November 19 Edition of The Merciad

Features On Page 3:

Arts & Entertainment On Page 5:

Alumna receives green leadership award

Sports On Page 7:

Bobick performs

Men’s basketball

in three different

ranked eighth in

languages

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Est. 1929 Vol. 90 No. 9

Mercyhurst university

Wednesday, noveMber 16, 2016

University acts swiftly

Administration forms united front in response to bias-based incident

By Karah Hollis Editor-in-Chief

Late last Tuesday, a student brought a racially charged Snapchat to the attention of Mercyhurst University via Twitter. Immediately, the university began responding to concerned students on the social media platform. Faculty and staff quickly rallied behind the scenes to address the issue.

On Wednesday morning around 9:30, students received an email from President Michael T. Victor who voiced his disdain for the post and his support for the affected community. A second email followed that morning announcing a forum in the Performing Arts Center that students could attend that afternoon to ask questions and to hear from Victor and other student life administrators.

“I was sickened last night to learn of a student’s racially charged social media post that went far afoul of our core values,” Victor said. “I cannot erase the pain, the anger, frustration that this offensive post has brought to bear on our University family. Particularly for members of our African American community.”

The act was determined to be a bias-based act. The student handbook describes this type of act to be anything that “violate(s) another person’s rights…(i.e. Race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, color, creed, religion, disability, national origin, age, or status as a veteran).” A $250 fine, disciplinary probation and possible suspension are also possible repercussions for committing a bias-based act.

According to the handbook, the conduct process begins with the documentation of the event. The report is then submitted to the Student Conduct Office. A preliminary review is conducted by the assistant director of Residence Life and Student Conduct. If the incident is found to be substantial, it is then passed to a Student Conduct Panel or the director of Residence Life and Student Conduct. The student or students involved will be notified and will be requested to schedule a meeting to talk about the issue.

The case moves on to a

Merciad Index

Miranda L. Miller photo

The racist post made on social media was handled swiftly by administrators. A university panel addressed the issue and answered questions at a forum Wednesday.

hearing which is overseen by a Student Conduct Panel. The panel is made up of two faculty members, two staff members and two students. Each individual has gone through training and has sat on the panel before. A facilitator is typically present, but does not have any voting rights.

Any other individuals participating in the hearing are invited and approved by the adjudicating authority. Witnesses may also be called in.

Questions are then asked to help determine what exactly happened. Punishments can include but are not limited to suspension and expulsion.

Students are able to appeal any decisions made by the board.

Normally, students are on campus for the entire process. Due to the specific conditions, the students involved were suspended.

“In this case we felt that a hostile environment was created, and that it was such an egregious act that we felt we needed to suspend them immediately and have them off campus, which means, just for clarity, they are not acting

as students,” said Laura Zirkle, vice president of Student Life.

“They are not allowed on campus, they are not going to class, they are not allowed to go to any of our events or the library or anything like that.

They are not permitted here at all.”

Because of the severity of this offense, the Student Conduct Office moved swiftly.

Megan McKenna, director of Residence Life and Student Conduct, was notified by one of her assistant directors. She then spoke with Zirkle and Pertrina Marrero, director of the Multicultural Center, the same of evening of the incident.

“I think it’s crucial (to move quickly with this type of issue).

We wanted students to know that we were aware, and by the responses (on Twitter), it was letting students know that we are aware and that we are in the process of fact-gathering and trying to find out information,” McKenna said. “It is important students know that we’re on it. And that it is important to us.”

After McKenna, Zirkle and

Marrero had a collective discussion, the Student Life staff, including Zirkle, met with Victor to brief him on the incident. The forum was the result of this meeting.

“We called up MSG, and the MSG people who responded were the ones we were able to get,” Zirkle said.

Some students were concerned about bias by those assisting in sorting the questions written down by students at the forum.

“They weren’t picking and choosing the questions that would get answered, they were collating because we had 10 people asking about the same thing,” David Dausey, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, said.

The Marketing and Public Relations department did not waste any time responding to students on Twitter. According to Zirkle, they attempted to respond to every student post whether it was thanking them for their support or clarifying misinformation.

“Some have questions and they have tried to respond as quickly as possible so that

people aren’t left out there in a vacuum like their opinions don’t matter, because they do matter,” Zirkle said.

Chris Norris, web/social media/video coordinator, emphasized the impact of social media and how the university responded.

“We put a high value on social media as a tool to communicate and engage with our students, families and community members. That means we strive to reply to every single tweet, post or comment,” said Norris. “Due to the nature of what was shared, we felt that everyone deserved to be acknowledged with their concerns and questions and we did our very best in communicating a resolution.”

Although this incident has negatively affected the campus, it has sparked positive conversation.

“I think it’s also important when really bad things happen, to find a way to make good things come from them,” said Zirkle. “We need to not let this be a moment that happens in passing, but a moment that kind of forms

who we are, and not let this be a wasted moment.”

Sister Lisa Mary McCartney, one of the Sisters of Mercy, was part of the forum panel.

McCartney stated that 10 years ago, the Sisters of Mercy met to establish five critical concerns for the 21st century.

One of those concerns was racism.

“The best thing you can do to further the mission of Mercyhurst and the Sisters of Mercy is to search out your own racism and to expel it and to turn to ways of love. Love is the only thing that is going to get any of us away from our prejudices. Love is very effective at bringing healing and harmony among peoples.

So, I would ask you to think in your own hearts about where racism resides and to ask God for mercy,” she said.

Students did step out on Twitter, exemplifying the Mercy Mission, according to Norris.

Continued on page 2.

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Page 2

News

November 16, 2016

Administration responds swiftly Continued from page 1.

“I would like to thank the students who stepped out and shared words of encouragement and reassurance in Mercyhurst,” said Norris.

“Your Laker Spirit and Mercy Pride helped to combat the negative nature of what was spreading across social media.

If our founding Sisters had Twitter, they would have favorited all of your tweets!”

According to McKenna, Residence Life is taking steps to help students who feel unsafe or just need someone to talk to.

“More immediately we were trying to—I don’t want to say calm as in pretend it didn’t happen—but make sure the immediate students felt safe because some people do consider (campus) as a safe space and we want to try and uphold that,” she said.

Residence Life is working toward creating programs to better educate students on social justice issues.

“I think there’s some work we need to do there just in general, and there are certain plans we are heading toward,” said McKenna. “I think across the board we need to take steps to figure out how to rebuild our communities, especially our freshmen areas.”

Some of these new programs will include training staff to incorporate social justice issues in conversations as well as how to respond to bias-based acts.

“There’s been some comments and some feelings out there that do not necessarily coincide with Mercyhurst core values and I think we need to bring that back to focus. And I know that has been a theme for myself as well as many of my other colleagues in student life,” McKenna said.

Residence Life is also looking to partner with Black Students for Unity and the LGBTQIA+ Club.

“There is some work we need to do in (the social justice) area. Trina does great work, BSU does great work, the LGBTQIA+ community does great work,” said McKenna. “We need to expand on that and help them more in their efforts as well. I’m just lucky I have many RAs that are involved in those organizations, so I’m hoping they will feel supported and that we can work together on some of those initiatives in the future.”

These programs are set to premier Fall 2017. Residence Life is also looking at taking other steps to improve feelings on campus.

“Once some healing is done, we need to figure out what the

next steps are. Especially me being new to Mercyhurst, I’m taking cues from students as to where do we need to go from here,” McKenna said.

Although Residence Life is taking steps to curb biasbased acts, students can take action in the moment to stop these offenses. McKenna and Zirkle encourage students to call each other out when an insensitive comment is made.

There is even a “Step Up” program in place to help students with this.

“It is about encouraging people to bring it up. So if you are comfortable, call it out. Sometimes if you are not comfortable confronting it, bring it to somebody else— ask for help,” said Zirkle.

