Student enrollment at Utica is steady compared to national trends
Breannan O’Hara, Editor in Chief
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), college enrollment has been steadily declining over the past 10 years. In contrast to most other institutions, Utica’s post-COVID enrollment trend has been stable.
Vice President for Enrollment Management Eric Sykes recently addressed the institutional, national and regional trends that are influencing college enrollment.
“Enrollment trends at Utica post-COVID have actually been quite steady, ranging be-
tween 429 and 456 students,” Sykes said. “The exception to this was the cohort that entered in 2023 which enrolled over 570 new first-time students.”
About half of South Hall is closed this semester which suggested that student enrollment was low. However, Sykes said although he was not involved in the decision, he speculated that “efficiency” played a role. He said it’s more efficient for the university to operate with a “smaller occupied footprint” rather than having empty beds dispersed throughout the residence halls.
A decline of overall student enrollment is observed nationally and locally. There are various influences that are currently impacting the higher education market.
“There’s been a great deal of media focus on student loan debt in the past few years,” Sykes said. “Utica University is actually in a good position in this regard due to the low average student loan debt of our graduates, but it has had a widespread impact on student choice and not only on which college to choose, but whether or not to pursue a degree at all.”
Other influences that have impacted student enrollment were the “difficulties of qualifying for aid that was caused by FAFSA issues” during the 2024 year and “distance from home” impacting student college choice after post-COVID years.
Utica University is taking various measures to combat low student enrollment, according to Sykes.
“We’re engaging students across a number of platforms to highlight the Academic Quality, Affordability, Student Experience (including Athletics), and the Professional Preparation our students receive,” Sykes said. “Another important consideration is retention. Ultimately retained students have a significant impact on the overall institutional enrollment.”
Sykes emphasizes that size alone should not be used to evaluate student classes.
“ A ‘good class’ isn’t judged just on size alone,” Sykes said. “There are other factors such as the mix of major interests, academic quality, demographic mix and other components that help make up a strong class.”
2 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2024
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
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
8/21/2024 10:34 PM Fire Alarm
8/24/2024 3:30 PM Facilities Issue
8/25/2024 11:00
8/28/2024 1:50 PM Suspicious Person North Hall
8/29/2024 10:45 AM Traffic Violation Roadway
8/29/2024 11:00 AM Traffic Violation Roadway
8/29/2024 11:19 AM Traffic Violation Roadway
8/29/2024 11:32 AM Traffic Violation Roadway
8/29/2024 11:34 AM Traffic Violation Roadway
8/29/2024 11:39 AM Traffic Violation Roadway
8/29/2024 11:40 AM Traffic Violation Roadway
8/29/2024 11:52 AM Traffic Violation Roadway
8/29/2024 11:39 PM Harassment North Hall
8/30/2024 10:44 AM Vehicle Traffic Violation Roadway
8/30/2024 7:50 PM Fire Alarm Pioneer Village
8/30/2024 10:15 PM Medical Assist Ralph F. Strebel Student Center
Melissa Lomanto takes over as women’s ice hockey head coach
Nick Phillips, Sports Reporter
Melissa Lomanto is no stranger to Utica ice hockey, so it’s easy to imagine her leading the women’s ice hockey team. Lomanto is a former player who graduated from Utica University in 2005 and is now head coach for the women’s hockey team, according to Utica University’s website.
Lomanto will be just the second coach the team has ever had after former head coach Dave Clausen left Utica last month to become the men’s and women’s golf coach at St. Lawrence University.
During the 2015-2016 season, she became the head coach of SUNY Morrisville. Following her departure in mid May 2023, she became an assistant coach for the Pioneers.
Sophomore forward Sydney Mintz said she and the team were excited about Lomanto taking the helm and her heart is in every role of the women’s ice hockey program.
“Melissa coming back to coach and taking on a new role after graduating from this program back when she
was in college is something really special you don’t see often,” Mintz said. “From the jump, it has been obvious that she has some high expectations for the group and is ready to push us to be a highly competitive kind of hockey team which is super exciting to see and be a part of.”
