Hilbert Holds Graduate School Expo

Throughout the afternoon of Tuesday, November 12th in the Franciscan Hall Atrium, Hilbert College hosted its annual Graduate School Expo. Graduate admissions representatives from across the region gathered in the atrium to discuss their programs with Hilbert College’s students and alumni. Students and alumni entering the atrium were greeted by door prizes and free food, as well as graduate representatives from Hilbert to start off the expo. Students who attended the event were able to discuss many important points about the ten colleges and universities in the atrium, such as application deadlines, GPA requirements, entrance exams and personal statements.

The Scribe interviewed a number of representatives and other individuals at the expo, and they had some interesting things to say about their schools and experiences. Admissions representatives from ten schools including Hilbert all attended the expo to provide important information about their school’s programs. Some of these schools included Canisius College, Alfred University, Daemen College, Niagara University, and many more. The Scribe interviewed representatives Katie Martoche of Hilbert College, and Brandi Banks, the Senior Graduate Admissions Counselor at Canisius College. These representatives discussed some of the graduate programs offered at their respective schools, and the value these programs have to benefit students who have graduated from or are enrolled in an undergraduate program at Hilbert College.

The Scribe also interviewed one of Hilbert’s students for an alternative perspective on the Graduate Expo and the benefits it can have towards students and Alumni. Senior Brandon Zicari discussed with the scribe his take on how an event like the graduate expo can benefit students and alumni at Hilbert, and he also spoke on the importance of meeting these representatives face to face and gaining knowledge on the programs in person as opposed to just searching around on a school’s website for information on their programs.

All in all, an event like Hilbert’s annual Graduate Expo can be an incredibly useful tool for students and alumni here at Hilbert. If you plan on working through a graduate program in the future, perhaps this expo could be a big help in making a decision when it returns to Hilbert College next year.

Tea Leaf Cafe Continues to Impress

Tea Leaf Café, one of Buffalo’s favorite cafes, resides right here in Blasdell, just minutes from Hilbert College. Well known for their bubble tea with over 25 different flavors and endless possibilities, the Tea Leaf Café is a great place to study and get some work done while enjoying a delicious beverage.

The Scribe asked a customer at the Amherst location, what they think about Tea Leaf Café.

“I started coming here because my friend brought me to try a bubble tea; and now I’m hooked. We have a class together at ECC and started coming here to study and work on our homework. This is my favorite place to get work done when I’m tired of sitting at home doing it.” Kendall said. “My favorite drink is the strawberry bubble tea smoothie with the passion fruit boba.”

The dining area in the café has plenty of room to come in with a group of friends to just hang out or even have a study group. The café has a positive atmosphere with friendly staff that are extremely helpful with answering any questions you have about their menu.

They are open until 11 PM every day and 1AM on Fridays and Saturdays to accommodate your late night crave. They have two locations, one near the McKinley Mall in Blasdell and the other is in Amherst near the AMC theater.

Cure SMA Walk Raises $19,000

The Hilbert Senior Leadership Cohort 4 and Hilbert Helpers put together the biggest campus event, which was the Cure SMA, Walk and Roll on April 16th.

Approximately 200 people attended the event to raise awareness and money to find a cure for SMA. The senior leadership raised $19,000. 

The event consisted of several basket raffles, prize wheels, sensory table for kids, and two pharmaceutical companies for SMA in attendance. The event concluded with a walk; all 232 people walked three laps around campus to support the awareness to SMA. 

Bailey Walter, a student and participant, said she was proud to be part of the effort.

“I am extremely grateful for all the hard work that leadership cohort 4 and Hilbert helpers put in the last three months to make this event possible,” she said. “We have 200 attendees and raised $19,000 which I am currently still trying to wrap my head around. The event was amazing, and we all got to meet so many amazing families.” 

Lauryn Scott, a current Hilbert student, she was surprised by the large turn out.

“It was amazing how many people were in attendance of this event,” she said. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen an event on campus that has had this many people. The event taught me a lot of things about SMA because I did not know about this disease before”. 

