New Director of
Campus Safety
NEWS | PG. 5
The
TANGERINE
VOL. LXXVIl, ISSUE 1
‘I’m still shocked’: Utica discontinues four varsity sports
◊ MICKALE THOMPSON
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
EDITOR’S NOTE: The majority
of this article was written on
Tuesday, June 13, 2023, the
day of the announcement
while Laura Casamento
was still president of Utica
University.
Utica University and
former President Laura
Casamento on June 13,
discontinued men’s and
women’s swimming and
diving, women’s water
polo and men’s tennis as
varsity sports.
The letter stated that
in conjunction with the
decision, a committee of
trustees, staff, coaches
and student-athletes
will formulate plans to
repurpose the pool area
as part of extensive
renovations that will take
place within the Clark
Athletic Center.
“We understand that
this is difficult news for
the current student-
athletes who are directly
affected as well as their
coaches and the alumni
who have represented
Utica in these four
sports over the years,”
Casamento said. “The
decision to discontinue
these programs follows
many years of thorough
Musco Millner:
Assistant Professor
FEATURES | PG. 8
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2023
A Utica tennis player looks down during a tennis match..
//Photo: Kayleigh Sturtevant
analysis, including in-
depth consultation with
Title IX experts, and is
based on a combination
of multiple factors.”
‘Still Shocked’
The decision came
months after the
university announced
the addition of women’s
gymnastics and men’s
and women’s wrestling to
its athletics along with the
previous elimination of 13
academic programs.
In 2020, a reported 97
sports were cut from
colleges and universities
during the pandemic.
The university joins
Division 3 counterparts
SUNY Buffalo State —
who in May announced
their decision to cut their
Women’s soccer
season opener
SPORTS| PG. 11
UTICATANGERINE.COM
swimming and diving “The sports [have] a
programs. food chain,” Nigro said.
“... [And] we’re at the
Utica’s Head Women’s
Swimming and Diving bottom.”
Coach Erin Knight had The letter also stated
a surprised reaction to a continuous decline in
news of the program’s student interest. Despite
discontinuation. new recruiting strategies,
“I was shocked. I’m still the programs did not
generate enough
shocked,” Knight said. “I
was notified [the week enrollment to field a
competitive NCAA roster.
before] then notifisZed
my athletic assistant and “This is a trend that
diving coach.” is not unique to Utica
John Nigro, who started University,” Casamento
the men’s and women’s said. “[It] has spanned
many years, and is
tennis programs at Utica
in 1987, now in his 37th reflective of decreasing
participation in these
season as head coach
said he was notified of sports at the high school
and junior college
the decision before the
players on the team levels, especially in the
Northeast.”
but admitted he saw it
coming. CON. ON PAGE 4
 STAFF
PAGE 2 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2023 UTICATANGERINE.COM

Editor-In-Chief - Mickale Thompson

Fall 2023 STAFF Managing Editor - Diana Sidorevich
News Editor - Selma Dizdarevic
Features Editor - Charlie Buckley
Multimedia Editor - Kayleigh Sturtevant
@UticaTangerine Online Editor - Emma Goodspeed
Special Assigments - Kayden Lamphere
@Utica_Tangerine
Sports Reporter - Nick Phillips
@Utica_Tangerine Enterprise Reporter - Mariami Kentchadze
Staff Photographer - Luke Reed
Adviser - Mary Christopher

About
The Tangerine is published biweekly during the academic year by and for Utica University
students. To reach a member of the staff, email tanger@utica.edu or call 315-792-3065. All
material printed in The Tangerine is copyrighted. The Tangerine was first published as the
Utica College News on Nov. 6, 1946.

