February 17 Issue of The Merciad

:Features On Page 3:

Arts & Entertainment On Page 4:

Senior painting

Sports On Page 7: Men‘s hockey

Professor teaches

night turned out

players step up

master class

picture perfect

their game

The MERCIAD

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Mercyhurst university

Est. 1929 Vol. 89 No. 13

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Mercyhurst REACHes new decisions about the core

By Erin McGarrity Staff writer

Effective fall 2016, Mercyhurst will operate on a traditional two-semester calendar and the existing common core curriculum will transform into the new REACH Curriculum.

As a response to student feedback that the former core curriculum was too inflexible, Mercyhurst is implementing the new REACH “experience” as a way to give students more of a choice when it comes to the courses they take.

The new curriculum reduces the number of required courses for students from 17 to 13, which will allow room for more electives.

The REACH Curriculum branches into three main components: the Freshman Experience, the Liberal Arts Experience, and the Senior Experience.

The Freshman Experience will still include the typical Writing and Research course, newly dubbed COMP120. However, two one-credit courses, iMU101 and iMU102 (Introduction to Mercyhurst and Involvement at Mercyhurst, respectively), will replace the former IDST

requirement.

Both professors and staff from Student Life will teach these iMU courses, which will ultimately lead to better retention and assimilation among freshmen, according to David Dausey, Ph.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs.

“Students will have the chance to learn professionalism, resilience and how to get used to being in college. We want to make sure we’re interacting with students in a way that helps them to be successful,” Dausey said.

The Liberal Arts Experience will be where the REACH acronym comes into play. Each letter in the acronym stands for a different category: Reason and Faith, Expression and Creativity, Analytical Thought, Contexts and Systems, and Humans in Connection. Students will need to take two classes under each category, resulting in a total of ten required classes.

Instead of having to choose from a pre-approved list of courses under each category, students will have the choice among any 100- or 200-level course in the fields prescribed under each letter of the acronym. According to Dausey, this will give students more

Trang Nguyen photo

David Dausey, Ph.D., on behalf of the Mercyhurst administration, introduced the new REACH core curriculum to students this week.

flexibility.

“This part of the curriculum focuses on breadth of study,” Dausey said.

“Instead of having a short list of courses from which students can choose, we want to trust them to make choices based on their own interests and passions that will allow them to become wellrounded,” he said.

The last part of the new curriculum, the Senior Experience, will include Ethics 400

which ia redesigned capstone course unique to Mercyhurst.

The class will be more focused on REACH, in that it will make students consider what this school specifically has taught them about facing challenges and living in the real world. Ethics 400 will also go along with the capstone course in any given student’s academic major.

Dausey said that he hopes it teaches soon-to-be graduates how to think and communi-

cate effectively.

“With Ethics 400, we are hopefully going to provide students with a moral and ethical framework, regardless of religious background, that allows them to respond constructively and resiliently when faced with a challenge,” Dausey said.

In addition to the three branches of the REACH Curriculum, students will also need to take a minimum of one one-credit experience

in service learning or civic engagement. Students will be able to easily combine this requirement, appropriately called outREACH, with a study abroad or travel experience.

Dausey cites the creation of this component with the desire for students to live outside of their comfort zones.

“We want this to be disruptive and cause students to look at the world differently. We hope that it challenges some of their assumptions about how the world operates,” said Dausey.

This new curriculum change will not affect anyone’s graduation. The Office of the Provost is currently working to evaluate everyone’s record to ensure that students are up to speed. This review will be complete by April 1, and students will have the chance to see their updated program evaluations on WebAdvisor before registering for fall classes.

A complete breakdown of the REACH Curriculum, along with a list of FAQs, is available now on the MyMercyhurst Portal under Academics and the Office of Academic Affairs. @TheMerciad

Female athletes make big impact on community youth

By Catherine Rainey News editor

Young girls all over Erie joined with the female athletes of Mercyhurst on Saturday, Feb. 13, for the fifth annual Girls and Women in Sports Day. The event, organized by Bethany Brun, director of Service Learning, is an opportunity for girls from the community to learn about and experience various sports with collegiate level athletes.

“From a student athlete perspective, I think it’s wonderful to get to share your sport with younger girls, present yourself as a role model and encourage them to get involved in sports at a young age,” Brun said.

More than 100 girls from 17 different Girl Scout troops attended, according to Brun.

The event took place in

Merciad Index News Features A&E Opinion Sports Laker Living

1-2 3 4 5 6-7 8

the Mercyhurst Recreation Center.

More than 10 sports teams were represented at the event.

These included soccer, basketball, rowing, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, swimming, softball, tennis, water polo and cross country.

Each sport had a different activity for girls to participate in. For example, the golf team brought a putting green and the soccer team had cones set up to practice dribbling.

Some stations had competitions with prizes for the winners.

The basketball station involved a shooting game in which the winning particiCasey Bleuel photo pant earned the privilege to sit Freshman rower Amelia Kanonczyk guides a young girl using a rowing machine. The event behind the bench as an assis- offered activties in more than 10 sports. tant coach during the girls’ game against the University in Sports Day generally has a tell me that a lot of the Girl sports, so they don’t get to do of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, positive impact on all involved. Scouts focus on crafting and a lot of events like this,” Brun which concluded the event.

“I had a couple of Girl art and stuff like that, but a lot said.

Brun said Girls and Women Scout leaders or mothers of [their] girls are involved in Several student athletes had

Chart Title

similar responses to the event.

“Our coach always tells us there’s bigger things in this world than just us. It’s not all just about being the best player we can be; it’s about being the best all around person we can be,” said junior basketball player Natalie Piaggesi.

“That’s something I think we can portray to the girls who are looking up to us.”

Freshman rower Amelia Kanonczyk enjoyed working with the young girls.

“I liked the fact that the girls were willing to go out of their comfort zone to try the erg, a rowing machine, and some of them really liked it,” said Kanonczyk. “I never had the opportunity to learn about rowing and actually get into it until this year. I hope the young girls will find a sport they love and stick with it because being on a team is such a wonderful experience.”

Online Poll Results

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

No, too excited for Gilmore Girls! (37%) I didn’t even watch Full House. (37%) Yes! The Tanners are back! (22%) Yeah, I need a new show to binge watch during study breaks. (4%)

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

2

3

4

How do you feel about the new REACH core curriculum?

merciad.mercyhurst.edu

February 17, 2016

The Merciad

Page 2

News

Ceiling collapses in Lewis Avenue apartment building

By Trae Williams Contributing writer

Three residents of 3925 Lewis apartment building were displaced late Wednesday, Feb. 3, after a partial roof collapse.

It happened around 12:30 a.m. on the third floor of the building. The collapse happened with the residents still inside. Sophomore Kishan Singh, one of the residents, said he was sleeping when he heard a loud noise and felt a sharp jolt of pain on his shin.

Singh said he was lucky he changed his sleeping habits.

“That night I just so happened to have my head on the foot of the bed. Had I slept like I normally do, I could have been concussed, or worse,” Singh said.

The residents immediately called Police and Safety, who came immediately and assessed the situation. Members of Residence Life came 45 minutes later, according to the residents.

The students were relocated that night to the basement apartment in the same building. That night the residents said they could hear another

Contributed photo

After the ceiling caved in on a third floor Lewis Avenue apartment, the students were relocated to a new residence.

loud thud as more of roof fell two floors above.

