Shield Magazine Fall 2023

SHIELD MEDIA VOLUME 24 // ISSUE 1

Fall 2023

The independent student publication of Rochester University

LE T TE R

F R OM

TH E

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Metamorphosis As this 2023-2024 school year began, I could not help but be reminded of all the changes happening around me. Every year when fall comes, I start to realize that this school year won’t be anything like the last.

change with your place in the world around you, change is always happening.

In addition to having new classes to get accustomed to, I had a new space to get used to while working on the Shield, a new volleyball coach and teammates, a new apartment and roommates — all while sporting my sweatpants every day in hopes of finding comfort in the midst of all the change happening around me.

Change is something we see often. Difficult at times, but ever constant in our lives as we grow into the young adults we are today. Whether it is personal change, relationships coming and going, or external

» Shield Media is the independent student media of Rochester University. As such, we are committed to engaging in thoughtful dialogue over issues relevant to our culture.

Shield Media relates to our audience by providing them with bold stories that are intended to entertain, inform and stimulate.

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As you read through our magazine and notice this theme of change, my hope is that you can read, understand and relate to our stories and experiences.

EMILY CARROLL Editor

S T A T E M E N T

» Shield Media participates in Rochester University’s faith-based mission, and believes that, as ethically minded journalists, we have a responsibility to engage each story with openmindedness, compassion and nuance.

» Along with Rochester University’s Department of Mass Communication, Shield Media prepares young professionals for work in media-related fields by teaching and honing their skills in writing, reporting, graphic design, broadcasting, videography and photography.

» Shield Media is a student and not a college publication.

Views expressed are diverse, and of course, do not correspond to all views of RU’s board, administration, faculty, staff, students or other constituency.

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M I S S I O N

Change used to make me anxious. I would worry and shy away from new opportunities and activities that were different from what I knew. However, I quickly realized that if we aren’t changing, we never have the opportunity to change for the better. As you transform in life, or undergo a metamorphosis, may you be open to the challenge.

CONTENTS 4-5

TRANSFERS: Where did they come from? Where did they go?

6-8

JOURNEY OF AUTHENTICITY: Trans man shares his journey and surprise at RU welcome

9-12

CHAPEL: Timeline, new requirements & reflections

13

WARRIOR WIRE: Connor Crinigan

14-15

GAME CHANGER: Athletic enrollment surges

16-17

FROM BASKETBALL COACH TO MENTOR: Garth Pleasant talks change

18-19

ENTERTAINMENT: Then and now 1983 & 2023

hello

Then: Students Mike Weimer and Alison Kooli enjoy a milkshake in 1973.

Now: Israel Henson and Lauren Kondurak relish a milkshake from Red Knapp’s .

Cover design & Now photos by Alyxander LaBranche.

from the Shield Media team

Editors Amelia Calkin Emily Carroll Danielle Castillo Christian Corey Amanda Fraser Alyxander LaBranche Olivia Pannecouk Noah Peterson Georgii Reshotka Emma Saddler Advisers Dylan Bole Dr. Carol Cooper Lora Hutson Taylor Isenberg Darren McCullough

ON THE COVER Then: Sharon Craft served as captain of the cheerleaders in 1966-1967.

Now: Maranda Page competes on RU’s cheer team.

WARRIOR WIRE

STAFF Nickolas Alayan Gabriella Barczys Jessica Baysdell Logan Blankenship Christian DeBruyn Khalil Dent Olivia Duffy Rena Faranso Brooklynn Hathcock Isabela Placencia Joshua Richardson James Saxinger Hannah Traczynski Ali Warzecha MUSIC & TRENDS

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Diana Helferty

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Ellah Walters

countless transfer students who seek opportunities to excel academically at RU while relishing the comfort of familiarity.

A former Shield editor, Hayley McQuade, transferred from RU in her junior year and now studies digital arts at Malone University in Ohio.

McQuade had first considered transferring from RU after her freshman year when her degree track was no longer being offered. Eager for the degree she desired and driven by a commitment to constant improvement, she also sought increased challenges in sports and spiritual growth.

