Professor David Chanatry retires after two decades at Utica University
Syamimi Anuar, Online/Social Media Editor
David Chanatry, Distinguished Professor of Journalism at Utica University, will retire at the end of the fall semester, concluding a distinguished academic career. Chanatry has been a member of the university’s faculty since 2003, contributing over two decades of expertise and dedication to the institution.
Before becoming a professor, Chanatry spent 20 years at NBC where he honed his journalism skills as a writer and producer. In 2003, he returned to his hometown of Utica, motivated by a desire to be closer to family and provide his children with a different environment than the city life. He currently lives in Cazenovia.
Chanatry continued to write stories for NBC regularly for 15 years after joining Utica University and still occasionally receives assignments.
“Teaching is completely different than what I have been doing previously in the sense that then I was getting the information out to people through programs that I worked for, and now it is much more focused on trying to work with students to teach them some of the skills that I had, and also trying to teach them to understand the media industry,” Chanatry said.
Reflecting on his teaching philosophy, he hopes that all students will understand that expectations in the world are high.
“I don’t think my expectations of what I would get in terms of work from students are high. I think we don’t expect enough from our students, and work is due when work is due,” Chanatry said.
According to Chanatry, the transformation of journalism has been dramatic mostly because of technology.
“Technology has not only changed the way people are not buying physical news anymore, but it also changed the speed of news. Putting pressure on reporting to take a little bit of time to get additional sources on something. Now, news comes to people through social media before they even visit
news sites.”
Chanatry said one of the biggest challenges he faced at the beginning of his academic career was learning how to teach. “It was my biggest challenge to understand I was in a different environment and I had to deal with people differently.”
Another challenge was that the university did not have the facilities to start a broadcast journalism program. When he first came here, there was no production studio. They had one editing system and put it in the hallway for the students to use for their projects.
In response to that, Chanatry essentially established the broadcasting part of the journalism curriculum, according to Kim Landon professor emeritus of journalism. There had been courses before but he put together an entire curriculum
that prepared Utica University students to go out in the field and be successful.
“There are broadcast journalism alumni at the top of their field who are a testament to his efforts,” Landon said. “As a colleague, I could not have asked for a better partner in the challenges that faced our department over the years. He always showed up and stepped up and delivered what we needed. Much of what has been great about the journalism and broadcasting programs will likely be lost after he retires and that is very sad.”
Looking back, Chanatry cherished his time at Utica University.
“In a way that I did not appreciate when I started, it is a collection of really fascinating people,” Chanatry said.
He came to value the diverse community at the institution, with professors who were experts in their fields and each having unique paths that brought them to the university. He particularly enjoyed reading the personal statements of other faculty members, which often highlighted their impressive and interesting work.
Chanatry shared advice for students.
“It is okay to not know what
Professor David Chanatry Fall 2024 semester. Photo by Syamimi Anuar.
Editor-in-Chief - Breannan O’Hara
Managing Editor - Brady Barnard
Online/Social Media Editor - Syamimi Anuar
Sports Reporter - Nick Phillips
Staff Reporter - Megan Wright
Staff Photographer - Luke Reed
Tangerine Clerk- Citlali Lopez
Adviser - Mary Christopher
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.
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Campus Safety Blotter
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you want to do, certainly in the environment right now where there is a lot of pressure on students and schools to turn out people to start working immediately,” he said. “It is okay
if you do not know as long as you are willing to be open to possibilities and work hard to be able to understand and to be informed, be a good citizen and listen to other people.”
For the past eight years, Chana-
try has hosted “Ivory Tower,” a weekly roundtable politics and current events discussion program on WCNY, a role he plans to continue after retirement.
Chanatry also plans to pursue outdoor activities and travel.
His goals include hiking the 26 New York peaks with fire towers, skiing in the winter and traveling with his wife.
New Digital Media Marketing program in place for spring semester
Grace Christopher, Staff Writer
Do you love social media? Content creation and brand identity? Then Utica University’s new Digital Media Marketing program might be the major for you - and enrollment is now open for the Spring 2025 semester.
The Digital Media Marketing major is housed within business management programs and provides a management foundation with digital media marketing courses. It replaces the former Public Relations and Marketing program, however public relations remains a concentration in the Communication and Media program.
Patricia Swann, distinguished professor of Public Relations and Management, said the public relations and marketing fields are always evolving and changing as technology advances, and this program targets the current industry landscape.
“Young people are very intuitive with (new technologies) and the creativity involved with that,” she said. “I think this is something that will appeal to a lot of different students out there. It’s a good add-on to the business programs.”
