February 10 Issue of The Merciad

:Features On Page 3:

Arts & Entertainment On Page 5:

VIBEs were

Kneer to play

good at MAC

in faculty recital

Sports On Page 7: Women’s basketball scores big this season

event

The MERCIAD

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Mercyhurst university

Est. 1929 Vol. 89 No. 12

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Faculty on chopping block University reduces number of faculty to help cut costs

By Catherine Rainey News editor

Mercyhurst will undergo more restructuring as it plans to “right-size” its faculty and keep up with market trends, university officials announced.

The university will take a “multi-faceted approach” to reducing the number of faculty, according to David Dausey, Ph.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs.

“What’s happened organically, probably over the last five years, has been that the faculty growth has outpaced student growth,” said Dausey.

“Our student numbers have dropped by nine percent. Our faculty grew by 20 percent.”

To begin adjusting this imbalance, the university will offer incentivized voluntary retirement to older faculty, he said.

“We feel it’s consistent with our Mercy Mission. We feel it’s a fair and honorable way to offer somebody recognition for their service to the organization,” Dausey said.

Another part of this strategy is not renewing yearto-year contracts for some non-tenured faculty members.

Cutting majors or programs remains a possibility, he said.

The reductions in faculty would take place in the 201617 academic year.

“Our primary focus is to be responsible stewards of our money,” Dausey said.

Dausey met with several Merciad editors on Friday.

The administration called a faculty forum on Thurs-

day, Feb. 4, the second day of spring term.

“While we can understand the necessity to do this, it nevertheless is a gut-wrenching thing to have to face the reality,” said Joanne Hosey-McGurk, Ph.D., president of the Faculty Senate. “We know that students and faculty have close relationships so people are going to be very seriously affected by this. We were certainly shocked by the necessity for this.”

“

While we can understand the necessity to do this, it nevertheless is a gut-wrenching thing to have to face the reality.

Mercyhurst University photo

Mercyhurst is offering incentivized retirement to senior faculty members. Fewer faculty will be attending commencements in 2017.

”

- Joanne Hosey-McGurk

Administrators discovered the need to make these changes very recently, according to Hosey-McGurk. She said she was notified of the situation in early January.

“We had suspected, many of us, that things were not going in the right direction with the previous administration but we didn’t realize how serious the situation had become,” she said.

The entire faculty and staff have had a freeze on salary for three of the last four years, and there is currently a hiring freeze in place. Dausey said the university will be creative with the resources it has now until it is in a position to hire responsibly.

“It’s hard to know (how many faculty will be cut) until we present people with offers

Margaret Urso photo

The university’s administration will make decisions about faculty changes by the end of this semester.

and they decide whether or not they want to accept them,” he said.

Dausey said he hopes senior faculty who choose to accept the retirement incentives stay in close contact and come back to the university and serve in a professor emeritus

status.

All decisions will be made by the end of spring term, Dausey said.

Some students are concerned about their professors and departments. Sophomore Competitive Business Intelligence major Rebecca Harms

said she is concerned about which professors are still going to be here next year.

“Although there are still some really great older faculty, some of the younger professors I’ve had have been some of my favorites,” Harms said.

Sophomore Mary Jaskowak

mean they can’t take something from it. If you find yourself in a situation where you need help and to have the strength to seek out that support, you do and you stick with it,” Erwin said.

Doors open for the event at 6:45 p.m. The event is open to all students.

“The earlier you get there, the closer you will get to the stage. I really suggest students get there early,” Erwin said.

There will be an open meet and greet with Sweetin.

“She seems very open and in touch with the crowd. I’m

very curious and excited to meet her myself,” Erwin said.

After the event, SAC will host Sweets after Sweetin featuring Romolo’s chocolate in the Student Union.

“We wanted to make sure we still accounted for the Annual Chocolate Night because that’s an event students really love,” Erwin said.

The new series “Fuller House”, starring Sweetin and many others from the original “Full House,” will premier on Netflix Friday, Feb. 26. She will reprise her role of Stephanie Tanner.

comes from a small department, Mathematics.

“I understand why they might need to make cuts but just because a department is small shouldn’t make it a target,” said Jaskowak. “To let go of exceptional teachers because we can’t afford to employ them is not fair to students who won’t get to benefit from them like I have.”

Cutting majors or academic programs will be a last resort, Dausey said.

“There are often times for the reinvention of things, you know the digital humanities, media studies in general,” said Dausey. “We may take those actions to re-brand or to shift resources in such ways that it is represented of what we feel is the new thing.”

According to Hosey-McGurk, making these changes is a crucial part of keeping up with the changing financial climate and market trends of higher education.

“I think these changes, while they’re going to be hard, if we don’t do it then there won’t be a Mercyhurst to make changes in of any kind,” Hosey-McGurk said.

Dausey said the administration take the caretaking of the institution very seriously.

“It doesn’t happen by accident. The Sisters (of Mercy), through blood, sweat and tears, kept this place humming and it’s our job to do the same thing and that sometimes involves making hard decisions,” said Dausey. “Those hard decisions, as challenging as they be, are ones that are for the betterment of the institution.”

‘Full House’ star Jodie Sweetin to speak in PAC “Full House” and “Fuller House” star Jodie Sweetin will speak at Mercyhurst about combating challenges life presents and her own personal struggle with alcohol and substance abuse following the popular sitcom.

Her speech, taking place Friday, Feb. 12, at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center, is titled “A Young Star’s Road to Recovery.”

“She’ll really be touching

on how we can just really take on life,” Garret Erwin, Mercyhurst Student Government events coordinator said.

After “Full House,” Sweetin struggled with addiction but after rehabilitative therapy she was able to overcome it.

“She went from being a young star and now she’s a mother and back at it. She really has come full circle,” Erwin said.

Sweetin has taken on life’s challenges and continues to follow new opportunities.

“I’m really hoping students can gain something from it.

Merciad Index

Chart Title

By Melanie Todd Staff writer

News Features A&E Opinion Sports Laker Living

1-2 3-4 5 6 7 8

Contributed photo

Sweetin will reprise her role as Stephanie Tanner in “Fuller House” on Netflix.

Just because she’s speaking about her addiction, doesn’t

“We are really hoping she touches on ‘Fuller House’ a little bit,” Erwin said.

There is no word on whether Sweetin will be talking at all about the new series. “‘Full House’ is obviously our generation’s program. I think students will really enjoy her speaking. We are really honored to have her,” Erwin said.

Online Poll Results

How do you enjoy the snow?

I don’t. (33%) Drinking hot chocolate by the radiator. (27%) I shovel it...to get my car out. (21%) Building snowmen and sledding. (19%)

Be sure to vote in this week’s online poll: 1

2

3

4

Do you plan to watch “Fuller House” on Netflix?

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February 10, 2016

The Merciad

Page 2

News

’Hurst receives 5 grants President Victor raises over from Erie Arts & Culture $1.2 million for university

By Adrian Monty Staff writer

After submitting five grants to Erie Arts and Culture, Mercyhurst receives all five of them, totaling $10,200 to use towards various projects.

The five current projects which received the grants include: The Mercyhurst Institute for Arts and Culture, Dance, Opera, History, and Chemistry and Dance.

The competition was high for the Erie Arts and Culture grants, but Mercyhurst students and faculty managed to come out on top.

“It speaks to the quality of the projects and the grant writing by students and faculty,” Sheila Coon, director of external affairs and government relations said. Coon assists in grant writing.

Coon has also taught a class in grant writing, and some of the students involved in the Erie Arts and Culture grants had been in her class previously.

