Marquette Tribune November 4 | 2025

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Marquette women's basketball, the lone Division I team to return

Cara Consuegra laid the groundwork for her team in her first season as Marquette women’s basketball head coach last year. Now, in her second season, Consuegra has managed to make her team the only team in Division I women's basketball to return all its players from the 2024-25 roster for the 202526 season.

Before the first tip-off of the season, Marquette was making statements across the Big East and NCAA basketball.

Although it might seem obvious, the Golden Eagles don’t even look that

different, as they only added two first-years, guards Kam Herring and JJ Barnes, and had one transfer, junior guard Jordan Meulemans.

Marquette was also picked to finish second in the conference preseason poll (85 votes) behind the conference leader, UConn.

“Having an experienced team has made the preseason go so much smoother,”

Consuegra said. “I think our kids are really confident in what they're doing; they're confident in each other and how they move and play against each other, so I think we're in a good place right now.”

But as for a reason why they all returned? The general consensus seemed to be because of the culture

Consuegra and the coaching staff have built.

"It speaks directly to coach Cara and the culture that she's built here," graduate student guard Lee Volker said. "The way that she

“It speaks directly to coach Cara and the culture that she's built here.”
Lee Volker Marquette women's basketball senior guard

builds relationships makes practice and games super fun, but is still able to hold us super accountable and help us get better."

Keep in mind, Consuegra was only around for a year, but that didn't matter. What she taught her team did.

Looking up at the video board in the Al McGuire Center last season, right before tip-off, you would see five letters displayed in their hype video: H.E.A.R.T.

To many, it simply spells out the word “heart.” But to Marquette women’s basketball? It means a heck of a lot more.

“Our number one focus in year one was on culture and our foundation, and we wanted to make sure we gave our kids a great ex-

perience,” Consuegra said.

“They bought in, they believed in our culture of playing with H.E.A.R.T., and believed in our principles.”

Heart, Effort, Accountability, Respect and Toughness. Those are the five core values guiding the program.

Guiding a culture that runs so deep, it’s why all players decided to return.

In an interview with Marquette Today, Consuegra said when she was first hired for a coaching position 14 years ago, she wanted to build a program founded by values — a place where players can go beyond just being athletes.

“Culture is a huge part here, and I think it just

See HEART page 7

Photo by Clay Ellis-Escobar Clay.Ellis-Escobar@marquette.edu

The MarqueTTe Tribune

Managing Editor of The Marquette Tribune Sophia Tiedge

NEWS

Executive News Editor Mia Thurow

Assistant Editors Lance Schulteis, Lilly Peacock

Reporters Sahil Gupta, Elena Metinidis, Mina Marsolek-Bonnet, Jaylen Hill, Daria Stepanich

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Executive Arts & Entertainment Editor MaryKate Stepchuk

Reporters Elise Emery, Joseph Schamber, Allison Scherquist

OPINIONS

Executive Opinions Editor Rachel Lopera

Columnists Isabella Gruber

SPORTS Executive Sports Editor Jack Albright

Assistant Editors Matthew Baltz, Raquel Ruiz

Reporters Benjamin Hanson, Mikey Severson, Sofie Hanrahan, Ben Ward, Eamon Bevan, Conor McPherson

COPY

Copy Chief Emma Fishback

Copy Editors Elizabeth Belmont, Shea Lancaster, Marin Rooney

VISUAL CONTENT

Design Chief Murphy Lealos

A&E Designer Grace Schneider

Sports Designer Amery Thompson

Opinions Designer Evelyn Riordan

Photo Chief Clay Ellis-Escobar

Photographer Lily Wooten, Owen Weis

HAVE A TIP FOR US?

Have you seen something that you think should be a story? Do you have a tip about something we should be looking into? Do you have documents or other materials that we should see? We want to hear from you.

If you have documents you'd like to send us, you can send anything to wiretips@marquette.edu.

MU Law Poll focuses on shutdown

Director Charles Franklin breaks down the results

The blame game over the government shutdown continues to divide Wisconsin voters.

This was one of the findings in the latest Marquette Law School poll that was released during an Oct. 29 event. Director Charles Franklin broke down the results and provided analysis on what the results could say about how Americans are feeling about the state of the country one year out from the 2026 midterm elections.

Government shutdown blame game continues

Both Republicans and Democrats continue to blame one another for the ongoing government shutdown, which has now exceeded 30 days and is approaching the record for the longest shutdown in U.S. history. Among all registered voters, 33% blame Democrats for the shutdown and 38% blame the GOP. 28% blame both parties equally, the poll found.

The shutdown comes as congressional Democrats refuse to compromise on their demands to extend tax credits under the Affordable Care Act. The tax credits — which are set to expire at the end of 2025 — currently help millions of Americans pay for health insurance.

58% of those surveyed in

the latest poll said that they were in favor of extending the subsidies and 41% said they should be allowed to expire.

Voters undecided on gubernatorial candidates

The poll found that an overwhelming majority of voters from both parties remain undecided in the Wisconsin gubernatorial race, with 71% of Republicans and 81% of Democrats saying they do not know who they are going to support at the polls next year.

Among the Republican candidates, Congressman Tom Tiffany continues to hold a slight lead over his GOP primary opponents, with 23% of Republican respondents labeling him as the favorable GOP candidate. 6% identify Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann as favorable, with another 70% being undecided.

Things are more split on the Democratic side, with 81% of voters currently identifying as undecided in the Democratic primary.

Madison Assembly Representative Francesca Hong and Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez are holding leads at 6% and 4%

respectively; however, no candidate on the Democratic side has support above the single digits in this latest poll.

Franklin said limited knowledge of gubernatorial candidates is not uncommon this far out from a general election.

“It is important to remind political junkies that most folks haven’t tuned into either of these races,” Franklin said. “All of the candidates have a very long way to go to develop name identification and for voters to develop feelings towards those candidates.”

Inflation and tariffs remain top of mind

Inflation and the cost of living remain a top issue for voters on both sides of the aisle, nearly a year after President Donald Trump promised to lower costs on day one of his second term. 69% of voters said they were very concerned about inflation, with 27% labeling it as their top issue.

Trump’s tariffs continue to heighten concerns about consumer prices. 57% of all registered voters surveyed in this latest poll said that they believe Trump’s tariffs will increase inflation, including 69% of independent

voters and 96% of Democratic voters. On the Republican side, 18% said that the tariffs would increase inflation, while 60% feel that the tariffs will lower inflation.

Franklin was keen to point out some of the partisan lenses that people have on issues such as tariffs. He noted that for every group supporting the policies of the Trump administration, there is an equally large group of those who are opposed to them, and those in opposition to Trump are likely going to stay in opposition.

