Feb. 21 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, F E B RUA RY 21 , 2 01 8

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VOL. 91 NO. 12

Trustees meet with students PAGE 2

Online poll results What did you think of the Olympics?

7: Alumni have opportunities for service experience 11 : ‘Turtle Island Quartet’ sure to s(h)ell out a good time 14-15: Ice hockey takes on RMU in weekend matchups Contributed photo

Go USA! (40%) Loved every second. (27%) Could’ve been better. (20%) Only watched opening ceremony. (13%)

This week’s

POLL

How excited are you for Spring Break?

merciad.mercyhurst.edu

NEWS

PAGE 2

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Contributed photo

Trustee Lev Kubiak, left, speaks with students, from left, Noelle Zesky, Austin Shinhearl and Hannah Gibson at the Board of Trustees Student Meet and Greet on Feb. 17.

Trustees meet with students

By Lauren Abbott

Opinion editor

On Feb. 17, the third annual Trustee and Student Social was held in the Catherine Walker Reading Room in the Hammermill Library.

The annual meeting is a chance for students to meet and talk with Mercyhurst Board of Trustee members about the changes and happenings at the university.

Students were invited to come from all different aspects of the Mercyhurst community and engage with the trustees.

This is an important event for interested students to attend because of the potential to create changes that will affect the school in the future.

“The Trustee and Student Social is important because it brings together students and the stewards of our university. This year marks the third year this event has been held, and I am sure the experience shared by the students that attended will enhance the lives of students for years to come,” Jonah Jackson, Mercyhurst Student Government president, said.

Students had the chance to break into small groups and rotate through, talking to trustees on issues such as university responsiveness, campus safety, parking and housing.

Peggy Pietraszak, Board of Trustee member, Mercyhurst alumna and former Merciad executive editor, explained the importance of such an event.

“This is the third one. I’ve been at all three, and when you’re a trustee we don’t see the students. We see the decisions that

Contributed photo

Mercyhurst University Board of Trustees members Andrea Jeffress, left, and Peggy Pietraszak talk to students about administration responsiveness and housing on campus.

are made for you. ... I thought it was an excellent way, if you have a concern, you can tell somebody, and at least maybe we can get something going,” Pietraszak said.

The social is a time when students can voice their concerns and give feedback about the school.

The hope for this event is that the student body embraces the opportunity to meet with trustees, and also that the overall meet-and-greet event grows as a result. The trustees wish to add additional awareness of their board to the current student body.

An understanding of what the board of trustees is will allow for

more progress to be made on campus.

“I hope more students recognize the efforts that we’re going through so they come out to these things more so we can hear more feedback, so we can make the university better for you,” Andrea Jeffress, Board of Trustees member, said.

Students got to bring up and discuss topics such as athletic equipment and sports facilities.

“I was talking to some North East students and their soccer field is in bad shape and those are things that we would direct to the administration as something to think about,” Pietraszak said.

Athletes at both the Main and

North East campuses are important to hear from because they use large facilities that need constant upkeep.

“We have a lot of athletes who are excellent students and the feedback from them is we need better facilities, and they went out and started fundraising. We heard it, and we’re acting on it,” Jeffress said.

It is important that students from a variety of backgrounds attend these kinds of events where student feedback is crucial.

“I think hearing multiple different students and their opinions on Mercyhurst will benefit everybody because it’s not just Jonah, it’s not just people in MSG, it is students that aren’t so

involved to people who are the most involved on campus. It’s a wide variety of students and their views on Mercyhurst,” Austin Shinhearl, senior Hospitality Management major, said.

Campus safety was also brought up. One suggestion was a safety app that could be downloaded to students’ phones.

“Almost everybody has this in their pocket, and that’s where you’re going to go first,” Gerry Tobin, Ph.D., said.

DJ Fuhrmann, chief of Mercyhurst’s Police and Safety, was also in attendance and engaged with students in talks about campus safety.

“We talked about concerns regarding lighting on both Main and North East campuses, particularly around residence halls and parking garages,” Sophia Jensen, a sophomore Intelligence Studies major, said.

Both students and trustees seemed very energized by the end of the social, and eager to take what they had talked about back to the Mercyhurst community.

The social fostered much-needed discussion about campus and forged a relationship between students and trustees that will continue to grow in the coming years.

“We’re all one Mercyhurst family, and I’ve seen just with the new feedback, we still have a ways to go,” Jeffress said. “But it’s a beginning, and just by talking to the students, you can see that it’s less talk and more action and putting plans in place that will benefit the students. Because what good is the feedback if you don’t act on it?”

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

NEWS

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MSG candidates debate Merciad wins state awards

By Kristian Biega Staff writer

On Feb. 19, Mercyhurst Student Government (MSG) hosted the annual presidential and vice presidential debate for the candidacy of the 2018-19 school year. The event was well attended by interested students looking to meet the potential leaders of their student government.

The two candidates for president are sophomore Hannah Gibson and junior Vince Marrazzo. Gibson is a double major in Dance and Political Science and Marrazzo is majoring in Intelligence Studies, Information Technology, and Political Science.

Sophia Jensen, a sophomore Intelligence Studies and International Relations major, is running unopposed for vice president.

Each of the candidates had a chance to lay out their platform in an opening statement.

Marrazzo emphasized his extensive experience in MSG and within the Mercyhurst community. Some of his ideas were to work with administration to set a price limit on REACH curriculum textbooks and potentially create a for-credit class designed to help students with post-graduate testing.

“I believe that my experience serving in MSG will assist me as I run for president as I have intimate knowledge of every facet of student government,” said Marrazzo. “I have committed myself to listening to the voices of the students and have tried to find solutions for those problems.”

Gibson’s ideas were focused on the future of Mercyhurst and creating a legacy that included our traditional heritage. She would like to incorporate the voice of the student body more and host a large campuswide activity for St. Patrick’s Day in honor of Mercyhurst’s Irish heritage.

“Even though I am only a sophomore, I believe that I have the experience and drive to be-

Staff report

Kristian Biega photo

MSG presidential candidates Hannah Gibson and Vince Marrazzo, seated at center, address students about their ideas for the coming year. Sophia Jensen, far left, is running unopposed for vice president.

come next year’s president,” Gibson said.

Jensen also gave an opening statement laying out her ideas for Mercyhurst to continue to improve inter-departmental communication, become more involved with the Erie collegiate community and focus more funds and support for RSCOs on campus.

“I believe in the power of students coming together to create change,” Jensen said.

From the initial statements, moderator Molly Mills, senior Biology major and Senior Class Senator, began to ask the candidates several questions ranging from how they hope to get students more involved on campus and with MSG to their favorite memories of Mercyhurst.

Gibson emphasized that she wants to make sure all students know that Hurst is Home and that everyone feels that they belong. By promoting constant communication between the MSG senators and the student body, they can promote the school and make change happen.

Marrazzo believes that the Mercyhurst community should always be encouraging and lead-

ing students to seize the day and take advantage of everything the school has to offer.

One main issue of the debate was the support for student organizations and clubs and the Student Activities Council/Multicultural Activities Council. Marrazzo wants to allow these clubs more funds and representation. Gibson wants an increase in communication and awareness of the clubs.

Gibson and Marrazzo both want more equality between SAC and MAC funding to continue to support the diverse organizations and students on campus.

Both candidates agreed that the voices of the students need to be heard and that they will work hard to find ways to accomplish this.

Marrazzo is very adamant about giving students the ability to choose policies and events that they want to see on campus, as opposed to planning another large event. He hopes to clarify the stigma of what student government is and do so by encouraging the RSCOs and other students to be a part of that change.

Gibson believes that the best way for the student body to be

stronger and able to communicate with the students to more effectively create change is transparency and unity within the governing body. Even though members of MSG may disagree at times, promoting working together is key.

As for improvements on campus, both candidates have big plans that directly impact the student body.

Gibson plans to create a partnership with Uber allowing students to use their bonus bucks as payment, similar to plans already implemented at Gannon University. She believes that this resource is more safe, efficient and effective for freshmen and students over 21 going downtown than the Erie public transit.

Marrazzo wants to improve relationships between MSG, students and other contracted services. He wants to make maintenance more efficient and reliable by informing them of the recurring issues in on-campus housing and giving them the ability to handle those problems more effectively.

Elections will begin via email on Feb. 27 at noon, and voting lasts until March 1 at noon.

The Merciad has won two awards in the 2018 Student Keystone Press Awards contest, sponsored by the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association.

Merciad staff writer Marina Boyle, a freshman Business and Competitive Intelligence major from Dublin, Ireland, won a first-place award in the Column category for three opinion pieces: “Roommates make or break the year,” “New water bottle stations bring joy” and “Educational SAC/MAC events a must.”

Marina Boyle The Merciad staff won a second-place award in the Layout and Design category for the cover of the Nov. 8 issue, featuring the university production of “Guys and Dolls.” The photo was contributed by Mark Santillano, assistant professor of Dance.

The Merciad competes with other four-year universities statewide with enrollment under 10,000 students.

This is the third consecutive year for the Merciad to receive awards in the Student Keystone contest. The Merciad captured a first-place award in the Review category in 2017 and a second-place award in the Editorial category in 2016.

Mercyhurst wasn’t the only Erie County university to be recognized in this year’s Student Keystone Awards contest: Edinboro University of Pennsylvania’s Spectator and Gannon University’s Gannon Knight each received an honorable mention.

NEWS

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Merciad IN A MINUTE

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Meet your MSG reps

Post-Grad service fair

On Feb. 21, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., there will be a service fair in the Student Union Great Room with representatives from service programs. There will be a free dinner and discourse after the fair from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Millennial Era politics

Eric Wagner, instructor of Political Science and Criminal Justice, will speak as part of the Mercyhurst North East Cultural Series on Feb. 21 at 7 p.m.

