Acorn

A Season of Change at Drew

Fri, 02 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

A steady drumbeat of faculty and staff departures has reverberated through the Forest this year. From Mead Hall to the Simon Forum, from Sycamore Cottage to Brothers College, many familiar faces of the Drew University community, veterans and relative newcomers alike, will not return this fall.

Weisbuch gives himself a grade of 'incomplete'

Fri, 02 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The Acorn sat down with President Bob Weisbuch to hear his thoughts on important issues concerning the future of the evolving Drew community. Touching upon issues ranging from diversity to the decision to make SAT scores optional, Weisbuch gives students a glimpse into what's been done, what's left to do and how he grades the progress he's made in his past three years in office.

A noisy protest on Alliance's silent day

Fri, 02 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Sweet, uplifting phrases, written in sidewalk chalk, graced the sidewalks and brick walls of Drew University on April 23 as a visual representation of The Alliance's Day of Silence. Despite the group's good intentions, however, a section of the campus community disagreed with the display, and took out their displeasure by drawing obscene and homophobic symbols on the walls and sidewalks.

Etkowitz creates her cabinet

Fri, 02 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

With one meeting under her belt and cabinet positions filled, Student Government Association President Dana Etkowitz ('09) is ready to take charge of the SGA.

"We need people who will take responsibility," Etkowitz said. "[Senators] need to know this is a job-not just something to put on your resume.

Poll suggests liberal views of students

Fri, 02 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

A student-led survey of The College of Liberal Arts confirmed what popular opinion has long acknowledged: Drewids are a politically liberal crowd.

Members of the Contemporary Approaches to Political Science seminar gave a survey probing political attitudes among a representative sample of the undergraduate population.

Work on dorm reaches new heights

Fri, 02 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

While the semester is wrapping up and Drew University students are engrossed in a flurry of papers and exams, some students may not have realized that the construction of the new dorm building is taking off at full speed. Cinder blocks and flooring have been put into place on the first floor.

Campus personality elected to speak for the class of 2008

Fri, 02 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

As the spring semester comes to a close, graduation is not far off for Andrew Cronholm ('08), whose peers elected him as this year's graduation speaker.

Cronholm, a men's swim team captain, jokingly attributes his election to his "big mouth and stupid hairstyles," but adds that his dedication to academics and athletics probably helped win over his peers.

Officers rev up new vehicle

Fri, 02 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Corporal Fabio Lamanna sits on Public Safety's newest addition, an all-terrain vehicle donated to the department by the Moose Lodge 816 and the New Jersey State Law Enforcement Officers Association Local 66. The gas-efficient vehicle will be used to patrol the campus and can access places regular patrol cars can't.

Lead Editorial

Fri, 02 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

As President Bob Weisbuch's third year comes to a close, the Forest is undergoing significant changes-both inside and out. The new dorm is visibly on its way up, and we have been promised it will be finished for the spring semester of 2009. Dean of the College of Liberal Arts Paolo Cucchi is retiring after 24 years, with newly appointed Dean Jonathan Levin stepping into his place in Mead Hall.

Looking back, looking ahead

Fri, 02 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Seniors submitted hand written letters to The Acorn about their thoughts and reflections on their college careers as graduation day nears.

Pro-life speaker lacks concrete argument

Fri, 02 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Anyone who gives a speech ultimately faces the same dilemma: How do you phrase your words in order to convince your audience?

Last Wednesday, I attended Drew Students for Life's event in which they brought Karen Shablin, of Feminists for Life, on campus to speak.

Employee responds to article against the computer initiative at Drew

Fri, 02 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

To the Editor:

I am writing to correct misinformation in last week's article by Sam Scribner concerning the Lenovo ThinkPads for the current first-year class. First and foremost, the University resells the computers to students at its cost and does not make any money on the transaction.

Dining services informs campus on Drew's part to become eco-friendly

Fri, 02 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

To the Editor:

I am writing to comment on the article written by Jessica Yanefski in the April 25 edition of The Acorn. I would like to let her know what dining services are doing to do our part in regards to campus sustainability. This semester we have switched from Boar's Head cold cuts to Thumann's.

