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Volume XXIV, Issue 8

February 21, 2018

PenmenPress.com

Manchester, NH

Fourth Annual Drag Show Packs the Pub

Ginny Fagan Senior Copy Editor

February 21, 2018: National Sticky Bun Day

News | Front & 3-5

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Eddie Sam

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What's Inside:

Generation Equality (GE) hosted their Fourth Annual Drag Show on February 10. Filling The Last Chapter Pub, more than 120 attendees and performers came for the show. Additional chairs had to be brought in to accommodate the large crowd. Prior to the show, Dee Dube (’18), president of GE said, “This is our biggest year yet. We have over 20 performances, and we hope we get a big crowd and that everyone has fun. We also hope everyone feels loved and supported by each other. There are no professional drag performers here, so everyone should be very supportive of everyone else.” The Drag Show is an event renowned for bringing all types of people together in one space. “[The show] is for people of all identities, body types, race… everything,” said River Matis (’20), GE event planner. “Anyone can be whoever they want and everybody else loves it. It’s wholesome.” Not only did Matis plan the show, they also performed two very different numbers. For the first, Matis appeared as Dr. Frank N. Furter from Rocky Horror Picture Show, which was fun and upbeat. For the second, they starred as Elizabeth Schuyler with a more emotional piece. “Time flies on the stage; it’s a thrilling experience,” Matis said. Some performers were veterans to drag shows, and others were first-time performers eager to strut their stuff. Ericka Broderick (’18), a first-time performer debuting as both Angel Styles and Demi-

The cast of Generation Equality's Fourth Annual Drag Show celebrates their biggest show yet. god Slayvato, said, “You get so worked up and then once you’re on the stage, time goes so fast, and then it’s over and you’re like… Did that just happen?” While the event is a night of entertainment and celebration, the importance of the event runs deeper for those performing and attending. “I think it’s important for the sake of representation to have a venue where people feel comfortable being any version of themselves that they want to be,” said Mary Newton (’18), GE treasurer, who performed as Venus Flytrap. “[Even if you aren’t performing] it’s about showing support for your fellow students, in the same way you show up to a sporting event.” Performers wowed the crowd with their choices of songs and costumes. There was a wide range of performances, from High School Musical numbers, to “Into You” by Ariana Grande and even a song from Hamilton. The drag outfits reflected

the wide variety of performers and personalities. Opening and emceeing the show, drag queen Velvet (John ChapmanFrauwirth) made a statement in a large, pink, feathery headdress that reached toward the ceiling. The audience reacted with loud cheers and claps every time a performer uncovered what they were wearing beneath various blankets, shawls and towels. Brian Nguyen, another showstopper, gave three performances as Versa Chi Styles, showing off his skills with the death drop. The excitement for the event and performances could be seen by everyone attending, especially those sitting in the “splash zone,” the seats closest to the red carpet the performers were using. Audience members in this area consented to performers touching them and were visibly pleased when they received a high-five or other form of interaction. For some performers, this celebration is more important

now than ever due to the current political climate. “I feel like recently, with the new administration in the White House, there has been lots of hate against people who are in the LGBTQ community, and I feel like an event like this on a campus that celebrates the LGBTQ community is great for having people get together and not be afraid to be themselves,” said Richie Oliver (’18), who performed as Donna Goldstein in a comedy act. The support of the performers for one another was evident within the backstage area, and the support of the crowd throughout the entire show gave the event an aura of acceptance. “Audience members are the fuel to the fire of the show,” said Matis. “Their screams, their cheers, their claps and their chants all fuel the performers’ self-esteems and also their stage presences. No matter who you are or what you do, this event has something for you.”

Changes to Master Calendar Create New Opportunities as Well as Challenges Megan Palmer Editor in Chief Megan Danis Staff Writer In early November, SNHU launched a new version of Master Calendar, operated on the 25Live interface by CollegeNET, to mitigate the issues and inconsistencies posed by the previous R25 and Master Calendar system.

The new version of Master Calendar can still be found via MySNHU along the righthand bar of the homepage. This version features not only the on-campus Student Events and Activities calendar, but also the COCE, Athletics and Academic calendars. In this regard, students truly have access to a “master” calendar. SNHU, with a rapidly growing community and scheduling 7,000 reservations

per year, were in need of an interface that could support its students. Looking to support the community, Director of Conference Services Denise Morin said, “Our mission is to service our students first.” After three years of a full transition from the old to new system, Morin said, “Contracts were ending and CollegeNET informed us that they would no longer support the old interface [R25]... It no

longer made sense to pay for two servers. It was silly that students had to previously go to two seperate areas. Therefore, the decision was made to go to the cloud-based server [25Live] for more support.” Positive changes students can look forward to include an interactive interface where they can customize what they

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editorial the penmen press staff 2017-2018 CO-EDITOR IN CHIEF Rebecca LeBoeuf rebecca.leboeuf@snhu.edu CO-EDITOR IN CHIEF Megan Palmer megan.palmer@snhu.edu ONLINE MANAGER

Nikki Fain nikki.fain@snhu.edu

CO-NEWS EDITOR Rosa Valente rosa.valente@snhu.edu CO-NEWS EDITOR Thomas Cahalan thomas.cahalan@snhu.edu OPINION EDITOR Laana Depina elaana.depina@snhu.edu ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Troy Robinson troy.robinson2@snhu.edu

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PENMEN ABROAD EDITOR Rachel Romeo rachel.romeo@snhu.edu SPORTS EDITOR Catherine LaChance catherine.lachance@snhu.edu PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR Wyndee Man jingyin.wen@snhu.edu

Combating Gun Violence in 2018

2018, a year only two months old, has already seen a number of school shootings that parallels the level of gun violence seen in America. One of the most recent and horrific occurrences occurred at Marjory Stoneman Douglass High School in Parkland, Florida, where 17 people (14 students and three faculty members) were killed and many more were injured. This marks the country’s 17th shooting incident at a school in 2018, just 45 days into the year This an average of one shooting incident on a campus about every 63 hours thus far in 2018, more than doubling the number recorded in any of the previous three years in that same period. These numbers are in accordance with data compiled by the gun control advocacy organization Everytown for Gun Safety, which defines a school shooting as “any time a firearm is discharged on or around a campus.” Among these 17, six have resulted in wounded victims or fatalities. Florida gunman Nikolas Cruz from the shooting in Florida has been charged with

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VIDEO MANAGER Eddie Sam eddie.sam@snhu.edu

JUNIOR COPY EDITOR Nick VonSchantz-Ricci nicholas.ricci1@snhu.edu SENIOR BUSINESS Ryan Evaul MANAGER ryan.evaul@snhu.edu JUNIOR BUSINESS Sultan Akhter MANAGER sultan.akhter@snhu.edu SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Tyler Leighton tyler.leighton@snhu.edu EVENTS COORDINATOR Maddie Covino madison.covino@snhu.edu LAYOUT EDITOR Emma Sheehan emma.sheehan@snhu.edu FACULTY ADVISOR 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 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.

