The Merciad, Oct. 5, 2011

College creates garden dedicated to Mary

Opinion: Patriotism vs. terrorism

Wayne State transfers find new home at ’Hurst

Take our online poll on campus safety

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merciad.mercyhurst.edu

NEWS

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October 5, 2011

Learning Differences program ranked high

By Joseph Pudlick Staff writer

Mercyhurst College has been ranked by “Best Colleges Online” as one of “20 Incredible Colleges for Special Needs Students” and “10 Impressive Special College Programs for Students with Autism.”

Ranked with universities such as Arizona, Iowa and West Virginia, Mercyhurst was ranked ninth for its Learning Differences (LD) program. The LD program is celebrating 25 years of helping students with special needs to be better equipped in the classroom.

“The students accessing our program are people with learning disabilities: attention deficit disorder, traumatic brain injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder and Asperger Syndrome,” Director of Learning Differences Dianne Rogers said.

The number of students in the program are growing.

“When I started here in ’98, there were 30 students in the LD program. Now there are over 200,” Rogers said.

The program provides academic support through tutoring, mentoring, note-taking and counseling, as well as social opportunities such as networking with other students.

“We have a lot of interested prospective students, but we have a strict selection process,” said Rogers. “Not only do they need to meet the standards of the institution, they also must interview with me, and then we select 20 students.”

Not only was the school ranked for its LD program, it was also awarded third place for its Asperger Initiative program, a subset of LD, which was ranked among Drexel, Rutgers and Boston universities.

“Asperger Syndrome is the mildest form of autism,” said Rogers. “Over the years, autism has become known as a spectrum disorder, and we are attracting students at this highest end of the spectrum.”

The Asperger Initiative at Mercyhurst (AIM) began in the late 2000s after an article in 2003 proposed a large number of students with autism would be heading for colleges and universities in the coming years.

The program was greatly influenced

by Associate Professor Ken Schiff, Ph.D., who had prior dealings with people with Asperger.

“There were no models for us to use because it was so new,” said Schiff. “Even now, there are not more than 20 really structured programs out there.”

While the program is one of a

Sarah Hlusko photo

In the front row are Rebecca Ruch and Elaine Ruggiero. In the back row are Lori Kaveney, Christina Jenkins and Dianne Rogers. The staff is a huge support for special needs students. kind, Rogers said it’s not about the program but the students they are helping.

“It’s been a great success, but like with any new initiative, there are growing pains,” said Rogers.

“We’ve learned a lot, and we are trying to use those to make the program stronger and continue to

improve it.

“There are different ways to evaluate the program,” said Rogers.

“The role of the program and the place of student conduct have to be kept tightly together because being quirky and having unusual behaviors don’t mean that you have the right to break school laws and put yourself and other students at risk.”

Director of Residence Life Alice Agnew agreed that AIM students need to be held to the same standard as all students.

“If a student is seen to violate a rule and is documented for the behavior, it will be addressed through student conduct,” said Agnew.

Ultimately it’s about getting the students in the program ready for the real world.

To do this, “We are talking about hiring some job coaches to train the students for interviews. People who don’t interview well, people who don’t make eye contact, people who twitch—they’re not going to get a job, especially with all the people out there looking for jobs,” Rogers said.

Overall, Rogers says the program has put the school on the map.

“There have been rough patches, but I look at other programs in comparison to ours, and we not only have great students, but we provide them with an opportunity

to get a degree and have a great time doing it,” said Rogers. “Some of the situations that we’ve had to deal with have made me less tolerant, but while we may have a problem with one student, there are three more that are doing great and succeeding.”

Junior Paige Bosnyak commented on having the LD program at the college. “It adds diversity and a great support system to Mercyhurst,” she said.

Junior Maura Hunter agreed.

“It’s more than just a program; it’s a community thing,” she said.

Rogers attributes much of the success to the administration for its support of the program.

“A lot of our success has been aided by President Gamble and Dr. Tobin, both of whom are trained psychologists and see the importance in these things,” said Rogers.

“They have helped us, supported us and were sympathetic to the mission.”

Vice President of Student Life Gerard Tobin, Ph.D., said, “The program just felt like a missionappropriate thing to do,” he said.

“It fit our identity.”

Tobin said that the program has come a long way to reach its current form, and now all there is to do is wait.

“We’ve created the program, now we need to cycle it through a couple times and solidify it,” he said.

October 5, 2011

NEWS

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Incident report details Free flu shots issues of safety, discipline available at

By Alaina Rydzewski Managing editor

Each year, the Pennsylvania Department of Education requires the Mercyhurst College Department of Police and Safety to release a report detailing student incidents on campus.

This report, titled the 2010 Annual Clery Report and Fire Disclosure Report, begins with the details of the Mercyhurst campus and the Department of Police and Safety and continues with a chart of incident numbers from 2008, 2009 and 2010.

The report was emailed to students and faculty Saturday, Oct. 1.

Chief of Police Robert Kuhn said, “I think it’s a good idea. Parents want to know if it’s a safe campus, and this report does that.”

The report listed the number of incidents categorized as homicide, sex offense, robbery, assault, arson, drugs, alcohol and vandalism among others.

The only numbers that had an increase from 2008 and 2009 were the liquor law violations that were referred to Residence Life. There were 234 violations in 2008, 213 in 2009 and 385 in 2010.

Kuhn said this is because Police and Safety automatically refer students to Residence Life for discipline instead of to the Erie Police.

“Since I took over last year, we don’t arrest students who have trouble with liquor law violations. We refer them to Residence Life unless the students assault one of our officers,” said Kuhn. “I hate to see kids in teach-

ing get in trouble—and there are a few other majors where this is important—because they’d be done in Pennsylvania with that on their record. It would affect them badly.

“Res Life does a good job. They are harder on kids than a citation would be. Kids can just pay a citation and be done with it, but with Res Life they have to stand up and suffer the consequences,” he said.

Regarding the decrease in the other numbers from 2008 and 2009, Kuhn said, “We had a good freshman class, and everybody else seemed to be behaving themselves. I also send out emails to students basically saying don’t do anything to embarrass your parents or yourself.”

Kuhn also stressed that safety is his number one priority, and that students who feel unsafe should always call Police and Safety, no matter the situation.

Some instances of the decrease in numbers can be seen in several different categories.

For example, the number of burglaries was 21 in 2008, 16 in 2009 and seven in 2010. The number of forcible sex offenses was three in 2008, two in 2009 and one in 2010. The number of arrests made from liquor law violations was eight in 2008, 11 in 2009 and five in 2010.

