Nov. 29 Issue 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 9 , 2 017

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VOL. 91 NO. 9

Students get new outlook at CD9 PAGE 8

Online poll results Where are you going for Thanksgiving break?

3: Senior class gift scholarship announced 10: Concert Choir and Civic Orchestra head to North East 15: Wrestling takes on Embry-Riddle in Arizona Contributed photo

Going home to family. (50%) Going on a nice vacation.(33%) I’m staying on campus(17%) Staying with a friend (0%)

This week’s

POLL

What are you most excited for during spring semester?

merciad.mercyhurst.edu

NEWS

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Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Pushing back against hate

By Marina Boyle Staff writer

A group of Mercyhurst University students have come together as part of the global competition “Peer to Peer (P2P): Challenging Extremism.” The aim of the P2P program, which is sponsored by EdVenture Partners, is to provide a challenge to university students to push back against online hate and extremism, while empowering their peers.

Under the direction of Michael Lamm, assistant professor of Intelligence Studies, five Mercyhurst students banded together to counteract the proliferation of extremist rhetoric online.

They launched a social media campaign of their own, the On(E)rie Campaign. It speaks out in support of refugees across social media channels. The On(E) rie initiative was designed to locate and mitigate the underlying causes of domestic extremism.

Specifically, they refocused attention on online messages of peace and tolerance — a concept called counterspeech. Hateful messages transmitted in a digital context are particularly hurtful, and do not represent the feelings of the majority of citizens.

Thus, the P2P campaign creates constructive dialogue that resonates with the community in an authentic way. The students did all this in order to promote the peaceful integration of refugees into Erie.

Contributed photo

From left, Charra Luton, Yuhao Yang, Jonah Jackson, Aleique Allen and Bernie Garwig took part in the “For the Love of Erie” at the Marriott Café. The event was held for students to learn more about refugees.

The five students involved, senior Biochemistry major Aleique Allen, sophomore Intelligence Studies major Bernie Garwig, sophomore Intelligence Studies major Joshua Slawatycki, senior Intelligence Studies major Roger Yuhao Yang and senior Intelligence Studies major Jenbli Cox, are attempting to change the narrative about refugees in the United States.

They have chosen to focus their efforts on discrediting the

false and negative stereotypes of refugees and to counteract online hate with messages of love for one another. They take inspiration from Erie’s diversity as a city and promote positive cultural exchange among community members.

“There is so much negative sentiment towards refugees.

Lamm mentioned the campaign and I liked the idea of learning more about Erie as a refugee city,” said Allen. “My friends and

I do a lot of service work, and it just seemed natural for me to get involved. The campaign means a lot to me, and we’re in it for the long run.”

The students hosted a free public event called “For the Love of Erie” on Nov. 9 in the Marriott Café. It was a social event for students to learn more about refugees and to hear their stories.

The P2P group aims to emphasize the message that everyone can play a role in sending

positive sentiment across social media: “We are all part of Erie and its inclusivity as a city.”

“The immigrant spirit built America, builds America and will determine her future. We are all immigrants, and we all want the best for this great nation,” Lamm said.

Depending on the success of their initiative within the P2P competition, the students may be invited to present their ideas in Washington, D.C., later this year.

The group has a clear mission — “to create a diverse Erie community where cultural exchange can take place in a healthy and safe environment for individuals to engage in constructive discussion.”

The main challenge for the students is creating the platform where people can credibly talk about how they feel in a way that lifts up others.

The students are hosting an additional event based on community interaction on Dec. 2, which everyone can be a part of. The group is also working with the International Institute of Erie to collect donations of hygiene products that can be given to refugees in our city. The group’s Facebook page, @OnErieMU, announces all upcoming events.

Furthermore, they are hoping to create a club on campus for students interested in projects like these, which will allow the campaign to continue into the future.

Hagen’s donation remakes History

By Jordan Pendel

Staff writer

On Nov. 13, Mercyhurst announced a $1.5 million donation to the university from Thomas B. Hagen, is a prominent Erie business and civic leader who also has a commitment to historic preservation.

This gift will go to the university’s general fund, and a small portion of the donation will help build the program for the U.S. Brig Niagara in the newly named Thomas B. Hagen Department of History. Hagen’s donation is the largest gift given with no restrictions attached, and the school will use it leaders deem necessary.

“We are delighted with this generous gift from Tom Hagen,” said President Michael T. Victor.

“We are extremely excited to put it to good use in supporting both the History department and our Mercy Mission.”

Hagen has a lifelong commitment to preserving Erie history and has done a number of things to preserve Erie’s heritage. Hagen has purchased properties and

restored homes to save as much of Erie’s history as he can.

This gift is intended to expand the learning experience from the Flagship to also include students from across the nation who could benefit from the opportunity.

With this donation, the History department has been dubbed with Hagen’s name to honor him and his generous gift to the university.

“We were just the department of History before, but it makes sense for a lot of reasons,” said John Olszowka, chair of the department. “I think it’s a wonderful honor for our part to be named after him.”

Hagen has worked with the History department at Mercyhurst before. A few years ago, there was a project for the Public History program where students helped create a history of Little Italy in downtown Erie. Hagen anonymously helped underwrite the costs of the publication of the findings.

“It’s good that someone cares enough to donate to the department,” Julianna Ruzbacki, senior History major, said.

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

NEWS

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Senior class gift announced

By Kristian Biega Staff writer

Each year, the Mercyhurst Senior Class comes together to raise money for a gift that will be left as a legacy long after they have graduated. This year, members of the Senior Class Gift Committee, with the approval of President Michael T. Victor, have decided to present Mercyhurst with the Sister Lisa Mary McCartney Senior Class Gift 2018 Scholarship.

This is the first year that the senior class gift will be a scholarship.

“Some past senior gifts have been removed and relocated due to the changes the campus has experienced, but this scholarship will never go away,” said committee member Natalie Koons. “It will always help someone and recognize the people who have made generous contributions towards another student’s future.”

This scholarship was named in honor of Sister Lisa Mary McCartney, the last Sister of Mercy to work on campus full time. The committee was concerned about losing a large part of our history as they are not on campus as much.

“We are losing such a big part of our history and wanted to

name this after an incredible person who represents what MU was really founded on,” Morgan Wangler, senior committee member, said.

It took extensive planning and organization by the committee, led by Senior Class Gift Chair Lynne Gillott, to bring this scholarship to fruition for the university. The other members of the committee were seniors Natalie Koons, Austin Shinhearl, Morgan Wangler, Cole Lowe, Cristal Maldonado, Kimberly Kramer, Catherine Erway, Vanessa Steele, Jenny Sabliov, Cheyanne Crum, Amber Matha, Natalie Merucci and Troy MacMullan.

Planning began early in the year with meetings with Lindsay Frank, director of Alumni Engagement, and Caleb Pifer, vice president for University Advancement and director of Major Gifts, to discuss the purpose of the team and how to create a lasting gift.

President Victor already had a scholarship in mind as the class gift for 2018, leaving the specifics of what the scholarship would entail to the team of students.

“After a brainstorming meeting with the full committee, we became really excited in realizing the freedom we would have with the

creation of the scholarship itself,” Gillott said.

The team came up with five potential scholarships with unique credentials and themes that represented the Mercyhurst Mission: Sister Lisa Mary McCarthy Scholarship, Hurst is Home Scholarship, What’s a Laker? Scholarship, President Michael McQuillan Scholarship, and the Valor and Values Scholarship.

The committee sought help from the senior class, emailing them a poll of the scholarships and different ways to raise money to fund the gift.

“These polls and input from the seniors allowed us to see what the most effective way to get people involved and excited about this gift would be,” Gillot said.

The results narrowed down the five scholarships to a top three, leading the committee to split into groups of 4 to 6 people to represent each scholarship: “Hurst is Home,” “Sister Lisa Mary McCartney” and “Valor and Values”.

Each scholarship team was responsible for compiling a presentation of all necessary information for what each scholarship would entail. President Victor was focused on how they would connect with the Mercy Mission of the

school, along with logistics: who the scholarship would benefit, how the donors would be recognized, what the recognition piece would look like, qualifications for the scholarship, who would sit on the scholarship board and the overall price for these aspects.

The Senior Class Gift Committee presented to President Victor, Frank, Pifer, and Betsy Frank, director of Executive Office Projects and Events, on Nov. 16.

“Every committee member was passionate about an aspect of his or her scholarship they were presenting and it was neat to see all of that come together harmoniously,” said Koons.

The final decision for the gift came on Nov. 20 as the board chose to incorporate pieces from all three scholarship presentations.

“I liked that everyone’s choices for the scholarship were picked in some way,” said Gillott. “There wasn’t any work that went unrecognized. A piece of everyone on the committee is in this scholarship.”

The scholarship will be awarded to a rising senior who has shown great resilience in the face of a personal hardship, along with a dedication to service, exemplifying the Mercy mission. The recip-

ient of the scholarship might not be the most outwardly noticeable campus leader, but someone who makes a difference making all others feel that “Hurst is Home.”

The location of the donor piece, which will be a “wordle” of the House on Baggot Street, will be located in the Audrey Hirt Academic Center.

The final step for the committee is to fully raise the funds for the scholarship. Lev Kubiak has made a generous donation to match the class gift committee’s fundraising dollar for dollar up to $10,000. The Senior Gift Committee encourages the senior class to donate through supporting events such as the Senior Bar Crawl, Hurst Olympics, Senior Date Auction or by becoming a member of the Loyal Laker Program, donating $8.34 per month to reach an end-of-year goal of $100.

“Now that is picked, it is a lot less stressful now that we know what our money is going towards,” said Gillot. “Now the ball is rolling.”

There will be continued meetings for the gift committee during the spring semester, and all seniors are encouraged to join and give their input.

