[The Stute] October 23, 2026 (Issue 7, Volume CXXIIII)

Good luck on midterms everyone!

We write Stevens history HOBOKEN, NJ | OCTOBER 23, 2026

VOLUME CXXIIII No. 07

AFSP Out of the Darkness Walk

The student newspaper of Stevens Institute of Technology, and creator of Attila the Duck. www.thestute.com TikTok @thestute Instagram @thestute facebook.com/stevensthestute NEW STUTE EVERY FRIDAY • EST. 1904

Exploring concert production careers for Media Month BY JOSEPHINE CHOONG, SECRETARY

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BY CLAIRE DEANS, LAYOUT EDITOR On Sunday, October 18, 2026, Stevens worked with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) to coordinate an Out of the Darkness Walk for Hoboken. This was the ninth annual occurrence of this partnership that has continued to grow in size since 2017. People from all walks of life gathered together for their common cause. In attendance were several of Stevens’ sports

teams, fraternities, sororities, and faculty from different departments on campus. Upon entrance, there was a station for honor beads where every individual walked up and grabbed necklaces of all different colors to symbolize who they were walking for. They also had stations for positive rocks, where you could write a message to drop along the walk for someone else to find; pins, where you could write down and wear who you were there

in honor of; and paper butterflies, where you could contribute kind messages and thoughts of loved ones to a butterfly garden. Following the activities and stations, the walk began. The path went from Babbio Patio, to Pier A, to 11th Street along the waterfront, and back through campus from the 9th Street gates. In the end, everyone regrouped where they had started. As the 10th leading cause of death, suicide stands as a major threat to many

Investing Seminar Series by Professor Sven K. Esche BY PRISHA VAGVALA, FEATURES EDITOR When Professor Sven K. Esche, Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, started his Investing Seminar Series, he intended to take his 25+ years of investing experience and “pay it forward.” That motivation led him to create an investing seminar series where he educates students about the fundamentals of investing, sharing his personal investing philosophy along the way. The Seminar Series is a sixpart program that starts with the fundamentals of investing, then delves into more specialized strategies such as fund investing, dividend stocks, blue-chip stocks, and growth stocks. In Investing 103, Professor Esche explored different investment strategies. The seminar also included a recap of Investing 101 and 102, making it easier for both beginners and those looking to expand their financial knowledge. Professor Esche opened Investing 103 by reflecting on his own introduction to investing. Growing up in East Germany, he was NEWS (2-3)

AFSP Out of the Darkness Walk Read about the annual AFSP Out of the Darkness Walk in Hoboken for Suicide Prevention and Mental health awareness! FEATURE (4)

Everything Stevens! Learn about the best places to hang out on campus and how Stevens culture has changed!

people. In 2024, 48,824 Americans died from suicide with an estimated 2.2 million attempts. From 2022 through 2024, the suicide rate decreased by 4%. However, the rate still remains 32% greater now than in 2000. The threat of suicide has been growing, but so has people’s awareness. The first time this event was hosted at Stevens in 2017, $19,342 were raised. In 2024, the walk raised over

SEE AFSP PAGE 2

Physics professor Svetlana Malinovskaya named American never introduced to the Physical Society fellow concept of investing. It was not until college that he entered the world of investing. He did not pursue a master’s or Ph.D. in a finance-related field and has continued to self-teach about investing ever since. Early in his investing career, he made mistakes that helped him learn valuable lessons, which he now hopes to share with others. His philosophy around investing centers on the idea that “simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” Professor Esche emphasized the importance of starting early in investing. That way, you lose less money when you start, and gradually, as you accumulate more wealth, you are more experienced with investing and are more likely to be capable of investing a large sum of money. One of the takeaways from the lecture is that the most important organ when investing is not the brain but having a “strong stomach and butt.” This means your ability to take on risk and deal with short-term volatility. He explained the difference between risk and volatil-

SEE SERIES PAGE 2 SCIENCE (6)

Stress? Doom Scrolling? Drugs? Read about what’s going on in the world of science. PULSE (10)

Read answers from the Stevens community to our weekly Roving Reporter, plus solve our weekly puzzle and sudoku.

BY NEHEMIAH LICIAGA, STAFF WRITER On October 8, 2026, physics professor Svetlana Malinovskaya was recognized as a fellow of the American Physical Society (APS) for her work within the society’s Division of Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics. The American Physical Society Division of Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics (DAMOP) was founded in 1943 as the Division of Electron and Ion Optics; DAMOP is APS’ oldest division. Consisting of 3,200 members, DAMOP has been known to contribute some of the most consequential scientists and researchers to society, such as Anne L’Huillier, who won the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics with Pierre Agostini and Ferenc Krausz for their work in optical physics. Malinovskaya has been a member of APS for 26 years, joining the society in 2000. Since then, Malinovskaya has contributed consequential research in quantum science, ultrafast

On Friday, October 16, the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) hosted an event dubbed “Creating Moments that Move People - Global Concert Touring with Luke Magette (Stevens ‘24),” where an alumni guest speaker spoke about his experience at TAIT Towers, a global company that provides services for live entertainment experiences for large-scale audiences, and the design behind concert productions. This event was a part of Media Month, a series of events hosted by HASS aimed at highlighting careers in media and entertainment and helping students discover potential careers in those areas. Another event hosted was an ARTS 14C Studio Tour at Jersey City, which exposed students to a multidisciplinary arts organization that provided students with professional support to bring their art to life. The two presenters were Mechanical Integrators working at TAIT. One of the speakers, Luke Magette, was an alumni who graduated from Stevens in 2024 with a Bachelor’s in

Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Film Studies. The presenters started the session with a brief overview of the company and its mission of exploring the impossible around the world. Afterwards, they discussed some of the tools used, like a stage deck, which is a portable stage platform that serves as the concert stage’s surface. These stage decks come in large stacks and have rolling legs to make it easier to move around. While most typically have a wooden surface, the stage decks can have video tiles or seethrough surfaces. Afterwards, the duo explained the various projects they were involved in, like Kendrick Lamar & SZA 2025, Shakira 2026, and Forrest Frank 2026. However, they noted that their work wasn’t limited to concerts. TAIT worked on cruise ships, theme parks, and custom machines. One of the presenters’ recent projects was a renovation of Goldman Sachs HQ’s theater. Since that project was a long-term installation, it needed to be more precise and have more documentation. There were many iterations, and it was difficult to implement

SEE CONCERT PAGE 2

LOCAL NEWS

Midterm elections and the power of showing up optics, and quantum control. Malinovskaya started her research career at Novosibirsk State University in 1985, and she has worked as a postdoctoral fellow and research lecturer at universities such as Harvard, the University of Heidelberg in Germany, and the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor before joining as an assistant professor at Stevens in August 2007, becoming a professor at the university in September 2021. Regarding her student researchers, Malinovskaya develops relationships with her lab assistants not only as a research dynamic but also as a family one too. For research dynamics, Malinovskaya stated that building the next generation of researchers is not only about building the physical concepts and phenomena, but also about showing how and why to advance their knowledge. Malinovskaya warmly compared new researchers to small cats. Because all researchers are starting at

SEE PHYSICS PAGE 3

BY ISABELLA FAMA, OUTREACH CHAIR With the 2026 midterm elections underway, voters are questioning what results can be expected. Beyond the headlines and campaign ads, understanding the fundamentals of how elections work is crucial. In an interview with Dr. Lindsey Cormack, Associate Professor of Political Science here at Stevens, we explored how teaching politics at a STEM university reveals just how important the intersection between science and democracy truly is. What exactly are the midterm elections? Halfway into a presidential term, all 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and about one-third of the U.S. Senate, which is 35 seats, are up for grabs. Midterm elections determine who writes and enforces the laws that are practiced. Dr. Cormack said, “The House is the closest thing that we have in terms of person-to-person representation, and so

the midterms are actually, in some ways, the most consequential election because you can reset the entire body of everyone who’s making legislation […] And so, in a lot of ways, it’s more important than the presidency because you can have an entire body that’s deciding the law in the first place.” This idea reinforces that midterms are not structural; they are an attempt to reframe civic participation. Working at a STEM-focused school, Dr. Cormack often encounters students who see themselves separate from politics. “When I first started here, I was nervous about it because a lot of the students that I met saw themselves as separate from a political process,” she said. “The best programmer or the best engineer gets ahead, and I try to disabuse them of that notion because politics isn’t everything. If you’re going to build a

SEE ELECTIONS PAGE 3

Friday, October 23

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News Masthead Volume CXXIIII No. 07 Executive Board

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF.............................JIYA JAISINGHANI ‘27 BUSINESS MANAGER.......................CAMRYN WINANT ‘28 MANAGING EDITOR.................................TIANNA SPITZ ‘27 LAYOUT EDITOR.......................................CLAIRE DEANS ‘29 OUTREACH CHAIR................................ISABELLA FAMA ‘29 DIGITAL MANAGER.........................CHARMY KOTADIA ‘27 SECRETARY.....................................JOSEPHINE CHOONG ‘28

Editorial Board

NEWS EDITOR...................................JOSH BODENSTEIN ‘29 SCIENCE EDITOR.......................................DISHA GOHIL ‘28 OPINION EDITOR....................VEDHESH A. KAMARAJ ‘28 SPORTS EDITOR..........................MILAGROS CARBAJAL ‘28 FEATURES EDITOR ...........................PRISHA VAGVALA ‘28 HEAD COPYEDITOR................................KAILEY SUPAN ‘29

Operations Board

HEAD PHOTOGRAPHER.................BRADY SANSOTTA ‘29 ASST. LAYOUT EDITOR...........................LIEU BUTLER ‘29 ASST. LAYOUT EDITOR..........................ALANA JONES ‘29 ASST. LAYOUT EDITOR..............................SACHEL GIL ‘30 ASST. LAYOUT EDITOR........................SHRI SARANYA ‘30 ASST. SOCIAL MEDIA...............................CHRISTINE YI ‘29 DELIVERY BOY...................................MARTIN MURIITHI ‘29

