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Est. 1929The Vol. 89 No. 12 MERCIADMercyhurst university Wednesday, February 10, 2016 Faculty on chopping block University reduces number of faculty to help cut costs day, Feb. 4, the second day of comes from a small depart- By Catherine Rainey spring term. ment, Mathematics. News editor “While we can understand “I understand why they the necessity to do this, it nev- might need to make cuts but Mercyhurst will undergo ertheless is a gut-wrenching just because a department more restructuring as it plans thing to have to face the real- is small shouldn’t make it a to “right-size” its faculty and ity,” said Joanne Hosey-Mc- target,” said Jaskowak. “To keep up with market trends, Gurk, Ph.D., president of the let go of exceptional teach- university officials announced. Faculty Senate. “We know ers because we can’t afford to The university will take a that students and faculty have employ them is not fair to stu- “multi-faceted approach” close relationships so people dents who won’t get to benefit to reducing the number of are going to be very seriously from them like I have.” faculty, according to David affected by this. We were cer- Cutting majors or academic Dausey, Ph.D., provost and tainly shocked by the necessity programs will be a last resort, vice president for academic for this.” Dausey said. affairs. “There are often times for “What’s happened organ- Mercyhurst University photo the reinvention of things, you While we can under- know the digital humanities, ically, probably over the last Mercyhurst is offering incentivized retirement to senior faculty members. Fewer faculty will be stand the necessity to media studies in general,” said five years, has been that the “ attending commencements in 2017. faculty growth has outpaced do this, it nevertheless Dausey. “We may take those student growth,” said Dausey. is a gut-wrenching actions to re-brand or to shift “Our student numbers have thing to have to face resources in such ways that it dropped by nine percent. Our the reality. is represented of what we feel faculty grew by 20 percent.” ” is the new thing.” To begin adjusting this - Joanne Hosey-McGurk According to Hosey-Mc- imbalance, the university will Gurk, making these changes offer incentivized voluntary Administrators discov- is a crucial part of keeping retirement to older faculty, he ered the need to make these up with the changing financial said. changes very recently, accord- climate and market trends of “We feel it’s consistent with ing to Hosey-McGurk. She higher education. our Mercy Mission. We feel said she was notified of the “I think these changes, while it’s a fair and honorable way to situation in early January. they’re going to be hard, if we offer somebody recognition “We had suspected, many don’t do it then there won’t be for their service to the organi- of us, that things were not a Mercyhurst to make changes zation,” Dausey said. going in the right direction in of any kind,” Hosey-Mc- Another part of this strat- with the previous adminis- Gurk said. egy is not renewing year- tration but we didn’t realize Dausey said the administra- to-year contracts for some how serious the situation had tion take the caretaking of the become,” she said. institution very seriously. non-tenured faculty members. Margaret Urso photo Cutting majors or programs The entire faculty and staff “It doesn’t happen by acci- remains a possibility, he said. have had a freeze on salary for The university’s administration will make decisions about faculty changes by the end of this dent. The Sisters (of Mercy), The reductions in faculty three of the last four years, semester. through blood, sweat and would take place in the 2016- and there is currently a hiring and they decide whether status. said she is concerned about tears, kept this place humming 17 academic year. freeze in place. Dausey said or not they want to accept All decisions will be made which professors are still and it’s our job to do the same “Our primary focus is to be the university will be creative them,” he said. by the end of spring term, going to be here next year. thing and that sometimes responsible stewards of our with the resources it has now Dausey said he hopes senior Dausey said. “Although there are still involves making hard deci- money,” Dausey said. until it is in a position to hire faculty who choose to accept Some students are con- some really great older faculty, sions,” said Dausey. “Those Dausey met with several responsibly. the retirement incentives stay cerned about their professors some of the younger profes- hard decisions, as challeng- Merciad editors on Friday. “It’s hard to know (how in close contact and come and departments. Sophomore sors I’ve had have been some ing as they be, are ones that The administration called many faculty will be cut) until back to the university and Competitive Business Intelli- of my favorites,” Harms said. are for the betterment of the a faculty forum on Thurs- we present people with offers serve in a professor emeritus gence major Rebecca Harms Sophomore Mary Jaskowak institution.” ‘Full House’ star Jodie Sweetin to speak in PAC on how we can just really mean they can’t take some- very curious and excited to “We are really hoping she By Melanie Todd take on life,” Garret Erwin, thing from it. If you find meet her myself,” Erwin said. touches on ‘Fuller House’ a Staff writer Mercyhurst Student Govern- yourself in a situation where After the event, SAC will little bit,” Erwin said. ment events coordinator said. you need help and to have host Sweets after Sweetin fea- There is no word on whether “Full House” and “Fuller After “Full House,” Sweetin the strength to seek out that turing Romolo’s chocolate in Sweetin will be talking at all House” star Jodie Swee- struggled with addiction but support, you do and you stick the Student Union. about the new series. tin will speak at Mercyhurst after rehabilitative therapy she with it,” Erwin said. “We wanted to make sure we “‘Full House’ is obviously about combating challenges was able to overcome it. Doors open for the event at still accounted for the Annual our generation’s program. I life presents and her own per- “She went from being a 6:45 p.m. The event is open to Chocolate Night because think students will really enjoy sonal struggle with alcohol young star and now she’s a all students. that’s an event students really her speaking. We are really and substance abuse following mother and back at it. She “The earlier you get there, love,” Erwin said. honored to have her,” Erwin the popular sitcom. really has come full circle,” the closer you will get to the The new series “Fuller said. Her speech, taking place Erwin said. Contributed photo stage. I really suggest students House”, starring Sweetin and Friday, Feb. 12, at 7 p.m. in the Sweetin has taken on life’s Sweetin will reprise her role get there early,” Erwin said. many others from the original Performing Arts Center, is challenges and continues to as Stephanie Tanner in “Fuller There will be an open meet “Full House,” will premier on titled “A Young Star’s Road to follow new opportunities. House” on Netflix. and greet with Sweetin. Netflix Friday, Feb. 26. She Recovery.” “I’m really hoping students Just because she’s speaking “She seems very open and will reprise her role of Steph- “She’ll really be touching can gain something from it. about her addiction, doesn’t in touch with the crowd. I’m anie Tanner. @TheMerciad

Merciad Index Chart Title Online Poll Results How do you enjoy the snow? News 1-2 I don’t. (33%) Features 3-4 Drinking hot chocolate by the radiator. (27%) A&E 5 I shovel it...to get my car out. (21%) Opinion 6 Building snowmen and sledding. (19%) Sports 7 Be sure to vote in this week’s online poll: Laker Living 8 Do you plan to watch “Fuller House” on Netflix? 1 2 3 4 merciad.mercyhurst.edu Page 2 The Merciad February 10, 2016 News ’Hurst receives 5 grants President Victor raises over from Erie Arts & Culture $1.2 million for university With less than six months in dents obtain jobs after gradu- coach Rick Gotkin and wom- office, Mercyhurst University ation. en’s head coach Mike Sisti and By Adrian Monty President Michael T. Victor Perhaps the most awaited their respective staffs. Staff writer has raised more than $1.2 mil- contribution came from an While the latest contribu- lion, arguably one of the most anonymous donor, who has tion will allow Phase II to After submitting five grants successful major-gifts fund- gifted $250,000 for renova- proceed with the basics, the to Erie Arts and Culture, raising periods in Mercyhurst tions to the Mercyhurst Ice advancement team will con- Mercyhurst receives all five of history, and he has commit- Center, home to the universi- tinue to fund-raise in hopes of them, totaling $10,200 to use ments for $1 million more. ty’s men’s and women’s Divi- making even more significant towards various projects. The effort did not come sion I ice hockey teams. upgrades. The five current projects in isolation, rather in tandem In addition, fundraising which received the grants with other major changes, This sustained efforts are underway to install include: The Mercyhurst including overhauling the uni- a state-of-the-art scoreboard Institute for Arts and Culture, versity’s administrative and “ momentum is at Tullio Field, home of the Dance, Opera, History, and academic structure, calendar designed to make Laker football, field hockey, Chemistry and Dance. and liberal arts core curricu- Mercyhurst an even and men’s and women’s The competition was high lum. greater univeristy.... lacrosse programs. Fund- for the Erie Arts and Culture “This sustained momen- raising began last fall and is grants, but Mercyhurst stu- tum is designed to make ” already one third of the way - President Michael Victor dents and faculty managed to Mercyhurst an even greater toward the goal. come out on top. university – more intellectually “Everyone who supports “It speaks to the quality pioneering, more culturally Phase I of the ice center our mission of equipping of the projects and the grant robust and a model of higher project, which is underway, men and women to learn, writing by students and fac- education that prepares our includes a redesign of the serve and lead in today’s ulty,” Sheila Coon, director students with the critical skills lobby, including a permanent world is an essential partner of external affairs and gov- and networks they will need ticketing station, trophy case, of Mercyhurst University,” ernment relations said. Coon to succeed in today’s global a second set of doors for Victor said. “We cannot thank assists in grant writing. economy,” Victor said. He climate control, new light- our partners enough. Your Coon has also taught a class credited Associate Vice Pres- ing, and fresh carpet and thoughtful generosity contin- in grant writing, and some of Taylor Rollins photo ident for Advancement Ryan paint. Phase II, thanks to the ues to bring student opportu- the students involved in the Palm and his new Vice Pres- newest donation, will move nities to new heights.” Erie Arts and Culture grants ident for Advancement Caleb forward at the conclusion of All told, the Victor admin- had been in her class previ- Pifer for their