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ONLINE POLL RESULTS
New FSAT to Cuba
Choir invited to Poland
Poverty initiative begins
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Online
I’m in it, so it’s great. 7% Creative and funny, but it’s not for me. 14%
Just another reason to love Mercyhurst. 52%
Embarrassing. 28% Total votes: 29
NEWS
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January 23, 2013
New study abroad trip available Students expand their horizons in Cuba By Jaslyne Halter Staff writer
Has the thought of traveling to the Caribbean ever crossed your mind? Thanks to Natasha Duncan, Ph.D., of the Political Science Department and Peggy Black, Ph.D., of the Sociology Department, this dream trip could be crossed off your bucket list. “I teach a course on Latin American politics and wanted to add a travel component to the course since it would allow students an experiential learning opportunity,” said Duncan. “I spoke with Dr. Black who was fascinated by the region because of the political and social differences which appealed to her from a sociological perspective. We felt the FSAT course was a good opportunity for students to expand their worldview and examine a region so close to our borders but yet has distinct experiences from the U.S.,” Duncan said. “We wanted to a unique FSAT class
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Students will tour places like Cuba’s capital, Havana and Old Havana. that would explore the political and social environment of the Caribbean region,” Black said. The professors were not initially
focused on traveling to only Cuba, but also to Trinidad and Tobago as well. The two destinations would have allowed for students to experience and
study the diverse political and social arrangements within the Caribbean region. The cost of visiting the two locations did not permit, however. They chose Cuba instead of Trinidad and Tobago because of the degree of contrasts it affords and the allure it has because of its strained relationship with the United States. “For me, I wanted to expose students to a different political system from which they are familiar in the United States,” said Duncan. “Also, I think studying and visiting Cuba will demystify U.S.-Cuban relations.” Students will explore Havana and Old Havana, but as noted in the itinerary, the group will travel the length of Cuba from Havana to Santiago and experience the diversity within the society of this island country. “We have had interest by over a dozen students, but only a few firm commitments,” said Duncan. “We need at least 10 students confirmed for the course and travel experience to make this trip a reality. We aren’t there just yet.”
There will be lectures on topics such as race in Cuba, the recent changes in the Cuban economy and society, since the recent economic reforms made under Raul Castro’s administration. Students will visit the site to observe and learn about how social problems such as poverty, child welfare and healthcare are managed. Trips will be made to the national monuments significant in the 1959 revolution as well. “Most importantly,” noted both Duncan and Black, “students will have the opportunity to interact with Cubans and Cuban society and learn firsthand about politics and life under a communist regime. As with any travel outside of one’s home, students will have a cultural experience.” The professors have preliminary details in hand (course ideas, reading material, connections with Common Ground Travel, etc) and an informational meeting will be Wednesday, Jan. 23, at 4:30 p.m. in Old Main 211.
NEWS
January 23, 2013
Annual ‘Taste or Waist’ gives healthier options By Abigail Robinson Staff writer
On Wednesday, Jan. 16, the Carolyn Herrmann Student Union was buzzing as students and faculty attended the annual “Taste or Waist” food fair. Assistant Professor of Sportsmedicine Tim Harvey’s Nutrition for Health Professionals class, along with the Campus Involvement Center and Human Resources, put on the event with the help of the sports medicine students. This event is held every year. Its goal is to show the community how to make classic dishes healthier by simply swapping a few ingredients. The timing of the event is well thought out, with many people only a few weeks into their New Year’s resolution. The event helps promote eating, in a healthier way. The sports medicine stu-
Mercyhurst University Police & Safety
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Students made reduced calorie desserts like chocolate cake. dents made various dishes, one regular and one healthy. Attendees tried both options, and then voted on which they thought was healthier and which one tasted better. “It’s amazing, the food tasted almost exactly the same,” said senior Bridget Finn. “It really makes you think about what you are eating.” Junior sports medicine major Amber Penna explained that in past years almost 65 percent of attendees voted that the healthier option was the
Police Log Friday, Jan. 18 Larceny Egan Hall Referred for discipline Sunday, Jan. 20 Liquor law violation 3923 Briggs Ave. Referred for discipline
Sunday, Jan. 20 Possession or use of controlled substance 3810 Lewis Ave. Referred for discipline Sunday, Jan. 20 Public drunkenness/college violation 3940 Lewis Ave. Referred for discipline
tastier of the two dishes. In order to participate in the tastings, students brought either 50 cents or a canned good, with all donations and proceeds going to the United Way. The event drew a crowd of almost 250 people and left attendees with a healthier mindset to start the new year off right. This year’s event featured an array of appetizers, soups, entrees and desserts. Buffalo Chicken Dip, quesadillas, chicken club wraps and Reeses’ Bars were just a few of the menu items featured. Students who helped to prepare the dishes explained that they took the original recipe and replaced certain ingredients with healthier alternatives, which helped to reduce the fat and calorie content but not the taste. Another factor to the challenge was that the healthy dish must have the same texture and taste but appear identical to the original dish.
