The Tower - Oct. 2016

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OCT | 2016

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THE TOWER

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THE INDEPENDENT VOICE OF KEAN UNIVERSITY

Kean group rewards Elizabeth heroes after bomb incidents

By Rebecca Panico When Prof. Norma Bowe heard of the bombs found near the Elizabeth train station on Sept.

18, it bothered her that the two men responsible for alerting police of the danger were known only as homeless.

“Anyone can be a hero, even someone homeless,” said Bowe, founder of Be the Change, a Kean University-based organization that’s been helping people locally and nationally since 2008. “And therefore we have to extrapolate that homeless people are people and we don’t treat them very well.”

Bowe – notable for her popular death class at Kean University -- and members of Be the Change made it their mission to track the two men down. They not only wanted to help them, but reward them for their courage.

“I couldn’t let it stand that they were being called two homeless men,” Bowe added.

“Especially -- one of them had a home.”

Ivan White, a Navy veteran, has a home, while Lee Parker has been homeless for about four years, Bowe said. The two friends have been caught in a whirlwind of media attention since they stumbled upon a backpack filled with explosives near the Broad Street train station about a mile away from Kean University.

After realizing what the contents of the backpack were, they walked the bombs to a less

populated area off of Broad Street and then headed to the Elizabeth Police Department nearby to alert authorities of the danger, Bowe said. The package was later unintentionally set off by a Union County Bomb Squad robot.

Since Parker and White’s heroics, Ahmad Khan Rahami of Elizabeth, was charged in connection with the bombs in not only Elizabeth, but also Seaside Park and Manhattan, CNN reported.

Parker told The Tower that he slept in an abandoned building the same night he alerted police of the danger. Parker became homeless after Hurricane Sandy in 2012, Bowe said.

“We’re all just one paycheck away,” said Parker. “When the storm hit, one thing led to another. I was unemployed for a while and exhausted the unemployment benefits and found myself here.”

“Before I was homeless, I was employed. I was driving forklifts, I was shipping, receiving […] I was a workaholic.”

The duo were given the key to the city at Elizabeth City Hall on Sept. 27 and honored again two days later at a Union County Freeholders meeting along with the Elizabeth and Linden police departments and the Union County Bomb Squad.

A Gofundme page has raised over$33,000 since Sept. 19 and will be divided evenly among Parker, White and the Elizabeth Coalition to

Lee Parker, center holding a t-shirt, stands with members of Be the Change.

House the Homeless.

“We’d most like to thank the Coalition to [House] the Homeless,” White said at City

Photo courtesy of Norma Bowe

Hall. “…We just appreciate everything everyone has done for us, and God bless you all.”

At City Hall, Elizabeth Mayor Chris continued on page 6

Kean Police Department secures campus in wake of false alarms

By Cody Louie Kean University police responded to three reports of suspicious packages on campus, with the latest occurring on Oct. 13 which led to the evacuation of the Green Lane Building.

A suspicious package was found near the Union train station around 10 a.m. on Oct. 13 when authorities decided to evacuate the building. The Union County Bomb Squad deemed the situation safe about an hour later, and the campus returend to normal operations, a campus alert said.

Another suspicious package was found near Willis Hall on Sept. 24. The suspicious package was a shoebox, according to an email sent out by University Relations.

“The caller said she was handed a box by a stranger who then got on the Kean Trolley,” said Ana A. Zsak, Director of the Kean PD. With the assistance of the Union County Bomb Squad the package was investigated and found to be a non-explosive device. Further investigation revealed that “it was a simple misunderstanding,” explained Zsak.

The third occurrence was also reported through the police dispatch. A suspicious package was seen outside Whiteman Hall. The description given was that it had “a battery and wires”.

After investigation the package was deemed safe and was later found to be “material left behind by a university facilities crew member, who planned to retrieve it,” said Zsak.

All of the incidents were resolved in about an hour. Though the campus is not on high alert, Zsak emphasized that it is important to realize that “these incidents serve as good reminders to the Campus Community to be alert and aware of our surroundings.”

With all of the recent events that have taken place at and near Kean, it is nice to know that students can feel safe going to and from class.

“We appreciate the continued support from the community and the community’s continued efforts in maintaining a safe campus, ” Zsak stated.

Students can get information sent directly to their phones about a number of things such as security issues, shutdowns, and closures. In order to sign up for this service go to www. kean.edu/campusalert for more information.

Students can also contact the Kean Police Department at their 24-hour communications center at (908)-737-4800 for emergencies, inquiries and assistance.

Kean drops health insurance plan for students

By Rebecca Panico Kean stopped providing health insurance to students this fall and is instead directing them to the Affordable Care Act website, more commonly known as Obamacare.

The change comes in the wake of state legislation from 2013, which sought to make higher education more affordable by nixing the requirement that students needed health insurance to attend college.

“Students have the freedom to choose their own health care plan rather than purchase a universitysponsored plan,” Kean University spokeswoman Margaret McCorry said in an email, adding that other universities like Stockton, New Jersey City University, Ramapo College and William Paterson University no longer provide an insurance policy through the school too.

Kean University’s former health insurance policy, offered through UnitedHealthCare Inc., cost $1,480 for undergraduates and $2,150 for graduate students in fall 2015, said Kean University spokeswoman Margaret McCorry.

Over 1,130 student were enrolled in the plan, according to McCorry, who noted that the numbers were “inflated” because some students mistakenly failed to waive the school’s insurance by deadline.

Students at Kean University were informed of the changes to the health care policy via email in April and July. Federal regulation still requires everyone to have health insurance coverage or they will be penalized in their taxes.

Some schools like The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) still require students to have insurance and

Photo: Chris Potter via Creative Commons

Kean University’s former health insurance policy, offered through UnitedHealthCare Inc., cost $1,480 for undergraduates in the fall 2015 semester, according to Kean’s spokeswoman.

automatically enroll them in the Student Injury and Sickness Insurance Plan unless they show proof of insurance from another source. Students who do not waive the school’s insurance are billed $1,605 for the plan.

TCNJ explains on their website that it offers coverage to help those who aren’t covered under a parent’s plan. TCNJ’s estimates that about 10 percent of students in the state are not covered.

Meanwhile, Rutgers University -- which also requires students to provide proof of insurance to enroll while still offering a plan for purchase through the school -provides this interpretation of the bill on their website: “On July 5, 2013, the State of New Jersey repealed longstanding legislation that made it mandatory for full-time students attending New Jersey’s colleges and universities to have health insurance. The state preserved the part of the law, however, that requires colleges and universities to offer health insurance for purchase by full-time students.”

Senators Ron Rice (D-Essex) and Robert Singer (R-Monmouth) were sponsors senate bill 2291 from 2013.

