Breaking news, blogs and more at TCNJSignal.net. Vol. XLVI, No. 1
January 25, 2017
Serving The College of New Jersey community since 1885
College grieves professor, activist, mentor
By Elizabeth Zakaim Reviews Editor
The College mourns the passing of Morton Winston, a professor of philosophy who died while on vacation in Peru on Jan. 13 at 67 years old. Winston suffered from a heart attack while walking with his family and tour group on a jungle path in Peru, according to the Baltimore Sun. Winston was a beloved professor, colleague and mentor — he leaves behind a legacy of excellence. According to an email sent to staff, students and faculty on Jan. 14 by College spokesperson Dave Muha, Winston arrived at the College in 1979, where he taught and developed several courses including bioethics, genocide and human rights and philosophy of technology and mind. Winston was dedicated to his teaching and his department. Before he passed, Winston served as a faculty representative to the Board of Trustees and as chair of the philosophy department from 1982 to 1988 and from 2005 to 2012, according to Muha’s email. Winston was also the recipient of the Faculty Senate’s Outstanding Faculty Leadership Award for service as faculty co-chair of the Committee on Strategic Planning and Priorities and for leading the development of the College’s strategic plan in 2011 and 2012. Winston wanted his students to succeed to the best of their abilities. “Dr. Winston had a unique ability to empathize with his students’ ideas and galvanize those ideas into something legitimate and
Break freezes up Campus Town
Winston leaves a legacy, both on campus and across the globe.
concrete,” said Rishabh Sharma, a junior philosophy major. Sharma recalled bumping into Winston on campus after studying abroad in 2016. They talked about Sharma’s future plans, and Winston recommended different readings he knew Sharma would appreciate. He challenged his
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students’ perspectives and tested their beliefs. Sharma described Winston as selfless and determined to help his students mold their visions and change the world. “He is one of the few people I have met who believed in me like I believe in me,” Sharma said.
see BREAK page 2
see LOSS page 3
Campus Police expands after break-ins
By George Tatoris News Editor Every year is the same. December comes around and finals week hits, the air grows colder, the nights longer and each day another cluster of students escape to the warmth of their homes, leaving an increasingly empty campus behind them. It’s higher education in hibernation. While the campus may sleep over winter break, Campus Town does not. This past break, the new businesses that opened primarily to provide convenience to students were inconvenienced themselves after their primary customers went home for the next month. Evan Yap, the manager of Yummy Sushi, witnessed her once-bustling Asian restaurant grow quiet. On Sunday, Jan. 22 — move-in day for most students — the winter struggle is invisible. Students and families alike were seated for dinner that night. “You hardly see anyone walking
Junior philosophy major Stephanie-Rose Orlando couldn’t believe the news. She had Winston as a professor every year since she started at the College. He was more than just a professor to her, he was her mentor, as well. “He helped me discover my love for civil rights and environmental protection, and I will always be thankful for that,” Orlando said. “Not only did he encourage me to make a difference in the way I wanted, but he really believed that I could and helped me along the way.” Orlando said Winston was always willing to network with students to give them the best opportunities they deserved. “He was the type of professor that helped make TCNJ as great as it is,” she said. Junior philosophy major Lisa Palacio was a first-semester sophomore who had just changed her major from mathematics to philosophy and was grateful to have Winston as her adviser. “I wasn’t just another student he had to talk academics and class scheduling about,” Palacio said. “He sat with me for however long it took to figure out what steps I needed to take to graduate on time.” Palacio ran into Winston while he was eating lunch in Green Hall after he had helped give her pointers on a presentation she had worked on for his class. “In that moment, I really got to know Dr. Winston,” Palacio said. He spoke about his wife and children, and Palacio
There are five new officers on campus. By Brielle Bryan Production Manager Members of Campus Police, the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office and families of the officers gathered in Paul Loser Hall on the cool morning of Jan. 17, for the swearing-in ceremony of five Campus Police officers. Interim Police Chief Tim Grant welcomed the attendees and introduced the Mercer County
INDEX: Nation & World / page 5 Editorial / page 7 Study Abroad Follow us at... Students get to the heart of Shakespeare The Signal See Features page 11 @tcnjsignal
Photo courtesy of Ashley Long
Prosecutor’s Office. Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo Onofri, Chief of Detectives Veldon Harris and Deputy Chief of Detectives Robert Dispoto administered the oath. “Having the prosecutor administer the oaths to the officers made it more special,” said James Lopez, Campus Police lieutenant. Officers Kristen Albertson, Philip Apgar, Daniel Butchko, Theodore Camastra and Tiffany Reed were commissioned. The officers put
Opinions / page 8
Features / page 11
one hand on the Bible and one hand in the air as, one at a time, they each echoed the oath. “Most of the officers were hired initially as security and were sent to the police academy and promoted to police officer,” Grant said. Lopez started working overnight security at the College. He became a sergeant a few years later and was eventually promoted to lieutenant. At full strength, Campus Police should include one chief, one captain, one lieutenant, six sergeants and 14 officers, Grant said. However, this structure is not always tightly followed. Grant, the previous captain, took over as interim chief when the previous chief, John Collins, retired in December 2016. Currently, there is no captain — only five sergeants and 11 officers. Although short a few officers, Campus Police upped its security after an intruder snuck into residence halls during the fall semester. Since then, suspect Jon Cannon, a 25-year-old resident of Levittown, Pa., was arrested by Campus Police in connection with the intrusions. Following the commission of the five new officers, Campus Police held an award ceremony to acknowledge those who went above and beyond to help maintain safety and security on campus. see COPS page 11
Arts & Entertainment / page 13
Sports / page 20
‘La La Land’ Musical wins big at Golden Globes
Wrestling Lions achieve 700th win in program’s history
See A&E page 13
See Sports page 20
page 2 The Signal January 25, 2017
Arts and Communication gets a new dean
By George Tatoris News Editor
Maurice Hall, the current chairperson of the Department of Communication at Villanova University, spent two days in Ewing, N.J., for his interview for the position of Dean of the Arts and Communication at the College. One evening, he spent about 20 minutes discussing the upcoming exhibit in the TCNJ Art Gallery with a student. The student’s knowledge and passion impressed him beyond bounds. “She was totally lost — in a very good way,” he said. The experience was just one of a handful of things that struck Hall about the College. According to an email sent out to students by Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Jacqueline Taylor on Jan. 9, Hall was appointed to the position of dean of the School of Arts and Communication, which will be effective July 1, 2017. “(The deanship is) a job that is at the heart of a school that focuses on the liberal arts,” Hall said. “It integrates the arts with communication, which I think are both vital to both understanding the world in which we live currently and to giving
students a really exceptional education.” Hall will take over the position from Interim Dean James Day in July. Day took over shortly after the previous dean, John Laughton, retired at the end of the fall semester. Hall had first heard about the College from his students at Villanova who had siblings at the College or had applied here themselves. Hall said he has only heard good things. “It’s a public university, but so many of its best teachers resemble those of very good liberal arts colleges,” Hall said. To Hall, the job represented everything he enjoyed about schools. As chairperson, Hall oversees the largest department in Villanova’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences — almost 500 undergraduates study communication at the university. His work focuses on communication across cultures and within mixed organizations. “Communicating effectively within diverse organizations and across cultures is vital in our increasingly heterogeneous and globalized society,” a summary of his work on Villanova’s website reads. As chairperson, Hall — along with a bevy of other academics — implemented a university-wide program called Intergroup Relations, a non-credit course open to every student that aims to build
an understanding between students of different social, economic, racial and ethnic groups. Hall has consulted and taught on issues such as diversity training and strategic diversity management, conflict management, team building, cross-cultural communication and leadership training for national and international clients. Before coming to Villanova, Hall worked as an assistant professor and graduate teaching assistant at Howard University, where he earned a doctorate, and as an instructor at the University of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts with honors. Hall was raised in Spanish Town, Jamaica, which is just west of the capital of Kingston. He was born in Bradford, England, according to Patch.com. He moved to the U.S. in 1990 and has published numerous works since then. Publications such as “Embodying the Postcolonial Life and Re-Constituting Place and Space: Culture and Communication in the Construction of a Jamaican Transnational Identity” discussed the identities and experiences that come with living in the Caribbean. The latter book earned Hall the Outstanding Book of the Year Award from the African American Communication Division at the National
Communication Association in 2012. Among the many things that struck Hall about the College was the physical beauty — he even admired the campuswide construction. “All (the construction projects) are good signals for the continuing development and evolution of the school,” Hall said.
Hall takes over in July.
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Break / Lack of students stifles Campus Town business
Mexican Mariachi Grill and Yummy Sushi take a hit from the winter break lull.
