The Merciad, April 18, 2012

Students freeze for One Day Without Shoes

Ecodemia: Environmental hero to speak on campus

Mercyhurst baseball team has sights set on postseason

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pages 7-10

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NEWS

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April 18, 2012

’Hurst creates band to increase school spirit

By Mark Vidunas Contributing writer

Those who attend Mercyhurst football games may have noticed something missing that other universities and even high schools have: a marching band. Starting next year, that will no longer be the case.

Mercyhurst University is in the process of creating a marching band through the athletic department.

The school has hired John Marszalek, marching band director at General McLane High School, to start next year with a 30-member pep band consisting of current and new Mercyhurst students.

The band will play the national anthem and a few songs at football games, while also attending other games to support sports like basketball, lacrosse and hockey.

While it won’t do the traditional halftime performance at football games next year, the program is planned to expand over the next four to six years. The ultimate goal is a full, 110-member marching band with twirlers, flags and performances before the game and during halftime.

Junior Louise Wiest thinks a marching band is a much-needed addition to the university.

“Starting a marching band will be great for the school, and it is long overdue,” said Wiest. “I just hope people don’t expect too much too soon. It will take a few years before we actually have a band that marches.”

Mercyhurst Athletic Director Joe Kimball discussed how the school came to the decision to start a marching band.

“When I interviewed for the athletic director’s position, I was asked what I thought could be improved upon. I thought Mercyhurst was missing school spirit and a marching band,” he said.

“At some schools, marching bands are as important as the football team. It really gets people in the mood, adds school spirit and its great game-time atmosphere. It just

makes sense at a university or small college,” he said.

To test this, this past year Kimball invited the band directors from Edinboro University and Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) to bring their marching bands to Mercyhurst football games and perform.

According to Kimball, “the fans and the administration loved it,” so the athletic department moved forward to creating a band for Mercyhurst.

“We need to get people out of the dorms and in these contests.

This could really help school spirit and increase game attendance, which has been somewhat lacking,” Kimball said.

Kimball thinks a marching band will help attract students to Mercyhurst.

“This will help create a draw to Mercyhurst for prospective students, especially those who were in marching bands in high school,” he said.

This will also help current students who were in high school band but are not involved in the music department.

Student reactions to this news have been mostly positive.

Sophomore Hunter McCabe wasn’t entirely convinced but thought it was a good idea.

“I used to be in marching band in high school. I’m not sure how involved people are going to be at first. The program will need time to develop, but I definitely think it’s a good idea,” McCabe said.

Junior Erin Lindell wasn’t as excited with the news.

“Mercyhurst having a marching band would make me feel like I’ve regressed back to high school years,” Lindell said.

Junior Nikki Sherretts was more enthusiastic when she said, “Having been in marching band at my high school, I think Mercyhurst having one is a great idea, and it’ll be a great addition at football games.

I’m seriously debating on going out for it next year.”

To learn more about joining the marching band, email John Marszalek at marszalek.j@generalmclane. org.

ERIE

5039 Peach St. In the Summit Plaza 814-866-1443

NEWS

April 18, 2012

Students freeze for One Day Without Shoes

By Alicia Cagle Staff writer

Cold and rainy weather didn’t stop TOMS Mercyhurst Campus Club and other supporters of One Day Without Shoes (ODWS) from shedding their shoes and going barefoot to bring awareness to the needs of children in less fortunate situations.

ODWS is an annual, international event promoted by TOMS Shoes.

TOMS is an organization that bases its efforts on a “one for one” policy: for every pair of shoes purchased, TOMS donates a pair to a child in need.

TOMS stresses the importance of giving shoes instead of other necessities. According to their

Giving Report, “Shoes have value beyond being critical for physical health. Many schools in developing countries require shoes for attendance. And some soil-based diseases not only cause physical symptoms but create cognitive impairment too, crippling a child’s long-term potential.”

TOMS Mercyhurst Campus Club didn’t stop its efforts at not wearing shoes, they also got the campus talking about their flash freeze mob in front of Zurn Hall.

At 12:30 p.m. students and faculty froze for 10 minutes in any position, from a passionate embrace to playing Twister. This attracted the attention of students, faculty and local news media.

In the frozen positions, some students held signs or offered informational material that those walking by could take.

Alicia Cagle photo

TOMS Mercyhurst Campus Club Vice President Garrett Stolz participates in the freeze mob by holding a sign that reads “We go barefoot so kids don’t have to.”

TOMS Mercyhurst Campus Club President Adrianne LaGruth recognizes the importance of TOMS, ODWS and the awareness it spreads.

“TOMS does One Day Without Shoes to show how people in other countries have to live without shoes,” said LaGruth. “If we can appreciate for one day what they have to go through for a lifetime, then it gives you a little taste of why we do what we do and why it’s not okay to turn the blind eye to it.”

Junior Alyssa Ross was impressed that despite the weather, students still went barefoot in support of the cause.

“In my three years at Mercyhurst, I have never seen a campus club rooted in humanitarian awareness pull off an event as impressively as the TOMS club did with ODWS,” said Ross. “Adrianne (LaGruth), with her dedication and leadership within the club, worked relentlessly to put together the club’s involvement with ODWS, and it is apparent that her love and passion for the TOMS organization and its mission was the driving force behind the success of the event.”

Junior Lisa Guest agreed with Ross.

“The event went extremely well despite the cold and rainy weather.

It was great to see so many people go without shoes even if only for a part of their day,” she said Leading up to ODWS and during the day, LaGruth commented that many people began sharing information against the campaign and TOMS organization. She did not let that stand in her way.

“To every cause there are two sides, and I think that it is better to have given and told not to then not give at all,” said LaGruth. “I’d rather see people embrace something good than not try it and never know.”

Students are looking forward to future events and ODWS at Mercyhurst.

“I hope this is the first of many well-recognized ODWS on the Mercyhurst University campus for years to come,” Ross said.

To learn more about TOMS and its cause, visit toms.com/our-movement.

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News Briefs

Gannon student dies after accident

Jason Wahl, a 21-year-old Gannon University student, accidently fell off the second floor balcony of the Alpha Phi Delta fraternity house located in the 200 block of West 3rd Street on Friday, April 13.

Wahl was a junior engineering student from Harmony, Pennsylvania.

According to goerie.com, Wahl was declared brain dead Saturday afternoon but stayed on life support at UPMC Hamot until Sunday.

A moment of silence was dedicated to Wahl at The Fray concert at Tullio Arena on Sunday, April 15, by lead singer, Isaac Slada.

Fashion show presents new university apparel The official Mercyhurst University clothing line will be released through a fashion show on Saturday, April 21.

Staff from the Mercyhurst Bookstore will sell clothing the night of the show, with a 20 percent off discount.

As well as a fashion show, there will be raffles, desserts, dancing and music provided by TJ the DJ. Performers include sophomore Sara Fox, junior Bethany Schaffer and seniors Tori Scott, Alexa Bradley and Jessica Stachelrodt.

If you are interested in performing in the show, email Clare Meccariello at cmecca77@lakers.mercyhurst.edu.

Survey examines office efficiency Students from each Mercyhurst University campus have been asked to complete the University Services Evaluation (USE) survey.

The USE survey evaluates students’ experiences with various offices on their respective campuses.

Due to the number of offices, only half are covered on this survey. The second installment of these surveys will be sent to students in the fall.

The first survey looks at Academic Support, Career Development, the Recreation Center, Police and Safety, the Registrar’s office, work study, Multicultural Center, International Center, Service Learning and Campus Ministry.

The surveys will be issued each year during fall and spring terms in order to improve these services.

The importance of the survey is stressed and students are strongly encouraged to complete the survey.

Surveys must be completed by Wednesday, May 2.

Those who participate are entered into a drawing for a $50 VISA gift card.

NEWS

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April 18, 2012

Lumen unveiling showcases talents Capstone event ends Literary Festival

By Stacy Skiavo Staff writer

Ending Mercyhurst University’s 10th annual Literary Festival was the unveiling of the 2012 edition of the student art magazine, Lumen.

The magazine was free to anyone who attended and featured various types of work from poetry to paintings. The actual print magazine was close to 70 pages, but the art continued with a CD-ROM included in the magazine that allows one to view even more pieces as well as live video.

“This event is the capstone event for the Literary Festival,” said Associate Professor of English Ken Schiff, Ph.D. “The final focus of the Literary Festival is the creative achievements of Mercyhurst students.”

Another change in the festival this year was the addition of a speaker. Instead of the usual two literary speakers, the festival

hosted three. Poet Jane Hirshfield, science fiction writer Terry Bisson, and writer and movie actor Peter Coyote spoke during the festival this year.

The ceremony began with co-editor of the Lumen Chrissy Mihalic introducing the magazine and thanking all those involved in helping to create it, such as her co-editor, Sarah Price.

Other editors included seniors Chelsea Schermerhorn, Irene Gallagher, Erica Gallagher and sophomore Susan Hu. Schermerhorn will take on the role of editor-in-chief for the 2013 edition of Lumen.

“I really thought the entire program was great. Witnessing firsthand the intellectual and artistic side of the Mercyhurst student body was both inspiring and refreshing,” junior Kyle Lawton said.

Four awards were given to students whom were selected very carefully from the work submitted to the magazine. Names were removed from the pieces to make the selections fair and were selected

by the English department professors.

The awards were announced by Schiff and included three awards for the P. Barry McAndrew Creative Writing Contest and one award for the 2012 P. Barry McAndrew Essay and Literary Contest.

others who appreciate it is what motivated me to submit my poetry to the Lumen. I enjoy reading the works submitted by other students, and I’m glad I was given the opportunity to show others my love for writing,” junior Laura Fiegelist said.

The winners for the P. Barry McAndrew Creative Writing Contest included third prize to junior I’m glad I was given Alethea Gaarden for “Dockside,” second prize to Schermerhorn the opportunity to for “Grass Burrs” and first prize show others my love to junior Marika Koch for “Salut D’Amour.” for writing.

All of the prize winners received Junior Laura Fiegelist a framed certificate as well as a cash prize. Third place received a check for $100, second place received The contest was named for Pro- $150 and first was awarded $250.

The winner of the 2012 P. Barry fessor of English Barry McAndrew, who is legendary for his work in McAndrew Essay and Literary Condrama, rigorous classes and admired test was junior Jordana Beh, who Shakespeare seminars.

