November 28th 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 2 8 , 2 01 8

MU gives thanks

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VOL. 92 NO. 9

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Online poll results We asked: What is the best food at Thanksgiving Dinner?

4: Professional Clothing Closet accepting donations

6: Benefit concert planned for gun violence victims 14: Santa Hustle set to sleigh into downtown Erie

Pumpkin pie (33%) Mashed potatoes (25%) Stuffing (22%) Turkey (20%)

This week’s

POLL

What is your favorite Christmas song?

merciad.mercyhurst.edu

NEWS

PAGE 2

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

LAKERS GIVE THANKS

By Erin Almeter

Staff writer

Mercyhurst’s Parkhurst Dining once again created a feast for students at the Thanksgiving Dinner that was held Nov. 14.

It took place in both Grotto Commons and Ryan Hall’s 501 Grille.

All students were encouraged to attend this pre-Thanksgiving celebration.

All of the Thanksgiving delicacies were served including turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, corn, rolls and so much more.

The main course dishes were just the start to this banquet.

Dessert was provided as well, and consisted of pumpkin pie, apple pie, cherry pie, lemon pound cake, orange cranberry pound cake and many more.

There was something for everyone, which is what Parkhurst Dining aims to do for the Mercyhurst students. According to the Dining Services page on Mercyhurst’s website, Parkhurst strives to create unique dining solutions for those it serves which, is what was accomplished with this Thanksgiving dinner.

The dining areas were decorated with fall favorites and colors. It created a welcoming atmosphere to the students attending the dinner.

Ella DiPietro, a junior Intelligence Studies and Religious Studies major, said that Grotto Commons “had a really nice Thanksgiving dinner.”

She was especially thankful that “they had a lot of options, and everything was delicious.”

Julia Lesko, a junior English and Communication major, described the dinner as “delicious but hectic,” as lot of students were scrambling for a place to sit down and enjoy the dinner.

For the students who were not able to attend the Thanksgiving Dinner, be on the lookout for the Christmas Dinner that is also put on by Mercyhurst’s Dining Services.

AT TOP: Each station at the Grotto Commons was transformed into a cornucopia of festive Thanksgiving foods.

ABOVE: The Parkhurst staff at the Grotto Commons was ready to take on the large crowd of students that always comes for the holiday dinner.

TOP RIGHT: Students waited in long lines at the Grotto Commons for the buffet of Thanksgiving foods.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Both Ryan Hall and the Grotto Commons served Thanksgiving staples.

Erin Almeter and Kristian Biega photos

NEWS

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

PAGE 3

Campus Christmas keepsakes

By Erin Almeter

Staff writer

With Christmas right around the corner, people may be beginning to try to think of thoughtful gifts to give to friends and loved ones.

Mercyhurst is once again offering annual campus Christmas keepsakes. The keepsakes are provided by the department of Advancement.

The department works in collaboration with The Cat’s Meow which is based in Wooster, Ohio, to create these beautiful reminders of what makes Mercyhurst unique and special.

The Cat’s Meow is a small company that started in 1982 to craft little wooden buildings of local, national and international landmarks.

They make it possible for people to build custom places, which is the how Mercyhurst designed the locations on campus into the wooden figurines.

For five years, Mercyhurst has been recreating these locations on campus with the help of the company. In the past, the keepsakes

Contributed photo

By making a donation to the Mercyhurst Annual Fund, the donor will receive a keepsake depicting one of five campus locations. Pictured from left are the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center, Old Main, Christ the King Chapel, the Mercyhurst Gates, and the Grotto.

were of the Mercyhurst Gates, Christ the King Chapel, the Grotto, and Old Main.

This year, the keepsake depicts the inside of the iconic Mary

New associate provost named

By Rebecca Dunphy

Staff writer

On Nov. 14, Mercyhurst announced that Clint Jones, Ph.D., would be taking on the position of associate provost for Associate Degree and Certificate Programs.

In this role, he will be responsible for overseeing curriculum, managing budgets and supporting faculty of the one- and twoyear programs. He will also be taking on the responsibilities of associate vice president for Academic Affairs David Hyland, Ph.D., who will be returning to a full-time teaching position.

Jones is taking on this position with a strong background in chemistry, education, and most recently, business. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, graduating with highest honors from Georgia Tech, as well as a doctorate in analytical chemistry.

His postdoctoral work focused on the development of a method to create artificial cells, leading him to a job as a Senior Scientist at Science Applications International Corporation. He served in this position for one year before joining the Mercyhurst faculty, where he has spent his past 12 years.

During his time at the university, Jones has been a highly recognized educator, receiving the coveted Teaching Excellence Award even before earning tenure in 2012. Since then, he became the

Contributed photo

Clint Jones, Ph.D., is the new associate provost for Associate Degree and Certificate Programs.

chair of the Chemistry and Biochemistry department, where he elevated the program’s curriculum, create the capstone research experience, and acquired more up-to-date equipment. These changes have certainly been influential, evident as the department earned national degree accreditation from the American Chemistry Society in 2016.

The following year, Jones earned a certificate from Harvard Business school. Motivated by his interest in the business of higher education, he studied topics such business analytics, economics for managers and financial accounting for managers.

This extensive background equipped Jones with a diverse set of skills to implement in this new position.

D’Angelo Performing Arts Center.

While the PAC is the highlight of this year, there is still a limited amount of the past four years’ keepsakes that people can obtain

by making a donation.

Courtney Olevnik, director of Annual Giving, said that “the keepsake is available to anyone who makes a gift of $20 or more

to the Mercyhurst Annual Fund through December 14.”

By making a supportive gift to Mercyhurst Annual Fund, the keepsake would be sent to the donors.

Olevnik described the keepsakes as more than just a thankyou gift. They “also play a larger role in the concept of philanthropy,” she said.

Those in the Mercyhurst community want to see Mercyhurst’s campus thrive, and by making a donation and receiving the keepsake, one is doing just that. The keepsake actually should be a secondary reason for giving; the first would be to support Mercyhurst Olevnik explained.

These wooden replications make beautiful gifts for anyone who loves Mercyhurst and its campus locations. By making a donation, you can receive a part of Mercyhurst forever. It’s as simple as giving a gift, and then getting a gift.

Make sure you make a donation

by Dec. 14, if you would like one of the Christmas keepsakes.

To make a donation, one can visit mercyhurst.edu/keepsake.

NEWS

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Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Merciad IN A MINUTE Christmas Tree Lighting It is officially the start of the Christmas season at Mercyhurst!

Plan to join the Mercyhurst community Nov. 28 at 4:30 p.m. for the annual lighting of the big Christmas tree in the Mary Garden in front of Old Main.

Thomas Brooks will conduct the Mercyhurst Concert Choir in singing Christmas carols around the tree.

Hot chocolate and cookies will be served.

Donations for Mercy Center The Mercy Emissaries will be collecting gifts and donations for the Mercy Center for Women.

Toys, clothes, gift wrap, and monetary and gift card donations will help these families celebrate the holiday season.

The gifts should be unwrapped.

Donations can be deposited in the collection boxes near the President’s Office on the first floor of Old Main until Dec. 7.

The Emissaries want to thank everyone for sharing the generosity of Christmas with a Mercy ministry.

Correction A Nov. 14 article about Presque Isle ProMusica contained some incorrect information. Presque Isle ProMusica is not affiliated with the Erie Philharmonic, and Mercyhurst’s Jonathan Moser has not served as a board member.

The Nov. 15 concert at Walker Recital Hall was part of the Erie Philharmonic’s Bruce Morton Wright Chamber Music Series.

The Merciad regrets the errors.

Have a tip for Merciad in a Minute? Want to tell others about your club’s events?

Email us at newsmerciad@ mercyhurst.edu

Kristian Biega photo

Maria L. Garase, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of the department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, began the Professional Clothing Closet (PCC) at Mercyhurst in 2017. The PCC has dresses, skirts, dress shirts and pants, ties and other professional wear.

Dress for success with MU’s Professional Clothing Closet

By Kristian Biega News Editor

Preparing for an important presentation or going on a job interview can be nerve-wracking experiences all on their own.

However, these opportunities can seem especially intimidating to students who do not have access to professional clothing.

For this reason, the Professional Clothing Closet (PCC) was established at Mercyhurst in 2017

by Maria L. Garase, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of the department of Criminology and Criminal Justice.

The PCC seeks to provide students in need with access to professional business attire for interviews, career fairs and other important career development opportunities.

“I wouldn’t want someone to lose out on an opportunity because they cannot afford or do not have access to professional clothing,” Garase said.

She had heard of other colleges starting similar initiatives and wanted to give the opportunity to Mercyhurst students as well.

Since its conception in 2017, Garase has been able to secure space for the closet at the Mercyhurst Erie campus and helped students select appropriate clothing for their job interviews. She has also been able to organize clothing drives with the school.

