The Merciad, Feb. 8, 2012.

Poll results released on what women want

Documentary starring ’Hurst senior to be screened

Opinion: Standing with Planned Parenthood

page 3

page 5

page 8

NEWS

Page 2

February 8, 2012

Education dept. receives $1.5 million grant

Funding to create Carpe Diem Academy for Erie children

By Stacy Skiavo Staff writer

Mercyhurst University received a $1.5 million grant in mid-January from the Pennsylvania Department of Education to begin a program called the Carpe Diem Academy, which will help children in the local Erie area.

The program was created to help students grades K-2 in the Erie School District at seven schools to meet state and local academic standards.

At the end of October, the 21st Century Community Learning Centers’ grant proposal was submitted and received total approval months later. The grant must comply with the requirements of its approval;

otherwise, it will be forfeited during the three-year program.

“We absolutely had to do it,” said Leanne Roberts, Ph.D., associate professor of education and behavioral sciences, chair of the education department and author of the grant.

The idea for the proposal was devised after viewing a webinar, and the program then sounded like a good idea for the department.

Director of External Affairs and Government Relations Sheila Coon then created the request for approval for the grant.

“I’m extremely excited to hear about the grant for the Carpe Diem Academy. I’m so excited that the education department has the opportunity to work with students in the community and really make a difference,” said educa-

tion major and sophomore Angela Staszak. “I’m thankful to get the chance to get into the classroom and strengthen both the students’ education and my own.”

A need for the grant was determined after research showed that the city of Erie has the highest rate of childhood poverty in the state. The research uncovered that 42 percent of students in the third grade were scoring below proficient in reading.

The seven schools that will be in the program are Irving, Burton, Pfeiffer Burleigh, Perry, Wayne, Lincoln and Edison.

“We’re hoping to build a model that can sustain itself by developing a master’s program in reading and using this as a clinical site,” Roberts said.

The Carpe Diem Academy will

Campus group seeks to explain alcohol use

By Alicia Cagle Staff writer

Mercyhurst Mentors is in its fourth year of educating Mercyhurst students about alcohol use and making better choices.

“We’re not telling people not to drink,” adviser Renee Patton, Ph.D. said.

She said they want to educate students so if they choose to drink, they will make good choices.

This group, which is part of the school’s Recognized Student Clubs and Organizations, has recently finished training its next group of mentors. Eight students went through the national Certified Peer Educator (CPE) training, which makes up a total of 25 mentors.

The organization had the option to focus on many different efforts, but chose alcohol education. The group is funded by state and federal grants.

Mercyhurst Mentors measure their effectiveness through the CORE survey, which is distributed every year. This survey asks questions regarding students’ drug and drinking habits and their perceptions.

One of their findings is that those who take the survey believe 62 percent of the student body drinks twice or more each week. In reality, 79 percent of students drink once a week or less.

Through this survey, Mercyhurst Mentors has found that its educational impact on campus is increasing.

So far during this academic year, the group has held events during Alcohol Awareness Week, a pledge signing and a movie night.

In the future, Mercyhurst Mentors will be going to local schools to teach them about alcohol. Last year they spoke to approximately 650 middle school students, and this year will be speaking to high school students about alcohol and making healthy choices in their lives.

Mercyhurst Mentors will also be working to provide an alternative option and encourage smart decisions for Saint Patrick’s Day this year. The day will begin at the lacrosse game where prizes will be given out, followed by an open skate at the ice center.

After that, there will be free dinner in the Carolyn Herrmann Student Union. Activities after dinner include alcohol jeopardy, a beer goggle maze and a demonstrator machine provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

Patton commented on the work those involved in the club have been doing.

“I think they’ve done a great job,” she said.

“I’ve been really proud to be their adviser.”

To become a CPE or to join Mercyhurst Mentors, contact Patton at rpatton2@mercyhurst.edu or at extension 3996.

help students at failing schools in Erie who seem to be at risk of failure in their own education. It will provide the children with dinner, a healthy snack, arts and the opportunity to build good habits at a young age four nights a week from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Seven teachers who are certified graduate students will serve as clinical support teachers in the program as well as 18 education majors of high standing. The education majors will be paid by the hour at an aboveminimum wage.

Education majors may apply by emailing Roberts at lroberts@mercyhurst.edu. The application will be ready in two weeks for students to begin applying. Qualifications for the program include a 3.0 grade point average and being an education major of high standing.

“I’m thrilled with the opportunity to work with the Erie School District and most excited that the children will benefit from it,” Roberts said.

The Carpe Diem Academy is a three-year program that will begin this spring term, and training will begin in a few schools.

“I think that the Carpe Diem Academy is a great opportunity for education majors to get involved in a hands-on way. I look forward to possibly being a part of this new adventure,” junior and education major Megan O’Polka said.

The program started Monday, Feb. 6, when project manager of the education department Amy Bauschard began overseeing data organization, enrollment forms and the curriculum.

NEWS

February 8, 2012

Page 3

MCAP releases new survey results

Poll focuses on what women in Pennsylvania want

By Caitlin Handerhan Opinion editor

Mercyhurst University wanted to know what women want. Specifically, the Mercyhurst Center for Applied Politics (MCAP) wanted to know.

This was the inspiration for the winter 2012 survey conducted by the center, which polled registered female voters across Pennsylvania about the upcoming 2012 election.

According to the recently released results, women preferred President Barack Obama to top GOP contender Mitt Romney 44 percent to 36 percent.

These results did not surprise Joseph Morris, Ph.D., associate

professor of political science and director of the Mercyhurst Center for Applied Politics.

“Although we were not surprised to learn that Pennsylvania’s female voters prefer Obama over Romney (44 percent-36 percent), there were some surprises,” said Morris. “First, 73 percent of women indicate that if Barack Obama dropped Joe Biden and added Hillary Clinton to the ticket, it would have no effect on their choice of candidates in 2012.

“Given the widespread support for Clinton in 2008 among Pennsylvania’s female voters, we expected to find a little more enthusiasm for an Obama-Clinton ticket than we found,” he said.

