November 6th edition of The Merciad

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, N OV E M B E R 6 , 2 01 9

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VOL. 93 NO. 7

MU Celebrates Athletic Wins

Online poll results We asked: What TV series is the most binge-worthy?

4: Hurst announces Accelerated Scholars Program

11: Wainwright performs in PAC 15: MU football beats Gannon Golden Knights

The Office (44%) Grey’s Anatomy (24%) Stranger Things (20%) Friends (12%)

This week’s

POLL

If you were a time traveler, what era would you travel to?

merciad.mercyhurst.edu

NEWS

PAGE 2

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Show your support pets and vets at ‘Wags for Warriors’

By Kristian Biega

News Editor

On Thursday, Nov. 14, Alexander Regina, Ph. D., associate professor of Marketing, and his Social Media Marketing class will be hosting a community fundraiser event called “Wags for Warriors.”

This project has been a semester in the making and will benefit the Pets for Vets Organization and the A.N.N.A. Shelter.

Regina had the idea planned for his students as a way to apply their collective talents to serve the greater Erie community.

Senior Graphic Design major Matt Mellish explained that he and his fellow students in the class have been working with many moving pieces to put the event together. They ordered and designed t-shirts, organized raffle baskets and contacted local businesses, all while marketing the event cohesively as a class.

In order to stay on top of things, the class must use their time and limited budget efficiently.

“Trying to be proactive, instead of reactive, is certainly a challenge,” Mellish said. “Equally as problematic is trying to use a very small budget to create an event that people are excited about. By

using only donations and a small portion of funding from the Business department, we are forced to think more practically and use our connections for an advantage.”

The beginning of the process seemed slow-going for the class, but the approaching date is quickly becoming real.

“The hardest part of putting this whole thing together was when donations were coming in slowly at the very beginning,” senior Graphic Design major Katie Kizka said. “None of us knew if it was really going to take off.”

The choice to support Pets for Vets and the A.N.N.A. Shelter was a group decision made by the class.

“With Veteran’s Day happening right around our time-frame and our collective love for animals, we wanted to create a charity event that would raise money for both the Pets for Vets Organization and the A.N.N.A Shelter,” Mellish said. “The entirety of the class has continually been involved in raising awareness and using our individual talents and connections to plan and market this large scale fundraiser.”

Kizka has enjoyed working with the shelter to promote their cause.

“I think the best part of the

experience has been going to the A.N.N.A. Shelter to take pictures of the animals and seeing how much the people there care about the animals and the whole organization,” Kizka said.

While Bourbon Barrel is a popular downtown hangout for students, Wags for Warriors will be an entirely new experience with a wide variety of entertainment.

“This is not going to be your typical night out downtown.

There will be a variety of food, drink specials, a DJ, live entertainment, a photo booth, incredible prizes and, of course, dogs,” Mellish said. “The event itself is going to be a fun experience, that I think everyone will really enjoy.”

The class is excited for the impact that the fundraiser will have on the community and credits them for the support they have shown during the entire process.

“This is a wonderful representation of how people can collectively make a difference for the community. Everyone has been extremely gracious and we would not be able to have the event without these groups, especially Contributed photo the faculty and staff from Mercyhurst,” Mellish said.

Tickets will be sold during lunch hours at the Grotto Commons every day until the night of the event.

On Saturday Nov. 2, Mercyhurst honored 25 football seniors and two cheerleading seniors at the Mercyhurst vs. Gannon game at Saxon Stadium. Best of luck to all of our seniors!

Come show off your performance 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, November 6, 2019

NEWS

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Contributed photo

The bluffs along the Lake Erie shoreline have been steadily eroded for years. The constant crashing of waves on the glacial deposits can cause the bluffs to collapse.

Bluff erosion model helps restore Lake Erie shoreline

By Alex Trabold

Staff writer

Recently Mercyhurst was awarded a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create a bluff erosion model to protect and restore the Lake Erie Coastal Zone. Key members of this project include Environmental Science co-directors Nicholas Lang, Ph.D., chair of the Geology department and Christopher Dolanc, Ph.D., assistant professor of Biology.

According to the press release from Mercyhurst University, the model will be “created from tree ring and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data.” This process as well as climate data will help researchers to determine the erosion event frequency over the past 150 years.

The main purpose of the project is to undo the damage to the bluffs along the Lake Erie shoreline caused by the crashing waves.

“Much of the shoreline along the southern edge of Lake Erie is made up of bluffs, or cliffs,” Lang said. “These bluffs consist of easily erodible glacial deposits and the crashing of the waves on Lake Erie into those bluffs undermines them and causes them to collapse.”

The sections of the coastline that are to be developed by 2030 through the project will be in North Springfield to Fairview townships according to the 2009 Pennsylvania Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Plan.

Lang emphasizes the significance of this issue as all property owners along the shoreline

are losing real estate. Any infrastructures, such as houses near the bluff edge, are at risk of falling into the lake.

“The rate at which this erosion occurs varies along the coastline,” Lang said. “Along some stretches of the coast, this erosion may be over two feet per year whereas along other stretches it can be less than a foot per year. So putting tighter constraints on the rate of erosion and how that erosion is actually occurring allows for better planning of how land along the shoreline is used.”

Lang emphasizes how this information can assist landowners about which parts of the shorelines are the biggest risk, along with the rest of Erie County.

“It’s important to protect much of the shoreline in its natural state, for the organisms that live there, and to allow processes like erosion to happen naturally,” Dolanc said. “However, it’s unreasonable to expect zero development along the shore in a place like Erie County, so we hope to offer guidelines regarding the most stable locations for development, to focus those efforts in places that are best for both human society and the natural ecosystems.”

Both Lang and Dolanc cite time as their biggest challenge.

With the amount of shoreline to cover and only a year to perform the project, they will need to cover all the ground they possibly can.

“We will focus on sections of the shoreline where community growth is predicted to be the greatest over the next several years,” Lang said. “We will

also need to collect a lot of tree cores with this project to help answer some of the questions we are asking and processing all of them will take a good amount of time.”

Dolanc is interested in the new type of dendrochronology needed for this project. Dendrochronology is the technique of dating and analyzing environmental change through the patterns of annual growth rings in tree trunks.

“Previously, I have used tree rings to determine how tree species respond to climate, or to understand the natural history of an area, but this will be the first time I’ve used tree rings for a direct application to human society,” Dolanc said.

Lang is entering a new area of research as well. Most of his work has typically examined landscapes on planet Earth and other planets that have been shaped by the volcanic process.

Looking at hillside erosion is not something that he has done much of before.

“This work will also incorporate a good amount of dendrochronology to see if we can more precisely pinpoint when some of the erosion events along the lake shore occurred,” Lang said.

It seems that not only will this project be beneficial to the Laker Erie Coastal Zone, but also to students and their research here at Mercyhurst University.

“Doing any sort of research is a great opportunity to practice and continue to hone various skills that, as educators, we can bring into the classroom,” Lang said. “It helps us stay on top of

Contributed photo

The project involved dendrochronology to see how much erosion damage has happened along the shoreline over the past 150 years. Dendrochronology is the technique of dating and analyzing environmental change through the patterns of annual growth rings in tree trunks.

current and relevant issues that allow us to keep our classes up to date, which is always in the best interest of our students.”

Lang and Dolanc will also have undergraduate students involved in the research process for the buff erosion model.

“Getting students involved in the research process is something I very much enjoy doing,”

Lang said, “that is one of the reasons why I really love being at an undergraduate-focused program.”

Those involved in the project are expected to present their findings publicly at Mercyhurst at a workshop in the spring of 2021.

NEWS

PAGE 4

Merciad IN A MINUTE Leaders In Heels Event

Mercyhurst Alumni Engagement and the Mercyhurst Fashion Council are presenting the “Leaders in Heels” networking event on Nov. 15 at 7 p.m.

Leaders in Heels will host alumni in the fashion industry for a panel in the Mercy Heritage Room followed by hors d’oeuvres and networking at The Roost at 8 p.m.

RSVP to the Fashion Council by Nov. 12.

Attire is business casual.