Swann said she has witnessed a lot of change and today’s communications profession-
als primarily focus on digital marketing, social media or “what we call strategic communication positions.” Technology plays a large role and AI will continue to grow.
“It really is all about efficiency. How can we communicate specifically to individuals?” Swann said. “We have to prepare students for the realities of how business works today.”
The convergence of marketing and communication changed the field and not many students get job titles with the public relations name anymore “even though what they’re doing is public relations, but the titles have all changed.”
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, this field will grow 19% between 20212031. Careers include digital marketing specialist, social media coordinator, creative strategy professional, content creator, data analytics, SEO (search engine optimization)/ search engine marketing specialist, media buyer, media planner and more.
Some of the new or restructured courses included in the program are Brand Identity, Content Creation, Social Media and Influencers and Digital Advertising.
Swann said several Public Relations alumni were consulted when developing the program and curriculum.
Photo from https://www.utica.edu/academics/programs/digital-media-marketing.
“An alum who works at the Hershey Company looked at the syllabi being developed and many of them were former PR majors who told us ‘this is the way you need to go,’” she said.
Excluding general education requirements, the major is 48 credits so students have about 35 credits of free electives.
Swann said the idea behind that was so students could add a minor or two.
“You could pick up a Healthcare or English or Creative Writing minor, depending on your interests,” Swann said. “The idea of the business foundation is really great. Employers want to see students who have a basic understanding of business.”
Swann is pleased with the interest that the Digital Media Marketing program is generating.
“I’m very excited about it,” she said. “We’ve had a lot of interest from students already and our alumni are super excited about it. I think this is good for students.”
For more information, contact Professor Patricia Swann at pswann@utica.edu or visit the Digital Media Marketing webpage at https://www.utica. edu/academics/programs/digital-media-marketing.
Graffiti vandalism strikes at Greenman Field softball dugout
Brady Barnard, Managing Editor
At 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 28, Campus Safety was notified that Greenman Field, home of the Utica University Softball team, had been vandalized. Spray painted graffiti conveying a rambling message was plastered on the back of one of the dugouts facing Burrstone Road.
Shad Crowe, vice president for Facilities and Emergency Management, said the school contacted the Utica Police Department and are working closely with the city of Utica to fix the damage, which was likely caused by someone or a group of people living in a homeless encampment nearby.
“I think we’re all very frustrated by the vandalism to the dugouts,” Crowe said. “On
Photo by Grace Christopher.
several occasions, both Campus Safety and the UPD have discovered individuals within the dugouts and outbuildings. In the past, the individuals have explained that they live in an
encampment nearby. Because they are not law enforcement, Campus Safety’s protocol is to request the people leave the property and to contact UPD if they refuse. Should there be
any associated criminal activity occurring, Campus Safety calls UPD immediately and does not engage with the subjects.”
Over the summer, the Utica Police Department and the Oneida County Sheriff’s Department worked to remove the homeless encampment from private property south of the softball field. The homeless population that resided there were provided with access to local shelters and housing. Since then, the encampment has returned.
“It is very possible the individual(s) responsible for the damage to the field are part of this group of people,” Crowe said. “The messages on the buildings are certainly indicative of that possibility.”
Guest Column - Celebrating legacy and unity: We, the Utica Upsilons, redefine “The Red Hat”
Utica University Upsilon Alumni
This year’s Homecoming weekend at Utica University was a special time for us, the Upsilons, as we celebrated tradition and community spirit in our bold, unmistakable red hats emblazoned with the slogan “Make Utica Great Again.” While our hats initially sparked some controversy due to their resemblance to a well-known political slogan, we quickly clarified our message: unity, inclusivity and awareness.
As alumni of Utica University, we wanted our presence to make a statement, reminding
everyone of the multicultural Greek organizations that once thrived on campus and the impactful events and community services we used to host. We believe Utica is missing
our presence, and that is the message we shared with others.Our goal with these hats is to remind everyone of the memories and spirit we once created.
The red color of our hats is significant to us; it represents our long-standing commitment to philanthropy, specifically our work focusing on HIV/AIDS awareness. Although there were some initial misunderstandings about our intentions, we have clearly clarified that our message was not political but rather a call to reconnect and celebrate the history and legacy of multicultural Greeks at Utica.
A community member named Mayra shared her initial reaction: “At first, I thought they were campaigning for Trump. But once they explained the meaning behind the slogan, I
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Photo courtesy of Utica University Upsilons.
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realized they were expressing something deeper—bringing people together.” It felt good to hear that people were understanding the true message behind our initiative.
