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The Merciad
Est. 1929 Vol. 88 No. 2
Mercyhurst university
Wednesday, septeMber 17, 2014
Veterans raise new flag with ROTC By Sami Rapp Photo Editor
On the 13th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Mercyhurst held a flag-raising ceremony not only to retire the old flag but also honor our school’s veterans. The Mercyhurst Veterans Association, along with the ROTC detachment conducted a ceremony after retiring the old flag. Not only was this change a welcome change as the flag was severely tattered, but it was also both the wrong size for the height for the flagpole. A larger flag now flies from the pole. By having both the veterans and the ROTC program participate in the flag raising ceremony, it symbolized how the veterans are handing over the responsibility of the national service to the ROTC candidates. @TheMerciad
Photo by Casey Bleuel
Clockwise from the left: Mercyhurst Veterans Coordinator Stacy Smith, veteran AJ Courteau, and ROTC cadet LeeAnn Esford take part in the transfer of the old flag, while Jeremy Beer raises the new flag in front of Old Main.
Students make ‘House of Mercy’ home By Catherine Rainey Staff writer
This school year, two Mercyhurst students are living and volunteering at the House of Mercy, a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Mercy. Sarah Anderson, a senior religious studies major, and Michelle Ahrens, a junior religious studies and social work double major, are the first students to take part in this opportunity. The House, located on Woodlawn Avenue and opened in 2002, serves as a place of hospitality for children and adults in the neighborhood, providing activities and advocacy. Anderson and Ahrens’ will assist the after-school program two nights each week. The after school program serves elementary, middle and high school students by providing homework assistance and other fun and educational activities. The first week the program started, there were eight to 10 elementary students and at least 20 middle school students attending. No
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high school students attended. Sister Michele Schroeck, who lives in the House, and Elisha Helgen, an AmeriCorps Vista who volunteers there, run the programs on the alternating evenings. “Homework help is in the afternoons from 4 to 5, and after dinner activities are from 6 to 8,” Aherns said.. Activities include things such as games, environmental education, help with job or college applications for the older students and occasional field trips. The House also provides adult programs and perform charitable work within the Erie community. For example, there will be a Thanksgiving dinner distribution in which families can receive free turkeys and other food items to take home and cook for themselves. Various other projects are based around community or individual need, according to Ahrens. The majority of the families served are former refugees, from an array of countries such as Nepal/Bhutan, Iraq, Sudan, Somalia, Congo, Central African Republic, Bosnia and Syria.
Mercyhurst’s Sisters of Mercy had the idea to host live-in students. They asked the Service Learning staff to spread the word and provided them with applications for any interested students. Ahrens had done volunteer work at the House of Mercy the previous year, so she was familiar with the duties and was comfortable making it her new home for the year. Anderson was presented with the opportunity by Colin Hurley, director of Service Learning, and Greg Baker, director of Campus Ministry, and thought it would be a good idea because she enjoys volunteering. She also liked that it is cheaper than some other housing options, at $300 per month, which covers food costs and utilities. This live-in model of service is the first of its kind for the House of Mercy and the Mercyhurst community. Bethany Brun, coordinator of Service Learning, said she would love to see other students engage in this type of model. “Not every organization has the capacity to do that in
Photo by Tung Vu
Sarah Anderson, left, and Michelle Ahrens will be living and working at House of Mercy this year.
terms of living corridors. But I think that’s the sort of student service model we don’t have at Mercyhurst yet, living quarters for students who are involved in service,” said Brun. “I think that’s the next best thing.” It would also be a way that Mercyhurst could encourage service in Erie, Brun said. “Offering the opportunity to live at the place you volun-
teer is one more way the we can again continue to build that link between campus and community and get into the hearts of peoples’ lives we are trying to serve.” So far no plans are being made for such models, according to Brun, but it is something that could potentially happen in the future. Although the House of Mercy is not directly associ-
ated with Mercyhurst University or Residence Life, having students live there is an opportunity that the Sisters of Mercy would like to see continue. “We would like to do it. So far it’s going really well. We hope that it will continue in the future,” Sister Michele said. @TheMerciad
Online Poll Results How do you feel about the changes to the Laker Inn? 30% I love them! The food is absolutely worth the money. 0% I really don’t mind the changes, although the food is still the same 39% Egan is about to have one more customer... 30% I have never thought I’d be as indignant about chicken nuggets as I am these days
Be sure to vote in this week’s online poll: Did you vote for this year’s Mercyhurst Student Government senators?
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News
The Merciad
September 17, 2014
UAV part of larger marketing strategy By Emani Burton Staff writer
Contributed photo
This photo was taken by the marketing department’s unmanned aerial vehicle on the Day of Service event during welcome week.
Mercyhurst’s marketing department is taking to the skies. In addition to numerous other marketing strategies, the department will employ the use of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) this year. The camera-equipped quadcopter will fly above Main Campus, taking pictures of the school, according to Marketing Director Dionne Veitch. Chris Norris, a videographer with the department, will handle the UAV. The UAV was purchased from an online retailer for $500 and, while novel, is not going to be heavily utilized. “While the [UAV] is a cool piece of equipment, it is not a major factor in our marketing plan for this year,” said Veitch. “It will be used in creating some of our videos, commercial, and collateral materials.” There is also a possibility
that the football team and the Archaeology department, both of which can use aerial photos to improve their performance, may use the tiny “plane,” Veitch said. The marketing department is rebranding this year. They want their major campaign to be “Hands on Experience.” The Marketing department hopes to attract new students through the emphasis of Mercyhurst’s unique opportunities, which include allowing students to take part in real life applications of their majors. The department will be emphasizing a slightly different approach when recruiting students to the North East campus. “We want to emphasize job readiness and availability at the North East campus,” said Veitch. “Employment opportunities are a huge seller for the two-year campus. Mercyhurst faculty hopes to equip all of their students with the necessary tools to be successful within their chosen
field of study.” The campaign will combine a variety of mediums. Veitch aims to capture people’s attention using video, pictorial, print, radio and social media. The marketing department will not be spending as much on billboards as it has in the past, but instead will focus on social media. The school is in the process of creating an Instagram account. Students can collaborate in the new marketing plan. Select communications students will be chosen to work in the department’s social media arm. The focus on social media, while also low cost, is intended to maximize Mercyhurst’s exposure to students. “While people in this area will see our advertisements, social media can reach more recruits,” Veitch said.
