CLARKE UNIVERSITY

THE CRUX

Finding it changes everything.

CRUX TALKS

The Podcast with Kaelyn and Lucy.

Latest Headlines

CASA: The Voice of Clarke’s Student Athletes

Clarkes Student Association of Student Athletes, known as “CASA,” is a group built upon two athletes of each sports team here at Clarke. This group meets bi-weekly and works to bring athletes together. This semester, their impact is already showing on the fields and courts of Clarke University and they have more planned. Fans enjoying the Basketball Game // Image courtesy of Clarke Athletics The Clarke Association of Student Athletes is supervised by Anthony King, Matt Gagner

Introducing Mock Trials: An Opportunity for Everyone!

A new activity for Clarke Students has entered the curriculum. The Communications Program has added Mock Trials as an activity that will begin in the Spring of 2026 where they will officially begin their first trial as the final part of the class. This is the first time Clarke University has ever had Mock Trials, and they're already building a website for the club. A Student arguing in a Mock Trial Mock trials are an activity where students will act out a real trial. There wi

New Faces, Strong Starts: Clarke Basketball Begins Its 2025–26 Run

The 2025-26 men’s and women’s basketball season has officially kicked off with both teams winning their separate home opener games giving a look at their promising seasons. The men’s team set the tone on October 28 when they took on Emmaus Bible College, winning 94-71 with Sophomore Forward, Sunny Parker, leading the Pride with 24 points. The women’s team kept the energy with their win over Trinity Christian College the following week on November 4, with Junior Guard, Zoe Ke

Luz Del Rosario Kwiatkowski Pérez

Nov 21

CASA: The Voice of Clarke’s Student Athletes

Mya McNeil

Nov 19

Exclusive: President Zimmerman on the major changes and the future of Clarke

On the morning of Wednesday, November 5, Acting President Dr. Yvonne Zimmerman welcomed us to her still sparingly decorated new space, the presidential office. Zimmerman was appointed as president by the Board of Trustees last week, following the by-laws after President Fletcher Lamkin suddenly offered his resignation on October 23 rd . Now, just weeks later, Zimmerman has the difficult task of navigating this school through one of its biggest challenges in its almost two-cen

Crux Life

Benjamin Reiser

Nov 7

Fall Fest Delivers Fun and Frights

Fall Fest kicked off on October 28th this year as a morale-boosting day of celebration for students. According to Will Hudson, associate Dean of Student Affairs and director of engagement here at Clarke, “Fall Fest is meant to be a fall version of Clarke Fest, which is held in the spring. We kind of combined different activities on campus.” Activities on campus included the Staff Assembly’s annual trick-or-treat events for all ages, students, and student families, a petting z

Crux Life

Angelina Baumann

Oct 30

New Food Slider Replaces Menu at Café 1843

Going into the current academic year, there were significant changes made to Café 1843 in the SAC that left many students wondering why yet another change was needed. The biggest change was the food slider that was added and changed the way of ordering food for students. As of now, there is no menu to choose from anymore, but there are two options with sides that students can grab right away. Steve Kirschbaum, Executive Director of Operations, told us that financial restraint

Crux Life

Benjamin Reiser

Oct 20

OUR TEAM.

Benjamin Reiser

Editor-in-Chief

Benjamin is a communications major with a minor in graphic design and a standout athlete on the volleyball team at Clarke University. As editor-in-chief of The Crux and Head of Social Media for Clarke Athletics and Clarke Men's Volleyball, he excels in communication and leadership.

Benjamin's achievements go beyond sports and journalism. He was the 2022 national debating champion in Germany, showcasing his persuasive abilities. His future plans include attending Germany's national journalistic school, aiming for a career in journalism or media hosting.

In summary, Benjamin Reiser is a driven, internationally-minded individual poised for a successful future in media and journalism, thanks to his dedication to excellence both academically and athletically.

Luz Del Rosario Kwiatkowski Pérez

Senior Writer

Luz is a dedicated communications major with a Spanish minor and a member of the Women’s Basketball team at Clarke University. Currently in her freshman year, she is already making a strong impact both academically and athletically.

Luz aspires to pursue a career in journalism, with the goal of becoming a news anchor. She started her first year with The Crux and is already making a major difference. Luz is off to a promising start and looks forward to growing as a journalist in the years to come.

