[The Stute] April 25, 2025 (Issue 24, Volume CXXII)
BY SERENA PANUCCI, STAFF WRITER
The Barry Goldwater Scholarship is one of the most prestigious national scholarships, and is award ed to undergraduates in the fields of natural sciences and engineering who intend to pursue research careers. The scholarship provides up to $7,500 in academic funding and connects the recipients to a nationwide network of scholars and mentors as well as numerous research op portunities.
Stevens student, Alexan dra Garzon, a junior majoring in Chemical Engineering, has recently been awarded the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship for her undergraduate research project in computational chemistry and environmental sustainability, with the help of Dr. Alyssa Hensley and fellow researchers. Garzon, a Pinnacle scholar and peer advisor, is also active in leadership roles on campus, serving as Director of Community Engagement for the Alpha Phi sorority.
Stevens hosts first TEDx in 18 years
BY TIANNA SPITZ, MANAGING EDITOR
Garzon’s research journey
Welcome to Stevens’ TED Talk spotlighting six Stevens students, faculty, and staff in dialogue. On April 15, the Stevens Institute of Technology x TED event was hosted in the DeBaun Auditorium from 3 to 5 p.m. Nick Smith, 4/4 Business and Technology major and former SGA President, was the lead student organizer who connect-
A new podcast led by alumni offers students interested in healthcare a behindthe-scenes look at the many careers within the industry, highlighting the stories, struggles, and successes of those forging unique paths in the field. The healthcare industry is very broad, encapsulating various fields of science, technology, medicine, and public policy, and the podcast aims to demystify these paths by featuring real experiences from those who have navigated them firsthand. Now on its second season, the podcast pulls in a large audience of eager listeners hoping to carve out their careers and learn about the many advances in medicine. The podcast was founded by Ed Eichhorn, who graduated from Stevens in 1969. He worked for various biotech companies and even founded a medical service business with former colleagues which he sold in the 1990s. He worked in the MRI industry before founding the Medilink Consulting Group in 2006, then becoming the Vice President
of Development at Stevens after serving on the Board of Trustees, during which he was the chairman of the nominating and governance committee. He created the team that was responsible for nominating Dr. Nariman Farvardin as the President of Stevens. Eichorn is also the founder of the Healing American Healthcare Coalition.
Having explored much of the healthcare industry throughout his career and serving the university in many capacities, Eichhorn created “Healthcare Torchbearers” as a way to continue that spirit of mentorship and knowledge-sharing. The result is a professional, unique listening experience that invites Stevens alumni to reflect on their academic roots, career decisions, and the personal experiences that shaped them — featuring guests ranging from medical students and residents to engineers working at the intersection of healthcare and technology.
“The podcasts are designed not to be about current events but to be about decisions that our alumni
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ed the Stevens community with TEDx to bring the event to life. Event day logistics and reception planning was executed by Tanya Avadia, 4/4 Business and Technology major. Riyana Phadke, 2/4 Chemical Biology major, introduced the speaker “talks” as the program emcee.
The theme of “Interpreting the role of research in accelerating societal good” served as the running thread connecting student, faculty,
and staff insights: Dr. Sara Klein, Vice-President for Student Affairs, Jordan Suchow, Assistant Professor of Information Systems, Michelle Y. Burke, Teaching Professor in the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Erin McGee, 4/4 Physics major and Science Writer for The Stute, Wei Zheng, Associate Professor of Management & Richard R. Roscitt Chair of
SEE TEDX PAGE 2
Philosophical journal Palaver releases new issue on solitude
BY BENJAMIN KNOBLOCH, NEWS EDITOR
The School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS) has published the 2025 issue of Palaver: A Journal of Ideas, Stevens’s annual philosophical journal featuring spirited oneon-one dialogues between students and faculty. To celebrate the newest edition of the journal, creator and HASS Professor Benjamin Ogden hosted a Palaver Roundtable and Launch Event on April 16, at which the theme of solitude was discussed at length by both contributors and attendees.
The word “palaver” refers to a prolonged discussion or conference, especially one marked by an exchange of ideas. Dr. Ogden founded Palaver in 2020 after noticing that Stevens students lacked a platform for philosophical expression. “[I saw] there wasn’t an undergraduate journal where students could share their thoughts about all sorts of important ideas,” in the same way they could share creative writing or visual art, Dr. Ogden explained.
He noticed, too, that students would be more in-
tellectually creative before and after class, but often held back during class discussions and debates. Palaver grew out of the idea that solving this problem required a philosophical forum for students that was no less rigorous than class time, but more informal and with a greater opportunity for reflection and composition of ideas. “I asked a few students if they would be interested in getting the journal off the ground, and with their invaluable help, Palaver was formed.”
The exchange of ideas facilitated by the new publication was apparent at last week’s roundtable. Speakers included editorial board members Emma Spoonauer and Anjali Denissov, as well as faculty members Dr. Diana Bush and Professor John Horgan, who shared their thoughts and experiences with solitude and how they engaged with prompts while writing their dialogues. Over the course of the hour-anda-half discussion, attendees spoke about their own experiences and contemplations of the meaning of alonness. The foundational idea of
BY MAYA MEENTS, CONTRIBUTOR
On April 16, Stevens hosted its first ever Global Lecture, called “Unlocking Your Potential as a Global Citizen: We as One, Stepping into the World,” an event designed to spark conversation around international identity and global interconnectedness. The central theme was simple: What does it mean to be a global citizen?
The event featured three speakers, all of whom are New York residents with diverse international backgrounds. They were invited to share their stories of growing up abroad and navigating life in the U.S. as international students or advocates for international communities, offering distinct perspectives on what it means to be a global citizen.
Deepesh Dhingra, the first speaker and founder of One to World, embodies pursuing global citizenship through multiculturalism. Raised in Nairobi, Kenya, Dhingra speaks Hindi, Punjabi, English, and Swahili. He came to the US in 2004 to pursue engineering at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, where he stumbled across a program called the “Global Classroom.” It was there that he found a community that made him
feel at home, as he met people who could pronounce his name correctly and who wanted to learn more about his background.