Facilities Director Micah Narel, along with facility engineers, concluded that the collapse is the result of a number of factors, one of them being the use of screws instead of

nails.

Although both meet the current code requirements, nails loosened somewhat due to vibration from strong winds, reducing their hold capacity.

“On the night of Wednes-

day, Feb. 3, campus experienced significant wind from out of the northwest. In addition to vibrating the roof, this wind passed into the attic space through vents designed to allow for moisture release and heat balancing airflow,”

said Narel.

“The high winds caused a slight overpressure in the attic space. ... Combined with the added weight of the textured ceiling, and the reduced hold of the aging nails, it was enough to cause the ceiling to let go, dropping the drywall, plaster and insulation into the room below,” he said.

After the incident, Maintenance conducted two days worth of inspections and pressure tests on upper floor apartments.

“We looked for areas of concern. We found that in that same building, 3925 Lewis, there needs to be some reinforcing of the upper ceiling as it showed some aging,” said Narel. The buildings are nearly 70 years old.

“We are working with the university and have a plan in place to make these upgrades during spring break and throughout the summer to make sure that this won’t happen again.”

Three days passed and the residents requested living in the Wayne apartments as a form of compensation. They were told they would have to pay extra money. It was not until Singh contacted his older

sister and U.S. legal guardian for legal advice.

“She’s the one that got the ball rolling for us to move to Wayne,” Singh said. Singh’s sister ended up calling the assistant director of housing and the following day, with the help of maintenance, the residents moved to Wayne.

Even after the move, the residents were not fully satisfied with their new living situation.

“The new apartment has cold water while showering, and the WiFi doesn’t work in the bedrooms because the connection isn’t good enough,” junior Yoesar Gyaltshen said.

Narel said that students in all other apartments in the Briggs and Lewis buildings are completely unaffected because the construction of ceilings in middle and lower level apartments is different than top floor ceilings.

“These ceilings are at no risk for a similar incident,” Narel said.

Narel said if students have any specific questions or concerns about their residencies, engineers will be happy to speak with them or examine their specific locations.

‘Carpe Diem Days’ opens classrooms Program brings students, alumni to Mercyhurst community members financial literacy

By Lauren Murphy Staff writer

By Melanie Todd Staff writer

Mercyhurst University is the first school in Northwest Pennsylvania to offer American Student Assistance’s SALT services to its students and alumni.

SALT is a program of American Student Assistance, a nonprofit that works toward educating students in financial responsibility. Services for the program include loan information, financial literacy, scholarship searches and career services.

“We’re looking to see what we can do to help students with their loan debt, but also financial literacy in general.

Loan debt is a big factor,” Jeff Lasky, student financial services counselor, said.

The program’s website offers informational articles and videos, search tools for scholarships, jobs and internships as well as chat options to ask questions to SALT experts and a SALT Community to discuss topics with peers.

“It’s free to all students, no cost,” Lasky said.

The services available are useful to current students, including those at the North East campus and alumni.

Tools such as the “Master Money” section are available to help students start saving and budgeting now so that they are prepared after graduation.

“Financial literacy is the main goal. Borrow smarter, take advantage of those scholarships and grants so you don’t have to borrow as much,” Lasky said.

When students start exploring and learning about finances and their options now, they are more prepared for what they face when they graduate.

“What you can do is you can find out exactly what you owe in student loans,” said Lasky.

“SALT pulls your information from the Department of Education and you can keep track

of your debt.”

Every student has a different situation and needs to understand their personal financial situation. It is their responsibility from when they initiate the loan until it is paid in full.

“There are many different repayment plans out there and SALT can help figure out which is right for that particular student at that particular time,” Lasky said.

Each student has the opportunity to sign up for a free account with SALT and access to SALT will never expire.

“If a student is having problems with their loans in the future, SALT is a tool to prevent them from becoming delinquent and going into default,” Lasky said.

SALT is a valuable tool for everything from life after graduation skills such as loan repayment and career search services to universal financial information such as credit score information and budgeting.

“The whole purpose is to help students whether you are a freshmen, senior or alumni; to help you learn a little more,” Lasky said.

The Faculty Development Committee and the Center for Teaching Excellence are reaching out to faculty, staff and students and encouraging them to participate in Carpe Diem Days.

Carpe Diem Days, taking place Monday, Feb. 29, through Friday, March 4, is a week where faculty open up their classrooms to students, staff and other faculty members.

Anyone in the Mercyhurst Community is welcome to sit in on any class during that week. Faculty that have elected to participate during Carpe Diem Days will either have some or all of their classes open to visitors.

“Faculty members from all disciplines have been recruited to open up their classes,” Joanne Hosey-McGurk, Ph.D. said, assistant professor of English.

The week is meant to serve as a change to inform the community about the teaching excellence that Mercyhurst has to offer. It is also a time for faculty members to share ideas with each other and to find out what students are doing in the classroom

Contributed photo

Members of faculty who volunteered for Capre Diem Days will have their classrooms open to the community.

according to McGurk.

McGurk, who also helped plan the event, said that the reason Carpe Diem Days is taking place at the end of February and the beginning of March is because it is a slow time of year, and those who wanted to participate would have the time.

Matthew Weaver Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology, is one of the fac-

ulty members participating in Carpe Diem Days. Both his Learning and Motivation and Research Design and Statistical Analysis classes will be open to the Mercyhurst community.

“I see this week as a time to empower students to get involved in other disciplines as well as foster positivity between faculty and staff,” Weaver said.

Weaver said he opened up both of his classes in case students, staff or other faculty members could not make it to one of them. He encourages students to come to either class, even if they are interested in the other, because he is more than willing to sit down and talk psychology.

“This week is also an opportunity for students to see if they like a class and possibly pick up a minor,” McGurk said.

There was an announcement written in The Morning Buzz for staff and faculty, as well as announcements made at staff and faculty senate meetings. Mercyhurst Student Government has made an announcement as well, and there are flyers up around campus making note of the event.

For any member of the Mercyhurst community that is interested in participating in Carpe Diem Days, more information can be found of the portal at my.mercyhurst. edu. There are links to the times and dates of classes that are open.

“I have talked to plenty of faculty members who will be participating, all of them are really excited and are looking forward to the event,” McGurk said.

Hurst Crime Log

The Merciad staff did not have access to the crime log last week because they visited Police and Safetly after business hours. The crime log is made available to the public during business hours.

Theft

Feb. 3

Egan Hall

Harassment by communication

Feb. 8

3828 Lewis Ave.

Criminial mischief

Feb. 9

Lots #1, 17

Liquor law

Feb. 13

Warde Hall

Harassment

Feb. 13

Student Union

Controlled substance

Feb. 16

3908 Lewis Ave.

February 17, 2016

Page 3

The Merciad

Features

Senior Week: Less than 100 days left

By Brittany Smyth Staff writer

Senior Week kicked off the 100-day countdown until graduation and there was an event every day of the week for Mercyhurst seniors.

On Monday, Feb. 8, senior week commenced with the “Kick Off Party,” hosted in the Student Union. Students were able to pick up or purchase the “Straight Outta Mercyhurst” t-shirts for $20.16, between 6-8 p.m. All the money acquired from the t-shirts went toward supporting the 2016 senior class gift of a decorative anchor.

On Tuesday night, the “Senior Date Auction” took place in the Walker Recital Hall. Various seniors were auctioned off with bids starting at $5 each. The auctioned seniors came along with a donated gift card to be used on their dates with whomever had “bought” them.