continued from page 1
around anymore,” Yap said. Kevin Meneses, who works behind the counter at Mexican Mariachi Grill next door, supported Yap’s claim, stating there were less people at the restaurant over winter break. With Mariachi Grill and Yummy Sushi having just opened in September and October, respectively, this was their first time experiencing the winter lull — neither establishment knew to what extent the lack of students would hurt business. At Yummy Sushi, a majority of the clientele were students, Yap said. Those few that weren’t students were mostly regulars at the first location that lived closer to the new one. These few extra customers were not enough to overcome the lack of students. Escalating the problem was the winter weather, Yap said. The few
students on campus for winter session preferred to stay indoors or eat in on-campus facilities, which are closer to residence halls. During winter session, Eickhoff Hall remains open, albeit for limited hours, as well as the Lion’s Den, according to tcnj.edu. Presentations held by Campus Town before companies moved in stressed the importance of not relying too heavily on students, however, many businesses seem to have underestimated by just how much. Greg Lentine, the director of Campus Development and vice president of sales and marketing of the PRC Group, the private partner in the Campus Town project, said the public didn’t realize the stores were open to them as well as students. “When we first opened this, there seemed to be in the public some confusion on whether or
not the public was allowed here,” Lentine said. Campus Town is currently working to reach out to the public through advertisements and articles in local papers. There was some improvement — Lentine said some restaurants are reporting half of their customers are locals, however, the winter lull still stings. “If you have 100 percent customers and then half your customers leave, you feel it. You see it. It’s obvious,” Lentine said. RedBerry Frozen Yogurt saw a lot of business from the public over the summer, but they benefit most from students, owner Sherry Havier said. “When the students are here, we definitely do much better business, so it’s more students than community,” Havier said. Lentine also mentioned that the first year for these businesses
Jason Proleika / Photo Editor
is learning the ropes of the new location and adapting the next year. While Mariachi Grill and Yummy Sushi wrestled with their newfound winter worries, RedBerry, which opened the year before, had already learned to cope. “Business drops off dramatically,” Havier said. “But to cope with it, we shortened our hours, my husband (Art, who is also an owner) and I worked most of the shifts by ourselves without paying labor and we didn’t order as much product and we held our breath until it was over.” In addition to the lack of customers, less students meant limited staff. To prevent understaffing on days neither Havier nor her husband could work, they hired high school and community college students to help out. Both Lentine and Havier hope that, as new businesses open, the public will have more incentive
to visit Campus Town. According to Lentine, Campus Town expects to open a hair cutter, an InFocus Urgent Care, a gourmet hot dog store, a yoga studio, a nail salon and a PostNet, which is a printing and mail store, in the next six months. Much like other Campus Town establishments, RedBerry had some idea of what might happen without students to give them business, but underestimated just how hard it’d hurt. “We were panicked last year,” Havier said. “We didn’t know that was going to happen,” Havier said. “We didn’t realize how big of an effect it was going to have.” They spent the rest of the year preparing for the following winter. Yummy Sushi is currently doing the same for the three-month long summer break. “We still have to try our best to stay open,” Yap said.
January 25, 2017 The Signal page 3
Loss / Professor’s passing leaves impression
continued from page 1
could tell how devoted he was to them. “It was so nice to get to know Dr. Winston outside of the academic sphere,” Palacio said. “Not only was he a great scholar, teacher and humanitarian, but he was a loving husband and father.” Palacio was a student in Winston’s ethics class and recalls how passionate her professor was about the subject. “He made me realize that the issues we are fighting in this world are put on by us, and we need to work together to sort out the troubles of this world in order to make a better tomorrow,” Palacio said. Rabbi Akiva Greenbaum, an adjunct professor in philosophy, religion and classical studies and Chabad rabbi at the College, developed a great relationship with Winston and was upset to hear of his passing. Winston was both a neighbor and a close friend who was often invited to the Rabbi’s house for dinner and conversation. “Mort Winston or ‘Mordechai’ as he referred to himself when he came to Chabad events, was a TCNJ legend, my personal mentor and a proud Jew,” Greenbaum said. “He has joined Chabad for Shabbat meals and services, holiday programs and even came to the recent bris of my son.” Greenbaum described how proud Winston was of his Jewish heritage, particularly the religion’s focus on ethics and morality. “We grew very close and would often have deep theological, philosophical conversations,” Greenbaum said. “We are thinking about and praying for his wife Sally, his children and friends at this difficult time.” Greenbaum added that he would like to plan something in Winston’s honor in order to keep his memory alive. Emyr Dakin, an adjunct professor in philosophy, religion and classical studies, had not been at the College long when he developed a close bond with Winston. “It wasn’t too long ago that I popped my head around Professor Winston’s office door to introduce myself,” Dakin said. “I immediately felt that he was someone that
I could get on with.” Winston had invited him into his office to chat. The picture on Winston’s wall called “The Mask of Agamemnon,” an ancient artifact from the Mycenaean Age, sparked a conversation between the two scholars that Dakin still remembers fondly today. “This is the man I briefly knew,” Dakin said. “Deeply intelligent, yet very warm and sharing. A great loss to students, colleagues and friends.” Winston was both a friend and a scholar. According to Muha’s email, his scholarship included his membership of the editorial boards of two leading human rights journals, Human Rights Quarterly and the Journal of Human Rights. He is the author of many published works — his work has been cited 988 times to date — and he edited a renowned textbook on the philosophy of human rights in 1989. Winston was also an avid human rights activist. Winston led the South Africa Country Group for Amnesty International USA, an organization that exposes and prevents human rights abuses, in the late 1980s, according to Muha’s email. He also founded their Business and Human Rights program, which works on holding different companies across multiple nations accountable for human rights. In a statement by Amnesty International, Board Chair Ann Burroughs said the organization is deeply indebted to him for his contributions to the movement. The organization described him as a passionate advocate of human rights, unable to stay silent in the face of injustice. In 1999, according to the email released, Winston also served as part of Social Accountability International, which ensured the rights of people in the workplace. He was in the midst of his third year as chair of the Board of Directors for Social Accountability Accreditation Services. In 2007, he chaired the Danish Institute of Human Rights in Copenhagen and received a scholarship for his successes there as well as in South Africa in 1992 and Thailand in 1999. Consuelo Preti, a professor of philosophy, religion and classical studies at the
College, appreciated Winston’s dedication to justice and good will. “Winston was always very real. He wasn’t afraid to speak his mind or stand up for what he believed in, and he was passionate about social justice,” Preti said. She recalled her first and favorite memory of him, when he was interviewing her for her job here at the College. “The question he asked me was the best one that I’ve ever gotten in an interview: ‘What was the worst experience you have had in the classroom teaching philosophy? Why, and what did you do about it?’ I had to stop and think about it,” she said. “It made the interview process so much more real and interesting.” Amidst all of his accomplishments, Preti said she would miss the little things about him. “His office was right next to mine, and the thing I think I will miss the most is the sound of his laugh whenever we talked about something funny,” Preti said.
Melinda Roberts, a philosophy professor, shared a fond memory of her colleague. Winston offered her suggestions of ways to improve an informal presentation she had given. His suggestion really made Roberts think critically about not just her presentation, but the philosophy behind it. During her presentation on WWII, Roberts made a statement saying that had the war never taken place, neither she nor Winston would have existed. Winston corrected her statement by suggesting she say that had the war not taken place, “then very probably Mort and I would never have existed,” she said. That correction set her thinking deeply about the probability of her and Winston’s existence. “Mort’s insistence on precision — and perhaps his own deep understanding of the problem I was trying to analyze — led him to ask me the right question at the right time,” Roberts said. “ And he often did that, far more often than almost anyone else I know.”
Photo courtesy of Richard Glazer
Greenbaum (second from left) remembers Winston fondly.
College club president earns prestigious honor By Vanessa Rutigliano Correspondent
Joseph Salamone, a junior self-designed major focusing on innovation and entrepreneurship, received the Degree of Chevalier by the Order of DeMolay International on Jan. 14. Salamone is the co-founder and president of the Entrepreneurship Club at the College and has been involved with DeMolay, a youth leadership organization, since the eighth grade. The Degree of Chevalier, which is the highest honor that can be given to active members of DeMolay, is awarded for outstanding activity and work for DeMolay. “I honestly did not expect to receive this honor, and I am humbled that I did,” Salamone said. “Since I joined DeMolay, I have gone through life trying my best to represent who a DeMolay is and what we stand for.” The degree cannot be applied for and nominations are made by a unanimous vote of DeMolay’s International Supreme Court. Salamone has been involved in entrepreneurial endeavors since middle school with projects ranging from painting garage floors to selling hologram bracelets meant to improve athletic ability called Power Balance Bracelets and Flip Up shirts, which spell out phrases when folded the right way. Finding no entrepreneurial outlets at the College, he decided to get more involved on campus by co-founding and later becoming president of the Entrepreneurship Club. As president, Salamone takes his responsibilities for the club seriously and makes it his goal to get to know each member. “In addition to running and planning our club and executive board (eboard) meetings, I push the (club’s) eboard to do what they want and think is best for the club,” Salamone said. As Salamone said in his acceptance speech after receiving
the Degree of Chevalier, he has been able to use the skills and experiences gained through his involvement in DeMolay to better serve as president of the Entrepreneurship Club. “These skills gained from DeMolay have impacted me as a leader by giving me the confidence and knowledge to be my own person and do what I set my mind to,” Salamone said. “It gave me the skills needed to co-found and
grow the club. I believe younger DeMolays look up to me for this.” Alongside supporting Salamone in receiving his award were two of the executive board members from the Entrepreneurship Club, Greg Vaks, a networker and a junior finance and computer science double major, and D.J. Kleinbard, a marketer and a junior marketing major.
Photo courtesy of Dean Hoffman
Vaks (left), Salamone (center) and Kleinbard (right) are members of the Entrepreneurship Club.
page 4 The Signal January 25, 2017
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Complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.gov TCNJ’s College Code is 002642 Remember income tax data can be easily transferred from the IRS to your FAFSA using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool – RECOMMENDED IRS Tax Return Transcripts will be required if you are selected for verification & if you do not use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool Parents & students are required to have a FSA ID to electronically sign the FAFSA The FAFSA must be filed by 4/15/17 for Tuition Aid Grant (TAG) consideration Don’t forget to respond to the additional questions required by the State of NJ on the 2017-2018 FAFSA confirmation page
January 25, 2017 The Signal page 5
Nation & W rld
Donald Trump sworn in as 45th US president
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Trump vows to ‘Make America great again.’ By Julia Marnin Staff Writer
Donald John Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States on Friday, Jan. 20, assuming the role of commander in chief. He delivered an inaugural address with promises of rebuilding the nation and giving it back to the “forgotten men and women.” The day began with Trump and his wife, Melania, drinking tea and coffee with former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle. Afterwards, guests gathered at the Capitol building for the swearing-in ceremony. Former presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter were present for the event, however, George
H. W. Bush was unable to attend due to a respiratory illness, according to USA Today. The transfer of power began as Vice President Mike Pence took his oath administered by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. According to The New York Times, Pence was sworn in with Ronald Reagan’s Bible. Then, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. administered Trump’s oath of office to him, using a family Bible and President Abraham Lincoln’s Bible, according to Washington Post. Trump gave his inaugural address moments after the transition of power took place. This was a historic moment as the transition made Trump the oldest president to take office. In his 16-minute speech, Trump proclaimed messages and promises that were familiar to his campaign. Trump thanked the Obamas, saying, “They have been magnificent” during the transition period. He described not only a transfer of power taking place between two administrations, but a transfer of power from Washington D.C. to “the American People.” Trump continued his speech by describing a country that needs to be fixed and an “American carnage” that needs to end. He mentioned issues that he felt had caused the alleged carnage, such as poverty, abandoned factories, a flawed education system, crime and drugs. In order to resolve these issues, Trump addressed the American people by saying, “I will fight for you
with every breath in my body.” He later stated, “We will bring back our jobs. We will bring back our borders. We will bring back our dreams.” Trump briefly mentioned foreign policy by promising to “reinforce old alliances and form new ones” and also deal with the threat of “radical Islamic terror.” He infused patriotic ideals throughout his address and hinted at a new chance for national unification: “A new national pride will stir our souls, lift our hearts and heal our divisions.” The speech ended with Trump’s signature campaign slogan: “Make America great again.” Following the address, 16-year-old Jackie Evancho sang the National Anthem. Afterwards, Obama and his wife departed in a helicopter to Joint Base Andrews to say their farewells before leaving on a vacation to Palm Springs, Calif. The celebration of the new president included the inaugural parade that stretched down Pennsylvania Avenue. As the many ceremonies took place, Washington D.C. was filled with protests. According to The New York Times, most of the protests were peaceful, however, clashes between protesters and police occurred. The police brought out tear gas, as some of the protesters became violent and vandalized local businesses. Shop windows were broken and some protesters burned a limousine. Many arrests were made. Many House Democrats boycotted the event, according to Fox News.