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News Brief Frozen Putt-A-Thon approaches
The Mercyhurst University Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) is hosting the annual Frozen PuttA-Thon on Saturday, Jan. 26, at the HarborView Miniature Golf Course. The event consists of a classic game of miniature golf, but in a slightly colder climate than usual.. The course is located at 36 State Street and guests can play from noon until 5 p.m. The greens will be thoroughly cleaned off from the snow and ready for proper game play. Tickets are $3 per person and proceeds benefit Mercyhurst’s PRSSA activities fund and the Erie City Mission. For more information visit www.frozenputt.com or contact PRSSA President Joseph Pudlick at (814)-602-0993 or prssa@mercyhurst. edu.
Pre-Law club raises funds By Kierston Bromley Staff writer
Clubs on Mercyhurst campus offer students chances to assist their community every day, just what the PreLaw Society club did for Legal Aid Volunteer Attorneys (LAVA) with their recent sweatshirt fundraiser. The Pre-Law Society club, advised by attorney Meredith Bollheimer, assistant professor of business, and attorney Tina Fryling, chair of criminal justice, is a student Recognized Student Club/Organization (RSCO) of about 20-25 active members. They decided to run a sweatshirt fundraiser in order to advertise their club as well as donate the remaining money after costs to a deserving organization. LAVA is an organization that assists low-income Erie community members who need an attorney but may not be able to afford one. This organization provides pro-bono work to these members and is a critical part of the community. “We decided that instead of just selling sweatshirts and then having our club keep the money, we would rather donate it to a local legal aid group,” said Bollheimer. “We felt this was important because it reflects the mission of the university and we recognized the importance of this work
that LAVA does.” Twenty-three sweatshirts were sold, with a total of $250 donated to LAVA. The club donated the money on Friday, Jan. 18, with several members were present for the occasion. “The sweatshirts look great and are super comfortable,” said Alyssa Ross, secretary and vice president of the PreLaw Society Club. “Having club members wear them around really brings some attention to a long-standing academic club that rarely gets any hype.” Vice President of Communication and Marketing Brooke Miller designed the sweatshirt while Ross assisted by proposing the option of hoodies and crew necks. Next year, the club plans to continue the sweatshirt fundraiser. The plan is to keep the logo the same but change the color. This year’s colors were navy and forest green.
Treasurer Jake Jaskiewicz is pleased with the turnout of the fundraiser. “I’m glad to see that small groups on campus could make such a contribution,” Jaskiewicz said. There are about five to 10 sweatshirts still available for purchase. Currently, the club only accepts cash, but will eventually be able to take checks addressed to Mercyhurst University. To purchase one of the remaining sweatshirts, see Bollheimer in her office, Preston 303, during the following hours: Monday 9:30-noon, Wednesday 9:30-noon and Thursday 9:30-10:30a.m. Currently the Pre-Law Society club is unsure of where they will donate the surplus money from next year’s fundraiser, but they have expressed a desire to continue donating to deserving societies as they have done this year.
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Students Alyssa Ross, Megan Helton, Jake Jakiewicz, LAVA Attorney David Baxter and club adviser Meredith Bollheimer pose for photo after the donation was presented to LAVA.
