The Chronicle- May 7, 2013

The Chronicle

May 7th, 2013

The weekly student newspaper of The College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York Visit us on the web at www.strosechronicle.com

Volume LXXXI Issue 32

Graduation Issue CLASS OF 2013

KELLY PFEISTER

News & Features

Arts & Opinion

Sports

New Scotland Elementary visits Saint Rose.

See pages A8

Summer 2013 Movie Preview.

See page B13

NBA center Jason Collins annouced he is gay.

See page D19

Senior profiles.

See pages A9-A12

A farewell from The Chronicle co-executive editor: Sunshine Osella.

See page C16

Senior Swimmer Profile: Caitlin Brauer.

See page D20

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May 7th, 2013

About the Graduation Issue Service and Appreciation Awards 2013

What you have in your hands is the Graduation Issue of The Chronicle, the student newspaper at The College of Saint Rose.

This newspaper is published each week during the academic year and once during the summer months. On average, the newspaper has 16 pages of content including, but by no means limited to: news, profiles, events listings, advances, reviews, recaps, and sports coverage.

This issue is a little different in that it also has content specific to

the graduating class, most notably the inclusion of senior profiles. Although only a handful of students have been profiled here, we know that there are many others who are just as worthy of a few words. We wish we could include them as well, but as is ever our limiting factor, we are only so many.

We hope you enjoy this issue, the graduation ceremony, and wish you success in wherever your endeavors may take you.

The Editorial Staff

A Letter From the President

To all of our graduates of the Class of 2013 and on behalf of The College of Saint Rose community, I offer my sincerest congratulations. Our May 11, 2013 Commencement will be a significant milestone in your lives.

You have worked hard; grown professionally and personally; and have made friends for a lifetime. Importantly, you have created a strong foundation for success. As you go forward, please strive to live the values you have cultivated here: the importance of informed and critical intellectual inquiry; the power and potential of a diverse and vibrant community; and an ethic of responsibility and service toward others.

As you prepare to leave campus, please take time to thank those who have supported you: faculty, staff, and your peers. I know such gestures are both appreciated and warranted. In this vein, I want to thank each of you for validating the work of us: faculty, staff, and Board of Trustees.

Your accomplishments validate our mission and our professional standards. Our responsibility to you has been to provide rigorous academic experiences in a vibrant living-learning community. Your responsibility has been to make the most of the opportunities provided. Your graduation signifies that you have quite successfully executed your responsibility thus completing the cycle. Again, thank you for validating who we are.

Over the last year, I have spoken to hundreds of alumni at vari-

The Service and Appreciation Award Ceremony was held on Friday, April 19 in Saint Joseph Hall Auditorium. A listing of all the awards and their recipients can be found below.

Arts Department Service and Appreciation Award Christopher Wilson Christine Batson Philosophy and Religious Studies Service Awards Jermaine Brookshire Priscilla Ly Alexandra Post Dedicated Service to Communications Tiera Powers Jackson Wang Burton-Biagiotti Service Award Ashlyn Slater Junior Service Award Department of History and Political Science Kevin Towle

ous functions near and far. My constant request to all has been to be proud of The College of Saint Rose: to be our ambassadors, to feel comfortable with returning to campus or following us from afar; to actively engage with us as alums. This request is always twinned with this commitment: the College will work to make all alumni proud of this institution. Thus, as you now enter our alumni ranks, a new relationship.

- a new cycle -begins: our responsibility is to make you proud of The College of Saint Rose; your responsibility is to stay actively engaged. Please join us in this grand bargain which offers a lifetime of potential. Keep in touch.

Come back to visit. Remember to actively network with your classmates and former faculty. These can be important touchstones and resources in your life. Let us know what you are doing and where you are.

I wish each and every one of you the very best and I look forward to seeing you at this Saturday’s commencement ceremony.

Sincerely, David Szczerbacki, Ph.D. President

School of Arts and Humanities- Outstanding Service Awards Jermaine Brookshire Rebecca Maile Communication Sciences and Disorders Rebecca Sklepowicz Alexis Haluska Service and Appreciation Award School Psychology Leslie Herwig Deb Kitler Kristin Thielman Special Education Distinguished Service Award Marlee Wood Teacher Education Service and Appreciation Award Christina Schlegael Mathematics Service Award Micaela Cimino Drew van der Poel Amelia Bromirski Victoria Allen Award for Excellence in Social Work Service Adam Clark Kellie Maisenbacher Sonja Stewart Science Service Award Amanda Oligny Keri Lynn Robinson Gabriella Castillo Olivia Junco Jeremy Stiefel

The President’s Leadership and Inclusive Excellence Awards Leadership: Jermaine Brookshire Inclusive: Tinamarie Stolz Sister Elizabeth Varley Award Kyle Balicki Chris Bryant Myles Clendenin Christina Creary Katie Ioanna Jasmine James Lyssa Merle Learning Center Outstanding Peer Tutor Award Rebecca Cerny Theresa Folliard Sarah Gaeta Olivia Junco The Chronicle Award Sunshine Osella Jackson Wang Office of Intercultural Leadership Peer Leader of the Year Simone Arrington Mentee of the Year Cherie Ruiz Professional Friend of ALANA is Leadership Marcy Nielsen Pendergast Professional Friend of Campus Diversity Alicia Audino Friday Knights Special Education Award Kelly Burlile Taylor Brown The Sister Catherine Francis Soulier Junior Appreciation Award Samantha Brewer Faculty Member of the Year Award Dr. Benjamin Clansy Administrator of the Year Award Father Christopher DeGiovine Kayla Germain Club Advisor of the Year Award Benjamin Mandaro Student Association Club of the Year Spectrum Outstanding Dedication Award Lori Blosser

Volume 81 Issue 32

Graduating Class of 2013 MAJORS

STUDENTS

10 9 American Studies 2 Art Education 7 Biochemistry 1 Biology 26 Biology Adolescence Educ 1 Business Administration 65 Chemistry 1 Chemistry Adolescence Educ 2 CommunicationSciences&Disorders 33 Computer Information Systems 2 Information Technology 1 Computer Science 2 Early Childhood Education 24 Early Child Educ/Special Educ 20 Childhood Education 62 Spec Ed/Child Ed 54 English 9 English Adoles Education 12 Graphic Design (BFA) 18 History 12 Political Science 3 History/Political Science 4 Social Studies Adoles Educatio 9 Interdepartmental Studies 6 Mathematics 4 Mathematics: Adolesc Educ 9 Medical Technology 1 Music K-12 Education 26 Music 4 Philosophy 1 Psychology 34 Forensic Psychology 4 Public Communication 5 Communications 35 Social Work 23 Sociology 5 Crim Justice Behav & Law 21 Spanish 1 Spanish Adoles Education 4 Studio Art (BFA) 15 Studio Art (BS) 3 Women’s & Gender Studies 1 Appl Technology Education 1 Geology 2 Forensic Science 2 Bus Adm (Accel):BS/MBA 3 Comm Sci & Dis (Accel):BS/MSED4 Comp Science(Accel:BS/MS) 1 Music Industry Program 14 Accounting

Acc’t BS/MS (150 cr hr)

*Data provided by Saint Rose Registrar Office

May 7th, 2013

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The Chronicle

Rosebuds Nominated for Tulip Court

By ZACHARY OLSAVICKY News Editor The conclusion of the spring semester means a busier than usual week for college students everywhere. But for a pair of students at The College of Saint Rose, candidacies for the 2013 Tulip Queen have added to their busy schedules.

“It hasn’t been easy,” said Tulip Queen candidate Gigi Diffenback, “but it’s been worth it. I’ve had to give up time studying or any free time to put my time into this process.” A childhood educa-

tion major with a concentration in Earth Science, Diffenback developed interest in the Tulip Queen after learning about it from friends who were nominated.

“It was very tough” to become a finalist at this time of year, said fellow candidate Meghan Cahill.

A social work major and criminal justice minor at The College, Cahill has found it difficult to manage both her schoolwork and the activities surrounding the candidacy. Still, she considers it “good practice” for the events she and other finalists will attend over the next year.

The Tulip Queen is selected as part of the Albany Tulip Festival, held every spring in Washington Park. The Tulip Queen is selected from a group of five finalists, known as the Tulip Court, and serves with the court in volunteer projects around the Capital District. As finalists for Tulip Queen, both Diffenback and Cahill have secured spots on the Tulip Court.

Although she never considered herself “immediately qualified” for the position, Diffenback developed interest after learning more about the community service aspect of the Tulip Queen.

As a student at The College, Diffenback has been heavily involved in service projects, trav-

“Being a role model is really big in my book....”

Meghan Cahill

ZACHARY OLSAVICKY

The Chronicle

Gigi Diffenback is a childhood education major at Saint Rose.

eling to places like New Orleans and Washington D.C. to participate in projects.

Cahill sees an opportunity to serve as a role model for younger children. She wants to work with children in the social work field after she graduates, and sees the Tulip Court as a way of reaching out to them.

“Being a role model is really big in my book… and these kids

Executive Editors Sunshine Osella ‘13 osellas452@strose.edu

News Editor Zachary Olsavicky olsavickyz977@strose.edu

Copy Editor Jenessa Matis ‘14 matisj311@strose.edu

Faculty Adviser Cailin Brown

Jackson Wang ‘14 wangj847@strose.edu

Features Editor Lauren Halligan halliganl567@strose.edu

Business Manager Courtney Carr ‘15 carrc047@strose.edu

Managing Editor Rachel Bolton ‘15 boltonr413@strose.edu

Opinion Editor Regina Iannizzotto ‘13 iannizzottor407@strose.edu

Advertising Manager Caroline Murray ‘13 murrayc014@strose.edu

Layout Editor / Videographer John Janitz ‘14 janitzj140@strose.edu

Arts Editor Web Editor Chris Surprenant ‘14 Christopher Lovell ‘15 surprenantc572@strose.edu lovellc083@strose.edu

Assistant Layout Editor Jennifer O’Connor ‘16 oconnorj984@strose.edu

Sports Editor Joshua Natoli ‘14 natolij477@strose.edu

Staff Writers Katherine Bakaitis Shawn Berman Blaise Bryant Nicholas Buonanno Asia Ewart Andy Gilchrist Kellie McGuire Kevin Jacob Lauren Klose Sam Maxwell Lauren Sears Michael Smith M. William Smith Drew van der Poel

Head Photographer Kelly Pfeister ‘14 pfeisterk953@strose.edu

ZACHARY OLSAVICKY

Meghan Cahill is a social work major at Saint Rose. having five positive role models in their life will be awesome because I feel like that will push them to want to do good throughout their lives.”

