Lionel Sobehart | Student Life

The men’s basketball team wins the National Championship title. The 2007 win was the first for a Washington Universiy men’s team.

October brought racism and other forms of discrimination to the forefront of campus as a student’s car was vandalized with a slur. Student groups continued to lobby for a sexual assault prevention coordinator, but were successful in establishing one for the LGTBQIA community. As a result of these tensions, Connect 4 was created to address discrimination on campus.

The school hosted several famous and highly controversial speakers throughout the year. Then-Attorney General Alberto Gonzales spoke at the 560 Music Building, and his $30,000 speaking fee sparked protests led by the College Democrats and other groups. Other notable speakers included Newark Mayor Cory Booker, author Alan Lightman, political pundit Paul Begala, Loveline’s Dr. Drew, actor Peter Sarsgaard and comedian Margaret Cho.

Inflatable couches debuted as Lupe Fiasco headlined fall W.I.L.D., and George Clinton came to the festival in the spring. Other notable performers were Stars, who played at the first WUstock, and Cascada, who gave a brief performance that disappointed many. A student got tasered by WUPD while resisting arrest at the Gargoyle, overshadowing Girl Talk’s concert there.

WUPD had its hands full this school year as multiple robberies occurred over winter break in the Myers and Hurd houses. Many students became more conscious of their surroundings after a freshman was mugged at gunpoint on the South 40.

Several influential professors changed roles at Washington University. Professor Richard Smith stopped teaching Introduction to Human Evolution to become the dean of the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. Popular accounting professor Tzachi Zach left the University to teach at Ohio State University.

November saw upheaval in the engineering school as Dean Mary Sansalone came under fire from faculty and students. Sansalone resigned in February 2008.

Politics played a large role at the University as it was selected to host the 2008 vice presidential debate in November. Chelsea Clinton led a question-and-answer session at Kayak’s Coffee while many students were dismayed to find that the University would not allow presidential candidate and then- U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), to speak on campus in the run-up to Super Tuesday. This incident sparked the creation of the Student Civic Initiative, which aimed to increase campus involvement with politics. Students turned out in record numbers to vote on Super Tuesday.

An internet war also came to the University as hundreds of students battled over the Danforth Campus in a massive game of GoCrossCampus. Other websites such as Facebook were in the spotlight for gathering personal information of users and selling it to companies.

Several construction projects were completed or neared completion this year. The 560 Music Center debuted in a sea of controversy as a cappella groups protested their off-campus relocation. The Danforth University Center would be ready in fall 2008. Several departments from the law school and Arts & Sciences would begin moving into Seigle Hall over the summer.

Construction continued to break ground as the University planned to tear down Umrath Hall over the summer, in order to make room for a replacement for the Wohl Center.

In the world of sports, the men’s basketball team captured the school’s first national championship title for a men’s team, and the women’s volleyball team captured its Division-III-record ninth national championship. The athletics program was ranked first in Division III and seventh in all divisions. For the first time in school history, the University led all schools in the Director’s Cup as the women’s track and field team took third place at nationals, the highest in program history. The women’s cross country team, who took third, and the men’s soccer team, who took sixth, also matched their best finishes at their respective national tournaments. The men’s tennis team defeated UAA archrival Emory University for the first time in program history.

Sustainability rose to the forefront of the campus debate as groups like Green Action led the charge for greener facilities. Bear’s Den introduced metal silverware, and the sustainable garden created by the Burning Kumquat took root. Green Action’s Sustainabilitree joined the ranks of various artwork done on campus, including the bubble wrapping of Bowles Plaza and the bed outside of Olin Library.

Mother Nature continued to fluctuate throughout the year as the University was blanketed in more than six inches of snow in March. Classes were not cancelled because of the snowstorm. A 5.2-magnitude earthquake rocked St. Louis in the middle of April, surprising many members of the community. Squirrels were reported to have attacked several students this year.

Dance Marathon broke records as other successful student-led events such as Relay for Life, Diwali, Lunar New Year Festival, Thurtene Carnival and Carnaval continued to unite the community.

The Student Union executive board was elected mostly unopposed and encountered the 2008-2009 budget controversy upon taking office. Several student groups mobilized their supporters to make their voices heard as the budget was passed by Treasury only to be rejected by the Senate. The deadlock was broken, and the budget passed with only three minutes to spare in an emergency joint session of the body.

