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HURST CLASS CATALOG
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By Bella Lee
Staff writer
This year, Mercyhurst welcomed an impressive 27 faculty members as new Lakers. Among them is Lauren Esper, who joins the Department of Marketing and Brand Management as a full-time graphic designer.
Esper is no stranger to the Erie area; she is a graduate of Girard High School and just graduated this past May from Edinboro University with her Bachelors in Fine Arts with a concentration in graphic and interactive design. She is now pursuing her Masters’s in Organizational Leadership through Mercyhurst while also working fulltime.
“I actually accepted this position the day before I graduated!” Esper said.
Although she is an alum of Edinboro, Esper has her reasons for calling Mercyhurst home. “I chose to come to Mercyhurst because when looking for employment after college I wanted to stay local to the Erie area,” Esper said.
“I worked as an intern at Edinboro University’s marketing department my senior year and really liked the design work I was producing for the university. So when I saw this job posted for doing design work in a university setting and it being local for me it was a win-win!”
Even though she’s only been here for a few months, Esper couldn’t be any happier. “I love the department I work in and the work I am producing, all my coworkers in it, and how welcoming everyone is not only in my department but in others too,” she said.
Esper is incredibly passionate about her career as a graphic designer. She has an extensive portfolio ranging from postcard designs and various logos and signage for various projects at Edinboro University.
“I love making art and having my products not only represent the place I am assisting with but, my work also represents me and my personality, and I love being apart of something bigger than myself” said Esper.
As a graphic designer, Esper will be helping to make Mercyhurst look as fresh and fantastical as ever. If you happen to come across her, be sure to say hello and give her a warm Mercyhurst welcome.
Mercyhurst welcomes the class of 2025
Mercyhurst University photo
Mercyhurst Day of Service 2021- the class of 2025 ventures out into the Erie community.
By Libby Bullinger Copy editor
After a year of virtual events and COVID restrictions, Mercyhurst was able to welcome the Class of 2025 in a more traditional manner.
This year, students were able to experience in-person events that typically occur annually such as MAC/SAC programming, the anticipated Hypnotic Intoxication Performance, and New Student Convocation.
New Student Welcome began on Friday with students from around the globe making their way through the gates and to the residence halls which they call home for the academic year. The students were met by Resident Assistants, Laker Leaders and of course Luke the Laker. In addition, groups such as the football team and the ROTC cadets were stationed in the residence halls to help families move their student’s suitcases and mini fridges into their rooms.
Joey Franz, a junior Communications major and co-chair of MAC/SAC, oversaw events that new students attend for their first weekend at the Hurst.
On Friday night, students gathered outside the Student Union for a glow in the dark mini golf night. The nine-hole course was the first night of programming for this year’s MAC/SAC events and also served as a kick-off event for new students after a long day of moving into their campus residencies.
Saturday night was Casino night, which Franz referred to as a “Mercyhurst tradition.” Students were able to earn chips in casino games run by student Ambassadors and Laker Leaders, and turn their profits into tickets for raffles at the end of the night. Some of the raffle prizes featured were a TV, several Amazon Echoes, and a $100 gift card to the Mercyhurst bookstore.
The return of many of these campus traditions has been long awaited after last year’s virtual setup. Although there are still some precautions being taken on campus, there is so much more freedom than there was last year.
“The only difference from previous years was the mask, which in reality isn’t even that much of a difference. We were grateful to be able to hold the events in person rather than on a virtual platform,” said Franz.
Another Mercyhurst tradition that returned for the first time since 2019 was the in-person Day of Service. Deriving from the mission of the Sisters of Mercy and their dedication to service work, this event allows new students to experience a day of volunteering outside of the gates. New students are bussed into the community where they perform service work for the day in areas across Erie. Volunteer sites differ every year, but usually include a wide range of different areas and types of work for students to engage in.
Throughout the week, students gathered together in the Grotto Commons for meals, met with their Resident Assistants, and worked in teams with their iMU classes and Laker Leaders. Allowing new students to arrive on campus several days before starting class gives them an opportunity to meet new friends and get acclimated before they dive into the full college experience.
