Mick Cochrane, Author, Visits Emmanuel Melissa Eckhardt Said

Home , Lady Sarah McCorquodale, The Accident Man

THE CURRENT FOCUS

VOLUME 8. NUMBER 2 A student publication of Emmanuel College. Boston OCTOBER 1997 Kris Niendorf joins Emmanuel College as Mick Cochrane, Author, Visits Emmanuel Melissa Eckhardt said. Associate Dean! Cochrane also emphasized On what was otherwise a the mystery that comes with writing Director of Residence gloomy Monday afternoon, Dr. a novel. Comparing the beginning Life and Housing Mick Cochrane was framed in sun of writing a novel to snowglobes, Theresa Consoli light as the first rays of the da-y he stated, "I didn 't know where the appeared beyond the wall-length snowflakes were going to fall." In Emmanuel's new Associate window of St. Joseph's Foyer. As respect to this mystery, Cochrane Dean/Director of Residence Life he spoke, aspiring students saw this said, "I don't think readers can be and Housing, Kris Niendorf golden light dawning not only on surprised when writers aren't sur comes to the college with 14 years campus, but also in their futures. prised to some extent." This, too, When Cochrane, Writer-in of experience in higher education. has to do with patience, and letting Residence at Canisius College in yourself go where your work takes Her most recent position was that Buffalo, New York, came to you, he said. of Associate Director of Resident Emmanuel on September 30 to Cochrane made the writing Life at Worcester Polytechnic meet with students and faculty, he Mlck Cochrane was born and raised process human, said students. "Part emphasized the importance of dis In St. Paul, and Is Wrlter·ln·Resldence Institute (WPI) where she worked at Canlslus College In Buffalo, New of the process of being human is cipline and patience in the writing for three years. York. having to wait," commented Sister process. Michelle. According to Cochrane, It is, however, an earlier For students who often feel Mter writing fi~tion since patience and -a love of writing are that completion is the most impor pOSItIOn which led her to his college days and only now fin tant aspect of a project, and that all a writer needs to be successful. ishing his first novel, Flesh Even if success had not come by Emmanuel. Niendorf worked at a getting there is the trouble, this Wounds, Cochrane has had first women's college in Missouri for advice was valuable. In a brief means of publication, the success hand experience in the importance of writing and completing a work five years and has always wanted interview after the talk, student and of patient discipline. Cochrane discussion attendee Sister Michelle would have been success enough, to return to an all-women's col informed the group that a page to a Cochrane said. Halm said that hearing that one lege to be a part of women's edu page and a half was about all he should be patient with the process The event, which garnered would write in one sitting--a sitting cation. and with oneself was something she twenty-one attendees, was spon that was approximately seven Niendorf's aim here at "needed to hear.... The thing that sored by the English Literature and hours long. Said Cochrane, impressed me the most was the Communication Arts Club and the Emmanuel is to "put Residence " ... write a page a day, that's a book whole sense of being patient," she Office of the Dean of Students. Life on the map." Niendorf in a year." believes Emmanuel can do that by began working for Worcester making it "a place where people Poly technical Institute (WPI). Our Haunted Halls want to live." Niendorf hopes to - What has Niendorf been increase the number of resident Rebecca A. Consentino doing since arriving at students on campus. Emmanuel? She started the year [Editor's note: The ghost stories in this article were told by various members of Niendorf is extremely the Emmanuel community in candid, confidential interviews. Some of them with -the RA orientation/training open to students stopping by to should be familiar to you: they've been handed down from year to year by program which was more exten see her and talk with her. She upperclassmen. Others are astonishingly new; all are purported to be true. sive and intense this year. enjoys working directly with stu These stories were told to different members of The Current Focus staff, which Of course, like all the dents and hopes to get to know means they're all hearsay: none of us has ever seen a ghost! So keep your eyes members of the Resident Life everyone quickly. When asked open, and be sure to tell us if anything spooky happens to you.] staff, Niendorf has been out there how she felt here, Niendorf said it In honor of Halloween, Ghost Story #1: The ghost of among the students. One of " ... feels like I have been here 7 students decorate the donns with St. Joseph Hall Niendorf's favorite ways to sup years rather than 7 weeks .. .! want pictures of ghosts and pumpkins, For many years now, res port students is by participating in and string fake cobwebs along idents have believed that a ghost students to feel welcome to come the Athletic Department where the hallways. But traditionally, haunts the back-wing bathroom and ch~t..." the closer we get to midnight on of the second floor of St. Joe's. she has been serving as score Niendorf's qualifications October 31, the more we contem It is said that in the past, resi keeper for various sports teams. include a Bachelor's and a plate the phenomenon of ghosts. dents have looked into the mirror This month, Niendorf will Master's degree in Psychology And Emmanuel seems to have and seen an unfamiliar girl with be starting an infonnal discussion from the University of Evansville more than its share of ghost sto long, wet hair stepping out of the abol;lt