“We’re making gains,” said Kuhn. “We continue to march—we haven’t seen anything that needs tweaking so far.”

To see a copy of the report, go to my.mercyhurst. edu/Visitors/Pages/PoliceSafety.aspx.

The box below shows what some students think about the level of safety at Mercyhurst.

Do you feel safe on campus?

“I feel safe walking on campus, just not on the side streets. The farther away from campus you get, the less safe you get.”

—Lauren Moss, senior “One night, I had to walk up to the Mother House and it was dark. There were sketchy people, but I didn’t think to call Police and Safety–I called my mom.”

—Sarah Rearick, freshman “I do not especially feel safe on campus because Erie itself doesn’t seem to be that safe of a city. Erie is the poorest city in Pennsylvania, and I feel that correlates to the amount of crime a city has.”

—Spencer Vuksic, junior

“It was a little scary last year with all of the incidents, especially because I am an RA and have to walk outside at night a lot by myself, but this year since there haven’t been incidents I feel better. It’s been a good start to the year.”

—April Alfieri, junior

“For the most part I think it could be better lit. Police and Safety has stepped up--they now have a taser on staff. I am from Massachusetts and every campus back home has at least three guns. Beyond that, I feel safe here.”

—Pat Coit, junior

Health Center

By Stacy Skiavo Staff writer

It’s that time of year again. The season for sniffles, coughs and sore throats is upon us once more. The Mercyhurst College Cohen Student Health Center is here to help aid in the fight against sickness.

On Tuesday, Oct. 11, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. there will be an open clinic in the Egan Faculty Dining Room that will be giving out free flu shots. No appointments are needed to obtain the shots on these days.

However, this is not the only time students can receive the flu shot. Appointments can be made for Monday, Oct. 10, from 3 to 5:30 p.m. at the Health Center. There will be additional appointments available if needed after fall break.

Shots may also be given in January and February depending on remaining vaccine supplies.

The free shots are offered to all students, administration, faculty, staff members and trustees as well as spouses of these people. The only exclusion is that children may not receive the vaccine. It is up to each student to decide whether to get the flu shot. Some don’t deem it necessary.

“I don’t find it necessary for college students to have to get flu shots.

I feel like that’s something that people of an older age need to worry about,” junior James Whitaker said.

Junior Aaron Loncki agreed. “I have never gotten one, and I don’t think I need one. I haven’t had the flu in years and am not worried about getting it this year,” he said.

The injection includes a com-

bined vaccine of three strands of the flu vaccine including two seasonal flu strains as well as H1N1, all in one shot. The strands protect against the most common viruses from the previous year.

The level of effectiveness of the shot depends on such factors as age and health status. The risks are few and entail slight redness or soreness at the area of injection.

An allergic reaction will most likely occur only if the recipient is also allergic to eggs. All of this information will be explained prior to receiving the shot.

By the end of the season in 2010, 565 shots were given out to Health Center patients.

“I think the number will be about the same as last year. We start out with big clinics and then take individual appointments,” Executive Director of Wellness Judy Smith, Ph.D., said.

Flu shots are not the only reason people visit the Health Center.

Many make appointments there year round for various illnesses.

“Appointments were more full than usual. Many have been coming for strep throat, upper respiratory stuff and stomach bugs. On average we have been seeing about 15 people a day that come for a doctor’s help and to possibly receive an antibiotic,” Smith said.

People seem to get sick around this time of year from being in such close quarters. However, there are ways to prevent these diseases.

The best advice is to get enough sleep and keep a healthy diet. In addition, people need to wash their hands thoroughly and frequently throughout the day to avoid getting sick.

Grad school info session will provide insight The Business and Accounting Club of the Walker School of Business is holding its annual “Getting into Graduate School Night” on Tuesday, Oct. 11, at 8 p.m. in the Faculty Dining Room. The event is open to all Mercyhurst students.

NEWS

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October 5, 2011

College creates garden dedicated to Mary

By Kelly Luoma Editor-in-chief

The building of the Academic Engagement Center isn’t the only construction occurring on Mercyhurst College Campus. Bulldozers have been tearing up the front lawn for the past two weeks.

This construction in front of Old Main is dedicated to Mary’s Garden.

Mary’s Garden will consist of the Mary statue, a reflecting pool, benches, new landscaping and sidewalks.

Assistant to the President Monsignor David Rubino, who is the head of this project, said the main idea behind the garden is to create “a space where students and faculty can relax and talk.”

“Who on a nice day doesn’t want to go outside and sit somewhere?”

Rubino asked.

Senior Steve Bukowski commented on the outdoor area and whether students would use it.

“I think it sounds good in theory, but we need to wait and see,” he said.

The idea for the garden came about when Rubino and President Tom Gamble, Ph.D., were discussing plans for the college.

“That’s our front door in a sense,” said Rubino. “We thought we’d take advantage of this lovely space.”

Rubino discussed tying in the possible university status with

Mary’s Garden.

He said no signage for the university has been decided on, so this garden is a possible place for a Mercyhurst University sign. The gates, which say Mercyhurst College, will not be changed.

Rubino talked about how important the Blessed Mother is and how she relates to Mercyhurst.

Mary was a “woman of great faith and courage,” said Rubino.

“That’s a powerful example to remind ourselves of. To remember that is a good thing.”

Once the idea came about for the garden, plans were drawn and Rubino showed them to a donor.

The donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, donated $200,000 for the garden.

The total cost of the garden will be less than $251,000 plus landscaping costs, which will be about $25,000, Rubino said.

The remaining funds for the garden come from the $114,000 that was left over from the entrance-way renovation, which included planting trees and adding sidewalks near the gates.

As part of the creation of Mary’s Garden, the statue of Mary, which has been in front of Old Main since the 1950s, has to be restored. The marble statue had fingers and toes missing.

“The statue needs almost a complete overhaul,” Rubino said.

As part of the restoration of the statue, Mary will face toward the campus gates. In the past, her back

Buehler & Associates rendering

This rendering from the construction company shows what the area will look like upon its completion. There will also be another walkway further north leading to the new building. was always toward them.

Rubino said the statue probably faced and protected the nuns and students inside Old Main.

“Turning her out to bless the college and the city is the better thought,” he said.

Since the purpose of the garden is to be a peaceful and quiet area to relax, the circular drive will no longer be open to cars unless there

are large events happening on campus. The gates will be closed at the bottom of the drive to block entrance to cars.