Nominations for Tulip Queen are accepted from friends and family, and a selection committee interviews nominees to narrows the pool down to fifteen individuals. The five finalists are chosen following a Tulip Tea, where the selection committee observes how nominees interact with each other, and an interview where nominees present an idea for a literacy campaign. Following

the interviews, the five finalists for Tulip Queen are selected and placed on the Tulip Court.

To have earned spots on the Court excites both Cahill and Diffenback.

“Sometimes,” said Cahill, “I find myself waking up in the morning and I’m like, ‘wait, am I really a finalist or was that just a dream?’”

“I really didn’t think I’d make it this far,” said Diffenback, “and it’s meant a lot to me not only to see that strangers believe in me but that my family and friends have been supportive.”

ANY student can join The Saint Rose Chronicle The Chronicle is published weekly on Tuesdays during the academic year and once during the summer months. The Chronicle is published at the facilities of The Daily Gazette of Schenectady, NY.

Official E-mail Address Chronicle@strose.edu

Submissions

Mailing Address The Saint Rose Chronicle 432 Western Avenue Albany, NY 12203

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Meetings are held every Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. in the CCIM 121, the MAC Lab.

All articles, advertisements and Letters to the Editor are due by noon the Saturday prior to publication.

All advertising inquiries should be sent to Advertising Manager Caroline Murray at murrayc014@strose.edu. The Chronicle offers free black and white 5-by-3 in. ads to student-run organizations.

The Chronicle accepts Letters to the Editor from any party. We recommend that submissions not exceed 1000 words. Letters, columns, and cartoons published in this newspaper represent the opinion of the author, not necessarily that of The Chronicle.

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Volume 81 Issue 32

A Slice of the Pine Hills Neighborhood

By NEWSROOM

East of Ridgefield Park is a street that encompasses much of what it means to live in the Pine Hills neighborhood. Long-time residents, young professionals and college students live side-byside in a small community that resembles much of urban America.

From virtually any home on this quiet block, residents can look out their windows and see a single-family home with a wellmanicured lawn and a fresh coat of paint, or an eyesore - a vacant, boarded up home in utter disrepair.

This is a snapshot of Park Avenue.

One building at 681 Park Ave. was registered as abandoned seven years ago in 2006, but, a fire 10 years earlier on March 17, 1996, is the last time the building was occupied, according to city records. The house has no staircase leading to the front door, and where its windows have been boarded up with plywood, a white spray-painted graffiti mark - a smiley face has been applied.

The owner of 681 Park, Patrick Landers, is an Albany firefighter and has lived in the neighborhood on and off for 20 years. It is a “very close-knit neighborhood,” he said, but has become more transient when college students temporarily move into the area.

Landers said he is renovating the building, and has gutted the inside and replaced the interior electric and water systems and is renovating the foundation as well. “But,” he acknowledged, “it’s still obviously not very pretty to look at.”

While the average value of a home in the neighborhood hovers around $170,000, according to Keith McDonald, commissioner of the city’s Department of Assessment and Taxation, Landers’ property is valued at $25,000.

After city officials did not respond to requests for information about the building, student reporters from The Pine Hills blog

KELLY PFEISTER

Gregory Maida, the owner of 677 Park Ave., has filed complaints with the city about 681 Park Ave. filed a request for records about 681 Park Ave. under the state Freedom of Information Law. The records show that the city inspected the building as recently as February 9 of this year and identified four code violations.

That number is down from eight code violations reported in 2006, when the property was added to the vacant property registry.

Landers was recently instructed by the city to repair all missing siding and damaged exterior surfaces, paint all door and window coverings, register the vacant building with the city and remove all garbage and debris from the property.

Just to the east of 681 Park is a well-kept two-family rental property owned by Gregory Maida.

Maida was initially a tenant in an apartment at 677 Park Ave. until he eventually bought the property and became a landlord. He has filed complaints with the city about 681 Park Ave. and another building on the other side of his which was torn down in 2008.

None of Maida’s letters, addressed to Mayor Gerald Jennings, were supplied to The Pine

Hills blog in response to its record request. In his letters years ago, Maida asked the mayor to have the building repaired or demolished.

Maida wrote: “The property at 681 Park Ave. has also not been occupied in quite some time. All of these buildings have broken

“These buildings are fire hazards, and they are in such bad shape that they are in imminent danger of falling down.”

Gregory Maida windows and unlocked doors and are easily accessible for anyone to enter. These buildings are fire hazards, and they are in such bad shape that they are in imminent danger of falling down.”

The city has not yet supplied a copy of the original fire report

from back on March 17, 1996, although City Clerk Nala Woodard said Thursday that the city’s Fire Department was rounding up those records. The city’s online filing system permits the public to request information from one department or agency at a time.

Even though the original request specifically described the records needed, since the request was not submitted multiple times, the city chose not to fulfill the request.

After only some of the records were provided in response to the original request for information, a blog reporter contacted Robert Freeman, executive director of the state Committee on Open Government.

The public should not have to file multiple requests about the same topic, Freeman said. After contacting Freeman and filing another request for information, additional records were later supplied, including a city letter to Landers ordering him to correct the building violations by Jan, 22, 2013, or he would be subject to both criminal and civil penalties.

Landers’ building is one of approximately 10 abandoned build-

ings in the Pines Hills neighborhood - which accounts for only 1.1 percent of the total 846 citywide, according to Nicolette Callaway, an assistant at the Department of Buildings and Regulatory Compliance.

After writing letters to the city for two years, Maida was successful with his complaints about the former 673 Park Ave., a home and garage in such disrepair that both were finally demolished five years ago.

Maida, an associate broker at Miranda Real Estate, said he still struggles getting tenants interested in his property because of the neighboring 681. He also said he had a hard time getting insurance for his property because of the vacant house.

“I definitely believe that the state of 681 affects both property values and quality of life in the entire neighborhood,” said Maida. “Besides the physical appearance of the property and the lack of curb appeal for the neighboring properties, some people are concerned about the safety of the building because it may present a fire hazard, a potential for rodent infestation, or a place for kids to get into trouble. Though we have never had any serious issues, this building does pose potential dangers.”

He said he still bought his rental property, though, because “it was a good neighborhood.”

Quality of life issues like these are not uncommon in the city, according to Lt. Michael Tremblay, head of the police department’s Neighborhood Engagement Unit.

“A house becomes abandoned and one window goes unrepaired, then another becomes broken. Slowly but methodically, it moves throughout the neighborhood and becomes epidemic in especially low-income areas,” Tremblay said. “That, in turn, leads to more quality of life and other crimes.”

Issues involving alcohol, loud Continued on Page A5

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KELLY PFEISTER

Park Avenue According to the city, 681 Park Ave. has been on the vacant property registry since 2006.

Continued From Page A4

music, littering, and dog waste have been common for years, Tremblay said.

Graffiti decorates the Park Avenue side of the Ontario Street plaza which is home to the Playdium bowling alley.

Vandals have been an ongoing problem in the neighborhood for years and police have been trying to track the taggers, said Neil Luther, who owns the Playdium. The plaza has been repainted multiple times, but it is a challenge to find who is doing the damage.

Luther said the neighborhood has changed over the years, and he too pointed to college students as part of the problem: “There have been changes right along, more of a student presence; they have taken the area over.”

Most of the student who rent properties in the Pine Hills neighborhood rent from absentee landlords, said urban planning expert, Gene Bunnell, a professor at the University of Albany. Albany’s troublesome housing issues are the result of the combination of absentee ownership, a weak real

estate market for older homes and college students’ attitude toward the quality of life for full-time residents.

“Students can be rough on properties, not all, but the fact is

me,” she said of the neighborhood.

Students are indifferent about their apartment’s aesthetics and rarely ask that repairs are made because they only live there for a short period of time, Bunnell

The Chronicle said. The houses eventually become run-down, yet landlords have little incentive to invest in their properties because students still pay the rents at the end of every month.

One way to help resolve the case of decaying neighborhoods, said UAlbany’s Bunnell, if for landlords to invest in two and multi-family properties and then live in them. This approach has worked successfully in Montreal, Canada, when Bunnell has studied development. When the “absentee” component of the equation is omitted, Bunnell said, owners who lives in their homes are motivated to maintain them.

And, tenants are less likely to “trash” a property is the landlord lives there too.

Still, on the south side of Park, just west of the abandoned building, 702 Park Ave. was scooped up by a potential buyer in less than a month after it was put on the market back in March, according to Patsy Whitney, a real estate broker who listed the property. The sale has not yet been closed, according to the assessor’s office.

In her virtual online tour of the single-family brick home she listed, Whitney devoted most of her time describing the inside of the

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home, and panned over the street view and neighborhood at warp speed, while still describing the area in the shadow of Albany’s clay tennis courts as “desirable.”

One longtime Park Avenue resident who sees the boarded up and run-down 681 every morning, is Diane Schuetze. She has lived in her home for 18 years.

“I have been wondering why the city has not torn down the

“It is not safe, and makes the neighborhood look bad.”

Diane Schuetze building,” Schuetze said. “It is not safe, and makes the neighborhood look bad.”

This story was researched and reported by: Samuel Maxwell, Matt Henderson, Kaylee Pagano, Caroline Murray, Laura Sarsfield, Jackson Wang, Kaitlyn Jasnica, Kelly Pfeister, Lauren Klose, Joshua Natoli, Lauren Halligan, Hannah Vair, Seaneeba Thompson and Blaise Bryant

“Students can be rough on properties, not all, but the fact is that students have a limited commitment to the neighborhood.”

Gene Bunnell that students have a limited commitment to the neighborhood,” said Bunnell, who teaches in the department of geography and planning.

Take Ashley Smith, for instance, one of Maida’s short-term student tenants who moves out this month. “I think it’s safe for

There are approximately 10 abandoned buildings in the Pines Hills neighborhood.

KELLY PFEISTER

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Students Brian Barry and Jessica Parker at the Stress-Free Zone.

