Gadiva-Alaza-Williams took the stage by storm to win the judges over and be crowned Misster UNH 2013.

Drag kings and queens took the stage for UNH Pride’s Misster UNH annual pageant show.

Drag kings and queens took the stage Wednesday, April 17, for UNH Pride’s Misster UNH annual pageant show.

Doors opened at 8:30 p.m. and the show started at 9 p.m. The six contestants took their turn introducing themselves to the audience, as well as judges Dean Frederic Baker, FYSC director Felicia Edwards, and Dante Gennaro from AIDS project New Haven.

Secretary of UNH Pride Amber Crow, along with vice president Katie Rice, were the MCs of the night. UNH’s 5-6-7-8 dance team and pep band cosponsored the event.

Each contestant introduced himself or herself with a show name. First contestant, 21-year old Adam Carpentier, PIRO president, called himself “Miss Kimmy.” Miguel Tan, 23, called himself “Anna-List.” Christopher Senerchia, 18, called himself “Amanda-Play-With,” while Anthony Nelson, 22, called himself “Sasha Ferocious.” Tagewattie Dasrat, called herself “T-Bags,” and Donovan Linder called himself “Gadiva-Alaza-Williams.”

The second part of the pageant was a lip synching contest where contestants came out on stage and performed to their choice of music. Carpentier came out dancing to “Candy Man,” and ended his performance with a cartwheel off stage. Next was Tan who performed the Whitney Houston classic “How Will I Know,” followed by Senerchia who sang to “Like a Boy.” Next was a Beyoncé-inspired performance to “Who Run the World” by Nelson. Dasrat followed with another powerfully inspiring song “Empire State of Mind.” Finally, Linder got up close and personal with the audience as he sang and danced to a remix.

After the lip synching contest, there was a brief intermission. Baker got up on stage to draw raffle tickets and announce the winners for the door prize giveaways. The prizes included five $25 gift cards to Dunkin’ Donuts, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or McDonalds. UNH’s 5-6-7-8 dance team and James Zap also performed. Zap sang and played acoustic guitar to four songs, including Ed Sheeran’s “Drunk,” the Friends theme song “I’ll Be There for You,” (to which the audience stepped in as Zap’s background, singing and clapping along), Maroon 5’s “Sunday Morning,” and a Zap original about his love/hate relationship with UNH.

The final part of the pageant was formal wear, where contestants came out in gowns or fancy clothing and were asked questions by each judge. Each member was asked why he or she wanted to be Misster UNH. Carpentier, in a sea foam green elegant dress responded, “I entered in Misster UNH because it’s a cause I believe in. HIV and AIDS speaks close to me. I do it for everyone living with or who have suffered from it.”

Nelson responded to the question with a heart-wrenching personal story about his uncle who was diagnosed with HIV. His uncle was the only homosexual figure that Nelson had in his life, which he idolized. His uncle was diagnosed when Nelson was five and died by the time Nelson turned 10. He spoke on behalf of the homosexual community, which is greatly affected by HIV and advocated that something needed to be done. Each contestant stated they supported the cause and enforced their belief that people need to be more educated about the HIV and AIDS issue.

However, when asked, Tan responded that he competed in the pageant for a different reason. “I represent the women who don’t shave their legs or wear makeup because they are beautiful without it,” he said.

While the judges collaborated to tally their scores, the theme baskets were given away. There was a chance to win a movie basket, a beach basket or a sex basket valued at $69. Raffle tickets were sold at the show up until the drawing for the baskets started. The tickets were sold for fifty cents each, three for $1, or an arms length for $5. All the proceeds from the event were donated to AIDS Project New Haven. Donations were also collected throughout the week in Bartels. Gennaro thanked the audience members, all the donators and the competitors for the support of AIDS Project New Haven.

The first title awarded was Miss Congeniality, which was given to Nelson for raising the most money. Next, Senerchia was announced first runner up, and finally Linder was crowned Misster UNH.

“I embody everything that represents Misster UNH: commitment, community and character,” said Linder.

