Laila Z. Abdallah: Drexel University Graduate Student Association, Dornsife School of Public Health Student Government Organization.

Abdallah served as the President of the Graduate Student Association from 2015-2016, and was the Community Activism Chair for the Dornsife School of Public Health Student Government Organization 2014-2015. After graduating, Abdallah plans to move to Savannah, Georgia and would love to find a job that allows her to use the public health and epidemiology skills she acquired completing her master’s at Drexel. Abdallah is passionate about potatoes, telling corny jokes and social justice. A quote she enjoys is: “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace,” by Jimi Hendrix.

Amanda Adamski: Campus Activities Board.

While a part of CAB at Drexel, Adamski helped create the Puppy Pawlooza event series. After graduating, Adamski will be working at Lockheed Martin. A quote that she enjoys is: “Nostalgia is truly one of the great human weaknesses. Second only to the neck,” an iconic dialogue by television character­ Dwight K. Schrute of “The Office.”

Arnab Bhardwaj: Dragons for Palestine, Maya Literary Magazine, Drexel Economics Society, Drexel Orchestra, Dragons for Israel, Drexel Model United Nations, Drexel Hindu Student Association.

Bhardwaj is the Maya Literary Magazine blog chair, the treasurer for both Dragons for Palestine and the Drexel Hindu Student Association, and has also participated in several concerts with the Drexel Orchestra. He plans to work full time before starting graduate school. His favorite quote is: “For those who believe in God, most of the big questions are answered. But for those of us who can’t readily accept the God formula, the big answers don’t remain stone-written. We adjust to new conditions and discoveries. We are pliable. Love need not be a command nor faith a dictum. I am my own god. We are here to unlearn the teachings of the church, state and our educational system. We are here to drink beer. We are here to kill war. We are here to laugh at the odds and live our lives so well that Death will tremble to take us,” by Charles Bukowski.

Ruth K. Boansi: Global Health Forum, Dornsife School of Public Health Student Government Organization.

During her time at Drexel, Boansi acted as the Global Engagement Chair for the Global Health Forum from 2015-2016. She was also the Community Activism Chair for the Dornsife School of Public Health Student Government Organization in 2015. After graduating, Boansi will seek a program manager or coordinator position dealing with monitoring and evaluation. She is passionate about global health and has a special interest in sexual and reproductive health. After graduation, she will be going home to visit her family in Connecticut. In high school Ruth was fond of the saying “pressure makes diamonds,” which reflects her dedicated, passionate, stunning and hardworking nature.

Avichal Chum: Drexel University Graduate Student Association, Drexel Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Graduate Forum.

Chum was the Webmaster for the Drexel University Graduate Student Association from 2015-2016, and was awarded the “Most Valuable Team Player” award in 2016. He also acted as the Event Coordinator for Drexel IEEE Graduate Forum. After graduating, Chum will continue to search for electrical engineering jobs in the area. The Graduate Student Association wrote: “GSA is thrilled that Avichal is graduating, but sad to be losing him. Avichal was very hardworking and was always willing to help others.” When asked to give a favorite quote, Chum asked: “Can I use Tyrrion Lanister’s dialogue from Game of Thrones, ‘I drink and I know stuff’?” Yes, Chum, you can.

Danielle Exler: Campus Activities Board, Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society, Dean’s Leadership Council.

Exler was the President of CAB from 2015­-2016. She was also the recipient of the Assistant Vice President/Dean of Student Life Special Recognition Award in 2016. After graduating she is hoping to travel and will be looking for a research position in a biotech or clinical research institute. A quote she holds dear is: “In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun,” spoken by movie character ­Mary Poppins.

Katie Falcone: Alpha Omega Epsilon.

While Falcone was working at Drexel to obtain her degree in biomedical engineering with a concentration in biomaterials and tissue engineering as well as a minor in business administration, she was also founding a new sorority. Falcone founded Alpha Omega Epsilon as a social and professional sorority for women pursuing degrees in technical science fields. She served as the President and also the Recording Secretary for the sorority. She helped sponsor campus events to educate students about various types of engineering; brought professionals in engineering fields to speak to students; helped grow the sorority chapter at Drexel; and acted as a spokeswoman for women in technical majors and fields.

David Freiberg: Computational Materials Science Design (CMSD) Group.

Freiberg is a materials science and engineering student who is a part of Drexel’s Computational Materials Science Design (CMSD) Group. During his time at Drexel and in the CMSD group, David always had a knack for mathematics and was always thinking about the next compression algorithm using fractal mathematics, or how he could use Monte Carlo simulations to solve poker. David plans to pursue his PhD in Materials Science after graduation.

Emily Gold: Campus Activities Board, Peer Leader/Teacher’s Assistant for LeBow College of Business.

Gold was a part of nearly every event that CAB produced and presented while she was a part of the organization. She also got to work with business students of all ages and witness their personal and professional growth as peer leader at the LeBow College of Business. After graduating, Gold will join the CORE Finance Program at Comcast/NBCU. A quote Gold lives by is: “Challenges are what make life interesting, overcoming them is what makes life meaningful,” by Joshua J. Marine.

James Gordon: USGA.

Gordon has served on Undergraduate Student Government for two years as Vice President and President, making him a huge role model for potential leaders on campus. James has accomplished multiple projects and goals for USGA and has pushed the organization to the next level of professionalism and accountability. With his leadership, USGA has been more present on campus than ever before. He also successfully changed the structure of USGA to a class system to coincide better with neighboring university student governments. USGA is proud to have had him as a leader, and they cannot wait to see what he accomplishes next.

