www.rwuhawksherald.com Vol. 34, Issue 4 FREE
September 30, 2021 OPINIONS | My Life as a Statue | PAGE 3 FEATURES | Welcoming new Assistant Director| PAGE 4 ARTS & CULTURE | Alumni Art Show | PAGE 6 SPORTS | Starting off strong | PAGE 8
University announces Strategic Action Plan
The plan outlines five strategic priorities and numerous initiatives Rachel Dvareckas Editor-in-Chief The new school year has just begun and Roger Williams University has announced its Strategic Action Plan today with new initiatives starting this year. The new plan comes with new information on the RWU website. It outlines the five strategic priorities the university will be focusing on this year. These include academic excellence, engaged learning, student success, a thriving community and sustainable future. The university’s core values were created in 2014 and reaffirmed in 2019. These core values, according to the university, set the core purpose “to strengthen society through engaged teaching, learning and research.” Chief of Staff Brian Williams said the university will collaborate with students, faculty and staff on key aspects of the plan and long-term aspirations for the university. “This plan is a launchpad to design a stronger future and educational experience for our students, a plan that will evolve and continue to find
new opportunities and ideas,” said Williams.“With that in mind, it’s important that we keep having dialogue with the Student Senate and hold open sessions for all undergraduate, graduate and law students through this year so we hear your voices about programs, experiences and spaces across both our campuses.” University President Ioannis Miaoulis sees everyone in the university doing a great job, he sees the excellence in the graduating students, the faculty and the research conducted on campus. “I am constantly proud of the areas of excellence and the incredible work of our faculty, staff and students across the university,” said Miaoulis. The initiatives for academic excellence include taking an interdisciplinary approach to research opportunities and learning and working with the community. It also includes developing “a best-in-class universal design for online learning,” according to the university’s website. All the initiatives include a piece about embedded equity as it relates to the five priorities as well as how the university will measure their success. The engaged learning initiatives
include the piloting of first-year undergraduate research experiences in marine biology led by Dr. Koty Sharp. New service learning graduation requirements are part of the initiatives as well. The university is devoted to providing the means for students to succeed. Whether it be through academic and career advising, personalized educational pathways or focusing on student wellness. The First-Year Learning Community falls under this initiative as well as designing programs for high school students, providing enhanced resources for transfer students and broadening opportunities for study abroad programs. The plan’s thriving community section is geared more towards faculty and staff. The university will aim to increase communication and technology use for faculty and staff as well as pilot an onboarding program for new hires starting in January 2022.
See
ACTION PLAN
on page 2
RWU places in top 500 of the Wall Street Journal’s college rankings Luke Brennan Managing Editor
Every year, The Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education (THE) release a list of the top colleges and universities in the country for the forthcoming academic year, and Roger Williams University placed in the top 500 in their latest rankings. The list ranks colleges and universities based on such criteria as resources, environment and average net price. With the list compiling over 800 colleges and universities, RWU’s overall score falls at 46.5-49.8 out of 100, up from 46.6-49.8 in 2021. Along with the rankings, The Wall Street Journal and THE also conduct a survey. 7.4 out of 10 would still choose RWU if they had the chance to start over, 7 out of 10 feel RWU provides an environment where they feel they are surrounded by exceptional students who inspire and motivate them, and 6.8 out of 10 think RWU will be worth what they and their family are paying. RWU’s high ranking has been wellreceived by those on campus, including Vice President for Enrollment Management Amy Tiberio. “Gaining national recognition by being positioned among the top 500 colleges (which places us among the top 15% of all colleges in the country) is always nice,” Tiberio said. “It’s a great recognition of the impressive student outcomes we see here at RWU.” Despite the praise, Tiberio does warn that college rankings can be misleading. “I do always caution people, however, to look at various rankings to understand what they are actually measuring,” Tiberio said. “The metrics that go into rankings often include both publicly-reported and subjective data and the method by which these factors are weighted is always subjective methodology.”
See Courtesy of rwu.edu The Strategic Action Plan can be found on the RWU website under the “Who We Are” tab. The plan outlines five strategic priorities the university will work to implement starting this year.
