Honors Herald November 2015

The New York City Pforzheimer Honors College at Pace University

The Honors Herald

Volume 5 Issue 1

2015 Pace University 1 Pace Plaza W208/W209 New York, NY 10038 P: 212-346-1697

Kopel Welcomes Freshmen, Runs World

Upon clicking on that notification, a greeting awaited us: “This is a group for the New York City Pace Honors Class of 2019. Feel free to post an introduction, ask questions, or share your excitement. This is a great place to find a roommate and get all your questions answered.” A mysterious Jaclyn Kopel welcomed all incoming Honors College students.

From that moment on, the anticipated pre-college experience consisting of unanswered questions and creeping doubts dissolved into a figment of the imagination. Associate Director Jaclyn Kopel worked alongside the Faculty Advisor of the program, Bill Offutt, to tend to the needs of anxious Honors students who, over the span of a few months, asked more questions than there were members of the group.

After spending 11 years at Pace University, Jackie celebrated her two year anniversary of working with the Honors College this past October 1. Staff and students alike shared their thoughts regarding her insane commitment and massive contributions to the program.

“Jackie is fabulous. It’s amazing what she packs into a 24-hour day. I would say she is the heart and soul [of Honors],” Senior Academic Advisor, Pamela Belluomini, commented.

Jackie is available for assistance via any form of social media at just about any conceivable hour. Her phone is never dead, her computer is always on, Facebook is always open. It’s like she never sleeps.

“She is available at any time of the day. She will help you with any problem, be it Honors-related or not,” a student aide for the program, Madison Oberndorf, said.

Agreeing with her coworker, Jessica Reed, Staff Associate, summed up Oberndorf’s comment well, labeling Jackie as a “One-stop shop.”

Jaclyn Kopel celebrates 2nd year at Pace Honors College Tanner Johnson ‘19

As a graduating high school senior, logging into Facebook and seeing a notification from a group entitled “Pforzheimer Honors Class of 2019” opened the doors to a team of emotions, ranging from excitement to anxiety. It made the fact that college was slowly making its way up to the starting line feel more real, and it got incoming freshmen ready for a whole new type of race.

Herald Contributors

November 2015

Page 2 The Honors Herald

FEATURES

Herald Staff Liz Lombardi Editor-In-Chief

Liz Carroll Associate Editor

Kati Shultz Associate Editor Megan Carlan

Newsletter Secretary Dr. Susan Dinan

Dean Dr. Bill Offutt

Faculty Advisor Jaclyn Kopel

Associate Director Dr. Pamela Belluomini

Senior Academic Advisor

The Honors Herald is a student run newsletter circulated to the students of the Pforzheimer Honors College at Pace University on the New York City Campus. The members of the Herald Staff review all articles. The opinions of the articles do not necessarily reflect those of the staff or the Pforzheimer Honors College.

Pforzheimer Honors College 1 Pace Plaza W208/W209

New York, NY 10038 www.pace.edu/honors-college

Veronica Albarella Shivani Annirood Megan Carlan Liz Carroll Sarah Conboy Jeffrey Cruz Lili Feinberg Eleni Gast Victoria Gonzalez Tanner Johnson

Jackie has only been with the Honors College for two years, but it’s hard to think of a time when we have ever been without her. She has provided Honors students with assistance and an overwhelming sense of community that any other college environment would be unable to provide for such a large group of students. “She made me feel like the worries that I had were no big deal and completely solvable. She connected me to a community of people who had the same questions that I did, and made me feel like I was less crazy.” Honors freshman Liz Carroll said. Jaclyn Kopel wears many hats: Life Consultant, Facebook Queen, avid Mac-n-cheese critic, Harry Potter aficionado, student in just about every level of education a person can study (she’s working on a Doctorate degree and recently graduated from an Egyptology program), party planner, Honors College superhero, advisor, and most importantly, friend. With two years under her belt working with Honors students, time will only tell how many more students she will guide into college life comfortably.

Kopel Continued

Noura Boustany Jost Alexis Koshul Liz Lombardi Juliet Mueller Madison Oberndorf Carolyn Phillips Rachel Roberson Kati Shultz Katherine Subasic Sydney Tisch

A Le%er From the Editor A year ago I wasn’t even part of Honors Council, let alone the Honors Herald. I became a part of the team in December 2014, and it was one of the best decisions I’ve made. I grew more confident as a person and as a writer, and found that I actually love writing and journalism. I learned a lot about myself, and was able to take on so much more in life. I am so much happier than I was a year ago. I was thrilled when I saw how many freshman were interested in writing this year! Their excitement is contagious. I cannot wait to see the people and writers they become by the end of the year, as they discover their passions in the world. So please enjoy the fresh minds intermixed with more seasoned ones.

Liz Lombardi ‘17

FEATURES November 2015


IN THIS ISSUE

Declassified Pace..…………….….........4

Hunger Banquet…………………….….6-7

Handshake..……………………………..8-9

Special Olympics………………...….12-13 6 Questions in 60 Seconds………….24-25

Art and Activism………..………..…….15-16

Spring Awakening.…………………….16-17

A Magical Vacation……………...…..20-21

Emmys vs Oscars…………….………14-15 Meet the Dean…………………………….…29

A Letter From the E-BoardDear Honors College, By the time you read this, you will have made it through more than half of the semester! Good job! So far in the semester, we have welcomed the new Honors Dean, Dr. Dinan, and a new Honors Council Executive Board. We also have already hosted some incredible events, including a Harry Potter Movie Night, an Avengers Movie Night, and a Halloween Party! However, there will be many more to come! Coming up, we have Pacegiving, a Thanksgiving potluck co-hosted with Seidenberg (November 18 from 5:30 pm – 8 pm); a Mulan Movie Night (November 20 at 4:30 pm), and ice skating (December 3 from 6 pm – 8 pm)! Has reading this newsletter inspired you to want to become more involved with the Honors Council? We always welcome new members! We meet in Room W503 every Monday during Common Hour, and if you are interested in being put on our email list, please email Honors Council President Carolyn at [email protected]. Happy Thanksgiving! With love, President Carolyn, Vice President/Editor-in-Chief Liz, Development Coordinator Grace, and Treasurer Mohini

RECIPE CONTEST Have a favorite recipe that you just can’t wait to make once the

weather gets colder? Submit it to pacehonorsnewsle%[email protected] by November 22nd and be entered to win a prize!

Pictures are opNonal but encouraged!



Meg’s

Megan Carlan ‘19 1.   Get out of the building: One of the best parts of going to Pace is that you get to live in one of the

most beautiful, exciting cities in the world! It’s important to take advantage of those opportunities even if that means just going for a walk to Battery Park or checking out some local thrift shops or art galleries. Especially for those living in Maria’s Tower, it is very easy to get stuck in a routine and trap yourself inside. But please, for your own mental health, go outside. Get some friends together and go do something exciting!

Pace Survival Guide

2.   Do not take the elevator for one flight trips: Please don’t be that person. Especially during rush hours when everyone is hurrying to get to class on time, it’s really important to keep the elevators moving as quickly as possible.

3.   Leave early for class: Going back to the elevator situation, always leave a

little bit of extra time to make it to your class. The elevators are very unpredictable, and the last thing you want is to be 10 minutes late for class because of those one-floor riders.

7.   Do FREE Things: You don’t have to be rich to have a good time! There are countless free events in the city. Art shows, tours, concerts, etc.… You can find many of these events online on sites such as myfreeconcert.com and clubfreetime.com.

4.   Midnight snacking: Ordering Chinese food at 3:00 in the morning is a very important part of college life. For all of those all-nighters to come, utilize an amazing little thing called Seamless. They will deliver everything from dumplings to donuts right to your door!