Garase’s vision for the PCC goes beyond helping students look prepared for interviews and other opportunities, but it helps to build confidence and professionalism.

“Something as simple as having access to appropriate suiting options can help students be confident as they go into their inter-

Kristian Biega photo

Students in need of professional clothes for job interviews, career fairs and other important career opportunities are welcome to utilize the Professional Clothing Closet, located in Preston 121.

views and/or enter the workforce as a proud Mercyhurst University student,” Garase said.

The PCC is available to all students, but most especially those in need. These students may have been referred by various campus offices such as the Career Development Center, Academic Support, Campus Ministry or their own faculty advisers.

When a student takes clothes from the PCC, they do not need to be returned; they are that student’s property.

“Although dependent upon the PCC’s donation inventory and sizes available, we hope to give students free access to one professional outfit that they can wear

to career-related activities,” Garase said.

Mercyhurst recently became a referral partner with Dress For Success Erie (DFSE), an affiliate of Dress For Success Worldwide and a program of the Mercy Center for Women, in fall 2017. If any female students are in need of their professional suiting services, Garase is the point of contact from Mercyhurst at mgarase@mercyhurst.edu. This service is also free of charge to those in need.

The PCC project welcomes student volunteers who would want to coordinate a professional clothing drive on campus or to coordinate with their friends and family and bring the donations in.

Garase also encourages students with a good fashion sense to help coordinate outfits for a “look book” to allow students who use the PCC to see exactly what the closet has available.

“This is an ongoing initiative.

Clothing is accepted year-round,” Garase said. “We do collect business attire for both men and women; however, since women have access to the DFSE program, our main focus is on men’s business attire. Clothing that is donated but that isn’t specifically business attire will be donated to local nonprofit agencies.”

Donations are accepted in 121 Preston Hall. Contact Garase to arrange a drop off day and time.

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

NEWS

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Generous donation to This weekend’s Mercyhurst presidents campus events STUDENT GOVERNMENT

By Erin Almeter Staff writer

A generous gift has been made to serve as the Presidential Residence for Mercyhurst University.

Bruce and Nancy Kern recently decided to donate their brick Tudor-style family home to President Michael T. Victor and future presidents of Mercyhurst.

The house’s beautiful and unique style can clearly be seen from its location at 3906 State St. It is truly a sight to behold, with its 4,295 square feet of spacious rooms, hardwood floors and ornate black walnut woodwork. Mercyhurst University and its presidents will have no problem using the house to its full potential.

President Victor has decided not to move from his family home in Millcreek to this new residence. However, it will provide a space to host alumni, welcome new students, entertain special visitors to Mercyhurst and hold faculty gatherings. The new residence will become a so-

cial and cultural center. It will also be home to future Mercyhurst presidents.

The Kerns have been part of the Mercyhurst community for a long time, as one of their three children is currently on the board of trustees.

According to a press release

by Mercyhurst University, as the Kerns were deciding to move from their home of 30 years, they expressed the want to have it in the possession of someone who could “truly realize the house’s potential, appreciate the architectural integrity and take care of it to the best of their abilities.”

In a press release from Mercyhurst, Nancy Kern said that “the house is a natural fit for Mercyhurst (as) it looks like it could be sitting right on campus and not be out of place.”

The Kerns truly believe that they are putting it in good hands.

The Kern family has lived there for three decades, and so they hope to have the spirit live on.

The house is described as being ideal for entertaining, as it

was often the go-to for holiday gatherings for the Kern family and all-occasion parties for friends.

President Victor expressed his gratitude to the Kern family for their generosity.

As he explained in a press release from Mercyhurst, “A presidential home is so much more than bricks and mortar. It is as much a welcoming retreat for a fireside chat with students as it is a warm and inviting place to entertain many guests at a holiday party.”

There are many possibilities to be explored, Victor said.

Improvements have already been undergone for this prominent house. The outside trim was painted in a rich brown and cream combination to reflect the Tudor style. The hope is to freshly paint the interior walls and install a mural-scene wallpaper in the dining room.

There is a hope that the work for the first floor will be done for the university’s board of trustees opening event in February.

Enjoy a spread of breakfast foods and a gift exchange on Nov. 30, all provided by SAC/MAC. The event will start at 8 p.m. in the Student Union Great Room.

2018 crowdfunding projects commence

By Kristian Biega

News Editor

Over the past two years, Mercyhurst has been able to utilize crowdfunding as a source of fundraising to provide new opportunities and experiences for Mercyhurst students.

Crowdfunding is a way to raise money for these improvements to campus life on a wide-scale basis of generous donations.

Many universities and large organizations across the nation have been using this growing means of fundraising.

This year, more than a dozen potential crowdfunding ideas were submitted to Ryan Palm, Associate Vice President for Advancement and University Advancement, who is in charge of the projects. Once the ideas are submitted from all areas of the campus community, they are then reviewed by Palm and his team to see how feasible the project will be for the school.

“We look at the potential donor base, try and estimate the excitement levels for that particular project and make sure it is something that fits in the overall campus mission,” Palm said.

“This year, we had over a dozen entries and selected four out of the many wonderful options.”

The four projects that were chosen this year are “Fashion Collaborative,” “Cast On. Cast Off,” “AIM for the World,” and

“Equipping a Champion.”

“We are very excited about these projects,” Palm said. “We think they represent a good variety and will impact hundreds of students on the campus.”

The Fashion Merchandising Department’s project, “Fashion Collaborative” has a goal of $3,000 to help repurpose an underutilized room on the third floor of Old Main into an informal collaboration space. This new space will allow Fashion Merchandising students to work together on group projects, meet with faculty members or relax between classes.

“Cast On. Cast Off ” is a project from the Sports Medicine/ Athletic Training Program that will fund new equipment and supplies for cast fitting and removal. This project has a $4,500 goal.

The Autism Initiative at Mercyhurst (AIM) hopes to reach its $5,000 goal for increased support for student travel. This year, the AIM program hopes to travel on a tall-ship voyage in Florida as well as trips to Japan, Malaysia and Indonesia.

The “Equipping a Champion” project hopes to raise $4,000 to help the Laker Field Hockey Program update its travel gear and equipment for players. The program specifically wants to purchase a branded pop-up tent for use both at home and on the road.

“I am very grateful for all the help we are receiving from the faculty, coaches and directors associated with these projects,” Palm said.

Palm and the crowdfunding team hope to help each of these unique projects from various facets of Mercyhurst life reach their goals in the short time frame.

“The race is on,” Palm said.

“The projects are only open for three weeks, so we really hope the entire campus community will jump in to help. Any size gifts helps, whether $5 or $500, and we hope for some student support for these exciting initiatives.”

Donors for the projects will have the opportunity to stay up to date on the progress of the project they have helped fund as the crowdfunding committee will keep in contact via email, snail mail and social media.

While each project has a set goal of funding that they hope to reach to bring the project to fruition, unlike the Kickstarter program, all contributions to crowdfunding will be given whether or not the projects hit their initial goal. All donations also go directly to the individual projects without fees, commissions or other charges.

The crowdfunding campaign will be accepting donations until Dec. 14. To learn more or donate, visit www.mercyhurst.edu/ crowdfunding.

Need some relaxation to finish out the fall semester? Join SAC/MAC on Dec. 1 at 9 p.m. in the Student Union Great Room for massage chairs, yoga, art therapy and a stress ball craft.

MERCYHURST CAMPUS

CRIME LOG Nov. 13: Harassment on Lewis Avenue.

Nov. 19: Criminal mischief, 3800 block of Briggs Avenue.

Nov. 25: Harassment, 3800 block of Lewis Avenue.

Nov. 26: Criminal mischief at Lot 3.

FEATURES

PAGE 6

Ask Mia

Concert planned for gun violence victims

By Marina Boyle

Anyone have a problem that they need help fixing?

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

Dear Mia, I am so ready for the end of the semester. How do I stay focused for the next two weeks? I know finals are going to kill me! I don’t think I can study for hours any longer.

I’m exhausted!

Ready To Call It Quits

Dear Ready To Call It Quits, Chin up! You’re almost there.

Just think — only two more weeks, finals and then you’re done! Another semester accomplished.

Keeping up with your work and looking ahead to finals is crucial.

Use the time you have left wisely.

Reading Day will give you extra time to study and brush up on any topics you might be rusty on.

Make sure you’re getting enough sleep and eating nutritious foods.

Staying up late, pulling allnighters, eating unhealthy foods and drinking coffee may seem like the way to go, but let me assure you, you’ll be running on fumes and eventually crash.

Allow yourself study breaks to rest and don’t overwork yourself.

Making sure you’re prepared ahead of time will allow you to feel less stressed about the road ahead.

Finally, after this is all over, treat yourself! Get some Ben & Jerry’s and watch a movie.

Study Hard!

Sincerely,

Mia

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Features editor

Mercyhurst student Ben VanHook is currently in the process of organizing a campuswide fundraiser to help those who have been affected by gun violence and mass shootings across our nation.