In addition to seeking a larger institution, McQuade sought a greater faith culture and godly presence in the classroom, with student-athletes and among her peers. “I wasn’t really getting that fulfillment,” she said. “I had it within myself to seek Christ, but I just wanted to be in an environment where it was valued.”

McQuade started her search with schools in the

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For students, the four years in college offer opportunities and options. Transition looks different for each student; for some, that means transferring to a new university. Students come and go from Rochester University for various reasons; each story is unique.

Cost and community were major contributing factors toward sophomore Diana Helferty’s decision to transfer from RU to Macomb Community College to pursue a degree in education in 2023. “It wasn’t worth it for me to get in a lot of debt,” she said. If the overall experience at RU had been more favorable, with a larger community or a lower cost, she might have chosen to stay, she said.

Helferty, who describes herself as an extrovert, found the prospect of making new friends, connecting with old friends, and adapting to a new environment at a larger school quite easy. Additionally, she said MCC offers more extracurricular activities.

Proximity contributed to sports management junior Luke Acton’s journey to RU. His decision was rooted in his passion for bowling. The opportunity of pursuing this sport in a collegiate setting was a compelling factor.

RU is close to home, and Acton enjoyed the prospect of having a strong support network of nearby friends and family. His story resonates with

Division II Great Midwest Athletic Conference.

Malone University was on the list. “As soon as I saw ‘Christ’s kingdom first’ in their logo I’m like, ‘God, this couldn’t be more of a bigger sign.’ I just admire that because that’s the boldness in Christ that I want to see,” she said.

McQuade said RU provided her with the mental, physical and emotional preparedness to transfer.

While improving in soccer, she grew professionally and networked at RU. “I believe my foundation is solid enough, that I’m able to go into new heights without being shaken.”

For some, their transition to RU has been rocky.

Junior Rachel Caseria, a strategic leadership in business major from Hawaii, came to join the bowling team. She often grapples with feelings of needing to fully belong to a close-knit community and occasionally questions whether the campus aligns with its reputation for a tight-knit environment.

Caseria faces hurdles when it comes to connecting with the family aspect of the university, primarily due to the considerable distance separating her from her family in Hawaii. However, amid these challenges, she finds solace in the nature surrounding campus. The serene lake, expansive woods and intimate campus setting create a cozy atmosphere that she said she appreciates.

Additionally, Caseria acknowledges the invaluable support she receives from dedicated professors who are unwavering in their commitment to ensuring her success in her academic journey. Their guidance and mentorship provide comfort and encouragement as she navigates her educational pursuits at RU. Ellah Walters, a freshman who studied accounting at RU, was temporarily hospitalized part way through her first semester at RU. She discovered she would need to retake her classes.

Walters opted instead to transfer to MCC. She said she was unwilling to invest more money at RU. Additionally, Walters said though she liked chapel, RU did not support her Catholic faith or explain how

things worked, and she was left relying on her peers to figure things out.

After talking with a professor from Macomb Community College, she thought transferring would be better for her. Macomb was closer to her home; her cousin went there, and it seemed like a safer route. Though she liked the RU community, the financial burden greatly impacted her.

The process of transferring was not easy, she said. She found it confusing and frustrating.

Now, Walters is looking to study at Macomb to be a surgical assistant.

She aims to maintain her GPA and make connections in her field.

As students come and go, the stories they leave behind contribute to the tapestry of the institution.

Students find themselves on a diverse spectrum of experiences.

Some embody the pursuit of one’s passion, Hayley McQuade while others’ challenges underscore the reality of life’s struggles and the importance of adapting to a new environment. For some, that means joining the RU community, but for others, that means leaving RU. Either way, their unique journeys share a common thread of striving to better themselves academically, physically and personally.

DANIELLE CASTILLO Editor

HANNAH TRACZYNSKI Staff SHIELDMEDIA.ORG // 5

JOURNE Y OF AUTHENTICIT Y

photo by Olivia Duffy

I am a transgender man, which means I was assigned female at birth and raised socially as a girl.

However, my feelings on the inside didn’t match up to how people perceived me on the outside.

I was always strongly inclined toward what was considered masculine or traditionally male interests. For example, when playing the board game “The Game of Life,” I would choose a blue peg to put in my car. In video games, I would consistently customize male characters. My clothing preferences leaned toward T-shirts, hoodies, jeans or shorts rather than ruffled tops, skirts or dresses.