The reflecting pool, which has lights and will be between 12 and 18 inches deep, will add to the relaxing atmosphere. During the winter, the pool will be covered.

Junior Chelsea Morris said she liked the idea of having the reflect-

ing pool, but she does not like that the construction is taking place now.

“I think it was stupid to have construction during Parent’s Weekend,” she said.

The basic concrete structure of the garden will be completed in early November, but landscaping will not be completed until the spring. The statue should be back in March.

Cardboard Village raises awareness, empathy

By Chris Gaertner Staff writer

The Mercyhurst chapter of Habitat for Humanity is raising awareness on the issue of homelessness by sponsoring Cardboard Village. Cardboard Village is an interactive fundraiser in which students experience what it is like to be homeless for a day.

The event will raise money for the American Red Cross to help ease the suffering of people who are now homeless in the face of natural disasters. Through the construction of a shelter made of cardboard and tarp, participants gain first-hand exposure to some of the trials and tribulations faced by those without shelter on a daily basis.

This will be the fourth year that Cardboard Village has been on the Mercyhurst campus.

Junior Chelsea Morris, the event’s coordinator, offered some

insight into the event, saying, “Anyone can participate. You don’t have to be a member of a certain club. I really wanted to make the event bigger this year and hopefully reach more people.

“This is the first year that RSCOs (Recognized Student Clubs and Organizations) have been able to sponsor a box, and we’ve had a really good turnout of clubs eager to participate. We have around 10 that have fully committed to sponsoring a box,” Morris said.

Morris added that in addition to the clubs participating, there are about 30 students signed up to participate, whether overnight or just for a short period of time. There are also another 20 students who have mentioned online that they are attending the event.

Each club participating in the event pays $5 to sponsor a box. Morris said she hopes to raise about $150 this year through participation fees and any donations that people make to support the event. Students who are not able to spend the night are still encouraged to help out.

“We’ll need help setting up the village Wednesday morning,

as well as tearing it down Thursday afternoon,” said Morris.

“Students can also help out by donating funds or actually participating in the event. Moral support also goes a long way. If you are unable to donate time or money, just stop by the event on your way to class and give support for the cause.”

The event has caused quite a bit of buzz around campus and has gotten the interest of many students.

Freshman Alli Bell thinks the idea of Cardboard Village is extremely inspiring and is hoping to attend the event.

“I like the idea of raising awareness through a way which actually interacts with the student body. The fact that it’ll burst the Mercyworld bubble, if only temporarily, is not only inspiring in its rarity but also ingenious in its execution,” Bell said.

Sophomore David Bott hopes to attend the event as well.

“It seems to be for a good cause— raising awareness is always a good thing,” he said.

The event lasts from 5 p.m. on Wednesday, October 5, until noon on Thursday, October 6. Set-up and tear-down are scheduled immediately before and after the event.

FEATURES

October 5, 2011

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MEOW club works for gender equality

By Kayla Kelly

Contributing writer MEOW is not a cat club; it stands for the new organization on campus called the Mercyhurst Equality of Women.

Lauren Moss, the president of MEOW, was one of many females in her Psychology of Gender class.

Her inspiration to form the club came when the professor asked the students if any of them were feminists and only a few raised their hands. Moss was surprised that not a lot of people, females in particular, stood up for feminism.

She decided to take charge and create a club to educate people and raise awareness about gender issues.

Moss started MEOW with the help of several professors.

Lena Surzhko-Harned, Ph.D.,

“

was surprised that there was not already a student group dedicated to this topic. She was very happy to be the adviser and thought it would be a great experience to be a part of MEOW.

ically and politically.

Handerhan pointed out, “In a world where women make less on the dollar than their male equivalents, or only hold a small percentage of seats in our Congress, we are striving to shed light on the fact that gender equality doesn’t MEOW is not a manexist, even in the 21st century.”

Moss said the club hopes “to hating club. We are reach out to Mercyhurst stusimply just trying to raise dents, the community and on a scale.” awareness about gender global MEOW is currently working with the school’s yearlong equality.

Lauren Moss observance of Exploring Gender & Relationships by bringing in several speakers.

Moss met Caitlin Handerhan, the It also plans on playing films club’s vice president, in a class last and taking action by becoming spring, and they decided to work involved in things like the Big together to create a gender equal- Brothers & Big Sisters organizaity group on campus because they tion. It hopes to educate younger were both very passionate about the people about gender equality and subject. the importance of having a posiThe mission of MEOW is to tive self-image. strive for gender equality for both Its first activity is a guest speaker males and females socially, econom- from Melbourne University, Dr. Lauren Rosewarne. She is the author of several books, and she will be delivering a lecture at Mercyhurst in Hirt 314, on Oct. 11, at 4:30 p.m. titled “The Sisterhood of Infidelity.”

MEOW is currently still working to gain students’ interest.

Although the club has received some backlash from males about the club being against males, the club “thrives for gender equality all across the board,” said SurzhkoHarned.

Moss explained, “MEOW is not a man hating club. We are simply just trying to raise awareness about gender equality.”

MEOW stands for equality of both genders, and the club welcomes anyone who is interested in joining, males included. So far they have spread the news by word-of-mouth, and soon there will be posters around campus encouraging students to join their group.

If you are interested in the club, check out its Facebook page, MEOW: Mercyhurst Equality of Women, or you can email the club at mercyhurstequalityofwomen@ gmail.com.

MEOW’s next meeting will be held Thursday at 8:15 p.m. in 211 Old Main.

”

Jill Barrile photo

Lindsay Cox and Shane McCabe were voted royalty Saturday.

McCabe, Cox named homecoming king and queen

By Liz Zurasky Features editor

After being voted for by the student body, our homecoming king and queen, Shane McCabe and Lindsay Cox were announced Saturday at halftime of the football game.

For those who are not familiar with the new king and queen, here is some information about them.

What is your major?

McCabe: Art Therapy Cox: Business Management with a minor in Strategic Communication What activities are you involved in?

McCabe: I’m an ultimate Frisbee addict. I became the president of Mercyhurst’s ultimate Frisbee club and intramural sophomore year, and I couldn’t be happier about that. Besides that, painting, working with ceramics, dancing without shame and listening to music are my other favorite activities.

Cox: I am the Ambassador Club President, Student Alumni Association Vice President, Chair of the Senior Class Gift Committee and 2011 Student Chair of Summer Orientation and Welcome Week.

Were you excited to find out you were nominated for king and

queen by your classmates?

