Table Of Content

CONTENTS f t-ft1-ftl,t.S ('~s,rit 3 Director's Letter Fall 2003 - Issue 1 Dr. Amy Bass Editor-in-Chief 4 Letter from the Dean Kathryn Tyranski Dean Rose Marie Hu"ell Assistant Editor 5 The "Fresh" Start Ruth Santiago Sarah H Mu"ay Contributors 6 Letting Go, Losing Grip, Moving On Dr.Amy Bass Shirley De/Valle Lina Chico Omega Dale 7 Continuity, Self, and Future Shirley DelVa lle Dr. Michael Quinn Nada Ebrahim Richelle Fiore 8 Revealed in Time Liza Hagey Emily D. Williams Dean Rose Marie Hurrell Rebecca Mui 10 Three Versions of the Same: Or. .. Why the Centennial Rocks Carolina Murillo Dr. Nick Smart Sarah H. Murray Tung Nguyen 11 Subtle Insistence Dr. Nelson Ong Samantha Young Dr.Michael(!uinn Dr. Roblyn Rawlins 12 Welcome Class 2007! Alana Ruptak The Freshmen Profiles Jennifer M. Sanfratello Ruth Santiago 14 Searching for the Sublime Megan Skrip Richelle Fiore Dr. Nick Smart Samantha Turano 17 A New Beginning Emily D. Williams Samantha Turano Sarah Worthington Samantha Young 18 Continuity and Change: Education as a Riparian Journey Dr. Rob/yn Rawlins Advisor Dr. Anne Ferrari 20 Continuity: A "Social Scientist" Viewpoint Dr. Nelson Ong Printing CNR Print Shop 23 My Constant Alana Ruptak DIRECTOR'S LETTER Dr.AmyBass I have always loved the be- likely more similar than dispa- ginning of the school year, but I rate, as continuity always em- have yet to get it right. In grade braces the past, present, and school, the start of a new aca- future. It is with this spirit that demic calendar began with a I approach this new position shopping adventure with my and new campus, hoping to mother, purchasing new clothes preserve the bevy of wonderful for a new year. The only prob- traditions that has made the lem with such a trip was that it Honors Program what it is, focused on fall as Hollywood whilebringingsomeofmyown portrays it, with colorful leaves, experiences, personality, and rosy cheeks, and brisk air, ideas to it. rather than autumn as it often I come here from a four year that my "junkie" relationship to is, with hot sun, few breezes, stretch in the wilds and winters music, television, and film has and stifling classrooms. Fur- of upstate New York, where been artfully crafted into a ca- thermore, those back-to-school purchasing heavy sweaters for reer. Indeed, my friends and shopping trips always meant the start of a new school year family often shake their heads that there was an inordinate was rarely a comfort problem. in awe as I explain that I have to amount of fall/winter clothing As a member of the history fac- see the new Reese Witherspoon in my closet, leaving me in ulty at Plattsburgh State Uni- movie for "research putposes," sweaters and corduroys far into versity, I taught a range of or that my recent DVD pur- May. Regardless of my dis- courses that emphasized ideas chase of the first three seasons comfort in spring, the cycle of culture and identity. These of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" continued each August with the pedagogical and scholarly en- is actually tax deductible. purchase - yet again - of deavors in cultural history have And now that I've unpacked clothes that had a "cold thus far led to a fairly wonder- my crates of Olympic memora- weather" bent. Those back-to- ful life. My research on the bilia, my Clash CDs (also tax school shopping circulars that Olympic Games, for example, deductible), and my Buffy col- peppered our local newspaper means that I have worked at lection into a new office that I each summer pushing wooly three of them - Atlanta, Syd- am desperately trying to make plaids and hats and scarves ney, and Salt Lake - as a con- order and sense of, I look for- were quite persuasive, and I sultant to NBC's research and ward to this new beginning apparently never learned. information unit, and become within a continuously great This fall, I hope to get more part of one of, if not the, largest tradition: the Honors Program. right than wrong as I assume global communities in modem Now that I am here, I am ex- the position of Honors Director society. My new book projects, cited to watch the Program at the College of New Rochelle. one a continuation on my work grow as we maintain its ideals The theme of this issue of on sports and the other an in- of intellectual rigor, academic Femmes d'Esprit is "Continuity," vestigation into the controver- discovery, and social excellence rather than the traditional sial legacy of W.E.B. Du Bois, and shape it in new and excit- "New Beginnings." Upon will likely also take me to new ing directions. Please stop by thinking about this change of places. My teachings on popu- and say hello: I'm the one in themes, I find that they are lar and youth culture ensure the turtleneck sweater. DEAN'S LETTER EDITORIAL