Magazine Celebrating Diversity at Marist

Summer 2015diversity

WORKS

Nina Scott ’19, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award recipient (right), and her mother, Megan Gomes ’16 at the Dr. Martin Luther King Breakfast at Mid-Hudson Civic Center.

Contents Spring 2015

diversity

WORKS

Diversity Works is published twice a year by the Marist College Diversity Council Marist College, 3399 North Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601845/575-3000 ext. 2477 | desmond.murray@marist.edu

Editor: Desmond Murray | Copyeditor: Leslie BatesProduction Coordinator: Alexander Podmaniczky | Staff Photographers: Eury Fabian, Briana Holmes

MLK Award Recipient Selects Marist for Fall 2015 ............................................................................................... 3

A Passionate Teacher Receives a Promotion at Marist ........................................................................................... 4

Sankofa Moves Marist Community ........................................................................................................................ 5

The Women’s Studies Minor Celebrates Two Decades .......................................................................................... 6

2015 Marist Fund Keynote Speaker Describes her Journey as a First Generation College Student ................7

Gospel Choir Group Enlightens Marist Community ................................................................................................ 8

Short Film Showcases Irish Culture ........................................................................................................................ 9

Diversity Panel Discussion: Why is Diversity so Important? ................................................................................. 10

Junger’s “Korengal” Film Explains Why Veterans Miss War ................................................................................. 11

Getting Crafty during Irish Culture Week.............................................................................................................. 12

Sodexo Is There for Students during Bad Weather Conditions ............................................................................ 13

Nadine Hoffmann Inspires Others to Learn a New Language ............................................................................... 14

Black Student Union and Student Programming Council Combine for Open Mic Night ...................................... 17

Taking Steps in Teaching Irish Culture .................................................................................................................. 17

Two Marist Employees Receive 40 under 40 Awards ........................................................................................... 19

Our Staff .................................................................................................................................................. Back Cover

Cover Photo Credit: Desmond Murray

3

The winner of a prestigious award has selected Marist College as the place to pursue her educational goals.

Nina Scott, a graduating senior at Poughkeepsie High School, was one of two high school students to receive the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute Youth Honoree Scholarship at the 24th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast sponsored by the Catharine Street Community Center in Poughkeepsie on January 23, 2015.

In a letter of support that Scott was required to submit for consideration for the awards, the superintendent of the City of Poughkeepsie School District, Dr. Nicole Williams, said, “Nina is an extraordinary young woman, possessing the characteristics associated with academic achievement and success, embodied in the immortal words and incredible legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: perseverance, intellectual curiosity, strength of character, and empathy and compassion for others. She is an intelligent young woman who holds herself to a high set of personal standards.”

Scott will be graduating in the top 10 of her class of 300 students. Constantly busy, she likes being involved in as many extracurricular activities as possible. In her spare time, she can be found tutoring 9th graders and fulfilling her duties as team captain and treasurer of the volleyball team and a member of the step team, yearbook committee, and prom committee.

Scott comes from a family of Red Foxes. Her mother, Megan Gomes ’16, currently attends Marist, and her aunt, Liza Cortijo ’05/’11 MPA, is a Marist alumna. Marist is also the alma mater of her favorite teacher, Farrah T. Ward ’01, who teaches global and U.S. history. Scott goes to Ward for all sorts of advice and sits in on her classes whenever she can, including Scott’s free periods.

Scott is very excited about starting college this fall and plans to major in business with a finance concentration. She is already very familiar with the campus because she has been involved in the Marist College Upward Bound program for the past five years. “If it wasn’t for them, I would have not gotten into Marist,” Scott said of the coordinators at the Upward Bound Program. “They gave me the courage to go on after high

school.” In 2014, she was honored with the program’s Leadership Award.

Since 1966, Marist Upward Bound has worked with teens in the Poughkeepsie area to guide them toward pursuing a college degree. Currently the program assists over 100 teens from two high schools located in Dutchess and Orange counties. Upward Bound offers various tools that include career exploration, personal counseling, academic advising, financial aid counseling, tutoring, mentoring, college entrance exam preparation, and social and cultural events.

“We’re delighted that Nina Scott will be joining Marist’s freshman class in the fall,” said Marist President Dennis J. Murray. “I met Nina at the Catharine Street breakfast in January, and she struck me as an extremely bright and accomplished young woman who will make a fine addition to our College community. Her academic achievements and leadership in extracurricular activities have prepared her well for success at Marist and beyond.”

Marist alumnus Alvin A. Patrick Jr. ’86, the keynote speaker at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. event and currently a CBS news producer, also said he was happy Nina has chosen Marist. “As an alum, I have watched Marist grow into a first-class 21st century institution, and I am sure she will have a wonderful undergraduate experience.”

MLK Award Recipient Selects Marist for Fall 2015By Cathryn Vaccaro, Staff Writer/Intern

Nina Scott, MLK Jr. Award recipient.

4

Professor Ron Coleman has been with Marist College for the past 13 years and this year was promoted to full professor. While teaching computer science has been his specialty since joining the school, it is not where his career started.

Coleman began his journey in high school, when he became interested in programming. It was the NASA space program that triggered his love for science and technology, so he decided to enter college as a chemistry major. However, after spending a summer working in a hospital, he realized that he did not like being in the presence of blood and changed his major to computer science. After graduating from college, Coleman found himself in the business world.

Prior to joining Marist, Coleman was on the recruiting side for a startup company. From a personal standpoint, transitioning from corporate to education was rather natural because it involved interacting with Marist students, which was a highlight for him. From a business standpoint, however, the transition was different on many levels.

“The corporate world is all about developing shareholder values,” Coleman said. “It’s about creating products with objects in mind.” He pointed out the difference between the industry and academia. “In the corporate world, your goal is to get the product done,” he said. “There is not too much philosophy behind it. In the academic world, you think a lot about what you’re doing as you complete your work.”

The transition has proven to be rather successful for Coleman, as he earned the Marist College Board of Trustees Distinguished Teaching Award in 2010.

“It was an unexpected surprise to be thought of,” he said, “especially as someone who was not trained as a teacher and came in trying to give students a new outlook.”

Dr. Roger Norton, dean of the School of Computer Science and Mathematics at Marist, believes that Coleman has impacted the school tremendously.