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AFSP

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 $60,000. This year, the walk raised $90,005 as of October 18. The support of not only Stevens but also Hoboken was

CONCERT

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 the theater’s unique curved wall. Yet, compared to a fast-paced concert, it was more rewarding to see their work growing instead of leaving it forever. After the presentation, the participating students got an opportunity to test some of the aforementioned technical equipment, including the stage deck. The event concluded with a networking session where students could ask the presenters any questions they had. During the session, Magette commented that he used his Mechanical Engineering skills frequently in his position, as there was a noticeable amount of overlap with networking and controls. He elaborated that within his role, you needed to be a strong communicator, understand the level of responsibility on your shoulders,

SERIES

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 ity. He shared that to mitigate risk you diversify your portfolio, while to mitigate volatility you make regular investments into your market account. Throughout the lecture, he also emphasized that returns should be measured in percentages, not through points, because percentages measure the relative gain or loss on an investment and make it easier to compare investments with differing initial prices. One of Professor Esche’s favorite topics is leakage and tax optimization, which he highlighted multiple times throughout the lecture. He

shown as 819 participants contributed to the fundraising and community of the walk with 1,022 donations submitted. Other efforts of Stevens for mental health opportunities include Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), the CARE Team, the Wellness Peer Edu-

cators, and more that you can learn more about in the Wellness Center. If you or anyone you know is in crisis, you can reach a live crisis counselor by dialing 201.216.5177 and selecting option “2” through Stevens or call the National Suicide Hotline, 988.

and want people to have faith in your leadership. His coworker mentioned that you learn many soft skills, like project management, throughout the years. You learn how to cooperate with

the client and designers under tight deadlines. It forces people to collaborate in ways that they normally wouldn’t. These are the soft skills that you can take beyond a single job.

PHOTO COURTESY @HASSATSTEVENS ON INSTAGRAM

recommended looking into tax optimization done legally and was very keen on this idea. Leakage refers to the flow of money that leaves the circular flow of income, which decreases your ability to consume and invest. He highlighted the Rule of 72, which is a financial formula used to estimate the number of years it takes to double your money at a fixed annual rate of return. This calculation helps investors see how long it takes for a portfolio to double under compound interest. The lecture started with a slideshow on how to get started with investing and how the first decade looks as an investor into the later stages, followed by the three As of investing, which are asset allocation, asset selection,

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and asset location. He also went over the types of index investing. He brought up legal tax optimization by highlighting different investment approaches and the tax implications of each approach. Professor Esche did not seem keen on advisors but rather on personally investing, and he gave a realistic view of choosing each investment approach, whether it was funds, dividend stocks, real estate investment trusts, blue-chip stocks, growth stocks, or moonshot stocks. He also reviewed fund metrics to gain an understanding of the basics of investing. If this is of interest to you, you can attend his lectures on select Wednesdays at 6 p.m. throughout the fall semester to gain a more well-rounded understanding of investing.

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News PHYSICS

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 the same moment, she noted that they develop questions, theories, experiments, and results from the base question, helping them grow through their research. Outside of the laboratory, conferences, and thesis building, the connections that Malinovskaya builds with her researchers are lifelong. Malinovskaya stated that her graduates are successful and have jobs in their respective fields, with most of them in Manhattan and some of them in Princeton. Malinovskaya acknowledges that

the development of her personal relationships with her graduates is a huge transformation in their knowledge. “There is no achievement without difficult times, without struggle, without showing your character,” Malinovskaya noted. “If you demonstrate the strength of character to face challenges, to struggle, to push yourself, and to persevere, you can overcome difficulties and achieve your goals.” Malinovskaya is currently working with researchers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology to explore how quantum physics can make communications more secure and detect attempts to intercept information.

ELECTIONS

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 bridge, you’re going to have to talk with political entities on either side of that river.” Stevens students are taught to design systems that encompass accountability, regardless of someone’s major. “The systems that engineers build, whether they be physical systems or cyber systems, change the way our politics happen. Understanding governance is not a distraction and should not be separated from engineering; it is a part of building responsibility.” Dr. Cormack highlights a very striking trend: STEM majors are among the least likely to vote. “STEM majors are the least likely to turn out, and so I know that their voices aren’t

heard in government. And part of it is them thinking it’s like not for them, but part of it is that they don’t know how to play the game, and they’re smart at everything else. But if they’re not in this system, they’re not going to get outcomes that they like.” For those nervous about voting or not sure where to start, the entire process starts with ownership. “This country is mine just as much as it is yours,” she shared. “Voting when you’re younger is sort of the best way you can assume or project a life that you’re going to want because you have that many more years for policies to be realized. And so, accept that the country is yours. Accept that as an adult, this is what we do. You are the adults in the room. For college students, this means that showing up influences decisions that will affect their future indus-

tries, careers, and workplaces. Being informed does not mean you have to agree or disagree with every political party’s promises. It means learning, questioning, and reflecting on your own personal priorities. Dr. Cormack gave advice about the difference between questioning and abandoning something of importance, such as voting. “I think skepticism is healthy. I think cynicism is not. And cynicism is when you opt yourself out. The American experiment is an example of change every year, every day that we live, based on who shows up and plays the game? Cynics are never victors. Tryhards are.” If there is one takeaway for students going into the midterm elections, take this: Assume that the political system is able to change, but you can be part of that change by showing up.

LOCAL NEWS First-Ever Hoboken Restaurant Week! BY SRIKAR VELAM, STAFF WRITER

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With November rolling around, Hoboken’s first-ever restaurant week approaches. Restaurant weeks are a great way to find hidden gems or upand-coming restaurants, and at decent prices, too. Many places during a restaurant week offer special, multi-course “prix-fixe” (fixed price) meals, often with reduced rates to help attract potential customers. Historically, cities like Jersey City, New Brunswick, and NYC have had their own respective restaurant weeks, with these events most commonly occurring during the summer. Hoboken has decided to follow this tradition, with The Hoboken Business Alliance (HBA) declaring Hoboken’s inaugural restaurant week starting November 9, 2026 and lasting all the way up until November 22, 2026. The main purpose of this event is to

celebrate Hoboken as one of New Jersey’s prominent dining cities while also providing businesses the opportunity to draw in customers. As said on their website, “The initiative reflects the HBA’s ongoing commitment to supporting Hoboken’s businesses through strategic programming that increases visibility and economic activity.” At the moment, there are over 20 restaurants participating in this two week event, including, but not limited to, Alessio’s Cafe, Muteki Ramen, and Uncle Rocco. Alessio’s Cafe is best known for authentically sourced cuisine and dedication to bring Italian tradition to Hoboken, treated with care. Alessio’s Cafe will be offering a three-course prix-fixe lunch and dinner including an appetizer, entree, and dessert that’s available from Thursday to Sunday priced at $30. Uncle Rocco started from

the same crew as Antique Bar and Bakery, which was voted #1 Restaurant of the Year three years in a row from 2021 to 2023. They will have 20% off all dine-in and direct ordering on their website all week. Muteki Ramen has been running for the past 20 years, serving authentic Japanese style ramen with a wide variety of food options. Muteki Ramen will be hosting a restaurant week special with a $30 prix-fixe meal consisting of a karaage fried chicken appetizer, ramen entree, and Thai iced tea. But of course, those are far from all the restaurants participating! Since Stevens lies right at the heart of the Hoboken restaurant scene, food connoisseurs or anyone who really just wants to try out new food at lower prices should definitely consider restaurant week. Bring some friends and family along as well, and it will surely be an unforgettable experience for everyone!

NATIONAL NEWS Agents search Rep. Omar’s D.C. home amid DOJ criminal investigation BY ASHLEY ELIAS FLORES, STAFF WRITER Federal agents searched the Washington, D.C. residence of Representative Ilhan Omar, a Democrat from Minnesota, on October 12, 2026, as part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). In a statement to National Public Radio (NPR), the DOJ confirmed that agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) executed a judicially authorized search warrant. The department did not publicly disclose the investigation’s full scope. Current and former federal officials familiar with the search told NPR that the investigation includes whistleblower complaints and allegations of immigration fraud. Additional reporting by TIME on October 14 described scrutiny of immigration paperwork completed by Omar’s late father when she was a child. According to TIME, the investigation raises questions about the information provided during the process through which Omar obtained U.S. citizenship. The specific evidence investigators are examining has not been fully disclosed publicly. Omar, who was born in Somalia and came to the United States as a refugee, became a U.S. citizen in 2000. She has denied allegations of immigration fraud. Vice President JD Vance and other Trump administration officials have previously raised allegations concerning her immi-

gration history, although TIME reported that officials had not publicly presented evidence establishing the allegations as fact. Following the search, Omar criticized the federal agents’ actions in a social media post, describing the operation as an attempt to target political opponents. Her spokesperson, Jackie Rogers, also condemned the search, arguing that it represented an abuse of federal law enforcement authority. These statements reflect Omar’s position on the investigation; the DOJ has confirmed the search but has not yet publicly disclosed all the evidence underlying the case. The search took place several weeks before the November 2026 midterm elections, in which Omar is seeking reelection. Its timing has drawn attention because of the Justice Department’s informal practice of avoiding certain investigative actions involving political candidates close to an election. The practice is intended to reduce the risk that law enforcement activity could influence an election or appear politically motivated. However, it is not a law that automatically prohibits investigative actions during this period, and the timing alone does not

establish whether the search was politically motivated or violated department guidelines. TIME also examined the possibility of denaturalization, the legal process through which the government may seek to revoke a person’s naturalized U.S. citizenship. The process requires legal proceedings and judicial review. An investigation or allegation alone does not establish grounds for revoking citizenship, and no conclusion about Omar’s citizenship status should be drawn solely from the search. According to NPR, federal agents were seen outside Omar’s residence during the early morning hours. Sharon Jackson, a 79-year-old neighbor, told the news organization that the activity woke her at approximately 4:30 a.m. As of October 14, federal authorities had confirmed the search, but many details about the investigation remained unclear. Omar has denied the allegations and investigators have not publicly presented evidence establishing that she committed any wrongdoing. For now, the investigation is still ongoing, and it is still unclear whether further information will clarify the allegations or lead to any legal action.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NPR.COM