FEATURES
January 23, 2013
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Celebrities flaunt fashion at the Golden Globes By Isabella Cardina Contributing writer
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Alums Mary Margaret Dill, Ronnie Sikora, Lee Stanford and Diane Marino practice for upcoming performance in the 60s.
Strict dress code enforced in 1960s By Isabella Cardina Contributing writer
Most Catholic high schools and grade schools have a school uniform that is mandatory for each person to wear everyday, but to think of a college having a dress code is pretty bizarre. Not too long ago, in the 1960s, our very own Mercyhurst implemented a dress code for the students. At the time it was an all girls school. The 1961 Mercyhurst Student Handbook gave some examples of what the girls had to wear to class on a regular basis like, “sport dresses, suit skirts, and blouses; sweaters and blazers make the proper attire for class.” Imagine being handed this book on your first day of class as a freshman. Today these standards are obviously not held high and we do not have a dress code. Styles have changed a lot since the early 1960s and the existence of a dress code restricted people from allowing them to have their own personal sense of style. Students in 1961 were permitted to wear styles such as “slacks, and Bermuda shorts, and kilts may be worn at picnics and hayrides or by decorating committees and stage-craft crews in carrying out their work.” This section is referring to casual dress for everyone in 2012 currently on campus. Ladies would have to wear a skirt everyday to class, and I know for some people that would not go over very well today, especially to 8 a.m. classes during winter term.
“Sneakers may not be worn on Sunday, unless they are worn for a picnic or for tennis,” stated the 1961 handbook. This restriction of shoes would cause much controversy on today’s campus, because everyone wears sneakers, whether or not they are athletes. Today, having a list of rules of what we could wear would make some girls want to rebel against the rules. It is hard enough to decide what to wear everyday to class, but girls in the 1960s were used to being told what to wear everyday. If uniforms were the
norm, we would probably be more accepting of certain rules. The rest of the rule book had features on what girls were allowed to wear in the dorms and even off campus. The styles would obviously not be relevant in today’s society, but if there were a list of restrictions on dress for today’s campus, like the strict rules of the 1961 Mercyhurst Student Handbook, students would go crazy.
While most were tuned in to the Golden Globes to see the winning actors and actresses in movies and television, it was also a night of glamour and fashion. The popular colors seen on the red carpet this season were dark reds, classic blacks and blush tone nudes. Some stars shined while others did not. There was a lot of controversy going on involving actresses, such as winner Jennifer Lawrence in Dior Couture, Jessica Chastain in Calvin Klein and Kerry Washington in Miu Miu. While fashion critics seemed to favor Lawrence and Chastain and oppose Washington’s sheer gown, viewers seemed to be the opposite. Popular favorites consisted of winner Anne Hathaway in Chanel, Emily Blunt in Michael Kors and Nicole Kidman in Alexander McQueen. These three looks succeeded because the outfits were flattering to their bodies and were age appropriate. Anne Hathaway lit up the red carpet in her white gown with her new short hair cut, and Emily Blunt added a con-
trasting color of pink with her golden glitzy cut out dress. Nicole Kidman’s black McQueen dress, a very popular color, was original and unique with the boning cut out on her ribs, and gold accents on the top. Some other worst dressed outfits consisted of Halle Berry in Versace, Lucy Lu in Carolina Herrera, Eva Longoria in Pucci and Amanda Seyfried in Givenchy. Stars that didn’t get the recognition they deserved were stunners Jennifer Garner in Vivienne Westwood, Naomi Watts in Zac Posen and newcomer Olivia Munn in Armani. Since the dark red, classic blacks and nude tone colors were the most popular here are the best dressed in each of those categories: in black Amy Poehler, actually wore a very chic suit made by Stella McCartney. Best red, Marion Cotillard in an asymmetrical and modern dress in Raf Simmons for Dior. Isla Fisher was the winner wore the best blush colored dress of the night in Reem Acra. Overall, most fashion that hit the red carpet was more successful than expected.
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1960s alums Norma Jean Pavolic, Beth Campbell and Marilyn Sullivan model “appropriate” outfits for the Junior Prom.
