Don't Judge a Human Book by Its Cover Founding Dean of Adelphi
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May 6, 2019 The Voice of the Students Volume 74, Issue 10 Founding Dean of Adelphi Honors College to Retire ela Vidad described the college as a place BY VIRGINIA MALONEY to “work and share ideas” through classes driven by student discussion. But, she add- For the past quarter of a century, ed, it’s more than just a school thanks to Richard Garner has been the face of the Garner. Adelphi University Honors College, nur- “Dean Garner makes the Honors turing it since its birth into the highly se- College feel like home. He invites students lective program for young scholars that it to his home before cultural events or af- is today. The 66-year-old dean has accom- ter reading books to discuss their experi- plished this by giving an inordinate amount ences,” Vidad said, adding praised for his of his own time, money and care. Unfor- culinary capabilities. “He feeds us and is tunately, all good leaders must eventually even known for amazing chocolate cake.” retire. Come fall, the Honors College will When not baking for students, Garner is be run by a new face, following Garner’s busy planning cultural events for them, departure at the end of this 2019 spring funding scholarships, overseeing admis- semester. He was honored Tuesday, April sion of new honors students and general 30 in the Thomas Dixon Lovely Ballroom advisement. in the Ruth S. Harley University Center in “I pretty much work seven days a appreciation for his years of service and his week,” he said. “I don’t have a spouse or dedication and support of student scholar- children, I don’t have a cat or dog, I don’t ship. even have a goldfish, so I never felt like In 1994, Garner started work at Dean Garner has served as the dean of the Adelphi Honors College since its inception over I was cheating someone by being here. I Adelphi University as the first dean of the 20 years ago. love what I do here.” Honors College, building off a preexisting While attending to these tasks, honors program established in 1979. The tire endowment would be given over to the Despite this initial controversy Garner also managed to teach for 24 of the idea for the college was developed by late Honors College, which obviously was not and pressure, Garner grew the college from 25 years he served as dean. “I’ve always Adelphi president, Dr. Peter Diamando- done and was never intended. There were a small community with just 50 initial taught,” he said. “There have been times poulos, who stressed the liberal arts over rumors fueled by fears that it would eat up scholars to one with 264 current students when I was teaching Human Condition, professional studies at Adelphi before his everything. of various majors and nationalities. Greek, Latin and Hebrew—as many as dismissal from the school in 1997. “There was also … a worry that it Alumni go on to receive advanced four courses at a time. “There was suspicion and resis- would snobbishly elitist, which it has never educations in such notable institutions as “I’d have been totally happy to be tance about the honors college,” said Gar- been … partly a credit to its students,” he Harvard University, Brown University and just a professor,” said Garner, who taught ner. “There was worry that it would eat up said. “I felt a certain amount of pressure to Johns Hopkins. all of Adelphi’s resources … that the en- prove ourselves as a good thing.” Sophomore honors student Gabri- Continued on page 2 Don’t Judge a Human Book by Its Cover BY JACLYN TRACY their lives have been. Tatiana Bryant, Adelphi’s engage- ment and inclusion librarian, said, “Each So often in life, we find that we book speaks about a particular aspect of are surrounded by people who we identify their life that has affected them in some with, people we share our traits, people degree or way. We have many books on we are comfortable with, and people who display, including a Japanese World War we know everything about. We sometimes Two internment camp survivor, a trauma lack the motivation to go out there and survivor and a former opioid addict.” meet others who may be completely differ- From browsing through the Hu- ent than we are, and learn about what it is man Library catalog, one would get an in- that makes them different. troduction to each human “book,” includ- Human Library Adelphi, an event ing a table of contents, picture and short Human Library was a unique event that compared humans and their stories to the stories that took place on March 26 at the Angello backstory, along with their title. Being that found in books, encouraging guests to “borrow” one. (Left) Shanequa Levin, founder