The talk will be in Alex Theater on the North East campus. He will be discussing how millennials can and will affect politics in the coming years.

Cardboard sculptures

Thomas Hubert, professor of Art, and his 3-Dimensional Design students are collecting large cardboard boxes.

They will be using them to create sculptural forms from the boxes and other repurposed or recycled materials.

If you have any boxes 24 inches and larger, you can drop them off at the ceramic studio in Zurn 120.

You have to give to get This week marked Unity Week on campus, and also the start of a new campaign: “Give it.

Get it. Expect Respect.”

The campaign was headed by the Diversity and Inclusion Task Force.

The goal of the campaign is to foster a respectful environment and supportive community.

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

Simple strategies can combat flu on campus

By Elizabeth Shewan Staff writer

Every year, from about October to May, influenza strains wreak havoc on the temperate climates of the United States in what we call flu season.

However, this year’s influenza has been particularly bad: It has infected more people, caused more deaths and spread more concern.

The flu is always a concern on college campuses, where thousands of students live, take classes and eat together.

“I think this year the flu has taken on a scary aura due to TV coverage,” said Judy Smith, Ph.D., executive director of Wellness at Mercyhurst.

As the Mercyhurst campus has been fortunate so far this year, having relatively few laboratory-confirmed cases of the flu, Smith encourages students to resist the impulse to give into fear.

There are also plenty of strategies that students can adopt to help protect themselves from the

flu. Practicing good hygiene is the best defense, health officials say.

To avoid the flu and other diseases, students should wash their hands often and periodically sanitize door knobs, light switches and other frequently touched surfaces. Keeping one’s hands away from one’s face is also effective.

Touching of the face allows the flu virus to get onto hands which in turn allows it to be transferred to objects like desks and doorknobs.

However, most college students who do contract the flu can weather it just fine, especially with the help of antiviral medication.

Nevertheless, students who think they may have the flu should stay out of class and go to the health center or a doctor as soon as possible.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “clinical benefit is greatest when antiviral treatment is administered as early as possible after illness onset. Ideally, treatment should be initiated within 48

hours of symptom onset.”

Flu symptoms differ from a common cold in that they typically appear all at once, and include symptoms not usually seen in colds such as a high temperature and nausea, as well as congestion and coughing.

Just as in the general population, students with respiratory problems are more likely to be adversely affected by the flu, and are especially encouraged to go to the health center if they think they may have it.

This year’s flu season has been especially dangerous for the elderly and young children.

The Washington Post, citing a government report, said influenza killed 22 children in the period of Feb. 10-17. That number represents the most flu-related deaths among children in a single week since this season’s outbreak began in fall 2017, and it brings the total of flu-related deaths in children to 84, the Post reported.

According to the most recent data from the CDC, 9.8 percent of the deaths reported in the

week ending on Jan. 27 were due to pneumonia and flu. This is well above the expected epidemic threshold of 7.3 percent.

The reason behind the severity of the year’s flu season is that the flu vaccine used has not been as effective at preventing the flu as it usually is.

Every year, the flu vaccine is created with recommendations from the World Health Organization to protect people against strains of flu that are expected to be most virulent in the coming year.

Certain prevalent strains this year came as a surprise.

Some strains in the family of Influenza A are not protected against at all in this year’s vaccine.

Health-care providers do still recommend getting a flu shot, even now, if you have not already.

“If you’ve had your flu vaccine, you’re 30 to 40 percent less likely to come down with the flu,” Smith said. “It won’t absolutely prevent you from catching the strains that are out there this year, but it will reduce severity.”

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

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

NEWS

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STUDENT GOVERNMENT

This weekend’s campus events

CDN chapter at Mercyhurst

By Caitlyn Lear

News editor

On Nov. 8, a universitywide email was sent about the new Diabetes Support Group that was started on campus.

Spearheaded by freshman Athletic Training major Alexandra Martin and college health nurse Pat Kowalski Colvin, the group hopes to spread awareness and education about diabetes to those with and without the metabolic disease.

The support group on campus has partnered with the College Diabetes Network (CDN) to help with their goals.

CDN was created in 2009 by Christina Roth, a college student who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 14. She wanted to be able to meet other students and share experiences with them.

The group received nonprofit status in 2010 and in 2012 became a full-time organization.

“CDN is singularly focused on providing young adults with (Type 1 diabetes) the peer connections they value, and expert resources they need, to successfully manage the challenging transition to independence at college and beyond,” according to the group’s website.

One of the goals of the group is to help students with diabetes, especially incoming freshmen, transition from being at home with the help of family to living on campus and in a different environment.

“It’s an organization that provides resources for kids going into college,” said Martin. “Kind of like starting life without your parents and because it can be a whole new piece to kind of control. And so they help set up the chapters and they give you some resources and it’s all free to students.”

Diabetes is increasing on campuses, and Colvin has been waiting for a student like Martin to come along to start a support group.

“We have actually seen an in-

crease in the number of students on campus with diabetes Type 1,” said Colvin. “I’ve been here for 22 years, so over the years I have had an interest in trying to get an educational kind of thing for the students, and when I was doing orientation last summer I met Alex and she was just so gung-ho about wanting to know if we had any kind of support groups.”

There are actually two types of diabetes. Type 1 is more genetic and occurs when your body attacks your pancreas and causes it to stop producing insulin. Type 2 is considered to be adult onset because it occurs more in the older population. It is generally more common in heavier set and sedentary individuals.

“An easy way to think about it is Type 1 is insulin deficiency and Type 2 is insulin resistance,” Martin said.

There are also multiple ways in which a person with Type 1 can control their insulin levels. A person can inject with a syringe, where they have to pull some insulin out of a vial and find the proper place to inject themselves.

There is also the pen, which is preloaded with insulin. In both of these cases, however, the person taking the insulin has to do the calculations to determine how much insulin they need.

There is a newer type of injection called a pump that does the math for the person and replaces the shots.

“I personally wear a pump and it is this little device on my hip that has tubing with insulin going all through it and it is attached up my arm,” said Martin. “ I can put the amount of carbs in and what my blood sugar was and it knows automatically how much insulin I need.”

Each person has their own insulin-to-carb ratio that determines how much insulin is needed “It just depends on what your body needs and it will do the math for you,” said Martin.

“It can be more precise, getting

down to 0.05 of a unit.”

Martin hopes to shed light on what living with diabetes can be like and help students live the way they want.

“I really hope for this group to be able to show that everybody has a stereotype of diabetes, like you have to be fat and it is really hurting those who have Type 1, especially because we kind of get thrown under that whole umbrella and you see people with Type 1 who are living very active lifestyles,” said Martin. “And it is not necessarily that I cannot eat candy. I just choose not to because I’m able to control my blood sugar levels.”

She also wants students without diabetes to recognize when a friend with diabetes may need help.

“We can educate them on symptoms of low blood sugar and high blood sugar. The symptoms of low blood sugar are very similar to those of being drunk so it can be a little dangerous, especially if you are out drinking with friends,” Martin said.

Each year, the CDN also hosts a retreat for 25 students across the country. They go and share stories and helpful tricks to make living with diabetes easier. It is also a great networking opportunity for students.

The Mercyhurst club has had two meetings thus far and is hoping to expand in the coming weeks and months.

“Hopefully we can establish a basic framework for what we want to do so that we can apply to be an official club for next year,” said Colvin. “Another thing that we are able to do this year is we’re going to be part of the health fair that’s on April 6.”

The group hopes to meet on a weekly basis. The next meeting will be Feb. 28.

For students who have any questions or would like to be a part of the support group, they should contact Martin or Colvin or join the group’s page on Facebook at Mercyhurst CDN Chapter.

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

Unity Week events and activities wrap up with a Unity Day event in the Student Union Great Room at 8 p.m. Cultural foods and activities will be provided by various clubs on campus.

On Saturday SAC/MAC are hosting A Taste of Erie at 7 p.m. in the Student Union great room. Come try food from local restaurants and see what Erie has to offer. You may just find your new favorite restaurant.

MERCYHURST CAMPUS

CRIME LOG Feb. 2: Theft at the Ice Center.

Feb. 11: Liquor law violation in McAuley Hall.

Feb. 15: Drug paraphernalia at 3809 Briggs Ave. Feb. 15: Controlled substances at 3810 Briggs Ave.

FEATURES

PAGE 6

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

Ask for Mia’s advice at: askmia.merciad@gmail.com ******************* Dear Mia, Housing signups for next year will be coming out soon and I have no idea who I am going to live with.

Many of my close friends are graduating in May and I’m not sure that I want to repeat my current living situation. My roommates are great, but we have had some conflict this year and it might be simpler to just try something else.

Part of me wants to get a place off campus since it’s cheaper, but I don’t think my friends will want to do that. What should I do?

Sincerely, Soon to be Homeless

Dear Soon to be Homeless, Have you asked your friends about living off campus? Try researching some places so you know all the information before telling your friends. You may be able to convince them if you have all the details in place.

Are you part of your class year’s Facebook group? That is a really good place to start when searching for new roommates. Just post something in there about how you are interested in finding some roommates.

It will also be helpful if you tell them where you are interested in living too.

When housing sign ups do come out they always have meetings you can go to that are specifically for people looking for roommates.

Everyone there will be looking for roommates, so it shouldn’t be that hard to find people.