Students and faculty took advantage of the free Stewart’s ice cream on Thursday.

Stress-Free Zone

By Kelly Pfeister

Besides ice cream, smoothies were offered as a healthy alternative.

Will Mintzer pets one of the many therapy dogs at the Stress-Free Zone.

Jaclyn Brownell and Spencer Sherry attended the Stress-Free Zone and picked up some ice cream

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Keep Calm and Fight Lupus

By LOLITA AVILA Staff Writer Saint Rose had its first Lupus Benefit Concert on Friday to help raise funds and awareness to this forgotten disease.

Lupus is a disorder where the body’s immune system becomes hyperactive and attacks healthy tissues. The disease can cause arthritis, inflammation of the heart, lungs, and kidneys.

As a collaborative effort, community service groups Knights of Service and the National Minority Association for Pre-health Students hosted the event to assist in finding a cure. There was a three dollars admissions fee for the concert, in which all proceeds collected will go to the Lupus Foundation of America.

The concert took place in Saint Joseph’s auditorium from 6 to 9pm. The event included performances from fellow Saint Rose students, such as the Girls Next Door, Brian Jay, and Meghan DeBerry. The performances also included an up and coming music artist Joe Gattuso showcasing his

skills.

Between performances, facts and statistics were being shown to the crowd as they enjoyed their refreshments.

The benefit concert had been in the works for about a year. After going on a trip for Habitat for Humanity in New Orleans, current president of Knights of Service,

“I wanted to create a group that will make its mission about giving back.”

Natish S. Davis Natish S. Davis decided to start an organization that prided itself in nurturing and helping the community. “ I notice that the school does a lot of community service but it is not ongoing. I wanted to create a group that will make its mission about giving back,” said Davis.

Shortly after establishing

Knights of Service, Davis expressed her interest in hosting a benefit concert to Kajanna McKenzie, the president of MAPS. Both leaders wanted to make the concert about Lupus, as they were inspired by a story from their mutual friend, Daniella Watson.

Watson, an English major and junior at the College of Saint Rose, has had to watch her mother suffer through this awful disease. Watson became teary eyed as she expressed how much she admires her mother’s strength and perseverance.

In her high school, Watson hosted many activities that helped promote awareness for Lupus.

She is more than appreciative that the two groups decided to educate the campus about the disease.

MAPS and Knights of Service has held three fundraising events to assist in collecting money for the foundation. There were two bake sales which raised approximately $100. On April 19th , the organizations hosted Saint Rose’s first on campus car wash in Lima Lot. The event earned over $200 in which all of the money was do-

LOLITA AVILA

Daniella Watson has had to watch her mother suffer through Lupus. nated to the foundation.

One of the contributors to the cause is sophomore Tricia Bustamante. Although, she is not a member of either groups, Bustamante was excited to help out for the cause. Usually she keeps

“It makes me feel good because I don’t feel so alone.”

Tricia Bustamante

KELLY PFEISTER

A campus car wash was held to raised money, which helped the fight against Lupus.

it a secret that she was diagnosed with Lupus. Bustamante fears that people will pity her or assumes that they will not understand.

She went on to explain the struggle she has balancing her school work and social life with

the ramifications of her disease.

She elaborated on how exhaustion plays a significant role in her life. On many occasions she has had to turn down invites from her friends to go hang out because she was too tired.

“Its easier to just tell people that I am sick, instead of saying I have Lupus,” said Bustamante.

Bustamante has baked cupcakes for the fundraisers and was in attendance for the concert as well. She spoke about how happy she was that Lupus is becoming a more common knowledge.

“It makes me feel good because I don’t feel so alone,” said Bustamante.

The Lupus benefit concert is a unique event to the Saint Rose campus. Knights of Service and MAPS hopes to educate students and help them realize that Lupus is not an uncommon disease and there need to be actions taken to fight against it.

News New Scotland Elementary Visits Saint Rose A8

The Chronicle

By LAUREN KLOSE Staff Writer

Professor of English Marcie Newton and a few students from her ENG 114 class waved as 26 second grade students from New Scotland Elementary School pulled up to The College of Saint Rose campus on Friday.

Newton and her students have been participating in a service learning arts project with Mrs. Sheila Morrissey and Mrs. Erin Reeve’s second grade classrooms.

The second graders visited Saint Rose to take a tour of the campus as well as perform the poems they had created during their time so far with Saint Rose students at the elementary school.

Morrissey and Reeve are really pleased with how this service learning project is coming along.

“We have been so fortunate to forge this partnership with the college over the past 2 years and look forward to what we can accomplish together in the years to come,” said Reeve “It is never too early for children to learn that they are a part of a greater community, that they have a responsibility to care for and respect others and that learning is a lifelong journey.”

For the past few weeks, the second grade students at New Scotland Elementary School have been participating in a collaborative service learning arts project that began with a poetry workshop and will conclude with a trip to the Ronald McDonald House.

Newton and her ENG 114 students prepared the second grade students to consider the many different ways writing poetry can be an effective tool for creative selfexpression. In the poetry workshop, students wrote poems that explored their emotions using their five senses and writing poems about friendship. Each day, Newton would have a literary device as a word of the day.

“Poetry is a way for these young students to express their feelings and to connect with other people’s feelings,” said Newton.

May 7th, 2013

MARCIE NEWTON

The 26 students from New Scotland Elementary School that visited Saint Rose last Friday.

“Building a sense of community and reaching out to those less fortunate than ourselves can only happen with a caring and respectful attitude towards others; this begins with an exploration into our own values, which we are doing through poetry.”

This service learning project was initiated by Dr. Aviva Bower, Educational Psychology Professor, who had a second grade student at New Scotland Elementary School last year. With Newton and Dr. G. E. Washington, Professor of Art, Bower helped to orchestrate a service learning project that included a trip to the Ronald McDonald House and the City Mission. Newton has taken the reins to further continue service learning opportunities like these for Saint Rose students.

“Service learning enriches our lives on academic, social, and personal levels,” said Newton.

“It enables our students to make connections between active and meaningful work in the community, pedagogy, and reflection.”

Although funding has been greatly reduced, with support from Boehrer, this service learning project was able to go ahead.

“Professor Marcie Newton has fostered a wonderful friendship

between The College of Saint Rose and New Scotland Elementary School (NSES). Saint Rose students were able to share their love of poetry, music and athletics,” said Boehrer. “‘This is the best day of my life,’ I overheard one NSES student exclaim. Saint Rose students were able to deepen their appreciation of poetry

“I have truly enjoyed my experience with the second graders of NSES.” Brianne Doty thorough this creative servicelearning project.”

The second grade students started their tour at the Curriculum Library where Marissa Gitto, the director of the Patricia Standish Curriculum Library, read “All the World” by Liz Carton Stanlen.

Their next stop was the quad and gym for some quality time

spent with student-athletes from the soccer, baseball, and basketball teams.

“I liked playing soccer because I got three goals,” said Alex Drake. “The players were really nice and fun.”

Newton’s ENG 114 students were moved by their experiences in the second grade classroom.

“I have truly enjoyed my experience with the second graders of NSES. They have taught me so much within the short amount of time I have worked with them.” said Brianne Doty a student at Saint Rose. “I cannot wait to become a teacher.”

Hungry from all of the activities, the second graders headed up to the Standish Rooms of the EAC for a couple of slices of pizza.

There they had the opportunity to “discuss the arts over lunch,” said Dr. Fred Boehrer, Coordinator of Academic Service Learning. After the energetic bunch finished their pizza party, they walked to the campus theatre where Kenneth Krauss, Associate Professor of Drama, waited to greet them.

While getting settled before performing their poems, Gabriel Pellino, a music student at Saint Rose, played a piece on his cello, gaining some oohs and aahs from

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the young students.

On April 26th, the last day of their poetry workshop, the students had created “My Seed’s Perfect World” and learned all about the word of the day, personification. After this the students had planted seeds and watered them to help them grow before each writing their own poems describing their seeds’ perfect world.

“Writing the poems about our seeds’ perfect world was really about out world,’ said Lucia Hornsby. “It’s important to care for our world and the people in it because we can’t recycle them.”

So before the students took to the stage, Newton, a.k.a. Miss Marcie, put on her cowgirl hat and got into character herself. Speaking with a western drawl, she read the students’ poem, which caused the children to burst into fits of giggles.

Once the laughter died down, students dressed up in their favorite costumes and climbed up to the stage to read their favorite poems.

The performances were followed by a special guest appearance by Dr. Margaret McLane, Dean of Education, who read a couple of her favorite poems.

“It was a pleasure to hear the students for New Scotland share their poems and to be able to share some of my favorite poems with them,” said McLane.

“Service Learning projects such as this one facilitated by Marcie Newton provides a wonderful opportunity for students at The College of Saint Rose to connect with the larger community and to learn from working with others.

Service learning is an effective pedagogy that engages students of all ages in active learning.”

As the fun-filled and meaningful trip drew to a close, the second grade students gathered on the quad to discuss their favorite parts of their day spent at Saint Rose. Soon after they boarded their bus, tired and happy, but not before giving a big “thank you” to Newton.

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Farewell to Sunshine Osella

By Rachel M. Bolton Managing Editor

It’s time to say goodbye to the Chronicle’s Executive Editor Sunshine Osella. Her time as an undergrad at Saint Rose is at an end, and she will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education.

Osella is originally from Lexington, Virginia, and found the College through a website. After visiting Saint Rose during her junior year of high school, she said, “[I] immediately knew it was the place for me. Everyone was so welcoming and the campus was beautiful.”

Her favorite class while at Saint Rose was Infant, Toddler and Preschool Education. According to Osella, her wonderful classmates and Professor, Cecile

Gleason, were what made the class stand out among the many she has taken. The class also gave her a chance to complete field placement in both a toddler and preschool classroom, her two favorite age groups.

Osella said that the best thing that she did in college was participating in the Chronicle. She said, “It is a great group of people and journalism is something I am passionate about. There is a certain beauty in collecting important information and organizing it to share with a community.”

Along with the Chronicle, Osella participated in numerous other clubs. She was in Catholic Service Club when it was active on campus. She also led a group during her sophomore and junior years to a local homeless shelter. This experience included

organizing activities and crafts for children living at the shelter.