McCabe: I didn’t really expect to be nominated at all, but when I was, I thought the possibility of homecoming king would definitely be something to check off of life’s bucket list.

Cox: I was excited. It was a great honor to be highlighted along with the other wonderful candidates during such an exciting weekend.

The alumni events and ‘Hurst Fest events make Homecoming weekend a lot of fun, and it was a privilege to be a part of it all. Seeing so many alumni coming back to Mercyhurst and reliving their college years really reminds me that college has flown by for me, and it’s moments like this that I will always remember and hold as special Mercyhurst memories.

What are your plans for the future after you graduate?

McCabe: My future plans are to receive my master’s degree in art therapy, become a licensed art therapist and work with at-risk adolescents. My ultimate future plan is to retire in a small house on the beach.

Cox: I plan to pursue a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership here at Mercyhurst with dreams of some day working in higher education.

For more information on Cox and McCabe and to see the other nominations for king and queen, visit the Merciad’s website at merciad.mercyhurst.edu.

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FEATURES

Breast cancer awareness raises questions, concerns

By Brianna Carle Contributing writer

People all over the world have experienced the awful effects of breast cancer, and they are showing their support by wearing pink and attending breast cancer fundraisers to find a cure.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Mercyhurst offers a variety of information about breast cancer, how it can be detected and how it can be treated.

Director of Wellness at the Mercyhurst Health Center Judy Smith, Ph.D., said some concerns regarding breast cancer and college-aged women have been brought to the health center’s attention.

One somewhat comforting fact provided by Smith is that only “7 percent of women under the age of 40 develop breast cancer.” This number, however, is “still in the thousands.”

This can be scary for women in college, but early detection is key.

Smith said there are many ways that a woman can detect a possible problem in her young age. Breast selfexaminations are one way to detect cancer, she said.

“It is not always just a strange lump,” she said. “If you do find a lump in your breasts, get it checked.”

Other indications of breast cancer can include, “discharge from the nipple, puckering, dimpling or any changes you may notice,” Smith said.

If any of these warning signs are present, “get checked,” she said.

Like most diseases, some people are more at risk than others.

Smith explained that the closer you are related to someone who has once had breast cancer, the more at risk you are.

A commonality in inheriting breast cancer from a close family member is believed to be because of a shared genetic mutation. Basically, if your mom had it and had a genetic mutation and you were born with the same mutation, you, in turn, may develop breast cancer.

Fortunately though, the technology is out there for women to be able to find out if something like this is a risk for them.

Usually, mammograms begin after women have reached the age of 40. Smith suggests that women who are at “high risk should begin mammograms before 40.”

Even though family history runs a greater risk of developing breast cancer, it is interesting that 70-80 percent of women who develop breast cancer will be the first in their family.

Finding the problem early is very important when it comes to this horrible disease.

“If the cancer is detected early, there is a 90 percent long-term survivability,” said Smith.

Smith also suggests the American Cancer Society website for anyone who would like more information about the effects of breast cancer.

If you are interested in getting involved with local fundraisers supporting the treatment of breast cancer, Erie’s Linked by Pink organization is a good one to work with. They put on annual fundraisers and awareness programs and feature women who have fought the battle and won against breast cancer.

This disease is a scary topic for anyone, but with the right information, good doctors and knowing what to look for it can be detected and treated with success.

October 5, 2011

DIY College Style: Iced Coffee Senior Alex Stacey enjoys blogging about do-it-yourself projects.

I love to drink coffee. It is a serious problem. So much so, that I have had to start making more financially responsible decisions when it comes to my caffeine consumption.

I like to drink my coffee iced, which means that it has to be made a little bit stronger. I like to use dark or bold roast coffee grounds, because this will make it strong enough when the ice starts to melt in your drink. Now, you can’t just rely on the coffee being stronger, you must brew it stronger as well. Nobody likes watery coffee.

I like to brew a whole pitcher at a time, so that I have enough for the week. You will use a standard drip brew coffee maker, and will brew it hot. I fill my machine up to the 12 cup mark with water and then add in 3/4 cup coffee grounds to a filter.

When it is done brewing, pour the hot coffee into a pitcher, and let it sit out to cool off. When it is room temperature, put it in the fridge and it is ready to enjoy.

When you go to drink your cold coffee, make sure you fill the glass or travel cup with ice. Add cream or sugar to your taste. I’ve found that Half and Half is the best because the coffee is still strong, but the drink is creamy and delicious.

This is the travel cup that I use every day. In my opinion, iced coffee always tastes better when you drink it through a straw.

For more DIY ideas, visit lavendersbluee.blogspot.com

Sarah Hlusko photo

The Cohen Student Health Center has a variety of information on breast cancer, its effects, treatments and how to find the disease early.

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

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

October 5, 2011

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Dyens delights audiences with meaningful music

By Ashley Cook Staff writer

Jill Barrile photo

Roland Dyens spoke to the audience in between every number about the title of the piece and what it was about.

Friday evening in the Walker Recital Hall, Mercyhurst students and music enthusiasts of the local community listened to one of the biggest names in the classical guitar world, Roland Dyens.

The hall was crowded, dimly lit and mostly silenced throughout the entire performance, for the sound of the guitar was soft.

The two-hour concert was a laidback and melodious experience, consisting of several of the artist’s works that were dedicated to his closest friends.

The concert given at Mercyhurst was one of two that Dyens was hosting in the United States, the other one being in New York City.

Dyens is a unique guitarist in that he always starts his concerts with an improvisational piece.

Each of these spontaneous compositions are different for every concert.

It wasn’t until after performing, however, that he confessed the piece was an improvisation, and he titled it “You and Me.”

Devi Subedi, a music major who traveled to Mercyhurst from Penn State, said, “He was so talented.

“The way in which he changes notes seems effortless, but it is actually very challenging.”

Following this piece, Dyens played several compositions, which he dedicated to important people in his life.

None of them were planned or listed in the program.

This is mainly because that in the world of jazz, the notion of a concert program does not exist.

Interestingly, Dyens rarely gives prior notice of the pieces he will play in recital.

This is his way of creating the best possible atmosphere by taking into account his audience, the acoustics of the hall and his desire to be true to his feelings at the moment that he actually interprets the music.

In between songs, after graciously accepting the audience’s applause, Dyens spoke to his audience members about the pieces he was playing and what inspired them.

One of the most touching was a slow ballad that he had written for his now 21-year-old daughter on her 8th birthday.

Another memorable piece that

closed the show and earned him a standing ovation was a work inspired by wooden instruments of Africa.

