La Salle students have partnered with Kiki Vodka to make a La Salle-themed drink, unaffiliated with La Salle University. The students collaborated with a local distillery to create Olney Tea, a vodka-based iced tea lemonade. A four-pack costs $8, and a case (24-pack) is priced at $45. If you are 21 or older, buying Olney Tea is a great way to support La Salle students and their hard work. With Homecoming approaching, Olney Tea is a perfect way to immerse yourself in school spirit.
I interviewed Katie McGovern, 21-year-old junior and co-creator of Olney Tea, to learn more about the process of her work.
How did you get involved with this project?
“Steve Melick, a professor in the School of Business, came to my financial accounting class and asked if anyone was interested in working with him on a few projects. He sparked my interest when he spoke about a student-run organization to make a La Salle-themed drink. I had heard about LaSeltzers, the previous drink created by students, and I knew I wanted to make my own. I reached out to Steve and worked with other students to make it happen.”
How did you choose Kiki Vodka as your partner?
“Steve Melick works for Kiki Vodka, a local distillery. They partnered with us to help create Olney Tea. We were able to design the label and select the flavors for the drink, and Kiki Vodka handled the manufacturing. We sell the product to La Salle alumni and students who are 21 and older.”
What skills were needed to make this project successful?
“My team and I had to be ambitious in order for this to be a successful project. We were determined to make this drink that everyone could enjoy. We worked on prices to make these drinks affordable and spoke to numerous beer distributors to get the product into stores. Despite having trouble with getting our product in stores, we persevered and are still able to sell and deliver Olney Teas!”
How was advertisement incorporated in making Olney Tea successful?
“We wanted to make a drink that was distinctly La Salle-themed, meaning that if La Salle students and alumni saw it in stores, they would immediately know that it was related to 20th and Olney Ave. We learned the importance of copyright and used colors and other notions that represented our school. We used teamwork to make the design, ensuring all the relevant information needed on the can was included, while also making it visually appealing.”
Support your fellow La Salle students by following @olneytea on Instagram and purchasing the drink if you are 21 or older!
For rap impresario Sean Combs–a man of many monikers–it seemed like he was the soundtrack to Generation X. He stood atop the music world as a recording artist and producer, lording over a multi-million-dollar industry. A rapper who has crossed over to publishing, fashion and film. However, the career of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has been shadowed by outbursts of violence, brushes with the law and a trail of victims left in his wake whether it be friends, enemies or fans. This article focuses on the latest developments surrounding Diddy and his ongoing legal plights.
Warning: Certain information contains distressing details.
Newly filed lawsuits from men and women
In addition to the federal charges levied against Sean Combs, aka, P. Diddy, aka, Puff Daddy, aka, Love, aka, Puffy, aka Diddy, additional civil suits continue to pour in. Six new accusers have filed lawsuits against Combs, accusing the disgraced music mogul of non-consensual intercourse, indecent abuse and assault, with one of the alleged victims being 16-years-old at the time.
The lawsuits, filed by two Jane Does and four John Does in New York, are the first of the reported 120 claims being brought against Diddy by Texas-based lawyer Tony Buzbee. The allegations span from 1995-2021, with many incidents alleging to have taken place at parties hosted by Combs. One man, however, asserts that he was indecently assaulted in the backroom of a department store in 2008. A Jane Doe alleges that she was unlawfully taken advantage of by Combs at a hotel, asserting that it was done after a photoshoot when she was 19-years-old. Another male accuser says that he was covertly given narcotics and later assaulted by Combs along with other men at a party in 2021. After losing consciousness, he says he later “came to” and saw Diddy on top of him. Other males, including a then 16-year-old, allege assaults at parties in the Hamptons in 1998 and 2006, both described as being Combs’ infamous white parties. The second Jane Doe alleges her assault took place in 1995 at a promotional party in New York for the Biggie Smalls music video “One More Chance”.
