The Towerlight (February 19, 2019)

Towson’s campus and community news source

TheTowerlight.com

February 19, 2019

A preview of the upcoming season pg. 15-18

Photo by Brendan Felch, Illustration by Victoria Nicholson /The Towerlight

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February 19, 2019

We’re Maryland’s fastest growing university for a reason. TU opens up more possibilities for more people every day. We believe it’s our role to improve lives – and that responsibility doesn’t stop with the boundaries of our campus.

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February 19, 2019

Editor-in-Chief Karuga Koinange Senior Editor Bailey Hendricks News Editor Mary-Ellen Davis Asst. News Editor Keri Luise Arts & Life Editor Kerry Ingram Asst. Arts & Life Editor Alex Helms Sports Editor Tim Klapac Asst. Sports Editors Muhammad Waheed Jordan Kendall Staff Writers Jessica Ricks Meg Hudson Sophia Bates

FEBRUARY

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Bring your lunch and listen to Towson student musicians NOONplay a selection of songs by African American jazz TIME JAZZ composers in honor of Black History Month.

CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH!

Cook Library, 3rd Floor Lobby, Noon to 1 p.m.

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Glenn Kaplan John Hack Suzanne Stuller Cyan Thomas Aaron Thomas Marcus Whitman Jalon Dixon

Asst.Photo Editor Brittany Whitham

Staff Photographers Liam Beard Lacey Wall Simon Enagonio Nikki Hewins Lexi Thompson Tiffany Deboer Owen DiDonna

Proofreaders

General Manager Mike Raymond Art Director Victoria Nicholson Webmaster Circulation Staff Scott Halerz Dom Capparuccini Elssa Kenfack

WEEKLY

19-23 CALENDAR.

Anthony Petro Albert Ivory

Photo Editor Brendan Felch

NEW MUSIC The New Music Ensemble at TU presents a concert of contemporary music ENSEMBLE featuring faculty composer/performer Will Redman, who engages with interCONCERT active music technology and new techniques for musical expression.

Recital Hall, CFA 3066, 8 p.m.

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TOBACCO CESSATION WORKSHOP (SMOKE BREAK)

We’ve all been told about a thousand times why tobacco products are bad for our health, but quitting just isn’t that simple. If you smoke cigarettes, vape, JUUL, chew tobacco or use any other nicotine products this workshop is for you.

Health & Counseling Center at Ward & West, Room 306, Noon to 1 p.m.

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TU Serves provides students with the opportunity TU SERVES: BEANS & BREAD to volunteer at various organizations each month.

TARIUM SHOW Transportation is provided from campus to the

service site and back to campus at the end of the event.

Administration Building, Room 224,10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

A thrilling and creative celebration of student choreography and performance DANCE MAJORS that includes a variety of movement styles and music. Dance majors evolve their PERFORMANCE works to the next level in this performance with guidance from faculty mentors PROJECT and peers.

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Dance Studio Theatre, CFA 1003, 7 p.m.

TOWSON

TRENDING. 8000 York Road University Union Room 309 Towson, MD 21252 (410) 704-5153 editor@thetowerlight.com thetowerlight.com The Towerlight print edition is published by students of Towson University on Tuesdays.

The Towerlight is owned by nonprofit Baltimore Student Media Inc., BaltimoreStudentMedia.com.

The Towerlight’s advertising deadlines are firm: Wednesday noon for space; Friday noon for art.

Classifieds appear online and in print and are self-service at TheTowerlight.com/classifieds.

We encourage letters to the editor and online feedback.

Commentaries, letters to the editor, editorial cartoons and other editorials express the opinions of their authors and not necessarily the views of the newspaper.

The Towerlight does not discriminate based on age, color, condition of handicap, marital status, national origin, race, religion, gender or sexual orientation. ©2019 by The Towerlight, 8000 York Rd, Towson, MD 21252. All rights reserved.

Please Recycle!

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@ro_my_goodness I know it sucks when Towson doesn’t close for snow (especially yesterday when it was dangerous af), but we should recognize that a lot of people who work here are hourly workers, so closing school really messes with money that people need @__bRAT Reasons Why I Hate Towson, #1836: I got out of bed, ventured out in the snow, got to campus & sat doing homework for 45 minutes... just to get the email that classes were cancelled. I got out of bed to go to school just to go straight home again. didn’t have a single class.

MORE EVENTS CAN BE FOUND AT

#

EVENTS.TOWSON.EDU

WINTER WEATHER

@_abbyxxo towson made a bad call the day it didn’t snow and now wanna keep us in school with freezing rain... @TimTheTwin6809 Me: Damn all this rain and snow is really putting my life in danger, I sure hope Towson actually cancels classes instead of placing me in a risky situation by traveling to campus!

Towson announcing they won’t cancel class:

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Opinion

February 19, 2019

Do miracles exist?

BAILEY HENDRICKS Senior Editor @imsimplybailey

My favorite kind of stories are the ones where if one little thing was altered, then the outcome of the story would be drastically different.

Of course, a famous example of this is seen in the film “Back to the Future” when Marty McFly goes back in time and if one little thing in the past got changed then everything in the future was very different.

But how does this concept apply to love? Well, my dad always enjoyed telling me the story of how my grandparents met. My grandma, Janice, was interviewing for a job and my grandpa, Robert, was interviewing her. Janice was leaving the office after her interview, but before she does, she remembers she has a special certificate which shows Robert that she was more qualified for the job.

My dad swears that if my grandma didn’t remember to show her certificate, then she wouldn’t have gotten the job, she wouldn’t have gotten to know and fall in love with my grandpa and my dad wouldn’t have been born, and neither would I have been.

This concept, of course, I would call a miracle, or fate. I truly believe these little (or notso-little) miracles do occur everyday, with the people we meet, the jobs we get and the adventures we have. Sometimes, I think we find ourselves at certain places and meeting certain people out of a sheer random, crazy happenstance -- or because of a miracle.

My wonderful boyfriend wrote in my Valentine’s Day card that I’m his “miracle among miracles”(which of course, is one

of the sweetest, most romantic things ever). Oftentimes, it almost feels like the stars align in such a way at the perfect moment to give us an opportunity to meet someone or be somewhere at the exact right time.

When we first started dating, I would always tell my boyfriend how crazy everything felt. I’d say how ~crazy~ it was that we are actually together and how amazing and crazy and awesome it was that we found each other and work so well together. We are both “miracle-minded” as he always calls it -- having faith and believing in miracles and believing in the good things coming. Although, when I would say how crazy things were, he’d also remind me that we are also the reason we are together. We made it happen.

And, h e ’ s right.

W e ought to give ourselves credit for the relationships we form with people, romantic or not.

Because yes, even if fate played a part in bringing two people together, the effort people make to talk to each other, get to know each other, make time for each other, take care of eachother and deeply love each other is also a key factor in how relationships work.

These things happen because we put in the effort of making them happen.

Maybe it was a miracle that my grandma remembered at the last moment to show my grandpa her certificate. Perhaps it was a miracle they fell in love, which allowed my dad to be born, and subsequently, me to be born. But they were also together and in love because they worked at their relationship, they cared for each other and they made it happen.

Maybe miracles do really exist.