“The total for the night was over $900 which included the $3 admission per person. A total of 14 people were auctioned, including a group date with President Michael Victor and another group date with Rhonda from Egan,” said senior Ambassador, Mary-Catherine Nemecek.

On Wednesday, the Cornerstone Bar & Grill joined the celebration by serving $2 shots from 10-12 p.m. Students over 21 were encour-

Margaret Urso photo

During the Paint Night, students paid $10 to participate and received two raffle tickets to have the chance to win different prizes.

aged to party, while donating their saved money for the senior class gift.

Paint Night took place Thursday in the Student Union, an event hosted for seniors who were over 21 years old. Students were allowed to create paintings with their fellow friends and classmates and received two alcoholic beverages in the process. Eighty students attended, who had the option of painting whatever they wanted. Students were able to choose from their phones or from pictures provided that included a Mercyhurst theme.

“It was a lot of fun. I wish

the painting canvases had outlines on them so the paintings were more guided. But, it was nice because they had a lot of color options,” said senior Communication major, Alison Hosko.

The “Stone” ended the celebration week on Friday with specials to seniors who purchased the “Straight Outta Mercyhurst” shirts. Students who bought the shirts were eligible to go into the basement to party from 9-12 p.m.

Aside from having the basement available, those who wore the shirt also received specials.

“Even though it was a steep

Margaret Urso photo

During senior week, every day of the week contained activities that allowed students to have fun, while at the same time allowing them to donate money for the senior gift.

price for the shirts, it was well worth it in the end. It was a fun night and I wouldn’t want to spend my last 100 days of college with any other group of people,” said senior Graphic Design major Sydney Vaccaro.

Students who would like to participate in making a donation to the senior class gift should contact any of the senior gift committee officers or email Director of Alumni Engagement, Lindsay Cox at lcox@mercyhurst.edu

@TheMerciad

Margaret Urso photo

’Hurst how-to: Long distance relationships

By Cheyanne Crum Staff writer

As Valentine’s Day weekend finally ends, those of us in long-distance relationships who did not get to spend the day having romantic, cheesy romance movie worthy dates, can finally begin to relax and go back to accepting the fact that we cannot see our partners until Spring Break.

Now most of the time, not having your boyfriend around is fine. You just have a built-in excuse if you do not want to do something with friends: “Oh sorry, that is the only time that I can talk to him,” or “Oh man, I’m going to see her that weekend.” However, when that dreaded weekend of Feb. 14 arrives, let’s face it, the whole distance thing stinks.

A few guidelines on how to survive a long-distance relationship include: making sure to talk to each other, make time to do so, be able to function on your own, make some cute ways to make the time seem like it is going faster (even when you know it is

not) and plan visits.

It is great to be that couple that cannot survive without the other person … for some people. For others, it is when it is convenient. A long-distance relationship requires an obnoxious combination of both.

You need to be clingy when you can and when you have time to talk, but you need to be able to do stuff on your own, too. The other half of your couple cannot always be there. Join some clubs or do whatever you can to figure out who you are without the relationship. Just make sure that you are still there when your boyfriend or girlfriend needs you. Otherwise, what is the point?

I know that it is difficult to find time to talk to boyfriends and girlfriends when all you want is for them to come over and watch movies, but Skype can be your best friend. With LakerVapor, it does not always go as well as it should. Half the time you are trying to be cute and flirty for your boyfriend, your face ends up frozen with one eye open, your tongue out and your mouth contorted in

some unnatural angle.

Worse than LakerVapor is when you cannot find somewhere to sit alone for a while and talk to them uninterrupted. Having your own room back at home had never seemed so luxurious until you are trying to have a serious conversation on Skype and you have roommates bouncing in and out of your shared room, oblivious to your somber voices.

One thing that my boyfriend and I do to help us still feel close, is sending a daily selfie to each other. It may seem dumb and way too high school-ish, but it helps to make you feel like you are a part of their day, even when they are very far away. A friend of mine laughed at this idea while she watched me take my picture one day. She eventually started doing it with her own long-distance boyfriend.

If you ever run low on ideas to keep the relationship going, when there is still four months left until you see them, Pinterest and Google are wonderful places to find different tips and tricks. These include themed care packages, Skype

Contributed photo

Mantaining a long distance relationship can be one of the hardest things to do for a college students. Visiting each other during every break can mitigate the pain.

dinner dates or planning short weekend visits. I attempt to send my boyfriend a care package once a month during the school year. Normally they end up being “month-longsugar-high” packages, but hey, it is the thought that counts.

Plan visits when you have breaks from school. If it is

possible to visit him or her next Spring break, do it! It will make both of you feel better and hopefully it gets you out of this insane amount of snow.

The last piece of advice that I can give is do not get discouraged by that look of pity most people give when they

hear the words “long-distance relationship.” Visit each other when you can, talk on the phone, text and Skype when you cannot. Make the most of all the time you get together.

@TheMerciad

Intelligence magazine publishes student’s work

By Melanie Todd Staff writer

What started off as another homework project turned into a published article for a respectable Intelligence organization.

The Strategic and Competitive Intelligence Professional’s (SCIP) is the largest community of intelligence expert.

Their “Competitive Intelligence” magazine published work by Mercyhurst’s Andrew

Coffey, a current Master’s candidate for Applied Intelligence.

The paper started as an assignment for Associate Professor of Intelligence Kristan J. Wheaton’s Advanced Analytic Techniques class. The class as a whole examined about 10 methodologies. Students then chose a particular methodology to work on in an in-depth project.

“It actually was part of an assignment for Wheaton’s class. We had to go in-depth

with one kind of methodology we did not have a lot of experience with,” Coffey said.

“You get to learn about the other methodologies through the other students and their projects.”

Coffey chose to focus on indicator analysis. Traditionally, this methodology is used in national security, but Coffey applied it to the competitive field for the semester-long project. In order to translate the methodology, Coffey researched both mil-

itary applications of indicator analysis and competitive authors and writings by taking the Department’s of Defense definition and formed it into a competitive definition.

“I think translating it from a military and national security methodology to a competitive one was the most interesting part,” said Coffey.

Coffey found the methodology translated well to the hyper-competitive cyber security industry.

“I looked at Area 1 Security,

a new cyber security company.

I found that it is likely to be successful because it has 13 out of 15 of the indicators of success,” Coffey said.

This project has since developed into part of his thesis.

Coffey broke the indicators into four main categories including funding attributes, firm attributes, founder attributes and market attributes.

“I found team founding. If you have a team of founders, you are more likely to be successful. Also, investor

financing really gives some companies a leg up,” Coffey said.

Originally from the suburbs of Cleveland, Coffey graduated from Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in Security and Intelligence.

In his career, Coffey looks to continue to merge national security with competitive intelligence.

“Hopefully, I’d like to work for some of the defense contractors down in D.C.,” Coffey said.

Page 4

February 17, 2016

The Merciad

Arts &

Entertainment

A performance for a new generation

By Jenny Sabliov

Arts and entertainment editor

Nicholas Phillips, D.M.A., will perform a piano recital at Mercyhurst University on Sunday, Feb. 21, at 3 p.m. in Walker Recital Hall. Phillips is an associate professor of Music at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. His program is titled “Playlist for a New Generation” and it is comprised of pieces written by American composers within the last 10 years. Phillips is on tour with this program and is performing across the country.

