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The rise and fall of the Nike Air Force 1’s

In 2016, I, like most other teenagers of the time, realized that the apparent key to fitting in — the so-called “missing piece” in the puzzle of adolescent chicness — was an unassuming white sneaker: Nike’s iconic Air Force 1. Once this registered, suddenly, they were everywhere I looked — at my school, at the local grocery store, stacked neatly in the cubbies where students had to store their shoes before my martial arts lessons. Sheepishly, I bought a pair for myself and vowed to never admit that there was a time prior to my ownership of them — and I certainly acted like it. 

Brandeis Strangers: New technology builds connection on campus

Is the Breezers Ball the best party in town?

The Russian Club talent show: A celebration of culture and heritage

On March 12 the Brandeis Russian Club and Russian Studies program performed their annual Student Talent Show as part of Brandeis’ Russian Language & Culture Week of 2025. The Student Talent Show is a tradition dating back to 2008 and all students are encouraged to participate, not just students in the Russian Club or Russian Studies Program. Before the celebrations began there was an acknowledgment of those affected by war and an explanation of the significance of International Women’s Day in post-soviet countries. International Women’s Day takes place on March 8 and after Russian women gained suffrage in 1917 the country adopted it as a national holiday. Later the date was also adopted by the United Nations in 1975. 

Brandeis' post-baccalaureate exhibition opens

On March 12, I attended the opening of the post-baccalaureate art exhibition in Dreitzer Gallery. This exhibition features four incredible artists. I was lucky enough to chat with them about their work to gain some inspiration and insight on their process and to ask them each about my favorite piece of theirs. 

The enchanting performance of "La Belle au Bois Dormant"

Withstanding rain, hail and wind, spectators stood before the National Opera of Paris, excitedly anticipating this season’s “La Belle au Bois Dormant” choreographed and directed by Rudolph Noureev. I had the fortunate opportunity to attend this spectacle with a group of other students on March 11. Among the neoclassical mise en scene, costume design and spectacular engaging lighting, dancers spun, twisted and leaped in petit pas pattering across the stage. A symphony to honor Tchaikovsky, led by the brilliant composer Vello Pähn, masterfully presented the Russian ballet that the audience awarded a standing ovation.

Brandeis Celebrates Diverse Spiritual and Religious Holidays

Since its founding in 1948, spiritual life has always been an important part of Brandeis University. The Center for Spiritual Life evolved from Brandeis’ core values and mission, to foster an inclusive environment for diverse beliefs. 

Out with irony and in with authenticity

There’s been a lot of discourse surrounding the state of irony in popular media. I think this surge in interest about irony — in contradistinction with an interest in being ironic — is related to the perceived death of authenticity in popular media. 

Faculty debates University reorganization plan

On March 7, faculty members held a meeting in the Rapaporte Treasure Hall to further discuss the University reorganization plan that the Senior Associate for Faculty Affairs, Prof. Joel Christensen ’01 (CLAS), introduced during the faculty’s Feb. 28 special meeting. The meeting agenda included memorial minutes for Prof. Arthur Holmberg (THA) and researcher Robert Dunigan as well as an address from Interim President Arthur Levine ’70.  

Showering the babies in song

On Friday March 7, Rather Be Giraffes held their Baby Shower, welcoming three new students to their all gender a capella group. The night began with a mesmerizing cover of “Winner” by Conan Gray, lead by Nicole Benton ’26. While the song itself evokes a somber and deeply emotional mood, the atmosphere of the night was anything but. Following Benton’s solo, Kaila Silber ’25, dazzled the audience with a soulful rendition of Olivia Dean’s “Dive.” In the same romantic sultry tone, the last of the love songs came with Adele’s “All I Ask” featuring Sydney Duncan ’25. With a shift in tempo and a spotlight on the next generation of talent, the night concluded with a lively Beach Boys medley, featuring the 'baby giraffes' — Sarah Jafary ’28, Sara Hyde-Touissant ’28 and Mia Warshaviak ’27.

