The Marquette Tribune campus news since 1916
Volume 110, Number 4
Tuesday, October 6, 2026
www.marquettewire.org
An inside look at MU bingo, trivia MUPD safety alerts The department sends notices for ongoing threats By Elena Metindis
elena.metindis@marquette.edu
in the School of Education, said. “This is a really fun one because it fills up, and it’s electric.” The Jellycat-themed bingo event held on Oct. 1 was one among a longstanding tradition of alternating bingo/trivia nights hosted by Marquette University’s Campus Activities Board. These weekly game nights at the Annex originated with Marquette’s previous programming committee, Late Night Marquette. Stephanie Dooge, coordinator of student organizations and campus activities, said the establishment of CAB aimed to expand the events coordinated by Late Night. CAB events are planned with the intention of cultivating campus community, Dooge said. The CAB committee aims to help students grow a sense of belonging both at Marquette and within the greater Milwaukee area and provide an outlet from the stresses of academic life. “We want everyone to relax and remember in some
ways, they’re still a kid,” Dooge said. CAB events include everything from the classic bingo/trivia nights, to Brewers games and apple picking excursions, to arts and crafts-based activities. The CAB committee is composed of nine undergraduate students and one graduate student. Currently, three directors and six program assistants make up CAB, but divide themselves into committees based on the events they plan each semester. This year, they include an arts & crafts committee, a signature events committee — in charge of the traditional events, like bingo and trivia nights — a party planning committee for bigger events, and an excursion committee for off-campus trips. Over the course of a semester, CAB holds weekly meetings, including a program proposal night, where each member is expected to bring two new event ideas. Members can pitch original events or pull
ideas from other campuses or student feedback. Each CAB calendar is planned a semester ahead. CAB members are in charge of planning and executing the events, working with Marquette Event Services to book spaces. Students also collaborate on handling catering services and collecting any materials for events. “It’s like a puzzle, and we just piece it all together,” Dooge said. “[Ultimately], it’s programming by students, for students.” CAB often collaborates with other campus departments, like Marquette’s LGBTQ+ Resource Center for its annual drag-themed bingo night. It also works with local Milwaukee companies, like vendors for the food truck rally in the Alumni Memorial Union parking lot on Oct 9. Dooge emphasized that every event CAB offers is free of charge for students. CAB is allotted a $150,000 annual budget, which is
Every so often, all Marquette students’ phones unanimously light up with the same notification: a Marquette University Police Department safety alert. MUPD is required to disclose any ongoing threats to campus safety. “[The alerts] are not meant to be breaking news,” MUPD Assistant Chief Jeff Kranz said. “It’s something dangerous in the moment that people should look out for.” What’s deemed as a campus threat varies by situation, but can include presence of a weapon, invasion of on or off-campus residences, an “uncontained” suspect causing harm and severe weather. MUPD also sends notifications of utility and power outages affecting campus. Alerts are sent as soon as MUPD can obtain and release accurate information and only when safety is at risk, Kranz said. Alerts are not issued when suspects are arrested or when situations are handled within minutes of MUPD receiving a call, as there is no ongoing threat. Reserving safety alerts for ongoing threats, Kranz said, ensures people pay attention when it matters most. “If we sent [alerts] out for everything, people would stop looking at them,” Kranz said. In the event of a prolonged threat, an email with more detail on the situation is sent via email. If students are curious about specific situations or MUPD responses, the MUPD daily crime log records all crimes and serious incidents within the department’s patrol zone. The nature, date,
See BINGO on page 3
See ALERTS on page 3
Index
News
Sports
Arts & Entertainment
Some respondents still undecided on gubernatorial candidates.
Joey Buchanan doubled goals from first season.
The first show of "Finding the Path" began on Oct. 2.
Photo by Sara Scorsone sara.scorsone@marquette.edu
Over 400 students attended Marquette's Campus Activities Board's Jellycat-themed bingo night Oct. 1 at the Union Sports Annex.
Campus Activities Board helps bring students together By Izzy Paracuelles
izabella.paracuelles@marquette.edu
A
re c o rd-b rea k i n g 400-plus students spilled into the Marquette Union Sports Annex on Oct. 1 in hopes of winning the acclaimed bingo prize: a coveted, stuffed Jellycat penguin — one of ten Jellycats of varying shapes and sizes. Chattering students filled every seat and lined the walls, accompanied by the clinking of plastic chips spilling across the floor and the rustling of bingo board pages. The crowd finally hushed as the bingo numbers were called. Steadily, one by one — G60. N42. B9. Tensions rose as the chance of getting six in a row creeped closer. “I came to bingo because it’s a great thing to do, and I really want to win a Jellycat,” Eric Vacek, a junior
www.marquettewire.org
SPORTS.......................................................5 OPINIONS..................................................9 FUN & GAMES......................................10 A&E................................................................11
New Marquette Law School poll released PAGE 2
Defying the sophomore slump PAGE 5
Marquette Theatre presents 'The Seagull' PAGE 11
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The Marquette Tribune
The Marquette Tribune Managing Editor of The Marquette Tribune Emma Fishback NEWS Executive News Editor Lance Schulteis Assistant Editor Elena Metinidis Reporters Ava Johnson, Lilly Peacock, Nolan Leonard, Izzy Paracuelles ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Executive Arts & Entertainment Editor Elise Emery Reporters Sara Scorsone, Allison Scherquist, Nate Oif OPINIONS Executive Opinions Editor Jane Patterson Columnists Owen Parker, Jaylen Hill, Alex Wassilak SPORTS Executive Sports Editors Sofie Hanrahan, Raquel Ruiz Assistant Editors Eamon Bevan Reporters Conor McPherson, Andrew Tropp, Joe Mussoline, Gavin Olen, Caleb LaBlanc COPY Copy Chief Marin Rooney Copy Editors Elizabeth Belmont, Annie Goode, Bella Gruber VISUAL CONTENT Design Chief Allegra Delli Carpini A&E Designer Evelyn Riordan Sports Designer Amery Thompson Opinions Designer Allison Lueddecke Photo Chief Lily Wooten Photographers Sara Scorsone, Samera Osman
Tuesday, October 6, 2026
Governor's race still close, poll says Voter responses show trends as election nears By Nolan Leonard
nolan.leonard@marquette.edu
November’s gubernatorial election remains a tight race, according to the results of a new Marquette Law School poll. Democratic Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley holds a 49%-46% lead over Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany among likely Wisconsin voters in the latest edition of the poll, which was released Sept. 30. Among all registered voters, that margin shrinks
to 46% for Crowley and 45% for Tiffany. In the August edition of the poll, Crowley held a 49%-44% advantage. The latest poll shows that among independent voters, support for Crowley decreased from 55% to 44% while support for Tiffany rose from 16% to 18%. Most voters who left Crowley’s side haven’t declared their intention to vote for Tiffany; rather, they have moved into the “undecided” category. Charles Franklin, director of the Marquette Law School Poll, believes this is an important takeaway that can be attributed to recent political events
and trends. “The Tiffany campaign has upped their number of unfavorable campaign ads, raising new doubts for potential Crowley voters,” Franklin said. These trends are taking place with Republicans holding the majority on a national level, which Franklin said is opening the door to more Democrats being competitive, and even holding slim advantages in historically conservative states like Iowa, Ohio and Alaska. “High levels of partisan polarization means voters are showing high levels of party loyalty,” Franklin said.