With the highly anticipated results being released last week, Morris indicated that the topic of

Theft Thursday, Feb. 2

3925 Lewis Ave. College discipline

Theft Friday, Feb. 3

Ice Center College discipline

Criminal mischief to vehicles Saturday, Feb. 4

Briggs Avenue College discipline

Possession of drug paraphernalia Sunday, Feb. 5

613 East 38th St. College discipline

Harassment Sunday, Feb. 5

3924 Lewis Ave. College discipline

Feb. 2-5, 2012

the survey conducted this term was selected for two reasons.

“First, in presidential elections more women than men vote, and they often vote for different candidates. For example, in the 2008 presidential election, 58 percent of Pennsylvania’s female voters cast a ballot for Barack Obama compared to only 51 percent of men,” Morris said.

“Second, Mercyhust University was founded by women for women.

We always keep our history and mission in mind when we’re deciding the topic of a study.”

The survey results produced by MCAP are a culmination of effort put forth by Associate Director Rolfe Peterson, Ph.D., and the numerous student workers that put in hours conducting the phone sur-

veys and gathering results.

Also working with MCAP is Mercyhurst alumnus Sean Fedorko, who, in addition to data management, works with research associates to train them before the survey begins.

Of the day-to-day operations at MCAP when a survey is in full swing, Morris said the students working at the center were a combination of work studies and volunteers.

“We usually have between 25 and 30 students working for us at any given time. Some are paid through the work study program, but most are volunteers,” he said. “Our research associates not only include political science majors/minors, but students from education, English, communications, business, psychol-

ogy, biology, social work and several other disciplines.”

With the results of MCAP’s “What Women Want” survey being used by the Philadelphia Inquirer, Harrisburg Patriot-News, PoliticsPA, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Erie Times-News, Lancaster Intelligencer as well as several bloggers, many are wondering what MCAP’s next survey will be about.

“We have several things we would like to learn about Pennsylvania voters and the 2012 election, but we’re waiting to see how things unfold before we settle on a topic.

Our next poll will be conducted in the spring, and then we’ll be off until the fall,” Morris said.

Anyone interested in working with MCAP can email Morris at jmorris@mercyhurst.edu.

Education department offers new scholarship

By Mark Vidunas Contributing writer

Mercyhurst University officials hope to attract new students to the education department by offering a $15,000 Education Department Scholarship to all incoming freshmen and transfer students, starting in the fall term of 2012.

This equals to a 50 percent discount on tuition and fees. The scholarship applies to those in early childhood, special education and middle level education.

Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management Chris Coons said Mercyhurst decided to offer this scholarship because, “Mercyhurst has been preparing students to become successful teachers since our founding in 1926. We remain unwavering in carrying out our Mercy mission and our goal of offering the best preparation for the next generation of teachers.”

When asked about the timing of this, considering the number of teacher layoffs in recent years, he said, “Despite the cutbacks in funding to school districts nationwide, we are committed in our Mercy mission to educating future teachers.

“We do hope that students who have a strong desire to become future teachers will know that we are committed to providing an outside education for them at Mercyhurst University.”

Associate Professor of Education Kathleen Bukowski, Ph.D., said teachers will be needed.

“Teacher education was the first academic major offered at Mercyhurst when the Sisters of Mercy opened its doors, so I am thrilled that the university has decided to offer our first time freshmen and transfers a

50 percent tuition scholarship,” she said.

“I believe that students are watching the budget cuts that are occurring throughout the United States in public education and may be worried about potential employment as a teacher in this economy.

“I firmly believe that this country will see large numbers of teachers retiring in the next decade. Mercyhurst offers world-class teacher training and this scholarship will enable the mission and history of teacher education at this university to continue and flourish,” Bukowski said.

Mercyhurst students have differing views.

Junior Kaylyn Stack, an art education major, said, “I am taken aback. I think this method of inspiring new majors in the midst of a national decline is unfair.

Decrease in tuition will most likely inspire instead a wealth of freshmen choosing teaching for arguably the wrong reasons: for the financial benefits as opposed to following a passion. At the very least, shouldn’t current education majors deserve the scholarship as a ‘continued investment in education during this financial crisis?’

The most disturbing fact of all is that the scholarship does not even apply to the whole education department. In fact, it doesn’t even apply to me.”

Senior Nikki Sherretts said, “I think it’s beneficial to those who are already considering going to college for those majors. But, I think it’s unfair to those who already go here and those education areas it does not apply to.”

The scholarship is renewable for all four years of study, provided the student remains a full-time education major in the accepted specializations of study.

The scholarship cannot be combined with other scholarships the school currently offers, so should a new education major decide to accept the scholarship, the student would not be eligible for any others, such as the Egan Scholarship.

Page 4

FEATURES

February 8, 2012

Edwards pushes for campus gender balance

By Alaina Rydzewski Managing editor

Jill Barrile photo

Senior Rachel Brown, junior Kayla Clark and senior JoEllen Marsh pose with chef Mary Sue Milliken during Friday’s cooking challenge with the culinary star.

Culinary greatness comes to Mercyhurst

By Alicia Cagle Staff writer

Mercyhurst Student Government (MSG) and the Student Activities Council (SAC) brought out students’ culinary genius Friday, Feb 3.

Celebrity chef Mary Sue Milliken spoke as the second installment of MSG’s 2011-2012 speakers series. Milliken has competed on Food Network shows including Top Chef Masters and Iron Chef, authored five cookbooks and owns the renowned Border Grill restaurants.

She spoke to students about her life and the obstacles she encountered getting to where she is today.

“It’s a matter of catching the balls that get thrown at us,” Milliken said referring to the many obstacles she has overcome.

She explained to students the hard decisions that she has made in life and how students will face the same dilemmas because you “can’t have it all.”

“Chef Mary Sue Milliken’s passion spread through the entire audience when she discussed elements of her career,” junior Hannah Beck said. “Whether the environment, working atmosphere prejudices, healthy eating or her passion to create, she inspired me to, as she said, ‘put my blinders on’ to those who judge me or do not think my dreams can be made possible.”

Directly following this event was the SAC sponsored

Chopped: MU Style.