According to the Erie Arts and Culture website, grant proposals are rated based on artistic quality, community engagement and impact, and management.

The five Mercyhurst proposals matched all of the criteria to the standards of the committee.

“The projects are clearly adding to the culture and vitality of the Erie Region,” Coon said.

The Mercyhurst Institute for Arts and Culture will be using the grant to fund the various productions of the season.

The History Department, including a group of students and Chris Magoc, Ph.D., submitted a grant in order to support the multifaceted project: You Are Here, We Are Here: An Illustrated Walking Tour of Erie’s Historic East Side.

Senior Public History major Taylor Rollins was one student involved in this history project. “You Are, Here We Are Here is a collaboration between the Sisters of St. Joseph and Mercyhurst University’s Public History Program and it’s basically highlighting the culture and the history of Erie’s east side, which often gets overlooked.

The Mercyhurst Public History kids are doing a walking tour.”

While Rollins took photographs of buildings, other students went on interviews to learn the histories of the buildings and did write ups for the tour.

You Are Here, We Are Here was shown at the CONNECT Exhibit in the Erie Art Museum from October through January.

Mercyhurst dance director Tauna Hunter requested the

Taylor Rollins photo

With less than six months in office, Mercyhurst University President Michael T. Victor has raised more than $1.2 million, arguably one of the most successful major-gifts fundraising periods in Mercyhurst history, and he has commitments for $1 million more.

The effort did not come in isolation, rather in tandem with other major changes, including overhauling the university’s administrative and academic structure, calendar and liberal arts core curriculum.

“This sustained momentum is designed to make Mercyhurst an even greater university – more intellectually pioneering, more culturally robust and a model of higher education that prepares our students with the critical skills and networks they will need to succeed in today’s global economy,” Victor said. He credited Associate Vice President for Advancement Ryan Palm and his new Vice President for Advancement Caleb Pifer for their efforts.

Among the gifts already in hand are those earmarked for student scholarships, development of a new Communication Computer Lab, and enhancements to the pioneering Autism Initiative at Mercyhurst, particularly in support of its new career path program that helps AIM stu-

dents obtain jobs after graduation.

Perhaps the most awaited contribution came from an anonymous donor, who has gifted $250,000 for renovations to the Mercyhurst Ice Center, home to the university’s men’s and women’s Division I ice hockey teams.

“

This sustained momentum is designed to make Mercyhurst an even greater univeristy....

”

- President Michael Victor

Phase I of the ice center project, which is underway, includes a redesign of the lobby, including a permanent ticketing station, trophy case, a second set of doors for climate control, new lighting, and fresh carpet and paint. Phase II, thanks to the newest donation, will move forward at the conclusion of this year’s hockey season. It will include elevating seating at the west end of the arena to provide fans with a better vantage point and construction of a new meeting room and locker room facilities for the Mercyhurst varsity men’s and women’s programs. The upgrades will support recruiting efforts by men’s hockey

coach Rick Gotkin and women’s head coach Mike Sisti and their respective staffs.

While the latest contribution will allow Phase II to proceed with the basics, the advancement team will continue to fund-raise in hopes of making even more significant upgrades.

In addition, fundraising efforts are underway to install a state-of-the-art scoreboard at Tullio Field, home of the Laker football, field hockey, and men’s and women’s lacrosse programs. Fundraising began last fall and is already one third of the way toward the goal.

“Everyone who supports our mission of equipping men and women to learn, serve and lead in today’s world is an essential partner of Mercyhurst University,” Victor said. “We cannot thank our partners enough. Your thoughtful generosity continues to bring student opportunities to new heights.”

All told, the Victor administration has raised $1,281,000 and anticipates receipt of another $1 million in gifts within the next couple months, at which time Victor said he anticipates announcing another significant project.

Official press release from the Mercyhurst University Pubic Relations Office

Memorial cross taken down when Erie tree is removed Taylor Rollins photo

Photographs of Erie’s east side were displayed as part of a project within Mercyhurst University’s Public History Program.

Karah Hollis photo

Taylor Rollins was one of several students to work on a project funded by an Erie Arts and Culture grant.

grant in order to fund the upcoming dance productions of Beyond Words V and Raw Edges, which will be staged in the upcoming season.

A combination of the Dance and Chemistry Departments, National Water Dance: A Ripple Effect, a community awareness program, combines the beauty of dance and the

realities of science.

Louisa Jonason, D’Angelo Opera Theatre director submitted a grant proposal in support of the production of The Magic Flute which will be performed in May of this year.

On March 17, 2005, 20-year-old Mercyhurst student Matthew Milgate was struck and killed by two passing cars on a boulevard near campus.

A memorial marker, a homemade cross with faded plastic flowers, was attached to a tree and remained there for nearly 10 years to commemorate the student’s death. The tree was recently cut down by the City of Erie, and the marker was found lying on the ground Tuesday.

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Mercyhurst Crime Log The Merciad staff was denied access to the crime log Tuesday evening when staff at Police and Safety said it can only be accessed during business hours. Federal law requires that police reports be accessible to students.

February 10, 2016

The Merciad

Page 3

Features

Students VIBE to Asian culture

By Phuong Nguyen Staff writer

The Mercyhurst Multicultural Activity Council hosted the Vibe Asia event as part of its “vibe” event series to introduce the Mercyhurst community to Asian culture.

On Friday, Feb. 5, more than 100 students attended the event which went from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Great Room in Herrmann Union.

Jonah Jackson and Ladorise Bedard-Webb, SAC event programmers, spent two months organizing and planning this event with the purpose of teaching people about different aspects of Asian culture .

“This is a multicultural activity event to highlight the different cultures on campus.

This event is the extension of the vibe part, and it is something we want to do every semester,” Bedard-Webb said.

Vibe stands for variety, imagination, beauty and energy, and represent the four categories the event focused on. The team decorated the

room with different Asian country flags which read “welcome” in their respective language. Among the activities was a Henna tattoo stand, a caricature corner, a Japanese fan decoration stand and various food options from Indian curry to Thai Satay.

“My favorite part of the event was definitely the food.

Enjoying the food from different countries over Asia made me learn that all the countries in Asia are different,” said sophomore accounting major, Favour Ehidiamhen.

“I am also getting to know different people from the countries in this event.”

At 9 p.m., Daliang Wang, Ed.D., in Curriculum and Instruction, performed a martial arts demonstration and conducted a short class in the third floor of the Union.

Unfortunately for the students, the lantern festival was canceled due to a potential fire hazard on campus.

Although the organizing team did not have any Asians on the board, they inter-

viewed friends from Vietnam, Thailand and citizens from other Asian countries to collect ideas and expectations.

To many Asian students on campus, this event not only portrayed the culture, but also celebrated the diversity on campus. Jasmine V. Bajracharya from Nepal thought the event was authentic in many aspects of Asian culture.

“Seeing all the food and Henna tattoos made me feel like home,” Bajracharya said.

Indonesian senior Intelligence major, Dhedra Danudoro, enjoyed the event.

However, he felt said that a major component of Asian culture was still missing.

“I think the curry is good, but I wish they had rice,” Danudoro said.

Phuong Nguyen photo

The Henna tattoos were very popular among the female attendees. Lines of up to 20 people formed from the very start of the event.

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Phuong Nguyen photo

(Top) Japanese fan decorations allowed students to create their own innovative designs.

(Left) Daliang Wang performed his own martial arts showcase and later taught a class to students interested in learning the oriental art.