5.   Join clubs and attend events: College life is what you make it. Pace is constantly hosting new

events and club meetings (most of which have free food), so take a look at some of the upcoming events and try out a few. You never know what you might find!

6.   Utilize Pace facilities: Pace provides so many facilities at your disposal. Take advantage of them.

You’re paying a lot for your college education so get every bit you can out of it. Go to the counseling center and get counseling that would cost upwards of $400 out there in the real world. Go to the gym here instead of paying those high gym membership prices.

After attending Pace for a few months, Honors freshman Megan Carlan has some advice on navigating these hallowed halls…



Continued

A Visit From the Pope Liz Carroll ‘19

Basically, if you so much as glanced out your window from September 24 to the 26, you know that none other than the Pope himself was in our very neck of the woods. Pope Francis recently paid a visit to the beautiful New York City, and the entire world was watching to see what this international icon had to say. The amount of people right on our doorstep at One Pace Plaza was insane. On my walk to the PATH that Friday, I plowed over more tourists than usual - and that’s saying something. September 24 was the fateful day when I promised myself to never, ever, EVER drive in

New York City. Not only was the foot traffic overwhelming, but the streets were packed with cars lined bumper-to-bumper for blocks - people were all vying to get a look at Pope Francis.

This man has established himself to be endlessly interesting - his views are refreshing and his voice on political issues is not what one would expect from a religious figure. He is widely known for refusing to be “against” anybody; he insists that it is not one’s place to judge another who thinks differently than oneself. His opinions about gay marriage, single mothers, and domestic abuse would have been unheard of in the Vatican City ten years ago. Fun fact: while he was in school he paid for his education by working as a bouncer at a bar in Buenos Aires. He has a masters degree in chemistry. He’s truly an surprising figure.

His itinerary was filled to the brim - he went from St. Patrick’s Cathedral to the United Nations, from East Harlem to Madison Square Garden, and from Central Park to the World Trade Center all in the course of a few days. For those of you who weren’t in the area during the Pope’s visit, here’s a quick recap:

On the evening of Thursday, September 24, Pope Francis stopped at St. Patrick’s Cathedral near Rockefeller Center to give an evening prayer. People came from all over the world to be in this man’s presence.

The next morning, on Friday the 25, he addressed the United Nations General Assembly. He praised the work that was being done, helped celebrate the organization’s seventieth anniversary, and acknowledged issues regarding the climate and sustainability.

Later that day, the Pontiff paid a visit to the World Trade Center to visit the site of the 9/11 memorial. He said a prayer and met with families who were affected by the attack. He spoke to the feelings of brotherhood, love, and remembrance that surround that area in the wake of the tragedy.

At 4:00 pm that day, Pope Francis went to Our Lady Queen of Angels school in East Harlem. This is a school that’s been around for over a century, and has existed almost completely as a school for Hispanic and Black students. Often, the students hail from different nations. The Pope’s speech was directed towards the children, the students of this school. He encouraged them to dream, to pray, and to do their homework.

After his time in East Harlem, he rode through Central Park in the Popemobile. He travelled about 10 blocks down Central Park’s West Drive, passing adoring New Yorkers and even taking the time to greet and say hello to a lucky few.

The evening of Friday, September 25, the Pope performed a service to twenty thousand avid listeners in Madison Square Garden. He touched the hearts of many. He spoke about the big city that he was standing in, and warned its inhabitants about making people feel like they don’t belong. He emphasized the absolute need to welcome people of other cultures, and closed his speech with “Please, don’t forget to pray for me.”



My Evening Attending a Hunger Banquet at Pace

I didn’t understand the oxymoronic evening I had signed myself up to attend (A hunger banquet? Isn’t that a strange expression?) But I had nowhere else to be that Tuesday night and considering the serious and hard-hitting political journalist I want to be, this hunger eradication and poverty information meeting seemed right up my alley. The organization hosting this hunger banquet is OXFAM (Oxford Committee for Famine Relief), an international foundation fighting the symptoms of world hunger as well as educating the public on the direct causes of poverty.

On my way in the door of the Bianco Room at One Pace Plaza, I blindly drew a ticket from what the OXFAM volunteers called a “lottery.” The ticket I drew told me I was a person of Middle Income, and I was ushered accordingly to my seat. The audience was to be divided into three groups: High, Middle, and Low Income. Those who drew a High Income ticket got to sit in chairs at nicely set tables. The Middle Income didn’t get a table or beverage, but we did get to sit in chairs arranged in rows on the opposite side of the room from the Higher Income. The Low Income had to sit on the floor in between the other two groups.

Eleni Gast ‘18

The OXFAM speakers began by telling us about their organization’s efforts in poverty eradication all over the world, as well as shedding harsh light on the realities of poverty. They took us through some startling statistics, such as about 795 million people worldwide suffer from chronic hunger and a child dies from malnutrition every 10 seconds.

Then the audience got involved. Individual people were asked to stand up and give stories of actual people around the world affected by poverty. I was one of these few people chosen, and my story wasn’t a happy one. I was a farmer who lost everything due to a massive hurricane, and thus I fell from the Middle Income group to the Low Income group – and I had to join the floor dwellers. Several other class dissensions

of this nature occurred among the audience, and OXFAM showed us, quite poetically, how our luck can turn on a dime, and we can experience economic hardship just as easily as somebody in a third world country.

After our stories were told, our dinners were served. I had skipped dinner, so I thought “yes! Let the banquet begin!” But symbolism reared its ugly head once again; OXFAM served our meals according to our class assignment. So, those lucky enough to be at the High Income tables were served a lovely pasta dish with side salads. Those in the Middle Income group were allowed to serve themselves from a buffet of rice, beans, and beef. My group, the sad Low Income group, were served a tray of rice and a pitcher of water on the floor. One tray for all of us. No plates, no silverware, but we did get a few napkins.



Hunger Banquet Continued

I was shocked. The High Incomers shot pity glances at the Low Income group sitting on the floor. They sat and ate silently and awkwardly with each other. How could they possibly enjoy their luck when there were people sitting on the floor right in front of them? Even the Middle Income group felt bad for us, and they weren’t that much better off than we were. A couple people from the richer two groups couldn’t live with the guilt and they gave up their meals to the hungry floor dwellers. I was interested to see that among the three groups, it was the Low Income group that banded together and helped each other. Some people served others rice in a folded napkin that acted as a plate, others served water from a pitcher.

OXFAM had somehow orchestrated an event where the food service would mirror the uneven distribution of the world’s resources. The random class “lottery ticket” assignment reflected how fate decided where we live on the economic spectrum. The close proximity of the seating assignment, the poor sitting right next to the rich, showed us just how conditioned we are to seeing poverty and how we can still continue to eat a full meal in the presence of those starving.

OXFAM explained for us who made up each of the three groups that we were assigned to for the evening: The High Income group represented the 20% of people in the world who make more than $6,000 a year. The Middle Income group represented the 30% of people who make from $1,032-6,000 a year. The Low Income group represented the 50% of people who make less than $1,032 a year.

80% of the planet does not share in the bounty

the top 20% gets. And the reason for this ever-growing gap between the rich and the poor is simple; inequality.

Just 85 people have the same wealth as half the people on our planet. Uneven distribution of resources and economic disparity have caused the most massive gap in wealth our planet has ever seen, and we are living this reality right now. In our modern age, where technology and innovation makes literally anything possible, this is completely unacceptable.

OXFAM believes that “fighting poverty is about fighting injustice.” They fight for social

justice and help people understand their rights so that the people can better fight for themselves. They visit the slums that millions of people worldwide are confined to because they cannot afford a proper livelihood, and work to integrate these people back into society. They provide relief for communities, international and domestic, that have been affected by natural disasters, disease outbreaks, and unjust government policies that stifle economic prosperity for its citizens.