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ents have to bury their children before we, as a country, finally do something to minimize these mass shootings? We keep telling ourselves this is a complex matter. We keep telling ourselves this is partisan issue. It should be neither. It should be a simple matter of protecting our children,” Lynott said. As students on a college campus, it can be easy to give in to the fear that current events like this can create. In general, it can also be easy to subscribe to the cycle of “praying about it” on Facebook, and then not doing anything about it, and then sending up another handful of prayers and condolences when the next round of students is buried too early. Violence on this scale, requires action. And active citizenship. This means that as students it is necessary to be educated. As educators, it is necessary to be educated. As American citizens in any capacity, in any party, and in any part of the country, it is necessary to be educated. And it is necessary that that education extend beyond simply the act of being educated. It means voting.

MASTER CALENDAR CHANGES

SENIOR COPY EDITOR Gabe Carrio gabriel.carrio@snhu.edu SENIOR COPY EDITOR Ginny Fagan virginia.fagan@snhu.edu

17 counts of premeditated murder. Four school shootings, including this one, populate the list of 10 deadliest mass shootings in modern U.S. history, according to CNN, and of the 30 deadliest shootings since 1949, 19 have occured in the last decade. According to a New York Times article on Thursday, there have been 239 school shootings in the U.S., causing 138 deaths. 16 of these shootings are classified as mass shootings. “Gun violence in this country is an epidemic,” University President Patty Lynott said. “Ninety-five percent of the citizenry want stronger gun laws. Responsible gun-owners (and I am one of them) want stricter gun laws. Preventing people from purchasing military style assault weapons doesn’t eliminate our right to bear arms. Requiring tougher background checks doesn’t violate our constitutional rights.” As a citizen, a parent and a college leader, Lynott questions how much longer it will be until stricter gun laws are implemented. “How many par-

Continued from page 1 would like to see on the Master Calendar by selecting from several options and Calendars on the right hand bar, to customize their viewing experience. In addition to this, students are able to search for events. "With any new system you're looking for basic functionality,” said Morin. “Reserve a location, have a description, reserve resources, post information about an event, add contact information and upload pictures and flyers.” Many of these have been met. However, there is still hope that flyers can be included as the system progresses. Additionally, due to the cloud-based nature of the new Master Calendar, it can load faster than the previous system, and within the reservation portion there is an ability for the calendar to differentiate meeting time from set up time, something that was not possible in previous versions. Despite the upgrade there were a few glitches that caused confusion for general and re-

serving users. These included: white background on white font, lack of differentiation of “organizer” and “contact” based on the back end of reservations along with an inability to disconnect calendars that are connected to parent calendars on other services. A large issue for students would be that spring break and commencement are not listed on the master calendar. Instead students must search for these dates listed as a pdf under the registrar page. Much of the feedback regarding 25Live has been channeled through the Office of Student Involvement and its representatives, as they have more direct contact with the students using the new system. Gavin Telfer, director of Student Involvement, has worked closely with the system regarding events and stressed the significance of feedback and for students to know that it is being utilized. When thinking about improving the look and feel of the published version, student

input will also be important and included. “We're going to try to recruit the help of at least one student to help with [the look],” said Telfer. “Hopefully someone with a graphic design and layout background... to help make the published side a little easier on the eye and easy to navigate.” “We have not received any negative feedback,” said Morin at Conference Services, sharing that there may be a disconnect in what students are feeling versus what they are sharing. They have discussed the possibility of issuing a survey to students to collect their thoughts. Comments, questions and concerns are encouraged by their office, and event organizers can reach out to Conference Services Representative Alexis Hartnet at a.hartnet@snhu.edu or via the office’s main number 603-6459612. “We welcome feedback,” said Morin. “We’re here to support the students, the faculty and the university as a whole.”

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Restaurant Spotlight: Portland Pie

Nick VonSchantz-Ricci Junior Copy Editor

Nick VonSchantz-Ricci

Pizzerias are a common sight throughout Manchester, but relatively few offer artisanal toppings, a creative menu or a comfortable atmosphere. Portland Pie Co. is an exception, providing locals with uniquelytopped pizza in a relaxed setting. Located mere minutes from the SNHU Arena in downtown Manchester, Portland Pie began as a humble pizzeria in Maine. “It was started by two col-

lege friends. They started in Portland, Maine,” said general manager Christel Nazario. “They opened up five locations in Maine and one in New Hampshire.” Portland Pie is known for offering an array of flavored dough that serves as the base of their pizza. Shortly after opening, the founders, Stephen Freese and Nathaniel Getchell, established “It’ll Be Pizza,” a pizza supply company specializing in high quality pizza dough in fla-

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vors including beer, garlic, basil and whole wheat. Today, Portland Pie’s dough can be purchased at local supermarkets such as Shaw’s and Hannaford’s. Several specialty pies are available for those looking for something inventive. The Country Pie compiles the flavors of a potato skin onto a pizza; it consists of mashed potatoes, caramelized onion, bacon, cheddar cheese, sour cream drizzle and scallions. According to Nazario, the most popular pie is the deceptively simple Old Port. This

standout consists of red sauce, a three-cheese blend and a generous amount of hand-shaved pepperoni. “[My favorite item] is the Wolfe’s Neck, it’s a new pizza we put on the menu. [It consists of]alfredo sauce with chicken, bacon and tomato. I like it on the beer dough,” said Nazario. Individuals looking to create their own pie are faced with a delightfully dizzying array of options. Diners choose from six types of dough, six different sauces and almost thirty toppings. Gluten free crust and

vegan cheese are popular for those with dietary restrictions. The menu at Portland Pie also includes creative salads, sandwiches and pasta dishes as well as familiar finger foods including wings, nachos and stuffed mushrooms. The family-friendly atmosphere at Portland Pie is casual and comfortable. A full bar is available and takeout is an additional option. Portland Pie is a must-visit restaurant for anyone who appreciates original, delicious and approachable fare in a friendly setting.

Boston Celtics and the Future of eSports

Troy Robinson Arts and Entertainment Editor

sporttechie.com

Jim Ferris, the managing director for the Boston Celtics eSports division, stopped by SNHU to stress the importance and potential of the Gaming industry as well as the blooming eSports scene. Mr. Ferris shared with the audience a new project that is going to spotlight competitive 2k gameplay and players. The Boston Celtics are working toward bringing the best players in the world for NBA 2k18 together on one team in hopes to highlight and share players’ individual skills rather than the characters they are playing. The drafting process was structured so that anyone who completed a total of 50 games in NBA received a special update giving them a bonus playlist that tracks their progress even further. The purpose for this was so they could find the best of the best players for their upcoming

NBA 2k18 league that will kick off around May of 2018. Jim went on to explain how big the scene of eSports is truly becoming. Ferris went on to discuss the plans that have been established for this new NBA eSports team to succeed. Even though the players haven’t been chosen yet, the Boston Celtics have been watching the eSports scene for a while now and are anticipating a unique opportunity and growth. Helping in this new endeavor, the Boston Celtics have a partnership with eSports organization Splyce, most notable for their Call of Duty team. The players that are eventually chosen will receive a one year contract as well as living quarters in Boston in addition to a host of other amenities. The players will undergo training sessions that give them free reign on playing the game the way they want. The Boston Celtics are dipping into a pool that’ll pay off in the long run and hopefully this will urge SNHU to do the same.