He is a soloist and collaborative artist. His specialty is recording and playing modern contemporary music.

Phillips has performed across the United States and has made international appearances which include a solo recital in Korea sponsored by the U.S. Embassy, and solo recitals in Buenos

Aires, Argentina and Vilnius, Lithuania.

Phillips has given lecture-recitals and presentations at a number of international, national and state conferences.

He holds degrees in piano performance from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music, Doctor of Musical Arts; Indiana University, Master of Music; and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Bachelor of Music, summa cum laude.

His teachers include internationally renowned pianists and pedagogues Karen Taylor, Paul Barnes, Karen Shaw and Robert Weirich.

Rachel Schimelman, R|S Design Photo His relationship with Nicholas Phillips, D.M.A., pictured above, will be performing a recital at Mercyhurst University.

Mercyhurst University is through Nathan Hess, D.M.A., went to graduate school. Hess play at their school in Wiscon- uled a time for Phillips to who states that “the music asked her three years ago if sin and Phillips would come come to Mercyhurst.

“That is how the relationworld is very small so there is she knew anyone in the Mid- play here at Mercyhurst,” said about three degrees of separa- west that he could ask to play Hess, and that is what he did. ship with Dr. Phillips came Hess said that they had set about,” said Hess. “As protion between most musicians, at their school. She went to especially between college school with Nicholas Phillips up a time for him to travel fessors, we always want to try and university teachers.” Hess and advised Hess “to email to Eau Claire, Wisconsin last to get out there and perform knows Phillips through a him and ask to do some sort March and did a Piano Recital at other places just to try to mutual friend with whom he of exchange where he would and Masterclass. They sched- advance our careers and get

more performing and professional experience.”

Phillips’s program includes Eine Kinda Bachmusik, Part 2 from 3 Preludes to Missing the Point written in 2006 by Doug Opel, Tango Gardél

by Stacy Garrop, A Hudson Cycle by Nico Muhly, The Currents by Sarah Kirkland Snider, First Ballade by Judd Greenstein, Shards by Jonathan Pieslak, From “The Piano’s 12 Sides” White Moon Over Water She Steals Me by Carter Pann and Hommage à Trois Luca’s Swell: Hommage à Aaron, Copland Gestures: Hommage à Toru Takemitsu, Funk for Nikki: Hommage à James Brown by Mark Olivieri.

The recital is free and open to the public, so come and listen to modern compositions performed by a contemporary music specialist.

@TheMerciad

Step off key and see this Piano Masterclass Show features Arts and entertainment editor

student art

On Monday, Feb. 22, at 4:30 p.m., Nicholas Phillips, D.M.A, associate professor of Music at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, follows up his Sunday, Feb. 21, recital at Mercyhurst with a masterclass for piano majors in the D’Angelo Department of Music. He will work with each student individually.

This program is open to the public. The opportunity is reserved for piano majors first but some secondary students and minors can also sign up for the Masterclass.

“The Masterclass benefits the public by allowing them to observe good teaching. It is like attending a performance but it is also an opportunity to see different viewpoints of teaching. As a pianist it is helpful to pick up on things that I never thought about or the teacher on stage might be talking about a concept that

Mercyhurst University students exhibit artworks in all media including drawing, painting, photography, computer generated works, sculpture, ceramics and mixed media in the annual Juried Student Art Show.

Thirty-nine works by 31 artists are on display in the annual Juried Student Art Show in Cummings Art Gallery. Mercyhurst University students entered up to three works in all media that were then judged by Joseph Popp.

Joseph Popp has worked in the arts for over 40 years as a musician, a visual artist and a museum worker. For 22 years he held the Master Framer position at the Erie Art Museum. His focus was exhibit preparation and preservation framing for the museum collection as well as for the regional public. For the last three years, Popp has worked on exhibit design for

By Jenny Sabliov

Rachel Schimelman, R|S Design Photo

Nicholas Phillips, D.M.A., pictured above, will be conducting a piano Masterclass for students.

maybe I had focused on a lot on in the past that I may have not lately.

For the public it is just an education about how music can be interpreted and how good teaching should be,” stated Nathan Hess, D.M.A., chair of the Mary D’Angelo Department of Music and assistant professor of piano.

Just because only music majors and minors can tech-

REVIEW

This recital was vivace

By Amber Matha Staff writer

Online

I had never been to a piano recital, or any music recital, before Omar Roy’s on Monday, Feb. 15. It is a little difficult for me to write a review as I know very little about music. Music to me is as small as two or three keystrokes on the piano, so the sounds that I heard from the piano were amazing.

I knew nothing going to the recital. I did not know how long each piece would be. I did not know about how each piece was played and how the ending of a movement corresponded to a pause. I did not even know that I was not supposed to applaud at these pauses. It was an interesting experience to say the least.

I was very fond of the Sonata in D major by Bee-

thoven. On the program was a list of Italian words which I presumed described each part of the selection. I never would have guessed that I would receive a lesson in Italian. Allegro means lively and Andante means slow.

I preferred the fast-paced sections. I have never seen a person’s fingers move so fast along a piano. Watching Roy on stage made me wish that I had talents outside of the biology or chemistry labs of Zurn where I spend so much time.

As wonderful as the recital was I was really amused by the yoga the girl on soundboard was doing during the first two selections. One audience member who was very into the music kept me alert as well as he moved his head and his whole torso sometimes to the flow of the music. It was well worth it.

Full list of events can be found on the PAC website

nically receive the training, everyone should consider attending the class for a new experience because the instruction is in a public setting. “The teacher on stage is not going to call on someone for an opinion but sometimes they like to involve the audience to get some questions going and some audience interaction because sometimes it becomes boring if it

is strictly observational,” Hess said.

The audience will be only observing Phillips working with the piano majors unless he involves them by asking for questions or opinions about what is going on onstage.

“He has done really well and it is great to have him on our campus and work with our students,” Hess said.

the Erie Insurance Heritage Center.

He has a degree in Art History and received a George Washington University degree in Museum Studies and Collections Management.

His visual artwork has been shown in numerous group and solo exhibitions, juried shows and is in collections internationally. His music can be heard live and on recordings, as a solo guitarist as well as a band leader and member.

The exhibition will be on view in Cummings Gallery Friday, March 11, with a special reception set for the artists on Thursday, Feb. 18, from 7-9 p.m. The reception is free and open to the public.

The gallery is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m and Saturday and Sunday from 2-5p.m.

Press release written by Heather Dana, Director of the Cummings Art Gallery

Art and love overcomes struggle

By Rachel Sobina Staff writer

‘The Danish Girl’ is an incredibly inspiring movie about two artists, Gerda and Einar Wegener, who spend most of their time painting together.

The movie takes place in the 1920s in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The movie begins with the two of them attending an art show together and receiving different critiques on their pieces.

Gerda Wegener starts a new work of art the next morning.

She specializes in still-life portraits whereas Einar Wegener produces beautiful landscapes.

While Gerda is painting, Einar decides to go for a walk in the town.

When Einar returns home, Gerda’s subject has still not arrived for her painting, so she asks Einar to put on a pair of stockings and pose for a picture.

As she begins to paint, her subject, Ulla, played by Amber Heard, arrives and is aston-

MIAC photo

Oscar Nominee Eddie Redmayne as Lilli in ‘The Danish Girl.’

ished and delighted to see Einar posing for her.

The next evening, there is a big event that Gerda and Einar were invited to attend.