Maybe love is just a balance of miracles and hard work.

How to take the perfect selfie RAQUEL ALFARO Columnist

Selfies are amongst the many postings on social media platforms, but it could take time choosing how to pose for an aesthetically pleasing photo.

Lighting is key Find the perfect light to enhance your features and eyes.

You can accomplish this by raising your phone, but slightly spinning until you find the best light.

Stand by a window to gain natural lighting or if it’s dark, turn on any form of lighting. Being outside can be helpful for selfies, especially when absorbing the sun’s glow. I suggest when you’re indoors to use natural lighting from a window and slowly move you phone to quickly capture a high-quality selfie.

Look upward toward the camera Make eye contact toward the camera and slightly raise your

eyebrows. This will help make your eyes appear larger than usual. Add some personality to your photo by thinking of something that brings out your smile.

This will help you project your happiness onto the photo for followers to like.

Know the best angles Angles will help to make your face stand out in the best way.

Hold your phone upwards and extend your head away from your neck. Don’t hold the camera directly in front of your face because it will create harsh shadows. When you extend your head, this will help create a look of a longer neck and sharper jawline.

You can also push your shoulders down to appear relaxed.

Don’t Doubt Yourself Embrace yourself and don’t overthink the selfie. Just relax and don’t take yourself too seriously because selfies are meant

to be fun. Picture this; you just put on a full face of makeup and you’re feeling good. Try taking pictures smiling or use poses that come naturally to you because it is your selfie so own it. Don’t feel like showing teeth? Use the “smize.” Look upward to the camera and, with your mouth closed, give a slight smile this will give you a sassy, chic, selfie.

Be Aware of the Background The setting sets the tone for your selfie, but I suggest using a blank wall or any interesting backgrounds. If you’re somewhere new or traveling, snap a picture showing you living your best life.

I suggest staying away from photobombers in the background because that will take away the attention from you to them.

Selfies are a way to express yourself and share yourself with the world. These few tips will help you capture your best selfie yet.

College students and food insecurity KAYLA HUNT Columnist

Food insecurity is having a lack of access to a sufficient amount of affordable, nutritious food. Studies show that food insecurity levels among college students are rising, along with tuition rates and student loan debt.

According to the College Resource Center, a study conducted in 2018 reflected that 36 percent of college students are experiencing hunger issues. Studies also show that there is a correlation between food insecurity and academic performance.

Students experiencing hunger are less likely to attend their classes and perform well.

After conducting a poll on Twitter, targeting college students, 73 percent

of 30 survey participants claimed to have helped a peer because of their lack of access to food.

Towson has initiatives for students who are struggling with food insecurity. Their Food Insecurity Support Fund allows students to donate up to two unused meal swipes a week, which will be directly deposited to a student’s OneCard account who is in need.

Towson also has a Foodshare Program, which is slightly broader than the Food Insecurity Support Fund because it supports students, faculty and staff who are experiencing food insecurity. The

program allows them to receive up to 10 items from the food pantry per week when Towson is in session. The food pantry is located in the Health and Counseling Center and is open on Mondays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursdays.

You can make an appointment as well.

If you know anyone who is struggling with food insecurity, please inform them on the viable options provided by Towson.

Opinion

February 19, 2019

Yemeni conflict CONNOR MCNAIRN Columnist

In our current political climate, most Americans are excited to bicker over the infamous Russia probe, blusterous president, government shutdowns and much more. We search for tribes, yearning for validation of principle among our peers. But lost in the midst of these dialogues are often atrocities and tragedies that occur abroad, many of which are covered in America’s fingerprints.

The conflict in Yemen serves as an example.

Following the Arab Spring – a massive and influential push for increased civil liberties across North Africa and throughout the Middle East – states have experienced dramatic governmental tremors. Libyans, for example, violently overthrew their brutal former leader, Muammar Gaddafi, effectively creating a power vacuum that warring coalitions seek to fill; Libya is now a

Yes

failed state. Revolts in Tunisia and Egyptian President Honsi Mubarak’s resignation also rocked Middle Eastern political dynamics.

In Yemen, the Middle East’s poorest country, similar pushes for regime change have cultivated an environment mired by violent contest, disease and general humanitarian emergency.

In 2004, the Houthi insurgency (a group of radical and usually Shia militants), led by Hussein al-Houthi, was born. The organization has since served as a principal opponent to the Yemeni government, launching violent attacks against the state and its leaders. In 2011, when then-President Ali Abdullah Saleh agreed to resign and transition power to his deputy, Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, a peaceful political transition was possible.

- To read the rest of this column online, visit thetowerlight.com.

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Speak up when in pain SAMUEL SMITH Columnist

On Feb. 7, I did not go to class. I did not go to class for a week after. This isn’t uncommon for me, to skip class. I live with chronic pain, and sometimes it’s just so unbearable I can’t get out of bed.

But Feb. 7 was different. Feb. 7, I got up at 3 a.m., showered, drank some apple juice and rode with my dad to the hospital. At approximately 7:30 a.m., I was wheeled back into an operating room where I underwent a three-hour surgery to remove the source of the pain.

I’m not going to go into details as to what surgery I had, or what happened.

But I will say, I write this one week and one day later, and I’m pain-free. I don’t even take Tylenol anymore. The

surgery was a success, to say the least.

But it wasn’t so easy.

I’m stuck in a finicky situation.

While I’m transgender, while my doctors address me as Samuel and he/ him, I was always treated as a woman when it came to pain. In the fact that I wasn’t treated for pain.

My chronic pain began when I was 10 years old. It was so bad that there were days I skipped school in middle and high school because of it, faking a “real” physical illness (I’m not saying my pain or illness wasn’t real, but it wasn’t seen as such). I was missing work because of the pain, and not focusing. Yet, when I brought up with doctors that I did my research, and this pain was not normal, they brushed me off, they said it was “just part of being a woman,” that I’d grow out of it. It wasn’t until I was 17 years old that my mother spoke up at one of my appoint-

ments, and my doctor said that wasn’t normal and referred me to a specialist.

November of 2017, I was diagnosed.

I went through treatment after treatment until we ran out of options, and on Feb. 7, I finally underwent surgery.

This isn’t uncommon. According to The Atlantic, “Nationwide, men [in the ER] wait an average of 49 minutes before receiving an analgesic for acute abdominal pain. Women wait an average of 65 minutes for the same thing.” I was prescribed ibuprofen and brushed off for years.

If you’re dealing with chronic pain, speak up! There are treatment options available. It’s okay to do your research and bring that in with you, I’ve done that before. Be the annoying patient. Cry if the pain hurts that bad. Go into detail about how it affects you and your livelihood.

- To read the rest of this column online, visit thetowerlight.com.

of course!

Yeah

Do you plan on living on Campus for the next academic year?

housing deposits are due

5 p.m. March 14th

visit www.towson.edu/housing to apply for housing

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News

February 19, 2019

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Protesters clash with TU speaker

Ex-Israeli sailor speaks about experience in IDF MARCUS WHITMAN Staff Writer

Towson University’s Hillel and the Baltimore Jewish Council arranged for former Israeli Navy member Aaron Goldenberg to speak to university students about his life experiences, but were met with backlash as protesters barraged him with questions at the end of his talk last Monday.