The contest is now a permanent part of the literary tradition at Mercyhurst, thanks to the kind endowment by the McAndrew family.

“The feeling that comes with being able to share your talent with

“

”

Jill Barrile photo

Students and faculty collaborated to create the 2012 edition of Lumen, Mercyhurst’s creative arts magazine.

received a framed certificate and a check for $250.

“The Lumen to me is a reflection of the students of Mercyhurst University. It allows for young minds to bloom and grow as the fruit of their work is carefully tended and crafted until the final product is something truly beautiful. A fine addition to our campus indeed,” junior Billy Doran said.

After the award ceremony, students were given the opportunity for an open-mic session to showcase some of their works. Some recited poetry and other showed off their musical talents with song.

“The open mic is an opportunity for anyone in the audience who wants to get up on stage and read or sing his own or someone else’s work,” Schiff said.

Jill Barrile photo

Senior Angelina Smith performed original work for the presentation of Lumen during the Literary Festival.

FEATURES

April 18, 2012

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Senior Feature: Meghan Hess

Hess sad to say goodbye to ’Hurst

By Kayla Kelly Staff writer

People say time flies when you’re having fun, and college is no exception. For some Mercyhurst students this is their senior year and their last year to call Mercyhurst their home.

Meghan Hess is one of these students.

Hess is a senior business marketing major with a strategic communication minor, so you could say she has quite a busy schedule.

This didn’t hold her back, though.

Hess was involved in a variety of things, including holding the position this year of president of Mercyhurst Student Government.

Some of her other activities included Student Ambassadors, Public Relations Student Society of America, Leadership Certification Program, Student Activities Council, American Marketing Association and Business and Accounting Club.

When we graduate from college, there will most likely be a teacher or person who has positively affected our lives. For Hess, it was Meghan Corbin, director of marketing and public relations and a professor in the communication department.

Hess had several classes taught by Corbin, but she also had the opportunity to be her intern during this term. Corbin teaches with a more hands-on approach and uses real world experiences to teach her students, which is something that Hess

enjoyed about taking her classes.

She joked that “Yes, there is some testing, but it’s not just about memorizing terms.”

“I appreciate that she focuses on her students during their time at Mercyhurst and after. Overall she is a really nice person, which also helps,” Hess said.

Although college is where we come to learn, there is much more to it than that.

When asked what her most memorable experience was she paused and had to give it some thought because she simply loved her time at Mercyhurst.

At first, she said her trip to Ireland this past summer for the “Mercy Pilgrimage” was her favorite. While traveling, the group had the chance to attend a leadership conference in Dublin at the Mercy International Center for three days.

A few questions later, Hess asked, “Can I change my most memorable experience?”

She decided that her favorite moment was when her friends threw her a bar crawl for her 21st birthday. Thirty of her closest friends were planning to surprise her with the night, but she found out. Her friends also had the creative idea to have T-shirts made and decided to keep it a secret, so they could surprise her with something, but she found out about that too.

Hess said, “Both experiences have to do with drinking…I swear I’m not an alcoholic.” She said sarcastically, “My parents will be so proud.”

Contributed photo

Seniors from left: Carly DiPasquale, Vicky George, Meghan Hess, Paula Karstedt and Amanda Kocent celebrate Hess’ 21st birthday with a bar crawl.

Hess is sad that she has to graduate and leave Mercyhurst. Mercyhurst has taught her how to grow as an individual. She tried to avoid sounding cliché, but she said, “This is my home away from home.”

Her advice for students is to never take any day for granted because college really does go by fast. She encourages everyone to get involved, meet as many people as you can and expose yourself to

everything Mercyhurst has to offer.

In addition, she said, “Smile at strangers. You never know who could be your next best friend or who just simply needs a smile.”

Her future plans right now are to work for a public relations or advertising agency.

Hess giggled, “My dream is to move to New York City and marry a lawyer.”

Realistically, she will probably

move back to Buffalo or stay in Erie to find a job. She is continuing the job search until something comes up.

She ended the interview with saying, “Seriously, I love Mercyhurst, and it is going to be so hard to leave and say goodbye. My little sister is coming here next year, so I will definitely be back to visit and stay in tune with the Mercyhurst community.”

Mercyhurst observes Autism Awareness month

By Brady Greenawalt Staff writer

April is autism awareness month throughout the world, and Mercyhurst University is doing its part to help inform and educate about autism.

Four years ago, Mercyhurst launched the Asperger initiative, a program designed to help support students with a disorder on the autism scale as they assimilate themselves to the academic and social requirements of college.

Since the launch of the program Mercyhurst has been nationally recognized for its support to students on the autism spectrum.

Mercyhurst began observing Autism Awareness Month four years ago.

To kick off of the month this year, Old Main was lit with a blue light on the evening of April 2.

“Mercyhurst was one of thousands of buildings around the world to be lit,” said Dianne Rogers, director of Mercyhurst’s Learning Differences Program.

The blue light shines on landmarks throughout the world as a

way of spreading autism awareness and showing solidarity with those who have disorders on the autism spectrum.

Another way that Mercyhurst is celebrating autism awareness month is by inviting author Sean Barron to speak on campus.

“We’ve always included a lecture (as part of autism awareness month),” said Rogers, “but this is actually the first time that our speaker is a person who has Asperger’s syndrome himself.”

Barron is a reporter for The Youngstown Vindicator and has co-authored two books about living

with Asperger’s.

“We were particularly interested in bringing him in because he represents a person who has successfully overcome some of the very significant problems associated with an autism diagnosis,” Rogers said.

Brad McGarry, the coordinator for the Asperger initiative at Mercyhurst wants Sean Barron’s talk to be a message of hope for Mercyhurst students with Asperger’s. “(They) can understand that someone else was in their shoes and is now a successful reporter and a successful motivation speaker, showing them that they can come

out on the other side and be very successful in what they want to do,” McGarry said.

Barron will be on the Mercyhurst campus on Wednesday, April 18.

He will first host a forum for students on the autism spectrum, and for their friends and families in the afternoon. He will also give a presentation called “The Ten Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships” at 7:30 p.m. in Walker Recital Hall.

That presentation is free and open to the public. Students who want to attend the afternoon forum can email Rogers at drogers@mercyhurst.edu for more details.

FEATURES

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April 18, 2012

Chipper’s Tavern:

DIY College style: Shrimp and An all-American hole in the wall sausage jambalaya Joe Chiodo

On her blog, A Grapefruit’s (many) Passions, senior Alaina Rydzewski writes about her foray into cooking, along with movie, book and music reviews. To check out her blog, visit agrapefruitspassions.tumblr.com.

Contributing writer If you drive through the intersection of East Grandview Boulevard and Pine Avenue, you will see what appears to be an abandoned building: a small gray, concrete square with a single, windowless door.

Depending on the day of the week and the time of day, you may even see a car or two in the desolate parking lot.

Chipper’s Tavern is what some would call a country bar, but hole in the wall may be more appropriate.

The only marking on the building is an aged white banner reading “Cold Beer, Hot Wings, Labatt Blue on draft.”

As a Buffalo native, I appreciate a hot chicken wing. As a college student, I can appreciate the value of a cold beer.

Chipper’s Tavern has the greatest wings I have ever tasted.

With more than 65 flavors of wings, there is very little chance that you won’t be able to find a flavor that entices you. And there’s plenty of beer at a reasonable price to go with it.

From sweat-educing, yet tasty Bad Attitude to sweet and tangy Sunny Delight, the options for an incredible chicken wing meal seem endless.

Chipper’s Tavern is a modest drinking spot with no loud music blaring or people yelling. It is one of those select bars where you can actually have a conversation with others and enjoy a drink and a meal together.

Michael Fiscus and his girlfriend Vanessa McGraw, who often eat at Chipper’s Tavern, were spending quite some time deciding on the wing flavor they each wanted.

Fiscus said, “Well, it’s funny. We always spend a ton of time trying to decide what kind we want, but we always end up going with ‘Go Nuts’ or ‘Pio’s Poison.’ They’re awesome.”

Although there are only a dozen tables and a small bar that seats about 10, you will always find a comfortable spot to enjoy great wings and cheap beer.

The décor inside Chipper’s Tavern is full of personality and style.

Rather than being adorned with bright neon beer signs and cheesy advertisements of overpriced specials, Chipper’s hangs pictures of loyal customer’s trophy bucks from the past hunting season and classic, original pieces of beer advertisements that you don’t see anywhere

else nowadays.

You won’t find a bar like Chipper’s anywhere else in Erie, especially being a city cluttered with over-the-top dance clubs and jampacked theme bars.

It is the perfect example of the family owned, diamond in the rough establishment that only those curious enough to venture into get to truly appreciate.

This recipe is from a section of Redbook magazine called “Restaurant Redo,” in which they take a dish from a popular restaurant and remake it, only this time healthier.

For this month, they took Joe’s Crab Shack’s shrimp and sausage jambalaya, which I then tweaked into my own recipe.

What you will need: penne pasta, shrimp, two links mild Italian sausage, four tbsp. butter, one tbsp. cajun seasoning, one onion, one tbsp. garlic (I used minced), one carton sliced mushrooms, one red pepper, one green pepper and one orange or yellow pepper.

What to do: 1. Boil water for pasta and cook according to package directions.

2. Slice onion, peppers and sausage. (I do the meat last so I can use the same knife for everything).

3. Coat a large skillet with oil and heat for about one minute.

Cook sausage until brown, about five to seven minutes. Drain on paper towel and wipe off skillet.

4. Melt butter in same skillet. Add cajun seasoning and cook one minute. Add onion and cook until softened, about three minutes.

5. Add garlic to mixture and cook for one minute. Finally, add peppers and mushrooms and cook for about five minutes, stirring frequently.

6. Add shrimp and stir for about one minute. My shrimp were already cooked so they just had to warm up.

7. Put mixture in a bowl and mix in sausage.

Optional ingredients were fresh basil and parmesan cheese for topping.

Overall, this took me about 30 minutes and wasn’t that difficult.

Plus the dish is healthy and delicious.

