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NEW YORK, OCTOBER 13, 2026
Volume CXIV, ISSUE 7
Senate Meeting Discusses Campus Dining and Engagement Barbara Vasquez Editor-in-Chief
MU Hosts STEM Career Fair Manhattan University hosted its fall semester STEM Career Fair on Tuesday, Oct. 6. The fair saw over 500 students and 130 employers in attendance. @MANHATTANEDU / INSTAGRAM
Parisa Saboori Appointed New Associate Dean of Engineering
as chair of mechanical engineering and as co-chair Leyla J. Mercado of the university’s strategic planning committee, Features Editor & Asst. Social granting her the opportunity Media Editor to consider MU’s broader priorities beyond her Parisa Saboori, Ph.D, individual department. has been named the With emphasis on new associate dean for thinking of how she would Manhattan University’s like to create opportunities (MU) school of engineering. for students, Saboori Saboori, also a discussed what she hopes mechanical engineer, to bring to the school of professor of mechanical engineering from her engineering and ASME previous experiences in fellow, has spent a majority academia and engineering. of her career at MU as “One thing I hope to a professor, researcher bring is a strong connection and academic leader. between the different Since joining MU as a parts of an engineering professor, she has become education,” Saboori said. increasingly involved “Students learn a great in academic leadership deal in the classroom, but through education, research engineering education and mentoring students. should go beyond Prior to becoming coursework. Research, associate dean, she served design projects, internships,
IN NEWS:
Photospread: Protest Follows Marble Hill ICE Shooting pg. 4
IN FEATURES:
MU Greek Life Responds to “Cornell Seven” Case pg. 7
industry partnerships, professional organizations and hands-on experiences are all important.” Making engineering students feel that the school is a community with individuals there to know and support them is extremely valuable to Saboori. “My first year is really about listening, learning and building on the strengths we already have,” Saboori said. “One priority is improving the student experience. From the time students first arrive through graduation. That includes looking at advising, course availability, student organizations, research opportunities, professional development, and connections with alumni and industry.” __________________________ CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
The Manhattan University (MU) Senate held their first meeting of the year on Wednesday, Oct. 7, where they reviewed past initiatives, extending dining hall hours and emphasized a focus on student experience. Andrew Berg ‘26, the recently appointed speaker of the Senate, opened the meeting with his hopes for the coming year, primarily emphasizing larger communication between the Senate and the campus community. “One of my priorities as speaker is to encourage greater deliberation, not simply discussing ideas when they reach us, but actively creating space for senators to raise questions, raise concerns, ask questions, consider different perspectives and work toward thoughtful solutions,” Berg said. “... We are representatives of a broader university community, [and] that means we need to remain connected to the people we serve.” Reports from the standing committees followed, beginning with a run-down of the Educational Affairs Commission (EAC) meeting that occurred earlier that week. Grishma Shah, Ph.D., shared discussions of establishing a max-credit allowance, limiting the maximum of credits a student can take in a semester before requiring “special permission”, the addition of a student bereavement policy, which will be available publicly with
IN A&E:
Jason Silva ‘26 Featured at NYC Film Festival pg. 9
the university’s attendance policy when passed, and a proposed MU school of nursing, which has yet to be voted on by the Board of Trustees. Following the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and its disciplines, the school is also in the process of developing its university AI committee. “We will be working through the membership of the AI committee as well as coordinating meetings between the faculty technology committee and the university AI committee, to discuss policies and other initiatives,” Shah said. The university AI committee will also reportedly look into adding student governance in the coming year. Kristell Lowe, vice president of student life, then moved on to the campus life committee report, discussing the success of the STEM career fair hosted last Tuesday with over 520 students, 135 employers and positive feedback from participants. Student Life also hosted a “First-Year Fall Recharge” on Thursday, Oct. 8 as part of further assessing and developing students’ first-year experience. Manhattan Madness has been planned for Thursday, Oct. 15, introducing the 2026-27 men’s and women’s basketball teams and their calendar game activations. If students or faculty are ever worried about attending a school event, or require additional tickets, Lowe urges them to stop by Student Life. “Students, of course, you get to attend the games for __________________________ CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
IN SPORTS: Athletes in Action : Connecting Athletes and Faith at MU
pg. 11
News
OCTOBER 13, 2026
Volume CXIV, Issue 7 October 13, 2026
The Editorial Board
Barbara Vasquez Editor-in-Chief Maddie Rosado Managing Editor
Maddie Rosado News Editor
Leyla Mercado Features Editor
Zendrah Bonnick Asst. News Editor
Sarah Rolka Asst. Features Editor
Maria Castaño Arts & Entertainment Editor
Zeke Jazwinski Sports Editor
Joshua Reichard Asst. Arts & Entertainment Editor
Emmamuel Sofillas Asst. Sports Editor
Misha Jabal-Abadi Production Editor
Lois Boateng Social Media Editor Leyla Mercado Joshua Reichard Dylan Chon Asst. Social Media Editors Nishat Parvez Faculty Advisor
Jayden Gonzalez Nicky Lombardo Photo & Video Aureliano Morales Web Editor
About The Quadrangle A tradition since 1924, The Quadrangle is a news or ganization run by the students of Manhattan University. We strive to cover news around campus and the greater community, publishing weekly in print and daily online. Our goal is always accuracy, relevancy and professionalism. The opinions expressed in The Quadrangle are those of the individual writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editorial Board, the University or the student body.