Unfortunately, these preferences were often met with resistance from the only parent I had.

We grew up in poverty, and through a school program I qualified for, I was set to receive a duffel bag filled with clothes. When I attended the event, we were given the opportunity to choose our own clothes with the assistance of volunteers.

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Unsurprisingly, the volunteer assigned to me was a woman. My expression displayed my discontent as we navigated the girl’s racks filled with vibrant pinks, yellows and oranges. She scanned me, dressed in a black and red basketball T-shirt and blue jeans, and took it upon herself to inquire about my color preferences — whether I leaned toward bright or dark colors. I responded, mentioning my affinity for reds, blues and blacks. She acknowledged the abundance of bright colors in the girls’ section and suggested exploring the boys’ selection if I was open to it. I agreed.

Upon returning home that day, eager to share my newfound items, my mother responded angrily and violently. She insisted that I should have chosen girls’ clothes, viewing my choice as a failure to complete a simple task. I found myself in a dilemma, having to choose between the two shirts I received or the coat, since I was not allowed to keep all three. Ultimately, I chose to keep the shirts, and

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TRANS MAN SHARES HIS JOURNEY & SURPRISE AT R U WE LC O M E

my mother stood firm on her stance, discarding the perfectly good coat into the garbage.

PUBERTY IS ALWAYS COMPLEX

Puberty, a universally acknowledged transformative phase in human development, is a subject that often elicits mixed emotions from society. This was particularly complex for me due to a unique hormonal imbalance from a young age, sparking an early onset of symptoms resembling precocious puberty. Thus, uncommonly, by the time I began kindergarten, I already bore physical markers such as pubic and armpit hair.

My pediatric physician expressed concerns to my mother about the possibility of me starting menstruation and developing breasts at an extraordinarily young age. Despite this, I turned out to be relatively late in that regard, for which I am eternally grateful.

I have always believed and stood firm that despite my challenges and my unique circumstances, I believed God made me this way, and I embrace my identity as a transgender person.

During my primary education, I encountered resistance from my peers due to my appearance and behavior, which differed from my female classmates.

The recollection of the first instance I was called or questioned about being gay or lesbian escapes me, as it became distressingly commonplace by the time I entered high school.

By the time I came out as queer, slurs and disparaging comments held little to no power over me, having no impact on my self-worth.

the winter semester of my sophomore year. Thus, I began my social transition at age 15.

Almost every educator I encountered was kind, supportive and a shelter from the storm that I considered my every day. Among the sea of hate I received, I still had accepting friends and supportive allies.

Despite these affirmations, I delayed coming out to my mom, recalling the resistance I faced as a child. I eventually did so, and all the grudges and trauma aside, she came through it as well as she could, and I respect her for it. The strength and confidence often attributed to me stem from my ability to showcase my identity and personality without visible fear. Anyone opposing any aspect of my identity finds themselves unwelcome in my life. I shield my self-worth from their negativity.

At 19, I furthered my transition, working on masculinizing my appearance and understanding what qualities define my individual identity as a man.

A significant turning point came when I joined a FTM* support meeting hosted by Affirmations in Ferndale. I was later connected with Dr. William Powers in Farmington Hills, who connected me with a licensed therapist to complete informed consent paperwork. A couple of weeks later, I began HRT*, which further solidified my sense of identity.

TRANS JOURNEY STARTS AT 15

In my sophomore year, I encountered Bailyen, a trans man, who took it upon himself to label me as trans. Initially denying it, I eventually embraced my identity and came out as Alyx during SHIELDMEDIA.ORG // 7

NEW NAME HONORS GRANDMOTHER

By age 20, I applied for a legal name change through the Michigan Circuit Court.

Opting to honor my late grandmother, whom I was initially named after, I took her maiden name, LaBranche, to preserve a connection to familial legacy. I am content with my progress in my transition, but I remain open to potential future treatments and changes. ​​In August 2021, as I neared the completion of my associate’s degree at community college, I chose to pursue a bachelor’s degree. While searching for potential universities, Rochester University emerged as a promising option that would accept my transfer credits and offer financial aid.