Relationship Issues on cam ries. I present to you the follow shower. When the resident in Indiana, where she is originally pus. Everyone is encouraged to ing seven spooky stories for your turned around from the mirror to from. attend and share their thoughts consideration and contemplation face her, the girl disappeared. A Niendorf moved to as we approach Halloween: Please see Haunted Hails, page 3 and experiences. Boston three years ago when she PAGE 2 THE CURRENT FOCUS - OCTOBER 1997 OPINION Commentary: Mourning a Princess lost .Thank you ... Jenna Wilkinson "Sixteen years ago, in remembered at the funeral service Then on July 29, 1981, The staff of The Current Focus splendour and high hopes, the held for her on September 6, in less than a month after her twenti would like to express our sin young woman stood with the man Westminster Abbey. She was eth birthday, Diana Spencer wed cerest thanks to the Student of her dream in St. Paul's buried privately on a small island Prince Charles, heir to the British Government Association and Cathedral to take marriage vows. at her family 's estate at Althorp. throne in a fairy tale wedding the greater Emmanuel commu The world was carried away by There have been many remembered and watched by mil nity for their support of the stu the mixture of beauty, simplicity, theories as to the nature and the lions of people all over the world. dent publications. As noted in and pageantry. And now this. cause of the accident which She was the first English woman our last issue, The Advocate Diana, Princess of Wales, is caused the death of the princess, to marry the current heir-apparent. and The Current Focus faced dead," the Reverend Michael but that is not the point I choose to to the crown in 300 years. _Happy serious budget problems at the Saward, Canon of St. Paul's pursue. additions to Diana's seemingly beginning of the academic year. Cathedral in London, said of the Diana was and will con- perfect life were her two sons: We worked with Student princess on the day she died. tinue to be a shining example of . Prince William Arthur Philip Government to find a creative Where were you when the women we, as Emmanuel stu- Louis, born June 21 , 1982; and solution to our problems. you first heard the statement dents, strive to be. Prince Henry Charles Albert Although we have been given "Princess Diana is dead?" That David, born September 15, 1984. somewhat smaller budgets for question, I have no doubt, will From then on the woman the ·1997 -98 academic year, we very quickly become as meaning the world called the Queen of believe that through creative ful to our generation as the ques Hearts began to grow and change cost-cutting and fundraising, tion our parents ask: "Where before our very eyes. She were you when JFK was shot?" matured from the shy kinder the integrity of these important This year the world ~as garten teacher, whose innocence publications will be maintained. seen the passing of many w~)llder was proven by the "scandalous" Many thanks for your support! ful people whose contribution to photograph taken of her without a the world will not be soon forgot slip under her skirt shortly after ten. Our lifetime the announcement of her engage is littered with ment to Prince Charles, into the the deaths of so strong, polished, independent many great peo woman the world will continue to ple, but few will admire for years to come. touch the world We all know who Diana Diana was known for as did the was as a public figure.,: but did we many things, but perhaps her best untim~ly . deatb \o (' .j really know anything. about her? : virtue was her constant devotion . the Princess of Her contributions to the world to her children. After her death, Wales. For us, will be remembered by all, but the world rose in support of the the women of only the people who knew her two princes, William and Harry, E m man u e 1 personally could complete her now 15 and 13 respectively. A College, her story. As Israeli Prime Minister, CNN correspondent from death means the Benjamin Netanyahu said upon London, Siobhan Darrow poignant loss of a learning of Diana's death, "The summed up the late princess's role model and Princess was a woman of grace, philosophy on raising the royal pioneer for our beauty, and charm. She represent children by pointing out that sex. ed Britain with nobility and " ... what is important was that D ian a, warmth, and she captured the Princess Diana never wanted Princess of Wales imagination of millions through [William and Harry] to just lead a died in the early out the world with her dedication cloistered life like the rest of the hours of the to children and to innumerable royal family. She wanted to morning on worthy causes. Her untimely expose them to the ordinary August 31, 1997 death is a shock to all who things in life, to everyday things of cardiac arrest admired her and who will cherish and experiences so they would due to injuries her memory." develop some of that common obtained during a Diana Frances Spencer touch [Diana] herself was so car crash in the was born on July 1,.1961 at Park famous for." tunnel under the House near Sandringham, Separation came in the Pont de. I' Alma Norfolk, England. She was the fairy tale marriage in December shortly before youngest daughter of the then 1992. The Royal divorce was midnight on the Viscount and Viscountess finalized on August . 28, 1996. 