Join The Quadrangle The Quadrangle’s staff holds weekly open meetings on Tuesdays at 2 p.m. in Kelly Commons. All are welcome to come and join the club. If interested, please email thequad@manhattan.edu!
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THE QUADRANGLE? Submit your own opinion article or write a Letter-to-the-Editor for a chance to be published in The Quadrangle student newspaper. Email your Op-Ed or letter to thequad@manhattan.edu or visit mcquad.org to submit. We welcome letters from students, faculty, alumni and community members. The Quadrangle strives to share the voices of Manhattan University and appreciates hearing from its readers!
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Senate Meeting Discusses Campus Dining and Engagement
__________________________ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
free, but if you ever need more tickets, I never want it to be a hassle,” Lowe said. “I just want to see you there. So, if your family is coming, you stop by my office. We’ll get you taken care of... don’t let that be something
that prevents you from attending games. If you need more tickets, we will work it out. We just want to see you there.” On Oct. 1, two new resident assistants have been onboarded in response to the popularity of the single suite dorming option the school introduced last
Senators discussed the limited availability of coffee on campus, followed by the announcement of hot coffee being added to the Southside Smoothies menu two days later. @MANHATTANU_EATS / INSTAGRAM
semester, allowing students to reserve one side of a suitestyle room for themselves. Three new Public Safety positions will also be filled this year, occupying the Gaelic Park and Leo Hall area, Kelly Commons walkway and Draddy Gymnasium entrance from 3-11 p.m.. Mehnaz Afridi, Ph.D., brought up concerns over dining option hours on campus, specifically the availability of coffee after 2 p.m.. Other senators chimed in and agreed that extending hours or having another cafe option on campus would be beneficial, even as a place to lounge. Lowe responded, reporting that while the university did have the option previously – the since-closed Kelly Commons Starbucks, now occupied by Southside Smoothies – the daily revenue was poor and did not support the spot. Additionally, as Gourmet Dining employees are union employees contracted by the university, there are difficulties when it comes to revising schedules. For now Lowe’s priorities are extending the dining hall’s hours on Fridays, when they now close at 7 p.m., severely limiting many students’ dining options. Lewis Forster, student senator and track and field team member, brought the issue up to administration upon realizing that his team, as
well as many other athletes on campus, had no campus food available after practice. Senators discussed possible internal solutions to the problem, proposing the possibility of a studentrun coffee shop on campus. Students have shown previous interest in the idea, according to student government president Allyson Haskins. Lowe mentioned that the school has looked into adding a Saxby’s, a popular studentrun college chain, but the process takes a lot of work. Shah, interim dean of the O’Malley School of Business, offered to work with Lowe to work the project into the curriculum. “I’m open to restarting that conversation,” Shah said. “I think it’s a great idea to have a student-run business on campus and build it into some of the entrepreneurship things we’re doing... we can talk. I know it’s a tremendous amount of work.” “I think it was overly complicated, but I think two people who want to make it work, would make it work,” Lowe responded. As of the meeting, the only available option for hot coffee on campus, after Zaro’s closure, was using the self-service machine available in C-Store. Two days after the meeting, Manhattan University Dining announced the
addition of hot coffee to their Southside Smoothies menu on their Instagram. Discussions of to-go containers in Locke’s Loft were also discussed. Moving forward, senators discussed a recent $3 million grant given to the school over the next 5 years, in support of developing the Pathway Center in Thomas Hall. This new center will combine some of the services already offered, including Academic Success, Career Services and success coaching. The James Patterson Honors Program (JPHP) Blue Circle Program has been a success, with increased attendance at program events already. Wrapping up the meeting, previous Senate speaker Jeff Cherubini echoed Berg’s sentiments on bettering communication between the larger campus body and Senate. “Touching upon our opening from Senator Berg and connecting to Senator Lowe, the idea of everyone delivering a great experience,” Cherubini said. “I think one of our a good task for us as a unit, as a group, is all keeping an eye on the quality of experience. What I mean by that is from the garage to the dorm, to the gym to the classroom, to anywhere... we’re looking for a shared commitment.”
Parisa Saboori Appointed New Associate Dean of Engineering __________________________ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Saboori continued to discuss with The Quadrangle one of many goals she has for the future. “Another goal is to strengthen our relationship with industry so that students have more opportunities for internships, projects, mentorship, networking and exposure to what engineering looks like in practice,” Saboori said. With further plans of increasing communication and collaboration across engineering departments, Saboori noted the tremendous expertise amongst faculty and students and how such builds connections that can result in new courses, research projects, interdisciplinary programs, and opportunities for students. In reference to “The Role of Communication Skills in Engineering Education” by Dr. P. Rajitha, in the current era of global and rapid technological advancement,
effective communication has become an essential skill for engineering professionals. Not only is technical expertise needed, but so is the idea to convey ideas clearly, collaborate with teams and present their work effectively. Efforts in this area can allow MU’s engineering students to succeed on an even wider scale. To Saboori, the fundamentals of engineering will always be important, but there are also areas within engineering that she would like the school to place more emphasis on. “I’m also very interested in areas such as robotics, biomedical and healthcare engineering, sustainability and energy, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and other emerging technologies.” Saboori said. “We already have faculty working in many of these areas, so part of the opportunity is connecting that expertise and making it more visible and accessible to students.”
Paul Harrison, senior electrical engineering major, spoke to what he would like to see from Saboori in this new position. “I hope that Saboori will have a focus on providing students with the resources that they need to prepare themselves professionally for the workforce, as well as have a greater focus on getting students connected with engineering job opportunities.” Harrison said. Harrison said he also hopes Saboori’s appointment will connect engineering students to other fields of study, both in the classroom and through student clubs. “In my experience as a student I hope to see this [the connection between the different parts of an engineering education] possibly reflected in more educational opportunities for students,” Harrison said. “A push for clubs to have project groups that do interdisciplinary work would also be a plus.”