Sincerely,

Mia

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Student diversity embraced in art

By Lauren Rogus

Staff writer

Posters about the “Mosaic of Life” have begun to pop up around campus, advertising a campus-wide art show created by a team made up of Tyler Brentley, Multicultural and Inclusion Coordinator; Heather Denning, L.S.W., instructor of Art Therapy; Jessica Macrino, counselor; Judy Smith, Ph.D., executive director of wellness; and Bushra Upal, counselor.

The show is intended to showcase students’ creative works surrounding the theme of diversity and inclusion. Students may submit any form of visual art, poetry, dance, spoken word or music.

Students with varying levels of artistic skills are welcome, including novice artists. The art may represent ethnicity, religion, race, gender, sexual orientation, inclusion, acceptance and any other similar theme.

Works will be displayed in the Student Union Great Room on April 12, with a reception

from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Entry forms may be obtained from Cohen Health Center and will be posted on campus this week. Entries will be accepted at the counseling center March 12-26 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There will be open art studio time on Feb. 27, 2-5 p.m. and March 1, 4-7 p.m., in Zurn 121, where students will be able to work on pieces for the show.

“Mosaic of Life” has been in the works for a while. It began with the staff at Cohen Health Center discussing the need for additional color and art, making it more welcoming to students. The staff also wanted to show students that they are diverse individuals.

As the staff explored these ideas, the idea of having an art show was born.

The show became a way to express diversity in a variety of ways, making Cohen Health Center more friendly. Students submitting work may choose to let their art be displayed in the Health Center, after the initial display in

How to dine sustainably

By Elyssa Buch

Contributing writer

Everyone loves going to the bookstore to get a coffee and a quick bite to eat before class.

However, very few really think about the environmental impacts their purchases and actions have.

Much of what we get from the bookstore comes with individual packaging, most of which is immediately thrown away. There are multiple ways the environmental impact at the bookstore can be reduced, both through individual actions and policy changes.

For individuals, bring your own travel mug whenever possible. Not only will you be more sustainable, but you get a 10-cent discount on a regular hot coffee.

You can also reduce your waste by not using a straw, as plastic drinking straws are made using nonrenewable resources, are nonrecyclable and are not reused.

If you do not use a reusable mug, make sure to dispose of the cup properly. Plastic cups can be rinsed out and recycled, while the paper cups must be thrown away. The lids, however, can be rinsed and recycled along with the cardboard sleeves.

The bookstore can also make small changes to become more eco-friendly. One step would be to make more drinks in reusable

cups, and encourage their use.

Clearly labeling the recycling bins would also make it easier for individuals to know what bin the various items should go into.

More post-consumer products could be used, bringing in cups and napkins made of recycled materials.

The most important change to make is how baked goods are sold.

Rather than individually wrapping each item, muffins and bagels could be kept in airtight compartments during the stay in the bookstore and then, when purchased, put into paper bags made of post-consumer products which can later be recycled.

Or, if the purchaser intends to eat the snack immediately, it can be handed over with just a paper napkin, minimizing the environmental impact even more.

These types of changes would also save the university money, as plastic wrap costs around 10 cents per square, compared to paper bags or napkins, which when bought in bulk each cost only a penny a piece (papermart. com).

By working to reduce your own impact and working together on campus to get the bookstore to make some small adjustments, the Mercyhurst Bookstore can become a much greener place.

the Student Union, for a semester, for a year or forever.

Denning is excited to give all students, not just those in Art Therapy, a voice on campus. The name, “Mosaic of Life,” came to be because of the intersection between art and counseling.

“When I think of a mosaic, I think of something forming together to form one thing,” said Denning. “I think that this campus is like that. There is a lot of diversity on campus coming together for an art event, so just using the idea of a mosaic is kind of a metaphor. It is an art term but I think it definitely relates to all the students here on campus.”

Students are excited about the opportunity to participate in the show. Kim Bennett, freshman Art Therapy major, is particularly passionate about the artwork she plans to submit.

“I love it and I can’t wait to enter it. The art I am making for it is a release for me, and I am going to make a piece with a personal theme,” Bennett said.

NEW AT

NORTH EAST

Mercyhurst North East is hosting a new Culinary Dining Series, running weekly from Feb. 16 through April 13.

Each three-course lunch is $9 per person, including tax.

Reservations are required and can be filed by calling 814-725-6333.

Callers can include any dietary restrictions or special requests in their reservation.

For example, if a student is a vegetarian, they can request to have a vegetarian dish. If a caller wants to request a Lent-friendly meal, that is also acceptable.

The first event of the series, “Bella Italiana,” was held Feb. 16. The remaining culinary events will occur in the MNE Dining Room or the Lake View Country Club.

Food served at the series varies, but includes Tomato Provençale Salad with French Vinaigrette and French Onion Soup. The full menu can be found on the Mercyhurst North East website.

Seating begins at 11:30 a.m., and the lunch itself is served at noon.

To be added to the mailing list for this Culinary Series, email bsheldon@mercyhurst. edu.

— Anthony Miller

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

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

FEATURES

PAGE 7

Alums commit to service

By Kristian Biega

Staff writer

Life after graduation can be intimidating or uncertain for some students as the options of graduate school and full-time jobs loom closer and closer. However, giving your time and talents to experience a year of service may be a third potential option for some.

Mercyhurst’s Service Learning Program will be offering a PostGrad Service Fair on Feb. 21 in the Student Union Great Room from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

“I really encourage students to do a year of service because I don’t think we have enough life experience yet to be in a job forever or know exactly what we want to do,” said Bethany Brun, coordinator of Service Learning.

“I think everyone would grow a lot more if they had a year or two where you can travel to anywhere you want in the country or world and serve others.”

The service fair has been an annual opportunity for students of all ages and majors to gain information on various service programs in both the United States and abroad.

The fair is mainly geared toward juniors and seniors who should be applying for these programs in the near future, but sophomores and freshmen are also encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity.

“Some people may see a year of service as taking a year off, but I never see it that way,” said Brun.

“It’s always a year on. It is a year to develop and find your passion, which is key and crucial.”

There will be 15 organizations represented at the fair, including AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, PULSE, Habitat for Humanity, Mercy Volunteer Corps, Lalanne, Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest and Christian Appalachian Corps.

There are many more benefits to a year of service beyond the experience alone. Most programs include a modest living stipend and provide individual or community housing or the resources to find affordable housing in the city you choose. Some programs also help with professional development and cover health insurance.

If the organization is supported by government-sponsored AmeriCorps, the interest accrued on students’ loans will be paid for. Individuals also receive a $5,800 education award towards undergraduate or graduate loans.

Some master’s programs will match these awards, doubling the amount saved.

Brun advocates for a year of service because of her extremely positive three-year experience with AmeriCorps Erie after graduating from Mercyhurst.

“I think a year of service helps you shape what you are really passionate about and discover your passion. I learned from being a VISTA (Volunteers In Service to

Contributed photos

Catherine Rainey, ’17, has spent the past year volunteering with FrancisCorps, where she has gained work experience and had opportunities to go hiking in the Adirondacks (left) and go snowshoeing (right).

Contributed photo

FrancisCorps volunteers live in a community environment and, throughout their year of service, learn to work, grow and live together.

America) here for three years that working with college students was what I really wanted to do. For that reason, my job isn’t work to me. It’s Mercyhurst — it’s what I love to do,” said Brun.

Each year, Mercyhurst has 10 to 20 students from the graduating class go on to a year of service.

Catherine Rainey, Mercyhurst class of 2017, will be speaking at this year’s service fair to discuss her year with FrancisCorps.

Rainey works in Syracuse, N.Y., with a full-time, post-graduate

year of volunteer service. The two main components of the FrancisCorps program are community and service, experienced by living with the other post-graduate volunteers and working at various nonprofit or community organizations. The volunteers are a very close-knit group who share in everything from cooking and cleaning to weekend trips around New York.

“I think one of the difficult parts about this year is sacrificing part of my independence,” said

Rainey. “I don’t always get to do what I want, when I want, because there are five other individuals to take into account. We have to work together to accommodate everyone’s schedules, wants and needs. It’s a real commitment.”

Rainey works as an assistant to adults with developmental disabilities in a L’Arche community.

L’Arche is an international federation of communities dedicated to supporting and sharing life with adults with developmental disabilities.

“The people are definitely my favorite part about living and working here,” said Rainey. “Even on the days that are challenging, tiring or test my patience, I still find myself laughing every single day.”

Even though a year of service is a huge undertaking, Rainey highly recommends the experience to anyone who has the chance.

“My year of service has helped me to grow in ways I couldn’t even imagine. Living in the community and working with individuals with disabilities is teaching me how to love more deeply and find more joy in the ordinary moments of life,” Rainey said.

Many organizations will help students who are not as certain about their careers after college to work with nonprofits in order to utilize their majors, talents and interests.

“My community members come from a wide range of academic backgrounds, and many of us plan to go on to graduate school in the future,” said Rainey.

“There is truly a program and/or work site that can fit anyone’s interests and academic pursuits.”

Brun urged students to come to her with any questions or interest in these programs so that she can provide guidance and resources for specific locations and missions.

For more interested students, there will be a free dinner and discourse from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. where representatives will be able to share and answer more individual questions about their specific programs.

FEATURES

PAGE 8

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Contributed photo

The first LT3 retreat (pictured above) was well attended and widely enjoyed. Students were able to grow in community and experience service in a new way.

Seize the third day with CM

By Jordan Pendel

Staff writer

The weekend of March 23-24, students who have previously attended a Carpe Diem (CD) retreat will have the opportunity to attend the Live the Third (LT3) retreat.

LT3 only costs $10 and will focus on how you are growing to know yourself and how you are hardwired to love and serve others.

This will be the second LT3 retreat hosted by Campus Ministry.

It is intended as a next-step retreat for people who, after attending CD, still have a hunger to get to know themselves and their spirituality more deeply.

