The New York City Pforzheimer Honors College at Pace University

The Honors Herald

Volume 5 Issue 3

April 2016 Pace University 1 Pace Plaza W208/W209 New York, NY 10038 P: 212-346-1697

A ‘Classical’ Experience for Freshmen By Nikki Kern and Sam Casey ‘19

Classical Civilizations is a yearlong Learning Community in which most of the

students live together on the same floor. The curriculum focuses on Ancient Greek

philosophy and literature, with a little Ancient Roman literature thrown in, too. The courses are so closely related that what is learned in one class can be brought into the other to aid in understanding.

Classroom learning is supplemented by extracurricular events with the students

and professors. The students of Classical Civ live together on the same floor of the 182 Broadway dorm building. This creates a greater sense of community and allows the class dynamic to be more comfortable. Class discussions flow easily, studying together is made simple, and having the extracurricular events on the communal floor of the dorm building is more than convenient. Students have built close-knit friendships that extend beyond the classroom. A supportive bond is also formed between professor and student. Students and professors attending events together outside of class time and office hours is not a commonality in a university setting. Students in Classical Civ were given the rare opportunity to do just that when Pace University graciously provided tickets to The La MaMa Theater's world-class production of Medea, a play authored by Greek tragedian Euripides. The classic play was produced in a modern style of theater, toying with the audience/performer relationship causing enjoyment, empathy, and small amounts of fake blood to cover the members of Classical Civ throughout the play. The students are now able to recall the theatrical experience while diving into more of Euripides’ works in their Ancient Greek Theatre course.  

Herald Contributors

 

April 2016

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FEATURES

Herald Staff

Liz LombardiEditor-In-Chief

Liz Carroll Associate Editor

Kati ShultzAssociate Editor Dr. Susan Dinan

DeanDr. 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 Liz Carroll Sam Casey Eleni Gast Nikki Kern Tanner Johnson Liz Lombardi

Mackenzie Moorhouse Jon O’Kane Carolyn Phillips Kati Shultz Morgan Steadwell Lolita Tiwari Belinda Ung

A Letter From the Editor

The spring semester always seems to be crazier and busier than the fall. Maybe it’s the onset of warmer weather or the fact that we get a real break instead of random days off. Regardless, it can be harder to stay on task with everything going on. Especially when the warm sun is begging you to go sit at the Seaport or Battery Park.

I’m proud of my contributors for sticking with me and rolling with the many changes we’ve seen in the first half of this semester. Many of them have internships (some of which you can read about in this edition) that keep them from attending our meetings, yet they still contribute articles! Pace University is full of so many determined, motivated, go-getters and I’m so glad many of them have chose to write for the Honors Herald.

While we couldn’t fit in everything (we barely brushed all the organizations you can join!), this edition showcases many aspects of what Pace and the Honors college has to offer, combined with one of the most exciting campuses in the world: the streets of New York City! It is truly a unique college experience.

Best,Liz Lombardi

Honors Classical Civ Students

PCs: Jaclyn Kopel and Nikki Reed/Sam Casey

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IN THIS ISSUE

Honors Overnight..….…................4-5

Interview with Dean Dinan…….….6-7

The Many Internships of Pace….10-13

Achievements…………………….……..34-35

6 Questions in 60 Seconds………….32-33

Why Do You Love Honors?………….....31

Pace’s Fed Challenge Team….....23-24

The City of Brotherly Love…....…..27-29

Spring in the City…………….……..16-17

A Word from the Dean……..………….…39

This trip to the theatre is only one of many extracurricular activities that the learning community has done. Past events include a trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, several staged readings of classic Ancient Greek plays, a viewing of the movie adaptation of Julius Caesar, a staged reading of a one-act play written by the literature professor, Dr. Raubicheck, and many more events. In April 2016, the learning community will take a trip to the opera to see a production of Richard Strauss’ Elektra.

Dr. Raubicheck, professor of literature and philosophy, led students through reading and critically analyzing a variety of Greek and Roman works in the Ancient literature course, from Homer’s The Iliad and The Odyssey to Sophocle’s Oedipus Rex to Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar to a collection of works by Roman poets. The first Ancient Philosophy course—taught by Dr. Brown, the chair of the Philosophy and Religious Studies Department—served as an introduction to the philosophies of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and Cicero. The following course focuses on Ancient Political Philosophy, but frequently refers back to themes and written works covered in the previous semester. Dr. Brown also connects Ancient Political Philosophy to the current presidential campaign. In Ancient Greek Theatre, the students work on staged readings of classic Ancient Greek plays under the direction of Dr. Woertendyke, a performing arts professor. The class then gives their performance in front of Dr. Raubicheck and Dr. Brown. Students are encouraged to supplement their year of Classical Civilizations with a year of either Latin or Ancient Greek. By adding an Ancient language to their curriculum, students are able to make even more connections between classes and to the modern English language. After a year of Classical Civ and either Latin or Ancient Greek, students qualify for the Classical and Medieval studies minor. But more importantly, students accumulate invaluable knowledge on core aspects of literature, philosophy, and history. Living together, the students have become close and have a tight-knit community to reach out to. The professors are very involved in the community, supporting each and every student. All in all, the Classical Civilizations Learning Community is a fun, enjoyable, and enriching program.

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The Lowdown on the Honors Overnight: (And Why You’ll Be Jealous If You Weren’t There)

By Olivia Taylor ‘19By now, you should all know that family means unconditional support and friendship. This past February, the Honors floor in Maria’s Tower decided to take on a few extra students in hopes they become part of the Pforzheimer Honors family too.

Every spring, Honors hosts a group of high school seniors that have been accepted into the Honors College for the following academic year. Deciding where to go for the next four years of their lives is hard, but Honors makes it a bit easier. I was lucky enough to attend the overnight in February of 2015, and it made my decision to come to Pace infinitely easier. This year I switched roles and was chosen to be a host. The overnight started with meeting our assigned students. Every year, Jackie Kopel, Honors College Associate Director at Pace, does her best to assign the high school seniors with their hosts based on major, interests, or where they’re from. After spending about an hour with their hosts, nearly all of the seniors felt at ease and assimilated to the fast-paced itinerary.  During the first hour, many hosts took their prospective Honors students to local hang out spots, like the Brooklyn Bridge or certain areas of South Street Seaport. It was a great opportunity to get to know one another and begin to answer a few questions about Pace. We then headed back to the Honors Lounge and ate… and ate... and ate some more. (Because there’s something about college that makes you hungry all. the. time.) Jackie provided us with a whole buffet of food, including a chicken dinner, as well as vegan and gluten-free options to accommodate everyone.

We then went uptown to Times Square and the Honors College brought us to School Of Rock, the Broadway Musical based off of the 2003 Paramount Pictures film. The musical had only been out for twenty weeks or so and is still considered relatively new. It is sure to gain more publicity, and Honors students can brag about seeing it for free (yes, you read that correctly: free.) For many students, this was their first time attending a Broadway show, which made their time in the theatre even more magical. After the show, Honors did what any group of tourists in Times Square would do and took a group photo on the TKTS staircase.

Honors has lots of standards, but the one we resonate most with is, “if you’re with Jackie past 10 pm, Insomnia Cookies WILL be ordered.” So naturally, we had several dozen cookies delivered and played a few “ice breaker” games, despite breaking the ice hours earlier.

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It was a good chance for the prospective students to really get to know one another, as some of them will surely keep in touch. Last year during the overnight, I met other soon to be Honors freshmen Brennan, Kati, Maddie, Megan, and Kelly who are all now some of my closest friends at Pace.

Because living in the city that never sleeps is a mantra we take to heart, most of the floor doesn’t sleep at “normal” hours. This resulted in most of the group chatting far past 2 am about life on campus, classes, where to live, the cafe, and just about everything in between.

Pace Honors has one of the strongest presences out of any group or organization on campus. While only accepting the top ten percent of applicants into the Honors College, Honors strives to show that hard work does pay off, (hello Honors perks like early registration, $5 or less Broadway tickets, free coffee, Honors trips, and first choice housing!) I am extremely proud and grateful to be in such a magnificent academic program that still allows room for adventure and fun. Our prospective Honors students need to choose the school that is right for them, whether that be Pace or not. The student I hosted told me, “I honestly think that visiting brought Pace wayyyy up on my list, so thank you for helping me with my decision!” Based on that I think the overnight definitely made our Honors family a little bit larger.  

Honors Overnight Cont.

