January 29th Edition of the Merciad

Merciad THE

MERCYHURST UNIVERSIT Y

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W E D N E S DAY, JA N UA RY 2 9 , 2 0 2 0

News ................2-5 Features...........6-9 A&E ............. 10-11 Opinion........ 12-13 Sports ......... 14-15 Laker Living ......16 |

VOL. 93 NO. 10

Lakers travel abroad PAGE 8

Online poll results We asked: What is your favorite Christmas treat?

Gingerbread (43%) Candy Canes (33%) Figgy Pudding (14%)

5: Become an editor!

Yule Log Cake (10%)

8: Lakers study abroad 14: Women’s hockey hosts Autism Awareness Day

This week’s What was the best song

POLL

of the 2010s?

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NEWS

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Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Spring into some new clubs

By Gianluca Ianiro Staff writer

The second and final Involvement Fair of the school year was held on Jan. 27 in the Student Union.

Many of the clubs and organizations on campus squeezed their tables of information into the Student Union with hopes of promoting their groups to the student population.

The fair was bustling with students ranging from second semester freshmen to final semester seniors, all searching for a group that piqued their academic and social interests.

The event also offered incentive rewards to its participants in the form of a scavenger hunt-like game that encouraged students to reach out to clubs of all varieties. Students had to check off clubs in the same way you might acquire passport stamps, so that you found clubs you might not be initially drawn to.

Students that played the game were entered in a drawing for a grand prize. These types of incentives are important to increase attendance at the Involvement Fair, as there is a lower number of students that attend the spring fair in comparison to the fair following Welcome Week.

There are many enticing clubs on campus that attended this event. One worth noting was the

Kristian Biega photo

Members of the Anime Club and Table Top Games Club promote all of the fun their organizations have at their meetings with examples of their favorite characters, movies and games.

Mercyhurst Law Enforcement Intelligence Club (LEIC). Sophomore and club secretary Alli Hartmann describes her club as, “a networking club where we bring in speakers from the Law Enforcement profession that range from police officers, detectives and analysts from the State Analysis Center.

“These speakers talk about what they do on a day to day basis as well as certain methods of analysis they use to help solve cases,” Hartmann said. “This is a great club for anyone who is interested

in a career in law enforcement and likes studying crime. LEIC offers many different career paths that our guest speakers have and they are able to help students get internships.”

Another interesting new club on campus is the Commuter Student Association (CSA). Erie native and junior Anna Czulewicz is the very passionate club president.

“The purpose of CSA is to create a community for commuter students at Mercyhurst University that provides programming and social opportunities to meet

other commuter students as well as interact and engage with resident students. Our mission is to expose, share and bring indigenous Erie culture to campus to promote a greater appreciation for what the ‘Flagship City’ has to offer.”

This club will be the host of many events over the next semester and is one to check out.

If you are interested in giving the imaginative side of the brain a flex, the Tabletop Games Club would be a great way to satisfy that adventurous craving. Club

president Mitchell McQuaid invites anyone that is “a nerd or just enjoys a good game around the table” to sign up.

“The club caters to all games that play on a table, with tabletop role playing games, trading card games and just your run-of-themill board games,” McQuaid said.

Finally, for Hospitality Management majors that want to experience everything the major has to offer, sign up for the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA).

Elizabeth McGreevy, president of PCMA, described her club.

“It is for Hospitality majors and minors, and we volunteer around Erie in places like the Food Bank and in soup kitchens. We do fundraisers for our club so we can send students to the Food Show in Chicago in May and to the PCMA convention that is once a year, always in a different city.”

These are just a few of the clubs Mercyhurst has to offer.

Also present were clubs that can teach you about culture, service, athletics and academics.

Every club offers a great opportunity to get involved on campus and meet new people, so be sure to check some of them out by contacting Steph Przepiora, Leadership & Outreach Coordinator, at sprzepiora@mercyhurst. edu, or any of the clubs’ executive board members.

Gianluca Ianiro photo

Student representatives from dozens of RSCOs filled the Student Union in hopes of gaining some new members.

Kristian Biega photo Kristian Biega photo

All categories of RSCO were represented at the Involvement Fair: Cultural & Diversity, Service & Honors, Recreational & Special Interest and Academic Clubs like the Pre-Health and Public Health Clubs pictured above.

The Merciad was also represented at the Spring Involvement Fair! Features Editor, Maria Williams, was busy recruiting new writers and photographers for this semester.

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

NEWS

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Support the Mike Folga Scholarship at the 2020 Senior Date Auction

By Alex Trabold Staff writer

On Wednesday Jan. 29, the Senior Class Gift Date Auction will take place in Walker Recital Hall at 7 p.m. This is an annual event run by the Senior Class Gift Committee, this year to benefit the Mike Folga Legacy Scholarship.

All students are welcome to attend and bid on items that have been gathered over the fall semester. A senior “date” represents the item as they walk out with the music they select.

“This event is a great way to highlight the senior class in a fun, energetic environment,” Senior Class Gift Committee Organizer, Mitchell Marsh said.

This is one of Mercyhurst’s more unique traditions that has become an anticipated staple of the Senior Class Gift experience.

“It feels like such an Americana experience to be a part of,” senior date Maryanne Cantwell said. “I have been looking forward to being a date in the auction because it is a perfect addition to my Mercyhurst bucket list.”

There are a variety of items that students can bid on throughout the evening. There will be gift cards from local establishments such as The Cornerstone, Plymouth Tavern, Tap House and Calamari’s.

“I am excited to participate in the Senior Date Auction because I love getting involved on campus and giving back to a good

Come support your friends and bid for a chance to win some great prizes on Jan. 29 at 7 p.m.

cause like the Mike Folga Legacy Scholarship,” senior date Kody Miles said. “It’s a great way to continue to be as active as I can with the senior class before graduation.”

More creative prizes specific to Mercyhurst will also be available such as lunch with President Victor, Rhonda and Jenell Patton, signs from past Hurst Days and Mercyhurst apparel and merchandise.

More experiential items to be auctioned include a package for a one night stay at Peek’n Peak Re-

sort and a complimentary s’mores kit, reserved seats for gradation and three graduation photo shoots.

Senior Veronica Sacco will be participating in two fashions at the Senior Date Auction: as a date and a prize.

“I will be offering first dibs on my photography schedule for 2020 graduation photo sessions plus a one hour session. The more money you raise for the Senior Class Gift, the more people you can bring to the session as well,” Sacco said. “I am excited

to raise money for a good cause by contributing something I am passionate about. It makes the whole experience more meaningful for me.”

Marsh sees a lot of promise in this year’s auction, based on the successes of previous years.

“We are hoping to raise a considerable amount of funds from this event as it is often a big fundraiser for us as all donations benefit the Mike Folga Legacy Scholarship,” Marsh said. “It is important that students attend this event because it is really fun,

a Mercyhurst tradition and very beneficial to our goal.”

Senior Class Gift Committee Organizer Patricia Shullick states that there really is something for everyone at the auction. She is hopeful for the turnout of the event in combination with the crowdfunding efforts happening this week.

“We are in the middle of a crowdfunding week, with a goal of $5,000 for the whole week,” Shullick said. “As for the event, we haven’t set an actual goal, I think if we could get over $1,000, that’d be awesome.”

For Shullick, the most challenging part has been getting all of the prizes and dates organized for the event. She now shows excitement with all of the logistics in order.

“It is important for students to attend this event because we are raising money in honor of Mike Folga, someone who had a great impact on the Mercyhurst community. In addition to the great prizes, it’s really going to be a great time,” Shullick said.

Judging by the enthusiasm shown by the organizers, the auction is sure to be a success for the Senior Class Gift Committee.

This year there will be a bake sale before the event, two emcees and close to 40 senior dates. The organizers also seem very intent on making sure that the students have a good time overall.

Even if students don’t plan on bidding, they are encouraged to join in the fun and support a good cause this Wednesday!

Challenge coins for Intel grads

By Marina Boyle

Managing Editor

For centuries, leaders across cultures have used challenge coins to commemorate bravery, service and strength. Bringing this tradition into the present, the Intelligence Studies department is issuing challenge coins to its successful graduates.

A challenge coin is a metal coin that features a special design, using the symbol or insignia of an esteemed group. They are given to confirm organization membership or to recognize a special achievement.

This year, six Intelligence Studies students who graduated in December received the coins.

The tradition continues into May for the remainder of the graduating seniors.

The Intelligence Studies Department coin features the emblem for the Ridge College

of Intelligence Studies & Applied Sciences on one side and an image of Mercyhurst’s Old Main on the other.

For many students who will go into the military or the intelligence and national security fields, this coin might be the first of many.

Assistant professor of Intelligence Studies Fred Hoffman, Ph. D. has a collection of challenge coins from his years of experience in the military, as does Bill Welch, instructor of Intelligence Studies.

“I have every challenge coin I ever received on display in my office. Receiving one is always a very pleasant experience, and so is looking at them years later, remembering not only the circumstances under which I received each coin, but also the people I knew and served with back then,” Hoffman said.

His challenge coins amount

to close to 50 accolades over 30 years.

“Challenge coins have been used in the military for decades, and more recently they’ve started to appear in civilian organizations and companies, too. According to one story, the practice dates back to the Vietnam War, when a U.S. Army bar run by infantrymen tried to keep non-infantrymen away by forcing “outsiders” to buy drinks for everyone at the bar if they could not provide proof that they’d personally been in combat,” Hoffman said. “At first, soldiers would produce bullets, grenades, rockets and other things, but fortunately that changed to soldiers showing a coin with their unit insignia.”