We can all do our part, and we can all make a difference. Visit oxfamamerica.org for more information about OXFAM events like this one, as well as ways you can get involved. Join the conversation on social media using the #ZeroSlums and visit zeroslums.org for more information about the OXFAM movement to eradicate slums for our nation and the world.

OPINION

November 2015


I bet every student has witnessed someone take a Snapchat during class or even has taken a Snapchat of others during class. Well, I am definitely both of those students. One day I’m in the elevator and someone’s snapping their friends and another day I’m in class listening to a lecture, while my colleague in front of me takes a video of someone sleeping. 77% of college students use Snapchat at least once a day. 70% of college students use Snapchat the most on Friday and Saturday, and 81% of college students use Snapchat the most during late afternoon and into the night. What does that tell us? Professors should be happy that most of us don’t use Snapchat during the day in their classes, although there are many that still do. What else does this tell us? Snapchat is overpowering many social networking apps and college students are the main reason why Snapchat is doing so well. Other than Snapping other students, what are college students using Snapchat for? 79% of college student’s use snap chatting instead of texting.. Snapchat has become a form of communication. College students are more inclined to open a picture on Snapchat than actually answer a text. Snapchat is officially replacing texting for college students. Let’s be honest, not everyone wants to have a full on conversation over text when you can easily send a few Snapchats here and there. Want to show your friends the Long Island Bagel dancing on Fulton Street? Take a snap and post it on your story. Snapchat has become the easy way to send a bunch of people the same thing without putting them into a group chat. As a college student all you want is a quick and easy way to tell your friends something without having to text them. Snapchat has become the source to do so.

And College Students Alexis Koshul ‘18

How else has Snapchat changed, especially towards targeting college students? Although it is unclear how many college students actually look through the Discover and Live feed on Snapchat, it definitely has many college students reading or watching stories all around the world. Everyday you can learn something new about New York City or a different part of the world. The stories could encourage students to study abroad, or help them discover activities in their city. ESPN, BuzzFeed, People, CNN, and Daily Mail provide a variety range of updates on everything and anything. Nicholas Mayfield, a current Pace Honors Student, even created a Pace University Snapchat filter.



Sarah Conboy ‘18

Fall Music 2015

As you can see on the demographic diagram, 45% of users are between the ages of 18 to 24, which is typically the age group for college students. Snapchat has provided college students with creativity and excitement. The next time you snap at Pace University, remember that there is a Pace University Geofilter!

With every new season, music labels premiere music from promising new artists, as well as the anticipated albums from their most celebrated stars. Here are some tunes for almost every music taste that you should check out this fall: If you are a fan of singer/songwriters, try City and Colour’s latest album, If I Should Go Before You. This album was released on October 9th and has an acoustic, folksy sound that lead singer Dallas Green is known for. For those who love Top 40 music, check out Ellie Goulding’s third full-length album, Delirium, which will come out on November 6th. Goulding is known for dance hits like “Love Me Like You Do.” and this project will definitely cement her status as a major pop artist. The Neighbourhood, known for their wildly popular single “Sweater Weather,” has recently released an album called Wipe Out!. The band has a unique sound that combines rock with hip hop and R&B influences. Their new song “R.I.P. 2 My Youth” is sure to be huge in no time. If you tend to listen to alternative rock, try Back on Top by The Front Bottoms, which came out on September 18th. This New Jersey based band has a devoted following for their indie punk vocals and clever lyrics. For the country music lovers, Carrie Underwood released her fifth album on October 23rd. It is called Storyteller, and is sure to have plenty of her trademark strong-voiced tunes.

SnapCHAt continued

Last, if you like rap, check out the emerging artist KYLE. His first album, Smyle, premiered on October 2nd. KYLE is signed to an independent label and there is a great potential for his fame to grow, especially due to his collaboration with respected hip-hop artist, Chance the Rapper, on the song “Remember Me?” Happy listening!



From E-Recruiting to Victoria Gonzalez ‘17

Last year when e-Recruiting announced that they were filing for bankruptcy, Career Services

had already given some thought to making a change before the announcement and with good reason. "We were looking to replace it because it was very '80s in its interface and that was the feedback we got from students," Phyllis Mooney, Executive Director of Career Services, stated. Pace University had a year to research and implement another career software system before e-Recruiting closed their doors for good. "Our hand was forced...We were looking at different software...and we brought them in-house and asked our staff which software they felt comfortable using and Handshake [was picked]" said, Michael Scarpelli, Associate Director of Operations in Career Services

Handshake is a fairly new company, but staff felt confident that it was a tool students would benefit from the most. It is not only a job search engine, but a way for Career Counselors to keep notes of their sessions and keep track of which students are engaged in services and which isn't. Staff will also take advantage of Handshake's capability to manage and market Pace events and internship postings to reach students in various majors and areas of study.

Compared to Handshake, e-Recruiting is pretty dated compared to the new system. In the past, students could only apply in the tri-state area, limiting the potential for students to explore options in other communities. It was especially hard for students who lived in another state and wanted to find an internship during the summer. Handshake connects Pace students to thousands of employers all over the country and even gives Career Services a way to verify that these are safe and legitimate companies posting internships. Their "Handshake Trust Score" takes into account the number of schools who have approved the employer versus those who declined, profile completeness and other "red flags.” e-Recruiting did not have this feature.

Students go to Career Services for interview prep, career advice, and help searching for job or internship opportunities. Pace University's Career Counselors do their best to give students the resources they need to jumpstart their careers.

Recently, Pace made an unexpected change. For several years, students used an internship and job recruiting portal called e-Recruiting. Over the summer, Career Services announced that they would be using the services of a new company called "Handshake”. Immediately, students noticed the difference between the two systems when they logged in for the first time. Handshake looked very similar to social media websites like Facebook or LinkedIn, a format that contrasted from e-Recruiting. The Honors Herald met with Career Services staff to ask what pushed them to make the transition & how "Handshake" is the internship tool Pace students need.



Handshake Continued According to Mooney, Handshake allows staff to "lean a little bit on the Trust Score in whether or

not to accept that employer as a Pace employer.” Thus far, students seem to be in favor of Handshake. When it was first introduced, no complaints or concerns were made to Career Services. Mooney noted that when she asked Handshake representatives for a "user manual", they stated that "If students and employers need a manual to [use Handshake], we failed." Nevertheless, Career Services is planning on surveying students and measuring outcomes (i.e. how many internships are being filled by Pace students) to determine Handshake's success.

With Career Services’ transition to Handshake, on-campus opportunities were moved to the Pace Careers website. Staff explained that they used to host on-campus jobs on e-Recruiting, but all on-campus opportunities were officially moved to the Pace Careers website to make it easier for the university’s Human Resources staff to track. When students apply to these jobs they have to apply directly to Human Resources anyway. When job opportunities are available at Pace, career counselors will make sure to let interested students know where to look.

To showcase Handshake’s innovation and success, Career Services held a “Handshake Launch Party” on Thursday, September 24th 2015. The event was fun, festive, and even educational. Students had the opportunity to win raffle tickets for prizes by answering trivia questions regarding Pace University and/or by answering interview questions. The incentive to win raffles was great because there was a number of interesting prizes from Barnes and Noble, Baked by Melissa, Starbucks, Microsoft, E.L.F., and much more.

Students also had the opportunity to update their profiles on Handshake and sign up for Pace University’s NYC Fall Career Fair, which was held on October 1st. By the end of the party, there were 935 students in total who were signed up for the Fair. There are so many opportunities to take advantage of through Handshake. For example, Careers Services has about 2,892 approved employers in Handshake, and 1,588 employers are located 50 miles from Pace University.