Education honor society earns awards

By Caitlyn Lear News editor

Alpha Beta Pi, the Mercyhurst chapter of the Kappa Delta Pi international honor society in Education, took home three awards at a recent conference.

“There are more than 300 university chapters in the U.S., and out of those 300 chapters, we were selected as one of a few to receive some awards,” said Sarah Howorth, Ph.D., professor of Education.

The conference, which brings together chapters from all over, is held every two years. This year’s event, which included the awards, was held Oct. 26-28 in Pittsburgh.

“The awards we won at the convocation this year were pretty exciting,” said Kelli Deighan, junior, double major in Early Childhood Education and Special Education. “We got two for professional development. One from last year and one from the year before that.”

The third award was a community service award from last year.

“Madison Bruno, one of our members, came up with that idea and we originally collected boxes for Operation Christmas Child and we had such a big interest that we decided to do it with our Carpe Diem Academy students as well,” said Howorth. “So all the students in first and second grade

Contributed photo

From left, Alpha Beta Pi’s president, Morgan Wangler, associate counselor, Kaleigh Ruggiero, and vice president, Alexandra Imbrogno, received awards at Kappa Delta Pi’s Pittburgh Convocation in October.

got a Christmas box wrapped and inside the box were some literacy activities, simple toys, toothbrushes, mittens and things like that.”

Kappa Delta Pi is the only education society that has a chapter at Mercyhurst. The organization has been around for more than

100 years, though the Mercyhurst chapter is younger, Howorth said.

The mission of the society is “to help our members reach academic excellence and dedication to the teaching profession. Kappa Delta Pi is the only organization that represents all educators — regardless of subject area specialty,

degree obtained, grade-level focus or years of teaching experience,” according to the group’s website.

“Though diverse, all KDP members share a common purpose: We are a dynamic community of exceptional educators committed to promoting excellence in the education profession

by recognizing and advancing scholarship, leadership,” according to the website.

At Mercyhurst, the Alpha Beta Pi chapter holds many initiatives throughout the year that reach out into the local community.

“We do a Literacy Alive initiative, which is a community outreach where we do a literacy intervention with students, and a lot of chapters do this as well,” said Morgan Wangler, a senior Early Childhood and Special Education double major.

“We have also brought in Marc Brown, the author of ‘Arthur.’

The students in Literacy Alive made a picture book and then Marc Brown talked to them and Mercyhurst students about being a children’s book author,” Wangler said. “This year we are thinking about doing something along the lines of Dr. Seuss.”

Even after graduation, some alumni return to the conferences to speak.

“Different speakers come back a lot of times and they talk about certain topics,” said Deighan.

“Last year one of ours was ‘Take a Bite Out of Technology,’ so we had a lot of speakers come and talk about incorporating technology into the classroom.”

All three agree that earning the awards was exciting and good to see the hard work of the individuals involved to be recognized.

F O L L O W T H E M E R C I A D O N S O C I A L M E D I A AT @ T H E M E R C I A D A N D # T H E M E R C I A D

NEWS

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Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Garase joins parole board Merciad IN A MINUTE

By Rebecca Dunphy

Program director to retire at end of the semester Elaine Ruggiero, director of the Learning Differences program, will retire at the end of the fall semester after 37 years of service.

Ruggiero also has coached the women’s volleyball team, served as a counselor in the ACT 101 Equal Opportunity Program and is the chapter advisor for Phi Eta Sigma, the National Freshman Honor Society.

Lecture planned Local historian Dennis Hickey, Ph.D., will be discussing the formation and breakdown of nations and alliances. The lecture will be held Nov. 29 at the Alex Theatre at the North East campus at 7 p.m.

Fundraiser set for Puerto Rico The Spanish Club, Caribbean Club and MISO, along with the department of World Languages and Cultures will host a fundraiser for Puerto Rico hurricane relief. The fundraiser will be Nov. 30, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Bourbon Barrel. Cover charge is $5.

Holiday sale on at the bookstore The bookstore’s Christmas sale started this week. All clothing and gifts are 20 percent off until Dec. 22.

Have a news tip for Merciad In a Minute? Send an email to newsmerciad@mercyhurst.edu

Staff writer

Maria L. Garase, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of the department of Criminology & Criminal Justice, was recently selected to serve on the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole’s Citizen Advisory Committee.

The committee is comprised of seven to 15 community members, ranging including criminal justice and law enforcement professionals and retirees. There is one committee in each of the Board of Probation and Parole’s 10 districts across the state.

The committee is responsible for assisting the board with developing good public relations and assisting offenders by finding employment opportunities and needed community resources.

Other duties include advising and developing position papers related to agency operations, evaluating their services and creating legislation to help improve probation and parole services.

Garase was chosen by Patricia Lightner, the director of the Erie District of the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, because of her involvement in the criminal justice and academic communities.

Garase’s previous research and evaluation experience in proba-

Contributed photo

Maria Garase, Ph.D., accepted a position to serve on the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole’s Citizen Advisory Committee.

tion and parole also made her a viable selection.

“I have always been interested in probation, parole and reentry services,” said Garase. “Not only

have I worked as a counselor specialist with juvenile delinquents who were on probation, but I have also completed research with the Pennsylvania Commis-

sion on Sentencing. Additionally, I completed an evaluation of the House of Healing, a now-defunct innovative residential treatment facility for women under court supervision who were completing their sentences while having their children live with them.”

Garase is now the second Mercyhurst professor to have served on the committee, following Peter Benekos, Ph.D., professor emeritus of the Criminal Justice department.

Although there have only been two meetings thus far and her official role has not yet been established, Garase is being used as a sounding board for the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole’s current engagements and future programming.

The Citizen Advisory Committee meets only four times a year, which will not inhibit Garase’s work at Mercyhurst. In fact, she believes that her involvement will be positive for students, as it will allow her to share up-to-date information about the field.

“I hope that serving on the committee will expose me to the new policies and evidence-based practices that are being implemented by the (board),” said Garase. “I will be able to discuss these in my graduate Criminal Justice Planning and Evaluation and Criminology and Crime Policy courses.”

Students attend SafeNet event

By Daniel Leonard

Staff writer

Two students from the Women and Crime course recently received full scholarships from SafeNet, a nonprofit organization that provides a variety of services to victims of domestic violence, to attend their Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) conference. The conference was held Oct. 11 at the Erie Maennerchor Club.

In prior years, one student from social work and one student from criminal justice attended the SafeNet conference, but this year two undergraduate criminal justice students, sophomore Alyssa Jaeger and junior Kelsey Collins, earned scholarships to participate in the conference.

The Women and Crime course, taught by Maria Garase, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of the department of Criminology & Criminal Justice, “is designed

to expose students to a greater understanding of the unique attributes of women who are victims, women who are offenders, and women who work in the criminal justice system,” Garase said.

In the entirely online course, students are required to read the book “Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town,” which opens up discussions about acquaintance rape, victim blaming, rape myths, Title IX protections and the neurobiology of sexual assault.

Several of the topics the class focuses on were explored in detail at the conference.

Jaeger and Collins attended panel presentations, where they heard doctors and nurses recount their firsthand experiences working with victims in their practices or hospitals.

Another one of the conference speakers was the father of murdered Mercyhurst student

Jenni-Lyn Watson. He shared the very personal story of her death in 2010 at the hand of her abusive boyfriend.

“Some of the statistics they presented at the conference were shocking. Most people wouldn’t guess, for example, that the leading cause of death for women within a year of giving birth is homicide,” said Collins. “We learn about these things in class but it’s mostly theory, and hearing the stories of real women who have been through this is so much tougher to learn.”

The increase in recent news stories about sexual assault and harassment by powerful men has raised public awareness of sexual assault and violence.

“This class is always relevant — it just so happens that we see the issues of sexual assault and sexual harassment coming to the forefront with people who are easily recognizable to us,” said Garase.

“It makes it real, and it shocks the public conscious.”

The annual conference expands the student’s knowledge of Intimate Partner Violence and also has the potential to influence a student’s educational path and career goals.

“My experience at the conference encouraged my initial goals for the future and trajectory for future events I will plan on campus,” said Jaeger. “I think that educating yourself on sexual assault is always relevant for all students.

Sexual assault affects one out of four women and roughly one out of six to one out of 10 men. So whether or not there are stories in the news about sexual assault, I still believe that it is important for students to be aware of sexual assault because it does happen commonly in this society, and awareness of an issue can be helpful in preventing these instances from occurring.”

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Wednesday, November 29, 2017

NEWS

GLOBAL SUMMIT COVERAGE

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STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Dubik talk evaluates This weekend’s state of world powers campus events

By Admir Barucija Staff writer

The Jefferson Educational Society’s ninth Global Summit was capped off with a talk by Lt. Gen. James Dubik on Nov. 17 on the “Pre-Something Period.”

Dubik, before began his talk, was named as the recipient of the 2017 Thomas B. Hagen Digitas Award. Dubik has dedicated his entire life to public service, which includes his many years in the United States military.

The Thomas B. Hagen Digitas Award is always given to the last speaker of the Global Summit.

This award is given to an Erie citizen or native who has made a significant contribution to the vitality of American democracy.

Dubik began his talk by mentioning the shift, beginning in 1750, from muscle power and an agrarian society to one dependent on machines and technology. He also mentioned the many revolutions that have happened over the past few centuries, such as the American, French and Russian revolutions that helped bring about these changes.

“Some people fight to preserve the old, others fight to bring in the new,” Dubik said.

Dubik then moved on to life during and after the Cold War and how it has served to impact the world. After it ended, the internet quickly came about, which has led to the Information Age. America has formed partnerships for peace, expanded NATO and made alliances with former members of the Warsaw Pact.