Twelve teams competed in the first round when they had 25 minutes to make an appetizer with the food provided and four mystery items. Four teams made it on to round two for the final challenge of making desert. Milliken, Michelle Tobin, Ph.D., and Gerry Tobin, Ph.D., judged the competition.

Team five, consisting of junior Kayla Clark and seniors JoEllen Marsh and Rachel Brown won the overall competition.

SAC and MSG worked with Parkhurst Dining Services to create this event.

Director of Catering Julie Resler explained how they took the student’s vision and executed it the best they could.

“I think (the competition) is a neat thing, and I like how many students are involved in the culinary world,” Resler said.

Parkhurst’s Executive Chef Marcy Fickes expressed their willingness to help students.

“Any student group can contact us, and we are willing and able to partner with anything culinary.”

“I wish I could be in college,” Milliken said.

Milliken was impressed with the students and commented on the great environment. She was also in awe of the teamwork displayed at the competition.

“It’s great to see the students so passionate,” she said.

“I am most definitely a feminist,” said Alice Edwards, Ph.D., chair of the World Languages and Cultures Department at Mercyhurst University.

“I view the world through the lens of my experience as a woman, believing in the fundamental equality of all people. I do believe gender matters—culturally, clearly and in other ways we don’t yet fully understand, but I don’t believe it affects our worth as humans.”

When Edwards recognized the gender imbalances happening at Mercyhurst University, she asked President Tom Gamble, Ph.D., for permission to form a committee to study the suspected imbalances and potential solutions.

The President’s Task Force on Women and Leadership was created when Edwards was appointed chair.

The task force was formed “to address concerns about the perceived imbalance between men and women in positions of academic and administrative leadership at the college,” Edwards said.

Gender imbalance could be considered of greater concern at Mercyhurst because Mercyhurst was traditionally an all-women’s college, and when the Board of Trustees voted in 1969 to admit men, the college began hiring more men and creating academic and athletic programs to attract more men to the college. This has had a direct effect on the status of Mercyhurst today.

The task force had three faculty members, four administrators, one trustee and Edwards, for a total of nine members, all women.

After the task force is complete, Edwards said she thinks there will still be a need for “an ombudsman for gender issues because the commitment to them will go away,” she explained.

Overall, Edwards loves Mercyhurst and what the university stands for. In fact, she has been teaching at

Zach Dorsch photo

Alice Edwards, Ph.D, has been at Mercyhurst for 22 years.

Mercyhurst for 22 years.

When Edwards started at Mercyhurst, only a French minor and a German minor existed—no language majors, and no Spanish. Now, the department is thriving, with Spanish, French, Japanese and Russian majors and a host of different minors including Chinese. Edwards is a Spanish professor.

In addition to her work at the university, Edwards is also deeply involved in the community—she serves as a doula to women at the Cambridge Springs State Correctional Facility.

As a doula, Edwards focuses on “nonmedical, physical, emotional and educational care. We don’t catch babies, but we give them educational resources and help them with their birthing plans.”

Other resources they provide can be as simple as “getting them tea and giving them a back rub—all the things that probably the woman’s mom or friends or sister would normally do,” Edwards said.

In the 22 years Edwards has been teaching at Mercyhurst, she has built a department, but more importantly, she has fostered relationships and diversity within the university that will last a lifetime.

FEATURES

February 8, 2012

DIY College style: Five–minute chocolate cake Senior Amanda Chance enjoys making quick and easy snacks. She got the inspiration for this recipe from icookstuff.blogspot.com.

In my apartment, we are always baking. Cookies, cupcakes – you name it, we bake it. Since we are college students, though, we don’t always have time to make an entire cake. With classes and homework, it just doesn’t fit into our busy schedules. Thankfully, my mom came across this recipe for a delicious five-minute chocolate cake. My roommate and I tried it and immediately fell in love.

Ingredients you will need: four tablespoons flour, four tablespoons sugar, two tablespoons cocoa, one large egg, three tablespoons milk, three tablespoons oil, a small splash of vanilla extract and one large coffee mug (microwave safe). Optional items: chocolate chips, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, chocolate syrup or your favorite candy.

icookstuff.blogspot.com photo

To make: 1. Mix the flour, sugar and cocoa together in the coffee mug.

2. Add the egg and mix thoroughly.

3. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.

4. Add vanilla extract and any additional ingredients that you desire, and mix again.

5. Put your coffee mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes.

The cake will rise higher than the top of the coffee mug, but don’t be alarmed – it should not spill over.

6. Allow to cool and enjoy.

You can eat the cake right from the coffee mug or flip it out onto a plate. This dessert is also good to split in half, add some vanilla ice cream and share with a friend.

DIY College Style is a weekly column featuring students’ blogs on quick and easy tips about crafts and food.

Page 5

‘Donor Unknown’

Documentary starring ’Hurst senior to be screened at PAC

By Brady Greenawalt Staff writer

On Wednesday, Feb. 8, an award-winning documentary about one Mercyhurst student’s unique story will be shown at the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center (PAC).

The film is “Donor Unknown,” and the student is senior intelligence studies/ Middle Eastern studies major JoEllen Marsh. She is former editor-in-chief of The Merciad.

Marsh was raised in a very unique family environment. She has two lesbian mothers, and she was conceived with a sperm donation from an anonymous donor. “Donor Unknown” follows Marsh as she connects with many of her half siblings and seeks out the anonymous donor who provided her with half of her DNA. The film has been shown on PBS, and it has received positive reviews from major publications such as the Los Angeles Times and The Guardian.

“I think the weird part is that it’s been seen by so many different people,” Marsh said.

Mary-Loiuse Parker from the Showtime series “Weeds” provided an introduction to the film when it premiered on PBS. Even actor Zach Braff referred to the film as “an amazing documentary” in an interview with USA Today.

Being in a documentary has given Marsh an opportunity to travel.

“I was studying abroad in Jordan last year, and the documentary was playing at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City,” she said. “The film crew flew me back from Jordan to go to that, and then back to Jordan.”

It was at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival that “Donor Unknown” won the festival’s annual Online Audience Award.

“But the cooler part was that they flew me to London for two weeks when the film premiered in theaters there,” Marsh said.

While visiting London she also flew to Ireland for a premiere.