The New Jersey Council of County Colleges (NJCCC) -an organization that works to improve student success -- pushed to eliminate the healthcare requirement for students in the legislature nearly three years ago.

The NJCCC, in an open letter to legislators in 2013, estimated that the cost of student health insurance plans would increase from $100 a year to over $1500 annually under the federal Affordable Care Act, effectively making college unaffordable for many students.

The New Jersey Association of State Colleges and Universities (NJASCU), a non-governmental agency created by the state legislature to advance and advocate higher education in the state, weighed in on the issue.

Each university or college’s governing body, like a school’s Board of Trustees, determines whether to offer health insurance -- or require it -- based upon the profile of the student body, said NJASCU CEO Mike Klein.

“The profile of students is different” at each university or college,” he said. “A more residential setting where students are on campus 24/7 and more accidents can happen...that’s part of the reasoning.”

Schools would act as a middleman between insurance companies and students, said Klein, but would probably bear some administrative costs to handle things like paperwork involved in enrolling students in a plan.

For more information on Kean’s health insurance changes, visit their website [link here] or go to www.healthcare.gov.

2 THE TOWER

October, 2016

College Hour episode 1: Arte Magnus College Hour is a series of interviews accompanied by videotaped conversations and performances focusing on college artists who operate on campus.

By Elijah Tarik Powell Within the residence halls of Kean University, spacey synths and crashing drums vibrate through the walls. The College Hour crew met up with the Hip Hop/Experimental musician Alec Daily to hear what he has to say about his music, its roots and the process of music making in the residence halls of Kean.

The Rochelle Park native’s intellectual lyricism and relaxing sound has caught the artist a small buzz here at Kean University from performing at various on campus events over his years here, and beyond, having performed at places like Cafe Sole in Jersey City, NJ, and The Meatlocker in Montclair, NJ. The senior resident’s major is communication with a concentration in media. He explained the connection between the university and his music in our exclusive interview.

“As far as influence, I’d say it influenced my music in the sense of the experiences I’ve went through [here], just interactions with people more so than anything else. My music definitely helped me improve my writing for school. Writing essays is nothing, after writing sixteen bars consistently over the years.”

Arte Magnus’ musical influences include such mainstream artists as Kendrick Lamar, to the lesser known ones like Skyzoo and Oddisee. Production wise he cites J. Cole as an influence, while he played an original beat from his Akai MPC controller.

Operating almost completely in his dorm, fantastic artistry is produced and recorded using his Akai MPC controller in conjunction with the Akai MPC Studio program, all of which he started using in 2014.

However, while he does think that such artistry is actually abundant on campus, he feels that it goes largely unnoticed.

“I would say the Kean scene needs more awareness of Hip Hop...People [should be] spreading more of their talents and people not being so shy. I feel like people should come outside of the dorms and present their music, just around campus and just go everywhere with it.”

He believes it is only right being that most of the students he sees or knows at the University listen to Hip Hop music. Magnus notes that more outlets, including clubs or open mics for artists to meet and perform, would also help the spread of the

This episode’s featured musician is Alec Daily, known by his fans as Arte Magnus, or AM-95. Living at Kean University, Magnus produces and records his own music and is currently working on a new album.

Photo: Dave Long

Alec Daily, known by his stage name Arte Magnus, performs his new single.

underground musical culture that is alive and well at Kean University.

“I feel like Hip hop itself is all over the place, as far as trap music and conscious music, but I feel like Hip Hop is going in a new direction, and hopefully we’ll see artists with real messages coming up soon.”

His soon to be released album, Tales In The Hourglass, may be a part of that new direction.

Magnus elaborates on the title of his upcoming project, “It’s about tales and the hourglass being our life and time passing by. Every song tells a different tale. It tells about me, society, life, and how people are living it, so hopefully they get the message.”

Kean students like Sean Blell have already gotten that message because of his previous releases, and are excited for his upcoming project which will serve as a new chapter.

“Alec’s music is intelligent, he has thoughtful bars that hold weight and carry a purpose. He doesn’t fit in today’s hip hop/ rap standard, instead he pushes to make music that channels what hip hop / rap used to be.”

Arte Magnus can be found on Instagram and Twitter by his social media handle @am95music.

New projects and singles, as well as his past musical releases can be found on his soundcloud under the name AM ‘95.

Kean Ocean News

Mahajan speaks to Kean Ocean class.

The Tower met up with Arte Magnus to discuss his musical message and inspiration. Visit www. kutower.com to watch the full episode.

To learn more about this Arte Magnus, visit his SoundCloud page at:

www.soundcloud.com/arte-magnus

Photo: Dave Long

Arte Magnus displays his akai Professional Music Production Center.

Kean community reacts to dreadlock ruling in the South

Photo: Emily Casey

Jeff Mahajan shares stories from his pursuit of a ‘Souper’ music festival

By Emily Casey Jeff Mahajan, a music professor at Brookdale Community College, paid Kean Ocean a visit on Oct 5 as a volunteer guest speaker for an Event Planning & Management class. Mahjan years of involvement in planning events for his own band, Turtle Soup, he shared information about this with the class.

“I felt that the appearance from Jeff

Mahajan was one of the more educational experiences that I have had the pleasure of learning from while at Kean,” said Tom Nuara, a Kean Ocean student. “I am very grateful for him taking the time to educate us on planning a live multi-day event.”

Mahajan shared what he has learned from his experience as the producer of Souper Groove Music Festival, like how to set a goal, methods of budgeting and tips on getting publicity.

Kean Ocean Communication Club volunteers at assisted living home

By Emily Casey The Kean Ocean Communication Club visited The Chelsea Assisted Living for the first time this season on Wednesday, Oct 5. Club members spent over an hour coloring, playing games and sharing stories with the residents at The Chelsea.

This small act of kindness brought smiles to many of the residents faces.

Right: Lois, a member of the board, coloring with the residents of The Chelsea Assisted Living.

Photo: Chelsea Delesandro

Photo: Richard Masoner via Creative Commons

An 11th District Court of Appeals in the South ruled in favor of a company that fired a woman for having dreadlocks.

By Joshua Rosario Kean students and faculty weighed in on a recent court ruling in the South which favored a company that fired a black woman because of her dreadlocks.

The Equal Opportunity Commission filed a lawsuit on behalf of Chasity Jones, an employee at an Alabamabased insurance company called Catastrophe Management Solution, after she was told she couldn’t have dreadlocks, Vox reported.

Jones was told by a human resource manager that her hairstyle went against company policy and that dreadlocks tend to get messy, Vox reported.

The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on Sept. 15 in favor of the company, 3-0.

“It’s stereotypical, and I think it’s not right,” said Alexander Wooten, a Kean student who wears dreadlocks.