“Not only has he helped students create new software, but he was also involved in the creation of the concentration in game design,” Norton said. “He’s a very spiritual and down-to-earth individual and one of the friendliest, most well-liked people I know here at Marist.”

Coleman’s goal since he began teaching at Marist has been for his students to be able to separate work from technology. He wants them to focus more on the problem-solving aspect of the job. His hope is that his students take away the sense that they will be learning new things all the time, especially in their specific field.

Several of Coleman’s students had positive words to say about their professor.

“His class was really interesting, and he let us have massive creative freedom,” computer science major Paul McCusker said. “While his class was definitely challenging, I still loved it and I think he’s a really good guy and an even better professor.”

Bryan Rockwood, also a computer science major, had similar words to say about Coleman. “I wouldn’t say he’s hard or easy, rather more fair,” he said. “He’s really charismatic and enjoyable to listen to. He’s more than willing to help, and behind his friendly demeanor is a really smart guy that knows what he’s talking about.”

When it came time to apply for the promotion to full professor, Coleman found the process similar to applying for tenure. A peer review committee examined his teaching, scholarship, and service. However, the process was longer for the promotion at almost two semesters long. Now, after finally receiving it, Coleman finds himself more relieved than anything else because he is no longer under scrutiny.

“I am profoundly humbled by this promotion,” he said. “It took lots of people to help me get where I am. I could not do any of this without them.” After receiving his award, his tenure, and now his promotion, Coleman has interpreted it all as a vote of confidence to continue learning, growing, and developing contributions to education.

A Passionate Teacher Receives a Promotion at Marist By Adriana Belmonte, Staff Writer/Intern

Ron Coleman was promoted to full professor this year at Marist.

5

On February 26 the Sankofa Drum and Dance Ensemble brought African music and culture to Marist College. The group’s performance consisted of drummers and dancers who told African stories and lessons about life through their music and dance.

Maxwell Kofi Donkor formed this ensemble in 1997 in Allen-town and Stroudsburg, PA. Sankofa translates as “going back to the roots,” which means to go back and correct one’s mistakes.

The drummers and dancers in Sankofa wore traditional African clothing comprised of robes colored in yellow and blue hues, assorted jewelry, and either hats or scarves covering their hair. The drums were decorated in animal skins and made out of wood. The dancers used various instruments to create sound, and to create a story as they danced.

The performance was full of passion and brought the audi-ence of more than 20 people to their feet. Donkor encouraged audience participation. “Ninety percent of your body is water, nine percent is spirit, one percent is flesh,” he said.

Donkor believes that we all have a spirit within us, and that through dance and music we can release our spirits and bring ourselves back to our roots. He believes in the power of a “village” and that his music can be used as a tool of healing. Sankofa has often performed in offices, after a long day of work, so that people are able to release their tensions. The African beats and chants demand participation, and audience members cannot help but feel the rhythm.

One of the greatest aspects of Sankofa’s performance was that it brought many different groups of people together, just as Donkor had hoped it would. Members of the Black Student Union danced among people such as Dr. Geoffrey Brackett, the executive vice president of Marist College, who embraced the music and was not shy in participating on the dance floor. Inter-national students were also in attendance.

The performance was not the only cultural aspect of the performance; traditional African food was also served during intermission. Various rice, meat, and pineapple dishes were well received by all. “Energy is coming together,” Donkor said, “and with a village, nothing can take us down.” His enthusiasm and energy for every aspect of the event made the event a night to remember.

Donkor brought not only a great cultural experience but also a positive message. He wanted people to realize that these events will make a difference in the world and will bring about a greater sense of peace. The event certainly did bring about cel-ebration, unity, healing, and a wonderful sense of peace among everyone in attendance.

“Peace starts with all of us,” Donkor said, “one at a time, in our hearts.”

Sankofa Moves Marist CommunityBy Mariah Christian, Staff Writer/Intern

The Sankofa Drum and Dance Ensemble brought African music and culture to Marist on Feb. 26.

Photo by Eury Fabian

6

The women’s studies minor celebrated its 20th anniversary at Marist College with an on-campus panel on March 4. Faculty, administrators, and students from a variety of backgrounds had the opportunity to meet the new program directors, Dr. Kristin Bayer and Dr. Angela Laflen, and engage with five key faculty panelists involved in the interdisciplinary minor.

Attendees enjoyed light refreshments in a classroom on the second floor of the Hancock Center and chatted about the program as the panelists arrived. A black-and-white image of Marist’s first female graduate, Dorothy Kandash Willis of the Class of ’69, was projected on a screen beside the panel. This powerful image served as the opening slide of a presentation that highlighted the diverse faculty approaches to women’s scholarship at Marist.

Directors Bayer and Laflen began with brief introductions and acknowledgment of two faculty members who could not attend the event yet were instrumental in developing women’s studies at Marist, Dr. Sue Lawrence and Dr. Robyn Rosen. The directors then focused audience attention on the event’s faculty panel: Dr. JoAnne Myers, Dr. Shannon Roper, Dr. Justin Myers, Dr. Anne Bertrand, and Dr. Michelle Smith.

“We just really wanted to get everybody in a room,” said Laflen. Faculty who teach courses that count toward the interdisciplinary women’s studies minor are rarely in a single building at the same time, let alone in the same room. Similar issues exist for students who are interested in pursuing women’s studies at Marist.

“Dr. Laflen and I thought to host the panel in order to create a dialogue between those who had founded women’s studies at Marist and the wider community,” Bayer said.

It wasn’t until Bayer and Laflen were revising Web materials and minor course offerings that they realized that it was also the 20th anniversary of the program. This discovery sparked the idea to host the panel not only as a way to unite the women’s studies community at Marist but also as a celebration of the program’s past.

“We were hoping to acknowledge the history of the program while also getting feedback from students, faculty, and staff who could inform the direction of the program,” said Bayer.

While the women’s studies program already brings in new perspectives through external audiences at the annual Women and Society Conference each fall, Laflen noted that the panel

reached the Marist women’s studies community exclusively.

“It kind of helped us to identify especially faculty and even administrators who are interested in women’s studies issues, as well as some students,” Laflen said. “Identifying a core group of faculty and interested people across campus was really our central goal, and I think that we did accomplish that.”