“It’s cool to get to talk to people and get to talk to audiences; I think that’s my favorite part,” she said.

Most of Marsh’s friends from Mercyhurst have yet to see the film.

“I’m really excited for them to come and get to watch it,” she said.

During her sophomore year, the documentary film crew came to the Mercyhurst campus to film portions of the film.

“I think there’s a really close relationship between Mercyhurst and the film,” said Marsh. “I’m really excited for people around here to see it.”

“Donor Unknown” premieres at the PAC on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at 2:15 and 7:15 p.m. There will be a question and answer session after both screenings.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Page 6

February 8, 2012

World-renowned opera singer comes to ’Hurst

By Mathew Anderson Staff writer

International sensation and Grammy Award winner Mark S. Doss took the stage of Walker Recital Hall on Saturday, Feb. 4.

Energy filled the room as anticipation for Doss grew with every passing minute.

Suddenly, the lights dimmed and conversation fell silent as Doss took the stage.

The arts community in Erie and the students of the D’Angelo Department of Music had been waiting for this moment for weeks.

Doss has performed more than 55 roles in more than 60 major opera houses internationally.

Having already performed at the Metropolitan Opera House before the age of 30, Doss has since performed at Milan’s Teatro alla Scala, the Vienna State Opera and the San Fransisco Opera.

Doss has sung the national anthem at a Toronto Blue Jays vs. Boston Red Sox game and was awarded Planet Africa’s Entertainment award only a month following.

What Doss gave on the stage was everything but a recital.

When one mentions a recital, thoughts of obviously well-rehearsed repertoire and a

vocalist standing perfectly still clutching the grand piano fill my mind.

Doss’s performance would be the definition of “antonym” if the two were looked up in a dictionary.

Not only was there a stage presence that would impress the most seasoned singer, but Doss brought forth a recital of five languages and had the ability to give the illusion that each was naturally his own.

When asked about Doss’ performance, junior Adam Ferrari said, “He exemplifies what it means to be an opera singer. The way he holds himself, his musicality, and his voice … he’s just a powerhouse.”

“I hope he can certainly make it back here again so we can work with him further,” he said.

The concert started with a wonderful composition by Jocopo Peri titled “Invocazione di Orfeo,” and continued with three German selections by Franz Schubert.

Following were an amazing selection of French pieces composed by Maurice Ravel.

The last of the three movements of this work was by far the most amusing of the night, titled “Chansons a boire,” it roughly translates into “a drinking song.”

Doss was able to convey the meaning of this song; it almost appeared as if the music suddenly made him drunk as he began “stum-

bling” around the stage.

Before intermission, he performed a few well-known songs in English: “Thousands of miles” from Lost in the Stars by Anderson/ Weil and “Ol’ man River” from Show Boat.

Junior Matt Tolbert said, “Mark S. Doss was exactly what some of us needed to see.

He showed everybody how to make wonderful music and how to transport the audience to exactly where you want them.

“It was the best live performance I have ever seen, without a doubt,” he said.

“Many who were in attendance were music students at Mercyhurst University and to look around and watch them take it all in … it was as if they’d all been mesmerized and were unable to unfix their gazes from the stage.

“It was so wonderful to have a truly inspirational man come and perform for the community as well as the D’Angelo music students.”

Sophomore Kathleen Reveille was wowed by the performance she had just seen. “Doss verified all my hopes and dreams of becoming a performer,” she said.

Following intermission, Doss opened with a number of Russian pieces, dropping the jaws of all with his seamless transition from one language to another.

He closed his performance with a number of Spirituals that couldn’t have been more

perfectly executed.

Freshman Alexa Zeremenko said, “Mark S. Doss is perfection. The way he conveys the message of what he sings, not only with his wonderful voice, but with his actions is quite phenomenal.”

Doss could change both the intonation and inflection in his voice at any given moment, which is a necessity for any successful opera singer.

After the performance, Doss stayed to autograph programs and chat with Mercyhurst’s music majors and the rest of the community.

His personality was as charming as his voice, and it was quite apparent that he was having just as good of a time as the students were.

Post-Baccalaureate Lynn Dula said after the recital, “Doss displayed a huge and powerful but still controlled and technically perfect vocal presence throughout his entire performance. He also had a gift for emotionally connecting with his audience. It was truly inspiring,” she said.

His recital concluded with multiple ovations, which involved Doss coming onstage again and again to please the crowd with tasteful selections of his repertoire. All who were present made it obvious they wished the concert didn’t have to end.

Weber charms audience with recital of German lieder

By Marika Koch

Contributing writer The Romantic Period in music has a great deal to offer in the way of emotional expression, sometimes to the point of cloying. Even so, when beautiful poetry and expressive melodic lines are combined with a strong voice, the result can never fail to impress.

Such was certainly the case on Thursday, Feb. 2, when Assistant Professor of Voice Brent Weber charmed his audience with a stellar performance of German Lieder.

Lieder is a genre of German song arranged for voice and piano.

The program consisted of a series of German songs by composers used to express some of the more potent emotions of the human experience, especially love.

The works were enhanced by the wonderful and sensitive accompaniment of Shirley Yoo, Ph.D., on the piano.

The evening started off with a gorgeous cycle of songs by Beethoven, called “An die ferne Geliebte”— To the Distant Beloved, a cycle that gives the listener all of the feelings of one aching for love that is not achievable.

Beethoven, though not quite a Romantic composer, clearly leads the way into the Romantic state of music by way of his chromatic lines; however, his fairly symmetrical cadences clearly show him to have one foot in the prior Classical period as well.

Following this was a cycle of songs by Louis Spohr titled “Sechs Lieder,” or Six Songs, which while also dealing with love, were differently lyrical than the first, and evoked a great deal of natural imagery.

Zach Dorsch photo

Brent Weber presented his recital entirely in German, a language full of expressive music.

Barton Samuel Rotberg, Ph.D., played a violin along with the piano, and while the violin added something to the lyricism of the works, it may have been a touch overpowering at times. Still, the trio did not fail to delight listeners.

Freshman Andrea Seguin said, “The violin added context, depth and interest to the pieces.”