MU Bowling Club hosts Turkey-Thon

On Sunday Nov. 17 at 1 p.m., the Mercyhurst Bowling Club will host their first annual Makea-Wish Turkey-Thon at Eastway Lanes.

Bowling will be $10 per person with valid student I.D. This price will include 3 bowling games and rental shoes.

There will be a 50/50 raffle, a Chinese auction and pizza and drinks available for purchase.

All proceeds go to the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Contact Andrew Dulya via email at adulya10@ lakers.mercyhurst.edu for more information.

Availability for Jubilee

“Jubilee” is a Christian conference sponsored by the Coalition for Christian Outreach in Pittsburgh, PA on Feb. 21-23, 2020.

The cost to attend is $149 which includes transportation, the conference fee and breakfast.

There is a $50 deposit due to Jenell Patton in Campus Ministry by Thanksgiving Break.

Transportation will be provided to and from the conference.

There are only a few spaces left, so sign up or contact Jenell soon at jpatton@mercyhurst. edu.

Sign-ups are in the Campus Ministry Lounge.

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

High schoolers able to earn MU college credits

By Katy Vaccariello Staff writer

News has begun to spread about the new path Mercyhurst is taking in regards to accelerated degrees. This new opportunity is for high school students to jump ahead on their future. This chance is Mercyhurst’s brand new Accelerated Scholars Program available to qualified juniors and seniors in high school.

Programs have been available through Mercyhurst for some time, but this year’s new approach is designed to have a more seamless transition from high school to college. The alterations to the program benefit students both educationally and monetarily.

The process begins when a qualified high school student picks out a few entry-level college courses such as Calculus 1 or American Government. The high school student will take a total of five college courses throughout the program. One class in Spring 2020, two in Summer 2020, one in Fall 2020, and another one in Spring 2021.

All courses will be held online for the convenience of the student.

Steven Gregg, Director of Programming at the Booker T. Washington Center and Corry, said, “With the strong academic quality of Mercyhurst’s online course offerings we were able to build a program that would not only be easily accessible for high school students from all over, but cost effective for families trying to make going to college more affordable.”

Contributed photo

Students can take up to 17 credits before graduating high school through Mercyhurst’s new initiative.

The courses available through the Accelerated Scholars Program will not be taught by graduate students or teaching assistants. Instead, students will be working directly with Mercyhurst professors who are always eager to get to know the students and passionate about engaging with students in a class-

room setting.

Although the courses will be online, the syllabi and online format are designed to be interactive both with peers and faculty. The course will keep students engaged with several forms of communication and collaborative assignments.

These classes will be paid for

with a monthly fee automatically withdrawn from a credit or debit account. This flat fee for 17 months is $139 a month and that payment covers any textbook rentals needed.

At the conclusion of the program the student has the choice of where to go to college. If the student does not choose Mercyhurst, all credits are highly transferable. If they do pick Mercyhurst, the student will receive a reimbursement Accelerated Scholars Scholarship towards their first semester as a freshman.

Not only will the student walk away with a semester of college under their belt, but the credits may be eligible for high school dual enrollment. If applicable, study halls and free periods can be used to complete course work.

Gregg said, “As a way of saving money, and a way of speeding up degree completion we are seeing more and more freshmen enrolling having already earned college credits either through traditional dual enrollment programs or through Advanced Placement courses.”

This opportunity opens up a student’s schedule once on campus. By eliminating several general education courses before attending college, the student will have a better chance to study abroad or pick up additional majors.

If interested in the program, or if you know a student who would be interested, go to Mercyhurst.Edu/academics/accelerated-scholars to find the application.

DID YOU KNOW? Instead of throwing away your plastic shopping bags, you can recycle them into composite building materials!

Bring any CLEAN, DRY plastic bags to several locations on campus such as the back door of the Student Union or the lobby of Ryan Hall.

Do not place any other items other than plastic bags in these bins.

Contact sbennett@mercyhurst.edu for any questions.

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Wednesday, November 6, 2019

NEWS

Handshake, MFA and mobile ordering discussed at forum

By Katy Vaccariello

Staff writer

On Monday Nov. 4, Mercyhurst Student Government (MSG) held its biannual Fall Forum in the Student Union Great Room. What was once held as a panel discussion interaction has now become a oneon-one question and answer opportunity following short discussion from the attending panelists.

“I thought this was a more approachable way for students to get the answers they needed, by asking the experts,” MSG President, Abby Staub, said.

This semester’s panelists included Heather Balas, director of the Career Development Center, Jeanette Britt, vice president for Technology and Chief Information Officer, Katie Boyd Parkhurst general manager and Hannah Cox, director of IT Client Services.

These four panelists were invited to talk about the current changes taking place on the Mercyhurst campus.

“These four categories are hot topics right now, so we have Jeanette Britt speaking about the North East Consolidation,” Staub said. “We have Heather Balas with the discussion of the new Handshake app, and Parkhurst because of course dining is always a hot topic.

Hannah Cox came from IT to talk about Multifactor Authentication being a new program on campus for students.”

Each of the four staff mem-

bers making up the “Ask the Experts” panel was given a brief period of time to explain why exactly they were there.

Balas first explained that Handshake was a new app available to all students by using their single sign in account.

The most important fact to remember is that the app is a job posting platform. Students will see on-campus employment opportunities, entry-level positions and reviews for potential employers.

The app provides students with targeted information based on their interactions with the app, similar to Spotify’s algorithms. There is also access to request reviews of any formal document needed in the interview process such as a resume and cover letter.

The second item addressed was the North East Consolidation. Britt discussed the influence behind the consolidation which dated back to 2016 when enrollment began to drop significantly.

Before jumping to the conclusion of consolidation, some renovations were made to increase interest in the school, but there was no change in two years. Task forces were created to investigate the low interest.

With the facts collected by the task force present, the Board of Trustees voted to consolidate North East in two years. This grace period allows the current students to complete their degree, and the task force to work out all the intri-

cate details of merging the two campuses together. Several details are in the works and will be shared in years to come.

The third discussion of the event was with Parkhurst and their initiative of mobile ordering with Boyd. Mobile ordering is available through the Get App. Within the app there is a link to order food from Anchor Express in Ryan Hall. Students can order pizzas, wraps and Starbucks drinks from the app and avoid the wait in line. It is only available for the Anchor Express, but over time as the program develops more options may become available.

The fourth and final topic highlighted was Multifactor Authentication with Cox. Multifactor Authentication is strictly for the security of the students. This form of protection is the first visibly seen by the students when protecting their identity online.

Multifactor Authentication is protecting the student body from 99% of the identity attacks out there. Several students have expressed the inconvenience of this protection. Cox explained that IT will work with students to make the process more efficient and less inconvenient. The longer you work with the program, the easier it will become.

Overall, the Fall Forum gave students a chance to learn about all of the new features available to them from various parts of Mercyhurst’s campus.

PAGE 5

STUDENT GOVERNMENT

This weekend’s campus events

Paint and sip with MAC/SAC this Friday Nov. 8 in the Student Union. Beginning at 8 p.m., paint along with an instructor and enjoy mocktails made by a certified bartender!

Gather your friends for a delicious competition on Saturday Nov. 9 in the Student Union Great Room. Teams of 3 people will be provided with cake and decorating supples to win prizes for the most creative cake.

MERCYHURST CAMPUS

CRIME LOG Oct. 28: Possession of controlled substance on Briggs Ave. Oct. 31: Theft in Egan Hall.

Nov. 2: Disorderly conduct in Lot #8.

Nov. 2: Possession of controlled substance in Warde Hall.

FEATURES

PAGE 6

RSCO FEATURE ACTIVE MINDS CLUB

Hurst welcomes alumni speaker Darren Conway

By Madeline Boorse Contributing writer

Contributed photo

Active Minds club won Most Creative Theme at the Mocktail event on Oct. 30 in the Sr. Carolynn Hermann Student Union.

By Maria Williams

Features editor

There is no doubt that mental health is an important topic to talk about openly in today’s society. Mercyhurst students have created the Active Minds club that allows open discussion about mental health and ways to cope with anxiety and depression.

“I chose to continue Active Minds because mental health awareness is so important among college campuses. In addition to that, the stigma with mental health needs to be broken. I have been a mental health advocate ever since I was 13 years old, and I want to continue to spread awareness and get people to talk about mental health in a stigma free environment,” president and senior Biology major Hayley Ault said.