“It’s largely focused on the idea of how you are hardwired,” said Greg Baker, director of Campus

Ministry. “What is your personality, what are your gifts, how are you going to use those to lead a happy life, to serve other people?”

A quote attached to the retreat comes from a poem, “The Summer Day,” by Mary Oliver: “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

LT3 extends the “carpe diem” idea of seizing the day and attaches it to a life marked by grounded spirituality. It challenges students to think about how they can take everything they’ve been given to serve and love other people.

Also attending LT3 are several alumni, who will speak about what it means to seize the day after graduation. The retreat will pull students toward a different perspective about what they are

moving towards in life. There will also be student witnesses and talks from the Campus Ministry staff and Gerard Tobin, associate professor of Psychology.

Students will have a lot of time in small groups with honest, personal discussions about social justice and service. However, there is also time for fun.

“We sing, we do karaoke, dancing kind of stuff, and we let loose too,” said Baker. “We have a good time over there.”

Rebecca Harms, senior Accounting and Business and Competitive Intelligence double major, attended the first LT3 retreat and loved it.

“It was primarily focused on reflecting deeper in oneself while continuing to build community

with others on the retreat,” said Harms. “It was a great next-step retreat after attending the Carpe Diem retreat.”

Students attending LT3 go to the Miller Estate in North East, which Baker described as a treasure on the campus that not many people use.

The Miller Estate was donated for use to the school by a wealthy friend of the Mercyhurst community. It is a great space to have big gatherings where students on the retreat are able to break off into small groups for discussion and play hide-and-seek games throughout the night. Students will also be able to see the St. Mary Chapel on Mercyhurst North East’s campus.

A major difference between LT3

and CD retreats is that there is no student leadership team on LT3.

The weekend of LT3 is dovetailing with an all-CD Reunion.

There are nearly 350 alumni who have made previous CD retreats, and all current students and alumni are invited to the reunion. Students and alumni will be able to relive memories from the previous retreats and hear what people are up to now.

LT3 will take place March 2324 and the reunion will begin on March 24 at dinner and last until the morning of March 25. Students are encouraged to attend both and hang out all weekend.

All students who have previously made a CD retreat are invited to sign up for LT3 and the CD Reunion in Campus Ministry.

Hurst libraries bookmark news

By Marina Boyle Staff writer

Bookmarks is a new periodic newsletter available from Mercyhurst University libraries to keep the campus community up to date on services offered by Hammermill and Ridge Libraries.

Bookmarks will be used to report on university library resources, services, facilities, changes and more.

The idea was put forward by Darci Jones, director of University Libraries and Online Learning.

While an email newsletter was originally planned, that idea grew

and it has now been decided that the newsletter will be available to all, through the Mercyhurst Hammermill and Ridge Libraries website. This will create a central place to store every issue, making it easy to retrieve information and allowing the newsletter to be easily shared between people using the URL. Previously, the online library news page and social media accounts logged various events in a shortened form, but only for very brief announcements. Bookmarks will create a newsletter format with a regular schedule, allowing for far more in-depth piec-

es, updates and organized prose.

Angela Okey, Public Services Librarian at Hammermill Library, is excited about the new opportunity to keep the Mercyhurst community informed about library services.

“Bookmarks is a great way to keep everyone at Mercyhurst in the loop on what is going on at their library, whether it be the Hammermill Library or the Ridge Library in North East,” said Okey.

“Bookmarks allows people to see all the exciting resources the library has to offer, from new databases to services such as research, writing, tutoring and IT help.”

Readers can expect to see announcements such as the Work Study Employee of the Month, as well as news from Mercyhurst North East about activities, resources and services on that campus.

The current issue of Bookmarks highlights employee Grace Sloop, a junior Accounting and Economics double major.

There is also news regarding the search for a new library archivist, and the ongoing construction at Hammermill Library, as well as the trials of free databases.

The database trials will be ending soon, with the option for stu-

dents to give feedback on each trial.

Karen Niemla, Reference and Research Librarian at Hammermill, is excited to be able to better inform patrons of the available services.

“Bookmarks will inform library patrons of a variety of important and useful things,” said Niemla.

“The greatest purpose is to tell our users about what is available to them. Not everyone is aware of all the resources we have, or the ways in which librarians can help you with research. The newsletter is a reminder that we are here to serve you.”

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Date in the real world

By Daniel Leonard

Staff writer

In a culture where an individual can find a soul mate as easy as they can create a profile online, many people can be left feeling lonely and anxious about relationships, expectations or dating in general.

This past Valentine’s Day, Greg Baker, director of Campus Ministry, spoke about “dating in the real world” at Wednesday Night Fellowship. He asked the audience to help him develop “a young Christians’ guide to romance and dating” and better understand the relatively new culture.

“There has certainly been a shift for some students towards the ‘hookup’ mindset about encounters in which people seek to divorce physical intimacy from emotional intimacy,” said Baker.

“It is worth noting that the majority of students do not participate in such behaviors, but everyone is aware that some peers are sexually engaged in that way. For those who take part in hookup culture, it is difficult to understand where selfless and reciprocal love fits into relationships, both now and in the future.”

Avoiding the technical birdsand-bees conversation, audience members were split into small groups to discuss what romance and dating should look like as a Christian and what they would tell young people today.

Groups were later brought together to share their thoughts and key points.

One group focused on the importance of committing to the other person not just the idea of a relationship.

Another group raised the topic of not comparing one’s relationships to others they may see on social media.

There was also a conversation that revolved around the need to

be aware of red flags in relationships, maintaining honest communication with one another and not attempting to fill a void with another person.

Cole Lowe, senior Spanish Education major, was interested in the various points made by each group.

“It was interesting to me to hear the different aspects of a healthy, faithful relationship,” said Lowe.

“Among the many and various responses, one word continued to surface, and that word is respect.

All healthy relationships spur from one of mutual respect, and from that all positive traits come to fruition.”

Victoria Noker, sophomore Hospitality Management major and Wednesday Night Fellowship leader, further discussed the potential for red flags in a relationship.

“I feel like everyone should have someone to talk to, like a mentor, because it’s very important to note that if someone doesn’t want to talk about their relationship with anyone, then that’s a bad sign,” Noker said.

Baker commented on the extraordinary opportunity that students have today to practice the skill of talking honestly and openly about relationships.

Baker revealed to the audience that one of his biggest concerns is that we attach so much shame to ourselves sexually and in our relationships with others.

“My favorite basic advice about intimate relationships comes from Father Ronald Rolheiser: Approach every relationship with a profound amount of reverence, respect and patience for the other person,” said Baker. “Beyond that, be sure that the amount of physical intimacy in a relationship is matched by the amount of real commitment that the couple has for one another.”

FEATURES

PAGE 9

LAKER MOMENT

Aaron Qiao photo

From left, Elly Buch, Vanessa Steele and Paxton McCausland enjoy the opportunity to dress up, enjoy food and spend time together at the Flaming Hearts Dance on Feb. 14.

Flaming Hearts Dance for Valentine’s Day

Aaron Qiao photo

From left, Daniel Leonard, Rebecca DeCarlo and Elizabeth Hallberg enjoying the festivities at the Flaming Hearts Dance.

Every year for the past decade, Mercyhurst’s Sexuality and Gender Acceptance Club has hosted the Flaming Hearts Dance on Feb. 14. This year, the dance took place in the Student Union Great Room at 7 p.m. The Flaming Hearts Dance is meant for everyone to celebrate happiness and friends. The club meets every Thursday at 8:45 p.m. in Sullivan 3.

— Aaron Qiao

Fasting to find renewal and meaning

By Elizabeth Shewan Staff writer

This past week marked the beginning of the season of Lent for Christians. Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts for 40 days leading up to Easter Sunday, is as a symbolic representation of the time that Jesus spent in the desert. This year, Ash Wednesday fell on Feb. 14, coinciding with Valentine’s Day — to the dismay of some who wanted to both enjoy the holiday chocolate, but also fast in observance of the beginning of Lent.

Lent is, for Christians and par-

ticularly Catholics, a penitential season of fasting and praying. It is, however, preceded by Mardi Gras, which is French for “Fat Tuesday.”

In contrast to Lent, Mardi Gras is a day of indulgence and fun, anticipating the sacrifices to come during the Lenten season.

Mardi Gras is especially popular in New Orleans, but was also celebrated at Mercyhurst with a special dinner at the Grotto Commons and programs in each freshman hall, sponsored by Campus Ministry.

Following Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday serves as a remind-

er of human mortality, in which Catholic Mass and Protestant services are attended. Individuals are marked with ashes as a reminder of their limited time on earth. In this spirit of humility, sacrifice begins: Catholics typically fast and abstain from meat, while other denominations may choose to fast in alternative ways.

James Piszker, University Chaplain, welcomes the season of Lent as an opportunity to look to one’s spiritual life. One typical Lenten tradition involves “giving up” something for Lent, either material or behavioral — chocolate or gossiping, for example.

“It came more out of personal piety than the church saying ‘you have to give up something for Lent,’” Piszker said.

The way Lent is practiced varies between denominations of Christianity, and between and even within Catholic communities. For Piszker, the real question is not how one observes Lent, but why.

“I think the challenge today is for people to ask why they’re doing it. ... The whole reason for observance is to work on your spiritual life,” said Piszker.

Piszker also commented in the irony surrounding the beginning of Lent — Ash Wednesday is not

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

a holy day of obligation.

“The irony of Ash Wednesday, if there is one, ... is that people think it’s a holy day of obligation.

It’s not and it never has been, and yet we get more people that come out on Ash Wednesday than just about any other special day of the year,” Piszker said.

