Commencement Issue 2024

Volume XXX

The

Issue 2

Commencement Issue

penmenpress.com

Penmen P Press ress

Passing Of The Torch , Lisa Marsh Ryerson To Become SNHU President

By Chris Tutt

After 20 years at the helm, SNHU announced that Paul LeBlanc will be stepping down as University President effective June 30, 2024. The Board of Trustees unanimously voted for University Provost, Lisa Marsh Ryerson, to take over on July 1, 2024.

Since joining the SNHU community, Ryerson has embraced the community feel and is excited to continue her work in this new role. “[There is such] joy and excitement to be able to continue to work with a wonderful community to lead and guide our mission,” said Ryerson. “That powerful sense of the awesome responsibility of serving as the college president for Southern New Hampshire University.”

Ryerson has presidential experience in higher education, serving as President at Wells College, where she attended for her undergraduate degree, for 18 years. She also served as the President of the AARP foundation for another eight years. In (Image Courtesy: Lauren Keane (SNHU External Affairs)) 2022, she became University Provost where she has worked alongside President LeBlanc. erson. “...we announced the transition in early and our learners around the globe. Our mission December and have spent this entire time being inspires me every day. When you think about a “[I was] just thrilled with the opportunity to serve thoughtful about being sure that he mentored me mission that says we will transform lives at scale as provost because that’s about guiding student and shared information for decision making that with the needs of each learner being understood and learning experience, and bringing us together has occurred at SNHU. He has been an incredible and met, that, for me, is so inspirational. I’m excitas one university,” said Ryerson. colleague guiding me, but also recognizing that I ed that I get to do that; I will lead with the commuwill be my own leader and allowing me to begin nity. I have the opportunity and incredible pleasure Taking over this position serves as a challenge that journey as well.” and privilege and honor of serving as the president, considering LeBlanc has been in the role for so but we are truly a connected community at SNHU, long, and has led the campus through so much Excitement is what Ryerson feels about this and that is what excites me.” change, notably the incorporation of the robust opportunity, and she is ready to push SNHU’s SNHU is the single largest nonprofit university in online program. Despite the challenge, LeBlanc’s mission. the United States. With rapid growth over the last mentorship has made Ryerson ready to lead.

20 years, Ryerson has a familiar five year outlook.

“What I’m most excited about is our mission,” “President LeBlanc and I have been very planful said Ryerson. “I get up every day because I work “My ideal vision for the university in five years is and intentional about the transition,” said RyContinued on page two on behalf of our learners, colleagues, students,

The Penmen Press | 2 that we continue to grow, and add value, for our learners both here on campus and the many places where learners are learning across the nation and around the world,” said Ryerson.

“In five years, we will see our campus thriving and flourishing as she is today, but continuing to do so being an important central hub for SNHU and our learning community, and many more learners of all ages, identities, and intersection of identities.”

With a focus on the campus, Ryerson sees the campus evolving based on what the students need, with changes happening that would support SNHU’s mission.

“We have a beautiful campus,” said Ryerson. “I would say that any physical changes that we need

will emerge from our learners who are learning on campus. I can’t call those in advance except to say that I do anticipate investments in our campus to support the learning and living environment that is important for our students, and for the staff and faculty.”

Ryerson’s mission is clear, and she is ready to take on this role with the SNHU community’s best interest in mind.

“If I do nothing else, but do this, driving equitable outcomes is my biggest goal,” said Ryerson.

“I mean that in a, both a very broad way, and a specific way. I mean that for our learners everywhere. Being sure that we are driving equitable outcomes ties back to our mission where we

work actively every day to be sure that we know each learner... and that we work to develop pathways for degree attainment that meet the needs of every learner and we have gaps in equitable attainment of degrees across SNHU. That is a key focus for me. Over the next five years... we can do it, we must do it. It’s important for our learners. It’s important for society.”