efforts. this year’s hockey season. It istration has raised $1,281,000 ously. Among the gifts already in will include elevating seating and anticipates receipt of According to the Erie Arts hand are those earmarked for at the west end of the arena another $1 million in gifts and Culture website, grant student scholarships, devel- to provide fans with a better within the next couple proposals are rated based opment of a new Commu- vantage point and construc- months, at which time Victor on artistic quality, commu- nication Computer Lab, and tion of a new meeting room said he anticipates announcing nity engagement and impact, enhancements to the pio- and locker room facilities for another significant project. and management. The neering Autism Initiative at the Mercyhurst varsity men’s five Mercyhurst proposals Mercyhurst, particularly in and women’s programs. The Official press release from the matched all of the criteria to support of its new career path upgrades will support recruit- Mercyhurst University Pubic Rela- the standards of the commit- program that helps AIM stu- ing efforts by men’s hockey tions Office tee. “The projects are clearly adding to the culture and vital- ity of the Erie Region,” Coon said. The Mercyhurst Institute for Arts and Culture will be Memorial cross taken down using the grant to fund the various productions of the when Erie tree is removed season. The History Department, including a group of students and Chris Magoc, Ph.D., sub- mitted a grant in order to sup- port the multifaceted project: Taylor Rollins photo You Are Here, We Are Here: Photographs of Erie’s east side were displayed as part of a proj- An Illustrated Walking Tour ect within Mercyhurst University’s Public History Program. of Erie’s Historic East Side. Senior Public History major Taylor Rollins was one student involved in this his- tory project. “You Are, Here We Are Here is a collabora- tion between the Sisters of St. Joseph and Mercyhurst University’s Public History Program and it’s basically highlighting the culture and the history of Erie’s east side, which often gets overlooked. The Mercyhurst Public His- tory kids are doing a walking Karah Hollis photo tour.” Taylor Rollins was one of several students to work on a project While Rollins took pho- funded by an Erie Arts and Culture grant. tographs of buildings, other students went on interviews grant in order to fund the realities of science. to learn the histories of the upcoming dance productions Louisa Jonason, D’Angelo buildings and did write ups for of Beyond Words V and Raw Opera Theatre director sub- On March 17, 2005, 20-year-old Mercyhurst student Matthew Milgate the tour. Edges, which will be staged in mitted a grant proposal in was struck and killed by two passing cars on a boulevard near campus. You Are Here, We Are the upcoming season. support of the production of A memorial marker, a homemade cross with faded plastic flowers, was Here was shown at the CON- A combination of the The Magic Flute which will NECT Exhibit in the Erie Dance and Chemistry Depart- be performed in May of this attached to a tree and remained there for nearly 10 years to commem- Art Museum from October ments, National Water Dance: year. orate the student’s death. The tree was recently cut down by the City of through January. A Ripple Effect, a community Erie, and the marker was found lying on the ground Tuesday. Mercyhurst dance director awareness program, combines Tauna Hunter requested the the beauty of dance and the @TheMerciad Mercyhurst Crime Log

The Merciad staff was denied access to the crime log Tuesday evening when staff at Police and Safety said it can only be accessed during business hours. Federal law requires that police reports be accessible to students. February 10, 2016 The Merciad Page 3 Features Students VIBE to Asian culture room with different Asian viewed friends from Vietnam, By Phuong Nguyen country flags which read “wel- Thailand and citizens from Staff writer come” in their respective lan- other Asian countries to col- guage. Among the activities lect ideas and expectations. The Mercyhurst Multicul- was a Henna tattoo stand, a To many Asian students on tural Activity Council hosted caricature corner, a Japanese campus, this event not only the Vibe Asia event as part of fan decoration stand and vari- portrayed the culture, but also its “vibe” event series to intro- ous food options from Indian celebrated the diversity on duce the Mercyhurst commu- curry to Thai Satay. campus. Jasmine V. Bajracha- nity to Asian culture. “My favorite part of the rya from Nepal thought the On Friday, Feb. 5, more event was definitely the food. event was authentic in many than 100 students attended Enjoying the food from dif- aspects of Asian culture. the event which went from 8 ferent countries over Asia “Seeing all the food and p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Great made me learn that all the Henna tattoos made me feel Room in Herrmann Union. countries in Asia are dif- like home,” Bajracharya said. Jonah Jackson and Ladorise ferent,” said sophomore Indonesian senior Intelli- Bedard-Webb, SAC event pro- accounting major, Favour gence major, Dhedra Danu- grammers, spent two months Ehidiamhen. doro, enjoyed the event. organizing and planning this “I am also getting to know However, he felt said that a event with the purpose of different people from the major component of Asian teaching people about differ- countries in this event.” culture was still missing. ent aspects of Asian culture . At 9 p.m., Daliang Wang, “I think the curry is good, “This is a multicultural Ed.D., in Curriculum and but I wish they had rice,” Phuong Nguyen photo activity event to highlight the Instruction, performed a mar- Danudoro said. The Henna tattoos were very popular among the female attendees. Lines of up to 20 people different cultures on campus. tial arts demonstration and formed from the very start of the event. This event is the extension of conducted a short class in the the vibe part, and it is some- third floor of the Union. thing we want to do every Unfortunately for the stu- semester,” Bedard-Webb said. dents, the lantern festival was Vibe stands for variety, canceled due to a potential fire imagination, beauty and hazard on campus. energy, and represent the four Although the organizing categories the event focused team did not have any Asians on. The team decorated the on the board, they inter- @TheMerciad