Upon learning that RU was a Christian college, I began to form expectations, recalling historical and systemic mistreatment, hostility and violence that countless individuals of the queer community have faced because of organized religion.

Anticipating my integration into campus life, I initially planned to be stealth*. However, personally, I find greater comfort in living out*. I prefer to share this fundamental aspect of my identity, once I’ve established a sense of ease in any given environment.

It’s an integral part of who I am, shaped by my past experiences and socialization as a young woman rather than the upbringing and experience of young men.

RU IS INCLUSIVE

My perspective shifted after enrolling as a student in fall 2022. I noticed inclusive signs in faculty and staff offices and, more importantly, observed their genuine and respectful manner while interacting with others. This environment encouraged me to share my identity openly and live authentically with faculty, staff and fellow students.

To my surprise and immense pleasure, I found a welcoming community where my authenticity was accepted and celebrated. I proudly live my life as a trans man, embracing my role as a member of this community, embodying the spirit of a Rochester University warrior.

GLOSSARY FTM - FEMALE TO MALE An individual assigned the female gender at birth who has transitioned and now identifies as male.

STEALTH Trans individual’s physical characteristics align with their gender identity and socially passes as their affirmed gender .

HRT: HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY Medical treatment often used in transgender healthcare to help individuals transition to their affirmed gender.

OUT Self-disclosure of a LGBTQ+ individuals sexual orientation or gender identity.

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Source: pflag.org/glossary/

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ALYXANDER LABRANCHE Editor

R U CH APE L BLE N D S T R AD I T I O N & CH AN G E Over the next four pages, Shield Media takes a look at how chapel has evolved throughout the years and examines the latest change.

AMANDA FRASER Editor

CHAPEL THROUGH THE YEARS Rochester University was founded in 1959 to be a “liberal arts college with Christian ideals.” Larry Stewart, director of alumni information, said, “Chapel has always been an integral part of the student experience. Not only has it provided an opportunity for worship and special programs, but a means of building community within the student body and university employees.”

2010

1959-1996 1959-1996

Students were required to attend chapel five days per week, with only a minimal number of absences.

An acapella singing group was a favorite feature of chapel. Worship time often included singing, guest speakers and other special programs.

Chapel was reconfigured as a course credit where it was counted toward students’ GPAs. Students earned points through regularly scheduled Chapel and Convocation events, as well as various small group opportunities and service initiatives.

2017 The number of chapel credits required for an ‘A’ was raised from 25 to 35 points. More opportunities to earn points were available, including arts and cultural events.

2000

Chapel was reorganized to require a certain number of credits students had to meet over the semester in place of the daily chapel requirement. Those credits could be acquired through a variety of spiritual life activities.

2020 Chapel was streamed virtually for fall 2020, and slowly offered outdoor and socially distant gatherings.

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RU CH AN G E S CHAPEL PR OTO C O L , AG AI N. Rochester University informed students in August that the new consequences for not earning enough chapel points would transition to a monetary fine and not be related to students’ overall GPAs, as was the previous policy.

Under the new system, students need to earn 25 Community Living + Worship points per semester, and they will incur a $20 fine for each point they do not earn. Students who only take online courses or who are part of the nursing program can join chapel virtually with permission from Campus Ministry.

Last year, the university began researching how to improve the overall chapel experience and what kind of consequences to put into place for students missing chapel.

The new chapel point requirement was approved by members of the Academic Cabinet, and by Scott Samuels, vice president of student life; Dr. Remylin Bruder, provost; and Dr. Brian Stogner, president.

In a video to students at the beginning of the

semester, Evan Green, dean of students, said, “We realize we have a student population with so many demands in their lives. In order to make community life and worship — attending chapel — more convenient, we made some changes.... We are being very flexible and creative to accommodate student needs.”

Green said the $20 fee per chapel missed is relative. “Some may say that is high, some may say that is appropriate. If you look at other schools that are like us, that have a fine component attached to their attendance tracking, the fine may be higher.

It is either pretty consistent or lower than a lot of schools that we studied,” he said.

“Almost any Christian university is doing it.