According to Lisa Bodziner, the executive director of Towson Hillel, Goldenberg was invited to the university at the suggestion of community members Ellen and Jack Zager, who thought it would be a good idea to have him talk to students about his story.

“The significance of having Aaron here is to share with students here literally, im tirzu ein zot agada, if you dream it can become a reality,” Bodziner said.

The protest, organized by Freedom2Boycott in Maryland, Baltimore Jewish Voice for Peace, and Baltimore-Palestine Solidarity, was advertised by the group before the event through a Facebook event.

Sanchar Pinsky, a fellow for Hillel, introduced Goldenberg to the

audience by going over some of his accomplishments while in the Navy.

“He joined a Special Operations Diving unit in Navy while training to become a medic,” Pinsky said.

Goldenberg also worked as an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson, creating and editing new content, briefings and media before being honorably discharged as a Sergeant.

“Now, he’s pursuing a masters in fine arts in directing in the film discipline in the American Film Institute in L.A,” Pinsky said.

The floor was then handed to Goldenberg so he could share his story about his time in the I.D.F, and how he found his identity as both a Jewish man and an American citizen.

As he was wrapping up his lecture, some protesters in attendance began to speak up. Goldenberg asked they hold all their questions till the end.

When Goldenberg finally opened the floor to participants, protesters began to speak their minds.

Protester Ronda Cooperstein, a Towson graduate, was offended by what Goldenberg had said during his lecture.

“I was on this campus 40 years ago protesting Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian land,” Cooperstein

Brendan Felch/ The Towerlight

Aaron Goldenberg, a former Israeli Navy member, spoke to students about his experience in the I.D.F. at Towson Hillel last Monday where he was met with opposition from community protesters. said. “It’s theft of resources, it’s theft of property, it’s horrible behavior towards, those, most of them innocent people... I saw first hand 40 years ago, and for you to stand their and say Jews protecting Jews, I

find that just reprehensible because there’s a huge number of Jewish people who reject the direction Israel has taken.”

Goldenberg and Cooperstein had a brief exchange before Cooperstein was asked to leave and was escorted out of the room.

Goldenberg argued that “if Jews don’t protect Jews, then no one will.”

Other protesters spoke up after her, and were also asked to leave following exchanges with Goldberg.

“We were aware of the potential for persons not affiliated with Towson University, and holding opposing views, to attend,” said TU Police Chief Joe Herring. “When individuals became disruptive, they were asked to leave. They abided by our request.”

Goldenberg had intended the open floor to be an opportunity to create open dialogue, but had also expected for there to be some in attendance

who did not agree with his views.

“I think the protesters responses were really expected, because their responses were full of emotion and very vague, and not very factual,” Goldenberg said. “I was never trying to convince them of anything.”

Despite the protests, fraternity President of Alpha Epsilon Pi Tzvi Herman felt the speech was one he should attend.

“As a Jewish teenager, it is important to LISA BODZINER have that conExecutive Director nection to Israel of Towson Hilell and to know what is going in Israel and to really advocate for Israel,” Herman said. “There’s always thought should I go to the I.D.F... If I were to do something like that, I would definitely be in Israel and it is always good to hear from some who has actually been in this position before and decided to go.”

The significance of having Aaron here is to share with students here literally, im tirzu ein zot agada: if you dream it can become a reality.

Brendan Felch/ The Towerlight

Protesters, who held comments until the end of Goldenberg’s lecture, strongly disagreed with parts of the talk and argued that Goldenberg was spreading propaganda to those in attendance.

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News

February 19, 2019

Student fees to Tigers keep going green increase... again TU continues participation in RecycleMania KARUGA KOINANGE Editor-in-Chief

Tuition and fees are slated to rise in the coming fiscal year, according to proposed increases at a Student Government Association (SGA) open forum Tuesday night in the University Union.

Towson University leaders presented their respective department’s proposals, and Vice President for Student Affairs Deb Moriarty and Vice President for Administration and Finance Ben Lowenthal were also in attendance.

The panelists included Athletic Director Tim Leonard, Director of Client Services for the Office of Technology Services Michael Bachman, Associate Vice President of Financial Affairs Robert Campbell, Interim Vice President for Housing and Residence Life Christina Olstad, Associate Provost for Academic Resources and Planning Gary Levy and Associate Vice President of Auxiliary Services Daniel Slattery.

Lowenthal started the event by announcing that each presenter worked tirelessly to keep their proposed increases to a minimum.

Mandatory fees, meaning technology, athletics, auxiliary services and auxiliary construction fees are all set to increase by under six percent.

“We are known to be one of the most efficient universities in the country,” Lowenthal said. “That is part of the theme for the day. We have to increase fees to cover basic costs...I thank the fee owners for keeping the costs as low as possible and keeping the operations as low as possible.”

Technology fees will rise 2.9 percent, going from $103 to $105. This increase provides more funds for computers, software, apps and labor costs for installation.

Bachman said that he looks to add three employees specifically for the role of training students and faculty on Towson’s technology services.

“We want to get somebody in each of our six academic colleges that can work with students with workshops, personal counseling and consulting on how to apply the technology that’s here,” Bachman said.

Athletic fees are set to go up 4.4 percent, rising from $478 to $499.

This increase will primarily support scholarship increases and salaries.

“We control neither of those

costs,” Leonard said. “The university says ‘tuition and fees are going up by x amount.’ That’s going to affect our budget, so what we’re asking for is help to offset those mandated increases.”

Auxiliary construction fees, which pay for the construction of buildings on campus, building maintenance and debt costs, are set to increase by 5.4 percent. This raises the total cost from $607 to $640, aiding the construction efforts towards the University Union. “[University Union] will be open in a couple years, but when it does open it will have some nice new features including a Chick-fil-A and Dunkin Donuts,” Campbell said.

“Near and dear to you will be a doubling of the student meeting space that’s available, which we sorely need on this campus.”

Slattery addressed the board plans, which include a 3.9 percent increase to parking fees. This catapults the cost of a yearly parking pass from $356 to $369.

This is due to several variables, including cost of living increases, repair and renovation funds towards the Glen Garage and Towsontown Garage, minor repairs around campus and support for the on-campus shuttle system.

According to Olstad, housing and residence prices will jump 2.5 percent across the board based on a five year projection plan that accounts for staff salaries and utility costs.

“We have a bond payment that is going to skyrocket,” she said. “We are building on campus and we are going to renovate our facilities to make sure they are up to standard for students.”

Olstad announced that there are plans to install air conditioning and renovate bathrooms in Scarborough Hall this summer. She also said that the Glen Complex will undergo aggressive renovations, including new air conditioning units and an overall upgrade to the HVAC technology.

The SGA fee is projected to increase from $45 to $49.

“We’re to the limit of money that we can give to student organizations since they are growing and students have more initiatives,” said SGA President Russhell Ford. “With the extra eight dollars, this increase will benefit the entire campus as far as involvement [and] advancement in general.”

- To read the rest of this article online, visit thetowerlight.com.

Brendan Felch/ The Towerlight

Towson Univesity will be participating in the RecycleMania programs diversion, per capita classic and total recycling categories among others to help reduce TU’s footprint and go green this spring.

