohibits her from discussing Tavakoli's employment and termination. sdazio@theeagleonline.com

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August 16, 2010

Sports 19

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Left: Courtesy of UCINTERNATIONAL/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS. Right: REESE FLYNN MCARDLE / THE EAGLE

TAKE ME OUT TO THE GAME – AU students looking to get their sports fix can cheer on the Nationals at their ballpark, left, or the Capitals at the Verizon Center, right. Nationals Park has a wide variety of tasty food options, including Ben’s Chili Bowl. The Verizon Center also hosts the Wizards, Mystics and the Georgetown men’s basketball team.

Get your sports fix at local stadiums

By TYLER TOMEA Eagle Staff Writer Need a change of scenery from Bender Arena or Reeves Field? Maybe you just want to see non-AU sports like baseball and football. Here’s a quick guide to D.C.’s major sports venues.

Verizon Center How to get there One of the easiest D.C. sports venues to get to is the Verizon Center, which hosts the Capitals, Wizards, Mystics and the Georgetown Hoyas men’s basketball team. Students trying to get to the arena from AU’s main campus need to take the shuttle from campus to the Tenleytown Metro station.

Once there, they’ll need to hop on the Red Line and plan on getting off at the Gallery Place-Chinatown stop, about a 15-minute ride. After arriving at the stop, there will be signs within the station pointing towards the Verizon

Center.

Why or why not to go there However, AU students might want to think about eating at the Terrace Dining Room before heading over for a game. In late July, ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” provided a comprehensive list of health inspection summaries at stadiums and arenas that hosted teams in the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB in 2009. 100 percent of the vendors at the Verizon Center had critical violations, meaning each stand had at least one thing going seriously wrong.

An excerpt from the report reads, “Mice droppings, a critical violation in Washington, were found at at least 10 vendors.”

Ted Leonsis, owner of the Capitals and Wizards, issued a statement on his blog, tedstake.com.

“I was surprised and disappointed by ESPN’s recent industry-wide report

and ratings related to the cleanliness of professional sports venues, including Verizon Center,” said Leonsis. “I will personally get involved in the process and the solutions.”

For our sake, let’s hope so.

Field using the Metro, students need to travel on the Red Line and arrive at the Metro Center station.

The next step is to transfer onto the Blue Line and get off at the Morgan Boulevard stop. After exiting the Metro gates, the walk is a mile to the stadium making the trip a total of

“I will personally get involved in the process and the solutions.”

-Ted Leonsis

FedEx Field How to get there FedEx Field is home to the Redskins and is one of the largest stadiums in the NFL with a seating capacity of 91,704, according to Sports Illustrated.

In order to get to FedEx

over one hour.

Why or why not to go there Unfortunately, the stadium itself leaves something to be desired. Despite being large and in a football-crazed market,

Sports Illustrated ranked the stadium No. 28 out of 32 NFL stadiums in terms of “NFL Fan Value Experience” in a 2007 story.

“FedEx Field looks like a big slab of concrete that exudes no sense of history, leaving long-time fans feeling like strangers,” the Sports Illustrated report read. “You never get the sense of the neighborhood surrounding the stadium,” the report continued.

“There’s absolutely nowhere to hang out before or after the game.”

Nationals Park How to get there To get to the two-yearold stadium, students need to take the Red Line to the Gallery-Place Chinatown stop. Once there, the Green Line needs to be taken to the Navy Yard station. The stadium is only a few blocks way, access is easy, and the trip takes about half an hour.

Why or why not to go there The stadium itself isn’t exactly a beauty from the outside but inside nice sightlines, comfortable seating and an open, airy atmosphere make the watching experience pleasurable enough.

Unfortunately, the stadium’s red seats are often overrun with fans for out-of-town teams, making home become enemy territory, especially if the Phillies or Mets come to town.

When at Nats Park, make sure to look for transplanted famous D.C. eating spots like Five Guys and Ben’s Chili Bowl. Sure, it’s not the real thing, but for a baseball game, it’s tough to beat a half-smoke.

Views from within the ballpark, especially of the U.S. Capitol dome in some seating areas, can enhance the viewing experience. ttomea@theeagleonline. com

August 16, 2010 from GUIDE on page 24 ranked third and fifth in assists last season.