The poll showed that 78% of Republicans compared to 85% of Democrats claim they are certain they will be coming out to vote on Nov. 3. In addition to focusing on the gubernatorial election, the poll looked at several Wisconsin policy issues and asked registered voters whether or not they would like to see new developments in their local areas. The potential projects include data centers, automobile plants, shipping facilities and computer chip plants. Only 9% of registered voters said they would like to see a data center develSee POLL on page 4
Lemonis Center, a hub for students
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The space offers academic and career resources By Lilly Peacock
Photo by Sara Scorsone sara.scorsone@marquette.edu
lilly.peacock@marquette.edu
The Lemonis Center for Student Success includes the Academic Resource Center, Career Center and other collaborative spaces.
For students on Marquette’s campus, the Lemonis Center for Student Success is a normal sight. After a remodel of the Memorial Library, the Lemonis Center opened in 2024 as Marquette’s home for all things career and academics. The Academic Resource Center, located on the fourth floor, serves as students’ go-to location for tutoring and academic coaching. The Career Center, also located on the fourth floor, guides undergraduate students, graduate students and alumni through choosing a major, exploring different career paths and engag-
ing in career development opportunities. The center’s Ask Me Desk, available both virtually and in-person on the second floor, is available to students to use when they’re unsure where to find the answer to a question. Beyond the services and resources, Marilyn Jones, director of Lemonis Center for Student Success, said one of the most rewarding aspects of the center’s evolution has been cultivating partnerships between students and Marquette’s network of support. The vision behind the center’s development was rooted in the Jesuit ideal
of cura personalis, or “care for the whole person,” Jones said, which contributed to the choice to put career services, academic support and the Ask Me Desk in one location. The idea of the Lemonis Center came from conversations with students who recommended resources be in one place rather than scattered across campus. Since its debut, the Lemonis Center has seen steady student traffic who use the resources and collaborative spaces, Jones said. “In our third year, I can say with confidence that the Lemonis Center has become an integral part of university life,” Jones said
in an email. Specific programming is also available to students throughout the year, covering a variety of topics like changing a major or learning how to network effectively. Jones said programming dedicated to navigating the second-year experience will be offered to sophomores this year. She also encourages students to engage with the Career Center’s Career Passport initiative, which invites students to reflect on their career journeys and better familiarize themselves with the Career Center. “Together, the Career Passport and this new pro-
gramming will give students additional ways to connect, grow and make the most of their time at Marquette,” Jones said in an email. Also new this year, iPads have been installed outside of each tutoring room and interview suite for a more streamlined process of checking room availability and making reservations. The Lemonis Center is open 7:45 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7:45 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. on Fridays, 10 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. on Saturdays and 10 a.m. 11:30 p.m. on Sundays.
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Tuesday, October 6, 2026
ALERTS: All incidents reported in crime log Continued from page 1
time and location of every crime reported to MUPD is available to view online or in-person at the department on 16th Street Monday through Friday from
8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Within the last few years, MUPD also started sending alerts when there is significant police or emergency vehicle presence on campus. Kranz said this is
intended to alleviate any concerns students or staff may have while the incident is being addressed. Sometimes, these alerts will encourage the campus community to avoid
the area. Colleges and universities are required to report campus crime data and distribute timely warnings during serious or ongoing threats under the Jeanne Clery
Act, signed in 1990. If students or staff are not receiving safety alerts, they can opt in through Checkmarq or download the EagleEye app.
BINGO: Over 400 attend New crime stats Continued from page 1
entirely funded by fees from student tuition. “Some schools charge to go to a Brewers game, but I’m like, 'Absolutely not,'” Dooge said. “'We have the budget; we can do this.'” As CAB has established itself as Marquette’s planning team, Dooge emphasizes pulling in more student feedback, building out traditions and including more daytime activities in its semester calendar. CAB hopes daytime events can pull in an additional population of students who may not be able to participate in the evenings.
However, Dooge said some events don’t need additional expansion, like bingo and trivia nights. The first Jellycat bingo brought 300 people and now nears 500 attendees. CAB expected attendance numbers would remain steady, but it increases by about 100 participants each time. “They had to turn away 150 people,” Dooge said. Dooge said a large draw to the bingo and trivia events are the prizes. In the past, bingo prizes have included speakers, concert tickets, coffee machines and more, with trivia winnings historically being Mar-
quetteCASH. Rewards aside, students attest to the real draw of bingo/ trivia nights being the chance to spend time with friends, try new things and engage in the Marquette community. “I love coming to these events because it’s just a good time with your friends, and even if you don’t win anything, being here is fun,” Crystal Garcia, a sophomore in the College of Arts & Sciences, said. “You’re still leaving here with a win, at the end of the day.”
Photo by Sara Scorsone sara.scorsone@marquette.edu
Ten Jellycat stuffed animals were awarded to students who won at bingo night on Oct. 1.
GOLDEN EAGLE SPORTS REPORT! Tune in every Thursday at 7:30p.m.
Annual campus fire and safety report released By Lance Schulteis
lance.schulteis@marquette.edu
Marquette University released its annual fire and safety report Sept. 29, which includes campus crime and public safety statistics from calendar years 2023 to 2025. Here is the data included in the report: Robbery on campus had a slight increase, with two instances in 2025 after one each year in 2023 and 2024. There were five instances of aggravated assault in 2025 after two in 2024 and eight in 2023. There were seven total sex offenses on Marquette’s campus in 2025, including three instances of rape in student housing. There were four fondling incidents on campus, two of which happened in student housing. In 2024, there were six total sex offenses and in 2023, there were 13. There were also three incidents of domestic violence, two of which were in student housing. Marquette reported zero incidents of domestic violence in 2023 and 2024. There were 14 total stalking incidents on campus after two in 2024 and five in 2023. Nine of the 14
stalking incidents were in student housing. After 14 total in 2023, burglaries on campus have declined each year since. There were four burglaries in 2024 and three in 2025. Motor vehicle thefts also decreased in 2025, dropping to eight after 14 in 2024. The number of drug-related disciplinary referrals on campus has gone down each year since 2023, when there were 51. In 2024, there were 42, and in 2025, there were 35. There were also fewer alcohol-related disciplinary referrals issued in 2025, dropping to 397 after 416 in 2024. There were 21 total arrests on campus for drug law, liquor law and illegal weapons violations, including 13 arrests in student housing for liquor laws. On public property, which includes streets, sidewalks and parking facilities within, adjacent to or accessible from campus, there were 19 arrests for drug laws. The university also reported one race-motivated intimidation incident in 2025. There were zero fires in campus dorms in 2025 after one each in 2024 and 2023. There was one fire in a campus apartment after a candle ignited spilled nail polish remover at the Marq on March 15.
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The Marquette Tribune
Tuesday, October 6, 2026
POLL: Several WI voters remain undecided Continued from page 2
oped in their area, making it the least selected option among the industrial choices included in the question. The other choices were a computer chip plant, logistics shipping facility, automobile manufacturing plant, steel mill and none of the provided options. The most popular development was a computer
chip plant with 33% of voters selecting it. However, 44% selected none of them. National politics were also surveyed in the poll, including President Donald Trump’s approval rating. Among Wisconsin voters, the president’s approval rating has reached a record low, as 38% approve while 60% disapprove of his performance throughout his second term in office.