30th. The Althorp, now the late Earl Diana's continuing relationship to princess, her Spencer and the Honorable Mrs. the Royal Family was questioned companion, Dodi Shand-Kydd. Diana is survived in the face of this unprecedented Al Fayed, the by her mother, her two elder sis event. But even after the failure princess's body ters (Lady Sarah McCorquodale of her marriage, Diana continued guard, and the and Lady Jane Fellowes), and her her charitable. work using her pub party's driver younger brother (Charles, Earl lic name to bring attention to her were attempting Spencer). causes. In fact, without her royal to escape from Like the young women of duties pressing on her time, the I the paparazzi, Emmanuel College, Diana went Princess increaseq the time she free-lance tabloid on to higher education. Her fam spent with a select group of the photographers. ily's choice was a Swiss finishing charities she endorsed during her Only the body school, the Institut Alpin marriage, while resigning from guard survived Videinanette. Finishing schools huridreds of others. In this way, the cra ~h. Diana are primarily women's institu was mourned and tions. Please see Princess lost, Page 3 OCTOBER 1997 OPINION THE CURRENT FOCUS Page 3 Our Haunted Halls (continued/rom Page 1) graduate of the class of '96 once claimed that rity guard; he was described as being dressed Department a summer conference guest who had no other in an old-fashioned uniform, smoking a ciga Next time you go to the fourth floor Emmanuel connection reported seeing the rette. Shortly after being seen, he disap of the Administration Building, don 't tum same thing that these students had. Other stu peared. He seems to have been on duty for a right towards the Art Department. Go left dents have reported hearing footsteps while long, long time! towards some dark, dusty, semi-abandoned they were alone in the bathroom. rooms that store old lockers and other unused Ghost Story #5: The blackout in the Art items. One item that used to be stored there Ghost Story #2: The figure in the windows Department is a beautiful statue of the Virgin Mary. (The of St. James Late one night, a security guard was Theatre Guild has since appropriated it for Two years ago, different students making his rounds on the fourth floor of the use in last year's production of The Sound of walking across campus looked up at usic; members describe the aforemen the fourth floor of S1. James Hall, and storage room as "creepy.") were surprised to see a male figure in , while the statue was being the windows looking out over the in that room, different people had campus. They are said to have made ""r' A.-I'''r1 seeing it crying; others saw its reports to Security, who never found moving. No one could explain this anything to explain the apparition. on, although a current security confirmed that he saw what Ghost Story #3: The girl in the ,vv,,",",u like tear trails on the dusty Administration Building '"'U'""'"'''"'' of the statue. Members of A security guard on campus Theatre Guild report that the statue tells a strange story. Late one night, as been perfectly happy since they gave during a school vacation, he was a new home in their Green Room, walking across the first floor of the is beneath the Auditorium and Administration Building, away from door to the Nautilus Room. the auditorium and towards the Admissions office. Before he reached Ghost Story #7: The poltergeist in St. . t f th h I h -- Photo Illustration by Melissa Eckhardt th e h a Ifway pom 0 e cape , e Joseph Hall saw a girl walking up the stairs near My first and second years at Admissions. At first he was surprised Administration Building, the Art Department. Emmanuel, I lived on the fourth floor. because it was so late during a vacation that As he was walking down the hallway, all the During that time, my RA's reported strange no one should have been there. Then he lights went out very suddenly and he found things happening in 425A, the RA room with noticed her clothing. She was wearing a very . himself in pitch blackness. In order to get the bathroom. They claimed that they would old fashioned black dress and carried books back to the main stairwell;-he turned around leave their room and return to find the show in her arms. She walked up the stairs and put his left hand against the wall to fol er or television on, when they knew they had towards him very slowly. Then, she turned low it back in the direction from which he turned them off. They also reported returning left at a locked door and disappeared. The came. As he walked back towards the stairs, to their room after brief walks around the locked door she entered leads to the shaft he came to a stop: he felt a wall in front of dorm to find their shades pulled all the way near the chapel, which goes nowhere .. There him, where he knew there was none. Closing up. are windows overlooking this and a similar his eyes, he said a quick prayer and -- phew! Reasonable explanations could proba shaft on the second and third floors. -- when he reopened his eyes, the lights were bly be found to most of these stories. But do on. He ran downstairs to ask the security we really want to disprove them? Some Ghost Story #4: The phantom security guard on the third floor if the lights had gone people say that we want to see ghosts so guard out. The reply was no, which is odd because badly that we imagine them, or that we scare Over the past few years, different if the lights on the third floor were on, at ourselves into seeing things. Others really do security guards have reported seeing ,a phan least a little light should have reached the believe in the existence of ghost. So do tom security guard in the Administration fourth floor through the stairwell ... ghosts really walk with us through the halls Building. This security guard was not rec~g of Emmanuel? As Halloween approaches, nized by anyone as a recent Emmanuel secu- Ghost Story #6: The statue in the Art decide for yourself. Princess lost (continued/rom Page 2) she was- better able to serve the also mourn). AIDS Trust. Diana was also smile and