May 1st Edition of The Merciad

Merciad THE

MERCYHURST UNIVERSIT Y

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W E D N E S DAY, M AY 1 , 2 01 9

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News ................2-5 Features...........6-9 A&E ............. 10-11 Opinion........ 12-13 Sports ......... 14-15 Laker Living ......16 VO L . 9 2 N O . 17

Graduation award winners announced PAGE 4

Online poll results We asked: What is your favorite part of spring?

7: Business Club goes behind the scenes at Heinz Field

Thunderstorms (44%) Longer hours of sunlight (22%) It’s almost summer!! (19%) Seeing the flowers bloom (15%)

10: This year’s Lumen unveiled 15: Women’s basketball gets new head coach

This week’s

POLL

What summer movie are you most excited for?

merciad.mercyhurst.edu

NEWS

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Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Class studies human trafficking

By Rebecca Dunphy Staff writer

On April 30, Sociology 350 Human Trafficking students presented on one of the world’s most salient modern crime epidemics in their human trafficking awareness projects.

Taught by assistant professor Nicole John-Danzell, Ph.D., this course examines the main concepts and theories of human trafficking, the influence of social inequalities, scope and magnitude of the trafficking business and initiatives to solve these issues.

This information culminated in a poster and verbal group presentation with the class’s 30 students divided into six groups.

“I selected this project because I believed there was great utility for students given their mix in disciplines: sociology, social work, political science, public health, intelligence, etc.,” John-Danzell said. “I want my students to be instrumental in the discourse on the issue of human trafficking and become agents of change.”

With sex trafficking as the second largest crime enterprise in the world, human trafficking is recognized as a global issue. Bearing this in mind, students were given the opportunity to select a geographic location to research in greater depth.

“For our final project we researched sex and labor trafficking in Southeast Asia,” freshman dance major Katie Lowell said.

“We learned about what happens

Rebecca Dunphy photo

From left, students Ella DiPietro, junior Intelligence Studies and Religious Studies double major, Sara Szczesny, junior Sociology major, Caitlin Leyh, junior Intelligence Studies major, Emilie Yochim, junior Sports Medicine major, and Melissa Lopez, junior Criminal Justice major, presented on Human Trafficking in Russia as part of their Sociology 350 class.

and what can be done about it.”

For some students, a personal connection made this presentation especially interesting.

“I picked Haiti because I traveled there with the Mercyhurst Public Health Department in May of 2017,” senior psychology major Julia Raymond said.

Fellow group member Zach Davis discussed the nature and scope of trafficking in the Caribbean and Latin America.

“Sex tourism is extremely prominent in this area,” Davis

said. “It’s known as the world leader because people will fly in and have a girlfriend for a week.

It’s more prestigious than prostitution and it’s becoming popular with underage children.”

Other areas of focus included Russia, Mexico, Colombia, China and even the United States.

Senior criminal justice major Austin Roache, who was a member of the group focusing on the United States, found it interesting that trafficking can be influenced by more than just humans.

“Borders have a huge role,” Roache said. “Children will come across the borders and have their documents taken, which prevents them from returning home.

I think we need stricter check points beyond checking documents, because also checking relationships is key.”

Not only did students in the class increase their knowledge on human trafficking, but other members of the Mercyhurst community who were invited to attend. John-Danzell opened the

presentations to the public, hoping that it would allow students to have a greater understanding of the diversity of human trafficking.

With posters spread out around the room, guests had the ability to learn about each location, with group members stationed nearby to talk about their research and answer any questions.

“Anyone can be a victim of human trafficking,” John-Danzell said. “It is a growing problem and affects each of us within this global community.”

Junior art therapy major Cailin Jaspers shared similar sentiments.

“I learned how prevalent human trafficking is. It’s much more than people talk about,” Jaspers said.

Attendees not only had the opportunity to learn about the issue, but also their role as consumers in furthering businesses commonly associated with human trafficking: seafood products made by trafficking victims in Thailand, chocolate, carpets, rugs and clothing produced unethically and by child exploited labor.

“Those who attended gained some exposure to causal factors of this issue and possible solutions to mitigate or confront the problem, such as those purported by anti-trafficking institutions and activists, educators, NGOs or by consumer habits,” John-Danzell said. “I hope with this knowledge, it can help us become better ethical consumers and more vigilant global citizens, which are potential steps in punctuating the problem.”

Speaker: Saving our synthetic seas

By Jordan Kessler Staff writer

On April 16, Mercyhurst’s Department of Sustainability held its 18th annual Sr. Maura Smith Earth Day Lecture in the Walker Recital Hall.

The event featured co-founder and Director of Research for the 5 Gyres Institute, Marcus Erikson.

Erikson talked about how he became interested in sustainability through collecting enough plastic water bottles to build a raft.

Working with a team of other sustainability enthusiasts, including his now wife, Erikson used more than 15,000 plastic bottles to create a raft that would transport a group of people. The raft took the group on a three-month trip from the coast of Los Angeles to Hawaii, and is now on display in Long Beach, California.

This was just the start of Erikson’s career in sustainability.

Erikson did an expedition throughout the North Atlantic Gyre with a group of people from the 5 Gyres Institute to analyze the amount of plastic in that gyre.

Examples of plastics they found include bottle caps, mouthpieces and even a plastic bucket with a triggerfish trapped inside.

However, most plastic pieces recovered from this trip were found on the bottom of the sea and inside the animals that lived there.

The group fished for food and found small pieces of plastic inside the fish they were eating, harming both animals and humans. Additionally, most plastic was between the size of microfibers and a grain of rice, allowing them to be transported through both the water and air, spreading to the wildlife on land.

Erikson brought examples of plastics that he found over several expeditions.

During one on land, he came across the skeleton of a camel in the sand. During the digging process to uncover the rest of the skeleton, Erikson found a large plastic mass in the camel’s stomach. It was about three feet long, one and a half feet wide, and six inches tall — to put into perspective, it was the size of a memory foam pillow or the size of a small duffel bag. Erikson used examples to show the impact of the

Jordan Kessler photo

Marcus Erikson, co-founder and director of research for the 5 Gyres Institute, discussed the importance of living sustainably.

amount of plastics that we use to demonstrate the harm it causes to animals and humans.

Throughout his presentation, Erikson used numerous statis-

tics to show how the amount of plastic we have used has changed over time.

“In 2010, the United States made 250 million tons of plastic.

Today we are making 350 million tons,” Erikson said. “In 2050, it is expected that the United States will make between 1 billion and 1.2 billion tons.”

As of today, it is estimated that more than 8.3 billion tons of plastic has been made throughout history.

However, Erikson provided the audience with three solutions that will have a strong global impact on the environment: building Zero Waste Communities that focus on the diversion of waste from landfills and turning it into resources, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for a circular economy, starting with the manufacturer and working through the business cycle to the consumer and, finally, using alternative systems and materials, for example, reusable cups for fast food restaurants.

Erikson ended his presentation encouraging those who attended the event to consider how they can change their routines to become more sustainable. Showing a video called “Sea Change,” he demonstrated what he meant and what we could do to change the environment around us for the better.

NEWS

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

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Filmmaker advocates for justice

By Katy Vaccariello Staff writer

On April 24, the acclaimed filmmaker Carvin Eison visited campus for a lecture on “The Memory of Place: Sin, Pictures, and Progress” that was sponsored by the Charlene M. Tanner Speaker Series.

This lecture dove into racial injustice, the life of Frederick Douglass and James Baldwin and the need for increased awareness of diversity and inclusion. Through the use of articulate words and a large array of photographs, Eison brought to light the harsh history of racial injustice.

Eison opened the lecture by rolling a small snippet of one of his films, “The Shadows of a Lynching Tree.” This small shot set the mood for what information was to come. As the video clip came to a close, Eison stated his intentions behind the piece.

“I’m going to bring clarity to what happens when people are kidnapped, enslaved, dehuman-

ized and subjected to violence and terror,” Eison said.

Following his personal introduction, Eison began the lecture diving into the legacy of Douglass. The research, relayed to the audience, brought light to the harsh treatment Douglass experienced throughout his life. He continued by describing the influence this harsh treatment led to Douglass’ accomplishments and revolutionary actions. This description of Douglass led to a connection of racism and the need for change.

The lecture soon transitioned to the topic of “The Memory of Place,” Eison’s main essence of concern for the lecture. “The Memory of Place” or episodic memory formation is believed to be the key to our own development. Eison went on to explain the importance of episodic memory development in every aspect of our lives. It was referenced frequently throughout the rest of the lecture as well, making the needed connection to every

heavy topic discussed.

Episodic Memory Formation shifted the topic to the town of Waco, Texas. The audience was walked through the tragic events in Waco, Texas, leading all the way back to May of 1916, when the lynching of a young African American boy took place, inspiring the film “The Shadows of a Lynching Tree.”

After the mention of young Jesse Washington, the documentary was played once more narrating and showcasing through photos the harsh and gruesome reality of American History during the lynching of the young boy.

Eison quoted Douglas’ “Lessons of the Hour, 1894” to drive home his points about racial injustice in America: “We claim to be a Christian country and a highly civilized nation, yet I fearlessly affirm that there is nothing in the history of savages to surpass the blood-chilling horror and fiendish excesses perpetrated against the colored people by the so

called Enlightened and Christian people of the South.”

Continuing through the lecture, Eison began to highlight a few men who introduced the use of Scientific Racism. Those men were Josiah Clark Nott, George R. Glibbons and Samuel George Morton. With these men at high point of the lecture, the audience was introduced to the ideas these men had about the way African Americans should be viewed — either as men or oxen. These discussions were pinpointed on the level of intelligence African Americans were capable of holding based on the scientific study of phrenology.

The presentation soon turned to the story of Baldwin, with a short highlight of pictures in society and society’s past. Baldwin was introduced through the reading of one of his short stories, “Going to Meet the Man.” This short story led to the weighted mention of lynching photography, made more impactful by the use of video showcasing histori-

cal photos people believed were worth sending through the mail.

As the lecture came to a close, Eison looped back to the importance of Douglas’ “Lessons of the Hour, 1894” once more quoting, “But my friends, I must stop. Time and strength are not equal to the task before me, but could I be heard by this great nation, I would call to mind the ideas it secluded at its birth. Put away your race and prejudice.

Banish the idea that one class must rule over another. Recognize the fact that the rights of the humblest citizen are as worth of protection as those of the highest, and your problems will be solved, and your republic will stand and flourish forever.”

He concluded with the definition of progress, connecting directly with each and every audience member. This connection was formed with the words of our Mercy Mission, each core value pushing the students to make a difference in the community.

Credit cards cause confusion

By Kristian Biega

News Editor

On April 11, the Mercyhurst Finance Department and Protective Services were alarmed at what seemed to be missing credit card transactions from March 9 to April 13. John Patterson, director of Protective Services, began to help the Finance Department figure out the missing transactions and reconcile the affair with local banks.

On April 16, all of the transactions that had stopped being reported hit students’ accounts at once, causing concerns about a potential hack or fraud.

“I keep daily registers so I could see where my spending was coming from,” Patterson said, “but if you’re not paying attention to how much you have in your account that can be a big problem.”