Submission Policy
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 EDITORIAL
PAGE 3 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2023 UTICATANGERINE.COM

Administration must work with faculty and students to move forward

◊ MICKALE THOMPSON
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
As more than 450 new
faces entered the campus
community amid a
presidential change, a
protest to save the liberal
arts took center stage.
In the end, the Class of
Covid walked across the
stage after listening to a
commencement speaker
— who brought a golf club
to graduation.
Yes! The 2022-2023 school
year at Utica University
was not just unpredictable
and unprecedented — but
packed many punches.
However, as the new
school year gets underway
— time calls for a deep
reflection on the events of
last year because someone
needs to talk about it — so
let’s give it a try.
After almost two
decades at Utica
University, President Laura
Casameto’s retirement
announcement came as a
surprise to the campus. The
confidential presidential
search stained the belief
students and faculty had
in their administration to
not only nurture the idea
of shared governance but
also administer comfort
and reassurance to a
community grappling with
the sudden change in
leadership at the highest
level.
Still, the Board of Trustees
kept the students and
faculty in the shadows
despite concerns
surrounding the search,
missing the opportunity
to create any excitement
or positive reaction
to whoever would be
selected.
With President Todd
Pfannenstiel a new
administration begins, and
though wanting everyone
to have fun again is a
proactive approach, the
administration’s decisions
during the past school year
lacked comradery and
collaboration.
Now the new president
finds himself in a tough
much further he can take
this institution currently
under scrutiny will depend
on his willingness to include
the campus community
in the decision-making
process to earn back the
trust and confidence its
leadership lost last year.
Remember the Academic
Program Review?
That caused more
uncertainty, anxiety,
and instability within
the campus community
especially for the students.
Now, not knowing that the
sport they loved would be
discontinued two months
before the semester
started, the incoming
athletes of those programs
were left uncertain about
what the future has in
store for them — Would
you call that a lack of
transparency?
As a university, decisions
can’t be made based
on competitiveness and
marketing. There needs to
be structure and logical
answers given to the
body when questions are
asked; before not after.
And to top it all off, we
can’t lose to the University
of New England at home
again. Twice in a row is
bad enough!
Long story short Utica
needs, and should,
become more empathetic
when it comes to campus-
changing decisions and
actively listen to the
campus body and their
concerns. However,
despite all of last year’s
turmoil, it’s still a school that
has made decisions that
changed the direction
of the university— both
historically and structurally.
Disagreements will
happen and just like a
marriage faculty and
administration made a
vow — for better or for
worse. At the moment
things aren’t perfect, it’s
a work in progress. Finding
common ground will be
the key as the academic
year moves forward.

Campus Safety Blotter

position because how students and the campus

Date Of Incident Time Of Incident Short Description Building

8/31/2023 9:50 AM Isaac Gordon Science Center Suspicious Person
8/31/2023 1:45 PM Parking Lot Motor Vehicle Accident
8/31/2023 8:25 PM North Hall Trouble Alarms
8/31/2023 8:00 PM North Hall Burnt Clothing - North Laundry
8/31/2023 10:30 PM Parking Lot Student of Concern
9/1/2023 7:36 PM Outdoor Recreation or Athletic Field Vandalism
9/2/2023 5:29 AM Parking Lot Intoxicated Student
9/3/2023 4:40 PM Boehlert Hall UPD Transport
9/4/2023 3:15 PM North Hall Fire Alarm
9/4/2023 11:00 PM North Hal Medical Assist

