Friday, March 11, 2022 Print Edition

Utica maskless for first time since Spring 2020

WPNR, ‘The Voice of the Pioneers’

Parnell Vigil Photo Gallery

NEWS | PG. 3

FEATURES | PG. 10

SPORTS| PG. 15

The

TANGERINE

VOL. LXXV, ISSUE 12

FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2022

UTICATANGERINE.COM

Ukrainians at Utica University reflect on war and devastation

Vasyl Yurkuts, an international student from Ukraine, wearing a traditional Ukrainian Vyshyvanka. /Photo: Alexandria Leland ◊ THOMAS CAPUTO LAYOUT EDITOR

Vasyl Yurkuts is an international student from Ukraine studying English at Utica University.

He was roughly 4,700 miles away from his home country when

he learned Ukraine was being invaded by Russian forces.

On Feb. 24, the lives of Ukrainians were uprooted as the Russian invasion of Ukraine began.

As the world watched

the humanitarian crisis unfold, countless countries began to show their support for Ukraine, while condemning Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The support for Ukraine during this time can be

seen not only all across the world, but right in Utica as well. Buildings in downtown Utica have been lighting up blue and yellow, representing the colors of the Ukrainian flag.

SEE UKRAINE PG. 4

PAGE 2

STAFF

FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2022

Spring 2022 STAFF

@UticaTangerine @Utica_Tangerine @Utica_Tangerine

UTICATANGERINE.COM

Editor-In-Chief - Matthew Breault Layout Editor - Thomas Caputo Managing News Editor - Isabella Hudziak Features Editor - Hollie David Sports Editor - Emily Joss Photographer - Alexandria Leland General Assignments - Morgan Hinman Special Assignments - Michale Thompson Tangerine Clerk - Charles Buckley Circulation Manager - Emily Allard Adviser - Mary Christopher

About The Tangerine is published biweekly during the academic year by and for Utica University students. To reach a member of the staff, email tanger@utica.edu or call 315-792-3065. All material printed in The Tangerine is copyrighted. The Tangerine was first published as the Utica College News on Nov. 6, 1946.

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.

Advertising Information The Tangerine accepts paid advertisements. Advertising copy is subject to the same professional publishing standards as content. The Tangerine reserves the right to reject advertising that does not meet the standards established, is libelous, is in poor taste or violates discrimination laws. Please direct all inquiries to tanger@utica.edu. The deadline for publication is 10 a.m. on Tuesdays.

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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NEWS

PAGE 3 FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2022

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Utica maskless for first time since Spring 2020 ◊ MATTHEW BREAULT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Utica University began the transition to a “more normal” campus life on March 2, as the school announced it will no longer require masks on campus in any location.

This marks the first time since the Spring 2020 semester where masks on campus were optional and not mandatory.

In addition to no longer being required to wear a mask, visitors and guests will be allowed on campus, including in the residence halls, subject to the Utica University’s normal visitation policies, according to President

Laura Casamento.

new policies.

Many of the rules implemented for the Fall 2020 semester at Utica University will no longer be in effect. Testing requirements will only be applied to students who display symptoms related to COVID-19 and the university also decided to move forward without the daily health screening, which was directly linked to the functions of the campus community’s ID cards.

Sophomore Jon Simmons, a sophomore cybersecurity major, said he doesn’t understand why the school waited so long to change its policies, especially after vaccines and boosters became mandatory for students.

Now that Utica University has been officially maskless for more than a week, student opinion is mixed regarding the

“I feel like this brief end to it [mask requirements], like how everything dissipated without a trace, is kind of annoying, but I do like how we don’t have to wear masks anymore and I definitely have enjoyed being maskless,” Simmons said.

“I think once we hit like

70% boosted and with the majority of the campus being vaccinated, we should’ve easily gotten out of the mask requirements and gone back to a more normal environment.”

Since Simmons has been at Utica University, just like the rest of the sophomore class, it has been mandatory for everyone to wear masks on campus.

Jonathan Carissimo, a sophomore history education major, has also spent his entire college experience under strict COVID-19 protocols.

SEE MASK PG. 5

Campus Safety Blotter Date Of Incident

Time Of Incident

Short Description

Building

2/22/2022

2:45 PM

Motor Vehicle Damage

Parking Lot

2/23/2022

4:30 AM

Heat Alarm

North Hall

2/24/2022

8:15 PM

Facilities Issue

Alumni Hall C

2/27/2022

3:20 AM

Medical Assist - Alcohol Transport

Bell Hall

2/27/2022

2:15 AM

Odor of Marijuana

Boehlert Hall

2/28/2022

7:30 PM

Odor of Marijuana

Alumni Hall D

3/1/2022

7:50 AM

Parking Violations/Insubordination

Roadway

3/1/2022

1:20 PM

Medical Assist

Bell Hall

3/2/2022

10:00 AM

Parking Violations

3/3/2022

8:00 PM

Missing Person

Romano Hall

3/4/2022

3:00 PM

Medical Assist

North Hall

3/4/2022

5:45 PM

Accident Report

Gaetano Stadium

3/5/2022

12:05 PM

Suspicious Person

Parking Lot

3/6/2022

2:40 AM

Medical Assist - Alcohol

Boehlert Hall

3/8/2022

10:15 AM

Fire Alarm

Tower Hall

PAGE 4

NEWS

FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2022

UTICATANGERINE.COM

UKRAINE FROM PG. 1

from the realization of all the support and appreciation of it,” Gorbachevsky said.