Oman accepts 10 prisoners from Guantanamo Bay By Ashton Leber Social Media Editor
The Arab nation of Oman has accepted 10 inmates from the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, informally known as “Gitmo” during the final days of the Obama administration, according to NPR. According to ABC News, the detainees, whose names and nationalities remain unknown, were released to Oman’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs at a request from former President Barack Obama. This release comes in lieu of Obama’s promise to shut down the prison via an executive order within one year after his inauguration in January 2009, according to CNN. Washington Post reported congress prevented the closing of the facility and would not allow the prisoners from Guantanamo to be relocated onto U.S. soil.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that “in consideration of their humanitarian situation,” the prisoners will remain in Oman “for a temporary residence,” according to CNN. While the U.S. government has not made any public statements, an anonymous U.S. defense official has confirmed the transfer, Washington Post reported. According to Fox News, Guantanamo first opened in Cuba on Jan. 11, 2002 to house those captured during the invasion of Afghanistan under the George W. Bush administration, as fear of terrorism was high due to the 9/11 attacks. According to Washington Post, the terrorists behind 9/11 have not been tried yet. During its peak, there were nearly 700 prisoners at Guantanamo, according to NPR. The report stated 242 detainees remained at the beginning of Obama’s presidency. Forty five of them are still at the detention
facility today, according to CNN. The Obama administration has relocated several detainees to outside countries, most of which were released to Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, according to Fox News. A total of 30 former Guantanamo inmates have now been released to Oman, as “four Yemenis were sent there in January 2015, six more in June 2015 and another 10 Yemenis in January 2016,” according to CNN. The Wall Street Journal stated that Guantanamo Bay has “drawn criticism from human-rights groups and foreign governments over indefinite detentions without charge and the alleged torture of detainees by personnel there.” The prison operates “outside the U.S. legal framework,” which has caused more criticism from humanitarians and legal experts, according to Washington Post.
AP Photo
Forty five remain at Guantanamo.
NPR reported on President Donald Trump’s differing thoughts Obama about Guantanamo. A tweet from Trump on Jan. 3 reads, “There should be no further releases from Gitmo. These are extremely dangerous people and should not be allowed back onto the battlefield.” Trump has said the detention facility will remain open and he plans to “load it up with some bad dudes,” Fox News reported.
Wife of Pulse nightclub shooter faces charges
Salman pleads not guilty to all charges. By Rebbecca Colnes Correspondent The FBI arrested Noor Salman, the wife of the Pulse nightclub killer, on Jan. 16 for her alleged role in the attack. According to CNN, Salman’s husband, Omar Mateen, killed 49 people and wounded dozens of others on June 12, 2016 at Pulse nightclub, a popular spot for the
Orlando LGBTQ+ community. Mateen was killed by police during the shooting. Salman is charged with obstructing the investigation of the attack and “aiding and abetting Mateen’s support of ISIS,” according to NBC. According to CNN, Mateen swore allegiance to ISIS as he attacked the nightclub. Investigators interviewed Salman
after her husband’s attack, and she told them that she had no part in her husband’s plans, but the investigators believed she was lying, according to The New York Times. Law enforcement stated Mateen and Salman were sending each other texts during the shooting, CBS News reported. According to The New York Times, investigators found it peculiar how Salman and her child went with Mateen to Orlando when he scouted the club. She claims to have believed her husband was visiting a friend named Nemo in Orlando. Nemo was, in fact, not living in Florida at the time, which Salman also claims not to have known, according to The New York Times. The same news outlet reported that investigations led to
the discovery that Salman knew her husband bought ammunition days before the attack, however, this was not unusual because of his job as a security guard. One official reported that Salman admitted she had known for awhile that Mateen was planning a terror attack, according to CNN. The same source reported that months before the attack, Mateen added his wife to his life insurance policy and two bank accounts. According to CNN, Salman and Mateen were married in 2011 and then moved to Fort Pierce, Fla. Relatives were distressed by the marriage due to Salman’s Palestinian heritage and Mateen’s Afghanistan heritage, according to The New York Times.
Salman’s husband beat her and verbally abused her, she told The New York Times. After the nightclub attack, Salman moved to the San Francisco metro area. Last month, she filed a petition to change her son’s name, according to CBS News. Salman was held in the Santa Rita Jail before appearing in a Federal Court on Jan. 17, where prosecutors will seek to have her face charges in Orlando, according to NBC. “I know she’s innocent — 100 percent... she’s innocent, simple person. She will not hurt a fly,” said Al Salman, a family member, NBC reported. Salman pleaded not guilty on both charges during the hearing, according to New York Daily News.
page 6 The Signal January 25, 2017
Fun Stuff Trump Inauguration Word Scramble
1. HATO FO FIOECF 2. HEPSEC 3. KVNIAA 4. NNOIIRTTAS 5. ELE DNRGOWOEE 6. TINPSEERD 7. RUGLANAIU LBLA 8. UPTRM 9. LBPCIU RNYOCMEE 10. EKMI NEPCE 11. ERAAPD 12. SAU 13. WRNSO NI 14. MAIEALN 15. CNONILL LEBIB 16. YIFDRA 17. PDUOR OT EB NA MCREINAA 18. NNAAUURTOIIG 19. RTOSPTES 20. SHTNOAWNIG CD
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.
ANSWERS CAN BE FOUND ON PAGE 16
January 25, 2017 The Signal page 7
Editorial
Winter break brings mixed feelings
For those, like myself, who are now feeling completely overwhelmed with going back to school, waking up for the 8 a.m. class you regrettably signed up for and having to once again endure the fine dining at Eickhoff Hall, I wanted to provide some hope. To begin, here is an anecdote about my winter break. By Dec. 19, I was beyond finished. My couch was just calling my name, and I needed to get to it immediately, if not sooner. I finished my last exam in 28 minutes and zoomed up Route 1 back to my humble home. It just gets exhausting. Suddenly, mid-December hits like a brick, and the stress and social pressures of college life weigh down too heavily on students. They just cannot continue without a break. Therefore, I couldn’t get home fast enough on Dec. 19. Christmas music blaring through my speakers, I jingled and jangled all the way home, stoked about the upcoming holiday season and some muchneeded relaxation. I would miss my new friends and groups at the College, but, hey, at least my hometown friends and I would spend some time together. I was a bit off. I quickly discovered that my hometown friends had moved on, as they no longer felt the need to be the tight-knit, resilient group that we were just a few months prior. All our memories, our late night drives to Wawa and our game nights and our love for one another simply vanished into dust and crumbled in front of my eyes. A few good people remained and are still a large part of my life. I’m very thankful for them. It still hurt, though, to realize that many friendships cannot withstand the distance and the separation that comes with going to college. On a brighter note, on Christmas Eve, my great aunt gave us a platter the size of a pizza filled with perfectly stacked Italian Christmas cookies. We still haven’t finished all of them. The rest of break was nothing short of wonderful. I went back to work, I laid on my couch and ate chips. I also spent some time with people from college and those remaining from high school, and, most importantly, I spent time with my incredible family, who I’ve missed more than anything. If my story sounds like yours, if maybe you and your friends have grown apart, here’s my advice: People will leave and leave you wondering “why?” though all you did was stay. Accept this and move forward. Be your own rock and surround yourself with people who want to be there. For returning to school: Yes, we’re all a little nervous, scared and anxious. This is what I’ve realized. Take comfort in the fact that these feelings are not exclusive, and that you may be surprised at who is feeling the same way as you. Rise above the nerves and anxiety. All it takes is some dedication, a few late nights and many, many cups of coffee. And in my case, a few Christmas cookies. If anyone wants any, feel free to reach out. We’re still trying to get rid of them. To a new semester! - Mia Ingui Opinions Editor
Editorial Content Unsigned editorial opinions are those of the Editorial Board, which consists of the Editor-in-Chief, the Managing, News, Features, Arts & Entertainment, Opinions, Photo, Sports, Review and Social Media editors and the Business and Production managers, unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed in signed editorials and letters to the editor are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Signal.
Winter break is a time for rest and reflection.
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“A new national pride will stir our souls, lift our hearts and heal our divisions.”
