[The Stute] April 11, 2025 (Issue 22, Volume CXXII)
Stevens Women’s Gala celebrates women’s leadership
BY TIANNA SPITZ, MANAGING EDITOR
On Friday, March 28, 2025, Stevens hosted the first annual Women’s Gala in the UCC TechFlex to close off Women’s History Month. The event was co-organized by the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), Stevens Women in Business (SWIB), and Stevens Women in Computer Science (SWiCS), as doors were open for club members and event guests from 6 to 10 p.m.. Romantic candles and purple accent lighting softened the TechFlex’s stark atmosphere as guests were dressed in formal “Black Tie” and seated for a white tablecloth experience. To begin the night, guests heard a live Q&A with Hoveida Farvardin, the First Lady of Stevens, a former executive at the World Bank, followed by alumni keynote speakers from each student organization.
Tanishk Kapoor, President of SWIB and ¾ Finance major, and the First Lady
SEE GALA PAGE 2
We write Stevens history
Stevens Dramatic Society’s Into the Woods
BY CAMRYN WINANT, SPORTS EDITOR
Stevens students packed DeBaun Auditorium to see Stevens Dramatic Society’s (SDS) rendition of Into the Woods . The musical was directed by Mia Preziosi, who was able to bring the show to life for three spectacular performances from April 3 to 5. Into the Woods is a 1987 Broadway musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, which was later adapted into a
City Council moves forward with housing project despite community concerns
BY JEREMIAH CHINWENDU, STAFF WRITER
On March 19, the Hoboken City Council voted 5-3 in favor of developing a 25-story housing unit at the site of Garage B on Hudson Street. The development is said to have affordable and workforce housing units, and those who support it say it will address Hoboken’s cost-ofliving concerns. However, some residents spoke very strongly against the project during the public hearings, as many worry that the development will worsen the problem it was meant to solve.
Dini Ajmani, former deputy assistant to the U.S. Treasury and Hoboken mayoral candidate, wrote a letter to the council addressing the concerns of the development and how it is a misguided attempt to solve a problem that has a much easier solution. In her letter, Ajmani stated that the council “demonstrated little understanding of the cost of the project, and the tax implications for our residents,” during
their hearing and lectured them needlessly instead of listening to their concerns. “Building affordable housing is not the same as keeping housing affordable [...] this misguided decision will ultimately make housing less affordable in a time where families are still feeling the pinch of inflation.”
Tax breaks for housing developments often take the form of Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreements, where developers make negotiated payments to the City instead of paying traditional property taxes. While PILOT agreements incentivise affordable housing development—like the West Side Redevelopment Project—they come at a cost. These tax subsidies drain public resources: Hoboken’s schools lose roughly $25 million annually in potential revenue, forcing higher taxes on residents to compensate. Ajmani wrote, “A tax break for one is a tax increase for everyone else. The Garage B plan will unquestionably drive
SEE CITY PAGE 3
Walt Disney film in 2014 starring the likes of Meryl Streep and Johnny Depp. The musical tells a beautiful story, tying together a handful of the Brothers Grimm’s Fairy Tales to create a complex web of wishes, quests, and consequences.
DeBaun created a perfect atmosphere for the show: Colored lights changed throughout the performance to set the mood, and the music sounded loudly through the whole building. The
theater provided an intimate space in which the audience felt like they were a part of the musical, especially when the actors entered the aisles in key scenes.
The cast executed their roles perfectly, fully embodying their characters and telling a story worth listening to. The musical was led by Christian Fodor and Carly Teitelbaum, who portrayed the baker and his wife, respectively. The chemistry between the two leads had audiences en -
grossed in their characters’ story and their longing for a child. They are confronted by the evil witch, played by Sofia Lopez—though her true identity isn’t revealed until the end. She does an excellent job keeping the mystery alive and building suspense leading up to the reveal. There were a handful of double acts from Matthew Dean, Kalman Zold, Rose Friedman, and Kai Goz, all of whom demonstrated SEE SDS PAGE 2
JOSEPHINE CHOONG, SECRETARY
On March 19, Dr. Lindsey Cormack was honored by the NY State Legislative Women’s Caucus in conjunction with Women’s History Month. She has been a member of the Stevens community for 10 years, and has authored several books discussing American politics and veterans. Currently, she is an associate professor of Political Science and the Director of the Diplomacy Lab. Dr. Cormack grew up in Overland Park, Kansas, and attended the University of Kansas for her undergraduate degree, later attending New York University to receive her graduate and doctorate degrees. Before coming to Stevens, she worked for a chemical trade association in Washington D.C. Cormack was nominated by assemblywoman Rebecca Seawright, and Governor
APIDA month celebration kicks off with keynote addressing intergenerational trauma
BY JEREMIAH CHINWENDU, STAFF WRITER
Stevens’s Asian student associations kicked off Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Heritage Month last week with a celebration hosted in Bissinger. With food catered by local Asian restaurants and music from APIDA artists, the event was a unique chance for students to connect with and share their heritage while fostering a strong community.
This event was organized by the Office of Un -
dergraduate Student Life, and support came from many Asian-led student organizations and fraternities, as well as the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging, and Accessibility (DEIBA) Committee of the SGA. The celebration featured a keynote from Amy Yip, life coach and author of Unfinished Business: Breaking Down the Great Wall Between Adult Child and Immigrant Parents. Her speech explored the roots of generational trauma and how it shapes both personal and professional growth, emphasizing
the role of empathy in the healing process. Before becoming a life coach, Yip began her career the way many immigrant parents hope their children start their careers: climbing the corporate ladder at a major firm. She worked several jobs before becoming a developer at Google where she later rose to a position of management. In her speech, Yip told the story of how she left her job and moved to Ghana with her husband to do volunteer work, hiding these actions from her parents until she was caught. Now as a coach, she sees the same pattern in clients from immigrant families, as many of them either rebel against their parents to pursue their dreams or stifle them until their parents are no longer in their lives to object. The lack of honest dialogue between immigrant parents and their children, Yip argues, is what keeps so many trapped in lives of quiet compromise, broadening the divide between generations and perpetuating
NATIONAL NEWS
Tufts PhD student detained by federal agents amid visa controversy
BY GAVIN RUBY, STAFF WRITER
Her name is Rumeysa Ozturk, a student from Turkey with a valid F-1 visa allowing her and other international students to pursue academic studies in the United States. On March 28, while waiting to meet her friends to break her fast for Ramadan, many watched as the PhD
student at Tufts screamed in terror as she was arrested by federal agents. Some ask how this could have happened. Surely, as a student in the U.S., she wouldn’t be able to study here without a visa. She could have walked among any of us, but her case is peculiar compared to many other foreign nationals affiliated with prestigious American universities that
have been arrested.
Immigrants across the country are increasingly being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal agencies, raising fear not just among immigrant communities but also among those around them. In addition, people like Ozturk and Columbia’s Mahmoud Khalil were under particular scrutiny and
subsequently arrested for their support of Palestine and the protests, amplifying public concern and accusations of politically motivated targeting.
In Ozturk’s case she wrote an op-ed to Tufts’ newspaper in which she criticized the school’s response to divestment from companies with ties to Is -
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opened presentations with a fireside chat on Favardin’s professional journey as an engineer in the days of burgeoning women leadership in STEM fields.
SWiCS Humna Sultan, President of SWiCS and a ¾ Computer Science major with an Information Systems minor, introduced alum Isabella Cruz, Class of 2023, with a B.S. in Computer Science and former SWiCS Vice President. Now a Senior Software Engineer at Prudential Financial, Cruz weighed the costs and benefits of internship structures, providing advice on navigating the ever-common rotational roles that are precursors to post-grad job placements.
Aparajita Rana, Class of 2022 with a B.S. in Computer Science and minor in STS and former SWiCS President, spoke about her time as a Technical Product Manager at Microsoft. Rana highlighted the central role of personal branding that differentiates between “just doing the work” and receiving professional recognition.
SWE Elizabeth Halton, President of SWE and ¾ Civil Engineer, introduced alum Sam Weckesser, Class of 2023 with a B.E. in Industrial and Systems Engineering and an M.E. in 2024, and former SWE President. As co-founder of Homer Maritime, Weckesser shared the beginning
of her journey of saying “yes, and” to professional opportunities that introduced her to inspired college research, and eventually the foundation for developing her own start-up.
SWIB Dr. Kaitlin Gili, Founder of Encouraging Women Across All Borders (EWAB), received her pHD in Quantum Physics from the University of Oxford, and is a researcher in the Computer Science Department at Tufts University. Gili shared the process of making vulnerable concessions to personal goals to achieve professional milestones.
