Hoping and praying for a curve in every class
We write Stevens history HOBOKEN, NJ | MAY 2, 2025
VOLUME CXXII No. 25
The student newspaper of Stevens Institute of Technology, and creator of Attila the Duck. www.thestute.com TikTok @thestute Instagram @thestute facebook.com/stevensthestute NEW STUTE EVERY FRIDAY • EST. 1904
Stevens Divest From War Initiative Letter Passes
Research associate professor Jon Miller leads shoreline restoration projects BY SERENA PANUCCI, STAFF WRITER Stevens students are playing a crucial role in safeguarding the future of New Jersey’s shoreline. Jon Miller, a research associate professor, is helping lead the charge. As a Stevens undergraduate alumnus who originally majored in Civil Engineering, Miller was drawn to coastal engineering through courses offered during his studies. Since then, he has built his entire career at Stevens, primarily funded through research grants rather than teaching salaries. “My primary responsibility is to secure research funding and to do research,” Miller explained. “I write proposals, do research, manage the team that goes into the field, analyze the data, and ultimately supervise the writing of any papers, theses, or reports.” In cooperation with fellow Stevens faculty Matt Janssen, a research professor, and Laura Kerr, a senior research engineer, Miller co-manages numerous projects focused on coastal resilience. Their work spans beaches, bays, and marsh environments, where they collect field data
to monitor tides, water levels, and shoreline changes. “Our goal is to protect the coast — not just for the communities and cities that live there, but also for the wildlife and endangered species that depend on it,” Miller said. “Disasters happen all the time. Our job is to figure out how to balance our need to live at the coast with the dangers of doing so.” A major focus of their current research is developing nature-based solutions: engineering methods that enhance or mimic natural systems like coral reefs, salt marshes, and oyster reefs to better protect coastal communities. This approach promotes more sustainable and resilient coastlines in the face of climate change and rising sea levels. Students, both graduate and undergraduate, are vital to these efforts. Between 50 and 75 undergraduates are currently involved, many through programs like Pinnacle and Clark research initiatives. Some participate during the academic year as undergraduate researchers, and others ultimately pursue a minor or master’s degree in coastal engineering.
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University hosts first annual undergraduate research week BY JOSEPHINE CHOONG, SECRETARY From April 21 to 25, Stevens celebrated its first undergraduate research week. Each day was filled with an exciting event dedicated for students to explore research opportunities, network with peers, and commemorate student research achievements. Andrés Mansisidor, the Director of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships, states that the purpose of these events was to celebrate in solidarity with the National Undergraduate Research Week. At other universities, it’s typically centered around a research symposium. However, as Stevens’ research symposium occurs during the fall, the week was designed to be more celebratory with a kickoff event and smaller research-related workshops and mixers. It was outlined to build a community between students looking to get into research, students already involved with research, and recent alumni pursuing graduate research. Mansisidor hoped the events would increase the exposure of research-cenNEWS (2-3)
Dayglow takes the stage for the first time in New Jersey at Techfest Learn more about Dayglow and the preformances leading up to the main event. FEATURE (4)
Finals Edition Take break and read about Tillie settling into campus and cut out the finals grams!
tric careers and celebrate the accomplishments that students had. Furthermore, the events were planned in collaboration with the Office of Undergraduate Research and SGA representative Christina Alexandrov. The full list of events were: Monday, April 21: Kickoff Event Tuesday, April 22: NSF & Research Fellowship Info Wednesday, April 23: Simons Neuroscience Fellowship Tips Thursday, April 24: Research Journal & Writing Center and Inclusion in Research Workshop. Friday, April 25: Lunch with Research Director The week began with the kickoff event hosted in UCC Gallery. A few dozen students came, with some interested in starting research, others already involved, and even a few future students. To break the ice, there were several research-centered mixer activities including science trivia and undergraduate research bingo. It also served as an opportunity to
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Gymrats? Neurodevelopmental? Hate/Love finals? Read about what’s going on in the world of science. PULSE (10)
Read answers from the Stevens community to our weekly Roving Reporter, plus solve our weekly puzzle and sudoku.
THE STUTE
EILIYAH SAROWAR FOR THE STUTE
Dayglow takes the stage for the first time in New Jersey at TechFest BY VIKTOR PALMER, OPINION COLUMNIST Despite a spell of torrential rain, Techfest 2025 proved to be a hit this Saturday, drawing crowds of students for an evening of
student performances, food, and time with friends. The event proudly hosted rock indie act Dayglow, who followed shows from the three winners of last month’s Battle of the Bands between student music groups.