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STOP MAKING THESE four COMMON BUDGET MISTAKES

Amy Sumsion Staff Writer

Spot Money

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Having a budget is important, especially as a college student. Budgets are essential in helping to understand where money is being unnecessarily spent and where changes can be made in order to save money and fix any budget holes that may be present. Just because a student is using a budget does not mean that the budget is being used properly. Good intentions are not particularly meaningful if they are not followed. Here are five common mistakes that people with a budget might be making. Failing to Track Expenses. Budgeting is a proactive way to track just how much money is being spent and how. Formulating a solid budget allows for people to see if they are utilizing money responsibly and to catch areas where overspending is happening. Recording all expenses daily or weekly also keeps the user accountable for spending habits both good and bad. Waiting until the end of the month to record expenses may result in more

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money being spent than what was budgeted for and the consequences may be overdrawing on a checking account or missing important bill payments. Being accountable for going off budget will prevent it from happening again in the future. Whether the expense is fixed, variable, big or small, it should be recorded. Forgetting About the Unexpected. Whether the car needs to be repaired or a new book is needed for a class, there are always unexpected expenses that arise. When these situations occur, it is

important to have money set aside specifically for the unexpected so that there is a feasible way to pay for them. If not, the expenses would likely be paid with a credit card which would increase debt, add unnecessary interest and take from other aspects of a budget eliminating potential saving for the future or paying for other expenses. Having an emergency savings of a few hundred dollars should cover most unexpected expenses that arise. Trying to do Everything as Inexpensively as Possible. Stores compete over price for

ing of inclusion and how it relates to leadership. “We have a pretty exciting and large leadership population on campus,” said Page. “The hope is to teach students that inclusive leadership is a set of skills as well as an ideology.” The program is a fiveweek long course. Meetings are held on Tuesdays in the Monadnock community room from 7 to 9 p.m. Each session will feature a range of activities including introductory exercises, article de-briefing, video clips and extensive general discussion. “There will be a number of informal social experiments,” said Page. “[We will be] asking students to…evaluate the meetings utilizing an inclusive leadership model. Who set the agenda? Who talks? How often did they talk? Were there interruptions?” Page collaborated with International Student Services (ISS), the Career Development Center, The Women’s Center and the Office of Stu-

dent Involvement (OSI) when determining the logistics of the program. Anna Metzger, assistant director of OSI, and Jessica Erb, associate director of the Career Development Center, serve as co-facilitators of the program. “[The program] is for anyone that identifies as a leader in any capacity. Maybe that’s at your church or at your workplace where you’re an assistant manager. We’re trying really hard to be thoughtful about what leadership could mean for any individual,” said Page. Those who complete the program will receive an inclusive leadership certificate. Page wants students to use what they have learned to leverage their career opportunities in the future. “The opposite of inclusion is exclusion. A business model based on exclusion is bad from an ethics and a business perspective. Innovative businesses are looking for ways to become inclusive,” said Page.

New Leadership Program to Educate Students About Inclusion Nick VonSchantz-Ricci Junior Copy Editor

Many SNHU students have a strong desire to increase their leadership skills. Such skills can be gained through involvement in programs and organizations on campus, such as Signature Leadership and Student Government Association (SGA). This semester, the Office of Diversity Programs is sponsoring “Inclusive Leadership,” a new program that aspires to educate students about the importance of inclusion in the workplace. Kayla Page, director of Diversity Programs, serves as the coordinator of the program. Target is the financial sponsor. In the past, Page has led diversity and inclusion training sessions for many campus organizations. This training is typically only one hour long, so she wanted to start a program that would provide students with an in-depth understand-

common products as an incentive to get customers to come into the store. Although milk and bread might be cheaper at one grocery store and eggs and cheese may be cheaper at another, it is sometimes not worth the trip of going to both stores in order to get the best deal. Ultimately, doing so wastes more time and gas money than it is worth. Instead, buy two weeks’ worth of groceries at one grocery store and then alternate grocery stores as needed. Similarly, regarding cars, if the engine light comes on, it is possible to put off a potential large expense for a month but when the first problem causes more problems and can no longer be ignored, there will be a bigger expense then if the car was taken to the shop when the engine light originally came on. Just because something is expensive or can be found for less somewhere else does not mean that it is the best decision. Sometimes making the decision to spend the money now will save more money in the long run. Buying on Impulse. Even small expenses that do not

break the bank right away can add up. For instance, buying a pack of gum every time you are in the checkout lane at the grocery store will cost about $8 a month and almost $100 a year. To eliminate the expense, or at least reduce it, consider buying in bulk. Buying in bulk is a way to get larger quantities of commonly purchased items at a lower cost. However, buying in bulk is not always beneficial if the items that are purchased are not consumed regularly. If this is the case, items will expire and money will have essentially been wasted. Buy in bulk, but make sure the items bought are non-perishable items that will be used regularly. Budgeting is an important tool to help people account for expenses and put money aside for savings. Understanding where to cut back on expenses to save money is essential to start becoming more financially stable and start building a solid savings. Having a budget, while avoiding these four common mistakes, will help budget users understand spending habits and make adjustments when necessary.

tips for combatting Interview Anxiety Rachel Dembek Staff Writer

It’s that time of year again for internship and job interviews for the upcoming summer. Lots of students deal with nervousness and anxiety before going into an interview, so here are some tips and tricks to calm one’s nerves before that big interview. One thing that students love is their caffeine. Caffeine, however, can make students hyper, drive anxiety and make students sweat more. Instead of drinks with caffeine in them, students should drink some water and have a light meal, so their stomach will not be upset. Don’t forget to breathe. It may sound extremely obvious, but some people forget that to relax, all they need to do is breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth. Deep breaths and counting from one to 10 can help students relax and calm their nerves. Preparation is one of the most important things to do before an interview. Be pre-

pared for the types of questions the employer might ask. Students can practice with interview questions online with a friend or family member. Students also can contact The Career and Professional Development Center to set up an appointment with a counselor for a mock interview. Being positive with oneself is extremely important for success. Students should not set themselves up for failure; if a student believes that they can ace the interview, they will most likely ace it. Positivity shows through to the employer because those who are positive tend to be less nervous during the interview process. By following these steps, students can calm their anxiety. If students would like to set up a mock interview, have their resume reviewed or learn more about preparation for interviews, they can make an appointment by calling the Career and Professional Development Center at 603-645-9793 or stop by their office in the Gustafson Center.

News

the shuttle system and its situation Ryan Pizzano Staff Writer

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Thomas Calahan Co-News Editor While teaching and advising do have some similarities, the Excellence in Teaching Awards and the Excellence in Advising Awards make sure to not only celebrate the most exceptional in each category, but also have the community recognize and celebrate the differences between the two. For the Excellence in Teaching Awards, the main goal is to give an opportunity for the most exceptional teachers among the undergraduate college at SNHU to be honored each year. The academic affairs office and the committee invite university campus undergraduate students to nominate their best instructors for this reward each year. The committee for the teaching award is comprised of the Assistant Vice President of Academic Operations, the deans of the schools of arts and sciences, education and business, the Vice President of Student Affairs, two members of the center for teaching and learning and three or four students from the student government association. Jane Yerrington, the Assistant Vice President of Academic Operations at SNHU, gave

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To many students on campus, the shuttle is a new fixture on campus and its purpose may not be fully known. The shuttle system was brought in as a measure to help accommodate transit to the engineering building off campus for the new students coming in from Daniel Webster College’s engineering program. This system has allowed these students to have an easier time getting to and from classes at the CETA building. It has several stops around the campus and an app that allows the shuttle to be tracked. The shuttle has five separate stops with an 8-12 minute rotation between two shuttles. It then runs from 7 a.m. to just before 9 a.m. When the shuttle traverses the campus, it stops at Windsor, Ossipee, lot three, lot 26, and CETA. The shuttle travels counterclockwise around the campus and consistently sticks to that route.