Mercyhurst sent out an email informing students about the issue after the situation was under control to avoid and panic or mis-

communication, giving students base information and stating, “We apologize on behalf of the vendor for this error and any inconvenience or alarm this may have caused.”

All of the credit cards on campus have their information collected on a micro-server to print a statement for every day, reporting every transaction in one batch at the end of the day. The reports go to the Finance Department monthly to be reviewed.

“Since the Finance Department didn’t notice the missing transactions until compiling everything at the end of the month, it wasn’t caught right away,” Patterson said.

“Things at the service level for me looked fine since no register stopped accepting transactions.”

After contacting a support company, the third-party company that the dining service uses as well as PNC Bank, Patterson began to going through each batch line by line to reconcile the missing transactions. PNC began pull-

ing reports and running data for all charges from March 9 to April 13.

Students were concerned with the names of locations listed in transactions not matching the places that students performed those transactions. Since all of the credit card machines and their transactions are connected and compiled on one microserver, all of the backlogged transactions were clumped into one file.

“When the report ran, whatever the first location of transaction was for that day, all of the others listed were listed the same in that same day’s batch,” Patterson said.

So far there have been no cases of fraud or hacking in anyone’s account as every transaction that showed up in the batch on April 16 has been accounted for.

Several banks that have called the university asking for verification on the situation so students and families are not charged for any overdrive fees.

Patterson prepared a memo

for all of the inquiring banks to authenticate the students’ claims.

Once this was approved, the banks did not charge students with fees due to Mercyhurst’s server failure.

“Most banks have waived the fees when they saw and understood what happened. Although this may be the first time this has happened here, we are not the first location in Erie that it’s happened to,” Patterson said.

While the initial issue was resolved, students saw charges again on April 25. Patterson sent the transactions from March 8 to April 13 back to bank examiners to review the lines again, only rejecting one transaction as untraceable.

These charges came from the initial backlog but were all able to be traced accurately.

To resolve the system issue and make sure it never happens again, Protective Services Office replaces all of the credit card systems on campus over Easter break. Now,

transactions with credit and debit cards will be recorded and processed on the same day.

“There are no more batches and the system doesn’t wait until the end of the day to run a file, it runs them and approves them every single time,” Patterson said.

“It is now either approved or denied right at the register.”

This new system will help keep track of all charges as they happen, rather than having a large batch to sift through in the event of another issue.

So far, any student that has come to Patterson with card issues has been able to have their card traced and the charges found through a system search.

Patterson commends the students for their patience and understanding as the situation is sorted out. He recommends however that students do not only rely on apps to track spending, but keep a system of their receipts and be aware of how much they are spending.

Spring Fest fun On April 26, Jesse McCartney and DJ Holiday came to perform at a sold-out show at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center. The audience of fans sang along to songs like “Body Language,” “Just So You Know,” and McCartney’s most popular, “Beautiful Soul.” One lucky fan was even brought on stage and serenaded

by McCartney. Overall, Mercyhurst loved the blast of nostalgia from McCartney as well as the early 2000s-themed food and activities at the SpringFest pre-party hosted by SAC/MAC.

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Merciad IN A MINUTE Moving out sustainably

Students, as you move out for the summer, consider donating usable items that you no longer wish to keep to the Trash to Treasure Project.

Place donations in one of three boxes labeled Household Items, Clothing and Non-Perishable Food.

The boxes will be located in residence hall lobbies and apartment building laundry rooms.

Items collected will benefit Connecting Hands, Erie City Mission, Second Harvest Food Bank, Chosen and more.

Any items left in buildings after move-out will not be donated.

Contact Ben Helkowski at bhelko99@lakers. mercyhurst.edu or (814) 824-2564 for any pickup requests.

Book drive for Sigma Tau Delta

Sigma Tau Delta is hosting a book drive with Better World Books until the end of the school year.

BWB helps to fund literacy programs in third-world countries and promote sustainability through recycling books.

BWB accepts nearly any book in good condition such as textbooks, children’s books, fiction, nonfiction and more.

There are six drop-off box locations: first floor Old Main, second floor Preston, second floor Hirt, first floor Student Union, second floor Zurn and first floor CAE. For information or to arrange a pickup, email Kristian Biega, kbiega24@ lakers.mercyhurst.edu.

Erie celebrates Asian culture On May 4, the Erie Asian Pacific American Association (APAA) is hosting an Asian Festival at Rainbow Gardens at Waldameer Park from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Take a journey through Asia with display booths showcasing various Asian cultures. There will be a Tae Kwon Do demonstration, henna, Chinese calligraphy, origami and more.

Admission is free.

Souvenirs and food are available for purchase.

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

MU announces 2019 graduation awardees

By Gillian Mazur

Staff writer

As graduation day approaches, several seniors have been recognized by the university for their academics, leadership and service. Nominated by faculty, staff and administrators, eligible students are drawn from a list of seniors who are set to graduate by spring.

In coordination with the Office of Academic Affairs, those nominated are then required to submit a résumé indicating what they have accomplished during their time here at Mercyhurst.

The letters typically include activities in which the candidate participated in, such as Mercyhurst Student Government, Ambassadors, Peer Tutoring, etc. Together the committee and Office of Academic Affairs select who has not only fulfilled the requirements, but gone above and beyond.

The selected names are then sent to the President’s Cabinet for a final decision, which is announced prior to graduation.

Those awarded also have the honor of attending an honors convocation on the Friday before graduation.

This year, Vincent Marrazzo has been awarded the highest student award given to a traditional student, the Carpe Diem Award. This award is presented to a senior who has made the most positive impact on the life of the Mercyhurst community and who best exemplifies the university motto “Carpe Diem” – “Seize the Day.” “I think I lived out the university motto of Carpe Diem by wholly committing myself to everything that I do and never being content with the status quo,” Marrazzo said. “I always strive to improve myself and my community by serving others.”

Marrazzo will be presented this prestigious award and have the honor of speaking during graduation on May 12. Triple majoring in Intelligence Stud-

ies, Information Technology, and Religion, Diplomacy & International Relations, Marrazzo also served as the 2018-19 MSG President.

“I am just so humbled to have received this honor, and I am looking forward to sharing my message with my fellow classmates at commencement,” Marrazzo said.

A pre-med student and quarterback for Mercyhurst’s football team, Douglas Altavilla Jr. has received the Bishop’s Award for Academic Excellence. This award is presented to a graduating senior who is considered a top scholar among the graduating class. While the award is given based off of GPA and program demands, the rigor associated with dual majors and minors is also considered.

The Registrar’s Office provides the selection committee with a list of the top five students with the highest cumulative GPA and the committee then chooses the winner. The recipient of this award is also presented with a cash award from the Catholic Diocese of Erie.

Erin Jenkins, a double major in Art Therapy and Art Education, will be presented the Sister Carolyn Herrmann Service Award for her dedication to giving back over her time at Mercyhurst.

“Service has a magic about it,” Jenkins said. “It can bring anyone and everyone together.

Service has always been something quite special to me and it’s an honor to have been acknowledged for this.”

The Sister Carolyn Herrmann Service Award is given to a traditional graduating senior who has unselfishly given time, energy, loyalty and talent in the spirit of Sister Carolyn Herrmann, Mercyhurst president from 1962-70.

A regular volunteer, Jenkins’ favorite part of serving others is the pure joy of watching others be happier.

“I am blessed to have just been nominated for this award.

I am beyond thankful for all of the opportunities Mercyhurst has given me and I could not be more excited to graduate and carry these lessons with me beyond the gate,” Jenkins said.

Receiving the Frank Barry Leadership Award is Justin Hawkins. Named after one of the first male student government presidents, Frank Barry ’75, this award is given to a traditional graduating senior who has exemplified student leadership and campus involvement during one’s time at Mercyhurst.

The last traditional undergraduate student award has been presented to Biology major and Chemistry minor Emily Pacer.

The Mother Borgia Egan Honors Award recognizes the model honors student who fully embodies the spirit of a liberal arts education.

“I am so excited and honored to be receiving this award,” Pacer said.

The winner of this award must complete the requirements of the Honors Program and demonstrate an appreciation of the cultural environment of the University, academic and professional accomplishments and a dedication to community service.

“I have done so much work for the Honors Program, and I am proud to represent it,” Pacer said. “Towards graduation, I am nervous for all of the work I need to get done before then, but it will be a really great day to celebrate the class of 2019.”

In addition, two adult undergraduate students have received awards. Patrick Smith has been presented with the Catherine McAuley Adult Student Award in recognition of superior work, as well as personal and professional achievement.

Given to a nontraditional student, the criteria for this award is the most outstanding adult student in the graduating class which is based on GPA, professional achievement and other challenges that an adult student

may face such as familial responsibilities.

Katherine Kapanick has been presented the President’s Award for Adult Excellence. The requirements for this award are GPA and overall contribution to the institution with nominations coming from the deans of each college.

For the President’s Award for Excellence in the Academic College, each of the four colleges nominate three traditional graduating students based off of GPA and overall contribution to their respective college.

Rose Pregler and Elizabeth Rathburn have been awarded this honor on behalf of the Hafenmaier College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences.

Ridge College of Intelligence Studies and Applied Sciences have presented Margaret Hackney and Meghan Maker with the President’s Award for Excellence.

The Walker College of Business has awarded the President’s Award for Excellence to Morgan Stacey and Gabriella Macera.

Lastly, Anna Warner and Angelea Belfiore have been presented this award on behalf of Zurn College of Natural Health and Sciences.

The Sister Eustace Taylor Graduate Student Award is given to seven graduate students with the criteria consisting of GPA and overall contribution to the respective college. Thomas King (Applied Intelligence), Jenny Sabliov (Criminal Justice Administration), Ron Richardson (Data Science), Jennifer Webb (Forensic & Biological Anthropology), Kristen Cameron (Organizational Leadership), Nicholas Smith (Physician Assistant Studies), Shernee Bellamy (Secondary Education: Pedagogy and Practice) and Megan Teall (Special Education and Applied Disability Studies) have all been awarded the honor of receiving the Sister Eustace Taylor Graduate Student Award.

Congratulations to the awardees for the Class of 2019!

JOIN THE MERCIAD

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Would you like to help us out with articles or photographs and earn money for your work?

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Be on the lookout for the Merciad at the Fall Involvement Fair or send an email to editormerciad@mercyhurst.edu to get the latest information for next year.

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

NEWS

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Student works to bring This weekend’s JED Foundation to MU campus events STUDENT GOVERNMENT

By Jordan Kessler

Staff writer

The JED Foundation is a nonprofit organization that exists to support people who are struggling with mental health issues and focuses on spreading awareness about emotional health. Mercyhurst University is not working with the JED Foundation currently, but sophomore McKenzie Kestler has been hard at work to change that.

Since the beginning of February, she has been working on a proposal and petition for Mercyhurst University to be a part of the JED Foundation.

“Students on this campus and campuses around the country are struggling. So I have decided to use my voice in order to help make a change,” Kestler said.

JED works with schools to help evaluate and strengthen the mental health of students, while providing help and support regarding issues such as substance abuse, suicide and other negative actions. The JED Foundation is not only for schools, but also supports families and communities in providing assistance and support with dealing with mental health.

Kestler’s goal is to help all young adults become equipped with the skills needed to navigate challenges surrounding mental health and negative stressors in their lives.