KERI LUISE Assistant News Editor @keri_luise

Towson University is constantly working to create a sustainable campus environment with waste minimization through concepts such as RecycAll and composting. This spring, TU is continuing to take steps in this sustainable direction by participating in the RecycleMania program.

“The Office of Sustainability’s goal with RecycleMania is to engage as many students as possible in conversations surrounding waste,” said Patricia Watson, TU Assistant Director of Sustainability. “Not only do we want to encourage proper recycling and composting sorting, but we also want students to question their own consumption habits. Collectively we have to examine why we are generating waste in the first place and what are the unintended consequences of living a single-serve lifestyle.”

Colleges and universities across the United States and Canada participate in this friendly recycling program competition known as RecycleMania. It works to raise awareness of recycling as well as promote waste reduction activities to the involved campus communities.

According to the RecycleMania website, after the competition period ended at universities, “70% of school coordinators have reported experiencing a noticeable increase in recycling during their RecycleMania participation.”

This competition takes place over an eight week period in the spring semester. This year it started on Feb. 3 and

will end March 30.

Participating campuses will report the amount of trash and recycling collected each week throughout this time period. They then are ranked in different levels of participation depending on a school’s goals and in different categories including diversion and food organics.

“TU started participating in RecycleMania over a decade ago as a way to demonstrate a commitment to environmental stewardship,” Watson said. “It’s a good platform to address waste issues and shed light on the importance of proper recycling.”

This year, Towson will be participating in the diversion, per capita classic, total recycling, waste minimization, organics, and electronics categories.

According to Watson, Towson will be hosting a Fix-It Fair as part of the RecycleMania competition in the University Union in an “effort to expand the conversations beyond the bin.”

Taking place on March 12, the fair will teach students how to repair and extend the life of their clothing, bikes and electronics.

Towson is also promoting the concept “recycle like your future depends on it” as an important part of its participation in the RecycleMania competition. Watson said this is to raise more awareness “because our choices have real-world consequences.”

TU has been involved with the RecycleMania program since 2008 and in 2017 won the national award for social media outreach and engagement efforts.

TU junior Val Kellett sees the typ-

ical efforts of Towson’s work towards a more sustainable campus environment, but believes that more can be done to get students on campus even more aware and involved.

“I think they can advertise [RecycleMania] more and make more of an effort with getting the students involved,” Kellett said. “Just find a way to make students more aware of what they’re throwing out and how they can help.”

Fellow Towson junior Olivia Balog agrees with Kellett as she thinks “TU can definitely do better when it comes to recycling and sustainability, but we are on the right track.”

Outside of the competition, Towson works daily to create a desirable sustainable campus environment. TU hosts education and outreach tabling events including waste sorting games.

The university also conducts waste audits and provides support for zero waste events.

“For our on-campus residents, URG provides a free recycling bin per room,” Watson said. “And if you’d like to become a waste expert, you can also schedule an educational training through the Eco-Reps.”

Before the competition, TU students also helped with lunchtime sorting near the donation cans in Susquehanna.

“Sustainability is key to our environment,” Balog said. “It’s important to keep our world clean. As students, it’s our responsibility to do the best that we can to maintain sustainability because it starts with us. We need to be the role models for future generations to keep the world clean.”

12 February 19, 2019

Arts & Life

TU professor brings death to life in her new novel ASHLEY de SAMPAIO FERRAZ Contributing Writer

There’s a running cliché of the vampire in American pop culture: young, wealthy, attractive and with life stories of struggles balancing typical teenage emotions with the demands of being undead and bloodthirsty.

Despite this, some writers create fresh, new circumstances surrounding their vampire characters, in order to appeal to less traditional audiences. Morna McDermott McNulty, a professor in the College of Education, decided to use this approach when she wrote her new book, “Blood’s Will.”

“Blood’s Will” is about Campbell Cote Phillips, a middle-aged professor, mother and wife, who must make a decision between what she has built for herself already and what she could have if she gave it all up. Taking place in both the 1970s and contemporary Baltimore, it’s a story about the choices we must make in life and how human mortality is all about sacrifice.

According to McNulty, the process to get a book published is not easy, especially for a first time fiction writer. McNulty shared how she struggled to get her book into print.

“I wrote it originally almost ten

years back,” she said. “I started and it took me awhile to write it, and then I self published it...through CreateSpace on Amazon because I just wanted to get it out there.”

McNulty then pulled her book off the internet and decided to try to get it officially published so that it could reach an even bigger audience.

“Another publishing company was supposed to pick it up, but after almost two years of being jerked around, that fell apart in a very, very ugly fashion and I walked away,” McNulty said. “I spent another year trying to shop it with trade publishers, trying to go through people who knew somebody. They all said the same thing: ‘we don’t pick up new authors. We just don’t take the risks.’”

McNulty didn’t give up on “Blood’s Will.” She approached an old colleague and proposed the idea of making the book both a work of fiction and an academic text. The colleague confirmed her book was a good example of currere, a type of post-modern education curriculum theory. It was through this avenue that McNulty was finally able to publish her book, with Peter Lang International Academic Publishing Group.

The full title of the book is “Blood’s Will: Speculative Fiction, Existence, and Inquiry of Currere.”

It includes both an introduction and an afterword that examines how currere is represented throughout the book. A benefit of this setup is that if the average reader would like to skip over these areas, they are still able to enjoy a wonderful work of fiction about vampires and humanity.

Jack Cole, a professor here at Towson University, shared his perspective on the academic aspects of “Blood’s Will”.

“Will undergraduates find this interesting -- at a time when relationships and futures are on their minds, with curricula and school being a distant second?” Cole asked.

“Perhaps. I’d bet yes. Read the story and then, if you want to untangle its metaphysics and foundations, read the Introduction and Afterword, both highly powerful explorations of origins and courses of action -- a thorough challenge for all.”

Cole also spoke on his opinion of the book itself.

“McDermott has deconstructed herself and her experience, and clothed it in a story of magnificent impact,” Cole said. “I usually don’t like relationship books, but this one held me riveted for the better part of two days.”

- To read the rest of this article online, visit thetowerlight.com.

Courtesy of amazon.com

McNulty’s new book, “Blood’s Will,” toys with the idea of making choices and sacrfices while trying to balance human mortality.

Ariana Grande releases new album, “thank u, next”

The pop vocalist gets vulnerable and emotional in her latest tracks TIMOTHY COFFMAN Columnist

Courtesy of popsugar.com

Grande’s fifth studio album, “thank u, next,” dropped Feb. 8.

Ariana Grande has had a rough few years, all things considered.

Given the vocalist’s breakup with her ex-fiancé Pete Davidson, as well as the death of her former flame Mac Miller, and the terrorist attack at one of her concerts, it would make sense that Grande would take a break for a little while and recuperate. Instead, what has been released is Grande’s most personal album yet, “thank u next,” taken from last year’s smash single of the same name. With all of Grande’s raw emotions about her relationships hung out in the open, how do the songs hold up?