Kelsey Gringer: Campus Activities Board, Equestrian Team, Dragon Concert Series.

Gringer was an active member of CAB. There, she was voted the Club Sports Treasurer of the Year, became the marketing director for the Campus Activities Board, and designed materials for the Laverne Cox Lecture, the Lil Wayne-Wiz Khalifa concert and the Steve Aoki concert during her time with the organization. After graduating, Gringer is looking to work for a design firm in Boston or Philly and eventually start her own company. A quote she holds dear is: “It is better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring,” by­ Marilyn Monroe.

Ellen Hafer: Maya Literary Magazine.

Hafer was a part of the Maya Literary Magazine, acting as both contributor and staff editor, for four years. She helped design and publish the club’s yearly publication of student work. She also managed to obtain the level of Honor Roll for her entire academic career and was nominated for the Design Excellence Award for her artwork. At Drexel, she began publishing an independent web comic, and also studied abroad in the Czech Republic. After graduating, Hafer hopes to move to the West Coast to search for a job in the film industry as a concept artist and illustrator. A fun fact about Hafer is that she has quite the collection of movie ticket stubs, currently totaling to 97.

Zach Howell: Drexel Magic the Gathering Club.

Howell is the president of the Magic Club at Drexel. While a student, Howell released two video games. One, called Alchemia, is a fast-paced, match-three game for Android in which the players help the elements attain their true form. The other, called Remote Raiders, is a party game for several platforms, which he hopes will soon be released for itch, AppleTV, the App Store and Android. Howell also co-founded the company Fox and the Little Prince while attending Drexel with fellow student Don Xu. In September, Howell will begin working for Google. During his last term at Drexel, Howell took his first introductory courses to dance and music and is sad to be leaving his roommates in the fall.

Bailey Kiersarsky: Maya Literary Magazine.

During Kiersarsky’s time at Drexel, she was on the design and layout team for the Maya Literary Magazine and helped design the final publication for the 2013-2016 issues. During those years, she was excited to witness a period of enormous growth for the organization. “It’s been a real blessing to see how far Maya has come in just a few years,” she shared. After graduating, Kiersarsky plans to move to Richmond, Virginia to pursue a career in graphic design. A fun fact about Kiersarsky is that she is an amateur bookbinder and has been one since high school.

Sara Kline: Campus Activities Board.

Kline served the Drexel community by acting as the Director for CAB, and is now graduating with Honors. She was a Peer Leader and Teaching Assistant at LeBow College of Business as well. After graduation, Kline is moving to New York City and working for Ernst and Young. She writes: “I live by this quote which was my grandfather’s favorite quote that he once lived by: ‘It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is important is invisible to the eye. You will know forever who you are by what it is you love,’ [from]­ The Little Prince.”

Rachel Kobol: DAC Pack, National Association of Black Accountants, Dragon Concert Series, Drexel International Business Association, Dean of Student’s Advisory Council, Campus Ambassador for Becker Professional Education and the LeBow College of Business Dean’s Student Advisory Board.

Kobol was the first ever female president of the DAC Pack, a title she held while attending Drexel. While a student, she also received first place in the Annual National Diversity Competition at Indiana University, the Scholastic Achievement Award for first place in the EdVenture Partners Case Competition and the Freshmen Honors Award for Excellence in Academics and School Spirit. After graduating, Kobol plans to work as a Staff Accountant for Med Risk.

Amanda Kraft: Maya Literary Magazine, Drexel Philosophy Club, NeuroScience Society.

Kraft was the Editor-in-Chief for the Maya Literary Magazine all five of her years at Drexel, in which time she helped the club double the number of students published each year and increase the number of events per year. It recognition of her accomplishments it will now be possible for members to receive the “Amanda Kraft Award.” Kraft also served as Vice President of the Drexel Philosophy Club for three years, and participated as a panelist for Philosophy Week 2015. She is also the founder and president of the three-year-old organization NeuroScience Society. Kraft was also a College of Arts and Sciences Humanities Fellow in 2014, and presented her research at Research Day 2015. After graduating, Kraft plans to start her career as a Neuroscience Researcher with Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Laboratories in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. A quote that Kraft loves is: “The universe is made of stories, not atoms,” by Muriel Rukeyser.

Samantha Lardi: Campus Activities Board, Delta Zeta, National Organization for Business and Engineering, Student Ambassadors, Drexel Players, LeBow Dean’s Student Advisory Board.

Lardi was the Lectures and Diversity (L&D) Director and Treasurer of CAB, Philanthropy Events Chair Assistant for Delta Zeta, and was also the recipient of both the Kathleen and Nicholas Chimicles Scholarship and the Warren Cooper Scholarship. After graduating, Lardi will take on work as a Business Analyst at Odessa Technologies in Philadelphia. A fun fact about Lardi is that she got to chauffeur around Retta, the 2014 Comedy Show comedian who plays Donna from “Parks and Recreation”, for a weekend.

Paul Mandell: Hillel, Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity, Dragons for Israel.

Mandell served in a leadership position for each organization he was a part of. He was the President of Hillel, House Manager and Chapter Historian of Alpha Epsilon Pi and the Secretary and Vice President of Dragons for Israel. He studied abroad in Hong Kong during his time at Drexel and is a self-proclaimed “professional Netflixer and procrastinator.” After graduation, Mandell plans to work for a startup company in Israel over the summer and travel in Europe to visit old friends. He then plans to return to the US. One of Mandell’s favorite quotes is: “Never let anyone treat you like a yellow Starburst. You are a pink Starburst,” and he really likes mashed potatoes.

Anthony Mattera: Campus Activities Board.