Phuong Nguyen photo (Top) Japanese fan decorations allowed students to create their own innovative designs. (Left) Daliang Wang performed his own martial arts showcase and later taught a class to students interested in learning the oriental art. Political Clubs tackle Student meets renowned producers campaigning season some club members plan to By Diego Himede By Phuong Nguyen on networking. To make that campaign outside of campus Staff writer Staff writer possible, he set himself two and doing their part as Ameri- specific goals when walking can citizens. through the convention. The With the primary and gen- On the other side of the Some of us can only dream first goal was to meet new eral elections in progress, spectrum, the College Dem- of meeting our idols. One people. The second, and most Mercyhurst’s two most popu- ocrats Club have also kept Mercyhurst student became important one, was to learn lar political clubs, the College themselves busy. According to friends with many of his own. something new about the Democrats and the College Lauren Murphy, secretary of Senior Communication music business. Republicans, are preparing the College Democrats, they major Alan Abramek finished “It was amazing. Not only for the elections by carrying have been proactive through- his J-Term class early to go to can you see the music exhibi- multiple activities on and off out this period by attending the National Association of tion but also the seminar ses- campus. various political conferences Music Merchants (NAMM) sion where you can learn from Although both clubs are not such as The North by North- Music Convention in Ana- the top engineers in the music allowed to campaign within west PA Progressive Summit heim, Cal., from Jan. 21-24. industry. I love it so much, not campus, they have begun to and the Western Pennsylva- This is the third year Abramek just because I get mind-blown set the base to what appears nia College Democrats 2015 joined the convention, which every single time, but also I to be an intense race for pres- Workshop hosted by the Uni- had more than 1,700 exhibi- went there to get connections, idency. versity of Pittsburgh. tors showing music products, network,” Abramek said. On one side, the College “We strongly encourage all including pro-audio, lighting The NAMM show gave Contributed photo Republicans club has had a lot our members to volunteer or and sound recording equip- Abramek an exciting oppor- Abramek poses next to world-famous music producer Brian of meetings since the Repub- intern with democratic cam- ment. They collectively dis- tunity. He got to make friends Wayne Transeau, also known as BT. lican nomination race started. paigns in the region. However, played over 6,000 brands to with Steve Duda, a well They have watched multiple due to the fact that the College attendees from all around the renowned music producer debates and analyzed them Democrats of America is the world. and software programmer. afterwards. official youth outreach arm Abramek first heard of the He had the chance to do a Also, for learning purposes, of the Democratic National NAMM Show from music pre-program setting for one they have discussions about Committee, we do not explic- engineers and other profes- of Steve Duda’s plugins for a the race’s rules and methodol- itly endorse candidates,” said sionals he looked up to within third party company. ogy, for instance on how the Brett Swan, Vice-President of the industry. However, people “Steve Duda released a soft- caucus process works. the club, in regards to the cam- can only attend by invitation. ware application that you use Finally, they do polls to see paigning projects they might Abramek is a regular customer inside of your music making any trends going on within the have outside the campus. of Polish software company, software. I made settings for club. Matthew Hatfield, president PSP Audioware, which pro- his plugin called LFO tool, According to Brandon of The College Democrats, duces one of the best plugins which is used to easily and McKenna, College Republi- commented on the impor- in the market. Through the quickly modulate volume can president, there are many tance of politics: “If you connections with the people of the track in a rhythmic differences among the mem- do not understand how the behind in the company and his manner. They are included in bers. [Political] process works, you friend Robert Dudzic, a fellow every download when people “Our group is very diverse. are out of the loop. The more music producer, Abramek got all over the world buy it from We have a lot of people who involved you are, the more his invitation. his website,” Abramek said. got involved in politics for the you realize what is the best “It’s definitely not only to Through the gained expe- first time in their lives, which for your community, for