The Hofstra Chronicle – Oct. 13, 2026

THE HOFSTRA

HEMPSTEAD, NY VOLUME 94 ISSUE 3

CHRONICLE

TUESDAY OCTOBER 13, 2026

KEEPING THE HOFSTRA COMMUNITY INFORMED SINCE 1935

NEWS

‘Puppy With a Purpose:’ Hofstra University’s newest service animal

By Marilyn Steele MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

Dutch, a future service dog, was announced by Hofstra University as the newest addition to the university’s staff.

first responders with disabilities at zero cost. Dutch will spend a little over a year interacting with students and learning about what it takes to be a working animal before returning to Smithtown, New York, to finish his formal

national sports organizations, media outlets and other corporations for this program. This collaboration, however, is also personal to Miller, since he is a two-time Hofstra alumnus. “This will be our first university doing ‘Puppy With a

“I think it’s important, also, to show the campus that we’re dedicated to the veterans who are out there in the world but also [to] our own students and our own employees here ...”

Photo courtesy of Rhiana LoRue

The Universty Dance Team is focusing on the Universal Dance Association College Nationals, which is set to begin Jan. 15, 2027.

From Hofstra University to Team USA: Dance team brings home gold

By Rhiana LoRe On Sept. 28, Hofstra collaborated with America’s VetDogs on “Puppy With a Purpose,” a program designed to bring service animals to veterans and

training. John Miller, president and CEO of the Guide Dog Foundation and America’s VetDogs, has collaborated with several

Purpose,’” Miller said. “Where else better to have it than at my own alma mater – Hofstra.”

CONTINUED ON A3

Marilyn Steele / The Hofstra Chronicle

Students will have the opportunity to work with Dutch by bringing him to class and around campus for socialization.

SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

The Hofstra University Dance Team brought home gold while representing the United States as the U.S. National Pom Team at the International Cheer Union (ICU) Pan American Competition that took place from Sept. 25 to Sept. 27, in Mexico. Competing at Arena Borregos in Monterrey, Mexico, Hofstra performed their pom routine during the two-day competition, finishing ahead of Mexico – second place – and Colombia – third place. The victory marked Hofstra head coach Kelly Olsen-Leon’s third Pan American title in her 24 years of coaching the Hofstra Dance Team. She has also led the program to 13 national titles and two ICU world titles. “The first time we ever represented the country, we were approached to do it not knowing what it was about,” Olsen-Leon said. “Then, it just instantly became something that was so meaningful and special to just do something international.”

The team has represented the United States as the U.S. National Pom Team in previous Pan American competitions. After falling short of a national title last season, Olsen-Leon said there was a different mindset heading into Pan American. “I do think that coming off a year at nationals where we did not win made a different energy,” Olsen-Leon said. “There was a different energy because our routine we loved at nationals didn’t win. So, getting to put it on the floor again, getting to fix the things that didn’t go right the first time or just bringing it back to life again and then having it win is just really special.” The preparation for these performances started months before the team went to Mexico. Emmalee Mikulis, a senior exercise science graduate student and second-year captain of the team, said that the dancers were performing full-out routines as early as June through Zoom, due to a lot of them being in different states throughout the summer.

CONTINUED ON A5

A2 • OCTOBER 13, 2026

hofstrachronicle@gmail.com

Hofstra receives $500,000 to upgrade biology labs and expand student research

Editor-in-Chief Gianna Costanzo

By Katelyn Buchalter

Managing Editor Hannah Mudry

Hofstra University’s biology department received a check for $500,000 on Sept. 9. The money was presented by New York State Assembly member Charles Lavine and will go toward upgrading laboratories in Gittleson Hall. The funds will aid in upgrading two laboratories to biosafety level two standards (BSL-2) so more in-depth research can occur. “This upgrade creates new hands-on learning and research opportunities for students,” said Jessica R. Ward, chair of the biology department. “It will expand the kinds of biological work we can conduct, allowing students to participate in more advanced research and gain experience with techniques and organisms they are likely to encounter in graduate school, healthcare settings and in biotechnology careers.” Michael Dores, a professor of biology, highlighted specific possibilities for student-driven biomedical research with the new BSL-2 level laboratories – a core value of the department. “We will have access to pathogenic microbes that are better models for studying disease, new human tissue culture samples and the ability to work with patient-derived samples

Secretary Paula Amoroso Lomelí Business Managers Katelyn Buchalter Anthony Favilla News Editors Katelyn Buchalter Sahana Shastry Assistant News Editor Natalia Rivera Arts & Entertainment Editors Matt Fisher Vanessa Flanagan Kimberly Lopez Sports Editors Shannon Bickert Royce Dickson-Child Ethan Poole Assistant Sports Editors Samantha Nadler Evan Papadopoulos Features Editors Emilie Morrissette Denivia Rivera Opinion Editors Anthony Favilla Tom Saxa

NEWS EDITOR

for studying diseases like cancer and vascular inflammation,” Dores said. “It will enhance our ability to use cutting edge tools like CRISPR-Cas9 and its most up-to-date derivatives to perform gene editing in these disease models.” According to Matthew Fisher, a professor of biology, modern laboratories are extremely important for undergraduate students when preparing for careers in medicine, biotechnology and healthcare. “Modern biomedical research increasingly relies on cell culture, molecular biology, gene editing and patient-derived models,” Fisher said. “So, students benefit from gaining hands-on experience with these technologies before graduating.” Sophomore biology major Allison Shen talked about her hopes for the upgraded labs. “I am already going into a research field, but I would love more internship positions and more research opportunities,” Shen said. Specific courses, including microbiology and molecular techniques and advanced cell biology, will see an increase in interactive projects as well as further coverage of “biomedically and clinically relevant microbes,” Fisher said. Melodie Duran, a secondyear master’s student studying

Copy Chiefs Paula Amoroso Lomelí Madison Demko Emily Hyman Assistant Copy Chiefs Juliana Calcao Marissa Ferrara Ellen McCarville Multimedia Editor-in-Large Joe Orovitz Multimedia Editors Kumba Jagne Marilyn Steele Assistant Multimedia Editor Kim Nadler Social Media Managers Mariana Agustin Mariya Morales Madi Valentin

THE CHRONICLE

NEWS

Kumba Jagne / The Hofstra Chronicle

With the upgrades, Matthew Fisher hopes to add a new angle to anti-cancer drug discovery projects.

Kumba Jagne / The Hofstra Chronicle

The upgraded labs will support research for patient-derived samples which allows more accurate models of tumors.

biology, works closely alongside Fisher in research. Having worked in laboratories outside of Hofstra, Duran believes the upgrades will be extremely beneficial. “I think there are so many experiences this upgrade will allow,” Duran said. “The current biosafety level for biology labs is low, meaning there are a lot of limits as to what kind of experiments can be done. Not only do I think students will learn more advanced and interesting techniques, but it also teaches students proper sterility and safety procedures, which can be applicable in all sorts of careers related to biology.” Currently, students receive proper training to work in BSL-1 laboratories. This training includes proper handling of biological materials, use of equipment, waste disposal and techniques designed to prevent contamination or exposure when working with specific materials. With the addition of BSL-2 laboratories, students will undergo more extensive training. “All students who currently work in our human tissue culture labs already undergo biosafety training in preparation for experiments that utilize BSL-1 cell models and organisms,” Dores said. “We will expand that training to include procedures for handling BSL-2

organisms.” Fisher spoke about the importance of the new infrastructure and how it benefits future grants and funds collaborations. “Having BSL-2 facilities makes it easier to propose more ambitious projects involving patient-derived samples, advanced cell culture models and molecular approaches, such as CRISPR,” Fisher said. “It also expands the types of projects we can pursue with collaborators.” The new addition of the BSL2 labs will also open new possibilities for prospective students interested in research. “While the [biology] lab classes I’ve had at Hofstra have been great, I don’t think I would’ve arrived at a career in research if not for my experiences in BSL-2 labs,” Duran said. “I believe this renovation might make others interested in research since it shows students new opportunities in research that can be pursued as a career.” Ward stated the biology department is working with facilities to minimize impact on classes and laboratory schedules. Most work will likely occur during the summer.

The Hofstra Chronicle is published on Tuesdays during the academic year by the students of Hofstra University. The Chronicle is located in Room 203 Student Center, 200 Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York 11549. Advertising and subscription rates may be obtained by contacting the chronicle.business@gmail.com. The Chronicle reserves the right to blood drive lasted 12 reject any submission, in accordance with our written policies. All advertising which may be considered fraudulent, misleading, libelous orThe offensive to the university community, from or8 its a.m. The Chronicle or its advertisers may refuse. The products and opinions expressed within an advertisement are not endorsed byhours, The Chronicle staff.to 8 p.m.

THE CHRONICLE

NEWS

What you may have missed

‘Puppy With a Purpose’: Hofstra University’s newest service animal cont. CONTINUED FROM A1

7:45 AM

U.K. car industry faces trade challenges in the China and EU markets – Sunday, Oct. 4 The United Kingdom car industry is experiencing challenges with balancing the benefits of trading with China and Europe. The United Kingdom is facing pressure to put tariffs on cheap Chinese vehicles because of their lower production costs. European officials are concerned about a trade deficit. With possible trade restrictions from Europe, the U.K. is reviewing imposing tariffs on Chinese car imports.

Brazil had its biggest stock market jump since 2020 after first round of presidential elections – Monday, Oct. 5

Brazil had its first round of presidential elections on Sunday, Oct. 4. The next day, the stock market surged after right-wing candidate Senator Flávio Bolsonaro won 47% of the votes compared to the 45% for leftist incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Brazil’s Bovespa index rose 7.7%, a record high since March 2020. African Union launches first credit rating agency in the region – Wednesday, Oct. 7

The African Union launched the continent’s first credit rating agency on Wednesday, Oct. 7, in Port Louis, Mauritius. The new agency, called the Africa Credit Rating Agency, will provide another way for investors to assess the financial risks of African countries and companies. The agency is expected to provide more context to Africa’s economic conditions as an alternative to the bigger rating agencies, potentially improving access to capital and helping with debt burdens.

OCTOBER 13, 2026 • A3

“Puppy With a Purpose” is also looking for a co-collaborator to work alongside Associate Professor and psychologist Deborah Elkis-Abuhoff in raising and socializing the service animal. A student will be tasked with caring for Dutch, bringing him to class and teaching him how to behave in certain environments. This not only benefits Dutch’s journey but also the veteran who will eventually adopt him after he has been fully trained. “We’re looking for somebody who can be patient and understand … they’re trying to get a dog to the finish line to help a first responder,” Elkis-Abuhoff said. This is only the first step in this collaboration, according to Elkis-Abuhoff. The goal is to make “Puppy With a Purpose” a more integral part of Hofstra, including the possibility of a club dedicated to helping raise more dogs like Dutch at the university. Several students have already shown interest in this concept. “I think it’s a good development for Hofstra University because it gives kids another chance to contribute, and it’s contributing in a fun way,”

said Sophia Sobelman Simha, a sophomore pre-physician assistant. However, Dutch isn’t the only dog on campus. Mack is a community resource dog that works with Hofstra’s Public Safety as the primary ambassador of the Promoting Assistance, Wellness and Support program. Mack and Dutch are both working dogs, but they serve different purposes for the student population. Mack works to serve Hofstra as a consistent, recognizable face for students. Dutch has a different mission: to learn how to become a support system for a veteran. So, he will be on campus for a shorter time, meeting students less frequently than Mack. As the first university working with the program, Hofstra hopes to inspire other universities to follow suit. “It doesn’t take an enormous amount of resources for us to do it,” said Hofstra President Susan Poser. “It’s just a complete win-win. I would hope that every university would do it because there are about 4,000 colleges and universities in the United States. That would be 4,000 more companion dogs for our veterans.” Hofstra has already established connections with service

members on campus as the host institution for the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program on Long Island. Hofstra has also established a veteran’s lounge for students. “I think it’s important, also, to show the campus that we’re dedicated to the veterans who are out there in the world but also [to] our own students and our own employees here,” Poser said. Student Government Association President and junior political science and public policy double major Maisa Ahmad believes that Dutch will be a welcomed furry face around Hofstra. “The purpose of Dutch is to make sure that students feel comfortable on campus, specifically our veterans and [first responders],” Ahmad said. For Hofstra students interested in helping raise Dutch or following his journey on campus, apply at https://www. vetdogs.org/Hofstra and follow @HofstraVetDog on Instagram for more information.