Worldwide issues like AI, the economy and the war in Iran were also included in the poll. Voters were asked about what they feel are the most important issues in the United States. Respondents showed skepticism about AI with 65% of respondents believing it is a bad thing. Republicans find themselves closely divided, with 53% aligning with AI being
bad and 46% saying it’s a good thing. In September, 16% of voters said they were better off economically than they were a year ago, while 43% said they were worse off and 41% said they were about the same. Voters also provided data on what they believe to be the most important national issues. Inflation and overall cost of living
remained the most important issue for 45% of voters, up slightly from 43% for the same issue in the August edition of the poll. Illegal immigration, health insurance, jobs and the economy, and property taxes rounded out the top five most important issues among voters.
Raynor archival project wins statewide award The collection started on MU's campus in 1970 By Ava Johnson
ava.m.johnson@marquette.edu
In 1970, Rev. Francis Prucha, a professor of history, began collecting records of Catholic boarding schools. The archives at Marquette continued to grow, and now, 56 years later, they include the Governor’s Archives Award. The Governor’s Archives Award is given by the Wisconsin Historical Society to programs or organizations that have improved historical documentation accessibility in Wisconsin. The advisory board, made up of
Photo courtesy of Tara Baillargeon
governor appointed members, invites and looks over nominations in three categories: Archival Achievement, Archival Innovation and Archival Advocacy. The Bureau of Catholic Indian Missions correspondence, located at Raynor Library, are a collection of documents that outline Catholic boarding schools’ role in the shaping of Native America. They include over 350 boxes of materials divided into 19 different series based on the type of media, including school reports, photography, financial statements and music recordings. “It’s been a very intensive process, but it’s been really rewarding being able to provide broader access to these
materials,” Emily Shelton, a Raynor Library processing and reference archivist, said. Several records in the archives show physical and emotional abuse, rape and malnutrition of Native children, which were facilitated by priests and nuns that promised care to the families of the children attending the boarding schools. “Our job is to preserve those materials so that people can access them, so people can get to the truth,” Tara Baillargeon, dean of Raynor Library, said. “We can only get better by making sure people have access to our entire history.” Just over a year ago, Raynor Library staff began digitizing the BCIM collection
Raynor Library was awarded the Governor's Archives Award for Archival Advocacy in August.
Photo courtesy of Tara Baillargeon
The BCIM correspondence has seen an uptick in recent usage.
from microfilm. Previously, Baillargeon said, researchers would have to contact archivists to request materials, who would then need to find the microfilm, scan it and send it. By digitizing the archives and keeping them online, that process has become more streamlined. “Now, you can just go in and get it yourself and browse through it,” she said. “Our use has skyrocketed because it’s so much more accessible now.” In 2025, the digital archives were used over 50,000 times. Over the past decade, Baillargeon said, there were less than 10,000 total interlibrary loan requests. Bryan Rindfleisch, an associate professor in the College of Arts & Sciences, has utilized the archives through an Indigeneity Lab. The program aims to cultivate relationships across sovereign Indigenous nations and communities in
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Wisconsin, according to its website. By overseeing the program, Rindfleisch acts as a bridge between Marquette students and tribes around the United States, such as the Menominee, Oneida and Ojibwe nations. Those working with the lab collect archival material for a tribal nation, translate them into a Word document and then look for material related to school operations, tribal community life, boarding student life and more, Rindfleisch said. Emily Shelton, Raynor Library archivist, with microfilm box Raynor Library won the Archival Achievement honor in August 2026 for its digitization of the BCIM archival collection. “It’s such an honor,” Baillargeon said. “To be recognized is really affirming.” The digital archives can be found on Raynor library’s website.
The Marquette Tribune
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Tuesday, October 6, 2026
Sports
Photo courtesy of Marquette Athletics
200-yard medley relay scored first points for the program.
TESTING THE WATERS Despite defeat, inaugural meet celebrates first chapter of women's swim By Lilly Peacock
T
lilly.peacock@marquette.edu
he University of Iowa women's swim program, established in 1974, had a 52-year head start as Marquette entered the pool for the first time Friday. For Marquette, Friday’s meet was the debut of the university’s 17th varsity sport. Cheers from Marquette teammates echoed from the edge of the pool deck each time a group of inaugural swimmers was called up to the blocks, despite Iowa's settled foundation showing early. The Golden Eagles took the bottom three places in the opening 200-yard medley relay while Iowa camped in the top four.
Marquette’s inaugural roster is composed of 21 student-athletes, the feat of recruiting for a brand-new program taken on by head coach Joel Rollings. "We brought them in for the first day of orientation, and they met each other for the first time," Rollings said. "Through practicing, it felt like they've known each other for years." Rollings said that despite its recency, the team has developed a sense of togetherness and team pride. And while swimming isn’t necessarily a team sport, shared values and a commitment to the program have brought them together through the goal of building a strong foundation. First-year distance swimmer Bridget Corro’s debut
Photo courtesy of Marquette Athletics
18 swimmers made their debuts as MU student-athletes.
contributed a steady start to the 1000-yard freestyle, the second event of the meet. Corro was part of the original nine athletes recruited to the team in 2025. Despite holding the lead
"Through practicing, it felt like they've known each other for years."
Joel Rollings Marquette women's swim head coach
at the start, Iowa senior Jenna Kerr overtook Corro in lap three and kept the lead for five laps. Kerr and Corro went back and forth leading the splits, but Iowa eventually won the race. Corro finished second at 10:33.77, about two seconds behind Kerr. It was the closest Marquette would come to a win in a 189-70 loss. Other small deficits cost Marquette a few points, especially in the 200-yard fly event, where the difference between Iowa’s third and Marquette’s fourth-place finish was just one-hun-
dredth of a second. This deficit, the smallest possible in swimming, can come down to just a centimeter of difference between swimmers. There's immense potential for growth because of this; that difference can be determined by something as simple as entering the pool a few centimeters ahead of an opponent when the starting horn sounds. Another strength is in graduate swimmer Enya Linson, who's a standout for medley events. She placed second by four seconds in the 200-yard individual medley and third place in the 100-yard breaststroke. Linson is one of three graduate students on the founding roster. Corro and Linson were the highest scorers and
contributed a combined 18 points to Marquette’s 70. Despite no first-place finishes this meet, morale was still high and excitement for the season translated through Marquette's dedication and support for the team. Marquette’s women’s swimming program will compete in the Big East Conference Championships, but won't include diving. The program joins seven other Big East league institutions, including Butler, UConn, Georgetown, Providence, Seton Hall, Villanova and Xavier. Marquette will make its home debut on Oct. 9 against Northern Iowa at the Wellness + Helfaer Recreation facility at 4 p.m. CST.
Photo courtesy of Marquette Athletics
Team collected 70 points.
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The Marquette Tribune
Tuesday, October 6, 2026
MEN'S BASKETBALL
The first glimpse: back in the blue & gold Parham, Stevens, Minnesale and James Jr. impress By Eamon Bevan
eamon.bevan@marquette.edu
The 2026 Marquette men's basketball Blue and Gold scrimmage was not shy of early October's annual echoes of what may be coming when doors open in the Fiserv Forum later this month. The scrimmage gave supporters of the Golden Eagles a chance to see the blueprints for the 2026/27 season, and signs for a bounce-back campaign after last year's 12-20 showing were certainly on display Saturday afternoon in the Al McGuire Center. Listed out pre-game from the microphone of head coach Shaka Smart were the rosters of teams 'blue' and 'white'.