When I originally discovered Pace, the Honors college wasn’t something I thought about past the financial aspect. I figured I wouldn’t really fit in with the Honors College; that all the kids would be quiet, studious, and antisocial. When they announced an Honors Overnight in February of my senior year, my name was one of the first on the list. I figured it was from this that I would make my decision. If I loved it, I would put down a deposit. If I hated it, at least I got to see Aladdin for free on Broadway. It turned out Honors was nothing like I had expected. It was a mixture of different personalities and backgrounds, and everyone was part of the Honors family. I walked away feeling like I belonged in the Honors College and that Pace was where I was meant to be. When I, along with the majority of the Honors Floor in Maria’s Tower, was picked to host for this year’s Honors Overnight I knew I wanted our prospective students to have the same experience I did.

When the day came, all of us gathered in a room and one by one left with our students to put their bags upstairs and have a few minutes to relax before dinner. Over dinner in the Honors Lounge, we discussed all the big questions about classes and the experience of living in the city. I reassured them that living on the Honors Floor is one of the best choices I’ve ever made. I’m constantly surrounded by a whole floor of people I know and love, and I can’t imagine not having the family that I have here. The next morning was filled with goodbyes and promises to contact us if they had any questions at all. After that, it was a return to normality for all of us, and a hope to meet again in the Honors Lounge next year.

More on the Impact of the Honors Overnight By Kati Shultz ‘19

PCs: Jaclyn Kopel

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InterviewwithDeanDinanBy Carolyn Phillips ‘16

Carolyn Phillips (CP): What have you learned about Pace and the Honors College in the last six months?Dean Dinan (DD): It has certainly been a busy first six months,and I have learned a tremendous amount. What is most striking to me is how different the cultures are at Pace’s two campuses. In NYC I learned quickly how deeply committed the staff is to the mission of the college and its students. Very few advisors are as dedicated to their charges as Bill is. You will probably never work in an organization with someoneas committed to its success as Jackie. And, you will have few mentors as talented and passionate as Pam. I feel very fortunate to work with them. CP: Why did you apply for the position?DD: I came from William Paterson University, a state school in NJ. I had been hired by the university to build an Honors College, and it was wonderful to have the freedom to innovate and build the best college I could. However, once the college was built the job became less interesting because there were not the resources to allow me to make the college better. I applied for several jobs, but I found Pace the most appealing for many reasons, including the institution’s willingness to support the Pforzheimer Honors College as it grows and develops.  I met a number of wonderful students during the interview process. I find the challenges of having one college on two campuses to be energizing. I do not think I will ever get bored. CP: How is this position different from the last one you held at William Paterson University?DD: At William Paterson University I was a part-time director of the Honors College, and a part-time professor of History, and here at Pace I am able to direct all of my energies into the Honors College. The Pforzheimer Honors College is larger than the one at William Paterson, and has a more diverse population of students from a wider range of places.  William Paterson was known for its Jazz program, so I would often encounter students playing beautiful music on campus. At Pace there is a good number of Performing Arts students in the Honors College, so I am occasionally treated to impromptu outbursts of song in the office, which is fantastic. CP: What is your educational background?DD: I was an undergraduate at Cornell University and took my Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin. I am a historian, and my fields are Reformation history, and the history of early modern France. I take great pleasure teaching courses on the Reformation and French Revolution, in part because they were moments when large groups of people decided an alternative understanding of their world was possible and acted upon this belief.

It’s almost the end of Dean Dinan’s first year here at the Pforzheimer Honors College at Pace University. We sent Carolyn Phillips to ask her some questions about her experience.

PCs: Jaclyn Kopel

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CP: What class(es) will you be teaching next semester? Any in NYC?DD: I love to teach, and I will be teaching HIS 103, a general survey of European history, on the NYC campus in the fall, and I will also teach a section of UNV 101 in Pleasantville. I am a morning person, and I would love to teach at 7:30am, but Bill tells me that no one come to class if I held it at that hour, so I will modify my plan! 

CP: How are the two Honors Colleges (NYC and PLV) similar and different? DD: The two campuses are very different cultures and attract very different students, and it makes me think of the story of the city mouse and the country mouse. The population of Honors students in NYC is three times that on the Westchester campus, and it has a different and more vibrant energy. The Pleasantville campus is beautiful, and the students are into sports and some find Greek life attractive. The students in NYC have different interests, and I wish we were able to bring students together with some regularity. This April, a group from Westchester will come to NYC to walk the High Line and see the School of Performing Arts’ production of A Chorus Line in Schimmel. In NYC, the Honors Lounge space is beautiful, whereas in Pleasantville the residence hall lounges

are nicer than the Honors lounge, so it attracts fewer students. Carol, the administer, and I have taken to baking treats to lure students to the office. Cookies can do wonderful things! CP: What is your favorite food?DD: Food is good, and trying new food is great. A cup of tea can always improve my day, and I am an enthusiastic lover of chocolate. I like to cook and have enjoyed experimenting in the kitchen recently by making tacos with quinoa, black beans, sweet potatoes and lots of peppers. I guess my favorite food would have to be ripe berries, especially blueberries and raspberries, unless the tomatoes in the garden are ripe, and then it would have to be a warm tomato right off the vine. CP: Any hobbies?DD: I go to the gym every morning to work out, and I appreciate the ability to exercise and do yoga regularly. Cooking and baking are great fun, I love to read, and I like to knit. I really enjoy traveling and am looking forward to a trip to Utah this summer during which my family and I will hike at many national parks and go white water rafting in the Colorado River.

InterviewwithDeanDinanCont.

NYC Honors Lounge

A Young Dean Dinan

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Are You A 182 Broadway or are you more of a Maria’s Tower?

By Liz Carroll ‘19There is one question looming above the heads of all high school seniors as that May 1 deadline approaches - where to pursue a higher education and where to spend the next four years. Students may feel that once that horrible, terrifying, blood-curdling decision is made, it’s all uphill! However, there are more choices on the horizon; for example, where to dorm during these four years. This brief interview with two students, each living in a different freshman residence hall, hopes to serve as a means of alleviating this decision.

First, we have Mackenzie Moorhouse, resident of Maria’s Tower. Maria’s Tower is the dorm that exists above One Pace Plaza, where most of one’s classes will be, as well as the cafeteria, gym, theatre, etcHere’s what she had to say about her living situation:

Which Freshman dorm do you live in?Maria’s Tower!

What are some of your favorite things about it?I really appreciate the community-style living - thanks to how open everybody is, I’m friends with all of the people living on my floor.

What is one downside to it?Everybody being friends with everybody can get a little loud sometimes.

Did you know your roommate prior to move in, or did you go random?My roommate dropped out of Pace before move in day, so I had a single room all to myself for a few months before I invited a girl on my floor to come live with me, as she was having some roommate troubles. We still live together now and we get along great!

Are you close with your RA?YES! RA Larissa is the coolest and such an active presence on our floor! She’s also in Honors!

Do you like your bathroom situation? This is something that most incoming residents consider to be a deciding factor between Broadway and MT! (If you live in Broadway, you have a private bathroom; if you live in MT, communal)I’m not a huge fan of the communal bathroom situation… I would much prefer having a bathroom in my room, but at least I don’t have to clean it!

If anything, what would you do differently? If I could relive this year, I would have been more active from the start. Sometimes, in the beginning of my first semester, I was very shy and stayed in my room. It wasn’t until I met my new best friends that they pulled me out of my shell.

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Up next is Tanner Johnson! He lives in 182 Broadway, the other freshman building that’s roughly a five minute walk from One Pace.

Which Freshman dorm do you live in?182 Broadway!

What are some of your favorite things about it?The privacy! 182 Broadway is an apartment-style building, so there isn’t a whole lot of action in the hallways of my floor. That makes it a lot quieter!

What is one downside to it?There is absolutely no community in my building. It is very difficult to meet new people, except for your roommate (for obvious reasons).

Did you know your roommate prior to move in, or did you go random?Yes, we knew each other! She’s my friend from back home. We’re actually in an interesting situation; since she’s a girl and I’m a boy, we had to file for Gender Neutral housing. If this is an option you’re looking for, it’s extremely possible and accessible in all of Pace’s buildings!

Are you close with your RA?Not at all. However, that’s not to say a Broadway resident can’t be! My roommate is very close with our RA.

Do you like your bathroom situation? YES!!! Private bathrooms are the HIGHLIGHT of my living situation.

If anything, what would you do differently? I don’t think I would change anything. I love my building, I love my roommate, and I love my private bathroom.

After getting an insight into the lives of two freshman residents, hopefully prospective students find it easier to make their next big decision! Maria’s Tower and 182 Broadway are two very different buildings made for two very different kinds of people - some value privacy while some value community, and some value their own bathrooms and some don’t really care! What type of person are you?