Political Clubs tackle Student meets renowned producers campaigning season

By Diego Himede Staff writer

With the primary and general elections in progress, Mercyhurst’s two most popular political clubs, the College Democrats and the College Republicans, are preparing for the elections by carrying multiple activities on and off campus.

Although both clubs are not allowed to campaign within campus, they have begun to set the base to what appears to be an intense race for presidency.

On one side, the College Republicans club has had a lot of meetings since the Republican nomination race started.

They have watched multiple debates and analyzed them afterwards.

Also, for learning purposes, they have discussions about the race’s rules and methodology, for instance on how the caucus process works.

Finally, they do polls to see any trends going on within the club.

According to Brandon McKenna, College Republican president, there are many differences among the members.

“Our group is very diverse.

We have a lot of people who got involved in politics for the first time in their lives, which makes our meetings even more fascinating, just because you get to see a lot of differences”, McKenna said.

On the down side, according to him, the J-Term put everything on hold, since many of the members of the club were not on campus yet.

Although campaigning is not allowed within the campus,

some club members plan to campaign outside of campus and doing their part as American citizens.

On the other side of the spectrum, the College Democrats Club have also kept themselves busy. According to Lauren Murphy, secretary of the College Democrats, they have been proactive throughout this period by attending various political conferences such as The North by Northwest PA Progressive Summit and the Western Pennsylvania College Democrats 2015 Workshop hosted by the University of Pittsburgh.

“We strongly encourage all our members to volunteer or intern with democratic campaigns in the region. However, due to the fact that the College Democrats of America is the official youth outreach arm of the Democratic National Committee, we do not explicitly endorse candidates,” said Brett Swan, Vice-President of the club, in regards to the campaigning projects they might have outside the campus.

Matthew Hatfield, president of The College Democrats, commented on the importance of politics: “If you do not understand how the [Political] process works, you are out of the loop. The more involved you are, the more you realize what is the best for your community, for your country”.

If anyone is interested in becoming a member of either club and becoming politically active as a college student, email McKenna at bmcken76@lakers.mercyhurst.edu, or Hatfield at mhatfi81@lakers.mercyhurst. edu.

By Phuong Nguyen Staff writer

Some of us can only dream of meeting our idols. One Mercyhurst student became friends with many of his own.

Senior Communication major Alan Abramek finished his J-Term class early to go to the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Music Convention in Anaheim, Cal., from Jan. 21-24.

This is the third year Abramek joined the convention, which had more than 1,700 exhibitors showing music products, including pro-audio, lighting and sound recording equipment. They collectively displayed over 6,000 brands to attendees from all around the world.

Abramek first heard of the NAMM Show from music engineers and other professionals he looked up to within the industry. However, people can only attend by invitation.

Abramek is a regular customer of Polish software company, PSP Audioware, which produces one of the best plugins in the market. Through the connections with the people behind in the company and his friend Robert Dudzic, a fellow music producer, Abramek got his invitation.

“It’s definitely not only to have fun, but more like a business event to see the newest technology and I also get to interact with people I look up to,” said Abramek.

“I saw Stevie Wonder passing me by. I saw Steve Vai, who is a guitar player. Also Macy Gray, BT, Morgan Page, Steve Duda and a lot of music people.”

This year, Abramek focused

on networking. To make that possible, he set himself two specific goals when walking through the convention. The first goal was to meet new people. The second, and most important one, was to learn something new about the music business.

“It was amazing. Not only can you see the music exhibition but also the seminar session where you can learn from the top engineers in the music industry. I love it so much, not just because I get mind-blown every single time, but also I went there to get connections, network,” Abramek said.

The NAMM show gave Abramek an exciting opportunity. He got to make friends with Steve Duda, a well renowned music producer and software programmer.

He had the chance to do a pre-program setting for one of Steve Duda’s plugins for a third party company.

“Steve Duda released a software application that you use inside of your music making software. I made settings for his plugin called LFO tool, which is used to easily and quickly modulate volume of the track in a rhythmic manner. They are included in every download when people all over the world buy it from his website,” Abramek said.

Through the gained experiences, lessons learned and connections, Abramek said he had a better vision about the industry that will prepare him for the future.

“It’s a one of a kind event where everybody just gets together, with no barriers between, because the thing that connects people is the same passion for music. Inspiration, knowledge, motivation

Contributed photo

Abramek poses next to world-famous music producer Brian Wayne Transeau, also known as BT.

Contributed photo

Abramek talks business with music producer and two time grammy nominee, Morgan Page.

and experience grow whenever I am there,” Abramek said.

After graduation this spring, Abramek plans to move to Los Angeles and continue

working on music production.

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Page 4

Features

February 10, 2016

The Merciad

Final J-term takes students around the globe

By Rae Pollock Staff writer

While J-term may be no more, over fifty students and faculty were lucky enough to escape the Erie snow and travel to places like Greece, Italy, Ireland, Guyana, France, Germany and Switzerland.

150 students enjoyed seeing new places and experiencing different cultures all while keeping their noses in the books. Though J-term is only a few weeks long, students who went on each trip say they made the best of those few weeks.

“Studying abroad is something I think everyone should do at some point. I went to Italy and Greece, and the trip was filled with a lot of great food, cool adventures and wonderful people,” said Katie Appell, a sophomore on the water polo team.

“My favorite memory is hard to pick, because we made so many, but I probably most enjoyed our spontaneous decision to book a 40 euro flight to Santorini, a Greek island, and spend the day exploring the small, but very beautiful, island.”

Appell notes another perk to studying abroad.

“I also think it was great to be able to get to know professors better and see firsthand what they are passionate about,” Appell said.

Assistant Professor of Communication James Lohrey went to Ireland over J-term and taught a documentary video production class about the Sisters of Mercy.

The classes’ documentary will be screened on campus

Contributed photo

The final J-Term of the year was enjoyed by 150 students who traveled to Europe and Latin America.

and will be open to all students in the upcoming weeks.

Lohrey agrees that he got to know the students a lot better while traveling abroad than he would have if he had taught the class at Mercyhurst.

“It was definitely an experience, and there was a lot of bonding. From the bus ride to the airport and the plane ride over to just doing stuff over there. We did a lot of walking around and touring different places,” said Lohrey.

“I felt more engaged with students just because I saw them a lot more and it’s not just a strict Monday, Wednesday, Friday or Tuesday, Thursday class. I saw them every single day, all day long. We went to dinners together and we saw movies together at the theatre. It was really fun and it definitely felt like a family.”

Though Lohrey was sick the entire time he was in Ireland,

he still enjoyed his time spent abroad and made some unforgettable memories.

“One of our first days there, we did some touring of Dublin and we actually went to Croke Stadium, the third largest stadium in Europe, where they do hurling and other sports we don’t do here.

They also have huge concerts there as well. It holds upwards of 80,000 people and it was fascinating because we got a behind-the-scenes look at the stadium, like we went into the locker rooms and the suites,” Lohrey said.

Olivia Brandow, a sophomore Integrated Marketing Communications major, went to Ireland with Lohrey.

“It’s a great chance to go and discover the day-to-day life of another culture and see its beauty. There is so much out there outside of the U.S. that I think everyone should

get the chance to see. I can’t wait to travel again and I highly recommend it because it’s an adventure you’ll never forget,” Brandow said.

Other students who studied abroad agreed that their experiences were unforgettable.

“My study abroad trip to Switzerland, Germany and France was easily the best trip I’ve ever been on. I went into the trip knowing one person and now I have about 15 new friends. My favorite part of the trip was getting to know all the other students and being able to hang out with them in each city we went to,” said junior John Eskind.