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

VOLUME

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ECODEMIA 2012

april

Environmental Hero Lois Gibbs to address Legacies of Love Canal The citizens of Love Canal provided an example of “how a blue-collar community with few resources can

win against great odds (a multi-billion-dollar international corporation and an unresponsive government), by using the power of the people in our democratic system… the main lesson to be learned from the Love Canal crisis is that in order to protect public health from chemical contamination, there needs to be a massive outcry—a choir of voices—by the American people demanding change.

—Lois Gibbs, Love Canal: My Story

”

On Monday, April 23 at 7 pm in the Taylor Little Theatre, the Mercyhurst University Green Team and the Evelyn Lincoln Institute for Ethics and Society will proudly welcome environmental hero Lois Gibbs to campus to deliver the 2012 Sister Maura Smith Earth Day Lecture, “From Silent Spring to Empowered Citizens: The Legacies of Love Canal.”

I was a freshman at Edinboro State College in the fall VM ^OLU 0 ÄYZ[ ILNHU OLHYPUN PU HU ,U]PYVUTLUtal Politics course about the horrors of Love Canal, New York. It had been the previous spring of 1978 that Lois Marie Gibbs, a 27 year-old home maker in that suburban community of Niagara Falls, concluded that her son was becoming terribly ill due to the fact that his elementary school had been built atop a toxic waste dump. As Gibbs learned from local newspaper articles, a portion of the long-abandoned nineteenthJLU[\Y` [YLUJO JHSSLK 3V]L *HUHS OHK ILLU ÄSSLK ^P[O some 20,000 tons of toxic chemical waste from the operations of nearby Hooker Chemical Company.

The waste included the highly carcinogenic chemicals lindane, toluene, benzene, and dioxin. In the 1950s the local school board purchased the property from Hooker and constructed what became her son’s school.

Channeling her fear and anger into action, Gibbs immediately surveyed her community door to door.

She was shocked to learn of many widespread, serious health problems suffered by residents, including extraordinarily high rates of severe birth defects and cancers, as well as an array of respiratory and neurological health problems. Gibbs moved quickly to organize the Love Canal Homeowners Association, a grassroots organization that would struggle for the next two years to achieve justice and the relocation of their families from this dangerously contaminated community.

Despite the fact that a public health emergency was soon declared by the New York State Board of Health, H JVUJS\ZPVU ^P[O ^OPJO YLNPVUHS ,7( VMÄJPHSZ HUK President Jimmy Carter ultimately agreed, homeownLYZ OHK [V JVU[PU\L ÄNO[PUN [V OH]L H YLZWVUZPISL WHY[` HZZ\TL ÄUHUJPHS SPHIPSP[` MVY [OL YLSVJH[PVU VM ULHYS` 900 families from the area. The Love Canal incident

By Chris Magoc

Professor and Chair of History, Associate Dean of the School of Social Sciences, and Chair of the Green Team

brought issue of hazardous waste onto the nation‘s agenda. In 1980, Congress passed the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (better known as Superfund), compelling polluters and taxpayers to share the cost of cleaning up what turned out to be hundreds of toxic waste sites around the country that were threatening public health.

As the struggle in Love Canal gained national attention, Gibbs began receiving calls from citizens of many of those contaminated communities. Once the relocation of Love Canal residents was complete, Gibbs determined that she could not simply return to her life.

Compelled by the desperate stories of other people similarly affected, in 1981 she moved to the Washington, DC area to establish the Center for Health, Environment, and Justice (CHEJ) with a mission to help NYHZZYVV[Z VYNHUPaH[PVUZ HYV\UK [OL UH[PVU ÄNO[ MVY [OL environmental defense of their communities. Over the past three decades, CHEJ has provided technical and organizing assistance to more than 10,000 community organizations across the country.

(Z 0 YLJHSSLK [OL ÄYZ[ [PTL 0 OLHYK VM 3V]L *HUHS P[ occurred to me that in that same course we had been assigned to read Rachel Carson’s landmark 1962 work, Silent Spring. The book largely credited with launching the modern environmental movement is this year celebrating its 50th anniversary, which makes the choice of Lois Gibbs as our Earth Day speaker HSS [OL TVYL Ä[[PUN /LY X\PL[ Z\I\YI ^HZ ZV IHKS` poisoned that it eerily resembled the dreadful scene of a community where “no birds sang” that opens *HYZVU»Z NYV\UKIYLHRPUN IVVR 4VYL ZPNUPÄJHU[S` one of the important themes of Carson’s book is the essential need for citizens to challenge the sanguine reassurances of experts–within government, corporations, and often in academe–who tell them repeatedly that there is no need to fear the toxin-laden environment of modern America. It strikes me that Carson’s call for citizens to educate themselves , become their own experts, and to speak truth to power was heard nowhere more clearly than in the community of Love Canal by the young “housewife,” Lois Gibbs.

Lois Gibbs has served for those 31 years as the Executive Director of CHEJ. She works with communities nationwide and internationally about hazardous waste pollution—and, increasingly, about the dangers posed by the natural gas industry technology known as hydrofracturing (“fracking”). She is the author of four books, including most recently, Love Canal and the Birth of the Environmental Health Movement. In the mid-1990s Gibbs helped to spearhead the “Stop Dioxin Exposure Campaign,” a coalition of grassroots organizations aimed at ultimately eliminating the sources of dioxin exposure, the most toxic substance ever devised by the chemical industry.

The woman once dismissed by many as “just a housewife” earned not only international attention for OLY OLYVPJ ÄNO[ PU 3V]L *HUHS I\[ ZPUJL [OLU H Z[YPUN of distinguished honors for her central role in the grassroots anti-toxics movement. Gibbs has spoken at numerous conferences and has been featured in hundreds of newspaper articles, magazine, and textbooks. She has appeared on many television and radio shows including 60 Minutes, 20/20, Oprah Winfrey, Good Morning America, The Morning Show and the Today Show. CBS produced a 2 hour prime-time movie about Lois’s life entitled Lois Gibbs: The Love Canal Story. The many awards received by Gibbs include the distinguished Goldman Environmental Prize (1990), the 1998 Heinz Award, and the 1999 John Gardner Leadership Award from the Independent Sector, 2007 Business Ethics Network Individual Achievement Award for Outstanding Contribution to Corporate Ethics, and the 2008 Green Corps Environmental Leadership Award. She has received several honorary doctorates and in 2003 was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

7

Aaron Loncki Strategic Communications major, wins annual Earth Day logo contest.

Victoria Gricks Visual Communications major, designed the poster for Earth Week.

Mercyhurst North East to Integrate Recycling Program

By Brittany Prischak 6XVWDLQDELOLW\ 2IĂ°FHU

Mercyhurst North East will soon begin to integrate recycling into campus life. Starting this fall, new bins will be placed in hallways throughout the campus to provide a consistent look to the recycling program.

The North East housekeeping staff, lead by physical plant director, Jeff Taylor, has been extremely helpful in implementing this program and offering advice on how to make it successful. Student Life, and especially Darcey Kemp, the new director of administration, have been instrumental, and will help to inform the MUNE campus students of the recycling program and what is expected of them.

single bins that hold all recyclable materials (see the list of recyclable items below), bins on the North East campus will likely separate paper, plastics, aluminum, and cardboard. We are expecting to purchase enough bins to supplement the current bins and cover the entire campus.

‹ metal food or beverage cans (any type) ‹ plastics #1-7 ‹ WHWLY UL^ZWHWLY THNHaPULZ VMÄJL WHWLY LU]LSVWLZ ^YHWWPUN WHWLY " ^P[O Z[HWSLZ HUK SHILSZ ‹ cardboard and paperboard (egg cartons, paper bags)

We recycle at Mercyhurst University and expect our staff, faculty, and students to participate. Bins on the main campus have been placed in hallways, classYVVTZ HUK VMĂ„JLZ" WSLHZL WSHJL `V\Y YLJ`JSHISLZ PU appropriate bins.

Non-Recyclable Items: ‹ NO Broken glass ‹ NO pizza boxes or wax coated boxes ‹ NO paper towels or napkins ‹ NO Styrofoam

Recycling at MUNE is different from the main campus where we use single-stream recycling. Instead of

Recyclables Items: ‹ glass bottles and jars (any color, not broken)

For questions concerning Recycling, please contact Brittany Prischak, bprischak@mercyhurst.edu

Erie Bike Coalition Paving the Way for Improved Biking in Erie Bicycling is good for one’s body, their local area, the environment, and the economy. I am a junior here at Mercyhurst University, and for my senior sustainability project, I have become a part of the Bike Erie Coalition. Bike Erie is a newly formed group of people who are actively advocating for bike programs in the area along with the safe and practical use of bikes throughout the community.

The coalition has recently been facilitated by the Erie County Department of Health, Kim Beers and Eric Brozell in particular. Beers is a program coordinator at the Health Department whose main concern is safe and healthy communities. Through a grant, Eric is subcontracted with the Department of Health to focus mainly on bike initiatives. His current responsibilities are to work with local businesses to deem them “Bike Friendly� by establishing a support system for employees who commute by bike to work. A bike friendly business may incorporate shower facilities, indoor storage, and bike repair kits for employees. Other guidelines exist to become a “Bike Friendly Business.� For more information, go to the League of American Bicyclists website.

Eric is a motivating factor for the Bike Erie Coalition and has provided a lot of creative input and enthusiasm in support of coalition members and their projects. He is working to start a bicycle co-op so community members JHU Ă„_ [OLPY IPRLZ HUK IL LK\JH[LK HIV\[ IPRL TLJOHUPJZ and safety. The proposed location for the co-op is Saint )LULKPJ[ÂťZ ,K\JH[PVU *LU[LY" ,YPJ OHZ HSYLHK` ILN\U teaching bike mechanics at this location.

Julia advised the planning of the Pedal for the Planet Duathalon, which was directed by recent Mercyhurst graduate Emily Monahan (class of 2011) and me. With the help of a lot of great committee members, including Nicole Taylor (junior), Kate Moran (sophomore), Chris Strohm (class of 2011), Jen Mieczkowski (class of 2011), Cherrie Jackson (class of 2011), and many others, we ^LYL HISL [V YHPZL HIV\[ [V ILULĂ„[ HU ,YPL (Y[ Museum project for local artists to design functional bike racks. Since the duathalon, Gannon University, a grant through the Erie Downtown Partnership, and other private funders have shown their support. The racks are proposed to be installed starting in August 2012. Julia, Eric and I are on the selection committee for deciding which designs to use and the placements of the racks.