Trump receives latest approval rating Trump’s approval rating stands at 46%, with 53% of voters disapproving of his performance. While the disapproval rate is down slightly from the last poll, his approval rating remains the same. Franklin noted the highly partisan nature of the approval ratings, with large alliances still supporting Trump and equally large ones opposing him.

“The coalition that re-elected Donald Trump is still very much behind him, and the people that opposed him are bitterly opposed to him,” Franklin said.

Photo by REUTERS
President Donald Trump's approval rating remains at 46%.
The current 35-day federal government shutdown is tied with 2018-19 for the longest in U.S. history.
Photo by REUTERS

Tuesday, November 4, 2025

Dance Marathon's rebuild

The program is shifting to involve more students

Dance Marathon isn’t what it sounds like. Rather than a racing heartbeat from cardio, this program is a heartbeat for hospitalized children and a philanthropic opportunity for students to pour their hearts into.

Dance Marathon, an international program that partners with local hospitals, aims to save lives and raise awareness for children growing up in the hospital. Marquette University is one of over 400 college and high school campuses with the studentled philanthropy.

Through various events and fundraising efforts, Dance Marathon supports 12 million children in America and Canada annually. Marquette University Dance Marathon partners with Children’s Wisconsin, one of 170 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, to help fund life-saving treatments, toys and Child Life resources.

MUDM students keep ties with Children’s Wisconsin throughout the year with hospital visits and continuous fundraising.

“It changes you when you’re able to actually have a connection with [the kids] in person,” Marketing Chair Anikah Kienzle, a senior in the College of Business Administration, said about partnering with a local hospital.

The program celebrates with a “finale” each April. The last hoorah is an allday event that embodies the program’s motto to “dance for those who can’t.”

“It’s not running a marathon, and you don’t really need to know how to dance,” Co-President Cortney Kriens, a senior in the College of Nursing, said.

The idea of a “dance marathon” stemmed from an early 20th-century tradition that brought joy throughout the “Roaring Twenties” and into the 1930s. Partners danced nearly non-stop for days, or even months, at a time to provide entertainment, food, shelter and prize money during the Great Depression.

The organization, Dance Marathon, founded in 1991, then created its own modern spin on the tradition, rooted in solidarity, connection and philanthropy. The program’s finale is such an integral part of their mission that it became its namesake.

To support families and hospitals, “dancers” participate in activities with

children and fundraise throughout the finale. Participants are encouraged to dance and stay on their feet the entire 12-48 hours.

“We’re dancing for them and their futures,” Co-President Grace Kronfeld, a junior in the College of Nursing, said.

As “One month, one mission,” an international fundraising effort with weekly challenges and opportunities to raise money for prizes, wrapped up last week, MUDM is shifting their focus to inspiring Marquette students to be involved in the cause.

MUDM aims to highlight what it’s really like to spend much of childhood in a hospital and doesn’t simply focus on raising funds, Kriens said.

“I see the difference that the hospitals can make,” Chair of Operations Jori Izenstark, a first-year in the College of Nursing, said.

“I wanted to make a difference in kids’ lives and try to bring a smile on their face.”

MUDM has been on campus since 2010 but aims to regain traction after the program was disbanded during COVID-19 because the pandemic “broke morale within the team,” Kriens said. Now in “full swing,” the group is seeking people passionate about their mission since the group rekindled in 2022.

MUDM is currently made up of 86 active members, 32 of which have their own fundraising pages. MUDM raises money throughout the year by hosting events and receiving donations through Donor Drive, an online donation platform through Miracle Network. Participants make their own pages to ask for and keep track of donations

from family and friends.

MUDM partners with other Marquette student organizations to participate in Donor Drive teams, where groups can register to compete in fundraising against others on campus. Students interested in fundraising can also make a personal page to support the Child Life program at Children’s Wisconsin, which offers education on medical procedures, therapeutic services and family support to kids and families dealing with hospitalization.

“We’re always looking for more campus involvement,” Kronfeld said. “[We’d] love to give other organizations on campus the opportunity to make a difference.”

Through their dedication and care for the cause, the program works hard to provide financial help to Children’s Wisconsin. In 2019, MUDM raised $121,000 with the help of 487 participants — a record high donation amount for the program, it shared with the Wire. MUDM raised $1,343 in 2024 but climbed to $7,794 in April 2025 and looks to reach higher goals down the line.

Those interested in joining MUDM’s mission can follow their Instagram page to stay in the loop and sign up for their Turkey Trot in November. Participants will walk or run the “Marquette Miracle Mile” on Nov. 23 at 11 a.m. to raise funds for Children’s Wisconsin.

All of Dance Marathon’s hard work directly helps children, parents and hospitals, Kienzle said. As MUDM looks to the future and seeks more participants devoted to their mission, they’ll continue dancing to the beat of their philanthropy.

The marqueTTe TribuNe
MU Dance Marathon partners with hospitals to raise awareness.
Photo courtesy of Cortney Kriens

Tuesday, November 4, 2025

How AI is used in Marquette's classrooms

Members of the College of Arts & Sciences weigh in

Students and faculty in Marquette University’s College of Arts & Sciences have been reckoning with whether artificial intelligence belongs in academic work since the technology’s popularization. Some embrace it, while others are pessimistic about the direction of its development.

Jacob Nadess, a junior in the College of Arts & Sciences, said some professors encourage using AI as a tool, while others have reverted to pen-and-paper exams to limit its use.

Artificial intelligence has been implemented in classrooms across campus, with professors trying to teach ethical and efficient uses, he said. But generated answers often require further analysis and fact-checking, which lengthens the process, a reason Nadess personally chooses not to use it.

“It’s a great starting point,” he said. “But it’s awful, at least in its current state.”

Abram Capone, coordinator of the university’s cognitive sciences program, equates the rise of artificial intelligence with a brick on a car’s gas pedal, constantly accelerating forward.

“Artificial intelligence is not different in kind from [what] we had before with computers, it’s just different in scale,” he said.

The capacity of artificial

intelligence is constantly expanding, Capone said, affecting how people view technology and the world.

Several of Marquette’s core computer science classes have artificial intelligence as a component, including the Introduction to Computer Science and Professional Ethics in Computer & Data Science courses.

Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence is a specialized course introduced in 2020 and offered to undergraduates that explores the workings of artificial intelligence more deeply.

“At Marquette, computer science students are learning both about how generative AI systems are built, and also how to use them responsibly in their work,” Dennis Brylow, chair of the computer science department, said.