The former was composed of junior forward Royce Parham, transfer junior guard Nolan Minnesale, sophomore guard Adrian Stevens, redshirt sophomore center Joshua Clark, first-year guard Ethan Johnston and redshirt sophomore forward Braeden Brenn. Opposing them was the team of sophomore guard Nigel James Jr., transfer senior center Sananda Fru, redshirt first-year forward Ian Miletic, redshirt firstyear guard Nash Walker and first-year forward Alex Egbuonu. Despite his ongoing fifthyear eligibility case, transfer guard Colin Porter also donned his navy blue #2 jersey but did not take the floor Saturday afternoon. Junior forward Damarius Owens, sophomore forward Michael Phillips and first-year guard Colton Crowdis were all rested
with injury concerns. Before tip-off, Smart called out for one name, which slipped his mind, someone who answered his call at midcourt in a walking boot: Caedin Hamilton. Having torn his calf just over a week ago, Hamilton let the crowd know of his confidence that, despite his sudden absence, he is proud to still be part of this team, which he admitted looked like the best he's played on in his three-year spell at Marquette. The game unfolded over six-minute quarters, where the blue team grabbed an early lead and never gave it up, eventually winning 46-34. Parham led the game in scoring with 13, proving hard to stop as Smart concluded that he was ready for a "big, big breakout year." "His body has gotten bet-
Photo courtesy of Erin Johnson
Egbuonu (right) guards the leading scorer of the blue team, Parham (left).
Photos courtesy of Marquette Athletics
Almost 1,500 fans got an early taste of this season's roster.
ter. He's gotten stronger, he's more aggressive, and he's moving better," Smart said. "He's a guy that, in most games, I would like to lead us in shot attempts." Stevens showed similar improvements to his allaround game, netting a hat trick of two-pointers on top of one signature make from deep. James Jr. led his team in scoring (10) as well as the game in assists (5), as Smart looked to him for growth in leadership over his four teammates, all of whom have yet to play a competitive game for the Golden Eagles. Minnesale seemed like everything the Golden Eagles asked for in the portal and more, nailing two deep three-pointers on top of his physical inside game. "Especially with how many open shots NJ gets us, that [three-point shooting] has been a huge emphasis," Minnesale said. A key matchup was that
of the two big men, Clark and Fru. Fru often got the best of the bout in the first half, but Clark proved physically dominant, energetic and creative on every level in the second. Four first-year players took part in the scrimmage, with Egbuonu leading that group in points (9) and Johnston in rebounds (4). "Those two have a really bright future," Smart said. Having recovered over the spring from a nonshooting-arm shoulder injury, Walker shot the most threes on the team (5), including three tries in the first quarter alone. With 16 days remaining until Marquette's first exhibition game, the Blue and Gold Scrimmage did its part yet again in prepping players and fans for the phenomenon that is Golden Eagles basketball.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
New talent gives taste of year ahead
WBB returned two players from last year's roster
the previous season. Marquette head coach Traore scored the scrimThe scrimmage was divid- mage's first points along- Cara Consuegra said that ed up into two segments, side a couple of early Givens is just scratching where players would com- scores, but junior guard the surface. pete against each other for MacKenzie Givens, who "We need her to be a scorthe first 20 minutes, and for transferred in from Xavier ing presence for us," Conthe second half, they would this past offseason, tallied suegra said. "I think she is By Mikey Severson play as a unit against their double-digit points in the really understanding her michael.severson@marquette.edu practice players. first half, including four role. She knows how to Marquette women's basSenior center Amina baskets in short order. get to her spots on offense ketball rang in October with an appetizer to regular-season hoops. Graduate student guard Jordan Meulemans and senior forward Halle Vice, the team's only two returners from last year's roster, saw meaningful minutes last season and continued to show their importance to the team in this year's Blue & Gold scrimmage. Fans got a glimpse into what this incredibly new roster looks like on Friday evening. This year's team is almost the polar opposite of this time a year ago, when the Golden Eagles Photos courtesy of Marquette Athletics did not lose a player from Head coach Cara Consuegra had a lot of restructering to do with her roster.
now. So, as good as I think she did today, she's going to continue." In addition to finding the basket, she helped get Vice her first points of the night. As the scrimmage went on, the crowd atmosphere helped bring a game-like feeling to the event, as fans gathered around the Al McGuire Center. Junior forward Kayl Petersen, who had initially committed to Marquette under previous head coach Megan Duffy but spent her first two years of her college career at Virginia Tech, returned to the Golden Eagle squad this off-season under Consuegra. She said that her first taste of playing for the Golden Eagles was a special feeling. "I love being here, it's always kind of been my home," Petersen said. "Just See TALENT page 7
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Tuesday, October 6, 2026
MEN'S SOCCER
Buchanan defying the sophomore slump
Midfielder breaks out as team's No. 2 goal-scorer By Sofie Hanrahan
sofia.hanrahan@marquette.edu
Pulling up the sleeve of his practice shirt, Joey Buchanan exposed a raised purple scar nearly four inches long on his left elbow. When discussing what he did over the summer, the sophomore midfielder casually revealed the injury. Back home in Canada, playing for Langley United in the British Columbia Premier League, he went up for a header when another player ducked underneath him. Snap. A broken elbow and a summer of conditioning on the pitch traded for surgery and recovery. "I was reading things that said I was going to be out for six to 12 months," Buchanan said. “I was googling the injury; I was like, 'three to six months, oh no,'” head coach David Korn said. Besides the white elbow sleeve he reps during matches, there is no indication that Buchanan spent his summer with his elbow stuck at a 90-degree angle, or that Marquette men's soccer nearly lost its second-leading goalscorer.
Photo courtesy of Erin Johnson
The Canadian sophomore still wants to find ways to contribute more to his team.
Back on the pitch for his sophomore campaign, one way Buchanan has found success is in the same manner he got injured: in the air. He first took flight on Labor Day against Madison courtesy of graduate midfielder Mateo Stoka's corner, which gave Marquette its sole goal in the 1-3 loss. Nearly a month later, the same setup leveled Marquette against No. 4 Creighton. Three of Stoka's team-high five assists have helped deliver Buchanan's goals. "His services are unreal; if he keeps putting them on a platter, I'll keep being there to do what I can to finish," Buchanan said.
Photos courtesy of Marquette Athletics
Buchanan was one of four recruits from the class of 2029.