The panel was made up of representatives from art history, sociology, communications, political science, and English disciplines. Speakers covered a range of topics from feminist rhetoric to women’s involvement in the Appalachian mountaintop removal protests. As a history professor, Bayer was excited to learn more about how faculty from different fields of study were tackling women’s issues not only in their courses, but through activism as well. Student and faculty members in the audience also provided valuable insight into opportunities that still exist for developing new women’s studies-related courses.

“One thing that became clear is the need to get the word out—to spread information about women’s studies across campus so people know the content of courses,” said Bayer. Students and faculty voiced the importance of encouraging and publicizing teaching that tackles concepts of race, gender, and sexuality very broadly. The event affirmed the need for more effective communication between disciplines as the program continues to develop. Bayer and Laflen want to begin to bridge the gap between schools with an e-mailing list, regular Web site updates, and the release of the first edition of a women’s studies newsletter.

Currently, opportunities for individuals who are interested in women’s scholarship at Marist are predominantly academic. Two major outlets for student and faculty involvement exist within the minor program and the annual Women and Society Conference. However, as Bayer and Laflen wrap their heads around the future of women’s studies at Marist they want to create new ways for individuals to get more involved in the program. They are organizing a steering committee of faculty and staff to generate new programming and courses.

“We hope to have more events on campus—more visibility

The Women’s Studies Minor CelebratesTwo DecadesBy Shannon Bales, Staff Writer/Intern

Continued on page 15

Dr. Angela Laflen is one of the new program directors for the women’s studies minor.

7

The Marist Fund selected Marist senior Maria Gironas as the keynote speaker for the Campus Campaign Recognition Luncheon on February 12. The Marist Fund raises money for an unrestricted fund used to support students wherever it is needed most, whether it’s financial aid and scholarships or academic programs and the latest technology. The Marist Fund is split into several divisions including the Campus Campaign, Parents Campaign, Alumni Campaign, and the local business campaign known as the Hudson Valley Scholars Program.

Elisabeth Tavares, special assistant to the president and a Campus Campaign committee member, recalled meeting Gironas at a Hispanic Heritage luncheon. “I remember meeting Maria and thinking she was really on the ball and a great representative of Marist. Based on our interaction, I knew she would be a great fit for the Marist Fund luncheon keynote speaker.”

Gironas is a California native born to Bolivian immigrants Ramiro and Carla Gironas. She attended Centennial High School in the city of Corona, CA.

“My graduating class was 667 students but that was out of the 1,200 that originally were in my class year, so only half of the student body was able to graduate successfully,” said Gironas.

After she discovered Marist through the College Board search engine, Gironas decided to conduct further research on this small East Coast college. Gironas has had a one-track mind for a public relations career since as long as she can remember; therefore, the strong communications program at Marist attracted her.

Several thousand miles away from home, Gironas truly believes that she found a perfect fit at Marist. “I knew that I wanted small class sizes and I wanted more attention. If anyone from Marist went to my high school, they would be shocked at how little you can really be viewed.”

Gironas’s current on-campus duties at Marist include serving as director of North Road Communications, a student-run public relations firm, talent coordinator for MCTV, and coffeehouse music chair. She is also a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority.

The numerous upper-level positions only embody half of Gironas’s agenda. She has successfully completed 16 internships during her college career, sometimes acquiring three in a single semester. “I wanted a plethora of things to add to my public relations education, so I made sure to have a wide experience in fields such as production, social media, marketing, and digital marketing,” said Gironas.

Perhaps the most astounding factor of Gironas’s college education is that she has managed all of her responsibilities in just three years and is successfully graduating at the age of 20. Maria’s perpetual work ethic is incomparable to many, but what is it that fuels her drive?

Her parents came to the United States at the ages of 18 and 17 years old. Her mother never had the opportunity to complete her high school education because she was forced by her parents to move immediately to the U.S. Both parents never had the chance to obtain a college degree once in America. Gironas’s father took community

2015 Marist Fund Keynote Speaker Describes her Journey as a First Generation College Student By Andrea Martin, Staff Writer/Intern

Continued on page 15Senior Marist College student Maria Gironas wants to pursue a career in music after graduation.

8

On February 18 in the Student Center Cabaret, Marist College students, faculty, and staff members joined hands in a large circle with bright smiles on their faces and joy in their hearts singing “Lean on Me.” This particular song is about coming together and that is exactly what David Burns, the director of the Gospel Choir, wanted the crowd to feel by the end of this performance. The room was filled with such life and happiness. From the moment the choir group started singing, the Cabaret was vibrant with hope and warmth despite the cold February days.

“Gospel Music is an experience that cannot be told in short stories, or even in a melody of songs, or is too rich, far too harmonious, and deliberately stimulating,” explained Burns. “It is a living experience, always changing, always giving, and always becoming the foundation that gave moral, physical, and spiritual support to great and powerful people.”

Burns goes on to demonstrate how gospel music is a shining beacon of hope to connect others with God. For the first time, the Center for Multicultural Affairs, Music Department, and Student Activities departments all came together to host “The History of Gospel” event. In order to prepare for the performance, the gospel choir group met every Tuesday and Thursday night from 8 to 9:15 p.m. “If you love to sing, come on in! We are always welcoming new members,” said Burns.

Not only did the crowd leave this event with a sense of belonging and bliss, Burns and the choir group made sure to educate the crowd about the rich history of gospel music. Members of the choir spoke about the historical aspects of gospel music. They noted prominent influencers of gospel music, such as Charles Tindley, a famous gospel composer better known as the father of gospel music, and the Hawkins family, who were known as the first family of gospel music. Books and records of gospel musicians throughout the centuries lined one side of the Cabaret.

The performance began with the Negro National Anthem. The choir sang a selection of 13 songs, including “Swing Low,

Sweet Chariot,” “It’s Me Going Up Yonder,” “When the Saints Go Marching In,” “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands,” “This Little Light of Mine,” and many more. The choir also selected poems, such as “I Rise” by Maya Angelou and “Dream Deferred” by Langston Hughes.

The gospel choir was a harmonized team right from the start. This group of diverse individuals united through song. This team cheered each other on during solo and duet performances. The crowd enjoyed their performance even more because each member of the choir smile radiated with such passion and joy. It looked like they felt most at home and comfortable together singing. “It was an amazing time. My favorite part was when we all joined together at the end,” stated Iulia Ionescu, a freshman Marist student who attended the event to support her friend in the choir.