NOTE When I received the invitation to There is a beginning and an write for this issue of Femmes, my end to everything. About four thoughts naturally turned to this time a months ago, we ended the year ago. In transition, the Honors 2002-2003 academic year with Program had just completed two suc- a farewell to the seniors in the cessful semesters under the leadership pages of Femmes. Today, of Dr. Lynn Petrullo. With sights Femmes welcomes the 2003- fixed stalwartly ahead, it was about to 2004 academic year along with embark on a second year of searching our new Honors Director, Dr. for a permanent director. To the credit Amy Bass, the Honors Fresh- of the many individuals involved with men, and of course, all those the search, the second year culminated returning to the classrooms of happily with the naming of a new di- The College of New Rochelle. rector. The new year also brings the beginning of the College of Today, as we begin a new chapter in the Honors' narrative, the New Rochelle's 100th Anniver- installation of Dr. Amy Bass as Director marks a propitious mo- sary. One-hundred years of Col- ment. It signals an occasion for Honors to refocus its energies and, lege history and over 25 years with opportunity for considered reflection, candid self-analysis, and of Honors excellence and purposeful self-assessment, re-center and renew. memories. 29 years to be exact. The Honors Program at Until last year my connection to the Honors Program was cir- CNR will certainly recognize cumscribed, and distanced, by a single Honors course which I taught The Centennial, as will the some time ago. This past year, my role as Honors Director attached pages of Femmes. Look forward me intimately and irrevocably to the Honors' story. One year ago, I to history lessons and the build- wrote in this publication that I felt privileged to "find myself in this ing of bridges between past and place at this moment." Today, that feeling remains. present and future. Our front and back covers Rose Marie Hurrell, Ph.D. depict the arrival and departure Dean of a train. A train travels in a continuous cycle. Continuity is connecting the past, present, and future into one never- ending circle. As you read the pages of our opening issue for this year, keep your minds open, you will certainly see great things. Welcome Back! -Kathryn Tyranski ·, WAAS M • THE "FRESH" START Sarah H. Murray Just four months ago, we really want to be. " h d . ... now ea tng began to prepare for gradua- In high school, many feel tion. We had our proms with toward a new and that they are stereotyped the limos, dates, pictures, and the first year they arrive, and "memories that will last a life exciting chapter ... " trapped to that stereotype for time" picture frames. As high the rest of their lives. Unfortu- school seniors, leaving the nately, you may not be able to schools we attended for the last change what those at your high four years of our lives was hard. school thought of you, but now All the friends we had made, as a freshman starting college, the parties we had attended, the you have the chance to change football games we won and how you view yourself and lost, all the last minute cram what others think of you. As a sessions for those Regents tests, freshman the whole college ·a nd all that hard work and ef- experience is new and exciting. fort put into the past 12 years of Sure I've had a few assignments Transitioning from high school seniors to schooling. due, I've gone out a few times, college freshmen is like a train passing As I crossed my school's through stations. and to the city once, I've at- football field, and glided up to Photo: K. Tyranski tended a few club meetings, and the podium to receive my folder chapter: being a college girl! made some great friends, but for my diploma (which we As I walked back to my seat many realms have yet to be would get after graduation in with my two best friends in pur- explored. the hopes that no pranks would suit of me, I started thinking All in all I know that there is be pulled, like inflatable dolls or about the new chapter in life I much left untouched. I've yet other "childish fun"), I could was about to embark on. Go- to miss a class, forget a home- not help but think that this ing to college means many work assignment, oversleep, or would be the last time I would things. Firstly, it is a time for get locked out. I'm sure that ever congregate with this same new beginnings. Remember the there is still much more I truly group of friends and classmates. old saying, "Make new friends, don't know about the college Many were staying in my but keep the old; one is silver experience as a whole. The hometown of Hyde Park, while and the other gold"? This is thing that excites me the most some were going straight