New Student Welcome concluded with the New Student Convocation in the Performing Arts Center on Tuesday. This event formally welcomes students into the university and secures their status as Lakers. Following the ceremony, students scattered across campus to meet with faculty and advisors from their respective majors, giving them a chance to connect before the first day of classes on Wednesday.
With COVID limiting numerous new student welcome activities the university has come to know and love, it is wonderful to see some normalcy yet again after so long.
It was wonderful to see the return of so many campus traditions this year. To the Class of 2025 and all the new students on campus, welcome to Mercyhurst!
Hurst will be your home for the next four years, carpe diem.
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By Gillian Mazur Editor-in-chief
The year 2021 has brought many changes to Mercyhurst, one of these changes being Laker Launch Days. For the first time in two years, new student orientation was able to be held in-person. This year orientation was re-branded as Laker Launch Days.
While all new students had to attend a mandatory summer-long Virtual Orientation experience, new students and their families were also given the option to attend a series of optional Laker Launch Day sessions.
Seven in-person Laker Launch Days were offered for students to register on a first-come, first-serve basis. International Student students were also given an option in late August to attend a Laker Launch Day closer to the start of freshman move-in.
The virtual orientation consisted of online meetings, discussions, videos, and activities that could be completed at one’s leisure throughout the summer.
On Laker Launch Days, starting from 9 a.m., events for the new students and their families lasted all day until 4:30 p.m. The launch days eventually led up to freshman Move-In Day on Aug. 20 and Aug. 21.
Many Mercyhurst offices and departments played a role in helping make the Laker Launch Days a success including the Enrollment team, Marketing office, Academic Support, Parkhurst Dining, Aramark and individual faculty and staff.
Executive Director of Campus Involvement, now Assistant VP for Student Life, Sarah Allen, was one of the staff members able to help coordinate, organize and implement the several Laker Launch Days.
“We offered seven Laker Launch Days this past summer and limited attendance for each one. Incoming students and their families all raved about the small size and individualized attention given to each day and its attendees,” said Allen.
Although the Launch Days mostly consisted of incoming freshmen, all students from traditional, 2-year associate, adult and transfer students were invited to partake in the days.
“We had many associate and transfer students also take part in Laker Launch Days,” said Allen.
At Laker Launch Days, new students were able to learn more about their academic career, meet with counselors and advisors to review their fall course schedule and ask questions.
In addition, students were able to get their student ID, set up their student bank account and pre-order textbooks. New students were also able to meet some of their future peers, current students, faculty, staff and administrators to discuss college life and Mercyhurst’s campus community.
Intelligence Studies and Criminal Justice junior, Samantha Strom was one of the Laker Leaders who helped guide incoming students through their transition into college throughout New Student Welcome and Laker Launch Days.
“I welcomed students into their dorm halls, attended presentations with them, conducted small group sessions to discuss some of what they learned and mingled with them [the incoming students] at the fun MAC/SAC events,” said Strom of her experience with New Student Welcome.
“I also got to attend the Day of Service with my small group doing community service as the Bethesda Trinity Center.”
Catherine Segada, sophomore Anthropology major, is another Laker Leader who helped acclimate the incoming students to Mercyhurst.
“It’s extremely important for them [the incoming freshmen] to have these orientation days so they can see campus before life gets too hectic. My role was to make sure the incoming class could gain an understanding of what Mercyhurst life is like and show them that Hurst is home,” said Segada.
By the end of orientation, students had their first academic advising session, learned about academic services and support, connected with other students, and were introduced to the world of Mercyhurst among other things.
“The Laker Launch Days were a little hectic but extremely fun. I loved being able to show the freshmen around campus, show them the best places to eat and answer any questions they had,” said Segada.
“Being a part of Laker Launch Days really makes me feel like Hurst is home, and I am so excited to share that with the new students this year,” said Strom.
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The 2021-2022 Laker Leader staff who played a major role in welcoming the incoming class of 2025.