George Fox, Malone, Cornerstone, Aquinas, Calvin… any Christian university...has a chapel component.

They have an attendance tracking component that has some sort of either fee, graduation requirement, or other,” Green said.

Money collected from students who have to pay chapel fines will go into an account that will be put to future use for student life and programming, Green said.

In addition to regular chapel attendance, students can earn CL+W points by attending departmental chapel, participating in the Rise mentor program, Warriors Serve and spiritual formation opportunities; and by volunteering at nonprofit organizations, nursing homes, RU sporting events or at Kibo Corner.

Evan Green speaks in chapel when it was held in the Auditorium.

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Students pay attention, ahem, during a November chapel. photo by Amanda Fraser

Shield Media distributed a Google Form survey in September to get student input about chapel, and 117 traditional students responded.

• 87.1% said they do NOT agree with the new system of fining when they don’t earn the required number of CL+W points.

• 59.6% said they do NOT think the new system of fines was better than the previous system when chapel attendance was a graduation requirement.

Here are some of the survey respondents’ thoughts:

Student #67: “I enjoy the speakers; they bring insight to students. I enjoyed the history of RU; it was the best chapel yet.”

Student #32: “RU is making chapel become a chore, which creates it to be related to negativity in our minds. RU needs to change it to get people to WANT to come otherwise we will never continue with it after we graduate from the university. Christians are not meant to push God and church onto others we are to show how amazing living through God is.”

Student #86: “I like having a space to go and speak about faith. I think it would be more helpful if we took advantage of that and encouraged more guest speakers and student involvement. I think students get bored when the same people speak and speak for too long. Having interactive or different speakers or performers might get people to come more!”

Student #6: “Sometimes people won’t be able to make it and don’t have the money to pay at the end. I think another way to hold people accountable would be better. I also understand that this is a Christian college and that chapel is an understandable requirement.”

Student #19: The new system “is easier and more manageable.”

Student #80: “Mandatory payment to attend religious gatherings is something that should not be implemented in a university. It is inconsiderate to those with differing beliefs and practices, as well as those who struggle financially or health wise and may not be able to attend or pay the fee.”

Student #45: “I honestly love the new rule whereby it is no longer a graduation requirement. Chapel is meant to help our spiritual life and many just attend chapel for attendance sake, without growing spiritually.”

Student #114: “This gives me anxiety! I am a commuter who is only on campus two days a week.

I work full time and have other commitments that prohibit me from coming here on days I don’t have class. Trying to get a certain amount of credits in the limited time I am here is super hard, even when events are offered at other times. It costs me more in gas to get here than the event would help me with.”

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R E F LE C T I O NS O N CH APE L

Shield’s Amanda Fraser asked Lusanda Khuzwayo, a freshman financial planning major, his thoughts about chapel

“Before arriving, I didn’t know about having to attend chapel - so being forced to go came to me as a shock.”

Were you surprised about the chapel system?

Where is the money going?

Have you spoken with your peers about their reactions to this policy?

How does the $20 charge affect you personally?

How does this policy impact your daily schedule and academic commitments?

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“All of my peers have had negative responses. They all agree that it shouldn’t be mandatory and feel like the fines that have been added to every missed chapel session is also very unfair and useless.”

“[I’m] a South African citizen and traveling abroad.

Having to pay $20 after every missed chapel is absurd and on top of having to pay the high tuition fees, it’s highly unnecessary.”

“It’s made my schedule a lot tighter.

I have to take into consideration my academic commitments, appearing at chapel, attending lunch and attending practice straight after.”

W A R R I O R

W I R E

CONNOR CRINIGAN

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A senior psychology major, Connor Crinigan competes for RU wrestling.

Here is his story in his own words.

I have moved around a lot in my life, I’ve lived in Chicago, Illinois; Carmel, Indiana; Tampa, Florida; and most recently, Las Vegas, Nevada. Growing up in Florida, I participated in combat sports, including Brazilian jiu-jitsu. I became interested in the sport of wrestling because I was struggling to take anyone down in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

My high school in Florida was nationally recognized for wrestling and the team had an undefeated season. However, halfway through my high school wrestling career, I moved to the Las Vegas area due to conflicts between teammates.