Amy Poehler, Isla Fisher and Marion Cotillard were best dressed at the 2013 Golden Globes.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
January 23, 2013
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Winter Cabaret exhibits outstanding talent By Mathew Anderson A&E editor
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Students have prepared a selection of music from both contemporary and classical musical theater for their first performance.
With theater on the rise on campus, it’s no wonder the Theater Appreciation Club (TAC) is kicking off their first premiere event with style. A tremendous amount of hard work, time and effort has been given toward the success of the club. The TAC will be hosting it’s first event, a cabaret, Thursday, Jan. 24. The event was cleverly given the name of “Our Song” because of the recent revamping of the TAC and the importance of individualism. It was organized under the concept of new beginnings and individuals staying true to themselves, despite the odds. Brett Johnson, Ph.D., and the executive board of the TAC primarily organized the event. “Members of the club suggested the theme ‘Beginnings’ for the cabaret
because of the new year, the new program, and the newly organized club,” Johnson said. Thursday night will feature a collection of musical selections ranging from “Sweeney Todd,” “Cinderella” to “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.” The cabaret will feature a little over an hour of music performed by the Theatre Appreciation’s Club members. The evening will begin with a quartet of auditioned vocalists who will perform “The New World,” from “Songs for a New World.” This exciting and upbeat musical selection gets the ball rolling for an excitement-filled night of extremely talented students. Senior Katie Cecchetti will be giving her energetic rendition of “Here I Am” along with other students who will showcase strong, empowering and well-known tunes complemented by a handful of introspective and somber songs. “The cabaret provides our perform-
ers with an opportunity to practice their craft as actors and singers, which is vital to the pedagogical mission of the club,” said Johnson. “But it also enriches the cultural life of our university by exposing audiences to selections from American musical theater, which is one of our few indigenous art forms.” The event will feature the musical expertise of sophomore Ian Gayford on the keyboard, as well as a total of 10 equally talented vocalists. The night will end with an ensemble rendition of “Somewhere” from the hit Broadway musical “West Side Story.” Tickets will be available at the door of Taylor Little Theatre for $5 per seat. The performance will start at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 24. Don’t miss this great opportunity to experience quality music from fellow students that wouldn’t have had the opportunity to be seen on stage before.
Death Cab vocalist releases solo album By Zach Dorsch Photo editor
Online
Leader singer of Death Cab For Cutie, Ben Gibbard, is known for writing bitter songs, full of beautiful imagery. After 15 years writing for with Death Cab, he has acquired 12 songs that didn’t fit with the reverb heavy sorrow that Death Cab songs so often have. He kept these songs tucked away until last October when he released his first solo album, “Former Lives.” “Former Lives” had been written over the last eight years of Ben’s life. During this time he saw three relationships including a divorce with Zooey Deschanel, moved to new loca-
tions twice and give up on drinking. These moments are the fountain of “Former Lives.” At first, I was a little unsure about the album. I had a hard time separating Ben’s voice from the musical elements of Death Cab. This album has a stripped down feel with much shorter songs. The album has a much happier sound overall. It offers a mix of acoustically strong songs as well as electric tracks with many complex layers. My favorite track on this album is “Bigger Than Love.” This track blends Ben’s voice with singer-songwriter’s Amiee Mann. “Duncan, Where Have You Gone” offers a little variety to the album with warm over-reverberated vocal harmonies supported by soulful instruments.
Full list of events can be found on the PAC website
Another shock to this song was the guitar solo. It is a rare oddity in any song Ben writes to have a guitar solo, and even though it is short, it is wonderfully warm and feels very natural for this song. The last track on the album, “I’m Building a Fire,” is exactly why I love Ben. He has the ability to write beautiful lyrics that are also very somber. He sings over a hollow guitar “I’m building a fire / to keep you warm / long after I retire / ‘Cause this body is / bound to expire tonight, tonight.” If you like Death Cab or just want a good album full of every emotion, check out this album. Who knows, Ben’s lyrics may even help to heal some of your “Former Lives.”