The October Homecoming was especially meaningful for us, the alumni of the Upsilons, as it brought together friends who hadn’t seen each other since our college days. “This year’s Homecoming was special,” we overheard one alum say. “It was incredible to witness the growth and
achievements of everyone since graduation.”
We used this opportunity not just to celebrate our shared history but also to promote a message of unity and collaboration. By engaging with alumni from diverse backgrounds, we created a sense of community that extended beyond campus and into the wider world. Our presence served as a reminder of the positive impact multicultural Greek organizations can have on campus life and beyond.
‘Wicked’ is a ‘popular’ culture
Kate Gaffney, Intern
Wicked: Part One came out in theaters on Nov. 22, just in time for the busy holiday season. This movie was an instant hit among most demographics because of many unifying messages, like friendship, determination, and some relatable topics to today, like prejudice and corruption.
The movie dramatically begins at the end of The Wizard of Oz story when the Wicked Witch of the West melts. The movie opens with Glinda the Good Witch, played by Ariana Grande, belting out incredible whistle notes that many cannot even comprehend being possible to do. Elphaba, played by Cynthia Erivo, arrives at Shiz University, and this is where it is apparent that the sets in this film are above almost any today.
The towering buildings used as dormitories and classrooms for students at Shiz are elegant and old fashioned, with aspects of The Wizard himself woven
Looking ahead, we feel that our initiative stands as a testament to the enduring power of alumni engagement and the importance of remembering and honoring shared legacies. What began as a point of controversy for our red hats has become a symbol of our commitment to making Utica great through unity, inclusivity and collective action.
In the spirit of our philanthropic work, we, the Upsilons, have set a precedent for future generations to celebrate their heritage while striving
for positive change in their communities. As Utica University continues to evolve, we hope our legacy will serve as a guiding light for fostering a campus environment that values diversity, leadership, and service to others.
For more information about the fraternity, you can reach the Upsilons through their Instagram page @uticaupsilons and on their website at www. lsu79.org.
favorite that gives something to everyone
throughout the walls of the university. The set of the Emerald City is another place that I want to explore, because of the illusion of endless possibilities there. The different shades of green creates depth and mystery like nothing I have seen in a movie before.
Once Elphaba gets acquainted with the school, she sings one of the musical’s most famous songs, “The Wizard and I,” where she details her aspirations to work with The Wizard someday. Erivo shows off her astonishing voice towards the end of the song, which foreshadows the powerful notes she will sing later in the movie.
The choreography throughout the movie is something to marvel at. In the song, “What Is This Feeling?” which details the turmoil Elphaba and Glinda feel for each other, backup dancers show off quick footwork and hand movements which makes you not want to look away. Detailed choreography is also presented later in the movie, when Fiyero, a
new student and prince, sings “Dancing Through Life,”when he and other students dance on narrow tables and railings. The set of the Emerald City allowed endless possibilities of creativity, and Wicked’s choreographer, Christopher Scott, used as much as possible. Dancers were seen leaping and tapping down gold and green staircases.
Major themes in Wicked are
censorship and prejudice, which was shown through animal professors at Shiz University. Dr. Dillamond, a goat who taught history, was removed from his esteemed teaching position after various other animals were being censored for using their voice to stand up against injustices, merely because they were animals. Clearly, this is an exaggerated
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Photo by Kate Gaffney.
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and fantastical version of what happens today, but the idea is the same; people are being censored for what they believe in each day from tech companies or the government.
The corruption in government is another major aspect of the movie, as The Wizard himself is behind the censorship of these animals, even though he leads others to believe he accepts all. This also happens in foreign countries, as governments prevent people from speaking out about what they believe in.
The vocals throughout the film are almost incomparable to any other movie. Cynthia Erivo
and Ariana Grande sang every single one of their songs live on set, which rarely happens. While singing “Defying Gravity,”one of the most impressive yet most difficult on the soundtrack, Erivo did her own stunts, like flipping through the air using a harness. She even did this while singing the monumental note at the very end of the song, which has gone viral on social media since the film premiered. Grande showed off her voice during the famous tune, “Popular,”which follows Glinda helping Elphaba come out of her shell. Each of the actress’ performances are for the ages. Erivo’s powerful head voice and Grande’s whistle notes are what set them apart
from one another, but also what makes it sound so good when combined.
However, when listening to the soundtrack on streaming platforms, the transition from dialogue to vocals seems to be somewhat choppy or discombobulated. Nonetheless, it does not take away from the talent that the actresses possessed.