“I would definitely do it again if I had the opportunity to. For sure, the best experience at Mercyhurst for me.”

Maggie Switzer is a senior social work major who traveled to Guyana, South America as a trip through the social

Contributed photo

Student trekked accross Europe seeing the exotic sites, while in Ireland, documenting the sisters of Mercy.

work department.

“Some of my favorite memories were bonding with the group of students on the trip because I felt like we all went through an incredible experience together.

I learned a lot about the culture in Guyana and about international service in general, which really helps me because I have applied to the Peace Corps and other programs and want to continue helping people on a global scale.”

As a whole, Mercyhurst students and faculty greatly enjoyed their time outside the United States and collectively agree that their experiences were unforgettable.

“I would definitely go back in a heartbeat, it was definitely the best experience I’ve had at Mercyhurst and something I’ll remember the rest of my life,” said Paige O’Neil, a junior

who went to Italy and Greece.

Though Mercyhurst will not have a J-term next year, the opportunity to study around the world is still open for anyone who wants to explore for an entire semester. Studying abroad is a different experience, and a good one. “[Studying abroad is] much more relaxed, and it’s much more free, I think. You basically can tailor towards the students’ needs and also to whatever course you’re teaching abroad. So, it’s not as structured as it would be if you were teaching in a classroom at Mercyhurst,” Lohrey said.

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Luke the Laker exceeds expectations

By Emani Burton Staff writer

Eight months after the death of his predecessor, Luke the Laker, has been named Mascot of the Month by the design company, Street Characters. First announced in December 2015, Laker pride has carried over into the Spring semester.

“We are extremely excited, honored even, to be highlighted as the Mascot of the Month, said activities and spirit coordinator, Preston Reilly.

Reilly played an integral part in Luke the Laker’s creation and continues to manage his appearances at student events.

“As an advisor for the mascot program, it’s my responsibility to help Lakers feel like Mercyhurst is a community, ” Reilly said.

“Luke is hardworking,

Contributed photo

Luke spent his afternoon drawing caricatures of students. Luke has proven to be a very active member in the Mercyhurst community.

determined and motivated; the ideals that we feel best represent a Mercyhurst Laker.”

Luke the Laker, a retired Irish fisherman, sports a classic beard, seafarers cap and anchor tattoo. Luke continues

a succession of human mascots for the University, including the Old Man and the Sea and his uncle, Louie the Laker.

Both were Irish fisherman, with connections to the Sisters of Mercy. However, for

all of his tradition, Luke has proved to be the most digitally integrated Mercyhurst mascot.

“He’s strong, approachable and relatable,” Reilly said. Curious Lakers can follow Luke’s twitter feed @LuketheLaker

and post digital shout-outs using #Lukethelaker. Students may have seen Luke’s introduction video on YouTube.

Perhaps this social media savviness is why Street Characters chose Luke as their December mascot. Luke’s biography and statistics can be found on the Street Characters website.

The award is a prestigious honor, but is merely a title, with no physical awards or medals. This distinction means a lot to the Mercyhurst student spirit division, who believe this is a positive confirmation of the changes to the mascot program.

The student activities council is committed to keeping Luke an active member of the Mercyhurst community. Since his introduction to students in September, Luke has attended several events, including Hurst Day, on Oct. 7, 2015.

Most recently, Luke drew caricatures of students in the

Union on Tuesday, Feb. 9. For an hour, students were treated to free artist renderings of themselves by Luke.

Luke is preparing for a special event during the Men’s basketball game against Seton Hill on Wednesday, Feb. 17, at 7:30 p.m.

“We are open to student involvement,” Reilly said “ We are really looking forward to this year, Luke is special and we are proud to have that recognized.”

Students interested with involving themselves in the mascot program can email Reilly at preilly@mercyhurst. edu, or schedule a meeting with him in the student life office suites, located on the second floor of the Student Union.

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Women’s lacrosse team fundraises $3,300 with Bingo

By Marco Cicchino Staff writer

The women’s Lacrosse team hosted their annual bingo night to promote Vera Bradley products and raise funds for the team.

After an intense two weeks of sales and some technical difficulties at the event’s beginning, a crowd of nearly 300 filed into a reorganized Laker Inn this past Saturday, Feb. 6, under the banner of “Not Your Average Vera Bradley Bingo Night”. This year, it was designed to draw

a new audience into the festivities and make an attempt in accruing more revenue.

From the beginning, the goal was to drive some additional profit into the system.

The idea had circulated under Cecil Pilson, the head women’s lacrosse coach for the previous 11 years as the team’s only fundraiser.

“It was originally the idea because Vera Bradley bags are really popular and we wanted to get a lot of girls in here,” said senior Marketing major Taylor Santiago.

“We carried it into a ‘Not So Average’ Bingo this year

because we wanted more guys to come and we did sell all our tickets.”

An array of 23 baskets were displayed in front of the Firehouse Grill, each connected to a single round of Bingo.

Prizes ranged from a collection of Mercyhurst Athletics apparel, to a spa and stress relief basket and a selection of Jim Boeheim memorabilia.

The male-oriented baskets that were displayed this year attracted a larger crowd and consequently generated more revenue. The event was completely operated by the team, with all the players getting

involved.

Freshmen Exercise Science major, Nellie Dephtereos said that the decision boiled down to what would generate revenue.

“We wanted to make more money fundraising. There’s 33 of us on the team, we each got ten tickets and they’re each $10. It equates to nearly $3,300 in revenue for the team,” Dephtereos said.

Senior intelligence major Emily Koestler was the main bingo caller, splitting time with Senior Marketing major Emily Gebhardt and Santiago. Twelve freshmen acting

as “runners”, repeating called numbers, collecting used tickets, and modeled off the prizes.

Dephtereos attributed the overall success to the amicability of the team and had high praise for her friends and soon-to-be teammates.

“Our group of girls made it work. We’re all very outgoing, we know how to get out in the community, we’re all friendly. Everyone respects us on campus.”

Dephtereos also believes the event provided a positive vibe heading into the new season.

“I think this is a very positive vibe. It’s a great start of the season, we’ve had a great preseason so far. We just completed our first week of practice and we look really good.”

Santiago said.

“We did a lot as a team and working together to get this going, so I think it’s good camaraderie going into the season.”

@TheMerciad

February 10, 2016

The Merciad

Page 5

Arts &

Entertainment

This recital is so last century

By Cheyanne Crum Staff writer

“That’s So Last Century,” is a faculty recital piece that will be performed on Thursday, Feb. 18, at 8 p.m. in Walker Recital Hall. Playing in this recital is Assistant Professor Joseph Kneer, Ph.D., on violin and performing with him is Nathan Hess, Ph.D., on piano. The recital, like the name suggests, only features pieces written during the 20th century.

The title came from the coincidence that all of the pieces belong to the 20th century. Kneer said he thought it would be the cool and more enticing thing to do since he does not normally name his recitals. “I haven’t picked a program in a long time that I love all the pieces for,” said Kneer.

“When you are in school and writing these papers and doing research, you like it, but there are different things that you want to hone in on.”

Cheyanne Crum Photo

sonata is next on the program.

Kneer said “it is mostly very dark, it is in F minor, it is very stark and desperate in some times.”

He explained that there is a part where the violin is playing very fast scales and the piano is playing somber chords. Prokofiev said that this makes the listener feel as if they are going through a graveyard. Kneer says that it is “very morbid, but hauntingly beautiful.”