“The biggest thing that we don’t want to have happen is it be ignored. The way that we change these things is by us talking about it and it is by students in this community having these conversations, Contributed photo bringing these things out in Polar Plunge participants race toward the chilly Lake Erie water in support of the Special Olympics on Nov. 12. the open.”

McKenna also urges students to find someone on campus who is in an administrative position, faculty or staff member, or even a resi- By Eleanor Hein get about hip deep and just dent assistant who they trust Contributing writer dive in, it’s not as bad. The to talk to about issues. worst part is probably running “I think it comes down to back to the tents afterwards,” Merychurst students enjoyed we need more allies,” said Lioi said. More importantly, McKenna. “We need people a day at the beach Nov. 12. however, according to Lioi, is to stand up against some of While they may have gotten the companionship that particthese behaviors and some their feet cold, they had no ipants feel as they run in large of the words that are said. cold feet when it came to groups into and then out of Even though they’re said in plunging into the 50 degrees the water. jest, I think that when you Lake Erie to support the SpeTo Lioi, the event is about don’t represent that group of cial Olympics Pennsylvania so much more than just raising people you don’t know what it (SOPA). This is the second money. It is about the exciteyear that Erie has partaken in means.” ment and camaraderie of the McKenna reinforced that the Polar Plunge, which is one participants doing something the university has the stu- of many across the state. bigger than themselves, the “Freezin’ for a Reason” dents’ best interests at heart team building that goes into and is taking the proper steps was this year’s theme, and effect the day of the plunge, participants did just that, to protect them. the awareness that is made “We want people to under- raising upwards of $70,000 by holding the event, particistand that we are taking this for SOPA. Sam Lioi, senior, pating, donating, and also the seriously and that it’s not played a major part in bringequipment and transportation representative of Mercyhurst ing the Polar Plunge to Erie that is given to disabled stuLindsay Rowe, core values. We have an obli- last year. dents who would not be given gation to all the students to who serves with Lioi in the the opportunity to participate keep them safe and keep Mercyhurst Student Governin athletics without the efforts them feeling safe. That’s our ment, was the first to bring of the Special Olympics. primary focus. We are about the idea to the MSG. “Some of these people Heather Shadle, who curmaking sure you’re getting a aren’t included on student athquality experience and that’s rently serves as MSG Events letic teams,” said Lioi. “Which why we did move quickly and Coordinator, having been Contributed photo isn’t just unfair and unkind, take the actions we did at this involved in planning similar Eliza Kisiel, Jennifer Hartwell, and Amelia Kanonczyk at the but it also prevents them from Polar Plunge events in her plunge. point,” she said. getting the exercise that they home state of Ohio, volunneed to be as healthy as they teered her time and talent to dents who brought in well just put your toe in and turn can be.” assist with the event as well. over $7,500. Mercyhurst was around,” said Lioi. “But I Donations can still be made Catherine Rainey, Cheyanne Together, Rowe, Shadle, and the most represented out of believe you should go all in.” to support the Special OlymCrum, Amber Matha and Caitlyn Lioi brought the idea to life, all schools present, making up It’s easy to plan the event pics through Plunge particLear also contributed to this report. and it seems that their legacy about one-fifth of the entire and ask people to go into the ipants. It’s a great way for is one that will outlive their event. These numbers far freezing Lake Erie. Lioi, how- the Erie community to come collegiate careers. exceeded the Erie Planning ever, goes the extra mile. Not together and make a differLast year, Mercyhurst was Board’s goals for the year. only has he done his part in ence. It is important that an represented by about 30 stuParticipants gathered at putting the event together, but event born of the talent and dents who raised approxi- Beach 7 on Presque Isle where he has also been a participant hard work of three diligent mately $3,500. This is to be they were assembled into waves in both plunges.

Mercyhurst students have the compared to this year’s 130 before taking the plunge.

“It’s pretty cold leading up continued support of future @TheMerciad registered Mercyhurst stu“Technically, you could to the plunge, but once you Lakers.

No cold feet for Erie Plunge

Reception honors students on Dean’s List

By Melanie Todd Staff writer

On Nov. 10, Mercyhurst held a reception to honor students earning a spot on the Dean’s List. This year, Mercyhurst awarded 552 students. Students must have full-time status in order to receive this academic achievement.

“A minimum of 12 graded credits each semester and a 3.6 or higher GPA is required,” David Dausey, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, said.

The 552 students is slightly above the average of about 500 students. Out of 2,500

Mercyhurst University photo

Awards are given to students who make Dean’s List for both semesters the previous year.

students each year, about onefifth of them are able to reach this academic measure.

“Mercyhurst is a university focused on academic excellence through teaching and

learning. Our students are the ultimate product of that endeavor,” Dausey said.

It takes a considerable amount of hard work and many students make sacrifices , whether it is social events, sporting activities or sleep in order to maintain a 3.6 or higher GPA. “The students who make the Dean’s List represent the best that we have to offer. We are proud of all of them and their incredible hard work,” Dausey said.

Though the recognition is a small token compared to the hard work the students devoted to earn placement on the Dean’s List, the university considers it important

to honor the students with a reception.

“The Dean’s List reception is a tradition that started at Mercyhurst decades ago. It has been championed by our academic leadership because of its importance to the institution and to the students who represent the company of scholars at Mercyhurst,” Dausey said.

While the reception and certificate are nice rewards to the students, there are tremendous other benefits to the achievement.

“Being on the Dean’s List is a strong sign for any student applying to graduate school or applying for a job after graduation. It signifies discipline,

dedication and tenacity,” Dausey said.

Not making the Dean’s List this year should never discourage students. Students could use it as motivation for the upcoming semesters. Everyone has to find their strengths and weaknesses in learning and studying. Ask questions whether it is of other students or faculty. Mercyhurst offers resources such as the tutoring center for students seeking improvement with their grades.

“Don’t give up. We believe in all our students and are always championing their success,” Dausey said.

November 16, 2016

The Merciad

Class plans marrow drive

By Elizabeth Shewan Staff writer

Mercyhurst students have been tackling heavy topics in a unique class called Cancer: Biology and Beyond.

“My point is to bring a holistic view of cancer aside from just the science component,” Sara Turner, Ph.D., assistant professor of Biology and teacher of the course, said.

The class has had many guest speakers who have spoken on a wide variety of topics: cancer survivors talking about their experience, cancer researchers, pharmacists and hospice workers, among others.

Another essential element of the class, in keeping with the tradition of the Sisters of Mercy, is volunteering.

“I want a key component to be service,” Turner said.

Students have done this by volunteering hours at the American Cancer Center and will continue to volunteer with a bone marrow donor registration drive.

The participants at the drive will fill out a questionnaire and have a simple cheek swab done.

The information from the cheek swab will be stored in the National Bone Marrow Registry, organized by Be the Match.

“Be The Match is an orga-

nization that matches patients with blood cancers with potential donors,” Catherine Erway, junior Sustainability major with a Biology minor, said.

In the future, registered members of the registry may be contacted if they are matched to a potential recipient; however, there is no future obligation.

If you become a donor, you will most likely be asked to go through a procedure called peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) donation, which is non-invasive and has no side effects.

“A majority of those who are matches don’t have to give marrow, most go through

PBSC where they filter your blood and then replace it into your body. Bone marrow donations are usually only for children who react better to the marrow,” Erway said.

Only one in approximately 430 registered members are called upon to donate.

“I think the most important things about this drive are that this drive is not a promise to commit to donating, it only takes 10 minutes to be added to the registry and most importantly that this can save someone’s life,” Erway said.

The drive will take place on Dec. 2, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Student Union Great Room.

