Volume XXIII, Issue 7
February 8, 2017 penmenpress@snhu.edu
Manchester, NH
CULINARY TEACH-OUT DECISION PUT ON HOLD Ginny Fagan Staff Writer
February 8, 2017: Kite Flying Day
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What's Inside: News | Front & 3-5
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Editorials | 2 Feature | 6 Penmen Passion | 7 Opinion | 8-9
Penmen Abroad | 13 Health and Wellness | 14 Sports | 15-16
Featuring: Undergraduate Research Day | Page 3 SNHU Without Culinary | Page 9 Lala Land Review | Page 10 From Afghanistan to New Hampshire| Page 13 Four Trends To Ditch in 2017
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Hockey Raises Breast Cancer Awareness | Page 16
SNHU Culinary
Arts and Entertainment| 10-12
The Culinary program at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) received shocking news when Michael Evans, Vice President of Academic Affairs, recommended a teach-out of the program in mid-January. In a memo sent to many students and faculty on campus, Evans said, “this means that all current Culinary students will be able to continue to graduation and receive the degree they have earned, but we will not bring in additional Culinary students in the fall.” This recommendation was met with outrage by the Culinary students, faculty, and supporters on campus. Widespread disapproval of the recommendation was expected, and an open forum was held on Monday, Jan. 30 in order for Evans to “share the rationale behind the recommendation and gather for a discussion,” as stated in his memo. Everyone in attendance at the forum was met with seemingly good news when Evans announced he, SNHU President Paul LeBlanc and SNHU Provost Patty Lynott would “take a step back and rethink and reconsider alternatives to the recommendation.” Following this announcement, Evans asked the audience to give him opinions and suggestions about what the University could do better when it comes to the Culinary program.
Marketing for the program itself seemed to be a huge concern to students. Many of them mentioned when using online search engines, SNHU did not come up as a result when searching for culinary schools in New England. SNHU’s television commercials and the lack of Culinary students shown was also mentioned multiple times. Funding for the program has been cited as a major reason behind the teach-out recommendation. This led many people at the forum to wonder why The Quill, a fully functional restaurant on campus, was not being utilized more. The idea of The Quill partnering with local restaurants one night per week was brought up as a possible way to help the program earn money as well as publicity. Sponsorships were also something to be considered. It was made clear that the teach-out recommendation was not due to lack of passion within the program, but rather declining enrollment rates seen around the country in Culinary programs, as well as high costs. Debt rates are also seen as an issue, but students at the forum made it clear that they were willing to take on the burden if it means doing what they love. Spirits were lifted at the news that the teach-out will be reconsidered, but the decision is still up in the air. This leaves the Culinary program and everyone involved hopeful yet worried for the future.
Sophomore Kimberley Withers is one of the many students in SNHU's culinary program.
SNHU Raises Human Trafficking Awareness Nicole Clark News Editor January was Human Trafficking Awareness Month and Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) held events on campus to bring attention to this topic. On Saturday, January 28, The Women’s Center and The Center for Community Engaged Learning held a brunch while they led a discussion about human trafficking. Held in The Women’s Center, the event drew in
a significant crowd of people to hear about this issue and participate in the conversation around this topic. Alexus Garcia, a freshman at SNHU coordinated this event with the help of the two offices. Garcia said, “I think the event went extremely well. For a Saturday morning, it was amazing to see so many SNHU students interested in being aware of the effects on victims of human trafficking.” She introduced the speakers Ann-Marie Arruda, a licensed nurse in narcotics
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and a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) nurse, as well as Jessica Sugrue, CEO of the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) organization. They talked about how anybody can be trafficked from children to adults, male or female: it can happen to anybody. Garcia said, “I believe it's very important for everyone to be educated on this matter, since it's more local than most think. Between the labor trafficked victims and the food they harvest for us to
eat, to sex trafficked victims that are controlled in the worse way, this subject surrounds us on a daily. Even the smallest of background knowledge can make a difference to helping our fellow citizens.” Event-goer James Cowin said, “The degree of severity of human trafficking in the surrounding area is certainly eye opening. I'd say it opened my mind quite a bit.” To learn more about this global issue, stop by the Women’s Center located in the Green Center.
editorial
you are welcome here
THE PENMEN PRESS STAFF 2016-2017
During Donald Trump’s first week as President, what appeared to be a multitude of executive orders were issued from the White House. Among these is what has become commonly known as simply the immigration ban. In this executive order, it states: “I hereby proclaim that the immigrant and nonimmigrant entry into the United States of aliens from countries referred to in section 217(a)(12) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1187(a)(12) [Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Iran, Somalia, Libya and Yemen] would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, and I hereby suspend entry into the United States, as immigrants and nonimmigrants, of such persons for 90 days from the date of this order (excluding those foreign nationals traveling on diplomatic visas, North Atlantic Treaty Organization visas, C-2 visas for travel to the United Nations, and G-1, G-2, G-3, and G-4 visas).” Regardless of politics and party lines, this executive order has raised questions, analysis, and concern throughout the country and here on the Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) campus.
CO-EDITOR IN CHIEF Rebecca LeBoeuf rebecca.leboeuf@snhu.edu CO-EDITOR IN CHIEF Megan Palmer megan.palmer@snhu.edu MANAGING ASSISTANT Brendon DiBiasio brendon.dibiasio@snhu.edu ADVERTISING MANAGER Jaime Mailloux jaime.mailloux@snhu.edu CO-COPY EDITOR Laurelann Easton laurelann.easton@snhu.edu CO-COPY EDITOR Nicole Kenney nicole.kenney@snhu.edu NEWS EDITOR Nicole Clark nicole.clark2@snhu.edu Cyan Magenta
OPINION EDITOR Bryan Creevy bryan.creevy@snhu.edu ARTS & Gabriel Carrio ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR gabriel.carrio@snhu.edu HEALTH & WELLNESS Lori Costa EDITOR lori.costa@snhu.edu
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PENMEN ABROAD EDITOR Kamila Ataee kamila.ataee@snhu.edu SPORTS EDITOR Matthew Martin matthew.martin1@snhu.edu
SNHU is home to more than 1,000 international students completing their undergraduate or graduate degree in the United States. Some of these students are from the countries the immigration ban affects and may now be unable to return to their families as a result, or may risk being able to return to this country. In an attempt to create a sense of solidarity and unity, President LeBlanc has issued a memo to the SNHU Community regarding the values and actions being taken by the university. LeBlanc’s memo commented on the executive order stating, “President Trump evoked 9-11 in his announcement of the new enforcement order, though not a single terrorist involved in that awful day was from the seven countries listed, and no Syrian has ever committed a terrorist act inside the US.” In addition to this, LeBlanc’s memo addressed all international students in the SNHU Community, saying, “If you are with us from another country, please know that most Americans are almost all descendants of immigrants and refugees, take pride in this country’s long history of honoring the inscription on the
Statue of Liberty, and will work to fight this onerous order.” This is a turbulent time in America’s history and here at SNHU, we at the Penmen Press are impressed and honored with the action and acceptance being shown here on campus, both in leadership and in the student community. Whether it is through the “you are welcome here” signs on campus to the wide array of events celebrating diversity, SNHU’s community has demonstrated, on numerous accounts, that it is a welcoming and safe environment for all students. The Penmen Press will take these times as an opportunity to continue bringing the SNHU campus news while growing into a new era of journalism and leadership. If you have anything that you would like to say or to share about your experiences at SNHU, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at penmenpress@ snhu.edu or by directly contacting one of our Editors-in-Chief. In the words of LeBlanc, “Closer to home, this campus is full of people who will support you, starting with me, my team, and every office in the University.”
LAYOUT EDITOR May Mullen maura.mullen@snhu.edu PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR Wyndee Man jingyin.wen@snhu.edu SOCIAL MEDIA Katerina Wilhelmi katerina.wilhelmi@snhu.edu FACULTY ADVISER Jon Boroshok j.boroshok@snhu.edu The Southern New Hampshire University Penmen Press is a news publication produced by Southern New Hampshire University students and funded largely by the Student Government Association of the University. It is our responsibility to inform the SNHU community about events on and around campus. The Penmen Press will print any material found to be factual and in good taste by the editorial staff of the paper. The views published do not necessarily reflect the views of Southern New Hampshire University. The Penmen Press is published biweekly during the academic year and is printed by the Concord Monitor. To contact the newspaper, please e-mail us at penmenpress@snhu.edu.
Staff Writers | We are always looking for new staff writers and contributors to the Penmen Press! No interview or application for these positions necessary. If interested, please e-mail penmenpress@snhu.edu with your information!
Amy Mercedes
We are looking to fill several editorial positions for the 2015-2016 academic school year. We would like to fill these positions ASAP in order to provide the proper training. Positions that are available for application and interviews are:
The Deborah E. Coffin Women's Center hung "you are welcome here" signs on their window in reaction to the immigration ban.
