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Art comes together
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Homecoming
first guest in Roche
game recap
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The MERCIAD
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Mercyhurst university
Est. 1929 Vol. 90 No. 3
Wednesday, septeMber 28, 2016
‘Hurst is Home’ rings true for homecoming weekend By Alexandria Albano Staff writer
During this past weekend, Mercyhurst celebrated Homecoming, brought together by Mercyhurst Student Government, Student Activities Council and Multicultural Activities Council. It started off with a bonfire on Friday evening. On Saturday, the tailgate began at 11:30 a.m., followed by the football game against Clarion University at 1 p.m., and lastly, the Fall Ball at 7 p.m. Lots of blue and green could be seen among the crowds of people wearing school colors to show their Hurst spirit. This included alumni, students, faculty and families of Mercyhurst community members. Chelsea Guida photo Shannon Holley, president of MSG and senior music The Mercyhurst University Marching Band boosted Laker spirit while performing during the Homecoming football game on Sept. 24. education major, spoke positively about Homecoming. hamburgers, hot dogs, veggie and the marching band were with the final score standing The boys always play a great “I think the spirit on burgers, chips, cookies and also big components during 35-34. game, win or lose, the fans campus is really high. Every- drinks. the football game in keeping Gianna Gallese, senior are amazing, seeing alumni one gets really excited for the “My favorite part of Home- the school spirit high. dancer and biology pre-PA back to where their friendfootball game. Everyone get- coming is the free food and The game started off on major, shared her experience ships started, there’s nothing ting together sets a good tone free stuff. It is also another a good note with the Lakers of Homecoming over her better,” said Gallese. on campus,” Holley said. opportunity to be with ahead of Clarion, 21-7, at past four years. Alumni also enjoyed this At the tailgate, there were friends,” said Ashley Espi- halftime. During the second “My favorite part about weekend, which allows them many free items for stu- noza, sophomore forensic sci- half, Clarion dominated the dancing at Homecoming the to come back to their alma dents, including hats, cow- ence major. field for a comeback. The past four years is the chance mater and celebrate being a bells and food — one of the Mercyhurst football faced Lakers were just one point shy to be a part of something that part of Mercyhurst’s commumain attractions for students. Clarion University. The dance of overcoming the Golden brings the Mercyhurst com- nity. Attendees had the choices of team, the cheerleading squad Eagles as the game ended, munity together in its entirety. Lindsay Frank, director of
Alumni Engagement and a 2012 graduate, speaks very highly of Homecoming Weekend and its benefits. “I can just say that Homecoming Weekend is one of my favorites all year. It’s a time when alumni come back to campus, and they really feel like they’re coming ‘home’ because that is what Mercyhurst is to so many alumni,” said Frank. “Coming home means seeing your classmates, roommates and friends again, but also professors and staff. The whole weekend is all about being a Laker and celebrating that spirit. You better believe there will be a lot of green and blue.” The Fall Ball took place at 7 p.m. in the Baldwin lot under a tent. It included food such as meatballs, chicken kabobs, various puddings, fruit cups and fruity drinks. Along with the DJ playing music for the students to dance, students also had the opportunity to use a photo booth to take pictures with their friends. The atmosphere was very energetic throughout the night. “With the dance being outside, it gave us more room. The food was great,” said Jordan Pendel, junior anthropology/archaeology major, archaeology concentration.
Mercyhurst veteran named to state task force By Melanie Todd Staff writer
Stacy Smith served in the Army, then found herself as a student at Mercyhurst. Now she is the veterans service project manager for Mercyhurst University and will serve as chairman of the higher education committee for Lt. Gov. Mike Stack’s veterans task force. “The task force was formed because currently in the state of Pennsylvania, we don’t have any entities that are bringing all the programs together,” Smith said. The task force was formed this year and includes 21 representatives, three of which are from this area. “It was not necessarily because of my position at
Merciad Index
the school but because of the people I know outside. I’m on a local committee as well which is very cool because I can bring it to the state,” Smith said. Erie is viewed as progressive in terms of veteran affairs. “We also have a lot of local organizations that are run by the older generation and they are a close knit group but they are willing to come up to us younger veterans and do programs with us younger veterans. I don’t think it’s necessarily like that in other areas,” Smith said. The task force has three main focuses: higher education, employment and legal issues. “There are so many organizations that want to hire vets but don’t know how to find the vets,” Smith said.
Chart Title
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There are so many organizations that want to hire vets but don’t know how to find the vets.
”
— Stacy Smith
Melanie Todd photo
Stacy Smith, veterans service project manager at Mercyhurst, has been named to a 21-member state veterans task force.
Specialized job fairs and online resources could make
a huge difference in overcoming this obstacle.
In terms of legal issues, Smith said, “we are a little above the rest of the state because we have a specialized court system here in Erie. “So if a veteran is having issues with drugs or alcohol, they can go through this court system and have more lenient punishment and more focus on treatment,” Smith said. “There are so many veterans who develop dependencies on drugs and alcohol because
of TBIs and PTSD. They are self-medicating.” Overall, Smith will be focusing on the higher education goal of the task force. “Our goal is to make everyone in the state have this network of reps. New York does that currently, and it has helped their veteran population in college,” Smith said. Smith has worked with Mercyhurst as veterans service project manager for three years now. This task force will bring new exciting opportunities, while still working directly with veteran students on a daily basis at Mercyhurst. “Working with the veterans is the best part, knowing that I am helping veterans who don’t really know the system. They are a special case, and I don’t want them to get lost in the system,” Smith said.
Online Poll Results
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I just want to wear cozy sweaters and drink warm beverages already. (64%) Bring on the pumpkin spice everything. (18%) Heck yes, football season. (18%) I’m not ready to say goodbye to summer just yet. (0%)
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