However, Einar decides that he does not want to attend as Einar, but rather as the girl he felt that he was born to be in order to see the reactions to his art from a different perspective.

He creates a clever disguise

View upcoming performances: www.miac.mercyhurst.edu

and so Einar dresses up and disguises himself as a girl named Lilli.

While at the event, a young man takes interest in Lilli.

Much to her shock, Gerda finds Lilli and this young man outside of the party, kissing.

Gerda and Lilli (Einar) return home in a confused state about the entire situation regarding what happened that night after the party.

As the movie progresses, Einar becomes more and more confused about his gender and there is a constant sense of turmoil and despair.

2016 Oscar Nominees Eddie Redmayne as Einar/ Lilli, and Alicia Vikander as Gerda, Lilli’s wife.

This is a remarkable love story which is inspired by the lives of Lili Elbe and Gerda Wegener. Their real life story revolves around the evolution of their marriage as they navigate Lili’s amazing and whirlwind journey as a transgender pioneer for the community.

The “The Danish Girl” plays in Taylor Little Theatre at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 21.

Tickets are $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, students and military.

Tickets are $1 for Mercyhurst students as long as they present their ID. For tickets, or more information, call 814-824-3000 or visit miac.mercyhurst.edu.

@TheMerciad

www.merciad.mercyhurst.edu/ arts_entertainment

February 17, 2016

The Merciad

Page 5

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.

Hillary Clinton campaign begins to ‘Feel the Bern’

By Amber Matha Staff writer

“A Political Revolution is Coming,” “A Future to Believe In,” “Not Me, Us.” These are just a few of the slogans used so far in Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign. What started out as a grassroots movement has expanded into an increasingly intense competition for Democratic “front runner” with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

With all of these slogans from Sanders’ side, focusing on the future and change and potential benefits for the country in the event of his election, surely Clinton has developed an awe-inspiring slogan for her campaign?

The result: “Hillary for America.”

What does that mean? That was her slogan used in her illfated 2008 presidential run as well. Was she not able to conceive of a catchier, more meaningful saying to bolster her campaign as Sanders has?

Sanders’ slogans, many of them created by supporters online, serve as more of a rallying. Clinton’s slogan sounds more like something you might see posted on the wall of a high school while students are campaigning for student government.

Sanders’ political ideals and

aspirations have been consistent throughout his time in politics, and have still yet to sway in the pressure of a presidential run this year. For example, Sanders walked with Martin Luther King Jr. during the civil rights movement and still is a strong civil and social rights activist today.

Clinton’s ideals, on the other hand, seem to change on a daily basis. She seems to change her opinions when it is convenient for her, which raises red flags, in my opinion.

According to CNN, Clinton openly opposed gay marriage during her 2008 presidential run (so did current president, Barack Obama). It wasn’t until Clinton was safely out of her position as secretary of state in 2013 that she started to change her stance on the matter.

The result of the Iowa caucus really shook things up for the news media and for the Clinton campaign. The 74-year-old man with crazy hair got 49.6 percent of the democratic vote. Clinton just barely squeaked ahead with 49.9 percent. In addition to this, some of the towns in Iowa in which Clinton won by a coin toss due to the narrow margins.

With the Iowa Caucus basically a tie, Clinton boasted over social media that New Hampshire would be different and she would come out firmly on top as the Democratic frontrunner. She could not have

Sen. Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton debate on CNN Oct. 13, 2013.

been any more wrong. Sanders tallied in a grand total of 60.4 percent of the vote, this time clearly ahead of Clinton’s 38.4 percent.

There must have been a reason for this shift in the polls. The day before the New Hampshire Primary, MSNBC reported that the FBI formally stated that they were investigating Clinton’s private email server. Is someone who is currently under FBI scrutiny really the person we want as president?

As if that was not bad enough, the Clinton campaign made headlines when, at a Clinton rally, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright stated that there “is a special place in hell for women who don’t help each other.” Hillary thought this insensitive remark was funny and proceeded to laugh.

I, for one, refuse to vote for a presidential candidate because of his or her genitals.

The Clinton campaign seems to be attempting to avoid speaking of policy and would rather try to shame women voters into voting for Hillary because of her sex.

In addition, Gloria Steinheim, a renowned feminist critic and outspoken Clinton supporter, seemed to shame young female voters who were not supporting Hillary by saying that they were into politics “for the boys.” I have little to no respect for anyone who so boldly shames any human being, and I feel that the Clinton campaign is driving voters away rather than gaining support by using such tactics.

So, to quote my favorite meme recently circulating on social media: “Apparently women are going to hell if they don’t vote for Hillary. I guess I’ll BERN.”

Good Multiple students have been seen working together to help fellow students, and others, push stuck and buried vehicles out of the snow following the heavy accumulation on Tuesday morning.

Bad The anchor set to be given as the 2016 Senior Class Gift is predicted to cost a stunning $10,000. Let that sink in.

Kendrick Lamar’s “To Pimp a Butterfly” was robbed of the Grammy Award for Best Album Monday evening by overrated pop star Taylor Swift’s “1989,” signifying the award show’s increasing irrelevance when it comes to recognizing art.

Ugly Despite the sign expressly prohibiting it, five student vehicles filled up the parking lot next to the CAE building overnight on Monday, Feb. 15.

Most were from New Jersey, where, we presume, signs mean nothing.

@TheMerciad

Deranged student calls for boycott of local CVS until demands are met

By Ryan Kushner Opinion editor

Online

The local CVS Pharmacy’s recently introduced “No Bookbags” policy is one that should be frowned upon by students at Mercyhurst until the cheek muscles get sore.

Not only does this policy demean and inconvenience students (who are obviously prone to backpack-wearing), but it makes it much more difficult to steal items in the store.

We, as backpack-wearing students of higher education, are being called out by this popular chain drug store, which boasts a large green banner proclaiming that all Mercyhurst students are supposedly “welcome.” Yet, the uncompromising “ALL BOOKBAGS MUST BE LEFT UP FRONT” notice at the entrance perhaps insinuates otherwise. When someone tells me I am “welcome” somewhere, I usually do not expect the next words out of his or her mouth to be “now put your hands where I can see them” (unless I am visiting my manicurist, Melvin Smaults, Ph.D., who has no eyebrows and likes to speak frankly).

What is next? Will the hardworking, and generally quite friendly employees at CVS be forced to perform cavity searches on all students before they are permitted to exit the store? Will the pharmacist soon no longer be the only one who gets to inspect my rash?

The current backpack procedure at the store is as follows: individuals wielding bookbags are instructed to leave them with the cashier behind the counter at the front entrance of the establishment before they begin their casual shopping for Slim Jim’s and over-priced soap.

As a person distrustful of banks and paper currency, I of course keep my gold with me at all times, typically in my backpack next to my licensed firearms. Am I to trust my bag filled with $10,000 worth of pure gold and weaponry to an organization that clearly refuses to trust me not to fill my backpack with pretzel M&Ms and run away into the night?

The 24-hour CVS already had several fairly intense security measures in place long before this awkward “bookbag” notice was printed out and taped to the doors. The store is filled with numerous cameras, as well as high-end metal detectors. There are also

employees continually monitoring the aisles throughout the day. Is this extra no-backpack policy truly necessary?

Since the unfortunate napsack ban, I’ve been forced to steal at much less convenient locations, such as Wal Mart, a place where students and thieves are treated with some respect.

