Although majoring in painting, “super senior” Glenn Paskiewicz has passion for more than just the arts but a passion to master whatever challenge may come his way.

Being inspired at a young age by his grandmother, Paskiewicz does not recall a time where he was yelled at for drawing in class.

Whether it is in his dorm room, outside in the woods, or with friends, Paskiewicz’s has had a passion for the arts longer than he could remember.

Although Southern does not offer drawing as a major, it did not take long before Paskiewicz was able to find a new passion for painting and eventually deciding to pursue a major in painting.

“I actually came here to be an art education major, and I was going to teach whatever and sort of go off that,” he said, “but as soon as I got into the art programs more, the teaching wasn’t so much the importance to me. I liked the idea of teaching at a college level and to do that you just need to become a painter and with the encouragement from my painting teachers I decided to switch to painting.”

When asked about other artist who inspired him, it only took seconds before Paskiewicz mentioned that it is his fellow classmates that are a real inspiration to his work and his passion.

Always looking to one-up his previous works, friendly competition comes a long way in the art world for Paskiewicz.

“Looking around at my classmates, I always have to make sure that I keep up with the top and always try to do the best that I can,” he said.

Also inspired by many contemporary and observational artists like Jacob Collins and Alyssa Monks help Paskiewicz have a solid foundation in what he wants to be as an artist in the future.

With this being his last semester at SCSU, Paskiewicz already has a vision for teaching and creating a community art program to be able to teach anyone who has a passion or interest in the arts.

Matt Fitch, a senior studio art major, supports his friend and enjoys seeing the new creations Paskiewicz makes.

“I love the stuff that he does; it’s kind of dark and more with creatures and masked figures,” Fitch said. “I can’t really say how his style developed but I do see an improvement in the effort he puts into his work with the detail. We talk a lot and bounce back ideas between each other all the time, whether it’s my work or his work. We throw out ideas.”

Imagination and observational skills are aspects that Paskiewicz shows through his painting and different art works, according to Southern art professor Wiley Carr.

“Glenn is a great student and I think he is a teacher himself,” Carr said. “I know he’s in a situation where he does everything from camp counseling but also one of the student organizations that he’s involved in. He is willing to take information, reform it and re-share it and that by definition for a lot of people is the best part of teaching and the best part of him.”

With only a few months left before graduating from Southern, Paskiewicz looks ahead to his senior showcase.

Already having more than a dozen paintings completed, his motivation to better his artwork will always be strong.

Having had enough of the heckling from the students at Southern Connecticut State University, comedian T.J. Miller kicked over his microphone stand, knocked over the stool beside him and dumped the contents of his water bottle onto his own head.

The room around him exploded with laughter, as it had throughout the night.

Miller, a George Washington University graduate, has starred in such films as “She’s Out of My League,” “Cloverfield” and “Get Him to the Greek.” He and fellow comedian Nick Vatterott performed in front of packed Lyman Center crowd this past Wednesday in Southern’s “Laugh Out Loud Comedy Night.”

“You do what you’re both best at,” Miller said, of being a stand-up comedian, “and what you also believe in and think is important work to do. And we both think that making stupid faces and noises, you know, is pretty important work.”

Vatterott opened for Miller, who he joked that he’s been working with for “about 40 years now.” His crowd-pleasing routine included a bit about a long text conversation he had with someone who had the wrong number and another regarding making funny accents when ordering food.

Prior to the show, Vatterott spoke about performing at college venues.

“Originally I was like, ‘man! Colleges are awesome!’ And then I was like, ‘Oh, they’re not all awesome.’ You know, they vary just like people vary. Some alternative shows are good and bad, some clubs are good and bad, some colleges are good and bad.”

Miller eventually took Vatterott’s place in front of the microphone, and began his set by immediately poking fun at the university’s name and logo.

As the show continued, a few of his bits were derailed by audience members who yelled out things at him.

However, in true improv form, Miller stopped his routine and spoke back to the would-be hecklers.

He then constructed jokes on the fly that pertained to them specifically, many of which were likely highlights of the night based on how the crowd reacted.

