News

Hawk Studio’s managers (Courtesy of Bridget Norton)

By Angelie Roche
News Editor

The long-awaited Hawk Studio, located next to the Leadership Lab on the first floor of the campus center, is now open to the SMCM community! It features two podcasting studios: Studio A (4-person) and B (2-person). Both are equipped with several cameras, headphones and microphones, as well as computers and tablets which can connect to students’ SMCM accounts. Joe Daly, the studio’s marketing manager, said the technology allows students to create “high-quality media without the hassle.” As of March 29, both studios are fully operational for use. 

The Hawk Studio has been in the works for several years; before renovations began, the space had been used for “Hawk Radio” in the 1970s, an SMCM-themed radio station, then revamped in 2008 to include video. Since then, some students used the space for various radio projects and broadcasts, but the equipment had become outdated. When COVID hit in 2020, the studio was shut down temporarily. Then, in November of 2021, SGA and Derek Young created a bill to renovate the space to accommodate a podcast studio. Young told TPN, “I was interested in creating the studio after we saw a decline in the use of the old Hawk Radio Station. The equipment was old and needed significant repair. Instead of continuing with radio, we thought podcast and recording was a better direction to go in.”

Now that the studio is operational, it has three managers who help schedule appointments and run equipment: Joe Daly, a math major, Vincent Landreth, a computer science major, and Anthony Lanzano, a film major. Since February, the three managers have run their own podcast, HawkCast, where they talk about campus events and updates on the studio, mainly as a way to test the recording equipment and “throw some ideas around.” 

Several students and groups have already been using the space, according to Daly. Some are using it for their SMP project, and others to broadcast club news. “I hope that next semester other clubs start using it as well,” Daly said. “In particular, I was thinking some students might want to put together a book club podcast, or [STARS] could start a podcast for queer students.” He also mentioned that several classes have had assignments that require students to create a podcast, which they are welcome to use Hawk Studio for. Students can also use the studios for streaming or sharing news. 

Lanzano, the general manager, emphasized that Hawk Studio is “free to use and open to all,” for academic or recreational use. “Mostly, it’s a space for students to voice their opinions without fear of censorship,” he told TPN. Students need only to DM the studio’s Instagram (@smcm_hawkstudio) or email hawkstudio@smcm.edu.

Dr. Jordan Named One of Maryland’s Top 100 Women 

BY CATHERINE WASILKO
Staff Writer

SMCM president Tuajuanda C. Jordan was named one of Maryland’s “Top 100 Women.” TPN reached out to Vice President Katherine Gantz, who shared a few people that nominated President Jordan for the role. “In addition to our board chair, Susan Dyer, she also had nominations from our local NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) chair, Janice Walthour. But also our U.S. Congressman Steny Hoyer.”

Students first met President Jordan upon the first few days of move-in and orientation, where both incoming first-year freshman and transfer students participate in the opening convocation and the president’s book signing ceremony. Jordan remarked, “I love that day… when I do the book signing, that has to be one of my favorite traditions at the college. Students are filled with hope, anticipation and a curiosity that I love.”

President Jordan has contributed numerous efforts to the college. Through the Strategic Plan Committee, she created a new schedule matrix for the college, with shorter class times for faculty and students as well as community times for meetings or food breaks. 

The Strategic Plan has dedicated four principles to guide the college over the next three years. The Strategic Plan Steering Committee (SPSC) developed a plan that creates an academic identity to attract and keep students, faculty and staff, empowers students for success, builds a unique student body that illustrates an inclusive institution, and becomes an engaging community resource. The SPSC is expected to have the plan written sometime during this month.

Gantz explained how Jordan also strives for commitment towards access and inclusion of all students. She said, “As President, [Jordan has] been really clear about the fact that we can be proud of [inclusivity at SMCM] if we are making sure that everyone has access to these remarkable resources.” Gantz’s examples included the faculty of each department and the large area of campus.

Jordan explained her reasoning for this, “I always feel that if as a public institution you know that something is good for people to do, then it is my job to try to make sure that everyone has access to those resources. Because that’s part of their educational experience and it helps them to reach whatever goals they want.”

Gantz also explained how Jordan’s efforts, through the SPSC, involved the entire campus community. “President Jordan has done a great job of making sure that all of us on campus understand the next phase of the college’s future has to be part of this conversation, of how we want to grow and build together.” She went on to say,  “I think that equity is key to our success.”

Gantz hopes that Jordan is remembered through “her commitment to making sure we are being inclusive in our admissions practices. We are building in focus on diversity, [and] that’s been a remarkable focus in all the work that she’s done. That’s something that I think will be part of both her legacy and the work that she continues to keep doing.”

TPN also asked Jordan for any advice for future female leaders. She first joked, “I could write a book on that,” then said, “You always have to believe in your ability to get the job done and you should always do your absolute best to treat people right as you’re marching towards your goal. The world is hard; never, ever let them see you cry.” TPN congratulates President Jordan on winning this prestigious title, and wishes her the best of luck moving forward in her career.

St. Mary’s Students Present at Conferences

BY SOPHIE HANNAH
Contributing Writer

St. Mary’s prides itself on shaping students into well-rounded adults and providing us with scholarly opportunities as undergraduates. This semester, a plethora of SMCM students have not only attended academic conferences but presented at them. Presenting at a conference allows students to engage in the broader academic community, share their original research, and get a taste of what their career might look like. 

This year, Jade Burch and Casy Doster presented their SMP research at the Middle Atlantic Archaeology Conference. Burch professed that MAAC was a great networking opportunity for her field, and hopes her “project helps peak interest and furthers research in Anglo-Indigenous relations in early Maryland,” something her mentor Dr. Julie King specializes in. Casy Doster stressed the amount of work, editing and meetings that goes into these conferences: “The weeks leading up to the conference were packed full of final edits to my paper, practice presentations with friends, and meetings with my mentor – Dr. Gijanto. I read my paper so many times to people, I could probably recite it in my sleep even now.” 