I’ve written for each section of Student Life, travelled the globe, created priceless memories and formed lifelong friendships. I never thought that during my four years I would work on a project that would lead to the construction of an Einstein’s Bagels in Simon Hall. I would have laughed if you said I would participate in a date auction or attend a movie screening before a movie was shown to the general public. I would never have dreamed of covering not one, but three national championships, numerous top-ten finishes in places as far away as San Antonio or Salem, Va., or the 2008 vice presidential debate.

When I arrived in front of Beaumont Hall in August of 2007, I was a freshman with many questions. What should I study? What activities should I do? Where would I fit in? Freshman self, chill. While these were legitimate questions, college is something to be savored, not fretted over.

A lot of my underclassman friends ask me for that one magic piece of advice that will allow them to enjoy their college experiences to the fullest. Here it is: Live with no regrets, because your time at Wash. U. will fly by so quickly.

Be proactive and take advantage of all the opportunities Wash. U. provides, whether it’s the late night call inviting you on a road trip or the chance to work with a professor to help out a non-profit organization.

Are you glad about who you are today? Are you satisfied with the friendships and relationships you have now? Are you happy with your student groups and the classes you are taking?

It’s awesome if you said yes to everything. Don’t fret about saying no. It’s never too late to change things up, follow your passions and be happy.

Start your bucket list now and put it up online so your friends can help you. Whether it’s gathering a group of friends to sled on Art Hill after the first snowfall or dancing for 12 hours with a team of friends at Dance Marathon, do it.

Take the classes you want to take, especially in the first two years, because they will lead you to your major. I observed visitors at the St. Louis Zoo in the Primate House for my Educational Psychology course and analyzed “Watchmen” for my Comics, Graphic Novels and Sequential Art class.

Amend your relationships when they are strained, and move forward from conflicts. College passes by so quickly that there’s little point in holding grudges or burning bridges. It is never too late. In fact, I’m sorry to anyone I’ve ever offended during my time here.

Thank all the people who enrich your life. For me, that is everyone from my fellow William Greenleaf Eliot Residential College staff and other Residential Life colleagues to the workers at Bear’s Den, the post office, maintenance and housekeeping. Thank you to my brothers of Alpha Phi Omega, the Catholic Student Center community, the Olin Business School and my many friends at Student Life. Thank you to my parents, siblings and extended family for your support. Thank you to every member of the Washington University community for the impact you have had on my experience.

Do not forget to take the time to say goodbye, but remember that although this bucket list comes to an end, there are other lists for later chapters of life.

Sayonara Wash. U. Wherever my travels take me, I will always look fondly back at my time on the Danforth Campus. Go Bears!

Berenter was hit in the face by a ball while doing defensive drills during practice last Wednesday. The fluke injury required her to fly home for surgery over the weekend.

“As a teammate, the hardest part about her injury is having to watch someone you love have to give up something that has meant so much to them for so long,” senior Claire Voris said.

After Friday’s double-header against Fontbonne University was postponed because of rain, the Bears split Saturday’s double-header against Monmouth College in their first games since Voris’ injury and after a 10-day break from games.

“It was really hard to come off of that because Ally is such a critical part of the team,” freshman Maggie Mullen said. “We all knew she wanted us to play our best.”

The Red and Green, backed by a season-high 14 strikeouts from Voris, took the first game 1-0. Sophomore Ashley Janssen hit a single, stole second and then advanced on a groundout by junior Alyssa Abramoski. Janssen then scored off a groundout by Voris in the top of the sixth. Voris shut the door on the Scots, retiring the side in the sixth and seventh innings.

The Monmouth Fighting Scots came back in the nightcap, taking advantage early off two unearned runs in the first inning. The Bears’ bats struggled, producing only three hits in six innings.

“We had some really good hard hits that they just fielded really, really well,” sophomore Hilary Stepansky said.

The last inning was a different story, as the Bears erupted for five hits. Mullen started off with a single followed by sophomore Alex Fjeldheim. An RBI double to left field from freshman Kelsey Neal scored Mullen, but a good relay throw beat pinch-runner Stepansky to home plate. Sophomore Sondra Polonsky’s single helped Neal score before the rally was stopped on a strikeout. The two-run rally was not enough, and junior Olivia Cook was saddled with the loss despite giving up one earned run.

