The Hofstra Chronicle November 4, 2025

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THE HOFSTRA CHRONICLE

KEEPING THE HOFSTRA COMMUNITY INFORMED SINCE 1935

NEWS

Red Cross drive combats blood shortages

By Katelyn Buchalter STAFF WRITER

In partnership with the Office of Human Resources, the American Red Cross hosted a Blood Drive on Tuesday, Oct. 28, in the plaza rooms of the Sondra and David S. Mack Student Center. The event ran from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and offered snacks and beverages for any students who took the time to donate. Volunteers from Hofstra University’s Student Nurses Association also assisted in keeping the donation room organized.

Volunteers and staff stayed stationed around the room to ensure a smooth process and safe environment for blood donors.

“At the beginning of the setup, they check in with us,” said Edward Johnson, Red Cross donor relations associate.

“We give them a donor ID, we then direct them to the computer where they do a self-health assessment. Then they see a donor

specialist where they get a quick medical screening to make sure that they are healthy enough to donate.”

Stations were split across the room and included a spot for check-in, health screening, donation and post-donation monitoring.

“It was a very straightforward process,” said Evan Wu, junior biology major.

For the importance of donor and patient health, donors must fit a strict set of criteria. Some of these restrictions include being in consistent good health, not having donated blood in the past 56 days and weighing above 110 pounds. If interested participants fit all the stated requirements, they move on to the donation process.

The pre-screening involves filling out a quick questionnaire on a touch screen to properly register.

“It went pretty fast. Answering the questions was extremely efficient especially since [there is] a lot of stuff they have to

FEATURES

verify,” said Annabelle Brackett, sophomore filmmaking major .

Posters and emails went out a few days before the event to advertise and raise participation levels.

“I got an email about the blood drive, and I had never really done it before, so I figured, why not,” Brackett said.

Blood only lasts for 42 days so [it is] important for hospitals everywhere to get a regular supply of fresh blood.

“Every day people need blood at hospitals for surgeries, accidents, cancer treatments and all kinds of other illnesses that people have,” Johnson said. “Newborns need blood and new mothers very often need blood.”

People who successfully donated receive a donor card in the mail. The card states their name, blood type and allows them to use it for a quicker process next time they donate.

Club Feature: Leading Ladies

By Emily Morrisette STAFF WRITER

The Leading Ladies is more than just a club at Hofstra University; they are a safe haven that offers support to anyone having problems within any creative or performance-based industry. Meeting biweekly on Fridays from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., the club promotes freedom of expression through creativity, discussion and exploration.

Co-President Adriana Toruno,

a senior theatre performance major, noted that this club is simply a creative space where people can share what they wish and feel empowered about it. Although the club consists of mainly female drama majors, the public relations chair, Haley Thompson, junior theater performance major, emphasizes that this club is open to all genders and majors despite the name of the club.

‘Into Sunlight’ returning to Hofstra

By Denivia Rivera FEATURES EDITOR

Robin Becker’s eveninglength piece, ‘Into Sunlight,’ will return to Hofstra University at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 13, in the John Cranford Adams Playhouse.

Becker has been a dance professor at Hofstra for 35 years. Her piece, “Into Sunlight,” premiered here at Hofstra and at the University of Wisconsin in 2011. The performance of the piece, inspired by the Vietnam War, has been recreated with a new set of dancers, featuring eight Hofstra alumni and one current Hofstra student. The piece pulls inspiration

from journalist David Maraniss’ book, “They Marched into Sunlight.” Becker said she studied student protests that took place at the University of Wisconsin, speaking out against Dow Chemical.

“Dow Chemical was this chemical company that made all these chemical weapons of war –like Agent Orange and Napalm,” Becker said. “Agent Orange was sprayed over lots of landscape and would ignite whole acres of land.”

Becker said she felt the need to act as an artist after studying the violence and deaths that came with the Vietnam War.

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Julia Capitelli

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Prevots

Sahana Shastry

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A&E

Abby Gibson

Craig Mannino

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Social

How Halloween at Hofstra made an impact all around the world

By Sahana Shastry ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) at Hofstra University hosted a Halloween Bash on Oct. 27, featuring live band performances, raffles and fun activities while raising money to make an impact around the world.

UNICEF at Hofstra is a nationally recognized UNICEF Campus Initiative Club that advocates for and supports child survival initiatives globally. Some of its popular campaigns on campus include Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF and the UNICEF Tap project.

According to club President Jill Mitrevski, the Halloween Bash is the organization’s biggest event of the year. This annual event included food, fun activities like coloring, Halloween-themed temporary tattoos and performances from two student musical groups: The Performative Males and The Hofbeats.

To raise money, the club set up a raffle table and a henna booth.

“All of our proceeds from the Halloween Bash are going to support UNICEF as a national organization,” said Alanalee Hughes, a senior neuroscience major and the club’s events coordinator. “On their websites, they have specific initiatives that you can fund to know exactly where your money is going.”

The raffle baskets were comprised of items donated by 10 to 12 local businesses, including gift cards from diners, restaurants, AMC Theatres and the Hofstra University Bookstore. Attendees could also take part in a costume contest, with a $50 gift certificate

time attendee, discussed the community it builds.

“I wanted to come support, and it is a really great event that brings the community together for a good cause,” Fielding said. “I really like the fact that they bring together a bunch of different clubs

from the Colony Diner awarded to the winner.

“[It took us] two months to plan,” Hughes said. “We started going out to talk to people in September, and we had to go back multiple times just to organize whether they could donate.”

Many attendees came to support both the cause and their friends in the club. Julia Fielding, a junior public relations major and second-

to perform. It’s nice to see a lot of different faces that aren’t… involved in UNICEF but come out to support UNICEF’s mission.”

Along with uniting the community through fun activities, UNICEF at Hofstra aims to create a lasting impact through participation.

“I want to show people that… when you give, it’s going to be multiplied and given back to you,”

said Giovanna Georgy, a junior neuroscience major and the club’s vice president. “When you give something so small, like a $5 entry fee, we want to give you that back tenfold. We want to give you a performance and food and the ability to enter a raffle, the ability to get henna and all of that.”

With close to 75 attendees, the event brightened up students’ Monday night as well as the people around the world who benefit from UNICEF at Hofstra’s contribution.

“On Hofstra’s campus it is important to show the importance of volunteering in community, but also, giving back … five dollars, that’s 500 pencils [donated] for a school,” Mitrevski said. “For the greater community, it’s nice to know we’re making such a nice impact.”

Anita Ellis, the faculty advisor for UNICEF at Hofstra, praised the leadership of the students who organized the Halloween Bash, now in its fourth year.

“The students are just dedicated – from day one when I met them at the activities fair,” Ellis said. “When students learn how to give, or take time to actually do community service or raise money for a cause, these experiences will last them a lifetime. What they do now will last them far beyond graduation.”

Red Cross drive combats blood shortages cont.

By Katelyn Buchalter STAFF WRITER

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“This is my third or fourth time donating,” said Amarie Lafreniere, sophomore exercise physiology major. “I feel like I’m helping people when I donate, and I like that.”

Fall usually marks the busy season for hospitals and a significant drop in donors, so blood drives hosted at local locations and schools promote donations and help address rampant ongoing shortages.

Each donation of blood helps

several different people.

“It’s so important because at some point in everybody’s life, they’re gonna have to have blood, so it’s important to give back,” Brackett said.

After donating, volunteers monitored donors to ensure that they were healthy, replenishing cookies, juice and water.

“We don’t want to make donors unhealthy [from] donating,” Johnson said.

After the donation concluded, the Red Cross packaged the blood and sent it to labs for processing and testing. There, the blood was sorted and distributed

to hospitals.

“It’s important to donate because it saves lives and you never know when it’s going to be you,” Lafreniere said. “If you need blood, you’re going to want other people to be donating in case you need it in your own life.”

The Red Cross has facilitated blood drives for over three decades at Hofstra and continue to host one every semester. However, interested participants can still donate on their own through other donation sites around the state and country hosted by the Red Cross.

Día de Los Muertos highlights culture and celebration of life

By Katelyn Buchalter STAFF WRITER

Several student organizations at Hofstra University, including the Office of Intercultural Engagement and Inclusion, Hofstra’s organization of Latin Americans and the Commuter Student Association, hosted a celebration for Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) on Oct. 27. The event took place from 1 p.m. to 2:25 p.m. in the plaza rooms at the Sondra and David S. Mack Student Center and offered activities, snacks and an ofrenda, or offering table, for attendees.

The culture and traditions of the holiday were introduced in a presentation to kick off the event.

“This is a vibrant Mexican holiday that is celebrated over two days,” said Hugo Morales, associate director for Intercultural Engagement And Inclusion, in his presentation. “Día de Los Muertos is derived from an Aztec festival dedicated to the goddess of death and it celebrates both life and death.”

Part of the presentation highlighted the cultural differences between Halloween and Día de Los Muertos.

“The one thing I’d like to mention is, it is not Halloween,” Morales said.“Halloween is a one-day celebration. It’s an old, Irish, Gaelic celebration ... basically telling, ‘it’s time to store food to prepare for the colder months.’”

Skulls, sugar candies, banners and more covered the tables and walls to replicate traditional decorations for the holiday.

“We wanted to keep it traditional to what Día de Los Muertos stands for, so [by] keeping the sugar skulls [and] having the ofrenda tables instead of just having fun activities, there’s a real connection to the event,” said Sterling Young Wells, who works for the Office of Intercultural Engagement and Inclusion.

An ofrenda, located at the front of the room, was available for students and all attendees to place mementos, pictures or memorabilia in honor of loved

ones who have passed.

“I think events like this educate the community, even if you’re not of the heritage that celebrates, it just makes people aware of other communities and their own community,” Wells said.

Traditionally, ofrendas contain foods, beverages and items that passed loved ones cherished. In planning, cookies shaped as skulls were set up both for the ofrenda and for students to enjoy and decorate.

“You’ll see a lot of skulls throughout this event,” Morales said. “And the skull represents the deceased souls in a celebratory way, symbolizing the sweetness of life and embracing death as a part of life’s [cycle.]”

The event brought in both attendees with knowledge of the culture behind Día de Los Muertos and those who were unfamiliar with the tradition, which empowered them to learn and understand the true significance of the holiday.

“I really love events like these,” said Claudia Heger, a freshman linguistics major. “I took Spanish all through school and I’ve always thought Día de Los Muertos is so cool. I also just love cultural events because I’m interested in language and culture.”

Other students attended the event because of their personal connections to Día de Los

Muertos.

“Events like these make me feel right back at home,” said Jaqueline Galdamez Lopez, a freshman health science major. “Even though certain countries do it, anyone can do it. It’s a nice way to remember those who have passed, and it brings everyone all together.”

Events like Día de Los Muertos fill First Year Experience (FYE) requirements for freshmen while allowing students to engage in different and familiar cultures and the activities that go along with them.

“Honestly, I came because I need the FYE requirement but also, it matches with my culture,” said Ian Beckwith, a freshman sports media major . “My mom is from Costa Rica. So, if I need to get the requirement, I might as well do it at something that kind of connects to me.”

The event focused on the importance of remembering loved ones who have passed away.

“I hope students see if they are a part of this culture that they are part of a background that celebrates and remembers their loved ones, because that is the whole point of today,” Wells said.

Hofstra’s American Cancer Society spreads awareness with pumpkin patch event

By Natalia Rivera STAFF WRITER

Hofstra University students gathered in the Sondra and David S. Mack Student Center on Wednesday, Oct. 29, for a heartfelt event hosted by the American Cancer Society (ACS) Club. “Pumpkin Patch with a Purpose” was a fall-themed event that brought together students and different organizations to support those affected by cancer.

The event hosted by the ACS Club aimed to raise awareness for cancer research, patients’ stories and promote the university’s Relay for Life, which is one of Hofstra’s largest annual charities. The impact resonated deeply among participants who came together to paint pumpkins, listen to stories about Relay for Life and show support for cancer patients and survivors.

“Today’s event is really about engagement and awareness,” said Sabely Chavez, vice president of the ACS Club and sophomore early childhood education major.

