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:Sports On Page 7: :Features on Page 4: Sports on Page 7: First ever singles New professor Band makes champions in shakes up Comm splash at foot- tennis dept. ball game Read more inside & online HE EST. 1929 VTOL. 88 NO. 3 MerciadEDNESDAY EPTEMBER MERCYHURST UNIVERSITY W , S 24, 2014 Breaking down bad barriers RJ Mitte comes to Mercyhurst as part of speaker series By Nathan Turner News Editor “Breaking Bad” star RJ Mitte spoke at Mercyhurst on Tues- day, Sept. 23, about conquer- ing obstacles and overcoming adversity. Mitte, who plays Walter Junior on the hit drama, spoke as part of the Distinguished Speaker series. The event was open only to Mercyhurst students and filled the Performing Arts Center. The actor spoke with students on his own strug- gle with cerebral palsy, as well as the work he did in advocat- ing for people with disabilities, work which includes collabo- rations with the Diversity Divi- sion of the Equal Employment Opportunity Department of the U.S. government, Shriner’s Hospital for Children, United Cerebral Palsy and Actors Equity. In his 30-minute speech, Mitte’s message was one of ser- vice. “You have to be willing to be the first person,” he said. “You have to be willing to make an impact in people’s lives.” Mitte asked students to utilize Sami Rapp photo their ability to make an impact RJ Mitte, famous for his role on television show “Breaking Bad” as Walter White Jr., came to Mercyhurst on Tuesday as part of the Distinguished Speaker series. for the better, and not letting the fear of getting involved “I got really good at cutting to leave his hand broken. that he “pities” the people who who are being bullied, regard- After his 30-minute speech, prevent from helping someone them off,” said Mitte. “I learned The “asset” forms the basis bullied him. less of whether it’s due to dis- Mitte took questions from the who needs it. at a very young age that if you of many of his roles, including “I’m pretty good at seeing ability, sexual orientation, race audience. He gave the example of his happen to fall into a pool, they three roles where he succes- people for who they are and or any reason. When asked what he own life, growing up in Louisi- just kind of unravel. I was a sively played characters who what they are,” said Mitte. “I “It’s the same advice. Take would be doing if he wasn’t ana and receiving occupational very clumsy child.” had cerebral palsy, paralysis and learned that they’re not bullying that negative energy that they’re acting Mitte was direct. therapy and speech therapy to Mitte said he grew up think- muscular dystrophy. me because of my differences. sending you and use it as fuel “I’d probably be fishing.” help treat his cerebral palsy. The ing he was the same as every- However, the issue of bul- They’re bullying me because of against them. Because your treatment included bending one else, but later learned this lying is one that Mitte still their differences and because of success will only irritate them tendons to repair the deformi- was not the case and eventually addresses in his work. He works who they are and what they’re more. You can’t grow without ties in his feet, which required came to think of his disability with PACER’s National Center dealing with.” a little bit of suffering. You will extensive casting and re-casting as an “asset,” despite being bul- for Bullying Prevention and has Over the course of the lec- never learn if you don’t have over a period of six months. lied, one incident going so far stated in previous interviews ture, he gave advice to those conflict,” he said. @TheMerciad Charity sending medical supplies to Ebola-striken Liberia By Catherine Rainey lected sanitation and medi- Some of the supplies were when this came out we felt was already deteriorating,” Right now no future ship- cal supplies including gloves, donated by an organization we needed to do something to said Kennedy. “Hunger is ments are planned, Kennedy Staff writer bleaches, disinfectants and called MedWish in Cleveland. help,” Kennedy said. becoming an issue, prices and said. Community of Caring, a other items to prevent con- The shipment is due to arrive According to the Centers everything have gone up. It’s a “This one was all medical local nonprofit, sent medical tact with infected materials, in Liberia on Oct. 7. for Disease Control and Pre- very difficult situation.” supplies. We may send another supplies to the victims of the according to Dr. Grace Ken- Community of Caring made vention, there is a total count The biggest challenge in one in the future with food Ebola outbreak in