“We’re now in a post-9/11 period. We’ve been at war for 16 years now, not only in Iraq and Afghanistan, but across the world,” said Dubik. “We’re now living in an unsettled world, a pre-something period. We don’t know what that is yet.”

America is currently having to face revisionist, revolutionary and rogue powers. The revisionist powers are Russia, China and Iran.

“They’re revisionists because they seek to influence the world to their advantage,” Dubik said.

They want to revise the international order so that they can gain from it. Russia is trying to re-establish its influence, from the era of the Warsaw Pact.

China has protective missile zones and is planning a One Road initiative.

“China seeks to create an economic zone from the Pacific all the way into Europe,” Dubik said.

On Friday in the Student Union, MAC and SAC will be hosting speed painter Tom Varano. He paints the faces of famous individuals that have had an influence on the topic of racial diversity.

Admir Barucija photo

Lt. Gen. James Dubik was the final speaker of the Jefferson Educational Society’s Global Summit series. Before his talk, he was presented with the 2017 Thomas B. Hagen Digitas Award.

“

We’re now living in an unsettled world, a pre-something period. We don’t know what that is yet.”

Lt. Gen. James Dubik

China want the Chinese economic model to be dominant. It wants this to replace the World Bank and the Western powers’ hold on economic development.

Iran is sponsoring terror organizations and aiming to develop cyber capacity, among other things. The revolutionary powers are al Qaeda and ISIS. “They wish to replace existing governments by force with ones of their choice,” Dubik said.

They do not like governments that do not follow their version of the Quran. They want to establish a global caliphate. Al Qaeda has expanded quite a bit from 2000 to 2017.

“Isis in 2000 was nowhere,” said Dubik. “ISIS and al Qaeda are now competing with each other.”

The rogue power is North Korea.

“They just want to promote instability to their advantage,” Dubik said.

North Korea is aiming to use nuclear weapons for its survival.

Dubik followed up by bringing up the need for a new international order because the current one likely cannot be sustainable anymore.

“The actions that we take will determine, positively or negatively, the outcome of the next international order,” Dubik said.

Dubik ended his talk by addressing what steps may be taken to create a more stable world. America needs to compete with the revisionist powers in a neutral manner, as neither enemies nor friends.

“We can’t withdraw from the international world, that cedes leadership to others,” Dubik said.

The revolutionary powers must be defeated in a way that prevents them from reconstituting to a level that threatens the world. Transnational cooperation will be instrumental in stopping them.

All of the tasks America needs to fulfill require help from allies because they cannot be solved alone. America likely needs the assistance of Russia and China to solve these problems.

“Nothing is written unless we write it,” Dubik said.

However, America must get to writing. The new international order must form conditions that promote peace rather than creating an environment that promotes more wars.

This Saturday, teams of up to six individuals will battle it out in Mercyhurst’s Hunger Gamesthemed laser tag. The games will be held in the Athletic Center gym from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., and prizes will be given to winning teams.

Angels at Hurst

Amber Matha photo

The Angel Tree was set up by Karen Morahan, Ph.D., and the Global Health class in Hirt 310 to give Christmas presents to children from the International Institute of Erie. Since the tree was put up Nov. 20, all 55 angels, each representing a child in need, have been taken.

FEATURES

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Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Ask Mia Anyone have a problem that they need help fixing?

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

Dear Mia, In a series of unfortunate events, I have three finals on one day. They are all on Tuesday, back to back, and they are the only ones I have to take. The worst part is that they start at 8 a.m. and go until 3 p.m. How am I going to survive having that many finals in a row? I’ll be in tests for six hours!

Sincerely, Death by Finals

Dear Death by Finals, Honestly, I’m not sure if it’s possible to survive three finals in a row. The finals schedule doesn’t seem like it was planned very well if students are having to take so many finals on a single day. There is a rule that if a student has more than two finals on the same day, you are able to change one of them. You should go to your professors and ask them if they will let you take one final the next day. It may be easier on you if you choose the final that’s in between the other two, that way you’ll have a short break after your first one. All of the professors here are pretty good about helping their students and making sure they have the opportunity to do the best they can on a test.

Good luck — you’re almost to the end!

Sincerely,

Mia

Contributed Photo

Kaitlyn Kirchmeir and Julia Detota, both sophomore Art Therapy and Psychology double majors, sell cards and prayer flags in Zurn to help raise funds for a trip to work with children in Nepal.

Travels to Nepal

By Caitlyn Lear News editor

Art Therapy students sold Tibetan prayer flags and holiday cards in Zurn and the Student Union on Nov. 13 and 15.

The proceeds raised from these items will go toward buying supplies for the children at the Semata Bamboo school or to help lower the cost of the trip some students will be making to Nepal.

“In January, we will be going to Nepal and working at the Semata Bamboo school. We are selling Tibetan prayer flags and homemade greeting cards that the freshman Art Therapy students created,” Julia Detota, sophomore Art

Therapy and Psychology double major, said.

The idea of the trip is to help the students at the school.

“We are going to help kids with art therapy techniques, interact with them and socialize with them,” Kaitlyn Kirchmeir, a sophomore Art Therapy and Psychology double major, said.

The experience not only helps the children in Nepal, but gives the students some real world experience within their majors.

“I am looking forward to being with the children and just being able to interact with them through the arts and just seeing how they respond to the art,” said Heather Denning, Art Therapy director,

adding that she is also looking forward to the students “being able to have that exchange.”

Detota said she is looking forward to becoming immersed in a different culture.

“When we go there, I hope to learn a lot about the Nepalese culture, trying new things, experiencing Kathmandu, which is where we will mostly be, and really immersing ourselves into Nepal and learning about everything they value and compare the similarities and differences to American culture,” said Detota.

“But mostly just looking to make a difference especially in the lives of the children we will be working with.”

Students embrace faith at leadership conference

By Elizabeth Shewan

Staff writer

A group of Mercyhurst students recently attended Leadership Together, a conference held at Slippery Rock University.

More than 200 students attended the event, including four from Mercyhurst: Chandler Brandetsas, sophomore Hospitality Management major; Sarah Brennan, senior Public Health major; Mackenzie Ryan, freshman Forensic Anthropology major; and Emilie Yochim, sophomore Sports Medicine major. They were accompanied by Jenell Patton, assistant director of Campus Ministry.

Leadership Together is a creation of the Coalition for Christian Outreach (CCO), an interdenominational Christian ministry.

According to its website, the CCO “calls college students to serve Jesus Christ with their entire lives.”

The CCO works with college campus ministries, designing the ministry to meet the needs of each individual campus.

Leadership Together is only one of many events hosted by the CCO. According to the CCO website, “Leadership Together is a gathering that challenges college student leaders to live out their biblical worldview on campus and invite others to do the same.”

The Mercyhurst group was excited for the opportunity to learn.

“The idea is they want to do some sort of group training for student leaders,” said Patton.

“The students who attended are leaders of various ministries within campus ministry.”

Patton led her own session during the conference, focused on growth mindset and created specifically for student athletes — a group she is familiar with thanks to her time spent coaching volleyball. She also intended it for individuals who struggle with perfectionism.

“So then we looked at what’s the biblical model of self-care, and looking at the model that Jesus offers us ... that there’s a way of living all of life as a form of

worship,” said Patton. “So he actually offered us the idea of selfcare before that language came into existence.”

Mercyhurst students who attended the conference attended sessions and afterwards shared what they learned with each other.

“It was a very rewarding and educational experience for me,” said Brennan. “We got to touch on things that I hadn’t thought of before. My breakout session was going through the Bible in 80 minutes and I felt like, even in that short amount of time, I was able to gain a lot more knowledge and a better perspective on the Bible than I had before.”

The conference was a great opportunity for the students to learn new leadership skills and also share what they learned with their peers.

“We were able to have a group time as well as breakout sessions where we were able to interact on a more personal level with fellow students and the teachers,” Brennan said.

FEATURES

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

PAGE 7

Teapots showcased as artwork

By Elizabeth Shewan

Staff writer

This month, the Wood Symphony Gallery, based in Los Angeles, California, hosted the online exhibition Hot Tea. The exhibit featured several pieces by Thomas Hubert, professor of Art at Mercyhurst.

The exhibition, which ran until Nov. 15, featured teapots made by 41 different artists in a variety of mediums, including ceramic, wood, fabric, glass, metal, stone and paper.

The Wood Symphony Gallery invited Hubert to be a part of the exhibition based on their past experience with him.

“It’s always interesting to look to see what kind of work we can put up together,” Hubert said.

Claiming to be heavily influenced by animal imagery, Hubert had six teapots in the exhibition.

Each teapot exudes the essence of an animal, clearly showing Hubert’s artistic influences.

Each of the six teapots is made largely of ceramic, specifically porcelain, fired at a high heat for a glassy effect. Hubert also used some wood in his creations, which heavily feature images of birds and fish.

“For many years, I’ve been working on different ways to finish the surface of pottery,” said Hubert. “So I have a lot of unique methods ... that build up layers of color and design.”

Hot Tea is a yearly exhibition that has only recently switched to an online format. The online for-

Wood Symphony photo

The “Eagle Teapot” is made from porcelain and cherry wood.

mat made the work accessible to those not in the Los Angeles area, and also was hugely convenient for the artists.

In an ordinary physical exhibition, the artist would have to ship the artwork to the gallery, an expensive, inconvenient and risky process, only for the item to be shipped again, this time to the buyer after the end of the exhibition.

Having the exhibition online meant that each artist only had to

ship the item once, straight to the buyer.

This new online process allowed Hubert to keep the items in his Erie workshop, where they were made, through the end of the exhibition.

Hubert was excited for the opportunity to exhibit his work, which may still be viewed online at woodsymphony.com.