I first heard of Rochester University while competing in wrestling tournaments across the country with a friend of mine. His dad mentioned we should stop at this college that had a new program, and truthfully I did not want to.

Yet, we came anyway and while I was apprehensive about the campus, Coach Wesley Maskill and his cousin, Kevin Maskill, left me me with a great impression impression of the school and people in the community.

My greatest challenge here as an athlete would be my struggle to stay healthy.

However, with the trainers and support from Coach Maskill, I have been able to bounce back from my injuries and continue my dream of wrestling in college.

Looking back on my time here at RU, I feel proud of what I have achieved

so far and look forward to finishing both my athletic and academic career before heading off to graduate school.

Being one of the only seniors this year, using COVID years, I’m one of the only consistent presences that’s always in the wrestling room, making sure everybody knows that they can make it through this season. I’ll always be there. It now feels like the season is never going to end. But I’m the perfect example of what to do to make it through it every year. making sure everybody knows that they can make it through this season is really important because we all work so hard.

The wrestling team has evolved so much since I got here. We just used to be a couple of guys who were talented and good but all they needed was that chance. Coach Wesley gave them that chance.

And we just continued to build off that, pulling in more talent and evolving everything into a polished style

that helped us become one of the best NAIA programs in the nation.

I would say in terms of change in my wrestling career, the biggest part for me would be coming back from injuries. I have been injured pretty severely every year. Each time, I’ve had to come back differently, adjust my wrestling style, adjust my pace in the room to make sure I can always go 100%, and make sure that I’m still helping the team while I am able to wrestle or not.

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G A M E CH AN G E R AT H L E T I C E N R O L L M E N T S U R G E S

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a student athlete helping them understand the material,” he said.

FACILITY GROWTH Bissett said he is pleased with how much growth the university has seen during his 16 years at RU, and he is excited to see what the future holds. In addition to the growth in number of teams and athletes, new and renovated facilities have also improved the athletic program.

The Garth Pleasant Arena opened in 2017 and houses men’s and women’s basketball, women’s volleyball, and tournaments for wrestling and competitive cheer. The White House, home to coach’s offices, and the Warrior Center, where athletes work out in the fitness facility and practice in the gymnasium, also have been renovated in recent years.

The university is also working to raise money for the Bill Shinsky Athletic Fields, which will have an artificial turf field for men’s and women’s soccer, baseball, softball, women’s lacrosse and club football.

The complex will also have lighting, walkways, spectator seating, a press box and guest amenities.

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More than 400 student athletes are attending Rochester University this fall, which is a record number.

Mary Sauger, director of admissions, said RU had 435 student-athletes and 805 traditional students, which means more than 50% of traditional students compete on RU athletic teams.

Student athletes are drawn in by the opportunity that RU provides in scholarships, new friendships from teammates and a welcoming campus community.

Students are noticing the impact this large number of student-athletes is having not only on the school and its opportunities, but its atmosphere as well.

“The amount of relationships I’ve made through athletics is far more than I would have made otherwise and has benefited me greatly,” said Cam Tupper, a senior digital marketing and management major.

Athletic Director Clayton Bissett said RU embraces being a small school and thrives from the personal relationships built here between students and staff.

“When I was the golf coach and gave campus tours to potential recruits, it was not uncommon for us to see a professor sitting one-on-one with

WOMEN’S ATHLETICS Tai Sharpley, assistant athletic director and senior women’s administrator, plays an important role in facilitating the growth of women’s athletics.

Sharpley said she is passionate about helping student athletes and finds fulfillment in seeing their success. “My position is giving that platform to support the female coaches and athletes and giving them a time to shine and be recognized.”

Kayla Parks-Albrant, head coach of women’s lacrosse, has worked with Sharpley to form a group called FAST, which stands for Female Athletes Standing Together, that creates a space for female athletes to bond. In her own experience as a student athlete, Parks-Albrant said, “I think our biggest allies can be us together, us women. No one supports women like women support women.”