Friday, October 23

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Feature

EVERYTHING STEVENS

How has campus culture changed at Stevens? BY PRISHA VAGVALA, FEATURES EDITOR Campus culture is central to building a sense of community at Stevens and giving the school its identity. I often wonder whether Stevens is losing some of that culture, especially given the current state of our campus and student life. This article is purely opinion-based and draws on what I’ve observed while exploring old Stute issues, SITTV and OffCenterComedy videos, library archives, and Link archives, which I believe offer some of the best glimpses into Stevens’ past culture, as well as my observations of the current state of student organizations. I can’t help but wonder: Are we losing Stevens culture? To give you a glimpse into what I’ve seen, looking through the lens of old media may offer a different perspective on Stevens culture. In the past, people seemed more carefree and willing to be witty, spontaneous, and unfiltered. Most of the videos and articles I’ve explored come from the 2000s through 2018, and even some

from the 1900s, when people may not have worried as much about constant online visibility or the fear of being judged. Watching these videos, I often wonder whether the advancement of technology has made us more conscious of how we are perceived by others. As online opinions spread quickly, it sometimes feels like we are constantly being evaluated by our peers. I wonder whether this pressure has made us more cautious about how we express ourselves, causing us to lose some of the spontaneity and authenticity that once made campus culture more alive. Stevens is a very stressful school, especially considering its demanding workload. I’m grateful to be getting an education from such a program, but that does not come without the countless hours needed to keep up with the coursework. That’s speaking as a business major. I cannot fathom the amount of work engineering students have to deal with, but I digress. Though this has always been the case, and Stevens has always been challenging, we have

still managed to maintain some sort of culture in the past. The ongoing pressure has made student leaders’ roles harder to fulfill, especially as students deal with external factors such as political conflicts, economic uncertainty, new immigration policies, feeling like their concerns go unheard, and weak job market reports. This may be going beyond the scope of the article, but I think it is safe to assume that, with all these external factors demanding students’ attention, they may not have the privilege of completely devoting themselves to maintaining campus culture. They are instead trying their best to create, change, or combat these factors. Along with that, technology can truly be a blessing, such as the kiosk and Piccolo Italia food lockers making food pickup so much more efficient. However, does too much digital technology and efficiency come at the cost of less connection? With how easy it is to pick up your food at UCC once it marks it as ready and scurry back to your dorm, you lose out on the opportunity to sit in a community

space and make conversation with others; rather, you might scroll on your phone while waiting. I do this too, I won’t lie, but overall, there has been a feeling of less community because of this. I have no idea if my reminiscing on the past is also romanticizing it, but there is just too notable a difference between my first year and junior year here that I couldn’t help but write about this. Student leaders are not really associating with their clubs as they used to.

Maintaining a club is also becoming more tiresome, with more restrictions, which comes at the cost of turning clubs from an activity of enjoyment to just another job. To compensate for all the external factors in their lives, students work extra hard. It’s difficult to expect everyone to be involved when all of us deal with so much as college students, yet it’s still frustrating to experience this loss of culture. But then again, this may be completely relative to me. Who knows? That’s my spiel for now.

PHOTO COURTESY OF @OFFCENTERCOMEDY ON YOUTUBE

Favorite hangout spots on campus BY ARYAN BASETTY, CONTRIBUTOR The Stevens campus, along with the surrounding Hoboken area, is a lovely little city situated along the Hudson River. With how the campus is positioned, it brings forth a lot of nice places to hang out, both on and off campus. With all of this in mind, it raises the question of what is really the best hangout spot on campus? As a sophmore, I have familiarized myself with almost the entirety of campus. The campus is a cool

place, and it has a lot of nice places to either sit and read a book, study, or goof off with friends, which can make picking the absolute best hangout spot across the entirety of campus a bit difficult. With that in mind, the absolute best hangout spot on campus is definitely the bridge connecting both residential towers. Why the bridge? It’s simple. The bridge has just about everything that you would need for any kind of hangout. There are TVs on both floors to watch a show or sports, a pingpong table, study rooms to get

work done, and vending machines for easy snacks. You can also do your laundry and hang out at the same time, cementing it as the best place to hang out around campus. Not to mention that the bridge is two floors, which gives it a lot of space to do things. While the bridge is the best place to hang out around campus, it’s not the only spot that’s worth hanging out in. Some other nice spots include the first floor of the UCC, being able to grab food whenever you want, and tables to do work and chat with friends over

a Yella’s order. One place on campus that honestly is underrated is Pierce Dining Hall. The TVs have sports or something else playing. There’s unlimited food and drinks and large tables so that you can sit with all your friends in one area. The only problem with the dining hall is that the hours are limited, so there’s only so much time to hang out there. If it’s a pure hangout, no work or any of that kind of stress. The recreational room on the ground floor of the UCC is a very unknown yet very nice spot to

hang out. It’s got a pool table, couches, and beanbag chairs, making it a really relaxing place to be in. However, if you just want to sit and chill, the bleachers by the sports field are a really nice spot, as you get a nice view of Hoboken, and if you’re lucky, you can even catch the sunset. To put it simply, campus has a lot of great hangout spots, but to really have a fun hangout, the spot where you and your friends hang out is one of the biggest determining factors in the quality of the hangout.

fruits and vegetables department, would make meals less repetitive. On a slightly lighter note, bring back the whipped cream! 6. Cannon Cafe Cannon Cafe is a solid choice for snacks and sweet treats, with its iced strawberry matcha latte being a personal favorite. Although, they have removed some items from the menu like blondies, icecream, and different types of cream cheese, the recent renovation brought some great new menu options. Yet the new couch area feels awkwardly positioned and somewhat out of place. A few adjustments could make it feel less exposed and more comfortable as a lounge area. 5. Piccola Italia Piccola Italia offers much-needed options for hot meals. The pickup lockers are especially useful, helping make sure orders make it into the right hands. On the downside, the salads have a tendency to sell out, and additional side options would be appreciated.

4. Pierce Cafe Pierce Cafe is particularly useful in the mornings, with breakfast sandwiches that are well suited for students rushing to class or needing something to tide them over between lectures. The drinks, grab-and-go meals, and snacks are also nice additions. Beyond the food, the seating makes for a nice spot to recharge and get some work done. 3. Tu Taco Tu Taco earns third place thanks to its customizable menu, particularly its burrito bowls. While the food could use stronger flavors, it remains a reliable option for students needing something warm and filling. The menu’s generous portions make Tu Taco a great value option for students. 2. Yella’s Yella’s takes second place with its familiar fast-food variety. Its sweet potato fries are a particularly nice treat, and the milkshakes are worth trying, especially the sea-

sonal flavors. For students craving something familiar and satisfying, Yella’s rarely disappoints. Its later hours are also valuable for students working into the night, making sure there’s somewhere to grab a meal on campus.

Ranking food places on campus BY ALESSANDRA ZULUETA NIETO, STAFF WRITER With several dining locations on Stevens’ campus, students have plenty of places to grab a bite between classes or settle down for a proper meal. Not every food place on campus can be the best. Whether it comes down to food quality, variety, convenience, or atmosphere, each location has its strengths and weaknesses. After trying them all, here is my personal ranking of the ten campus dining locations, from worst to best. 10. Gateway Café (JWO) Coming in last is Gateway Café, though not necessarily because of its quality. The café is convenient for grabbing a quick snack, but because it lacks ready-made meals, it’s hard to consider it a proper dining option. It still serves its purpose for students looking for something small between classes. 9. Zaro’s (America’s Cup)

Zaro’s benefits from its location, being conveniently connected to the library. It offers students a comfortable place to study and socialize over coffee. Unfortunately, the food itself leaves something to be desired. The breakfast sandwiches are average, and the drinks are decent, but it currently lacks a standout drink or snack that could raise its ranking significantly. 8. Pom & Honey Pom & Honey is arguably one of the most underwhelming dining options on campus. While the falafel is pretty good, the bowls themselves can be hit or miss, particularly when it comes to ingredient proportions. Pom & Honey has the potential to provide students with healthier meal options, but there is nothing to write home about. 7. Pierce Dining Hall As the central dining hall, Pierce offers convenience, but its selection could use improvement. More variety, particularly in the

1. crEATe (America’s Cup) Taking first place is crEATe, thanks to its highly customizable meals and welcoming atmosphere. The space is small and shared with Zaro’s in the America’s Cup location, but it is used well. The specialty salads and sandwiches are good, but the real stars are the “Create Your Own” salad and sandwich options. The healthier selections and added control over ingredients are a lifesaver for students. Overall, Stevens’ dining options are decent, but there is certainly room for improvement, especially when it comes to variety and availability. After all, better food makes for better fuel for the brain.