Macy’s accused of covering up Diddy assault
The department store, Macy’s, is at the center of one of the six new accusations brought forth against Sean “Diddy” Combs. Macy’s has been accused of covering up the alleged 2008 backroom assault by Combs at its flagship store in Manhattan. The suit claims that Combs forced a man to perform salacious acts on him following assaults from Combs’ bodyguards. Macy’s is alleged to have “covered up” the incident to protect its multi-million-dollar partnership with Combs’ clothing brand Sean John.
The plaintiff, who worked for Combs’ clothing competitor Ecko Unltd., states that his life was also threatened through verbal intimidation. After the incident, Combs allegedly distributed merchandise to fans as if nothing had happened. The man claims he reported the assault to store security, but no follow-up occurred. The lawsuit further alleges that three weeks later, Macy’s CEO Terry Lundgren pressured Ecko executives into firing the plaintiff due to the new deal with Combs’ brand. The plaintiff was fired and subsequently lost his company provided apartment. He believes his report of the assault was “purged” from Macy’s records.
“Cassie Video” A Government Leak?
Diddy’s legal team had accused the U.S. government of leaking sensitive information, including the shocking 2016 video showing Combs beating up ex Cassie Ventura in a hotel hallway. They claim the video has unfairly biased the public against Diddy and argued that such leaks caused damaging pre-trial publicity and swayed public opinion. The mogul’s attorneys went on to allege that confidential grand jury material and information about the case has been strategically leaked since March 2024. They have since asked the court to order federal employees to stop sharing evidence with media outlets. In addition, Combs’s legal team is calling for a hearing to determine the role of the Department of Homeland Security and whether the US Attorney’s Office has taken steps to prevent the leaks.
Indecent assault for Tupac murder comment
In yet another lawsuit accusing Sean Combs of a violent, indecent assault, a woman named Ashley Parham says the ordeal came as a retaliation for a comment she made about Diddy’s alleged involvement in the murder of rap rival Tupac Shakur. The lawsuit claims that Combs, along with several accomplices, assaulted Parham in March 2018. Parham had previously expressed her belief that Combs was connected to Tupac’s death, which reportedly prompted Diddy to threaten her. The lawsuit also named Kristina Khorram, who is alleged to have orchestrated the attack and covered it up. The family of Tupac Shakur, who was gunned down in a drive-by shooting in 1996, has reportedly hired an attorney to investigate any possible connections to Combs.
Nick Cannon reveals teenage experiences with Diddy
Nick Cannon recently shared that he was merely 16-years-old when he first attended a Diddy party. Cannon was co-hosting “The Breakfast Club” radio show when the topic of Diddy’s famous parties came up. Cannon admitted to attending the parties and says he first did so as a teenager. However, he emphasized that never witnessed the now notorious “freak offs” associated with the events. Cannon stood by his statements saying he was just being honest about his experiences and described the vibe as “late nineties Bad Boy parties” and recalled standing outside hoping to get in, not unlike one of the scenes in the “One More Chance” video.
Trial Date Set
The federal trial is set to begin on May 5, 2025. On September 16, 2024, Combs was arrested in New York City and charged with racketeering, trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and transportation to engage in relations for money or prostitution. Diddy appeared before a judge in October and pleaded not guilty, with his family in attendance. They are expected to be present throughout the upcoming trial.
Prosecutor Emily A. Johnson revealed that over 100 electronic devices were seized from Combs’ properties during raids on his various homes, as well as during his arrest. She noted that the investigation is ongoing and that additional charges may follow. His attorney has made it clear that his client will take the stand and asserts that Combs will not be taking a plea deal.
On Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 7:30 p.m., the Student Government Association (SGA)’s Induction Ceremony took place in the Compass Club. The night started with words of encouragement from the Vice President of Student Development & Campus Life, Gabrielle St. Léger. She encouraged the inductees to not be afraid of letting their voices be heard and known. SGA has her full support in making La Salle a better community.