Delivering 'product' in the form of goals and assists was an element the sixfoot-one Canadian strived to incorporate into his game this season, and he has delivered not only in crucial moments against ranked opponents, but also when bragging rights are on the line. It was Buchanan's 17th minute game-winning-goal that helped Marquette to retain the Milwaukee Cup for the fifth year in a row. "Stepping up in big moments is something I'm always trying to do, something every footballer is trying to do," he said. Game-winners, equalizers, headers and insurance goals make up Buchanan's five goals so far, already doubling his pair from the 2025 campaign. He's cemented himself as a key component, starting in all 11 games, but it was a role he had to grow into. The midfielder came in as a first-year to a deep, established midfield, including Justin Milovanov, who started in all 15 games and now plays professionally with the New York Cosmos. Korn initially sought a right back in recruitment, with very present depth in the center midfield, but the Canadian was too promising to pass up, a "home run"
according to the gaffer. Buchanan started a total of four matches in his first year and saw action in 13. He would record four points versus Chicago State off two assists and a goal, and earn Big East Freshman of the Week on October 27th, following a goal against DePaul and an assist against Edgewood. "There are times where I wanted to be on the pitch, want to make a difference and I was just waiting for my opportunity to come," Buchanan said. "It was a good ride, I think everyone wanted more from it and that's where that hunger comes from this year." The Golden Eagle's roster
overhaul from last season not only provided Buchanan the chance to obtain the starting center-mid spot alongside Stoka, but with 10 newcomers, opened him up as a role model. Korn noted the work 'behind the scenes' and Buchanan's habits that paint him as this role model: doing extra work, studying film, pushing to be in the front, wanting to win in fitness and even being a student-athlete advisory representative. "He's a guy you want on your team, a day in and day out guy and I think he's getting the benefit of that now showing in his play," Korn said. As casually as he revealed his scar, Buchanan continues to reveal his talent in a Marquette kit. But just as the white elbow sleeve hides the recovery and grind he went through this summer, the talent is blanketed behind hard work and dedication behind the scenes. With half of his college career left to play, Korn notes the progress and habits he hopes to see him continue to develop. But the possible result likens to other professional Marquette alums. “I think his work rate, his competitiveness, his attributes are at that level with guys that I’ve seen make it to the next level," Korn said.
Photos courtesy of Marquette Athletics
56.2% of the midfielder's shots have been on goal this season.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
TALENT: MU selected No. 4 in preseason
Continued from page 6
to be back here, it means a lot." As Marquette took the floor against the practice players, it trotted out the first five of Vice, Petersen, Givens, and point guards Yu Han Lin and Kinley Asp. Asp started the second segment of the scrimmage with five straight points, including one from beyond the arc to set the tone. But the practice squad did not go away quietly
and made it competitive for the entire 20 minutes. As the clock wound down, the Golden Eagles needed some perimeter power. Although they could not get their last basket to fall, Asp's 3-pointers bookended the final portion of the scrimmage. "That's what we call our 'daggers,'" Asp said. "Taking hard shots, getting rebounds and another three. It exemplified a lot of our heart in getting extra offensive rebounds as well as
"We have a solid foundation; we just have to keep getting better and better."
Cara Consuegra Women's basketball head coach
other scoring opportunities." Additionally, Meulemans nailed a few downtown shots throughout the scrimmage, and Petersen, despite playing the four or five, knocked down a couple as well from beyond the arc. With the home opener just under a month away, it gave shade to Consuegra's first year at the helm of Marquette women's basketball, when the Golden Eagles refurbished their
entire starting five. But with a new-look team settling in once again, Consuegra said that taking the time to grow together is essential as the leaves continue to turn red, orange and yellow. "Getting comfortable with the things we talked about, rotations, ATOs, different calls and things we're going to do," Consuegra said. "We have a solid foundation; we just have to keep getting better and better."
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VOLLEYBALL
Markus 'sets' up front row rodeo First-year leads Golden Eagles with 514 assists By Raquel Ruiz
raquel.ruiz@marquette.edu
It was within Tani Juric’s first week in the U.S. when she and her new teammates went to a rodeo. For the first-year opposite hitter, the event in Edgerton, Wisconsin, felt almost surreal. She had only ever seen rodeos on TV. But what did this team trip have anything to do with volleyball? For Juric, it’s where she felt the initial spark of a connection with her teammates. A connection that would later be relied on inside the Al McGuire Center at the start of the season. With 10 new players joining the team and only five returning, there were plenty of new faces and friendships to be made early in the season. One of those new faces was first-year setter, Luanna Markus. Like Juric, Markus was new to the U.S., but the Chopinzinho, Brazil native, was not new to the sport of volleyball. Markus was a member of the Brazilian U19 Na-
tional Team and competed at the U19 World Championship, where they finished eighth. In 2024, she was named Best Setter at the U19 South American Championship and helped Brazil win the title. Now, she’s tasked with running the Marquette offense. On Sept. 28, she received her first Big East Setter of the Week award after opening conference play with two road sweeps against UConn and Providence. Markus averaged a leaguebest 11.17 assists per set while tacking on 12 digs, four kills, two blocks and an ace. It’s an honor that is a testament to her ability to play the game. “If we give Lu (Luanna) a ball, she can run the offense and we trust her to do that,” junior outside hitter Carson Tyler said. Remember that connection made at the rodeo preseason? Well, it’s only gotten stronger, and it translates into this successful Marquette front-line offense, which Markus orchestrates with every assist. So far into her collegiate career, she ranks 84th in the nation in assists per set
Photos courtesy of Marquette Athletics
(9.35), tallying 514 total assists across 14 games. Setters are the initial playmakers, the strategic leaders of the game who choose what offensive play to run after a defender passes it into their hands. And although a back row defender may have an uncontrolled pass that goes spiraling in the opposite direction, the extra effort Markus has to put forth to get to the ball doesn’t always cause much frustration. “We don’t need to be perfect,” Markus said. “We just need to help each other.” This is where that trust and connection come into play.
Photo courtesy of Carson Tyler
Marquette volleyball ventured to the Great Midwest Pro Rodeo over the summer.
Markus earned third-consecutive weekly Big East honor.
Volleyball is a verbal sport. You hear players yelling out to one another where the opposing team is set on the court or how many blockers they may be facing on a swing. But when it comes to offensive attacking, you hear hitters calling out their plays to their setter. For Tyler and Markus, the game can be both verbal and nonverbal. “We can look at each other and no words are even said,” Tyler said. “It’s a lot of nonverbal cues that have developed off the court that have translated onto the court.” This is where the job can get tricky. Every hitter has played with several setters throughout their careers. They get comfortable because they have a connection built where the other knows the kinds of balls they like to hit off of, as well as the necessary speed and height. When Tyler first came to campus in January, it didn’t take too long for her and Markus to find their rhythm. The same goes for Juric when she arrived at the start of fall practice. “As a hitter, every person is a little bit different,” Tyler said. “So being able to have open communication, she does a really good job of taking that in and apply-
ing it to the next point.” “They just want to help me,” Markus said. “They know when they can say something [about a set] to me.” When Markus was young, and the sets didn’t go the way she intended, she said it would let selfdoubt creep in. Now, her playing ability has developed and she has learned how to understand what she can do better to get her offense the ball they need. Not only that, but off-thecourt bonding and chocolate chip cookie eating had brought the team so close together that a level of trust formed quickly. “If you make a mistake, you know you’re going to get the next ball because there is that two-way trust,” Tyler said. That connection and trust will not only continue to build, but also strengthen as the season continues. So far, the Golden Eagles sit (8-6, 3-1 Big East) and look to bring Big East volleyball play into the Al McGuire Center for the first time this season against Georgetown on Oct. 9. There, Markus will look for ways to corral new pieces of her offense — much like they first corralled their chemistry back at the rodeo.
WIRE SPORTS ROUNDUP LAST WEEK
STANDOUTS
STANDINGS
WVB @ DePaul..............................L, 2-3 WSWIM vs. Iowa.....................L, 70-189 MSOC @ Xavier.............................L, 0-3 WSOC @ G-Town..........................T, 0-0
Mia Hurd
Big East Men’s Soccer
Golden Eagle Sports Report
WSOC No. 0 The first-year goalkeeper notched her sixth Big East weekly honor of the season. She earned Big East first-year of the week after a foursave shutout against Georgetown on Sept. 30 to secure the 0-0 draw with the Hoyas.
