Merciad THE
MERCYHURST UNIVERSIT Y
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News ................2-5 Features...........6-9 A&E ............. 10-11 Opinion........ 12-13 Sports ......... 14-15 Laker Living ......16
W E D N E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 9 , 2 01 8
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VOL. 92 NO. 2
HOMECOMING GAME A WIN PAGE 15
Online poll results We asked: What is your favorite thing about Hurst Day?
3: Sustainability movement grows on campus 6: Mercyhurst students help with Beast on the Bay 15: Mercyhurst tops PSAC for scholar-athletes
No classes! (35%) Fun games and inflatables (26%) Lots of great food (22%) Dressing up for the scavenger hunt (17%)
This week’s
POLL
How are your classes this semester?
merciad.mercyhurst.edu
NEWS
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Wednesday, September 19, 2018
Aaron Qiao photo
The MSG Fall Forum featured panelists, from left, David P. Myron, vice president for Finance and Administration; Katie Boyd, Parkhurst director of Dining; Dean Schoenfeldt, Parkhurst general manager; Lori Blakeslee, Laker Inn director of Retail Operations; Laura Zirkle, Ph.D, vicepresident for Student Life; and Vince Marrazzo, MSG president.
Food focus of first MSG forum By Donny Bryant III
Contributing writer
On Sept. 17, Mercyhurst Student Government hosted its first forum of the 2018-19 school year in the Student Union Great Room. The forum was open to all Mercyhurst students to discuss the on-campus pub and the Parkhurst dining services that will be available to students this year. Food and drinks were provided for everyone that attended the event. Dean Schoenfeldt, Parkhurst general manager; Katie Boyd, Parkhurst director of Dining; Lori Blakeslee, Laker Inn director of Retail Operations; LauraZirkle, Ph.D., vice president for Student
Life; and David P. Myron, vice president for Finance and Administration, formed a panel at the forum representing the different Mercyhurst dining services. The panel answered questions from students that were asked using an online survey provided by MSG. The forum was live streamed on Facebook, allowing students to ask questions and watch from the comfort of thier own homes. Vince Marrazzo, MSG president, and Sophia Jensen, MSG vice president, organized the event. “I put this together to give students a generalization about the availability and currency that will be used at the pub and pricing for Parkhurst that will bring a new at-
mosphere to the university,” Marrazzo said. Parkhurst highly emphasized that it is taking a very student-oriented focus in providing food and products in the dining halls and stores that the students want. One way for students to be directly involved with their dining services for this year is to participate in Parkhurst’s dining hall naming contest for Ryan dining hall, Ryan retail and the pub. Schoenfeldt is pleased with the addition of Ryan Hall dining and feels that it will give students a more convenient place to enjoy the services of Parkhurst. “The challenge was offering a different type of service between Ryan Hall and Laker. Students
thought that the Laker was too far away. This way everyone would enjoy getting the service that they need at Mercyhurst,” Schoenfeldt said. Myron gave more direct plans for the construction of the pub that will move into the lower level of the Laker Inn. Students were concerned that the Mercyhurst pub will have stiff compeition from neighboring bar, The Cornerstone. “The pub should be open by late January, early February. This will be considered as the college bar for Mercyhurst,” Myron said. The bartenders will be certified and trained in safe bar practices The pub will be available to Mercyhurst students and alumni as
well as community members. The new pub will be open from 5p.m. to 2 a.m and will serve specials, such as wing nights. “We wanted to do something different so that other facilities don’t mirror each other,” Boyd said. “This brings more variety to the university.” The panel also introduced a new app for the dining services, called FoodU. It was displayed and explained to provide a visual aid for the students to understand the options that the dining facilities have to offer. The app can be downloaded on Google Play as well as for Android and iPhone. The event lasted an hour, which gave everyone the opportunity to ask about the plans for the year.
Cipher partners with Mercyhurst Intel By Aaron Qiao
Contributing writer
On Aug. 30, international provider of technology solutions and competitive intelligence, Cipher, partnered with Mercyhurst University to provide Ridge College Intelligence students with access to Knowledge360, a competitive intelligence software. The software has been endorsed by the executive director of Strategic and Competitive Intelligence Professionals (SCIP) and has been widely used in major universities such as Purdue. “Hands-on experience using a purpose-built intelligence platform like Knowledge360 will further enhance Mercyhurst graduates’ attractiveness to prospective
employers,” Peter Grimm, CEO of Cipher Systems, said in an article by Cision PRWeb. Shelly L. Freyn, D.B.A, assistant professor/program director of Business and Competitive Intelligence Studies, described how Cipher came to partner with Mercyhurst. The company first started its relations with Mercyhurst after it requested some students for internships, Freyn said. When those students got hired into full-time positions, Cipher was impressed with the ability and work ethics in the students and wanted a more permanent relationship with the university. “Mercyhurst University is a perfect fit for our university partners program,” Grimm said. “Within
the competitive intelligence industry, Mercyhurst University has an established, and outstanding, reputation for producing talented and capable competitive and marketing intelligence practitioners through their Business & Competitive Intelligence degree program.” The partnership between Mercyhurst and Cipher has already been put in motion this semester in the RIAP 448 Market Research and Primary Intelligence class. The course is a unique pilot class that is offered to undergraduate and graduate students with the opportunity to work with Knowledge360. In the class, students work with real companies to learn about market research and primary intelligence.
Students in these classes study important subject matters such as the development of an effective online survey and using IBM SPSS Statistics software for statistical analysis and evaluation. SPSS is essential to Business and Competitive Intelligence majors because it gives students experience in using a software that is widely recognized in any business setting. Freyn’s hope for this partnership is that the software will be made available to all of the students who take competitive intelligence. Senior Intelligence Studies major Brandon McKenna, is a student in the Market Research and Primary Intelligence class. He sees the partnership as a positive asset for students who want to get into the
field of research and intelligence. McKenna described Knowledge360 as a “super Google” that personalizes pages that have everything one needs in front of them. In addition, some of the many features include financial analysis, market research and competitive research on different companies. The software even has the ability to send students daily alerts about their companies and market trends. McKenna described the major positives of the program as having large databases, a great research engine, subscription sites and the ability to be compared to Jane 360 database. He encourages any Business and Competitive Intelligence Students to take the course and test the program out.
Wednesday, September 19, 2018
NEWS
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‘Earth is Home’ goes green By Jessica Belousov Contributing writer
One of Mercyhurst’s core values is being globally responsible. Several organizations on campus are working hard to encourage students to practice this. Most recently, Mercyhurst Student Government partnered with the university’s Sustainability Fund to purchase and distribute “Earth Is Home” insulated mugs to students. Mugs are still available at the MSG office. “The goal for the mugs were to encourage students to use more sustainable methods for drinks as opposed to disposable plastic water bottles as well as provide them with an exciting giveaway that they could all use,” said senior Vincent Marrazzo, MSG president. Parkhurst is offering a discount — 20 cents off each drink — if students use the mugs in any of the dining locations on campus. Beyond the work of MSG, the Mercyhurst Sustainability Club has been working to focus on how students can volunteer to raise awareness for sustainability and how to help the campus and community become more sustainable. “We want to encourage people to be globally responsible,” said Emma Mader, an Environmental Science major and president of the Sustainability Club. “We try
to be a resource for students.” For the Sustainability Club, the goal is to help students realize that sustainability can be practical. “Being sustainable is not a big burden or change. I wanted students to realize we can still be sustainable and we have resources to do it,” Mader said. There also seems to be a growing interest in environmental issues and sustainability as a whole. “There’s an interest in students,” said Sarah Bennett, Mercyhurst Sustainability Coordinator and faculty adviser. “When I talk to students or faculty, we have sustainably minded thinking. Most individuals are interested.” Mercyhurst, as a campus, has implemented sustainable practices already and has big plans to continue the movement in the future. For example, when discussing plans for the future, Mader explained how it has been discussed to use the hill behind Warde for a garden to encourage the bee population. The club has discussed a Green Tour that would showcase the new Bee Hotel and recycling center. This tour could encourage students to become involved and display the campus’s and club’s effort to contribute to sustainability and ultimately the planet. Proposals that Mercyhurst’s Sustainability Fund has already
participated in include water fountains installed to refill water bottles and the Bee Hotel, as well as the insulated mugs. The importance of sustainability is growing due to the impact of climate change. It is also important to understand what that may mean on a global scale. “Being globally responsible is understanding every action you do is taking from the Earth,” Bennett said. “It happens on a global scale. We need to be aware of that impact and make it as small as possible.” The United States generated about 262 million tons of municipal solid waste in 2015 alone, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. “I try to get students to realize humans are a part of nature,” Christopher Dolanc, Ph.D., a professor in the Biology department and committee member of the Green Team, said. “Earth is our only home right now. We have nowhere else to live.” As global warming becomes a greater issue, the need for sustainability and conservationist efforts also becomes greater. “The number one thing is to reduce, but it’s also to rethink,” Bennett said. “We have 7.3 billion people on this planet and that’s growing still. We’re using more than we ever have per person.”