A paramount moment in the picture was when the original actors of Elphaba and Glinda on Broadway made a cameo. In the song “One Short Day”, Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth appeared to amaze the audience with their one of a kind vocals, describing how the Land of Oz was created
through song.
The special effects of the film, including the flying monkeys and other animals in Oz, were created using CGI (computer generated imagery). The attention to detail makes them look incredibly realistic to the human eye. Post production ended as early as late September of this year, and the filming and editing processes took many years, a lot to do with the Writer’s Guild of America Strike.
Overall, I would give this movie a 10/10. I would recommend this movie to anyone because it covers a wide variety of topics and has something for anybody to enjoy.
Angelina Merulla and growing gymnastics team look forward to second season
Ryli McGorry, Contributing Writer
Angelina Merulla, a sophomore on the gymnastics team, has been a key piece in supporting the new team on Utica’s campus. Through her positive attitude and dedication, she acts as a role model to younger athletes.
Merulla, of Liverpool, competed on the floor last season and continued to score consistently while helping the new team reach their goal of making regional championships. On the other three events, Merulla acts as a huge support system for the rest of the team, helping them stay calm throughout the competition. As a competitor she accommodates the rest of the team before she thinks of herself after her key event is over.
Merulla came to Utica because head coach Danielle Cerminaro reached out in her senior year of high school. The psychology program at Utica interested Merulla. She would like to be a school
psychologist after graduating and wants to help high school students feel more comfortable with talking about their feelings and taking the initial step of seeking help.
“I came to Utica because of the inaugural gymnastics program and exceeded the expectations of our coaches,” Merulla said.
“It was a successful season for a first year team.”
Merulla sees herself advancing in this upcoming season by improving her floor score and getting a few new tumbling passes that will better herself as a whole. The new perspective she gathered over the summer months improved her work ethic in class and at practice.
She worked at Wegmans from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. throughout the summer almost everyday to pay off her tuition for the upcoming semesters. She would train three hours a day four times a week to maintain her gymnastics skills as well as lift included.
“Angelina continues to provide
us with the unwavering support as a cheerleader as well as an athlete,” said team captain Jenna DiPalo, a fifth year student on the gymnastics team.
DiPalo spent the last four years at Springfield College performing gymnastics. She heard from a teammate that Utica had a great and growing program that she was excited to join in the fall.
She is a nursing student and juggles being on the team with hours of work each day. Her positive attitude and experience carries the team. Dipalo plans on staying in Utica to complete the rest of her degree for the 2025-2026 school year. As her career comes to an end she would like to end on a positive note after recovering from an ankle injury that occurred earlier over the summer.
Both athletes hope to help the team win their first meet against SUNY Cortland on Jan. 12, The team hopes to have a strong season after recruiting
new prospects. With it being the second year of the program they continue to grow and possibly make it to the national championships this season as a whole.
“I wanna make the little girl who first started the sport proud. I’m looking forward to the upcoming season with my closest friends,” Merulla said.
The gymnastics season starts in January and ends in late April. Pre-season starts in August for gymnastics as soon as the athletes start classes. Athletes make up 72% of the students that go to Utica University. They juggle classes, homework, as well as everything they dedicate to their team. It can be a grueling schedule at times that a lot of people don’t take into account.
“People don’t realize how many hours are put into practice and competitions,” sophomore Grace Marra said. “It’s hard work.”
Conner
Crossley, Contributing Writer
Student Athlete Profile: Quarterback Brett Fuller
Brett Fuller, standing tall at 6-foot-2 and weighing 205 pounds, commanded the field as the star quarterback for the Pioneers this season. A native of Port Jervis, Fuller has become an integral part of the football team bringing his physical attributes, determination and leadership.
For Fuller, football has always been more than a game—it’s a calling. A gut feeling drove his journey to Utica University.
“I came to Utica because the moment I stepped on campus, it felt like home,” he said. “It has a great family atmosphere here.”
That sense of belonging has fueled his success both on and off the field.
Overcoming adversity
This season was unlike any other for Fuller and the Pioneers. Faced with unexpected challenges, the team had to dig deep.
“This season was different
Eric Corey, Contributing Writer
because we were faced with a lot of adversity that we had to overcome,” he said.
Through perseverance and teamwork, the Pioneers pushed through the storm, and Brett came out as a leader and determined to help guide the team into a respectable 5-5 season overall.
Dominating performance
This season, Fuller threw more than 2,000 yards with 20 touchdowns and a 62% completion rate, he has consistently delivered when it mattered most.
One of his standout games came against Alfred, where he threw for 295 yards and three touchdowns with zero interceptions, completing 29 of 52 passes.