Gingrich's visit makes sour impression on friend of Tom Kean

Fri, 02 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

To the Editor:

Unfortunately, I was unable to attend Newt Gingrich's address at Drew last week. Thus, I depended on the reportage by your assistant news editor, Anna Sohn's story covering this event.

Gingrich makes some good points-excessive, inefficient government, etc.

Vandalism angers members of Alliance

Fri, 02 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

On Friday at about 9:30 a.m., I was passing Hoyt on my way to class when I was rudely awakened by a clear message directed toward the outspoken individuals of our University. I then passed the library, provoked by this inquiry written in chalk: "Why so serious?" Later, I learned that our campus was further defaced by phallic images, alluding to the idea of perversion to mock the queer community.

Freshman analyzes SGA's relationship with students

Fri, 02 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

I have spoken with a lot of students who are dissatisfied with the performance of the Student Government Association at Drew. The complaints are endless: "They don't represent the student body," "they don't care about what the students want" and "they don't ever do anything.

Senior chalks messages of love to Drew

Fri, 02 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

It was on a rainy night three years ago that I scurried across campus holding a bucket from the local drugstore. I knelt down on the pavement and began to paw at the ground with a small piece of pink sidewalk chalk.

Honestly, at this very point in time, I had lost faith in everything around me.

Student says Drew should end its Sudan investment

Fri, 02 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Drew University is an institution which prides itself upon its commitment to education, egalitarianism and social justice. Over the years, this University demonstrated its willingness to works toward a better and more just world.

Currently, we are in the midst of another world crisis.

Nooks and crannies:

Fri, 02 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Tolley-Brown Patio

Sidled up next to a dense stretch of woods, the Tolley-Brown patio offers a private space to study outdoors. The woods' closeness to the building gives it a closed-in feeling. Andrea Vitarello ('11) uses the patio as a space to study for her upcoming biology exams.

MadAve's campaign commercials spice up Jamfest '08

Fri, 02 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Forget Hillary or Obama. This year's Jamfest, the biggest a cappella concert of the year, presented the large audience in Baldwin Gym with a new array of presidential choices-the men in 36 Madison Avenue.

The show began with a performance from Drew University's all-female group, On a Different Note, performing decked out in summer clothes for its California-themed set.

And-a-1, and-a-2 and-a go to class

Fri, 02 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Browsing through the course catalog, one will find PE*15, Drew University's under-publicized ballroom dance class. Attracting a diverse group of students, the class provides an opportunity for the students of the Drew community to branch out and make new friends.

Bjork's swan dress is no ugly duckling

Fri, 02 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Most people find it hilarious or even typical that my favorite celebrity was put on the worst-dressed list on the red carpet more than once in her life. The person I speak of is none other than the amazing Bjork, aka the Swan Dress Lady.

If you don't know who Bjork is, she is the coolest person ever.

Music: New from Portishead rocks, new Bodom doesn't

Fri, 02 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

When a band disappears for a decade, only to reappear with a live set of new songs and an announcement of a new album, excitement builds over what sort of luminous tracks could have been gestating all this time.

Last December, Portishead played their first live set since 1997 at the All Tomorrow's Parties Festival in Minehead, England.

Insanity's Horse: New issue 'inspiring'

Fri, 02 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

This year's issue of Insanity's Horse is filled with thought-provoking musings and delightful artwork. The poetry and prose range from the comic to the profound.

One of the lighter pieces was "Gilligan, His Island," by Christine Hamm (G'10). One of the best descriptions can be found in the third stanza, "your white hat like a little / beacon of surrender / in the woods you / are a constant polka dot.

Senior art show displays a year of commitment

Fri, 02 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

One of the biggest events of this semester, the Senior Thesis 2008 Art Exhibition, begins tonight. During this exhibition, nine senior art majors will present their art theses, which have gone through a year-long process of preparation. "The students have been working a year on this project and basically, the idea is [for the students] to create their own body of work," Associate Professor of Art Raymond Stein, the students' professor and the exhibition curator, said.

