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College of DuPage's Student Newspaper

The Courier

College of DuPage's Student Newspaper

The Courier

Content by Alison Pfaff
COVID-19 Spikes Football, Other High-Risk Sports

COVID-19 Spikes Football, Other High-Risk Sports

Nicole Littlefield and Alison Pfaff July 31, 2020

In an effort to keep student-athletes safe, College of DuPage announced that there will be no contact sports in the fall 2020 season. Which leaves three sports remaining: cross country, golf and women’s...

Gallery: Messages of unity, change in Naperville

Gallery: Messages of unity, change in Naperville

Alison Pfaff, Special to the Courier June 9, 2020

Photo by Karla Villegas Pineda

It’s not goodbye, it’s see you later

Alison Pfaff, Managing Editor December 11, 2019

Out of any story with tons of sources, I have to admit this is probably the hardest story I have ever had to write. After almost two years on the Courier staff, this is my final article for a while....

Wings Gallery Showcases student work from Drawing II

Wings Gallery Showcases student work from Drawing II

Alison Pfaff, Managing Editor December 5, 2019

  “Tapestry,” the current work in the Wings Gallery is a collaboration of students in Drawing II, which mixes the world of drawing and public art. The exhibit, which runs until Dec. 6,...

Author Robin Stevenson speaks following Wheaton LGBTQ controversy

Alison Pfaff, Managing Editor November 28, 2019

As award-winning author Robin Stevenson stood on the stage addressing the audience at Glenbard West High School, she posed a question to the children in the audience. What is an activist? “Someone...

Macbeth runs from Nov. 14 through Nov. 24.Photos provided by the MAC

Tragic Macbeth a joy to perform for College Theatre

Alison Pfaff, Managing Editor November 20, 2019

Macbeth, a known Shakespeare tragedy, has proven to be a positive experience for cast members of the College Theatre production. Whether it is for the love of acting, or the passion for Shakespeare,...

College of DuPage kicking off our season of giving with the Up to S.N.O.W. good launch party from Tuesday, Nov. 5, in the Student Services Atrium. The event included an announcement of participating organizations, games and a selfie snow globe. Tuesday, November 5, 2019, in Glen Ellyn, Ill.  rPhotography by James C. Svehlar

“Up to S.N.O.W Good” helps community members in need

Alison Pfaff, Managing Editor November 13, 2019

College of DuPage has begun its annual winter giving campaign “Up to S.N.O.W Good.” “S.N.O.W,” which stands for serving the needs of others in winter, and began under this name in 2018, is...

Provided by LKPR Inc.

“The Chameleon” Game Review

Alison Pfaff, Managing Editor November 6, 2019

    “Blend in. Don’t get caught.” This tagline is basically the bulk of what “The Chameleon” game is about. This game is a fun, fast paced test of strategy and deception.  The...

The "Kongo Box" courtesy of Mie Kongo

Mie Kongo shares experiences as an artist

Alison Pfaff, Managing Editor October 30, 2019

Using materials such as repurposed wood, 3D printed structures, clay and found furniture, Mie Kongo creates whimsical art pieces. Kongo addressed art students and interested onlookers last week about...

Bonniejean Alford addresses the COD Board of Trustees

Adjunct Faculty promote “Campus Equity Week”

Alison Pfaff, Managing Editor October 30, 2019

As Bonniejean Alford, the vice president of the CODAA  addressed the board of trustees in support of Campus Equity Week, she presented the reality that adjunct faculty face. “One adjunct drove Uber...

Photo by Justin Barbin

Behind the Blue Man: Blue Man Group continues its legacy in Chicago

Alison Pfaff and Madison Venckus October 16, 2019

With no blue paint or Twinkies in sight, you may never guess cast members Jeff Quay  and Tom Galassi had just finished the final 90-minute Blue Man Group performance of the night. In just a matter...

Illustration by Jessica Tapia

New Mental Health Law gives specific guidelines for Illinois’ college counseling services

Alison Pfaff, Managing Editor October 9, 2019

The College of DuPage’s Counseling, Transfer and Advising Services will be making improvements to its support for students with mental health concerns in accordance with a new Illinois law. The legislation...