In the past four years at Drexel, Mattera played a large hand planning and executing some of the biggest events for CAB and Drexel. These include multiple comedy shows and Spring Jams. After graduating, Mattera will be working at Publicis Health Media in the field of paid search and digital marketing, and is also looking to attend graduate school within the next two years. He writes: “A quote that inspires me is one said by the rapper Logic which is ‘Kill them with Kindness’ because I think it is how I represent myself each and every day, just looking for ways to make people laugh and smile and enjoy life.”

Christine Palmer: Computational Materials Science Design (CMSD) Group.  

Palmer is a materials science and engineering student who is a part of Drexel’s Computational Materials Science Design (CMSD) Group. She participated in the MRS Hackathon and ASM Hackathon where she won the competition along with two other Drexel students. She has a knack for all things computing and has entered the Air Force Materials Data Challenge. Christine will be working as a data scientist after graduation.

Arjita Rai, MPH: Environmental and Occupational Health Forum, Indian Graduate Student Association, Global Health Forum.

During her time at Drexel, Rai was the President of the Environmental and Occupational Health Forum from 2015-2016, and was also the Public Relations Officer for the Indian Graduate Student Association. She was also an active Student Engagement Chair for the Global Health Forum. After graduating, Rai will become a First Responder Epidemiology Fellowship (FIRE) fellow, a research enterprise organized to support the US fire and rescue service through objective data collection and analysis. When Arjita was nine, she was an extra in a movie as a backup dancer. Laila Abdallah writes: “She is one of the sweetest and kindest souls you will ever meet. I wish her the best of luck!”

Mohammad Maaz Rehan: Campus Activities Board.

While attending Drexel, Rehan was a member of CAB. Rehan had the unique and exciting opportunity to complete a co-op at the White House in the Office of National Drug Control Policy Executive Office of the President while attending Drexel. After graduation, Rehan will remain open to opportunities in the financial sector. A quote and motto that Rehan follows is: “Life is like a blank sheet of paper, choosing wisely on what to write.”

Ethan Riback: Hillel, Alpha Epsilon Pi.

During his time at Drexel, Riback was the Vice President of Engagement for Hillel and the Jewish Student Association, and was also the Rush Chairman and President for his fraternity. While he was president of Alpha Epsilon Pi, the chapter was awarded Chapter of the Year. In his senior year, his senior design team won the College of Computing and Informatics’ Final Four Competition for their idea “Jam Jar.” After graduating, Riback plans to move to Boston to work for Wayfair. He may also continue work on Jam Jar with the rest of his senior design team. A fun fact about Riback is that he is a descendent of King David as well as the Baal Shem Tov. He lives by the quote: “Trying hard is only a means to an end. If you become proud of the effort itself, you are mistaking the means for the end.”

Heather Schmidt: ROTC.

Schmidt is graduating with her bachelor’s degree in civil engineering with a minor in construction management. During her time at Drexel, she served as NROTC Battalion Commander, the highest rank a ROTC midshipman can attain. After graduating, Schmidt will be attending The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia. Afterwards, she’ll head down to Pensacola, Florida to attend the Marine Corps Flight School where she will be trained to become a fighter pilot. Schmidt is the first person in her family to graduate from college. In this picture of Schmidt, she is completing the rifle drill final during the final drill competition at Marine Corps Officer Candidate School, what she referred to as “boot camp.”

Samantha Schneider: Drexel Society of Women Engineers (SWE), Club Field Hockey, Drexel US Green Building Council Student Group, Gamma Sigma Sigma, American Society of Civil Engineers.

Schneider has been a part of both SWE and the club field hockey team since she first came to Drexel as a freshman. Though she began as Media Chair for SWE, she worked her way up to President by 2015. She was a founding member and Vice President for the Drexel US Green Building Council Student Group and also served as Vice President for Service for Gamma Sigma Sigma for more than a year. Under her leadership in SWE, the organization was awarded “Outstanding Collegiate Section Gold Level” for the third consecutive year. Schneider was also a peer mentor for the College of Engineering for three years. After graduating, Schneider will continue her job at Duffield Associates, where she has been working while completing her undergraduate and graduate coursework. Before beginning full-time work, she will travel around Greece, exploring the culture with her boyfriend. Schneider’s favorite food is ice cream. Fellow club members are extremely fond of her. Danielle Schroeder, current SWE President, writes: “Serving as her Vice President has been an honor. I constantly look up to her for inspiration as I transitioned to President and still go to her for advice. She has been an amazing mentor for me over the years.”

Neal Strauss: Hillel, MEOR Drexel, Off Campus, Drexel Philanthropy Council.

Strauss has been an active member many different organizations at Drexel. He is the founding member of MEOR Drexel, as well as the founding member of the Conservative Minyan Group in Drexel Hillel. He acted as the Supervising Producer for Off Campus and was also a founding brother for the “MAN Fr@t.” After graduating, Strauss intends to become a producer for an undisclosed major TV series — keep your eyes open for his name on the big screen! Strauss is known for saying “Al iz wel” and is a self-proclaimed master of binge watching. He enjoys pasta, pizza and wine.

Briana “Jimmie” Watkins: QPOC, University’s Student Center for Inclusion and Culture.

Watkins is the current president of Drexel’s QPOC group, a haven for marginalized persons on campus. During her time at Drexel, she also acted as a student worker at the University’s Student Center for Inclusion and Culture creating diverse programming on campus. In addition to the many events that she planned and/or hosted, she was also able to help create Drexel’s first “Lavender Graduation,” a celebration of leaders in the LGBTQIA community on campus. When she is not running around, she likes to spend her time coloring and drinking things with silly straws. She will be working at the University of Pennsylvania after graduation.