Over his 24 seasons as the head coach of the Pioneers, Clausen had a 347-214-37 record The team has made back to back UCHC Championship games the last two seasons. While coaching for Utica, Clausen was a twotime ECAC West Coach of the Year and a two-time UCHC Coach of the Year selection.
In an interview with The Tangerine, Clausen said he will cherish his time and that the last 24 years at Utica have been amazing. He also mentioned that the Utica athletics department is filled with hardworking and talented coaches that he will miss collaborating with.
“I cherish all the relationships I developed with the hockey players over the years. I enjoy the regular text and calls with women’s hockey and golf alumni,” Clausen said. “In my time I had the opportunity to work
with so many truly amazing young people. Watching them grow into amazing adults with careers and families has made me incredibly happy over the years.”
When asked about Lomanto, Clausen had nothing but high praise.
“Melissa Lomanto is one of those former athletes I’ve remained close with for so many years. She is a tremendously accomplished coach and I think she will do wonders for the program,” Clausen said. “I am thrilled that she can step in and the connections to the original Pioneers will stay in place. Melissa will be an amazing mentor for the new and returning young women in the program.”
Clausen said he was a Pioneer for life and that he is looking forward to watching the squad play in the stands with a pretzel in one hand and a cold beer in the other. Utica is looking to maintain the success that they saw last year where they had a 22-4-2 record. Utica had a conference record of 16-22 and ultimately finished second in the UCHC only trailing Nazareth University. Utica’s season came to a close with a 2-1 defeat against Nazareth in the UCFC Championship last March.
After two exhibition games in October, Utica’s season will begin on Friday Nov. 1 at 4 p.m. against Suffolk University at the Utica University Nexus Center.
Radio days: Alumni recall the birth of WPNR 90.7 FM
Grace Christopher, Staff Writer
The technology and music may have changed since a group of WPNR 90.7 FM alumni were on the air in the 1970s, but their love for the radio station has not.
In fact, spinning records during their college radio days provided some of their best memories, according to Ed Naidamast, Burt Stein and Paul deLaubell, who all were disc jockeys when WPNR was known as WEDJ.
On Aug. 28, the group reminisced on campus during a mini reunion that also included former WPNR advisor and fellow Utica alumnus Bruce Brodsky. They all visited the radio station.
Naidamast said everyone enjoyed reconnecting and sitting down with WPNR’s Chief Operating Officer Doug Croft, noting the studio has changed “a little bit” since they were at the helm. Today there are no back walls filled with vinyl albums, but instead technology is center stage.
It was a contrast to the station’s electric current in the early 70s that had “less power than your average lightbulb,” according to Stein, and listeners were lucky if they could hear broadcasts in North and South halls. During WEDJ’s early days, the station’s signal barely reached outside of Strebel Student Center because it was an AM station using carrier current transmission.
“We were just hoping the college was paying attention to the radio station,” Naidamast said. “You wouldn’t think a lot of people were listening. We would ask for someone to call and let us know you’re there. No one called, but when we signed off, oh my god the fury. People were really upset.”
Everyone remembered the planning that went into converting WEDJ into an FM radio station, ultimately taking place in 1977 when the station was renamed WPNR.
An abundance of work was needed to make the changes, according to Naidamast and Brodsky, especially since it
involved applying for an FCC license. With the help of another former advisor Larry Baker, who was also director of public relations for Utica College, the group provided architectural drawings of the building and performed surveys of other FM stations. They also enlisted the help of Norm Bernstein, an engineer at WIBX-WIBQ, to help rewire the station and prepare the turntables.
“We had no idea what we were getting into,” said Naidamast, explaining how they had to take an FCC exam in Syracuse and the technical components were challenging to them.
Once the application was granted, Brodsky’s favorite memory became watching the radio antenna installation on top of Strebel Center.
“I remember them installing the aluminum frame on the side of the building,” Brodsky said. “I will always remember that day - that was an interesting time.”
They experienced college radio in an era considered by many as the golden age of rock and
roll. Occasional concerts took place on campus - including Pete Seegar in April 1974, which is one of Naidamast’s favorite memories. The station advisor had connections to Seegar and the college approved the concert.