The gala progressed from mature to young voices of leadership. The First Lady’s retrospective advice on evolving leadership celebrated recent graduates, as Kapoor states, “It was really impactful to hear from someone who’s retired now, she’s gone through her career, she’s lived a mature life. And seeing that was inspirational.”
At 8:40 p.m., Halton, Kapoor, and Sultan made closing
tables and the dance floor. Women’s Gala represents a year-long collaboration between SWE, SWIB, and SWiCS efforts to gauge attendance interest and begin the technical planning for event budgeting, catering, and alumni panel profiling to make the night a celebration of women’s leadership. Previous organization collaboration throughout the semester—the SWiCS and SWE Slumber Party Event in December—contributed to the gala’s success. “We wanted to bring all three orgs together and see if there was an interest to combine across disciplines,” says Halton, as club attendance continues to resurge from COVID years. “We had a high turnout for that event, and we felt ready to push forward and spend all the money to make this gala possible.”
Sultan sourced funding for the event from the School of Business’ Day of Giving contributions and guidance from the alumni office to financially create a platform for women’s leadership. “I loved watching people walking into the room and being excited. It’s beautiful how we can celebrate women at Stevens
SDS
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a wide range of acting ability. Dean doubled as the charming prince for Cinderella and the big bad wolf from “Little Red Riding Hood,” Zold as Rapunzel’s mystery prince and the mysterious man that follows the characters around throughout the musical, Friedman as Lucinda—one of Cinderella’s evil step sisters— and the granny that ultimately gets eaten by the big bad wolf, and Goz as the prince’s steward that follows him around and Cinderella’s father, who makes a brief appearance.
Humor was delivered by Hannah Goldschmidt as a young, dense Jack from “Jack and the
Beanstalk,” who just wanted his cow, Milky White, to make milk, and Jordan Baluyot as Jack’s mother. Through their witty mother-son relationship, they were able to provide comedic relief when it seemed other characters were struggling. Bringing Cinderella and Rapunzel to life was Valerie Calligy and Sydney Chaca, who successfully captured the lives of the princesses. Right alongside them was Nicole Cheung as her funny and almost adorable portrayal of Little Red Riding Hood; That is, until a switch up later in the musical, in which she undergoes a change in character and stops being so adorable, carrying around a pocket knife.
There were additional efforts to fill out the story from Leia Magette as Florinda—Cinderella’s other evil stepsister—Mad -
eleina Gorri as Cinderella’s evil stepmother, and Taylor Terry as the giant. There was an assortment of songs throughout the musical with fabulous vocals and instrumentals, including one sung by Dean and Zold as the princes, about pining after the princesses of the show which had the audience laughing and cheering by the end of it. Tying the story together was Ryan Grigoletto as the narrator. Aside from just describing the details of the story, he added jokes that filled the musical with humor and the auditorium with laughter.
The excellent performance put on by the actors has Stevens’ students waiting to see what the SDS’s next show will be. With the amazing cast and crew, we can bet whatever show or musical they choose to put on, it will be one worth seeing.
PHOTO COURTESY OF NHYIRABA ASUMADU ADDO
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Kathy Hochul signed Cormack’s book. Hochul noted that civics is “the most important topic of 2025.” The Legislative Women’s Caucus was established in 1983 and it is a bipartisan and bicameral caucus made of women elected to the New York State Legislature. The women state legislators work to improve participation of women within government, provide a supportive network for women in the State Legislature, and support issues that both affect and benefit women and families in New York State. Each year, they honor women “who have made strong contributions to their communities and who inspire others through their model citizenship.”
Cormack mentions how de-
lighted she was to be one of the 71 honorees. She said that having the New York state legislature recognize her was incredibly important as it demonstrated that the state acknowledges that not enough is being done to educate young people about the government.
Cormack has written two books: How to Raise a Citizen (And Why It’s Up to You to Do It) and U.S. Veterans: From the GI Bill to the VA Crisis, with the former being inspired by Stevens students. While Cormack knows that the students are bright and are great at test-taking, each year she is saddened by how little they know about the government. Her book discusses how the government functions and how the school system fails to teach children about the government and its landscape. She said that she wants Stevens students to have a positive comprehension and bet-
ter understanding of the govern ment.
Some of her projects include DCinbox, a digital archive dedi cated to capturing all official Con gress-to-constituent e-newslet ters. Currently, she is assembling a research team for a project on how headphone use hurts com munities. Cormack points out that as people become less willing to talk to each other, loneliness is rising and political divisions are deepening. With more peo ple plugged into their own worlds through headphones, we’re tun ing out our surroundings—and each other.
This year, several influential elections will be held, including for Hoboken’s mayor and City Council. Cormack recommends looking around and understand ing what elections are occurring near Stevens and our own com munities.
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up our property taxes. Our already strained infrastructure will buckle under pressure, and we’ll be left to foot the bill for repairs.”
Ajmani proposed that the most effective way to make housing affordable is by lowering taxes for current Hoboken residents. This would lower rents and make the city more accessible to new residents. When the
council heard the opposition from the residents, the council accused them of lacking values and compassion. The council’s response to the residents was seen as misguided. Through the actions taken by the council, they have showcased not only a disconnect with the citizens they aim to help, but an unwillingness to take their concerns seriously.
Ajmani wrote, “We don’t need sermons. We deserve action and leadership that understands how every decision affects our community now and the future.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF TRIPADVISOR.COM
As her letter argues, Hoboken seeks solutions, not sanctimony. Citizens’ voices and their criticisms of their leaders remain central in asserting accountability. Dismissing valid concerns as resistance to progress takes citizens’ voices out of policy making. The council’s actions during the hearing show residents a lack of care for how policies affect their lives. With the housing development moving forward, time will tell whether or not this was a worthwhile investment by the city.
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cycles of resentment and regret.
Amy’s speech explored how trauma extends beyond emotions, influencing both biological and developmental pathways that can be passed down through generations. For example, research shows that mothers directly affected by 9/11 gave birth to children with abnormally low cortisol levels, a stress hormone deficiency that can disrupt healthy stress responses later in life. Developmentally, she explained that individuals exposed to repeated trauma often adopt one of three coping strategies: emotional numbing, victimization, or hyper-aggression (fighting). These adaptive responses can persist throughout adulthood, shaping how individuals navigate relationships, process emotions, and interact with the world around them.
Yip shared how her upbringing affected her personal development and professional life. As a child, she was conditioned to suppress her individuality and avoid standing out. As a developer, this behavior was a benefit,
as she was highly efficient and compliant. However, when she transitioned to management, the same traits backfired. Her reluctance to open up with colleagues made her appear cold and unapproachable, damaging team dynamics she was now responsible for maintaining. Breaking free from her conditioning was crucial in helping her advance her career. Only by unlearning these deeply ingrained behaviors could Yip evolve from an efficient worker into an effective leader.
Amy’s book on generational healing dismantles eight pervasive myths, or deeply ingrained cultural beliefs that fuel conflict in immigrant families and make healing from trauma more difficult. Through a blend of personal narrative and insightful analysis, she unpacks each myth’s origins, sharing her own struggles with these beliefs while giving voice to her parents’ perspectives. By exposing how these false narratives operate, she creates a roadmap for breaking cycles of pain and rebuilding authentic connections across generations. Her speech detailed the intergenerational unpacking process and how tracing her parents’ trauma histories explained their parenting behaviors, transforming her
anger into understanding while maintaining boundaries. She revealed how behaviors like emotional suppression or conditional approval weren’t personal choices, but survival strategies passed down through their experience.
Those who attended this celebration got to not only immerse themselves in APIDA culture but also get a sense of the level of vulnerability needed to heal from the pains of the past. Kurt Festin, Public Relations Chair of the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE), led the side chat with Amy following the speech, and the questions he and other attendees asked provided further insight into aspects of generational healing.
“To me, intergenerational healing is a long, imperfect process requiring empathy in the conversation. This healing leads to a stronger, more purposeful connection with your family and culture,” Festin said. With lessons of patience and understanding, there was a lot to take away from Amy’s speech, and there is much to learn from her book as well. She closed her speech with the quote: “As you claim your generational wounds, don’t forget to claim your generational strengths”.
MEAL SWIPE DONATION PROGRAM
WHAT IS FEED THE FLOCK?
Feed the Flock is a revolutionary meal swipe donation program designed to combat food insecurity in the Stevens Community Feed the Flock aims to address this pressing issue by providing a platform for students to donate their unused meal swipes, ensuring that members of our campus community have access to nourishing meals Feed the Flock play a crucial role
and inclusive environment where all students can
TUFTS
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rael, and nothing more than that.