Carson Tyler VB No. 20
Tune in every Thursday at 7:30 p.m. CST to hear the latest Marquette sports news!
The junior outside hitter earned the Blue & Gold Student Athlete of the month for the month of October. This honor is determined by Marquette Athletics' Academic & Programs Staff. Tyler has been a prominent face both on and off the court so far this year.
NEWS
Ovr. Conf. Home Away Neut.
G-Town 9-1-1 3-0 Seton Hall 3-2-4 1-0-1 St. John's 4-4-1 1-0-1 UConn 5-4-2 1-1 Providence 5-4-1 0-2 Villanova 4-5-1 0-3 Xavier 7-0-2 2-0-1 Creighton 10-0-3 2-0-1 Akron 6-1-2 1-1-1 Butler 0-6-3 0-0-2 DePaul 2-2-4 0-1-1 Marquette 6-4-1 0-3
7-0-1 0-0-2 3-1 4-3-1 4-0-1 4-3 5-0-1 6-0-3 4-1-2 0-3-2 2-1-1 5-1-1
2-1 2-2-2 1-3-1 1-1-1 1-4 0-2-1 2-0-1 4-0 2-0 0-3-1 0-1-3 1-3
0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
Big East Volleyball
Ovr. Conf. Home Away Neut.
St. John's 13-4 DePaul 11-4 Xavier 10-5 Marquette 8-6 Butler 9-7 Creighton 8-8 G-Town 10-5 Villanova 9-6 Providence 8-7 Seton Hall 8-8 UConn 7-10
3-1 3-1 3-1 3-1 3-1 3-1 2-2 2-2 0-4 0-4 0-4
7-3 6-3 6-1 3-0 6-2 3-4 5-1 4-0 3-2 3-3 5-4
2-1 3-1 2-2 4-5 2-4 2-2 4-3 2-4 1-4 1-3 1-3
4-0 2-0 2-2 1-1 1-1 3-2 1-1 3-2 4-1 4-2 1-3
Marquette women's swim will host its first meet on Friday, Oct. 9. The Golden Eagles will be set to take the blocks at 4 p.m. CST at the Wellness + Helfaer Recreation Center on Marquette's campus. Marquette is looking for the first program victory.
GAMES THIS WEEK
10/06 MSOC vs. Carroll Valley Fields
10/07 WSOC vs. Creighton Valley Fields
Follow us on Twitter/X @MUWireSports
10/09
WSWIM vs. Northen Iowa Wellness + Helfaer Recreation
10/10
WVB vs. Villanova Al McGuire Center
The Marquette Tribune
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Opinions
Performative morality lacks substance By Alex Wassilak
alexander.wassilak@marquette.edu
The Boston Globe broke a story about a COVID-19conscious lesbian bar in western Massachusetts that was going to change its policies to allow unmasked customers one day per week. Regulars were outraged about the switch. The patrons made irate comments alleging the owners “kill disabled people in the name of [their] own leisure and convenience” and were being “complicit in a mass disabling event.” That story went viral. The Globe reportedly told their staff that the story generated over 1,000 subscriptions in one day. The widespread public reaction was to ridicule the bar and their patrons for the overt woke inclusive language, strict COVID policies and anti-police rhetoric they were employing. After the 20202022 peak of the COVID-19
By Owen Parker
owen.parker@marquette.edu
pandemic and woke culture, people want a return to perspective. The bar, Last Ditch, was falling behind on bills. One of the owners had left and enrolled in clown school. Allowing non-masked customers was a plan to attract new customers and help the bar get back on its feet financially. On social media, commenters joked about the absurdity of the story including lines like, “no dad, owning a successful lesbian covid conscious bar in western mass was YOUR dream. I’M going to clown school.” or “an unmasked lesbian walks into a bar. Bartender asks 'Why the long COVID?'" But other respondents were more upset just at the mention of the pandemic. “Covid insanity. I thought this was a story from 2020, not from 2026. They are STILL wearing masks in 2026, what on earth???,”
wrote one commenter. “I get wearing one if you’re sick but come on! Let it go! The pandemic is over!” added another. COVID sucked. Over a million Americans died. Many people lost their jobs. People were worse off socially and mentally after all the debates over masking, vaccines and social distancing. People want to move on and put this dark time in the past. Outside of COVID, other extreme views have been reconsidered since their peak in 2020. Calls to “Defund the Police” and to use inclusive language have been walked back. Even Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, one of the most progressive Democrats in Congress, has pivoted away from some of her extreme views that surfaced six years ago. “Woke 1.0 was crazy,” Ocasio-Cortez recently said, referencing the height
of cultural progressivism that occurred during the pandemic. She, along with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, have said they no longer support defunding the police. The use of inclusive language was also a hot point. A New York Times Opinion noted the AP Stylebook recommending against using ‘the’ labels such as “the” poor or “the” mentally ill, labeling them as dehumanizing. The author, Nicholas Kristof, remarked that this behavior is largely performative and not very productive. “As for my friends who are homeless, what they yearn for isn’t to be called houseless; they want housing,” Kristof said. Obviously, there is language that is offensive, but most of the changes that were called for during this era were very semantic. The pandemic and peak woke culture was exhaust-
ing. There was a major focus on displaying your morality without much substance behind it. People are making fun of the mask-wearing lesbians because they’re using masks seemingly as a social signal in a town that hasn’t seen a COVID case in two months. The bar also is still latched onto other peak woke ideas. Law Enforcement have been barred from entering, and patrons said mediators make them feel “wildly unsafe,” but “unhoused” people are welcome. Many Americans want an end to the symbolic gesturing and grandstanding that doesn’t accomplish much in substance. Perhaps the name Last Ditch is appropriate for a bar community fighting to keep those ideas in place. It seems like most of us have moved on. Alex Wassilak is an opinions columnist. He is a junior studying civil engineering.