Eric Blackmon adresses an audience of students and professors in the William J. Bauer Mock Courtroom.


Photo by Alison Pfaff

Eric Blackmon Speaks to COD Students after 16 years of Wrongful Imprisonment

Alison Pfaff, Managing Editor September 25, 2019

Eric Blackmon’s life had barely started when he was wrongfully convicted of murder in 2004. Just 23 at the time of his conviction, Blackmon spent 16 years in prison for the murder of Tony Cox. Blackmon...

'Wilder Girls' is a refreshing change for YA

‘Wilder Girls’ is a refreshing change for YA

Alison Pfaff, Managing Editor September 19, 2019

"Wilder Girls," a debut novel by Rory Power, was unlike anything I’ve read in the Young Adult genre. It is a common theme in YA to have pretty typical tropes. Girl falls in love with some guy. Add some...

'Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup' Book Review

‘Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup’ Book Review

Alison Pfaff, Managing Editor September 11, 2019

In pursuit of becoming the next Steve Jobs, Elizabeth Holmes, a Stanford drop out, created a company in 2003, called Theranos. The company’s mission? To be able to take blood samples by only using...

Illustration by Jessica Tapia

Taylor Swift continues to shine with ‘Lover’

Alison Pfaff, Managing Editor September 4, 2019

Taylor Swift has added her seventh album to her life’s soundtrack with “Lover.” The pastel album art, with Swift sporting a glitter heart around her eye, gives a clear idea of what the album is about...

Courtesy of COD PTK

Steve Schroeder remembered for his “larger than life” personality and love of his students

Alison Pfaff, Managing Editor August 29, 2019

Remembered for his love of Disney, Phi Theta Kappa and theater, Steve Schroeder left a legacy at COD and beyond.  The Phi Theta Kappa adviser of 19 years, former forensics adviser and speech communication...

COD board, faculty agree to mediation on stalled contract

COD board, faculty agree to mediation on stalled contract

Alison Pfaff, Managing Editor August 15, 2019

Crowded around the Chappy Statue,  College of DuPage full-time faculty and community members pushed for progress on a new union contract Thursday night. Prior to a meeting of the college’s board of...

Photo Courtesy of Hannah Shaw

“Kitten Lady” Hannah Shaw to appear at Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville

Alison Pfaff, Managing Editor August 8, 2019

Hannah Shaw has over 954,000 followers on Instagram. Her claim to fame? Kittens. “Kitten Lady,” Shaw has been rescuing kittens for years, but her advocacy goes further than her decade of kitten...

Protests form in Naperville in response to gas station clerk's remarks captured on video

Protests form in Naperville in response to gas station clerk’s remarks captured on video

Alison Pfaff, Managing Editor July 20, 2019

On the corner of Bailey Road and Washington Street in Naperville, drivers and onlookers may have witnessed a group of protesters in front of the Mobil gas station on Thursday night. Protesters held...

Astronaut Buzz Aldrin on the moon 
- Wikimedia Commons/NASA

College of DuPage to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11

Alison Pfaff, Managing Editor July 15, 2019

Looking for a fun free activity this summer? COD will host a free event in the Jack H. Turner Conference Center (SRC 2000) to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 on July 20. Apollo 11 was a historic...

Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl performing at the Frida Kahlo Exhibition Announcement in Nov. 2018. They will also be performing at Frida Fest on Sept 8.
Photo by COD Newsroom Flickr

The MAC 2019-2020 program preview

Alison Pfaff, Managing Editor June 27, 2019

The McAnich Arts Center at the College of DuPage has released its schedule of events for the 2019-2020 year Thursday The jam-packed year has various types of entertainment, notably the lead up to the much...

COD Newsroom Flickr

COD’s Food Truck 5k to end after nine years

Alison Pfaff, Managing Editor June 26, 2019

College of DuPage officials have announced that the sun will set on the Annual Food Truck Rally and Sunset 5k on its ninth year.  College officials did not answer specific questions about why they...