The history and meaning behind the Torch Bearers statue BY ALESSANDRA ZULUETA NIETO, STAFF WRITER Standing in the center of Stevens’ upper campus is a 16-foottall aluminum statue known as the Torch Bearers. Created by the American sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington, the statue was presented to Stevens in April 1964 as a gift. Although hundreds of students pass by it every day on their way to and from class, most don’t give it much thought and miss the story told about perseverance, sacrifice, and the generational inheritance of knowledge. The statue shows two men in the middle of passing a torch, one lying on the ground and the other mounted on a horse. The man on the ground has his face twisted into a grimace, visibly exhausted as he

drags himself forward. His toes dig into the ground as he stretches his arm up, passing the lit torch along to his successor despite the clear struggle. Meanwhile, the man on horseback leans down to receive it. Unlike his predecessor, he is smiling as he looks at the torch and the man offering it to him. His horse is mid-stride, hoof raised to take the next step, not fully stopping even for the exchange. The future moves forward. It doesn’t stop for anyone or anything. The contrast between these two figures is striking: one having pushed himself to the brink while the other is bright-eyed and eager to start his leg of the journey. So, what does all of this mean? The Torch Bearers symbolizes the continuation of civilization from one generation to the next. The torch represents enlightenment,

knowledge, and the responsibility of continuing the eternal relay of progress. Progress is never the work of a lone person. It compounds from one generation to the next, each carrier of the torch pouring everything into bringing it forward. The sculpture itself has origins far beyond Hoboken. The original Torch Bearers was made in 1955, with Huntington dedicating it to the University of Madrid in Spain. Our version was dedicated nine years later, bringing the same message to our university’s campus. The sculptor herself was an incredibly commercially successful artist, noted for her lifelike depiction of animals in a time before pictures could aid with understanding animal movements. Stemming from a family of artists, Hyatt Huntington was born in 1876 in Cam-

bridge, MA. Hyatt Huntington was mostly self-taught, spending time at the Bronx Zoo to study the anatomy and movement of animals, with her talent eventually earning her international recognition. At Stevens, the sculpture’s message feels especially relevant. Students arrive to learn from the discoveries of earlier generations before graduating and making their own contributions to the world. Whether they go on to be engineers, researchers, innovators, or entrepreneurs, everyone participates in the same exchange represented by the torch. The work we do now will eventually be ours to pass on to the next generation. So, the next time you walk through campus, consider taking a look at the figures and the story they tell, because we all participate in it. We are the man on horseback today,

and the man passing the torch tomorrow.

WINSTON LEE FOR THE STUTE

Friday, October 23

5

PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVENSDUCKS.COM (SHOT BY DAVE JANOSZ)

Sports

ON DECK IN SPORTS FRI, OCT 23 MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY LVC Last Chance Run Fast Annville, PA 3:45 p.m.

WOMEN’S SWIMMING Kean University Union, NJ 6 p.m.

SAT, OCT 24 FIELD HOCKEY

Women’s Soccer vs. Delaware Valley University BY ASHLEY ELIAS FLORES, STAFF WRITER The Women’s Soccer team celebrated Senior Day this past Saturday afternoon, earning a shutout 6-0 victory over Delaware Valley University in a MAC Freedom conference matchup at the DeBaun Athletic Complex. The Ducks put together a dominant performance on both ends of the field, scoring five goals in the opening 27 minutes and controlling the pace of play throughout the game. Stevens outshot Delaware Valley 34-2 and finished with 17 shots on goal, while its defense limited the Aggies to just one shot on target. Senior forward Luciana Rodrigues led the way with two goals and two assists, recording the first multi-goal game of her collegiate career and becoming the first Stevens player to register six points in a game since Rachel Rouse recorded a hat trick

against King’s College on October 17, 2023. Senior midfielder Kaitlyn Pettit also scored twice, while both Sophia Murphy and graduate student Alana Odom scored one goal each. Stevens wasted little time establishing control, opening the scoring just 2:32 into the match. Odom worked her way along the end line before delivering a pass to Murphy, who scored to give the Ducks an early 1-0 advantage. The pressure continued into the 11th minute when Rodrigues sent Odom through on a breakaway. Odom calmly finished the oneon-one opportunity, doubling the lead to 2-0. Just over a minute later, Stevens struck again. Molly McCann worked her way into the penalty area and passed it to Rodrigues, who placed her shot just inside the left post to extend the advantage to 3-0. The Ducks added a fourth goal in the 18th minute when Rodrigues delivered a corner kick

that Pettit met with a well-timed header, putting Stevens firmly in control. Pettit found the back of the net again in the 27th minute, unleashing a long-range strike that beat the Delaware Valley goalkeeper. The goal capped a five-goal opening stretch for Stevens and sent the Ducks into halftime with a dominant 5-0 lead. While Stevens’ attack conquered the game, their defensive performance was equally impressive.The Ducks limited Delaware Valley to just two shots for the entire match, compared to 34 for Stevens, and held the Aggies without a goal, earning themselves a defensive shutout. Stevens continued to apply pressure after halftime, recording 18 shots in the second half alone. Although the Ducks were held scoreless for much of the period, they continued to create opportunities and maintain possession. The sixth and final goal arrived in the 87th minute, when Irwin headed a failed Delaware Valley

Lebanon Valley College Hoboken, NJ 12 p.m.

clearance onto Rodrigues’ foot, allowing the senior forward to finish and complete her two-goal performance. Goalkeepers Lucy Smith, Maria O’Brien, and Sydney Lauffer combined to preserve the clean sheet. O’Brien recorded the Ducks’ lone save as the Stevens defense kept Delaware Valley from finding any offensive rhythm. With the 6-0 victory, Stevens improved to 5-5-3 overall and 4-0 in MAC Freedom play, maintaining its unbeaten conference record. The Ducks’ offensive and defensive plays and balanced scoring provided a strong finish to a special day at the DeBaun Athletic Complex. Following Family Day and Senior Day celebrations, Stevens will return to action Tuesday, October 20, 2026, hosting FDU-Florham at 7 p.m. The Ducks will look to carry their conference momentum into their next matchup as they continue their push through the MAC Freedom schedule.

MEN’S SOCCER Arcadia University Glenside, PA 12 p.m.

WOMEN’S SOCCER Arcadia University Glenside, PA 3 p.m.

SUN, OCT 25 WOMEN’S FENCING Temple University Philadelphia, PA TBD

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL Temple University Philadelphia, PA TBD

MON, OCT 26 MEN’S GOLF

Lebanon Valley Dutchmen Invitational (B Team) Lebanon, PA TBD

TUE, OCT 27 MEN’S SOCCER

DeSales University Center Valley, PA 2:30 p.m.

WED, OCT 28 WOMEN’S SOCCER

DeSales University Center Valley, PA 2:30 p.m.

FIELD HOCKEY Albright College Hoboken, NJ 5 p.m.

THU, OCT 29 WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL Lebanon Valley College Hoboken, NJ 7 p.m.

PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVENSDUCKS.COM

PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVENSDUCKS.COM

STEVENS SCOREBOARD DATE

WED, OCT 14 THU, OCT 15 FRI, OCT 16 SAT, OCT 17

TEAM

FIELD HOCKEY MEN'S GOLF WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY MEN'S TENNIS WOMEN'S TENNIS WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL WOMEN'S SOCCER WOMEN'S VOLLYEBALL MEN'S SOCCER SUN, OCT 18 WOMEN'S TENNIS MON, OCT 19 MEN'S GOLF TUE, OCT 20 MEN'S GOLF WOMEN'S SOCCER

OPPONENT

MISERICORDIA UNIVERSITY WPU QUAD BRIDGEWATER COLLEGE ROWAN BORDER BATTLE MISERICORDIA UNIVERSITY MISERICORDIA UNIVERSITY RANDOLPH COLLEGE RANDOLPH DELAWARE VALLEY UNIVERSITY MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY DELAWARE VALLEY UNIVERSITY MORAVIAN UNIVERSITY YORK SPARTAN FALL TOURNAMENT DAY 1 YORK SPARTAN FALL TOURNAMENT DAY 2 FDU-FLORHAM

LOCATION

AWAY AWAY AWAY AWAY AWAY AWAY AWAY AWAY HOME AWAY HOME AWAY AWAY AWAY AWAY

SCORE

W 2-1 2ND PLACE W 3-2 6TH PLACE W 7-0 W 7-0 W 3-0 W 3-0 W 6-0 W 3-0 W 4-0 W 5-2 TBD TBD TBD

Friday, October 2

6

Science Drug target could block brain inflammation linked to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s blindness. According to Dr. Yeni

Cleanse your eyes! Oh wait! They’re already doing it! BY BREEZE MA, CONTRIBUTOR They say the eyes are the windows to the soul, but they are also our personal guide to the universe. They help us experience the world and reflect how we see it. We use them to read, doomscroll, and silently judge others from across the room. For organs that work this hard, they’re constantly exposed to dust, light, dryness, and everything else the environment throws at them. So how do they stay clean and functioning despite all that chaos? Scientists discovered a hidden cleaning system in our eyes that doesn’t just cleanse the eye of impurities but also keeps it healthy. Researchers from the University of British Columbia and the University of Toronto discovered a hidden circulatory pathway in the back of the eye called the posterior ocular lymphatic outflow, or POLO pathway. Scientists placed fluorescent tracers in the narrow space behind a mouse’s eye and observed how they moved through it. The experiment revealed lymphatic vessels in the choroid, a thin, blood-rich layer beneath the retina that nourishes the outer retina. The scientists observed the fluid move around the outer eyeball into lymph nodes connected to the lymphatic system, which is responsible for draining fluids and transporting white blood cells across the body. The retina is a layer of cells behind the eye that converts light to brain signals that are processed into our sense of vision. Retinal damage can change how we see or even cause permanent

Yücel, a professor and director of ophthalmic pathology at the University of Toronto, “The retina is responsible for vision and it’s also where many of the most serious vision-loss diseases occur. Understanding how this part of the eye maintains a balanced environment and flow of materials is critical.” The discovery opens new opportunities to understand how to treat diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration that cause damage. “Because lymphatic vessels in the choroid were thought not to exist, the team used multiple techniques to demonstrate both their presence and function,” added Yücel, who is also a pathologist-scientist at St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto. “We were surprised to see such a direct route for fluid to leave the eye and connect with the lymphatic system. It suggests the back of the eye has an active clearance pathway, which could play an important role in removing fluid, proteins, and inflammatory material that build up in disease.” Although further research is needed to fully understand the POLO pathway, researchers acknowledge the improved method of drug delivery and suggest it may lead to new therapeutic treatments and deeper insights into contributions to sight loss. While it’s not yet known if the eye’s secret cleaning tunnel is key to curing blindness, scientists are taking steps to understand the eye’s cleaning system — just so we can doomscroll a little longer.

