Gabriella Dickson, Staff Writer
On Aug. 25, students were officially welcomed to the Manhattan University campus to either start their journey as a Jasper or continue on with their lives here. Kicking off the new academic year, The Quadrangle spoke to members of the campus community on their feelings about starting a fresh semester.
Josephine Jean-Baptiste, senior, chemical engineering major
The Quadrangle: How did your summer go?
Josephine Jean-Baptiste: Honestly, I just took a couple of summer classes just to get the ball rolling. This is going to be my last semester, so just making sure that everything is solid.
TQ: What are you looking forward to the most this year?
JB: I mean, I think the pep rallies are always a good time. Or Manhatty’s Day.
TQ: How does it feel to be back on campus?
JB: It’s great. I’m living in Chrysostom Hall, so it’s so close to my classes. It’s a really good spot to be in, and you can see what’s happening on the quad whenever they have events.
TQ: How do you think MU is preparing you for the outside world?
JB: Well, I can only speak for engineering, but we have to learn professional development, where we learn how to do interviews and get ready for the workforce. Also, I recently started taking a class, which is actually like a philosophy and religion class combined, so it helps with getting prepared to think in different mindsets.
Henry Foster, freshman, business major
The Quadrangle: How did your summer go?
Henry Foster: My summer was good. It was mainly just saying goodbye to friends. We went to Mexico for our senior trip, and then me and my parents moved out here, so I stayed with them until it was time for college.
TQ: What are you looking forward to the most this year?
HF: Probably the club fair. I don’t know anything about the clubs here, so I’d have to find out when I go there, and then I’m probably going to join one. I don’t know which one yet though, I’ll just have to see what I like!
TQ: How does it feel to be on a university campus as a freshman?
HF: I’m in a dorm, and I like my roommates. The freshman dorms are way nicer than I expected. They might even be better than the sophomore dorms, but I like it so far. You have a lot of freedom to do what you want, for instance doing things on your own schedule.
TQ: Would you say it’s a hard transition from living with your parents?
HF: It’s not hard, it’s just different because of the things you have to do. Like, your mom isn’t telling you to clean your room, and all that other stuff moms do. But I think it’s good because you learn how to become more independent.
TQ: How do you think MU is preparing you for the outside world?
HF: I think, from what classes I am taking, there’s a lot of stuff offered that I didn’t learn in high school. There were no business classes in high school, and the classes I take now actually relate to the career I want to go into. And the programs here too, they’re a good gateway into getting employed.
Andrew Bauer, director of performing arts and MU Singers
The Quadrangle: How did your summer go?
Andrew Bauer: My summer was great. I did a lot of writing. I’m a composer, so I write music. I also spent a lot of time studying musical scores that we are going to be using this semester for our big concert of Lessons and Carols with the Singers and the orchestra.
TQ: What are you looking forward to the most this year?
AB: For me, the most exciting upcoming event would have to be Lessons and Carols. But also, we’ve got so many things that are coming up. On Oct. 17, we’re going to be having an art opening night here, and a big party with music, food and getting together, not only to celebrate the musical performing arts, but the visual arts, because music and visual arts really do go together in a beautiful way.
TQ: How does it feel to be back on campus as a professor?
AB: Well, it’s the beginning of a new year. And it’s always like a whirlwind of dealing with people’s schedules, and having to modify things, change things and then just letting students know what we’re going to be working on this semester. And the first week is always like dipping your toe in the water, just trying to get the process going again.
TQ: How do you think MU is preparing the students for the outside world?
AB: I mean, we have a terrific alumni network, especially in the area of the business school and the area of engineering. We have a whole mentoring program here, where recently graduated engineers come back and mentor other students, and it happens in all the disciplines as well. So we prepare people very well here, and the stepping stone is sort of made easier by the contact with the alumni and their support, bringing us into the working community.