— Donald J. Trump, 45th U.S. president
“(Morton Winston) made me realize that the issues we are fighting in this world are put on by us, and we need to work together to sort out the troubles of this world in order to make a better tomorrow.” — Lisa Palacio, a junior philosophy major
Emilie Lounsberry Adviser lounsber@tcnj.edu Thomas Munnia Business/Ad Manager tmunnia@gmail.com
“(The deanship is) a job that is at the heart of a school that focuses on the liberal arts. It integrates the arts with communication, which I think are both vital to both understanding the world in which we live currently.” — Maurice Hall, appointed dean of the School of Arts and Communication
page 8 The Signal January 25, 2017
Opinions
First semester mistakes can create success By Kristen Frolich
Entering my first semester of college, I had no idea what to expect. Would I make friends or be able to handle my workload? Was I ready to start the next chapter in my life? Through trial and error, I eventually found a balance in my daily life throughout the semester. With finding this balance, however, I noticed how the mistakes I made the first semester would affect my adjustment to college life. I never realized how awful my time management was until I entered college. In high school, I simultaneously managed school, homework, extracurricular activities, a job and a volunteer program. At college, I assumed I would be able to maintain a balance between schoolwork, my social life and my personal life similar to how I did in high school. To my surprise, I struggled
immensely with managing between my daily activities. One of the amazing—yet cruel— parts of college is that your daily schedule is completely controlled by you. I am responsible for doing my schoolwork, maintaining my well-being and having a social life. This means I am on my own schedule all the time, and I am responsible for everything that goes into my day. Before entering college, I never paid attention to how many things I would have to do on my own. However, I now recognize how essential it is to manage your time in college, as everything relies on you. In addition to poor time management, procrastination also played an important role during my first semester. In high school, I always battled with procrastination. Sometimes I did not want to do my homework. Nonetheless, I understood
Organization is the key to success in college.
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Students are ready to get back to work after winter break. that upon entering college, I would have to lessen my procrastination as much as possible to succeed. But, of course, with my luck, my procrastination went through the roof this past semester. As a result, I was not as prepared for classes and tests as I should have been. I felt like I was drowning in all of the work that I was given and my procrastination dragged me down under. I became so overwhelmed that I didn’t know what to do. I realized I needed to calm down and organize all of my assignments and responsibilities. I bought myself a planner and went to the Tutoring Center to make an appointment for one of my classes. I told myself that from that point on, I would have to work twice as hard than before. I began to organize myself and
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eventually developed a schedule of my daily activities. I finally became the student I wanted to be, and I even made dean’s list by the end of the semester. Aside from my lack of time management and too much procrastination, I had an enjoyable and unforgettable first semester at the College. I understand how imperative time management is in college and how procrastination should not interfere with schoolwork, but it always will to some degree. Although I did not want to struggle with time management my first semester, I’m happy I did. I believe my mistakes will shape me into a better student going forward. I’m ready for all the challenges that will come my way during the spring semester, and I only have one thing to say— bring it on.
Aruba is a great getaway destination
By Mia Ingui
There’s no better way to spend winter break than lying on the beach, drinking a smoothie out of a coconut and soaking up the sun. Unfortunately, this is impossible in the New Jersey winter weather — it’s definitely not the place to be during winter break. The perfect spot to have your island dreams come true is in Aruba, the tiny Dutch Caribbean island near Venezuela. Aruba is the best spot for relaxation, delicious eats and fun in the sun. I visited Aruba smack in the middle of January, desperate to just feel the sunlight that I had missed. The summer is my absolute favorite time of the year, and I definitely suffer from seasonal depression — I am saddest when the dark clouds of winter roll in and the sun disappears. Once I landed in Aruba, the sunshine brought me back to life, and I couldn’t be happier. The weather was a beautiful 80 degrees with a mix of sun and clouds. We caught a day of rain, which was not ideal, but this is out of the ordinary for the island. The island is large enough to explore, yet small enough to manage in just a couple of days. The eastern half is perfect to visit, as this is the strip with gorgeous beaches populated by high-rise hotels and tons of attractions. One afternoon, we visited the famous California Lighthouse at the far end of the island, and after, the Aruban Aloe
Factory. I even took a plant back home to the States. We spent another day downtown in Oranjestad, the island’s capital, and shopped until we dropped. Although the island is great to explore, we really wanted to spend time on the beach relaxing, which we did. If you want an amazing place to lay in the sun — while remembering that it is the dead of the winter back home — Aruba is the place for you. My family stayed at the Hyatt Regency, and I felt that this was an amazing choice for our stay. The property was absolutely gorgeous, as all properties are on the island. Since it was January, the beach was not crowded, which is why I would recommend going at this time of the year. Obviously, spending some time in the sun was amazing, but what really proved to be impressive were the endless number of options to eat on the island. Almost every restaurant is rated well and high quality. My favorite spot for breakfast was the vegan and all-natural spot called the Garden Fresh Café, which served tasty smoothies and breakfast wraps. On the beach was the famous playa bowl and smoothie hut Eduardo’s Beach Shack, which I visited every day to grab a delicious and completely Instagram-worthy acai bowl decked out with all of the local fruits of the island. The spot is easy to miss, being a small beachfront shack, but do not miss out on Eduardo’s.
There is no greater feeling than escaping the cold, dreary days of the winter to a beautiful island getaway. If you have been dying for a better way to use your winter break than sitting on the couch watching “Friends” reruns, consider taking that vacation you’ve always wanted next winter break to a lush island like Aruba.
Mia Ingui / Opinions Editor
Aruba has a lush, tropical environment.
Policies The Signal is published weekly during the academic year and is financed by the Student Activities Fee (SAF) and advertising revenue. Any student may submit articles to The Signal. Publication of submitted articles is at the discretion of the editors. The letters section is an open forum for opinions. Submissions that announce events or advertise in any way will not be printed. All letters should be sent via e-mail to signal@tcnj.edu. Handwritten letters should be sent to The Signal, c/o The Brower Student Center, The College of New Jersey, PO Box 7718 Ewing, N.J. 08628 or placed in our mailbox in the Student Life Office. Letters must be received by the Friday before publication and should not exceed 300 words. The Signal reserves the right to edit letters for space and clarity. All letters must be signed, with a phone number and address of the author. Requests to withhold the author’s name will be honored only if there is a legitimate reason. All materials submitted become the sole property of The Signal. The editors reserve the right to edit or withhold all articles, letters & photographs. The Signal willingly corrects factual mistakes. If you think we have made an error, please contact The Signal at (609) 771-2424, write to the address listed above or e-mail us at signal@tcnj.edu.
January 25, 2017 The Signal page 9
Students share opinions around campus
“What was your biggest mistake during your first semester?”
Mia Ingui / Opinions Editor
Mia Ingui / Opinions Editor
Leigh Ann Cowden, a sophomore nursing major.
Hailey Hyun, a sophomore biology major.
“My biggest mistake was spending too much time goofing around because then it hits you that you have homework.”
“I wasn’t as outgoing as I was my freshman year because I got comfortable with my friends now.”
“What is your favorite vacation spot?”
Mia Ingui / Opinions Editor
Priya Mansukhani, a sophomore biology major. “Croatia!”
Mia Ingui / Opinions Editor
Xuan Chen, a junior mathematics major. “I don’t go on vacation. I haven’t been on vacation in eight years.”
The Signal’s student cartoons of the week...
page 10 The Signal January 25, 2017
Fun Stuff Rainy day problems...
January 25, 2017 The Signal page 11
Features
Students study British theater abroad
Photo courtesy of Gracemarie Loretta
Students visit Big Ben in London. By Alyssa Gautieri Features Editor
During a four-week winter course, students traveled throughout England, visiting William Shakespeare’s birthplace, spending New Year’s Eve in London’s Trafalgar Square and experiencing a range of British theater. In 2011, English Professors Felicia Steele and Diane Steinberg designed the course, which has run every year since. While the syllabus and faculty adviser varies yearly, the course always exposes students to British theater and allows them to experience a “profound cultural difference,” according to Steele. In London, students experienced the chaos and beauty of the capital city by touring the British Museum, seeing the Tower of London and visiting Westminster Abbey. Afterwards, students traveled to Stratford-upon-Avon, a small, quaint town in England known as the birthplace of Shakespeare. “Stratford-upon-Avon was a wonderful change of pace from the bustling streets of London,” said Madellyn Stoner, a junior marketing major. “Stratford revolves around theater. The town is beautiful and full of wonderful people who appreciate the dramatic arts.” Students also visited Leavesden for the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter and explored the streets of Oxford on a day trip. The trip allowed students to see the connection between geography, history, literature and art firsthand that they would not have seen had they studied literature in a classroom, Steele said.
Students saw four Shakespeare plays, including “Much Ado About Nothing” and “The Tempest,” as well as Aphra Behn’s “The Rover,” Mark Haddon’s “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time,” James Graham’s “This House” and more. The English course is offered through the College’s Center for Global Engagement for one course unit and is open to students of all majors and years, even if students are unfamiliar with theater or have grown to fear Shakespeare. “In just four weeks, I was able to gain a greater appreciation for British theater, learn all about the life of Shakespeare and grasp the extensive history of London,” Stoner said. “This was truly an inclusive experience, most importantly anyone who was afraid of Shakespeare before this course is no longer intimidated.” According to Steinberg, the performances breathe life into Shakespeare’s classic works. “Students are used to thinking about Shakespeare as something that the teacher drags them through unwillingly, but when they see it performed onstage, they just fall in love with it,” Steinberg said. Gracemarie Loretta, an aspiring actress and a senior communication studies major, was greatly influenced by the trip’s focus on Shakespeare. “Before the trip, I never really studied Shakespeare. I have read plays for school, but I never performed or studied it as an actress,” Loretta said. “After this trip, I feel inspired to study Shakespeare scripts further.” Sophomore English major Julia Pugliese also benefited from her immersion in British culture. “The plays felt like they were directly related to me, and I was so much more enthralled in their stories,” Pugliese said. “I saw aspects of Shakespeare’s life that might have influenced his plays, and therefore, I began to see him as a real person rather than an assignment.” Steinberg said her favorite part of the trip is observing the students experience professional theater for the first time. “Every year we get students who have really never seen professional drama plays, and they are so blown away at what happens to a play when professionals get their hands on it,” she said. “They’re amazed at how a 400-year play comes alive in a really compelling way.” Pugliese agreed. “I felt like the plays had become a reality,” Pugliese said. “Reading a play on paper does not do it justice.” In addition to watching classic works performed,
students participated in an educational workshop with members of the Royal Shakespeare Company at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, where they learned about the rehearsal process and how the actors prepare each night. According to Steele, short-term study abroad courses are great for students who are reluctant or nervous to study abroad, as they learn they are capable of managing the experience. “Professor Steinberg and I are both very proud that we’ve had a lot of students that were nervous to go on this trip, but have later gone on to teach abroad or study abroad for an entire semester,” she said. Stoner encourages everyone at the College to give studying abroad a shot. “Four weeks was enough to open my eyes to the benefits of experiencing another culture,” she said. “Sometimes we forget to acknowledge that there is a whole world of lifestyles outside of ours.” According to senior accounting major Edward Guippone, the trip was a great change of pace to his college experience. “It allows you to experience a culture that is different than your own,” he said. Studying abroad can also be a great way to create life-long friendships. According to Guippone, forming a group allowed them to make the most of their time. “Ultimately, study abroad best serves people who are looking for an adventure and who approach new experiences with curiosity and a positive attitude,” he said.