RANKING
on page 2
SECTION EDITOR
Jimmy Sadowski jsadowski031@g.rwu.edu
NEWS
DESIGNER
Rachel Dvareckas rdvareckas244@g.rwu.edu
RANKING
from page 1
In addition to the Wall Street Journal/THE list, Tiberio was asked how optimistic she was about RWU’s future regarding enrollment, though she does not necessarily think it correlates to college rankings. “The rankings are a look in the rear view mirror that captures data on efforts we put in place years ago,” Tiberio said. Tiberio also said she is more hopeful about practices RWU has implemented in the last few years, including “the
way the university prioritized our community’s health, safety, and experience during the pandemic,” and “The improvements we have seen over the past several years in the racial and ethnic diversity of our student population.” Overall, while RWU’s place in the rankings is something to make note of, Tiberio puts more emphasis on “A new strategic planning process that’s been inclusive across all segments of our community that I hope will continue to give us new programs and opportunities for students in the year ahead.”
September 30, 2021
ACTION PLAN
from page 1
The final initiative is a sustainable future. RWU will be restoring the Campus Sustainability Committee and will hire a Sustainability Coordinator. “When I speak with parents, alumni, potential donors, and our board members about all that is happening at Roger, they sense a momentum that things are changing at the University,” said Miaoulis.
THE GAVEL
Your source for Student Senate news Hey Hawks! At Senate last week, we were joined by Chief of Staff Brian Williams who gave us some awesome insight on the future strategic plan of the university. We created a new council that will be chaired by Luis De Ugarte which will work on forming our new Sustainability and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Councils. We passed two more constitutional changes so that, in the future, we will be having 18 open seats for the spring elections and 5 open seats for the fall elections. We will be able to add 3 additional Senators to Student Senate soon! This past Monday, those students who are running for Student Senate and Inter-Class Council positions came in to declare their intent to run for office. We appointed Isabelle Boullier to the Student Senate as a General Senator - congratulations, we are so excited to work with you! We had an open debate topic about Student Senate possibly hosting a radio show on WQRI and how that will benefit the student body- so keep your eyes open for more news on that! As always, follow us on Instagram, Tik Tok and Twitter @RWU_Senate and try to attend our weekly meetings on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. in the Mary Tefft White Center on the first floor of the library. Our meetings are recorded so if you can’t make the meetings, you can watch the recordings on the Senate YouTube page - so make sure to check those out! The gavel is contributed by the Student Senate and does not reflect the views of The Hawks’ Herald
“However, what really excites me is knowing that when we take these things we do well, collaborate more fully and strengthen our efforts together, it will bring RWU to the next level in how we serve our students and the greater community.” Campus community members are encouraged to leave feedback on the plan. Those who are interested in sharing their thoughts on the plan and the future of the university can email their ideas to strategicplan@rwu.edu
HawkTrot Run For Breast Cancer Oct. 2 Jimmy Sadowski News Editor
Wilhelmina Giese/The Hawks’ Herald Roger Williams University placed in the top 500 universities in the nation.
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The Roger Williams University InterClass Council (ICC) 2023 will sponsor the HawkTrot Charity Run for Breast Cancer, which will take place Saturday Oct. 2 from noon to 3 p.m. According to ICC 2023 President Samantha Gregory, the run is two miles long and begins on the Commons quad. “The run will take place around campus beginning and ending at the Commons quad under a pink balloon arch,” said Gregory. “The loop begins from the quad and goes from there towards the back of GHH and down to the sailing center and all along the shell path, eventually coming back up by the Bayside parking lot, past commons, and back to the quad. The full run will be two laps of this route to complete about two total miles.” The run is to raise money for the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Research Foundation based in Pawtucket. Gregory said the foundation “has the mission of providing free access to wellness and education information for all those affected by cancer. They are also a resource for those who need emotional support because of breast cancer; both for those diagnosed and those who have loved ones diagnosed with the disease.” Gregory also said the ICC chose to raise money for the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Research Foundation partly because they liked their mission. “We really liked how they were a local and well-known organization in Rhode Island,” said Gregory.
