The Los Angeles Loyolan, Volume 92, Issue 43 - April 28, 2014

LOYOLAN Life»- Arts Editor Chelsea Chenelle examines media portrayals of rape. Page 11 LM U coaches take the spotlight. See who's leading each team of Lions. Page 14-15 EST. 1921 VOLUME 92 I ISSUE 43 Students dance reFLEXIVEly Talia Baugnon | loyolan Nine student pieces were shown at this weekend's "reFLEXIVE," the final dance show of the year. One of the pieces, "Refugium," featured sophomore dance and psychology double major Sarina Ramirez-Ortiz (above). For more on the show, turn to Page 10. Campus combats sexual assault The LMUCares campaign aims to localize national dialogue about on-campus sexual assault. Zaneta Pereira Editor in Chief @zanyzaneta As April - National Sexual Assault Awareness Month - draws to a close, the national conversation about sexual assault on university campuses, specifically about university policies in place to deal with such cases, continues to dominate the headlines. Last Wednesday, students at Brown University circulated a petition asking the school “to revise its sexual assault policies with more stringent penalties,” according to an April 24 Brown Daily Herald article. Earlier in the month, the Harvard Crimson reported that undergraduate students had “filed a complaint against Harvard with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, alleging that the College’s sexual assault policies violate Title IX” in their April 3 article “Undergraduates Challenge College’s Sexual Assault PoUcy Under Title IX.” See Assault | Page 4 Adams to serve as 2014 valedictorian The international student and screenwriting major will speak during Commencement. Amanda Lopez Asst. News Editor @amandalo_ Philippa Adams, a senior screenwriting major, is making history as the first international student to be selected as LMU’s valedictorian. She’s had quite a journey since coming from China to England and finally to LMU - and she’s eager to share that journey with the graduating class on May 10. Kevin Halladay-Glynn When Adams found Philippa Adams out she’d been chosen to be the Class of 2014 valedictorian, she was shocked. “But after the shock wore off,” she said, “it was more just extreme gratitude that I had been picked.” “Since I am not American and have come from so far away, LMU was kind of one big unexpected journey for me that I did not imagine," she continued. “So to be able to talk about what I have learned in front of all these people ... I just felt a lot of gratitude for the opportunity.” Adams was named valedictorian after undergoing a thorough selection process. All graduating seniors with a GPA of 3.7 or higher were invited to apply to be valedictorian through an email sent out earlier this semester. The pool of eligible students was asked to write a four-minute speech and complete an online application. From this group, seven finalists were chosen. Each read his or her speech to a committee of faculty, students and university administrators, who ultimately chose Adams as valedictorian. The news was announced to the University on April 24 at the Academic Awards Convocation. While Adams was stunned that she had been chosen this year, those closest to her were proud, but not the least bit surprised she had been selected. “I was so happy for Philippa when I heard that she was the 2014 valedictorian. She’s worked so hard here at LMU and truly deserves this honor,” said Adams’ roommate, junior biology major Katherine Wikholm. One of Adams’ screenwriting professors, Jeff Phillips, expressed his excitement for her. “A valedictorian is someone who excels beyond mere grades. It’s an award that speaks to a well-rounded person, someone whose success reflects upon not only herself, but the University at large,” he said. “That’s an apt description of Philippa. She strives to improve herself, get the most out of life and in the process makes the world a better place. I’m a better person for knowing her.” Chan Lu, Adams’ Chinese language professor agreed on why she makes for a standout valedictorian. “Her academic grades are good enough for this,” she explained. “I think she represents what an ideal student should be: She is always sincerely interested in learning. When she identifies issues that matter to her, she goes out to explore it and find answers to her questions. She is focused. She See Valedictorian | Page 2 Women’s water polo wins first GCC tourney Emma Spiekerman | Loyolan The women's water polo team won the inaugural Golden Coast Conference (GCC) tournament Saturday after three days of competition. This win could allow the Lions to earn a bid for the NCAA Tournament. For more on the win, turn to Page 13.