Contributed photo
Members of Mercyhurst Student Government delivered “Earth Is Home” mugs to students in an effort to promote sustainability.
Club brings EAP promotes safety Twitch to MU By Jack Butler
Contributing writer
By Sam Peterson
Contributing writer
Laker Student Media is a brandnew club on campus dealing with all elements of the media, including television, movies, podcasts, photography and more. It also has a dedicated gaming branch headed by Donny Bryant, a sophomore majoring in broadcast journalism, and Nick Wendelboe, a sophomore majoring in communication. Part of the gaming branch’s upcoming plans are to start streaming games through the service Twitch. Twitch is an online streaming platform that broadcasts one’s computer, camera and voice to a public audience of viewers. It promotes real-time interaction with streamers through its chat feature and streamers can play any game of their choosing. The Twitch account is called “LakerMedia” but will later be changed to “Hurst Gaming.” The first stream is scheduled for Sept. 20 at 7:30 p.m. Interested viewers can watch by
typing LakerMedia into the search bar on Twitch.tv. Bryant elaborated on a few of the games that club members will be streaming. “We are starting with Nintendo games just because they are short and simple. Then from there we will continue on to newer consoles as time goes by,” Bryant said. Bryant is passionate about older retro games such as “The Legend of Zelda Ocarnia of Time” (1998), “The Legend of Zelda Majora’s Mask” (2000), and “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” (1992). Bryant plans to stream these games on a brand-new Mac computer that’s housed inside a soundproof booth in Laker TV. Playing these old games on a new computer is accomplished through the software OpenEMU, which lets users emulate and download the retro games to any computer. Interested students who game frequently or are interested in media can attend Laker Student Media’s meeting on Sept. 26 at 7:30 p.m. or contact Donny Bryant at dbryan73@lakers.mercyhurst.edu.
The Mercyhurst University Athletic Training staff joined the Erie Otters sports medicine staff, UPMC and Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine team physicians, and EmergyCare on Sept. 4 to conduct an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) specific to ice hockey. The ambulances usedduring the day were provided by EmergyCare. Andy Simon-Wambach, director of Athletic Training Services, and Steve Reinhardt, athletic trainer, represented Mercyhurst at the Erie Insurance Arena. “We are all the sports medicine people that care for the hockey team specifically, also our football team here,” Simon-Wambach said. “We have physicians and ambulances at all the hockey games and at football games, so getting everyone together that will be working with one another throughout the year that does it on a daily basis.” At the EAP, Simon-Wambach and Reinhardt were also there to discuss the best practices in medical emergencies. These are basic practices at Mercyhurst com-
pared to specific practices to the Erie Insurance Arena, the home ice for the Erie Otters. “It was just discussing different ways that the Otters do it and we do it here, making sure EmergyCare knew both ways because they are going to be the ones at all the games,” said Reinhardt. The sports medicine workers wanted everyone in the Erie sports scene to get on the same page and discuss medical emergency practices because of the specific nature of injuries and protection for each sport. There are two different approaches of taking care of an injured athlete in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) compared with caring for an athlete playing Division One college hockey. “With the Erie Otters, you know they prefer to get the person off the ice as soon as possible because thousand of peoples in the stands are watching. They want to get them somewhere warm. While with us at Mercyhurst, it is easier for us to use their equipment if we need to spine board someone right on the ice,” Reinhardt said. When Simon-Wambach was
at the EAP rehearsal, he learned something interesting. “The Otters play in the Ontario Hockey League. It was kind of interesting to learn the differences in Canadian sports medicine and American sports medicine and combining those into what we want to do and what they want to do. And taking pieces of what we liked from the Canadian practices and the American practices and bringing them together,” Simon-Wambach said. By completing this EAP rehearsal, there were benefits to both student athletes and athletic trainers. “It is most beneficial to the student athletes in the long run,” Simon-Wambach said. “And that is what it’s all about, our job, were hired to take care of them. So if they get injured, there is a emergency situation possibly being able to rehearse this and know exactly what we are doing.” The athletic trainers for the men’s and women’s hockey teams have an important job to do, but they are now more prepared thanks to the valuable information they gained from attending the EAP rehearsal.
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Wednesday, September 19, 2018
Grant advances technology Merciad IN A MINUTE By Rebecca Dunphy
Need to register?
Staff writer
In recognition of National Voter Registration Day on Sept. 25, the Mercyhurst Political Science Department will host an information table on voting registration in Trinity Green from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Students can register to vote or request an absentee ballot. There will be prizes handed out. If the event is rained out, the table will be in the Student Union Great Room Remember: Oct. 9 is the last day to register to vote before the November election. Don’t miss the opportunity to participate in the election!
Beginning in spring 2019, Hurst will be home to some of the finest and most advanced neurological technology in the region. Thanks to the Lake Erie Research Institute (LERIE) and the Hirtzel Foundation, Mercyhurst will be the host of the Microbrightfield Bioscience Neurolucida and StereoInvestigator systems, two pieces of technology that will be utilized by not only on-campus professors and students, but also the larger scientific community. The process of acquiring this new equipment began in January when laboratory director and biology department research associate Darlene Melchitzky proposed the idea at LERIE’s annual meeting of university representatives. “Every year, LERIE has a meeting where all the area institutions come and submit proposals for new technology with the rec-
ommendation from other faculty members about what equipment is needed,” Biology department chair Michael Elnitsky, Ph.D., said. “Darlene’s proposal was the one selected and then Phyllis Coon, the president of LERIE, helped her to write up the grant.” The grant, for $411,432, was funded by the Hirtzel foundation. Although the equipment is not yet on campus, the order was recently put in and soon it will be built, tested, disassembled and then set back up in the biology department in the spring. “The instrumentation that will be acquired is essentially a very sophisticated microscope-computer system that allows imaging of neurons,” Melchitzky said. “Two software packages, Neurolucida and StereoInvestigator, are the main components, along with a high-level research microscope equipped with cameras and light sources.” The measurements that will be
made with this equipment would not otherwise be possible, therefore creating very promising research opportunities. “Initially, I will work with some of my research students to expand upon our current research examining the nonprefrontal cortical projections to the mediodorsal thalamus,” Melchitzky said. “Specifically, we will be able to measure the axonal density of these projections, something we cannot do with our existing technology. In the future, I plan to collaborate with Dr. Lewis on research that compares the total dendritic spine density across different populations of pyramidal neurons in the prefrontal cortex at various age points.” These research opportunities will be available to Melchitzky’s research students, specifically those in the neuroscience concentration. “This will be especially beneficial for any student in a biology or
psychology major that’s interested in neuroscience,” Elnitsky said. “If they’re interested in going to graduate school, they’ll have these experiences that usually are only found at larger universities.” However, it is not just Mercyhurst that will reap the benefits of this new equipment. Students and professionals from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Penn State Behrend and Allegheny College, among others, will also have access to the equipment. This will certainly be an asset to the larger scientific community as technology of this caliber is not found within a two-hour radius. “The Erie region has much to benefit from the acquisition of this system,” Melchitzky said. “Researchers from several universities contributed studies they could perform if the region had this technology and it is expected that once more researchers know that they have access to this equipment, the demand for its use will grow.”
Wednesday, September 19, 2018
NEWS
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Grant aims to reduce This weekend’s violence in community campus events STUDENT GOVERNMENT
By Delvin Ergott Staff writer
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, has announced that the Mercyhurst University Civic Institute, in conjunction with Unified Erie and the Erie School District, will receive a $148,141 state research grant for the purpose of reducing gun violence in the area. The grant is part of the $1.5 million statewide Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency program, which works to increase safety of communities assist crime victims and improve the criminal justice system. “This funding to help municipalities address their specific needs to reduce gun violence is an important step to protect Pennsylvanians and make our communities the safest they can be,” Wolf said in a statement released by Mercyhurst on Sept. 10. Unified Erie and the City of Erie School District will use
the funds to put programs like Operation Ceasefire, an evidence-based program focusing on youth gun violence started in 1996, in place. These programs are meant to help fulfill the Group Violence Reduction Strategy and the Chronic Violent Offender Strategy. The Mercyhurst Civic Institute will conduct research supporting initiatives that aim to identify indicators of at-risk youth and gun violence. As of July 6, Erie has seen almost 40 percent fewer reports of gunshots than it had in 2017. The 2017 totals were even a decrease from 2016. The Erie Police Department has attributed this continuing decline in gun violence to Unified Erie’s first two “call-ins,” which offer at-risk youth help from law enforcement officials and social service workers. Michael Outlaw, a leader of the organization and community liaison for Erie Mayor Joe Schem-
ber, said, “We call in individuals that we believe can turn their lives around. They go back to their respective circles and they say, ‘Listen, we’ve been put on notice.’ Some of them even go so far as to get on Facebook and talk about it.” The new grant could help this trend continue. “It is going to enhance the efforts that are already underway,” said Amy Eisert, director of the Mercyhurst Civic Institute. The Mercyhurst Civic Institute, which will handle the university’s participation in the program, is a partnership between Mercyhurst and the Erie community designed to “evaluate, understand, and improve public policies and processes, which affect the region’s citizens,” according to the institute’s website. With the new grant, the institute should be able to continue that mission and pave a brighter future for Erie’s at-risk youth.