Former Buddhist monk convicted of embezzling money from his Thai AIDS hospice nonprofit – Wednesday, Oct. 7 A former Buddhist monk who founded a revered AIDS hospice in Thailand and his associate who helped run the hospice center were both found guilty of embezzling money from the charity. Alongkot Poonmook and Seksan Sapsubbsakul were forced to leave the monkhood following their arrests. Both men were found guilty of multiple counts of embezzlement and money laundering by Thailand’s Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases, receiving the maximum term of 50 years in prison. Marilyn Steele / The Hofstra Chronicle Graphic designed and information compiled by Natalia Rivera

Majority of the dogs that are part of the Guide Dog Foundation are labradors and go on to become vet dogs, guide dogs, breeders and more within the foundation.

A4 • OCTOBER 13, 2026

THE CHRONICLE

NEWS

Hofstra’s International Forensic Linguistics course connects students with FBI and international experts By Natalia Rivera ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

The field of linguistics is capable of shedding light on a crime scene. A specialized oneweek course hosted by Hofstra University brings together students, professionals and experts from the FBI to explore this topic. The course is called the International Forensic Linguistics program. It is a one-week online intensive course worth three academic credits, according to Tammy Gales, professor of the comparative literature, languages and linguistics department at Hofstra. The course teaches students and professionals how forensic linguistics is used to analyze real national and international cases involving crimes, legal disputes and language evidence. Participants examine cases in multiple languages, learning how to apply linguistic theories to investigations and explain their findings in court. “The unique part is that we [sometimes] have people from law enforcement agencies, sometimes lawyers and sometimes community members who will entroll in the course as well,” Gales said.

Robert Leonard, professor of linguistics and director of Hofstra’s graduate program in linguistics, said the program brought together forensic linguists from Spain and England, along with an FBI agent from Long Island. The course allows participants to examine criminal cases alongside professionals in the field. For students interested in this field of study, the opportunity to learn and work with people from different backgrounds is valuable. Noelle Anderson, a junior forensic science major, was interested in what the course offered and said that the hands-on experience is an important part of the program. “You can learn a lot by case studies and, basically, by being told about cases and how people approach them,” Anderson said. “We basically have to use the standards and the steps that we’ve learned through our lectures, and we have to apply them to that specific evidence. [It’s] a learning curve, and it’s important to know it now and learn it now.” Anderson also believes learning from international experts can help students understand different approaches to forensic investigations.

Photo courtesy of Noelle Anderson

The specialized forensic linguistics course examines language in legal settings and other real-world settings.

“There’s so many different techniques and ways of going about everything that so many different places have,” Anderson said. Leonard believes the course is important not only for understanding what is happening around the world, but also for seeing how forensic linguistics can help communities. “We get to see ... [how goodwilled people] are trying to make things better and keep people safe and catch people who are doing things that are wrong,” Leonard said. He also believes it is important to make sure cases are handled correctly and linguistic evidence is interpreted properly. “Very often we find that there are mistakes being made that we can help try to rectify,” Leonard said. The specialized one-week course can also make a difference in a student’s career.

Photo courtesy of Hofstra University

The course was implemented at Hofstra University by former FBI special agent Jim Fitzgerald.

After Hofstra launched its graduate program in linguistics in 2010, the one-week course continued to give students the

experience.” Joyal believes the course could be more beneficial for students who are already in-

“This was great because they’d be working on cases outside of class, side by side with FBI agents, NCIS and people from all over.” Leonard recalled receiving an email from a former student who explained how the course had helped her discover her career path. “[The student] said, ‘I’d never realized that this one course would put me on the path to what I’m doing now,’” Leonard said. “She works for a large law firm in a very specific field that she was introduced to through us.” This course was not always offered at Hofstra. In fact, the one-week program originally began as a boot camp for students and professionals at FBI headquarters in Quantico, Virginia. According to Leonard, who directs and teaches the course, former FBI supervisory special agent Jim Fitzgerald helped bring the program to Hofstra.

opportunity to work on cases outside the classroom. “This was great because they’d be working on cases outside of class, side by side with FBI agents, NCIS and people from all over,” Leonard said. Leonard explained this virtual hands-on experience was valuable to students and contributed to the development of two distinct courses. Not every student, however, believes the online format offers the best learning experience. Jewels Joyal, a senior forensic science major, spoke on why she chose not to participate in the online course. “For the class to appeal to a student like me, I would prefer for the class to be held in person,” Joyal said. “I think that it would be better for you to connect with your teachers and have more actual hands-on

terested in forensic linguistics. She also questioned whether students need to take this specific program to gain additional knowledge. “I think learning linguistics is important for any career pathway, but I think that any supplemental learning does not need to be done with this program specifically,” Joyal said. This semester, the course is scheduled to run from Monday, Oct. 19, through Friday, Oct. 23, with all sessions held virtually via Zoom. It will be taught by Leonard, University of Copenhagen Professor Tanya Karoli Christensen, specialists from the FBI and other European experts.

THE CHRONICLE

OCTOBER 13, 2026 • A5

NEWS

From Hofstra to Team USA: Dance team brings home gold cont. CONTINUED FROM A1 “Over the summer, we all weren’t together; we were all in different states, so we put a lot of work into being connected as a team even if we all weren’t in person,” Mikulis said. “That way, when we came together at the beginning of the season, we would be exactly where we needed to be.” This preparation gave the team confidence for when it was time to compete. Beyond dancing for Hofstra, the team had the opportunity to represent their country on an international stage and interact with athletes from all over the world. “Representing the United States holds you to a higher standard,” Mikulis said. “People are coming up to you asking you to take pictures, even if they don’t necessarily know who you are. They know who you represent.” For sophomore exercise physiology major Isaac Terry, the competition marked his

first Pan American competition experience and his first title as a member of the Hofstra Dance Team. “After I found out, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I am going to compete internationally,’ and it’s such a blessing that I am going to be able to represent not only Hofstra but the United States,” Terry said. When the team was announced as the winner, Terry said that the emotions of the moment immediately took over. “I just started crying; it was such a surreal moment,” Terry said. “So much hard work and so much led up to that moment that it felt surreal. I won with Hofstra, but I also won representing the United States. It felt like a double accomplishment.” With the Pan American title now secured, the Hofstra Dance Team will shift its focus toward the rest of the season and the Universal Dance Association College Nationals. Mikulis believes that experiencing the pressure of an international competition this early in the season

could help prepare the team for what lies ahead. “It not only physically, but mentally, gave us a bigger step in the right direction,” Mikulis said. “We also know what it feels like to be proud of a performance, so we know what feeling we are trying to chase.”

For Olsen-Leon, the hard work required from her athletes continues to be outweighed by what her athletes gain from the experience. “It’s a lot of work; it’s a lot of extra time to put in, but the experiences and being on an international stage with other

countries and getting the culture and the diversity makes it worth it,” Olsen-Leon said. Olsen-Leon plans to continue applying for opportunities for the Hofstra Dance Team to compete at Pan American competitions in the seasons to come.

Kumba Jagne / The Hofstra Chronicle

The Hofstra University Dance Team currently holds 13 national championship titles.

Public Safety Briefs Compiled by Sahana Shastry

Key: PS – Public Safety HU – Hofstra University UFD – Uniondale Fire Department CS – Office of Community Standards

On Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, at 10:40 a.m., a Plant Department employee reported to PS that while weed whacking in parking lot number 47, a rock shattered the rear passenger window of a parked vehicle. The owner of the vehicle was identified as an HU student and notified. Police assistance was declined at the time.

On Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, at 9:35 p.m., an HU student was observed driving recklessly in parking lot number 9. This matter was referred to CS. On Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, at 8:05 a.m., while on routine patrol, PS discovered that both double glass panes on the right door of the HU Dome were broken. On Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, at 3:20 p.m., several HU students reported to PS that a non-student entered the classrooms in Emily Lowe Hall offering private dance classes. When students refused, the non-HU student left the building.

On Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, at 10:40 p.m., an HU student reported to PS that their phone charger was taken by an unknown person at the basketball court in the HU Fitness Center. On Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, at 2:29 p.m., the fire alarm in the Sondra and David S. Mack Student Center activated due to possible vaping. The fire alarm sounded, and the building was evacuated within one minute without incident. PS, Plant and UFD responded to the location. The situation was corrected, and the fire alarm was reset.

On Friday, Oct 2, 2026, at 1:12 p.m., the fire alarm in the Sondra and David S. Mack Student Center activated due to an unknown cause. The fire alarm sounded, and the building was evacuated within one minute without incident. PS, Plant and UFD responded to the location. The situation was corrected, and the fire alarm was reset. On Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, at 8:14 a.m., the fire alarm in the Sondra and David S. Mack Student Center activated due to steam from the custodian cleaning. The fire alarm sounded, and the building was evacuated within two minutes

without incident. PS, Plant and UFD responded to the location. The situation was corrected, and the fire alarm was reset. On Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, at 6:43 p.m., the fire alarm in Salem House of the Colonial Square Complex activated due to hair products. The fire alarm sounded, and the building was evacuated within two minutes without incident. PS, Plant and UFD responded to the location. The situation was corrected, and the fire alarm was reset.

A6 • OCTOBER 13, 2026

THE CHRONICLE

FEATURES

An inside look of black and white photography at Hofstra University By Melanie Gonzalez SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

Photography is used in daily life. Whether it’s to take a picture to capture a memory, post on Instagram or capture a passing Hofstra University cat, photography is integral to the lives of students. Digital photography is key to many majors at Hofstra, such as filmmaking, journalism and sports media. It’s essential to show viewers a piece of the mind of the photographer, and this Hofstra class combines chemicals and photography together to create art. Basic Black and White Film Photography: Developing/ Darkroom Printing is a creative participation class, where all of the learning is hands-on, but it isn’t the usual “Canon R7” or “Digital Photography” that a lot of students are used to. This class is another experience. Students use a black and white film camera called the Canon EOS Rebel T2. With this camera, students shoot photos then enter a dark room, where they use chemicals, such as developer and fixer, to develop their pho-

tos onto contact sheets or into full-sized prints. This allows them to have a physical copy of their photos and enjoy physical media. Professor Michael Aloisio doesn’t only teach photography, but also how to value the process of taking images. “I think it’s important that students in my class don’t just learn how to take a picture, but they learn how to read images and understand the meaning of that photograph or think about symbolism,” Aloisio said. Taking photos for platforms, such as Instagram, has become automatic, Aloisio explained. We pull out our phones and, with the press of a button, we have a still image – no adjusting settings, no shutter button. Our cameras do everything for us. Aloisio said that working in the darkroom is something that can’t be replaced by modern cameras. The science behind creating a photo is magical, and the bonds you create in the darkroom are special. “I think one of the most special things about the darkroom is that it’s one of the only places in the world today where

Photo courtesy of Melanie Gonzalez

you can’t bring your phone or any screen at all,” Aloisio said. “You can’t even bring your smartwatch.” In addition to the decreased screen time, Aloisio said spending time with fellow students in the darkroom leads to incredible friendships and bonding. “I think it’s like the magic of loss of distractions that allows us to really laugh again and to lean on each other and learn from each other,” Aloisio said. “You can see it’s only been a month, right? And everybody knows each other by their names, everybody’s texting, and it creates a family because we’re all spending so much time in the dark with each other.” Aloisio’s ideology emphasizes “getting your hands wet” and the idea that photography isn’t always a screen – it’s using chemicals, patience and time to create media. Cadence Olsen, a sophomore art education major, expressed her love of how easy it is to connect with her peers. “It’s the most talkative class I’ve had in college,” Olsen said. “I love that it’s a tiny room, so we are ‘forced’ to talk. It made it easy to make friends and have conversations.” Olsen said she finds the class fun and educational, and she’s realized patience is key in her learning. “The professor is amazing and chill, and he is happy to help and super funny,” Olsen said. “Plus, I feel like it’s a great way to make friends since you have to talk and ask for help, and we’re always in close proximity.” Will Goldstein, a senior film studies major participating in black and white film photography, said that Aloisio is very knowledgeable in his art and makes the class fun and engaging with his funny jokes. “It’s a very chill environment and a lot of hands-on work,” Goldstein said. “We’re always working on something which

Photo courtesy of Melanie Gonzalez

keeps things interesting and entertaining.” Sam Materetsky, a junior public relations and strategic communications double major, enjoys the work of improvement. He said the class isn’t just about shooting photos at random. He appreciates the process of improving on his photos and making sure each photo is better than the last by fixing his settings and analyzing the lighting of each photo to perfection. Materetsky also said he learns time management in this class. “When developing and making large prints, you have to make sure that you don’t try to get everything done at the last minute,” Materetsky said. “Instead you should develop one day. Then maybe [the] next [day] you make your contact sheet and prints.” Materetsky also finds Aloisio to be a great professor who is knowledgeable in his art. “I would 100% recommend taking this class because [Aloisio] is such an amazing and laid-back professor who you can tell absolutely loves what he does and truly cares about his students,” Materetsky said. “Another reason I would rec-

ommend this class is because it teaches you to appreciate the process of taking and making photos.” Aloisio recommended this class to everyone who wants an unforgettable hands-on experience. “I think of my classroom as kind of like a breakfast club because there’s all different types of people,” Aloisio said. “We have the ‘jocks,’ we have the sports players, we have the students in acapella groups, we have the criminology majors and we have a lot of the film majors. We have some of the students in [fraternities] and sororities, and there are students of all different makeups and interests. But, you know, when they’re all in that darkroom together, they’re all the same. They’re all having fun and laughing and working together.” The black and white photography course is a creative class that encourages students to do their best in creating original photos. Using the darkroom and learning patience and hard work, students create magic that speaks a thousand words.