Liberia. nedy, Executive Director of the decision to send supplies of 2,710 cases and 1,459 total Community of Caring’s relief and clothing but right now The organization is dedi- Community of Caring. The to Liberia because of their deaths in Liberia due to Ebola efforts was the cost. Dr. Ken- we don’t have plans for that,” cated to meeting the physical shipment was sent on Sept. connections to the country. as of Sept. 14. Ebola is a nedy said the total cost is said Kennedy. She did, how- and spiritual needs of impov- 17. The Rev. Charles Kennedy deadly hemorrhagic fever that going to be about $10,000. ever, stress the importance of erished people throughout the “We took them to Cleve- and Mother Mary Beth Ken- is contracted from animals So far about $3,000 has been helping people abroad in these world, focusing specifically on land where they were packed nedy, founders of Community and spread via human bodily donated. types of situations. issues of hunger, homeless- into a container where they of Caring, were missionaries fluids. No one from their orga- “The world is becoming a ness and illness. were shipped,” she said. there, and that is where Ken- “I think people have no clue nization has been to Liberia smaller place and it really does For two weeks starting “The 20-foot container has nedy was born. about the severity of the situ- recently, but they do keep in matter.” Sept. 8, the organization col- an estimated value of over “We have a long history of ation and severity of the need. contact with people who are $126,000.” involvement with Liberia so Liberia’s heath care system there. @TheMerciad Merciad Index Online Poll Results News 1-2 Will you be attending the RJ Mitte lecture? Features 3-4 36% Yes, I support his drive to raise awareness for cerebral palsy A&E 5 23% Yes, I love “Breaking Bad” 23% No, I’m not a fan of the show and what it stands for Opinion 6 18% Where is Walter White, Sr.? Sports 7 Be sure to vote in this week’s online poll: Laker Living 8 Are you planning on getting one of this year’s free flu shots? merciad.mercyhurst.edu Page 2 The Merciad September 24, 2014 News Hurst students to teach confirmation classes Students get experience with Erie diocese for future careers By Karah Hollis Scully, director of the program. attention in class,” Herrmann Contributing writer “We tried to put in more said. activities to make it more “My professor uses that little Two Mercyhurst students interactive and not boring,” side fact that throws off what —John Herrmann, Michelle Ahrens said. you normally think about it. So Ahrens—will be teaching con- “We try to present it in a way having that knowledge, I think firmation classes at St. Luke where they get the informa- will help me do that kind of Roman Catholic Church on tion, but aren’t sitting through stuff for the students that I’ll East 38th Street starting Sept. a lecture on Sunday morning.” be teaching.” 28. They also plan to split the Confirmation is required by A third student, Kaleigh expected 40 students into the Erie diocese, but it is also Ruggiero, might also join Her- smaller groups to make dis- an important rite of passage rmann and Aherns, but her cussions more focused. Each in the Catholic Church. Elev- status was uncertain at time of teacher will rotate through the enth graders take these classes publication. groups, letting them work with in preparation “to receive the Each student has a back- all the students. Holy Spirit,” according to ground in religious studies, Another important factor in Scully. giving them the opportunity teaching these classes is what After the students are con- to apply their skills. the instructors will bring to the firmed, they will be considered Teaching the confirmation classroom. Ahrens is a double adults in the Church. This is classes provides these students major in Religious Studies and also the end of their formal with the experience that will Social Work along with a minor religious education, she con- prepare them for future jobs. in Catholic Studies. tinued to say. Herrmann explains that this “So with the Catholic studies, The confirmation classes will opportunity will help him gain I’ve learned about the stuff provide a learning experience the skills he needs to become we’re going to be teaching,” for both teachers and students. land his ideal job. Ahrens said. “And then with Not only will these classes “I want to work to be a social work, you learn a lot of allow them to review key campus minister at either a people skills, like how to inter- aspects of their faith, but it high school or college level,” act.

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