MERCYHURST CAMPUS
CRIME LOG Sept. 7: Theft in the Laker Inn Sept. 13: Controlled substance in 3910 Briggs Ave. Sept. 15: Criminal mischief in baseball press box Sept. 16: Criminal mischief in Old Main
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Ask Mia Anyone have a problem that they need help fixing? Ask for Mia’s advice at: askmia.merciad@gmail.com ******************* Dear Mia, How do you win the Hurst Day scavenger hunt? I heard there are some pretty great prizes! Sincerely, Overachiever
Dear Overachiever, Here’s how to assemble your Hurst Day A-team. Your Hurst Day scavenger hunt must consist of four types of people: 1. The brains - usually an ambassador of the school. Knows all the history of Mercyhurst and will be extremely helpful during the third round, the round that determines the champions. 2. The athlete — it is not enough to just have one athlete on your team. All members must be a hybrid. In order to qualify for the second and third rounds, you must outrun the competition. If this is not particularly you, running up Parade Street a couple times a week will help train your body to make a mad dash across our hilly campus. 3. The artist (aka costume designer) — find someone in the Fashion Merchandising department. A costume contest determines which team was the most stylish while partaking in such activities and succeeding here is integral. 4. The Mom (aka team captain) — this person makes sure everything is just so. Sign ups, team name, and planning what will happen the morning of Hurst Day is all taken care of. They will probably carry a first aid fanny pack if one of their members trips over some flowers in the Mary Garden. This role is essential. Have fun! You got this. Sincerely,
Mia
Wednesday, September 19, 2018
Rock on! Students motivate with stones By Marina Boyle Features editor
Many students may have noticed an inspiring message right under their feet while walking around campus in recent days. Painted rocks have been appearing around campus, courtesy of the Mercyhurst Circle K Club. Circle K, which is a service and leadership group, encourages participation in group activities that promote good fellowship and service of others. The group’s aims are formation of enduring friendships, altruistic service and the building of better communities. The club, which is overseen by adviser Colin Hurley, director of Community Engagement, picks one main service project each year. This year’s efforts are focused on health and wellness, specifically within the realm of mental health. Club member Lauren Wychowski, a junior Public Health major, spoke about why such a project was chosen by the club.
“As a club, we wanted to focus on a topic of health that many people don’t focus on: mental health. Mental health is a big issue on college campuses when it comes to stress from classes, social pressures and social media,” Wychowski said. “We thought that painting rocks was an easy and meaningful way to spread love and positivity across the Mercyhurst community,” she said. The rocks were painted by Circle K members last weekend and are currently being dispersed outside academic and residence buildings. The rocks include colorful paint and quotes such as “You are awesome,” “You rock” and “Today is a great day to love yourself.” It is hoped that students will see the rocks on the way to class, perhaps when they are stressed or in a poor mindset, and the rocks will give them something extra to smile about that day. “I really like this idea,” said sophomore Intelligence Studies major Jordan Kessler. “It is inspiring and motivating
to see these as I walk around, and to know that fellow students put the time and effort into these for all of us to enjoy. I’m grateful to have people on campus who care so much, and to know that there are people I can turn to if I have a bad day.” This project has been done in the past and had slowly phased out, so many are excited to see the rocks return to campus. It is hoped that they will exhibit how a small thing can brighten your day and have a larger ripple effect in terms of positivity, happiness and mental health. Amelia Kanonczyk, senior Criminal Justice major, was also responsible for helping to paint the rocks. “As a student is stressed and walking across campus or is about to take an exam, they can look down and find simple words of encouragement to boost their self-esteem and motivate them,” Kanonczyk said. “That is my hope for this project.” Students are encouraged to look out for the rocks throughout their day.
Mercyhurst students tackle Beast on the Bay By Shannon Gotham
Staff writer
The sixth annual Barber Center Beast on the Bay took place in Erie on Sept. 8. The fitness and fundraising event, which consists of a 10-mile obstacle course race, takes place on the Presque Isle beach and trails each year. Anyone can volunteer to help out, or to just sit on the sidelines and watch the athletes compete. There is also an adapted course available for those with physical or intellectual disabilities. As always, many Mercyhurst students took part in the event, both as competitors and volunteer organizers. This annual race features ten miles of sand, trail and road running with 30 obstacles scattered throughout the course to challenge any athlete. The Beast on the Bay began in 2013 as a fundraiser for the Barber National Institute. The Institute helps grant opportunities to children and adults with autism, intellectual disabilities and behavioral health challenges. Since its founding in 1952 by Gertrude A. Barber in Erie, the institution has grown to help more than 6,100 individuals. The institute itself is also closely linked to Mercyhurst due to programs we have run with them
in the past and the many service hours that Lakers have completed there. Sam O’Connell, sophomore Early Education and Special Education major, was one of the many Mercyhurst volunteers to help out at the event. “This was my first year volunteering at Beast on the Bay, and I can’t wait to do it again next year,” O’Connell said. “I signed up to be a buddy in the adapted course, which means that I got to go through the obstacles with a participant who had a disability. “What I enjoyed the most was getting to know each of the racers I ran with,” O’Connell said. “They really made my first experience at Beast on the Bay one that I’ll always remember.” O’Connell also spoke of the amazing atmosphere of the race due to the amount of support from all of the volunteers and staff who ran the event. Volunteers stood at each mile of the course to cheer on participants, while the main finish line meets the finish line of the adapted course to create a single ending. The event concluded with food, music and dancing for all participants. Kyle Onderko, sophomore Intelligence Studies major, was one of the Lakers who took on the challenge of the 10-mile course as
a participant on the day. He completed the obstacle race with family in a time of two hours and 40 minutes, helping to fundraise for the Barber National Institute and receive the satisfaction of beating the Beast. Lauren Rogus, also a sophomore Early Education and Special Education major, took part in the event in a similar role. “I look forward to this event each year for the special community and as a hands-on event for the Special Education department to get involved in,” Rogus said. “This is one of the best ways to show freshmen how awesome and rewarding it is to work in special education. The champions have so much pride in themselves after completing the course, and running alongside them makes my heart happy, knowing that I helped to contribute to the smile they had on their face,” Rogus said. Since the Mercyhurst Education department is closely linked with the Barber Institute and other similar organizations in the area, volunteers often get to meet those they work with again and again. “I look forward to getting the pleasure of seeing the participants I worked with at the ESO dances for the rest of the year,” Rogus said.
Wednesday, September 19, 2018
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Dean reflects on memory of Versailles By Samuel Peterson Staff writer
Roy Strausbaugh, Ph.D., who serves as Dean Emeritus at Mercyhurst University, gave a talk on Sept. 12 at the Jefferson Educational Society to take a centennial look back at the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, which ended World War I almost a century ago. Mercyhurst students and members of the public were invited to attend and to hear Strausbaugh speak. World War I was fought between the Triple Entente of the British, French and Russians. The opposing side was the Triple Alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy. Contemporarily called “the War to End All Wars,” it was sparked by the assassination
of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary, which created domino reactions of complicated alliances that were ultimately responsible for the deaths of over 15 million people. “After World War I, Germany was on the verge of collapse, and so they asked for an armistice,” Strausbaugh said. The treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919. Strausbaugh described the treaty as “Carthaginian peace,” referring to the absolute destruction the Roman Empire caused to the Carthaginian Empire following the Punic Wars. Strausbaugh alluded to the harsh treatment of Germany at the end of the war, which may have contributed heavily to the rise of Adolf Hitler and the be-
ginning of World War II. “The world gathered in Paris for six months to create the peace treaty,” Strausbaugh said, describing the process as a deliberate one. Strausbaugh went on to discuss how the peace talks were mostly ruled by the “Big 4,” made up of David Lloyd George of Britain, Woodrow Wilson of the United States, Vittorio Orlando of Italy and Georges Clemenceau of France. These delegates worked tirelessly with their staff to try and reach their independent goals, particularly as Italy switched sides near the end of the conflict. Wilson wanted to enforce his 14 points of peace, which included promoting liberty, free trade and the maintenance of Germany, despite its losing position. Strausbaugh further described
how France wanted assurances of defense against another German invasion and asked for a buffer state in the Rhineland between Germany and France. This was later created and dubbed the Saar land. Italy simply wanted territory, such as the Tyrol region in the North, while Britain enforced harsh war reparations on Germany. In the words of British Prime Minister Lloyd George, Britain allegedly wanted to “squeeze Germany till its pips squeak.” In the end, Germany was forced to pay more than 33 billion gold marks in war reparations and had to take sole responsibility for what occurred, losing 10 percent of their territory. Strausbaugh stressed how Germany was un-
able to negotiate any of the terms of their treatment. At this point, Strausbaugh also brought up how Germany could not pay most of their war reparations due to the hyperinflation of their economy. They ignored demands in the treaty to demilitarize, such as generals working unofficially in suits and ties, and lost only non-essential territory they could (and would) later reclaim. Dr. Strausbaugh asked again, “Was the Treaty of Versailles a Carthaginian peace?” Strausbaugh prompted the audience to draw their own conclusion from his talk and to decide for themselves. Interested students can contact the History Department for information about similar future talks.