By Elizabeth Field and Isaak Kifle

The University of New Haven offers over 100 degree programs as well as many state-of-the-art facilities, programs and initiatives that make it a national leader in experiential education. With everything that UNH has and offers, it’s not surprising that a lot of money is needed in order to effectively run the university. This is reflected in tuition rates, which often make it difficult for students with financial difficulties to attend. Fortunately, UNH offers significant financial aid to its students, and this is largely due to the spirit of giving that is so prevalent among generous alumni and others affiliated with the university.

Students and faculty attend the 30th Annual Scholarship Ball (photo provided by Isaak Kifle).

While the university offers a variety of opportunities to give back, its primary scholarship fundraising initiative is the annual Alumni Scholarship Ball. This event, which includes both a live and silent auction, raises a significant amount of money every year which funds student scholarships. This year, the 30th Annual Alumni Scholarship Ball took place on Saturday, April 20, 2013, in the Beckerman Recreation Center. Over the course of a week leading up to the event, the Rec Center was transformed into a grand ballroom, and the event itself was heavily attended by alumni, community partners, senior administrators and students.

Dr. Michael Morris, Professor of Psychology, served as the MC (Master of Ceremonies) for the event and UNH President Steven Kaplan provided the keynote address. The event’s festivities included the honoring of Head Football Coach Peter Rossomando who had previously been named Liberty Mutual’s Coach of the Year, as well as the awarding of three Distinguished Alumni Awards and the President’s Award. This year’s Distinguished Alumni Awardees, presented by President Kaplan and Alumni Association President Michael Ambrose, included Don Fertman ’76 B.S., Arthur Steier ’89 E.M.B.A. and Lt. Col. Merryl Tengesdal ’94 B.S. The recipient of the President’s Award this year was William L. Bucknall Jr. ’63 A.S., ’65 B.S.

The live auction, presided over by Barry Cherwin of Cherwin and Cherwin Auctioneers, included two different vacation packages, tickets to football and baseball games, a lobster dinner at Jeffrey’s Fusion Restaurant and, lastly, two chances to bid on a 10-course Chinese dinner prepared by Dr. Henry C. Lee and his wife. Each live auction item was sold for thousands of dollars and, combined with the silent auction and major gifts; over $650,000 was raised that night. Generous donations increased this year by over $150,000. After the end of the festivities and the closing of the auction, attendees had the opportunity to dance the night away with music provided by a live band. The alumni scholarship ball was a great success and will be a great benefit to the students that receive financial aid through the funds raised.

The University of New Haven’s own Kenneth Hall of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity is one of this year’s North-American Interfraternity Conference’s recipient of the 2013 Undergraduate Award of Distinction.

Kenneth Hall (left) receives national award of distinction.

Every year, the NIC honors five undergraduate fraternity men with this award. The award was presented to the five recipients at the NIC Annual Meeting on April 14, 2013, in St. Louis, MO.

“This national award is a very big accomplishment for the chapter, the University of New Haven, and myself. I wouldn’t have even been considered for this award without the efforts of my brothers, and I owe them a lot for my personal, professional, and fraternal developments,” said Hall. “The award also shows a lot about the growth of the University of New Haven, the improvement of its Greek life, and the work of student leaders and administration.”

The NIC is the governing body for 75 of the largest fraternities in the world, so the Award of Distinction acknowledges the top undergraduate leaders out of all fraternities. There are over 500,000 chapters located on more than 800 campuses in U.S. and Canada, totaling 350,000 undergraduate members.

The Undergraduate Award of Distinction seeks to recognize a fraternity man who has found in his experience an outlet for developing as both a leader and a better man. “We are pleased to announce that Kenneth Hall of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity at the University of New Haven is one of this year’s recipients,” according to the press release from the NIC.

Hall found out that he won the award while talking on the phone with a member of SAE’s national office about something unrelated. “Since UNH doesn’t have the same governing body for our Greek life (it’s in the process of changing), I wasn’t even aware these awards existed. The Executive Director and a few members of SAE’s national office submitted my name, and I didn’t even know I was in the running. I became only the third member of SAE to ever win the award, which is incredible considering the great leaders in our fraternity,” said Hall.