“One of my best friends struggles with mental health issues and I have seen them at their lowest points,” Kestler said. “That is what is driving this initiative. I don’t want anyone else to feel like there is no help for them available or that it would just be easier to end it all.”

The JED Foundation’s goals closely relate to the goal of Kes-

tler’s proposal that outlines statistics and history of the organization, as well as other schools that participate in the program, goals and missions of JED and how it will benefit the Mercyhurst community.

In order to work directly with universities, JED has developed an initiative called JED Campus, specifically devoted toward empowering campuses and schools with the tools needed to better their student’s mental health.

According to Kestler’s proposal, JED Campus allows school administrators to talk and brainstorm ideas with JED advisers to “identify gaps in policies/programs and fill them with other resources in order to ensure that schools have the strongest possible mental health safety nets in place.”

The approach to creating a JED supported campus starts with aiding in emotional well-being and preventing suicidal thoughts among students through the promotion of social interaction between other students. Specifically, the JED Comprehensive Approach toward assisting schools has a total of seven steps all resulting in a unique development of strategy for each individual school.

JED first promotes social connections, then identifies the students at risk. From there, they increase encouragement toward help seeking behavior. By providing mental health and substance abuse services, those students can get the help they want/need on campus. Next, JED follows the crisis management procedure in order to restrict access to potentially lethal means on that campus. Finally, JED encourages the faculty and staff at the university to assist the students in developing life skills to better

equip them on management of their emotional health.

Kestler is not alone in believing in making Mercyhurst University a JED Campus, as Mercyhurst already offers several services such as the Counseling Center to support mental health.

“Student support is the most important thing when it comes to this project,” Kestler said.

In addition to helping its students, the university would gain benefits as well. By becoming a member of the JED Foundation, Mercyhurst would develop a four-year partnership with a JED adviser, allowing the campus to renew its membership every four years. Additionally, the campus would be allowed usage to ULifeline, a confidential online resource for students struggling with their mental health and providing them with the resources necessary to help them.

Another benefit from joining the JED Foundation is the national recognition of Mercyhurst University in the support of mental health awareness and suicide prevention. Additional information on what the school would benefit from by joining the JED Foundation can be found on the organizations’ website.

Supporters say the JED Foundation is a good investment for Mercyhurst University, not only because it is a reliable foundation, but also because it is an organization that provides help to people struggling with mental illness.

If you would like to show your support for Kestler’s proposal and the integration of JED Campus at Mercyhurst, use this link to sign the petition: https://www. ipetitions.com/petition/mercyhurst-university-students-mental-health.

The Senior Bar Crawl is May 4 from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. for all students over 21! Limited amounts of shirts are still available. Contact Taylor Cavaretta (tcavar08) for details!

Feeling drained from final tests and projects?

Visit the Student Union on May 5 for some free food and fun! Doors open at 7 p.m. until all of the food is gone!

MERCYHURST CAMPUS

CRIME LOG

April 14: Burglary in 3900 Block of Lewis Avenue April 18: Trespassing at Duval Apartments April 24: Domestic in 3900 clock of Lewis Avenue April 24: Theft in the Ice Center

FEATURES

PAGE 6

Ask Mia Anyone have a problem that they need help fixing?

Ask for Mia’s advice at: featuremerciad@gmail.com *******************

Dear Mia, I am a graduating senior and I am getting ready to leave the Hurst.

I’m emotional about saying goodbye to my alma mater and I wish I didn’t have to go. Any advice?

Sincerely, Reluctant Alum

Dear Reluctant Alum, Take it from me — there is a time for beginnings and a time to say goodbye.

As hard as it is, it is time to go beyond the gates and use what you have learned here to spread Mercy wherever you go.

If you need a little distraction or pick-me-up, you can always try a senior prank!

But also remember to look back on the good memories and to stay in touch with the Hurst.

You can join an alumni chapter, read the Mercyhurst online, follow the university’s social media accounts and always come back to visit!

Remember that although you are a Laker for Life, an exciting new adventure awaits!

Sincerely,

Mia

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Get ready to give

By Jordan Kessler Staff Writer

Mercyhurst celebrates its fifth annual Giving Day on May 7.

Giving Day is a one-day online fundraising event that brings together all members of the Mercyhurst community.

Alumni, current students, friends and family come together to raise money for the school. The goal for each year is $50,000 and 500 donors in one day.

The money from this event goes towards the Mercyhurst Annual Fund (MAF). According to the website, The MAF is “an unrestricted fund that helps support literally everything we do as a university.”

The donated money goes towards bettering school operations, assisting with scholarships and supporting the Mercyhurst athletic teams.

“It is a critical component of the university budget,” Courtney Olevnik, director of Annual Giving at Mercyhurst, said. Olevnik is planning the campaign for this year’s event and will oversee it to make sure the event runs smoothly.

In the past, the trustees for each year of Giving Day focus on the

money going towards a specific activity, major or event on campus. However, this year, the donations will be going all over campus to spread the impact.

Two trustees, both Mercyhurst alumni, are joining the fundraising team by matching the amounts given by each donor.

Stephen Fiedler graduated in 1985 and is the first of the two trustees. The second, John Langer, is a graduate of the class of 1995. If a donor gives $200, one of the trustees will match that amount and donate $200. By doing this, the trustees will double the value of your donation.

The total amounts donated is kept up-to-date live on the Mercyhurst Giving Day website. Additionally, every donor will have their name added to the Donor Wall on the website. Anyone is welcome to donate during Giving Day, even nonmembers of the Mercyhurst community.

The process of donation is very simple, and it is all online.

First, donors will have to fill out a form stating their name, affiliation to Mercyhurst, address, email, phone number and amount they want to donate.

Second, once filling out the majority of the form, the bottom

portion asks if and how donors want to appear on the donor wall.

Additionally, if the donation is being given for a specific reason, donors are more than welcome to leave a comment at the bottom of the form.

Finally, once submitted, the donation will appear on the Donor Wall and one of the two trustees for this year will match it.

This event is important to the school because of the impact each donation has on the campus and university.

“Every gift counts, no matter what size,” Olevnik said.

This day is meant to spread awareness about Giving Day to not only the Mercyhurst community, but to all areas Mercyhurst students and faculty have reached.

“It is a celebration of giving back to Mercyhurst, and because it is collaborative, each of us gets to feel as though we made a larger impact,” Olevnik said.

If donors are unable to give but still want to help the cause, they are encouraged to spread the word about Giving Day and to use social media to reach a broader audience. Supporters can use the hashtag #hurstgivingday and the link — givingday.mercyhurst.edu — in their posts about the event.

Lakers to take on Japan

By Gillian Mazur

Staff writer

On May 13, 15 students along with Peter Stadtmueller, professor of Graphic Design, and Joe Johnson, Ph.D., professor of Physics, are traveling to Japan for 11 days.

“Students will be immersed in and experience true Japanese culture,” Stadtmueller said.

The group is scheduled to visit five cities within their time in Japan — Tokyo, Kyoto, Hakone, Osaka and Hiroshima.

The group will not only gain the opportunity to experience the quiet, beautiful countryside with its snow-capped mountains and blossoming cherry trees, but also become immersed in Japan’s fastpaced city life.

“When Dr. Hosey and I have talked about the trip as a general concept, we wanted to explore the modern-day tech giant that is still steeped in tradition,” Stadtmueller said.

Students had the opportunity to earn up to seven credits total with the trip’s two Mini 4 classes.

Three credits were available with the Graphics and GoPro class taught by Stadtmueller as a REACH class or art elective.

“In the GoPro class, we’re learning on working on some practical skills and applying

them to a video journal/ travel diary,” Stadtmueller said. “The students’ assignment is to make some small documentaries about their experiences in Japan. For example, one student is making a video about the Harajuku Girls, another is doing the Peace Memorial Park and another is making a video about traditional Japanese food.”

For Stadtmueller, this Japan trip will be his eighth GoPro study abroad trip.

“I like these GoPro trips because students get to document lifelong memories that can’t be duplicated,” Stadtmueller said. “I often heard from students’ parents about how happy they are that their kid got to document and experience these trips in a visual way.”

The additional four credits are available through Johnson’s class, the Science of the Martial Arts, which could be taken for REACH with a lab or as a physics elective.

Students are required to answer how the trip changed the way they view the world, especially if they had any preconceived notions that were wrong.

For students using a study abroad experience for Beyond the Gates, they will think about what life lessons they took away from the trip and if any new habits de-

veloped as a result of travel.

Despite students in the GoPro class filming their experience, there are certain points where Stadtmueller bans all technology.

“When we’re somewhere reverent or at a nice sit-down dinner, I have a strict no-phones policy. It is important that we are not only respectful of each other and the places we visit, but that we also can separate ourselves from our normal lives and routines and experience some solitude. I’m a big believer that the groups with the best chemistry make the trip, not the destination,” Stadtmueller said.

Senior Graphic Design major Curtis Waidley is one of the lucky students going on the trip.

As a Photography minor, he took the GoPro class, but also opted to immerse himself in martial arts by taking the physics class.

“Dr. Johnson’s physics class is very interactive. It combines anatomy and physics in relation to martial arts techniques,” Waidley said.

“We actually learn a lot of martial arts in the class and the physics principles on top of that,” Waidley said. “One interesting part is that we have calculated the force of a punch in our labs. I’m excited now to start experiencing life in Japan.”

FO L LOW T H E M E R C I A D O N FAC E B O O K , I N STAG R A M & T W I T T E R AT @ T H E M E R C I A D

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

FEATURES

PAGE 7

Business club goes to Heinz

By Katy Vaccariello Staff Writer

Mercyhurst Business Club has been off adventuring, taking advantage of the many experiences Pennsylvania has to offer. The most recent trip was to Pittsburgh to see the behind-the-scenes work at Heinz Field.

The officers and adviser of Business Club made the collective decision that exploring Heinz Field was an opportunity they wanted people to have.

“The Heinz Field Trip was a great opportunity for Sports-Business and Marketing Business majors to attend,” Amanda Costello, sophomore Accounting and Finance Major and club president, said.

Costello was tasked with making contact with Heinz Field. By mentioning it was a Business Club interested in coming for a visit, the students were granted special access to the Operations Team.

At the beginning of the trip, the club was given free time to explore the city. Following the city adventure was a tour of the Heinz premises.

The trip provided students with a chance to receive an insider experience of Heinz Field and a meeting with the Heinz Stadium Operation Staff for a question-and-answer session.

During the tour, students were shown several key areas of the stadium. Some were behind the scenes, such as the Steelers’ Locker Room and the Visitors’ Locker Room. Other areas included the Champions Club, the Press Box and the Upper-Level Suite Area.

The club then celebrated with a group dinner out in the city.

“My favorite part about the trip as a

Contributed photo

Students got to explore all areas of Heinz Field, including behind-the-scenes areas and pitchside access.

whole was the ability to travel with other sporting events and teams,” Costello said.

Business Club members and experience The club also invited people of other manot only an NFL Stadium, but also learn jors who might benefit from the experience. more about how business relates to major In the end, the students were given a

great introduction to the world of business, while also making incredible connections.

They walked away with both knowledge and internship information.