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Met HD Live - Rigoletto by Verdi Saturday, Feb. 16, at 12:55 p.m. in the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center
Director Michael Meyer has placed his new production of Verdi’s towering tragedy in Las Vegas in 1960. In this production, inspired by the antics of the Rat Pack, Piotr Beczala is the womanizing Duke of Mantua, Zeljko Lucic is his tragic sidekick, Rigoletto, and Diana Damrau is Rigoletto’s daughter, Gilda.
View upcoming performances: www.pac.mercyhurst.edu
www.merciad.mercyhurst. edu/arts_entertainment
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
January 23, 2013
Faculty recital, a display of talent By Jared Hancock Contributing writer
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A select chamber group for the Mercyhurst Concert Choir have been selected as guests of the Polish government to give a stunning concert at a national Polish festival.
Concert Choir invited to Poland for festival By Kayla Rehar
Contributing writer Director of the Sullivan Conservatory and Director of Choirs Rebecca Ryan encourages her students to travel abroad and creates opportunities for international travel. In the past, she has taken students to places such as Spain, Ireland, Honduras and most recently, Italy. During last year’s trip to Italy, the concert choir had the honor of singing during a Mass in the Vatican as well as participating in the Chianti Festival and a concert in Monte Carlo. This year, her concert choir has received a very unique and special invitation that could not be overlooked. The Polish government has invited the Mercyhurst University concert choir to Poland as special guests to sing this coming May. A total of 21 people will be flying to perform. This includes 13 students, three Mercyhurst graduates and five adults consisting of parents and invited guests. Before departing, however, the
Poland group will participate in the adult and baccalaureate graduation ceremonies for Mercyhurst. Along with many other choirs from around the world, they will be singing in the 1st Lublin Festival of University Choirs from Lublin Sister Cities. Over the course of three days, the choirs will work on music selected for the festival by the administration in Poland. The music has not been disclosed yet, but the choirs will give an immense concert at the Lublin Cathedral on the third day. “I am very excited to be going to Poland,” said junior voice performance major Kathleen Reveille. “It is a place I never thought I would go to in my lifetime. I’m looking forward to learning about the history, culture and onefourth of my heritage. And, of course, sing and share a great experience with friends.” Throughout the eight-day trip, the Mercyhurst choir will also be giving several concerts and singing for Mass at various churches in Lublin. The choir will be giving outdoor performances at places such as City Hall, the Old Town and the Maria Curie
Sklodowska square in front of the University of Maria Curie Sklodowska. Ryan has volunteered to arrange a solo concert featuring her students by having them perform duets, solos or in small groups pieces. After the Polish festival is over, they will travel to Krakow where they will shop, sight-see and visit the famous Wieliczka Salt Mine. They will also travel to Warsaw to see the Polish Uprising Museum, which opened to memorialize the 60th Anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising of 1944 during World War II. All of the students selected to attend are ecstatic to travel to Poland. “I am very excited to visit the underground salt mine in Krakow. Being able to sing in many different churches around the world is such a great opportunity,” said Marisa Jacobson, a junior music education major who also went to Italy with the group last year. Compared to past trips, this one will have a more vigorous singing schedule and itinerary for the students, but they are very excited and honored to have been invited to partake in such a special event in Lublin.