laugh, nor to inspire worthy causes she chose. The main charities Diana President of the Hospital for Sick others with her warmth and kind." Among the people who worked {or so diligently until her Children, Great Ormond Street, ness. I admired and respected her addressed the world upon learning death were people with and of the Royal Marsen Hospital. - for her energy and commitment of the death of Diana were HIV/AIDS, the banning of land Addressing the world on to others, and especially for her President Clinton, British Prime mines, and children everywhere. the death of her former daughter devotion to her two boys ... No one Minister John Howard, UN She was Patron of Centrepoint in-law, the Queen said, "[Diana] who knew Diana will ever forget Secretary-General Kofi Anna, and (the English National Ballet), the was an exceptional and gifted her." Mother Theresa (whose loss we Leprosy Mission, and the National human being. In good times and Neither will we. . bad, she never lost her capacity to IJ oin our staff! The English Literature/ The Current Focus Communication Arts wants to hear from yOU! Club Send your questions, comme!1ts, suggestions, is working with The Advocate, opinionsi' and~ny other work,$,ou would like to, Emmanuel's Art and Literary Magazine, on the production of the see"published to box F9 ,pr~mail us at: ,i Fall issue. Contact our club secretary at [email protected] 'DCJl~, ., ~pi. a ~pt! . ~ · 1.8-l .' to join us! Page 4 THE CURRENT FOCUS - OCTOBER 1997 NEWS SLAC Plans an Exciting Semester Sarah Consentino experiences, though, until he became organizations. Attendance, banner-making, involved with the production of Schindler's and other forms of competition will take The SLACers certainly do more than List. place. what the acronym suggests. Anne Tierno of Cash prizes will be directly deposited Student Activities and Robyn Korins, gradu into the accounts of the victorious clubs and ate assistant of Student Activities, are excit organizations: $50 will be given to the first ed about the up and coming events which are place winners, $25 to the runners-up, and sponsored by SLAC (the Student Life $10 for third place will be given. The floors Activities Committee). that win will be treated to a pizza party. Also during the Tap-Off will be live The following is a list of the SLAC events entertainment from 9 PM to 1 AM by the to come: funky, blues-y group, the Heavy Metal Horns. "SLAC is hoping they'll appeal to October 25: Salem trip all types of audiences," 'Mrs. Tierno stated. October 29: viewing of Schindler's List Lastly, the Midnight Breakfast will November 5: Zev Kedem, real-life appeal to the palates of the hard-studying Schindler's List survivor He now speaks out about his experience women of Emmanuel College. On the night November 20: Denise Richardson and will be sharing it with t e Emmanuel before finals, the S.L.A.C.ers and Bon November 22-23: Tap-Off Tournament community. December 11: Midnight Breakfast Appetit will sponsor the event. Faculty and Later in the term, on November 20, staff will serve breakfast foods to the stu Denise Richardson will be providing every dents -- and what's more, meal cards are not The events on October 29 and November 5 one with great entertainment when she per needed. There will also be a DJ and some are actually a two-part series concerning not forms at Emmanuel. A comedienne from dancing. only Schindler's List but the extraordinary New Hampshire, she will be cracking jokes S.L.A.C is looking forward to an entertain strength and courage of a courageous young about college life as well as other related ing spring semester as well. They are cur boy who faced the concentration camps in topics that provide much humor. rently planning a semi-formal for Germany, Mr. Zev Kedem. The annual "Tap-Off' tournament is Valentine's Day weekend and are reviewing Mr. Kedem was faced with darkness, going to be "bigger and more exciting than CDs and videotapes to find entertainment cold, and death daily as he "endured the ever," according to Anne Tierno. It will be for the spring. Robyn and Anne encourage unimaginable horrors of six concentration comprised of competitions among the floors anyone who is interested to call the Student of the residence halls. Competitions wiU Activities office at 735-9963 to become camps" from age eight to his liberation at age eleven. He did not truly deal with these also take place for commuters, clubs, and involved in planning future events. Simmons College to hold Financial Planning Seminar On Thursday, November 6 at 3 pm, Godfrey, author of the New York Times days as head of First Women's Bank and the Simmons College will host a lecture called, 1994 best seller "Money Doesn't Grow on First Children's Bank at FAO Schwartz, and "Making Change: A Woman's Guide to Trees: A Parent's Guide to Raising from her current role as chairperson of the Designing Her Financial Future," on the Financially Responsible Children." Children's Financial Network. importance of financial planning for women. A syndicated columnist for the Godfrey also serves as the curricu This talk will be held in the Simmons Associated Press and a national spokesper lum creator for the Institute for Youth College Conference Center. son for Microsoft MONEY [mancial plan Entrepreneurship, a Harlem organization The lecture is free and open to the ning software, Godfrey is known as an designed to educate children about starting public, including the staff and students of the entertaining speaker adept at breaking down new businesses. Colleges of the Fenway. The featured the complexities of [mancial planning for The 3 pm lecture will be followed by speaker for the program will be Neale lay audiences. She uses anecdotes from her a 4 pm book signing.