THE CHRONICLE

FEATURES

OCTOBER 13, 2026 • A7

Club Feature: Hofstra Hunters

By Peter Munn

down.’” The founders created a safe place for anybody to play, and What started out as a small, those players developed strong ambitious group of Hofstra Unifriendships as a result. They all versity students with a passion for come from different majors, orfootball has turned into a comganizations and clubs on campus, munity that extends beyond the but they connect through their field. In the fall of 2024, senior love for football. filmmaking major Ethan Berger, “We actually belong here; we senior criminology and psycholhave our own story to tell,” Bergogy double major Raíd Ranilla er said. “The most important thing and others founded The Hofstra is to have players [who] get along Hunters. with each other.” Ranilla played on another team He explained that everyone his sophomore year of college thinks of one another as a family, before he and his friends decided not just teammates. This remains to create their own team. The true both on and off the field. Hunters started out as just a few You can see the team and their guys but has grown to around 25 dedicated fanbase on the Intramembers – excluding coaches and mural Fields on Thursday nights, photographers – in just two years sporting their signature Hunters since they were formed. Once red. The players all have a personthey started telling their friends to alized uniform: a red shirt with join, the team grew from there. their name or nickname and num“We started this team when ber on the back. When their fans I met [Ranilla],” said Joshua show up to watch, they even wear Croom, Hunters coach and senior red in support. Their most recent exercise physiology major. “He version is the classic red shirt with was in my psychology class and a Hofstra lion in a cowboy hat. then he mentioned [making] a To keep their fans updated, they flag football team, and I was like, run an Instagram account similar ‘Whenever you make the team, to professional teams and other I’m here.’ So, after that, he told clubs on campus. The account, me about it and I said ‘Yeah, I’m with more than 130 followers, STAFF COPY EDITOR

includes game-day promotions and score announcements for the games. The team’s head of social media described how she finds inspiration for her posts before she makes them on Canva. “I watch a lot of football with my friends,” said Stefanie Marquez, a senior political science major. “I feel like I get a lot of ideas from that, and then sometimes if I see them post something, I’m like, ‘Oh, that’s kind of cool, we should do this too.’” The fanbase and social media promotions have earned the team campus recognition and have given the players motivation to prevail in their games. The fans come back week after week to participate. The recognition has even allowed students to showcase their work, such as senior broadcast journalism major Henry Musa, who takes photos for the team. As the official team photographer, Musa attends practices and games to take pictures for The Hunters’ social media and for his own enjoyment. “Once I started doing Hofstra Hunters, people started learning more about my photography, [by asking], ‘Who’s taking it?’” Musa said. “Before I knew it, I ended up

taking people’s [graduation] photos and for different things around school, like [Hofstra Panhellenic]. I’ve done their graduation pictures and stuff. It’s something that’s allowed me the opportunity to work on my craft as well as do something I love by helping others.” Musa began taking pictures for the team when they were founded. He is sometimes accompanied by Piper Cherry, assistant coach and senior sports media major. This team has become special and a big highlight for some students’ college experience. It gives the opportunity for people to actually play football, regardless of their background. Students will even schedule their classes

around the Hofstra Hunters’ game schedule. “I block out Wednesday nights,” Cherry said. “I try not to take Wednesday night classes so I can be here. It’s just so fun. And then after the games ... we get dinner [and] hang out. It’s just a really great community.” Ranilla, Croom and Berger are all set to graduate this coming spring, marking a full circle moment for the team’s founders. The creation of this team and its impact on their college experience has changed their lives.

Perhaps it has something to do with my eighth grade history class, where I found myself facing down a dreaded Socratic seminar. The rules seemed simple enough: speak 5 times and you’ll secure a good grade. Painstakingly, I found the courage to push myself out of my comfort zone, speaking exactly the number of times I needed to do well. I felt proud, until my grade came back. I got a C. It was at this moment that it hit me: Regardless of how much I spoke, it didn’t mean anything if the goalposts were always moving. Even if I tried to “fix” myself for my own sake, there would always be something I did wrong. And what I did wrong seemed to matter more than what I thought I did right. I found myself falling back into my comfort zone – easily going from one class to another without speaking. After all, it’s hard to be critiqued for your ac-

tions if you give people nothing to work with. But instead, you trade it for becoming incredibly easy to be critiqued for not doing anything at all. Throughout my high school career, I had gotten multiple zeroes on seminars for remaining silent the entire time – tanking my grades a good bit, but not so much that it alarmed me enough to take drastic action then. In a way, I had passively expected and thus allowed my grades to take a hit. From a reasonable person’s perspective, it seems incredibly dumbfounding – if there’s a way to prevent it, why didn’t I take it? Once something becomes a habit, whether it be gaming until the sun comes up, procrastinating on homework or remaining quiet in class, it becomes incredibly hard to break. In a way, habits provide a sense of stability, safety and predictability to scenarios that feel out of

our control. Even if I received a bad grade, past me could’ve rationalized it as something I felt I had full control over – it was because I didn’t speak. However, in reality those habits aren’t us necessarily taking control; it’s allowing ourselves to be controlled by our past choices. And if I want to be in true control of my life, I must unapologetically make my own choices: not to please others who I may never see again, not because I’m someone to be fixed and not because I know the outcome. Making choices is a fundamental part of being human – it’s exercising the one birthright I believe can’t be taken away: free will. One of the best parts about being human is having the freedom to reinvent myself. What will we reinvent ourselves into today?

Photo courtesy of Henry Musa

Personal Essay: Speak up, talk down

By Hanna Nishikawara SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

“All you have to do is speak up.” Variations of this phrase have haunted me throughout my time in the education system, whether it be to “talk more,” “participate more” or “speak louder.” Let me assure you, I’m fully aware that these statements are said with the best of intentions. Whether it be from parents, professors or even your close buddies, they’re offering the best advice they feel they can because they want to see you reach your full potential. Nevertheless, that advice can still come off as borderline condescending, as if the recipient hasn’t thought of that no-brainer solution. But if it’s that simple, then why do I find it hard to do? And why does it seem to come naturally to everyone else? Thinking back, I suppose I’ve

always been inclined toward being soft-spoken, while others have had booming voices. But even then, it’s not like volume is a fixed trait. It can be increased over time by learning how to properly project one’s voice. Yet, I think a part of me might’ve resisted, as it felt like my natural, authentic self was treated not as something to work with, but as something to fix. And the “fix” would not necessarily benefit me, but instead make others’ lives more convenient. However, it’s not like I haven’t tried at all. In fact, I remember being relatively talkative during my seventh grade Zoom science class, where I felt comfortable enough to respond to questions asked by people I had never even met in person. So, if I’m perfectly capable of speaking up, why haven’t I been able to replicate that level since?

A8 • OCTOBER 13, 2026

FEATURES

MAN ON THE UNISPAN “What are you most excited about for Fall Fest?”

By Denivia Rivera

THE CHRONICLE

Overheard @ hofstra “If you want me to make someone’s butt fat, I can do it.”

FEATURES EDITOR

“Ain’t no muffins in sight.”

“I can’t cry; it will ruin my nonchalant alpha male mystic aura.” “Probably Flo Milli.” - Maritsa Paul, sophomore

“You broke Monday!”

“Should I bring my fat dog to Fall Fest?”

“Wingstop is a buzzword of mine.” “That one ride where you spin around. Also Flo Milli. I’m excited to see [Lyla Jones’] sister.” - Ajay Singh, junior

“W larp, respectable larp, allowed larp.”

“Oh, jeezalou!”

“I will later – it’s spooky time now.”

“Flo Milli. I’m also excited to see my sister.”

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

- Lyla Jones, freshman

Marilyn Steele / The Hofstra Chronicle

Spread by Emilie Morrissette and Denivia Rivera

THE CHRONICLE

FEATURES

OCTOBER 13, 2026 • A9

Personal Essay: How Hofstra in Rome taught me to appreciate life

Kumba Jagne / The Hofstra Chronicle

By Kumba Jagne MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

Naples, the most densely populated city in Italy, is nestled at the bottom of one of the most active volcanoes in Europe – Mount Vesuvius. Our tour guide told us when lava flows from Mount Vesuvius, there’s a ridge on the north side of the mountain that prevents lava from hitting that side of the city. Less people live on the protected side and houses there are much cheaper. Two million people choose to live on the side that is prone to being leveled when the volcano blows. Our tour guide told us Neapolitans are lazy and chronically late. Maybe if a volcano was looming over me every day, I, too. would sleep in a little longer and savor the walk to work each morning. Neapolitans taught me how to slow down and live in the moment, something I have been trying to master for years. Our steep walk up Mount Vesuvius was one of many excursions on the Hofstra in Rome trip, a class through Hofstra University that takes a group of students to Italy for three weeks to cover multimedia stories and explore the country. While bouncing between Rome, Naples and other major cities in Italy, I learned how to live in the moment and appreciate my short stay on earth. Standing on the mountain, the city is a series of specs, and I couldn’t tell that anyone lived

there at all. Maybe that tininess is what makes Mount Vesuvius so great. While our bus drove around the mountain, I couldn’t help but stare in awe. I had seen few things so looming and

its scopes, but here I finally understood how large and sturdy it was. After thousands of years of wear, there were barely any cracks. I longed to live behind windows in that piazza, but I worried if I saw the Pantheon every day I would forget how amazing it is. How many buildings, mountains and sunsets have I seen back home and become dulled to their beauty? When I returned to Texas that summer, my family and I visited the Texas State Capitol for the third time. When I looked up at the repeating circles, I thought they had never looked so beautiful. The Capuchin Crypt had the most dead things I had seen in my life. Five rooms of the crypt

Kumba Jagne / The Hofstra Chronicle

He explained that, although humans experience time linearly, time itself is a dimension. Time

“Enjoying and savoring life is not just a choice; it is a necessity. We are all on Earth for a short stay and then we become bones.” memorable in culture. One of those few things came while on a late night walk through the city. Our entire Hofstra in Rome class passed rows of glowing yellow restaurants with couples, tourists and families spilling onto the cobblestone streets. Windows with wooden shutters dotted colorful concrete buildings around us. Around a corner we spilled into a piazza – a square on Italian streets. A round building loomed over the piazza with columns thicker than four people standing side by side. The columns held up a triangular roof filled with little holes and led to a door built for giants. “Is that the Pantheon?” I kept asking my fellow classmates. It wasn’t that I didn’t recognize the building; I just couldn’t believe a temple that’s almost 2,000 years old is in the middle of a bustling city. Pictures I had seen devoid of people undersold

used the bones of 5,000 Capuchin friars to create chandeliers, spiraling artwork, statues and coves for complete skeletons. Rows of pelvic bones, for example, spiraled around the ceiling, each one looking like a carbon copy of the ones beside it. Windowsills outside the crypt read: “tempora tempore tempera.” The phrase is generally understood in Latin to mean “time heals all wounds” or “everything is temporary.” Everything really is temporary; one day we will die and just be bones with no trace of who we were before. I was sick with my own mortality. Enjoying and savoring life is not just a choice; it is a necessity. We are all on Earth for a short stay and then we become bones. Jamie Cohen, a former Hofstra professor, complicated death even more for me when he visited our class to give us a lecture.

has already happened, we are just experiencing it. I am in that classroom with hundreds of students that have been there before me; I am writing this article in The Hofstra Chronicle office alongside every

other editor and staff of the paper; I am finishing my college degree, and I am in Italy. While walking up Mount Vesuvius, I lagged behind the rest of the group. It was hard walking up Mount Vesuvius, but I am already over the hill, and lava is flowing down and everyone who has walked here before is walking with me. Unfortunately, we don’t experience time infinitely; once we pass a moment, it’s gone, and there is no turning back. I savored the feeling of my legs burning. I stared at the view, blue and brown for as long as I could see. I breathed in. I breathed out.