Q

Men’s Basketball The AU men’s basketball team returns this year with new additions to its coaching staff and seasoned players, after ending a hardfought post-season run that fell short of its third consecutive NCAA tournament appearance last year.

Powerhouses senior Vlad Moldoveanu and junior Stephen Lumpkins, who led the team in points last season averaging 18.1 points per game and 13.0 points per game respectively, are expected to provide the baskets and entertainment AU fans are looking for this year.

In addition, this will be Moldoveanu’s first full season with the AU Eagles, after joining his teammates mid season last year. Pull out your “AU hearts Vlad” gear and get ready for some ball.

Women’s Basketball Last season the AU women’s basketball team finished 13-1 in conference play, only to fall short of the conference title. Returning this year with many of the same players and five recruits, the team has all the elements for a successful season and deserves a packed house each home game.

Ready for their senior year are offensive threats Liz Leer and Michelle Kirk, both aggressive players who led the Eagles in scoring last season, averaging 12.6 points per game and 17. 7 points per game respectively. The players’ chemistry on the court, combined with offensive support from their teammates, is a recipe for conference success.

Expect to see a familiar face on the sidelines this season, 2010 AU alumna and powerhouse forward Ohemaa Nyanin is the team’s new director of women’s basketball operations.

Nyanin’s hire will hopefully help to continue last season’s solid team dynamics.

Wrestling AU wrestling finished its 2010 season sending five student-athletes to the 2010 NCAA Championships, and placed 14th overall, a new program record. But of the three wrestlers who placed

Sports 20

theEAGLE in the championship, only senior Steve Fittery returns to AU this fall.

Fittery placed fifth in the championship in the 157-pound weight group and will surely want another taste of the NCAA tournament this season.

Many of the wrestlers on the team are redshirt athletes who did not compete in a previous season in order to focus on training and schoolwork. With a year of additional practice under their belts, the AU redshirt wrestlers will be back this season looking for a consecutive trip to the NCAA Championship.

Swimming and Diving AU swimming and diving saw key athletes graduate in Spring 2010, among them 2010 Patriot League Champion in the men’s 100-meter backstroke, Matt Pelletier.

Despite the losses, Swimming and Diving Coach Mark Davin continues this season with a group of model student-athletes. For the third consecutive semester, the men’s team earned the highest grade-point average of any Division I team in the country with a 3.463 in the Spring 2010 semester. The women’s team was fourth in the country in its category with a 3.586 GPA. Two more reason to catch a meet are seniors Jessica Ballance and Dorothy Isaacs, who return this season with one last chance to break the few school records they haven’t already broken.

Volleyball This season, the AU volleyball team will have a leg up on its opponents thanks to five senior players who have plenty of Patriot League experience.

Senior Cassandra Ricketts, standing tall at 6 feet 3 inches, had the third most blocks last season and is sure to deny more kills this year.

Her classmate, senior Angelina Waterman, led the team in kills last year, with a total of 361, and will definitely be a crowd pleaser this season if she can repeat that accomplishment.

Bringing new life to the Eagles this season are two additions to the coaching staff, Michael Rupp and Ajola Berisha. Rupp played volleyball professionally for the U.S. national team and

EAGLE FILE PHOTO

LACROSSE AT AU – Midfielder Samantha Marshall is swarmed by the Davidson defense during an April game at Jacobs Field. The team finished last year with a 3-3 conference record. brings 12 years of experience to the team. Berisha is a 2001 graduate of AU and helped lead the Eagles to an NCAA tournament appearance in 1998.

Track and Field Back this year for his 12th season with AU track and field is Head Coach Matt Centrowitz, countless runners have flourished under Centrowitz’s guidance and the same should be expected this year.

Senior Colin Eustis, who won 10,000 meter title at the 2010 Patriot League Championship, is back this season and surely has his eye of more Patriot League titles. Another athlete who constantly pushes himself is junior Zach Wright, a high jumper who won AU’s first ever field event title at the 2010 Patriot League Championship. Wright matched the university’s high jump record to win last season, and is back this year with a chance to beat that same record.

Cross Country AU Cross Country returns this year with a strong pack of junior and sophomore

runners.