Wood Symphony photos “It’s always important to get your work out so people can see AT TOP: The “Red Flame Teapot” is porcelain and spalted pashaco hardwood. ABOVE: The “Red Shell Teapot” is made from porcelain. it,” said Hubert.

C U LT U R E C O R N E R

Learning through cultural differences

By Marina Boyle Staff writer

Contributed photo

Keyman Asefi, who was raised in southeast Asia, is an instructor of Interior Architecture and Design at Mercyhurst.

Keyman Asefi, instructor of Interior Architecture and Design, moved to Missouri in 2013 to pursue a degree in Human Environmental Studies. He accepted a position at Mercyhurst in the fall semester of 2015 and has enjoyed the opportunity to experience more of the world since moving here.

Asefi is Persian in heritage and grew up in southeast Asia. He has spent time living in Iran, Malaysia, Korea and Singapore.

Asefi grew up in and around construction sites due to his parents’ professions and studied architecture in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. He then pursued a degree in Architectural Technology. He started working for a Malaysian firm, designing luxury high-rise buildings, and was involved in many other projects, including those that related architecture to sustainability.

One of Asefi’s passions in life is traveling and discovering new countries. He comes from a diverse background and appreciates the creativity that comes from his experiences.

“Diversity is the engine of invention,” Asefi said.

One of Asefi’s favorite aspects of life at Mercyhurst is the diversity that he sees on campus. He has taught students from countries such as Poland, Bhutan and Jamaica. He is also friends with faculty members from other countries such as Turkey and Greece.

Since arriving here he has worked in the Interior Architecture and Design department to help students understand design principles and technologies. He recently worked on a redesign of the Student Union at Mercyhurst North East.

For him, strength can be found in the accepting culture of Mercyhurst.

The range of nationalities represented on campus “helps all the

students,” said Asefi. “They explain to one another the way they eat, the way they party, customs and details of their lives. In this way, they teach one another.”

Asefi also commends the university for providing financial aid to international students to allow them the opportunity to study here.

While Asefi misses some aspects of southeastern culture, such as Malaysian food, one of his favorite things about the United States is that it is a country of immigrants who bring their culture with them. For him, this is the core of the United States.

Many cultures integrate and become part of American life. Lastly, he loves the American tradition of caring for one another.

“What I find so kind is that people here are very nice to one another,” said Asefi. “I love that they hold the door for you. In many ways this is similar to Korean culture. They are so happy to spare a couple of seconds for a stranger.”

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

FEATURES

PAGE 8

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

NEW AT HURST

Contributed photo

Students stayed at the Villa Maria Retreat Center for a weekend to participate in Carpe Diem 9.

Marina Boyle photo

Afzal Upal, Ph.D., who is a native of Pakistan, is the new Data Science program director.

Afzal Upal, Ph.D. Afzal Upal, Ph.D., is the new Data Science program director at Mercyhurst University. Upal is a native of Pakistan who moved to Erie this year to pursue a teaching career at Mercyhurst.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Punjab in Pakistan, and later studied at the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Alberta and earned a doctorate in Computer Science.

For the past nine years, Upal has served as senior data scientist for Canada’s Department of National Defense. There he worked closely with intelligence analysts in the Canadian Armed Forces to develop tools to support their work.

Now that he is at Mercyhurst, he has big plans for the Data Science program here.

“The Data Science program is entering an exciting period of growth,” said Upal. “In the coming months and years, you will see an expansion of our offerings in the cyber security and the broader computer and information science areas. This is something I’m really excited about. It will provide Mercyhurst students with more options for getting a professional training for 21st century jobs.”

Upal says that he likes teaching at Mercyhurst because he likes “the professional attitude that everybody at Mercyhurst has. This includes students, faculty, staff and administration. Everyone is focused on getting things done and making things better. This creates the best teaching and learning environment.”

Most recently, Upal has researched social media groups to learn about the shared beliefs of populations. He is also widely published in his field and previously held faculty positions at Dalhousie University in Canada, the University of Toledo in Ohio, and Oxford University in the United Kingdom.

Jordan Kessler, a freshman and Intelligence Studies major, is one of the many students that has Upal for her Intro to Data Science course this semester. She says, “It’s a really interesting field that I would love to continue learning about. Data Science opens a lot of doors, especially in the Intel world. It could be vital if you are thinking of becoming an analyst.”

Indeed with Upal’s past, his knowledge will be a very important asset to a variety of students, especially those in the Intelligence Studies and Information Technology fields.

Mercyhurst is excited to welcome Afzal Upal into the community and to integrate his ideas into the learning environment.

— Marina Boyle, staff writer

CD9 excitement

By Kristian Biega

Staff writer

One of the most popular Campus Ministry events that is put on twice a year is also its most mysterious — the Carpe Diem Retreats.

Carpe Diem 9 (CD9) was held the weekend before Thanksgiving, Nov. 17-19, at Villa Maria Retreat Center in Villa Maria, Pa. Each Carpe Diem getaway has a different team of student leaders who have already participated in the retreat. That team takes the lead on the planning process.

“From the beginning, the Carpe Diem retreats have been student led,” said Greg Baker, Ph.D., director of Campus Ministry. “Jenell (Patton) and I just walk alongside.

It is led by the students’ stories, lives and how they are personally living the spiritual life.”

The CD9 student team was made up of 10 students: Alexa Bianchi, junior Intelligence Studies major; Deanna Callerame, senior Biochemistry major; Shelby Cameron, senior Public Health major; Katie Chontos, senior Biology major; David DiFrangia, junior Intelligence Studies major; Alexandra Imbrogno, senior Education major; Amelia Kanonczyk, junior Criminal Justice major; Steven Martz, senior Hospitality Management major; Abigail Rinard, senior Political Science major; and Curtis Waidley, junior Graphic Design major.

A total of 42 retreatants, of varying years and majors, attended CD9. Many of those students were both excited and nervous before attending the retreat.

“I am sort of nervous, mostly about the timing of the retreat because I have a lot of outstanding homework to do,” said Will Fistek, junior English major. “Based from my understanding, CD9 will be similar to the Kairos retreats that I went on in high school, and I really enjoyed participating in and leading those retreats. I would like to experience another similar retreat this weekend.”

Even though it is one whole weekend away from campus with little time for homework, many believe that it will be time well spent.

Contributed photo

Retreatants were split up into small groups, each led by a Carpe Diem student leader. Pictured here is Alexa Bianchi’s small group.

“I don’t know what to expect, but I am excited to make new friends,” said Abby Whitman, sophomore Music Therapy major.

“I am nervous because you don’t know what is going to happen. All I know is that it is really fun and I have only heard good things from my friends.”

Those that have attended previous CD retreats have many different positive responses.

“My experience on the CD retreat was one of the best I’ve had at Mercyhurst so far,” said Julia Vicaretti, junior Public Health major who was a CD7 retreatant and who will be a CD10 leader.

“CD means so much to me. It’s all about community, love and respect.”

Planning for such a large and impactful retreat takes a lot of preparation from the team. The leaders begin meeting about a year before the retreat and have weekly meetings as the date draws closer.

“I almost didn’t get on the bus for CD7 because I was so scared.

But I made lots of friends and I am glad I went,” said Chontos.

“Once I found out exactly what this retreat was about, I wanted to share my story and apply to be a leader to let people know that they aren’t alone.”

Beyond making close friends over a short weekend, Carpe Diem is about growing in one’s

spiritual life and reflecting on their own personal lives as well.

“Carpe Diem was a very tolerant space that allows students to expand beyond their comfort zone,” said Luis Flores, sophomore Economics and History double major and CD8 retreatant. “Whether a student is seeking to grow spiritually, socially or on a personal level, CD retreats are the way to go.”

The power of this retreat has shown the Campus Ministry team how important it is to continue in the coming years.

“It is the best thing we have going on in Campus Ministry,” said Baker. “Carpe Diem has moved people in so many ways; it has kept students from transferring out of Mercyhurst, brought them back to their faith, given them a close community and inspired them to share this experience with others.”

Leaders for Carpe Diem 10 are already planning and excited for more students to experience the retreat in the spring.

“I’m excited to not only experience it all for a second time, but also to share that experience with so many new people,” said Vicaretti. “The leaders are there to create a relaxing and welcoming environment once you arrive, so before long your anxieties will go away. It’s a great way to make Hurst feel like home.”

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

FEATURES

PAGE 9

Meghan Maker photo

On Nov. 18, Mercyhurst students, faculty and staff participated in the third annual Erie Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics of Pennsylvania, raising over $11,000.

Mercyhurst takes Plunge

By Jordan Pendel Staff writer

On Nov. 18, more than 100 Mercyhurst students, faculty and staff in various teams dove into the brisk waters of Lake Erie to participate in the Erie Polar Plunge. A total of over $11,000 was raised by the Mercyhurst teams to benefit Special Olympics of Pennsylvania.

This was the third annual plunge for SOPA. Special Olympics is a worldwide organization for people with intellectual disabilities to train and compete in Olympic type sports. The organization has programs where children and adults can participate. The money raised benefits the Pennsylvania chapter, so athletes can train and compete free of charge.

Some of the Mercyhurst teams who participated in the plunge included the Education department, Public Health club, and Mercyhurst Student Government.

Students in the Education department raised $3,734.

Kelli Deighan, junior Early Childhood Education and Special Education major, helped organize the team for the Education department.

“Organizing a team for this event in the Education department does not prove to be challenging. Many of the students and professors love getting involved and raising money,” said Deighan.

“I think we all have similar reasons for plunging and know just how much the money we raise impacts the athletes.”