Kumba Jagne / The Hofstra Chronicle

GO Glow GOlf LIVE FROM STUDIO A Television is heating up with the HEAT Network. “Thursday Nite Live” began its 25th season on Thursday, Oct. 1. Produced by senior film and television production major Riley Bettes and senior television and business major Bastion Hamilton, students get the opportunity to show their comedy skills through an hour-long live production. Many students were involved in the process behind the scenes.

Aidan Pearsall / The Hofstra Chronicle

Photo courtesy of Luca Lopriore

Photo courtesy of Luca Lopriore

Students entered Hofstra USA on Thursday, Oct. 8 to glowing lines of mini golf barriers. The Office of Student Leadership and Engagement hosted the Indoor Neon Glow Mini Golf. The office encouraged students to come alone or bring their friends to putt under the glow. Aidan Pearsall / The Hofstra Chronicle Aidan Pearsall / The Hofstra Chronicle Photo courtesy of Luca Lopriore

Marilyn Steele / The Hofstra Chronicle

Kim Nadler / The Hofstra Chronicle

Background by Marilyn Steele / The Hofstra Chronicle

Marilyn Steele / The Hofstra Chronicle

Photo courtesy of Luca Lopriore Background photo by Luca Lopriore

Photo courtesy of Luca Lopriore Spread by Kumba Jagne and Kim Nadler

Arts and Entertainment

VOLUME 94 ISSUE 3

Photo courtesy of The Independent

B2 • OCTOBER 13, 2026

THE CHRONICLE

A&E

What's the story behind Ashe's new single? By Danica Spera SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

On Sept. 3, Ashe dropped her new single, “Funeral,” almost a month after releasing her highly anticipated single, “Stop The Wedding!” These releases are leading up to her fourth studio album, “The Girl Of Your Dreams,” coming out Friday, Oct. 16. If you thought the title of her song “Funeral” sounded quite sad, don’t worry; the title is a little misleading. Similar to her previous albums, Ashe starts off her song with a slow, melancholic piano backtrack that feels a tad hopeful. After the first few seconds, the melody quickens to sound like two people dancing in a ballroom, twirling until they both fall out of breath. Toward the middle of the song, an orchestra of instruments harmonize together until. suddenly, all of the instruments

die out and you’re only left with Ashe’s voice. The song concludes with an upbeat finale. “Funeral” is a romantic song, inspired by Ashe’s healing journey and feelings for her current husband, whom she describes as “my forever, now and then.” The healing and optimistic feelings you get while listening to the lyrics is a new sensation for Ashe's songs, as this love she describes wasn’t always the case for her. Prior to marrying her current husband, Ashe went through immense heartbreak when she married and divorced her abusive first husband. She revealed the abuse she endured to fans in her song “Save Myself” during her 2022 tour. In one of the endings of “Save Myself,” Ashe sang, “I could have saved myself from you locking me out of our house.” She later revealed it was the house she bought with her own money.

Fans thought this song would be heartbreaking because of the title's death connotation; however, Ashe sings, “You’ll be my Tuesday night and my Sunday drive / And the last speech at my funeral,” implying her husband will love her until she dies, as he will be the last person to pay tribute to her. This song represents a turning point in Ashe’s career. In an interview with Variety, she explained she found her “forever” love and wanted to capture the emotional and vulnerable sides of it. Ashe revealed to PM Studio that it was the first time she cried while writing a song and admitted, “I still have a hard time getting through it without becoming emotional." Songwriters Noah Conrad, who previously worked with Chappell Roan and ROLE MODEL, and Annika Bennett co-wrote the track while shedding some tears during the process. When

they made it to the bridge, Ashe mentioned she and her co-writers broke down from the emotional zenith. On social media, fans have reacted with emotional responses. In a comment section on Ashe’s Instagram account, one user wrote, “The lyrics are so beautiful that they make me feel a little sad, knowing that maybe I’ll never experience this kind of love in my lifetime.” Another user wrote, “Love this song and all of the people who worked on it so much!” Some even got inspiration from the song as one TikTok user noted, “Thank you, thank you, thank you!! This is the exact song I needed to finish writing the last scene in my book!!” “Funeral” is now available on all major streaming platforms. Fans are prepared to enjoy more songs from Ashe on Friday, Oct. 16.

Quick Hits

Want more A&E Content? Scan to learn more about what's happening in the world of entertainment!

Photo courtesy of Entertainment Weekly Tom Cruise's latest movie, 'Digger,' bombed at the box office, tracking to be one of the biggest flops ever, according to San Francisco Chronicle.

Taylor Swift's lore is bigger than her music By Matilde Gaudio STAFF WRITER

On Sept. 15, Taylor Swift released “The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore,” which includes four new songs: “Patient Zero,” “Cleveland!,” “Pink Clouding” and “Babylon.” Public reception has been less than positive, with a Pitchfork album rating of 4.0 out of 10 and negative online discourse surrounding the quality of her songwriting. The overexposure of The Eras Tour, quickly followed by the releases of multiple albums, has likely contributed to the fresh wave of hostility towards her and her work. While there are valid criticisms of Swift such as her private jet usage, much of the negative response to her music specifically can be attributed to the backlash all famous women get when the public feels overly inundated with them. “Patient Zero” features Swift’s classic storytelling approach to lyricism. The song’s bridge, with its run-on sentences and metaphors, is reminiscent of older songs,

specifically from the “1989” era. The accompanying music video premiered at the 2026 VMAs and plays with romantic thriller genre tropes. In the video, Swift plays the ghost of a murdered ex-wife who haunts the narrative to warn her replacement about her husband’s true nature. Swifties – Swift’s fanbase – will remember her “Late Night Show with Stephen Colbert” interview on Dec. 11, 2025, where she mentioned enjoying literary thrillers like Daphne Du Maurier’s “Rebecca.” “Cleveland!,” featuring lyrics such as “He already took me to Cleveland / And showed me The Heights,” seems to parallel the lyrics “Took me back to Highgate / Met all of his best mates” from “London Boy.” “Cleveland!” is undeniably about Swift’s husband Travis Kelce, who hails from Cleveland, making it difficult to separate the song from its real-life context. While Swift’s delivery of lines like “So hate all you like / This is the love of my life” is moving, the song’s greatest weakness lies in its specificity, as the emotional significance of taking

someone to Cleveland depends on how much the listener knows about her husband. Like “London Boy” before it, “Cleveland!” is a prime example of a song that can’t stand on its own without the lore. For diehard fans who live for Easter eggs, it’s a cute, energetic song with wholesome lyrics, but it just doesn’t have the timeless, relatable quality of some of Swift’s previous works, especially when compared to older songs addressing haters such as “Shake It Off.” “Pink Clouding” is Swift reflecting on a relationship where she realizes she mistreated her partner. Swift equates the relationship before this one to drug addiction, saying that after breaking up she experienced pink cloud syndrome – frequently described as the “honeymoon phase” of addiction recovery. One lyric in particular, “That’s why you haunt me like you should,” portrays her guilt while also tying back to the “Patient Zero” music video, except she is now the person living with the ghost of her actions. This connection is furthered by the lyric “I

gave you zero reason to believe it,” referencing the zero in “Patient Zero.” Overall, it’s got a catchy chorus and a classic Swift bridge complete with cathartic run-on sentences. “Babylon” describes a man who chases material gain at the expense of personal relationships. With references to resenting handme-downs and envying a neighbor’s greener lawn, "Babylon" is a stirring meditation on what makes life meaningful and a lovely return to Swift’s “folklore”-esque storytelling. Ultimately, “The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore” isn’t going to earn Swift any new fans, but its hyper-personal lyricism will probably strengthen ties with Swifties who care about Swift the person more than Swift the artist. It’s a prime example of an artist’s public image getting in the way of the art, both behind the scenes and in the listeners’ minds.

Photo courtesy of Spotify

Slayyyter released a new single on Friday, Oct. 9, titled 'i think he's got a girl.'

Photo courtesy of Rolling Stone Philippines

Katseye's Sophia Laforteza will return from her mental health hiatus on the first week of Jan. 2027.

Photo courtesy of Spotify

Troye Sivan released his fourth studio album, 'She's the Best,' on Friday, Oct. 9.

THE CHRONICLE

A&E

Phoebe Bridgers concert review

Editor's Picks By Shawn Tripathy

SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

Photo courtesy of Cinelux

MOVIE

'When Harry Met Sally' (1989) Director: Rob Reiner

Photo courtesy of Billboard

SONG

'Rein Me In (with Olivia Dean)' (2025) Artist: Sam Fender

Photo courtesy of Spotify

ALBUM

'Mud' (2026) Artist: Remi Wolf

Photo courtesy of Glitchwave

VIDEO GAME

'Uncharted 2: Among Thieves' (2009) Creator: Naughty Dog

Photo courtesy of Spotify

ALBUM

'Blonde' (2016) Artist: Frank Ocean

OCTOBER 13, 2026 • B3

I first listened to “Lost Weekend” by Phoebe Bridgers on my flight from Texas to New York, eager to start a new life in college. I remember hearing it as the plane took off, Bridgers’ haunting vocals accompanying my rise into the skies, and my first thought was “Why didn’t I listen to this earlier?” As a longtime fan, I was not disappointed by “Lost Weekend.” It jumped from her typical sad-girl vocals to overtaking everything and washing over you. Hearing Bridgers’ journey of change and of becoming someone new was a fitting soundtrack for my current chapter. My roommate had already bought us tickets for The Lost Tour 2026 (thank you Lake Gulian!) earlier in the summer, and as the day of our concert approached, I got even more antsy. This would be my first real concert, and I was excited and nervous at the same time. Entering the venue, we had to lock away our devices and go through tight security. Bridgers clearly did not want any recordings of the show leaked, and she definitely made the right decision. Once inside, we headed to our seats. There was one big stage with a dome in the center and a smaller stage on the other side. While we waited for Bridgers to come on, we listened to the opener, Alex G. I was enthralled by how big the stadium was and kept looking at everyone coming in. I admired how beautiful and intricate some fans’ outfits were. Eventually, a low hum filled the stadium, and everyone’s eyes turned to the stage. The dome slowly lifted as “The Outside” played, revealing the band and Bridgers. I could feel my heart stop. Seeing her in person and existing in the same room as her was surreal. This was the woman who had

soundtracked my life for the past few years. Someone who had seen me grow, change and become the person I am today, even if she had no idea who I was. As she played “The Governor’s Waltz” I cried for the first of many times that night. The song is about not feeling present in your own life, and it was one of my favorites from the new album. As she sang, the screen behind her illuminated with galaxies and stars and the whole arena was covered in a soft golden glow. Listening to “Waiting Room” live was so much better than hearing it in my AirPods every morning sophomore year of high school. The song is emotionally raw and sincere, and seeing Bridgers play it desperately on stage made me feel connected to her. After hearing news of Boygenius – Bridgers’ band with fellow singer-songwriters Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker – reuniting at Brooklyn night one, I would have been disappointed if they did not do so again on night two. As I heard the opening notes of “Not Strong Enough,” I knew the band was there. Seeing Boygenius

