Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Hannah Nguyen

Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief

Hannah Nguyen (she/her) is a senior journalism major from North Wales, Pennsylvania. Her work has appeared in publications like The Boston Globe, The Philadelphia Inquirer, North Penn Now, Cambridge Day and AsAmNews. Outside of reporting, she enjoys thrifting and painting her nails. (see: https://linktr.ee/hannahcnguyen)
Latest from Hannah Nguyen
Emerson will lay off staff and faculty positions due to enrollment decline partly caused by campus protests, college says

Emerson will lay off staff and faculty positions due to enrollment decline partly caused by campus protests, college says

By Hannah Nguyen, Iselin Bratz and DJ Mara / June 22, 2024

Emerson College will lay off faculty and staff and not fill some vacant positions in response to reduced enrollment, which it said was partly caused by...

Walker Building of Emerson College

Affiliated faculty votes against no-confidence in Bernhardt

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / May 19, 2024

The Affiliated Faculty passed a vote against no-confidence in President Jay Bernhardt on May 8.  With nearly 40 percent of the 280 affiliated faculty...

Students cross the intersection of Boylston St. and Tremont St. in front of the Little Building.

Faculty votes not to call for Bernhardt’s resignation

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / May 14, 2024

Following a special faculty meeting on May 6, the faculty assembly voted via email not to call for President Jay Bernhardt’s resignation. Around...

Students left messages on the face of the Ansin building using sticky notes and posters, with the signatures of over 1,000 Emerson students who want ECSU to negotiate a contract with the college on their behalf. (Bryan Hecht/Beacon Staff)

On May Day, protesters gather in Boston Common, 2B Alley, and outside Emerson’s Ansin Building

Over 100 protesters marched through the Boston Common and on campus Wednesday afternoon in honor of May Day and in response to the college’s restrictions...

Eric Alexander, chair of the Board of Trustees, yells “Back the fuck up” at Bryan Edouard, a student speaker at the town hall, on Monday, April 29, 2024. (Rian Nelson/Beacon Staff)

‘History will remember where you stand’: Students, faculty, staff testify at town hall regarding April 25 arrests

Members of the Emerson community gathered in the Semel Theater in the Tufte Building for a moderated town hall Monday morning to discuss the events...

Boston Police Officers gathered in the Massachusetts Transportation Building on Thursday, April 25. (Nick Peace for the Beacon)

DEVELOPING STORY: The latest on 2 Boylston Place ‘Popular University Encampment’

June 18 at 2:17 p.m. - College announces future faculty and staff layoffs due to enrollment decline it says is linked to campus protests Emerson...

Pro-Palestine encampment tents line 2B alley at Emerson College on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. (Iselin Bratz/Beacon Staff)

‘Popular University Encampment’ enters day four

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / April 24, 2024

The Emerson Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP)’s “Popular University Encampment” in 2 Boylston Alley continued to its fourth day on Wednesday,...

Windwalker Security staff stand in the alley after the College emailed the community Tuesday evening announcing their presence.

‘Popular University Encampment’ continues into third day, college calls for security presence

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / April 24, 2024
The Emerson Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP)’s “Popular University Encampment” in 2 Boylston Alley entered its third day, with more events scheduled.
Students occupy 2B alley at Emerson College in tent encampment

‘Popular University Encampment’ in 2B alleyway enters second day, students host several events

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / April 23, 2024
The Emerson Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP)’s “Popular University Encampment” in 2 Boylston Alley entered its second day on Monday and unveiled a day full of events, including a lecture, presentations, and a community discussion.
Students occupy 2B alley at Emerson College in tent encampment

Students occupy 2B alley, demand college to divest from Israel and call for ceasefire in Gaza

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / April 22, 2024

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.  Updated on April 22 at 12:09 a.m. Nearly 100 pro-Palestine protesters gathered Sunday evening...