This album is certainly one of the greatest records that Grande has released thus far, which comes from her blunt honesty when talking about her personal struggles. There are songs like the title track which takes a mature stance on learning from past experiences in love, but most of the tracks revolve around the bittersweet period after the love has faded. Songs like “needy” and “imagine” show Grande talking about how she is learning from her past mistakes, but is unable to let go of the people that are leaving her life. The album also talks about Grande’s fatigue in having to keep staying positive with “fake smile.” The album’s track “ghostin” is an emotional powerhouse which talks about the sad loss of Mac Miller and how she is still coping with his demise.

However, there are some songs that do feel a tad repetitive after a while,

like “bloodline” and “bad idea.” Also, the song “7 rings,” while sonically pleasing, does seem a bit out of place amongst the track listing, and the melodic lift from “My Favorite Things” from “The Sound of Music” doesn’t really do the track any favors either.

For all its raw-nerve emotion, this record is an irresistible diary of Grande’s past hardships. This has all the emotional drama of other breakup albums, like Joni Mitchell’s “Blue” or any of Taylor Swift’s recent output.

However, the songwriting does seem to be lacking in a few of the cuts.

This album shows that while Grande hasn’t made her masterpiece just yet, there seems to be something bigger and better just over the horizon if she keeps making music that is this emotionally gripping. Overall, this was a very solid outing from an artist with massive potential.

Arts & Life

February 19, 2019

13

“The General” review Lego builds off of its first movie LUKE PARKER Columnist

Out of the great silent stars who would willingly and repeatedly fling themselves toward peril, there were none cooler than Buster Keaton.

Though this was considered a part of his act, forever dubbed “The Great Stone Face,” I rather appreciate and interpret Keaton’s stoic stare as the calling card of a man who could keep calm in the center of chaos.

Rest assured, it was chaos, and all of it real. “The General,” Keaton’s most celebrated work and perhaps one of the earliest great American films, hoisted a then mammoth budget of $400,000. With a historically accurate reenactment of a Civil War battle, hundreds of extras, expansive sets, and its most iconic shot of a real locomotive crashing off a collapsing bridge and into the ravine below, it was truly an epic of early American cinema.

And while all of these early pioneers and heroes of the motion picture frontier have earned their place in history, the longevity of Keaton’s work is a direct result of that “in control” aura the star so well mastered.

Whereas Charlie Chaplin’s fantastic Tramp character would boast an easy, almost apologetic grin at the messes he got himself into, Keaton problem solved. His stunts and his comedy, and his work in front and behind the camera all feel modern in this way.

In front of the camera, Keaton plays Johnnie Gray, a proud train engineer with “two loves in his life:” his engine, “The General,” and his fiancée, Annabelle Lee (Marion

Mack). It’s not much later after the couple’s introduction that they learn Fort Sumter has been fired upon, and war has begun.

With the sort of valiance men only harvest to impress their heart’s desire, Gray dashes to the front of the enlistment line for the Confederate Army. But he is embarrassingly rejected due to his value as an engineer – a fact which no one bothers to tell him – and Annabelle refuses to speak to him until he is in uniform.

Johnny gets a chance to prove his valor, however, once a collection of Union spies hijack “The General,” as well as its unintended patron, Annabelle. Johnny chases after them, first on foot, and then on handcar, and eventually on another locomotive with little else in mind other than the patriotism no one believed he had.

With a chase set on a railroad, the possibilities for excitement don’t sound too enticing with two big, bulky trains running along the same, prearranged path. But Keaton uses the limited, set environment to his advantage, picking points along the track to create great silent comic sequences, which he then rehashes once the pursuit goes back the other way.

Keaton’s interaction with the machines themselves make up a majority of the fun, and again, it’s important to know that there was no stunt double. One sight gag involves a runaway railcar appearing in front of Johnny that he thought he had just gotten rid of, and there’s a daring and impressively extensive scene involving a railway gun.

- To read the rest of this article online, visit thetowerlight.com.

Courtesy of slate.com

Keaton was a stunt star during the silent era of American films.

MATT MCDONALD Columnist

When I saw the first “Lego Movie,” I thought it was going to be a dumb kids’ movie that my brother was forcing me to watch. I was pleasantly surprised. It was a very funny, charming movie that had a great story, a protagonist to root for and an insanely respectable amount of time and work put into it regarding the animation. The sequel only emphasized this for me.

“The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part” continues the adventures of the first, following Emmet, a lovable and ever-optimistic construction worker, as he tries to “toughen up” in a post-apocalyptic version of his hometown. After a new threat to the city begins terrorizing the town and kidnapping many of Emmet’s friends, he must take it upon himself to save them by traveling into another dimension, all the while receiving premonitions of a

tragic Armageddon event (called “ourmom-geddon”). With the help of a new, impressive Lego named Rex Dangervest, Emmet just might be able to rescue his friends and prevent the disaster.

This is one of those movies that I walk out and can immediately say, “That was a solid movie.” Was it the best thing I’ve ever seen? Probably not. But it had moving themes, captivating action and I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

I have only seen the first movie once, so the fact that I could go into the second part and pick up right where the last one left off, not confused at all, was already a great start. The writers follow up from the first movie and build off of it in an original way, while staying true to the unique nature of the world.

About halfway through, I thought the movie was becoming very predictable, but I was caught off guard, with not only a few twists and a whole separate plot direction, but with a very heartwarming underlying subplot.

The characters were as delightful

as the first time around, especially the beloved Batman, even showing more development that simultaneously furthered the story. The jokes, references, meta nature and cameo characters all hit and enhanced the world once again, and the musical element is only elevated in this one.

I couldn’t find much wrong with the movie, except for small things, like some believability issues I had with the explanation of one subplot, which seemed a little convenient, but upon looking back, it actually makes sense in the context of the whole story. Other than that, I wasn’t too interested in (without giving too much away) the whole wedding part of the story, but that is more of a personal rather than general critique, and it still makes sense with the story.

Overall, if you loved the first movie, you’re going to love this one too. If you’re looking for a fun movie to enjoy and feel good about, with great cameos and songs, go see “The Lego Movie 2.” It’s just as awesome as the first.

Netflix’s new multi-layered series ALEX HELMS Assistant Arts & Life Editor

Live. Die. Repeat. That’s the tagline to the 2014 science fiction/action film “Edge of Tomorrow.”

It’s also the bread and butter of the ever-popular time loop genre. From “Happy Death Day” to “Happy Death Day 2U,” time loop media has been making a huge comeback, and it has no signs of dying any time soon. And now joining the ever-growing pantheon of time loop media is Netflix’s “Russian Doll,” the streaming service’s latest comedy-drama series. Although it’s technically formatted as a web television series, its incredibly high binge-ability, as well as its affinity for cliff-hangers, help turn the experience into something that more resembles a three-and-a-half-hour movie, albeit a breezy one.

“Russian Doll” takes you on the time loop of Nadia Vulvokov (series co-creator Natasha Lyonne), a charming yet selfish New Yorker who is stuck reliving the night of her 36th birthday party whenever she dies. Sure, it’s a tale as old as time, but Lyonne and company, an impressive all-female team of writers and directors, add much needed new perspectives in a very literal way, and not just in respect to the writing of females in the show.