This distinction is important, because the choice to observe Lent is most meaningful when made completely freely. Altogether, the season of Lent is a good opportunity for students of all religious backgrounds to take some time for introspection and working on personal growth.

PAGE 10

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Dance majors present ‘[ ]ography’

By Megan Lay

Staff writer

On Feb. 28 at 7 p.m., junior BFA dance majors are presenting their latest work in Audrey Hirt Academic Center’s Walker Recital Hall.

The performance has been titled “[ ]ography,” capturing the individual choreographic processes and products of all members of the class.

The choreographers are: Lucas De Marinis, Liam Fitzpatrick, Dominic Fortunato, Hunter Hoffman, Katherine Hotinger, Marcela Gomez-Lugo, Niusha Karkehabadi, Megan Lay, Grace Petron, Rachel Rhodanz, Sarah Swanson, Sarah Taylor and Carrie VanOsten.

Following their debut in Taylor Little Theater last semester, the choreographers are assigned to work with another artist in collaboration to produce a coherent work that complements both artists.

As part of their assignment, the choreographers must communicate effectively to make the finished work.

The choreographers have chosen to collaborate with a range of artists from many disciplines, including musicians, costume designers, poets and visual artists.

VanOsten, junior Dance major and choreographer, is collaborating with her mom, a semi-professional dance costumer in Virginia. VanOsten said her piece is “centered around the colorful dreamer stuck in society’s gray world.”

Her mom created a yellow dress for the dreamer soloist to wear.

VanOsten appreciates how rewarding it has been to work with her mom on a project as personal as her own choreography.

She said, “together, we decided on a design and pattern to

Megan Lay photo

Lucas De Marinis and cast rehearse his choreography for “[ ]ography.”

base the dress on. We are still in the process of making sure the dress fits as well as possible, allowing the dancer to perform at her best.”

Rhodanz has chosen to collaborate with a poet, Aleksandra Stefanovski.

Rhodanz said, “the most rewarding part of this collaboration was simply creating art with another individual who is just as passionate about a different art form than me.”

Rhodanz also fostered a collaboration between herself and her dancers by encouraging them to free write about her concept.

Rhodanz said, “I hope the audience can relate the piece to their personal lives in some way, because we all have feelings, emotions and experiences in life.

“We should be opening up to

Faculty reed trio set to perform in Walker

By Lauren Ganger Staff writer

On March 14 at 8 p.m. in Walker Recital Hall, the D’Angelo Department of Music will present its first Faculty Recital Series performance of the spring semester.

The evening’s performance will be by the Reed’m and Weep Trio, a group composed of Rebecca Wunch on clarinet, Hilary Philipp on oboe and Carolyn Borland on bassoon.

The group has been in existence for eight years.

Wunch mentions that all three of the members were students at McDowell High School around the same time and participated in the music program there, but that she cannot remember exactly how the group came about.

Regardless, over the past eight years, the group has played at

weddings, community events and at other venues, for example Vivaldi in the Vineyard and at Studio Q. On their upcoming program will be pieces by Gordon Jacobs, Charles Huguenin, Jacques Ibert, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Johann Sebastian Bach and François Couperin.

The group tries to add a new piece to their repertoire every time they play a gig, and Wunch said, “So, you can imagine that after eight-plus years of playing together, we have accumulated a number of pieces.”

The recital has no theme, with Wunch describing the sections on the program as the group’s “favorite classical pieces from our library.”

As with all faculty recitals, the performance will be free and open to the public.

each other and coming to the humbling realization that we are all the same.”

Everyone has been asked to complete a group project in their academic classes at some point in their career at Mercyhurst and can agree that collaboration is a challenge.

Collaboration between artists can get even more complicated with issues of distance, time constraints and communication across different art forms.

Fitzpatrick also collaborated with a poet, offering his own words as inspiration for the poet’s final product.

Fitzpatrick said, “I felt like we had a true collaboration. I would show them excerpts of the choreography I had already created, and they would head back to write another draft of the poem.”

When asked about the most challenging aspect of his collaboration, Fitzpatrick said, “I did not want to stifle the voice of the poet, as I felt like having a new perspective on my words would push me to think differently as to how I wanted to tell the story.

“Seeing the finished product will definitely be the most rewarding part of the collaborative process.”

The class hopes the audience will come away from this performance with a feeling of exploration and inspiration.

Karkehabadi, who is choreographing a piece to upbeat electronic music, hopes the audience will gain a new life experience when they view her piece.

“I hope the audience gains some sort of liberation or enlight-

enment from my piece that changes a preconceived idea about life,” said Karkehabadi.

“This will most likely happen in an abstract sense or through the words of Miguel Gutierrez’s performance texts that I use at both the beginning and middle of my piece. “‘Comfy Trigger,’ to me, means that at any moment in time we can choose to be comfortable where we are or we can choose to tell ourselves stories of the past that may trigger negative emotions.”

Karkehabadi chose to collaborate with her sister, who recently majored in Film.

De Marinis chose to collaborate with his brother, an up-andcoming singer-songwriter.

De Marinis said, “I always like creating dances from an abstract perspective. I hope the audience can reflect upon the connections they’ve formed with others throughout their lives.”

Collaboration is essential to developing community and artistry among up and coming artists.

He said, “collaboration helps me to take a step away from the artistic path I have followed for a while and reflect upon where I will be led by adopting the principles of an artist in another discipline.”

Every choreographer’s story is a unique part of their journey through their time in the Mercyhurst Dance department.

It is a unique opportunity to produce two original works in one year and progress to the eventual presentation of a work on the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center stage.

In April, senior Dance majors will present their final capstone projects including: staged works, dance for cameras and various research presentations. “[ ]ography” is free and open to the Mercyhurst community.

The Met Opera brings Rossini to the stage

By Steven Martz

Staff writer

A Babylonian epic for the ages is being broadcast right here on Mercyhurst University campus.

The Mercyhurst Institute of Arts and Culture is showing “Semiramide” in the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center on March 17.

The performance will start promptly at 12:55 p.m. with doors opening at 12:30 p.m.

The opera has a total estimated run time of 3 hours and 29 minutes, with a single 30 minute intermission.

The libretto is sung in Italian with Met titles in English.

The setting of “Semiramide”

is ancient Babylon. Babylon is modern-day Iraq.

The scenes include local colors and the ancient marvel of the Hanging Gardens.

The creators of the opera were more worried about creating a feeling of great legend and wonder instead of presenting a historical accurate story.

The story is about royal treachery and false romance.

Semiramide, the queen of Babylon, is trying to remain on the throne while men are trying to succeed her late husband.

Gioachino Rossini composed “Semiramide.”

Rossini created more than 30 operas, ranging from comic to tragic.

At the age of 37, Rossini actually retired from composing.

Even after a short career, he is still very well known.

Gaetano Rossi wrote the libretto for Rossini’s opera.

The conductor of the opera is Italian native Maurizio Benini.

This Metropolitan Opera has an all-star cast.

Angela Meade plays Semiramide, Elizabeth DeShong portrays Arsace, Javier Camarena plays Idreno, Ildar Abdrazakov plays Assur and Ryan Speedo Green portrays Oroe.

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

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

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

PAGE 11

UPCOMING

MOVIE REVIEW

EVENTS Audiences roar for ‘Black Panther’ Senior Art Thesis March 26-May 17, Reception: April 7, Cummings Art Gallery

By David McDonald

Staff writer

“Black Panther’s” best attribute was not necessarily its protagonist, who was already hugely popular from his appearance in “Captain America: Civil War,” but its villains.

If there is one thing that Marvel has been rather lackluster in, it would be just that.

Most of the villains are either a literal mirror for the hero, like the Yellowjacket in “Ant-Man” or Kaecilius in “Doctor Strange,” too easy to defeat despite their “immense” power like Hela in “Thor: Ragnarok,” or are just poorly done in general, like the Mandarin in “Iron Man 3.”

That said, Marvel’s most successful films have not been because of great heroes, though they have plenty of those, but rather because of great villains or great emotional conflict.

Such films as “Captain America: Civil War,” “Spider-Man: Homecoming” and now “Black Panther,” are the gold standard of Marvel because they either have memorable, well-performed villains or because of the emotional depth attached to the conflict between hero versus villain or hero versus hero (in the case of “Civil War”).

Even looking outside of Marvel, the notion reins true. For example, even though all three movies in the “Dark Knight” trilogy were well-crafted, the true masterpiece remains “The Dark Knight.”

This is all thanks to Heath Ledger’s performance and the excellent writing and depth behind the Joker in general.

What all the latter films men-

Simone Dinnerstein, piano Masterclass April 4, 5-7 p.m., Walker Recital Hall The Met: Cosi fan tutte April 7, 12:55 p.m., Performing Arts Center NTL: Julius Caesar April 8, 12:55 p.m., Performing Arts Center Marvel Studios photo

On the left is Chadwick Boseman as King T’Challa, aka the Black Panther, and on the right is Michael B. Jordan as the Black Panther’s cousin, the villain Erik Killmonger.

tioned have in common is that the emotional attachment to the story is more present.

Films like “Ant-Man” were no doubt enjoyable but did not have me on the edge of my seat like “Black Panther.”

In Marvel’s best films, where the villains are memorable, I am more emotionally invested in the hero succeeding than in other films.

The genius of “Black Panther” is that the interplay of the two main villains, Killmonger and Ulysses Klaue, makes their story more interesting and their mission more detestable.

Also, the interrelatedness of King T’challa (Black Panther) and Erik Stevens (Killmonger) make the conflict between the two more emotionally charged.

This movie easily could have messed up its villain situation in a multitude of ways, but did not.