Against SUNY Morrisville Fuller set a historical record, completing 24 of 28 passes for a school-record 89% completion rate. He racked up 238 yards and three touchdowns, leaving fans and opponents in awe of his precision and skill.
Moments to cherish
Football at Utica has been about more than just stats to him, he
said. It’s the memories he’s made that truly define his experience. He fondly recalled winning a bowl game last season, the thrill of traveling to Canada to play an international game and the pride of being part of a team that made it to the NCAA playoffs.
“My favorite thing about the football team is all of the friends I have and have made here,” Fuller said.
Looking to the future
With one more season ahead, he is already setting his sights on what’s next.
“We will take this season and use it to fuel us for next season,” he said. “We must work harder and be more efficient in our play, knowing that every play counts.”
As a Health and Physical Education major, he plans to become a teacher and high school football coach and hopes to inspire younger generations, blending his love for sports and education and make a lasting impact.
POV: Should college athletes receive NIL endorsements?
The ability of college athletes to profit off their name, image and likeness has dramatically changed the landscape of college athletics. What once seemed like a far-fetched idea has become a reality. Athletes can sign endorsement deals, make money off their social media, and profit from their popularity.
While these opportunities offer clear benefits, questions have also arisen about how they will affect student-athletes, their
schools and fairness in college sports. Some members of Utica University’s baseball team reflect a mixture of excitement and concern about the changes.
Eric Schulteisz, a sophomore baseball player, looks at NIL as a great opportunity for athletes to make money.
“I think we should be eligible for it,” Schulteisz said. “It opens up some chances that we didn’t have as athletes before school, and you never know if you might need it.”
For athletes like Schulteisz,
NIL presents an unprecedented opportunity for those athletes who struggle to pay for school, being able to monetize their sponsorships can provide much-needed extra money without seriously detracting from sports or studies, key parts of the college experience.
Matthew Tusiani-Eng, another sophomore player, agrees that athletes should have the opportunity to profit from NIL. He realizes that athletes in less popular sports may have more difficulty securing deals.
“We should definitely be eligi-
ble for NIL,” Tusiani-Eng. “As a Division III athlete, it might be harder to get an NIL deal, but if you do, it will only help you.”
Most Division III athletes have a tough time because they don’t receive as much media attention as the Division I athletes. However, NIL does provide an avenue for making money and getting exposure, which could benefit the hardworking athletes who seldom get well paid.
Brett Fuller’s 2024 team photo. Photo courtesy of uticapioneers.com.
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The loss of James Salles leaves an ‘unfillable void’ in the Utica University community
Breannan O’Hara, Editor in Cheif
James Salles’ death has been deeply felt by the Utica University community. According to those who knew him, he was a somebody you could always rely on in difficult times and always managed to brighten up a room.
His loss has been especially felt by his football teammates and close friends.
A close friend of Salles’ said he was passionate about football and brought that passion to his health and physical education studies with aspirations of being a coach.
“Not only was he passionate towards football, he cared deeply for his family, friends, and teammates,” his friend said. “He was a genuine person, who always looked out for others. He always knew how to light up a room and make people laugh, especially with constant antics and dance moves.”
Marco Baez, one of his teamates, knew Salles for two years and said he was “overall a great person.”
“James was a very happy kid,” Baez said. “On the field, he was a great teammate and player. I also had a class with him and he was a great classmate.”
Blaise Faggiano, the head football coach, said Salles “was fun to be around and was loved by his teammates.”
“He found success on the field and in the classroom and was proud of his accomplishments,” Faggiano said. “We will certainly recognize him in the future. There are some great ideas that have come from his teammates.”
His close friend recalls his favorite memory with him.
“One of my favorite memories was when I was driving him to our football banquet and he couldn’t get the top bottom of his dress shirt buttoned and he was getting very angry and yelling about how big his head was,” he said.
Baez said that his favorite memory of Salles was the day
before the accident.
“He gave a speech out to the team of how much he loves it here, how much he loves the team, how he loves his teammates,” Baez said. “I probably say that’s my favorite memory of him. As it happened the day before the accident.”
Baez explained that many had faith in Salles and supported him the week after the accident.
“We went to the hospital to give support,” Baez said. “His parents were touched by how many people loved james.”
David Fontaine, director of athletics and physical education, said that they are truly saddened by the loss of Salles.
“Although we cherish the positive memories James left with us, his absence leaves an unfillable void,” Fontaine said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Salles family as they go through this challenging time.”
James Salles 2024 team photo. Photo courtesy of uticapioneers.com.
