Friday, April 28, 2023 Print Edition

TANGERINE

affairs after working as interim provost at Clarion University of Pennsylvania.

Todd Pfannestiel is a historian, a storyteller and a lifelong student, now continuing his journey as the upcoming president of Utica University.

He will become the tenth president of Utica University, the first to enter under the addition of university to the name, as soon as the clock strikes midnight on Aug. 1, 2023.

Nestled beside his desk is a large poster of Batman Detective Comics #31 with a short message dedicated to Pfannestiel from Batman creator Bob Kane. He told The Tangerine about how he met Kane as a child and became, in his words, “pen-pals of sorts,” which resulted in receiving the dedicated poster as a birthday present.

“It’s great to see students coming to the university today who are so tied to the same heroes and villains that I was tied to when I was your age and younger,” he said. “It gives us a common point of discussion. I have given talks here at the university to our incoming freshmen about lessons you can learn from the Marvel cinematic

movies, [and I was able] to see people light up. That means a whole lot to me.”

A bookshelf pressed against the wall contains many alcoves of keepsakes, ranging from memorabilia from Pfannestiel’s favorite band and research topic, The Beatles, to a section dedicated to Santa Claus.

In his free time, Pfannestiel dons a Santa Claus outfit and reads to local schoolchildren. He keeps an S-shaped key in the coat pocket to reassure children that they will receive presents even without a chimney. A box in the center of the bookshelf, right beside framed photographs of Santa with the children, contains all the letters

addressed to Santa that he has received over the years.

In 2001, he received a doctorate in history from The College of William and Mary in Virginia, after already having a bachelor of arts (B.A.) in both history and economics.

Pfannenstiel also has experience as an adjunct history lecturer at his alma mater before he began to work at Clarion in 1998, where he eventually served as the dean of the College of Arts, Education and Sciences in 2014 and interim provost.

In Fall 2018, Pfannestiel joined the Utica community by adopting the role of provost and senior vice president for academic

After a presidential search which started in early September and finished on Feb. 27, the results were finally in.

“I’ve said all along that I’m all in, no matter whether I become president or not, I’m here [and] I’m committed,” Pfannesitel said. “If you find someone else who’s better suited for the job, then I’m the luckiest provost in the world and I can live with that.”

Pfannestiel found out that he would become the next president in a place you might not expect: a McDonalds, which was empty except for him, Board of Trustees chairperson Bob Brvenik ‘77 and a few other board members.

“I received a text message from the chair of the Board of Trustees asking me to meet him an hour later at McDonalds,” he said with a laugh. “And thankfully, my house is about a block and a half around the corner, so I was able to just take the rest of the day off and go home to my wife and share the good news.”

‘I want everybody to have fun again’: Incoming president Todd Pfannestiel plans to never stand still

◊ HOLLIE DAVID MANAGING EDITOR ◊ ISA HUDZIAK

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

A peek inside the setup of the interview in Dr. Todd’s office. EIC Isa Hudziak and Managing Editor Hollie David sit with their questions and UticaTV’s Mark Mason mans one of the cameras. Photo courtesy of Leola Beck.

Spring 2023 STAFF

@UticaTangerine

@Utica_Tangerine

@Utica_Tangerine

Editor-In-Chief - Isa Hudziak

Managing Editor - Hollie David

News Editor - Mickale Thompson

Features Editor - Selma Dizdarevic

Sports Editor - Harlee Lucier

Special Assignments Reporter - Mariami

Kentchadze

Circulation Manager - Briana Ajayi

Social Media Manager - Nicolas Leonard

Adviser - Mary Christopher

Submission Policy

Letters to the editor are welcomed from all members of the Utica University community. Letters must meet fair and accurate publishing standards and contain no libelous material. Anonymous letters to the editor will not be printed. All letters and editorials must meet the print deadline of 5 p.m. on Mondays. Please send all submissions to tanger@utica.edu. Takeback requests are a form of censorship and therefore not accepted.

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The opinions and columns expressed in The Tangerine are those of the individual writers and do not represent the views of The Tangerine or Utica University.

News Tips? Opinions? Contact The Tangerine! TANGER@UTICA.EDU

BLACK STUDENT UNION

Dear Utica University Community,

This is the Black Student Union writing to you to make you aware of a situation that occurred Wednesday afternoon on March 29th. During an admissions tour with predominantly Black prospective high school students from Brooklyn, noises were shouted at them from the windows of South Hall. The noises that were heard were monkey noises. The incident was a clear act of hate and intimidation against the Black community. Unfortunately, it is not an isolated incident, as our community has faced similar acts of racism and discrimination on and off-campus for far too long.

In a meeting on Monday April 10th with President Laura Casemento, Provost Todd Pfannestiel and the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Anthony Baird our concerns were heard. They have assured us that there will be an investigation into this matter and the students found responsible will face consequences for their actions. While we appreciate their willingness to meet with us and address our concerns, The Black Student Union understands this institution to have a history of grossly mishandled issues of discrimination. While the incident was addressed in an email on Wednesday April 12 it was only done so to a small part of Utica University’s community. The administration's response has fallen short of what is necessary to address the underlying issues of racism and discrimination on our campus. The lack of urgency and attention to this incident sends a message that the voices and safety of marginalized communities, particularly the Black community, are not being heard and valued by the university.

It is essential that the university takes a proactive approach to address and prevent these types of incidents from happening again, and that those responsible are held accountable for their actions. We believe that the university must take comprehensive action to address racism on our campus, including investing in diversity training, increasing representation of marginalized communities, and creating a safe space for all students to learn and grow. We call not only the administration but the Utica University community to take a stand against hate and to prioritize the needs and concerns of marginalized communities.

Sincerely,

Members of the Black Student Union

Campus safety Blotter

| CONT FROM PAGE 1

When he first enters office, Pfannestiel asserts that he will not undo any changes made this past semester, which include the academic portfolio review and resulting sunsetted majors.