2024 Boston Marathon: Stories racing to and beyond the finish line

‘The beauty of Boston’: Thousands experience sunny 128th Boston Marathon

By Hannah Nguyen and Olivia LeDuc / April 17, 2024

With sunny skies and temperatures that climbed to the mid-60s, marathon Monday looked a little different compared to last year’s cool and rainy weather. While...

Best signs of 2024 Boston Marathon

“Kiss me if you love the Patriots”: Best signs of 2024 Boston Marathon

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / April 15, 2024

See the Beacon's full coverage on the 2024 Boston Marathon.                      

More than 30,000 runners from over 100 countries are registered to run in the 128th Boston Marathon on Monday, April 15, 2024. (Rian Nelson/Beacon Staff)

2024 Boston Marathon: Stories racing to and beyond the finish line

More than 30,000 athletes from all across the world will take on the 26.2-mile course through Hopkinton, Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Brookline, and Boston on Marathon Monday. 
Anna Feder takes a picture of herself holding a sign she made for an event in 2021.

FSJP and JAZ hold joint conversation about Jewish and anti-Zionist intersectionality

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / April 11, 2024

Following several initiatives to advocate for more conversations about Palestine on campus, students, faculty, and staff held a discussion on Wednesday...

An attendee decorates a canvas “brick” corresponding to a particular donation amount at the Soldier On event on Friday, March 29, 2024. (Hannah Nguyen/Beacon Staff)

[Photo] PR students partner with local nonprofit serving unhoused veterans

By DJ Mara, Kasteel Well Bureau Co-Chief / April 3, 2024

An attendee decorates a canvas “brick” corresponding to a particular donation amount at the Soldier On event on Friday, March 29, 2024. (Hannah Nguyen/Beacon...

students arrested outside Emerson presidential inauguration

13 students arrested amid protest outside Emerson presidential inauguration

By Hannah Nguyen and Olivia LeDuc / March 24, 2024
Twelve Emerson students and one non-Emerson student were arrested Friday afternoon outside Cutler Majestic Theater, where President Jay Bernhardt’s inauguration was taking place. 
The Marlboro Institute for Liberal and Interdisciplinary Studies

Marlboro Institute minors to host virtual event on Gaza on March 27

By Hannah Nguyen and Margaux Jubin / March 20, 2024
Following months of discussion and preparation, the Marlboro Institute will host a Zoom event about Gaza on March 27 from 4 to 6 p.m.
Emersons downtown Boston campus.

College to host webinar on Israel-Palestine conflict on March 25

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / March 20, 2024
The college will be sponsoring an educational webinar for the Emerson community on March 25 that will address the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, according to a community-wide email sent by college officials.
Norman Lear ‘44

‘Everything that Norman did was influenced by humanity’: Friends and fans remember Norman Lear ‘44

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / December 13, 2023

If there’s one thing to know about Norman Lear, it’s that he valued giving others the spotlight. “He wanted to listen to you and wanted to know...

Norman Lear ‘44

Norman Lear ‘44, TV and Emerson legend, dies at 101

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / December 6, 2023

Norman Lear ‘44, the television writer and producer who revolutionized American sitcoms by addressing political and social issues, died on Dec. 5. He...

Students hold walkout in 2B alley following attacks on Palestinian students in Vermont

Students hold walkout in 2B alley following attacks on Palestinian students in Vermont

By Hannah Nguyen and Maddie Khaw / November 29, 2023

Editor's Note: Although members of Emerson SJP asked to remain anonymous due to safety concerns, their identities are known to the Beacon. Dozens of...

An Emerson College Police car.

Incident Journal: ECPD destroys contraband seized by HRE staff

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / November 28, 2023

The Emerson College Police Department provides the Incident Journal to The Beacon every week. Beacon staff edit the Incident Journal for style and clarity...

College officials decide not to recognize the Emerson Union for Resident Assistants as a union

College officials decide not to recognize the Emerson Union for Resident Assistants as a union

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / November 16, 2023

Emerson College officials announced Thursday that they will not recognize the Emerson Union for Resident Assistants as a union, despite more than 85 percent...