That feeling of being truly seen and heard became the inspiration for One to World, the nonprofit Dhingra later founded. The program connects international students with young American children, encouraging cultural exchange via student-led lesson plans about their home countries. The outcome has been young students who learn about the world and bring that knowledge home, sharing it with family and igniting curiosity in their own communities.
The second panelist, Alexis M. Akagawa, is a Senior International Student Advisor at Columbia University’s International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO). With degrees from Columbia, Pitzer College, and the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, her professional journey is rooted in international education. Akagawa’s role involves supporting Columbia’s F and J-1 visa students with documentation, advising, and navigating the challenges of enrollment and employment.
The final panelist, Aman Chopra, graduated from
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Recent IT Quackathon produces innovative ideas
BY JOSEPHINE CHOONG, SECRETARY
On April 8, the final presentations were held for the Information Technology (IT) Quackathon. The challenge? Form teams of two to five and use AI to tackle a Stevens-centric problem. It gave students the opportunity to learn new skills, test their abilities, and build long-lasting connections.
Michael Parente, Interim Vice President for Information Technology and CIO, explained that the Quackathon was hosted to highlight the benefits of using AI to solve Stevens-centric challenges and day-to-day problems faced by students. It granted students a platform to express their ideas and created a collaborative environment to learn about AI advancements within Stevens.
The event was planned by a team of IT staff led by Sana Michael, Maryam Mirza, Hammad Ali, Morgan Kellogg Cua, and other supporting members from the Division of Information Technology. Sebastian Sztolberg, who leads the CIO Student Advisory Committee, was a partner for the
student side from the beginning steps.
After the Quackathon’s announcement, submissions opened for individual proposals, and nearly 70 entries were received from student teams. The proposals were reviewed by the CIO Student Advisory Committee and IT leadership members who led the Quackathon. Both teams evaluated and selected the final 10 teams for the Quackathon.
The timeline was: February 16: Hackathon Proposal February 27: Team Selection March 10: Technical Meeting March 24: Kick-Off Meeting March 24 to April 7: Create & Build Solutions April 8: Quackathon Presentations
Stevens faculty, staff, and students were invited to watch the final presentations and to network with other community members. There, teams presented their projects to a panel of judges. The first-place win-
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began early in her freshman year, when she met Dr. Alyssa Hensley as a guest lecturer in her general chemistry course. Dr. Hensley, a Chemical Engineering and Materi als Science professor, had promot ed her website for thermodynamics and chemistry during her lecture. Garzon was deeply inspired by her and ultimately decided to reach out to her to set up a meeting to learn more about her research. With no prior background in computer sci ence, Garzon dove into a project with Dr. Hensley that combined computational chemistry and environmental research — an experience that would become transformative for her. “I thought it would be really great to involve myself in this experience because it wasn’t what my major focused on,” says Garzon.
Professor Leadership, and Dr. Jennifer J. Kang-Mieler, Department Chair and Professor of Biomedical Engineering. The program began with opening remarks from Provost Dr. Jianmin Qu, welcoming the Stevens speakers and audience to a collaborative inquiry.
Her journey to winning the Goldwater Scholarship started with encouragement from Dr. Hensley, who had applied for the scholarship herself as an undergraduate. Open to sophomores and juniors in STEM fields pursuing research careers, the scholarship is highly competitive, with most applicants already having their names attached to research publications. Garzon had initially planned to apply during her sophomore year, but strategically waited until her junior year to submit her application once her paper was published.
Working with Dr. Hensley as part of her catalysis research group, Garzon continued working on a multi-year project focused on enhancing graphene structures for improved absorption of pollutants and heavy metals. Using programs such as Python and a campus supercomputer, Garzon spent five months collecting and analyzing data and dedicated the remaining time to writing and refining her research paper, which was published in August 2024. “What drew me in was the sustainability aspect of it,” she said. “It was something I could see making a real-world difference.”
The application process spanned over a year, beginning in May 2023 and concluding in January 2025. After being selected as one of Stevens’ four university nominees for the scholarship in October, she submitted her final application in January and was notified of her win in March. “I completely forgot about it after submitting,” she said, and when asked about her level of confidence, she admitted, “I didn’t think I had a good chance of winning — I was completely shocked.”
Garzon emphasized the community aspect of the scholarship as one of its greatest rewards, aside from the monetary value. “I’m so grateful, not just for the scholarship, but for the opportunity to join the Goldwater Scholars community. It connected me to like-minded scholars and access to incredible programs to further my work.” As a Goldwater scholar, Garzon will have the opportunity to attend an annual research conference at Rice University and present her findings: “I definitely want to be involved. They seem like such an incredible group of like-minded researchers.”
Although her current project has come to an end, Garzon is eager to continue her path in sustainability research. “I am absolutely open to working with new professors. I hope next year brings new opportunities.”
Now, with a published paper, a national scholarship, and more than a year of intensive research behind her, Garzon is reimagining what her future might hold. A Ph.D.—something she hadn’t considered previously—is now firmly within reach. She credits her research experience and the guidance of Dr. Alyssa Hensley for opening that door.
Garzon encourages other students to take initiative and seek out opportunities early. Building meaningful relationships with faculty, she says, can lead to transformative experiences. “This project didn’t just give me research skills — it introduced me to a community at Stevens that I might never have found otherwise.”
“The Case for Being a Mess”
Dr. Sara Klein Klein posed a compelling argument for students embracing the “hot mess” of college life and adolescence, even framing a college community as the novel safety net that will catch them in academic freefall, as in falling into exploratory conversations with academic role models to challenge students along the way.
“Coincidental Generation”
Professor Jordan Suchow
Suchow discussed the intersection of AI and human cognition, focusing on the use of generative AI to create synthetic human portraits that will coincidentally resemble a real person. Framing the concept of “coincidental generation” as a numbers game, Suchow’s research platformed the coincidence of AI face doppelgängers to highlight a third category of people affected by AI that are not involved in training or system use, but may be unintentionally represented by the output.