live had never been a possibility in my mind as they broke up in 2023, before I was old enough, or had the funds, to go to concerts. Seeing them on the stage healed something in me, and their three-way kiss made my heart melt. The surprise song was “Souvenir,” which I was content with until I found out they played “Powers” – my favorite Boygenius song in the world – the next night. In the final moments of “I Know The End,” Bridgers screamed like it was the last breath of her life. During the scream, the lights turned red and the music amplified. In that stadium, hearing everyone scream in unison, it felt like we were all connected. As the bridge of “Lost Weekend” played, the whole stadium was dressed in light. There are no words to describe it. It was magical. The best description I can give is that it was like being inside a kaleidoscope mixed with the death of a star. I still see it in my mind, weeks after the show. Bridgers gave a small speech in the middle of the performance, saying how happy she was that there were no phones. The main point of her shows

is to be like a planetarium, and being able to control the light source made the experience a million times better. I was inclined to agree because looking around and not seeing a single camera was surreal. Everyone was present and in the moment, all focused on one person. There is technology all around us and we are urged to record everything we see for “memories.” How many times have you gone back and watched a grainy concert video you were more focused on recording than watching what was happening in front of you? Only being able to experience the show again in your memory holds more weight than a shaky camera recording. And as I write this, on a flight back home to Texas with “Lost Weekend” blasting in my ears and a dying computer, I am reminded of the beautiful experience I had, of all the people I met and of how much I have changed in the last month. Being human is a beautiful thing, and Bridgers’ latest work perfectly encapsulates the guilt and joy of being alive and finding who you are.

Photo courtesy of The Johns Hopkins News-Letter

B4 • OCTOBER 13, 2026

THE CHRONICLE

A&E

An intimate night celebrating Jeff Buckley By Kimberly Lopez ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

A beautiful, late-night stroll in New York City on Sept. 29 landed me in The Cutting Room, a spacious, vibrant music and nightlife venue that has been active since 1999. The venue was holding a showing of the documentary “It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley,” which explores and celebrates the life of said acclaimed singer-songwriter. The event was held by Road Recovery, a non-profit that is “dedicated to helping young people as they battle addiction and other adversities in their lives,” according to their website. Following the showing was a Q&A with Jeff Buckley’s fellow band member Michael Tighe. Author of “Dream Brother: The Lives of Jeff & Tim Buckley,” David Browne and the “Last Goodbye” singer’s former tour manager and founder of Road Recovery, Gene Bowen, were both present for the Q&A as well.

The space was something out of a movie with beautiful chandelier-like structure made of guitars fell from the ceiling, dim lighting and plenty of seating. Regardless of where one was sitting, everyone could get a good view of the stage, which was reminiscent of a classic hometown musical – homey but somehow out of this world. The seats closest to the stage were at fancy-looking tables, lit with candles as centerpieces. Though I sat by the bar, it was still a sight to see. The special night also included musical performances by Lyric Miller and Kenny Bell. The two took turns singing renditions of celebrated 1990s rock musician’s songs, including “Eternal Life” and “Opened Once.” It’s hard to do someone like Buckley justice, but their covers landed well. I had already seen the documentary twice before this night, but I never get tired of its beauty. Directed by Amy Berg, the film included wonderful interviews with Buckley’s mother Mary Guibert, his former bandmates

and women who held special connections with him. The venue had a projector on stage, two TV screens to the sides and another projector toward the back, ensuring everyone in the room had a good view. The documentary is wonderfully touching, and as you hear the Grammy-nominated artist sing and all the wonderful stories people share, you can’t help but shed a few tears. Then, came the Q&A. I was very intrigued to hear from people who worked hand in hand with Buckley when he was alive, especially from those as close to him as his bandmates. Browne led the Q&A by asking the questions, while Tighe and Bowen recalled the good ol’ days with the internationally revered musician in their answers. When Browne asked the men what they thought makes people drawn to Buckley, even now, Tighe responded, “I think in very, like, … simple terms … he had the voice of an angel, you know? His voice was very human … I do think that’s what resonates with people, and I do

think also, like, yearning ... you could feel that on the record.” There truly is something very raw and ethereal about Buckley we likely won’t see again in this lifetime. Once the Q&A concluded, the performers came back onstage for one final hurrah. Miller and Kenny closed the night by singing one of Buckley’s favorites, “The Boy with the Thorn in His Side,” by

The Smiths. Copies of the lyrics were placed on the tables by the front with hopes that everyone would sing along. The night was joyous and a true celebration of Buckley’s life. Watching the authentic documentary, hearing stories and singing along to his favorite tune really made you feel close to him. What a great act – one gone far too soon.

Photo courtesy of Kimberly Lopez

New York Fashion Week's 2027 collections shine By Avah Laren SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

New York streets were recently filled with runway shows, designer presentations and fashion events from Sept. 10 to Sept. 15, showcasing the upcoming Spring/Summer 2027 collections. Bringing together established fashion houses, emerging designers, celebrities and industry leaders, New York Fashion Week (NYFW) once again transformed the city into a stage for the future of fashion. One of the pre-week highlights came from Harlem’s Fashion Row, which hosted its 19th Annual Fashion Show & Style Awards at The Glasshouse in New York. The event, themed “Peace by Piece,” celebrated emerging designers through a runway showcase and awards ceremony, recognizing their contributions to the fashion industry. Designer Waïna Chancy, the founder and creative direc-

tor of the brand Atelier Ndigo, took home the $100,000 prize after winning the competition where she debuted a breathtaking Spring/Summer 2027 collection, inspired by her home country, Haiti. Ralph Lauren carried on the pre-week momentum with an intimate presentation of his Spring 2027 women’s collection at the Jack Shainman Gallery in Lower Manhattan. The collection embraced “an irreverent take on romance,” the infamous designer described in his show notes, according to Page Six. “Think voluminous pants, slim jackets and gorgeous evening options in silk lamés and velvets,” Lauren said. The presentation also drew in an all-star crowd including Viola Davis, Cynthia Erivo, Ariana DeBose and Anna Wintour seated front row. The official start to NYFW kicked off on Sept. 10, following early presentations and preview

events from brands. One of the day’s most anticipated events included Henry Zankov’s debut as creative director for Diane von Furstenberg. The milestone show marked the brand’s first appearance at NYFW in nine years. For this historic return, Zankov reinterpreted the brand’s iconic wrap dress and 1970’s silhouettes through a fresh perspective. His collection beautifully honored the house’s empowering legacy while incorporating his signature graphic knitwear textures and fluid drapery to create this striking and memorable showcase. Continuing through the week, indie label Eckhaus Latta captured widespread attention by partnering with J. Crew for a unique runway collaboration. The duo debuted a 27-piece fall collection, expanding on their viral “Rollneck Remix.” Eckhaus Latta chose to reimagine the 1990’s J. Crew catalog archives through Eckhaus Latta’s downtown, unconventional proportions

and utilitarian aesthetic. This new lineup emphasized classic Americana, featuring rollneck sweaters, double-waisted chinos, rugged barn jackets and duffle coats. NYFW was also a week for celebration as many big-name heritage brands welcomed major milestones in the fashion industry. Coach celebrated its 85th anniversary following its Spring 2027 show at Pier 36. Creative director Stuart Vevers chose the theme “Love Is the Message” for the milestone, focusing on how clothes gain meaning through time, wear and memory. Carolina Herrera marked its 45th anniversary with an opulent show at Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theater, revisiting classic styles such as white shirting, sculptural ruffles and vibrant florals. Rachel Comey celebrated 25 years in fashion at the Judson Theatre, featuring cracked leather, satin surfaces and chenille tank

dresses. Comey dedicated this milestone collection to late painter, playwright and professional wrestler Rosalyn Drexler. After a breathtaking week in fashion, NYFW closed out with Thom Browne’s theatrical presentation at The Shed in Hudson Yards. The runway featured a dark, surreal garden covered in faux grass, giant leaves and monumental branches. Inspired by the classic Disney film “A Bug’s Life,” the garments reflected these critters with ant-embroidered embellishments, butterfly-wing gowns and a sculptural ladybug dress. From emerging designers making their mark to heritage houses celebrating decades of influence, this season’s NYFW once again proved to be the place for bold statements, creativity and unforgettable moments in fashion.

A12 • OCTOBER 13, 2026

THE CHRONICLE

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.

It’s not just Cornell University By Madison Demko COPY CHIEF

If you have turned on your phone in the last month, I guarantee you have heard of the “Cornell Seven” – a name that completely downplays the weight of the situation to which it is attached. This is not a new superhero group or an upcoming boy band, these are seven men accused of drugging, sexually violating and torturing a 20-year-old woman for seven hours. Now, nearly two years after the incident, the woman, under the pseudonym Jane Doe, is coming forward to sue her alleged assaulters after Cornell University dropped the ball on protecting her when she was a student. According to WSU Insider, college women already face a far greater risk of sexual violence than most, with 1 in 100

women reporting an instance of sexual violence while living oncampus. Keep in mind, those are just the reported cases. College is supposed to be a transformative, intellectual experience. It is a time during which students come into adulthood and find their passions, their greatest friends and their purpose. It is not a stretch to assume students attending and living at their universities expect safety. Yet according to Cornell’s own 2025 Survey of Sexual Assault and Related Misconduct following Jane Doe’s case, 49% of respondents reported experiencing sexual or gender-based harassment – an increase from previous years. Jane Doe is a woman who had passions, friends, a cry-in-thecar song and a favorite coffee order. She is a woman who was enjoying college life before those men took that experience

from her, allegedly. It doesn’t matter what she was wearing, that she was drinking or that was she flirting; none of that is consent. I am sick of hearing about women having to rebuild their lives because their boundaries were not taken seriously, because their “no’s” were ignored. I care most that her alleged assaulters got off with measly essays while she is left to deal with the mental, physical, financial and educational consequences of the torture she endured. For generations, women have been taught to stay vigilant and to keep their heads on a swivel. We know to never go home if we feel we are being followed, to share our locations with our most trusted friends and family, to never let our friends go to the bathroom alone on a night out. Women know these things

because for some reason, when a woman says something has happened to her, it is always somehow her fault, because in order to be believed, women are expected to be the perfect victims. We are all Jane Doe – and if not, I guarantee you know a Jane Doe. Research from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center shows that nationwide 81% of women reported experiencing a form of sexual harassment or assault in their lifetime. Over 50% of this sexual violence against women was at the hands of an intimate partner, and 40.8% of women were attacked by an acquaintance. To be a woman is to have a plan before stepping outside; it is to keep your head down so that your friendly smile does not get misconstrued for an invitation. To be a woman means subconsciously equating fear to

womanhood. It is exhausting to try to exist safely and to fight battles we did not choose to face. It is ridiculous to hear of women continuously reaping the consequences of the actions of men. No one goes to the police station to report consensual relations, and it takes true courage to stand up for yourself when something does happen to you. I commend Jane Doe, and I pray Matthew Ingalls, Winston Lee, Jonathan Newell, Scott Norris, Gillio Lopes, Diego Sarabia and Scott Kretzschmar face the consequences of their alleged egregious actions. I pray Jane Doe gets her justice – that all Jane Doe’s get their justice. Madison Demko is a senior English major with a creative writing concentration.