Congratulations to all who received awards during Family Weekend.

The following people received Campus Life Awards: Attention all clubs and organizations. Larry Smith, Buildings and Grounds Lt. Belinda Lundberg, Director of Security Your advertisement could be here. Christie Dolan Sabrina Gallo Erin Judge Upcoming events, important meetings, etc., Melissa Bougopoulos all advertised here at a discount price. Megan Houpt

The following medals were awarded: Contact the staff bye-mailing [email protected]. St. Julie Billiart Medal - Kristen Perry St. Catherine Medal of Kappa Gamma Pi - Jenna Wilkinson

Congratulations, also, to all those who received Dean's List awards, Student Leader recognition awards, and inductions into the Alpha Lambda Delta honor society. OCTOBER 1997 THE CURRENT FOCUS Page 5 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT English Literature / Communication Arts Club Review: Dwellings of the' Imagination at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Melissa Eckhardt Where clouds cavort on open ceilings. kind of realism--a kind of magic realism--it dreams, but the whats. In "A Book of Broken Where waterfalls tumble within great stones. leads you to question what you believe. It Rules," seagulls fly through the pages. In a Where shadows dance where shadows cannot makes you think." Uelsmann's works not only number of her works, shadows dance on walls be. These are the make us think, but also where there should either be no shadows, or no dwellings of the imagi make us believe in that walls. nation. "magic realism." As In the comer of the gallery rests an And for once, men go sailing in small open book, in which visitors may write their these dwellings are on boats through the comments about the exhibit. Wrote "kt," age display someplace other clouds and sandcastles nine, "I wish to describe this, but the words than our dreams. stand within otherwise can't escape my little hands." Amongst com Featuring the photogra normal rooms, our ments such as "enchanting," "spellbound," and phy of Olivia Parker and "touched Jerry Uelsmann, my soul," "Dwellings of the "kt'''s words Imagination" is the say the most newest exhibit at the without say- Isabella Stewart Gardner ing any Museum. thing. The The works dis images are played are the result of reycnl wads, both straight photogra- Untitled, 1993 by Jerry Uelsmann because they phy and digital imaging, are beyond creating fantastic scapes and stunning imagery. belief in the reality of accepted real- Parker and Uelsmann, both widely published such pictures increases. ity. and displayed artists, combine photographic Somewhere, somehow, A Book of Broken Rules, 1994 by Olivia Parker S ay s techniques to reshape the world as we know it. these images could Parker, "I've In both black and white and color images, have substance. never made a successful photograph from a museum patrons will see beyond this world Uelsmann's images evoke reality more dream idea." Upon viewjng "Dwellings of the and into imagination. than do Parker's. Parker's works contain more Imagination," patrons of the Gardner Says Uelsmann, "People believe pho color and less landscaping. She explains, "A Museum, as can be read in the guest book, beg tographs.. From childhood we are taught to 'dwelling' is more than jusJ a specific refer- to differ. Uelsmann and Parker not only por believe them. When you have a photograph ence to a house. It's a space, and there are dif- tray the dwellings of the imagination with clar like mine, with all the fidelity of a traditional ferent kinds and different levels of spaces in ity, but also bring these dwellings into our own image, yet at the same time presenting another these pictures." Her photographs are excerpts realities. from dreams--not so much the places of the

New on Video ENTERTAINING MVGELS: THE DOROTHY DAY STORY Dire~ted by Michael Ray Rhodes Starring Moira Kelly, Heather Graham, Melinda Dillon, Lenny VonDohlen, Boyd Kestner, and Martin Sheen Rated PG-13; Running time: 112 minutes; Now Available on Warner Home Video Dolores Tranquillino '97