Dorm Personality Cont.

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By Olivia Taylor ‘19 Pace University has lots to offer, and one of its biggest draws is

how many students actually get internships. Unlike most other college locations, New York City has endless opportunities for students looking to gain professional experience. According to Pace University’s Career Services website, “42% of graduating

Pace interns were offered full-time positions from their employers upon graduation.”

Opportunities like that seem too good to pass up, right? I wanted to know more, so I chatted with Belinda Ung, Arts and Entertainment Management Honors freshman, to see what an internship was like beyond the statistics.  Olivia Taylor (OT): So first thing’s first: where do you intern?Belinda Ung (BU): [I intern] at Spirit Music Group. It’s an independent music licensing and publishing company based in Manhattan... Chelsea, specifically. There are also offices in Nashville, Los Angeles, and London. OT: How did you find your internship?BU: I applied to several internships online, but I discovered this internship through www.looksharp.com. I highly recommend it [when not finding an internship through Pace] because it’s really easy to navigate.  OT: What is a typical day like for you in the office?BU: As an intern for the creative department, I get to suggest songs from Spirit’s music catalog that may be pitched to music supervisors. I track music being licensed in various forms of media (TV, film, advertisements, etc.) weekly, so we can reach out to companies and potentially collaborate with them. I also get to update and maintain Spirit’s catalog.  OT: That’s amazing! What do you like most about your internship?BU: I learn something new about this side of the industry everyday. People may be familiar with artists recording songs in the studio and whatnot, but not very many people get to see who writes those songs or how their music gets to be featured in not only TV shows and movies, but [also] toys, apps, video games, and greeting cards.

OT: Cool! Lots of people struggle with multitasking. How do you balance your internship with maintaining your Honors status and other extracurricular responsibilities?BU: I was worried that I would feel overwhelmed and that I wouldn’t be able to balance it out with my academics and social life, but I’ve learned a lot about time management and how to sort my priorities. I don’t have as much free time as I used to [last semester], but I definitely feel more productive than I did [before].

So What is an Internship Really Like?

Interning is a big part of the college experience here at Pace University. Between the Career Services, professors, friends, and other networking experiences there are a

multitude of ways to go about securing one, starting second semester Freshman year. Two Honors students share their internship experiences.

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 OT: Since we’ve chatted about our internship experiences before, I know that you’re the youngest intern at the office, as most other schools encourage students to get internships their junior or senior years. How do you feel knowing you’re the youngest intern at Spirit? BU: It’s easy to feel intimidated, but at the end of the day, we’re all just interns trying to learn more about the industry. I don’t mind it as much [as I did when I first started]. OT: How do you think this internship will benefit you in the future?BU: I’ve gained a new perspective on the entertainment industry as a whole. It’s taught me a lot about what kind of music looks good with visuals, which is a really neat skill to have when it comes to this industry. I’ve also learned a little about how and where to network with creatives from companies. Having this internship has also taught me to not be scared when asking questions. I read a quote that said, “don’t be intimidated by what you don’t know,” and that was always something I kept with me throughout this whole experience.  OT: I think that quote should resonate with all students. In the long run, what do you see yourself doing in the future?BU: I would really like to be the creative manager of a company like this, or work for a larger music label. I also like the idea of starting an independent label as well. OT: I love that you have such big dreams. You’ll get there someday! On a much more casual note, have you met any cool people at your internship?BU: I don’t usually talk to them, but since my desk is right by the CEO’s office, I see a lot of famous songwriters stop by. [In addition to the songwriters], Alan Wilkis from Big Data used to work at Spirit, and he recently made a little visit. I couldn’t help but fangirl after he left the office. All in all, internships in the city carry lots of importance to both future employers and the interns themselves. Future employers are able to see how students are able to apply the skills they’ve learned in class, rather than just seeing a degree. As Belinda has explained, she honed her skills while interning and narrowed her idea about what she hopes to do in the future. Although Belinda took it upon herself to find an internship, Pace’s internship program is ranked one of the best in the nation and should definitely be utilized. Pace recently launched a program called Handshake that makes finding an internship or job easier, while also enabling Career Counselors to be virtually engaged with their students. With all of the benefits of having an internship (like experience and even meeting the occasional famous person), all Pace students should take advantage of the opportunities our astonishing city provides. 

Internship Reality Cont.

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By Veronica Albarella ‘18

“Do you read labels on the groceries you buy from the store?”

This is a question that I have asked hundreds of complete strangers in the last few months. It is a task that comes with my internship at a non-profit organization called Food and Water Watch. Food and Water Watch focuses on a variety of health and environmental issues, while proudly receiving no funding from government or corporate groups. All of their funding comes from members, donors, and grants.

The organization has launched numerous campaigns that counter unhealthy food and water practices. Recently, the Ban Fracking Everywhere campaign was successful here in New York. Food and Water Watch was the first U.S. national organization to call for a ban on fracking, and in 2014, its members effectively lobbied government officials to legally ban this harmful procedure in New York State.

The most recent Food and Water Watch campaign is the reason that I have conversations with a myriad of busy New Yorkers about the food in their grocery carts. Angelina Garavente, another Pace student, and I work on the Let Me Decide: Label GMO’s campaign. Angelina and I are both sophomores in the Pforzheimer Honors College, and we have gained valuable skills and experience in this internship that will benefit our future careers. Angelina, the Grassroots Coordinator for the campaign, is an Arts and Entertainment Management major with a minor in Sociology. I am the Media Coordinator, and I am majoring in Communication Studies with a minor in Journalism.

Our role is to reach out to numerous New York communities, inform citizens about the issue, and encourage support for the current bill that would make GMO labeling mandatory statewide. All of my colleagues at Food and Water Watch and I strongly believe that this bill is crucial to the health and safety of all New Yorkers.

Interning at a Non-Profit to Save New York’s Food

PC: Veronica Albarella

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GMO food is genetically modified to be resistant to toxic pesticides and is largely untested. Major corporations, especially an agrochemical company called Monsanto, make huge profits off of genetically modified food at the expense of the people who eat it. Without a law requiring GMO labeling, consumers do not even have the option to decide for themselves whether or not to eat genetically modified food. In this internship, I am working towards securing the basic right to know what is in the food we eat every day.

This is not a typical nine-to-five internship. Most of the work I do for the campaign only requires a phone and a laptop, and I can complete my tasks from the comfort of my dorm room. This flexibility is important to me as a student who must also juggle classes, homework, and another job. My duties include researching specific areas of New York where we want to rally support, calling and emailing these citizens to keep them updated on campaign events, and writing and editing Letters to the Editor.

Since I am the Media Coordinator, and my goal is to have a career in media, my favorite project was contacting media outlets to gain coverage of our press release. I determined how to frame the GMO issue so that it was relevant to each particular news outlet and I pitched the story to reporters and editors, which are essential skills for my chosen professional path. I have undoubtedly gained experience with Food and Water Watch that will be valuable in my future career.

When I do meet in person with my colleagues, it is certainly not in a conventional workplace. We travel to different areas of Queens to petition and involve local businesses and organizations in our coalition. This can be difficult at times, but it is also extremely rewarding. When I ask complete strangers if they want safer food labeling in New York, many are concerned and engaged as I describe the GMO problem. As people agree to sign my petition, it is satisfying to know that so many active citizens are taking control of their situation and standing up for this basic right.

Angelina has expressed that the most gratifying outcome of this internship would be for the GMO labeling bill to pass and become a law, and I wholeheartedly agree. This is a cause that I strongly believe in, so it would be very rewarding to make a positive difference that affects the whole state of New York. My internship with Food and Water Watch has allowed me to gain vital professional experience and make a lasting impact in my community at the same time.

Non-Profit Internship Cont.

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If you've never experienced it for yourself and all you know is what you hear in the media, then you probably don't have a favorable outlook on Greek Life.

What's sad is how much these stories and perceptions take away from the numerous positive aspects about sororities and fraternities. I was never someone who had their heart set on joining a sorority. I never thought they were bad or anything, it just wasn't something I was really exposed to.

I heard about Pace’s Greek life my sophomore year at Pace. By that point I had missed Fall recruitment, so I waited, anxiously, for Spring recruitment to roll around. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting all the wonderful girls from both sororities. It was crazy how many girls were feeling just like me, and if I hadn't gone out for recruitment I never would have known. The formal recruitment process is not a contest between the two sororities over which one is better; it’s about figuring out which one is better for YOU.