Lockheed CEO MU says goodbye writes to Hurst to Russian Fulbright

By Sarah Klein

As Mercyhurst says goodbye to this year’s Russian Fulbright inventor of the periodic table of elements, and Pyotr scholar, Lidiia Novichkova took time to tell the Merciad about Ershov, a famous Russian author. Traveling through her native country, Siberia, which she will return to this year. these modern cities with cutting-edge facilities, one could hardly picture vast unexplored lands that used to dominate the landscape.

By Lidiia Novichkova With gas and oil industries prevailing in the region, Contributing writer Tyumen is now referred to as the gas and oil capital.

Over the course of this unforgettable year at MerBut what about the cold? With the economic landcyhurst University, I was frequently asked about my scape having changed profoundly, one would hope home town, and, as the region suggests, about the winters got modernized too. They remain unchanged, climate. It is always my joy and pleasure to bring up and every year we get a few days in January with - 20 F. some interesting facts about Siberia.

However, even in Siberia winters have a way of finHistorically, the Russians settled in the European ishing. part of the country. It is there that our ancient cities In fact, we have four clear-cut seasons, with sumof Vladimir, Moscow, Novgorod and Yaroslavl are mer temperatures rising up to 80 F. located. Siberia, although being inhabited by several The Russians have been always cultivating land, nomadic peoples, remained a huge and scarcely pop- and the Siberians take advantage of the rich soils of ulated living territory. the region. Summer vegetable gardens with apple, My city, Tyumen, was founded in 1586 on the bank pear and cherry trees gather whole families together. of the Tura river. It became the first Russian town in Neighbors share wisdom of gardening and exchange Siberia. Since then, there has been gradual develop- canning recipes. Sun-lit forests would fill with chilment of the region. dren’s voices excited at the sight of mushrooms and The necessity to travel over large distances without berries. proper roads and shelters was one of the challengGardening skills will always be praised in the winter es the first settlers had to face. Yet these difficulties time. A jar of homemade strawberry jam can be enbrought people together, and from that time onwards, joyed at tea time or presented as a Christmas gift. But the Siberians have been a close community of fami- most importantly, one little jar of jam will reflect the lies supporting one another. new chapter of Siberian history brought into life by Nowadays, Siberian cities, including Novosibirsk, the effort of the community.

Tyumen and Tobolsk, are the gems of the country, and On behalf of Siberian people, I would invite evare important economic, cultural and scientific centers eryone to come to Siberia and enjoy its friendliness, with universities and hospitals of federal status. hospitality, homemade food and the unique mixture Siberia is the birthplace of Dmitri Mendeleev, the of ancient and urban architecture.

Staff writer

Each semester, students in the Intelligence for Business RIAP 240 classes prepare a semester-long competitive intelligence project.

Students choose a company in an industry they are passionate about and create a report, including a financial and strategic analysis of that company’s main competitor.

If a report is extensively researched and well-polished, Shelly Freyn, Ph.D., chair of the Business & Competitive Intelligence Department, submits the project to the company.

In the Fall 2018, lead analyst Cedric Shutts and his supporting analysts, Parker Cerneck, Tucker Reddington and Vincent Torrez, prepared a report focusing on Lockheed Martin and Boeing.

After Freyn sent the report to Lockheed Martin earlier this semester, CEO Marillyn Hewson sent a response to the students. The letter commended the four students on their work, specifically listing the strongest sections.

In addition, the CEO listed suggestions for strengthening the report and students’ skills as business intelligence analysts.

This is the first time that a CEO has directly responded to an Intelligence for Business report.

“What really stood out with this project is the caliber of response from the CEO of Lockheed Martin; this company ranks No. 200 on Fortune’s Global 500 list,” Freyn said.

“For a CEO to take the time to review the project and provide feedback to our students speaks highly of the quality of work we produce at Mercyhurst.”

Although this is the first direct response from a CEO, over the past 10 years some students have gone to their company and presented the project, if they have a personal connection.

Other companies that have acknowledged student work with conference calls or letters.

“I am very proud of Cedric and his team. The CEO’s letter and connections for internships were worth going the extra mile,” Freyn said.

FEATURES

PAGE 8

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Hurst mourns loss of Williams

By Meghan Maker

Managing editor

The Mercyhurst community recently felt the loss of Karen Christensen Williams, Ph.D., who passed away April 27 from complications due to cancer. Williams, a professor of Spanish, taught Spanish, linguistics, and culture in the department of World Languages and Culture for 23 years.

Williams earned her B.M. in Music Performance from Iowa State University, her M.A. in Spanish Linguistics and Ph.D. in Linguistics from the University of Georgia.

Williams presented on education and linguistics around the country and published Human Communication Across Cultures: A Cross-Cultural Introduction to Pragmatics in Sociolinguistics in 2016.

Throughout her time at Mercyhurst, Williams served her department as assessment and secondary education specialist. She served the university as chair of Rank and Tenure and Academic Celebration committees.

Williams was also an executive committee member of the Pennsylvania Modern Languages Association.

Williams had a passion for music and the arts that she shared with her husband, Jeffrey Williams. She enjoyed creative cooking and loved keeping in touch with her fam-

“

I knew if I was ever struggling with anything, not just Spanish, I could go to her and she would be there to listen. I’m really going to miss seeing her around campus and talking to her.”

Michelle Benedetti, sophomore

ily and friends. She also had a deep love for animals and animal rights.

Teaching a wide variety of courses in many different levels, Williams impacted the lives of an array of students.

“She was really caring and definitely wanted you to succeed in her class,” Sam Del Regno, senior Integrated Marketing Communications major, said. Del Regno had Williams for Intro to Spanish II. “Dr. William’s teaching embodied everything Mercyhurst is about: compassion, understanding and great knowledge,” Alex Minnaugh, a former Mercyhurst student, said. “I was lucky to be a student of hers in order

to share her vast expertise in linguistics. We also shared a musical background.”

“I had Dr. Williams for two Spanish classes, and there was never a moment where I dreaded going to class.

She was always a professor I recommend to others.

She did so much to make sure we understood what we were learning and that we were comfortable with it,” Michelle Benedetti, sophomore Business and Competitive Intelligence major, said.

“She made sure that we knew it was a safe space and that asking for help was not something to be ashamed of. She was such a thoughtful and caring person. I knew if I was ever struggling with anything, and not just Spanish, I could go to her and she would be there to listen,” Benedetti said.

“I’m really going to miss seeing her around campus and talking to her.”

Williams leaves behind her husband and her parents, Roger and Mary Ann Christensen. The Merciad extends our deepest condolences to them, along with Williams’ friends, family, colleagues and students.

A celebration of Williams’ life will be held Wednesday, May 1 from 4-8 p.m. at Scott Funeral Home, 2104 Myrtle St., Erie. The Mercyhurst community will come together on May 6 at 11:30 a.m. to remember Williams’ life through poetry, song and personal tributes.

Lakers present at Easter events religion conference abound at MU

By Lauren Abbott Editor in chief

On April 12-14, three students and a professor traveled to Montreal to present at the Eastern International Regional (EIR) conference of the American Academy of Religion.

The EIR conference primarily focuses on graduate and professional scholarship, but in recent years has added an undergraduate panel to encourage undergraduate scholarship and growth in the field.

“The conference gives them experience in the field not only creating and presenting a sustained argument, but also in learning how to have focused conversations on their particular research,” Verna Ehret, Ph.D., associate professor of Religious Studies, said.

The theme for the conference this year was Religion in Harm and Healing.

The three students that attended the conference took Ehret’s Evolving religion class with similar themes.

The students applied for the conference as a single panel on Evolving Religion in Harm and Healing.

Once their abstracts were accepted by conference organizers the students worked to turn their papers in 15 minute presentations.

“Learning to present and then to listen to and engage the presentations of others is essential in the field,” Ehret said.

Katelin Snaeble, senior Religious Studies and Social Work major, presented her work on Religious Understanding in the Healthcare Field.

“I discussed the significant impact that spirituality and religion can have in a person’s life and the meaning making that can come from it,” she said.

“I also touched upon how medical staff need to be conscious and trained about these spiritual standpoints and make an effort of meeting people where they are in their medical journeys,” Snaeble said. “There are a wide variety of cultural and ethical differences that need to be considered when communicating and working with people,” Snaeble said.

Vincent Marrazzo, a senior Intelligence Studies, Information Technology & Religion, Diplomacy and International Relations major, presented his

work on the intersection of politics and religion within the United States.

“The experience was amazing. I really enjoyed having the opportunity to present my research to a group of religion scholars, and visiting Montreal was great too,” Marrazzo said.

The third student, Christian Copper, a senior Intelligence Studies and Religious Studies major, presented his senior thesis on the relationship between religion and terrorist organizations.

“When I had first learned that I was going to speak, I was through the roof with excitement,” Copper said. “I was going to see firsthand where my field of study happens, and have the ability to meet scholars whose books and articles I have read. Overall, this experience will be something I look fondly back on for years to come.”

The conference provided a great opportunity for the students to show off their presentation skills and present their topics in front of scholars in their field.

When not at the conference, the students had the chance to explore Montreal and spend some time together outside of an academic setting. They ate local food, walked the city and saw its Botanical Gardens.

The actual presentation brought both nerves and opportunity for the students.

“I was very nervous as a fledgling scholar of religion speaking on a controversial subject. However, Dr. Ehret and the Religious Studies department did a fantastic job at preparing me for the questions and culture of the meetings. Being able to dialogue with experts in various fields was an incredible experience, and I owe it to my professors who prepared me so well,” Copper said.

Ehret reiterated this point of view.

“Their projects were carefully organized and argued and dealing with timely issues. They all had carefully rehearsed their presentations and knew their material very well. They each handled difficult questions thoughtfully and with tremendous grace. I was so very impressed with them,” Ehret said.

“My favorite part of the trip was shockingly the eight-hour car rides. It was nice to talk with one another about an array of different subjects and learn about each other outside of the classroom,” Snable said.

By Jordan Kessler

Staff writer

Easter is a very fun time of the year on campus. Different clubs, organizations and departments host and participate in many Easter activities.

Before break, several clubs on campus organized Easter egg hunts and other fun activities for students to enjoy before going home for the holiday.

Circle K hosted an Easter egg hunt for its club members several days before Easter break. In addition, they hosted an Easter Party the weekend of April 13. At the party, students gathered together to eat food, laugh and have a good time before going home for break.

The Bystander Intervention Committee hosted an Easter egg hunt from April 15-16. The committee utilized the assistance of the Crime Victim Center of Erie to spread awareness of sexual assault victims in an unconventional way.

“Participants were asked to complete the tasks they found in the egg to raise awareness for victims,” Christopher Lewand, Assistant Director of Residence Life and Student Conduct, said.

The egg hunt was for everyone on campus and all students were encouraged to participate.

Alice Agnew, Mercyhurst’s Title IX director, assisted with the production of the event as well as making sure it ran smoothly throughout the two days. The goal was not only to create more awareness about sexual assault, but to do so in a way where victims did not feel out of place when participating.

“Our hope is to continue this

event in the future, since this was the first one,” Lewand said.

It is hoped that next Easter the hunt can be outside, but with the weather in Erie, it is unpredictable.

In years past, Campus Ministry participated in its own Easter egg hunt; however, members did something different this year.