“Luckily our team has so many skilled players that we will be able to recover from losing Ally,” Ferguson said. “This past weekend Alex Fjeldheim had many great plays at first, including a diving catch.”

Senior Day continued despite the incident and the rain that washed out Friday’s double-header. The celebration occurred in the Hall of Champions with game-day introductions, supportive family members, and gifts. The team gave its graduating seniors shadow boxes filled with memorabilia and showed a video message.

“We just wanted to show our appreciation for them as seniors for everything they do for the team,” Stepansky said.

Seniors Berenter, Voris and Antonia Ferguson left their impact on the program with three NCAA tournament appearances and three UAA Championships.

“They are all such unique personalities on the team that I don’t think there’s going to be anyone like them in the future,” Mullen said.

Each of the seniors was a captain this season. Berenter finished with 15 career home runs, tied for fifth in school history. Voris is currently 23rd in NCAA Division III history with 775 strikeouts. “I am very proud to have had the honor and privilege of coaching them,” head coach Leticia Pineda-Boutté said

The greatest impact for the seniors was not the softball but rather the relationships they formed.

“Most of the play-by-plays become a blur, but it’s girls I’ve played with that I’ll never forget,” Berenter said.

The team said that even the 6 a.m. practices five days a week during the preseason were bearable.

“The team is so fun you forget you only got 3 hours of sleep,” Ferguson said. “I’m going to miss [the underclassmen] so much; it will be strange not to see them every day.”

The No. 22 Bears will host Fontbonne on Friday before travelling to No. 20 DePauw College on Saturday.

“The Bears plan on finishing strong,” Voris said. “Though Ally won’t be able to be on the field, there is no doubt she will be with us all the way.”

Johann Qua Hiansen | Student Life

Students and other community members begin the Take the Steps for Kids 5K during the snow on Saturday. The event organized by the Washington University Running Club raised more than $4,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri.

Matt Mitgang | Student Life

Senior Kathryn Berger looks for a shot against Illinois Wesleyan University in the national semifinal game on Friday night. Berger scored 28 points to lead the Bears past the Titans, 87-77, and into their third straight national title game, against Amherst College on Saturday.

No. 12 Wash. U. defeated No. 7 Illinois Wesleyan University, 87-77, on the Titans’ home court to reach the title game for the third consecutive year and ninth overall.

The defending national champion Bears will face No. 2 Amherst College for the Division III title on Saturday evening. The Bears have eliminated the Lord Jeffs from the past two NCAA tournaments in the national semifinal game.

Senior Kathryn Berger led the Bears with 28 points. Wash. U. controlled the glass, outrebounding the Titans 37-29 and outscoring them 48-20 in the paint.

Perimeter shooting kept the Titans within reach of the Bears for most of the game. Nikki Preston connected on back-to-back three-pointers to cut a 12-point Wash. U. lead to six with less than seven minutes to go.

The Bears closed off the game inside the paint and at the free-throw line, taking advantage of foul trouble from multiple Titans. Wash. U. shot 20 for 27 from the line in the victory.

“A lot of what we learned is keep a level head,” Berger said.

“The ball game was won at the free-throw line,” Illinois Wesleyan head coach Mia Smith said. Illinois Wesleyan went 6 for 10 from the free-throw line for the game.

The first half featured numerous personnel changes, with nine Lady Bears seeing action as both teams tried to figure out their foe. Illinois Wesleyan was potent from behind the three-point line, going 8 for 16 in the first half. Wash. U. held a 19-15 rebounding advantage.

The second half was all about the seniors, with Alex Hoover working inside the paint and Berger knocking down long-range shots. “We were playing our game, our style,” Berger said. “We played our tempo.”

The Red and Green found their stride with crisp passes and fluid ball movement. Wash. U. also capitalized on IWU mistakes, with 14 points off turnovers in the second half alone. The Red and Green bench outscored Illinois Wesleyan’s bench 25-6.

With the victory, the Bears have also defeated every ranked opponent to which they lost at some point earlier in the season. The Bears fell to the Titans, 73-68, at the Tip Off Tournament in Greencastle, Ind., on Nov. 20.