One individual who had an exceptional performance and powerful presence during the performance was Divine Moses. He is an international transfer student from Nigeria. He is currently a sophomore and has been a part of the choir for two semesters so far. Moses has been singing since he was five years old. Moses had the biggest smile on his face whenever he was singing rather it be in a duet or solo. His happiness lit up the room. The crowd cheered and sang along with Moses as he performed straight from his heart.

Gospel Choir Group Enlightens Marist Community through Unity during “The History of Gospel” Event By Cathryn Vaccaro, Staff Writer/Intern

Continued on page 16

The Gospel Choir educated the audience on the rich history of gospel music during a concert Feb. 18. Photo by Eury Fabian

9

Irish Culture Week was an exciting time at Marist, complete with step-dancing classes, Irish foods to sample, and musical performances. Also part of the week was a screening of The Pier, a short film by Irish filmmaker Gerard Hurley. On March 4, students piled into the Fusco Recital Hall in the music building to view Hurley’s work and to ask him questions afterward.

The film centers on a man drawn back to his home country of Ireland after receiving news that his father has passed. Once he arrives at his former home, he discovers that his father is in fact alive and came up with the story because he knew it was the only way to get him back home. The remainder of the film focuses on the two men repairing their troubled relationship. While all of this is going on, the landscape of Ireland is beautifully featured in the background.

“It was an artfully crafted film,” said sophomore Sophia Brana. “As a media studies major, I appreciated his use of wide angle shots to show off the Irish landscapes.”

As a man who did not finish high school, Hurley is considered by many to be unorthodox in his journey to a filmmaking career. The Pier was completed in eight days in two countries on a low budget of $125,000. When it came time to find people to fund his film, Hurley had no problem sending away people he did not agree with. “When it came to a certain group, I remember thinking to myself, ‘I would rather rob a bank than work with these people,’ ” he said.

While the film was not biographical, it was very personal for Hurley. He admitted that he was willing to take more emotional risks with this film than with the two films he has previously made. What made it so personal for him? “Where I come from, this is who I am. I left Ireland because there was no work and no hope. The film reflects religious attitudes growing up and that’s why it’s so personal.”

Colin McCann, associate director for first year programs and leadership development and faculty advisor to the Gaelic Society, created Irish Culture Week and has been humbled by the response to the events, particularly to Hurley’s film. McCann wanted to feature The Pier because of the film’s simplicity while maintaining complexity in the characters.

“The characters captured the essence of Irish culture and really gave an insight to Irish people overall. It was beautifully shot and very interesting to see Hurley starring in the film as well as directing,” he said. “I liked that it’s an indie film and because of that, it avoids the stereotypes of mainstream films. It’s kind of off the beaten path, but in a good way.”

Short Film Showcases Irish CultureBy Adriana Belmonte, Staff Writer/Intern

Irish filmmaker Gerard Hurley fielded questions at a screening of his film at Marist College

10

On March 31, more than 225 Marist faculty, staff, students, and members of the community gathered in the Student Center Cabaret to discuss topics relative to affirmative action, diversity, sexual orientation, discrimination, employment, and education. Dr. Edward Pittman, associate dean of the college for campus life and diversity at Vassar College, facilitated the discussion by asking questions which were then considered by five panelists. The panelists were Melinda Martinez, director of the Liberty Partnership Program, Tia Gaynor, assistant professor of public administration, Patricia Ferrer-Medina, assistant professor of Spanish, Colin McCann, associate director of first year programs and leadership development, and Gayatree Siddhanta Sarma, visiting professional lecturer, School of Management. All five panelists explained the importance of diversity and inclusion and offered sincere insights that sparked the student question-and-answer period and truly ignited the night’s discussion.

Pittman framed the discussion by introducing the topic, “Why is diversity so important? Our goal tonight is to dig un-derneath the question. There is an opportunity to embrace the tension around diversity.”

Gaynor expressed thoughts on the definition of campus diversity, noting, “The conversation is often superficial and it is skin-deep but it doesn’t talk about other things that go far beyond race, gender, religion, and ethnicity. It’s not just about diversity. I feel like the diversity conversation has been going on for a very long time and we’re not digging deeper.”

All five panelists agreed that conversations about societal issues must be had in safe envi-ronments in order to generate change. Once the panel discussion ended, it was apparent that the panelists had effectively encouraged students in the audience to speak fearlessly. As soon as Pitt-man opened the floor for audience participation, students eagerly jumped out of seats to form a line in the center of the room and anxiously waited to express frustrations, anxieties, and disappointments regarding diversity on the Marist College campus.

Personal sentiments from students, included:

“I feel so uncomfortable in class and I shouldn’t feel so uncomfortable. How can you change somebody’s attitude towards people of color and minority students?”

“I didn’t know that color speaks, I didn’t know that white or black have certain tones. People have their own tone, not their skin color.”

“I felt I lost power and lost who I was at Marist. I realized that all of my decision-making was influenced on how I would be perceived. “

“People need to speak on everything that confuses them and get people talking. Everything is so perfect and safe in this bubble and it’s not reality, and I think that is something we need to realize as a school.”

“It’s not fair that my friends that look differently from me don’t have the leisure of walking freely on campus without get-ting stopped by security.”

Presidential Fellow Freddimir Garcia ’09/’14 M shared his feelings regarding the discussion. “Marist continues to evolve and as it continues to do so, the College has tried to address diversity issues through the work of the Diversity Council and departmental responsibilities. The individuals of this institution are committed to every member of the Marist community and to making Marist a better place.”

The event was co-sponsored by the Marist College Diversity Council, the Marist College Center for Multicultural Affairs, and Enterprise Rent-a-Car.

Diversity Panel Discussion: Why is Diversity so Important?By Andrea Martin, Staff Writer/Intern

Dr. Edward Pittman, Vassar College (left), served as the moderator for “Why Is Diversity So Important?” panel discussion. Marist College faculty and staff who participated on the panel include (left to right) Patricia Ferrer, Melinda Martinez, Colin McCann, Gayatree Siddhanta, and Tia Gaynor. photo by Al Nowak

11

You might recognize Sebastian Junger’s name from the books. He’s the best-selling author of The Perfect Storm and journalist, but Junger is no stranger to war. His familiarity with armed conflict and the grief that comes along with it could have been why he decided to leave the Nelly Goletti Theatre after giving a brief introduction to his film Korengal.