The most interesting aspect of Spohr’s cycle was a different interpretation of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s poem Der Erlkönig, as many musicians are already familiar with Schubert’s interpretation of the same poem.

This version was dark and moving just as Schubert’s version, and Weber’s voice was perfectly instilled with the emotions of each of the four characters in the poem.

The final cycle in the concert, sung after a short intermission, was a collection titled “Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen,” or Songs of a Wayfarer by Gustav Mahler.

These works proved to be a surprisingly different end to the concert; while they were still clearly in the spirit of lieder in their subject their imagery, the use of onomatopoeia and the sharp, quick transitions between feelings of love and feelings of pain provided a shocking and pleasing end to the concert.

Weber’s expressiveness added to the audience’s enjoyment immensely.

Junior Louise Wiest said, “I thought his emotion was appropriate, and he shows a lot of control with dynamics, which makes it exciting. I think it’s a great example of what a wonderful vocalist he is.”

Faculty recitals at Mercyhurst are always gems to be marveled at. But because of the subject matter and the skill of Weber’s voice, this was a particularly stirring performance the likes of which our university would undoubtedly like to experience more often.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

February 8, 2012

Page 7

Dance department shines in ‘Raw Edges’

By Mathew Anderson Staff writer

This weekend marked the annual collage of student choreographed masterpieces.

“Raw Edges” ran last weekend at the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center (PAC) to an impressed crowd.

This was the Mercyhurst Dance department’s 13th annual presentation of one of the most popular visual art events in the Erie area.

“Raw Edges” is an opportunity for dance majors, in addition to a couple alumni, to showcase their abilities as choreographers and watch their creations blossom live on stage before their eyes.

With Artistic Director Tauna Hunter at the head of this production, the concert had been organized to include works of seasoned choreography students taught by Solveig and Mark Santillano, along with Hunter.

The students involved with these works have taken the senior seminar course that is not mandatory, which includes submitting a choreographed work that is completed at the free will of the student.

These students have gained an appreciation for the art of choreography and wish to go above and beyond the call of duty to produce art for the community.

“It was such an amazing experience working with every talented choreographer and dancing in well-

choreographed pieces. I had such a great time performing,” said sophomore Emily Reed, when asked about her experience in this year’s “Raw Edges.”

Involved with this performance were alumni Meredith Lyons ’06 and Noelle Lelakus ’08, who both participated in “Raw Edges” concerts as performers and highlyregarded choreographers.

This particular show contained many different genres of music and collaborations with all sorts of artists, musicians and designers.

The “Raw Edges” concert has always been noted for its use of diverse selections, including a commissioned score by alumna Kirsten Rispin a work of one of current music composition major Kayla Nash, which was performed via recording with violin and piano.

The concert started off incredibly with the premiere piece “Hands of Time,” which was so captivating both with the movements of the dancers and the wonderful coordination of the music.

Choreography for this work was by senior Kelly Clymer, with music

by The Blaze and Faib and with poetry written by senior Chrissy Mihalic.

Dancers imitated the movements of a clock with such a grace that it was mesmerizing to watch.

Featured dance senior Kristina Weimer gave a beautiful performance, captivating the audience with her every move.

Directly following was the appropriately named “Eden in Progress”

Sarah Hlusko photo

Two dancers have an argument during “Lord, Look Down.”

Sarah Hlusko photo

Mercyhurst dancers give their all during a performance of “Requiem for a New Day.” with choreography by C. Noelle Partusch, which was also a premiere work.

Reader Krista Lamb read poetry

by M.S. Lowndes titled “Spread Your Wings and Arise” against music by the Alan Parsons Project.

Senior Eden Mishler executed solo performance in this number with extreme grace and precision.

“It’s always fantastic to not only see the hard work the dancers put into the shows, but the creativity behind each piece as well,” said sophomore Kristian Hill.

“Lord, Look Down” was the next piece to hit the stage. Choreographer Tess Sinke collaborated with Robert Von Thaden, Ph.D, and Gregory Baker to make this wonderful production possible.

Music for this piece included Bartók’s String Quartet No. 4, and John William’s “Look Down, Lord” with voice accompaniment

by Nicholas Cianci, Muna Nehme, Sara Fox and William Dula.

This piece featured two different casts of dancers for the Friday and the Saturday-Sunday show.

The next piece, “In Time” premiered in 2011 and was dedicated to the choreographer and performer’s grandparents and sister-in-law, who all died of cancer.

Sara Lawrence-Sucato ’06 had an awe-inspiring connection with this

piece.

Set to music by Alberto Iglesias and Ayub Ogada, Lawrence-Sucato poured her heart and soul out on the PAC stage to the to the delight of the audience viewing this visual masterpiece of emotion.

The last piece before intermission was certainly a treat to watch.

Senior Jessica Stachelrodt choreographed the premiere of “Requiem for a New Day” to music by famous composer John Rutter.

Each of the performances for this number featured different dancers to give equal opportunities to perform.

The next three performances; “The Power Within,” “3 pieces for Violin and piano,” and “…I used to know,” which were all premieres, choreographed by Melissa Sheffield, Anastasia Welsh and Jo Alspaugh/ Noelle Lelakus, respectively, were all extraordinary displays of emotion.

The music for “3 Pieces for Violin and Piano” was composed by Nash and was performed by Samuel Rotberg, Ph.D., and Andrew Rainbow, whom are both paradigms in the profession of music.

The finale was one of the most notable pieces on the program.

This arrangement was titled “Me, They, Oui” and was choreographed

by Eden Mishler.

This had a definite French overtone.

The piece was set so that each performer conveyed a different emotion through miming. The range of emotions seemed to start at the most superficial with surprise and joy all the way to our deepest of emotions such as fear and love.

The piece closed with a wonderful ensemble that featured sophomore Desi Laemmerhirt and senior Juliana Franks.

This work seemed to be a beautifully thought out memorial to Jenni-Lynn Watson, a Mercyhurst dance student whose life was tragically cut short last November. This was a very emotional piece for all those who knew Watson.

Freshman Chris Dailey said after attending Raw Edges, “The concert was magnificent.

“The dancers moved with a grace that is unparalleled, and I’m extremely grateful I had the opportunity to watch this display of creativity,” he said.