During her sophomore year she participated in the service trip to Washington D.C. over winter break.

Osella said that her work study positions played an important role in her experience at the college.

Osella worked in the counseling center for her first three years and said that the people she worked with were, “a talented and kind group of individuals.” Due to her student teaching schedule, Osella said, “I moved to the Hubbard Interfaith Sanctuary for my Senior year which was just as wonderful of an experience.”

When asked what the biggest lesson she learned in college was, Osella said, “If there is one time in your life when it is okay to be involved with 50 things at once,

A Woman of Many Talents

By CHRIS SURPRENANT Arts Editor

Susan “Soozey” Walensky, 21, of Gloversville, NY, is a woman with varied interests. She might be seen staging her own flash mob in the dining hall, or she will be working tirelessly in CCIM on one of her many projects. Walensky is graduating with a degree in Communications with a concentration in film and new media.

Her work is prevalent around campus. Originally wanting to be a graphic designer in high school, her passion carried through into college as more than just the average extra-curricular. In her four years at The College of Saint Rose, Walensky has designed posters and promotions for over twenty clubs. While that is certainly a lot of time to devote to one interest, for Walensky, it’s worth it, “I love doing creative things.”

Walensky’s interests span beyond print media. She has collaborated with her longtime friend and Saint Rose alum, John MacDonald, on his web series Rules of Runford, as well his musical

KELLY PFEISTER

Susan “Soozey” Walensky production Mean Girls: The Musical, Industry Pink, two productions of Roger That, and various music videos.

“My favorite aspect of these projects is working with friends.

They know my work and they respect it,” Walensky said.

Her work has recognized in other areas as well. In spring of 2012, Walensky won the award for Best Fiction Film at 15 Minutes Max, the Saint Rose video

festival. The short film, “Three Amigos,” was recognized for its creativity, comedic tone, and editing.

Walensky isn’t always behind the camera though. When she’s not making or editing videos, she’s out living life.

“My favorite times were when I stepped out of my comfort zone,” Walensky said.

She points to when she performed as Bethany Byrd in MacDonald’s Mean Girls, as well as her most recent endeavor as a late-night entertainer at this year’s Relay for Life where she led a dance-off.

“I’m a socialite,” Walensky joked. If she’s not making people laugh, Walensky can be found working diligently around campus. Whether she is in the Office of Student Affairs or being an Orientation Assistant for parents, Walensky is always keeping busy.

This past semester, Walensky completed an internship at the Palace Theater where she would sometimes stick around after work to help out with upcoming shows just for fun.

Her dedication does not go

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it’s during college. College gives you an opportunity to stretch yourself thin, but in a good way. I also believe I learned that it is important to appreciate the Sunshine Osella little things of every aspect of college.”

Her advice to freshmen is that college will change your life “if you do things you love and take nothing for granted.”

As for her postgraduate plans, Osella is happy to say that she will be starting a job as an assistant preschool teacher in Guilderland. She will also be remaining at Saint Rose as a graduate student studying curriculum and in-

struction this fall.

As she graduates, she would like to thank her professors, the Chronicle staff especially CoExecutive Editor Jackson Wang, and adviser Cailin Brown for all of their help and support.

I am happy that I got to meet Sunshine during my two years on the Chronicle. She will be missed. All of us here at the paper wish her the best of luck.

unnoticed. Allie Willer, a close friend of Walensky, said, “The great thing about being friends with Soozey is that you can joke around and laugh, but at the end of the day you know that if you have a serious problem she'll be there for you. As funny and goofy as she is, Soozey will drop everything to help a friend and expects nothing in return.”

Part of that drive to succeed comes from her time at the College. In terms of education, Walensky believes that Saint Rose has given her a strong sense of community.

“Everyone says it because it’s so true. They really get to know you and there’s nothing better than that when you’re trying to learn.”

Learning though, is not limited to Albany, NY. As a sophomore, Walensky seized the opportunity to study abroad in Galway, Ireland in spring of 2011.

“That was phenomenal. I can’t tell you how important I feel it is for people to travel when they’re young. If I had the money, I would never stop travelling,” Walensky said.

Upon her return, Walensky still doesn’t stop moving. When she has free time, she’ll visit the oc-

casional thrift shop.

“I’m like Mackelmore,” she joked.

Sometimes she just needs to get off campus. When the weather is nice, she and her friend Kate Maher will often take walks through Washington Park or the suburbs of Albany. For Walensky, the walks remind her of home.

These moments she spends with her friends are the most important to Walensky. MacDonald said of his friend, “Most people know Susan Kelly for her outgoing personality, unique sense of humor and loud laugh. However for those who get to know her better, they'll see just how honest, dedicated and loyal of a friend she is. Regardless of the situation, she is always willing to help out in whatever way she can.

More importantly, she'll almost always gasp or jump if you casually whisper ‘boo.’”

It is this type of close bond that Walensky will always remember once she leaves Saint Rose.

“I feel like I really learned the importance of friends. Having a support system is really important. I remember friends more than grades, and that’s what’s most important in life, and I feel like a lot of people forget that.”

KELLY PFEISTER

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News

May 7th, 2013

Volume 81 Issue 32

The Man, The Myth, The Brookshire

By JACKSON WANG Executive Editor

It’s normal for a freshman in college to be soft spoken, quiet, and reserved to themselves. But to go from staying out of the spotlight to being one of the most known students at The College of Saint Rose is not typical.

“In my freshman year, I didn’t want to do anything,” said Jermaine Brookshire, Jr., a senior that will be graduating this Saturday with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and political science.

“It was because I was just new to the area and I didn’t know a lot of people.”

But that was nearly four years ago.

What got Brookshire to become part of Saint Rose was a frequent walk through of Alana Steppers’ practice. The much familiar trip turned into an opportunity for Brookshire to get involved, who was a freshman at the time.

“I would walk by their practice all the time and one day they asked me if I wanted to be their trainer,” said Brookshire, who’s had experience with fitness from playing sports in high school. “It really got me started.”

Since then, Brookshire has been the president of the debate team, a voice in helping get Centennial Hall built, a face for Saint Rose commercials, and the CEO of the Great Expectations Movement.

He’s come a long way with his journey to Saint Rose starting in New Haven, Conn., where he attended Wilbur Cross High School. While in high school, Brookshire had already began to show leadership skills, acting as captain of both the football and wrestling team.

But as his senior year in high school came to a close, Brookshire had to make a decision on what college he wanted to attend in fall 2009. His choices came down to three, Syracuse University, Morehouse College, and The College of Saint Rose.

Saint Rose began to be the best choice for Brookshire, Jr. after he saw the three institutions from the financial point of view. But what sold Brookshire on coming to Saint Rose was a simple trip to the student solution center, while on a campus visit.

While at the student solution center, he talked to a large number of employees there and began to see a trend.

“I noticed all of them were graduates of Saint Rose that decided to stay around. I also saw that their kids also attended Saint Rose, which shows the family that Saint Rose is,” said Brook-

“That made me want to be part of the Saint Rose family.”

Jermaine Brookshire, Jr. shire. “That made me want to be part of the Saint Rose family.”

But as stated before, the start of life at Saint Rose was tough for Brookshire, even in the classrooms. He started as a communications major, wanting to be on camera. But that changed quickly.

“I got a rude awakening,” said Brookshire, after taking a few classes in the communications department.

He soon decided being on camera wouldn’t be in his future, so he changed his major to philosophy and political science.

From there, it’s been uphill for Brookshire.

After finalizing on two majors, used his political science experiences to become the president of the debate team. That’s where he got the opportunity to visit the United Nations in New York City and meet some of the ambassadors.

“It was cool and scary at the same time,” said Brookshire.

From there, he also had the chance to intern at the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the New York State Senate. Brookshire said through those two experiences, he said he “feels very prepared for the future.”

And while all this was going on, Brookshire managed to find time to squeeze in another project into his life, his own non-profit organization called Great Expectations Movement.

He started this group after going through tough times in the summer of 2012, where Brookshire was hit with a “big shot of humility.” That summer, Brookshire spent a brief period of time homeless and living in a shelter.

“He is the type of person that pushes through anything no matter the obstacle,” said Gerald Moore, Jr., senior, who serves as president for Great Expectations Movement. “He is not only physically strong, but also mentally strong and rarely lets anything get him down.”

The goal of the Great Expectations Movement is to help individuals think about becoming better than what they already are. It consists of “Five Gems to Success: Dream, Plan, Execute, Achieve, and Give Back.”

“It’s doing great,” said Brookshire.

Moore, who’s been friends with Brookshire Jr. since their freshman year, said it’s been great to work with Brookshire because they get to push each other towards greatness, while feeding off of each other’s ambitions.

“We keep each other motivated,” said Moore.

Brookshire said one person on campus that really gets him motivated to always do better is Mary Grondahl, vice president of enrollment management.

“I can’t say enough on how much she helps me,” said Brookshire.

Grondahl, who’s known Brookshire. since his freshman year, said she’s gained more from his presence than he has from her.

“Jermaine’s quest for great-

REGINA IANNIZZOTTO

Brookshire, Jr. has his eyes set on becoming a Supreme Court Justice. ness, his spirit and drive always remind me that what I do is very, very important,” said Grondahl. ”Being a part of Jermaine’s journey through Saint Rose is extremely meaningful.”

“Being a part of Jermaine’s journey through Saint Rose is extremely meaningful.”

Mary Grondahl After graduation, Brookshire plans on traveling down to Washington D.C. to find work. He still hopes to attend law school somewhere in the future and ultimately

reach his goal of becoming a Supreme Court Justice.

“I have no doubt that Jermaine will go on to law school and one day sit on the Supreme Court – which is his goal,” said Brookshire. “If that’s what he wants, he’ll achieve it.”

But as much as Brookshire has accomplished while at Saint Rose, he said his first obligation is to always give back. He said he learns this role from Dr. Mark Sullivan and Dr. David Szczerbacki.

“These guys have so much to do and makes time for students,” said Brookshire.

As his Saint Rose career comes to a close, Brookshire said there’s one important thing he’s learned in his four years in Albany.

“No matter how hard you work, you will never be as great as you can be if you don’t open up.”