On the night of her arrest, Ozturk was shown to be detained by federal agents who weren’t wearing uniforms. As she waited alone, three men and women approached her. One officer’s face was briefly visible before he pulled his gaiter up over his nose.
Bystanders intervened and questioned the arrest. In a video, one can be heard shouting, “You want to take those masks off? [...] How do I know this is the police?” 14.3% of Americans are immigrants, and as cases like these rise, it might leave many trying to walk on eggshells to make sure that they aren’t next.
Since the pandemic, masked
law enforcement has been growing, especially when they are being confronted by the public recording them. Moreover, under the current administration, ICE has been borrowing agents and officers from other federal agencies, like the Drug Enforcement Administration, where concealing identity is already standard practice.
Ozturk is currently being held at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Louisiana, although no charges have been filed against her. Additionally, according to a statement by the University’s president Sunil Kumar, her visa status has also been terminated. However, a federal judge has issued an order to stop Ozturk from being deported until the Boston court has the jurisdiction to decide if she was lawfully detained.
PHOTO COURTESY OF GAVIN RUBY
ADMITTED STUDENTS WEEKEND RECAP
STEVENS’ DORMS RANKED
BY FIONA SHI, BUSINESS MANAGER
When you’re just starting college, where you live will have an impact on your overall experience. Here is my ranking of Stevens’ primary residence halls, the pros and cons of each, and some commentary for incoming freshmen.
7. Humphreys Hall - D tier (doubles, communal bathrooms)
• Pros: Close to the dining hall. Volleyball court is right outside. Rooms are a decent size. Cons: Common areas are very old and can get very dirty.
• Comments: Humphreys is the lowest ranked dorm simply because of how often people complain about the common areas, so expect uncleanliness and maintenance issues. The hallways are a little stuffy and stinky, but if you have a good roommate, you should be fine! This hall is located in the Jonas-Humphrey-Palmer clump, so it’s close to the dining hall and library, and not too far from the academic buildings.
6. Castle Point Hall - C tier (doubles and triples, private bathroom)
• Pros: Certain rooms offer a great view of NYC. The surrounding area is quieter, and this dorm hall is close to the tennis courts.
• Cons: Farthest dorm from most of the academic buildings and other facilities. The oldest dorm building, so there are often maintenance issues. Very prone to roaches and rats. Comments: I actually did not know this residence hall existed since I rarely go past the volleyball court. From what I’ve heard, the private bathrooms are a really big advantage because this hall is quite congested, and the triple rooms come with a small, separate room for one of the beds. However, be prepared to spot
roaches scurrying around.
5. Davis Hall - C tier (doubles, communal bathrooms)
Pros: Closer to most academic buildings, athletic facilities, and the UCC. Upper-level odd-numbered rooms have nice views of NYC. The bathrooms are newly renovated.
• Cons: There are five floors but currently no elevators, and certain parts of the building are outdated.
• Comments: Easily the freshmen dorm with the best location— classes are all less than two minutes away, and Davis is located right next to the UCC. However, since there is no elevator, hauling laundry up and down the stairs might not be your favorite way to spend an afternoon, and neither will going to the fifth floor be. The communal bathrooms are newer than the ones at Humphrey’s, so that’s another plus. However, I’m unsure
as to what the future for Davis is regarding demolition and rebuilding, so who knows if it will be an option.
4. Palmer Hall - B tier (singles, communal bathroom)
• Pros: Great location. Bathrooms and lounges are typically clean as they are newly renovated.
Cons: Some people may find it difficult to socialize in single rooms. Walls are thin. Limited laundry machines. No view.
• Comments: Palmer is a really solid choice. The single rooms are great for privacy, and the bathrooms are always pretty clean. However, since the building is old, it only supports one process at a time, either heating or cooling, so the AC is shut off in the winter. The biggest issue, in my opinion, is the difference between the East wing lounge and the West wing lounge. Besides seating, the East wing lounge has a
kitchen, vending machine, and working laundry machines, while the West wing lounge just has a microwave and broken laundry machines.
3. River Terrace Suites - A tier (doubles and singles)
• Pros: You get a suite. Super close to most academic buildings. Lots of parking spaces are directly available.
• Cons: More expensive than other dorm options. Slightly farther from the dining hall.
• Comments: River Terrace is a great space for large friend groups to hang out privately and comfortably. Since it’s a suite, you’ll have access to a kitchen, private bathroom, and basically anything an apartment would come with. Overall, a very solid option.
2. Jonas Hall - A tier (doubles, private bathroom)
• Pros: Good location. Has a lot of space for storage. Has elevators.
• Cons: Central AC system. Storage area right above bed, so you might hit your head. Comments: Jonas is the most populated first-year residential hall but also a very popular option because of the private bathrooms. The rooms also have a lot of space for storage and potential customization and decorations. However, I have heard a lot of issues with the central AC system acting up, causing residents to wake up in the middle of the night because it’s 88 degrees. Depending on your preference, Jonas’s carpeted floors can either be a pro or a con, and because of the extra storage area, there is less space to walk around.
1. UCC Towers - S tier
• Comments: Every resident freshman looks forward to when they get to live in the UCC towers as a sophomore. That should sum it up.
Inside Scoop: Being a business major at a STEM dominated school
BY CAMRYN WINANT, SPORTS EDITOR
We have all heard the stigma around business students and their easy classes and coloring pages for homework every night. As a business student at Stevens, more specifically an Accounting and Analytics major, that stereotype could not be further from the truth. Let me be the first to say, the “analytics” or “technology” slapped on at the end of the business titles does not make anyone respect your major any more than an average business major. Despite this, the education you’re getting at Stevens is elite compared to other schools. Throughout the first two semesters, you are going to hear all of your STEM friends talking about MA 125 and MA 126 (and other math courses that I don’t know), but you are going to have to take MA 117 and 119 taught by Paul Schwartz. He is easily one of the easiest professors I have ever had. Unless math is something you severely struggle with, I wouldn’t waste my time stressing over the class. Attendance isn’t mandatory, and all of the lectures are recorded and posted later. Even if they weren’t, the content is very basic— while I hear everyone else talking about vectors and matrices, I’m busy learning about derivatives (which is exactly what you should have learned in high school calculus). And I didn’t even have to take MA 117 (the easier of the two) so yes, derivatives were the harder of the two. However, go to the class before an exam; the review is almost identical to the actual exam. No matter what your major is,
you’re going to have to take HASS 103 and 105. Even though they might seem like a huge waste of time as a STEM student, they are still important classes that teach a lot of valuable concepts. HASS 103 is pretty straightforward with a pretty set-in-stone curriculum, but I would personally recommend Dr. Catalina Florina Florescu; compared to most of my friends, I had a breeze in HASS 103. In HASS 105, though, the professor gets to choose what topic they teach over the semester. So, when looking at RateMyProfessor, (I know you are) don’t just focus on their rating as a teacher but also on the topic they are teaching. I have John Horgan, and I have only great things to say about him as a professor, but his topic of choice is “The Mind Body Problem” which is interesting in theory, but fully not my thing. While I have that topic, I have friends with topics like “Utopia and Dystopia” or “Monster vs. Child” (where I’m pretty sure they just watch horror movies??). So, I would recommend looking into those topics when choosing your professor.
As for business classes, I was pretty fond of all my professors both semesters. When it comes to the more technology-based classes like MIS and CS, try and get Kevin Ryan as a professor. While his work isn’t necessarily easy, his class is engaging, which makes learning the content easy. For MIS 201,where Kevin Ryan isn’t a choice, you should go for Cherif Amirat. The content is the same for both professors, but he just makes it feel easier (and his exams are take-home exams). For
business-specific classes, like BT 244,BT 100, and BT 243, I had a fine experience with my professors. The professors I had for those classes were good, but the things that made me struggle in each were almost opposite of each other. For microeconomics, I had Mario Gonzalez, and despite the fact that I was successful in his class, he wasn’t the most straightforward teacher, whereas Richard Anderson, whom I have for macroeconomics, lectures almost too much and gives too much unnecessary detail. Both of these facts made it rather hard to take notes.
The classes you are taking are important, of course, but I could really only recommend getting involved in as many clubs as you can on campus (business clubs could only help you), but getting a variety of experience and leadership positions will only make you look better on your resume later on. Obviously, every major is going to stress about resumes because we’re all trying to get a job here, but the basis of business is just NETWORKING NETWORKING NETWORKING! So make sure to build that resume, which just involves joining any clubs that pique your interest, applying to internships, and looking for research opportunities.