“We found someone who literally hand-cranked the tickets and we had to number them ourselves,” Naidamast said. “We dropped them off around town and here we are promoting this concert.”
As the industry has changed, WPNR continues to adapt with the times by offering a variety of programming and streaming athletic events, and winning awards. The station recently won a New York State Broadcasting Association Award and will be recognized at a ceremony this fall.
deLaubell said the debut of Utica University’s football team in 2001 helped make the station glow and the football broadcast “has become one of the hallmark broadcasts of the school year.”
“The fact is the station is now over 45 years old and in our day it was a pipe dream (that we watched) step by step to get to it,” deLaubell said. “Now it’s become a very successful college radio station.”
Stein added: “Now they are streaming worldwide and it does your heart good to know that.”
Utica University and WPNR alumni reunite in WPNR’s station. From left Paul deLaubell, Bill Lee, Bruce Brodsky, Burt Stein and Ed Naidamast. Photo courtesy of Doug Croft.
FEATURES
6 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2024
Breannan O’Hara, Editor in Chief
The Content Creation Club is a new organization that started at the end of the spring 2024 semester. They are currently looking for new members that share an interest in social media and a variety of activities that encompass content creation.
The president of the club, Nazelli Rodriguez, provided a more detailed look into the club:
“The mission statement of the content creation club is to offer an opportunity to students
New club on campus
who have a passion or strong interests in pursuing social media through a community of like minded motivational individuals.”
“The kinds of events that they host are mainly social and content creating days which helps spread the knowledge of social media trends and influencing.”
“Students can get involved by simply reaching out to the president or vice president of the club.”
Join the fun: Intercultural Student Union brings global cultures to
Syamimi Anuar, Social Media Editor
The Intercultural Student Union was created to celebrate different cultures from across the world.
Jerome Nembhard, president of Intercultural Student Union, aspires to create a culturally diverse and welcoming environment on campus.
“From a multitude of events to simply get together and help expand the companionship amongst students,” Nembhard said.
Nembhard said he is grateful to be given the opportunity to create events and opportunities for others to have a positive experience at Utica and make campus more wel-
coming and home-like.
The Intercultural Student Union hosted multiple events last semester and they are planning to bring many back this year. The events include afternoon tea, make your own ramen and cultural food days in the Strebel Dining Commons. The organization will be tabling during the Involvement Fair on Sept. 18.
An International Student Welcome Reception will be held on Monday, Sept. 9 afrom 45:30 p.m in Hislop Auditorium, Thurston Hall. The event is to welcome the new class of undergraduate and graduate international students, and celebrate the current international students. Everyone is welcome to join the event.
For more information, visit the Intercultural Student Union Instagram page, @isu_utica_ university.
A photo from last year’s afternoon tea event. Source: Instagram @isu_utica_university.
7 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2024
Women’s Soccer comes out on top in their first game of the season
The Utica University women’s soccer team started their season off with a one-sided victory, winning 7-0 against SUNY Morrisville on Aug. 30. Junior transfer Amber Piersma and junior Rylee Lamphere combined for four goals scoring two a piece. Senior forward Rory Richard tallied one goal and one assist, along with Samantha Kogut who also managed to find the back of the net. Senior goalkeeper Courtney Connolly registered her 14th shutout of her collegiate career and had three saves on the night.
Advice to freshmen from upperclassmen
Megan Wright, sophomore news reporter, gathered advice from Utica University’s upperclassmen who have experience transitioning into college life.
• “Meet as many people as you can,” senior Cassi Wagemann said.
• “Try to do work as soon as you can because college is so unpredictable with so many adventures; you’re not going to want to be bogged with work,” junior Jada Anthony said.
• “Go to class as much as possible and don’t do work after 8:00 pm,” sophomore Jose Gomez said.
• “Don’t carry around your textbooks unless you actually need them for a specific class,” sophomore Hanna Godkin said.
• “Use the Wilcox Center to your advantage as much as possible,” sophomore Peter Dupre said.