Flash forward to Bid Day. I was waiting on pins and needles with about 50 other girls to find out which sorority we would be in. Finally, we got to open our envelopes and I was thrilled to be a potential new member for Sigma Delta Tau - Delta Theta! The cool thing was that some of the girls I had gotten to know during recruitment would also be going with me, which made it all the better.

Long story short, I got my sisterhood. That was exactly what I had been looking for and I had finally found it. The process was long and intense, but worth every minute because now I have 75+ sisters that will always be there for me.

So forget about all the drunken nightmare cases you read about. In case you need more convincing on why sororities are a good thing, here's a list I've put together about all the great things that have happened since I made that decision.

1. A diverse group of friends. Sometimes when you are only involved in activities based on your interests you lose out on meeting people with different interests who might really enrich your life. A sorority is filled with girls who come from so many different backgrounds, cultures, and interests.

2. You always know someone everywhere on campus. Pace is small, so I’m always running into at least one sister. This is great whether you need someone to talk to (because you're sad or happy or excited or confused) or just to see a friendly face. Just one smile from a friendly face can seriously turn your day around.

Why I Went GRΣΣK at Pace By Liz Lombardi ‘17

Bid Day 2016 PCs: Lauren van der Laan

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3. You have a home away from home. It can be hard to find a sense of community at Pace, and joining Greek Life gives you a second home (Honors being the first!).

4. You have someone to just chill with when you don't want to be alone. With 75 girls to text, there is always someone to come hang out with you when your anxiety is really bad or you got some disappointing news and just really don't want to be alone. Sisters can make all the difference between a night filled with tears and a night filled with laughter.

5. You learn how to respect everyone. It's impossible to be BFFs with 75 girls. It's impossible to even get along with 75 people all at once. We all have different ideals and make different life choices. We don't have to agree with them all, but we do have to respect that our sisters are making choices that they want to. Everyone is so different, and you learn to celebrate the differences instead of letting them come between you.

6. You learn how to manage time. There are so many events and commitments to juggle. If you have a position then that's more work, as well. Having fun and getting your work done is a delicate balance that every college student struggles with. It's not perfect all the time, but the more you work on it, the better it gets.

7. You make a lot of connections. One perk of being in a sorority is that there are a handful of people with the same major or similar career goals as you. More than likely, the older sisters have already had internships and know people that they can connect you with so that your future gets a jump start. Your sisters genuinely care about you and want you to succeed and will do anything to help you out.

8. You gain leadership skills. There are numerous leadership positions in the sorority. From President to Sisterhood Chair, there is something for everyone. It's a great experience to have and flexes your leadership muscles. Fun fact: Many Executive Board members of Kappa Delta and Sigma Delta Tau are Honors students!!

9. There are numerous opportunities to give back. Sororities are heavily involved in philanthropy and community service. We plan really cool events that would actually entice people to come and end up with a great amount to donate at the end of the night. SDT is hosting EAT Your Way Through Downtown on April 7 from 3:30 pm to 9:00 pm in the gym! Lots of food, raffles, and donations to charity!

10. You get a Big and Family Tree. Big/Little week is seriously awesome, no matter what side you’re on. As a little, your big is mentor for you to look up to and for you to go to with problems of all sorts. As a big, you get to pass on your wisdom and help someone else.

GRΣΣK Life cont.

Check out our websites and social media for more! @pacesigdelts @kappadeltapace @akarhotheta1994 @zbtpace @pacekappasigma @unrulybetas

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Spring in the CityBy Shivani Annirood ‘18The sun is finally showing its face again, and it’s time to take advantage of this spring fever!

New York City is always such an exciting place to live, but when the weather starts getting warmer, the streets begin buzzing with activities. From film festivals to flower shows, there is always something going on to keep things interesting, and to submerge us in culture. Especially after running indoors from the cold all winter, we can’t help wanting to soak in the sun a little. To get the best of spring in New York, here is a list of amazing experiences happening just around the corner:

 1.   Tribeca Film Festival: the 15th annual Tribeca Film Festival will consist of various indie films, documentaries,foreign films, and some better-known works.

When: April 13th-24thWhere: Lower Manhattan (specific locations released closer to date)

2. Paul Taylor’s American Modern Dance: contemporary modern dance performances fill the stage

When: March 15th-April 3rd

Where: David H Koch Theater

3. The Orchid Show NYC: an exhibition of thousands of blooming orchids, paired with performances - definitely a way to enjoy the season.

When: February 27th-April 17th Where:  the New York Botanical Garden’s Enid A. Haupt Observatory

4. Brooklyn Folk Film Festival: a collection of live acoustic musical performances that vary in genre (not just folk!) from country, to the blues, to more international sounds.When: April 8th-10thWhere: St. Ann’s Church in Brooklyn

PC: Brian Palmer via TimeOut.com

PC: nybg.org

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Spring in the City Cont.5. Macy’s Flower Show: another great way to enjoy the upcoming spring! And it’s free!

When: March 20th-April 3rdWhere: Macy’s Herald Square

6. Rainbow Book Fair: largest LGBT book event in America!

When: April 9thWhere: John Jay College

7. Affordable Art Fair: don’t let the name fool you - some of the artworks are still thousands of dollars!

When: March 30th-April 3rd

Where: Metropolitan Pavilion

8. New York International Auto Show: the largest Auto Show in America!

When: March 25th-April 3rd

Where: Javits Center

9. Pillow Fight NYC 2016: a giant pillow fight in the park!

When: April 2nd Where: Keep an eye out for the location release!

10. A Taste of Fifth: who doesn’t love food? Samples from restaurants and some performances.

When: April 6th Where: The Grand Prospect Hall

 

These events will definitely make great Instagram moments and amazing New York experiences. Make the best of your time in the city and take advantage of the cultural explosion in the spring! 

PC: Kent Miller via TimeOut.com

PC: Pillow Fight NYC 2016 Facebook page

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Thanks to the Honors College Broadway series I was given the unique experience to see a show during its second preview. That being said, the review that follows is of a show that is probably very different than the one that will take place

opening night, especially since there is a month and a half gap between the first preview (March 15)

and opening night (April 28).  Shuffle Along, or the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed is about how four men, one woman, a whole cast, and a producer came together to start the age of colored jazz musicals that took over the roarin’ twenties. For the most part, it is historically accurate and includes acting choices that were important to the time period, but are controversial today. F.E Miller and Aubrey Lyles were good at writing plays. Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake were good at writing music and lyrics. Putting them together meant that they would make a great musical, which is what Shuffle Along was, even though they had a hard time getting anyone (read: white people) to believe in them. With Lottie Gee leading a killer cast the show took the Broadway world by storm and led to many more just like it. Unfortunately, that is the demise of Miller, Lyles, Sisle, Blake, and Gee. While many of the ensemble and replacements went on to great careers, the rest of the present-day Shuffle Along shows how the five of them struggled to keep up with the momentum they started. The show opens with a fabulous tap number by the great Savion Glover (Bring in Da Noise). The first act is filled with more of his tap routines. However, the second act is lacking in any shuffles. There is not even a closing tap number. It is a shame, as this cast is widely talented in tap. The show clocked in at three hours and fifteen minutes the night I saw it. By opening night, they will have (hopefully) gotten it down to under three hours due to union rules. The second act was a little dry and seemed to drag on, probably because it was missing a lot of the dancing seen in the first act. Overall, I enjoyed most of the numbers, but I could easily see some of them being cut or shortened. 

By Liz Lombardi ‘17

Theatre Review: Shuffle Along, or the Show with a Title as Long as it’s Content

Both photos taken from shufflealongbroadway.com

Theatre Review Cont.

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The standout of Act Two was Aubrey Lyles’ solo. Played by Tony Award winner Billy Porter (Kinky Boots, Miss Saigon), Lyles tends to do what F.E. tells him to, but by the time we get to “Low Down Blues,” Lyles is ready to stand on his own and Porter gives the performance that makes you believe. I had been waiting to hear him sing like that the whole show, and I hope that number stays. Joshua Henry (Violet, American Idiot) has proven before that he has a stand out voice, however I did not get to hear it at all in this production. While he portrayed Sissle and his determination quite well, I hope they give him a more substantial song.  Brandon Victor Daxon (Motown, The Color Purple) as Eubie is somewhat in the same situation; however, he also gets a love story plot line with Lottie Gee, played by six time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald (Lady Day, Porgy and Bess). McDonald is flawless as ever and attacks this role with as much heart and soul as she does with every other. She makes the progression of Lottie from diva to has-been one you actually care about. Brian Stokes Mitchell (Kiss Me, Kate, Ragtime) brings yet another Tony Award to the table as F.E., the one who tries to be reasonable. He has a heart-warming song in act one, and we get to see him try to try hold it all together in act two when Lyles stands up for himself. While she does not get a lot of stage time to actually sing, Adrienne Warren (Bring It On) proves as Gertrude/Florence that she still has a voice to be reckoned with and will be successful in her career. It will be very hard for this show to be bad. The cast is one of the most talented I’ve ever seen. The choreography and execution is flawless. The sets, costumes, lighting, and designs make you feel like you’re back in the twenties. They even provide a mini program to explain more about the actual people and the historical setting. I just worry that the audiences don’t want to see another this-is-how-it-happened story that clocks in at three hours. I am very excited and curious to see this again once it opens. Shuffle Along… is playing at the Music Box Theatre on 45th Street. Its official opening date is April 28, 2016. Tickets are available online, in person, and by calling the box office. They are offering rush tickets during previews.

