Students attend 21st annual Sharkapalooza
Joe’s Pizza & Pasta delivers slice of New York
Former Shark selected in 2025 MLB Draft
THE CURRENT
Living with 9/11: Memories Never Fade
By Alexandria Munroe
On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, Grace Telesco, currently an associate professor and director of the School of Criminal Justice at NSU, was on her way to teach a crisis intervention class at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York. When she emerged from the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel, she realized something was happening.
“I saw what looked like confetti coming down, like this glitter,” Telesco said. “It was actually the first plane [that] had hit the first tower at a quarter to nine in the morning.”
At first, she thought it was an office fire. But as she arrived at work, the news broke of the second plane striking the second tower.
“It was the bluest sky. It was so clear,” Telesco said. “I remember thinking, ‘A pilot wouldn’t get confused and hit the World Trade Center.’ And that’s when I knew it was a terrorist attack.”
Almost 25 years later, many college students only have secondhand knowledge of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, and the United Airlines Flight 93, which crashed in a field in Pennsylvania, because they were not yet born.
“I first learned about 9/11 just like everyone else around my age, when we got introduced to it in first or second grade,” said Nasir Trower, junior sports management major and New York City-native. “It’s emphasized more in the city [because] our families
Princess Cruises docks at NSU
COURTESY OF CHRIS DELBONI
members present a number from “Illuminate,” a show for Princess Cruises’ new ship, Star Princess.
By Alexandria Munroe and Jessica Rodriguez
Princess Cruises and NSU have set sail on a new venture with the cruise line’s professional dancers and choreographers now rehearsing their ship entertainment on the third floor of the Don Taft University Center.
The American cruise line, owned by
Carnival Corporation & plc, hosted two preview events on campus this summer.
The first preview announced two original performances, “Illuminate” and “Meridian,” which will be performed on Star Princess, the second of the company’s new sphere-class of ships and the largest ship in its fleet.
were directly impacted that day, but our generation has that distance from it, mainly because [the] majority of us weren’t alive.”
For students who didn’t grow up in New York, the lessons focused on the basic information instead of lived experiences.
“I’ve never heard anyone’s personal stories from 9/11,” Andito Wills Jr., a junior finance and business management major, said. “We talked about it every year in school, but it was always just the basic facts of what happened, like a history class.”
The Shark Pantry supports students
By Antonio Miguel Escorzon
Four years after opening, the NSU Shark Pantry continues to find new ways to reach out to the student community, such as hosting its first Scoop N’ Chill event on Aug. 22 during Waves of Welcome. The Shark Pantry is located on the second floor of the Don Taft University Center.
Kate Gittleman, director of STEM Initiatives and Outreach who runs the Shark Pantry, said the event was an ice cream social to help students learn more about the pantry.
The Shark Pantry staff wanted to show its presence to students when the fall semester started, Gittleman said.
Andrea Villalba Torres, second-year graduate student in the registered dietitian nutritionist master’s program and NSU Shark Pantry coordinator, said the Shark Pantry is a resource for students.
“Although we do see a lot of individuals when we are open during the [fall and winter] semesters, a lot of people don’t know about us or don’t know exactly what we do,” Villalba Torres said.
Opened in November 2021, the pantry allows students who may be struggling financially to get enough food for free, Gittleman said.
“The real focus and goal of the food pantry was to provide our students access to food so that we could support them, not just in the classroom,” Gittleman said.
Villalba Torres said students can register through PantrySoft, so they can go to the pantry during operating hours.
“Students sign up, we queue them in, put them on the list and then when it is time for them to check out all their food items, they just go in and grab what they need,” Villalba Torres said. “They are allowed 10 pounds of food a week and then they just provide us their name afterwards, once we are at the checkout station.”
The pantry is donation-based and welcomes food and other items from NSU students, NSU faculty and the local community.
COURTESY OF ©ecrow / Adobe Stock
Twin Towers of the World Trade Center Complex before the 9/11 attacks.
THE CURRENT
The Student-Run Newspaper of Nova Southeastern University @makonews / makomedia.nova.edu
Located in the Don Taft University Center Room 328
NEWSROOM
Phone: 954-262-8455 makonews@nova.edu
Antonio Miguel Escorzon Editor-in-Chief
Nicole Gomez Art Director
Victoria Ruiz Graphic Designer
Lila Taricco Graphic Designer
Isabella Fernandez de Cueto Sports Editor
Marlee Card Reporter/Music Editor
Alex Munroe Reporter
Daria Gross Reporter
Sneha Subhash Health Writer
Samiksha Chemukula Health Desk Intern
Roseline Jean-Pierre Photo Journalist
Madison Kasper Reporter/ Visual Journalist
Allen Worrell Web Editor/Reporter
Kai Dear Business Manager
Liv Zolk Distribution Manager
The Current serves Nova Southeastern University from its location in room 328 of the Don Taft University Center. The Current is NSU’s established vehicle for student reporting. All community members are invited to contribute.
Editorials, commentaries and advertisements in this publication reflect the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the University or its officials, The Current advisers or advertisers. The Current will not publish unsigned letters except under special
BUSINESS & ADVERTISING
Phone: 954-262-8455 thecurrentad@nova.edu
Amaia Flores Social Media Manager
Yasmin De Andrade Rodrigues Assistant Social Media Manager
Chris Delboni Mako Media Network Director
Mike Lynn Mako Media Network Assistant Director/ Music Desk Adviser
Dr. Megan Fitzgerald Mako Media Network Faculty Adviser
Joyce Moed The Current Adviser
Dr. Mario D'Agostino Sports Desk Adviser
Dr. Aarti Raja Science/Health Desk Adviser
Dr. Eric Mason Digital Adviser
Dr. Shanti Bruce Chair, Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts
Letter from the editor
Dear Readers,
Hello there, Sharks! I hope you enjoy reading the semester’s second issue of The Current, NSU’s student-run newspaper. I am Antonio, The Current’s editorin-chief and a first-year graduate student in the Composition, Rhetoric, and Digital Media master’s program in the Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts.
I hope Waves of Welcome was a joy for everyone! In this issue, we cover events including Sharkapalooza and the Cancer Survivorship Summit.
You can read about the new B.A. in Commercial Music and Ph.D. in Composition, Rhetoric, and Digital Media.
We also have stories on Princess Cruises previews, as well as theater venues near NSU.
We introduce a new column highlighting niche places in South Florida from our reporter and music editor, Marlee Card, titled “Oh, The Places To Go.”
This issue also has stories on 9/11 and hurricane preparation at NSU.
You will find out more about our inaugural women’s lacrosse program and Anthony Karoly, an alum who was drafted by the Seattle Mariners baseball team.
The Current is part of Mako
on YouTube, and Mako Radio, NSU’s student-run radio station on 88.5 FM. If you ever have questions, comments, or story pitches, you can find us in the Don Taft University Center, room 328. On behalf of everyone at The Current, thank you for reading and making us part of your day.
Take care, Antonio Miguel Escorzon
circumstances at the discre tion of the Editor-in-Chief. The Current reserves the right to edit.
Contributing writers must not be directly involved with their coverage. Coverage by contributing writers must be meaningful and of interest to the NSU community. The Current reserves the right to edit, publish or deny submit ted works as it sees fit. The Current shall remain free of associations and activities that may compromise integrity or damage credibility or otherwise create bias, real or perceived.
The Current NEWS
FROM THE FRONT
LIVING WITH 9/11
Yet for those who were there, the memories remain vivid.
This year, on the 24th anniversary of 9/11, Telesco, who was also a lieutenant in the New York Police Department at the time, will host an online event called, “Never Forget, Sometimes Forgotten, Often Haunted: The Long-Term Effects of 9/11 on First Responders.”
Along with her colleague Dana Mills, the associate dean of research and strategic planning for the School of Criminal Justice, she will discuss how the trauma of that day continues to impact the lives of first responders who were on the scene that day.
“Cell phones didn’t work. There was no communication,” said Telesco, at the time assigned to coordinate evacuations and responses to victims’ families. “Families who knew that their loved one worked at the World Trade Center or even in the vicinity of the World Trade Center couldn’t get in touch with their loved ones, and it was panic.”
For a year and a half, she led a team of 50 people in ferrying the victims’ families to Ground Zero, the former site of the World Trade Center, and the morgue to identify their loved ones.
“Many families, they kept hoping that their loved one was like, maybe sheltered somewhere underneath, underground, and that they were going to be okay and that they would be alive,” Telesco said. “There was this hope that I think families, they had to hold on to, because it was so shocking that their loved one was not only dead but missing.”
In Boston, Jennifer Magas, assistant professor in the Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts, felt a
similar panic as she watched the second plane hit the World Trade Center.
“I was running across campus, and one of my friends said to me, ‘Run into the bookstore right now, you need to see what’s going on television,’” Magas said. “It was very upsetting because at the time, my boyfriend, [who was] soon to be my fiancé, was going into work that day.”