The event will be a concert in which any member of the Mercyhurst community, including students, faculty and staff, can take to the stage with a talent in support of all those who suffered in response to gun violence in recent months.

Options include singing, playing an instrument, reciting a poem, reading a reflection, dancing or any other method of contributing to the show.

While the show will be free to attend, there will be a donation box for attendees to make a donation to victims. The show will be Jan. 28 and will take place in either the Taylor Little Theatre or Walker Recital Hall, with exact details being released early next semester.

The idea for the event came

from VanHook, a sophomore Political Science major.

VanHook is Jewish, and he was motivated to take action following the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting.

“This event is necessary because it is important that nobody heals alone. It is also important to raise awareness for these events,” VanHook said. “These victims deserve to be remembered by more than just a name.”

Since that incident in October, shootings have also occurred in Chicago and Denver, as well as Thousand Oaks, California, and Globe, Arizona, with varying numbers of victims.

Fellow sophomore Political Science major Ruairidh Fraser also plans to help with the organization of this event.

“Violence in the United States has risen to a highly worrying level, and what we require now is a proactive stance. I hope that this concert may help with the healing process and draw our attention toward what is sadly such a prevalent issue,” Fraser said.

The AIM program will also be on board to support this event.

Anyone interested in showcasing a talent or helping in another way is encouraged to do so, especially as the event is still in the planning stage.

“What I am excited for is to see people expressing themselves through art,” VanHook said.

“I am looking forward to seeing people of many different and diverse backgrounds come together to support this cause,” he said.

“This will have an impact because it will raise money for the victims of the tragedies in Pittsburgh and Thousand Oaks. It will at the same time allow for closure and healing to our own community.”

As the year draws to a close, the U.S. has seen 307 mass shootings in the past eleven months.

VanHook said he is open to suggestions for the event, and encourages all to attend.

“An event like this has never happened at Mercyhurst before, but I am optimistic that it will have a positive impact on our community.”

Hurst is home for Thanksgiving break

By Rebecca Dunphy Staff writer

Thanksgiving — it’s a time to celebrate the season and spend time with loved ones around the table. While many students rushed home to be with families, for many international students and others who stay on campus for a variety of reasons, this was not possible.

Multicultural and Inclusion Coordinator Tyler Brentley helped to recreate the warm, inviting atmosphere of going home by offering a complimentary dinner Nov. 21 in the Grotto Commons.

“Thanksgiving is a holiday that revolves around family, food and spending time with the ones that are closest to us,” Brentley said.

“Even though all of our students are not able to make it home for the holiday, we strive to show that Hurst is Home with this tradition by providing students with an opportunity to engage with fellow members of the campus community over a delicious meal,”he said.

An email was sent out to students by International Enrollment Counselor Angela Phillips inviting students to the Grotto Commons for dinner.

“Thanksgiving is about breaking bread and giving thanks, so

it makes perfect sense that the Multicultural & Inclusion Office extends this tradition to our international student population. We are always thankful for all that our international student population brings to our campus, and what better way to show our gratitude than with a traditional holiday meal that brings everyone together,” Phillips said.

For many students, fond memories of last year’s event motivated them to attend.

“The atmosphere was warm and inviting, as we were allowed to eat together in the main dining area by the Daily Dish,” junior Comparative Identity Politics major Megan Quiñones said.

“It was wonderful, as we got to interact with some of the other students and organizers in attendance like Sarah Allen and the staff members serving us themselves. It felt like the school truly cared and wanted us to have a traditional American Thanksgiving experience. We had great food, friendship, a full belly and containers to take home a plate of leftovers for the day after.”

This year, approximately 40 students attended the meal. The menu included classic Thanksgiving foods including turkey, mashed potatoes, collard greens,

stuffing, sweet potatoes, dinner rolls and gravy.

Though this year’s menu was more limited as compared with last year’s menu, students still thoroughly appreciated Brentley’s efforts.

For those staying on campus, other faculty and staff members also extended a hand of hospitality. One of these people included Kristan Wheaton, associate professor of Intelligence Studies, who invited students to his home for dinner on Thanksgiving Day. Students who stayed also had the opportunity to volunteer in the local area with food shelters who organize Thanksgiving events.

Whatever students chose to do, the kindness extended by others did not go unnoticed.

“I appreciated the obvious effort put in by the event organizers, including putting together this complimentary dinner and experience for those of us who had nowhere else to go for the holiday,” Quiñones said.

“I recognize that Tyler Brentley is new to the job and think he is working diligently to put us on the map and make multicultural students feel more included on campus. I am very grateful for this contribution to the Mercyhurst community.”

FEATURES

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

PAGE 7

Jordan Kessler photo

The sports jersey team — Michael Coholan, Todd Redman, George Jobson, Gavin Farrell, Nick Mabe and Ryan Scoble — won the six-team charity dodge ball tournament.

Lakers get active to feed the needy

By Jordan Kessler

Contributing writer

On Nov. 16, a Mercyhurst charity dodge ball event was held by a group of three Resident Assistants (RAs) to raise money for the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania.

The tournament was led by RAs David Steets, Raejonna Pascarella and Grayson Taylor, who serve the freshman area.

The event was held in the Mercyhurst Athletic Center and was open to all members of the campus community.

“The event was created to raise money for the Second Harvest Food Bank to provide food for families in Erie who are not able to easily afford a Thanksgiving dinner,” Steets said. “Each player participating had to donate either $5 or three canned goods.”

Six teams registered to play, and each team needed five to seven players to qualify for a place in the tournament. The teams came

up with their own names and uniforms. Outfits included tropical shirts, while another was wearing all black and another wore sports jerseys.

Each team was played another team at random for the first round. A bracket system was set up to see which teams would advance in the tournament.

Over 40 students came out to watch or play in the tournament and get involved in the fun. Katy Vaccariello, a sophomore Fashion Merchandising major, was a player for the team wearing all black.

“I went to play dodge ball to support my friend who set the entire charity tournament up. It was a wonderful time playing with my friends, as well as interacting with other students in a cheerful way. I would definitely do it again,” Vaccariello said.

The teams that were not playing sat in the bleachers and cheered on their fellow students.

Kristian Trebilcock, a sophomore Sustainability Studies major,

was on the tropical T-shirt team.

“Overall, the event was a lot of fun. I had never been to something like that before, but it was something that you could make as fun as you wanted. There were a lot of good team themes, and that definitely made everything more enjoyable,” Trebilcock said.

When he wasn’t on the court, Trebilcock was amping up the crowd with the wave and other cheers to support the teams.

When the final match began between the tropical team and the jersey team, everyone was on their feet. After an intense final game, the team wearing the sports jerseys won the tournament.

While the satisfaction of winning was the main prize up for grabs, the organizers also gave bookstore hats and Sheetz gift cards.

That being said, the real winners were the RAs who raised $120 for Jordan Kessler photo the Second Harvest Food Bank and collected 30 canned goods A member of the team wearing all black gets competitive, with freshmen area HDs and ADs helping RAs to referee the game for families in need.

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?

Would you like to earn money for your work?

We are still looking for writers and photographers, and next semester is the perfect time to start!

Join us at our reporters’ meetings on Mondays at 7 p.m. in Hirt 305.

FEATURES

PAGE 8

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Habitat announces spring trip

By Marina Boyle Features editor

Mercyhurst’s Habitat for Humanity Club has announced the location of its annual spring break trip this week.

The club will travel to Birmingham, Alabama, over break to spend a week with a family in need. This location is highly anticipated each year for those who plan to devote their break to service.

This year marks the first time in three years that Habitat for Humanity Club will be leaving North Carolina and traveling to a new state to build a house in one week for a family in need.

While the drive will be slightly longer, many club members are looking forward to the drive south to escape the snow.

Applications will open on Dec. 5 at 8 a.m. in the Campus Ministry lounge. With only 12 spots available, the trip is always competitive.

Club president Morgan Stacey urges those interested to consider the benefits of the trip and get applications in as quickly as possible.

“

The trip is an awesome opportunity to meet new people and make new friends, go to new places and serve people in different communities. It is definitely a worthwhile experience, and you’ll never regret giving back.”

Morgan Stacey, Habitat for Humanity Club president

“The Habitat for Humanity spring break trip is a great alternative to spending your spring break at home with not much to do. The trip is an awesome opportunity to meet new people and make new friends, go to new places and serve people in different communities. It is definitely a worthwhile experience, and you’ll never regret giving back,” Stacey said.

For anybody interested, signups take place from 8 a.m. until the trip is full by providing your name and a $50 deposit to secure your spot. The remainder of the payment, an additional $175, can be paid any time between Dec. 5 and the trip in March.

The cost includes transportation to Al-

abama, the provided accommodation and meals, as well as recreational activities.