As I write this, I realize I might be in the minority at this school (well, I know I am) with few business majors, and even fewer accounting majors. Tips from an engineering or computer science major would most definitely reach a broader audience at this school, but it’s important that the business majors get their recognition too.
JOSEPHINE
The following are speeches given on Saturday, April 5 and Sunday, April 6
BY ALEXABDER STANCZAK, SGA PRESIDENT
Thank you, Cindy.
Hello everyone, and welcome to our 2025 Admitted Students Weekend! I’m thrilled to see you all here today – and in fact, I see many familiar faces in the crowd from some of the tours I have given over this past year. So, it’s good to see many of you again. For those I have yet to meet, I am Alexander Stanczak, a fourthyear Mechanical Engineering student from Morris Country, New Jersey, and today I speak before you all as President of our Student Government Association. Let me start with saying that the cliché, “blink and you’ll miss it” is true. To me, it feels like yesterday that I was in your position: touring universities, meeting current students, attending admitted student events. But in reality, it has been four years.
Everyone tells you that college is going to be the best three, four, five years of your life, but when I heard that for the first time, I sort of brushed it off. Honestly, it kind of made me scared, that there was this huge expectation of “college” ahead of me. Not only did I have the pressure of making a huge decision, picking where to go to school, but now I also needed to worry about whether my time at school would live up to the expectation that had been set.
It was not until recently that I took some time to reflect on my college experience at Stevens, that I was able to start connecting some of the dots. I’m not sure if any of you are fans of The Office—I’m actually not—but regardless, there is a really good quote by Andy Bernard that has resonated with me. The quote goes, “I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good old days before you’ve actually left them.”
It was not until I heard this quote a few months ago that I stopped and asked myself: Are these the good old days I will look
back on? I had not thought about my time in college in that way before. I did not recall the last time I asked myself if I was, in fact, living the best years of my Life.
When I was accepted to Stevens, all my “what ifs” went out the window. I stopped worrying about “what if” I was making the right decision with school – I was too busy getting involved in student organizations like the Student Government Association, Gear and Triangle, Student Ambassador Program, Pi Tau Sigma, Stevens Dramatic Society Build Team, and others
I stopped worrying about “what if” I don’t find my people -- I was too busy making connections and hanging out with other students at Stevens who I am now proud to call my best friends.
I stopped worrying about “what if” college doesn’t live up to my expectations, because I was too busy chasing Tillie, our soonto-be campus therapy dog over in the University Center.
I was too busy laughing with friends in the library - maybe a little too loudly - while studying for an exam for a class I thoroughly enjoyed.
Over these past four years, Stevens has given me so many opportunities, so many memories, that I didn’t even have time to worry about the “what-ifs,” about whether I was living up to the expectations of college being the best years of my life. I was living in the moment that Stevens was offering me. Those cumulative moments have, in fact, been the best four years of my life.
So yes, the “good old days,” are now, here at Stevens.
To all the students in the room, I hope you’re excited for what’s ahead of you, and if I can offer one piece of advice it’s to realize you have already reached your first milestone in your Stevens journey with your acceptance. Today is your first day of the “good old days.” Embrace it, because in the blink of an eye it will be you up here sharing your own Stevens experience. I hope to see you all in the fall. Go Ducks!
BY ASHLEY JUNKER, FIRST-YEAR STUDENT
Good afternoon, everyone! Welcome to Stevens. I am thrilled to stand here today and honored to share my journey with you.
I’m Ashley Junker, a first-year student from a small country town in Maryland, where cornfields and creeks are a common sight, and community is at the heart of everything. Growing up in a tight-knit environment with only one small public school in town, I was eager to explore new horizons.
My passion for traveling and trying new activities led me to Stevens. Since arriving here, I’ve been involved in various clubs and organizations that reflect my diverse passions, including our women’s club volleyball team, Alpha Phi Omega, and Sigma Delta Tau. I’ve also been able to find a passion for circuitry through my engineering design classes and I will soon be declaring my major as an electrical engineer.
I love that Stevens allows me to pursue all my interests— meeting new people, traveling, engaging in community service, playing video games, baking, or practicing music—while making meaningful connections. It’s been a fantastic journey so far, and I’m excited to share more about how Stevens has become my second home.
As I reflect on why I chose Stevens, I am reminded of the sense of community that resonated with me. Coming from a small school at home, I was drawn to Stevens’ intimate setting, which felt both familiar and welcoming. My first impressions of the students I met were nothing short of amazing—everyone seemed genuinely kind and sincere. What struck me most was the collaborative environment; despite being surrounded by hard-working individuals, it never felt like a competition. Instead, there was a palpable sense of support and camaraderie.
One of the things that I didn’t
know about Stevens before arriving was how easy it would be to create my own space here. I came with no prior connections, but I quickly realized that many others were in the same shoes. This shared experience created a foundation for building friendships and finding community. If you think something is missing on campus, you have the power to speak up and make a change. I’ve seen this firsthand as I was in the process of starting my own club, and I know friends who have done the same.
To all the admitted students here today, I want to offer a piece of advice:
be open to new experiences.
Say yes to opportunities, even if they make you feel a little uncomfortable at first.
Listen to the people around you, and don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation. You never know who might become your next best friend.
And remember, even if you’re far from home, you can find a second family here. Stevens has a super supportive community,
community has helped me grow in ways I never thought possible. I’ve found my place here, and I’ve discovered aspects of myself that I didn’t know existed. I never imagined I’d be standing in front of a crowd giving a speech, but here I am. See? I’m saying yes to new experiences! So, take advantage of all the resources Stevens offers. Keep yourself busy—whether it’s exploring the city, enjoying discounted Broadway shows, or simply going on walks with friends. Even though I know how the folks from less populated areas may see the city as unsafe, I quickly learned that this is not the case at all. Hoboken is extremely safe, and there’s always something to do.
So to all of my prospective new friends out there - You can find your place here. Be open, say yes, and don’t be afraid to reach out for help if you need anything at all. I never imagined finding myself in such a tight-knit community so far from my home in the country, but less than a year in I already feel that way. You’ll find that this community is not waiting to welcome you with Thank you, and welcome to
ADMITTED STUDENTS WEEKEND
Baseball and Softball both take a split in doubleheader against Arcadia University
BY CAMRYN WINANT, SPORTS EDITOR
Over this past weekend, the baseball and softball teams went up in doubleheaders against Arcadia University. The softball team competed at an away game on Friday, April 4, in Glenside, PA, and the baseball team followed them on Saturday in a home game. Both teams notched a split, with both losing their first game and taking the win in their second.
In the first softball game, Stevens got a run in the second inning from first-year Isabelle Won, off of hits by sophomore Elizabeth Kirstein and first-year Riley Lawrence. There were efforts from junior Kyra Fischer, firstyear Carmelita Murphy-Brown, and Won, but the inning ended in a strikeout. Stevens and Arcadia went back and forth, going three innings with no runs made by either team. In the bottom of the sixth, there were hits to right
field from Arcadia that gave them the slight edge on Stevens, pushing the score to 2-1. Junior pitcher Ella Tozduman took over for Fischer, and gave Arcadia their final two outs, but the Ducks were unable to get another run in the final inning, ending the first game with a score of 2-1.
The Ducks found themselves with more success in the second game, opening scoring in the third inning with a run by graduate student Jessica Guerrero. First-year Jessica Hsu ended the fourth inning for the Knights with a strikeout, and then the Ducks proceeded to get four runs in the fifth. Firstyear Allison Mitloff and Guerrero were the first to make runs off a hit from senior Megan Curtis, before a hit from sophomore Emma Quattrochi sent Curtis home. The Ducks ended their scoring period with a run from Quattrochi off a hit from senior Rachael Prescott.
The Knights filled the bases in the sixth, but Hsu closed the in-
ning with a groundout, with the Ducks following with three runs in the seventh. Senior Emma Ruiz stepped up, and her hit sent home Geurrero and Curtis, with Prescott following at bat, sending Ruiz home, closing out the game with a shutout of 8-0.
Following the softball team, was the baseball team in their MAC Freedom doubleheader. The first game opened with Stevens scoring, with a run by junior Dylan Fishbough in the first inning. The Ducks got another run in the third by graduate student Frank Tonina, but the Knights tied up the game in the fourth with two runs. Arcadia followed up with three runs in the fifth, with senior Victor Schilleci getting a two-run shot, cutting Arcadia’s lead to only one. Sophomore Chip Krese and graduate student Kieran O’Brien both scored in the sixth, but the Knights were also able to score two alongside them. Arcadia got one more run
in the top of the seventh, ending the game with a score of 8-6 and a Ducks’ loss.