For the men’s team, the now junior runners had success their sophomore year, with Josh Olsen, Craig Brown and Ryan Williams helped the Eagles place in multiple conference meets.

Also expect more from senior Colin Eustis this year, a student-athlete who strides for perfect on the course and in class.

Last year, senior Greta Wicklund led the women’s cross country team and was named the 2009 Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Now, all eyes are turned towards junior Octavia Rinehardt, a veteran runner who placed 35th at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional. kgreubel@theeagleonline. com

from NATS on page 24 of the Nationals squad for years to come.

Q

Nationals Park A new addition to the District in 2008, Nationals Park was a pristine palace compared to the Nats’ previous park, RFK. While it looks a bit industrial and lacks the beauty of Camden Yards in Baltimore, Nationals Park provides everything a fan needs. There is great food including a Ben’s Chili Bowl and Five Guys stand.

In addition to having some good D.C. grub, Nationals Park is located down the street from the Navy Yard Metro stop on the Green Line.

They will win ... eventually Make no mistake about it, the Nationals in all likelihood will not be a playoff team for a couple of years.

But they will definitely

make a run relatively soon.

Sophomores and freshmen at AU might be able to see the Nationals in a playoff race before they leave. With all the young talent the Nationals have been accumulating over the last few years it would make sense. By the time current freshmen are getting ready to graduate, 17-year-old phenom Bryce Harper (another first pick for the Nats) could be an everyday outfielder for a first place Nats squad.

The other benefit to this is that when the Nationals do win, you can say that you were there when they were in last. You cheered for them when they won and were disappointed when they lost. But when they start to win, and they will, you can say I am a true fan, through thick and thin. slindauer@theeagleonline. com

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21

OPINION

August 16, 2010

Letter from the editor: Keep an open mind Dear American University Freshmen,

EAGLE FILE PHOTO

CAPTAIN AMERICAN — Nate Bronstein, right, sitting with former Student Government President Andy MacCracken. Bronstein’s plans for AU include improving AU’s sense of community and making better connections with other colleges in D.C.

Act locally: Make a difference in SG Build your resume while building a community

By LINDA BARNHART Eagle Staff Writer It is the largest organization on campus. Its influence can be seen everywhere, from the residence halls to the academic buildings. Student Government is here - and they want you to be a part of it.

AU’s Student Government is a great way to get involved in campus life. From the class and school councils to more specific organizations like Kennedy Political Union and Women’s Initiative, there plenty of ways for you to get involved in something you are passionate about.

Why SG? What do they do?

SG directly impacts your life and affects how the administration looks at students, says Director of Outreach and Recruitment Jose Morales. It is not just a resume builder, it is a chance to have your say in what goes on around campus. So if you want to help make this year’s Founders’ Day Ball spectacular or maybe meet some of the musicians performing in Bender Arena or the Tavern, SG is for you.

SG hosts a multitude of

events each semester, ranging from political to purely entertaining. The Student Union Board (SUB) regularly hosts movie screenings in Ward, showing some of the most recent movies, and it brings musical acts to campus, ranging from Josh Kelley to Paramore to Jimmy Eat World. B.o.B. will be performing in the Tavern on August 20th.

The Kennedy Political Union has brought many political speakers to AU, including former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich.

SG responsible for events of Welcome Weeks, including Quad After Dark and the free AUTO shuttle services to IKEA and Target. The SG also puts on the Founders’ Day Ball, a formal event for students held each spring semester (usually).

How can I sign up?

If you are already interested, or even merely intrigued, visit www.join.ausg.org. SG has created a website where you can sign up for e-mails regarding openings or volunteer opportunities in the departments you are interested in. You can also sign up or talk to an SG member during Welcome Weeks at

the Club Fair or at any SG event throughout the year.

“Recruitment is a yearround process,” Morales said. “Every SG event is a recruitment event.”

What if I am not much into politics? Is there still something I can do?

For those of you worried that SG is all politics, “it’s not,” says Morales. SG offers a wide variety of opportunities to draw all interests, whether you are an aspiring politician or a budding public relations director. There are still openings in several SG departments, including Unity and Spirit, Outreach and Recruitment, Transportation, Health and Student Advocacy. Volunteers are also needed for events put on by SUB and the mostlyannual Founders’ Day ball.