Saboori further spoke their experience.” Saboori to what she hopes students said. “I want students to say she contributed to the feel that if they had an idea, department when looking needed guidance, or saw an back at her time as associate opportunity they wanted to pursue, there was someone dean. “That I listened, that I willing to help them find a was approachable, and that path forward.” I genuinely cared about
Parisa Saboori, Ph.D. is the new associate dean of the School of Engineering. MANHATTAN.EDU / COURTESY
OCTOBER 13, 2026
News
Protest Forms Outside Allen Hospital Following Marble Hill ICE Shooting Jayden Gonzalez Photographer
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Following the shooting of 28-year-old Oscar Belgal by ICE agents in Marble Hill on Thursday, Oct. 8., hundreds marched in protest to Allen Hospital, where Belgal was treated. Protestors were barricaded by NYPD enforcement; five arrests were made during the demonstration.
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John L. Paluszek Scholarship Names 2 New Recipients Reyna Orlova Contributor
Manhattan University (MU) alum John L. Paluszek awarded a $15,000 scholarship to two new firstgeneration students in the Kakos School of Arts and Sciences this semester. The recipients were Aaliyah Casiano, sophomore psychology major with a minor in education, and Ivon Guzman, sophomore psychology major. The John L. Paluzek scholarship is now in its third year and is proud to add an additional recipient and increased reward. The scholarship now awards $15,000, as opposed to $10,000 in previous years, and focuses on firstgeneration students with high academic standing combined with civil service. When asked about what inspired the scholarship, Paluszek shared that his time at MU made him appreciate hard workers, and that he wishes young people may have an easier time achieving their dreams with this scholarship. “I hope that [the scholarship] will help them to take care of a large part of their college expenses so they can study hard and be successful,” Paluszek said. “A college education…can make a big difference, not only in financial ways but in how you develop your thinking.” The scholarship focuses on sophomores and juniors with a GPA of 3.6 or higher as well as students who spend time volunteering for the community. Paluszek, a fellow first-generation student, emphasized that the scholarship doubles as a family for all the recipients. “The basics were that the students would have to
show an excellent academic record… and then they would have to write and tell us what work they have done in terms of helping out various people, but there’s one extra thing we put in,” Paluszek said. The scholarship itself began through the friends Paluszek made during his time at MU. Mehnaz Afridi, Ph.D., professor of religious studies, Holocaust, Genocide and Interfaith Education Center (HGIC) director and friend of Paluszek, shared how the scholarship started. “I met Paluszek in my first year or so at MU, and he quickly became one of the most faithful supporters of the Holocaust, Genocide, and Interfaith Education Center,” Afridi said. “In 2024, when the university went through a painful period of budget cuts and faculty layoffs, Paluszek and his son, Stephen, came to me and asked a simple question, ‘how can we help?’ Together, we decided to support firstgeneration students who need financial assistance.” The scholarship recipients are chosen through co-chairs Mehnaz Afridi and Heidi Laudien with other MU faculty members’ input. Through their hard work, the scholarship has maintained three years of generosity, creating a family for recipients to lean on. Heidi Laudien, Ph.D., English professor at MU and co-chair of the Paluszek scholarship, shared some of the struggles the scholarship experienced in its early days. “It was difficult to identify who were first-generation students from the school of liberal arts, and to know how best to target them,” Laudien said. “Advertising the scholarship better to make sure all rising sophomores and juniors know that the
Ivon Guzman (left) and Aaliyah Casiano (right) are the third year recipients of the John L. Paluszek scholarship. MEHNAZ AFRIDI / LINKEDIN award is available has been challenging, but something we feel confident about now.” Ivon Guzman, one of the recipients, shared how the scholarship helped ease some of her financial anxiety and bring her focus to her studies. Guzman spoke about how she owes her education to her parents and that through this scholarship, she is able to ease her mind of possible debt being put on them. “[The scholarship] is such a great help because as a first-generation student you owe a lot to your
parents,” Guzman said. “It means so much that I can ease their stress of having to pay for my tuition…because that’s a big worry.” Aaliyah Casiano, one of the recipients, agreed with Guzman that the scholarship allowed her to pursue her education and focus on academics instead of anxieties. She shared that this scholarship kept her enrolled at MU. “This scholarship honestly opens a new door for me personally,” Casiano said. “I only live with my dad... so the last two semesters have been really
hard to pay in terms of tuition, books, etc. to the point where I was considering transferring to another different school. However, I chose MU because it felt like I had family here when I came to visit. I plan to use this scholarship to cover the remaining cost of my tuition, pay for books, and potentially study abroad.” Recipients Guzman and Casiano recommend that anyone interested in applying to stay focused on their grades, get involved on campus and to not be afraid to apply.