“We really liked how they were a local and well-known organization in Rhode Island.” -Samantha Gregory
“We knew for sure we wanted to partner with them after their enthusiastic response when we initially reached out about the possibility, and their mission was something all of us really support and want to contribute to.” Runners that want to participate have to pay $5 that is donated when registering through the University Tickets link that can be found on Hawklink and the ICC 2023 Instagram page (@rwuicc2023). People who do not want to walk/run but still support the foundation can purchase $3 pink RWU bracelets for sale at the event. In addition, Gregory said breast cancer pins, signs and symptoms cards and pink lemonade will be free for all those who stop by or participate in the event. Attendants are encouraged to wear white shirts at the run. “Pink colored powder will be thrown at runners throughout the course and we encourage all participants to wear white shirts for maximum pink powder effect,” said Gregory. “We encourage any and all pink accessories to be worn as well.” “Pink colored powder will be thrown at runners throughout the course and we encourage all participants to wear white shirts for maximum pink powder effect,” said Gregory. “We encourage any and all pink accessories to be worn as well.” Wearing pink is important to this Saturday’s run and the cause it supports. “We hope that by having all students wear pink in some way or another, our campus can be seen as a unified group that supports the research being done to end breast cancer and to provide care and compassion for all those affected by it,” said Gregory. More information about the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Research Foundation can be found at the following link to their website: https:// www.gloriagemma.org/about-us
SECTION EDITOR
Samuel Elwell selwell531@g.rwu.edu
OPINIONS
DESIGNER
Rachel Dvareckas rdvareckas244@g.rwu.edu
Why RWU should celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day Alexa Davignon Herald Reporter As Oct. 11 approaches, the annual Columbus Day debates arise. In the past few years, many college campuses have swapped out Columbus Day for Indigenous Peoples’ Day and I hope RWU joins soon. Many people fear that abolishing Columbus Day inherently means erasing our American history. In reality, Columbus had little to no connection to the land we are living on right now. Yes, Columbus’ sail across the ocean may have caused a spike in trans-Atlantic travel and inspired the future settlers of the United States, but Columbus’ voyages also birthed the Columbian Exchange; the centuries of humans being treated like animals in the slave trade all ties back to Columbus. Why does this man deserve to have his name plastered on a parade float? The most common argument I have encountered in favor of Columbus Day stems from Columbus’ prominence in the Italian American community. As a natural born Italian, Columbus served as a point of pride for Italian Americans when the community was receiving quite a bit of discrimination
in the United States. The pitfall of this claim lies within the fact that every action Columbus took, every choice he made, was for Spain. Columbus lived and died for the Spanish crown. However, Columbus should not serve as a hero to any nationality. Almost everyone knows of the inhumane actions of Columbus, but not enough people in this country are angry enough to abolish the holiday in his honor. Abolishing this holiday is not an attempt to erase history or cover up the past. Children can learn about Columbus through a history textbook, not a day off from school. This country does not need to have an entire day dedicated to idolizing a historical figure to ensure the history is known. Observing Indigenous Peoples’ Day recognizes and mourns the tragedies faced by Indigenous tribes that possess a rich history on this land. The Europeans who settled this nation pushed them off their land and out of their homes. Americans need to remember the suffering that occurred so that we may never inflict such pain again. What Americans do not need is a day to remember a man that inflicted such pain himself.
Courtesy of Library of Congress A painting titled “Columbus Taking Possession of the New Country” which was painted in 1893 by L. Prang & Co. Christopher Columbus arrived on American soil in 1492.
September 30, 2021
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My Life as a Statue Hey Hawks!
It has been a little while since I last wrote to you. It takes a while to get someone’s attention and then have them write down my thoughts since, you know, statue hands. It has been a great semester for me, my homework has not been too bad and I am really enjoying my major. Ah, I am just kidding, I already graduated...394 years ago. I am sure our curriculums were the same, right? I was really into languages during my time. At one point I was familiar with Latin, Hebrew, Greek, French and Dutch and I ended up learning the languages of the Native Americans. I even wrote a book describing the Native American languages in New England. It has been a while since I studied any of those languages, so I am probably a little rusty at this point. It is hard to believe we are almost to the halfway point of the semester. I suppose time flies when you are stuck to a rock. As midterms start to stress you out, just remember to take breaks once in a while. Take a walk on the shell path or visit the Global Cafe in GHH. I have seen a lot of pumpkin spice lattes pass by D’Angelo Commons and I will not lie, I am a little jealous. I want to try one, just to see what the big hype is but alas, I am bound to this rock and my mouth does not open... sigh. Sorry, I got sidetracked. What was I talking about? Oh, right! Midterms! How can you not be excited for them? Oh, well, even if you are not excited, I know you will do great, you are Hawks after all. Just do your best, that is all you can ask of yourself. It is okay to have a bad day or two. Do you think I aced every single test I took? Heck no, but look where I am now. You could be just like me, stuck to a rock. Okay, maybe that is not the best goal to have but I can assure you that you will still succeed even with a couple of bad days. Until next time, Roger Rachel Dvareckas/The Hawks’ Herald The Roger Statue wishes everyone good luck during midterms.