Despite the issues people may have with artificial intelligence, it’s a valuable tool for quick coding and processing, Nadess said. So much so that in the future, he sees more researchers receiving grants for artificial intelligence development research than for computer science itself across the industry.

“That’s where the money’s going to be,” he said.

Capone is optimistic that this technology will help speed up the development of the computer science field, but the work itself will still be human. Unlike artificial intelligence, he said, human beings can be dissatisfied.

This is where original creativity can’t be replicated, something artificial intelligence isn’t capable of. Yet.

“Generative AI tools haven’t been taught any [problem-solving] skills, and they can’t really produce anything new that isn’t fundamentally a remix of stuff they’ve already seen,” Brylow said.

ChatGPT was created in 2022 and has since gone through four major generation updates. Large language models like ChatGPT started as natural language processors, which are defined by their ability to generate and understand text, according to a study presented by the Special Interest Group on Computer Science Education.

More recently, these models have become capable of programming languages, giving them the “ability to address complex problems with human-like expertise,” the study said. Artificial intelligence is constantly expanding and evolving, with new models being

introduced multiple times a month.

“I think the next big leap is going to be artificial intelligence that understands what it’s doing,” Capone said.

However, Brylow said there are ethical concerns that arise with these developments, specifically the execution of tasks with an algorithm that still does not understand what it’s being asked to produce.

“Humans in computer science are still our best hope for new and careful design of complex software systems,” Brylow said. “They are the only choice for evaluating the ethical and moral dimensions of computer systems.”

Use of artificial intelligence also harms students’ learning processes, he said.

Students who depend on artificial intelligence in their early phase of computer science learning don’t

learn the same foundational skills as those who came before them.

As artificial intelligence continues to develop, both Capone and Nadess feel that regulation will be the hardest feat. Artificial intelligence is still growing and changing, so ethical considerations may be difficult to tackle, but inevitable.

Currently, the university’s computer science program overview states, “at Marquette, computer science is infused with ethical considerations, and a focus on how to best use technology for the greater good.”

However, the university does not have a universal policy on artificial intelligence use.

“We are fast approaching a moment where we are going to need to reckon with how artificial intelligence is being used,” Capone said.

Book club discusses 'The Handmaid's Tale'

The Association of MU Women holds biannual events

Marsolek-Bonnet wilhelmina.marsolek-bonnet@ marquette.edu

On the night of Oct. 27, the Association of Marquette University Women hosted their fall book club and discussed Margaret Atwood’s novel, “The Handmaid’s Tale.” This event comes three weeks after the nationally recognized Banned Books Week, which is promoted by the American Library Association.

Banned Books Week has been around for over 40 years, and the ALA provides free resources, downloads and resources that draw national attention to challenged books and their restriction.

AMUW was founded in 1938 to support female students at Marquette Univer-

sity. The book club was established in 2007 and is still hosted biannually. Despite it being a women’s association, all are welcome.

“We wanted to create a book club that is doable,”

Kathy Kavemeier, Class of ’65 and one of the book club’s founders, said. “It’s only two books a year.”

“It’s a very diverse group,”

Donna Farnel, Class of ‘70, said. “I remember one night there was a table of young moms, they had left the babies at home, and this was their night out.”

Before being called on to act as dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, Heather Hathaway taught Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” in her banned books class.

“Discussion about complex issues posed in books broadens minds and understanding of one another,” Hathaway said. The AMUW board in addition to members of the

AMUW decide what books are read and chose Hathaway to lead the discussion.

Despite the book being a dystopian, fictional account of a post-civil war United States, Atwood did not include anything that had not already occurred in history or any technology that was not already available at the time. These events include “The Indian Adoption Project” of 1958 — where Native American children were stolen from their reservations, mandatory Puritan dress codes in the 1600s and the Lebensborn programmein 1930s Nazi Germany.

“I think sometimes fiction lets us understand someone’s life better in a more relatable way than a nonfiction account of it could,” Marybeth Jacobson, Class of ‘81 and president/co-chair of the AMUW Leadership Council, said.

Attendees were given about 20 minutes to discuss the book and provided

reading questions, if inclined, with their small tables before discussion opened up to the large group. The discussion was structured like an English class, but unlike most Marquette courses, multiple generations of women gave their input.

Hathaway’s discussion questions focused on the historical context of the book’s central themes in addition to the real–world implications. Many of the books chosen for the book club are written by women and are centered on the female perspective.

“I was especially interested in if or how views of the book might vary by generation and gender, compared to my class,” Hathaway said.

AMUW is behind some campus programming that helps set students up for success, including multiple scholarships, the Raynor Library study rooms and what started it all, the

Alumnae House.

The Alumnae House was opened in 1938 and was the university’s first women’s residence hall. This project was a result of the lack of housing options for women that surrounded campus. Following this project, the association was perhaps the largest contributor to the building of O’Donnell Hall in 1952 on land the AMUW bought on its own. The association deeded its property to Marquette University but continued to raise money for the hall.

“It’s one of those MU alumni groups that carries on across generations, which grandmothers and mothers and daughters all choosing to be involved.” Hathaway said.

The association is set to host another book club in the spring. More information about the AMUW can be found on their website, https://alumni.marquette. edu/amuw.

The marqueTTe TribuNe
Several of Marquette's computer science classes explore the ethical use of articifical intelligence.
Photo courtesy of Dennis Brylow

Women’s Basketball Special Edition

basketball's offense was humming in its season-opening

New season, same drive

When you put a car key into the ignition, the engine needs to turn over in order for the car to run.

The key that started the car for Marquette women’s basketball’s 2025-26 season on Monday was senior guard Jaidynn Mason.

See MU-WU page 6

Forbes scored 19 points on 6-of-8 shooting.

Mason scored an MU most 25 points.

Jaidynn Mason is MU's 'X-factor' in season-opener

sofia.hanrahan@marquette.edu

In the preseason, Marquette women’s basketball head coach Cara Consuegra tabbed Jaidynn Mason as the team’s most improved player. After the season-opener,

See ROLE page 6

Marquette blocking out the noise this year

Golden Eagles not fazed by record Big East poll jump

Being a hunter can be easy. The main goal is proving others wrong. But when a team transitions to the hunted, expectations creep in like a thief in the night.

That’s where Marquette women’s basketball finds itself this year.

The Golden Eagles came into the 2025-26 season having made the biggest jump in year-to-year preseason standings in Big East history, going from No. 10 last season to No. 2 now. Mar-

quette head coach Cara Consuegra is not fazed.

“We didn’t care last year where we got picked,” she said. “Why do we care suddenly now?”