“It’s a Halloween-themed pumpkin painting activity where students can decorate their pumpkins for any type of cancer awareness or just for fun. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so it’s also about spreading awareness and creating a sense of community.”

Students arrived at tables decked with paint, brushes and pumpkins of all sizes, which they transformed into creative designs. Some students transformed theirs into pink pumpkins, designs like the breast cancer ribbon or even cartoon characters.

The club’s e-board greeted attendees and shared information about the club’s mission in providing support, fundraising for cancer patients and their upcoming events.

The ACS Club at Hofstra is dedicated to raising funds and

This year, the club aims to raise more than $24,000 for the cause.

“Relay for Life is a day to celebrate survivors and caregivers,” said Gabriella Deleon, ACS Club president and junior health science major. “It’s one of the biggest events on campus, all organizations come together, and it’s a time to remember, celebrate and give back. We want students to see that they can make a difference, even in small ways.”

Students from various organizations also attended to connect with the e-board and discuss

“Events like this remind us that awareness starts with showing up and that’s exactly what these students are doing.”

awareness for those battling cancer, supporting initiatives like patient transportation, treatment assistance and temporary housing for patients in recovery. Their biggest fundraising event each year, Relay for Life, will take place on April 25, 2026.

Students painted pumpkins with various designs including the symbol for breast cancer awareness.

upcoming collaboration for future fundraisers. The event used small activities as a reminder that raising awareness does not always have to be in the form of large crowds, but can be in meaningful participation and conversation.

“It’s really powerful to see students connect through something as simple as painting pumpkins,” Deleon said. “Events like this remind us that awareness starts with showing up and that’s exactly what these students are doing.”

Students were gathered around tables laughing and painting their pumpkins, while also talking about Relay for Life and how excited they are about having organizations for important causes on campus.

“I’ve been to a lot of [ACS] events, and I love doing service,” said Fatema Pricila, a senior criminology major. “It’s a great program where we can

give back and show support. Events like this remind us that awareness matters, it keeps the conversation about cancer going.”

Other students shared the same message, noting the importance of combining service with community engagement.

“The [ACS Club’s] events are not only fun to attend but also give students the opportunity to make a change,” said Zeeza Zhangallimbay, a sophomore nursing major. “It’s important for me to stay involved in activities like this. They remind me that empathy is at the heart of healthcare.”

The ACS Club’s pumpkin patch event offered a message of awareness, compassion and community. Each painted pumpkin, whether designed for breast cancer awareness or made for fun, represented Hofstra students’ dedication to supporting those impacted by cancer.

“Even if it’s a small group, the impact is meaningful,” Chavez said. “Every person who attends helps spread the message and keeps the spirit of Relay for Life alive.”

Music business program ranks high at Billboard

By Kumba Jagne & Sahana Shastry

MULTIMEDIA EDITOR & ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

Hofstra University’s music business program joined Billboard Magazine’s list of top music business schools for the seventh time since 2016. With masterclass workshops, a new recording studio, new faculty and almost 170 students, the program is on the rise and set to continue growing.

Chloe Nasson, sophomore music business major, said that Terrance Tompkins, associate professor of music and coordinator of the music business program, is the reason why Hofstra’s program is at the top.

“[It is] his dedication to the work, and his dedication to students and his teaching, his knowledge of the industry [and] his connections,” Nasson said. “I don’t even know where I would be or if I would know where I want to be in five years if he wasn’t the one doing the program.”

Nasson cited a moment in her music technology class, where Tompkins came in and listened

to students’ work.

“I have absolutely no experience in logic and mixing and producing, nothing, I have nothing,” Nasson said. “I made my first mix that [class] and [Tompkins] was like, ‘That’s really good, it could be in the background of a drama.’”

Hofstra Concerts and the Music and Entertainment Industry Student Association (MEISA) are both organizations that make up music business students’ extracurricular life. Tompkins makes it a point to support both, promoting MEISA in his classes and watching the performances at Hofstra Concerts’ Halloween event last year.

“There’s a lot of communication and a lot of interaction between the faculty and the students,” Tompkins said. “It’s not just showing up and going to class and completing the assignments. A lot of the work happens, and the relationship is developed outside of the classroom, so there is a deep connection.”

According to Nasson, Tompkins was “pretty confident” Billboard Magazine would put Hofstra on the list. Jake Genest,

senior music business major, discovered the news through the magazine’s Instagram post.

“I think it’s cool especially when you know the professors and the faculty that really put blood, sweat and tears into this. To see their efforts coming to fruition, that’s a special feeling,” Genest said. “You got to be happy for them and proud of them and I definitely am.”

Tompkins brought in multiple new professors, including Kenyatta Beasley, an assistant professor of music, who spearheaded the music technology offerings. Tompkins plans to add a music technology major, upgraded sound systems, post production studios and a black box theater. Master classes put students in front of industry professionals; students in a tour management master class followed a tour manager at the Brooklyn Bowl for a day.

“The music industry is a ‘connections game,’ you win by shaking the most hands,” Genest said. “And I think [Tompkins], who runs the program, is a great testament to that and that’s why he’s been able to bring in all these cool names for us.”

Genest said he loves the program but desires classes like entrepreneurship in the music industry, merchandising and more live music industry offerings. Tompkins said academia moves slowly, so the program offers classes with curriculums that change every year to compensate. He watches for changes in the industry due to artificial intelligence and other technologies.

Tompkins is creating a 4+1 program where students can get their music business degree in four years and masters of business in one. When he arrived at Hofstra, there were two courses offered in music business. He

Public Safety Briefs

that their scooters were taken without permission from in front of the Science and Innovation Center and Gittleson Hall. NCPD responded and made a report.

On Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, at 5:44 p.m., an HU student reported to PS that their electric scooter was stolen from in front of the James M. Shuart Stadium, and another scooter was left in the same spot. NCPD responded and made a report.

On Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, at 10:21 p.m., two HU students reported to PS

On Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, at 8:20 p.m., an RA in Alliance Hall asked PS to accompany them on a call for loud music. The HU resident of the room became verbally aggressive and uncooperative after they were asked to lower the music’s volume.

An investigation is being conducted into this matter.

On Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, at 9:30 p.m., an HU

by Sahana Shastry

student riding a bicycle was struck by a vehicle at the corner of Hempstead Turnpike and Uniondale Avenue. The HU student complained of an ankle injury. NCPD responded and transported the HU student to Nassau University Medical Center.

On Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at 5:55 p.m., while backing out of a parking spot in the Oak Street parking lot, a PS vehicle struck a parked vehicle, also owned by PS, causing minor damage to both vehicles. Police assistance was declined at the time.

On Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, at 10:35 a.m., an HU student contacted PS via email and reported that they witnessed vehicle one, driven by an HU student, scratch another HU student’s vehicle while attempting to park. Vehicle one left the scene. Police assistance was declined at the time.

On Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, at 9:20 p.m., an HU student reported to PS that they received strange calls on their cell phone coming from another HU phone number, and when they called back, they heard long pauses and laughter in the background.

has since added arts management, advanced seminar and a global music marketing class.

Although music business programs were not prevalent when Tompkins was in school, he knew what he wanted to do, so he worked at record labels and festivals before discovering John Legend at Columbia Records. Outside of teaching at Hofstra, Tompkins performs in a band called “Midlife Crisis.”

“If that is the thing that is driving you and you want to make the sacrifices that are necessary, it’s possible,” Tompkins said. “I want them to be informed by their passion.”

There were no threats made. An investigation is being conducted into this matter.

On Monday, Oct. 27, 2025, at 12:01 a.m., an HU student reported to PS that they ordered food from DoorDash, which was delivered in front of the Netherlands Core. When the student responded 26 minutes later, the food was gone. A search of the cameras revealed that another HU student took the bag to their room. An investigation is being conducted into this matter.

By Kendall Raymond SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

This November marks almost 10 years since Hofstra University’s record label, Unispan Records, released its first album to the world. Unispan Records plays a key role in Hofstra’s music business school.

Unispan Records was founded in March 2016 by Sharon Goldsmith, former director of Entrepreneurship and Business Development at Hofstra. It has since been through two name changes and has followed at least six different artists.

Goldsmith is currently the executive director of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Programs at Tulane University, but often reflects on her successes with Unispan Records. She spent 10 years in the professional music business industry before obtaining her position at Hofstra. She has since discovered her passion for helping students experience professionalism on their own.

Although the label has been able to produce more well-established artists now, it was not

FEATURES

Club Feature: Unispan Records

easy in the beginning, as it is a primarily student-run business that needs careful attention.

Originally, Unispan Records was named Mane Records, after Hofstra’s two lion mascots: Kate and Willie.

At the time, Hofstra’s law department took on the label as a client and decided to run a trademark check. They discovered that the name was trademarked, and that Hofstra could have been sued if they kept the name.

Goldsmith mentioned that the record label’s second group of students came up with the name “Unispan Records” because they wanted the name to be related to the university. The name signifies unity between artists and students, as they are all here to learn.

During the early years of the label, a student from a radio, television and film class created an “American Idol” type show and called it “Label’d,” where three prospective Unispan artists competed for a contract.

Goldsmith brought in industry professionals to judge the event and provided not only experience for the contestants, but also exciting experiences for the students.

Goldsmith mentioned that the now manager and advisor, Leota Blacknor, is a close friend, so Goldsmith knows that the label is in good hands.

Goldsmith never imagined how big Unispan Records would become, with over 156 students applying to be involved in the label just a year after the launch. Unispan Records looks for artists who are marketable to Hofstra students and who already have some traction.

“We were looking for [artists] who wanted to maintain their independence,” Goldsmith said.

Currently signed to Unispan Records, Lydia von Hof is an indie rock artist whose first extended play (EP), called “The Strange, The Unusual,” includes five songs, each with their own unique flare. Von Hof said she only started taking music seriously during the pandemic in the year 2020.

“There was nothing to do, so I started getting my hands dirty in production, starting learning guitar and taking my song writing more seriously,” von Hof said.

Before starting at Unispan Records, von Hof had 4,000

followers on Instagram and about 20,000 followers on TikTok. Now, von Hof has over 26,500 followers on Instagram and over 45,600 on TikTok.

However, she has seen the most significant growth on Spotify as her most streamed song, “On My Way There,” garnered around 700,000 streams and her music has over 45,000 monthly listeners.

She signed with Unispan Records in April 2024 and thought the label and what they were offering was too good to be true.

“Everyone wins with Unispan; how lucky am I!” von Hof said.

Von Hof said that being an artist can feel quite isolating, but

having a team in her corner and someone to believe in her really changed the way she views her creative process.

“I was so scared of being perceived any other way than positive,” von Hof said.

Von Hof describes one of her most memorable moments as being able to perform at the university’s Music Fest, when she opened for A Boogie Wit da Hoodie.

With almost 10 years under its belt, Unispan Records has proved that students can help rising artists of all genres make a name for themselves.

Personal Essay: When do we become college ghosts?

By Craig Mannino ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Last summer, Hofstra University renovated Hofstra USA (HofUSA). What had been a dingy dining space got upgraded with some new furniture, TouchTunes, kiosks and – most importantly to me – a mural spanning both dining rooms.

On its face, the mural isn’t anything too special. It’s a bunch of blue and yellow color-graded pictures of Hofstra students doing Hofstra student things. Frankly, the photos there aren’t too different from other pictures hung high up on the Netherlands Core’s walls, wrapped onto the hallways near the commuter lounge and plastered all over Breslin Hall. There is, however, a key difference: I know many of the folks plastered around HofUSA; I do not know most of the folks

pictured everywhere else.

Seeing the renovation for the first time awakened something existential in me. It showed me that one day, these people who were – and in some cases, still are – such important fixtures in my life would one day become just like every other student whose existence is simplified to a photo on a wall: ghosts.

Like the other ghosts, those on the HofUSA mural would become nameless and two-dimensional. How could anybody possibly understand the impact each of these students had with only a picture to go off? They can’t. For a long time, I found that scary. It was difficult to grapple with the fact that people I know could become mere images decorating a wall in the span of a few short years.