This work had an extremely fast tempo and was interesting in that Dyens used the full capacity of the guitar by banging on it and picking violently at the strings.

This created sounds one would not think could be produced by the instrument.

Overall, the songs that were played were simple.

Yet Dyens was such an accomplished musician that when he played, it sounded as though there were instruments other than the guitar accompanying him on stage.

Numerous audience members agreed that the artist was extremely gifted.

Mercyhurst music major, junior Sarah Matson agreed.

“The way in which he transitioned from soft sounds to heavy chords was very incredible,” she said.

Freshman Andria Andjelic, also a music major at Mercyhurst, perhaps sums up Roland Dyens the best.

He said that Dyens simply had “a beautiful, magical style to his work.”

Edinboro professor’s work displayed in gallery

Jill Barrile photos

Rachael Burke, a professor of art at Edinboro University, is presenting a show in the Cummings Art Gallery from Sept. 27 to Oct. 30. The show is titled “New Concerns” and consists of large figurative paintings of people who appear to be in constant motion.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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October 5, 2011

On Screen/In Person continues with ‘Little Town of Bethlehem’

By Mathew Anderson Staff writer

A truly inspiring film will be presented at the D’Angelo Performing Arts Center (PAC) Wednesday, as part of the On Screen/In Person series.

“Little Town of Bethlehem,” a documentary film, tells the story of three ordinary men of three different faiths living in a hostile Israel and Palestine.

The film examines their choices to follow the nonviolent movement among an environment of great chaos that has dehumanized all sides.

All three stories begin in situa-

tions of great struggle.

Sami’s story starts as a young boy living in the Israeli-occupied West Bank; Yonatan’s begins on an Israeli military base; and Ahmad’s starts in a Palestinian refugee camp.

The three stories are entwined through the events of the IsraeliPalestinian conflict, which begins with the massacre at the 1972 Munich Olympics and continues through the first Intifada suicide bombings in Israel and the second Intifada.

Sami, Yonatan and Ahmad each describe these events from their unique perspective interpolating personal reflections.

They explain how the aforementioned events led them to become

caught up in the nonviolence movement.

First learning about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as a teen, Sami began lecturing about nonviolence in high school.

He then traveled to India to learn more about Gandhi.

As the result of his discoveries, he founded the organization Holy Land Trust to promote nonviolence in Palestine.

Yonatan continued his father’s legacy as a pilot in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and became an IDF helicopter pilot.

He joined with 26 other IDF pilots who publicly refused to participate in missions that would result in civilian casualties.

Homecoming showcases arts at Mercyhurst

By Emma Rishel Staff writer

To start off Homecoming Weekend, the dance and music departments collaborated for the annual Homecoming and Family Weekend Celebration Performance.

The morning started off with Brittany Barko singing with the Mercyhurst Jazz Combo. They presented “So Long,” arranged by Pat Benetar and “Chain of Fools”

by Aretha Franklin.It was an upbeat way to start off the morning, as they were songs the audience seemed to recognize and enjoy.

Next was an excerpt from “Pulcinella,” a ballet choreographed by chair of the dance deptartment Tauna Hunter to music by Stravinsky. The dancers had a youthful and cheery manner and enjoyed performing the piece.

As a contrast, the next dance was a solo performed by 2006 alumna Sara Lawrence. Her solo was a dedication to her grandmother and sister-in-law who passed away from cancer.

Audience members could see and feel her pain. The sharper movements and longing in her face conveyed the emotions she was feeling and sharing with those watching.

On a lighter note, the next dance titled “Elipsination,” performed by SoMar Dance Works possessed the usual joy and silliness of SoMar. The dance started off with five women with large foam-like yellow disks on their heads. Throughout the dance they interacted with the disks in innovative and fun ways.

The music, Luigi Boccherini’s Minuet from String Quartet No.1 in E Major, is familiar to most people.

Audience member Katherine Gnatowski said, “I thought it was adorable. It reminds me of the dancing mushrooms from Disney’s Fantasia.”

Following that was the newly formed Mercyhurst Ballet Theatre’s presentation of “Sculpture Unbound,” a new work choreographed by Sarah Grace, a 2011 alumna.

The costumes flowed beautifully as the dancers moved with a controlled abandon that matched the music perfectly.

Junior Olivia Boyd said, “Performing the piece was very freeing. It is a very musical piece and just felt really good to dance.”

The D’Angelo Department of Music then presented three very different genres of music that kept the morning moving along nicely.

First was freshman Andrija Andjelic’s flawless piano solo of “Etude in D# minor” by Alexander Scriabin.

Junior Alianna Whiteaker-Chudeke’s powerful and exuberant voice rang through the auditorium during “Der Holle Rache” (The Queen of the Night), an excerpt from the opera “The Magic Flute” by Mozart.

The third musical number was “What Makes Me Love You the Way I Do?” a duet from the show “Tin Types” sung by postbaccalaureate student Matthew Tolbert and Natalie Pertz. It was playful and reminiscent of the dancing and singing style of the early 19th century.

Mercyhurst Ballet Theatre then performed “Guitar Danza,” a contemporary dance for three women. It was very interesting, as some of the floor work was original and kept those watching guessing what might be coming next. There was a sense of yearning in the dancers’ faces and movements.

To finish off the program, the Mercyhurst Liturgical Dance Ensemble performed an excerpt from “Multitude of Angels,” a new work choreographed by Assistant Professor of dance C. Noelle Partusch to music by J.S. Bach. This piece served as a sort of preview for the dance department’s holiday concert.

The large cast filled the stage with magnificent melodies and graceful movement. It was an uplifting and joyful way to end the morning.

Co-founding the organization Combatants for Peace, made up of former Israeli and Palestinian combatants, Yonatan faces a struggle to continue the love for his country with his growing hatred toward the Israeli occupation.

Ahmad returned to Bethlehem after studying in Spain to become a nonviolence trainer.

Despite the challenges of living in a refugee camp, Ahmad’s resolve never has been stronger, and he remains committed to his community and risks his life in nonviolent actions to bring an end to oppression.

For their work, Sami and Ahmad have been labeled as “Israeli collaborators” by those within the Pal-

estinian community.

They are seen as a serious threat to security by the Israeli military.

By refusing to participate in offensive military actions against Palestinian civilians, Yonatan has been branded a traitor by some Israelis and can no longer work in his homeland.

Sami, Yonatan and Ahmad continue to embrace equality for all, keeping the hope alive that peace in the Holy Land can be achieved through nonviolent struggle.

