bserver THE STUDENT VOICE OF FORDHAM COLLEGE AT LINCOLN CENTER August 29, 2001 www.fclcobserver.com VOLUME XX, Issue 1 Fordham Artist-in- New Student Lounge Expected to Open Soon Residence Passes By Eric M. Andersson Away at 91 A new carpeted student lounge furnished with couch clusters, a fold-out stage, a tele- vision, sound system and a computer bar with network access for students to plug in laptops, is expected be open in late August, according to University officials. The lounge, which was formerly the fac- ulty dining room, adjacent to the Lowenstein Cafe on the plaza level, is a joint project between the Student Activities Office, Facilities and Sodexho, and repre- sents an effort on the part of the University to provide both commuting and resident students with a space to socialize, according to Mary Jane Conlon-Reilly, Dean of Students. "Anyone who wants to use it is New Student Lounge Rite Brumlll welcome to," Reilly said. "During the day students can hang out and at night it will be lobbied administrators for years for a stu- Fordham administrators are eager for its used for special programming." dent lounge, according to Reilly. "Space opening. Vivienne Thaul Wechter A new door connects the lounge to the is a scarce resource at Lincoln Center. "We're really excitedj'to have this outdoor Robert Moses Plaza, allowing That was the only thing holding up the lounge," said Jennifer Mussi, Director of By Katie Jennings the lounge to stay open much later than project: where to do it," she said. Student Activities. "I think, it's something the cafeteria, said Doug Mitchell, According to Mitch Malnati, '03,, Vice that Lincoln Center really needed." Painter, poet, and sculptor Vivienne Manager of Facilities, an official President of USG, students from various The project, which cost approximately Thaul Wechter passed away at age 91, at involved with the project. clubs met with representatives from $130,000 was funded jointly through the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City on "The room will be ready for the first day Student Activities, Facilities and offices of Vice President of Facilities, June 12, 2001. Wechter was Fordham of classes," said Lisa Garden, General Sodexho during the fall semester of Charles Hodulik and Vice President of University's Artist-in-Residence and Manager of Sodexho, another official 2000, and the students were granted the Student Affairs, Jeff Gray, and construc- Professor of the Psychology of Creativity, a involved in the project But the furniture space and included in the planning tion was carried out in July and August, class offered at Rose Hill. Wechter was wont be delivered until late August, so the process. Student Activities hired an inte- according to Mitchell. Both Gray and known on the Lincoln Center campus for room won't be furnished and set up until rior designer to design the room, and stu- HoduHck were on vacation and could not her exhibits, which were in the Lowenstein mid-September," she added. dents shared their input with her, accord- be reached for comment. lobby area across from the security desk. The lounge represents a major success ing to Malnati. A new faculty dining area is being con- In 1961, Wechter came to Fordham to set for student groups such as the "A lot of people put their two cents in," structed at the top of the escalators on the up the first Fordham art gallery and to mod- Commuting Students Association, the he said, adding that they helped pick out the plaza level, at the site of the former plaza art erate a weekly radio program on WFUV, Residence Hall Association and the color scheme of blue, orange and pink. • gallery, according to Mitchell. He estimates called Today's World, an interview program United Student Government, who have Though the lounge isn't open yet, it will be open in mid-September. • that explored the arts and current events with guests such as Salvador Dali, Pablo Cassals and Gloria Vanderbilt First FCLC Reunion, A Success Wechter became the University's full- time Artist-in-Residence in 1964; her studio By Lara Hanson Lincoln Center campus. Younger alumni mingled with the older was on the Rose Hill Campus. Additional Reporting by Katie Jennings Fordham University President Rev. not only to share experience, but also to Wechter created a sculpture called Leap Joseph A. O'Hare, S.J., also weighed in garner advice and gain occupational con- Into Faith in honor of the 1979 Camp Kisses danced from cheek to cheek as on the events. "This has been an explo- nections. "My (continued on page 2) David Peace Accord. The sculpture is on the first ever reunion was held to honor the sion of energy that has been pent up for display at both the George Meany Center alumni of FordhamJJniversityjat Lincoln too long," he said. In his final sentiments, for Labor Studies in Silver Springs, Center on JunrfCon^bert Moses Plaza. which sparked a wave of smiles and Maryland, and at the University of Cairo in Graduates from theaassesof 1968through cheers O'Hare said, "We need more of Inside: Egypt. 