“I like how he recovered from all the stupid stuff that was going on around him and was still was able to pull it out and make it funny, even though everyone was pissing him off,” Southern student Jennifer Saksa said.

Miller told jokes about taking goofy pictures at the DMV and also about his one time getting arrested.

He also did an array of impressions, including a man who tells deep secrets when he belches, a man who can’t come to grips with the fact that his wife is a zombie and a girl who has an orgasm whenever she finishes tying a scrunchie.

Though his prepared material roused plenty of laughter from the crowd, Miller often got off track because of a few disruptive students. It eventually became too much for the comedian, who to the surprise of all knocked over everything on stage and doused himself with water, eliciting the biggest crowd reaction of the night. He ended his set about 15 minutes later, to a round of applause.

Miller will have upcoming roles in feature film “Seeking a Friend for the End of the World” and also in a stop-motion R-rated movie called “Hell & Back,” with Nick Swardsen. He also plans to do more work with Vatterott.

“We’re doing a really groundbreakingly terrible TV show for Comedy Central called ‘Mash-Up,’ ” Miller said, “which [Swardon] is the head writer and I’m gonna be hosting.”

Despite the routine likely not going how Miller planned, the comedian returned to the lobby to sign autographs and take pictures following the show.

“I’m a regular guy just like everybody else,” Miller, who also starred in the film “Yogi Bear,” said. “I’m just better in talking-bear comedies than you are.”

The spring semester not only brings a new workload and busy class schedules but also issues of homosexuality, abortion, rape, child abuse and suicide–in the school play, that is.

The Southern Connecticut State University theater department is doing their own rendition of the risqué 18 century German play “Spring Awakening.”

While most students are socializing in the student center or strolling around campus, the cast of the musical said that they are using six weeks to prepare for a show that they hope draws a large, youthful crowd. Larry Nye, director and choreographer, was the first to get rights to perform “Spring Awakening” in Connecticut.

Nye chooses each play that the university puts on: plays that are family oriented, plays that deal with romance, plays that deal with fame and now a play that touches upon controversial youth.

“Spring Awakening” is a musical that exploits the common complications of troubled teenagers such as rape, abortion and rebellion.

After being banned in Germany for 70 years after it came out for its explicit content, the play was first performed in the U.S. in New York City in 1917 and several times after that.

Sophomore Brandon Mauro, who plays Hanschen, said the genre of music is modern alternative rock, which is part of the reason it will draw a younger crowd.

“I think ‘Spring Awakening’ is appealing to the audience we’re trying to reach [the students of Southern and kids our age] because of the content,” he said.

Larry Nye said he has been involved with theater his whole life and has been at Southern for eight years now.

He has choreographed everything from cheerleading routines and pageants to a different genres of plays and musicals.

Southern has touched on many of these genres, as it shifts from family-friendly plays such as “Bye Bye Birdie” to the explicit “Spring Awakening.” The cast is expecting a good turnout because of the relatable content; the play includes things that teens and young adults face every day. This isn’t expected to be a play that parents take their children to, Nye said.

“It’s something for the youth. I’m looking to bring in the youth,” he answered when asked what type of crowd would fill the audience.

The modern, popular music and racy content in the musical strikes interest in a wide, youth demographic because they’re going through it or know someone who is.

Melchior and Wendla are two characters in the play that engage in sexual activity. Melchior, performed by Paul Falzone, will have his pants down during the scene and exposing his backside. Wendla, played by Sarah Nicastro, will be exposing her breast. Both performers will recreate the infamous sex scene in a hayloft between Wendla and Melchior.

“Anyone that comes will be able to find a character to connect with and give them a sense of sexual awareness,” said Georgia Russell, a sophomore at Southern who has been involved with theater since she was seven years old.

Nye and the cast said that the theater department at Southern is an outlet for those who may not necessarily want to pursue theater as a major but who still have a strong passion for performance. The show is taking place at the Lyman Center on March 2, 3, 8, 9, and 10 at 8 p.m. and also at 2 p.m. on March 4, 10, and 11.