“In this day and age it shouldn’t matter what a person looks like as long as that person can do the job right. It doesn’t matter if he’s black, white, Asian, Spanish with dreadlocks as long as he could help the company out. Who Cares? Why would someone care?”

Fernando Linhares, a criminal

justice professor at Kean Ocean and former municipal judge, explained that the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals only affects Georgia, Florida and Alabama. The ruling would only apply to those states, he said.

“We are in the 3rd Circuit, a more progressive circuit,” Linhares said, adding that the 3rd Circuit effects New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania. “It [the case] would be used to be persuasive in other circuits, [if] it is precedent in the 11th U.S. Circuit.”

Linhares also explained that if the dreadlocks were a religious styling, the hairstyle could be protected under the first amendment.

Meanwhile, Dr. James Conyers, a professor of Africana studies at Kean, referred to the ruling in the South a “cultural stop and frisk.”

According to Conyers, dreadlocks go as far back as ancient Egypt and became popularized by the Rastafarian culture.

“Dreadlocks historically have a spiritual significance,” he said.

In the past, dreadlocks were known simply as “dreads,” signifying that Rastafarians had a dread, fear and respect for God, Conyers said. The hairstyle was also a statement of contempt for vanity, he said.

October, 2016

THE TOWER 3

Poetry Club dominates with 49 members and counting

By T. Celeste Mann Shawn Lawson Jr., a senior studying psychology at Kean University, made up his mind that he had something to say.

“Poetry can save lives”, said Lawson, president and founder of The Poetry Club on campus. “There needs to be a place where people can express themselves. A place where people can go and be free. Poetry can provide that place. I know I’m not the only one searching for an outlet.”

Last year, Lawson’s club was privately-run and called Prisoners of Words, or P.O.W for short. This year, the club plans to become a funded group of Student Organization. The deadline to become a funded was Oct. 7 and applications are available on CougarLink.

A transfer student from Middlesex County College and someone who had not yet made friends, Lawson felt he was taking a risk. His hope was to “find his people.”

P.O.W’s first semester at Kean, Lawson admitted, “was terrible” since they lacked organization. With only seven members, he began to doubt himself.

“I had no idea what I was doing,” said Lawson. “You think that because you love something it’ll work. You think because you’re good at something it can work. When in actuality, the only thing that makes anything work, is work itself.”

This semester, Lawson got to work.

He decided to revamp P.O.W. Lawson rebranded the group’s name to The Poetry Club

to “keep it simple.”

And rather than depend solely on himself, Lawson looked outward for help. He reached out to communication majors, mainly students who had an interest in public relations. He also looked for social media specialists, or students who specialized in marketing.

With 250 flyers printed, Lawson began to post his flyers everywhere. Lawson knew this time around, the Poetry Club needed to dominate. He began to believe in his club and treat it as if it were his brand.

Lawson knew he was onto something great when he had 28 attendees at the first meeting of this semester. With each meeting, the member list has grown too. They currently have 49 dedicated members.

“Finally, my people found me”, said Lawson.

“Even faculty drops in. Not because they want to oversee us but because they want to be apart of this. They, too, see this as an outlet.”

When asked what’s to come for The Poetry Club Lawson smirked.

“The Poetry Club is getting geared up to take Kean University by storm,” he said. “This semester The Poetry Club is putting on the biggest showcase that Kean University has ever seen. The theme is Childhood. Come and check us out.”

Lawson is waiting for an approved date from the university for the event.

For more information about The Poetry Club, email Lawson at Lawsonjs@kean.edu or follow the group on Twitter @Kean_POW.

Students, co-workers remember Kean Ocean employee as ‘humble, kind’ person

Photo: Colin Peters

Shawn Lawson Jr., President of P.O.W Poetry Club.

Kean University Department of Public Safety Police blotter By: Mike Roche Sept. 12 A 29 year old East Orange man was arrested on Morris Avenue for contempt.

Sept. 13

By Rose Marie Kitchen

Sept. 15

Police Blotter

Michelle White-Yates may have primarily worked at Kean Ocean, but news of her death has affected students and faculty miles away on the Union campus as well.

White-Yates died on Aug. 12 at the age of 31. Those close to the family told The Tower that the family did not want to disclose her cause of death.

A memorial service was held on the Union campus for Whites-Yates on Sept.

10 in front of Downs Hall. Busses from Kean Ocean also arrived with attendees for the service.

“The day was very Michelle-like,” said Abby Gallego, a mental health counseling graduate student at Kean University.

“It wasn’t about grieving, it was about celebrating the memories we had with her and who she was.”

Three of White-Yates high school friends were there to speak and share a slideshow of pictures to honor her during the service. Amanda Flisler, Kean Alumna class of 2010 and sister of Nu Sigma Tau, also spoke; White-Yates was formerly president of the Nu Sigma Tau sorority during her class year.

“The part that was distinctly Michelle was that she could give everything and never expected anything in return,” said Susan Figueroa, a friend of WhiteYates as well as Managing Assistant Director of Community Service and Civic Engagement for the Center for Leadership and Service (CLS). “She was sensitive to the needs of others and sought to be an agent of support and kindness to all that crossed her path. She never sought repayment or notoriety.”

White-Yates was the Managing Assistant Director of the Office of Campus Life at Kean Ocean. As well as an alumna of Kean University where she received a bachelor of science, in business, in 2006 and a master of social work in 2010.

“She may be gone but in no way shape or form is she forgotten,” said Gallego.

The university sent an email to all students, staff and faculty on Sept. 6 in memoriam of White-Yates.

“She leaves a legacy of involvement, community service and volunteerism through her work at Kean Ocean, throughout her years as a Kean student and through her service as a Peace Corps volunteer/ management advisor for the ClearWater Initiative in Uganda, working to provide clean water for people in need,” the email read.

The impact she has left is pure proof as obituaries for White-Yates stretches across three states; NJ, FL and VA. Guest book signatures, pictures and memories have filled each

Theft: Police report a book was stolen by an unknown person.

Theft: A victim’s laptop and case was stolen from a computer lab in Center for Academic Success building.

Sept. 16

Underage persons were arrested for underage consumption and possession of alcohol.

Theft: A backpack with laptop was stolen from a bathroom in the STEM Building.

Sept. 18

A 26-year-old Far Hills man was arrested on Morris Avenue for contempt.

Theft: A victim’s cell phone was stolen from their room in Burch Hall.

Sept. 20

A 19-year-old Connecticut man was arrested for unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of controlled dangerous substance paraphernalia at the New Upper Class Residence.

Michelle White-Yates

Photo: Kean University

A YouTube video of Michelle White-Yates just dancing and living life in the moment:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJ-104UOgX0

Three New Jersey men were arrested at New Upper Class Residence for being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance.

