Kylie McGovern, Editor 

On Saturday, Feb. 18, Temple University police officer Chris Fitzgerald was shot and killed around 18th Street and Montgomery Avenue responding to a student who was being carjacked. Fitzgerald, 31, joined the force in October 2021. Fitzgerald’s wife and 4 children are mourning the loss of a father and husband. Fitzgerald was also an integral member of his community as a founding member of the Hood 2 Hood Run Series. 

A suspect, 18-year-old Miles Pfeffer is caught on video saying “give me the keys or I’ll kill you.” The suspect drove off in the car but was later picked up by his mother on 29th Street and Ridge Avenue. Pfeffer was arrested on the 2300 block of Quarry Road in Bucks County around 7 a.m. Sunday. Pfeffer was charged with Murder, Murder of a law enforcement officer, Robbery, Carjacking, Carrying a firearm without a license and possession of an instrument of crime. 

A growing memorial for the fallen officer has also been started by fellow officers and his Temple community on the 1700 block of West Montgomery Avenue. Temple University released a statement that read: “Officer Fitzgerald gave his life to selflessly serve and defend this community. The courage and bravery he displayed highlights the day-to-day sacrifice made by our Temple University Police Officers to keep our community safe. This loss leaves an enormous hole in all of our hearts. He was a father, a husband, a son, a colleague, and a friend.”

Unfortunately, the La Salle community and the greater neighborhood are no strangers to violence. Last week, an undergraduate student was the victim of an armed carjacking at the intersection of 20th Street and Chew Avenue. Both La Salle Public Safety and the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) arrived within minutes of receiving notification from an eyewitness. In addition, there was a shelter in place on Wednesday, Feb. 15 for off-campus and St Katherine residents because of a situation at the 5700 block of N. Woodstock St. The Division of Student Development and Campus Life (SDCL) at La Salle University is proud to partner with the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) and its 35th District to provide the opportunity to attend one of two safety education sessions at 12:30–2 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 21, in Holroyd Hall atrium and 8–9:30 p.m., on Wednesday, Feb. 22, also in Holroyd Hall atrium. 

Editor’s Note: The Staff at The Collegian is thinking of Fitzgerald’s family and the Temple University community, as well as students here at La Salle affected by the incidents this week. 

Kylie McGovern, Editor

On Friday, Feb. 10 and Saturday, Feb. 11, La Salle University’s student theater group The Masque took the stage to perform Mavericks which consisted of five one-act plays both written and produced by students. The one-act plays this year were titled “Jimmy,” “The Breakup,” “Clowning Around,” “America’s Next Top” and “Over the Top.” Elia Nash and Crystal Barkie produced the show and Adian Tyksinski, Edward Cosgrove, Izzy Hill, and Joe James all directed one-acts. In addition, to the directors and producers, Adian Brant, Dang Ngyuen, Kyla Renegar, Lee Bishop and Maria Hernandez-Pancesso. Mercury Foderson served as VP of Technical Affairs. The carpenters were Jack Wagner, Allie Ringsdorf and Joni DeFilippo. Izzy Hill and Nigist Legesse worked together on the lighting. Dominic Grillo worked on the sound. 

The Mavericks ranged in genre and content from show to show. “Jimmy” was a humorous and thrilling story about friends running into bigfoot. “The Breakup” was an emotional one-act play about the trials of a relationship with a hint of humor throughout. “Clowning Around,” “America’s Next Top” and “Over the Top” were hilarious enough to make the audience erupt in laughter throughout. 

The Masque’s productions are often at the same time as a Late Night La Salle event. These events often have snacks and games so many students both in the plays and audiences headed to enjoy some chocolate-covered strawberries after the show. 

In addition to Mavericks, the Masque performs monthly improv shows. There are a few improv shows on the calendar for Feb. 18, March 4, March 25 and April 1. All the improv shows begin at 7 p.m. Later on in the semester, the Masque will perform their spring play “Drinking Habits” on April 14. This play is about two religious nuns who secretly make alcohol, but two reporters are suspicious of their activities.  

Through all of these performances, The Masque of La Salle University aims to provide students with opportunities to experience the theatrical arts whether on stage, off stage or in the audience. The Masque is committed to various goals through their work. These goals include, service through the development of productions, education of its members about theater and developing an appreciation for it, and the development of the theater community.    