Donald Trump’s degree-based cuts are unfair By Olivia Ladd STAFF COPY EDITOR

The New Republic posted on X claiming that President Donald Trump banning students from federal loans based on their degree program is fake news and he is instead holding colleges accountable for their students’ earnings. The United States Department of Education (ED) recently responded to this post by countering The New Republic’s claim, stating The New Republic’s article addresses the Student Tuition and Transparency System (STATS) and Earnings Accountability rule that was finalized in June and signed in July. The new rule will reshape how students in secondary degree programs receive federal loans. While it is true the STATS ruling does not ban specific programs from being eligible for federal aid, there will be a post-graduation income thresh-

old program that will need to be met for the degree program to continue to offer Federal Direct Loans. STATS set in motion new requirements for federal loan distribution. A higher education program must demonstrate that their degree holders earn more than someone with only a high school degree. If graduates aged 25 to 35 fail to earn more than someone with only a high school degree two out of three consecutive award years, the program will no longer be eligible to award Federal Direct Loans. The earliest students can expect these changes to impact their aid is the 2028-2029 school year. The ED stated in a press release on June 29 that “this new accountability framework … will safeguard American taxpayer dollars and protect students from taking on unmanageable debt for programs that cannot demonstrate a reasonable

return on investment.” My main concern is how this framework will affect fields such as social work, education and art. Humanities degrees such as these often earn lower wages than fields such as STEM, but this does not make them less valuable or signify there isn’t a “reasonable return on investment.” These degrees contribute to community connection and beneficial social experiences. A degree’s worth and impact cannot only be measured through its financial gain but should be measured by its social gain as well. Additionally, the press release on June 29 does not specify if the income from people with only a high school diploma will be related to the field of the undergraduate programs that they are being compared against. Comparing data from a broad group to a specialized field is not a fair, comprehensive equivalent. It would not show

if having a bachelor’s degree would have a significant impact on income in that chosen career. With these new requirements, the Trump Administration is also aiming to “drive down the cost of higher education and hold all institutions, regardless of sector, accountable for low earnings outcomes,” said Under Secretary of Education Nicholas Kent. However, this ruling does not address factors – such as cost of living and inflation – that drive tuition rates up. It simply blames colleges for a decision they do not control. Without government guidance, employers are the ones who set wages that result in a lower income. Instating an income threshold only adds more barriers to pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree. This barrier will disproportionally affect lower income students’ ability to study in a field they are passionate about. Choosing a degree based on the

potential income is a fine way to make a career decision, but how much you enjoy your career is also important. The Trump Administration’s attempt at addressing the continual rise of tuition rates does not face the problem head-on. Students from low-income backgrounds may have trouble pursuing a degree they are passionate about but may not result in a high wage. STATS and the Earnings Accountability rule restrict people’s access to secondary education and places emphasis on a degree’s financial gain. There are many degrees that demonstrate a positive social impact that may not pay as well as a business or science focused degree would. A college education is more than a financial investment. Olivia Ladd is a senior English major.

THE CHRONICLE

OPINION

OCTOBER 13, 2026 • A13

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.

Rockin’ and Rollin’

Graphic by Katelyn Buchalter and Nola Dunnaway

ACROSS

1 One trading 3 Kick out 4 Like some monologues 6 Tribute 10 Collection of Blaise Pascal writings 13 NYC airport on the East River 14 Leisure 15 What one does at school 16 Italian wine region 21 ___ room 23 Train track 25 Every U.S. president to date 26 Leave out 27 Mets’ former stadium 28 A social science, for short 29 Redding, of 60's soul

DOWN

2 From Italy, Spain, France, etc. 3 Chinese steamed bun 5 100% 7 Units of medicine 8 Often served on rye bread 9 Don't mesh well together 11 Grandmothers, affectionately 12 Top echelon 17 Grime 18 Head ornament 19 French Pancake 20 Chumps 22 Chanel fragrance 24 Peter Griffin's wife

Last edition’s answer key:

Email us at huchronicle.op.ed@gmail.com for the answers.

A14 • OCTOBER 13, 2026

THE CHRONICLE

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.

College should not have homework By Vanessa Flanagan A&E EDITOR

I’ve never been a person who loves school; I would much rather just be home. I feel pretty confident in calling the summer of 2026 the best summer of my life, so far. I had so much fun every single day. So, you could imagine my dread when the first day of classes started approaching. When I first got upset about starting school, I thought to myself, “Why do I hate it so much if I just go to class for a few hours and then get to come home?” It’s because I don’t just get to come home and forget about it. School comes with me. School comes with me in the form of readings, assignments, deadlines and studying. I don’t get to enjoy the breaks I have throughout the week because schoolwork bleeds into other

parts of my life – it gets in the way of fun things I’d rather be doing to get my mind off class. Homework also takes an unreasonable amount of time because everything adds up if you get assignments from every class. The way my schedule is lined up this semester – four classes Mondays and Wednesdays – doesn’t help either. If I’m assigned something from every class on a Monday, I have no choice but to grind and finish everything to be prepared for Wednesday’s classes. On Mondays, I somehow have to find the time for homework after my class ends at 5:45 p.m. in between dinner, off-campus volleyball, occasionally a The Hofstra Chronicle layout meeting, showering, eating and sleeping. The gap from Wednesday to Monday’s classes is more digestible and less stressful.

That being said, it’s annoying that I’m forced to dedicate some of my weekend to homework if I can’t find the time after class on Wednesdays or Thursdays. I’m supposed to be relaxing and recovering from the week. I’m a commuter so I feel I have more of a life outside of Hofstra University’s campus as opposed to people who live on campus. I play in a volleyball league separate from Hofstra’s club team and I work as a volleyball coach which, when inseason, already takes up some of my weekend with tournaments. As a journalism student, I think it’s sometimes difficult to find time to cover stories for my classes. I’m more likely to attend an event on a weekend rather than during the week but even then, I try to hang out with my friends who also commute to their schools. I really try to do

other things so school doesn’t consume my life and make me miserable, but it’s very hard. It’s even harder when there are some professors who don’t understand that you have other classes, commitments or sometimes just want to do something other than sit in front of your computer frying your brain for hours. When I’m not in school, playing or working, I like my free time. I love watching movies, going to movie theaters, playing video games, watching TV and scrolling on social media. I feel like I speak for most people when I say it’s nice to decompress and participate in mindless hobbies sometimes. Over the summer, I constantly occupied myself with things that made me feel joy. Not because I needed a distraction from life and staying busy was the solution, but because I just love

having fun. Having fun every day and constantly surrounding myself with positive environments turned into the best summer ever. School would just be a little hiccup in that life if it stayed the same when I leave campus but, instead, I’m forced to bring a piece of the misery into the joy-filled life I’ve been building since May, and it’s upsetting.

Vanessa Flanagan is a junior journalism major. You can find her on Instagram @vanessaa.flanagan.

Live action remakes are unnecessary By Peter Munn STAFF COPY EDITOR

Disney has faced backlash over the past few years for its decision to remake and rerelease their classic stories. The company faced heavy scrutiny online, with many people arguing that the live-action remakes are low quality and lose all the magic that made the stories so special to begin with. These retellings are not necessary, and the stories should be left alone in their original version. Disney relies on nostalgia and familiar characters to draw people’s attention to the remakes, with the hopes that the realism installed into these classic tales will appeal to younger children and those who grew up with the movies. For example, the live action “Moana” movie, released in July, is a shot-forshot remake; however, the quality of the film is poor. All of the color and magical aspects that made the original special

did not translate well into the realist style Disney was aiming for, especially with musical numbers that look like cheap and tacky knockoffs. When it comes to comparing the original 2016 version and the new 2026 version, the original has more to offer than the remake. “Moana” is not the only animated movie to be reinvented as a live-action film. “Dumbo,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” “Snow White” and “Lilo & Stitch” are just a few films that were recently released. The “Tangled” live-action remake is currently in production with a theatrical release scheduled for March 31, 2028. The realism of the remakes is not for everybody, and I agree with the arguments that it removes the appeal of the animation. There are limitations when you deal with photorealistic animals; the emotion shown in animal characters from the originals is not easily transferable to computer-generated

imaging (CGI). In the original “The Lion King” and “The Little Mermaid,” the animals all showed immense emotion and mannerisms that weren’t really evident in the remakes, which is very disappointing, especially for people who adored the original characters. Most of these films, if not all, received backlash during their promotional run and during the release period. If they are not a shot-for-shot remake, then there are unnecessary changes added into the movies that ultimately do not make any positive impacts. For example, the live-action “Mulan” removed the fan-favorite dragon Mushu and many of the original songs. Additionally, a major theme and plot point were changed. The audience did not receive these changes positively. In “Snow White,” the decision to use CGI dwarves created an uproar due to the exclusion of actors with dwarfism. Changes like these can undermine what

audiences loved so much about the classics. So why does Disney keep greenlighting these lower-quality live-action remakes of the original animated movies that fans love so much? The answer is simple: money. “Moana” was released just ten years ago and already received a remake. The success of the original – and the trend of reimagining movies into modern adaptations – led the company to remake the movie in hopes that it would generate a big profit. “Moana” did not need a reboot as it is still so fresh in everybody’s mind – thanks in part to the help of the streaming service Disney+. The remake was made quickly and looks cheap. It was made solely for the purpose of making money, as it did not add anything to the overall plot of the story or the characters’ arcs. The same idea goes for the other remakes. The changes that were made did not add anything

compelling to the stories and the adaptations don’t live up to their predecessors’ splendor. These modern adaptations can be seen as cash grabs by Disney, recycling stories that have already been told. This is an ongoing topic with the recent release of unnecessary sequels, like “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” that the general population did not ask for. People feel as though the movies are being forced on them through marketing in order to sell tickets and make a profit. New stylistic choices, poor-quality storytelling and visuals turn the audience away from these live action remakes that many people view as soulless cash grabs.

Peter Munn is a senior journalism major.

THE CHRONICLE

SPORTS

OCTOBER 13, 2026 • A15

Pride drops non-conference tilt to Wildcats

By Evan Papadopoulos ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

The Hofstra University field hockey team fell 4-1 to Villanova University on Sunday, Oct. 11. The loss marked the Pride’s ninth straight defeat, becoming their longest losing skid in program history. In her first ever college start, Madison Geiger made 12 saves. For the wildcats, Maddi Sears got the start, making two saves and allowing one goal in the victory.

Villanova opened the game strongly, putting three shots on goal within the first five minutes. Geiger was up to the task, though, stopping all three Wildcat attempts. With a little more than seven minutes left in the first quarter, Hofstra opened the scoring. The Pride drew a penalty corner, and the ball found its way to Kesia Richardson from the top of the shooting circle. Her shot found the stick of Malena Bertone, who tipped it past Sears for her fifth goal of the

Joe Orovitz / The Hofstra Chronicle The Pride are averaging 9.5 shots per game.

season. Just before the end of the first frame, Villanova found their equalizer. Colleen Finnan drove into the shooting circle before squaring it to Katharina Balks, whose diving shot beat Geiger’s diving attempt and tied the game at one. After pressuring their opponent for most of the second and third quarters, Villanova found a goal. This time, it was Balks setting up Finnan, who just poked it past Geiger to give the Wildcats a 2-1 lead. With less than 30 seconds left in the third, the Wildcats struck again on a counterattack. Aimee Largoza ran down the wing before she found Ava Borkowski one-on-one with Geiger. Borkowski scooped it past Geiger to double the Wildcats’ lead. Borkowski grabbed her second goal of the afternoon less than five in-game minutes later. Finnan squared it to Borkowski at the far post, and she was all alone to grab the insurance goal for Villanova.

Photo courtesy of Alexis Friedman / Hofstra Athletics Opponents are outscoring the Pride 41-16 this season.

The Pride were outshot 26-6, and 16 of Villanova’s shots found their way on goal. Hofstra went one for two on penalty corners while the Wildcats went zero for five. With the loss, Hofstra fell to 2-10 on the season. The Pride will return to play on Friday,

Oct. 16, as they continue their road trip to face Sacred Heart University in non-conference action. Game time from New Haven, Connecticut, is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Pride play to third draw of conference slate By Kayla Leibowitz STAFF WRITER

The Hofstra University men’s soccer team drew 1-1 against Drexel University on the road on Saturday, Oct. 10. The Pride remain in first place in Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) standings with an in-conference record of 2-1-3. Coming into the matchup, Hofstra looked to continue its strong conference play and maintain its spot at the top of the CAA standings. The Pride entered the game looking to bounce back af-

ter a scoreless draw to Princeton University and pick up another conference win on the road. From the opening whistle, Drexel came out strong, putting offensive pressure on Hofstra’s defense. The Pride worked to keep Drexel from creating scoring opportunities as both teams battled for possession. After the first 20 minutes of play, Hofstra finally found their rhythm. Drexel appeared to take the lead 31 minutes into the half after putting the ball in the back of the net. However, the goal was called offside by the sideline officials, keeping the game scoreless. The Pride stayed even with the Dragons as the first half continued. Hofstra struggled to create many offensive opportunities throughout the first half, as Drexel kept pressure on the Pride and limited their chances to attack. The Pride were unable to generate much offense and had difficulty getting the ball into scoring positions.