This display of emotion and expression on stage rivals that of professional performers that don’t also have a college schedule or social obligations to contend with.

Looks like the Mercyhurst Dancers one-upped themselves once again. I will be greatly anticipating the selection for next year.

Page 8

OPINION

February 8 2012 September 3, 2008

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.

Proposition 8 overturned in Calif.

By Caitlin Handerhan Opinion editor

With winter term coming to a close, this Friday marks the final 100 days until graduation.

2012 is gearing up to be the year of the showdown.

California is setting the stage for a showdown in the United States Supreme Court.

With the Feb. 7, ruling on Proposition 8, marriage equality is one step closer to being a reality, one that may ultimately come at the hands of the Supreme Court.

Proposition 8 began as a ballot

proposition in California to amend the state constitution to include a ban on same-sex marriage.

Upon narrowly passing with popular support, the question of Proposition 8’s legality was brought into the discourse surrounding the debate.

After much legal contention, Proposition 8 worked its way through the court system and was ruled upon in a federal appeals court by the 9th Circuit Court this week, which overturned the amendment, stating that it was unconstitu-

tional to infringe upon civil liberties in this manner.

To me, the fact that we still have marriage inequality in the United States is absurd at best and frankly downright barbaric.

I am glad that Proposition 8 is once again in the news after almost a year of silence since arguments have been made for and against it in court. However, I find myself surprised that an issue with so much controversy surrounding it does not get as much press.

Labeling a relationship as unwor-

thy of legal recognition is an issue that seems to trend in waves and fades from mainstream media.

Once the aftershocks of a court ruling or ballot initiatives begin to settle, the issue once again fades into the background of our political awareness, only re-emerging once a gross violation is committed once again.

With Proposition 8 being rendered unconstitutional this week, let us hope that this case will make its way to the Supreme Court and will be given the attention it deserves.

Standing with Planned Parenthood

By Zainab Javed

Contributing writer

Where is the mercy spirit lately? It seems that if you have lost your OneCard and you have an immediate need to print, your only option is off campus.

The pathway between the Wayne Street Apartments is a mud pit.

Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright once said that “there’s a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women.”

Someone needs to tell that to Karen Handel, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s anti-choice vice president for public policy, who drove the decision to pull funding from Planned Parenthood, effectively throwing hundreds of thousands of uninsured women under the bus.

Komen, facing backlash from the left, apologized and said that its “original desire was to fulfill (its) fiduciary duty to (its) donors by not funding grant applications made by organizations under investigation.”

At first glance, this seems like

a reasonable demand. However, Komen forgets that it is still funding cancer research at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center with a $7.5 million grant.

Last time I checked, Penn State was under investigation for a child molestation scandal; yet, Planned Parenthood is the only organization whose funding was removed.

Let’s be honest here, Komen, it’s really about the elephant in the room, isn’t it?

We all know that abortion is the real “A-word.” It is a taboo topic that polarizes this country’s politics.

All of us have different moral and legal viewpoints on the issue, but it’s not about abortion this time.

It’s about the thousands of uninsured women who have access to affordable and even free mammograms and clinical breast exams that can detect cancer at an early stage thanks to Planned Parenthood.

Komen’s mission statement is “to save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality of care for all and energizing science to find the cures.”

The funding Komen gave Planned Parenthood funded 19 programs that provided low-income women in underserved communities with lifesaving care.

At the end of the day, cancer doesn’t discriminate between prochoice or anti-choice, pro-life or anti-life. It can affect all of us the same.

It leaves me wondering, why is there a stigma attached to Planned Parenthood? Is it simply because they provide a safe location for a legal procedure?

Let me reiterate that abortion– related services make up only 3 percent of Planned Parenthood’s services.

No federal funding allocated

to the organization goes to abortions—anyone desiring an abortion must pay out-of-pocket or rely on the aid of private organizations that put aside funding specifically for abortion related procedures.

Planned Parenthood is more than abortion. There are many individuals whose primary healthcare is Planned Parenthood because they cannot afford insurance.

No one should be denied care because of their socioeconomic status. Both women and men benefit from cancer screenings and preventive care, STI/STD testing, education and contraceptives. That is where most of the funding goes.

Don’t take this away from the communities that benefit. Don’t let politics come in the way.

My name is Zainab Javed, and I stand with Planned Parenthood.

I can only hope you will do the same.

Interested in being on The Merciad staff?

Positions are available for the next academic year.

Email editormerciad@mercyhurst.edu for more information.

OPINION

February 8, 2012

September 3,Page 20089

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.

Alcohol ads should require higher standards Warnings within ads need to be strengthened

By Larae Tymochko Staff writer

With the culmination of the Superbowl and all the anticipation, the one thing besides the game that is most talked about is of course the time in between play.

This is sometimes the only reason some people watch the game – the commercials.

Now clearly football has been christened with an association for not only the game as a sport but influenced by a different game, the drinking game.

Superbowl parties have been taken to a new level during the past years, and they certainly don’t lack anything in the departments of booze, food and die-hard fans.

More importantly how is it that companies are allowed to advertise for alcohol but tobacco advertising has been banned since 1971 on television and radio?

Cigarettes were distributed to returning soldiers from WWII, and although it was before my time, I’ve come across many Virginia Slim and Marlboro ads.

But more familiar slogans my parents and grandparents would recognize are “Light up a Lucky,”

and “For more pure pleasure, have a Camel!”

Since that era, many medical advances, studies and evidence have been conducted on the severe side effects of smoking cigarettes, and the poster child issue is certainly that it heightens an individual’s risk of lung cancer amongst many other detrimental health effects.

The solution for the tobacco industry was to slap on a label giving a generic caution of health warnings just like those listed on that beer you just cracked open after halftime of the game. But is that enough to justify how serious of an issue is at hand?

If you ask me, it’s an unequivocal, no. Maybe alcohol addiction, depression and other undesirable measures have to reach the status that cancer has before those epic Bud Light commercials are removed from television airtime.

I am aware that tossing back a couple cold ones doesn’t lead to cancer, but in excessive quantities it leads to misjudgment, bad decisions and reckless behavior.