Among Julia Eagle’s recent accomplishments, she is President of the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail Alliance, a UVU WYVÄ[ VYNHUPaH[PVU ^VYRPUN [V^HYKZ [OL KL]LSVWment of trails in Western Pennsylvania. Through her involvement in this organization, the EPTA has seen 8 more trails open on the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail since 2008. Julia is a hardworking advocate for commuting via bicycle. Erie should be thankful to have her representing this upcoming Bike Coalition.

(UV[OLY ]LY` PUĂ…\LU[PHS WLYZVU PU]VS]LK PU )PRL ,YPL PZ 1\SPH Eagles, a long time advocate of safe biking. Julia and Eric HYL JLY[PĂ„LK 3LHN\L VM (TLYPJHU )PJ`JSPZ[ PUZ[Y\J[VYZ ( League Cycling Instructor (LCI), can teach adults and children how to correctly ride their bicycles. Both Julia and Eric volunteered their time to hold a bike safety session at Mercyhurst, October 13, 2012. This course was called ;YHMĂ„J :RPSSZ 0M `V\ ^V\SK SPRL [V ILJVTL HU 3*0 join the League of American Bicyclists and go to an LCI ZLTPUHY 0M PU[LYLZ[LK PU H ;YHMĂ„J :RPSSZ JSHZZ WSLHZL contact me, hbeck52@lakers.mercyhurst.edu. Only 25 people can be part of a class, so spots are limited!

By Hannah Beck Other members in the coalition include Greg Troyer, president of the Presque Isle Cycling Club and some of PICC’s members who are helping with website development and updates. In a new development, Mercyhurst University’s Peter Stadmueller, an instructor for website layout, and junior, Andrea Amroski, the Bike Erie website will have a new look. The graphic design department will also be designing stickers and a banner for the Erie Bike Coalition.

Of importance with the coalition, I am developing a survey, with the help of Eric, Julia and Michael T, a new TLTILY MYVT H SVJHS YLZLHYJO ÄYT ;OPZ ^PSS NP]L H IHZLline measurement so the Erie Bike Coalition can understand where Erie stands with commuting, leisure riding and bike safety. The results of the survey will also be the foundation of Erie’s future improvements. If you are interested in joining this coalition, please contact Hannah Beck, hbeck52@lakers.mercyhurst.edu, or check on the Bicycle Erie Coalition calendar at www.bikeerie.org for the next meeting. We also have a facebook page called Bicycleerie and we will soon be establishing twitter account! Although, the easiest way to get involved, is to just go outside and ride your bike! Keep posted on upcoming events and join the bike movement!

From left to right: Cherie Jackson, Burim Loshaj, Hannah Beck, Chris Strohm, Patrick Bresnahan, Nicole Taylor, Caitlyn Burmingham and Jen Mieczkowski

8

Revisiting Silent Spring: Dioxin Update When Silent Spring was published in 1962, Rachel Carson had worked for 20 years as a government science writer and was a popular author on natural history.

The book documented deadly effects of pesticides on the environment, exposed corporations spreading disinforma[PVU HUK JHSSLK MVY W\ISPJ VMÄJPHSZ [V WYV[LJ[ JP[PaLUZ MYVT industrial pollution. Silent Spring contributed to the ban of DDT in the United States, however, Carson discussed a number of other all-too-commonly produced chemicals, among them dioxin, benzene, and atrazine, all mentioned elsewhere in this issue of Ecodemia.

50 years after the publication of Silent Spring, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released its long-overdue assessment of the impact of dioxins on O\THUZ *VUÄYTPUN ^OH[ LU]PYVUTLU[HS HJ[P]PZ[Z HUK healthy food advocates have long suspected, dioxins and M\YHUZ JH\ZL H U\TILY VM HK]LYZL OLHS[O LMMLJ[Z :WLJPÄcally, these chemicals are “likely” carcinogens and people exposed to them experience altered hormone levels.

Animal studies show that animals exposed to dioxins and furans experienced changes in their hormone systems,

When I did some digging on Rubino, I found an interesting article from the Erie Times-News about Rubino HUK H WH`TLU[ [V H AVUPUN 6MÄJPHS 1LMMYL` Johnson (10/12/08). This payment was right before a vote on Gannon University’s appeal against allowing inmates to be kept at a pre-release center near Gannon’s campus. The implication was that Rubino paid off Johnson for a vote in his favor. This worries me to think: if a tire incinerator is built, what will someone with such a record do to the air quality, whether indirectly V\[ VM PNUVYHUJL VY KPYLJ[S` I` WH`PUN ÄULZ PUZ[LHK VM raising quality standards.

The Erie Renewable Energy (ERE) plan did not go through due to a successful public awareness campaign, “Keep Erie’s Environment Protected” (KEEP).

This group worked hard to get the word out about the unwanted plant in Erie and by 2009, my freshman year

Win a Bike!

Assistant Professor of English

abnormal fetal development, diminished reproduction, and compromised immune system. It gets worse.

Dioxins and furans enter the body through breathing contaminated air, drinking contaminated water, or eating contaminated food. Dioxins and furans can build up in the fatty tissues of animals and, according to the EPA, about 90% of exposure to dioxins and furans is from eating contaminated food. The EPA report warns people to consume less than 0.7 picograms of dioxin per kilogram of body weight per day. Above that threshold, studies have shown that dioxin exposure causes declines in sperm counts and elevated levels of thyroid-stimulating hormones.

Response to the EPA report, two decades in the making, has been mixed. Some environmental groups praise the ,7( MVY ÄUHSS` WYV]PKPUN N\PKLSPULZ [V OLSW JVUZ\TLYZ protect themselves, and there are scientists and industry representatives who have criticized the EPA for failing to X\HU[PM` ZJPLU[PÄJ \UJLY[HPU[PLZ ;OL ,7( YLWVY[ PZ H]HPSable online, so readers can decide for themselves.

Stop the Tire Incinerator - Again!

American citizens have had to stand for many unjust environmental actions. The newest concern in Pennsylvania is the proposed tire incinerator in Crawford County. This project started with the proposition of a tire incinerator in Erie, Pennsylvania in 2006 through a company called Erie Renewable Energy (ERE). Greg Rubino, the initiator of the project is, according to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, “A former car salesman [and] a real estate broker for Presque Isle Downs race track and casino in Erie” (8/10/2008). He is the owner of Tecnica Development corp, operates Passport Development LLC, and is a leader in the Crawford Renewable Energy plant development. He was vice president of Baldwin Brothers, Inc. until he left in 2007 and president of Erie Renewable energy until it was rejected in 2009. He does not seem to have much experience ^P[O Y\UUPUN [PYL PUJPULYH[VYZ" VUS` [OL JVUZ[Y\J[PVU VM one and this makes me question his ability to follow the environmental standards that he will have to abide by.

By Marnie M. Sullivan

Win a Trek Earl by attending any of the Public Health and Environment Month 6SHDNHUV RU ðOPV 6LJQ \RXU QDPH on a ticket after you join the 2 mile Clif Bar challenge. The challenge is to walk, run, ride your bike, or take public transportation to anything within two miles of where you live. A winner will be drawn at the end of April: Courtesy of the Sustainability Club, Competitive Gear, and Student Activities Council.

Good Luck

By Hannah Beck

in college, the tire plant proposal was rejected. Now, Rubino and his partner Owen McCormick, employed at Joseph McCormick Construction, are heading up [OL ZHTL [`WL VM WYVQLJ[ ÄM[` TPSLZ ZV\[O VM ,YPL PU Greenwood Township, Crawford County, Pennsylvania.

They changed their name from Erie Renewable Energy to Crawford Renewable Energy (CRE). As you can probably tell, their outlook for the project is the exact same as it was in Erie. Also as in Erie, there is an advocacy group called “Crawford Area Residents for the Environment” (CARE) that has mobilized in response. ;OL OLHS[O VM H JVTT\UP[` ZOV\SK JVTL ÄYZ[ ^OLU deciding whether to follow through with a business plan, and CRE has failed to do their research or they just are too ignorant to stop proceeding. In fact, there are many problems with tire incineration. Not only is its proposed location near the largest marsh in Pennsylvania with the largest breeding ground for bald eagles, but the burning of tires emits harmful toxins and byproducts into the surrounding ecosystem, affecting all forms of life. These include dioxins, furans, ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds. Of these chemicals, dioxins and furans are the worst. They are considered the most toxic chemicals known to science.

All the byproducts can reduce water quality, cause problems with breathing and blood circulation, and cause infertility, learning disabilities, endometriosis, birth defects, sexual reproductive disorders, damage to the immune system, cancer, and more. If CRE starts up its proposed tire incinerator by its planned goal of the year 2013, then the amount of these byproducts will surely change the standard of living and cause serious health defects, not only in humans but in the surrounding ecosystems. This is a big problem that I would much rather see not happen.

9

If the diminishing health of the community does not make you angry, this will: Pennsylvania reuses one hundred percent of their waste tires. This means that there is no need for this plant! Pennsylvania already imports tires in order to keep up with the state’s existing tire recycling industry. Rubino says CRE will ship in the 900 tons of tires needed per day from out of state. That means burning more fossil fuels in order to transport tires to burn.

I question CRE’s business plan. Why can’t they look to the resources available within Crawford County and thrive upon that, instead of imposing a second hand, poorly conceived building plan? They are simply trying to get something for the time and money they put into another failed project, and they are not thinking about the catchment area they will be impacting.

Unfortunately, CRE has already bought land from an Iowa-based company that was supposedly a sustainable minded business, and they have received an Air Quality Permit from the EPA. CARE is appealing this permit because CRE, “Underestimated pollution emissions from the facility and the state Department of Environmental Protection failed to KV H YLX\PYLK HUHS`ZPZ HUK ]LYPÄJH[PVU VM [OL JVTWHU`»Z emissions projections before granting the permit on October 24 [2011]” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 12/7/11).

This appeal process is long and strenuous, so support is always accepted. Joining CARE is a good option to stay up-to-date on the latest information. This is done by logging on to www.stopburningtires.com.

I hope that by reading this article, and doing some research on your own, you will join the opposition and take a stand against Crawford Renewable Energy.