Throughout the entire season of Lent, the students of Campus Ministry got to enjoy some relaxing, spiritual activities. “We did art journaling, participated in the Stations of the Cross and practiced Taizé,” Maryanne Cantwell, a senior Intelligence Studies Major said.

Taizé is a prayer method using peace and ecumenical meditation.

The members of Campus Ministry practiced this method while using singing repetitions as a form of prayer.

To serve the community during Mercy Week, the Ambassadors in Campus Ministry went to a Second Harvest Food Bank in Erie to package food for local families.

On social media, several departments of Mercyhurst posted well wishes for Easter break and wished students a Happy Easter.

The History department shared a flashback picture of Mercyhurst from Easter in 1933, by the Grotto. The History Club posted a picture of a decorated egg on Facebook, saying “Happy Easter!”

On the Mercyhurst World Language Department page, Professor Alice Edwards posted a link sharing the “World’s Most Beautiful Holy Week Celebrations.”

Hopefully, the joy of Easter celebrations can be continued in these last few weeks to help students finish strong.

FEATURES

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

PAGE 9

Rebecca Dunphy photos

Mercyhurst students look through gently used clothing to add to their wardrobes at the Fashion Council’s Spring Clothing Swap on April 23.

Students ‘shop’ for clothes at Fashion Council’s swap

By Rebecca Dunphy

Staff Writer

Out with the old and in with the new. That was the theme behind the Fashion Council’s recent Spring Clothing Swap.

From 2 to 5 p.m. on April 23, students had the opportunity to bring gently worn clothing to the Student Union Great Room and shop others’ donations.

A first of its kind, the event was designed by junior Caitlyn Lechene, a junior Fashion Merchandising major and Sustainability minor, as part of her Responding to Climate Change course.

“I was tasked with completing a project that can help address the problems of climate change,” Lechene said. “The fashion industry is the second most polluting industry after oil, so there

are many issues that need to be addressed. Sustainability in fashion is also a big trend currently because people are realizing how harmful the industry truly is.”

She came up with the idea hoping that instead of throwing out garments, students would be willing to trade clothing pieces, giving them the opportunity to freshen up their wardrobe without having to make additional purchases.

“So many people throw away old clothes instead of donating or finding a new use for them,” freshman Sarah Fertal, a Fashion Merchandising major and Fashion Council member, said. “Clothing swaps give people the opportunity to ‘shop’ for something new, while giving their unworn pieces a new life. This extends the lifespan of clothing and reduces landfills over time.”

Lechene began planning the event in January, however realizing the scope and size of this event, she solicited the help of the Fashion Council to advertise the clothing swap.

Members of the Fashion Council greeted attendees, took their donations and directed them to tables set up throughout the room, featuring clothing for every style, size and season. Shoppers were encouraged to take any items they please.

“I had a great experience because everything at the event was very organized, such as size and type of clothing, and the girls who were supervising were very helpful and welcoming,” sophomore Davia Ford, sophomore Dance major, said.

Ford, like many others, walked away with a number of pieces for the upcoming spring season.

“I am very happy with my new items,” Ford said. “I was able to find some really nice clothes that were my style and size.”

Fertal shared a similar experience: “I brought some clothes that I don’t often wear and swapped them for other pieces. I got some really awesome pieces at the swap, some that even had tags!”

Not only did students benefit with a new wardrobe, but their impact on the environment and wider Erie community was also a positive.

“The benefit of this event is that it helps those who participate reduce their waste from clothes by not throwing away their old clothes and not buying new clothes when expanding their wardrobe,” Shannon Gotham, freshman Fashion Merchandising major, said. “It also helps lo-

cal charities because any clothes that were not swapped by the end went to a local women’s shelter.”

After the event, 130 pieces of leftover clothing were donated to the Mercy Center for Women.

With such positive feedback from the event, Lechene and other Fashion Council members hope it becomes tradition.

“It is definitely a good starting point for Fashion Council next year to take over and make it better,” Lechene said. “There are many people who want to continue this tradition and to possibly have the clothing swap two times in the school year.”

Ford is excited about the prospect of attending a similar event in the future. “I would definitely attend an event like this again because I had a great experience,” Ford said.

LAKER

MOMENT

Cicchino’s time at The Merciad Senior staff writer Marco Cicchino received a special send-off from Merciad editors at an annual end-ofsemester celebration on April 29. The editors presented Cicchino, a sports writer for four years, with a showcase of all his all his “stats” during his Merciad writing career.

The “stats” included his word count (more than 62,000 words!) and each team he has written about throughout the years. Congratulations on your graduation, Marco!

Lauren Abbott photo

PAGE 10

ARTIST

SPOTLIGHT

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Compose yourself May 5

By Ashley Viszneki Staff writer

MICHELLE ELLEMAN-CALI May 3 @7p.m. in WRH

Hello, my name is Michelle Elleman-Cali and I am a post-bac student obtaining my BM in Music Performance as an operatic vocalist. I have already obtained my BA in Music, as well as my Associate’s Degree in Fine Arts Music. I am hosting a recital showcasing some of my pieces, both arias and art songs.

Anyone who is interested in attending is more than welcome.

It will be a transcendent experience through multiple languages, as well as repertoire stretching from the Renaissance period to modern-day pieces, including one of the most difficult soprano arias ever written, the “Czardas” from Die Fledermaus, which has been a journey unto itself.

My past roles have included Mrs. Nolan in our Halloween performance of “The Medium” by Gian Carlo Menotti, a shepherdess in “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” also by Menotti, and several roles for our spring performance of “Don Pasquale” by Gaetano Donizetti. I look forward to continuing to share my love of music with you all!

If you are looking for a way to destress before finals and want to see some Mercyhurst University students showcase their talent, then look no further.

The Mercyhurst Student Composers Concert and the Senior Recitals of Christian Goulione and Josh Phillips are happening in a joint concert May 5 at 2 p.m.

This concert will feature the compositions of three Mercyhurst Composition Students: Goulione, Phillips and Mariana Mathewson.

These students are all members of the studio of Albert Glinsky, Ph.D. Glinsky says that in order to be a classical composer, you must have something to say musically, as well as be able to read music and write for all instruments.

The students said there are several different ways to write music, whether that means starting with an idea, form or a blank slate.

Goulione, a senior, will be graduating in May with a Bachelor of Music degree in Composition.

His four-song song cycle, “Fishing for Stars,” will be performed at the concert.

His other works that will be performed are a brass quintet, a piano trio called “the Rain Trio” featuring a clarinet, cello and piano, two movements of a standard piano trio and two movements of a piano quintet.

After graduating, Goulione plans on coming back to study with Glinsky for another year.

Phillips is a senior Music Therapy major with a concentration in Classical Guitar and Composition and a minor in Psychology.

After he graduates in May, he will be doing an internship with Harborcreek Youth Services.

After the internship, he hopes

Photo by Ashley Viszneki

Student composers, from left, Mariana Mathewson, Christian Goulione and Josh Philips, pose with Albert Glinsky, Ph.D., Composition professor. They will participate in a joint concert May 5.

to go teach in Japan for a year or two.

Four of his pieces will be performed in this concert.

The first piece will be a theme and variations on piano.

The second piece is a solo piano piece, written for an assignment he was given in a music therapy class.

The third piece is a string quartet that is “based on 1950s-1960s monster movies,” Philips said.

The fourth piece is an art song based off of a Japanese poem about whaling in Japan and memorial services for whales killed on whale hunts.

Mathewson graduated from Mercyhurst University in May 2018.

Her degree is in Music Education with concentrations in Composition and Cello.

She also minored in French.

She will be attending North-

western University for a Master’s in Music Education this fall.

Her first piece that will be performed is her Woodwind Quintet no.1.

This piece was inspired by the time Mathewson spent in France and Spain during her study abroad.

The first movement is based off of a folk tune she heard on a Spanish bagpipe while in Spain.

The second movement is about somebody wandering into the unknown.

The third movement is fun movement about happy memories.

Her second piece being performed is a percussion piece called “Mechanic’s Chorus.”

It sounds like a car repair shop, where mechanics can be malicious.

Glinsky said that the Student Composers Concert is an annu-

al performance because students are composing all year round.

This concert showcases their completed compositions.

Glinsky also said that this concert is different then most that you will see because it features original works from the students, and many of the pieces on the concert are world premiers.

It is also different then most because of the amount of “furniture moving,” Glinsky said.

Instead of grouping the compositions in order by instrumentation, they are put in the order that offers the most variety.

This concert features student and faculty performers, as well as guest artists, all in one concert.

Glinsky said his students “have done wonderful work this semester” and he is very proud of them.

This concert is sure to be an entertaining one.

Lumen unveiled to MU campus

By Marco Cicchino

Staff writer

The annual unveiling of the Lumen literary magazine occurred on April 25 before a packed Taylor Little Theatre, featuring several award winners for student works.

This year’s edition includes 108 works, 99 of which appear in the main publication.

The event was emceed by editors-in-chief Michael Mongera and Jacob Leach, both of whom saw their work featured prominently in this year’s edition.

Michael Núñez was announced as the winner of the prestigious P. Barry McAndrew Creative Writing Award for his short story entitled “How to Mess Around with a Latino, White, and Black Boy.” Tessa Sayre received second place for her piece “Grandma’s Back Patio,” and Molly Kennedy received third place for her poem “Third Grade.”

“

It’s really cool to be able to see my design printed in the book, but it wasn’t just all me because there were three other people working on it.”

Kira Kolb, junior

Other award winners included Lauren Ganger in the Critical Literature competition for her essay titled “Literature as Jazz and Jazz as a Voice.”

Also honored at the event were the design team, led Kira Kolb, a junior Graphic Design major, who told the Merciad she and her team had been working on their Memphis Design-inspired project since the beginning

of the spring semester.

“It’s really cool to be able to see my design printed in the book, but it wasn’t just all me because there were three other people working on it,” she said. “They also put in the same amount of time that I did to create the content in and make sure all the assets of the artistic part were in line.”

According to Kolb, the design was submitted for print in early April.

The book was distributed among the audience at the unveiling, and included the authors of the winning submissions reading their works themselves.

The event ended with an open mic, giving audience members and students who had submitted work to the Lumen the chance to read their works out loud to an eager crowd.

The entirety of this year’s edition, including the bonus content featuring Núñez’s winning submission, is accessible online at https:// www.mercyhurst.edu/lumen.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

JAZZ ENSEMBLE REVIEW

PAGE 11

MOVIE REVIEW

‘Avengers: End Game’ ‘Insert Title, Hear,’ was fun more than expected

By Trey Fahsel

Contributing writer

On April 27, the Spring Jazz Ensemble Concert, “Insert Title, Hear,” was filled with features and fun upbeat ensemble moments.

Scott Meier, Ph.D., conducted the ensemble.

The ensemble opened with “Sha-Boppin’” by George W. Russel, which included solo work

by Mercyhurst alumnus Dillon Shidemantle on flugelhorn and great improvisation by Morgan Dowches on alto saxophone.

The trombone section was phenomenal towards the end of the piece during their solo part.

During the ensemble’s first feature piece, one of the trumpet players, Shidemantle stepped up to the front to sing “Knock on Wood” with whole-hearted enthusiasm.