The trip will take place March 6-10, with four days of building and one relaxation day where students will be free to explore the city of Birmingham or attend a local sports game.

While the trip is demanding physically, there are plenty of rest periods.

Junior Political Science major Logan Ford traveled to Monroe County, North Carolina, with Habitat for Humanity last year.

“The trip was an unforgettable experience. It is one of those rare opportunities to really bond with people outside of

your year and major while taking part in something bigger than any single person involved,” Ford said.

He is one of the Habitat veterans who hopes to return this year.

Another student with similar ambitions is sophomore Intelligence Studies major Julia Wrest.

“Habitat for Humanity was a great way to make new friends while volunteering for a great cause. It is an outstanding organization that focuses on giving back to the community, and it was really amazing to be able to help build a home for deserving people. They, in turn, are very appreciative of all that the volunteers do for them,” Wrest said.

Students generally complete an entire house or do other tear-down and building work as designated by the local community.

Students often get to meet the family they are helping, which makes the experience particularly meaningful.

Scholarships are available for those who may struggle with the expense of the trip.

Any questions can be directed to president Stacey or club adviser, Jeremy Hewitt.

Laker reaches 1 million music streams

By Marina Boyle

Features editor

Frankie Stark, a junior Marketing major also known by the stage name LAV8, has just reached 1 million streams on Soundcloud this week.

He is the first Mercyhurst student to hit this record for his original music and remixes.

Stark works as a music producer and DJ while being a student at Mercyhurst.

LAV8 Music — pronounced “elevate” — started as a duo with Stark’s friend Alex Blatt, who is known independently as Wvntd.

Having gone solo, LAV8 is 21-year-old Stark and his collection of collaborations with other up-and-coming artists.

Stark gained recognition from his first remix released on Soundcloud, which gained 100,000 views and 13,000 favorites within

the first week of the release.

Being a huge fan of Two Friends, 3LAU and the Chainsmokers, Stark incorporates a mix of indie plucks and future synths with electropop.

In addition to producing remixes of music from the above artists, within two years of producing music Stark has also worked on seven originals, all ranging in genre.

“I think being at such a young age and being able to make music that my friends enjoy listening to is awesome. That’s the way it started out, and now thousands of people are listening to my music, which is insane,” Stark said.

LAV8 will also play at an event at the Bourbon Barrel with Toon Squad and Wvntd on Dec. 7.

The event is open to Mercyhurst students with tickets available now.

LAV8 plans to go on a col-

lege tour after graduation in the hopes of gaining recognition for his style of music.

Stark hopes to be back for Springfest one day and to be able to represent Mercyhurst in the future.

Sophomore Intelligence Studies major Bella Fragnoli is a longtime fan of LAV8.

“Frankie’s music is something I look forward to listening to all the time. Seeing that he’s worked so hard to get to this point makes me super excited for him. He has so much passion for what he does, and it always makes his music so enjoyable. This is a really awesome achievement, and I love seeing how he’s making Mercyhurst proud by having listeners all round,” Fragnoli said.

Stark’s music can be found at LAV8Official on Soundcloud, Apple Music and Spotify.

Congratulations, LAV8!

Contributed photo

Frankie Stark is a junior Marketing major who spends his free time and summers making music under the stage name LAV8.

Freshmen mark milestone of 100 days in

By Marina Boyle Features editor

Contributed photo

Free cupcakes were available in Grotto Commons to mark the first 100 days since freshmen began their college experiences.

Nov. 26 marked 100 days since freshmen began their first year of college. To celebrate, MSG set up a table in the Grotto Commons with free cupcakes, treats and lanyards for all freshmen.

As finals draw closer and the days get busier, MSG is recognizing the importance of this milestone in everyone’s college career with positive reminders of how close all freshmen are to a strong finish this semester.

Even though the day marked 100 days exactly for freshmen, everyone else is also only about

three days behind, and most students feel they have something to celebrate for their efforts so far this semester.

Raffle baskets were available for lucky freshman winners, and while the lanyards were reserved for only freshmen, all were welcome to try the tasty cupcakes.

Students from all other years could get involved by writing advice to their peers on slips of paper, which will given to the Class of 2022 as they finish out the semester.

Common pieces of advice included “get involved,” “don’t give up now,” “value your friendships,” “don’t get too hooked on

the dessert bar” and, of course, “Carpe Diem.”

Luke the Laker also made an appearance in Grotto Commons to join in the celebrations.

Mitchell Marsh, junior Hospitality Management and Marketing major, helped to organize this event as part of his class senator position with MSG. “This is an annual event that MSG puts on for freshmen to congratulate them on making it 100 days into the semester and their college career. It’s a fun way to recognize the class of 2022, their achievement, and just a nice little celebration with cupcakes, giveaways and more,” Marsh said.

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

FEATURES

PAGE 9

Mercyhurst news release photo

Members of the AIM program met with the Wells Fargo staff in the CAE Board Room, where they discussed mentoring, practiced résumé review and conducted mock interviews.

Wells Fargo expands support for AIM development initiatives

By Kristian Biega News editor Last April, Wells Fargo teamed up with the Mercyhurst AIM program as five senior representatives came to the school to host professional information sessions for the students.

Since then, the partnership has only grown. Wells Fargo returned to Mercyhurst on Nov. 15 to continue career counseling and development support for students on the autism spectrum.

The main goal behind this partnership is to help AIM students gain valuable professional knowledge and experience, as well as providing Wells Fargo with the chance to further their commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Michael Riesmeyer, a wholesale

credit manager based in Boston, is the leader of the Wells Fargo Program with Mercyhurst. Riesmeyer has a personal connection to Mercyhurst as his daughter, Megan Riesmeyer, is a sophomore in the AIM program.

Through his daughter, he gained exposure to the program and to the needs of college students on the spectrum, prompting him to lead this initiative.

On Nov. 15, a team of recruiters met once again with the AIM students, students from the Learning Differences Program and interested students from other disciplines.

Jose L. Garcia, senior vice president, Diversity Talent Acquisition Leader of Wells Fargo; Monica Victorino, Talent Acquisition Diversity Strategy Leader; Michael Bohley, Exam Manager; and Ty-

ler Leech, Operations Processor, were all at the event to provide their expertise for the AIM students.

According to a news release by Mercyhurst about the November followup with Wells Fargo, the day built upon April’s workshops in “mentoring, résumé review and mock interviews.”

The goal of the day is “preparing AIM students for possible career opportunities at Wells Fargo and local businesses while helping Wells Fargo team members learn how best to interact with people on the spectrum.”

Brad McGarry, director of the AIM program, found much value in last April’s workshops. For him, the benefits are experience for the students with awareness and hiring practices improvement for Wells Fargo.

Riesmeyer hopes to build the program with AIM in order to expand opportunities for “people with diverse abilities.”

This mindset is fully supported by Wells Fargo as they teamed up with SS+K to launched their “With, Always” campaign. According to Wells Fargo, the “With, Always” campaign is dedicated to “showing what’s possible when people are given the opportunity to realize their professional dreams.”

The company wants to establish their commitment to “working with people with disabilities, always.”

As part of a worldwide corporation that employs more than 250,000 people, Riesmeyer and the team know that workshops and partnerships with colleges are valuable, so they hope to expand

the partnership outside of the AIM program as well.

After the workshop, Wells Fargo presented President Michael T. Victor and McGarry with a donation of $15,000 to the AIM program to promote the goals of building self-advocacy, social skills and sound academic progress for college students on the spectrum.

Victor stated in the news release from Mercyhurst how valuable opportunities like this are for students in the AIM program, for Mercyhurst and for Wells Fargo.

“We at Mercyhurst have long sought to galvanize change through partnership, and we are indebted to Wells Fargo for their interest, their commitment and their ongoing support aimed at engaging autistic adults for longterm meaningful employment,” Victor said.

LAKER MOMENT Russian club meets for tea

Russian Club members met for evening tea with Mercyhurst University’s Russian Fulbright scholar, Lidiia Novichkova, in the Campus Ministry lounge. The meeting involved Russian treats and borscht. Junior Chris Muratore, an Intelligence Studies major who studied in St. Petersburg over the summer, will be presenting to Russian Studies students on Wednesday Nov. 28.

PAGE 10

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Student dance majors choreograph show

By Megan Lay

Staff writer

Just before break on Nov. 19, 15 dance majors from the Choreography II class debuted their first work on stage in the Taylor Little Theater.

Students assisted in all aspects of the production, including casting, rehearsals, choreography, show order, program organization and poster design.

The choreographers were Emily Black, Megan Carnuche, Kate Duane, Caroline Enwright, Kristen Faraclas, Katarina Flores, Micayla Frank, Hannah Gibson, Sarah Gregory, Stacie Preuhs, Hannah Schayes, Lucie Shultz, Alexis Snedeker, Jenna Swartz and Danielle Quenneville.

All of the choreographers were encouraged to find inspiration and explore their theme through a sixto-eight-minute piece of music.