HURST CLASS CATALOG
Mercyhurst University photo
Photo is of ART 320 professor and alumni Anna Baker.
By Sarah Beck
Contributing writer
Are you a graphic design major or have ever been interested in graphic design? Maybe you are interested in a career as an art director, graphic designer, multimedia artist, industrial product designer or marketing manager? ART 320 might just be a class that is right for you.
ART 320 is a Type and Publication graphic design course that has been a part of the graphic design curriculum here at Mercyhurst University for many years.
Like many art courses, this one is no different when it comes to its diverse content as laid out in the syllabus. The syllabus gives one a bit of insight into all the designs and layouts that students will learn throughout the semester and will be able to produce once they have completed this course. The Merciad is a great example of what Type and Publication is all about. In this course, you will learn how to layout multiple pages in an efficient manner and with pleasing aesthetics. Throughout the class, you will use tools such as differing styles, grids and columns to produce a great layout and beautiful product.
The primary outcome of this class however, is to teach the students all about the elements of design and art by using the software InDesign with Photoshop and Illustrator as supporting software systems. Type and Publication is taught by Mercyhurst alumni from the class of 2015, Anna Baker.
This academic year marks Baker’s first year as a professor on campus and she is enthused to be back at the Hurst. “I am excited to be back in the buildings I went to classes in not too long ago. I love getting to revisit my favorite spots on campus, it is truly surreal,” said Baker.
If you are interested in any form of graphic design this class is a great addition to your schedule in future semesters. By the end of your experience with ART 320, you will have a start to your own portfolio of material and the many properties of InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator software systems.
Through taking this class, you will have the opportunity to meet professors and possible future colleagues in your field which gives you a leg up to the start of your career in graphic design.
Lastly, you will have a better overall understanding of communications and design which will help you to be more successful in future jobs and projects.
RSCO Feature: Black Students for Unity
By Bella Lee Staff writer
Are you passionate about Black Lives Matter and similar movements? Do you want to make your voice heard on these matters? Do you want to help change the world? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then Black Students for Unity, or BSU, is the perfect club for you.
Anyone on campus, regardless of race, can join this club. If they consider themselves an ally of the movement, they are more than welcome to join.
“BSU provides a safe space for students to discuss issues concerning race and other areas of social justice,” said Vydalia Weatherly, sophomore Political Science and Criminal Justice double major and treasurer of the club.
BSU has made its impact on campus in recent years. Last year, the club organized their first Mercy March, with speakers, signs, and moments of silence to remember those lost to police brutality.
This event got a tremendous turnout, with over 400 students and staff in attendance, and BSU plans on doing it again.
“BSU has a busy year planned,” said Weatherly. “On Sept. 9th, BSU will kick off the year with our first meeting. Anyone who attends will have the opportunity to make an inspiration board.
Later on in the month, on Monday, Sept. 20 will we have our second annual Mercy March. We plan to have several speakers take part in this worthwhile event. The club was excited to see the large turnout of students and faculty that took part in last year’s march. BSU hopes to have even more people take part in this incredible event this year.”
BSU is already planning ahead on what they want to do not only this semester, but next semester as well.
“Additionally, throughout the year, BSU will put on many educational presentations including the topics of Juneteenth and various music genres,” said Weatherly.
“During the spring semester, we will be hosting our annual game of Family Feud as well, which always brings out a large crowd.”
The first meeting of BSU will be held on Sept. 9 for anyone that is interested. “BSU is planning on meeting in Hirt 212,” said Weatherly.
“We will send out an email in advance if the meeting location does change. Our club will be meeting every other Thursday this year. If we are planning a special event, BSU will meet on alternative Thursdays, to ensure the event is a success.”
The popularity of BSU has increased exponentially in recent years, thanks to events like the Mercy March that raise awareness of important issues in the country.
Be sure to reach out if you are interested in joining BSU, and keep Sept. 20 marked on your calendars for the second annual Mercy March!
Mercyhurst University photo
BSU hosted the first annual Mercy March on Sept 20, 2020.