Photo courtesy of Gracemarie Loretta
The trip includes seeing Shakespeare’s home.
Cops / College awards officers for outstanding efforts
Police ensure students’ safety. continued from page 1 Title IX Coordinator Jordan Draper and Title IX Investigator Elizabeth Gallus were the first to be awarded for their efforts to help Campus Police locate the intruder. Draper and Gallus are both members of the Coordinated Community Response Team, along with Anti-Violence Initiative Coordinator Michelle Lambing. According to Lambing, the
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Coordinated Community Response Team is a group that meets regularly to discuss sexual violence on campus. “When students want to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions, they have two options,” Lambing said. “They can go through the criminal process, which is Campus Police, or they can go through the Title IX process.” Title IX is a less intense process for students that may be reluctant
to discuss sexual violence, however, the Title IX office and Campus Police typically work together to investigate cases of sexual violence on campus. Draper and Gallus searched through ID swipes into residence halls, eliminated suspects and helped put law enforcement on the right path toward finding the suspect. “It’s one thing to have policies in place to make sure that there’s cooperation, but it’s another thing to have good friends that are going to be there and help you out,” Grant, who has become friends with Draper and Gallus, said. According to Grant, the two “didn’t ask if (Campus Police) needed help. They just jumped in.” The award ceremony also honored those who helped with a different sexual assault case. Sergeant Marcie Montalvo said a student reported she was assaulted by a fellow student while she was incapacitated and unconscious in her on-campus dorm room. Officer Cheryl Campbell of
Campus Police and Detective Brittney Aspromonti of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office were awarded for their work, which resulted in criminal charges being signed. “Watching the two of you interview the suspect that night… it could have been used as a training film,” Grant said to Campbell and Aspromonti. Montalvo added that their tone and way of questioning were key factors in the suspect sharing crucial information. The information the suspect shared provided evidence of the diminished mental capacity of the victim at the time of the assault, resulting in the accused being charged with aggravated criminal sexual assault. The last award was given to newly commissioned Officer Reed and Detective Michael Ferraro of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office for their successful investigation of the fall semester intruder. “It’s like an actor that played five different parts,” Grant said, referring
to Reed’s role in the investigation. “She was undercover, she was the case agent, she did surveillance, she did the intelligence work and she collated all the information.” According to Montalvo, Campus Police sorted through almost 4,000 files from Cannon’s phone, and Reed ultimately found information that led to two accomplices. The information led to further investigation with Cannon’s connection to a sexual assault incident at Wyoming University on May 6, 2016 where his DNA was confirmed to match the DNA left at the crime scene. “A serial sexual predator and two accomplices had been arrested due to the unbending resolve of lead investigators,” Montalvo said. As the ceremony ended, Campus Police officers, Title IX coordinators and members of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office congratulated those who were commissioned and commemorated. “It’s important to recognize what a great job the officers do,” Lopez said.
page 12 The Signal January 25, 2017
: Sept. ‘05
Campus Style
Students protest President Bush
JG: What is your current favorite fashion trend? KH: Easy: the choker. JG: What is your least favorite trend? KH: Probably neutral tones. I’m all for color. JG: What are your favorite accessories? KH: Definitely hoops and my bootie heels.
Student shares personal account of protest.
JG: Heels or flats? KH: Absolutely heels.
Alyssa Gautieri / Features Editor
JG: What are you most excited about wearing this winter? KH: Big, comfy sweaters and, of course, leggings.
Every week, Features Editor Alyssa Gautieri hits the archives and finds old Signals that relate to current College topics and top stories. On Saturday, Jan. 21, men and women surrounded the White House to protest President Donald Trump. Protesters exercised their First Amendment right to rally as they marched, chanted and demanded respect for women. In September 2005, Americans also embraced their freedom of assembly. In Washington D.C., former student Nicole Levins participated in a protest against former President George W. Bush and the Iraq War. In 2005, Levins and other Americans marched the same streets as the protesters on Saturday. In 2017, Americans continue to exercise their First Amendment right. Nicole Levins, junior journalism major, attended the March in Washington, D.C. to end the War in Iraq on Sept. 24. Following is Levins’ personal account of the march. If there’s anything I hate more than getting up early, it’s war. That’s how I ended up boarding a Progressive Student Alliance-sponsored bus at 7 a.m. last Saturday, bound for a massive antiwar protest in D.C. We got to the National Mall around 11:30 a.m. Helicopters circled overhead, and I imagined secret agents inside, scouting for new victims of the Patriot Act. I tried to avoid being smacked in the
face with protest signs while I admired their ingenuity. There was the usual “Make love, not war,” “Peace is patriotic” and the ubiquitous “The only Bush I trust is my own.” Eventually, it was time to hit the streets for some non-violent dissent. As we marched, various groups chanted about what they wanted (“Peace!”) and when they wanted it (“Now!”). If there’s anything holding me back from being the ultimate super-protestor, it’s the chanting. I can’t do it without feeling ridiculous, so I just clap and try to look as supportive as possible. It’s pretty unnerving to be walking down the street with hundreds of police officers wielding huge clubs seven feet away from you, ready to beat you senseless if you look like you’re getting too enthusiastic. I’m glad I finally ventured into political activism. Apathy is very unattractive, and I wish that more of my peers would get involved. And take advantage of your right to peaceably assemble. Attend a protest or rally for whatever it is that you care about or find interesting. You’ll have fun, and there is nothing cuter than a little old lady wearing grandma slacks, a cardigan sweater and a “Fuck Bush” pin. Personally, I’d like to attend a women’s rights march next.
Photo courtesy of Jillian Greene
Hayes wears green heels with a tight blue dress. By Jillian Greene Columnist
JG: How do you plan to incorporate your style into the workplace? KH: As a business major, I am fully aware of the attire. However, I will try to wear bright colors, skirts over pants and definitely heels rather than ballet flats.
Name: Katherine Hayes Year: Junior Major: Finance We’re catching up with Katherine Hayes. As a colleague and friend, I admire her style. JG: Where do you get most of your fashion inspiration? KH: Definitely my mom. JG: What are your favorite places to shop? KH: Lord and Taylor — Free People section — and Forever 21. JG: What type of outfit do you feel most comfortable in? KH: A skirt, tight long sleeve shirt and printed tights.
Printed tights are stylish.
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: Stars march for human rights
Women protest President Trump in Washington D.C. By Mackenzie Cutruzzula Columnist
On Saturday, Jan. 21, millions of Americans gathered across the world to protest against President Donald Trump’s first day in office. Both male and female celebrities joined the women’s march to stand up for women’s rights. Actress America Ferrera kicked off the Washington D.C. assembly with a speech. “But the president is not America,” Ferrera said. “His cabinet is not America. Congress is not America. We are America.”
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The protest in Washington D.C. also featured speeches from Gloria Steinem, Madonna and Scarlett Johansson. Using Instagram and Twitter as a platform, celebrities further showed their support. Lena Dunham and Amy Schumer maintained live updates from the protests on social media, which featured photos with Amy Poehler and Uzo Aduba. Emma Watson was spotted on social media asking police to move a barricade, so she could interact with other activists. Vanessa Hudgens, Bella Thorne and Chrissy Teigen also kept up a
social media presence during the march. Teigen took on backlash from Twitter users as she commented on Trump’s inaugural address. She tweeted about how the negative comments inspired her to skip the Sundance Film Festival and head to D.C. instead. On Saturday, the famous film festival also held a walk in solidarity with the movement, where Teigen’s husband, John Legend, took part. Jake Gyllenhaal accompanied his sister, Maggie Gyllenhaal, to the march, while Katy Perry marched with her sister, Angela Hudson. “My heart is most proud to march with my blood sister, Angela, who has always been my guardian angel. We should all be guardians for each other,” Perry wrote on Instagram. Ferrera’s “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” co-star Amber Tamblyn marched alongside Cecile Richards, president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. “Jane the Virgin” star Gina Rodriguez posted a picture from the march wearing a T-shirt that read, “Torch Your Bra.” Melissa Benoist proved she was a real-life “Supergirl” by marching with a sign that said, “Hey Donald,
don’t try to grab my pussy — it’s made of steel.” Across the pond, actor LinManuel Miranda tweeted from the women’s march in London. After only 24 hours of being a private citizen, former Secretary of State John Kerry marched in Washington D.C. accompanied by his dog. In Los Angeles, Miley Cyrus represented the Happy Hippie Foundation, proving that the movement was inclusive for all. Although not spotted in person, Meryl Streep was represented on shirts and signs at various protests.
Signs read, “What Meryl said” and “Meryl is accurately rated.” Other celebrities that did not physically march, such as Taylor Swift and Kim Kardashian, tweeted about their support for the movement. Around the world, artists, entertainers and actors stood alongside everyday men and women to push for issues that predominantly face women. Watching this movement was inspiring and uplifting. While typically only celebrity’s materialistic moments are reported on, this movement made me proud to write about the historic moment featuring these talented figures.
Activist holds sign in support of women’s rights.