“Russian Doll” cleverly twists the audience’s preconceptions about how time loop stories work, who they happen to and how they resolve. It also plays to the strengths of the genre’s established tropes. Like in many other time loop stories, Nadia, a freelance video game programmer, approaches her looped days as if they were a video game, adjusting her strategy whenever she receives new information and whenever a choice leads to her death.

It’s this formula that makes time loops stories so gratifying. They’re stories about change and choices we make to enact that change. What makes “Russian Doll” so special, I think, is that the change needed isn’t completely personal. Nadia’s humanity is inherently tied to her relationships, and the choices she makes are just as much

about her as they are about others.

The show’s title is never explicitly explained. There is one Russian doll in the series, but it is shown once in passing. I think perhaps, in the most figurative sense, the title is alluding to the idea that we are all part of an infinite Russian doll. All of us, individually, have a place inside. Not as the biggest piece or the smallest piece, but somewhere in the middle.

We all must protect the smaller pieces, but we must also be nestled inside the shells of the bigger pieces in the moments when we cannot protect ourselves. Everyone inside has a mutual responsibility, and if that’s not what “Russian Doll” is about, then I don’t know what is.

Season one of “Russian Doll” is available to stream on Netflix.

Courtesy of denofgeek.com

“Russian Doll” is Netflix’s new take on the time loop storyline.

14February 19, 2019 14

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Spring Sports Preview

February 19, 2019

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Spring Sports Preview

Photo by Brendan Felch/ The Towerlight

STRONG START TO a HOPEFUL SEASON Early season wins have Towson in the top 10, and the team is hungry for more JOHN HACK Staff Writer

The Tigers return with some high expectations entering their 2019 campaign. These expectations were heavily reinforced after a 17-8 opening day victory against then-seventh-ranked Johns Hopkins followed by a 12-7 win over Mount St. Mary’s.

However, this year’s team is also playing with a chip on their shoulder, stemming from a disappointing 7-8 finish last season and just

missing out on a fourth-consecutive Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) championship with a 12-8 loss to the University of Massachusetts in the final.

Head Coach Shawn Nadelen enters his ninth year at the helm for the Tigers and expressed his appreciation for how this year’s team has handled adversity coming into the season and taken initiative.

“I feel like our leadership is much stronger this year,” Nadelen said. “We have a great senior class that has really done a good job embracing the

team….and making sure that their senior year is special not just for them, but for the team.”

With every new season comes fresh faces. In addition to the freshman class, there has been a new name added to the sideline in defensive coordinator Steve Grossi.

Grossi arrives to Towson after coached for two seasons at Richmond.

“Coach Grossi brings a great idea of intensity and passion to the position,” Nadelen said. “Being a defensive coordinator, his communication is terrific with the guys. He’s very clear and

concise…making sure the guys are prepared.”

Towson returns nine seniors, and many of those players played a big role in team scoring.

The Tigers have a strong core class at midfield with Alex Woodall, Timmy Monahan, Zack Goodrich and Grant Maloof.

Expected to be starting in between the pipes is junior Tyler Canto. Canto is a first-year transfer from UMassLowell, and has therefore only seen listed action thus far.

If the chips fall into place and

the team is able to stay healthy this spring, students and fans alike can have a good feeling about how the team can grow as the season progresses.

“I think you’re gonna see what Towson University is within our lacrosse program,” Nadelen said “We’re going to be a group that’s a bunch of hard-working, blue collar guys that get out there and compete for each other and rally around each other.They love the opportunity to wear the black and gold and represent Towson.”

towson eyes a return to the top Revenge is on the mind for the Tigers after losing last season’s CAA title game GLENN KAPLAN Staff Writer

There is unfinished business for the Tigers heading into the 2019 season after they lost 21-17 to the Northwestern Wildcats at home in the second-round of the postseason last year.

“It’s definitely one of our driving motivators,” said Head Coach Sonia Lamonica.

She will be entering her ninth season at the helm. Towson finished with a solid 16-5 record last season, falling to the James Madison Dukes in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) title game last season.

The Tigers were ranked 11th in the country to start the season, but fell to Penn State 13-7 in their season opener.

“I like how we get underestimated year after year,” Lamonica said.

“We feed off of being underdogs.”

Some of the key opponents Towson will be facing this season are the Dukes, the Loyola Greyhounds, the John Hopkins Blue Jays and the Navy Midshipmen.

“It’s a necessity in order to become a nationally prominent program,” LaMonica said. “We want to come out on top.”

Towson returns several key players, including sophomore attack-

er Kaitlin Thornton and senior attackers Natalie Sulmonte and Carly Tellekamp.

“They have good leadership on the field,” LaMonica said. “They are competing at a high level in practice.”

Sulmonte scored 50 goals and recorded 25 assists last season.

Tellekamp contributed 46 goals and added four assists last season.

Thornton tallied 31 goals and posted 16 assists last season.

Junior defenseman Olivia Conti was the CAA Defensive Player of the Year last season. She is also the preseason CAA Defensive Player of the Year. She led the NCAA last season with 52 caused turnovers.

The Tigers’ home opener will be on Friday, March 1 against the Stony Brook Seawolves. Towson opens conference play on the road on Sunday, April 7 against James Madison.

Spring Sports Preview

16 February 19, 2019

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Multiple nations represented on Towson squad CYAN THOMAS Staff Writer

Towson’s season is already in full swing, coming out of its first six matches with a 1-5 record.

Towson alumni Jamie Peterson, who is entering his second year as head coach, has several goals for the Tigers this spring.

“For one, I want us to have a definable, improved record from last season,” Peterson said. “I want to finish top four in the conference and I would like us to win at least two-thirds of our doubles points.”

Assistant Coach Debbie Holtschneider, who played at Lander University, and volunteer assistant Greg Selby are also at the right hand of Peterson.

Last year, the team finished with an even 12-12 record and did not finish top four in the conference.

This year, there is almost an entirely new team of 11 comprised of three seniors, one sophomore, one junior and six freshmen.

Of the 11 on the team, five are international players who made the trip to America for the opportunity to play college tennis.

Freshman Jessica Assenmacher is an international student from South Africa who was ranked No. 1 in her country in juniors doubles.

Fellow freshman Phoebe Collins, an international student from England, was ranked top 30 juniors in England.

Freshman Themis Haliou, from Cyprus, was a member of the

National Federation Cup team in her home country.

Peterson fawned over his new players and was excited upon discovering them and hearing of their achievements.

“Amelia Lawson, a freshman from New Zealand, was a top five junior player in her country and was voted Emerging Sportswoman of the Year,” Peterson said.

Throughout the season, the Tigers will face some tough opponents, a few of which stand out to Peterson.

“We’re looking to be very mentally up against Drexel, Delaware and UNCW,” Peterson said.

“They’re tough opponents.”

The team will conclude the season at the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Championships in Elon, N.C. beginning April 18.

Hope Springs Eternal Coach Jackson is excited as TU goes outdoors MUHAMMED WAHEED Assistant Sports Editor

Spring sports are almost here, which means that the track and field program will be competing outdoors soon.

Younger athletes have made their impact during the cross country and indoor seasons.

The team has an important expectation for its younger athletes.

“We have a lot of expectations for them and also a lot of responsibility that is required so it’s getting them to focus on some of the basic things they need to do,” said Head Coach Mike Jackson. “We want to be able to help them and under-

stand that they are a huge part of our performance for our team and know that they’re valued.”

