When I first saw Ricky Altieri’s Facebook status on the morning of April 22, announcing that he would be making a toast that in the back room of Valentine Dining Hall that evening, I thought he was kidding. By complete coincidence, I happened to be sitting upstairs when all conversation stopped and everyone turned their attention to Altieri as he took off a puffy coat to reveal a suit and tie. With his trademark wit, he made a moving toast about how much the staff at Valentine have made this campus feel like a home to him.
I’ll start this article by providing a quick warning: I love Batman. My obsession for the Caped Crusader has stuck with me throughout my childhood despite the traumatizing effects of George Clooney’s nipples in “Batman Forever.” The Dark Knight is one of my favorite topics of discussion and I’ve dressed up as Batman for Halloween multiple times, including this year.