out true in many respects. We will about beginning at the College into the workforce, and several always have our old high of New Rochelle is that I now others, like myself, were prepar- school friends but starting col- have the chance to start to ing to go away to school for the lege means that you have a shape my life and future. The next 4-8 years of our lives. As I whole new chance to meet new lessons and knowledge I learn walked over to hug my princi- girls and gain new friends. Go- now, I will be able to carry with pal, many memories of great ing to college also means you me throughout my entire life times rushed over me. I real- can have a new academic re- and hopefully mold me into an ized, however, this was only the cord. So what if you didn't pull even better person than I am ending to one chapter of my straight A's back in high today. life, and that I was now heading school? You are now given a toward a new and exciting chance to redefine who you I I LOSING GRIP, LETTING Go, MOVING ON Shirley DelVa lle Have you ever felt the emotions related to the ing on with his life." Suddenly, the fog was lifted, loss of the only person in the world that you gave all the sadness dissipated and I realized: Stop everything to? I can. It happened on Tuesday, Shirley! Life goes on and you know that it does. September 2, 2003. That was the day before There are other things in the world besides this school started. It sucks how life can turn against boy, like school, my job, family, and friends. I you in a heart beat-how one moment every as- noticed just because I wasn't happy and that my pect is picture perfect and the next it's a hell hole. world seemed to be torn apart didn't mean that So, to say the least, I wasn't very enthusiastic the world stopped doing that spinning thing it about coming to school the very next morning. I does around the sun. It didn't mean the clock kept thinking, "what am I going to do?" "What stopped ticking. are you supposed to do when your world gets I came to the realization that things happen for flipped?" You can do what anyone would do, a reason and that you just have to accept that. Life become angry. That's what I did. The "train of goes on, it goes by quickly and obstacles are going misery" was passing by and I had a first class to get in the way. Some may produce positive ticket. results, others may not. There will be moments of I walked into the Mooney Center on Wednes- complete misery, where you will ask yourself, day morning with a wounded soul. I felt this an- "What am I doing here?" or the inevitable, "Why noying feeling of not wanting to be in class, it was me?" The important thing to remember is sadness overwhelming. It bothered me how everyone else or any negative feeling shouldn't last very long. was giddy, and I was clearly grumpy. They all You need to strive for bigger, better, and more seemed to be extremely excited about the new positive things. Never quit and if you do, make academic year. They were greeting each other sure it is only after you know you've done your with big smiles on their faces. I was upset, irate, very best. When you say those words, "I quit," do angry, pissed, and any other word in the English it with a smile on your face, have no regrets, and language that describe that "low" feeling. Why never ask, "What if?" It's better to say "I didn't anyone else care? Why is it my world sud- should've never done that," then to say "What if I denly came crashing down, and no one seemed to would've?" Go for it, life's too short to worry it notice? I was miserable and no one cared. Why? away. Cynthia Nelms said: "Nobody really cares Because, like they say in the boogie down, it was- if you're miserable, so you might as well be n't that serious. Life is a roller coaster, you're rid- happy." ing it. It goes up and when it goes down, it takes a By the way, in case you were wondering, I am nose dive. You just have to sit back, enjoy the ride extremely happy to be back at CNR. I'm glad to and make sure you don't fall off. be doing something with my life. If you got any- So here I am on a Sunday night, sitting at thing from this little snip of my craziness that I home writing this as I hear Linkin Park's "Pushing wrote, I hope it was this: Nothing in life is penna- Me Away," blasting in the background. It pro- nent, whether it's your relationship with an average vides awesome inspiration. I'm rocking back and 'Joe, ' the sadness you felt after breaking up with him, or forth in my funky chair thinking back on this past the mere act of being in school, everything has its end. week. While in my depressing state of mind, Now is all we have, so you better enjoy every bit of it. which lasted, roughly two days, I was told by a Don't waste it away being sad over tomo"ow's