2001~were reunited with old friends and these parties, not fewer." With an open professors at a place they used to call home. bar, appetizers including calamari and Wechter, also a poet, said that poetry and Commentary: art belong together because, "they germi- "Some of these people I haven't seen sushi, and Frank Sinatra floating through nate and emanate from a common womb," since graduation day," said Norma Acevido the air, no one disagreed. A Commuter's as quoted by Ryan Stellabote in a profile in as tears welled in her eyes. "These really "I've been waiting for this event for 19 Subway Manifesto the Fordham Magazine. In 1975, Wechter were the best years of my life." years and the turnout has been remarkable," page 7 published a book of poetry, which was As each former student stepped off the said James White, class of'82. illustrated with her paintings called, A View escalator they were met by friendly cur- "Fordham is more than a school it's a Features: family," said Felice Itzkoff. "I remember From the Ark. rently enrolled Fordham ites, brochures Kassabian Gains Wechter was also involved in her local listing people in attendance, name cards one time asking the Dean to postpone con- community, as evidenced by her work as a and a book to inscribe and renew their struction which was said to make a mess of IBfife at FCLC founder and president of the Bronx John Hancock as a part of Fordham's leg- the school for a few weeks, so my parents page 3 Museum of the arts and helped construct a end. Putting the basic formalities aside, could see the school in its original form and new arts curriculum in the New York the alumni were then directed through he actually honored my request. That's the Arts: Public school system. the doors, past security inspection onto kind of school Fordham has always been. Sade, a Smooth Fordham produces an intimate environment Wechter was married to Nathan the plaza where a great deal had changed Operator in NYC Wechter, M.D., who died in 1969. She is since 1968. where the students know each other, and the survived by her daughter, Robyrta Change was only one of the points professors know each student personally." page 11 Rapoport and son-in-law, Bernard addressed by Rev. Robert Grimes, S.J., One group that was inseparable through- Rapoport; her grandson Michael Rapoport Dean of Fordham College at Lincoln out the entire night was 4 women who have Literary: and his wife Deborah; her sister Jeanne Center, as he stirred memories of the past been best friends since college. "We are rJEnd.o Kaplan and brothers Perez Rosenthal and but also spoke about hopes for the future now each of each others children's God par- page 9 Elliot Thaul and four great grandchildren. of Lincoln Center. Urging the 6% of ents and we will continue to be life long Her funeral was held on June 13,2001 at alumni in attendance not only to reflect friends," said Melanie Penrhyn. "The Riverside," on 76 Street and but also to help contribute to aspirations Such networking was one of the major Amsterdam Avenue. • of expansion and growth at Fordham's focal points that filtered through the air. News August 29,2001 Studies Minor First FCLC Reunion, A Success (continued from page I) favorite part of the night was watching people whip out their palm pilots and Gcaeral Description; trade numbers," said Manager of Alumni V-lh& minor focuses on the relationship Relations, and coordinator of the event, - between the environment and other dis* Nicole Moore. "It used to be that people - ciplines such as philosophy, politics, would be ripping pieces of paper, to business, communications, economics, scratch down numbers. It just goes to engineering, environmental studies, the- show how, much things have changed ology health professions, architecture, within the past 33 years." Jaw and urban studies, This minor wjll "When we conceived the idea of a also compliment the religious, political, reunion 3 years ago and began planning scientific and business issues that have this 6 months ago we had no idea how significant impacts on the environment, amazing this event would turn out to be," •The Environmental Science track said Kristen Gullo, Director of Alumni includes over 30 different courses such Relations. as "Life on Planet Earth," "Dinosaurs, According to Gullo, in November of Mastodons and Dodos," 2000 9,986 FCLC alumni, including "Bacteriology/' "Atmospheric EXCEL students received a save the date 1 Chemistry ' and "Animal Behavior." card for the reunion.