So as well as an honor, the coins serve another unlikely purpose – a way to avoid footing the bill. In military culture,

The challenge coins presented by the Intelligence Studies Department feature the emblem for the Ridge College on one side as pictured above; the other side has an image of Mercyhurst’s Old Main.

groups of soldiers who walk into a bar place their challenge coin on the table, and the last to do so buys that round. The practice has spread today be-

yond the military, and no doubt our alumni may be springing them on one another at gatherings at The Roost in the future!

NEWS

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Merciad IN A MINUTE Free sweets at the Anchor Express

On Friday, Jan. 31, get a free cookie with any purchase of a hot chocolate at the Anchor Express in Ryan Hall!

Professional Headshots Are you in need of a new professional headshot for your resume or professional social media account?

Mercyhurst will be offering five upcoming sessions of free professional headshots through the year.

The photo shoots will be held in Egan 114 and will only take about 5 minutes per person.

Upcoming sessions will take place from 11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 7, Feb. 21, March 13, March 27 and April 17.

Walk-ins are welcome, but you can schedule a specific time by contacting Frank Rizzone at 814-8242424 or frizzone@ mercyhurst.edu.

Summer Courses

The 2020 summer class schedule is now available on SelfService.

Whether you want to get ahead or catch up, course options are available.

Stop by Academic Support & Learning Differences to learn more about summer at Mercyhurst.

Apply to be a Laker Leader Want to be a Laker Leader? This dynamic team assists in the implementation of Summer Orientation, Welcome Week, iMU classes and other programs sponsored by the Division of Student Life.

Applications will be accepted until Feb. 17.

Visit the Laker Leader page on the Hub for more information. Email sprzepiora@mercyhurst. edu with any questions.

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Hurst hosts MLK events

By Kristian Biega

News editor

Each year, Mercyhurst takes time to celebrate the legacy of one of the most influential figures of the 20th century: Martin Luther King, Jr. Tyler Brentley, Mercyhurst Multicultural and Inclusion Coordinator, and Colin Hurley, Director of Community Engagement, worked together to give students opportunities to celebrate Martin Luther King Day both as members of the Mercyhurst and Erie communities.

With the holiday falling in mid-January each year, inclement weather is always a challenge for events honoring King’s legacy.

For this reason, Brentley decided to host a breakfast and documentary session to celebrate the effect that King had on society as well as to inform students of the continuing impact of his work.

“Though a lot of what King accomplished was about 50-60 years ago now, it’s crazy to look back and see how we have progressed as a culture, but also some places where we have regressed,” Brentley said. “I feel like this was a very timely movie that was well received and appreciated by the Mercyhurst community.”

The event involved two documentaries of similar content on the legacy and impact of King’s work.

“I really just wanted to give people a glimpse into Dr. King’s life in case they didn’t know or hadn’t seen things about him in a while,” Brentley said.

Contributed photo

Four section classes of iMU classes and many other students, faculty and staff visited the Student Union Great Room for breakfast and two documentaries on the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The event had over 100 students, faculty and staff in attendance throughout the day, with a significant showing from four freshman iMU classes.

“I was very grateful for the support from the iMU classes because to have that focused attention on a day off of classes was really impressive in my opinion,” Brentley said.

As Brentley continued to host the documentary and discussion session in the Student Union, Hurley and a group of students participated in the 30th annual Martin Luther King Day March held in downtown Erie. The march began in Perry Square and ended at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center on Chestnut St. “For me personally, the event

also renews and reinvigorates my vocation with that sense of continuing to do and strive to do that unfinished work that MLK dedicated much of his life in working towards justice,” Hurley said.

“The MLK march might have one name, but it has many people, voices and perspectives. It’s an annual event that brings together people with hopes and dreams.”

According to a report by Erie News Now, there were around 250 attendees at the march despite the cold temperatures.

“The march has become more and more about solidarity, about reconnecting with others in Erie and about renewing a commitment to a holistic sense of community and a march for peace and justice for all,” Hurley said.

“MLK’s work towards justice and belief in nonviolence is something the Sisters of Mercy also believe. The march renews a sense of pride in being an American citizen and a local resident.”

Brentley and Hurley have already started planning to make next year’s event bigger and more inclusive for the campus.

“Overall, the day went really well and I am looking forward to next year to expand and do bigger and better things,” Brentley said.

“Hopefully we can highlight MLK day with an entire week with some extended programming with the opportunity for more people to be involved. I was very pleased and humbled by the attendance we got this year.”

On Feb. 4, the Mercyhurst Evelyn Lincoln Institute for Ethics and Society (ELIES) will host Danielle McGuire, Ph.D., award-winning author, social justice advocate and Organization of American Historians Distinguished Lecturer, to discuss “Recy Taylor, Rosa Parks, and the Radical Roots of #MeToo.” According to Verna Ehret, Ph. D., associate professor of Religious Studies and the director of ELIES, “Dr. McGuire’s lecture will hopefully expand the conversation beyond just suffrage. Where the right to vote is the right to a voice in governance, Dr. McGuire’s lecture will provide opportunities for looking at other avenues of women’s voices in relation to two important African American women, Recy Taylor and Rosa Parks.”

The talk is free and open to the public.

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

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NEWS

On Being an Editor: Th i s weekend’s Why you should join campus events the 2020-2021 staff STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Editorial by Merciad Staff

Picture this: You heard that the Merciad is looking for new editors and you’re contemplating whether or not to send in your application. You ask yourself, “What could I possibly gain from joining a newspaper editing staff ? What if I don’t have enough experience? What if the rest of the staff thinks I’m weird? Do I want to get paid to have fun next year?” If you are having any of these concerns, the 2019-2020 editing staff is here to answer your questions and encourage you to join a team that we all care about.

This year there are five graduating seniors on the Merciad staff: Editor in Chief Lauren Abbott, News editor Kristian Biega, Arts and Entertainment editor Lauren Ganger, Opinion editor Anthony Miller and Features editor Maria Williams.

The section positions that will be available for application will be Opinion, Features, andArts and Entertainment. Along with other tasks, these positions rely heavily on researching and pitching article ideas as well as coordinating article assignments with writers on a weekly basis.

Each section editor is also responsible for editing and formatting their own pages using Adobe InDesign software.

“I started as a writer and moved to Features dditor and then Managing editor my junior year,” Managing editor Marina Boyle said. “As the future Editor in Chief, I’m excited to put together a really strong team of editors who can create a great weekly product and have a fun time doing so. I knew nothing about InDesign and didn’t have much editing experience, but the position and the environment allows you to learn on the job and excel at it quickly.”

Positions of copy editor and managing editor are also available. These positions also must attend weekly meetings and editing nights but are not as intensive as the section editors, so if you are looking to get involved, this may be the place to start.

“It’s a great opportunity for anyone who wants to be an editor,” copy editor Rebecca Dunphy said. “You get to be in the office with the rest of the staff, meet great people, and learn a lot about the editing process.”

Managing editor assists the editor in chief in all necessary duties as asked and acts as a liaison between the Merciad and Mercyhurst staff as needed.

“Managing editor allows you to get a sneak peek of the entire newspaper each week before it goes to print. Editing the newspaper sets you up well for a va-

riety of future positions, allows you to understand the entire creation process and lets you get to know everyone on our team, from writers to editors and advisers,” Boyle said.

It is preferred that the copy editor has experience writing or editing in Associated Press (AP) journalistic style in order to best edit others’ work.

While previous experience with formal writing and editing is preferred, everyone is welcome to apply regardless of background. The current Merciad staff is made up of all majors from English to Dance to Intelligence Studies.

“Part of what I like most about the Merciad staff is how diverse our interests are and how involved we all are at Mercyhurst.

That really helps us to be aware of every aspect of campus and work together well,” Biega said.

There are many reasons to join the Merciad staff, both in social and practical aspects.

“People should consider joining the staff because there really is a sense of community here at the Merciad,” Miller said. “Not only that, but there is also the practical experience this position gives you within the field of editing. Sometimes we even order pizza on editing nights.”

Joining the paper gives you an inside look into the activity on campus and opens you up to a variety of on and off campus events that you may not have known about before.

“As the Arts and Entertainment editor for the past two years, I have really gotten to know what events are happening all across campus,” Ganger said.

“As editor, I have written and edited articles about events that I was already involved in which has been a nice way to monetize my commitments. There is a lot of camaraderie among the staff that keeps our editing nights really fun.”

Being on the editing staff may seem like a daunting task, but part of the benefit of having so many staff members is that there is always someone to help out.

“I am still new to the Merciad staff, this being my first semester, and I am still figuring things out,” sophomore Sports Editor Gillian Mazur said. “But there are a lot of nice perks to this position like always knowing what is happening on campus.”

The staff frequently helps each other out with technical difficulties, coming up with ideas or writing articles for other sections.

“Being on the editing staff is a very collaborative experience, we never work in a bubble.

There is always another editor

in the office to help you with a question or bounce ideas off ” Abbott said.

The editing and writing that comes with the position is not always serious. The current staff has become a group of friends that are able to work hard and play hard together.

“I was grateful that I had the opportunity to join the staff despite my minimal writing experience. We are all so close and stupid together and it’s great. We are all a family here,” Williams said. “The Merciad has become my home away from home.”

The Merciad staff edits the paper the Tuesday night before sending the finished product to be printed at an outside source.

The Merciad is delivered around campus by the editors each Wednesday afternoon.

“Even though Tuesday nights can be long and stressful at times, this staff always makes me laugh with our weird inside jokes and stories and we really enjoy our time together. We all want to see the best product possible being put out so we work hard, but have fun doing so,” Biega said.

The Merciad has been a part of Mercyhurst since 1929, we just celebrated 90 years as a paper last semester. The Merciad captures the essence of the campus at particular points in time. Through the Merciad, future generations of Lakers can look back and see how campus looked and felt to us and what was going on at a particular time in history. It is through a dedicated team of editors and writers that this legacy carries on year after year.