Following the event, the inductees heard from past presidents Nikki Aquino and Michaela Craner who touched upon their experiences as SGA presidents. The time soon came to induct the senators into SGA. Proceeded first were the class senators:
President: Will Goydan
Vice President: Lawrence Mani
Freshman Senators: Ameerah Bell, Paradise Rutherford, Matthew Bera, and Johna Przychowicz
Sophomore Senators: Kenneth Lynch, Jose Bruno, Michelle Mendez Lara & Tajai Smith
Junior Senators: Cole Welsh and Dejah Howe
Senior Senator: Chris Vizcaino
School Of Business: Marshall Alleyne and Nathan Gray
School of Nursing: Samantha Ojeme
School of Arts and Science: Alexis Ibe, Sovereign Brown, Isabella Teti, and Evin Lake
La Salle logo via Wikicommons
As Goydan and Mani were La Salle’s previous presidents and vice presidents, they not only offered their words about how they feel about their current roles but also about SGA as a whole.
“Serving as the student body Vice-President is a pleasure and a great opportunity for me,” said Mani. “In this position, my main goal is to serve as the voice of the students by promoting their ideas to faculty, hoping for solutions. SGA has some great ideas and events coming up to make the campus more fun and build a strong community… This is all done with the support of the general assembly, our respective senators, and the great E-board.
“I am very excited for this year,” stated Goydan. “SGA has worked very hard to grow our Senate. In addition, greater funding and underclassmen involvement has us feeling extremely energized.”
“As Vice-President, I feel very confident in how things are going, and would like to see the continuing betterment of the school by making it a better community for present and future Explorers,” said Mani.
SGA has big hopes and plans for the year coming up!
PHILADELPHIA – Three nurses and a patient at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center were struck by a vehicle in the early morning on Sat., Oct. 12, according to Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania police.
Around 4:20 a.m., police said a silver Jeep Cherokee with a driver, two individuals, and an individual with multiple gunshot wounds pulled into Penn Presbyterian’s emergency room. After pleading with hospital staff to treat the injured man (whose identity has yet to be released,) nurses and security staff responded and began to extricate the patient, providing initial first-aid. It was at that point, Philadelphia police’s Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore said, that Penn Police were notified and began responding to the hospital.
“At that point, these three males who begged and pleaded for help jumped back in the car and recklessly and intentionally left this parking lot at a high rate of speed and drove right into the three nurses, their own shooting victim, associate, that they brought here, and continued at a high rate of speed away from this area,” Vanore said.
The driver, later identified as 20-year-old Jaadir Goodwyn, as well as the two yet-unknown other individuals, returned to their vehicle and fled, according to police, causing three nurses to suffer injuries, as well as further injuring the incoming patient. Two of the nurses, aged 37 and 51, are reported as being in stable condition, while a 36-year-old nurse is still under critical care and observation.
The nature of the shooting, having taken place in the nearby 1300-block of Belmont Ave., is still under investigation by police. After fleeing the scene, the Jeep Cherokee was found on Sun., Oct. 13, abandoned in Upper Darby. By Wed., Oct. 16, Goodwyn had surrendered himself at police headquarters with his lawyer, following a press conference where charges against him were announced the day prior.
“As West Philly’s only adult Level 1 Trauma Center, the nurses and staff at Penn Presbyterian are on the front lines of the gun violence crisis. Every day they come face-to-face with gruesome pain and suffering to care for us during the most traumatic moments of our lives. It is unfathomable to me that someone would drive their car into our neighbors charged with healing,” said Councilmember Jamie Gauthier.
Mayor Cherelle Parker said, “This is totally and completely unacceptable to me and to all of us here in the city of Philadelphia,” while later adding, “Let me be very clear: We are going to end this culture of lawlessness that has been plaguing our city.”
Charges against Goodwyn were filed by the Philadelphia County District Attorney’s office, ranging from simple assault, reckless endangerment, aggravated assault with a vehicle and fleeing police, among others. Goodwyn is being held on $300,000 bail, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for Nov. 25 at 11:00 a.m in Philadelphia Municipal Court.
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – British singer and former member of One Direction Liam Payne tragically died Oct. 16 after falling three stories from a hotel balcony. Payne was only 31 and a father to his 7-year-old son.