Interested in writing for the Merciad? Do you like the content you are seeing in the Merciad? Would you like to help us out with articles or photographs? We are still looking for writers and photographers for this year’s Merciad! Join us at our reporters’ meetings on Mondays at 7 p.m. in Hirt 103. Pick your articles and get paid for what you write! If you have any questions, contact us at editormerciad@ mercyhurst.edu
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Wednesday, September 19, 2018
Mercyhurst alumnus NEW AT HURST named manager for Mercy communication By Shannon Gotham
Staff writer
Contributed photo
Lucy Thairu joins the Mercyhurst community after extensive work across the United States for universities, governments and NGOs.
By Delvin Ergott Staff writer
This year, Mercyhurst welcomed Lucy Thairu, Ph.D., as an assistant professor of Public Health. The Merciad sat down with her this week to talk to her about her impression of Mercyhurst and the journey that brought her here. Thairu grew up in Nairobi, Kenya, during a time when the country was poorer and many children suffered from malnutrition. She described the many “black kids with red hair” as a result of poor food. This prompted her interest in studying nutrition at a young age. Her dream led her to Nantes, France, where she spent six years studying for her undergraduate degree in Biochemistry. After graduation, Thairu earned a scholarship for graduate school at Cornell University. She received a doctorate in nutrition, with a minor in epidemiology and statistics. After her doctoral work, Thairu taught Public Health at Stanford University and Touro University. Thairu then left the academic world for two years, working as an epidemiologist for both the Georgia and Tennessee state governments. However, Thairu’s passion for teaching the next generation of Public Health majors is what led her back to academia and Mercyhurst. “I really wanted to come back to working in academia. Though working for the state is really nice and I got to do a lot of hands-on things, I looked forward to a return to the classroom,” Thairu said.
Even though nutrition and public health are the focus of this semester for Thairu, she would like students to learn more about epidemiology. She cited the growing need for more individuals with a background in epidemiology and the great opportunities for students in the field. When asked about her general impression about Mercyhurst, Thairu was very positive. “I really, really like Mercyhurst, the buildings are beautiful and it’s just incredible,” she said. She is also very impressed with the landscaping around campus. Upon entering the gates every day, “you feel you are going to a really nice place and want to spend much of your time there,” she said. Not only did she offer glowing remarks about campus, but also her students. Thairu noted the students’ punctuality, politeness, preparation and enthusiasm for learning. Thairu encouraged students to “just be prepared for a career and do the things it takes to be prepared.” Thairu’s special areas of academic interest include dental health in pregnant women and children, global health innovations for mothers and newborns in the developing world and mother-to-child HIV transmission. In her free time, Thairu enjoys hiking, spending time outdoors and cooking. She resides in Erie. Thairu is teaching four courses this semester: Environmental Health, Principles of Epidemiology and two sections of Biochemistry.
Mercyhurst alumnus Jeremy Dickey has been promoted to the role of Communications Manager at the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. In this position, he will oversee communications for the Sisters of Mercy, including their social justice causes and new membership offices. Dickey graduated from Mercyhurst University only five years ago. He then completed a master’s degree in Public Relations at the University of the Arts, London. Upon returning to the U.S., he started a career with the Sisters. He later left to do public sector work, and he is now returning to a role with the Sisters once more. Dickey’s success is inspiring and provokes many questions about his path to success so quickly after graduation. “My career experiences up until this point have really helped to make me a well-rounded communications practitioner,” Dickey said. Dickey has previously worked with nongovernmental organizations such as Doctors Without Borders as a press intern. He also worked as the Marketing Coordinator for the Sisters of Mercy from 2014 to 2017, where he was able to hone in on his digital communications expertise and learn about the core mission of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. He has most recently served as the Communications Specialist for the City of Takoma Park, Maryland, which was media relations heavy.
His new role will involve more writing and strategic communications planning, but Dickey says his experience in different areas of his field has helped him in earning the Communications Manager position. Dickey also credits Mercyhurst for his success in his career. “I graduated from Mercyhurst with a bachelor’s in Political Science. I credit my passion for social justice causes with the classes I took and the work I did while at Mercyhurst,” Dickey said. He also said that it didn’t hurt to graduate from a Sisters of Mercy-founded university, which gave him knowledge of the Sisters’ work before he even had his job there. In terms of advice for current students and those beginning to think about entering the workforce after college, Dickey had lots of advice. “Don’t be afraid of taking chances or opportunities that come your way, even if they don’t fit into your overall life plan,” Dickey said. Dickey said that as a college student, working for the Sisters of Mercy was never something on his radar, particularly with his Political Science degree. “When I was at Mercyhurst, working for the Sisters of Mercy was never a thought that crossed my mind, but I’m so glad that I am here working with them,” he said. Dickey also spoke on the topic of having a professional reputation and leaving a lasting mark on every professional endeavor. “Some of the best advice I ever received from professors and staff at Mercyhurst was to never leave a job, internship or
any other place on bad terms,” Dickey said. “Every career move you have is difficult, but leaving on good terms and with good references is critical.” Dickey was also a highly involved student on campus, which he feels contributed to his success in a career after college. He served on the Mercyhurst Student Government as Public Relations Coordinator from 2011 to 2013, as well as working in leadership roles with various on campus clubs. In addition, he did marketing and public relations work for his Senior Class Gift Committee and served as a Mercyhurst Ambassador. Dickey is particularly looking forward to the new job for its alignment with his social views and its variety and scope. Most of all, Dickey looks forward to reconnecting with many of the Sisters who he worked with until 2017, as well as the new staff he will grow to meet. In Dickey’s eyes, the Sisters of Mercy are central to why he took this job. “The Sisters are some of the most amazing women I have ever met,” Dickey said. “Their passion, commitment and unwavering grit are so awe-inspiring.” He is excited to work in a field that he is passionate about and in an environment full of hard-working individuals. Dickey formally began his new position Sept. 10 in Silver Spring, Maryland. He told the Merciad he is most excited to help the legacy of the Sisters live on. “I look forward to helping tell the story of the Sisters’ efforts in championing change and equality,” he said.
Contributed photo
Jeremy Dickey poses with a statue of Sisters of Mercy founder Catherine McAuley outside the Mercyhurst International Center in Dublin, Ireland. His new role is based is Silver Spring, Maryland.
Wednesday, September 19, 2018
FEATURES
PAGE 9
Mercyhurst’s Russian Studies welcomes Fulbright scholar By Sarah Klein
Staff writer
This August, the World Languages and Cultures department welcomed Lidiia Nikolaevna Novichkova into the Mercyhurst community for the 2018-19 school year. Novichkova hails from Tyumen, a major city in Siberia, Russia. Before coming to Mercyhurst, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Linguistics and a master’s degree in Teaching Foreign Language from the University of Tyumen. Following her graduation, she joined the university faculty, becoming a teacher of English there. Novichkova is currently working on a Ph.D. in Cognitive Linguistics, focusing on the Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky. Novichkova is one of 38 Russian Fulbright scholars coming to United States institutions to share their language and culture this year. She will be joined at Mercyhurst by her fellow Fulbright scholar from Morocco, Elhoucine Amouzoun. The Fulbright Program is administered by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, and gives teachers from around the world the opportunity to attend classes here and to share their skills with students in the U.S. Mercyhurst has been welcoming Fulbright scholars since 2014. As well as having them teach their lan-
guages and take classes, these young professionals are also encouraged to offer conversation groups and administer programs that can add to the cultural diversity of the school. Mercyhurst typically receives two scholars from abroad each year, generally a Russian and Moroccan student. American students also have the opportunity to apply to go abroad themselves. Novichkova spent time last year at the Concordia Language Villages in Minnesota, a cultural immersion program for American youth, and decided to participate in the Fulbright program to return to the U.S. “Mercyhurst was my first choice, and I was happy to be placed here,” Novichkova said. “I felt I needed to know more about American culture because I’m not just teaching the English language but also the culture to my students.” For the fall semester, Novichkova will be teaching Intermediate Russian I as well as Contemporary Readings in Russian, within the Russian Studies department. In addition, she is taking classes on Navajo Ethnology and Creative Writing along with other Mercyhurst students. “I’m most excited about sharing my culture. It’s my main mission,” Novichkova said. She has already joined the Mercyhurst International Students Organization and looks forward to getting to know more international and
domestic students around campus through cultural involvement. Aside from sharing her culture, she will also have the opportunity to share her academic knowledge. Novichkova was invited by a member of the Philosophy department faculty to be a guest lecturer on Dostoevsky for a Philosophical Existentialism class in the next few weeks, where she will share her extensive knowledge on the author and his works. In her spare time, Novichkova enjoys making all types of arts and crafts, including watercolor paintings, patchwork dolls and needlepoint designs, which often reflect her personal experiences with traditional Russian artwork and culture. Her artwork was central to her experience working at the Concordia Language Villages, as she loves being able to share her talent and interests with others. “I hope to do art here as well,” Novichkova said. “Anyone can come to Preston 207 to ask something or share something. I am a walking Russian ambassador.” Her highest priority during her time here is engaging with the students and staff at Mercyhurst throughout the coming year. She also gives an open invitation to anyone interested in Russian language or culture to stop by her office or to get involved with the Russian club, which will be starting regular meetings soon.