PAGE 4 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2023 UTICATANGERINE.COM
CON. FROM PAGE 1
‘An insulting excuse’
In a Zoom meeting held the
night before the announcement
the players were told that the
reason for the aquatics program
discontinuation was not due to
the “continuous decline in student
interest” as the letter states but
because the pool had fallen into
“disrepair” conditions and became
expensive to repair.
The university in 2022 spent
$5,314,467 combined for all sports
teams in the latest EADA report. A
year prior the school added a new
track and field multipurpose turf —
a project which cost $3.5 million to
complete.
According to the letter, continuing
aquatic sports would require major
renovations to the 50-year-old
pool. This investment, the former
president said, would cost several
million dollars along with additional
operational costs.
The discontinuation of the programs
leaves the athletes heartbroken.
“This is an insulting excuse for
reasoning when the institution
is spending millions on brand
new programs,” said Annabelle
Workman, a diver on the swimming
and diving team. “… Aquatic sports
don’t get the attention that many of
these other teams do and therefore
would be the first choice to go.”
The players in the meeting made
suggestions that the program could
be continued without the use of
the university’s on-campus pool
citing examples that the gymnastics
NEWS
team would be practicing at an off-
campus location and proposed a
similar arrangement could be made
for the swimmers.
“This [idea] was immediately
dismissed,” Workman said. “And a
concrete answer was avoided.”
The athletes were told that they
would be able to keep their status
as student-athletes — for Workman
that’s still not enough.
“I end my college athletics
career feeling utterly disposed of,
disregarded, and neglected by an
institution that promised to value
my talent and made a promise
to provide me with the means to
cultivate it further,” she said.
The letter added that the university
cannot offer a competitive
experience for the programs being
discontinued and intends to focus
resources in ways that reflect student
interest.
“I strongly believe that this
decision honors our longstanding
commitment to supporting a strong
intercollegiate athletics program
and will help fuel our continued
success and growth across a broad
range of sports in the years to
come,” Casamento said.
Apart from the discontinued sports,
the institution has more than 600
student-athletes who compete
across 29 other varsity sports. With
10 committed swimmers, the largest
recruiting class since the pandemic,
it’s still hard to wrap heads around
the decision, said senior Kim Serio.
“This past year our team took
tremendous positive steps,” Serio
said. “Both the men’s and women’s
swim teams had winning seasons
and fast individual races. So I would
even argue that there is an incline in
interest.”
Disbelieved by the news, Serio, a
member of each women’s aquatic
teams started a petition to keep the
program alive for one more season,
which received 2,339 signatures,
161 shy from its 2,500 goals. The
petition got the attention of parents,
faculty and the athletes themselves
who were scheduled to attend the
university.
“There have been so many people
supporting the campaign,” Serio
said. “… I think it will be impactful
when needed discussions are had.”
The university said it met with the
approximate 15 student-athletes
who were impacted by the decision
and assured them they will continue
to support them however they can.
As for the coaches of the respective
programs, they will remain members
of the athletic department.
Knight, also the Aquatics Director,
now hopes to keep the players
involved and said the seniors will
also be honored at the Hall of Fame
dinner in the spring. However, as
emotions continue to run high the
likelihood of athletes leaving is a
possibility.
“The student-athletes are angry
and sad, among a variety of other
emotions, and rightly so,” she said.
“The younger ones could transfer if
they so desire but the upperclassmen
are kind of stuck, especially since so
many are in physical therapy and
occupational therapy or premed.”