If you keep going down this rabbit hole, Hofstra becomes a Ship of Theseus – changing plank by plank, student by student, until

the final product becomes wholly unrecognizable from what it started as. Essentially, as students come and go, what Hofstra is changes. My trouble accepting us becoming ghosts stems from my trouble accepting that what this campus, this student body and this university means to me is disconnected from what Hofstra will become the second I graduate. It’s difficult to let go.

At its most basic level, this is an exercise in grappling with change. After four years, the student body at any university will have swapped out almost entirely, meaning the group that ushered you into the university will be fundamentally different than the one that celebrates when you cross the stage. You’re graduating from a university that has slowly replaced everybody that made it a home, and in a few years, you’ll get replaced too.

I didn’t realize it, but this crisis

began before I had even experienced it. At my internship, the summer they renovated HofUSA, I ran into a Hofstra alum whose face was uncannily familiar. It was only months afterward while eating in the Netherlands that I realized where I knew her from. Among the pictures framed along the Netherlands’ walls is a photo of two students at a Pride Expo wearing colored wigs. She was one of those students. She was a ghost.

I think this ghost represents life beyond the university. You could have graduated years ago – there could be nobody left who remembers your name or even your face – but you’ve likely left your mark on Hofstra or its people in some way. The fact that the university continues changing – continues letting more people impact their peers – is inherently beautiful.

For the HofUSA mural, it’s still difficult to know that the three-di-

mensional people I could name will one day become nothing more than pictures on a wall. Yet at the same time, the fact that they can literally fade into the background of the university, having their impact felt but their names unknown, is one of the best fates I think I could imagine for any of us.

As much as it breaks my heart that the incoming classes won’t see the student throwing the frisbee as Georgia Shehas, the student raising her arms – diploma in hand – as Natalie Correa or the student wearing scrubs as Celeste Orellana, it’s okay for my version of Hofstra to fade. It’s okay for us to become ghosts because by the end of our time here, we will have made an impact and a legacy that goes beyond a mural – a legacy that goes beyond Hofstra.

FEATURES

Personal Essay: How college changed my relationship with dance

By Denivia Rivera FEATURES EDITOR

When I was applying to colleges as a high school senior, I decided to list journalism as my major for every school I was interested in.

After excelling in dance for four years at Talent Unlimited High School in Manhattan, New York, I wanted to pursue a new passion of mine in college. While dance had always been an anchor in my life, I had lost the spark I once had for the art form.

I knew I didn’t want to cut dance out of my life completely, so I applied to schools that offered it as a minor or extracurricular option. In my mind, dance wasn’t something I wanted to pursue as a career for financial reasons, but it was still something I was interested in keeping in my life.

After touring the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication (LHSC) at Hofstra University, I knew I wanted to be a Hofstra student. During the tour, I visited the dance studio that

By Emilie Morrisette STAFF WRITER

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Both Toruno and Thompson agreed that this club can be looked at through a feminist lens, however they advocated that everyone can have a productive standing in these conversations, providing alternative viewpoints.

“We want as many people, and as many voices, and as many opinions to come together because that’s how real change gets made,” Thompson said. “It’s definitely not female exclusive, anyone is welcome to come.”

Being a female dominated field, there is a lot of discussion surrounding being a woman in theater and the shared experiences that come out of it. Most women have felt like they needed to tolerate discrepancies in the workplace. This club is meant to bring forth support for each other, creating a safe and inclusive

used to be on the second floor of LHSC, and I instantly fell in love. There, I was greeted by dance majors who convinced me that double-majoring would be a great option. While I was initially hesitant due to the course load that comes with two majors, I decided to add the dance major after hearing it wouldn’t change my graduation year.

As a freshman, I found the college transition slightly intimidating. While I was eager and ready to begin this new chapter of my life, being in a completely new environment was an adjustment. Among all the nerves of starting college, I quickly realized that dance was the one familiar thing I had in this transitional time. I found myself feeling grounded and safe in my dance classes. My sophomore year was highly transformative for me. In the fall, I performed in my first faculty show in a piece titled “Along the Riverbank” by Rachel List. Being a part of this piece taught me something crucial that was missing in my prior performance experienc-

es. Through this performance, I learned how to breathe and be present while moving. The rehearsal and performance process of this piece helped me in developing my artistry.

In addition to performance, I took a teaching methods class in the fall and a choreography class in the spring. Coming into college as a dance major, I never saw myself teaching or choreographing in the future. After taking these classes, I am now highly interested in teaching dance in some capacity post-graduation and I even choreographed a small group piece titled “The Thread that Sings.” The dance courses I’ve taken have taught me to push myself out of my comfort zone and try new aspects of dance. Throughout each semester, I found myself falling more in love with dance. The art form I had practiced my entire life now takes on new meanings and depths I didn’t know existed. From taking dance history and dance appreciation classes to choreography and teaching methods, I began to learn

about and appreciate dance on a deeper level.

Now in my third year at Hofstra, I am as confident as ever in my decision to add dance as a major. I am a completely changed dancer, artist and individual from the timid 17-year-old who was hesitant to dance in college. The students and faculty I’ve connected with, performances I’ve participated in and classes I’ve taken have completely altered my perspective on dance and my personal relationship with the art form.

I’m continuing to learn and grow as an artist every day and

Club Feature: Leading Ladies

environment for voices who often struggle to be heard. Thompson commented that advocating for one another and informing people on how to advocate for themselves is incredibly important.

“We want to be able to educate and brainstorm ideas about how to make reliable change,” Thompson said. “Because more often than not, we are having the same experiences and are able to turn those experiences into its own art.”

A few of the meetings this semester have been dedicated to something that they call “space to create.” This is a laidback environment where anyone is allowed to share projects that they’ve been working on, whether it be a poem they’ve written or a monologue they want to practice aloud. The idea is that they are able to share a form of art and feel confident about it, while also receiving helpful feedback from others in the group.

The club first applied for approval at the beginning of last

year, but unfortunately got denied the first time around. This proved to be discouraging, but they did not let this deter them from making the club a reality. They workshopped it and presented the new idea to the board later on, earning them an approval status.

Toruno and Thompson added that it was difficult convincing the board to understand the purpose of the club, even though there are so many other performance-based clubs on campus.

A defining factor that differentiates this club from others is that it operates at a lower level of commitment. While most other performance-oriented clubs are audition based, requiring extensive hours of dedication and commitment, this club serves as a space that is open to anyone at any time. It is not required that you show up to every meeting; the club is there for you when you need it. People are allowed to float in and out as they see fit. Toruno explained how creating

art for yourself, on your own time, can be a really healing experience.

“I think as performers, it’s rare to have time to slow down and really just be with each other, and create in a low pressure environment,” Toruno said.

When entering an industry that can seem very competitive and cutthroat, it’s crucial to learn how to advocate for yourself. Developing these skills can help you later in your own career. It’s also encouraging to be able to celebrate each other’s successes.

Thompson recalled an activity that they do called “roses and thorns” where they discuss the highs and lows of the industry with each other.

Toruno and Thompson plan on bringing in guest speakers who are able to educate students about specific parts of the industry so they can familiarize themselves with different areas of the field.

At one of their recent meetings, they hosted a female faculty

find new ways to push myself past my limits. With my newfound relationship with dance, I have learned new levels of perseverance, dedication and hard work, and have rediscovered my passion for movement. Dance continues to be an outlet for me to express myself and free my mind of day-to-day worries. Pursuing my career in dance and journalism simultaneously has taught me to always hold onto the things I’m passionate about and never to limit myself to one path. The opportunities are endless when you genuinely love what you do.

luncheon which proved to be extremely successful with those who attended. The professors acted as mentors to the students, providing intel on how they can better prepare themselves for their career and what they have to look forward to. This also gave freshmen the opportunity to get to know their professors on a more personal level.

Toruno and Thompson highlighted an event that they hosted last semester – a festival that showcased various forms of student work. It was broken down into different categories such as poetry, performances, photography, paintings and more. It was a casual event, people brought blankets and there was a booth set up for face painting. Some students felt that they didn’t get to perform enough in the department, so this gave them the opportunity to share any projects they were proud of. The club plans on hosting another festival this school year.

M AN ON THE U NISPAN

When do you start celebrating Christmas?

By Hannah Mudry FEATURES EDITOR

“Grey area – around Thanksgiving.”

- Molly Starczewski, senior

O verheard @ h O fstra

“What’s the most haunted sound? Moonbeam ice cream.”

“His name is, like, Grubhub, or something.”

“You have to sexually moan your parent’s name.”

“Probably like now.”

- Helena Hamilton, sophomore

“The weekend before Thanksgiving.”

- Isabella Perlmutter, senior

“I’ve got to start waking up earlier so I have more time to dilly dally.”

“This essay has more contractions than a woman in labor.”

“I don’t know how but I went from emo to British.”

“I’m a white man with a weapon. I should have power.”

“Me and my boyfriend are lesbians.”

“I sound like a discord kitten right there.”

If there’s something funny you overhear, you can now submit it here!

Club Feature: Association of Supply Chain Management

By Emilie Morrisette STAFF WRITER

With the holiday season right around the corner, Amazon oneday deliveries have been on the up and up. The service is cheap, efficient and most importantly, arrives within a day. But how does an Amazon order start with the click of a button and end up in your hands just 24 hours later? The inner workings responsible for this advanced system is “supply chain management.”

Syona Wadhwa, sophomore supply chain management major, has big plans for Hofstra University’s Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM). After being secretary of the club last year, she noticed that the club was not as active as she had hoped. This year, Wadhwa assumed the responsibility and honor of leading the club as President alongside Vice President Michael Pflanzer, a sophomore also majoring in supply chain management.

“I describe it as the flow or process of getting something from its raw materials all the way to someone’s front doorstep,” Wadhwa said.

As described by Wadhwa, the term “supply chain management” can be defined as the step-by-step flow of how a product comes to be. You need to find where to source the materials from and plan for how much of these materials will be needed. The product then gets manufactured and delivered to its destination, eventually ending up in the shopping cart of the customer.

Wadhwa expressed that her interest in the supply chain originated around the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, when toilet paper was incredibly difficult to find. She wondered why these products, that were essential to everyday life, were suddenly out of stock. She began researching and found that everything could be located back to the supply chain.

Wadhwa recalled a highly impactful experience that she had during the summer before her senior year of high school. She joined the Rutgers Supply Chain Education Partnership Program, where she met with guest speakers and had hands-on practice in the field. Participating in an activity where she learned about all the components that go into creating a Nike sneaker, she found alternatives to cheaper materials that could be used. This program was beneficial for Wadhwa to get a glimpse into the field, solidifying her decision to major in supply chain management.

major at Hofstra, it is becoming increasingly well known. ASCM tabled for an involvement fair earlier this semester called “Zarb On The Quad,” geared towards business majors. The fair was run by Hofstra’s Frank G. Zarb School of Business.

that it is open to all majors.

“Every industry needs some kind of inventory, or some kind of flow of how they get their goods or services to the customer,” Wadhwa said.

“Having a good professional network once you graduate, just having those connections that you can go to within the industry – that’s what I want my members to take out of my club.”

With experience running clubs in high school, Wadhwa was able to envision exactly what she wanted the club’s focus to be each semester. This semester, the club’s focus is on Generation Z and the supply chain, while the Spring 2026 semester will be focused on artificial intelligence. Although supply chain management is currently a niche

“A lot of people didn’t know what supply chain management was,” Wadhwa said. “I think the lack of interest in the club came from a lack of knowledge of what ‘supply chain’ is.”

The involvement fair was extremely important for ASCM to get their name out there, educating students on the relevancy of supply chain. Despite the club’s alignment with business-oriented interests, Wadhwa emphasizes

She noted that during the involvement fair, there was a student who came up to their table that was majoring in health science. She conversed with the student about how the pandemic greatly affected the pharmaceutical industry, and the supply chain’s role in helping that ordeal. Overall, Wadhwa wants her peers to understand that supply chain resides within every industry and has an impact on every field.