The all-female group of students had chosen topics to explore, ranging from brainwash, cancer, skeletons, feminism and even awkwardness.

Some of the choreographers chose to include voiceovers and spoken word with their music to relay their messages more clearly.

Swartz took her inspiration from the poem “Footprints in the Sand.”

Photo by Megan Lay

Student choreographers bow after the performances of their pieces.

“The most challenging part of the process was conveying my ideas about faith without seeming too literal,” she said. “I wanted to show themes of support without just having one dancer lifting the others around the stage for six minutes.”

Swartz executed this by having the dancers partner minimally throughout the piece.

At the very end, when the voiceover of the poem, spoken by members of her cast, was played, the dancers perfectly embodied the poem by climbing onto the male dancer. This was a great con-

clusion to the piece.

Swartz said, “I hope the audience is able to feel the emotion behind the piece, and I hope it touches anyone who has had a similar experience when struggling with their faith.”

Another choreographer, Gregory, chose music, costumes and a theme that were a little more disorganized.

“It took me a while to come up with a concept for this project because I kept getting distracted by other things, and my mind was just everywhere,” she said. “So I ended up using that as inspiration for my

concept: scattered and distracted.”

Featuring four very different dancers in brightly colored leggings and one-armed shrugs, Gregory’s piece was a light-hearted addition to the program.

She used elements of the stage that many choreographers dare not to touch, such as the legs and stairs at the sides of the stage.

The music she chose to accompany her choreography was rhythmic yet adequately varied, adding depth to her concept.

When asked what she hoped her dancers would gain from being involved in her process, Gregory said, “I gave my dancers a lot of freedom in this piece because I wanted them to explore their own distracted selves in the moment throughout the piece. I hope they enjoyed the process and the chance to express themselves on stage in ways they might not always get to explore.”

If you missed this most recent show, there will are still chances to see student choreography.

The first weekend in April, the senior dance majors will be debuting their capstone research works in the Performing Arts Center.

Next fall, this same group of choreographers will be organizing a showing in the Walker Recital Hall for their final project for Choreography III.

UPCOMING EVENTS Nov. 28 @ 7 p.m. in WRH: Small Ensembles Concert Dec. 1 @ 7 p.m. in TLT: Jazz Ensemble Christmas Concert Dec. 4 @ 7:30 p.m. in PAC: MIAC Guest Artist: Jane Lynch: A Swingin’ Little Christmas Dec. 5 @ 7 p.m. at MU NE Campus: Concert Choir Christmas Concert Dec. 9 @ 4 p.m. in PAC: Mercyhurst Civic Orchestra and Concert Choir Christmas Concert Dec. 15 @ 12:55 p.m. in PAC: MET Simulcast: La Traviata

Orchestra, choir Choir plans annual show unite for holiday on MU North East campus

By Gabrielle Bejarano

Staff writer

The Mercyhurst University Civic Orchestra, directed by Jonathan Moser, and the Mercyhurst University Concert Choir, directed by Thomas Brooks, will be coming together to present a concert entitled “A Storybook Christmas.”

This musical event, which takes place Dec. 9 at 4 p.m. in the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center, comes just in time for the holiday season.

Audience members should expect to be whisked away in a concert full of holiday favorites, featuring songs like the “Christmas Song” and “White Christmas,” as well as arrangements of classic Christmas film scores such as “Home Alone” and “The Polar Express.”

The centerpiece of the concert will be “Twas the Night before Christmas,” which is a collaboration between the Civic Orchestra and the Concert Choir.

These musicians have been working incredibly hard to put this event together.

Moser said that the students in the ensemble practice numerous hours.

Just this particular concert will have taken more than 14 hours of rehearsal in addition to other kinds of preparation.

“With each concert the ensemble uses the preparation time to grow and become more unified,” Moser said. “This is what makes each concert better than the last.”

Those performing in the orchestra include college students, community members and local professionals.

The choir has Music majors and people of other majors as well.

Moser hopes that the audience will enjoy the performance that the Mercyhurst Civic Orchestra and Concert Choir members, have worked so hard to share with them.

“It is my hope that audience members may walk out of the auditorium with pep in their step, a brighter smile and their hearts just a bit fuller in hope for the new year,” Moser said.

A Storybook Christmas will be a wonderful evening you won’t want to miss.

Tickets can be purchased online or at the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center.

They are $5 for adults and $2 for students and youth.

By Jenny Sabliov

Staff writer

The Mercyhurst University Mary D’Angelo Department of Music presents “Sing We Now of Christmas,” a concert under the direction of Thomas Brooks.

This concert consists of the Mercyhurst University Concert Choir and Chamber Singers.

Paul Caram, a freshman Music Education major, is the accompanist for the concert.

Brooks chose the songs on the program because he believes as a university ensemble, the students should perform serious classical music.

The underlying structure of the program is composed of three segments.

The first part of the program, which is performed by the Concert Choir, features songs that are very famous and have been extensively performed over the years.

The first is a very popular piece titled “Christmas Cantata” by Daniel Pinkham, which is meant to be performed with a brass band accompaniment.

It is composed of three movements: “Quem vidistis, pas-

“

It is a beautiful chapel to perform in and just overall a lovely, Christmasspirited town.”

Stephanie Dowling

tores?,” “O magnum mysterium” and “Gloria in excelsis.”

The second song is “Nativity Carol,” by John Rutter.

The well-known “Ave Maria,”

by Javier Busto, completes the first part of the program and begins the second segment of the overall program.

Brooks chose the songs for the middle segment because they are shorter carols and are more reminiscent of the traditional carols and hymns sung for Christmas; however, they are still considered serious classical music.

All of the songs in this segment are performed by the Chamber Singers.

These selections include “Sans Day Carol” by John Rutter, “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly” and

“Sussex Carol” arranged by David Willcocks and “In the Bleak Mid-Winter” by Harold Darke.

The Concert Choir will return to the stage to perform “I Saw Three Ships,” arranged by John Rutter; “Sing We Now of Christmas,” arranged by Fred Prentice; “African Noel,” arranged

by Andre Thomas and “’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” arranged by Harry Simeone.

To balance the concert, Brooks had to determine the feasibility of performing each work.

This is the second year that the Concert Choir and Mercyhurst Civic Orchestra will have a joint concert at a later date.

“People should attend this concert in North East because it is a great tradition that the choir has held for many years,” said senior Music Education major Stephanie Dowling, one of the singers in the concert. “It is a beautiful chapel to perform in and just overall a lovely, Christmas-spirited town.”

The Christmas Concert will take place Dec. 5 at Mercyhurst North East in St. Mary’s Chapel at 7 p.m.

The performance is free and open to the public.

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

FAC U LT Y R E C I TA L R E V I E W

PAGE 11

OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS! NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!

Zurcher recital was a ‘reed’-y good time

By Ashley Viszneki

Staff writer

On Nov. 14 in the Walker Recital Hall, I had the pleasure of attending the faculty recital of Allan Zurcher, D.A., which featured Elizabeth Etter, D.M.A., as well as other D’Angelo Department of Music faculty and friends.

The first piece that was performed was Prelude, Cadence et Finale by Alfred Desenclos.

Zurcher played the alto saxophone and Etter joined him on the piano.

This piece started out sounding very mellow and expressive.

As the piece went on, it started to sound more dramatic and it built throughout the rest of the piece.

I found this piece very interesting and enjoyable to listen to.

The second piece that was played was Saxophone Quartet No. 2 by Steve Cohen.

This piece featured the Presque Isle Saxophone Quartet, with Zurcher on soprano saxophone, Bethany Dressler on alto saxophone, Rebecca Wunch on tenor saxophone and Scott Meier, Ph.D., on baritone saxophone.

The first movement sounded mysterious and thoughtful as well as peaceful.

The second movement sounded lively and had a good groove to it.

The third movement sounded scenic and had a mellow sound.

The fourth movement sounded exciting.

The melodies and harmonies blend together really well.

I really enjoyed hearing this piece.

All four movements sounded different but they were all intriguing to the ear.

The third piece on the concert was selections from Etudes pour Saxophone Alto et Piano by Charles Koechlin.

Zurcher went back to the alto saxophone and Etter joined him again on the piano.

The first movement of this piece, Molto Animato, featured chromaticism and contrasting dynamics.

The second movement, Avec grea’es, was beautiful.

It sounded relaxing and scenic.

Zurcher skipped to Movement 9, Molto Animato, which was lively and fun.

The 10th movement, Tres Calme, sounded calm and reflective.

The last piece performed on the program was Concerto for Saxophone Alto by Alexander Glazumov.

This was performed by Zurcher on alto saxophone and Etter on piano.

This piece was full of life and embellishments.

Later in the piece, it became very expressive.

The piece finished strong with a sequential passage and then an impressive final note.