The event was put together with the six leadership seniors: Jordan Salomone, Bailey Walter, Bryianna Williams, Hunter Holler, Curtis Krajewski, and Stephen Houghton. 

Women’s Basketball Win Playoff Game

The Hilbert Hawks Women’s Basketball team traveled to the 4th seeded Penn State Altoona Lions for the first round of the AMCC playoffs and came up with an upset by a score of 54-40.  

The Hawks dominated the game from the tip, scoring within the first 16 seconds of the game. They led by as much as 19 points in the 3rd quarter and Mackenzie Catan threw in seven three-point shots and finished with a game high 21 points.  

The total team defensive effort allowed the Hawks to grow and maintain the lead throughout the entirety of the game. “Although our offense was great our defense won us the game” says Champagne. 

 Other key contributors were Ashley Schroeder with 13 points and 5 assists, Chloe Champagne added another 5 assists, Alesia Hamm contributed 10 points and Monika Allen finished with 8 points and 10 rebounds in just 11 minutes.  

The Hawks led in nearly every statistical category, they shot a better percentage from field goal and beyond the arc. They also out rebounded the Lions by 12 and gathered 5 steals which led to more 2nd chance and fastbreak points. “We applied pressure the whole game… they were crying” Champagne adds. 

Hilbert Softball Bonds on South Carolina Trip

The Hilbert Hawks women’s softball team went on a trip to Myrtle Beach, North Carolina where They participated in a softball tournament, competing against seven[SJ1]  other college softball teams.  

Senior first basemen, Bailey Budziszewski said the team trip helped prepare them for the upcoming season this spring. 

“Practice is necessary and helps us improve, Budziszewski said. “Playing in games is much different than practicing in the gym among ourselves though it allowed us, specifically the coaches, to see what we can do. We can now have a better idea of our strengths and weaknesses individually and as a team.”

The 2023 Hawks will go into the season with two senior captains – Bailey Budziszewski and Victoria Lakeman – along with 23 other players. “The trip to Myrtle Beach created an opportunity for the players to build a stronger chemistry with each other.”

“We spent a lot of quality time together on and off the field,” senior captain Victoria Lakeman said. “We stayed in suites when we go to Myrtle Beach with about eight to 10 players per suite. We go grocery shopping together, make meals together and do various housekeeping tasks like washing our uniforms together. It was definitely a chance to get to know each other better and discover similarities among all of us.”

The Hawks will officially start their season  March 28, 2023, playing away at Elmira College at 3 pm. Individuals will be able to online stream the game through the Hilbert website.

Q&A: Dane Rose

Our economy is in a weird state currently that has prices everywhere rising. This includes prices on store shelves, as well as prices at the gas pump. To get a further insight into what is currently happening I interviewed someone who has seen and is being affected by it firsthand.

The man that I interviewed is known as Dane Rose and is currently the (Chief Operations Officer) of Witco Incorporated. His company owns and runs a convenient store, liquor store, gas station and is also trying to also get an escape room going. In my mind he was the perfect person to interview for more insight on the economy.

As your time of being a COO have you ever seen any major or slight changes in the economy?

“Through the end of Covid the market has definitely taken a turn. By that time things started to change a bit. People started to come out, but we also saw the start of price fluctuations and the start of inflation.”

Has inflation ever affected your business, or has it ever been an issue for you?

“Yea, it affected everything on a full scale. Every product made from caps made to put on plastic bottles that house something as simple as water or Pepsi. Anything made like that along the supply chain has been affected by a large amount. It’s been an incremental value at the cost standpoint that has been passed onto the customer and has created some of the inflation still seen today”

Have any of your other products been affected by inflation?

“Some of it’s been artificial inflation. There have been manufacturers who have taken advantage of a situation when they see a competitor move up. Consumers and distributors have taken advantage of that, even down to distribution on the level at the cost of diesel. Diesel has gone up a lot, over the course of the last two years and that’s something were minimum orders have gone up, minimum sur charges, minimum freight charges have definitely seen an incremental value.”