Leave our national parks alone
The National Park Service receives more than 318 million visitors per year. Travelers come to see lush forests, spouting geysers and the beauty of America. They don’t go to see baseball. Major League Baseball approached the Trump Administration on Sept. 27 about building a new stadium in Grand Teton National Park Wyoming. The purpose is to capitalize on the park’s novelty — the scenery, the isolation and the uniqueness. National parks preserve and protect the natural landscapes, essential ecosystems and cultural history of our country. Turning it into nothing but a TV backdrop reduces protected land to commercial attraction, conflicting with the very purpose of the parks’ existence. The MLB holds similar events at unique ballparks such as the Little League Classic held at Historic Bowman Field in Williamsport, Pennsylvania and the Field of Dreams game held at the “Field of Dreams” movie site in Dyersville, Iowa. These games utilize baseball culture and unique fandoms to create special experiences for fans and players alike. While these novelty games focus on culture that serves a purpose to fans, a fancy stadium in a National Park
has no such connection. Instead of strengthening fan connection, it undermines the shared understanding of why national parks exist. The National Park Service Organic Act was enacted in August of 1916 to “conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wildlife therein” of these earthen monuments. There are 63 national parks established in the United States, with the National Park Service overseeing 433 total “units” under their umbrella, anywhere from beautiful landscapes to national monuments. Tiernan Sittenfeld, president and CEO for National Parks Conservation Association, made it clear in a statement for the NPCA that no stadium will be built in Grand Teton or any of the 63 parks. “It’s long past time for this administration to start treating our national parks with the respect they deserve, starting with full funding and park staffing, instead of more harmful proposals for private profit,” she said. In response, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred sent a letter to Teton County
commissioners regarding the league’s intentions to community outcry. He highlighted the local community’s clear desire to keep their park natural and void of commercialization. “[The league] will not continue to evaluate Grand Teton National Park as a potential site,” he said. In addition to this controversy, the MLB is dealing with an expiring collective bargaining agreement between the league and the league’s player association. The two organizations must come to a resolution by Dec. 1 or suffer a delay in league activities including the winter meetings, spring training and opening day. This is a threat that could delay and potentially cancel their season, yet the MLB is focused on using federally protected land for their new experiments. Manfred has implemented many changes to help improve the viewing experience of slow-paced baseball games. The pitch clock, ABS challenge system, larger bases, 10th inning ghost
runners and limited pitcher step-offs have all impacted the game for the better. But this plan seems to lose sight of their original purpose. Without a collective bargaining agreement, thousands of people are without a job. Salespeople have nothing to sell, ushers have nobody to usher, cashiers have no one to serve, and it seems like Manfred is more worried about private equity than what the business is meant to support. While the plan didn’t go through, the actions taken by the league reveals their priorities. Their executives only care about their own money and not about the sanctity of national parks and the individuals potentially affected by a delayed season. Leave our national parks alone. They are not meant to be built on. Not now, not ever. Owen Parker is the assistant opinions editor. He is a junior studying journalism.
Statement of Opinion Policy The opinions expressed on the Opinions page reflect the opinions of the Opinions staff. The editorials do not represent the opinions of Marquette University nor its administrators, but those of the editorial board. Our editorial board consists of the managing editor of the Marquette Tribune and all executive editors including news, sports arts & entertainment and opinions. The Marquette Tribune prints guest submissions at its discretion. The Tribune strives to give all sides of an issue an equal voice over the course of a reasonable time period. An author’s contribution will not be published more than once in a fourweek period. Submissions with obvious relevance to the Marquette community will be given priority consideration. Full Opinions submissions should be limited to 600 words. Letters to the editor should be between 150 to 300 words. The Tribune reserves the right to edit submissions for length and content. Please e-mail submissions to: jane.patterson@ marquette.edu. If you are a current student, include the college in which you are enrolled and your year in school. If not, please note any affliations to Marquette or your city of residence.
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Fun & Games Falling foliage
Comic by Evelyn Riordan evelyn.riordan@marquette.edu
Maple
Oak
Beech
Alder
Dogwood
Chestnut
Elm
Linden
Buckeye
Hackberry
Birch
Hornbeam
Postseason baseball Across 3. Tournament chart that visually maps out games 4. Milwaukee's home stadium and the name of an iconic beer; ______ Park 5. Winning a series in straight games, or something you do with a broom 7. Term for a game in the postseason
Down 1. Best-of-seven that decides the MLB champion; the _____ Series 2. Typical number of innings 3. Milwaukee's beloved team 6. A final inning play that gives the home team a winning run, hyphenated
Submit finished puzzles to emma.fishback@marquette.edu by December 18. Most accurate crossword submissions wins a grand prize. Last week's answers- ACROSS 2.) Crane 3.) Turkey 5.) Monarch 6.) Fox DOWN 1.) Buck 2.) Chipmunk 4.) Raccoon
The Marquette Tribune
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Tuesday, October 6, 2026
Arts & Entertainment
REVIEW: MU Theatre's 'The Seagull' By Elise Emery
elise.emery@marquette.edu
Marquette Theatre began its 2026-2027 season, “Finding the Path,” on Oct. 2 with the Tom Stoppard translation of the Anton Chekhov play, “The Seagull,” at the Helfaer Theatre. “The Seagull” follows a cast of characters who share one thing in common: unhappiness with their current lives. As the story continues, however, this desire for greatness ultimately lends itself to their downfall. Amid romantic and artistic pitfalls, the characters soon realize the grass might not always be greener on the other side. The show takes place on retired state councilor Sorin’s estate, with each storyline mainly branching from the consequences of the son of famous actress Arkadina and aspiring playwright Konstantin’s creative endeavors. It is the inner turmoil that Konstantin faces regarding his artistic work and his personal life that causes the cast to become more introspective and slowly circle the drain. The play opens right before the first performance of the new play that Konstantin, played by Grayson Buesing, a senior in the College of Communication, wrote. Before the audience arrives and the curtains open, Konstantin has a pointed conversation with his uncle Sorin, played by Draylin Pickett, a senior in the College of Communication, about him and his mother’s
Photo courtesy of Luciana Jaramillo
creative differences. The inner conflict between Konstantin and his mother is a foundational aspect of much of Konstantin’s lack of self-esteem, and the root cause of much of his anguish. Throughout the show, it’s clear that Konstantin lacks purpose and identity, desiring to be seen as more than just a famous actress’s son. But when he does make those strides, Arkadina, played by Mia Mannella, a junior in the College of Communication, is more than willing to knock him back down a few pegs. The audience is then introduced to the lead actress of Konstantin’s play, Nina, played by Brianna Brincks, a sophomore in the College of Communication. Her arrival is met with much excitement and yearning from Konstantin, as he weakens just by the sound of her footsteps. However, these emotions are not felt as strongly by Nina. Buesing’s animated approach to Konstantin enhanced his already nuanced character to another level. From Buesing’s take on the character, it is clear that there is a truly sensitive nature that lies beyond the prideful exterior that Konstantin puts up. He feels everything deeply, whether that be his admiration for Nina or his later psychological spiral. After the anticipated arrival of Arkadina and fellow audience members, including famous writer
Nina, the aspiring actress played by Brianna Brincks.
Photo courtesy of Luciana Jaramillo
The Chekhovian play analyzes the artistic and romantic conflicts between the cast.
and Arkadina’s lover, Trigorin, played by Ben Shields, a senior in the College of Communication, Konstantin’s play begins. Once the curtains open, Nina starts a rather morose and abstract monologue, which is occasionally interrupted by snarky comments from Arkadina. This causes such a disturbance that Konstantin halts the performance and runs away, utterly offended by the mocking of his work. Mannella embodies the vanity and callousness of Arkadina, while simultaneously emitting this nonchalance as other characters continue to fawn over her. It’s obvious that despite her cool demeanor towards everyone’s infatuation, remaining relevant is something that weighs on her as she ages. Her approach to each line is intentional, with the occasional apathetic tone of her voice revealing much more about the character than the written dialogue could on its own. At the end of Act 1, Konstantin returns and is met with writing advice from Dorn, a doctor played by Peter Neugent, a sophomore in the College of Arts & Sciences. Although Dorn was a fan of Konstantin’s play, he tells him that he needs to find the purpose of why he’s writing. Otherwise, he’ll continue without a goal in mind, and his talents will end up hurting him rather than pushing him forward. But as Dorn lectures, Konstantin doesn’t really listen to what he’s saying, too focused on where Nina is. It was difficult to recognize at the time, but this moment was subtle foreshadowing of Konstantin’s later collapse. So blinded by love, Konstantin ignored the valuable advice Dorn
had given him, and instead allowed his heart to make decisions for him rather than considering whether he was writing for the wrong reasons. Act 2 was characterized largely by the development
something that hit close to home as a writer myself. However, Nina’s endless flattery strokes Trigorin’s ego, leading him down a path that, humorously, abuses Nina’s presence in his life for another
Photo courtesy of Luciana Jaramillo
Konstantin, played by Grayson Buesing, struggles with identity.