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January 25, 2017 The Signal page 13
Arts & Entertainment
‘La La Land’ mixes magic with music By Alyssa Apuzzio Staff Writer With 11 British Academy Film Award nominations, seven Critics’ Choice Movie Awards and worldwide critical acclaim, “La La Land” has garnered a lot of attention. The film won a record seven Golden Globe awards, which included best actor, actress, motion picture, director, screenplay, original song and original score. It is also projected to win nine Academy Awards, according goldderby.com. “La La Land” shares a connection with the College, as writer and director Damien Chazelle is the son of history Professor Celia Chazelle. Damien Chazelle visited the College in March 2016 to speak to communication studies
students who share a passion for a career in the film industry. Chazelle made his directorial debut in 2009 with the musical “Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench,” and he wrote and directed his second feature film, “Whiplash,” in 2014. Set in Los Angeles, “La La Land” is driven by Mia’s (Emma Stone) desire to be an actress, and Sebastian’s (Ryan Gosling) interest in opening a jazz club. Throughout the film, Mia, a barista, and Sebastian, a struggling pianist in love with jazz, push one another to pursue their dreams. When Sebastian takes a job playing in a pop music cover band, Mia senses Sebastian’s unhappiness and reminds him of his goal of opening a jazz club. Similarly, when Mia moves
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Gosling and Stone win Golden Globes for their acting.
back home and gives up on acting after numerous unsuccessful auditions, Sebastian drives to Mia’s house and persuades her to audition one more time, which leads Mia to land her breakout role shooting a film in Paris. Their encounters throughout the film are nothing but memorable from Sebastian snubbing Mia during their first official meet, tap dancing with her on a moonlit hill and floating through the stars in Griffith Observatory’s planetarium. Gosling and Stone have natural chemistry with each other. They emit a lively and merry vibe when they dance and tap together. I found myself smiling and laughing throughout all of the musical numbers. As early as the opening scene, the musicality and magic is evident in “La La Land.” The film begins on a crowded Los Angeles freeway with bumper-to-bumper traffic. The musical number, “Another Day of Sun,” was shot in Los Angeles on a ramp connecting Interstate 105 and Route 110, incorporating dozens of cars, 30 dancers and more than 100 extras. Emmy-winning choreographer Mandy Moore led the musical routines in “La La Land.” In an interview with ABC, Moore said the freeways were “closed from midnight to noon” in order to drive the cars and collect all of the dancers and extras on the freeway to film. Moore said she still gets goose bumps thinking about what they
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Sebastian and Mia share memorable musical numbers. were able to pull off with “Another Day of Sun.” I enjoyed every musical scene, but my favorite number is “A Lovely Night” in which Mia and Sebastian begin to sing and tap dance on a starry hill and try to convince each other they aren’t attracted to one another. The dancing is well-synchronized and playful, while Stone’s soft voice and Gosling’s deep tone contrast each other in a harmonious way. The film’s soundtrack is sweet, classy and fun, which reflects the movie’s foundation. My favorite scene is when Mia and Sebastian visit Griffith Observatory’s planetarium and soar into the air, twirling near the stars. The background music, “Planetarium,” is a whimsical and dreamy tune that melds
perfectly with the carefree image of Mia and Sebastian dancing among the stars. After the Golden Globes, the movie’s soundtrack rose to the top spot on the iTunes album chart. Immediately after viewing “La La Land,” I downloaded the film’s soundtrack and have been listening to it more times than I’d like to admit. I find the upbeat songs to be uplifting and the slower songs to be perfect when I practice yoga. It took six years for Chazelle to get “La La Land” picked up and supported by studios, which was made possible after his success with “Whiplash.” With critical acclaim and box office profits totaling $128.9 million, Chazelle has much to be proud of regarding his latest film.
Brilliant actors convey a classic story in ‘Fences’ By Thomas Infante Arts & Entertainment Editor
Based on the original play written in 1983 by August Wilson, “Fences” is the definition of a modern classic. The play won a Pulitzer Prize for drama and enjoyed a run on Broadway, where it won several Tony Awards, including the award for best play in 1987. While James Earl Jones played the original leading man, later productions featured Denzel Washington as Troy Maxson. After a successful revival of the play, Washington announced his plans to direct and star in a film adaptation of “Fences,” which was released in December 2016. Washington’s experience portraying Troy is evident in his emotive acting. As a middle-aged black man living in 1950s Philadelphia, Troy works tirelessly as a garbage man in order to support his family. Years earlier, Troy was a star baseball player in the Negro League, but was too old to play professionally by the time baseball became fully integrated. His bitterness about this strongly influences his philosophy, especially toward his teenage son Cory (Jovan Adepo). Cory is a good football player and hopes to use his abilities to get a college scholarship. Troy considers it a waste of time because of his past experiences and refuses to accept that his son may have better opportunities than he had at his age. Caught in the middle of this conflict is Rose (Viola Davis), Troy’s wife and Cory’s
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Washington and Davis are both compelling and realistic in their roles. mother. Davis recently won a Golden Globe for best supporting actress for her performance as Rose, who is a dutiful wife and mother constantly trying to maintain peace in a household with several strong personalities. She listens to Troy yammer on about how he could play baseball better than Jackie Robinson, while trying to support Cory’s decision to play football. There are other frequent visitors to the Maxson household who add depth to Troy’s situation. His friend and drinking buddy Bono (Stephen Henderson) provides Troy
with moral guidance. There is also Gabe (Mykelti Williamson), Troy’s brother, who suffered a head injury while fighting in World War II and now believes he is the angel Gabriel. Gabe carries around a broken trumpet and regularly causes a ruckus when he hallucinates “fighting off hellhounds” that he sees in the street. Troy, who often acts as Gabe’s caretaker, is deeply affected by Gabe’s condition and resists committing him to an institution because he feels that his brother deserves his freedom after serving his country.
The setting, like the characters, is very realistic. Troy lives in a small house in a low-class neighborhood, yet there is a vibrant sense of community. Kids cheerfully play stickball in the street while adults — too poor to afford a car — walk jauntily to and from work while discussing their lives. Troy spends much of his free time in his small backyard where he is gradually building a fence around his property. Troy’s larger-than-life personality is only accentuated by the meagerness of his physical possessions. We constantly hear Troy recount fanciful tales of his abusive father, his time in prison and his heroic athletic feats, but the only goal he has left is to finish the fence around his 50 square feet of yard. “Fences” is a character drama like no other. Special effects in this film are practically nonexistent — the focus is largely on the characters themselves. The plot is conveyed by dialogue between the characters who all have motivations and emotions realistic enough to be relatable. When the usually proud Troy admits to his wife, “I’ve been standing in the same spot for 18 years,” you can hear the pain and disappointment in his voice. Troy, while deeply flawed, tries to do what he considers to be the right thing for his family — even if they don’t always agree with him. Washington did an excellent job both starring and directing “Fences,” and the result is a film that is both faithful to the original play and realistically compelling in its own right.
page 14 The Signal January 25, 2017
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January 25, 2017 The Signal page 15
The xx’s sound evolves with third album
This week, WTSR assistant music director Nelson Kelly highlights some of the best new albums that the College’s own radio station, 91.3 FM WTSR, puts into its weekly rotation.
Photo courtesy of The xx
YouTube
Left: ‘I See You’ sounds both familiar and fresh. Right: Smith’s production blends well with Sim’s vocals in ‘On Hold.’ By Justine Wilson Staff Writer British indie-pop trio The xx released its anticipated third album “I See You” on Jan. 13. The band’s prior album, “Coexist,” was released in 2012 and fans eagerly awaited The xx’s return. The band is said to have changed the synth-pop scene forever as its songs are the archetype of current indie pop. The themes of self-doubt and fragility found on previous albums are explored deeper in the third album. The album is so good that despite its sad undertones, it truly illustrates the band’s growth since its debut. The xx’s previous albums focused less on vocals and lyrics. Its songs contained only what most consider to be background music to set the tone and tell the story. This album transitions from some of its older, more synthetic sounds to the epitome of this album: a
ballad called “Performance.” Layered densely with bass, singer-guitarist Romy Madley Croft takes an introspective look into a previous relationship in “Performance.” Meshing both indigenous and complex sounds together, The xx have released what is sure to be a memorable album and possibly one of the best of the year. The xx are known for creating relaxing music, as many students have encountered The xx on loop on YouTube, which got me through finals. “I See You” is no different, however, it is an enigma as it brings so much raw emotion to the listener. Jamie ‘xx’ Smith’s new take on synthetic sound may be a product of his solo exploration as an artist, wherein he released “In Colour” that made fans question the band’s status. Through this album, The xx explored the scary depths of pop music with the soon-to-be radio hit “On Hold.” With Oliver Sim on vocals,
the work’s depth is brought to life. The song has a new, but familiar sound, which means it will be stuck in your head for eternity. Still, the song meshed well with Smith’s beats and didn’t lose the signature sound — it even added a bit of variety to the album. “I See You” is as emotionally complex as the creation of the songs themselves. The trio’s exploration through this album is evident, as they branched out to even include horns. In this album, The xx also possesses a more commanding voice, which is seen in the subtly sexual songs “Lips” and “Dangerous” that exude a confidence not yet seen by The xx. “I See You” is the perfect love story. It is heartbreak and rebound wrapped up into one album. If you are looking for something new to listen to, I can say The xx’s “I See You” is an album like no other. It’s even cured my winter blues.
‘Passengers’ explores love and space
Pratt and Lawrence have remarkable chemistry onscreen. By Danielle Silvia Staff Writer Balancing action, suspense, love and ambition, the science fiction thriller “Passengers” was one of the best films to debut in 2016. Directed by Morten Tyldum and written by Jon Spaihts, the film begins with Jim Preston (Chris Pratt) awakening from a hibernation pod aboard a spaceship called the Avalon 90 years too early. The passengers are supposed to wake up 120 years in the future and land on the planet Homestead II to begin their new lives. Jim realizes he is the only one who is awake, besides the robotic bartender, Arthur (Michael Sheen). Jim survives a few months on his own until he begins to learn
more about the other passengers on the Avalon. He is struck by Aurora Lane’s (Jennifer Lawrence) beauty as she sleeps in her hibernation pod. He contemplates whether or not to wake her up, but eventually chooses to do so. Aurora, however, does not yet realize that Jim is the man who woke her up, sabotaging her future along with his, as they are still 89 years away from their promised future and will be dead by the time they land. Aurora and Jim become fast friends, mostly because they are the only awake passengers on the Avalon. Their friendship soon transforms into a romantic relationship, and as their relationship blossoms, Jim struggles to hold onto his secret of opening her pod.