As the Handshake Launch Party was starting to wrap up, Mooney shared with The Honors Herald how much she believes in Handshake and Career Services. "For undergrads who use career services the career placement rate is 95%. The placement rate is 20% higher than those who don't use Career Services. We know our formula works. The intention of 90% of students who come to Pace is to go straight to work after college, the other 10% wants to go straight to grad school, etc. Handshake has been very well-received. The purpose of today's event is to engage more students, and say thank you to the ones who use us already."

Overall, Handshake is not a substitute "counselor" for students looking for internships. "It is ultimately [a tool] to get people to come and use our services" Michael Scarpelli stated. The services Pace's Career Counselors provide are invaluable to students of all majors, and Handshake will help address the needs of individual students and point them in the direction of great, skill-building internships and careers.

Learn more about Career Services on their website:

http://www.pace.edu/career-services/



The Lion Whisperer Shivani Annirood ‘18

lions play with each other. However, Kevin is quick to warn that he is aware that his unique relationship with his cats is a dangerous occupation, and he only works with animals he has known since birth.

People are used to observing large predators behind cages or through the safety of a television screen, because rule of thumb is, don't play with animals with large, pointy teeth! However, Kevin Richardson's unexpected lifestyle breaks all the rules. Dubbed "The Lion Whisperer," Kevin has been working with lions and other big cats for almost twenty years. His behavior with these animals is almost unbelievable, because these felines treat him as a member of their pride, not as a predator or prey. He rolls around with them, cuddles with them, and pounces on them, truly, the way

Nevertheless, it is remarkable to observe Kevin's interactions with his lions and hyenas, because he treats them with the ease with which people normally treat their harmless pets. There is a beauty in the way he dances with his animals, because his behavior and mannerisms parallel theirs. Kevin shows no fear or hesitation, which, he explains in one of his videos, is vital when, for instance, a lion runs up to pounce on him. Moreover, they are not afraid of him. In his biography, Kevin explains that he defies the belief that breaking an animal's spirit using violence and commands is necessary for working with predators. Instead, "he uses love, understanding and trust to develop personal bonds with them.

His unique method of getting to know their individual personalities, what makes each of them angry, happy, upset, or irritated-just like a mother understands a child-has caused them to accept him like one of their own into their fold. Kevin loves his lions, which is why he works so hard to project his actions to the world.



The Lion Whisperer Continued

Over the past fifteen years, Africa's lion population has plummeted from approximately 350,000 to a miniscule 25,000 lions. This land, which was once teeming with animals, has become scarce. Two huge factors of this decline is the removal of habitat and, most especially, canned hunting. Trophy hunting has become a significant threat to lions and other animals in Africa.

To combat this tragic reality, Kevin has been making documentaries and spreading word about his unique relationships with lions to raise awareness. These videos have aired on national television, but are easily found on YouTube, and are incredible to watch. He explains about his lifestyle, interacts with his animals, and educates viewers on the need to protect the animals.

Additionally, Kevin owns a wildlife sanctuary called Welgedacht Private Game Reserve, where his animals are protected from the dangers of canned hunting and mass breeding (a connecting factor to canned hunting). While his reservation is no comparison to the wild, Kevin tries to mimic its lifestyle to keep his animals as healthy and happy as they would have been had they the freedom to live in their natural habitats.



The week started July 25 with the Opening Ceremony at the LA Memorial Coliseum. Athletes from over 170 countries came and were honored by cheering fans, celebrities, and lots of fireworks. Throughout the celebration, athletes told motivational stories about the gifts Special Olympics had given them, Stevie Wonder and Avril Lavigne sang, Michelle Obama gave a speech to open the Games, and the transnational Torch Run, which started in Athens, and went through New York City, ended with the lighting of the cauldron used for the 1932 and 1984 Olympics. I was able to see the torchbearers run the Flame of Hope (the Special Olympics term for the torch) in Bryant Park and right across from Pace (on Chambers Street) while it was in NYC, and I was also able to see the torchbearers use the Flame of Hope to start the World Games in LA! The flame signified hope for the World Games and for all individuals with disabilities throughout the world. The Opening Ceremony was an amazing night, and it made me certain that I want to work for the Olympic Movement after Pace.*

Special Olympics World Games Carolyn Phillips ‘17

"Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt" was pledged by athletes at the first Special Olympics World Games in 1968, and that same oath was taken 47 years later in Los Angeles this past July. The only difference was that this time I was there to hear it. This summer, I volunteered at the Special Olympics World Games, the biggest sporting and humanitarian event in the world in 2015.

From July 26 through July 30, I volunteered as a Fan Attendant at the University of California Los Angeles. My job was to check in large fan groups, and it warmed my heart to see how many people came to cheer on the athletes. These people were extremely important to the Games because it was too far for most of the athletes' families to travel. Many of the UCLA venues were filled to capacity with fan volunteers.

It was one of the best experiences of my life. I was able to meet many Special Olympics athletes, including one from Team USA who won a gold medal in horseback riding, one from Team Venezuela who became instant friends with all of the volunteers, and two from Special Olympics New York City. The two athletes from New York City were overjoyed to see me (and I them!) because we had become really good friends through my internship at Special Olympics New York.



The athletes definitely made the Games special. They are the most genuine people I know. Even though all of the athletes wanted gold, their competitiveness didn’t tarnish their genuine sportsmanship and friendliness. One of the best moments of the entire week occurred when I was watching the Awards Ceremony for Women’s Rhythmic Gymnastics. Two athletes from different countries were at the podium, and one received gold while the other received silver. Without any prompt, the two athletes took each other’s hands and held them up to celebrate their victory together. Another really fun part was the pin trading. People from around the world brought pins from their countries, and it was really fun to trade with them. Even if you didn't have a pin to trade, they would usually give you one. Everyone was so friendly during the event; it was an amazing display of humanity. In the end, the athletes definitely lived up to their oath at the Opening Ceremony, and they taught everyone a valuable lesson about the importance of sportsmanship and always trying our best no matter our abilities or disabilities.**

World Games Continued

*Special Note #1: For more information about what I did at the Special Olympics World Games or anything about the Olympic Movement, visit my blog: http://theolympicsofblogs.wordpress.com/ **Special Note #2: I volunteered at the Special Olympics World Games, which happens every other year. However, Special Olympics New York - New York City, where I currently intern, serves over 41,000 athletes every day in 21 different sports. If you would like to volunteer, here is Special Olympics New York City’s website: http://specialolympics-ny.org/newyorkcity/, and here is its Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SpecialOlympicsNYC?fref=ts

ARTS November 2015


the 87th Oscars. Tonight we honor Hollywood’s best and whitest -- sorry, I mean brightest.” However, there was a significant triumph for people of color. Alejandro González Iñárritu, one of the writers and the director of Birdman, won the awards for Writing, Directing, and Best Picture. All of these categories had a majority of white nominees.

While this is certainly a victory for the Latino community, it was unfortunately underscored - before announcing González Iñárritu as the winner, actor Sean Penn exclaimed, “Who gave this son of a bitch his green card?” Some, including the winner himself, found this to be a satirical and inoffensive joke. Many disagree. After all, Eddie Redmayne is a foreign actor who won the award for Actor in a Leading Role, but nobody associated a British actor with a green card joke. Whether his comment was sardonic or not, it does highlight the need that many Americans feel to reduce Mexican people to an immigrant’s status. Between this controversy and the discussions it raised about racial inequality, diversity was the star of the evening.