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Wednesday, September 8, 2021 FEATURES PAGE 9 Mercyhurst welcomes new staff members
By Sarah Beck Contributing writer
The academic 2021-2022 school year has brought about a lot of new faces to the Mercyhurst campus. Not only are we welcoming the incoming class of freshman students, but also our wonderful University President Kathleen Getz and twenty-seven new faculty members. The new faculty members spread wide across the various colleges and disciplines here at Mercyhurst University. It is very exciting to welcome these professors, some of whom you may know through classes that you are taking this semester. The Intelligence Program in particular has gained quite a few members including Dalene Duvenage and Brooke Shannon who are both Assistant Professors of Intelligence Studies. Peter Correa—oftentimes referred to as The Colonel—is also an Assistant Professor of Intelligence Studies. This is Correa’s first year teaching full-time within Ridge College, but this marks his third year teaching at Mercyhurst. “I love teaching at Mercyhurst because of the quality of our students and because we are a university delivering cutting edge programs facilitated by professors with both real-world and academic credentials,” said Correa.
The Colonel is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY where he received his Bachelor of Science in Engineering and Leadership. He continued his education at The Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA where he received his Master of Science in Financial Management. Correa served in uniform for twenty-four years until he retired from active duty in 1996 as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Correa is a very active professor, “I believe in making education hands-on and interactive rather than a total ‘Death By PowerPoint’ experience. I am a strong advocate for experiential learning levered by technology,” said Correa. One of Correa’s favorite classes to teach is Business Intelligence as it, “Allows students to peel the onion of organizations,” said Correa. Mercyhurst is very fortunate to have an educator like Correa who believes in blending together hands-on learning with also technical learning skills and styles.
The newly-instated Nursing Department is also very fortunate to have gained Professors Sara Finchio and Carolyn Zaffino who are both Instructors of Nursing, as well as Professor Colleen Miller who is not only an Instructor of Nursing, but also a Clinical Simulation Coordinator.
There were a few additions to the political science world here at Mercyhurst, as well. These include Abolghasem Bayyenat, who is an Assistant Professor of Political Science, and Eric T. Wagner, an Instructor of Political Science. Alethea Gaarden is also an Instructor of not only Political Science but also an Instructor of English. Gaarden, who is a Mercyhurst alumna, is thrilled to be back on campus.
When Gaarden was a Mercyhurst student she double majored in political science and English. She ended up focusing on English and received her Master’s at Ohio University where she focused on Old and Medieval English. A little-known fact about Gaarden is that she worked with the Flagship Niagara League down on the bayfront where she got interested in maritime studies and literature of the sea. Gaarden worked as a mariner and carpenter for the Flagship Niagara League for a couple of years, “It was nice to have that balance between academics and being engaged in the community in a different way,” said Gaarden. She worked at Mercyhurst part-time for a while, but was eventually drawn to become full-time here at Mercyhurst University.
Gaarden says that her favorite part of working at Mercyhurst is the students, “Mercyhurst students are consistently so engaged. With everything that we have experienced over the last year and a half to two years, the effort that people put in and the work that they have done to still be present in their classes and in their departments has been amazing to see,” said Gaarden.
Some of the classes that Gaarden teaches are a few American Government courses, Intro to Technical Writing as well as Research and Writing. Gaarden is such a wonderful addition to our campus as she truly cares for her students and being a part of their journey through education.
Within applied forensic sciences, the University is pleased to welcome Kristine A. Kortonick as a Visiting Instructor of Applied Forensic Sciences and Stephanie Melillo as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Forensic Science. Anthony V. Lanfranchi is also an Instructor of Applied Forensic Sciences that is new on campus.