For more theatrical coverage, please check out Liz Lombardi’s blog Off-Stage Write every #theatrethursday

https://offstagewrite.wordpress.com

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Writing Stories for Love with Pace University’s LGBTQA Community

By Eleni Gast ‘18

When I volunteered as a photojournalist for Stories for Love, the LBGTQA community’s answer to Humans of New York, I never expected my experience to be as incredible, life changing, and eye opening as it has been. Through this project, I have had the privilege to interview some of the most inspiring and genuine people I have ever met.

Admittedly, I started this project thinking that I was just an ally; I didn’t feel like I had anything of value to offer Stories for Love or to Pace’s LGBTQA community. Throughout this process of learning and growing with the students I have talked to, I’ve learned that being an ally isn’t something to disparage. I spoke to a fellow ally who began working at the LGBTQA & Social Justice Center at Pace just a few months ago, and she also considered herself “just an ally.”

“Just because you’re an ally doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re just anything. [Because] you’re a part of the movement. So you’re not just, you are with it! “

So I was ready to collect stories and to inspire the next generation of LGBTQA students. I was running around campus asking my fellow undergrads to share their stories with me when Pace’s LGBTQA & Social Justice Center caught wind of my project. And being the warm, generous people that they are, they endeavored to help me.

The LGBTQA and Social Justice Center is constantly hosting events for all Pace students and faculty toattend. This past month, we all got together, ate pizza, and played drag queen bingo! I was lucky enough to be invited to participate in the festivities. So I set up shop, notebook in one hand and voice recorder in the other, ready to listen.

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Although I heard so many individual stories from the students here at Pace, I noticed some commonalities throughout the interviews:

“I wasn’t really a part of anything until this year came around and I declared my major Women’s and Gender Studies. And I made this my life; from what I went through, I needed this to be better for everyone else. That’s why I’m doing this work.”

“It’s not just about ally-ship, it’s about being a human and loving one another and sharing that kindness and support.”

“Coming here has been really freeing… I have a job for being Trans! You know how amazing that is?”

“I am pretty confident in my sexuality and my journey towards that. So I’ve been able to help a lot of people just through general life and any opportunity I get to share that with more people, I am definitely all for!”

These stories were all filled with messages of support, kindness, friendship, wisdom, forgiveness, generosity, and bravery. None of these students I spoke to were harboring feelings of hate or revenge; they all wanted to spread their message of love. I started this project thinking that I was going to help LGBTQA students by getting their stories published, but they truly ended up helping me.

Pace University’s LGBTQA & Social Justice Center has created a warm, supportive, and welcoming home for all Pace LGBTQA students and allies. Their space on the 9th floor of 41 Park Row is available for all students to come in and enjoy (as long as you have an attitude of love and acceptance, you’ll be welcomed like family!)

All of the students and staff I spoke to were kind enough to open their hearts up to me and share their stories. Countless LGBTQA youth who are on similar journeys will be inspired by these students here at Pace. Their stories have certainly inspired me.

Stories for Love Cont.

All photos by Eleni Gast

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How Pace Changed My Place in the World Lolita Tiwari ‘16

There are only two months until this year’s graduation, and fortunately I don’t have to wait to get on stage at Madison Square Garden to embrace (reflect on?) all of the amazing things Pace University has done for me. My name is Lolita; I began my first semester at Pace University in September of 2012 and can gladly say the same girl who started then is not the same who will be exiting in May of 2016. Initially having an interest in history and corporate law to transforming into an economics, statistics, and marketing lover, I am ready to set the world on the fire (Alicia Keys style, of course!). If I were asked what my greatest accomplishment has been in the past four years, I would say that it has been selecting Pace University as my oyster. My time at Pace has proven to me that the only “right” path is my OWN! I have been privileged enough to study international marketing in London, England, as well as in Brussels, Belgium. I have been selected to represent Pace University at the Graz Institute of Technology in Graz, Austria, to work on evolving 3D technology.

As far as things on this continent, I’ve been given the opportunity to constantly expand my knowledge and interest on both small and larger scales. Whether by attending a cool Hackathon and meeting an astronaut or by being the only undergraduate student taking a graduate level course in User Experience and discovering my potential in web design applications, there has always been an abundance of opportunities that make room for new experiences and of course, more knowledge.

I have been able to follow my passion for economics and statistics while simultaneously pursuing real world marketing-related opportunities, such as interning with the Digital Marketing team at Viacom’s Spike TV. Along with enhancing my personal portfolio and myself, Pace has also given me the opportunity to give back. I have been given the opportunity to be a mentor to both Honors students and Seidenberg Summer Scholars and still squeeze in walking over the Brooklyn Bridge on my way home (talk about a triple whammy!) Thank you Pace University for four beautiful years of my life. Thank you for the love, memories, and knowledge. You have been my oyster, and now it is time to take that momentum and have a shining and exciting new chapter.  Catch me if you can?  Love, Lolita

PC: Lolita Tiwari

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“We beat Princeton!”Pace’s College Federal Reserve Challenge Team has been blowing Ivy League schools out of the water for the

last two years. I sat down with junior Jon O’Kane to talk about his two years on the Fed Team and what the team is doing for Pace and economics. Professors Greg Coleman and Mark Weinstock are the team’s advisors.

By Liz Lombardi ‘17

Liz Lombardi (LL): What is the College Federal Reserve Challenge?Jon O’Kane (JO): The competition is that we want to come forward with a recommendation for what we believe the federal open market committee should implement to do better monetary policy. Through our analysis of the current macroeconomic conditions we use all that to make a recommendation and then we defend it when asked questions from the judges. So a bunch of other schools [also] do this and they judge us against each other to see which one has the best recommendation, who’s best at defending it, and so on and so forth. There are four rounds: the preliminary, the semi-finals, regional finals, and the national finals. LL: Now can you explain that in non-economic terms?JO: The FOMC is the body that makes the monetary policy within the Fed. Our job is to create a policy that would better suit them and better suit the economy. In order to do that, we look at all the different kinds of indicators, everything that’s going on in the economy to better judge and to better create a forecast. LL: How many people are on the team? JO: There are different levels of the team. We have the overall research team, which is going to support the presenting team. The research team will usually consist of around 20 to 25 people. They’ll be the ones doing research during the week and they’ll try to bring forward any relevant information that can go into our forecast or into our recommendations. Then there’s the presenting team, which as of this past year was seven people, and then of those seven people, five go into the competition at a time. The 25 or so, including the seven, meet once a week on Sundays, and occasionally during the week to work on the presentations. The presenting team, once you get towards the later stages of the summer [are] pretty much meeting every day. LL: How did you hear about it/why did you join?JO: I originally heard about the team in my Intro to Macro class freshman year. They came in and gave a mock presentation and they just blew me away. The level that they were able to speak on these issues, it seemed like we had a couple of PhD level economists in the room rather than a couple of undergrads. I just was inspired to get to that level by the time that I graduated and to see that it was possible through this team.

LL: How long does it take to prepare?JO: They start preparations in March, when they start trying to find a team. Once they have their team selected, you’re going to start seeing the presenting team meet once to twice a week. Once June comes around, you’re going to start to have the research team going at least once a week. Then the presenting team goes to two to three days a week. By the time you get to August, it’s four days a week. By the time you get to September, it’s really seven days a week. During the school days and the work week, it’s roughly three, four hours a night, and Saturdays and Sundays you’re expected to be there eight to twelve hours a day.