For the Phi Alpha Theta Mid-Atlantic Conference, History students Ellie Pratt, Sophie Hannah, Jordan Williams, Mortimer Shiflett, Chrissy Ringel and Ben Johnson presented original research at Washington College, with topics ranging from fashion history to aviation history. Ringel emphasized that “the conference community was really kind, and everyone was there to learn and help each other, and ask good questions about our research.” The conference awarded Ringel an honorable mention for her historiography on the American Postal Service. 

Many students’ favorite part of presenting at conferences was seeing other students’ research and creating more connections. Although it may be nerve-wracking beforehand, they felt that attending other presentations, poster sessions and question panels enriched their undergraduate experience. 

While many departments have yearly annual opportunities such as the Phi Alpha Theta conference or MAAC, students can also look online and apply for conferences in their speciality or field of interest. Sophie Hannah presented at the University of Maryland’s 15th ANTHRO+ Conference with her SMP research on American cosmetic surgery culture. This virtual conference allowed for an accessible way to encourage discussion with other researchers.   

Students have attended conferences outside of Maryland as well – Caroline Taylor, Nick Ashenfelter, and Julia Kochman all traveled to Boston for the Eastern Psychological Association Conference along with recent graduates and Professor Tickle. Senior Andrew Durst traveled to Indianapolis for the American Chemical Society and presented his research on bathless electrodeposition of alloys. 

Ashenfelter told TPN, “Anyone with the opportunity to present at or even just attend a conference absolutely should, it’s super low-stakes and it’s a great experience to learn about the work other people are doing and compare notes with people with similar interests.  You should go with a group though so you have people you already know there with you, it helps to take off some stress.” 

Many use this opportunity to further their academic and/or career goals. Senior Ellie Pratt said, “I’m planning to go to grad school to study history, particularly focusing on 19th and 20th century American history and gender history, which is what my project also focused on.” 

Senior Sophia Garms went all the way to Anchorage to present at the Alaska Marine Science Symposium. Her SMP research is about how warming seawater temperatures could affect the food chain, specifically Pacific Arctic bivalves and an experiment on clams’ adaptability. 

Of the conference in Alaska, Garms said, “I got to meet so many people from the field I hope to be a part of, and I got to meet a man I cited in my research! I was able to receive a lot of good feedback about my project and it opened my eyes to possibilities of future work for my research.” 

Recent graduates have also presented their work. Caitlin Hall ‘22 presented at the Society for Historical Archaeology Conference on Historical and Underwater Archaeology in Lisbon, Portugal. She told TPN, “Academic conferences are supposed to be fun! For many professionals, it’s a chance to share with peers some of the really cool work they’ve been doing, as well as to catch up with old friends and make new connections.” Hall says she was able to meet professors from the University of Maryland, where she applied for graduate school! 

Class of ’22 graduate Drew Sonnenberg “highly recommends presenting your SMP if you get the chance.” Exhibiting that research to SMCM, he says, made it easy to prepare for the Eastern Psychological Association Conference in Boston. While travel costs and registration for these conferences can be expensive, Sonnenberg reminds everyone that the Psychology Department has funds for this purpose.  

Congratulations to everyone who has presented so far, as well as those still to come! We are all proud of you and what you have accomplished!

SGA Elections– Cast Your Vote!

By Hannah Yale
A&E Editor

It is election season for SMCM’s Student Government Association (SGA), which is tasked with representing student interests and facilitating democratic governance. Voting for President, Vice President and Treasurer opened on April 5 and closed at noon on April 9. The elections for Senate and Class Executives will open on April 17 and close on April 21.

According to SGA Bylaws, in order to declare their candidacy for any SGA position, prospective candidates must submit a petition bearing fifty (50) signatures of full time students to the Elections Committee. Any full-time, degree-seeking students enrolled at SMCM are eligible to run for an SGA position.

On the docket for SGA President and Vice President are Lily Riesett (‘24) and Haley Roche (‘25), running unopposed. In the race for SGA Treasurer are Jacob Brooks (‘25) and Nick Mayronne. The candidates for Senate and Class Executive positions have yet to be announced.

The Point News (TPN) interviewed candidate for SGA President Lily Riesett, who is a Junior Political Science and Environmental Studies major and served as the Secretary for the SGA Executive Board this past year. 

Riesett told TPN, “I decided to run for President this year because I thought, as a student who is deeply involved in other aspects of campus life outside of SGA, I might be able to bring a fresh perspective to student government.” Riesett works at the Kate Farm, is on the Variety Rowing Team, and she is also the Managing Editor for TPN. 

When asked to say a few words about her running mate, Riesett replied, “though we row and are on SGA together, [Roche and I] associate with a lot of different groups on campus. She is a Biochem major and is heavily involved in the STEM department, reaching students I would not be able to reach on my own.” Riesett also noted that while she is in the class of 2024, Roche is in the class of 2025 and will therefore be able to represent the perspectives of students in different classes. 

Riesett and Roche have outlined specific platform goals regarding Representation, Wellness, and Transparency. Riesett told TPN,  “One of the main goals of my presidency is transparency between SGA and the student body.” She said that as President, she would work closely with TPN and Hawk Radio by providing them with the resources to publish materials about what SGA is working on. 

Riesett said: “In the past, SGA has steered clear of these groups, creating a strain between SGA and students. I hope that by working with the press instead of against it, we can make a better impression on students as well as reach as many students as possible.”

Make sure to cast your vote for SGA Senate and Class Executives between April 17 and April 21!