Two general interest meetings are being held at the end of this month: Tuesday, Aug. 31 in Butler Conference Room from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, Sept. 1 in McDowell Formal Lounge from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m., according to the AUSG website.

I am a freshman looking to jump right into the politics of SG. What are the best

ways to get involved in the legislative side?

Elections for freshmen class council and school councils will be held in September, and they offer a great starting point for those who want to climb the SG ladder. For example, current executive branch Secretary Kent Heibel, a sophomore, started at the class council level last year. Senate elections will also be held this fall, which is another way to get involved in the more political side of SG. Returning students can also run for Senate seats, although class council elections were held last spring.

I am a returning student to AU, and I am a bit jaded about SG. Why should I get involved? “This year, we mean business,” says Morales. This year, SG is all about “cutting the crap,” admitting mistakes and building trust. “The passion to help the campus is unparalleled,” says Morales. “This is a new SG.” lbarnhart@theeagleonline. com

Welcome to AU. Over the next four years you spend at AU or, perhaps, another institution, you will have the opportunity to truly grow into the person you wish to be. If you grow correctly, you will be well prepared to enter the world and contribute. If you grow wrong, you will have wasted time and money. The choice is yours

fishy-sounding facts. There are lies, damned lies, statistics and uniformed idiots who make things up. Don’t listen to that person - definitely don’t be that person.

Allow your ideologies to float free for a bit. If you leave college without seriously changing your mind at least three times (changing back counts), then you didn’t really attend college.

Whether Republican, Democrat or anything else, you

"There are opportunities here that you have never had before." alone. Professors, parents and guidance counselors cannot make you work harder, attend classes, do your reading or study for your tests. They cannot make you get internships or jobs in the city, and they cannot make jungle juice-induced hangovers disappear on Wednesday morning.

Welcome to college. There are opportunities here that you have never had before: opportunities to meet important people, volunteer for various causes and do interesting things.

Welcome to a world where there are people much smarter and more informed than you. Do yourself a favor and listen to them, be they your roommate or your professor. Do yourself another favor and check any

still have much to learn. Allow your new-found knowledge to add nuances to your arguments or radically alter them. If you just want to learn how to better enunciate talking points, why are you here?

Be smart - and that means enjoying your weekends. Sitting in the library all day is worse than partying all day.

Books don’t talk back, people do. Term papers won’t write themselves, though.

Be a good person, and the world will open. It’s really that simple. The Eagle will be there to help you along.

Sincerely, Charlie Szold Editor in Chief The Eagle

August 16, 2010

Opinion 22

theEAGLE eagle RANTS

The only type of discrimination AU does not give a crap about is viewpoint discrimination. As long as you write the US is wrong and white males are responsible for the worlds suffering you get an A, all others B+.

I just found out there are cameras in the AU Library.

going to be once they finally turned 21. Reeeal mature, guys.

I missed Salsa’s delicious burritos this summer.

The only way AU could be better is if they added another sushi place next to the new sushi place and made it free.

I've had sex in the library.

Dear Eagle, You rock.

Love, An informed journalist Thanks financial aid, for taking five weeks to finally process my loans. I understand you take care of like, 6,000 kids, but my bank takes care of a ton more than that and they were able to get the papers in on time.

If you were a class, you’d fail.

(But thanks for the scholarship!)

Dear AU Central, When you combine 3 departments, you’re supposed to make things 3 times more efficient, not 3 times slower.

The frat boys on the shuttle next to me were blabbing about how old they were and how young all the freshmen looked – then they all started saying how cool life was

I am SO ANGRY that there is not going to be a Dunkin Donuts on campus.

There are 2 Starbucks within a 1-mile radius of this campus and NO Dunkins.

Eagle’s Nest, thanks for closing at 6 p.m. this summer.

Dear Leonard 3 Freshmen, Try NOT to be so antisocial. We won’t bite. Let’s be friends!

Love, A Sophomore Sweetheart I don’t know about y’all, but I would love to eat a burrito for a meal swipe before 8. Make it happen, Bon Appetit.

Stop and smell the arboretum.

I hate everybody.