East Meets West with Poetry on Simplicity

On Thursday, April 27th in the Mercy Heritage Room at 7:30pm, Assistant Professor of World /DQJXDJHV DQG &XOWXUHV .HLNR 0LOOHU ZLOO LQWURGXFH 5\Ĺ?NDQ 7DLJX ò D %XGGKLVW PRQN who wrote poetry on living in the essential Zen lifestyle. Afterward, Sister Mary Lou Kownacki will VKDUH KHU RZQ SRHWLF UHVSRQVH WR 5\Ĺ?NDQâV ZRUN Buddha’s Words “Just Rightâ€?

ŕ •ŕŻ–áľ?ŕĄ˘ŕĄ‡ŕĄœŕĄ¤ă¸Śŕ­Žá—˜ŕĄźŕ ¸ă¸§ŕ –

You are you and that’s just right Your face, body and name They, too, are just right Poverty, wealth, parent and children, The son’s bride and their grandchildren, They, too, suit you just right Fortunes, misfortunes, joy And even sadness, they’re all just right

ŕ žŕš“ŕĄŁŕ žŕš“ŕĄ›ŕ­Žá—˜ŕĄźŕ ¸ 㢌ड़ăŒ&#x;ŕ°ŻŕĄśŕžĄŕš“ŕĄśáŒŁŕĄś ŕ žŕš“ŕĄ&#x;ŕĄ‘ŕ˘€ŕĄŁŕ­Žá—˜ŕĄźŕ ¸ ăˆ‹ŕĄśá?ŠŕĄśă śŕĄśá?ŠŕĄś áœĽá?ŠŕĄ˘áŽ‘ड़॑ॢá?žŕĄś ŕĄ‘ŕ˘€ŕĄŁŕ žŕš“ŕĄ&#x;ŕ­Žá—˜ŕĄźŕ ¸ ᖞड़୙ᖞड़á‚?१ड़ á?’ŕĄ‹ŕĄłŕĄ‰ŕ źŕĄśŕ­Žá—˜ŕĄźŕ ¸

The life you have walked Is neither bad or good For you that’s just right Whether to go to hell or heaven Where you end up is just right

ášŒŕ ¸ŕĄ“ŕ žŕš“ŕĄ˘ŕŻ‡â?•ŕĄŁ á??ŕĄƒŕĄśŕĄžŕĄ…ŕ˘€ŕĄ¤â°‹ŕĄƒŕĄśŕĄžŕ ¸ ŕ žŕš“ŕĄ&#x;ŕĄœŕĄ—ŕĄšŕ­Žá—˜ŕĄźŕ ¸ á†…âŠšŕĄŹâžœŕĄ‡ŕ şŕĄœá´&#x;á´ŚŕĄŹâžœŕĄ‡ŕ şŕĄœ âžœŕĄ—ŕĄ“ŕĄœŕĄ‡ŕ˘ ŕĄ€ŕ­Žá—˜ŕĄźŕ ¸

No need to bluff or belittle yourself For there’s no top or bottom Even your last day is just right

ŕ şŕĄ ŕĄ°ŕ˘€ŕĄżă ›ŕĄśŕĄžŕĄƒŕ ‰ŕź?ŕ­—ŕĄ?ŕĄżă ›ŕĄśŕĄžŕ ¸ ŕ­–ŕĄśŕĄžŕĄ…ŕ˘€ŕĄ¤ŕ­—ŕĄśŕĄžŕ ¸ áššŕĄ á­śáŞĽŕĄ‰ŕ źŕĄśŕ­Žá—˜ŕĄźŕ ¸ ௖áľ?ŕĄœŕŽ§ŕŻ‡ă?ƒŕ˘€ŕĄ˘ŕŻ‡â?•ŕ ‰ŕ­Žá—˜ŕĄźŕĄƒŕĄžŕ ¸ŕĄŁŕĄŽŕĄ€ŕĄžŕ ¸ ŕ­Žá—˜ŕĄźŕ ¸ŕĄ˘ŕĄ”ŕĄœâŞşŕĄ‡ŕ źŕĄ“áŤŹŕ ‰á ˆá›•ŕĄ˘ŕ˛™ŕĄ€â?•ŕĄ˛ŕ˘€ŕĄ˛ŕĄ?

A life with Buddha and a company How could we go wrong?

When you hear it’s all just so A trust in memory will be born

ŕźĄâ†“ăœżá˜şă?€ŕŻ–

Nam amitaba

Our Communities, Our Health The month of April is Public and Environmental Health Month. The Campus Green Team and the Institute of Public Health have partnered to celebrate “Our Communities, Our Health.� Events held throughout the month educate on the harmful effects of toxins and toxic dumping to the environmental health, but also to our own health.

A poster photo exhibit, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our Global Communities, Our Foodâ&#x20AC;? was launched April 2 for National Public Health Week. This month-long exhibit explores hunger, food choices, and food safety due to the effects of toxins and pollution on a global food supply. Posters and photographs from Peter Menzelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2005 book, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hungry Planet: What the World Eats,â&#x20AC;? feature families from 12 countries around the globe with all the food they typically eat in a week. The exhibit is located in two locations: the Campus 4PUPZ[Y` VMĂ&#x201E;JL PU [OL *HYVS`U /LYYTHUU :[\KLU[ <UPVU HUK [OL THPU Ă&#x2026;VVY VM /HTTLYTPSS 3PIYHY` ;OL` ^PSS IL on display for the entire month, so make sure you check them out.

5LLK [V M\SĂ&#x201E;SS service hours or just want to volunteer?

Join a trip to the Mercyhurst Farm in Girard on SaturGD\ $SULO VW from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Transportation and lunch is provided. Contact Christine Brotherson in Campus Ministry to reserve your seat.

On Monday, April 23 the Mercyhurst community is challenged to eat on $1.50 a day, OLNH ELOOLRQ SHRSOH world-wide. The â&#x20AC;&#x153;Live Below the Lineâ&#x20AC;? challenge is an awareness campaign of The Global Poverty Project

Public and Environmental Health Month Events

to end extreme poverty. Students and staff are invited to join in solidarity with the hungry of the world by ordering simple meals costing $1.50 from DP WR SP DW the Laker Inn in the Carolyn Herrmann Student Union.

Our highlight event for Earth Week is the Sister Maura Smith Earth Day Lecture on Monday April 23rd at 7:00pm in Taylor Little Theatre. Lois Gibbs, an environmental activist who lead the movement at Love Canal, NY. Her lecture â&#x20AC;&#x153;From Silent Spring to Empowered Citizens: The Legacy of Love Canalâ&#x20AC;? will help to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Rachel Carsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Silent Spring, while inspiring people to care for the health of their communities.

In support of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our Communities, Our Healthâ&#x20AC;? month, Parkhurst is offering a low impact lunch in the Egan Dining Hall of :HGQHVGD\ $SULO WK starting at DP

Room. At 7:30pm, Assistant Professor of World Languages and Cultures, Keiko Miller will start the evening off with a presentation on Ryokan Taigu, a Buddhist monk who wrote poetry on living simply. Sister Mary Lou will read several of her poems in response to Ryokanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work.

In addition to educating our campus community on the harmful effects of toxins on our bodies and the environment, raising awareness on hunger and food systems, and reading poetry, we are encouraging everyone to â&#x20AC;&#x153;Deotox.â&#x20AC;? Consider joining Betty Amatangelo, from Campus Ministry, as she leads Gentle Meditation and Yoga. Any member of the campus community is welcome for one meeting, or weekly for the rest of the term.

The schedule during Spring 2012 is as follows.

Meditation: Mondays noon - 1:00PM Student Union in the chapel

(Z WHY[ VM [OL 4HYPH 1 3HUNLY Ă&#x201E;ST ZLYPLZ H[ [OL 4HY` Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Angelo Performing Arts Film series, Living Downstream will be shown at 2:15pm and 7:15pm on Wednesday, $SULO WK Based on 6DQGUD 6WHLQJUDEHUâV critically acclaimed book, this documentary follows the writer as she explains the connections between toxins in drinking water and cancer. Sister Pat Lupo of Environment Erie, will host a table on the connections between personal care products and our lake water in the lobby of the Performing Arts Center. Please stop by!

Yoga: Mondays at 4:45PM in the Student Union Wednesdays at 8:15PM in the Rec Center Thursdays at 8:15PM in the Rec Center Fridays at 4:30PM in the Student Union

Sister Mary Lou Kownacki will be joining us for a poetry reading on Thursday, April 27th in the Mercy Heritage

For more information on Earth Month activities, contact: )YP[[HU` 7YPZJOHR :\Z[HPUHIPSP[` 6MĂ&#x201E;JLY

Ecodemia is periodic publication of the Mercyhurst University Green Team which welcomes contributions from students, faculty, and staff from across the disciplines on any matter related to sustainability, the environment, and good greening. Send queries, suggestions, and submissions to Marnie Sullivan at msullivan@mercyhurst.edu.

10

For more information on global hunger contact: Eileen Zinchiak, Mercyhurst Institute for Public Health, 824-3671, or Christine Brotherson, Social Justice issues, Campus Ministry, 824-2549

Editor: Marnie Sullivan Chair, Mercyhurst University Green Team: Chris Magoc :\Z[HPUHIPSP[` 6MĂ&#x201E;JLY! )YP[[HU` 7YPZJOHR Designer: Kaitlin Badger Contributors: Hannah Beck, Chris Magoc, Keilko Miller, Brittany Prischak, and Marnie Sullivan.

April 18, 2012

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Page 11

‘A Celebration of Collaboration’ redefines teamwork

By Mathew Anderson Staff writer

Audiences were stunned by a display of great musical skill and virtuosity on the stage of “A Celebration of Collaboration,” on Thursday, April 12. This presentation and works were performed by faculty and students alike.

The performance showcased a variety of musical instruments ranging from violins and violas, to a single piano played by two musicians.

The opening presentation was of a brilliant string duet for violin and viola, composed by Georg Fredrich Handel. Johan Halvorsen wrote this particular arrangement of “Passacaglia.”

This composition is a lively, uptempo piece that was performed by Mercyhurst University’s own Assistant Professor of Strings Barton Samuel Rotberg, D.M.A., on the viola and sophomore Caryn Moore on the violin.

In this piece the melody often switched from player to player and required total concentration and precision, which I believe was executed beautifully.

After the string duet, seniors Shannon Carson and Rebecca Wunch performed a presentation of Gordon Lewin’s “View of the Blues.”