Crews began setting up early on Saturday morning, and many students lined up in advance of the official start time. Doors opened at 5 p.m., and attendees were
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On Monday, April 28, the Student Government Association (SGA) announced in a university-wide email that the Stevens Divest From War Initiative’s (SDFWI) Letter from the Student Body has received sufficient approval from the undergraduate student body. This letter, now delivered to the Board of Trustees and President Farvardin, calls on the university to divest the school’s endowment from companies or investments that violate international law and human rights principles. This victory for the initiative follows the SDFWI’s earlier attempt to have the SGA Senate approve a proclamation on the subject of divestment. That vote, which was tabled once and led to amendments in the original proclamation and proposal, did not reach the two-thirds majority required for passage. However, the Letter from the Student Body (LSB) program, which was designed by the
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Hoboken movie filmings in April BY JOSEPHINE CHOONG, SECRETARY April is an exciting month for movie filming in Hoboken. Last year, there were many sightings of filming and celebrities throughout the year, including Steven Yeun, Timothée Chalamet, and Jeremy Allen White filming or simply exploring the city. As the weather turns warmer, what’s filming in Hoboken this year? The most recent filming of The Family McMullen was last seen on the week of April 21. It follows a close-knit family navigating through life while confronting personal struggles and evolving bonds. As they face unexpected challenges, their relationships are tested. It is directed by Edward Burns and stars Michael McGlone, John El-Jor, and Bryan Fitzgerald. The Netflix rom-com starring Jennifer Lopez and Brett Goldstein, Office Romance, was last seen filming on April 21 at Marshall Street and previously seen at Mile Square on April 7. Lopez was previously seen at Hoboken last year where she was filming the movie Kiss of the Spider Woman at Elysian Cafe. The movie is about Jackie, the presi-
Measles outbreak spreads to North Jersey as the state loses herd immunity dent and CEO of Air Cruz, who runs a tight ship on her business, including a strict anti-fraternization policy for all her employees. However, the policy is tested when a new lawyer begins working for her. On April 14, film crews for The Whisper Man were spotted between Bloomfield and Garden Streets between 8th and 10th Street. The crew will film all over New Jersey, and in March, Grant Wilfley Casting was actively looking for New Jersey locals of all genders and ethnicities as extras. It is a Netflix film based on Alex North’s novel. A widowed crime writer works with his estranged father, a retired police detective, to find his young son. However, they soon discover that the case has a hidden connection with the murder committed by the serial killer known as “The Whisper Man.” Finally, from the end of March to the end of April, The Florist was filming in Hoboken and Jersey City. Dennis Quaid, one of the main actors, was last seen filming in Jersey City on April 2. The action thriller centered around Carl Rikker, a florist and assassin who finds himself protecting
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BY AMELIE DELA CRUZ, STAFF WRITER Measles, a previously eradicated disease in the United States, has made a comeback in around 30 states, now including New Jersey. On February 9, a Bergen County resident contracted measles from international travel, and the disease spread to two other unvaccinated people in their household. In addition, at least four non-NJ residents have put NJ residents at risk of contracting the disease, notably with a case at Newark Liberty International Airport in March. The outbreak in North Jersey is just one of 16 documented measles outbreaks in the United States this year. With over 800 cases in the U.S. just this year, there has been an immense increase from 285 cases in 2024, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. State officials urge travelers to “make sure [they’re] up to date on MMR and other routine vaccines,” as vaccination is the most surefire way to protect individuals and those around them. The New Jersey state website regularly updates
residents on the whereabouts of those who contracted measles and passed through the state. This is to keep track of those who may have been exposed so that everyone can take the proper precautions. While contact tracing can be unreliable with a disease as contagious as measles, it is still a valid prevention measure. New cases of measles have been reported in Louisiana, Missouri, and Virginia, all also linked to international travel. These include two children and one adult. Texas has had the most cases this year, totaling 481 confirmed cases and 56 hospitalizations. The United States has not experienced such rates of infection in recent years, especially since measles was no longer endemic to the country thanks to vaccines and other preventative measures. With initial symptoms such as a cough and fever, the illness eventually presents with white spots in the mouth and a rash unique to measles. The disease can cause a plethora of complications like pneumonia and brain inflammation, with many cases requiring hos-
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