Yet, I have continued to part with my hard-earned gold doubloons at CVS to purchase my various ointments.

Recently, a thought occurred to me: I’m going to die someday. Then, another occurred to me: Why would I continue to be a patron of a store that presumes the worst of me and groups me in with a negative student stereotype? Well, because it is an extremely convenient place to shop for Mercyhurst students.

As my mentor/mailman Arnie Glunk used to say before being slain by a giraffe (he liked to taunt them): “American convenience will be the death of the American soul.” Are we, the proud backpackers of Mercyhurst University, willing to accept this disrespectful presumption of guilt for the sake of pure convenience? What would the Mercyhurst Hawk say?

The only response to this egregious anti-backpack stance is a boycott of CVS Pharmacy

Read more at

merciad.mercyhurst.edu/opinion

until the policy (which is not always strictly enforced) is retracted, and the white slip of paper scotch-taped to the door is brought down like the Berlin Wall.

Mercyhurst students surely constitute a significant amount of the store’s income on a weekly basis, and the absence of their patronage would undoubtedly be felt.

Our demands will be simple: eliminate the no-backpack policy, $1,000 worth of ExtraBucks (sale items NOT excluded) and a removal of all Fergie songs from the store’s sound system.

Yes, it will require a temporary severing of easy access to supplies (Gatorade, paper towels, medication, etc.), but the taste of effecting change will be much sweeter than the taste of the midnight Twinkie.

Hopefully, with this temporary sacrifice, CVS will realize that some of its largest patrons (MU students) are not willing to compromise on respect, and the insinuating sign and policy will be removed and we can put this whole backpack debacle behind us and resume stealing from them more effectively.

@TheMerciad

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 Sports Editor sportsmerciad A&E Editor entertainmentmerciad Opinion Editor opinionmerciad Copy Editor copymerciad Photo Editor photomerciad admerciad Ad Manager 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 17, 2016

The Merciad

Page 6

Sports

Wrestling ranked seventh in nation Landowski, Bohince, Mizia brothers advance

By James Karasek Staff writer

The Mercyhurst wrestling team fell to the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown on Saturday, Feb. 13.

The UPJ Mountain Cats won the meet, 24-12. The Lakers had a lead of 9-7 going into the second half of the match, but the Mountain Cats, ranked third in the nation, rattled off five wins to overtake the seventh-ranked Lakers, securing the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference title. Mercyhurst went into

the match ranked third in the region with a fourth straight league title on the line. Ranked second in the region, redshirt junior Willie Bohince opened things up with an overtime win to give Mercyhurst an early 3-0 lead. UPJ took the next two matches, taking a 7-3 lead. 149-pound sophomore Joel Bowers went on to pin UPJ’s Travis Shaffer, giving the Lakers a 9-7 lead.

At 157 pounds, freshman Keller Watkins extended the Lakers’ lead to 12-7 with a decision over Mountain Cat junior, Devin Austin.

The Lakers dropped the next five matches with upsets of Mercyhurst’s nationally ranked brothers, Francis and August Mizia. Francis is ranked second in the nation at 165 pounds and August is ranked third at 174 pounds.

Both lost by decision giving the Mountain Cats a 13-12 lead that the Lakers would never retake.

UPJ won the match, 24-12, with a win by technical fall at 184 pounds, and wins by decision in the 197- and 285pound weight classes.

The Lakers head to the Super Region ranked seventh in the nation. Bohince, the Mizia brothers, and 149pound wrestler Jeremy Landowski go into the tournament with national ranking. All four were All-Americans last season. The 2016 NCAA Super Region One tournament will be held at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center on Friday, Feb. 26, and Saturday Feb. 27. @TheMerciad

hurstathletics.com photo

Redshirt junior Willie Bohince (above) is ranked fourth in the nation in the 125 pound weight class. Mercyhurst remains ranked seventh nationally and have four wrestlers ranked individually.

Women’s basketball to end season on a high

By Marco Cicchino Staff writer

The women’s basketball team must be enjoying the new year, as it appears the Lakers will make the PSAC tournament for the first time in three years.

After a 3-8 start to the season, including four losses by double digits and a 22-point defeat at the hands of Edinboro—now 2.5 games ahead in the PSAC West—Coach Deanna Richard’s squad have posted a 9-5 record since Dec. 12. This includes going 7-4 in 2016, and now sit a game over .500 in PSAC competition at 10-9. This is the first time they have been over .500 in conference play since 2011-12.

The Lakers are fifth in the West and 12-13 overall, a game ahead of a rebuilding Seton Hill squad that travels to Mercyhurst on Wednesday, Feb. 17, with only three conference games left for both sides.

Junior and leading scorer Natalie Piaggesi attribute their success to the combined play overall.

“When we work really well as a team, and we can work the ball, that’s really big for us. Something that I think is really good about this year is how we don’t just have one sole scorer. We pick up after each other,” Piaggesi said.

Piaggesi is one of two Lakers averaging a team-high

14 points per game, along with fellow Bethel Park native and Seton-La Salle graduate Angela Heintz.

The Lakers have struggled on both sides of the ball, especially with a -91 scoring differential in the fourth quarter alone compared to a +73 margin in the first three quarters.

They also lost both overtime games they have played this year, being outscored 26-21 by Bloomsburg on Dec. 4 and Clarion on the 19th.

They have only held six opponents to below 60 points this season while scoring below 50 themselves on three occasions.

Overall offense has increased steadily though, with the team averaging 67.6 points per game in their last 14, including outbursts of 83 on Wednesday, Jan. 27, against Slippery Rock (11-14, 7-12) and 88 against West Virginia Wesleyan.

However, opponents have been held to a 33.4 percent clip beyond the arc and 40.1 percent overall, but the Lakers have only converted 31.5 percent of their 3-point attempts.

“I think we get caught up in the moment in the fourth quarter,” said senior and Villa Maria product Adrienne Kloecker. “The first three quarters, we plan to attack and then [in] the fourth, we stopped doing that. That’s always been a problem with this team. But I think overall,

Casey Bleuel photo

Junior Natalie Piaggesi (12) is the leading scorer for the Lakers.

Piaggesi had 12 points in the Lakers win over UPJ.

we’ve done a better job than in past years.”

By comparison, in that impressive 75-55 win over second-place Indiana (18-6, 15-5) on Wednesday, Feb. 3, the Lakers converted a season-high 30 shots at a 53.6 percent clip from the floor while holding the Crimson Hawks to just 38.5 percent on 20-52 shooting.

It was the fourth time this season the Lakers converted at least half their shots and the 13th time in 24 games an

opponent has been held under 40 percent from the floor.

Against Pitt-Johnstown (7-18, 4-15) Saturday, Feb. 13, in the National Girls and Women in Sports event, the Mountain Cats were held to just five points in the second quarter but opened the fourth on an 18-8 run in its first 6:14 to cut the Laker lead, which had once stood at 21, to just five.

But the Lakers responded by holding the Mountain Cats to just eight points the rest of

the way and held on for the crucial 65-60 win.

“When we are all on the same page with our defense and we’re really communicating then I think that’s what’s really working, it’s when our defense is on point. Each game is a learning experience, and especially with those games it’s hard to lose by just a few points,” Piaggesi said.

Kloecker described a dynamic very similar to the men’s team, the notion that anyone can go off at any time and that several players have been outstanding at different times.

