Merciad THE
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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 2 5 , 2 01 9
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VOL. 93 NO. 3
Erie Climate Strike PAGE 8
Online poll results We asked: What was your favorite part of Hurst Day?
2: MU celebrates Mass
10: Chenoweth visits MIAC 15: Women’s soccer opens PSAC play
NO CLASSES!! (43%) The Scavenger Hunt (26%) Free food and steak dinner (17%) Inflatable games (13%)
This week’s
POLL
What is your favorite board game?
merciad.mercyhurst.edu
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NEWS
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Members of the Mercyhurst Women’s Water Polo and Women’s Soccer teams are excited to partake in the free food and fellowship of the community picnic on Sept. 19.
Members of the Women’s Volleyball team (left to right) freshman Kate Hennessey, senior Mary Marusza, senior Leah Kern and sophomore Madison Kasper enjoy time to relax as a team in the quad.
(Left to right) freshmen Salvador Rang, Brendyn Muir and Alexander Paul of the Men’s Soccer team sit in Christ the King Chapel before the mass began.
Celebrating community at the 2019 Mass of the Holy Spirit At right: Students and faculty line up for the community picnic in front of the Audrey Hirt Academic Center after the Mass of the Holy Spirit. At bottom left: Members of the Women’s Soccer team, (left to right) senior Vilde Wold, junior Emma Scali and junior Kenzie Grenell attended Mass with their team. At bottom right: It was a beautiful day for groups of friends to enjoy Mass, food and cancelled classes.
Maya Bauer photos
NEWS
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
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Celebrating community at the 2019 Mass of the Holy Spirit By Elizabeth Shewan
Staff writer
With the back to school season drawing to a close, Mercyhurst once again celebrated the annual Mass of the Holy Spirit, on Sept. 19. Calling on the help of the Holy Spirit is a traditionally Jesuit tradition that goes back centuries. However, Mercyhurst has celebrated the same tradition since the 1980s with its annual Mass of the Holy Spirit and community picnic. Designed to fall near Sept. 24, the feast day of Our Lady of Mercy, the mass brings the community together. This year student members of Mercyhurst Concert Choir and the Liturgical Dance Ensemble lent their creative talents to the mass, student athletes attended in uniform, the marching band played music for the picnic and hundreds of other students, staff, sisters and Mercyhurst community members attended the mass and picnic. In this way the mass brought together not only students with
each other but with staff and the Sisters of Mercy. “The amount of students who come out, especially the student athletes who come out every year is really exciting,” Greg Baker, Ph. D, Vice President for Mission Integration, said. “To see the incredible talent and goodness of our students come out as musicians, as dancers, those who serve and help with the mass and knowing that it’s a welcoming environment for people of different cultures, and different religious backgrounds shows that it’s a celebration of who we are at our core.” Additionally, the coordination of the mass is a collaborative effort involving many Mercyhurst staff including Mercyhurst campus ministry, the office of the Provost and the Sisters of Mercy themselves, who serve as lectors and eucharistic ministers. “It’s a whole bunch of people that put this together and make this work,” Father Jim Piszker, University Chaplain, said. Another tradition of the Mass of the Holy Spirit is to bring in a
guest celebrant from outside the Mercyhurst and Erie communities to bring a unique perspective to the celebrations. This year the presider was Maryknoll Priest Father Doug May, who shared a message of acceptance of the other, in accordance with the Mercy value of compassionate hospitality. “I think he presented himself as down to earth and I think his message resonated with students because of that,” Piszker said. Baker found Father May’s missionary experience was an important example to set forth for students trying to live the Mercy Mission. “We thought that his experience as a missionary, particularly in the Middle East and in Egypt, brought a whole different perspective on the world and on the challenges and possibilities of people living together peacefully,” Baker said. “I thought he had a really profound and important message to share.” Father May’s homily was right in line with the spirit of the
mass to bring people of different groups and backgrounds together for one common good. “With all the global tensions and national tensions, I think it’s important to remember that the faith this university centers on calls people to something bigger than solving conflicts through violence,” Baker said. One of the most unique aspects of the Mass of the Holy Spirit features a second reading, the Pentecostal Sequence, interpreted and presented in a variety of languages, representing the diversity of the community and embracing it. In this spirit, members of the Mercyhurst community of all backgrounds are invited to celebrate together. Riley Polkowski, a freshman Cybersecurity major and member of the Men’s soccer team, is a Lutheran, but found the mass to be a way to build community “It’s a nice service,” Polkowski said. “I think it’s nice that so much of the school comes out and the sports teams come together, so it’s a really cool thing.”
Nick Woll, a senior majoring in Psychology and Religious Studies, has attended the mass for four years now. “It does have a special place in my life because it allows all the students to come together. It gives me an opportunity to not only spend some time with friends but also to spend time with my faith and allow myself to be connected to the school,” Woll said. The mass further serves as a counterpoint to another celebration of the Mercy tradition in the spring, a celebration of Thanksgiving. Typically celebrated in April with a mass or other service, the Thanksgiving celebration provides a chance to give thanks for the Sisters of Mercy and all they have done for the school. The Mass of the Holy Spirit has once again brought Mercyhurst together in community and faith for an afternoon of prayer, reflection and fun. “I think it’s one of our best traditions here, period,” Baker said.
Mercyhurst’s AIM program chosen to expand national cybersecurity jobs By Gillian Mazur
Staff writer
On Sept. 10, Mercyhurst University’s learning differences program, the Autism Initiative at Mercyhurst (AIM), announced they received a $300,000 federal grant to help pilot an initiative to merge neuro-diverse students and cybersecurity. The goal of the grant is to expand cybersecurity jobs at federal agencies for students with autism and will hopefully expand career opportunities to those in Mercyhurst’s already nationally acclaimed AIM department. Mercyhurst’s AIM program was one of the first in the country and has historically proven that those on the autistic spectrum are an untapped source of potential talent. It focuses on building self-advocacy, social skills and academic progress. Founded in 2008 with four students, the AIM program now oversees over seventy students and has grown as both a leader and resource for institutions across the country. Bradley McGarry, Director of the AIM program, will serve as Mercyhurst’s representative on the team for now. “I think part of it’s cyberse-
curity, but Mercyhurst’s connection with the project was our vocational programming with our autism students so that was our primary link. It’s very good that we just happen to have one of the world’s top cybersecurity programs,” McGarry said. The pilot is to be run in conjunction with nine other respected corporate and institutional partners. Headed by MITRE Corporation, the aim of the $300,000 federal grant is to create cybersecurity opportunities for neuro-diverse people at federal agencies. Some of the big corporate names involved are Microsoft, the German company SAP (Systems, Applications, and Products in Data Processing), Danish company Specialisterne and the DXC Dandelion Program which is dedicated to helping those on the autistic spectrum build technology and IT skills as well as prepare for future careers. The other institutions included on the team are George Mason University, the Rochester Institute of Technology, the University of Maryland and Drexel University. McGarry’s expertise in the realm of autistic employment is one of the reasons why Mercyhurst was selected to partake
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We know from our work in the AIM program that our students are well suited to fill cyber positions and we are honored to be selected for this team as a content expert in our field, and for what we have accomplished with our programming at Mercyhurst.” Bradley McGarry, AIM Program Director
in this effort with its prestigious partners. He hopes that eventually there will be ten to twelve different individuals and that some of the Mercyhurst Cybersecurity department will be listed in the future. It is also his goal to eventually tie in more Mercyhurst resources as well. If the pilot is successful, Mercyhurst’s entire security department will benefit from
this collaboration. Currently, the AIM department is working with Mercyhurst Cybersecurity on a few other different collaborations unrelated to the grant. “We know from our work in the AIM program that our students are well suited to fill cyber positions and we are honored to be selected for this team as a content expert in our field, and for what we have accomplished with our programming at Mercyhurst,” McGarry said. The project leverages several leading practices, methodologies and tools that have been successfully used in private and non-U.S. government agencies. The goal is to create a Federal Neurodiversity Cyber Workforce program and then test it with a federal agency. This beginning project will focus on training the participating agency to find, hire, train, support and retain those on the spectrum for cyber careers. The new grant that the University received is a direct result of a competition sponsored by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget and the General Services Administration to help the government solve some of its toughest management challenges. As a result of the grant, Mercyhurst students in the
AIM program will likely be offered even more career opportunities within federal agencies in the future. “The universities and corporations that are on this select committee make up a pretty prestigious group to be a part of,” McGarry said. “But truthfully, the project and the grant was gifted to this team to help the federal government build diversity employment initiatives within the federal government.” The federal government gave money to the private sector to think outside the box and come up with innovative ideas. In this initiative, Mercyhurst is helping the federal government in taking a problem that they have struggled with, i.e. neuro-diverse employment, and coming back with a new and innovative solution to their problem. “Once the program is effectively running, it creates a pipeline for Mercyhurst and its AIM students,” McGarry said. “It’s another feather in our cap that will benefit the university by getting Mercyhurst’s name out there next to the bigger institutions like RIT and Drexel. People will see Mercyhurst for our AIM program as well as everything else that we offer here.”