Have you seen some products’ prices change more over others, like gas compared to plastics?

“After the last election it was one thing you’ve definitely seen. Our gas prices… some unleaded and bio diesel both have definitely incrementally increased. It more than doubled in some stand points and it’s tough, especially for some people on a limited income basis. You have a set amount of money to spend and now you have to see them pick and choose what they can and cannot buy and where they can and cannot go, based on the cost of fuel. Some products are just monkey see monkey do where a competitor will see another take a raise, then they’re going to take a raise too.”

In the near or distant future how do you see market prices in the economy changing?

“Once people agree to pay a certain price for something, it never really goes back down. In our industry across our three markets that we deal with. We never really see price decreases. It’s only ever price increases. Once the consumers agree to pay, then that’s kind of what you’re stuck with. The manufacturer goes to the whole Saler, the whole Saler goes to the retailer, retailer to the consumer, and all across the board nobody wants to take a cut. That’s just one of the horrible things about inflation.”

Finally, do you have anything you could add personally about the state of our economy?

“Like I said it’s tough because once people agree to pay a price it never really changes. The only thing that ever really changes is more on a larger scale with interest rates. We saw a big increase in home buying over the last couple of years because interest rates were so low, we saw an increase in vehicle buying because interest rates were low and now those are all starting to rise. The people that go into a house like that and you’re paying a higher interest rate, it really affects your everyday dollar.”

McGrath Hosts March Midterm Madness

McGrath Library hosted March Midterm Madness, an event that offered students assistance and an opportunity to relax amid the stress of midterms early this month.

Many students came and enjoyed themselves. Some ate, some relaxed by talking with friends and playing with Lego blocks, and others learned more about the campus and upcoming events.

 “Today’s event is basically to give students the opportunity to connect with different departments and learn about what they do, as well as to promote some of the school’s upcoming obligations or events, such as registering for housing, registering for classes, registering for financial aid, making sure they understand the college infrastructure, and also to give students a nice welcome back from spring break with food, a therapy dog, and things like that,” said Alex Edward the economic success coordinator at Hilbert who helped prepare the event.

Cookies, cocoa, popcorn, and candy were available for free for students. The library provided a fun and relaxing environment for students to spend time with their friends and classmates. “Students should expect this every year, and I believe there was a similar event last year where students could enjoy the same activities as today”, said Edward.

The event covered a wide range of information to keep students up to date, but one event or program that students should look into, as promoted by the campus safety representative, was a self-defense class for both men and women.

This will be a scenario-based, dynamic training program. The course will address “interpersonal human aggression and the physiological and psychological effects of imminent danger,” according to the materials promoting this program for the month of April.

 Students should also be aware that the campus safety team is promoting an additional program in which students can receive 1st Aid, CPR, AED, and bleeding control training. If you are interested in any of these two programs, contact Bailie at jbailie@hilbert.edu if you require any additional information.

Edward said students had fun and were pleased with the event and some even went to see the therapy dog. The overall experience was positive.

“I thought the event was fantastic,” Mathew Domagala, a senior at Hilbert College majoring in forensic science, said. “They had a variety of stations set up where you could talk to people from various departments, get information, and ask questions about anything,”.

Wonderhouse Coffee Offers Impressive Menu

As the Great Northern Elevator is dismantled, another beacon of Buffalo culture seeks to emerge in its shadow.

Situated on Ganson Street in the city of Buffalo is a budding and promising coffee shop. Wonderhouse Coffee provides a unique coffee and breakfast experience that screams Buffalo cuisine. With Riverworks and the Buffalo River as its backdrop, Wonderhouse features a drive-thru and a plethora of menu options. Waffle inspired dishes line the menu, featuring desserts and breakfast sandwiches that incorporate the waffle as the focal point of the dish.

Upon entering, the guest is met with a pleasant aroma that smells like maple syrup, cinnamon, powdered-sugar and funnel cake. The atmosphere is rustic and homey, with apparel and other Buffalo themed goods lining the walls. Adequate seating provides an inviting dine-in atmosphere. Old container hulls reside out back, providing outdoor seating for those who wish to dine outside.