Hall has excelled during his time at the University of New Haven. He is committed to academic excellence having completed a double major and double minor with a cumulative 3.92 GPA. Hall previously received “The True Gentlemen Award” in August. He is an active volunteer for Give2TheTroops, and has actively supported fellow chapters of Sigma Alpha Epsilon in the region in learning what it means to be a fraternity man.

Hall was the Recruitment Chairman for two semesters when he organized all of the recruitment events in and out of Rush Week. He was the founder of UNH’s SAE toy drive event for Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital, which he improved from a small social event into an incredible event that raises hundreds of toys for kids in need.

Hall also organized the Swimsuit Sprint, which, with over 1,000 in attendance, was one of the biggest events in UNH history. It raised over 800 pounds of clothes for families in need, and the concert got great student feedback. “The Swimsuit Sprint was one of the biggest undertakings I’ve had as an undergrad; it was a lot of work and a lot of headaches,” said Hall.

Hall finished serving as SAE’s two-term President in December, so this semester he essentially helped out by advising SAE officers and helping out with the pledge process. “Our chapter is having a great semester, and it is incredible to see how many guys have stepped up to make it possible,” said Hall.

The international fraternity’s executive director wrote in the press release, “He is the epitome of a brother who lives our creed every day by his interactions with not only his brothers but with all members of the university and interfraternal community.”

A fellow nominator says, “He has truly raised the bar in regards to leadership and brotherhood; his selfless actions are contagious.”

According to the press release, NIC President and CEO Pete Smithhisler commended all of this year’s award recipients saying, “The Awards of Distinction allow the NIC to recognize outstanding achievement and to publicize best practices among its members. This year, we had many qualified nominations and we are proud to honor these individuals and chapters for their accomplishments.”

“This is one of the highest awards that an undergrad could get,” said Shelissa Newball, Assistant Director of Student Activities at UNH. “It’s a really big deal.”

“I look forward to finally graduating this May after five years with two majors and two minors. I currently have my own practice in financial services doing basic financial planning for Northwestern Mutual, and plan on finishing up some more licenses over the summer to broaden my repertoire,” said Hall. “I’m also applying to some ‘reach jobs’ right now and keeping my fingers crossed, but I’d probably continue with my financial services work as well to help my friends out in that area.”

Founded in 1909, the North-American Interfraternity Conference is the trade association representing 75 international and national men’s fraternities. Through advocacy, collaboration and education, the NIC works to ensure that fraternities can operate in an environment conducive to their success.

Other recipients of the Award of Distinction include Joshua Beekman of Sigma Phi Epsilon at the University of Toledo, Michael Eberhard of Pi Kappa Alpha at California State University-Fresno, Nathan McDaniel of Pi Kappa Phi at Texas State University, and Scott Turk of Theta Chi at Missouri State University. The University of New Haven is the smallest university to ever have an undergraduate receive the award.

“As you can see, having someone from UNH on that list is pretty ridiculous,” said Hall.

My fellow students,

April has nearly passed. Finals will soon be upon us, and sounds of summer are in the air. Keep working hard so you can enjoy the nice weather we continue to have.

Last week was USGA’s annual Last Man Standing competition. Thanks to all that took part in the event and congratulations to Paul Taylor, Lou Maiocco and Joseph Duthie on placing in the top three.

This weekend, UNH also hosted its 30th Annual Alumni Scholarship Ball. The USGA was represented by a small delegation of students. Those of us who went had the unique opportunity of seeing how our alumni directly give back to the university through monetary contributions. Their example is one we all should strive for as we look back on our years at the University of New Haven.

Enjoy the next few weeks!

Patrick Kelland

The end of the semester is approaching once again…standing in the way of graduation for some and a much-needed summer break for everyone. It is almost time for final exams. Everyone will be moving into the Marvin K. Peterson Library and, soon, finding space will become a game of musical chairs. Fortunately, the library will be open 24/7 until the end of finals, so those of who are unable to find a space at 8 p.m., for example, may find opportunity knocking at the wondrous hour of 3 a.m.

