As the snow falls outside amidst the impending winter storm, we at “The College Voice” find ourselves reflecting on changes across campus. From the recent senior 100 days event to the incoming management transition of Blue Camel Cafe, the student body and campus makeup of Connecticut College fluctuates on a regular basis. Change is inevitable—and we as a community must choose which changes to embrace, and which to resist.
Indeed, campus has been abuzz with news of the closure of Lorelai Frantz’s Blue Camel Cafe, a beloved Connecticut College institution over the past 22 years. In an effort to provide the campus community with additional context, Editors-In-Chief Mia Penasa and Kevin Lieue write on rationale behind this decision, as well as discuss the shift with those directly involved. News Editor Theo Andres further covers the Black Student Union’s recent Journalism and Representation panel, delving into topics including person-first language, importance of diversity in the newsroom, and media literacy in the age of AI. TCV’s recurring News Briefs column touches on subjects such as lottery changes, Valentine’s Day, and Mock Trial achievements.
In Opinions, Staff Writer Madeline Motes profiles changes in teaching caused by AI and its impacts on professors at the College. Opinions Editor Tanvir Hasan provides their opinions on Bad Bunny’s recent Super Bowl halftime show full of imagery of the Americas and representation of his life in Puerto Rico.
Is Connecticut College lacking in visual arts spaces? Arts Editor Elaine Sandoval certainly believes so, probing into loss of community space to create, limited access to art studios and other makerspaces, and minimal display events as compared to Dance and Theater departments. Columnist Kendall Ziady publishes a double feature of the TCV’s very own Pop Culture Column—catching readers up on topics ranging from Heated Rivalry to Bad Bunny’s halftime show—while contributor Avery Selber ‘29 reviews their favorite albums of 2025.
In Sports, Sports Editor Josh Barzilai covers the men’s and women’s basketball teams recent NESCAC Championship quarterfinal games against Wesleyan and Amherst respectively. Sports Editor Ellis Iurilli-Hough profiles men’s ice hockey forward Will Lawrence ‘28 as Camel of the Edition. Iurilli-Hough also provides coverage of the illegal tampering of ski jumping uniforms, which has been at the forefront of public attention during the ongoing Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. As always, Southeast Scoreboard provides a look into how varsity sports teams currently in-season have performed against recent competition.
In Entertainment, Cruciverbalist Sarah Ludwigson provides not one but two crossword puzzles. One of these crossword puzzles is made in the shape of a heart and features eight word openings while the second puzzle features a lot more for those daring to tackle the challenge.
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 and Mia Penasa
Co-Editors in Chief