@TheMerciad
Mercyhurst students work into the night Photos by Sami Rapp
College campuses rarely go fully silent. Somewhere, students are always busy, doing any number of activities, papers, projects or just plain studying. Late Tuesday night, we found just a few of the people who keep our college alive at night.
Senior criminal justice major Eugene Sellie works into the night on a coil pot for his Ceramics class. Even though the work isn’t directed towards his major, he said that he was “having a lot of fun” working on the artistic project.
Sophomore art education and studio art major Kelly Fergus displays a project she works to complete late at night in Zurn 120. She was also working on a coil pot for Ceramics I. She states that she has “worked until 3 a.m. on her projects.”
Senior music performance Dillon Shidemantle is no stranger to late nights working in the Performance Arts Center. “You’ve got to put in the hours,” he said. “Every single day.”
First-year graduate intelligence students Jack Harrison and Andrew Coffee pore after documents for one of the many projects they’ll be assigned throughout the course of the year. Second-year graduate student Phil Lawson mans the night desk, available for any who may need help over the course of the night.
The Merciad
September 17, 2014
Revised tutoring program starts By Jose Nufio
Contributing writer
Director of the tutoring center, Justin Ross, Ph.D., is planning to implement new projects to improve the tutoring center. The short-term plan is to increase the value of the tutors, Ross said. The center will begin new training programs based on the Center for Reading and Language Arts (CRLA) international tutor training program. The CRLA has a training program where they award certifications to the tutors that meet their criteria. This year, tutors will have at least five training sessions of 30 to 40 minutes throughout the year. Mercyhurst tutor training is already provided at the time the tutors are hired. Each tutor receives one hour of training, according to Ross. Ross supervises the tutor training and the tutoring system. He spends a lot of time trying to put together the classes and the tutors so they are thoroughly trained. The problem with this is that tutors who have been working for three or four years have not received any type of refreshment training. This year, all returning tutors will be introduced to the training sessions as given by the CRLA. One problem that the tutoring center faces as of now is a lack of designated tutoring space. “[Currently] it really is individual tutors meeting with students in groups or individually at the library,” said Ross. “One of our plans is to try to expand that and find some permanent space, somewhere that we can call the ‘tutoring center.’ That’s several years away, as we try to figure out where might that be, as we work with the library to see if there is any space that might become available.” Ross said there are currently open positions for tutors. Any interested student with a B grade or higher can apply to be a tutor. Having a faculty recommendation is best practice, Ross said, but any student can apply online. “We welcome them all,” he said. He supervises all the administration of tutoring by helping students sign up at the library, securing places when necessary, and works with individual tutors and students if they are experience difficulty with the process. Tutoring is a paid position of $7.25 an hour. Tutors can work up to 12 hours per week. The tutoring center takes care of paying the tutors, making it completely free for the students. Students can request a tutor online through the portal. “Tutoring helps you improve your content knowledge, but it also helps your confidence. A lot of people that get tutors, not just feel that they know the material better, but they feel better about being in the class,” said Ross. “The average grade of a student that saw tutoring last year was a B.” @TheMerciad
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Features
Students attend SAC zoo outing By Julia Martino
Contributing writer
This past Saturday, Sept. 13, the Mercyhurst University Student Activities Council (SAC) held its annual field trip to the Erie Zoo. The event, organized by SAC members junior Carly Blanding and sophomore Heather Shadle, was no extra cost to students, who loaded onto buses from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to make the trip. “We handed out 63 tickets, which cost about $250,” Blanding said. “It wasn’t as many people as we had planned on, but considering the cold weather and high chance of rain, we considered it a pretty good turnout.” Many students were excited to go, and were enthusiastic about the experience. Maddie Castele, a freshman public health major, said that “going to the Erie Zoo was an amazing experience to share with my friends. I cannot wait to go back sometime.” Intelligence studies major Erin Manth said that “the zoo is only one of the amazing things to do around Erie. I had so much fun going today and seeing all of the animals, especially the lions. I cannot wait to go back.” Freshman Rebecca Harms said, “I enjoyed how Mercyhurst set up the trip. I have always really liked going to zoos and seeing all of the animals. It was a great experience with my friends I have never seen zoo animals so active before…I will remember this trip for a long time.”
Jake Lowy photo
(Top: Nikki Rochon, Jillian Rybczynski, Cal Eichhorn) (Bottom: Becky Harms, Julia Martino, Erin Manth) Mercyhurst students spent time with the animals at the Erie Zoo during the SAC’s annual outing on Sept. 13.
@TheMerciad
Senior Class Gift committee plans ahead By Will DeFeo
Contributing writer
The 2015 Senior Class Gift Committee kicked off their efforts with their first meeting Tuesday, Sept. 2. This year, led by Ambassadors Amanda Marley, Katelyn Bailey, Anna Wills and Julie
Smicinski, the meeting offered a wide range of initial plans for leaving a meaningful contribution to the campus. Among the ideas, still in their early stages, were to replace the chapel bells, add an outdoor water fountain where students can hang out and grab a quick drink, add art or leisure reading to the Library Great
Room walls and to renovate the uppermost floor of Old Main as a lounge. Several other ideas were oriented toward contributions to Mercyhurst Athletics, such as a concession stand in the foyer of the Athletics Center, a more elaborate alumni section near Tullio field and a designated space for the recently formed
Mercyhurst pep band. All members of the Class of 2015 are encouraged to provide input and ideas to fully realize the committee’s visions of involving at least 70 percent of the class in hopes of raising $8,500 for a lasting gift. Capturing the spirit of the class, a current proposal for the accompanying bar crawl is
to give a shirt and some commemorative items for $20.15. Those interested in contributing to the Class of 2015 Senior gift may like the committee’s Facebook page, or contact Amanda Marley at amarle77@ lakers.mercyhurst.edu or Katelyn Bailey at kbaile32@lakers. mercyhurst.edu.