In Consuegra’s first season at the helm, the Golden Eagles finished No. 4 in the Big East, notching 12 of their 21 total wins against conference opponents. But they failed to make the NCAA tournament and lost in the second round of the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament to James Madison. Despite all the outside noise and heightened expectations of living up to their high preseason ranking, the objective remains the same: to right

that wrong.

“We have one common goal,” preseason All-Big East first team honoree Skylar Forbes said. “The NCAA Tournament.”

In order to achieve that, Consuegra did not change her approach, regardless of the preseason buzz.

“My expectation is to build and get better,” she said.

Everyone on the Golden Eagles’ bench — from Consuegra to the players to the assistants and support staff — wants to prioritize the controllable, honing in on only what they care about. Simply put, they want to silence the outside noise.

“What matters is our circle and everybody

that’s inside our circle,” Consuegra said.

But these new expectations are more than just a shiny number. They are a testament to everything that comes with being the only Division I program to return every player from last year. The connections. The routine. An institutional understanding. Last year, they had to gel. This year, not so much.

Marquette’s circle kept its shape.

“It speaks a lot about our culture,” said guard Lee Volker, who returned for her final season of college basketball.

And Volker and two of her, as she called them, “best friends” — Forbes

and junior guard Halle Vice — found themselves on the All-Big East preseason team, with Forbes and Volker as unanimous selections. It is the most preseason nominees for the Golden Eagles since 2018 when the program had four players honored. More evidence of the blue & gold’s lofty expectations. But again, as often as one may tell anyone inside the Al McGuire Center about the hype, they will always respond the same way: "It doesn’t matter."

“If we keep our minds on the right things,” Consuegra said, “we can have a really successful year.”

Jaidynn
Photos by Leo Stallings leo.stallings@marquette.edu
Marquette women's
win over Winthrop. The Golden Eagles shot 48.4% from deep and had 27 assists.
Photo by Leo Stallings leo.stallings@marquette.edu

Women’s Basketball Special Edition

MU-WU: No signs of rust in season-opener

Continued from page 5

The car had no rust and didn’t drop off any passengers from the 2024-25 season. It even raced from 0-to-60 mph as if it were on a drag track after seven months covered up in the offseason garage.

Marquette is the only program in Division 1 women’s college basketball that can say it returned every player from the previous season, and there weren’t many doubts coming in about the car’s running capabilities.

It was merely a matter of remembering where the key was.

The engine sounded the same at its start as it did the season before, with AC/DC’s Thunderstruck and hundreds of screaming Milwaukee Public School students ringing in another basketball season at the Al McGuire Center, in which the Marquette Golden Eagles routed the Winthrop Eagles 89-57.

Mason, the catalyst, produced her first 20-plus point outing in a Marquette uniform and came one point shy of tying her career-high of 26 points. On top of her 7-for-13 from the floor, she grabbed seven rebounds and dished out five assists.

“I thought [Jaidynn] was phenomenal,” Marquette head coach Cara Consuegra said. “She is our most

improved, and she is also our X-factor. I thought she was aggressive from the start, really pushed the pace for us.”

The Golden Eagles had the pedal on the floor from tipoff to the final buzzer, giving a burst of acceleration that allowed the car to cruise to its victory.

Winthrop’s offense was stalled to six points in the opening frame on a 20% shooting clip, while Marquette scored 23 and assisted on each of the seven field goals made. The Golden Eagles nearly tied their 5.2 made 3-pointers per game last season by shooting 4-for-7 from beyond the arc in the first, which included a perfect 2-for-2 from junior forward Skylar Forbes.

Forbes, who was named to the Naismith preseason watchlist, finished with 19 points on 6-of-8 shooting, including 3-for-4 from the perimeter, which she put a big emphasis on this summer.

“Being able to build off of what I was able to do last year, staying consistent, getting in the gym,” Forbes said.

Marquette’s offense didn’t run out of gas until the empty tank light dinged following a 0-for-10 fourth quarter from the 3-point line and a 2:01 drought to close the game. The Golden Eagles still assisted on 27 of their

31 makes in the game, and created nine second-chance points in the fourth quarter.

Consuegra was not worried about making a gas station stop amidst the fourth quarter misses.

“I thought we did a good job against their zone,” Consuegra said. “We’re able to get the ball to that nail and find our shooters in the corner. When we executed in the half-court, I thought we were excellent.”

Mason said the influx of perimeter shooters, who combined for 11 3-point makes, helped pave the way.

“We have a lot of threepoint shooters, so when people zone us, it becomes easy,” Mason said. “Jordan [Meulemans], being another player we added to the roster, really helped a lot. Skylar continues to shoot the three; I’m improving on shooting the three, Halle and Lee as well.

Meulemans, the junior guard who hopped in the backseat as the lone transfer addition from Butler, finished with six points on 2-for-6 3-point shooting in her debut in the blue & gold.

Now, it’s time to see if the car can keep cruising to a 2-0 record when Wisconsin comes to the Al McGuire Center Saturday at 2 p.m. CST in the Battle of I-94. It will be the first time the two programs have faced each other since 2017.

ROLE: Senior guard scored MU career-high

Consuegra added another accolade to her resume: “X-factor.”

That’s because the senior point guard ended the Golden Eagles’ 89-57 victory over Winthropwith a teamhigh 25 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Her 25 points marked the most she’s scored in a Marquette jersey, seven more than her previous high against Creighton last season.

“I thought she was phenomenal,” Consuegra said. “She’s our most improved

and she’s also our X-factor.

“Obviously our Big 3 — when you talk about Sky (Forbes), Halle (Vice) and Lee (Volker) — get a lot of attention. But I really feel like we go as Jaidynn Mason goes.”

She wasted no time getting going, scoring her first points from the free-throw line in under a minute and finishing the opening quarter with a team-most seven points.

“She was aggressive from the start, really pushed the pace for us,” Consuegra

said. “Just set the tone and that’s what we need from her all the time.”

But Mason was just getting started.

“Her impact today was incredible, I expect nothing less of Jaidynn."
Skylar Forbes Marquette women's basketball junior forward

She went into the locker room at halftime with 13 points, going 2-for-3 from the field (all from deep) in the second period. She dropped eight more in the third frame and grabbed another four in the fourth to reach her new scoring record as a Golden Eagle of 25.

It was her full-game consistency that really stuck out to Consuegra. Mason was able to start and play an impactful, tied-for-team-

leading 23 minutes across all four quarters — something that was not always the case last year.

“We’d have to take her out for stretches of the game,” Consuegra said. “She would just kind of hit that wall, and she just wasn’t in good enough shape to go through that wall.”