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undergraduate research day deadline approaching Nick Klotz Staff Writer
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own academic growth and resumes. A journal is published every year with the best submissions. If that isn’t enough, there are also plaques and $1,800 total in cash prizes up for grabs. A winner is selected in each category. “It’s very important for students to have an experience being immersed in the research process,” said Dr. Eklou Amendah, a professor at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) and organizer of the event. Research done in other classes is also fair game. “The capstone of English 200 is a ten-page research paper with an oral presentation,” said Tyler Leighton, a SNHU student and assistant in organizing the event. “We’re encouraging students to bring in the work they’ve done.” Students are able to see that their research has a real
The February 16 deadline for Undergraduate Research Day is fast approaching. It’s not too late to submit a 100 to 250-word proposal. Undergraduate Research Day is an annual opportunity for students to delve into a topic of interest deeper than normal coursework allows. Students are able to present their findings and showcase their critical thinking and presentation skills. Students are able to present a wide range of research organized into topics such as Humanities/Art and Social Sciences, Business, Education, Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) and Community-based Research (CBR). Students are encouraged to participate to benefit their
impact. The Munchiez food truck, for example, started out as a research topic under the CBR category. It was later implemented on campus. CBR projects are intended to be tangible and action-oriented; they are of immediate use. One such project focuses on rain gardens in cities. “[The student researcher is] taking models of Boston and New York City and trying to apply them to Manchester,” Amendah said. “Last year, there was a group of students that looked at the movement of Syrian refugees across Europe,” Dr. Amendah said, speaking of STEM projects. “[The students] mapped their movement using regression analysis through different countries. The idea was to find… which country would be an appropriate final destination.”
A project from the same math class covered the heroin epidemic here in N.H. Presentations can take three different forms: a formal oral presentation, a poster, or a work-in-progress discussion. The formal oral presentation is ten minutes and are usually done in groups of four or five students, though often single students take on the task. These are done in front of an audience of peers and judged by a group of professors. The posters are done all at once in a large venue and crowds are free to roam around and check them out at their leisure. These can be either finished projects or work-inprogress pieces focusing on the methodology of the research and the questions proposed.
The work in-progress projects are done privately in groups. Here students can bring their work so far and get feedback of how to continue their research. This year, Undergraduate Research Day is particularly exciting because the event has been opened up to regional universities including UNH Manchester, Saint Anselm College, Franklin Pierce University, and Plymouth State University. Interested students looking for additional information should contact Dr. Amendah at e.amendah@ snhu.edu or ugresearch@ snhu.edu. In order to apply, a student only needs to submit the aforementioned proposal to snhu.qualtrics.com/ SE/?SID=SV_6hDy9e9ZQUr rrA9.
"A Path appears" bridges awareness to human trafficking Abby Meltzer Staff writer
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ing this film, CCEL and the Women’s Center hopes that more people recognize the issue and work to fight it. The students in attendance expressed concern for what they could do as individuals and how the univer-
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The Center for Community Engaged Learning (CCEL) and the Deborah L. Coffin Women’s Center at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) hosted a viewing of the documentary "A Path Appears" on January 25 in the Women’s Center to raise awareness of human trafficking. The event began at 6:30 p.m. with a screening of "A Path Appears," a documentary focusing on the issue of human trafficking in the United States. After the film, a discussion was held about the movie and what can be done about this issue. There are 300,000 children at risk of being trafficked in the United States. This film tells the stories of women who have suffered from this issue and how people can reach out and help. Elle Tibbitts, the CCEL service learning program coordinator, helped organize this event. “I was hoping by showing this documentary we could get people talking,” said Tibbitts. “If no one’s talking about it or looking at
the problem, there is no pressure to start solving things”. A Path Appears was shown as a part of human trafficking awareness month to bring attention to the extent of human trafficking in the United States. By show-
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sity can continue moving forward to raise awareness and cause change in their local and national community. Problem solving and event planning began occuring. “It’s a grassroots movement,” said Tibbitts. “If peo-
ple are talking about it on campus and people are talking about it in their towns, if it’s being talked about on social media, mainstream media is going to pick up on that. It’s going to become a national conversation.”
Nat. COmpliment Day Nicholas VonSchantz-Ricci Staff Writer
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There may be no simpler way to make someone feel good than by giving them a compliment. A sincere comment from a family member, friend, or professor can be powerful enough to put a spring in anyone’s step. With that in mind, is it really surprising that there is a national holiday that revolves around giving compliments? On Jan. 24, Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) celebrated National Compliment Day with the goal of spreading good vibes around campus. The program was sponsored by SNHU Student Involvement and was held in the student center lobby. Students were encouraged to write compliments to their peers
News news
"are you smarter than a tutor?" Laurelann Easton Copy Editor
on multicolored panels. Volunteers took pictures of the participants and their comments, and posted them on the SNHU Involvement Facebook page at the end of the day. Other aspects of the event included hot chocolate and jumbo cookies provided by the Cup of Love café, which is located in the Hospitality Center. National Compliment Day was started by two New Hampshire natives. Kathy Chamberlain of Hopkinton, NH and Debby Hoffman of Concord, NH created National Compliment Day in 1998 with the goal to remind people of the importance of giving (and receiving) compliments. Junior Matt Driscoll, who attended the event, said, “It’s important to make people feel good, especially if they are having a bad day.”
For those who enjoy playing Trivia Crack, join the Learning Center for their seventh annual “Are You Smarter Than a Tutor?” event. The game will be held February 22 6-8 p.m. with the doors opening at 5:30 p.m. This event features many organization from the campus, and it allows teams of students to compete against teams of tutors (four per team). Trivia categories include art, business, culinary, history, math, pop culture, writing, and many more. There will be tabling around
the campus during the weeks leading up to the event for students to sign up for the event, beginning Febryary 1. Each day, February 6 to February 9, there will be tabling in the Student Center from 10 a.m. to noon, and the Dining Center will host tabling February 13-16 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For those unable to attend those times, students can email the office of the Learning Center with their team name along with the four members, including their email addresses, at thelearningcenter@snhu.edu if spots are still open. The winning team will win $200 in cash, and there will be gift
card raffles held throughout the event that the players and audience members will be eligible to win. A noteworthy addition to this event is that there will be a team of professors to compete with the tutor and student teams. This team includes Professor Cox, Professor Hughes, Professor Bouchard and Professor Viator. “This event is a great opportunity for students to have fun working together as team members while having fun and challenging our peer educators,” said Evan Bodi, the Marketing and Outreach Graduate Assistant of the Learning Center.
spring into clubs at involvement fair
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Julia Carolan Staff Writer
On January 25, both the big gym and small gym were transformed into an open house to showcase the clubs and activities Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) has to offer. Both old and new organizations had decorated tables, posters, and offered free merchandise to those who showed interest. Not to mention, free s’mores and a photo booth for campers looking for a quick break from the overload of exciting information. When asked why she was attending the Spring Involvement fair, freshmen and transfer Lily Carter said, “As a transfer student, I was really psyched that the school offered a club fair. A lot of other places only hold them in the fall.
I’ve signed up for a lot already!” The Involvement Fair helps give students a chance to get in contact with clubs and see if the meeting times correspond with their schedules. It’s a great way to see if a club or activity of interest would be the right fit. Feedback from both the students that attended and those that ran tables were very positive. The Involvement Fair is always a very popular event which just goes to show how motivated SNHU students are to be a part of their community. For those who were unable to attend the fair and are looking for more information on clubs or activities, a list can be found on the SNHU website. Most clubs also have a specific email address where you can contact them for more information.
Writing Tutor Emily Paquin tabling for "Are You Smarter than a Tutor" sign ups.
PResidential Recap
Stephen Denis Staff Writer
Julia Carolan
The Last Chapter Pub hosted to a large group of SNHU students who came together to watch Donald Trump take the oath of office and be sworn in as the forty-fifth President of the United States on Friday, January 20. Students filed in and enjoyed the breakfast treats and beverages that were supplied. Josh Walker, a junior, was at the event because he wanted to see the “interesting viewpoints from other students in the pub.” Most of the students were left unsure about the tone of the speech and uncertain on what to expect from the Trump administration moving forward. If the first week of Trump’s presidency is any example, the students who were watching may have seen a preview of how the next four years may unfold. It started with a debate over the crowd size of Trump’s inauguration versus those of Presidents past. The argument introduced
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the public to the new Press Secretary Sean Spicer, who per the Washington Post, “managed to make a series of false and misleading claims in service of a relatively minor issue.” Once the White House claims were debunked, Counselor to the President Kellyanne Conway defended the information as “alternative-facts.” Then, Donald Trump and Republican leaders, who once bashed President Obama’s use of executive action, unleashed a flurry of new signings. According to the official White House website, Trump withdrew the United States from the global trade deal, Trans Pacific Partnership. Additionally, he cut funding to domestic and international health organizations who consult women on abortions. He also began dismantling key pieces of the Affordable Care Act. President Trump froze the hiring of new federal workers while excluding military depart-
ments. Trump reinstated the building of two major pipelines, the Keystone XL and the Dakota Access, both of which were halted due to activists Lastly, he published legislation to Congress for the construction of his wall on the Mexican border, which would be funded by U.S. tax payers with the promise that Mexico would “pay it all back” in the future. The Center for Community Engaged Learning student worker Emily Paquin said the signings that had her the most troubled were the defunding of health clinics and the continuation of both pipelines. “I was trying to be optimistic and respectful… but I don’t believe as privileged as we are, we should be taking away (rights) of people who may need them,” said Paquin. In the days since the Inauguration, mass marches, protests, and rallies have been held in opposition to the President and his actions.