Mercyhurst students and the Erie community were given a great treat last Thursday, Jan. 17, as piano professor Shirley Yoo, Ph.D., gave a recital on the stage of Walker Recital Hall in the Audrey Hirt Academic Center. Yoo’s show featured a number of virtuoso pieces that included her colleague and friend, Stephen Buck, Ph.D. Buck is an active performer, pedagogue and chamber musician who started out his impressive career as a musician at a debut performance at Carnegie Hall in 2006. He is now employed by the State University of New York Purchase and Hoff-Barthelson Music School in Scarsdale, N.Y. and has obtained his Doctorate of Music Arts degree from Yale University School of Music. Yoo and Buck showed incredible versatility by starting out the performance playing on two grand pianos that were facing each other. As the concert progressed, the two musicians then moved to repertoire that required “four-handed piano,” which means that they were using the same piano. This often meant that Yoo and Buck were reaching over, around and across the other player, which not only is incredibly difficult, but gave the per-
formance that extra “wow” factor as well. The recital consisted primarily of Brahms pieces arranged for both two pianos and four hands. They selected Variations on a Theme by J. Haydn, op. 56b to begin the recital. The pianos were set up next facing each other, perpendicular to the audience, with Yoo on the left side and Buck on the right. They proceeded to play two movements from Oliver Messiaen’s Visions de l’ Amen. The next three pieces were arranged for four hands. Brahms’ Sixteen Waltzes, op. 39, selections from Játékok and Brahms Hungarian Dances Book 1, Wo01 nos. 2-5 composed the second half of the recital. One of the movements from Játékok, titled “Hand in Hand,” was definitely one of the most interesting pieces of the evening. In order to play the piece, Yoo and Buck were required to play with their hands overlapping. The left hand would play a set of keys and the right hand would play the black keys in between them, hence the musicians were playing literally “handin-hand.” The performance was much anticipated by the D’Angelo Department of Music. Yoo and Buck displayed a fantastic skill set for the students, showing not only phenomenal mastery over their art, but also exemplifying that music can be fun as well.
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Langer Film Series: Argo
Friday, Jan. 25 - 2:15 p.m. & 7:15 p.m Taylor Little Theatre Based on true events, Argo chronicles the life-ordeath covert operation to rescue six Americans which was unknown by the public for decades. As the Iranian revolution reaches its boiling point, militants storm the U.S. embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage.
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OPINION
January 23, 2013
The views expressed in the opinion section of The Merciad do not necessarily reflect the views of Mercyhurst University, the staff of The Merciad or the Catholic Church. Responses on any subject are always welcomed and can be emailed to opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.
Lists complicate simplicity Are bucket lists really necessary? By Jaslyne Halter Staff writer
After the fire alarms went off for 12 minutes in Hirt on Tuesday night, students and faculty were forced to evacuate the building. Well, most folks just remained in the lobby because of the frigid temperatures. We can be grateful, however, that the alarms work and that campus remains safe.
Despite the claim that there would be more advertising for MSG’s 4-1-4 Forum, many students have only just begun to hear word of the event. Is this lack of student interest or lack of MSG advertisement?
The snow has taken numerous casualties, as students forget how to function in real snow. The number of people falling and slipping shows us that clearly last year’s winter was entirely too kind to us.
It was in April of last year when I started to form my bucket list: a compilation of about 30 things that I want to do before I die. I started listing things like “visit China,” “run a half and full marathon” and “jump into Lake Erie in the middle of winter.” As I was on one of my runs this weekend I was wondering whether my bucket list was a good idea. Sure, having goals in life is great; I have so many that I probably couldn’t name them all if I tried. However, I
question the value of having such a list. I made my list so that I could imagine and look forward to a life filled with adventure and bliss. But then I began to wonder what would happen if I were to not complete that list. Would I feel like I missed out on parts of my life? Would I feel like my life lost a sense of meaning? As Confucius said, “Life is very simple, but we insist on making it complicated.” This is fitting because by making a list of things that we would like to achieve, are we not making things complicated? I think that overly planning is a huge
issue in our country. We need to plan on days to visit friends and family or plan on saving money to take a trip somewhere. What happened to the days when you could just show up at someone’s house and it would be perfectly acceptable for you to be there? It’s truly a shame that nearly 75 percent of my bucket list consisted of needing to save up thousands of dollars to make myself happy. So I threw out that list. Money does not dictate my happiness, so why should I let it dictate the things I want to do before I die? I decided instead, to act more spontaneously. In a world of planning, I’m finding it rarer to be able to do what
I want. Sure that comes along with going to school and working, but it still drives me crazy. Anyways, the point I just wanted to get across, is why not open your life up and let the adventure come to you? I honestly believe that life is what you make it; if your life is an everlasting to-do list, you are doing it wrong. So, since you chose to go to Mercyhurst, land of opportunity and service, why not take advantage of it and do something new? If you open yourself up more, allow more diversity into your world, perhaps then your “bucket list” will come to you.