News A11 Kaylee Pagano Finds Passion at Saint Rose May 7th, 2013

By LAUREN HALLIGAN Features Editor “I was terrified as a freshman,” said Kaylee Pagano, a graduating senior. “I was that kid that was crying for my mom to not leave them here.”

By the end of her freshman year, Pagano was crying again, as she said goodbye to her new friends at college, not wanting to leave them.

Pagano, now 21, started her time at Saint Rose as an exploratory major, undecided on what she wanted to study. This freedom was one of the aspects of Saint Rose that drew her to the school.

An admittedly indecisive Pagano recalls changing her mind about what she wanted to be when she grew up “a million times,” throughout her childhood. “It was never the same things twice.”

Knowing she would again be changing her mind, Pagano was decided on being undecided upon entering college. “I didn’t want to pick a major right away,” Pagano said, grateful that Saint Rose gave her that option.

Kaylee Pagano

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Four years later, Pagano has now earned a degree as a history major with a minor in communications.

After taking a history class with Bridgett Williams-Searle her first semester, Pagano declared her major as a freshman.

It wasn’t until her junior year that she picked up the communications minor, after she was nearly completed with her history studies. Not tempted by the idea of graduating early, “I wanted to be here for four years,” Pagano said.

After looking at all possible minors, consulting with the career center on campus, and talking it over with her family, she decided that communications would be the best fit. “I had a lot of guidance towards communications.”

Now graduating, Pagano said that she is definitely, “100 percent” glad she did it.

The communications minor turned out to be one of her best decisions, said Pagano. “I’ve fallen a little in love with journalism now,” wishing she would have explored the option earlier.

LAUREN HALLIGAN

Pagano’s writing has been published in The Chronicle, The Pine Hills Blog at timesunion.com, and the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.

Pagano hopes to someday be a print journalist. She enjoys the mixture of writing, reporting, interviewing, and the rush of meeting a tight deadline.

“I like the digging and breaking stories,” she said.

Pagano reports that her favorite story she wrote at Saint Rose was a meeting coverage assignment for her newsroom class, in which she attended multiple public meetings regarding a project to create safer streets for pedestrians in the Pine Hills area. The article, titled “Safer Streets Proposed at Two Albany Meetings,” was the first deadline story Pagano ever wrote, and was published on The Pine Hills Blog the same evening of the meetings.

“It was such a fun experience,” she said, calling it “the most exciting and stressful night ever.”

After Pagano’s article debuted, the Times Union had coverage on the program over a week later.

“I was flattered and annoyed at the same time,” she said.

As president of the communications honor society Upsilon Iota, secretary of history honor soiety Phi Alpha Theta, a member of the Student Events Board, and part of the Late Knight committee, Pagano is an involved member of the campus community.

Her big role this year was serving as “gamemaster” and general coordinator of Super Strose Sweep, a trivia game played at Price Chopper on Central Avenue, based on the popular television show Supermarket Sweep.

Pagano also holds two jobs on campus, one in the human resources office and one in alumni relations.

Originally from the Rochester area, Pagano attended West Irondequoit High School, from which she graduated in 2009.

This summer Pagano will be returning to her home in Roch-

Pagano’s story on the Pine Hill’s Blog. ester. “It will be nice to go home and be with my family,” she said.

He older brother, Matthew Pagano, attended Saint Rose as well, graduating in 2007.

Although she misses her home town, Pagano knows she will also miss the Albany area and her college lifestyle.

Beyond that, Pagano plans to pursue a career in journalism, something journalism professor Cailin Brown has been helping her attain.

Pagano said that her final semester has been the highlight of her time at Saint Rose “because it’s the final countdown, everything fun is happening,” and “everyone is reminiscing about the last four years.”

At campus events such as Dodgeball Madness and Rose Rock “I just keep thinking that it’s the last one,” Pagano said in

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the midst of her final weeks at the college.

“I don’t know what I would do without the people I have met here,” Pagano said, positive that she has met the friends that she will have for life.

During her senior year, Pagano lived in the brand new Centennial Hall on Madison Avenue. Pagano called it the perfect way to end her time at the school.

“I’ve learned so much about life and myself here,” said Pagano, adding “it’s so bittersweet that it’s coming to an end.”

Four years later, Pagano predicts that she will come full circle on Saturday, May 11 with tears in her eyes, just as she arrived, as she says goodbye to Saint Rose and the friends who have been there throughout her college experience.

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News

May 7th, 2013

Volume 81 Issue 32

Jasmine James: Achieving Every Dream

By SEANEEBA THOMPSON Contributing Writer

from Syracuse, it was her first time away from home and her family, and it left her unsure of A graduating childhood special several things. education major already has a job “As time went on I started to working at New Meadow pre- participate in activities. I did Frischool in Malta, N.Y. day Knights and volunteered for Jasmine James, 22, also con- Help Yourself Academy, and also centrated her studies in French did work study and other things and Spanish during her four years throughout campus and through at The College of Saint Rose that I was able to gain more inwhile taking full advantage of terest in Saint Rose,” said James. what The College had to offer.

“Now I love it and I’m happy I “I know that I always wanted chose to stay here.” to work with kids. I wasn’t sure James came in to Saint Rose that I wanted to be a teacher, but in 2009 as a Higher Education in some way I knew that I would Opportunity Program (HEOP) end up working with kids,” said student and her academic counJames. selor Natalie Grandy-Cable said As Saturday's graduation ap- it was her goals that drew them proaches, James has already land- to her and became the reason they ed her job as a part-time teacher. accepted her. Throughout James’ A friend and former Saint Rose four years she remained close graduate who is a full time teach- with the HEOP office doing her er at New Meadow pre-school work-study there, even becoming told James about the open posi- a peer counselor for their summer tions. program.

“I have worked closely with The program is for all HEOP’s her for almost five years as a men- incoming freshman. It’s in week tor and peer, in the sum“I have worked closely mer and stuand have found her take with her for almost five dents extremely about four years as a mentor and competent classes. The and enjoyof peer, and have found her purpose able to work the summer extremely competent and program is with. She is bright, easy prepare enjoyable to work with. She to to work students for with, and is bright, easy to work with, their coltrustworthy. lege experiand trustworthy. When When inence. troduced to introduced to new challeng“We renew chalally look for ing experiences she works leadership, lenging exp e r i e n c e s efficiently to learn the steps s t u d e n t s she works are reneeded and she is able to that efficiently ally giving succeed,” to learn the back to the steps needprogram, Justin Thompson ed and she and they is able to know how succeed,” said Justin Thompson, important it is to be apart of the a close friend. program and use our services, James explained how as a coming to academic counseling, freshman it was hard to adapt to a tutoring and are doing well acanew environment and know if be- demically students have to have ing at Saint Rose was something at least a 2.5 GPA,” said Grandyshe really wanted to do. Hailing Cable.

Jasmine James Although James’ job as a peer counselor is over, that doesn’t mean she has stopped counseling.

One of James’ now close friends and roommates was one of her mentees from when she was a peer counselor.

“We had a really good friendship and I trusted her,” said Amanda Green who is also a sophomore education major at Saint Rose.

Another goal on James’ list was to study abroad. James said she never thought it was something she would actually get a chance to do, but it was on her list of things to do. In the spring semester of 2012, she went to

SEANEEBA THOMPSON

France. James said it was like freshman year again; sad, homesick, and alone, but because of her host family things got better.

“I will remember her sense of adventure that she took great advantage of being a college student and engaged in all kinds of activities and study abroad options and I really respected that sense of adventure,” said Mary Fitzsimmons, director for the HEOP/AOE program.

James was accepted into the Kappa Delta Pi National Honors Society, which is an educational national honors society for teachers. It allows teachers to receive specific benefits such as scholar-

ship opportunities and discounts for several things teachers may need.

She was also awarded the Sister Elizabeth Farley Award in April at the Saint Rose award ceremony. The award is for showing dedication and giving back your time.

James said she has no plans on returning back to Syracuse, and as she continues to work at the New Meadow pre-school, she is hoping to attend SUNY Albany’s graduate program with faith of joining their educational administrative program and one day becoming a principle or superintendent.

May 7th, 2013

Volume 81 Issue 32

Arts

The Chronicle

Summer 2013 Movie Preview

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A Handy Guide toVacation Entertainment Man of Steel

By ANDY GILCHRIST Staff Writer As usual, summer will bring us a new slate of blockbuster sequels, prequels, reboots, and even sequels of reboots. But, it’s important to note that there are also smaller films hitting theaters that are just as exciting and emotional as their big budget brothers and sisters.

Iron Man 3

May 3 Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Kingsley Synopsis: After The Avengers, Tony Stark is a changed man.

When international terrorist The Mandarin declares war on America, Stark is forced to put his life back together and stop him.

The Great Gatsby

May 10 Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, Tobey Maguire Synopsis: Stock broker Nick Carraway moves to New York to be near his cousin Daisy and her husband Tom and finds himself living next to mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby. Nick soon learns of Gatsby’s obsession with Daisy, which leads to a tragic end.

Star Trek Into Darkness

May 17 Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Benedict Cumberbatch Synopsis: After a terrorist attack destroys London and decimates Starfleet, the U.S.S. Enterprise is put in charge of tracking down the man responsible. Their mission takes them to the depths of space as Captain James T. Kirk uses the assignment to settle an old score.

Fast & Furious 6

May 24 Starring: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson Synopsis: The Fast team is recruited by a former enemy, DSS agent Luke Hobbs, to take down a group of mercenaries that have been pulling heists throughout Europe. But, the mercenaries have ties to the Fast team that they never expected.

The Hangover Part III

May 24 Starring: Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms Synopsis: After Doug is kidnapped, the Wolf Pack is forced to track down Leslie Chow by a man who is owed $21 million. They meet up with several people from their past along the way, including Black Doug, Stu’s stripper ex-wife Jade, and her son Carlos.

After Earth

May 31 Starring: Will Smith, Jaden Smith Synopsis: A spaceship crash lands on future Earth, forcing a father and son to bond while trying to stay alive.

Much Ado About Nothing

June 7 Starring: Alexis Denisof, Amy Acker, Nathan Fillion Synopsis: In this new version of the Shakespeare comedy, as seen through the eyes of the director of The Avengers, love and death await those at a lavish party.

June 14 Starring: Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon Synopsis: Clark Kent leads a double life as Superman, who fights for truth, justice, and the American way. But his powers will be challenged like never before when criminals from Krypton’s past escape to Earth.

