The Laf

Class of 2014 exceeds Laf's initial expectations

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:00:00 GMT

On August 26 the Lafayette community welcomed the 649 students of the class of 2014 to the campus. The 649-student class was 29 students higher than the target number the Lafayette admissions office had anticipated for this upcoming year.

"The last few days had a surge in deposits," Director of Admissions Carol Rowlands said.

What's with the colored shirts?

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:00:00 GMT

The first week back at school heralds parades of sophomore, junior and senior female students across campus, looking to join one of the six sororities at Lafayette. Each of the sororities wore a different color "Go Greek" shirt of their choice on Monday and Wednesday to encourage eligible girls to sign up for formal recruitment.

Laf receives 590k grant for sciences

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Lafayette received a grant this Summer for $590,000 from the NSF (National Science Foundation). The funds will be used to sponsor a new scholarship program that is intended to increase diversity and underrepresented students on campus.

According to a press release from the college, under-represented students are "non-European ethnic groups, first-generation college students and women.

Thirteen new faculty members join the ranks for 2010-11

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Lafayette has added 13 new faculty members to its roster for the 2010-2011 academic year in a variety of departments (listed above).

While the new professors are excited to be teaching students, their enthusiasm for teaching specifically at Lafayette was evident.

"Office of the President" execs get new titles

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:00:00 GMT

As of July 1, several staffing changes were made in an effort to reorganize the President's Cabinet and the Division of Student Life. These changes will affect the current vice president for student affairs and dean of students, James Krivoski, as well as the executive assistant to the president and administrative secretary to the Board, Stevie O'Daniels.

Sodexo and Laf employee settle case of discrimination

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Sodexo, the food service provider of Lafayette College, settled the case involving employee Genevive Repsher, who claimed she was discriminated against while attempting to unionize her fellow workers.

According to a June 15 article in The Express-Times, Sodexo must remove negative comments from Repsher's file and must let workers know that they have the right to unionize.

Softball coach bails after Spring season upset

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Only three days after the end of the women's varsity softball season last semester, coach Jaime Wallin resigned from the position less than a year after she was hired.

Her resignation came after a rocky season. Last semester one player on the team had received several threatening letters and the FBI had been called in.

from the editor

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:00:00 GMT

On Wednesday nights, the newspaper staff crowds around the computers in Farinon 105 to produce the paper you now hold in your hands. You may glance at the headlines, skim a few articles, flip to the crime log and then toss it away. Or you may read this from cover to cover.

to the editor

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Throughout the past two years of college Jamie has been nothing short of a great friend to us as well as the Lafayette community as a whole. Not a day goes by in which we have not thought about him and we doubt there ever will be, and are sure that this is the same for anyone that knew him.

Laf website unveils with mixed reviews

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Lafayette College said goodbye to its outdated website and unveiled a new layout on August 22. It features a modern look, easier search functions, and an A-Z index.

Dr. Robert Massa, Vice President of Communications at Lafayette, said that the new website "contains a much more efficient organizational structure and content management system.

Summer movies: did they meet expectations or leave audiences disappointed?

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:00:00 GMT

In the world of Inception, even waking up doesn't always offer an escape from your dreams. In the real world this summer, there was no escape from Inception.

In the weeks prior to the movie's release, the previews gave nothing away. But while nobody knew what the movie was about, everyone was pretty sure that it would blow their minds.

Who prevailed? Scott Pilgrim or the world?

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:00:00 GMT

A dorky, unexpected hero. A mysterious girl who dyes her hair every few days. Classic video game music and an opening script that introduces every new character. Cartoon visual commentary, and complete, fantastic unrealism.

Before seeing the movie, I was open-minded, ready to experience something different from the typical summer action blockbuster.

Notes on culture: Hating the player, not the game

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:00:00 GMT

It's late in August on this particular Tuesday night, though it could be any Tuesday night, really. I've spent them all playing trivia at Landmark, my local overpriced bar, hunched over a table with four of my friends, fretting over the sporadic ratatat of questions aimed at us by Quiz Master Sean.

Laf and Easton awarded one-of-a-kind arts grant

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:00:00 GMT

This summer, Lafayette College and the City of Easton were awarded a $200,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. The grant, which is a part of the NEA Mayors' Institute on City Design 25th Anniversary Initiative (MICD 25), will allow Lafayette and Easton to host a one-of-a-kind arts festival.

Professor Playlist: Dean McKnight

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Dean McKnight loves music and has a variety of tastes. He couldn't choose his top 10 favorites, so he gave us a random selection of songs that are usually on his iPod. They are not in any particular order.

Everytime We Say Goodbye by Ella Fitzgerald - In my opinion, Ella remains the most inventive and versatile singer of all time.

One team, one goal

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:00:00 GMT

The Lafayette Men's Soccer team is heading into the season with one goal in mind-the Patriot League Championship. With nearly all their starters returning, a talented freshmen class and the return of midfielder Stephen Macurdy '11 (who missed the 2009 season due to a knee injury), the team feels it is fully equipped to achieve that goal.

Teams bond during grueling summer preseason

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:00:00 GMT

For Lafayette's fall athletes, the beginning of classes brings the blessing of the end of preseason. Preseason is that time where athletes get to live and breathe their sport without the stress of classes or exams. However, while there is no pressure from classes, student-athletes do not get the protection from the NCAA with regulations about how coaches can manage their time.

Field Hockey aims for championship

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:00:00 GMT

The Lafayette Field Hockey team will look to improve upon their successful 2009-10 campaign, when the squad came within one game of a Patriot League Championship. Picked to finish 2nd by the Patriot League Preseason Poll, the Leopards play their first game on Saturday against Wake-Forest in North Carolina.

Women's soccer off to fast start with victories

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:00:00 GMT

For most Lafayette students, summer is a time for rest and relaxation, but for the Lafayette Women's Soccer team, summer was a time to ensure the upcoming season would not be a repeat of the previous one.

The Leopards finished last season 3-13-2, but their offseason work has already paid off.

Fantasy Football Crash Course

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:00:00 GMT

The NFL season is upon us once again, and for those of us who don't have the talent to compete in the league, that can only mean one thing: it's time for fantasy football. Whether you're an avid football fan or an occasional watcher, it can be difficult to keep track of the top players year after year.

Football team ready for kick off

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:00:00 GMT

The Lafayette Leopards football team begins their quest for a Patriot League Championship on September 11 with a home game against the Georgetown Hoyas. The Sports Network picked the Leopards to finish fourth in the Patriot League, behind Holy Cross, Lehigh and Colgate.

Cross Country teams look to stride forward

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:00:00 GMT

The cross-country team kicks up the dust this evening as they start their season in Bethlehem, PA at the "Lehigh Valley Championship."

With the departure of the class of 2010, the men's team welcomes four new runners while five will join the women's team.

Volleyball struggles with losses early in the season

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:00:00 GMT

The women's volleyball team is off to a slow start, opening the season with consecutive losses. On Monday, St. Francis defeated the Leopards in four sets. Lafayette took the opening set 25-22, but dropped the next three.

Kayly Elmer '11 led the Leopards with 19 kills, and Christy Mebust '12 added 15 digs.