“I’ve been a part of the Merciad since I was a freshman, and now as a senior finishing up my last semester as Editor in Chief I’ve very happy with how we’ve progressed over the years as a staff. I started the paper as an Intelligence Studies major with no journalism experience and I’m graduating with four years of writing and editing under my belt. This paper has been one of the highlights of my Mercyhurst career and I can’t wait to see the staff that will continue on the tradition after I graduate,” Abbott said.

The Merciad is also looking for an ad manager, which does not involve any writing, but simply securing ads to go in the Merciad each week. It too is a paid position and gives real-world commercial experience.

Applications will be accepted until Feb. 12. If you have any further questions, please contact the Merciad Staff at merciad@ mercyhurst.edu.

Do you have a musical or artistic talent to showcase to your fellow Lakers? Sign up for MAC/SAC’s Open Mic Night this Friday, Jan. 31 beginning at 8 p.m. at Luke’s Landing in the Student Union. There will be refreshments and great entertainment you won’t want to miss!

Looking for a pick-me-up? Look no further than MAC/SAC’s National Get Up Day event this Saturday Feb. 1 at 9 p.m. in the Student Union Great Room. Spoken word poet, Patrick Roche, will give an inspirational talk on perseverance.

MERCYHURST CAMPUS

CRIME LOG Jan. 25: Liquor law violation in Ryan Hall.

Jan. 22: Theft in Duval Apartments.

Jan. 27: Controlled substance, liquior law, false ID in Warde Hall.

Jan. 26: Criminal mischief on 3900 Block of Lewis Ave.

FEATURES

PAGE 6

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Ganger presents study on plants

By Gianluca Ianiro

Staff writer

The first of the year in the Christina Difonzo Seminar Series in Biology took place on Jan. 24. The Mercyhurst community welcomed Mike Ganger, Ph. D. from Gannon University.

Ganger discussed his current student-driven research project titled, “Bacteria affect sex determination and rhizoid development in the homosporous fern Ceratopteris richardii.”

Ganger’s seminar began with a rudimentary discussion of the life cycle of ferns or how he affectionately deemed it “the awful no good horrible life cycle.”

He glossed over several topics in an effort to ensure everyone in the room could comprehend the more complex information he would cover. The research is centered around the fern Ceratopteris richardii.

In order to understand this fern, it is noted that the hermaphrodite can be known as the “female” and produces a hormone known as antheridiogen that will create the sperm producing “male” antheridium.

To clarify, if spores are hit by antheridiogen by a hermaphrodite, it will become male, and if not it will remain a hermaphrodite.

One of the hypotheses tested was based on the Dar-

winian ideology of sexual selection.

Females have a higher demand for resources than males do, so when there are not a lot of nutrients available more males will come to be.

The experiment began with 100% nutrient agar that was cereal diluted across 500 sterile petri dishes in order to compare high and low nutrients on a plot.

The results showed that low nutrients do not produce low amounts of hermaphrodites like Darwin would suggest, but instead it is just the antheridiogen.

This led to the new bacteria hypothesis. In plants, bacteria located in and around the roots communicate with each other via signaling and essentially tell plants what to do or how to grow.

Bacteria added to the system produced a 5 to 7% increase in hermaphrodites by messing with the antheridiogen system.

The bacteria also increased the length of the rhizoids and decreased the overall number of rhizoids.

Some possibilities of sex determination are that the bacteria eat antheridiogen, bacteria increase nutrients in petri dishes, and the plant perception of good bacteria leads to a detection of lipopolysacharides, flagellin, N-acetylglucosamine.

These possibilities were

tested by treating 20 plates, 10 with bacteria and 10 without an extracting fluid. After a series of biological techniques were used, they were tested on the ferns after two weeks.

The results showed that the bacteria does not eat antheridiogen, bacteria does not alter nutrients, and bacteria does make it through the autoclave.

All bacteria that are gram negatives seem to increase the length of the rhizoids. It is also noted that through a mistake in the controls it was discovered that fungi too affected rhizoid length.

This research is far from being conclusive of the role of bacteria in determining the sex of Ceratopteris richardii, but has raised more than a few interesting questions along the way.

“It was a very interesting presentation in a field of biology I am not very familiar with and showed me some different opportunities I could pursue with my biology degree after I graduate,” junior Biology major and aspiring future optometrist Bryce Niebauer said.

Dates of future seminars are posted on the Mercyhurst Hub and on posters all over campus. These seminars are freely available for all students.

Spring Dining series begins at Hurst

By Marina Boyle Managing editor

The much-anticipated spring edition of the student-run dining series opens on Jan. 29. Senior Hospitality Management students are charged with planning, creating and serving a three-course meal as their senior project, based on a theme of their choice.

The meals are served in the J.W. and Alice Marriott Café in Mercyhurst’s Center for Academic Engagement, taking place on Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the semester.

Open to students, staff and members of the Erie community, the series offers the unique opportunity to experience fine dining on campus and support these final-year students in their culinary endeavors.

Senior Michaela Wickham will open this year’s series with her menu, “Spring Comfort.” Wickham is preparing a clementine salad, chicken pot pie and solstice cake; a lemon chiffon cake with a twist.

“I grew up making comfort foods with my mom and grandma and the food made was always the centerpiece for our huge family gatherings. I’m using a family pot pie

recipe in honor of those family traditions, I created the recipe for the salad on my own. I have ambitiously planned the final course in honor of my late grandfather,” Wickham said.

Other menus over the course of the series include “A Taste of Little Italy,” “Brie Our Guest” and “An Evening on the Water.” The “007” menu will feature a wedge salad, beef wellington with potatoes au gratin and brussels sprouts and a tuxedo mousse.

Seniors Chandler Brandetsas and Mitchell Marsh have teamed up to create “Twisted Chipotle.”

Their menu is what Marsh describes as a “more upscale” version of their shared love of Chipotle cuisine, including a salsa trio starter, fish tacos and a churro cupcake to finish.

“I am excited for the Statler Department of Hospitality Management’s Spring Dining Series to kick off because it’s great to have this hands-on experience and work in the state-of-the-art Marriott Kitchen with a great group of classmates who have become teammates,” Marsh said.

On March 13, senior Claire Engle will serve her menu “From East Aurora With Love.” Featuring Swiss chard soup, grilled chicken with truffle and mushroom risotto

and a flour-less double chocolate cake, Engle took inspiration from close to home.

“My meal was inspired by my hometown of East Aurora. My appetizer is my mom’s homemade recipe that really makes me think of being home and cooking with her. My entrée and dessert are actually inspired by the restaurant I work at home, and these meals are the most popular on the menu so I wanted to give everyone a little taste of where I come from,” Engle said.

Seating for the meals take place from 5 to 5:30 p.m. The cost of the three-course experience is $13 per person, including tax. Reservations are required for all meals and can be made by calling 814-824-2565.

As well as the pleasure of good food, patrons should also consider going to support the students who have worked so hard to make the events a reality.

“I’m excited for the evening because it’s the first time I’ve ever been in charge of something I’ve planned from start to finish,” Wickham said. “It’s been a lot of hard work and late nights, and more paperwork than I imagined, but to have that feeling of ‘I created this’ is amazing.”

F O L L O W T H E M E R C I A D O N FAC E B O O K AT @ T H E M E R C I A D

FEATURES

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

PAGE 7

Hurst celebrates the new decade

By Victoria McGinty

Staff writer

With the events of the New Year behind us, students return to the realities of studying and working hard.

But, here at Mercyhurst, we are still ecstatic about the turn of a new decade, the 2020s. In light of the New Year, the Mercyhurst MAC/SAC team hosted two pivotal events to kick off the new semester, a 1920s themed bash followed by a Lunar New Year celebration.

Following the stress of the second week, MAC/SAC hosted this series of celebrations in the student union.

On Jan. 24, students turned out for the 1920s Gatbsy event featuring iconic decor in black and gold, strings of pearls and a photo booth with an array of boas.

However, the outstanding piece of this event was the lay-

out of ’20’s themed cookies from Erie’s own Icing on the Lake.

The cookies were a curved dough slathered in white icing with an icing outline of a champagne glass, edible glitter and sprinkles complimenting this delicious delicacy.

Freshman Sarah Sebald was among those in attendance who enjoyed the event.

“This event helped me to remember why I love this campus so much, as someone who loves the history of the 1920s, I almost felt transported into Gatsby-like age,” she said. “I had a blast.”

Overall, the ’20s themed celebration took us back in time to a place we only dreamed of living in. Luckily, we were given a taste of all that jazz right here behind our very own gates.

MAC/SAC team programmer Katy Vaccariello agreed.

“I was extremely excited to bring forward an event that was Gatsby theme,” she said. “I have

always loved the concept of the Roaring 20s, and as a fashion major the clothing from the 20s was a major draw. I was super excited to see what students would do in order to meet the theme.

So many students dressed to the max making the event so much better.”

Following the evening of glamour, the MAC/SAC staff put together a Lunar New Year event to ring in the Year of the Rat. The Chinese New Year is a little different than the American New Year celebration. The Chinese New Year falls a little after our own and always defines each year by the values a certain animal represents.

This year, the Lunar New Year — also referred to as The Spring Festival — fell on Jan. 25 and this year we honor the rat.

The Year of the Rat refers to a variety of symbolic meanings and fortunes as to what’s in store for this year.

According to Newsweek, “the zodiacal Rat is laden with multiple layers of symbolism. Associated with the hour before and after midnight, the rat typically represents new beginnings. They are powerful symbols of fertility, wealth and plenty, so people born in the Year of the Rat are considered to be optimistic, easy-going and kind, if a bit too direct.”