“Little Town of Bethlehem” will be shown on Wednesday, Oct. 5 in the PAC. The film will show at 2:15 and 7:15 p.m.

Tickets are free for Mercyhurst students with an ID.

OPINION

October 5, 2011

September 3,Page 20089

The views expressed in the opinion section of The Merciad do not necessarily reflect the views of Mercyhurst College, 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.

Age restrictions call for cultural reconsideration

By Larae Tymochko Staff writer

Pennsylvania’s maximum speed limit is 65 miles per hour. The road speed limit is often set with the intention to improve road traffic safety and reduce the number of road traffic casualties from traffic collisions.

These limits are predicated by mathematical calculations, which serve as groundwork to ensure maximum safety.

What then is the groundwork for age limits? They may coincide with

the notion of protection and maturity, which is sometimes fitting and sometimes not.

To me, age is just a number, but age restrictions are a hindrance only to those who are, well of course, not of age.

Age constraints include anything and everything from drinking, voting, driving, R-rated movies, gambling and renting a car.

Several scientific studies have shown that the brain stops fully developing between the ages of 20-25, although it is constantly remodeling itself and continually changing.

These findings unravel some of the mysteries of adolescence and demonstrate that adolescents have

significant neurological deficiencies that result in stark limitations of judgment.

I am a firm believer that if you are of the age to fight and sacrifice your life in honor of your country then you should be able to entertain the luxury of “wetting your whistle.”

Instead of lowering the drinking age, the age for joining the military should be raised.

I don’t think that we should be sending out 18-year-olds straight from the classroom to the battlefield. I would propose to raise the military enlistment age to 21.

The drinking, gambling and driving ages, though, should remain the same. Getting behind the wheel of a vehicle is a nerve-wracking experi-

ence already, and there should be a significant amount of time between becoming a cautious and safe driver until your judgment is impaired by alcoholic beverages.

Gambling web sites, poker parties and the lure of Las Vegas is enough to drain your bank account just considering those actions.

I learned the value of a dollar once I became employed, and it is a valuable lesson. As a college student, debt is a very imminent threat, and it is an issue that has major implications.

It always struck me as bizarre that college students have money to purchase alcohol but complain about buying books.

You should be able to acquire a

job before 16, not that I am advocating for sweatshops and am against child labor laws.

However, if you are looking for some extra cash in your pocket since your allowance does not suffice – that is if you even receive one – then I find it to be socially acceptable to be employed before the age of 16.

Clearly, there is no magical or mathematical formula for setting age limits as there is to keep us safe on the roads.

Yet I believe certain age limits should be reconsidered and given due attention to consider external factors. After all, age is just a number.

Patriotism vs. terrorism

By Caitlin Handerhan

Opinion editor The reaction of the public to Osama bin Laden’s death could only be described as a celebration.

The flag wearing, fanatical patriots who swarmed the streets to celebrate this supposed American victory in the war on terror left quite an impression on me.

Similarly, the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks were marked by media coverage of the numerous memorials, ceremonies and testimonials of suffering. As a nation, the American people came together to form a united front against foreign enemies and vowed to stand strong against the threat of terrorism.

This weekend’s drone attack that killed high ranking al-Qaida mastermind Anwar al-Awlaki again triggered my feelings of discontent.

As I watched these events unfold on the national stage, something bothered me. Such fervent feelings of patriotism and blood-lust for Islamic-militants at the forefront of our political consciousness poses a problem to me, and I can’t help but wonder if we are really better off as a nation after a decade of the war on terror.

All too often it seems the foreign policy of the United States, or any world power for that matter, is hypocritical at best. Actions such as the invasion of Iraq and other U.S. operations in the Middle East are cloaked in patriotic and nationalistic rhetoric to justify the taking of human life.

While I do not deny the murderous wrongdoing of terrorists such as bin Laden, who are we to define terrorism when we ourselves have been the cause of so much pain and suffering for innocent civilians overseas? Are we not the purveyors of terror in their eyes?

I understand that foreign policy will be formulated in the best interest of the state, and I appreciate all of the geopolitical factors that must be taken into consideration, yet our enthusiasm for spilling blood abroad in the name of patriotism does not seem right. As a leader in the free world, can’t we hold ourselves to higher standards?

In response to the death of alAwlaki, President Obama justified American actions by stating, “He repeatedly called on individuals in the United States and around the globe to kill innocent men, women and children to advance a murderous agenda.” The reason cited by the U.S. government to justify his death, the advancement of a murderous agenda, is the very crime

committed by the United States.

Controversy over al-Awlaki’s death, however, has not centered on this discussion directly. Mainstream media outlets are instead fixated on whether his death was warranted given the fact that he was a U.S. citizen. The issues with this are abundant, the least of which is the framing of the question, which implies that a U.S. citizen should have extended human rights exclusionary to others. The discourse on this matter is in keeping with traditional nationalistic rhetoric, which begins to dehumanize those of different nations.

It is this underlying assumption that allows us to support a war on terror that has killed more innocent civilians overseas than Americans killed on 9/11 and terrorist militants combined. When cast in this light, it seems American foreign policy has come to resemble the very thing we despise most.

What have we become, when as the leaders of the free world we are prepared and willing to disregard morals and embrace hypocritical policy to win a political war?

I am not a radical Muslim sympathizer prepared to disregard acts of terrorism committed against us, but rather a patriotic citizen concerned with the moral direction of our foreign policy.

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

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

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

The Merciad welcomes letters to the editor. All letters must be signed and names will be included with the letters. Although we will not edit the letters for content, we reserve the right to trim letters to fit. Letters are due Mondays. by noon and may not be more than 300 words. Submit letters to box PH 485 or via e-mail at opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.

OPINION

Page 10

October 5, 2011 September 3, 2008

The views expressed in the opinion section of The Merciad do not necessarily reflect the views of Mercyhurst College, 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.

Respect for presidency at an all-time low

By Brian Lombardo

Staff writer

Despite green initiatives on campus, upperclassmen are finding it hard to recycle when maintenance refuses to provide the clear recycling bags students use to sort and dispose of recyclable items.

After leading at the half, the Gannon Knights overcame a substantial deficit to deliver a Laker loss on Homecoming. The likely loss of quarterback Travis Rearick makes it even worse.

The presidency of the United States is the highest office in the land, and the president has arguably the greatest means to leave his (or her) legacy on the country for generations to come. As an institution created by our founding fathers, it should follow that the office itself (note: not necessarily the person living at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.), should garner the greatest amount of respect from the public.