SECTION EDITOR
Amy Martin amartin052@g.rwu.edu
DESIGNER
Emily Dvareckas edvareckas213@g.rwu.edu
FEATURES September 30, 2021
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Welcoming new Assistant Director to RWU Aleyra Lamarche joins the RWU community as the IC’s new Assistant Director Amy Martin Features Editor “It’s really exciting to see people on their path and on their journey, and just being there to witness it and help them along the way.” The Intercultural Center (IC) welcomes Aleyra Lamarche as its new Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Student Success. She has recently graduated from UMass Amherst’s M.Ed program, but Lamarche has also done volunteer work through AmeriCorps VISTA. The past three years have been busy for Lamarche, especially with COVID-19 hitting in the middle of her graduate program. “It did not turn out the way I thought,” Lamarche said. Becoming the Assistant Director is the first fulltime job she’s had outside of graduate school. “It’s been a lot, I’m still settling in and processing it all.” As an undergraduate, Lamarche went to the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. Much like Roger Williams University, Holy Cross is a predominantly white institution,
Emily Dvareckas Photo Editor
but its marginalized community was active with involvement both on campus and off. “That was something that I was seeing within Roger, just from the outside looking in,” Lamarche stated. What Lamarche remembered most from the students who interviewed her back in March was that they just wanted to have fun. Lamarche remembered thinking, “You know what? I need to be in this environment where I’m helping foster this positive environment for students.” With a focus on student success, Lamarche’s goal is to help students define success within themselves. “Everyone defines [success] differently,” Lamarche stated. “I’ll help students find that for themselves and then help them towards that.” Lamarche looks forward to working with students and helping them through their journey at college. Especially when working with groups like Pathway To Purpose, she wants to create an environment where students benefit from working with these programs, and are enjoying them as well.
Lamarche is also excited to get to know students, including talking to them about their lives and learning about the things they are passionate about. She is also excited about seeing the growth in students, especially the freshmen. With the new year having just started,
Lamarche welcomes students to swing by her office in the IC, even if they are just interested in chatting. “If students are interested in seeing me and knowing me, just come to my door,” Lamarche said. “It’s a very friendly and open space.”
Courtesy of Aleyra Lamarche Aleyra Lamarche is the new Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Student Success. Her office can be found in the Intercultural Center on campus.
Cats, cuddles and coffee
A cup of coffee pairs well with eggs, fruit or chocolate, but what about cats? Opening Aug. 1, patrons of Bajah’s Cat Cafe are able to drink their coffee as they hang out with cats. Located at 137 Main Rd. in Tiverton, Bajah’s Cat Cafe offers a commodity that is most often seen on the West Coast. The cafe offers a wide variety of drinks and pastries, which can be enjoyed in their sit-down portion of the store. This part of the cafe is open to the public, unlike the cat lounge “Bajah’s Villas.”
The cat lounge requires reservations and costs five dollars to enjoy. Each reservation is for 30 minutes with up to five people in the room. Patrons can bring their drinks in the room, but the cafe asks that food is not eaten in the room. The cafe also asks that shoes are either taken off or cleaned before entry. The cat lounge has seating available and plenty of cat toys for the cats to play with. Every cat that goes to Bajah’s is up for adoption, and on the 20th of each month, the cafe switches the shelter the cats come from. Bajah’s Cat Cafe has been able to offer the shelter cats the ability to interact with potential adopters that they may not have met while living in the shelter.
Emily Dvareckas/The Hawks’ Herald Mauricio the cat found the couch the most comfortable at Bajah’s Cat Cafe in Tiverton.