Editor’s Note: I want to extend congratulations to all those involved with the Masque. Your performances unite the student body and provide a unique form of entertainment that creates a sense of community. I look forward to future shows. 

Kylie McGovern, Editor 

Black History Month is observed every February to celebrate African Americans’ achievements and integral roles in history. There are celebrations and events both here at La Salle University and in the Greater Philadelphia area. The La Salle Connelly Library has a future exhibit on the first floor to celebrate Black History Month. There is a Notable Black Alumni section featuring alumni from decades beginning in the 1940s until most recently a spotlight on an alum who graduated in 2003. The exhibit features yearbooks, news articles, photographs and magazines. Another exhibit celebrates African American actors with photos, scripts, press releases and even a VHS tape. 

In addition to the exhibits in the library, Dr. Walter Greason, a professor at Macalester College, will speak at an event hosted by the black studies program history department and multicultural and international center on Philadelphia, Afrofuturism, and The Future of Wakanda. This event will be in Founder’s Hall on Feb. 16 at 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. 

La Salle’s African American Student League (AASL) has numerous events planned for this month. On Friday, Feb. 10 the AASL will host a “Red Table Talk ” which gives an opportunity to discuss challenges facing the Black community and topics like o cultural differences, relationships in college and how the campus community can come together.  This event will be in the Union’s Dunleavy Room at 7 p.m. On Wednesday, Feb. 22 a Black History Month Town Hall with Vice President of Student Development & Campus Life Gabrielle St. Léger, Ed.D., Dean of Students TiRease Holmes, MBA ’16 and the Students Government Association will be an opportunity for students to share their Black perspective at La Salle. On Tuesday, Feb. 28 there will be a Black Showcase in the Dan Rodden Theater at 5:30 p.m. to celebrate Black culture through student performances of spoken word, singing, dancing, and more.  

There will be a viewing of “The Sun Rises in the East” on Tuesday, Feb. 21 from 6–8:30 p.m. in Founders’ Hall in part with the School District of Philadelphia. In addition, there will be a screening of “Till” at 5:30 p.m. on Feb.23. 

There are also various events off-campus, but still in the area, to celebrate black history this February. The Philadelphia museum of art will offer free admission on Saturday, Feb. 25 which will be filled with programs and activities to highlight Black artists. In addition, The National Constitution Center is presenting an exhibit that celebrates and honors The Four Harriets of History: Harriet Tubman, Harriet Robinson Scott, Harriet Jacobs and Harriet Beecher Stowe. The Free Library of Philadelphia also hosts an array of events to celebrate black history month. 

Kylie McGovern, Editor 

via La Salle University

La Salle students began coming back to campus for the spring semester on Saturday Jan. 15. But a lot goes on during the winter break both at La Salle University and in the City of Philadelphia. So, here is a roundup of what you might have missed while away on break. 

1. La Salle University hosted the winter open house on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 at 9:30 AM until 2:00 PM. The event was for high school prospective students and transfer students. The open house consisted of an opening session, admission and financial aid information, academic sessions, campus tours, and lunch. Following the Open House, visitors were invited to the Men’s Basketball Game against Saint Joseph’s University.
2. Students at La Salle celebrated Martin Luther King day on campus and off campus on Jan.  16. UMASS hosted NETWORK which is a lobbying group composed of nuns to discuss radical love and social justice training. Basketball teams, swimming teams and track and field teams visited local Logan elementary school for a day of service to honor the memory and impact of Dr. King. 
3. Classes began on Tuesday Jan. 17 kicking off the spring semester. Feb. 3 is the last day to file a pass/fail option for spring full semester classes. 
4. The MacCready Family Foundation donated $100,000 to the University’s Department of Psychology and its clinical psychology program. This grant will go towards serving mental health needs in the area around La Salle University. 
5. On Jan. 21, the Philadelphia Eagles advanced in the playoffs after victory against the New York Giants. Late Night La Salle hosted a viewing of the game and a spirit of brotherly love entered the campus. 
6. A new semester is the time to get involved on campus. La Salle’s recreation center hosted intramural basketball registration on Jan. 23rd. In addition to recreation, the involvement fair will be held on Jan. 26 from 12:00 pm until 2:00 pm. The involvement fair is an opportunity for students to receive information about clubs on campus as well as employment opportunities. In addition, panhellenic recruitment begins on Feb. 2. 
7. Wellness Wednesdays return again this semester.  Public Health Capstone Students will host a game of Wheel of Consent to teach students about the importance of gaining consent. In addition, the Public Health Capstone students will discuss racial stressors and how to overcome these stressors from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM in the Union Lobby. 