There is also a shuttle app used to track the whereabouts of the shuttle throughout the day. While it’s occasionally not fully accurate all the time and still being affected by the occasional glitch, this is all due to it being a new app. On the question about the future of the shuttle and how it may expand in the to be of greater use to more students in later years, the Associate Dean of Student Success and the one in charge of the shuttle, Susan Elsass, gave a statement about the issue. “We haven’t really talked about what next year is going to look like for the shuttle,” said Elsass. However, the shuttle is part of a two-year contract and the shuttle services may possibly expand but nothing is finalized presently. In conclusion, the shuttle is considered a valuable asset for aiding students in getting around on campus, especially for the engineering students due to the distance of CETA from the rest of campus.

The campus shuttle helps transport students to and from the engineering building off-campus.

Awarding Community Excellence

some insight into the mindset of the committee when it comes to the nomination process as a whole. “We look for you as the students on campus to give us these nominations,” said Yerrington. The committee will accept as many nominations as the student wishes to nominate and looks for one full time faculty member and one adjunct instructor. Subsequently, the opportunity is given to students to make any professor that made a positive impact on each students’ respective educational journey more well known to the SNHU community through this process. “It’s important you share with us this story and how they impacted you. Not only in the classroom but outside the classroom,” Yerrington stated. In practice, the process for the Excellence in Teaching nominations are done through a Qualtrics survey. Students are asked to give their name, major and the name of the faculty member a student wants to nominate. Questions on the survey mainly have to do with how a teacher made an impact on a student’s learning. “Answers received range from being either a simple para-

graph to two or three pages,” Yerrington explained. The process is open for about two and a half weeks. The Marketing Assistance Communications team helps get the word out for the awards through social media and mySNHU. Submissions for nominations opened originally on January 29 and close down on February 16. The data is then collected and time is spent going through the nominee submissions. Winners of the nominee pool are decided based on those faculty or adjuncts who received two or more nominations. Once the final pool is determined, the finalists are contacted for their resume, recent student evaluations, and statement of teaching philosophy. Finalists have to submit a portfolio of all these pieces of information in order to be considered. The COCE enacts a parallel process for its excellence in teaching awards as well. Finalists have from February 19 through March 23 to complete their portfolios for the final segment of the process. In their portfolios, the finalists have to collect three student evaluations and a statement of teaching philosophy. The Excellence in Teaching Awards has a

been a tradition for the SNHU community for a long time. Whoever gets to be recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award becomes the mace bearer. Essentially, the mace bearer is the individual at commencement for the university college ceremony who carries the mace of the institution. As for the Excellence in Advising Awards, this is where the most exceptional advisors in the SNHU community get community wide recognition for their service. It was created relatively recently. Submissions are also from January 29 to February 16 and the pool opens from February 19 to March 23 and the portfolios are done the same way. Nominee submissions are also done through a SNHU Qualtrics survey with questions that ask students if they’ve ever had an advisor that’s either academic, professional, or faculty that went above and beyond and made a positive influence on their lives. One faculty advisor and one full time advisor are selected for these awards. These awards are also an opportunity for the most exceptional advisor within SNHU’s campus undergraduate program to be honored annually. Questions on the survey

for the excellence in advising awards make sure responses are specific to the nominee’s advising role, not their teaching role. Since the Excellence in Teaching Awards already gives the opportunity for exceptional teachers to get widespread recognition, the Excellence in Advising Awards makes sure exceptional advisors are given widespread recognition. The winner of either award receives a plaque with their name on it at commencement for the university college, but it’s a surprise for the recipients. There’s a cash reward as well. Students attending the event will get the chance to see either their teacher or advisor get that award and get recognized, which is also considered an award for the greater community. As for its impact on the SNHU community as a whole, the goal is to display the university’s commitment to student engagement. Yerrington reflected on this aspect of the two awards. “I think it has a lot to do with the demonstration of Instructors and advisors commitment to the student’s success here at the institution, and demonstrates SNHU’s main goal as being a learning institution.”

PENMEN PASSION Dr. Sara Howe: For the Love of Teaching River Matis Staff Writer

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On the third floor of Robert Frost lies an office that greets incomers with an “X-Files” poster, books by the dozens, Funko Pops and Dr. Sara Howe. Dr. Howe is an assistant professor of English, and the Creative Writing coordinator at SNHU. Her job involves administrative duties, advising students, mentoring the Creative Writing club, as well as managing other English department related work on campus. Growing up in South Windsor, Connecticut, she always dreamed of becoming a teacher as a child. When she went to college, that dream was reaffirmed. She first studied at the University of Saint Joseph’s in West Hartford Connecticut. “I had some wonderful experiences with professors there, and it made me think, ‘I want to do what they’re doing,’ which was inspire students and make them write,” said Dr. Howe. When asked about mentors or people who inspired her in her life, Dr. Howe mentioned when her eleventh grade Honors British literature teacher told her, “I’m going to push you this

Sarah Howe is an assistant professor in English at SNHU and specializes in creative writing.

year because you have talent.” Dr. Howe had been worried about that particular class, but now describes the instance as a defining moment. “I see that as the turning point in my life. Her belief led me to believe in myself,” she said. With this, she strives to instill this same mentality in her students: that they should believe in them and that they can

achieve greatness. Among her other mentors and guiding figures, she highlights another educator, a professor at Saint Joseph’s, named Dr. Barone who taught creative writing. Dr. Howe explained how his class emphasized experimenting with different ideas, which greatly influenced the way she perceived the writing process. After graduating from Saint Joseph’s, Dr. Howe

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Dr. Howe's Chihuahua terrier mix, Huey.

found herself working as an editorial assistant for a marketing research association; however, after two years, she didn’t feel the work was fulfilling enough despite the fact that it allowed her to collaborate with great people. “I found myself reevaluating where I was and what I wanted to do and found myself going back to that feeling of wanting to teach; that love of writing [and] the sort of inspiration I felt when I was in college,” she said. After spending five years at the University of Arizona for her masters and her PhD, Dr. Howe came to SNHU. She loved the school, not just because it was back in New England and close to family, but because she loved the studentfirst atmosphere. “When I interviewed here, I was impressed [that] it was such a student-centered institution that emphasized teaching above all else. So, while we do other things such as serve on committees, do administra-

tive work, publish research or creative works, the main focus of most of the people here is teaching, and that was something that was really appealing to me. I consider that my sort of great love.” SNHU’s student-first and expanding approach to curriculum and course offerings have allowed her to teach a wide variety of literature and creative writing courses that you may not find somewhere else. Among these are Young Adult Literature (a course focusing on books written for the 12-18 age range), Popular Fiction (which studies books that have become best sellers) and Genre Writing Workshop (a course where students can learn more about different forms of fiction while talking extensively about aliens). Dr. Howe also loves “X-Files,” “Arrow” and her Chihuahua terrier mix, Huey. She uses baking as a stress-reliever and will gladly take Netflix recommendations from anyone who has them. She has published multiple scholarly works including a chapter in a collection about “Arrow” on the rhetoric of the scarred body as well as a co-authored chapter about E.L. James’ novel “Fifty Shades of Grey” with her friend and colleague from the University of Arizona, Antoinette Johnson. When asked what advice she would give to students in the English field, Dr. Howe said, “Read a lot and widely. Write a lot. To echo what I learned from Dr. Barone, be willing to experiment [and] take chances. Putting my advisor hat on, get involved! We have Creative Writing club, the Manatee [and] The Penmen Press. Get to know your peers. Get to know your faculty. That’s probably one of the best things you can do while you're here.”