Liam Payne via Wikicommons
In the weeks before Payne’s death, he had received a lot of online hate and harassment due to allegations from his ex-girlfriend, Maya Henry. Henry and Payne had an on-and-off relationship from 2018-2022 and were engaged in 2020.
Following their relationship, Henry took to TikTok to explain how Payne was abusive after their engagement. She also wrote a novel about a woman’s relationship with an abusive pop star, which she explained was inspired by true events (implying her relationship with Payne.)
Because Payne was in the process of being “canceled” online, many people are speculating that the fall’s cause was suicide. However, others believe it to be accidental or even foul play, considering the amount of drugs and alcohol found in Payne’s system from the toxicology test. “Those substances included “pink cocaine” – a recreational drug that typically is a mix of several drugs including methamphetamine, ketamine, MDMA and others,” according to ABC News.
The cause of death is still being investigated. However, regardless of the cause of Payne’s death, fans are devastated and mourning all around the globe. Generation Z and millennials grew up listening to One Direction, which formed in 2010, so “some Directioners compared Payne’s death to the death of John Lennon for Beatles fans,” according to NBC News.
“I was shocked to hear about Liam Payne’s death,” said sophomore Katherine Braddock, “Listening to his music with One Direction was a huge part of my childhood and teenage years. His songs meant so much to me and so many others.”
Fans worldwide have been hosting memorials for Payne by gathering together to play and sing music. Many leave flowers, pictures and candles at the memorials. Additionally, many TikTok videos memorialize Payne throughout the app with montages of him with One Direction and happy moments he shared with fans.
All members of One Direction have spoken out about Payne’s death as well offering condolences to his family and his son, Bear. One Direction member Louis Tomilson was the first to take to Instagram, leaving a long heartfelt message. Directly speaking to Payne, Tomilson said, “I want you to know that if Bear ever needs me I will be the Uncle he needs in his life and tell him stories of how amazing his dad was.”
Unfortunately, the allegations from Henry complicate the situation and make the grieving process for fans much harder. While many One Direction fans are avid supporters of believing abuse victims, Henry has received a lot of backlash for how the events transpired and is being blamed by many for Payne’s death.
Regardless of what had occurred in the relationship between Henry and Payne, fans can agree that Payne’s death came as a shock, considering his young age. While fans may not support Payne’s relationship behaviors, many are still grieving his death.
Payne will be remembered for his large role in One Direction, exceptional songwriting skills and his deep connection with the fan base. Unfortunately, one thing is for certain: if One Direction is ever to reunite, the band will be missing a beloved member.
Philadelphia is the nation’s sixth largest city and is home to 1,533,828 people. It’s also home to 300 unique bird species. Each spring and fall, millions of birds migrate through Philadelphia following a migratory route called the Atlantic Flyway to their breeding and non-breeding grounds. Birds face many challenges during migration, including bad weather, predators, exhaustion and habitat loss. In recent decades, two threats, windows and artificial lights from buildings, have emerged and have led to millions of bird deaths annually. Sadly, several building windows on La Salle’s campus have been the sites of bird deaths.
Between Oct. 10 and 13, there were four bird deaths from window strikes on La Salle’s campus. The first incident involved a dead Swainson’s thrush that was found on the east side of the Union Building. The second and third incidents both occurred on Oct. 11, and both involved a woodpecker species called a yellow-bellied sapsucker. One was found dead behind Holroyd Hall and another one was found dead on the east side of Founder’s Hall. The fourth incident involved a dead common yellowthroat, a warbler species, that was found on the west side of the Trumark Financial Center. All of the specimen have since been collected, frozen and donated to the Ornithology collection at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University.
Dead Swainson’s thrush found outside of Union Building via Sean Bradley
Unfortunately, most birds don’t know what glass is. They often mistake reflections or transparent glass for passages to fly through and crash into windows. At nighttime, many migratory birds use celestial cues, like stars and the Earth’s magnetic field, to navigate. Many birds get confused and disoriented by the artificial city nighttime lights, congregate around these lights and hit windows. Sadly, millions of birds die annually from hitting windows. New evidence from a recent 2024 study suggests that window strikes for birds are even deadlier than previously thought. The study estimated that 1 billion birds die annually in the U.S. to window strikes. While this is devastating news, there are solutions to this problem.