News
OCTOBER 13, 2026
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Manhattan University Names Avani Modi Sarkar First Entrepreneur-in-Residence Emmanouel Sofillas Sports Editor
This semester Manhattan University (MU) announced Avani Modi Sarkar has been named the first entrepreneur-in-residence at Manhattan University’s O’Malley School of Business (OMSB). Sarkar brings two decades of marketing experience and firsthand knowledge of starting a company to her new position at the university. At MU, Sarkar will be focused on helping students turn ideas into businesses. In 2018, she co-founded her own company Modi Toys, a children’s brand centered around toys and books rooted in ancient Hindu culture. Sarkar will work with the university’s entrepreneurship center and other campus partners, with an emphasis on mentoring students involved in the Innovation Challenge, an annual competition in which participants develop ideas for products and services. Sarkar’s appointment gives students an opportunity to learn from a business owner who has lived experiences and has had to navigate the challenges of developing a product, finding customers and building a brand. “I’ve been there, done that,” Sarkar said in the university’s announcement. In the announcement, Sarkar describes how her past experience informs the guidance she hopes to offer students who are still figuring out how to develop an initial idea. For students interested in entrepreneurship, the addition of someone with business experience could make the process of starting a company feel more approachable. The Innovation Challenge asks students to do more than come up with a creative concept; it encourages them
Avani Modi Sarkar is the first entrepreneur-in-residence at Manhattan University’s O’Malley School of Business. MANHATTAN.EDU / COURTESY to consider whether their ideas can work outside the classroom. Ally Bennett, sophomore and marketing major at MU, spoke to The Quadrangle about Sarkar and her new position at the university. “I think it’s easy to have an idea and think it sounds great, but it’s harder to know what comes next,” Bennett said. “Having somebody who has actually started a business could help students understand what they’re missing and what questions they should be asking.” In addition to working with students, Sarkar is expected to collaborate with faculty and campus leaders through the Entrepreneurship Center. The position is supported by Mike Kelly, ’80, a member of the OMSB Advisory Board, whose investments have supported the center. Grishma Shah, interim dean of the OMSB,
noted in the university announcement that Sarkar’s experience starting and running a company, along with her persistence during setbacks, would be valuable to students. Shah also stated that the appointment would raise awareness of entrepreneurship programming connected to the university’s ARCH initiatives. The university’s existing entrepreneurship opportunities extend beyond business majors. The Entrepreneurs at MU program brings business and engineering students together to work on product development, finances and business strategy. The Innovation Challenge also provides a pathway to the Battle of the Bronx, a pitch competition involving competing student teams from MU and Fordham University. To Jordan Rivera, freshman mechanical
engineering major at MU, the program having broader accesses is important. Rivera told The Quadrangle that a promising product idea does not necessarily mean knowing how to market it. “Engineering students spend a lot of time figuring out how to make something work, but we don’t always know how to turn that into a business,” Rivera said. “I would want advice about talking to customers, setting a price and explaining why an idea is worth investing in.” Later, Rivera commented on how collaboration between students in different majors could help teams identify weaknesses in their proposals earlier, especially when technical and financial questions need to be considered together. Notably, Sarkar’s own career reflects the uncertainty that can come with entrepreneurship. In a 2023 Rutgers Business
School publication, Sarkar described deciding to leave corporate work behind and concentrate on her company after years in marketing. “I decided to quit corporate America and focus on Modi Toys full time,” Sarkar told Rutgers. Sarkar’s experience also includes learning when to seek advice, a lesson she wants to bring into the new role. “I know how much a little guidance at that stage matters,” Sarkar said in the university announcement. As Sarkar begins working with the campus community, students will have a new resource for moving beyond the initial excitement of an idea, toward the decisions required to put it into practice. The role places mentorship at the center of the university’s efforts to connect classroom learning with entrepreneurship.
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THE QUADRANGLE
MU’s Greek Life Responds to the “Cornell Seven” Case Maddie Rosado Managing / News Editor
In early October, all four of Manhattan University’s (MU) Greek life organizations publicly addressed the “Cornell Seven” rape case in statements posted to Instagram. On Sept. 18, The Cornell Daily Sun, Cornell University’s student newspaper, reported that a former student had filed a lawsuit alleging she was drugged and gang raped in 2024 at the Chi Phi fraternity house. The lawsuit names Cornell, Chi Phi organizations and seven current and former students. Weeks later, records obtained by The New York Times showed that a university Title IX panel had found two of the seven responsible for sexual assault and expelled them, while the others received lesser punishments. The Sun’s editorial board had already called Cornell’s handling of the case “a morbid pattern” and urged for independent criminal investigations. The scandal has since reached MU’s Greek life communities. Delta Kappa Epsilon (DKE), Alpha Phi Delta (APD), Sigma Delta Tau (SDT) and Alpha Pi Phi (APP) each condemned sexual violence and called for accountability in their posts. DKE was the first to post, sharing its statement on their Instagram story. “Condemnation alone is not enough; silence and inaction are simply unacceptable,” DKE wrote. “As fraternity men, we have a duty to hold ourselves and our peers accountable, and to speak out against wrongdoing. We firmly denounce the abhorrent behavior of those involved, as
well as Cornell University’s response. Institutions have an absolute responsibility to protect their students.” After multiple attempts to contact DKE members, The Quadrangle was referred to Ryan Hayes, the chapter’s vice president of risk management and a civil engineering major, for comment on the statement. “It’s a wider problem that, frankly, an Instagram post won’t fix… Supporting Jane Doe is not about going against fraternities… It’s about holding Greek life to just a higher standard,” Hayes said. “This whole situation, it’s definitely pushed us to be more proactive with [our] education [regarding Title IX misconduct].” APD was the second to post, sharing a statement on their Instagram feed. “We have ZERO TOLERANCE for sexual assault, harassment, and violence in any form,” APD wrote. “Every student deserves to feel safe, respected, and supported on their campus. As brothers of APD we believe in holding ourselves and those around us accountable. Choosing silence is not an option. We stand with Jane Doe and all those affected by sexual violence.” Anthony Jones, president of APD and junior civil engineering major, shared with The Quadrangle that the fraternity felt a responsibility to speak publicly about the case. “As RAs, sons, brothers, military and leaders in our community in general, it was our duty to stand up and say something,” Jones said. “As men, it is our duty to hold ourselves and those around us accountable for their words and actions… [Title IX misconduct] is something we don’t want on our campus and we’ll try our best to ensure that everyone
feels safe.” SDT was the third to share a statement, posting it to their Instagram story. “SDT stands against sexual violence of any kind. We are dedicated to empowering women and part of that is fostering a space where women feel safe, protected, and respected,” SDT wrote. Allyson Haskins, president of SDT and a senior double major in communication and marketing, told The Quadrangle that the sorority shared campus resources with members and wanted to ensure survivors felt supported. “It’s always been super important for us to keep that topic going, so that girls feel comfortable to talk about it,” Haskins said. APP was the final Greek life community to post a statement on their Instagram feed, emphasizing its zero-tolerance policy for sexual violence and their commitment to supporting survivors. “We are fully committed to making sure our community is a safe space where voices are heard and not dismissed,” APP wrote. “It is important to remember that there is no justice without accountability.” Penelope Velazquez, president of APP and a senior finance major, discussed with The Quadrangle that the sorority wanted to publicly express its support for survivors and challenge assumptions about what Greek organizations discuss internally. “We stand by Jane Doe, we stand by everyone that is affected by sexual violence,” Velazquez said. While MU’s Greek life organizations publicly condemned sexual violence, the university also communicated with students about sexual assault “prevention training.”