The Lunar New Year event saw a solid turnout. Students were welcomed into the Student Union by lanterns and Lunar New Year-themed decor all around the room. Students were invited to test out their calligraphy skills and spell out Chinese symbols for different words like “love” and “happiness.”

“I loved this event,” freshman Fashion Merchandising major, Natalie Yurasits said. “I love the way the MAC/SAC crew puts on events like this one because it helps us to recognize and understand other cultures and from

that, I was able to learn about the culture of the holiday and how to write some Chinese symbols.”

The MAC/SAC staff also provided traditional delicacies like oranges and potstickers as well as Lunar New Year-themed fans and coins for students to take with them.

Culture is spread throughout the campus, and with the help of events like the ones from this past weekend, that culture is further enhanced.

Both the 1920s event and the Lunar New Year celebration helped students learn more about these cultures and themes connect tradition and celebration and how they affect our lives today.

MAC/SAC has plans to put on more events this semester that will promote other cultures and traditions in the near future.

Victoria McGinty photo

Victoria McGinty photo

Cookies were served during the Roaring ’20s party to celebrate the new decade.

Fans with Chinese characters were handed out to party goers in the Student Union to celebrate the Year of the Rat.

LAKER MOMENT Women’s Soccer Banquet On Sunday, Jan. 26, the women’s soccer team held a banquet to celebrate its best season in six years.

Contributed photo

FEATURES

PAGE 8

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Professors and students discuss current events

By Lauren Abbott Editor in chief

Current events offer a unique opportunity for faculty and students to take theory and ideas from the classroom and engage in lively discussion out of normal class time.

On Tuesday, Jan. 28, the National Security Club hosted a discussion titled “Current Events: Death of Qasem Soleimani and the Implications in the Middle East.”

The discussion included Duncan McGill, Ph.D, Dean of the Ridge College of Intelligence Studies and Applied Sciences; Christopher Corpora, Ph.D, professor of practice of Intelligence Studies; Fred Hoffman, assistant professor of Intelligence Studies; and Brian Ripley, Ph.D, professor

of Political Science.

“We chose this topic primarily because as the national Security Club, we are about enhancing the knowledge of our members in events that impact the United States’ national security and its national interests,” club president Aaron Qaio said.

Students filled the room to listen to the discussion, which started with guided questions, opened up for student questions and featured insightful commentary from the professors. Intelligence Studies Professors have experience in the national security realm over their careers and brought real world insight to the discussion.

“I’ve had class with most of these professors and wanted to hear their take on current tensions with Iran,” junior Intelligence Studies major Doug Wilsch said.

Do you have opinions about Mercyhurst? Do you want to see changes around campus? Come to the Student Trustees Social! Make sure you RSVP and have your voice heard! You will get notified if you are invited to come.

Hurst travels to France, England and Guyana for winter break

By Laia Santos Oliver Contributing writer

From Jan 2 to Jan 10, Mercyhurst students studied abroad in England and France. The reason behind going to France and England was the fact that it was the 75th anniversary of D-Day, considered one of the most important days in U.S. and world history.

“We went there in commoration for D-Day,” Pete Stadtmueller, Graphic Design program director, said.

From seeing Big Ben from the London Eye to taking a picture with the Eiffel Tower in the background, students got to enjoy their time in Europe while also earning class credits towards their major, minor or REACH Curriculum requirements.

Among the most popular sights during the trip were the beaches at Normandy.

Jill Marcellin, a senior Communication and Graphic Design major, felt especially connected to Utah Beach, as her great uncle took part in the battle that was fought 75 years ago on that same sand where she was standing.

“It was really interesting because if you didn’t know, you’d think nothing happened there, but something tragic and important for everyone did,” she said. “It made me incredibly proud of my

uncle and all of the soldiers who fought there and on all the other beaches.”

Nick Brodfuehrer, a sophomore Intelligence Studies and Political Science major, had a similar story. His great-grandfather was on Omaha Beach during World War II. “I do think it is extremely important that people see places such as the beaches of Normandy,” he said. “It was a very weird feeling to be there. During the summer, people swim on those beaches. The meaning we have behind it in America is very different.”

Students noticed several differences between the U.S. and Europe while abroad. Sophomore Intelligence Studies and Sociology major Ally Harper pointed out that people in Europe tend to use public transportation, carpool together or walk regardless of the weather. She also noted some differences in individuals’ behaviors.

“Individuals will not approach you, and if you need something, you have to go to them versus the United States where it’s the opposite,” Harper said.

She also added that the atmosphere in France seemed to be more relaxed unlike in the U.S., where everything seems to be on a rush schedule.

They also noticed the difference in clothing styles.

“The fashion was more interesting. They wear simple things and we kind of looked like slobs,” junior Graphic Design major, Claire Orr said.

The students were not the only ones affected by this trip.

Stadtmueller was brought back to his childhood while walking on the beaches of Normandy.

“When I was a child, my mailman was one of the original Band of Brothers,” Stadtmueller said.

“His name was Joe Lesniewski.

We would chase him down the block. It wasn’t until later in my life that I found out this guy was a legit war hero. The whole time we were there, I was thinking of this guy and the stuff that he went through. And then he came back to Erie and worked as a mailman,” Stadtmueller said.

“He was a war hero there and back here, he was just a normal guy,” he said.

Overall, the students agreed that taking part in this study abroad program was a great experience and would recommend all students to follow their footsteps and broaden their horizons.

“I have gone on three of these trips over my four years at Mercyhurst and I truly feel like these were my best experiences here,” Marcellin said. “I truly think that these trips push you in ways you wouldn’t know or expect, but they have been one of the best things

I’ve ever done.”

Likewise, both Brodfuehrer and Harper agreed that the trip was an amazing experience and that studying abroad has not only allowed them to live new and unforgettable experiences, but it has also helped them create new bonds with other students as well as a growing appreciation for other cultures.

There was also a trip to Guyana during this time. This trip was focused on service work.

The first few days on the trip, the students toured different areas. They then chose where they wanted to do work. This was either in a hospital, school or soup kitchen.

After a day of working, the students would go to the boys orphanage and play games with the orphans. They would also sometimes have a speaker after dinner.

There was a lot of value to the students involved on this trip.

“The way they treated one another was also really cool,” senior English major Allie Schweiger said. “It was a very polite culture.

It was very cool to see. It was a really eye-opening experience. It made us aware of the privilege we have here.”

The students were shocked about how different the culture is in Guyana compared to the US. “It’s a third world country. so they have limited resources, they

don’t have a lot,” junior Human Resource Management major, Rachel Sallach said. “They are always in need of money. They are always in need of stuff. But they don’t worry. They have this amazing faith in God that what they need is going to come.

“That was really different because we live in a culture that if you aren’t worrying, we aren’t doing it right.”

The Guyana trip aligns with Mercyhurt’s core values, students observed.

“This trip fit really well with the Mercy values. A lot of what we saw was affiliated with the Sister of Mercy or run by them in Guyana.” Sallach said.

It was an experience Sallach and Schweiger will never forget, they said. They encouraged all students to go to Guyana.

Any student who might be interested in partaking in a study abroad program at Mercyhurst can find information regarding how to apply, funding and travel preparation on the Study Abroad page on the Mercyhurst Hub or by emailing the Study Abroad office directly at studyabroad@mercyhurst.edu.

For pictures, see page 9.

FEATURES

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

PAGE 9

Contributed photo

Mercyhurst students sitting by the “I heart Guyana� sign while on their trip to Guyana during Winter Break. The ministries they helped at were run by 12 Sisters of Mercy.

Contributed photo

Pete Stadtmueller admiring Omaha Beach on the trip to France.

Contributed photo

Mercyhurst students playing with orphans after a hard of service at various places in Guyana.

Contributed photo

Students and staff enjoying the sun instead of the snow in Guyana.

Contributed photo

Students at Omaha Beach sitting in the American Memorial.

PAGE 10

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

FAC U LT Y R E C I TA L R E V I E W

MU faculty recital series is ‘Kellen’ it

By Rachele Heasley

Staff writer

The Mercyhurst D’Angelo Department of Music’s cello instructor Kellen Degnan performed a recital on Jan. 22.

It was it a great show.

Percussionist Daniel Raney was featured on the program as well.

All the pieces that were performed had been composed in the last 20 years, including a piece composed specifically for this recital; “Tinted Postcards” by Maddy Wildman.

This piece was in three movements, which were interspersed throughout the program, one at the beginning, one in the middle, and one at the end, providing an interesting way to tie the whole concert together.

Each movement of this piece describes a park the composer holds dear from a different chapter of her life.

The first was called “Ponderosas at Polly Judd.”

This movement was inspired by ponderosa trees in Spokane, Washington.

The images of majestic trees that “scrape the stars” are very evident in the music, with sustained notes broken up by delicate plucking.

Degnan gave an infinitely emotional performance of the piece, building in motion and fluidity as it progressed.

He developed a haunting tone and showcased beautiful vibrato.

The most incredible thing about this piece was at the end when, as the last note rang into eternity, the whole hall fell still.

Degnan did not stand for applause and not a soul even

Photo by Rachele Heasley

Raney (left) and Degnan (right) pose with their instruments after the recital.

breathed.

He moved silently on to the next piece.

This piece was composed in 2019 by Erica MacLeod and was called “The Lost Gardens of Heligan.”

The Gardens of Heligan, located in the United Kingdom, were lost in the first World War. They were not rediscovered until about 80 years later, when they were excavated and opened to the public. Each movement is inspired by a section of the gardens.

The first movement was called “Pleasure Grounds” and had an enchanting and mystical tone, with lots of motion and dissonance.

The second movement was

“Butterflies of Sundial Garden,” quick like the first movement but more uncertain with some surprising plucking sections.

Next came “The Georgian Ride,” a section with lots of motion and full bodied yet short bow strokes.

