Merciadmercyhurst UNIVERSITY | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2019 | VOL
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THE News ................2-5 Features ...........6-9 A&E ............. 10-11 Opinion ........12-13 Sports .........14-15 Laker Living ......16 MerciadMERCYHURST UNIVERSITY | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2019 | VOL. 92 NO. 15 MU goes Blue for Autism PAGE 3 Online poll results We asked: What was your favorite cartoon as a kid? Spongebob Squarepants (58%) Powerpuff Girls (20%) 4: Criminal Justice heads Fairly Odd Parents (13%) to Baltimore Teen Titans (10%) 7: Family Weekend brings loved ones to campus This week’s What is the best thing 10: Dance presents Raw Edges about spring? XXI this weekend POLL merciad.mercyhurst.edu PAGE 2 NEWS Wednesday, April 3, 2019 Lakers make history fter the incredible upset by the Mercyhurst AMen’s Basketball team in defeating No. 2-ranked Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) in the Sweet 16 game on March 19, the men advanced to the Elite 8 Game on March 27. The Lakers were set to take on the No. 1-ranked DII team, the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats. The team, the Mercyhurst Pep Band, the Cheerlead- ing team and some die-hard student fans traveled close to eight hours to Evansville, Indiana, for the game. There were several watch parties held on campus in Ryan Hall and The Roost so students could cheer on the Lakers from home. The game was a hard-fought battle with the Lak- ers giving the Bearcats a run for the spot in the Final Four. The Lakers kept the score within a few baskets for nearly the entire game, but unfortunately lost 55- 51. Although a championship title would be ideal, the Lakers nevertheless made history in advancing this far and their hard work most definitely made the school Mercyhurst’s Lakers kept within only a few baskets of toppling the Bearcats and were down by two points at half time. proud. Philip Jenny and Luke the Laker cheer on the team with the fan section. Above: Students cheer on the Lakers at The Roost on campus. At right, top: The Mercyhurst Cheerleaders show their Laker pride as they cheer on the men’s basketball team in Evansville, Indiana. At right, center: The Mercyhurst Pep Band accompanied the men’s basketball team to the Elite 8 game in Indiana. At right, bottom: Watch parties were held on campus, including at The Roost, to cheer on the Mercyhurst men in the Elite 8. All photos contributed Wednesday, April 3, 2019 NEWS PAGE 3 Thumbs Up for Autism By Kristian Biega News Editor April is Autism Awareness Month. To celebrate, the AIM pro- gram kicked off with the light- ing of the O’Neil Tower in blue and hosting a “Thumbs Up for Autism” event at lunch in the Grotto Commons on April 1. Brad McGarry, director of the Autism Initiative at Mercyhurst, conceived the “Thumbs Up for Autism” event leading up to April. The plan is to continue the movement throughout the month. “In past years we did an art project, but we are running out of wall space, so I decided we can do art work that is mobile that also raised awareness and support for folks on the spec- trum. That led to Thumbs Up Kristian Biega photo for Autism,” McGarry said. From 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Paulina Wielandt paints students’ thumb nails at the Grotto Commons on April 1. The AIM program wants to use this event as a way to McGarry and Paulina Wielandt, advocate for Autism Awareness Month in a mobile fashion. assistant director of the AIM program, ran a table in the Grot- O’Neil Tower being illuminated es and share our personal stories to Commons handing out blue in blue all week. on how autism has shaped us stress balls, painting people’s Representatives of the AIM into the people we are today.” thumb nails, applying temporary program attended World Autism McGarry believes in contin- tattoos and taking pictures with Day on April 2 at the United ued support and awareness for people showing their support. Nations headquarters in New those on the autism spectrum “Mercyhurst students always York City. because of how much it af- step up when it is to support McGarry, Wielandt and AIM fects not only everyone at Mer- a good cause,” McGarry said. are co-sponsoring a viewing of cyhurst, but those all over the “We are so grateful for the sup- the nationally acclaimed docu- world in higher education. port our program and students mentary “This Business of Au- “It is important to continue to have received by the Mercyhurst tism” at the Capitol Theatre in support because we are having community and far beyond.” Washington, D.C., on April 9. record numbers being diagnosed Students enjoyed