Alpha Phi Delta’s Instagram statement supports Jane Doe and others affected by sexual violence. @APD_MANHATTAN / INSTAGRAM On Oct. 2, MU’s Title IX office emailed all students with the subject line “Action Required: Mandatory Title IX Training for All New Students,” informing new students that they were required to complete an online sexual assault “prevention training program.” “All new students, including first-year and transfer students, are required to complete the online Sexual Assault Prevention training by the due date listed in their training assignment,” the email stated. Following this email, The Quadrangle contacted Title IX coordinator
Kimara Patton to request an interview and was directed to the Title IX office’s website and the Vector Solutions Student Platform, where the “mandatory training” and “preventative measures” are available. For further support, call RAINN’s hotline at 1-800-656HOPE (4673) or visit rainn. org.
Features
OCTOBER 13, 2026
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MU Welcomes its First African Student Union! Leyla J. Mercado Features Editor / Asst. Social Media Editor
For the first time in 173 years Manhattan University (MU) now has its first African Student Union (ASU), a group which plans to celebrate African culture and heritage while further creating culture competency. Through student recruitment, executive board involvement and campus outreach, the organization aims to increase its visibility while welcoming students to engage with and learn about African culture and heritage. Hannah Okwuegbue, freshman civil engineering major and president of the African Student Union spoke to The Quadrangle about her inspiration to start the club alongside others. “What inspired us to start the African Student Union is the need for a sense of community on campus.” Okwuegbue said. “Not only do we aim to foster a community for ourselves, but we want to educate the student body and create awareness about African culture. We want to highlight the diverse nature of African Culture and share it amongst the students of MU.” By fostering connections
among students, ASU aims to advance its mission of creating a welcoming and inclusive space for all students interested in the organization. May Hanneh, sophomore psychology major and social media coordinator, further spoke on the matter. “What inspired me to be a part of this club was thinking about the African community and how strong it is everywhere in the world, as we are proud and stay rooted in our culture, sharing food, sharing stories no matter where we go,” Hanneh said. “I really wanted to see that at MU where there’s so many other communities represented in a beautiful way. I really want to see African students and other students embracing our culture on campus through our events, culture, food and more.” As representation is a valuable pillar for the club and African students, they encourage those who want to learn about the culture to a greater extent. Emerging themselves in it, through speaking to members and gaining more knowledge through events, is what they feel makes it an immersive experience. Taiden Chaniel Twumasi Ampofo, freshman economics major and secretary of the club, spoke to The Quadrangle about the
significance of the African Student Union on campus. “An African Student Union is important on campus because there is a need to address misconceptions people have about African culture as well as shed light on the differences and similarities between African and Black Americans.” Ampofo said. “Furthermore, we want to place emphasis on sharing our culture, background and traditions with MU [students] who may or may not be familiar with the African diaspora.” With the intent to build an educational, interactive and exciting environment for students, they plan to host various events and activities which include Nutty November, cultural food tastings in order to provide students with a taste of the continent, as well as holding educational seminars. Collaborations are also soon to come, with them joining Lotus Magazine’s spring fashion show next semester. Okwuegbue discussed how she hopes the union will build community amongst African students. “As students of MU we notice that we are a minority on campus and we are leaving room for others to join our club also,” Okwuegbue said. “We will share stories, have African games and make
Picture of the African Student Union logo. @ASU_MANNHATTANU/INSTAGRAM
sure people feel comfortable within themselves.” “In our first year we hope to be able to educate the MU student body and create a sense of belonging for African students,” Ampofo said. “We hope to appeal to future African students of MU in that they can feel represented on campus. Further down the line we hope to partner with other ASUs to host events.” With emphasis on building a solid foundation that will result in longevity and prosperity for ASU, the group hopes to create a thriving community with successful fundraising
efforts. Hanneh shared her thoughts on ASU’s efforts. “I really hope we establish a safe space for African students to feel grounded,” Hanneh said. “As some African students are so far from home, it is really important to cultivate familiarity around you so that you don’t look around one of these days and feel a little lost. Our union is going to connect African students to Africa.” Updates on upcoming events and initiatives from MU’s first African Student Union will be shared on the organization’s Instagram account, @asu_manhattanu.