This year’s Erie Polar Plunge saw over 700 participants enter the lake water off Presque Isle State Park. To participate in the plunge, one must raise a mini-

Meghan Maker photo

Contributed photo

C. Wolf, the Erie SeaWolves’ mascot, gives some love to the Polar Plunge mascot, Bernice, at this year’s Erie Polar Plunge.

Erie Ice Works, Erie’s only professional ice carving company, created an ice sculpture for the event.

mum of $50. The participant can dip their toes in the water or swim all the way out to the lifeguards on duty.

Maddie Castele, senior Public Health major, did not know what to expect, as it was her first time participating in the plunge.

“You swim out to the lifeguards and can high five them before swimming back,” said Castele.

“The water went all the way up to

participating in the plunge, and through a lot of emailing, networking and talking with friends and family, she helped raise $1,549.

“It’s truly such a special atmosphere to be part of because everyone is so excited and happy, and it adds to the whole event,” said Balser. “I have been lucky enough to be a buddy at Special Olympics for the past two years

my neck and I could barely touch (the bottom).”

While the participants were jumping into the lake, others were listening to live music, watching ice carvers and keeping warm with coffee and hot chocolate.

Taylor Balser, senior Early Childhood Education and Special Education major, was the biggest fundraiser for the Education department. This is her second year

and it’s such an amazing experience and I’m glad I can help raise money for it.”

Many Mercyhurst students who participated in this year’s Polar Plunge encourage everyone to participate in the event next year.

“I love working with those with disabilities, and being able to give something back to them after they have given so much to me is the best part,” Deighan said

PAGE 10

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

North East hosts Concert Choir

By Kristian Biega

Staff writer

The long-standing tradition of the Mercyhurst University Concert Choir’s special Christmas concert at Mercyhurst North East always is a sign of the beginning of the Christmas season.

The choir will be traveling to North East to perform in St. Mary’s Chapel on Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public.

This year, the choir is under the direction of Thomas Brooks, who is excited to showcase the progress of the choir has made this year.

“I am excited and looking forward to this concert,” said Brooks. “We have already done good things this year, but this is another opportunity for us to work together and be proud that we accomplished something big.”

The choir will be performing Guillaume Dufay’s “Gloria,” John Gardner’s “Tomorrow shall be my dancing day,” Vivaldi’s “Gloria,” “Jingle Bells” and a sing-a-long of other traditional Christmas carols.

This will be the first year that the Mercyhurst Civic Orchestra will be joining the choir at North East.

A reduced orchestra will be ac-

Alexandra Long photo

The Concert Choir, under the baton of Thomas Brooks, performs at the tree-lighting ceremony.

companying the choir on Vivaldi’s “Gloria,” conducted by Brooks.

The other pieces will be accompanied on piano.

“We are happy to accompany for this piece at North East,” said Orchestra director Jonathan Moser.

“It has been a joy getting the music ready.”

Brooks changed the originally intended Handel’s “Messiah” to Vivaldi’s “Gloria” for the Christmas concert because he felt it was a better fit for the choir, along

with having a similar instrumentation as “Messiah” for the orchestra.

“Vivaldi is an interesting piece.

It is done often and is very well known,” said Brooks. “It is a good training piece for us because the

ranges are reasonable. You want to pick something your group is going to be best at.”

Brooks will be conducting the orchestra for the Vivaldi “Gloria” at North East.

“I am very excited to collaborate with the choir and to have the orchestra also be represented at the North East concert,” said Moser.

The concert is a favorite among the members of the choir every year.

“I have sung at the North East Christmas concert two times before, and it’s always a pleasure to be part of an ensemble that spreads the joy of music to others,” said senior Music Performance major Jake Shearer.

Beyond the Christmas concert at North East, Brooks has big plans for the choir in the coming years.

“We should always be looking to improve. When a group of talented people get together with that attitude, it makes a world of difference,” said Brooks.

“That is what I want this choir to be known for—excellence and commitment,” he said.

The concert will surely showcase an evening of talented students that is sure to bring some holiday cheer.

High marx for the upcoming ‘Young Marx’ production

By Steven Martz

Staff writer

Bernard Garwig photo

The Mercyhurst Jazz Ensemble will perform holiday favorites on Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. in Taylor Little Theatre.

Christmas gets jazzy

By Lauren Ganger

Staff writer

On Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. in Taylor Little Theatre, the Mercyhurst Jazz Ensemble will present a concert made up entirely of Christmas favorites.

Programmed and conducted

by Scott Meier, Ph.D., this concert will feature works arranged

by Gordon Goodwin, Harry Connick Jr., Sammy Nestico, John Clayton and others.

Student soloists for the evening will be senior Music major Caden Gilson on baritone saxophone, freshman Morgan Dowches play-

ing tenor saxophone, sophomore Music major Cameron Porter on trombone, freshman Music Education major Ethan Wicker on percussion and Meier himself on soprano saxophone.

In addition, there will be four guest vocalists: Nick Carver, sophomore Music major, will sing “Sleigh Ride”; Lacey Shumake, junior Music Therapy major, will sing “White Christmas”; Alexis Webb, junior Music major, will sing “Santa Baby”; and Caitlyn Cressley, freshman Music Education major, will sing “Jingle Bells.”

Meier chose many pieces that he loves for this concert, includ-

ing a version of “Santa Baby” which listeners will recognize as the one performed famously by Eartha Kitt, and Gordon Goodwin’s arrangement of “Let It Snow,” which makes references to the famous big band chart “Cute.”

Connick’s arrangement of “Sleigh Ride” will also be performed; Meier says that Connick’s “style of arranging is just fabulous.”

Tickets to this performance cost $5 for the general public and $2 for Mercyhurst students, faculty and children aged 12 and under.

After holiday break brings, we’ll have new classes, new experiences and — you guessed it — new MIAC events, including the enlightening National Theater live encore showings from our friends across the pond. MIAC is showing an encore of “Young Marx” on Jan. 21.

The show will start promptly at 12:55 p.m., and doors open at 12:30 p.m.

The performance will have a run time of approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes.

“Young Marx” was a production of The Bridge Theatre in London. It was directed by Nicholas Hytner.

The historical comedy will actually be the christening performance for The Bridge.

The theater is the first all-new commercial theater to hit London for 80 years.

Young Marx was written by Richard Bean and Clive Coleman.

The play is said to be a great

balance of comedy while staying true and being historically accurate.

The play is set in 1850 in Europe. Karl Marx is hiding in Dean Street, Soho.

His family and himself are refugees fleeing the failed revolutions that are ravaging Europe.

Marx at this time already is high-profile and has constant surveillance.

He is a portrayed as a drunk, unemployed womanizer who picks fights with socialists.

He funds his drinking by stealing from his wife, Jenny, including her family’s silver heirlooms.

When Marx’s friend Friedrich Engels comes to visit, it causes other drama to ensue.

Marx is played by Rory Kinnear and Oliver Chris plays Friedrich Engels.

Jenny Von Westphalen is portrayed by Nancy Carroll.

As always, tickets are free for Mercyhurst students, $18 for an adults, $15 for seniors and students of other institutions, and $10 for youth.

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

PAGE 11

Time-traveling jukebox to hit MU

By Nicholas Mathur

Staff writer

The Mercyhurst Institute for Arts and Culture (MIAC) will present Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox on Jan. 23 at 7:30 p.m. in the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center.

This performance is part of the 2017-18 MIAC Live season, and the first MIAC Live performance of the spring semester.

Postmodern Jukebox is a world-renowned performance group known for rearranging some of the era’s most popular songs into vintage genres such as jazz, ragtime and swing.

Postmodern Jukebox frontman Scott Bradlee is a native of Queens, New York.

The project began when Bradlee and his close friends began filming videos in his apartment.

Following his college career, Bradlee struggled as a jazz musician for years.

His breakthrough arrived after he uploaded one of his videos to YouTube and famed author Neil Gaiman tweeted about it.

This quickly became Bradlee’s first viral video.

Following the video’s success, Bradlee uploaded another one in 2011.

This video was a Motown-style tribute to Canadian music group Nickelback.

It was also Bradlee’s first collab-

MIAC photo

Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox will be at the Performing Arts Center on Jan. 23 at 7:30 p.m.

oration with some of the future members of Postmodern Jukebox.

Postmodern Jukebox’s first viral music video was a cover of Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ “Thrift Shop.”

It received over 1 million views within its first week.

Their next viral music video was a cover of Miley Cyrus’ “We

Can’t Stop,” which earned the group a spot on “Good Morning America.”

Postmodern Jukebox has since released 14 albums, all of which have topped the iTunes charts.

Some notable songs the group has covered include Bastille’s “Pompeii,” Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off,” Rihanna’s “Umbrella,” The Chainsmokers’ “Don’t Let

Me Down” and Avril Lavigne’s “Complicated.”

The group has collaborated with several artists for these covers, such as “American Idol” finalist Casey Abrams.

Postmodern Jukebox uploads new music videos to YouTube weekly.

The YouTube channel currently has approximately 9 million views

and more than 3 million subscribers.

Postmodern Jukebox has performed several sold-out live shows around the world.

The performers’ unique musical and visual elements help them stand out among other groups.

“Audiences can expect an energetic vaudevillian variety show atmosphere featuring retro spins on pop and rock songs, virtuosic vocals, rowdy tap dancing, and lots of silliness, all presided over by an emcee,” said MIAC director Brett Johnson, Ph.D. “The show, with its vintage look and style, is more cabaret than concert.”

Postmodern Jukebox is sure to bring something to the table for all ages.

For example, the elements of vaudeville and vintage music may appeal more to the older audience members.

On the other hand, however, the songs themselves may appeal more to the younger audience members.

“I think one of the strengths of Postmodern Jukebox is their cross-generational appeal,” Johnson said.

This is a highly anticipated performance that is selling out quickly.