PAGE 5 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2023 UTICATANGERINE.COM
Comeford named new Director of Campus Safety
◊ SELMA DIZDAREVIC
NEWS EDITOR
After a nationwide
search, Roberta
Comeford has been
appointed the new
Director of Campus
Safety at Utica University.
Former Director of
Campus Safety Musco
Millner stepped down
from the role after four
years to pursue his Ph.D.
Comeford’s first day at
the helm was on June 15.
Comeford brings in an
extensive background
in the military and
campus safety. She
currently holds the rank of
Lieutenant Colonel and
most recently worked as
the Director of Campus
Safety at Cazenovia
College before its closure.
Comeford is no stranger
to Utica, having begun
her military career at the
Parkway East Armory in
East Utica.
“I have the privilege
of serving our country
for over 29 years in the
New York Army National
Guard,” she said. “I
started my military
career right here in
Utica as a Specialist up
to my current rank as a
Lieutenant Colonel. As a
combat veteran, I have
been deployed three
times, and also have
served our state during
state emergencies.”
Upon leaving Cazenovia
College, Comeford was
looking for a new place
to call home. The faculty
and students at Utica
University answered that
call.
“I was looking for a new
family. I had a family at
Cazenovia College and
NEWS
The Utica University flag hangs on a pole. // Courtesy of Alex Leland
was looking for a place
where I felt like I would
be part of a family team
again in higher education,
which I have found
here at Utica University,”
Comeford said. “From the
time I started the interview
process through present,
overall, I have been
treated well by employees
and students.”
Students were part of the
interview panel, Comeford
added, and appreciated
the opportunity to meet
with some of them prior to
starting here.
Shad Crowe, Vice
President for Facilities and
Emergency Management
at Utica University who
chaired the search
committee for the
Director of Campus Safety
position, said having prior
experience in campus
safety and a “relatable
personality” is crucial to
the role.
“That office [Campus
Safety] is the hub of
the entire campus,”
said Crowe. “So that
individual, the Director
of Campus Safety, must
be compassionate,
e m p a t h e t i c ,
understanding and also
able to provide people
with the right resources to
help them.”
Crowe said Comeford’s
professional experience
combined with her likable
personality is what made
her the right fit for the
Utica University Campus
Safety team.
“She clearly has a work
ethic, that’s undeniable.
She also has a relatability,”
Crowe said. “We talked
to students at Cazenovia
and the students really
liked her and got along
with her. I think she’s really
going to do a great job
here.”
Comeford listed learning
more about Utica’s
students and what their
concerns as a top priority
for this academic year.
She hopes to not only
listen to students but also
to educate them on
the resources that Utica
University has to offer, such
as Safer U.
Safer U is Utica University’s
safety app, which provides
a multitude of resources
for faculty, students and
parents. It allows users to
receive important safety
alerts, review emergency
plans and locate and
contact resources on
campus. The app even has
a “friend walk” feature.
“A friend walk is when
you can share your
location with a friend for
the duration of your walk
around campus and you
can end your sharing of
location at any time,”
Comeford explained.
The app provides added
security to individuals on
campus and is available
for download on the Apple
and Google app stores.
QR codes with a direct
link to the app are posted
all over campus, and
students are encouraged
to join the platform.
As the new school
year unfolds, Comeford
reminds students to remain
vigilant, present and to
seek assistance when they
need it
“Take notice of your
surroundings. If you notice
something that concerns
you let Campus Safety
know,” she said. “[The]
Bottom line is, Campus
Safety is here to help.”
PAGE 6 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2023
Credit scored: UU Educator Prep is now AAQEP-accredited
◊ KAYDEN LAMPHERE
SPECIAL ASSIGMENTS
REPORTER
With the changing of the
seasons from summer to fall,
and the reintroduction of
students back to campus,
renewal and continuation is
a major theme currently at
Utica University.
Coinciding with that motion
is the recertification of the
Utica University Educator
Preparation Program, though
this time under a brand new
organization, that being the
Association for Advancing
Quality in Educator
Preparation (AAQEP).
According to Ahmed
Radwan, dean of health
professions and education
at Utica University, while the
particular program may be
new, that does not mean
the high standards of the
program have changed.
“When we hear that a
program is accredited
nationally, that is a sign
of it being trustworthy,”
Radwan said. “It means the
program graduates quality
and operates with evident
quality.”
Radwan describes
the process of gaining
accreditation from a new
organization as a “period
of reflection for staff and all
those involved.”
“We needed to submit to
the accreditor an intense
NEWS
Kyle Riecker holding the AAQEP Certificate of National Accredi-
tation for the Utica University Educator Preparation Program.
//Photo: Kayden Lamphere
document known as a
self-study report,” Radwan
explained, “Where we
truthfully assessed ourselves
and what we accomplished
over the past 10 years. The
accreditor then reads and
studies that report, and they
come back to us for a site
visit in order to make sure
what was written is accurate,
interviewing all of us all the
way to the president.”
After the lengthy process,
which occurs every seven
years, a final decision
was made on whether
the program is up to the
standards of the accreditor,
which Radwan was proud
to report as an emphatic
approval from AAQEP.
UTICATANGERINE.COM
Kyle Riecker, coordinator
of education partnerships