Asian culture brought to ’Hurst

By Bernard Garwig Staff writer

One of Mercyhurst’s newest clubs, the Arirang Culture Club, fills a unique void in the campus extracurriculars scene.

“I spent nearly the past six years in Korea, a lot of my work focused on Korean culture, language, people,” said Michael Lamm, assistant professor of Intelligence Studies. “At Mercyhurst, there is no Korean-Japanese-Chinese related culture club, so I worked with the students to start one.”

Lamm is in his first year as a professor at Mercyhurst. A former student, he served in the United States Army in South Korea before working for the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Arirang Institute. He formed the club with a group of interested students, of whom several are graduate students at Mercyhurst, to continue their path in higher education.

“We were working on some research together, then we had the idea for the club. It sort of happened organically,” Lamm said.

When the club had its first

meeting on Oct. 27, it became clear that there are quite a few directions that the club could go.

“There’s a group of students who want to learn Korean, the language, and then there’s another group of students who are interested in the pop culture, the music,” Lamm said.

Despite the large number of influences from the intelligence program, Lamm emphasizes that this is a club open to all students.

“This (club) provides an outlet into Asian/Korean culture,” Lamm said.

The club recently had a movie night where they watched the Russian documentary “Under the Sun” on North Korea.

They also hosted Hyun Song of the No Chain for North Korea group via Skype, where students were allowed to ask him questions about his work with North Korean defectors and his efforts to sneak USB sticks into the country.

Lamm has made several initiatives so far to grow the club.

“Some books were donated and I reached out to Mr. Park who runs Park’s Tae Kwon Do (located on Peach Street).

He’s also interested in working with the students,” Lamm said.

The club, which shares the name of the Arirang Institute he works for, also appears on the institute’s website in an article.

It is not a coincidence that the club shares the same name as the organization that he works for. Lamm hopes that he can establish connections with people overseas for students through the promotion of the club online.

“This is to show that Americans are interested in Korean culture,” he says when referring to a brief piece on Mercyhurst students’ interests in Korea on the site. Through sharing the article on Arirang’s website, Lamm was able to find a Korean friend who is interested in donating “crates of books for language learning.”

“It’s all about not only doing the activities but letting people know that you are doing the activities,” Lamm said.

The Arirang Culture Club is more than just a club for some students.

“There is a group of students who are interested in not only learning Korean

1965 alumna receives women’s initiative award

By Jordan Pendel Staff writer

Dedicating her life to motivating and mentoring young women, ’65 Mercyhurst alum Maureen Gray has recently been awarded the Lois B. Green Leadership Award.

This award is presented through the Women’s Initiative within the United Way of Central Massachusetts.

The award is a way to honor women whose deep commitment and dedication make a meaningful difference in their community. The Women’s Initiative was founded by Lois B. Green 12 years ago, and the award is a way to honor her memory. The Women’s Initiative requests nominations and has its own committee from the community to review them and select a winner.

“We have 1,400 members who contribute each year so that we can raise between $300,000 and $400,000 to give to community programs which put our mission into action,” Gray said.

The Women’s Initiative is currently supporting programs that deal with bullying and violence against girls. The

Mercyhurst University photo

Maureen Gray graduated from Mercyhurst in 1965 with a bachelor’s degree in French and a minor in English.

United Way of Central Massachusetts website describes the Women’s Initiative as follows: They “build, strengthen and support the development of healthy, confident and safe adolescent girls” by empowering them “through mentoring and educational opportunities.”

The Women’s Initiative also promotes financial literacy by offering programs to teen girls. One of these programs is the “Dollar Scholar” conference that Gray helped found. They do five each year

for eighth graders.

“Being in a position to train new mentors for the financial literacy program so that the ‘work’ will continue in perpetuity is most satisfying,” Gray said.

While at Mercyhurst, Gray earned a bachelor’s degree in French and minored in English. After receiving her master’s, she taught at Bancroft School. For the last 26 years, she has been involved in the investment business as Senior Wealth Strategist for the Gray Group at UBS Financial Services.

When Gray was a senior at Mercyhurst, she received the Carpe Diem award.

“I was so honored and did not feel I deserved it because we had such a high powered class,” said Gray. “That award meant so much to me and bolstered my confidence; it stays with you throughout your life.”

In 2015, she was awarded Bancroft’s Robert W. Stoddard Award for Outstanding Community Service. Gray enjoys being an active mentor and role model to young women. @TheMerciad

language, but going abroad to study after they graduate.

We’re working with them to help them apply to these Korean government programs,” Lamm said.

The students are getting hour-long sessions once a week to learn the language better so that they can pass the South Korean government’s language test. From this scholarship, students are given a full ride to a year at a language school, followed by two years of graduate school in South Korea.

“These are kind of your Korean Mania folks,” Lamm said.

Josie Meagher is the president of the Culture Club.

She works with Vice President David McDonald to host language cafes for interested students. It helps fill a void according to her, due the retirement of Keiko Sensei last year and the subsequent elimination of the Japanese beginner classes.

“David and I teach Japanese,” said Meagher. “Professor Lamm teaches Korean and we have a few other students who have expressed desire to teach Mandarin and possibly Hindi.”

Page 3

Features Asking Mia Need advice? Have a problem that needs fixing? Mia is here to help.

Email askmia.merciad@gmail.com for help. ******************* Dear Mia,

As a freshman I knew college would be hard. I thought my high school prepared me enough, but frankly it did not. I’m very close to failing a class and I know that will make me feel very down during Christmas break. I don’t want to be seen as a failure.

Sincerely,

College-is-hard

Dear College-is-hard,

Your name says it all. Yes, college is hard, but you will get through it. Many people have a sort of wake-up call when coming to college. I know I did.

Transitioning from high school to a university can be challenging, and just remember you are not alone.

Even if you do end up failing the class, that is OK. A lot of other students are in the same boat as you because it is hard to adjust.

Don’t get too down on yourself.

I’m sure you studied as much as you can, but sometimes a class just doesn’t click with you. As much as it sucks failing a class you have worked so hard in all semester, now you’ll know how to improve next time whether you take that course again or not. You won’t be seen as a failure for doing poorly in one class. I’m sure your family has been in that position too. Don’t forget you can still get a tutor to try and bring your grade up. Also, ask the teacher if there’s any extra credit you can do. Hopefully they’ll be a little understanding since this is your first semester at college.

Sincerely,

Mia

Ode to PBS’s Gwen Ifill

By Marco Cicchino Staff writer

The world of political journalism lost one of its icons on Monday, as PBS member station WETA-TV confirmed that longtime reporter, moderator and anchor Gwen Ifill passed away after a yearlong battle with endometrial cancer.

“I am very sad to tell you that our dear friend and beloved colleague passed away today in hospice care in Washington,” WETA President and CEO Sharon Percy Rockefeller in a staff email said.

From the age of nine, Ifill recognized her desire to be a journalist, growing up during the Civil Rights Movement.

“I was very conscious of the world being this very crazed place that demanded explanation. I didn’t see a whole lot of people who looked like me doing it on television, (but) you get used to being underestimated,” Ifill said to the Archive of American Television in 2011.

Ifill graduated from Simmons College, an all-women’s school in Boston, with a bachelor’s degree in communications. She interned for the Boston Herald-American,

the only African-American woman on the staff.

“They didn’t know what a college-educated black woman was and they didn’t know how to treat me,” Ifill said to The Washington Post.

She joined the Baltimore Evening Sun in 1981 as a political correspondent and stayed for three years before leaving for the Washington Post, creating a niche in an era exemplified by the rarity of both African-American and female journalists.

After covering her first presidential race in 1988, she joined the New York Times and covered Bill Clinton’s first campaign. She began to make television appearances as a panelist around this time.

Tim Russert brought her to NBC’s “Meet the Press” in 1994.