Ault is not the only one running this club. The executive board is made up by Carlena Bressanelli (vice president), Maya Poletto (secretary), Chelsie Crate (treasurer) and Gianna O’Brian (social media manager).

Active Minds is actually a national non-profit organization and Mercyhurst has a chapter within it. One of their main goals is to start conversations about mental health. They have chapters on more than 700 campuses worldwide.

Active Minds participates in many school events, such as the Mocktail competition on Oct 30. They also create many events and activities during their meetings.

“At our meetings, we talk about general upcoming events, usually incorporate a craft or fun activity that is stress relieving, and then do what is known as the ‘Topic of the Day’ in which a mental health topic is discussed for a brief period of time. This is important and new to the club because we want the members to engage in the topic and learn about the topic as well,” Ault said.

The club does not stray away from difficult topics either.

“Some of the topics include; bullying, how to help out a friend, and many more to come,” Ault said.

Meetings for the club are either on Monday, Wednesdays or Fridays from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

If you are interested in joining Active Minds and want to make a difference on campus by spreading awareness, email the officers or contact the advisor, Nicole JohnDanzell Ph.D. You can also follow them on Instagram @mu_activeminds and like them on Facebook at Mercyhurst Active Minds.

For more information on the organization as a whole visit activeminds.org.

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

On Oct. 29. Darren Conway, a graduate of Mercyhurst from the class of 2009, came back to Mercyhurst to provide insight into corporate America to students.

Conway’s visit was a part of the ongoing Alumni Speaker Series organized by the Office of Advancement and Academic Support.

Conway came to the United States from Ireland when he was 18 and has remained here in Erie ever since.

Throughout his presentation he expressed the importance of having goals.

When Conway graduated, the U.S. economy was in a recession.

He got a job bartending out of school to make some money while he figured out what he wanted to do in the future.

He stated that it is not a bad idea to take some time to get settled after college, especially if graduate school is in the future for the student.

Conway discussed how when he went on to get his Master’s degree, he felt that it was useful to have some professional experience compared to the naivety of some of the students attending graduate school immediately following their undergraduate studies.

One ideology Conway stressed during his presentation is that Mercyhurst is a great school but can be a safe zone for many students.

He highly encourages students to branch out and explore the city and meet other people in the area.

While Stone Wednesdays were as much the rage back then as they are now, Conway

wished there were times when he went downtown more to establish connections with people from Gannon or Erie professionals.

Networking can provide more opportunities than one would think, he said.

He also stated that spending an extra half an hour or hour in the library reading over notes will be extremely helpful.

Conway said in hindsight he would not have missed out on anything and he could have put more effort into his studies which would have benefited him in the long run.

After school, Conway began working for General Electric, which was the largest employer in Erie at the time.

He told students that they should look into the top hiring companies in their own cities, because especially for entry level jobs, the larger companies are more likely to hire you and offer opportunities for someone to grow in their career.

GE provided him with many opportunities and helped him with immigration sponsorship. GE also helped him get his Master’s degree, which he felt that he needed.

In early 2019, he decided that his interest and goals had expanded beyond what the company could offer him.

He wanted to work with a team and expand his personal skills, which he did not feel he was on the path to accomplish at GE. He looked for a new job and accepted a job at Eaton Aerospace, a multinational power management company.

When he gave his two week notice to GE, the company offered him $5,000 more to

stay.

Conway asked each student what they would have done in this case, and almost everyone said they would still take the new job. He said that is what he would, and did, choose.

In his new job for Eaton, Conway manages a team and travels during each quarter to places like Los Angeles, Fort Worth and the United Kingdom for his work.

His new job is under the supply chain realm which Conway said that he did not even know was a path he could take until he entered the work world.

Another tip Conway had for students entering the workplace is to interview at least once a year.

He compared it to lifting; if you could lift 220 pounds, and then did not work out for a year, you would not be able to lift 220 pounds on your first try again. You must keep your practice current.

Along the same lines, Conway told students to keep their resumes current. He said that if Elon Musk can have a one-page resume, so can you.

One last tip Conway left for students is to have a mentor. This person does not need to be in the same field as you but having an experienced person to balance out your career considerations is very helpful.

One of Conway’s mentors is a CEO of a smaller business, who has provided great insight and help to Conway during his career.

Overall, students were very thankful that Darren Conway came back to Mercyhurst to bestow his useful knowledge of the corporate world onto students.

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

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

PAGE 7

Hurst hosts study abroad fair

NEW AT

HURST

By Bella Lee Staff writer

Contributed photo

Hoffman is excited to be here at Mercyhurst.

By Alex Trabold Staff writer

Recently, Mercyhurst University has welcomed Fred Hoffman, Ph.D. into it’s ranks, as an Assistant Professor in Intelligence Studies.

As a new member of the University’s faculty, Hoffman has a lot of experiences and advice to give to the students here.

His hobbies include foreign languages, motorcycle riding, photography and weight lifting.

He fits his new position as he’s had a long and colorful history working in the U.S. Intelligence community.

“I spent 30 years as a human intelligence officer in the intelligence community, working for the Army, Defense Intelligence Agency and several other organizations. I served in 28 countries, to include in Afghanistan and in the Balkans,” Hoffman said.

He then proceeded to spend seven years in the private sector as a competitive intelligence practitioner.

He even experienced the fall of the Berlin Wall firsthand when he was stationed in West Berlin as a young intelligence officer. For Halloween, he dressed up as an East German paratrooper and even gave classes in that outfit. His position here at Mercyhurst isn’t his first teaching job though. In fact, he has many certificates and experience within this field.

“Prior to coming to Mercyhurst in August, I was an Associate Professor of Military Science at The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD. I have a Doctor of Science in Information Systems and Communications from Robert Morris University, a Master of Science in Strategic Intelligence from National Intelligence University, a Master of Arts in Asian Studies (Chinese) from the University of Michigan, and a Bachelor of Arts in Government from Lawrence University, Appleton, WI,” Hoffman said.

Hoffman also has advice to help students figure out their careers and get on the right track during and after college. His words are not only useful but should be considered common courtesy for any student who wants to develop good work ethic and a secure career.

“Life is all about relationships and networking!

Start building and cultivating both now, and you will reap personal and professional rewards later…and probably much sooner than you’d imagine. Learn how to “backward plan!” For me, a huge key to success has been the ability to plan, schedule and budget my time effectively. Be goal-oriented, but at the same time, appreciate and cherish the present,” Hoffman said.

Here at Mercyhurst, the staff encourages both having focus on your daily plans and career goals while also being sure to “Carpe Diem.” Welcome, Fred Hoffman!

On Oct. 30, students were given the opportunity to visit the Student Union Great Room and learn about Study Abroad opportunities at the Study Abroad Fair.

Mercyhurst’s own Study Abroad office was there to teach students about opportunities it offers.

There were also many other organizations present providing information about study abroad programs.

Through these programs, students have been able to study in the Czech Republic, Australia, Italy, Spain, Japan, Russia and many more locations around the world.

Many students stopped by the event to learn about where they could study around the world if they had the chance, but what was surprising was the amount of

freshmen that showed.

“I have friends in Spain, and I’ve met a bunch of foreignexchange students here, and I think studying abroad would result in great experiences and travel,” said freshman Art Therapy major, Olivia Andazola. She also mentioned that she would study in Spain if she could study anywhere in the world.

Some students who attended the fair said that their interest in studying abroad stemmed from their love of travel.

“It would require lots of traveling, which is one of the things to enjoy in life, so it’s ideal to do something you love while getting school credit from it,” said a freshman Intelligence Studies major, River Orr. “I love to study languages and just travel in general,” said freshman Intelligence Studies and Psy-

chology double major Collin Peel.

In fact, he seemed so eager about doing it that he couldn’t choose one dream location to study abroad.

“I would like to study in South America (preferably Colombia), England, Australia or France,” Peel said.

“I would study abroad because it would give me the chance to leave the country and have different experiences as well as learn new cultures,” said Sam Fuster, a freshman History major.

“I would like to travel to England to study because there is a lot of history and it has a lot in common with the U.S.” Fuster said.

