By: Sydney Umstead, News Editor
The 72nd unveiling of Canisius’s literary magazine, the Quadrangle, was held in the Science Hall on Thursday, where attendees embodied the theme of this year's edition “Climate.” As they laughed, shed a few tears, discussed the state of the world and also honored a beloved professor and advisor.
The cover of “Climate” was designed by Designer-in-Residence Adelina Metz. Metz noted her inspiration for the cover came from books of the 20th century and even Buffalo’s own architecture, with a “shared string of fate” held by a bird that loops around the heading.
Co-Editor-in-Chief Maeve Devine spoke first to welcome guests and say thank you to the editorial board for their contributions to this year's Quadrangle, noting that this edition might just be “the best one yet.”
“Climate” encourages an in-depth look at the world surrounding us, and the events of the night pursued in that endeavor to not only inspire but call for change.
Two contributors, Trevor Kincaid and Hawa Saleh, took time to discuss not only their pieces but also the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Kincaid showed support for the Al Qimma Halal Grill and Bakery on Union Rd in Cheektowaga, emphasizing that the owner has been giving all proceeds to his family in Gaza.
Saleh credited the inspiration for her piece “The White Tail” to “the Martyred Refaat Alareer,” a Palestinian poet and activist who recently died. The inspiration for “The White Tail,” she explained, comes from the piece written by Alareer titled “If I Must Die” where he discussed that he would want his death to “bring hope / let it be a tale.”
Mason Bowes, co-editor-in-chief, discussed how the inspiration for what this year’s theme would be was inspired by the Knocknarea in Ireland. Bowes went on to address how the view made him think of how W.B. Yates had once stood in the very spot he was currently standing in but, the erosion due to climate change brought on a sense of hopelessness and a desire to look at the world around us while we can.
Notably, it was also announced that it would be the last year that Dr. Cochrane would be the faculty moderator of Quadrangle, which prompted a standing ovation for him and all of the work he has done for the magazine. Emma Radel, co-editor-in-chief, expressed how he has been “our yes man” and always went the extra mile.
The circular tables making up the room contained QR quotes that linked to the program for the night, with photos from the magazine printed on posters and laid out around the space. As the event concluded the editors-in-chiefs announced that the artists who made the posters were able to take them home.
Dr. Cochrane addressed the room, highlighting some of the history of the magazine, and shouted out Professor McNally calling the edition of the magazine that she was involved in the “first great Quadrangle of the modern era.” He remarked that the publication itself is “whimsical and somber” but also “fiercely alive.”
Next year’s editors of the magazine were also announced. Allie Meiser and Adelina Metz will be the editors for the Q73 edition, and Dr. Cochrane noted he was “utterly confident” in their abilities.