your have fun, but more like a busi- riences, lessons learned and makes our meetings even country”. ness event to see the newest connections, Abramek said more fascinating, just because If anyone is interested technology and I also get to he had a better vision about you get to see a lot of differ- in becoming a member of interact with people I look up the industry that will prepare Contributed photo ences”, McKenna said. either club and becoming to,” said Abramek. him for the future. Abramek talks business with music producer and two time On the down side, accord- politically active as a college “I saw Stevie Wonder pass- “It’s a one of a kind event grammy nominee, Morgan Page. ing to him, the J-Term put student, email McKenna ing me by. I saw Steve Vai, where everybody just gets and experience grow when- working on music production. everything on hold, since at [email protected] who is a guitar player. Also together, with no barriers ever I am there,” Abramek many of the members of the cyhurst.edu, or Hatfield at Macy Gray, BT, Morgan Page, between, because the thing said. club were not on campus yet. [email protected]. Steve Duda and a lot of music that connects people is the After graduation this spring, Although campaigning is not edu. people.” same passion for music. Inspi- Abramek plans to move to allowed within the campus, This year, Abramek focused ration, knowledge, motivation Los Angeles and continue @TheMerciad Page 4 The Merciad February 10, 2016 Features

Final J-term takes students around the globe By Rae Pollock Staff writer

While J-term may be no more, over fifty students and faculty were lucky enough to escape the Erie snow and travel to places like Greece, Italy, Ireland, Guyana, France, Germany and Switzerland. 150 students enjoyed seeing new places and experiencing different cultures all while keeping their noses in the books. Though J-term is only a few weeks long, students who went on each trip say they made the best of those few weeks. “Studying abroad is some- thing I think everyone should do at some point. I went to Contributed photo Contributed photo Italy and Greece, and the trip The final J-Term of the year was enjoyed by 150 students who traveled to Europe and Latin Amer- Student trekked accross Europe seeing the exotic sites, while in was filled with a lot of great ica. Ireland, documenting the sisters of Mercy. food, cool adventures and and will be open to all stu- he still enjoyed his time spent get the chance to see. I can’t work department. who went to Italy and Greece. wonderful people,” said Katie dents in the upcoming weeks. abroad and made some unfor- wait to travel again and I “Some of my favorite mem- Though Mercyhurst will not Appell, a sophomore on the Lohrey agrees that he got to gettable memories. highly recommend it because ories were bonding with the have a J-term next year, the water polo team. know the students a lot better “One of our first days it’s an adventure you’ll never group of students on the trip opportunity to study around “My favorite memory is while traveling abroad than he there, we did some touring of forget,” Brandow said. because I felt like we all went the world is still open for hard to pick, because we made would have if he had taught Dublin and we actually went Other students who studied through an incredible experi- anyone who wants to explore so many, but I probably most the class at Mercyhurst. to Croke Stadium, the third abroad agreed that their expe- ence together. for an entire semester. Study- enjoyed our spontaneous deci- “It was definitely an expe- largest stadium in Europe, riences were unforgettable. I learned a lot about the ing abroad is a different expe- sion to book a 40 euro flight rience, and there was a lot of where they do hurling and “My study abroad trip to culture in Guyana and about rience, and a good one. to Santorini, a Greek island, bonding. From the bus ride to other sports we don’t do here. Switzerland, Germany and international service in gen- “[Studying abroad is] much and spend the day exploring the airport and the plane ride They also have huge concerts France was easily the best trip eral, which really helps me more relaxed, and it’s much the small, but very beautiful, over to just doing stuff over there as well. It holds upwards I’ve ever been on. I went into because I have applied to the more free, I think. You basi- island.” there. We did a lot of walking of 80,000 people and it was the trip knowing one person Peace Corps and other pro- cally can tailor towards the Appell notes another perk around and touring different fascinating because we got a and now I have about 15 new grams and want to continue students’ needs and also to to studying abroad. places,” said Lohrey. behind-the-scenes look at the friends. My favorite part of helping people on a global whatever course you’re teach- “I also think it was great to “I felt more engaged with stadium, like we went into the the trip was getting to know scale.” ing abroad. So, it’s not as be able to get to know pro- students just because I saw locker rooms and the suites,” all the other students and As a whole, Mercyhurst structured as it would be if fessors better and see first- them a lot more and it’s not Lohrey said. being able to hang out with students and faculty greatly you were teaching in a class- hand what they are passionate just a strict Monday, Wednes- Olivia Brandow, a sopho- them in each city we went to,” enjoyed their time outside the room at Mercyhurst,” Lohrey about,” Appell said. day, Friday or Tuesday, Thurs- more Integrated Marketing said junior John Eskind. United States and collectively