So far, many of the cats that have lived at Bajah’s have been adopted. The number of cats at Bajah’s is always changing as shelters bring in available cats, and as cats get adopted during their stay. The villa is bright and welcoming with the giant storefront window and beautifully painted walls. The atmosphere is calming, and visiting the cats is a great stress reliever. On top of the great atmosphere, the food and drink options are fun and tasty. The cafe has donut options, such as pumpkin cheesecake, triple chocolate and vanilla rainbow sprinkles, which come from local store, The Donut Shack. The shop offers vegan and gluten-free donuts, as well as soy, nut, dairy, egg and artificial dye-free donuts. Other pastries from the cafe include muffins, sweet bread, Portuguese malasada and bagels. There are also many special fall drinks available, such as Pumpkin Paws; the hazelnut and mocha cold brew Black Cat; the pumpkin cinnamon roll and mocha flavored Cinnamon Calico; the pumpkin caramel scone and glazed donut flavored Fancy Feast; and the maple donut nad hazelnut Maple Munchkin. The cafe also has the regular hot, iced and cold brew coffee, as well as tea.
Special teas include the Laser Pointer, which is black iced tea with hibiscus and dragon fruit, and the Russian Blue, which is green iced tea with blueberry lavender. The full menu can be found on Bajah’s Cat Cafe’s website. Whether visitors go just for the cats or just for the cafe, they are sure to have a great time at Bajah’s Cat Cafe. Both the cats and people are friendly, and the atmosphere is all around comfortable to be in. For more information on Bajah’s Cat Cafe, visit their website www. bajahscatcafe.com or their Facebook page, which is constantly updated with available cats and goodies.
Emily Dvareckas/The Hawks’ Herald The cats at Bajah’s Cat Cafe in Tiverton have plenty of places to sleep in the villa.
SECTION EDITOR
SECTION MANAGER DESIGNER
Emma Bartlett Kayla Ivan ebartlett122@g.rwu.edu kivan850@g.rwu.edu
ARTS & CULTURE
Emily Dvareckas edvareckas213@g.rwu.edu
September 30, 2021
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Talking in the library: ‘Dear Evan Hansen’: an evening of reading not as bad as critics say and discussion Novelist, nonfiction writer, and AIDS activist Sarah Schulman speaks at RWU
Nicole Kowalewski Herald Reporter
RWU welcomed AIDS activist and writer Sarah Schulman to the first Talking in the Library event of the semester on Sept. 28. Dean of Undergraduate Studies Dr. Jason Jacobs interviewed Schulman on her history with the AIDS movement as well as on her recent book, “Let the Record Show: A Political History of ACT UP New York, 1987-1993.” The AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP) was an extremely influential group during the HIV/AIDS epidemic of the late twentieth century. Among other victories, the organization achieved legal needle exchange in New York City, made the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) change the definition of AIDS so women could receive proper medication and care and changed how people with AIDS — and queer individuals — were seen by the world. The group also forced the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to release AIDS medication for public use before they were officially approved, thus getting patients critical treatment sooner; these protocols run parallel to today’s crucial COVID-19 vaccination measures. HIV/AIDS is a sexually transmitted immunodeficiency disease that causes patients to contract severe opportunistic infections that end in death. AIDS is the final stage of untreated HIV. At the time of ACT UP’s prominence, there was no real treatment or cure; all people could do was wait to get sick. Suspicion and fear overtook communities and discrimination against the queer community skyrocketed. Keep in mind that, in 1981, gay sex was illegal; an openly gay person living in New York City could be kicked out of their apartment or fired for the crime of being who they were. As Schulman reminded the audience, the Supreme Court didn’t overturn sodomy laws until 2003.
Schulman pointed out that even today there is no federal bill advocating for gay rights and despite the recent legalization of gay marriage, the US has a very long road ahead to equal rights. Some states still don’t allow same-sex couples to adopt or foster children. After taking part as an active member of ACT UP, Schulman saw the organization dissipate in the 1990s. Realizing the movement was in danger of being lost to history, Schulman, with the help of a colleague, interviewed 188 surviving ACT UP members and made the records public online in 2001. Twenty years later, she published these stories in a cohesive narrative for all who wish to learn about the organization and the AIDS epidemic. “The people in ‘Let the Record Show’ are very special people, they are very individual, and they have their own point of view...the willingness to disagree and the willingness to work with people who disagree is what drove that movement forward,” said Schulman. Discourse, she explained, was a big part of ACT UP; members did not agree on solutions, but through this dialogue, the organization found great success. In addition, Schulman said it is crucial to “constantly be creative” in order to move society forward. One case in point occurred in 1987, at ACT UP’s beginning: the camcorder had just been invented, and with it came a new age of video activism. “I don’t think it’s worth imitating something from another era,” Schulman told the audience. She said it is important to put new movements in modern contexts. Schulman had many words of wisdom for the discussion’s audience, but her last statement rang particularly true. A question was posed: How do we make people stop and listen in a world where everyone is inundated with information and pleas for action and opinions? Schulman immediately said, “You can’t make people stop and listen, but you can stop and listen.”