BY SRIKAR VELAM, STAFF WRITER

As we get older, oftentimes, our bodies stop functioning as well as they used to in our prime and, subsequently, we are plagued with all types of diseases. Some of the worst include progressive neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, having affected a combined total of 8 million people by 2024. Alzheimer’s is known for causing issues in memory, difficulties in reasoning, and drastic shifts in personality, whereas Parkinson’s primarily affects motor functions but can lead to dementia later down the line; nevertheless, both of these diseases are most commonly caused by brain inflammations due to protein clumps, with the three main culprits being tau, beta-amyloid, and alpha-synuclein. However, a recent study done by Professor Nicholas Barnes and his team at the University of Birmingham analyzing living brain tissue showed that targeting the P2X7 receptor, a primary driver in pro-inflammatory processes in the brain, was critical in suppressing neuroinflammation. P2X7 releases cytokines that regulate inflammatory responses; by releasing antagonistic chemicals that impede this process, inflammation drops sharply. These findings could have enormous implications for treating not only Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, but depression and psychosis. Additionally, compounds already exist that block the P2X7

PHOTO COURTESY OF SCIENCEDAILY.COM

receptor. This discovery allows for the mass repurposing of available pharmaceuticals. These include probenecid, used to treat chronic gout, and paroxetine, a common mood regulator and antidepressant. Barnes even stated that, “this exciting discovery makes a major step toward repurposing existing therapeutics to combat neuroinflammation at its source.” Much of the research process involved dealing with microglia, which are immune cells that help in managing neurological responses to injury and inflammation. However, microglia are extremely difficult to study once removed from their natural environment, including causes such as manipulation of the central nervous system (CNS), extreme sensitivity to environmental changes, and difficulties in distinguishing microglia. “Once removed from their native brain environment, they rapidly lose their defining characteristics, likely due to an absence of critical regulatory signals,” said Barnes. In order to bypass this difficulty

and to properly study the microglia’s response to inflammation, Barnes and his team pioneered a method to convert human peripheral blood monocytes, the largest type of circulating white blood cells, into microglia. This process is meant to mimic that of cellular transformation identified to occur within the brain during aging. After identifying the effects of blocking the P2X7 receptor in these cells and later verifying its effectiveness in human brain tissue with success, the team has set their sights onto future clinical trials. Specifically, they aim towards evaluating the effects of the receptor-blocking compounds in patients with a lack of disease-altering treatment options. “This successful translation means the next stage for this research is the development of clinical trials in patients with neurodegenerative conditions and patients with TBI,” Barnes added. Now, people with neurodegenerative brain diseases have been given a ray of hope for future treatment options.

for constant stimulation, and had more difficulty controlling their impulses to check something. However, the results don’t directly establish that scrolling caused these observed differences in cognitive performance. The total phone usage time was more closely associated with physical health consequences. When holding your phone at waist or chest level, then looking down, the head moves forward, creating a forward chest position known as “text neck,” which causes additional neck strain and leads to pain in the neck joints. “The neck contains receptors that tell the brain how the head is positioned,” said Beáta Seregély, an assistant lecturer responsible for the study’s physical measurements. “If a forward head posture is maintained for long periods,

these signals can change and lead to balance problems. These effects are not limited to phone use but can also influence everyday movements.” The researchers acknowledged that their intention wasn’t to ban phone usage. Instead, they wanted students to be more conscious of their phone usage. Some strategies include limiting unnecessary notifications, setting time limitations on social media apps, avoiding phone usage before bedtime, and better physical activity and posture. They note the importance of helping young adults develop better self-control and feel less afraid of missing out on social events. While reducing screen time is helpful, changing how you use your phone is another step in promoting your mental and physical health.

Endless scrolling may be worse than you think BY JOSEPHINE CHOONG, SECRETARY Instead of working on a homework assignment due in two minutes or studying for an exam worth 40% of your grade, you may be scrolling through Instagram reels on your phone. While you’re likely aware that it isn’t a good habit, new research highlights the potential consequences for the brain and body, including poorer memory and reduced sleep. Researchers at Semmelweis University recruited Hungarian university students aged 18 to 35 years old for their study. Through online questionnaires, the students reported their daily phone usage, what they used their phones for, whether their phone usage disrupted any potential tasks, and whether they

thought about their devices when not using them. From there, the researchers divided the participants into three distinct patterns. The first group, “pure social,” primarily relied on social networking websites for messaging friends and relatives. The second, “light process,” spent less than five hours on their phones and used them for a mixture of social interactions, news consumption, passive scrolling, and entertainment. The third group, “heavy process,” was one third of the participants and spent more than five hours on their devices. They largely consumed more online content than interacted with others. Throughout this process, the researchers examined psychological factors like self-control, fear of missing out (FOMO), and neu-

roticism, a personality trait with a tendency towards more negative emotions. Dr. Johanna Takács, the study’s lead researcher, concluded that personality alone, especially high levels of neuroticism, doesn’t make people addicted to their phones. “What really matters is how well they can control their behavior, emotions, and impulses, and how strongly they fear missing out,” she stated. Passively scrolling, like watching short videos or browsing feeds, results in constant exposure to fast stimuli, which overloads attention and can cause mental fatigue over time. Participants in the “heavy process” group typically performed worse on attention and memory in cognitive tests compared to peers their age. Furthermore, they had poorer sleep, a stronger desire

Positive health habits linked to improved stress management BY SEAN PALERMO, SCIENCE WRITER New research from Binghamton University published in the Journal of American College Health has suggested a relationship between healthy routines and psychological flexibility, a mental skill that helps people adapt to challenges and recover from stressful experiences. This newfound association may establish a way to give people the ability to better re-assess situations and avoid becoming completely absorbed by stress while at the same time making it easier to understand more difficult emotions and how to respond. Lead author Lina Begdache, an associate professor of health and wellness studies at Bingham-

ton University, collaborated with former Binghamton assistant professor of physical therapy, Jason Cherry, and former student Alexander J. Talkachov in the recent observational study. As part of the process, the team collected information about diets, sleep patterns, exercise habits, and other lifestyle factors anonymously from about 400 college students. By parsing through responses, the researchers identified a connection between healthy routines and the ability to cope with stress, with those who reported healthier habits such as regular physical activity and eating breakfast consistently tending to result in a greater psychological flexibility and resilience. In a similar manner, those who reported less healthy behav-

iors, including frequent fast food consumption and insufficient sleep, were connected to greater signs of psychological rigidity. Specifically regarding psychological flexibility, those who ate breakfast at least five times a week were more likely to demonstrate greater resilience, but those who slept less than six hours a day tended to experience lower levels. Exercising for 20 minutes or longer was linked with higher levels, and taking fish oil several times a week was associated with greater psychological flexibility and improved ability to cope with stress. Due to this study being an observational study relying on surveys, it currently can only show associations between certain variables, such as just described,

meaning experiments will need to be conducted to demonstrate causal relationships between these associations. However, these findings do currently build on Begdache’s previous research that linked nutritious diets to greater resilience and poorer dietary habits having the opposite effect by associating a potential

explanation for the connection through psychological flexibility. Reflecting on the study, Begdache commented, “The new finding here is that diet and lifestyle don’t just make you resilient by themselves. They help you build the psychological flexibility, which, in turn, makes you a resilient person.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF BINGHAMTON.EDU

INTERESTED IN SCIENCE JOURNALISM?Join our Science writing team! Reach out to Disha Gohil, Science Editor (dgohil3@stevens.edu) for more information – No experience necessary to write • thestute.com/category/science –

Friday, October 23

7

Opinion THE STUTE EDITORIAL

Sometimes you just need a little encouragement I recognize that my recent Editorials have focused heavily on more difficult topics. This time, I want to take a moment to highlight some positivity that has emerged since the release of “Stevens doesn’t know what they have until it’s gone.” Below are anonymous comments from alumni, faculty, and students that have reminded me exactly why I love being part of a newspaper. “Great reporting in the Stute [...] It’s the Stute’s job to keep the administration accountable. Keep up the great work.” - Stevens Assistant Professor “Lots of respect for this article. I can’t believe they are closing the library for all of spring” - Current Stevens Student “Damn good editorial” - Ste-

vens Alumnus ‘91 “Thank you for sharing what we could not put into words.” Current Stevens Student “Yeah I appreciate you making the decision to write it because sometimes awareness is the only thing that one person can do.” Stevens Alumnus ‘24 “I would like to express my admiration and thanks for the recent brave editorial in the Stute regarding student frustrations with the Stevens’ Administrations response or lack thereof for their concerns.” - Stevens Assistant Professor “I really appreciate the way you conveyed the frustrations that many of us have, and I think you concisely depict a problem that I’ve had with not only Stevens but many administrations throughout

my experience. I don’t really have any, like, input or anything, but I just wanted to say I appreciated those articles.” - Current Stevens Student “I offer you my gratitude and appreciation for keeping the fire alive and the paper’s churning it’s grueling work and under appreciated [...] All I can say, is good luck for the future, and great job on everything you’ve done up until now.” - Stevens Alumnus ‘16 “My point is don’t be discouraged when your efforts fail. Keep trying, because even if you don’t get what you want, you will be shaping yourself and hopefully some of the people around you to lean more toward correct and less toward expedient. And if that happens enough, maybe we have some

hope.” - Stevens Alumnus ‘94 “We’re here for you [...] Hang in there, and remember you are a part of a long line of truth seekers and storytellers.” - Stevens Alumnus ‘97 “Keep your head high, fight for good, and keep your mind open.” Stevens Alumnus ‘94

Jiya Jaisinghani ‘27 PHOTO COURTESY OF MEDIUM.COM

Editor-in-Chief

MIND OF A FRESHMAN

Alright, alright, alright

BY CHRYSTIELLA MENSAH ‘30 There are certain notifications you just don’t want to see on Canvas. An announcement from your professor is already enough to make you pause what you’re doing and check what it says. But when the announcement contains “exam,” “review,” or “room assignment” in it, suddenly

you have a lot more questions. What exam? When is it? How much do I know? Why does everything seem to be happening at once? It’s midterm season, and I would love to say I’m handling it well. I’m studying. Well, I’m trying to study. I’ll open my notes, get through a few things, check my phone for a second, and somehow end up doing everything except what I originally sat down to do. Then I remember I have an exam coming up, put my phone down, and try again. And yet, for some reason, the only thing going through my head is Matthew McConaughey saying his iconic phrase, “Alright, alright, alright.”