She recalls trying to reach her boyfriend, who commuted into Manhattan for work each day, and not being able to reach him.
“All the cellphones were jammed up and down the East Coast,” Magas said. “So I had no idea what was going on.”
In the days following the attacks, Magas remembers New York City emptying out and fighter jets constantly patrolling overhead due to other threats and paranoia.
“It was like a ghost town,” Magas said. “You’d be working at your desk, and all of a sudden, there would be a fake bomb scare, [so] people were afraid to go in.”
The sense of dread wasn’t limited to the New York area. More than a thousand miles away in Miami, Estela Bruno, a graduate student in the Master of Business Administration program and DJ for Mako Radio, was sitting in her science class at Madison Middle School when she saw the attack on their classroom television.
“I thought it was another typical lockdown that day, but then they rushed us to class, saying, ‘Go to your class, and don’t leave until we tell you to … And then our teacher turns on the TV,” Bruno said. “And he’s like, ‘They’re attacking the Twin Towers in New York.’”
For Bruno, the shock was immediate and personal, since she went to elementary school in Manhattan and still had family living in the area.
“The first thing that came to my head was that my grandma was on a flight [to New York] from the Dominican Republic that day,” Bruno said. “As a kid, you think about, ‘Well, we could’ve been there,’ but it was more, ‘I wanna get home for my family.’”
Bruno recalled her school shutting down for a few days because the panic and paranoia after 9/11 affected daily life in South Florida.
“Rumors went around that they were gonna attack the [Air Force] base in Homestead, so it was a lot of panic,” Bruno said. “Parents just didn’t let their kids out. Everybody stayed home as much as they could.”
The following weeks were marked by suspicion and hostility toward individuals.
“My sister got profiled a lot at school,” Bruno said. “She got called a terrorist because of her skin color, because she’s darker than me.”
For years, she continued to feel the impact of 9/11.
“Every time she traveled, she would get stopped,” Bruno said. “And then we just got accustomed to it, which is crazy.”
For Telesco, the feelings of fear and uncertainty never fully went away.
“It changed me to a point where I ran away from New York,” Telesco said. “I feel like a part of my heart, a part of my mind, and a part of my spirit is still at Ground Zero, and I can’t—I don’t want to return there.”
For more information: Scan the QR code to access the online event: “Never Forget, Sometimes Forgotten, Often Haunted: The Long-Term Effects of 9/11 on First Responders.”
On September 11 at 7 p.m.
NSU launches Ph.D. in Composition, Rhetoric, and Digital Media
By Antonio Miguel Escorzon
NSU’s Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts launched its first Ph.D. program in Composition, Rhetoric, and Digital Media.
Juliette Kitchens, professor in DCMA, said the Ph.D. program is designed as an extension of the M.A. in CRDM.
“On the doctoral level, what that looks like is students will conduct a year of research with faculty prior to beginning a dissertation,” Kitchens said.
The program offers three core courses and a series of electives. It takes 3 to 3 1/2 years to complete if enrolled full time, Kitchens said.
“I think the coursework is going to help students really hone their focus and dig deeply into subject matter they are passionate about,” Kitchens said.
Suzan Kinran, first-year graduate student in the CRDM master’s program, said she is excited about the
new Ph.D. program because continuing to work with faculty will help her grow as a student and professionally.
“Networking is going to be a really great source for me because I want to get my Ph.D. and become a professor myself,” Kinran said. “I really want to teach on a university level. So for me, having mentors [will] help me build those relationships.”
Kitchens said the inspiration for the Ph.D. program came from CRDM alumni.
“Many of our alums have noted that they would like to have been able to stay on to complete a Ph.D., so the time was right,” Kitchens said. “We have the support, and so we went ahead and pursued it.”
Alana Ellis, a first-year graduate student in the CRDM master’s program, hopes to work in media production if she is in the Ph.D. program, as she had done as an undergraduate.
“I am thinking about continuing that again because it is just more things that I could add to my
portfolio, and I just want to get more experience,” Ellis said.
Kitchens said the Ph.D. program helps students develop transferable skills.
“It allows you to develop foundation skills, durable skills [and] fusion skills, depending on what language you are using, that translate really well to a variety of markets and industries,” Kitchens said.
Kinran seeks to pursue her interest in comparing psychology and communication in the CRDM, Ph.D. program.
“I would be able to get into behavioral communication or anything that is related to the brain,” Kinran said. “That comparison would be an interesting field to explore for me.”
Kitchens said the CRDM, Ph.D. is an impactful addition because it is a benchmark program for the arts and humanities in NSU academics.
“Hopefully, we will see growth in arts and humanities graduate programs on a master’s level and a
Ph.D. level through this initial step,” Kitchens said. “We designed the program to really spotlight NSU’s focus on experiential learning, pragmatic education, professional development and professional preparation.”
For more information:
For 2026 winter Ph.D. consideration, applications should be completed by Oct. 24.
To apply, scan this QR code
COURTESY OF GRACE TELESCO Grace Telesco, associate professor and director of the School of Criminal Justice, during her time in the New York Police Department.
NSU hosts second Cancer Survivorship Summit
By Antonio Miguel Escorzon
Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the U.S. Representative for Florida’s 25th district, hosted the second Cancer Survivorship Summit in NSU’s Rose and Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center on Sept. 6.
The event featured speeches, videos, slideshow presentations and panels.
Wasserman Schultz, who was diagnosed with breast cancer 17 years ago, hosts the Cancer Survivorship Summit to address life after diagnosis, including resources and support services for patients.
“Today is about shining a light on the survivorship journey, supporting survivors, families, caregivers and providers,” Wasserman Schultz said. “It’s about making sure survivors don’t feel lost or forgotten and that they leave here with hope tools and community.”
Dr. Chad Perlyn, executive vice president, chief medical officer and executive medical director of NSU Health and Dean of the College of Allopathic Medicine, opened the summit. Perlyn said NSU believes in the power of research, education and collaboration to foster cancer care and prevention.
“Today it’s about hope, it’s about resilience and, most importantly, it’s about progress,” Perlyn said. “It’s about celebrating survivors, supporting families, and advancing the science and the care that will make survivorship not just possible, but expected.”
Wasserman Schultz said the mission of the summit is to eradicate cancer by focusing on building a strong foundation for patients, so
when treatment ends, their path forward is clear, healthier and more hopeful.
“Cancer is relentless, and so we have to be just as relentless in our fight for early detection, for equitable care, for a survivorship journey that is in for every patient,”
Wasserman Schultz said.
Lainie Jones, a survivor of seven different cancers due to Li-Fraumeni syndrome, a genetic condition predisposing her to multiple cancers, spoke about the benefits of early detection in “The Early Detective,” her survivorship story presentation.
“Understanding my condition empowered my medical team at MD Anderson [Cancer Center]
journey.
and me to stay ahead of the disease, catching cancer early time and time again,” Jones said. “Early detection became my mantra and my key to survivorship.”
Also, Wasserman Schultz moderated the “Fireside Chat: Are We on the Cusp of a Cancer Free Future? How AI and Immunology are Creating Hope for Survivors” in which the panel discussed how research can shape the future of cancer care. The panelists were Kristen Dahlgren, founder of the Cancer Vaccine Coalition and former NBC journalist, and Dr. Duane Mitchell, neurosurgery professor from the University of Florida’s College of Medicine.
“[Survivorship] is about
preventing occurrence, extending life and improving the quality of life,” Wasserman Schultz said. “Cancer vaccines and AI are some of the most exciting frontiers in that fight. They represent a promise that through science, we can give survivors new tools to keep cancer from returning and perhaps one day prevent it altogether.”
Bill Zito, president of hockey operations, general manager for the Florida Panthers Hockey Club and keynote speaker for the summit, spoke about being a caregiver to his sister, Maggy Zito Schultz; his wife, Julie Zito; and his mother-in-law, Pat — all of whom were afflicted by cancer.
“Through a quilt of experiences and stories, we can share our story with you and encourage everybody here to do a little bit more and to pull others into the fight, into the struggle, to be proactive, to do whatever you can every day,” Zito said.
The summit also included presenters from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Cleveland Clinic, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and other nonprofits, academic institutions and medical organizations that spoke of cancer testing, patient support and treatment.
Wasserman Schultz said the summit is a way for patients and survivors to learn how to navigate cancer from diagnosis to the aftermath of active treatment.
“It’s one more tool in our arsenal to help survivors,” Wasserman Schultz said. “A gathering of expertise, resources, information, answers and a call to action.”
Freshmen attend fall convocation
By Antonio Miguel Escorzon
At the fall convocation, Dr. Harry K. Moon, president and CEO of Nova Southeastern University, said the event begins a new chapter for NSU’s freshmen.
“You are not here to merely absorb knowledge but to act on it,” Moon said. “The months and years ahead are not a time for passive study, but a time for deep focus, meaningful exploration and drive.” Convocation took place in the Rick Case Arena in the Don Taft University Center on Aug. 14, right before the start of the first semester, for 1,675 freshmen, according to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
Moon said the class of 2029 entered NSU after the university achieved milestones as a Research 1 institute and an Opportunity College and University through classification in the Carnegie
Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
“This classification recognized the extent to which institutions such as NSU foster opportunities for student success,” Moon said.