Monday, though, that was not an issue, something Mason could feel herself.

“For sure,” she said about being able to handle a bigger workload, “putting more focus on being in better shape than I was last year.”

The second piece of Mason’s game which made Consuegra comfortable calling her both Marquette’s most improved and Monday’s X-factor was also on display: her shooting.

Mason went 7-for-13 from the floor (53.8%), 2-for-5 (40%) on 3-pointers and a perfect 9-of-9 from the charity stripe. Last season, she averaged 45.7% overall and 25% from beyond the arc.

In order to increase her old numbers to what they were Monday, over the summer Mason spent time in the gym daily. Wheth-

er it was set workouts with assistant coach Khadijah Rushdan or time alone honing her craft, both she and Consuegra described it as a priority.

On Monday, that work helped her morph from a speedy, shifty ball-handler to a speedy, shifty ball-handler that posed a threat from deep.

“It’s a big benefit,” Mason said, “because when they come up on me, I can drop past them.”

Having scored nearly triple the points than her average of 8.8 per game last season, Mason hinted at what could in store during the rest of her senior season.

“She’s the person who sets the tone for us defensively and offensively as well, she moves at the speed of light,” Forbes said. “Her impact today was incredible, I expect nothing less of Jaidynn.”

Now the world will wait to see if Mason can replicate as the “X-factor” in the Golden Eagles’ next match Saturday at 2 p.m. CST against the Wisconsin Badgers.

Skylar Forbes finished with 19 points in the season opener Nov. 3.
Photo by Clay Ellis-Escobar Clay.Ellis-Escobar@marquette.edu
Jaidynn Mason beat her previous Marquette scoring record. Continued from page 5
Photos by Leo Stallings leo.stallings@marquette.edu

Women’s Basketball Special Edition Meulemans fueled by '1% better' mindset

MU homecoming follows torn ACL recovery, transfer

Jordan Meulemans is no stranger to the Al McGuire Center.

Growing up only an hour and a half away from Milwaukee in De Pere, Wisconsin, she would frequent Marquette women’s basketball games, watching Natisha Hiedeman, Lauren Van Kleunen and Chloe Marotta take the court for the Golden Eagles.

But she’s never played on the Al McGuire Court in the blue & gold. Until Monday.

After recovering from a torn ACL and navigating the transfer portal, she’s healthy and ready to enjoy her homecoming at Marquette.

When going through the transfer portal after her redshirt sophomore season at Butler. Meulemans

said that Marquette had a place in her heart. A determining factor, her family could attend most games, something that she missed in the early stages of her collegiate career.

“Getting those names like Marquette, I looked at Creighton. Wisconsin was one,” Meulemans said. “But for me, I knew in my heart I wanted to go to Marquette, so why wait?”

Meulemans jumped in the portal after playing her first two seasons at conference rival Butler, where she shot just north of 42 percent from downtown, averaging nearly eight points per game, with her 3-point percentage being good for fourth in the Big East as a sophomore.

Marquette’s head coach, Cara Consuegra, said that Meulemans’ penchant for perimeter shooting stood out when offering her a spot to complete an all-returning 2024-25 roster.

“We were very specific about whoever we brought in, had to shoot the three,” Consuegra said. “But she

also can defend, she’s not just a shooter.”

That game was Meulemans’ first since her sophomore season, after she tore her ACL in her right knee last fall, leading up to what would have been her junior year at Butler, had she not gotten hurt.

Meulemans said that she had been playing basketball since second grade and hadn’t dealt with an injury like this before. But being unable to walk led her to shift her mindset to seeing the incremental progress in recovery, like taking steps down a yellow brick road.

“Something that I thought of every day during my recovery was, ‘I’m getting 1% better’,” Meulemans said. “Even though I couldn’t bend my leg all the way, I can still bend it one degree better each day, I looked at the small wins.”

"But for me, I knew in my heart I wanted to go to Marquette, so why wait?"

Brick by brick, the wins kept stacking up. But the toughest part was mentally overcoming the fear of re-aggravating her knee. For the first time since the injury, she had to do the same move that caused

the tear.

“It was scary. I was like ‘I can do it,'” Meulemans said. “My coaches and teammates around kept encouraging me; now I just had to trust myself and know that I did it before, I can do it again.”

Marquette is the only team in Division I women’s basketball to return all of its players from 2024-25. Meulemans looks to fit into the Golden Eagles’ scheme as a perimeter shooter and defender who can take pressure off of Halle Vice and Skylar Forbes, who was recently named to the Naismith Player of the Year watchlist.

While getting used to the offense over the summer, Meulemans learned from watching senior guard Bridget Utberg, who carved out a perimeter penchant off the bench for the Golden Eagles last season, evidenced by converting a critical three during the fourth quarter in the program’s WBIT win over Drake. Meulemans said

that their shared strengths complement each other in an ‘amazing’ way.

“Just playing off of her is great, having two shooters on a team is amazing, you can space the floor so well with Bridget (Utberg), she can get past her defender super fast, a little bit faster than me, but I always got her back, always there for her, so I love that,” Meulemans said.

Having not played in a game in almost two years, Meulemans is looking forward to her homecoming tour as she takes her next steps across the yellow brick road and takes the floor for Marquette.

“I’m excited for the adrenaline, playing with my teammates,” Meulemans said. “I can’t wait, honestly, to dive on the floor for a ball, just all the little things; smile with my teammates, celebrate with them, not only on the floor, on the bench as well, just to be with a new team that wants to win.”

HEART: Players bought into Cara's culture

Continued from page 1

shows that when you build it, people want to stay,” graduate student forward Abbey Cracknell said.

Cracknell said every year, the team does a H.E.A.R.T. workshop — a retreat, rather — to discuss what those principles mean individually.

For this summer’s workshop, the program went to the Iron Horse Hotel in downtown Milwaukee. They also got to go on a scavenger hunt around the city.

Outside of the retreat, the team goes on various "sweet treat" runs to Kopp's and enjoys each other’s company, watching movies or TV shows at someone’s apartment. Again, building that culture.

The work is put in off the court, but the relationships transfer right back onto the court come game time.

“Just knowing everyone a little bit better, and also knowing how each other plays, it's a lot easier to hold each other a little more accountable,” Volker said.

Volker, who had her senior day last season and got a waiver to return as a fifth year, was not surprised when she found out everyone on the team would be returning.

“[Cara] takes time to understand who we are as people and who we are as basketball players and what helps us play our best,” Volker said.

Consuegra said that the players can understand each other’s strengths

and weaknesses, and because of this, their offense is performing better than last season.