“Can Gen Z Reclaim the Art of Conversation?” Professor Michelle Burke
Burke discussed the impact of smartphones on classroom dynamics and social interactions. Noting a shift from 2005 to 2025, the dawn of the dot.com boom, and smartphone connectivity, Burke’s ethnographic classroom interactions are diluted by screens, social media, political polarization, and short attention spans. Burke advocates for a tech-free classroom to recenter social skills and authentic conversation — a belief in face-toface conversation that stems from setting technological boundaries for the future of healthier social interactions.
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New York University and is currently working as a stand up comedian, bringing his humor and wit to the conversation. He had grown up living in five different countries and takes a lot of pride in all of the different places he has lived in and how they have shaped them.
Chopra said that his definition of a global citizen is somebody who is curious. He described curiosity as the starting point of connection — someone who asks questions, who tries new food, who researches unfamiliar topics simply because they were wondering. It doesn’t matter where your curiosities lie, but it matters that you are curious, and that you act on it. In his view, you don’t have to travel the world to be a global citizen, but you have to care enough to learn about it.
Collectively, the speakers explained why it is important for people to pursue global citizenship. They noted that being a global citizen and being curious teaches people about themselves. Engaging with different cultures, traditions, languages, and worldviews helps build a broader, more grounded identity — one that isn’t confined by national borders or family expectations, but shaped by a mosaic of experiences. People
surement was simplified to the distance from McGee to her archery target as a child, and stretched beyond the space-time of her academic career at Stevens, pursuing a bachelor’s in physics. Introducing light’s constant speed for precise distance measurement, McGee opens up the scientific community behind the Laser Interferometer, Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), and the power of precise measurement in advancing our understanding of the universe.
“How to Do Inclusion: Why it Matters and What it Looks Like” Professor Wei Zheng Zheng crystallized the concept of inclusivity within the workplace as an ongoing standard practice for efficiency and innovation. From research labs to consulting firms and warehouses, Zheng plucks social paths of least resistance from the mundane and instead advocates for intentional inclusivity and learning practices.
“Saving Eyesight, One Injection at a Time” Dr. Jennifer Kang-Mieler Kang breaks down the diagnosis, signs and symptoms, and lackluster treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness. Current care plans involve tedious and consuming treatment in place of a cure. Kang’s research offers another option: the restoration of quality of life for patients through a new biodegradable microsphere-hydrogel composite system.
Our featured speakers left the audience with core questions:
• What’s the problem in the world that keeps you up at night—and what kind of research might help solve it?
• Whose voice is often missing in conversations about innovation?
• What’s one small action you could take this week to bring a research-backed solution to your community?
• How can we make academic research more accessible—and more human?
begin to carry stories, ideas, and perspectives that they can share with others, and find the capacity to build empathy, compassion, and understanding..
Dr. Zhang, from Stevens’s Office of International Students and Scholars, opened the lecture with a question that lingered throughout: How can we build a more unified world? Part of his goal at Stevens was to find a way of achieving this – even though it is a massive question with no easy answers. Whether it be through promoting students to study abroad and participating in cross-cultural opportunities, or by hiring people across the globe to teach here, these all contribute to making the student body more intune with the rest of the world. The lecture stressed that one thing is clear: Unity doesn’t start with government or foreign policy, it starts with conversations, classrooms, and curiosity.
Lectures like this one provide that first step for the people who are curious in this way. For students thinking about studying abroad, it was a place to ask people who have done it what their experience was like. For others, it might be the first time they hear a story radically different from their own. One meeting with someone from a different set of circumstances can inspire a lifetime of learning and curiosity, and it just takes that one step.
PHOTO COURTESY OF IAN REITZ AND RAYMOND KO
PODCAST
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who are willing to speak with us about their careers make,” Eichhorn said. With its user-friendly interface and easily accessible episodes, “Healthcare Torchbearers” offers valuable support to students exploring careers in healthcare. The goal is to enable them to dive into specific fields, hear directly from alumni, and better understand the real-world steps needed to reach their goals. This allows exploration of various careers throughout the medical industry, giving pre-med students a clearer sense of the opportunities available and helping them make more informed decisions about their own paths. This resource also supports career pivots, as some students have reconsidered their original paths after hearing the real-life experiences and reflections shared by alumni. Students can use the podcast to explore possibilities they weren’t previously aware of and foster new interests, opening the door to career paths they might not have considered before.
In a recent episode, Eichhorn interviewed Kim Stavitsky, a 2017 graduate who received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Biomedical Engineering. She detailed her experience as a sophomore struggling to decide whether she wanted to attend medical school, get a Ph.D. in her field, or enter the pharmaceutical industry. She worked an internship her junior year at Bristol Myers Squibb, a biopharmaceutical company, working in the clinical supply group. She had a long-standing interest in the pharmaceutical industry, but was unsure whether or not it would be a better path than the other two options she was considering. “I wanted to completely rule it out before I committed to medical school or Ph.D. programs,” she said in her episode. After working the internship, she realized the pharmaceutical and biotech industries have a diverse range of opportunities for different career explorations. “I really learned that
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ner was The Debugging Ducks, whose project was an AI-powered assistant that simplified navigating student applications, assisted with course-related questions, and provided email reminders. It can also authenticate into students’ accounts and use data from Canvas, Workday, and the Stevens.edu website to answer questions and automate tasks. The IT team plans to follow up with Debugging Ducks and explore a real-world implementation.
The second-place winner was DuckOps, whose project DuckBot is a conversational AI designed to
I didn’t need the Ph.D. or MD and those other initials to my name to make an impact in patients’ lives.”
She realized she could make a difference by embracing her engineering background and pursuing work that aligned with her skills and passions. This episode highlights the complicated decisions regarding the path one can take with their medical career and how exploring one’s interests can lead to greater clarity and more fulfilling outcomes.
Another recent guest, Va’Shayna Williams, Class of 2022, is now studying to become a medical doctor at Albany Medical College. In her episode, she discussed Albany’s inclusion of extensive mental health resources for students, including a Level I trauma center in its hospital and free psychiatric mental health services, which were key factors in her decision to attend. Suicide rates are high among doctors, and those in both the healthcare field and medical school often struggle with men-
tal health challenges. Recognizing this, Albany Medical College places greater emphasis on support systems to help students manage the emotional demands of medical training. For Williams, choosing a school that prioritized mental wellness meant finding an environment where she could grow both academically and professionally.