However, he emphasized that rebuilding strong communication lines will be necessary to mend fractured relationships caused by initiatives that took place during the Spring 2023 semester.

“I will not come into office and undo the decisions that have been made over the past year, pure and simple,” Pfannestiel said. “[There] is a difference between hearing and listening. It’s very easy for me to go out there and

hear people, but to truly listen to people and help them to understand that you may not always get exactly what you want, but you will walk away from the conversation knowing that I have listened to you [and] I understand your perspective.”

The incoming president also said one of his primary goals as president is to bring fun back to campus. Pfannestiel compares it to a rollercoaster, where there are highs and lows but by the end of the day, you’re back in line for another go.

“Students should have fun while they’re learning, faculty should have fun while they’re teaching and doing their research, and staff should have fun coming to work everyday

knowing that this place operates because they are here 8 to 5, making this place roll,” he said. “I want everybody to be excited when they come to work every day.”

The extended interview will be shared on The Tangerine website in the coming days. A video of the interview will also be available on YouTube. The Tangerine would like to thank UticaTV, specifically Laura Lewin, Leola Beck and Mark Mason, for recording and editing the interview.

Utica’s Stars: Valedictorian and Salutatorian announced

◊ DIANA SIDOREVICH CONTRIBUTING WRITER

How does one define success? For valedictorian Thomas Morreale and salutatorian Isabella Hudziak, success looks like working as hard as you can to do your best.

Thomas Morreale, majoring in Mathematics with a concentration in adolescent education, said other students also have 4.0 GPAs and he would have understood if someone else received the position. He was pleasantly surprised to find out he was named valedictorian.

“Honestly, just to work as hard as I could and get the best education I could while having a good time playing basketball, that was really just my main goal,” Morreale said.

Morreale has been a member of the men’s varsity basketball team during all four years that he’s been at Utica. Due to the several hours of demand that the sport takes per day, he said balancing and excelling in the sport and classes is one of the things he’s most proud of.

Aside from playing basketball and remaining top of his class, Morreale is also a student teacher in the Whitesboro School District.

His success was driven by the vision of the future he wants for himself. He doesn’t want to have regrets when he looks back.

“It’s the life I want to live,” Morreale said. “I have my goals that I want for the rest of my life and I know

that it all starts now. The hard work starts now.”

Morreale said much of his success comes from his parents raising him right and teaching him important values that have shaped him into being a hard worker. Values like being able to have relationships, accepting support, accepting responsibility and having discipline.

“You know, everything’s not always going to be easy in life so being able to work through those hard moments is probably one of the greatest things that they’ve taught me,” Morreale said.

These values, especially leaning on relationships with teammates, friends, parents and even professors, got him through his most difficult challenges—losing teammate Chris Bamba in his freshman year, and transitioning into learning

in isolation during COVID.

Learning in isolation was one of the greatest challenges for English education major and The Tangerine’s 2022-23 editor-in-chief, Isa Hudziak. Coming into Utica during COVID as a commuter made it difficult for her to find a place where she belonged.

“My first semester, I was submerged in difficulty,” she said.

In addition to the isolation, because of a transcript error, she had to cram in two 3-credit courses in the final 8 weeks of her first semester of college.

“What made it a lot easier for me was that my sister Gabby also went here,” Hudziak said. “She worked at the radio station so I was able to tag along with her and we were each other’s company.”

Starting with the radio station, she found her niche in the media groups, transitioning to the Tangerine to work up the ranks from special assignment reporter to news editor to managing news editor to editor-inchief, with a stint of being a host at UticaTV for a semester as well.

Hudziak credits Tangerine advisor Mary Christopher with helping her find a community on campus outside of the English department, introducing her to people, and helping her with writing and interpersonal communication skills.

“I’m shy, but I want to go into teaching, so I wanted to find any way I could to speak to people, and

interviewing is the perfect way to do that,” Hudziak said.

Her greatest motivator to succeed is her family, especially her dad, who’s a high school teacher.

“Seeing the way that he lit up with pride when his students would turn in assignments and then he would be able to give them that high grade really inspired me,” she said. “I really wanted to show them that I could do it.”

Having a safety net of faculty and campus groups is an important factor to success for Hudziak.

Hudziak will be returning to campus next semester to pursue a Master’s in adolescent education.

Morreale said Utica might see him on campus pursuing his Master’s degree next semester as well, depending on the career route he chooses.

Valedictorian Thomas Morreale during a game.

Photo: Kayleigh Sturtevant

Photo courtesy of salutarorian, Isa Hudziak.

Student debt impacts millions of Americans

◊ HOLLIE DAVID MANAGING EDITOR

When President Joe Biden announced the Student Loan Debt Forgiveness program in August 2022, a new conversation emerged surrounding student debt.

Across the nation, there are many conflicting views regarding debt, loan forgiveness and the idea of how accessible college should be.

According to educationdata.org, the current student loan balance is around $1.757 trillion and 93.1% of this debt is made up of federal loans.

A New York Times article titled The Toll of Student Debt in the U.S. explained that the amount of student debt held in America is fairly equivalent to the size of the economy of countries such as Brazil or Australia.

When comparing the ratio of students accumulating debt to the amount of money in loans between 2007 and 2022, the amount of students has nearly doubled from 28 million to 44 million while the amount of debt had tripled from $590 billion to $1.79 trillion dollars.

According to Nerd Wallet, the plan was meant to relieve around $500 billion in federal loans, but is being pushed back due to lawsuits Biden v. Nebraska and Department of Education v. Brown.

Due to the impending decision which should be made by the Supreme Court in June loan repayment has been pushed back one final time to resume in September 2023.

Impact

Students on the Utica University campus, along

with community members, have expressed concern about how student debt may impact them.