Illustration by Jessica Tapia

Taylor Swift comes back in flying colors with “Me!” and “You Need To Calm Down”

Alison Pfaff, Managing Editor June 20, 2019

Gone are the days of snakes, receipts and reasons. Taylor Swift has made her colorful comeback from the Reputation Era. Following the success of “Reputation” released in 2017 and the successful “Reputation...

Illustration by Jessica Tapia

“Booksmart” is a refreshing take on the typical teen movie

Alison Pfaff, Managing Editor June 3, 2019

“Booksmart” may not have captured box office numbers, but it captured my nostalgic soul. Going into the theater I had high expectations for this movie. I heard it was ranked among some other recent...

#StopTheBans Rally in Downtown Naperville

#StopTheBans Rally in Downtown Naperville

Kimberly Wilson and Alison Pfaff May 28, 2019

“Who’s body? Our body! Who’s choice? Our choice!” Near Riverwalk Park in Downtown Naperville, a crowd of passionate individuals made their voices heard. According to abortion rights protester...

Diana Martinez at Second City

Diana Martinez continues success with the MAC

Alison Pfaff, Managing Editor May 22, 2019

In Diana Martinez’ career, she has worked with acts ranging from Jay Leno and Reba Macintyre to Michael Buble, before he was THE Michael Bublé. Despite all the success in her 31-year career of creating...

Cat Fight

Beauty Influencers: The Good, The Bad and the Petty

Alison Pfaff, Managing Editor May 22, 2019

I have been watching various YouTube influencers and channels for a long time. The idea of a real person giving their honest opinion about something without the use of a big team of producers and directors...

cod.edu

Interim President Brian Caputo speaks at Presidential Search Committee Open Forum

Alison Pfaff, Managing Editor May 21, 2019

After withdrawing as a candidate for the full-time position two weeks ago, Interim COD President Brian Caputo had little to say about re-submitting his name following a special plea from the board of trustees....

Ken Trzaska Speaks at Presidential Search Committee Forum

Alison Pfaff, Features Editor May 15, 2019

Ken Trzaska has had many accomplishments in his career in academics, and some of those tie back to his own days at College of DuPage. While he is currently the president of Seward County Community...

Ogel shows COD students how to create basic graffiti lettering.

Hip Hop Summit Graffiti workshop shows students artwork and culture

Alison Pfaff, Features Editor May 8, 2019

From tagging alleys in Chicago, to teaching COD students graffiti-style letters, artist “Ogel”, has been drawing graffiti since the 80’s. “I started out as a “garbage” graffiti writer...

Johnny Moore of W.V. speaks at COD President Open Forum

Johnny Moore of W.V. speaks at COD President Open Forum

Alison Pfaff, Features Editor May 8, 2019

The first candidate to make his pitch to become the College of DuPage’s new president featured a pledge to support at least one initiative that would ease fears many students have about going into debt...

Meggie Hernandez-Zayas

Students and community members speak out against Jeanne Ives at monthly board meeting

Alison Pfaff, Features Editor May 1, 2019

On April 25, The College of DuPage Board of Trustees regular monthly meeting students, community members and staff shared their concerns with the appointment of Jeanne Ives to COD’s presidential search...

Q and A with Jasmine Schuett, 2019-2020 Student Trustee

Q and A with Jasmine Schuett, 2019-2020 Student Trustee

Alison Pfaff, Features Editor May 1, 2019

  Q: What are your goals as the new Student Trustee? A: My goals [as] new student trustee is to be the bridge between the student body and the board and administration and to be able to bring...

Breaking News: Presidential Search Committee names finalists

Breaking News: Presidential Search Committee names finalists

Alison Pfaff, Features Editor April 29, 2019

Updated April 30, 2019: College of DuPage Board members have selected three finalists to become COD’s next president. They are Brian Caputo, the current interim president for the College of DuPage,...

“Sorry to Bother You” is an artistic commentary on capitalism and classism

“Sorry to Bother You” is an artistic commentary on capitalism and classism

Alison Pfaff, Features Editor April 25, 2019

“Sorry to Bother You,” 2018’s acclaimed directorial debut by Boots Riley, was a wild ride to say the least. The film is set in an alternate, dystopian version of Oakland, Calif. We follow our main...