Shot over the course of a year, Korengal is different from oth-er war documentaries in that it exposes so much more than just footage of those engaged in combat. Junger’s ultimate message in Korengal is to explain how war truly works. Korengal, the lo-cation of an American army camp in Afghanistan, is also known to war vets as the Valley of Death. Forty-two Americans have died fighting there. War is brutal and terrible, yet what Korengal seeks to answer is why so many soldiers miss it when it’s over.

Korengal didn’t earn its nickname solely as a result of those who were lost. The film opens by bringing contrasting cultures to light. War vets discuss how the mountains themselves don’t look much different than the mountains they skied down in Colorado, a quiet, happy place with memories involving family and no unexpected visitors. The Korengal Valley, on the other hand, conceals the Taliban behind its beauty. This is their home, and while the American soldiers are forced to think on their feet, they can’t deny respect for the enemy.

“They are very skilled warriors,” says one soldier, “ruthless, awesome fighters.” It’s important not to confuse this respect with compassion, though. In fact, by the time a shootout begins, the men are already pumped with adrenaline.

“I’m on fire!” one solider screams, “F*** you!” yells another as he yanks on the trigger. While respect for the opponent still stands, there is plenty of celebration fol-lowing a takedown. They’ve been waiting in the hills, trying to find entertainment out of anything. Rock fights, getting tattoos, singing songs, and breaking the guitars of those who annoyed them are just a few activi-

ties shown in the film. But, if anything, these men have more to celebrate than just the end of a confrontation. They are also celebrating the fact that their own team suffered no losses.

“It’s a feeling you get to know that you like, if everyone cheats death,” explains a soldier, but the true trial is when the party stops. In fact, many soldiers find themselves craving the next firefight. “Sometimes you want to fight just to pass the time.”

The boredom can get to a person, especially after moving from the speed of bullets to a sudden halt. The trick is keeping busy; that way your worries don’t keep you up at night. Soldiers carry their own worries about finding jobs, what’s happening at home, and even their own good versus evil.

After a kill, it brings a person in the Valley cheer, because it’s one less person out to kill them. An abrupt stop can cause soldiers to consider whether or not they took lives unjustly.

Maybe they didn’t have to fire, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t have been done. The film was very real because it showed the severity of strength it takes to withhold anger for survival; one must always consider possible consequences of his/her move on others. If he/she is gone, the squad is also at an automatic disad-vantage.

Junger composed the seamless transi-tion of footage from action to emotional scenes when the men mourned the loss of a fellow soldier who embodied cour-age by jumping atop a bomb. These men don’t consider themselves heroes for joining the Army or being on tour; they see true bravery as putting themselves at risk for the benefit of others. This is called brotherhood, because someone in the squad made a conscious decision to die for others.

Much like the opening of the film that uses geography to serve as a contrast be-tween Afghanistan and the United States,

Junger’s “Korengal” Film Explains Why Veterans Miss War By Jacqueline Trauring, Staff Writer/Intern

Continued on page 18

Sebastian Junger speaks about his documentary, Korengal, at Marist.

12

On March 4, members of the Marist College Gaelic Society set up tables in the Student Center to educate others about Irish culture. People passing by had the opportunity to make various Irish themed crafts at the Irish Craft and Trivia Fair. This was one of many events held during Irish Culture Week, which was sponsored by the Gaelic Society, the Office of First Year Programs and Leadership Development, the Office of Student Activities, and the Department of Media Arts.

Tables decorated with bright purple and green drapes were filled with glitter, green shamrocks, and Saint Bridget’s crosses. The Irish Craft and Trivia Fair was the first event that the Gaelic Society held that other members of the Marist community could attend. The 22-member society, which meets during activity hours on Wednesday, is trying to build a stronger presence on campus by becoming an official club.

“When I was given the opportunity to be acting president, I really wanted to help bring the club back,” explained sophomore Erin Taylor. “I think that the Irish history is really unique. The Irish have contributed so much throughout history and we really do not learn enough about it in classes. Getting involved in this club was a huge eye-opener for me.”

President Dennis J. Murray even stopped by the event to learn more about his family heritage. He searched for the Murray crest in a book that was displayed at the fair. He and other members of the Marist community including many alumni walk in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York City each year.

There was also an opportunity to win some Irish-themed Marist gear if a student achieved the highest score on an Irish history quiz.

“The Irish culture is so interesting and not discussed a lot,” said James Newman, a junior who took the quiz. “I am a little Irish, but I definitely enjoy the food and the music the most. My favorite Irish food is corn beef. I love Van Morrison, a famous Irish singer, as well.”

Colin McCann, associate director for first year programs and leadership development and faculty advisor to the Gaelic Society, would like to see the club grow. He strives to make the club the best it can be by finding members who are passionate and excited to learn about Irish culture. Future plans include trips to the Irish American Museum and visits to Irish pubs in the Bronx and New York City. McCann is also searching for speakers and Celtic bands to showcase every aspect of Irish culture.

“As the group grows its strengths and ideas, I want to really see what the students want from this club. Hosting Irish Culture Week was a great way to promote the club by incorporating every aspect of the Irish culture through food, dance, crafts, and song.”

Getting Crafty during Irish Culture Week By Cathryn Vaccaro, Staff Writer/Intern

President Dennis Murray (left) and Freddimir Garcia, Presidential Fellow (right), stop by a table during Irish Culture Week.

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The streets were quiet aside from the scraping of plows across the icy pavement, yet the Marist College dining hall buzzed with its usual chatter and clattering of dishes. Students shed their coats and scarves as Sodexo workers passed off plates of warm food with smiles. Ruth Putterman, a Sodexo supervisor from New Paltz, NY, thought of her son as she greeted students. He had pleaded with her not to stay in a hotel with several other workers the night before, but she felt that she had to. “Everything here has to be perfect, even if it is a snow day,” Putterman said.

Sodexo General Manager Mohamad Charafeddine operated in the same mindset when he executed the emergency plan for snowstorms on two occasions early this semester. “It’s an essential service,” he said. “We have to be here to feed the College community.”