This clarinet duet featured that classic blues sound that most jazz

Zach Dorsch photo

Senior Kelton Macke performs a piece with Shirley Yoo, Ph.D., during the faculty recital on Thursday, April 12. musicians cannot get enough of.

It was a great contrast to the piece that came before it. This piece was executed wonderfully and seemed to give the whole room a mellow, phlegmatic feel that you couldn’t get enough of. Throughout this composition, fingers snapped in time and heads bobbed until the last few notes rang from the clarinets.

The next musical presentation was a performance titled “A little Light Music” by composer Seymour Barab.

It featured Mercyhurst Post-Bacc.

Lynn Dula for the vocals, Rotberg

on violin, with the music department chairwoman Louisa Jonason for the piano accompaniment.

Within this vignette were two separate, but equally amusing comedic songs. The first was “Infallible System,” which told the story of a woman who amassed a “small fortune” while gambling. This story is amusing because the punch line of the story is “in order to come out with a small fortune, you must walk in with a large one.”

In the second piece, “Why Johnny Hates School,” Dula told the story

‘Hot Fuss’ still going strong

By Aaron Ullman Staff writer

Despite the eight years that have passed since the release of “Hot Fuss,” The Killers have yet to fully match the pure musical magic found in their debut album.

The 80s-inspired synth rifts, guitar ensembles and classic vocals from lead singer Brandon Flowers are all carefully pieced together to line up hit after hit.

The opening “Jenny Was a Friend of Mine” is just the beginning of greatness. The bass line laid down by Mark Stoermer complete with the eerie keyboard support makes for a haunting lead-off track that does not disappoint. The subsequent track is

easily the best on the album.

The previously ubiquitous “Mr. Brightside” definitely lives up to its billing as a chart-topper. The oft-repeated theme of a cheating girlfriend is cleverly portrayed in a fresh way that encapsulates the lover’s angst. The key to the track is found in the lyrics “But it’s just the price I pay/ Destiny is calling me/ I open up my eager eyes/ Cause I’m Mr. Brightside.”

These closing lines show the optimism of moving on from a spurned past. The singer is embracing his true destiny and looking toward the future. The next four tracks continue to impress, especially with the likes of “All These Things That I’ve Done.” This track contains a beautiful bombastic build, culminating in the repeated lyric “I got soul, but

I’m not a soldier.”

In the latter half of the album, “Change Your Mind” clearly stands out above the rest. It uses short phrases and words to conjure images and ideas.

The result is a song about the cycle of falling for someone, mustering up the chutzpah to tell him/ her and hoping he/she will respond in kind. It captures a feeling many can relate to.

Simply put, “Hot Fuss” is a brilliant body of work that stands the test of time. It boasts hit song after hit song, staying fresh and inventive in the meantime. Each tune holds its own and carries the listener throughout the disc. After eight years it can be said “Hot Fuss” will easily remain one of the best albums to ever be released.

of a mother desperately attempting to coax her son to go to school.

After naming numerous reasons why he hates school, Johnny claims that he will go if his mother can come up with just one good reason.

She does and says to her son in a calm voice that he must go to school because he’s the principal.

When asked about her overall experience being a part of this recital, Dula said, “As a performer, it was a great experience to have the opportunity to collaborate with faculty members. Their experience and high level of skill pushed me to be an even better musician and performer.”

Assistant Professor of Piano Shirley Yoo, Ph.D., and senior Kelton Macke performed the next set of pieces by Johannes Brahms.

The pieces that were performed were No. 6 in D flat, No 7. In A major and No. 5 in F sharp minor of Brahms’s Hungarian Dances.

The astounding aspect of this performance was that these pieces were performed by two pianists on one piano.

The compositions were specifically written for four hands on one piano, and the coordination was astonishing.

When listening to this performance, not one place could be noted where they got out of sync with each other.

It was truly a masterful display of what two people could do with a piano and a monstrous proficiency

of the keys.

Senior Marie Karbacka said, “I loved the Hungarian Dances by Brahms for four hands. It really highlighted the collaboration idea between student and teacher.”

Afterward, an equally stunning display of virtuosity on the piano was played by freshman Andrija Andjelić, who played “Scherzo in B flat minor,” Frederic Chopin’s second of four Scherzi.

This was a delightful, dreamy piece of music that seemed to float like clouds from the piano in the middle of the stage.

Composed with dramatic rising and falling scales and beautiful lyrical themes, it almost seemed familiar without ever hearing it beforehand.

Associate Professor of Saxophone and Music Education Scott Meier, Ph.D., and senior Erin Hepler were featured as the last two performers for the evening.

The saxophone duo played “Suite en Duo” by Guy Lacour, who was a French composer that performed professionally with classical and pop groups.

This act contained three movements: “Allegro,” “Aria” and Petite Fugue. All three were a magnificent displays of musicianship and technical skill.

Overall, the concert was outstanding. Sophomore Kathleen Reveille, when asked about her experience at the recital hall, said, “I loved seeing the collaborations of students and faculty.”

Upcoming events at the PAC: “Jane Eyre” Wednesday, April 18, at 2:15 and 7:15 p.m.

Fazil Say Thursday, April 19, at 7:30 p.m.

“Living Downstream” Wednesday, April 25, at 2:15 and 7:15 p.m.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Page 12

April 18, 2012

‘Almost, Maine’ showcases veteran student actors

By Mathew Anderson Staff writer

This weekend an electric performance of John Cariani’s play “Almost, Maine” will be performed in Taylor Little Theatre.

This show is a riveting showcase of nine vignettes about love that take place in the fictional, yet emotionally tangible town of Almost, Maine. The script entices the actors to portray the actions and feelings of new, lost and rekindled love in the cold winter of the northern United States.

The performance consists of two acts, each with four vignettes, and with a bizarre scene that starts as a prologue and continues through the interlogue and epilogue.

The prologue starts with Pete and Ginette, who sit on a bench beneath the vast night sky, and although they’re sitting next to each other, they’re thousands of miles apart.

Scene 1 is titled “Her Heart” and begins with a young woman named Glory, who isn’t native to the little town of Almost, but she sure does find herself oddly at home with a repairman Easton.

The two strangers then discover what it means to mend broken hearts and become more than either of them could have anticipated.

Contributed photo

“Almost, Maine” is showing Friday through Sunday, April 20 to 22. Tickets are $2 for Mercyhurst students with ID.

The next vignette is a story of love lost and found.

Jimmy is a regular guy who sees his ex-girlfriend, Sandrine, at their local hang out.

After a plethora of awkward moments and uncertainty, it becomes apparent that fate works in a quirky way for Jimmy. Sometimes, even mistakes can be reversed.

Scene 3 involves Marvalyn and Steve who both are lacking emotion in their lives for different reasons.

After a freaky turn of events, they find out that love is a magical thing and can be found anywhere if you try hard enough.

Marvalyn is afraid to love, and Steve isn’t sure he’s able to. Together, they help sort out each other’s love lives.

The last vignette of act one uses “love” as something you can physically give a person, and Gayle wants all hers back from Lendall.

It appears that Lendall gave much more love than Gayle, but size isn’t everything. The love Lendall gives to Gayle is proof that sometimes big things come in small packages.

In the beginning of Act 2, there is an interlogue, where Pete from the prologue is still looking off into the distance waiting for Ginette to return.

The lights go up in the first scene on Randy and Chad, two buddies who just got back from a horrible night of failed dates. They soon figure out through a rough turn of events that sometimes all you need is your best friend, and it doesn’t always come along in a way you expect.

Scene 2 focuses on a couple, Phil and Marci, who had just got done ice skating in their old hang out spot when they realize their marriage has been put on the back burner for quite a few years.

Anniversaries are forgotten, planets are mistaken for stars and the couple realizes that maybe everything isn’t what it used to be.

Scene 3 opens on Hope, a girl in her mid-20s searching for the house of the boy she loves but hasn’t seen in years.

After knocking on the door, she realizes that the man who now lives there isn’t who she expected and that her love may be lost for good.

In the final scene, Rhonda seems to have the romantic situation between her and her best friend, Dave, under control.

Rhonda has gotten through life by being tough, and Dave sees a need to break this trend. This last scene is proof that a person can find love even in the most unlikely place.

The cast features many of the theatre program’s veteran actors, including junior Katie Cecchetti, sophomore Mat Anderson, senior Nikki Zeak, post bacc Chris Cummings, junior Marie Glaser and sophomore Ally Peterseim, all of whom portray two or more roles.

The production is showing Friday, April 20, and Saturday, April 21, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, April 22, at 2 p.m. in Taylor Little Theatre.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $6 for students and seniors, $4 for youth (12 and under) and $2 for Mercyhurst students with an ID.

Pac.mercyhurst.edu photo

“Jane Eyre” will show on Wednesday at 2:15 and 7:15 p.m.

Movie ‘Jane Eyre’ charms audiences

By Emma Rishel Staff writer

This week’s film at the D’Angelo PAC will be the widely loved story of “Jane Eyre,” Charlotte Brontë’s 1847 book.

The film is directed by Cary Joji Fukunag, starring Mia Wasikowska, of Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland” and Michael Fassbender as Edward Rochester, as well as Dame Judy Dench playing the part of the housekeeper, Mrs. Fairfax.

The story takes place in 19thcentury England when Eyre flees Thornfield Hall, a large and isolated estate where she was working as a governess for a young girl named Adèle Varens who was under the custody of the brooding and dark Rochester, Thornfield’s master.

Thornfield’s, as well as Rochester’s, daunting nature wears Eyre down and severely tests her spirit.

At the age of 10, Eyre was mistreated and abused and kicked out of her childhood home by her Aunt Reed, forced to live a life empty of love and affection.

She went to a charity school and ran into further harsh treatment; however, she was able to receive an education.

Through this she met Helen Burns, a kind and soulful person, and the two became dear friends.

Eyre was devastated when Burns became fatally ill and died, but this encouraged Eyre to consciously only make decisions for herself.

As a teen, Eyre arrived at Thornfield Hall and was treated with kindness and respect from the housekeeper, Mrs. Fairfax.

Rochester caught Eyre’s interest with his games of wit and captivat-

ing stories and revealed some of his deepest thoughts.

He proposed to Eyre, but as they were about to exchange vows, Eyre is troubled by the strange events happening in the attic, which was strictly off-limits.