Editor’s Note: These are just a few of the happenings over winter break at the beginning of the semester. If you are interested in the La Salle Collegian highlighting your organization’s events in a News story or press please contact mcgovernk8@lasalle.edu. Best of luck during this semester, Explorers.

Kylie McGovern, Editor 

On Tuesday, Nov. 29 La Salle raised a record-breaking number of donations at over $180,000 through 678 gifts. Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving or a global generosity movement which is held each year on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Giving Tuesday efforts here at La Salle prioritized the year-long charter challenge President Allen launched at his inauguration. La Salle University describes the charter challenge as a “$10 million fundraising initiative [that] will elevate our University’s academic and overall campus experiences for both our current and future Explorers. We are on our way toward achieving this ambitious goal, now [having] raised more than $6 million.” Giving Tuesday efforts towards the charter challenge supported an array of causes like the La Salle Fund for Student Scholarships, the President’s Strategic Initiative Fund, the Honors Program Scholarship Initiative, the School of Arts and Sciences Fund, the School of Business Fund, the School of Nursing and Health Sciences Fund and Explorer Fund for Athletics. 

The La Salle Fund focuses on helping La Salle maintain its mission of providing accessible and transformative education for students through scholarship and financial aid. Similarly, The 1863 Achievement Scholarship makes the gap between institutional funding and a student’s financial resources disappear. Donors will support an incoming first-year, resident student for all four years of their La Salle career. The charter challenge also seeks to raise funds for The Honors Program Scholarship Initiative which aims to attract and retain high-achieving students at La Salle University. 

 President Daniel Allen uses the President’s Strategic Initiative Fund to allocate funding to support initiatives that make a La Sallian education more accessible for all students while providing programs to prepare La Salle students with skills to bring to their careers. 

Each of the schools here at La Salle: Arts and Sciences, Business and Nursing and Health Sciences receive funding from the charter challenge. And finally, gifts to the Explorer Fund went towards different areas of athletics like nutrition, travel and equipment. 

Overall, Giving Tuesday raised a substantial amount of gifts that will go back into La Salle University for the students here today and in the future. 

Kylie McGovern, Editor 

On Tuesday, Nov. 29 La Salle raised a record-breaking number of donations at over $180,000 through 678 gifts. Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving or a global generosity movement which is held each year on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Giving Tuesday efforts here at La Salle prioritized the year-long charter challenge President Allen launched at his inauguration. La Salle University describes the charter challenge as a “$10 million fundraising initiative [that] will elevate our University’s academic and overall campus experiences for both our current and future Explorers. We are on our way toward achieving this ambitious goal, now [having] raised more than $6 million.” Giving Tuesday efforts towards the charter challenge supported an array of causes like the La Salle Fund for Student Scholarships, the President’s Strategic Initiative Fund, the Honors Program Scholarship Initiative, the School of Arts and Sciences Fund, the School of Business Fund, the School of Nursing and Health Sciences Fund and Explorer Fund for Athletics. 

The La Salle Fund focuses on helping La Salle maintain its mission of providing accessible and transformative education for students through scholarship and financial aid. Similarly, The 1863 Achievement Scholarship makes the gap between institutional funding and a student’s financial resources disappear. Donors will support an incoming first-year, resident student for all four years of their La Salle career. The charter challenge also seeks to raise funds for The Honors Program Scholarship Initiative which aims to attract and retain high-achieving students at La Salle University. 

 President Daniel Allen uses the President’s Strategic Initiative Fund to allocate funding to support initiatives that make a La Sallian education more accessible for all students while providing programs to prepare La Salle students with skills to bring to their careers. 

Each of the schools here at La Salle: Arts and Sciences, Business and Nursing and Health Sciences receive funding from the charter challenge. And finally, gifts to the Explorer Fund went towards different areas of athletics like nutrition, travel and equipment. 

Overall, Giving Tuesday raised a substantial amount of gifts that will go back into La Salle University for the students here today and in the future. 