Sept. 21

Theft: An unknown person took several pastries from the Starbucks refrigerator in Down’s Hall.

Sept. 23

Former residents of Freshman Hall, damaged and defaced one of the rooms.

page echoing the mourning of White-Yates, that is happening not only at Kean University.

“Michelle was a wonderful person. In many ways she represented the best of what anyone can hope to offer. She was simplistic, humorous, humble, kind, appreciative of the small things and generous of substance and of spirit. She aimed to do her best in all things,” said Figueroa.

The CLS office, in Kean Union, invited White-Yates to lead a team during last year’s’ Alternative Spring Break, a week long volunteer opportunity for students to participate in during the week of spring break.

That was one of White-Yates many chances to bridge the gap from Kean Ocean to Kean Union. One student recalled White-Yates making everyone on the trip laugh when she turned up a Taylor Swift song.

“I met Michelle during the 2015 Alternative Spring Break trip, where we did Hurricane Sandy relief on the Jersey Shore with JerseyCares,” said Megan Collante, senior English education major. “She was very outgoing and easy to get along with … Michelle was just the type of person that would make everyone laugh, and it would bring everyone together.”

A GoFundMe donation page (https:// www.gofundme.com/2kbwxpg) has been created in White-Yates memory with a goal of 10,000 dollars. Donations will go towards seed money for a scholarship in her name and as a donation to Peace Corps The ClearWater Initiative, which White-Yates traveled to Uganda to advise annual and quarterly planning and budgeting.

Sept. 25

Unknown persons used a rock to shatter a second floor window of UC. Sept. 26

A victim was threatened via text message by an unknown actor.

Sept. 28

Theft: A book was stolen by unknown persons in East Campus.

Theft: A victim’s wallet was stolen and the debit card used.

Theft: A victim’s books and map were stolen from East Campus.

Sept. 30

A 21-year-old Hillside man was arrested on campus for Contempt.

Theft: A victim’s wallet and cellphone was stolen from their car in Vaughn Eames Parking Lot. Oct. 1 A 44-year-old Elizabeth man was arrested for simple assault in Vaughn Eames parking lot.

Multiple persons were arrested in UC Hall for underage possession and consumption of alcohol.

Oct. 2 Theft: Money was stolen from a victim’s wallet in Freshman Hall.

A 19-year-old Plainfield man was arrested for defiant trespass at East Campus fields.

Oct. 5 Theft: A victim’s cell phone was stolen from a bathroom stall in the Center for Academic Success building.

Theft: An unknown person took a laptop from a backpack in the library.

Oct. 6 A 19-year-old Carteret woman was arrested for contempt in the Vaughn Eames parking lot.

A 20-year-old Summit man was arrested for possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

Oct. 11 An unknown person was accused of harassment towards a student in Bartlett Hall.

Theft: A victim’s headphones were taken from their backpack in a CAS Computer Lab. Oct. 12 Theft: A cellphone was taken by unknown persons from an East Campus bathroom.

ARTS & CULTURE

4 THE TOWER

October, 2016

Liberty Hall Museum hosts series of fun themed events during October

By Adrianna Ruffo October has arrived and so have Halloweenthemed festivities at Liberty Hall Museum, which will host special events throughout the month.

On Wednesday, Oct. 12th, the museum will host the first of these events; a monthly afternoon tea from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Halloween Afternoon Tea, which requires a reservation before attending, offers visitors the opportunity to drink tea and lunch on an assorted selection of scones, pastries, finger sandwiches and fresh fruit.

At the conclusion of the event, patrons will be given an intimate tour of the museum including the exhibit Toys Through Time: The History of American Fun. The event costs $40 per person and $35 if you are a Liberty Hall Museum member.

The second event, Liberty Live: My Lord! What a Night, is a thought-provoking narration of the night legendary performer Marian Anderson spent at Albert Einstein’s home. Liberty Live: My Lord! What a Night will run for four consecutive days beginning on Thursday, October 13th and ending on Sunday, Oct. 16th. The performance begins at 10:30 a.m. and tickets are $15.

Liberty Hall Museum will also be a participant in the New Jersey-wide event called Four Centuries in a Weekend. Four Centuries in a Weekend, which will take place on Oct. 15th and 16th, is an event in which all of the historic museums in Union County, New Jersey will be open to the public.

During Four Centuries in a Weekend, Liberty Hall will offer free admission to enter the first floor of the mansion. The event will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 4 p.m. on Saturday. It will begin at noon and end at 4 p.m. on Sunday.

On Saturday, Oct. 29nd, Liberty Hall will host its annual Pumpkin Patch Day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. In the case of inclement weather, the rain date is Sunday, Oct. 30th. A fan-favorite fall tradition, Pumpkin Patch Day features pumpkin picking, hayrides and crafts which makes this event a hit for families.

Throughout the day, lunch will be served through vendors. The cost of this event is $12 for children, $8 for adults and free for children under 3-years-old with an additional charge for pumpkins.

On Oct. 21st, 22nd, 28th and 29th, Liberty Hall will host a reservation-required event called Revolutionary Woods which will feature a scary walk through the woods among their grounds. During

Photo: Joshua Rosario

Michael Brown by Fresco

Liberty Hall, also known as the William Livingston House, is located in Union.

the walk, visitors will get to listen to six horrifying stories from the American Revolution.

This event is not recommended for those under 16 years of age. Throughout the event, groups will leave in half-an-hour intervals. The first group will leave at 7 p.m. with the last group leaving at 11:30 p.m. The cost of the event is $20 per person and $18 for Kean University students and museum members.

“I’m definitely excited for the scary walk and the pumpkin picking,” said Julia Uhlman, a junior majoring in sociology, “I love the October season.”

Another event called History Happy Hour: Ghostly Encounters will be hosted at Liberty Hall on Thursday, Oct. 27th. Guests will be able to drink, eat and socialize with other guests and listen to the staff tell ghostly tales of the encounters they have experienced while working in a house museum that dates back to 1772. Reservations are required by

Photo: Dmadeo

October 20th.

Admission, which will include drinks and snacks, is $25 per person and $20 for Liberty Hall Museum members and Kean Alumni. The event will begin at 7 p.m. and end at 9 p.m. The event will also feature playing a round of Halloween-themed trivia.

Throughout the month, Liberty Hall will host its annual Fall Harvest which will allow guests to purchase pumpkins and gourds.

Liberty Hall Museum, which is the home of New Jersey’s own William Livingston, has been around for more than 200 years. Livingston, who became the first New Jerseyan to be elected governor and sign the Constitution, has lived in the museum for more than 12 years.

“I love Halloween,” said Ana V. Cure, a junior majoring in psychology. “I can’t wait to attend all of the events on campus.”