Jackson has high aspirations for how far the team can go this season..

“Our goal is to win another conference championship and to bring more student-athletes to the NCA A championships.”

Jackson said.

Jackson has a plan to help his team attain success t his season.

“Focus, focusing on our team, focusing on the process, looking at the big picture, having a big vision and understanding that things don’t always come to you right away,” Jackson said. “I really think those are some of the factors that are

going to get us to win.”

The Tigers will host t he To w s o n Invitational on Saturday, April 6.

“We want to win it and have great competition, great performances for our team and be able to have all our friends, fans and family be able to watch us in one venue,” Jackson said.

The outdoor track and field season begins on the weekend of March 15.

Towson will compete in the Doc Anderson Invitational, a two-day meet, in Troy, Alabama.

The Tigers will make multiple appearances in their home state, visiting College Park on March 16, Annapolis on March 30 and Baltimore on April 12, 19-20.

Spring Sports Preview

February 19, 2019

17

a record year has raised the bar Towson’s seniors look to continue the success from last season’s dominant run JORDAN KENDALL Assistant Sports Editor

Coming off a successful 2018 season with a school record 42 wins, the Tigers enter this season looking to contend for a conference championship.

An appearance in the National Invitational Softball Championship results in high expectations. However, this season’s roster is almost brand new. Six seniors departed in the offseason, leaving only three seniors this year.

“We have a lot of new kids on this team, so I think the challenge for them is to live up to what last year’s team did,” said Head Coach Lisa Costello.

Towson’s roster consists of mostly freshmen, but Costello has been impressed with the upperclassmen

and their ability to step up as leaders to mentor the newest Tigers.

“Our upperclassmen have all stepped up, our seniors and juniors have been awesome,” Costello said.

Among the key returning contriubtors is junior first baseman Madison Wilson, the top returning hitter from last year, hitting .389 with two home runs and 36 RBIs. “Maddie is a good athlete and has worked hard to improve her defense,” Costello said.

Senior Nicole Stockinger tied the school record in home runs with 15 while also collecting 56 RBIs and had a .347 batting average. Her versatility as a utility player is invaluable to the team.

Towson hit .327 as a team last season while keeping opponents to a .272 average.

On the mound, the Tigers return

two starting pitchers in sophomore Melissa Abrahamian and junior Julia Smith-Harrington.

Abrahamian started 15 games, and Smith-Harrington got the call for 13.

Abrahamian recorded 58 strikeouts, which leads the returning Tigers. Each pitcher finished tied for second on the team with seven victories each.

“Both returners and our transfer will help the younger girls transition to college ball,” Costello said.

Towson’s season began Feb. 8 at the USC Upstate Tournament, where the Tigers went 2-2. They followed that up with another split weekend at Coastal Carolina, moving them to 4-4.

The Tigers will travel for the first month of the season before their home opener at the Towson Invitational on March 1-3. Towson will face Yale, Hartford and Monmouth over the course of that weekend.

Costello sees the road trips to begin the year as a positive, given the chilly weather at home.

“It’s an advantage to head south to play in warmer weather,” she said. “It gives us a chance to bond as a team.

The Tigers will open up conference play on March 23 when they travel to UNC Wilmington.

Towson’s next game will be Friday, Feb. 22 at the Furman Tournament in Greenville, South Carolina.

Photo courtesy of towsontigers.com

Junior Julia Smith-Harrington is met by her team after a home run.

Newcomers on the diamond for tu Chemistry is the key as Towson debuts new-look roster in Tyner’s second season TIM KLAPAC Sports Editor

Last season, Towson endured many growing pains under firstyear head coach Matt Tyner, finishing with a 13-42 record, going6-18 in conference play.

Tyner believes that will all change as a slew of new players are geared to take the field and kick off a new season.

“We went back to recruiting character as much as we did ability,” Tyner said. “Last year, you saw one, maybe two guys in a cage together. This year, there’s six, seven, eight guys.”

There are many areas that the Tigers looks to improve upon this season, and it starts with build-

ing team chemistry with this new group of players. Towson traveling to North Carolina, Georgia, and California in the first month of the season is a rare, early opportunity to create that chemistry “It is important for us to build a little bit of chemistry not only on the field, but off the field and the best way to do that is when you’re sequestered on a trip with 42 of your favorite people,” Tyner said.

Another area of concern is on the mound, where the Tigers led the conference in both wild pitches and passed balls last season. Assistant Coach Miles Miller expressed his confidence in addressing this issue.

“We’ve added more depth,

we’re a little more balanced and more mature with our mentality on the mound,” Miller said. “We felt like we had some good arms at the front last year, we asked them to do so much that at some point they hit a wall.”

With only 12 players returning from last year’s roster, there is a changing of the guard in terms of leadership, and senior infielder Richard Miller is taking on that role.

Miller is the returning home run hitter on the roster, and he made significant strides over the summer, capturing the Prospect League’s Mike Schmidt Player of the Year Award.

“This summer, he went off with a new confidence and came back a much better hitter,” said

Assistant Coach Tanner Biagini.

“You take some young freshman, and if they can look up to him and copy his work ethic, we’re going to be in a good place.”

The rebuilding process taken on by coach Tyner involves more than just wins and losses, but growing the program overall, and the improvements made to John B. Schuerholz Park are a sign of this growth.

“We want to be the best in Maryland and I think with continued support by the parents, alumni, but most importantly, the school and athletic department, you’ve got a heck of a sight there,” Towson opened its season at Davidson over the weekend and prepare to head off to Kennesaw

State this weekend. The Tigers’ home opener against Lehigh is scheduled for March 1 at 2 p.m. at Schuerholz Park.

NEXT@ 3/1 HOME 2:00pm

Spring Sports Preview

18 February 19, 2019

standout aimS to lead this spring Bachelor looks to carry momentum from his record breaking 2018 performance AARON THOMAS Staff Writer

Head Coach Mike Larkin and the Towson University Men’s Golf program are looking forward to beginning a new season after the Tigers had a positive fall season. The team looks to build off these positives and improve throughout the spring position themselves to win the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) championship.

“Leading up to CAA play last season, we had played a lot in the Northeastern region in cold temperatures and rain and I do not think it is the best preparation for CAA’s,” Larkin said.

“I scheduled three events in locations with better weather in order to practice and play in better conditions.”

A player to look out for this spring is sophomore Kobdech Rodrat, he goes by the nickname of “Game” and he surely has a ton of it on the golf course.

“Game is a good kid and he is only a sophomore so I expect him to continue to develop his game and keep improving,” Larkin said.

In the fall, Rodrat finished with a team-best 72.8 average over thirteen rounds.

The Tigers kick off their spring season Thursday, Feb. 21 in Goodyear, Arizona competing in the Loyola Invitational for the second consecutive year.

Senior William Bachelor had a remarkable outing in this event last year, finishing fourth individually with a score of 201 (68-65-68). With this historic performance, Bachelor is now

the lowest scorer in any tournament in Towson men’s golf history at 15 under par. The score of 65 was a career low for Bachelor and also the third lowest round in the program’s history.

