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The MERCIAD
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Est. 1929 Vol. 90 No. 19
Mercyhurst university
Wednesday, april 26, 2017
Employees’ commitment honored By Cheyanne Crum Features editor
On April 18, in Christ the King Chapel, 61 employees were recognized for their years of service to the school with a gift. The honorees were marked in five-year increments. Among these recipients were Jack Williams, Ph.D., professor of Chemistry, and Dave Cherico, fleet services coordinator, both hitting their 40-year mark. President Michael T. Victor spoke during the event about the honorees. “All of you here today represent the very best of this Contributed photo institution, and your impres- Mary Hembrow Snyder and other employees received small tokens from President Michael T. sive records of service merit Victor for their extended service with the university. our highest praise. Mercyhurst has excelled under your capa- of dedicated service to the insignia and a Mercyhurst pin. “If you find something you ble hands,” said Victor during University.” “I was very gratifying to love, why would you give it the ceremony. “Our reputaEach class of recipients have my 30 years of service up?” said Williams. “Teaching tion, our values, our sense of received different pins based recognized by President Victor and research are an unbeatable community have been forged on years of service. They also and his administration, as well combination.” through your hard work and received larger gifts as well. as all of my colleagues who Both Williams and Snyder loyalty.” The 20-year honorees were shared this event with me,” have not lost their passion David Dausey, provost and presented with an engraved Snyder said. for teaching, even after a few vice president for Academic keepsake box, the 25-year honSnyder has had many roles decades. Affairs, read the names of the orees bestowed with a tapestry during her years at Mercyhurst, “I still love teaching after all employees and each came onto throw blanket of the college, along with her current posi- these years and also truly enjoy stage and received their gifts. the 30-year honorees received tions. Currently she is the both my students and col“In years past, we had hon- a Mercyhurst University clock coordinator for the Sister Joan leagues,” Snyder said. ored those who had 20 years and finally, the two 40-year D. Chittister, OSB Lecture Brian Reed, dean of faculty, of service to the University,” honorees were awarded with a Series. Previously, she has held was honored for his 15 years said Betsy Frank, director of Mercyhurst University watch. the department chair position, of service. He said he continExecutive Office Projects Mary Hembrow Snyder, division chair positions, associ- ues to work here for the stuand Events. “When President Ph.D., professor of Theol- ate dean and dean. dents. Victor arrived last year, he ogy and Religious Studies and Williams started his career in “The best part of Mercyhurst established honoring those director of the William C. industry as a polymer chemist. is the students, who are most who had milestone years from Sennett Institute for Mercy Now he works as an organic always inquisitive, kind and 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, etc. to thank and Catholic Studies, received chemist, and he would like to dedicated,” said Reed. “They them for their continued years a clock with the Mercyhurst stay here. also represent what is best
Caitlyn Lear photo
All employees being honored were being presented with lapel pins. The pin for each anniversary year was different.
about life, being good people who care about the welfare of others and the health of the planet.” Reed has attended the Ireland trip on four occasions with students. “The first two times I traveled with Dr. David Livingston, Dr. Daniel McFee and Dr. Mary Ann Owoc with students that we drove around in vans, staying in hostels and lecturing on the roadside, or in rest stops or on locations,” said Reed. “My hope is that we will soon see most of our students travel to our Ireland campus. Study abroad is a life-changing experience.” The school has seen many changes over the years, not only where study abroad is
concerned, to make the school more “student-friendly.” “I have witnessed many changes; perhaps one of the most important, in my opinion, is that we now have full semesters,” Snyder said. Victor thanked the employees and stressed their importance to the Mercyhurst community. “You are the foundation upon which we meet new challenges and new opportunities. We will continue to count on each and every one of you to catalyze great work, and to do it in the only way we at Mercyhurst know how: by seizing the day,” Victor said.
Senior Social Work project shows M.E.R.C.Y. By Kristian Biega Staff writer
This year, students from the Mercyhurst Social Work department are hosting a Wellness Day for the Community in Perry Square on Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. The Social Work department works to make a difference in the lives of others and creating awareness for the needs in the community. That mission is evident during each year’s Senior Social Work Class Project. Each year, the Social Work Practice III class must design, plan and implement its own project that ultimately will leave a positive impact on the community. The class is given a theme to work with. This year’s was youth violence due
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to the widespread general violence in Erie. “Our philosophy is that this project is really student led and the department takes a backseat role,” said Mandy Fauble, Ph.D. “It allows them to find their own voice.” Nicole Caranci, Colin O’Connor, Bridget Ellert, Rachel Ficcaglia, Vivian McCullum, Jade McKay, Natalie Piaggesi, Justyn Roda, Emily Shanahan and Deandra Ward made up the collaborative team of senior social work majors that are planning Saturday’s event. They worked together to come up with several ideas on the causes of youth violence and decided to focus on the wellness aspect of the issue and the various ways to cope with it. From this idea, they formed the mission of
“M.E.R.C.Y.” which stands for “Movement to Empower, Restore and Cultivate the Youth.” “Instead of focusing on the negative aspect of youth violence, we focused on how we can make the youth of our community healthier,” said Shanahan. The movement seeks to involve as much of the community as possible for a day of education and awareness, food, fun, music and fellowship. The team incorporated an aspect of advocacy through their information booths and charismatic speakers and performers. “This is not a lecture setup,” said Carani. “We want to bring people together to entertain them but also educate them at the same time. People can hang out, eat and
be with friends.” The day will include speeches from Amy Blackman, of the Crime Victim Center of Erie County, on overall wellness and services at the center; Curtis Jones, associate minister at Abundant Life Ministries, on youth violence and spirituality; and potentially a talk from Michael Outlaw on the current situation of Erie’s innercity youth. Entertainment for the Wellness Day will feature musical performances from Shok Jordan, Shawn Hollaway, Yung Skola and Shai Boogie, poetry readings from Zadie Gregory and a dance by Dance Elite. The entire day will be filled with music from DJ Primo. By having positive influences in the area of aiding
youth violence, this brings the aspect of mental health and wellness into the limelight in a positive way. “We hope to give people a better understanding of mental wellness and how to take it in a positive light,” said Caranci. “This mission will show that people can get the help that they need if they need it.” Breaking down stereotypes and stigmas as a community is the primary focus for the senior project focused on mental wellness. That topic usually has a negative connotation or is misunderstood, but the team hopes to reverse people’s thinking about its influence on youth violence. “It is something that needs to be talked about. In these situations of violence, it’s obvious that someone
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doesn’t know how to handle their illness or anger, or who to go to about how they are feeling,” said Ward. “The positive aspect is that there is help out there and Erie has a high amount of facilities.” The M.E.R.C.Y. mission project seeks to welcome all backgrounds for togetherness, advocacy and a promotion of the common good. “We are seeing how lots of people act out of emotion and emotions can sometimes make you make wrong choices,” said Ward. “It’s OK to be mad and upset, but it’s not OK to hurt others because of it. This will let people know that it’s real and you don’t have to be embarrassed about feeling that way.” Continued on page 2
What do you think of the new recycling bins on campus?
I think they look great! (50%) I don’t really care either way. (25%) I don’t even recycle. (17%) I didn’t even notice we had new ones. (8%)
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