NEW TEAMS RU athletics is adding a men’s volleyball program, which will begin official competition in the 2024-25 season. Recruiting and coaching will be done by Juliana Nash, head women’s volleyball coach. “I’m very excited for this new program to start at Rochester University and to continue to help grow the men’s game in Michigan. Men’s volleyball will be a great addition, and I can’t wait to work with more future Warriors on both the men’s and women’s sides, Nash said.”

R U AT H L E T I C S 2007

2023

10 athletic teams

21 athletic teams

135 student athletes

435 student athletes

5 full-time coaches & staff

15 full-time coaches & staff

Sharpley said she wants to continue to grow the athletic program with sports such as men’s and women’s swimming, as the popularity of the sport in the area is on the rise.

PERSONAL GROWTH People will come and go but the legacy of RU will always be here. Bissett said, “Our goals are always to help our student-athletes grow into adulthood with a strong moral compass and to help them become better people.” Sharpley echoed that thought: “Watching students’ grow and mature on and off the field over the course of four-to-five years...from nervous freshmen to confident upperclassmen leaders. I literally love to see the light bulb come on!”

EMILY CARROLL Editor

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F R O M C O A C H

B A S K E T B A L L T O

M E N T O R

G A RT H PLE AS A NT TA LKS CHA N GES As a student at Rochester University, you are most likely familiar with the Garth Pleasant Arena, but did you know that the arena is named after a man who has been a part of the Rochester University family for more than 50 years?

Garth Pleasant is a retired basketball coach who now mentors coaches on producing good players and, most importantly, good people. Predictably, Pleasant has seen much change at RU, some of which he helped enact himself.

At first, Pleasant worked as a physical education instructor, later transitioning to the position of coach, where he coached baseball and basketball. Pleasant was dedicated to improving the student-athlete experience by negotiating $20,000 in funds for baseball field upgrades.

Even though Pleasant has never coached a game in Garth Pleasant Arena, he is still grateful for the significant upgrade for RU sports teams since men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball teams can have home games. Hosting games at RU was important to Garth Pleasant.

Pleasant said, “Change is good in other areas, even if it means passing the torch to somebody else to avoid slowing your players down.”

Pleasant said it’s nice not to “have your

tummy doing flips” when team performance is concerned, and he knows the new coach well. Dr. Klint Pleasant is Garth son, and Garth said he thinks his son is a better coach than him despite there being many similarities.

Other changes Garth Pleasant has embraced at the school involve RU’s culture as the university community has become increasingly more diverse and inclusive.

Pleasant said the RU community used to consist mainly of people from the Churches of Christ but “now we have students from all over the world.” Pleasant mentors coaches on how to train students with different backgrounds.

In the end, Pleasant’s title may have changed, but he emphasized that “the core is the same, which is the Lord.” He said both he and Klint prioritize the moral and educational development of their athletes.

Pleasant truly values family as he trusted his son with his coaching legacy when he stepped away to spend more time with his family. Ultimately, Pleasant has always been a mentor due to his dedication to setting his players up for success after college.

ISABELA PLACENCIA Staff

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E N T E RT A I N M E N T F A VOR I T E S : T H E N & N O W ‘ 8 3

S O N G S

EVERYTHING I LOVE Morgan Wallen

UPTOWN GIRL Billy Joel

500 LBS Lil Tecca

GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN Cindy Lauper

STICK SEASON Noah Kahn

TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE HEART Bonnie Tyler

‘ 8 3 PET SEMATARY Stephen King

IRONWEED William Kennedy

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B O O K S

‘ 2 3 UNASHAMED Lecrae

GREENLIGHTS Matthew McConaughey

1983 & 2023 ‘ 8 3

M O V I E S

THE OUTSIDERS

STAR WARS: EPISODE VI RETURN OF THE JEDI

GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY

T V THE JEFFERSONS 1975-1985

M*A*S*H 1972-1983

SPIDER-MAN ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE

OPPENHEIMER

FLASHDANCE

‘ 8 3

‘ 2 3

S H O W S

‘ 2 3

NEVER HAVE I EVER 2020-Present

AMERICAN HORROR STORY 2011-Present SHIELDMEDIA.ORG // 19

THE EVENTS WE’LL REMEMBER

THE PEOPLE WE’LL NEVER FORGET THE STORIES WE’LL RETELL

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