Courtesy of RWU Library on Zoom Sarah Schulman and Dean Jacobs during the Sept.28 Library Talk.
Emma Bartlett Arts & Culture Editor
With weeks leading up to the debut of the “Dear Evan Hansen” movie, excited viewers heard some disappointing news: the movie was a bust. Between negative reviews from major media outlets and Rotten Tomatoes giving the film a whopping 32%, those who were previously excited about the Broadway musical being turned into a movie were hesitant to view it. However, critics’ negative remarks about this movie should be taken with a grain of salt. While there were some laughable moments that really should not have been laughable, the movie gave people what they wanted: Ben Platt’s beautiful voice and a film that fans could watch anytime instead of having to sell their house to watch a live performance on Broadway. The movie focuses on Evan Hansen, a high school senior with extreme anxiety who finds himself in a lie that can hurt his life and the lives of those around him. He is actively in therapy and must write letters to himself, which act as small pep talks. On the first day of school, Evan is extremely nervous and writes a letter to himself in the library. He begins it with “Dear Evan Hansen” and ends with “Sincerely Me.” When Evan prints the letter, Connor Murphy (Colton Ryan) -- a misunderstood, sullen teenager who has no friends -discovers it. Connor becomes paranoid after seeing his sister’s name in the letter and accuses Evan of trying to make fun of him. Connor storms off with the letter, leaving Evan afraid that Connor will share the note on social media. Three days later, Evan is called into the principal’s office where Connor’s parents inform Evan that Connor killed himself. They said he wrote a suicide note to Evan and handed him the letter Connor took. Evan tries explaining the misunderstanding, but his awkwardness and need to please people get in the way, so he lies and says he was Connor’s best friend. From there, the lie grows bigger and bigger. Part of critics’ problem with the movie is that twenty-eight-year-old Ben Platt is playing eighteen-year-old Evan Hansen and the age distinction is obvious. But, if you can get past Platt’s overt emphasis on trying to make himself look like a rejected, lonely teenager, then the movie seems more believable. Another large controversy is that
Courtesy of Universal Pictures “Dear Evan Hansen” is being shown in theatres.
Platt played his part as if he were on stage and not in a movie. This observation is very evident, which is why some of his expressions seem overemphasized and a bit inauthentic. Aside from critics’ opinions, the movie took the liberty of cutting three songs, like “Does Anybody Have a Map?” which is a duet between Connor and Evan’s moms. The song is about figuring out how to navigate the difficulties that their sons are experiencing. “To Break in a Glove” and “Good For You” (pre-Olivia Rodrigo) also did not make the cut for the film. While it was disappointing to see that not all the songs from the musical made it into the movie, producers added a special treat in the form of the song “The Anonymous Ones.” Sung by Alana Beck (Amandla Stenberg), the piece addresses mental health and how people can hide it well but still struggle with it. Some of the best musical numbers in the film included “Sincerely Me” which should be praised for its choreography and intriguing use of camera angles and “You Will Be Found,” which implemented great graphics that included an interesting twist toward the end of the song. While Platt did sing into viewers’ souls with what seemed to be pupil less eyes, being able to see the original Broadway star on the big screen with surround sound was a treat for audience members. Anyone who loves the songs will enjoy the film, even if things like Evan’s age and Platt’s characterization of him might be difficult to adjust to. “Dear Evan Hansen” is 2 hours and 17 minutes long and tickets can be purchased at the Picture Show at SouthCoast Marketplace in Fall River, MA and the Showcase on Route 6 in Seekonk, MA.