Small ensembles to pack big punch

By Ashley Viszneki

Staff writer

This fall’s Small Ensembles concert will take place on Nov. 28 at 7 p.m. in the Walker Recital Hall.

One of the ensembles featured in this concert is the flute ensemble.

The flutes featured in this ensemble are the C flute (standard flute), piccolos, the alto flute and the bass flute.

The music featured in this ensemble includes everything from standard flute duets to jazz charts.

“I am most excited for this concert because you can see students in the department flourish as leaders and learn new skills while being in a small ensemble that you can’t experience in one of the larger ones,” said Morgan Dowches, a sophomore Music Therapy major.

Her favorite piece on the program was written by her lesson teacher, Amanda Sage.

Another small ensemble that is

playing is the clarinet choir.

This choir features five Bb clarinets and one bass clarinet.

They will be performing two pieces of different styles.

“My favorite piece is Czardas by Vittorio Monti (arranged by Kazuhiro Morita) because it is such a well-known folk song and this is full of lush harmony and catchy rhythms,” said Emily Zbrzezny, a junior Music Education major.

“I am most excited for the small ensemble concert because I love playing in a small group and sharing wonderful music with people,” Zbrzezny said.

The third ensemble playing is the saxophone quartet.

This ensemble features soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone and baritone saxophone.

It will feature a variety of different pieces.

“My favorite piece is Fantasy on theme of Jupiter by Gustav Holst because it is beautiful and there are some really great solos in the

piece,” said Greta Stoner, a freshman Music Education major.

Stoner is most excited for the concert because the saxophones “have a super great group and it’s a lot of fun to perform with them, and we have really great repertoire.”

The fourth ensemble is the string ensemble, which features two violinists and one violist.

They will be playing Dvorak’s string trio Miniatures, op 75a: movements 1,2 and 3.

“My favorite movement is the second movement because I like the folky style in the trilled chords and the running sixteenths,” said first violin Kayla Bravchok, a senior Music Education major.

“I’m excited to perform because chamber music is my favorite part of playing, but also we’ve grown a lot as a group and the piece is fun to play,” Bravchok said.

The fifth ensemble is the chamber singers.

This ensemble will perform a variety of Christmas carols from

the100 Carols for Choir book. “‘In the Bleak Midwinter’ by Harold Darke is my favorite song that the chamber singers will be singing because it is a setting of the Christina Rossetti poem of the same name,” said Stephanie Dowling, a senior Music Education), who sings soprano 2 in the group — and who says Rossetti is her favorite poet.

“I am most excited about this concert because it is my last small ensembles concert since I will be student teaching next spring,” Dowling said.

The last ensemble is the brass ensemble, which features two trumpets and two trombones.

Their set features a piece by Bach, a piece by Gabrielli and a Canadian Brass version of “Amazing Grace” that has trumpet solos.

“I am excited for this concert because I’ve been practicing for this concert all semester and it has led up to this,” said trombonist Renee Wolverton, a freshman Music Performance major.

Like the arts? How about writing?

Maybe you should write for the A&E section next spring!

Join us at our reporters’ meetings Mondays at 7 p.m. in Hirt 305, or email us at artsmerciad@ gmail.com!

You’ll even get paid $10 an article!

OPINION

PAGE 12

GOOD Only one week of classes and one week of finals remain before Winter Break.

Why I love both Christmas and New Year’s Eve

By Anthony

Miller

Opinion Editor

BAD This is the last edition of the Merciad for the year!

INTERESTING Mercyhurst is now labeling all emails that come from non-Mercyhurst sources to crack down on phishing scams.

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

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

@mercyhurst.edu editormerciad editormerciad newsmerciad featuremerciad sportsmerciad entertainmentmerciad opinionmerciad copymerciad admerciad kbowers

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

The Merciad welcomes letters to the editor. All letters must be signed and names will be included with the letters. Although we will not edit the letters for content, we reserve the right to trim letters to fit. Letters are due Mondays by noon and may not be more than 300 words. Submit letters to box PH 485 or via email at opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Christmas is still just under a month away, and December has not even come knocking as of yet.

Despite this, the Christmas celebration already is in full swing.

I’ve already seen my fair share of Christmas decorations and Christmas commercials.

I’ve even heard Christmas music on the radio once or twice.

In a more meta sense, here I am, writing an article about my appreciation for Christmas in late November.

Many would say that this article is coming out-of-season.

I can understand that perspective.

We just passed Thanksgiving, and people are already hyped for Christmas as if it is already here.

We even have the 25 days of Christmas, where we celebrate each and every individual day leading up to Christmas as if it were Christmas itself.

But I would argue that there’s a reason for all this celebration.

That reason is the simple fact that Christmas means an incredible amount to an incredible amount of people, including myself.

That stretch, from around Dec. 20 to the end of Jan. 1, is my favorite time of the year.

I can’t quite describe it, but there’s a certain quietness, innocence even, surrounding those simple days.

It’s like all the trouble and hardship of the rest of life falls away, and all I’m left with is the comfort of simple life.

But that’s getting a bit ahead of myself.

To go back a bit, let me explain why I love Christmas.

Of course, there’s all the standard reasons you’ve likely heard before.

Awesome food, getting to see loved ones you don’t normally get to see, the presents, the list goes on.

All these things are unquestionably important, and they all play a huge part in just how and why so many people have come to see Christmas as the most wonderful time of the year.

It’s a time of reprieve after the storm of the previous year.

You just get to relax and surround yourself with comforts.

But that doesn’t tell the whole story.

For me, Christmas goes a bit deeper than that.

It’s what Christmas represents, and how it impacts people, that makes it such an amazing holiday.

The issue is that this thing is a bit harder to pin down, but I’ll try my best.

For me, it’s the way in which Christmas manages to lift people’s spirits, how it manages to give people hope in a world that seems hellbent on denying it.

In essence, it’s the unfailing optimism of the season.

Everybody is cynical and pessimistic nowadays.

I can’t blame people for feeling this way, looking at the state of the world and all, but it seems as if nobody is ever really happy, or even hopeful, anymore.

Again, there are reasons to feel this way. Things are far from perfect.

I even think these feelings are valuable to have.

It is only after you realize how messed up things are that you can start the work to change anything, after all.

But it’s the constant pessimism and cynicism that worries me, as if people are finally becoming convinced that things will never get better, and that everything will always suck forever.

It’s this feeling that I think Christmas can help with, because Christmas has a way of lifting even the most dour of spirits.

If only for just a few weeks during this time of the year, it’s as if everybody’s spirit is lifted.

It’s a time of hope and optimism, and it always feels like that unrelenting optimism is able to bring us all up.

This isn’t to say that Christmas erases all hardships, or that everybody should necessarily feel happy during Christmas.

And, more soberingly, there are countless people out there who don’t have the opportunity or ability to celebrate something like Christmas.

It’s just that I’ve found that this holiday has a way of lifting people’s spirits in a way no other holiday can.

In a world of anger, mistrust and cynicism, it’s a short time where the human spirit receives some uplift.

And I don’t think that nearly enough people recognize how powerful this uplift can be,

especially if you’re someone going through a hard time in your life.

So that’s why I think Christmas is so important: It lifts people’s spirits.

Sounds corny, I know, but it’s what I think.

But Christmas only tells half the story as to why I love this part of the year so much.

Once we’ve cleared Christmas, it’s on to New Year’s Eve, a strong contender for my favorite holiday.

I think there’s a sharp distinction that needs to be drawn between Christmas and New Year’s, and between the ways in which these holidays are celebrated.

New Year’s celebrations, at least in my experience, tend to be stripped-down affairs.

Christmas is sitting around the tree with your entire family unwrapping presents.

New Year’s is sitting around the television with a select few others, waiting for the ball to drop.

New Year’s is a special time of year, in that it’s a holiday that seems, at least in part, devoted to introspection.

We’ve all done it at some point, watched the ball in New York fall from its pinnacle to its base.

It’s a sight that fills me with something approaching bittersweet melancholy.

On the one hand, it’s a moment to reflect on the events of the past year, and to look ahead to what may lay in wait in the year ahead.

On the other, it’s an inescapable sign of the passage of time.

It reminds me that yet another year has gone by, that everything living on the planet is now an entire year older than they were just a short 365 days ago.

It’s a weird feeling, but it’s one that I’ve come to appreciate the worth of.

It’s a holiday that celebrates looking inward, backwards and forwards all at once.

For once, in the crazy whirlwind of life, New Year’s is a chance to genuinely reflect on who we are, where we came from and where it is that we are going to go next.

So while it may not be as flashy as Christmas, I still appreciate New Years a great deal.

Taken together, Christmas and New Year’s Eve deliver the best time of the year.

The views expressed in the opinion section of The Merciad do not necessarily reflect the views of Mercyhurst University, the staff of The Merciad or the Catholic Church. Responses on any subject are welcome and can be emailed to opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

OPINION

My thoughts on the Laker closing

By Sarah Klein Staff writer

The Laker Inn officially closed for extensive renovations a few weeks ago.