Upon finding out the secret that Rochester had been hiding his insane wife in the attic, she flees.

After leaving Thornfield, Eyre was taken in by a minister, St. John Rivers, and his family. Shortly after, Eyre discovered that her uncle died and left her 20,000 pounds.

She also uncovered that the Rivers family was, in fact, her cousins. When St. John proposed to Eyre, she refused and hurried back to Thornfield in pursuit of the man with whom she is in love, Rochester.

Upon her return, she found it burnt to the ground by Rochester’s deranged wife who died in the fire.

Rochester was blinded and lost one of his hands in the tragedy.

Eyre goes to his new home where the two rebuild their relationship and marry.

A New York Times review of the film says, “It trims and winnows some of Brontë’s empurpled passages, preserves important elements of the author’s language, including, above all, Jane’s repeated invocations of freedom as an ethical and personal ideal.”

The film tells the revered tale with vigor and a smart sense of emotional detail, yet fails to capture the passion and romance of the book.

Tickets are $6 for adults, $5 for seniors/students and free for Mercyhurst students with an ID. The film will be shown at 2:15 and 7:15 p.m. in the PAC.

OPINION

April 18, 2012

September 3,Page 200813

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 e-mailed to opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.

TOMS campus club gives back Students organize One Day Without Shoes

By Brian Lombardo Staff writer

It may sound cliché, but I think it is safe to say that today many Americans (and those in industrialized nations in general) are obsessed with material possessions.

Let me start by saying that this is not an article on which I will stand on a soapbox.

I am as guilty as anyone else in this respect, constantly walking around with my nose to my iPhone screen checking that email that “just can’t wait” or being disproportionately upset when I get something on my favorite shirt.

Sometimes, I think we should all take a second and reflect on what is truly important in life, or how genuinely lucky we

are to simply have the opportunity to attend college.

There is much we can do to improve our daily lives, and even the lives of those less fortunate than ourselves.

For example, you may have heard that Tuesday, April 10, was designated as One Day Without Shoes, an annual effort by shoe-maker TOMS to raise awareness of children in less developed countries who often live in dangerous areas without basic footwear.

For every pair of shoes you buy, TOMS gives a pair to a child in need.

This is an ingenious idea, as it appeals to the customer who gets a new pair of shoes and also to the children, who need shoes to avoid the risk of deadly infections or to even attend school.

While some may not see a good reason to walk around barefoot on campus for all or part of the day, it serves to

teach people about this valuable cause.

The entire day makes us aware (at least for 24 hours and hopefully more) how much we truly have. How many of us have more than two, three or even seven pairs of shoes in our closets?

It helps us to focus our attention on innocent children who have not even one pair and will maybe even spur us into doing more to help them.

And this is just one example of basic material needs we have in abundance and take for granted almost every day (see: clean water from a tap, a roof over our head and food on-thego in Egan or the Laker).

I’m not saying we should all put away our technology or live an ascetic lifestyle. But even awareness of how fortunate we are and small efforts to help those around us can certainly make a world of difference.

Are chivalry and manners dead?

Women have not killed chivalry, men have

By Courtney Hartline Contributing writer

I’m just going to throw it right out there…chivalry is dead. Vanished, obsolete, gone. At least, that is my interpretation of this waning social phenomenon.

I have never been one who was bitter about this until now. Normally something like this would not bother me, but my patience has worn thin. It is as if males are not aware of what courteous behavior is anymore. This is quite a tragic fact, if you ask me.

I literally cannot remember the last time I saw a guy on campus or around town open a door for me or any other woman for that matter. I have noticed it seems to be primarily with men from my own generation who are the main culprits. Older generations of men seem to have it down to an art form.

Where did it get lost and why? What are they so afraid of ? Are men afraid that it makes them look weak or that the girl may get the wrong message? Or is it simply a self-absorption that plagues our generation’s males?

Well, let me clear things up—opening a door for women is not a lifelong commitment or a marriage proposal. It is simply polite, respectful and in my humble opinion, manly.

Comedian Dave Chappelle jokes that chivalry is dead because “women killed it.” That is just ridiculous. Feminism and the women’s rights movement have not ended chivalry or curbed women’s appreciation for a kind gesture. Yes, feminism has changed

many things about being a woman in society, but it does not call for a complete abandonment of manners.

Sure, women are much more independent nowadays than they have ever been. But despite that, a considerate Y chromosome has always been and will forever be appreciated and respected in the eyes of a woman.

“

I literally cannot remember the last time I saw a guy open a door for me or any other girl for that matter.

”

- Courtney Hartline

If chivalry, is however, still alive, it is most definitely a rarity. So gentlemen, please, next time you see a woman coming through a door with her hands full, or not, give her a refreshing glimpse of hope and open the door for her or offer to carry something. I promise you, it will not make you look feminine.

If anything, do it to show off those muscles that you have been working so hard at sculpting in the gym.

Be a testosterone-filled humanoid to your heart’s content around your “bros,” but when you are around a woman, step it up and be that dignified fellow that women are convinced is extinct. Otherwise, R.I.P. chivalry. Carry on.

If you don’t want it printed . . . don’t let it happen. @mercyhurst.edu Editors Positions editormerciad Kelly Luoma Editor-in-Chief newsmerciad Alaina Rydzewski Managing Editor featuremerciad Liz Zurasky Features Editor opinionmerciad Caitlin Handerhan Opinion Editor sportsmerciad Spencer Hunt Sports Editor Alex Stacey A&E Editor entertainmentmerciad copymerciad Chrissy Mihalic Copy Editor photomerciad Kaitlin Badger Graphics photomerciad Jill Barrile Photo Editor ejohns89 Ethan Johns Web Editor admerciad Max Rivera Ad Manager wwelch Bill Welch Adviser

The Merciad is the official student-produced newspaper of Mercyhurst College. 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.

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Page 14

OPINION

April 2012 September 3, 18, 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 e-mailed to opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.

Missile launch by North Korea a failure Rogue nation shamed politically, scientifically

By Jaslyne Halter Staff writer

Students received a survey on various administrative departments, giving students a chance to voice their opinions.

Since the Laker Vapor update on Good Friday, students and faculty alike have been suffering with sluggish wireless internet, trouble with webmail and an inability to regularly access webadvisor. With fall term scheduling looming, let’s hope students can actually use Laker Vapor.

As spring temperatures warm dreary Erie, intel students and professors are sweating it out with no air conditioning and numerous fans in the classrooms of their old academic building.

Rockets: They’ve been around for about 70 years. But just because they’re senior citizens doesn’t mean they’re technologically decrepit.

As North Korea’s latest failed rocket test shows, launching a rocket into space is still, well, rocket science. Korea’s lame attempt to launch a rocket this past Friday drew condemnation from the White House, with press secretary Jay Carney saying in a statement that the “provocative action threatens regional security, violates international law and contravenes its own recent commitments.”

North Korea’s much-touted satellite launch ended in a nearly $1 billion failure, bringing humiliation to the country’s new young leader and condemnation from a host of nations. The United Nations Security Council deplored the launch but stopped short of imposing new penalties in response.

The rocket’s disintegration Friday over the Yellow Sea brought a rare public acknowledg-

ment of failure from Pyongyang, which had hailed the launch as a show of strength amid North Korea’s persistent economic hardship. For the 20-something Kim Jong Un it was to have been a highlight of the celebratory events surrounding his ascension to top political power.

It was timed to coincide with the country’s biggest holiday in decades, the 100th birthday of North Korean founder Kim Il Sung, the young leader’s grandfather. The United States and South Korea declared the early morning launch a failure minutes after the rocket shot out from the North’s west coast. North Korea acknowledged its demise four hours later in an announcement broadcast on state TV, saying the satellite the rocket was carrying did not enter orbit.

“I guess the late founder of North Korea is disappointed. His birthday toy won’t arrive on time,” a senior U.S. official emails, along with a request to keep his name out of his jokes. “In fact, it won’t arrive at all. And if it did, some major reassembly would be required.” In fairness, it’s not just North Korea. The list of countries to have successfully launched a satellite into space is in the single digits.

Still, North Korea has some specific disad-

vantages. “Not only are they short on money, but also expertise. Developing this technology requires expertise across a range of fields, from fluid dynamics to metallurgy to materials science to flight dynamics,” says Brian Weeden, a former officer with the U.S. Air Force Space Command.

“Countries that have been successful in this area all have extensive science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs to develop people with expertise in those fields.”

In particular, North Korea’s short-range missile technology is based on work the Soviets did with their own rockets. But that’s really difficult to scale up — as Pyongyang seems not to have figured out. Of course, all bets are off if the North Koreans decide a modified intercontinental ballistic missile is too hard and opt to go shopping. On the other hand, North Korea seems to like to export its missile technology.

Documents revealed by WikiLeaks indicated that North Korea had passed on its missiles to Iran. That may not actually be true. But judging from North Korea’s unbroken streak of failed launches, if Pyongyang really is sending missiles to Iran, that’s a two-fer for Washington.

Mass media distorts images of women

By Chrissy Mihalic Copy editor

Victoria’s Secret models, Cosmopolitan articles and overly skinny models such as Kate Moss are only a few examples of the images that some women in the 21st century judge themselves against. But so what, right? How will a picture of the skinny, voluptuous and provocative Megan Fox plastered on the cover of this month’s April Cosmopolitan affect women?

The answer is: a lot more than one might probably think.

The fact is, women today are consistently surrounded by unrealistic images in the media that tend to sit placidly in women’s psyches. Just browse the magazines in any grocery store and without a doubt there will be images of perfectly toned and perfectly Photoshopped women with an impractical body size.

Actually, browse the April 4 issue of The Merciad to read Jaslyne Halter’s article “Weight loss always an option.”

In the article, Halter bravely wrote that she felt she was “the poster child for the ‘fat college student’” and admitted to giving in to society’s

“interpretation of beauty.” In other words, Halter compared herself to the media image of beauty, and after, deemed herself “fat.”

Now don’t get me wrong, I completely agree that trying to live a healthy lifestyle is a definite must in anyone’s life. But I wanted to rebut and ask women to look at things from a different perspective.

Instead of women comparing themselves and giving in to the media’s image of women, they should first ask how many people in the world actually look like the media’s depiction of the “perfect women.”