“I loved covering presidential politics not so much because of the candidates, but because of the people it allowed me to talk to,” Ifill once said. “It’s much more fun to watch and to ask than to actually have to account for your behavior.”

In June 1999, Ifill became the moderator and managing editor for the long-running public-affairs series “Washington Week in Review.” It

marked the first time an African-American woman moderated a major political talk show.

Five years later, Ifill made history again as the first African-American woman to preside over a vice-presidential debate.

Ifill and PBS colleague Judy Woodruff became co-anchors of the Newshour, and the first all-female anchor nightly newscast team. “(She) loved storytelling and loved helping people understand what was going on in the world around them,” Woodruff told the New York Times. “For young women of color looking for a role model, she was it.”

Ifill wanted to be that role model.

“When I was a little girl watching programs like this, because that’s the kind of nerdy family we were, I would look up and not see anyone who looked like me in any way,” Ifill once said to the New York Times “No women. No people of color. I’m very keen about the fact that a little girl now, watching the news, when they see me and Judy sitting side by side, it will occur to them that that’s perfectly normal, that it won’t seem like any big breakthrough at all.”

Page 4

Arts &

Entertainment

The Merciad

November 16, 2016

REVIEW

‘Doctor Strange’ film a success

By Matt Burgher Contributing writer

“Doctor Strange,” one of the most highly anticipated movies of the year for both comic book fans and casual moviegoers, has just recently come to theaters and now everyone is asking the same thing: Is it any good?

Having seen the movie, I of course have my fair share of opinions ready to go and as a movie fan and comic book reader, there is plenty to be said about this film.

I will be breaking my review into two separates sides so that they don’t overlap.

One side is from the perspective of being a comic fan and the other being a movie fan. I’ll start with my comic fan review.

Now, going into a superhero movie being a fan of the original stories comes with somewhat of a preconceived idea, or at least an eye out for particular details.

These details include whether or not the story is accurate to the comics, whether the characters are done justice and various other points of accuracy.

The back story of “Doctor Strange” was fairly accurate to the source material, though

there were some issues that I had as a comic fan.

However, Marvel Studios has something of an issue in terms of writing accurately from the source materials, so this was to be expected.

On the other hand, something that Marvel Studios does incredibly well is casting and keeping the character’s actions and dialogue accurate to the characters in the comic.

“Doctor Strange” was no different.

Benedict Cumberbatch was the best possible choice for the role. It was as if he was born for it.

Some people have already complained about Strange being an arrogant individual in the movie and that not being very “superhero-y,” but that is exactly who the character is in the comics.

Every single character was perfectly portrayed except for two not–so–minor ones, Dormammu and Baron Mordo.

For those unfamiliar with the comics, Dormammu is one of the most powerful beings in the Marvel Universe who is in complete domination of his realm (time, space, etc.) and the fact that he couldn’t stop Strange from reverting time is not something that would ever happen in the comics and therefore

irks my inner fanboy.

Dormammu is not an idiot nor is he weak by any stretch of the imagination, but he was tricked so easily in the movie to the point where he was practically a joke.

Baron Mordo is also an adversary of Doctor Strange in the comics and therefore shouldn’t have been anywhere near to being an ally.

As a comic fan, this movie was great and I’d give it a 8-9/10.

Moving on, as a movie fan there are some different opinions that need to be shared.

Marvel Studios as a production team forces a lot of their movies to suffer from the same issues repeatedly.

One of these is very bland and repetitive cinematography.

It’s very basic and it’s very safe filming and there really is nothing wrong with that other than it gets kind of boring and straining for the mind of critics.

However, “Doctor Strange” does not suffer from this.

There was a heavy variety of shots collected that helped the overall look and experience of the film.

Another thing that Marvel films suffer from, and this time “Doctor Strange” does fall to this, is villain develop-

ment.

Marvel has access to these amazing characters with literally decades of content and they generally use none of it.

Marvel Studios focuses so much on the heroes of the story that the villains all come out half–done and boring or just plain awful (looking at you, “Iron Man 3”) Villains in the Marvel Cinematic Universe have become cookie cutter and unmemorable to the point where movie fans and comic fans can’t care for them.

Caecilius and Dormammu, though there was plenty of potential, hardly had any development or background established for themselves in the movie.

And when the run–time is 115 minutes, sure it may not be able to be done well, but Marvel’s attempts at doing it make it all the more pathetic.

Also, for most of “Doctor Strange,” the movie suffered from the “Guardians of the Galaxy” complex, where people know that the protagonist is fighting the person right in front of him but the real threat is looming close by, leaving that initial threat small and weak in comparison, taking even more away from the villains.

There are ways to fix the vil-

lains. One is an actual issue for “Doctor Strange,” the pacing.

Like I stated before, the run time for this movie was 115 minutes, which is just under two hours.

That is an issue. When introducing a whole new character to a previously established universe, a lot needs to be explained.

Doing that in less than two hours and also advancing the overall plot and creating a connection to the characters is not an easy thing to do well.

“Doctor Strange” tried to do all this and suffered for it.

The love interest was hardly interesting and the tragic character back story wasn’t very heart wrenching.

The final battle was pathetic all because creating an air of pathos for these characters so quickly doesn’t work so nobody really cares.

And it’s not like Marvel doesn’t do two–plus–hour movies because they do and those are arguably the best they’ve done so far (“Captain America: Civil War,” “Avengers” and “Captain America: The Winter Soldier”).

The movies shorter than two hours are often the worst ones as well (“Thor,” “AntMan” and “The Incredible Hulk”).

On the other hand, the cast

and their performances were top notch.

They are arguably the best cast in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as well as the best portrayal of any hero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The visual effects were also amazing. I was kind of worried that it would seem too much like “Inception,” but it was very unique and incredibly rendered.

This played a huge part in the fight scenes and the overall feel of the movie. It was incredibly immersive and fast paced and perhaps some of the best I’ve seen come from Marvel Studios yet.

The story and the messages conveyed, particularly from Tilda Swinton’s “The Ancient One,” were wonderful.

This proves that the Marvel Cinematic Universe can take itself seriously and still create quality and well liked movies.

Overall, this was a decent movie for the serious movie goer.

There was definitely a fair share of issues all around, but it was an overall solid and faithful rendition of “Doctor Strange.”

@TheMerciad

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Leighann Sallick photo

The Chamber Orchestra, led by Jonathan Moser, rehearsing for their upcoming concert.

Orchestra debuts new conductor

By Caitlyn Lear Staff writer

On Dec. 9, the Mercyhurst Chamber Orchestra will perform their winter concert.

The performance will take place at 8 p.m. in Walker Recital Hall and will be free and open to the public.

The Orchestra has 35 members—some are Mercyhurst students and some members of the community.

The ages of performers range from middle schoolers to retirees.

Members come from all walks of life—anywhere from chaplain to postal service supervisor.

This is their second concert as a community orchestra.

“The community orchestra isn’t common; it’s innovative,” said Jonathan Moser, director.

“It really solidifies the ‘beyond the gates’ idea.”

There are no other community orchestras in the area.

One member even drives down from Jamestown, New York to be a part of the

orchestra.

The orchestra has four sections: woodwinds, strings, brass and percussion.

The concert will include three works.

When creating the program, Moser wanted to choose the types of pieces that the students would most likely encounter when taking part in future ensembles.

The first is Mozart’s Idomeneo Overture. This piece is the instrumental introduction to the opera and has a mystical component to it.

It foreshadows what happens in the rest of the opera and ends in a state of unrest.

The second piece is Weber’s Clarinet Concerto No. 2 in E flat major.

Rebecca Wunch, M.M., will be the featured clarinet in the concerto.

Moser allowed Wunch to choose the piece.

He had asked her if she were interested in performing a clarinet concerto, as she is the clarinet instructor on campus.