The renovations the Laker is undergoing include the addition of a pub, which is already a controversial topic in and of itself.

But while the construction of the pub has garnered a lot of attention, I think that the closing of the Laker should be talked about more.

Students across the campus of Mercyhurst University are already feeling the impact of the Lakers closing.

Many students only have dining dollars, which already makes it hard for them to find a good place on campus to buy a meal outside of the Laker Inn. There are other impacts to dining on campus as well.

For example, now only the Ryan Hall Grab n’ Go is available for al a carte purchases.

Sometimes, it’s nice to just get a burger or a salad, instead of a complete buffet.

As for myself, at the beginning of the year I went to the Laker Inn for lunch every day.

I really liked how there were options for large salads, sandwiches and burritos that were different from any of the other dining halls here at Mercyhurst.

I also liked how anyone could enter the Laker, even if they did not buy anything.

This allowed friends to meet there, regardless of whether everyone wished to purchase a meal or not.

As I am only a sophomore this year, this is the first time I was able to fully utilize the Laker Inn with my meal plan.

It was a disappointment when I learned of the reduced hours at the beginning of the semester, as was it a disappointment when I heard that the Laker Inn was closing down.

The closing of the Laker also led to the crowding of the other dining halls on campus.

Even with the opening of the 501 Grille in Ryan Hall this semester, I still noticed that Grotto Commons became busier during the dinner hours.

There are far more people packed into those spaces now.

With the Laker Inn closing for the majority of the rest of the academic year, the lunch rush is likely to increase around campus as well.

In addition, the Laker is located near many classrooms around campus.

This made the Laker an incredibly convenient place on campus to stop for lunch, or to grab something to eat between classes or even to grab a boxed meal to bring back to your apartment.

Without the Laker, meals are becoming more stressful,

especially for those who have a packed schedule during the day.

Lunchtime is supposed to be a time for relaxation and unwinding, not worrying about if I will make it to my next class on time.

If you have little time between classes, you really felt the closing of the Laker.

I am finding myself rearranging my schedule to ensure that I have time to go to Grotto Commons for lunch as it is closest to my classes.

Before, I never had to arrange my schedule around dining, but this recent change has brought it to that.

It is far less convenient on the whole.

Furthermore, my friends and I usually eat dinner at Grotto Commons, but the crowding has made it harder to do so.

Beyond that, without the Laker Inn we now have fewer options for meals throughout the rest of the day.

Now it feels as if the only options available for dining on campus are Ryan Hall and the Grotto Commons.

It’s not all negative, though.

There is one thing I’m looking forward to from the closing of the Laker. That is the Laker’s eventual reopening with all its new renovations.

I think that sprucing up the Laker Inn is a net good for the campus on the whole.

I am definitely looking forward to seeing the new Laker Inn in the spring!

PAGE 13

HURST STUDENTS

SPEAK UP We asked the Merciad staff: What is your favorite holiday tradition?

Lauren Ganger, junior English and Music major: “I love making Christmas cookies and listening to Christmas music.”

Marina Boyle, sophomore Business and Competitive Intelligence major: “Mine is opening presents with my family!”

Lauren Abbot, junior Intelligence Studies major: “I always look forward to celebrating Three Kings day.”

Meghan Maker, senior Communication major: “My favorite holiday tradition is the race between my sister and me to find the pickle ornament on the tree to get an extra present.”

Compiled by Anthony Miller

How to defeat late semester burnout

home-cooked meals.

We get to spend that time off

By Erin surrounded by family and friends, Almeter with no essays or term papers Staff writer anywhere in sight.

It is a whole month to see I think I know what most family that are normally missed college students are thinking because students are hours away, right now: You’re thinking that or missed because the family lives Thanksgiving break was way too out of town. short.

It also creates the anticipation The food was delicious and of a fresh start to the spring seeing family was great, but the semester that, strangely enough, time flew by. begins in mid-January.

And just as you were finally Before classes really start getting into the holiday spirit, you up, the anticipation of a new were thrown back into a school semester and a new start can be setting. exciting.

Now that students are back at It’s even more exciting to think school, there really is one thing to and just imagine about what is in look forward to. store for the spring.

Say it with me now: Winter However, the obstacles Break! holding us back from this month It is a whole month to long break are two weeks of celebrate the holidays and relax classes. from the stressful fall semester, Then, after we’ve finally something that I think we all conquered those two weeks of need at this point. classes, we have to clear one week We have the better part of a of finals. whole month to sleep in and eat While that may seem short to

some, others may experience a seemingly never-ending cycle of stress.

To others, it looks like an unscalable mountain we just have to climb over to get our just rewards.

In this time, papers will be due, presentations will need to be finished, projects will need to be completed and class material will need to be finalized.

The lack of sleep and poor eating habits acquired during these final weeks of the fall semester will only be cured during the upcoming Winter Break.

I have been through this time of waiting for Winter Break almost three times now, so I have a few helpful tips.

My first suggestion to survive this awkward waiting period is to decorate your room or apartment to build the holiday cheer.

My next suggestion is to have a Christmas Secret Santa party with friends or with clubs you are involved in.

I’d also suggest to go see Jane Lynch’s Christmas celebration in the PAC on Dec. 4.

Try to treat yourself with a nap or ice cream when you need either.

Also it would probably be a good idea to study for upcoming exams at some point.

Try as hard as you can to get your final presentations, papers and projects done as soon as possible.

Do this so that the due dates do not all sneak up on you at the same time.

You don’t want to be cramming everything in at the last second, That’s how you hit burnout.

One final big suggestion would be to plan something to do during Winter Break so there is a motivational factor during these final weeks.

Whenever you feel down, or think that you just can’t go on any longer, just think about your plans and you’ll be rejuvenated.

That is what my friends and I are doing.

Our plan is to end up continuing to add something new to our New York City travel plans as we wait for the day we leave to finally arrive.

Each day that will pass before Winter Break brings us closer to an exciting experience.

When all else fails, just remember that time will pass, as it always does.

It will take what seems like an eternity, but classes will finish.

I know it’s impossible to envision this right now, but Winter Break will come eventually.

And in the end, everything will be OK. I know that these final few weeks are stressful and difficult, but Winter Break is coming in just over two weeks.

And then, we all get a solid month off of school, something that I think we can all look forward to.

We are all in this together, so hang in there!

SPORTS

PAGE 14

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Men’s hockey falls to RMU

By Marco Cicchino

Staff writer

A recent stretch of nine out of a possible 10 points landed Rick Gotkin within 16 votes of returning to the Top 25 for the first time this season last Monday, a spot currently occupied by another member of Atlantic Hockey.

But Robert Morris University had no intent of continuing that advance.

“I think RMU simply outplayed us throughout the weekend,” said senior Laker forward Josh Lammon. “We didn’t lose due to the X’s and O’s of the game. We just outworked in both ends of the ice.”

A sharp three-point weekend for RMU defenseman Eric Israel led a ferocious attack on Laker goalie Stefano Cantali and turned a two-game series into a post-Thanksgiving feast for the Colonials.

Now 6-2 in their last eight against the Lakers and 4-1-1 in their last six series-openers, the Colonials broke a 1-all deadlock 11:18 into the second period, just

five seconds after the Lakers’ Joseph Duszak was booked for a hooking call to force a four-onfour situation stemming from a hooking call on Colonial Michael Coyne 1:13 earlier.

Immediately off the draw, Colonial Nick Jenny found teammate Jacob Coleman from the right point before Coleman slid the puck under Cantali’s glove to break the deadlock.

The Lakers went back to the power play 46 seconds later after Israel was booked for hooking, then again at 18:20 via a tripping call on RMU’s Michael Louria.

But the Lakers failed to convert the first advantage with just a single shot on goal, and Matthew Whittaker was sent off for interference with just 14 seconds left in the period to negate the advantage.

A shot from the Colonials’ Sean Giles went wide of Cantali, sending Israel to the side of the nest swinging for his second of the season into the opening on the right side just before the second-period horn.

The Colonials would run into

further discipline in the third period, encountering three minors in a nine-minute stretch from the 4:47 mark of the third, as both Brendon Michaelian (4:47) and Aidan Girduckis (13:59) were booked for slashing while Girduckis was caught for tripping at 9:26; but all four opposing shots came from the tripping call.

But in overcoming that and a game misconduct on Aidan Spellacy at 16:02, the Colonials’ Francis Marotte was spectacular in a 32-save, 7-for-8 penalty kill performance — 14 of them coming in the third period, including stops on Whittaker and Derek Barach across the crease.

The Colonials needed just 11 minutes to open the scoring on Friday night, starting with Coyne finding Spellacy for his second tally of the season.

But 7:30 later, the Colonials’ Daniel Mantenuto was booked for interference, allowing Lammon to score at 19:02, just 14 seconds after the booking.