AP Photo
As the drama ensues, the spaceship faces some mechanical struggles, threatening their lives even sooner than originally imagined. What makes this film interesting is the balance of the elements of love, suspense and drama. The characters face choices each day
that affect their future. There is also a light amount of humor sprinkled throughout the film to add to my overall love of the story. As an adventurer, I found the special effects — especially the vivid images of outer space — truly beautiful. The scenes in which the characters venture into the great beyond created a sense of wonder and awe. Several scenes of asteroids and the sun showed the majestic and enticing depths of the galaxy the characters traveled through. The acting was remarkable in this film, as well. The characters brilliantly portrayed a wide array of emotions like sadness, love, hatred as well as friendship. There were many moments that drew me into the film’s reality and made me feel immersed in the conflict. By the end of the film, I, too, felt as if I had been on Aurora’s and Jim’s journey through space. I would highly recommend “Passengers” to anyone because there is something for everyone to reflect on and enjoy.
Jim explores the futuristic spaceship Avalon.
YouTube
Band: A Tribe Called Quest Album: “We Got it From Here… Thank you 4 Your Service” Release Number: 6th Hailing From: Queens, N.Y. Genre: Alternative Hip-Hop Label: Epic Can you say album of the year? This album knocked everyone on their butts when it came out. MC Phife Dawg’s last recorded verses resonate deep after his passing, but it seems fitting that he was able to record an album to leave as a gift for the world. The album contains a nice range of socially conscious songs and just good straight up hiphop. The production quality is excellent and does not sound dated at all, despite this being the group’s first album in 18 years. Features from Jack White, Kendrick Lamar, André 3000, Elton John, Busta Rhymes, Kanye West and more add to the excellence that is this album. If you have not heard it, please check it out. You will not be sorry. Must Hear: “We the People,” “Whateva Will Be,” “Dis Generation,” “The Killing Season” and “Conrad Tokyo”
Band: Crying Album: “Beyond the Fleeting Gales” Release Number: 2nd Hailing From: New York City Genre: Synthy Prog Rock Label: Run for Cover Records With Crying, there is a ton of synth and cool rhythms and time changes thrown all over this album. If you heard Crying’s first album, chances are you hate them because it was extremely chiptuney to the point where you could only classify it as “Sega-orgycore.” But they took all the obnoxious parts of chiptune and traded them in for all the nerdy parts of prog rock. Intricate guitar riffs, soaring synth leads and vocal melodies that sound like the intro to an anime seal the transition from chiptune punk to prog rock. Overall, it is a welcomed change. Must Hear: “Premonary Dream,” “Wool in the Wash,” “Patriot,” “Revive” and “The Curve”
page 16 The Signal January 25, 2017
Fun StufF Trump Inauguration Word Scramble Answers 1. HATO FO FIOECF 2. HEPSEC 3. KVNIAA 4. NNOIIRTTAS 5. ELE DNRGOWOEE 6. TINPSEERD 7. RUGLANAIU LBLA 8. UPTRM 9. LBPCIU RNYOCMEE 10. EKMI NEPCE 11. ERAAPD 12. SAU 13. WRNSO NI 14. MAIEALN 15. CNONILL LEBIB 16. YIFDRA 17. PDUOR OT EB NA MCREINAA 18. NNAAUURTOIIG 19. RTOSPTES 20. SHTNOAWNIG CD
1. OATH OF OFFICE 2. SPEECH 3. IVANKA 4. TRANSITION 5. LEE GREENWOOD 6. PRESIDENT 7. INAUGURAL BALL 8. TRUMP 9. PUBLIC CEREMONY 10. MIKE PENCE 11. PARADE 12. USA 13. SWORN IN 14. MELANIA 15. LINCOLN BIBLE 16. FRIDAY 17. PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN 18. INAUGURATION 19. PROTESTS 20. WASHINGTON DC
January 25, 2017 The Signal page 17
Fun Stuff Match that President!
Draw a line between the picture of a former U.S. president and their name.
Woodrow Wilson Andrew Johnson James Monroe Andrew Jackson Dwight D. Eisenhower
page 18 The Signal January 25, 2017
Sports
Lions in hunt for conference playoff spot Women’s Basketball
Left: Lions celebrate after upsetting the Red Hawks. Right: Palombi scores 15 points against Kean University.
By Dylan Calloway Staff Writer
While students have been away, the Lions have been working to keep themselves in a good New Jersey Athletic Conference standing. The Lions are currently ranked seventh in NJAC play with a 5-6 conference record. Winter break was filled with ups and downs for the team, but the highlight was handing Montclair State University its first loss of the season. Montclair was leading the NJAC with a 14-0 record and are ranked No. 8 nationally. The Lions attained the win through a
tough defensive effort. They held the Red Hawks to a season-low 40 points. The game also marks the first time the Lions have beaten the Red Hawks since January 2010, breaking a 10-game losing streak. It is also the second time the College has beaten a nationally ranked opponent this year. Junior forward Nikki Schott was named the NJAC’s Women’s Basketball Player of the Week for her performance against Montclair State University and Rutgers-Camden, where she put up double numbers in both games and added solid defensive work to help the Lions earn a win in both games. In their most recent game, a rematch against
Kean University, the Lions lost by a solid 34point performance by Cougars sophomore guard Marajiah Bacon, the NJAC’s leading scorer this season. During the game, Bacon scored her 1000th career point. The Lions were leading by two with only three minutes remaining in the game, but the Cougars went on a 10-2 scoring run that took back the lead and sealed the loss for the Lions. From tip-off, the team had been playing the game from behind until halfway through the second quarter. From then on, it was a back and forth game that neither team could gain control of until the last minute. Despite the loss, the team got good performances out of its players with
Photos courtesy of Sports Information Desk
sophomore guard Kate O’Leary and junior forward Chiara Palombi leading the team with 15 points each. Junior guard Charlotte Schum chipped in with a season-high 12 rebounds. With the game against Stevens Institute of Technology on Monday, Jan. 23, cancelled due to inclimate weather, the rest of the season will consist of conference games only. The Lions will be looking to make a push to put themselves into playoff contention when they host Stockton University in Packer Hall on Wednesday, Jan. 25, at 8 p.m. Later in the week, they will play on Saturday, Jan. 28, against New Jersey City University in Packer Hall at 3 p.m.
Swimming
Ranked opponents give Lions a rude awakening
Grassi aces her diving events.
By Miguel Gonzalez Sports Editor
At the start of 2017, both the men’s and women’s swimming teams encountered hard competition and endured multiple losses. After starting the season undefeated, the men’s swimming team has dropped losses against West Chester University, 172-90, John Hopkins University, 156-103 and Rowan University, 178-122. At the same time, the women’s swimming team conceded a 190-94 loss to Rowan University. On Jan. 7, the men’s swimming team traveled south to Baltimore
Photo courtesy of Sports Information Desk
to compete against Division II No. 18 West Chester University and No. 5 John Hopkins University. Although outmatched, the Lions showed their resilience against the Golden Rams and Blue Jays. Junior Adam Coppola, senior Andrew Nesbitt, sophomore Alex Skoog and senior Ryan Gajdzisz placed first in the 200-free relay with a time of 1:26.01. At the 200-freestyle, freshman Harrison Yi finished in second place with a time of 1:44.61 followed by Skoog in third and sophomore John Gregory in fourth. Meanwhile, senior Scott Vitabile secured third place in the
100-freestyle with a time of 47.68 followed by Nesbitt. “We faced three nationally ranked programs and while each meet posed different challenges, our focus for the NCAA meet has not changed,” said Brian Bishop, men’s swimming head coach. “Our schedule is probably one of the toughest in the nation.” The men’s swimming team skid continued last Saturday, Jan. 21, when they endured a road loss to the 13th ranked Rowan University Profs, 178-122. Skoog finished first in the 100 and 200-backstroke event with times of 53.21 and 1:54.12, respectively. At the 400-free relay, Vitabile, Skoog and Gajdzisz and Nesbitt captured first place with a time of 3:06.59. “Rowan was especially tough as it was the first loss to an NJAC school since the early ’90s,” Bishop said. “Rowan did a great job and won some close races that ultimately decided the meet. While the three losses were tough, they have no impact on NCAA qualifying. If we swim fast at METS, then we will be in prime position for NCAA’s.” While the men’s swimming team were battling the Profs, the women’s swimming team also endured to a loss to the lady Profs. Senior Sarah Grassi claimed first place at the 1- and 3-meter
diving events, scoring 312 and 277.80 points, respectively. Her performance earned her the New Jersey Athletic Conference’s “Diver of the Week” honor for the week of Monday, Jan. 23. In the midst, sophomore Gabi Denicola finished second place at the 1000freestyle and 500-freestyle. Junior Debbie Meskin capped off the meet when she garnered second in the 200-butterfly with a time of 2:18.26. The men’s swimming team looks to capture its first victory in 2017 when Stevens Institute
of Technology visit Packer Hall on Friday, Jan. 27, at 6 p.m. At the same time, the women will also be competing against the Lady Ducks. “Stevens is ranked 16th in the nation, so we will face another tough foe on Friday night,” Bishop said. “We will continue working hard and fully expect to swim well. If a few things go our way early and we can catch some momentum, we will have a great chance to win. They are a tough team so we will need to have our A-game.”
Photo courtesy of Sports Information Desk
Gajdzisz wins the 500-freestyle at Rowan University.