History is a calling for professor Scharff By Victoria Kreysar Contributing writer
Benjamin Scharff, Ph.D., became one of Mercyhurst University’s 14 new full-time faculty members at the beginning of the 2014-15 academic year. Some people fail to understand why people chose the path of history and spend their life, quite literally, living in the past. But to many of those in the department, history is more of a calling. “Many people like history and enjoy it, but they could never make a career out of it,” said Scharff. “I’ve tried to have other careers, but none of them worked for me.” A native of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Toledo, Oh., Scharff earned his undergraduate diploma from Wake Forest University. He went on to pursue his graduate from Slippery Rock University, eventually acquiring his doctorate from West Virginia University. Scharff, 35, is a relatively young staff member, but already has experience teaching at six colleges, among
them Robert Morris University, West Virginia University, and Penn State Fayette. With his expertise in early colonial history, Scharff hopes to incorporate his favorite areas of study into Mercyhurst’s curriculum. His favorite class to teach currently is Cultural Resource Management, and during the spring term he will be offering a class on Pennsylvania history. He hopes to teach a class on Native American history in the future as well. Scharff said he chose Mercyhurst because he enjoyed the school’s atmosphere. He admitted that he has yet to experience an infamous Erie winter. In honor of Constitution Day, this Wednesday, Sept. 17, Scharff will be giving a lecture titled “Assembly of Demigods: Farmers, Framers and the Development of the Constitution” in the Mercy Heritage Room located in Sullivan Hall. The event will take place from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and is sponsored by the Mercyhurst Center for Applied Politics. @TheMerciad
Taylor Rollins photo
Benjamin Scharff, Ph.D., joined the Mercyhurst University History Department this academic year.
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Features
September 17, 2014
The Merciad
Improvements planned for Christ the King Chapel By Amanda Moore Contributing writer
The Christ the King Chapel will be undergoing a much needed facelift later this year. Starting Jan. 1, 2015, and continuing through the end of May, the plans for this project involve a paint job, relighting, and a refurbishing of the pews to make the seating more spacious. “We’re not doing any kind of renovations, we’re not taking anything out. This is more maintenance kind of things,” Father Jim Piszker, the university chaplain, said. Not much has changed in the chapel since it was constructed in 1932, so the Campus Ministry Staff is thrilled for the restoration. Msgr. David Rubino, the head of the project, said, “I think when we look at the chapel and the role it plays in our institutional life, it is important that it should be fresh and bright so people can even just stop in there for two seconds.” According to Msgr. Rubino, $330,000 has already been collected for the restoration and they are still looking to raise
$70,000 more. “The Chapel Committee met early on to help review bids and things like that,” Rubino said. Rubino wants to comfort any unsettled minds that believe the chapel will be drastically different. “The sisters reminded me that the chapel has a certain look and a certain feel- you have to be really careful to make sure it is not too over the top. You don’t want to cross the line to make it something that it is not,” Rubino said. Greg Baker, the head of campus ministry, is looking forward to students having a renewed interest in learning about and using the chapel. “If it gets people to better appreciate what a fantastic space that is, it really is one of the best things we have on this campus, that would be great,” Baker said. During construction, the Mass schedule will stay the same. Sunday mass will take place at the Taylor Little Theatre and daily Mass will be held in the Prince of Peace Chapel.
@TheMerciad
Contributed photo
Mercyhurst University’s Chris the King Chapel is set to undergo restorations this academic year.
Rai begins teaching in Walker School of Business By Jose Nufio Staff writer
This year Mercyhurst University’s Walker School of Business welcomed Dipankar Rai, Ph.D., as a full-time faculty member and assistant professor of business. Rai will be teaching highlevel marketing courses for the school, which include consumer behavior, marketing research and marketing management. Originally from the city of Darjeeling in Northeast India, Rai finished his undergraduate degree in Physics at Siliguri College in India. He moved on to work at an insurance company for about three years, which got him interested in the marketing industry. After coming to the United States, he decided to pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in marketing. He applied and was accepted to the State University of New York in Bennington. In 2007, Rai moved to Bennington, NY, and completed his MBA in 2009. He then decided to pursue his Ph.D. in Marketing, specializing in consumer behavior, his area of interest.
“I was very interested in what influences consumers to purchase different things, to behave in a certain way,” Rai said, emphasizing the importance of understanding the consumer. “You consume an experience. So I tried to understand why people consume. I wanted to understand the psychological processes that influence people’s consumptions.” While he was pursuing his doctorate, Rai worked as a visiting professor in Northern Michigan University. The current Dean of the Walker School of Business, Raj Parikh, Ph.D., knew about the department in Bennington. Parikh sent an email informing the department that there was an open teaching position at Mercyhurst. Rai applied, and last winter found himself at Mercyhurst. “What I liked about Mercyhurst was the very strong relationship between student and faculty and the faculty-student ratio,” Rai said. “I didn’t have to teach a class of 90 or 100 students. “I get that personal touch with the students and the students get that personal attention.” Rai continued. “So I feel like I can provide a better value in this
environment as opposed to teaching in a bigger environment. That’s what I really enjoy about Mercyhurst and that’s what made me come here.” For next semester, Rai is hoping to start an American Marketing Association club. He plans to take students to conferences where they can compete with other schools and learn about what is going on in the marketing world. For this semester, Rai is planning to take his current students to a small regional conference in Pittsburgh this upcoming November. “I am really excited about that. This is an opportunity where students get to see what’s out there, get to network with very important people, and get to learn very important topics in marketing that are happening right now,” Rai said. He encourages anyone who has taken a marketing course and is interested in this topic to give the club a try. “If you like to work hard and you like creativity, our doors will always be open,” Rai said. Rai would like to encourage any student to take Marketing as a major. “I can tell you, to me it is the most interesting subject
Dipankar Rai, Ph.D., began teaching in Mercyhurst’s Walker School of Business at the start of the 2014-15 academic year.
