Peyton Harris, Editor

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.

City and Penn officials were quick to condemn the incident, highlighting the work that medical staff provide to the community. 

“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.

Claire Herquet, Editor

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.

Peyton Harris, Editor

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.

Maya Martin, Editor

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.

Claire Herquet, Editor

Throughout the weekend, over 600 new undergraduate and transfer students settled into our residence halls. Our 2024-2025 academic year marks the largest first-year class we have had in the past four years at La Salle.   

On Aug. 21, La Salle University welcomed back all freshman residential students and kicked off Explorientation! Explorientation is an opportunity for new students to settle into their new lives as Explorers by attending campus-wide activities and learning important information related to their academic successes, safety, wellness and involvement in student organizations on campus. 

The first day of classes on Monday, Aug. 26 kicked off as students returned to campus, excited to return to their studies. Main campus was filled with friends reconnecting, and professors eager to meet their new students.  

That Thursday, La Salle hosted its annual fall involvement fair upstairs in the Student Union during free period. The fair featured student organizations including Greek Life, on-campus job openings, campus event info, service opportunities and much more. With more than 100 students and faculty in attendance, the fair provided a vibrant opportunity for attendees to explore ways to get involved on campus, connect with peers and learn about opportunities that can enrich their experience here at La Salle. 

Week 2 continued with welcome week activities such as painting with a twist, compass pub (for those 21+), Stuff-a-Bear activity, improv 101 and milkshakes with mini golf. 

With La Salle being an official partner school for Campus Philly’s Collegefest, an annual event that welcomes over 20,000 college students back to Philadelphia, students had the unique opportunity to visit 25+ museums and historical sites completely free of charge on Sept. 14 and 15. CollegeFest tickets also included FREE access to the Campus Philly Block Party at 19th & Race Street, featuring local vendors, live music and giveaways. 

While these events have been a success, La Salle students continue to look forward to the events and experiences ahead.  

Editor’s note: We wish our readers the best of luck in their endeavors this semester ❤ The Collegian team looks forward to a successful academic year here at La Salle University!

Donny Argoe, Writer

Many years ago, the City of Brotherly Love launched a rebuild project to make physical improvements to parks and recreation centers around Philadelphia to strengthen community engagement. Seven years later, the Belfield Recreation Center is just one of the many organizations suffering from this unfulfilled promise. On the inside, Belfield Rec. is an amazing facility that sits as the hub of one of the main resources that individuals can utilize in the Northwest Philadelphia community. However, with chipped paint, broken walls and stereotypes related to a shooting that happened over a decade ago, they are struggling on the outside and seeking help from the city to truly begin a rebuild.  

​“We see Belfield as the center in the hub to help individuals combat violence and to bring the community back together,” said Belfield Recreation Center Advisory Council President, Alexis Noland, “and we’ve been doing this holistically with all the different programs that we have here because we want to bring everyone back to the hub.”

​Their mission at Belfield is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for individuals of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy recreational and social opportunities, and to contribute to the overall well-being and health of our community. They aim to promote community engagement and participation in recreational activities and to ensure the center meets the needs and interests of the local community. The recreation center comes with a community garden, a playground, a football and baseball field, a kitchen, two classrooms and an indoor and outdoor basketball court. Working inside and outside, day after day, Belfield is working on providing educational and active experiences that allow kids to be kids while in a safe space away from home. 

​“Today our biggest obstacle is to get our rebuild, we aesthetically do not look welcoming to our community,” said Noland, “that’s the only way that we can combat some of the fears of our community members returning back to the hub.”

​While Belfield is pursuing their mission, they are facing adversities that are not benefiting them within the community. From the outside, they just look like any old building in the city that has almost been forgotten about, the condition of their walls, the basketball courts that aren’t up to par and the unforgettable tragedy that happened there almost 12 years ago. Between parents thinking Belfield is unsafe due to community gun violence and local residents who don’t even know that the building is a recreation center;, they are trying and fighting to rebuild and make their name stronger in the community. 