and clinical practice at Utica
University, said the program
has been adapting over this
process.
“We passed accreditation
with flying colors,” Riecker
said. “But we definitely have
our marching orders moving
forward in terms of what we
need to improve on in the
future.”
As for the future goals of
the program, both Radwan
and Reicker noted the
major accomplishments
and strides they have
already taken, such as the
addition of education as a
major program. In addition,
Radwan also pointed out
that the apprenticeship
program for education at
Utica University is receiving
a lot of attention and
development.
“The apprenticeship
program, also referred to as
the transitional program, is
for those who do not have
an education background
yet, but do have a degree
in a content area that is
found in schools,” Radwan
said. “Schools in need will
recommend people, and
we help teach them to be
teachers.”
This is a great time for
students going through the
education program, Reicker
noted, and that isn’t going to
slow down.
“We are anticipating
180,000 teacher vacancies in
New York State coming up in
the next five years, which is a
great opportunity for teacher
candidates, as there will be
so many job opportunities,”
Riecker said.
For more information
about the Utica University
Educator Preparation
Program, contact Kyle
Reicker (kyriecke@utica.
edu), Ahmed Radwan
(aradwan@utica.edu), Chair
of the Educator Preparation
Program Laurence Zoeckler
(lzoeckler@utica.edu) or stop
by the Office of the School
of Health Professions and
Education at 252 White Hall.
PAGE 7 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2023
Pfannestiel ready for inauguration at the end of the month
◊ DIANA SIDOREVICH
MANAGING EDITOR
Utica University’s annual
Homecoming Weekend
will take place at the end
of the month, from Sept.
29 - Oct. 1. The three-
day weekend is packed
with events and activities
for students, staff and
faculty, alumni and
families to attend.
On Friday, Sept. 29 at
3 p.m. President-elect
Todd Pfannestiel will
be officially installed as
Utica’s tenth president
by Chairperson of the
Board of Trustees Jeremy
Thurston at the Charles
A. Gaetano Stadium.
Although he has been
acting president since
Aug. 1, the ceremony
will mark the beginning
of his presidency at Utica
University after serving
as Provost and Sr. Vice
President for Academic
Affairs at Utica for five
years.
The ceremony will
include a procession
of alumni delegates,
elected officials, Board
of Trustees and Emeriti
Trustees and Foundation
Board members, the
Utica Alumni Council,
delegates from other
academic institutions,
members of President’s
and Provost’s Cabinets
and faculty who will all
march into the stadium
dressed in academic
regalia showing their
support.
Former President Laura
Casamento will present
Pfannestiel with the
presidential medallion
and Robert Brevnik,
NEWS
former Chairperson of the
Board of Trustees, will be
presenting the University
Charter.
Pfannestiel’s wife, Dr.
Aimee Zellers, who
currently serves as
Associate Provost at
Carlow University, will
be in attendance as he
described his presidency
as “a partnership
between the two.”
He and Zellers both
attended national
workshops in preparation
for the role, Pfannestiel
said, as spouse or partner
plays an important role
in supporting, meeting
students and donors and
attending events.
Pfannestiel says
although his wife doesn’t
believe him, he is sure she
will be a president of an
academic institution in
her future as well.
“I look forward to the
day I can support and
sacrifice for her the same
way she does for us,” he
said.
Chair of the Inauguration
Planning Committee
Amy Lindner said the
ceremony will follow
a traditional format to
“establish tradition and
honor what has been
done in the past.”
Utica University is a
younger university
compared to other
academic institutions
and wants to establish
tradition that will become
a fabric of the institution,
Lindner said.
Pfannestiel hopes the
ceremony taking place
during Homecoming
UTICATANGERINE.COM
Dr. Todd Pfannestiel
displays his green
doctoral robe from
the College of Wil-
liam and Mary. Three
stripes on the sleeves
represent a Doctor-
ate degree, the blue
piping represents
his PhD in Arts and
Sciences, the W and
M script seal, a Utica
seal, a Clarion pin, a
Phi Beta Kappa pin
and a Utica moose.
Photo:
Diana Sidorevich
weekend will bring in Katwala, a senior,
more people — students, believes it’s important for
parents and alumni — students to attend the
making the moment presidential inauguration.
“extra special.’’ “I think this is one of those
Lindler hopes to see lots things in history where it’s
of students get involved important to your school
and for faculty and and stuff that you value,”
staff to attend as well Katawala said.
and show support for
There is a formal
Pfannestiel. reception scheduled
“He always adds a bit for external constituents
of a twist of humor and after the ceremony, but
fun so I think it would be Pfannestiel and Zellers
great for the students want to see the students
to see that and get an first. After changing out of
understanding of what their ceremonial regalia,
his presidency will be they’ll go to the dining
like,” Lindner said. hall which will be serving
Some students are a menu mirroring the
looking forward to Beatles-themed menu at
Pfannestiel’s term as the reception.
president. “I’m going to go where
my students are first,”
“I think he’s going to
Pfannestiel said. “Our
do a lot to get more
true north is the students.
donations from different
You are the institution.”
alumni,” health science
and physical therapy Katawala said with
major Priya Katawala special events like this,
said. “the dining hall kicks into
gear” to serve food that
She hopes more money
reflects how special an
will be allocated towards
event is.
student oriented things,
like ice machines in dorm
rooms.
PAGE 8
FEATURES
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2023 UTICATANGERINE.COM