The first impression any person across as a sorority girl in a two losers?) she decides to go Kelly's endearing performance. has before picking up this film off Halloween costume. Not a good through with this pregnancy. However, the director starts to the video shelf is: "What a weird beginning. It's more laughable than Moreover, she turns to Catholicism make the film drag.towards the end. title!" The second is: "Why could serious. and she and her baby are baptized. He has to resort to cheap melodra n't they just call it Dorothy Day?" The next frame flashes back to Immediately the film flashes matic scenes to wake up the nod- Indeed, the producers should 1917 where Day is now in her early ahead several years when Day and ding off viewers. The worst of have truncated the title; however, twenties (no need for makeup here her daughter are living with her these "dramatic moments" occurs their hopes were that it would.catch since Kelly naturally looks this brother. This summary seems when Day's the eyes of TV's Touched By an age). Day is a loudmouth suf rather rushed; however, the first alcoholic friend, Maggie (Heather Angel fans, since it is aimed at the fragette marching in a pro-woman hour of the film is fast-paced, com Graham) steals the shelter's money same audience (women with an demonstration and writing for a plemented with choppy editing. and attacks Day with a cane while interest in spirituality). However, is socialist newspaper. After she The only scenes that director trying to escape. Graham's perfor-, ___ it as inspiring as that TV series? sleeps with her editor (Boyd Michael Ray ' Rhodes has the mance has the pungent intensity of Entertaining Angels comes out Kestner) to get her articles pub patience to hold are the ones when a B-Horror-Flick "Scream-Queen" as an overall mixed bag. For any lished, this relationship ends with a Day is in bed with her lovers. and the direction is Wes Craven one who does the rent the film, the pregnancy, coerced-abortion, and. However, once Day meets Peter wannabe. Not something that opening has Day (Moira Kelly from abandonment. Maurin (Martin Sheen) and starts belongs in a doeu-drama. The Cutting Edge and With Honors) Not very later, she meets helping the homeless, the film However, despite these numer in her mid-sixties comforting a Forester (Lenny V(;mDohlen) and slows down to a reasonable pace. ous flaws, the film does prevail due young woman in the same prison lives with him in a beach house. She starts the newspaper The to Kelly's complex performance. It cell as she. It would be a touching She is also introduced to Catholic Worker, which confronts is difficult to -portray someone who moment if Kelly actually looked Catholicism by an up-beat, compas the plight of the poor. Moreover, goes through so many changes around sixty! The problem is that sionate nun (Melinda Dillon). she opens a soup kitchen and shel (especially from a socialist to a she has white hair and perfectly When Day's second pregnancy ter for the destitute. modern day saint). Overall, the film smooth skin (a goof by the film's results along with a second aban These scenes are touching at lives up to its title: it's preposterous makeup artist), making her come donment (what did she see in these first, enhanced tremendously by but there's still something in there. Page 6 THE CURRENT FOCUS OCTOBER 1997 Upcoming Performances: Boston: Our extended classroom