“But whenever someone’s down, not having the best game, other people bring it back up,” Kloecker said.

It leads to four Lakers shooting better than 37 percent from the field and, literally, an overall +16 rebounding margin and a +31 assist surplus.

The Lakers wrap up the regular season looking to clinch their first postseason bid since 2011-12 with three crucial contests, each occurring directly before a corresponding men’s game.

A date with Seton Hill is slated for Wednesday, Feb. 17, at 5:30 p.m., then West-leading California (18-5, 15-4) arrives for Senior Day on Saturday, Feb. 20, slated as a 1 p.m. tipoff at Mercyhurst Athletic Center.

The Vulcans are tied with West Chester—the current

top seed in the East—for the best record in the PSAC. On Saturday, Jan. 23, the Vulcans pulled out a 76-74 victory as Seairra Barrett hit the game-winning jumper with five seconds on the clock, and Piaggesi—who recorded 25 on the night—was blocked on a layup.

The Lakers then head to the vaunted Hammermill Center for a 5:30 p.m. meeting with cross-town rival, Gannon (16-7, 14-5), next Wednesday, Feb. 24.

Last season, more than 1,600 people cheered the Golden Knights to a 59-49 victory and held the Lakers to just 38.2 percent from the floor and 7-24 from downtown while rattling off 12 straight points as part of a 22-9 run to open the second half.

The Lakers lead Seton Hill by just one game in the West.

There are six playoff spots in the West so the Lakers can clinch after their game against Seton Hill since Clarion only has two conference games left. Clarion would be eliminated with a loss, and the Lakers need to win at least one of their final three games. A Clarion loss puts the standings at Mercyhurst ,11-9; Seton Hill, 9-11; and Clarion, 8-13, allowing the Lakers to clinch.

@TheMerciad

What are Mercyhurst students looking forward to most for the spring sports season?

“The spring game for football is always fun to watch,” -Alexis Galbicsek

“To see the baseball team I was on last season make it to the World Series again. And to enjoy watching good baseball,” -Angel Martinez

“Definitely baseball because it is our favorite sport. And it gets nice outside so it is fun to sit and watch. The atmosphere is great too,” -Bridget Ellert and Rachel Balotin

“I am indifferent. I think I might want to get into spring sports though and take an interest in it,” -Daniel Kawecki

“I am excited to get the baseball conference season started in March against Seton Hill. Also Coach Spano is one win away from 500 so we are excited to get that for him,” -Colin McKee

“Since coming here from North East I haven’t seen the softball team. So it will be great to compare the two and see what the players are like,” -Noldon Starks

“I am excited for the lacrosse season because there are so many upperclassmen on the team,” -Liz Montemorano

“To watch the baseball team because my friends and I have been following them since our freshman year and we really enjoy going to all their games,” -Emily Sherman

Page 7

The Merciad

February 17, 2016

Sports

Hockey freshmen stepping up

By Diego Himede Staff writer

With 45 goals combined, the 13 freshmen of the men’s ice hockey team have stepped up throughout the season to show they deserve to be on this Division I team.

These freshmen and sophomore Lakers have not only proven to be important assets to the team, but have earned respect from many senior teammates.

“All the freshmen have already developed so much this year that we really don’t even consider them freshman anymore. A lot of those guys are already some of the leading scorers on our team,” senior Kyle Cook said. Cook has six goals and 11 assists this season.

According to Cook, there is great chemistry between everyone on the team. They spend most of their time together between classes,

workouts, practice, meals and just hanging out.

Freshman Jeremy Wu knew from junior hockey that playing on a DI team was not going to be easy.

“It’s definitely what I thought it would be. It is way faster than the junior hockey.

I think my first few games of the season helped me to adapt, since we got a lot of injuries so I had to play. After Christmas break, my game was better. Now I’m more comfortable, as well as the other freshmen,” Wu said.

These freshmen earned respect within the team and the school this season. Also, their work has been recognized within the division.

According to Wu, freshman Derek Barach won rookie of the year in the Atlantic Hockey Association.

Barach is leading the team in points with 27 and is tied at second in goals with 10, just one goal behind sophomore leader, Jonathan Charbon-

Casey Bleuel photo

Teammates on the men’s hockey team celebrate after a goal scored during Saturday, Feb. 13’s 2-2 tie against Niagara University. Goals were scored by Lester Lancaster and Kane Elliot.

neau.

Another freshman who is exhibiting excellent hockey is

goalie Adam Carlson. Carlson is having an excellent season with 437 saves and only 40

There is a reason why the freshmen have done so good this year, and that reason is Head Coach Rick Gotkin.

With 28 seasons as head coach of the Mercyhurst University men’s ice hockey team, he understands how to handle a young team.

“I really like Rick. He knows how to handle the young players and to motive them,” Wu said.

After two intense matches against Niagara University ending 2-2 for both games, the Lakers are getting prepared to take on Army at West Point, N.Y. this coming weekend, Friday, Feb. 19, and Saturday, Feb. 20.

The Lakers have just four regular season games left. If they perform well, they will head to the playoffs which start in March.

goals allowed throughout the season, according to HurstAthletics.com.

@TheMerciad

Women’s hockey dominates weekend

By Haleigh Giebel Staff writer

The Mercyhurst women’s hockey team traveled to Rochester, N.Y. and swept Rochester Institution of Technology [RIT] to pick up four points.

“I believe we had a great weekend,” said freshman Rachel Smith. “We outworked RIT, beating them to pucks and were able to capitalize on our chances on our odd-man rushes.”

During game one on Friday, Feb. 12, the Lakers defeated RIT, 4-1.

Late in the first period, sophomore Brooke Hartwick gave the Lakers a 1-0 lead and the Lakers never looked back.

Hartwick’s goal was assisted by junior Megan Whiddon

and senior J’nai Mahadeo.

During the second period, senior Jaclyn Arbour found the back of the net to extend the Lakers lead to 2-0. Seniors Kathy Donohue and Hannah Bale assisted Arbour’s goal.

RIT beat Mercyhurst freshman Sarah McDonnell at 18:00 in the second period to reduce the Lakers lead to 2-1.

Smith and senior Jenna Dingeldein both recorded goals in the third period to give the Lakers their 4-1 win over RIT. Senior Emily Janiga and sophomore Jennifer Macaskill picked up the assists on Smith’s goal and Smith and Janiga recorded the assists on Dingeldein’s goal.

“I think just focusing on our own game is important,” said Dingeldein. “Every team

is going to be a good team and if we play our game we should be successful.”

The Lakers outshot RIT, 25-20, and Mcdonnell made 19 saves between the pipes.

“This weekend we learned that the game can be changed at any time,” said Smith. “We have to think defense first, and when we get the puck we got to capitalize.”

During game two on Saturday, Feb. 13, the Lakers topped RIT, 2-0.

Mcdonnell saved 11 shots to record her fourth shutout of the season.

Much like game one, Hartwick got the Lakers on the board first with a goal at 2:18 in the second period.

Sophomore Sarah Robello and Whiddon picked up the assists on Hartwick’s game

winning goal.

Late in the third period senior Lauren Kilroy and Smith assisted, Janiga who beat RIT’s goaltender to give the Lakers their 2-0 win.

Mercyhurst outshot RIT, 38-11.

The Lakers last two home games of the regular season will be played on Friday, Feb. 19 and Saturday, Feb. 20 against Penn State University.

Both games will take place at the Mercyhurst Ice Center.