Not a study tip. Not a motivational speech. Not even a helpful reminder to get my life together. Just three words, delivered with the confidence of a man who apparently has everything figured out. Meanwhile, I’m checking Canvas for the fifth time, as if the professor might have secretly decided to cancel the exam since the last time I looked. Maybe the room changed. Maybe, just maybe, the announcement will say something that makes my life a little easier. It usually doesn’t. Instead, I find another reminder of something I need to do, another deadline to remember, or another detail I somehow missed

the first time around. At some point, checking Canvas stops being productive and starts becoming a habit I can’t explain. I know the assignments are there. I know the exams are coming. And yet, I keep refreshing the page like I’m waiting for breaking news. And when you finally sit down to take a break, you remember something else you forgot to do. Alright, alright, alright. At this point, I’m not even sure whether the quote is supposed to calm me down or make the situation funnier. It certainly isn’t helping me remember anything from class. I could be staring at a page of notes, trying to understand what I’m reading, and somehow

my brain decides this is the perfect time to replay a random movie line. Alright, alright, alright. Honestly, I think I’ve accepted that this is my response to everything now. Another exam on the calendar? Alright, alright, alright. Spent more time on my phone than I meant to? Alright, alright, alright. Looked at my study guide and realized how many questions I still had left? You guessed it. I’m not saying the phrase magically makes my problems disappear. My assignments are still due, my exams are still happening, and my phone is probably going to distract me again in about five minutes. But at least for a second, I can

stop thinking about everything at once. Because the truth is, I can always find something else to do. There’s always another way to prepare, another thing to review, or another task I could finish. At some point, though, I have to sit down, do what I can, and accept that I can’t spend every minute thinking about what else I should be doing. Does that mean I’ll stop checking my phone? Probably not. Will my phone suddenly become less interesting than my notes? Probably not. But for now, I’m going to get back to my notes, and try to make it through the rest of midterm season. Alright, alright, alright.

SENIORITIS

When did we become the old ones on campus??

BY BREONA PIZZUTA ‘27 There is an unspoken campus hierarchy that every college student internalizes within their first 24 hours on campus. Freshmen move in tight, slightly anxious clusters, clutching their phones with a PDF of a campus map. Sophomores walk with the brisk

confidence of people who finally know which shortcut across the lawn is the fastest. Juniors carry an aura of perpetual exhaustion. And seniors? Seniors are supposed to be the campus elders — wise, grounded, and possessing an almost mythical clarity about the future. At least, that’s what I assumed when I was eighteen. At the beginning of this semester, standing in the middle of campus, a wideeyed freshman cautiously approached me. She asked for directions to a classroom. I pointed her down the right walkway, offered an encouraging smile, and gave a helpful tip about avoiding the crowd. She

looked at me like I was an oracle. I realized that the transition from “confused underclassman” to “respected mentor” happens with alarming speed. It feels like just yesterday I was the one walking through MPK trying to figure out which building was Morton, which was Pierce, and which was Kiddie, wondering if everyone else had been issued an invisible guidebook I never received. Now, through no deliberate effort of my own, I am suddenly viewed as an established guidepost. The reality hit full force last week when Greek life traditions rolled around. Between welcoming my Little in Theta Phi and already

having two wonderful Littles in APO, my collegiate family tree suddenly feels wonderfully full. Handing down letters, planning reveals, and passing along traditions to three different Littles is genuinely heartwarming. It’s one of the brightest parts of upperclassman life. Yet, there is an undeniably comedic dissonance to the whole thing. Here are these incredible, motivated underclassmen asking for advice on balancing schedules, navigating course registration, handling leadership roles, and planning for life after graduation. And on the surface, I deliver thoughtful, measured guidance about time manage-

COMIC CORNER BY IZZY GABAY

ment, building study habits, and leaning into campus involvement. Beneath the surface? I’m looking at my own impending graduation date with the wide-eyed apprehension of a freshman on move-in day. Yet again, that is the quiet irony of senioritis. You spend three years assuming that senior year comes with an automatic upgrade — that when you reach the top of the campus food chain, you will naturally feel “grown up.” Instead, you discover that being a senior simply means getting better at improvising while maintaining a calm poker face. You don’t have all the answers; you’ve just learned how to handle not

having them without falling apart. When my Littles look to me for reassurance, or when a lost freshman treats me like a personal campus guide, I realize that wisdom in college isn’t about perfection. It’s just about having tripped over every single crack in the sidewalk so many times that you can finally warn someone else to step over them. We might still be figuring out our next steps, scrambling to finish assignments, and wondering where the four years went. But, if we can light the path for the people walking behind us, even while running on sheer improvisation, maybe we’re doing alright after all.

Friday, October 23

8

Opinion BOOK OF THE WEEK

Life is made up of A Million Little Pieces

BY RIYANA PHADKE B.S. ‘26 AND M.S. ‘27 A Million Little Pieces is a book I was lent by a close friend at Stevens. It came to me at a time when I felt like I was in the trenches, and maybe that was why it made it so enthralling to me. I was reading it at a time when I could relate to some of the feelings

in it, and I think sometimes that is what makes a book stick with you. James Frey’s A Million Little Pieces is a controversial book, to say the least. Marketed as a memoir about Frey’s experience with addiction and rehabilitation, the book was later revealed to contain significant fabrications and exaggerations. For many readers, this understandably changed the way they viewed the story. So, here is the question I kept coming back to: Can a book still be meaningful if the story it tells is not entirely true? I think it can. Growing up, some of my favorite books were fantasy and science fiction. I knew dragons and the worlds I was

reading about did not actually exist, but that did not make the lessons they taught me any less meaningful. I think this book is no different. The story might not be entirely factual, but the emotions in it are very real. There is so much love, loss, anger, and pain. More than anything, this book reminded me of something we all forget sometimes: we are only human. Here are a few of the themes that really resonated with me. The “Fury.” Throughout the book, Frey struggles with an inner rage and chaos that he sees as the root of his self-destruction and substance abuse. It is a very heavy subject, but I found something surprisingly relatable in the idea behind it.

ON SHUFFLE

Xania Monet: the million dollar AI singer that blockedme on Instagram

BY VIKTOR PALMER ‘28 An artificial intelligent (AI) R&B singer known as “Xania Monet” received a three million dollar record deal through Hallwood Media in 2025. The project’s face is a made-up person created by a poet named Telisha “Nikki” Jones using AI music generation software called Suno. Discovering this record deal and the project itself was very disheartening to me, so I did what anyone would. I found Nikki’s Instagram and started debating her on the ethics of AI use in art. Long story short, she ended up blocking me on the app and left some very unprofessional words in my direct messages when confronted. R&B stars Kehlani and SZA have both spoken out against Xania Monet and how disappointing they find the project. As prominent artists in the R&B genre, both have negative opinions on the subject. SZA posted a rant on Instagram about how AI image generation affects communities and artists, followed by a picture of Xania Monet and her multimillion-dollar record deal, captioned “Ion fw this either why devalue our music ??? Something tells me they wouldn’t do this with another genre.” The caption discreetly alludes to the potential negative influence on Black female artists specifically. Kehlani spoke up in a video saying no one will be able to justify AI: “Especially in the **** performing arts, in which people have worked hard for, trained for, slept on the floor for, **** got injuries for, worked for their entire lives. Sorry, I don’t respect it.” Telisha “Nikki” Jones was confronted about Kehlani’s video on CBS news where she simply stated that “everyone is entitled to their own opinion.” So how did I get myself blocked? It started this summer when I did my own research on Jones’ “Xania Monet” account. I wrote a statement sharing my opinion on the music, because as a musician in the industry I have every right to com-

ment on what music I like or dislike. I somewhat angrily called her out for turning off comments on all her accounts, so no one could express their opinions. I posted that she shouldn’t be able to call herself a poet because anything she does write gets invalidated by the fact she immediately feeds it to Suno and calls herself a musician. For anyone unaware, Suno generates music with a prompt. As demonstrated on CBS, all she does is write “R&B song” and “female vocal,” adds her poetry and gets her multimillion-dollar music. I confronted her for taking credit for the creation process that artists find sacred and ritualistic and implored her to explore her own identity and creative process. The end of my post was a call to action asking consumers to understand they deserve better, and discussed the bigger picture of the importance of art at this time. Of course I did not expect her to see it. She is far too rich and famous to be viewing Instagram stories that tag her, right? And yet, I re-

ceived direct messages from her and got interested in having a conversation about her opinions on the matter. I got something much different. “Lmao you so mad. Slaw ass music maybe you should use AI turd.” Then she told me I shouldn’t have been born. That was the response I got from a multimillion-dollar contract holder and R&B Top 30 “artist.” She immediately blocked me on Instagram. I didn’t expect much from her. In fact, I didn’t expect anything. But being called a turd by someone who should be PR-trained by now surprised me. I was also not expecting her to listen to my music, that was a lot of effort and time from someone who uses such a low-effort approach to making her own music. For someone doing something worth so much money and so publicized, she does NOT take kindly to critics. I am currently working on a video project that will explain this situation in greater detail. Hopefully she unblocks me soon so I can continue to press her for more quips.