When Gov. Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency for Dutchess and Ulster counties — effectively closing roads to all drivers excluding emergency response vehicles indefinitely — Sodexo workers found themselves caught in the grip of winter storm Juno. However, Charafeddine offered employees a safe choice in the face of the blizzard. Those who volunteered to stay until normal closing hours were offered campus security vehicle transport to a nearby Holiday Inn Express in Poughkeepsie where they could stay the night. A total of 16 workers decided to take Charafeddine up on the offer, and with the help of campus security, the dining hall opened as scheduled the next morning.

“We were all concerned about each other’s safety,” said Chef John Kranz, one of the dedicated workers who chose to stay in the hotel during the storm. He describes the dining services team as a tightknit group; they were worried for those who chose to weather the storm on their own.

Sodexo worker Marcelino Edwards lives locally and walks to work. During the storm Edwards’ walk, which usually takes him about 30 minutes, took over an hour. He described conditions of up to a foot and a half of snow in his path, soaking through his layered socks and thermals. The sidewalks had not been shoveled from the night before as Edwards trudged to work his 9-to-5 shift. Arriving an hour early, he greeted his supervisor Putterman and clocked in as usual.

Students entering the dining hall each day often don’t witness the behind-the-scenes efforts of Sodexo employees.

Sodexo Is There for Students during Bad Weather Conditions By Shannon Bales, Staff Writer/Intern

Continued on page 16

“It’s not because the students don’t care or don’t know, they just expect that we’ll be here,” Charafeddine said.

“I had no idea,” said senior Marianne Mazza, a freshman area resident assistant. “I remember wondering how they came in to work that day because the roads were terrible. I was kind of hoping they had a bunker attached to the dining hall or something,” she said jokingly. As an upperclassman living in a freshman area, Mazza understands what it’s like to not have a personal kitchen. Mazza, like many of her freshman residents, relies heavily on dining hall services for her meals.

“Sodexo and I go way back. It always makes me feel at home to see the same people working there from four years ago when I was a freshman,” Mazza said. This amicable relationship between the dining services staff and students plays a big part in Sodexo employees’ willingness to go extra lengths during crisis situations.

Ruth Putterman, supervisor, and John Kranz, chef, Sodexo, were both working at Marist during the snow emergency this past winter.

Photo by Desmond Murray

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Dr. Nadine Hoffmann, assistant professor of communication/public relations, has experience when it comes to immersing herself in various cultures. A native of Germany, she graduated from the University of Bonn with a German equivalent of a major in American studies, media studies, and political science. She moved to the United States to receive her master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Kansas and went on to earn a PhD in mass communication from the University of Georgia.

“I was drawn to America because it seemed like such a fun place to live in,” Hoffmann said. “I liked the language and the lifestyle and I really took notice of people’s positive attitudes that were a lot different from those in Germany. Their outlook was very attractive.”

Starting at the age of 10, she began to learn different languages as a requirement for her grade school. English was her first foreign language, which she was taught in the fifth grade. Two years later, she learned French, which she says was the hardest one to learn. Though her school only required her to learn two new languages, Hoffmann realized how much she enjoyed challenging herself and began taking Italian classes in the ninth grade. While she was originally interested in pursuing a career in journalism, she felt that there were a lack of opportunities for her in Germany for that major. It was then that she received an internship with the company Bayer AG in a public relations position.

“I found the psychology behind public relations to be very fascinating, and the fact that the job still involved writing, like journalism, made me accept it,” Hoffmann said. Years later, in her twenties, she also began learning Spanish because she started working in public relations for an international communication business in Latin America.

As someone who was born outside of the United States and who speaks several languages, Hoffmann believes that those qualities provide many advantages.

“You’re more observant and ask questions. And I don’t believe I would have ever gotten some of my jobs without knowing different languages,” she said.

She believes that speaking a different language is very helpful because it encourages openness, broadened horizons, seeing things from different angles, and different ways of thinking. She emphasizes that learning a new language is more important than what language it actually is but warns that some are harder to learn than others.

“Learning one language helps to learn others but sometimes it has led to blending problems for me.”

Jacquelyn Desjardins, a sophomore PR student at Marist, believes Hoffmann is a good teacher because of her background in the industry and in different countries.

“She often talks about her languages when discussing global public relations or language barriers and how that can affect communication,” Desjardins said.

When asked to elaborate on the effects of language barriers, Hoffmann said there can often be misunderstandings and things can get lost in translation. Communication is different with another person when the two do not have a common language.

Nonetheless, Hoffmann believes that visiting other countries and immersing oneself in different cultures and languages makes a person more culturally aware.

“The key is exposing yourself. It’s very helpful to go abroad because it makes you more culturally sensitive. You find it easier to relate to others of different backgrounds.”

Dr. Claire Keith, associate professor of French, is also a fervent advocate for learning a second language, especially for college professors.

“There is a huge advantage there. It opens your mind,”

Nadine Hoffmann Inspires Others to Learn a New LanguageBy Adriana Belmonte, Staff Writer/Intern

Continued on page 18Dr. Nadine Hoffmann, assistant professor of communication/public relations, has traveled to more than 40 countries and recommends going abroad.

Photo by Eury Fabian

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on campus,” said Laflen. The 20th-anniversary panel event accomplished that and more by opening up a dialogue about women’s scholarship between key faculty and students.

The Women’s Studies Minor Celebrates Two DecadesContinued from page 6college classes to learn a trade and eventually used that

education to fix air conditioners.

“My college experience has been the culmination of everything my parents have never been able to do. I know that my mom would have loved to be in a sorority, so I joined. I know that my father would have loved student government, so I got involved.”

Gironas feels appreciation for Marist as an establishment and gratitude for the relationships she has with professors and students, relationships she will treasure for the rest of her life. She says Marist is unparalleled in higher education. “From high school to now, I am an entirely different person. I was afraid of taking risks and I’ve learned this is a time in our life that we can take advantage of things. I think facing fear with enthusiasm is one thing I will take away from Marist.”

Her individuality and determination for success radiates off every inch of her persona and are almost contagious upon meeting her. As for her future plans, she wants to work in the music public relations industry and hopes to be a head publicist by the age of 23.

