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Michael Oliva is the Managing Editor for The Tower at the Catholic University of America. While studying World Politics with a minor in Economics, he is also the Finance Chair for the College Republicans. He hails from the desert of Southern Nevada, having previously lived in Pennsylvania and New York. During the summer of 2008, he interned for D.C. Legislative & Regulatory Services, a Washington-based government relations firm specializing in energy, environment, appropriations, small business and corporate issues. After graduation from Catholic, he plans to work with corporate investments and development projects in the emerging energy sector. Michael Oliva can be reached at moliva@cuatower.com.

CUA Stands Up for “Office” Star

Comedian B.J. Novak performed to a nearly sold-out crowd in the Pryzbyla Center on Tuesday night. More than 600 students from the University and local area attended the event sponsored by Program Board. Novak traveled to Washington on a train from New York and joked about the online directions he used to get from Union Station to the University. “If someone tells you that you can get from Union Station in downtown D.C. to this part of campus, in four minutes, you are going to die,” said Novak. “I show up ten minutes late to everything and feel like a failure because some speed freak is racing around our nation‘s highways in a Maserati on Christmas morning checking off times.” Novak plays Ryan on the NBC Emmy winning show “The Office,”... [Read more...]

B.J. Novak Video

A short video from B.J. Novak’s performance at the Catholic University of America, shot by Michael Oliva.  Read More →

Judicial Affairs Thwarts Look in Cases

With a surge in the number of dorm room searches and growing trend of students who violate seemingly minor policies being suspended, students are taking a closer look at how the campus judicial system works and the Department of Judicial Affairs, Department of Public Safety and Residence Life have all been in placed in a spotlight of scrutiny recently. Every year, University President Rev. David M. O’Connell stands before first-year students and their parents repeating his famous quip, “If you’re going to be stupid, don’t be stupid here.” The student community is paying attention to the growing number of disciplinary actions brought against their friends and acquaintances, most notably with this semester’s suspension of sophomore... [Read more...]

Paperwork Confusion Delays New Student-Run Political Magazine

Late-filed papers are the latest reason behind the postponed release of The Quorum, a new student-run political magazine. The organization’s officers are working with University administrators to have the publication distributed before the next American president is elected in 11 days. Alex Smith and Frankie Bustamante [Read more...]  Read More →

Distraught Economy Affects Students and Freshmen Applicants

Savings and investments used by thousands of families to pay for higher education at the University have been struck by the harsh reality of a struggling global economy, with many students perhaps unable to afford tuition next spring, and prospective recruits possibly opting to not attend a private institution. “The current economy is certainly the topic of a lot of student and family conversations and rightly so,” said Christine Mica, dean of University Admissions. “It does not seem to be something that has a quick fix or will see an immediate improvement.” With that said, she expressed optimism that “well-qualified and engaging students” will still be attracted to the University, even though private colleges may see a decrease... [Read more...]

“Don’t Quote Me On This” Student Spotlight on Paula Caruselle

Grade: Senior, Class of 2009 Hometown: Staten Island, New York Major: Sociology Minor: Theology & Religion Studies Activities: Program Board, First-Year Mentors, President’s Society, former co-chair of Student Representation Board If you ever run into a lively cheerful red-haired senior from Staten Island, you’ve come across Paula Caruselle, a sociology major who is known for being behind-the-scenes of most student events. Q: What’s your favorite part of Catholic University? A: The people. My friends. My relationships, ones that I had freshmen year, that I have now, the ones that I had and no longer have, the ones with my friends who have graduated and are now coming back this weekend. I think that the one thing you never hear negative... [Read more...]

Economy Crisis Causes Drop in Endowment

Asking for confidence in his leadership, University President Rev. David M. O’Connell sent a letter to faculty and staff discussing the impact of the ongoing economic turmoil and the effect it is having on the institution’s finances. Showing transparency, he was announced that the endowment’s value has already declined by $733,000 due to investments suffering from market volatility. “On the positive side, the endowment is well-diversified in multiple asset classes which is an acknowledged approach for long-term investors to reduce risk, said O’Connell in the letter. “The university is a long-term investor and we do not invest based upon swings in the market.” He also expressed concern that parents may be hesitant to send their... [Read more...]

Trustees Focus on Evaluation, Fiscal Issues

Restoring facilities and suppressing underage drinking were major objectives discussed by the Board of Trustees this week. They met at the University to self-assess their performance and discuss critical issues affecting the campus community, said trustees in an exclusive interview with the Tower. “In a position of authority, it is important to sit back and assess your own ways of working and thinking about where the University has to go and our role in bringing it forward,” said Sister Margaret Fitzpatrick, trustee and president of St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkhill, New York. She is also a commissioner on the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The University recently initiated a period of self-evaluation in preparation... [Read more...]

CUA Alum Named to Head 1st Nationalized Insurance Firm

The Federal Reserve this week chose to bail out the troubled American International Group, the 18th-largest corporation in the world, who was facing bankruptcy, with an $85 billion credit facility and majority equity takeover. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson tapped University alumnus Edward Liddy as its new Chief Executive Officer. Ed Liddy, CUA Cardinal Yearbook 1968 Graduating with a B.A. in 1968, Liddy is from Brunswick, NJ and is labeled a “prominent” alumnus in the field of business by the University’s admissions office. Suffering from a liquidity crisis, the Federal Reserve bailed out the company to prevent a huge financial collapse that would have shaken the global economy and worsened the ongoing weakening of American markets.... [Read more...]

Freshmen Elect Student Association Representatives

Freshmen elected their student association leaders yesterday. Winners were elected last night, ending a week of active campaigning. Colin Schmitt, a politics major, garnered 204 votes, the most of any race, taking one of the seven delegate positions on the Student Association General Assembly. Freshmen celebrate their elections in the Pryzbyla Center on September 11. “I now look forward to working with the six other freshmen elected, as well as the entire SAGA,” said Schmitt in an early-morning message to his supporters. In addition to filling positions on SAGA, freshmen chose Christopher Prudente to represent them on the Student Fee Allocation Board. Tower writer Katrina Avila was also elected to be the committee chairman for the class... [Read more...]

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