If you are interested in studying abroad, but didn’t have a chance to visit the fair, visit the Office of Study Abroad in Preston 101 or 105.

Bella Lee photo

A poster board is displayed at the Study Abroad fair in the Student Union. The board gave names of countries students have visited in the past.

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

FEATURES

PAGE 8

Green initiatives earn Hurst national recognition

By Elizabeth Shewan

Staff writer

In recognition of its sustainability efforts, Mercyhurst has recently been featured in The Princeton Review’s 2019 Guide to Green Colleges.

According to an October press release by the Princeton Review, each year they choose 413 colleges to profile out of the nearly 700 schools surveyed throughout 2018-2019.

The chosen universities must all have a strong commitment to green practices and programs.

“We weren’t aware that this was coming, it was a nice surprise,” Greg Baker, Ph.D, vice president for University Mission said.

“It’s a pat on the back for a lot of people who have been very intentional and mindful about how we act as a campus in the tradition of the Sisters of Mercy, who care a lot about the environment.”

Mercyhurst’s efforts towards environmental sustainability are motivated by the Mercyhurst core values, particularly that of global responsibility.

Global responsibility is the idea that the university, in keeping with the legacy of the Sisters of Mercy, must “learn how to steward the resources of the Earth wisely and to act in solidarity with its diverse peoples,”

according to the Mercyhurst website.

Baker oversees sustainability as VP for Mission, however, he points out that sustainability efforts at Mercyhurst are carried out by a variety of people.

“Sarah Bennett has been our sustainability chair for the past several years and has done a really great job,” Baker said.

“Between she and the student-led green team and the campus-wide green team that includes faculty and administrators, we’ve got a lot of people paying attention to sustainability here.”

Sustainability efforts currently in place include both small and large projects.

Ongoing ventures include Ryan Hall’s new sport court which featured solar-powered umbrellas, the “Hydration Stations” for refillable water bottles located around campus and the “bee hotel” located in the Sister Maura Smith Peace Garden behind Warde Hall.

Mercyhurst is also a part of the Erie 2030 initiative, a group of local businesses and institutions working in agreement to significantly reduce energy consumption by the year 2030.

Mercyhurst students also actively go into the Erie community for trash pickups and beach cleanups.

On April 22, 2020, Mercyhurst will recognize the 50th anniversary of Earth

Day, which was first celebrated in 1970, with various programs and events including a guest lecturer.

While Mercyhurst has made great strides in terms of sustainability, there are still some ongoing issues including contaminated recycling bins.

“One of our ongoing concerns that remains is contaminated recycling,” Baker said. “If students would like to know their small part that they can do to be part of our bigger initiative, that’s a great place to start.”

Many students attempt to recycle, but when garbage or materials that are not able to be recycled fall into the wrong bins, the entire container may end up contaminated.

Contaminated loads cannot be recycled at all.

For students who care about the environment, Baker encourages taking an active part in the campus’s green initiatives.

“There’s lots of ways to get involved. And almost every great thing that’s been done here over the years has been initiated by and dreamt up by students,” Baker said.

“We’re always looking for students to bring their energy and their passion to come up with good ideas.”

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Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Hurst recognized for design and visual communication

By Jillian Marcellin Staff writer

Mercyhurst University has been named one of the top ten colleges and universities in Pennsylvania offering design and visual communication programs, according to a news release issued by Zippia, a leading online career guidance resource.

Each college and university awarded this title must have between 6-87 students graduating in Design and Visual Communication per year.

The Mercyhurst program produces an average of 19 graduates per year.

The Graphic Design department is led by Chair of Art and Graphic Design and associate Graphic Design professor, Jodi Staniunas Hopper, and Peter Stadtmueller, Graphic Design Program Director.

With a smaller program such as Mercyhurst, it creates a more personalized experience.

“Small programs like the Mercyhurst graphic design program, have the ability to focus on students collectively and individually,” Hopper said, “We also are more agile when it comes to the curriculum. We can keep up with changes faster.”

The design department

focuses on print and web design while also introducing photography and studio classes to its students.

Hopper specializes in preparing students for print design, while Stadtmueller focuses on Photoshop and web design.

This variety of design classes are what has contributed to the design department’s alumni success.

“Having a program that prepares designers for print and web broadens the field of opportunity for the students,” Hopper said.

The department also offers opportunities for resume builders as well as challenges for them to apply the skills they have learned in the classroom.

Hopper and Stadtmueller introduce internal clients and external clients from the Erie community as a way to prepare students in multiple fields.

Students are also given the opportunity to showcase their work in the Cummings Art Gallery with yearly exhibitions.

When Zippia looked at the way schools perform and compared them to one another when identifying what made the best design and visual communication schools.

Using data from the

NCES (National Center for Education Statistics) and College Scorecard data from ED.gov they researched three major areas: career results, design and visual communication emphasis and school performance.

According to the criteria from these statistics, Mercyhurst University ranked tenth in the state in design and visual communication programs among other schools such as Temple University, Lehigh University, Penn State University Main Campus, Drexel University and Robert Morris University.

“After learning about this recognition, it was kind of reassurance to my choice to come here,” said sophomore Graphic Design major Rebecca Totleben, “The professors in the program makes it feel a lot like a family and they try to help us in more ways than just our studies.”

By being named the 10th in the Top Ten Colleges and Universities in Pennsylvania offering design and visual communication programs, Mercyhurst University is now being recognized for its success in the print and digital arts.

LAKER MOMENT Advertising and Branding Class visit WJET TV Kimberly Zacherl, program director for Human Resources Management and assistant professor of Business took her Advertising and Branding class to WJET TV to learn about local television advertising and what makes a good commercial. They also learned about Mary Timashenka’s, Multimedia Marketing Consultant at WJET TV, daily work life.

Contributed photo

Students and professors pose at the anchor desk at WJET TV for their Advertising and Branding Class.

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

FEATURES

PAGE 9

Contributed by Laker Student Media

One of the signs held during the “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” event.

Hurst walks ‘A Mile in Her Shoes’

By Karrah Savage Staff writer

The “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” event took place at Mercyhurst on Oct. 24 in front of the Sr. Carolynn Hermann Student Union.

The premise of the event is that men on campus put on a pair of red high heels and walk around holding signs that show support for women by literally walking in their shoes. It was one of the many annual events held to shed light on domestic violence.

Signs were held while men and some women walked around campus wearing high heels. Some of the signs said, “Boys will be boys who respect women!” and “She is someone.” Other signs along the walking route listed various statistics and ways to prevent sexual violence.

Staff and students participated in the event. Some parContributed by Laker Student Media ticipants were Megan McKenna, director of Residence Life and Student Conduct, academic support counselor Junior Nick Wendelboe, Sophomores Izzy Merriman and Kyle Shoulders, and the Mercyhurst Football team. Foot- Zach Moletz, Communication majors covered the event ball was just one of many teams that participated in the for Laker Student Media. walk.

Contributed photo

The Mercyhurst Men’s soccer team showing their support during this event. They were one of many teams present and wearing high heels.

“We as men have to publicly stand with women to support them,” senior Psychology major Mats Röhrken said.

The hope for this event is to bring attention to domestic violence, especially at a university.

By gathering both faculty, staff and students together to raise awareness of such an important issue, it allows a conversation to begin.

By starting the conversation, the hope is to provide a sense of community where people are seen as equals and are respected.

This event is important because “domestic violence is a major issue that needs awareness,” said senior Hospitality Management major, Eljon Williams Jr..

Thank you to all the men and women who participated in the walk!

From last year to this year there was an immense increase in walkers which shows the growing support for the cause.

Remember that this event may be once a year but this issue is ongoing, so it is important to stand with women each and every day.

Contributed photo

Mercyhurst staff Michael Madonia, Marty Schaetzle, Joe Schoenleber and senior Psychology and Religious Studies major Nick Woll showing their support at the event.

PAGE 10

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Choir conductor directs new group

By Elizabeth Shewan

Staff writer

The Erie Philharmonic has recently debuted its newest ensemble, The Erie Junior Philharmonic Chorus.

The group performs under the direction of Mercyhurst Director of Choirs, Thomas Brooks, who carefully selected its members.