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Arts and Entertainment
THE QUADRANGLE
The Company We Keep” by Jason Silva ‘26, Featured at the Below The Line Film Festival Sarah Rolka
Asst. Features Editor
On Oct. 2 and 3, Jason Silva, ‘26, was featured in the Below The Line Film Festival for his original short film “The Company We Keep.” The screening was held at the historic Church of the Transfiguration in the Episcopal Actors Guild Hall. Silva’s short film is a psychological thriller about a lonely college student, Peter (played by friend and fellow alum Sam Wofford), who is haunted by a manifestation of his isolation named [REDACTED]. The film goes on to explore how Peter confronts this figure and contemplates both [REDACTED] and Peter’s desires. Silva discussed his film’s college setting and explained how its central theme reflects experiences shared by many college students. “It was a college campus because it was the easiest place to shoot, but also it made sense to the story,” Silva said. “Especially when you’re a freshman in college, it can be really difficult to meet your friends. That kind of isolation, and specifically
loneliness, can really be something that gets in your head on its own… almost like the demon is a representation of his sadness.” This year was the Below The Line Film Festival’s fifth season of showcasing and celebrating independent films and filmmakers. The festival, produced by Chill Bucket Productions, has been an event for “the artists, technicians, and craftspeople who bring stories to life behind the scenes. Dedicated to the ‘below the line’ professionals… the festival showcases innovative short films, insightful panel discussions, and opportunities for creative collaboration,” according to the film festival’s website. Chill Bucket Productions was founded by brothers Jeff and George Rocco with the addition of Dakota Martin. They have produced the festival over the last five years. Jeff Rocco discussed with The Quadrangle his experience producing the festival for another year, and how the event has grown over time. “[I loved] everything,” Rocco said. “We intentionally keep our festival small… and so because of that, we hoped
Jason Silva for an InD Film article. INDIEPICTURESBLOG.COM / COURTESY
to foster more connections between filmmakers, actors [and] crew members. … And I feel this was the first time where a lot of people besides the directors came, so it really felt like there was a lot of energy in the room.” Martin echoed Rocco’s remarks, noting that each year offers opportunities to identify what works and what can be improved. She also observed new connections and networks forming throughout the festival. “It was really awesome,” Martin said. “It’s our fifth year doing this event, so every year I feel we learn more [and] we find out what works more. This year, we [had] the most filmmakers present. An overwhelmingly awesome feeling to have them all there, and to see them all connecting with each other and networking.” Michael Grabowski, Ph.D., a professor in the communication, sound and media arts department and Silva’s mentor, commented on his role in the film’s production. “My role in that class, [field and post-production], is a managing producer, and so I encourage students to come up with their own ideas [for their short films],” Grabowski said. “I’m guiding them, steering them back on track if they go off the road, offering them resources to help realize their vision, showing and teaching them standard practices in the industry so they don’t have to reinvent the wheel when they’re making their film.” Grabowski also discussed his experience mentoring Silva throughout the film’s production as part of the class. “Silva was a [communication and] media production student in our program, so I had him for a few classes,” Grabowski said. “I try to cultivate talent in all of the students that come through the program. With Silva… he had an artistic vision, and that’s really what carries a lot of people far, is knowing what you want and how to put it together.”
“The Company We Keep” by Jason Silva ‘26 movie poster CHILLBP.COM / COURTESY Silva additionally commented on his production timeline, which was only two weeks. He then went on to discuss some of the struggles that he and his team faced during filming. “We had constant recasting,” Silva said. “It was pretty messy in terms [of time]… That’s also a part of being a filmmaker, overcoming [this obstacle] because even outside of being in a classroom, [while] creating a film, you’re going have those conflicts. It’s all about how you get past [them].” Additionally, Martin shared some concluding thoughts about the festival. “It’s been nice to meet all of these new creatives and build that community too,” Martin said. “It’s been cool to see ‘incremental babystep changes,’ but each year we figure out what works; that seemed to be something that worked.” Silva mentioned that the experience he had with this festival will carry on impacting further films he creates with Wofford and others.
“I’ve been to the one at our school, The Sixth Borough Film Festival,” Silva said. “I’ve been to one other film festival when I was younger, then this one [Below The Line] would be my third. Honestly, it was a great experience. Currently, [with] a friend of mine, Sam Wofford, we’re working on a new project [and] once we finish that, we want to submit to every film festival we can because of the experience we had at this one.” Silva also spoke on his overall experience with the film festival and meeting like-minded creatives. He complimented the producers of the festival for the work that they put into the whole affair. “You get to see a lot of films that these other filmmakers created... you’re meeting a lot of nice, genuine people that are really interested in the work that you’re doing and what you have planned next,” Silva said. “The directors of the film festival, they also are very personal with you and really try to get your name out there… It’s just a really
OCTOBER 13, 2026
Arts and Entertainment
Movie Review: “Lars and The Real Girl” María Castaño Arts & Entertainment Editor
How do you handle grief? Do you hide? Do you take it on and decide to make the best of it, or do you cry and beg for someone to come tell you what to do? Grief to me is really confusing. There is a very specific socially accepted way of dealing with it: you cry, you are sad, and then you get over it, but sometimes the tears just won’t come. Or they do want to come, but we don’t have the tools to pull them out, to express what we feel and come out having learned something from exteriorizing something so intimate. Writing down and talking about your feelings with others is a powerful tool for processing what happens to us. So now my question is, how do you handle grief when you have no tools? You don’t have anyone to talk to, you can’t reach for pen and paper, and painting was also never your thing. What happens when our only method to process things leaves us behind? “Lars and the Real Girl” is a fantastic film because it handles its characters with so much kindness and humanity. It gives them a perfectly human nuance, that allows the viewer to feel the warmth of the community as they get together to help Lars get through his relationship with Bianca.