Just one day after the initial Russian invasion, Utica mayor Robert Palmeri directed the Ukrainian flag to fly at Utica City Hall at threequarter staff, in order to “show solidarity and support for Ukraine, its government and its citizens.”

While Yurkuts is away from his home country, he has been doing everything he can to support Ukraine during this difficult time.

“I’m concerned because this is my country, those are my friends, my family and I want to support them,” Yurkuts said. “I’m trying to do everything I can do here, spreading the information about donations and all this stuff just to support them.”

With two months remaining in the spring semester, Yurkuts is hopeful that his eventual return to Ukraine will be similar to how he left his home country––a free and independent nation, and not a war-torn, Russian-claimed territory.

“Civil people are dying.

Russian soldiers are bombing our hospitals, kindergardens and civil houses,” Yurkuts said. “I just hope that everything will end. I have to go back home in May. I think that I will come back to a sovereign and independent country, not to Russia. I hope this will stop as soon as possible.”

In response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Utica University’s

The current ongoing crisis in Ukraine is severe and it not only affects the citizens who are in Ukraine, but it affects everyone across the planet, according to Gorbachevsky Utica University’s Vasyl Yurkuts, an international student from Ukraine, was honored during the UCHC men’s ice hockey championship game. /Photo: Kayleigh Sturtevant

DEI Collaborative, with support from the Office of International Education and Utica University faculty members, held a PioTalk discussion on March 4 in the Francis A. Wilcox Intercultural and Student Organization Center.

During this discussion, members of the community were able to learn about the conflict and origins of the invasion of Ukraine, while also being given an open space for people to ask questions and seek a fuller and deeper understanding of the events. This discussion was led by Associate Professor of History Dr. Clemmie Harris and Yurkuts.

The following day, on March 5, Utica University hosted the UCHC men’s ice hockey championship game between Utica University and Wilkes University in the Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.

Before the game, a moment of silence was held for Ukraine in honor

of those who have suffered and lost their lives over the past couple weeks.

After the moment of silence, Yurkuts was announced as an honorary guest for the game. As he walked onto the ice for the ceremonial puck drop, a thunderous applause, followed by cheers, came from the crowd of over 3,000 people in attendance.

Maxim Gorbachevsky, professor of practice cybersecurity at Utica University, was one of the many spectators attending the game.

Gorbachevsky was born in Ukraine and, like Yurkuts, was also an international Ukrainian student who came to study at Utica University.

Gorbachevsky’s parents, who were also in attendance, were able to escape Ukraine and are currently staying with him as the crisis in Ukraine continues.

“When my parents saw all the support in the auditorium, my mom just cried out

“The threats that Ukraine is facing are actually threats to the entire world,” Gorbachevsky said. “It’s up to all of us to stop this evil.”

Utica University President Laura Casamento addressed the campus community last week in a letter about the ongoing situation in Ukraine. In her letter, Casamento explained that Utica University stands with those who are being affected and will offer assistance to those in need.

“As a university that values justice and equity, we share the almost universal outrage and deep concern with what is going on,” Casamento said. “We have many students, faculty, and staff of Slavic heritage, many of whom have friends and family still living in the region and are going through deeply emotional and fearful times as the situation continues to evolve.

We also recognize our role in the greater Utica community, which has a large population of those of Slavic heritage and is a hub for refugee resettlement.”

SEE UKRAINE PG. 5

NEWS

PAGE 5 FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2022 UKRAINE FROM PG. 4

Casamento also added that it is important to learn from history in order to have a better understanding about how things work today.

“As

we

live

history,

let us not forget the importance of learning it and learning from it,” Casamento said. “It is only through educating ourselves and finding understanding and empathy among our fellow humans, that

UTICATANGERINE.COM

we have the chance to make tomorrow brighter.”

If you, or someone you know, is struggling with their emotional or mental health during this time, Utica University encourages you to utilize

MASK FROM PG. 3

altering Utica’s schedule last year, students on campus did not get to enjoy a spring break last spring. Simmons said he thinks the COVID-19 numbers on campus will remain unaffected, even after next week.

Carissimo, however, disagrees with both New York State and Utica University lifting their mask mandates.

