Welcome back, camels! The spring semester is off to a slower-than-usual start after snowfall canceled all classes on Monday, Jan. 26 as well as early morning classes on Tuesday, Jan. 27. Students took full advantage of the weather to sled with friends and enjoy the beauty of flurries blanketing the Connecticut College Campus.
The spring semester marks a time of change, and nowhere is that more evident than on our staff. Please join us in welcoming new News Editor Landen Ellsworth, Opinions Editor Tanvir Hasan, Sports Editor Josh Barzilai, Entertainment Editor Sarah Ludwigson, Layout Editor Mia Klewin, and Social Media Editor Bronwyn Kyle.
In spite of Mother Nature’s challenges, much has happened on and off campus following the official start of school just 4 short weeks ago. In Sports, Staff Writer Rowan Karaca features the Connecticut College Swim Team’s historic Jan 17. triumph over NESCAC rival Williams College, a tight victory boosting morale amongst Swim Team athletes. Sports Editor Ellis Iurilli-Hough paints a positive picture of Connecticut College’s upcoming spring sports season, drawing on broken school records, national player features, staffing changes, and strong winter results as evidence to predict wins across all Conn teams. In the recurring Camel of the Edition series, first-year guard Sofia Tavarez ‘29 is highlighted for her recent strong play by Co Editor-in-Chief Kevin Lieue. New Sports Editor Josh Barzilai provides a recap of Sunday’s Super Bowl where the Seattle Seahawks took down the New England Patriots.
In News, New Editor Landen Ellsworth covers the new federal student loan changes coming in 2026, which will have lasting impacts on higher education once taken into effect. Co Editors-in-Chief Kevin Lieue and Mia Penasa address the college’s response to the winter conditions that have already cancelled classes once this semester. Graduated Social Media Editor Sophie Mulvihill provides an inside look on the merger which took place last December between Coffee Closet and Coffee Grounds into the new Conn Coffee brand. Meanwhile, News Editor Theo Andres shares students’ thoughts on the student conduct process, with various disciplinary measures being questioned. Andres also recaps the most recent SGA forum, which highlights conversations of snow removal on campus and the highly anticipated upcoming housing lottery for the fall semester. The News Shorts article can be found in this section, which offers information on additional news pitches and events that our staff was unable to cover.
This edition’s Art section is nothing short of creative. Section Editor Nikeya Tankard explores the most recent featured exhibition at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum: “Photography and the Painted Image. Students can visit the exhibition until April 12, 2026. Andres covers the return of Cadenza Literary Magazine to Connecticut College, with the first publication planned to be digital. First-year Luke Weidner ‘29 highlights the fall semester arts events on campus, looking back at the performances of 1984 and Antigonick, the annual production of Rocky Horror, and the Dance Club’s performance titled “Soul Unfiltered.” Arts Section Editor Elaine Sandoval Carrasco contributes this publication’s featured artist in recurring “Artist of the Edition,” showcasing Senior Sierra Mayoral ‘26, a film studies and dance double major.
Opinion articles featured throughout this edition illuminate the sombering reality of the United States as well as its impacts on the College’s political culture. Staff Writer and Minnesota resident Maggie Salmen pens a heart-wrenching article on ICE presence in Minneapolis, describing how discrete ICE abductions, citizen solidarity, and the loss of bustle of day-to-day life have led to an “eery silence” across the city. On campus, Contributor Grace Schmidt discusses the highly controversial flyers advertising formation of a Connecticut College Chapter of Turning Point USA, a non-profit organization advocating for conservative politics co-founded by now-deceased right-wing advocate Charlie Kirk. Shifting towards a lighter note, Staff Writer Evan Young writes on fishing at Connecticut College and in the New London area, enthusiastically praising College-offered fishing courses taught by Women’s Soccer Coach Norm Riker.
In Entertainment, new Cruciverbalist Sarah Ludwigson provides a tricky crossword puzzle, and a comic from Sandoval Carrasco depicts their view on the recent snow storm.
As always, we are always looking for new contributors, writers, and layout editors, so if you would like to get involved please reach out to us at thecollegevoice@conncoll.edu!
Happy reading,
Kevin Lieue, Mia Penasa, Lilla Kate Tucker
Co-Editors in Chief and Managing Editor