Sometimes, we are our own biggest critics and our own biggest enemies. It is easy to get defeated by the thoughts in our heads because, well, they are your thoughts. You cannot exactly escape yourself. But Frey’s story made me think about how much power we give those negative thoughts. We might not always be able to control what goes on in our heads, but we can choose whether we let those thoughts control us. Sometimes, moving forward does not mean fixing everything at once. It just means deciding that you are not going to give up on yourself. At the time I read this book, that message meant everything to me. Rebuild, one day at a time. Frey’s recovery is not

during rehabilitation become some of his biggest sources of strength. For me, this was probably the most relatable part of the book. When you are going through a tough time, it is easy to isolate yourself and feel like you have to figure everything out on your own. But sometimes, calling a friend, spending time with your family, or going back to a hobby you love can make all the difference. For me, A Million Little Pieces may not be a perfect memoir, but I do not think that means every lesson within it is meaningless. It came into my life at exactly the right time. It reminded me that we all have moments when we feel lost, angry, or overwhelmed. What matters is that we keep moving forward.

UNDERGROUND FASHION

The magic of change

BY GAVIN RUBY ‘27 Change in fashion happens all the time. All my past articles talked about Demna going to Gucci, Pier Paolo Piccioli going to Balenciaga, Jonathan Anderson to Dior, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez to Loewe, but when you think it’s done, the field changes again. Anthony Vaccarello has left Saint Laurent, leaving the seat vacant for the first time in 10 years. Vaccarello grew the company to new heights and took over when Hedi Slimane—who still has yet to go to another house—left. His

final collection went all out with an all gold theme that felt palatial, the antithesis of what Vaccarello did during his time, which was more extravagant yet understated in color. This came to no surprise as it has been rumored for months. With that, it is suspected that Chemena Kamali, who previously worked with Vaccarello at Saint Laurent, will take over. Kamali just recently took over Chloé and maximized the boho-vibe that everyone knew Chloé to be, making it relevant again. Demand in ready-to-wear is up, climbing to double digits across the Richemont Maisons to the point where the house has recovered a clarity of point of view it had been missing. Then later that day, we find out both Sean McGirr left Alexander McQueen and Veronica Leoni left Calvin Klein. McGirr at McQueen was

heavily criticised, but it is hard to follow in the shoes of McQueen and Sarah Burton; he never clicked with the public or journalists, really only having one major standout: Lana Del Rey at the Met Gala in 2024. Leoni at Calvin Klein was difficult for me because I felt like it wasn’t given a chance. After only four seasons, she left, but I always think about the silver dress Greta Lee wore at the first show. It felt like the real 90s aesthetic that everyone is chasing that was popularized by Carolyn Bessette. This is how the industry works though. If you aren’t relevant after one season, you’re out. Stagnation doesn’t work, but there is a larger conversation to be had about not letting these companies grow into a new aesthetic. This makes me think that Tom Ford at Gucci would’ve been torn to pieces if he came into the scene today.

FROM CUBICLES TO CAMPUS

Keeping in touch after your job: why it matters more than you think

BY JEYLAN JUBRAN ‘27

PHOTO COURTESY OF VIKTOR PALMER

some magical moment when everything suddenly gets better. It is a series of small, difficult choices. I think that is something we can all relate to as college students. At Stevens, life can change on a dime. One day, you feel like you have everything figured out, and the next, everything is completely different. Friendships change. Plans change. People come and go. Sometimes, you just have to start over. But that is okay. Life is dynamic. When something does go wrong, it does not mean we cannot rebuild something new. Sometimes, the hardest part is simply realizing that you have the ability to start again. The People Around Us, Ground Us. The friendships and bonds Frey forms

One of the biggest misconceptions about co-ops is that once your last day ends, so does the relationship. You turn in your laptop, say your goodbyes, and move on. Clean break. But it doesn’t have to be that way — and honestly, it probably shouldn’t be. One of my hardest and worst memories was opening up Slack and seeing the company Slack in grey: deactivated. I worked for them for eight months and just like that, as the elevator doors closed, so did my time there — or at least that’s what it felt like. After my co-op ended, I stayed in touch with my boss and a few people I worked closely with — not in a forced or awkward way, but naturally. Sometimes it’s a quick text if I have a question; other times, it’s because something reminded me of them or just to check in.

The most random example? I was sitting in my thermodynamics class when a concept came up that immediately made me think of my boss. So I sent him a message. We caught up. It wasn’t about work, networking, or asking for anything — it was just a conversation. And that’s kind of the point. Keeping in touch after a co-op doesn’t mean constantly checking in or trying to stay relevant. It means maintaining the relationships you already built with the ones that mattered. When you work somewhere for months, especially full-time, you don’t just learn technical skills. You learn how people think, how they problem-solve, and how they explain things. Those are relationships worth keeping — not because you might need something from them later, but because they genuinely helped shape how you work. A lot of students think reaching out after a co-op feels awkward or like you’re bothering people. In reality, most professionals don’t see it that way at all. If anything, it shows that the connection was real. That the experience stuck with you. That you’re still curious. It also makes asking questions later feel easier. When

you stay loosely in touch, you don’t feel like you’re coming out of nowhere when you need advice, a reference, or clarification on something you’re learning in class. You already have a foundation. And no — it doesn’t have to be constant. A message every once in a while is more than enough: a quick “this reminded me of you,” a question about something you’re learning, or even just checking in to see how things are going. These relationships don’t expire just because your coop does. If you had a good experience, let it continue in whatever way feels natural. You don’t need a script. You don’t need a reason. And you definitely don’t need to overthink it. Sometimes, staying in touch is as simple as sending a text when thermodynamics reminds you of your boss.

PHOTO COURTESY OF VECTEEZY.COM

Friday, October 23

9

Opinion GIRL(ISH) TALK

EXPEDITION ENGINEERING

This might be TMI…

BY ISABELLA BARROQUERIO MARQUES ‘30 There comes a certain point in every woman’s life where conversations can get boring, especially for college students. Talking about classes and homework and exams can get repetitive quickly, and there are only so many “weekend plans” to discuss before the conversation gets boring. However, there also comes a time in every woman’s life where she’ll hear the words: “This might be TMI.” And suddenly the conversation has become more interesting. While some may take it as a funnier form of conversation, I have recently been thinking about it on a much deeper level. The entire basis of “too much information” (TMI) and the taboo topics that we like to joke about can mean a lot more to us as women. As women, we’re often expected to balance between being open enough to be relatable and private enough to be considered respectable. We’re encouraged to speak our minds, make our voices heard, but only to a certain level. On the surface, everything seems acceptable to talk about, but there are hidden limitations. For some reason, the embarrassing realities of simply being human are things that we’re shunned into staying

A lesson in silent about, and things in- become public knowledge. the cost of engineering nate to being a woman are Boundaries matter, and labelled “weird” and “embarrassing” to discuss. We learn early which topics are acceptable and which deserve a subtle warning of “this might be too TMI.” But I find that these invisible boundaries are what makes conversations like this so important for us. They become spaces to challenge the unrealistic expectations placed upon us. When one woman admits she struggles with something she assumed everyone else had figured out, she gives another woman the space to admit the same, and that matters to all of us. It could begin with a silly little confession — something you would normally laugh off or keep to yourself. But instead of judging you, your friend might respond with her own story. That one confession breaks the awkward small-talk wall, and now you’re both laughing about something that once made you feel alone. There is a particular sense of relief in realizing that an experience you thought was embarrassing is actually super ordinary. There is a reason that conversations about supposedly taboo topics can feel more intimate than the ordinary small talk we’re always engaging in. Discussing the weather requires nothing of us — it’s safe and easy to bring up. But talking about the things that make us uncomfortable requires trust, and that trust comes from the sense of community we tend to build as women, which is why “TMI” conversations are so important to me. Of course, not every personal detail needs to

no one owes anyone access to their own private life. Some things aren’t meant to be shared. The point is not to abandon privacy altogether; rather, we should stop treating openness as something shameful. TMI can be a way to connect with others through some things that may not fit into your standard conversation. It can be a way to make someone feel less alone, or to build a stronger connection with a girl you maybe don’t know well. That is what makes these conversations so valuable. They remind us that connection can come from recognizing something familiar in another woman’s experiences. We do not need identical lives to understand each other. But in a society where women are often judged and criticized, it can be refreshing to be able to talk to another woman about something that I know she’ll immediately understand. This topic became the focus of my column this week because it has grown more relevant as I get closer to the friends I’ve made here at Stevens. There is something incredible about women building places where honesty, no matter the topic, is welcomed rather than judged. Spaces where embarrassment is allowed to exist, where difficult experiences can be discussed in a healthy way, and where we can find genuine understanding with one another. These conversations allow us to know each other beyond the polished versions of ourselves we present to the world.