SECTION EDITOR
SECTION MANAGER DESIGNER
Emma Bartlett Kayla Ivan ebartlett122@g.rwu.edu kivan850@g.rwu.edu
ARTS & CULTURE
Emily Dvareckas edvareckas213@g.rwu.edu
Alumni Art Show
RWU alumni art exhibit to be displayed at the Herreshoff Museum Kayla Ivan Arts & Culture Manager The arts are alive and well for Roger Williams University alumni of the visual arts, music, theater, dance and graphic design programs. On Oct. 7, from 4-8 p.m., alumni of the arts programs will display and perform their works at the Alumni Arts Exhibition, “In Cages With Lions,” at the Herreshoff Museum in Bristol. The event, curated by alum Alexander Castro, will be the first interdisciplinary exhibition including alumni from RWU; the exhibition will feature a variety of artistic collections that capture the work of each participating artist. Castro, from the Class of 2014 is an artist, writer, art critic and curator with several award-winning selections. As a regular contributor to “Glass,” he has written several pieces about art throughout New England. “We have alumni participating from the late 1960s to last year, so it will be really exciting to see what our alumni are making and to bring them back together into our community,” said Professor of Art Elizabeth Duffy. Duffy, along with other art professors, has stayed in contact witha number of alumni. Thus, the faculty members were able to either share the
opportunity with RWU graduates directly or through social media. Graduates could then apply to have their work presented at the exhibition. “We have all kept close ties with many of our alumni and wanted to be as inclusive as possible, so anyone who attended RWU and is making art, music, theater or dance was welcome to apply,” Duffy said. Some of the reception’s featured alumni will include performances from Ky Why and Professor of Dance Cathy Nicoli. Paulina Kobyar, another alum, will display large scale mixed media paintings. “This is the first time in my sixteen years here at RWU that we will be hosting an event like this. The exhibition space at the Herreshoff Museum is absolutely magnificent; I know it will be a revelation to see the depth and range of work being made by RWU alumni in this soaring space,” Duffy said. “People should come to see amazing art, to reconnect with other artists and alumni and to enjoy refreshments overlooking the bay,” said Duffy. The RWU Alumni Arts Exhibition is open to the public to view and can be found at Herreshoff Museum which is located on 1 Burnside St. in Bristol. The opening reception will be held from 4-8 p.m. on Oct. 7.
September 30, 2021
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‘MONTERO’ is the best to come out of 2021
Maggie Hurley Herald Reporter
Courtesy of @lilnasx on Twitter Lil Nas X released his debut album, “MONTERO” on Sept. 17.
Lil Nas X released his highly anticipated debut album “MONTERO” on Sept. 17. Self-titled after the rapper’s birth name, the album sold over 129,000 units in its first week and details a journey of self-discovery, isolation, depression and unabashed queerness. With features from Jack Harlow, Doja Cat and Megan Thee Stallion, Lil Nas X shows that he is firmly staying in the game. Lil Nas X’s claim to fame came about when he independently released his debut hit single “Old Town Road” in 2018. This song would later come out with a remix featuring Billy Ray Cyrus in April of 2019. “Old Town Road” brought Lil Nas X massive popularity and held its peak at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for a record-breaking streak of 19 consecutive weeks. By October, the song had sold over 10 million units in the US alone, becoming the fastest certified diamond song in US music history.
“MONTERO” includes not only some of the most successful contemporary rappers but also features Elton John and Miley Cyrus for some of the more emotional tracks on the album to celebrate his queerness as well as overcoming his own struggles. Despite debuting at number two on the Billboard 200 chart, “MONTERO” is arguably the greatest musical achievement of 2021. In the three years since breaking onto the scene, the now 22-year-old rapper has faced immense homophobia and disrespect from not only the general public but also his peers. Still, Lil Nas X has not let it deter him. The success of “MONTERO” on the charts has proved that one does not have to shrink themself and fold their identity into something easily digestible to achieve success. The album is creative, sonically cohesive and lyrically wonderful. With his album’s success, Lil Nas X proves that his music will only keep getting better and better as he fine-tunes his craft.
Hot Hits:
Literature in Music Scan the QR code to check out our Literature in Music playlist on Spotify.
Courtesy of Elizabeth Duffy Artist Leia Stone’s “Now What”
SECTION EDITOR
EDITOR’S DESK
DESIGNER
Rachel Dvareckas Emily Dvareckas rdvareckas244@g.rwu.edu edvareckas213@g.rwu.edu
September 30, 2021
THEME: Landscapes
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PHOTO CLUB WINNER: Veronica Ouellette THE HAWKS’ HERALD The student newspaper of Roger Williams University
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CORRECTIONS
In the Sept. 16 article titled “New First Year Learning Community” Allison Chase Padula was referred to as Padula, her full last name is Chase Padula.