The second game started off much quicker, with the Ducks getting three runs, and Arcadia getting two in the first inning. A triple from first-year Jack Reichlin sent Fishbough, Krese, and senior Liam DeRubertis home. Over the next four innings, the Ducks got three more points, with runs from first-year Aaron Wong, DeRubertis, and Krese, while the Knights were held with no runs. Despite the one run the Knights got in the sixth, the Ducks were able to hold onto their lead, ending the game with a score of 6-3 for a Stevens win.
Both teams had successful days, pulling at least one win. The Ducks’ next game will be Saturday, April 12, at a doubleheader against DeSales University, with the softball team in Weehawken, NJ, and the baseball team in Center Valley, PA.
Women’s Lacrosse moves to a 6-2 record against Misericordia in head-to-head
BY ABBY JACOBS, STAFF WRITER
Women’s Lacrosse pushed to a three-win streak over Misericordia on Saturday, April 5 when they took a 19-4 victory over the Cougars.
The teams began their rivalry in 2021, when Stevens joined the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC), and the Ducks were less promising, taking a 14-17 loss in Dallas, PA., on April 11 that year. In the next year and a half, the team fought their way to a threewin streak, with victories of 146, 13-5, and 13-9 both home and away, spanning from April 29, 2021 to May 4, 2022. Misericor -
history
dia’s second head-to-head victory over the Ducks came in March of 2023, which ended 9-9 in the fourth quarter. Pushing into double overtime, the Ducks fell by one goal, scored at 1:26 into the seventh.
Since then, the Ducks have taken 10-5, 21-2, and most recently, 19-5 wins against the Cougars. While Misericordia was able to take the first goal of the game, Stevens dominated across all four quarters, most notably going 10-1 in the third. Game leaders included graduate student Emily Leiby, and juniors Maddie Hogan and Stefanie Sellitto. Leiby managed a season-high of six goals and one
assist, while Hogan and Sellitto took three goals each, and a respective one and two assists. The conference match also marks
200 career points for Leiby, and puts the Ducks at 7-4, 2-0 MACF in the 2025 season.
STEVENS SCOREBOARD
SUN, APR 13
MEN’S GOLF Salisbury Spring Invite - Day 1 Salisbury, MD Time TBD
WOMEN’S TENNIS The College of New Jersey Bayonne, NJ 12 p.m.
MEN’S TENNIS John’s Hopkins University Baltimore, MD 11 a.m.
Science
Avoidable deaths increase in the United States
BY RIYANA PHADKE, SCIENCE EDITOR
Despite spending more on health care than any other country in the world, the United States is seeing a troubling trend: a steady rise in deaths that could have been avoided. A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine by researchers at Brown University and Harvard University highlights just how far the U.S. is falling behind its international peers when it comes to public health outcomes.
The study focuses on a metric known as avoidable mortality, which includes deaths under age 75 that could have been prevented with timely and effective health care or public health measures. These include everything from deaths caused by treatable conditions like sepsis and appendicitis, to preventable tragedies like traffic accidents and vaccine-preventable diseases.
From 2009 and 2019, the average U.S. rate of avoidable deaths increased by 33 people per 100,000 people. In stark contrast, countries in the European Union saw an average decrease of 24 avoidable deaths per 100,000 people. Members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which includes Canada, Japan, and Germany, saw a similar decline of 19
people per 100,000.
“Other countries are getting better at reducing avoidable deaths through prevention and treatment, but in the U.S., these deaths are growing,” said Dr. Irene Papanicolas, lead author of the study and a professor at Brown’s School of Public Health. “It’s a bit shocking.”
Researchers examined mortality data from all 50 U.S. states and compared them with 40 high-income nations. While the numbers varied from state to state, the trend was consistent: every U.S. state saw an increase in avoidable mortality. In New York, the rate rose by nearly 5 deaths per 100,000 people, while in West Virginia, it jumped by nearly 100.
What’s perhaps most unsettling is that the rise in avoidable deaths spans across nearly all causes, not just the highly discussed drug overdoses and suicides. Deaths from treatable diseases and conditions that should be detected early, like cervical cancer or heart disease, are also on the rise. Only cancer-related deaths saw a modest decline in some states.
The study also looked at health care spending and found no clear link between how much a state spends and how well it performs in preventing avoidable deaths. This contrasts sharply with other high-income countries, where
AI is helping scientists decode previously inscrutable proteins
BY KAI WONG, SPORTS WRITER
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way scientists understand proteins. What was once a painstaking, decades-long effort is now being revolutionized by cutting-edge machine learning models capable of predicting protein structures in a matter of hours.
At the center of this revolution is DeepMind’s AlphaFold, an AI system that stunned the scientific community in 2020 by accurately predicting the 3D structures of proteins from their amino acid sequences. Prior to AlphaFold, researchers relied on labor-intensive laboratory techniques like X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy, which could take years to determine a single structure. With AlphaFold’s release, scientists gained the ability to generate structural predictions for millions of proteins. Before, many of the proteins had remained “inscrutable” due to their instability, size, or lack of similarity to known structures.
The AlphaFold Protein Structure Database, developed in collaboration with the European Bioinformatics Institute, now contains predicted structures for over 200 million proteins, covering nearly every known protein from across the tree of life. This open-access resource is reshaping how researchers approach drug discovery, dis ease modeling, and biotechnology innovation.
For researchers at universities and smaller labs, the implications are particularly exciting. As noted by evolutionary biologist Andrei Lupas, “This will change medi cine. It will change research. It will change bioengineering.”
AI is not just accelerating re search, but is now making it more inclusive. Institutions that lack access to high-cost lab equipment can now explore protein structures using publicly available computa tional resources. This has opened the door for more diverse scientific contributions and collaborations
around the world.
The impact is already being felt in a variety of fields. In medicine, researchers are using AlphaFold to better understand proteins involved in diseases like Alzheimer’s, cancer, and COVID-19. In agriculture, AI-assisted protein modeling is helping scientists design more resilient crops and pest-resistant strains. In synthetic biology, engineered proteins are being developed to clean up pollutants or create sustainable materials.
Complementing AlphaFold are other AI initiatives, such as RoseTTAFold, developed by the Baker Lab at the University of Washington. This system uses a different architecture but similarly advances structural biology through AI-driven predictions, contributing to a broader ecosystem of innovation.
increased health spending often translates to better health outcomes. This disconnect raises serious questions about the U.S. healthcare system—particularly the role of fragmented policies at the state level. While other nations often take a centralized approach to health policy through investment in social determinants of health, the U.S. has taken a more divided path, with state governments making key decisions on issues like Medicaid expansion, abortion access, and gun control.
“Understanding the differences across states and countries could help clarify whether the U.S.’s poor performance is driven by nationwide issues or policy failures at the state level,” said Papanicolas.
The researchers hope their findings will serve as a call to action for U.S. policymakers. If the country wants to reverse its trajectory and start saving more lives, it must look not only at how much it spends — but how it spends it, and whether its health policies truly support equitable, accessible care. As future scientists, engineers, and innovators, it’s a sobering reminder that technology and funding alone can’t fix broken systems. It takes thoughtful policy, coordinated public health efforts, and a commitment to learning from what’s working, both here and abroad.
Northern Lights in Hoboken
BY KAI WONG, SPORTS WRITER
The aurora borealis, commonly known as the northern lights, has recently provided spectacular displays across various regions, including parts of the United States. On the night of April 4 into the early hours of April 5, 2025, enhanced geomagnetic activity resulted in visible auroras in several northern U.S. states. According to reports, states such as Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine experienced these mesmerizing lights.
The increased auroral activity was attributed to a G2-class geomagnetic storm, as forecasted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
This level of geomagnetic disturbance can make auroras visible at lower latitudes than usual. The best viewing times were between 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. local time, with optimal conditions found in dark, rural areas away from city lights.
Looking ahead, auroral activity is expected to continue, but with varying intensity. Forecasts indicate that on April 7 and 8, active auroras are possible, with chances of isolated minor auroral substorms and favorable conditions
Continuing resolutions threaten scientific research
for significant auroral activity. By April 9, the activity is anticipated to moderate, with potential for isolated minor substorms.
For residents in Hudson County, the possibility of witnessing the northern lights is rare but not unprecedented. Notably, on October 10, 2024, Hudson County locals were treated to a colorful array of lights in the sky, marking a memorable occurrence of the aurora borealis in the region. While the recent geomagnetic storms have increased the chances of sightings at lower latitudes, visibility in these regions remains uncertain and depends on the strength of geomagnetic activity and local viewing conditions.