NEWS
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Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Merciad IN A MINUTE ZooBoo needs you! ZooBoo is a spooky, but not too spooky, fun-filled event at the “Eerie” Zoo featuring a variety of Halloween displays and trick-ortreating for children 12 and under. ZooBoo 2019 will run from Thursday, Oct. 17 through Wed., Oct. 30 at the Erie Zoo. They are looking for volunteers to dress in costumes, assist with booths and more! Volunteers will work from 5:15 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. on weekdays, sometimes until 10:00 p.m. on busy weekends and Saturday afternoons 1 p.m. 5:45 p.m. Late applications can be turned in until Sept. 27 to the Erie Zoo Office.
Summer Study Abroad Interested in studying abroad for a SEMESTER? Would you like to earn credit over the SUMMER? How about an INTERNSHIP Abroad? Spring 2020 deadlines approaching. Summer 2020 deadlines – mid March. Stop by Preston 101 or 105 or email: studyabroad@ mercyhurst.edu for more information.
Eucharistic Ministers needed Campus Ministry is in great need of Lectors and Eucharist Ministers for Sunday masses. If you are interested and need to be trained, training will be given on Monday, Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. for Lectors and 7:30 p.m. for Eucharistic Ministers in Christ the King Chapel. If you are trained, please contact Fr. Jim at jpiszker@mercyhurst. edu and we will get you on the schedule right away. Have a tip for Merciad in a Minute? Want to tell others about your club’s events? Email us at merciad@mercyhurst.edu
Contributed photo
Members of Hold Erie Coke Accountable (HECA) environmental group protest at the coal furnace plant at the 2018 Erie People’s Climate March.
Erie Coke to remain open By Maya Bauer Staff writer
The Erie Coke coal furnace plant at the bottom of East Avenue has been a continuous point of contention in the Erie area for years. This year, the company has faced uncertainty about their future in Erie as the Department of Environment and Planning denied their renewal for their Title V operating permit. After consistently neglecting environmental regulations, the DEP sought to shut down the coke plant by filing for injunctive relief in Erie County Court this summer. Many in Erie are troubled by the environmental implications of the coke plant, as it is positioned on the coast of Lake Erie, just mere feet from the water table. The area is a local hot spot for fishing, with the East Avenue Boat Launch bordering the plant to the east. On Aug. 28, Erie Coke was issued a $200,000 fine for mismanagement of wastewater. The proximity of the plant to the lake and water table is a major concern for Mercyhurst’s own Mike Campbell, Ph. D., who has studied the area surrounding Erie Coke for years. Campbell is a leading member of the local organization Hold Erie Coke Accountable, HECA, a group devoted to pushing Erie Coke to “clean up its act.” The emissions from the plant are monitored 24 hours, seven days a week by the DEP, and are known to test positive for benzene. Long-term exposure to this chemical can lead to red blood
Maya Bauer photo
Environmental protest group, Hold Erie Coke Accountable (HECA) had a strong showing at the 2019 Global Climate Strike on Sept. 20.
cell and bone marrow damage, and cancer. The plant, which produces a coal derivative, has been slammed with numerous warnings and fines over the years for violating environmental regulations; most of which have yielded no significant change by the company. The goal of HECA, as listed on their website, is to “hold Erie Coke accountable for the pollution they have expelled into our water and air that is harming our citizen’s health, our environment and our local economy.” HECA welcomes citizen science and the firsthand accounts of people who have had experiences with the plant in order to put pressure on the DEP to tighten regulations on the plant.
Representatives of HECA were present at the Sept. 20 Climate Strike, in an effort to show their support and bring local awareness to their cause. This is not the first time people have engaged in peaceful protest against the plant. In 2018 the People’s Climate March began outside the gates of the factory in protest of the harmful benzene emitted by the plant each day. Efforts from HECA have contributed to the ongoing pressure put on the coke factory to make significant changes. Due to the continued effort by local activist groups, the Erie Coke plant may have to shut its doors permanently if they choose not to reform, a fate shared by the plant’s sister factory, Tonawanda Coke in New
York state. Tonawanda Coke, which was managed under the same people who manage Erie Coke, was forced to close in October of last year after a lengthy history of legal infractions and violating the Clean Air Act. For now, it seems as though the company will be allowed to keep their doors open as long as they abide by the lengthy list of conditions set forth by Environmental Hearing Board Judge Steven C. Beckman. The renewal of Erie Coke’s Title V operating permit is still in question for the time being, and Beckman’s operating conditions for the plant will remain in effect until Erie Coke can appeal the DEP’s denial of a new operating permit.
Come show off your performace skills at the Roost! There will be free Karaoke every Tuesday night from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Bring your friends for an evening of good food and quality entertainment!
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
NEWS
MU commmunity forms Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition By Alex Trabold
Staff writer
Human trafficking is a serious worldwide issue, so Erie is taking charge locally to help combat the horrible business. Several community groups hoped to address human trafficking more directly through The Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition. Now, these local groups have come together with Mercyhurst to officially form a new coalition. The Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition has recently gained the assistance of Intelligence Studies professor, Deborah Davies, Ph.D, here at Mercyhurst University. She seeks to use her experience as a former member of the CIA to help the coalition stop human trafficking. “First of all, I knew there was an initiative to go after this issue in Erie.There was an effort to revive it by the community before I came here,” Davies said. “I knew there was a need to solve it and that I could use my skillset to help accomplish that mission.” Davies acknowledges the challenge of the task at hand, always wanting to take a shot at something that people say is too hard to fix or achieve. Other people from various local organizations have made great contributions to this coalition,
such as members from law enforcement, various victim services and the Sisters of St. Joseph. Duncan McGill, dean of the Ridge College of Intelligence Studies and Applied Sciences, worked alongside one of the organizing partners of the coalition, Erie Dawn Executive Director, Maureen Dunn, to set up this coalition. Their conversation was spurred by the recent events concerning human trafficking. McGill, Bill Welch, M.S., Intelligence Studies professor, and Brad Gleason, M.S., Director of Operations, Ridge College, agreed to work with this coalition in order to use the strategic intelligence capabilities of Mercyhurst University in to defend the Erie community from human trafficking. This will not only help to keep the campus safe, but the city safe. The Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition’s plans involve both Mercyhurst students and those who work to assist victims of human trafficking in general to cooperate more and have stronger involvement, specifically on Davies’ part. Davies has sought to not only improve unity among the community, but also heighten student interest and involvement in how they can make a difference.
“I would say a big part of it is getting the community on the same page,” Davies said. “Educating each other on various issues and barriers blocking efforts to end human trafficking.” Those who could benefit from better cooperation for example, are those who run victim services. They could do wonders with assistance and advice from the police, whom themselves could gain valuable intelligence from the victim services. With a united community and bolstered student involvement, stopping human trafficking becomes much more realistic. McGill also believes that this can bolster the involvement of the Intelligence Department of this university beyond the gates. Davies has high hopes for the future of the coalition and sees potential in the assistance from those attending this university. McGill sees this as Mercyhurst and Ridge College serving their Mercy Mission -a mission that requires giving to the community and benefiting everyone. “The community is continuing to meet, and I will be getting students involved here at Mercyhurst University in the near future,” Davies said.
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STUDENT GOVERNMENT
Friday September 27 Field Hockey: Mercyhurst vs. Millersville 6 p.m. at Saxon Stadium
Bonfire featuring Laker Pride Band and Mercyhurst Cheerleaders Free food and drinks! 7 p.m. behind Old Main
Saturday September 28 Student Tailgate
11:30 a.m. North of Saxon Stadium
Football: Mercyhurst vs. IUP
Green Out: Wear your 2019 Spirit Shirt! Homecoming Crowning at Halftime 1 p.m. Saxon Stadium
Mass in Christ the King Chapel at 4:30 p.m. Volleyball: Mercyhurst vs. Lock Haven 5:05 p.m. Athletic Center
Women’s Soccer: Mercyhurst vs. Seton Hill 7 p.m. Saxon Stadium
MERCYHURST CAMPUS
CRIME LOG Sept. 17: Harassment by communication in Old Main. Sept. 20: Theft in Weber Hall. Sept. 22: Liquor law violation on 700 Block of E. 41 St. Sept. 23: Harassment in Grotto Commons.