Timothy Meyer, freshman marine biology major who attended convocation, said he believes NSU is a university that focuses on community.
“I not only want to stay involved in school, but I want to get involved in other things, like events and just partake within the community,”
Meyer said.
Daniela Davalillo, freshman law major, said she wanted to grow professionally at NSU.
“I am trying to see if next year I can enroll in the dual admissions [program],” Davalillo said.
Moon said NSU is focused on making the students’ academic progress meaningful.
“We want you to get the most out
of your time here. If you do well, we do well, and when I look out at all of you, I have great hope for the future,” Moon said. “I have
great confidence in what you will achieve. You, the class of 2029, you are the future.”
PHOTO BY MARLEE CARD
From left: Shelley Fuld Nasso from Cancer Nation, Dr. Susan Vadaparampil from Moffitt Cancer Center, Dr. Jonathan D. Licht from UF Health Cancer Center and Dr. Frank J. Penedo from the UM Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center discuss how to plan and support the patient’s
PHOTO BY JESSICA RODRIGUEZ
President Harry K. Moon, president and CEO of Nova Southeastern University, addresses the audience at Convocation 2025.
NSU’s music program takes a commercial focus
By Alexandria Munroe
NSU’s Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts has changed its Bachelor of Arts in Music degree to a Bachelor of Arts in Commercial Music, so students can work on building their careers.
Bill Adams, music and theatre program director and professor in DCMA, said the change reflects the need for students to understand how to market their skills and adapt to the modern music industry.
“They both make great music, but Beyoncé is a lot more popular than Itzhak Perlman,” Adams said of the violinist. “Whether you’re playing an instrument or writing music or working in a studio, the whole point is, ‘How are you gonna sell what it is that you do?’”
Adams said he hopes the official title change can clarify the program’s direction for incoming students.
“Before, when it was a B.A. in Music, people would get confused and think that they were going to come and play violin and be a part of a symphony,” Adams said. “And maybe they still could, but we see things from a commercial standpoint here.”
The name change comes with
updated curriculum, such as courses focused on studio recording, post-production and songwriting.
“Some of the courses needed to be refreshed anyhow, so it was just a replacement with something which was more current and more applicable to students writing music,” Adams said. “A lot of it’s now focused around the creation of content as opposed to being all about performance.”
The original program’s inclusion of commercial music was a draw to students like Evangelina Valverde Bermudez, sophomore music major.
“I looked at a lot of universities, but I really built a connection. With Nova once I found out that it wasn’t just like, fine arts and classical music,” Valverde Bermudez said. “I fell in love with the fact that we also do commercial music, so now that it’s fully changing into commercial music, it’s even better for me.”
Valverde Bermudez, who writes and releases original songs, said she is looking forward to seeing how the new curriculum supports students working on personal projects.
“All the professors here have always been so open to listening to our ideas and what we want to do, so I hope they continue to encourage us and guide
us so our individual projects succeed,”
Valverde Bermudez said.
She said it is important that the program continues to support students’ personal artistic identities and cultural expression alongside the preparation for entering the industry.
“I’m Latina, so I’m always looking
for a way to bring out my roots and do stuff in my own area,” Valverde Bermudez said. “It’s important to me that the program supports that side of my work, too.”
Students attend 21st annual Sharkapalooza
By Antonio Miguel Escorzon
More than 3,ooo students attended the 21st annual Sharkapalooza on Aug. 22 at the Bill Gessner Sports Complex. Sharkapalooza, hosted by The Office of Campus Life and Student Engagement and the Inter-Organizational Council, is part of Waves of Welcome, which takes place the first two weeks of the fall semester.
Ritchy Laguerre, assistant director of Club and Organization Engagement in the Office of Campus Life and Student Engagement, said the event is the first step to introduce students to NSU clubs.
“We have performances [and] all of the clubs and organizations,” Laguerre said. “We have a lot of opportunities
for them to really put their foot in the door.”
During Sharkapalooza, there were 200 student clubs and organizations tabling, such as Pre-Law Society and Public Relations Student Society of America, as well as performances from NSU student groups, food trucks and giveaways.
One of the dance performances was presented by NSU Veera, a competitive Bharatanatyam, an Indian classical dance team.
Amala Vadukumcherry, senior biology major and captain of NSU Veera, said Sharkapalooza allowed freshmen and other undergraduate students to see what they do, as well as get many people to try out for their team.
“It’s just a good way to be a part of
the history, community [and] honestly, being here with other dance teams and other clubs,” Vadukumcherry said.
Alexzandra Warren, junior biology major and vice president of the NSU chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., said that it was her first time at Sharkapalooza.
“I did not realize there were quite so many organizations on campus,” Warren said. “I am going to look into joining more of them. I am a part of a few, but definitely want to reach out more.”
Nasir Trower, president of the Stomp n’ Shake Sapphires, a majorette dance team, said it was an honor to perform on stage during the event.
“Performing last is a choice that [the Office of Campus Life and Student Engagement] makes here, and
they do it based on who wants to be seen the most, and the fact that they asked us to perform last just confirms for me that all the hard work we put in last year paid off,” Trower said.
Kabir Alkhairy, sophomore math major, said he continues to attend Sharkapalooza because he recognizes the value in joining student groups.
“I didn’t realize how useful they could be for socialization, having fun and getting integrated into the community,” Alkhairy said.
Laguerre said the event opened his eyes to the importance of Sharkapalooza.
“They are able to see a lot of individuals with the same interests [and] meet a lot of our clubs and organizations,” he said.
PHOTO BY MARLEE CARD
Bill Withem, assistant professor of commercial music, lectures on Logic Pro in his Intro to Music Production class.
PHOTO BY ROSELINE JEAN-PIERRE
Students watch Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. perform on stage during Sharkapalooza 2025.
PHOTO BY ROSELINE JEAN-PIERRE
The Pre-Occupational Therapy Club tables at Sharkapalooza and engages with students.
NSU builds for the future
By Antonio Miguel Escorzon
Dr. Harry K. Moon, president and CEO of Nova Southeastern University, visited construction workers at the Terry Administration Building renovation site on Aug. 27. The project is halfway done, which is seen as a milestone achievement in the Office of Facilities Management.
“The care that we have given, the patience, the research that we have done to help cure problems will all be impacted by what you are doing today,” Moon said to the construction workers. “Your safety records and things that you have done are really exceptional.”
Daniel J. Alfonso, executive vice president for Facilities Management, Public Safety, and Business Services, in the Office of Facilities Management, expects to complete the expansion of the Terry Administration Building by May.
“All the glass is done. The roof has been sealed in, and now pretty soon, they will start the interior work,” Alfonso said.
Ayanna Stephens, director of Design and Construction, said the expansion will increase dining options in the building.
“The previous cafeteria was really outdated and did not have a lot of food options, and now it is [planned] to kind
of rival the University Center Razor’s Reef,” Stephens said.
Also, Alfonso said the fourth floor of the Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and Information Technology Center will have spaces renovated for the Tutoring and Testing Center. The spaces used by the former Farquhar Honors College, now Farquhar Honors Program of the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences, and the telepresence room, a conference room, will accommodate the TTC’s student clients.
“[The TTC is] telling us that they are at capacity. They don’t have enough room to do all the testing validation [that] needs to happen,” Alfonso said.
“So we are looking at the Alvin Sherman Library.”
Alfonso said the Cultural Living Center, a student residential building, was one of the exterior renovation projects done during the summer.
Stephens said exterior renovations for the future NSU Health Interprofessional Simulation Complex, formerly the Miami Dolphins training facility, are done, with interior construction plans forthcoming.
“Ultimately, we are waiting for direction from President Moon,” Stephens said. “One of the options we discussed was building out the interior for Athletics because it is right next to the soccer stadium.”
Alfonso said the projects the Office of Facilities Management plans and undergoes help the university keep costs down.
“Our goal is to be as efficient as possible to reduce the burden on the cost of education while providing excellent facilities for our students to thrive in,” Alfonso said. “That’s why our motto is we create the environment where research, teaching and community take place.”
“Under Construction” is a series that informs readers about construction and renovation projects on NSU campuses.
“We did the outside; we changed all the windows to impact windows. We finished the doors. All the doors [have] new card access readers [which] are being installed or were installed,” Alfonso said. “The next phase is going to be interior renovation.”
PHOTO BY ROSELINE JEAN-PIERRE
Construction workers expand the interior of the Terry Administration Building.
The Current FEATURES
Scholarship Tips for the Academic Year
By Antonio Miguel Escorzon
Maribeth Munroe, director of University Scholarships and Veterans’ Benefits, believes students should conduct research and apply for scholarships to help reduce their financial burdens.