Tickets are free to Mercyhurst students with their ID. They are $30 for adults, $25 for seniors and $20 for students and youth.

Music to bring TSO brought Christmas Tri-State festival to Erie Insurance Arena to arts center CONCERT REVIEW

By Caitlyn Lear

News editor

On Nov. 16 at Erie Insurance Arena, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) kicked off its 19th annual holiday tour.

This year’s tour was called “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve.” Every year, the orchestra starts its month-and-a-half-long tour around the country.

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra consists of two bands, one on each coast, and sometimes each will play two shows in one day, totaling over 100 performances.

For each performance, the orchestra donates $1 of every ticket sold to a local charity.

This year, TSO donated more than $4,000 to Emma’s Footprints and Hamot Health Foundation’s Children’s Care Fund.

Not only does the orchestra donate to the local community, but part of the orchestra consists of the local community.

TSO brings along their vocalists, narrator, guitarists, pianists, drummer and one violinist.

However, the string section of the orchestra was made up of

By Lauren Ganger

Staff writer

Caitlyn Lear photo

Two of the members of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra perform at Erie Insurance Arena on Nov. 16.

musicians from the Erie Philharmonic.

The performance consisted of two parts. The first part was a Christmas story.

The narrator told the story of a girl who ran away from home and stumbled into an old theater on Christmas Eve. Through some sort of magic and the help of an old gentleman, possibly a ghost, she was shown images of Christmas pasts, and eventually given the means to return home.

The senses of the audience were continuously stimulated from the first note until the final applause.

As the narrator conveyed the story in words, the orchestra lit up the stages with laser lights, fire and a tremendous amount of visual effects.

Added to that was the sound of the string section, the vocalists and the band.

The second section of the performance was a mix of songs, new and old, that the TSO enjoyed playing.

One song was even dedicated to their founder, Paul O’Neill.

After the performance was over, the members of TSO stuck around to sign autographs for those wishing to stay and meet them.

On Jan. 25, Mercyhurst University will host its annual Tri-State Honor Band music festival.

This is a three-day music festival that was “designed to cater to excellent high school band musicians through exposure to outstanding clinicians and varied repertoire,” according to Scott Meier, Ph.D. The first performance is the Mercyhurst University Prism concert, which features Mercyhurst students and will be under the direction of Meier.

It will take place Jan. 26 at 8 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center and is free and open to the public.

High school band students from around Erie County and from Ashtabula, Ohio, will be on campus for rehearsals, seminars and performances by Mercyhurst University students as soloists and in ensembles.

The high school Honor Band will give a free public perfor-

mance at the end of the Tri-State Honor Band music festival.

The band will include at least two students from every school and has featured as many as 90 students from 15 schools in the past.

It will take place Jan. 27 at 2 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center.

It will be conducted by a guest clinician that has yet to be announced.

Meier notes that this experience is not only good for the high school musicians but for current Music majors as well.

“Mercyhurst music students benefit from the festival through required rehearsal observations and seminars, by staffing and administering the audition process, helping with the mailings, by performing at the Prism concert and by staffing festival events and the hotel,” Meier said.

In its 18th year, the Tri-State Honor Band music festival is an excellent opportunity for high school musicians in the area to gain exposure to a more intense level of music.

OPINION

PAGE 12

GOOD The Christmas tree outside of Old Main is very pretty when it is illuminated. It makes it feel a lot like Christmas, despite the lack of snow.

BAD Cafe Diem is no longer accepting Bonus Bucks, but they still accept cash, credit, Dining Dollars and Laker Loot.

Happy ChrismaHanuKwanzamas? don’t know what to say, but it

By Emma Werner shouldn’t be confusing.

Some people believe that you Contributing writer should just wish people what you celebrate.

If you celebrate Christmas, say It’s that time of the year again Merry Christmas.

If you celebrate Hanukkah, where nobody knows what to say Happy Hanukkah. say: Do you say Merry Christmas Jenna Rosciszewski, a or Happy Holidays? sophomore, says Merry This is a debate that has been Christmas because “I grew up going on for far too long.

When asked if she says Merry Catholic, so I’ve just always said Merry Christmas.”

Christmas or Happy Holidays, However, other people think Samantha O’Connell, a freshman, that if you don’t know what got flustered and said “Merry someone celebrates you should Christmas… well no because wish them Happy Holidays. sometimes I say … It’s all so Riley Petrucelli, a freshman, confusing.” says Happy Holidays when she I think we can all agree with Samantha that sometimes we just is in a public place or when she

doesn’t know the person because, “you can’t assume that everyone celebrates Christmas.”

This is a very good way to ensure that you don’t offend anyone by assuming that they celebrate Christmas.

However, if you don’t want to say Happy Holidays because it feels too generic, you can always say “Happy ChrismaHanuKwanzamas” a term created by Lauren Rogus, a freshman, to cover all the holidays celebrated around this time of the year.

Just remember, this time of the year isn’t about what you say or celebrate, it’s about who you are with and the moments that you share.

Addition bad for health

SAD

In essence, Reading Day gave students a full day to prepare themselves for finals, and Miller replacing that with another day Staff writer of finals is the opposite of a good move.

This year, there is no Reading There’s also the issue of Day during finals week. burnout.

Instead, we have finals from As I said above, Reading Day Monday to Friday. offers a lot of us a chance to I feel that this a horrible catch our breath before finals. change, and for most students, It may only be a single day, but it’s a disaster waiting to happen. it’s important to understand that Reading Day gave students a for a lot of students on the verge way to clean up any unfinished of burnout, it’s a lifesaver. business they had before finals, Replacing Reading Day with whether that business be a final another day of brutal finals is bout of studying or getting in only going to hurt, not help those one last crucial conversation with students. a professor.

I can’t think of many reasons

By Anthony

This is the last issue of the Merciad for the semester. See you in spring!

The Merciad Editors Amber Matha Cheyanne Crum Caitlyn Lear Abigail Rinard Bernard Garwig Jenny Sabliov Lauren Abbott Meghan Maker Chelsea Guida Megan Stubbs Kristin Bowers

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

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

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

Maintenance praised for quick response

By Chelsea Guida

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.

why this would be a good decision.

For both students and professors, this means you’ll have to do more work over a longer period of time.

Reading Day was vital for both students and staff, and this change will only upset the both of them.

I fully understand that I don’t have the full picture here.

There may be a very good reason we don’t have Reading Day this year.

However, I’d argue that no matter what the reason is, it’s still a change that will negatively impact the students and staff of Mercyhurst University.

Photo Editor

A few weeks ago, right when the temperatures were dropping, my roommates and I made the discovery that our heat was not working.

We wore sweatshirts and dealt with it until it had officially gotten way too cold.

It was a Friday night after dinner so maintenance was closed, but we called Police and Safety anyways.

The call was made around 6

p.m., so once no one had shown up by 7 p.m., we all assumed that no one was coming.

However, at 10 p.m., there was a knock at the door by a maintenance worker who had been fixing other apartments’ heat since our call.

The man was very friendly and spent the next hour and a half making sure the heat was on and properly running.

When we called Police and Safety, we had expected that no one would show up until Monday morning.

While 10 p.m. on a Friday night isn’t always the best time to have maintenance coming over,

we appreciated that they didn’t want us to freeze.

It was also very comforting to know that the university always has someone who can be called to fix something that goes wrong, even if it is technically outside of maintenance hours.

Maintenance and Police and Safety are very helpful when it comes to problems that involve leaks or heating.

We live in Erie — the cold can be freezing, and both Maintenance and Police and Safety are more than willing to make sure that the students are comfortable and safe on campus.

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 29, 2017

OPINION

End of semester slows down life have been a part of, but they seem to have stopped meeting,

By Admir which frustrates me.

Barucija During the week, there are Staff writer usually a few worthwhile events to go to, but there is hardly In the beginning of the ever anything exciting to do on semester, there were many club weekends. events and other things to enjoy.

I often do things on the However, as the semester has weekends with friends off progressed, there has been a campus such as going to general lack of things to do on restaurants or the movies. campus.

They, too, are looking for As a commuter who wishes to things to do on weekends, which be involved in as many things as they often have trouble finding possible, I have found less and on campus. less reason to drive up to campus Occasionally, I go to a hockey more often than I need to over game or another sports event, the course of the semester. but other than that, there is not Now, I often end up going much else to enjoy. to my classes and leaving Clubs are a great way to form immediately afterward. new meaningful friendships and Many clubs have either stopped memories, but that is hard to do meeting altogether or meet with highly limited meetings. very infrequently, which is likely In addition, they can be very because most people are just useful for learning new things busier now than they were early outside of the classroom and on in the fall. pursuing varied interests.

The bulk of my involvement They are often fun and help with clubs is the many people relax by taking their intelligence groups on campus, minds temporarily off of classes, but I often find myself wishing but clubs have just been meeting that they meet much more often less and less. than they do.

Perhaps, looking for new clubs There are other clubs that I to join is an option, but it is hard

to do so after they have already been meeting for a long time.

Being involved in a club from the beginning is much easier because one does not miss out on things the club has been doing and it is somewhat awkward to join a club near the end of the semester.

I am hoping that the clubs I really enjoy will become more active starting with the next semester, but I will not be on campus as often during the winter.

That will likely be the case for many other commuters as well, who are perfectly content with only going to class and doing the stuff they have to do off campus.

Clubs are a fundamental part of life on campus, but they have gradually receded as the semester has progressed.

It would be very exciting to see new clubs being formed or current ones meeting again on a much more frequent basis.

However, for certain clubs frequent sessions may not be feasible.

Without a doubt, having clubs to regularly fall back on when looking for something to do would make life on campus much livelier.

Where’s all the snow?