FEATURES
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RSCO FEATURE
LAKER ASSET MANAGEMENT CLUB
Staff wears jeans for a cause By Maria Williams Features editor
Contributed photo
Laker Asset Management executive board, Business and finance majors, junior Drew Hoover , junior Garek Schultz and junior Finance and Business Intel major Reid Marlow at the Involvment fair.
By Maria Williams Features editor
Laker Asset Management is a business club that manages a $100,000 portfolio. They were able to get these funds from the university endowment committee. This is $100,000 of the school’s money. “In 2017, we went to the endowment committee, which is made up of investors in the university and other experienced people in the markets that manage the school’s money and we pitched them the idea of having students run a portfolio for practice purposes,” junior Business and Finance major, Drew Hoover said. LAM, as they call it, is all about investments. “In order to teach students how to invest we have different investing activities to get students’ feet in the door,” Hoover said. The goal of this club is to teach students about investing. This can be a part of these students everyday life. It teaches them a life skill. Each semester they have a theme for the investments. “In the past, we have done smart manufacturing. We invested in Microsoft or Oracle,” Hoover said. Significant research needs to be done when picking which companies to invest in. They research what the company does and how it fits the theme of the year. There is a huge risk involved. A $100,000 risk to be exact. The club also has many opportunities and events for those wanting to learn more about investments. Last year, the club took seven students to New York City to visit different investment companies and learn more about the real world of investments. “We met with Goldman Sachs, Blackrock and Federated Investors.” Hoover said. They learned more about the everyday lives of the men and women working for these companies.“We were able to chat with them for a couple hours about what they do within their company.” They also received a lot of advice on life in general on this trip. In the future, they are planning a trip to Pittsburgh. There are several financial companies based out of the city and the trip will benefit those in the group. “It is New York City on a smaller scale.” Hoover said. They also may plan another New York trip if there is enough funding. It is an opportunity you cannot miss. If you are interesed in joining LAM, reach out to the executive board members and check out their website at http://lakerasset.com/. You can also follow them on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Students may see their favorite professor wearing Mercyhurst gear and jeans on Fridays for the rest of the semester. Mercyhurst staff have been switching up their normal formal attire to a more causal blue jean. “Jeans for a Cause” has been a tradition at both the Erie and North East Mercyhurst campuses since 2015. They have donated $6,690 to several charities within the community. These include the ANNA Shelter, Mercy Center for Women, Mission 22 and Hospice of Metropolitan Erie. This is just one way the staff can give back to the community. “The Mercyhurst Staff Senate encourages all employees to wear jeans on Fridays and Mercyhurst spirit gear on top – we’ve dubbed this Jeans for a Cause. Every year, we choose two non-profit organizations to support via Jeans for a Cause,” Courtney Olevnik, direc-
tor of annual giving, said. Choosing an organization takes time and is a process within the Staff Senate. “In order to choose our charity, the Staff Senate executive team each submit charities for consideration. Then, we send a survey to the entire Staff Senate group, over 250 members, and we leave it up to a vote,” Olevink said. The participating staff will donate two dollars per week or 20 dollars for the semester. “The money is collected by the Staff Senate executive team.” Olevnik said. The Erie executive team is made up of Olvenik, Curtis Robinette, Jeremy Hewitt, Renee Wright and Matt Saniflippo. The North East executive team is made up of Laurie Baker and Courtney Phelps. “Jeans for a Cause” is also happening at the North East campus. This is why there are two different non-profit organizations picked each year. For the Erie campus, the Staff Senate board chose the Bloom
Collaborative. Bloom Collaborative is a non-profit organization in Erie that uses art to help those with mental health illneses. The North East campus is donating their money to North East Student Emergency Fund. This non-profit benefits the students in North East. North East has also considered donating to another organization around Christmas. “Jeans for a Cause” is just another way Mercyhurst practices their core values. The staff members are soldifying everything the university stands for. By being socially merciful and globally aware. Their donations are compassionate and are helping those who may not be as fortunate as them and are properly representing Mercyhurst. Now whenever there is a staff member in jeans on Fridays, students will know they are helping those in need. They are giving back to the community. Way to go, Staff!
Make a club mocktail By Marina Boyle Managing editor
This year as part of Alcohol Awareness Week, the Campus Involvement Center will host “Mocktail Hour.” Mocktail Hour will take place in the Student Union on Oct. 30, where students will have the chance to try themed mocktails from a variety of RSCOs and other student groups. The event aims to build awareness about safe drinking habitsand responsible alcohol consumption. However, the medium of getting this message across is a fun one. Any RSCO can sign up to have a station at the event with their own theme and costumes and a mocktail to match their theme. These drinks will be served to the students and staff who attend, and students can also sign up to
join any of the clubs that serve them. Mocktails can be recipes that already exist, or themed drinks created by the club members. Of the clubs signed up so far, Irish Club is excited to take part. “Irish Club is ready to take part in the Campus Involvement Center’s Alcohol Awareness Week event. We hope that the drink we make reflects the Irish culture, especially since the event is in October and Halloween is a traditional Irish pagan event,” club secretary, junior Intelligence Studies major Michelle Benedetti said. The Campus Involvement Center will provide cups, ice, tablecloths and access to electricity for set up. RSCOs can also apply for funding to get the ingredients and decorations they need. As well as being an education-
al event for the student body, RSCOs can win a host of prizes. Prizes will be from Papa John’s, Pop Luck, or The Roost, and RSCOs can compete in the categories of Best Costume, Best Mocktail and Most Creative Theme. The other activities for alcohol education include a pouring activity to test students’ knowledge of alcohol units, the opportunity to wear drunk goggles and a trivia game with giveaways and prizes. It is not too late to get your club involved. Sign-ups are open until Oct. 11 and all interested board members can complete the form at https://tinyurl.com/y63vwcgy to reserve a table for their club. All students who wish to just attend and take part are also highly encouraged to do so!
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
NEW AT HURST By Karrah Savage Contributing writer
Let’s give a warm welcome to the newest member of the Public Health Department at Mercyhurst University, Megan Ferri, Ph.D. Ferri is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and her favorite hobby is aviation. She completed her undergraduate degree at Washington and Jefferson College as well as the University of Xyx Hawaii at Manoa. By Xxxxyxy From there she went on to receive an MPH at yx yx Nova Southeastern University’s Medical School Xxyxyxy xyxyxyxy and then completed medical school at LECOM’s Bradenton Campus. Ferri’s area of specialization is public health, prevention medicine and family medicine and she currently works as a Medical Informatics Consultant Physician in addition to being a professor of Foundations of Public Health, Health Education and Global Health. Her favorite part about Mercyhurst is the community feel, saying it reminds her of her own memories made within her undergrad days. Her advice to incoming freshman is to enjoy it! “Appreciate the friends and the experiences you have here because before you know it, it will be over and you will be living in the real world,” Ferri said. “Also, for any freshmen reading this that are thinking about going to medical school, seriously consider a public health major or minor. Public health concepts are vital to medicine. If I could go back in time and do it over again, I would choose public health as my undergrad major,” Ferri said. As far as advice for graduating seniors, in short; don’t stress. “You are about to embark on a totally new stage in your life whether it’s a job search, new job or graduate school. It is an incredibly exciting time but can also be very stressful. Do your best to not stress out over things that are out of your control,” Ferri said. She is full of advice for Mercyhurst students. Ferri is a professor with passion and the skillset to help many students, especially those interested in a career in the medical field. Welcome to Mercyhurst!
JOIN THE MERCIAD Do you like the content you are seeing in the Merciad? Would you like to help us out with articles or photographs and earn money for your work? We are still looking for writers and photographers! Join us at our reporters’ meetings on Mondays at 7 p.m. in Hirt 214.