Firstly, had Andy Serkis’ character, Klaue, not been involved, the film would have fallen into the trap that befell “Iron Man 2,” “The Incredible Hulk,” and “AntMan”: the mirroring of the hero and the villain.

This means that the villain would have mirrored the hero’s powers or suit almost perfectly.

Though he was powerful in his own right, by the end of the film Killmonger had the same powers and suit as Black Panther.

However, what redeems this problem is the way in which he obtains these powers, his relationship with T’Challa and his interaction with Klaue (who does not

suffer from the same mirroring effect).

“Black Panther’s” Rotten Tomatoes rating of 97 percent (making it the best-rated Marvel project of all time) is well earned, as it was not only wildly entertaining (no pun intended), but also a very relevant installment.

Out of five stars, I’d only drop the film by half a star because of the mirroring effect that occurred with Killmonger.

Other than that, the film is almost perfect and ready to go down in the annals of Marvel lore as one of its best — a movie by which other future Marvel projects will be compared.

Roche Guest Artist: Cobus du Toit, flute Doreen Lee, piano April 9, 8 p.m., Walker Recital Hall The Met: Luisa Miller April 14, 12:30 p.m., Performing Arts Center Mercyhurst Theatre Program: Doña Rosita the Spinster April 12-14, 7:30 p.m., April 15, 2:00 p.m.



Quartet performance to be a ‘Turtle’-y big hit

By Eleanor Hein Staff writer

Jati Lindsay photo

From left to right: David Balakrishnan, violin, Alex Hargreaves, violin, Malcolm Parson, cello, and Benjamin Von Gutzeit, viola will perform as Turtle Island Quartet at Mercyhurst on March 15.

Come out of your shell to catch one of the greatest Mercyhurst Institute of Arts and Culture’s music events of the semester.

The Turtle Island Quartet will be gracing Mercyhurst’s Walker Recital Hall stage March 15 at 7:30 p.m.

The quartet has an ex-shellent record, having won multiple Grammy Awards for Best Crossover category.

“We look forward to welcoming two-time Grammy Award-winning Turtle Island Quartet to Mercyhurst University,” said MIAC Director Brett Johnson, Ph.D. “Turtle Island has been a singular force in the creation of bold, new trends in chamber music for strings since its inception in 1985, fusing classical quartet aesthetic with contemporary American mu-

sical styles,” said Johnson.

The music comes in a variety of tempos, from slow-and-steady to winning the race — there’s something for everybody.

The group’s name is derived from the Iroquois Creation Myth.

Before there was land, the Earth was completely ocean.

There was an island floating in the sky where the Sky People lived.

The Sky People never died, and no one was ever born.

When a woman from the Sky People became pregnant with twins, her husband pushed her through a hole beneath a tree and she fell from the island, landing on the Earth, where there was only water and sea animals.

She was caught by two birds who brought her to the other animals to help her.

Little Toad dove to the bottom of the sea to bring up mud, which

the animals spread on the back of Big Turtle.

The mud grew until it became the size of North America, and that was where the woman was able to live. She created stars from dust and then she created the sun and the moon.

Her twins were born and were named Sapling and Flint—the first created all things good and the second created all of the bad within the good.

The story is a beautiful illustration of the respect and relationship the Iroquois people had with nature and its animals.

Don’t miss the greatest quartet since the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles — it is sure to be a shell of a time. Admission is free to Mercyhurst University students.

Adult tickets cost $20, senior tickets cost $15 and student and youth tickets cost $10.

OPINION

PAGE 12

GOOD The roofing on Ryan Hall is nearing completion. Progress is flying by for the new sophomore residence hall!

BAD Since the snow is melting, the ground is now very mushy and uncovering unwanted garbage from earlier in the year.

SAD The U.S. men’s hockey Olympic team lost their final preliminary match against the Olympic Athletes from Russia. Luckily, Team USA is still in it!

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Winter Olympics lacking diversity

By Marina Boyle Staff writer

The Winter Olympics has come under a lot of fire this year for the lack of diversity among athletes.

The higher numbers of white athletes is something that a lot of people choose to disregard because they feel as though it is natural that the Winter Olympics draw contestants mainly from the Scandinavian and other more northerly regions.

These places generally have white populations and tend to dominate the games.

However, looking at a country as racially diverse as America, it’s disappointing to see that the same problem is represented on our own team.

There is still a lack of ethnic and social diversity at the games, in my opinion.

The United States Olympic Committee said it was proud that its team is the most diverse it has ever fielded at a Winter Olympics.

It is obviously great to see progress, but the most diverse team we have ever fielded has 10

African-American and 10 AsianAmerican athletes, out of a total of 244. This means that over 80 percent of the US Olympic team is white.

Erin Jackson is the first African-American woman to qualify for the United States longtrack speedskating team, and Jordan Greenway is the first ever African-American hockey player on an American men’s team.

Unfortunately, the issue is pretty widespread, not just an American one.

Thirteen athletes from eight African nations will compete in PyeongChang, and this is the largest representation of athletes from African nations in any Winter Games.

There has yet to be a medal awarded to an athlete representing an African country.

I don’t think there’s an entity to blame for the lack of racial diversity, and as I mentioned before, it is simply a fact that winter sport athletes do tend to get drawn from colder, predominantly white regions.

It’s just a pity that young people of color do not see people like themselves represented in the games, and then feel like there’s not a place for them there.

Even the small amount of diversity we did see, such as Mirai Nagasu, the daughter of Japanese immigrants, landing her triple axel, or Adam Rippon, an openly gay figure skater, take bronze — it was still too much for some people to handle.

Fox News had to remove a column from its website last week that sparked widespread controversy for its hateful message.

Editor John Moody criticized the diversity of the U.S. team saying it would win no medals this way.

He wrote: “Unless it’s changed overnight, the motto of the Olympics, since 1894, has been ‘Faster, Higher, Stronger.’

It appears the U.S. Olympic Committee would like to change that to ‘Darker, Gayer, Different.’

If your goal is to win medals, that won’t work.”

The article drew complaints from ordinary readers and many human rights groups, and was then taken down.

However, Moody’s sentiment illustrates perfectly what minority athletes are up against when they compete, and why darker-skinned or LGBTQ athletes can so often feel trapped.

Olympics come with The Merciad own set of problems

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

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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.

during the Olympic games.

By Quinn Gannon This year was especially bad, causing the International Contributing writer Olympic Committee to ban the country and only allow a few individuals to compete.

The Olympics are something I Russia typically proves to be a always look forward to. strong competitor at the Winter It’s an interesting time of Olympics. athletic feats and political With them out of the way, is it relations with a dash of scandals easier for other countries to win? mixed in.

Do other world superpowers This year’s winter Olympics, like the U.S. and China have an held in PyeongChang, South unfair advantage?

Korea, are especially significant What will this mean for our because North and South Korea diplomatic relations? came together to compete as one These are all valid concerns, team. that only time can answer.

This diplomatic advance could Another issue with this year’s mean a huge breakthrough for Olympics is the Korean dog meat the two countries, but not every trade. country is having a good time.

The consumption of dog meat A major controversy this year is may be a huge taboo for most the Russian doping and how the Western cultures, but it is still country isn’t allowed to compete. alive in others.

Russia has the most medals lost Eating dog meat is less from being caught using athletic common among younger performance-enhancing drugs Koreans and is becoming less

prevalent every year. However, it does still happen.

Activist groups have shown some of the treatment of these dogs in the trade and have pushed for South Korea to at least temporarily suspend the practice during the Olympics.

South Korea closed its largest dog meat market, but for many it isn’t enough.

It would be nice if the Olympics could truly be a time of coming together for friendly competition, but in reality, politics will always make its way in.

The 2016 Rio Summer Olympics were full of controversies, and I am sure more will come up regarding PyeongChang.

I wish it was a time everyone could set their differences aside and focus on the athletes and their accomplishments, but unfortunately, it seems they might be overshadowed once again.

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, February 21, 2018

OPINION

Junk email and its annoyances It would have also been nice for them to have come out warning they were adjusting News editor settings so we could be prepared for some changes in email notifications, before they did it.

Spam emails are the bane of I live off campus, only about a most people’s existence. mile away, so a five-minute drive They fill up our inboxes with or 20 minute walk. useless and unwanted ads or On days that I have an 8 a.m. viruses. class, I get up at 6:30 a.m. so I And even though most servers have time to eat breakfast, sit will have some sort of filtering with my cat and get to class a for emails, so that the spam may little early. be caught before reaching your On Feb. 8, I am sitting in the inbox, those methods are not hall outside my class waiting for always successful. my professor to walk up and I know a simple swipe or click unlock the door. to delete an email may not seem Soon about half the class like much, but if you are like shows up before one of us me, between personal, work and checks our junk email and finds school-related accounts, I have that the professor had canceled eight email accounts connected class at 6:28 a.m. to my phone.

We had all gotten up, got ready So, say I get a spam every half and walked or drove to class, and an hour to each account and I it was not even happening. do not check my emails for three Of course, later that day, we hours during class. get the email stating that we Just in that short window, should periodically check our I’ve collected almost 50 useless junk folders. emails, plus maybe one or two I honestly almost threw my important ones. phone.

So any time I have to check I am a senior at this school, my emails I have to sort through and until that day I checked my more than enough spam. junk maybe once a semester, if And now, thanks to the that. phishing email prevention on I was not so much annoyed at campus, I also have to check my the fact that I had gotten up and clutter and junk folders. moving; I get up almost that time I can understand that “the every day anyway out of habit. prevention of spam and phishing But I know some people like to emails is not an exact science,” sleep in, or could have used the as Thomas Merlino, Technical extra few hours before their next Administrator, said. class instead of getting up.