Richard Nguyen, a freshman health and physical education major, said he simply plans to keep his bill low enough to register for classes each semester due to how costly tuition can be.

“It’s a little scary because of how fast it builds up,” Nguyen said.

Senior psychology major Sarah Dziegiel said that the realization of how long she may end up being in debt makes her feel a lot of stress.

“When I started I wasn’t really aware of what the student debt meant and how much it really was going to cost down the line,” Dziegiel said. “I would say it has definitely impacted my life and will continue to do so for years after college.”

While Nugan is stressed about the bill accumulation, he does not believe it will have a long-term impact on him.

“I believe that when I get my degree, I’ll be able to pay it off in a couple of

years,” Nguyen said.

Willow Simmons-Nackley is an Engineer Trainee who has worked for the DOT since 2016, moving up the ranks from seasonal to Engineer Trainee after graduating with her bachelor’s from SUNY Canton in 2018.

Simmons-Nackley explained she does not feel the impact of student debt in her life as she paid out of pocket for her schooling.

“Any advice I could give would be to pay for school as you go,” Simmons-Nackley said. “Go to community colleges, apply got college scholarships, and get out debt free. The other piece of advice I would give is to know how much you were going to make annually from your career of your choosing. That way you can justify paying your debt.”

Simmons-Nackley continued to explain that she is against debt relief because she views college as a choice someone gets to make, not something that is forced upon a person.

International student Michał Kozub disagrees with this sentiment and believes

everyone should be able to go to college regardless of money.

“It’s inhumane to charge people over their financial capabilities to receive higher education,” said Kozub.

As Kozub is from Poland, his college career was paid out of pocket and he explained that he only had to pay his school approximately $100 American dollars through 3 years of bachelor’s and 2 years of master’s program he is in.

Kozub explained that many expenses college kids face in Poland come from housing, transportation and food, but are all personal expenses not paid to the institution.

He also said that he would not have been able to afford even a single semester in the US if not for help.

“If it were just up to me, I wouldn’t be able to afford my exchange experience and I don’t even pay full cost for just one semester,” Kozub said. “My parents helped me and paid from without any debt but only because they had savings from my future and could do it.”

According to Kozub, the job market makes it necessary to gather a college degree, which then leads to the accumulation of debt and the cycle of working to pay off the debt.

“The system that places unequal responsibility on an individual is fundamentally broken, and when basic value like knowledge is flawed then all that it touches become reflections of its failings,” Kozub said.

College kids survive off of pennies during the school year.

Photo: Hollie David

Campus responds to Trump indictment

◊ BRADY BARNARD CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Former President Donald Trump has become the first president, former or current, to be charged for criminal activity.

He was indicted on March 30. Prosecutors allege that Trump has illegally influenced the outcome of the 2016 election by paying hush money to pornographic actress Stormy Daniels.

Associate Professor of Political Science Daniel Tagliara explained how he felt after the news was announced.

“There wasn’t much surprise when the announcement was made,” Tagliarina said. “Although this hasn’t happened in our history, the case had been in development for a long time,

having involved a thorough investigation and some stalling when he was in office.”

Due to this being the first time this has happened, it will be hard to predict how this will affect the upcoming election.

“Trump has already formally announced and launched his presidential campaign, so he is already reading,” Tagliarina said. “As to how this will affect his campaign, that is nearly impossible to predict. Nothing like this has happened before in U.S. history. There are, however, three main possibilities.”

Tagliarina went on to explain the following possibilities; the indictment might harm his campaign, with people wanting to vote for someone who was just charged with criminal activity. Or, it might help his campaign, as his

supporters rally to him in defense of him, dismissing the criminal charges he is facing. Lastly, It has no appreciable effect as public opinion across his presidency strongly suggested that people’s opinions of Trump were firmly established and basically nothing would be good enough or bad enough to shift those opinions.

“It is hard to say what the effect will be, but the third possibility seems consistent with what happened during his presidency,” Tagliarina said.

Students at Utica University were surprised to hear that the former president was charged with criminal activity.

Senior Physical Therapy

Major Foti Xidias said he was shocked by the news.

“It never happened before

so I was pretty surprised,” Xidias said. “I’m not sure how it’s going to affect his campaign, I mean I personally know a couple people that are still going to vote for him.”.

However, others aren’t so surprised to see the indictment unfold.

“I think that people like him that have such a high status need to be held accountable for their actions,” junior sports management major Logan Taylor said. “Just judging from the way politicians and business people are, I would assume there is good reason for the indictment.”

As mentioned previously, Donald Trump will be participating in the upcoming presidential election despite his indictment. Only time will tell how the news will affect his upcoming campaign.

Global Nutrition students show importance of food sustainability and its effects on wildlife protection

◊ BREANNAN O’HARA CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Biology professor Terri Provost and students from her Global Nutrition class hosted an Earth Day event on April 18 that raised awareness on the effect that food sustainability has on the environment.

A large concern right now is the extinction of the white rhino since only two females are remaining, mainly due to habitat loss from agriculture.

The northern white rhino is a relatively nonaggressive species, and they live in herds. This unique species can weigh over 1,000 pounds, being the second-largest land mammal. The last sighting of a wild northern white rhino was in 2006. With only two females left in this world, reproducing is not possible.

“The land that white rhinos used was affected by agriculture which decreased the size of their habitat,” Provost said.

Not only does agriculture

cause habitat loss, but it increases methane production and decreases the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed into the ground, which can lead to climate change.

Global Nutrition students provided a recent study that shows that one-horned rhinos are susceptible to climate change due to the increase of flooding.

“We are raising awareness of the fact that white rhinos are extinct in the wild,” said

Kaelyn McMullan, a junior who is in the Global Nutrition class. “Educating others on this issue can help the preservation of other rhino species as well as biodiversity.”