The Penmen Press Staff Co-Editor-InChief: Chris Tutt Co-Editor-InChief Elise Fasano

Letter From The Editor

Senior Managing Editor:

By Chris Tutt

Treasurer:

2024... The End Of An Era

As we prepare to walk across the stage adorned in our cap and gowns, these last few weeks stand as a time for reflection. From Late Night Breakfasts to Major Concerts, the SNHU community has come together in many ways to enjoy each other’s company.

We bonded in classes over group projects, and the occasional stress that came along with them.

We witnessed NE10 championships across all sports and even National Championship berths.

The student body made efforts towards becoming active citizens through the Chandler Center, learned how to be more inclusive of others in the Women’s Center, and celebrated diversity in the Office of Diversity Programs.

For myself, it has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as the Co-Editor-In-Chief of The Penmen Press for the last two years. The memories, bonds, and work that has been done is a testament to the work that the student body has put in to allow us to showcase the happenings of the University.

As I hand off the reigns to my successors, I revolvement. Your whole main humbled by the support of the campus com- team has been the munity and all of those within this organization. reason we have been able to do anything, With too many thanks to give, a few highlights and your willingness are in order: to help allowed us to unlock our true potenThank you to Elise Fasano, my right-hand wom- tial and visualize our an in this organization. We’ve been through it all, dreams. and there is no one I’d rather work beside in this role. I can’t wait to see what you continue to do It has been a pleasure next year with this amazing organization.

“Writing SNHU’s Story,” and I look forward Thank you to Lillie Nelson, my successor. We’ve to watching what The been in this organization longer than anyone in Penmen Press, and the this club, and it is only fair that you finish out SNHU Community, your journey in this position that you have so will do. rightly earned.

Thank you to Jon Boroshok, my mentor. You have undoubtedly been one of the best mentors I’ve had at this school. Your commitment to making students better, even through A LOT of tough love, has always been evident to me.

A final thank you to the Office of Student In-

Lillie Nelson

Josh Albert Staff Representative: Amber DiPietro Members: Julia Almonte Allie Beaumont Avery Bertrand Emily Blais Reem Elrayah Natalia Federico Peter Kane Chris Kelly Kaitlyn Nichols Ryan Vezina

News

The Penmen Press | 3

President LeBlanc Stepping Down; Lisa Marsh Ryerson Taking Over

By Chris Tutt

In a release sent out this morning, SNHU President, Paul LeBlanc, announced that he will be stepping down from his roles as university president and CEO. The SNHU Board of Trustees unanimously appointed Lisa Marsh Ryerson, the current university provost, to succeed LeBlanc effective July 1, 2024.

LeBlanc has been in charge for 20 years. He has overseen the growth of the university from just 2,600 students into one of the country’s fastest growing colleges with over 225,000 students worldwide.

Link to the release can be accessed here: https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/ newsroom/press-releases/president-paul-leblanc.

A statement from President LeBlanc can be accessed here: https://snhu-externalaffairs.app.box.com/s/2hpgaighdftukff45mf3zvfn5mr2735i.

A statement from the SNHU Board of Trustees can be accessed here: https://snhu.edu/about-us/newsroom/press-releases/board-chair-announcement.

President LeBlanc and Lisa Marsh

Paul LeBlanc’s Trip To Africa

By Lillie Nelson

their learners. GEM is the first large-scale online learning initiative for refugees, partnering with in-country organizations to deliver high-quality, low-cost education tailored to meet the needs of displaced learners. The organization has been running since 2017 and has locations in Rwanda, Kenya, South Africa, Malawi, and Lebanon.

work with them.

“[The goal was] to make sure we maintain a really strong relationship with our partners, spend time with them, thank them, and make them understand how much we value them,” said LeBlanc. “[We] also hear what we can do better. We have a team of our own people there in Rwanda. In “Periodically, I have paid visits in order to preside South Africa, it’s called GEM Hub and they do a over commencement ceremonies, but also to sup- lot of administrative back office and assessment port the team and understand what’s going on,” work.”