to do, ever,” Rai said. “You not only learn about how to market a product, but you also learn what effects drive consumption. Being a marketer is great, but in the twenty-first century, especially now, we need to be smart consumers. We need to understand what influences us to con-
sume something bad or something good. To me, everyone should take a couple of courses. This is an opportunity to learn what is going on in your head and how do companies influence our thinking to influence your consumption.” Rai is also a fanatic of
Alison Ockaski photo
taking photographs in his free time. He has recently spent his free time getting to know Erie, especially the lake area, a place he has enjoyed capturing in photographs @TheMerciad
Advertisement Interested in writing or photography? Wanna get paid? Write or take photos for The Merciad! The Merciad is the student-run newspaper of Mercyhurst University. By the students. For the students. As simple as that. Email editormerciad@mercyhurst.edu
The Merciad
September 17, 2014
Page 5
Arts &
Entertainment
Sia shocks with ‘1000 Forms of Fear’ By Juan Mendez Managing Editor
This summer, an industry magnate released an album that shocked the masses with a combination of talent, intrigue and emotion. She’s written songs for artists such as Beyoncé, Britney Spears and David Guetta. Her music is innovative and has taken artistry to a new level through the release of her album. Before anyone jumps to conclusions and says that it’s someone who’s very wellknown, it’s actually somewhat of a newcomer—and her name is Sia. ‘1000 Forms of Fear,’ Sia’s first leap into the American spotlight, is far from conventional, but it’s also far from short-lived. From a history of dance tracks such as David Guetta’s “Titanium” or Flo Rida’s
“Wild Ones,” Sia shows us that she’s capable of way more than that, exploring a range that goes from ballads to more pop-rock sounds in a matter of seconds. The album, released in July, is peculiar because of Sia’s approach to it—through the album, she is trying to create a “brand” for her blonde hairstyle, which is all audiences who have seen her perform have gotten to see. By removing her face from the equation, Sia makes it all about her voice. “Chandelier,” the lead single off the album, vividly narrates a story of having too much fun and a history of alcoholism while painting the image of excess in the background. The beautiful thing about Sia is that she’s not afraid to dig into herself and pour it all out in her lyrics, which is only highlighted by her incredibly powerful voice. The music video, which
prettymuchamazing.com photo
Newcomer Sia delivers icredible songs in ‘1000 Forms of Fear’
went viral after its release, features 11-year-old Maddie Ziegler, a name many may recognize from the hit series “Dance Moms,” performing a choreography that I can only describe as magnificent. Focusing on her was a smart
idea on Sia’s behalf, as her talent at such a young age and the beauty of the choreography only highlights the emotion of the song itself. Sia’s powerhouse of a voice is prevalent through the entire album, adding pain and
Borowicz at Erie Art Museum colors that are said to look simply stunning.
By Victoria Kreysar Contributing writer
Nature has a powerful hold on humanity, affecting us in almost every capacity. Not only does the environment shape how we live, but it also captivates us as a ceaseless, unyielding mystery. Jamie Borowicz, Ph. D, and Mercyhurst grad, is an artist who aims to bring the unfathomable splendor of Mother Nature to life through his artwork. His pieces capture nature in a raw juxtaposition of the natural materials and their manmade art form. Many of his pieces are short lived, created in natural settings that are soon taken away by the waves of Lake Erie, a strong wind or a rainstorm. Pattern Recognition: Works by Jamie Borowicz will be on display at the Erie Art Museum from Sept. 13 to Jan. 11, 2015. His work spans many different art forms, from sculptures to photographs, all of them jumping off the walls in their stunning splendor. In this installation, Borowicz has freestanding sculptural pieces that reach eight feet high, 3-D paintings, and water-
The amount of nature that surrounds the visitor in the
gallery makes it seem as if they should be standing outside; yet the white walls and ceiling reinforce the indoors, creating a jarringly unique feeling. Various geometric shapes form patterns in an eclectic mesh of perfect beauty. Borowicz somehow manages to capture the essence of the natural in unnatural, manmade forms, and the result is stunning. Jamie Borowicz teaches art and art history at Mercyhurst Prepatory School and serves as an adjunct faculty member at Mercyhurst University. After completing his undergrad at Mercyhurst, Borowicz went on to study Anthropology at the State University of New York at Buffalo, receiving his Masters and Doctoral degrees. Many of his works are posted in his blog: http:// beachworks.blogspot.com/ Admission to the Erie Art Museum is $5 for students and seniors, $7 for adults and children under five are free. Admission is free every Wednesday and Second Sunday of the month.
Victoria Kreysar photo
The Erie Art Museum is proud to welcome Mercyhurst professor Jamie Borowicz and his exhibit “Pattern Recognition.”
@ErieArtMuseum
emotion to songs like “Big Girls Cry,” “Straight For The Knife,” and “Cellophane,” which shine for their darker themes. Lyrically, Sia is nothing short of genius. Having written songs like “Diamonds” for Rihanna and “Pretty Hurts” for Beyoncé, she is definitely not new to songwriting. This prowess shines in every song, although “Elastic Heart,” which features The Weeknd and Diplo, and “Free The Animal” take the crown for their use of intriguing metaphors to describe her emotions in chants of “this love immortal is an assassin’s delight, just blow me up or run me down or cut my throat” and the metaphor of her heart as an animal to describe the intensity of her affection. That being said, though, there is one track that outshines every other one in the album to the point where I
will dare call it Sia’s magnum opus. “Dressed In Black,” the final track in ‘1000 Forms of Fear’, consists of incredible lyrics, a haunting melody and six minutes and 41 seconds of pure energy and sadness. The song describes her relationship with filmmaker Erik Anders Lang, which had to pick up from the death of her previous lover in a car accident, painting the picture for some of the more emotional tracks in the album, including “Eye Of The Needle.” Without hesitation, Sia carries an extremely powerful album by belting out strong notes and vocal breaks, a technique that only adds to the pain and emotion of most of the songs in the album. Her lyrics are extremely wellthought and the work on instrumentals is exquisite, making ‘1000 Forms of Fear’ my personal bet for the album of the year.