​“I can actually see the Belfield Rec. Center from my dorm room, and I had no idea what it actually was until recently,” said Maddie Geyer, a La Salle University student who is currently working with the Belfield PR team. “But now, working on PR initiatives alongside the advisory council to strengthen Belfield’s ties with the local community has revealed how much potential the space holds.”

​Without a rebuild from the city, the Belfield Recreation Center is only becoming more susceptible to a lack of community engagement, which is the opposite of the mission they’re trying to enforce. They are here to better the community and the city, regardless of how much they are willing to give in return. 

​“Many years ago, the city put out a plan to do a re-build project for all the parks and recreation centers in the city of Philadelphia, but today, Belfield has not even gotten started,” Noland said. “We just want to restore people’s faith and assure that the hub is still here. It’s still thriving, and we’re here to serve the people in the community.”

​Years after this promise, Belfield has not given up hope, and they have not given up on trying to make a difference within the community for a better and safer place. In doing so, they need help from the city to rebuild their facility into a stronger and more uplifting environment.

​Noland said, “What we’re asking is if the city could please push us up on the list, we definitely need to rebuild not only for aesthetic purposes, but just for safety and for our community.”

​With every successful day that passes, this recreation center is working for a better tomorrow and happier community. It’s been seven years since the initiation of the rebuild project, and even if it takes seven more, Belfield will continuously fight to make the community healthier and stronger.

Claire Herquet, Editor

In the bustling world of university athletics, the voices and achievements of female athletes have often found themselves in the shadows of their male counterparts. However, within La Salle, a new initiative is on the rise to change this narrative. Madison Jack, a driven female student-athlete has founded a new platform on Instagram titled @lasalleexplorhers. 

In an interview on La Salle TV’s SportsLine, MJ shared her journey, motivations, and aspirations for her growing platform, which has already accumulated over 200 followers in the first three weeks of launching. Drawing from her own observations as a member of the rowing team, MJ spoke regarding the challenges faced by her teammates, both in and out of the water. She expressed her belief in the importance of acknowledging and celebrating the accomplishments of others; she says, “Something our team is really good at is being happy for our teammates – knowing that as long as we know we’re doing a good job, it doesn’t matter what other people think. External appreciation is always great, but we do a great job at building each other up and showing appreciation for our friends.” 

Inspiration hit MJ through seeing the sports innovation competition, the Business of Sports Club activities, and last month’s March Madness basketball games. Witnessing the success stories of prominent female athletes like Angel Reese & Caitlin Clark further fueled her determination in finding a space to recognize the person behind the player on La Salle’s campus.  

With ExplorHERS, Madison aims to amplify the voices of female athletes by dedicating two posts per week, sharing stories of success and resilience to those in their sport. Beyond representation, she envisions a community-driven platform where athletes and supporters alike, called ambassadors, will come together to uplift one another. Her main goal right now is to have 100% participation throughout all women’s sports teams on campus and begin hosting various fundraising events and activities (such as a 3v3 tournament) during the Fall 2024 semester. With this, she plans to encourage unity and engagement within the ExplorHERS community, ensuring that no success goes unnoticed or uncelebrated. 

Two weeks ago, the Business of Sports Club had the privilege of welcoming Angelo Cataldi (former radio host of the 94 WIP morning show) to La Salle for an insightful discussion about his remarkable career journey. During his talk, Cataldi provided Jack with a notable piece of advice for her budding platform – do not shy away from controversy. She appreciated his advice to not only focus on positive successes, but also to dig into controversial topics that might be difficult or uncomfortable to talk about. For Jack, ExplorHERS is not just about showing off wins; it is also about creating a space where female athletes can open up for honest and personal conversations.  

Looking ahead, MJ sees lots of potential for ExplorHERS to grow and evolve. From expanding participation to incorporating male athletes into this initiative soon, she remains committed to having members of all teams showing support for one another. 

ExplorHERS shines brightly as a place where La Salle’s beloved athletes get the spotlight they work hard for.