ASCM is in collaboration with the ASCM New York City/Long Island (NYC/LI) forum, where Wadhwa serves as a part of their social media marketing team. This connection is going to help foster many helpful networking opportunities for students that join the club at Hofstra. Mark Temkin, the president of the ASCM NYC/LI forum, has appeared as a guest speaker for

the club this semester. He spoke about the many mentorship programs and networking events that the ASCM NYC/LI forum has for students. Additionally, students recently toured the Radienz Living company to learn about how artificial intelligence impacts supply chains.

“Having a good professional network once you graduate, just having those connections that you can go to within the industry – that’s what I want my members to take out of my club,” Pflanzer said.

Wadhwa and Pflanzer plan on setting up networking events in the future with supply chain clubs at other nearby universities. This will allow students to meet other peers with similar career goals and can lead to future collaboration opportunities. ASCM also plans to host at least one more guest speaker before the semester ends. Wadhwa is excited to partner up with other Zarb clubs on campus as well. Wadhwa said the biggest challenge they have faced in trying to grow the club is getting their name out there. Many clubs have trouble building and sustaining member engagement. Pflanzer responds to this, ensuring that members will want to stay active in the club because there will consistently be new guest speaker events to attend. As the club grows, they will continue to develop a bigger network and overall have more diversity in what they can do.

Wadhwa hopes that through joining this club, students will feel accurately prepared for the field and will be able to identify disruptions within the supply chain. She aspires to be an approachable person and a resource for anyone who has questions about supply chain management. Wadhwa and Pflanzer highlight the value of the ASCM NYC/LI forum as a key tool for guiding anyone who wants to get more involved within the supply chain field.

The Rocky Horror Improv Show

Hofstra University’s Ambiguity and Masquerade performed a shadowcast – an improv performance set to the film playing in the background – of Rocky Horror Picture Show on Oct. 27 and Tuesday, Oct. 28. Before the show, the actors brought audience members who had never seen Rocky Horror to the stage, and wrote V (for virgin) on their faces. They competed in a parent’s names moaning competition; the winner got a tiara. Audience participation continued with the crowd following cues to say certain things during the show. The actors lip-synced and reflected the actors on screen in a show of music and merry.

Strut Your Stuff

The Office of Student Life and Engagement (OSLE) hosted a Hofstra University-wide Halloween costume contest at Hofstra USA on Thursday, Oct. 30. In this annual competition, students and OSLE staff vote on which student has the best costume. The students strutted along the runway and showed off all angles of their outfits in hopes of winning a cash prize. The announcement of the winners was followed by food, dancing and conga lines that lasted until the clock struck midnight.

Arts And EntErtAinmEnt

'Into Sunlight' returning to Hofstra cont.

By Denivia Rivera FEATURES EDITOR

CONTINUED FROM A1

“I needed to make a dance that I hope will contribute to understanding and ultimately peace in our world,” Becker said. “I don’t believe dance is something to watch. I believe it’s something to experience.”

Camille Gordon, senior dance major, is a dancer in ‘Into Sunlight’ and has fully immersed herself in the learning process.

“[Becker] talked a lot about Agent Orange and really pulling from the guttural feeling of having to kill somebody or be killed,” Gordon said. “I can’t conceptualize how that must have felt, but I feel like through her process we’re able to physically embody that.”

To tap into her emotions while dancing, Gordon said she pulled from protests she has attended.

“The piece has a lot of emotion backing it and it’s really one that you have to tap into,” Gordon said. “You have to create a storyline not only for the piece, but for

yourself to keep your mind in it.”

As a part of her process, Becker asks her dancers to dig deep to truly understand the significance of the piece and find a personal connection.

“I ask people not only to think about the steps, but really the

out the rehearsal process. She said her role has given her an outside perspective on the dancers and Becker’s process.

“When there’s people that know [Becker] and have worked with her, and they’re really in the choreography, you can see those

authentic expression,” Becker said. “To do the homework of trying to first understand what it's all about, and then to find its relevance to their own personal lives so that they can make it an authentic expression for themselves.”

Emily King, junior dance major, has been learning the sound and light cues for the show through-

corrections,” King said. “It’s really cool to watch, and you get sucked into the piece every time they do it.”

King said there are various sections within the piece portraying the story of the war.

“There’s a section of younger people becoming more aware of the state of the world,” King said. “Then there’s a different

section of soldiers being together. It’s really significant to a lot of people… just watching it and relating to it or understanding what it means to others.”

Gordon said she hopes people who watch the piece will understand the intention behind the dancers on stage and feel connected to the story.

“Dancing and watching it you feel the reasoning behind why the piece was made,” Gordon said. “You might not understand the full story behind every section in the piece, but you will understand that this piece has a greater meaning behind it.”

Becker said she feels gratitude for the opportunity to bring ‘Into Sunlight’ back to Hofstra in a full-circle moment.

“It's kind of like a homecoming in a way,” Becker said. “My hope is that people feel things and perhaps that would affect their choices [to] engage in the types of activism they may or may not take.”

If you are interested in attending the free show, you can RSVP on news.hofstra.edu.

An even sweeter return to MSG

By Abby Gibson ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Babydoll dresses, sparkles and loud cheers filled Madison Square Garden (MSG) as Sabrina Carpenter continued the final leg of her “Short n’ Sweet:” tour playing MSG five times from Oct. 26 to Saturday, Nov. 1. Starting back up in Pittsburgh on Oct. 23, the tour will officially end on Sunday, Nov. 23, in Los Angeles with stops in Nashville, Tennessee and Toronto, Canada, in between. I was fortunate enough to attend the second New York City date, and it was everything and more.

Taking over both the arena and the city, Carpenter now joins artists like Taylor Swift and Harry Styles who have headlined the arena for multiple sold-out nights. Fans were decked out in pastel colors, outfits from Carpenter’s career and music videos and other creative forms of celebrating a night they will never forget.

In between the two tour legs, Carpenter released "Man's Best Friend.” The new album gets some love with “Manchild,” “Tears” and “House Tour” being added onto the setlist for the last leg. She has also performed some of the other songs from the album like “Go Go Juice” and “Nobody’s Son” during her surprise song set where she plays spin the bottle to decide which song she’ll play.

The tour openers, Amber Mark and Olivia Dean, do a spectacular job of getting people out of their seats and dancing before Carpenter comes on.

During the second night, Carpenter stunned in her first outfit of three: a black bodysuit with shimmery white polka-dots and white lace. Her second outfit of the night was a lacy black cat suit with a golden bow. My personal favorite was her third outfit of the night, a glittery yellow top and skirt that was outlined at the hems with a checkered pattern,

resembling a taxicab.

One of the most memorable, impromptu moments of the second night happened when she was preparing to play spin the bottle. Carpenter asked the crowd what they should play and a fan yelled out “spin the bottle” to which Carpenter burst out in laughter and started having a conversation with the fan. The fan then asked Carpenter to perform her song “My Man on Willpower” to which she jokingly replied, “Well it’s not spin the bottle if you pick the song.”

The surprise song for the second night ended up being “Mamma Mia,” which Carpenter has performed multiple times. As a fan of “Mamma Mia,” I could not contain my excitement. Something that is fun and different during this part of the show is that the lyrics for the song appear on the screen – making it feel like a super-sized karaoke party.

For Halloween, Carpenter renamed the show “Short n’

Quick Hits

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Spooky.” She dressed up in three costumes and had the stage designed with webs, fake spiders and more. This year, she dressed up as Wonder Woman, Western Barbie from the 2024 movie and Fred Flintstone. Adding some giggles and cheers, her “Juno” position – a tradition that goes with the song's question of “Have you ever tried this one?” – was her holding a bone while dressed in her “Flintstones” costume. Her surprise song for the night complimented her Barbie costume as she performed “Barbie Girl” by Aqua.

These five sold-out nights at MSG, compared to the original leg where there was only one MSG show, highlight how her popularity isn’t going anywhere any time soon. Whether it is her joking around with fans, showing off a new position or turning a holiday like Halloween into a show-stopping night, Carpenter has proven that her stage performance is unmatched.

Jeremy Allen White is born to run in Bruce Springsteen biopic

By Kimberly Lopez STAFF WRITER

Despite having no musical experience before this film, Jeremy Allen White rocks as Bruce Springsteen in the musician’s biopic, “Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere.” Springsteen himself selected White to play him. To prepare for the role, White learned how to play guitar and took singing lessons for six months. Thanks to his music lessons, White recorded the music you hear in the film. His passion for the role is evident throughout the film with all the detailed artistic mannerisms he portrays on screen. The film had a budget of $55 million, according to Variety. Yet, despite the film’s high budget, it debuted with a disappointing $9 million on its opening weekend. Viewers gave mixed reviews, and some film critics were not surprised by the low interest toward the movie. The film begins in a blackand-white flashback scene of

Springsteen’s childhood – a reoccurring theme throughout the film. The flashbacks often depicted childhood trauma surrounding his alcoholic father (Stephen Graham) and their estranged relationship, which is one of the core focal points of the film. The flashbacks continued to taunt him throughout the movie as the audience watches Springsteen slowly lose himself more.

The film also had its major concert scene within the first three minutes, where Springsteen sings “Born to Run.” A scene like this usually comes in the middle or end of a musical biopic, so it confused me as well as other viewers.

I went into this biopic blind, not knowing much about Springsteen himself. I was expecting it to be about his rise to fame or how he navigated his stardom, like most biopics. However, this film was about Springsteen’s creative process of making

his 1982 album “Nebraska.” Springsteen’s initial spark of inspiration for the album comes from the 1973 film “Badlands.” He initially began the lyrical process of the album writing in third person, but as more flash-

backs transpired, we see him switch perspectives into the first person. “Nebraska” is a dark, moody and haunting piece of work, and it was a bold decision for Springsteen at the time.

Audiences felt this direction for the film was not the right one, as it is difficult to make a film solely on an album Springsteen wrote alone in his bedroom in New Jersey.

Critics think the director, Scott Cooper, didn’t quite hit the nail on the head with it.

However, I appreciated the film for what it was.

I found myself genuinely interested in the material Springsteen was creating and how hard he fought for it to be released, even against future hits like “Born in the U.S.A.”

Still, its clear the film has its flaws. The film can be seen as an overused take on the “tortured artist” trope, since childhood trauma, an identity crisis and depression are all part of that

recipe. Perhaps that’s why it is falling short with certain audiences or why critics are saying it fails to do what “A Complete Unknown” – the Bob Dylan biopic starring Timothée Chalamet – did.

While I do think the film dipped its toes into this cliché, I don’t think it faults the film enough. I had a pleasurable time watching it – a scene between Springsteen and his father at the end even got a tear out of me. I felt as if the film had a clear direction, and I never found myself lost in the plot, even if it was a little overused. The pacing wasn’t too bad either, minus a weird 10-month time skip towards the end.

White’s performance as Springsteen is certainly memorable and impressive enough to give this film a chance. After all, playing miserable and lost characters is what he does best.

Ryan Murphy romanticizes serial killers in 'Monster'

By Hannah Mudry

FEATURES EDITOR

Ryan Murphy, a prominent Hollywood producer, depicts the lives of notorious killers through his biographical drama series “Monster.” The newest season, “Monster: The Ed Gein Story,” was released on Oct. 3.

“Monster” has previously followed murderers Jeffrey Dahmer and Lyle and Erik Menendez. The show has faced backlash with every new release due to its fictionalization of real criminal cases. This new season is no different.

With only a 21% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, viewers dislike the show for victimizing and sexualizing its serial killers.

Reflecting on season two, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” it is well done overall. The story follows two different perspectives: one where the brothers are the

true victims and one where they were not. It takes a lot to understand Murphy’s vision, but he was able to give justice to the Menendez brothers’ story.

The 32-minute monologue given by Cooper Koch, portraying Erik Menendez, during the fifth episode of the season is single-handedly responsible for the high hopes surrounding Murphy’s next “Monster.”

One can argue that the serial killer Ed Gein is relatively unheard of, so it is important to look up any trigger warnings before the show begins. The content is heavy and quite disturbing.