An idea that some other universities have implemented, and one the University of New Haven first utilized last semester, was bringing in a therapy dog to relieve final exam stress. A therapy dog is trained and certified to provide comfort to people in various public settings, including schools and hospitals.

For example, therapy dogs are used with early elementary school students, where the students will practice reading to the dog to increase their reading confidence. Dr. Melissa Whitson, Assistant Professor of Psychology at UNH, is part of a certified therapy dog team along with her dog Fenway. Fenway is a six-year-old hypoallergenic Bichon Frise/Poodle mix and has gone through a rigorous certification process by the American Kennel Club and Delta Society.

Last semester, Dr. Whitson worked with Hanko Dobi, University Librarian, to bring Fenway to campus and arrange times that students could meet with, pet, cuddle and play with him.

This semester, Fenway will be available in the library on Thursday, May 9, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Monday, May 13, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and Wednesday, May 15, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Fenway’s return is a testament to the popularity of the idea when it was implemented last semester; many students took advantage of the opportunity to play with him.

Lastly, students can rest assured that Fenway won’t bite, so make sure you don’t miss your chance to see him.

President Kaplan recognized Jeff Hazell as one of the University’s most successful graduates during the rededication of the Hazell Nut Café Friday, April 19.

President Kaplan and Jeff Hazell at the rededication of Hazell Nut Cafe (photo by Samantha Mathewson).

The ceremony started at 5:30 p.m. in the Center for Sustainable Innovative Entrepreneurship in Maxcy Hall where refreshments and appetizers were served.

What started out as Professor Juline Mills’ office, has since been turned into a successful and prospering student-run and managed restaurant in Maxcy Hall on campus—the Hazell Nut Café. Hazell was shocked at all Mills has been able to accomplish with such a small space.

Mills put the event together along with her student-based staff from the Hazell Nut Café, who catered the event. Various types of pizza that are sold in the Café were sampled by quests, along with other appetizers featuring two of their salad specials, “Get him to the Greek,” and “The Vow,” and a sandwich sampler of “The Hancock.” Lobster and shrimp were also served for quests, since that is Hazell’s specialty.

“Jeff’s support helped established the Hazell Nut Café in 2007 to provide students an opportunity to apply what they are learning in the classroom. The entirely student-run operation has helped reinforce the University’s reputation as a national leader in experiential education,” said President Kaplan. “Jeff’s longstanding support has also helped our Hospitality and Tourism Management program develop into one of the region’s finest.”

Renovations of the Café were completed over winter break. New equipment was installed and the menu was upgraded to provide a true restaurant-quality experience for faculty and students. Since opening, the menu in the Hazell Nut Café has featured many new specials including some with seafood donated by Hazell.

Hazell learned firsthand about the importance of hands-on learning when he participated in a Disney World restaurant internship as an undergraduate at UNH. The experience provided the foundation for his more than three decades worth of involvement in the restaurant industry.

Soon after graduating, Hazell opened his own company, Bar Harbor Lobster, which he developed into Florida’s largest distributor of New England seafood. He is also the founder of the Boston Lobster Feast restaurant with locations in Orlando and Kissimmee. He recently launched the Clawdaddy’s food truck that serves premium lobster rolls at locations throughout Disney World.

In 2007, Jeff received a Distinguished Alumni Award from UNH. In 2010, the University awarded him an Honorary Doctor of Business Administration degree. Hazell is also the generous donor whose many gifts have also funded Jefferey’s Fusion Restaurant in Harugari Hall.

Hazell’s fellow Board of Governors members and their spouses, along with Hazell’s girlfriend Alexis Torres and her son, Juliun Williams, were there to celebrate the rededication with him and unveil the plaque in his honor, which will be hung in the Café.

Mills spoke in recognition and appreciation for all that Hazell has contributed and donated to, not only the Café, but also the Hospitality and Tourism Management program. It would not be what it is today, and possibly not even exist, without all of Hazell’s support.

