Courtesy of Serra Sevenler

The UR Women’s crew team is currently performing at a high level. They are led in part by sophomore Serra Sevenler, a native of Fairport, N.Y. Sevenler is arguably UR’s strongest rower this season, playing a major role in the team’s strong finishes in the Head of the Genesee Women’s Eight race on Oct. 13.

What are you studying at UR?
Economics and digital media studies.

When did you start rowing?
I started rowing in eighth grade. I was 12 years old, so I have been rowing for a really long time. I rowed for our Lady of Mercy High School in Rochester, which is actually the same boathouse that UR rowed in last year.

What position do you hold?
I am in the stern of the boat (the front).

Why crew?
I played soccer for 10 years. I discovered rowing at Mercy, and I thought it was an interesting sport. My friends were doing it and it seemed fun to do to stay in shape for soccer. Then I liked it more than soccer so I concentrated on rowing.

What emotions do you feel while you row?
Pain. Pure pain.

What is the hardest part of being an athlete at UR?
It takes a lot of time to be on the rowing team because we have practice six days a week at 6 a.m. Time management is definitely a struggle.

What is your favorite part of rowing?
Being with the team and developing close bonds with everyone.

What do you love about UR?
The type of students that choose to come to this university.  They tend to be quirky and special people. Everyone is sweet.

What are your favorite things to do off campus?
My favorite coffee place is Java’s. I love to walk around Park Avenue. I like walking around the canal and biking on the trails.

Davis is a member of the class of 2016.



OSSIA: A contemporary take on a classical stage

It was the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 2, and little did I know I was about to bear witness to a demonstration of chaotic beauty unlike any I had seen before.

Nobody is coming to save you.

At the end of the day, you have to realize that you are responsible for your own life and outcomes. Nobody is coming to save you. You have to learn to save yourself.

The surprising thing I learned when I was invited into UR’s Free Palestine encampment

It was the fact that these students were here at all, on this quad, in this camp, acting in solidarity with the several hundred thousand Palestinians refugees who, because of the war, were now forced to live in tents. This didn’t feel like a UR thing.