The plot is so silly. It is so easy to make this movie suck by not taking the characters seriously, by laughing at Lars and his social inadequacy, or by densely refusing to understand why they would go along with his theatrics. The tenderness with which the film develops its relationships, and Lars’s unwavering support as he finally processes his fear of abandonment and loss, make it so comforting because it bets on patience and support as the best ways to help someone struggling. I love how this message of slow growth is represented in Lars’ story, and the moments where he and his brother open up about the guilt Gus felt for leaving Lars behind after their parents died. I loved his development as he sees how he participated in creating Lars’ fears and social inadequacy, and there’s a lot of guilt, but you can see once he realizes this, there’s a path towards reconciliation that challenges traditional masculinity by allowing some much-needed sentimentality in their relationship. Gus started the movie being this very strong-headed character who had already given up on his brother and ended as a completely different person. I also loved Lars’ relationship with Margo. She is another amazing character, and that’s another quality that makes this movie shine for me; each female character is their own person. They serve the narrative in a unique way that makes them crucial for the plot and not just decorations or second thoughts. I liked that the way the movie framed her pivot from Lars to another coworker after Lars showed no interest in her wasn’t vilified, especially because we were seeing it through the lens of Lars himself; it would only make sense for it to be framed as the most natural step for her to take after being rejected by him. As mentioned before, in its tenderness and focus on community, this movie subsequently
Movie poster for “Lars and The Real Girl” @JIMHARRISDESIGNS / INSTAGRAM challenges a lot of our social understandings of gender performance, thus giving Margo the grace to flirt with someone else and cry over something childish without caricaturizing her. She is still as human as everyone else in the film and allowed to show another part of herself during the bowling alley scene. This film gives all of its characters the room to grow organically within a context that is incredibly easy to make fun of, showing the lengths to which a bit of kindness and understanding can lead people. Lars’ traumas lead him down a path of isolation and a paralyzing fear of losing anybody else, and it is in a
fake doll that he can find the perfect subject to examine his fear of losing people and of people leaving him. To have the film end with Bianca dying after she became so integrated into the community is a testament to Lars’ development, as he slowly realizes he does not need her anymore. All of the care the community poured into making Bianca a living, breathing person and Lars’ final argument with Karin, alongside his reconciliation with his brother, made him realize the isolation he had been experiencing was caused mainly by his fears of people leaving him, so having him mourn and lose Bianca at his own
pace in such a supportive environment helped him process all of his feelings and come out of himself in the healthiest way possible. I loved that even after he goes through this whole process, he is still as awkward as in the beginning, showing that his personality was not the problem, as he is shown to have friends and multiple people who want to get closer to him; the problem always was his own reticence to letting people in. This movie is so beautiful and so well written because it is so hopefully human. Showing the best sides of community and how growth can happen from the most unexpected places if we just give it time.
Sports
11
THE QUADRANGLE
Athletes in Action Launches for StudentAthletes at MU Joshua Reichard
Asst. Arts & Entertainment Editor / Asst. Social Media Editor
With the start of the fall 2026 semester, Manhattan University (MU) welcomed Athletes in Action (AIA), a new club dedicated to building a faith-based community for studentathletes on campus. According to the nationwide organization’s website, it aims to help athletes find their purpose through faith and use their faith to serve others. “Athletes experience brokenness both personally and as part of sport-culture,” the website states. “They also have unmatched influence in their communities and around the globe. Since 1966, we have been helping athletes experience the hope and purpose that comes from following Jesus, and equipping them to use their platform to be part of God’s mission in the world to make disciples of all nations.” In early September, the MU chapter began sharing information about its mission and individual member’s testimonies on its Instagram Account. “Athletes in Action MU exists to create authentic community while being a resource for athletes wherever they’re at in their faith journey,” one post reads. “There is an abundance of resources to help athletes develop physically, mentally, and socially, but one component lacks - a way for college athletes to develop spiritually. We aim to fill the gap by being a place for athletes to wrestle together with questions about God, life, and sport.” The Quadrangle spoke
to Finian Tran, a junior finance and economics double-major, who plays on the men’s lacrosse team and serves as the president of the club. “We want to have this club so we can help student athletes and help them think about the intersection of God and sport,” Tran said. “Ultimately, it’s an environment where we can consider how God wants us to use our talents that he’s given us and see how we can steward that to others.” The Quadrangle also spoke to Nathaniel Alvarez, a junior civil engineering major and member of AIA. The club’s formation on campus was in part inspired by his experience at an AIA summer camp in Colorado. “I went to a summer camp that Athletes in Action runs in Colorado, and just seeing the impact and support that there was and having so many athletes have this focus at the same time and use that for the good of one another, I think that was super cool.” Alvarez said. “I was talking to friends, just thinking about how we can continue to give athletes a space to think about how to use faith in sport, and tie it together. Over the summer we talked about it, and said, ‘hey, let’s get it going.’” Since its formation, AIA’s main focus has been establishing Bible study groups across MU’s athletic teams. Tran gave insight into how these groups function. “We have one to two [members] on certain teams throughout the campus, and we all meet on Sundays and learn how to hold a Bible study, then we see these one to two people per team invite more [teammates] who are curious, into a safe space like a Bible study,” Tran
Instagram post highlighting a personal testimony from AIA MU’s president, Finian Tran @AIA_MANHATTANU / INSTAGRAM said. According to Tran, the club’s expansion has been swift, since members are inviting more of their teammates to become involved. “So now we have about seven or eight team Bible studies going on, with some even having 15 people,” Tran said. “We’re seeing an explosive growth on campus in that sense.” For Tran, the opportunity to connect with his teammates outside of sports is another benefit of
the group. “I think it’s really interesting when you can talk to your teammates about something other than just sports,” Tran said. “When you can genuinely share how you feel about certain things with your faith.” Tran added that the benefits of creating a community like this for student-athletes extend beyond campus. “When you influence athletes, and students, you can influence the neighborhoods that
surround [MU] and the communities that are intertwined,” Tran said. “Inviting something like that into a team can be challenging at first, especially if it’s not well received, but overcoming that, you’re really able to see who wants to get out of their shell and be a part of something greater than themselves.” Students can learn more about the MU chapter of AIA through the club’s Instagram @aia_ manhattanu.