This group is comprised of 14 high school students from around Erie County.

The group practices weekly on campus and will perform primarily classical music.

They had their first practice in October, although planning has gone on for six months.

“We decided that what we would do for a high school choir is only the best kids who auditioned could be in that one and the best kids would have a chance to sing together,” Brooks said.

Brooks’s hope for the group is that it will bring choral singing to the Erie community as a whole, and ultimately for those who don’t have the best voice to feel comfortable singing for fun.

The area lacks strong community choral programs and, according to Brooks, “we would like to get singing back in the community, not just on a high level.”

The group uses Mercyhurst’s facilities, partly as a service to the community, and especially as a service to the young chorus members.

The goal is for the high school chorus members to be familiarized with the atmosphere of a college campus, preparing them to go to college themselves.

Some students will want to major in music, but it will be a valuable experience even if they do

ARTIST

SPOTLIGHT KRISTIN SKARUPSKI

Contributed Photo

The Erie Junior Philharmonic practices in the D’Angelo Ensemble Room.

not study music academically.

“President Victor has the view,” according to Brooks, “that it’s important for us to get people on the university campus and get them feeling comfortable about being at the university, whether or not they come to Mercyhurst.”

“We owe that to the community to get those students comfortable about going to college… This is all about taking the president’s view philosophically but applying it in a practical way,” said Brooks.

The group will also provide opportunities for Mercyhurst Music majors and particularly Music Education majors to work with young people as collegiate mentors, developing skills they will use

in their professional lives.

“I select good students out of our Music Education program,” Brooks said, “To come in and be mentors to the choir members so they get some hands on practice working with high school age kids.”

Working as mentors with the Junior Philharmonic Chorus allows Music Education majors to gain unique experience.

Brooks said, “It’s a good opportunity for our Music Ed majors to also get some hands on action with some of the better kids, because so often you go to high school and you worry about only the kids that struggle, but what do you do with the kids on

top? That’s the question, and it’s difficult.”

Further, working with college-level performers serves to inspire the high school singers by providing them with a view to a higher level of performance.

“One of our goals was to get singing through the entire community, all the way down,” says Brooks, and the hope is to eventually have Philharmonic groups for Erie County students as young as elementary schoolers.

The Erie Junior Philharmonic Chorus will put on their first concert at Christmas time.

My name is Kristin Skarupski, and I am a Music Education major. I will be giving my senior recital on Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. in Walker Recital Hall.

The songs I will be performing date as far back as the 18th century and as recent as the 1970s, representing a range of moods and styles.

I will perform in foreign languages and in English. The program features works by composers including Handel, Brahms and Schubert. This event is free and open to the public, and I would love for you all to attend!

‘Cash’ in your tickets

By Erin Almeter

Staff writer

Rosanne Cash will be stopping at Mercyhurst University on her “She Remembers Everything” tour.

This performance will take place at the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center on Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m.

She will be joined by a fivepiece band.

Cash is a Grammy Award-winning country singer who has created 15 albums to wow audiences.

The most recent album she released, and from which she will be performing, is entitled “She Remembers Everything.”

It has been described as a poetic, lush and soulful collection of songs.

This album is her return to personal songwriting.

Her albums have gained her much recognition, and she has won 4 Grammy awards in addition to her 11 nominations.

Contributed Photo

Rosanne Cash will perform at Mercyhurst on Thursday, Nov. 14.

Cash has also had 21 Top 40 hits and numerous No. 1 singles.

In addition to being a musician, Cash has talents as an author.

She has written a best-selling memoir entitled “Composed” that the Chicago Tribune described as “one of the best accounts of an American life you’ll likely ever read.”

Her essays have also been printed in the New York Times, Rolling Stone, the Oxford-American, The Nation and others.

Cash has worked in collaboration with Carnegie Hall, the Lincoln Center, San Francisco Jazz, the Minnesota Orchestra and the Library of Congress.

In addition to her Grammy wins and nomination, Cash was awarded the SAG/AFTRA Lifetime Achievement award for Sound Recordings in 2012.

In 2014, she received the Smithsonian Ingenuity Award in Performing Arts.

She was also chosen as a Perspective Series Artist at Carnegie

Hall in the 2015-16 season.

She continued her association with Carnegie Hall as a Creative Partner for the 2018-19 season.

She was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters’ Hall of Fame and served as Artist-in Residence at the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015.

She received The Spirit of Americana: Free Speech Award in 2019, and she was awarded an honorary doctorate degree from the Berklee College of Music.

She is currently working on a musical, “Norma Rae,” with composer John Leventhal and book writer John Weidman.

Tickets to her Mercyhurst performance are $36 for adults, $31 for seniors and $26 for students and youth 12 and younger.

Mercyhurst students can get a free ticket with their I.D. Tickets can be purchased at miac.mercyhurst.edu or by calling the box office at 814-824-3000.

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

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

PAGE 11

Hess, Wunch to perform in WRH

By Abby Stevens

Staff writer

The next recital in the D’Angelo Department of Music Faculty Recital Series is scheduled to take place on Nov. 6 at 8 p.m. in the Walker Recital Hall.

This event will feature Rebecca Wunch, M.M., on solo clarinet and Nathan Hess, D.M.A., on solo piano.

The clarinet repertoire for the evening includes Dance Preludes for clarinet and piano, by Witold Lutoslawski; Concertino for clarinet and piano, by Carl Maria von Weber and Fantasy for B-flat clarinet, by Malcom Arnold.

The piano pieces that will be performed in the program include a Chopin set featuring Mazurka in A Minor, Op. 17, No. 4, Mazurka in A-Flat Minor, Op. 59, No. 2 and Prelude in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 45.

The piano set will also feature selections from Waldscenen, Op. 82 by Robert Schumann and Nocturne by Ottorinno Respighi.

When asked what makes the selections distinctive, both soloists say that it is the diversity of the pieces.

“There’s a lot of variety,” Wunch said when asked what was considered when building the repertoire for the recital.

Some pieces are very classical while another, more modern piece plays on a particular repeated theme.

Wunch also says that her favorite piece to play of the three, the one by Arnold, differs from her favorite one to listen to, the one

MIAC REVIEW

MIAC performance was Wain‘wright’ on

By Victoria McGinty

Staff writer

On Nov. 2, The Mercyhurst Institute for Arts & Culture hosted Rufus Wainwright in a program entitled “Oh Solo Wainwright” in the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center.

Erie, Pennsylvania was Wainwright’s 17th stop on the tour.

The third performer of the 2019-2020 MIAC season, Wainwright put on a show that was the perfect mix of wonderful and personable.

Wainwright’s only props onstage included a piano, a guitar and himself.

His performance was both very personal and vulnerable.

We were able to see all of his dimensions as a performer and an artist.

For his vocals, Wainwrights’ performance live sounded almost exact to his recordings.

Nonetheless, he was amazing in

a live setting and it felt as if I was sitting up in my dorm aimlessly listening to his discography like any normal day.

However, I was sitting in the audience looking directly up at the man himself who made them famous.

I was taken aback about how authentic his performance was.

He was very amiable and very graceful on the keys.

He engaged with the audience after almost every number.

His comedic and versed personality made his performance enjoyable and wholesome.

Throughout his performance, Wainwright initiated conversations with the audience discussing his family and his opinions on our world and politics.

He gave insight into his friendship with the late Carrie Fischer, and sported a princess Leia shirt.

It was quite the evening and one I will never forget.

Like writing?

How about the arts?

We are still looking for writers and photographers for this year’s Merciad!

Join us at our reporters’ meetings on Mondays at 7p.m.

Email merciad@mercyhurst. edu to learn more.

You’ll be paid $10 per article!

by Lutoslawski.

This is an understandable distinction for any musician.

Luckily, the audience’s only concern will be to listen.

“Chopin is one of my favorite composers,” Hess said when asked about the piano selections for the recital.

“He wrote so much piano music that you can’t play it in a lifetime,” Hess said.

Two of Chopin’s mazurkas will be featured, as well as one of his preludes.

The featured prelude is a four minute long standalone, separate from Chopin’s well-known 24 preludes.

As a whole, the pieces “show harmonic creativity and take the listener on a journey,” Hess said.