of the Alumni House gave, students the oppor- March is Women’s History Month, as writ- Long Island Women’s Diversity Network. (Right) At the Human Library event, students tunity to meet real human “books” of all ten on Adelphi’s website, “this year elevat- discuss a nonbinary book. (Photos by James Giella.) different backgrounds, ethnicities, beliefs, ed the stories of cisgender women, women upbringings and life stories to share and who are transgender, gender non-conform- experience of not being able to fit in with be more accepting of each other.” have conversations with them about their ing, intersex, and non-binary individuals.” any group while she was being raised.” This year’s Human Library Adel- lives. Corrada Spatola, writer-in-resi- Nursing major Renuka Persuad phi left students with a greater understand- The Angello Alumni House be- dence at Swirbul Library, got the chance was asked about how this event helps the ing of all the different types of people that came an actual human library, allowing to interview some students who attended Adelphi community. She said, “It exposes live in this world, while leaving them with students to “borrow” those categorized as this event and ask about the impact it had us to others and helps us to realize we are hope that one day we will all be able to Survivors, Gender-fluid, Muslim, Addict, on them. When asked to choose a “book” all the same. We may have different expe- understand and put aside our differences TV Exec, Depressive, Black Latina, Femi- that really stood out to her, Rudhra Lal told riences, but we all go through sadness and to unite as one. One thing is for sure: This nist Activist and Chronically Ill, among Corrada, a freshman nursing major, said, happiness. If we had a sense that we’re not event taught those who attended to not others, for real conversations about what “a black/latina female that talked about her very different from each other, we would judge a human “book” by their cover. 2 • May 6, 2019 NEWS The Delphian A Word from the Editor Hi Panthers, we can’t believe that we have already made it to our tenth and final issue for the 2018-’19 year. We want to thank you for a great year and for everyone’s continued support. Delphian I also want to congratulate the entire staff for once again being nominated for the Press Editors-in-Chief Club of Long Island’s top college newspaper. Additionally, I would like to congratulate Jaclyn Volume 74 Tracy, Danielle McDougall and editorials editor Victoria Grinthal for being PCLI finalists. Nicoletta Cuccio Issue 10 In this issue, we have a variety of great articles that showcase the entire university. Olivia Franks The features section includes annual campus events, including the Holi festival, Student Activi- Earle Hall Media Center ties Board’s Pantherfest and Intergreek Council’s Greek Week. We also look to new traditions News Editor One South Avenue as Adelphi held its first ever Resident Appreciation Week, so the Paint Night within that was Matthew Schroh Garden City, NY 11530 reviewed as well. One Panther also reflected on her unique study abroad experience in Thailand Editorials Editor and our very own features editor, Maria, recounted her experience at a student event at the United HOW TO REACH US Nations. My personal favorite is the Jonas Brothers’ long-awaited return; I’m looking forward to Victoria Grinthal Main Office: 516-877-6935 seeing everything they accomplish. Speaking of concerts and shows, take a look at the best ways E-mail: [email protected] to gets free tickets to live events. It’s tested and proven to be successful. Lastly, we have an article Features & Entertainment Editor on the anticipated “Avengers: Endgame.” We promise, there’s no spoilers here. Maria Giovanna Jumper In news, we thank Dean Garner for his dedication to the university upon his retirement. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR We also cover the Human Library, where people come together to listen to experiences that others Sports Editor Letters to the editor must be less than have gone through. It is a powerful event that has received a lot of positive feedback. You can Olivia Franks 400 words and include the author’s also read about how Adelphi students and faculty had the opportunity to learn about the future of name, as well as affiliation to the technology with the Carlyle Group’s chief information officer and Adelphi alumnus, Suhit Gupta. Production Artists college. Letters may be edited for the In editorials, we look at the tragedy that has occurred in France with the burning of Valerie Buonaiuto purposes of space and clarity. the Notre Dame Cathedral because it is hard to think about how much history we have lost.