The post Featured this week: Class of 2016 appeared first on The Triangle.

Sandra Petri, BS International Business

It’s been a few years since I held a position at The Triangle, but I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to write one last time. I have so much appreciation for everything this publication and the students behind it did for me during my first three years at Drexel. It taught me the importance of honest journalism (even on a University level) and allowed me to engage with the Drexel community in a way that many students miss out on. It taught me technical and management skills that got me co-op jobs that shaped my career path, even though that path is hardly related to journalism or writing.

After serving as editor-in-chief for six months, I learned how to trust my peers with the organization I had grown so attached to. It taught me that an important part of leadership is trusting your people, taking a step back and letting things carry on without you.

So from one half of the OG double-headed news team, I say thank you to all of the other staff members who were a part of this with me — especially those who trekked to the production offices during that blizzard, who spent countless hours brainstorming via Google chat, who taught me everything I know about InDesign, Photoshop and AP Style, who didn’t laugh at me when I started crying at staff party after you all chanted “Sandra P., E-I-C,” and who showed me every week that the best students at Drexel prioritize publishing the newspaper over their schoolwork. We had warm-fuzzy-you’re-my-favorite-people-at-Drexel times. We had eight-hours-of-voluntary-work-on-a-Thursday-why-do-I-keep-coming-back-here times. But you taught me more than I ever expected, and I cannot say thank you enough.

Julia Casciato, BA English

I’ve sat down to write many pieces for The Triangle before, but this one is different — I know this will be my last. Throughout the last year I’ve had to reflect on my Drexel experience and how it shaped my future. I started Drexel as an English major, but I’m leaving as someone much more than that. In two weeks I’ll start working for an app company and I question how I ended up on this path. The English department would say it’s because our field is far-reaching. The SCDC would say it’s because of co-op. But I know it’s because of The Triangle. Being part of The Triangle for four years opened numerous doors for me both inside and outside of Drexel. Yet, I can’t take sole credit for my success. During my time at The Triangle I had the most amazing staff members to support me whether I was editor-in-chief, a newbie news writer or trying to fill Justin Roczniak’s shoes in the opinion section. Never have I — and I doubt I ever will again — worked with such a diverse group of people, each with their own ambition and drive. We constantly challenged each other to be better, to do better. This support and friendship wasn’t limited to 3010 MacAlister. It still exists with the life-long friendships we created. That may sound cliche, but I know the friends I will have forever are the ones who taught me more about journalism and life than anyone else. They were the ones I fought with at 2 a.m. about deadlines. They were the ones who took group cuddling pictures on my couch. They were the ones who walked to Wawa to get icees, coffee, pretzels and whatever else we needed to get through a Thursday night. They are the ones I still count on. I may only be half of the OG double-headed news team, but I have more love and appreciation for this organization than I can ever express.

Jeremy Snyder, BS Graphic Design.

Freshman year my next door neighbor Ken kept bringing back cold free pizza on Monday nights. Free cold pizza is still free pizza, but I decided sophomore year, I wanted to get to the source and get it while it was hot. So, I showed up to my first Triangle meeting. I kind of just milled around for a year doing random graphics related projects and the front page until I accidentally became managing editor.

I had the privilege of serving in this role for 12 months as part of the Roczniak administration on top of my 2 years as production manager, and even after I thought I had escaped (and I mean that in the most affectionate way) I still ended up coming back for one final term.

Working at The Triangle taught me so many different things, from technical aspects of print, to re-designing a newspaper, to working with lots of different people with lots of different personalities and backgrounds and motivations. Despite nobody ever really knowing what they were doing, we still managed to get the paper out every week. And we did this through financial crises, staff turnovers, power outages and missed deadlines.

I’m honored to have had the privilege to work with a long list of dedicated people who volunteered huge amounts of time to ensure the paper continues to publish every week. I don’t really know why we’re all there since everyone constantly complains about anything you could possibly complain about while there, but we all keep coming back week after week and put the paper above school work and sleep.

[Insert mushy/catchy/cliche ending]

Azwad Rahman, BS Biological Sciences

It was a hot day when I walked up to my first Activities Unlimited. Lancaster Walk was crowded with free candy and sign up sheets, but lo and behold the first table I ever saw belonged to Drexel’s student newspaper — The Triangle. I’ve written more than 67 articles, and have edited many more; I held three different editorial positions and one staff manager position; spent one summer riding our infamous Triangle Gator; consumed countless calories worth of pizza and soda; and four years later this is my last official piece as a member of Drexel University’s only independent student newspaper.

To be blunt, I don’t really care about what I’ve accomplished for The Triangle; I care about who and what I accomplished it all for. What I learned about being a journalist was this: If something needs to be said, it is your job to ensure that it is said. I didn’t go into journalism appreciating this, but in serving the news department I saw the people I wrote about become a part of Drexel’s chronology and my chronology. I take this lesson with me today and will carry it with me as I continue to make a mark in this world. So, to the people who can read this and the people who cannot: Thank you. Thank you to Fatima Rahman, Jonathan Gomez, Andrea Messina, Kinzey Lynch and to the many others I’ve had the utmost privilege to write about. I hope my few words for you could begin to capture your important role in shaping our time here at Drexel and your important role in shaping me.

Justin Roczniak, BS Civil Engineering

I’m not graduating this term. I have probably two more to go. The staff made me write this sentimental crap anyway, so let’s get this over with:

I’ll say it right now: if it weren’t for the Triangle and my own generally poor academic performance I would have transferred ages ago. Why?