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LL: What is the preparation process like?JO: It’s grueling. Weinstock knows how to institute tough love. You’re never going to be in more of a pressure cooker environment than having to appease Weinstock. As much as we might hate it while we’re going through it, the second we’re out of it we look back and say, “Wow, I’m so glad I had that opportunity.” So he’s one of those guys that will tear you down to build you back up. They simulate, at least for the research team, an analyst environment that is at these larger firms.  LL: Walk me through the day of the National Finals.JO: We got there pretty early in the morning and had a nice breakfast spread, mingling with economists, taking pictures. We were in the room where the FOMC meets to make monetary policy decisions, so for us it was like being in the Oval Office! We were kind of really just having fun at that point. After more than a couple months of preparation there’s really only so much you can do. Then they kicked all the teams out, and we were the second to last team to go, so we got put in an office for about an hour and a half to two hours, and we just had to go in there and relax, which is kind of a high-string moment. The last thing you want to be doing at that point is killing time. Then they bring you in, and it’s go time. It’s really just showing what you know.  LL: What do you think the team’s future will be like?JO: I think it’s incredibly bright. We’ve seen this progression over the last [few years] where each new generation of the team has compounded on what the prior generation has given them, so they almost have a template to work forward with. I think next year you’re going to see Omar Habib, Melissa Navas, Yuliya Palianok, and Joe Lampa do an incredible job. I think that by us winning we are now beginning to attract these [undergrad] students. There’s almost a certain prestige and gravitas that’s becoming attached to the Pace name when it comes to economics, which is only going to help us in the future LL: How does being a part of the team impact your life at Pace? Your life after Pace?JO: There has been a certain family that’s been born of it, we suffered together, we had a good time together. I have friendships from the team that I could really never live without. From a professional level, while I may not sound like a PhD economist, I definitely think I am able to talk on these macroeconomic issues more so than most other undergrads my age. As a result I think I was able to find myself in a position with my boss [where] he appreciated the level I was able to speak on [economics] and speak on these issues.  LL: The Pace team has been covered in the media, from Humans of NY to the Wall Street Journal. How do you think that helps the Pace team?JO: Prior to either of those, I don’t remember seeing the competition in the news. I think that now we can no longer play that underdog story. I think it’s really phenomenal to see a name like Pace, that you wouldn’t necessarily associate with those Ivy League schools, beating those Ivy League schools.  LL: How do you think this program will affect the future of our nation in the sense that people competing will be the next generation of leaders?JO: I think it definitely helps to institute a bit of real world experience. To have that background and to have those people who won’t be learning on the job once they get to that point. It allows people to know where their passion is. This lets [undergrads] see the ins and outs of a career path while they’re still in college, to a degree that most majors don’t get the chance to. You’re seeing the brightest kids from the best schools get to compete and be part of something that is incredibly important.  

Fed Team Cont.

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By Morgan Steadwell ‘17

For as long as I can remember I’ve been fascinated by globes and geography. How the world formed, how every country used to be connected; it was all very mesmerizing. I would sit for hours in my living room spinning my globe and trying to memorize the names of each country. When I wasn’t spinning the globe, I would be on the computer playing the game where you have to place each individual country or state on a map. Last Month, my dad asked me if he was allowed to throw out my globe, and you can imagine my response: a big, fat “NO!” The desire to explore is in my blood, and although I am a college student on a budget, I am determined to not let money get in the way of traveling the world.  I enrolled in Pace University in the fall of 2013; since then I have traveled to four countries for an extended period of time. I plan on traveling to a fifth this upcoming May. Most of my travel has been associated with the University through the travel courses that the school offers. My first experience abroad with Pace was traveling to Rome, Italy for three weeks over the summer in 2015. The program was titled “Rome: The Eternal City”, and that’s exactly what it is—eternal. The course bridged the gap between the two Pace University Campuses – New York City and Pleasantville. There were 22 students enrolled in the course, most of which knew not a single person going on the trip; but by the last day we had all known one another as if we had been childhood best friends. In Rome we learned about the art, architecture, and history of the city. Dr. Hundersmarck, who is known by his students as Dr. H, was a walking encyclopedia when it came to Rome. Dr. H shared his passion for the city with us, and by mid-June, each student walked around Rome as if he or she grew up there.  

My second study abroad experience with Pace was this past January when I traveled to India for 10 days and learned about the country’s culture and microfinance. This class not only allowed me to travel to a new country but also counted as a finance elective, and as a finance major I felt like I was killing two birds with one stone. When enrolling in this course, I knew that because we’d be on our winter break I would be able to travel elsewhere before the official start date of the course. Knowing this, three friends and I decided to plan a trip to Thailand and New Delhi, India prior to meeting up with the course in Kerala, India. All together, our own excursion plus the course, added up to 19 days of adventure. In Thailand we had the experience of a lifetime, bathing and riding elephants, bamboo river rafting, island hopping, snorkeling in some of the world’s clearest water, and visiting temples right and left. In Agra, three hours outside of New Delhi, we were able to visit one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World—the Taj Mahal. Needless to say, it was a breathtaking experience.  

Traveling the World One Course at a Time

PCs: Morgan Steadwell

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After our own little excursion, my three friends and I joined our class in Kerala, India. This is a southern state of India, full of vegetation and beautiful scenery. Our course was focused on microfinance, which is distributing small denomination loans to the asset-poor. The course analyzed the correlation (if any) between access to microcredit and spending on education. We wanted to see whether increased access to microcredit meant that families were more inclined to spend (more) money on children’s education. We studied this in both rural India (Kerala) and urban India (Mumbai). Five days were spent throughout Kerala, speaking to families, schools, and microfinance institutions before leaving for Mumbai where we spoke to those same groups, under the same conditions, just in a different environment. Traveling to India changed my outlook on life. I was extremely humbled by the people we encountered and very touched by their generosity and kindness. Given that our course was focused on the asset-poor, we visited many areas where extreme poverty is widespread and is considered normal. This trip gave me an opportunity to be immersed in a culture that was extremely different than my own, and for that, I’ll always be grateful.  Whether you take travel courses or study abroad for semesters, I highly encourage students to take advantage of the programs Pace has to offer. Scholarships are available for each and every type of study abroad program at Pace. My first travel course to Rome was partially funded through my Honors College Study Abroad option, and the costs for my trip to India were aided by the Figueroa Scholarship. My study abroad experience through Pace has been extremely rewarding, and I am expanding it further, this May when I go to China. I am looking forward to continuing to broaden my horizons, trying new things, and learning more about the world and what its people have to offer. “Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.” Although the quote is corny, it couldn’t be more true.

Traveling Cont.

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Around The World with Jackie

Jaclyn Kopel ‘10

THE CITY OF BROTHERLY

LOVE

Our first stop in Philly was to the Masonic Temple. My students were clearly confused by our first destination but were mainly keeping their opinions to themselves. However, once the tour officially started they soon realized why I was taking them there. Each room in the Masonic Temple has a different theme and is beautifully decorated and designed. It is like being transported to a different part of the world with each new room you enter. My favorite room, of course, is the Egyptian Hall. The room is decorated with famous scenes from Egyptian temples and tombs. Many of the students also chose this room as their favorite. They also really liked the grand staircase, which looked like it was straight out of the Titanic, and the former skylight, which was now a ceiling covered in stars that light up when the lights are turned off.

I love Philadelphia. I have been going there multiple times a year since I was a little girl. I spend my time there eating, taking in the history, and shopping. So last year when we were deciding whether or not to bring back the annual Honors Spring Break trips, I knew if we did, the first one had to be to Philadelphia. Philly is definitely not the most glamorous city, but it has a lot of hidden treasures, and like NYC, it is steeped in history and serves up a lot of great food. I wanted my students to experience everything that makes the city special in the short period of time that we were there. Additionally, I wanted my students to have as great a time as I did when I went on the Honors Spring Break trip during my freshman year. So during the first week of Spring Break, 28 students joined us for the first Honors Spring Break trip since I was a student.

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PHILLY CONTINUED…

Since Philly has some amazing food, it was only appropriate that our second stop was the famous Reading Terminal Market, which is jam packed with food vendors. Our students gobbled down cheesesteaks, crepes, pretzels, Southern food, Cajun food, cookies, Indian food, ice cream, and so much more. Beiler’s doughnuts are famous in Philly and have probably over 50 varieties at 99 cents each. Needless to say almost everyone in our group bought a dozen. They are so good that several students ate more than a half dozen in one day.

After stuffing our faces, some of us headed to the Eastern State Penitentiary, National Constitution Center, or the Rodin Museum. The penitentiary group got to walk the eerily beautiful cell blocks and hear the stories of the inmates and guards. Though my favorite moment was watching Elizabeth eat a cheesesteak out of a Beiler’s doughnut box while sitting on the Eastern State Penitentiary wall decked out in Pace gear. The moment perfectly represented the coming together of the Honors College and Philly. The National Constitution Center group also enjoyed their time and many a selfie were taken with the founding fathers in the Signers’ Hall. Freshman Jordan Porch said, “My favorite part of the weekend was going to the Constitution Center. One section of it related different amendments and parts of the Constitution to different presidencies' central issues. It also featured interactive ways to test your knowledge and political savviness.” The Rodin group tested their thinking skills with the Thinker and even got to see the Gates of Hell.