In Kenya, the Kakuma Refugee Camp is the (Image courtesy: Office of External Affairs and LeBlanc said. “One of the things I learned very early on when I started here 20 years ago is, when largest refugee camp in the continent and it’s a Communications) doing an international program, you can’t keep place where students can get access to computers. them at arms length. You really have to check in LeBlanc was inspired by learners in the Kenyan SNHU President, Paul LeBlanc, along with a on a periodic basis and make sure students are team of three employees, visited Africa from Refugee camp and their dedication to getting an being well cared for and things are being well October 24 to November 1. During his visit, education.

LeBlanc visited refugee learners and spoke at two run.”

“They are all inspirational in their own way,” said commencement ceremonies in Kenya and Rwan- LeBlanc wanted to go back and visit earlier; howLeBlanc. “I loved meeting their parents because da through SNHU’s Global Education Movement ever, due to the pandemic’s travel restrictions, he these are mostly [first-generation students]; it (GEM). hasn’t had the chance. His goal for his trip was [brought] an amazing amount of pride. What I The GEM initiative aims to educate and empower to spend time with GEM Program partners and Continued on page four

The Penmen Press | 4 was struck with was a number of them who were They move out of the camp, they move their born in the camp, lived their whole life in the family with them.” camp, and had never been outside of it. This was LeBlanc sees the ripple effect education can cause their first trip, to graduate from university. They in students’ lives. never have stepped in the outside world, they “When we impact a student, we impact everyknow what it looks like, they have phones and one,” said LeBlanc. “It’s like a stone in the pond: television, they see the news, they see the world, it has a ripple effect. ... It’s very powerful to but seeing it and experiencing it are two different see the impact we are having on students and things.” how immediate that can be. I always feel like it The classes change student’s lives. Students get charges my batteries and inspires me to do [more jobs and have the freedom to move out of the of] this work.” camp once they graduate.

LeBlanc saw these learners in hard places still “I always love those reminders of the transforma- persevere; he saw their creativity and the joy of tional impact of what we do,” said LeBlanc. graduation that these students experience. and “I don’t know if there’s any population more fully the joy of graduation that these students expetransformed than our refugee learners. Rwanda is rience. The students who have gone through so pretty generous in terms of their ability for refu- much have so much to offer. gees to have jobs and also freedom of movement. “What I saw was, even in the hardest places, In Rwanda, 90 percent of our graduates have jobs the resiliency, talent, creativity, and joy is really at the day of graduation. That changes everything. remarkable,” said LeBlanc.

“It’s a testament to the human spirit. It’d be easy to only think about refugees in terms of their deficits: what they don’t have, what they are suffering through. But I think every time I visit our GEM sites, what I’m also reminded is what assets they have, what talents they have. Who wouldn’t want these employees? These are people who [have] been through more than any of us could reasonably ask to go through and here they are working hard, thriving, helping others. The generosity of their spirit is enormous. I think it’s incredibly inspiring, that was my big takeaway. To be able to give them better dreams is a powerful thing. We allow people to dream bigger dreams for themselves.”

Trash Bins On Campus

By Josh Albert

SNHU has undergone a change in waste management throughout the campus. The Office of Sustainability has been working on a centralized waste management system for a number of years and the SNHU community has started to notice.

The new system is a product of a study the Office of Sustainability conducted to see how much waste the school produces and what it consists of.

“We spent over $250,000 annually just on waste removal. This includes paying the staff to clear the waste bins and replacement bin liners, not even to haul it all away,” said Mike Weinstein, Director of Sustainability.

going, as well as to save money and time while doing it.

Weinstein and the sustainability team have received feedback from the SNHU community; however, plans to adjust to the new waste management system are still in order.

The major feedback from the SNHU community regards the disappearance of the outside trash bins. This has caused people to litter and feel unaccommodated throughout campus.