“I don’t approve of the lifting of the mask mandate because it’s indicative of the greater governmental neglect of the pandemic,” Carissimo said. “Counties aren’t accurately counting COVID-19 cases and the CDC has been minimizing everything.

Everyone is pretending that it’s over when it’s really just not being reported. It’s really frustrating to see since it probably means next winter won’t be very different from last winter.”

According to the New York Times coronavirus

the network of support and various resources available to students, faculty and staff through the Counseling Center, the Office of International Education and the Employee Assistance Program in the Office of Human Resources.

Francis Tavino is all smiles, enjoying working at the Utica University TV studio without a mask. /Photo: Alexandria Leland

tracker, 62% of all residents in Oneida County are fully vaccinated. In addition to the vaccination numbers, there are roughly 24 new COVID-19 cases per day in Oneida County.

Around 90% of the entire campus community are

currently in compliance with the university’s COVID-19 vaccination policy, according to an email from the Office of the President.

Heading into spring break, the university hopes COVID numbers on campus will remain low. Due to COVID-19

“I’d like to see what happens after spring break when students come back from traveling and I don’t believe we will see a significant spike in cases,” Simmons said. “After not having spring break last year, I feel students are excited to finally travel.

I think the members of the Utica campus have earned the right to travel because we have done so well with being on top of COVID protocols throughout the past couple semesters.”

PAGE 6

NEWS

FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2022

UTICATANGERINE.COM

Utica University Commencement: What you need to know ◊ MATTHEW BREAULT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ◊ ISABELLA HUDZIAK MANAGING NEWS EDITOR

Utica University will hold its Commencement ceremony for undergraduate students on Thursday, May 12 at 5 p.m., and graduate students on Friday, May 13 at 4 p.m. Both ceremonies will be held at the Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.

Since commencement is a university-wide ceremony for all undergraduate and graduate degree candidates, each ceremony is projected to last around two hours.

Students who are anticipating graduation and want to participate in Commencement this semester must apply for their degree and must submit the Commencement Participation Form no later than March 15.

Failure to do so will result in a student not being able to graduate and not being able to participate in the Commencement ceremony.

Executive Director of College Events and Conference Programs Joni Pulliam said these processes are essential if students want to graduate and participate in the Commencement ceremony.

“If someone is planning to graduate

and participate in Commencement, they need to do their applications for their degree and for their RSVPs for Commencement so they can attend,” Pulliam said.

If you have any other questions regarding graduation and Commencement, here are some of the answers to the more frequently asked questions: What are the requirements for walking in Commencement?

In order to qualify for graduation and walk in Commencement, students are required to meet the total credit hours required for their program and apply to graduate.

Once eligibility has been established, graduates can apply to walk in Commencement.

Students who graduated in the previous summer (August 2021) or fall (December 2021) semesters are eligible to walk in May Commencement.

Students who are graduating this May and upcoming August are also eligible to walk during these ceremonies.

If a student graduated more than two semesters prior to this ceremony, they are not eligible to walk. Students are also not allowed to walk in more than one Commencement per program.

Is Commencement inperson for May 2022?

As of now, both the undergraduate and graduate Commencement ceremonies will take place in-person in the Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.

Utica University currently anticipates a maskless Commencement ceremony for both undergraduate and graduate students, but it is too early to tell how COVID-19 will impact New York State and Oneida County policies.

“If Commencement was held this week, it would most definitely be maskless,” Pulliam said.

“Unfortunately, COVID can change weekby-week and monthby-month. Our hope is that come May, that the infection rate will continue to be low and we won’t have to require masks.”

Shuttle bus transportation will be available to-andfrom the Adirondack Bank Center from the Utica University main campus.

The shuttle bus service will begin approximately 90 minutes prior to each Commencement ceremony from Strebel Circle and there is no charge for the shuttle bus.

Both guests and graduating students should plan to arrive at the Adirondack Bank Center at least 30-45 minutes prior to the

ceremony start time. This will give the guests and participants enough time to go through security.

Are tickets for guests required to attend?

The 2022 Commencement will mark the first time in recent memory where tickets will be required for guests to attend, according to Pulliam.

Each degree candidate will be receiving six tickets for guest seating, and the tickets are included in the student’s regalia package.

Since the Commencement tickets are general admission, there is no assigned seating and guests are encouraged to sit where they feel comfortable.

Students who are graduating and small children under the age of two do not require a ticket for admission. Students who have unused tickets are encouraged to share them with other graduating students, to make sure none go to waste.

For any questions r e g a r d i n g accommodations for those who require handicap accessible seating or individuals with special needs, guests can contact the Office of College Events and Conference Programs at either (315) 792-3344, or email Joni Pulliam at jpullia@utica.edu.

SEE COMMENCEMENT PG. 7

NEWS

PAGE 7 FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2022 COMMENCEMENT FROM PG. 6 When will degrees/ diplomas be awarded to graduates?