FEATURES
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Hurst walks ‘Out of the Darkness’ By Jordan Kessler
Staff writer
September is National Suicide Prevention Month and events are held every year by multiple organizations. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) holds multiple walks all around the United States throughout the entire month. The title of these walks is “Out of the Darkness” to symbolize the overcoming of suicidal thoughts and tendencies. The AFSP’s goal of these walks is to advocate for suicide loss victims and create educational programs to better understand suicide and what causes it. This year in Erie, the Out of the Darkness walk is taking place this upcoming Saturday, Sept. 28th at the Presque Isle State Park Rotary Pavilion. The Erie walk begins at 11:00 a.m. and ends at 12:30 p.m.. Participants are welcome to register online at the AFSP website, afsp.org/ erie, and in person at the time of the walk. However, online registration closes Sept. 27 at noon. Anyone is able to participate in the walk and
to show up to support. Donations are welcome to meet the AFSP’s goal of $32,000 by the end of the year. As of this past Saturday, the site indicated that the goal has only been filled up to the 1/3 mark. Donations from this event are being accepted until the end of December 2019. In addition to donations, anyone is allowed to become a sponsor and the information packet can also be found on the AFSP website. The Mercyhurst Social Work Club is attending the walk as well. Along with participating, they will have a display table with information and activities before the walk begins. They are encouraging everyone to participate in this event. Mercyhurst students and faculty are encouraged to wear their Mercyhurst apparel to represent the school and its moves to support this event. Dr. Tami Micsky, one of the advisors for the club and an Applied Sociology and Social Work professor on campus stated, “Students should consider participating because the walk brings attention to a problem that effects young adults, including college students. It is the
second largest cause of death in ages 15 to 34.” Honor beads will also be worn at this event. This is something the AFSP does for people walking in the event who have lost someone to suicide or has someone close to them struggling with a mental illness. There are nine different colored beaded necklaces, each with a different significance. For example, if someone is wearing a red bead, it means that they have lost their spouse or partner to suicide. Other colors include white, yellow, orange, purple, blue, green, silver and teal. If you participate in the walk, you are welcome to wear one of these beads to show your support to those whose lives have been taken away due to mental health issues and/or suicide. For more information on the Erie Out of the Darkness walk, feel free to contact Nicole Moore at her email nicole.ruffo10@gmail.com or to register for the event and walk with our Social Work Club, register through https://afsp.donordrive. com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.team&teamID=220322 .
Mercyhurst recognizes Sister Natalie’s legacy By Ashley Carr
Staff writer
Sr. Natalie Rossi is the resident Sr. of Mercyhurst’s Campus Ministry. Born and raised in a family of four boys and four girls, Sr. Natalie grew up in Grove City, Pennsylvania. She was a teacher of second grade in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania before taking her vows as a Sr. of Mercy. Sr. Natalie had not always planned to enter into the religious life, but after an encounter with her vivacious teaching supervisor, Sr. Judith, she started thinking about life as a sister for herself. She had been considering an Order that focused on mission, but at the time the Erie Sr.s of Mercy were not considered a Mission order. But she joined anyway. Sr. Natalie says of the experience, “God works in strange ways for eventually I ended up on the Navajo Reservation.” For seven years on the Navajo Reservation, she worked in Team Ministry.
Contributed photo
Sister Natalie enjoys being part of Mercyhurst University.
In addition to her work on the reservation, she taught grades one through eight. She also was instrumental in developing two Life Skills Programs in two prisons: The mens’ Albuquerque Jail, and the Erie County
jail. As a chaplain, she worked as the program director at the Women’s State Prison in Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania for 15 years. At Mercyhurst, she loves spending time with the students who frequent the Campus Ministry Lounge. Sr. Natalie works with the Campus Ministry student groups and other groups of sisters in the Erie area. She loves talking to students. “They are filled with the gift of God’s love if they would only believe it. They struggle so much for loving who God created them to be. I see the goodness even if they don’t,” Sr. Natalie said. Sr. Natalie wishes for Mercyhurst students to become comfortable being themselves and accept others. “Love yourself because that love will radiate to others. As humans we are not perfect, so know that God loves us with our imperfections. Take that love and love others. That is how the world changes.” Sr. Natalie said.
F O L L O W T H E M E R C I A D O N T W I T T E R AT @ T H E M E R C I A D
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FEATURES
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Maya Bauer photo
A sign depicting the damage of climate change on Earth. Students gathered and held these signs for Erie’s Climate Strike on Sept. 20.
Maya Bauer photo
Maya Bauer photo
Signs demanding change in the US government’s policies on climate change.
Students sitting on Erie Art Museum’s steps striking for climate change.
Students strike for a change in environmental policy in US By Maya Bauer
Contributing writer
“Winter is NOT Coming,”read the sign in senior Environmental Science major, Greta Taine’s hand as she sat on the marble steps of the Erie Art Museum at the Sept. 20 Youth Climate Strike. Taine, along with about 150 other people, gathered at the site to peacefully protest government inaction on climate change related issues. The event began with an open-mic session at the art museum which gave local activists a chance to share their experiences and ideas with the crowd. “It was a rather small group at the start, which I liked. There are varying degrees of how people feel about climate change and this gave people who felt really strongly about the issue a platform to speak before more people joined in,” Taine said. A more intimate setting at the museum steps kicked off the day from 10 a.m.- 12 p.m., after which the group marched around Perry Square and stopped to rally outside of the United States Courthouse. There were people of all ages at the strike, many of whom skipped work and school to be part of the global
effort. 150 countries participated in the strike around the world, giving children and adults a chance to speak up and pressure local governments to act. The climate strike fell days before Monday’s U.N. Climate Summit, held in New York, where there is hope that more governments and businesses will take genuine steps to reducing or eliminating fossil fuel use. Fossil fuels like coal, natural gas and petroleum are major contributors to the climate change crisis because of the greenhouse gases that are emitted when they are produced or burnt for fuel. Eliminating fossil fuel use and protecting major ecosystems like forests, grasslands and marshes are critical steps that must be taken to reduce the impacts of climate change. Ecosystems like these are important because they act as carbon sinks, pulling carbon, a driving force of climate change, out of the atmosphere and holding it in the earth. Public involvement in environmental activism has been a powerful movement for decades. In recent years, however, more and more children and young adults have accepted the call to action and begun to participate as well. Greta Thunberg, a 16-year-old Swedish activist, has
recently become an emerging face of the environmental movement. Thunberg, who started Fridays for Future, gathered support around the world for skipping school every Friday since August 2018 in protest of government inaction on climate change issues. Today, young people everywhere are beginning to realize how much this crisis will impact their lives, and they are speaking up about it. This was evident at the Sept. 20 Erie Climate Strike, as many of the participants were kids and young adults. “There are so many of us and sometimes it feels like the older generations have given up on the problem. We will be the next to fill leadership and government roles in society, so it is important for us to set a precedent so that our generation knows what we expect from one another.” Taine said. Early counts estimated that millions participated in this year’s climate strike, a powerful statement to legislators everywhere. Time will tell if the turnout at this event will sway any decisions at the U.N Climate Summit on Sept. 23, but it nevertheless was an encouraging sight to activists around the world.
FEATURES
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
PAGE 9
Contributed photo
Contributed photo
Senator Dan Laughlin, senior Logan Ford and Dr. Joseph Morris pose next to Ford’s poster in the state capitol in Harrisburg.
Ford posing with Chief Justice Thomas Saylor at the Draw the Lines competition.
Ford draws the line at capitol By Lauren Abbott
Editor in chief
On Sept. 24, senior Intelligence Studies and Political Science major Logan Ford traveled to Harrisburg to compete at the state level for the “Draw the Lines” competition. “Draw the Lines” is a non partisan organization with the goal of eliminating gerrymandering, which is the unfair drawing of voting districts, to favor one party over another. “Draw the Lines” allows the public to draw their own congres-
sional and state senate districts to address this issue. Originally done for a class last fall, Ford was excited over the possibility to revisit the topic. “The fun I had being a political nerd was enough to get me to enter again for the current competition without being required to for a class” said Ford. When drawing their maps, contestants looked at factors such as competitiveness, population, equivalence and compactness. “I decided to draw my map to have the most compact districts possible, the most number of
competitive districts possible and divide counties between districts the least amount of times without sacrificing any one of these criteria for the other,” said Ford. Ford went on to describe why he chose these specific criteria to focus his map around. “I chose these values because they are the ones laid out in the PA Constitution in regards to drawing congressional districts,” said Ford. Last semester Ford won a regional honoree award in the Western Higher Education Division. He also won a regional award for
creativity. Following these wins, Ford was invited to the state capitol to compete at the state level. During the day, Ford participated in an awards ceremony and also got to meet with Pennsylvania Chief Justice Thomas Saylor. On Sept. 24 at the award ceremony in Harrisburg, Ford won the state wide Grand Prize and $5,000 for the Higher Education age group. He is also in the running for the People’s Choice competition, but due to the close number of votes, is currently undergoing a recount.
Mercyhurst as a university also represented at the competition. Joseph Morris P.hD., associate professor and chair of the Political Science department, accepted an award on behalf of the department for our campus’s involvement. “The experience has been a true testimony to how the public can and should participate in democracy. It was exhilirating and an honor to not only represent Mercyhurst, but Erie as a whole,” said Ford.
LAKER MOMENT Wednesday Night Fellowship Leaves Notes of Encouragement
Contributed photo
“You are special” note found in Hirt to send positive words to students.
Students may have noticed different colored posted notes around campus with inspiring words on them. Some include, “You are special,” “You are enough” and “Keep your head up.” These words are meant to spread postivity around campus. “Even though they’re small, the words on them can make a big impact,” senior Communication and English major, Julia Lesko said. Make sure to check out these positive words!