To enhance the chances of observing the northern lights, it is advisable to monitor real-time aurora forecasts and alerts. Websites such as NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center provide up-todate information on geomagnetic activity and aurora visibility. Additionally, mobile applications and citizen science projects like Aurorasaurus can offer timely alerts based on user-reported sightings.
Residents in northern states and even some areas further south should stay informed through reliable aurora forecasting tools and seek out dark, clear skies away from urban light pollution for the best viewing opportunities.
BY JEREMIAH CHINWENDU, STAFF WRITER
AI models are not infallible, and experimental validation remains essential. However, by significantly narrowing down the possibilities, AI enables researchers to focus their efforts more strategically, saving time, money, and resources.
The fusion of AI and biology is still in its early stages, but it is already clear that this is a game-changer. As students and faculty continue to explore these powerful new tools, they are not only speeding up discovery but also shaping the future of science itself.
In a spending bill passed on March 15, President Trump has cut a significant portion of funding to major healthcare and research industries. This move is part of a broader effort to reduce the size of the federal government and scrutinize what he views as excessive or mismanaged agency spending. Among the most significant reductions is funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the world’s largest source of support for biomedical research. Budget cuts to the NIH threaten to jeopardize the future of scientific research and stall the development of new, life-saving medical innovations. With these reductions set to remain in effect through the end of the fiscal year on September 30, the long-term consequences for public health, medical progress, and America’s global leadership in science remain uncertain.
The cuts from NIH’s funding come from their indirect costs. This means that the base budget of $47.4 billion, which covers salaries and laboratory supplies, is unaffected. Instead, the cuts affect funding for “utilities, equipment, security and legal compliance”, according to the NIH grant policy statement. In early March, a federal judge blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to cap NIH funding after 22 states sued to stop the policy. The
York, California, Massachusetts, and North Carolina—are among the top recipients of NIH funding. With NIH funding cuts paused in these states, the administration instead enforced reductions by suspending grant meetings, effectively halting new funding approvals. With these cuts, universities and research institutions that rely on NIH and government funding are severely compromised, threatening jobs and halting medical advancements.
The 2016 21st Century Cures Act established the Brain Research Through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative and the All of Us genomic medicine project. Both of these initiatives were created to address global crises in medicine and provide funding for specialized research. Last year, their funding fell by one third, but this year, their funding has been cut even further.
The BRAIN Initiative’s funding has been cut from $280 million to $127 million, giving less money to foundational neuroscience research.
The All of Us project has seen its budget drop 71% since 2013, bringing it to $158 million. This initiative was meant to recruit volunteers to donate DNA samples for research on diseases, but without their required funding, their recruitment strategy for the future is uncertain, as it means there is less money for transportation for individuals living in low-income areas.
Biomedical start-ups, many of
which depend on federal grants for survival, have been disproportion ately impacted by the continuing resolution. As government funding declines, private investment has surged to fill the void, though questions remain about whether it can fully compensate for lost federal support. Supporters of the cuts argue they will push biotech firms toward greater efficiency and longterm productivity. Critics, however, warn that slashing budgets risks stifling innovation and delaying urgently needed medical advances. While alternative funding mechanisms like the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) exist to support research outside NIH priorities, their scope is limited. Research institutions are now scrambling to secure alternative funding, but it’s unclear whether these efforts can bridge the gap left by NIH cuts or sustain the same level of scientific progress. It is still uncertain how the Trump administration plans to reallocate funds withheld from research institutions. The lack of transparency has gained the attention of the public, who argue that it gives the administration too much power without accountability. Some members have threatened a government shutdown over the potential to jeopardize scientific progress, something the United States prides itself on. The scientific community will continue to hold their breaths as more information comes in.
THE STUTE EDITORIAL
And so it begins...
A little less than two years ago, I was a freshman at Stute Weekend 2023. I didn’t know it then, but The Stute would become my on-campus home. Before I knew it, I was doing layout every week, laughing in that tiny office, listening to music, gossiping, and always stressing that I wouldn’t be able to get a whole newspaper laid out because I
former Managing Editor/ Outreach Chair, for the hugs, the pep talks, and the giggles. An even bigger thank you to Isy, former Editor-in-Chief, for being my mentor, a friend, and someone to challenge me. I wouldn’t be here without you Isy ��. And lastly, thank you to the past E-Board for all your hard work and keeping The Stute running
horrifying to take on such a large role, no matter all the training. But, during this election, I gained an amazing E-Board that has already begun to support and work with me, to showcase the best version of the newspaper. So let me tell you all about my remarkable team:
Fiona Shi (Business
termined to keep the money flowing in. Fiona has some amazing new plans for the business end of The Stute, and I cannot wait to see her implement them.
Tianna Spitz (Managing Editor):
MIND OF A FRESHMAN
I loved Into The Woods
Just yesterday was the final show of Into the Woods and it completely blew my mind. I have not seen a musical since middle school— this was really something special. A few of my friends were a part of the cast and crew, so I came to support them. I had no idea what to expect and I completely forgot how beautiful musicals are. Immediately upon sitting down and seeing the lights dim, it felt just like going to a movie theater. Calling
this experience similar to a movie theater is an understatement though. This lasted three hours and for the entire time there was a live band playing the soundtrack as well as the special effects. Hearing the cohesion between a violin, keyboard, drums, trumpet, flute, and saxophone is baffling. The stamina required to keep playing perfectly for the three hours, plus the fact that they had another show earlier that day, is worth serious praise. The actors themselves were also completely immersed in their characters. Seeing my friends take on alter egos on a stage was absolutely hilarious, the show had plenty of silly moments with the same person playing a wolf character, but also a prince. In both personas, he pursues women and ultimately attains what he wants in a goofy manner.
BOOK OF THE WEEK
Tianna was a former Features Editor, opinion columnist, and copyeditor for The Stute. She and I, over the past year, have shared countless meetings, but never really got a chance to get to know each other. After becoming managing editor, she has taken on this role like a bull by its horns. She jumped right in! She continues to impress me with her new ideas, her sense of humor, and her attention to detail. She is my right-hand, and I am grate -
Eiliyah Sarowar (Layout Editor):
Eiliyah was my layout assistant when I was Layout Editor, this past year. She is my mini me and loves layout just as much as I do! She is a quick learner and has a keen eye for detail. Eiliyah’s personality shines through her work, and I am confident that she will make an amazing Layout Editor.
Josephine Choong (Sec -
and I have spent the last year together on E-board, as she was the past Business Manager. Tanya and I love a good gossip session and could spend hours complaining together. But when we aren’t yapping, Tanya is coming up with new ideas to further The Stute’s impact on this campus. She is absent in our E-board photo, but that is a far representation from how involved she is in the team. I am grateful to have another year with my office buddy!
Charmy (Digital Manager):
Charmy and I have known each other these past two years and have attended many dinners and social gatherings together. I was so excited to hear when she joined The Stute earlier
this year as a Social Media Assistant. She has always been so bright and bubbly and has already taken on changing our Instagram/ Website to be more fun and engaging. And so it begins, my time as Editor-in-Chief. Don’t worry, I am horrified. I have some big shoes to fill. But I am grateful to know that I am not alone. I have an amazing team on my side that loves The Stute just as much as I do. I am excited to see what the future holds for us.
The singing was incredible too, the actors slipped witty lyrics into their songs, and at the same time performed a choreographed dance. There were so many moving parts happening at once. As a member of the audience, I tried to focus on each aspect of the show at the same time but it was impossible. I found myself hyperfixating on the actors’ voices, the costumes, the background scenery which was sculpted by the crew, and the instruments being played behind the set. This is the culmination of months of planning and practice. Being able to see the show was a privilege, they do this for us — the audience.
In the second half of the musical, the actors’ time on stage was becoming slim. Characters were being sent off, but this time it was permanently. Since this was the last show, the cast
would no longer be able to play their characters anymore after Saturday. As the show progressed towards conclusion you could see the tears and shaking, it became harder for people to stay in character as the wave of emotions and finality hit them. Some parents who were in the crowd were also struggling to keep their composure. They were seeing their child put their all into something. I hope one day whenever I become a parent, that I could witness and feel that same feeling. I just know that they were so proud. In the last minutes of the show, as tradition, each member of the cast lined up on the stage and bowed. The crew lined up below the stage with smiles spanning across their entire faces. The audience gave the loudest applause one could ask for. Every-
A mysterious psyche with Chlorine
BY CHRISTINA THOMAS ‘26
is a horror fiction novel that mixes genres and timelines which ultimately makes you question what is real and what is imagined. The novel follows a young girl named Ren who is a competitive swimmer in her high school team and is fully convinced that she is a mermaid. After reading about mermaids and
their lore as a child, she becomes convinced that she actually is one too and needs to figure out how to rejoin her roots. She has issues with her social life, a complicated relationship with her mother, and is battling potential feelings for her best friend, Cathy. We follow Ren throughout her childhood and adolescence, and follow her mental journey throughout her “discovery” of her true identity, a mermaid. This novel is both a grotesque body horror novel and a contemporary coming-of-age story, with Ren as the central figure to both aspects. Song expertly flows between genres throughout the novel, and the story does not suffer from the conflicting clash of genre. The central ques -
tion of the novel is whether or not Ren is actually a mermaid or if it is a figment of her imagination. Song leaves multiple clues within the text for the argument to go either way, even if it is never ultimately answered. Song uses both horror aspects and coming-of-age themes to explore this idea and discover what is actually happening.