May graduates are expected to receive their degrees in midJuly, and the physical diplomas are expected to ship out by the end of July/early August.

August graduates are expected to receive their degrees and diplomas by mid-October to early November.

If a diploma arrives damaged, graduates

can email a photo of the damaged document to the Utica University Registrar’s office or mail the damaged document back to the university.

A new diploma will be issued to students if this does occur.

Is there anything else I should know?

For undergraduate students, the Undergraduate Commencement Rehearsal will be held on Wednesday, May 11 at Strebel Student Center.

Undergraduate

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students are allowed to decorate their caps, as long as the decorations are appropriate and will not be offensive to others, according to Pulliam. However, graduate students are not permitted to decorate their caps.

Personal items should be limited at the ceremonies as there is no storage area or check-in for personal belongings. Backpacks and large purses are also not allowed inside the Adirondack Bank Center during the ceremony.

Two sign language interpreters will be at both the undergraduate and graduate Commencement ceremonies and these interpreters will be located near the stage, as well as projected on the jumbotron screens.

What if my question wasn’t answered?

If you have any remaining questions, visit https://www.utica. edu/commencement, as the information on the website is updated regularly.

PAGE 8

NEWS

FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2022

UTICATANGERINE.COM

RA application deadline extended ◊ LOGAN TAYLOR CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Utica University is looking for next year’s group of resident assistants to apply now. Applications opened on Feb. 4 with a priority deadline of March 1.

However, applications are still being accepted on a rolling basis.

Flyers cover the walls of Bell, Tower and Alumni halls on campus, encouraging people to apply to become a resident assistant next year. The online application form is available at utica.edu/ raapplication.

Sophomore physical therapy major Michael McNeil is currently in his first year of being a resident assistant on campus on the fourth floor of Bell Hall. McNeil said he recommends the job to those who are

organized and enjoy working with people.

“You are going to want to make an impact on campus while having good leadership skills,” McNeil said. “I really enjoy it. It gave me a new group of friends I never would’ve sought out and allowed me to grow my leadership and interpersonal skills. I love it.”

Candidates must possess leadership traits and communication skills. They must also maintain at least a 2.5 GPA and must have been a Utica University student one semester prior to employment, except those who have received a bachelor’s degree prior to employment, ,according to the job description featured in the Morning Mention.

Sophomore

physical

therapy major Erica Sanford has considered applying for the job.

“I think I have a perfect personality for it because I am super friendly and love talking to new people,” Sanford said. “I think those things are really important in a resident assistant because you want someone that you can go to if you have a problem, and you count on them to listen to you and help you.”

Sanford has a busy schedule due to the rigor of her classwork and her sports schedule, so free time for her is scarce.

“The only reason I have decided against applying to become a resident assistant is because of how busy I am,” Sanford said. “If it wasn’t for my softball and class schedule, I would totally apply today.”

The RA job is not something sophomore health sciences student and men’s golfer Adam Woodmansee has considered. The Bell Hall resident is not sure he would be the right fit for the position.

“I definitely think it would be beneficial to a certain type of person, but I don’t believe I have the best qualities to be successful at it (due to some required qualifications),” Woodmansee said.

While personal opinions differ, McNeil said someone who isn’t sure about the resident assistant job should still consider the position and learn more about it.

“When in doubt, just apply,” McNeil said. “For me, it was one of the best decisions I have ever made, and it could become one of yours too.”

Utica’s online Data Science program ranked among the best nationally ◊ MICKALE THOMPSON SPECIAL ASSIGNMENTS REPORTER

Utica University was recently featured as a part of the Data Science Degree Programs Guide annual top 30 rankings.

Utica was ranked 12th in the country and second in New York State for best schools to earn an online master’s degree in data science.

According to Senior Associate Provost Dean of Graduate Studies Robert Halliday, the

ranking came out recently and it has not had time to have a major effect yet. However, being ranked in this way is an important selling point for the marketing and recruitment teams, and is a highly deserved recognition for this relatively young program.

Being recognized nationally for any university is important because of the highly competitive market of online graduate

programs. Recognition by an independent authority is valuable.

With that in mind, some wondered if there are plans to improve the other Utica University graduate programs.

“The program directors, school deans, and the Senior VP for Market Innovation and New Ventures are all working together constantly to improve the quality of our online programs,” Halliday said.

“They use student feedback,

market research, advisory boards and groups, alumni feedback, and employer comments to tweak the curriculum, revise the programs, and make them as strong, relevant and powerful as possible.”

Having a short-term and long-term plan is important for any institution in an everchanging world, and improvements in online programs and higher graduate programs are SEE DATA PG. 9

NEWS

PAGE 9 FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2022 DATA FROM PG. 8

on the rise and staying aware is important.