Fast forward seven months to September 20th, 2015. The 67th Emmy Awards, which highlights greatness in television, showed an even wider range of diversity among the nominees. Andy Samberg, the host of the evening, commented on this improvement when he sarcastically declared, “Racism is dead. Don’t fact check that.” While the nominees for the four acting categories at the Oscars did not include any people of color, the Emmys saw diversity among both the nominees and the winners. Uzo Aduba not only won the award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama, but she is now the second person in history to win an Emmy for the same role in both Drama and Comedy. This feat was last accomplished by Ed Asner, thus proving that a woman of color is just as talented and groundbreaking as a white man. Undoubtedly, the most notable commentary about inequality came from Viola Davis, who was the first woman of color to win the Best Actress in a Drama award. In her acceptance speech, she

Veronica Albarella ‘18

The 2015 Emmys and Oscars: Diversity is Ready for its Close-Up

These days, award shows are synonymous with glamour, celebrities, and fabulous spectacles of entertainment. Within these lavish celebrations of a year’s worth of art, there are often underlying themes that are revealing about significant social issues. That is, after all, an important function of art: to creatively reflect the values and concerns of modern culture. In 2015, two popular award shows, the Emmys and the Oscars, initiated conversations that were echoic of current sociopolitical conversations.

There was a notable focus on diversity and equality this year within these two major award shows. The 87th Academy Awards, in which Oscar awards are presented for excellence in movies, took place on February 22nd, 2015. Leading up to the event, there were critics and questions targeted at the fact that no people of color were nominated for any of the acting categories. Twenty nominees, and all were white. To acknowledge the elephant in the room, host Neil Patrick Harris quipped, “Welcome to

ARTS November 2015


What’s that old saying - life imitating art imitating life? In today’s politically-charged social media culture, that phrase is truer than ever. Information spreads faster than ever through social media sites like Twitter and Tumblr. The people who create art –movies, TV shows, even Broadway musicals - are able to quickly incorporate their medium ideas and reactions relating to the world’s events. This helps them remain highly relevant in our culture. These pieces of art then encourage us through “word of text” to reevaluate said events in a new light, and influence how we continue to think about them in the future. One such political event that encouraged production of art is the #BlackLivesMatter movement.

You’d have to have been living under a rock for the past two years to not have heard of the #BlackLivesMatter movement. It’s a grassroots political campaign calling for the end of police brutality and racial profiling against young black men and women that has blown up in the media time and time again. As such a topical issue in our current culture, it would be remiss to say that it has had no impact on art.

quoted Harriet Tubman and then poignantly stated, “Let me tell you something: The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity. You cannot win an Emmy for roles that are simply not there.”

Are these two events indicative of the differences between modern television shows and movies? Are substantial roles for people of color “simply not there?” With streaming services and DVR, there is always discussion about how the television industry has rapidly adapted and modernized in the past decade. Perhaps it has been adapting to modern society in more ways than one. Whatever conclusions can be made from this year’s award ceremonies, one fact is certain: they were not the only venues in which racial equality was center-stage. The burgeoning support for the Black Lives Matter movement was a headline in most newspapers during 2015. This important social issue displays why it is important to study what some might think of as simply art and entertainment. The people we see in movies on TV are often representative of our society; today, our society is full of talented and intelligent people who should not be limited by race, so let’s hope the cameras continue to zoom in on our diverse population.

Art and Activism: The Impact of #BlackLivesMatter

Sydney Tisch ‘19

One of the more obvious examples of this impact is the biopic Straight Outta Compton, released this past August, chronicling the formation and eventual fall of the hip hop/rap group “N.W.A.” during the late 1980s and early ‘90s. This movie revolves around the awful police brutality and extreme racial profiling of the time (especially in the Los Angeles area). It shows how anger against the obvious injustices fueled the group’s creativity and genius – it was the basis for their biggest hit, “F--- Tha Police.” In fact, that song was so revolutionary and threatening that while the group was on tour, security would warn them not to perform the hit song. When they did it anyway, the group would have to run out of the venues to escape angry mobs. There is little doubt that without the current cultural uproar surrounding violence against blacks, this movie would not have been as widely praised as it was (it sat at number one in the box office for nearly an entire month).

Diversity Continued

incorporates rap and hip hop into the production. But by having a cast composed almost entirely of people of color, Hamilton transcends what one thinks of when they think of this founding father’s story (for the most part, people would consider it to be a tale full of white men) and bring it to new levels. Suddenly, the founding of our country looks less like old, white men writing eloquent statements and having quiet, calm debates; it came from the voice of those who were receiving the blunt end of an unjust government's blows, who came together to channel their anger into an organization to stop the oppression they faced. In other words, the American Revolution is transformed before our eyes into the #BlackLivesMatter movement. This is intentional: composer-lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda has said in interviews that this casting is meant to reflect how America looks today, and that if in future productions, the characters looked like their historical counterparts (ie. white), they would be entirely missing the point. Throughout the show, it is mentioned repeatedly that despite being an orphan and an immigrant, Alexander Hamilton was able to do incredible things and initiate change in our country. Hamilton shows that while it may be difficult, taking a stand against injustice is worth it, and it will have a wonderful pay off in the end.

For readers interested in activism, I would suggest Hamilton as a must-see, but for different reasons than Straight Outta Compton. While the film instigates the fire of passion, the musical inspires hope in the hearts of many. The #BlackLivesMatter movement has and is continuing to have a huge influence on our art, and will inspire activists and future campaigns.

ARTS November 2015


A “Spring Awakening” In the Fall Is What the World Needs Liz Lombardi ‘17

Silence. To most people it’s an uncomfortable pause in an awkward conversation, or a frightening stillness that brings up uneasy feelings. For the cast of “Spring Awakening” it’s what they know best. In the fall of 2014 up-and-coming director Michael Arden seized an opportunity to create a regional production of “Spring Awakening” with Deaf West Theatre, meaning the entire show is signed in ASL as well as spoken and sung in English. Bringing in the elements of ASL and deaf actors did something wonderful to this already captivating musical.

Straight Outta Compton is not only an excellent history lesson - showing how far our culture has come - but also a great source of exasperation. Many of the problems it touched upon still exist today, and the fact that little has changed in 20 years is disheartening. I highly recommend this movie to anyone who considers themselves an activist, as it will definitely add flames to your passion for justice and - especially - #BlackLivesMatter.

Art and Activism Continued

Another impactful piece of art is Hamilton on Broadway. It is a recount of Alexander Hamilton’s life through singing and rapping - from his entrance to this country as a young, poor immigrant with interest in the Revolution, to him becoming a political and economic mastermind until his eventual death. On the surface, its similarities to Straight Outta Compton seem few – it is biographical in nature and

ARTS November 2015


The show starts with at least five minutes of complete silence while we watch both Wendla’s look at themselves in a mirror. When the voice of Wendla starts singing you are struck by how the two actors work together to create one character. By the time the final character pair is introduced you have completely forgotten that they’re separate and don’t bother to look for both anymore. The signing character often looks towards their “ inner voice” for guidance in what moves to make. The use of silence is drawn from working with deaf actors and working for a deaf audience. However, it is incredibly useful in the story itself. The kids in the story have been repressed by the adults, scared into a silence that prevents them from learning about anything other than what is decreed for them. In silence there are questions without answers that lead to harmful, hidden experimentation, and in that lies the problem of a controlling environment. There is also a moment in the beginning of Act II that uses shocking silence in place of expected noise.

“Spring Awakening” Continued

The inclusion of ASL and other signs created for the show brings a new dimension to Spencer Liff’s choreography. The beats are punctuation by movements that are harsh, yet flowing at the same time. The message of this show, originally written in 1891 (both Broadway versions are extremely close to the original play, aside from the fact that Wendla and Melchior’s pivotal scene is now consensual), is terrifyingly parallel to today’s society. “Spring Awakening” addresses rape, academic pressure, mental illness, and the lack of sex ed. Today, many teens don’t learn anything but abstinence, rape is considered the victim’s fault, depression is “all in your head,” and students have to learn only enough to pass for the test. 124 years and not much has improved. Twenty-four out of the twenty-eight cast members made their Broadway debuts when the show opened on September 27, 2015. Andy Mientus reprises his role as Hanschen and original swing Krysta Rodriguez is Ilse. If I could write about every standout performance, I’d take up the whole publication. The performances given by everyone were raw and real. Wendla tells Melchior at one point that she has never felt anything. This show made me feel everything. The song “Touch Me” literally touched me because of the hauntingly beautiful melody reaching me all the way in the back from the stage. Just writing this brings up all the emotion the show gives. I have never seen anything like it.