Why I Support Re-imagining Brandeis

Every week with increasing volume tells us this: higher education is in trouble. It is too expensive. There aren’t enough students to go around. Schools are going to close. And those that remain will be different from what they were before. People aren’t sure they should spend four years of their life learning things they can’t apply to jobs that might not be there when they’re done.

How are local church leaders responding to changes in the political climate?

President Levine responds to concerns

On Tuesday, Feb. 25, Interim President Arthur Levine '70 held a town hall to discuss his plans for the University. With approximately 40 students present, the town hall began with the Brandeis Jewish Bund handing a copy of their list of demands to Levine — originally shared during a Feb. 5 vigil — and shaking his hand. The President pocketed the paper without reading it and began the meeting. A request was made that no recordings be taken of the event to honor students' privacy. 

Never Severing My Relationship with ‘Severance’: A Review

 “Severance” is currently airing its second season on Apple TV+. So far, the first seven episodes have met the high expectations set by the show’s first season, which aired in 2022. The show is a science fiction thriller which, as the name suggests, involves severing oneself into two different consciousnesses colloquially referred to as ‘innies’ and ‘outies.’ The ‘innie’ version of an individual exists solely at work, conscious only after they clock in and until they clock out. The ‘outie’ is the version of the individual which lives every other aspect of their life. Crucially, memories are not shared between the two. Innies are created with somewhat of a blank slate as they retain rudimentary knowledge of the world, but need to be informed of their first name and first initial of their last name to acquire any aspect of a personal identity. Essentially all an innie knows is their work at Lumon Industries, the company that invented the severance procedure.

Partners for Peace: Building Bridges in the West Bank

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is often portrayed in stark, binary terms. Yet, within this landscape of division, individuals like Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger and Khaled Abu Awwad offer a testament to the power of human connection and the potential for transformative change, both individually and systematically. Their work, through the organization they co-founded, Roots—Judur—Shorashim, seeks to bring together West Bank Palestinians and Israeli settlers, sparking a quiet revolution of connection and offering a glimmer of optimism in a remarkably bleak landscape. The two activists came to Brandeis on Feb. 26 to share their individual journeys and the creation of Roots.

Public art, public visions: How Boston tells stories through murals and street art

On a quiet side street 10 minutes from Cambridge’s bustling Central Square, a vivid blue humpback whale and its soon-to-be dinner of solemn-faced krill is painted against a backdrop of dizzying purple Fibonacci spirals. The mural, “Cetacean Spiral,” is the brainchild of East Medford-based muralist Sophy Tuttle, whose work primarily centers around themes of human-nature relationships.

The westerner bites back

The fog, the slog, the mess of it all. I left it behind. With increasing frequency, I curse my naïve decision to move back East. You see, I grasped idle, quiet, undisturbed perfection for a little over a decade without knowing it. I curse my own ignorance. How could I have looked onto that endless horizon and not recognized its beauty? How did I breathe the aridity of that fine desert air and dream of breathing in clouds of self-importance? I walked into the wilderness this break and felt my own vanity vanish into the Western air. This is Peace. 

Letter to the Editor — Jon Hochshartner

Socialize Trump and Musk’s assets

Beyond the campus: A guide to the hidden gems of Waltham

The rigor of campus life often keeps students restricted within the tight confines of the Brandeis bubble; our classes, club meetings and constant studying do little to encourage us to pursue freedom outside of our academic commitments. But beyond the lecture halls, a whole world of experiences is waiting just outside the University’s borders. Whether you’re looking for a student-friendly movie theater, great restaurants, a comic book store or even an ice rink, Waltham and its surrounding areas have plenty to offer. Exploring off campus isn’t just a break from academics — it’s an opportunity for students to connect with the local community, discover new favorite spots and create college memories beyond the classroom. To help you get started, this editorial board has compiled a guide to our favorite places to go, showcasing the best that Waltham has to offer.

Faculty discuss cuts to graduate program admissions and hear plans for capital campaign

On Friday, Feb. 7, faculty gathered in the Rapaporte Treasure Hall for their monthly meeting. The meeting began with a presentation from Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Dean Charles Golden. Golden presented on cuts to open admissions spots this year, explaining that they are “going for roughly 55 admissions across GSAS.”