I came here because I wanted hands-on learning. I came here because I wanted to do things, not sit in lectures and regurgitate information on exams. I came here because I wanted to create – and I have only seldom been offered the opportunity in coursework.

Instead there have been lectures with hundreds of students, slim-to-non-existent professor-student interaction, no lab time. I made no friends in the department. I spent most of my time on academic probation. I had to present a mediocre senior design — bizarrely the first engineering project I’ve had to present, after five whole years of study — and it was with a man who sexually harassed my staff at this very newspaper.

The shaft is real, and it extends outside the classroom: Drexel effectively killed the first student organization I was passionate about, Formula SAE (wherein you build and race an actual race car), for liability reasons. They demolished Hess Labs, the cornerstone of the engineering program’s hands-on learning and research capabilities and one of the biggest reasons I came here. They demolished the Intercultural Center, home to many of my friends’ organizations and spaces. I have been kicked out of my own beloved home so it can be demolished for University-approved housing.

I can also say that through it all, I was proud to be a part of and later to lead the only independent, self-funded, student run newspaper on campus. We handled hard, unforgiving deadlines each week. We ran 20-plus workstations, all obsolete and unstable, to design the paper. We distributed half-a-ton of newsprint each week to locations around campus — ourselves. We redesigned the paper from the ground-up, as well as the website, to better serve collegiate readers. We investigated, we reported, we wrote, we edited. And of course, we made mistakes, we had drama, we had walk-outs. We were short-staffed most of the time.

Despite this, we always had papers on the shelves on Friday. We surmounted an enormous logistical and editorial challenge every week, and did it on top of classwork or co-op, and with essentially no advising for most of the time I was in charge. We didn’t get grades for it, or academic credit — for myself it isn’t even a great resume builder. We did it because we wanted to.

All I can say is thank you to my staff, for keeping me sane and giving me a sense of purpose, and a reason to be motivated, which is something academia has never been able to give me.

And to Drexel: stop asking me for donations.

The post Thank you to our Triangle seniors appeared first on The Triangle.

Photo courtesy: Faith Roser

Faith Roser is a graduating senior who majored in biological sciences. Faith hails from York County and has interests including but not limited to animals, literature and vanilla ice cream. In the fall she will be attending the University of Pennsylvania’s veterinary school.

The Triangle: What was your favorite class during your time here?

Faith Roser: My favorite bio class was this random freshman class that’s physiology and ecology smashed together, but they’re two different things. It’s a lot of fun and I think I like it because everyone who’s a pre-med hates it and I really like getting interested in the things that are different than what everyone else likes.

TT: What was your least favorite class?

FR: BIO 219. It’s the molecular biology lab. It’s just a lot of work and not a lot of credits, and not something I understand well.

TT: Do you have a favorite college memory?

FR: The entire time I was studying abroad on Bioco Island. It’s in Equatorial Guinea off the west coast of Africa.

TT: What did you study there?

FR: I studied environmental science, sort of like field research based, but it’s a whole quarter with 20 credits worth of classes. It was just really cool. It was the first time I had ever left the country, and it sounded like the best combination of my favorite biology things and a fun place to spend the quarter.

TT: Is there any particular favorite memory you have from that experience?

FR: We were there during Independence Day in Equatorial Guinea, and there was this parade, but there’s a really heavy military presence, and it was really scary. So, we were with all of these people who were there for oil companies, and different UN organizations and things, and one of them was guiding us around, like, trying to keep us from doing things that would get us arrested. He just kind of looked at all of us and he was like “Okay, the guy with the machine gun is angry. Back away, go away, go away.” That will always stick in my mind. That was a good life lesson. A couple credits worth of lessons right there.

TT: Do you have a favorite place to go on Drexel’s campus or in the city?

FR: I love this little coffee shop on Sansom Street right off 34th Street. It’s called Avril 50. It’s not even like the coffee is that good — there’s hardly any place to sit — but it’s really cool because they have all the international magazines and literary magazines you could possibly want.

TT: How do you feel you’ve contributed to Drexel as a university?

FR: I think I’ve just tried to get involved in as many different things as possible, not necessarily organizations, but like different academic programs. I have an English minor and a medical humanities certificate, which is just a few credits less than a minor. So, I go from one to the other and say, “‘[As] a biology student, here’s what I can contribute to an English class, and as someone who reads and writes a lot, here’s what I can contribute to a biology discussion.” It’s kind of fun to do that. I find it interesting to bring bits and pieces of different programs together because supposedly that’s what we’re all about, but I don’t think a lot of people take advantage of that.

TT: How many co-ops have you done? Where were they?

FR: I did three. Two of my coops were at my vet’s office at home, like the people that I’ve known since I was a little, tiny kid and who took care of all my animals, and those were great. And one was at Penn Vet Working Dog Center, which was super cool — they train scent detection dogs, so dogs with any job that uses their nose — bomb detection, narcotics, and search and rescue and stuff. That was cool.

TT: How did you decide you wanted to be a veterinarian?

FR: I think I always had this idea that I didn’t like people when I was a little kid, so I was like, “Yeah, science is awesome, I wanna be a forensic scientist so I don’t have to deal with people and I can still solve really cool problems.” It’s like a logic puzzle for a job. But somewhere along the way I decided that I liked people too, but somehow that also drew me to “I really like animal people, so I’m just gonna be a veterinarian.” As a vet, I can do science, I can talk to people and play with animals.

TT: What is the biggest mistake that you feel you’ve made during your time in college, or the biggest regret that you have?