Mills then introduced her management staff of the Hazell Nut Café. They all took turns describing their positions and responsibilities at the Café. They thanked Hazell “for opportunities he has given them and all the experiences they have been able to have because of all he has contributed.”

After the plaque unveiling, a tour of the café was given for the guests to see all the recent improvements.

 Here is a Checklist to Make Sure YOU Have Everything Complete Before the Start of the Fall 2013 Semester!

By THE FEDS

The 2012-2013 academic year has almost ended, and now it’s time to start thinking about summer break! Before you check out, be sure to review the checklist below to make sure you have completed everything necessary to receive financial aid for the 2013-2014 academic year.

1.Have you filed your FAFSA yet?

If your answer is no, then your FAFSA is late and you should file it ASAP. The deadline for completion and submission of the FAFSA was March 1st, and now it is almost summer! The longer you wait to send in your FAFSA, the more it will affect your financial aid. So complete it NOW!

2. Have you submitted all the necessary documents?

If your answer is no, then it is important that you submit them ASAP! You can find out what documents you are missing by visiting NetPartner. This website shows students the current status of their financial aid. The deadline for these documents was May 1st, so it is important that you turn them in as soon as you can because it could have a significant effect on the amount of financial aid you receive.

3. Have you registered for classes for the Fall 2013 semester?

If your answer is no, then you must register as soon as possible! Class space will be limited since you are registering late, but if you don’t register soon, your financial aid could be affected.

4. Did you make the right GPA to keep your scholarship?

If your answer is no, there is a way for you to boost your GPA and maintain a 3.0. You can take a summer class, either at the University or any approved community college or university near you. The extra grade, if you do well, will bring up your GPA, help you keep your scholarship, and help you stay in good Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).

5. Did you complete the credits necessary for you to stay in good SAP?

If your answer is no, or you’re not sure, then the first thing you should do is talk to the Financial Aid Office to see how your financial aid is going to be affected. If you are lacking the necessary credits, one of your options is to take a summer course and have those credits transferred to the university.

6. Do you want to apply for any outside scholarships?

If your answer is yes, it is important that you check the deadlines for any outside scholarships that you may be interested in. Be sure to complete and submit them on time!

7. Have you made all of your payments yet?

If your answer is no, then it is important that you check your e-pay bill to see if there is an outstanding balance. If you still have payments to make, take care of them immediately! Different ways to settle your payments is to pay it outright, pay through a payment plan set up with financial aid, pay through a private loan or a parent loan, or any outside scholarships you have been awarded.

Once you’ve checked off everything on this list, you’re free to enjoy your summer! If you have any questions, contact the Financial Aid Office.

Dr. Eun-A Park spoke about the issues of Smartphones Wednesday, April 17, in the Marvin K. Peterson Library.

Park’s presentation began at 1 p.m. and was titled “Smartphone Divide and Information Gaps: a New Horizon of Digital Divide.” Friends of the UNH Library sponsored the discussion.

Park is an assistant professor in the communications, film and media studies at the University of New Haven, and her interest in researching this topic came when she visited China and saw how extensive their Smartphone use was.

Her presentation opened with a picture of children playing with others on the playground in 1984 compared to today’s playgrounds, where children were all depicted using their phones.

“This new media technology influences our lives, our lifestyles, perceptions, culture, perceptions of each other, communication, and all aspects of life,” said Park.

Smartphones have many capabilities and enhance productivity, Park explained, because of their mobility, immediacy and instrumentality. Smartphones, with their varieties of functions, represent convergent media and organize people’s lives.

Social media networking, such as Twitter and Instagram, is exercised on Smartphones, and provides outlet for user’s expression.

“In your teens and twenties you are more likely to use your Smartphones as your own self expressive medium,” said Park. In response, Professor Ben Judd from the marketing department at the UNH, asked for Park to provide some examples of the expressive uses.

Usually, Park explained, people buy an iPhone to show off, and because it’s expensive it’s cool. People use Smartphones to individually express themselves by decorating it and changing the “skins” of the phone.