Changing Gears: Musco Millner now Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice

◊ CHARLIE BUCKLEY
FEATURES EDITOR
Utica’s former Director
of Campus Safety Musco
Millner has become a
full-time professor at
Utica University. Millner
served as the Director of
Campus Safety for four
years in addition to being
a Mathematics professor
at the university.
Millner said his ultimate
goal was to someday
teach in a full time
capacity.
“I’m grateful for the
journey with the Office of
Campus Safety and truly
believe that, as a team,
with the help of students,
faculty and staff, we Musco Millner assumed a new postion at Utica University as an Assistant Professor.
accomplished some //Courtesy of Utica.edu
wonderful things in the
past four years,” he said. on those days,” Millner said. “One can’t place about studying math”?
Millner has not only said. a dollar value on the Some students who
assumed the role of a In 2011, after he feeling one gets when are familiar with Millner
full-time Professor of returned to the area one observes moments were quick to show
Mathematics, but also for from his previous position of comprehension and their support for his new
criminal justice as well. as Case Management understanding; i.e., those endeavors as a full-time
His new role is Assistant Senior Investigator for the ‘ah ha’ moments, that professor.
Professor of Criminal New York State Police present their beauty in the
learning environment.” “I believe that Musco
Justice. However, Millner Crime Laboratory System becoming a full time
says that his journey with in Albany, he became Along with this new professor here at Utica
teaching began with adjunct professor change, Millner is still University is a very good
Mathematics. at Mohawk Valley furthering his education thing,” said Freddie Pinto,
“My teaching journey Community College and is pursuing a doctoral a Cybersecurity major in
began as a substitute where he taught courses degree at University of his sophomore year. “As
Mathematics teacher in mathematics and Albany. he teaches his classes,
and tutor for the Rome Forensic Science. “My potential research he wants the students to
City School District some Millner also said one of idea involves an take in the information
twenty plus years ago,” the best parts of being a examination of statistical that he has stated in
said Millner. professor is the continual enrollments of students them and hopes that
After serving the New engagement with in mathematics courses, they take it with them on
York Police Department students. disaggregating the data a day to day basis and
for 26 years, he was given “The opportunity to by race, ethnicity, or hopes the information will
the opportunity to have present material that I am socioeconomic status to make a positive impact
a “set” schedule and passionate about to the assist me in developing for them.”
have more free time on hungry minds and thirsty a problem statement,”
his hands. spirits of these future he said. “My interest
leaders of the world remains in answering the
“As a result, I made question: How do black
myself available to the is something that I do
not take lightly,” Millner undergraduates feel
Rome City School District

PAGE 9 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2023 UTICATANGERINE.COM
Career Closet accepts large donation of professional clothing for students
Kailea Murray helps sort career closet donations.
//Photo: Mary Christopher
◊ ELEANOR BERKHOUDT
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Utica University’s Center
for Career Readiness
held a successful
clothing drive on July 12.
More than 1,000 articles
of clothing were added
to the Career Closet
as a result of generous
donations.
There was a larger
turnout than expected
with a total of 91 cars
stopping by the Addison
Miller White Hall Circle
to drop off clothing. The
Career Readiness Center
was delighted to receive
so many donations for
students and quickly got
to work organizing the
clothing after the event.
“The Career Closet was
a way for us to address
inequity on our campus,”
said Nina Nguyen, Utica
University’s Diversity,
Equity, and Inclusion
Project Manager.
FEATURES
As a division of Utica
University’s DEI Office,
the Center for Career
and Professional
Development aims at
providing an equal
opportunity for all
students to receive
employment and strives
to prepare students for
a successful career by
helping them to achieve
their full potential.
“We realize not every
student came to the
University with what they’d
consider ‘professional’
clothing or have the
funds to purchase new
items, which can get
expensive,” said Jennifer
Rubino, Utica’s Associate
Director of Transitions.
“We never want our
students to miss out on an
opportunity to network,
go to an interview or start
their first day of the job or
internship because they
aren’t confident in how
they dress.”
The Career Closet
debuted in October 2022
to provide students with
professional work attire
for job interviews and
prevent a lack of clothing
from being the reason
why someone does not
receive employment.
Since opening, Utica
University students have
successfully utilized the
Career Closet to prepare
for job interviews.
“It’s rewarding to
know we’re making an
impact,” Utica University’s
Director of the Center for
Career and Professional
Development Kailea
Murray said.
The summer clothing
drive is just one example
of the ways the Career
Closet is expanding
its clothing selection
through donations. Some
local businesses have
also volunteered to
gather donations.
“We are grateful to our
campus and community
partners who have
helped make these
items accessible to our
students, completely
free of charge,” Jennifer
Rubino said.
In addition to the
clothing drive, the Career
Center is anticipating
another large donation
from Excellus Blue Cross
Blue Shield of the Utica
region. The insurance
company selected the
Career Closet and their
donation is expected to
be dropped off at Utica
University this week.
With an increase in
the number of clothing
articles donated, the
Career Closet will
relocate to a larger
space. The closet
required a small space
when it first opened
and has been moved
to several different
locations due to its rapid
growth. As a result, they
are pausing their focus
on taking in donations
and have been more
focused on organizing
and relocating the
Career Closet.
Since more time is
needed to relocate
all of the articles of
clothing and there is
not a set open time for
the Career Closet, work
attire is still available on
a case-by-case basis to
students preparing for
an interview.
Any students who are
interested in picking up
clothing from the Career
Closet may do so by
contacting The Center
For Career Readiness
ahead of time. The
Career Closet’s new
location should be
determined by the end
of the semester.
 FEATURES
PAGE 10 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2023 UTICATANGERINE.COM