Other than Charlie Hunnam, portraying Ed Gein and notably seen in “Sons of Anarchy,” the cast of the show is relatively unknown, with the only other exception being Addison Rae. Rae, a popular TikTok influencer and music artist. Although she does an excellent job in her role, it is difficult to take the actress

seriously, as it is hard to separate the “Hype House” star from her character, Evelyn Hartley.

Hunnam also does an excellent job in his role by delivering powerful scenes; however, he is jacked – chiseled abs, sharp jawline. This serial killer is hot. Gein was not that attractive in real life. It is unclear why Murphy decided to sexualize Gein, and it completely ruins the show. Hunnam’s appearance is distracting, especially when the actor has scenes with his shirt off … constantly. Despite the overt sexualization, Murphy was able to portray Gein’s actions appropriately. The show follows a dual perspective. Not only does Murphy explore Gein but he also displays how Gein has influenced many aspects of American life, including movies like Alfred Hitchcock's “Psycho” and Jonathan Demme's “Silence of the Lambs,” as well as serial killers like Ted Bundy and

Richard Speck. The dual pointof-view is confusing at first because it is hard to distinguish between Gein and the films he inspired; however, it all comes together by the end of the show.

Although all the different timelines are explained in the eighth and final episode, overall, that episode was unneeded and ruined the entire season.

The show really should have ended after the seventh episode. Here, Gein’s therapist diagnoses the serial killer with schizophrenia then hands him a pill. That is how the show should have ended: telling the monster’s story and giving a brief, realistic explanation exploring why Gein committed his crime.

Instead of ending it there, the show continues for one more episode, and this is where its problems exacerbate. It opens with Ted Bundy committing a murder. During the one hour and five minute episode run, detectives are searching for

“The Campus Killer,” and Murphy depicts Gein helping detectives solve the murders and ultimately catching Bundy. Normally, that would be fine in a fictitious television show, but there is no proof that Gein aided in the Bundy search in 1978. Additionally, there is no evidence that Gein even communicated with other serial killers. Ending the show with Gein doing the good deed of solving murders is a horrible way to romanticize an incredibly evil human being who actually murderded at least two people and mutilated many more. For having the critically acclaimed backlog of “Glee” and “American Horror Story,” it is shocking that Murphy continues to disappoint with each new season of “Monster.” Audiences pray the next season’s story, which follows Lizzie Borden, is written properly.

Tilly Norwood – new artificial intelligence poses threat to actors

By Abby Gibson ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

A new actress has entered Hollywood; but she’s not like everyone else. Tilly Norwood is an Artificial Intelligence (AI) generated actress created by Eline Van der Velden, the founder of the Particle6 Group. Announced in May 2025, Norwood has sparked backlash and ethical

debates within the entertainment industry concerning AI in films and television (TV).

Norwood was created by the AI division of Particle6 Group called Xicoia in May 2025. Since her Instagram was made, she has amassed over 65,800 followers as of Monday, Nov. 3.

“We want Tilly to be the next Scarlett Johansson or Natalie Portman, that’s the aim of what

'Orphan

By Josh Gordon SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

*SPOILERS AHEAD*

When talking about science fiction shows on Netflix, people tend to mention the modern “classics” such as “Dark,” “Sense8,” “Stranger Things” or “Love, Death & Robots.” But Netflix has recently added a long-loved science fiction show that can stand out among the best science fiction shows currently on Netflix.

“Orphan Black,” featuring award winning actress Tatianna Maslany, is about a troubled mother, Sarah Manning, who witnesses something unbelievable: a woman who looks exactly like her committing suicide in a train station. The sight sparks a lot of questions for characters and audiences alike: is this woman a secret relative, a twin hidden at birth? Is Sarah just horribly mistaken at the resemblance? What follows is a rabbit hole of science, conspiracy and illegal experimentation.

we’re doing,” Van der Velden said at a panel during the Zurich Film Festival. She pointed out that the film and TV industry was going through economic challenges and would be looking towards AI production for support.

Van der Velden has also created a new debate: do audiences care more about the plot of a film or TV show than they do about the actors being real or AI?

The creation of Norwood introduces another aspect of AI usage in Hollywood as it begins to be used for video generation, camera systems like track action, visual effects, lighting and more. While this new aspect to filmmaking can be seen as a way to cut the cost of production, there are concerns that it is a threat to the creativity and artistry of creating film and TV.

During a panel at the third annual Runway AI Film Festival in Los Angeles in June 2025, Vice Chairman of Lionsgate Michael Burns said AI is, “being used by everybody that doesn’t talk about the fact that they’re using it.” The film company signed a deal with

Runway AI, Inc. to train their video generation on their movies and TV shows.

Many actors like Emily Blunt and Simu Liu spoke out against Norwood and emphasized the importance of human connection in the media. The union that represents actors – the Screen Actors Guild-American Foundation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) – also spoke out against Norwood’s creation.

“Any talent agency that engages in this should be boycotted by all guilds,” said actress, director and filmmaker Natasha Lyonne.

SAG-AFTRA has a page on their website dedicated to their views on AI, highlighting their commitment to “securing members right to their name, voice and likeness,” and that fair work conditions are applied in-person and making economic deterrents to avoid the use of AI performers.

Mara Wilson and Kiersey Clemons also voiced their concerns and said that whichever agent signed Norwood would get backlash.

SAG-AFTRA’s actor's strike in 2023 was used to secure better deals for them, and also put in place protections about AI. The union came out and reminded agencies and studios that using Norwood in projects could trigger issues regarding the contractual protections the union secured after the strike.

“I see AI not as a replacement for people, but as a new tool – a new paintbrush,” Van der Velden wrote. “Just as animation, puppetry or CGI opened fresh possibilities without taking away from live acting, AI offers another way to imagine and build stories.”

“To those who have expressed anger over the creation of my AI character, Tilly Norwood: she is not a replacement for a human being, but a creative work – a piece of art,” Van der Velden wrote on Instagram. “Like many forms of art before her, she sparks conversation, and that in itself shows the power of creativity.”

As AI continues to evolve and find ways into the filmmaking world, the entertainment industry is going to be faced with an important choice of how far AI can go in shaping the art of storytelling.

Black:' a science fiction masterpiece

The uniqueness of “Orphan Black” lies in its approach to the show’s main topic of human experimentation. Specifically, the show tackles cloning, and while this is not anything particularly new within the realm of science fiction, “Orphan Black” makes it work in a way that I have never seen before. Whereas you would expect a story about clones to be extremely unrealistic, “Orphan Black” does not take the high science fiction route and instead keeps itself grounded in reality. There are no superpowers or anything of that nature, just a more believable approach to how human cloning could actually take place and how the subjects of such cloning could be affected by the knowledge of the true nature of their existence.

What makes “Orphan Black” amazing is not only its highly intriguing plot, but also the performance of its lead actress.

Canadian native Maslany is most known for her role as hulked up

attorney Jennifer Walters in the 2022 Marvel show “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law;” nevertheless, she was making waves almost a decade before she debuted SheHulk’s story.

“Orphan Black” first aired on March 30, 2013. Throughout the course of the show, Maslany plays a total of 17 different clones on screen. Each clone has their own distinct personality and, at times, she even plays a clone impersonating another clone, adding levels to what was already a complicated enough performance of over a dozen different personalities.

These career-defining performances are what earned Maslany an Emmy Award in 2016 for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. This achievement also made her the first actor in a Canadian series to earn a major Emmy award, making history in her own right.

The complexities of “Orphan Black” are easy to see when watching on screen but actu-

ally understanding the lengths that it would take to write such a show is not as easy. The show is not a mind bender on the level of Netflix’s “Dark,” but it still offers a compelling view into the essence of human nature, what it is that makes us human and how truly different from one another we are or are not.

“Orphan Black” offers a philosophical perspective on the concept of identity. Particularly, what it means to take your life

into your own hands, rather than having it be determined by individuals who could not care less about you as a person. It is a truly intricate show that explores so many different routes and as I am on my second watch of the show, I find myself finding so many new things that I never noticed before. More than anything, the show never fails to convince me of its nature as a science fiction masterpiece.

The views and opinions expressed in the Opinion section are those of the authors. They are not an endorsement of the views of the Chronicle or its staff. The Chronicle does not discriminate based on the opinions of the authors.

By Anthony Favilla ASSISTANT OPINION EDITOR

Queens is the largest borough in New York City by area and is home to over 2.4 million people. People commute from Queens to all other parts of the city. Yet, compared to Brooklyn and Manhattan, Queens is underserved when it comes to transit. Thanks to the way it was built, being more carcentric than the other boroughs, train accessibility is limited.

The Interborough Express (IBX) – a light commuter rail that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is planning to build – will help Queens commuters get around the city much faster. However, there is another proposal that would bolster Queens’ transit accessibility even more.

QueensLink is a grassroots movement that proposes diverting the M line south, all the way into the Rockaways. It would use the long-abandoned Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) Rockaway Beach Branch rightof-way to connect to the A line. This plan is one that will benefit Queens residents and pave the way for a greener New York City.

Using the abandoned rail, the M train would add four new stops: Metropolitan AvenueParkside; Jamaica Avenue - 104 Street (with a connection to the J and Z trains); Atlantic Avenue - Woodhaven (with a transfer available to the LIRR Atlantic Branch) and Liberty AvenueRockaway Boulevard (connecting to the A train).

The new Metropolitan Avenue Parkside station would be underground while the other three stops would be above ground. At the Atlantic Avenue Woodhaven stop, the former underground LIRR Woodhaven station would be refurbished and reopened to provide a transfer onto the Atlantic Branch. This would make getting to Atlantic Terminal much easier for Queens residents; instead of having to go east to Jamaica and then take the

QueensLink is the answer for NYC

Atlantic line, this would allow them a direct transfer.

Although the M line would no longer terminate at the Forest Hills - 71 Avenue station, the station would not lose out on service. In fact, they reacquire another train. QueensLink proposes re-extending the G train to Forest Hills, where it originally terminated until 2010. This would give the only subway line not running to Manhattan a facelift, reviving what is now one of the city’s

running to JFK would make getting to the airport easier for Queens residents, instead of having to transfer at Jamaica using the LIRR or taking a complicated route using the subway. Since the M stops in Midtown Manhattan, it would also provide a direct subway line from there to JFK. A direct line from Midtown to JFK with no transfer would garner many riders who are eager for a faster way to get to the airport.

NYC’s Independent Budget

Forest Hills Greenway, a living garden on the roof of the Metropolitan Avenue Station, a greenway going through Forest Park and Atlantic Green Park.

Rego Park Gardens would be open green space over the underground M line with new bike lanes. Forest Hills Greenway would provide something similar, also with access to composting beds. The Metropolitan Avenue Park would give direct access to the station, with bike parking available and

shortest subway lines.

This plan greatly expands the M train’s capabilities. Having a connection to the J and Z trains in Queens will greatly assist the locals’ ability to get to Brooklyn. The new A train connection can also help locals get to any part of Manhattan, as the A runs all the way uptown to Inwood.

This plan would also give commuters easier access to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Because it would run alongside the A train, the M would now make a stop at Howard Beach - JFK, which is where the AirTrain’s connection to the subway is.

A north-south subway line

Office (IBO) conducted a study that found most people in the project area commute to Midtown or JFK for work, so the M train taking them to both places would be a big help for those residents. That study also found that while public transportation is still the most used means of transportation there, the usage is below average compared to the rest of the city. This line would reduce carbon emissions by giving commuters another option to get to work besides driving.

Surrounding the repurposed railroad would be major new parks and added bike lanes. These additions include the proposed Rego Park Gardens,

Another competitor to QueensLink – QueensWay –offers a different vision for this space. It proposes an elevated, linear park where the former Rockaway Beach Branch lies, comparable to the High Line Park in Manhattan. While this sounds nice, it impedes the opportunity for the use of the right-of-way. It would create a public space for people but not use the land to its full potential.

After NYC Mayor Eric Adams took office, he publicly backed QueensWay. However, current Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has supported QueensLink in the past, and if he takes office, the city could reverse course on the QueensWay plan.