This section also highlighted some high, singing notes.

The “Walled Gardens” movement was lyrical but still guarded, as the name would suggest.

The movement grew almost sad with gently lamenting notes.

It ended with drone notes and plucking that slowly faded away.

The last movement was “The Jungle,” which started wildly and with passion before ending with a ringing note.

The next piece was the second movement from Tinted Postcards, entitled “Nichols Arboretum, 12 AM.” This one was inspired by walking through her college’s arboretum in the dark late at night.

It began with bowing under the bridge to emulate the wind, which Degnan executed beautifully.

There were intense, startling parts woven through parts of fluid, running lines.

Degnan also employed an interesting technique where he would play notes while sliding his flat palm against the fingerboard.

The oldest piece in the repertoire was written in 2000, called “Sept Paillons for Solo Cello” by Kaija Saariaho.

This piece was a collection of seven miniature movements of varying style, from fluttery lines to heavy bass notes to tapping on the fingerboard to create new sounds.

The collection was about butterflies, and each little miniature had its own distinct personality.

My personal favorite piece of the evening was “Boris Kerner”

by Caroline Shaw, which was written in 2012.

This was the one that featured guest performer Raney.

It started simply and slowly on the cello, and then the percussion was introduced on an assortment of ceramic flowerpots, provided

by Home Depot.

There was almost a conversation between cello and flowerpots, an exquisite combination.

The flowerpots sounded like bells more than anything, and it was so interesting to watch Raney playing them like he would a tiny drum set, cross legged on the floor with drumsticks.

Degnan ended the concert with the remaining movement from “Tinted Postcards,” called “EKW” after Edness Kimball Wilkins state park in Wyoming.

The composer went to this park when she was a child and only has hazy memories of it, and the piece reflects that.

It was warm, but had motion to it.

The melody was loose and tranquil, like running through tall grass under a sunny sky.

It was a sweet and fitting way to end the recital.

CAG REVIEW

Check out new art installation

By Victoria McGinty Staff writer

“Light, when it occurs in painting, reveals a great deal about what is valued and why,” artist Jil Evans said when describing her exhibit, entitled “The Heart’s Bright and Dark Light.”

Evans continued, “The paintings in this series were made following a year-long study of light in five paintings whose light moved me.”

The Minnesota-based artist brings her work to the Cummings Art Gallery on her winter tour of the east coast/midwest region.

The Cummings Art Gallery hosts this installation from Jan. 13 to Feb. 13, giving Mercyhurst students and community members ample time to see the exhibit.

On Jan. 23, the Cummings Art Gallery hosted a public reception and discussion with the artist where art lovers from the Mercyhurst and Erie communities could admire the artwork and meet the woman behind it.

When observing Evans’ work, I found myself drawn to the contrast of the darker colors enhanced by the hues of navy blues, rosy pinks and light strokes of crimson.

In each canvas, I found something different.

The theme of light was captured in a few through color collage while others captured my eye because of their “Monet-esque” illusions in floral arrangements.

Contrasting her abstract pieces, Evans also presented a series of still life pieces.

A handful of these are scenes from a time long ago, possibly set in faraway places like Italy.

One piece entitled “De Hooch 1” depicts a man and woman.

The painting is set in a small home, the man, dressed in an orange frock, coming down a staircase, the woman kneeling and looking at him with a smile.

The home is simple, a shelf acting as a focal point behind the woman and a door to her left cracked open slightly.

The painting itself mainly consists of browns, black lines and light strokes of yellow.

This piece was heavily inspired by “The Asparagus Vendor” by artist Pieter De Hooch.

With “The Heart’s Bright and Dark Light” being Evans’ 15th collection, her years of creation have shown audiences many themes, like her fascination with European art, specifically the Italian region, and her fascination with symbolism.

Besides her installation at the Cummings Art Gallery, Evans has exhibited her work both on a national and international scale.

Following the stay in Erie, Evans and her work will travel to St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota, where her work will be featured for the majority of the spring.

The Cummings Art Gallery is open Monday to Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

You will not want to miss this exhibit!

On Jan. 26, at 4:30 p.m., the D’Angelo Department of Music hosted the annual Concerto/ Aria Competition. Six musicians competed for the opportunity to accompany the Erie Civic Orchestra at the spring concert in May. This year’s winners were sophomores Abigail Wise (voice) and Paul Caram (piano). Congratulations to everyone who performed!

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

PAGE 11

Looking for things to do this semester?

By Marina Boyle Managing editor

The Mercyhurst Institute for Arts & Culture (MIAC) is the much-loved creative branch of Mercyhurst that brings unique talent and performing arts experiences to Erie each year.

Under the leadership of Brett Johnson, Ph.D., Artistic Director, MIAC is poised to ring in 2020 with a host of exciting events.

Mercyhurst’s student ensembles also offer some performances you will not want to miss.

Showcasing Mercyhurst’s own talents, the Performing Arts Center (PAC) will welcome the Wind Ensemble, the Jazz Ensemble and the Mercyhurst Civic Orchestra this semester.

The Concert Choir will give performances in the Walker Recital Hall throughout the semester, and the Jazz Ensemble can be heard in the Taylor Little Theatre.

For dance lovers, the opportunity to see Mercyhurst’s homegrown dance talent is ample, with

National Water Dance on April 18 and “Raw Edges XXII,” beginning April 24.

On March 27 at 8 p.m. and 29 at 2 p.m., the PAC will host “Opera Pops and Sizzles.”

Members of the D’Angelo Opera Theatre, accompanied by the Mercyhurst Civic Orchestra, will perform scenes and arias from operas made famous by television, movies and cartoons.

Johnson will direct students in the Theatre Program’s production of “Babes in Arms,” a quintessential musical that boasts beloved songs including “Where or When,” “My Funny Valentine,” “The Lady is a Tramp” and “Johnny One Note.”

This production will have four performances, Feb 20 to 22 at 7:30 p.m. and a matinée on Feb 23 at 2:00.

Two months later, “Mozart and His Merry Maids” takes to the Walker Recital Hall stage on April 24 at 7 p.m. for an evening of Mozart.

Looking beyond Laker talent,

the MIAC Live series will welcome some highly anticipated guests.

The fun begins with the “Yamato: The Drummers of Japan” on Feb. 11.

Their new production, entitled “Jhonetsu – Passion,” aims to capture Yamato’s strength, spirit and endurance as an art.

Over spring break, on March 3 at 7:30 p.m., the PAC will be the venue for a performance by Les Ballets Trockadero De Monte Carlo.

These male ballerinas present a playful, entertaining view of classic ballet by showcasing their talents in parody form en travesti – crossdressing.

The world’s foremost all-male comic ballet troupe promises to give a night to remember.

In the latter half of the season, MIAC Live is excited to present Broadway, television and film star Brian Stokes Mitchell on April 1 at 7:30 p.m., followed closely by “An Evening With Glenn Close,” celebrated actress and performer,

on April 16 at 7:30 p.m.

For those still not wowed, there are also the Cummings Art Gallery offerings.

The 2020 offerings start with “The Heart’s Bright and Dark Light,” which is a collection of new work from Minnesota painter Jil Evans.

Her work will be followed by the annual Patricia S. Yahn Juried Student Art Show, again displaying the work of students in the University’s arts programs.

The gallery will close out the year with its permanent collection.

“From Broadway to Hollywood and comic ballet to traditional Japanese drumming, the Institute’s eclectic spring roster of offerings promises something for everyone,” Johnson said.

Ticket prices vary by performance, but for all MIAC Live events, students can get in for free with their Mercyhurst ID. Make sure you get your ticket in advance, because these performances can sell out quickly.

Don’t have a ticket for a sold out show?

You can join the cancellation line for any performance.

Any unclaimed will call tickets or empty seats will be released to patrons on a first-come, firstserved basis when the box office opens at 6:30 p.m.

So far in the spring season, the Institute has been able to accommodate every single person waiting in the cancellation line.

MIAC also strengthens the vibrancy of Erie by opening its doors to the public for all these shows, so you are welcome to bring your family or friends, as long as they purchase a ticket as well.

Without a doubt, the new decade of MIAC is going to offer something for everyone to enjoy.

For more information on performances and tickets, visit the MIAC website at https://miac. mercyhurst.edu/.

Music dept. to The good, the bad and the host students Grammys: Maria spills all for annual fest GRAMMY REVIEW

By Maria Williams

Features Editor

Awards Season has just begun in the pop culture world.

The 62nd Annual Grammy Awards were on Jan. 26 and they were very interesting to say the least.

Grammys are the biggest award you can win for music.

If you are in the music industry, you want to be known as a Grammy winner.

It is kind of a big deal.

Ever since I was a little kid, I loved watching the Grammys.

I would be glued to my television for the three hours the show was on in hopes that my favorite musician would win an award.

This has not changed at all, even in my older age.

This year, Alicia Keys was the host.

That was disappointing.

I am just not the biggest fan of Keys, but I tried to keep an open mind.

She did do a tribute to the late, great Kobe Bryant.

The host is never really the part of the show I care about.

I am watching for the performances and awards.

Billie Eilish is an acquired taste, but I love her.

She was hands down my favorite performer of the night.

She and her brother, Finneas, sang “When the Party’s Over,” which pleasantly surprised me.

I thought for sure that she was going to sing “Bad Guy” because that was the song she was most nominated for.

It was a different performance for her.

She did not include any stage antics or weird dancing.

It was just her and Finneas singing.

It was beautiful and she did not miss a note.

She set the bar, and no one was able to top that for the night.

She won the biggest awards of the night, “Best New Artist,” “Best Song,” “Best Record” and “Best Album.”

I think she deserved all of them.