The last piece performed will be a transcription of Ger-

shwin’s “Three Preludes” by Jasha Heifetz. Kneer said that they were originally for piano but now “contain a lot of violinist fireworks and are just fun.”

Although these pieces hail from the past, Kneer said that “these are the pieces I have been itching to play for a while.”

The recital is free and open to the public, so take a seat and flash back to the 20th century.

Joseph Kneer, Ph.D., plays violin and Nathan Hess, Ph.D. plays piano.

The first piece is “Suite in the Old Style” by Alfred Schnittke, written in the 1970s, “a time that is not one you think of when referring to classical music,” said Kneer.

“It is not a normal piece that Schnittke would write, that most of his pieces are biting and sarcastic and has that cold war era fatalism,” but he added that there is a part of the piece that makes it “unmistakably Schnittke.”

The next piece will be a violin sonata by Charles Ives, a progressive composer who sold insurance for a living. “He took hymns like “Jesus Loves Me” and patriotic American songs and sticks them in very strange ways, along with banging on other stuff. It’s beautiful, it’s crazy, it’s bombastic and it is very American.”

The subtitle is “Children’s Day at the Revival,” and it has pictures of children around

a camp singing songs, then going to throw rocks in a river and so on.

Eugene Ysaye wrote six solo sonatas for violin and each one was dedicated to one of his peers. Kneer stated that they are all very technically demanding and difficult.

“Violin Sonata No. 4” was dedicated to Fritz Chrysler, possibly the most famous violinist at the time.

Prokofiev’s first violin

Cheyanne Crum Photo

Joseph Kneer, Ph.D., left, and Nathan Hess, Ph.D., on the right.

Omar Roy returns to campus Ballet to screen here Feb. 20

By Amber Matha Staff writer

By Rachel Sobina

Mercyhurst University welcomes 2013 alumnus Omar Roy back for his piano recital on Monday, Feb. 15, in Walker Recital Hall.

Roy earned his undergraduate degree in music and continued his education at Kent State University, receiving a master’s degree in piano performance.

The D’Angelo Department of Music often has alumni come back to perform as MIAC Photo soloists, according to Music Department chair and Assis- Mercyhurst alumnus Omar Roy will be performing a recital on campus. tant professor of piano, Nathan Hess, Ph.D. minor” from Book I of “The simple decision. performing in front of his “It’s a great perform- Well-Tempered Clavier” by “I was preparing all of these old professors, mentors and ing experience for them. It J.S. Bach; Sonata in D major, pieces for upcoming doctoral friends. inspires our current students Op. 28, “Pastorale” by Ludwig auditions, so it made sense “I had a very positive expeand it makes the faculty proud van Beethoven; “Nach Bach” for me to perform a recital as rience while completing my to see how much they’ve by George Rochberg; and well,” he said. undergraduate degree, and grown,” Hess said.

“Ballade No. 2” in B minor by In order to succeed at a developed friendships with Roy will play a selection of Franz Liszt. doctoral audition, the music some of the faculty that are music including pieces such Roy said that deciding on must be practiced to mastery. still very valuable to me,” Roy as “Prelude & Fugue in E flat which selections to play was a Roy said he was happy to be said.

Student art is on display

By Jenny Sabliov

Arts and entertainment editor

Online

The student art work from the annual Mercyhurst University Juried Art Show will be be on display in the Cummings Art Gallery, which is located in D’ Angelo, once the jurying takes place on Thursday, Feb. 11, by Joseph Popp.

He is the Exhibit and Archives Specialist at the Erie Insurance Group. He worked at the Erie Art Museum for 23 years as the Master Framer.

Popp is also a visual artist who exhibits his mixed media works both locally and regionally.

The art works that will be on display will be student arworks in any medium which includes drawing, painting,

photography, computer generated works, sculpture, ceramics and mixed media.

All of the artwork must have been created at Mercyhurst University within the past two years.

The exhibit will be on display in the Gallery from Monday, Feb. 15, through Friday, March 11. There will be a reception for the artists on Thursday, Feb. 18, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Cummings Gallery hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. which are the times that the art work will be available for viewing.

@TheMerciad

Full list of events can be found on the PAC website

Staff writer

“Lady of the Camellias” is a ballet comprised of three act that will be live-screened at The Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center on Saturday, Feb. 20, at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $18 for adults at the door and $7.50 for Mercyhurst students who present their ID. The ballet begins with an auction of the most desirable courtesan’s possessions after she passed away. Marguerite Gautier lived a very wealthy lifestyle in more than one sense. Armand Duval was one of the many suitors of the beautiful and wealthy Marguerite, and after seeing the auction of all her possessions, he is lost in thought.

Act 1 begins with Marguerite as the lead role. Armand arrives and immediately falls

in love after seeing her. Unfortunately, Marguerite does not share the same feelings and even though she invites Armand to her house, she does not exhibit any feelings for the young man.

Act 2 unfolds as Marguerite goes from party to party, all with different men. At the same time, Monsieur Duval, Armand’s father, finds out about their love and insists that Marguerite break his son’s heart in order to avoid bringing shame upon the family. As the young mistress complies, Armand becomes heartbroken.

Act 3 opens with Marguerite becoming deathly ill and asking Armand to not publicly humiliate her. Armand, still deeply heartbroken, decides to attend a ball that Marguerite is going to as well. He publicly humiliates her, and she collapses.

The very hungry caterpillar will be here

By Amber Matha Staff writer

The next performing arts show in the MIAC 2015-16 season brings in The Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia and their presentation of The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Eric Carle Favorites.

According to their website, the Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia was founded in 1972 and have performed in front of over 5 million people in 16 different countries. The Very Hungry Caterpillar production is celebrating its 17th year of touring. The show has been performed more than 3,300 times.

The show will feature three of Carle’s works including “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”, “Little Cloud” and “The Mixed Up Chameleon.” This show is one that has earned the Mermaid Theatre inter-

national acclaim and recognition.

“The Very Hungry Caterpil-

pillar who eats an interesting selection of foods until he becomes a beautiful butterfly.

Mermaid theater of Nova Scotia Photo

The very hungry caterpillar puppet in action as he eats a variety of foods before he becomes a beautiful butterfly.

lar”, a staple in any elementary school library, is a cherished children’s book about a cater-

View upcoming performances: www.miac.mercyhurst.edu

“The Mixed Up Chameleon”, another popular Carle

work features a chameleon who, after visiting a zoo, tries to imitate some of the colors of other animals because he is displeased with his own look.

After trying all of the different colors, the chameleon realizes that everyone, including himself, is special just the way they are.

“Little Cloud” is about a cloud that transforms himself into various shapes including animals and people.

The production is put on through puppets lit up by black light so only the puppets are shown as they act to a narration of the books. The show will last approximately one hour.

Their show times are Saturday, Feb. 13, at 11 a.m. at 4 p.m. in Walker Recital Hall.

Student Rush tickets are available on the day of the show for $5 with a student ID. @TheMerciad

www.merciad.mercyhurst.edu/ arts_entertainment

Page 6

February 10, 2015

The Merciad

Opinion

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

Victor handles cuts as humanely as possible

By Ryan Kushner Opinion editor

There seems to be really no correct way to write this piece.

How do you start? I figure sometimes thoughtful pieces begin with a quote from a renowned philosopher, or maybe Michael Jackson.

So I’ve been searching through “Brainy Quote” and Wikipedia for the last halfhour, but I can’t really find anything that fits… but did you know Michael Jackson was a Leo? On Friday, Feb. 5, the Mercyhurst administration announced that, due to the seriousness of the institution’s financial woes, it would be cutting down the number of faculty.