About $117 million in federal funding that was supposed to be allocated to QueensWay was cut after the One Big Beautiful Bill Act was passed. However, the city gave QueensWay $14 million in its latest budget, allowing its first phase to be funded. Though QueensWay does have city funding now, that could change if Mamdani wins.

an elevator down to the station from the roof. This park shows new urbanist ideas that provide recreational space for New Yorkers while giving them easy access to the subway.

This plan would also require less construction than IBX. While it needs 14 miles of construction along the abandoned freight line, QueensLink would only require 3.5 miles. While IBX is going to need a whole new fleet of trains, QueensLink only requires an expansion of the M line’s fleet and more frequent arrivals. IBX can also be greatly beneficial to commuters, and I support its creation, but the QueensLink plan would be easier for these reasons.

QueensLink not only provides a great plan to connect Queens’ commuters, but it also lays out a great example of what sustainable planning can look like in New York City. Plans like this should be encouraged; where the commuter has greater mobility and residents can have a new green space for recreation. This plan follows many new urbanist ideas, which is what cities across the country need to be doing. Greater access to public transportation while making walkable areas for recreation in a mostly residential area is the perfect balance. It repurposes unused land to its full potential. A feasible plan that benefits all New Yorkers is the answer that this city needs.

Anthony Favilla is a sophomore journalism major. You can find him on Instagram @anthofav19.

OPINION

The views and opinions expressed in the Opinion section are those of the authors. They are not an endorsement of the views of the Chronicle or its staff. The Chronicle does not discriminate based on the opinions of the authors.

1 Fennel relative used to flavor licorice

6 "Dancing Queen" band 10 Flat, buoyant transportation 14 Italian grandmother 15 Brewed beverage

16 Continent with largest population

17 "Star Wars" and "Dune" actor

19 Place for a shopping spree

20 Bring in the harvest

21 Word of warning

22 Red Delicious or Granny Smith

23 Donkey

24 Breathable gas

25 Pioneering PC maker

27 Exhibition basketball player from Harlem

33 Creator on Twitch

36 Baltimore baseball mascot, singular

37 Cut the cheese

38 Used a shovel

40 Tree-hugging greenery that grows in damp environments

41 Mystery author Christie

44 Blood clotting cell component

47 Striped

"___ overboard!"

Academic citation format, for short

Like many Middle Easterners

What the best pie might win at a county fair, or what 17-, 27and 47-Across have

Trade for money

Pennsylvania Great Lake

66 Tax evasion investigation

67 ___ for granted

68 Amenities of differing comfort, for Goldilocks

69 Cries heavily

1 2025 Best Picture winner

2 Carrots, for snowmen

3 Ancient Peruvians

4 "___, crackle, pop"

5 Listener

6 Sopped up

7 Pinto or lima, for example

8 "Get out of here!"

9 Tossed object's path

10 Wheelchair accessible entrance

11 Letters meaning "right away"

12 ___ in the blank

13 Story

18 "Piece of cake," for one

22 Love, in Spanish

24 In the style of

26 Sis' sibling

27 Royalty-free photo provider ___ Images

28 Explode, as a volcano

29 Stopwatch or hourglass, for example

30 Useful item

31 Otherwise

32 Sign of silence, in music

33 Bit of sports data, for short

34 Like many fast-food orders

35 "HOT TO GO!" singer Chappell

39 Quick peeks

42 Basic online coding language, for short

43 "I get it now!"

45 Plastic shoelace tip

46 Steeped beverage

48 Whole

51 Tour leader

52 Decompress, as a computer file

53 Track or swim events

54 Observe Ramadan

55 Region

56 Have a chat 57 Capable

59 Dry, as a desert

60 Not false

62 V-day month

63 Pet's hand

The views and opinions expressed in the Opinion section are those of the authors. They are not an endorsement of the views of the Chronicle or its staff. The Chronicle does not discriminate based on the opinions of the authors.

By Jacob Aurelus STAFF WRITER

In the modern United States, democracy is our god. To say otherwise is heresy. We lecture the rest of the world about its importance. We even bomb other countries to force them into the system. Our politicians pontificate about how it is “under threat” because elections don’t go their way. However, democracy does not change anything for the average American. First, we have to define what democracy is. Some say it is a direct-majority government. Others say it is the parliamentary system of the Europeans. However, in our our American reality, it is whenever our preferred parties win elections and do things we don’t like.

For example, what do events like the U.S. Capitol attack on

Democracy is an illusion in America

Jan. 6, 2021, truly show us?

Barring any opinion on any of the participants themselves, it shows that people are desperate and serves as a telltale sign that the Capitol is not seen as the temple of democracy we were promised. It is seen as a den of thieves – a place where Christ himself would flip the tables. And they are not wrong to believe so. It is obvious to the average American that the people no longer govern ourselves. There is clear evidence that big business governs the U.S. There are two facets to this fake system: manufactured consent and the purchasing of candidates.

True democracy depends on a public that is capable of informing itself before it votes on leaders. If you can gain control over the information channels that shape public opinion, however,

you can shape elections. This is exactly how corporations push policies most beneficial to them, favoring methods like paying the media.

Consider Keith Rupert Murdoch, the owner of Fox News, The New York Post and The Wall Street Journal – three distinct media outlets all under the umbrella of one leader. The practices of big business does not just sell products, it manufactures consent. However, this is not the only thing big business does in order to consolidate their power.

Elites would be leaving money on the table if they didn’t find a way to cement their preferred policies into effect. You would obviously find a way to pay off the people that make the important decisions. This is what campaign finance has become; instead of regular people fund-

ing the politicians they want while holding them accountable for their actions, corporations and elite individuals do this at levels that normal people can’t compete with.

The strongest example of this would be massive individual donor support for pro-Israel candidates – the Adelson family for the Republicans and Thomas Fahr Steyer for the Democrats. A plurality, if not a majority, of the country denounces the actions of the Israeli government. In the past two years, a majority of Americans have not supported sending Israel any more funding. Despite this, our politicians will continue to stand with Israel in its abhorrent actions and not move an inch with the sentiments of the people that they are supposed to represent.

This leads many to question

whether voting is even worth it if nothing ever substantially changes. If the point of voting is to get a new version of the country and to replace the policies of the previous administration, how is it that we have supported the Israeli government since the Kennedy administration without fail? Why do we continually fall into unnecessary wars? How come core economic problems like housing or healthcare are never fully fleshed out by our politicians?

It is because politicians and their buyers do not care. Elites are the power center in America, not the people.

Jacob Aurelus is a junior journalism and political science double major. You can find him on Instagram @jacob_caa.

The many misconceptions about Zohran Mamdani

By Farhan Alam STAFF WRITER

There has been a lot of talk about New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani lately, and much of it is misleading. Some people are calling him things he is not, twisting his goals and words and spreading false claims about his policies. As someone who believes in what he stands for, I want to set the record straight.

One of the biggest misconceptions about Mamdani is that he is a communist. That claim is false. He identifies as a democratic socialist, which is not the same thing as a communist. Communism means the government controls all property and businesses. Mamdani’s vision works within the current system, aiming to make it fairer and more balanced for the average New Yorker. He supports higher taxes on

the wealthy, stronger protections for renters and more public investment in services like housing, transportation and childcare. His goal is to make the economy work for ordinary people by fixing things in their daily lives, not tearing the system down.

Mamdani’s beliefs and campaign focus on affordability and equality in daily life.

He has talked about freezing rents for tenants, building more affordable housing and lowering or ending fares on certain public transit. He also supports more funding for childcare programs and creating city-run grocery stores that will sell food at its original unit price to help families struggling with food costs.

These proposals are not about robbing people. They are about helping people live stable and secure lives in a city that has now become too expensive for many families.

Critics have claimed that Mamdani’s ideas would lead

to “bread lines,” or a situation where people rely on the government for everything. That is simply not true. His policies focus on public investment, not government control.

For example, making transit more affordable would help workers and students save money and reach opportunities, such as jobs or school. A rent freeze would give families stability and prevent displacement. Mamdani believes that if people spend less on necessities, they can invest more in their communities and the local economy.

To pay for his proposals, he has said he would raise taxes on the richest New Yorkers and large corporations, as well as collect unpaid taxes already owed to the city. He is not proposing to take money from everyday workers, but to make sure those with the most contribute more.

Another false claim is that Mamdani wants to pour massive amounts of tax-

payer money into transgender programs or fund gender-affirming surgeries for everyone nationwide. That is not accurate. About $65 million from the city’s health budget would go to improve genderbased health care access in New York City, according to his proposal.

The goal is to ensure that transgender people, including minors, can receive appropriate medical care and mental health support through public hospitals. He has also said that hospitals that deny necessary care should be held accountable.

The important thing is that this funding would come from the same higher taxes on the wealthy and corporations, not from cutting money to other public needs.

Mamdani’s plan would slightly increase taxes on millionaires and major corporations. He argues that those who have benefited most from the city’s economy can afford

to contribute more to support services that help everyone, taxing them just enough so that it would not hurt their way of life.

His proposals would not “punish” the rich, as some claim. They would make the system fairer and ensure public money benefits more than just a small group at the top.

Zohran Mamdani is not a communist and he’s not trying to bring back bread lines. He’s a democratic socialist who believes in fairness, equality and opportunity. His plans are to make New York City more affordable, not more divided. People have spread a lot of false information about him.

But if you look at his actual proposals, they show a simple idea: a city that works for everyone, not just the rich.

Farhan Alam is a senior journalism major. You can find him on Instagram @f.alam1.

Field hockey clinches postseason berth

By Conner Keough STAFF WRITER

The Hofstra University field hockey team snapped their decade-long drought from the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) conference tournament when they beat Towson University 4-2 on Halloween: Friday, Oct. 31.

“I don’t think about the years we’ve missed as much as

I’m happy for the team. They deserved to win, they deserved to be in the position they are in to play in the CAAs,” said Hofstra head coach Hillary Fitts.

The Pride allowed the first goal but answered back with four straight goals – the most the Pride have scored in a CAA game this year. Hofstra’s big guns found themselves on the scoresheet against Towson.

Teresa Karoff netted her CAAleading 13th goal of the season on a penalty stroke, which tied the game at one apiece. Jaime Lewis had her second multigoal game, which brought her to eight total goals on the season.

Towson outshot the Pride 13-to-10 but the difference in the game came in the crease. Hofstra goaltender Luci Hollister made four saves on

six shots on goal. Towson’s goaltender Tessa Scheenstra did not record a save.

Hofstra jumped on Towson in the first few minutes, controlling possession in the first quarter and gaining the first penalty corner of the game. After a Hofstra press, Towson went the length of the field and scored on their first shot of the game. Olivia Miller gave Towson an early lead, but Hofstra did not relent.

Just 24 seconds later, the Pride drew a penalty stroke, and Karoff made it count. Later in the second quarter, freshman phenomenon Gwenn van Dijk took a long shot from 25 yards out. Lewis stood in front of goal and tipped it home to give Hofstra a 2-1 lead.

Senior Pilar Penaloza reopened the scoring in the third quarter to double Hofstra’s lead

to 3-1. The goal was Penaloza’s first of the season to go along with three assists.

Hofstra poured on the offense when Lewis added another insurance tally later in the third quarter to bring Hofstra to four goals. The Pride had only eclipsed three goals two other times this season against University of New Haven and Wagner College.

“[The offense] stepped up well and moved the ball well and scored some open field goals which we don’t always do,” Fitts said.

The Pride’s offense came alive this October, marking all three games that the Pride have scored four or more goals. Hofstra has also more than doubled their goal total from last season. They jumped from 17 to 37 goals.

Towson found one goal in the

fourth quarter but ultimately fell short of the comeback. Hofstra and Towson both finished 2-3 in CAA play, but the Pride got the nod to the conference tournament because of their head-to-head win over the Tigers.

“Let the emotions come to them,” Fitts said. “It’s going to be so much different than they used to be. Let them be nervous, get all the emotions out this week and they’ll be prepared for Monmouth [University] next week.”

Hofstra finished their regular season 9-8 overall and 2-3 in conference play. They will take on top seeded Monmouth University on Friday, Nov. 7, at 10 a.m.