FR: You know it’s funny, when you asked me the other day if I was involved in any clubs, and I realized, “Oh my gosh, I’m not, this is crazy! Why have I not done this?” I think part of it is “Oh man, I don’t want to go to a meeting at 8 o’clock, I’m tired.” But we’re all so busy that that’s the only time anyone can meet. So that’s a really stupid reason to have avoided organizations for five years. Yeah, I wish I had joined organizations, because I don’t feel like I know a lot of people based on common interest, just based on the programs we’re in together, which isn’t always the same kind of a thing.

TT: What is the advice you would give to yourself coming into college, or any student that’s just coming in?

FR: I think that this is one of those places where it’s easy to get caught up in just fulfilling the minimum requirement. But no matter how hard you try, you’re always going to feel like you’re doing that little bit well enough, so it doesn’t make sense to avoid doing things that are fun or peripheral interests just because the basic minimum requirements are hard. That’s something that I’ve really enjoyed and I wish I had done even more.

TT: So what would you say that you’re most proud of having accomplished here, in the five years that you’ve been here?

FR: I’ve managed to make something that shows up on a piece of paper out of almost every random little thing I’ve tried to do. Like if you show a little bit of interest, or if people are encouraging, you can end up with something you can actually be proud of. For example, I didn’t actually think I was that interested in research, but I ended up doing a project on my own as part of my study abroad project, and I even got a publication on a scientific paper as a result of that.

TT: Everybody hates this question, but where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

FR: I see myself as the kind of person who doesn’t want to work that hard but really enjoys my job, so I guess I see myself trying to find the least physically challenging work that still allows me to just have fun and talk to people. See, the vet that I’ve worked with for two co-ops is in his 70s at this point, and he’s still working, but he only works for the clients that he really likes. I’m like I want to be there really early in my career, I just want to travel to farms and talk to people and take care of their sick kittens and cows and everything all in one.

TT: Do you know what kind of vet you’d like to be, or where you’d like to practice?

FR: I definitely want to be in a rural area, and I don’t wanna say I have a lot of experience with farm animals and things, but most people from my area have like a cow, and a horse, and a goat, and a couple dogs and cats.

TT: Are you from a rural area?

FR: Ish. York County is definitely a farming area, but there are a lot of weird little suburban centers that have popped up, so you’re never far from anything.

TT: Are there any goats?

FR: Oh yeah.

TT: I love goats!

FR: I do too! We always had — not always had a goat, but we had a goat for a long time when I was a kid.

TT: You did? Oh my god, what was their name?

FR: Dickie. Because that was my grandfather’s nickname, so for whatever reason, we named the goat after my grandfather.

TT: We have the last question that we ask everyone — it’s really hard — what is your favorite ice cream flavor?

FR: Oh, man, that is rough. I’m gonna be that person and say vanilla ice cream can be really terrible, but when somebody makes it well. Oh man. That’s where it’s at. Because my parents make ice cream all the time, and our neighbor has chickens, and he collects eggs from those chickens. If you make custard from those eggs, it makes the best vanilla ice cream.

The post Triangle Talks with Faith Roser appeared first on The Triangle.

The following crimes occurred on or near campus and were reported to The Triangle by the Drexel University Department of Public Safety between May 14 and May 29. All information included in this report is taken from law enforcement or Division of Public Safety incident reports.

ROBBERY (1)

May 25, 9:56 p.m. 3000 Chestnut Street

A Drexel student reported that while they were walking east on Chestnut Street a group of about 10 juvenile males riding bicycles rode up behind them and snatched their cell phone from their hand.

ASSAULT (1)

May 14 to 20, 3400 Lancaster Avenue

A Drexel student reported that they were physically assaulted by their ex-boyfriend on two separate occasions. The complainant received injuries in both incidents.

THEFT (3)

May 22 to 23, 3400 Chestnut Street

A Drexel student reported that unknown person(s) took their motorcycle that was left parked and locked.

May 29, 12:31 p.m. 3100 Market Street

Drexel Police arrested a juvenile male after he was observed taking a bicycle that was secured to a bike rack with a cable lock.

May 28, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 200 N. 34th St.

A Drexel student reported that unknown person(s) took their bicycle that was secured to a guard rail.

During the period of May 14 to May 29, there was one (1) Policy Violation for Drugs and eleven (11) Policy Violations for Alcohol. The reports were sent to the Office of Student Conduct for review.

The post Crime Report for May 14 to May 29 appeared first on The Triangle.

The following crimes occurred on or near campus and were reported to The Triangle by the Drexel University Department of Public Safety between May 20 and May 21. All information included in this report is taken from law enforcement or Division of Public Safety incident reports.

THEFT (3)

May 20, 3600 Market Street

A Non Drexel affiliate reported that unknown person(s) took their bag containing jewelry that was left unattended in a common area.

May 20, 5:30 to 7 p.m. 3600 Powelton Avenue

A Drexel student reported that unknown person(s) entered their backyard and took their bicycle that was secured to a pole with a chain lock.

VANDALISM (1)

May 20 to 21, 3300 Market Street

A Drexel employee reported that unknown person(s) broke the right window and damaged the wheel well of a Drexel owned facilities gator.

DISORDERLY CONDUCT (1)

May 21, 9:50 p.m. 3100 Ludlow Street

Drexel Police cited a Drexel student after she was intoxicated and was acting in a disorderly manner during a Drexel event.

During the period of May 20 to May 21, there were four liquor law violations and four Policy Violations for alcohol. The reports were sent to the Office of Student Conduct for review.

The post Crime Report for May 20 to May 21 appeared first on The Triangle.

The following crimes occurred on or near campus and were reported to The Triangle by the Drexel University Department of Public Safety between May 10 and May 13. All information included in this report is taken from law enforcement or Division of Public Safety incident reports.