As Mercyhurst Provost David Dausey, Ph.D., spent a good amount of Friday pointing out to our editorial board, the faculty at Mercyhurst has increased by nearly 20 percent over the past five years, while student enrollment has declined a total of 9 percent.

Cutting down the amount of faculty is, according to the administration, the best way to deal with this apparently newly discovered imbalance in the school’s financial situation.

While downsizing in troubled financial times is always painful and can lead to harsh

criticism by many, the handling of this particular situation so far by the new administration, at least from this unusually gassy senior’s perspective, seems almost— dare I say it—humane. While the procedure must contain all the pleasures of crawling through broken glass, it seems the administration is dealing with the inherited problem with poise, transparency and a focus on keeping the university above water.

It is sometimes difficult, at least for me, to look at a university or place of higher learning as a business. Yet, when it comes down to it, I suppose Mercyhurst is indeed a place of business (whether or not that is entirely a good thing is a different story).

Victor was hired largely in part for his keen business mind, and he is clearly displaying that sought-after intuition with his first extremely sensitive decision as president. He is (it seems) attempting to put the financial needs and desires of the students (the customers) first (among them, a plan to address the long-neglected upperclassman housing).

However, instead of suddenly handing several staff and faculty members a box and showing them out the gates (the notorious method adopted by the previous administration), senior faculty members will be offered retirement incentives to thin out the amount of full-time

faculty.

David Dausey, who was kind enough to reach out to the staff of The Merciad in an apparent gesture of good will and transparency toward students, explained in a calming voice, with puppy-dog eyes and at least one quote from W.B. Yeats, that the retirement incentives sent out to the senior faculty will be completely voluntary. They will also receive the title of Professor Emeritus and retain their current office space. Dausey also noted that the Human Resources department at Mercyhurst would work with other faculty, whose contracts will not be renewed, to find positions elsewhere.

These gestures of the administration are humane, if not simply refreshing in their decency, and certainly they are ones that represent the kind of values Mercyhurst should uphold: values that center on dignity and respect for the individual.

Yet, this perhaps does not make the cuts any easier.

Much of the senior faculty, defined as being over the age of 55 and having at least 15 years of service at the University, have been pillars that have helped shape and define what is good and honest and interesting about Mercyhurst.

These faculty members, many of whom hold a beloved and legendary status among students past and present, are now faced with the unfortu-

nate and awkward pressure to end their full-time career earlier than planned.

The unfortunate fact is, however, that Victor and friends are facing the leftover problems of a University deep in the red, but they knew that going into this, and must have anticipated that they would have to make some tough calls early on. What has been good about these calls so far is that they appear to have been made with the Mercyhurst community and the Mercy Mission still on their minds.

It is certainly a tough and unusual time at Mercyhurst.

What is important is that the administration continues to remain open, humane and unified as the University continues forward, even if it does so with a noticeable limp, because it is showing care for one another that gives a community strength.

Which reminds me, I did finally end up coming across a somewhat fitting intro quote to use for this article after all.

Better late than never, I suppose.

“The simplest and most practical lesson I know … is to resolve to be good today, but better tomorrow. … A community in which this universal charity reigns is capable of surmounting all difficulties.”

–Catherine McAuley

Staff writer

Online

While reading the J-term Merciad opinion regarding the Math Department’s “banishment” to the fourth floor of Old Main, I question whether or not the author has actually taken a math course while here at Mercyhurst. If he has not, I and my fellow classmates that have learned that there is good reason for the math department to be positioned directly over the church (prayers are needed).

The odd placement of the department may be because most of the professors are not meeting with students up there, since I was just told to “go to tutoring” while I struggled through the class, instead of receiving help from a professor. I also question how much the author knows about the state of other departments at school, and how many other majors are placed in inappropriate environments that makes prospective students question attending here on taking tours.

Mercyhurst’s Applied Forensic Science program is one of those oddly placed

departments that causes students to question attendance.

As everyone has probably figured out by now, the basement of Zurn Hall is home to the Mercyhurst Archaeological Institute (MAI). What most students do not realize is that there are four majors located down there. One of them being the Applied Forensic Science concentration in Criminalistics/Forensic Biology. For this major, there is one professor who teaches all courses that count towards this concentration.

Retired Pennsylvania State Police Sergeant Dennis Donovan worked in the field of Criminalistics for many years, receiving on-the-job training in the field of criminal investigation before becoming a professor at Mercyhurst.

Along with all the classes Donovan teaches for Criminalistics/Forensic Biology, he also teaches classes for the Criminal Justice department.

He is crammed in a basement office, sharing it with the work studies for the department and a back room which is used as the lab classroom for Criminalistics and Indoor Crime Scene Investigation. When first entering the basement, it comes off as newly remodeled. The next lab to pass

is the Wet lab. This is supposed to serve as an autopsy room, but is so inadequately furnished that the departments have resorted to using crockpots for their projects.

It needs cleaned up in ways that cannot be accomplished by letting some work studies scrub at it for a few hours.

It would need professionally cleaned and remodeled.

When visiting these underfunded and outdated labs, it comes as really no surprise that the department is unaccredited. The issues that are in the Math Department, like the broken door sitting near the printer and the paint chipping on the walls, are easily fixed if the department made a call to the maintenance department.

The MAI and Mathematics are not the only other departments that share issues of crowded, shabby areas. On the main floor, two of the biology professors are actually up a floor and inside of the painting studio. Students that have these professors may not feel that they are “going to meet Quasimodo,” but it’s definitely uncomfortable when a student has to go into the Art Department to find a science professor. There have also been questions as to whether Harry Potter is

Read more at

merciad.mercyhurst.edu/opinion

Egan and The Laker Inn have made special accommodations for Catholics this year, as Lent begins this week.

Friday will mark 100 days until graduation.

Word is circulating that admissions for September look good. Let’s hope the projections hold.

Bad A cross nailed to a tree commemorating the life of a Mercyhurst student who was killed in a car wreck in 2005 was taken down when the City of Erie removed the tree. Now the cross lies on the boulevard on East 38th Street. How sad.

The Senior Class Gift Committee was certainly thirsty this week, as all but one activity of Senior Week involved alcohol, excluding seniors who do not drink (or at least avoid doing it four nights

Weird

@TheMerciad

Math Department not the only one in need of more space

By Cheyanne Crum

Good

hidden in the back stairwell, or if it is actually a Mercyhurst professor forced to have his or her office in located in a hole in the wall.

One of the biology labs that is being offered this semester is so overcrowded that the professor joked we will have to work in teams of 12 to use the only two machines the school has that are relevant to this class while sitting in yet another underfunded lab. The math department requires textbooks, a classroom and somewhere for the extensive number of math survivors to bang their heads off the walls, and they have plenty of all three.

Biology and forensics are two departments that are just as poorly as the Math Department, if not worse.

And there are more. The only departments at this school that have the amount of room they deserve, if not more, are Hospitality Management and Intelligence Studies. Yet, for some reason, even with their spacious area, the hospitality majors still feel the need to invade the Forensic labs from time to time.

@TheMerciad

The restrooms in the Student Union and Weber Hall in the library have been made unisex. What happens now?