The second part of the piano set includes parts of Schumann’s Waldscenen, which means “forest scenes” in German.

As the name of the piece suggests, it is “a musical journey through the forest,” Hess said.

The recital on Wednesday will feature a few selections from the work.

They are the first movement, “Eintritt” (Entry), the final movement, “Abschied” (Farewell) and a third from the middle.

Last is a piece by Ottorino Respighi, a late 1800s composer whose style was influenced both by the music of the Renaissance and of the Romantic Era. Like all other recitals in the faculty series, this event is free to attend.

UPCOMING EVENTS Nov. 4-Dec. 7 in CAG: The National Collage Society’s 35th Annual Juried Art Show Nov. 6 @ 8 p.m. in WRH: Nathan Hess & Rebecca Wunch Faculty Recital Nov. 9 @ 7 p.m. in TLT: Jazz Ensemble Nov. 10 @ 7 p.m. in WRH: Kristin Skarupski Senior Recital Nov. 14 @ 7:30 p.m. in PAC: Rosanne Cash & Band: She Remembers Everything

OPINION

PAGE 12

GOOD It’s officially November! Only one full month of classes left before break!

BAD Snow was spotted falling earlier this week. Winter is coming.

WEIRD Students keep accidentally sending their essays to the printer in the Merciad office.

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, November 6, 2019

On Mercyhurst and sustainability and recycling plastic bags and Styrofoam.

By Sarah On top of that, Police Klein & Safety, Maintenance and Staff writer Recycling have begun using electric vehicles.

In regards to the current We also recently had the global movement to increase purchase of a water saving soaker sustainability and create a better tub for the Athletic Department. future for all of us, I believe that In addition, Mercyhurst Mercyhurst has been working Student Government has hard to do its part. purchased reusable coffee This past month, Mercyhurst mugs for the past two years to University was named to distribute to students.

Princeton Review’s annual Recently, Mercyhurst Guide to Green Colleges, which purchased solar umbrellas for the profiles over 400 colleges that picnic tables at the sport court are strongly committed to green near Ryan Hall. practices and programs.

There are also noticeable green I am the chair of the initiatives in all of the dining Mercyhurst Student facilities.

Government’s Mission and All facilities now have Sustainability Committee biodegradable straws and the As a result, I had the Laker Inn has reduced its use of opportunity to be educated on plastic. all the different ways Mercyhurst The green to-go boxes so is increasing sustainability efforts many of us are fond of are also a on campus. way for students to contribute to Along with Mercyhurst sustainability.

University’s administration, our And of course, there are other Sustainability Club and student ways Mercyhurst University government all contribute to students are trying to help the green initiatives. planet.

Recent initiatives include LED To get a little bit meta, issues upgrades across campus, the of the Merciad are even recreation of a pollinator garden in purposed! the Sister Maura Smith Garden As you can see, Mercyhurst

has been hard at work in the sustainability department.

Despite these efforts, there are still ways everyone at Mercyhurst can help work toward sustainability.

There are always going to be more ways in which we can improve the sustainability of Mercyhurst.

One way the average student can help out is by increasing the amount of recycling they do around campus.

There are several places to recycle, the most important being in laundry rooms of upperclassmen and freshmen housing.

Even with all of the other advancements in sustainability around campus, it is imperative that we as students use these recycling bins in order to make an impact.

As students, we are just as responsible for working towards sustainability as the administration.

This means that we must recycle as much as we can.

We also need to turn off lights across campus when we are not using them.

In all, we need to find other ways to reduce our waste.

On boo-ing leaders

“Lock him up!”

Now, being someone who has been fascinated with politics since Lee the second grade, I recognize that Staff writer chant.

It is a play on “Lock her up,” This year’s World Series was an a chant that many of Trump’s amazing one. supporters have used, alongside The Washington Nationals “Send her back,” to show their emerged victorious over the anger against many women Houston Astros for the first time U.S. Representatives, such as in the Nationals’ history.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan However, this article isn’t about Omar and Rashida Tlaib. their triumphant win.

But was this chant appropriate It is about how the crowd for the leader of this nation, even reacted when a surprising guest with his negative stance towards turned up at one of the games. immigrants and minorities?

Game 5 of the World Series Since I became interested in was held at Nationals Park in politics, I’ve always been told to Washington DC on Oct. 27th. respect your leaders.

At this game, which the Astros I still follow this advice, and won 7-1, a special guest was I do respect Trump as our announced during the third President, but that doesn’t mean I inning. have to like him.

The guest was none other Now, he may not have than the Commander in Chief deserved being booed at by tens himself, President Donald J. of thousands of passionate Trump. baseball fans.

The president, accompanied But I will admit I did find it by his wife Melania, were not somewhat amusing to hear this greeted kindly at the stadium. news.

Thousands of baseball fans Trump has made it known that booed the POTUS, shouting he is an adamant baseball fan,

By Bella

and he supported this by going to one of the biggest games in any baseball season.

He was more than likely not surprised when he and his wife were greeted at Nationals Park with the roars of boos and negative chants.

Despite all of this, maybe the attendees of the game could’ve piped down a little bit when the president’s arrival was announced.

It wasn’t like he was using the game as an opportunity to announce some big message, even with the announcement of the death of ISIS Leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi just hours earlier.

Even so, he was trying to make his attendance low-profile, but was still bashed with the boos and the repetition of “Lock him up!”

If I were attending that game, I probably would’ve just tried to enjoy myself at the game as best as I could.

Trump may have some ideas that I disagree with, but he’s still the president.

You have to respect the man.

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, November 6, 2019

OPINION

Has the smoking ban worked out? effective.

Many students, faculty and

By Erin staff can still be seen smoking or Almeter vaping around campus.

Staff writer I have walked past the sidewalk by the bookstore and still have In July 2017, Mercyhurst been hit with a cloud of smoke.

University officially transitioned I hold my breath often when to a tobacco free campus. walking in this area on my way to The ban was meant to reduce class. the use of cigarettes, smokeless I still see people outside of tobacco, dipping and vaping Ryan Hall with a cigarette or vape among other tobacco products pen in hand. on campus.

I still see students sneaking an It is one of 2,469 100% e-cigarette in hand or tucked in smoke-free campus sites their backpack. according to the American I guess the biggest difference is Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation. that instead of walking through Now, two years later, many campus and seeing people smoke, students, including myself, are it has turned more to people questioning the effectiveness smoking on the outskirts of of this ban on those that use campus. these products as well as the I have also seen people secondhand smoking effect. smoking in the streets as they are Has it curbed the usage on owned by Erie and not part of campus? the Mercyhurst campus officially.

Do students that don’t smoke Freshmen may see more still experience secondhand of a decline in usage than smoke? upperclassman.

I am happy that this was I have recently been working initiated on campus as I have had on a research project surrounding family members’ health affected the vaping emergence for college due to tobacco smoking. students especially, so I guess I I have promised myself that I see the effects of it more. will not take up smoking of any I am not naïve though, I didn’t kind due to seeing these health think that this ban could get rid effects. of all usage when it was first put However, I still experience it in place. because of secondhand smoke.

I was hopeful though.

Generally, I was hoping that I really do believe that this this initiative would curb my ban, in theory, was a necessary exposure to smoke. thing to do for the Mercyhurst From recent experiences, community.

I have not found it to be too However, I also believe that it

is necessary for Mercyhurst to go further and provide information on possible cessation aids to quit tobacco.

There are also always going to be people that will not be able to stop or choose not to stop.

That could be tied to the nicotine content in these products.

This is why we need to go further than just banning it and provide educational materials.

I also believe that with vaping becoming more prominent, that the initiative should address the use of flavor cartridges.

Are these included in the ban?

I do not know.

There is only one page dedicated to the tobacco-free campus policy in the student handbook, and it does not mention flavors at all.

From my own survey for my research project, it seems that while most people know that Mercyhurst is a tobacco free campus, many also do not believe it is very effective.

Students think people still use in secret and that there are not many ramifications to those that use on campus.

I think that this initiative is a good starting place, but we need to go further for the health of those in Mercyhurst’s community.