non- very wise woman, my mama, "Look, life doesn't sense. Today's agift, unwrap it. stop because of a boy. Trust me, he is not mop- ping around or depressed like you are, he's mov- .... i • & CONTINUITY, SELF, FUTURE Dr. Michael Quinn Making predictions about is quite problematic. Even the future is almost an industry three years ago no one - or at in itself. For many occupations least, no one in the Bush Ad- it's practically part of the job ministration - imagined that description, as everyone from huge deficits would return to politicians to science fiction the U.S. budget. Would gov- writers try to determine what ernment policy had been differ- our lives will be like, what tech- ent had deficits been forecast? nologies we will use, what com- Perhaps not, but one would like puters and cars will do, and to think so. what the government should The problem goes deeper and will do. Forecasting the than incorrect predictions; or Kaku imagines a 21st century future is in fact crucial for plan- rather, their falseness implies world of artificially intelligent ning; predictions are used to something else. After all, you robots, incredible break- figure out what technology to simply cannot make economic throughs in health and medi- invest in, what taxes to lower or corporate policy without cine, and possibly even de facto and raise, and what govern- considering the future in some immortality. A world quite ments to topple. way. Or at least, you certainly similar, in fact, to that of our Interestingly, when you look shouldn't. Perhaps a more own time ...a t least as imagined at predictions made in the fruitful line of inquiry would be by eager scientists and science past-including predictions by to ask what such predictions fiction writers during the 1940s scientists and politicians-their actually say about the time in and 1950s. Admittedly, the accuracy is remarkably low. which they were made. Writers latter didn't have access to Everyone knows the joke about in the pre-W.W.I 1900s were modern genetics, quantum how people in the 1950s imag- fascinated by the extraordinary, physics, and emergent ined huge computers, far from life-changing benefits of tech- nanotechnology. But the pre- the PCs - much less the Palms nology, unaware that killing dictions themselves seem logi- and cell phones -of today. Less and war had also been revolu- cal-Kaku makes them seem frequently discussed are the tionized. Conversely, by the virtually inevitable ... assuming optimistic predictions that 1950s, tired of depression and that the future will unfold in failed to come true. Video war, and buoyed by new con- some coherently logical, con- phones. Flying cars. Cancer sumer technologies from televi- tinuous way from the present. cures. Moon bases. The end of sions to washer/dryers, the The issue-the commonality poverty and hunger. The world mood was almost defiantly op- between eras-is one of conti- of 2003 is substantially differ- timistic. Few imagined the nuity; in this particular context, ent-actually, it's substantially soul-killing, community- the way people attempt to con- less pleasant-than our present wrecking, environment- struct a sense of continuity out as imagined in 1910, 1930, and destroying individualism of the of disparate elements. I rarely 1950. 1950s suburb and the cheap write about "human nature;" it This is significant for a few cars and gas that make it func- seems to me that after 10,000 reasons. Clearly, basing eco- tion (all of which we have in- years (o r so) of complex cul- nomic, technological, and gov- herited). tures and varying systems of ernmental policy on predictions In Visions, physicist Michio behavior, it is problematic to Continued on page 16 7 • • REVEALED IN TIME Emily D. Williams What does the term old age signify for you? Do you fear the better portion of one's life is lived during one's growing older, or look forward to it? How does age youth?", "Do you have children? If so, do you change your relationship with time? ... expect them to care for you in your old age, and to what extent?", "What is your opinion of nursing The previous series of questions were first fu- homes?", "Do you think young people today re- eled by an in-depth investigation I began last spect the elderly as well as they should?" My find- spring semester in my Honors Western Ideologies ings were fascinating and the interviews served as course, taught by English faculty Dr. Cynthia Kra- a segway to further discussion, new ideas, and man, and has extended itself forward and across questions to explore. disciplines into an Independent Painting Study I One of the readings that captivated me most in engaged in this summer with Art faculty Professor my study was that of Simone de Beauvoir's The Cristina de Gennaro. Last semester