She is extremely talented for an 18-year-old, and like I said before, I just adore her as an artist.

There were many good performances throughout the night.

Lizzo, Camila Cabello and Ben Platt did amazing (even though Platt only sang part of a song).

No complaints here about them.

However, with award shows, there are always some bad performances in addition to the good

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ones.

I have to say there was one that just struck me as weird.

Tyler the Creator rapped his song “Earfquake” and it was very strange.

The whole time I thought I was going nuts.

I really cannot explain what I saw.

Another performance that was just awful was Aerosmith and Run DMC. It was a hot mess.

The mixture of Rap with Rock was not a good combination here.

Steven Tyler, the front man of Aerosmith, was stumbling all over the stage and it just was not his best.

It was by far the worst performance of the night.

Even with some weird performances and an annoying host, I thought the Grammy Awards were good.

They definitely were not the best.

It was nice because it was all about the music.

No one tried to give a political statement during their acceptance speech.

They kept it about the art of what they do.

I really enjoyed the Grammys this year.

By Carlena Bressanelli

Staff writer

This upcoming weekend, you will not want to miss the Tri-State Festival in the Performing Arts Center.

This annual event is hosted by the D’Angelo Department of Music.

They invite high school musicians from Western Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio and Western New York for this festival.

Music Department Chair Nathan Hess, D.M.A., said that this event “was started in the early 2000s and has continued every year.”

“It was started because we desired to have a weekend band festival, inviting talented high school students to stay overnight, who would be possible recruits to enroll in our degree programs,” Hess said.

Music Department professor Scott Meier, PhD, has been in charge of this event for about 15 years.

It is an annual event that takes place every year at the beginning of the spring semester.

Hess said that the festival begins on Jan. 30, when the high school

We are looking for writers and photographers for the Merciad!

Email: merciad@mercyhurst.edu

students will begin rehearsals at Mercyhurst.

They stay overnight in a hotel.

The rehearsals resume on Jan. 31, and continue for most of the day.

That night, Mercyhurst’s Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble perform in the Prism Concert under the direction of Meier.

The two Mercyhurst student soloists who will be featured this year are junior flautist Morgan Dowches and freshman trumpeter Kirk Morrison, both Music Education majors.

On Feb. 1, the high school students will present a concert in the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center, showcasing the work they have done in rehearsals over the past two days.

This concert, called the Honor Concert, will also be directed by Meier.

The 2020 Tri-State Festival officially ends after the conclusion of this concert.

Both concerts are free and open to the public.

The Prism concert begins at 8 p.m. on Jan. 31 and the Honor Band concert begins at 2 p.m. on Feb. 1.

You’ll be paid $10 per article!

OPINION

PAGE 12

GOOD This is the first Merciad of the 2020’s!

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

About using all 18 of your credits where I have been unable to use up all of my credits, despite not having substantial workloads for Klein these 1-credit courses.

Staff writer I believe that I could have been able to manage an As you likely know, us students additional class. are given 18 credit hours to use I am lucky that I have the up every semester. flexibility in my school schedule Most classes are three credits, to be able to take classes just for so realistically, you’re only able fun, but many of my friends do to take six classes in a single not. semester without paying extra.

It can be a challenge for them As someone with a double to satisfy their major or minor major and a minor I try to requirements when they are make use of the full credit load limited by circumstance to five whenever possible. classes a semester for four out of In fact, now on my sixth eight semesters. semester here at Mercyhurst, I It can be especially difficult have consistently taken as many for those majoring in the science credits as I could each and every field, as these students must take semester. several four-credit classes.

This is to satisfy major and If a student must take a sixth minor requirements, REACH class in order to graduate on requirements, and even to take time, putting them over the on a few classes just for personal 18-credit limit, then this can pose interest. a serious financial burden as they However, most of my must pay for each additional semesters have not been able credit. to get beyond 16 credits, due to As I’m sure we’re all aware, the iMU, Beyond the Gates, and a lab current system has its fair share class for REACH. of issues.

These classes are only one In an ideal world, I feel as credit, effectively leaving students though students should have the with two credits left over that opportunity to take six entire they can’t do all that much with. classes each semester, not just 18 This is four semesters now credits.

By Sarah

BAD Erie’s infamous winter weather has started to rear its ugly head.

HAPPY Some good Samaritan placed snow ducks all around campus.

The Merciad STUDENT EDITORS Lauren Abbott ..........................Editor in Chief Marina Boyle ........................Managing Editor Kristian Biega ...............................News Editor Maria Williams .......................Features Editor Gillian Mazur ..............................Sports Editor Lauren Ganger ..............................A&E Editor Anthony Miller ..........................Opinion Editor Rebecca Dunphy ...........................Copy Editor Megan Stubbs ............................ Ad Manager Steph Przepiora ...................................Advisor Contact editors at merciad@mercyhurst.edu

The Merciad is the official student-produced newspaper of Mercyhurst University. It is published throughout the school year. Our office is in Hirt, Room 110.

The Merciad welcomes letters to the editor.

All letters must be signed and names will be included with the letters. Although we will not edit the letters for content, we reserve the right to trim letters to fit.

Letters are due Mondays by noon and may not be more than 300 words. Submit letters to box PH 485 or via email at merciad@mercyhurst.edu.

This would give students the freedom to take more classes for their major or minor, or even just for fun.

It would give students more freedom to navigate their graduation requirements and work around the one and four credit courses.

I try to take advantage of the full 18 credits whenever possible because I will pay the same tuition whether I take 12 credits or 18.

I would recommend that other students do the same.

I think that you should try and get as many courses as you can out of Mercyhurst.

I enjoy spending time learning about other subjects outside of my majors and minor.

Whenever I have the opportunity to take a class outside my comfort zone, I jump at the chance.

I think that other students should have the ability to do this as well.

Although I have only been able to take a few “fun classes” so far, I plan on taking more in my upcoming senior year, when I have fewer required classes left to complete.

I hope that other students get to do the same.

Online Classes and You

By Katy Vaccariello Staff writer

Everyone has a strong opinion on online classes.

Some may cringe at the words, and some may be overjoyed with the idea of taking an online course.

I have been grateful for the online classes I have taken.

There are obvious pros and cons to online classes, but in my experience the pros vastly outweigh the cons.

As a Fashion Merchandising major with the intent of visiting the Fashion Institution of Technology for my senior year of college, online classes came in handy.

Summer classes were the only option to complete my required credits.

Living in Ohio, online summer classes through Mercyhurst were my savior.

I managed to knock out a REACH requirement and a minor course in six weeks.

That’s right, just six weeks!

The ease of a short class still allowed for a long and eventful summer.

Of course, with a short class there was a larger workload that came along with it.

One to two page papers were due weekly.

Short quizzes were assigned with each chapter.

Lastly, a recorded presentation was needed for my minor class.

Although the work sounds like a lot, it helped the classes fly by.

There was never a chance for the stress of a normal semester long class to build up.

Once complete, school was erased from my brain.

With all the raving I have done, it is important to reflect on the challenges of online classes.

There is no face-to-face interaction with online classes.

This lack of contact may make the content harder to retain, especially if a person’s strongest form of learning requires that kind of contact.

In addition to no face-to-face interaction, it is challenging to find motivation.

I recently took an ethics course online for REACH and struggled to stay focused on the content.

When in class, discussions and classmate exchanges keep a student fixated on the information at hand.

Online courses do not allow students to make connections with fellow classmates.

Despite the unique challenges of online courses, I highly recommend taking them.

They are often offered as mini classes, which leads to a lighter workload.

An online course allows a student to work at their pace.

The REACH courses I took online were topics I do not typically excel at.

Although there were deadlines, I still had the freedom to complete assignments when my full focus could be placed on the information.

I cannot speak for everyone when it comes to online courses.

Some have horror stories, while others have success stories.

However, in the end, I believe online courses can be quite beneficial.

The views expressed in the opinion section of The Merciad do not necessarily reflect the views of Mercyhurst University, the staff of The Merciad or the Catholic Church. Responses on any subject are welcome and can be emailed to merciad@mercyhurst.edu

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

OPINION

How to deal with winter weather I will wear longer socks along with boots, making sure that no

By Alex snow reaches my feet, making Trabold just walking around an annoying Staff writer chore.

But while the cold outdoors is As the new semester begins, one problem, indoors present an the students of Mercyhurst entirely different dilemma.

University find themselves once During the winter, there is again dealing with typical Erie much less moisture in the air, so weather. everything is drier.

Some days, it will be 50 No one likes dealing with dry degrees with absolutely no skin. precipitation whatsoever.

Thankfully, there are solutions Most days are not like that, to this problem. unfortunately.

This leads to not only my lips Snow never sets in around becoming chapped, but also my here until after the holidays, so hands, which have even bled time students have harsh, cold weather to time. as another obstacle to overcome To remedy this condition, I during the second half of the apply lip balm to my lips each school year. and every night before going to Having lived in this town all bed.

22 years of my life, I have come For my hands, I use skin lotion, to expect unforgiving conditions which never fails to heal any such as these. of the dry cuts on my hand the I see the snow as a worse following morning. alternative to the days of cold I also recommend buying a rain, as the water stays on your humidifier if you don’t already coat much longer than when it’s own one. It helps to have frozen into snowflakes. moisture in the air in your room.

I make sure to not only wear a Make sure to turn it off sweater, but also a winter coat. whenever you’re about to leave Gloves and a hat are also your room, it makes refilling it a necessary, as a coat doesn’t keep less common chore. your ears and hands from getting You don’t want to spend excess cold. money on it.

Believe it or not, your hands, For exercising, there are two along with your nose, are methods I use during this long more susceptible to decreasing season. temperatures that any other part Whenever it’s too cold to run of your body. outside, I go to the gym and run These aren’t the only articles of on a treadmill or use an elliptical clothing that I use. machine for 30 minutes.