From left to right: (front) Karla Villegas Pineda, Madison Venckus, Brooke Shapiro, Kimberly Wilson, (back) Brandon Beckwith, Jim Fuller and Alison Pfaff

The Courier takes home 24 ICCJA Awards

Alison Pfaff, Features Editor April 17, 2019

College of DuPage’s Courier student newspaper had a successful year at the Illinois Community College Journalism Association’s spring conference in Utica, Ill. Twenty-four awards were won by staff...

This graph illustrates the changes in tuition since 2010.

COD’s tuition increases by $1

Alison Pfaff, Features Editor April 13, 2019

College of DuPage’s Board of Trustees  voted to increase tuition by $1 per credit hour for the 2019-2020 school year. This increase was decided at the March 21 board meeting, marking the second...

Students practice the art of self branding.

[Photo] College of DuPage Offers New Social Media Studies Program

Madison Venckus, Contributer April 2, 2019

Students practice the art of self branding.

COD brings new life.. forms to its campus

COD brings new life.. forms to its campus

Alison Pfaff, Features Editor April 1, 2019

(SATIRE) With the decline of human students being enrolled at College of DuPage, the college is making efforts to fill in that gap. Extraterrestrial life forms were accepted as students to the college...

Desperate for a friend.

Desperate for a friend.

Amna Razi, Safa Ali and Poonam Rahman pose for a selfie with Hira Umer.

Girl Up joins list of clubs offered at COD

Alison Pfaff, Features Editor March 21, 2019

With the continuation of Women’s history month, a new club has emerged at COD.  Girl Up’s mission is to defend gender equality, as well as help adolescent girls in developing countries attend...

From Left to right Row 1: Amal Jarad, Hira Umer, Stephanie Quirk. Row 2: Safa Ali, Poonam Rahman, Amna Razi.

From Left to right Row 1: Amal Jarad, Hira Umer, Stephanie Quirk. Row 2: Safa Ali, Poonam Rahman, Amna Razi.

Emily Reiley, the secretary for COD's Girl Up chapter.

Emily Reiley, the secretary for COD's Girl Up chapter.

Panelists Amal Jarad, Kris Leonard, Hira Umer and Stephanie Quirk.

Panelists Amal Jarad, Kris Leonard, Hira Umer and Stephanie Quirk.

Captain Marvel premiered in theaters on March 8.

Higher, Faster, Stronger: Captain Marvel is a wild ride of 90s nostalgia… and cats

Alison Pfaff, Features Editor March 12, 2019

In a packed theater, I excitedly watched “Captain Marvel.” Released on March 8, it was perfectly timed for International Women’s Day. The film is an origin story about Carol Danvers ( played by Brie...

COD student Kevin Ashley

[Photo] Have we become too dependent on superficial sexual labels?

Joey Weslo, General Assignment Reporter March 30, 2019

COD student Kevin Ashley

Did former Trustee Deanne Mazzochi’s decision to hold off her resignation help smoothen the transition process, or did it increase polarization amongst the COD Board?

[Photo] Why wasn’t public input sought in COD Board of Trustees’ new appointment?

March 6, 2019

Did former Trustee Deanne Mazzochi’s decision to hold off her resignation help smoothen the transition process, or did it increase polarization amongst the COD Board?

Former astronaut Mark Kelly speaks at the College of DuPage, bringing audience members on a voyage, explaining how the lessons he’s learned throughout his life have shaped the leader he has become

[Photo] Astronaut Mark Kelly: The making of an American Senator?

February 20, 2019

Former astronaut Mark Kelly speaks at the College of DuPage, bringing audience members on a voyage, explaining how the lessons he’s learned throughout his life have shaped the leader he has become

Former astronaut Mark Kelly speaks at the College of DuPage, bringing audience members on a voyage, explaining how the lessons he’s learned throughout his life have shaped the leader he has become

[Photo] Astronaut Mark Kelly: The making of an American Senator?

Joey Weslo, General Assignment Reporter February 20, 2019

Kelly said the accomplishments in his career serve as testament to the power of perseverance and self-belief

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