NEWS news
NEW YEAR, NEW BUILDING, NEW OPPORTUNITIES Rachel Dembek Staff Writer
Rebecca LeBoeuf
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Southern New Hampshire University’s (SNHU) new space for the Career & Professional Development Center is now open. The office has officially changed spaces from Merrimack Hall to the Gustafson Center. The Gustafson Center is located at the corner of North River Road and East Side Drive, across the street from the main entrance to campus. This building has a modern take on architecture, so though it might look unfinished, the office is open. This building houses Undergraduate Admissions, the Career & Professional Development Center, Office of Alumni Engagement, and Marketing. There are signs around the building to clearly mark where all the offices are located. The Gustafson Center is the primary welcoming space for prospective students and families on campus. This amazing new facility is where parents and students can meet with admissions staff to learn about all the different degrees and opportunities that Southern New Hampshire University offers. The Career & Professional Development Center will be
The newly opened Gustafson Center ready to welcome students. hosting most of their events in this new building since it is a more centralized location and a bigger space. Some of the events include Resume Cri-
tique Night, Mock Interview Days, LinkedIn workshops, as well as discussion panels with employers and alumni, workshops, and prep sessions.
PAYING OFF HOLIDAY DEBT Amy Sumsion Staff Writer While the holidays are for bringing loved ones together, they can also be very expensive. Many shoppers find themselves struggling to pay down credit card debt, and other debts, that have stacked up when the holidays are over and reality sets in. According to the American Research Group, shoppers spent over $900 on average during the 2016 holiday season. That does not include debt that most Americans already have. Forty million Americans have student loan debt and seven million have credit card debt. With interest accruing every day, the debt may seem as if it will never go away; however, there are two strategies that are known to help with debt reduction: snowballing and debt stacking. Snowballing is listing all debts in order from the smallest
to the largest and paying off the debt in that order. After paying the minimum balance for all the debt, put any extra money towards the smallest debt, none of the others. For example, listing the debt would look as follows: Student Loan $2,000 ($96 minimum payment), credit card $2,600 ($63 minimum payment), and car loan $6,000 ($135 minimum payment). After the smallest amount of debt is paid off, payments toward the next smallest debt start including the money that is no longer going towards the debt that has just been paid off. Snowballing has some pros and cons. The pros are that there is an immediate sense of victory when the debt is paid off and there is more motivation to pay off larger debt. The cons are that even the small debt may take a while to pay off and overall more money is put towards interest.
Debt stacking is when debt is listed highest to lowest in terms of the interest rate. The dollar amount is not considered. The same debt as before might be ordered this way: credit card $2,600, car loan $6,000, and student loan $2,000. Then, once the debt with the highest interest rate is paid off, payments towards the debt with the next highest interest rate will include payments allocated for first debt as well. Debt stacking also has positives and negatives as well. Overall, less interest is paid and more money is saved in the long run, but this method takes a lot longer and there is less of a sense quick gratification. Whichever method is chosen is up to personal preference and what works for one person may not work for another. Overall, the most important thing is to take control over debt before it takes the control.
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This new space offers more privacy for students looking to speak with advisors for career advice, and help with their internship and job search. There
are interview rooms that allow complete privacy if a student needs to have a phone or Skype interview with an employer; these rooms are also where mock interviews will be taking place. From the main lobby space to the layout of the offices, the Gustafson Center was purposely designed to create interaction between the offices to benefit students. With the dedicated professional staff in each office working so closely together, they can blend their strengths to help students get the most from the SNHU experience. Undergraduate Admissions is where one begins their journey at SNHU. The Career & Professional Development Center is where students find internships and jobs and begin their transition to the professional world. The Office of Alumni Engagement works with alumni who are potential employers and connects them with students. They also keep alumni engaged and bring them back for campus events, and the Marketing team helps by telling these stories. The Gustafson Center brings the entire life cycle of the SNHU student’s experience together in one place.
Feature news
SNHU MARCHED ON BOSTON WITH 175,000 OTHERS Rebecca LeBoeuf Editor-in-Chief
Aubrey Shimabukuro
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Junior Amy Mercedes raises sign with a quote from “Blackish.” because “peaceful protest is a foundation of democracy. It’s our responsibility as American citizens to think critically about our government and take action when we feel our government is not representing the best interests of its citizens.” Issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, healthcare, protection for immigrants and refugees, people of color and the LGBTQ+ community have been hotly debated lately. Speakers represented many of these issues in speeches that riled the marchers up. Mass. Senator Elizabeth Warren was met with a deafening applause after exclaiming, “we come here to stand shoulder to shoulder to make clear: we are here, we will not be silent, we will not play dead. We will fight for what we believe in.” The line to march stretched for hours, as Boston was prepared for 25,000 people, the number of marchers they had initially expected. “The crowd never felt angry, even while we stood waiting for hours; there were just a few grumbles,” junior Elle Tibbitts said. “It felt passionate, considerate and peaceful.” Junior Dee Dube agreed that the crowd was passionate. “The crowd was pumped to be
there and to be loud. We were angry, but we used that energy to get our message across rather than to be destructive or mean.” Dube draped the pride flag around her shoulders as she marched and held a sign that had the meaning of the flag’s colors written on it (life, healing, sunlight, nature, serenity and spirit). While the march officially
Aubrey Shimabukuro
To peacefully protest President Donald Trump’s campaign promises and the attitudes of many Americans today, 175,000 people gathered in Boston Commons on Saturday, January 21, the day following Trump’s inauguration. Signs, some handmade and others printed, were thrusted into the air by arms that never seemed to tire. Men, women and children present asked for equality for everyone, regardless of gender, race, religion, ability or sexual orientation. Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) students, faculty and alumni marched on Boston and into history that day. The Deborah L. Coffin Women’s Center organized the trip that departed SNHU at 8:30 a.m. The staff rented a coach bus, hosted a sign-making party, designed t-shirts and gathered snacks for the ride. “As soon as word broke that there were going to be Women’s Marches held the day after the inauguration, some colleagues and I immediately began discussing how we could get a contingent of SNHU folks to one of the marches,” Brooke Gilmore, the director of the Women’s Center said. “This is a time when a lot of women are feeling angry, silenced, and are wondering “what now?” It seemed like a pivotal moment to bring people together as part of a larger movement to reclaim a sense of power.” The Boston Women’s March for America was one of 700 sister marches that happened worldwide. The SNHU community made up 40 of the 5 million marchers on all seven continents. “Originally, we were hoping to be part of the march in Washington D.C., as it seemed like that was going to be the largest, most historic and symbolic of the marches,” Gilmore said. “In hindsight, we’re thrilled we decided to go to Boston instead, as it allowed a larger and more diverse group of people from SNHU to attend. It also turned out that we didn’t need to be in DC to be part of history.” Diana Polley, associate professor of English, marched
began at 1 p.m., SNHU marchers had to wait until 2:30 p.m. to enter the streets. Other signs that SNHU students carried said, “SNHU trumps hate,” “SNHU women are stronger together,” “I love this country, even when it doesn’t love me back” and “the Republicans want to take away my birth control but that’s only going to make more Democrats.” SNHU students were grateful that the Women’s Center organized this trip. Freshman Anna Laugelle said, “It is very important for SNHU to support events like this because it makes students aware of events that they otherwise may not hear about and gives students a chance to stand up for something they believe in and become active participants in a larger movement.” Senior Aubrey Shimabukuro said other marchers were surprised to hear that a university sponsored a trip to the march. “We're so lucky at SNHU to have a school that supports students in these matters,” Shimabukuro said. Following the conclusion of the speeches and the beginning of the march, the sun broke through the dense clouds that hung over Boston all morning. Chants such as “love, not hate, makes America great,” “we’re nasty, we’re proud, we’re not
afraid to be loud” and “this is what democracy looks like” ran through the streets as marchers made their feelings toward the new president’s campaign promises known. Everyone came to the march with their own story to tell. Tibbitts marched “because it was the right thing to do, because I believe that every person has value, and I am determined to fight for those who don't feel like they can fight for themselves.” Dube said, “I marched because our current administration is already ignoring the voices of marginalized people in this country, and I knew this march would send the message that we are not going to be ignored.” This peaceful protest was just that: peaceful. It was filled with angry and passionate people, but it did not become violent. Boston Police Officers lined the roads, American flags flew in the air, people lined the streets to cheer on the marchers and the activists marched. “For many students, this might have been their first taste of activism and it was a wonderful introduction because it was so large, so varied but united and so peaceful,” English professor Allison Cummings said. “Gloria Steinem says, ‘you always remember your first love and your first march.’”
SNHU students, faculty and alumni in Boston to arrive in the Boston Women’s March for America.