The advocacy for food sustainably promotes the protection of the Earth, which allows for people and species to flourish. Small steps that can be taken to contribute to food sustainability were presented at the event and include practicing a plantbased diet and reducing food waste.

“Our main goal is to educate students on the importance of sustainability and food waste,” said senior Aleeyehyah Adnan, another student from the class. “We are providing students with ways to be more sustainable in everyday life that can create a positive impact on our environment.”

Utica University’s on-campus food pantry, the Tangerine Grove, is a service that aids in food sustainability. The mission of this food pantry is to alleviate hunger in the Utica. Through food donations, the program reduces hunger and food waste. The impact this program makes contributes to the larger cause of protecting the environment.

“The first step towards this cause is to know where your food comes from and to have a good relationship with food,” Provost said.

For more information on rhino conservation visit Save the Rhino International | Rhino Conservation Charity.

A photo of the event taken by Breannan O’Hara.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month at Utica University

◊ SELMA DIZDAREVIC FEATURES EDITOR

Throughout April, the Utica University Health and Wellness Center sponsored several events to provide education, awareness about sexual assault, as well as prevention.The activities provided free resources to the campus and encouraged important conversations on campus about what sexual assault is and how to prevent it.

Bethany VanBenschoten, the associate director of wellness & prevention education, is also a victim’s advocate and confidential resource on campus.

According to VanBenschoten, one part of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month is to educate communities on the reality of sexual assault and what it can look like.

“Sexual assault is different in real life than what is portrayed in the movies or what people think about it,” she said. “Most sexual assaults happen from someone that you know.”

VanBenschoten said while few cases actually get reported, sexual assault can happen to anyone, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation.

“It doesn’t always have to be a female victim and a male perpetrator. It can be any sort of mix of gender identities,” she said. “That’s why awareness is so important.”

The month began with a “Day of Action” event on April 4, encouraging students to talk about sexual assault and inquire about resources, including Green Dot Training, a bystander invention

training that is offered to anyone on campus.

The following week featured making buttons and luminary bags, meeting YWCA campus advocates, the Take Back The Night march across campus and honoring RAINN day by writing supportive notes to victims.

The last event, Denim Day, was held Wednesday, April 26, encouraging people to wear denim to fight against victim-blaming and stand in solidarity with survivors.

VanBenschoten said it is important to spread awareness about sexual assault on college campuses especially, as statistics show college

students between the ages of 18 and 25 are more likely to experience sexual assault than any other demographic.

“The vast majority of instances [of sexual assault]

happen to people who are in college,” she said. “So we want to do what we can to make sure our community knows that, and knows how to prevent it or address it if it has already happened.”

As a confidential resource on campus, VanBenschoten is not legally obligated to report cases of sexual assault to authorities but can provide resources, support and guidance to victims. She said her door is open to listen to anybody who has been affected by sexual assault.

“What happens surrounding sexual assault is absolutely 100 percent real. I know a lot of people are scared to say it out loud to themselves sometimes, but that can be really burdensome on somebody,” VanBenschoten said. “Anybody on this campus that just doesn’t know what to do or who to talk to, I’m here.”

To learn more about sexual assault awareness, prevention and campus resources, contact the Health and Wellness Center or stop by Bethany VanBenschoten’s office in Strebel 105.

Event poster in Strebel Photo: Selma Dizdarevic

Op-ed: Our work mom, Mary, is the absolute best

Isa

Hudziak:

My first semester of college was during COVID-19. It was the Fall 2020 semester, and as a new commuter on campus, I felt very isolated from the rest of my residential peers. Many events or experiences were residential only, and there were few spaces where I felt truly welcomed.

Until I sought out the school newspaper and met Mary Christopher.

My first week on campus, I went through email chains with an English professor to find out where the school newspaper was located and how I could join it. I dabbled with journalism in high school and thought that I could continue it in college.

When I walked into the computer lab in the Faculty basement, I felt intimidated– but Mary had bright pink glasses and, as it turns out, knew both my sister as one of her students and somehow my mother from when she worked at Macy’s. She instantly made me feel like I belonged and mentored me through my early articles, all with kind, constructive comments on my work that always ended with a smiley face.

Over the years, Mary has become like a second mom to me. I’m sure any former and current staff members would agree that she is one of the kindest, responsible and ready-to-report people on the planet. She guided me through difficult articles and encouraged me to apply for higher positions like News Editor, Managing News Editor and eventually Editor-in-Chief.

She was the first person to congratulate me when I learned of my Salutatorian achievement and she was also the first person to hug me when I was struggling to figure out aspects of my

degree. When I finally got my driver’s license, she texted me early the next day to ask: “Did you drive today?!” She gets excited for me and comforts me when things go wrong, and let me tell you, her hugs are some of the warmest out there.

I started this year as EIC without Mary as our advisor due to unforeseen circumstances. However, even though she was not officially our advisor at the time, she stayed up late nights at home to edit articles and check over print. She even did this once when she had COVID, which goes to show how dedicated she is to not only the newspaper, but her students.

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank her for not only being a mentor and advisor, but a confidant and vocal supporter of everything I have done and plan to do. She added so much life to my undergraduate experience and I am more than grateful for it.

Hollie David:

On my first day of classes at Utica University, circa fall 2021, I had my first very class on a Monday morning around 9 a.m.

I was stressed being in a new school, having to navigate making new friends and worrying about my future. My plan was to coast under the radar, simply get through classes and go home.

When I walked into my first class I didn’t realize at the time that I was going to be

meeting one of my mentors on campus who would help me navigate the next two years.

After a few weeks of classes, Mary Christopher asked me if I would write a story for the paper. I did and soon after she was offering me the job of Features Editor with the paper. I was nervous and intimidated but she had faith that I could do it successfully.