If the snow has built up, then If the temperature is around

40 degrees and it is not snowing or raining outdoors, then I go for a run.

When I go for a run, I always make sure to put on my running pants and sweatshirt.

When I go to class, I try to stay indoors as much as I can.

Whenever I have a class either at the library or CAE, I enter Old Main first.

I walk all the way down the hallway until I reach the passageway connecting Old Main and the library.

Using this route, I can attend my classes without having to deal with terrible weather.

Sadly, if you have classes in Zurn or Hirt, then this route will not help, and you will just have to brace the weather.

And no, using the doors in the Old Main chapel is not a realistic option.

Part of the Mercyhurst experience is learning to overcome any obstacle in your path.

We deal with heavy workloads, speeding cart drivers, crowded sidewalks, huge amounts of student loan debt and so much more.

The obstacle in this case just happens to be dealing with the yearly terrible Erie winter weather, which I know you are capable of.

So I wish you all the best of luck.

I know that together, we can get through this.

PAGE 13

HURST STUDENTS

SPEAK UP We asked: How do you warm up during winter?

Abby Stevens, senior English major: “I throw on a warm pair of pants instead of shorts.”

Genevieve Burgess, sophomore Psychology major: “I throw on a whole bunch of blankets.”

Donny Bryant, senior Communication major: “I don’t try to warm up. I like the cold.”

Morgan Dinsmore, sophomore, English major: “I stay inside and warm up with my heater.”

Compiled by Anthony Miller

Awards season provokes thoughts

By Eva Philips Staff writer

It’s January, which only means one thing.

That thing is not snow, or the start of a decade, or the minor detail of a new semester beginning.

No, that all pales in comparison to the most important part of the new year: awards season!

In just a short period of time, we somehow get the Golden Globes, Critics’ Choice Awards, the SAG Awards, the Grammys, the BAFTAs, and last but certainly not least, the Oscars.

It’s enough to make anyone’s head spin.

But let’s be real here, does anyone actually watch these shows live, or do we all just scroll through Buzzfeed the next day searching for the hot news from the night, along with the actual list of winners?

I think the latter is true. I know

it is for me.

Because honestly, awards shows are largely horrendously dull.

Who wants to watch a bunch of people in outfits that cost more than a semester at Mercyhurst tearfully thank half of Hollywood for the gift of a glorified hunk of metal in the shape of a globe or weird human figure?

Not me.

Aside from that, awards shows have gotten to be pretty controversial thanks to very real and legitimate concerns about diversity, or the lack thereof.

Come on, no female nominees for Best Director?

Greta Gerwig does not deserve this disrespect.

And the calls for greater diversity aren’t anything new, either.

We’ve heard them for at least five years now, and it’s unclear whether any real progress has been made on that front.

And the rise of streaming services has made awards shows

— especially television awards — pretty predictable.

Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime tend to dominate nowadays.

They dominate much to the detriment of network shows dependent on ad revenue rather than subscriptions.

Television networks just don’t have the budgets to make shows that are cinematic in scope and cost.

Don’t get me wrong, I adore streaming shows.

Recently, I’ve been a big fan of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “The Haunting of Hill House” and “The Crown.”

All these series and others are impressive and very entertaining.

But maybe, as streaming services continue to dominate the nominations lists, Hollywood should consider separate categories for shows on streaming services versus network television.

Awards are certainly not the only determinant of quality, but there are plenty of good network

shows that just have no realistic chance of competing with bigbudget streaming shows.

I do like the Grammys, however.

I can genuinely say that the Grammys are the one mainstream awards show that I can’t criticize.

I did have one minor question at the end of it all.

That crucial question being what is the difference between Record of the Year and Song of the Year?

After years of wondering, I finally overcame my laziness and looked up the answer.

In case any of you were curious, Record of the Year honors the work of an artist as well as the producers and sound engineers of a song, whereas Song of the Year is intended as a songwriter award.

As they say, the more you know, right?

Full disclosure, I am not a professional critic.

I’m just a normal person when it comes to the entertainment

industry. And frankly, I have simple tastes.

Would I sit through “The Irishman” to attempt to appreciate its cinematic value?

Never.

Not ever, even in a million years.

Would I watch “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” every single day if I had the time?

Yes, definitely.

My idea of the pinnacle of music is Taylor Swift’s Lover album, with ABBA’s entire discography coming in at a close second.

I am not an expert critic, so take my opinions with a grain or two of salt.

As I await the results of awards season, I have my own set of plans.

I’ll pass my time studiously ignoring my massive amounts of work and rewatching the film “Thor: Ragnarok” for the 10th time.

Now that deserved Best Picture.

SPORTS

PAGE 14

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Lakers tie Lions in AIM game

By Laren Reesman Contributing writer

On Jan 18. the Mercyhurst women’s hockey team tied 1-1 against Penn State on home ice.

Sophomore Emily Pinto scored for the Lakers during the first period, and after Penn State scored in the second period, the Lakers held the Nittany Lions scoreless through overtime play.

This match served as a unique showcase of the partnership between the Autism Initiative at Mercyhurst and the athletics program at Mercyhurst, bridging the gap between fans and players.

Bradley McGarry, the director of the Autism Initiative at Mercyhurst, said he and the women’s hockey coach, Michael Sisti, have a close partnership.

Almost all team members of the team volunteer as mentors for AIM students on campus.

“Our partnership started way off the ice and evolved into this great event,” McGarrey said.

Some of the players’ biggest fans are their friends from the mentor program, as was evident by the fans on Saturday.

According to McGarry, this match was designed to foster community awareness and create new experiences for many of the spectators.

The goal of the match was to create an “autism friendly” environment at the game, he said.

Noise-canceling headphones and other small comforts were provided to allow maximum for attendance.

Many students in the AIM program had expressed concerns that hockey would be too loud and aggressive but were pleasantly surprised by the atmosphere and

Gillian Mazur photo

Gillian Mazur photo

Mercyhurst’s Maggie Knot takes on Penn State’s Katie Rankin in a faceoff.

Students in the AIM program and faculty show their Laker Pride by supporting the women’s hockey team against Penn State.

consideration for their needs.

McGarry also emphasized publicity efforts as central to the event.

Many of the students in AIM were vocal on social media, and the event was spread through campus in other various ways.

At the game, students in AIM and volunteers helped with t-shirt sales and giveaways.

McGarry even found a sponsor for the event, an energy bar company called Spectrum Bakes, whose products are made entirely by individuals with autism. The bars were handed out at the game along with the other merchandise.

On top of publicity efforts, AIM students had a hand in the game itself.

Junior Hospitality Management

funds raised towards AIM programs.

Durkee agreed.

“I thought the game and overall atmosphere was a success for our first time ever hosting an event like this,” Durkee said.

“It was neat to see how there were many supporters not just for the hockey team, but also showing their love and support for the AIM Program.

“It was very powerful seeing our girls wear jerseys that sported puzzle pieces in all shades of blue to symbolize autism. That would not have been possible without Brad McGarry and his wonderful team of staff,” she said.

“I loved being able to attend and participate in this event and am hopeful that more opportuni-

major June Durkee was able to announce the starting lineup.

“I was able to do a few practice runs days prior to the event with the sheet of players’ names to refer to,” Durkee said.

“This gave me the chance to practice how loud I need to project with the microphone. Haleigh Giebel who also plays the background music helped me set up so I could get the feel of other noises around me.”

Another AIM student got to drop the puck to begin the game.

Senior Hospitaltiy Management major Matthew Kuzdzal was the student given this honor.

McGarry said the game was a hit, attributing its success to the atmosphere and involvement of the community. He also noted the

Folga’s legacy lives on at Mercyhurst

By Rebecca Dunphy

Copy editor

Mercyhurst was recently announced as one of the 21 finalists for the NCAA Division II Award of Excellence in recognition of efforts made in the Fighting for Folgs event and Mike Folga Legacy Scholarship.

“I heard about the nomination about a month ago and was excited for everyone that put so much time and effort into making sure the event ran smoothly,” said Athletic ommunication graduate assistant Haleigh Giebel. “More importantly, I’m beyond excited for Folgs and the Folga Family.”

In January 2019, the Mercyhurst Student-Athlete Advisory Committee hosted “Fighting for Folgs” to raise money for longtime men’s ice hockey equipment manager Mike Folga, who had been diagnosed with cancer. Folga died in August.

“From the athletic staff to the Mercyhurst community to the

hockey world, it was amazing to see how many people wanted to get involved and help make the event possible,” Giebel said. “We all wanted to make sure the event would be special for Folgs, because he did so much for us.”

Since his passing, the Senior Class Gift Committee created the Mike Folga Legacy Scholarship in recognition of his journey and optimism.

This scholarship is to be given to a student who encounters a major setback that could inhibit their education, such as an illness, or financial or family problems.

Since 2008, the NCAA award has been given annually to a school that exemplifies excellence in one of Division II athletics’ six values: learning, service, balance, passion, sportsmanship and resourcefulness.

“I believe Mercyhurst deserves this award not only for the merit and additional funds received to help with other events, but to truly show the appreciation

and admiration for Mike Folga and everything he has done and accomplished in his life,” Student-Athletic Advisory Committee president Leah Kern, said.

“Mike was not only an amazing employee for multiple teams and organizations, but he truly was an incredible leader, friend and innovator in his field.

The process of chossing a winner for the awards consists of a committee of athletics administrators narrowing down colleges and universities who have conducted events that allow students to give back to their communities.

The winner is then selected by the National Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

This year’s winner, MSU Texas, was announced at the Division II business session on Jan. 25 at the 2020 NCAA Convention in Anaheim, California.