A guide to the editorial page

By LINDA BARNHART Eagle Staff Writer Have an opinion? Care to share it with the AU community? We here at The Eagle are inviting you to submit your written opinions to be published in our public forum. However, before you set your ranting pen to paper (or rather, fingers to keyboard), there are a few things to learn about The Eagle’s editorial page.

What is an op-ed versus a column?

Op-eds and columns are fairly similar, as both express the opinion of the individual writer and do not represent the opinion of the newspaper (unlike the staff editorial).

Op-eds tend to be opinion pieces on any subject, whereas columns are separate pieces under an overarching theme. For example, in the past we’ve featured political and AU affairs columnists.

While we have several regular columnists at The Eagle, we occasionally feature guest columnists.

What is the staff editorial?

If your regular perusal of the editorial page, you usually will find an opinion piece with no byline. This is the staff editorial, an opinion piece formulated by the

entire staff of The Eagle, not just one person. Before our publication hits the stands around campus, we pick a news story we feel is important and weigh in on it. This isn’t to say that we all immediately agree on what you eventually read in print, or that we agree at all. In the interest of fostering debate on a particular issue, however, we feel that it is important that we show our stance on an issue so that it can be brought further to your attention.

Usually debate will go on for quite a bit before some common opinions can be identified.

So next time you eyes flick over the seemingly authorless piece (trust us, someone has to compile all the various opinions into one article that makes sense), give it a second glance.

How do I write an opinion piece?

There is more subtlety to writing an opinion piece than blatantly stating your beliefs.

While the ultimate objective is to convey your opinion to a wider audience, you must include facts to back up your arguments. As controversial as a piece may seem, your audience will be much more receptive if you support argument with believable fact.

Opinion pieces do not need

to be straightforwardly serious either. Injections of humor, personal anecdotes, etc., help to generate reader interest. Striking the right combination of facts and interest may seem challenging, but is vital to creating an opinion piece that people will want to read.

Debate is always welcomed and encouraged, but harm and prejudice is not. This piece is not your fire-andbrimstone soap box, but rather an open floor for debate. You must also clearly state your opinion within your piece.

I’ve written an op-ed/ column. How do I get it in The Eagle?

Once you’ve written your piece, send it to edpage@ theeagleonline.com.

You must submit pieces a week before their intended publication to allow time for review and formatting. We at the Editorial Page do not edit your pieces for content, but rather structure, grammar and AP style. The week deadline gives us enough time to ask questions of you and make sure everything is perfect for publication.

What if I want to be a regular columnist for The Eagle? If you think the life of a columnist is for you, or you merely have a topic of inter-

est and just want to give it a go, we at The Eagle are hiring columnists for the fall semester. Simply e-mail edpage@theeagleonline.com.

We’re looking for writers on politics, AU affairs, or any other topic that would appeal to the AU community. Remember, columns are separate editorial pieces under the umbrella of a main topic/ issue. Columnists will have to submit their pieces a week before their scheduled publication date, again for editorial purposes.

What if I want to try my hand at political cartoons for The Eagle?

If you can put pencil to paper and draw something better than the stick figures most of us would create, we welcome you to try your hand at political cartoons.

While we do feature political cartoons already, it would be more community-oriented (and also kind of cool) to say we have our own political cartoonist. Again, send your submissions to edpage@ theeagleonline.com or bring them by The Eagle office in Mary Graydon Center 252. lbarnhart@theeagleonline. com

American University’s Student Voice MISSION

The Eagle, a student-run newspaper at the American University, serves the community by reporting news involving the campus community and surrounding areas. The Eagle strives to be impartial in its reporting and believes firmly in its First Amendment rights.

SUBMISSION AND EDITORIAL POLICIES

The staff editorial represents the majority opinion of the Editorial Board, which is composed of the editor in chief, managing editors and must consist of at least five other staff members. It will regularly be convened once a week during dates of publication.

Send letters and guest columns to: Editorial Page Editor, The Eagle, 252 Mary Graydon Center, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C., 20016 or edpage@theeagleonline.com.

The Eagle has a commitment to accuracy and clarity and will print any corrections or clarifications. To report a mistake, call the editor in chief at (202) 8851402 or e-mail editor@theeagleonline.com.