“Scholarships assist with less distractions, meaning if you have less to worry about finances, you can focus more on the academics,” Munroe said.
Below are tips that may help students with researching and applying for scholarships.
Start the search process early Munroe said students should start before the semester begins to look into scholarships, update their resumes and make personal statements because some scholarship applications will require them.
“You want to plan accordingly and dedicate some time, maybe on a daily basis, so you can start searching and applying for scholarships,” Munroe said.
Colton Batz, junior biology major, said doing research early can help students get their desired scholarship.
“You can prepare yourself if it is interview-based,” Batz said. “Definitely gives you a better shot.”
Meet the criteria for the scholarship application
Munroe suggests students do not fall behind in their courses, so they have the GPA required to meet scholarships’ criteria.
“It is important to ensure that students are meeting the standards of academic progress because some of these scholarships are based on academic performance itself,” Munroe said.
Netanya Rinchere, junior finance major, said universities like NSU look for GPA requirements and community engagement when deciding to award scholarships.
“They look for club involvement. [Ask] ‘are you a good leader? Are you a good member of your community?’ I already was preparing for that before I even went to college, making sure my GPA was good,” Rinchere said.
Reach out externally and within the NSU community for scholarship opportunities
Munroe said students should think about their communities to find scholarships.
“They have social responsibility, offering scholarship opportunities not only for their employees, but also for the community,” Munroe said.
Also, Munroe encourages students to look within the NSU community,
specifically to their college, which may offer scholarships as well.
Students can use the NSU Scholarship Profile page on the NSU Florida website where it can pair them with existing scholarships.
“You go online, complete your profile at least once a year and then renew it every academic year,” Munroe said.
Rinchere said the website is a helpful tool for students to use so they see if they are eligible.
“The best part about NSU is that you can apply for scholarships, especially if you are a need-based student.”
Scholarships Offered
The scholarship page on the Undergraduate Admissions website lists several financial aid opportunities.
The Dean’s Scholarship is one of the most popular, offered to eligible, full-time incoming freshman or transfer students.
Other scholarships include:
• James and Nan Farquhar Performing and Visual Arts Endowed Scholarship
• Clarence A. Pohlman Endowment Scholarship Fund
• Abe and Ruth Steirn Endowment Scholarship Fund
• Abraham and Shirley Fischler Scholarship
• Lillian R. Rose Endowed
Scholarship
• Terry and Nancy Mularkey
Changing Lives Scholarship
• Fischler Academy Scholarship
• NSU President’s Scholarship
• Brown Family Endowed Scholarship Fund.
For a complete list, check the QR code.
For more information:
Scan the QR code to view available scholarships
Sharks Speak: What are your goals for the new academic year?
“My expectations for the new academic year are to immerse myself in my courses and get accustomed to the rigors at NSU. I also want to integrate social life and academic life. Academically, I want to maintain a good GPA and good connections with my professors.”
Alex Kola, freshman double-major in marine biology and pre-dental.
BY DARIA GROSS
“This year, NSU was recognized as an R1 research institution, so I hope to see the university grow even more on the research front. I am really excited and looking forward to my classes, specifically Organic Chemistry. I feel like I am really prepared for it.”
Roberto Zuniga, junior double-major in biology and pre-dental.
“Hopefully, to pass and graduate. I am going to try and get into as many lab opportunities as possible with the two labs I am currently associated with, and then hopefully use my experiences to get me into grad school.”
Rileigh Gonzalez, senior environmental science major.
“For the upcoming academic year, I would like to make more connections and get good grades. I’d like to also make more connections to my major and get a grasp on the information from my classes.”
Kennedy Lawing, sophomore biology major.
SHARK PANTRY
One way to donate is through the marked drop-off boxes found on-campus, Villalba Torres said.
“We have one by the pantry just in case the pantry is not open and some students want to drop something off,” Villalba Torres said.
Also, the Shark Pantry works with the Public Safety Office through its “Parking with a Purpose” initiative to acquire food donations.
Gittleman said that in lieu of paying
their parking ticket, students can donate items to the pantry amounting to the ticket price.
“Provide the receipt, and we fill out an internal form to let the Public Safety Office know that you have donated these items,” Gittleman said.
Villalba Torres said the donation-based pantry also offers toiletries, beauty supplies and school materials like notebooks and pens.
Constanza Azul Andujar, sophomore
international studies major, appreciates that the pantry can offer these items to students.
“What stood out were the feminine hygiene products,” Andujar said. “They had the products laid out.”
Dolores Maqui, junior marketing major, said the pantry helps her get food easily.
“I think it is really nice. For example, when you don’t have a car or maybe you are a bit tight with the budget, it helps
and you also feel like the school is giving something back to you,” Maqui said. Villalba Torres wants to make sure that everyone knows the pantry is open. “I want to see us grow and continue to be recognized as that resource that is needed on campus,” Villalba Torres said. “I feel Nova has been doing so much already to help decrease food insecurity.”
How NSU prepares for hurricanes
By Isabelle Moreno
For students like Liv Zolk, senior communication major and sports editor and reporter for Mako TV, the university’s guidance has been essential in preparing for potential hurricane disasters. Originally from Philadelphia, Zolk said she panicked during her first hurricane experience in Florida her freshman year.
“At home, a storm is just wind and rain for a day. Down here, I didn’t know if we were going to flood or have to evacuate,” Zolk said. “I just listened to whatever the school told us.”
Seth Mangasarian, director of the Physical Plant in the Office of Facilities Management, said in preparing for hurricanes on campus, the office has to ensure the safety of the university.
“Our first response is making sure the campus itself is safe,” Mangasarian said. “That means walking all of the roofs to secure equipment
and bringing anything outside— mats, garbage cans, tables, umbrellas—inside, so it doesn’t become a flying object.”
Before a hurricane intensifies close to the campus, the Office of Facilities Management meets with NSU executives, including Dr. Harry K. Moon, president and CEO of Nova Southeastern University, to decide the opportune time to take action, Mangasarian said.
“Seventy-two hours out is really a trigger point for us when we are trying to figure out, if [the campus is] going to close,” Mangasarian said.
As a hurricane approaches, the university sends out warnings and updates through NSU Alert.
Mangasarian encourages students to have personal hurricane plans to help make their evacuations smooth, with the Center for Collaborative Research acting as a hurricane shelter.
“We want during the storm for everyone to leave,” Mangasarian said. “The goal would be for
everyone to leave. You don’t want to be here.”
Also, Mangasarian said the campus is divided into four zones, so Facilities Management can divide and focus on resuming on-campus operations.
“The building managers are orchestrating what is happening inside their zones, and so they are making sure that we [have] all the items in their zones,” Mangasarian said. “We are identifying where we are putting it, so we can put it back in the same location when we take it back up.”
The Office of Facilities Management is looking to reduce the amount of time it takes them to prepare by learning from previous post-storm activities, Mangasarian added.
“Everyone on my team is with a public safety officer because the buildings are in lockdown during the storm, Mangasarian said. “So after a storm, we do a full assessment walk through of every
building top to bottom. [We] make sure there [are] no dangers.”
For residential students who have a cars on campus, Zolk said to prepare ahead of time for possible evacuations.
“So if I know that it is coming, I will go make sure my car is full of gas,” Zolk said.
Isabelle Moreno, senior , is a contributing writer for The Current.
For more information:
Scan the QR code for NSU’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan
PHOTO BY ROSELINE JEAN-PIERRE
Kathy Luong, senior nursing major; Alexa Alvarado, first-year graduate student in psychology; and Cameron Thomas, sophomore Art + Design major, browse the food pantry.
My Mama’s: Books, Records and Cafe
By Marlee Card
In an unremarkable blue building right off East Dania Beach Boulevard sits My Mama’s, an all-in-one bookshop, record store and café. It is located 20 minutes from NSU.
“College students should visit the shop to explore our eclectic collection of new and used books, vinyl records and awesome coffee,” said Tina Toth, who has been working at My Mama’s since it opened four years ago.
Julia Harrison, owner of My Mama’s, says the most important aspect of the shop is creating a welcoming atmosphere, where customers can study, socialize or shop the collection of new and vintage books and records.
“It’s a place where people can gather and have an intellectual sort of experience that changes things up for them or just makes them feel happy and welcomed,” Harrison said.
For many, it’s that atmosphere that keeps them coming back. It has couches or tables for relaxing, book shelves covering the entirety of the back wall and crates full of vinyls.
“We host an open mic every Tuesday evening. We have music events once or twice a month. We host book clubs, poetry groups along with events that support members of our LGBTQ+ community and others,” Toth said. “As an independent business, we have the luxury of planning events that we think are cool,” Young agrees.
“I would describe the cafe as a hub for artists and alternative people,” Young said.
“Oh, The Places To Go” is a series that features off-campus spots in South Florida.
Claudia Young, a 22-year old local who recently learned of My Mama’s, said. The shop also features a cafe counter, decorated with trinkets and signs of all
“I have been there three times since discovering it, and what brings me back is the positive environment that helps me focus, great drinks and food, and endless books and records to explore,”
kinds, and menu offering coffees, teas and lunch bites.