In response to this, four bin locations will be brought back and eventually upgraded to paired recycling and trash bins. The locations include This spending motivated the decision to switch outside the Student Center, Dining Hall, Academto a centralized waste management system. The ic Center, and Webster Hall. With these changes various trash bins previously scattered around implemented, the hope is that groundskeepers campus were at the mercy of not only the waste and other custodial staff will be able to focus on from SNHU’s facilities but also the trash from more pressing issues throughout campus. various outside sources not affiliated with SNHU. For more information, reach out to the Office of Sustainability by email at sustainability@snhu.

The hope of this change is to get students and edu.

Trash Can Green Space (Image courtesy:Penmen faculty to acknowledge where their trash is Press)

Lifestyle

The Penmen Press | 5

How SNHU Could Be Connected By Passenger Rail

By Avery Bertrand

SNHUdents who have lived on the west side of campus know about the train tracks running along the Merrimack River. However, most do not know that those train tracks run far up north and south. It’s called the New Hampshire Main Line, and it runs 50 miles from Lowell, MA to Concord, NH. It connects the three largest cities in New Hampshire: Manchester, Nashua, and Concord, respectively.

If a passenger rail was implemented between all of these cities, it would enable travel by train for more than 250,000 New Hampshire residents (American Community Survey, 2022).

For SNHU, this means commuters could access campus without having to drive.

The possibility of intercity rail travel might not be distant; a project is underway called the Capital Corridor, a collaboration between NHDOT and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to extend the commuter rail service from Lowell to Manchester. It would use 9 miles of MBTA’s existing track

Rendering of Manchester Station (Image courtesy: NHDOT) and 21 miles of NH Main Line track, currently owned by Pan Am railways. Along with train service would come four new commuter rail stations: South Nashua, NH (Pheasant Lane Mall), Downtown Nashua (Crown St, off of E Hollis St), Bedford, NH/MHT Station (South River Rd, under the Airport Access Road) and Downtown Manchester, NH (off of Elm St, next to Market Basket).

According to the National Transportation Research Group, a nonprofit research organization, fatal car accidents in NH rose 47% from 2019 to 2022. In total, 471 people died as a result of a car accident between 2019 and 2022.

Nationally, 117 people died every day due to car accidents in 2022. Compared to trains, only 12 people died as a result of accidents in 2022 (including cargo and passenger rail). This would make it 99.97% safer to travel by train instead of a car.

While the Capital Rail Corridor project doesn’t include SNHU, it could as a result of the extension. When the project is completed, the Downtown Manchester station will be approximately 11 minutes away from SNHU (as well as accessible via Manchester Transit Authority).

John McCannon’s Research Trip To Lithuania

By Amber DiPietro

Professor John McCannon, the coordinator of the History program, took a research trip to Lithuania for research into the life and art of the Lithuanian painter and composer Mikalojus Ciurlionis (1875-1911) from October 18 to October 23. This research trip is part of a much larger and earlier research trip on Russian painter and explorer Nicholas Roerich (1874-1947).

“I traveled to Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and other places in Russia, India (where Roerich lived for the last couple decades of his life), and European cities including Paris and Prague,” said McCannon.

This smaller trip was to look at the relationship between the two Russian artists. The two knew each other before Ciurlionis’ death, as they were

both drawn to mystical and occultist forms of spirituality, and both were heavily influenced in their Symbolist painting styles by those alternative belief systems.

Nicholas Roerich’s art is influenced by Russian Symbolism, an intellectual and artistic movement predominant at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century and added spiritual ties. To this, he added his own spiritual convictions. Roerich was interested in Theosophy -- the originator of most modern New Age movements -- and (Image courtesy: John McCannon) other forms of “spiritual” practices. It’s said that urlionis thought that he had synesthesia, which is his paintings have a hypnotic expression. a pheromone disorder that causes people to cross their senses and essentially, feel or hear colors.