2015 Fund Keynote SpeakerContinued from page 7

Some members of the Marist College Diversity Council attended the Diversity Panel earlier this year. They include (from left to right) Freddimir Garcia, presidential fellow; Tim Murray, athletic director; Christine Mulvey, director, special projects, telecommuni-cations and networking; Jeffrey Caine, assistant director of housing, Desmond Murray, co-chair of Diversity Council and editor, Di-versity Works Magazine and Julio Torres, assistant director of admission. Other members who were present, but not in this photo were Reba-Anna Lee, co-chair Diversity Council and Deborah Raikes-Colbert, assistant vice president, Human Resources.

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“My favorite song to sing is ‘Lean on Me.’ I like spreading love and helping other people. Helping others is another passion of mine, besides singing. I love being in this choir so much. They are all like family to me,” explained Moses.

Sarah Burns, the mother of David Burns, has participated in the gospel choir at Marist for the past four years. Since Burns was very young he always had an ear for music. He learned classical music at the age of 3 and would always gravitate to the piano as a baby. He played the piano for jazz groups and various orchestras. The members of the choir call Sarah mom. “We are so proud of David and the choir here. He does not have any children, but tells the choir that they are his children,” explained Burns.

To stick along with the Southern theme and the hospitality of church and food, Sodexho provided some light snacks and refreshments for attendees and participants to enjoy after the event. Some of these snacks included mini barbecue pulled pork cole slaw sandwiches, hush puppies, mac and cheese balls, and fried green tomatoes.

“It is important to let the community know what an amazing gospel choir we have here at Marist. Our mission here at the multicultural affairs is very similar to what the gospel choir represents. The key is to be able to sing and to praise. David Burns does an excellent job directing these students. We want to bring all of the Marist community together and be more aware of this incredible program” said Iris Ruiz-Grech, the Center for Multicultural Affairs’ director.

Continued from page 8

Gospel Choir Group Enlightens Marist

Sodexo Is There for Students Continued from page 13

As a mother of three children, Putterman treats Marist students as if they were her own. She knows that she serves as more than a supervisor for Sodexo dining services; she is a mother figure to students studying away from home.

As an integral part of the team, one of Kranz’s responsibilities is to prepare ingredients in advance for each meal that the students eat. “As a cook, I feel obligated to feed people,” said Kranz. “It’s just got to happen.”

“I think it speaks volumes,” Charafeddine said of his employees’ commitment. He was humbled to see that most of the workers on duty during both Juno and the bout of snow the following week were willing to stay in the hotel overnight in order to feed the students on both occasions.

“They feel that they are part of the community; it’s not just a job, they feel connected,” said Charafeddine. For Sodexo employees, a huge part of the job lies not only in handling dining services but also in interacting with the students and faculty in the Marist community. The workers often call each other and students that they see regularly by name. They are part of a family, a family that has proven that together they will weather any storm.

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Taking Steps in Teaching Irish CultureBy Shileen Cruz, Staff Writer/Intern

One of the interactive activities during Irish Culture Week was the Irish step dance workshop, which included an intimate dance session from Marist student Meaghan Houlihan. While the turnout was small, it allowed Houlihan to work closer with those who did attend. “I would have liked more people to come, but there were advantages to having a smaller group,” Houlihan said. “Overall, I thought the workshop was successful.”

The workshop saw support from the Marist cheerleading team as well as associate professor of history Dr. Sally Dwyer-McNulty, who had encouraged Houlihan to host the workshop. Houlihan has performed in numerous Irish step competitions and enjoyed sharing her knowledge.

Houlihan is enthused about conducting another Irish step workshop next year that garners even more awareness and participation from her peers. “I would hold the event again because I like seeing how fascinated everyone is by Irish dancing.” Meaghan Houlihan, a student dance

instructor, teaches Irish step dance. Photo by Briana Holmes

On February 7, two Marist clubs joined forces to create a unique event for Black History Month. The Black Student Union and the Student Programming Council brought forth an Open Mic night in order to celebrate the talent that many students have in common in a laid-back environment.

The night saw students of all grade levels, majors, and back-grounds performing poetry and musical acts for each other. The host of the Open Mic event, Maria Gironas ’15, even dabbled in some comedy by performing a stand-up act that highlighted her experiences as a Hispanic female at Marist College.

Though the popular instrument of choice was the acoustic guitar, some students opted to spark their performances with the piano, ukulele, and of course, their beautiful voices as instruments. A few self-written ballads made the stage as well, demonstrating that the diversity of Marist students rests not just in the different colors of the audience’s skin.

Among the numerous writers who performed was Bryanna Adams ’17. The newly elected Black Student Union president served a double purpose at the event as she represented the club and performed a moving spoken-word piece titled “Mon-sters.” When asked if she would recreate this event during her

presidency, she said, “I would definitely repeat this partner-ship in the future. I think that the Student Programming Council has many students involved in its organization and it has the ability to pro-vide a diverse crowd when it comes to events like this. We are able to meet people we wouldn’t otherwise meet.” She later added that she wished more Black Student Union members had per-formed at the event. Perhaps we will see an increase in performances at next year’s BSU and SPC collaboration.

Black Student Union and Student Programming Council Combine for Open Mic NightBy Shileen Cruz, Staff Writer/Intern

Bryanna Adams performs at Coffeehouse and Open Mic Night.

Photo by Briana Holmes

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Continued from page 11

Junger shows contrast between the physical and mental strug-gles of war to depict why returning soldiers miss it when home. Sebastian Junger’s Q&A sparked sentiment in the audience when he related the film to his own emotional experience. He lost his best friend and journalist collaborator, Tim, during the course of filming. He decided not to film war documentaries again following Tim’s passing.

“There comes a point in life where you have to put other people’s welfare before yourself,” Junger recalls. “War is all kinds of compelling things … After Tim died, all war was to me was sad.”

Stephanie Valenzuela, a senior at Marist, felt connected to Junger after hearing about his experience with the death. She said she lost one of her own, Chris, due to the stress of war.

“I thought Junger’s talk was very moving and truly showed what war can be like and what the men in this country are do-ing overseas to protect us,” she explained. The funeral scene brought back personal memories for her. “He was so amazing inside and out, he would have loved this movie … he was a

Junger’s “Korengal” Film

she said. “The first time you break out of native tongue, you enter the multilingual world.” With knowledge of Danish, French, English, German, Russian, and Latin, Keith believes that learning different languages breaks one’s monolithic view of the world and provides a better understanding of it. She also believes that college professors who are multilingual have the potential to become translators.