I was in- Coming ofA ge. In this work she raises the concept trigued by an article I read that dealt with the of the human relationship with time. She states: treatment and perceptions of old age and the eld- "For human reality existing means existing in erly in Chinese culture. I was shocked by the ex- time: in the present we look towards the future by treme difference in the perceptions of old age in means of plans that go beyond our past, in which Eastern culture in comparison to my own Western our activities fall lifeless, frozen and loaded with culture. As I read about the dedicated reverence passive demands. Age changes our relationship with young people of Eastern culture maintain for the time-. as the years go by our future shortens, while elderly , and the sense of anticipation they had for our past grows heavier." I found myself relating the stage of old age, I found myself re-evaluating this question of age in proportion to time to my my own and Western culture's attitudes towards own life and inquiring as to how my increasing the treatment of old age in our society today. I felt age might alter my own personal relationship with appalled by our lack of respect for the elderly, and time. On the same token, how was it changing became more aware of our inclination to avoid the relationship my parents, grandparents, aunts, and delete images of the aging body and elderly uncles, professors, and peers have with time? I person from our cultural makeup. I began to pon- began to realize that unfortunately the awareness der in depth, the attitude I, others around me, and of this relationship was not especially vivid, devel- the Western society at large maintained about old oped or even present for many. Most of us are age. The more I thought and explored this issue, not even aware of the negative relationship we the more aware, disturbed, and concerned I be- form with time and therefore ourselves. We became by our obsession and infatuation with come desensitized to the pressures and negative chronological age and preserving youth. stereotypes of aging our Western culture impresses I proceeded to conduct a series of research, upon us. We render ourselves oblivious and ac- extrapolating upon the contrast in perceptions of customed to the conniving remarks we make old age between Eastern and Western culture. I about old age in relation to ourselves and others. also conducted a series of video-taped interviews We leap at the fountain of youth that awaits us in with people of various age groups, ranging from a bottle of the latest anti-aging beauty cream or the age eleven to age seventy-five, both male and fe- most recent wrinkle-erasing technology. Our in- male and of different cultural backgrounds, repre- cessant, constant yearning to move backwards and senting both Western and Eastern points of view. remove signs of aging from our faces and bodies I posed such questions as, "How old are you?", prevents us from moving forward and damages "Do you consider yourself 'old'?", "Do you think the relationship we form with our aging selves and the elderly around us. By avoiding old age and My investigation into aging led me to a poign- denying it as intrinsic to the life cycle, we distance ant exchange with one of the women I painted. our aging selves as the 'other' which distances the Out of this project I formed a strong friendship human relationship with my next door with time and is not neighbor, an elderly conducive to a woman, the woman strong, healthy rela- depicted in the first of tionship with our- the three paintings. I selves. The relation- came to know and ship one forms to self see her with an inti- is the foundation of macy I had never all things and it is experienced with her from this relationship before. My way of that the continuity of seeing and percep- positive outcomes in tions of aging other relationships changed as she and spheres of the helped me to gain human experience insight into her rela- ensue. tionship to time. I The investigation .__ ___ _.,,,_ learned of the intri- of this topic was just beginning to r----:::,,...--_,.,-- - ...,.....