Mikalojus Ciurlionis contributed to the popularDespite his short lifespan, Ciurlionis remains ity of Symbolist painting in late Tsarist Russia, producing works such as his “Zodiac” series. Ci- Continued on page six

The Penmen Press | 6

Lithuania’s most famous painter, as well as its most famous composer. McCannon visited The National Museum of Lithuania in Kaunas, the second-biggest city in Lithuania, to visit these paintings. Some of his favorites were “The Zodiac Series,” “Sonata of the Star,” “Friendship,” “Lightning,” and “Sonata of the Pyramids.”

“I’m not into astrology or occult mysticism myself, but it’s interesting to see how artists will sometimes use that as inspiration and the Zodiac paintings are very haunting and symbolic,” said McCannon.

McCannon is a Russian studies specialist which involves being interested in places and cultures that used to be a part of the Soviet Union and the Russian empire, even if they are not a part of Russia anymore.

The Effect Of Late Winter On Birds

By Josh Albert

on the provisioning ability and breeding timing.

Overall, cold snaps and heat waves were studied to identify the effects on the birds’ ability to gather food and incubate their young during temperature anomalies.

Dr. David Swain, Professor of English at SNHU, has been an avid bird watcher since 2009 when his son caught interest in the hobby, so much Dark-eyed Junco (Image courtesy: Dr. David Swain) “I found it very worthwhile to be able to see the so that he now teaches paintings in person. Especially coming from a a field ornithology course every spring to help Students and faculty at SNHU have experienced scholarly and art history sense, it’s always much an out-of-the-ordinary start to the winter season. engage other students in birding. Over the years, more enlightening to be able to see them in Not only have operations been dealing with pow- the birding community has been becoming more person, as opposed to seeing them online or in a er outages and extensive ice on walkways, but engaged in small-scale, personal research using the community has been noticing strange patterns book. Because it’s just the way of things that the the online database and app “eBird.” The app of temperature and weather that some scientists actual physical artifact never photographs 100 allows anybody to contribute data of abundance percent correctly. So, seeing the work in person say are affecting bird populations. and unusual findings in the field to the Cornell was quite special,” said McCannon.

Lab of Ornithology.

November alone was considered as one of the Dr. Swain shared some of his observations rewarmest months in post-industrial revolution The making of his book involved over 20 research trips over a number of years to complete history, says Jeff Masters, writer for Yale Climate garding the effects of these weather anomalies, “In the last few days heavy snow up north has Connections. These weather patterns may be a this project last year. pushed a lot of birds like Dark-eyed Juncos down result of a strong El Niño effect in the eastern to our area, and many areas of open grass beJohn McCannon published a book about Nicho- Pacific Ocean which brings warm water south neath trees have seen over a dozen Juncos feedlas Roerich called Nicholas Roerich: The Artist to north along the Americas. These events are a Who Would Be King. To find out more informa- large contributor to the warming of average tem- ing.” This delayed winter has kept some birds north for longer than has been seen in previous tion about this book, visit https://upittpress.org/ peratures throughout the country and the world. years because they didn’t have to leave their books/9780822947417/.

The largest impact of this event is the variability northernmost area due to (normal) consistently in weather and temperature patterns from the cold temperatures. west to east coast. The increased occurrence of temperature anomalies caused by the overall Although these El Niño and La Niña cycles are changing of the climate and the El Niño-La Niña normal phenomena that add additional variability cycle brings up the question; what other species to weather patterns, we still see a long-term effect are noticing these trends? on migratory species. In September 2022, the Environmental Club at SNHU planted 5 autumn In a comprehensive study of avian fitness, Conor brilliance serviceberry trees as a food source for C. Taff uses scholarly data from around the counbirds when they come north for the summer. It is try to analyze the effects of temperature variation encouraged to go out and learn about birds.

Arts & Entertainment

The Penmen Press | 7

The Explosion Of “Barbenheimer” In Social Media

By Emily Blais

Cultural phenomenons have a unique way of making an impact, especially with the prevalence of social media in today’s society. “Barbenheimer,” the fan-made fusion of Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” and Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer,” is a prime example of social media creating a phenomenon.

