The Miscellany News, one of the oldest collegiate weeklies in the country, has been the student newspaper of Vassar College since 1866. Produced by over 40 student volunteers, The Miscellany News sets Vassar’s standard for reporting, creative thinking, exemplary writing and journalistic excellence. The paper is distributed every Wednesday evening during the academic year, and thousands of our students, faculty members, administrators, staff, alumnae/i and Arlington readers flip through it over their morning coffee to stay up to date.
Although our staff already boasts over 40 reporters, columnists, photographers, multimedia correspondents, designers and editors, we welcome contributions from all members of the College community. Visit us in Main Building every Sunday night at 9 p.m. in the Rose Parlor for Paper Critique, or contact the Editor-in-Chief at [email protected] to get involved.
Executive Board
Editor-in-Chief
MACK LIEDERMAN
[email protected] or [email protected]
Mack Liederman ’20 is a political science major from Westfield, New Jersey. Despite the fact that he is still a meticulously slow reader, Mack is excited to serve the Misc as its Editor-in-Chief, after having spent one semester as Senior Editor and two semesters as the head of the Sports section. Mack has contributed over a dozen articles to the Misc, with his writing largely focused on the intersections of sports, politics and culture. He is excited to bring a fresh vision to the paper, putting an increased focus on creative writing voice and digital engagement. Outside the pages of print, you can catch Mack calling play-by-play for varsity athletic events, or simply cruising around campus on his Penny board.
Senior Editors
FRANKIE KNUCKLES
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Frankie is a junior English/philosophy double major. They can be found knitting, eating potatoes in their various forms and drinking coffee and tea at all hours. They also enjoy cheesy romantic comedies and songs with witty lyrics.
JESSICA MOSS
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Jessica ’21 is an International Studies major with a correlate in Russian Studies. She began her Misc journey during her first year at Vassar and served as Copy Editor before joining the News section. When she isn’t busy editing, she enjoys playing the piano, cappuccinos, long conversations and eating the Deece’s chocolate chip cookies.
Contributing Editors
LEAH CATES
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Leah Cates ’20, from Omaha, Nebraska, is a rising senior who is majoring in women’s studies with a correlate in creative writing, thereby rendering herself unemployable upon graduation. Prior to her tenure as Contributing Editor, Leah served as Editor-in-Chief, Senior Editor and Humor & Satire Editor of the Misc. Besides renouncing sleep on Tuesday nights for the Misc, she enjoys serving as Co-President of Generations, and she looks forward to being the Academic Intern for the women’s studies program next semester. She also likes to work out, but doesn’t get why you have to drop off your ID card at the AFC to be babysat by that plastic organizer, and wonders why more people don’t wander out ID-less.
Sasha Gopalakrishnan ’20 is an international student from Delhi, India. She is an International Studies major with a correlate in Women’s Studies and has been a part of the Misc since the fall of freshman year. She is also a part of Vassar Refugee Solidarity and South Asian Students’ Alliance, and she desperately tries to attend more than one meeting a year for VCTV, even as she flaunts it on her resume. You are most likely to catch her at Express, consuming copious amounts of coffee and wearing ~experimental~ earrings.
News
News Editors
OLIVIA WATSON
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Features
Editor
DUNCAN ARONSON
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Duncan Aronson ’21 is an education and political science major from Tokyo, Japan. Once the Features’ guest contributor, reporter and assistant editor, he is excited to step up to the plate as the section editor. He loves playing intramural sports, programming for the Japanese Association for Students, and rubbing his chin while tilting his head in skepticism.
Opinions
Editor
JONAS TROSTLE
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Jonas Trostle ’21 is a rising junior who is pursuing a major in economics with minors in math and Greek and Roman Studies. When he is back amongst civilization, Jonas serves as treasurer for Vassar’s Mock Trial team, as well as being the Opinions Editor for The Miscellany News. His writing focuses on the intersection of law and policy, and how simple decisions can have long-term and unforeseen consequences. When he’s not writing, he spends his time basking in the sun, caring for his potted plant (Andi) or listening to ’90s industrial rock.
Humor and Satire
Assistant Editor
Arts
Editor
ABBY TARWATER
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Abby Tarwater ’21 is an English major from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania who is also interested in history. When she’s not writing for the Misc, Abby can be found working in the Writing Center or dancing with Vass Shakers. She also enjoys long naps, tarot cards, reading and listening to records.
Assistant Editor
TAYLOR STEWART
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Taylor Stewart ’22 is a sophomore from Tokyo, Japan, who tells people she is an English major. She is also an Assistant Arts Editor for The Miscellany News. She believes Mort Garson’s “Plantasia,” an album recorded for the listening pleasure of plants, is one of the best records of all time. She likes drawing, but likes looking at (and writing about) others’ drawings far more. Inspirations include Italo Calvino, Chowder and Garo Magazine.
DEAN KOPITSKY
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Dean Kopitsky ’22 is a sophomore at Vassar, meaning he doesn’t know what he’s majoring in, but American Studies is what he tells concerned inquirers. At The Miscellany News, he finagled (favorite word) his way into a position as Assistant Arts Editor, and also occasionally writes for the Sports section. While he wants to pursue a career in journalism, his prospects are dim, as he only writes when “inspired.” Outside of school, he appreciates a good trail run followed by mowing down enough hash browns and chocolate chip waffles to sedate a calf.
Sports
Editor
TEDDY CHMYZ
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Teddy Chmyz ’21 is from Los Altos, California and is a reluctant Economics major. When he’s not fighting the long fight against Oxford commas he can be found throwing frisbees around at six in the morning or waiting for the Deece to refresh its cookie supply. Otherwise, he is likely hiding in his room, playing video games or watching his fantasy football team’s progress on eight tabs at once.
Design
Editor
LILLY TIPTON
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Lilly Tipton ’22 is a prospective Earth Science major from New Haven, CT. When she’s not fixing InDesign issues, she enjoys running, baking, hiking and religiously watching Grey’s Anatomy. At Vassar, she is also on the crew team.
Copy
Editor
LUCY LEONARD
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Online
Online Editor
Social Media Editor
NATALIE BOBER
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Photo Editor
YVETTE HU
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Yvette Hu ’22 is a prospective Media Studies major from Shanghai, China, who also loves world literature, art history, and psychology. When she’s not rushing across the campus to take photos for various events, she might be playing the piano in Skinner or singing along with the guitar and having long soothing conversations with her bestie. She is also passionate about writing and is currently involved in the ASC magazine Portrait.
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Managing Editor
ROBERT PINATARO
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Crossword Editor
EMILY FRANK
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