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The Hawks’ Herald · Suite 212, Campus Recreation Center · 1 Old Ferry Road · Bristol, R.I. 02809
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SPORTS
September 30, 2021
8
Men’s soccer nabs third victory in last four matches Drew Hart Sports Manager
A torrential downpour on gameday was not the only storm on the forecast for the Hawks, as men’s soccer poured four goals on the scoreboard against Bridgewater State University in a shutout victory at Bayside Field. The Hawks jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the first half during their out of conference matchup on Sept. 28 behind two goals from senior captain Jack Wetzel. Each goal was assisted off the boot of sophomore midfielder CJ Sousa coming within two minutes of each other. The quick start by the Hawks is something that Head Coach James Greenslit has been waiting to see from his team this season. “Throughout the season we’ve been really inconsistent with how we get ready for games,” said Greenslit, referring to previous matchups where the Hawks fell behind early against eighth-ranked Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Wheaton College and suffered shutout losses. “It’s not about when the whistle blows you turn the light switch on…
Kristen Dansereau Sports Editor
and I think they’ve responded to that,” said Greenslit. The strong showing by the Hawks carried over into the second half as their defense was tested by several offensive pushes by the Bears. A corner kick in the 51st minute and a shot on goal in the final minute of the game almost ended the Hawks’ hope for a shutout victory – something the team had only accomplished once this season. “We wanted to keep a shutout,” said Greenslit when asked what his message to the team at halftime was. On the defensive side of the ball, the Hawks packed in their players to shrink the field and create tighter gaps. The strategy ultimately proved effective in preventing the Bears from easily penetrating into the teeth of their defense for close shot opportunities. “When it came down to it, guys put their bodies on the line. There were a couple good blocks, a couple good saves,” said Greenslit. The Hawks hit the pitch next on Oct. 2, when they travel to Beverley, Mass. to face Endicott College at 7 p.m.
Chloe Noyes/The Hawks’ Herald Jack Wetzel (far left) is congratulated by his teammates after scoring his first goal of the game
Starting off strong
A look into women’s tennis’s 2021-2022 season
Women’s tennis has opened the season with a dominant string of performances leading to their 5-1 overall record. Their five match win streak to open their season included margins of victory of at least 7 points against their opponents. The Hawks’ lone defeat of the season as of Sept. 29 occurred over past weekend at the hands of conference foe Nichols College.
Emma Place, junior from Francestown, N.H., said the team is confident going into the rest of their season and are prepared to bring energy and ferocity to the teams they will face. The team is full of talent and each player brings high energy everyday on the court regardless of it being a practice versus a match. “We are constantly cheering for each other during matches and practices, and have really good team spirit,” Place said.
Chloe Noyes/The Hawks’ Herald Emma Place (front) and her doubles match partner Alessia Cahoon (back) competing in a match on Sept. 29.
“Our practices are focused and we are intent on playing like we would in a match which is a key to improvement.” She described the culture of this year’s team as being composed of hard work, commitment and energy as its core, with fun mixed in there as well. “As the season gets closer to an end, we have to keep in mind that it takes grit to win,”said Place. “Some wins do come easy, but playoff wins do not, and we will have to fight for what we want,” she said. Emma Place and her doubles match partner, Alessia Cahoon, have gone undefeated so far this season. The pair are consistently aggressive at the net during matches. Place described doubles as requiring control over the net, so she and Cahoon have been taking advantage of their offensive nature to put the ball away and come out successfully. When not in season, Place uses her connections at home to help her train almost every day. She takes advantage of this to continue to excel in tennis, as she spends her time year round practicing. On top of getting in reps whenever she can, Place also works to mentally
prepare herself for competition. “I remember that the point is to have fun and improve, and if I play well, whether I win or lose, I am happy,” said Place. All athletes face different challenges in their sports, many are included in high pressure situations during a match, game, or meet. When asked about how she handles pressure situations, Place was more than familiar with the topic. She explained that in singles matches, you and your opponent are the only ones on the court and all eyes are on you, especially if you are one of the last to play. She described some of her personal strategies and techniques for working through the pressure moments. “During matches, between points, I’ll take a deep breath and smile, which relaxes me and allows me to play at my best,” said Place. “I also focus on one point at a time. If you think about a whole match there is no way to control that, but you can control individual points,” she said. The Hawks return to the court in an out of conference matchup between UMass-Boston at home on Thursday, Sept. 30.