While neither team scored in the first half, both teams showed physicality, combining for 16 fouls. With the score still tied heading into halftime, Hofstra looked to find more offensive opportunities in the second half, and they did just that. Jordan Hoey drew a penalty in the box, giving the Pride a chance to take the lead. Ben Schulz capitalized on the opportunity, scoring the first goal of the game for Hofstra. The goal marked Schulz’s fourth of the season, tying him with Bastian Carlman for the team lead in goals. With the goal, the Pride gained momentum, allowing them to take more control of the game offensively. It looked like Hofstra was going to end the game with the win, holding onto its lead as the clock continued to wind down; however, with 10 minutes left in the match, Drexel began to increase the pressure and push for an equalizer.

Aidan Pearsall / The Hofstra Chronicle Ben Schultz has registered 10 points this season on four goals and two assists.

In the 82nd minute, Daniel Frye found the back of the net off a header after a loose ball was played into the box, tying the game at 1-1. This was the only shot on goal from the Dragons during the whole match. Despite losing their lead late in the game, Hofstra continued to battle defensively to keep Drexel from scoring again. The Pride held off the Dragons for the remainder of the match, securing a draw on the road.

After a loss to Stony Brook University and draws against Princeton and Drexel, the Pride are looking to get back in the win column. With only two CAA games remaining, Hofstra looks to finish the conference schedule strong. The Pride will take on Monmouth University at Captains Field on Saturday, Oct. 17, as they celebrate senior day. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.

A16 • OCTOBER 13, 2026

THE CHRONICLE

SPORTS

Pride stumped in first conference loss of the season By Shannon Bickert SPORTS EDITOR

The Hofstra University volleyball team lost their first Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) match 3-1 against UNCWilmington on Saturday, Oct. 10. Hofstra moved to 12-4 on the year with a 7-1 CAA tally. After avoiding a reverse sweep the night prior by mounting a six-point rally to come all the way back and snatch the victory from the Seahawks, the Pride fell short in the second match of the series, taking only one set. Coming into the week, the Pride ranked sixth in NCAA Division I in opponent hitting percentage, holding opponents to just a .149 mark

on the season. UNCW’s offense proved to be too powerful, hitting .339 with a match-best .514 mark in the first set. The Seahawks put the best opponent hitting percentage on the board against the Pride over any other team that Hofstra has faced this season, including No. 10 Pennsylvania State University. The Seahawks got the Pride out of systems early in play, as the Pride was unable to cleanly receive 11 serves. Gaby Zovko’s name was written all over the scorecard, leading the team with 43 assists, 14 digs, four blocks and three service aces. Hofstra’s offense was not enough to push the Pride to a victory, hitting .171 on the day – a season-low in CAA play. Despite the Seahawks putting up a crooked number, Beatriz Braga continued to shine, posting a double-double with 15 kills, 10 digs, an ace and two blocks. Julia Amorim helped anchor the Pride’s net-front presence with seven blocks and added three service aces. In back-to-back matches, Ellie Pamatat took command as the Pride’s primary setter,

tallying 21 helpers in the contest and connecting with her opposite side hitter, Constanza Perez Sain, who contributed a nine-kill day. From the jump, UNCW was in control. After Braga led off the match laying down the hammer, the Seahawks tallied four unanswered points. The Pride rallied early but was quickly stuffed as Sam Vanda took the reins, recording three straight kills to jump-start a four-point Seahawks run. A widespread offensive attack from UNCW carried the Seahawks to a comfortable 2514 first-set victory, hitting at a .514 clip and only committing two attacking errors in the frame. The second set was slightly more competitive, but the Seahawks were still able to cruise to a 25-19 set win, hitting 0.400 to the Pride’s 0.24 mark. It was a close set throughout, the Pride never led but rallied to tie the set at 14 apiece. The Seahawks quickly answered with a four-point run that lifted them to a 2-0 match lead. Hofstra played a much stronger brand of volleyball

Kaylee Roche / The Hofstra Chronicle Ellie Pamatat leads the Pride with 5.74 assists per set this season.

in the third set, squeaking out a 25-18 win. Hofstra’s attack returned to its normal prowess as the team hit at a match-best .409. The Pride capitalized on six attacking errors in the set by the Seahawks. Hofstra also recorded four service aces in the set alone en route to their sole set win. The fourth set was a complete 180 for Hofstra, as the Pride hit at a -0.179 mark with 11 attack errors, which is

five more than they committed in the previous three sets of the match combined. The Seahawks were in command, going on a 13-for-17 stretch to close out the match with a 25-14 win. Hofstra returns home to face off against Northeastern University on Friday, Oct. 16. The Huskies enter the competition with a 2-6 record in CAA play. First serve is slated for 6 p.m.

Amy Meadows scores twice in Pride’s 2-1 victory By Aaron Shamilov STAFF WRITER

The Hofstra University women’s soccer team held off Hampton University for a 2-1 victory in a Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) matchup on Sunday, Oct. 11, at Captains Field. Amy Meadows scored twice in the first half to give the Pride

a lead they never relinquished. “[Meadows] should have had a hat trick,” said Hofstra head coach Simon Riddiough. “She did a great job today, and she’s been a great leader for this team.” Hofstra got off to a dream start when Meadows opened the scoring in minute two. Emma Johnson sent a cross into the penalty area to Marika Svensson, who flicked the ball to a wide-open Meadows. Meadows calmly slotted it into the bottom-left corner of the net. The Pride continued to pressure the Pirates’ back line. Meadows found Mia Claro near the edge of Hampton’s penalty area. Claro turned and fired a shot on target, forcing Hampton goalkeeper Avery John to punch

the ball out for a corner. Hofstra doubled its score in the 34th minute. Johnson helped again to create the opportunity, sending a through ball to Alexia Bromfield on the left wing. The senior drove into the penalty area and passed to an unmarked Meadows, who fired past John. Bromfield recorded her first collegiate assist, while Meadows’ two goals brought her team-leading total to six on the season. “[I’m] really impressed [with Meadows],” Riddiough said. “She’s impactful. She’s made a difference in games. She gives us some quality. She gives us quality crosses, some quality finishes. [I’m] really happy of the player she is and even more so the person she is.”

Hampton threatened more after halftime. In the 56th minute, an unsuccessful clearance by Kendyl Peterson allowed Gositang Motshegwe to shoot from the edge of the penalty area. Her attempt struck the top of the crossbar and bounced away from goal, allowing the Pride to clear the ball. The Pirates cut the deficit in half in the 70th minute. Meriem Mihoubi won possession at midfield and slipped a pass to Jayda Sutton, who ran behind Hofstra’s defense. Sutton shot from the right side of the penalty area, and the ball slipped through goalkeeper Lilly Bailey’s hands and into the net. Despite Hampton’s late push, the Pride held on to the lead

for the win. Hofstra finished with a 12-5 advantage in shots, of which six were on target, compared to the Pirates’ two. “I felt, coming into today, we were professional,” Riddiough said. “We started off well, created chances after chances. In reality, we should [have scored four or five goals].” With the victory, Hofstra improved to 4-6-4 overall and 3-1-3 in CAA play. Hampton fell to 2-11-1 overall and 0-6 in conference play. The Pride will look to earn another three points when they host Monmouth University in a CAA matchup on Sunday, Oct. 18.

THE CHRONICLE

SPORTS

OCTOBER 13, 2026 • A17

Sean Keane: ‘Keane’ for a title By Royce Dickson-Child SPORTS EDITOR

At Hofstra University, a family legacy continues with men’s soccer captain Sean Keane, the nephew of renowned soccer legend Roy Keane. Roy Keane played nearly twenty years of professional soccer, which included 480 appearances for Manchester United that gave him seven Premier League titles, four Football Association Challenge Cups and one Champions League title. He also appeared in 67 matches for Ireland’s national team. “We would always go over to England and go to United games,” Sean Keane said. “As I got older, I started to see: If he was able to do that and he comes from the same place as me – same blood as me – then who knows what I can do.” Sean Keane’s soccer influence growing up was not only his uncle, as his father also played a handful of years in Ireland’s top divisions. From his time at the side of the pitch watching them play, Sean Keane learned the attitude of “getting stuck in” – to play with high energy and a physical presence. Sean Keane progressed through the ranks of Irish youth soccer, playing on the same team as his older brother for a few years. He went on to attend University

College Cork for a year before moving to the United States and joining NCAA Division II school Auburn University at Montgomery. “I would say the main reason [I ended up at AUM] is the coach there,” Sean Keane said. “He is Irish – he’s from Dublin – so there was kind of a nice connection there.” At AUM, Sean Keane made 50 appearances across three years, totaling nine goals and three assists. He was also named twice to the Gulf South Conference (GSC) AllTournament team and once as a member of the All-GSC Second Team. “I couldn’t have picked a better place to go to for my own development,” Sean Keane said. “I would say I probably wasn’t ready for the Division I level when I first started playing college soccer.” Following his senior season, Sean Keane entered the transfer portal with aspirations of joining a Division I side. It was in the portal that the U.S. Irish soccer community helped him find a new home. “The head coach there at AUM, Matty Thorne, is from my hometown of Dublin,” said Hofstra head coach Stephen Roche. “He’d be a friend, so when [Sean Keane] was looking to transfer, [Thorne] actually reached out to us and said, ‘You got to take this guy.’”

Joe Orovitz / The Hofstra Chronicle Sean Keane has appeared in every game for the Pride this season.

Roche was enthused about Sean Keane in the portal because he possessed everything Roche looks for in a player. Roche described Sean Keane as being a great person, a great player and a great captain. “You could tell straight away from the first phone call that [Sean Keane] was our type of guy,” Roche said. For Sean Keane, his choice in coming to Hofstra revolved around giving him the opportunity to reach the professional game. In the past, Hempstead has been the place to go for Division II transfers with similar aspirations as Sean Keane’s. The Pride have seen a similar success story in former player Teddy Baker. Baker transferred to Hofstra from Lake Erie College for his senior year in 2023 and has since gone on to play professionally for One Knoxville Sporting Club in USL League One. Additionally, Hofstra’s winning culture lured Sean Keane to the Pride. “The mentality here is to go and win the conference every single year … if not, [go] win the national tournament,” Sean Keane said. “And that’s the mentality I want to be around. The standards are extremely high. I would even say higher than some professional teams, and I mean, that’s massive.” The jump from Division II to Division I has been seamless for Sean Keane to open the season, since he has totaled three goals and two assists through 12 matches. Furthermore, Sean Keane has started every match for the Pride, playing the full 90 minutes on six occasions. “The overall standard of opponent is definitely better and standards here [are a] little higher, but the [Division II] level really prepared me well for this,” Sean Keane said. It was in Hofstra’s early September matchup with St. John’s University where Sean Keane realized he was ready to play Division I. He scored the opening goal in the 36th minute of the Pride’s 2-1 win. “Being able to score in that game and beat a time like that away from home, missing our best player, kind of really

Kim Nadler / The Hofstra Chronicle Sean Keane has three goals and two assists this season.

opened my eyes up to, ‘I’m ready for this level,’ and not just me personally, but this team is ready to go and compete against anyone in the country,” Sean Keane said. Throughout Sean Keane’s time at Hofstra so far, he has been forced to adapt and play different positions across the field due to injuries. This has caused Roche to utilize him up front, in the midfield and on the back line. “On the field, he’s been very versatile for us,” Roche said. “It’s a bit unfair to him that we’ve had to use him in different spots and he can’t get comfortable in one, but as we get guys back from injury this week … it allows us to push him back up the field.” Roche is appreciative of Sean Keane’s flexibility and ability to play anywhere on the pitch. “Tactically, he’s got to know what to do in those different positions, which he does,” Roche said. “You’ve got to have a great attitude. He doesn’t moan when we move him out of center back and put him up front. He just wants to help the team.” In addition to his success on the field for the Pride, Sean Keane is seen as a leader by his peers and Roche. He was named captain alongside Pietro Santi prior to the season’s start. “Off the field, it’s [his] leadership, [his] character, [his] maturity,” Roche said. “He’s a fun guy to be around. He knows when it’s time to have fun, he

knows when it’s time to be serious and he can hold people accountable.” On and off the field, Sean Keane is forming a family. “To be honest, it’s probably my favorite team I’ve ever been a part of,” Sean Keane said. “We’re a really close group of boys. We all have similar mentalities … I love all the boys on this team.” Sean Keane joined Roche and the Pride for his fifth year, but regardless of where he plays, one fact follows him from team to team: Roy Keane is his uncle. “It’s probably the first thing everyone hears about me when I come to a new team, like, at my old school, it was the first thing people would ask me about – here’s the same thing,” Sean Keane said. “Even in games, I have some opposition players – even in the last weekend – asking me about it.” The Keane name may follow him, but Sean Keane is set on making a name for himself, and he plans to do it as a professional. “My dad always kind of reminded me of that, I’m my own player [and] my own person,” Sean Keane said. “When I finish up in December, I will be looking to go into the professional game. Not sure yet where that may be, whether that’s in the [U.S.] or back home, but I certainly want to be a professional player.”