Wash. U. defeated the No. 10, 4, 1, 6 and 7 teams in the nation to reach the title game. Three of these wins, at No. 4 Hope College, at No. 1 Thomas More College and at No. 7 IWU, have come on their opponent’s home floor.

Wash. U. looks to defeat its sixth top-10 opponent in Saturday’s national championship game. Play against Amherst is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

“We’re so excited we’re playing in the national championship game,” head coach Nancy Fahey said.

The offense came to life on Saturday, with Wash. U. picking up a 9-0 victory against MacMurray College before clobbering University of Dallas 21-6 in the nightcap. Both games were ended by the five-inning mercy rules.

“When everyone is doing their job, that’s a scary thing for teams in the other dugout,” head coach Leticia Pineda-Boutté said.

The Bears piled on the runs early against Dallas, with nine in the first inning and another six in the second. Junior Alyssa Abramoski hit two triples in the first inning, tying a school record for most triples in a game.

Abramoski was named University Athletic Association (UAA) player of the week, with three triples and eight runs over the weekend. Abramoski hit .545 and had a career-high four RBIs against Dallas.

With the Bears stringing hits together, the Wash. U. pitchers were able to pitch with a large margin for error.

“I’m really impressed with our pitching staff,” said Claire Voris, a senior and the ace of the staff. “We complement each other really well. We all have different styles and different strengths.”

Sunday was a much more challenging day for the Bears, playing a doubleheader against Hendrix College.

Hendrix struck first with a leadoff homerun off Voris in the bottom of the first inning.

That would be the lone run until the top of the sixth inning, when the Bears responded with one of their own. Sophomore Ashley Janssen scored on a sacrifice fly from senior co-captain Ally Berenter. The Red and Green was poised to tack on a few more, loading the bases with two outs, but the side was retired on a fly out.

Hendrix came back, taking advantage of an error to score two runs in the sixth. The Warriors inserted relief pitcher Ashley Halbert, who retired three Wash. U. batters to end the game in a 3-1 victory.

The Bears got their revenge in the championship game. “The loss was so fresh that it just motivated us to want the win even more,” Berenter said. “It was also the first time we were presented this season to prove to ourselves what we could do.”

Both teams traded runs before Wash. U. took a four-run lead in the top of the third inning. Abramoski started the Bears off with a triple before scoring on a double by junior co-captain Corissa Santos. Berenter walked before Voris hit a homer to left-center field.

The Warriors chipped away at the Bears’ lead before tying the score at the end of the sixth. Abramoski scored again, off another sacrifice fly from Berenter, but Hendrix knotted the score once more in the seventh.

Freshman Maggie Mullen was placed on second for the Bears to start the eighth inning due to the international tiebreaker rule, and the Warriors called in a reliever. Sophomore Alex Fjeldheim laid down a sacrifice bunt, advancing Mullen to third.

With freshman Kelsey Neal at the plate in her third collegiate at-bat, Hendrix’s Jaclyn Herrera threw a wild pitch. Mullen came home and scored what would be the game-winner.

“There was absolutely no silence in that eighth inning,” Berenter said of the Bears’ cheering in the eighth.

Sophomore Kathy Peter sealed the win, shutting out the Warriors in their final inning.

The Red and Green head to Florida for the UAA Championships on Thursday, facing No. 20 Emory at 11:30 a.m. The championships will be played in Altamonte Springs, Fla.

The No 7. Bears fell 4-2 on Friday to host Rhodes College in the season opener before tying with No. 19 Transylvania University on Sunday at the Chick-fil-A Classic in Memphis, Tenn.

Tied 4-4 with Transylvania after seven innings, the teams skipped extra innings and agreed on a draw to prevent playing in the dark.

“I was really impressed with our defense compared to years past,” head coach Leticia Pineda-Boutté said. “Typically, this time of the year its tough to adjust [to being outside for the first time].”

Wash. U. held the upper hand against Transylvania as sophomore pitcher Kathy Peter limited the Pioneers to two hits in the first four innings. Sophomore Sondra Polonsky got the Bears on the board first with an RBI double in the fourth inning. The Red and Green then jumped on the Pioneers with a three-run fifth inning, anchored by back-to-back two-out home runs by seniors Ally Berenter and Claire Voris. Freshman Maggie Mullen was retired on a groundout to end the inning.