In response to a mass collision event that occurred on Oct. 2, 2020, the Academy, Audubon Mid-Atlantic, Delaware Valley Ornithological Club, National Audubon Society, Valley Forge Audubon Society and Wyncote Audubon Society teamed up to form Bird Safe Philly, whose mission is to work with the city to carry out solutions to prevent collisions. On the Taking Action page of the group’s website, the group offers both glass and lighting solutions to prevent and reduce collisions. For glass solutions, the group recommends applying patterns on glass surfaces (making glass look opaque), installing physical barriers (such as screens, netting and hanging cords) in front of glass and installing bird-friendly glass. As for lighting solutions, the group recommends reducing the amount and intensity of lights, directing lights downward, shortening nighttime light duration and using blue and green lights.
While La Salle currently has no plans to prevent bird window collisions, there is talk of bringing the issue to the attention of facilities and eventually administration to devise a prevention plan.
Sensitive content warning: for more images of the bird collisions on campus visit this link.
Hurricane Helene has struck Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee. The hurricane left American towns unrecognizable, killing more than 200 people across six states. The Category 4 hurricane experienced winds up to 140 miles per hour, stemming from Florida on September 26. According to ABC News, North Carolina received 30 inches of rain, which “produced the biggest local flooding in recorded history.”
Hurricane Helene via WikiCommons
North Carolina’s rivers reached their highest heights, resulting in extreme flooding and landslides. On 6 ABC, the story of a group of 31 ninth graders and three chaperones from Girard College in Philadelphia was explained, touching the hearts of many people. The students were on a camping trip in Asheville, North Carolina and ended up fearing for their lives. Their field trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains was unexpectedly extended due to the damage.
The path from the mountain to their base was destroyed, preventing the campers from returning to the camp’s base at Table Rock Mountain because of the debris. These young students were stranded on top of the mountain, attempting to reach their parents to tell them they were taking the correct precautions to protect themselves. One student, Tiara, recounted her experience of trees falling and constant thunder. Parents were very worried for their children’s safety in the cabin. Another student, Prince, commented on there being no power to see or to heat the cabin, stating how cold they all were.
The students’ departure is recorded on CBS News, and was completed in four parts. First, the group hiked 2 miles down the mountain, where they were met with four-wheelers to take them further down to land. Next, the group took a van down the rest of the mountain before boarding the bus home to Philadelphia. The students were supposed to return home late Friday, Sept. 27, but ended up not reaching home until Tuesday, Oct. 1, embracing their families.
Students at La Salle feel for these students as well. “I could not imagine the fear the students must have felt with the loud sounds of thunder and heavy rain,” said freshman Ella Ryer. “I am very glad to see the Girard students made it safely back home, despite the trauma they have undergone.”
Junior Katie McGovern mentioned, “Their parents must have been extremely worried for their children as they were only 14 or 15-years-old. I am happy that they took necessary provisions to protect themselves in that cabin.”
“The government needs to help the people in the affected areas because their homes and neighborhoods are destroyed,” said freshman Myla Durie speaking to the effects of Hurricane Helene. “Many states have been impacted and many lives have been lost. It is crazy to see large regions in complete debris, and it is very saddening to think about the people who have lost their loved ones.”
PHILADELPHIA – On Oct. 3, 2024 at 12:30 p.m., La Salle’s Explorer Cafe (EC) Series continued in the Holroyd Atrium with an insightful discussion of something we all have recently become acquainted with at one time or another: artificial intelligence (AI.)
Explorer Cafe events serve as opportunities for students to learn about specific topics in a casual way outside of the classroom. Additionally, these events allow students and/or faculty to present their findings or research on a subject that they may not normally have the chance to share. Typically, ECs begin with a brief presentation followed by small discussion groups to encourage listeners to extend their thinking and connect with those around them. Oftentimes, light refreshments are served as well.