“The world of online graduate programs is changing so fast that it is extremely hard to predict, but it is probably safe to say that programs that meet the needs of employers and students in specific fields will always be important,” Halliday said.

The fields of healthcare and cybersecurity, both traditionally strong parts of Utica’s portfolio, will continue to grow and specialize.

The relevance of big data, personnel management and policy creation, will also play a role in refining the focus of programs, and perhaps creating

additional opportunities, according to Halliday.

Just like the recent university recognition, the impact of this ranking is important for Utica and its students in many ways.

“We are very proud of Utica College, but now that we are a University, the name itself showcases our graduate offerings,” Assistant Professor of Data Science Michael McCarthy said. “As with the ranking, I expect the name change to have a positive effect on the data science program. We expect the ranking to elevate the program. However, a lag is also expected with any ranking like this.

UTICATANGERINE.COM

We anticipate this great news to enable greater enrollments in the Data Science program in the coming semesters.”

The Utica community and its members will benefit from this as it is a step in the right direction for the university, according to McCarthy.

“The campus community knows we have a great school, but these external recognitions help us tell the story we already know,” McCarthy said.

“Utica University’s Data Science program is well integrated into the community with the several projects we have done with local companies. We hope this engagement will

expand and hope to enable the Mohawk Valley to become a data-driven region.”

When Halliday arrived at Utica more than 30 years ago, it was a small, undergraduate institution with a few teams and no online learning options. He has watched the school expand on every level.

“Becoming a university is just the latest step on this journey and it puts us on a bigger playing field,” Halliday said.

“To play here we will need to continue to grow and adapt while remembering our roots and staying committed to the high-quality education we are known for.”

The Tangerine is looking to fill key positions for the fall semester.

If you enjoy writing, layout design, photography and social media promotion, then we may have the job for you!

Anyone interested in applying for the Editor-in-Chief and Layout Editor positions should contact Tangerine Adviser Mary Christopher (mcchrist@utica.edu) or Editor-in-Chief Matthew Breault (mmbreaul@utica.edu).

Editor-in-Chief candidates must submit a resume to Mary Christopher by March 22.

FEATURES

PAGE 10 FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2022

UTICATANGERINE.COM

Profile: WPNR, ‘The Voice of the Pioneers’

The newly updated logo for WPNR 90.7 FM, Utica University Radio. /Photo: WPNR ◊ HOLLIE DAVID FEATURES EDITOR

WPNR, also known as Pioneer Radio, is Utica University’s student-run radio station. Listeners can tune in to 90.7 FM for a variety of music, live sports broadcasting and public service announcements.

The origins of WPNR date back to 1946, when a club called The Voice of Campus was formed. The club would get together and create shows to perform on the local radio station WIBX. It was in 1973 when the station, then known as WEDJ, would submit a formal proposal to become their own station. In 1977, the name WPNR would officially be adopted, according to the Pioneer Radio website.

One highlight of the station is the 24/7 music that they offer. They have a variety of student DJs who play different genres and promote upand-coming music.

Besides music, sports broadcasting is a big part of the radio station’s responsibilities.

WPNR broadcasts games and posts a highlight reel on their website, along with various player and

coach interviews.

Any student, regardless of major, can get involved with the radio station. They are currently looking for students who want to become involved with the station to fill open positions, including DJs, sports broadcasters and production staff.

Senior communications and media major and station General Manager Gabriella Hudziak said there are a variety of ways students can join the station.

Students can act as sports broadcasters and learn to call games, play a variety of music and DJ, work on production pieces that play throughout the day like PSAs, use audio editing software or work promotions which deal with website maintenance and public service, according to Hudziak.

Mark Mason is a sophomore at Utica University and the current programming director at WPNR. “WPNR is an incredibly fun place to work and if any readers are looking for a sense of the radio industry, or just a nice

creative outlet, then I’d highly encourage you to stop by and say hello,” Mason said.

There are several levels of the positions available throughout the station.

The first tier is volunteers, which is welcome to anyone interested in helping out at the station, according to the Chief Operator and WPNR Advisor Doug Croft. These students do not have set hours and can simply enjoy shadowing broadcasters and use WPNR as an extracurricular activity.

The second tier at the station is practicum students. Every semester, participation at the radio station is available as a one-credit course that students can take where they will learn about different aspects of running the station.

The last tier consists of campus employment positions where students can apply for a work study and dedicate paid hours to the station.

According to the staff, the station has a friendly atmosphere where anyone who wants to participate is welcome to come in and learn about what they do.

“I think my favorite part about working at the radio station is the sense of expression,” Mason said. “When people take air-time and have a fun live show, I get a lot of feedback about them getting to express some creativity and feeling like they’re ‘getting out there.’ I think WPNR is, for many people, a fun outlet to express themselves.”