OCTOBER 13, 2026
Sports
Women’s Club Soccer Fall ‘26 Season Comes to a Close
12
Sarah Rolka
Asst. Features Editor
On Oct. 4, The women’s club soccer team at Manhattan University (MU) played against fellow National IntramuralRecreational Sports Association (NIRSA) Region 1 ranked team in the New York Metro area, Columbia University (CU). While MU’s club team fell to CU 2-0, coaches and players reflected on the loss and other setbacks earlier in the season, emphasizing how the team has maintained its spirit and strong team culture despite the challenges. Ashley Zegler, senior, president and team captain, spoke about the game against CU. It definitely was a good matchup,” Zegler said. “I think we’ve definitely seen a lot of improvement in the team with this being our second year. I’m really proud of the work the girls have put in… and I hope for down the line too.” Malcolm Naughton, senior and co-captain for the women’s club team and wingback for the men’s club soccer team, added to Zegler’s comment. “Playing against a school like CU didn’t feel any different than playing any other team,” Naughton wrote in an email to The Quadrangle. “It was fun playing against teams in our area throughout the season
MU’s Women’s Club Soccer Team as of Fall ‘26 semester @MANHATTANUWCLUBSOC / INSTAGRAM
and playing in a competitive enjoy [spending time] with a league. We played two lot of the girls. We do have games the day before and late practices… but having the girls gave it their all, but the practices at 9 p.m. where unfortunately we lost 2-0.” the games are still such a Zegler had also noted wonderful time because on how this club team has a lot of the girls do put in been a highlight of her the work and they have time at MU. She mentioned a very positive attitude.” everyone’s positive Olivia Pollock, freshman attitude and commitment radiation therapy major, to the team, even with late spoke with The Quadrangle practices in Gaelic Park. on her personal history “It’s been really one of with soccer and that the highlights of my time after coming to MU. here at MU,” Zegler said. “I “Going into college, I played soccer my whole life and my senior year,” Pollock said. “I stopped the recruiting process and decided I wanted to focus on my academics. I came to MU and found the club team... [with] the club team, it’s really fun and playing with the girls is so exciting every time.” Pollock additionally reflected on how welcoming the team was when she first joined. “The first day of tryouts practice, I felt so welcomed by everyone,” Pollock said. “One of the captains Zegler made me feel so comfortable on the field, even the other upperclassmen.” Zegler emphasized how support from those close Logo of the MU women’s club soccer team to the team are always @MANHATTANUWCLUBSOC / INSTAGRAM appreciated at games
and for supporting in played a great game in whichever way they can. the rain against Stony “As a program, I’m glad Brook [University] and to see that a lot of people are tied 0-0, then right after supporting it outside of the we played Iona and won [MU] community, whether 3-0. It was a long day in the it’s families [or friends] of rain, but the team played players coming to games or incredibly and then a win supporting our fundraising capped off a great day.” effects as we’re [building] Naughton additionally a club,” Zegler said. commented on his hopes Zegler acknowledged for future seasons and her role as team captain the spring semester and president of the club, when tryouts and games but additionally recognized pick back up again. the work and dedication “The team gets better that the e-board and every practice and every team players put into it. game,” Naughton wrote. “I play a big part in the “We build day-by-day and planning and organizing, we hope even more girls will but I also have an executive come out next semester.” board that I’m very happy The women’s club for their assistance… I really soccer team at MU is appreciate them stepping up a part of two different this year to take on more of a leagues in the Eastern role,” Zegler said. “But with Coastal region, NIRSA the team dynamic of it, a lot and the US College Soccer of players are very helpful Conference (USCC). The with the whole organization team plays in the NIRSA side of it which has allowed league during the fall me to help grow the club, but semester and the USCC then also enjoy it as a player.” during the spring semester. Naughton called out The MU team is a part of some memorable moments the ranked Region 1 teams over this fall season. within the New York Metro “The season was super area for NIRSA. Further fun and fulfilling,” Naughton information regarding said. “The girls went out spring semester USCC and battled every game. teams and schedules will The best part of the season be updated on their website was our “Round-Robin” collegeclubsoccer.com at Iona [University]. We and Instagram @uscceast.