The Northeast 10’s Fall 2011 Commissioner’s Honor Roll has been announced with 178 student-athletes from Southern Connecticut State University making the list. The Honor Roll, which recognizes the best student-athletes in the 16-team conference, is comprised of nearly 3,000 outstanding students from throughout the NE-10.

“They truly represent the definition of a student-athlete,” Patricia Nicol, Athletic Director at Southern said of the Owls who made the list. “They treat their academics with the same intensity as they face their athletics. That number represents just about half of our entire student athlete population, so we’re very, very proud of them.”

Academics take priority for student-athletes at Southern from day one, according to Nicol. When recruiting, Nicol noted, “We emphasize why they are at Southern and that is to obtain their degrees first and foremost.”

Among the students honored are six athletes who posted a grade point average of 4.0 for the Fall 2011 semester. This includes Jackie Fede, graduate student and goalkeeper for the women’s soccer team.

“She’s just a very intrinsically-motivated high-achiever,” said Adam Cohen, head coach of women’s soccer. “And she is somebody that her personality comes out as both an athlete and a student, and that’s why she’s able to excel in both arenas.”

Cohen said that encouraging his athletes to do well in the classroom is a priority for his coaching staff. He said that they give their athletes support from day one and have expectations for them when it comes to performing academically.

Also on the list of student-athletes who earned a 4.0 are sophomore Amanda Acand, senior Ashley Bell and junior Jaclyn Sullivan, all members of the Women’s Track & Field team.

“They’re great kids,” head coach John Wallin said. “They work very hard, and they’re professional. I think it has a lot to do with maturity and pride. They have a lot of pride and they’re very mature young ladies, so that certainly helps.”

Kristin Whitley, a junior, plays infield for the softball team while also working on a nursing degree. She too posted a 4.0 and credited her ability to juggle both academics and her play on the field to careful planning and being prepared for everything a few weeks in advance. She credited her great work ethic in the classroom to, of all things, athletics.

“[Athletics], I think, gave me the mentality to try to work and be better than those around me,” Whitley said. “Just the competitiveness that it gave me made me want to work hard to achieve higher than other people.”

The Commissioner’s Honor Roll list is comprised of more than half of the student-athletes in the NE- 10, with Bentley University leading the way with 320 honorees. The minimum to make the list was a grade point average of 3.0. For Southern A.D. Nicol, this represents another stellar year in her position at forefront of Southern athletics. Nicol, who is in her 13th year as Athletic Director, was nominated in 2010 for the Division II Athletic Director of the Year.

“We try to put the resources in place to really give our student-athletes every chance,” Nicol said. “We work very closely with our campus resources; we try to collaborate with them. So it’s really a team effort for our student-athletes.”

Harris has been an important piece of the mens basketball program’s turnaround.

PAT LONGOBARDI — Sports Writer

Chris Harris has always had that positive attitude on his side to back him up.

The Owls’ senior point guard from Brooklyn, N.Y. was named captain prior to the 2011-12 season, and has made his presence felt by coming off of the bench and helping to improve the program.

Harris said he didn’t expect to be named the captain this season.

“It was an honor because of how much I invested, personally, into basketball,” he said. “We were 4-50 in the first two years, and it turned around so quickly. I have respect for the coaching staff. What they’ve done in 18 months was unexpected and very hard. [Head coach Michael Donnelly’s] system fits, and his up-and-down-style game.

Harris said he has embraced his role as mentor to the younger members of the team.

“I love my teammates like my brothers. They have an amazing amount of potential. By their junior year, they are going to be special and take that leap to the top of the conference and be feared and respected.”

Last season, Donnelly said he had no captain because he wanted to wait and see who could establish themselves. Donnelly said Harris has been the spokesperson the team can rely on, which has played a big role in the decision to give him the captain role.

Harris has had to adjust this season to the emergence of the three freshman guards—Kyle Callanan, Luke Houston and Tylon Smith. ALl three were given the opportunity to start in the beginning of the season continue playing significant minutes.

Donnelly said Harris has been very positive and excited to be around a new change into a possible winning program as the Owls are looking to make the first round of the Northeast-10 Conference tournament this week.