Mali conflict exposes Western flaws By Zachary Yost Staff writer
The current debacle in Mali is demonstrating, once again, how little Western governments learn from the past. Again, the West’s foreign policy has resulted in disaster. How long will it take for the U.S. government to learn that you cannot simply go around bombing and killing all over the world without consequences? The debacle in Mali in which the West is becoming embroiled in is entirely the result of Western intervention in the first place. The rebellion is a by-product of colonialism, and rather than admit a mistake, France has charged in to keep two separate peoples together. The most direct reason for the rebels’ swift advances is all the fault of the West. Even Kofi Annan, the former head of the UN, acknowledges this. Al-Gaddafi, the former dictator of Libya, employed many Tuareg peoples as mercenaries. When the Libyan
rebels were able to execute Gaddafi in the street, all made possible by Western air strikes, these mercenaries returned to Northern Mali with all of their weapons and training. With these heavily armed and trained reinforcements, the Tuaregs were able to advance rather rapidly as the Mali government experienced a coup and blundered around. While originally secular in nature, the Tuareg rebellion became hijacked by radical Islamists who became radicalized in Libya. Now, thanks to the West, they are back home and causing trouble. Already, not even a month into the intervention, we have witnesses’ reprisals. The Algerian hostage crisis, which came to a very tragic end, is a direct response to the intervention. How long until these terrorists attempt to strike in France itself ? Read the full article at www.merciad.mercyhurst.edu/opinion
If you don’t want it printed . . . don’t let it happen. @mercyhurst.edu Editors Positions editormerciad Alicia Cagle Editor-in-Chief newsmerciad Stacy Skiavo News Editor featuremerciad Kayla Kelly Features Editor opinionmerciad Caitlin Handerhan Opinion Editor sportsmerciad Joe Chiodo Sports Editor entertainmentmerciad Mat Anderson A&E Editor copymerciad Chelsea Schermerhorn Copy Editor photomerciad Samantha Link Graphics photomerciad Zach Dorsch Photo Editor ejohns89 Ethan Johns Web Editor admerciad Will DeFeo Ad Manager wwelch Bill Welch Adviser
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.
SPORTS
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January 23, 2013 September 3, 2008
Four Lakers receive preseason honors By R.J. Niedzwiecki Contributing writer
The 2013 Mercyhurst University baseball team’s season is just around the corner. During the offseason, the American Baseball Coaches Association’s released their Preseason All-American list. Four Lakers were named to that list: senior Ben Rawding, sophomores Dan Altavilla, Kolin McMillen and Ryan Siegel. Rawding has been a part of a lot of the Lakers’ success these past four seasons. Last year, Rawding finished the season with a 9-0 record, 2.78 ERA and struck out 79 batters in 77 and two-thirds innings pitched. Last season, Rawding won ECAC Pitcher of the Year, ABCA/Rawlings Third Team All-American, Honorable Mention All-American by the NCBWA and ABCA/Rawlings Atlantic Region Pitcher of the Year. Rawding recognizes his teammates’ significance in his All-American ranking. “It’s an honor, and I wouldn’t have gotten the recognition without my teammates,” Rawding said. Altavilla and McMillen made a huge splash as freshmen last season. First
Brian Vail photo
Mercyhurst University baseball will kick off their season against Chowan University Feb. 9 and 10. year jitters did not seem to show with these two. Last season, Altavilla represented the ABCA/Rawlings Atlantic Region First Team, NCBWA Atlantic Region First Team, PSAC West First Team selection and the Daktronics Atlantic
Region Second Team. Altavilla sees his preseason ranking of All-American as powerful motivation. “It’s great being recognized and sets the pace not only individually but as a team for the season,” Altavilla said.