Pride’s season ends in extra time heartbreaker

By Royce Dickson-Child STAFF WRITER

The Hofstra University women’s soccer team was knocked out of the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) tournament on Thursday, Oct. 30. They fell to Stony Brook University in a devastating 2-1 overtime loss at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium.

The Pride’s season came to an end following the loss. Meanwhile, the Seawolves advanced to the CAA semifinals on Sunday, Nov. 1, where they faced Monmouth University. In the extra time, Hofstra and Stony Brook battled back and forth, each registering shots on goal. Fate turned, however, with eight seconds remaining as Pride defender Alexia Des

Croiselles knocked down Reilly Rich in the box.

After a referee review, the call was confirmed, and the Seawolves received a penalty kick. Rich stepped up to the spot, approached and fired the ball past Pride goalkeeper Lilly Bailey into the bottom right corner. The goal sent her side to the semifinals and heartbreakingly ended the Pride’s season.

Hofstra head coach Simon Riddiough said he was pleased with his team’s performance despite the loss.

“They gave everything. They did everything we asked them to do,” Riddiough said.

The Pride dominated the ball, outshooting the Seawolves 25-12 throughout the game. In addition, Hofstra had nine corners compared to Stony Brook’s two.

The Pride started the game hot, quickly pressuring the Seawolves’ back line. Hofstra had three corner kicks in just the fifth minute and registered three shots in the first six minutes of the match. Thorhildur Thorhallsdottir nearly scored the first goal of the game in the sixth minute. Forward Mathilde

Braithwaite sent a low-driven cross into the 18-yard box that was deflected right to Thorhallsdottir who shot it low, just hitting the right post and rolling across the goal line before going out of bounds.

Hofstra continued to apply pressure throughout the half, out-possessing Stony Brook while recording three shots on goal. Despite the Pride controlling the match, the Seawolves grabbed the first goal of the game in the 31st minute. Stony Brook defender Abigail Roche delivered a free kick into the box from midfield, where Rich headed it into the goal.

Following the goal, the Seawolves settled in, not allowing another shot on goal in the first half, taking their 1-0 lead into the break.

In the second half, Hofstra found their footing once again. They quickly tallied five shots within the first ten minutes of the half, with Braithwaite tying the match up in the 56th minute. Braithwaite sent a prayer towards the net from the right side of the box that snuck inside the post to make the game 1-1.

Quickly following the goal, Braithwaite had another chance

in the box in the 61st minute, nearly drawing a penalty. Stony Brook defender Eva Sprewell had a perfectly timed tackle that took the ball off Braithwaite’s feet. The referees reviewed the play and confirmed that the tackle was clean, and no penalty was awarded.

Hofstra kept up the offensive onslaught through the second half, outshooting the Seawolves 13-4. Despite their efforts, the Pride could not find a second goal, sending the game into overtime.

Alongside Rich’s two-goal performance, Seawolves goalkeeper Jona Hennings stood out, stopping seven of eight shots – the second most she has had in a single game this year.

“[Hennings] did well,”

Riddough said. “She came up with two or three really good saves which I didn’t think she could make, and she did today.”

While Stony Brook looks to their semifinal date with Monmouth, Hofstra turns its head to rebuilding in the offseason. This season’s team was composed of a total of 14 seniors and graduate students, and 12 players are set to return next season.

As the Pride move towards the 2026 campaign, Riddiough is ready for the offseason.

“I got a lot of recruiting to do – hitting the trails, finding players,” Riddiough said. “We’ll continue to develop the players who are returning, and then we’ll go from there.”

Pride finish regular season on a heater

By Holden Willemsen STAFF WRITER

No. 25 Hofstra University men’s soccer team closed out the regular season by defeating Drexel University 2-0, extending the Pride’s winning streak to eight games at Captains Field on Saturday, Nov. 1. The four-time reigning Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) champions finished the regular season 12-4 overall and 7-1 in conference play.

“We were rock solid … We hadn’t scored as many as we would have liked, but we’ve done well,” said Hofstra head coach Richard Nuttall. “It was a real great workman-like performance, and we’re happy with the job the boys have done today.”

The Pride dominated from the start with relentless pressing and physical play, which Drexel struggled to keep up

with. Eighteen minutes into gameplay, Hofstra capitalized on that dominance off a cross from Stefano Campisi, which found the head of Daniel Burko inside the six-yard box. It was the 10th goal of the season for the Norwegian transfer from Syracuse University.

“[Burko] is a machine … he just works and works and works,” Nutall said. “We’re trying to get [Burko] to be a bit more technical and to combine more, but he’s doing a fantastic job.”

The game became quite chippy after that goal. Hofstra’s Thengill Orrason received a yellow card for a hard challenge on Drexel freshman Jack Shannon. There were 24 fouls throughout the game, many of which came after the challenge, which set the bar for the level of physicality. Shannon was later given a yellow card for dissent and a stern warning for a foul

late in the game on Aleksei Armas. There was a total of five yellow cards in the game, one of which was given to Hofstra’s assistant coach Shaun Foster.

Depth played a big role in the matchup. Junior Aaron Basenach came off the bench and got the assist for Burko’s second goal of the game from a through-ball that split between defenders. Basenach had a strong game, winning the ball off the press on several occasions and finding players who were either making runs down the wing or on goal.

“[We have] three or four or five good players who’ve come off the bench and done a very good job for us,” Nuttall said. “[The substitutes] have played well. I think [Basenach] set the second goal up and [Pablo] Hempelmann-Perez is quality … even Caleb [Williams] at the end came in with a nice shot … they’re all good players, so I’m

proud of them.”

The Pride will carry its eightgame winning streak into the playoffs, with its first opponent yet to be confirmed.

“Hopefully the guys will enjoy each other tonight, get back on the horse and work hard,” Nuttall said. “I don’t think we’ve ever had an easy CAA semifinal, so we know it’s

going to be tough … Monmouth [University] and Stony Brook [University] are both very good teams, so let’s see what we’ve got.”

Hofstra will face off against the winner of that matchup on Sunday, Nov. 9, at Captains Field. Kick-off is set for 2 p.m.

Frank Volpe and Jake Slotnick place for Pride

By Olivia Hillestad SPORTS EDITOR

To kick off the 2025-26 Hofstra University wrestling season, Frank Volpe and Jake Slotnick placed at the 2025 Princeton Open on Sunday, Nov. 2. Volpe, a redshirt sophomore, placed third at 157 pounds while Slotnick, also a redshirt sophomore, placed fifth at 165 pounds.

Volpe gritted out four wins, culminating in a 4-1 victory

over Princeton University’s Gavin Hawk. A takedown with just 17 seconds left in the third period secured Volpe the win. His one loss of the day came from Kellen Smith of United States Military Academy West Point in the semifinals, who earned seven points in overtime from a takedown and four nearfall points, ending the match automatically 16-9.

Slotnick started the day falling 14-4 to Keller Rock of Oregon State University in the round of 32. Battling through

the consolation bracket, he earned one win by technical fall 20-5 followed by three wins by decision. In his fifth-place match, Slotnick held Brown University’s Connor O’Donnell to just one escape point, winning 5-1.

There were mixed results for some of Hofstra’s returning starters: Chase Liardi earned one win on the day at 133 pounds but was held scoreless in two matches, falling 1-0 to Sebastian Ortega of Princeton and 6-0 to Roman Lermer of Columbia University. At 149 pounds, Noah Tapia wrestled unattached, and while he had a dominant win over Hogan Horsey of Rider University, winning by fall and also earning 18 points. Tapia also suffered two losses by major decision. He lost to Oregon State’s CJ Hamblin 15-3 and Chance Lamer of Nebraska University 14-4.

Freshman Chase Hontz earned three wins in his debut with the Pride. In the same weight bracket as Volpe, the rookie lost by technical fall 20-4 in

his initial match in the round of 32 to Nick Stampoulos of Lock Haven University. Not to be discouraged, Hontz won his next match by decision 8-1 and followed that up by earning his first collegiate victory by fall over Chase Burke of Lock Haven. He also earned his first overtime win 4-1 over Army’s Micah Hanau.

Josh Jorgge also secured his first collegiate win at 184 pounds. In a high scoring start to the day, he scored the first two and the final takedown in a 15-11 win over Army’s Cole Karpinski. He lost by technical fall 23-4 in the quarterfinals before earning his second win 5-3 over Princeton’s Max Stein. His day ended with 7-3 loss to Brown’s Thomas Sandoval.

As for the rest of the Pride’s competitors: Teague Strobel went 2-2 at 125 pounds, Adrian Sans went 2-2 at 285 pounds, Alex Turley went 1-2 at 149 pounds, Eric Shindel went 1-2 at 157 pounds, Matthew Waddell went 1-2 at 174 pounds, Danny Church went 1-2 at 285 pounds, Dylan Zenion went 0-2 at 157

pounds and Jurius Clark went 0-2 at 174 pounds.

The Pride look to their first dual meets of the season at Journeymen Wrestling’s Wranglemania 2025 on Saturday, Nov. 8, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. They will take on Duke University and Appalachian State University before turning around the next day for the Journeymen Collegiate Classic open tournament.

Pride extend win streak to nine

By Evan Papadopolous STAFF WRITER

The Hofstra University volleyball team defeated North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in a five-set thriller on Sunday, Nov. 2. The match was the second of their weekend series in Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) play.

With the victory, Hofstra moved to 18-2 overall and 10-2 in CAA play, causing them to slide into a tie with Campbell University for first in the conference. The win marked their ninth in a row, while N.C. A&T dropped to 11-10 and 7-5 in CAA play.

Entering the afternoon, N.C. A&T’s Leonor Polezzi and Hofstra’s Nina Jioshvili-Ravva were first and second in assists per set in the CAA. The two did not disappoint, with both women totaling over 40 assists.

Beatriz Braga led the Pride with a season high 21 kills, while Izadora Stedile and Nil Kayaalp held down the defense with 21

digs each. Lilia Duczek led the Pride in blocks with seven. It was a streaky start to the first set, with both the Pride and the Aggies having 3-0 runs in a race to ten points that N.C. A&T would win. The back-and-forth play continued throughout the first set, with the Pride bringing it within two points multiple times, but N.C. A&T retained the lead throughout the first set and won 25-22. The loss was Hofstra’s first set loss since Sept. 27.

Hofstra started the second set on a 3-0 run, with Julia Amorim being responsible for two of the points. N.C. A&T battled back, tying the set at three apiece, but the Pride took back the lead. In a race to the first 15 points, the second set played like an inverse of the first set, where both teams went on runs, but Hofstra had the upper hand. A 5-0 N.C. A&T run gave the Aggies their first lead in the second set. Hofstra was able to regain the lead and did not relinquish it, which tied the match up at one. The Pride ended the set on a 6-0 run, with Clara Bal tallying half of those

points to give the Pride the 2518 set victory.

Hofstra entered the afternoon leading the nation in opponent hitting percentage and held the Aggies to a .065 hitting percentage in the second set. The third set started as the most lopsided of the three, with Hofstra taking a 7-2 lead, including a 4-0 run that saw two blocks from Duczek. The Pride continued their dominant run in the third set, causing Aggie head coach Hal Clifton to use both of his timeouts before either team had reached 15 points. Hofstra continued their run and took a 2-1 match lead, with a 25-14 set win. The Pride had an incredible .484 hitting percentage in the third set.

The fourth set brought a return to the back-and-forth play, with the teams battling for every point. N.C. A&T was the first team to break the 10-point mark. Pride head coach Emily Mansur used her second timeout of the set when the Pride were behind 20-16. Hofstra showed a fighting spirit, but it was not enough, as the Aggies forced a

fifth set with a 25-20 win. The fifth and final set went exactly like three of the previous four: when one team scored, the other answered. A kill from Stedile ended the pendulum-like swing, giving the Pride the first multi-point lead of the final set. The Pride continued to roll, going on a 3-0 run, with Bal factoring in on a block and a kill, making the Aggies take their first timeout. Another Stedile kill caused the switchover with Hofstra up 8-3. The Pride took their first timeout of the set after N.C. A&T scored two, bringing the

final set to 8-5, still in favor of Hofstra. A 3-0 run caused the Aggies to take their second time out of the set, after they went down 11-5. Hofstra took four of the last six points and won the set 15-7.