Before the winner was announced, both Kern and Giebel expressed that no matter the outcome, both were grateful to be a

part of such a historic event in Mercyhurst athletics. Folga and his family were invaluable members of the Mercyhurst community, they said.

Kern indicated that the amount of support and care by the Mercyhurst community helped create a great event.

MSU Texas was awarded $3,000 with the first runner-up receiving $1,500 and the second runner-up receiving $1,250.

All other finalists will receive $500, intended to facilitate future community engagement events.

According to Giebel, Mercyhurst making the final round not only means a lot to the univeristy as a whole, but also to each and every individual that Folga touched in his life.

“Folgs was the kind of guy that would drop anything and everything for anyone, even if it wasn’t hockey related,” Geibel said. “He earned any and every award out there and deserves to be remembered in every way possible.”

ties like this can shed more light on autism as a whole,” Durkee said.

McGarry praised the collaboration between AIM and Mercyhurst’s athletic teams.

“At Mercyhurst, our star athletes hang out with our autistic population,” McGarry said.

“Show me another college that does that.”

McGarry said he remains optimistic about the future of autism awareness at Mercyhurst.

The women’s and wen’s hockey teams plan on making a weekend out of the event in the future, he said.

The Lakers return to home ice on Feb 14. vs the Robert Morris University Colonials

LET’S GO, LAKERS! Feb. 1, Mercyhurst Athletic Center @ 1 p.m.: Women’s basketball vs. IUP Feb. 1, Mercyhurst Athletic Center @ 3 p.m.: Men’s basketball vs. IUP Feb. 1, Kutztown Keystone Arena @ 4 p.m.: Men’s wrestling vs.

Kutztown

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

SPORTS

PAGE 15

Three-pointer buzzer-beater

By Kristian Biega

News editor

On Jan. 18, both the Mercyhurst Lakers men’s and women’s basketball teams faced off against the Gannon Knights at the annual Porreco Pride of Erie tournament.

The Mercyhurst women’s basketball team played a tough game in the first round of the Porreco Pride of Erie game against Gannon University.

After falling behind in the first quarter, the Lakers kept the Knights within close scoring range the following three quarters.

Despite their hustle the rest of the game, the Lakers lost to the Knights 61-48.

Gannon started the game strong with an eight point lead in the first few minutes.

Seniors Amber Renz and Lauren Lapertosa responded with baskets later in the quarter, but were still trailing the Knights 21-8.

“Unfortunately, we had a rough start to the game, our first quarter was not great and we dug ourselves a hole,” Lapertosa said. “We responded in the second half however, but we did not respond quickly or efficiently enough to give us time to dig ourselves out.”

As stated by Lapertosa, the Lakers closely matched the Knights in points per quarter scoring another 10 to Gannon’s 15. Junior Emily Shopene and Renz led a 6-1 run before ending the half still down 36-18.

The Lakers closed the lead to 38-25 in the third quarter with points from senior Kori Sidwell, Renz and Lapertosa. Gannon returned making the score 49-30.

Shopene’s back-to-back three-point shots helped the Lakers in the fourth quarter for a score of 59-36, but Gannon answered with 6 more points.

The Knights pushed ahead for a final score of 61-49, despite the Lakers’ other points from junior Rachel Chessar and seniors Nicolete Newman and Stephanie Petery.

Overall, Mercyhurst shot just 32.1% from the floor while Gannon lead with 49%.

Lapertosa stated that the team kept up defensively, but the lack of offensive opportunities hurt them in the end.

“I felt we did a good job recognizing and matching up against Gannon’s different defenses however, we just weren’t finishing the play,” Lapertosa said.

Ed Mailliard photo

Mercyhurst University’s No. 5 Trystan Pratapas celebrates with the team after his game-winning three-pointer seconds before the final buzzer.

Renz reflected on the determination that the Lakers showed despite the Knights’ strong offensive game.

“We never gave up,” Renz said. “The outcome of this game obviously showed we needed to work on some things in practice, but we put it all out there.”

Women’s head coach Brook Kohlheim knew this was a tough loss, but acknowledged the ladies’ resolve to improve in the second half of the game. She is looking forward to building off this game for the rest of the season.

“We struggled early, but I was happy we were able to make some in-game adjustments that help us chip into their lead,” Kohlheim said. “I am optimistic if we commit to competing every day in practice and getting better, we can start seeing the results we all want.”

The coveted title of Pride of Erie remains at the Hurst after last Saturday’s win.

Despite the women’s loss, the Mercyhurst men’s basketball team was victorious over the Gannon Knights at the annual Porreco Pride of Erie tournament.

Senior Trystan Pratapas clinched the win with a three-point shot in the final seconds of the game to defeat the Knights 58-55.

From the first quarter, the Lakers pushed against Gannon’s strong offense, with junior Cameron Gross returning seven points to the Knights’ initial 6-2 lead within the first five minutes of play.

“We had to control the pace of the game,” Gross said. “We had to get stops on defense and execute our plays we ran on offense.”

The rest of the half was a battle with a 9-0 charge from Gannon, returned with a 10-2 run by the Lakers, only putting them behind by two points at the close of the half with 26-24.

“Leading into the second half we were confident as we knew that it was still a very winnable game for us,” Pratapas said.

“We knew that Gannon would continue to play well, but we also had the confidence in ourselves to go out and compete in the second half.”

Gannon started the second half strong with a 31-24 lead only a few minutes in, but the Lakers’ strong defense was crucial.

Offensively, the Lakers shot just 39.7% from the floor and 29.2% from beyond the arc while Gannon shot 52% and 58.3%, respectively.

“For us, it was all about getting stops on the defensive end and holding them to one

shot a possession,” junior Zach McIntire said.

“Whenever we are all clicking on defense we know we’re a tough team to beat.”

Steve Cannady and MiyKah McIntosh scored six points to add to Michael Bradley’s four points to take the Lakers to a fivepoint lead of 36-31 at the five-minute mark in the second half.

McIntire dunked two points late in the second half to take the Lakers into the lead with 51-49.

With the game tied 55-55 in the game’s final minute, the Lakers completed a successful three play to Pratapas for the game-winning shot.

The team credits one another for working together to play to their strengths when it counted.

Zach McIntire shared the incredible feeling of a last-second play especially against a rival such as Gannon.

“With this game being so important to the community and our school we know how much it means and we were glad we could give them an exciting game that ended with us winning,” McIntire said.

“Trystan is the best shooter I’ve ever played with and I think I speak for everyone on the team when I say we all liked the chances of that shot going in when we saw him put it up.”

In hitting the game-winning shot and thereby securing the title of Player of the Game, Pratapas was thrilled with the outcome of the final play, crediting McIntosh for his opportunity.

“I think that it was definitely a memorable game for each and every one of us in our careers,” Pratapas said.

“I have to really credit MiyKah for giving me such a good pass and really putting me in the position to score there.”

Gross led the Lakers with 16 points, McIntosh with 12 points and McIntire with eight points. Freshman Michael Bradly, sophomore Steve Cannady and Pratapas all scored six points.

Mercyhurst women’s basketball hosts Edinboro University on Jan. 29 at 5:30 p.m. in the Mercyhurst Athletic Center.

Mercyhurst wrestling honors seniors in a bittersweet Senior Night meet

By Gillian Mazur Sports editor

On Jan. 25, the Mercyhurst Lakers wrestling team hosted a home match in the Mercyhurst Athletic Center against the Shippensburg University Raiders.

The Lakers dominated the PSAC match, defeating Shippensburg 42-6 while scoring bonus points in seven of the nine victories.

Since 2009, the Lakers have not lost to Shippensburg and are currently on a 12-match winning streak, this Senior Night was no exception.

Senior Alec Buckiso commented that senior night was definitely a bittersweet event.

“The last four years have gone by so

fast which is a testament to how much I’ve enjoyed being a part of the team and I’m grateful for the memories I’ve made with the people I’ve met along the way.”

“I thought the team as a whole wrestled really tough. We have really been working on our consistency as a team, and I feel like it really showed Saturday afternoon,” senior wrestler, Logan Grass said.

After a 125 pound forfeit, the Lakers led 6-0. Junior Eric Bartos added 12 points to Mercyhurst’s score with a 42-second fall into the third at 133.

Junior Alexis Soriano scored a 7-2 decision leading Mercyhurst to a 15-0 advantage.

Shippensburg managed to pin at 149, but sophomore Michael Clark upped Mer-

cyhurst’s score with an 8-0 major decision.

Grass then posted a 9-0 major at 165 propelling the Lakers to a 23-6 lead.

“For myself, it was a very bittersweet feeling, wrestling one of my final home duals in the MAC. However, I’m happy it went the way it did,” Grass said.

Senior Kevin Holman added six more points with his fall just a little over a minute with Raiders’ sophomore Colton Babcock.

“Our team is doing great right now, and we have guys on the team that have been winning big matches. One in particular was our heavyweight, Jake Robb. He beat another kid ranked top ten in the country and looks to do it again this weekend in Kutztown,” said Holman.

With the Lakers’ strong start at the begin-

ning of the match, the match was clinched around 285 between two nationally ranked wrestlers.

After Mercyhurst junior Jacob Robb and the Raiders’ senior Derek Berberick faced off, Robb was able to build a 3-0 lead after two periods ending with a 4-0 victory.

At the heavyweight stage, Mercyhurst’s Trever Begin and Luke McGonigal each scored a 16-0 technical fall.

Coach Mike Wehler said, “We wrestled really well and it was a great performance to honor our seniors. Those guys have done so much for our program and it was nice to repay them with a good performance in front of their families.”

The Lakers are next set to wrestle at East Stroudsburg on Feb. 2 at 2 p.m.

PAGE 16

LAKER LIVING

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

HURST TOON Student-drawn cartoon by the Chuckler