UCPB’s Roller Rink Night photographed by Mariami Kentchadze

 SPORTS
PAGE 11 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2023 UTICATANGERINE.COM
Women’s soccer wins season opener against Morrisville
◊ NICK PHILLIPS Lamphere, her second of
SPORTS REPORTER the match, and forward
MORRISVILLE, N.Y. — Julianna Beaulieu in the
Rylee Lamphere’s goal 47th and 48th minute of
and two assists in Utica’s the final period.
Sept. 1 season opener “I think this team is
got the Pioneers off to something extremely
a thrilling start with a special. The chemistry
convincing 6-1 win over is amazing and we all
Morrisville State College. want to win,” Beaulieu
said. “We want to come
The Pioneers started the
out of every game proud
scoring early when Kaela
of our performance and
Mochak netted the first
with a [win] under our
goal of the game just shy
sleeves.”
of the two-minute mark in
the opening period from Lamphere got her first
an assist by Lamphere. goal of the season in
The Pioneers then upped the 52nd minute to pair
the lead when midfielder with her double assist
Gabriela Daumant 5-0 It was before Callie
converted in the 23rd Laforntaine’s 73rd-
minute off the back of a minute consolation
Kayla Giovingo assist. goal for Morrisville was
canceled out by Jazmyn
The Pioneers built on
Gillette’s 24 seconds
their 2-0 lead with goals
later to make it 6-1.
from senior Mikayla
Kelley assisted by Goalkeepers Courtney
Connolly and Karen With 20 shots on goal
Troche both appeared compared to Morriville’s
in goal for the Pioneers two compiled with a
conceding only one four-point performance
among the two. Troche, by Lamphere the 2023-
a junior, allowed the only 2024 campaign is off to a
goal of the game after a quick start for last year’s
23-minute appearance. Empire 8 runners-up. At
Connolly on the other press time, the Pioneers
hand kept a clean (1-0, 0-0 Empire 8) were
sheet throughout her 63 back in action on Sept.
minutes of play, ceiling 6 in an away matchup
the Pioneer’s 1-0 start to against SUNY Poly (1-
the season. 1, 1-0 North Atlantic
“We did a great job of Conference) as they
connecting passes and look to extend to two
finding each other’s feet. games unbeaten.
We were able to move The Pioneers will play
the ball up the field as a in the Blue Devil Clarion
team and create many Classic at Fredonia State
scoring opportunities,” this weekend, facing
Connolly said. “We had Oswego State (1-0, 0-0
some six different people SUNYAC) at 1 p.m. Friday,
score against Morrisville Sept. 8, and Fredonia
which shows the diversity at 12:30 p.m. Saturday,
we have on offense this Sept. 9.
season.”
 SPORTS
PAGE 12 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2023 UTICATANGERINE.COM

Field Hockey home opener photographed by Kayleigh Sturtevant