With the chemistry continuously growing, their ability to move the ball, communicate and understand positioning can only lead to one thing: efficiency. And it’s no longer a scavenger hunt where they’re looking for answers, for they don't need to search for success.

So when those five letters appear on the video board once again this year in the Al McGuire Center, there is no doubt that it won’t also be displayed through the way the team plays.

“As long as we play Marquette basketball and play with H.E.A.R.T., it’s going to be pretty hard to beat us,” Cracknell said.

Photo by Clay Ellis-Escobar Clay.Ellis-Escobar@marquette.edu
Marquette's lone transfer is back on the court after an ACL tear.
Photo by Clay Ellis-Escobar Clay.Ellis-Escobar@marquette.edu
Consuegra recruited Meulemans for her 3-point shooting ability.
Photo by Clay Ellis-Escobar Clay.Ellis-Escobar@marquette.edu The Golden Eagles huddle up during their season-opening win.

Women’s Basketball Special Edition

MU acquires Logic's long-sought signature

Assistant brings pro experience to Golden Eagles

Fourteen years after her first attempt, Cara Consuegra finally got Sam Logic to commit to Marquette women's basketball.

Consuegra first tried to sign Logic as a player in 2011, when she was a star at Racine Case High School. But Miss Wisconsin Basketball ultimately chose Iowa, and Consuegra had to watch her break the Hawkeyes' career-assist record — in only three seasons, it should be noted — from afar.

This spring, Consuegra got Logic's long-awaited signature. Only this time as an assistant coach.

“Adding someone like Sam was an easy decision,” Consuegra said. “She’s seen the game at every level — college, pro, international— and that knowledge is invaluable for our team.”

Logic joins the Golden Eagles after one year in the WNBA and a decade-long professional career overseas in countries like Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, France, Luxembourg and Slovakia. Ultimately, her extensive, globe-trotting basketball journey led her back to her home state in the summer of 2024.

After participating in the yearly tradition of scrimmaging Marquette women's basketball with other professionals, she decid-

ed to stick around in the Al McGuire Center for a couple more practice sessions. This trend quickly extended into the following months and eventually the 2025 offseason.

When former director of player development Chaz Franklin left for the WNBA's Connecticut Sun in March, most people would have envisioned a lengthy job search to replace that hole on the sidelines. However, Consuegra knew exactly what she needed to do to add some prowess back into the coaching staff; having seen what she was capable of on the sidelines, Consuegra knew that Logic was the answer.

But it was always going to be a tough decision on Logic's end. While she loved

being back home and with the Marquette team, entering the world of coaching would mean her retirement from playing the game she had centered her entire life around.

Despite this conflict, Logic reflected on the program's values, which she had come to learn and understand over the previous months, and after a long series of phone calls, took Consuegra's offer.

"It really felt like the right opportunity," Logic said. "After I talked with Cara and the staff, I just felt connected to what they’re building here."

Since she officially joined the program, Logic has come to learn a lot about what it takes to coach at the Division I level. There have

been many winds in the road during her beginning months, whether it be getting involved in drills, motivating in the weight room or taking part in recruiting players just like Consuegra did with her in the same role 14 years ago.

"There are just so many things that go into coaching that Cara and the rest of the staff are trying to help accommodate me with," Logic said. "I just want to be someone I wish I had when I was starting out."

Despite her status as a former All-American, Logic has found that coaching isn’t about recreating her own style in the players, but about helping each athlete find their best version of themselves. Her ability to relate to players has

been especially impactful among Marquette’s guards, who see her as a mentor who not only understands their challenges but has lived them.

"She's been doing everything," senior guard Jaidynn Mason said. "It helps so much having someone like that around, who's been doing it at every level of the game."

On the practice court, her playing experience really comes in handy, given that many of the Golden Eagles on the roster are in positions nearly identical to where Logic was just over a decade ago.

Though she’s traded in her jersey for a clipboard and the hardwood of Europe for the sidelines of the Big East, Logic’s competitive fire hasn’t dimmed. What Logic's peers have seen in these initial months have them incredibly excited to see how she grows in her first official season as a member of the Marquette family.

"What we've seen from her so far in this environment is really encouraging," Consuegra said. More excited than anyone is Logic herself, as she makes strides to impact basketball games from off the court for the first time in her life.

"Honestly, it’s just fun to be around the team, to see all the work we’ve put in come together, everyone's bought in," Logic said. "I think this season is going to be really rewarding for all of us.”

Volker, Forbes bring international experience

Canada to compete on international stages.

Africa 21-10, Poland 14-11 and France 21-6 to make it to the semi-finals where they lost to the People's Republic of China 21-16.

But the squad defeated Czechia 13-10 to bring home the bronze medal.

"One of the most fun things I've ever done [was] to get to go over there and play basketball against great players," Volker said.

Junior forward Forbes represented her home country, Canada, for the 2025 FIBA 3x3 women's series pro-circuit in Vienna, Austria.

set."

3x3 functions differently from the typical 5x5: only one half of the court is used, and both teams score on one hoop. Games conclude when a team reaches 21 points, or after 10 minutes if 21 is not reached.

There are also no coaches, which forces players to practice self-resiliency.

"You're competing at a really high level, and you have to do all the self-coaching," head coach Cara Consuegra said. "I think that was great for both of them in terms of leadership."

overseas, scoring for the stars and stripes and trying some streusel, she also enjoyed figuring out different ways of scoring and ways to be aggressive.

During her time across the pond, Forbes experimented with using her voice as a leader, a quality she is trying to implement into her game this season.

"Being able to be like: maybe we should try this, maybe we should try that," Forbes said. "Also staying in the moment, that's something I've been working on as well."

Forbes traded in the Marquette jersey this summer for Team USA and Team

The graduate guard Volker represented Team USA in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany, where she competed at the 2025 FISU World University Games.

Over the course of three days at the end of July, Team USA defeated South

From June 12-14, Team Canada won against Ireland 16-10 and lost to Rome 12-17.

"It was definitely new, but it was a great learning experience for me," Forbes said. "Being able to transfer that next play mentality to five on five, it's been great for me to have that mind-

Volker got off a plane in Cincinnati and practiced for three days with strangers who became her teammates: Jackie Grisdale from Quinnipiac University, pro-player for Astro Ladies Bochum, Cecelia Collins and Pas Giannina WBCC pro Talya Brugler.

Shortly after she was

Volker and Forbes took off-season conditioning to new levels this summer, but back at the Al McGuire Center, it's back to 5x5, a full court, and a coaching staff. But the lessons learned in Austria and Germany will linger for the upcoming season.