“Spring Awakening” is playing at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre until January 24, 2016. Tickets are available on ticketmaster.com, or you can try our luck at the in-person lottery. Deaf West is a theatre company founded in 1991 in North Hollywood, Calif. that specializes in producing theater that is simultaneously spoken and signed in ASL.

ARTS November 2015


CHEAP ART IN NYC Kati Shultz ‘19

•  American Folk Art Museum •  American Museum of Natural History •  Brooklyn Museum •  The Cloisters - pay what you wish! •  El Museo del Barrio - pay what you wish! •  Godwin-Ternbach Museum at Queens College •  Green-Wood Cemetery •  International Print Center •  Metropolitan Museum of Art - pay what you

wish! •  Museum at the Fashion Institute of

Technology •  National Museum of the American Indian—

Smithsonian Institution •  P.S.1 MoMA - pay what you wish! •  Queens Botanical Garden – from November

to March, it’s free! •  Queens Museum of Art - pay what you wish! •  Sculpture Center - pay what you wish! •  Socrates Sculpture Park •  Staten Island Museum - pay what you wish!

•  Storefront for Art & Architecture •  Studio Museum in Harlem - pay what you

wish! •  Waterfront Museum •  Museum of Modern Art - free every Friday

night from 4:30 to 8:00! If you get there around 6, you’ll be able to avoid the line.

•  Guggenheim Museum – they host a pay what you wish night every Saturday beginning at 5:45! The last tickets are issued at 7:15, the museum closes at 7:45.

•  The Whitney – every Friday, there’s a pay what you wish night from 7 to 9:30.

•  The Frick – every Sunday, you can pay what you wish from 11 to 1!

•  The New Museum – every Thursday is pay what you wish night from 7 to 9!

Enjoy!

5 star review of A DARKER SHADE OF MAGIC by V.E. Schwab

Going to view art is one of my favorite parts about living in New York City. Whether I’m seeing new work or old, it is always a learning experience. Visual art is something that’s universal; everybody in the world can appreciate it. However, art is not always seen as something that can be afforded on a student budget. I’ve compiled a list of inexpensive museums and galleries in the city that are worth checking out. These venues are usually pay what you wish, which usually means the dollar bill I have floating around in my purse.

Lili Feinberg ’17 of Lili’s Reflections

I need to start this review off by saying that Victoria Schwab is my favorite author that I have discovered since starting college. She rocks my world with her epic storytelling and dark, atmospheric worlds full of the most intriguing, complex, and dynamic characters while pursuing the best kinds of tales of good versus evil. Originally referred to as "a novel with pirates, thieves, and sadist kings" back when VICIOUS (a novel where you can find my husband, Victor Vale) first made it onto the scene, I knew I had to have this book. It did not disappoint me at all and blew my expectations out of the water completely. It has aspiring pirates, thieves of all kinds, sadist kings, good kings, lovable

ARTS November 2015


princes, time-traveling of the most unique sort, multiple Londons, magic magic magic and more amazingly cool magic, a kickass cast of characters that I will legitimately never forget, and some of the most flawless world-building I have ever encountered while experiencing a crazy magic-filled journey of a lifetime that absolutely everyone needs to read because it also serves as a great introductory to fantasy done right.

Let's start with the world-building...there are several Londons. Four, actually, but one London is sealed off from the rest because it fell in this magical war since it kind of turned evil and whatnot. In other words, this is totally mysterious, and I want to know more about it in book two or I may stage a silent revolt. The remaining Londons are referred to as Red London, White London, and Gray London. Each London is set in a different point in history mixed with magic--at least it seems that way. Only travelers can make their way to other Londons, and right now there are only two travelers in the world because they are a race that is dying out. This novel takes this obvious complex-sounding world and makes it seem like it is easy to build and bring into our lives as readers. Schwab excels in such a thing, and I envy her for it greatly.

Kell is the traveler for Red London and he is among the best main characters I have come across in a while. He is likable and respectable, though also unlikable all at once because he likes to dabble in illegal transportation of relics and such and that kind of ends up sending him on the wild journey found in this book. You love him even though you know you're not supposed to at times because he isn't the quintessential hero, but that's what makes him so real. I hate heroes that are 100% perfect and clean-cut. It takes away from our ability to admire their growth and makes their story less interesting because good balances out evil within oneself. No person can be truly good without being tempted by evil and overcoming it. Kell has both darkness and light in him, and that's why he is going to be very hard to forget. Plus, any form of tragedy in a hero in regards to their present life or even their back-story is like candy to me, so I'll automatically eat that right up.

Another character worth noting is Lila Bard, my favorite thief that is aspiring to be a pirate. She wants to live a life she dictates for herself with reckless abandon and that's just what she does. She plays a very large part in this novel because she outsmarts Kell in the best possible way and from then on they are stuck together

I also want to take a moment to talk about Holland, the other known traveler in this deliciously dark world. He is just another example of good and evil warring within a person, how a back-story really affects who a character is, what they become, and how they behave. And even though I did not love him, I can say I gained even more respect for Schwab because of how many layers Holland alone carried.

The magic in this world is so complex it is almost like its own being or world, because it has its own rules that make it so you can’t ignore it.

Personal Disclaimer: My internship at Penguin publishing has in no way affected my opinions expressed in my reviews. I received this book not as an intern, but as a blogger/reviewer, thus I will review it as I would any other novel. Waiting to post such reviews until the completion of my internship would not be good because most thoughts would be irrelevant by the time of completion of said internship.

Enjoyed Lili’s book review? If yes, connect with her on social media to hear more from her. TWITTER: @LiliReflects | BLOG: http://lilisreflections.blogspot.com/ | FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/LilisReflections

TRAVEL November 2015


As you may know JK Rowling got the idea for Harry Potter on a delayed train from Manchester to London. She then wrote portions of the books in Edinburgh. In July I went to London, Manchester, and Edinburgh for my Egyptology graduation, but I wound up tracing her steps in creating the world of Harry Potter, which led to one magical vacation.

Around The World with Jackie

Jaclyn Kopel ‘10

A MAGICAL VACATION

My vacation started in London where I toured the Globe Theater (I had to use the Millennium Bridge to get there and was a bit unnerved by it. See movie #6 for why), the British Museum, Kensington Palace, the Tower of London, and Westminster Abbey. The Potter portion started on the second day of my trip when I took the train out to Warner Brothers Studios to visit Harry Potter World. This is the actual place where they filmed all the Harry Potter movies. They preserved the sets, costumes, and props for fans to see. It was like stepping into the movies and I spent several hours in awe. I do not think a smile left my face the entire day. The tour was self-paced and it started with the cupboard under the stairs and ended with Ollivander's.