Broadway star Patti LuPone performs with Kean students

By Joshua Rosario Broadway star, Patti LuPone performed with a group of Kean students for the opening night of Kean Stage in Enlow Hall on Sept. 17.

LuPone is a two-time Tony award winner, two-time Grammy winner and has starred in Broadway shows, including “Gypsy” and “Evita.”

She performed the second act of her show with a Kean choir. The students who performed with her received a masterclass from her earlier that day.

Dim lighting set the stage and the lights in the audience went dark. The five-foot-twoinch Broadway legend hit the stage with her pianist, Joseph Thalken following.

LuPone went into the first song of the night with “Don’t Monkey with Broadway.”

The second act started with the Kean choir on stage. The students sang five songs with her, and LuPone told the crowd they should be proud of the students.

Among the mature audience was 13-yearold, aspiring theater performer, Lee Rosenthal. She showed up an hour before the performance began to bring LuPone a bouquet of flowers.

“I was around five years old. I saw Gypsy and was blown away….She was my first Broadway inspiration,” said Rosenthal.

The Tower spoke with LuPone via email before her performance. Here’s what she had to say:

The Tower: How do you prep for a performance?

Do you have a preperformance ritual?

LuPone: “I sleep as late as I can, workout, vocalize and then I arrive at the theatre 2 hours before curtain to mentally prepare.

My pre-performance ritual is just focusing on the event.”

The Tower: What is the one song that you have never stopped loving to perform? Why? LuPone: “I change songs frequently but the audience always wants to hear “Don’t Cry for me Argentina” and so I love to perform it for them.”

The Tower: How do you choose the songs you perform?

LuPone: “I start with the lyrics. If it’s a good story and I’m emotionally attracted to it, I’ll want to sing it, providing the melody is good.”

The Tower: With such an amazing career in theater, TV and movies, is there anything that you still aspire to do?

LuPone: “I’m lucky to have been given all these opportunities. But I joke that I want a hit situation comedy, then I can die.”

The Tower: What advice do you have for Kean’s aspiring performers who would love to have a career like yours?

LuPone: “It is a brutal business. One needs patience and discipline, and to be able to accept the sacrifices that the business will

Patti LuPone, center in a brown dress, stands with Kean University students.

Photo: Patti Banks

demand.”

sing with.”

The Tower: What inspired you to work with the Kean students at this performance?

What has the experience been like?

LuPone: “I love singing in a choir. It’s all about that huge sound. And students, still desirous and somewhat pure, are a blast to

The Tower: Is there any opportunity that you have regretted not taking advantage of?

LuPone: “Lots, but the thing that always surprises me are the roles that do come my way. It took a long time to trust that the right role will come at the right time.”

October, 2016

OP-ED

THE TOWER 5

Trump’s demeaning language about women is not about sex; It’s about power

By Richard Katz Donald Trump’s language demeaning women is often characterized by the media as “lewd,” implying Trump is overly preoccupied with sexual desire and lust. But, a genuine authoritarian, Trump is less preoccupied with sex than with power. Trump’s objectification of women whom he calls by animal names — such as calling Rosie O’Donnell a “fat pig” — and his targeting of female body parts is done to show his power over women, not his sexual regard.

Trump’s own words in the Access Hollywood videotape, demonstrate his preoccupation with his own power. He can seize, “grab” women, “get away with” whatever he wants because he has star power. Trump’s been quoted in The New York Times as claiming “I know how to ‘handle’ Hillary.”

As Rebecca Traister pointed out on MSNBC on Oct. 10, Trump’s intent in bringing Bill Clinton’s female accusers to the second presidential debate was to humiliate Hillary Clinton, to suggest she lacked sexual power over her husband. It certainly wasn’t done to support women. In fact, in the late 1990s, Trump heartily defended Bill Clinton against some of these same women, some of whom Trump demeaned as unattractive “losers.”

As women come forward confirming a history

of Trump’s sexual assaults, his response has not been merely denial but further attacks on the status of these women, as not worthy of his attacks.

Women serve to reflect Trump’s power. Trump doesn’t wish to attract women but to dominate them. Similarly, as Trump’s campaign implodes, he has given up trying to attract voters but to dominate by demeaning those who oppose him.

Jane Goodall, noted for her work with primates, characterizes Trump’s behavior as that of “the dominance rituals of male chimpanzees,” in a Huffington Post article. In contrast, the more lustful and sexually preoccupied Bonobos, whose social structure is matriarchal, use sex to soothe and create bonds. Bonobo females act in groups to repel overly aggressive males. They’re “stronger together.”

At his rallies, Trump often tells his crowds that he “loves” them, especially “the poorly educated,” not because he loves them at all but because they reflect his domination of them.

Trump’s rage against Republicans who have abandoned him betrays his fear of humiliation, his fear of powerlessness. Trump’s awkward public defense of his own physical endowment, likewise.

Editor’s note: Dr. Richard Katz is an associate professor of English at Kean University.

Donald Trump speaking at the 2014 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Maryland.

Photo: Gage Skidmore via Creative Commons

Happy hour returns to Kean

By Jasmin Kee Ursino, the high-end, farm-to-table restaurant in the STEM building that closed last year, has reopened this semester under a new name, Enoteca Ursino, with an interesting, but expensive new menu.

Like the old Ursino, the menu remains pricey, at least for students.

But a bonus is that the restaurant serves liquor even though Kean is a dry campus and bans students – even if 21 – from partaking in alcoholic beverages.

Anyone 21 and over can go for a drink at Enoteca Ursino and the bar is open Tuesday through Saturday from 4 p.m. to close.

Happy Hour is Tuesday through Friday from 4-7 p.m. with a special menu and cocktails for $12, draft beer for $4 and wine, from $5 - $7 a glass.

“I’ve been there a couple of times and I thought that some of the cocktails were ok and some were not so good, but I

wouldn’t say that any of them were really great,” said Chloe Benson, an education major.

The overall look of the restaurant is stylish, with a modern look. The restaurant is spacious, with a lot of seating and a good amount of space between each table.

As you enter the restaurant, a bar is on the right, with another bar upstairs and more dining room seating. There is also an outdoor patio with tables.

The hours vary. Lunch is only served on Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dinner is served Tuesday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m to 10 p.m.

The lunch menu offers starters such as Butternut Squash Soup for $12, Liberty Hall Farm Greens for $11; Kale salad for $12; Salt baked beets salad $12, veal meatballs $10, pan seared octopus $16 and mussels fra diavolo $14.

“I had the veal meatballs as a starter

Located in the S.T.E.M building, this “farm-to-table” restaurant brings fine-dining to Kean.

and I thought it was really well done and it tasted really good and I liked the way that they cooked it” said student Ashley Dudrow, a nursing major.

Entrees include grass-fed beef burger $10;, grilled chicken panini $12; prosciutto and arugula panini at $14 and the Florida red snapper for $21.