At its core, “Healthcare Torchbearers” is more than just a podcast—it’s a growing resource for students and young professionals who are still figuring out where they belong in the vast world of healthcare. By sharing the real, often messy decision-making processes behind each guest’s journey, the series helps demystify an industry that can feel overwhelming from the outside. It encourages listeners to ask questions, reconsider assumptions, and pursue careers that align not just with their academic strengths, but with their values and passions. The podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other major platforms.
port for resumes, research, and general campus queries.
The third-place winner was Error 200: All’s Well, whose project CampusCalm is an AI assistant built to support students experiencing depression and anxiety. It allows individuals to screen their mental health, receive personal guidance, and connect with personal resources.
Parentes said that it was an excellent opportunity for students to interact with their peers, develop initiatives, and pitch solutions to faculty, staff, and alumni colleagues with industry knowledge. Students were able to showcase their creativity, compete for prizes and recognition, and engage with the Stevens community, especially the Division of
team is considering hosting the IT Quackathon annually in light of the event’s high engagement. It’s also considering improvements like more effective communi cation, and additional feedback from this year’s Quackathon will be used to address challenges and to improve future events.
“The Quackathon was a won derful event that really supported our goal of increasing student in teraction and collaboration,” Par ente states. “We thank everyone who contributed to making the Quackathon a success including the IT staff members, CIO Student Advisory group members, our panel of judges, and of course all our students that participated. To our students, your hard work and dedication are greatly appreciat ed, and we look forward to seeing even more amazing projects in the future.”
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solitude bled into related topics, including the necessity of companionship, child development, communicating in a second language, and the impact of modern connectivity on human relationships.
Solitude was chosen as this year’s theme in a democratic process between Dr. Ogden and the editorial board of the journal in the same way that it settled on the previous years’ topics of time, passion, dreams, and courage. “Each of us proposed several different possible themes, but after a few rounds of discussion, it became obvious that solitude was a great fit for Palaver because it has many different connotations, is something everyone has experienced, and raises an array of important questions of both universal and contemporary importance,” explained Dr. Ogden. He pointed out that our society frequently grapples with collective angst about the impact of the internet, smartphones, and social media on traditional human relationships of all kinds, and that with this edition, he hoped both the pos-
itive value and dangers of isolation would be vigorously explored. “We genuinely wanted to know what the contributors felt about solitude, and we were rewarded with some stunning and personal discussions.”
New to this year’s issue is the contribution of artwork from student artists. Under the direction of Philip Sutherland, a 4/4 Visual Arts and Technology major, who created the cover art for this year’s book, each student-faculty dialogue was accompanied by a related piece of visual art. Sutherland explained the inspired process by which artists tied their creations to the dialogues: Instead of being given full prompts, artists received a handful of keywords to spark inspiration without dictating a direct representation of the discussion. Although it is spearheaded by HASS, Palaver: A Journal of Ideas is an open forum, and Dr. Ogden welcomes contributions from all departments of Stevens. Those interested in contributing can contact Dr. Ogden directly or fill out a contributor interest form on the journal’s Instagram. “Tell me what interests you about Palaver, where you heard of us, and how you’d like to get involved.”
PHOTO COURTESY HEALTHCARE TORCHBEARERS PODCAST FOUNDER ED EICHORN (‘69)
PHOTO COURTESY OF ANJALI DENISSOV
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When Ethics Become Harmful: The Case Against Divestment
BY MAERYN ERDHEIM ‘26
“The Innovation University.” Stevens is a place where new ideas, bold thinking, and creative solutions to complex problems are the norm. Our education is rooted in expanding knowledge and pushing scientific boundaries— not in shutting out diverse perspectives or demonizing those we disagree with. The Stevens Divest from War Initiative Student Letter runs counter to these values. At first glance, calls to divest from weapons manufacturers might sound ethical. In reality, they’re deeply misguided. The companies named—L3Harris, Raytheon, Boeing—are vital Stevens partners. L3Harris collaborates with us on a graduate program in systems engineering and funds student senior design projects. Raytheon and Boeing are integral to our graduate degree programs. Cutting financial ties with them would likely end these
partnerships, harming students’ education and job prospects. Divestment, in this case, is a self-inflicted wound.
Though the letter avoids naming specific countries or companies, it clearly echoes the earlier Divest from War Initiative proposal that failed in the Student Government Association. That proposal originally singled out Israel, and while the revised version removed explicit references, it retained sources that demonize the country. The current letter’s title, structure, and language closely mirror that proposal, making its intent unmistakable: to isolate and marginalize the Jewish and Israeli communities at Stevens.
Supporters of the letter suggest that divesting from Israel-related companies could somehow resolve the conflict in Gaza. But this argument doesn’t hold up. Divesting from companies that do business with Israel will not end the war. It will, however, damage Stevens
students—especially those with family in Israel or ties to the country—and send a chilling message: if you feel connected to Israel, you don’t belong here. Resolutions like these have historically fueled antisemitism on other campuses. There’s no reason to think Stevens would be immune.
This type of political messaging is not just divisive—it is counter to our university’s mission. Stevens is an academic institution committed to intellectual inquiry, innovation, and excellence. Dragging our endowment into a politicized divestment campaign only distracts from that mission. It invites endless disputes with no real-world impact.
Divestment campaigns at elite universities have never succeeded in shifting state behavior. Global companies are rarely affected by these symbolic actions. Even the Arab League’s boycott of Israel starting in 1945 failed to alter Israeli strategy or meaningfully
harm its economy. Israel’s conflict with Hamas is viewed as an existential threat; economic pressure is unlikely to change its military course. So, what does this vote actually do? It signals virtue—but at the cost of student opportunity and campus unity.
Moreover, sweeping divestment hurts allies for peace as much as adversaries. Israel’s business landscape includes many liberal, progressive leaders who openly oppose their government’s policies. By cutting ties across the board, we risk silencing these voices and pushing Israeli society further to the right. Engagement— not isolation—is the more effective path to peace.