But it seems like it defeats the I was more annoyed that I purpose of having the junk and left my house to sit around for clutter folders if I have to go almost 20 minutes to drive back back and check them anyway. home.

By Caitlyn Lear

I would have much preferred to spend my time that morning really settling down at my desk and starting to do my homework.

I just find the whole situation absurd.

Outlook has two different junk folders, and up until this point, it has done a fairly good job at separating the mail.

This year we have had a higher number of phishing emails it seems, but other than that, seems to work fine.

Maybe if we are having so much trouble, we should just try and use a different server.

Personally, I have found Gmail to be the best at sorting emails. Not only does it have the spam folder, it also divides the inbox into primary, social and promotions.

I have a personal Gmail account that I have used for everyday things.

I like the way it sorts because, unless I want to look at the advertisements, I do not even have to open my promotions tab.

Also, all my LinkedIn notifications are sent to my social tab, so it is easy to search and filter when trying to find old emails.

Then everything else, like tax information, goes to my primary folder.

I really do appreciate what IT does to help filter the emails and keep us from getting caught in scams.

I surely know I could not figure all that out.

I just think that if we are having to check junk and clutter folders, it makes them pointless to even have.

Texting Tommy is right

By Rebecca

Dunphy

Staff writer

At the end of every class, it’s a similar routine: The professor dismisses, students grab their stuff, and immediately phones are in hand.

Who knows what could be missed during a single class?

A snapchat, text, phone call or email may be waiting for us, but is this need to check our phones potentially harmful?

On Feb. 8, Mercyhurst sent out a mass email to students with the subject “The Troubles of Texting Tommy,” which included a brief public service announcement about the dangers of distracted cell phone usage.

While the video was hyperbolic with “Texting Tommy” acting especially reckless, it did raise an important question about when and where we should use our cellphones on campus.

Growing up, everyone hears the dangers of texting and driving, but very few address the more common issues we face everyday staring down at our phone screens while traveling around campus.

Yes, driving distracted may offer a much more severe outcome, but the commonality of distracted walking makes it an issue that should still be addressed.

With stop signs seen just as a suggestion, everyone should be especially aware of their surroundings when in parking lots, crossing the street or in other potentially hazardous areas.

These can be areas with lots of student traffic, stairs or the icy patches that have become all too common around campus.

Another issue that the video failed to address is the inhibition of social interactions when distracted.

It is all too easy to miss a person walking by because we’re looking at that same person’s Instagram post.

Besides, a “hello” and “how are you?” in person are much more value than a double tap.

To sum it all up, yes, I do think that the “Texting Tommy” video was a bit cheesy, but it does draw our attention to a bad habit we could all improve upon.

So if you’re reading this on a mobile device, maybe put the phone away and take a look at what’s all around you.

PAGE 13

HURST STUDENTS

SPEAK UP We asked:

“What’s your favorite Winter Olympic sport?”

Dylan Bemiss, freshman Criminal Justice major: “My favorite Olympic sport is hockey. I grew up playing hockey.”

Taylor Wiegand, sophomore Art Therapy major: “I like skiing. I wish I could do that! I want to go to Peek’n Peak and be an Olympian.”

Kimberly Bennett, freshman Art Therapy major: “Men’s singles Olympic skating is my favorite. It is not often that people get to see men getting to do something so graceful!”

Victoria Haen, junior Political Science and Intelligence Studies major: “My favorite winter sport is snowboarding.”

Compiled by Lauren Rogus

Campus paths

entirely nonexistent problem on the main paths.

I’ve noticed that the paths Miller surrounding Egan have Staff writer occasionally suffered from ice as well. Same with the path that This past winter has been an leads to the Laker. unusually brutal one, even for I understand that there are a Erie. lot of paths on campus, and it is We’ve had snow, we’ve had easy for things to fall through the rain and with those two come cracks every now and again, but lots of ice. there are paths on campus where Mercyhurst’s response to this after every rainfall, you can’t walk ice has been mixed at best. on them for a few days or risk For most of the main roads slipping right down the path. and sidewalks, the ice isn’t an As someone who walks most issue. places on campus, this got very It becomes a much bigger annoying. issue the second you try to take The snowy season is slowly one of the less-used paths to get coming to an end. to where you’re going.

But this is something that While walking to the side should be kept in mind in case entrance of Hirt, I was we get another Christmas-esque surprised to see that most of snowstorm, or for next year. the path had been iced over.

In all, the teams doing the I had to walk in the anklesalting and snow-clearing at deep snow just to avoid slipping Mercyhurst are doing a good and falling all the way down the job, but they need to focus more hill! on the paths less-traveled on That’s not to say that this is an campus.

By Anthony

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

SPORTS

PAGE 14

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Men’s hockey bests RMU

By Breonna Bailey Staff writer

The Mercyhurst men’s hockey team swept the Robert Morris University Colonials Feb. 16 and Feb. 17 in a home and home series, walking away with a regulation and an overtime win.

The Lakers played their last regular season home game on Saturday night, where they honored their 11 graduating seniors.

The Lakers took home the win in Friday’s matchup in Pittsburgh, beating the Colonials 2-1.

Bryan Sienerth iced the first goal for the Lakers.

As time was about to expire, Derek Barach capitalized on the power play, with a mere second left on the clock in the first period.

The Lakers were up 2-0 at the end of the first.

The Lakers’ Jack Riley took a five-minute major penalty in the second period, but they managed to kill it off.

The Colonials were unable to capitalize with the man advantage, but they were able to get on the board seconds after the penalty expired.

Breonna Bailey photo

The Lakers line up before their game Feb. 17 in the Mercyhurst Ice Center. The Lakers beat Robert Morris University twice, including a 3-2 overtime win.

Robert Morris’ Sean Giles took a shot from the top of the circle and found the back of the net, pulling the Colonials within one.

Neither team would tally another goal, making the final score

2-1, Lakers. The Lakers finished 1-for-4 on the power play while the Colonials went 0-for-1. Lakers goaltender Brandon Wildung had 26 saves.

In Game two, the Lakers’ senior

night played out in the Mercyhurst Ice Center. The game remained scoreless until the Lakers got on the board two minutes into the second period with a goal from Patrick Piacentini.

Robert Morris answered five minutes later, tying the game at 1.

The game remained tied going into the third period.

Kane Elliot got on the board for the Lakers early in the third period, assisted by Josh Lammon.

From here, the Lakers gained a 2-1 lead.

The Colonials tied the game at 2 just before regulation expired.

Lammon was able to find the back of the net late in overtime and score the game winning goal, making the final score 3-2.

“It was a heartfelt battle all game,” said Lammon. “It was a good win for us.”

Goaltender Wildung had 37 saves for the Lakers. The Lakers went 0-for-2 on the power play while the Colonials went 0-for-4.

With Saturday’s win, the Lakers managed to clinch a first-round bye in the Atlantic Hockey Tournament.

For the final game of the regular season, the Lakers head to Rochester, N.Y., to take on the RIT Tigers on Feb 23 and Feb 24.

The Tigers pulled off a 6-5 overtime victory in their previous meeting.

An update on Wrestling defeated by MU Olympians Gannon in rivalry duel

By Marina Boyle Staff writer

With the 2018 Winter Olympics drawing to a close, it is a good time to recap the sporting events and the achievements of our four MU athletescompeting.

Few universities comparative to Mercyhurst in size can claim an Olympic athlete, let alone four.

The Mercyhurst representatives — three alumni and one current student — are Meghan Agosta, Bailey Bram, Ryan Zapolski and Emma Nuutinen.

“I think everyone should be excited and proud seeing our past and present student-athletes do well. It is fun knowing how hard they work to get where they are and then seeing each of them thrive under pressure. It is always nice seeing the people you coach grow as individuals and mature through life achieving great success,” said Mike Sisti, Head Coach for Women’s Ice Hockey at Mercyhurst.

Agosta and Bram began their NCAA careers playing Division I women’s ice hockey for Mercyhurst. They are representing their native Canada at the 2018 Games.

The two alumnae combined for one assist in Canada’s preliminary-round 5-0 win over Russia, and Agosta has scored two goals for the Canadian team.

With Canada looking set for a place in the final, Bram will be hoping to secure her first medal, while Agosta hopes to add to

her three-strong medal collection from previous games, before leaving PyeongChang.

Ryan Zapolski, an Erie native, played for Mercyhurst from 20072011, and is currently representing Team U.S.A. in goal at the Winter games.

The U.S. fell flat in its final preliminary round game against the Olympic Athletes from Russia on Saturday, but Zapolski did have his chance to shine against Slovenia with 21 saves before an overtime loss.

Current Laker Emma Nuutinen earned herself a team position with her home country of Finland in the 2018 games.

The sophomore scored her second career Olympic goal in the 7-2 quarterfinal win against Sweden. Nuutinen appeared in the 2014 Sochi games as well.

On a personal level, Sisti finds it amazingly rewarding to be able to watch the students he has coached on television, knowing what they are probably thinking after a certain play during the game.

“Each time we are so proud of them and love watching them represent themselves, our program, and the university on center stage,” said Sisti. “It is a remarkable event in many ways. How the athletes handle the success or failure is as important as how they prepared to make the Olympics.

Regardless of the outcome, what an amazing accomplishment it is for someone to be able to say they were an Olympian.”

By Lauren Abbott Opinion editor

On Feb. 14 the Mercyhurst wrestlers had their last home meet against their rivals, Gannon University’s Golden Knights.

The Lakers ended the regular season with an 11-2 dual meet record after the loss.

Final score for the match was 20-15, Golden Knights. Out of the 10 matches of the day, six went to the Golden Knights and four to the Lakers.