Monsters University

June 21 Starring: John Goodman, Billy Crystal, Steve Buscemi Synopsis: 10 years before Monsters, Inc., Mike and Sulley are in the same fraternity. But instead of being best friends, they are bitters rivals.

World War Z

June 21 Starring: Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos, James Badge Dale Synopsis: A United Nations worker travels the globe during a zombie plague, searching for a way to stop it and save the world.

The Lone Ranger

July 3 Starring: Armie Hammer, Johnny Depp, Tom Wilkinson Synopsis: From the director of the first three Pirates of the Caribbean movies, a Texas Ranger is shot and left for dead in the desert, but a Native American saves his life. The two men team up to fight greed and corruption in the Old West.

The Wolverine

SIEBBI/ WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Jay Gatsby in Baz Lurhmann’s The Great Gatsby.

Despicable Me 2

July 3 Starring: Steve Carell, Miranda Cosgrove, Kristen Wigg Synopsis: Gru is recruited by a team of heroes to help stop a new supervillain.

Pacific Rim

July 12 Starring: Charlie Hunnam, Idris Elba, Rinko Kikuchi Synopsis: From the director of Pan’s Labyrinth and Hellboy, when a wormhole opens in the Pacific Ocean and starts releasing giant monsters, humans build giant robots to fight them.

Only God Forgives

July 19 Starring: Ryan Gosling, Kristen Scott Thomas, Vithaya Pansringarm Synopsis: From the director of Drive, when a man is killed in Bangkok, his drug kingpin mother forces his brother to find the man responsible.

July 24 Starring: Hugh Jackman Synopsis: The X-Men’s greatest hero is recruited by a mysterious Japanese businessman with ties to his past and is offered the chance to be human. But just as Wolverine’s greatest desire becomes reality, his greatest enemy emerges from the shadows.

Blue Jasmine

July 26 Starring: Cate Blanchett, Alec Baldwin, Louis C.K. Synopsis: In Woody Allen’s latest film, a New York housewife goes through an emotional and economic crisis, leading her to run away to California.

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Arts

The Chronicle

May 7th, 2013

Kickin It with KJ:

Volume 81 Issue 32

Last Edition of the 2012-2013 School Year

By KEVIN JACOB Staff Writer

Welcome all to another edition of Kickin’ It with KJ. As it is, it’s that time folks. Finals have approached us. The semester and year have sped right on by and the shock of me actually becoming a senior is starting to hit me. But besides all of that, I’ve got some new stuff to review for this week.

This week I’ve heard a project or two that are really good but mainly I’ve heard more of individual songs so I’ll start off with them first.

Starlito – “Money Cacti” (Money Trees Freestyle) ATL’s Starlito has this song that’s a freestyle over Kendrick Lamar’s Money Trees and it’s awesome. With Lito’s lazy southern drawl of a flow you can hear a song including glamour, pain, death, happiness, and everything in between. To me it could be deemed almost as good as Kendrick’s.

Robb Bank$ ft. Mikey Rocks – “Practice” The first song off of Bank$ upcoming project Tha City is a banger. A really futuristic dreamy bass pounding instrumental and it has Mikey Rocks with a scene stealing verse. Bank$ is getting better and if this single has told me anything is that Tha City is going to be a game changer when it drops this summer.

LOGAN GARRETT/ WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Chance the Rapper’s album Acid Rap leaves listeners wanting more.

Niko G4 – “The Pull Up Is a Movement” This song is west coast Hip-Hop at it’s finest. It blends the “Turn Up” that everyone is always looking for with some Dr.Dre-esque laid back tendencies. Niko isn’t the greatest rapper but this song is excellent. Definitely check it out.

Top of the Box Office April 30 - May 7 1. Pain and Gain 2. Oblivion 3. 42 4. The Big Wedding 5. The Croods 6. G.I. Joe: Retaliation 7. Scary Movie 5 8. Olympus Has Fallen 9. The Place Beyond the Pines 10. Jurassic Park: An IMAX Experience Source: RottenTomatoes.com

$20.2M $17.8M $10.7M $7.6M $6.7M $3.7M $3.4M $2.9M $2.7M $2.4M

Now that I’ve gone over a couple songs that I’ve really been feeling let me fill you in on the lone project I’ve come across this week. Chance The Rapper’s Acid Rap. Chance The Rapper Acid Rap Chance The Rapper is a relatively new rapper straight out of Chicago. Last year he dropped a release called 10 Day, which I enjoyed, to an extent. There were a lot of things I liked but some things didn’t catch my attention.

Now Chance is back with his second full project in Acid Rap. Chance has definitely improved.

Whether it be his actually rapping abilities or his presence on the microphone you can tell that this kid is gonna blow up. Now people have been calling this the best thing out of Chicago since Kanye’s The College Dropout.

Pretty big task right? Well I don’t

know how big it could be, but right now I think it’s definitely one of the better projects to drop out of the Windy City.

Chance is different. He can seem outrageous and crazy at times or chilled and cool. The album starts off with “Pusha Man” which is made up of two songs in one. Next up we’ve got “Cocoa Butter Kisses” with Kids These Days Vic Mensa and Twista.

It’s definitely one of the better songs on the project. Other great songs on Acid Rap were “Favorite Song,” “NaNa,” and “Smoke Again.” My personal favorite was “Acid Rain” which has Chance getting pretty personal over a very mellow Jake One beat.

To me, Chance is better when

he’s personal, and it’s good to see him actually open up quite a bit on the project. My only complaint about Acid Rap is it’s just too short for me. I think 10 Day was like ten songs and here we only have thirteen. It may sound a bit selfish but I just wanted maybe a couple more songs from Chance.

In the end this project was great. Chance definitely has next for the Chi and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him sign a deal soon.

This one is a must have. One of the best and unique projects I’ve heard all year.

Rating: 9/10

Well all, that’s all for another semester/year of Kickin’ It with KJ. I want to thank all the readers for hopefully reading, and thanks to The Chronicle for letting me write every week (okay, usually every week).

There’s gonna be a ton of new releases and concerts this summer, so you already know that I’m gonna be enjoying myself. Everyone have a good summer and keep listening. Peace.

May 7th, 2013

Volume 81 Issue 32

Opinion

The Chronicle

A Letter from The Chronicle Adviser

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This year's staff epitomizes the meaning of team. Under the thoughtful guidance of co-executive editors Sunshine Osella and Jackson Wang, The Chronicle staff and its contributors have flourished and our audience has reaped the benefits.

This year, three seniors will graduate on May 11, Sunshine Osella, our opinion editor Regina Iannizzottoo, and advertising manager Caroline Murray. Each of these young women has maintained diligent attention to the paper, two while student teaching, and the other while holding down a newspaper internship this semester. We are so fortunate to have benefited from their participation in the weekly production of the student newspaper.

Thank you to Sunshine, Regina, and Caroline, and to the support of our Student Affairs Offices and the Student Association. All of us wish these three young women every happiness as the next chapter of their lives unfolds.

Sincerely, Cailin Brown Adviser, The Chronicle.

A Transfer’s Perspective It’s That Good-bye Time of Year

Looking back on this year I the campus community here is so new transfers as well! I just want can honestly say that transferring supportive of each other, it feels to also wish all my senior friends here to Saint Rose was a great de- like a giant family! I am thank- who are graduating, happy graducision for different reasons! The ful that I have made great friends ation! Thank you all for making first reason being that I have had since transferring and getting in- my first year here at Saint Rose many opportunities academically volved! I cannot wait until I get so much fun! That's a wrap! Hope that I would never see myself to meet more people next year all of you readers have a great doing if I didn't come to Saint and hopefully welcome some summer! See you in the fall!

Rose. I learned how to produce both radio and television reports, which will come in handy once I begin my career as a broadcaster!

In fact I was asked to film a student testimonial for prospective transfer students by admissions! That was so exciting! And as far as academics go I was elected the President of Tau Sigma (Transfer Honor Society) here as well as Co Vice President for the Dean’s Student Advisory Council for the School of Arts and Humanities! I'm looking forward to the next school year academically! Socially, I have met some of the nicest people here at Saint Rose, thanks to getting involved in Student Events Board and COURTESY OF LAUREN SEARS The Chronicle to name A collage of Lauren Sears with friends from this year. a few! The majority of

Girl 1 in Centennial: “You look really thin today.”

Girl 2: “Really? Because I had two chocolate chip banana pancakes today, but thanks!”

Girl 1 in Centennial: “Since when is your hair so long?

Girl 2: “I suck the youth out of little children and it grows my hair out like in Hocus Pocus.”

Guy 1: in Centennial: “I’ll be your plus one.

Guy 2: “Mine or hers?”

Guy 1: “Hers.”

Guy 2: “I’m offended.”

Guy 1: “You should be. I’m trying to make you jealous.”

Girl in CCIM: “There’s a porcupine in my nose.”

Guy: “That sounds unpleasant.”

Guy Walking: “I turn into a murderer when I’m hungry.”

Guy Walking: “How is Paula Deen still alive?”

Guy 2: “She’s on her way out.”

Guy in Dining Hall: “Dude, you sound like that animal from Star Wars.”

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The Chronicle

Opinion

May 7th, 2013

Volume 81 Issue 32

A Farewell from The Chronicle Co-Executive Editor: Sunshine Osella Writing a farewell letter is no easy task. The hardest part is knowing where to start. For me, I believe it is first and foremost important to mention that no words can ever express how much Saint Rose means to me.

For the last four years, Saint Rose has been my home. Since my sophomore year, The Chronicle became my family. When I came to my first The Chronicle meeting, I never would have guessed that down the road I would become the co-executive editor. From my very first meeting, I knew The Chronicle was a hardworking, excellent group of people I would be lucky to be a part of. I had found my niche at Saint Rose.

Saint Rose is a unique place because most groups accept all majors and interests as long as they have a desire to be involved, and The Chronicle is no exception.

As an Early Childhood Education major, I am not what you would expect of a newspaper head editor. Yet, I was unquestioningly welcomed from the beginning.

At the risk of being overly sentimental and corny, The Chronicle opened up an exciting and magical world I did not realize I was missing. I began avidly writing for the paper and was honored when all my stories were being published. Then, when I had people approaching me about my articles and realized people were actually reading what I wrote and cared about it, I knew for sure that I had found something special.