Specifically, try and remember that the women in Cosmo or the woman modeling the new summer 2012 bikini line, are not real. Literally, they are not real.

Their bodies are morphed with technology and Photoshop to the point where they are, in

sum, computerized and made up.

Therefore, I wanted to stress that women should not “agree with society’s interpretation of beauty” because in turn they will only be agreeing with, and then comparing themselves to, a lie.

I’ll admit that it feels great to get a good work out in when it’s possible and that being overweight can be unhealthy, but women should not compare themselves to the contestants on America’s Next Top Model because it’s idealistic, unhealthy, false and non-progressive.

Remember, those who run mass media may be in charge of what is seen on TV, in magazines, and in daily lives, but by choosing not to agree with, and comparing oneself to, the unrealistic images is a progressive step in changing the way beauty is measured in society today.

Writer responds to weighty claims

By Jaslyne Halter My article wasn’t about fitting in with society’s push for “Thin America,” but rather that I want

a lifestyle change.

I think I am beautiful and that everyone needs to love themselves and their bodies despite what America might think; it’s more about living a healthier life in a busy world.

Sports

April 18, 2012

Page 15

Grimes has breakout sophomore season

By Samantha Bante Contributing writer

Having a smaller than normal team can be a struggle for any collegiate athlete. Sophomore Allison Grimes hasn’t let it show for the women’s water polo team.

The team was coming off a strong 2010-11 campaign, finishing with a 16-10 record.

This season, the Lakers started poorly and hit a low point when they lost five straight games during the Chapman Invitational at the end of winter term. Even so, players like Grimes are stepping up and trying to make the team one to be noticed.

“We are doing well, but the downside is that we do get hit around a lot because there are only 12 of us this year, and we had 18 last year,” Grimes said.

Being the only sophomore starter and the second-highest scorer with 51 points behind junior Lisett Caldron, Grimes is making a name for herself.

Sports Information photo

Sophomore Allie Grimes has made a 35-point jump in points from her freshman to sophomore season.

“We have a lot less people this year, so there is more playing time and more opportunities. I feel a lot stronger from lifting and training too, so that has helped me overall,” Grimes said.

Grimes leads the team in assists this year with 20 total. This is a big step up from her freshman year where she totaled 16 points the entire year.

“I had to step up this year since many key players left last year. It was nice sitting on the bench my first year because it allowed me to see how the team works together during games,” Grimes said.

Grimes is a math education major and has been playing water polo for the past eight years.

“Water polo is a very tough and dangerous sport, and I don’t think

many people realize this. I love it, though,” she said. “I just wish more people got to see us play because we don’t have a pool on campus.

We have to go to North East for practice, and our ‘home’ games are usually at Gannon or Penn State Behrend.”

Among all the colleges and universities in Division II, Grimes chose Mercyhurst to further both her academic and sports career.

“I didn’t really want to go to a DI school even though I had a few offers. I really loved the campus here. It was so beautiful, and I loved the small school and how I was able to know people a lot closer here,” Grimes said.

The Lakers are practicing hard six times a week at North East and are trying to bounce back from the three straight losses they suffered in the Southern Championship against Harvard, Brown and George Washington University.

The Lakers’ next home game is at Gannon University on Friday, April 20, at 7 p.m.

Kallay named player of the week

Senior Kyle Kallay took home his second East Coast Conference (ECC) player of the week honors this week.

Kallay helped the No. 1 ranked men’s lacrosse team to two victories during the week with 10 total points.

Over the course of his career, Kallay has made his mark as a goal scorer, but this week he scored and assisted. Six of the 10 points were assists.

Of course, Kallay added four goals as well. He now ranks seventh all-time with 76 in his career. He has 21 goals for the year which leads the team.

Kallay and the Lakers skated through two unranked opponents last week, but their next game might not be as easy. The team will travel to New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) on Saturday, April 21.

NYIT is currently No. 7 in the country and is the last ranked opponent on the Lakers’ schedule.

Baseball team has sights set on postseason

By Spencer Hunt Sports editor

When a team has a successful season, is it fair to compare the next year’s team to it?

This is a question the Mercyhurst baseball team has been dealing with during the 2012 season. The team is 28-11, compared to the 42-12 campaign a year ago. Coincidentally, last season was also the best in program history.

The 2012 team has dealt with the comparisons well and is ranked third in the most recent Atlantic Regional rankings. The Lakers returned a number of key players from last year’s squad, but it isn’t the same according to Coach Joe Spano.

“Each team is unique, but we have new faces especially on offense,” said Spano. “We have less experience offensively, and it’s completely different.”

The Lakers are getting key contributions from freshmen as they

Jill Barrile photo

Freshman Kolin McMillen has been a pleasant surprise for the Lakers. He leads the team in batting average in his first year. have had to step in at some point this season.

Freshman Kolin McMillen leads the team in batting average with .389 and is third on the team in hits. This type of production is certainly welcomed especially when more experienced players graduate or go down because of

an injury.

“When you recruit a player you never expect that type of production, but you certainly hope for it,” said Spano. “It’s always a pleasure when you hit on a recruit.”

With the loss of redshirt junior Zak Blair, Spano had to adjust his lineup with younger players taking

on bigger roles. The Lakers haven’t skipped a beat. Three of the seven Lakers hitting over .300 are freshmen.

The one luxury Spano had coming into the year was a pitching staff that was relatively unchanged.

Spano returned six key members of the staff and had high hopes for them.

“I thought it could be an excellent staff,” said Spano. “Offensively we need to take the pressure off of them.”

Junior Ben Rawding has a spotless 7-0 record with a 2.51 ERA. Rawding, along with senior Eric Aschley, gives Spano two aces to work with. Rawding and Aschley combine for seven of the team’s 10 complete games.

Seniors Shane Latshaw and Ethan Santora have been helping keep some of the pressure off the pitchers. Latshaw was named Pennsylvania State Athletic Association (PSAC) player of the week this past week and leads the team in home runs and is second in RBIs. Santora has had a down year to

his standards, but he set the bar very high for himself. As a freshman he hit 16 home runs and recently broke the school’s home run record for a career.

“He will never sit out; he hurt his hand early in the season and has been really impressive,” said Spano.

“Every record he breaks he gets a bigger bull’s-eye on his back.”

With Latshaw’s emergence, Santora has protection in the line-up, and they are both tough outs for opposing pitchers. So far, they have been just that.

The team still has its sights set on another PSAC west championship this season. The Lakers are in first place but only after a tie-breaker.

Six teams still have a shot at the top seed, and no spot is secure.

“We won’t know until the last week of the season, but we can only control our end,” Spano said.

The Lakers have a busy few weeks ahead as their last eight games are four double-headers. In fact, the team’s next home game is a double-header against Clarion on Friday, April 20, starting at 1 p.m.

Sports

Page 16

April 18, 2012

Scheetz is model student-athlete for men’s lacrosse

By Spencer Hunt Sports editor

Choosing what sport to play growing up can be a difficult decision for any kid. The choice is infinitely more difficult when your dad is the junior varsity baseball coach and you choose lacrosse.

This was junior Brian Scheetz’s dilemma as he grew up.

He began playing lacrosse in kindergarten, but he also played baseball. For a while he could do both, but once organized leagues began, one of them had to go because both are played in the spring.

“In fifth grade I had to pick,” said Scheetz. “It was a tough decision because I was the ball boy for the baseball team, but baseball wasn’t fast enough for me.”

A slow, pitch-by-pitch game was not what Scheetz was looking for, even in fifth grade. He wanted to run up and down the field with the ball in his hands.

Even so, lacrosse wasn’t the only fast sport he played prior to his collegiate career. Scheetz played football and basketball throughout high school, along with lacrosse. He was captain of each team his senior year. This was a characteristic that Mercyhurst men’s lacrosse coach

Sarah Hlusko photo

Junior Brian Scheetz, center, is three points away from being Mercyhurst’s all-time leader in points in a career.

Chris Ryan loved about Scheetz.

“I could tell he was going to have a pretty quick impact on the team as a freshman,” Ryan said.

After earning accolades in all three sports, Scheetz chose lacrosse full time for college. But the other sports helped Scheetz on the

lacrosse field as well.

“Basketball has a lot of similar defenses, and the lanes are similar,” said Scheetz. “Football helped from being a team game and talking to your teammates.”

Time management was not going to be an issue for Scheetz as his only

major adjustment was playing one sport all the time, instead of three different sports. The mental transition to full-time collegiate lacrosse was a natural transition.

Scheetz’s experience and leadership led to an explosive first season in Erie. He led the team with 61 points as a freshman, but his impact wasn’t a surprise to the coaching staff.

“He was one of very few freshmen in the program’s history that we handed the ball to day one as a freshman,” said Ryan. “We knew early on he was going to be a good lacrosse player.”

Good is an understatement when describing Scheetz.

In only his junior season, Scheetz has already secured the university’s all-time record for assists in a career with 90. He is on pace to break the school record for points in a career.

So far, he has 152 points, only three away from the record. With these records, it is easy to forget he still has one full season left to go.

Even with all the accolades and attention, Scheetz is still focused on the current season and helping the younger players.

“I prefer to stay quiet and let my play speak, but I will definitely speak up if I have to,” said Scheetz.

“This year I tried to take a bigger leadership role.”

Scheetz is still progressing as a

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lacrosse player, even though it seems he can do just about anything.

“I am more confident in big games now,” said Scheetz. “My first two years I was a little shaky, but this year I’m more experienced so I am more even keel.”

After watching Scheetz play for almost three full seasons, Ryan is very pleased with his progression.

“He is a fully mature lacrosse player and on his way to becoming a complete player,” said Ryan. “He has a high lacrosse IQ, and we have a high level of confidence in him.”

One unexpected aspect of Scheetz’s game is that he puts up spectacular numbers despite being the shortest player on the team.

“Although he is only 5 foot 7 inches, he has tremendous athletic ability,” said Ryan. “I would say he is arguably, pound-for-pound the strongest guy on the team.”

Despite his time and effort being focused on the lacrosse field, Scheetz also excels in the classroom.

“He is over a 3.0 in the classroom and mature,” said Ryan. “He is a pretty good example of what it means to be a student-athlete.”

Scheetz’s hard work in the classroom has led to good grades and his work on the field to a National Championship. With continued dedication, Scheetz and the Lakers could be headed for another title.