Forbes (left) played in Canada and Volker (right) in Germany.
Photos by Clay Ellis-Escobar and Leo Stallings
Photo by Leo Stallings Leo.Stallings@marquette.edu
Consuegra tried recruiting Logic as a player, now the retired pro joins the MU bench as a coach.

Opinions

The WI cellphone ban will benefit students

The time spent on our phones is concerning, as legislation must be created to regulate it.

Wisconsin became the 36th state to restrict cellphone use in school when Democratic Gov. Tony Evers signed a bill that requires districts to prohibit the technology on Oct. 31. Under the new legislation, all public schools must adopt a policy prohibiting phone use during instructional time by July 1, 2026. However, it does allow exceptions for cases of emergency, managing a student’s health care and individualized education programs. Many schools already have their own phone policies, but this sets a statewide standard.

Cellphone usage has significantly increased within past years and is creating a problem for many schools, prompting more to enact phone policies.

According to Pew Research Center, 72 percent of high school teachers say cellphone distraction is a

major problem in the classroom. Increased screen time during COVID-19 may be a cause as it is linked to inattention, hyperactivity and negative moods in adolescents.

Teachers are struggling to keep their students engaged due to underlying cellphone addictions. We are seeing a major behavior shift in the younger generations because of these little technology boxes. Teenagers are having issues with short attention spans, attendance and academic performance.

While it is a significant issue, it is difficult to effectively solve it as nearly every teenager now owns a smartphone.

The growing reliance and unnecessary screen time on these devices are testaments to our society’s overconsumption. Technology can be an enhancement to our lives, but it should not inhibit important endeavors such as academics.

This is a parallel issue to the advancement of artificial intelligence. It can be used in ethical ways to

help with tasks, but it can also lead to a lack of integrity, creativity and hard work. Oftentimes, students are experiencing the negative impacts of AI which is transferable to phone use as well.

Evers said he was deeply concerned about the impacts of phone and social media use as they can be distracting and a source of bullying. While some Democrats thought gun violence should be a higher priority, the bill passed with bipartisan support.

“My promise to the people of Wisconsin is to always do what’s best for our kids,” Evers said. “And that obligation weighs heavily on me considering this bill.”

Cross-sectional surveys from the National Library of Medicine found that social media use is associated with body image concerns, disordered eating and pervasive apprehension. The negative effects on mental health are prominent among adolescents.

Research from the Journal of the Human Develop-

ment and Capabilities advises that children under the age of 13 should not use smartphones because of the associated damages to their mental health that can affect several aspects of their lives, including academics. Social media use was linked to poor cognition in teens, including low reading performance.

Florida was the first state to pass a cellphone law in 2023, and in this year alone, 17 states — along with the District of Columbia — implemented

new restrictions.

Many laws have been enacted regarding phone usage in schools demonstrates the magnitude of the situation. It is extremely worrisome that our society is experiencing such negative impacts from technology.

Overwhelming cellphone use is not just a juvenile issue — it is a warning for a generation of students.

DWTS is about talent, not popularity

The integrity of competition television shows is jeopardized when voters value following over worthiness. This season of “Dancing with the Stars” is more of a popularity contest than a dance competition.

The reality show pairs professional dancers with celebrities who have limited or no prior experience in dance. Each week, the couples compete against each other by performing choreographed dances for a panel of judges, and viewers vote for who they want to stay on the show.

The series’ objective is to see which celebrity

becomes the best dancer with the help of their partner. The judges’ scores and fans’ votes on their performances combine, and the team with the lowest score each week is eliminated until one couple is left — the winner.

Fans vote by logging into an ABC account online or by sending an SMS text message to the number provided by the show. Each voter is limited to ten votes per pair for each method, giving fans up to 20 votes for their favorite team per week.

Viewers greatly influence who remains in the competition, which calls their motives into question. They can vote for the most

likable or popular contestants, including people who have not necessarily shown promise in their dancing ability.

This is evident in this season of “Dancing with the Stars” through celebrities like Alix Earle and Andy Richter. Earle is a wellknown social media influencer, giving her an unfair advantage because she can collect votes from her large, established fanbase.

Richter — an actor, comedian and talk show host — also entered with a decent following and has quickly gained more fame from viewers. He is not too skilled in his performances, but fans love his relatability and how he is embracing the experience. His popularity as an individual has earned him votes that take away from more deserving contestants.

On the other hand, Robert Irwin is exemplary of a celebrity who has earned his votes. He is a wildlife conservationist who entered the contest with no prior dance experience but has enhanced his skills through hard work. He has displayed incredible improvement in his dances and represents the dedication this series strives to showcase.

Other reality competition shows like “Ameri-

ca’s Got Talent” also give power to the audience by letting them vote for the contestant they want to see advance. However, it is common for audiences to choose the most likable or relatable contender instead. It negates the purpose of the show because a winner is no longer chosen for their talent.

When these shows turn into popularity contests, it jeopardizes a fair competition. “Dancing with the Stars” is meant to recognize celebrities who improve their dancing abilities and showcase hard work, not determine who the most favored individual is.

It can be a vulnerable task for celebrities to reveal their struggles and weaknesses on television, so audiences should respect and acknowledge their efforts. That is not achieved when fans vote for the popular contestants instead of the worthy ones.

So, next time you vote for your favorite couple on “Dancing with the Stars” or any other reality competition show, vote for the deserving contestants, not just your favorite.

Statement of Opinion Policy

The opinions expressed on the Opinions page reflect the opinions of the Opinions staff. The editorials do not represent the opinions of Marquette University nor its administrators, but those of the editorial board.

The Marquette Tribune prints guest submissions at its discretion. The Tribune strives to give all sides of an issue an equal voice over the course of a reasonable time period. An author’s contribution will not be published more than once in a fourweek period. Submissions with obvious relevance to the Marquette community will be given priority consideration.

Full Opinions submissions should be limited to 600 words. Letters to the editor should be between 150 to 300 words. The Tribune reserves the right to edit submissions for length and content.

Please e-mail submissions to: rachel.lopera@marquette. edu. If you are a current student, include the college in which you are enrolled and your year in school. If not, please note any affliations to Marquette or your current city of residence.

Photo by Mia Thurow
Cellphone usage has significantly increased in recent years.
Amelia Lerret is an opinions columnist. She is a first-year studying journalism and sports communication.
Photo by Rachel Lopera Viewers have influence over who remains in the competition.
Rachel Lopera is the executive opinions editor. She is a sophomore studying journalism.

Fun & Games

Marquette Basketball

Basketball Season

5. 2025-2026 catch phrase of men's basketball. 6. Opponent of the women's basketball season opener.