Cummings Gallery shows faculty’s art By Naomi Greenstein Staff writer
Since Aug. 21, the Cummings Art Gallery of Mercyhurst University has been featuring recent works done by members of the Mercyhurst University art faculty. This year, the Art Department has invited guest alumnus David Schroeck to join faculty members Daniel Burke, Gary Cardot, Jodi Staniunas Hopper, Tom Hubert, Deborah John, Mary Elizabeth Meier and adjunct instructors Jamie Borowicz and Patricia Tomczak-Czulewicz, all of whom have works in the gallery. Schroeck will be showing white earthenware using low fire glazes and incorporates steel wire and brass into his industrial-looking designs. Burke will exhibit his work, inluding two mixed media installations using repurposed materials. Cardot exhibits a suite of glowing infrared photographs of Erie city streets. Hopper presents a series of digital photographs and
masks made from repurposed wedding wear. Hubert exhibits several porcelain teapots and a platter showing varying degrees of line, texture and new shapes. John will display a series of ballpoint pen sketches that chronicle her inner workings on paper during the summer. Meier exhibits a series of monotype prints that employ rich colors and hues reminiscent of a northern New Mexico town. Borowicz shows an 8-foot x 10-inch watercolor painting that seems to echo water, glaciers and stone. Tomczak-Czulewicz exhibits two linoleum prints, “Inner City Hope” and “There Once was a Place.” The public is invited to meet the artists at a reception on Thursday, Sept. 18, from 5 to 7 p.m. The gallery, in the lobby of the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center, is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. @naomiruth29
DFA1979 releases new album Dolphin Tale 2 splashes into theaters By Jacob Middlesetter Contributing writer
Online
After a 10 years without new material, Toronto-based duo Death from Above 1979 (DFA1979) has released their sophomore album “The Physical World.” DFA1979 is arguably one of the harder rock bands, relying more on faster rhythms and distorted bass. Now, in 2014, bassist/keyboardist Jesse Keeler and drummer/vocalist Sebastien Grainger have reunited. The result is a new and refreshing take on that same powerful sound. Two singles have been released, the first being “Trainwreck 1979” which found vocal harmonies and distinct riffs as opposed to the syncopated and noisy songs of the first album. “Government Trash” how-
ever, brought up all of the rough and raucousness which long-time fans were hoping for.
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Fans of DFA1979 will not be disappointed with the new cd.
The other tracks on this record are of a notably newer feel. It starts with “Cheap Talk” led along with Keeler’s slick bass rhythms and Grainger’s liberal use of a hi-hat, all while loathing over the unsubstantial significance given to words in society. “Right on, Frankenstein!”
Full list of events can be found on the PAC website
quickens the pace with the pulsing, quick bass groove before ending of a strong bass solo. Later in the album comes “Always On” angry at the society attached to technology, and the inability to gain solace, saying “If we brought Kurt back to life, there’s no way he would survive.” The album ends with the title track “The Physical World,” a mix of a quick electronic keyboarding intro from Keeler which goes through a hard-hitting chorus, then ending with an 80’s metal-esque bass solo. Death from Above 1979’s second full effort is fresh and powerful, in places. The new effort is more mature and its musical variation more unique, but it struggles to find the continuity which made the first effort so potent, and for this I rate the album 7/10.
By Jake Lowy Staff writer
Dolphin Tale 2 is the sequel to the heartwarming movie series about a dolphin named Winter. The story starts off with the passing of Winter’s aquatic friend from the newly expanded Clearwater Marine Hospital (CMH). The Clearwater Marine Hospital is forced to find a female to be housed with Winter or she would have to be transferred to another marine facility. The main plot follows a high school employee for Clearwater Marine Hospital named Sawyer Nelson (Nathan Gamble), who is offered a college experience in marine biology; resulting in the tough decision between his future career or his friend Winter.
View upcoming performances: www.miac.mercyhurst.edu
Unlike most PG films in theaters today, it is very emotional, especially for a young audience.
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Viewers will find their hearts captured by Winter.
Beware: Young viewers may want to leave the theater because of the intense emotion this film will bring out. It is definitely worth sticking around to watch this
heartwarming movie. Dolphin Tale 2 is a story about loss, love and family. This movie is proof that Hollywood can still make an amazing movie that does not have to involve super heroes or firearms. Dolphin Tale 2 brings out an emotional side in viewers that has a strong impact, making it exciting to watch. This film stars talent including Kris Kristofferson, Cozi Zuehlsdorff, Morgan Freeman and a special appearance by professional surfer Bethany Hamilton, known for her autobiography “Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board.” It’s a must-see family film. Fans will surely be asking for a third chapter to this dolphin tale! @TheMerciad
www.merciad.mercyhurst.edu/ arts_entertainment
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September 17, 2014
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 Merciad Relay for Life successful or the Catholic Church. Responses on any subject are always welcomed and can be emailed to opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.
False fire alarms on campus due to overcooked popcorn By Mackenzie Burns Contributing writer
With the university starting less than a month ago, the Erie Fire Department has already been dispatched to campus twice. These visits occurred within 36 hours of each other. Luckily, there were no real fires, but nearly 300 students were inconvenienced each time. Midafternoon on Sunday, Sept. 8, the fire alarm went off on the fourth floor of Warde Hall. The cause: a bag full of burnt microwave popcorn. The entire dorm was evacuated for nearly 30 minutes. I can attest that the common area still smells of burnt popcorn. The excitement calmed, but not for long. On Monday, Warde found fire alarms ringing once again; this time at
11:30 p.m. This evacuation was a bigger nuisance since some students were already asleep. What could possibly have triggered the alarms this time? Another bag of burnt microwave popcorn. This time, the smoke came from the third floor. Warde Hall was now worried that we would all be awakened in the middle of the night on Tuesday for another “fire drill.” Popcorn is a popular snack among college students. It is a rather healthy snack as long as it is low in fat. It may even help prevent the Freshman 15. While it does pose some health benefits, there are several downsides to microwave popcorn. Dr. Oz says there are several hidden dangers of microwave popcorn. For example, the
smell produced from popcorn is a result of diacetyl, a synthetic chemical that adds the butter flavor to microwave popcorn. It can cause “popcorn lung,” or bronchiolitis obliterans. This is an irreversible condition that causes scarring in lung sacs. PFOA is another chemical found in popcorn, which leads to thyroid issues, high cholesterol and bladder cancer. Other than health concerns, popcorn prompts a myriad of safety issues, especially in dorms. According to the Topical Fire Report Series, cooking fires account for 77 percent of college fires. Due to the rise in burnt popcorn, Marist College has banned its students from making popcorn after 2 a.m. and is looking to add more bans. According to their studies, overworked or drunk stu-
dents making popcorn in the middle of the night cause 87 percent of fire alarms. At Mercyhurst, students were so upset about the fire alarms that some have said they will not evacuate during the next fire alarm because no one swept the dorms to ensure everyone had left. This is a huge safety hazard because the next alarm could be a real emergency and students would be inside a burning building. While I believe popcorn is loved by the majority of our students, it has posed some potentially large problems on our campus. Unless we want Mercyhurst to consider imposing a popcorn ban, our students need to monitor their popcorn while it is in the microwave.