Contributed photo
Lidiia Nikolaevna Novichkova has recently arrived at Mercyhurst as this year’s Fulbright scholar for the Russian Studies department. While cultures may be very different, the Erie winter will not be any difficulty for Novichkova, who has come to Mercyhurst from Tyumen, Siberia.
LAKER MOMENT
Homecoming royalty take center stage
Contributed photo
Homecoming king and queen, Paul Cohen and Katie Reisinger, pose with Cole Lowe, center, a recent Mercyhurst graduate and last year’s Homecoming king.
As always, Homecoming Weekend saw the Mercyhurst student body crown two seniors as Homecoming king and queen. This year’s prizes went to senior History major Paul Cohen, and senior Environmental Science and Public Health major Katie Reisinger. The tradition of crowning Homecoming royalty is long established at Mercyhurst and takes place each year at halftime of the game. — Marina Boyle
PAGE 10
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Wednesday, September 19, 2018
Tremendous trip taken to Toronto By Rebecca Dunphy
Staff writer
The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is one of the largest and most highly regarded film festivals in the world. Each year, TIFF welcomes nearly 480,000 movie-goes. This year’s crowd included Kristofer Gossett, adviser of the Modern Cinema Club, four Mercyhurst alumni, 17 students and two parents. For a second year in a row, the club attended a portion of the festival, from Sept. 7 to Sept. 9. “The main components of the festival were the same but the movies are obviously completely different,” Gossett said. “It was different for a lot of us that went last year because we actually knew where we were going this year and were able to plan the itineraries for everyone more easily.” He emphasized his desire to allow everyone in the club to see the movies they want, and with such a wide variety of cinematic opportunities, there is sure to be something to satisfy every movie fan’s taste. Fortunately, the majority of the club members were able to get tickets to the movies they wanted to see at the ticketing window. The screenings attended included “Outlaw King,” “Beautiful Boy,” “The Sister Brothers,” and a preview screening of “First
Photo by Kristofer Gossett
Mercyhurst University’s Modern Cinema Club members, alumni and parents attended the Toronto International Film Festival.
Man,” which Gossett described as “jaw-dropping.” The club was also able to attend the world premieres of “White Boy Rick,” “The Hummingbird Project,” “The Front Runner” and “Halloween.” “The best time I had was at the midnight world premiere of ‘Halloween’ on Saturday night,” said Gossett.
“The crowd was energetic, and seeing Jamie Lee Curtis at the premiere was really great, too. Honestly, this year all of the movies I saw were really good.” The festival was certainly a star-studded event, with many of Hollywood’s biggest names making an appearance: Matthew McConaughey, Hugh Jackman, Alexander Skarsgard, Jesse Eisenberg,
Salma Hayek, Danny McBride and Judy Greer. Damien Chazelle, director of the movie “First Man” about the life of Neil Armstrong, brought his entire production crew, including one of Armstrong’s sons and an Apollo 15 astronaut. This provided students with an incomparable experience to not only see movies prior to their re-
lease, but also be part of the action with their proximity to celebrities and attending various panels. Class of 2018 alumna Sydney Van Leeuwen had the opportunity to attend the industry conference. “It allowed me, an aspiring filmmaker, the opportunity to talk to people who actually work in the film industry,” she said. “I learned from a few industry contacts that it might be in my best interest to attend film school if I want to get involved in the filmmaking business.” Overall, Gossett found the experience to be both positive and beneficial for all who attended. “This is great as it expands their ideas of what movies can be and students have the freedom to see foreign language films or short films or even documentaries if they want to (all of which students did this year),” he said. “I hope students get a bigger appreciation for film as an art form in addition to having an amazing time in Toronto.” This enjoyment is what Gossett recognizes as his favorite part of the trip. “For me, the highlight of the trip is always hearing how much fun the students have, especially the ones that are at Toronto for the first time,” he said. “It’s a lot of work to put this trip together, but listening to everyone talking about all the fun they had and the lifelong memories they’ve made is the best part of my trip.”
NTL REVIEW
A ‘doggone’ good NTL production By Carlena Bressanelli
Staff writer
If you were in the Taylor Little Theatre on Sept. 9, then you saw the National Theatre Live event “The Curious Incident of the Dog In The Night-Time.” Many have read the well-known book, written in 2003, and now it is a play. It is about a 15-year-old boy named Christopher who is suspected of killing his neighbor’s dog, Wellington. He tries to solve the mystery of the murdered dog and goes on a journey that is far different than his usual routine. It is believed that he has autism in the play, but author Mark Haddon says, “If anything it’s a novel about difference, about being an outsider, about seeing the world in a surprising and revealing way. “The book is not specifically about any specific disorder,” he said. Christopher has an amazing brain and the play shows how well he knows his math.
He just thinks a little differently. The world as we know it is new to Christopher. He has never been alone past the end of his road and people are not his strong suit. As it turns out, the mystery of Wellington’s death isn’t the only mystery to be solved. I really loved this performance. There was good acting and the choreography was well directed. Everything went together well. They used Christopher’s knowledge of math and logic in the dance numbers, but they also showed how different every day interactions can be when you are on the autism spectrum. The play also touched on how a parent can feel when they have a child on the autism spectrum and they don’t have a lot of answers about the behavior of their child. It was definitely an eye-opening view on seeing the world differently. I have never read the book, but after seeing this performance, I am going to find the time.
Contributed photo
“Untitled” by Abigail Adams is one of the pieces that will be in the exhibit.
Mercyhurst to host the NPAA photography exhibit By Samuel Peterson
Staff writer
Mercyhurst University is showcasing the photography artwork of the Northwest Pennsylvania Artists Association (NPAA). It will be on display from Sept. 24 to Oct. 27 at the Cummings Art Gallery, which is located in the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center. NPAA is a nonprofit organization that helps to protect the
interests of artists, define visual fine arts in the area and provide scholarships to prospective young artists. Several Mercyhurst staff are members of this association. Gary Cardot, a Mercyhurst Art Professor, curated the exhibition. It employs a wide range of subject matter and techniques utilized. The artists will be in attendance for a reception on Sept. 27 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
This will give students the chance to speak with artists directly. The artists include Carol Posch Comstock, Abigail Adams Greenway, Dorothy Kloss, Nathan Sulecki, Michael Tkach and Greg Zbach as well as Cardot. Students interested in learning more about the exhibit can contact Jessica Stadtmueller at jstadtmueller@mercyhurst.edu, or Cardot at gcardot@mercyhurst. edu.
Wednesday, September 19, 2018
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
PAGE 11
ROCHE CONCERT REVIEW
Married pianists ‘duo’ a recital By Jenny Sabliov
Staff writer
The 30th season of the Roche Guest Artist Series kicked off with the incredible husband-andwife piano duo, Hyun Ju Curtin, D.M.A., and David Curtin, D.M.A. The recital took place on Sept. 10 in Walker Recital Hall. The program included Sixteen Waltzes for Piano Duet, op. 39 by Johannes Brahms (followed by a brief intermission), Three Military Marches, op. 51 by Franz Schubert and “Five Hungarian Dances” arranged by Brahms. First and foremost, kudos to Hyun Ju Curtin for performing this recital with a wrist brace. She still managed to perform each piece with dexterity and finesse. David Curtin introduced the first piece by describing the Romantic era in which it was written. He emphasized that the Romantic era is not about a candlelit dinner. As we know, it is a celebration of the composer’s emotions and persona and, well, it can also be romantic. According to David Curtin, at that time the waltz was a new dance and it was somewhat scandalous because of how close dance partners would be – about as close as the hands in the piece. The “Sixteen Waltzes” was a wonderful piece written for four hands. As the duo performed the piece, I could picture 19th century dancers circling around each other on the dance floor in the signature three-four time. The first waltz in B major was very light and playful as any dance would begin.