The Merciad Editors Sami Rapp Karah Hollis Catherine Rainey Jose Nufio Carly Contraguerro Jenny Sabliov Ryan Kushner Miranda L. Miller Margaret Urso Victoria Kreysar Bill Welch

Positions @mercyhurst.edu Editor-in-Chief editormerciad Managing Editor managingmerciad News Editor newsmerciad Features Editor featuremerciad sportsmerciad Sports Editor A&E Editor entertainmentmerciad Opinion Editor opinionmerciad Copy Editor copymerciad Photo Editor photomerciad Ad Manager admerciad Adviser wwelch

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 telephone 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.

Write for The Merciad, email editormerciad@mercyhurst.edu

February 10, 2016

Page 7

The Merciad

Sports

Basketball looks to rebound

By Marco Cicchino Staff writer

Suddenly, the Lakers are struggling. Even so, one would not know by watching coach Gary Manchel’s basketball squad.

After rattling off eight straight wins over the calendar flip into 2016, including seven PSAC victories and a low-scoring win over Gannon in the inaugural Porreco Pride of Erie Game, Mercyhurst (15-7, 12-6) has lost three of their last four games, and allowed Indiana (18-5, 15-3) to replace them atop the PSAC West.

The Crimson Hawks have won their last 12 contests, including a perfect 8-0 January, and toppled the Lakers 68-66 in Indiana last Wednesday, Feb. 3.

The Lakers eight-game run came to an end with a loss to upset-minded Slippery Rock (12-11, 7-10), and now they trail the Hawks by three games with four left to play.

The Lakers are still one of the premier defensive units in the country, second in all of Division II at 59.5 points per game, but have uncharacteristically allowed at least 64 points in each of their last three losses. In their last two games, they fell to Indiana and

Clarion, by a combined seven points.

“What happened was, it came down to the last couple minutes of both games,” said senior Kayode Ajenifuja.

“We didn’t box out, didn’t rebound. But both games were on us, really. It was because we didn’t play how we usually do. We didn’t want it more than the other team, so we just [have to get] more focused and more ready.”

Against Slippery Rock on Jan. 27, the Lakers allowed 47 points in the second half alone after limiting the Pride to just 17 in the first half while only tallying 16 themselves.

In fact, not only have the Lakers scored under their season-average 71.2 points in six of the last seven and each of the recent three losses, opponents have outscored Manchel’s squad by an average of 9.3 points per game in the three losses, compared to a surplus of 13.5 in their four wins dating back to the Pride of Erie Game.

Before this Slippery Rock contest, the Lakers had not been outscored in the second half since Saturday, Dec. 19, against Clarion.

“We haven’t been scoring the ball like we usually do, so [we need to] shoot the ball better,” Ajenifuja said.

Ajenifuja is currently third

hurstathletics.com photo

During the Mercyhurst’s game against Clarion on Saturday, Feb. 6, senior forward Andy Hoying scored 12 points. The men are 15-7 overall and 12-6 in the conference.

on the team with 12.3 points per game. He hit 20 against Clarion and Edinboro and has hit double-digits in eleven of his last 13 games.

Against Clarion on Saturday, Feb. 6, Manchel saw a 12-point halftime lead evaporate as the Golden Eagles rattled off 15 straight points in a span of 5:14 as part of a larger 22-6 run to open the second half. They later scored seven straight points to finish a 12-4 spurt and open up a

60-53 lead with 1:30 remaining.

The 5-point Clarion win, 67-62, was highlighted by 20 points of 17 Laker turnovers—four by Damon Jones—and an 18-9 second-chance advantage.

The recent stretch could have not been timed at a worse part of the season, with the Hawks soaring and surprising Edinboro (12-9, 11-7) just two games behind the Lakers for second in the

West. The Fighting Scots have lost three in a row but won 10 of their previous 14, a stretch that began at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center with a 77-67 upset on Friday, Dec. 1.

They then took down the top two teams in the East, first East Stroudsburg and then a 69-66 win at number 20 West Chester four days later, and went 6-3 in conference play before falling to the Lakers.

However, the Lakers’ final four games are quite soft,

hosting Pitt-Johnstown on Saturday, Feb. 13, then welcoming Seton Hill and California before heading up to the Hammermill Center for crosstown rival Gannon on Wednesday, Feb. 24.

Last year, the Golden Knights swept the Lakers, including a 55-46 win at Hammermill en-route to the West regular-season title. “I say the scoring, we just [have] to be able to score more,” said junior H’ian Hale.

“We have to be able to match physicality with physicality. They play hard, we have to play harder.”

Ajenifuja says a highlight of the Lakers’ dynamic is an impromptu breakout game.

“Anybody is able to go off any time, so you never know.

You just [have] to come ready and find the hot hand. It won’t just be one person, it could be two people [or three]. Somebody can score, somebody can be rebounding, somebody can be assisting, so it’s a team effort. These couple losses are actually like a wake-up call for us. It’s better to have them now than in the playoffs,” Ajenifuja said.

Tip off on Saturday, Feb. 13, is at 3 p.m. in the MAC.

@TheMerciad

Wrestling battles for PSAC championship

By Diego Himede Staff writer

The Mercyhurst wrestling team is ready to take on University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown to decide who will be the next PSAC champion.

After staying undefeated, 5-0, through the PSAC so far this season, the Laker wrestlers are now getting ready for their most important match of the season against Pitt-Johnstown, who is also undefeated.

Even though there is a rivalry between them, the Lakers feel confident about the match knowing that they have beat them three of the past four times.

“I’m confident that we will.

I am always confident. I am an optimistic, confident person,” Head Coach Mike Wehler said.

Last season, Mercyhurst won 24-15 over UPJ giving them their third consecutive PSAC title.

According to Wehler, these wrestlers not only exceed in the athletic front, but in every aspect of life. The team has had the best GPA in the conference three of the last four years.

“I couldn’t be prouder.

They’ve worked really hard, they are really talented, they have performed well.

“It’s definitely the best group of people I have step foot on this campus. They

are high-character kids, they achieve well in the classroom, they achieve incredibly in athletics. The school should be proud of these guys,” Wehler said.

On a personal level, there are two wrestlers on the team that are doing outstanding this season, August and Francis Mizia. In fact, they are both leading the NCAA DII wrestling in technical falls. Francis is No. 1 with seven technical falls, and August is at the No. 2 spot with six. Although there is an intense competition among the Mizia brothers, the family spirit always stays first.

“It’s all fun. It’s cool because it’s light. I’m not going to be really bummed if I lost to my little brother,” August said.

The team’s success comes down to two important factors. According to August, camaraderie is what has taken them so far. They’re about as tight as they get. Everybody stands up for each other and they take a bullet for the next guy. Second, Coach Wehler has played an important role.

More than just a good coach, August thinks that Coach Wehler is someone you can rely on and look up to.

The wrestling team will travel to face Pitt-Johnstown this coming Saturday, Feb. 13, to try to finish this incredible season by becoming PSAC champions. @diegohimeder

hurstahletics.com photo

Redshirt senior August Mizia (above) is ranked third in NCAA Division II. He is among three teammates in the top 8.

Countdown to baseball season is reached

By Haleigh Giebel Staff writer

Trang Nguyen photo

The Mercyhurst women’s basketball team is 11-13 overall and 9-9 in the conference.

The team has just four regular season games left.

Junior forward Natalie Piaggesi earned PSAC West Co-Athlete of the Week averaging 19.0 points and 8.0 rebounds in the Lakers last two games. She is also just 26 points shy of reaching her 1,000th career point. There are 17 players in the women’s basketball program to achieve this.

Senior guard Adrienne Kloecker became the 17th player to do so in December 2015.

The women’s next game is Saturday, Feb. 13, at 1 p.m. in the MAC. This game will celebrate Women and Girls in Sports Day.