I ordered a black coffee, alongside a waffle dish termed the “Pioneer.” The coffee was bold and robust, with a perfect bean to water ratio. The Pioneer was truly an awe-inspiring dish with a decadent presentation. Warmed blueberries top two waffles and serve as a filling. Additionally, brie cheese is melted in the middle, resembling the texture and flavor of cream cheese. It’s topped off with a sprinkle of powdered-sugar. This dish truly melts in your mouth, and the ingredients surprisingly complement one another.

Wonderhouse is located 16 minutes away from the Hilbert campus and can be reached quickest by traveling along Route 5.

Its namesake truly evokes wonder, as their menu is diverse and off the beaten track. Featuring a rating of four and a half out of five stars on Yelp, Wonderhouse Coffee has truly left many Buffalonians and outsiders alike impressed with what the City of Good Neighbors has to offer. As for myself, I’d personally rate Wonderhouse 5/5 stars, with no complaints whatsoever.

Hilbert Hosts Fresh Check Day

At a time when college students nationwide are struggling with mental health, Hilbert College hosted a proactive, positive event to provide students with coping tools in an interactive environment. This event, commonly known as Fresh Check Day, included interactive booths, educational sessions, entertainment, refreshments, and prizes and took place on Tuesday, March 21st. Fresh Check Days are hosted at colleges across the country as an educational and interactive event to check-in with students.

Fresh Check Day is a signature program of the nonprofit Jordan Porco Foundation, which is based out of Hartford, Connecticut. Their website explains that this foundation was formed by Ernie and Marisa Porco in 2011 after they lost their son, Jordan, to suicide when he was only a freshman in college. Since then, Fresh Check has been implemented at 175 colleges and universities in 42 states.

In their mission statement, the Jordan Porco Foundation says the mission of Fresh Check Day is to “prevent suicide, promote mental health, and create a message of hope for young adults. We provide engaging and uplifting programming emphasizing peer-to-peer messaging promoting help seeking behavior, self-care, and coping skills”.

By participating in many different interactive activities, students were reminded that they are not alone and that their mental health is just as important as their physical health or academic standing. Students participated in balloon art and punch paining through WAHI Studio, and other activities including raffles, photo booths, self-reflective games, and a giant ball pit.

Kristine Twoguns, a senior at Hilbert College, worked and attended Fresh Check Day last year and is very eager to attend again this year. “This event is a great way to come together and celebrate life. After Covid, mental health challenges have increased dramatically, and having Fresh Check Day implemented may help relieve the stress and insecurities of many students”.

Fresh Check Day helped encourage dialogue about mental health and build a bridge between students and mental health resources that are available on campus, in the community, and nationally.

The day was full of smiles and laughter. Grace Adams, head of Hilbert Res Life, says Fresh Check Day was a great success. “Attendance nearly doubled compared to last year, and there were a lot more student volunteers helping to set up this event”. Grace also says that the free food could have had an influence on attendance, so more food trucks could be a possibility for next year’s Fresh Check Day.

Fresh Check Day was a great way to spread awareness and let students be open with themselves. It is important for students to know what kind of resources are available to them, so if you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text the Crisis Text Line at 741741.

Hilbert to Host International Students Celebration

Hilbert will host a celebration of its international students and their cultures Tuesday afternoon in Franciscan Hall.

The event, which runs from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., will include salsa dancing, polish food and henna art.

Kera Bush-Turner, Hilbert’s international student coordinator, said she hopes the event will boost the visibility of international students on campus and teach students about one another’s traditions.

“Our goal for this event is to have the entire Hilbert community learn more about our international diversity and how they can leave their mark on the world,” Bush-Turner said.

The scheduled events are:

  • Salsa dancing with award-winning dance teacher Fanny Olaya, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Tabling by international students, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Henna art from Lori Henna Studio, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Polish Cuisine from the Wanderer Hut food truck, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.