The tune was over all too quickly, and the audience enjoyed the fun and engaging performance with Shidemantle fronting the band.

The next two pieces, “Grace” and “Julian,” featured one of the night’s guest soloists, saxophonist Bethany Dressler.

Dressler had arranged the chart “Grace” as a saxophone duet, which was performed with Meier.

It was a wonderful piece and the light melodies danced from the duo.

“Julian” was upbeat compared

to the former piece, and featured an Afro-Cuban jazz style.

This piece featured Dressler as the soloist, and the solo melody was passed around the ensemble from section to section.

The next piece with a vocalist was “How Long Has This Been Going On?” featuring Patrick Smith. It was the last vocal chart of the evening.

This tune was over all too quickly as Smith serenaded the audience with an emotionally moving performance.

The ensemble’s second to last tune of the night was “Spain” by Chick Corea and arranged by Paul Jennings.

This fast-paced tune made you want to get up and dance around with the groove put out by the rhythm section.

The ensemble held the attention of the audience with dynamic contrasts, which made it seem like a it would be a tragedy to miss even a single beat.

The Mercyhurst Spring Jazz Ensemble Concert was closed out with “Big Swing Face” by Bill Potts.

This tune, like “Spain,” displayed stunning dynamic contrast that kept the audience of the edge of their seats.

Every semester, the Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Meier, always leaves the guests beaming and feeling light-hearted on their way home.

By Larry Staub III

Staff writer

As fans came together to experience what would be the last Avengers movie, “End Game” left it all on the line, just as a true conclusion should.

In my opinion, it is truly incredible the amount of time, energy and commitment it took, not only to tie together over 20 independent films, but to bring each and every character to life throughout it all.

With this challenge, and with the expectations being higher than they ever have before, many speculated that the Russo brothers would not be able to live up to the hype, but “Avengers: End Game” did not disappoint in the slightest.

Over the last decade, we have had the opportunity of watching our favorite comic book characters come to life on the big screen.

As a huge Marvel fan growing up, I vividly remember the day Disney purchased Marvel, and announced that over the next 10 years they would be creating superhero movies.

What started out as one company’s big idea quickly expanded into much more, a universe of its own.

I remember being overjoyed, and the little comic nerd in me was thrilled with the chance to see my favorite heroes come to life.

My personal favorite hero was

announced to be the protagonist in the first of many superhero movies, and 2008’s “Iron Man” did not disappoint.

Fast forward a little over 10 years, and what started as one superhero movie, has grown to 22 films; the finale premiered just last week.

With a run time of over three hours, the pacing of the film was expertly done.

I never once checked my watch as the fast action scenes one would expect in a superhero movie married so well with the emotional challenges our heroes now faced living in a world with only half the population left.

“Avengers: End Game” is not like any superhero movie you have ever seen.

This did not feel like an action film, but rather it played like a drama.

Picking up right where Infinity War ended, with one snap of the evil Thanos’ fingers, exactly half of the universe was wiped out,.

This movie showed that Thanos did not create balance as he had hoped, but left half of the universe in pain.

This sense of deep loss and helplessness can be felt through the first third of the film, and we saw our heroes cope with what has happened and begin to find the strength to overcome it.

In the second act, we saw what was left of the team work together to develop and execute an impractical and quite impossible plan to bring their lost teammates

back. The film concluded with what could be best described as a superhero extravaganza.

Of course, there was a final battle for the ages, filled with more action and drama than ever before.

But this movie was much more than explosions and big stakes, it was a story of love and loss, honor and duty, and, most importantly, doing whatever it takes no matter what the cost may be.

Christopher Nolan’s “Dark Knight” franchise first worked to expose the human side of the hero, focusing on the side effects of the job and emotional turmoil that it can have, which was truly visionary in itself.

While Nolan created this deep sense of emotion for the character of Batman, Marvel did something even more impressive for more than a dozen characters.

Overall, this film blew me away, and I will admit, I even got a little misty eyed at the end.

What’s more, while you may not fall in love with every single character, everyone has their favorite.

What is so special about the Avengers is that every fan can find themselves on the screen and be transported into the narrative.

Isn’t that all a young and hopeful comic book fan could ever ask for?



OPERA REVIEW

‘Don Pasquale’ a musical treat

By Gabrielle Bejarano

Staff writer

This past weekend, Mercyhurst University presented its rendition of the classic operatic comedy “Don Pasquale” at the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center.

It was accompanied by the Mercyhurst Civic Orchestra, conducted by Jonathan Moser.

The story followed the old and wealthy bachelor Don Pasquale, played brilliantly by talented Mercyhurst senior Patrick Smith, as he decides to get married.

Other characters included Norina, played by junior Lydia Bolin, and Ernesto, played by Mercyhurst alumnus Gabriel Borerro.

The narrative follows Pasquale’s attempts to secure his nephew Ernesto’s future by arranging a marriage between Ernesto and a woman of his station.

However, Ernesto is in love

with the young widow Norina, and refuses to cooperate.

Assisted by their friend Dr. Malatesta, played by alumnus Jake Shearer, Ernesto and Norina decide to trick Don Pasquale into letting them marry after all.

Their comedic shenanigans were captivatingly performed with clear vocal technique and charismatic character portrayal.

The MU Civic Orchestra gave a wonderful performance of Gaetano Donizetti’s composition.

Smith sang the title role with authority and a profusion of comic business, pursuing Pasquale’s character arc from infatuated to betrayed in a bold physical performance.

Bolin, who sang with a bright, focused tone, gave an elegant and witty performance as the determined Norina.

Shearer’s brisk vocalism was a sure asset to the show as he played the devious Dr. Malatesta.

Join a Music ensemble!

If three semesters are taken for 1 credit (totaling 3 credits), it will fulfill a REACH Expression requirement.

Wind Ensemble Dr. Scott Meier, 0-1 credit MWF, 3-4:20 p.m.

Jazz Ensemble Dr. Scott Meier, 0-1 credit MWF, 10-10:50 a.m.

Civic Orchestra Jonathan Moser, 0-1 credit Th, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Concert Choir Thomas Brooks, 0-1 credit MWF, 1-2:20 p.m.

Contact the ensemble director about scheduling a short audition to demonstrate proficiency.

Scott Meier: smeier@mercyhurst.edu Jonathan Moser: jmoser@mercyhurst.edu Thomas Brooks: cbrooks@mercyhurst.edu

UPCOMING EVENTS May 1 @ 7 p.m. in WRH: Small Ensembles Concert May 2 @ 7:30 p.m. in PAC: Patti Lupone May 3 @ 7 p.m. in WRH: Michelle Elleman-Cali Senior Recital May 4 @ 7 p.m. in PAC: Wind Ensemble May 5 @ 2 p.m. in WRH: Composers’ Concert May 13 in CAG: Mercyhurst University Permanent Collection

OPINION

PAGE 12

GOOD After this week, we only have finals left before summer vacation! We hope you do well on your finals.

Reflections on my first year at Hurst

By Gillian

Mazur

Staff writer

BAD This is the final edition of The Merciad for the year.

SAD Beloved professor Dr. Karen Christensen Williams passed away on Saturday. May she rest in peace.

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

I am just now concluding my first year of attendance here at Mercyhurst.

One word I would use to describe my first year here at Mercyhurst University is “opportunity.”

Throughout all the laughs, tears, genuine memories and friendships that I have made this first year, I truly believe that my choices have gotten me to where I am today.

At some point, every single person will doubt their choices and wonder what would have happened had they chosen differently.

I will admit that at my lowest points in the year, I doubted my decision to attend Mercyhurst.

I wondered what it would have been like if I picked differently and gone somewhere else.

But throughout these doubts, some of my best memories and the thought of all of the opportunities I have at Mercyhurst kept circling through my mind.

Deep down I knew for a fact

that the amount of opportunity for academic, professional and personal growth would have been completely unattainable at a different school.

Whether the opportunity to attend Mercyhurst University was granted to me by total happenstance or through my own efforts, I am continually reminded that I am where I am meant to be.

I know that I am truly on the correct path through the people I have met and the chances Mercyhurst University has been willing to take on me.

What really blows my mind is the fact that my first year has come to a close.

It feels like I have been here forever, and yet at the same time, it feels like the year has gone by in the blink of an eye.

Beyond that, there is the matter of the courses I took and the professors I had.

I have had some great professors in both my REACH and major classes.

They have absolutely helped me become a more well-educated scholar.

But it was not just the faculty that gave a hand.

There have been some amazing and inspiring upperclassmen who

have helped guide me along the way.

My only hope is that I am able to fill their shoes and continue to do the same for the class of 2023.

Equally amazing is how much has changed in my life from the beginning of the school year to the end.

Plenty of people have said that college changes you, and it is true.

I have faced adversity and have grown stronger.

I have made new friendships and had some falling-outs.

I have had classes that have challenged me.

More than anything else, I found out that I am more than capable.

I still have three years ahead of me before I graduate.

Looking toward that future, I cannot fathom how much is going to change in those three years.

I advise my fellow peers who are reading this article to take a step back and reflect on the school year that has passed.

That goes double if you are feeling totally overwhelmed right now.

I am sure that you will be able to find the beauty within the chaos that is college.

Student gives thoughts The Merciad on summer vacation

Editors Lauren Abbott Meghan Maker Kristian Biega Marina Boyle Bernard Garwig Lauren Ganger Anthony Miller Maria Williams Megan Stubbs Kristin Bowers

Positions Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor News Editor Features Editor Sports Editor A&E Editor Opinion Editor Copy Editor Ad Manager Adviser

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The Merciad is the official student-produced newspaper of Mercyhurst University. It is published throughout the school year, with the exception of finals weeks. Our office is in Hirt, Room 110. Our phone number is (814) 824-2376.

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 opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.

As a kid, summer was one of my favorite parts of the year.

By Nash I remember certain summer Greeven days spending eight hours at Staff writer the beach, looking forward to sticking my feet in the sand.

Summer is finally coming I’m sure that you all have up on us. The signs of it are similarly happy memories everywhere. surrounding the summertime.

For one, many are looking It’s easy to see why everybody for summer jobs and summer looks forward to the summer internships. season.

For some students, summer Summer is a fun-filled, three vacation is three months of months of joy that has no worries, saving up money and then using and is seemingly stress-free. that money sparingly for the next I look forward to summer eight months. every year.

For others, it is a time of It is what gets me, and I expect relaxation and joyful fun in the many other students, through hot weather. the cold winter months here at Summer is something that we Mercyhurst University. as college students have to look However, there is something a forward to. bit somber about this summer in Well, for the next few years, particular. before we are sprung out into the I have come to the realization I world. have three more years of summer In the real world, we have to as it is. Then summer will just go to our jobs to get two weeks become work. of vacation time.

No more vacations after that.

I understand that day is coming sometime in the future, but I also remain excited about what’s coming up.

I still have multiple summers ahead of me.

I can’t wait for a fun-filled summer of drinking lemonade next to the ocean.

I can’t wait to finally be able to go head first into the cool sea, after all these frozen months.

I’m sure that everyone has quotes that remind them of summer.

One of my favorite summer quotes, one that really sticks with me, is by Anna Godbersen.

It comes from her novel “Bright Young Things.”