OPINION Life is SNHUtiful

Travis Burke Staff Writer

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Josh Warshauer Staff Writer

has a more prominent nature scene. Head down the hill toward the lower lot. If it’s dark, keep eyes open for deer while heading down the hill; they have been sighted

area central to campus. Feel free to explore, but beware of the family of skunks that has lived there for the past few years. Admittedly, West Side

ways to wear said jeans. With skinny jeans, you have a variety of options going from a stacked look, to cuffing and just wearing as is. With bootcut jeans, there is only one unattractive and boring way to wear those monstrosities. The fit of the bootcut jean

does not help the situation. Bootcut jeans are known for their loose ankle, and if they go past one's feet as they look terrible if you try to cuff them. Clearly, the bootcut jean is so unattractive and ill-fitting that even your dad should not wear them.

Bootcutting Out of Style style for too long, as regular bootcut jeans became a major part of the low-rise denim trend of the early 2000’s. Currently, bootcut jeans are essentially out of style in favor of skinny jeans and tighterlegged denim. I consider myself a rather fashion-forward and trendy person. I even get compliments on my outfits in a regular basis. One object you can never expect to see in my wardrobe is bootcut jeans (along with a myriad of other unattractive pieces of clothing). My personal style, while subjective, has proven to be successful for me, has been inspired by many fashion vloggers and has not met negative criticism. My major issue with bootcut jeans is that they fail to do their very job as they are impossible to wear with

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Bootcut jeans have been the bane of every fashionista’s existence for many years due to their unattractiveness and limited wearing options. Their original purpose, however, was to be worn over cowboy boots, so a cowboy could comfortably fit their pants over their boots. Later, in the 1960’s and 70’s the bootcut jean had transformed into Bell Bottoms in order to fit more cohesively with the flower power movement of the 1960’s counterculture. By the 1990’s the JNCO (Judge None, Choose One), a jean that was an exaggerated version of the bootcut jean had come out and taken media by storm. The popular wide leg jean, however, did not remain in

in the early hours of the day. When standing in the bottom lot, peer to the right and see a wide path that runs parallel to the road, separated by a line of trees.

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It’s getting to be that time of year when the lulls of winter and the burdens of endless class work depress much of the student body. Sometimes, all a stressed student feels like doing is crawling back into bed and shutting the blinds. Sometimes, it’s hard to see the beauty around. At times like this, people should look to nature to aid them with a healthy dose of tranquility. We’re lucky enough to go to school in beautiful New Hampshire, where forest is never more than a few minutes away, even without leaving campus. In spite of constant installation of new buildings across campus, SNHU has maintained an abundance of towering trees. Many stand near the “hub” of campus, lining the Green Space and surrounding the central buildings. Although the area is currently closed due to the Kingston construction, the area behind Exeter is the most densely tree populated

Take the path and prepare to take a side path on the left, which leads to “the log.” The downed tree is a great place to do some reading or, as sappy as it sounds, take a significant other for a romantic evening. In the furthest corner of the bottom lot on West Side is a path leading down to the Merrimack River. Walk along the train tracks and try to balance for as long as possible. The rails are active; the rumbling of the rails will occur much before the train arrives. When satisfied with the balance act, embark toward the water. Under the overpasses are popular spots. The further one voyages down the tracks, the more immersed they become with nature. Those with a keen eye can spot the hidden fort by the river. Those who can find it will enjoy the chairs and scenic river view. Once the season turns, and if the water is low enough, find a spot to descend onto the beach. Dipping toes in the water is wonderful on a warm day. Feel free to take a chair down to the beach. Relax and get some shut eye.

boots. The sad part is that it would be funny and ironic if it just wasn’t so infuriating. If I am wearing a pair of boots, I would not be going out to hide them the way that the bootcut jeans do. I also find myself at a loss when it comes to different

arts and entertainment THE DEATH CURE: AN EMOTIONAL MAZE WORTH THE WAIT

Samantha Aguilar Hernandez Staff Writer

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“The Death Cure” picks up shortly after the events of “The Scorch Trials.” In the final film, viewers join the group of heroes formed by the three last “Gladers,” Thomas, Newt and Frypan as they’re set on a des-

perate search to rescue their friend MinHo from the hands of WCKD. On their road to rescue their friend, they form an alliance with Lawrence, the leader of a rebellion against those

who live inside the legendary Last City. With Lawrence’s help and the aid from an “old friend,” the group ventures inside the Last City to look for MinHo, destroy WCKD and find the cure for the Flare vi-

mense depth to the listening experience. “In The Aeroplane Over The Sea” is a historic album, having been written for and in memory of Anne Frank. Anne Frank is one of six million voices that were lost during the Holocaust. As a historical figure, Anne Frank represents living after death, which she did through her journal entries. The themes of memory and

passage of time exist throughout the album, which often looks at the relationship between life and death. The lyrics are elevated, catchy, and story driven, such as in the track “Holland 1945”: “The only girl I ever loved / was born with roses in her eyes / but then they buried her alive / one evening in 1945.” While each track has a whole sound that includes an abundance of instruments,

such as accompanying horns, Neutral Milk Hotel’s sound is acoustic at heart. For this reason, covers have become popular, especially for the title track, “In The Aeroplane Over The Sea.” This track is powerful and dripping with emotion, especially heard in the high-pitched “soft and sweet” that exemplify the range of Mangus’ voice. The classic four-chord song is an existential sing along ending with Jeff Mangus’ raw and tapering line, “how strange it is to be anything at all.” The 11-track album has a strong balance of ironically upbeat songs and sobering, melancholy tunes. The opening track, “The King of Carrot Flowers Pt. 1” introduces the listener to Mangus’ unrefined and often instrumental sounding voice that showed so many crude voiced singers that, with the right sound, their voices could work wonderfully. The second track, “The King of Carrot Flowers Pts. 2 & 3” acts as two songs. The first half is a slow-building outpouring of love for Jesus Christ before it switches to an upbeat folk-punk anthem. “In The Aeroplane Over The Sea” rises and dips in pace throughout, with the third

quarter of the nearly fortyminute long run time being a major slow in tempo for two emotionally gripping tracks, beginning with “Communist Daughter.” The longest track on the album is “Oh Comely” at nearly eight minutes. Flawlessly fluctuating between soft and loud, the track features some of the most cutting lyrics on the album: “I know they buried her body with others / her sister and mother and 500 families / and will she remember me 50 years later / I wish I could save her in some sort of time machine.” The concluding track, “Two-Headed Boy Pt. Two” finds a perfect medium of the wide range of tempos and emotion explored across the album. The lyrics feature many altered lines that appeared on earlier tracks, giving the track a conclusive feel. Regardless, the listener gets a sense of continuing memory even at the album’s end: “And in my dreams you’re still alive and you’re crying / as your mouth moves in mine, soft and sweet / rings of flowers ‘round your eyes / and I’ll love you for the rest of your life when you’re ready.”