When former Executive Editor, Ian Benjamin, approached me about becoming an editor, it seemed like a natural next step.

From there, The Chronicle offered me a multitude of opportunities including interviews with former Saint Rose President R. Mark Sullivan and trustee of the College of Saint Rose and greatgrandson of William Randolph

Hearst, George R. Hearst III. Yet, these personal accomplishments are nothing compared to the combined efforts of the entire Chronicle staff.

This year, through the hard work of the entire team of editors and writers, we have published 32 editions, which is no small feat. The dedication of each and every person on the staff is commendable. The quality of work produced by this talented group of individuals was recently recognized with a first place award from the American Scholastic Press Association. I feel honored to have had the opportunity to work alongside so many amazing people.

I would be committing a grave oversight if I did not take this opportunity to acknowledge my amazing co-editor, Jackson Wang. He has been nothing short of incredible and I could not have done it without him. His patience and understanding with my hectic student teaching schedule was commendable. When I depart this week, I know the paper will be left in more than capable hands.

The Chronicle would also not be the successful publication it is today without the guidance and support of our faculty adviser, Cailin Brown. Her unerring and consistent support it what keeps the paper running smoothly. From advice on sensitive situations to quick email responses long after business hours, her willingness to help in anyway is amazing. She is truly the foundational support of The Chronicle and I could not wish for anyone better. I can not thank her enough.

I can honestly say that I would not be the person I am today without the entire Saint Rose Community: students, faculty, and staff. I would like to offer special thanks to the amazing individuals who cleaned up after us messy college students, especially Rosa and

Ewa and to the always smiling Annie in the dining hall. And to the diligent security guards who never failed in making me feel safe on campus. I can also not leave out the amazing Joan Horgan, Saint Rose would not be the same without her. Also, thank you to my amazing roommate and friend, Shaina Carrigan, who's kindness and sense of humor is what got me through the tough times as well as the good. To my

friends, family, and others that number too many to acknowledge individually, thank you!

My four years at Saint Rose have been a wonderful ride with ups and downs, but I would not change any of it. I feel so blessed that Saint Rose will continue to be my home for another two years as I begin my graduate studies in the fall. I will carry the experiences and friendships I have gained during my time at this fine insti-

Graduating Co-executive Editor Sunshine Osella

tution with me forever.

Congratulations Class of 2013, I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.

Sincerely, Sunshine Osella Outgoing Editor

KELLY PFEISTER

May 7th, 2013

Volume 81 Issue 32

Opinion

The Chronicle

C17

A Farewell from Senior Susan Walensky

To sum up my entire experience come to college, so the idea of at Saint Rose in less than 1,000 moving 3,000 miles away from words in near impossible - espe- everything I knew seemed uncially since I am writing this in bearable. Years later I still credit true college fashion: 2am in Lima it to be my favorite memory from Lab. But I really can’t even be- college and I would do over again gin to describe how much I have in a heartbeat if I had the chance. loved the past four years here. I Being in Ireland gave me the opreally only applied to this school portunity to travel around almost because my older sister Sherrie whenever I wanted to go. Casucame here and then I forgot to ap- ally taking a weekend trip to Belply to other schools before it was gium (or any other country) is not too late. Whoops! I think that was uncommon there, and is totally the greatest mistake of my life be- amazing. I met so many incredcause I could not imagine my life ible people and made friends being anywhere else. I’ve met so from all over that I still keep in many people here that have truly touch with. In a way I owe it all to impacted my life. There are liter- Meghan Bulva. Without her enally too many people to mention, couragement, Ireland would still but there are a few people at this be a pipedream. school that I really need to thank Sophomore year is also when for giving me the opportunity to I became friends with one of the grow as a person on so many lev- biggest influences in my life in els. general: John MacDonald. He is Before I came to Saint Rose, I my number one frenemy, but also was in no way a leader and didn’t truly one of my best friends and really have an interest in becom- long lost twin. I’ve never known ing one. My friend Mary Uboldi anyone as driven & motivated to and I joined several clubs our do not just big things, but epic freshman year and when the pres- things. I’m sure everyone knows ident of SADD stepped down, him from the pop musicals in St. Mary was there to support me in Joe’s every year and I was lucky my run for president. At the start enough to see most them unof our sophomore year, Mary and fold from the start and be a part I were working together as vice of them. I am by no means shy president and president, respec- (albeit quite stage fright at times) tively. The work we were do- but John found my weak spots ing helped me become a leader and prominent face on campus. After that I was able to branch out and take on leadership roles in other clubs like Identity and Outside the [Box], which jump started my two year reign as a graphic designer on campus.

Spring semester of my sophomore year I studied abroad in Ireland for five of possibly the best months of my life.

I never would have had the courage to go if it weren’t for my freshman year RA Meghan Bulva, who happened to also share the same dream.

I was afraid to even KELLY PFEISTER Susan Walensky

and pulled them out of me. He is constantly pushing me to do better than I thought I could and always has a quip to cheer me on, no matter what I’m doing. When we did Mean Girls: the Musical, he cast me as the infamous wide set vagina girl, Bethany Byrd. I laughed it off at first, but when it sunk in that I’d have to be on stage in front of people I didn’t know, I was horrified. John never doubted me for a second, even when I was a total drama queen about it. I’ve learned so much from him, and watching him work on his web series inspired me to make own short film and music videos.

By the time I finished junior year, I didn’t think it would get better than it was. I had just moved into Alumni for the summer when I became fast (like warp speed) friends with Eliza-

beth Corey, Allie Willer and Brendan Peo. These three people have had such an impact on my life in a very short time. Even though at first I felt like our personalities would jive well together, it quickly turned out to be the complete opposite. After working with John for so long, and tagging along on his project, I didn’t really know what it was like to piece a video together on your own.

Liz, Allie, and Brendan let me in the one in charge, and let me pretend that I knew what I was doing when John wasn’t around to coach me. Together we made a couple of silly music videos, and I developed a real passion for filmmaking. I couldn’t thank them enough for their patience with me when I kept accidentally forgetting to press record, and we won’t even get into all the times

we had to re-record something because I was shaking the camera from laughing too hard.

That is just a small snippet of the amazing people I’ve met at Saint Rose. If I ever needed to vent, a shoulder to cry on, or someone to listen to my cheesy jokes, there is always someone around. From an old best friend like Kate Maher, to a new best friend like Nathaniel Meyers, to an acquaintance like Dani Intschert, there is love everywhere at Saint Rose. I can’t even fathom how many times I’ve needed support and got much more than I could ever ask for. If I had to redo everything and actually apply to other schools, I would always pick Saint Rose. It’s been my home for the past four years and leaving it behind will be the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.

When you’re a freshman, graduation seems light years away.

No matter how many times you watch National Lampoon’s “Van Wilder” and “Animal House,” or “Legally Blonde” there is no predicting how the next four years of your life will unfold.

Clueless, newly independent and not a care in the world, let’s face it freshman year of college is but a scary and wonderful dream.

At least it was for me.

And if freshman year was a dream, then the following three were my own personal fairytale, minus prince charming.

Although it might not have felt like it at the time, when I began at Saint Rose I was filling in life’s blank pages with a tale of how a self-conscious and uncertain girl turned her life around and made the best of her time away.

For starters, I joined a lot of clubs. I ended up dropping out of a majority of them, but I met a lot of great people along the way, especially those who run the student newspaper.

I also received a work-study job at The Career Center, which in my opinion is the best office on campus, for many reasons besides the free chocolate and pens.

My junior year I studied abroad in London and traveled to some of Europe’s oldest and most charming cities. This, I surely won’t forget.

Academically, I put a lot of time and effort into my coursework and it paid off. I came out a well-rounded, knowledgeable, passionate and creative person for this. Plus, my resume doesn’t look too shabby either.

The professors of the COM department always made it easy and inviting to drop in their office. Boy, did I take advantage of their time. Some would even let me vent about my day even when they had a million other things to tackle.

At my very last undergrad class, I felt myself holding back tears. Not every college or professor has this effect on you, but that’s the Saint Rose difference I

suppose.

Lastly and most importantly, I met four of the best girls, roommates and friends I could ask for.

Together we have shared more memories than a book could hold, a song could play or a movie could project. We have bonded over Brubacher Hall, questionable dining hall food, awkward house parties, late night pizza slices, the triple in Carey Hall, Albany’s selective dating scene, Centennial’s apartments, countless all nighters, dreaded finals week, St. Patrick ’s Day, strolls on Lark, townies, weekend trips to Boston, internship woes and much more.

I am a firm believer that everybody you meet in life has a purpose in yours. The small and friendly community at Saint Rose has made that clear. Although we will be saying goodbye shortly, our tale still remains.

I won’t forget you, college.

Thank you and farewell.

A Farewell from Advertising Manager Caroline Murray

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Opinion

May 7th, 2013

Volume 81 Issue 32

A Double Farewell from Senior Lyssa Merle and Opinion Editor Regina Iannizzotto

It's not you, it's me! It's time to get out of here! Thank you for memories since freshman year!

I cannot believe the amount of opportunities that I have had being here. I have made amazing friends to keep for a lifetime.

Thank you to Leah Gapp and Regina Iannizzotto for continuously staying by my side this year! I could not ask for a better friends!

Also, shout out to past graduate Tim Irizarry for being my rock and continuously supporting me!

Everybody knows that Dr. Pfister does way more than any other teacher on this campus. So, Dr. Pfister, from all of us education majors - thank you for always having an open door, feeding us, and helping us with more than you are required to! You have been more than a teacher to me, you have also been someone to talk to about more than just school work. You will be missed!

To my ACCESS/HEOP family, thank you for the memories since summer 2009! Our class is one for the books and no other class will compare to us. Natalie, Mary and Jackie have been our supporting rocks and have pushed us more than ever. Tyese welcome to the family and I wish I had way more time to get to know you. The memories of ACCESS/ HEOP are known between us and those memories will be forever in my heart. Thank you to Katie Ioanna who has been my best friend since day one!