People also use their Smartphones to network with people. They express themselves when communicating with them and when posting pictures. They are most concerned with their “virtual reputation” online and how many followers they have.

“People actually make money for what they have posted to Instagram, it’s more than a virtual thing,” said UNH sophomore Ryan LeFevre.

App purchases are also a form of expression. You create your own personal media and environment when you choose which Apps to download. Park started off by explaining the App that allows information to be transferred from one phone to another by bumping the two together. The audience then added what Apps they find helpful.

Judd and sophomore Jennifer Harrington, commented that they had used traffic and parking Apps. Dr. Jerry Allen, professor in the communications department, provided information on Apps being used for language translation, and Dr. Christian, also a communications professor, mentioned mobile banking Apps and an App called RunPee, which lets its users know when it is the most convenient time during a movie to run to the bathroom without missing anything.

A phone does not just make a simple phone call anymore, it organizes people’s lives, and because one medium can provide all the services a person needs, people have become dependent on their Smartphones.

During the discussion, Park also provided information she had researched regarding haves and have-nots, and users and non-users. Users choose to be active or non-active, because they are both scared and uneducated or do not desire to use the devices. She explained that in the last five years, smartphones have achieved wide usage even among low-income communities and communities of color.

This sudden emergence and increasing popularity of smartphones have generated much interest on their implications for the digital divide. With the more advanced features available on smartphones, non-smartphone users can be further marginalized in terms of their ability to access information and applications, and is the ultimate example of convergent media.

The mobile gap can lead to a “dual digital divide,” referring to both an intergroup divide between smartphone users and nonusers, and an intragroup divide among smartphone users caused by differences in skill levels permitting some to enjoy more sophisticated and advanced usage.

The more skilled a user is in operating the smartphone, the greater is the possibility that he or she would be able to fully exploit the technical capabilities of the device. This leads to a new “smart phone divide” based on a user’s ability to access and use an array of different services.

Vegetable oil is used in cooking quite often, but this Tuesday students found out that it could be used to power cars, too. Big Tree, an indie pop band (with psychedelic rock influences) performed at UNH Tuesday, April 16, and their tour van runs on grease (which Bartels typically has an excess of during its meal hours).

The UNH Green Team, also cosponsoring with SCOPE and MIC, invited this quintet to come play in the Quad and kick off upcoming Earth day events. The concert was going to be held in the Quad, but a perfectly-timed rain shower prevented this venue from being used. Instead, thanks to the scrambling of quick students and Green Team President Michelle Murphy, a new venue was found.

Members of the band didn’t let the rain or the very small crowd affect their attitude. They were happy to include UNH on their east-coast tour. “It’s nice to be able to look out into the crowd and see everyone’s face,” said lead singer Kaila McIntyre-Bader. Big Tree is also comprised of backup singer Anna Ghezzi, guitarist Dan Pirello, bassist Luke Bace, and drummer Matt Schory. Their set included about 11 songs, between which they talked and engaged with the audience.

After about one hour of music including maracas, harmonicas and a tambourine, the band wrapped things up and stayed around for students to ask questions. The main subject intriguing everyone was about the vegetable oil as fuel. 180 degrees is what the oil has to reach in order to be used in a vehicle, and it is 85 percent cleaner than diesel. Usually bands in this situation would take a mechanic with them, but Big Tree kind of went out on a limb.

Pirello saying “we got books [and decided] we’d better study up. It feels really good to drive 600 miles and say that we didn’t stomp on the Earth.”

This factor fits the bands image very well, as they express the essence of West-Coast life through their ambient music and organic image. “Trees, fractal geometry, and whiskey,” are what the band claims as its inspirations.

Big Tree formed in 2008 while its members studied at Sarah Lawrence College in New York; their current location is the Bay Area of California. They have wandered around from coast to coast, and their music is said to reflect aspects of both regions in regards to nature.