I got to see the Great Hall, the boys' dormitory, the Gryffindor Common Room, Dumbledore's office, the potions classroom, Hagrid's Hut, the Burrow, Umbridge's office, the Ministry of Magic, Borgin and Burke's, the Knight Bus, the Hogwarts bridge, Privet Drive, the Potter House, Malfoy Manor, Diagon Alley, Platform 93/4, the Hogwarts Express, the model of Hogwarts, and so much more. My favorite sets were the Great Hall, the potions classroom, Malfoy Manor, Diagon Alley, Platform 93/4, and the Hogwarts model. What impressed me the most was the attention to detail. Every prop, costume, and set detail was painstakingly done to perfection and in kept with the books or the wizarding world. They could have cut corners because many of the details would never have been seen on camera or zoomed in on, but they did not. At some point during the tour you forget you are on one and can easily convince yourself that it is all real. I easily could have spent 24 hours there and still not have seen everything there was to see. I also got to try Butterbeer, which is surprisingly good, and I do not even like soda. On my way back to London, my train pulled in on platform 9. Coincidence...I think not.



MAGIC CONTINUED… Rowling experienced a train delay from Manchester to London, which set the Potter books in motion and I experienced a train delay from London to Manchester. Sadly, an idea for a billion dollar book series did not come my way during that delay. I did not expect to have any Potter experiences during my time in Manchester since I was just there to graduate from the University of Manchester. As an online student I was not familiar with the university's architecture, so little did I know that my university looks like Hogwarts. I started my visit in Manchester at my university's library, the John Rylands Library, and I was suddenly transported to that of the Hogwarts' library. I expected Hermione to pop out from a bookcase with a dust covered tome telling me about her latest research. I am not the only Potter fan to think this library is the one in Hogwarts. The Internet is filled with people who share this sentiment. Next I headed to the Manchester Museum, which is operated by the university and is on its campus. The building that houses the museum and the place where we had my graduation reception looked like a scaled down version of Hogwarts. I can see how Rowling's time living in Manchester influenced the settings in the series.

The first book in the series was written in Edinburgh where Rowling decided to live after her separation from her husband. Almost immediately after getting off the train from Manchester to Edinburgh I went to meet up with the Potter Trail, a walking tour through Edinburgh that visits the places that influenced Rowling. The tour started in a graveyard to visit the graves of poet William McGonagall and the father and son that went by Thomas Riddell (last name spelled differently for the anagram). Outside of the graveyard was George Heriot's School, which sorts its students into four houses, has the same house colors as Hogwarts, and looks like Hogwarts. Rowling's children go to the school. We also visited the University of Edinburgh (more inspiration for Hogwarts), Potterow Port (inspiration for the name), McGonagall's house, the cafés where she wrote the book, and Victoria Street (inspiration for Diagon Alley). Having seen the Diagon Alley set built for the movies it was incredible to see the "real" thing in the middle of Edinburgh. Just like in Manchester, the influence of Edinburgh architecture can be clearly seen in the books and movies.

While the original purpose of the trip was for my Egyptology graduation and the subsequent celebration of it, the unexpected magical turn it took was a welcome one. I now have even more of an appreciation of the books, the movies, and JK Rowling's imagination. I look forward to taking what I learned and incorporating aspects of it in future Honors Harry Potter Movie Nights.



If you’ve never been out of the country, then it is something I recommend. If you’ve never done any sort of travel course through Pace, that is something I also highly recommend.

Why Study Abroad is So ImportantLiz Lombardi ‘17

After 11 years of teaching this course, Dr. H had one word to describe it and I couldn’t agree with him more. The word? Excellence. From the food to the people to the culture to the architecture, there was always something amazing and, well, excellent around every corner. After about 11 hours total of flying, I arrived in Rome with one of the worst colds I’d ever had. But even though I was miserable (and it was raining), nothing could take away from the awe that was the Vatican and St. Peter’s Cathedral, just 15 minutes from the dorms we were staying in, and the first place Dr. H took us. We weren’t on vacation though, and after a welcome banquet prepared by a chef who is a friend of Dr. H’s, it was time to learn about one of the most important historical cities in the world. I had always dreamed about traveling to countries like Italy, and I am so grateful that I got to experience Rome for the first time with this trip. I honestly would not want to do it any other way. Dr. H is a walking encyclopedia and the knowledge he spewed forth to us was tremendous and allowed me to appreciate everything we saw that much more. The group of people I travelled with also made this trip worthwhile. I didn’t know anyone very well going in, but I came out with a lot of new lifelong friends who now share this special bond with me.

This summer I had the opportunity to travel with 20 other Pace NYC and Pleasantville students, as well as the charming Dr. Hundersmarck and his assistant Sheila, to the magnificent country of Italy. We stayed in Rome, and were able to take excursions to Florence, Ostia Antica, Pompei, and the Amalfi Coast.



Being so close to all the architecture that you normally only see in books and movies was incredible. When you think about how much labor and planning went into structures like the Coliseum and the Pantheon, structures that are still standing thousands of years later, it really makes you think about how different building design is today in terms of longevity and soundness. The Coliseum and Pantheon have withstood centuries of earthquakes, flooding, and plundering. How quickly do you think the skyscrapers and other buildings of today would crumble if an earthquake presented itself? The art that we got to see was equally impressive. Getting to see pieces like David and La Pieta in person is ethereal and brings you back to another time when, once again, the structure and design was significantly more impressive than anything done today. Can you name a single modern person who carves life-like people from single blocks of marble? We walked A LOT. We were obsessed with checking our phones at the end of the day to see how many miles we had walked. My total at the end of the three weeks was a little over 200 miles! Walking so much made up for the fact that we ate nothing but pasta, pizza, and gelato. It is hard to find a bad pasta dish (as long as you stay away from tourist traps). The pizza there is more of a snack or lunch to them so it is frequently wrapped up in parchment to be eaten on the go. One of the best gelaterias in Rome was right across from our dorm with 2-euro cones, and when I tell you most days we took at least two trips there I’m not exaggerating. I could go on and on about my experience because after the trip, I have many stories to tell. However, I encourage you to create your own experiences through Pace’s faculty-led study abroad. For those of you who are unfamiliar with them they are like studying abroad only they are based around one or two classes and are usually for a period of 1-3 weeks. They are a great way to get a taste for different cultures while getting credit and without sacrificing an entire semester away from our own excellent campus. I urge you to check out the study abroad website (http://www.pace.edu/study-abroad/short-term), fairs, and office to find the trip that will change your life.

Study Abroad Continued

HONORS November 2015


QuesDons in Seconds with the Honors Staff

We asked the Honors Staff the same 6 questions. Here are their responses.

6 60 Favorite Starbucks drink? Maddie: Chai tea latte Pam: Egg nog latte Devina: Vanilla latte Bill: Tazo Iced Tea Dean Dinan: A small cup of Earl Grey tea. Too much caffeine and I am a menace. Jackie: I don’t drink Starbucks. I only drink water. Jess: Simple – hazelnut coffee Carolyn: I don’t like Starbucks. Lindita: Soy mocha

Favorite costume and age when you wore it? Maddie: I was Blue from Blue’s Clues when I was 4. My dad was Steve. Pam: Dressed up as Wednesday, the Addams Family daughter, and carried a headless doll. I was 10. Devina: Statue of Liberty – 4th grade Bill: Alfred E. Neuman (the Mad magazine mascot), age 11 Dean Dinan: I was 4, and I had a tiger costume for Halloween. Jackie: Spiderella (Age 7 or 8) and Madonna (Age 19) Jess: Princess Diana – I was 4! Carolyn: For two or three Halloweens, I went as Marie from The Aristocrats. I was probably three or four. Lindita: My favorite costume was when I was Hermione when I was 17.