Wes Ball

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The third and final installment of the “Maze Runner” film series released to theaters on January 26. As fans may recall, “The Death Cure” was originally set to be released in 2017, however, the film went through a major setback due to an unfortunate accident involving Dylan O'Brien on March 2016. According to the Collider, Dylan O’Brien was struck by a vehicle on the set of “The Death Cure,” which left him hospitalized and out of public eye for over a year. Fortunately, O’Brien returned to set a few months later to resume filming, but he had difficulty discussing the accident and dealing with the aftermath. Director Wes Ball said to USA Today that although it would have been easy for the studio and the rest of the cast to drop the film, it was O’Brien’s commitment to finishing the film that brought moviegoers the final installment of the series.

rus that threatens their world. The first installment of the “Maze Runner” series introduced viewers to a unique set of characters and storyline through a series of great action-packed moments and intriguing character backgrounds. “The Scorch Trials” brought the same with tons of thrilling action, mystery and exploration of the frightening world outside the maze. “The Death Cure, goes beyond action by adding more emotional depth to the story. Although most book adaptations end in complete disaster, it is safe to say that “The Death Cure” could be an exception. It gives fans of the book series what they want and newcomers what they need thanks to Wes’ amazing filmmaking and the amazing performance by the cast. A great final look at the characters, their relationships, their story, as well as the deep emotional moments between them, makes “The Death Cure” a bittersweet ending to a dystopian action adventure worth watching.

Neutral Milk Hotel’s “Aeroplane” Flying High 20 Years Later Travis Burke Staff Writer

Neutral Milk Hotel’s “In The Aeroplane Over The Sea” recently turned two decades old. Rated by some critics as one of the greatest albums of all time, “Aeroplane” is still compelling listeners with a sound that is simple on a base level, yet the experimentation and deep meaning adds im-

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arts and entertainment Tiny Moving Parts’ “Swell,” Loss in a Different Light

Gabriel Carrio Executive Copy Editor

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Tiny Moving Parts, a Midwest-emo band out of Minnesota, released their fourth album, “Swell,” on January 26. The band has steadily grown over the years and with each release. Their sound has evolved from jangly emo instrumentals lacking any punch and whiny and grating vocals to a heavier sound, with improved vocals that allow for more emotional expression. “Swell” is the perfection of the sound Tiny Moving Parts was heading towards. With heavy yet bright tones and chord driven instrumentals, it is similar to their previous album, “Celebrate.” Like most of Tiny Moving Parts’ albums, the content is deeply emotional and raw on a level that most bands don’t achieve. The album is a strange one, where the lyrics and subjects of each song are heavy, while dealing with a lot of self-hate and anxiety. The lead singer, Dylan Mattheisen, sings a lot about loss on “Swell.” Every song, from the

first to the last, deals with the loss of a friend, though it’s unspecified whether it was through suicide. It’s heavily implied that the overall subject of the album is coping with the loss of a close friend of the band to suicide. The song “Malfunction,” towards the end of the second half of the album, seems to deal with the topic the most directly. “I guess I fell behind. The call to stop my friend. It’s a message, it’s a message. The thoughts that fill my head. It’s a message, it’s a message (repeat).” As the song goes on, Dylan’s vocals become rougher and rougher, ending with screams. Ironically, the song that deals with the album’s subject the most directly has some of the weakest writing; however, this sort of plays in the song’s favor. The death of a friend is a heavy loss, and it affects those grieving in significant ways. It’s hard for someone coping with a loss like that to keep their thoughts straight in their head and can cause them to possibly blame themselves. The song re-

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flects that confusion and selfaccusation beautifully. Dylan’s thoughts and feelings aren’t cohesive, and neither is the song. “Swell” is an album that forces the listener to really think about what’s being said and to look past the energetic and light instrumentals. The lyrics contrast the instruments, but it

works in the album’s favor. In a generation where mental health issues are being addressed more seriously in mainstream culture and media, this album gives a raw account of dealing with things like grief, self-hate, selfawareness of our place in the universe and anxiety over the future for ourselves and others.

The album sounds happy enough that anyone who enjoys slightly heavier guitar, driving percussion, vocal harmonies and some intricate progressions could easily enjoy it. For those into more thoughtful lyrics and topics for self-reflection, this album is a treat. It’s my album of the year for 2018.

Wakanda were not the ones shining through. The all black cast was an empowering aspect of the film on its own. It was a superhero movie rightly flipped with one or two Caucasian characters and powerful actors of color all around them. “Black Panther” is a stepping stone toward better representation in western media, and a very solid one by both the film’s ratings and box of-

fice status. SNHU student Jasmine Tyrance, who is African American, felt proud about a “majority of the cast (being) black and them being portrayed in a positive spotlight with various strong characters, including KIllmonger, even as a very strong and complex villain.” Along with the film’s mark of strong characters of color, it also carries strong women as well. Women warriors proved

their strength time and time again in the film, fighting alongside each while also demonstrating their ability to rule and affect social change. Women involved in technology were also represented. The non-sexualization of these characters was defining of the film as well, as they carried strength without having to pair it with anything stereotypically “feminine.” Themes of suffering and the internal struggle both on the individual and community level were at play as well. They brought to light some of the suffering of African Americans, and as Jasmine Tyrance states, “police brutality and kind of some of the racism toward blacks even today.” "Black Panther" had equality and representation within every shot. "Black Panther" truly has asked us, the people, what it is that we can do to make the struggle African Americans experience better. With both African and African American actors, strong warrior women, women in technology and powerful well rounded characters, no matter your background it is possible to relate to, and learn from, this stepping stone film. This movie alone is a call to action for all of us to make a change no matter how small.