Last Thursday, the cafe was titled “How Can Artificial Intelligence Transform Learning?” Presenters Meghan Pierce (Chair, Management, Marketing and Leadership Department Associate Professor), June Jiang (Co-Chair and Marketing Professor) and Julie Jekot (Graduate Student) opened a thought-provoking and transparent discussion on many questions regarding the use of AI both in and outside of the classroom here at La Salle.
As they focused more on the effects of ChatGPT rather than any other accessible AI tool, Pierce, Jiang and Jekot gathered survey data from marketing research students on our campus during the Spring 2024 semester.
One statistic presented to attendees addressed the statement, “The quality I get from ChatGPT is high,” with survey respondents selecting answers on a scale from strongly disagree to strongly agree. Of about 275 respondents, around 95 people reported that they somewhat agreed with the statement. This statistic suggests that a significant number of people have been satisfied with their use of the popular AI tool. However, it indicates that with the respondents not fully agreeing with the statement, there is room for improvement in users’ perceptions of good quality. The use of this scale often allows for exact feedback, but without full, open-ended responses.
A second finding presented to attendees concerned the question, “What percentage of individuals use AI?” and compared responses from 2023 to 2024. In 2023, 76% of respondents reported using AI, while this year saw an 11% increase, suggesting a growing implementation of AI technologies in daily and professional activities. This finding is a notable increase in AI usage on our campus. However, the fact that there are still two months left in the year raises the possibility that this percentage will continue to climb.
Following the presentation of more research, attendees participated in small group conversations about how AI impacts them on a weekly basis being a student or faculty member, the future applications of it, what the tool is doing to/for job fields, the analysis of the presentation and much more. During the open discussion, the university’s official statement on AI use was brought up; its intent is to reach students to better prepare them in their studies and future endeavors. Professors have been pushed to include this statement into their syllabi, and students are expected to follow the guidelines, ensuring they use AI responsibly and in line with each class’s specific policies.
Last Thursday’s Explorer Cafe served as a valuable event for students, professors, faculty, and coaches to come together in exploring the effects of AI (ChatGPT in particular) in academic and professional settings here at La Salle. Not only did the presentation and discussion call attention to the growing use of AI among students and faculty, but it also opened the opportunity for critical conversations about the quality and ethical use of these tools.
PHILADELPHIA – Friday, Sept. 27, was game day once again for the Explorers’ Field Hockey program, as La Salle was set to host Saint Louis University in an A-10 Conference match-up. The game, held at Temple University’s Howarth Field, began at 3:00 p.m., with La Salle taking the lead late in the third quarter, 1-0. During the fourth quarter, a penalty corner was called, and players prepared to resume play. As players took positions, the scene shifted rapidly as gunshots rang out.
According to a statement obtained by The Collegian from the Philadelphia Police Department, at approximately 4:28 p.m., multiple calls were received for reports of gunshots at the KFC restaurant on the corner of Broad St. and Girard Avenue. “Upon arrival, officers discovered ten fired cartridge casings (FCCs) scattered throughout the parking lot,” the Department said. At time of writing, no further information on a suspect or motive has been communicated by Philadelphia police.
The game, which was being broadcast on ESPN+, captured the moment players began to flee from the field and take cover in the sports complex’s facilities. In a separate TikTok video, a spectator captures the incident, and shots can be heard as they ricocheted off of the metal bleachers.
Temple University Vice President for Public Safety, Dr. Jennifer D. Griffin, released a statement acknowledging the response by Temple and City police. “Both teams and all spectators immediately evacuated from the field and stands into the locker room, and the game was called and did not resume,” she said. “Law enforcement cleared the area and ensured it was safe, at which point both teams left the facility.”
At 8:12 p.m., La Salle students received initial news of the shooting in an email from Vice President of Student Development and Campus Life, Dr. Gaby St. Léger. Within the email, Dr. St. Léger highlighted resources available to students, athletes, and coaches as provided by the University. “We are grateful that everyone is safe,” she said.