Spirituality embodied

Fri, 02 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

At Spirituality and the Body Saturday afternoon, Laura Rose Barclay ('08), Ciara Perez ('10) and Chelsea Rowe ('10) bellydance in the University Center lounge. The second annual Spirituality and the Body was organized by the members of Spirituality House. The event also featured several musical performers, including Whilring Dervishes, as well as a labyrinth walking meditation, henna tattoos, free amulets sponsored by the Pagan Society and two art galleries, among other activities.

Everclear at FAP today

Fri, 02 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Everclear will play at the 35th annual First Annual Picnic today. Beginning at 4 p.m., FAP kicks off with a BBQ, free with the meal plan. "Fun and games,"according to University Programming Board advertisments continue until 8 p.m. Everclear will then play until 10 p.

Mixed Nuts

Fri, 02 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Can't get enough of Tom Cruise? Well, actually you probably can, thank you very much, but apparently Oprah can't. Tom's upcoming appearance on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" is so long, in-depth and, supposedly, interesting, that it had to be split into two one-hour segments.

Men's tennis secures eighth straight championship

Fri, 02 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Although they may have gone under the radar here at Drew University, the men's tennis team is among the best athletic squads this school has year in and year out.

On Saturday, the team won its eighth consecutive conference tennis title, despite graduating seniors, injuries and trying to adjust freshmen to the new level of competition.

Hard-won face-offs the key to obtaining Rangers redemption

Fri, 02 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The Drew University Men's lacrosse team finished off its regular season with a bang. On April 26, the Rangers faced off against the Royals of University of Scranton.

The game got off to a grim start as the Royals jumped out to an early 3-0 lead. The Rangers were not able to score until there was only a minute and 45 seconds left in the first quarter, when attacker Greg Reading ('10), scored the first goal for the Rangers off an assist from midfielder Steve Carnes ('10).

Shooting enthusiasts: DUST off your guns

Fri, 02 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Next year, Drew University athletics may have two new genres of competition to add to their roster.

And one of them you'll never see practicing on the campus.

Matthew Fingerman ('11) and Kirstin Bethavas ('11), avid gun and archery enthusiasts respectively, first shared the idea of starting a shooting team through casual conversation.

26.2 miles of scenery for one Drewid

Fri, 02 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

In the year 490 B.C., a professional runner named Phidippides was asked to deliver a message of Greek victory in the Persian War to Athens, despite his recent completion of a 280-mile run to Sparta. Exhausted, Phidippides took on the job, running the 26.2 miles in a little over three hours.

Hopes remain high going into playoffs

Fri, 02 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Despite dropping both ends of a doubleheader against top-ranked Moravian College on Saturday, Drew University's softball team showed it could shut down one of the Landmark Conference's most lethal offenses by holding the Greyhounds to a combined six runs.

While Moravian extended unbeaten conference play this season to 12, and improved its overall record to 30-6, the Rangers fell below .

Scoring outbursts drive women's LAX

Fri, 02 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The Drew University women's lacrosse team owes much of its success this season to superior team chemistry and the ability to turn on scoring spurts seemingly at will.

For Rangers fans, fortune turned her back on Drew this past week. On the heels of a 19-5 loss to top-seeded Catholic University on Saturday, Wednesday saw Goucher College end Drew's hopes for a conference title by defeating them 13-10 in the Landmark Conference semifinals.

Baseball ends in trio of losses

Fri, 02 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The Drew University baseball season came to an end after a three-game sweep against Catholic University. The Cardinals took the Saturday doubleheader 15-4 and 12-4. The Rangers came up short in a close game on Sunday, when they lost 12-8.

Starting pitcher Even Martens ('11) pitched a shaky game in the first game of the doubleheader allowing 11 hits and 10 runs and putting Catholic up by a significant amount by the fifth inning.

Torment and passion for diehard fans

Fri, 02 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Ah, the final column of the year.

And sadly for those haters out there, the final column of my Drew career.

As such, I find myself reflecting on what the past year of writing for this paper has enabled me to do.

I've found people who wake up every day in order to root for the same teams as I do.