The quote goes, “It is easy to forget now, how effervescent and free we all felt that summer.”

That’s what summer represents to me more than anything else, a time of freedom.

We only have a few summer vacations left, so we should enjoy them while we can.

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 opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.

OPINION

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Reading Day relief Throughout the year, we all have seen students miss class, mostly because they have slept in Kessler or forgot they had that class that Staff writer day.

However, some students skip The year is finally coming to classes the day before a big exam a close, and finals week is just to study. around the corner.

I do not like to do this.

Thank goodness for Reading However, I can say that I have Day! done this due to the feeling of This semester’s Reading Day needing to spend more time falls on May 6, the Monday of studying. finals week.

Reading Day gives those I think Reading Day is a great students who are stressed about opportunity for students on missing classes the day before an campus to get some last-minute exam to study and a break from studies in before finals. that stress.

The purpose of Reading Day, Students like me, who push for some people, is to catch up themselves to their limits and on sleep from the past semester tend to burn the candle at both or to go out and celebrate the ends, often don’t get enough end of the year. sleep due to working too hard.

For those students, it is one last This method works up to a big “hurrah” before the semester point, but then your body just is over and students go home for gives up and crashes at the time the summer. you need it most, likely during Each semester, I spend that your exam.

Monday going through and I can see both the positives and studying once again for the finals negatives of having a Reading I have during the upcoming Day on campus, but I believe the week. positives outweigh the negatives.

It is the one day of the Campus becomes eerily quiet, semester that is dedicated to pun intended. schoolwork without there actually Students are able to focus being classes. completely on their work when This is a big deal to several they need to and give themselves students on campus due to the a peaceful break when studying stress exams have on them. as well.

By Jordan

When the campus is quiet, students can study how they prefer to study.

For example, some students prefer to study in the library.

Some may wish to study with many other students, in the common rooms of their dorms or the living rooms of their apartments with the TV on for background noise.

Some students even close themselves off in their dorm rooms listening to music quietly while writing notes and flashcards.

Each student studies differently, and that is OK. There are many places around campus where students can experience different study settings.

Some people prefer to be in a group, and others prefer to be alone.

Speaking personally, I prefer to be alone.

I listen to music when I am writing notes out or making flashcards, but I like the room completely silent when I am going over the notes and flashcards.

Like all other students, I need to take breaks and destress myself before diving back into studying.

Take a break — it will help you in the long run.

PAGE 13

HURST STUDENTS

SPEAK UP We asked the students:

“What are you excited for this summer?”

Hannah Bill, sophomore Fashion Merchandise major: “I’m looking forward to being home with family and friends and starting my summer reading list.”

Alex Jones, sophomore Biology major: “I’m looking forward to spending time with my friends and family. You won’t always have the same opportunity, so it’s important to take it when possible.”

Casey Phillips, sophomore Fashion Merchandise major: “This summer I am most looking forward to having extra time to spend with friends and family.

I am also excited to go to Kerfuffle, an alternative music festival in Buffalo.”

Chris Streibich, sophomore Accounting major: “I’m excited to return to work at the theater camp I worked at last summer.”

Compiled by Katy Vaccariello

Notre Dame preservation Finals Week a should respect faith, history source of stress

By Bernard

Garwig

Sports Editor

As a Catholic and a Western citizen, it was so disheartening to see Notre Dame in flames during Holy Week.

I personally have never been to the cathedral, let alone to France, but the spiritual connection that the building holds to those of the Catholic faith hurt me.

It hurt to watch the massive spire collapsing in a blaze onto the burning roof.

Notre Dame has survived so much throughout its more than 850 years of existence.

The cathedral was the scene of Napoleon’s coronation, and the place where Charles De Gaulle attended Mass for the 1944 liberation from Nazi Germany.

It has seen damage before, but not even Hitler and the aforementioned Nazis attempted to destroy it.

I heard many pundits take their position on the destruction that took place.

Perhaps most touching was a French man who said it is easy to take living near the cathedral for granted, but that he took time

to pause and gaze at the ornate structure and find new details.

He said that he was happy that the building was ultimately saved; however, there will be no replacing the craftsmanship of those who undertook the Cathedral’s construction.

It truly is miraculous that the building was saved, as I can remember there were reports from the firefighters at the time that the whole building might be lost.

There were also stories of heroism, such as the fire chaplain who saved Jesus’ crown of thorns from the building.

It was certainly a unifying moment for the French people, who have been in some turmoil in recent months.

Unfortunately, I am disheartened by France’s decision to allow for a contest to redesign Notre Dame’s roof and spire.

President Emmanuel Macron endorsed a reconstruction of Notre Dame as it was, but soon afterwards balked.

Images have surfaced online of a glass roof, as well as a plain clear glass spire.

There are also talks about trying to incorporate eco-friendly features into the design, such as a greenhouse-style roof.

I can understand the desire to push forward and to modernize, but what is the reason to simplify the beauty and craftsmanship of Notre Dame?

When you think of the Louvre, for example, rarely does one think of the glass, Post-Modern pyramid that adorns the front of the building.

You think of the incredible works of art held within the Louvre, like the Renaissance-era Mona Lisa.

What if a fire destroyed part of Old Main?

Would the iconic postcard view of the building look better if there was an influx of glass onto the building?

I certainly don’t think it would.

For the sake of respecting almost a millennium’s worth of work and passion in creating a house of Catholic worship, I believe that all urges to modernize Notre Dame should be rejected.

As a Catholic, I find the idea of a greenhouse roof disrespectful.

The building should be timeless, a triumph of civilization and a proud house of worship for both Parisian Catholics and those traveling from around the world.

a class that you will probably have to take again.

As finals crawl ever closer, Solazzo each professor is cramming Contributing writer everything they did not finish into a small period of time.

There is one thing lurking This means more homework, between me and being able to go projects, presentations and home and go on break: finals. essays that are all due at the Finals have always been a point in the semester that is source of stress for me, the deemed the most stressful. difference now is that the stakes In some cases, these projects are higher. count as the final.

College is where you come For some classes, once you to learn skills that you will have made it through all that need in order to make yourself work you are left with a long employable. and very important test to take.

This means that you have to I always feel like I needed to pay attention to what you are do more studying. doing.

This feeling stems from the In high school, if you slacked fact that in the past even the off you could fall behind. exams I studied the most for, It being high school however, there always seemed to be the teachers were always there questions I didn’t know and to help you get back on track, didn’t study for. and were overall pretty forgiving Overall, finals stress me out about work. but at the end of the day it can If you slack off in college, only be a maximum five days. you are really hurting yourself.

I think working under stress Not only will you fall behind, is good for people because it but your professor will not hold makes you understand yourself your hand and make sure that better. you learn everything.

And once you make it If you fail a final not only are through the stress (of finals at you hurting your future self, but least), you are free to relax and you spent a full semester taking enjoy yourself.

By Mike

SPORTS

PAGE 14

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Lakers top Kutztown 21-10

By Marco Cicchino

Staff writer

The last time the Mercyhurst women’s lacrosse program won eight games in a row, it was three years ago when they ran the table en route to the first PSAC title in program history. Perhaps this is an omen of the near-future.

With a 21-10 victory over the Kutztown University Golden Bears, the 23rd-ranked Lakers are running their current hot streak to eight wins, the third-longest streak in program history, and the first since April 2016.

The game secured the Lakers the 3-seed in next week’s conference tournament and a quarterfinal contest against Millersville on April 30.

“We didn’t start off too well, it just stung, we weren’t in the right mindset, but we found a good flow on our team, we’ve been working very hard each practice, each game,” Lakers Kira Kolb, said. “It’s basically a lot of grit and hard work that’s been getting put into it.”

Since falling to the West Chester University Rams on March 30, the Lakers (12-5, 9-3) have been holding their opponents to an average of 6.75 goals per contest, outscoring them 104-54 in the process and allowing double-digit tallies only twice, including an up-

set of then-No. 11 East Stroudsburg last Saturday.

The Lakers drove 13 past Golden Bear goalie Megan Vaughan in the first half.

Angelina Simon needed just 48 seconds into the second half to score for the Lakers after her defense cleared the turnover off Golden Bear Destanee Watkins.

But after the Lakers’ Paige Cocina won the ensuing faceoff, the Golden Bears’ Amanda Lehman fouled Brenna Fosco, allowing her to find Julia Rescott.

Another successful Laker clear allowed Fosco to find Emma Hubert at 4:09 to bring her season total to 59, top in the PSAC and 16 off the program record set by Breana Haggerty in 2008.

The Golden Bears did not need long to respond, as the Lakers’ Mackenzie Shanahan lost her grounder to Lehman, leading to a foul on Laker goalie Kaitlyn Lippert that the Golden Bears’ Cyla Cafferata would convert on.

But the Lakers’ Kolb continued her magical season and grabbed the ensuing draw, allowing Fosco to score just 58 seconds later and Hubert at 6:55.

The Golden Bears then coaxed Laker Lacey Netti into a turnover of her own, allowing Emily Smith a score.

Lippert (8-1, 7.38), in goal for

the Lakers, exacted revenge on her foul earlier and stopped the Golden Bears’ Jordan Klebe on the ensuing free and allowed a clear. After Netti hit the post on a free at 10:37, Hubert picked up the grounder and found Molly Meegan 31 seconds later.

The Golden Bears’ Shannon Darcy was unable to clear on 13 minutes, allowing the Lakers’ Payton Cook a score.

After Cocina won the ensuing draw, Simon was coaxed into a turnover before Victoria Sullivan drew a foul to allow the Golden Bears’ Erin Vaughan-Ware and finding a goal for teammate Makalya Bowman.

The Golden Bears’ Watkins fouled Cocina at 17:40, allowing her to convert the free for her first of the day, win the ensuing faceoff, and allow Fosco to connect with Hubert within 30 seconds.

Watkins was not done fouling however, drawing a blow on the Lakers’ Cassandra Ellis that allowed her to convert the ensuing free.

The Lakers’ Fosco then went back to work after Lippert stoned Bowman, clearing and finding Rescott with 9:15 left before intermission to run the lead to nine.

However, both keepers began to find their rhythm from this point, stopping a combined four

free-position shots in a 3:18 span preceding Laker Netti’s first assist of the game, finding Hubert with 3:01 left before the half.

But the Golden Bears were not done yet, as Devon Fitzpatrick won the ensuing draw and scored twice in 40 seconds to keep the margin at single digits.

This would be the end of Lippert’s day, as it was Raelyn Tiberio’s turn for the Lakers.

However, Golden Bear Vaughan-Ware had no interest, finding Smith just a minute into the second.

But the Laker’s defense coaxed a shot-clock violation, allowing Cocina a conversion.

The next Golden Bear score came when Laker Meegan fouled Lauren Schmidt, who beat Tiberio (4-4, 11.22) on its free.

But the Golden Bears’ Rylee Hill fouled Netti 1:21 later, allowing her to beat Vaughan on the free to restore the eight-goal advantage.

A Laker foul by Diana Schmitt returned the favor on Watkins and Vaughan-Ware, allowing them to beat Tiberio on a respective free.

But after the Lakers’ Kolb committed a foul and missed the draw, Lehman lost her ball and saw Ellis recover the grounder, killing the Bears’ momentum and allowing a clear before Netti drew

a foul from Darcy and converted her second free in 2:24.