Currently, Stevens’ investments are guided by economic criteria. Changing that standard to accommodate political causes - even causes cloaked in the language of ethics - would set a dangerous precedent. Once we open the door
will be no shortage of future campaigns, each demanding action on the issue of the day. The result? A fractured campus, distracted from its educational mission.
The Stevens mission is clear: “To inspire, nurture and prepare students for an increasingly complex and technology-centric world, to develop innovative solutions to the most challenging problems of our time and to expand the frontiers of knowledge.” The divestment campaign directly contradicts this mission. It undermines our ability to prepare students for real-world careers, pursue meaningful partnerships, and maintain a campus where all students— Jewish, Israeli, or otherwise—feel welcome.
We must uphold our values. That means rejecting initiatives that polarize the community, sacrifice academic excellence, and risk real harm in exchange for symbolic politics. The only responsible
EARTH DAY EDITION
SPOTLIGHT: SUSTAINABILITY AT STEVENS
BY FIONA SHI, BUSINESS MANAGER
Located in Room 317A of Babbio is the Stevens Center for Sustainability (SCS), a joint space for two sustainability-focused organizations on campus: the Center for Sustainability and the Department of Sustainability and Transportation. Students are always welcome to drop by, enjoy complimentary refreshments, and find a productive study environment. Though both entities work toward improving sustainability practices on campus and beyond, they operate with different approaches and objectives — distinctions worth understanding for anyone looking to engage with Stevens’ sustainability initiatives. Students interested in learning more are encouraged to follow @stevenssustainability on Instagram and engage with the monthly newsletters to stay up to date.
Center for Sustainability:
Established in April 2024, the Center for Sustainability aims to create a culture of sustainability on campus by focusing on academics and research, actively securing grants, scholarships, and research opportunities for interested students. SCS was funded by PSEG, and the two organizations have maintained a close relationship. “The focus is on research, existing scholarship programs, community engagement, and student learning,” Dr. Vaishali Kushwaha, the Program Coordinator at the Center for Sustainability, said. “I manage grants the center runs, and I also actively seek out and apply for additional grants for more programs.” High schoolers and all Stevens students are eligible for scholarships and programs provided through SCS. By introducing sustainability-focused courses and summer research opportunities, SCS intends to inspire greater student involvement in environmental fields, especially at a STEM-dominated institution. Moving forward, SCS is working to launch an engaging Brown Bag Series to attract more students interested in sustainability, fostering discussions and utilizing the office as a space for environmental connections. Beyond the Stevens campus, SCS also works to create engagement and connections with the broader community. “We have
45 faculty members who are associated with SCS, and all their research has to do with some form of sustainability. It can be energy sustainability, environmental sustainability, business sustainability, social sustainability, whatever it is,” said Dr. Dibs Sarkar, Director of the Center for Sustainability and Professor of Environmental Engineering. “The whole idea is to work with several stakeholders, students, city governments, whoever, and help them implement sustainability strategies.” As the coordinator behind Stevens’ master’s program in sustainability, Dr. Sarkar has created educational pathways with real-world impact. He also encourages students to take meaningful action by founding sustainability-focused clubs or contributing to community initiatives. Notably, numerous New Jersey cities now operate with sustainability plans developed by master’s students — a testament to the influence of student leadership SCS hopes to foster within the Stevens community.
Department of Sustainability and Transportation: Originally centered around transportation and campus facilities, this department has expanded to incorporate broader sustainability initiatives under the leadership of Luke Hansen, Director of Sustainability and Transportation. Contrary to the Center for Sustainability, the Department of Sustainability and Transportation focuses on improving the physical campus and infrastructure. “Outreach is a big part of my job, especially making sure people are aware of our efforts,” says Olivia Connor-Bennett, Sustainability and Transportation Coordinator. Some initiatives the department has implemented include composting at Harries Tower, collaborating with Stevens Dining for Meatless Mondays, providing sustainable menstrual products, ensuring new constructions meet LEED Gold certification standards, and supporting student-led initiatives such as last year’s Breakfast After Dark event.
A large part of the department’s work focuses on the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (STARS), a measure of sustainability in all aspects of higher ed -
Meet the EPA and NOAA
BY ISABELLA ZIV, ARCHIVES LIAISON
Hey there! I’m the Environmental Protection Agency, but you can call me EPA. I was born in December 1970, which makes me a Capricorn: practical, persistent, and fiercely protective (especially when it comes to the planet). You might know me from warning labels on your cleaning products, NYC smog alerts, or your middle school science lessons. Every time you go to the beach, take a deep breath on a clear day, or trust your tap water, I’ve been quietly working in the background to make that possible.
I was created during the Nixon administration, after years of intense public concern over pollution and environmental degradation. Rivers were catching fire, wildlife was disappearing, and people were getting sick. So I was created to do something about it. Not to brag, but I’ve helped ban lead in gasoline, cleaned up thousands of toxic waste sites, and even helped save the bald eagle. And of course, Earth Day is my favorite holiday!
Libra, I care about balance, data, and helping people make informed decisions. You’ve probably seen my work. Every time you check the weather, that’s my data! I also run the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center. I manage hurricane-hunting planes, satellites, and ocean buoys. I monitor climate change, track rising sea levels, and even help manage fish populations. And yes, I do enjoy Groundhog Day. It’s flattering when people pretend Phil can predict the weather better than me.
ucation. Stevens currently holds a STARS Gold Rating, representing a commitment to integrating sustainability practices across various aspects of campus.” STARS is a big part of the job. It’s hard to implement change, but I think people understand sustainability is important,” Connor-Bennett said. Students who want help with sustainability-related events are encouraged to reach out to her and collaborate to make a positive impact on campus. The department assisted Pierce Dining Hall during Stop Food Waste Day on April 16, the Student Government Association (SGA) with its Thrift Store pop-up on April 21 and April 22, and the SAVE club during its annual Earth Day Festival on April 23. The department is actively seeking greater student engagement to amplify its impact across campus, welcoming student feedback and proposals for new initiatives.