Gabriella Gamba, a sophomore communications student at Marist, believes that Hoffmann’s ability to speak so many languages increases her credibility as a professor.

“If you speak the language of a company that you’re working with, I think it definitely puts you at an advantage not only because you can obviously understand them, but also because it might make the other company feel more comfortable and cause them to be open with you. Because of these experiences that she has had, I think it makes her a great teacher,” Gamba said.

As someone who has traveled to more than 40 countries, Hoffmann’s goal is to become a member of Travelers’ Century

Nadine Hoffmann Inspires Others to Learn a New LanguageContinued from page 14

Club, which people who have visited 100 or more countries can join. While she believes that Italy has everything one could want in a vacation spot, she believes that a traveler will have his or her best experience in Cuba. For her, it was a completely different world and made a lasting impression.

It is because of her experiences abroad that she encourages students to do the same.

“Students might not always take advantage of it, but they should. In order to understand a different culture, they should stay even longer than a semester. I wish all students had the opportunity to stay at least a year,” she said.

She recommends going abroad after graduation because it creates immersion on a different level. “It’s not just Marist’s responsibility to get people abroad but also the students,’ ” she said. Dr. Lisa Downward, assistant professor of Italian, agrees with Hoffmann.

“Our world is becoming more and more global,” Downward said. “Studying abroad is important as long as you’re seeking an authentic experience.”

hero to me.” Junger was careful to note that many modern war films romanticize it, because while people don’t like the thought of war, it’s a compelling thing to watch. This film was different in that it includes true aspects of human life—loyalty, brotherhood, courage, and unity.

While Junger struggled with his loss, he says being exposed to danger and having nothing but those around him was what affected him the most during his time spent in the field. The experience, he said, “allows for emotional deepening,” because he still felt secure in a group of people he barely knew. When I asked Junger if he could choose one important lesson for an audience to take away from the film, it would be the understanding of why veterans miss war. Missing war sounds insane to civilians, but they simply “crave human closeness, connection, and intimacy.” By acknowledging this, Junger says, we can better understand post-traumatic stress disorder and how to help soldiers from feeling alienated.

I asked him why he felt the film was important to Marist and significant to college students overall. He explained that many of our own soldiers in active duty are college-aged. Fundamentally, we’re all the same people trying to fit in and achieve goals, but the intensity of war still can’t compare to that of a football team.

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Two Marist staff members have been honored with the 40 under 40 Award presented by the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce. The award annually recognizes 40 indi-viduals who have impacted the Hudson Valley. Elizabeth Donohue and Dave Hughes were two of the 40 chosen from more than 110 nominations.

Hughes, manager, client technologies, has been at Marist for 11 years, and has been pro-moted in the IT Department more than 23 times. He is now in charge of six staff members and 30 students. He also manages World Community Grid, which runs research projects during idle time on computers.

“It was an honor to be recognized as one of the emerging leaders in the Hudson Valley community,” Hughes said.

Donohue, associate athletic director/senior woman administrator, is in her 14th year as a member of the Marist Athletics Department. She serves as the direct contact for Marist’s 12 female athletic programs and works to promote and maintain gender equity among the male and female teams. She monitors and records all NCAA, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and Pioneer Football League required activities relating to recruitment, participation, financial aid, and eligibility. Her work also involves leading Marist’s student-athletes in numerous service initiatives that benefit the community. She also serves on a number of committees locally and nationally, including the Marist Professional Women’s Mentor Program advisory committee.

“I felt very honored and very happy to have received the award,” she said. “It makes me feel good because I’m able to work with such wonderful young people here on campus and in the community.”

Two Marist Employees Receive 40 under 40 Awards

Donohue received the 40 under 40 Award from the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce.

By Mariah Christian, Staff Writer/Intern

Eury Fabian is a double major in media studies and production

with a minor in Spanish, Latin American, and Caribbean

studies. His career aspirations are to work on a production

team for the Univision TV network as a television program

editor. His passions include photography, writing, and travel.

Staff Photographers

Briana Holmes

Our Staff

Andrea Martin, a senior from Englewood Cliffs, NJ, is a double major in public relations and Spanish. Her passion for travel was enhanced during her semester abroad in

Barcelona, Spain, where she embraced her desire to discover new sights, people, and foods. After graduation, she plans to travel to the Dominican Republic with Marist for the

Palms Open Project.

Adriana Belmonte is a communications major with a dual concentration in journalism and sports communication and a minor in English literature. She is the treasurer of Marist

Democrats and opinion editor for The Circle and was recently elected to the boards of Marist Habitat for Humanity and the

Marist Society of Professional Journalists. She aspires to write for either a newspaper or a magazine covering sports, politics,

or arts and entertainment.

Shannon Bales, pursued a bachelor’s degree in communications with a dual concentration in journalism and public relations and minors in psychology, studio art and photography. During her time at Marist College, she has served as the features editor for The Circle, became a coach at the MIPO, and studied abroad in Florence. Bales spent her senior year as a part-time barista and a full-time student who could be found between the darkroom and the library in her free time.

Shileen Cruz is a senior at Marist, double majoring in public relations and Spanish. Though her studies are not centered in journalism, she has an interest in writing stories and progressing as a writer. In addition to writing for Diversity Works, she is actively involved in the Black Student Union, serving as vice president, the Marist College PRSSA chapter, and the Marist College Dance Ensemble.

Mariah Christian is a freshman from Flanders, NJ, majoring in communications with a concentration in

public relations. She is a member of the Marist cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track teams. Her career

aspirations are to work for a public relations firm upon graduation. Her passions include writing, traveling, and

nutrition.

Cathryn Vaccaro, is a senior and a journalism and advertising major and a business minor. She worked at The Circle as a co-news editor in her senior year. She has been a part of the Campus Ministry community service program since her freshman year. One of her favorite places to volunteer is in Haiti. She spent an amazing semester abroad in Florence, in the spring of 2014. In her spare time she loves going to the beach, spending time with family and friends, and cuddling with her three dogs back at home in New Jersey.

Jacqueline Trauring is a senior fashion merchandising student with a concentration in product development and

a minor in business. She loves to cook and travel and has studied abroad in France, Amsterdam, and Japan. In the

future, she hopes to start a sustainable fashion organization to give back to communities across the globe.