Hofstra entered the weekend sixth in the nation in blocks per set. They totaled 18 blocks on the day and three and a half in the final set.

The Pride will return home for a series against Towson University on Friday, Nov. 7. First serve is set for 4 p.m. from the David S. Mack Physical Education Center.

Next in line: Stephen Roche head coach in waiting

By Royce Dickson-Child STAFF WRITER

Following 37 seasons at the helm of Hofstra University men’s soccer, head coach Richard Nuttall is set to retire following the 2025 season. Who is next in line for the job?

Enter Stephen Roche, an Ireland native and current men’s soccer associate head coach.

Roche was put into soccer at an early age by his family and was influenced by his older brother to play. From there, he took off and ran with the sport, quickly falling in love with it.

“I wanted to play every day,” Roche said. “I’d play on the streets on my own, I’d play with my dad, with my brothers and with my team.”

As Roche grew up, he found success in soccer, playing for the University College Dublin Football Club before coming to the United States to play for New York City FC. Even though he only played in New York for one year, he fell in love with the U.S. and decided to stay to coach youth soccer, while playing semi-professionally.

“It was the natural job to go into, coaching young kids. I met [Nuttall]. He gave me the opportunity to work at Massapequa Soccer Club,” Roche said. “I fell in love with it straight away.”

As Roche began at Massapequa, he was first assigned to coach 4-year-olds and 5-year-olds before working his way up the ranks to the older

teams. While seemingly simple, coaching young kids helped Roche develop into the coach he is today.

“I’m never the loudest person in the room, and sometimes as a coach you need to be that person. So, it almost forces you to come out of your shell,” Roche said. “You’ve got to demand a 4-year-old’s attention. It’s not easy. So, I think it definitely helped.”

Following a handful of years at Massapequa under the direction of Nuttall, Roche heard of an opportunity to coach under Nuttall at Hofstra. Roche interviewed for the job and landed the position, joining the men’s soccer coaching staff in 2016. While he was nervous for the new job, Roche was prepared to get to work for the Pride.

“I was coming in to learn from [Nuttall and assistant coach Gary Book] first, and then to help them second,” Roche said.

Under Nuttall and Book’s direction, Roche learned a handful of lessons that he still carries with him today. Nuttall taught him how to treat his players and identify when a player needs motivation, discipline or just an arm around the shoulder. On the other hand, Book taught him more of the tactical side of the game.

As Roche developed as a college coach, he worked his way up the ranks within the men’s soccer program. In 2021, Roche was promoted

to associate head coach of the Pride.

“It’s nice to get that title change. I think that’s when you realize that the people in the school, [Rick Cole Jr.] as the [athletic director], they believe in you,” Roche said. “It’s kind of them telling you that, you know, they believe you’re of a head coach level.”

During Roche’s time as associate head coach, the Pride won four straight Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) championships. In addition, Hofstra made it to the 16th round of the NCAA tournament in 2021 and 2023. This season, the Pride finished first in the CAA in regular season play and look to make another postseason run to cap off Nuttall’s career.

“It being [Nuttall’s] last year, it’s just that added motivation. We really want to [win the CAA and] to send him out on a high,” Roche said. “If he can win five in a row and then retire, I think he can be pretty proud of what he’s done.”

Nuttall will certainly leave a legacy on Hofstra’s men’s soccer program, following 37 years of service. In this time, the Pride have won eight conference championships and finished top 25 in the nation three times. Nuttall also received honors of his own, compiling three CAA Coach of the Year awards.

With the success that the Pride had through Roche’s time as an associate head coach, it is without a doubt that he garnered interest from other schools. Roche noted that there were two times when other schools reached out to him with interest, but he turned down their offers to stay at Hofstra.

“I spoke to a lot of people here. They mentioned that … I would have a good future if I decided to stay here,” Roche said. “And it was me delaying my start as a head coach, but it meant that I got to stay at the place I love, which is Hofstra.”

While Nuttall had a decorated coaching career, Roche is ready to continue developing what Nuttall has started while

also creating his own legacy. One key focus for Roche is to continue having a staff that pushes each other.

“I want to have a staff that can have real conversations, that are not just going to be ‘yes men,’” Roche said. “I want to be challenged.”

Another focus for Roche will be developing a team of the right people, despite if they are a big name. He wants a squad of high character people, on and off the pitch, that are willing to buy into wanting to play and win over anything else.

“Every one of our 28 players needs to represent our program really well off the field, and that goes back to our selection process,” Roche said. “We do our homework on people. We have a lot of conversations with the recruit and if there’s any sign of them not being the type of character we want, we won’t take them, no matter how talented they are.”

Looking for this type of player has been a struggle in the world of Name Image Likeness deals, but Roche sees players turning down an opportunity for more money as signs of their true character.

Senior forward Daniel Burko is an example of the right type of player for the Pride, and the type of player Roche looks to recruit.

“We offered many center forwards the chance to come here and a lot of them said no,” Roche said. “And right at the end of the transfer portal,

Burko became available, and we literally signed him in a 24-hour period between offer and him accepting. And I wouldn’t trade him for any other striker in the country.”

On the field, Roche will be focused on winning games. His top goal is to come out of every match victorious, no matter what it takes to achieve the win. If they have the opportunity to win attractively, he will take it, but winning first will be the mentality.

Roche will also look to help the Pride find a way to take that next step as a team. Hofstra has yet to make it past the round 16 in an NCAA tournament, and that is a challenge Roche is looking forward to taking on.

“We’re trying to play schedules where we’re playing against the best teams in the country so that when it does come to the national tournament, we’re ready to go,” Roche said.

As Roche prepares to take the wheel, he will bring in a new identity and a new lead to the men’s soccer program. With this, Roche wants to ensure that all the way down through the 28th man on the roster, every player feels that the coaching staff is real and cares about each player.

Women’s basketball: Ready to work

By Thomas Montana STAFF WRITER

The Hofstra University women’s basketball team looks to continue the momentum it built at the end of the 202425 season to secure their first Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) title in program history. While the Pride finished with a 14-16 record (9-9 in conference) and sixth in the CAA, they won their last five regular season conference games.

Hofstra has their work cut out for them in non-conference play. The Pride will suit up against two ranked teams: University of Maryland (No. 10) and University of Kentucky (No. 24), as well as Fordham University, East Carolina University and University at Albany who all finished above .500 last season.

“Every single night in the CAA is a battle; it’s a battle, and it’s a test so to be ‘battletested’ and then non-conference play is just gonna prepare us for conference,” said Hofstra head coach Danielle Santos Atkinson. “We’re on the road a good bit, and being on the road is just gonna continue to help us and prepare us for that conference play and tackle that brutal schedule that we all know [is] in the CAA.”

There were constant upsand-downs all year long – from starting 2-1 to falling to 3-6, from losing six conference games in a row to being 9-15, from having one of the hottest ends to a season in program history at 14-15 and to being eliminated during the first round of the CAA Tournament by The College of William & Mary. There are clear bright spots all over the team’s roster, and the goal is to be more consistent throughout the year, even with the big lineup changes.

“One of the things that I love about this team is our maturity, our experience. We’ve got nine upperclassmen; we’ve got seven graduates and seniors on our team, and I think those multiple experiences that some of them

have and come in with is only gonna help our team,” Santos said. “Wanting to come into this year and have an impact, and just really take this program to levels that it’s never seen.”

Hofstra has a much different look coming into this season. They have lost power with the graduation of their two most dominant players – Ramatoulaye Keita and Zyheima Swint – as well as LaNae’ Corbett, who transferred to Elon University. The trio accounted for 48% of the Pride’s rebounding last season (19.2 per game), a number that will be difficult to replace. Yet, the Pride attempted to via the transfer portal, bringing in senior center Deivejon Harris from Texas Southern University and senior forward Sandra Magolico from Southern Methodist University in March. They will need both players to make an instant impact in the season.

“I think we’re bigger and more physical inside this year. I’m excited about that,” said Santos. “We did lose a lot of rebounding in that class last year ... I think we were able to fill those spots with a lot of talent – looking at the way [Magolico] gets in there and crashes the board with her length and athleticism.”

Santos is looking forward to the day Harris does the same.

In her junior season with the Tigers, Harris averaged 5.7 rebounds per game, which ranked third out of all players on the team despite being eighth in minutes. She started 20 games last year as well, so there will not be an issue if she needs to step into a bigger role.

Magolico only tallied eight minutes per game last season, down from 9.8 the season prior, but achieved career highs in points per game, rebounds per game, steals per game, blocks per game, field goal percentage and free throw percentage. Coming from a deeper SMU squad, she is expected to log good minutes with the Pride.

Although Hofstra is not quick to throw freshmen into

the fire, last season some of them played important minutes. Maddie Pounds logged 20 games last season, including four games with more than 10 minutes. The freshman class for Hofstra this season includes guard Syniya Barton from South Hempstead, New York, forward Kiyanna Blacks-Stewart from Sicklerville, New Jersey, and forward Olivia VanPatten from Cranston, Rhode Island. With the lack of forwards on the roster this season, BlacksStewart and VanPatten could get significant playing time.

The senior class will carry a lot of the load this year. It includes recent transfers, such as Nevaeh Brown, Harris and Magolico. Ayen Angoi, who was a major contributor when players went down last season, will also be graduating along with Chloe Sterling who has started every game she’s played with the Pride. There are also the homegrown seniors –Alarice Gooden and Emma Von Essen – who have been a part of the program since they first stepped foot on campus.

“I’m just so excited we get to have [Sterling] as a part of our program for another year,” said Santos. “She’s definitely going to be an impactful player for us but it’s also her leadership and the way she brings this team together ... [that the other] players surely follow.”

Gooden had the hottest stretch of her career to end last season, averaging 9.3 points and shooting 48% from the field. Her fourth quarter heroics versus Stony Brook University were a highlight of last season. She scored 13 of Hofstra’s last 14 points in regulation, shooting 4-4 from the field and 4-4 from the charity stripe. With the graduation of Janaia Fargo and the loss of Sabrina Larsson to the transfer portal, Gooden is expected to be more involved than last year.

Von Essen comes into this season fourth of all time in three-pointers made in Hofstra women’s basketball history with 205. Since her sophomore

season, she has averaged 78 successful 3-pointers per season. If she can keep that pace, she will finish second all time with 283 behind Cigi McCollin with 291. Von Essen has always been available, missing just two games in her collegiate career. She comes into this season with 94 games played. If she plays every game this season, she will finish with 126 games played.

Santos reflects on how Von Essen has grown as a player in her time with the Pride.

“She’s been playing in this postseason, this summer and this preseason with so much confidence. She looks like a senior out there on the floor,” Santos said. “She’s been here four years, and she wants to go out seeing this program at its best.”

Hofstra’s staff has had some changes as well, bringing in Ryan Starr as the coordinator of video and player development and Natasha Holloway as the newest Director of Women’s Basketball Operations, as well as Keila Whittington as an assistant coach. Santos believes in their staff and the chemistry they have with the players; building and maintaining a consistent and healthy culture is important to this program.

“I [have to] brag on my staff. I always say I put my

staff up against anybody in the country,” Santos said. “I got just a phenomenal staff in what they do and caring about these players, looking to get the most out of them on the floor and off the floor, helping them grow and develop.”

As always, the goal is to capture the program’s first CAA championship. The Pride’s hot finish to last season could be a building block.

“I thought we finished the conference season – the regular season – playing some great basketball,” Santos said. “We ran into a hot William & Mary team that finished out really well, but this team’s hungry. They’ve come back knowing that we have more to prove and also being willing to put in the work that it’ll take in order to become that championship-level team and program.”

Hofstra began its campaign on Monday, Nov. 3, against the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, at the Watsco Center. Tipoff was set for 5 p.m.

November 4, 2025

The Pride secure spot in CAA Tournament for the first time since 2015.