Moving Forward: It is not enough for the Center for Sustainability and the Department of Sustainability and Transportation alone to be working towards a green campus — meaningful progress requires active participation from the entire Stevens campus. A “green campus” does not only involve lawns and recycling efforts but rather a “green wave of thinking in students, staff, and faculty,” Kushwaha shared. “It’s very important how the thinking and understanding of the people on campus is evolving and changing with respect to the complexity of the social, ecological, and economic systems.” Connor-Bennett reinforced this view that achieving a green campus goes beyond the conventional infrastructure terms and involves “a campus that cares about the future of the planet.” Students should be curious, active learners, and seek opportunities to contribute to sustainability initiatives, whether through academic pursuits, campus organizations, or daily lifestyle choices that reflect environmental consciousness. Switch to a reusable water bottle, use the revolving doors, donate or recycle your old clothing, use public transportation when possible, and consider dropping by 317A in Babbio — a place where your ideas and energy can make a meaningful difference.
I work alongside more than 18,000 dedicated employees to set national air and water quality standards, regulate toxic chemicals, and step in when corporations pollute more than they should. I clean up hazardous waste, keep tabs on emissions, and help protect communities. I also team up with states and local governments to work toward a cleaner, healthier future. But lately, it’s been harder to do my job. Budget cuts, staff reductions, and legal challenges have limited what I can do. A recent Supreme Court decision even reduced my authority to regulate water pollution under the Clean Water Act.
People have started asking whether I’m still necessary. But the reality is that I’ve never been more needed. The world is heating up, the pollution threats are evolving, and I’m still expected to do it all on a tight budget. Without me, there’s no national safeguard protecting your health from environmental risks. States can’t always tackle large-scale problems alone, especially when air and water cross borders. I make sure we use science, not shortcuts, and that there are rules and accountability. Saving me isn’t about politics, it’s about clean air, safe water, and keeping our communities safe for generations to come.
Hi! I’m NOAA (pronounced like Noah!) — that’s short for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. I was born in October 1970, and as a
While the EPA sets the rules, I collect the data. I help communities prepare for storms and wildfires, guide fishers to sustainable waters, and support scientists, first responders, and even the military. But like the EPA, I’ve been hit hard. A Supreme Court decision earlier this year triggered mass layoffs across science agencies. I lost hundreds of scientists and staff. The effects have been immediate and dangerous. Tsunami buoys are down, weather balloons aren’t being launched, and entire fisheries are going unmonitored. One fishery was overfished by 125% because there was no one left to shut it down. And now, there’s talk of privatizing my weather systems, meaning billionaires could control the data I’ve always made public.
I’m not just charts and storm trackers. I’m how we prepare for hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and heatwaves. Without me, disaster warnings would be slower and less accurate. Climate change would be harder to understand. And people and ecosystems would be more vulnerable. If I disappear, you’ll notice. Supporting me means protecting lives and keeping science in public hands.
If you’ve made it this far, thank you. You’re already helping just by learning. The EPA and I have been working for over 50 years to protect people and the planet, but we need your support. Even small actions make a difference. Reduce food waste in the dining hall by only taking what you plan to eat. Recycle using Stevens’ single-stream bins. Donate clothes and old dorm items to local thrift stores instead of throwing them out. Turn off your lights, unplug chargers, and use less water when you can. And remember, you live in Hoboken, one of the most transit-connected cities in the country. Walk, bike, take the train, use the Stevens shuttle, or hop on a bus. Every small choice adds up. Stay informed, speak up, and remind others that access to clean air, safe water, and reliable data should not be negotiable. We’ll be doing the same.
PHOTO COURTESY OF DR. DIBS SARKAR
Women’s and Men’s Track and Field teams have a busy weekend
BY CAMRYN WINANT, SPORTS EDITOR
This past weekend, the men’s and women’s track teams ran at the Coach Pollard Invitational and Paul Donahue Invitational hosted by Moravian University and Widener University, respec tively.
The Coach P. Invitation start ed their weekend on April 18, where the Ducks went up against schools like Drew University, Montclair State University, Ra mapo College, and The College of New Jersey. There were no table runs from juniors Kyle Savino and Connor Robinson, sophomore Doug Winant, and first-years William Ladd, Joseph Perriello, and Ethan Stallone. Many records were broken, with Stallone’s time of 14.73 in the 110m hurdle prelims breaking the mark of 14.81 set in 2010, Savino at 47:99.09 in the 400m breaking the record of 48.08 set in 2021, and Robinson and Ladd with the fifth and sixth fastest times in the 400m hurdles. Ending the meet was relay team Perriello, Savino, Winant, and Robinson in eighth place in the 4x100 meter.
For the women’s team, juniors Lauren Alley and Stephanie Ryazanova, sophomores Claire Deatrick and Isabella Shanley, and first-year Anya Sadowski competed. Alley ran a 1:04.78 in the 400m hurdles, surpassing her top time of 1:06.41 and winning the event, with Sadowski landing 5th. Deatrick took 7th in the
va, and Sadowski ended in eighth in the 4x100 meter. Shortly after the Coach P. Invitational, the Ducks travelled to the Paul Donahue Invitational, which started on the 18th and ended on the 19th. There were notable performances from graduate students Liam Concannon and Frank Orlando, senior Jake Porco, junior Danny Jutras, and first-year James Adamo. Jutras beat his school record in the 800 with a time of 1:52.15. In the 5,000m contingent, Concannon took 17th with Porco, Adamo, and Orlando on his tail in 47th, 77th, and 78th, respectively. The men’s team wrapped up the Paul Donahue Invitational on the 19th,
niors Mick Barbi, Caleb Stephen, sophomore Ryan Paradine, and first-years Kevin Medrow, Luke Giangrande, and Cillian Griffin. Barbi led the Ducks in the 800m at 32nd, followed by Stephen, Aylmer, and Medrow, and Concannon led in the 3,000m at 17th, followed by Porco, Orlando, and Adamo.