The Good... The Mercyhurst band made its debut at the end of the Mass of the Holy Spirit last week. Their performance was fantastic, even though it was raining. That is a very dedicated bunch. The Hurst will be soon welcoming actor R.J.Mitte from the Emmy-winning drama Breaking Bad. The celebrity will be speaking to students about overcoming adversity. This should be an excellent talk.
The Bad... Urban Outfitters went bad this week with its Kent State bloody sweatshirt. As soon as the sweatshirt went on sale the controversy became viral all over social media.
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Comedy icon Joan Rivers left a The Ugly... controversial but historic legacy By Emani Burton Staff writer
Joan Rivers was the kind of person that you either loved or hated. From her arrival in the comedy scene, to her experiments with “body sculpting” and even her controversial death, Joan Rivers gave us a lot to talk about. Nothing was off-limits for Rivers. She spoke out about Palestine and shamed other celebrities and whatever she said left trail of laughter, tears, and of course, a media circus. With a face that resembled a clown, it is hard to remember Rivers as belonging to anything other than the Ringling Brothers. Joan Rivers certainly was a spectacle. She was also spectacular. I cannot condone or endorse all of her comments, but when
I stopped judging her words and peered instead at her actions, I realized that Rivers was all too important to the history of comedy. Comedy in 1950s and ‘60s was much different from comedic styling now. Women comics resorted to physical and self-deprecating humor to get laughs. Stars of the time like Phyllis Diller directed humor against herself and made fun of her own appearance. Comedy was not much of a female career. Later, Joan Rivers came on the scene. She used a sharp wit to draw in audiences. She was provocative and told her jokes in a decidedly feminine way. Many believe that Rivers was bitchy and crass in her commentary. In some instances that may very well be true, but we cannot deny that she was
also insightful in her stand up. Many of her comments had a nugget of truth to them, whether some may wish to acknowledge it or not. Rivers rose to prominence after her appearance on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. From that moment, she became a mainstream personality. She introduced audiences across the country a brand of humor that women had never displayed before. She was the first woman to host her own night show The Late Show with Joan Rivers. That alone should give us pause. As we reevaluate the life of Joan Rivers, we have to consider the opposition she faced as she knocked down gender walls and broke through barriers. Her career did not just end at comedy, it began with it.
She played a number of roles throughout her career as a host, writer, director and actor, none of them was as critical or memorable as the role she played as a trailblazer and inspiration for celebrities like Kathy Griffin and Rosie O’Donnell. While some, myself included, were never very amused by her humor, I can respect her as someone who forged a path. That is what should encompass her legacy, not the shady circumstances of her death or even her commentary. As a woman of few serious words, her actions at least, should be taken seriously.
Contributing writer
Online
Recent revelations in the drawn-out story of NFL running back Ray Rice have shed light on a problem that goes beyond the individual incident. The video of Ray Rice pulling his unconscious wife from a hotel elevator in February sparked national controversy and brought up a torrent of dialogue about violence against women. Tensions rose as commentators put in their opinions on the matter, like that of ESPN sportscaster Stephen A. Smith, whose poorly worded opinion about women’s role in reducing domestic violence warranted an on-air apology after serving an ESPN-imposed one week suspension.
Whoopi Goldberg even had something to say about the issue, defending Stephen A. Smith, saying that women should not expect chivalry, and thus shouldn’t provoke men and not expect a physical reaction. This column will not add its opinion to the growing body of takes on the Ray Rice scandlan; instead, it will focus on NFL commissioner Rodger Goodell . After the initial charges were filed against Rice, Goodell handed down a two-game suspension. That’s right, two games. Off-the-field conduct, it would have seemed, was not all that important to the NFL’s suspension policies. After entertainment giant TMZ released additional footage from the hotel, which showed Rice punch-
ing his wife, who fell, hitting her head on a metal bar and dropping unconscious to the ground, the Baltimore Ravens dropped Rice from the team and the NFL handed down an indefinite suspension from the league. But what changed? It had already been determined that Rice had punched his wife. CBS anchor Norah O’Donnell asked, “Did you really need to see a videotape of Ray Rice punching her in the face to make this decision?” Goodell responded, “No. We certainly didn’t. And I will tell you that what we saw on the first videotape was troubling to us in and of itself ... [b]ut what we saw yesterday was extremely clear, it was extremely graphic, and it was sickening.” So, actually, you did need to? Or is the problem that you
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were covering up the fact that Ray Rice makes the NFL so much money that it was worth it (for a time) to keep him in the league and boosting jersey sales and Nike advertisements instead of punishing him for his crime? I’m going to guess that Goodell was hedging his bet on the hopes that the elevator footage wouldn’t come to light and he would never need to answer for why Rice was given such a lenient punishment. But now, he’s fumbling on his own words and making an utter mockery of any semblance of a just organization that Goodell was trying to instill in the public.
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The Weird... A few days ago, the cafeteria ran out of straws and replaced them with bendy straws. The new ones break easily and are not so effective as the previous ones.
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Ray Rice turns attention to NFL By Jacob Middlestetter
The anonymous message board, Yik Yak, is causing many false rumors around campus. It looks like students are using this opportunity to let their dirty rumors come out to light. Kind of cowardly, we think.