“Customers can enjoy the calm welcoming space and the eclectic vibe,” Toth said.
Beyond the atmosphere, My Mama’s offers events that are tailored to the community.
Joe’s Pizza & Pasta delivers slice of New York
By Madison Kasper
From New York to South Florida, Joe’s Pizza & Pasta in Hollywood offers a menu centered on New York–style pizza and Italian American dishes.
Joe Parisotti and Daniel Whitley opened the restaurant 20 years ago. They were both born and raised in New York and decided to bring a piece of home to Florida.
Co-owner, Daniel Whitley said they have many customers from New York. “They come in and they say it tastes like home. They say they have been searching for a place that tastes like
their neighborhood pizzeria,” Whitley said.
Riley Zolk, senior neuroscience major, said she continues to go to Joe’s because of the community and welcoming feeling from all the staff.
“Joe’s makes me feel like I’m back up north in Jersey and Philly eating a good slice of pizza. You can’t get that everywhere down here,” Zolk said.
Whitley says the key to getting the pizza to taste like it was from New York is the water temperature. The water temperature is about 60 degrees in New York and in Florida cold water comes out at about 90 degrees. In addition to pizza, Joe’s serves
pasta dinners, hot and cold subs, salads and garlic knots. The restaurant provides dine-in seating as well as takeout, delivery and catering services. The location draws a wide range of customers, including students, families and professionals.
The thing that makes Whitley the happiest when running the restaurant is the clientele.
“We have had a couple of locations, all successful and my clientele they just will not stop coming. They enjoy the food, they enjoy everything,” Whitley said.
PHOTO BY MARLEE CARD
The inside of My Mama’s, a bookstore, record shop and café located in Dania Beach.
PHOTO BY ROSELINE JEAN-PIERRE
Tim Kangas, assistant manager of Joe’s Pizza & Pasta, takes garlic rolls out of the oven.
PHOTO BY ROSELINE JEAN-PIERRE
Tim Kangas, assistant manager of Joe’s Pizza & Pasta, spreads cheese on homemade cheese pizza.
Joe’s Pizza & Pasta
The Current SCIENCE & HEALTH
Fact or Fiction: Freshman 15
By Sneha Subhash and Samiksha Chemukula
Saketh Kankipati, freshman exercise and sports science major, said one of his fears about starting college this year was gaining weight after hearing the phrase “Freshman 15,” the idea that every freshman gains 15 pounds in the first year of college.
“I thought it was possible for it to happen to me as I saw it happen to friends and family, but I wasn’t sure if it was guaranteed,” Kankipati said.
Lucas Hollar, associate professor of public health and a former childhood obesity researcher, said accessible junk food makes weight gain likely, but the idea of the “Freshman 15” is largely overestimated.
“It is entirely a myth,” Hollar said. “If you go and look in the literature, you’ll find that while freshmen do gain weight, it’s typically somewhere between two and five pounds, not 15.”
But for Kankipati, the concept of “Freshman 15” goes beyond eating habits. It involves factors like stress, freedom and social environment.
“With the increased freedom to eat whatever and how much ever food you desire, the “Freshman 15” can definitely be real for someone choosing their own food for the first time,” he said. “Emotional and social health can also play into gaining weight during your first year of college, as some people turn to food
as a stress reliever or just eat if they are bored.”
Like Kankipati, other students are also struggling to handle the stress of academics and a new social life while maintaining healthy eating habits.
Angela Ephrem, sophomore neuroscience major, said access to both healthy and junk food on campus pose a challenge.
“Last year, many days after a long day of classes, I would just get Chick-fil-A and other snacks that were easily accessible in the UC, as I walked back to my dorm after class,” she said.
Hollar said universities often provide programs designed to ease the transition into college life to help students navigate these challenges.
“The UNIV 1000 class here at Nova is a prime example. It gives incoming students awareness, life skills and wellness conversations that can support healthier choices,” Hollar said.
Ephrem said she learned about being healthy through the course.
“I didn’t know what UNIV was, but taking the class really allowed me to meet new people and go to campus events I wouldn’t have gone to. I learned about staying healthy while exploring what NSU offers,” Ephrem said.
Also, Ephrem learned how making healthy choices is important during her freshman year.
“As a freshman, I did not have a
healthy lifestyle. After seeing the effects of weight change and stress from last year, I started using my apartment this year to cook healthy meals, as well as making it a habit to workout everyday,” she said.
Hollar agrees but says, ultimately, it is about healthy eating habits.
“Physical activity is a small piece of weight management. It’s really eating that matters,” Hollar said. “A student might think, ‘I’m working out a bunch, so I can eat whatever I want.’ No, you can’t.”
Hollar said “Freshman 15” might be a myth, but it still reflects a larger truth, that students must consciously manage their health during one of life’s biggest transitions.
“Relying on purposeful activity, non-exercise movement and food awareness is how freshmen can stay healthy,” he said. “It’s about creating sustainable habits.”
Rising cancer risk for young adults
By Madison Kasper
Most college students do not have cancer on their minds. However, according to the American Cancer Society, the number of cancer cases occurring in adults younger than 50 is rising by 1% to 2% annually. As a part of Mako Media Health Update, Dr. Aarti Raja, professor in biology, discusses the rise in these diagnoses.
Q: What are studies showing about the rise in cancer diagnoses in young adults?
A: So what studies are showing currently is that they’re noticing that the incidence of cancer is appearing in a younger generation. So usually, people always assume that you would get a cancer diagnosis perhaps when you’re 50 and above or 60 and above, depending on the type of cancer. But what they’re noticing is some cancers are beginning to show up in adults who are even in their 20s or perhaps 30s. So that seems like a little early to be noticing a disease like cancer.
Q: What types of cancers are rising for young adults?
A: Some of the cancers that show up at an earlier age are things like colorectal cancer, some breast cancer and some pancreatic cancer.
Q: What role does diet and lifestyle play in this?
A: There is some research that is pointing out that maybe the way our food is being produced now has changed compared to maybe 30 or 40 years ago. Maybe the type of jobs we’re partaking in has also changed. We’re maybe leading a little bit more of a sedentary lifestyle where we’re sitting down more than being physically active. So maybe these are some issues, but research hasn’t completely shown one versus the other or that one is causing the problem with the rise in cancer at an earlier age.
Q: How does a cancer diagnosis affect someone’s life?
A: If someone gets a diagnosis of cancer in their 20s, somewhere
between 20s to 40s, that can be quite devastating because, normally, that is the age when people aren’t really thinking about health and disease conditions. To get struck with a diagnosis like cancer can really be a game-changer because there are many side effects that come with treatment of cancer. So, in some cases, it may not necessarily be a bad thing to catch it early. In fact, it could help with therapeutics. You could treat it better if caught earlier. However, a lot of therapeutics have side effects. It has an impact on things like childbearing, whether a man or woman. And in that age frame between 20s to 40s is when people are thinking about these kinds of things.
Q: What are some common treatments?
A: It varies with the type of cancer. Sometimes surgery removes the tumor if it is a solid tumor and if it’s in one location and it hasn’t spread yet. There are multiple therapeutics available for multiple cancers, but the biggest thing being diagnosing it early so that one can decide what
treatment makes sense for that individual because treatment has to be catered to the individual.
Q: Any last thoughts?
A: Getting a diagnosis of cancer or finding out that maybe you have this indication as devastating as that can be, one of the things to remember is not to panic. What is important to remember is to go about it the right way and speak to the right people. Speak to the physician and get all the information. What I would tell every student or not is to obtain the information from the right person. Be aware of all that is out there. Talk to doctors. Talk to the family. Talk to friends and family. And then it becomes easier to handle this. There are a lot of good therapeutics available as well. So, the key would be to get informed from the right sources, go to the right places, gather the information, and then meet with it head-on.
PHOTO BY ROSELINE JEAN-PIERRE
Varun Toot, first-year medical student, uses gym equipment in the RecPlex, one of the facilities available to NSU students.
The Current ARTS
FROM THE FRONT
PRINCESS CRUISES
Dan Shipton, co-founder of Black Star Creative, an entertainment studio based in London working with Princess Cruises’ entertainment, said that “Illuminate” is a modern portrayal of traditional circus themes with an immersive stage having nine multidimensional LED panels.
“What makes it really special is the bond built between the performer and audience,” Shipton said. “We’re dynamic, we’re immersive and we’re transformational.”
“Meridian” is a Bridgerton-style show, mixing an original score with popular music to engage the audience in the romance between its two main characters, Shipton said.
The cast of “Meridian” rehearsed for six weeks in the rehearsal room before presenting select scenes at the preview, which featured live vocals, dance numbers and costume pieces from the show.
“When you’re creating a show from scratch, it is about the audience,” Becky Thomson Foley, head of Global Entertainment at Princess Cruises, said. “But it’s also about the talent who’ve all brought so much to these shows.”