BURGLARY (1)

May 11 to 12, 11:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. to 400 N. 32nd St.  

A Drexel student reported that unknown person(s) entered their residence with no sign of force and took their guitar and case that was left in view.

ASSAULT (1)

May 11, 100 N. 34th St.

A Drexel student reported that they were involved in a verbal dispute with their roommate that caused them to be physically assaulted by their roommate. No Injuries in the incident.

THEFT (4)

May 10, 2 to 5:10 p.m. 400 Filbert Street

A Drexel student reported that unknown person(s) took their bicycle that was secured to a bike rack with a cable lock.

May 11, 8:30 to 9 p.m. 3300 Market Street

A Drexel student reported that unknown person(s) took his iPhone from an unsecured storage bin in a common area.

May 11 to 12, 11:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. 400 N. 32nd St.

A Drexel student reported that unknown person(s) entered their apartment through an unlocked door and took their laptop, iPad Mini, three harmonicas and a bottle of prescription medicine.

May 13, 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 3300 Market Street

A Drexel student reported that unknown person(s) took their bicycle that was secured to a bike rack with a cable lock.

DRUGS (1)

May 10, 3:29 p.m. 3200 Spring Garden Street

Drexel Police cited a male after he was found to be in possession of marijuana.

During the period of May 10 to May 13, there were two (2) Policy Violations for Alcohol. The reports were sent to the Office of Student Conduct for review. There were also three (3) citations written to Non Drexel affiliates for Alcohol Violations.

The post Crime Report for May 10 to May 13 appeared first on The Triangle.

Andrew Petersen is an adjunct professor of linguistics at Drexel and an English lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania. He graduated from Duke University with a BA in Economics in 1984. He has since traveled to over 20 different countries and is experienced with many different cultures.

Triangle Talks: How many different countries have you travelled to?

Andrew Petersen: I lived in San Francisco, California until I was seven and then moved to Sydney, Australia for eight years. I moved back to the United States when I was 15 and lived abroad for 12 years. I spent two years in Spain, two years in Turkey, and eight years in Mexico. Besides the countries I’ve lived in I have travelled to over 20 countries, including most European countries.

TT: How many languages can you speak?

AP: I can fluently speak English, French and Spanish. I can also speak Turkish but not fluently.

TT: What did you do when you lived outside of the United States?

AP: I taught English, mostly in private universities. In Turkey I taught at the University of Istanbul, in Mexico I taught at the University of Monterrey and in Spain I taught at the royal palaces — the Palace of Moncloa and the Royal Palace of Madrid. I didn’t get to meet the king but I gave English lessons to the Palace Royal Guard. I even got to see the king’s collection of antique cars and the Chief of Protocol for the King gave me a private pardon when I left Spain.

TT: Have you ever backpacked across Europe?

AP: Numerous times, my first being junior year of college. My advice is to just grab a bag and go with no plans. You meet people who tell you where to go, you can stay in youth hostels, they’re very inexpensive. Backpacking is a real experience where you learn so much about cultures and people and countries and languages and you’re forced to cope with unexpected events.

TT: What is your favorite food that you have tried on your travels?

AP: I love Turkish food, especially on the banks of Bosphorus; they have restaurants, grilled fish, and endless appetizers. The meal becomes the real event; you’re not eating to eat but you’re eating to experience the culture.

TT: Do you have any funny stories from while you were abroad?

AP: When I was in Turkey I took a vacation to Cyprus, which is divided between the Turkish and Greek side. It was a day hike above a town up the hills and we got lost – it got dark very fast and we couldn’t find the way down so we were forced to camp in the cold on top of the mountain. We made our way down the next day and at the bottom we were met by barking German Shepherds and soldiers. Apparently we were in a militarized zone. They took us into custody and we didn’t even know where we were. Luckily my friend spoke Turkish. They even searched where we were staying and everything. Apparently the place we spent the night in was used as a bombing range. Another time when I was backpacking in France with college friends, we got off a train in a small French town late at night and had to walk to a youth hostel on the outskirts of town. By the time we got there it had closed. We were wandering out in the woods which I guess looked suspicious and the French police picked us up and took us to the police station. They grilled us and it turned out that they spoke English but pretended they didn’t speak it just so they could have a good laugh. I think they were just bored and once they got their entertainment they let us leave. We ended up sleeping in the train station for the remainder of the night.   

TT: What was your favorite experience teaching abroad?

AP: When I taught at the University of Istanbul, I seemed to be the only American around and so was in demand.  I had three different positions–  in the Economics on English Faculty, the Banking Program and in the European Community Program. I loved all of the students.  It was a cultural experience just to walk to school everyday through the alleyways in old Istanbul and through the maze of the Grand Bazaar.

TT: What’s next for you?

AP: In the future I would like to continue teaching and travelling. I would be especially interested in a cross-cultural dimension of education like getting American students involved in meeting students from other countries. Hopefully I continue teaching at Drexel and maybe develop more opportunities in both Philadelphia and overseas for students and faculty to travel and get involved.

TT: Where do you expect yourself to finally settle down in?

AP: I play it year by year. These days it’s so easy to travel. We can be flexible and not even make that decision to settle down in one place. We can live in one country for part of a year and go to another place for another part of the year. This is an opportunity people in the old days did not have, it’s so easy and we should take advantage of it.

The post Triangle Talks with Andrew Petersen appeared first on The Triangle.

The following crimes occurred on or near campus and were reported to The Triangle by the Drexel University Department of Public Safety between May 1-9. All information included in this report is taken from law enforcement or Division of Public Safety incident reports.