The menu also has a nice selection f personal pizzas, which includes a $12 margherita pizza $12; shibumi farm mushroom pizza for $14, bianca pizza

Photo: Rebecca Panico

$14, hot soppressata pizza $13.

From the dinner menu, the selection of starters includes Tuscan chicken liver plate $;, sheep’s milk ricotta and bread $14, filet carpaccio $16, grilled quail $15.00 and blue hill bay mussels $14.

The entrees for the dinner menu include Dayboat scallops $34.00, lobster risotto $28, L.I Peking duck breast $32, grilled wagyu sirloin $31, oven roasted Amish chicken $26 and the 18-hour lamb osso buco for $36.

Greek Life competes for best fairy tale set at homecoming

By Maggie Ortuso

Photo: Maggie Ortuso

Kean students won prizes while playing carnival games during homecoming festivities.

The Kean campus was abuzz with activities like a mechanical bull, shrek characters and more for Homecoming earlier this month. Kean students and alumni came together for the event, which took place on Oct. 1. The theme for this year was Once Upon a Time.

Green Lane Academic Building was transformed with decorations from fairytale movies, like Shrek and Peter Pan. Sororities and Fraternities built pieces including a throne, a bridge and a boat,.

Kean’s Greek life competed for the best set at Homecoming. Theta Phi Alpha and Sigma Beta Tau’s Shrek theme won,their organizations received a $100 prize.

“Shrek was a very creative idea,” said Freshman Gaby Esteves. “It incorporates the medieval theme, but my favorite was the shrek cupcakes with ogre ears.”

The highlight for many people was the mechanical bull in the lot. For those brave enough to tackle it, the bull swung the rider until they fell off.

There was also a carnival set up in the main campus parking lot.

Participants could win prizes by playing games such as popping balloons and squirting water guns.

After seeing the decorations and going to the carnival, students and alumni went to the football game.

Kean students and alumni watched the game and cheered the team on. Kean lost to Frostburg State University 25-18.

6 THE TOWER

October, 2016

OP-ED

HEALTH

THE TOWER Department of Communication Kean University Center for Academic Success 1000 Morris Avenue Union, NJ 07083 Telephone: (908) 737-0470; Fax: (908) 737-0465 Email: thetower@kean.edu; www.kutower.com

Pink ribbon turns 25

By Dr. Josh Palgi The pink ribbon that has become the worldwide symbol of breast cancer and breast cancer awareness month was first used in 1990s, and was chosen because it is a color of health and it represents femininity. (A blue ribbon is a symbol for men with breast cancer) Cancer can start any place in the body. It starts when cells grow out of control and crowd out normal cells. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide and second most common cancer overall.

Breast cancer is a type of cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas while those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas.

Each year in the U.S, about 220,000 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in women and about 2,000 in men. About 40,000 women and 400 men in the U.S. die each year from breast cancer.

Over the last decade, the risk of getting breast cancer has not changed for women overall, but the risk has increased for black women and Asian and Pacific Islander women.

Black women have a higher risk of death from breast cancer than white women. In 2016, there are more than 2.8 million women with a history of breast cancer in the U.S. What are the risk factors for breast cancer?

Studies have shown that your risk for breast cancer is due to a combination of factors. The main factors that influence your risk include being a woman and getting older.

Other risk factors include: -Genetic mutations -Early menstrual period -Late or no pregnancy -Starting menopause after age 55 -Not being physically active -Being overweight or obese after menopause -Having dense breast -Taking oral contraceptives -Personal history of breast cancer -Family history of breast cancer

-Previous treatment using radiation therapy -Drinking alcohol -Low vitamin D levels Many of the risk factors increase your chance of developing breast cancer, but it is not yet known exactly how some of these risk factors cause cells to become cancerous.

Many factors over the course of a lifetime can influence your breast cancer risk. You can’t change some factors, such as getting older or your family history but you can lower your risk of breast cancer by taking care of your health.

-Keep a healthy weight -Don’t smoke -Exercise regularly -Limit alcohol -Exposure to radiation -Avoid exposure to chemicals that can cause cancer -Eating nutritious food.

Staying healthy throughout your life will lower your risk of developing cancer, and improve your chances of surviving cancer if it occurs.

Breast cancer awareness month (BCAM) is an annual international health campaign every October to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research. The campaign also offers information and support to those affected by breast cancer.

The major goals of BCAM is to encourage women to practice self breast examination, getting mammograms as recommended, scheduling regular visit with their physician for breast care, following prescribed treatment, and learning as much as they can about breast cancer and breast health.

Detecting early stages of breast cancer will give you the best prognosis as treatment can begin sooner.

Women need to take the time to learn more about breast cancer detection and arm themselves with accurate information and new findings without getting caught up in the buzz of rumors and half-truths. Screening and treatment are key to higher survival rates.

For more information about breast cancer, contact the American cancer society at 1-800-227-2345.

Test your knowledge about breast cancer 1) You can get breast cancer even if it doesn’t run in your family -True Most women diagnosed with breast cancer – more than 85% - have no family history of the disease. Having a relative with breast cancer does increase your risk. But other factors such as age, being overweight, alcohol use and hormone use after menopause can also increase your risk of developing breast cancer.

in good health and would be a candidate for treatment, you should continue getting mammograms.

4) Men can get breast cancer – True More than 2000 men are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. Breast cancer is about 100 times more common in women than men, with more than 240,000 women diagnosed in each year.

2) If breast cancer runs in your family, you are sure to get it

5) Surgery and needle biopsies can cause breast cancer to spread

– False Having breast cancer doesn’t guarantee you’ll get it. Many times, cancer runs in families because they have similar lifestyle habits – habits you can control and change to lower your risk of breast cancer. Knowing your family history empowers you to tackle the risk factors you can control. It should also motivate you to get screened regularly so that breast cancer is easier to treat.

– False.

Needle biopsies to diagnose breast cancer do not cause cancer cells to spread to other parts of the body. Nor does exposure to air during breast cancer surgery cause the disease to spread.

3) You still mammograms menopause

need after

–True Getting older is not a reason to skip regular breast health checks. In fact, your risk of developing breast cancer goes up as you get older. About 2 of 3 invasive breast cancers are found in women age 55 or older. As long as you’re

6) There is nothing you can do to lower your breast cancer risk –False While you can’t change certain risk factors- like being female or having a family history of breast cancer – you can do a lot to help reduce your breast cancer risk as much as possible. In a word: Lifestyle.

Exercise more and eat healthier, limit or eliminate alcohol and quit smoking.

Cancer prevention isn’t foolproof, but being responsible about your health can go a long way.

The Tower is an independent, laboratory newspaper of Kean University’s journalism option in the communication major program.