Photo courtesy of Emerson Union for Resident Assistants

Emerson resident assistants file to unionize

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / November 15, 2023

Emerson resident assistants representing campuses in Boston and the Netherlands announced Monday their intention to unionize, joining the wave of unionizing...

Emerson Best Buddies to host a self-care night on Nov. 18

Emerson Best Buddies to host a self-care night on Nov. 18

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / November 14, 2023

To kick off Thanksgiving break and the upcoming holiday season, the Emerson chapter of Best Buddies is hosting a self-care night on Nov. 18 from 2 to 4...

An Emerson College Police car.

Incident Journal: HRE finds graffiti in the Colonial Building, incident remains under investigation

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / November 13, 2023

The Emerson College Police Department provides the Incident Journal to The Beacon every week. Beacon staff edit the Incident Journal for style and clarity...

Albert “Trey” Fuccillo. (Photo courtesy of Grace Kinney)

21-year-old Trey Fuccillo elected as Marlborough Ward 6 city councilor

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / November 8, 2023

Albert “Trey” Fuccillo was elected as a Marlborough Ward 6 city council member at the age of 21, making him one of the youngest city councilors in...

An Emerson College Police car.

Incident Journal: ECPD responds to single-vehicle crash on Tremont Street, BPD investigates incident

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / October 3, 2023

The Emerson College Police Department provides the Incident Journal to The Beacon every week. Beacon staff edit the Incident Journal for style and clarity...

After two years of an interim leader presiding, it was officially announced in January that Jay Bernhardt would become Emerson’s 13th president.

Emerson’s 13th President, Jay Bernhardt, outlines short-term plans for first term at college

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / September 13, 2023

For the first time in two years, Emerson College is beginning its 2023-24 school year with a full-time president: Dr. Jay M. Bernhardt. In January,...

Marsha Della-Giustina, founder of Emersons broadcast journalism program, remembered as a legend

Marsha Della-Giustina, founder of Emerson’s broadcast journalism program, remembered as a ‘legend’

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / June 21, 2023

Remembered as a “legend” in and outside the classroom and newsroom, the Emerson community mourns the loss of Dr. Marsha Della-Giustina, who broke glass...

Flowers, candles, and signs honoring Ürümqi fire victims surround a sign that reads Free Xinjiang Free China.

Protestors mourn Ürümqi fire victims in Chinatown

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / December 7, 2022

Disclaimer: names were omitted to protect the identity of sources. Hundreds gathered near the Tiananmen Memorial in Boston’s Chinatown last Friday...

An Emerson College Police car.

Incident Journal: ECPD renders aid to intoxicated non-Emerson community member

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / December 5, 2022

The Emerson College Police Department provides the Incident Journal to The Beacon every week. Beacon staff edit the Incident Journal for style and clarity...

An Emerson College Police car.

Incident Journal: ECPD seizes and destroys contraband

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / November 29, 2022

The Emerson College Police Department provides the Incident Journal to The Beacon every week. Beacon staff edit the Incident Journal for style and clarity...

An Emerson College Police car.

Incident Journal: ECPD provides aid to student

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / November 15, 2022

The Emerson College Police Department provides the Incident Journal to The Beacon every week. Beacon staff edit the Incident Journal for style and clarity...

Healey wins governors race, first female and lesbian elected in Mass.

Healey wins governor’s race, first female and lesbian elected in Mass.

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / November 9, 2022

Democratic Attorney General Maura Healey scored a historic win Tuesday night after becoming the first elected female governor in Massachusetts and the...

An Emerson College Police car.

Incident Journal: Blood found on wall in 2 Boylston Place, ECPD locates injured community member

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / October 24, 2022

The Emerson College Police Department provides the Incident Journal to The Beacon every week. Beacon staff edit the Incident Journal for style and clarity...

An Emerson College Police car.

Incident Journal: Delta Beckwith Elevator service staff assists students trapped in elevator

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / October 24, 2022

The Emerson College Police Department provides the Incident Journal to The Beacon every week. Beacon staff edit the Incident Journal for style and clarity...