BURGLARY (1)

May 7 to 8, 3200 Powelton Avenue

Two Drexel students reported that unknown persons entered their apartment through an unlocked window and took two laptop computers and cash that was left in view.

THEFT (3)

May 1, 8:30 p.m. 3300 Powelton Avenue

A Drexel student reported that unknown person(s) took their bicycle that was secured to a bike rack with a cable lock.

May 4, 6:20 to 6:30 p.m. 3300 Market Street

A Drexel student reported that unknown person(s) took their backpack containing personal items that was left in an employee area of a restaurant.

May 6, 1:40 p.m. 200 N. 34th St.

A Drexel student was observed taking items from a dining center without paying for them. The matter was referred to the Office of Student Conduct.

VANDALISM (1)

May 8 to 9,  400 N. 42nd St.

A Drexel staff member reported that unknown person(s) caused damage to the fence and athletic equipment at Vidas Field.

OTHER OFFENSES (1)

May 5, 3200 Chestnut Street

A Drexel student was cited for trespassing after he entered a Drexel building that he was previously banned from entering

            During this period from May 1 to 9 there were four (4) Policy Violations for Alcohol. The reports were sent to the office of Student Conduct for review.

The post Crime Report for May 1 to May 9 appeared first on The Triangle.

The following crimes occurred on or near campus and were reported to The Triangle by the Drexel University Department of Public Safety between April 24 and May 2. All information included in this report is taken from law enforcement or Division of Public Safety incident reports.

SEX OFFENSE (1)

March 26, 3 to 7:30 p.m. Off Campus Location

A Drexel student reported that they were sexually assaulted by an unknown male that they met on a social media site.

BURGLARY (1)

April 29, 3 to 4:45 a.m. 400 N. 32nd St.

Drexel students reported that unknown person(s) entered their residence. No sign of force. Two laptop computers and a wallet that was left in view were stolen.

ASSAULT (3)

April 26, 4:15 p.m. Unit S. 33rd St.

A Drexel student reported that they were struck in their head with an object by another Drexel student during a verbal dispute. No injuries reported.

April 29, 7:01 p.m. 3300 Market Street

Drexel Police arrested a Non Drexel affiliate after he produced a knife and threatened to cut a Drexel student during a dispute.

May 1, 3:14 a.m. 100 N. 34th St.

Two Drexel students reported that they were involved in a verbal dispute that led to the students assaulting each other in a mutual encounter. The incident was referred to student conduct.

THEFT (7)

April 26, 12:45 to 1:33 p.m. 3100 Market Street

A Drexel student reported that unknown person(s) took their bicycle that was secured to a bike post with a cable lock.

April 28 to 29, 3175 JFK Boulevard

A Drexel student reported that they lost their wallet containing their credit cards and discovered that unknown person(s) used their credit card to make unauthorized purchases.

April 28, 1:30 to 5:38 p.m. 3100 Chestnut Street

A Drexel student reported that they lost their wallet containing their credit card and discovered that unknown person(s) made unauthorized purchases using their credit card.

April 24 to 29, 200 N. 34th St.

A Drexel student reported that unknown person(s) took their wallet that contained cash from their book bag that was left unattended at various locations.

May 2, 4 to 4:30 p.m. 3300 Market Street

A Drexel student reported that unknown person(s) took their backpack that contained their iPhone and wallet  that was left unattended in a common area.

May 2, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. 3300 Market Street

A Drexel student reported that unknown person(s) took their cell phone that was left unattended in a common area.

April 29 to May 2, 200 N. 34th St.

A Drexel student reported that unknown person(s) took their bike that was secured to a bike rack with a cable lock.

During the period from April 24 to May 2, there were two (2) policy violations for alcohol. The reports were sent to the Office of Student Conduct for review.

The post Crime Report for April 24 to May 2 appeared first on The Triangle.

The following crimes occurred on or near campus and were reported to The Triangle by the Drexel University Department of Public Safety between April 14 to April 23. All information included in this report is taken from law enforcement or Division of Public Safety incident reports.

ROBBERY (1)

April 20, 12:45 a.m. Off Campus Location, 3900 Market Street

A Drexel student reported that they were approached by three unknown males, one male produced a handgun and took the complainants cell phone. No Injuries to complainant.

SEX OFFENSE (1)

A Drexel student reported that they were sexually assaulted by a male known to them.

THEFT (5)

April 14, 3000 Market Street

A Non Drexel affiliate reported that unknown person(s) took their book bag that contained personal items after they left it unattended in a common area.

April 19 to 21, 2800 Queen Lane

A Drexel Staff member reported that unknown person(s) entered their vehicle, no sign of force and took a GPS that was left in view.

April 21, 9 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. 100 N. 33rd St.

A Drexel student reported that unknown person(s) took change from a donation jar that was left unattended in a common area.

April 22, 5:30 and 7:40 p.m. 3100 Market Street

A Drexel student reported that unknown person(s) took the seat from their bicycle that was secured to a bike rack with a cable lock.

April 23, 3400 Market Street

A Non Drexel affiliate reported that an unknown male fled from their store without paying for merchandise.

DRUGS (1)

April 21, 4:55 p.m. 3400 Lancaster Avenue

Drexel Police arrested a Non Drexel affiliate after they were found to be an absconder and was in possession of heroin and cocaine.

During the period from April 14 to 23, there was one (1) Policy Violation for Drugs and two (2) Policy Violations for Alcohol. The reports were sent to the Office of Student Conduct for review.

The post Crime Report for April 14 to April 23 appeared first on The Triangle.