While some usage has been curbed around the middle of campus, I think more focus needs to be put on the use of tobacco products on the outskirts of the campus in the future.

PAGE 13

HURST STUDENTS

SPEAK UP We asked: What is your favorite club at Mercyhurst?

Erica Robinson, senior Biology major: “My favorite club is Campus Ministry’s Wednesday Night Fellowship.”

Emma Farrell, junior Psychology major: “I really enjoy being a part of the Ambassador Organization.”

Genevieve Burgess, sophomore Psychology major: “The Hurst Bowling Club is definitely my favoritwe.”

Janeida Turbi, senior Education major: “Geology is one of my favorites!”

Compiled by Erin Almeter

Giving your thanks this holiday season

on the purpose of the holiday season in between, Thanksgiving.

By Victoria It’s never too soon to reflect Mcginty on the things and people you are Staff writer thankful for in your life.

While some associate The greatest time of year is just Thanksgiving with a feast, others, at our fingertips. like myself, respect this holiday The air is getting crisper and for its purpose of being thankful. the leaves are floating from their As we all know, we are entering branches to under our toes. the final weeks in 2019.

Until this past Thursday, we Before we know it, it’ll be a spent hours looking for the new decade. perfect costume, and asking who We are leaving behind this we would dress up with. time in our lives and are fully However, spooky season is transitioning into adulthood. now behind us and we have once For example, some of us may again entered into a period of be getting engaged and getting seasonal downtime. married, or be searching for a With Thanksgiving just three first career job. weeks away, we all are in a grace Many of us are awaiting more period between stuffing our big changes and fully accepting faces with Halloween treats the fact that we are now stepping and stuffing our faces with into our roles as the up-andtryptophan. coming generation.

If you are sane, it’s still too With these last few weeks early for Christmas celebrations. before us, we should be taking While the spooky season is a step back from our busy behind us and Christmas is too lifestyles, counting our blessings far in front of us, I suggest we and being grateful for all of the use this time as a way to reflect things we have.

Many, if not all of us should be grateful for our family, without them we would not be alive, or be the people we are today.

What about pets, the companions our whole hearts revolve around?

What about partners, the people we fell in love with and who we may consider our other half?

Or what about our enemies or the people we left behind?

We should even be grateful for them because they made us realize our worth or helped us see that we should never fully trust someone until we see their true colors.

Lastly, what about this amazing university we are all united by?

While I may still be a fresh face on campus, I know that this school is nothing short of heaven away from home.

It’s a place where for the first time in my life I feel at home.

For the first time in many years, I feel accepted by my peers and I am grateful because this university has helped me realize

that the sky’s the limit for my dreams.

I hope all of you are thankful for the Hurst in one way if not a million.

We are all on this campus for a reason and thankfully, we are all here together.

I am fortunate to have a great home back in Cleveland, Ohio where my family remains working hard and making sure I am always on the right foot.

I am grateful for furry companions Buster (“Bubby”) and my other pets.

They are the reason I miss home daily and why my friends are sick of me being a broken record of “ I miss my Bubby” at least a million times a day.

I am fortunate to have made an amazing group of friends here at Mercyhurst and yet, still have a handful of friends back in Cleveland and at other schools all over the place.

I am grateful for my long-time partner with whom I have been for almost three years now.

He has seen me at my best and

worst and I love him with my whole heart.

I am thankful for my talents and ambitions and I can’t wait to turn those things into potential careers for myself.

Lastly, I am utterly thankful that I am here at Mercyhurst.

I am beyond grateful to call Hurst my home away from home, and I am so excited for all of the adventures ahead.

Within the coming weeks, most of us are getting ready to go home and be with our families again.

I believe we should use that time away to appreciate the people we have in our lives.

In this era, we are too busy planning for the future, losing the moments we are living now.

However, I believe all of that can change if we take a step back and appreciate all of the amazing things in our lives.

And with Thanksgiving around the corner, it’s the perfect opportunity for us to take a step back and reflect on our lives and our blessings.

SPORTS

PAGE 14

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Men’s soccer senior night win

By Maya Bauer Staff writer

Mercyhurst University’s Men’s soccer defeated Slippery Rock University on Nov. 2 in a 1-0 victory, giving them an in-conference record of 5-2-1 (8-4-2 overall).

The Lakers are currently situated in second place in the Western Division of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), giving them one of the three slots in the conference playoffs.

This is the first year that this group of players has played in a split East/West PSAC conference.

The top three teams on either side of the PSAC progress to the playoffs this month.

The Men’s program, coached

by Nenad Vidakovic, Austin Solomon, George Stannard and Andrew Bennett, will graduate 16 seniors this year - many of whom are four-year veterans to the program.

Senior captain, Connor Wilkinson, is one such player, beginning his career in 2016, when the team won the PSAC conference title.

In a pre-match interview, Wilkinson reflected on his decorated time with this program.

“My favorite memory is easily winning [the conference title] freshman year. The culture around our team, the players and talent we had was amazing. It was an unbelievable feeling,” Wilkinson said.

Photo by Gillian Mazur

Mercyhurst senior Hady Sarr faces two Slippery Rock players on a breakaway toward goal. The Lakers beat Slippery Rock 1-0 for their Senior Day.

A strong performance was put on by the senior class during the game. Key performances came from Wilkinson and fellow senior, Hady Sarr with two and three shots on goal, respectively.

Senior goalie Martin Jarc secured his fourth shut-out of the season, saving Slippery Rock’s one and only shot on goal.

The 1-0 victory marks a swift turnaround for the Lakers, who

lost 0-1 to Slippery Rock when they last met on the road on Oct. 23.

Senior defender and midfielder, Mats Rohrken secured the only goal of the game off of a corner kick taken by sophomore Henri Tophoven in the 86th minute of the game.

Assistant Coach Andrew Bennett commented after the game that Rohrken put on a massive

Pair of victories for Women’s ice hockey

By Bernard Garwig

Sports editor

The Mercyhurst Women’s ice hockey team is looking strong in this early part of the 2019-20 season.

“I really like where our team is heading,” said junior forward Rachel Marmen. “I think we have a great group and a team that is willing to do whatever it takes to win and be successful.”

Coming off of a win against the University of Connecticut in the first-ever Women’s Icebreaker Tournament, the Lakers (7-2-1, 4-0-0) came home to the Ice Center for two more against Lindenwood University on Nov. 1-2.

In the first game, the Lakers kept Lindenwood off the board with a 3-0 victory.

The first period saw one goal come from senior forward Emma Nuutinen, assisted by senior forward Sam Isbell and sophomore Alexane Rehuame.

Nuutinen would tally again in the third period unassisted, followed by Isbell again (with assists from junior forward Megan Korzack and Nuutinen) to round out the Lakers’ scoring for the first game.

Senior goalie Kennedy Blair ac-

“

I really like where our team is heading, I think we have a great group and a team that is willing to do whatever it takes to win.”

Rachel Marmen, junior forward for Women’s ice hockey

complished a shutout for the Lakers, stopping a total of 13 shots on goal.

Game two saw an even more dominant Lakers’ score of seven goals in a 7-2 decision over Lindenwood.

The Lakers managed three goals in the first period alone, before Lindenwood was finally able to strike seven seconds into the second period.

That goal, however, was followed by four more Laker goals for the period. Lindenwood was only able to manage their second

goal of the series in the third period.

Senior forward Michele Roballard had three goals, Nuutinen two, and Marmen and Isbell each scored one.

“I was happy with our team, we worked hard and created a lot of offence this weekend which was really good,” Isbell said. “We had great contributions from everyone in the line up which is important for us moving forward, those two wins are very important for us in reaching our goal in winning the league. I thought this weekend we did well in creating offence and working together as a team. It was great to see.”

The Lakers will travel to Potsdam, New York, on Nov. 15-16 for their next opponent, Clarkson University.

In their most recent meeting during the 2017-18 season, the Lakers lost 2-1 at Clarkson.

“I think we will have to shut down their top lines and not give them room to create chances,” Marmen said. “We have to play them physical because most teams do not like a physical game. We most importantly have to play our game and do the simple things right in order to win.”

performance for the team.

“He played with calmness at the back, was strong in possession and broke through the opponent’s line to connect with our offense.