The next day was jam packed with some colonial history. We visited Betsy Ross’ House and surprisingly, she was there to greet us in her shop. T-Bone enjoyed his visit to her house as well and everyone wanted a picture with him. On our way to Independence Hall, we paid our respects to Ben Franklin by leaving pennies on his grave or in the case of one student, a Canadian penny (#blamedevina). Before going into Independence Hall we got to see the original documents that discussed our independence and first governments.

Once inside Independence Hall we got to see the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Chamber, the Long Gallery, the Governor’s Council Chambers, the Committee Room, and the famous Assembly Room. The Assembly Room is where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were debated and signed. Freshman Caroline Thompson stated, “One of my favorite parts of the trip was getting to see [this] room. It was crazy to see the exact room right before my eyes, especially after seeing artwork and pictures in textbooks depicting our Founding Fathers in this space throughout my entire life.”

We divided up once again to either the Penn Museum or the Museum of Art. The Penn group got to examine numerous ancient artifacts and got to listen to me talk about the Egyptian pieces we got to see. The Penn group finished early and got to explore the joys of Five Below and loaded up on cheap food and souvenirs. The art group got to be like Rocky and climb the famous stairs leading up to the museum. They spent their afternoon looking at pop art, Monet, suits of armor, furniture, still life, and so much more.

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PHILLY CONTINUED…

At 5:30pm on Sunday it was finally the moment for which everyone had been waiting. Unlimited Italian food served family style for four hours. We stuffed our faces with bread, fried zucchini, fried ravioli, Caesar salad, Italian tossed salad, chicken parmesan, eggplant parmesan, chicken with tomatoes and orzo, spaghetti marinara, meatballs, fettucine alfredo, tiramisu, and apple crostada all while cracking jokes, singing Disney songs, taking pictures, and snapchatting conspiracy theories about our waiter. Everything was delicious, but the standouts were definitely the fried appetizers, pasta, tiramisu, and apple crostada. To say that everyone left in a food coma would be an understatement. Many of us were still stuffed at breakfast the next morning.

Our last day was filled with more beautiful sites and some good news. We started our day at City Hall with a tour of the building. We got to see some incredible rooms and hear the history of the building. We were able to marvel at the interior and exterior architecture. Since it was during the week the building was in use, and we even got to listen to a public hearing about Philadelphia’s water. I took the tour many years ago on a quiet day, so I enjoyed getting to see the city government function. Two days prior to our tour at City Hall their old elevator to the observation deck had broken and we were told we would not be able to go up. Fifteen minutes prior to our tour starting the elevator was fixed and we were able to get a 360˚ view of Philly. We also lucked out with a beautiful clear day, so we had great visibility.

The trip ended with everyone contently tired and full of yummy food. I loved having the chance to see one of my favorite cities through the eyes of my students. It made me fall in love with the city and my students all over again. We all left with incredible memories, many stories, inside jokes, and craving more doughnuts and time in the city. The students said the trip was “amazing, fabulous, and incredible” and sophomore Tahiya Begum said she “loved every moment of it.” I am so proud of my students because everywhere we went people remarked about how amazing they were and were impressed by the students Pace produces. The Honors College may be family, but we definitely increased our love for each other in the City of Brotherly Love.

We divided up again between going to Magic Gardens and the U.S. Mint. The Magic Gardens group made a pit stop at Wawa since for many in the group it was their first time at Wawa. Many a cheese stuffed pretzel were had as well as some amazing cannoli dip. Afterwards, we entered the Magic Gardens, which is an outdoor area made of glass and recycled materials. No description does it justice. The students’ faces lit up upon entering, and they were all mesmerized by the beauty of it. Freshman Lyric Wyan loved it and stated, “The Magic Gardens were the most beautifully magical place I've ever seen! It felt like I had truly descended into the world of a fairytale.” Olivia Taylor echoed these sentiments and said, “Magic gardens was a mosaic masterpiece and I never wanted to leave.” The Mint group got to see how our coins are made and even got to see some commemorative and special coins.

PCs: Jaclyn Kopel

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Carolyn Phillips (CP): How long have you been working at Pace?Jessica Reed (JR): I have been working at Pace for 4 year and 2 months

CP: Besides your current position, what other jobs have you held?JR: At Pace, I started as a student assistant in the office of Undergraduate Admission. From there, I became a full time employee within the office of Graduate Admission, as an Admission Assistant where I worked mostly with international applicants. And finally, I was promoted to the Staff Associate for the Honors College, where I happily work now.

CP: What was your favorite moment in your time at Pace?JR: My promotion to Honors!

CP: What do you like most about Honors?JR: I really enjoy working with everyone in the Honors College. It’s a wonderful environment and there are always great events to plan for the Honors students.

CP: What do you do for Honors?JR: I’m here to help the students, whether it is for thesis reimbursements, lounge access, or just checking your student account. I also work with Jackie, Bill, Pam, and Dean Dinan when it comes to administration and event planning. You may also find yourself in contact with me if you need to meet with anyone from the Honors College.

An Interview With Staff Associate Jessica ReedBy Carolyn Phillips ‘16

CP: What’s your favorite food?JR: I love all food (Korean, Italian, Greek, Portuguese, especially Mexican), and I’m always up to try something new.

CP: What is one of your hobbies?JR: I recently stopped eating meat, which has me cooking a whole lot more. I’ve been cooking ever since I can remember (growing up in an Italian household), but this has forced me to be more creative and I enjoy cooking a whole lot more. I look at it as a tasty creative process I get to eat.

CP: What’s your favorite place?JR: My favorite place within the city would have to be the Brooklyn Heights promenade, overlooking the East River, and the view of downtown Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge is beautiful.

CP: What’s your favorite animal?JR: I love all animals, but domestic would have to be a pup! And wild, I think elephants are beautiful creatures.

CP: Where are you located in the Honors Office?JR: You can find me as soon as you walk into the Honors Office (W209A); I am the first person you will see, the desk closest to the door.

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BILL!

Why Do You Love Honors? Compiled by Liz Lombardi ‘16

I like how we

can register early.

They’re really supportive and there’s always a place you can go when you need help. And they’re really nice.

I love that the Honors College (and lounge) is such a positive space!

I love that there is always free

coffee and food. Tuesday Tea

Time!

I love the reacting games, as well as all the possibilities the Honors classes

offer.

I have Honors to

thank for all my amazing

friends!

I love the sense of community that I get from

being in the Honors college.

I love the Honors Council!

The staff is amazing! Thanks to Jackie and Pam for saving me

from senioritis.

I love the Honors College because of the access to the

best professors; I’ve adored all of mine so far!

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Ques1onsin SecondswiththeHonorsStaff

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

6 60 What were your spring break plans?Dr. Dinan: Philadelphia!Jackie: Honors Spring Break Trip to PhillyBill: I went to Philly with the Honors groupPam: I made sure all the seniors complete the thesis—I was in the office.Jess: Manned the Honors office while everyone was in Philly.Devina: Honors Philly Trip! And then just used the rest of the time to fine-tune my thesisCarolyn: Went to the UN for the Commission on the Status of WomenMaddie: Slept and read... 

Favorite memory involving snow?Dr. Dinan: I grew up in Buffalo and I remember that after my father shoveled the sidewalks there would be huge banks of snow on either side of the walk, so it was like being in a tunnel when I was little. I still love snow!Jackie: In Middle School we had an epic snowball fight during lunch in the Hudson River Park. We came back from lunch late and soaked. We lied and said someone got hurt and we needed extra time walking them back to school. Bill: After a big snow, going to friends of my parents, who lived on a steep hill above a creek in rural Maryland, and carving toboggan runs down that hill on untouched snow, curving the route through trees down to the water. Pam: Being stranded in Washington, DC with 24 high school Model UN students.Jess: Watching it from my window.Devina: When I was in 2nd grade, I did every single superstitious thing I could to get a snow day. I put a penny by my window, slept with my pajamas inside out, etc. Then the next morning we got a call that school was closed! I was so happy, and I thought I was the reason school got cancelled, so I made my sister thank me. She believed me, too.Carolyn: I used to love going to the golf course near my house and sledding with my family and my dog, Bear. Then, we’d come back and have hot chocolate!Maddie: Trying to make ice cream by putting a bunch of snow in a plastic bag and adding vanilla extract. 