“From the moment that this incident occurred, La Salle has been committed to providing the resources the players and coaches need to recover,” Dr. St. Léger reaffirmed when later reached for comment by The Collegian.
La Salle Director of Strategic Communications, Brian Kirschner, relayed a statement to The Collegian from President Daniel J. Allen. “ I had the opportunity to meet with the team and coaches shortly after the incident where I pledged that we as a University would stand behind the team and offer whatever support they need,” President Allen said. “I also let the team know that I and others in University leadership had reached out to the Mayor’s Office and others in the City of Philadelphia to make sure they were aware of the incident and to offer myself and the University as agents of change and be part of the solution.”
In a post on Instagram, La Salle Field Hockey made the University’s first public acknowledgment of the shooting. In their statement, players said, “This is not normal. We cannot accept this as our reality. We are committed to sharing our story – the real story. The public must understand the severity of this ongoing issue, and we cannot achieve that if experiences like ours continue to be deflected,” the team statement read on Friday, Oct. 4. Ashwin Puri, Vice President of Athletics and Recreation said to The Collegian, “We are proud of the statement they issued about their experience as well as taking a stand and advocating for real change in society.” Puri concluded by saying that for future home games, the team will utilize The Proving Grounds, a multi-sports facility in nearby Conshohocken.
La Salle had the pleasure of welcoming two former congressmen, Brian Baird and Mike Bishop, to campus this past Sept. 16-18. The two former representatives visited through a program called Congress to Campus.
Congress to Campus is a bipartisan program that brings former members of congress to college campuses to provide civic education and discussion. According to FMC, the nonprofit that hosts the program, “These dialogues bring today’s issues to the forefront and showcase the benefits of healthy partisanship and civility within disagreement.”
Students and staff were able to take part in a variety of activities and discussions during the Congress to Campus visit at La Salle. The schedule consisted of a reception, meet and greet, and an interactive Q&A session. During the sessions, the former congressmen spoke about the increase in polarization, restoring trust in institution leaders and a range of related issues.
Baird and Bishop also made their way to classrooms throughout campus in various departments to have class discussions and answer questions from students.
“It was refreshing to have an hour-long discussion with the two former congressmen in class,” said junior Allison Ringsdorf. “Learning about their experiences, opinions and aspirations about mass media’s effect on politics from both a Republican and Democratic point of view was engaging and informative.”
During Baird and Bishop’s visit, it was evident that their focus went beyond political barriers and tensions. Both representatives even said that they were not intending to go into Congress.
“I think we’re brought up in families that believe in public service in one way, shape or the other, not necessarily elected government, but just, you know, making sure that you do whatever you can to give back to your community,” said Bishop. “It was really a value of virtue that was ingrained in me.”
Baird and Bishop’s extensive backgrounds in service did not go unnoticed during their time at La Salle. Bishop served on the Ways and Means committee, founded his own law firm and has received numerous awards for his work. Baird served six terms in the House of Representatives and has an extensive background in psychology, science and engineering.
“The best thing we can do with our life is give of ourselves to make a difference and make the world a better place,” said Baird. “It’s the best thing about our country, the country really, the democracy, won’t succeed if people aren’t motivated by service.”
La Salle’s mission and dedication to service and building community was apparent to the congressman.
“We’ve been all over the country to big schools, small schools. This is every bit as active, as attentive and as motivated as any student body that I’ve ever met,” said Baird. “Environments like this, universities like this, it just proves that the next generation has it figured out.”
Similarly, Bishop said, “I’m so impressed with the students here and their care and respect for each other, their commitment to try to make a difference in the world, their involvement in so many things… I have not met a student here who I believe can’t accomplish great things, and so, just believe in that.” Undoubtedly, the Congress to Campus program brought a great sense of pride to La Salle and exemplified how well the institution promotes service and community. For more information about Congress to Campus, visit usafmc.org/congress-to-campus.
The La Salle Collegian 