"Black panther" - A New and NEEded Superhero Movie

Ruth Way Staff Writer

Let me just start off by saying: you know it was a good movie when people clap and holler all throughout the film. It is near impossible to be bored while watching T’Challa, King of Wakanda strive to protect his land. Killmonger, the film’s main villain plays a key role for both plot, but also representation and what it means

to truly struggle. Every moment of “Black Panther” is captivating for the suspense, action or humor; all of which work together to create Wakanda, its people and its traditions. The vibrant colors, costuming and minute details create an intricate, intriguing, highly advanced society within a real and thriving culture that was amazingly represented in the film. But the vibrant colors of

Marvel

PENMEN ABROAD

Learning to Appreciate the Little Things in Florence Nick Klotz Staff Writer

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well as plenty of wine. The later dinners customary in Italy took a little bit of getting used to; we wouldn’t eat until at least 7:30 p.m. most nights and more often later. Back home I’m guilty of treating dinner as a chore. How many college students settle for just grabbing something from the dining hall just so they aren’t hungry anymore? In Italian culture, dinner is not a passive experience. Being so late means it is the cap to your day, where you enjoy good food and spend time with the people you care about. Since it’s at the end of the day, there’s no need to rush off to the next thing on your list; you can be present and enjoy it. This idea of being active and present in the moment is permeated through the entire week, and it was at the hilltop city of Orvieto that this clicked for me. Following Rome was

The Cathedral of Orvieto. impressive things I saw that week. The façade is decorated with ornate gold and mosaics that tell biblical tales. In the medieval time, the church was built, most people were illiterate so this was the best way to get the stories of the Bible across to them. The waning sunlight made the building look incredible, but just past it was a clearing that seemed to just drop off. We made our way over to it, and by that I mean we ran with the giddiness of elementary school kids riding the high from exploration and discovery. What we found was one of the best views we saw the whole trip, onlooking the valley below

Orvieto. From then on, whether it be making the 15 minute climb to the top of the hill to marvel at the castle overlooking Assisi or just watching the countryside go by through my bus window, I began to make a conscious effort to savor each moment of my time abroad. As a New Hampshire kid who had never gone too far from home, this study abroad thing finally clicked. In this first week, I learned about the many different sides of Italia, and I am thankful for having gone on this travel week for the lessons learned and the lifelong friends made.

Nick Klotz

of this cultural introduction while allowing them to begin their study abroad semester a week early. We arrived in Rome on the first day, and then we travelled north, making stops in the cities of Orvieto, Perugia and Assisi, before finally arriving in our home for the next three months: Florence. The first couple days were absolutely meant to overwhelm. In a short time, we had visited the Colosseum, Capitoline Hill, the Roman Forum, the Vatican City and Saint Peter’s Basilica just to name a few. In these days, the thirty or so of us American students were tourists, and that was okay. Each night we were treated to the most grandiose of meals. Gastronomy was the word our professor, Marco, used to describe it: the connection between food and the history and culture of a

Nick Klotz

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All'americana, a pasta dish made with cured pork cheeck and pecorino cheese.

the first of our many long bus trips. Short of an errant snore, the bus was pin drop silent; three solid days of waking up bright and early for a full day of tours and city walks and late night dinners meant everyone was already exhausted. We finally arrived in our cozy hotel, and all I wanted to do was crash into my bed; however, my roommates and I needed to fight that instinct. Why? We realized we hadn’t had gelato yet. So first gelato then a nap, right? I made my way down the cobblestone streets of Orvieto with a crew of new friends, all of us with our eyes wide open for a gelateria. We finally found one after what felt like forever, but the fresh and clean-feeling air did wonders for waking us up. I got a cup of cafe gelato. It was far creamier than any American coffee ice cream I’d ever had, and just sweet enough. It truly was worth the walk. We exited the shop and noticed that, peeking out over the volcanic rock that made up all of the city’s buildings was a structure that practically glowed. The Cathedral of Orvieto was easily one of the most

Nick Klotz

I began my study abroad journey with the most exhausting and rewarding week of my life. At SNHU, students studying at Florence University of the Arts (FUA) are required to take an introduction to Italian culture or language course for three credits. The early start program, however, sees students taking a six-credit version

people. Each moment of the day was treated as a lesson, and dinner was no exception. Three courses were the absolute minimum at dinner and often we were given more. We had lots of pasta of course, with the all’amatricana of the first day being one of my favorites (tomato sauce with pork cheek and pecorino cheese). We had bruschetta, cured meats, cheese risotto, soups, salads, chicken and lamb, as

Klotz and his classmates on a trip to Castel Maggiore in Assisi, Italy.

penmen abroad

Exploring Your Way Through Florence, Italy Lindsey Montpelier Staff Writer

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at Gelateria La Carraia. Mason gave insight into the best place to get Wi-Fi. It’s a small café called Ditta Artigianale and she described it as a place to work on homework and drink the best chai she could find. Between her classes, worldwide traveling and searching for the best places to eat, Mason also managed to find time to take in the breathtaking views of Florence. When discussing her favorite parts of Florence, she went into great detail about just walking throughout the city and getting a feel for everyone and everything. “The lifestyle of people in

Florence is so different from everyday life in America. Everyone and everything runs at a much slower, calmer pace,” she said, “Aside from watching the people, all around you is beautiful old architecture. You are in awe every day just walking around and discovering new parts of Florence.” When wanting to get away from studying abroad in the city, Mason suggests going to the Boboli Gardens. Mason says, “[it’s] worth walking through the whole garden, it’s so peaceful and takes you away from the business of Florence while seeing the Pitti Palace as well.”

Sydney Mason

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The SNHU Study Abroad Office works hard to give all students the amazing opportunity to study abroad in the country of their dreams. As they are expanding their partnerships with other countries, Russia being the newest edition, the Study Abroad Office finds many students choosing Florence, Italy for their time abroad. Students who choose to spend their semester abroad in Italy will take classes at Florence University of the Arts (FUA). There, students are given many different options for classes and class schedules so they have the opportunity to travel throughout the country. This also gives students the ability to stay in Florence and learn the lay of the land in their new home. “I completed a 3-credit travel week course that allowed me to go to Italy a week early and travel throughout cities I probably would have never visited if it wasn’t for this class,” said Sydney Mason (’20), a graphic design major

who spent this past fall at FUA, “hidden gems for sure!” Mason continued to go into detail about what it was like outside of the classroom. Even though she enjoyed her time at FUA, she felt like she “learned more outside the classroom, being somewhere where you’re forced to immerse yourself.” While learning the culture of Italy, Mason also learned about the many places to get food during her time there. Her favorite place to get a panini was Pinos, she described it by saying it’s the “cheapest and best panini you will ever have.” She also suggests to take advantage of the one euro gelato

A breathtaking view of Florence, Italy.

During Mason’s downtime, she enjoyed walking through Piazza della Repubblica. That seemed to be her favorite place to people watch and take in the beautiful city she was spending her semester in. Another way she took in the city of Florence was by climbing the Duomo. “It’s a lot of stairs and complaining but well worth the view. You can look over your new home for 4 months!” said Mason. Matt Crowley (’18), a business major who is currently studying at FUA, has found one of his favorite places to take in the city as well. This place is called the Piazzale Michelangelo and he enjoys it, “because it’s a good vantage point of the city and you can see the whole city from above.” According to the students who have been, or currently are in Italy, these places are the best to go to. Mason’s last piece of advice while discussing her time abroad was, “enjoy where you are and what you’re doing with new people [because] before you know it you will be back in a SNHU classroom rather than chilling on the Arno River.”