How much of a difference is there if you kill yourself slowly by smoking or get behind the wheel of a car and you take someone else’s life or your own instantaneously?

Both instances are worst case scenarios; however, it still doesn’t justify the myriad of AA meetings that are held, lung transplants for life-long smokers or the rise of alcohol as a vice, which may lead to alcoholism.

I can’t say that advertising for alcohol will follow suit as cigarettes, but the two word warnings on their commercials that are in small print to “drink responsibly” may need to be increased in font size because unlike in the “good ‘ole days,” no one sits close enough to the television to turn the knobs to change the channels let alone to read any source of fine print.

Jenna Marbles entertains through social commentary

By Jaslyne Halter Staff writer

It’s the final few weeks before finals week, and I have about a hundred thousand things that I should be doing right now: tests to study for, papers to be writing or editing, projects that need completed.

It’s that time of the term when I drink about six cups of coffee a day just to stay sane. However, if there is one thing that I do when I need to take a few minutes to come out of my academic coma, it is watching Jenna Marbles on YouTube.

Jenna Mourey, more commonly known as Jenna Marbles, is a YouTube comedian and satirical genius.

She may seem slightly flighty at times, or perhaps even overly sexual. She used to be a go-go dancer, or as she put it, she “danced around in her underwear/getting people hyped at clubs for money.”

However if you look past that, she is just like any of us here at the wonderful Mercyhurst University (I had to plug in University status somewhere).

Marbles attended Suffolk University for a Bachelor of Science in

Psychology and Boston University where she received a master’s in Sports Psychology and Counseling.

Jenna Marbles has been entertaining the YouTube community since Feb. 17, 2010, when she uploaded her first video.

Since then, she has been gracing the screen with her thoughts and comedy and has 2,281,808 subscribers and 340,009,351 total video views.

While her videos are not categorized as revolutionary material, they are amusing and extremely relevant.

I was introduced to Marbles back in September by my friend, and after that I became hooked to the insane world of Jenna Marbles.

I’m fairly certain I have watched all 53 of her videos at least three times each, hating her for being beautiful, while simultaneously loving her for being quirky, hilarious, smart and having the perfect pinch of perversion in her videos.

I honestly cannot tell you why I turn to Jenna Marbles, but I know that as soon as I feel stressed out, overwhelmed, annoyed, etc., her YouTube channel is on my most frequently visited list on Google Chrome, and therefore she saves my sanity quite often.

She has videos about the things that any individual has the potential to relate to such as personal hygiene, things that guys/girls do in the club, fake individuals and more practical videos, such as the chronicling of her trip to India. In either sense, her stream-of-consciousness outbursts and nonsense put me into a fit of hysterics.

I love Marbles and her videos because of her outspokenness and daring social commentary.

Now, to end my bias toward adoring and worshiping Jenna Marbles blaring through this page, the January/February 2012 issue of Health Magazine even encourages readers to watch a YouTube video during the day as an energy booster.

“A good laugh raises your blood pressure and boosts heart rate, too, which can pump you up when you’re feeling sluggish,” said Robert R. Provine, author of “Laughter: A Scientific Investigation.”

What are you waiting for? Go take a look and decide for yourself whether or not she lives up to the hype that she receives.

New videos are posted on Wednesdays. What have you got to lose, other than a few minutes?

If you don’t want it printed . . . don’t let it happen.

Editors Kelly Luoma Alaina Rydzewski Liz Zurasky Caitlin Handerhan Spencer Hunt Alex Stacey Chrissy Mihalic Kaitlin Badger Jill Barrile Ethan Johns Max Rivera Bill Welch

@mercyhurst.edu Positions editormerciad Editor-in-Chief newsmerciad News Editor featuremerciad Features Editor opinionmerciad Opinion Editor sportsmerciad Sports Editor A&E Editor entertainmentmerciad copymerciad Copy Editor photomerciad Graphics photomerciad Photo Editor ejohns89 Web Editor admerciad Ad Manager wwelch 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

Page 10

February 8, 2012

Men’s hockey in second place with six games left

By Spencer Hunt Sports editor

When a team only has six games remaining in its schedule, the hope is that its playoff position is close to set.

However, that is a false hope in the Atlantic Hockey Association (AHA).

Six points separate the top nine teams in the conference. That means that one weekend sweep, win or lose, can move a team from the top to the middle of the pack. Thankfully, those are rare in AHA play.

The Mercyhurst men’s hockey team is knee-deep in the toughest part of its schedule, and the end isn’t yet in view.

“We are in a tight and competitive league from top to bottom,” coach Rick Gotkin said.

So far, Gotkin and the Lakers have fared well in conference play. They sit in second place in the conference with a 12-5-4 record.

The Lakers have battled through every inch of their schedule. Most recently, they traveled to then No. 1 Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), finishing with a loss and a tie. The bright side of the series is that the team came away with a point towards the standings with the day-two tie.

There was a brief break for the team following the RIT series. After playing its previous six games on the road, its break was short-lived

with streaking Niagara coming to town.

Niagara came to Erie on a six-game winning streak, one that wouldn’t be broken in Erie. The Lakers fought hard in a 6-1 defeat.

But in a Jekyll and Hyde performance, the Lakers traveled to Niagara on Saturday and won by a score of 3-2. The win ended the Purple Eagles’ seven-game winning streak and was Mercyhurst’s first win in five games.

“We didn’t play well on Friday night, and the score showed that,” Gotkin said. “But we played much better Saturday, and the score showed that as well.”

The inconsistencies in play cannot be simplified to one specific issue.

“There wasn’t one specific reason why we played poorly Friday and better Saturday,” Gotkin said. “It was a lot of little things, and that’s part of the learning curve.”

The Niagara series marks the second time in two weeks that Gotkin has turned to sophomore goaltender Jordan Tibbett for the second game. Tibbett has a 2-0-1 record on the year, while posting a .94 save percentage.

“Goaltending in our league is unbelievable, and we have two very good goalies,” Gotkin said. “That’s a luxury we have.”