Seventy-seven multidisciplinary artists built the Princess Arena’s multifunctional stage. The stage rotates 360 degrees, has a level pit and seat configurations that allow for audiences to fully see the performances.
Princess Cruises plans to increase its presence on campus by attending NSU Dance events and offering career development opportunities for dance students, including masterclasses, panels and auditions.
Jackson Walsh, senior manager of Studio & Show Operations, said “Cruise lines are each their own little world that has everything from arts and entertainment to science,
engineering and marketing. So, us being on the campus and having this partnership really gives the students of NSU a front row seat to that world.”
Theatre venues in South Florida
By Alexandria Munroe
Theater venues close to NSU’s Davie/ Fort Lauderdale campus offer a range of live entertainment events that students can take advantage of, both on-campus and off-campus.
Black Box Theatre
@NSU Davie Campus
Located on the first floor of the Don Taft University Center, the Black Box Theatre hosts acting classes, networking events and theater performances for NSU students, staff and the wider South Florida community.
Alex Alvarez, assistant professor in the Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts, said that the 2025-26 Season of the Arts includes the following shows: “Rent,” “Mayfly” and “Boeing Boeing,” all taking place in the Black Box Theatre.
“We try to find shows that have something different each year but that students are also passionate about,” Alvarez said.
Alvarez said that students who are interested in getting involved with performances in the Black Box Theatre should enroll in a DCMA theatre course or speak to theatre faculty about auditions.
Performance Theatre @NSU Davie Campus
The Performance Theatre, located on the first and second floors of the Don Taft University Center, is a space where student-run art events, like showcases and auditions, are hosted for the NSU community.
“Our theatre produces great performances that are free and open to the public,” said Pablo Antonio Alvarez, technical theatre director in the Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts.
DCMA’s 2025-26 Season of the Arts includes the following shows: “Shark
Showcase,” “Improv Jam,” “Student Choreography Showcase” and the “Spring Music Concert,“ all taking place in the Performance Theatre.
“The Performance Theatre is home to most of our upcoming showcases,” Pablo Antonio Alvarez said. “It’s where we get to show what students have learned in our great program.”
Pablo Antonio Alvarez added that students who want to be involved with NSU showcases should start by directly contacting theatre faculty or going to his or Dan Gelbmann’s offices on the third floor of the University Center.
Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Located in downtown Fort Lauderdale, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts hosts national Broadway tours, local productions and concerts.
Jan Goodheart, vice president of External Affairs, said the 2025-26 season will feature major Broadway tours, such as “& Juliet,” “Les Misérables” and “Hell’s Kitchen.”
The venue is also home to the Slow Burn Theatre Company, a regional theatre company that specializes in contemporary musical theatre in South Florida. Tammy Holder, artist-in-residence at
the Broward Center, said the 2025-26 season’s Slow Burn Theatre productions include the “Jagged Little Pill,” “Frozen” and “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.”
Goodheart added that students should arrive about two-and-a-half hours before curtain with their student ID and ask for the Student Rush tickets.
“If there are any available, you usually get a pretty good seat,” she said.
Volunteer opportunities include ushering and helping with sensory-friendly performances. Students can apply to be a volunteer on the Broward Center’s website under the Support tab.
Rose and Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center on NSU’s main campus, the Parker and Aventura Arts and Cultural Center are also part of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.
Rose and Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center @NSU Davie Campus
Located on NSU’s Davie/Fort Lauderdale campus, the Miniaci Performing Arts Center is also part of The Broward Center for the Performing Arts. It hosts events tied to student life, such as the STUEYs and Sharky’s. The venue also presents professional concerts, comedy
and family programming for the local Davie community.
Gustavo Padrino, the general manager of Miniaci Performing Arts Center, said that the 2025-26 season will feature performances from artists, such as Crystal Gayle, Los Lobos and Suzy Bogguss, along with a “Rocky Horror Picture Show” screening on Halloween.
“What many people don’t know is that this show has an interactive shadow cast, and the actors are actually students from the [NSU DCMA] theatre department” Padrino said.
For certain events, students can use the promo code “NSU” for $10 off tickets on the Miniaci PAC website or participate in the Student Rush program for $15 tickets on the day of the event.
Padrino said that students can also get involved behind the scenes directly through NSU’s Federal Work Study program, which offers paid positions at the Miniaci Performing Arts Center in marketing, ticket sales and administrative work.
The Parker
Following major renovations in 2020, The Parker has become a venue showcasing concerts, stand-up comedy and one-night special events.
Tate Tenorio, general manager of the Parker Playhouse, said the 2025-26 season includes shows such as “MasterChef All-Stars Live!” and tributes to ABBA and George Michael.
The venue is also home to the South Florida Symphony Orchestra, the largest professional orchestra in South Florida, Tenorio said.
Goodheart, who manages The Parker, said that students interested in working behind the scenes can apply for summer internships through the Broward Center, and gain experience in ticketing, production or marketing, depending on their placement.
Antonio Miguel Escorzon, editorin-chief, contributed to this report.
PHOTO BY JESSICA RODRIGUEZ Cast members perform scenes from “Meridian,” a show for Princess Cruises’ new ship, Star Princess.
COURTESY OF MORGAN SOPHIA
Cast members perform scenes from “Zombie Prom” at the Black Box Theatre in April 2023
NACC Chart Album Review: Headlights by Alex G
On July 18, Alex G released his 10th studio album “Headlights,” his first album with RCA Records. He quickly made it toward the top of the NACC Chart, a ranking of the most-played albums on college and community radio stations in North America.
Singer, songwriter and producer Alexander Giannascoli is hard to fit into a single genre. His career began as a bedroom artist, self-releasing lo-fi music but extended into indie folk, or alternative, experimental rock.
Currently at the fourth spot on the NACC Chart, “Headlights,” while not as experimental as some of his past work, is still full of abstract and dissonant textures, polished by his collaboration with RCA Records. The album features 12 tracks, including previously released singles “June Guitar,” “Afterlife” and “Oranges,” with lyrics that demonstrate his growth and maturity as a
songwriter.
The album opens with “June Guitar,” featuring soft acoustic strums and folk-leaning melodies that highlight Giannascoli’s singer-songwriter roots. Layered production, of which Giannascoli is the sole musician on this song, hints at the richer, more cinematic soundscapes that unfold across the rest of the album.
As the record continues, Giannascoli’s passion rises, blending whimsical sounds with layered vocal effects while maintaining folk inspiration through instruments like banjo and violin, creating a textured listening experience that keeps his “DIY essence.”
If the 1990s singer and songwriter Elliott Smith is of interest, then Giannascoli’s track “Spinning” might be a go-to track. The moody sound mixed with simple guitar strum and violin work follow the same theme of the record, but the simple distortion of the guitar gives
a more introspective feel.
“Beam Me Up,” while it may not be the strongest song from Giannascoli vocally, the layered background vocals and instrumentation creates an interesting listening environment. The same follows with “Is it Still You In There?”
In 2023 during an interview with Janset Yasar for Tonitruale, an online music publication, Giannascoli said “I’m not ever trying to make them deliberately ambiguous. If there is any ambiguity it’s simply because it feels right to me that way,” when talking about his music and lyricism, and that theme follows throughout this album.
For his close followers, “Headlights,” retains the core of Alex G’s sound while expanding into more refined, cinematic territory with his collaboration with RCA Records. For new fans, this album could be a good entry into his catalog and shows his influence on indie music.
The best music was made before Gen Z was born - and they know it
In 2025, the music world is oversaturated with every imaginable genre, from pop to pop-rock, indie to folk, rock to electronic and all of the countless micro-genres in between. Part of this is caused by the mass release of music weekly with the music industry opting for “New Music Friday,” a global release day where hundreds of new singles and albums drop in one day. This keeps the music industry a revolving door, with new music constantly coming in. But with so many choices, listeners jump from one viral hit to the next without forming a lasting connection to the music.
Maybe that’s why Gen Z has been looking back.
Instead of trying to keep up with the revolving door the music industry has built, many have been listening to artists from the ‘70s, ’80s and ’90s. Take a look around and you’ll see students wearing Nirvana, Pink Floyd, AC/DC and even Fleetwood Mac T-shirts. For some, the shirts are more about the aesthetic than the music itself. But for many others it’s about the authenticity or nostalgia that older music carries.
That speaks to how deeply ingrained these artists are in modern culture, whether worn out of genuine fandom or comfort, these bands have become cultural staples for younger generations.
This was seen more recently with the death of rock music icon Ozzy Osbourne.
As the frontman of Black Sabbath and in an impressive solo career, Osbourne created a name
for himself beyond the rock community. Classics like “Crazy Train” and “Iron Man” have been enjoyed by generations from Gen X to Gen Z. In the days following his death, not only were listeners affected by the loss of a rock legend, but streams of his songs spiked and listener counts on Spotify jumped to more than 18 million listeners.