“We have a lot of solid hitters and saw spurts of good,” junior co-captain Corissa Santos said.

But the Pioneers were not out of the running. Peter allowed one run in the fifth inning before turning the mound over to junior Olivia Cook at the top of the sixth. Cook, battling back from a sprained wrist, struggled in her season debut, allowing two hits and an error before recording her first out.

The Pioneers knotted the score, pushing across three runs in an aggressive comeback. However, the final inning was quick for both teams as the sides were retired before the game was called.

In the team’s season opener, the first three innings against Rhodes were a pitcher’s duel between Voris and the Lynx’ Cindy Bitters, as neither pitcher surrendered a run.

The Bears struck first, snapping the scoreless tie in the fourth inning with an explosive debut. Mullen opened her collegiate career with a bang, hitting a two-run home run for her first hit as a Bear.

“She’s shown that she can be a starter,” Pineda-Boutté said. “It’s pretty special for her first hit in her collegiate career.”

Mullen’s shot was all the Bears could muster on offense, while the Lynx came back with a large fifth inning. Voris gave up three hits in a row to load the bases before striking out two Rhodes players. But with a single pitch, the tables were turned and Rhodes scored their first two runs on a single to center field. This was followed by another two-run single before the side was retired on a strike out.

Despite the winless weekend, the Bears are focused on the positives. Besides the home runs from three different players, sophomore Ashley Janssen went three-for-four from the lead-off spot against Rhodes.

“We have a lot more to look forward to this season,“ Berenter said.

The Bears play MacMurray College, The University of Dallas and Hendrix College in Conway, Ark. this weekend before competing in the University Athletic Association (UAA) Championship over Spring Break. “With a few more games and a little more time on the dirt, we’ll be ready for UAAs,” Berenter said.

Johann Qua Hiansen | Student Life

The Social Justice Center had its grand opening on Tuesday with an open house.

The Social Justice Center (SJC), formerly located in the basement of Hurd, is now prominent in students’ view in the basement of Umrath.

The SJC is a resource center that provides various students and student groups the tools and materials they need to put on programming related to social justice.

It has a numerous books, magazines, videos, and handouts that relate to or teach about issues like racism, homosexuality, socio-economic diversity, ableism, and body image.

The SJC also has a corresponding student group.

The SJC is staffed by a group of about 15 RAs, an RCD, an office manager and a graduate fellow

“Our goal is to really be a resource and ultimately a voice for students on campus who want to do something about any [social justice] issues on campus,” sophomore Aasli Nur, the office manager said. “We’re building on the programming from last year and taking a lot of steps toward getting more integrated in the community.”

Many of those involved with the Social Justice Center are excited about being located in a heavily trafficked area across from South 40 Dining.

“Last year, it was kind of like being invisible, being in Hurd,” Nicole Salowetz, the graduate fellow for the SJC, said. “I’ve been here maybe 15 minutes and I’ve already seen 50 or 60 people.”

A large number of RAs and CS40 Executives as well as passerby explored the SJC, which provided cookies from Diana’s Bakery, a local Mexican bakery, as well as candy from Japan.

“I want this to be a cool space where we’re going to show movies and documentaries related to social justice,” Jeff Grim, Director of the SJC and Residential College Director of Liggett-Koenig, said. “This has the potential to be a hub for student groups that want to co-program or utilize this space and resources.”

The Social Justice Center (SJC) is around 10 years old. The idea for the center originated from former Ruby-Umrath RCD Andy Wilson who felt a central point on campus where people interested in social justice advocacy can collaborate together, according to Grim.

The committee of volunteer RAs and other staff serve as resources and are available to answer questions on a mix of issues. “We’re working on ways we can collaborate with other student groups to create unique programs, but not to overprogram,” Grim said.

Past events sponsored by the Social Justice Center have included bus tours of St. Louis guided by Bob Hansman, roundtable discussions and social justice speech contests. The student employees of the SJC are also responsible for creating bulletin boards with information about one of the Center’s specialized areas (such as racism) each month. These are put up on each floor by an RA.