seeing the Several students in the AIM and also entering higher educa- event at lunch and found that program will also travel to tion,” McGarry said. “The more there was a lot of support for Washington, D.C., to participate people are aware, the better the Autism Awareness Month. in a vocational exposure experi- experience is for everyone.” “It was so cool to see both ence meeting with corporations, Durkee expressed her grati- students and staff showing their lawmakers and advocacy groups. tude for the continued support appreciation not just to the AIM The month’s festivities will con- from the AIM program and Program, but also recognizing clude April 27 with the AIM Ap- Mercyhurst as well as the events the larger picture that there is a preciation Dinner. and advocacy that will be hap- feeling of growing change in the “I believe it is important to pening throughout April. way people in the general pub- celebrate Autism Awareness “I am forever grateful to the lic may view those who are on Month because I feel the gener- folks within the AIM Program the autism spectrum,” said June al public does not have a solid who have given students like me Durkee, sophomore Hospitality grasp on what types of func- endless support from the side- Management major and mem- tions play a role in a person with lines and appreciate how they are ber of the AIM program. autism,” Durkee said. “I feel it is so caring to all of the students Kristian Biega photo The AIM program has many very important that throughout and seeing us succeed while on events planned for April aside the month we are able to have a a close-knit college campus like Paulina Wielandt, assistant director of AIM, and Brad McGarry, direc- from Thumbs Up and the safe platform to speak our voic- Mercyhurst,” Durkee said. tor of AIM, give Autism Awareness Month a thumbs up. Elections for MSG Senators approaching By Jordan Kessler make Mercyhurst campus a more Any and all students can apply that they do not go unnoticed,” book and Instagram to stay up to Staff writer unique, diverse and fun environ- to be a senator for their class or Belleau said. date with current events happen- ment for all of its students. college. MSG is looking for new mem- ing in the student body as well as Mercyhurst Student Govern- Our students here are from all The qualities the government is bers to improve their outreach to find additional details on how ment Senate elections are com- around the United States and all looking for are the ability to reach skills for the students on campus to apply. ing up fast! MSG is encouraging around the world, so it is import- out to people and to spread diver- who feel like they do not have a “Come with an open mind and all students to apply to be a sen- ant to have students representing sity around campus, in addition to voice that can be heard. new ideas,” Belleau said. “Do not ator and to represent the school our diversity in the student gov- being the voice that stands up and “We are coming to the stu- be afraid to share them and be through student government to ernment. talks about major issues happen- dents,” Belleau said. “Students ready to represent your constitu- help with communication, diversi- “Senators are the voice of the ing in the student’s lives on cam- should not feel like they have to ency.” ty, inclusion and outreach. students, and it is crucial for us to pus. come to us. We want the students If you or anyone you know By applying to be an MSG sen- have representatives from all fac- It is important for senators to we represent to know MSG and would be a good senator and an ator, you become a representative ets of our campus so that every have good communication skills to feel comfortable with their sen- addition to MSG, “carpe diem” of your class or college and are a student knows their voice is being and a sense of leadership. ators.” and apply today! large part of the student govern- heard,” junior Lucy Belleau, Mer- “We are looking for people who Interested students should visit For additional questions, stu- ment here on campus. The stu- cyhurst Student Government vice are brave enough to bring issues the MSG social media pages (@ dents are welcome to contact Bel- dent body representatives strive to president, said. and questions to our attention so MSGLakers) on Twitter, Face- leau at [email protected]. PAGE 4 NEWS Wednesday, April 3, 2019 CJ students and faculty MerciadIN A MINUTE Dance Club present research at ACJS showcase By Kristian Biega News Editor The Mercyhurst Dance Club and NHSDA will The Mercyhurst Criminal Jus- present “Work in Progress: tice Department had the oppor- An Arts Salon” on April tunity to attend the 56th Annual 28 at 3 p.m.