Even before his death, Osbourne’s music was a staple on many playlists. Part of what draws Gen Z to older music, like Osbourne’s, is the sense of authenticity it carries. The musical movements of the late ‘60s, ’70s and ’80s produced songs made to be experienced, filled with raw emotion, live instrumentation and sharp rhythms. Artists from then moved between love ballads, rebellious anthems and even protest cries. For many young listeners, there’s a kind of honesty in hearing a guitar riff that wasn’t auto-tuned or a voice that cracks in the perfect way. It’s music that feels real in a world where so much is curated for mass appeal.
With Gen Z being digital natives, the rise of digital media and music consumption is part of the reason why they are opting to listen to older tunes. It’s just that accessible. Fans can explore decades of music on various platforms, connect with other listeners online and keep classics alive in the modern music landscape. Whereas past generations were limited to specific outlets and didn’t have algorithms dividing music and genres, making the listening experience universal. That
shared experience helped solidify artists of the past as cultural staples.
Not only do they have access to music on streaming platforms, many take advantage of the physical media and the listening experience provided through vinyl records. According to a 2025 report by the Vinyl Alliance, an organization specializing in vinyl and records, Gen Z is leading the vinyl comeback, with 76% purchasing records at least once a month.
Social media has also turned older music into a cultural moment. TikTok, YouTube and Instagram are full of clips where a 40-year-old track suddenly becomes the background music to an aesthetic video. One day
it’s Nirvana, the next it’s Fleetwood Mac, or even Connie Francis. Artists like Ozzy Osbourne, David Bowie or Neil Young are not just names talked about by your parents; they’re part of a shared musical conversation that spans generations. Gen Z’s interest in older music shows that even in an oversaturated, fast-moving industry, classics have lasting power. While the latest releases come and go, the music of the ‘70s, ’80s and ’90s continue to resonate because at the end of the day, those are the generations that created the best music.
PHOTO BY MARLEE CARD
A sign hangs inside Rust and Wax Record Shop in West Palm Beach, a new and used vinyl store for new and old collectors.
Former Shark selected in 2025 MLB Draft
By Isabella Fernandez de Cueto
Anthony Karoly, member of the NSU baseball team from 2023-2025, was picked by the Seattle Mariners in the 2025 MLB Draft on July 14.
Karoly’s love for baseball began at a young age and evolved as he matured, turning his childhood pastime into a true commitment.
“I first started playing baseball when I was 4 years old, and I would say it turned into something I take seriously during my junior year of high school,” Karoly said. “I’ve always had passion for the sport.”
The right-handed pitcher from Ocala came to NSU after graduating high school in 2022. Although few schools showed interest in him, the NSU baseball coaching staff recognized and believed in his ability.
“NSU was really the only school that gave me a chance because I wasn’t super talented coming out of high school,” Karoly said. “I developed
By Isabella Fernandez de Cueto
Volleyball, Sept. 6
The volleyball team swept D’Youville 3-0 in its last match of the Shark Invitational. Brantley Chipley had eight kills, and Taylor Stockman recorded eight kills and seven blocks, tying her career-high.
Men’s soccer, Sept. 6
The men’s soccer team beat Flagler 2-1 in its second game of the season. Matteo Innocenti and Jamie Bulloch scored the Sharks’ two goals, with Bulloch’s game-winner coming in the match’s final 10 minutes.
over my three years there and got this opportunity, so I’ll always be grateful they reached out.”
Karoly saw action during his freshman season in 2023. He pitched 17.2 innings with 29 strikeouts and an earned run average (ERA) of 8.15. Karoly’s sophomore season in 2024 looked a little different, as he was recovering from Tommy John surgery, a common procedure for pitchers in which a torn ligament in the elbow is replaced with a tendon to ensure athletes can continue throwing without pain. It was during this period that Adrian Morales, head coach for the baseball team, first met Karoly.
“When I got to NSU, he redshirted due to his surgery. All he did was rehab, and I could just see how hard of a worker he was, trying to get back on the field. There’s some guys that you don’t really have to tell much to or over-coach, and he was one of them,” Morales said. “He worked his tail off, and there’s nothing that beats hard
work.”
Karoly’s hard work paid off, as he bounced back stronger from the injury in his junior season in 2025, with nine starts, 28 innings pitched with 47 strikeouts and an ERA of 4.18. During this season, Karoly realized he could have a future in professional baseball.
“Coming back after the surgery, I was throwing harder than ever and felt great,” Karoly said. “Coach trusted in me even through the ups and downs of me coming back and it turned out that I had a shot and was able to get drafted.”
Karoly was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 17th round as the 512th pick.
“I was watching the draft with my parents and girlfriend when they called my name,” Karoly said. “It was such a surreal moment and everything I’ve ever worked happened in that one moment, and it was awesome to celebrate with all of them.”
According to Karoly, he expected he
Sport Shorts
Women’s soccer, Sept. 6
The women’s soccer team defeated Texas A&M International 2-0 in a home matchup. The Sharks’ goals were scored by Lova Korpas and Alexa Bereczki, who also had an assist.
Men’s cross-country, Sept. 5
The men’s cross-country team opened its season with a first-place finish at the Keiser Cross Country Invitational. The Sharks had the meet’s first three finishers, with Marcus Tortorella earning first place, Jaime Blazquez earning second place and Marc Gonzalez earning third place.
may be drafted by Seattle but was still surprised.
“I had a little idea that the Mariners might draft me, but I didn’t know when it was going to happen,” Karoly said. “Like five seconds before it happened, they texted me saying, ‘Hey, it could happen right here’ and it ended up happening.”
Karoly is currently in Arizona with the Mariners’ Rookie league affiliate team, the first level of professional baseball in the United States.
“I’m in Arizona right now going through the program they have for me right now,” Karoly said. “It’s basically just ramping up before we go to the offseason and come back in March for spring training when the season starts back up.”
Having been an underdog since he came out of high school, Karoly has some advice for other baseball athletes in the same position as him.
“Don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t do something just because of the situation you’re in,” Karoly said. “You can get drafted at any level anywhere in the world, if you put in enough work and you’re talented enough they will come find you.”
Karoly has several goals in mind as he sets out on his journey in professional baseball.
“I’m excited to prove myself, develop more as a pitcher and be the best version of myself that I can be while I’m with this program,” Karoly said. “I want to show them there’s a reason why they drafted me.”
Morales is confident his former athlete has the potential to flourish in his professional career.
“He has a great work ethic and he throws 93-97 miles per hour, and you can’t teach that. Once you have a kid that has that ability and is also a relentless worker, such a good kid and disciplined in what he wants and his goals, it’s a very good recipe to have,” Morales said. “He’s only going to get better at the professional level, the sky is the limit for him.”
Women’s cross-country, Sept. 5
The women’s cross-country team finished in second place at the Keiser Cross Country Invitational to begin its season. The Sharks had three runners in the top 10, with Jillian Thorning finishing in first place, Isabella Grant finishing in second place and Jordan Stygar finishing in sixth place.
Volleyball, Sept. 5
The volleyball team had a 3-0 sweep over Malone in the Shark Invitational to start its season. Taylor Stockman and Erika Spankus each had 11 kills, and Abbie Roth recorded 24 assists.
Men’s soccer, Sept. 4
The men’s soccer team opened its season with a 2-0 win over No. 5 Clayton State. The Sharks were led by Santiago Hoyos Lopez and Enrique Garcia Barelles, who both scored one goal.
Women’s soccer, Sept. 4
The women’s soccer team beat Holy Family 7-1 in its season opener. Alexa Bereczki had two goals with Lova Korpas, Genesis Hernandez, Liwa Nilsson, Sofia Suarez and Freya Jones each scoring a goal.
PHOTO COURTESY OF NSU ATHLETICS
Anthony Karoly, member of the NSU baseball team from 2023-2025, winds up to deliver a pitch during a game in the 2025 season.
Paul Boos-Patton receives NSU’s inaugural Starr Scholarship after 13-month recovery
By Madison Kasper and Jonathan Paul
Nova Southeastern University
Athletics awarded the first Dr. Larry and Linda Starr Comeback Student Athlete Endowed scholarship to former men’s soccer player from 2021-2024 Paul Boos-Patton. The scholarship was created to honor Dr. Starr’s legacy at NSU. Dustin Gatens, assistant athletic director for sports medicine, came up with the idea of the scholarship along with Jason Palmateer, head athletic trainer.
“We just wanted to recognize a student-athlete that was representative of what it meant to be an NSU Shark and had, unfortunately, gone through the rehabilitation process, but came back, was successful and got back to their sport, but took full advantage of the whole sports medicine team here and was dedicated to the rehab,” Gatens said.
Paul Boos-Patton, NSU alumnus, tore his anterior cruciate ligament twice, causing him to be out his entire junior year season in 2023. Although he said other athletes have given up going back to their sport after injuring their ACL, giving up was never an option for him.