said. Assistant Professor of day class. I saw them every Communications major, went “I would definitely do it agree that their experiences Communication James single day, all day long. We to Ireland with Lohrey. again if I had the opportunity were unforgettable. Lohrey went to Ireland over went to dinners together and “It’s a great chance to go to. For sure, the best experi- “I would definitely go back J-term and taught a documen- we saw movies together at the and discover the day-to-day ence at Mercyhurst for me.” in a heartbeat, it was definitely tary video production class theatre. It was really fun and life of another culture and see Maggie Switzer is a senior the best experience I’ve had at about the Sisters of Mercy. it definitely felt like a family.” its beauty. There is so much social work major who trav- Mercyhurst and something I’ll The classes’ documentary Though Lohrey was sick the out there outside of the U.S. eled to Guyana, South Amer- remember the rest of my life,” will be screened on campus entire time he was in Ireland, that I think everyone should ica as a trip through the social said Paige O’Neil, a junior @TheMerciad Luke the Laker exceeds expectations By Emani Burton and post digital shout-outs Union on Tuesday, Feb. 9. For using #Lukethelaker. Students an hour, students were treated Staff writer may have seen Luke’s intro- to free artist renderings of duction video on YouTube. themselves by Luke. Eight months after the Perhaps this social media sav- Luke is preparing for a spe- death of his predecessor, viness is why Street Characters cial event during the Men’s Luke the Laker, has been chose Luke as their December basketball game against Seton named Mascot of the Month mascot. Luke’s biography and Hill on Wednesday, Feb. 17, at by the design company, Street statistics can be found on the 7:30 p.m. Characters. First announced Street Characters website. “We are open to student in December 2015, Laker The award is a prestigious involvement,” Reilly said “ We pride has carried over into the honor, but is merely a title, are really looking forward to Spring semester. with no physical awards or this year, Luke is special and “We are extremely excited, medals. This distinction we are proud to have that rec- honored even, to be high- means a lot to the Mercyhurst ognized.” lighted as the Mascot of the student spirit division, who Students interested with Month, said activities and believe this is a positive con- involving themselves in the spirit coordinator, Preston firmation of the changes to mascot program can email Reilly. the mascot program. Reilly at preilly@mercyhurst. Reilly played an integral part Contributed photo The student activities coun- edu, or schedule a meeting in Luke the Laker’s creation Luke spent his afternoon drawing caricatures of students. Luke has proven to be a very active cil is committed to keeping with him in the student life and continues to manage his member in the Mercyhurst community. Luke an active member of the office suites, located on the appearances at student events. determined and motivated; a succession of human mas- all of his tradition, Luke has Mercyhurst community. Since second floor of the Student “As an advisor for the the ideals that we feel best rep- cots for the University, includ- proved to be the most digitally his introduction to students in Union. mascot program, it’s my resent a Mercyhurst Laker.” ing the Old Man and the Sea integrated Mercyhurst mascot. September, Luke has attended responsibility to help Lakers Luke the Laker, a retired and his uncle, Louie the Laker. “He’s strong, approachable several events, including Hurst feel like Mercyhurst is a com- Irish fisherman, sports a clas- Both were Irish fisherman, and relatable,” Reilly said. Curi- Day, on Oct. 7, 2015. munity, ” Reilly said. sic beard, seafarers cap and with connections to the Sis- ous Lakers can follow Luke’s Most recently, Luke drew “Luke is hardworking, anchor tattoo. Luke continues ters of Mercy. However, for twitter feed @LuketheLaker caricatures of students in the @TheMerciad Women’s lacrosse team fundraises $3,300 with Bingo a new audience into the festiv- because we wanted more guys involved. as “runners”, repeating called “I think this is a very pos- By Marco Cicchino ities and make an attempt in to come and we did sell all our Freshmen Exercise Science numbers, collecting used itive vibe. It’s a great start of Staff writer accruing more revenue. tickets.” major, Nellie Dephtereos said tickets, and modeled off the the season, we’ve had a great From the beginning, the An array of 23 baskets were that the decision boiled down prizes. preseason so far. We just com- The women’s Lacrosse team goal was to drive some addi- displayed in front of the Fire- to what would generate reve- Dephtereos attributed the pleted our first week of prac- hosted their annual bingo tional profit into the system. house Grill, each connected nue. overall success to the ami- tice and we look really good.” night to promote Vera Brad- The idea had circulated under to a single round of Bingo. “We wanted to make more cability of the team and had Santiago said. ley products and raise funds Cecil Pilson, the head wom- Prizes ranged from a collec- money fundraising. There’s 33 high praise for her friends and “We did a lot as a team and for the team. en’s lacrosse coach for the tion of Mercyhurst Athletics of us on the team, we each soon-to-be teammates. working together to get this After an intense two weeks previous 11 years as the team’s apparel, to a spa and stress got ten tickets and they’re “Our group of girls made going, so I think it’s good of