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THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MANHATTAN UNIVERSITY | SINCE 1924
Volume CXI, Issue 8
FREE
NEW YORK, MARCH 11, 2025
James Patterson Scholarship Announces New Class of Recipients Elizabeth Kalaj Senior Writer
Author Justin Torres to Visit MU
The award-winning author of “We the Animals,” and “Blackouts,” is visiting MU as part of the university’s Major Author Reading Series. MANHATTAN.EDU / COURTESY
Brianna Armstrong and Captain Ryan Smith Awarded Top Status Across All Air Force ROTC Detachments Otito Maduegbuna Contributor
Brianna Armstrong, a Manhattan University employee, was recently awarded as a Top Performer for her work with the Air Force ROTC program while Captain Ryan Smith was awarded Top Instructor within the program for his work teaching and guiding the cadets of MU’s Detachment 560. According to manhattan. edu, “Brianna played a pivotal role in enhancing cadet recruitment, training, and operational efficiency;
IN NEWS:
MU Students Share Research at EPA Conference pg. 4
dedicated numerous hours to conducting 18 orientation and information sessions; and successfully executed 1,000 checklist items to onboard 79 new cadets leading to the detachment’s largest incoming class. Leveraging technology, she implemented artificial intelligence programs to create 13 cadet enrollment guides and validate instructional program codes across 15 institutions.” Armstrong beat out a multitude of other candidates across the 37 various ROTC detachments across the Northeast. Her dedication, work ethic and overall value to MU’s AFROTC program
IN FEATURES:
MU Celebrates International Women’s Day pg. 6
was echoed by Lieutenant Colonel Richard Nova, an Air Force officer and head of Detachment 560. “She’s very strongminded and innovative, and she was able to make something that was already good, into something that’s been absolutely great,” Nova said. “She’s a champion of continuity and developing programs and processes that just streamline our ability to execute the mission. I’m actually down two bodies, and she’s fulfilling a role of what we call a noncommissioned officer, and she’s doing it like __________________________ CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
James Patterson ‘69, a New York Times bestselling author and philanthropist, awarded 19 Manhattan University students $5,000 scholarships based on essay submissions that encapsulated awardees’ academic excellence, financial need and involvement in activities that align with the Lasallian mission. This is the 13th consecutive year that Patterson has provided support to undergraduate students through this scholarship, in addition to the newly created James Patterson Honors Program that is going into effect this fall. The application for this scholarship begins each year with an email notification to the undergraduate students who fit the necessary GPA and financial requirements. From then on, the determination of awardees is largely centered around the student essays that have been submitted. However, this scholarship is unique in that the selected applicants can attend a workshop together and work on their essays. Brian Oduor, a senior electrical engineering major, commented on the process of receiving this scholarship. “This was an amazing opportunity because it was more than being handed a scholarship with a certain amount of money,” Oduor said. “It was an opportunity for me to not only get to learn more about myself in terms of my future and goals, but also [learn about] myself through
IN A&E:
Norweigian Duo Oakland RainVisits MU TV Studio pg. 8
questions that I had not approached yet with answers that came as I wrote about it.” Oduor, a two-time recipient of the Patterson scholarship, talked about how his experience with the scholarship and application process has affected him personally over the past two years. “Over the past year, I was able to reflect from the essay I wrote and change a few things,” Oduor said. “I learned a lot more about myself and writing the essay itself helped me get closer to my family because I had to go and ask them questions about the family in order to understand myself. It also helped me with my English and writing skills.” Patterson is an essential part of Manhattan University’s large pool of alumni. Alexander Morel, junior psychology and English major, reflected on the idea of alumni giving back to their alma mater. “Going to MU is one very big cycle,” Morel said. “You come here and the school gives you what you need in life to go further. It gives you great classes, connections and opens so many doors. In my opinion, it only makes sense for people who have gone far and beyond in life to come back and give back in some way, whether it is in the form of the James Patterson scholarship or donating money to maintain a building.” Receiving this scholarship gives many upperclassmen a resource in the form of financial assistance towards the end of their undergraduate education experiences. Ivanna Duran, a senior digital media arts major, emphasizes the impact this __________________________ CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
IN SPORTS: Jaspers Secure Victory Over Sacred Heart pg. 10