McMillen finished last season with a .380 batting average, led the team with 27 walks and a .457 on-base percentage. McMillen received many post-season accolades; as part of the ABCA/ Rawlings Atlantic Region Second Team, NCBWA Honorable Mention
Trio nominated for Hobey Baker By Joe Chiodo Sports editor
The Hobey Baker Award is a yearly award which recognizes the top NCAA men’s ice hockey player in the United States. Fifty-eight college coaches from different schools vote for the top ten players in the nation, who then face another round of voting to determine the top single player. This season, three Laker sophomores have earned a spot on the voting ballot for the 2013 Hobey Baker Award: Ryan Misiak, Chris Bodo and Daniel Bahntge. Misiak notched a goal and an assist in the Lakers game this past Saturday, Jan. 19, against the University of Connecticut, making it his sixth game this season in which he recorded multiple points. The victory puts the Lakers at a solid record of 11-9-1 overall. “First off, it’s just an honor to be
acknowledged along with all of the phenomenal players on the list, including two other Laker teammates,” said Misiak. “I could not be more humbled by the nomination.” Misiak is determined to continue working hard for his team. “Hockey is a team game and I have the privilege to play with great players,” said Misiak. “I do believe I can beat the marks I put up last year, and would be proud to do so, but all that matters is I do whatever I can to help our team win.” Bahntge was also nominated for a spot on the 2013 Hobey Baker Award ballot. Bahntge has 14 points this season, tied for third on the team. Bahntge recorded the second hat trick of his career against American International back on Saturday, Dec. 8. “After my first collegiate hat trick, I figured it was a one-and-done kind of thing,” Bahntge said. “The first time was definitely an exciting accomplishment, but not something you think will
be repeated. It felt just as exciting as the first time.” Bahntge is ecstatic about being nomination for Hobey Baker Award. “The thought that I have been nominated for this year’s Hobey Baker Award is something surreal to me. Being on this year’s ballot is really an honor and a privilege. I am thankful, and I feel more than blessed to be among the few chosen for such a prestigious award,” Bahntge said. “The Hobey Baker Award is one the greatest collegiate athletic awards that every hockey player knows about while growing up. It is great that Bodo, Misiak and myself are able to represent Mercyhurst University on such a national level,” Bahntge said. Bodo is excited to be considered for the 2013 Hobey Baker Award. “It’s a great award that will eventually be given to a great player,” said Bodo. “For Misiak, Bahntge, and myself to be recognized around the league and nominated for this award is an awesome feeling.”
Bodo leads the Lakers in goals this season with 10. “I have gotten a lot of great passes from my teammates, which has allowed me to score as much as I have been,” Bodo said. Additionally, Bodo is tied for the most power play goals in the nation this season. “To be tied for the most power play goals in the nation is a big accomplishment for myself, and it feels good being at the top of a nationwide list. I wouldn’t be tied for this if it weren’t for my line mates on the power play that have given me backdoor passes all year long,” said Bodo. “It is easy when I have good players to play with that can see the ice well and that can find me at the backdoor.” The first phase of voting for the 2013 Hobey Baker Award will run through Sunday, March 10, and interested voters can make their selection on the Hobey Baker website.
selection, and was named to the AllPSAC West First Team. McMillen is humble about his All-American preseason ranking. “It’s a nice honor, but with it comes responsibilities. Individual honors are nice, but we need to continue to push each other to make each other better,” McMillen said. Siegel was a transfer from Coastal Carolina University last season. He also made a huge splash on the team until he broke his wrist late in the season when hit by a pitch. Siegel led the Lakers in batting average with a .389 average, second on the team in slugging percentage and steals. Siegel is appreciative of the preseason All-American ranking, but won’t let it get to his head. “It’s an honor to be on a list with such talented players. However, baseball is a team game played on the field, not on paper,” Siegel said. The committee also releases players to watch and newcomer to watch. Senior Zak Blair is on the “Player to Watch” list and Junior Braedon Pennington is on the “Newcomer to Watch” list. The Lakers will open the 2013 campaign with a weekend series against Chowan University Feb. 9 and 10 in Murfreesboro, N.C.
Lakers, Knights square off Men and women’s basketball will travel across town to face hometown rival Gannon University on Wednesday, Jan. 23. The struggling lady Lakers (5-10) will face the surging Gannon (16-2) team at 5:30 pm in Hammermill Center. Following the women’s game, the men will hit the floor at 7:30 p.m. With the PSAC season in early stages, both teams look to this game to cement a favorable position in the Western Division. The men have won the last two games they’ve played at Hammermill Center, although Gannon is the PSAC leader in outscoring teams by 14.2 points per game.