His goal topped off an already great performance,” Bennett said.

Senior midfielder and forward Salvatore Canzoneri, who is currently injured, shared his thoughts on the game afterwards as well.

“We let them come to us for the

first 15 minutes of the game and didn’t pressure very much, we just waited to see how they were playing,” Canzoneri said. “We played really well, just couldn’t finish opportunities at the beginning.

Finally, with 4 minutes left in the game we scored.”

He later added that the Lakers, although unlucky at first, controlled possession and played a strong game.

The Lakers will take the field again on Nov. 6 at Saxon Stadium, with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff as they play cross-town rival Gannon University for their “derby day.”

A critical match for the Lakers, the game will work towards building momentum leading up to the conference tournament later this month.

On their most recent encounter, the Lakers fell 2-0 to the Golden Knights when they played on Oct. 19.

A victory for the Lakers in their upcoming game would make quite a statement to the Golden Knights (14-1, 7-1), who are currently ranked first in the PSAC West.

After Gannon, there is one more game on the Lakers’ schedule (at California University on Nov. 9) before the regular season concludes, after which, the Lakers hope to make a postseason run.

HURST RESULTS Oct. 30: Men’s soccer vs.

Seton Hill University: 2-0, Lakers Nov. 1: Volleyball vs. California University of Pennsylvania: 3-2, Lakers (14-11, 6-8) Nov. 2: Men’s ice hockey vs.

Bentley University: 6-3, Bentley (Lakers are now 3-5, 1-1) Nov. 2: Women’s soccer vs.

Clarion University: 1-0, Lakers (9-5-2, 8-5-1) Nov. 3: Volleyball vs. Seton Hill University: 0-3, Seton Hill (Lakers are 14-11, 6-8)

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

SPORTS

PAGE 15

MU football beats Gannon

By Bernard Garwig Sports editor

In the final home appearance of the regular season, a scoreless first half led to a 28-7 Senior Day victory for the Lakers over the crosstown rival Gannon University Golden Knights.

“We overcame some first half adversity and played a very good second half,” said Head Coach Marty Schaetzle. “We did a good job winning the battle upfront, especially our defense, made big plays on offense.”

The first half of the Niagara Cup rivalry game saw neither team get on the board, with both offenses struggling to be productive throughout the first quarter.

In the second quarter, redshirt senior quraterback Doug Altavilla almost put the Lakers on the board, but his pass was intercepted by Golden Knight defensive back Jayden Ashby in the end zone.

Doug Altavilla would get his revenge, however, finding redshirt senior wide receiver Clayton Waldron, who took the pass all the way from the Lakers’ own 20 yard line to the Golden Knights’ endzone.

Junior kicker Mark Shafer Jr. then put the icing on the 80 yard, 15 second drive, giving the Lakers a 7-0 lead.

Two drives later, the game was suspended for 10 minutes after the Golden Knights’ Ashby sustained a hit to the head on the play.

Ashby is reported to be doing

Victoria McGinty photo

The Mercyhurst defensive line prepares for Gannon to snap the ball during Saturday’s game. A strong defensive showing shut down Gannon’s offensive productivity, resulting in a 28-7 Mercyhurst victory.

well despite sustaining a concussion.

The Golden Knights’ next drive would result in a touchdown, and the extra point tied the game 7-7.

In response, the Lakers’ would make the closing score of the third quarter 14-7, with Altavilla throwing to Waldron twice, and redshirt junior running back Garrett Owens running it into the end zone.

The fourth quarter would only see the Lakers take to the score-

board, as the Golden Knights’ touchdown in the third proved to be their only conversion of the game.

On Mercyhurst’s first drive of the fourth quarter, Doug Altavilla threw to Waldron and sophomore fullback Jason Armstrong for three first down conversions before connecting with brother and redshirt junior wide receiver Nick Altavilla in the end zone.

Four drives later, Owens powered in again after a series of runs

Sixth place finish for Women’s bowling at Medaille tournament

By Erin Almeter Staff writer

This is the first season for the new Mercyhurst Women’s bowling team.

This past weekend, Nov. 2-3, the Lakers had a match at Medaille College Tournament in Buffalo, New York.

Currently, the team is composed of six students, freshmen Andrea Fracassi, Samantha Schurr, Samantha Strebel, sophomore Haley Youker, and juniors Jessica Perry and Katryna Slavick.

These women are coached by Michael Machuga.

As of right now, the Lakers are 0-2 in tournaments overall (game record 8-24) in the section and have had matches at the Columbia 300 Penguin Classic and the Mount Shootout.

After day one of the tournament, the Lakers were in third place, with the help of Youker leading in individual placing.

Youker averaged 200 pins per game, scoring 1,000 points overall

for the tournament, and became the first Laker ever to win a tournament MVP by leading the individual scoring on Saturday.

Additionally in individual placing, Strebel was in eighth place with a total of 883 pins and a game average of 176.6.

Schurr had a total of 814 and a game average of 162.8 putting her in 16th place.

Perry totaled 760 and averaged 152 placed for 21st place. Fracassi followed in 27th place with a total of 718 and an average of 143.6.

The team as a whole went 4-1 in the five traditional matches; combined together, their game average is 167 but combining all five matches, the team had a total of 4,175 points.

On Nov. 3, the second day of the tournament, the Lakers were back in action.

The team ended up finishing sixth overall at the tournament and went 5-5.

The Lakers came up with totals of 8,587 pins over 54 games and had a game average of 159 pins

per game.

The Lakers played against Penn State Behrend, whom they won against 1,182 to 1,081 in their first contest, but would lose to 658764 in their second outing.

The Lakers also lost three contests to Villa Maria College, with scores of 1135-1158, 727-831 and 710-860.

“Things are going well so far,” Coach Mike Machuga said. “We have two more tournaments this semester and are looking to build and grow off our previous experiences. We seem to be accomplishing ‘firsts in program history’ every day we compete, so that has been a great joy. While we have much bigger goals as a team, both long term and short, the little milestones each week go a long way to developing into a higher level competitive program.”

You can catch the women’s bowling team playing another match on Nov. 9-10 when they will travel to Rochester, New York for the Redhawks Fall Rally Open.

to make the games final tally 28-7, Lakers.

The Lakers totalled 465 yards of offense, with 355 coming from passing and 110 netted from running plays.

At quarterback, Altavilla threw for 312 yards and had two touchdowns, while freshman quarterback Michael Lowery threw for 43.

Waldron had 182 yards receiving and a touchdown, with his longest being his 80 yard-touch-

down run.

Owens rushed for a net 104 yards while also putting up 77 yards receiving, for a combined total of 181 yards and two touchdowns on the game.

On defense, the Lakers held the Golden Knights to just 140 yards for the entirety of the game.

Senior linebacker Alex Zacharyasz led the defense with nine tackles, followed by linebackers redshirt junior Jospeph Scro and Eljon Williams for seven tackles apiece.

Redshirt senior defensive back Jake Tarasovitch and sophomore Bradley Burrows each recorded forced fumbles.

“Our defense played great the whole game and held them to only seven points,” said Waldron.

“And in the second half our offense started to make big plays and finish drives. ” Two more games make up the Lakers’ (4-5, 2-4) schedule for the season, with road trips to Clarion University (3-6, 1-5) on Nov. 8 and Millersville University (2-7, 1-5) on Nov. 16.

“We have an opportunity to give our seniors their first winning season in their collegiate career,” said Altavilla. “Although this is the end goal, we are focusing right now strictly on Clarion. Clarion is a good football team who have been in every game they’ve played this season. We will need to play in front of the chains and convert on a high percentage of third downs in order to give ourselves a chance to beat them.”

LET’S GO,

LAKERS! Nov. 6, Saxon Stadium @ 3 p.m.: Women’s soccer vs. Indiana University of Pennsylvania Nov. 6, Saxon Stadium @ 7:30 p.m.: Men’s soccer vs. Gannon University Nov. 8, Mercyhurst Athletic Center @ 7 p.m.: Men’s basketball vs. D’Youville College Nov. 9,Clarion University @ 12 p.m.: Football vs. Clarion University

PAGE 16

LAKER LIVING

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

HURST TOON Student-drawn cartoon by the Chuckler