7. National Marquette Day opponent.

8. Season end tounament that both teams want to make.

9. Home venue of Marquette Women's Basketball. 10. Woman basketball player on the Naismith preseason watchlist.

1. Opponent of the men's basketball season opener. 2. Home venue of Marquette Men's Basketball. 3. Rock song played before men's basketball games.

Drink bought by Shaka after away game wins.

Arts & Entertainment

PREVIEW: MU Theatre's "Fairview"

The show focuses on complex issues related to families

Marquette Theatre is returning to campus with “Fairview” after its “Fiddler on the Roof” partnership with Skylight Music Theatre earlier this year.

“Fairview”— a 2018 play written by Jackie Sibblies Drury—is MU Theatre’s first on-campus show of the season, featuring only students.

The three-act play features a middle-class African American family preparing for their grandmother’s birthday party, but family conflict arises, creating tension between characters. As this unfolds, four white people observe the family and provide racially driven commentary on the

family’s situation.

Dimonte Henning—director and professor in the Diederich College of Communication—said auditions occurred in late August over two days. Actors and actresses prepared a monologue for one of the characters on the first day.

After callbacks, Henning narrowed it down to 20 people for the eight-person cast and completed chemistry reads.

Chemistry reads look for how actors and actresses interact and work together. Close relationships need to feel real on stage, and chemistry reads help determine if two people can act well together as two characters.

“I think it’s important, especially with this type of play, where we have a family, so they have to have that familiarity and comfortability with each other,” Henning said. After completing about

10 chemistry reads with various actors and actresses, Henning finalized the cast on the night of callbacks.

Rehearsals began on Oct. 7, and students have been working on developing their characters.

Lauryn Middleton, a junior in the College of Communication, plays Beverly Frasier, the mother of the family. Her fast-paced and witty manner makes for a complex character.

“She’s more than what meets the eye, and that’s what I love most about her,” Middleton said. “She reminds me of an older sister, auntie or a relative who you know loves you dearly, but sometimes it’s that harsh love.”

Beverly’s complex character comes out in her being a mother. Keisha— Beverly’s teenage daughter, played by Esther Akinsanya—contributes to the mother-daughter

complexity while setting up for the birthday party.

Akinsanya—a junior in the College of Arts & Sciences—said that Keisha has many layers to her character, allowing her to understand the character in different ways.

“There are many layers to identifying what the character is and what her goal is,” Akinsanya said.

“Fairview” aims to highlight stories about African American people through their perspective instead of white people. Henning said there are some challenges with executing a show with a heavy theme.

“[A challenge is] Playing that fine line of making people feel uncomfortable without them getting upset, feeling threatened or like they’re being beaten over the head with something,” Henning said. “A big part of this message is that it’s intentional for you to feel uncomfortable.”

The intentional discomfort in “Fairview” creates a compelling story about Black voices and communities. It allows audience members to sit with a much deeper, non-surface-level message in the show.

Middleton said that a show with a meaningful message reminds her of why the world needs theatre and the arts now more than ever.

“As a Black woman, sometimes, people don’t listen to us. They don’t care what we have to say,” Middleton said. When you see it in your face as an audience member, you’re going to understand what the black community is feeling when it comes to being watched, being fetishized and [watching] our culture be appropriated, devalued and demonetized.”

Mitchell Street Arts offers free art programs

Volunteers run

and

Looking for a new hobby as the winter months creep in? Mitchell Street Arts (MiSA) has you covered with over 500 free art programs they offer yearly.

Located at 710 W Historic Mitchell St., just two miles away from Marquette’s campus, Mitchell Street Arts contains an event venue, public arts stage, gallery, makerspace, woodshop, darkroom, 2D art room, ceramic studio, kiln and spray paint booth—all free of cost.

Sam Wolf has been on MiSA’s team since its grand opening in 2023, originally starting as the makerspace coordinator, but has since taken over as the executive director.

“My background is in the arts, and I also came from somewhat of a background with limited financial means,” Wolf said.

“Finances can be a huge barrier between people and the arts, and so we want to lessen that gap.”

To get to MiSA from Marquette, students just have to take the 80 bus south on 6th Street until Mitchell Street.

MiSA also has an Artist in Residency program that allows Milwaukee-based artists the space and resources necessary for their work.

“We like to give preference to people — I’m always inclined to say younger artists — but I mean artists who are newer on the scene,” Wolf said.

MiSA offers a variety of classes throughout the week, which you must register for. Click hereto see upcoming classes and events at MiSA.

In the upcoming year, Wolf hopes to focus on accessibility and the healing quality of art at MiSA. MiSA offers Spanish-speaking programs and hopes to increase accessibility, specifically in their ceramics programs.

“We always knew that art was therapy, that’s why it’s an area of study…” Wolf said. “I think it is surprising to me how healing we’ve found the programming to be.”

Barry Paul Clark, an artist and musician, has been a model for MiSA’s life drawing sessions for the past year and a half, where he poses for six to eight artists over two hours.

“When I first had that experience, it really scratched a new itch for collaboration that I’ve really been enjoying,” Clark said.

While all classes are free, MiSA encourages people to donate. Donations from classes go directly to the respective instructor, and donations from Wolf’s classes go towards the organization.

“I always think access to the arts is a real top priority in any sort of society or community,” Clark said.

Also involved in the life drawing programming as a model, Tarun Bali has a gallery exhibition opening at MiSA on Dec. 5th.

“I started by just showing up to MiSA as an artist, and I drew a

MiSA's classes include painting, ceramics, woodshop and more.

couple of times, and right off the bat, it was green flags across the board,” Bali said.

Bali’s exhibition will show a collection of charcoal and digital sketches capturing figures, portraits and more, setting out to capture a snapshot of the current phase of Bali’s life.

“The mission [of MiSA] is something that’s overall good, and obviously people see that,” Bali said.

Wolf believes their goal is to help humanity, giving everyone a chance to experience the arts regardless of their economic situation.

“I think the creative impulse is a part of people’s humanity – I think that’s what you’re denying them – a large piece of their humanity,” Wolf said.

“They’re passionate about it, they show up with that energy and it’s nice to feed off the positive energy people bring to the space.”

Photo courtesy of Sam Wolf

SPORTS ROUNDUP

Graduate student guard Lee Volker was a unanimous All-Big East team honoree. She averaged career-bests in four stats last year.

Skylar Forbes No. 11

Skylar

Halle Vice No. 22

Junior guard Halle Vice was named to the All-Big East team after leading Marquette in shooting (49.8%) as a sophomore.

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