For more information about WPNR you can visit their website or tune in to the station at 90.7 FM. “In a world where everyone can make their only Spotify playlist or podcasts, and do the things a radio station does on their own, people don’t realize what they are missing,” Croft said.

“People don’t understand that they gain a lot of soft skills for careers like management and running tasks when involved in a college radio station. It’s a great opportunity to be creative and harness skill sets, and you aren’t just sitting behind a phone, you are talking and sharing with real people.”

FEATURES

PAGE 11 FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2022

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Professor Profile: Dr. Clemmie Harris thinking skills, as well as critical training in reading, writing and speaking, should consider a minor in Africana Studies or History.

Those disciplines are universally marketable when pursuing professional careers, and help develop an understanding of the complex challenges Americans face in today’s global society.

◊ CHARLES BUCKLEY TANGERINE CLERK

History is a discipline that looks at the past.

However, one Utica University professor strives to connect history to the present day and uses it as an example for a lot of his lectures and research. That professor is Dr. Clemmie Harris.

“History is more than just the study of the past in many ways,” Harris said.

“History is also the study of the present and how it’s still affected by the past.”

Harris is an associate professor of history and also the director of Africana Studies at Utica University. He earned his Ph.D in American History, Africana Studies, Metropolitan Studies and Public Affairs from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and his M.A. in American History from University of Pennsylvania and SUNY Albany, as well as a B.A. from SUNY Albany.

Before arriving at Utica University in 2017, Harris taught as a visiting assistant professor in African American Studies and Public Affairs at Syracuse University and Wesleyan University.

Harris’s area of expertise focuses on Africana studies. He teaches classes such as the African American Experience and North Africa, Islam and the Middle East in Historical

Dr. Clemmie Harris from his website. /Photo: Dr. Clemmie Harris

Perspective. During this academic year, he even began a new class on the topic of Black Women, Gender and Transnationalism.

“When it comes to history, many subjects are difficult to talk about,” Harris said. “I feel it is my job to not only educate, but to expand the minds of my students on these subjects to the best of my ability.”

During his time at Utica, Harris has held several lectures or keynote presentations, including PioTalks. These lectures have covered topics like the history of race and racism in the public health system and most recently the Kyle Rittenhouse case.

A recent lecture, which took place on Feb. 23, explained how the Rittenhouse case had little to do with “self defense” and more to do with an unresolved history of racial violence, whiteness and American

retrenchment rights.

to

civil

“By training, I am an urban historian of African American social and political history during the 20th century, as well as a scholar of the long Black freedom struggle in the urban North,” Harris said. “This facilitates development of critical analysis through which we can see strong connections between the past, key elements of the Kyle Rittenhouse case.”

For students studying history, the best advice Harris said he could give was to make sure to understand that some topics may get uncomfortable, but at the same time, an uncomfortable experience will help you grow as a person.

The major can also help expand a number of marketable skills.

According to Harris, anyone looking to sharpen their critical

Harris said before giving the Kyle Rittenhouse lecture to Utica, he presented it the previous night online for Yale University.

“I was asked after by a friend if I ever saw the faces of the people who tuned in online to listen and I said no,” said Harris.

“He told me after just how mesmerized they were by the lecture and it was a good feeling.”

Many students at Utica University have expressed much pleasure after attending Harris’s lectures, finding them educational and eye-opening.

“One thing that I like about Dr. Harris’s lectures is he shows lots of detail in each slide,” student Crystal Santiago said. “It seems like that he is always putting history in his own words and experiences and it has been a pleasure learning more about his perspective of Black history.”

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PAGE 12 FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2022

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The Zonta international presents Golden Z at Utica and seeks (S)hero nominations ◊ LEE BINGAY STAFF WRITER

Zonta is an international organization that is meant to empower young women around the globe through advocacy and help serving the people around them. Utica has a miniature club of its own called Golden Z, to help out the university’s community and the general public.

Throughout the month of March, Golden Z is accepting nominations for (s)heroes for Women’s History Month.

Nominations can be submitted through the Google Form attached to the Morning Mentions from March 3, 4 and 9. Submissions will be featured on their instagram @ uticagoldenz.

atmosphere that I felt accepted and at home on campus,” Bush said. “I hope to leave the same lasting impression that those before me left to the next generation of students interested in Golden Z.”

Corrine Bush, president of Utica’s Golden Z, first became involved with the organization as a first-year student and felt welcomed from day one.

The club provides service and assistance to other organizations on campus. Golden Z has also worked closely with Jen Jones, director of Utica’s Safetrax program. As one of their rescue mission projects during the holiday season, they purchased

“The ladies that were in it before me created such a welcoming

products and made hygienic packages for the women in the local community.

In honor of International Women’s Day on March 8, the club hosted a trivia night to help further educate those about influential women in history.

The organization isn’t just about empowering women in the community, they are open to anyone interested in attending and planning events for the organization.