Prior to the loss and the previous week’s loss to Pitt-Johnstown, the Lakers were undefeated.

The crosstown rivalry matchup saw great turnout from members of the Mercyhurst community for the meet.

“The support we got for our final home match was great. We had a lot of other Mercyhurst teams in attendance along with our usual fan base,” said Laker head coach Mike Wehler.

While the Lakers didn’t win the meet, there were a couple of wrestlers who won their individual matches.

“Obviously, I preferred to have a different overall outcome, but we had a lot of good individual performances in that match,” said Wehler. “Eric Bartos claimed a win in a 3-1 overtime decision at 125 pounds. Gavin Wilkerson earned a first period fall at 165 pounds. Wes Phipps earned a 8-3 decision at 197 pounds. ”

Breonna Bailey photo

Alexis Soriano gets ready as Gannon University’s Austin Hertel lunges forward. Gannon won the annual crosstown match 20-15.

One particularly good match was that of Jake Robb, a freshman for the Lakers, who “defeated a returning All-American who was a fifth year senior,” Wehler said.

Robb claimed a 4-0 win in the 285 heavyweight against No. 7 ranked Nick Budd, which brought the final team score to 20-15 Gannon.

The Lakers also celebrated their senior night at this meet and honored five seniors.

Seniors Joel Bowers, Mason McCollum, Paul Mizia, Wes Phipps and Dakota DesLauriers were all honored before the start of the meet.

“It’s bittersweet anytime you say goodbye to a senior class,” said Wehler. “As a coach you grow very close to your athletes and they become part of your family. I feel like a dad who is sending their sons off into the world. I’m excited for their futures, but sad to see them leave.”

The Lakers will compete in the Super Region I tournament on Feb. 23.

The Johnstown tournament is the second to last competition of the Mercyhurst team’s scheduled season before the Lakers head to Grand Rapids, Mich for the NCAA Division II National tournament.

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

SPORTS

PAGE 15

MU loses Porreco to GU

By Bernard Garwig

Sports editor

Despite all the energy in the Mercyhurst Athletic Center, the Mercyhurst Lakers men’s and women’s basketball teams both lost to the Gannon University Golden Knights in the Porreco Pride of Erie game.

At its peak, the crowd swelled to 623 fans from both schools on the Feb. 17 rivalry matchup.

On the women’s side, the Lakers were bested 59-75 by the Golden Knights.

The Golden Knights began compiling a lead in the first half, ending up 31-20 over the Lakers.

The Lakers struggled to stop the piling on, as the Golden Knights outscored the Lakers 2312 in the third quarter.

Although the Lakers would outscore the Golden Knights 27-21 in the fourth quarter, it was not enough to cut the final 16-point deficit.

“Gannon is a solid team,” said Laker Lauren Lapertosa. “They are a big offensive threat, which makes them difficult to defend. I

Rebecca Dunphy photo

The Mercyhurst men’s basketball team huddles around coach Gary Manchel during a timeout Feb. 17.

think they all play well as a unit, and I think they showcased that in the game this past Saturday.”

Laker Maria Lapertosa led with 16 points, followed by 13 each by Eliza Oswalt and Kori Sidwell.

The men’s side was certainly a

lower scoring affair overall. The Lakers carried the lead into halftime up 26-22.

“Our defense was fantastic against Gannon,” said Laker Patrick Smith.

However, the Lakers struggled

to keep pace in the second half with the Golden Knights, who outscored the Lakers 36-24.

The final would be 50-58, Golden Knights.

Smith had 13 points to lead the Lakers’ scoring, followed by Mal-

Women’s hockey splits with RMU, still at No. 2

By Marco Cicchino

Staff writer

For the second straight weekend, a visiting opponent came to the Mercyhurst Ice Center with one goal in mind: to prevent 14thranked Mercyhurst from injecting volatility into a College Hockey America that has remained quite static in its top half.

And once again, a weekend split prevented the Lakers from taking over the conference’s sole top spot.

But the hosts were able to remain within reach of their first regular-season title since 2016, withstanding a strong second-period from 9th-ranked Robert Morris on Feb. 17 and taking a 20-save shutout from Laker Kennedy Blair the previous night to remain two points behind the Colonials heading into the season’s final weekend.

In game one, the Lakers were even in the conference race with Blair recording her third shutout of the season.

Another scoreless first-period — and the Colonials (18-7-4, 123-3) not allowing a shot on goal for the first 10½ minutes — set up a rush 7:11 into the second after Welsh was booked for tripping.

This time, Maggie Knott immediately won the draw, and after Blair set up Samantha Fieseler to start a rush down the middle, Knott found her 11th of the season on a bottom-corner shot 27 seconds later for the Lakers.

The tally also snapped a remarkable shutout streak for the Colonials’ Elijah Milne-Price, breaking the program record set by now-assistant Colonial coach Brianne McLaughlin in the team’s inaugural 2005-06 campaign; against Lindenwood, she became the third Colonial to post consecutive shutouts, the first to pull the feat in nearly 2.5 years.

But she fell out of the groove and allowed 12 shots that period, and then allowed a second power-play strike at 9:04 of the third.

After the Colonials’ Lexi Templeman was booked for tripping at 8:47, the Lakers’ Knott caught a deflection from Hartwick on the left point for a Fieseler score.

“We just stuck together and ... kept our good energy ... throughout the team,” Fieseler told WICU after the game on Friday.

“We like to move the puck a lot, get shots to the net and ... that’s what worked out.”

Meanwhile, a standout performance from Blair was essential in drowning the Colonials into an 0-4 night on the advantage.

Blair’s defense allowed just two shots overall with both coming on a hooking call against Céline Frappier at 16:24 of the third.

Not only were the Colonials outshot 22-21, they managed just 10 shots over the first two periods.

But with a chance to reclaim the conference lead back for themselves, the Colonials’ main scoring weapon, Jaycee Gebhard,

found her 11th of the season going five-hole on the Lakers’ Blair (7-7-1, 1.68) just 5:47 into the second frame.

The Colonials’ Gebhard picked up the second of Brooke Hartwick’s shots off of MilnePrice (17-5-4, 1.77), finding her second of the game.

The shot came in a near-exact spot just 14 seconds after Howard’s penalty expired to cap a stretch of two goals in just 5:37.

A staunch Milne-Price stopped 14 shots in that pivotal second period — 10 of them coming from in-between the faceoff circles.

Compounding this was her fellow Colonials’ defense; allowing just seven shots on four penalty-kill opportunities.

The two squads were able to keep up their respective pressures into the third period, but only after Milne-Price made two quick saves after the opening of the frame.

Laker Jennifer MacAskill, playing in her final home game as captain, found Alexa Vasko inside, sending a backhand to Hartwick and scoring just to the right of Milne-Price nearly parallel to the goal line.

Nicole Guagliardo was booked for a hooking call just 55 seconds later, immediately allowing the Colonials’ Maggie LaGue to recover a Howard shot.

LaGue converted her league-leading and career-high 21st of the season from a spot just to the left of her earlier missed shot.

The Lakers responded by keeping the offensive pressure on Milne-Price, and it paid off.

On 11½ minutes of the period, Hartwick found her second of the game from nearly the exact spot of her first tally.

Despite this, Milne-Price needed just one more stop to finish off a 31-save performance while being outshot by an eight-shot margin.

“We’re playing playoff hockey right now and we know every game (is) going to be close, and (Mercyhurst) always gives us a good battle,” commented the Colonials’ Milne-Price after the game. “My (defense) does a great job in clearing lanes for me, and ... they just make my life easier. I can count on them to clear rebounds and we just do it together.”

With the worst start in program history long behind them, the Lakers — for the third time this season — split a ranked opponent and nearly pulled off their first such sweep since October 2012 in arguably some of the squad’s best play all season.

Currently, the Lakers are 14-144 overall and 11-4-3 in the conference.

Now the task is to secure that title, heading to Henrietta, N.Y. this weekend to play the Rochester Institute of Technology Tigers.

Both previous games in the 2017-2018 season resulted in victories for the Lakers (7-2 and 4-0 respectively).

colm Walters with 10, Lorenzo Collier with nine and Derrick Ellis Jr. with eight.

Both Laker hoop squads have their final regular season home games Feb. 21 against Pitt-Johnstown. The game is also the senior night for both Laker squads, who together have six seniors (five men, one woman).

“Pitt-Johnstown is a team full of shooters,” said Smith. “We weren’t able to close the game out against them the last time we played them, but we are a much better team at home then we are away. I’m not saying the game will be easy because there are no easy games in the PSAC, but I do believe this is a very winnable game.”

Previously, both Laker squads lost to Pitt-Johnstown (54-63 and 64-67 for women’s and mens, respectively).

“I would like to win our last two games,” said Lauren Lapertosa. “Wednesday’s game is senior night so I really want to get the ‘W’ for our only senior Jamaya Shabazz, and then a W over Edinboro would be a really nice way to close out the season.”

LET’S GO, LAKERS! Feb. 21, Mercyhurst Athletic Center @ 5:30 p.m.: Women’s basketball vs. PittJohnstown University Feb. 21, Mercyhurst Athletic Center @ 7:30 p.m.: Men’s basketball vs. PittJohnstown University Feb. 24, Edinboro University @ 1 p.m.: Women’s basketball vs.

Edinboro University Feb. 24, Edinboro University @ 3 p.m.: Men’s basketball vs.

Edinboro University Feb. 23-24, Rochester Institute of Technology @ 2:05 p.m. and 1:05 p.m.: Men’s and women’s hockey vs.

Rochester Institute of Technology

PAGE 16

LAKER LIVING

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

HURST TOON Student-drawn cartoon by Periwinkle