As I was nervously trying to fit into this role she was there to give me support and encouragement. She helped me hone my writing skills and was always there to give feedback and help solve problems with the biggest of smiles.

Similar to my EIC Isa, I see Mary as a mom figure. Besides acting as a mentor for the paper, Mary is always there if you need a hug, a shoulder to cry on or moral support for any reason. She is one of the first people I reach out to when I am having a bad day

and is always there for me when I need her.

Fall of 2022 semester was one of the hardest I dealt with at Utica. Between breaking news, big stories and life happening I had to navigate it without Mary who was out due to various circumstances. While she was not on campus (and it was obvious we could all feel her presence missing) she would still answer any phone call or text, would stay up late to look over print and would edit articles with us in a pinch if we needed help.

Having her back this semester is one thing that has kept me going when times have seemed tough. A few weeks ago I was in the office overwhelmed and crying and she came in. Without prying or asking questions she hugged me and simply said ‘you text me if you need me.’ Mary is one of the most caring, kind and thoughtful people I have ever met.

I wanted to take some time to thank Mary for being such a huge part of shaping my college experience. She helped me find the path I want in life, and supported me through good times and bad. I will always be thankful for everything she has done for me.

We love you Mary!

Isa and Hollie

POV: UticaTV receives $150,000 studio upgrade

◊ LEOLA BECK

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

UticaTV, located in room B03 Faculty Center, was built and dedicated to Raymond Simon in 2007. This studentrun television studio allows students to learn the ins and outs of video production and broadcasting.

Over the winter break, UticaTV began the monthlong process of upgrading their new $150,000 studio. This included three new studio cameras, two of which are robotic and one manual, all of which came with full pedestals and teleprompter equipment. Also included were a new video switcher, a new graphics machine, six new wireless microphones and two new IFB systems.

Laura Lewin, director of the Convergence Media Center and the supervisor of UticaTV, has led the entire upgrade project.

“As we all know, technology is constantly changing and evolving, so it needs to be upgraded regularly in order to stay with current trends,”

she said. “We needed to get the quality up to where it should be at this time, and also over time things start to malfunction. Over the years the equipment started to get used a lot and it was time for an upgrade to get up to 2023.”

UticaTV makes many strides to bring more students down to the studio, like putting their shows on the monitors around campus and sending students out to do on-thestreet interviews.

Receiving new equipment and producing high-quality content is important so that students who are interested in this field are more prepared and ready for the modern workforce. Not only is this important for students in this program but also for other students who wish to have a broader knowledge of media.

Francis Tavino, a graduating senior and the former station manager at UticaTV, left the position to forward his career at WCNY in Syracuse as a producer for the fourth season of “Behind the Woman.” Tavino said students

will benefit tremendously from this upgrade.

“It allows them to get their hands on equipment that’s more up-to-date with current things in the field, specifically with the graphics program we’ve added and the switcher,” he said. “Also with the cameras being upgraded, it allows for higher quality videos to be produced.”

Lewin said she was most excited to have higher quality cameras that can record in 4k and give crystal clear images.

As for Tavino, he is most looking forward to Xpressions and the switcher coming into the studio because “although they are two separate entities, they work hand-inhand together.”

Being a part of UticaTV has given me and other students involved in the club many skills that, without it, I would have never learned. I remember on my tour, before committing to Utica, the one thing I was excited about most was seeing the studio and falling in love with what they had to offer.

While many students may not have quite an interest in video production like me, I do believe this program has a lot to offer students, including skills that involve teamwork, leadership and creativity.

According to Lewin, UticaTV allows for students to find a community and family during the long hours of video production. Being a part of UticaTV not only teaches the skills to edit video, adjust audio, to look for certain quality when creating things, but it also teaches how to trust yourself, how to trust others, how to work with each other and how to respect other people’s opinions and views.

“We spend a lot of time together and video production requires teams,” Lewin said. “To be able to work together, those are skills that will stay with the students for their life. I strive to create an environment where people are comfortable and it’s okay to not know anything when you walk in the door on the first day. We will teach you what you need to know in order to be part of the team.”

Student seminar on race and gender in literature: An Interview and POV

◊ KAYDEN LAMPHERE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The Utica University English 306 class, Bad Mothers in Literature, hosted a student seminar on April 4, 6 and 11 aimed at generating interest and discussion about these issues.

The seminar prompted students to take initiative in analyzing course literature and presenting how race and gender intersect and relate to numerous topics.

“It all started with the course planning when I was deciding the best evaluation system for the class,” said Ane Costa, assistant professor of English and professor of the Bad Mothers in Literature class.

According to Costa, the assignment and conference were intended as a way to challenge students in an upper-level class to look at

literature through the lens of gender and race, in order to foster critical thinking.

“One of the goals for this conference was to have the class synthesize their learning, and I believe we achieved that,” Costa said. “During our lessons, we talked about colorism, gentrification, intersectional theory, identity, generational trauma, race and gender theories. Everything was there in the students’ presentations.”

When asked about the student involvement level of the event, Costa touted just how student-driven the seminar was as a whole, with everything from seminar organization to panel moderation having student input.

“None of it would have worked if the students had not embraced the idea and

done their best to make it happen,” Costa said. “Even being unfamiliar with the presentation style, the students completed their research, often discussing their themes with me in my office.”

As a presenter on the panel myself, I can confirm the high level of student involvement with the event, as I acted as a moderator on the first day in addition to presenting my own ideas on the second.

Being my first conference paper and presentation, I felt a very familiar sense of prepresentation dread, but I was driven by my passion for the topic of my presentation.

My presentation covered the topic of colorism in literature and society as a whole, covering how it works and why it is something that should be spotlit.

I remember feeling a sense of connection with my classmates during our presentations, both on the level of nervousness and our interest in our topics, fully wanting to step up and speak on our issues despite the fear.