Netti, the Lakers’ assist leader, was at it again 2:30 later, responding to a pair of Vaughan saves and grabbing the rebound off a shot from Hubert.

Netti finished off her hat-trick in a span of just five minutes, bringing her to a team-leading 76 points, just 28 off Ally Keirn’s 2010 record.

But the Golden Bears’ Fitzpatrick would coax the Lakers into a giveaway, allowing Smith a score with 14:39 remaining.

But that was the end of the line for the hosts, as Netti was in a rhythm and found teammate Rescott 1:18 later and then Sullivan.

After getting stopped by the Golden Bears’ Vaughan with 10:30 left in regulation after a free from the Lakers’ Cook hit the post, sparking another stretch of free midfield play.

But the Lakers were unfazed, seeing Gina Perna and Ellis (from Netti) score with 13 seconds left to secure the victory.

“We took our tenacity and the fire that we had in the East Stroudsburg game, into Edinboro and Kutztown because they are a big rival,” said Kolb. “Our coaches wanted us to take that ... because it is just as big of a game in the PSAC.”

HURST RESULTS Photo contributed by Alyssa Diacono

The women’s water polo team poses for a photo after their finish at the WWPA Championships.

MU women’s water polo places seventh at WWPA

By Nash Greevan Staff writer

The Mercyhurst women’s water polo team defeated Sonoma State 7-6 to win seventh place at the Western Water Polo Association Championships on Sunday.

Mercyhurst took an early 3-1 lead in the first quarter. The Lakers then added three more goals in the second quarter while Sonoma added two to make it 6-3.

During the third quarter, the Lakers scored the lone goal before Sonoma scored three in the fourth quarter to end it 7-6, Lakers.

Sarah Hershey scored two goals while Michaela Hershey, Maddie Nye and Lindsey Mizrahi recorded one goal and one assist each.

Mackenzie Ryburn and Rachel Byrnes added one goal each while Sara Marin and Jennifer Moshinsky picked up one assist each.

Byrnes had four steals, Sarah Hershey grabbed two steals and single steals were picked up by Michaela Hershey, Nye and Mizrahi. Sarah O’Keefe made eight saves in net for the Lakers.

For Sonoma, Hailey Gellert scored four goals, and single goals were added by Amanda Weddle

and JoJo Williams.

Brooke Sullivan made eight saves in net and had four steals for Sonoma.

The ladies had a tough-fought season and pulled through at the end with a win.

“The ladies have worked hard all season,” said assistant coach Alyssa Diacono. “So finishing the season off with a win is a testament of their relentlessness.”

The ladies had a rough start to the season but came up victorious at the very end to finish it up.

Overall, the Lakers finished 8-18.

April 19-20: Men’s golf @ Mercyhurst Invitational, Lakers placed first out of sixth April 19-20: Women’s golf @ Gannon Invitational, Lakers placed first out of eight April 24: Men’s lacrosse vs.

Roberts Wesleyan College, 19-6, Mercyhurst (11-3, 5-1) April 28: Softball vs. Edinboro University, 0-9, 3-5, Edinboro (Lakers finish 9-34) April 30: Women’s tennis vs. Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 4-1, Lakers (15-7, 5-1)

SPORTS

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

PAGE 15

Baseball sweeps Clarion

By Jack Butler

Staff writer

Mercyhurst hosted the Clarion University Golden Eagles for a doubleheader on April 27 at the Mercyhurst Baseball field.

The Lakers entered the contests following a previous weekend sweep of Slippery Rock.

With Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) season almost coming to a close, the Lakers were in two tightly fought games against the Golden Eagles, winning them both.

In the first game, head Coach Joe Spano handed the ball to Christian Young, who pitched well in the Lakers’ victory.

The Laker batters went in order in the bottom of the first, however, next inning the bats woke up as they tallied three runs.

Matthew Schneider led off the frame for the Lakers with a single, and teammate Josh Surowiec walked. With two outs, Luke Baranchak ripped a single down the first base line, plating Schneider, while Surowiec came home on an error by the right fielder.

The Lakers were not done as Zach Mitchell lined a doubled, bringing Baranchak home, extending the lead to 3-0.

At one point, Young retired 10 consecutive Clarion hitters, yielding only two baserunners from a single and a walk.

During the fifth inning, Young allowed five straight singles with no outs, resulting in three Clarion

Trey Fahsel photo

Clarion University’s Thomas Lavin prepares to swing during Saturday’s competition. The Lakers’ Domenic DeRenzo is catching. The Lakers won both doubleheaders April 27-28 against Clarion.

runs, tying the game at 3.

Young managed to get out of trouble, keeping the score intact.

The Lakers regained the lead at 4-3 in the bottom half when Zack Mitchell scored and Alex O’Donnell singled with two outs.

Jared Kapturasky worked the sixth and seventh for the Lakers, striking out four and giving up two runs.

Kapturasky held the sixth and

the Lakers plated six huge insurance runs during their frame.

The biggest hit came from Matt Gibson, lacing a ball for a two-run RBI double, and sending Dominic DeRenzo and Zach Mitchell to the plate.

Kapturasky began the seventh with a seven-run cushion, but allowed two Golden Eagle runs with two outs.

The Lakers eventually earned a

10-5 victory over Clarion, looking to take the sweep.

Matthew Minnick pitched the second game for the Lakers and dominated Golden Eagle hitters.

Minnick set down the first eight batters, striking out six and allowing a measly run in the third.

Two innings prior, the Lakers tacked on two runs, with one swing by Schneider, trotting around the bases with O’Donnell.

In the bottom of the third, the Lakers received timely hits from Schneider, driving in Jack Elliott with a sacrifice fly, and O’Donnell, scoring on a Surowiec doubled, making it 4-1.

The Golden Eagles cut the deficit in half to 4-2 by tallying a run from a sacrifice fly.

Dominic DeRenzo joined the hit parade when he drilled a homer to left giving the Lakers a three-run cushion.

Minnick looked composed and comfortable on the mound during the fifth and sixth frames.

During those frames, he allowed one baserunner from a walk and added three strikeouts to an already climbing total of seven.

“Matt’s a real competitor. He is really been our glue guy this year, who was able to get through six and hand it off to Adam Jeannette,” Spano said.

Jeannette entered the seventh inning in purist of earning the save and a Lakers’ sweep.

He only faced three batters, striking out two of them, and produced a ground out, completing the sweep of Clarion on on the Lakers’ Senior Day. The two victories improved the Lakers’ overall record to 26-8 and PSAC West record to 13-5. The Lakers are currently in a three-way tie for first place with California University of PA and Gannon.

The Lakers have a pivotal doubleheader against Gannon this weekend to determine the No. 1 seed for the PSAC Tournament.

New women’s basketball LET’S GO, coach Kohlheim introduced LAKERS!

By Marco Cicchino

Staff writer

It was announced April 15 that former Florida Southern standout Brooklyn Kohlheim would become the 14th head coach in the history of the Mercyhurst women’s basketball program, taking over after Deanna Richard, who will not return after 12 seasons with the team.

Kohlheim was introduced the following day in a news conference at Ryan Hall on the main campus, which coincided with the Laker for Life announcements.

“I am grateful for the opportunity that President Michael T. Victor, Brad Davis and the Mercyhurst community has given me to lead this program,” Kohlheim said in a news release from Hurst Athletics. “Their vision for Mercyhurst women’s basketball is aligned with my own.

The commitment to developing every individual as a whole is evident in the atmosphere and resources available throughout

campus. This is the perfect fit for me.”

A native of Fort Myers, Florida, Kohlheim, 36, comes to Erie after playing four years at Florida Southern University and spending 14 seasons in several coaching positions around Division II. Most recently, she spent the 2018-19 season heading Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) school Lake Erie, where they finished the season 11-16, but finished the season with the school’s highest team grade-point average.

Prior to Lake Erie College, she spent three years as an assistant at Michigan Tech and Sunshine State champion Nova Southeastern, reaching the Final Four in 2013-14. She also spent time at Indianapolis and Division I Florida Atlantic.

She is credited with helping build the Sharks into a national power, winning consecutive SSC titles in 2013 and 2014. Kohlheim then reached the top spot on the Women’s Basketball Coaches of America poll.

“The moment you walk on campus, the word that comes into my mind is enchanting,” Kohlheim said. “It is a very special place and the culture that everybody has bought into and built around here is felt by every visitor. ... I’m really looking forward to the growth we are going to have as a team.”

Kohlheim graduated from Florida Southern College in 2005 with a degree in History and finished her career as the all-time program leader in free-throw percentage (.792), three-pointers (180), and three-point percentage (.305) while finishing 18 th in career scoring (953).

In 2001 and 2002, Kohlheim was named to the SSC All-Freshman Team after averaging 8.7 points and 27.1 minutes per contest while shooting 35.5 percent from the floor and leading the team with 46 made threes.

The following season, she averaged 7.6 points per contest. In 2003 and 2004, she was one of only three players to appear in all 29 contests, leading the team in

threes (40) and free-throw percentage (.831).

In 2004 and 2005, she finished her career with 8.6 points per game that season and was the only player to start all 29 games, making 49 threes and led the team with 31.1 minutes per game.

“Coach Kohlheim is an amazing teacher and learner of the game,” former colleague and past Michigan Tech head coach Kim Cameron told Hurst Athletics.

“She won’t be outworked, and she is a player’s coach. Her enthusiasm and passion for her team is what sets her apart.”

Kohlheim’s new players are also enthusiastic about her hiring.

“She came into the locker room and had a great sense of humor, her vision was clear, and she is definitely someone I pictured standing in front of our locker room on gameday,” rising junior Eliza Oswalt said. “She has great leadership qualities, just seemed like a very personable person. ... I think you can expect some pretty big things from us next year.”

May 3, Seton Hill University @ 3 p.m.: Men’s lacrosse vs. Lake Erie College May 3, Mercyhurst Baseball Field @ 1 and 4 p.m.: Baseball vs. Gannon University May 3, West Chester University @ 4 p.m.: Women’s lacrosse PSAC semifinal vs. East Stroudsburg

LAKER LIVING

PAGE 16

Periwinkle Revealed

Throughout the past two years, page 16 of the Merciad has featured incredible studentdrawn cartoons by the artist Periwinkle.

Now the time has come to find out the person behind the cartoon.

Meet Ashley Espinoza, senior Applied Forensic Science major.

Forensic science and drawing may seem like two very different disciplines, but Espinoza says drawing has always been a life long passion.

“As a child my dream job was to be in animation. I have always had a very active imagination, which has helped me come up with a variety of story lines for the Phil and Zdaryl comics,”

Espinoza said.

When asked what her favorite comic was, Espinoza found she couldn’t choose.

“I have enjoyed making all of my comics, i don’t think I have a favorite. I have also enjoyed seeing the excitement of my readers for waiting each week for the comic.”

If you are interested in working with the Merciad to fill this position, please email editormerciad@mercyhurst.edu.

“I would encourage any aspiring cartoonist or animator to take over my spot as the Merciad cartoonist. This would be a great opportunity for you to display your potential and artwork.”

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

HURST TOON Student-drawn cartoon by Periwinkle