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
PAGE 10
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
MIAC SERIES REVIEW
Chenoweth met ‘weth’ success By Alexandra Long Staff writer
ado” by the Eagles and “The Way We Were” by Barbra Streisand were well done and well received by the audience. Chenoweth then performed a humorous number poking fun at “millennialisms,” or slang terms used by young people today such as “lit AF” and “beast mode.” While this song seemed awkward sandwiched between power ballads and musical theater classics, it received laughter and applause from the audience whose members could relate to either not understanding the terms or using them in their everyday conversations.
This was followed by an emotional performance of “Bring Him Home” from the award-winning musical Les Misérables. Before performing the piece, Chenoweth invited veterans sitting in the audience to stand and be recognized for their service. Next, to the delight of many in the audience, Chenoweth performed “Popular” from the musical “Wicked” in which she originated the role of Glinda the Good Witch in 2004. Chenoweth even encouraged audience participation and recording of the number, which many diehard fans of the musical
took her up on. Following this was a powerful rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from “The Wizard of Oz,” which inspired “Wicked” and the novel it was based on. Chenoweth and Campbell then performed a comical number called “I’m Not a Diva” from the unproduced musical adaptation of the film “Soapdish,” which left the audience full of laughter. Chenoweth finished the evening by inviting several Mercyhurst students and alums to perform on stage with her. These students were Paul Caram, Lauren Ganger, John Hetrick,
On Sept. 19, MIAC Live presented Kristin Chenoweth in Concert. Chenoweth, an Emmy and Tony Award winning actress and singer, sang a variety of songs from her past albums, including her newest, “For the Girls,” which is set to release on Sept. 27. Accompanying Chenoweth on the piano was Mary-Mitchell Campbell, a celebrated conductor, composer, music director, orchestrator and arranger. Chenoweth’s performance started with energy as she came out to massive applause wearing a Mercyhurst University t-shirt over her sleek evening gown and sipping a drink from Erie’s own Sara’s Restaurant. She began the evening with Victor Herbert’s “Art is Calling for Me,” an upbeat tune from “The Enchantress” about a singer’s love for performing, which showcased Chenoweth’s impressive operatic range. Chenoweth then took a more sentimental route, singing “I Get Along Without You Very Well” by Hoagy Carmichael and “Fifty Years Long” by Jason Robert Brown, which paid homage to her parents. Next, Chenoweth teased the audience with two songs from her new album “For the Girls,” which is meant to be a symbol of women’s empowerment by showcasing music by female singers and songwriters. Contributed photo Her performances of “I’m a Mercyhurst students and alumni singers pose with Chenoweth after the performance in the Mary D’AngeWoman” by Peggy Lee, “Desper- lo Performing Arts Center.
Owen Hitt, Abby Larimore, Rosie Pregler, Braden Rosciszewski, Jenna Rosciszewski, Bethany Sulecki, Tessa Sayre, Jacob Tretinik and Abby Whitman. The pieces performed by Chenoweth and the Mercyhurst students included what Chenoweth jokingly dubbed “Jesus songs” and showcased her deeply rooted Christian faith. The first hymn, “How Great Thou Art,” received a massive standing ovation from the audience at its completion. The next songs, “Halleluiah” by Leonard Cohen and “Reasons for Hope” by Mary-Mitchell Campbell, were also received extremely well by members of the audience. They concluded with Chenoweth and the students filing off stage, hand in hand, after another standing ovation. Chenoweth’s encore performance was “Smile” from her album “Art of Elegance.” She and Campbell performed the song as a duet and then exited the stage together after thanking the audience one last time. Overall, Chenoweth’s performance was extremely enjoyable to experience. Her astonishing vocal abilities mixed with the high energy she kept up throughout the entire evening were phenomenal. If you enjoyed this performance or were not able to attend, be sure to get tickets for the next MIAC Live event, starring David Sedaris, on Oct. 18.
This show is gonna kill By Victoria McGinty Staff writer
This October, the Mercyhurst Theatre Program is hosting a production of Qui Nguyen’s “She Kills Monsters,” a beautiful synthesis of comedy and fantasy. It was first performed off-broadway at The Flea Theater in 2011. This is the 25th production by Brett Johnson, Ph.D., Theatre Program director, at Mercyhurst. This play tells the tale of Agnes Evans and her life after the tragic demise of her family in a fatal car accident. While preparing to leave her Ohio childhood home, Agnes mourns her deceased sister, Tilly, and finds her Dungeons and Dragons game. Agnes learns to play the game to keep the memory of Tilly alive. This comedic and melodramatic play features a variety of homicidal fairies, horrid ogres and a nostalgic glow of 1990s pop culture. These perfectly mingle with the theme of appreciation for family and loved ones.
Audiences should expect a topsy-turvy journey of an action-packed play that unites us all with our inner warriors and geeks. “She Kills Monsters” is choreographed by guest Randy Kovitz. Kovitz has staged various fight scenes over the years both on and off-broadway and for film and television. Kovitz is assisted by Michael Petyak, who is a fight choreographer and stage movement director at the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center in Midland, Pennsylvania. “She Kills Monsters” showcases a talented cast made up of 19 Mercyhurst students, Elizabeth Shewan (Narrator), Ella Santillano (Tilly), Jenna Rosciszewski (Agnes), Jon Reddinger (Chuck), Nick Woll (Miles), Abby Whitman (Vera), Rosie Pregler (Lilith/ Lilly), Allison Christopher (Kaliope/Kelly), Gianluca Ianiro (Orcus/Ronnie), Colin Domowicz (Steve), Tessa Sayre (Farrah the Faerie), Tori Altsman (Evil Gabbi), Monica Tinsley (Evil Tina) and Genevieve Burgess, Olivia Gaffron, Natalie Gottfried, Ra-
chele Heasley, Amelia Miguez and Janeida Turbi in the ensemble. “She Kills Monsters” is supported by a dedicated production crew, which includes Tucker Topel (scenic designer), Madeleine Steineck (lighting designer), Aaron White (puppet designer), Jennie Cross (choreographer), Andrew Ferguson (technical director), John Prior (assistant technical director), Ben Frieson (sound engineer), Bethany Sulecki (stage manager) and assistant stage managers Skyela Burgess, Darby Shafron and Elizabeth Shewan. Performances of “She Kills Monsters” are held Oct 3 through 6, with a discounted midnight performance on October 4. The production is held in the Taylor Little Theatre. Tickets are $16 for adults, $11 for seniors and $6 for MU students with I.D.
Contrinbuted photo
The “She Kills Monsters” poster.
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
PAGE 11
Piano and strings day is on its way After lunch, they attend a mas- Moser, M.M., and cello instructor hurst faculty is then followed by a terclass and workshop taught by Kellen Degnan, M.M. short dinner and an evening conMercyhurst faculty. Music Education majors also cert in Walker Recital Hall. Instructors involved with Pia- assist to make sure the day runs The day ends around 8 p.m. and On Sept. 28, the Mercyhurst concludes the students’ twelve community will welcome local no and Strings day include violin smoothly. The instruction from Mercy- hour introduction to the life of a students to the annual Piano and and viola instructor Jonathon R. Strings Day. The program is open for students in 6th through 12th grade who play piano, violin, cello or double bass. “We started the program in fall 2015 as a way to increase visibility and recruitment in the strings and piano areas,” says Nathan Hess, D.M.A., D’Angelo Department of Music chair and piano instructor. Since then, the tradition has held strong. Though it is a relatively young program, it has seen success in drawing not only local students, but those as far away as Meadville, Jamestown and Ashtabula. The visiting students have a very busy day planned for them. They start out first thing in the morning with group lessons at 8:30 a.m. Then they have some practice time and sit in on music theory lessons before breaking for lunch Photo by Abigail Stevens at the Grotto Commons. Student pianists and string players can participate in Piano and Strings Day. By Abigail Stevens
Contributing writer
university musician. “Many of the students attending in recent years have been younger, so hopefully as they near high school graduation we will see them audition for our university programs,” Hess said. Hess added that at least three students have gone on to enroll in the D’Angelo Department, and that “they’ve all been top-notch students.” The hope is that this program draws even more of these topnotch piano and string students to Mercyhurst in the future. However, recruitment is not the only purpose that Piano and String Day serves. The even more important goal is to create a unique and worthwhile experience for each of the students who participate in this event. When asked what he most hopes that the young musicians walk away from this experience with, Hess says he hopes they “get a taste of what it’s like to make music in a university setting and have fun while doing it.”