Costa also recognized the nervousness of the students involved but made sure to note that she could see the growth in them occurring during their presentations.

“Before the conference, students were nervous about it being open to the public, but I felt their confidence growing during the event,” Costa said. “And as I told them, they’ll probably still remember the conference experience in ten years, while the everyday class work and discussion might fade away.”

Photos of the UticaTV studio upgrade by Leola Beck

Photos of the conference taken by Dr. Costa

COLUMNS

Turn up the Heat: Rick’s Famous is “A Genuine American Burger Joint”

◊ DIANA SIDOREVICH CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Adding another burger spot to the heap of burger joints already reviewed by The Tangerine can never hurt. If anything, it’ll give you a longer list to choose from next time you are in the burger mood.

Most recently, we’ve been to Rooster’s and Golden’s. Golden’s has the thickest burger with zesty house-made pickles and shoestring fries seasoned with lemon salt, and Rooster’s was a smashburger that could be ordered over fries or in a hoagie roll as an option. In both of these restaurants, the grill is right next to the register—you get a first person view of your burger being made. The aromas fill the cafe and linger on your clothes when you leave.

Rick’s Famous is not like the others. The environment seems a bit more commercialized, even though they’re owned by the same people who own Ocean Blue and Nostro’s downtown, and it’s a bigger space with more seating. Their branding has a classic Americana feel, as do the photos on the wall curated for the male gaze.

The menu: burgers, a fish sandwich, a chicken sandwich I hear is great, slushies and milkshakes, and fries, pickle chips, onion rings and sweet potato fries as sides.

While deciding between a Truffle Burger with mushrooms, bacon, swiss cheese, truffle mayo and a classic ¼ lb cheeseburger, a friendly server Anthony C. said he was a customer here just a month ago.

“You’re gonna like this,” Anthony C. said when he learned we were first time visitors.

I went with the classic cheeseburger because I can’t not have onions and pickles

on my burger. I’m looking for that sharp raw onion bit and a few briny pickles, and don’t miss the cheese.

One bite into the BBQ Burger already left a ring of BBQ sauce around Marinus Nortje’s mouth. It was definitely not dry nor soggy. Made with braised short rib, onion rings, cheese, pickles and BBQ sauce enveloped in a sesame bun, Nortje said the braised short rib “is the way to go.”

Straight from the fryer, the pickle chips were also a hit, and with a sip of cherry slushy, that’ll take you back to the 90’s.

Besides the satisfying fulfillment of eating a great burger, I appreciated that the bun wasn’t cut straight through to the end; it was still attached. I liked the meal’s “packaging,” paper burgerand-side holders.

The crinkle-cut fries were a miss, and I wish they weren’t.

“If I wanted frozen fries, I would’ve bought McCains at Walmart,” Nortje said.

REVIEW: ‘Company’ was an absolute treat to watch

◊ ISABELLA YAGHY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

I attended Utica University’s Theatre Club’s opening night performance of “Company” on Thursday, April 20.

The story follows 35 year old Bobby, who’s yet to find a wife. All of Bobby’s best friends are married couples, which doesn’t make it any easier for him. In addition to this, Bobby cycles through three main love interests throughout the course of the musical, yet none of them seem to be the one.

I had a ball watching this musical. It opens with Bobby celebrating his 35th birthday with his married friends as he blows out the candles on his cake. As the musical progresses, a clever display of symbolism is presented as he goes on to blow out a set of candles numerous times throughout the musical, each time unspokenly representing another year as a bachelor.

A large component of the plot consists of getting an inside look at each married couple’s life. For example, Harry and Sarah find themselves in a stereotypical marital tiff which lands them in a full blown, hilarious karate match. While incredibly entertaining for the audience, it further pushes Bobby away from the idea of marriage.

In contrast to Harry and Sarah’s silly portrayal of being an “old married couple” that scares Bobby away, married

couple Susan and Peter paint Bobby green with envy. They appear to have a wonderful marriage, to which Bobby exclaims that if they ever break up, he wants to be the first to know so he can swoop in and marry Susan. In perfect comedic timing, the couple announced their divorce.

Each and every musical number in “Company” was beautifully done. The songs ranged from emotionally intimate, silly and upbeat, sassy and technically stunning; they were all major crowd pleasers as everybody responded with hefty applause.

In particular, a crowd favorite was sung by Jessica Wilk, who played the character of Joanne and identified herself as “too young for the old folks, and too old for the young crowd.”

Wilk performed a sassy, powerful solo in which she closed out by throwing her martini onto the audience. The crowd, including myself, was absolutely enthralled by her incredible stage presence and musical ability.

“Company” was an absolute treat to watch. The plot was constantly entertaining, interesting and humorous. This was paired with frequent songs that were so catchy and pleasing to the ears that they were stuck in my head a week later. Amazing job to everybody involved with this production.

Pictured: BBQ Burger, two 1/4 lb cheeseburgers, fries, pickle chips with ranch, cherry slushy. /Photo: Diana Sidorevich

The store from outisde.

Photo: Diana Sidorevich

Photo courtesy of the Pioneer Players Facebook page.

Q and A with Kathi Jabe, SGA’s incoming president

◊ JAMA JOSEPH CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Kathi Jabe has recently been elected as the Student Government Association President for the upcoming academic year. She has previously held positions such as senator and treasurer while being an e-board member in different clubs on campus. She recently spoke to The Tangerine to provide insight into her plans and initiatives for next year, including her commitment to creating a truly inclusive and representative student government.

Jabe plans on working collaboratively with Utica University administration and faculty and utilizing her leadership skills to bring tangible outcomes to the campus community. She also possesses effective interpersonal skills, which will be useful in achieving her goals as SGA President.

Q: What inspired you to run for this position?