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PENMEN PASSION news Fast Eddie Servin' it up your way
Ericka Broderick Contributing Writer
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Ericka Broderick
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Within the white walls of the Dining Center of Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), omelet chef Edward “Fast Eddie” Ross cooks up a fresh batch of Penmen Passion, positively influencing the students, faculty, and staff five mornings a week. Every morning from Tuesday to Saturday, Fast Eddie is up and running at the omelet station, cooking as many as three different orders at once. Some students who come to order don’t have to utter a single word as he remembers their routine orders. From omelets to breakfast burritos to scrambled eggs, Ross carries the skill of matching an order to the dozens of smiling faces who come to devour his dishes. “I love Fast Eddie's omelets!” said sophomore Johnny Comeau III. “He never gets the orders wrong and cooks them perfectly. On top of that he's funny and a pretty cool guy to talk to.” From the first order, Ross will plop the chosen ingredients onto the skillet before taking his next order. As the ingredients simmer, Ross ladles liquid whole eggs or egg whites decided by the customer. By the time he takes his third order, he will already have received greetings of “Hi’s” and “How are you’s” from the previous two customers. “Eddie is probably one of the most personable people in the dining hall,” said student Mary Shakshober, one of his regular customers. As he gives the cooking dish a pat of the rubber spatula and a flick of the wrist to give the eggs a flip, Ross finishes off with a sprinkle of the chosen cheese. Whistling an improvised tune, Ross serves the finished product. Many students take pride in his cooking techniques. Eddie was intrigued to see the popularity of his dishes when he claims, “I’m just making omelets.” According to Ross, the nickname “Fast Eddie” was just a common nickname he was given throughout his work experience. He said Dave Cardenelli, manager of the SNHU coffee shops and one of his best friends, gave him a name tag about four years ago displaying “Fast Eddie” due to the popularity of his nickname. At age 63, Ross came a long
way in his youth before becoming the beloved SNHU omelet chef he is today. “I’ve tried other things before but it always came back to cooking,” he said. Growing up in Rutland, VT, Ross said he got his first job at 15 as a busboy and later toaster master at Howard Johnson’s. He said he found himself wanting to do the job the breakfast cooks were doing as he stood by the toaster. “I kept saying, ‘I can do that. I can do that,” Ross said. At 16, Ross said he got his second job at a burger place until it closed in the summer of 1969. When he turned 19, Ross said he tried construction for a year and a half. Displeased with his experience, he moved on to retail in the men’s department of the Economy Store. When a mall was built in Rutland in the 1970s, Ross said he became the assistant manager of one of its shoe stores. “I loved that job,” he said. While he enjoyed the fancy work attire his mom provided him as well as his working environment, the mall was about to open a Pizza Castle. Eddie said a man representing the restaurant searched throughout the mall for employees interested in working at the restaurant. Confident in his pizza-making abilities due to his brief experience at a pizza shop, Eddie took on a new role at Pizza Castle. On March 1, 1976 after he turned 23, Ross said he moved to Manchester, N.H. to work at Domino’s Pizza, owned by a relative of his brother-in-law. “I said I was only going to stay for two or three months,” he explained. After mastering the art of pizza tossing and meeting his future wife, Ross found himself working at Domino’s for three years. His love for pizza making drove him to move back to VT after he got married in 1979 and open up his own pizza shop. Ross said his pizza shop was built “two blocks from Green Mountain College” in Poultney, VT. Because his wife was unhappy with where they lived, however, Ross only ran the shop for two years before he closed it and moved back to Manchester. From 1982 to 1989, Ross’ omelet making fate drew near, as he became the “breakfast guy” at Pappy’s Pizza. He said he was the first person it hired to make breakfast at the restaurant. “I
Fast Eddie flipping some egg-cellent omelets. miss it the most,” Ross said reflecting on the job. Similar to his SNHU customers, Ross said he remembered his customers’ routine orders to the point where he had them ready by the time they sat at their tables. His customers admired Ross so much to the point where he said they brought him Christmas and birthday gifts. Ross spent 14 more years working at Manchester Country Club and returned to Pappy’s Pizza for another couple of years before he found his true calling at SNHU. Unsatisfied with his last job at Karen’s Kitchen in Bedford, N.H., Ross was recommended by his friend, Debbie Murphy, to work at SNHU. The office manager of the SNHU Dining Center, Murphy, originally worked with Eddie as an assistant chef at the country club. With her help, Ross made his way into SNHU in 2009. “It was so different over there than I was used to,” he said about the school.
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When SNHU finally built the new Dining Center, Eddie said he was asked if he wanted to be the omelet guy. “Yeah, that’s the easiest job around,” he said with enthusiasm. This became one of the main reasons he kept his job at SNHU ever since. When asked how his friendly relationships with the students develop, Eddie said it just happened: “They say, ‘Hi Eddie.’ Everyone asks how I’m doing. Some of them tell me what’s happening in their lives.” Being “personable” with the students came naturally to Eddie, which made his Penmen Passion evident. “There’s always a smile on his face,” said student Alycia Miner. Eddie’s fellow employees also noticed the presence of his passion while working for him. Food server Andrea Morales said, “Eddie is a really good friend and an awesome guy to work with. He makes the best omelets.”
Another colleague, Pilar Demarti, found him to be a “great co-worker,” and also noticed the depth of the relationship he has with the students. She said she has seen “the students come to visit after they graduate.” For the rest of his career, Eddie shall continue to not only serve omelets, but also serve the SNHU community with the positive impact he has made.
Do you know any SNHU staff or faculty that should be featured in a Penmen Passion piece? Email us at penmenpress@ snhu.edu!
Gabriel Carrio A&E Editor
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So far, this winter has failed to bring a snow day. Nor has it brought us a delay. Not one. Many of my classmates have not hesitated to express their contempt for this, and many want to know “what’s wrong with SNHU.” I understand the irritation, and in some cases I feel it. But for the most part, it doesn’t bother me. I’m paying for my education. SNHU is not a public institution. The more snow days we have, or in some cases the more classes we skip, the more our money is wasted. It was a different story with public school, where everything was free and it didn’t matter if you missed a day, because it’s not like you were wasting your time and money by not going to school that day. A university is different. Without coughing up your hard-earned cash (or, if you’re lucky, your parents’ cash or your athletic scholarship), you have no place there. Your education is no longer free, and your attendance is no longer mandatory. You have the option to not
go, yes, but you’d be a fool to do so. That’d be like throwing money away. That’d be like saying, “Hey SNHU, here’s my bank account and checking info. Go nuts.” For one thing, I really want to be in school. I love learning. It makes me feel good and empowered. I love my classmates. I’ve met some amazing people here these past three years. If I’m not in class, my only alternative before work is either going to the gym or sitting at home doing nothing and hating myself. And if it’s a snow day, then the roads are probably too bad for me to risk going to the gym in the first place. So then my option is just hating myself for a few hours and going to work. Delays are the same thing. Yes, it’s fun to have a day off once in a while, or being able to miss your morning classes due to bad roads. But more than one or two of those is too much. That’s money being thrown away. You don’t get refunded for days where classes aren’t being held (though that’d be nice). Enjoy snow days and delays when they come, but don’t beg for them.
MORE LIKE SNOW YAY Nicole Kenney Copy Editor
The Ugly Truth
Snow day
OPINION news
Let’s talk snow days. Commuters, don’t you just love waking up in the morning to a thick blanket of snow outside, over 800 listings of school delays or closings, and—wait. Your school isn’t on the list. Class starts in one hour. There’s no way they’ll issue a school closing on such short notice. Well, there’s no other option than risking your life by commuting to school or taking a personal day off from classes. Snow days allow college students to relive the glory days of their youth by staying home bundled up in blanket burritos with no responsibilities for one whole day. There’s nothing more heart shattering than being denied a get-outof-adulting-free card and, in place, being expected to trek through the icy tundras of a thousand storms. While some professors have hearts of gold and understand the struggles of being a commuter in the winter time, not all will show compassion. Just because some professor lives five minutes down the road and can easily make it to
campus, there’s no excuse for you to miss class due to a blizzard. To me, delays and cancellations are less of a “Oh yes, I don’t have to go to that awful class!” and more of a “Oh yes, I don’t have to drive in those awful conditions!” Yet, some professors have the audacity to ask students to come to school when almost every grade school and college in the surrounding area is closed? I don’t think so. And don’t give me that “Well 80 percent of the class was able to make it, so there’s no excuse.” Right, because I’m sure the fact that 80 percent of the class lives on campus didn’t play a role here. In New England, it can’t be a surprise for four or five delays or cancellations to get in the way of class. If, for some mind-boggling reason, the school has not issued a delay or closing during storm warning weather, instructors should be the next line of defense for the sake of the students. Cancel class, give an option to attend class or do an online assignment, anything to keep students out of danger who may fear repercussions of missing class.
about whether these concerns are valid or not, but that doesn’t change that people have them. I think putting the American public at ease needs to be as high a priority as everything else on Trump’s agenda. The speech may have been a bit shocking, but one of the reasons President Trump is
in office is because of the raw way he speaks and addresses issues; there’s no beating around the bush. Some of the more recent actions taken by our president have left me a bit concerned, but I will remain open-minded and see how these situations play out before I make my own conclusions.
