CLARKE UNIVERSITY

THE CRUX

Finding it changes everything.

CRUX TALKS

The Podcast with Kaelyn and Lucy.

Latest Headlines

Change to 2026 Commencement Regalia Causes Frustration Among Graduates

Graduation is fast approaching, and seniors are eager to welcome family and begin the end-of-year festivities. As they begin preparing for their special day, they notice a change when picking up their cap and gowns. Undergraduatesdid not receive a hood or what they described to be the proper tassel color that is supposed to correlate with the degree they are graduating with. When students asked Clarke Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs, Jan Garfield, about these missi

The Tenth Muse Hosts Final Launch Party

Clarke’s student-led literary magazine, the Tenth Muse, hosted what was likely their final Launch Party in Terence Donaghoe Hall on Thursday, April 23, 2026 from 5:30 to 7:30. The night had an array of light snacks and refreshments for those who attended as well as a number of live readings from this year’s volume. The Launch Party was closed by former Creative Writing professor, Katherine Fischer, who submitted a prose piece titled My Clarke that contained an anthology of Cl

Change to 2026 Commencement Regalia Causes Frustration Among Graduates

Graduation is fast approaching, and seniors are eager to welcome family and begin the end-of-year festivities. As they begin preparing for their special day, they notice a change when picking up their cap and gowns. Undergraduatesdid not receive a hood or what they described to be the proper tassel color that is supposed to correlate with the degree they are graduating with. When students asked Clarke Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs, Jan Garfield, about these missi

Luz Del Rosario Kwiatkowski Pérez

May 4

The Tenth Muse Hosts Final Launch Party

Clarke’s student-led literary magazine, the Tenth Muse, hosted what was likely their final Launch Party in Terence Donaghoe Hall on Thursday, April 23, 2026 from 5:30 to 7:30. The night had an array of light snacks and refreshments for those who attended as well as a number of live readings from this year’s volume. The Launch Party was closed by former Creative Writing professor, Katherine Fischer, who submitted a prose piece titled My Clarke that contained an anthology of Cl

Kirsten Kruser

Apr 27

NSAC Team Wins Big in Kansas City

This weekend, a team of students from Clarke competed in the 2026 National Student Advertising Competition, where they presented a marketing campaign to the National Football League (NFL). Throughout the yearlong process, they created a full-scale advertising campaign, including a 13-page plans book and a final presentation in Kansas City. The presentation team preparing for their delivery (Credit: Eimear McMahon) The team, led by professors Eric Wold and Chrissy Bartels, too

Benjamin Reiser

Apr 22

Football Head Coach Adam Hicks Decides Not to Return for 2026-2027 Season

Adam Hicks has been a part of the Pride Football coaching staff since the very beginning of the program. Starting out as an assistant coach and defensive coordinator for the team in 2019, Hicks began to achieve small goals on the defensive end of the game. Later becoming head coach in 2023, Adam Hicks has remained a constant for the team for what would be a three-season run with the Pride. On Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026, the Clarke Football team was informed that their head coac

Sports

Luz Del Rosario Kwiatkowski Pérez

Mar 6

Students Organize Walkout in Support of Immigrants

On Thursday, February 26th, 2026, students organized a walkout in front of the atrium protesting ICE in support for immigrants across the nation. This event started at 12:00pm and lasted until 1:00pm. There were students, faculty, and BVM Sisters in attendance holding handmade signs in support of a variety of speakers. KCRG-TV9, Dubuque’s local news channel, was also present at the event recording the speeches made within the first half hour of the walkout. The second half in

Crux Exterior

Kirsten Kruser

Feb 27

The Commuter Lounge Reopens with Significant Remodeling

Commuter students came back from winter break to a closed Commuter Lounge; this led to various questions as to why and when it will be open again for them to study, eat, and simply wait for their next class to start. The Commuter Lounge has since reopened after two and a half weeks of it being closed off. The Remodeled Commuter Lounge Students may still be wondering why the Commuter Lounge was closed in the first place. Clarke Facilities says one of the main reasons being tha

Crux Life

Kirsten Kruser

Feb 25

OUR TEAM.