Favorite piece of clothing? Maddie: My oversized sweaters Pam: My mother’s vintage Chanel coat Devina: Black and white scarf Bill: currently – Dune Burger t-shirt from Nags Head (many different colors) Historically – what my grandmother called my skin-disease, mottled multi-color bell-bottoms Dean Dinan: A blue scarf I got in Paris several years ago. Jackie: Comfortable pjs Jess: Shoes Carolyn: My Tom Daley shirt Lindita: Scarves



What are you currently reading? Maddie: Rereading The Prisoner of Azkaban Pam: My Brilliant Friend, a novel by Elena Ferrante Devina: My Human Resources Management textbook Bill: A new Reacting to the Past game called “Sources of Power,” a contest between two Elizabethan play companies in 1593 to do either a new Marlowe or a new Shakespeare play Dean Dinan: I just finished THE NEW JIM CROW, which makes a very compelling argument about the growth of the US prison population, the war on drugs, and the targeting of men of color. I am reading ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE at the gym, and it is a beautifully crafted book. SLAUGHTERHOUSE FIVE is on my night table. Vonnegut is a brilliant writer, but the bombing of Dresden does not make for great bedtime reading. This should come to the gym next. Jackie: Taking the Reins: Institutional Transformation in Higher Education and Designing & Conducting Mixed Methods Research Jess: Sick in the Head by Judd Apatow. Carolyn: I’m rereading The Chronicles of Chrestomanci by Diana Wynne Jones. It’s what I read when I get stressed. Lindita: I’ve only been reading LSAT books and class-related texts since class started.

QuesDons in Seconds with the Honors Staff

We asked the Honors Staff the same 6 questions. Here are their responses.

6 60 Favorite thing to do in the city? Maddie: Broadway! Pam: People watch Devina: Try new things to eat Bill: Walking Dean Dinan: Walk. I love walking the High Line and Central Park. I love walking in MoMA and the Met. I love walking on 5th Avenue, and up near Columbia, and in Tribeca. I love to walk in cities! Jackie: Go to the Met. Jess: Explore! Carolyn: I like wandering around and finding new places. Lindita: Visit the Met.

Least favorite food? Maddie: Anything with mint Pam: Anything in a heavy cream sauce Devina: Brussel Sprouts Bill: Vegetables that begin with “A”—avocado, artichoke, asparagus, aig-plant (aubergine?) Dean Dinan: I am a vegetarian, so I do not like anything that used to be ambulatory. Jackie: Eggs and ice cream Jess: Peanut butter Carolyn: I don’t like baked potatoes. Lindita: Milk and all things made with milk. I hate milk.

Some of our Honors students got to experience the behind-the-scenes of

their favorite movies, books, and films,. Some even cosplayed as their

favorite character.



Noura Boustany Jost ‘18 Joker

Katherine Subasic ‘16 Picture of Yoda made out

of jelly beans

Jeffrey Cruz ‘19 Ghostery.com mascot &Kevin Conroy

Bianca Marie Carpio ‘17

Rachel Roberson ‘18 & Madison Oberdorf ‘18



We asked Honors students ONE QUESTIONHere’s what they said.

“Probably the fries” Owen Benfield ‘19

“Penne a la vodka” Holly Thayer ‘18

What’s your favorite caf food?

“Chicken Caprese Sandwich” Mohini Gobin ‘18

“I like the sandwiches” Sarah OrNz ‘16

“Fruit (apples, oranges, etc) ChrisNan Nahshal ‘17



Overheard in Honors “I feel like my lips are going to fall off.”

“I feel like those Cheetos are giving me anxiety.”

“I already want tomorrow to be over.” �

“Looking at your math homework makes me want to cry.”

“You’re wearing a prom dress… to watch T-Pain?”

“THAT’S A VERY LAWYERLY THING.”

“I am growing hot peppers in my dorm room.”

“This isn’t Sesame Street.”

“You’ll DIE if you touch my cheesecake!”“It’s always about Beyoncé.”

“I think I’m turning into a werewolf.”

“We should have a mashed potato social.”

PaceHonorsCollegeNYC

@pacehonorsnyc

@pacehonorsnyc

November 2015


FINAL WORDS

Bill’s CORNER

“The more I know, the less I understand/All the things I thought I knew, I’m learning again…” Don Henley, The Heart of the Matter:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEQgkor-jgU&list=PLFoEwxPErEvazeP1ELr3k0oOZY77rHbWD

“You who are on the road/Must have a code that you can live by

And so become yourself/Because the past is just a good bye.” Crosby, Stills & Nash, Teach Your Children,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vnYKRacKQc

For me, college was magic. It was a time and place of great beauty, but more than anything else, it was a moment when I could become myself. I went without knowing what I was getting into—I’d never even visited the college I went to. I only knew that I wanted and needed something different from the home, the neighborhood, the high school that had all penned me in. And though I still carried within me all those boundaries, college let me, forced me beyond those limits. And I now had friends who would see me through (partial Jackson Browne quote). For me, college was painful. For the first time in my life, I suffered real failure, in courses that I didn’t understand (and ended up dropping to avoid bad grades), in jobs I wanted and couldn’t get, in relationships that I wanted and couldn’t get. For all the gains, there were many losses. Yet I kept going to school, to law school, to grad school, back to college as faculty, because I was good at it, because school looked a lot better than the real world. And I’ve come to realize repeatedly in the 14 years of my Honors existence, that for all Honors can create academically, the heart of the matter that I learn over and over again comes from carving out a space where students can care for each other, in magic and in pain. From the opening episode of “Friday Night Lights” 9 years ago in October came this speech http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_2vWfLceuo : “Give all of us gathered here tonight the strength to remember life is so very fragile....We are all vulnerable, and we will all, at some point �� in our lives... fall. We will all fall. We must carry this in our hearts... that what we have is special. That it can be taken from us, and when it is taken from us, we will be tested. We will be tested to our very souls. We will now all be tested. It is these times, it is this pain, that allows us to look inside ourselves.” What we have in Honors is that chance, to look inside ourselves together, for what is fragile, special and magic; for what is painful and testing. That’s all, and that is enough.

pacehonorsnyc



A major hurdle in completing the thesis is the act of getting started. Staring at the blank page has been known to cause anxiety, boredom, an acute case of the munchies, an increase in video streaming and online shopping, and persistent thoughts of “How can I get out of this?”

Hello, I am Susan Dinan the new Pforzheimer Honors College dean. I grew up in Buffalo, went to college at Cornell, and did my graduate work in Wisconsin; I love snow and (almost) all things winter! I go to the gym daily, and enjoy yoga and long walks. I take great pleasure in reading, knitting, cooking, and baking. I am delighted to be at Pace, and as you might have noticed, I divide my time between the two campuses, spending three days in New York City and two in Pleasantville each week. I am learning the ways of Pace, but I have never worked at a multi-campus university before, and this is keeping me on my toes.

THESIS 101: Getting Started Pamela Belluomini

Take heart, you are not alone. First, take a few deep breaths. This will help to relax your body and mind, allowing ideas to flow. Remind yourself that the thesis is a process requiring intention and time. Contrary to popular belief it cannot be completed in a week or two. Set a timer for 15 minutes. During this time jot down ideas and topics that interest you (remember spelling does not count). The page is no longer blank; the process has begun.

Meet the Dean!

I have several goals for the Honors College. I want to strengthen the curriculum, and I will begin by evaluating the classes that we currently offer, especially those taken by first year students. We will have a meeting on each campus to discuss courses, but we will also use other assessment mechanisms so we can hear from as many students as possible. I also want to continue to build the Honors communities on both campuses in the residence halls and lounges and also by organizing events. I think it would be nice to bring students together from the two campuses for outings in NYC and in and around Pleasantville. I would like to speak with students about what they find to be most beneficial to community building. You are always welcome to make an appointment to meet with me if you have something you would like to discuss. I look forward to meeting more of you this semester, and I will teach History 114s in Pleasantville in the spring. My first course in NYC will be next fall, and I hope to teach in a learning community. I am a historian of the Reformation and early modern France, and I am eager to try to convince you that the Reformation and the French Revolution are two of histories most exciting events! Really.

Documents

Honors Herald November 2015