Friday’s game is at 6 p.m. and Saturday’s game is at 1 p.m.

“They are going to come out harder than we have ever seen them,” said Smith. “We have to stay consistent for all three periods and not be lazy.” hurstathletics.com photo

@TheMerciad

Sophomore forward Brooke Hartwick (above) recorded a goal in each of the Lakers’ games this weekend against RIT.

MLB player and alum returns to Mercyhurst

By Carly Contraguerro Sports editor

Carly Contraguerro photo

(Left) Lough’s retired jersey on display with a plaque and pictures from his Mercyhurst baseball career. (Right) Lough signs an autograph for Matt Swartz during a meet-and-greet.

Former Mercyhurst baseball and football player David Lough was honored for his achievements during a jersey ceremony on Saturday, Feb. 13.

On display in a showcase was his Mercyhurst baseball jersey, a plaque and pictures from his baseball career at Mercyhurst.

Pictures from his football career were also on display.

During halftime of the men’s basketball game, the showcase was brought to center court and Lough’s accolades from his playing time at Mercyhurst and in the Major Leagues were

announced before he went onto the court to greet head baseball coach Joe Spano, head football coach Marty Schaetzle and Athletic Director Joe Kimball. This marked the retirement of his baseball

“

From Briggs to the Bigs.

”

jersey.

Lough was available for a meet-and-great and autograph session before and after the ceremony. He signed autographs on a poster with the catchy slogan, “From Briggs to the Bigs” referencing the Mercyhurst campus housing.

Lough played baseball

and football for three years at Mercyhurst before getting drafted by the Kansas City Royals in 2007 Major League Baseball Draft during the 11th round. At the time, this was the highest draft in Mercyhurst baseball history.

Lough played in the outfield position for two seasons with the Royals and two seasons with the Baltimore Orioles. Starting this 2016 MLB season, he will play outfield for the Philadelphia Phillies baseball organization.

Let’s go Lakers!

Sport

Women’s Basketball Men’s Basketball Women’s Hockey Women’s Basketball Women’s Hockey Men’s Basketball

Date

Wednesday, Feb. 17 Wednesday, Feb. 17 Friday, Feb. 19 Saturday, Feb. 20 Saturday, Feb. 20 Saturday, Feb. 20

Time

5:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

6:00 p.m.

1:00 p.m.

1:00 p.m.

3:00 p.m.

@TheMerciad

Page 8

February 17, 2016

The Merciad

Laker

Living

Victoria’s history: (Un)dying love

By Victoria Kreysar Ad manager

What do crime, imprisonment, ritual sacrifice and death have in common? If you guessed the origins of Valentine’s Day, you would be a little weird, but also correct.

This past weekend, we all experienced Valentine’s Day, or as I have recently come to call it: Single Awareness Day. Yes, it’s that time of year again where the world gets to see how many flowers it can sell and the number of smiles that can be produced by something as simple as a piece of paper, while all the single folks out there assert their confidence in being alone.

According to a research firm named IBIS World and NPR, the holiday pulled in $17.6 billion in 2011—$17.6 billion from flowers and cards and chocolates. So whether you purchased one or all of those gifts for your special someone out of obligation

or guilt, I thought it might be interesting to discuss the origins to this strange holiday that has people wondering what to write next after “violets are blue.” So grab yourself a box of now discounted Valentine chocolate and read on.

Not surprisingly, there are several versions of a love-triangle regarding the beginning of Valentine’s Day. Scholars know the Romans had a celebration in February called Lupercalia which was, you guessed it, a fertility festival.

Normally, it started with the ritual slaughter of a goat or dog and ended in men being paired up with women, eventually resulting in marriages.

Lupercalia was very popular and survived into the rise of Christianity. Some suggest the church merged St. Valentine’s feast day with the Lupercalia celebration.

The church recognizes there were at least three St. Valentines, all martyred. Their deaths or burials were on or around Feb. 14. One story

suggests St. Valentine proceeded over secret marriages after the emperor Claudius II outlawed marriages of young men in an effort to increase the number of soldiers. A romantic gesture which ended in his beheading. Another St.

“

Even Hercules tore Megara apart in a fit of rage.

Victoria Kreysar

”

Valentine found himself in prison and in love with (surprise) the jailer’s daughter. He wrote her a love letter before his death—perhaps the first Valentine ever sent.

So how did martyrdom become associated with a holiday about love because nothing says romance quite like the gruesome beheading of the one you love.

Chaucer and Shakespeare make reference to a day of love, which no doubt, added to the public perception of the romantic holiday. Much

like St. Valentine, the writers probably understood how people really do tend to lose their heads over that special someone.

If you still need another theory for the origin of Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, was considered the beginning of the mating season for birds during the Middle Ages in both France and England.

How romantic.

Moving from the genesis of Valentine’s Day, we can look back at history for some great examples of great romantic couples to choose from.

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert who, after his untimely death from typhoid, Victoria remained in mourning for over 40 years. Anne Boleyn literally lost her head for love (and power) to be married to King Henry VIII who faced the wrath of countries and clergy to marry Anne. Napoleon and Josephine wrote amazing love letters.

But as you begin to sift through the actual stories of

famed romances, you begin to see things really were not all flowers and hearts. Napoleon married another woman.

Henry married four more.

If amidst this chocolate and hearts day, you find cynicism in your heart, google the love letters President Warren Harding sent to his mistress.

Cynic or not, I still believe in love and marriage and all that ooey gooey stuff. I hate to admit it, but I’m a sucker for romance—I love a good love story. Anna Karenina and Scarlett O’Hara are some of my favorite literary characters; however, there seems to be a common theme. In both the literary and real, the good love stories often do not have a happy ending. Even Hercules tore Megara apart in a fit of rage.

I think I realized a long time ago there is no such thing as happily ever after. There are moments of happiness and joy, moments of sadness and loss, and you balance the good with the bad because you will

never have one without the other. Even if you find Prince Charming, there is nothing suggesting he is not going to leave after five years or nothing to prevent you from accidentally falling in love with someone else.

We cannot stop time; no matter how badly we may want to, no matter how perfect the feeling is, we can never capture a moment and make it last forever. In a way, all love has to end eventually, so I suppose to a cynical mind celebrating romance on the day when a man was beheaded is oddly romantic. Doomed love is the best kind of love after all. When you really think about it, the height of romanticism seems to evolve from hardships of the worst sort.

There is a reason we associate Romeo and Juliet with great love, even though it ended in their deaths.

@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 1937.

Game Zone

Modernity Via the Bicycle Time was when a young lady rounded out her prosaic existence under the numerous restrictions imposed upon her fair sex. Non-conformity to these limitations merited for her the title of “hussy.”

In her day, delicate health was an asset. To swoon gracefully was an accomplishment. Good health was something to be concealed from the world.

For sports, she danced a staid waltz or played a languid game of croquet. The daring miss swam in an all-enveloping costume of graceless proportions.

Some say that the arrival of the bicycle and its subsequent popularity was the nucleus upon which was built the freedom and happiness which we enjoy today.

The modern girl is proud, indeed, of her good health and sparkling vigor. A wide variety of sports help her to build a sound mind within a sound body. She dances, rides, swims, or works with equal, lasting ability. Her zest for living colors her entire existence to make it worth living.

Let us thank those brave pioneers who treadled the way to our present health and happiness by way of the bicycle.

—Virginia Dooley, ’39