Check out Big Tree’s Facebook page, or bigtreesings.com, and take a listen to their music, which includes two albums and two EPs. Big Tree displays how it is possible to “go green” in a career path that is dependent on using up resources, and how, if they can be successful, we can do our part too.

At times it seems that the student art at the University of New Haven doesn’t get enough attention or recognition. And this isn’t speaking solely in terms of visual arts, but also poetry, music, and theater. The annual spring art showcase is a time for students, no matter what the art form, to truly showcase their often unrecognized talents. UNH does have a significantly rich culture of art, but sometimes it has to be sought out. The Seton Art Gallery seems to be a well-kept secret of the university.

Artwork on display at the Seton Art Gallery in Dodds Hall (photo by Patricia Oprea).

There have never been an overwhelmingly large number of events/programs at the university displaying art. However, the Night of the Arts (the opening night of the gallery) was a long-awaited event for students. Held on April 11, 2013, this event blended multiple ways of expression, so people could get a taste of all the different forms of art students are interested in.

The night began at 6 p.m. with fruit, cheese and crackers, and dessert in the main lobby of Dodds; students, their parents, and their teachers excitedly discussed the great progress and achievements made over these semesters.

People moved on to Dodds theater for opening remarks from professors in different art disciplines, and then stayed there as professor Rachel Anderson Raber introduced some students to perform theatrical short pieces.

The first featured Karina Medved, Bridget Koestner, Kyle Pickard, Amanda Schumacher, and Keith Wadford performing a scene from last month’s play, War Story. This featured instruments, vocals and monologues to express different people’s experiences with the war and their coping methods.

Next was Josh Dill and Caty Reid, who performed a scene from Arcadia, a play by Tom Stoppard, which the theater department held in November. They also performed scenes they took to a contest at the Kennedy center, as did David Ransbottom and Katie McGoff. Lastly, various students presented their own pieces that will also be performed at the New Works Festival here at UNH from May 2 to 4.

From 7 to 8 p.m., students performed in the Dodds Mezzanine: Catalina Gonzalez, Zachary Grabko, Eric Neilson, Kyle Pickard, and Evan and Alex Raine of Entrance to Trains. The passion of these students clearly showed through in their performance; they were all in their element. Many people flooded around the staircase to sneak a peak at the musicians, and others just enjoyed the music while viewing students’ artwork inside the gallery. Students LaTanza Britts, Lauren Chamberland, Jonathon Diker, James Fullana, John Faugno, Richonda Fergins, Cara Petiti, and Crystal Robinson read poetry and prose as well. It was visible how these students were in their element, and genuinely sharing what was meaningful to them, which was a pleasure to see.

The Starting Line is the name of this year’s visual art exhibit displayed in the Seton Art Gallery. Graphic design, photography, drawings, paintings and sculptures are all well represented and selectively picked. Out of hundreds of submissions to the Gallery, only 60 pieces were chosen for the exhibition.

Students may have produced these pieces in an art class here at UNH, in their own spare time, or in a high school class. Stop by Dodds to get a peak at what your classmates have done, and to see how many different ways of expression there are through art.

After some browsing around student work, listening to musical performance and readings of poetry, students filed in to Dodds Theater for a wrap up of the night and presentation of awards.

“Outstanding Student Awards” were given to one individual in each graphic design, visual art, and interior design section. A “Freshman Graphic Design” award was presented to an outstanding first-year student of this major, and “Graduating Senior” awards were given to student of various art disciplines. “Sketchbook” awards were presented to five students for their pieces in the gallery, encouraging them to keep doing what they love and to keep progressing with their art.

To wrap up the night, the UNH orchestra, jazz band, and concert band gave remarkable performances in Dodds Theater. No matter if an award was won or not, this was a night where students, faculty, and parents were brought together to share their love of the visual and performing arts. Students’ artistic ventures, which often don’t relate to their major, are much appreciated and should be recognized.

Special thanks to professors Rachel Anderson-Rabern, Randall Horton, Todd Jokl and Guillermo Mager, as well as Director if the Seton Art Gallery, Laura Marsh, for their dedication to student’ progress in the arts.