A: As a previous senator, treasurer and e-board member of different clubs, I have had the opportunity to experience the full extent of student leadership. It was almost a natural progression for me to run for this position,

as I knew it was the right time for me to step up and use my leadership skills to bring into fruition the vision I have for our campus.

Q: How do you plan on engaging with and representing the diverse student body at the university?

A: I am committed to formulating a diversity committee that will encompass all the diverse organizations on campus and provide them with a voice and a vote in Senate to make direct changes while representing the diverse student body. This will ensure that we have a truly inclusive and representative

student government that addresses the needs of all students, regardless of their background.

Q: Can you discuss any specific initiatives or projects that you are excited to work on during your term as SGA President?

A: I am excited to work on bringing back Freebie Fridays, creating a prayer space closer to the lecture halls, making funding clear and accessible to all clubs, creating a rest and rejuvenation area for students to restore energy and focus and formulating a commuter union/committee.

Q: How do you plan on

working collaboratively with the university administration and faculty to achieve your goals as SGA President?

A: I plan on working collaboratively with the administration and faculty, keeping them informed of our initiatives and projects while also seeking their input and support.

Q: How will you measure the success of your tenure as SGA President?

A: The quality of student life will be the measure of success of my tenure as SGA President. If students are having fun and feel like their needs are being met, then I will consider my tenure as SGA President to be a success.

Q: Can you tell us about any skills or strengths that you possess that you believe will help you excel in this role?

A: Effective communication, active listening, collaboration, humility and empathy are crucial traits that any leader should possess. As the SGA president, my role is to listen to the needs and concerns of the student body and work collaboratively to create tangible outcomes. Together, we can create an inclusive and supportive campus community that fosters growth and learning.

RSI Outstanding Alumna talks social media and AI capabilities to students

◊

TANGERINE STAFF

Dr. Regina Luttrell, a 1998 Utica University alumnus, spoke to about 30 public relations, marketing and journalism students on Monday, April 17 in Hislop Auditorium about new social media and artificial intelligence tools that are changing the public relations and marketing industry. She is Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications Associate Dean of

Research and Creative Activity.

Luttrell was selected as the 2023 Outstanding Alumna by the Raymond Simon Institute for Public Relations and Journalism and also spoke at the institute’s annual awards brunch on Saturday, April 22 in the Library Concourse.

Kathi Jabe (left), Madison Jordan (middle) and Tegan Lewis (right). Photo courtesy of @uumodelun3

Beyond Borders: The benefits of studying abroad and embracing cultural differences

◊ MARIAMI KENTCHADZE SPECIAL ASSIGNMENTS REPORTER

Studying abroad is more than just a chance to travel to a new place or earn college credit. It is an opportunity to immerse yourself in a different culture, broaden your horizons and gain a new perspective on the world.

At Utica University, students can choose from different study-abroad programs tailored to their interests and academic goals. International students from universities around the world have the opportunity to spend a semester or two on campus, while students from the United States can explore study-abroad options across the seas.

While studying abroad may seem intimidating at first, the benefits of studying abroad far outweigh any challenges a person may face.

Studying abroad gave Anna Foland, manager of International Education at Utica University, a fresh perspective on American culture. Foland traveled to Belgium as an undergrad and participated in a faculty-led, month-long course at Utica that traveled to China.

“It is a humbling experience to be reminded that what we think ‘everyone knows’ is more often than not a mere assumption informed by narrow, subjective experience,” Foland said. “To have to think about and try to provide a rational explanation for why things are done a certain way here allows me to reflect on whether or not things ought to be done that way, even if I can’t change how things are.”

The benefits of studying abroad are vast and undeniable. It’s not just about getting to explore exotic destinations or trying new foods – the impact of studying abroad runs much deeper.

Cybersecurity major Anais Jaikissoon studied abroad through Utica University

twice, in Ireland and London. She expressed gratitude and pride for her family in supporting her through the process, especially during the pandemic.

Anais found that studying abroad helped her realize her inner strength and capabilities when navigating various challenges and obstacles. She learned that she is capable of more than she initially believed, and this experience impacted her personal and professional growth.

“I learned that I’m a lot stronger than I think; [throughout the whole experience],” Jaikssoon said. “I realized if I put my mind to something I will get it done.”

To those who are thinking about studying abroad, Anais recommends doing it, by stating that “it can be lifechanging.”

Here are some of the top reasons why studying abroad can be a life-changing experience.

1. It gives you the opportunity to explore diversity: Studying abroad allows you to explore new countries, experience new cultures, and see new terrains, natural wonders, museums, or landmarks. Additionally, it lets you step out of your comfort zone, learn about a new way of life by allowing you to make new friends with different backgrounds.

2. It gives you the opportunity to experience a different style of education: Studying abroad provides you with an opportunity to learn in a different academic setting, gain a unique educational experience, and explore new learning methodologies, thus, helping you learn new things about your field of study.

3. It gives you exposure to diverse cultural perspectives, customs,

traditions, and social atmospheres: Living in a foreign country and interacting with locals provide a unique opportunity to learn about different customs, traditions, and social norms. It helps to broaden your worldview and improve your intercultural communication skills.

4. Opportunity to discover new interests, hobbies, and sports: Studying abroad provides a unique opportunity to explore new interests and hobbies that you may not have had the chance to experience before. You can try new sports, cuisines, and cultural activities.

5. Personal development, becoming independent, and problem-solving skills: Studying abroad helps you to become more

independent, develop your problem-solving skills, and learn to navigate unfamiliar situations with confidence.

6. Enhances career prospects: Studying abroad helps to improve your employability by providing you with new skills and experiences that are valued by employers. It also helps you to stand out from other job applicants. Studying abroad showcases your adaptability, diversity, and willingness to learn, making you more appealing to graduate schools and various companies by boosting your resume, and demonstrating to future employers that you are adaptable and openminded.