“Will was our lowest scoring average in the fall and I’m looking forward to seeing what he has in store for us in his final semester here,” Larkin said.

“He was phenomenal at this event last year. I don’t expect him to make history again but I’m sure he will carry that good play over into next week.”

Towson will host its Spring Invitational tournament in early April at the Prospect Bay Country Club in Grasonville, Maryland.

The CAA Championships will take place at Pinehurst, North Carolina at the Pinehurst No. 8 course from April 19 through April 21.

Courtesy of Towson Men’s Golf Twitter

Freshman Hayden Rouselle tees off at a tournament during the fall.

Spring travels a test for Towson Tigers will visit South Carolina, Hawaii and Georgia after a strong fall campaign BROOKS WARREN Staff Writer

Towson is looking forward to the upcoming spring season and a chance to improve on its third overall finish last season in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) tournament.

The Tigers were glad to get into warmer weather and play plenty of rounds in Florida over the winter break. Although she was mum on the details of the off-season training, Head Coach Lisa Ferrero revealed that her young team was more focused on general development and not scores.

“I’m not sure exactly what they did,” Ferrero said. “All I know is they worked on their game and they showed me what they were

working on.”

Ferrero believes that this year’s squad is one of the most talented that Towson has put together.

Sophomore Sarah Perine, finished tied for 21st and is in mid-season form after shooting the lowest stroke score at 1080 during the Fall season.

Senior Jenny Buchanan comes into spring ready to improve on her 32nd place finish in the CAA tournament last spring.

Junior Erica Han led the Tigers with a 16th place finish in that tournament.

Ferrero set up a tough schedule this season as the team opens with the Kiawah Island Spring Classic, hosted by the College of Charleston, and then the Anuenue Spring Break Classic, hosted by Hawaii.

Both tournaments give Towson a chance to go toe-to-toe with premier programs.

“The goal is to just go back to the basics and have fun and play,” Ferrero said. “Enjoy what you’re doing instead of being scared about shooting a high number.

With that type of schedule comes heightened pressure and expectations.

However, Ferrero has been preaching that her kids enjoy the process and stick to what they know best.

“I don’t really put too many expectations on the players,” Ferrero said. “We just want to golf and do our best.”

The Kiawah Island Spring Classic tees off on Feb. 25 at the Kiawah Island Resort in Kiawah Island, South Carolina.

Courtesy of towsontigers.com

Junior Erica Han launches her approach shot during the fall season.

Sports

February 19, 2019

19

CAA SPLIT For Tigers Team prepares for final road trip of the season AARON THOMAS Staff Writer

The Tigers defeated Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) foe Drexel 92-77 in front of the largest home crowd of the season Saturday afternoon at SECU Arena, donning alternate light blue jerseys for the team’s annual Autism Awareness game.

Junior guard Tobias Howard put on a show, posting 26 points, three assists and three steals.

“Any time they had a little bit of a sniff of hope, TJ just made big shot after big shot,” said Head Coach Pat Skerry. “I’ve really been pleased with his growth over the last few weeks. He is certainly a starter, but

for a team that has been struggling to score offensively, he’s coming off the bench and giving us a boost.”

Junior guard Brian Fobbs was right behind Howard in the box score finishing with 25 points, including a pair of highlight reel dunks.

Redshirt junior forward Nakye Sanders recorded his second double-double of the season with a careerhigh 17 points and 10 rebounds.

“What we all saw today was when Nakye does not foul, how incredibly productive he can be for us along with Howard and Fobbs,” Skerry said.

A 27-point halftime lead allowed the Tigers (10-17, 6-8 CAA) to control the pace of the game, avenging their loss to the Dragons (12-16, 6-9 CAA) from last month.

Towson never looked back from its 46-19 halftime lead, marking the first time Towson has held a team below 20 points in the first half since a 2016 game against Loyola.

The Tigers’ matchup against CAA rival Delaware was a different story.

With under 15 seconds left in the second half, Howard knocked down a transition three-pointer with 12 seconds remaining to cut the deficit to three.

The Tigers forced a turnover on the very next play. Falling out of bounds in the corner, junior guard Brian Fobbs hoisted up a highly contested, off-balance three-pointer that miraculously went in to send the game into overtime.

- To read the rest of this article online, visit thetowerlight.com

Brian Fobbs Men’s Basketball

Junior guard Brian Fobbs couldn’t stop lighting up the scoreboard last week. Fobbs led the Tigers with 29 points against Delaware, and then scored 25 points against Drexel. Fobbs has raised his team-leading average to 17.5 points per game.

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News

February 19, 2019

Mom asks Towson Tigers to date son SOPHIA BATES Staff Writer @sophiabates23

The Towson University Police Department is currently investigating the incidents regarding a woman approaching students asking them if they were interested in dating her son.

According to the message sent campus-wide via email communication, multiple incidents occurred over Feb. 6 and 7 involving students being approached by the woman in the Cook Library and the Center for the Arts.

“Students have reported being approached by an older female who attempted to show them a picture on her cell phone and ask if they were interested in dating her son,” the communication reads.

According to Sean Welsh, Vice President of Communications and Media Relations, the email was sent after receiving reports from students.

“TUPD received reports from students, and we put out the message as a result in an attempt to identify the woman,” Welsh said.

Senior Anna Sillars, who majors in Art and Design with a concentration in Painting, Drawing and Printmaking was approached in the Center for the Arts on Thursday, Feb. 7.

“I walked into the side entrance of the Fine Arts building around 1:45 and this Asian woman in her 40s saw me and ran towards me in the hallway,” Sillars said.

“I thought she was a professor who was mistaking me for someone else.”

According to Sillars, the lady told her that she didn’t speak English and communicated primarily through a note pre-written on the phone. “[The note] said along the lines of ‘You’re a beautiful, young, attractive woman with many years ahead of you.

If you want to be even more successful you should come meet my son. He is young and handsome and wealthy, and I want to find a young woman who is good enough for him. He can give you so many opportunities, you should come with me to meet him,’” Sillars said.

According to Sillars, she laughed and declined the offer and told her that she had a boyfriend, but the woman persisted.

“She said ‘That doesn’t matter, anything could happen and you could have any kind of opportunity,’” Sillars said.

Sillars said she was alone during the incident but there were students walking in and out of the building around her.

According to Sillars, the situation made her nervous.

“When she was talking at first I thought she was just an odd parent but then because she was insisting that I come with her I got nervous and uncomfortable,” Sillars said. “At first people didn’t think it was that big of a deal and it was some crazy woman, but I talked to my mom who works as a social worker and she was convinced it was a lure technique for trafficking.”

For junior Ashley Cohen, receiving the police communication was unsettling.

“It was just really awkward to get the email because I couldn’t really understand why a woman would do that, especially for her son, at a college university,” Cohen said. “You don’t just go around doing that.”

Cohen added that seeing the story on the news heightened her awareness of the situation.

“I didn’t realize how serious it was until I saw the news,” Cohen said. “I would feel embarrassed if that were my mom to be honest, that’s just ridiculous.”

According to Welsh, the woman has not been identified.

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Courtesey of Towson University

Towson students were aproached by the woman pictured above, who looking for someone to date her son. She is still unidentified.

www.studentwatch.org

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