“Chris is a great guy,” Donnelly said. “He is easy to talk to and easy to get along with. He has a bright future. He knows the league and players to be successful. It could pay dividends to have a senior to rely on. We expect him to play a big role for us. It was a lot of work to change the culture. We met with each to see if it (program) was a good fit for both. He was on board from day one. He was vocal about it and never questioned it.

“He started in a lot of games in his career. What kid does not want to start in their senior year? He has been a big help with the freshmen. They like Chris a lot personally. He has been very helpful on the bench. It is a tough decision. I am grateful.”

As of Feb. 14, Harris has played in 18 games this season, starting in two. Harris is also averaging 2.1 points and 9.5 minutes per game. He led the Owls in assists the last three seasons and played in 75 games in his first three seasons. Harris attended Boys and Girls Club High School who was ranked in the USA Today and ESPN Top 25, and he also served as team captain as well.

“Chris is a great kid,” assistant coach Mike Makubika said. “He has a lot of energy. He is a hard worker, resilient and loyal. He is defensive-minded on the full court. He is like a water bug, he is full of energy. He has been a spark plug off of the bench. Chris has great character. He was helped with recruiting. He has hosted guys and their parents and showed them around campus. He was willing to host those competing for playing time.”

Harris said when he was being recruited that Southern was his choice because they offered him a starting role right away. Things did not turn out like he would have liked as the Owls were 4-50 in his first two years.

When Donnelly came to Southern, he helped changed things immediately with one of the best single season turnarounds in the country. The Owls had a 12-15 record, and 9-13 in the Northeast-10 Conference before appearing in the conference tournament for the first time since the 2001 season.

“[Making the tournament] was great for the program,” Harris said. “Kieran [Ramsey] and I invested so much. It made people look at us around campus and the community and respect the players. The program is way better. They are great, selfless guys. [the coaching staff] brought in great players.”

Donnelly said his favorite moment of Harris was when he received a last-minute start the night before the opening game of the 2010-11 season against Chestnut Hill.

“He did exceptionally well,” he said. We had a great start [to the season] and Chris played a major role in that.

“He has great speed, with or without the ball. He pushes up the floor in transition. We are a transition team. He is best on the defensive side of the ball. He has helped during the year and he will continue to help. He picks up full court like no one else.”

Harris has also coached in basketball camps over the years, and he will continue coaching with AAU basketball. Harris is a sports management major and he said that he will look for his dream job of being some kind of coach at the collegiate level

“Chris is a people person,” Donnelly said. “I can see him as mentoring or in a coach role. He gets along with everybody. He has a lot to offer to people. He knows how to relate to people.”

Ramsey, SCSU senior forward, said Harris always left his passion on the court and that will help lead him in the future.

“We came in both as a freshman,” he said. “We bonded immediately as the only freshman. He loved basketball. Chris is very local and he is a great player and he loves to play defense. I love playing with him. He has stayed positive (this season). You know that when his number is called, he gives all he’s got. He is all about the team. As a captain, he gives 110 percent. He has great character which has made him a winner on and off of the court.”

There might be people out there who say they do not enjoy watching the NBA.

But you must be joking if you are a sports fan and not watching after what has transpired over the past two weeks.

Jeremy Lin is doing exactly what any professional athlete should.—grab your opportunity with a lot of heart, show off your skills and let the rest fall into place.

There is no way to describe it but “LINSANITY.” I hope people are taking this in because it really does not happen every day.

About two-and-a-half weeks ago, the New York Knicks were sinking themselves quickly. They were losing game after game against the better teams Knicks fans have been dreaming of going up against.

When the Knicks’ run first started, the Harvard graduate was almost cut. Lin burst onto the scene against the Nets as a last resort off of the bench. With his offensive performance and speed, he showed he did deserve at least another night to play.

After lighting up the Lakers for 38 points during a prime time game on national television, we all began to buy into a different Knicks team. This was not the team that would crush a game with turnovers and bad shots just a week prior. Lin earned the confidence of the Knicks with their winning streak and the entire roster has been determined to not let MSG down.