sales and some techni- only fundraiser. relief basket and a selection each $10. It equates to nearly it work. We’re all very outgo- camaraderie going into the cal difficulties at the event’s “It was originally the idea of Jim Boeheim memorabilia. $3,300 in revenue for the ing, we know how to get out season.” beginning, a crowd of nearly because Vera Bradley bags are The male-oriented baskets team,” Dephtereos said. in the community, we’re all 300 filed into a reorganized really popular and we wanted that were displayed this year Senior intelligence major friendly. Everyone respects us Laker Inn this past Satur- to get a lot of girls in here,” attracted a larger crowd and Emily Koestler was the main on campus.” day, Feb. 6, under the banner said senior Marketing major consequently generated more bingo caller, splitting time Dephtereos also believes of “Not Your Average Vera Taylor Santiago. revenue. The event was com- with Senior Marketing major the event provided a positive Bradley Bingo Night”. This “We carried it into a ‘Not pletely operated by the team, Emily Gebhardt and Santi- vibe heading into the new year, it was designed to draw So Average’ Bingo this year with all the players getting ago. Twelve freshmen acting season. @TheMerciad February 10, 2016 The Merciad Page 5 EntertainmentArts & This recital is so last century sonata is next on the program. shwin’s “Three Preludes” by By Cheyanne Crum Kneer said “it is mostly very Jasha Heifetz. Kneer said that Staff writer dark, it is in F minor, it is very they were originally for piano stark and desperate in some but now “contain a lot of vio- “That’s So Last Century,” is times.” linist fireworks and are just a faculty recital piece that will He explained that there fun.” be performed on Thursday, is a part where the violin is Although these pieces hail Feb. 18, at 8 p.m. in Walker playing very fast scales and from the past, Kneer said Recital Hall. Playing in this the piano is playing somber that “these are the pieces I recital is Assistant Profes- chords. Prokofiev said that have been itching to play for sor Joseph Kneer, Ph.D., on this makes the listener feel as a while.” violin and performing with if they are going through a The recital is free and open him is Nathan Hess, Ph.D., graveyard. Kneer says that it is to the public, so take a seat on piano. The recital, like the “very morbid, but hauntingly and flash back to the 20th name suggests, only features beautiful.” century. pieces written during the 20th The last piece performed century. Cheyanne Crum Photo will be a transcription of Ger- The title came from the Joseph Kneer, Ph.D., plays violin and Nathan Hess, Ph.D. plays piano. coincidence that all of the pieces belong to the 20th cen- The first piece is “Suite The next piece will be a a camp singing songs, then tury. Kneer said he thought it in the Old Style” by Alfred violin sonata by Charles Ives, going to throw rocks in a river would be the cool and more Schnittke, written in the a progressive composer who and so on. enticing thing to do since he 1970s, “a time that is not one sold insurance for a living. “He Eugene Ysaye wrote six does not normally name his you think of when referring took hymns like “Jesus Loves solo sonatas for violin and recitals. “I haven’t picked a to classical music,” said Kneer. Me” and patriotic American each one was dedicated to one program in a long time that “It is not a normal piece songs and sticks them in very of his peers. Kneer stated that I love all the pieces for,” said that Schnittke would write, strange ways, along with bang- they are all very technically Kneer. that most of his pieces are ing on other stuff. It’s beauti- demanding and difficult. “When you are in school biting and sarcastic and has ful, it’s crazy, it’s bombastic “Violin Sonata No. 4” was and writing these papers and that cold war era fatalism,” and it is very American.” dedicated to Fritz Chrysler, doing research, you like it, but but he added that there is a The subtitle is “Children’s possibly the most famous vio- there are different things that part of the piece that makes it Day at the Revival,” and it has linist at the time. Cheyanne Crum Photo you want to hone in on.” “unmistakably Schnittke.” pictures of children around Prokofiev’s first violin Joseph Kneer, Ph.D., left, and Nathan Hess, Ph.D., on the right. Omar Roy returns to campus Ballet to screen

By Amber Matha here Feb. 20 Staff writer By Rachel Sobina in love after seeing her. Unfor- tunately, Marguerite does Staff writer Mercyhurst University wel- not share the same feelings comes 2013 alumnus Omar and even though she invites Roy back for his piano recital “Lady of the Camellias” is a Armand to her house, she on Monday, Feb. 15, in Walker ballet comprised of three act does not exhibit any feelings Recital Hall. that will be live-screened at for the young man. Roy earned his undergradu- The Mary D’Angelo Perform- Act 2 unfolds as Margue- ate degree in music and con- ing Arts Center on Saturday, rite goes from party to party, tinued his education at Kent Feb. 20, at 2 p.m. all with different men. At the State University, receiving a Tickets are $18 for adults same time, Monsieur Duval, master’s degree in piano per- at the door and $7.50 for Armand’s father, finds out formance. Mercyhurst students who about their love and insists The D’Angelo Department present their ID. that Marguerite break his son’s of Music often has alumni The ballet begins with an heart in order to avoid bring- come back to perform as auction of the most desirable ing shame upon the family. As soloists, according to Music MIAC Photo courtesan’s possessions