New Sicily Program to Educate in Language and Culture

Rebecca LeBoeuf Editor in Chief Derek Smith Staff Writer

This summer, the program will take place from May 25 to June 30. “My expectations of the program are that I get a great education on not only the language, but Italy itself; I want to learn more about their culture over there as well,” Flora said. While at Syracuse Academy, students will take a three credit course in Italian Culture and Language. The course is very hands on, allowing students the chance to go and take in their surroundings to help them better understand the Italian culture and language. The course is highly experiential, according to Parenti, and will involve making onsite experiences and interactions with the local community. Parenti encourages students to explore Sicily, because “[it] is unique because it’s an island… you can find a blend of different civilizations that

went through the islands,” including the Greek, Roman, Normand, Spanish and Arabian. Students will also participate in field trips that will “really link with the local resources, community and problems as well,” Parenti said. During the weekends, there will be

free time for personal traveling. Any students still interested in joining the program should contact the study abroad office immediately. Contact studyabroad@snhu. edu or Parenti at s.parenti@ snhu.edu or stop by his office in Exeter Hall room 40.

Stefano Parenti

This summer is the beginning of a new study abroad program where students will have the opportunity to travel to Syracuse Academy in Sicily, Italy, to learn about the Italian language and culture. As of now, there are six students in the application process. This five-week program is open to all students who want to join. Stefano Parenti, the director of Study Abroad and the Exchange of Programs, said his reasons for choosing this location for the program was to go, “above and beyond with just the destination, for providing something more linked with the local heritage and last but not least, because there is a target of students that for dif-

ferent reasons they cannot attend a semester program.” Amanda Flora (‘21) is one of the six applicants. “I'm going to Sicily because I've always been interested in studying abroad and I thought this was a cool opportunity to see if I could handle being away from home for so long,” Flora said. She also wants to learn about her family background more. “We have chosen this not only for the partner, the environment, the culture heritage, but also because it’s an affordable program,” Parenti said. The cost of the program is approximately $2,000, depending on the exchange rate. This includes accommodation in a shared apartment in Ortigia, an authentic part of Sicily. Students must purchase their own flights, though Parenti said they can use the Study Abroad Office as a resource.

The sun setting over Ortigia, a small island in Sicily.

SPORTS

penmen profile: kurt gutting Catherine LaChance Sports Editor

SNHU Penmen

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It takes a village to achieve greatness. No one can accomplish dreams alone; it takes a group of people to accomplish destiny. SNHU hockey phenom Kurt Gutting is an individual whose friends and family have allowed him to travel farther in his hockey career than he could ever imagine. Thanks to his father and past and present teammates and coaches, Gutting has achieved his ambitions of securing a starting position on a D-II hockey team while being recognized by the NCAA as a top goaltender in the Northeast region. In only his second season with the Penmen, Gutting, who is currently the Penmen’s second-string goaltender, has a whopping .929 save-percent average. He has played in just 11 games thus far this season and has made 321 saves while allowing just 20 goals against. Senior starting goaltender Ryan Slatky, who has been one of the highest ranked goaltenders in the Northeast-10 for the majority of his career, averaged just .919 saves this season. He, however, was forced to sit out for a portion of the season due to a groin injury, which prompted Gutting to step in and showcase his skills. Because he performed so well, he locked up the starting position next season. “It’s been a good year for me, numbers wise,” said Gutting, referring to his performance this season. “I’m pretty happy with where I’m at and I’m pretty happy with where the team’s at, too. We’re currently in the final playoff spot so the team is doing great and I’m really happy about that.” "When he came in, he was always good,” said Slatky about Gutting. “I’m really impressed with what he is capable of doing on the ice, especially as a younger guy. As the starting goalie, I do what

I can to help him. He works his tail off. He’s done a really good job so he’s going to do a great job when he takes over the starting spot next year.” Gutting’s hockey career began in his hometown of Weymouth, Massachusetts at just six years of age when his father brought him to a frozen pond where they skated and hit pucks. Though small, this introduction to hockey was a monumental step going forward in Gutting’s hockey career, as it was the moment he knew he wanted to pursue hockey. Because of his father’s interest in seeing Gutting play hockey, Gutting sees him as the driving force behind why he continues to play. If it weren’t for him, he says, he never would have developed the passion and love for hockey that allowed him to become one of the NCAA’s best Division-II goaltenders. Gutting continued playing pond hockey with his father until he was about nine when he started playing hockey competitively. Unlike the majority of his teammates, Gutting did not play hockey through a club; instead he played for the town. Gutting says playing for the town of Weymouth was ideal for creating bonds and relationships with his teammates, which is an aspect of hockey he says is “very important.” He and his teammates played together all throughout their youth and through high school. Because they spent so much time together, he became close friends with most of them. He even said they have made him a better player because they “inspired and motivated (him) to play (his) best each and every day.” Not only did Gutting have good relationships with his former teammates, he also had great connections with his coaching staff. In fact, Gutting identifies one of his assistant coaches, Ryan Nash, as his mentor. Nash was also a goaltender growing up, so Gutting looked to him for ex-

Sophomore Kurt Gutting protects the net in a matchup against Western New England University

pertise. Nash taught Gutting everything he knows about the position and offered new techniques and strategies to perfect his game. When Gutting graduated from Weymouth High School in 2014, he played two years of junior hockey in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire. During his second year, former Southern New Hampshire University head hockey coach, Ken Hutchins, reached out to him and offered him a position on the team. Gutting took the offer and joined the Penmen the following year. “I’m really happy to be with the Penmen,” said Gutting. “I’m very lucky to be with a great group of guys who I consider to be some of my best friends. Plus, I’m really happy with the way I’ve been playing. Hockey is one of the most important things going for me right now. It’s one of the biggest aspects of my life so it’s really important to me to succeed and I’m doing just that with SNHU.” Much like Nash, current head SNHU coach Sean Walsh has greatly impacted Gutting’s performance. Gutting is just one of many talented goaltenders Walsh has

coached. Walsh, who is only in his first season with the Penmen, is very technical when it comes to attributes of the position, so he helps Gutting in any way he can so he can further improve his game. In addition to Walsh, Gutting’s success at SNHU also has much to do with the support of his teammates, who want nothing but the best for him. “My teammates want me to succeed,” said Gutting. Teammates Ryan Spagnoli and Brett Strawn are two of Gutting’s best friends on the team. They both strive for Gutting to succeed and they demonstrate that in their actions at practice and during games by keeping his spirits high and lending a helping hand whenever he may need one. They are also greatly impressed with his goaltending skills and they admire his dedication to the team. “I’m fortunate to have Kurt as a teammate,” said Spagnoli. “He works hard on and off the ice. He’s a pleasure to be around every day. In practice, we get to shoot on him and work on our game and him being the great goalie he is, he makes it tough for us to score, but that just

goes to show how good he is.” “It’s special having a teammate like Kurt,” said Strawn, who leads in points for the Penmen. “He’s one of a kind. He’s always working hard, in practice and off the ice. When I can’t score on him during practice, it makes me want to score on him even more. He’s a great guy to work with in practice and I think his work ethic says something about his personality.” With playoffs right around the corner, Gutting has made many goals for himself and his team, including winning the Northeast-10 Conference Title. To achieve these goals, he hopes his teammates and coaches continue to push him and critique him during every practice. “I look forward to playoffs,” said Gutting. “I want this season to last as long as it can. I’m pretty lucky to have such a good group of guys to see each and every day and compete with. We make each other better. We’ve got to cherish each day together going forward; we can’t take it for granted. Whether I or Slatky is playing in the playoffs, if we win, it would be all I can ask for in a successful season.”