BY ALESSANDRO CHAVEZ ‘28 I messed up big time. I forgot to write a good article for this week. I had an idea. A terrific plan to unmask Big Sister before the student body, but something got in the way (cough, cough, Big Sister herself intervened), and now I’m here last-minute, struggling to come up with something to blow you all away. I debated writing about artificial intelligence, standardization, even the railroad, but realized the ideas were halfbaked. If I tried to present them now, all that would come out is a disoriented slop. That’s when I got the idea for this article, inspired by some others I’ve read in the past. Today on Expedition Engineering, I’m admitting to my faults, to the fact that I don’t have an answer or a plan, and telling all you engineers that it’s okay to be in the same position. In fact, it’s

BY MILAGROS CARBAJAL‘28 I was talking to a friend this weekend when we started listing everything we were stressed about. Rising prices of pretty much everything, upcoming midterms, Thanksgiving break feeling impossibly far away, the unpredictability of the people in our lives, the daunting task of navigating the world of jobs, and well, the overall state of the world. Needless to say, we were stressed. As we went back and forth about everything going on in our lives, it became increasingly clear just how much there was to keep track of. Between academic responsibilities, personal lives, and the uncertainty of what comes next, it sometimes feels like everyone is trying to manage a million open tabs in their heads. And the tabs keep changing. So, naturally, I asked my friend how she managed it all, since she seemed to have even more

on her plate than I did. Her answer surprised me. She told me she was just trying to get by. For some reason, I found that answer refreshing. She wasn’t offering a new routine, a productivity hack, or another way to squeeze more into the day. She was simply acknowledging that there was a lot going on, and maybe we didn’t need to have everything figured out right now. Usually, when we talk about being overwhelmed, someone offers a solution: better time management, a healthier routine, more sleep, or some other method for making life feel manageable. But her answer didn’t offer a solution. And somehow, that made it more comforting. Maybe part of what made her answer so refreshing was that she wasn’t trying to force a difficult week into something positive. She was simply allowing it to be difficult. Somewhere along the way, it seems that being happy and fulfilled all the time became another responsibility we’re expected to keep up with. Another thing for the to-do list. It’s not difficult to see where that expectation comes from. Between social media posts encouraging us to make the most of every day and constant

When satire becomes reality

BY ROBERT JACK DIETRICH ‘29 reminders to prioritize our well-being, happiness can start to feel like something we’re supposed to achieve. We’re encouraged to find joy in the little things, romanticize our routines, and make every moment count. Of course, there’s nothing inherently wrong with any of that, and it’s important to try and incorporate joy into our lives. But when we set the expectation on even ordinary routines to be meaningful and exciting, it’s easy to start wondering whether we’re doing something wrong when they don’t. Sometimes, life is just busy and hectic. Sometimes, we’re tired. Sometimes, we have a lot going on, and getting through the week is enough. That’s not to say we shouldn’t make time for the things that bring us joy or take care of our well-being. Happiness is still something worth pursuing, and prolonged stress or unhappiness shouldn’t simply be ignored. Accepting that a few days won’t go our way is better than putting pressure on ourselves to make every day a good one. So, by all means, make sure the things you do make you happy. But sometimes a Tuesday is just an ordinary Tuesday, and maybe accepting that is enough to help check off that box.

evant. For Challenger, it was devastating. Innocent people paid the price of someone’s miscalculation. I’m not saying it’s right or wrong, but that is the reality of the world we live in. Every time we propose a design, every time we develop something, and every time we fail or even succeed, a cost is placed on someone else. I know each and every one of you will hit a point in your life where you will fail. The good news? That’s okay. That’s what’s supposed to happen. What’s important is that you accept failure, learn from it, and at all costs, stop it before someone innocent gets hurt. In my case, to admit my failure is to re-write this article and follow the rules of Big Sister. If I didn’t own up, I would get in trouble, and students would lose out in this opinion column. But trust me when I tell you, once you compromise yourself once, it becomes easier to escalate. One day I forget to submit an article. Next, I neglect my column altogether. Hence, I admit to my failure now. I consciously remind myself that I made a mistake. I then corrected it, learned from it, and footed the bill before it landed on someone else’s head.

SOPHMORE SLUMP

THE BIG QUESTIONS OF EVERYDAY

An ordinary Tuesday

imperative to admit when you’ve messed up. As engineers, we carry a culture unlike any other profession. All professions have an ethical standard, but engineers carry the largest burden. We design bridges, medical devices, and virtually anything that society uses. And because we are all human, we make mistakes. If you are an engineer who hasn’t made a mistake, first, how the heck did you do that, and second, you’re not doing your job right. An engineer is a person who gets paid to fail. Velcro. Sticky notes. X-rays. All of these are inventions developed through accidents. A failure is nothing more than a success under a different lens. I will admit that failures come with a cost. My previous paragraph listed some failures that resulted in immediate benefits for society, but many have produced catastrophes. Challenger. Tacoma Narrows. The Lac-Mégantic rail disaster. These are incidents that took a toll on society and humbled us as engineers. They remind us that failure has a human cost. The question is, who takes the fall when the situation turns dire? In the case of X-rays and sticky notes, the cost was irrel-

To those who haven’t seen it, a primary conflict in the new film Digger revolves around the drilling for gas in Greenland. Through a “profit-first” mentality and several ignored warnings, a massive iceberg breaks off of the island and toward a collision course to northern Europe. The main source of this negligence throughout the movie is spread pretty evenly around the ensemble cast, but the source stems with Tom Cruise’s Digger Rockwell, an uberwealthy oil tycoon. This movie is many things—a comedy, a disaster movie, a commentary— but most importantly it is a satire. It makes fun of billionaires, government, environmentalists, and the arts as a whole. The entire premise of this movie is built on satire while the plot tells a very convincing absurdist comedy. This is what every element of this movie should be: absurdist. It should be absurd that a massive chunk of Greenland would collide with northern Europe. It should be absurd that the most viable solution that Digger Rockwell and the President come up with is to nuke the iceberg. Every decision made in this movie should be absurdist and so detached from reality it is comedic. And yet. Mere days ago, Pres-

ident Trump announced that the United States would begin oil, gas, and mineral exploration via his social media platform Truth Social. Now, while this does not mean that the destruction of northern Europe is imminent, it does point to an alarming pattern that is becoming increasingly noticeable in recent years. Satire is becoming reality. Previously, there have been less noticeable instances of this, or at least less alarming instances. The best example is The Simpsons. From “predicting” the Trump presidency to the Lady Gaga Super Bowl halftime show, this satirical show has stumbled into these “predictions.” This was not because Matt Groening is a pre-cog, but rather if you make more than 800 episodes over 36 years, you’re bound to stumble into writing some events before they happen. But now this is changing. News events are no longer stumbling into existing material. Instead, the pure absurdity that is the current administration. Somehow, each day, a decision is made that rivals the stupidity of the last. This can be traced back to 2020 when The Onion posted an article about hoarding disinfectant as a way of treating COVID-19. Around a month later, Trump suggested that Americans in-

ject hydroxychloroquine to fight the disease. Another, less concrete example is The Onion’s famous headline, “‘No Way To Prevent This,’ Says Only Nation Where This Regularly Happens.” Originally published in 2014, this headline resurfaces with each school/mass shooting that enters the mainstream media. Without fail, there is at least one representative giving thoughts and prayers for the victims instead of doing their job and finding a way to fix it. One final example that has come back into prominence is Mike Judge’s 2006 movie, Idiocracy. This movie portrays a future where the average IQ is incredibly low and the world is run, for lack of a better term, by idiots and morons. Around the 2024 election, this movie came back into the conversation with the appointments of the new cabinet members like Linda McMahon who said publicly she wanted to dismantle the Department of Education or Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was appointed as Secretary of Health despite having no medical degree. I used to find comfort in satire. I still do, SNL UK is electric and SNL has its moments. But when a satire’s premise is made reality less than a month after release, I start to question if the last few years have even been real.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WIRED.COM

Friday, October 23

10

Campus Pulse

Keiran Seidita ‘28

Colin Fisher ‘29

Kate Cen ‘29

“Turban”

“Jack-o’-lantern”

“Sugar Pie”

ROVING REPORTER By Brady Sansotta

Ashlee Chen ‘28

Jacob Nola ‘29

“Fairyale”

“What is your favorite type of gourd?”

Milagros Carbajal ‘28

Ashton Ho ‘30

Veronica Gurando ‘30

“White casper”

“Spaghetti”

“Blue doll”

“Butternut”

Puzzle Page

Dominic Souza Kings Tour

Cryptolist The following list has been translated using a basic substitution cipher. For example, if E represents T in one word/phrase, it will represent T in all the words/phrases in the list. No letter maps to itself. The list is alphabetized. Hint: start guessing things in the category and see if any of the letter patterns match up.

Autumn Aesthetic

RTTYWC

ERYYIAWWQ

XIIY RDB

YWRM TDYW

MIIHNRYY

TSOTFDQC

Traverse each square one by one in any of the eight directions (like a king in chess) to spell out the answer. The starting and ending squares are bolded. Every letter will be used exactly once. The clue below the grid designates the lengths of each word.

L

O

O

T

U

K

O

F

O

T

O

S

R

I

C

M College Essential [9-7]

*Puzzle instructions by Stephen Pachucki

*Puzzle instructions by Stephen Pachucki

Hidden Links

Chain Reaction

Inspired by the British game show Only Connect, the goal of this puzzle is to find the hidden connection between four seemingly abstract clues. Each answer will use trivia, wordplay, logic, or some combination thereof. The solution is always more specific than “nouns”, “places”, etc. What do the following have in common?

Each of the six clues on the right leads to a two-word phrase or compound word. Insert each answer into two of the boxes on the right. At the end, you will have an interlocking chain of six phrases.

Camera

Clock

Calculator

Phone

225

234

261

335

Circus

Tree

Wedding

Saturn

*Puzzle instructions by Stephen Pachucki

Sudoku Difficulty: Hard

*Puzzle instructions by Stephen Pachucki

Clues: 1-2. App used for job searching 2-3. Before anything else 3-4. Physical area where opposing forces battle 4-5. Drawing set against a plain background with an emphasis on the form and shape 5-6. Place where paintings and sculptures are displayed

L_____ I_ F____ L___ A__ G______

ANSWERS TO LAST WEEK’S PUZZLES CROSSWORD

KINGS TOUR

Chevy Colorado

CRYPTOLIST Amazon

Meta

Apple

Nvidia

Google

Tesla

HIDDEN LINKS Drawings, Sites, Sheets, Maps → Google Suite Programs India, Ireland, Italy, Brazil → Countries with flags that have green on them Home, Speed, Re, Over → Words that precede - ‘run’