Dear Readers,

In 1866, Rider University (then Trenton Business College) accepted women students for the first time, which I’m very thankful for because if that hadn’t occurred I would be forced to disguise myself as a man in order to get an education, and I don’t look very good in a mustache.

In 1929, Rider introduced intercollegiate athletics for the first time. This is important because GO SPORTS! MAKE POINTS!

In 1994, Rider College finally decided to grow up and become Rider University. It just sounds more sophisticated.

Three years later in 1997, Rider University removed their beloved elm tree after it developed Dutch elm disease. Bummer. Moment of silence for Elmer. (I named him Elmer.)

In 2015, we are proud to bring another milestone to Rider University as we launch our very first issue of Odyssey! With this platform, our goal is to publish interesting, relevant, and thought-provoking content each week. We want each article to create sparks within the reader. Whether you read something and love it or hate it, or if it makes you cry, laugh, think, gag, shout, dance, clap, rap, slap, nap…we want what we write to make you feel something. The worst thing that you could do is read an article and then forget about it two seconds later. Odyssey at Rider University is going to start a conversation. We hope you’ll join us.

You may be wondering who “us” is. I am excited to introduce myself and my incredibly, unfairly, talented team. First, I am Breanne Needles and I am the Editor-in-Chief of Odyssey Rider. I’m a senior English major hailing from the suburbs of Philadelphia. I’ve always been a writer but it wasn’t until sophomore year of college when I let other people read my work, that I realized that I was actually talented at it (still up for debate). I head bang to music in public, I don’t like long walks on the beach because I usually get lost, and I named my dog after the band Weezer. He rules.

This issue and all future ones would not be possible without the following:

Nicholas Gallinelli

My best new pen pal and our Managing Editor who has been as patient as he is helpful in launching this first issue.

Amber Lohnes, our Contributing Editor.

Amber loves to hike and enjoy the great outdoors! This summer she hiked over six 4,000 footers— including Mount Washington! Amber does mellow out from time to time, though, saying, “I’m always down to read a good book, watch a movie, or grab coffee with friends.”

Bethany Gartner, our Social Media Director.

She is a sister of the Epsilon Lambda chapter of Alpha Xi Delta at Rider University. Bethany once ate three bowls of Ramen noodles in twenty minutes. Impressive.

Isabella Cadavid Baron, Writer.

She is from Colombia and has only been in the U.S. since she was 16 years old!

Catrina Strubinger, Writer.

Catrina’s parents miss her terribly because she never goes home on the weekends to visit them. She keeps busy by being a cheerleader, loving the color purple, and admiring the White House Christmas tree, which has been picked from her hometown five times.

Gabriella Collura, Writer.

This middle child loves the color green, enjoys traveling, and going to the beach!

Da'Naia Holden, Writer.

At 18 years old, Da'Naia still has some baby teeth!

Lauren Lavelle, Writer.

Lauren loves flowers and is a good party guest because her robot dance puts all others to shame!

Isabella Lopreiato, Writer.

Last summer she interned at a company owned by a Daily News writer!

Modjina Ovil, Writer.

Modjina spends her free time better than I do by practicing calligraphy and hosting a radio show on 107.7 the Bronc. (Check out "The Live Experience" at 107.7 the Bronc or at 1077theBronc.com on Tuesday mornings from 11am-12pm!)

Kimberly Rodriguez, Writer.

Kimberly is Hispanic and from North Jersey. She loves music and in her free time, she binge-watches shows and hangs out with her friends!

Katie Spart, Writer.

Katie was born in Ulsan, South Korea!

Brianna Buck, Writer.

Brianna is involved in like a million on campus organizations!

If you’re interested in writing for Odyssey at Rider University, go to www.theodysseyonline.com/apply and fill out an application! We are always looking to expand our team!

We hope you’ll come back to us each week and make us a part of your routine.

Thank you for reading,

Breanne Needles

Editor-in-Chief