Saint Rose has truly been a place where big moments in my life were supported by not just my friends, but people I did not even know. At the Relay for Life event last year, it was my first time going where cancer had affected my family. My Grandfather was in the midst of his battle against cancer and at this event, I did not feel alone. I felt supported from beginning to end. People wished my Grandfather the best and kept him in his heart. I was surrounded by love, support and the thought of strength and more

birthdays for my Grandfather.

Saint Rose has helped me through this process and has affected me in the idea that I do not have to go at this alone.

As I reflect upon my time here at Saint Rose, I realize the change in my self. I have grown more confident, healthy, and proud of myself. I have learned to stand up for what I believe in while learning to surround myself with people that care. Saint Rose, thank you for the change in myself and helping me grow. I will never forget the experience you gave me.

From all the Rose Rocks, semi formals, bingo nights, Relay for Life's, movie nights and I cannot forget the late nights in Neil Heilman, all of the hours in Lima lab, the time spent with teachers, the stress of student teaching and my portfolio - it has been an amazing roller coaster ride that I will never forget.

To the class of 2013, good luck in in your future! WE DID IT! Congratulations!

Congratulations Class of 2013 and good luck in your future endeavors.

Photo Courtesy of Lyssa Merle

This photo is of Senior Lyssa Merle (left) and Opinion Editor Regina Iannizzotto (right) at an event during the 2012-2013 school year.

Saying goodbye is not something I am very good at. Then again, many say it is not saying goodbye, but rather until we meet again. So that is how I am looking at graduation. I am not saying goodbye to my friends (who have becomem y family) and the professors who have taught me so much, but rather I will see you soon.

I would not be attending graduation if it were not for Dr. Pfister – that’s number one. Dr. Pfister has given me so many pieces of advice (not to mention snacks),

that I could not thank her enough for. Not even this mention in The Chronicle could equal the thanks she deserves, as well as Mr. Shaefer. Both of these professors have guided me with words of wisdom, snacks, and laughter. I could not be more grateful.

I have no idea where I would be without my roommate, Sabrina Castrovinci. If it were not for her, I do not think I would have survived this semester. She knows

when I am upset - and how to fix it. She knows when I am happy – and how to join in my excitement. I will miss our trips to the Pottery Place and late night milkshake runs (they kept me afloat).

This past semester, I completed my student teaching experience. I would not have succeeded without the help of Lyssa Merle.

She helped me, reviewed my lessons, and rubbed my back when I was overly stressed. During portfolio, we sat together and waited, hoping to pass. Thankfully we both did and are now able to walk across stage together.

My friends have become my family at Saint Rose. Without them, I don’t think I would have been able to survive, let alone graduate. I should have kept a journal these past four years.

Then I could remember each moment without letting them slip by.

My family has always been by my side, supporting me and guiding me. They have helped me with projects, words of advice, and always there to listen to my drama. Without them, I would not be walking across that stage receiving an expensive piece of paper that shows my accomplishments at the college.

My advice to those undergrads who are waiting for the day they can be in my shoes: don’t let anything slip by you. Go to every event you can, take as many pictures as you can, experience everything you can. Those nights sitting in your room watching movies are fine, but do not let them become frequent. Get out there and breathe that fresh air (whether it be warm or cold),a nd experience as much as you can.

Get involved as much as possible. It is one thing to say you graduated from college, but it is another to say that you experienced it.

So thank you to my friends, family, and professors who have gotten me this far. Without your love and support, I would not the confidence in my future as I do.

May 7th, 2013

Volume 81 Issue 32

Sports

The Chronicle

D19

Courageous Collins Announces He is Gay

By CONNOR HICKS Staff Writer In a story for Sports Illustrated that released earlier this week, Jason Collins, a member of the NBA’s Washington Wizards this season, became the first active player in any of the four major American professional team sports to come out as a gay man.

The 7-foot center, who was drafted by the Houston Rockets in 2001, wrote “I didn’t set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport. But since I am, I’m happy to start the conversation.” He later admitted, “I wish I wasn’t the kid in the classroom raising his hand and saying, ‘I’m different.’

If I had my way, someone else would have already done this.

Nobody has, which is why I’m raising my hand.”

John Amaechi, who played 5 seasons in the NBA, became the 6th player in a major American professional team sport to publicly address their homosexuality.

Amaechi did this in 2007, nearly four years after he retired from the league. While many accepted and supported his coming out, he was openly bashed as well. Perhaps most notable among those who spoke out against Amaechi was Tim Hardaway, a former 5-time all-star in the NBA. “You know, I hate gay people, so I let it be known,” Hardaway said in a radio interview with Miami columnist Dan Le Batard. “I don’t like gay people and I don’t like to be around gay people. I am homophobic. I don’t like it. It shouldn’t be in the world or in the United States.”

When asked if he would be accepting of an active player’s coming out, Hardaway answered, “First of all, I wouldn’t want him on my team. And second of all, if he was on my team, I would, you know, really distance myself from him because uh, I don’t think that’s right. And you know I don’t think he should be in the locker room while we’re in the locker room. I wouldn’t even be

a part of that.”

These statements had to have had an impact on Collins. As a professional athlete, you never want to be a distraction that defers your organization’s focus from anything but winning. Furthermore, to anticipate such negative reactions from respected players such as Hardaway couldn’t have made it easier for Collins to open up.

However, perhaps to be attributed to the change in climate since 2007, Collins was accepted with open arms by countless individuals around the NBA. Kobe Bryant was among them.

“Proud of @jasoncollins34,” the superstar tweeted on Monday.

“Don’t suffocate who u r because of the ignorance of others #courage #support #mambaarmystandup #BYOU” Doc Rivers, a former coach of Jason Collins in his stint with the Celtics this season, said in a statement with Sports Illustrated, “I’m really proud of Jason. He still can play. He’ll be active in WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Collins hopes more players will be coming out just as he did.

JOSHUA S. KELLY/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

NBA center Jason Collins annouced that he is gay last week.

our league, I hope, and we can get by this—get past this. I think it would be terrific for the league.

More than anything, it would just be terrific for mankind, my gosh.”

Perhaps what makes Collins’ coming out most remarkable is that he has not yet signed with a team for next season. The twelveyear veteran, whose contract with the Wizards ended with the conclusion of this season, wrote in the Sports Illustrated article: “Now I'm a free agent, literally and figuratively. I've reached that enviable state in life in which I can do pretty much what I want.

And what I want is to continue to play basketball," he wrote. "I still love the game, and I still have something to offer. My coaches and teammates recognize that. At the same time, I want to be genuine and authentic and truthful."

Basketball is game that re-

quires a close connection with your teammates. The sport does not require the 53-player roster of an NFL team, or the 40-player roster of an MLB team; it requires 12. In order for a team to be successful, these 12 need to be completely in sync with each other, something that results from a mutual on and off-court understanding of one another.

It is a game that requires the trust of everyone on your team, a brotherhood that reinforces the notion that you have your teammate’s back and they have yours.

If someone cannot honest about who they truly are, there is no doubt that this bond will be distorted and unauthentic.

Maybe this is something Jason Collins may now fully experience, because he surely deserves to.

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The Chronicle

Sports

May 7th, 2013

Volume 81 Issue 32

Caitlin Brauer Ends Illustrious Golden Knights Career

By JOSHUA NATOLI Sports Editor The academic challenge of college is enough to make any person crack. Throw in being an athlete in NCAA Division II competition and it seems nearly impossible. Caitlin Brauer of the Golden Knights Women’s Swim team would tell you otherwise.

Brauer has been honored by the Northeast-10 conference with a Scholar-Athlete Sports Excellence Award for the 2012-2013 winter sports season. To be eligible for the Scholar-Athlete Sport Excellence Award, Brauer had to complete at least two consecutive semesters of full-time enrollment at Saint Rose and at least two years of athletic eligibility. More importantly, Brauer must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.30.

If you ask Brauer how she could accomplish such a balancing act she would tell you it was all with support, “I had a lot of support from my friends, parents and coaches,” said Brauer. “Even though some days were hard to get through everything always worked out.”

The books are not the only

COURTESY OF SAINT ROSE ATHLETICs

Caitlin Brauer will be graduating with a MBA in Accounting.

things Brauer hits. She has quite the successful track record in the water as well. Brauer is currently the most decorated female swimmer The College of Saint Rose has ever put in competitive waters. A comptetive swimmer since the age of five, Brauer owns seven individual school records and is part of four record-setting relay teams. Brauer has qualified for the NCAA Championships in each of her four years as a Golden Knight, and was also the first female to do so for Saint Rose. She has also been recognized by the College Swimming Coaches Association of America as a Scholar All-American in each of the past three years.

Swimming in the NCAA Championships is a moment that Brauer cherishes as her most memorable at The College of Saint Rose, “My most memorable moment at St. Rose was the first time I made it back top 8 in the 400 IM at Nationals,” said Brauer. “It was incredible being marched out in finals with some of the greatest athletes in Division II.” Brauer attributes her success to her swimming coach Keith Murray, “I don't think I could have swam for any other school and be as successful as I was. Not only did (Murray) make swimming fun for me again, but he challenged me to work harder and achieve my goals.”

Brauer has also served as the senior representative for USA Swimming, “I was the senior representative for USA Swimming in the Adirondack Region for my last year of high school and my first year of college. As the senior representative, I was required to vote on new rules and regulations for USA swimming. After two

COURTESY OF SAINT ROSE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT

Caitlin Brauer (center) is considered the greatest female swimmer Saint Rose has ever put in the water. years, new representatives are voted in by the athletes in the region. It was a great experience.”

Brauer, an Accounting major, will soon be able to use her academic skill in the workplace.

After graduating this May with her MBA in just four years’ time Brauer will be heading to work for UHY International in downtown Albany, “I will be working as a staff accountant in their auditing department, “said Brauer.

“I'm very excited to have finished school with two degrees, and have a job immediately after graduation.”

Certainly not a bad way to close out the greatest female swimming career in Golden Knights history.

The Chronicle is currently seeking individuals to fill open positions for the 2013-14 academic year. Individuals interested in the position(s) are encouraged to apply.

If interested, send an e-mail with your resume and two writing or design samples attached (or linked) to Co-Executive Editors Sunshine Osella and Jackson Wang at chronicle@strose.edu.

If you would like more information about what the responsibilities of each position entail, send an e-mail to chronicle@strose.edu.

All positions are stipended. Interviews will be scheduled upon receipt of application.