Inauguruation: Inspired or insufferable
Julia Carolan Staff Writer
of the main points. “This American carnage stops right here and stops right now,” Trump said. The message of the speech was clear: “America first.” I wasn’t put off by this speech; a president putting America first should never be an issue. In his acceptance speech, however, he should have focused a bit more on unifying the country. What many people fear about Trump is not how he plans to put America first but ica first but what he defines America as. There are still many wondering if they will be protected under “Trump’s America”. The Women’s March, followed by the Immigration Protest in Boston on January 29, is proof of that, regardless of some people’s interpretation of these protests. We can argue all we want
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Whether you own a “Make America Great Again” hat or you immediately unfollowed the POTUS Twitter account on January 20, I think we can all agree these next four years are going to be quite the change of pace. Unfortunately, in our society, we walk on eggshells discussing politics. Point out one of President Trump’s admirable traits, and you’re an ignorant bigot. Try to discuss one of his faults, and you’re a whiny liberal. How can we come to make these four years great when we refuse to let ourselves be informed or listen to what the other side has to say? The media does not help us when trying to learn about politics. Listen to one outlet and you get every reason why Donald Trump is Satan rein-
carnated. Turn to another, and this presidency is treated like the second coming of Christ. We need to rely on each other. Chances are, you have a friend who doesn’t share your political views, and, like most, you’ve probably just agreed to disagree, while silently holding a grudge against them for being so idiotic. I challenge you to have an open-minded discussion with them instead. It could be something as simple as, “What did you think of Trump’s Inauguration speech? President Trump’s speech was obviously received differently by different people. What seems to be a common remark about it is that this speech was one of the darkest in history, and I have to agree. Trump painted a desolate picture of America. Shuttered factories, the corruption of Washington and the “ravages” of other countries were a few
OPINION news
senior year is not a joke Bryan Creevy Opinion Editor There are two impressions of senior year at college: a year of Senioritis where you slack off on all your assignments or a year where it’s all laid back and you’re only filling in your remaining elective credits. Neither of these notions are entirely true. Being in your senior year of college does have some weariness where you feel wiped after three straight years of hard work, but it isn’t practical to give into Senioritis. There are many new pressures on you that
weren’t around in the first three years. You are in your home stretch, so you are more inclined to pass all of your classes than ever before. If you fail certain required classes due to laziness and your lack of participation, that might make you ineligible to graduate. Not only does this ruin any plans you may have had for post-graduation, it also puts you in greater financial debt than you would have been in otherwise. By the time you reach your senior year, you are taking mostly 300 and 400 level classes.
good, but it doesn’t mean you don’t have important things to do. Senior year is a time to focus on big projects to boost your resume and carve a path to your future. Aside from your classes, you have the option to do things like creating a thesis and presenting for the Undergraduate Research Day in the Spring semester. Both of these are not only great ways to increase your knowledge of your trade, but they also look fantastic to companies when they see them on your resume. This is also the time to get
These classes are not kidding around at all; they expect you to know things from prerequisite classes and deliver on the work like it already is your profession. These classes are preparing you for how jobs in your major expect your work to be, so there is no room for error or missed deadlines. Not only can you not slack off on your work, but you can’t be laid back and party for the entire year. Maybe you got rid of some of the required 300 and 400 level classes in the previous years to try and make your last year a little less stressful. That is
those last minute internships and start earning money to pay off your debt. Internships are a great idea for any year, but senior year is the last time you have several departments at your disposal to help you find the ones right for you. If you freed up some time for yourself, this is also an ideal time to get a part-time job to start building up your bank account to pay off your loans. Senior year is not the joke some people assume it is. It is one of the most eventful and crucial years of your entire college experience.
SNHU WITHOUT CULINARY Nicholas VonSchantz-Ricci Staff Writer Cyan Magenta Black
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The Culinary department here at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) was rocked on Thursday, January 19, when every student in the department received a very unsettling email by Michael Evans, Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA). The email presented Evans’s recommendation to “teach out” the culinary program at SNHU. This means that once the current freshmen graduate in 2020, the program will no longer continue. Further, this indicates that there will be no incoming freshman class in the culinary department in the 2017-2018 school year. This email was a bombshell to the culinary community here at SNHU. As a freshman culinary student myself, I was shocked and terrified when I first saw the email. John Talbot, a SNHU alumni with a degree in Culinary Management, has served as one of the most prominent forces in deter-
ring this recommendation. “Our Culinary school is in jeopardy of dissolving,” said Talbot during an open meeting with students and staff. “The data doesn’t support us, it doesn’t support New Hampshire.” Upon hearing the news, Talbot created a “Save SNHU Cu-
Jon Talbot
linary” petition on Facebook, which has gained over 1,600 signatures. Evans, as well as President LeBlanc, cited multiple reasons for this recommendation. However, many of these reasons are problematic. Evans stated that there is an ethical issue regarding the debt-to-potential-income ratio of Culinary students. The data that they presented showed that cooks have an annual salary of $22,000. The issue here is that we do not train to become cooks, but rather executive chefs, sous chefs, and business owners. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, chefs and head cooks earn an average of $45,920. Also, by questioning the debt-to-income ratio, Evans is not only discrediting the ethics of SNHU’s Culinary program, but also of the ethics of all Culinary
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programs. Evans has stated that enrollment has declined within recent years. There are currently 149 students in the program, compared to 167 last year and 212 the year before. While enrollment has declined lately, this trend has only occurred within the last two to three years. Awareness of the program compared to other Culinary schools in the area is quite meager. This problem could be remedied by promoting The Quill and the program itself more effectively. I think I can speak on behalf of the entire freshman class when I say that we have several concerns regarding this recommendation and the impact it may have on our futures. I cannot help but question whether we will gain the same experience that we were promised. Some of the Culinary electives that many of us want to take our senior year may not be available. More importantly, many of our instructors may be unable to teach due to their contracts coming to an end and a reduction in classes due to an absence of underclassmen. A Culinary degree, whether the Associates in Culinary Arts or Baking and Pastry, or the Bachelors in Culinary Management, is highly respected by employers. If the program ceases to exist following our graduation, then will our degree be as highly regarded? The possession of a highquality Culinary Arts program is a unique selling point for SNHU. It
allows students who are interested in Culinary Arts to make lifelong connections and have a well-rounded college experience. This is among the defining characteristics that made SNHU so appealing to all of us. While the program may be facing some hardships involving enrollment and cost, these issues can be resolved. The industry is not slowing down, and having a degree proves to employers that we are passionate and hardworking. The Culinary faculty has given hundreds of students the resources needed to succeed in this field. To deny future students this same opportunity would be a shame.
The Opinion Section does not represent the views of the Penmen Press or SNHU. The Opinion Section is a place for members of the community to write about their onand off- campus opinions. Contributing Writers are not a part of the Penmen Press Staff but are members of the SNHU Community. If you would like to be a Contributing Writer, submit your opinion piece to the Penmen Press at penmenpress@snhu.edu
arts andnews entertainment For the Fools Who Dream: "La La Land" Review
Nick Klotz Staff Writer Once in a great while, a film comes around that re-
minds you why you love movies. “La La Land,” the musical taking the industry and awards season by storm, captures that magic for me. “La
La Land’s” narrative picks up where jazz-pianist Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) and aspiringactress Mia (Emma Stone) cross paths. They’re at similar
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points in their lives; both are down-on-their-luck artists. What follows is a tale about the value of following your dreams and the costs that go along with it. Following up 2014’s fantastic “Whiplash,” I had high hopes going into this film. Director Damien Chazelle has a knack for capturing passion at its most beautiful and gutwrenching. Where “Whiplash” felt like a war movie disguised as a music drama, this one dropped me into a technicolor daydream I didn’t want to leave. The visual spectacle of the film is truly awe-inspiring. From the saturated rainbow of color I saw in the beginning musical number, I knew I was in for a treat. Chazelle only continued to spoil the audience with dramatic long takes, huge and complex choreography and beautiful Los Angeles scenery.
And what would a musical be without its music? The soundtrack composed by Justin Hurwitz calls back to old-school Hollywood in the best way. It’s jazzy and classy, both grandiose and grounded: Stone’s gentle, soft voice waltzes with Gosling’s low croon. The chemistry of the two leads practically leaps off of the screen. Their relationship takes you through the highest and lowest of emotional peaks and valleys. I did notice about halfway through the film, though, that it kind of forgot it was a musical. The density of musical numbers lowers and focuses more on the dramatic aspects. “La La Land” is a visual and aural delight. It’s often glossy and idealistic in presentation, but underneath is real humanity. Go along with the ride and you’re guaranteed to have a great time.
Gareth Emery’s “Saving Light” Saves Melodic Trance
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Gabriel Carrio Staff Writer
nowhere near long enough. Four minutes and thirty-five seconds is laughably short for a song in this genre. “Koh Samui” is exactly nine minutes long, and another Mitchell Claxton song, “Wuxia” is nine minutes and thirty-eight
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Trance is one of my favorite EDM subgenres because it does exactly what the name says: it puts me in a trance. It’s so easy to just put on some high quality trance, relax, and space out as your thoughts take over and the world around you ceases to exist. Mitchell Claxton is a prime example of an artist that makes some of the most quality melodic trance I’ve ever heard (check out “Koh Samui (feat. Angie Coombes)” by him, it’s nine minutes of pure bliss). Mitchell hasn’t released a track like his old work in nearly five years, which means I’ve been waiting for some high quality melodic trance for nearly five years. This past Monday, January 30, independent EDM record label Monstercat dropped a song that hit my trance-starved heart in exactly the right way. Gareth Emery’s “Saving Light (feat. HALIENE)” is a godsend. It’s what the trance community within the Monstercat fanbase has been waiting for. The melodies are so crisp, while also lulling you
into a comfortable dreamlike state. HAILENE’s vocals are full and gorgeous, complementing the song to the best it can be. Emery’s talent in production, chord progression, and ability to evoke emotion shine in this piece, especially when paired with the music video. The song itself was actually made as part of an awareness event for the Ditch the Label charity, which deals with bullying and bullying victims. The music video features a young girl being bullied relentlessly by her peers and being pushed to the brink of suicide before being saved by her teacher (the teacher thus being the girl’s “Saving Light”). By itself, the music video might be a little over the top or cheesy; however, when paired with the song and its beautiful lyrics (“If I fall / tonight / you can be my saving light”), it melds perfectly and elicits strong emotional reactions. I almost cried the first time I watched it. I’ve been listening to the song on an almost non-stop loop since it dropped, and I have yet to grow tired of it. My only issue with it is that it’s
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seconds. Those are both twice as long and “Saving Light.” The short length is genuinely disappointing, but doesn’t take away from the beauty of the song itself. This song is a must-listen for anyone. I forced a few of
my friends that aren’t into trance to give it a listen, and they loved it. It’s a great song for a great cause. You can stream "Saving Light" on YouTube, Spotify, and any service that has a constantly updating library.