Editors Zach Dorsch Juan Mendez Nathan Turner Ryan Kushner Carly Contraguerro Megan Pacileo Marcela Delgado Mary Barnes Sami Rapp Ethan Johns Will DeFeo Bill Welch
Positions @mercyhurst.edu Editor-in-Chief editormerciad managingmerciad Managing Editor News Editor newsmerciad featuremerciad Features Editor Sports Editor sportsmerciad A&E Editor entertainmentmerciad Opinion Editor opinionmerciad Copy Editor copymerciad Photo Editor photomerciad Web Editor ejohns89 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 120B. 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.
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September 17, 2014
Page 7
The Merciad
Sports
Volleyball sweeps West Liberty U. By Vanessa Steele
By Vanessa Steele
Contributing writer
Contributing writer
Salina Bowe photo
Senior middle blocker Rachel Crittle, served an ace for Lakers during their first game against West Liberty University on Sept. 12. The Lakers swept WLU and also won 3-1 over ND that day.
Mercyhurst’s women’s volleyball competed against West Liberty University Friday, Sept. 12. The team beat WLU 3-0 after scores of 25-7, 25-16 and a close 26-24. This victory was welcome after losing their last two games. The first two sets were high energy and fast-paced, resulting in victory. The players worked hard and fast throughout the sets, encouraging each other and working off each other’s energy. The last set of the game ended up a little more intense. West Liberty fought for that last game, with the score becoming tied at 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24, before the Lakers were able to push for the win at 26-24. Both teams had determination and energy
which had the crowd on the edge of their seats. The team had 42 kills overall in this game, with 17 of them coming from sophomore Sarah Wegrzyn. Wegrzyn was a force to be reckoned with in this game, not only with the 17 kills, but also with eight digs and an overall percentage of .536. Junior Lexi Stefanov also did well this game, with 7 kills and a .875 percentage. Stefanov said that the chemistry between team members has been difficult because they have a deep bench this year full of young players, but it has been improving in practice. Junior Kelly Vitt also said how important chemistry is during games. Vitt stressed the “fast tempo” they have been trying to keep, and that it is the key to playing a success-
ful game of volleyball. Coach Ryan Patton also emphasized the importance of moving faster than the other team can keep up with. “I think they handled it well,” he said. He was also very happy with the direction that the team is moving in. The positive energy between players was a big part of their success this weekend. The team won all four games it participated in this weekend, with a score of 3-0 against 3 teams. the Lakers won 3-1 against Notre Dame University. Next weekend, the team is travelling to take on Kutztown University and Cheyney University on Sept. 19. Then, East Stroudsburg University, and West Chester University on Sept. 20. @TheMerciad
Field hockey starts conference play strong
Mercyhurst edges IUP Crimson Hawks 2-1 in their own nest By Karah Hollis
Contributing writer
Mercyhurst field hockey has started the season strong. With two wins and only one loss, the Lakers added another win Tuesday against the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Crimson Hawks. This was the team’s first Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) game of the season, which they won 2-1. Mercyhurst senior Kelsey Lovelace began the game with a rebound off the goalie for the first goal. IUP’s Haley Fidler quickly responded with a shot at 25:05, but was saved by Laker goalkeeper, senior Jess Wess. Ericka Griffith
scored IUP’s only goal of the game, just before the end of the first half, keeping the score tied. The Lakers came back for the second half with a stronger showing. The period began with a corner kick by junior Andrea Goldbach, leading to a goal attempt by senior Marissa Faso. Mercyhurst kept strong possession throughout the last half, only allowing two shots. After being struck by a ball in the first half, Faso came back strong, scoring 10 minutes into the second half. The Lakers kept on the offensive after the goal with five more shots; however, no one was able to capitalize. “We came out strong,” sophomore midfielder Alex
Albright said. “We had more back and forth possession in the first half, but kept it better in the second half.” Goldbach had an excellent game. She had seven corner kicks and one assist. Lovelace and Faso had good games as well, scoring once each. Although the Lakers won, Albright said they are looking to improve their game. “We should have capitalized more on plays and we should have finished more,” she said. Mercyhurst’s next home game will be Sept. 17 at 4 p.m. on Tullio Field against Slippery Rock University.
Alison Ockasi photo
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Junior Kierstyn Stemer defends sophomore midfielder Emily Burns during practice. The team is 2-2 overall and looking to pick up another win against Slippery Rock on Oct. 4 at Tullio Field.
Lakers football scheduled to play at UMich Big House By Austin Hembree Contributing writer
Salina Bowe photo
Senior forward Patrick Gehring takes control of the ball during the Lakers 3-1 win over Alderson Broaddus. The Lakers will be playing their first PSAC game on Sept. 19 against West Chester.
Men’s soccer rebounds against Battlers after loss
By Karah Hollis
Contributing writer
Coming off a recent loss, the Mercyhurst men’s soccer found the fire needed to beat Alderson Broaddus, 3-1, Tuesday at home. Mercyhurst quickly got into the game with a shot by senior Ryan Lund at 3:26, only to be saved by the Battlers’ goalie, Ricard Lao. The Lakers kept their momentum with two close shots by sophomore Danny Deakin. After two more attempted shots, junior Richard Vanhorne received a pass from the left side to the center, beating the goalie and scoring the Lakers’ first goal of the game.