For the first day, the women’s team sent graduate students Fiona Feerick and Jacqueline Lulaj and senior Samantha Rozek for the 5,000m, where Feerick took 14th, Rozek at 28th, and Lulaj ended at 41st. On the second day, alongside those three were graduate students Nina Burden and Allie Canciani, juniors Gianna
Adamo, Taylor Enes, and Isabel Vogel, sophomores Kaitlyn Adams and Kate Cen, and first-years Isabella Gabay and Madeline Bender. Adams ran an 11:36.25 in the 3,000m, breaking the school’s previous record of 11:44.27 and landing fifth place, and Adamo at 17th. The relay team with Cen, Canciani, Burden, and Vogel took 8th in the 4x400m, with Vogel also leading in the 800m at 23rd, followed by Gabay, Burden, Enes, Bender, Cen, and Canciani. The day ended with Feerick leading the 5,000m in 18th place, Rozek in 32nd, and Lulaj in 45th. The Ducks will return to PA, this time Wilkes-Barre, to compete in the King’s College Monarch Open on April 26.
Men’s Golf takes seventh out of ten at the Gettysburg Spring Shootout
BY CAMRYN WINANT, SPORTS EDITOR
On Friday, April 18, and Saturday, April 19, the Men’s Golf team competed at the Gettysburg Spring Shootout, hosted by Gettysburg College. Going up against schools like State University of New York at Delhi, Swarthmore College, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Franklin & Marshall College, Gettysburg, York College of Pennsylvania, Juniata College, and Dickinson College, the Ducks ended the tournament in seventh place.
Starting on Friday, the Ducks ended the day in eighth place, right behind Swarthmore and Gettysburg, with Franklin & Marshall and Gettysburg’s top team in the
top two. There were six shooters for the Ducks, their lineup including sophomores Sebastian Beaver, Ben Slicker, Maxime Debets, Dillon Kim, and Arav Tank, and junior Brock Dickson. Slicker led the Ducks at 18th place overall with a +5(77) and two notable birdies on the opening par-4 first hole and the par-4 fifth hole. Dickson and Kim followed closely behind him, both with a +6. Dickson played the final six holes one under par and got a single birdie on the par-4 12th hole, and Kim recorded +1 on the front nine. Ending the Ducks lineup for the day were Tank and Debets, who both finished +9, and Beaver, who was +11 with a birdie on the 527yard par-5 second hole. The team ended the day with a +29(317).
Much like Friday, Slicker led the Ducks, this time at 12th place with a +1 for the day, putting him at +6. He registered five birdies for the afternoon at holes one, three, 10, 12, and 14, and was -3 over the course of 10 holes. Dickson land ed at 20th with a +11 overall and three birdies, Kim right at his heel, one shot behind at 27th. He ended +1 on the front nine, with a birdie at the seventh and 17th hole. Bea ver also landed at a +12 overall alongside Kim with two birdies, and went -1 over the first 14 holes. Debets got a +7, giving him a +16 overall, and Tank tied it all togeth er with a +10.
The day ended with the Ducks shooting a +14, putting them in seventh place, with Gettysburg the top team, taking the win with
a +16 for the day, and Franklin & Marshall behind them at 2nd with a +18 for the day. MAC Championship play will begin for the Ducks on May 3 and May 4, when they will compete at Shawnee, PA.
TUE, APR 29
STEVENS SCOREBOARD
St. Joseph’s University, New York - Long Island Patchogue, NY 4 p.m.
WED, APR 30
WOMEN’S TENNIS MAC Freedom Championship Time and Location TBD
WOMEN’S AND MEN’S LACROSSE MAC Freedom Championship Hoboken, NJ Time TBD
Opinion
BOOK OF THE WEEK
A thrilling mystery with The Grownup
encounter issues that seem improbable. From there, it becomes a question of what is real and what is not.
BY
Flynn is a short novel about an unnamed con artist who pretends to be connected with the spiritual realm. When a rich, affluent, and unhappy woman enters her business, our narrator attempts to help her with her problems. In doing so, she goes over to their Victorian mansion to “cleanse” the building from malicious spirits when she begins to
FOODIE FINDS
Free
I have the bad habit of becoming engrossed in my schedule and never deviating from my assigned times, being a perfectionist, being picky, or as my dad likes to say, “finicky.” Lately, I’ve been reflecting on my habits, and I realized I have free will. Guys, I promise this is still a food column, just hold your horses. To be honest, this is a crash-out article, but you know what I realized? If things become too hectic, I don’t need to stick to my schedule. If I really wanted to, I could allow myself to reschedule a meeting just to get myself donuts, or ask for an essay extension and allow myself a break, and make myself a matcha. My friend (you know who you are) will probably say, “Prisha, that’s not free will, that’s common sense,” but I want to thank him for reminding me I have free will. Honestly, if I used my
Gillian Flynn is known for writing Gone Girl and Sharp Objects, two famous works of mystery and intrigue, the themes of which are present in this book as well. Susan Burke enters the spiritual shop where the protagonist works because of issues regarding her family, especially her troubling stepson. After being invited into the imposing Victorian mansion, our narrator begins to feel unsettled by both the house and the inhabitants of it. Even though she strikes a friendship with Susan Burke, the narrator cannot seem to shake off a feeling of wrongness within the building and the family.
free will to its full extent, I would have sushi for all three meals every day. My favorite place to get sushi is Obox. I don’t even know why. I have been to the fanciest sushi spots, yet I keep finding myself craving Obox. Its simplicity and flavor beat every restaurant every single time. People say, “It is just fish on rice, sushi is the same everywhere.” I tell them to hush because their taste buds clearly are not working. I truly believe the way sushi is prepared makes a huge difference. High-end restaurants serve sushi that tastes sad and soulless for some reason, while Obox just hits different. I hope one day I can follow my free will and live that dream. Until then, I’ll keep taking the small wins. I will proudly dip my french fries in my milkshake without anyone’s judgment, because sweet and salty just work. The crunchy yellow fries and the sweet, de lectable, chocolatey milk shake complement each other so well, and I’ll stand by that. I’m tired of pre tending pineapple on piz za isn’t good, because it is. Sorry, Italians. The pine apple’s freshness balances the heaviness of the pizza and adds a bit of lightness and tropical flavor, which I adore. Even though I feel
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
While there are not many human characters in the book, the Victorian house seems like its own imposing character in the narrative. From the descriptions of the house to the feelings created from the building, Flynn is able to create a rich atmosphere around the house itself. The characters themselves, despite the short length of the book, also seem fleshed out and flawed. The fact that the book is short could have been a detriment to its storytelling, but Flynn is able to manipulate the length to fit what she wanted. Anything we know, or more specifically, don’t know, is on purpose.