Gotkin has seen first hand how good the goaltending is in the AHA. Just in the last two series, the Lakers have faced the third and first ranked goaltenders in the country in RIT’s Shane Madalora and Niagara’s Chris Noonan respectively

Sarah Hlusko photo

Seniors Pat Goebel and Max Strang have been constants on the Lakers’ defense. They will be relied on heavily down the stretch.

Despite the switch, senior goaltender Max Strang is still part of the equation. Despite two rough outings, Strang has earned his place between the pipes. He has posted a .933 save percentage in conference with 612 saves, which is the most in the conference.

“Max has played very well for us. He’s made a lot of saves,” Gotkin said. “Max is also mentally tough.”

Despite the up and down play of late, Gotkin and the Lakers are in an excellent position heading into the final three series of the year.

“We are going to be battle tested by the end of the season, especially once the playoffs start,” Gotkin said.

The Lakers realize they need to play well as a team to win games.

“When we don’t play well as a team, we lose, but when we do we can beat anyone,” Gotkin said. “We are doing it by committee.”

So far, that committee has played well.

Individually, there are four players with 20 points on the season including three freshmen.

There are seven more Lakers in double figures in scoring.

“There are still things we need to get better at,” Gotkin said. “We are trying to figure out how we need to play to be successful.”

What has also helped is senior leadership from the team’s four seniors. Strang in goal, Kevin Noble and Pat Goebel on defense and Derek Elliott on offense have been pivotal this season.

“Without those four, I’m not sure we are in the hunt right now,” Gotkin said. “Kevin and Pat have been staples for our defense all season.”

With the strong senior leadership and a healthy dose of freshmen scoring, the Lakers are in a power position as the season winds down.

The Lakers have another home-and-home series against Robert Morris on Friday, Feb. 10, at 7:05 p.m. in the Mercyhurst Ice Center before traveling Saturday to Robert Morris.

They will try to avenge early season losses to the Colonials.

Page 11

February 8, 2012

03/31/12

03/31/12

Sports

Page 12

February 8, 2012

Allen brings pro experience to the sidelines

By Lindsey Burke Staff writer

In college, professors are always talking about getting professional experience and working your way up the ladder. In athletics, playing professionally goes a long way.

Mercyhurst men’s basketball graduate assistant Mike Allen has brought his experience and talent to Erie to aid the team in a successful campaign for the 2011-12 season.

Allen, a native of Detroit, Mich., played basketball at two community colleges in Daytona Beach, Fla., and Cloud County, Kan., respectively.

After leading the Cloud County Community College to two victories in the National Junior College Athletic Association Div. I tournament, Allen transferred to Ohio University (OU), in Athens, Oh. At OU, Allen made an immediate impact with the Bobcats, playing in all but one game during his junior

Jill Barrile photo

Graduate assistant Mike Allen brings Div. I and professional basketball experience to the staff of coach Gary Manchel.

season and started 29. He finished the year with 142 assists, ranking first in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). As a senior, Allen led the MAC in assists with 4.31 per game, and he also led the league in assist-to-turnover ratio with 2.26 per game.

After college, Allen went on to a professional career in Germany where he played for two years.

During the 2009-10 season, Allen played in 29 games, averaging 5 points per game in 15 minutes of action.

Now at Mercyhurst, Allen is a member of the Organizational Leadership graduate program.

“This was a great fit for me. I was highly attracted to coach Manchel and his successful program,” said Allen.

Allen notes his professional career for preparing him for this transition.

“Most definitely my professional career gave me exposure to a lot of different aspects of the game,” said

Allen. “I attained different learning techniques, and I was able to take a different approach to the game.

Perhaps the biggest change for Allen has been the transition from the court to the sidelines. Not being able to control the game has been a difficult adjustment. Even so, he has found great joy in seeing players develop and ultimately coaching players to win.

“It’s different,” said Allen. “The game is out of your control on the sidelines. After a tough loss you can come out the next game with fire to win.”

“I enjoy Mercyhurst, especially the smaller campus, the 1-on-1 attention in the classroom and I have been able to learn more coaching styles and techniques,” Allen said.

Allen and the rest of the Lakers are in action against Clarion, Wednesday Feb. 8, at 7:30 p.m. in the Mercyhurst Athletic Center.

Wrestlers celebrate senior day with a win Fulmer recovered from a tough loss Friday to win 7-3 over Tyler Zittle.

Hale was the last Laker to wrestle on the afternoon. Hale was coming off a big win the night before when he knocked off Jacob Southwick of Ashland, the No. 3 wrestler in the country, 9-4.

Hale carried over the momentum from the previous night making quick work of Jacob Nale, pinning him in the first period.

By Colin Farabaugh Contributing writer

Six Mercyhurst University wrestling seniors celebrated their final home match with a win against Shippensburg, 31-9. The win moved the Lakers to 13-5 on the season.

As a team, Mercyhurst is No. 10 in the country, with three wrestlers ranked nationally in their respective weight classes.

Seniors Levi Smeltzer, Pat Carter, Fred Hale, Pat Leahy, Eric Fulmer and Josh Shields were all greeted by their families prior to the match.

Four of the six seniors wrestled, with three of them coming away with wins.

Smeltzer started the day with a tough 8-3 loss. Smeltzer scored early with a first period takedown but struggled to maintain enough momentum to hold on. He wrestled at the 133-pound weight class the past three years, before bump-

Mercyhurst Sports Information photo

Fred Hale continued his stellar senior season after beating Shippensburg’s Jacob Nale. Hale is now 26-6 on the season and was named PSAC wrestler of the week. ing up to 141 pounds this past year in place of injured freshman Jeremy Landowski.

“My fondest memories are traveling across the country with the team. This past year we had a chance to travel to Grand Canyon University in Arizona. I had a great

time hanging out with some good friends, while being able to participate in a college sport,” Smeltzer said.

Shields and Fulmer also had strong showings. Shields was able to hold off a late push from Shippensburg’s Neal Grudi to win 6-4.

“The one thing I will miss most about wrestling is being with the team. I came to Mercyhurst as a football player and wasn’t sure how the other wrestlers would react to a walk-on joining the team. I was lucky enough to be blessed with great teammates,” Hale said.

For the rest of this article, visit

merciad.mercyhurst.edu/sports