EIC Eats No.4: Wendy’s ‘Feed The Fam Deal’ ◊ MATTHEW BREAULT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

adding pickles to a sandwich, especially a Wendy’s sandwich. Bite after bite was enjoyable and I would admit that this was the easiest part of the entire challenge.

For the fourth edition of EIC Eats, I decided to go to a fast food establishment that I have yet to visit during my biweekly food adventures. This time, I found myself at Wendy’s, ready to consume a ton of food and enjoy doing it.

Wendy’s offers “Feed The Fam Deals” on its app and there is a $15 combo that consists of two Spicy Chicken Sandwiches, two Jr. Bacon Cheeseburgers and four small french fries. As I was quite indecisive on what I wanted to consume, I ultimately decided to take on the “Feed The Fam” challenge all by myself. Here is my review:

Jr. Bacon Cheeseburgers

Two Spicy Chicken Sandwiches, two Jr. Bacon Cheeseburgers and four small fries. /Photo: Matthew Breault

Spicy Chicken Sandwiches The best part of this challenge was getting to consume the two of Wendy’s Spicy Chicken Sandwiches. I personally believe a Wendy’s Chicken Sandwich is one of the more underrated sandwiches in the fast

food world. The crispy chicken on the toasted buns, combined with lettuce and mayo (no tomato for me) is something I could enjoy eating everyday.

Part of me regrets not adding pickles to my sandwiches because nothing is better than

In addition to the Spicy Chicken Sandwiches, Wendy’s also includes two Jr. Bacon Cheeseburgers to the family deal. The square hamburger patty, topped with American cheese, bacon, lettuce and mayo (no tomato once again) was both very enjoyable, and actually quite difficult to finish.

When you eat a lot of fast food like me, you begin to notice things that upset your stomach. For me, sweets and sugary products

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PAGE 13 FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2022 throw my stomach off completely and make me feel full. Another thing that has always thrown my stomach for a loop is Wendy’s bacon.

No matter how many times I eat Wendy’s bacon, it never settles well. Although I enjoyed the two sandwiches, the tiny pieces of bacon made this more difficult to complete.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t the most difficult part.

Small Natural-Cut Fries The most difficult part of the entire food challenge was consuming four small fries. Anytime you add a significant amount of carbs to a food challenge, the difficulty

increases dramatically.

As much as I love french fries of any kind, they’re always a pain in the butt.

I got to the point where I started either shoveling them into my mouth, or breaking them up and putting them on the sandwiches. Although it is the same amount of food, putting the fries on the sandwich actually tricks my brain into thinking there is less food I have to consume.

Wendy’s fries are some of the best fast food fries out there, but eating a lot of them while also eating multiple sandwiches makes them less enjoyable.

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Overall Nutrition Intake Just like the previous four challenges, this one was unhealthy. Here are the statistics from EIC Eats No. 4: Calories: 2,780 Total Fat (g): 132 Saturated Fat (g): 31 Trans Fat (g): 2 Cholesterol (mg): 220

EIC Eats will be a biweekly part of The Tangerine, where Editorin-Chief Matthew Breault will do some sort of food challenge either alone or with fellow staff members.

Thank you all for allowing me to share my food habits with you and you will hear/read from me soon. If you have any recommendations, please feel free to let me know.

Sodium (mg): 5,160 Total Carbohydrate (g): 292 Dietary Fiber (g): 20 Total Sugars (g): 20 Protein (g): 108 Calcium (%DV): 32 Iron (%DV): 84 Potassium (mg): 3,940

The 25-2-1 Utica Pioneers have won the UCHC Tournament and have advanced to NCAA tournament play for the third time in their 21-year history. The No. 2 seeded Utica Pioneers earned a first round bye and will host a quarterfinal game on Saturday, March 19, as they await the winner of the University of New England and Plymouth State game on March 12. /Graphic: Matthew Breault

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Photo Gallery: UCHC Men’s Ice Hockey Championship

Utica hockey captains with Utica AD and UCHC Assistant Commissioner. /Photo: Kayleigh Sturtevant

UCHC POTY Dante Zapata with Utica AD and UCHC Assistant Commissioner. /Photo: Kayleigh Sturtevant

HC Gary Heenan with senior goalie Sean Dickson after Utica’s UCHC Championship win. /Photo: Kayleigh Sturtevant

Members of the Utica men’s ice hockey team with the UCHC 2022 Championship banner. /Photo: Kayleigh Sturtevant

UCHC Championship hats that were given to the Utica Pioneers men’s ice hockey team. /Photo: Kayleigh Sturtevant

Utica captains Brett Everson, Dante Zapata and Jamie Bucell with the UCHC Championship trophy. /Photo: Kayleigh Sturtevant

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PAGE 15 FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2022

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Photo Gallery: Mike Parnell Candlelight Vigil