Photo by Jenny Sabliov
Married pianists Hyun Ju Curtin, D.M.A., and David Curtin, D.M.A., pose together after their four-hand piano recital at Walker Recital Hall on Sept. 10.
Once the key changed to E major for the second waltz, I got goosebumps as the melody slowed to a very full and luscious sound. It almost resembled a lullaby. As each waltz passed, it felt as if it were going through a cycle flitting from the light and playful melody back to its full developmental theme. A notable waltz was the Waltz in C sharp Minor. As they performed this piece, I could picture Cinderella and her Prince Charming waltzing across the dance floor, eyes locked as if there were no one else in the ballroom.
Cheesy, I know. After intermission, the duo performed Three Military Marches, op. 51 by Schubert. It was not as memorable as the other pieces but this is probably because I could not wait for them to perform the “Hungarian Dances.” The overall piece reminded me of a fanfare for the troops coming home after winning a war. The third movement seemed like it should be the background of a training montage for the underdog of the story. On to the greatest performance of the evening, the first five of Brahms’ “Hungarian Dances.”
David Curtin mentioned that Brahms signed the overall piece as an arrangement rather than his own composition. This is likely due to the inspiration of traditional Hungarian folk music and Romani music. Being part Hungarian and Romani myself and learning some of the traditional folk dances when I was younger, this piece spoke to my soul. They did an amazing job with their interpretation of most of the dances. I am not sure how I felt about Hyun Ju Curtin’s interpretation in her part as Piano One for the first dance.
It is a dance that is supposed to flow with each sprinkle of the keys in her part. Instead, we waited with bated breath for her to roll out the espressivo notes after the sforzando piano leggero in her part. Other than that, their performance was excellent. Seeing the Curtins cross hands on the piano while maintaining time and composure illustrated their skill. Out of the five pieces, the second had a more Roma vibe than the rest, which really showcased the roots of the work. There were elements of Czárdás in the fourth dance; the traditional Hungarian folk dance popularized by Romani groups traveling throughout Hungary and neighboring countries. It was also popularized by Italian composer Vittorio Monti. They really encapsulated the fifth dance in their performance. Even though it is not technically a traditional folksong, it is still a popular piece. It was a wonderful close to the evening as it begins with a quick tempo which soon escalates into a frenzy of notes. The piece was full, bright and energetic and could probably close out any concert leaving attendees with a sense of bewitchment. Perhaps the Mercyhurst Civic Orchestra will close out one of their concerts this season with Hungarian Dance No. 5? A girl can only dream. All in all, the recital was a success. It was greatly received by the audience and it was a magnificent beginning to this season of the Roche Guest Artist series.
Dance Team cheers players to victory By Megan Lay
Staff writer
Every football and basketball half-time, Mercyhurst students get to witness the energetic and precise movements of members of the Mercyhurst Dance Team. The MU Dance Team is comprised of 17 individuals who learn fast-paced choreography to perform in perfect unison. Normally showcasing hip-hop dance styles, the team has always been full of pep and spirit, entertaining the crowds in the stands and cheering for the players on the field. The team mostly performs at home games, but occasionally performs at Gannon games. The team has been around for several decades, once a part of a “pep” team. Now, the pep team is split into both cheer and dance teams.
Contributed photo
The Mercyhurst Dance Team performs at home games.
During the first week of school, auditions — where students learned and performed combinations of movement to be considered for the team — were held. The audition typically teaches
a 35-second routine in under 15 minutes and then the dancers are asked to perform in small groups. “In choreography, a choreographer or coach would typically like to have 1 hour of rehearsal time
for each minute of choreography. Dance team is required to learn choreography twice that speed,” Dance Team Coach Danielle Kaiser said. “During most two hour rehearsals, the team will learn one or two two-minute routines during football season,” she said. “During basketball season, guest choreographers are brought in to teach two and a half minute routines in two hours,” Kaiser said. Sophomore Davia Ford, a Dance major and a new member of the team, said, “The most rewarding part about dance team is that I get to be a part of a team and be involved with the university’s sports events.” “I really enjoy myself and love that I get to do it with all of my friends,” Ford said. Dancers are tasked with picking up fast-paced choreography in
a limited amount of time, which they then practice at least twice a week for two hours at a time. Sophomore Rebecca Dunphy, a Dance and Criminal Justice major, said the most rewarding part of Dance Team, for her, is “being a member of a team that’s so diverse, yet so focused on one goal: giving our best performance.” “When you see Dance Team out on the field or court, you’re not just seeing dance majors, you’re seeing a collection of majors from Fashion to Intel, who are all equally passionate,” said Dunphy. Masterclasses hosted by the Dance Team are open to the Mercyhurst student community several times a year. Keep an eye out for the Dance Team on the next game day, Hurst Day, Erie BayHawks games, and even at events later in the year like the Laker Showdown.
OPINION
PAGE 12
GOOD Mass of the Holy Spirit is this week! Free food for the soul and the body starting at 11:30 a.m. in Christ the King Chapel.
BAD We still don’t know when Hurst Day is!
WEIRD The Hammermill Library got rid of its book drop-off box. If you want to return books now, you have to return them directly to the library’s front desk.
Wednesday, September 19, 2018
My Mercyhurst first impressions I also signed up for several clubs, including Habitat for Humanity, Digital Media Mazur Marketing Club, Ski Club, Contributing writer Sustainability Club, Yoga, Modern Movie Cinema, Outdoor I am currently a freshman at Adventure, Soccer Club and, of Mercyhurst University. course, the Merciad. As every freshman knows or As you may have guessed, I has recently figured out over have been extremely busy in my this past weekend, classes at time at Mercyhurst so far. Mercyhurst are extremely writing The best way to describe my intensive. Generally, I enjoy experience so far would be as writing. “an amazing (but exhausting) However, there has been so whirlwind that never seems to much writing for every class in stop.” such a short amount of time that There are a few particular it has already grown old. things about Mercyhurst that I It’s funny, though, I managed to love and help make Hurst home sign myself up for extra writing away from home. by writing for the Merciad. Topping off the list is how My first impressions of incredibly nice and talented Mercyhurst’s campus may be everyone is. This includes not quite similar or different from the only all of the students but also average freshmen. the faculty and staff. In my short time at Everyone always greets each Mercyhurst, I have managed to other with a smile, says hello and play for the women’s soccer team asks you about how your day is (which then turned into helping going. manage, but that’s a story for Most notably everyone seems another day), make amazing new to hold the doors open for friends, participate in several others, whether the person SAC/MAC events and enter the behind is five or 15 feet away. Hurst Day scavenger hunt. Try counting how many times
By Gillian
someone does something nice for you in a day. Then, at the end of the day, add it up. Mercyhurst is certainly no ordinary campus. To add on to the uniqueness that is Mercyhurst, I have also noticed how safe and inclusive the environment here is. Unlike other college campuses, at Mercyhurst students of all shapes, sizes, beliefs, political views and ethnicities get along and enjoy their college experience. Lastly, one of Mercyhurst’s hallmarks that visitors, students and staff alike all seem to love is how gorgeous the campus is. Amenities seem to be constantly renovated, updated or built new for Mercyhurst students. On top of that, these amenities are open for all students to enjoy during their time as a Laker. The bushes are hedged, trees trimmed and the flowers are planted adding to the campus’ historic charm. I may not have been here for long, but for the next four years, I for certain can say that Hurst truly is home.
MSG forum is both The Merciad revealing and lacking Editors Lauren Abbott Meghan Maker Kristian Biega Marina Boyle Bernard Garwig Lauren Ganger Anthony Miller Maria Williams Megan Stubbs Kristin Bowers
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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.
I believe that MSG handled it, for the most part, well. By Adam Concerns were treated seriously Williams but often responded to with Staff writer humor to keep the event light. Questions that may have been Everyone at Mercyhurst has slightly aggressive were not taken heard about the upcoming pub personally. They were responded set to replace the beloved Laker to with the same level of Inn. professionalism as the others. And everyone has an opinion, The staff handled the event as some stronger than others, on best as they could. the idea of the pub. However, there were some But, the pub is not what I am issues that detracted from the going to discuss here today. event. I will discuss Parkhurst’s For example, some fielded response to the student body’s questions were met only with growing backlash. requests for clarification. At a student government forum Some questions were broad last Monday at 8p.m., Parkhurst’s and needed clarification; others top management, as well as did not seem to need it and were other high level Mercyhurst put aside. staff, gathered to respond to However, the Parkhurst staff Mercyhurst student criticisms and did always ask that the inquirer concerns about the new pub and contact them directly for better slow removal of The Laker. answers. The staff faced a steady flow What especially detracted of questions submitted online from the forum was the lack of and in-person. knowledge on the specifics of These questions were all asked the pub. by Mercyhurst students. Questions concerning things
such as the type of service and student jobs in the pub were not yet fully known. This lack of information worries many students, me included. I am worried simply because the pub comes at the cost of The Laker. The Laker is, at its core, an institution that Mercyhurst students have grown to love and, in some cases, depend on. If the pub ultimately cannot live up to the same standards as The Laker, there will be a much larger population of students against it. In many ways the forum was informative. I just wish more specifics about the pub were known by this point. However, I believe that there is actually a simple solution to this problem. Holding another forum once development begins and specifics are hammered out may be more useful for addressing students’ concerns.