All submissions become the property of The Eagle. Unsigned letters will not be published. The Eagle reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for length and clarity. Letters and columns may be published in print or online. Letters and columns are the opinion of the writer and not the newspaper.

All submissions become the property of The Eagle. Unsigned letters will not be published. The Eagle reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for length and clarity. Letters and columns may be published in print or online. Letters and columns are the opinion of the writer and not the newspaper.

EDITORIAL STAFF

BUSINESS STAFF

Editor in Chief

202-885-1402

Editor in Chief Charlie Szold

Editorial Page Editor Linda Barnhart

Business Manager Sam Yolen

Editor@theeagleonline.com

Managing Editor for News Meg Fowler

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Finance Manager Bobby Jones

News@theeagleonline.com

Managing Editor for The Scene Caitlin Moore

Arts and Entertainment Editor Yohana Desta

Sales Director Alexander Robinson

TheScene@theeagleonline.com

Music Editor Michael Richardson

Public Relations Coordinator Kasturi Puntambekar

Sports@theeagleonline.com

Managing Editor for Web Ethan Klapper Design Editor Chris Droukas Photo Editor Phillip Ochs Student Life Editor Julia Ryan Administration and Local News Editor Stefanie Dazio News Assistants Anna Scalamogna Allie Mooney Sports Editor Sam Lindauer Sports Assistants Kate Greubel Tyler Tomea

Scene Assistants Stephan Cho Maggie Hollander Kelly Holliday

Ad Reps Johnathon Gayner

News Arts & Entertainment Sports Editorial & Opinion EdPage@theeagleonline.com

Photography Photos@theeagleonline.com

Design

Web Content Editor Sarah Parnass

Design@theeagleonline.com

Multimedia Editor Kira Kalush

WebEditor@theeagleonline.com

Assistant Web Editor Rachel Karas Copy Editors Rocio Gonzalez Marisa Kendall

Web Business

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Business@theeagleonline.com

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Fax Line

202-885-1428

Website

www.theeagleonline.com

August 16, 2010

Opinion 23

theEAGLE

A letter from the vice president of Campus Life

Not enough

eagleRANTS on page 22?

Welcome to Class of 2014; you’ve found a good home Dear Class of 2014, Do you hear a loud BUZZ? That’s the sound of Welcome Weeks at American University. The campus is alive with anticipation and excitement about the year ahead. Your class brings lots of new energy to a campus community that is already exceptional for its active engagement in the life of the nation’s capital and issues around the world.

Adding you to AU is sure to make this a memorable year.

Welcome!

Great spirit – that’s the first thing you’re going to notice as you settle into the rhythm of campus life. Nearly everyone here is passionate about something – world affairs, the arts, social justice, sustainability, all AU Eagle sports teams ... and of

have lived here a lifetime, and others who have come here from all over the world.

Whether you participate in Discover D.C. or the Freshman Service Experience, many of you will become pathfinders for your classmates as you encounter places and people that you will want to introduce to others. We also hope that your encounters will motivate you to find ways to serve and enhance the city throughout your years at AU. Hunger, homelessness and illiteracy are just a few of the problems facing the D.C. community. These are problems you can help address through the gifts of your intelligence and a commitment to service. We encourage you to be the agents of change that this commu-

shuttle stop, the CIVITAS message is, “Choose to be thoughtful and considerate in your treatment of others and of your environment.”

Good neighbors – on and off campus – are what make great communities.

Everyone who passes through AU’s gates to join this campus community is bright, highly motivated and already accomplished in some endeavor – and “success breeds success.” As you begin your studies think about how that phrase describes your journey here and how it will drive what you do now that you’ve arrived. What awaits you at AU is the next level of engagement and a broader definition of success – one measured in terms of your capacity to create a better

EAGLE FILE PHOTO

course, politics! AU students swelled with pride when news was released recently that the Princeton Review ranked AU #1 for most politically active students - the third time in the last five years that we’ve earned this distinction. We look to you to uphold this impressive record.

During Welcome Week, most of your class will be drawn into the city of Washington, D.C., to explore its history and neighborhoods and to meet some of its residents – people who

nity needs.