The Little Building residence hall.

Emerson RAs to host National Coming Out Day Celebration

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / October 5, 2022

Emerson resident assistants will be hosting a National Coming Out Day Celebration Oct. 17 from 7 to 10 p.m. in the Little Building basement. The National...

An Emerson College Police car.

Incident Journal: ECPD provides medical assistance, responds to request from HRE

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / September 19, 2022

The Emerson College Police Department provides the Incident Journal to The Beacon every week. Beacon staff edit the Incident Journal for style and clarity...

Dr. Brent Smith. Photo credit: Twitter

Emerson welcomes Interim School of Communication Dean

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / September 14, 2022

Dr. Brent Smith, former chair of the marketing communication department, is serving as interim dean of the School of Communication following former Dean...

The Little Building residence hall.

First years share first impressions of Emerson

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / September 8, 2022

No masks, no Zoom, no COVID-19 restrictions—the class of 2026’s first semester doesn’t look all that different from the beginning of high school.  While...

The Emerson Staff Union demonstrates outside of Piano Row following the Faculty Institute.

Emerson Staff Union demonstration demands cost-of-living adjustment, equitable conditions

By Adri Pray and Hannah Nguyen / September 5, 2022

Conversation about the staff union buzzed Thursday morning as faculty members entered the Bobbi Brown and Steven Plofker Gym for the 2022 Faculty Institute....

Emersons COVID-19 testing center.

Students voice concerns regarding new COVID policies in college’s first two COVID Q&A sessions

By Abigail Lee and Hannah Nguyen / July 17, 2022

Emerson’s Office of Campus Life held its second COVID-19 question-and-answer session Wednesday, completing the first half of the four-part series. The...

Professor Emeritus Henry Stonie / Courtesy: Emerson College

Henry Stonie, former humanities and social sciences professor and department chair, dies at 90

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / June 13, 2022

Professor Emeritus Henry Stonie, who taught in the Emerson Humanities and Social Sciences Department for 45 years and served 12 years as chair of the department,...

BCE Director Wes Jackson will leave the college in July. Photo credit: Lala Thaddeus, 2018

Business of Creative Enterprises Director Wes Jackson to leave college in July

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / June 12, 2022

Director of the Business of Creative Enterprises program Wes Jackson will leave Emerson in July to serve as president of the non-profit arts organization...

Courtesy of Sophie Bellone.

ComEx returns in person this weekend

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / April 20, 2022

Comedy Extravaganza, also known as ComEx, will be returning for its annual comedy showcase in person this weekend for the first time in two years. Presented...

(left to right) Matt Doherty, Aidan Manion, and Carter Nevulis. Photo credit: Matt Berry

Three college students create a clothing brand to promote sustainability and positivity

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / April 6, 2022

In an effort to spread positivity and advocate for the Earth, three Massachusetts college sophomores started a clothing brand.  The Local Brand is...

Photo: Sheen Hui

Wicked Queer Film Festival returns in person

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / April 6, 2022

The Wicked Queer Film Festival will return in person from April 7–17 after being virtual for two years. “There's nothing that beats an in-person...

Photo: Hannah Nguyen

Emerson Contemporary hosts Media Art Gallery exhibition “Onomatopoeia”

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / March 30, 2022

Emerson Contemporary’s Media Art Gallery has been hosting Los Angeles-based artist and filmmaker Kerry Tribe’s Onomatopoeia exhibition from Jan. 26...

Randy Brecker. Photo by Ada Rovatti Brecker.

The Arlington Jazz Festival returns in person, enters 11th year

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / March 30, 2022

Tickets are hyperlinked under the name of the performers. After two years of livestreaming due to the pandemic, The Arlington Jazz Festival will return...

Courtesy of Mia Silverman.

First-year creates TikTok for food allergy education

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / March 23, 2022

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, first-year Mia Silverman did what any bored teenager would do—go on TikTok. After posting a TikTok sharing her...