Benjamin Reiser

Editor-in-Chief

Benjamin is a communications and graphic design double major 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, he excels in communication and leadership.

Benjamin's achievements go beyond sports and journalism. He was the 2022 national debating champion in Germany, won a Golden and Silver ADDY, the AAF Judges' Choice Award 2026, as well as being named Best Presenter at the NSAC Regional Competition in Kansas City in 2026, where Clarke placed 2nd overall.

His future plans include attending Germany's national journalistic school, aiming for a career in journalism or media hosting.

Luz Del Rosario Kwiatkowski Pérez

Editor-in-Chief Elect & Podcaster

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 junior year, she is making a strong impact both academically and athletically. She also took over the podcast together with Kaelyn.

Luz aspires to pursue a career in journalism, with the goal of becoming a news anchor. She started as a junior writer with The Crux and has now taken on the role of Editor-in-Chief Elect, looking to take over the lead of the newspaper in the following year.

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

Harlee Makue-Vasconcellos

Senior Writer

Harlee Makue was a double major in Communications and Sports Management at Clarke University while also competing on the Softball team. During her time at Clarke, she was an active member of The Crux, where she contributed her passion for sports and storytelling to the publication.

Harlee brought her perspective as a student-athlete to The Crux, using her experience in athletics to help strengthen the publication’s sports coverage and develop her skills as a writer. Her involvement left a lasting impact on the publication and contributed to the collaborative spirit that continues to define The Crux.

Originally from Las Vegas, Harlee pursued her passion for sports with aspirations of building a career in sports reporting or sports management. Her time at Clarke and with The Crux provided valuable experience that helped prepare her for her career beyond college.

Laura Ruley

Managing Editor

Laura studied Digital Media Studies at Clarke University, where she combined her passion for design with an interest in the intersection of creativity and technology. During her time at Clarke, she served as Managing Editor of The Crux, playing an important role in shaping the publication and overseeing the design of its newsletter. Through her work with The Crux, Laura helped bring the publication’s stories to life visually and contributed to its continued development as a student-led publication.

Madelyn Patten

Podcast Project Manager

Maddie studied Communication at Clarke University with a minor in Sport Management and a focus on marketing. During her second year with The Crux, she took on the role of Podcast Project Manager, bringing her passion for storytelling to the publication’s growing podcast efforts.

Beyond The Crux, Maddie was actively involved across campus as co-president of the Communication Club and a peer tutor at the Academic Support Center. Her experience with Clarke’s Marketing Department also allowed her to further develop her analytical, creative, and communication skills.

Sophie Spicuzza

Senior Writer

Sophie studied English and Secondary Education at Clarke University, combining her lifelong passion for writing with her goal of becoming an educator. During her time at Clarke, she was a contributor to The Crux, where she brought her strong writing, analytical, and persuasive communication skills to the publication.

Beyond The Crux, Sophie was a member of the Women’s Soccer team, a tutor at the Academic Success Center, and part of the Scholars program. Her experiences both in the classroom and on the soccer field helped develop the work ethic, leadership, and communication skills that shaped her time at Clarke.

Dean Ormonde

Podcaster (Fall 2024)

Dean studied Communication at Clarke University after transferring to the university, where he discovered a passion for communication and storytelling. During his time at Clarke, he worked with The Crux as a podcast intern, helping contribute to the publication’s growing podcast efforts and developing his skills in audio storytelling.

Outside of The Crux, Dean was an active member of the Communication Club, serving on its board, and competed as a member of the Clarke Baseball team. His experiences on campus strengthened his communication, teamwork, and interpersonal skills while allowing him to pursue his outgoing and ambitious personality.

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.