It is published monthly through the regular academic year and supported by advertising and the Department of Communication.

The Tower is not responsible for claims made by its advertisers. The Tower is a public forum and is free from censorship and advance approval of content by the university administration. The Tower staff is responsible for its content.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: REBECCA PANICO MANAGING-EDITOR: MICAYELA KONVISER SPORTS EDITOR: SARA RIDGWAY FEATURES/A&E EDITOR: ROSE MARIE KITCHEN VIDEO EDITOR: DAVID LONG

STAFF ESTEFANI HERNANDEZ JASMIN KEE MARGARET ORTUSO JEREMY NEGRON ELIJAH POWELL MICHAEL ROCHE ADRIANNA RUFFO

KIANA ANDERSON BABATUNDE DAHUNSI TIARA MANN BRITTANY PAVLICHKO JOSHUA ROSARIO CRAIG EPSTEIN CODY LOUIE

OPINION PIECES AND LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Tower welcomes guest columns and letters to the editor from any source. Such material should be submitted to thetower@kean.edu or left at The Tower’s offices. To verify sources of written material, submissions must include the writer’s name and contact information. Students should include their class (sophomore, graduate, etc.) and major. Faculty and staff should include campus title or position. On request, names may be withheld from publication if The Tower staff determines there is a legitimate reason to do so, but no anonymous letters will be accepted for publication. The Tower reserves the right to edit, and refuse publication of any submission.

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Be the change

(Continued from page 1)

Bollwage recognized Kean University students who “stepped forward to help” Parker find housing.

Be the Change has ballooned into an organization of over 950 members online for people who “were tired of talking of change,” Bowe said. About 300 are Kean students, while others are alumni or people outside of the school.

Using her connections she’d established working with the homeless, Bowe was able to track down Parker and White less than a day after the incident. They would find the two at White’s house, even before major media outlets could.

Bowe and a small group of students, including Denise Winkle, a 22-yearold community recreation major, treated Parker to a steak dinner at Algarve, a Portuguese restaurant in Elizabeth.

“We got his name and the next thing you know we’re sitting down, having a steak dinner with him,” said Winkle, a member of Be the Change since 2008. ”Everything happened so [fast].

You feel good. You’re really helping someone out. There’s really not a lot of words sometimes to explain the stuff that we do.”

The organization’s help didn’t end there. They’ve put Parker up in a hotel until he can find permanent housing

and he’s found a job as a forklift operator – a skill he was already certified in -- at a local supermarket.

“He’s just a very humble, sweet guy,” said Jessica Fernandez, a member of Be the Change and Bowe’s graduate assistant. “So it’s definitely exciting to know that we can contribute to changing his life for the better. [It’s] what he deserves.”

They’ve also given White and Parker gift cards to help with food, and hooked up Parker with a bicycle -- which he now calls his “whip” -- to help him commute to work.

Be The Change also has two small storage units in Kenilworth filled with furniture, clothing and other houseware donations they’ve received throughout the years. Parker was able to pick what he needed for his future apartment there.

“She’s [Bowe] been reaching out to me in a major, major major way. She’s been reaching out to me. I love Dr. Bowe,” said Parker.

Be the Change is involved in a number of activities, which include giving peanut-butter and jelly sandwiches to those in need at Newark Penn Station. To learn more, join their Facebook group at: www.facebook.com/ groups/78699077138

October, 2016

THE TOWER 7

OP-ED Evaluating Obama presidency Barack Obama is nearing the end of his tenure in office.

By JONATHAN COELLO In American society, both past and present, many people have often found themselves critiquing the president and his effectiveness as a leader. It is an action that generally begins the moment the individual takes office and continues throughout his or her tenure, whether that be one term or two terms. Bringing into account that our current President, Barack Obama, is reaching the end of his tenure in office, many scholars will begin to evaluate and write about his effectiveness. This article will be no different.

Although every person has their own personal standard by which they evaluate the president, the most effective is that which Richard Neustadt used.

Neustadt, former professor at Columbia University and advisor to Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson, developed a standard which includes three main criteria; the power to persuade, professional reputation, and public prestige. These three elements are often the critical points that either elevate the individual in office or bring that same person to his or her decline.

Beginning with the power to persuade, it is important to understand that persuade in this case, means bargain, and although Obama has had his share of somewhat successful bargains, for the most part he lacks significantly in this area and is most evident through the debt-ceiling crisis of 2011. In a letter to Senator Jim DeMint, Timothy F. Geithner

from the Department of the Treasury expressed that roughly 40% of government spending relied on money that was borrowed. In other words, for the government to function without borrowing money, it would have to immediately cut spending by 40 percent, which would have a serious impact on members of the Armed Forces, Social Security recipients, veterans, and small business owners.

In this, Obama sought to increase the debt limit not to expand our national obligations, rather to allow the US Treasury to fund programs which congress had already established. However, his ability to persuade fell short when he repeatedly had to threaten congress. Although it never fell to the point where Obama had to exercise executive action to bypass congress or veto legislation, the very notion that negotiations even got to that point shows that persuasion was on its way out the door.

The next element, professional reputation, in no way makes Obama look any better. In the minds of those who are to be persuaded, which are members of congress and other officials in Washington, perception of the man in office plays a huge factor in whether or not he will have support. In other words, their thoughts are shaped by what they see.

Evidently, Obama’s inability to produce an effective economic recovery policy, prevent foreclosure, lower healthcare costs, produce a coherent energy policy, and restore America’s role in terms of foreign policy has painted a picture to both congress and

Photo: Grant Source via Creative Commons

Washington officials that he cannot get the job done. In turn, this inability causes a lack of support from within the establishment giving a blow to his professional reputation.

Although this final element, public prestige, varies greatly depending on who you ask, I believe that President Obama has done a slightly better job here than in the previous two sections, however, this does not mean he has succeeded. At the end of George W. Bush’s tenure, the people of this nation sought a leader who would bring them out of the hole they had fallen into; that leader was Obama.

According to polls conducted by CNN, Gallup, and Real Clear Politics respectively, Obama’s initial approval rating was 69 percent in 2008, fell to 48 percent by 2015, and now stands at 50 percent. This goes to show that despite reforms in immigration and marriage equality, his numbers have not been consistent enough to keep him above the 50 percent threshold over the course of his tenure.

To conclude, let us remember that the presidency is no place for the faint of heart and let us hope that in the years to come, someone will step up, man or woman, to lead this country effectively and respectfully.

Editor’s note: Jonathan Coello is a senior at Kean University studying political science.

The ideas presented in this piece were adapted from a research paper he wrote for his American presidency class.

SPORTS

Home games sports calendar October 22nd 1:00 p.m.

Field Hockey vs. The College of New Jersey 4:00 p.m.