Photo Credit: Maya Seri

Sustainable clothing swap event to be held April 2

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / March 23, 2022

To kick off Earth Month, a sustainable clothing swap event will be held Tuesday, April 2 from 3-6 p.m. at Emmanuel Church. Sustainable Swaps is a non-Emerson...

Courtesy by Jacob Warman

Sophomore’s clothing brand combines sustainability and streetwear

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / March 17, 2022

In high school, Jacob Warman found himself hanging out with the wrong crowd and needed to escape it. He turned to his childhood hobby of drawing. Later,...

Courtesy of Kate Andrews and Jessie Wyman.

Alum and her friend create podcast to help content creators

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / March 3, 2022

The world of content creation can be difficult to break into, especially when you’re on your own.   The Cocktails & Content Creation Podcast...

My Green Bananas, coordinated and directed by Hayley Kaufer. Photo credit: Maya Seri.

My Green Bananas to have a gig at The Tourist Trap

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / February 24, 2022

What started as a group of five friends “jamming in their dorms” has turned into a local band set to play its first outside gig at the Tourist Trap...

Incoming freshmen look forward to fall semester

Incoming freshmen look forward to fall semester

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / February 17, 2022

After witnessing school reopenings, loosened mask mandates, and the nationwide push for booster shots, incoming Emerson students are hoping for a first-year...

The cast in The
Huntington’s
production of The
Bluest Eye by Lydia
R. Diamond. Photo: T Charles Erickson.

Huntington Theatre Company puts on Toni Morrison’s “The Bluest Eye”

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / February 10, 2022

As someone who has never read Toni Morrison’s “The Bluest Eye,” I found that the play adaptation at the Huntington Theater Company to be a compassionately...

Sophomore Samaya Iman received Emersons Aspire Scholarship.

Sophomore receives $40,000 merit scholarship

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / February 10, 2022

A sophomore media arts production major received $40,000 in scholarship money each year after winning one of Emerson’s most prodigious scholarships. Samaya...

Courtesy Katya Veber.

First-year releases debut music video

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / February 10, 2022

First-year visual media arts major Katya Veber used to believe she would never create music. After a high school teacher told her she has potential, she...

Photo: Payton Cavanaugh

10 Chinatown businesses to support this Lunar New Year

By Hannah Nguyen and Abigail Lee / February 3, 2022

Lunar New Year falls on Feb. 1 this year, and Emerson students have the perfect opportunity to support businesses in neighboring Chinatown. This community...

Summer 2021 mural addition in Chinatown. Courtesy of Abby Lee.

Asian Emerson students celebrate upcoming Lunar New Year

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / January 27, 2022

For many Asian Emersonians, the approaching Lunar New Year is a chance to embrace their cultural identities in a predominantly white environment. “Lunar...

Bags of food in the Dining Center waiting to be delivered to quarantined and isolated students.

Students split on college’s COVID protocol’s effectiveness upon return to campus

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / January 21, 2022

In an effort to rebuild the “Emerson bubble” in the first weeks of the spring semester, the college imposed several restrictions not seen since the...

Liz Collins

Liz Collins ‘19 to host new podcast ‘Quarter-Life Crisis’

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / January 20, 2022

When it seems like everyone around you has already figured out their lives in their mid-20s, you may find yourself asking, “what does it mean to be successful?”...

Students entering the testing facility at 116 Harrison Ave.

Pooled testing model draws mixed reactions among students

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / November 11, 2021

A week after Emerson’s shift to a pooled testing model for all community members, students have expressed mixed reactions to the new model—questioning...

Thousands rallied in Boston for abortion rights.

Emerson students rally together at Boston Women’s March

By Bailey Allen, Abigail Lee and Hannah Nguyen / October 9, 2021

Thousands of people––college students and Boston residents alike––rallied at Franklin Park Playstead in Dorchester on Oct. 2, protesting the Supreme...