ARTS ANDnews ENTERTAINMENT Top Games to Watch Out For in 2017
Addison Thyng Staff Writer
Nova Crystallis
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With new games releasing every week for several systems, it’s hard to keep track of what to watch. These are the titles that you should keep your eye on in 2017: February 14: For Honor “For Honor” is one of the first new IPs from Ubisoft in a while to sport a new type of gameplay from the publisher. Choose between three of history’s greatest armies: Knights, Vikings, or Samurai in a mixture of hack and slash and one on one melee combat to become the army that reigns supreme. Unlock multitudes of customization options all while bringing your enemies to their knees. March 7: NIeR: Automata For those who prefer games of the Japanese variety, watch out for “NIeR: Automata”. The sequel to the long forgotten “NIeR” of 2009. Explore a dying world where humans have fled to the moon and send robots to do their scavenging on the planet. Take control of Android
2B and fight off other machines in order to claim Earth back for the humans. Sporting huge boss fights, branching storylines, and excellent third-person action, be sure to keep this on your radar. March 28: Kingdom Hearts I.5 + II.5 Remix While technically not a new release, this will be the first time the critically acclaimed “Kingdom Hearts” franchise is playable on the most recent console generation. Featuring four complete titles; “Kingdom Hearts,” “Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories,” “Kingdom Hearts 2” and “Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep” to experience the main saga of the series. New features in this edition enhanced graphics, gameplay tweaks, and things not seen in the original release. This is a must-have for longtime fans and newcomers. April 4: Yooka-Laylee For those who love the 90s platformer. Rare, the team that brought us “BanjoKoozie,”goesback to the good old days of collect-athons and hub worlds with this great
addition to the genre. With quirky characters and colorful cartoon graphics this a game for anyone between eight and 80 years old. The perfect way to visit the days when platformers where king. May 5: Prey From the publisher of the
“Fallout” and “Elder Scrolls” series and the developers of “Dishonored,” travel to an alternate timeline in 2032 where funding continued for the space program and progressed to orbiting stations. Fight off attacking alien races in a fight to save humanity. Utilize
weapons and the supernatural to fend off invaders and protect Earth from the Typhon. With five games right there, and many more to come, 2017 is shaping up to be a great year for gaming. Keep an eye out for these titles and more.
Do 2017 Right with These Huge Game Launches Mustapha Price Staff Writer A new year begins, and the anticipation for upcoming titles starts right back up. This year is especially big for the video game industry as Nintendo, the longstanding industry titan, will be launch-
ing their handheld/home console hybrid: the Nintendo Switch. Along with that will come some very high profile game launches. Let’s dive right in and look at some of the biggest titles of this year’s launch schedule. On February 21, the critically acclaimed “Halo Wars”
series will be getting its second installment. This RTS reimagining of the classic shooter franchise has been a major success, appealing to fans both old and new. The second title will be available on Xbox One and Windows 10. On February 28, “Horizon Zero Dawn” will launch, com-
bining the aesthetic of a futuristic technologically advanced world with the tension of a dystopia and tribal division. This game is looking to be one of the most creative launches this year, and will be available exclusively on PS4 and PS4 Pro. Mere days later, on March
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3, “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” will launch on Wii U and Nintendo Switch. Perhaps the most anticipated game of the entire year, this title will reinvent the conventions of Zelda, bringing the game back to its open world roots. With fully voice acted cutscenes, and a world that can be explored from the time you purchase the game, this is shaping up to be the most interesting Zelda yet. Later in the month, on March 21, fans of the “Mass Effect” series can get their hands on “Andromeda” which is the newest game in the RPG series. Bioware is back in space, and this time, players can explore an entirely new set of planets on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. For the first three months of 2017, there will be plenty of big game launches. As we approach the spring, even more titles such as “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” and “Injustice 2” will be on the way. Here’s to keeping games in 2017 as interesting as possible.
arts andnews entertainment netflick of the week: terrace house aloha state
Tyler Leighton Contributing Writer
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In November, Netflix began streaming the new edition of their popular Terrace House reality series, but don’t feel bad for not knowing about it. Terrace House began as a Fuji TV production in 2012, and originally broadcast through Japanese Netflix. “Aloha State” is the first time the series’ titular Terrace House has been outside of Japan; this series is based in Hawaii. “Terrace House Aloha State” is the newest series for the reality hit which became popular in Japan because of the show’s unique premise of having no premise. Terrace House isn’t a competition. The housemates aren’t fighting over a final prize and, best of all, there’s no script. The show follows six strangers who come to live under the same roof while they follow their passions. Relationships develop and even the Terrace House isn’t completely without drama, but part one of “Terrace House Aloha State,” available on Netflix right now, is one of the service’s most binge-worthy shows. As a man who’s been watching the current season of “The Bachelor” with the wide-eyed amusement of cat playing with a laser beam, I can say wholeheartedly that I understand the appeal of trashy reality shows.
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What makes “Terrace House Aloha State” such a welcomed relief is that it avoids the manufactured drama that shows like “The Bachelor” consistently fall back to. If you have heard the name Corrine in the last few weeks you know what I mean. “The Bachelor” has put Corrine front and center this season because of her villainous persona when there are a number of women who are more fun to watch. It’s impossible to watch one of these fights unfold and not wonder how much of what you’re watching is reality and how much was encouraged by producers. I don’t mean to bash “The Bachelor,” as I said before, I’m a fan, but in a world of reality shows that do the same thing, “Terrace House Aloha State” is a breath of fresh ocean air. The small cast, only three men and three women are diverse and talented. Lauren Tsai, 18, is an incredible artist, Ethan Yusuke Aizawa, 18, has already released an acoustic guitar album and Eric De Mendonca, 27, is a carpenter designing and building his own cafe with a friend. The lack of a script doesn’t mean that Aloha State is without drama, but what separates it from other reality shows is that the conflicts raised in each episode are real and relatable: awkwardly trying to ask someone
out, trying to be a good friend without sending misleading signals and having uncomfortable conversations between roommates about cleaning up their messes. Nobody in the Terrace House is perfect or repulsively evil and that’s abundantly clear in each episode of part one. What American audiences will need to adjust to is that Terrace House has never had a traditional host along the lines of a Chris Harrison. Each episode opens with a panel of studio commentators who introduce the episode, recapping the important events that have hap-
pened, and giving their sometimes brutally honest opinions on what’s happening in the Terrace House. They’re watching each episode, the same as the viewer. Their hopes for relationships and reactions to heartbreaking moments are like watching the show with a group of friends who are just as engaged by what their watching as you are. There is no show on Netflix that will hold your attention like “Terrace House Aloha State” can. Immediately you’ll find yourself endeared to the cast and want to see them succeed
in each of their own goals, and when that doesn’t happen, it’s crushing in a way that the best shows can’t equal. It’s time to get on the “Terrace House Aloha State” bandwagon. Only eight episodes have been released and if you’ve found yourself burnt out by the reality show formula perpetuated by “Jersey Shore,” “Vanderpump Rules” or any of the various incarnations that Kardashian “shows” have taken over the years, then do yourself a favor and start the first episode. A little over four hours later you’ll be thankful.
The mobile strategy game you've always wanted
Mustapha R. Price Staff Writer
Nintendo
Nintendo has recently turned to mobile titles to pay tribute to some of their most beloved intellectual properties. From “Miitomo” which personalizes the interaction between players, games, and their own avatars to “Super Mario Run” which gives new players a basic introduction to the wonderful world of gaming’s favorite platforming superstar. Perhaps no mobile title yet has been as strong a tribute as “Fire Emblem Heroes” which takes the beloved series to new territory. A beautiful celebration of the beloved strategy franchise, “Fire Emblem Heroes” takes the most base elements of the core series, and adds enough pull to lure in new fans. As mo-
bile titles take over the world in their influence (largely due to free-to-play models making them accessible) it’s great to see a title that uses that influence to keep traditional handheld titles relevant. “Fire Emblem Heroes” is essentially, a lite strategy game that allows players to partici-
pate in 4v4 battles featuring a combination of a new original cast and the most revered heroes in the franchise. Take the role of tactician, as you use your rare ability to summon heroes from many worlds. Whether it’s Marth or Roy (commonly known for their appearance in “Super Smash Bros”) or Eirika
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and Eliwood, players will get to delve even deeper into the franchise, perhaps finding an interest they didn’t know they had. The combat of “Fire Emblem Heroes” is substantial, keeping most of the core elements of the original games while maintaining some level of simplicity. The visual style is
new and fresh, as well as somewhat humorous. The sound design is brilliant, and true to the series’ roots. The social experience is also quite well executed, with adding players as friends being as easy as the click of two buttons. Perhaps eliminating the friend codes for specific requests would be ideal, as friend codes have never worked particularly well for Nintendo. The launch of this title incredibly well timed with “Fire Emblem Echoes” coming out in a few months, and “Fire Emblem Warriors” coming out next year. Nintendo is clearly trying to capitalize on what was once an incredibly obscure franchise. With “Fire Emblem Heroes” now being available on IOS and Android, the franchise will no doubt hit the homes of many players far and wide.