In a normal concerto, the

instrument being featured is normally a part of the orchestra as well.

This piece is unique because the clarinet is left out of the orchestra.

The third piece is Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2.

“Beethoven has three stages in his career and this is from the early period,” Moser said.

Moser chose the second symphony because it has a classical component and the second fits the instrument availability within the orchestra.

This will be Moser’s first concert at Mercyhurst with the orchestra.

He participated in the faculty collage concert, Michael T. Victor’s inauguration and the Mercyhurst Prep gala.

“The opportunity to be in the orchestra is an additional learning experience for the students.

They get to learn from those that perform but have pursued other careers,” Moser said.

November 16, 2016

The Merciad

Page 5

Arts &

Entertainment

Jazz it up at Mercyhurst

REVIEW

By Jeanette Fournier Staff writer

Jeanette Fournier photo

Nathan Hess, D.M.A., left, and James Bobick, right, after Bobick’s recital on the Nov. 9.

Bobick’s recital a success

By Jeanette Fournier Staff writer

On Nov. 9, at 8 p.m., James Bobick, baritone, gave a recital of French, German and English art songs, accompanied on piano by Nathan Hess, D.M.A., D’Angelo Department of Music chair and assistant professor of piano.

James Bobick, instructor of voice, opera and diction for singers, has led an exciting career as a baritone, ranging from roles in operas by composers as varied as Verdi, Mozart and Donizetti to contemporary composers such as Heggie, Adamo and Eaton.

Bobick began with the 20th century French composer Jacques Ibert’s “Chansons de Don Quichotte.”

Hess began the first movement, “Chanson du depart” (“Song of departure”) with a dreamy piano introduction with a slight note of intensity.

Bobick entered a capella, and throughout the work, he mainly sang a capella with only a few chords provided by Hess at the ends and beginnings of phrases, so that the whole movement was reminiscent of a recitative.

Bobick finished the song with a full crescendo on the word “aventureux” (which translates as “adventurous”).

The next movement, “Chanson á Dulcinée,” (“Song for Dulcinea”), was an upbeat song in the major mode, featuring melismatic “Ahs” that Bobick carried through with tension and energy toward the following words of the repeated phrase occurring three times throughout the song: “Ah…Un an me dure la journée si je ne vois ma Dulcinée.” (“Ah…a day lasts a whole year if I do not see my

Dulcinea”).

The fourth and last movement, “Chanson de la Mort de Don Quichotte,” (“Song of the Death of Don Quixote”), closed the set.

This movement was interpreted painfully and beautifully by both Hess and Bobick. Bobick’s sobbing tone sang out over dark chords on the piano from Hess.

Bobick executed a soaring crescendo full of pathos on the climatic line “Si tous les livres m’ont tué” (“If books have killed me”), and his pianissimo high E natural, written by Ibert specifically to show off the great Russian bass Chaliapin’s vocal prowess, was superb.

Bobick’s second set was the German Romantic composer Johannes Brahms’s Fünf Lieder, Op. 94. The first movement, “Mit Vierzig Jahren” (“At Forty Years Old”), which featured a musical conversation between Bobick and Hess from the accompaniment and vocal line.

Both Hess and Bobick built the line “Und eh du’s denkst, bist du im Port” (“And before you know it, you will be in port”) dramatic, tense repeat line.

The tension came to end with a calming resolution.

Bobick sang the final word, and Hess continued with a rolled chord, which illustrated beautifully the weary man’s final homecoming.

The third movement, “Mein Hertz ist Schwer” (“My Heart Is Heavy”) began with Hess creating a restless, anxious undercurrent of sound while Bobick sang the part of the reserved, staid old man reminiscing on his lost youth, until, unable to keep his emotions in check any longer, the song built into a dramatic conclusion.

The last movement, “Kein Haus, Keine Heimat” (“No House, No Homeland”), began with a motive in the piano from Hess that appeared again in Bobick’s vocal line in the words “Kein Haus, Keine Heimat.”

The song ended abruptly and effectively with Bobick’s final line, “Welt, fragst du nach mir nicht, was frag’ ich nach dir?” (“World, if you do not ask about me, why should I ask about you?”), followed by an angry, emphatic chord from Hess.

Bobick’s third set was Songs of Travel by the English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams.

The set began with the popular tune, “The Vagabond,” which Bobick and Hess interpreted simply and effectively.

Hess’s march–like, staccato rhythms on the piano and Bobick’s energetic, controlled vocal line captured the essence of the traveling vagabond.

The seventh song in the cycle, “Whither Must I Wander,” is perhaps the most well-known song in the cycle.

Bobick sang through the sweeping melody in this simple, yet powerful song and expressed its story beautifully.

The last song, “I Have Trod the Upward and the Downward Slope,” was perhaps the most powerful song performed at the recital, an impressive feat given that Bobick had already been singing for an hour.

The song began with a weary, plodding intro on the piano from Hess, after which Bobick entered on the vocal line with a full, strong powerful sound.

The song closed with ascending chords in the piano and a gorgeous pianissimo high D from Bobick.

The Mercyhurst Jazz Ensemble will be giving a concert on Saturday, at 8 p.m. in Taylor Little Theatre.

The ensemble, led by Scott Meier, Ph.D., will be performing a variety of pieces, one of which is “Superbone Meets the Bad Man” by Jay Chattaway, originally recorded by Maynard Ferguson.

“It’s a high energy swing chart,” said Caden Gilson, junior Music major and member of the Jazz Ensemble.

The piece will feature sophomore Music major Martin Webster on trombone and Gilson on baritone saxophone.

“Moten Swing,” by Buster and Benny Moton of Count Basie’s orchestra, is also on the list of repertoire the ensemble will offer on their concert.

“It has a nice, tasteful swing feel featuring some light switch dynamics sure to keep you on your feet,” Gilson said.

The ensemble will be playing “How Sweet It Is,” by Sammy Nestico.

“It’s a cool, laidback blues chart featuring solos by senior Music Education major Kevin Timko on alto saxophone, senior Intelligence major Matt Rodgers on trumpet and adult student Music Education

major Joe Porter on trombone,” Gilson said.

“We’ll be playing ‘Get In Line,’ by Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band,” Gilson said.

“It’s an edgy, rugged, fast paced funk tune.”

“Get In Line” will feature solos by Timko on alto saxophone, Gilson on baritone saxophone and Rodgers on guitar.

Also on the program is “Computer,” by Bob Mintzer.

“This piece is very cool,” said Gilson.

“When all parts play together, it emulates a functioning machine.”

“Computer” will feature solos by freshman Music Therapy major Miranda Wall on tenor saxophone and freshman Music Education major Lauren Tucci on drums.

The ensemble will also play “Straight No Chaser” by Thelonious Monk, originally recorded by Buddy Rich and his Band.

“It’s a medium fast swing chart with impressive licks from the saxophone section, featuring Timko on the alto sax,” Gilson said. “It’s raw, it’s cool; you don’t need no chaser for this one.”

They will also perform two ballads, “Goodbye My Heart,” by Mike Smuckal, and “I Remember Clifford,” by Benny Golson. “‘Goodbye My Heart’ is a huge alto sax piece, with huge,

luscious chords and a moving melody from Timko on alto sax,” Gilson said.

“I Remember Clifford” was written in honor of the jazz trumpeter Clifford Brown after his unexpected passing.

“It’s a reflective ballad,” said Gilson.

“It’s a written remembrance of Brown’s legacy in the jazz world.”

“I Remember Clifford” will feature senior Music Education member Sierra Decola on trumpet.

Some of Meier’s goals for the members of Jazz Ensemble include learning how to listen to the sections around them and blend as an ensemble.

“He wants us to learn how to create the best sound possible, find that pocket and fit in there, because that’s how we’re going to create the most swingin’ and in-sync sound we can as a group of musicians,” explained Gilson.