Harlee Makue-Vasconcellos

Senior Writer

Harlee is a double major in both Communications and Sports Management while presenting her skills in cleats on the Softball team at Clarke University. She is writer for The Crux, social media manager for the Clarke Bible Club, and a member of the leadership team for the Softball team.

Not only has Harlee been victorious in the classrooms, but also has many accomplishments in her athletic field. However, her success does not stop her from making more achievements in the sports world. Her passion for sports has driven her to pursue a career in sports reporting or becoming a sports agent. Being from Las Vegas, she hopes her degree will take her back home and place her into the variety of professional sport stadiums there.

Harlee Makue has started off her career joining The Crux and hopes to find experience in writing and carry these skills toward her career. The collaboration of ideas within this team and applying improvements to her writing will only lead to bigger and brighter things for Harlee.

Laura Ruley

Managing Editor

Laura is a junior at Clarke University who majors in Digital Media Studies, her plans after college are as of now undecided. She hopes to use her love of design to work in a role where creativity and technology intersect, allowing her to bring ideas to life through digital platforms. For The Crux she is the Managing Editor, including the design of the newsletter.

Chrissy Bartels

Faculty-Sponsor

Chrissy Bartels is a professor of communication, specializing in media literacy and critical analysis. With a wealth of experience in the field, Chrissy is dedicated to equipping her students with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate the ever-evolving media landscape.

With a background in filmmaking and a passion for storytelling, Chrissy brings a unique perspective to her teaching. Her expertise in researching, fact-checking, and storytelling allows her to guide her students in understanding the power and influence of media, as well as the ethical responsibilities that come with it.

Chrissy has developed innovative curricula and educational programs that emphasize the importance of critical thinking and media literacy. Her expertise extends beyond the classroom. Her research focus is violent women in film and the distinct societal effect they have on American audiences.

With her engaging teaching style and deep understanding of media literacy, Chrissy is dedicated to shaping the next generation of media-savvy communicators and filmmakers, empowering them to navigate the complex media landscape with confidence and critical thinking skills.

Paul Kurutsides

Staff Advisor

Paul is an award-winning photojournalist, and Clarke alum (Communications ’08). Previously, he has worked on the Clarke publications, Courier (2006-2008) and Catalyst (2008,) as well as almost eight years at the Telegraph Herald (2014-2022) in Dubuque, Iowa. With all this experience, Paul is the perfect fit for the position of staff advisor. He brings real world experience to the team, offering advice wherever need be.

CRUX ALUMNI.

since the new edition of The Crux in 2023

Madelyn Patten

Podcast Project Manager

Maddie is a senior at Clarke University, majoring in communication with a minor in sport management and a focus on marketing. In her second year for The Crux she took over the position of podcast project manager, showcasing her passion for storytelling.

Beyond her work with The Crux, Maddie is the co-president of the Communication Club and a peer tutor at the Academic Support Center. Her recent internship with Clarke's Marketing Department further developed her analytical and creative skills.

With her diverse experiences, Maddie is well on her way to a successful career in project management or social media marketing.

Sophie Spicuzza

Senior Writer

Sophie is an English and Secondary Education major with the goal of being a High School English teacher and she has a life-long passion for writing. In addition to working for The Crux, Sophie is a member of the women’s soccer team, tutor for the Academic Success Center, and member of the Scholars program.

Her analytical skills and persuasive writing obtained in her major contribute to her success, along with the work ethic and leadership skills learned on the soccer field. In her free time she enjoys reading, being active, baking, and spending time with friends and family. Her future plans include attending Graduate school while teaching full time.

Dean Ormonde

Podcaster (Fall 2024)

Dean is a senior transfer student at Clarke University, majoring in communication with aspirations in sales. Since joining Clarke last fall, he has fallen in love with communication, discovering a passion for podcasting as part of his internship with The Crux.

In addition to his work on the podcast, Dean is an active member of the Communication Club, where he serves on the board, and he is a dedicated player on the Clarke baseball team. His recent experiences have honed his persuasive and outgoing nature, key traits that will serve him well in his future career. With a blend of ambition and teamwork, Dean is poised for success in the competitive field of sales.

Tye Ojala

Senior Writer (Spring 2024)

Tye Ojala was a communications major in his senior year. He did an internship at the Crux in the spring semester 2024, solidifying his skills in journalistic work. The outside hitter was also captain of the Men's Volleyball Team. He aims to pursue a career in journalism after his time at Clarke.