PENMEN ABROAD news New opportunities in a new land
Kamila Ataee Penmen Abroad Editor
Lauzier went to Florence alone, but she made friends at her host university who she traveled with. “It was always nice to see a familiar face in Florence to remind yourself that you weren’t alone. When I traveled outside of Florence, I always traveled with friends from Florence University of the Arts,” said Lauzier. Lauzier encourages all students to study abroad. She believes traveling and studying in a different country will change students’ perspectives about the world around them. According to her, nervousness is a part of traveling overseas, especially for the first timers. “Don’t stress about things going wrong, everything always works out. Some of your best memories and adventures might come from you getting lost and finding your way again,” said Lauzier. “You will meet so many great people and try so many great things, and don’t worry about being “home” it will be here when you get back.”
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“Ever since I can remember, I have wanted to travel and see the world,” said junior Ashley Lauzier. Lauzier majors in music education at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). She studied abroad in Florence, Italy at the Florence School of Art in the fall of 2016. “When I found out you could study abroad somewhere in college I knew I had to do that.” SNHU’s Study Abroad program was one of the reason’s Lauzier’s chose to come here because she knew that she could do it and still graduate on time. She particularly chose Italy because she loved the country, everything from the food to the architecture, to the natural beauty that Italy has to offer. Before going to Italy, Lauzier was worried that she might not adjust well. “After a little bit, I realized there was nothing I needed have
anything to worry about. I just needed to see where Italy took me. I was lucky enough to make some good friends along the way and we just went on the adventure together.” At Florence University of Art, Lauzier took piano lessons, finite mathematics, cultural introduction to Italy, and Food, Culture, and Society. Studying abroad in Italy was Lauzier’s first international travel. “I didn’t know what I was getting myself in to. Then I realized that I have been wanting to travel since I was in high school and how great of an opportunity this was for me,” said Lauzier Lauzier understands now what it means to be an international student. “Even if we didn’t speak the same language, I felt connected to these people and knew they felt the same,” said Lauzier. “Since returning to the US, and SNHU, I have a lot of respect for the international students who study here for multiple years.”
Ashley Luazier supporting the Leaning Tower of Piza
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from afghanistan to new hampshire Kamila Ataee Penmen Abroad Editor “I heard Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) welcomes students regardless of their faith, race, personal beliefs and religions. When I came to campus, I found it true,” said Junior Shukria Shinwari. Shinwari is an international student from Afghani-
stan. She attended the first girls’ boarding school, School of Leadership, Afghanistan (SOLA) in 2011. SOLA is a nonprofit organization that helps young Afghan women to get a better education both inside and outside the country. Shinwari got accepted to Southern New Hampshire University in summer of 2013. She came to the United States to not only get a better
education, but also to get a new perspective about a bigger world. “Coming to SNHU was the best decision I made,” said Shinwari. “I am from the eastern part of Afghanistan where women can only major in medical science and education. Four of my older sisters graduated from medical schools; they work as practitioners and doc-
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Shukria Shinwari (sophomore) is an international student from Afghanistan.
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tors. I was interested in political science. I want to be part of a change in my traditional society and coming to SNHU was my first step toward that change.” Shinwari majors in political science with a minor in Psychology and a certificate in Terrorism and Home Land Security. She hopes to work with Foreign Affairs in Afghanistan. Coming to the U.S. was not an easy decision for Shinwari. She had to live far away from her family. She was worried if she could adapt the new culture or make connection with other students. After her freshman year, she joined different student organizations on campus, such as International Students Association, Student Government and Math Club. “I have found SNHU faculty and staff very supportive of international students. As an international and a Muslim student, I feel very safe and welcomed.”
Shinwari also studied abroad in the United Kingdom in fall of 2016. “I learned a lot about UK’s culture and political system through my classes. It was an absolutely wonderful experience.” Her experience at SNHU and in the U.S. in general has been a very eye-opening experience. She suggests all students to study abroad wherever they are interested in going. “I am a political science student. To me, it has been very interesting look at international politics from different perspectives, and then make my judgment.” Shinwari has made her SNHU experience a success. She is hoping to make more progress and make more connection before her graduation. “I am very thankful of my family for supporting me and I am very thankful of SNHU and SOLA for giving this great opportunity to study in the U.S. and become a future leader for people in need.”
HEALTH AND WELLNESS news MEET SNHU’S NUTRITIONIST, JESSICA McGovern
Rebecca LeBoeuf Editor-in-Chief
velop sustainable eating habits.” It is even possible to eat a healthy, varied diet in the Dining Hall. McGovern eats there twice a day, five days a week. “Our mindful program (mindful.sodexo.com) includes meals that are satisfying as well as healthy,” McGovern said. Later this semester, the Dining Hall will be posting nutrition information for all standard items on their menus and online. “I like that my job is varied and challenging,” McGovern said. “Working with the college student population is always fun since many students are really getting excited and informed about food.” For more information or to schedule an appointment to meet with McGovern, people can call or text her at 603-3400713 or email her at jessica.mcgovern@sodexo.com. Follow @dinesnhu on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep updated on healthy changes in the Dining Hall.
four trends to ditch in 2017
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Lori Costa Health & Wellness Editor With every New Year come new resolutions from people all around the world. One of the most popular out there is losing weight and eating healthy. New Year resolutions can be difficult to keep with a demanding schedule between taking classes, part-time jobs and going home on weekends. To make life just a little bit easier, CBS News gives a list of health trends to lose in 2017: 1) Drinking water all day long. It may seem that carrying a bottle of water around all day would be the healthiest option. According to Dr. Stanley Goldfarb, a professor at Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, drink-
ing more than eight glasses of water a day is actually unhealthy for the kidneys. Another waterrelated myth is that water flushes toxins from the body. There is no actual research that proves this. 2) Needing less than seven hours of sleep. Although it seems nearly impossible on a college campus, researchers found that young people need at least eight hours of sleep per night to be fully functional. According to the Mayo Clinic, studies have shown that lack of sleep can take its toll on the immune system and people who sleep less than seven hours a night frequently are more likely to be exposed to a virus. 3) Setting a specific weightloss pound goal. Losing weight can be frustrating; that is why it
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is important to set realistic goals when it comes to weight loss. Elisabetta Politi, the nutrition director of the Fitness Center at Duke University, says that setting a goal of losing 30 or 50 pounds is not recommended. Instead, set small more achievable goals. Some examples are: Going for a walk twice a week or eating a piece of fruit every day. Meal planning is also an essential part of the weight loss journey. It’s important to be mindful of foods that give the body energy and which slow it down. 4) No snacking after 8 p.m. Although it may seem that eating after dinner is taboo, new research has found it is not the biggest deal breaker. If the food is healthy and light, it actually may be good for the body according to attending physician at Seattle Children’s Hospital, Michelle Terry. Terry also went on to say that eating foods after dinner will not necessarily make you gain weight, as long as they are high-nutrient foods. Being healthy is never easy, especially when there’s leftover chocolate cake in the fridge, but being mindful of the things the body needs to function properly is the first step to healthy living.