With all-stars Amar’e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony slotting back into the lineup, Lin has saved head coach Mike D’Antoni’s job for a little while longer—and maybe a lot longer if this thing continues into the playoffs. Here comes the famous D’Antoni offense everybody has been waiting for.

For those that like a good sports story, here it is on an extra-large silver platter. We might not know yet if this run is a long-term solution. We do not know entirely if Lin is the next Steve Nash in D’Antoni’s system. We do not know if the starting lineup can now compete with the best in the Eastern Conference like the Heat, Bulls and Celtics.

What we do know is that nobody should have one negative thing to say about the kid who has become an international star faster than it takes to make an auto-tuned song. A player like Lin is what every sport might need. With the first half of the season coming to an end, it is hard to dispute that for the second year in a row, the Knicks will be the team to watch this time around as “LINSANITY” tears through the NBA.

With all the success the New York sports world has been having this year, the question has been circulating about who is the best athlete in New York. Jeremy Lin is not—I repeat—NOT on this list. Just because he had 10 great games doesn’t mean he is a top athlete in New York, at least not yet.

5. John Tavares

This guy is a stud, flat out. I know this pick might be biased, but watching this kid every game since his rookie year, he has gone from good to great. He is definitely the best skater in not only the New York area, but he is the most talented player in the Atlantic Division not named Crosby or Malkin. He is on pace for over 80 points and has gotten better ever season, playing alongside a mediocre supporting cast.

4. Carmelo Anthony

Linsanity this, Stoudemire that, I don’t care what anybody says, Melo is the best player on the Knicks hands down. This guy night in and night out is a threat to score 40 points. He has the ability to take over a game on the offensive side of the ball and carry the team on his back. This season has gotten off to a slow start and he is coming back from an injury, but expect him to have a huge second half.

3. Robinson Cano

With all the talent on the Yankees roster, there has only been one consistent hitter—that is Robbie Cano. He is the best overall hitter in the MLB, he has the perfect swing and he can hit the ball to all fields. He plays flawless defense and has a rocket arm. He is easily the best player on the most talented team in New York.

2. Henrik Lundquist

King Henrik, as the Rangers fan call him, has always been a top-three goalie in the NHL since he came into the league. This season he has been lights-out, posting .941 save percentage, 1.77 GAA and a league-leading seven shutouts. He is the lone reason the Rangers are in first place in the Eastern Conference.

1. Eli Manning

What else could be said? He is a two-time Super Bowl winner in the most popular sport and the media capital of the world. He is ‘elite’ and he is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. He led the Giants to the Super Bowl after his two favorite targets didn’t return and the Giants also had the worst running game in the NFL. He was the reason why they won the Super Bowl. Therefore he is the “King of New York.”

Since arriving to campus, Stenson Jean- Baptiste has had a presence on relay teams over the years and has played a big role in each.

This season, Jean-Baptiste is a piece of two relay teams on the Southern men’s indoor track and field.

Jean-Baptiste is one of three senior captains chosen for this 2011-12 track and field season along with fellow seniors Nick Fedor and Joseph Poulsen.

Southern is currently No. 9 nationally in Division II. Two of their highlights have been the distance medley relay and the 4×400 relay teams.

The Owls moved up three spots last week to No.12 after a fourth-place finish at the Metropolitan Championships on Jan. 24.

Jean-Baptiste went to Stratford High School where he also played football and basketball. He has been a part of relay teams since he started at Southern.

Last season, Jean-Baptiste was an All-American and was tabbed All-New England in the 4×400 relay and 400 meters (indoors). He holds All-Region selection honors in the 4×400 relay (indoor and outdoor), 400 meters and 4×100 relay (outdoor), and a conference championship in the 4×100 (outdoors).

SCSU men’s track and field head coach, John Wallin, said picking the captains was not a hard choice.

“[Jean-Baptiste] is an All-American and has accomplished a lot,” Wallin said. “He is a veteran of the 4×400 team. Nick [Fedor] is one of the best throwers. He is a senior leader. He is a great guy to be around. Joe [Poulsen] is a captain anyway because he has been here the longest. He is a great guy. They have showed great leadership and it was an easy selection.”