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.
Wednesday, September 19, 2018
OPINION
OPPOSING VIEWPOINTS
Pub not a good idea By Anthony
Miller
Staff writer
One of the biggest Mercyhurst stories of last year was the announcement that Parkhurst was opening a pub on campus. This announcement was met with much scorn from the Mercyhurst community. As the opening of the pub draws near, I think it’s valuable to examine why. Firstly, Mercyhurst students were not really consulted about this plan before it was announced. While there is no doubt that some students were in-the-know and had a chance to speak before the bomb dropped earlier this year, most students had no idea a pub was even being built until we got an email saying it was coming and the Laker had that garish orange sign slapped on its door. This is important because it shows the voices of many in the student body were blocked out while this was being considered. Not only is there a cheaper local pub and diner down the street, but the construction of the pub is having negative side effects for dining on campus.
Many students, including myself, dislike the fact that its construction is effectively closing down the Laker for God knows how long come October. For Dining Club students like me, this forces us into a situation where we either have to pay eight dining dollars at Grotto Commons whenever we’re hungry, which isn’t really ideal when you only have around $500 to spend in a semester, or spend plenty of extra time walking all the way to Ryan Hall to eat. If you have a busy schedule like myself, I think you can see how the latter would be less than ideal. Beyond that, I feel that this pub could hurt local businesses, specifically, the Cornerstone. The Cornerstone is a popular meetup spot for Mercyhurst students, and a popular local pub. Mercyhurst students, and even faculty, go there all the time. It’s become a sort of de facto club for the university. The construction of this pub undermines that by splitting the community. Now you’re going to have students who go to the Cornerstone, and the students who go to the pub on campus. It undercuts an important
part of the community of Mercyhurst. I can understand the concern that we don’t want Mercyhurst students drunkenly stumbling down East 38th Street on their way back to campus after a night of heavy drinking, but is the answer really just to make yourself a competitor to a beloved local business? The pub, to be blunt, feels a tad redundant when the Cornerstone is right down the street. I don’t want to make it sound like nothing good is going to come out of this arrangement. In all likelihood, the pub will bring some good to campus. The number of those many aforementioned students who come home after drinking offcampus will decrease. The food and drink will likely be great, and additional dining options on campus are always welcome. It’s also nice that you can pay for the services with dining dollars. I just believe that there were better ways Mercyhurst could have gone about this whole situation without shutting students out and without hurting local businesses.
In defense of pubs
Even those who drink regularly seem strangely appalled by this By Marina idea. Boyle It is as if they would never dare Staff writer have a sip of alcohol on campus, even though many of us have Upon hearing that Mercyhurst and often do. would be building a pub for the I have heard from numerous student population on campus, individuals that the pub is not I think I was just as taken aback in line with the tradition of the by the level of anger from what Sisters of Mercy or our cultural seemed to be the entire student heritage. body. They often ask “what will the This anger was pointed directly sisters think of this?” or “how and entirely at the Mercyhurst can anyone’s parents be OK with administration. that?” But I don’t think I get the It was Catherine McAuley anger surrounding the pub. herself who said on her deathbed For me, a pub is a modern, to give the sisters “a comfortable innovative and, hear me out, cup of tea,” alluding to a spiked necessary feature of any college drink to calm the nerves. campus. Drinking is, for most people, a I do sympathize with the part of college culture. many students who feel that they It seems unreasonable to say were never consulted about the that as an Irish-based university, possibility of such a pub. a pub is against our cultural We students did not have a heritage. say in the planning of this pub The sisters tend to be very whatsoever. It feels as though we forward thinking. were consistently told the pub I believe what they want for was happening whether we liked our alcohol habits (for those of it or not. us who have them) is for us to In that regard, I feel the same be as safe as possible when we way as all of you there. drink. However, taking a step back to Furthermore, a college look at the whole concept itself, pub builds community and I do not understand why people camaraderie among students. are so angry at the fundamental Particularly when the pub is idea of having a pub on campus. open to all students and is used
often for a variety of social functions. Out of all the college campuses I visited, Mercyhurst University was actually the only one I applied to without an oncampus bar. Maybe this is all just a cultural thing, but I genuinely cannot see why there is such a huge hullabaloo. A space where alcohol is served on campus is a hub for safer drinking, where alcohol is controlled and regulated, and that is a net good for all of us. The risk of driving under the influence of alcohol, having accidents far from home or encountering predatory individuals in from the wider community is greatly diminished. Moreover, a pub will be a highly useful facility for aftersporting events and alumni functions. On top of that, the pub will function as a new programming space for organizations and clubs. Lastly, the pub will likely affect the bottom line. The more money that we generate for our own campus, the better. At the end of the day, the Student Union is ours, and that will be our pub. Those who don’t want to use it don’t have to.
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HURST STUDENTS
SPEAK UP We asked: What was your favorite part of homecoming this year?
Cameron Dabill, freshman Criminal Justice major: “Getting the win my first year on the football team.”
Sean Black, sophomore Early Childhood and Special Education major: “The football game!”
Cole Kruszka, freshman Applied Forensic Science major: “Watching us come back and end up winning the game.”
Erin Jenkins, senior Art Therapy and Art Education major: “It was great having an opportunity to catch up with old friends, and seeing everyone have fun at the bonfire and game.”
Compiled by Thomas Hynes
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Please, throw food in the trash Recently I walked my dog Lucky up on campus. The students get a kick out of him and pet him, which he loves. He found something in the grass, and I wrestled with him only to find a chicken bone in his throat. Thankfully, I got it away from him. If he got that caught in his throat, he could choke to death. That same night, he found a chocolate chip cookie tossed in the grass, not 10 feet from a trash can. He threw up all night that night. Chocolate is lethal to dogs. Two days later, he found something in front of Old Main that was spicy and swallowed it
before I could get it out of his mouth. Again, I was up all night with a dog throwing up. I’m asking students to please not throw food items on the ground. Not only does it deface our campus, but it can kill a dog, a bird and some wildlife like squirrels. They don’t know what they are eating, so they’ll pick anything up. I think Mercyhurst has a beautiful campus, and we should all try to keep it that way. Thank you for thinking about this before you throw food on the ground. — Penny Hanes, associate professor of accounting and owner of Lucky
SPORTS
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Wednesday, September 19, 2018
A little help from the Hurst By Shannon Gotham
Staff writer
September is here, and football fans are starting to break out their jerseys as the football season is gearing into full swing. Most of us have only just begun thinking about the 2018-19 football season, but not Mercyhurst athletic trainer Jeffrey Haft. Haft spent part of his summer at the Pittsburgh Steelers football training camp standing in for an athletic trainer on maternity leave. Working at the training camp was a no-brainer for Haft, who said that working in professional sports “is my end career goal.” This opportunity was presented to Haft by John Norwig, the Head Athletic Trainer and former president of the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society. Haft and Norwig met when Haft was the Erie County delegate to the Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers Society a few years prior and have kept in touch since then. Norwig requested Haft’s résumé when looking to fill the training camp and preseason athletic training position. Haft was offered the position not long after. Haft credits his experience in
Contributed photo
Athletic trainer Jeff Haft assists Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster during camp.
his field and his networking with earning him this opportunity. His suggestion to current students hoping to walk in his footsteps is to “Network as much as you can,” Haft said. “Strive to become the best athletic trainer that you can and to be better than you were the day before.”
When asked about the operations within the training camp itself, Haft said he was pleasantly surprised by the attitude and manners of the players. “Everyone said ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ and acted with professionalism in every aspect of their career,” Haft said. The players
“truly appreciated the work that we were doing on them and for them.” Haft said the athletes’ mindsets on their health is one of the main differences between collegiate and professional athletes. He highlighted that collegiate athletes typically look at their
health on a short-term game-togame perspective. Professional athletes look at their health from a long-term perspective, thinking of every potential season ahead. His time at the training camp came with experiences that he is excited to bring to Mercyhurst. “I have a notebook full of stretching, evaluation and rehabilitation techniques and tips to implement into my own skill set and share with our staff and students,” Haft said. It’s clear Haft’s experiences at the training camp not only influenced his professional life, but also his personal life. “I have been a Buffalo Bills fan my entire life but have always had great respect for the Steelers organization and what the Rooney family has built,” Haft said. “Not only from the football side but the overall professionalism within the organization, including opportunities for minorities, women, etc. Safe to say, I am a Steelers fan now!” Haft will be back at Mercyhurst after the NFL preseason with new experiences, memories and a team that he will treasure for years to come.