Chlorine also explores the theme of insurmountable pressure laid upon young adults. The novel focuses on both pressures on young athletes by everyone around them and strong academic demand from parents who wish for their children to be the best that they can be, and even better than that. However, the central theme of the entire
novel is identity and transformation. Song uses the metaphor of the “mermaid” to explore this. Ren is in a tumultuous time in her life where pressures seem to be amounting and every relationship around her seems to be breaking. She is unable to reconcile with the difficulties of every aspect of her life, but she seems to be resolute in her conviction that she doesn’t belong among the human world, and she needs to return to the ocean with the rest of the mermaid community.
While I admit that this book was a bit out of my comfort zone, it was an interesting and enjoyable exploration into this genre. It was accessible to read, even if the prose was not a typical style. This book is also very short but packs
one stood up and gave a standing ovation, which was deserved. After the bows concluded, parents stormed up to the front of the theater where the stage was. This was when I saw the purest moment. Several parents brought their son or daughter a bouquet of flowers to celebrate the performance. Hugs were exchanged between families, hands were shaken, and makeup was ruined by tears. I couldn’t help but tear up a little bit as well, this was all too sweet.
an impact with its limited pages. I also think that the shortness of the novel works in the story’s favor as it evokes a feeling of stress within the reader, mirroring what Ren is feeling throughout. If the book was longer, I think it would lose its ability to remain purposefully unclear about the truth of Ren’s situation. It would eventually become obvious whether Ren was correct or if the mermaid identity was just a delusion she took on.
However, I will say that the writing style will be a divisive factor of the novel. It is creative and sometimes nebulous, which sometimes worked for me and didn’t at other times.
I also want to mention that those who are not a fan of body horror or graphic de -
scriptions of violence, both physical and sexual, may not be a fan of the book. Even though it was a novel that I never saw myself picking up, I still recommend Chlorine if you want to branch out into more experimental books and explore a new style of novel.
Jiya Jaisinghani ‘27 Editor-in-Chief
NICOLE GIARDINO FOR THE STUTE
PHOTO COURTESY OF AMAZON
PHOTO COURTESY OF SDS
Synthpop is probably one of the most significant genres of my generation and it acts as such a good representation of 2000s
of recession pop to Gen Z is prominent to me now as I constantly need musical stimuli in order to function. I find that no matter what mood I am in, a little synthpop cleanses me. There is something deeply rooted within recession pop that will always provide me comfort, there will always be this interconnectedness between it and my inner child. Synthpop makes me view the world with so much more joy and whimsy. Anytime you’re feeling awkward, embarrassed, shy, sad, or a little too self-
modern pop, and used her music to push people to truly embrace their identities and be whatever they want. She has inspired significant electronic subgenres and artists, including Charli XCX. Everyone is already experienced with Brat, but even beyond that album her music is bold, confident and influential. “I Love It”, for example, is a Gen Z heirloom. Another fantastic producer from the time, A.G. Cook is a great source for Y2K appreciation.
“Everything is Embarrassing” by Sky Ferreira, a song structured timelessly like an 80s ballad with a Y2k twist, inspired me to write this article. The song is well written, with a catchy hook. It contains all the necessities for a pop hit,
one of the worst feelings a person could experience and that’s why I have been obsessed with this song. It’s unfortunately so relatable, but that relatability is what makes it so great. The best part about synthpop is how no matter what the lyrical content contains, it will al ways make you feel better.
obsessed with include I’m Feeling Now li XCX, Each Other Eyelid Movies gram, Access Memories ginal Disk Bay. These albums are so full of whimsy and energy and they are some of my favorite albums currently. The production is unique and often creative uses of
Over spring break, I had the opportunity to visit an array of art museums throughout the Washington D.C. area. One of my more memorable visits from my trip was the Phillips Collection, a unique exhibition space and growing collection of modern art pieces, accompanied by classical works and contemporary acquisitions. Having excitedly made the Metro ride out to Dupont Circle, I simply expected to focus my attention towards the Alphonse Mucha
unexpectedly diverse. Despite my amusement with the excellence of the Phillips, one particular piece by Gustav Courbet definitively held my attention.
Winter in Jura by Courbet depicts a woman trudging through a colorful, snow-covered landscape. But this isn’t just any landscape painting. After finding Courbet’s work upon visiting the Phillips collection, I examined his portfolio and incessantly asked myself, “How can such a moody composition become so shockingly magnificent?” Part of the explanation could be Courbet’s realist style, which focused primarily on depicting the grandeur and simplicity of the French country-
sical look for the place. And I know my articles circle back to matcha, but for March, Magnolia is launch ing a special Saint Patrick’s Day menu featuring matcha
banana pudding, cupcakes, and cake. Honestly, I can’t quite imagine how matcha banana pudding will taste, whether the earthiness of matcha will blend seamlessly with the creamy vanilla base, or if the flavors will clash. However, something is intriguing about the weird combination. It’s one thing to read about something, but another to experience it. Magnolia has been woven into my childhood, and its charm lies in its effortless reliability. If there is one thing you should experience at least once in this lifetime, it is
that inhabit it. Winter in Jura takes on a particularly melancholic tone, as the woman represents such a small portion of the looming landscape—characterized by snow-capped boulders and matted merlot foliage which slowly engulfs her as she advances into the brush.
Many of Courbet’s paintings take on this gloomy attitude, but it makes for a distinctive and captivating composition. While many painters would choose to enhance the vibrancy of their work by adding white highlights and a softer color palette, Courbet chooses to largely dampen the brightness of the setting and paint on a nearly black background. Similarly to Baroque style, which commonly utilized a black background to enhance the dramatic nature of the scenes portrayed,
ed by Courbet transcend their inanimacy. The darkness of his scenes allowed Courbet to depict his subjects with a flare unlike most landscape painters; the richness of the colors observed in the likes of Bouquet of Flowers improve the composition of the piece. I particularly enjoy Courbet’s work because it invokes a feeling of unease, even in the presence of mundane scenes.
My favorite piece by Courbet is The Beach at Trouville at Low Tide, a stunning portrayal of the shoreline in Trouville-surMer, France. This coastal town is known for its dramatic tidal shifts, which, at low tide, can expose stretches of sand extending over ten meters. While Courbet often favored a darker palette accented by intense primary colors, this particular work stands
out for its utilization of warmer tones. His mastery of visual technique is especially evident in this piece. Courbet exaggerates the vastness of the landscape by dedicating much of the upper canvas to an expansive sky, saturating the canvas with a heavy, looming presence that stretches deep into the horizon. In the distance, the silhouettes of a local playing fetch with a dog subtly add
tling stillness. My favorite detail is the dark purple puddles left behind by the receding tide, conveying a sinking shadowy depth at the center of the composition. This suggests a richly textured terrain, rather than a flat, featureless shore. Finally, Courbet’s expert use of highlights along the waterline enhance the volume and texture of the lingering pools and makes the scene pop
BY VIKTOR PALMER ‘28
BY ITAI GELLER ‘26
Opinion
FOR
MATH’S
SAKE
Are inequalities bound to persist?
BY CHARLES
BEALL B.S. ‘23 & PHD STUDENT
progress on my PhD research with my doctoral advisory committee. In preparing for this defense, a key part of my research involves mathematical inequalities. More precisely, I am trying to derive novel upper bounds on functions
GIRL(
ISH ) TALK
that measure the error that arises from implementing a certain computer algorithm; this would allow me to ensure that the result this algorithm gives is trustworthy, and not just some nonsensical set of outputs.
In the time away from this preparation, I have thought about the inequalities people more usually use the word to describe, referring to parts of society, or the economy, that are greater than or less than others.
I will say at the outset that precisely measuring these inequalities is quite challenging, since societies and economies cannot be anywhere close to fully described by mathematical quantities (at least for the research I’m doing, I can write down what the error
functions are). Of course, there are quantities that can be measured to showcase inequality — differences in personal wealth or income, grades in school and on tests, access to services and comforts that improve the quality of life.