Men’s lacrosse captain Jack O’Shaughnessy spoke during coach Mike Parnell’s vigil. /Photo: Alexandria Leland

Members of the Utica University community stand alongside coach Mike Parnell’s wife. /Photo: Alexandria Leland

Utica University athletes take a knee during the candlelight vigil for coach Mike Parnell. /Photo: Alexandria Leland

The Utica University community listens to a speaker during the candlelight vigil. /Photo: Alexandria Leland

People who attended the vigil on March 1 were given a candle to hold. /Photo: Alexandria Leland

Students take a moment of silence to remember coach Mike Parnell. /Photo: Alexandria Leland

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Men’s lacrosse plays first game without Parnell as HC ◊ EMILY JOSS SPORTS EDITOR

Late into the evening of Tuesday, March 1, multiple Utica University sports teams piled into the dome to celebrate the life of former Utica men’s head lacrosse coach Mike Parnell.

The SAAC representatives gathered in the lobby, handing out candles to the groups that came in one after the other. On the turf, the teams gathered alongside Parnell’s fellow coaches, friends and wife, Catherine.

In Parnell’s place this season is interim head coach Justin Patterson, who was touched by the crowd of people in the dome that night.

“It was great to see the support from all the other coaches and athletes,” Patterson said. “It really shows the impact that coach Parnell had on Utica athletics.”

Graduate student captain Jack O’Shaughnessy knows this impact all too well and spoke fondly of his former coach and mentor at the vigil.

O’Shaughnessy recalled all the times he stepped into Parnell’s office looking for advice on his game, but leaving with fulfilling conversations about life itself.

“That was what defined coach Parnell, he cared,” O’Shaughnessy said. “His legacy is his love for the game of lacrosse that was only eclipsed by his love for the people that

played it for him.”

O’Shaughnessy also remembered that sometimes, Parnell wouldn’t make their conversations about lacrosse at all, but rather, what was going on in his players’ lives and how they were doing.

“He knew the lessons about life that the young men learned in his program would be more important than the amount of goals they scored,” O’Shaughnessy said. “He recognized that we would only be lacrosse players until we graduated, but he wanted to make us, in his own words, ‘better sons, better husbands, better fathers and better men.’”

On the day preceding the vigil, the Pioneers opened their 2022 season with a home game against cross-town rival SUNY Poly. This marked the first game in sixteen years that Parnell hadn’t been on the field or the sidelines representing Utica.

O’Shaughnessy recalled what it was like in those moments leading up to the start of the game.

“At a campus he loved, I stepped onto a field that he cherished to play a sport that was his passion with the young men that he loved even more than the game,” he said.

Parnell passed away on Dec. 2, 2021 at the age of 45, and Patterson quickly stepped in as the head coach for the men’s lacrosse team. The season opener against

SUNY Poly was Patterson’s head coaching debut.

“It was definitely a sad feeling not having him there on the sidelines with me. Not being able to talk to him before and during the game on what we need to do,” Patterson said. “I told the guys before we went out that we got a great person watching over us and he wants nothing more than to see us go out and win so let’s make him proud, and they responded with a big win.”

in reference to our practices- in the face of whatever adversity lies ahead, lacrosse was his and is our sanctuary to escape to. Outside stress falls away when the only thing you have to think about is making the next play.”

Senior Josh Bennett fondly remembers his coach in the same light.

Still feeling his presence as Patterson said, the men came out with a dominating 8-4 win over SUNY Poly, marking the 13th win against SUNY Poly in 14 all-time matchups.

“It’s how upbeat he was, all the time,” Bennett said. “He always had a smile on his face saying that the best two hours of his day was him hanging out with us and it didn’t matter if it was raining, snowing, or the sun was shining down- it was the best two hours of all of our days.”

With many games coming over the spring break to prepare the team for Empire 8 Conference games, Patterson knows that there’s much to do, but has confidence in the strength of the men by his side.

On game days, Parnell was always heard shouting “It’s a great day to be a Pioneer,” and with his legacy standing strong, young Pioneers to come will continue to hear those words and feel his presence forever.

“I hope our guys continue to improve each and every day,” Patterson said. “We have some stuff to work on, myself included, and we’re going to go out every game and give it our all.”

“His influence transcended that of a coach because of his care for those he coached,” O’Shaughnessy said. May we all carry the same passion, vigor for life, and kindness that he did as we embark from here.”

Fighting adversity like this was one of Parnell’s most frequent topics of conversation. His players are well-versed in how to continue to compete when life gets tough.

Utica athletics plan to host a coach Mike Parnell day, where his #6 jersey will be retired. No date has been confirmed as of yet, but the team would like to see the support from the entire Utica community during that game, for the man that simply was, Utica lacrosse.

“Coach had a saying,” O’Shaughnessy recalled. “‘Make this the best two hours of your day’-