While citizens have the right to voice their disagreement with the president’s policies, goals and ideology, as outlined in the First Amendment, they should always do so in a civil manner. Unfortunately, it seems all remnants of civility have been lost from today’s political discourse, and many in public office have turned to personal attacks on the president as a means of

August 21, 1959— one year and 348 days before Obama was born on August 4, 1961.

People, like Donald Trump who launched a brief and laughable bid to run for president this year, will continue to harp on this issue because they have no real ideas on how to help America regain its economic footing.

Similarly, there has been much debate over the president’s chosen religion. As of August 2010, when the latest poll of its kind was taken, 18 percent of Americans still believe that President Obama is a Muslim.

Forget the fact that these are some of the same people who attacked Obama during the campaign for his two decade-long affiliation with the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago after his pastor, Jeremiah Wright, made inflammatory remarks about the U.S. during sermons.

Some make these falsified claims because his middle name is Hussein, a reason they cite as “proof ” of his religion. Surely, this is absurd.

I must have missed the Sunday

school lesson discussing how your name dictates which religion you must choose when you are a grown adult.

Finally, let us look back to President Obama’s September 2009 address to a Joint Session of Congress on healthcare, when SC Rep. Joe Wilson shouted, “You lie!” after the president said the law would not cover illegal immigrants. No matter your feelings on healthcare reform, surely you must agree that this was an act of blatant disrespect to the office of the president of the United States.

These disgusting personal attacks toward the president are just one symptom of the many problems of a broken Washington. Heated debate is welcome and is certainly healthy in forging America’s future.

But it is imperative all partisans (on both sides of the aisle) raise their standards and use this passionate discussion in a productive way that shows the public our leaders care more about our jobs than their own. Idealistic? Maybe. Necessary?

Absolutely.

Christians cite Bible out of context

By Faye Clark Staff writer

I have a confession: I haven’t been to church in years. Growing up Catholic formed a huge part of my identity, and I used to love going to church and listening to stories from the Bible.

There are just a few problems.

I support same-sex marriage.

Intelligent design has no place in a science department. Evolution can be observed in living animals

O e Online

The campus community gathered last Thursday evening to celebrate the life of student Evann Parker, who passed away from complications from leukemia in August. Led by golf teammates Breda Knott and Lindsey Gotkin, the memorial was a touching tribute to Evann.

expressing their disagreement with his policies.

Even before President Obama’s landslide election in 2008, Republicans (especially those most right) have been on the constant prowl for opportunities to publicly attack him in preparation for the 2012 election. Their claims have ranged from reasonable disputes over domestic and foreign policy to wild accusations about his citizenship and religion. It is these outrageous remarks, made by tea-party activists and right-wingers like Michelle Bachman and Rush Limbaugh, that are the most disturbing and harmful to the idea of governing civilly and productively.

How many times, for example, have we heard so-called “birthers” argue that President Obama was not born in the United States but in either Kenya or Hawaii before it became part of the Union? Never mind the fact that the president released his birth certificate prior to his election in 2008 and its longform in April 2011. Forget the fact that Hawaii joined the Union

and the fossil record. The Earth was created by dust and gravity.

The only Christian thing I still do is read the Bible.

But whenever you disagree with something, the trend now is to quote the Book of Leviticus calling it an abomination. Leviticus 19:28 does not fail me: “Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves.”

Leviticus 18:22 gave us Christianity’s answer to same-sex marriage, but a quick survey of Leviticus might turn the most church-worthy cardigans into abominations.

Lev 19:19 tells us not to mix

Women of the Third World disregarded

By Jaslyne Halter Staff writer

fabrics, so say goodbye to your favorite 50 percent cotton, 50 percent polyester blouse. You can’t cut your hair, shave your beards or check your horoscope. And you most definitely cannot eat bacon.

There is historical precedent for picking Bible verses to support Christian values while ignoring the rest. But today more non-Christians than ever are familiar with the Bible, and are willing to call Christian communities on their hypocrisy.

Atheists can find the time to read, so why can’t the people who consider it essential to their faith?

Our culture is obsessed with roman-

tic love to the point that other kinds of love are often pushed to the wayside.

My favorite translation of the famous Corinthians I, chapter 13 – the love is patient, love is kind chapter – replaced the word ‘love’ with ‘charity.’ In the English language, love implies a bidirectional attachment between two entities.

But unconditional love for humanity as a whole, charity, I always understood that to be one of the main tenets of Christianity.

Do you think it can be met with people using the “Good Book” to perpetuate insequality?

Merciad.

Mercyhurst.edu/Opinion

Page 11

Sports

October 5, 2011

Griepsma enjoys two-sport success

By Lindsey Burke Sports writer

Jill Barrile photo

Graduate student Rachel Griepsma has brought leadership and stability to a young women’s soccer team.

Hard work. Dedication. Determination.

Graduate student Rachel Griepsma has shown these three qualities during her years at Mercyhurst.

A native of Lindsay, Ontario, Griepsma has been a dual athlete for the past five years participating in both soccer and water polo.

On the soccer field, Griepsma serves as the last line of defense, goalkeeper.

After seeing limited action as an underclassman due to playing behind former All-American Rebecca Heintzman, Coach Keith Cammidge said that didn’t slow her down.

“It says a lot about her character that she handled this situation about as well as she could. She remained self-motivated, did not complain and continued to work hard,” Cammidge said.

Patience has shaped Griepsma into being a standout leader for the team. Being patient led to her start-

ing spot in goal.

“She has been the starting goalkeeper for the last three years, and her maturity, leadership and hard work makes her a good fit for our program and the graduate school.

That is why she is one of the team captains,” Cammidge said.

On the season, Griepsma has four shutouts, 31 saves and a .721 save percentage.

Her success has been continuing to grow and develop, backed by her hard work, coaches and teammates in each respective sport. She says she feels that she has grown equally in both, not one over the other.

She explained being a dual-athlete as “busy, but I wouldn’t change it for anything.”

Griepsma feels the biggest adrenaline rush when she’s in goal. Being the last line of defense, “you feel a sense of accomplishment, that you have helped to lift the team,” she said.

After playing limited minutes freshman year, Griepsma finally earned her start in goal. The patience paid off when the team

beat Edinboro 4-1. “That would definitely be my most memorable game,” she said.

Griepsma has racked up the accolades both in the water and on the field. As a water polo player, she has received ACWPC First Team All-American, All-CWPA Western Division First Team and CWPA Western Division Rookie of the Year.