But how people feel also plays a role in shaping narratives about social or economic inequality, allowing these imbalances to persist, or at least adding many more complex layers to the picture. One recent example I have thought of a lot is how the infrastructure and manufacturing legislation passed during Joe Biden’s presidency sent higher proportions of government money to heavily Republican areas struggling with long-term economic decline. And yet, Republicans remained staunchly in fa-
You’re not too emotional; you’re just human
BY TANYA AVADIA ‘26
When I think of girlhood, I think of it as one long-winded path of experiences many, if not all, girls can relate to. On that note, one shared experience that many girls can relate to is being called “too emotional.” One personal anecdote that I would like to share is that once I was telling a friend, who I trusted to be vulnerable in front of, something that greatly upset me and despite knowing the context of the situation, the first thing that came out of their mouth was “God you are too sensitive; you need to get over it.” When I heard that, this hurt me more than the thing I was initially upset about. It immediately made me
ASK
shrink down and doubt whether I even had the right to be upset about the matter which made me upset and if I was indeed feeling too much and thinking too deeply about it. However, looking back on it, if something upset me, I have every right to feel that way. This was just one example but the idea of women being told that they aren’t allowed to feel some type of way or shouldn’t show it is sadly a commonplace. This can apply to really any situation and the truth is, that it is hurtful, invalidating, and rooted in misogyny.
The issue at hand may seem like a one-off, but is not. It is a cycle that unfortunately starts at a young age for girls. In a school setting, if a girl gets cut off while talking and expresses her frustration, she is deemed as dramatic. If a girl rejects plans or says “no”, she’s cold. If a girl wants to showcase her attraction to her partner, she gets labeled as clingy. While there are situations where a girl can be dramatic, cold and clingy, the instantaneous labelling of
ERIN AND NICOLE
women as such is toxic. It invalidates how a girl feels and even leads to horrible stereotypes such as the “crazy ex-girlfriend” trope. Do we as a society ever pause to think what did a girl do to deserve such a branding? Most of the time, she communicated her boundaries and expressed herself. Why is it okay for us as a society to collectively invalidate and shun the same things in women that men would get praised for? Men are allowed to be confident, assertive, and bold. In fact, society encourages these traits in men. However, when a woman is in a position of power, her being assertive, confident, and bold is held against her.
From a psychological perspective, it is important to feel your emotions. Emotions serve a specific purpose: they help us respond to challenges and connect with others. Emotions are also tied to decision-making. While logic can assist decisions, logic alone cannot carry out the decision-making process; our brains are wired to look for emotional in -
vor of now-President Donald Trump, whose tariffs and “government efficiency” efforts may well end up harming (or already have harmed) those very voters. Humankind has long justified inequality of this sort with several different arguments over the millennia. The political or religious arguments in this realm—that some people deserve or have earned more than others; that those with the most expertise or ability should have the greatest say; that God has deemed certain people worthy of an afterlife in paradise and others worthy of an eternity in damnation—are all specious. Indeed, they flagrantly contradict the basic doctrine of human rights, and the teachings of religion to love one’s neighbor as one -
self, or care for and protect those in need.
But what is so scary to me is that a much harder argument to break is the mathematical reasons for the existence of inequalities in society and the economy. It is virtually impossible to find a way to optimally construct such overwhelmingly complex systems so that everyone gets the same slice of the pie. And the way societies and economies grow is by naturally having shortterm (or even long-term) winners and losers, before things settle into a brief Nash equilibrium until another shock or chaotic event occurs to throw everything topsy-turvy again. How can we beat the logic of mathematics in this case? Are the odds eternally stacked against us?
These questions may also be virtually impossible to answer, and I don’t claim to have any special knowledge that would make some answers I write carry much weight at all. What I will say: in complex systems, actions that may seem very small can nevertheless play an outsize role in the larger picture. We do not always have the freedom to make any choice possible, but when we do, we should make the choice to heed life’s call to connect with others over the call to solely protect ourselves. Then the system may come to have a new feature, yielding new mathematics that might turn those greater than or less than symbols into something looking more like an equals sign.
put for every decision we make. Therefore, the act of suppressing our emotions, a path that unfortunately many women attempt in response to these comments, is very detrimental. Suppressing emotions can lead to increased mental health issues and can even manifest as physical issues. For this reason, the response women have to society’s comments on being “too much” shouldn’t be to stop feeling at all. It’s not that women don’t feel emotions more, it’s just that society judges them harshly for it. And the fact that society deems normal display of human emotion as “too much” also negatively impacts men as they too are often told to suppress their emotions and to “man up.”
Therefore, we as a society need to collectively examine why we make such comments when we know it is not beneficial to society at all and the perfect start is by reflecting individually. As a woman, I am never going to apologize for feeling my feelings. I know I feel deeply and to me, that is okay.
What should I do now that it’s nice out?
BY ERIN MCGEE’ 25
Last week, Hoboken had its fool’s spring where the weather was lovely and life was wonderful. The birds were singing, the trees were blooming, and it was finally nice to be outside. There’s a nonzero chance that I am actually a plant, dependent on the sun to live.
Now that we can all emerge from hibernation, it leaves the question: what do we do now? As someone who lives outside as soon as the weather gets nice, I feel possibly qualified to answer this question.
If ‘walking with coffee’
was a sport, I could medal in it. It is my favorite thing to do on a nice day by far. Get some friends, get some coffee, and go somewhere you’ve never been before.
Walking is a great way to appreciate the weather, people-watch, and explore new places. Try to find new places in Hoboken or Jersey City you’ve never seen before. If you’re feeling really ambitious, some have walked the entire length of Manhattan in one go.
Another more unique activity might be to visit some outdoor shops and farmers’ markets in Hoboken and New York. One will open at Columbus Park (4th and Garden) in May, and there is one year-round in Union Square in New York. It’s also a great way to support small businesses and farms. Finally, it can feel like all of Hoboken is outside on a nice day, and it can be hard to get a quiet area all to yourself to read or re -
lax. Try going off the beaten path to lesser known parks like Resiliency near Shoprite, or even make the trek to larger parks like Liberty State Park. If you have access, there are also plenty of State parks in upstate New York (also reachable by the MTA).
So, although the last week has been a miserable, cold, rainy, windy experience, appreciate that soon there can be coffee walks, and park days. Hang in there.
BY NICOLE GIARDINO
‘25
I know what it’s like to
be bored when you don’t have 1000 meetings or assignments happening at once. And I for one hate wasting my time doing absolutely nothing—especially with the weather being so nice recently. I live in coffee shops (shout out Jefferson’s), be it winter or summer, but sometimes I can’t just sit inside them all day every day.
Recently I have been an avid dog park goer. The dog owners are so friendly and I become so happy just watching the dogs running around. I’m actually doing a project for my Intro to Anthropology class where I’m studying the culture within dog parks, and let me tell you, it’s so interesting (and adorable).
Also, as Erin mentioned, the Farmers Market at Church Square Park on Tuesdays from 2-7 p.m. is such a fun place to browse. I recommend the Amazing Sourdough ven-
(thank you to Rocco Gannon for showing me these— they’re addicting). They have full lists of vendors at the Hoboken Farmers Markets which I also recommend reading through beforehand. The other day, my friend group went out to the waterfront and had a spontaneous photoshoot. I love any excuse to dress up, and we got such nice pictures of all of us. We coordinated our outfits (same vibe, different colors) so we matched while still letting our personalities shine through. After that, we headed into NYC to see the Zerobaseone concert movie and grabbed dinner in Midtown. It was such a fun way to spend the afternoon and evening. I’ve done a bunch of spontaneous NYC trips with this group now, whether it’s browsing around K-Town
or just grabbing dinner somewhere new, it’s always a good time. If you’re looking for more ideas in the city, Erin and I also walked the High Line and visited Little Island a few springs ago. Highly recommend it if you’re looking for something a little more outdoorsy and chill. And if being outside isn’t your thing? You can always plan a spontaneous Broadway trip like I did with my Sig Delt family line a couple weeks ago, for my little, Amanda’s birthday! We went to see Six the musical and grabbed brunch at Tosti beforehand. It was such a nice way to take a break from work and catch up with all of them! All this goes to show: you don’t need a packed calendar to have fun. You just need good weather, good people, and maybe a slightly impulsive plan.
By Rafael Lee Li
Christina Kalliaras ‘27 “Shoutout the best advisor Liz O’Connell.”
Ashley Junker ‘28
“I loved the people here. Everyone is so nice. I wanted to be part of it.”