A18 • OCTOBER 13, 2026

THE CHRONICLE

SPORTS

Amy Meadows: Her time is now By Kayla Leibowitz STAFF WRITER

The Hofstra University women’s soccer team’s Amy Meadows knows what it’s like to prevail through adversity. The fifth-year student from Cheshire, England, has dealt with many obstacles in her Hofstra career, such as injuries and lack of playing time; however, she has never let it kill her passion for soccer. Meadows is finally reaping the benefits of her hard work by leading the team in points and goals. Meadows’ relationship with soccer began at a very young age. With three older brothers, she was always drawn to sports, but it wasn’t until she turned eight years old that her mom allowed her to join a team. “My family was on vacation and there was a retired professional soccer player there,” Meadows said. “I was playing [soccer] with my brothers, and he had said to my parents that I was very good and insisted I join a team.” Meadows was later scouted by the Manchester City Football Club at the age of 12, only four years after joining her first team. Although she is currently playing midfield for the Pride, Meadows originally moved around the field, playing every position. “I started out playing striker,” Meadows said. “Then, I got scouted by Manchester

City, and when I was there, I ended up playing attacking midfield. So, I was still scoring goals but also creating a lot. And then through the years at [Manchester] City, I was moved to winger.” Meadows has been seen playing on the defensive end for the Pride, showing she is willing to do whatever the team needs. “My defending wasn’t the greatest when I first came here,” Meadows said. “[Hofstra head coach] Simon [Riddiough] is a defensive-minded coach, so [defense] was something we worked on a lot. I definitely improved through the years, but as an outside back, I’m still in that attack mindset. I like to get up on the field.” When it came time for Meadows to decide whether she wanted to continue overseas or play in the U.S., it was

was friends with Michael Todd, a men’s soccer player at Hofstra,” Meadows said. “He had sent [Riddiough] my highlight reel, and the next day, [Riddiough] reached out and we had a call. I had this connection with [Riddiough] because he’s from the north as well, and I feel we had a similar sense of humor. That bonded us very quickly. [Assistant coach] Gerry Lucey was also here my freshman year, so it was a lot of European influence that made me feel like this was the right place.” Riddiough has been with the team for 29 years and has been with Meadows throughout her five seasons at Hofstra. Riddiough has witnessed her journey firsthand, from navigating her injury as a freshman to becoming one of the Pride’s leading offensive

Royce Dickson-Child / The Hofstra Chronicle Amy Meadows recorded her first colleigate point this season. She now has tallied 14 points on the year.

persevere,” Meadows said. “When I first got here, I was quite an anxious player, so I was really afraid of making mistakes. [Riddiough] would always say to me I played so

“I don’t want to slow down,” Meadows said. “I want to keep putting points on the board ...” complicated due to her visa. Meadows attempted going through an agency, but when that fell through, she created and mailed highlight reels herself. Hofstra was never on her radar when searching for schools until Riddiough contacted her. “My professor back at school

Photo courtesy of Brian Foley / Hofstra Athletics Amy Meadows has scored the game-winning goal three times this season.

players. “[She’s a] great kid; that’s why we kept her,” Riddiough said. “She’s playing really well for us, leading in the front and being consistently our best player – or one of them – and she’s our biggest offensive threat … so proud of [Meadows].” Meadows began her Hofstra career in 2022 as a freshman, but a season-ending injury limited her to playing to just one game that year. “I feel like I had a couple setbacks when I first came here,” Meadows said. “I had a foot injury freshman preseason, which really set me back.” As a sophomore and junior, Meadows continued to see limited playing time. Across the 2023, 2024 and 2025 seasons, she appeared in just 23 games and started in only four. Additionally, Meadows did not earn a single point over the three seasons. “I’ve always been one to

well in practice, but when I got into the game, I looked afraid to make a mistake; I was just trying to play it safe.” Going into her last season with the Pride, Meadows knew something needed to change. “I had to figure it out on my own,” Meadows said. “There was nothing the coaches could have done to fix my play. It was simply a me thing, and I don’t know what changed, but I knew I needed to keep going. That’s just my personality, and I was never going to give up. I started playing my game … that’s what changed going into [the 2026] season.” This season, Meadows has started all nine games for the Pride, a major change from her limited playing time in previous seasons. She currently leads the team with four goals, one assist and nine points. “I don’t want to slow down,” Meadows said. “I want to keep putting points on the board. I’d like to get a few more assists

because as a wing that’s really important too. I love crossing the ball, so if I can do that a little bit more and try to find players in the box, that would be huge for me.” Meadows has made her mark this season with two gamewinning goals for the Pride. Her first came against Yale University on Sept. 3, when she scored with one minute left in the game to give Hofstra a 2-1 comeback victory. She did it again against Towson University on Sept. 20, scoring off a penalty kick to secure a 2-1 win for the Pride. “It feels amazing every single time you score; I’ll never get tired of that feeling,” Meadows said. “I think it just makes you want to get more. I don’t think any of the goals I score [are] anything crazy. I’m not scoring bangers from 30 yards out. It’s all just being in the right place at the right time.” Meadows has gone from watching from the sidelines to becoming one of Hofstra’s leaders, starting in every game this season. Her journey did not happen overnight; it took patience, hard work and the ability to keep believing in herself when opportunities were limited. Now, Meadows is getting the chance to show what she is capable of, proving that the biggest breakthroughs come to those who refuse to give up.

THE CHRONICLE

SPORTS

OCTOBER 13, 2026 • A19

Milo Risenhoover: Rising to the occasion

By Kayla Leibowitz STAFF WRITER ‘

When goalkeeper Milo Risenhoover transferred to Hofstra University for his fifth year of collegiate soccer, he brought years of experience to the nationally ranked Pride team. The University of the Pacific transfer quickly established himself as a key part of Hofstra’s defense, helping the team get off to a strong start to the 2026 season. Risenhoover began his soccer journey in his hometown of Portland, Oregon, where he first developed his skills and passion for the game. “I started out playing on a recreational team when I was very young,” Risenhoover said. “I then played club for the Timbers Academy for a couple years and then played a few years of high school soccer as well before being recruited.” From the beginning, Risenhoover was drawn to goalkeeping. While other players were focused on scoring goals, he found himself drawn to the responsibility of protecting the net. “It’s a tough position for sure,” Risenhoover said. “It’s an isolating position, and it is tough when dealing with mistakes, but that’s something that drew me to it. I enjoy the challenge of it. Obviously, not a lot of people want to do it, [but] that’s something that makes it exciting for me.” Before Hofstra, Risenhoover attended two other universities: University of the Pacific and Saint Francis University. After

his senior season with the Tigers, Risenhoover faced a difficult decision: He could stay in his program or transfer to a new university for his final season of college soccer. “I was looking for different opportunities, and the opportunity to play for Hofstra presented itself,” Risenhoover said. “I had a lot of good talks with the [Hofstra] coaching staff. Obviously, it is a high-level program. Everything kind of just lined up for me.” Risenhoover also appreciates the easy access to New York, and the endless opportunities that come with that. “I think the city being so close is what makes the school so attractive to a lot of the guys on the team,” Risenhoover said. “I also think the environment here is just great.” A lot of coaches may see the limited time from a fifth-year player as a negative, but that was something Hofstra head coach Stephen Roche was drawn to.

year player who has experience, and [Risenhoover] fit the bill. We didn’t know coming into the season who was going to get the spot, but [Risenhoover] earned it during preseason.” Roche also notes Risenhoover’s ability to stay calm on the back line and not let bad plays get to him. Rather than allowing a mistake or a bad play to affect his performance, Risenhoover can reset his focus and move on to the next play. His composure is an important part of his role as a

goalkeeper, where staying mentally strong and confident can make a difference for the entire team. “[Risenhoover] Joe Orovitz / The Hofstra Chronicle is very consistent,” Roche said. “We’re 12 games into the season now, and “We’re very happy with our he has made one mistake ... goalkeeper room,” Roche said. He’s very consistent; he has a “So, we really wanted a onegreat way about him. He is very calm and doesn’t get down on himself.” Because this was not Risenhoover’s first time transferring, his transition to Hofstra was easier. Having already experienced the challenges of joining a new program, he was more comfortable adjusting to a different team, environment and group of teammates. “Going from one school to another kind of helped me because you get used to going to a new environment,” Royce Dickson-Child / The Hofstra Chronicle Risenhoover said. “I think that Milo Risenhoover has a 0.77 goals against average with the Pride. made it easier for me overall.

Photo courtesy of Ralph Wilson / Hofstra Athletics Milo Risenhoover has recorded five shutouts this season – three more shutouts than he recorded in his previous four years of play combined.

The hardest part was being in a new area, as I was on the West Coast for my last school. I think it has been a pretty quick adjustment period.” Coming to a new school can bring pressure and performance anxiety for many athletes, but Risenhoover did not let those challenges affect him. Only two games into the season. Risenhoover earned the title of Coastal Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Week. He also currently holds an impressive save percentage of .743. Along with that, he has faced 121 shots overall, only allowing nine goals. “This is a very high-level team,” Risenhoover said. “Obviously the numbers look good, but that is not just on me. It is down to taking care of every little detail. I think, overall, we’ve been very solid defensively, and I have great layers in front of me. I want to be there to make the plays I need to, but I think the guys in front of me have done a very good job of limiting the opportunities against us.” One of Risenhoover’s most memorable experiences at Hofstra was playing in his first game with the Pride, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his collegiate career. “There was a lot of preparation leading up to the first game against Bucknell [University] and to just get that result was a great moment,” Risenhoover said. “I felt like a lot of work for [each] person [but it] came together, and then, obviously,

it was a great way to build momentum for the next games.” As Risenhoover continues his fifth and final year of collegiate soccer, his experience and consistency have become valuable assets to the Pride. Transferring to a new school for one final season came with its own challenges, but Risenhoover has embraced the opportunity and made the most of his time at Hofstra. From adjusting to a new environment to earning the starting goalkeeper position, he has shown experience can make a difference both on and off the field. Roche noted one of the biggest lessons people can learn from Risenhoover is his mindset and determination to never give up. Even when facing challenges, such as lack of playing time at previous schools, Risenhoover stays focused and continues to push forward, showing the importance of resilience and mental toughness. As the season continues, Risenhoover remains focused on doing his part to help the Pride compete at a high level. For a player who has spent his collegiate career navigating different programs and environments, his time at Hofstra has provided an opportunity to bring everything he has learned together. Now, with his final season underway, Risenhoover hopes to make the most of the opportunity and help lead the Pride toward its goal of a national championship.

THE HOFSTRA CHRONICLE SPORTS October 13, 2026

S mooth S ailing The Pride bested the Pirates in a 2-1 match and are now above .500 in conference play with a 3-1-2 tally. Aidan Pearsall / The Hofstra Chronicle