“As an All-American Water Polo Player, Rachel has accomplished a lot in the classroom and the Mercyhurst Sports arena,” Cammidge said. “She will be missed.”

Once grad school is completed, Griepsma hopes to be a strength and conditioning coach and work with athletes who have a strong love and passion for their sport, influenced by the same passion she feels for both of hers.

After five years of experience, Griepsma believes that every freshman should know that “time management is key.”

Griepsma and the women’s soccer team will be back on the field Thursday, Oct. 6, at Ohio Dominican.

Football loses star quarterback The Mercyhurst football team suffered a major loss Saturday against rival Gannon.

Aside from the 30-27 final score, the Lakers also lost senior quarterback Travis Rearick for the season.

Rearick tore his ACL and MCL ligaments and lateral meniscus.

Rearick suffered the injury during the third quarter of the Lakers loss. After Rearick was hurt, the Lakers unraveled and lost the lead and eventually the game to the Golden Knights.

Rearick was on record pace this season. He left Saturday’s game fourth all-time in career passing yards in team history.

Also hurting from the loss will be senior wide reciever Trevor Kennedy. Rearick and Kennedy formed one of the best connections in program history. Almost half of Rearick’s passing yards this season have gone to Kennedy.

Sophomore Anthony Vendemia stepped in for the injured Rearick, and presumably will be the starter going forward.

Conference realignment stirs up men’s hockey

By Spencer Hunt Sports editor

Realignment is becoming too commonplace in college sports.

Usually, there are a number of teams looking to move conferences.

This time, there is one school to blame, Penn State.

One year ago, Mercyhurst was just taking in its options on moving conferences when the Penn State program was still a club team.

Now, Penn State is officially a Division I men’s hockey program, and it is causing problems.

With the Penn State move, there are now six Big Ten schools with Division I men’s hockey teams.

According to the Big Ten bylaws, once there are six teams, they are forced to make a Big Ten conference because of television rights

and the Big Ten Network.

The other Big Ten schools: Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Wisconsin and Minnesota now have to leave their respective conferences to join the Big Ten. After the move, the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) lost three teams and the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) lost two teams.

Once the move was complete, other team shuffled around as well.

Aside from the Big Ten, the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) will also be a new conference beginning in the 201314 season. The NCHC has eight teams committed, which means six losses for the WCHA and two from the CCHA. So where does all this shuffling leave Mercyhurst?

“We are just doing our due dili-

gence,” Coach Rick Gotkin said.

“Not much has changed since last year for us; there are a lot of moving parts.”

The Lakers will happily stay in the Atlantic Hockey Association (AHA).

“We like where we are at, and we love being in Atlantic Hockey,” Gotkin added.

Despite meeting with Canisius, Robert Morris and Niagara over the summer about a possible move to the CCHA, all teams appear to be staying put for the time being.

Of all the conferences, the AHA is one of three that remain untouched.

That is a good thing for Mercyhurst. The Lakers are in a competitive conference, where the top team is only separated by three games from the seventh place team. Aside from the tough conference sched-

ule, the out-of-conference schedule is no picnic.

“Regardless of the moves, we just try to put together the best outof-conference schedule possible,” Gotkin said.

It would appear that Gotkin did that this season with trips to Cornell, Wisconsin and Alaska to face both Alaska and Alaska-Anchorage.

Gotkin remains focused on the season at hand and isn’t worried about the conference shake-ups.

“Our guys are in great shape and are working super hard for this season, and that’s all we can worry about,” Gotkin said.

The Lakers open the regular season with four road games, the first against Nebraska-Omaha on Oct. 7. The first home game will be Oct. 28 against RIT.

Ethan Magoc file photo

Coach Gotkin and the men’s hockey team are focused on rebounding from last season’s 15-18-4 record, not the conference changes.

Sports

Page 12

October 5, 2011

Wayne State transfers find new home at Mercyhurst

By Spencer Hunt Sports editor

The transition from high school to college can be a difficult one.

There is the awkward process of making new friends and learning the ins and outs of a new place. If it’s tough to do once, try doing it twice.

Transfers Jill Szandzik and Gina Buquet began their college hockey careers in Detroit at Wayne State University. But after two straight losing seasons and a loss in funding, Wayne State decided to cut its women’s hockey program.

The loss put Szandzik’s and Buquet’s hockey careers in jeopardy, but they had options.

In women’s hockey, players can transfer schools with ease. For the men, they are forced to sit out a year before playing for their new team.

Women can transfer and play in the same year at their new school.

The two players could stay at Wayne State and finish up their degrees without playing hockey, or they could transfer to a different school and resume their careers.

They chose conference rival Mercyhurst as their new home.

After Mercyhurst lost its top three forwards and top two defenders, there was plenty of room to welcome in the new players.

Szandzik was a second-team AllCHA selection last season behind Mercyhurst defenders Cassea Schols and Pam Zgoda.

The transition has been easier than expected.

“The girls were very accepting right away,” Szandzik said. “The dynamic is great, and the chemistry is fantastic this early in the season.”

It didn’t hurt to have a fellow teammate with her in Erie.

“It is like bringing a little bit of home with you,” Buquet said of Szandzik.

Even though the transition has been smooth, there are still plenty of adjustments to make.

“It’s weird going from a big town to a smaller one, but it’s more personal, which I like,” Szandzik, a Detroit native, said.

“It’s definitely a lot smaller, but it’s a calmer environment,” Buquet said.

Jill Barrile photo

Junior transfer Gina Buquet had one assist in her first series as a Laker. She will be relied on to step into the line-up on a young Lakers team.

Both players also managed to find a place they are familiar with.

Wayne State has played Mercyhurst four times a year since joining the CHA in 2002.

“I was very familiar with the success here, and I wanted to finish off my career with a chance to win,” Szandzik said.

Both players are grateful to have

found a new team and are looking to help the Lakers capture a 10th straight CHA title.

“I don’t plan on just stepping in right away and taking over, I know I need to work hard,” Szandzik said.

“We are embracing being at Mercyhurst, and we are all in,” Buquet said.

So far, the pair has played well

Jill Barrile photo

Senior Jill Szandzik is looking to finish her college hockey career strong. She will be one of only three defenders with college experience. Szandzik and captain Pam Zgoda should be one of the top defensive tandems in college hockey. with their new team. The Lakers are 1-1 to start off the year and will travel to Minnesota State Univer-

sity-Mankato for a two-game series beginning Oct. 7.