Favorite Game Day snack?Dr. Dinan: I do not watch a lot of sports. Sorry. I do like popcorn.Jackie: Chips and guacamole Bill: Lay's Potato Chips (same as everyday favorite snack)Pam: Triple cheese bean dipJess: (Meatless) nachos!Devina: NACHOS ARE LIFE.Carolyn: My favorite snack is gummies.Maddie: Pigs in a blanket! 

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Your best April Fools Prank (Given or received)?Dr. Dinan: I spent a year in Paris doing research for my dissertation. The French celebrate Poisson d’Avril on the first of April and the goal seems to be to put stickers of fish on unsuspecting people. I gave no fish, and I received no fish, but it was oddly interesting to watch.Jackie: In Elementary School, we convinced our 4th grade teacher that one of the students broke their arm. Bill: Filling a dorm room floor to ceiling with inflated balloons.Pam: Graduating from college on April 1 (it is on my diploma).Jess: When I was little, I put a rubber band around the spray nozzle on the sink, so whenever anyone would use the sink it would spray directly at them.Devina: Tie between making my dad jump out of his bed, run all the way across the house in his undies, hair ruffled, no glasses (he can't see past his nose without them) because I yelled that the dryer was on fire early on a Sunday morning OR when my mom convinced me that the trampoline needed to be cleaned and the only way to clean it was to do it in the rain. So there I was in the pouring rain scrubbing the trampoline for 15 minutes before she told me she was joking. Carolyn: Last year, my friend and I covered previous Honors Council president Rachel’s entire desk in the Honors office with saran wrap. We even wrapped her Chapstick and her Grumpy Cat stuffed animal.Maddie: Junior year of high school, I covered the inside of my friend's locker with print-outs of memes.    

Ques1onsin SecondswiththeHonorsStaff6 60

Favorite song?Dr. Dinan: Seriously?  Just one?  “Losing my Religion” by REM.Jackie: “A Whole New World” from AladdinBill: "Uncle John's Band," Grateful DeadPam: Dixie Chicks—“Not Ready to Make Nice”Jess: “My Funny Valentine” by Frank SinatraDevina: “We Belong” - Pat Benatar Carolyn: “Home” by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic ZerosMaddie: “You Oughta Know” by Alanis Morissette 

What are you most looking forward to about spring?Dr. Dinan: Tending the garden and smelling the earth again.  I also love to take long walks!Jackie: My trip to Ireland Bill: Blooming dogwoods, forsythias, and magnolia around our housePam: The cherry blossomsJess: Warm weather, days at the park, enjoying the outdoorsDevina: Being able to wear cuter clothes. Hopefully the weather will permit me to start wearing dresses ASAP.Carolyn: Warm weatherMaddie: That spring smell in the air! 

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Achievements

Completed 14 fashion internships and started

Profashionals here at Pace

Received a job from Scholastic Publishing

Elizabeth Donor

‘16

Presented her economic research

paper in DC, for which she will receive an

award for

Cindy Nguyen

‘17

Priya Sakaria

‘16

Catherine Weening

‘15

Zuleen Chang

‘16

Won the Cheryl Frye Research award for a poster presentation at the National

Conference 2016

Belinda Ung ‘19

Internship at Spirit Music Group

Special Mention award for playing China in a

simulation of the WHO during the Model UN

Conference

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Achievements

Internship at the Abingdon Theatre

Company

Internship with CandiceKumai

Olivia Taylor

‘19

Internship atAnn INC

Rachel Roberson

‘18

Nikki Celi ‘17

Liz Lombardi

‘17

Veronica Albarella

‘18

Internship at Food and Water Watch.

Noura Boustany

‘16

Published ‘When the World Turns the Wrong Way’ – a

book of poetry

Internship at87AM

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Overheard in Honors

“I don't like whole

wheat, only quarter

wheat.”

“Do you know how to break into an apartment?”�

“Selfies are the disease of the 21st century”

“I promise this is the last time I'm

going to bring up hot dogs.”

“Can we just fast forward to when I have a rich husband, a good job, a nice house, and a cat?”

“If you need a sock to be freed let us know.” “This duck looks like Beyonce with

the vest.” �“Just because you are a banana doesn't mean you aren't nice.”

“I would be fun to take over the world

with.” “IwishmynamewasP

ablo.”

“I had a piñata for my 21st birthday. It wasn't actually a piñata. It was just a bag of

candy.”

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Overheard in Honors

“Mozzarella sticks are

a

gift from god. ” "

“If you are stupid then you are

stupid.”

“I feel like post-it notes blow my mind.”

“She reminds me of unseasoned chicken.”

“We turn our guilt into gelt and eat it.”

“It's Android free cupcakes day. I'm waiting for flip phone free cupcakes day.”

“The Skelton can't be your girlfriend because he's already dating someone else.”

“Youknow

what'sbet

terthan

NYCinwin

ter,Hawai

iinthe

winter.”

“Thisisn’tSesameStreet.”

“I crowd out the

manliness in this

school.”

“I was always afraid to go to New York beaches. I'm

afraid I'll mutate.”

“Who thought paper could be

so dusty.”

April 2016

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FINALWORDS

Bill’sCORNER

Dear Seniors,

Many of you are in the midst of completing the thesis. Starting out some were intimidated by the thesis, while others assumed that it could be completed in a weekend. As the process unfolded you identified research topics that sparked your curiosity, experienced trial, error, and success, and demonstrated that writing is thinking.

There was also a growing sense of ownership and fearlessness. In addition to the knowledge that you have accumulated through this endeavor, my wish for each of you is that you carry that sense of fearlessness with you after Pace.It has been my honor and privilege to have been part of this adventure. Kind regards,Pam

“Now those memories come back to haunt methey haunt me like a curse

Is a dream a lie if it don't come trueOr is it something worse

that sends me down to the river though I know the river is dry

That sends me down to the river tonight”Bruce Springsteen, “The River”

 I like to say that in my eyes, Honors is quirky, Honors is whimsical. But recently, my thoughts are wistful. A lifetime ago, 48 years to be exact, I was 11 years old, and woke one June morning to my radio alarm clock. Before that morning, I had lived with a sense of the infinite possibilities for the future that children of the 60s were taught. Before that morning, I believed in what I later learned had a name (Whig history), that things were always going to get better, that history is a march of progress. Before that morning, I had faith that (in the words of a Christmas carol I heard), “The Wrong shall fail, the Right prevail.” But then I heard from my radio that overnight someone had put a bullet into Robert Kennedy’s brain.  I wish I could go back to the night before, of June 4, 1968, and have faith again. I look on now, at this year’s election, wishing it didn’t feel like 1968 again. I hope I’m wrong, because I know how that one turned out. I’ve never really believed since, but I wish I could.

FINALWORDSApril 2016

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PaceHonorsCollegeNYC

@pacehonorsnyc

@pacehonorsnyc

pacehonorsnyc

A Word From the Dean

In February I enjoyed a trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art with a group of students from the Pleasantville campus. We toured some of the major exhibits with a wonderful docent. In March, a number of NYC Honors College students and 2 from Pleasantville enjoyed a fabulous Spring Break trip to Philadelphia, and I enjoyed seeing some sights I have never before visited, especially the Masonic Temple and the observation deck at City Hall. Jackie planned a great trip, and I am pleased to have had the chance to get to better know the students on the trip! Honors students have a wealth of cultural, social, and academic events available to them, and I encourage you to take advantage of this programming to better get to know NYC and beyond (you will never again have a travel agent as dedicated as Jackie). At the end of March, three Honors students from NYC and two from Pleasantville will share their thesis research at the Northeast Regional Honors Council meeting in Cambridge, MA. Students will give papers, present posters, and chair roundtables. I have brought students to the conference for over a decade, and the experience is always wonderful as we meet people from other schools, explore the host city, and enjoy learning from one another. Presenting research at a conference is a significant accomplishment for an undergraduate and a real feather in one’s cap. Abstracts for next spring’s conference will be due in October, so current juniors should consider applying to present their work at the NRHC in Pittsburgh in 2017.  I would also like to encourage all students to consider studying abroad while they are Pace students. The Honors College awards students $1000 grants to help cover the cost of study abroad programs, and this can be applied to semester-long programs, winter break or summer study programs, or travel courses. When I was an undergraduate, I studied in Germany, and it was a tremendous experience academically and personally. We learn about ourselves when we leave our comfort zones and travel, and we also learn about other peoples and cultures when studying abroad. Go!