Wentworth Movie Nights: are Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean) "The Lost World," October 22; in a series of British credit card Emmanuel College Theatre Guild with the "From Dusk Till Dawn," ads, and a controversial spot for New England Gilbert and Sullivan Society October 29; "Dances With a Swiss toilet paper. Screenings A Spontaneous Production of Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado Wolves," November 5; "Men in will be held at the Museum of October 26 at 2:30 pm Black," November 12,8:00 pm. Fine Arts from October 24 - in the Administration Building Auditorium November 7. For more informa- Audience members may sing along or sit back and enjoy the show. Ghosts! At the Fields Corner tion, please call the museum at No admission fee Branch Library, 1520 267-9300. Contact Jenna Wilkinson ([email protected]) for details Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, Teen on a mission to deliver-a 435-2155, October 25 at 11 am. message: On October 27, 1997 Researcher and lecturer John at Bills Bar in Boston, and on Horrigan examines evidence as November 1,1997 at Finnegan's to whether phantoms, haunted Wake in Cambridge, 17 year old Emmanuel College* Theatre Guild houses and poltergeists are Ms Cecilia-Nan Ding will be Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream superstition or terrifying reality. bringing her message of the November 6, 7, 8 at 7:30 pm' alarming rise in the crime rate in the Administration Building Auditorium Creative Writing Group at the that Cambridge and Boston will Admission information:. donations accepted at the door Boston Public Library in Copley see by the year 2005, to the gen Contact Kevin Cunningham ([email protected]) for details Square, 536-5400, October 27 eral public. In just a little over a from 6:30 to 8:30 pm in the month, Ms. Ding has formed a Mezzanine COnference Room. teen run company entitled Writing and reading ' aloud of Friends And Shelter for Teens MIT Gilbert and* Sullivan Players writing exercises. (EA.S.T), organized her own • Gilbert and Sullivan's Ruddigore, or, The Witch's Curse weekly TV show on channel 55 November 14, 15,20,21,22 at 8 pm; November 16 at 2 pm Emmanuel College Movie of Cambridge Community in the MIT Student Center, 84 Mass. Ave. Night: "Schindler's List," Television, and developed a Admission information: $8.00/students, $10.00 adults October 29 at 8:00 pm in the series of fundraising and aware Contact Rebecca Consentino ([email protected]) for details Library Lecture Hall. ness events to bring her message to the Boston and Cambridge . Wheelock College:Kiss Me areas. Kate, to be presented November 7 at 7:30 pm in the Wheelock One-woman show: Boston-area Emmanuel College* Singers Family Theater. singer and actress Celia Winter Concert Slatterv brings her one-woman December 4 at 12:00 pm at the Federal ~eserve Bank Cannes 1996 Advertising Film show about growing up in the December 5 at 7:30 pm in the Emmanuel College Chapel Festival: Culled from some 60's and 70's, Moving Target, to Please join us for an evening of holiday song. 5,000 entries, this compilation the Little Flags Theater, 550 of ads from more than 17 coun Mass. Ave. , Central Square, tries represents the winners of Cambridge, November 7-8 and last year's Cannes Advertising 14-15. All performances are at Now on Video Film Festival, an annual event 8pm. Tickets are $10 in advance showcasing some of the most and $12 at the door. For tickets by Dolores Tranquillino creative commercial filmmaking and information, call 617/862- to be found anywhere. Included 0189. LIAR LIAR Starring Jim Carrey, Jennifer Tilly, Maura Tierney, and Cary Elwes THE SAINT Rated PG-13 Directed by Philip Noyce Now Available em Universal Home Video Starring Val Kilmer, Elisabeth Shue, Rade Serbedzija Liar Liar is the epitome Carrey, but by the poor writing Rated PG-13 of most American comedies: the as well. Their characters Now Available on Paramount Home Video writers come up with a good amount to nothing more than Well into the movie The Tretiak (Rade Serbedzija), head premise, but do absolutely noth caricatures. Saint, there is a scene where of the Russian Mafia. However ing with it. Moreover, usually TV's Maura Ti~rney is Simon Templar (Val Kilmer) when this criminal turns on only one actor evokes any sort wasted as Carrey's ex-wife and explains to Dr. Emma Russell Templar, the thief sides with Dr. of interest through his character. mother of the wishful boy. (Elisabeth Shue) how someone Russell and, of course, falls in In this film, the good Moreover, Cary Elwes,. who is made into a saint. One has to love with her. idea surrounds the birthday was remarkably funny in Rob perform three miracles; more Templar is called the wish of a dishonest lawyer's Reiner 's The Princess Bride, is over, one has to be "a very "Saint" because he's a quasi son, who asks that his father given a stereotypical role of the good and very dead person." master-of-disguise who takes cannot lie for twenty-four "ideal" boyfriend of Tierney's Similar to Templar, this film his characters' names from hours. Jim Carrey plays the character. Although Jennifer displays three miracles: it man Catholic saints. This gimmick lawyer with his usual gifted Tilly is a standout as one of ages to be over-long, overly is taken to laughable extremes comedic talent. Carrey's clients, her role loses technical, and overtly stupid • t' when he starts counting his mir The problem with Liar interest as the writing becomes before it ends. Furthermore, acles throughout the film. Of Liar is that Carrey is the only progressively unfunny and ulti personality wise, both are "very course these "miracles" are reason to consider renting this mately forced for laughs. dead" and neither is "very really just contrivances in the film. His physical humor along The result is a desperate good." writing. Any genuine imagina with his overall charismatic comedy that would have been Templar is a thief who tion put into this film would presence are indeed amusing. completely pointless ~ithout steals Dr. Russell's formulas for have been a real miracle. However, all of the other actors Jim Carrey's shining presence. cold fusion (which she hides in are upstaged, not only by her bra). He sells them to Ivan THE CURRENT FOCUS - OCTOBER 1997 Page 7 FEATURES Review of the second Annual Dinner for Emmanuel's Dr. Claire Lang visited high first year students schools during recent sabatical Theresa Consoli Nicole Gearty