--cate construction of her personality reach fruition as the spring semester and of the experiences she lived. I drew to a close, and so I decided to would study her face closely as I extend it further with an independ- painted her, each wrinkle evocative ent painting study. I continued my of an experience, each finite line a exploration of the aging process and story, a memory etched upon the old age transferring my interest into flesh. She on the other hand de- another discipline and another me- spised her wrinkles and would jok- dium. Paper and pen morphed into ingly say, "Emily, please don't paint paint and canvas as the summer those wrinkles on my face ... can't months unfolded and revealed new you use your artistic license and do dimensions of my project. The paint- some plastic surgery on the canvas?" ings depict three different genera- As the learner and the artist I aim tions of three different women: an not to augment life from what I ob- elderly woman in her seventies, a serve, but rather I attempt to interpret middle-aged woman in her fifties, things as I experience them, and and a young-woman in her late Above: These are the photographs of channel the truth into forms that oth- teens. Each woman and generation the women from which the portraits ers can relate to and interact with. is represented in her own, respective Emilyhaspaintedforherstudyon And for that reason, I use my artistic portrait painting. Through the use of agmg. photos: E. Williams license not to erase the wrinkles but color, form, line and gesture with a focus on the rather to bring them into a light that gaze of each woman, I hope to raise questions that reveals and moves ever forward, continuing the relate to perceptions of aging and encourage peo- dialogue between individual and the world sur- ple to ponder their own relationship with time and rounding them. the implications age has upon it. 'l • • THREE VERSIONS OF THE SAME: OR ... WHY THE CENTENNIAL ROCKS Dr. Nick Smart Modest Mouse says: he is talking about the deep psychic muscle memory of early days, a collection of actions and im- The universe is shaped exactly like the earth ages the purpose and influence of which will never Ify ou go straight long enough you 'II end up where you be fully known. Is one compelled to serve? To were fight? To escape? To embrace? Then over and over one does, craving the familiar even at the risk I first heard Modest Mouse blaring in a little of loss or pain. Those bundles of nervous actions organic coffee shop near a church where I was at the core of Freud's theory define the individual, going to hear a Milton lecture over Christmas and contribute heavily to the blueprints for family, break a few years ago. I know, it sounds a bit ob- community, and nation. sessive, going to hear a lecture on Milton during Is it right, or good, this basing of the present your Christmas break from your job as an English and the future on the past? In a discussion like professor. But what is a fish going to do, not this we may be able to ask that question only in swim? evolutionary terms. Are the monuments erected So I took my coffee and a big cookie or some- in memory-the keeping of history itself- thing up to the counter and said to the young celebrations of life or interior designs for the house woman (she looked about college age), "what are of death? In which world do we wish to be com- you playing?" I could identify the noise in the fortable? How great the tension for each of us, shop only as cool alternative sound, the vocals a and all of our organizations, in the balance of the little hollow of tone and the guitar, bass, and desire to preserve and the need to keep a shoulder drums going at different speeds, doing their own to the boulder of change, lest it reverse course and things, like separate windows on the computer leave us flat. Sisyphus earned his boulder to push screen. up hill every day by trying to bargain with the She said, "Modest Mouse." Some days later I gods, and his punishment included the realization bought the album. Yes I said album. They will that gravity and a heavy stone, like the force of always be albums and sold in record stores, so I time marching on, will not be bargained or la- can always be going out the door in search of a mented away. new sound. Downloading a file, using the same appliance to get my rock that I do to write my Albert Camus said: words, that wouldn't work for me. Continuity is a thing that picks and chooses elements of the past Again I fancy Sisyphus returning toward his rock, and and the future and superimposes them on the pre- the so"ow was in the beginning. When the images of sent. earth cling too tightly to memory, when the call ofh ap- piness becomes too insistent, it happens that melancholy Sigmund Freud said: rises in man's heart. This is the rock's victory, this is the rock itself The boundless grief is too heavy to bear. ... a thing which has not been understood inevitably These are our nights on Gethsemane. But crushing reappears; like an unlaid ghost, it cannot rest until the truths perish from being acknowledged. mystery has been solved and the spell broken. The philosopher stands on top of the mind, The best thinkers on the matter disagree as to looking down at Freud who rides the synaptic the meaning of Freud's conviction that man ex- surf. He sees a similar paradox. hibits a compulsion to repeat. It is hard because Continued on page 22 10