City living calls each of us to be engaged citizens in a variety of ways. Just after classes begin, we’ll observe CIVITAS Week – a week of activities that spotlights “civility” and helps us focus on how our individual actions affect the quality of the life we share in this beautiful corner of Northwest Washington. Whether you’re listening to music in your residence hall, navigating the Terrace Dining Room, hurrying to class or walking back to campus from a

community and a better world. So, take your place among AU’s experts and leaders in the vast learning laboratory that is Washington, D.C. and make us proud to call you Eagles.

Once an Eagle, Always an Eagle, Gail Short Hanson Vice President of Campus Life

Get ranting.

Email:

rants@theeagleonline.com Twitter: @EagleRants

Snag Hill internship to rub shoulders with D.C. elites

By LINDA BARNHART Eagle Staff Writer One of the biggest lures of D.C. is that bastion of political power, Capitol Hill. The place where the laws of our country are debated, interpreted and made will be a constant source of activity this semester, especially with November’s midterm elections. Most representatives and senators all offer semester-long internship opportunities to students.

For those of you unsure of how to find or obtain such a position, our how-to guide can answer your most pressing questions: How can I find out about available internships on the Hill? Some lucky individuals have connections by which they can fast-track their resumes to the right desks. For the rest of us, there are still several options. Representatives and senators post applications on their websites (www.house.gov or www. senate.gov), usually under ‘constituent services’ or ‘student resources,’ that can be filled out and returned to their offices with a resume and cover letter. Chris Hughes, the School of Public Affairs Career Adviser in the AU Career Center, also recommends hillzoo.com as another resource for finding Hill internship listings.

AU’s Career Center also lists internship postings on AU

CareerWeb, where you can find contact information and directly upload resumes and cover letters for opportunities of interest. The Career Center, located on the fifth floor of Butler Pavilion, also offers advising appointments where you can meet with career advisers for more in-depth advice.

For more information about the Career Center, visit www.american.edu/careercenter.

Is it better to apply to a representative/senator from my home district or just see what is available?

Sometimes Congressional representatives tend to favor applicants from their districts, although opportunities in their offices are not limited to those individuals.

Interning for your representative also offers better insights into how the workings of the Hill can impact your hometown. However, working for a Congressional representative that prioritizes issues that are important to you can be a great opportunity to learn more about those issues.

I’ve found the application and filled it out – now what?

Before submitting your application, we recommend updating your resume and writing a cover letter explaining your interest in the position you’re applying for.

If you don’t have a resume yet or have no idea what a cover letter is, the Career

Center offers a Resume Builder program that can easily help you format one from scratch, and several other resources are available at the Career Center or on their website to help refine your existing document. Some research into the views and agenda of the Congressional representative you’re applying to is highly recommended before writing your cover letter – the more knowledge you can demonstrate about the position, the better your chances.

Hughes also recommends that first-semester freshmen wait until the spring before applying for a Hill internship, in order to get acclimated to the university environment before diving into the world of politics.

However, these internships are not only a great opportunity in and of themselves, but also serve as stepping stones to future political internships in think tanks, the White House and lobbying firms.

“Many experienced Hill staffers will tell you that it is a must to have at least some internship experience on Capitol Hill in order to be hired for a full-time position there after graduation,” Hughes said. lbarnhart@theeagleonline. com

24

SPORTS

August 16, 2010

Four Reasons to love the Nats

By SAM LINDAUER Eagle Staff Writer The Nationals are a last place team. At least that’s where they’re heading for the 2010 campaign. That should not come as a surprise to people that have been following baseball as the Nationals have been basement dwellers for a few years. After losing over 100 games in 2009, how much getter could they get? But don’t let the past give you hang ups about D.C.’s baseball club. Here are some reasons you should love the Nationals.

EAGLE FILE PHOTOS

SLAM DUNK — Left: AU’s Michelle Kirk drives the lane in a game during the 2009-2010 season. Right: Stephen Lumpkins nets a two-handed slam dunk in Bender Arena last season.

Guide to AU sports

By KATE GREUBEL Eagle Staff Writer This year, AU is stacked with sports teams that are eager to become NCAA Champions. Becoming a fan of these teams and joining the Blue Crew is beneficial for you, the university and your athletic peers.