The university is fortunate to have gained professors in primarily nursing, intelligence studies, applied forensic sciences and political sciences, but there are also many new professors in other practices. These professors include the following: Derek Beeler is an Assistant Professor of Athletic Training as well as a Clinical Education Coordinator. Jesse Decker is an Instructor of Data Science. Lawrence M. Downey, Jr. is an Assistant Professor of Mathematics. Seyma Inan is an Assistant Professor of Psychology. Michelle Kephart is an Instructor of Sociology and Social Work. Sadia Yaqub Khan is an Assistant Professor of Marketing. William J. Meyer, Jr. is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Archeology. Julia M. Morgan is an Assistant Professor of Philosophy. Elizabeth M. Pyne is an Assistant Professor of Religious Studies. Katelyn S. Reisenauer is an Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Studies. Elizabeth M. Sanders is an Assistant Professor of Applied Sociology and Social Work. Michael Silker is an Instructor of Criminal Justice. Katie Summers is an Instructor of Fashion Merchandising. Qiuju Tian is an Instructor of Education. Bradley Treece is an Assistant Professor of Physics. It is wonderful to see the campus growing as these new faculty members begin their careers at Mercyhurst University. Every person has their own unique story to share and each of these stories offers something different to everyone. As a campus community, we are blessed to have these twenty-seven new members, so be sure to welcome them in the classroom and around campus.
This day in history: the death of Princess Diana
By Abigail Eyler Contributing writer
On Aug. 31, 1997, Princess Diana died in a car accident. She was thirty-six. Her boyfriend Dodi Fayed and the driver, Henri Paul also died. The accident occurred in Paris, at the entrance of the Pont de l’Alma tunnel. Previous to the accident, Dodi and Diana were vacationing in the French Riviera and arrived in Paris Aug. 30. Prior to the accident, they were at the Ritz Paris and left around midnight. They were intending to go to Fayed’s apartment on the Rue Arsène Houssaye. Due to Princess Diana’s fame and popularity, the car was tailed by several paparazzi on motorcycles. 3 minutes after leaving, the car crashed into a pillar.
Fayed and Paul were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Diana was announced dead at 6:00 am at the Pitié Salpêtrière hospital. The only passenger to survive the accident was Diana’s bodyguard, Trevor Rees-Jones, who left the scene seriously injured. Diana’s sisters, former husband, Prince Charles and members of royal family went to Paris that morning. Diana’s body was then brought to London.
With the death of Diana, many looked to place blame on someone for the accident. At first, the paparazzi were blamed due to aggressively tailing the car. Diana’s photos and whereabouts were seen as a commodity within the media market, so many paparazzi followed her every move. This was also supported at first as several paparazzi tailed the car on motorcycles, allowing more vehicles on the road at once. However, a toxicology report done on Paul revealed that at the time of the accident, he was under the influence of alcohol and prescription drugs. After a formal investigation of the accident, it was concluded that the paparazzi did not cause the collision.
Diana’s death became a media speculation. Several conspiracy theories were made regarding her death. One conspiracy is that the royal family had planned her death. This specific conspiracy gained traction due to Queen Elizabeth II refusing to partake in the public mourning of Princess Diana. Another is that Diana never died in this car accident. The car accident was a hoax that allowed Diana and Fayed to live their lives without paparazzi involvement. The final and least popular conspiracy is that Diana’s death was plotted by florists. Due to the number of flowers bought in order to mourn, some believe that Diana’s death was to increase floral sales.
Diana’s death also led to a massive outpouring of grief. Her epithet of “the People’s Princess”, along with her charitable attitude, made her a popular royal. Many mourners left flowers at Diana’s home, Kensington Palace. The piles reached approximately 30 feet from the palace’s gate due to the amount of mourner’s present.
On Sept. 7, 1997, Princess Diana’ funeral occurred. The funeral had over two million spectators where people watched the procession at Hyde Park. At the midpoint of the procession, Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince Henry and Earl Spencer joined as the coffin was led to the abbey. Spencer, Diana’s brother, reprimanded the media and warned the royal family that sons, William and Henry, will be raised with her openness and her spirit.
Even twenty-four years later, the late Princess holds a special place in the hearts of many. Her legacy in fashion and in culture are many reasons why she remains so beloved today.
Contributed photo
Princess Diana holds a speical legacy in the hearts of many even twenty-years after her death.