MCO highlights sections TFW you go to TIFF By Abigail Stevens Contributing writer
On Oct. 6, the Mercyhurst Civic Orchestra (MCO) will take to the stage for their fall concert. This performance will take place in the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center at 4:30 p.m. The MCO has an interesting evening of music prepared. Pieces in the concert include a Wind Serenade by Strauss, Dukas’ Fanfare from “La Peri” and Balakirev’s symphonic poem “Russia.” Also being performed is the Concerto for Cello and String Orchestra by Dobrinka Tabakova, which will feature soloist Kellen Degnan, M.M. Degnan is an adjunct instructor at Mercyhurst, who also gives cello lessons and runs the Sullivan Conservatory Suzuki Program. He personally selected this concerto for this fall’s concert. He says that the first time he heard the piece, he was driving in his car listening to the radio. The piece caught his attention so much that he stayed in the car to listen to the rest of it even af-
ter arriving, so he could learn the piece’s name and the identity of the composer. In his own words, “I just had to know what it was,” and he knew that he wanted to play that piece someday. Now he is achieving that goal. Degnan noted that the piece was written by a composer who is still living, which is somewhat unusual. Tobakova is a highly accoladed Bulgarian-born composer who now lives in Britain, and this concerto was written in 2008. While eleven years may seem very old for music like contemporary pop music, it is the blink of an eye for a classical piece. The concerto is by far the newest piece being played for the October concert, and for some context, it is over a hundred years younger than the Balakirev piece. Jonathon Moser, M.M., conductor of the Mercyhurst Civic Orchestra, echoes this sentiment. When asked about the Orchestra performing a piece by a living composer, Moser called it “a unique opportunity.”
He encourages people to come see the concert in October because it features “an outstanding cello faculty” member as a soloist. He says this concert is “unique because it features the orchestra by sections.” The strings are prominently featured in the Tabakova piece, as one might expect from something titled Concerto for Cello and String Orchestra. According to Moser, the other pieces in the concert feature the other sections of the orchestra in their turn. The Strauss Wind Serenade is written for woodwinds and horns, and the Dukas Fanfare is written for brass. This selective highlighting is another aspect of what makes this concert a unique experience. Moser encourages the Mercyhurst community and the general public to attend this concert. Ticket prices are $6 for general admission and $3 for Mercyhurst staff and students with an ID or for children 12 years of age and younger.
By Gabrielle Bejarano
Staff writer
Every year since 2017, members of the Mercyhurst Modern Cinema Club have had the opportunity to attend the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Held annually in Toronto, Canada, TIFF has become one of the most beloved cinematic events in the world, universally regarded as an ideal platform for filmmakers to launch their careers and to premiere their new works. The Festival has been described as the most important film festival in the world. It is arguably the largest, most influential and most inclusive festival of its type. Kallie Olear, Vice President of the Mercyhurst Modern Cinema Club, says that with 37 Mercyhurst students and faculty attending, this year’s trip had the most Mercyhurst attendees since the trip’s introduction to Mercyhurst in 2017. Students attended a variety of world premieres including films like “The Hustlers,” “Bad Edu-
cation,” “A Beautiful Day in The Neighborhood,” “The Personal History of David Copperfield” and more. Those who attended TIFF expressed that the ability to see films before they have even come out in theaters, running into celebrities and experiencing the electric atmosphere of people from all over the world who love movies is what makes the trip so special. Kris Gossett, Ph.D., faculty advisor of the Mercyhurst Modern Cinema Club, notes, “As a movie lover, TIFF is the best weekend I could ever hope for every year.” “Just being in all of those film viewings and listening to the cast, directors and contributors to the movie was worth 10 times what I paid for the tickets,” Gossett said. However, for Gossett, the best part of the trip is not those material aspects. He says, “The most fun I have on this trip is being able to share what I love with students.” If you are interested in attending TIFF 2020, contact the Mercyhurst Modern Cinema Club to reserve your spot.
Like writing? The arts? The Merciad needs writers! Email merciad@mercyhurst.edu for info. You’ll be paid $10 per article! Photo by Abigail Stevens
The string section of the MCO rehearses with Degnan.
OPINION
PAGE 12
GOOD For once, the Merciad’s printer is not having issues!
Senior Year and Expectations need that work experience if you want to get a job after graduation. Also, there’s the whole Miller crushing student debt thing to Opinion Editor deal with, which is hard to do if you don’t have a job. I’m coming up on my last Much of what I just said could semester here at Mercyhurst be applied to getting a car as well. University. If you’ve managed to avoid It’s been a long, tiring, getting a car by riding with others transformative journey, and it is or using public transportation, almost at its end. you’ll almost certainly be pushed The common thing you hear into a situation by graduation in about university is that it’s going which you’ll need to get a car. to change you. You need a car not just to take Truth is, it’s not one major yourself to school and various thing that it changes about you, social events every day, but also but hundreds of small things because you basically need a car that culminate in you undergoing to get a job post-graduation. a transformation whether you In almost every job interview wanted it to happen or not. I’ve ever had, I’ve been asked I think that the biggest if I have reliable transportation, change is that you have to take meaning a car. responsibility for so much more It’ll be much harder for you than you had to in high school. to get a job after graduation if There’s all the small stuff, you don’t have one, so onto the obviously, like how you’re now responsibilities pile it goes. responsible for doing all the That’s before we get into taking dishes and doing all of your own care of your car, and everything laundry. it entails. But then there’s the bigger I hope you know a mechanic, things, like how you’re expected or are able to do your own to deal with a much heavier maintinence. workload under much stricter How many of you reading this deadlines. had bank accounts at the start of In high school, you had a lot your college careers? of wiggle room as to when or I’d think the ratio would be where you could go wrong. something close to 50/50, with In university, not so much. many incoming students not Yet, I feel that the idea that seeing a reason for them yet. professors don’t care if you pass By the end of your senior year, or not isn’t accurate. you’ll basically need to have one. All of my professors have If you plan on doing a work taken a vested interest in my study on campus or doing any education and success. sort of work on campus that They’ve reached out to me if involves you getting paid, you all I’ve been struggling, given me but need a bank account. bonus opportunities to catch up That means you need to open and even extended deadlines to an account, get a card that goes help me deal with my cramped with it and manage your finances schedule. on your own time. Maybe things are different It’s very mundane, but having outside of the English and your own bank account and Political Science departments finances in that account to — and all the STEM professors manage is a massive responsibility match the stereotype — but I’m you have to manage. not convinced of that. And let’s not even get into From my experience, if you credit cards and building credit, reach out to your professors and which you’re going to want to do make a genuine effort to do your if you want to have any sort of best, they will do their all to assist reasonable credit score after you you. graduate. Then there’s the added On top of that, you have responsibilities that emerge as the social circles that university you enter adulthood. thrusts you into, and those add If you didn’t have a job at on plenty of new responsibilities the start of your college career, as well. there’s a very good change you’re I was always the shy, going to have one by the end of introverted kid in high school. your senior year. You had to pry words out of This is partly because you’ll me like prying a trapped man out need the money to pay for a of his car. car, gas, food and other such Yet, four years later, I’m getting commodities. invited to go to Wednesdays at It will also be because you’ll the Cornerstone with friends.
By Anthony
BAD There are two weeks ahead of us until our next break.
INTERESTING Encouraging post-it notes have started popping up all across campus.
The Merciad STUDENT EDITORS Lauren Abbott ..........................Editor in Chief Marina Boyle ........................Managing Editor Kristian Biega ...............................News Editor Maria Williams .......................Features Editor Bernard Garwig ..........................Sports Editor Lauren Ganger ..............................A&E Editor Anthony Miller ..........................Opinion Editor Rebecca Dunphy ...........................Copy Editor Megan Stubbs ............................ Ad Manager Steph Przepiora ...................................Advisor Contact editors at merciad@mercyhurst.edu
The Merciad is the official student-produced newspaper of Mercyhurst University. It is published throughout the school year. Our office is in Hirt, Room 110. The Merciad welcomes letters to the editor. All letters must be signed and names will be included with the letters. Although we will not edit the letters for content, we reserve the right to trim letters to fit. Letters are due Mondays by noon and may not be more than 300 words. Submit letters to box PH 485 or via email at merciad@mercyhurst.edu.