Find the full article at uticatangerine.com

Top: Michal Kozub, Youssef Anwar, Chui (Kiki) Ying Ip and friends

Bottom Left: Anais Jaikissoon

Bottom Right: Shravenasree Perka

Softball eyes playoff berth

◊ ANDRES JAIME-MENDEZ CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The Utica University

Pioneers softball team has had a good season up to this point as echoed by players, sitting at 5th place in the Empire 8 and hanging on to the last playoff spot for the time being while sporting a 17-13 record.

In conference play, the Pioneers are 6-6 to this point, as the team heads into the last week of the regular season, with a doubleheader series against local foe Hamilton College and then lastplace Houghton College, before rounding out the schedule against the E8 leading Saxons of Alfred University.

The team will be on the road against Hamilton College and Houghton College, before having their last home series of the year versus Alfred at Greenman Field, across the street from the Utica University campus.

Softball began their year in Myrtle Beach playing in the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic and winning seven straight games to start the season. Utica dropped the last two of the Classic but had nonetheless gotten off to a hot start.

Utica’s weather was not kind in late March and early April, as the Pioneers saw five out of their first ten games called or postponed to begin the season in the Empire State.

Early non-conference play saw Utica drop three out of four and be swept by crosstown rival SUNY Polytechnic Institute. Utica then swept their doubleheader versus Keuka College and split

another twin billing with Elmira College. Another series win against Skidmore College was the last time the Pioneers would see back-to-back wins for weeks.

In a stretch from April 12 -19, Utica Softball only won one out of eight games going into a crucial conference doubleheader with playoff implications on the line.

Four straight losses would put softball in a difficult position going into the Senior Day series against Medaille University but in the end, Utica would take both games of the doubleheader on Saturday, April 22.

Utica has thrown few pitchers out there this season, with Jordyn Conte and Kylie Murray notching 80% of the team’s innings, and Maggie Habernig, Kelly Thornton, and Lucia Gargiulo taking up the remaining 20% of time on the mound.

On the offensive side, shortstop Emily Joss ranked top 3 in batting average, slugging, and on-base plus slugging percentage

(OPS), while leading the conference in runs scored, on-base percentage (OBP), and doubles. She is also fourth in the Empire 8 in hits.

Backing up Joss were sophomore Lauren Paul and freshman Maddie Zulager, who were both fundamental pieces to the Pioneers’ success this season.

Paul is a sophomore second baseman from Guilderland, NY hitting third in the lineup, while Zulager a freshman right fielder from Moorpark, CA, hitting in the five-hole in her first season at Utica.

Paul currently ranks first on the team in home runs with five and 5th in the conference in HR and RBIs (runs batted in). She is also top-ten in the Empire 8 for slugging, OPS, hits, and doubles. In the field, Paul has 51 putouts so far, with a 95.9% fielding percentage at second base.

Paul attributed part of the team’s success to the culture that has been built by the coaching staff.

“Coach Olsen and

Coach Megan have focused on building a strong culture and we are all on board,” Paul said.

Zulager also ranked top ten in the conference in batting average, slugging, OPS, hits, and doubles, and sitting just one spot behind the top ten in HR and RBIs. Defensively, Zulager has played stellar defense in right field, with 5 outfield assists, 41 putouts, and a 97.9% fielding percentage.

She describes the team as “tough and talented” and with a playoff berth in sight Zulager also acknowledged the difficulty of the remaining schedule.

“We know this last week is going to be tough as we play 6 games,” Zulager said. “With some tough E8 games coming our way, it will be fun to see what we do with the added pressure!”

With the final three play dates and final Empire 8 series of the regular season coming up, both Paul and Zulager spoke about the confidence they have in the team and each other and “can’t wait to see where they go as a team.”

Softball team put hands togther in a huddle. /Photo: Luke Reed

Softball Senior Day photographed by Luke Reed

End of semester sports photographed by Kayleigh Sturtevant

End of semester sports photographed by Kayleigh Sturtevant

Baseball enjoying a winning season and sets sights on Empire 8 Tournament

◊ NICK PHILLIPS CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Utica University

baseball is experiencing success as the regular season comes to a close in a few weeks. Utica currently sits in first place in the Empire 8 conference with a 13-2 conference record and a 22-10 overall record. They have also already clinched a spot in the 2023 Empire 8 Tournament.

The Pioneers were on a three-game winning streak after they swept Medaille University last weekend. However, the streak snapped on April 25 after a 7-6 loss against SUNY Cobleskill.

After finishing with only a 21-18 record a season ago, the Pioneers have already increased their win total with eight more games to play this season of the back of notable performances from freshman pitcher

Kooper Knabe and Dylan Sullivan

The two combined for seven Empire 8 Rookie of the Week awards this season. Knabe a front runner for Empire 8

Rookie of the Year, has earned Rookie of the Week honors five times in the last 12 weeks while holding the lowest ERA in the Empire 8. Fellow teammates junior Dom Fasolo and senior John Son were also named finalists for the Empire 8 Most Valuable Player.

Fasolo currently has a .404 batting average with three home runs and 29 RBIs in 89 at-bats.

Son currently sits at a

.386 batting average with four home runs and 39 RBIs in 114 at-bats. Son has also won the Empire 8 Player of the Week once this season.

The Pioneers will face SUNY Polytechnic Institute on April 27, then head into a doubleheader against Cazenovia College on April 30.

The team resumes Empire 8 action against the St. John Fisher Cardinals. Fisher

currently holds a 2012 overall record and has been undefeated in conference play this season with a 12-0 record. The Cardinals currently sit on a sixgame winning streak as the two set the face either for the first time this season.

They will match up against Utica in a three game series that starts with a doubleheader on May 6 and another game on May 7.

Players from the baseball team line up for a game. /Photo: Luke Reed