The Blue Crew is AU’s student fan group dedicated to out-numbering and outyelling every other student group in the nation. Membership is free, and the Blue Crew gives away free food, drinks, shirts and other promotional items at athletic events year round. In addition, you can receive discounts at shops around Tenleytown and Friendship Heights with your Blue Crew card.

Paint your chest, pull out your rally towel and slip on that Blue Crew shirt.

It’s time for another year of great sports at AU. Women’s Soccer

AU women’s soccer kicksoff its season with a home game versus crosstown rival Georgetown University. The young team, with just two seniors in the lineup this season, had an 8-2 overall home record last season and will hopefully repeat that success this year.

While at Reeves Field keep an eye on juniors Patricia Bailey and Mikaila Weaver.

Bailey scored the second highest number of goals last season, three, and will need to step up to fill the shoes of graduated teammate Kelsey Brasher, who lead the team in goals last year with seven.

Weaver capitalized when it meant the most last season, scoring two game winning goals.

Men’s Soccer Eight newcomers will compete for playing time this season and add a new life to the AU men’s soccer team.

After its 0-1 loss to Bucknell in the Patriot League Championship last season, the team is back for another

shot at the NCAA Tournament with new feet and energized players.

Head Coach Todd West foresees transfer Chase Humphrey and freshman Tyler Fisher filling the gaps left by graduated players, and recruits Michael Sheinfield and Billy Knutsen vying for the number two spot in goal after Matt Makowski.

Seasoned players, like seniors David Menzie and Mike Worden, should continue to feed off of one another, setting up crowd-pleasing scoring opportunities.

Field Hockey Last season the AU field hockey team captured its seventh consecutive Patriot League Tournament Championship.

Although the team graduated six players, including goalkeeper Alyssa Poorman, an eighth championship title is still within reach with help from seven new recruits and many returning veterans.

The team plays smart on

the field and in the classroom, and earned the third highest NCAA Division I Field Hockey GPA for the fall 2009 semester, a 3.5.

Quick on the attack is senior forward Christine Fingerhuth, who led the Eagles in goals last season and will surely out-smart the opponent’s defense for more breath-taking goals this year.

Lacrosse After finishing last season with a 3-3 conference record, the young AU lacrosse team starts this year with a season of experience under its belt and better team dynamics.

The team graduated its two highest scorers, leaving room for new offensive leaders. Look for junior Emily Stankiewicz to rise to the challenge and register needed goals for the Eagles.

Stankiewicz will have offensive support from sophomores Samantha Marshall and Emily Burton who Q see GUIDE on page 20

The 2009 MLB Draft The first round of the 2009 draft was a franchise-changer. The obvious reason last year’s draft was so important was Stephen Strasburg. The first overall pick, Strasburg was billed as the best pitching prospect of all time by some scouts. His raw talent was jaw-dropping. Fastballs that went over 100 mph, a knee buckling curveball and a changeup that was faster than many pitchers’ fastballs. As his debut showed, he has the ability to put on a real show. It’s a show you don’t want to miss.

The man many people forget from that draft was another first-rounder, Drew Storen.

Storen can prove to be almost as important as Strasburg in that he is their closer of the future. Since the Na-

tionals traded All-Star closer Matt Capps, the team is more inclined to hand the righty from Stanford University the closer role. Like Mariano Rivera, Storen could be an anchor in the ninth for the Nats.

The left side of the infield Few stars in the big leagues have been able to be as good as Ryan Zimmerman and still not receive national attention. Zimmerman, on a better ballclub, would undoubtedly be one of baseball’s brightest stars. An All-Star and Gold Glove winner, he has power to all parts of the field and has taken up the leadership role at the ripe old age of 25. He’s signed on with the Nats for a number of years and seems to be the type of player who would stick with a franchise.

Playing to his left is rookie Ian Desmond. Plagued by a huge amount of errors this season, Desmond’s defense looks more suspect than it actually is. He displays great throwing strength and amazing range. Desmond has said his errors are errors of aggression — trying to make plays he would be wiser to just eat. That will be fixed with experience. With the bat, Desmond has a bit of pop and a knack for coming up big in pivotal situations. He is hitting .298 with runners in scoring position this year. Desmond and Zimmerman will be staples Q see NATS on page 20

JASON GETZ/ATL. JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION/MCT