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
All of a sudden I have social responsibilities to deal with, and it dawns on me just how far away I am from my younger self. Social responsibilities are one thing that you don’t really have to think about when you’re younger. You don’t have to worry about meeting up with a certain person at a certain time to talk about a certain thing. Your parents take care of all of that for you. So it really is a sign that you’ve changed when all of those social responsibilities are being loaded onto you. Then there is the matter of the miscellaneous stuff. Things like my commitment to the Merciad and the Lumen. As an editor for both of these publications, I have a responsibility to uphold, both to myself and to my fellow editors. These new responsibilities don’t all come onto you at once. If you’re a freshmen, you don’t have to worry about taking on all of this stuff at the same time. Just be aware that this stuff is coming and that it is going to change you. I can safely say that it’s changed me. Four years ago, I was just a young kid by comparison, drifting into university without any bonds or connections to anyone or anything beyond my family and small ring of friends. Now I’m an editor for a newspaper, an editor for a literary magazine, a cashier at GetGo and, perhaps strangest of all to a younger me, a person that can buy what he wants when he wants with money he has in a bank account. All of this is possible because I took up extra responsibilities. It feels as if all I have to do at this point to bury that young version of me forever is to take out some stocks, but I’m not quite ready for that yet. At the end of the day, you have a great deal of expectations placed on you as a senior student. It can be, and often is, an incredibly stressful experience. People expect a lot of you now that you’re an adult in all but name. Yet, those expectations shape and change you. While it may seem needless or impossible to take up all of these additional responsibilities on top of your school life, it is well worth it in the end. These extra opportunities not only give you an edge in the postgraduation job hunt, but they will help you grow as a person.
The views expressed in the opinion section of The Merciad do not necessarily reflect the views of Mercyhurst University, the staff of The Merciad or the Catholic Church. Responses on any subject are welcome and can be emailed to merciad@mercyhurst.edu
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
OPINION
Mass of the Holy Spirit a Success the choir. When a choir is good, I find By Gillian that listening to their harmonies Mazur makes them sound almost Staff writer angelic. Without the instruments On Sept. 19, Mercyhurst held overbearing on the choir’s voices its annual all-school mass, the they sounded beautiful. Mass of the Holy Spirit. The choirs sound really added Similar to Hurst Day, the to the beauty and reverence of weather was perfect. Christ the King Chapel. It was so full of sunshine, not a Even though I am not cloud in the sky. Catholic, I have attended Catholic I think that it might have schools all my life. been God’s way of blessing When calculated out fully, Mercyhurst and its strong I have attended roughly 432 commitment to continuing its masses between grade school and Mercy heritage. high school alone, give or take a This year I got to observe the few. mass as if through the eyes of a The Catholic faith has been freshman. both inclusive and exclusive in While I was able to attend the my own experience, through Mass last year, things got in the mass and other religious way of me properly experiencing functions like retreats. it. Mercyhurst has made a strong Last year I had a class that ran effort to be inclusive, and this too close to the mass. effort showed during the Mass of So when I arrived, the place the Holy Spirit. was so packed that I had to stand As one of the biggest masses in the halls of Old Main during of the year, I thought that the entire service. Mercyhurst did an excellent job at This year I made sure to trying to make others who do not arrive early to save seats for identify as Catholic, practice their both myself, my teammates and faith regularly or speak different friends. languages feel welcome. It worked out much better for At the beginning of the mass, us in the end, we got the seats we a speaker told everyone what wanted. to do if they wanted to receive When I first arrived, I got communion, a blessing or to hear the choir warm up by neither. singing some of the songs that During the Pentecost were to be performed a cappella Sequence, several members of later. the Mercyhurst community spoke One of my favorite aspects of the same sentence in a different any Catholic Mass is listening to language which I thought was
very inclusive. Although I could not understand what they were saying it was interesting to hear all of the different languages. With all of the masses that I have been to, I have never been to one with dancers. But the ones they had at the Mass of the Holy Spirit were very graceful and did the job with reverence. During the earlier part of the mass, the crowd was able to get in a good chuckle when one of the lectors began to welcome everyone when she was soon drowned out by the choir singing their second song. Moments like this allowed the Mass to maintain a lighthearted atmosphere. I really enjoyed the speakers this year as well. Fr. Doug May brought both stories and experience from his childhood and travels. He spread some good messages and told some good stories from his life. Following the mass, a picnic was held afterward outside between Old Main and Zurn. Anytime that Parkhurst rolls out the black catering uniforms I know the food will be good. I enjoyed the free food, not only did I get to save swipes, but it was really good! On the whole, I thought the Mass of the Holy Spirit was a wonderful event this year. It is an amazing tradition that brings much to the campus, and I hope to see it continue.
PAGE 13
HURST STUDENTS
SPEAK UP We asked: What are your plans for this fall?
Adrienne Nannen, Senior Integrated Communications major: “I’m going to a corn maze and pumpkin patch at Port Farms with MAC/SAC.”
Ethan Wagner, Freshman Interior Architecture and Design major: “I plan on meeting new people.”
Kiran Richards, Junior History major: “I always go hunting in the fall!”
Brenden Jackett, Junior Intelligence Studies Major: “I’m going to a fall farm with my niece.”
Compiled by Sarah Klein
Student gives her reasons to love fall By Victoria McGinty Staff writer
Fall, Autumn, Harvest season - or whatever name one may call fall, is not far off from being the center stage season. The leaves will begin to transform into an array of reds, oranges and yellows. The wind will once again introduce us to a familiar chill we once recognized many months ago. We will once again obsess over pumpkin spice flavoring. The change in season may sadden some. We are abandoning the long days of beachwear and ice cream cones. Instead, we replace those days with warm sweaters and apple pies. Fall is just around the corner and as a freshman university student, I heavily anticipate the transformation both on the hill
and around the Hurst. Just over a month ago, Mercyhurst was once again graced by students, professors and staff. The air was warm and the excitement of new classes and decorating dorms was the main thought of nearly all students alike. Now that some time has passed, we are all settled into our new daily agendas, signed up for clubs and maybe even making a new friend or two. Now that fall is just around the corner, the campus is in full swing and we are almost to the benchmark of the first academic semester. In all, we’ve settled into our lives here at Mercyhurst. When most think of fall they may think of hometown traditions such as haunted house festivities, apple picking or even something like Friday night football games. On the other hand, some-including myself may see autumn as a chance to realign ourselves,
a time to revive an organized lifestyle and a chance at a blank academic canvas. Autumn nonetheless, is a time where we can truly realign ourselves. With this, we can settle into a new school year or even a new lifestyle. For many students, this fall marks their first or last year here at Mercyhurst and acts as a chance to start off on the right foot. Or, they could end things with a bang. They may be trying things for the first time, or reminiscing as they go about their last fall at Mercyhurst. Nonetheless, autumn marks an era of change not just in season, but for all kinds of people as well. While the seasonal shift makes us nostalgic for the dog days of summer, fall helps in making those hopeful for the end of the year. With talk of pumpkin spice drinks, Halloween, and eventually
Thanksgiving and Christmas, we can’t help but notice our social media timelines and social circles get excited for these upcoming traditions. As children, we anxiously awaited to buy our Halloween costumes, yearn for holiday breaks in our early school days and open presents on Christmas Day. Now that we are all older, we anticipate the endless nights of relaxing around a blissful bonfire. We sit around, taking cliché, yet beautiful fall pictures at sunflower fields, pumpkin patches, or other such places. Some of us will even be waiting in line all night to get into our favorite annual haunted house. Regardless, autumn and the following months never fail to hype up any man, woman, or child for the end-of-year festivities and holidays. While the season ahead is the one that is most heavily anticipated, we must appreciate how far we have grown these
past months. We have learned much, we have grown and we have changed. We are approaching an exciting season that is both new and familiar. Fall reminds us that we have come so far and we are incredibly close to a new beginning - a new year. In a short time, we will be propped against our rainy windowpanes feeling nostalgic for sunny days. We’ll be longing for the days when we would blast music in the car with the windows down with friends - the wind teasing back our hair. On the other hand, we anticipate the last few months ahead. We plan to make new memories with our friends, partners and ourselves. We yearn to become the best version of ourselves we can create before the last crimson leaf falls.
SPORTS
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Wednesday, September 25, 2019
MU places 13th in OH invite
By Gillian Mazur Staff writer
On Sept. 20 Mercyhurst University’s Women’s golf team traveled to Pataskala, Ohio to participate in the Ohio Dominican Invitational. A two-day, invite-only tournament held at the Cumberland Trail Golf Club, the Ohio Dominican tournament was located just minutes east of downtown Columbus, OH. Junior Claire Orr said, “We’ve never been to this tournament before, so getting to know the course was challenging.” Mercyhurst placed thirteenth out of sixteen competing institutions with a total score of 651 (335-316). The top three teams consisted of Tiffin University (602), Ferris State University (604) and Gannon University (609). “Ohio Dominican University’s course has a lot of challenging holes and tested a lot of our shots,” Orr said. All of the teams played five players and the top four players scores are counted in the school’s total team score.
Contributed photo
Laker junior Claire Orr looks on after a swing. Women’s golf placed 13th at the Ohio Dominican Invitational tournament, held Sept. 20-21.
Many of the schools also had a player in the individual bracket with 92 other women. The Mercyhurst Lakers’ team score was led by Orr (152, 7973), followed by seniors Bridget Merten (164, 84-80), Abigail Vietmeier (165, 82-83) and Michaela Thomas (170, 90-80).