True to her style, Flynn fills this book with multiple twists, leaving you to question what you believe about the charac -
ters and the events of the story. From the beginning to the end, Flynn has you questioning what is going to happen to the narrator and to the family she is “helping”. Each character is their own mystery, and since the story is purposefully short, we are not given enough information about each character to truly know who they are. When the twist occurs, it falls unto the reader to think about what we believe is happening and who is to blame.
If you are a fan of audiobooks, The Grownup is a good option to listen to. It is short enough to listen to in one sitting and the eeriness of the story is translated well in audiobook format. The physical book is also short enough to read in one sitting,
which is useful for a mystery novel. Once you start reading, you want to reach the end as fast as possible to see how the story will unfold. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to reach for a mystery novel with horror undertones. While not exactly a horror novel, there are elements of creepiness that emanate from the story. I actually enjoyed this aspect of the book because it created more depth to the mystery and gave more personality to the setting. However, if you are not a fan of open-ended or ambiguous endings, this book may seem unsatisfying to you. The Grownup is both a mystery novel and an exploration into the genre. Flynn tries to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time and it is ultimately up
to the reader to determine if it was successful or not. Like all mystery stories, not everyone is going to be happy with the ending. However, I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a quick and thrilling mystery novel.
a little gluttonous after indulging in sugary, artificial snacks like frozen Froot Loop-wrapped ice cream or Brookside pomegranate chocolate, I know it’s okay to treat myself once in a while without feeling bad. Waffles are better than pancakes. Yes, it’s the same batter, but the way they’re cooked makes waffles crispy in some spots, which adds an interesting texture and helps them hold syrup better. I don’t like peanut butter unless it’s with chocolate or in Reese’s Pieces. I absolutely cannot stand peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. They’re just too bland for my taste. I don’t like macaroni, but I adore pasta. Food is comfort. You’ll probably disagree with me on some of this and that’s totally fine. This is just my opinion. After all, this is an opinion piece. At the end of the day, eat or do what you want. Do what makes you happy.
Unlocking the Naive to unfold the unsettling
Is it wrong to be captivated by unsettling art?
There’s a strangely invigorating energy associated with the chilling themes, styles, and compositions — elements that make unsettling art so compelling. And by “unsettling art,” I don’t just mean the obvious examples like Bosch, Giger, or Munch. Many other artistic genres evoke this same startling allure through distinct stylistic choices and unexpected compositions. One often overlooked genre that has
always struck me as particularly unsettling is Naive art.
While Naive art is not widely recognized, this genre has played a crucial role in bringing artists with less traditional backgrounds to the forefront of their practice. Stylistically, it is quite easy to differentiate Naive paintings from the others you may see assembled in a gallery. Typically these works are uninformed by traditional artistic institutions, relying solely on the artist’s own style and talent. Naive scenes are characterized by characters, landscapes, or actions portrayed in basic color palettes, static scenes, and rounded geometries. While this may seem unflattering, the ordinary nature of these paintings is what gives them emotional traction. Most Naive paintings are based on an artist’s per -
sonal experience, whether that be mundane memories from their childhood, unfiltered representations of difficult life experiences, or expressive compositions inspired by identity.
Naive art is unparalleled in its versatility and relatability. While it is unrealistic that any amateur artist could claim to be a Naive painter, anyone—including those without an appreciation for art— may find something relatable. So what makes these paintings particularly eerie?
Ivan Generalic, a Croatian Naive painter, was particularly talented at infusing a chilling atmosphere into the most simple compositions. At the forefront of this unease is a dedication to painting in darkness. Rarely is there a sun in any of Generalic’s landscape paintings; his skies are filled with ominous clouds looming over seem-
ingly unfazed inhabitants, sprawled out across rolling hills among tranquil folk villages. Paired with the playful, almost childish anatomy of the characters, these plastic landscapes infused mysticism into rural Croatian life. The goal of Generalic’s work isn’t to visually impress. Rather, he intends to tell a story about people, their lives, and the stories they created. What his work lacks in grandeur, they make up for in emotional value. This is the root of the unsettling; emphasis is placed on the awkward relationship between the viewer and the painting’s subjects, rather than enjoyment of its presentation.
For most, Naive art is likely more whimsical than it is hair-raising. So, where am I going with this? It all boils down to the tension between familiarity and alienation, specifically con-
flict over the human form. The characters in Naive art are almost always inordinately small, lost in expansive landscapes. Imagining myself as a character inside a Naive painting, I feel as though I’m trapped in a snow globe or ant farm. A very similar feeling is evoked when looking at works by the likes of Zdzislaw Beksiński and H.R.
sense. Whereas Naive art disorients through innocence and scale, Beksiński and Giger confront us with distorted, gothic embodiments of fear, decay, and perhaps even moral corruption. A momentary unsettling predicament about human nature ensues, causing us to think deeply about our individual identities and the human expe -
will and hot takes on food
PHOTO COURTESY OF AMAZON
CHRISTINA THOMAS ‘26
BY PRISHA VAGVALA ‘28
BY ITAI GELLER ‘26
PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIART
PHOTO COURTESY OF FREEPIK
“Being able to move on after things get hard.”
ROVING REPORTER
By Rafael Lee Li, Mia Petrolino, and Isabelle Villanueva
Shreyas Ghosh Roy ‘28
Yui Koyama ‘26 “How potatoes are a staple in every cuisine. I love potatoes.”
Azeel Sajjad ‘27 “Food.”
Moyosola Omole ‘25 “Lowkey, I can yap about anything.”
Daniel Oppenheimer ‘28 “Modern day fashion.”
Alisyn Fink ‘25 “Netflix TV shows and movies. Anything on Netflix.”
Ben Herring ‘28 “Swinging at the 0-2 slider in the dirt.”
Jiya Jaisinghani ‘27 “I’m debating between the Sarah J. Maas books or the JB and Selena Gomez drama.”