The two films were released on July 21, and have been a trending topic for months for the vast concepts of each film.

“Barbie” is a meta twist about the Mattel doll, following Margot Robbie’s Barbie traveling to the human world for the first time. The movie is all pink and brightly colored, its aesthetic being the first thing that audiences pointed out when the first trailer was released. “Oppenheimer” is a dark biographical thriller that tells the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy) and his efforts to create the first atomic bomb. To say these two films are day and night is an understatement, but their contrast is what initially sparked the social media interest.

Nolan’s film was announced in September 2021, and a month later it was announced that it would hit theaters on July 21, 2023.

In April of the following year, Gerwig’s project was announced to be hitting the theaters at the

Barbie and Oppenheimer same time. The movies were initially planned to be counterprogramming, a strategy that is used in various fields of media to attract different audiences that a project’s (usually more popular) competitor would have. Instead of a rivalry brewing between the two contrasting films, social media decided to support both films as a “double feature.”

“Barbenheimer” was first used on social media back in April 2022 by X (formerly known as Twitter) user Matt Neglia, who was the editor-in-chief of Next Best Picture. A year later, however, the term would gain more popularity to note the differences between the films through X, from memes, and commentary, to fan-made posters and t-shirts that would be sold online through shops like Etsy. The “Barbenheimer” hashtag on TikTok has over 813 million views. These videos showed excitement for the films and their star-studded castings, while others talked about what outfits they’d wear at

the premieres or which films they’d see first.

I took a poll on Instagram on August 1 with: “Barbie” or “Oppenheimer.”

I let the poll sit in my story for twenty-four hours, and the results were not too close together. With 68% and 31 votes, “Barbie” won the poll. “Oppenheimer” had 16 votes and 34%. This trend reflects the double feature’s box office numbers. “Barbie” has earned around $774 million dollars globally while “Oppenheimer” has earned $400 million.

In the realm of social media, “Barbenheimer” continues to stand tall as a cultural phenomenon. Thanks to its impact, the films continue to do well in the box office and bring people together.

Sports

The Penmen Press | 8

SNHU Athletics Adds 15 To Hall Of Fame

By Chris Tutt

SNHU Athletics honored 14 individuals and one team during the Hall of Fame ceremony on October 7. The event occurred at halftime of the men’s soccer game at Mark A. Ouellette Stadium.

Athletic Director, Anthony Fallacaro, acknowledges that being a Hall of Fame member doesn’t just come from success in sports, but outside of them as well.

“The SNHU Athletics Hall of Fame is a very special distinction that celebrates the impact the individual has had in athletics,” said Fallacaro. “Of the thousands of former players and staff, there are only 125 individuals and three teams that have been selected to the HOF.” Throughout SNHU’s illustrious history, many have had the privilege of wearing “Penmen” across their chest. There are also many impacted off the playing surface, such as coaches and administrators.

“This is rarified air and those considered can be an athlete, coach, administrator, or significant contributor to Penmen Athletics,” said Fallacaro. “To be selected to the Hall of Fame means that your contributions were not just good or even great, it means they were extraordinary and the program might not have been the same without the individual. It means that you

Image Courtesy: SNHU Athletics were a standout and someone that received accolades from all different levels and entities.”

SNHU is often recognized as one of the top NCAA Division II athletic schools in the country, which adds another element of significance to these inductions.

“Over the last 10 years, we have had some incredible success athletically which is why this year’s class had so many first-time ballot honorees. The best way to describe this class is that they were titans ... and their contributions changed the course of history in many cases for the programs they were associated with,” said Fallacaro. “One of the best compliments you can apply to a Hall of Fame Inductee is that they were a program changer and each [member] of the 2023 class altered the course of their teams and pointed them towards, or carried them to, a winning atmosphere.”