Men’s Soccer vs. The College of New Jersey

October 25th 7:00 p.m.

Women’s Volleyball vs. Hunter College

October 26th 7:30 p.m.

Women’s Soccer vs. Ramapo College

October 29th 1:00 pm Football vs. Southern Virginia University

SPORTS

8 THE TOWER

October, 2016

Women’s field hockey strives for perfect season

By Brittany Pavlichko Kean University’s women’s field hockey team remains undefeated as they strive for a perfect season. The Cougars have an impressive 13-0 record this season and began NJAC conference play facing Rowan University on Oct 1.

This is Head Coach Leslie LaFronz’s seventh season as head coach of the women’s field hockey program at Kean. Throughout her coaching career at Kean, she led the Cougars to six postseasons and looks forward to continuing the growth of the team.

“I think this is one of the most balanced teams that I had and I think because everybody works hard, it is definitely a lot more difficult to play against us,” LaFronz said.

Additionally, a large contribution to the team’s success is the bond that they share. In May, the team traveled to Amsterdam to practice with the Men’s Amsterdam team. Along with practices in Amsterdam, the Cougars toured the city where they truly bonded as a team. Besides venturing out of the country, the team has been hard at work while still on Kean’s campus.

“We had morning workouts, weight lifting sessions, pick up practices and tournaments throughout the winter and spring that helped us prepare for the great season we are having,” said Jordan Colna, a senior field hockey player at Kean University. “We are more than a team; we are a family and we are there for each other on and off the field.”

The cougars have a strong staff backing them up this season. Captains Teresa Carr, Jordan Colna and Shauna LaMaina show a great deal of leadership on and off the field. Assistant coaches Olivia Lopes, Cliff Odendo and Stephanie Rios as well as Graduate Assistant Diane Boccella help prepare the ladies with knowledge of the game.

“I stress the fact to never give up and work hard,” said assistant coach Stephanie Rios. “Drill after drill, rep after rep, nothing beats fundamentals.”

The Cougars have 22 players on their roster this season, including two new players Jenna Patrone and Lia DiPiazza. Patrone is starting in the midfield and has excellent stick work. Whereas, DiPiazza is the starter. They both took on difficult roles right away and are fitting right in with the team

Field Hockey team after Connie Harnum Classic

Photo: Leslie LaFronz

stated LaFronz.

“We are enjoying every win because we don’t know when our next win is going to come,” said LaFronz “Each day we try to be a little better than the game before, competition breathes success.”

The next game is scheduled for Saturday Oct. 22 at 1 p.m. against The College of New Jersey at Kean Alumni Stadium.

Kean football shines with multiple players of the week

By Craig Epstein Kean football has come roaring out of the gate. After losing their season-opener against Christopher Newport, they rattled off 3 wins in a row against Bridgewater State, The College of New Jersey and William Paterson. With a loss to Frostburg State University, their record lies at 3-2.

The first three games of the season were on the road.

Along with an impressive record, 3 players have earned New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) weekly awards. Those 3 players are kicker Aryeh Moslavi, linebacker Darin Hungerford and defensive-back Vaughn Scott.

Moslavi, who is a Fair Lawn native, earned his award as special teams player of the week on Sept.

12 after kicking the game winning field-goal to cap off Kean’s come-from-behind win against Bridgewater State 15-14. Moslavi is currently ranked fifth in the NJAC in kick scoring at 4.8 points per game.

When asked for a statement, Coach Dan Garrett had nothing but positive things to say about his kicker. “[Aryeh] Moslavi has a lot of potential to be a phenomenal kicker,” Garrett said. “He has the leg strength that is required to be very successful, he works hard at his craft, and he is a great asset for our football program.”

Along with Moslavi, Vaughn Scott also earned NJAC special teams player of the week, this time

on Sept. 25. Scott contributed to Kean’s 24-13 road win against William Paterson as both punt and kick returner. He averaged 12.8 yards per punt return on four attempts and currently ranks sixth in the NJAC in kickoff return average at 20.4.

“Vaughn has the speed to be a difference-maker on the field,” Garrett said. “He is very athletic and is a weapon when it comes to special teams.”

Garrett went on to say more about his defensiveback.

“People have to prepare for Vaughn and the speed he brings to our return teams by ultimately kicking the ball away from him, which as a player, is frustrating and the ultimate compliment at the same time” Garrett said.

Linebacker Darin Hungerford was named NJAC defensive player of the week on Sept. 25 after helping Kean win its third consecutive game in a 24-13 win against William Paterson. Hungerford led the Kean defense for the day with 11 tackles, including 3 that were solo.

“Darin is an extremely athletic football player,” said Coach Garrett. “He makes some of the hardest things on a football field look easy.”

His 3.5 tackles for a loss in a game also leads the NJAC so far this season. Hungerford is currently ranked third in the NJAC with 9.5 tackles for a loss. Coach Garrett had more to say about his linebacker.

“He plays with a great motor, non-stop to the football, and is relentless in the pass-rush. He plays the game very physically at the line of scrimmage, and gives offensive linemen problems with his speed and strength.”

There are only two more home games left in the 2016 season. Matchups with Southern Virginia University and Montclair State University will take place on Oct. 29 and Nov. 12, respectively.

Photo: Larry Levanti

Linebacker #52 Darin Hungerford showing off his power and physicality.

NJAC honors more Kean athletes

By Estefani Hernandez

Photo: Larry Levanti

An example of Vaughn Scott getting ready to try and take one to the end zone.

Four Kean Athletes have been named player of the week by the New Jersey Athletic Conference since this beginning of this semester.

Volleyball player, Jesse Larkin was named NJAC Rookie of the Week, after helping the Cougars go 5-0 in route to winning the Morrisville State Tournament last month. Larkin posted a near double-double in her collegiate debut with 13 kills and eight blocks in the season-opening win over Mount St. Vincent.

Soccer player, Mateo Castro Arias was named the NJAC Defensive Player of the Week. Castro Arias is a sophomore and plays midfielder. He was also named the Cialella Classica Defensive MVP, after scoring the game-winning goal in the final game of the Cialella Classic against Farmingdale State College.

Tennis Player Anna Chan was also named the NJAC Rookie of the Week. Chan started playing tennis when she was fourteen.This is her first career Rookie of the Week honor. She took won twice? in Kean’s 8-1 nonconference win over Neumann, going 6-1, 6-0 at fourth singles and 8-1 at second doubles.

Midfielder Shauna LaMaina took home NJAC Player of Week for a second time for the girls field hockey team. Currently leading the NJAC with a total of 8 assists and 5 game-winning goals, LaMaina is second with 30 points and tied for third with 11 goals. LaMaina had a hand in every goal during the game against Rowan University, when the Cougars won 3-2 in an overtime game.