The Los Angeles Loyolan, Volume 92, Issue 44 - May 1, 2014

LOYOLAN 0 Get in touch with your wild side this summer by visiting a national park. Allison Croley adopted a primal diet and isn’t looking back. Page 9 EST. 1921 VOLUME 92 I ISSUE 44 Dean of students to leave LMU Linda McMurdock’s leadership in her 11 years at LMU leaves a lasting impact on the u n ivers ity. AN Swenson News Editor @aliswenson While many students may not be able to identify what role dean of students plays, Linda McMurdock, LMU’s dean of students of 9 years has left an enormous impact on their lives on campus. “For dean of students, you really are supposed to provide ... vision, leadership, programs, services, any kind of initiatives that intersect with со- curricular activities for students or programs, student support, retention and what we call quality assurance, so making sure that what we do meets best practice and is done well and is done in a way that assists the students,” McMurdock said. The dean of students position is “very complex and requires multiple skills and competencies,” according to University President David Burcham. It involves working with a wide variety of student programs and cocurricular activities as well as overseeing and working with academic and judicial affairs. McMurdock announced in March that she is moving on from LMU at the end of this semester, taking on a new position as vice president for student development at Marymount University in Virginia. As she prepares to leave LMU, the community See Dean of Students | Page 2 Caroline Burt | Loyolan Junior communication studies major Jasmine Pringle cuddled with a furry friend at Tuesday’s convo hour on Lawton Plaza. A play area full of dogs was on campus for Mane Entertainment's bi-annual event to help students cope with the stress of their final exams, projects and papers. More photos of the event can be found on Mane Entertainment's Facebook page. Puppies lend a paw to stressed students anticipating finals nationally Emilia Shelton | Loyolan LMU's debate team placed second out of 220 teams at a national debate championship in the third week of April, for the second year in a row. To read about the team’s performance and the members it will lose this year, read Asst. Opinion Editor Devin Feldman’s article, “Debate team places second in national tournament” on laloyolan.com. Business fraternity celebrates 55th year Delta Sigma Pi’s on-campus celebration will honor high- achieving business school seniors. Carly Barnhill & Kelsey Mangan Asst. News Editor & News Intern @carlybarnhill @kmaaaan_ Delta Sigma Pi, Loyola Marymount University’s co-ed business fraternity, celebrates their 55th anniversary tonight at 7 p.m. with a Birthday Bash in Malone 112. The guest list will consist of their current members, alumni and the fraternity advisor, Ralph Quinones, professor of business law and marketing. Delta Sigma Pi is structured upon the four pillars of “professionalism, community service, scholarship and brotherhood,” and the LMU chapter “offers driven men and women the opportunity for professional and career development, access to a large alumni and social network, undergraduate scholarships, faculty connections and much more,” according to the LMU College of Business Administration website. From the time that Delta Sigma Pi was founded at LMU in 1959, it has greatly evolvedas an organization while maintaining its commitment to servicing its members. Each year, Delta Sigma Pi members conduct mock interviews, attend various conferences and attend fraternity meetings. Each semester, the fraternity holds recruitment for new members to get involved. “With each new member, the qualifications for obtaining a bid gets competitive,” said sophomore management major and Vice President of Public Relations Jessica Lee. “That shows that our members are trained to be the best, both personally and professionally.” Lee added that all of the members of Delta Sigma Pi contribute something unique to the organization. “The fact that I have been able to encounter so many intelligent, motivated and driven young minds that all contribute something great to the same organization is the most rewarding part of my experience,” Lee said. Tonight’s event will include the presentation of the Delta Sigma Pi scholarship key, which is awarded to the two graduating seniors in the business school with the highest GPAs. One of the recipients will be senior marketing major Nadia Mokhtari. See DSP | Page 2