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Claire Scott
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In college, some students are in total control of their diet for the first time in their lives. While this freedom can be exciting, it can also lead to poor decisions and an unhealthy lifestyle. This freedom can also be daunting for those who want to eat healthy but are not sure how to. Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) brought nutritionist Jessica McGovern to campus in October 2016 to provide students with a resource to learn about healthy eating habits. She provides several free services to students, staff and faculty at SNHU, including nutrition presentations and consultations, recipe analyses, healthy menu suggestions, dorm cooking lessons, handouts, newsletters and sometimes free sample tabling in the Dining Hall. “Essentially, I have a part in anything related to nutrition,
food and the Dining Hall,” McGovern said. She completed her graduate degree at Tufts University, is registered with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, certified as a diabetes educator and has her state license in nutrition. McGovern is even creating healthy eating programs that will be implemented on campus, including a “Better Bites” snack program in Penmen Place, which will begin within the next few weeks. McGovern has some advice for those in the SNHU community who have made the New Year’ s Resolution to be healthy: “Learning portion sizes and increasing your fruit and vegetable intake can make a huge impact,” she said. “I also am known to say ‘stop beating yourself up.’ Nutrition isn’t about being perfect all of the time. Eat the best that you can and make sure you enjoy the food that you are eating. It is all about taking baby steps in the right direction to de-
NEW YEAR, New You Lori Costa Health & Wellness Editor wIt’s been a resolution for almost everyone at least once in their life: getting in shape during the New Year. For some, jumping out of bed at five a.m. and rushing to the gym is the best part of the day, but for others? It’s the kiss of death. Local gyms see an increase in membership during the month of January, but then see a slow decline by the time February hits. Why is this? There are a lot of factors that go into people skipping the gym. Some excuses are more creative than others (“I forgot my headphones at home,” “the gym is too far away to drive,” “it's too cold to walk outside in shorts”). There is, however, a psychology on why people tend to skip the gym after February 1, according to Women’s Running magazine. Finding the time to get to the gym can be tricky, especially when that extra hour of sleep is on the line. Even after a long nine hour day, spending even ten minutes at the gym seems exhaust-
ing. The dream then gets pushed out to the fictional “tomorrow-land” where everything will get done in a timely fashion...but doesn’t. When money is tight, every little bit helps. It may seem silly to pay for a gym membership when finances are in question, especially as a college student. The gym membership is most likely the first thing to go when a person needs to cut corners. Money is a relevant issue in this day and age, but is also another reason people would rather skip the gym. Results are the whole reason people go to the gym, right? Well, when people don’t see results right away, they can get frustrated and give up their goals right then and there. That’s why it is important to have realistic goals when it comes to weight loss. Luckily, Southern New Hampshire University offers students fitness classes and gym equipment in the Athletic Complex. New excuses will always arise when it comes to going to the gym, but when a person is really serious about it, nothing can stand in their way.
Sports news
women's basketball breaks losing streak Catherine LaChance Staff Writer Winter Break was a difficult time for the Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) Women’s Basketball Team. The Penmen lost four games in a row, lowering their overall record to 9-12. For the first time since before Winter Break, the Penmen have won a game. The Penmen snapped a 4-game losing streak at Pace University on Saturday, January 28, with a 63-55 win over the Setters. Sophomore Kylie Lorenzen and senior Sara Ryan led the way for the Penmen at Pace University’s Goldstein Fitness Center, who each scored a skillful 13 points. Lorenzen made three of the eight shots she took from the floor and went a perfect seven for seven from the free-throw line. She also grabbed eight rebounds while handing out four assists. Meanwhile, Ryan went 4-for-11 from the field, which includes three for five from three-point land, and two for two from the line. She scored
Catherine Stinson brings the ball up court. capped the scoring with a three of her own that pulled the Setters within 46-41 heading to the fourth. Six points from Dean powered a 7-0 run that began the fourth-quarter scoring and gave SNHU its largest lead of
the day at 53-41 with 7:04 to play. Pace responded with an 11-2 blitz, which slashed the Penmen lead to 55-53 with less than three minutes to go. Ryan followed by connecting on a huge 3-pointer that made it a two-possession game and
sparked a game-ending 8-2 run that sealed the win. The Penmen return to action Wednesday, February 8 at 5:30 p.m. when they play at Bentley College before returning home for the Pink Game on Saturday, February 11 at 2 p.m.
Championship that year. The following year, 201516, Gilligan played and started every game for the Penmen.
With a total of 358 points in 34 games, the forward averaged 10.5 PPG and helped the Penmen capture another NE-10 Championship, which punched a ticket to the NCAA Tournament. This season, Gilligan is off to the races. Not only are the Penmen 14-4 but, in 18 games so far, Gilligan has averaged 21.3 PPG, 7.2 rebounds per game and has a total of 384 points on the season. Gilligan has also hit a career milestone this year. On Jan. 18, SNHU hosted Southern Connecticut State University. SNHU won the game 95-79,
but the story here was not the big win, it was Devin Gilligan. In the game, Gilligan scored 30 points reaching a total of 1,000 for his SNHU career. “Pretty amazing feeling. Hard work pays off,” Gilligan said. “I wouldn’t have done it without my teammates, coaches, family, and friends. There’s no I in team and all those people are my teammates for life. I can’t thank them enough.” The points will keep coming. Watch Gilligan and the rest of the Penmen continue their climb to the top when they return home to play Assumption College on Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. in the Fieldhouse.
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Athlete Spotlight: Devin Gilligan
Matt Martin Sports Editor
312 points in 32 games played. The Penmen won the Northeast-10 (NE-10) Championship and the NCAA East Regional
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This week, the Sports section of the Penmen Press shines a spotlight on Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) Men’s Basketball senior, number 15, Devin Gilligan. The forward from Amherst, N.H. has been playing basketball ever since he can remember. Finding inspiration from family and friends, Gilligan began an illustrious career in shooting hoops. After playing two years of varsity basketball at Kimball Union High School, Gilligan studied at Augustana (S.D.) College before transferring to SNHU to study Sports Management and play ball. Gilligan began playing for the Penmen in the 2014-15 season. Primarily coming in off the bench that season, Gilligan averaged 9.8 points per game (PPG) and made 81 percent of the shots he took. In that season, he totaled
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6 rebounds, 4 steals, a pair of steals, and a block. Only four minutes into the game, the Penmen took the lead when Ryan, freshman Victoria Dean, and sophomore Brianna Camara shot consecutive three-pointers. The second stanza brought upon a brief scare for SNHU. Pace’s Jackie DelliSanti powered an 8-0 run that trimmed Pace’s deficit to only one point at 25-24. However, SNHU freshman Molly Terry halted the competition’s run and gave Southern New Hampshire some breathing room as it eventually brought them to a 30-26 advantage. After Catherine Stinson’s three-pointer opened the second-half to give the Penmen a seven-point lead, a basket, followed by a pair of threes, gave Pace lead at 34-33 with just 4:40 to play. Tying the game, Camara hit a free-throw before she and Stinson made 3-pointers to give SNHU the lead for good at 40-34 with 2:38 left. A Terry trifecta ran the third-quarter lead as high as eight, but Rubin
Gilligan with his eye on the prize.
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Sports news
hockey raises breast cancer awareness Aleisha Bourgault-Callahan Staff Writer
Aleisha Bourgault-Callahan
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Bradd Ross, Brooke Prestia, and Sam Debrum sell bracelets for the PINK event at the Ice Den
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) men’s hockey team held their annual Pink Day event on January 25. The event, which raises money for Catholic Medical Center’s (CMC) breast cancer research area, celebrated its 12th year as an annual event for SNHU. “Every year we pick a day for each sport to have their annual Pink game,” said Athletic Marketing Coordinator, Brooke Prestia. “The marketing team sell bracelets for $1, along with accepting any donations. We have a table with brochures, stickers and freebies to give students and the community awareness of the dangers [of] breast cancer.” The total amount raised each year between men’s hockey and the basketball programs is approximately $2,500. This money comes from coaches and students, as well as the community. “My cousin died of leukemia at 29 and my aunt just recovered from breast cancer
Men's basketball on a hot streak Matt Martin Sports Editor
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Southern New Hampshire University’s (SNHU) men’s basketball team has been on fire lately, winning five of their last six games, dating back to January 14. During that span, the Penmen have beaten Adelphi University, Southern Connecticut State University, LeMoyne College, Pace University and Assumption College, with the loss coming against the University of New Haven. Most recently, SNHU hosted Northeast-10 rival, Assumption College. This game was played on Wednesday, February 1, for Penmen Pride night. It ended with a final score of SNHU: 67 and Assumption: 58. Junior Chris Walters had a double-double, grabbing 15 rebounds and scoring 23 points. Senior Devin Gilligan added 19 points and eight rebounds as well. The Penmen traveled to Pace University on January 28
for a match up with the Setters. This resulted in another win for SNHU. Walters had 20 points and eight rebounds and Gilligan lead the way with 25 points. Sophomore Charlie Russo added 12 points off the bench. The final score in this one favored SNHU, 79-67. The first win of the current three-game win streak came on January 24 at LeMoyne College. The Penmen escaped a nail biter, beating the Dolphins, 78-73. Gilligan shined again scoring 21 points and grabbing five boards (rebounds), but the lead scorer was sophomore Daquiase Andrews who scored 24 points and nine rebounds in the win. Overall, men’s hoops is 16-4 on the season. As they look towards the playoffs, they travel to Bentley University for a game against the Falcons on Wednesday, February 8 at 7:30 p.m. Then, the Penmen return home for their Pink Game on Saturday, February 11 against Merrimack College. Tip-off will be at 4 p.m. for that game.
Russo leaps above the court.
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and is a survivor so I’m here for them,” said spectator Amy Whitcomb. At the Pink game, men’s hockey lost to Stonehill College, 5-1, marking their eighth straight loss since returning from winter break. Stonehill scored first, but a few minutes later, sophomore Joseph Berardi scored the lone goal for SNHU to tie up the game. After that, it was all Stonehill. The game featured all three Penmen goaltenders. Junior Matthew MacInnis stopped the only shot he faced in seven minutes of play time. Freshman Kurt Gutting followed. He allowed one goal during his time on ice (TOI). Junior Ryan Slatky finished off the rest of the first and remaining two periods. Slatky made 20 saves in the game. Help SNHU continue to support breast cancer when men and women’s basketball host Merrimack College in their Pink Games on Saturday, February. 11. The women will play at 2 p.m. and the men will play at 4 p.m.