The Mercyhurst baseball team opened the season by defeating non-conference team Stillman College, three out of four games on Saturday, Jan. 30, and Sunday, Jan. 31, in Emerson, Georgia.

The team has 13 returning seniors for this season and is ranked No.1 in the PSAC West Division preseason poll.

“We have many key players returning and some new freshman and transfers that will contribute as well. We have a great core of seniors who are excellent leaders and role models for our team,” said Head Coach Joseph Spano.

“Our offense is dynamic and we have a good combination of speed and power that will hopefully find a way to score runs and give our pitchers the runs support they need.”

In game one on Saturday, senior Dan Popio hit a tworun single and gave the Lakers

a 2-0 lead in the third inning.

Stillman came back with a three-run sixth inning and added another run in the seventh to take game one 4-2.

During game two, senior Hank Morrison brought in Popio in the first inning and junior Cameron Balego hit in junior Chris Gonzalez to give the Lakers their first win of the season, 2-0.

In game one on Sunday, the Lakers defeated Stillman 8-3.

During the first inning, junior Sabatino DiNardo gave the Lakers an early 2-0 lead on a two-run single.

Stillman scored two runs in the second inning to tie the game, but the Lakers powered through with a five run fourth inning.

During the fourth inning, Gonzalez had the only hit, but the Lakers benefited from Stillman’s errors, with two runs. They also had three walks, a run-scoring wild pitch, a run-scoring balk and sophomore Collin Fantaskey stole home.

The Lakers got another run

in the fifth inning, and Stillman got one in the seventh to end the game at 8-3, Lakers.

During game two on Sunday, the Lakers fall behind in the fourth and fifth innings, going into the sixth inning down 4-2.

The Lakers exploded in the sixth inning with seven runs to give them a 9-4 lead over Stillman and take the season opening weekend, with three wins and one loss.

“I hope that we continue to improve, for a northern team, it was probably too early to play baseball,” said Spano.

“It certainly wasn’t ideal, we looked very rusty, but I was very proud of how the guys were able to find a way to win a series against a southern college that has been able to practice outside all winter.”

Next, the team will travel to Peterburg, Va., over the weekend of Feb. 19 to play three more exhibition games before regular season play starts in March. Spano is one win away from having 500 career wins.

Page 8

February 10, 2016

The Merciad

Laker

Living

Tory’s history: Reviving revolution

By Victoria Kreysar Ad manager

Most people know very little about the French Revolution, aside from what they may have gleaned having read Tale of Two Cities. Unlike the revolution in the U.S., France was faced with chaos upon new chaos as they went through several stages before ending up, arguably, back where they had been to begin with.

Monarchies were all the rage in Europe for quite some time with each country putting their own personal spin on the idea of a hereditary lineage of aristocratic nobility wielding power. Naturally, the large mass of people at the bottom of the socio-economic pyramid were tired of carrying all the weight and began to express their distaste for the situation with yelling, angry mobs. I would be a poor

scholar if I did not add at this point that there are many other issues feeding into the French Revolution, such as unfortunate weather leading to a bad crop harvest and lack of food, the Age of Enlightenment producing people questioning the divine right to rule and the revolution of the 13 colonies across the ocean.

So many events in history are a culminating dot of perfectly timed social issues finally boiling over.

In a very brief summary of events, a beginning stage of the French Revolution was the gathering of the Third Estate, a group of non-aristocratic french people, who became the National Assembly and then took the Tennis Court Oath (yes, named so because they were on a tennis court). It looked like decisions might be made by people not strictly from nobility. While they were working on a con-

stitution, panic spread and the usual rioting followed, part of which the unhappy mob demanded feudalism be officially abolished. Shortly after a constitution was drafted, it looked like France would be a constitutional monarchy.

Naturally, the more radical revolutionaries were not in agreement, and France saw their king arrested. Months after his arrest, King Louis XVI was killed.

At this point France was looming under a big cloud of uncertainty; if you can kill a king, you can kill anyone. And essentially that is exactly what happened during the aptly named “Reign of Terror” which followed. With over 17,000 people being executed, it seemed fear and death was the new normal. Ironically, Robespierre (the man spearheading most of the killings) was executed and another constitution was developed.

France had a legislature and looked to be heading towards a calmer period, until a few years later when Napoleon Bonaparte became First Consul of France. Once more the country was thrown back into the old normalcy of a monarch.

The reason for explaining (perhaps rather poorly) the revolution in France is to offer a historical example of a time when it was necessary to develop a new normal. For us, in our democratic society, monarchies seem like a hard pill to swallow. The revolutions to end them make as much sense as changing your sheets every so often—unfortunate, but obviously necessary. But that was rarely the case. Of course hygiene was much worse back in the old days, so they probably changed their sheets as often as that smelly kid in the dorm down the hall; but

the idea, the conception and implementation of a country running democratically was unheard of. It really was revolutionary.

Recently, I’ve stumbled upon the discovery that sometimes, just like in the aftermath of a revolution, you’ve got to create a new normal. Have you ever had one of those life-changing experiences that just happen and suddenly you realize you’ve got to figure out the next step?

Most of those events are not on the level of a revolution or killing a king; think of an awful break-up, a sickness, a car crash, or even the death of someone close to you.

Suddenly the event, whatever it is, occurs, and once it does, things will never be the same. You don’t realize you’ve created a space of normalcy and familiarity until something happens to put that in jeopardy and you struggle to

pull together the remnants of whatever recognizable life you’ve got left. In the aftermath you must create a new normal. Almost like some awful game of connect-thedots, we have defining events tracing across our lives, determining what was normal and what that normal turned into afterwords.

Finding a new normal is normal; it’s nothing to lose your head over and it might take several tries to finally settle on something that seems all right. You can take a breath knowing your chaotic aftermath probably won’t be as traumatic as the French Revolution, but even that was not a complete failure; many ideas developed and accepted were almost more revolutionary than those in the United States. @tory_krey

Way back When...

The Merciad presents articles from yesteryear in their original form, including headlines. This week, our blast from the past is from February 22, 1944.

Game Zone

Lining up the headlines Across the nation, headlines flash: “Russian-Polish Boundary Dispute Flares,” “Pope Pius Branded Fascist,” “Senate Advocates Federal Education Bill.” Are you “in the know” about those headlines? Is Russia’s claim justified? Why is the Pope called Fascist? What would federal control of education mean to you?

You say you’ve had “all those things” in history, sociology, and economics? Yes, perhaps you learned the principles in class; but today’s paper is stating facts and opinions which must meet the test of those principles; and we must accept or reject those facts and opinions accordingly. Yet it would be more than conceited for us to attempt this unaided. Our knowledge is too narrow, our prejudices too great.

During the month of February, the Church is campaigning for her great agency, which fearlessly test the strikes, postwar problems, politics, and scientific theories with the touchstone of truth. This agency is the Catholic Press--not our false notion of “pious” stories and missionary reports, but a vibrant, courageous press that speaks the language of Christ, 1944 style. Here we meet the greatest minds, who fearlessly take up the challenge of ignorant secular journalism.

Parsons, Shuster, Woodlock, Talbot, Sheen, Maritain--they are not infallible, but they are magnificently Christian. If we are educated Catholics, we will read and weigh their opinions as well as those of Lippmann, Dorothy Thompson, Pegler, or Mallon in the daily paper.

Now, think again. Can you line up those headlines and make them walk the chalk-line of truth?

Enlist the aid of the Catholic Press, and look at the world through the eyes of Christ.