Senior Victoria Ortiz’s score (179, 93-86) did not affect Mercyhurst’s overall team score. Freshman Kymberly Henry played as an individual against 92 others and tied for twenty-third with a final score of 156 (81-75). To compare, Josie Townsend from Lake Erie College ranked
Club sports will be prioritized for Lakers By Marina Boyle Managing editor
As Mercyhurst North East merges with our main campus and our Athletics Department continues their vision for sports at the Hurst, club sports are going to be front and center. In recent years club sports across the nation have grown in popularity and competitiveness, representing another category that falls somewhere between intramural sports and varsity teams on campuses. Club sports are now a high-level, increasingly competitive activity that are part of any university’s offerings to prospective students with athletic interests. Laura Zirkle, vice president of Student Life, has called club sports “a whole other athletic opportunity we haven’t hit on.” While Mercyhurst does already have some well-established club options, such as the club hockey teams, club sailing and a club equestrian team, there is plenty of space for growth. “We want to create a robust club program as an addition to our robust varsity program, especially as it has become apparent that there are a growing number of people who are athletic but are not ready for the full commitment of an athletic team in the most competitive realm.”
That said, club sports will not be simply intramural activities – they will be opportunities for challenge and growth in sport for the participating athletes. “Club sports have moved to being competitive in themselves. Due to new facilities like the lights on our fields and our third field added this year, we have added hours of availability time. High-level club sports are now a tangible opportunity for us.” As Mercyhurst North East joins our main campus, there are also a variety of sports that can move with the student body from that campus. Although the junior college level teams themselves cannot move, individual athletes and the specific sports can. This creates an opportunity for students that either don’t want to play at varsity level, or don’t have the time to commit to a D1 or D2 sport for four years during their time at Mercyhurst. “You can be nimble with club teams,” Zirkle said. “A few years ago there was a phenomenon with schools starting competitive Quidditch teams. While that phenomenon may have died out, we have the opportunity with club sports to provide more niche offerings and quirky, non-traditional sports like darts or ultimate frisbee.” Since the decision to promote
club sports was made, there has been investment in club coaches and attempts to make them recruiters for their sports. Mercyhurst hopes that students will actually choose this university for a club sport in the same way they would for a major or a varsity team. “Club sports as a program are student funded and driven by student participation,” Brad Davis, Athletic Director, said. “We hope to grow enrollment and bring a different type of student to Mercyhurst with them. The beauty of these sports is that how much you want to get into it is driven by you as the athlete.” Davis also remarked that these sports can change year by year depending on talent and interest, offering more flexibility than traditional varsity teams would be able to do. “There are no limits because there are no NCAA rules. The only constraints are budget and interest level,” Davis said. According to both Zirkle and Davis, Mercyhurst is committed and jumping in with both feet. “At varsity level there are extremely large schools we could play 100 times and never win,” Davis said. “The great appeal of playing on or supporting a Laker club team is that we could play schools like Villa Nova or Syracuse and beat them.”
92nd and shot 226 (120-106) in the individual ranking and overall leaderboard. On Sept. 21 the Lakers’ score was led by Orr who birdied two holes, double bogeyed another hole, and bogeyed seven holes leading to a score of 79. Orr said, “Our first day was a
slow start for us, but we were able to come back the second day and everyone was able to improve.” Orr also led the team’s score on the second day with birdieing one hole and bogeying two holes with a score of 73. There is also a leaderboard that ranks players from both the team and individual players in one big ranking of who did the best. Christina Williams from Malone University came in at first shooting 139 (71-68). Orr placed in the top ten coming in at ninth place right behind Alyssa Wrozier from the University of Charleston (151, 76-75). “It’s always more difficult to score well in more competitive tournaments like ODU’s [Ohio Dominican University], so I was really happy with how I played and how our team improved on Sunday,” said Orr. The Lakers are next on the green at the Findlay Invitational Oct. 7-8. That will be the last competition before the Lakers are set to compete at the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) tournament Oct. 18-20.
HURST RESULTS Sept. 21: Football vs. Bloomsburg University: 38-24, Lakers (2-1) Sept. 21: Volleyball vs. Notre Dame College (Ohio) and West Liberty University: 3-0, Lakers in both contests (8-3) Sept. 21: Women’s ice hockey vs. University of Guelph: 4-0, Lakers (exhibition game) Sept. 22-23: Men’s golf @ Mercyhurst Invitational: The Lakers placed second (IUP placed first, winning 161-162 with one stroke less than the Lakers) Sept. 24: Men’s soccer vs. Dominican College: 1-2, Dominican (Lakers are 2-1-1)
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
SPORTS
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Laker open PSAC schedule By Bernard Garwig
Sports editor
Starting the season with games against nonconference opponents, the Mercyhurst women’s soccer team had their first series of games this week against Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) opponents. The first of those such opponents were the Gannon University Golden Knights in a Sept. 18 night game. Mercyhurst blanked the Knights 3-0. “We really came ready to play,” senior midfielder Maya Bauer said. “Our team hasn’t beaten Gannon in a year, so we wanted to change that. Obviously it is a huge rivalry for us, so emotions were high as always, but we did a good job of settling down when we got the lead and keeping our composure through the remainder of the game. We didn’t concede a goal, which was a massive positive for us.” The Lakers went up in the first half, with a goal coming from freshman forward Alyssa Otto 29 minutes and six seconds into the game. Otto would score a second goal soon after the start of the second half at 46:31. Senior Maia Russo scored the final tally for the Lakers at 64:41. The Golden Knights ended the night scoreless, shut out by Laker senior goalie Vilde Wold, who recorded three saves in each half for a total of six.
Gillian Mazur photo
No. 18 Kenzie Grenell and No. 16 Beata Sandling run alongside players from Slippery Rock University towards the ball. The Lakers fell 1-2 in that game, coming off a 3-0 victory against Gannon University.
Coming off of their victory, the Lakers next played Slippery Rock University on Sept. 21. “We were about three minutes away from beating a high ranking team, and giving up that first goal came from not taking care of the details,” Bauer said. “You can’t slow down for even a minute against PSAC teams, or else you’ll pay for it. There were some
sloppy mistakes made at the end of the game that led to our overtime loss. However, the fact that we played so well against them is promising. I felt like we absolutely dominated them in terms of passing second half, which gave us the momentum we needed at the time. I’m looking forward to meeting them on the field again.” Otto once again scored the first
PHOTO FINISH
score of the game at 51:29. Slippery Rock managed to score with under four minutes remaining, tying the game until the clock expired. Slippery Rock found the net in overtime, resulting in the Lakers’ loss. Next on the Lakers’ schedule was a Sept. 23 game against the Edinboro University Fighting
Scots, a makeup for a canceled contest on Sept. 11. The Fighting Scots took the lead on the Lakers by two goals (49:09 and 71:14) and ultimately won the contest, 2-1. The Lakers’ Laia Santos scored the single goal for the Lakers at 86:23, minutes before the end of the game. Next on the Lakers’ (2-2-1, 1-2-0 PSAC) schedule is a trip to University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown (1-2) on Wednesday. The Lakers will return to Saxon Stadium for homecoming weekend, playing Seton Hill University in a 7 p.m. game Saturday. “This season has been an absolute joy so far,” Bauer said. “We have a great group of talented girls, and it is extremely competitive even within our team to get minutes. We manage this well though, because the competition doesn’t drive us apart. We are each other’s biggest fans, and the teamfirst mentality gets us through the hard times together. A major team goal we have is to make it to the conference playoffs. It hasn’t been done since I’ve been here and based on what I’ve seen from our team so far, I think it is very possible if we keep working to improve. People are talking about our team for the first time in a while, and that feels really good. We’ve been getting more support than ever from fans and it doesn’t go unnoticed, we appreciate it so much.”
LET’S GO,
LAKERS! Sept. 27, Saxon Stadium @ 6 p.m.: Field hockey vs. Millersville University Sept. 28, Saxon Stadium @ 1 p.m.: Football vs. Indiana University of Pennsylvania (Homecoming) Sept. 28, Mercyhurst Athletic Center @ 5:05 p.m.: Volleyball vs. Lock Haven University Photo by Spencer Hess
Sophomore William Hahn jumps with the ball as freshman Shawn Hayes and sophomore Mike Dulik look to block at the Exit 44 basketball tournament on Sept. 8. A second tournament will be held Wednesday at 4 p.m. The tournament proceeds are going towards the senior class gift.
Sept. 28, Saxon Stadium @ 7 p.m.: Women’s soccer vs. Seton Hill University
PAGE 16
LAKER LIVING
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
HURST TOON Student-drawn cartoon by the Chuckler