When asked why Mercyhurst students and other members of the Erie community should attend the Mercyhurst Jazz Ensemble concert, Gilson replied: “Why not? The charts are fun and exciting, and they really show a different side of the music department. We’re not just classical musicians; we’re here to have fun, too, and this music allows us to just let loose and jazz it up.”

The Wind Ensemble in the Performing Arts Center during their fall concert of last year.

Contributed photo

Oldies but goodies

By Jeanette Fournier Staff writer

On Dec. 4, at 4 p.m. in the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center, the Wind Ensemble will be presenting “Out of the Files,” the ensemble’s Fall 2016 performance.

The Wind Ensemble is led

by Scott Meier, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Saxophone and Music Education.

“It’s basically a collection of cornerstone literature,” said Meier. “Oldies, but great.”

The ensemble will offer six different works on the program, one of which is the 20th century English composer Gustav Holst’s Second

Suite in F major.

“It’s a wonderful work, based largely on folk song,” Meier said.

“It’s tuneful, enjoyable and easy on the ears.”

Also on the program will be the American composer Vincent Persichetti’s 6th symphony.

“It’s a unique work,” Meier said. “Persichetti sounds like no other.”

The symphony is written in the pan diatonic style.

“The work does not follow traditional resolution structure. Persichetti has a different idea of tension and release,” Meier said.

The ensemble will play a tone poem written for James

Dean by the American composer Larry Daehn entitled “As Summer Was Just Beginning.”

The title comes from the inscription on Dean’s tombstone. “It’s a beautiful expression of loss,” said Meier, “but it’s also hopeful. It has moments of hopefulness.”

The Wind Ensemble will close with an old favorite: “Sleigh Ride,” by Leroy Anderson, an American composer of light concert music.

“It’s just fun,” Meier said.

The concert will also feature two student conductors, senior Music Education majors Sierra DeCola and Sarah Levin.

’Tis the season to fa la la in love with Dance

By Eleanor Hein Staff writer

Online

While most students were busy in September not thinking about the imminent Erie winter, the Mercyhurst Dance Department was already warming up to the Christmas Spirit. That’s right!

This December will see the continued tradition of the

department’s annual Christmas show featuring Act II of the “Nutcracker Suite” as well as Mark Santillano’s “Holiday Fun on Fa La La La Lane,” which is a half–hour long jazz and tap–based story that will make you laugh, cry and fall in love, according to junior Dance and Business major Rebecca Voulgarakis.

Half of the show will be a performance of the “diver-

Full list of events can be found on the MU website

tissements” of “The Nutcracker” Act II, which takes place in the Land of the Sweets. Voulgarakis defines “divertissements” as “dances that do not move the plot forward, [and] in this instance it will be group dances that represent different regions of the world,” Voulgarakis said.

“The Nutcracker” first premiered in the year 1892 and has since undergone many

interpretations.

This production, according to Voulgarakis, is one interpretation of many.

“Holiday Fun on Fa La La La Lane” premiered in 2014 and is being brought to life again by the department for this year’s show.

The show will be performed in the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center on Dec. 2, at both 4:30 p.m. and 7:30

View upcoming performances: www.mercyhurst.edu/events

p.m., as well as on Dec. 3, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Tickets will be $5, with free admission to children 12 and under.

Do you have plans that weekend, but still want to see the show?

“The Nutcracker” performance will be presented again from Dec 17-18 at the Warner Theatre as a part of the Lake Erie Ballet’s show.

Tickets for adults range from $19 to $34, but the show will also include live music by the Erie Philharmonic Orchestra for the first time ever.

Take advantage of these opportunities to “Fa La La La” in love with Mercyhurst’s talented dancers.

merciad.mercyhurst.edu/category/arts_ entertainment/

Page 6

November 16, 2016

The Merciad

Opinion

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

Mercyhurst campus would benefit from being smoke free

By Caitlyn Lear Staff writer

We all know the downfalls of smoking and how it affects our health. Between asthma and lung cancer, the health outcomes can be pretty severe. Yet there are many people on campus who continue to smoke anyway.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2013, 212,584 people were diagnosed with lung cancer and 156,176 died from the disease. The CDC also states that in Pennsylvania the death rate due to lung cancer is 45.1 per 100,000 cases.

I smoke from time to time.

My ex-boyfriend got me into smoking, and I have tried

many times to quit. I can go for months without smoking and then one stressful week will send me spiraling back.

Sometimes it is the only thing that can calm me down and it is a common form of stress relief for many people.

I know I should stop, but it really is addicting and I know that I am not as addicted as others who need to smoke every couple of hours in order to go about their day.

So when I hear that the campus may become smoke free, I am all for it.

Having a smoke free campus will be one less opportunity for me to smoke.

I do not smoke around my friends because very few of them smoke, and seeing as how I spend 90 percent of my time on campus, I would not have the time to smoke.

For those who do not

smoke, this may also come as a relief. Some of my friends do not like walking through clouds of cigarette smoke as they leave the buildings around campus. Secondhand smoke is just as harmful as smoking the cigarette yourself.

There may be designated smoke areas, but those on campus can smoke while walking between classes.

They only have to be 20 feet away from the nearest building. And during the winter, we all know that people stand closer to the buildings to try and stay out the wind and snow.

The fact that students and faculty smoke by the doors is also a result of the placement of the cigarette butt disposal boxes. Other college campuses have waste receptacles for cigarette butts 20 to 30

feet away from the door, whereas here, the receptacles are usually right next to the door Plus, cigarette butts do not always make it to the designated waste areas. If you look at the picnic table next to the Grotto Commons for example, the ground is littered with cigarette butts.

Not only are people smoking and polluting the air, they are also littering the ground with their trash.

Personally, I think making campus smoke free is a great idea. It gives that extra push for me to quit. It keeps campus clean and protects those who do not smoke from having to deal with the secondhand effects in a place where most students spend a majority of their time.

Good Mercyhurst University is in the process of considering opening a new campus in Dungarvan, Ireland, which would give students more opportunities for studying abroad.

Bad Cigarette butts left on the ground outside are not only an eyesore for students on campus, but are also bad for the environment.

@TheMerciad

Yoga Club offers stress-free zone

By Sarah Miller Contributing writer

After the first few weeks of class and a killer cold, I desperately needed some form of replenishment to reclaim my sanity.

Though it may surprise you, I did not discover the peace I needed through a church service. I did not pray or confess. I did not worship any god of any sort nor did I take one of those mythical, all-renewing four-hour naps.

Instead, I joined Yoga Club.

The beautiful thing about yoga and especially meditation, at least for me, is that it makes you analyze and question, “am I really living?”

As you meditate and

breathe in, a powerful feeling of gratitude and appreciation for this life and yourself fills your heart and permeates to the tips of your fingers and toes.

Through this experience and sort of enlightenment, I am more able to seize each day and feel like my best self.

Thanks to the Yoga Club, I can make time in my schedule to focus on telling myself to simply slow down and just breathe, which is a powerful tool for restoration, finding balance and living a proactive life.

The club likes to take trips to meditate, and do yoga away from campus, as this is where a bulk of student stress originates. This is helpful because it takes students’ minds off of all of their school work so that they can just focus on

relaxing.

For our first trip as a group, we drove to Presque Isle State Park for some yoga and meditation.

The club is currently planning several special events here on campus as well as other ventures to explore different outlets for yoga.

Since the holidays are coming up, the Yoga Club will meet one evening before winter break to make eye pillows and sandbags. The gently weighted pillows help calm the mind while subtly adding weight over the eyes and completely blocking out light.

They are great tool to enhance meditation, savasana and relaxation or restorative poses. Also, they make great gifts. I would not want to miss it, so look out for any

future announcements.