Last year Snaggs orga- She has not been in high schools. not all they dished up. Also on school for years, yet she experi Lang stated, "I have nized a fabulO\.~s dinner for all the table were a variety of prizes ences that same back-to-school always been interested in how first year students, causing bouts and a bowl full of fun. It was a feeling as if she were a teen social class and backgrounds of jealousy among us upper- great evening and drew positive again. A brick building looms in create what I call little bubbles. class women. It received rave comments from all who partici front of her. She enters the These bubbles are the groups in reviews, encouraging a repeat pated. Several freshwomen classroom and looks at 23 curi which we most identify." She performance This year. After ous faces. She explains, "I am says that teens especially feel came forward and commented to running around campus getting Sociologist Claire Lang, and I the need to create peer groups, Snaggs on what a wonderful the event organized, getting all am here to ask you a few ques or select bubbles. They receive .J evening it was, and how much nose involved on task and tions about how you perceive most of their esteem from them, they enjoyed it. adding finishing touches such as your education." as well as affirmation. Many thanks to Snaggs Dr. Claire Lang, Lang's studies are based . balloons, she dressed up and for her dedicated efforts and Associate Professor of on both student questionnaires hosted the second annual Dinner hard work making it all possible, Sociology at Emmanuel, is and analysis. She goes into the for first year students. and of course, warm congratula working on her third installment schools during homerooms or Their menu included a tions for another great success. in a series of studies that center Social Studies classes and variety of pasta dishes but that is around Boston area high passes out a series of questions ------, designed to determine if students of different backgrounds AFRICAN TRIBAL ARTS perceive their schools and themselves differently. Selections from the . Lang gave this example HAMILL GALLERY OF AFRICAN ART to clarify her project, "I have often been in the car with young Lillian Immig Gallery people when we are driving from one place to another. You Open through November 13, 1997 hear them say, as we drive by Hours: Monday - Thursday, 11 :00 - 4:00 other kid.s, 'They are so differ & by appoint'me'nt ent; I hate the way they act.' (617) 264-7611 Kids are aware of nonverbal cues and boundaries." Cardinal Cushing Library Lang designed her ~mmanuel College research so that students of dif 400 The Fenway ferent racial, ethnic, and class Boston, MA 02215 backgrounds could be observed. , Nigeria. Photo credit: John Urban Please see Dr. Lang, page 8

..... '-4...... ' ... ~i()ns will ,be lield: ' ...... ~: ,',.:;{: Monday, December 8, from 7 -10 pm ~nd Wednesday, December 10, from 8 -10 pm in the, Administration Building Auditorium.

Performances will be held in early ApriL

.~ Contact Re:Oecca.Consentino at [email protected] ,,'. . oi ~ box 510 for more information. .. ::~,: ;r~: :J>:l:' ~t 1t :;:::~ :l • ...,,:

:1;: OCTOBER 1997 THE CURRENT FOCUS Page 8

Dr. Claire Lang Scholarship money available (continued from page 7) Emmanuel College stu- deadline for receipt of all nomi dents interested in a career in nations is January 14, 1998. By studying not only the differ mathematics, the natural sci- The scholarship award ences among students within ences or engineering are invited covers eligible expenses up to a one school, but among the dif to apply to the Barry M. maximum of $7,500 per year. ferent schools as well, she Goldwater Scholarship and · Junior scholarship recipients hopes to show how multicultur Excellence In Education can expect to receive a maxi- al issues affect the students' Program. mum of two years of support. understanding .of themselves Established by Congress Senior scholarship recipients and their peers. in 1986, the Barry M. are eligible for a maximum of Lang feels strongly that Goldwater Scholarship and one year of support. her research has influenced Excellence in Education To be eligible, a student administrative policies within Foundation operate~ an educa- must be a current full-time the schools she has studied. tional scholarship program sophomore or junior and must Presenting the data to teachers designed to provide opportuni- be pursuing a baccalaureate and administrators has helped ties for outstanding U.S. stu- degree, have a B average or them become aware of the dif dents with excellent academic equivalent, stand in the upper ferences among teens as well records and demonstrated inter- fourth of the class, and be a U.S. as the variations among school est in, and potential for, careers citizen, resident alien, or U.S. student bodies. "This aware in mathematics, the natural sci national who will pursue a ness is beneficial because it can ences, and engineering. career in mathematics, the nat allow for prediction and pre In April 1998, the ural sciences, or engineering. vention of racial, ethnic, or Foundation will award scholar Interested sopho- social conflicts that may arise," ships to students who will be mores and juniors should Lang explained. college juniors of seniors during contact Dr. Douglas the 1998-99 academic y·ear. In era n d all order to be considered for an (crandall@ emmanuel.edu) in award,' students must be nomi Marian Hall room 234 by nated by their institution. The October 24, 1997.

ORE Preview Workshops Thursdays from 4:30-5:20-p.m...... RO"in Rosedb;r~:;;{k .... ;( with Kay Trask, Director of Inte;nships < ~ncJ Career Development in room 04R (Academic Resource Center). ;:;:::. .' ;.. ~, .," "," Sessions are running now through Nov. 20. -No sign-up is necessary; drop in to any session!

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