“I always just have this feeling of I’m capable of doing it, and I’m not going to let this circumstance determine if I’m able to play or not,” Boos-Patton said. “I think there’s this belief in myself that I can come back and I can have a positive effect on the team, and I’m still going to be able to perform is the driving factor to stay consistent and come back.”
During his recovery journey, Boos-Patton found that the hardest parts were being away from the team and staying motivated.
“When you have an ACL tear, the normal recovery is around nine months, but I tore it right before the fall season, so I ended up not being able to compete for about like, 13 months total, just because there was no season coming up,” Boos-Patton said. “So, I felt like it’s difficult to stay engaged with the team and keep those relationships that you have as a player with your friends and your coaches.”
Matt McArthur, men’s soccer head coach, said that Boos-Patton played a major role on the team last season as a leader and the player with the most minutes played. He also said his determination is what stood out most during the recovery process.
“He was pushing the boundaries
every single day on his protocol of what he could do. He was fighting every single day to ensure that he got back to that full level of fitness.”
McArthur said. “It was 100% all the time. And I think that’s the most impressive thing with him coming back, is it [his injury] was never used as a way out.”
Gatens said unlike some student athletes who get injured, Boos-Patton was an active part of the whole recovery process.
“He is the ultimate student-athlete Shark. Like anyone can look at him from the injury side of it, but also the life side of it and be like, he did not come as an 18-year-old as a finished product. And I think he would tell you he’s not a finished product now. But the journey from there to now is an example that can be set for others,” Gatens said.
Boos-Patton said that often it is easy for people to see his stats or come to games and not realize he was out for 13 months because of an injury, so it felt good to receive the Dr. Larry and Linda Starr Student Athlete Endowed scholarship and get recognized for his hard work to get back on the field.
“One of the biggest lessons that I learned is if you want to get
Paul Boos-Patton, member of the men’s soccer team from 20212024, runs on the field during a game against Florida Southern on Oct. 26, 2024.
something done and it’s meaningful to you, and if you have a purpose for achieving something then, you’ll be able to do it,” Boos-Patton said.
A new era: Women’s lacrosse coming to NSU
By Isabella Fernandez de Cueto
NSU’s inagural women’s lacrosse team is set to take the field in the spring of 2027. The program hired its new head coach, Heather Coppola, in July.
Coppola, a Syracuse, N.Y.-native, played lacrosse through her youth and at the collegiate level, competing with Division III side Alvernia University in Reading, Pa. She began coaching shortly after her athletic career in 2013, serving as an assistant coach at Allegheny College, SUNY Oswego, Robert Morris University and Baldwin Wallace University. Coppola’s first head coaching job was at Concordia University, St. Paul in 2017, where she led the program to its first conference championship. She went on to coach at
the University of Mount Olive from 2020-2025, where she won five straight conference championships.
“Coppola came highly recommended as one of the top coaches at the conference she was at,” said Ryan Romero, interim director of athletics.
“She’s had a lot of success, not only with the team, but in managing a roster, adding to it and building one out from scratch.”
Coppola has coached across all divisions, which she believes will help her as she takes on her new role at NSU.
“The Sunshine State Conference is the best conference in the country, arguably across all divisions,” Coppola said. “We have to operate at a high caliber, and I know what it takes to win championships, so my experience has been helpful to understand this landscape in general.”
Coppola cites a multitude of reasons for deciding to come help build NSU women’s lacrosse.
“NSU is a triple threat in terms of high-level academics, a great location and great resources,” Coppola said. “The school is really invested in lacrosse and making sure we compete at the national level.”
The university originally announced its plans for a women’s lacrosse program in 2022, but the idea had been in development
around four years prior, Romero said.
“We were looking at multiple female sports to expand into because our campus demographic ratio is far higher female to male. Women’s lacrosse is a rapidly growing sport across the country, and a lot of the teams in our conference have recently added the sport,” Romero said. “It’s going to draw some interest and give us a whole other fanbase, we get calls almost daily from people who are interested in the program, so we’re excited all around.”
Romero believes the creation of a new sport highlights the growth of the NSU athletics department as well as the direction in which it is headed.
“This addition displays the commitment of the university and administration to keep expanding our program,” Romero said. “It’s been a long time coming and we’ve overcome multiple obstacles, so it shows on a national level as well that we are serious about being the best Division II program in the country.”
Romero said the plan is for the team to play its games on a field adjacent to the NSU Soccer Stadium that is home to NSU men’s and women’s soccer, as well as professional team Fort Lauderdale United. While its first season is more than a year away, the team already has at least
four commits, said Coppola, who hopes to have at least 27 by the time the season opens. She believes Shark fans can anticipate watching an exciting and dynamic team.
“It’s going to be a young group, but they’re going to be fast paced with an aggressive style of offense,” Coppola said. “Lacrosse is very fast with a lot of goalscoring and action, so I hope we deliver that.”
Coppola has clear goals and expectations for her squad as she prepares to lead the program in the years to come.
“We want to be competitive right away. Every team in the Sunshine State Conference besides one is nationally ranked, so we have a lot to live up to, but I think that we’re fully capable of getting to that level,” Coppola said. “Our overarching goal would be a national championship down the road, but before we get to that end goal, we want to make sure we’re staying competitive and winning games.”
For more information:
To keep up with women’s lacrosse, follow @nsu_wlacrosse on X and Instagram.
THURSDAY
EVENTS CALENDAR
SEPTEMBER
Public Health Case Competition Launch & Orientation Webinar
12:30 p.m. - Virtual
Fin Films Lunch Watch Party 12:30 p.m. - DeSantis 2057
Musical Therapy with a Soulful Twist
4 p.m. - Virtual
Sharkettes Showcase 2025
6 p.m. - Rick Case Arena
Shark Pride Friday: Sharks Are Out of This World! Noon - Don Taft University Center Spine
Math Club: Game Night and Karaoke
6 p.m. - Parker 203
Sweet September Sunday With Sage 5 p.m. - Commons Residence Hall, Room 107
6 p.m. - Mako Hall 1st Floor North Lounge SUNDAY 14
Sundae Reset
From Struggle to Strategy: Note Taking and Studying Noon - Alvin Sherman Library, Room 4024
Resume and Job Interview Workshop Noon - Jerry Taylor & Nancy Bryant Trading Floor
Retro Painting Night
6 p.m. - Commons Pagoda
Campus Resource Bingo
7 p.m. - Cultural Living Center Courtyard
THURSDAY 18
SUNDAY 21
Shark Tank Thursday 12:30 p.m. - Don Taft University Center Spine
Math Jeopardy 12:30 p.m. - Parker 206
Mastering Orgo/Advances Science Courses
5 p.m. - Alvin Sherman Library, Room 4024
Sweet September Sundays With Sage 5 p.m. - Commons Residence Hall, Room 107
WEDNESDAY 17
Positive Mindset
Noon - Don Taft University Center Spine
Tote Bags, Paint, and Palettes
5:30 p.m. - DeSantis 1053
The Reel Movie Night: The Death of Stalin
6 p.m. - Mailman-Hollywood Auditorium
Flow into Focus
7 p.m. - Commons Residence Hall Lawn
TUESDAY 23
Grow Where You Are Planted Noon - Don Taft University Center Spine
The Less Stress Station w/ the Mako 5:30 p.m. - Mako Residence Hall, Multipurpose Room
6 p.m. - Commons Residence Hall, Room 514 THURSDAY
Tick Tock: Time Management Techniques Noon - Alvin Sherman Library, Room 4024
DIY Mocktails
For more events happening this month at NSU, scan the QR code.
SHARKAPALOOZA CONVOCATION MUSIC PANTRY HURRICANE
SCHOLARSHIP PRINCESS LACROSSE BASEBALL BOOKSHOP
MATH CORNER
FRESHMAN HEADLIGHTS THEATRE STUDENTS ANTHONY
Please send your answer (no need to send any additional scratch work or justification) to Dr. Jason Gershman, chair of the Department of Mathematics, at jgershma@nova.edu no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 24. The correct answer to this question will appear in the next issue of The Current.
All members of the NSU community are invited to submit their answer and participate. Every member of the NSU community who submits at least one answer during the 2025-2026 school year will be invited to attend a celebration in April as part of Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month.
The undergraduate student who submits the most correct answers during the contest year will receive the grand prize of a $50 gift card courtesy of the Department of Mathematics. If, at the end of the contest year, multiple students are tied for the contest champion, a tiebreaker question to determine the grand prize winner will take place where the fastest person to answer correctly wins the grand prize.
Palindrome Pete loves palindromes, numbers that read the same forward to backward as they do backward to forward. He just moved to Broward County and is getting a new phone number with area code 954 and he is so excited that he was assigned a palindrome as a phone number. How many such 10-digit phone numbers are possible for Pete such that he is assigned a palindrome (with the restriction on phone numbers that the Central Office Code, which are the three numbers after the area code, cannot start with a 0 or 1, cannot end with the sequence 11, and cannot be the sequence 555.)
Answer to the question from the last issue: 0.000228
THE CURRENT’S COMIC