Potential programs for this year include co-sponsoring Bill Cosby with Chimes as part of the Assembly Series, a Tunnel of Oppression, coffee conversations and film screenings related to various issues of social justice.

The coffee and conversations events will differ from currently offered Coffee N Controversy by promoting discussion rather than debate. The SJC also invited WuSLam to do an open slam outside of their space after their open house.

“It’s an incredible initiative on the part of Residential Life,” Salowetz, a third year with the Law School and Social Work dual degree program, said. “I don’t know many campuses that have that direct link with the wider university supporting an initiative like this.”

One of the largest resources touted by staff members is a lending library where students can borrow movies and books. Binders with programming ideas for issues ranging from environmental racism and genderism to religious oppression and racism are also available.

“They seem to have a lot of resources that student groups and residential halls can use when having discussions or programs about social justice,” sophomore Mamatha Challa said. “I’m kind of curious to see how much that affects the campus as a whole and how much this space is used.“

The SJC will be open from Sundays to Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

“We thought Senior Day was cursed,” senior Megan Fieser said. “The past two years it’s been rained out. It’s just not the same without a game.”

Saturday’s Senior Day was supposed to be a doubleheader against Missouri Baptist University, but the second game was washed out. However, before the rain turned into a torrent, the Lady Bears picked up a 2-1 eight-inning victory, winning by the ‘silliest of reasons’ according to Fieser.

With Fieser on second base, classmate Ashton Hitchcock laid down a sacrifice bunt, advancing Fieser to third. Sophomore Corissa Santos and senior Ally Berenter were then intentionally walked to load the bases in the bottom of the eighth inning. “I don’t know why they tried a force at home with the fastest runner on third,” Fieser said. “It’s silly to walk any of our batters.”

Fieser strolled across home plate as junior Claire Voris was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to win the game in extra innings. “It was a messy finish to a messy day,” Voris said.

Voris gave up a solo home run to Missouri Baptist freshman Jenna Bentlage with two outs recorded in the top of the second inning. Voris also struck out 10 as she picked up her 50th career victory.

Voris then made up for her mistake by doubling to lead off the fourth inning. Senior Carter Malouf advanced Voris to third base on a fielder’s choice before classmate Caitlyn Hoffman created Voris’ scoring opportunity. Hoffman popped up to left field, and an error by the Spartan’s catcher led to the tying run.

For the rest of the game, the teams battled rain, drying the ball after one or two pitches, and struggled to score another run due to strong pitching backed up with solid defense.

The Spartans had two potent opportunities to take the game from the Bears. The first arose in the seventh inning. A speedy Spartan tried to sneak by Malouf at home after another Spartan had singled. “Even if you’re on second with two outs, you’re always going home as hard as you can,” Malouf said. Cait [Hoffman] was ready. I was turning and yelling for it, and she was already throwing the ball.” Malouf tagged the sliding Spartan for the final out of the inning.

The second opportunity came in the eighth, with runners on second and third and just one out recorded. Voris struck out the Spartan batter and then induced a fly ball that was snagged by freshman Ashley Janssen. “You just got to stick in the moment, and just work slowly…pitch by pitch,” Voris said. “You don’t really think about who’s where.”

Prior to the game, the seniors were honored by their teammates. “[The underclassmen] really show that they love playing with us,” Fieser said. “That’s what’s important about senior day.”

In their four years, Fieser, Malouf, Hoffman and Hitchcock have captured three University Athletic Association titles and three NCAA tournament appearances, including a trip to the College World Series in 2007. “This team will miss a lot of those ‘Fabulous Four,’” Berenter said.

Berenter and Voris are competing against each other for the ‘Black and Blue Award.’ Amy Vukovich, who graduated in 2008, and Berenter held the record, being hit by the pitch six times in a single season. When Berenter was hit by Missouri Baptist pitcher Julie Kemp, she reclaimed her title. “We’ve still got some games left and I’m looking to beat it,” Berenter said. “That’s my one true goal I’ve set out this season.” Just two innings later, Voris was hit for the game-winning run, setting the new single-season record at seven.

The Bears face the Division II University of Missouri-St. Louis in a doubleheader on Saturday, May 1, before returning home on Sunday with a doubleheader against Fontbonne University at noon.