Classes canceled or not, there’s always a lot to look forward to

By Bernie Garwig with the snow.

Staff writer You can go out and have snowball fights. You can build a snowman (maybe of Luke the Laker).

Crunch, crunch crunch.

After you’ve had your fill of The sound of boots lightly frozen frolicking, you can head compressing the white carpets back to your dorm and have a stretching across the ground nice cup of hot chocolate. travels softly in the frigid air.

On the flip side of the fun, you Except it’s not, because there is do need to be concerned about no snow to speak of in the first the quality of the roads when place!

Right about now, you’d expect driving. Also, no one likes snow shoveling. there to be at least a few inches Mercyhurst becomes a on the ground, but beyond a few different campus in the winter days where we’ve been teased weather. with flakes, the white stuff has Old Main in particular looks stayed away. quite good with some snow on As a Rochesterian, I am it. Speaking of which, that new very much acquainted with the tree up by Old Main would look weather of the Great Lakes stellar with some piles of snow in region.

While hardly predictable in the its branches.

One of my favorite memories slightest, we can get some great of my freshman year was taking a snow. nighttime walk with some friends One of the things I used to across campus and up the snowlook forward to in high school covered path to the Sisters of was the inevitable snow day where classes would be canceled Mercy House.

There’s hardly anything as and the roads would be shut picturesque as a landscape dotted down.

Snow days were always special with snow.

If you need an example of days to be cherished due to the this, simply look to the painting disruption of the normal class schedule (for anyone wondering, by my great-great Uncle Herb it’s not likely you’ll get a snow day Beard in Old Main of the school in the winter time. in college, but keep your fingers For everyone hailing from crossed).

states or countries that seldom or never get snow, you’ve missed out on one of the best parts of winter.

How do you celebrate Christmas or any other equivocal holidays without a winter wonderland?

Perhaps it is the mainstream American culture that has projected this viewpoint onto me, but these are staple features of Christmas that I’ve grown up with.

Halloween is accompanied by the leaves changing and the wind chilling.

Easter sees the flowers reblooming.

It’s somewhat humorous to think that perhaps the most iconic environmental feature of a holiday is perhaps the least guaranteed.

I’ve had Christmases where the ground is as bare as can be.

Then again, I’ve also seen snow on Halloween and even in May and late August (back to that “Great” Lake weather).

I’m not asking for a 2015-style 7-foot Buffalo blizzard to hit Erie, but I’d like to at least have something to get me in the winter spirit. Can’t we end the semester with some fluff? I’m not hoping to be able to go sledding down Briggs Avenue, but I wouldn’t mind it if it happened!

PAGE 13

HURST STUDENTS

SPEAK UP We asked:

“What are you doing for winter break?”

Emily Roche, sophomore Public Health major: “I am going to Universal Studios and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which I love! My family is also coming to see me, and I am seeing “The Lion King” with my Grandpa.”

Arielle Brown, freshman Intelligence Studies major: “I am going to Texas to visit a friend and am going to Air Force boot camp.”

Emma Field, sophomore Business major: “I can’t wait to go home and see my family. We are going to Florida and getting out of this Erie weather.”

Madison Maes, sophomore Public Health major: “I can’t wait to go home to California, see my family and friends, and catch up on sleep over break.”

Compiled by Daniel Leonard

Writing etiquette

I would never have considered had I not read their opinions.

By Lauren Expressing our opinions is Abbott valuable, and no person should Opinion editor be afraid to write down and voice their opinion.

If you have an opinion about Everybody has opinions. a topic and would like to write Everyone is entitled to their a piece on it, awesome! The opinions, and we are very Merciad is always welcoming fortunate to live in a society new writers and different where we can freely voice perspectives. our opinions without fear of We also welcome Letters to repercussions.

This is one of the great things the Editor if you have a counteropinion to a previous article. of our student newspaper.

We ask that when reading Now I may be a bit biased and considering opinions that as the Opinion editor, but I you please be courteous of believe that this section allows the writer, and if you have a the student body to address concern or comment about a concerns and feelings about specific piece, please contact the events that are going on not only on campus, but worldwide. editing staff.

Staff emails are located on Being able to read other the previous page, or email me students’ opinions on campus directly at opinionmerciad@ events and world activities has mercyhurst.edu before reaching been really eye-opening and out to individual writers. has allowed me to view some Thank you! situations in a different light that

SPORTS

PAGE 14

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Women’s hockey splits

By Marco Cicchino

Staff writer

On Nov. 24 and 25, women’s hockey competed against Rensselaer Polytechnic’s Engineers (RPE).

The Lakers raked in their first win on home ice all season on Friday, but lost the ninth of 14 games the following afternoon.

After losing to Minnesota two weeks ago, the Lakers could not have found a more promising way to start the weekend in their last series before this weekend’s showdown with ninth-ranked Robert Morris in Moon Township, Pa. The Lakers were challenged by two Engineer power-play goals a day after killing off all seven Engineer power plays in a 4-1 win while dropping a 4-3 matinée the following day in a series that saw a combined 18 penalties.

Just seven and a half minutes in, freshman Laker Megan Korzack made her presence known, after forcing a turnover in the neutral zone.

She wristed her second of the season at 7:56 past Engineers goaltender Lovisa Selander in what was just the fifth shot-ongoal of the contest for the Lakers.

It would be less than four min-

utes later that Selander couldn’t keep her composure, losing a trickling puck in the crease that Lakers Sarah McDonnell and Molly Blasen had played in their defensive zone.

From here, the Lakers’ Summer-Rae Dobson fired from the blue line and found goal, her fourth of the season.

But just 1:20 after that tally doubled the Lakers’ lead, an interference call on Morgan Stacey handed the Engineers their first of seven power-plays.

Laker Maggie Knott cleaned up her fourth of the season just as the penalties expired to score in her third straight game.

Selander made just nine saves in the first period before the Engineers’ Kira Bombay came in relief to halt the bleeding and sway momentum for the visitors.

It appeared as if exactly that would occur after Alexa Vasko of the Lakers was booked for a tripping call a 4:18 of the second, but they mustered just a single shot on McDonnell along with two wide shots.

The Engineers managed a block off Laker Brooke Hartwick over the ensuing six minutes, continuing into a hooking minor on Hartwick at 10:01.

But McDonnell stopped five shots in the shorthanded stretch, along with three more after a hooking call on Jennifer MacAskill at 13:56.

The Engineers finally got on the board more than 5 minutes later as the Engineers’ Marisa Raspa found her second of the season to cut the deficit.

A string of four blocked shots in the following four and a half minutes led to a kneeing call on Laker Callie Paddock, appearing to bring the Engineers closer to a comeback.

But an unproductive power play that made up the final advantage of the game for the Engineers saw only a wide shot.

Vilma Tanskanen sealed the contest for the Lakers with her sixth of the season into an empty net, with assists from Stacey and Samantha Isbell.

In the end, the Lakers handed the Engineers just their third loss in their last 12 games.

The following afternoon, despite McDonnell tying a season-high with 31 saves the previous night, she couldn’t keep the Engineers (5-7-3) from striking first.

After the Engineers’ Whitney Renn blocked a shot from Is-

bell, the Engineers’ Blake Orosz scored her second of the season.

But the Lakers responded just 59 seconds later after Korzack won a draw, and Blasen rebounded a block off of Kendra Farole and found Celine Frappier for her first of the campaign.

The Lakers then killed off their eighth-straight penalty of the weekend after Emma Nuutinen was called for a cross-check.

Six and a half minutes later, after Rachel Marmen (Lakers) was called for a trip, the Engineers finally capitalized on a power-play.

Madeleine Burnett (Engineers) sent her third of the season past Laker goalie McDonnell (2-6-2.

2.68) to increase the Engineers’ tally.

The Lakers tried to find an equalizer after Stacey blocked two shots as part of five, but Thomas (Engineers) found her fifth of the season at 6:13 on assists from Jaimie Grigsby and Shayna Tomlinson to extend the lead.

After the Engineers took their timeout at 9:08 of the second, it would be just 66 seconds later that Knott was called for a trip.

Grigsby sent her rating to a team low -8 at 10:42 with her fourth of the season on assists from Renn and Sabrina Repaci.

Kennedy Blair (1-3, 2.69) was inserted by the Lakers to stop the bleeding, and a series of three blocked shots, two saves off Selander.

However, two wide shots finally came to fruition with 4:46 left in the period after Laker Sarah Hine found Samantha Fieseler for her second of the season.

The squads exchanged penalties to wrap up the second.

Knott was called for tripping at 16:06 and Burnett for slashing just 41 seconds later.

Selander opened the third with seven on her 38 saves, including 18 overall in the third.

Isbell connected her second on the season on an assist from Sarah Robello, her first point since returning from surgery on Nov. 3.

But Selander sealed the victory with a string of 11 more saves to close out the contest.

The Engineers were outshot 40-33 and lost the faceoff battle 38-21. The Engineers did go 2-5 on the power play though, and as such avoided the sweep.

Although they are now 3-9-2, the Lakers still stand at 2-2-1 in their division.

The Lakers will be back in Moon Township at Robert Morris University.

Women’s hoops wins Ratings show

athletes excel off the field, too

By Kristian Biega

Staff writer

On Nov. 19, the Mercyhurst women’s basketball team defeated Millersville University 65-61.

The score was close the entire game.

Amber Renz led the Lakers with both a game high of 27 points and 10 rebounds.

Stephanie Petery contributed 11 points, and Maria Lapertosa added 10 points.

The leading scorers for Millersville were Alayah Hall with 17 points, Kendra Bamberger with 15 points, and Jade Farquhar contributing 14 points to the wellfought game.

The Lakers came back from trailing Millersville to leading the first period 16-14 with an 8-point run by Renz.