Furthermore, if you are interested, Solveig Santillano, B.F.A, started teaching a series of yoga classes at 9 a.m. in the DanceSpace on Nov. 12.

Mats will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own as well. She will also be teaching two more classes this semester on Saturday mornings: Nov. 19, and Dec. 10, at 9 a.m. in the DanceSpace.

The Yoga Club also holds classes throughout the week in the DanceSpace that are taught by Mercyhurst students.

These classes are free and for our enjoyment, so I encourage anyone that feels a little stressed out to come and experience the relief that I have felt through this club.

Students celebrate NaNoWriMo through writing their own novels

By Miranda

Miller

Copy editor

Online

NaNoWriMo, or for plebeians, National Novel Writing Month, takes place annually from Nov. 1 to Nov. 30.

Each year, thousands of people all over the world get together with a common goal: write 50,000 words.

It does not have to be a novel and it doesn’t even have to be good; 50,000 words is your only goal. If you reach this lofty goal you can say you “won.” There is no prize but the bragging rights and the joy you feel after completing such an enormous task.

The NaNoWriMo organization helps you out by organizing get togethers with other WriMos, or participants, at Write-Ins in local places to get you connected with other people that also enjoy causing themselves pain.

For WriMos that live too

far away from the Write-In locations, they have Virtual Write-Ins on their YouTube page that allow participants to become a part of something bigger, which I would argue is one of the most important aspects of NaNoWriMo. Ever since I was a young kid, writing was one of my favorite things to do.

I could go anywhere, real or make-believe, between the pages of a world that I designed.

In my hometown, I have been blessed with a writing group sponsored by my local library where I could go and get critique and guidance.

However, once I came to college, I was away from my writing club.

I lost motivation. I lost my sounding board and my support group.

When I went away to school, my mentor at the local library reminded me of NaNoWriMo. I had not participated in two years, and I had never

won, but it stuck in my head through the first half of my fall semester of freshman year. Could I write a novel in a month? I tried that year, and only got about 10,000 words in, but the community was incredible. They helped me every step of the way, from naming my main character, to giving me much-needed pep talks. I eventually finished that novel, but NaNoWriMo rekindled my passion for writing.

I participated both my sophomore and my junior year, not winning either time, but always writing. It doesn’t matter if I win or not, because by the end of November, I’ve still written chapters and chapters of a book that I would have never even started had it not been for NaNo. This year, I am doing it again. It is stressful to keep up with the word count, and most days I am battling just to hit yesterday’s goal.

I may win, or I may not.

Read more at

merciad.mercyhurst.edu/opinion

Interesting This year’s supermoon is the closest the moon has been to Earth since 1948.

It was only 221,526 miles away! It will not be this close to Earth again until November 2034.

The Merciad

For me, NaNoWriMo isn’t about the 50,000 words or the Nov. 30th deadline.

It is about the friends that I meet, the ideas that I imagine and the creativity that I keep alive.

NaNoWriMo keeps me excited about being creative, and it forces me to set aside time to write, even if it’s only for one month out of the whole year.

Even though I may be overloading my body’s circuits with caffeine and bothering my friends with plot hole questions such as: “Shelby, do you think a mind-reader would really do this? I’m not sure,” or “Can you read this? I’ll share it with you on Google.”

I am so grateful that NaNoWriMo has given me a chance to keep my childhood passion alive through adulthood.

@TheMerciad

Caitlyn Lear photo

Editors Karah Hollis Catherine Rainey Caitlyn Lear Cheyanne Crum Diego Himede Jenny Sabliov Amber Matha Miranda L. Miller Chelsea Guida Victoria Kreysar Kristin Bowers

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November 16, 2016

Page 7

The Merciad

Sports

Lakers, Orange battle to split at MIC

By Marco Cicchino Staff writer

A battle of preseason favorites went back and forth as expected, but now it’s up to Michael Sisti and Paul Flanagan to get their squads back into prime CHA contention.

The Syracuse University Orange lit up struggling Sarah McDonnell in the second period on Friday night in a 4-2 win to hand the Lakers their second straight loss, but blew a 3-1 third period lead on Saturday afternoon when Molly Blasen capped a third-period assault in a 4-3 Lakers comefrom-behind victory to send Syracuse three games under .500.

The Lakers got off to a strong start on Friday, taking advantage of the Orange’s second penalty of the first period as Rachael Smith took assists from Blasen and Nicole Guagliardo to strike for her fourth of the season at 12:17.

It handed McDonnell a 1-0 lead that she would ensuingly lose just 9½ minutes later. The tally at 1:58 was followed just

Hurstathletics

Split weekend games against Syracuse University at Mercyhurst Ice Center. The Orange won Friday, 4-2, but the Lakers won Saturday, 4-3. Maggie Know scored twice Saturday.

96 seconds later when perennial weapon Stephanie Grossi caught a pass from Allie Munroe to hand the Orange a lead they would never relinquish.

They then tallied again just a minute after killing off their

second penalty of the period, but Taylor Accursi was called for hooking at 14:41, leading to Schwarz’s second of the game and the first power-play goal for the Orange, the assists going to Jessica Sibley and Alysha Burriss.

Lakers’ men’s XC records best regional finish yet

By Bernard Garwig Staff writer

On Nov. 5, The Mercyhurst men’s cross country team posted its best ever finish at the NCAA DII Atlantic Regionals. The Lakers have attended to the event since 2011.

The race, hosted in Slippery Rock, saw the Lakers finishing seventh among the 22 who competed against each other at the event. The Lakers posted a combined score of 244 among the team’s top five runners.

Shippensburg University was the champion for the Men’s 10K, scoring 41 points.

Lock Haven University came in second with 63 points, followed by Edinboro with 72.

Lock Haven’s Monroe Addison finished first out of 124 for the race with a time of 32:23. Shippensburg took both second and third with Kieran Sutton (32:35) and Alexandre Balla (32:50).

“As a team, we’re super excited,” said senior Jake Eneix. “This was a goal we’ve had ever since we came to school.”

Eneix led the way for the Lakers, finishing 22nd in the 10,000 meter race with a time of 34:05.

He was followed by a pack of seniors for the Lakers: Anthony Amroski, who posted a time of 34:51 and finished in 36th place, Shawn Wiler, who ran a 35:27 (52nd) and Chris Liatti, who recorded a 35:42 (58th) on the course. Sophomore Danny Dmuchowski rounded out the scoring for the Lakers with a 36:14 time for 76th place.

Juniors Ryan Brennan and John Harry completed the top seven for the team, who placed 84th and 109th respectively for times of 36:43 and 39:28 each.

Eneix emphasized that this year’s finish was the fruit of his and his eldest teammates’ labor.

“We had a great team our

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freshman year but we lost two of our top seven,” said Eneix.

“We came into this season knowing that this is probably the best shot that we’ve had throughout our three, four years at Mercyhurst. Everyone just came to practice every single day with the mindset that we need to do well.”

The team works together to push each other harder every day so that they can reach their maximum potential when they compete.

In light of the season’s conclusion, Eneix was positive in his reflection of his and his other teammates’ years at Mercyhurst.

“It was a pleasure watching this group grow into a group of me. It was great to watch this group really turn into a team that really embodies what Mercyhurst is about,” Eneix said.

@TheMerciad

“I think just getting our power-play going was key today, and that power play had some good goals that won us the game eventually,” Grossi told the Merciad after the contest.

Just 30 seconds remained in

the second when Sarah Hine set up Paige Horton before Miller turned it aside, but Brooke Hartwick cleaned up and buried her team-high fifth of the season.

But the Lakers’ sixth penalty of the contest—a hooking call on Michelle Robillard— allowed Megan Quinn to capitalize in a third period that saw only six Orange shots, getting a pass from Lindsey Eastwood to put home the insurance goal with 6:10 remaining.