Two more shots came closely after by senior Fernando Martinez and Deakin, respectively. The Battlers finally gave a showing about four minutes left in the first half. Marco Profumo took a shot at 41:43. Ron McKelvey ended the run with a wide shot to the goal. Mercyhurst brought it back with two shots by red shirt sophomore Jack Watson and sophomore Michael Dirienzo. The momentum created in the first half carried through to the second half. Only about three minutes in, Mercyhurst’s grad student Gregory John Andrews scored his first goal of the season with a pass from Martinez. At just under 20 minutes in to the second half, Mercyhurst
took advantage of a rebound off the goalie. Watson also scored his first goal of the season with the help of Deakin and Martinez. Mercyhurst continued their campaign with three more shots before the Battlers took back possession. With only three minutes left in the game, Zach Partyka capitalized on a pass from Ryan Hughes to give Alderson Broaddus their first goal of the game. Mercyhurst kept the ball until the final whistle. The Lakers will be back at home Sept. 19 with a 3:30 p.m. game against West Chester University. @TheMerciad
Mercyhurst’s football team is scheduled to play Slippery Rock at the famous Big House stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Oct. 18, 2014. University of Michigan began announcing the scores of Slippery Rock football games at half-time during Michigan games. The announcer, who picked the school because of its unique name, started announcing the scores in the late 1970s and this tradition continues today. Former Michigan director of athletics, Don Canham, invited Slippery Rock to play during the University of Michigan’s Band Day event on Sept. 29, 1979. Slippery Rock has played at the Big House twice and lost both times. Senior wide reciever Patrick Barry, hoping to hand the Rock their third loss at Mich-
igan Stadium, is thrilled to be on the main stage. “I’m definitely excited. Playing at Michigan will be a great opportunity for our team,” Barry said. Over 61,000 people were in attendance at the previous Big House visit for Slippery Rock. With this being Barry’s fourth year on the team, he is eager to take on the pressure in front of all those fans. “Playing at the Big House is definitely something that I have never experienced before, at least in my career. It will be exciting to play in front of all those fans, especially on the Mercyhurst side with our friends and family,” Barry said. This will also be a new experience for freshman quarterback Ramroth Finnegan. In his first year with the team, Finnegan is honored to be a part of this Big House Battle. “Coming in as a freshman and getting to experience this opportunity is pretty awesome. I was not expecting to
walk into this,” he said. Finnegan also urges students to go and support their school of this once in a lifetime event. “It would be great to see as many students there as possible and get their support because this really is a big deal,” he said. Students can purchase a ticket for $25. This includes a bus ride to Michigan, entrance to the MU tailgate at the Ann Arbor Golf Club and entrance to the game. Spots on the bus are first come, first serve and seats are filling fast. To purchase your ticket and get more information, email Preston Reilly at preilly@mercyhurst.edu. Mercyhurst Student Activities Council will also be hosting a watch party in the Student Union Great Room for those unable to make the trip.
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Upcoming Home Games and Matches
Page 8
September 10, 2014
The Merciad
Laker
Living Geek Weekly: Top Free Antivirus
Editor-in-chief
install on malware-infested systems. Another bonus feature is the theme customization feature of your antivirus to compliment your newest wallpaper.
Is your computer running slowly? Have you noticed that you’re getting a lot of pop-up ads when browsing the web? Has your favorite browser suddenly acquired an ungodly number of toolbars? Do you have an up-todate antivirus? If you answered yes to any of the first three questions and no to the last one, chances are you may have some malware on your computer that is causing these issues. The good news is that this can be easily fixed with a free antivirus. Since there are several options out there for free antivirus software, I have narrowed it down to some of the best.
2. Ad-Aware is similar to 360 Internet Security with an easy-to-use interface that has a modern feel. Along with the ablility to conduct scans, the software will automatically quarantine any malicious software it finds, instead of waiting till the end of the scan. Ad-Aware has a very up-to-date library, allowing it to catch new malicious URLs before they may be present on other software’s libararies. Lastly this software offers a slient mode that will allow you to play games or watch a movie without being disturbed by notifications.
By Zach Dorsch
1. 360 Internet Security is by far one of the easiest to use antiviruses on the list. It is compatible with both PC and Mac. The easy-to-use interface will perform all functions needed to keep your computer running in tip-top shape. One unique feature is the behavior-based detection system that will ask if a specific program is good or bad before it is running it for the first time.
3. Avast! Free Antivirus 2014 is one of the best free antiviruses for Mac and works well on Windows too. Avast! offers more features than the other two softwares, on the list. It includes features such as several options for cleaning up malware, website reputation check and the ability to be installed and scanned in Safe Mode. Web photo
@beanhead43
The other plus is that, because this software has a quick installation process, it will even
Installing an Antivirus will help increase the life of your computer.
Beauty Talks: Coffee body scrub Ingredients:
By Marcela Delgado Opinion editor
By this point in the year, stress is starting to kick in due to schoolwork and exams. A good way to eliminate stress is by relaxing with a quick and easy coffee body scrub accompanied by a hot shower. After a long day of studying and working, a hot shower before bed is the perfect way to end your day and prepare for the next. People often drink a cup of coffee to start their day with energy, but few know it could also become part of their skin care routine. Coffee helps exfoliate dry skin and makes it feel smooth. In order to feel relaxed and improve your daily skin care, you should try this simple recipe. This week’s recipe comes from safecosmetics.org and can be easily done with ingredients found in your kitchen:
2 cups of coarsely ground coffee ½ cup of raw sugar or sea salt 2-3 tablespoons of massage or olive oil Mix all ingredients together in a mixing bowl. For better results, take a hot shower to moisten your skin and open your pores. Prior to applying the scrub rub the coffee scrub in wide and circular motions. After applying, rinse off, dry your skin and feel free to apply a thin layer of body lotion of your choice. Don’t forget to follow Fresh Face Forward on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest so you can get tips and recipes all year long.
y Eas utes : y lt in ficu 10 m our f i D me: 1h i : T e p m Pre tal Ti To
Coffee can be used for more than giving you energy to get you through your day.
Web photo
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Why
Oreo Truffles
I like super this recipe easy a nd tas : This recip e tes am azing. is
By Sami Rapp Photo Editor
Ingredients:
Preparation:
1 package of Oreo cookies 8 ounces of cream cheese 8 ounces of melting chocolate
1. Line a baking sheet with waxed paper. 2. Crush all of the Oreos with a food processor or by hand in a bag using something heavy to crush them. 3. Add cream cheese in chunks and fold in the cookies. Then, using a mixer, mix the two together. 4. When mixed, form 1-inch balls and roll between your hands until they are round. 5. Microwave the chocolate until melted, mixing it after every 30 seconds to prevent burning. 6. Dip the truffles into the chocolate. Then place them on the baking sheet with the waxed paper and put them in the fridge to cool the chocolate.