Kylie McGovern, Editor 

On Nov. 15, 28 refugees from El Paso, TX arrived at 30th Street Station in Philadelphia. La Salle Alum and Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney explained that the City of Brotherly Love will accept these migrants with open arms. He explained, “we’ve welcomed tens of thousands of Afghans, and Ukrainians, and if you go back into our city’s history, every ethnic group that is here came as refugees for the most part, and these folks are no different…we have human dignity, decency, and the responsibility to make their transition as smooth as possible, that’s what this country is all about.” When these migrants arrived at 30th Street they were greeted with a SEPTA bus, food, water and healthcare if necessary. 

On Monday, Nov. 20, more migrants arrived in Philadelphia. This time, 46 people seeking asylum arrived after their 40-hour journey. Advocates explain that these migrants who got off the bus are in the asylum process and not breaking any rules regarding immigration/refugee procedures.

Although various organizations and advocacy groups are committed to helping migrants arriving in Philadelphia, this sentiment extends to the classroom here at La Salle University in a Communication and Culture class which focuses on the reciprocal link between communication and culture by examining how communication practices create, reflect, and maintain cultures, as well as how culture influences communication practice. Recently, Katie Dunleavy, Ph.D. ‘s Communication and Culture class completed an assignment that entailed writing a letter to an elected official on behalf of a micro-culture about a certain issue. These micro-cultures ranged from various groups like homelessness, people with disabilities and refugees. Many students decided to write on behalf of refugees in various cities. This assignment entailed both a written letter to an elected official and a presentation. In this presentation, students took various approaches to explain the importance of the issue. Some explained the data regarding how sanctuary cities help the arriving migrants, while others related to the issue on a more personal level by explaining similar situations either they went through or family members experienced. After the assignments were complete, Dunleavy provided feedback to students and encouraged them to send their advocacy letters to the elected officials they wrote to. Overall, both the City of Philadelphia and La Salle University students are in tune with supporting arriving refugees.

Kylie McGovern, Editor

La Salle University’s family and homecoming weekend began on Friday Nov. 11 with events all over campus for different groups at La Salle to enjoy. Treetops Cafe welcomed families for a family dinner on Friday night at 5 p.m. In addition, La Salle University hosted the Alumni Association Awards which are held each year. This year’s award ceremony,  hosted in Founders’ Hall, honored Br. Gerard F. Molyneaux, ’58, M.A. ’59, FSC, Ph.D. with the John J. Finley, ’24 Award for his tireless volunteer work and support of La Salle. In addition, the Alumni association also presented the Signum Fidei Medal, to Liguori Academy.

In addition, La Salle’s Swimming and Diving hosted a Tri-meet on Friday evening. In addition to athletics other talents of La Salle’s students were on display during homecoming as the Masque performed their production of Drop Dead. This production was performed throughout the weekend and following the show on Saturday many joined Late Night La Salle for an after-show party in the lounge. 

The homecoming activities continued into Sat. with a block party on 20th. The block party was a free event with entertainment, food trucks and drink options. Students, alumni, faculty and families sprinkled the street while enjoying food, friendship, music and fun until the 3 p.m. men’s basketball game. 

The La Salle Explorers defeated the Wagner Seahawks with a 77-69 lead. This student section was packed and electric this Saturday afternoon. The pep band, dance team and cheerleading team kept this energy alive throughout the game. Head over to our sports section to read more about the game. Following the basketball win, fans headed to Deke’s BBQ for Post Game Happy Hour. 

Sunday Morning began with mass celebrated in the De La Salle chapel by Father Frank. Students and alumni read and brought up the collection during mass. In addition, two seniors Trevor and Frankie spoke about what family and the La Salle community meant to them. 

Following mass, families and students were welcomed to family brunch at treetops dining hall. Students could use meal plans for brunch and families paid at the door. Students spent time catching up with their own families while also getting to know their friends’ families. 

Homecoming weekend concluded with the Golden Explorers 50th Reunion tour and dinner. The class of 1972 met on the Hansen Quad and attended a special tour of La Salle’s campus. The tour stopped at the Alumni House and included a view of the 1972 Archives display in Connelly Library. Then, members of the Class of 1972 joined their classmates for cocktails, dinner and commemorative medallion presentation in recognition of their golden anniversary.

Overall, homecoming weekend was a chance for all members of the La Salle community to enjoy a beautiful day on campus.