of each character’s relationships with one another, which, as the act transpired, became more complex and slowly revealed faults. The most apparent of these was the growing relationship between Nina and Trigorin. Nina idolized Trigorin’s life and put it on a pedestal, as Nina constantly conveyed her enamour with the idea of fame and being in the spotlight like Trigorin. However, Trigorin quickly explained that fame isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Trigorin’s monologue to Nina circles the idea that, because his life has been consumed by work, he can’t live without seeing the world as an endless opportunity to find a story. Shields’ performance of this passage conveyed desperation, with each word that he said carrying weight and leaving him almost breathless. It felt like this was something that had been weighing down Trigorin for a long time, and
story opportunity. The remainder of the act documents each of the characters’ endless rumination, as years pass and the consequences of their actions and relationships from the previous act hurt the cast. While some of these are subtler than others, it becomes abundantly clear by the end of the show that every character had a role in the unraveling of another. “The Seagull” had many intricate parts and storylines, but the root of its story relied on how a lack of direction can leave one lost in their own mind. This is a show that should be seen live to truly understand its depth and get the chance to experience some of the story’s shocking moments for yourself. “The Seagull” will be performed at the Helfaer Theatre on Oct. 8, 9, 10 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 11 at 2:30 pm.
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Tuesday, October 6, 2026
Two brothers and one chai-obsessed dream By Nate Oif
nate.oif@marquette.edu
A four-foot-by-two-foot wooden cart. That’s all Chayank Pawar and Krishna Pawar needed to start The Chai Company. Their setup was modest, but the goal was clear: bring authentic chai to Milwaukee. Started by two brothers, The Chai Company is a mobile, Milwaukee-based beverage company that specializes in chai, matcha and other signature drinks. “Flavors from home,” as Chaynak described them, shape much of the menu. Saffron, rose and cardamom, ingredients commonly used in Indian cuisine, infuse their drinks. Across Milwaukee, many cafés have Spanish and Middle Eastern roots, but few have Indian roots. The brothers are among the first to bring those unrecognized flavors to the city. They make much of what they serve from scratch, often making gallons of syrup the night before. “That’s something that these other coffee shops would never get close to doing,” Chayank said. “Our quality is one of the best, without a doubt.” The idea started with a casual, late-night conversation between the two about starting their own coffee brand in Milwaukee.
Turning that idea into a successful business meant taking a risk. The Chai Company meant leaving stability behind. Chayank left his full-time job as a mechanical engineer, while his brother put his schooling on hold. The first six months were unforgiving financially. The business consistently brought in less than $1,500 most months. “At my engineering job, I was making a consistent pay of like $4,500 a month,” Chayank said. “And then you’re just sitting there thinking like, ‘Wow, this one month I made only $1,000.’” It wasn’t only that they weren’t making much money; they had already invested over $5,000 in an espresso machine and more than $2,000 in other utilities. The early struggles also tested the brothers’ relationship. Their clashing qualities often created tension, but they never lost sight of their shared vision. “We fight during service, and then we kind of like get back together and just kind of push towards the same goal,” Chayank said. “It’s a lot of bickering… After that, we’re just all eating food together, like nothing happened again.” Any bit of success is what kept them pushing forward. Soon, they be-
Photo by Lily Wooten lillian.wooten@marquette.edu
The Pawar brothers first ran The Chai Company out of a wooden cart.
gan booking corporate events and weddings, which offered a glimpse of what the business could eventually become. “If we could do this multiple times a month, like four to five times a month, this could quite literally become our livelihood,” Chayank said. In just 15 months, the business has outgrown its humble four-foot-bytwo-foot beginnings. Using the money they saved, the brothers replaced the
original wooden cart built in their garage with a dark green custom trailer. The setup has changed and so has the crowd. What started as a small stand has expanded into pop-ups across Milwaukee and on Marquette University’s campus. Every Monday, a line of students stretches down Wells Street at an event the brothers call Marquette Monday. What once seemed like a gamble now feels
far from it. And it’s only the beginning. Chayank hopes The Chai Company can become a nationally recognized name, with locations across the country. He knows the goal is lofty, but considering it all started as a conversation and became his fulltime job in just over a year, he isn’t putting limits on what comes next. “God willing, if this happens, it happens,” Chayank said.
Five places for seasonal treats in Milwaukee By Allison Scherquist
allison.scherquist@marquette.edu
As the wind chill rises and the colors of the trees shift, a slew of seasonal flavors blend into everyday drinks and eats. Whether you’re in the mood to pick some apples or just want to grab a quick coffee, Milwaukee’s got you covered. Here are
Photo by Lily Wooten lillian.wooten@marquette.edu
five places to enjoy fall-flavored food and beverages in the Milwaukee area this season. Peck & Bushel 5454 County Rd Q, Colgate, WI 53017 If you’re itching to go apple picking this autumn, visit Peck & Bushel Orchard in Washington County, WI, around 30 minutes outside
of Milwaukee. Head to their orchard and grab some Honeycrisp, McIntosh or Crimson Crisp apples. They also offer a weekly selection of seasonal apple types, such as Cortland and Haralson. Pre-picked apple bags are also available in the barn. In the cidery, you can find seasonal fall cider and sandwiches.
Whether it's coffee or a pastry, Milwaukee has plenty of options for fall specials.
Colectivo Coffee In need of a seasonal pick-me-up? Head to the Milwaukee staple, Colectivo Coffee, and sip on some delicious fall drinks. Enjoy their banana date matcha latte or their signature cold brew, now offered with a seasonal maple flavoring and topped with pumpkin butter cold foam, making for a scrumptious fall treat. If you’ve worked up an appetite while waiting for your drink, grab some quick bites. Their new pumpkin spice bun — a soft brioche bun filled with spiced pumpkin stuffing — is sure to hit. You also can’t go wrong with their classic banana nut muffin. Visit their website to find the nearest location. The Harvest Festival at Milwaukee Public Market Riverwalk Commons 423 N. Water St. Make sure to stop by the Milwaukee Public Market on Oct. 10 to celebrate their annual Harvest Festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sip on free samples from Lakefront Brewery as you enjoy live music and pumpkin painting. Nibble on some cheddar from Alpinage Cheese orvisit new ven-
dors such as Freese’s Candy Shoppe for a sweet treat and Cozy Acres to grab some fresh for autumn. Poppy Bakery 2021 E Ivanhoe Pl, Milwaukee, WI 53202 There aren’t many things better than the smell of fresh pastries on a cool autumn morning. Get your fix at Poppy Bakery, which offers everything from olive za’taar focaccia sourdough to classic cinnamon rolls at an affordable price. Autumn fan-favorites include the apple butterscotch croissant and peach brioche knot. Check out the website to view the full menu. Riverwest Market 2700 N Pierce Street There’s few things more picturesque than spending a chilly fall morning at a local farmers market. Head to the Riverwest Market to grab some fresh produce and homemade goods before it closes for the season on Oct. 24. Browse its vendor tables and get some warm tea for the cold nights ahead this season or pick up some savory fall pastries like apple cheese hand pies made from smoked cheddar and tart apples.