January 25, 2017 The Signal page 19 Cheap Seats
NFL and NBA winners are too predictable By Miguel Gonzalez Sports Editor
Time to watch the Super Bowl and… it’s the same teams again, isn’t it? After the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs on Jan. 15, the conference championship matchups were set with familiar teams: the Steelers vs. the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons vs. the Green Bay Packers. The Patriots will be competing in the AFC championship for its sixth consecutive time. The last time the Patriots did not get this far was in 2011 when the team was defeated by the New York Jets in the divisional round. The Packers have competed in the playoffs annually since 2009. Meanwhile, the Falcons are attempting to reach to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1999. Clearly, there is not much parity in the NFL. Fans are most likely to see Tom Brady in the AFC championship. Occasionally, there will be one-hitwonder teams, such as the Carolina Panthers in 2016 or the Baltimore Ravens in 2012. Otherwise, the contenders have been predictable. However, the predictability is worse in the NBA. Lebron James has always led the Miami Heat or Cleveland Cavaliers to the NBA finals every year since 2011. Western conference teams like the San Antonio Spurs and the Golden State Warriors have dominated the league in recent memory. On the other hand, teams such as the Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers and Sacramento Kings have not been relevant for years. It is difficult for these teams to compete against phenomenal players such as Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant. Hopefully Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo can ignite competition in the future, though. There is a high likelihood that there will be a second rematch between the Cavaliers and the Warriors this year. Both teams are currently on top of their conference standings. Since the 2016 NBA Finals, the Warriors added Durant to its starting lineup, while the Cavaliers
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Brady and the Patriots are heading to the Super Bowl. recently signed Kyle Korver. A model example for parity in a professional sports league is MLB. Last October, fans were delighted as the Chicago Cubs and the Cleveland Indians fought hard to erase their historic championship droughts. Moreover, the 2015 World Series featured the Kansas City Royals winning its first championship since 1985 against the resurgent New York Mets. As a New York Yankees fan, I love watching so many different teams produce magical moments, such as David Freese’s home run in Game 6 of the 2011 World Series. I can’t really predict who will compete in the 2017 World Series, but I hope it will be as exciting as last year’s. While I was not there to witness the Yankees dynasty
Men’s Basketball
of the late 1990s, watching baseball would not be fun if the eventual winner was predetermined. Another league that is unpredictable is the NHL. Since 2010, teams like the Philadelphia Flyers, Vancouver Canucks, New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning have competed in the Stanley Cup finals. Three teams have always emerged victorious since then — with the exception to the Boston Bruins in 2011 — the Pittsburgh Penguins, Los Angeles Kings and Chicago Blackhawks. The last time these three teams did not win was when the Detriot Red wings won in 2008. I am not suggesting that the NBA and NFL should be more like MLB or NHL, but it would be more fascinating to see a greater variety of teams duking it out in the playoffs instead of being able to predict the champions from the start.
Wrestling
Five / Lions offense sizzles Record / Fighting for 700 wins continued from page 20
Photo courtesy of Sports Information Desk
Bloodgood drains a three against the Red Hawks.
continued from page 20
Brackett’s outstanding performance, scoring 25 points and swooping in 10 rebounds. The Lions then spent the rest of the week defeating conference opponents Rutgers University-Newark, 64-57, and Montclair State University, 82-74. “We’re playing well right now for sure,” Brackett said. “In this conference, if we aren’t ready mentally, we can lose by a lot to any team.” The Lions tough mentality carried their next two road wins at Rutgers UniversityCamden and Kean University. On Jan. 18, the Lions defeated Rutgers University-Camden, 73-64. Brackett reached a milestone in the 10th minute when he received a pass from Bermudez and scored his 1,000th career point on his signature jumper shot. He now joins the ranks of 22 Lions in
the College’s men’s basketball program who scored 1,000 points or more. The Lions won their fifth straight game on Saturday, Jan. 21, defeating the Kean University Cougars, 70-63. With students returning to campus this week, the Lions hope to showcase their winning momentum when the Stockton University Ospreys fly over to Packer Hall on Wednesday, Jan. 25, at 6 p.m. On Saturday, Jan. 28, the Lions look to avenge their earlier 54-52 loss to the conference leaders, the New Jersey University Gothic Knights, when they invade Packer Hall at 1 p.m. “We know we can still play better as a team and that will improve with every practice and every game we play,” Brackett said. “We hope to hit our peak once the playoffs begin and I think we’re in a good spot right now.
consecutive losses against Centenary University, 28-13 and New York University, 21-17. The Lions had to forfeit in two weight classes because of injuries against New York University. “We’ll been hampered with injuries this season,” head coach Joe Galante said. “Yet our team is still competing hard. Our team captains are setting the example for underclassmen.” Afterwards, the Lions were able to cruise through the College of Mount Saint Vincent Dolphins 40-13, as the Dolphins forfeited five matches.
“Getting healthy and creating a family atmosphere within the team is the priority right now,” Galante said. “It’s the team mentality that will make us successful for the rest of the season.” On Saturday, Jan. 28, the College will the hosting the annual New England Wrestling Association/Metro Dual meet at noon. The Lions will be competing against Williams College, Centenary College, Roger Williams University, City of New York-Hunter College and Bridgewater State University. The following day, the Lions will battle the Springfield College Pride at noon in Packer Hall.
Photo courtesy of Sports Information Desk
Beirne grabs a win against Millikin University.
Signal
Sports
Wrestling achieves 700th program win
Left: Kilroy wins against the Violets and Dolphins. Right: Fosam earns a pin against Ohio Northern University. By Miguel Gonzalez Sports Editor The wrestling team was one of busiest teams at the College during winter break. The Lions achieved their 700th program victory in dual meet play, finished eighth place at the Budd Whitehill Duals and won against the United States Merchant Marine Academy and the College of Mount Saint Vincent, while conceding losses to Centenary and New York universities. The Lions traveled to Fort Wayne, Ind., on Jan. 5 to compete in the NWCA Duals meet.
The Lions ultimately placed ninth out of 22 teams after dropping a dual to Baldwin Wallace University on Jan. 6. The Lions first lost to the Concordia-Wisconsin University Falcons, 15-22. After the loss, the Lions followed up with two consecutive victories against Springfield College, 22-18, and Concordia-Moorhead College, 23-18. Erwin won three consecutive matches during the meet. His performance garnered the College’s “Athlete of the Week” honor for the week of Jan. 9. The celebration was short-lived
when the Baldwin Wallace University Yellow Jackets defeated the Lions, 28-10. The Lions fell behind early when freshman Dan Ortega was pinned down by Yellow Jackets junior Chris Doyle at the 125-pound matchup. After three matches, junior Luke Balina grabbed the Lions their first lead, 10-9, with a major decision victory against the Yellow Jackets sophomore Richard Burke. Afterwards, the Yellow Jackets overwhelmed the Lions as they won the next five matches. The week of Jan. 13, the Lions trekked to Williamsport, Pa., to
compete in the Budd Whitehill Duals at Lycoming College. The Lions faced a similar result, finishing eighth out of 16 teams. The Lions started 2-1, defeating Thiel College 35-16 and the Rochester Institute of Technology 20-13 while conceding a close loss against the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 21-20. The following day, the Lions endured two tough losses to the Ohio Northern University Polar Bears, 33-12 and the Millikin University Big Blue, 30-16. Senior Nick Herring, senior Sigala Fosam and Erwin won their matches, while the Polar Bears
Photos courtesy of Sports Information Desk
stomped on the Lions for the remaining 10 matches. The Lions then fell into a 16-0 deficit against the Big Blue. Sophomore JT Beirne gained the Lions first points, beating Big Blue sophomore Cooper Collings. Junior Kellen Whitney, freshman Dan Kilroy and senior Pat Schinder were able to pick up victories, but the deficit was too much to overcome. On Jan. 17, the Lions defeated the United States Merchant Marine Academy, 32-10 at home. Afterwards, the Lions endured two see RECORD page 19
Loss to Ramapo sparks Lions winning streak By Miguel Gonzalez Sports Editor After starting the season with seven wins and three losses, the Lions carried their winning momentum into January and accumulated a five-game winning streak. Despite winning 13 games this season, the Lions are not the hottest team in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. On Jan. 7, the Lions visited the 19th nationally ranked, unbeaten Ramapo College Roadrunners. Both teams unloaded their offenses as the Roadrunners defeated the Lions, 98-90. “Ramapo is a very good and balanced team,” senior forward Bobby Brackett said. “They have a lot of good pieces, and they play very well together, so they’re a tough matchup for any team.” In less than five minutes, the Lions leaped toward a 14-7 lead. Sophomore forward Jordan Glover further stretched the lead with a three-point long shot. After a brief timeout, Roadrunner junior forward Nick Stanek scored two consecutive jumpers. By the 13th minute, the Roadrunners caught up the Lions and were tied at 16. The Lions immediately counterattacked
Lions Lineup January 25, 2017
I n s i d e
with a seven-point run. Sophomore guard Kevin Bloodgood halted the Roadrunners offense by snatching a steal and blocking a rebound. Meanwhile, senior forward Bobby Brackett led the Lions offensive charge with two jumper shots. However, the Roadrunners reversed the tide and secured a 41-35 lead at the end of the first half. The Lions could not stop the Roadrunner offense in the second half. In the 21th minute, junior forward Christopher Moseley swiped the ball and unleashed a dunk. Three minutes later, Glover slammed a dunk of his own with an assist by junior guard Eric Murdock Jr. Momentarily, Roadrunner freshman guard Patrick Peterson pushed the Lions deficit, 60-51, by scoring twice on jumper shots. The Roadrunners began to run away and demonstrated their offensive capability when Moseley threw down another dunk in the 7th minute. As the second half approached its halfway point, the Lions woke up. Junior forward Elias Bermudez led the rally by scoring pairs of jumper shots and free throws. Despite the offensive surge, Moseley
Swimming page 18
Photo courtesy of Sports Information Desk
Brackett scores his 1,000th career point against the Raptors. kept extending the Roadrunner’s lead, swishing in two consecutive jumper shots. Senior guard Eric Klacik prevented a blowout from occurring by hurling in two threepoint shots in the 16th minute. The Lions spent the remainder of match attempting to catch up to the Roadrunners like Wile E. Coyote. Nevertheless, the Lions were defeated by
Women’s Basketball page 18
the unbeaten Roadrunners, 98-90. The loss would mark the beginning of the Lions current five-game winning streak. The Lions crushed the Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Devils, 87-65, on Jan. 9 at Packer Hall. The match was highlighted by see FIVE page 19
Cheap Seats page 19