The following night at the Ice Center, the Colonials picked up right where they left off on Fri-

day, picking up the first road win, weekend sweep and Saturday victory this season in convincing fashion in their largest victory since January 2017.

Again, a power play did it for the Colonials (5-6-1, 4-3-1), as Justin Addamo sent a rebound past Cantali’s (3-5-1, 2.95) left shoulder from Louria and Alex Tonge at 9:20 for his third of the season, just 10 seconds after a holding call on Duszak.

Less than seven minutes later, a tripping call on RMU’s Nick Lalonde sent the Lakers (5-7-2, 3-4-1) back to the power play, but RMU’s Mantenuto caught a pass from teammate Alex Robert off the end board and went the distance on a seven-second breakaway, withstanding a charge from Barach and Wes Baker for a score at 17:07.

After a series of penalties, the Colonials’ Lalonde sent a transition pass to teammate Nick Prkusic and decked Cantali into allowing a backhand for his fourth of the campaign.

In came Colin DeAugustine for the hosts, seeing his first ac-

tion since Oct. 19 in Big Rapids, Michigan, that coming a week after he persevered through the 6-all overtime draw against then-No. 2 Notre Dame in the IceBreaker before falling in a shootout.

Duszak, Lammon and Taylor Best didn’t need much time to give him support, as Best intercepted a puck in the neutral zone and sent it to Duszak before Lammon received it in the slot for his fourth of the campaign and end a shutout bid for Marotte (5-5-1, 3.21).

But a wild third period was just starting, as Steven Ipri was booked for hooking at 5:58 before Kip Hoffman scored his first career goal on the ensuing power-play a minute later.

After a series of penalties on both sides, Israel found teammate Kyle Horsman for his second of the season and the second shorthanded tally of the game.

RMU’s Coyne finished off the scoring with 27 seconds left in regulation for the visitors to cap the sweep as the Lakers moved to 1-5-2 at home this season.

MU FALL SPORTS HURST FINAL STANDING RESULTS TEAM

Nov. 17, Women’s basketball vs.

Walsh University: 78-76, Lakers Nov. 17, Men’s basketball vs.

Roberts Wesleyan College: 88-44, Lakers Nov. 17, Men’s D1 ACHA hockey vs. University of Pittsburgh: 4-3, Lakers (1-10) Nov. 20, Women’s basketball vs. Ursuline College: 73-76 OT, Ursuline (Lakers are now 1-4) Nov. 20, Men’s basketball vs.

Lake Erie College: 70-64, Lakers (4-0) Nov. 26, Women’s ice hockey vs.

Union College: 5-2, Lakers (7-6-2)

END DATE

RECORD

Field hockey

Nov. 10

5-13 (3-7 Conf.)

Football

Nov. 10

5-6 (3-4 Conf.)

Men’s cross country

Nov. 17

16 of 17

Men’s soccer

Oct. 27

9-6-2 (5-4-2 Conf.)

Water polo (M)

Nov. 4

13-11 (4-2 Conf.)

Women’s cross country

Nov. 17

Eighth of 22

Women’s soccer

Oct. 27

8-9-1 (6-9-1 Conf.)

Volleyball

Nov. 3

10-21 (5-13 Conf.)

The Lakers once again lead the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference in Academic Success Rate (ASR). This is the fourth time in five years.

SPORTS

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

PAGE 15

Santas to swarm Erie

By Bernard Garwig

Sports editor

On Dec. 8, downtown Erie is going to look like the site of a North Pole invasion as the Santa Hustle 5K Race is hosted in the city.

“We have been talking with representatives from the Santa Hustle Race Series for several years about bringing the event to Erie,” Emily Biddle, Marketing and Communications Manager for the Erie Sports Commission, said. “This year, they were looking to add new destinations, and when we brought the race director to Erie this summer, he really enjoyed what he saw.

It worked out that we were able to host the event in conjunction with Erie Downtown Partnership, which is hosting its annual Downtown d’Lights event the night before the race, creating a great family-friendly weekend to kick off the holiday season in Erie.”

The Santa Hustle is an event hosted every year by Adrenaline Sports Management.

This year’s Santa Hustle is taking place in 11 cities across the United States, with this year being the first time it has been held in Erie.

The races that make up the Santa Hustle are being held throughout the month of December, with

Photo courtesy of Santa Hustle Race Series

Erie being the fourth race in the series.

“We want people in Erie – including families, friend groups and people of all ages – to view this as an opportunity to enjoy Erie’s downtown and kick off the holiday season in a fun and active way,” Biddle said. “There is so much going on in Erie at all times of the year.”

For the Erie iteration of the race, you can expect to see a mass of Santas at Perry Square.

Perry Square is serving as both the event’s start and end point for the race.

“In addition to the Santa Hustle 5K, participants can take part in lighting up Perry Square the night before the race, as well as take in an Erie Otters game Saturday

MU Wrestling pins at Findlay Open Nov. 17

By Lauren Abbott Editor-in-Chief

On Nov. 17, the Mercyhurst Lakers took to the mat at the Findlay Open.

This follows the season opener on Nov. 11 at the Ohio Intercollegiate Open where the Lakers had seven members place at the event.

Redshirt sophomore Jacob Robb placed second in the Open 285 weight class while sophomores Eric Bartos and Gavin Wilkerson took third in the Open 125 and 174 weights respectively.

At the event, Robb had a 4-1 record, with two pinfalls and a major decision win during the day.

Bartos held a 3-1 record for the event, starting the day with backto-back matches.

Bartos defeated Gannon’s Jacob Dunlap 3-2 to take third place.

Wilkerson also went 3-1 with a pin in the third place match at

“

I personally think we can win the conference this year.”

Zach Breeden, junior wrestler

1:56 over Lake Erie’s Tyler Orrison.

Three other Lakers also placed at the Open.

Freshman Michael Clark placed fourth in the Open 149 weight class. Redshirt junior Logan Grass placed sixth at 165, and sophomore Aidan Burke placed eighth in the Open 133 weight class.

The Lakers will be back on the mat again this weekend, Nov. 30 against Millersville University at Millersville in their first Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) match of the season.

The Lakers are feeling optimistic ahead of the PSAC competition this year.

Junior Zach Breeden is very positive about the team’s outlook this year.

“I personally think we can win the conference this year,” said Breeden.

Last year, the Lakers placed fifth overall in the PSAC championship.

Lock Haven University was the winner of that competition.

The Lakers’ first home competition of the 2018-19 season is Jan. 6.

That competition is the Mercyhurst University Tri-meet, in which the Lakers host Lake Erie College and East Stroudsburg University.

Most Lakers will still likely be on break for that, but you can catch the Lakers wrestling squad for the first time second semester in their Jan. 25 meet against Kutztown University.

Hope to see you next semester!

The Sports section is looking for writers! Join us at our reporters’ meetings Mondays at 7 p.m. in Hirt 305, or email sportsmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.

night after the race, and there are tons of great dining and entertainment options to enjoy in Erie in between,” Biddle said. “We want to see hundreds of people fill downtown Erie that weekend and see all the fun that our city has to offer.”

Each Santa Hustle race also partners with a local or regional charity, where a portion of the

proceeds will be donated to.

For the Erie Santa Hustle, the Make-a-Wish Foundation for Greater Pennsylvania and West Virginia will be the benefactor.

The race will be designated an official drop spot for Toys for Tots, the U.S. Marine Reserve Program that collects new, unwrapped toys for needy children in the local community.

There are multiple Santa Hustle packages available to those interested in dashing through the snow on Dec. 8.

Those who would like to participate in the Santa Hustle 5K can get full package tickets through Dec. 7 for $44.75 or on the race day for $60.

Every standard ticket for the 5K comes with a Santa beard, hat, performance hoodie and a finisher medal.

Runners can opt for the Basic Santa, which is $24.99 through Dec. 7 and have everything minus the hoodie.

“We are always looking for new, fun events to bring to Erie, and Santa Hustle really fits the bill,” Biddle said. “With some really fun Santa-themed gear given to participants and candy and cookie stations along the course, it’s very different from any other running event that has been hosted in Erie previously.”

LET’S GO,

LAKERS!

Dec. 1, Mercyhurst Ice Center @ 12:45 p.m.: D2 Women’s ACHA vs. State University of New York Oswego Dec. 1, Mercyhurst Ice Center @ 7 p.m.: D1 Men’s ACHA vs. West Virginia University Dec. 7, Mercyhurst Ice Center @ 6 p.m.: Women’s ice hockey vs. Bemidji State Dec. 8, Mercyhurst Ice Center @ 1 p.m.: Women’s ice hockey vs. Bemidji State Dec. 8, Mercyhurst Athletic Center @ 1 and 3 p.m.: Women’s and men’s basketball vs. East Stroudsburg University

PAGE 16

LAKER LIVING

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

HURST TOON Student-drawn cartoon by Periwinkle