Millersville returned with 2 points to start off the second period, but the game stayed close through several key inside plays by the Lakers.

Renz ended the close first half with a 3-pointer to take the Lakers into the lead with 29-26.

Entering the second half, the Lakers kept their momentum going with a 5 point lead.

The Lakers’ outside shots improved in the second, compared with the inside-dominated first half.

Millersville came back at the end of the period, however, to tie the game at 45.

By Chelsea Guida

Photo editor

Kristian Biega photo

Mercyhurst junior Maria Lapertosa shoots a free throw against Millersville University. The Lakers won 65-61.

Millersville took a 3-point lead to begin the fourth quarter, but the Lakers answered back.

The intensity of the fourth quarter kept both teams within one point of each other.

Millersville utilized the inside drive and also kept a tight press on the Lakers, but the Lakers were able to hold their small lead until the last few minutes of the game.

“We struggled at times with their pressure, but I felt that the team played very well. We executed plays and defended well when it was close at the end,” said Renz.

With the Lakers up and time running out, Millersville was forced to foul, allowing the women’s team to go 8 of 10 from the

free-throw line, creating a 63-61 lead.

In the final seconds of the game, Lapertosa solidified the Laker victory, sinking both of her free throws, ending the game 6561.

“We definitely prepared to face them and play our game and get the W,” said Renz. “Since we played Cheyney the day before, we understood that Millersville would be a better team.”

Unfortunately, the Lakers’ next two games would not be win tallies.

The Lakers (2-4, 2-0) will host Daemen College on Nov. 30. The game will be at home for the Lakers.

It was announced a few weeks ago that Mercyhurst leads the PSAC for the third time in four years for Academic Success Rates (ASR).

This rating measures degree completion over a four-year period among freshman classes.

Essentially, it tracks the ability for enrolled freshman athletes to complete their degree programs in four years. Mercyhurst leads the conference with an 87 percent graduation rate.

Six athletic programs are considered to have seen 100 percent academic success: men’s cross country, men’s golf, women’s golf, softball, women’s basketball and women’s tennis.

Millersville University, which had five programs see a 100 percent success rate, was the only other PSAC team to have four or more teams with that same level of academic success.

Thirty-two programs from 12 different schools in the PSAC made up the total number of schools with a 100 percent ASR. Three of the last four ASR surveys have seen Mercyhurst lead the PSAC.

Joe Kimball, the athletic director for Mercyhurst, is very proud of the school and the athletes’ focus on academics.

According to Kimball, achievements such as this one “start with the coaches.”

The coaches are now recruiting not just gifted athletes but gifted academics.

“Right from the recruiting process, coaches are making sure that prospects are meeting the GPAs and test scores,” said Kimball. “Which sometimes can mean that we lose an athlete to another university that doesn’t hold the same standards.”

Making sure athletes meet the school’s academic standards means that coaches do not have to worry about their athletes becoming academically ineligible.

There are 24 teams and 623 athletes that make up Mercyhurst Athletics, with 17 of those teams competing in the PSAC. The number of athletes has been steadily increasing with each year, and the same increase has been seen for the overall athletics GPA. In terms of the future, Kimball sees the school continuing in the same direction of increasing success.

SPORTS

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

PAGE 15

Wrestling travels to Embry-Riddle

By Lauren Abbott

Opinion editor

Nov. 17-19, the Mercyhurst wrestling team competed in the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Mile High Open and a tri-meet duel against Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Sierra College in Prescott, Arizona.

When asked about the trip, team coach Michael Wehler said “it was a lot of fun.”

“Anytime you can get a team together where it is just them for four or five days is a good bonding experience, and we stayed busy with a lot of activities after wrestling was over, so we had a great time,” he said.

The team did exceptionally well, winning their duels against both Embry-Riddle and Sierra College.

The team went 28-13 over Embry-Riddle and had a 58-0 win over Sierra College.

“Our younger guys are stepping up and the trip as a whole was a great trip. It was fun getting to

Contributed photo

Owen Watkins grapples with an opponent from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

hang out with the guys outside of wrestling practice,” graduate student Wes Phipps said.

The Lakers claimed seven out of 10 bouts against Embry-Riddle and won all 10 bouts against

Sierra College, just two points shy of a perfect 60-0 perfect match.

Freshman heavyweight Jacob Robb at 285 lbs and redshirt freshman Eric Bartos at 125 lbs both scored individual titles at the

open tournament on Saturday.

Bartos and Robb were the highest placing Lakers who claimed a spot on the podium for Mercyhurst.

Senior Kevin Kinyua at 141

and junior Logan Grass at 149 were both runner-ups. Sophomore Trevor Johnson at 174 claimed third place, sophomore Jeffrey Sisk at 133 took fourth. freshman Gavin Wilkerson at 165, and sophomore Zach Breeden at 174 both took fifth.

The team got to experience Arizona outside of wrestling.

“We went to the Grand Canyon, which was probably the highlight of it,” Wehler said.

The team also had a chance to tour Arizona State and Tempe for a day.

“There was a little mountain that we hiked at the end of the day that had a pretty neat view.

You could overlook all of Tempe,” Wehler said.

After such an exciting trip, the team is ready to take on the rest of the season.

“It’s obvious we got some stuff to work on but the good thing is that it’s early in the season and we got a while to adjust some things and get ready for the regular season,” Grass said.

Men’s hockey ices another 1-1 week

By Breonna Bailey

Staff writer

Emma Werner photo

The Lakers huddle for a timeout. Monday’s 30-point blowout against Roberts Wesleyan lifted the Lakers to a 4-1 record for the season.

Men’s b-ball trounces RWC

By Emma Werner

Contributing writer

The Mercyhurst men’s basketball team increased its record to 4-1 with a 81-51 win against the previously unbeaten Roberts Wesleyan College Red Hawks on Nov. 27.

The Red Hawks on paper were going to be a tough opponent.

“They were a 6-0 team,” said Laker junior Patrick Smith.

“Definitely a tough team, but we came out with the win.”

That they did. The Lakers took the lead 2-0 early in the game, but soon after Roberts Wesleyan took the lead, 4-2.

However, this would be the only point in the game where Roberts ever had the lead.

Soon after, Smith scored a 3-pointer for the Lakers.

The Lakers maintained this

lead all throughout the first half, finishing the half with a score of 39-18.

At the start of the second half, the Red Hawks turned up the intensity and began to do a fullcourt press.

This was meant to startle the Lakers, but the Lakers handled it well.

The Lakers handled the pressure with professionalism and kept their intensity up.

“We played well as a team,” said freshman Derrick Ellis Jr. “We played well on defense in the first half.”

Head coach Gary Manchel was pleased as well.

“I thought defensively we played well throughout the game,” he said..

It was a strong showing for the Lakers, whose next home game will be on Dec. 16. against Notre Dame of Ohio.

Men’s hockey headed to Madison, Wisconsin, for Thanksgiving break to take on the ninth-ranked Wisconsin Badgers.

The Lakers split the series yet again, returning home with a win and a loss.

Saturday’s game was a bit of a landmark for the Lakers, resulting in the first win over Wisconsin in Mercyhurst hockey history.

Early in the first period, the Badgers capitalized on an opportunity and scored, giving the Badgers a 1-0 lead.

However, the second period saw James Anderson redirect a shot from Michael Verboom to connect with the net, tying the game at 1-1.

Early in the third, Seamus Malone (assisted by Will Johnson) scored for the Badgers, regaining their lead at 2-1.

It was only a short two minutes and thirty seconds later that the Lakers answered with a goal from Bryan Sienerth (assisted by Taylor Best), making it a 2-2 game.

Later in the third period with 6:46 remaining, Josh Lammon found the back of the net off of a pass from Best, also assisted by Todd.

Lammon’s goal gave the Lakers their only lead of the game, which stuck as time expired.

The Lakers walked away with a 3-2 victory over the Badgers.

“A huge win for the team,” said Lammon following Saturday’s game.

Laker goaltender Brandon Wil-

Lawrence Illes-Getty Images photo

Josh Lammon slaps a shot at Wisconsin’s Kyle Hayton. Lammon and the Lakers ended up splitting the series with the Badgers.

dung finished with 35 saves.

The Lakers and Badgers returned to action on Sunday.

Despite the success of the day before, the Lakers could not manage to keep their momentum going and fell 4-2 to the Badgers.

Mercyhurst managed to get on the board first when Nathan Bryer (assisted by Chris Makowski and James Anderson) found the back of the net late in the first period.

The Badgers answered the Lakers goal early in the second period where they were able to capitalize on a power- play opportunity.

Later in the second, Malone of the Badgers found the back of the net for a 2-1 lead.

Wisconsin strengthened their lead in the third period to 3-1 after a goal by Cameron Hughes.

The Lakers answered quickly to the Badgers goal. A short 52 seconds later, Anderson (assisted by

Verboom) found the back of the net making it a 3-2 game.

Immediately following Anderson’s goal, the Badgers seized an opportunity for a shot and successfully connected for the score.

From here, the Badgers took a 4-2 lead that remained until expired.

Lakers goaltender, Brandon Wildung finished the night with 41 saves for Mercyhurst.

“We are very proud of our guys,” said head coach Rick Gotkin, reflecting on Saturday’s win, as well as the wins over Penn State and Canisius.

The Lakers return home to the Mercyhurst Ice Center on Dec. 1-2 for an Atlantic Hockey matchup against Sacred Heart.

The Lakers are now 5-5-2, having split with their last five opponents. In the Atlantic Hockey Association, the Lakers are 2-2-2.

Sacred Heart is 3-9-2 and 1-6-2 in the Atlantic.

PAGE 16

LAKER LIVING

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

HURST TOON Student-drawn cartoon by Periwinkle