MU Women’s Fourth place HURST soccer falls to RESULTS finish for MU West Chester women’s golf By Gillian Mazur
Staff writer
Unlike the many other students, alumni and families celebrating Homecoming Weekend, the Mercyhurst women’s soccer team was not present to help celebrate the big football victory. Instead, the players traveled about six hours away to the borough of West Chester, just 25 miles outside of Philadelphia, to face West Chester University and hope for their own big win. Ranked fourth in the PSAC, the Lakers had an uphill battle to begin with facing West Chester, one of the top-five ranked teams. Additionally, the Lakers were coming off of a 4-0 victory over Wheeling Jesuit University on Sept. 12. Kicking off at noon on Sept. 15, the Lady Lakers were able to hold off the West Chester Rams for the first half, tying 0-0 at halftime. “We did a great job defending in the first half,” senior co-captain Naomi James said. “We were under a lot of pressure from a
strong West Chester team. We did well to hold out against the constant crosses and shots we had against us, and when we gained possession of the ball we combined really well and created attacking opportunities.” Unfortunately, the Lakers were bested in the second half, resulting in the final score being a 4-0 loss. With the game scoreless until over 10 minutes into the second half, the Rams’ scores were intermittent throughout the period with the exception of two goals being just over a minute and a half apart. Nevertheless, as a whole, the team is choosing to view the game as a glass half full. “Despite the scoreline, there are many positives to take from this game, which we’ll build on and capitalize on in our upcoming games,” said James. On Sept. 18, the Lakers will host Daemen College with a kickoff at 4 p.m. Additionally, on Sept. 21 at 4 p.m., the team will play Bloomsburg University. That game is away for the Lakers.
Sept. 14: Volleyball vs. Kutztown University: 3-0, Lakers Sept. 15: Volleyball vs. East Stroudsburg University: 1-3, East Stroudsburg (Lakers are 6-9) Sept. 15: Men’s soccer vs. West Chester University: 2-2 (Lakers are 2-1-2) Sept. 15: Women’s soccer vs. West Chester University: 0-4, West Chester (Lakers are 2-3)
By Marco Cicchino
Staff writer
Led by 2018 Third Team AllPSAC performer Abigail Vietmeier and after winning the first two tournaments this season, Ron Coleman’s women’s golf team ended in fourth at the Le Moyne Invitational. “Overall, two wins is good. Two out of four is really good because you are not just playing against one team. You are playing against many, so to win a tournament is pretty big,” said Vietmeier. At the end of the tournament, the Lakers totaled 663 (358-328), trailing West Chester (634), Franklin Pierce (642) and Gannon (656). Day one saw the Lakers’ 335 team score 47 strokes over par, trailing West Chester (316), Franklin Pierce (324) and Gannon (329). Vietmeier, Bridget Merten and Michaela Thomas all shot an 11-over 83 on Sept. 16 to tie for 15th in the individual standings and eighth among PSAC golf-
ers, standing even with Micayla Moldenke of host Le Moyne and Zoe Yamamoto of Franklin Pierce. Meanwhile, Gannon sat third after finishing second to Tiffin by eight strokes at Lake Shore. Mercyhurst’s Claire Orr was one of four overall to shoot 86, while Brianna Kuty (93) and Victoria Ortiz (96) remained in the Top 50. Vietmeier, coming off a tie for seventh at the Michael Corbett Fall Classic at Lake Shore Country Club on Sept. 9, finished in a tie for eighth. She had already won a share of the Evann Parker Memorial on Sept. 7 with a combined 157, just 13 strokes over par. This weekend, the Lakers look to hold their title as champions at the Allegheny Invitational in Meadville. “The tournament we’re going into this weekend was our first tournament win last year, so that’s really big going in having won it before and trying to do that again,” said player Saige Avery.
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SPORTS
Wednesday, September 19, 2018
PAGE 15
Aaron Qiao photo
The Lakers defensive line, pictured here held off the Bloomsburg University Wolverines long enough for the offense to pull off a 14-10 win.
Lakers win homecoming By Breonna Bailey
Staff writer
Mercyhurst University hosted Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania on Sept. 15, the finale to the homecoming festivities. Despite the Lakers going into the second quarter scoreless and then trailing for a majority of the second half of the game, a late game touchdown play resulted in their first victory of the season
with a 14-10 win over the Huskies. Bloomsburg took the lead with a field goal in the second quarter. The Lakers answered on a 19yard touchdown hookup from Doug Altavilla to Austin Hence. Garrett Owens set up the go-ahead touchdown with a 41-yard run. A 36-yard touchdown gave the Huskies a 10-7 lead before halftime. From here, a 77-yard punt return by Cortez Watson was able to get the Lakers down to the
Bloomsburg 3-yard line late in the fourth quarter. It was then that Altavilla scored the go-ahead touchdown on a one-yard run with only 2:16 remaining in the game. Altavilla’s touchdown would be the game-winning play, but there was still time on the clock at the time of the score. The kickoff return and an ensuing penalty did put the Huskies in great field position, but they could
not manage the touchdown that they needed to win. With the Laker defense holding off the Huskies, the game ended with a 14-10 final score. Altavilla threw for a touchdown and ran in the game-winner, completing 17 of 28 passes for 146 yards. Laker running back Owens had 15 carries for 87 yards and five receptions for 12. The Lakers defense recorded eight tackles-for-loss against the
Huskies. Dante Rodriguez, Henry Caldwell, Rocky Owens and Chris Peluso were credited with seven total tackles each. Jacob Tarasovitch with six tackles and one sack. “It was a battle all the way down to the last second,” said Garrett Owens. “We are satisfied with the outcome and are hoping to keep the momentum going.” The Lakers return to action on Sept. 22 when they visit Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Women’s lax team beats alumni 14-6
Mercyhurst tops PSAC with scholar-athletes
Staff writer
Staff writer
By Marco Cicchino
By Daniel Leonard
Women’s lacrosse coach Kevin Cooke knew a successful follow-up to his first season back in Erie would be no short order — especially after graduating his top playmaker and midfielder, arguably two of the greatest players in program history. His current iteration of the women’s lacrosse roster used a 6-2 second-half run Sept. 14 to propel 15th-ranked Mercyhurst to a win over the program’s alumni team at Tullio Field to open the Fall Ball slate. “The alumni game is an event that our team looks forward to every year because we get to play and spend time with past teammates,” said Lakers goalkeeper Abigail Miller. It appeared as if, at least for the preseason opener, the Lakers had begun to solve a riddle that will perplex the team until the season begins in earnest Feb. 23. Taylor Izzo returned to a program where she ranks third in assists and recorded a 100-point season last year, missing a free-position but connecting with current senior Nellie Dephtereos to cut the lead in half. Freshman Rachel Hirst finished the game with a point and an assist, grabbing the feed from Heather Greenway, then Lacey Netti continued her strong play racing from Raelyn Tiberio’s right downfield to beat Whitehead at 10:19. The game ended 14-6 for the lacrosse team, but for them it wasn’t about the win. “We really don’t pay attention to the score. The game is for the pure joy of playing the game and doing it with past teammates,” said Miller.
It was announced that Mercyhurst University has produced a conference-high 308 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Scholar-Athletes for the 2017-18 academic year. This number was also part of a conference-record 3,053 students that earned scholar-athlete status from the league’s 18 institutions. “I think we are really unique because the PSAC is mainly full of state schools, with a couple of private schools in it,” said assistant volleyball coach Jenell Patton. “People might think that our
classes are easy, but I think the reality is that our student-athletes are extremely disciplined, on the court and off the court, and that’s partially why they are so successful academically.” A student-athlete must have a 3.25 grade point average during their collegiate careers to earn the PSAC Scholar-Athlete status. “The fact that so many Mercyhurst athletes have been awarded the status provides proof of their own hard work as well as the dedication of professors, coaches and advisers to helping them,” said Mercyhurst Athletic Director Bradley Davis. “They are not just primed to succeed on the field
LET’S GO,
LAKERS!
but also in the classroom as well.” Patton also mentioned that time management is a big factor for a student athlete. Some teams provide study halls for athletes, and some coaches have been known to spend extra time with their athletes to ensure their success. “Overall, I think as a department we have coaches who understand the importance of the student-athlete and we try to recruit students who will be successful as student-athletes on our campus,” said Patton. “I think it starts with the recruiting process of what kind of people will be a good fit for our institution.”
Sept. 21, Mercyhurst Soccer Field @ 1:30 p.m.: Men’s soccer vs. West Chester University Sept. 21-22, Mercyhurst Athletic Center @ 7:05 p.m. and 2:05 p.m.: Volleyball vs. West Chester and Millersville Sept. 22, Indiana University of Pennsylvania @ 4 p.m.: Football vs. IUP
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LAKER LIVING
Wednesday, September 19, 2018
HURST TOON Student-drawn cartoon by Periwinkle