Jean-Baptiste is currently a part of two 4×400 teams that might have an opportunity at a national championship.

“It was a responsibility on me to keep performing the same way I have been performing,” Jean-Baptiste said. “They see some leadership in me and in my work ethic. I hope to continue to be a leader for the team.”

The first team also includes Fred Boateng, Thomas Phommalinh and Twayne Forth; together, they holds the 12th-best time in the nation at 3:17.24 from the Metropolitan Championships.

A second relay team, ranked sixth in the nation with a time of 3:15.91 from the 2012 Great Dane Classic, also includes Selasi Lumax, Forth and Logan Sharpe .

As the indoor season enters the championship portion of the schedule, Wallin said this is the point when he has wanted to show off some of the talent to some of the top schools in the country.

“[The 4x400 team] did pretty good at the Metropolitan Championships and at the Great Dane,” Wallin said. “I see that they know what’s up and how to win in meets and to run fast.”

Jean-Baptiste said there is always room for improvements going forward toward the end of the indoor season.

“I think I am doing pretty well,” Jean-Baptiste said. “I am mentally prepared but I think I am capable of much more. So far, I think I am at a good point. Our performances [in the 4x400] have been going good. We all know we want to win a national championship. We need to put that in mind to have mental preparation and do what we have to do to compete with that on the road to nationals.”

The Owls will now turn to the Northeast-10 Conference Championships in Boston, Mass. on Feb. 18 and will look to record their 19th consecutive conference championship—their 10th straight indoor title

Jessica Kiback embracing assistant coach Linda Mullin during pre-match ceremony.

SEAN MEENAGHAN — Photo Editor

After a close loss to rival Yale University the day before, the Southern Owls bounced back to beat Springfield College and West Chester University in a three-team meet during their home opener

The Owls got off to a shaky start on vault but junior Rebecca Brady finished strong, scoring with a 9.75 in her first heat and a 9.80 in her second which ranked first overall.

Brady said she strives off of competing.

“When you compete your adrenaline is going,” Brady said. “I’ve been working on sticking my landings a lot which I’ve done in a previous meet and it was just great.”

Brady said she looked to improve from her meet at Yale the day before.

“My landings yesterday weren’t that good,” Brady said, “I landed low with my chest down so that’s a huge deduction and today I definitely improved and stuck my landing which minimized deductions. And that’s what you got to do.”

Brady said even with the win the team will still look to be better for the next meet.

“We won but we had a lot of mistakes,” Brady said. “The scores were low and we just need to improve on every event; there is always room for improvement and get a better team score.”

Head Coach Jerry Nelson said he wanted the girls to come out strong.

“It was about performing to the best of their capabilities, minimizing deductions and maximizing their start values,” Nelson said. “They did a nice job today and its senior day. A lot of motivation came from within today and that always makes it fun.”

Mallory Miller had the top mark on the beam.

While competing on the balance beam, the Owls were able to stretch their lead with the help from Senior Mallory Miller, who scored first overall with a score of 9.675

Miller said teamwork helped her score well on the balance beam.

“I really needed to work on my confidence and I think I did that today,” Miller said. “I had help from my coaches and all my teammates. They were definitely supporting me. Once I got my confidence everything went really well.”

Miller said she saw some flaws from the meet the day before that she wanted to improve on.

“There were a couple skills I had trouble with and I wanted to make sure I had my head set straight,” Miller said, “and focus on straightening those up and it worked out.”

Miller said she wants to keep the momentum from this win.

“I think as long as myself and my team keeps the confidence and the skills we know we have then we’ll definitely be good and make it to nationals.”

After scoring almost two points higher then the competition, Nelson said he enjoyed having the team finish with their floor exercises.

“Finishing on floor is always fun because its one of our strongest events,” Nelson said, “and having the senior parents sitting near the sideline, just the feeling in the air, we had a great crowd especially for a four day weekend. It made everyone feel really good and really strong.”

Nelson said he is looking toward the next meets on their schedule.

“We have four more competitions left,” Nelson said. “We’re going to have ECAC Championships right here and were going to take this win and keep on moving forward and building best we can.”