On Saturday, Sisti thought he found a change of morale by starting surprise lead goaltender Jessica Convery, but Schwarz maintained the Orange would not change their game plan for her.

They fought off an 8-5 shot deficit in the first to take the lead with 1:26 left in a very quick first.

The Lakers did find an equalizer at 10:28, when freshman Maggie Knott caught assists from Samantha Isbell and Jillian Skinner, but the Orange did not let their three-period shot deficit haunt them, as Grossi and Brooke Avery scored 2:56 apart to send the

Lakers to their second straight game with three goals allowed at the second intermission.

Sisti’s squad turned the table in the third, as Knott, the game’s first star, tallied her second of the game and third of the season at 5:06 with assists from Whiddon and Céline Frappier.

Quinn was sent off 30 seconds later on a cross-checking, leading to Isbell setting up Samantha Fieseler on the left side at 6:08 for her first of the season.

The game remained deadlocked for the following 10 minutes. A late rush for the Lakers saw Smith and Knott set up defenseman Molly Blasen at 16:43 as she fired past Miller’s shoulder for her first tally since switching to No. 8 after wearing No. 12 last year.

The Lakers return to action this Friday at Houston Fieldhouse in Troy, N.Y., as the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute welcome the Lakers to the Capital Region.

Eighth Place ranking for Mercyhurst men’s hoops in D2 CCA Atlantic poll

By Bernard Garwig Staff writer

Coming into the 2016-17 season, the Meryhurst Lakers men’s basketball team ranked eighth in the preseason poll released by the Division II Conference Commissioners Association Atlantic Region poll on Nov. 7.

Mercyhurst received 11 points in the poll conducted by coaches.

West Liberty University received 60 points and six first place votes to take the top spot on the poll, followed by Fairmont State (47) and Virginia State (40).

This comes after the team posted a 22-9 record for the 2015-16 season, and went 15-7 in the conference.

Last year not only marked the first year the team was victorious in PSAC championships, but also the program’s first win in the NCAA Tournament Atlantic Regional.

The Lakers beat Wheeling Jesuit of West Virginia 66-65, which was followed by a second-round loss to PSAC rival Kutztown University, 73-79.

“I think the ranking is pretty accurate, but rankings are just rankings. It doesn’t really determine who a team is,” said senior guard Durrell McDonald. “I believe that any team can be more than what the ranking is.”

McDonald is one of five seniors who will lead the team

Hurstathletics

Mercyhurst men’s basketball ranked eighth in Division II Conference Comissioners Association Athletic Region Poll On Nov. 7.

The Lakers received 11 points.

“

I believe that any team can be more than what the ranking is.

”

Senior Durrell McDonald

when they take the court this year.

“I think the seniors now equal up to the seniors last year…and the underclassman that came up equal up to the guys before them,” McDonald said.

Other returning seniors include Kevin Marsh, Justin Senou and John Majors.

“Preseason has been really good for us,” said senior guard H’ian Hale. “A lot of guys learned the defense, plays … it’s all about buying in and I think up to this point everybody’s buying in.”

Hale is the only returning starter from the previous season. He averaged 4.5 points per game and also led the team in assists with 125.

Hale highlighted the importance of the defense this year, coming off of a season where the Lakers were ranked best in the nation for allowing only 60.3 points per game.

“I think our ranking is based on our success…I think a lot of coaches have respect for the program,” Hale concluded.

The Lakers’ first game of the season was on Nov. 11 at home against Mount Aloysius College, where they beat the Mounties 103-37.

@TheMerciad

Let’s go Lakers!

Sports

Date

Time

Women’s basketball

Dec. 3

1 p.m.

Men’s basketball

Dec. 3

3 p.m.

Women’s ice hockey

Dec. 2, Dec. 3

6 p.m, 1 p.m.

Page 8

November 16, 2016

The Merciad

Laker

Living

Editor’s Choice: Fun-fiction Miranda L. Miller Copy editor

Reading is one of my favorite things to do, but there are many occasions where getting lost in a good book is completely not appropriate, like doing the dishes or driving.

That’s where fiction podcasts come in handy. Don’t get me wrong, there are many other kinds of podcasts and every kind of podcast is beautiful in its own way, but fiction podcasts scratch an itch that NPR just doesn’t reach. If you haven’t delved deep in the world of fiction podcasts, here are a few to get you started.

“Welcome to Night Vale” is the podcast that for me, and many others, started a love for audio fiction. It’s a little spooky, a little funny, a lot strange and incredibly entertaining, so it’s a must for anybody that enjoys fiction.

It’s about a lovable radio

show host, Cecil, who gives us the news, weather, and other events that happen in his strange little town, Night Vale. The number of episodes, associated podcasts, and even tours and books make it a little daunting for someone who hasn’t listened since the beginning, but it’s so worth it. Other podcasts from the same producers include Alice Isn’t Dead and Within the Wires, both in a similar style.

I really enjoy spooky things, so the NoSleep podcast is perfect. Created and frequently narrated by David Cummings, it has stories written for and submitted to the NoSleep Subreddit, which are phenomenal.

There are multiple regular narrators, and they make you feel as if you were sitting around a campfire, listening to your best friend tell tall tales all night.

Many of the authors of the stories have moved on to publishing books, like Michael Whitehouse, who

wrote “Bedtime and Other Tales of Terror”, if that tells you the quality of the work.

Each episode brings new and interesting tales from different authors, which I really enjoy. The different authors bring a variety of strengths to the table.

Due to the different authors with different tastes in stories, it allows NoSleep to have special episodes like a Christmas special, and of course, a Halloween special.

Another fantastic fiction podcast would be “The Black Tapes”. It’s a series, unlike NoSleep.

The premise is that our intrepid reporter, Alex Reagan, goes and interviews people about their interesting jobs. That is, until she meets Dr. Strand. Dr. Strand is the head of the Strand Institute, which promises to pay $1 million to anyone with unequivocal proof of the supernatural. Alex finds a string of tapes that have yet to be proven false, and therein lies the story in our

podcast.

A podcast that I haven’t given up hope for is the Leviathan Chronicles. It’s recorded partially with a narrator, and partially like the events are happening in real time.

The tale centers around Macallan Orsel, a genetic scientist who is searching for the cure for aging. When she meets a strange man who claims to be a doctor to her sick grandmother, she is taken on a wild ride that changes not only her life, but potentially the fate of the whole world. At present, it is on hiatus, but honestly it’s too good to pass up.

If you have any review suggestions, e-mail me at copymerciad@gmail.com!

@TheMerciad

Way back When...

The Merciad presents articles from yesteryear in their original form, including headlines.

This week, our blast from the past is from June 1942.

Freshmen Seniors Hunt for Treasure As you may have noticed, May weather at Mercyhurst has not been altogether favorable for collegiate functions. So it was that on May 20, fifty sturdy Seniors had to brave the elements in search of a treasure on the occasion of the Senior-Freshmen Treasure Hunt. And, good sports that they are, they ventured forth without complaint, later joining generously in cheers for Dot Wadlinger, Pat Schilling and Julia Strough, who finally merged victorious.

With the exception of the actual Hunt, the picnic was of necessity held in the gym.

Here, amidst the gay notes of school songs,

Game Zone

peppy instructions from our party leaders, Fran Honeck and Nan Schultz, and a general strain of good fellowship, we Frosh were delighted to entertain our Seniors and our honored guests. We got a big “kick” out of watching our esteemed graduates-to-be try their skill at march drills, potato races, clothes-pin-in-thebottle, balloon blowing and other such antics appropriate to a picnic. Lighthearted singing, laughing and feasting were the theme of the affair; a better spirit could not have prevailed had May 20 been the clearest, sunniest of days.