after the young mistress complies, Department chair and Assis- Mercyhurst alumnus Omar Roy will be performing a recital on campus. she passed away. Marguerite Armand becomes heartbro- tant professor of piano, Gautier lived a very wealthy ken. Nathan Hess, Ph.D. minor” from Book I of “The simple decision. performing in front of his lifestyle in more than one Act 3 opens with Margue- “It’s a great perform- Well-Tempered Clavier” by “I was preparing all of these old professors, mentors and sense. Armand Duval was one rite becoming deathly ill and ing experience for them. It J.S. Bach; Sonata in D major, pieces for upcoming doctoral friends. of the many suitors of the asking Armand to not publicly inspires our current students Op. 28, “Pastorale” by Ludwig auditions, so it made sense “I had a very positive expe- beautiful and wealthy Margue- humiliate her. Armand, still and it makes the faculty proud van Beethoven; “Nach Bach” for me to perform a recital as rience while completing my rite, and after seeing the auc- deeply heartbroken, decides to see how much they’ve by George Rochberg; and well,” he said. undergraduate degree, and tion of all her possessions, he to attend a ball that Margue- grown,” Hess said. “Ballade No. 2” in B minor by In order to succeed at a developed friendships with is lost in thought. rite is going to as well. He Roy will play a selection of Franz Liszt. doctoral audition, the music some of the faculty that are Act 1 begins with Margue- publicly humiliates her, and music including pieces such Roy said that deciding on must be practiced to mastery. still very valuable to me,” Roy rite as the lead role. Armand she collapses. as “Prelude & Fugue in E flat which selections to play was a Roy said he was happy to be said. arrives and immediately falls Student art The very hungry caterpillar will be here national acclaim and recogni- pillar who eats an interesting work features a chameleon By Amber Matha tion. selection of foods until he who, after visiting a zoo, tries Staff writer is on display “The Very Hungry Caterpil- becomes a beautiful butterfly. to imitate some of the colors of other animals because he is The next performing arts By Jenny Sabliov photography, computer gen- displeased with his own look. erated works, sculpture, show in the MIAC 2015-16 After trying all of the differ- Arts and entertainment editor ceramics and mixed media. season brings in The Mer- ent colors, the chameleon All of the artwork must have maid Theatre of Nova Scotia realizes that everyone, includ- The student art work from been created at Mercyhurst and their presentation of The ing himself, is special just the the annual Mercyhurst Uni- University within the past two Very Hungry Caterpillar and way they are. versity Juried Art Show will years. Other Eric Carle Favorites. “Little Cloud” is about a be be on display in the Cum- The exhibit will be on dis- According to their web- cloud that transforms himself mings Art Gallery, which is play in the Gallery from site, the Mermaid Theatre of into various shapes including located in D’ Angelo, once the Monday, Feb. 15, through Nova Scotia was founded in animals and people. jurying takes place on Thurs- Friday, March 11. There will 1972 and have performed in The production is put on day, Feb. 11, by Joseph Popp. be a reception for the artists front of over 5 million people through puppets lit up by He is the Exhibit and on Thursday, Feb. 18, from 7 in 16 different countries. The black light so only the pup- Archives Specialist at the Erie p.m. to 9 p.m. Very Hungry Caterpillar pro- pets are shown as they act to Insurance Group. He worked Cummings Gallery hours duction is celebrating its 17th a narration of the books. The at the Erie Art Museum for 23 are Monday through Friday year of touring. The show has show will last approximately years as the Master Framer. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday been performed more than one hour. Popp is also a visual artist and Sunday from 2 p.m. to 5 3,300 times. Their show times are Sat- who exhibits his mixed media p.m. which are the times that The show will feature three Mermaid theater of Nova Scotia Photo urday, Feb. 13, at 11 a.m. at works both locally and region- the art work will be available of Carle’s works including The very hungry caterpillar puppet in action as he eats a vari- 4 p.m. in Walker Recital Hall. ally. for viewing. “The Very Hungry Caterpil- ety of foods before he becomes a beautiful butterfly. Student Rush tickets are avail- The art works that will be lar”, “Little Cloud” and “The lar”, a staple in any elementary “The Mixed Up Chame- able on the day of the show on display will be student Mixed Up Chameleon.” This school library, is a cherished leon”, another popular Carle for $5 with a student ID. arworks in any medium which show is one that has earned children’s book about a cater- includes drawing, painting, @TheMerciad the Mermaid Theatre inter- @TheMerciad

Full list of events can be found View upcoming performances: www.merciad.mercyhurst.edu/ on the PAC website www.miac.mercyhurst.edu arts_entertainment Online Page 6 The Merciad February 10, 2015 Opinion The views expressed in the opinion section of The Merciad do not necessarily reflect the views of Mercyhurst University, the staff of The RelayMerciad or forthe Catholic Life Church.successful Responses on any subject are always welcomed and can be emailed to [email protected].

Victor handles cuts as Good

Egan and The Laker Inn have made special humanely as possible accommodations for Catholics this year, as Lent begins this week. criticism by many, the han- faculty. nate and awkward pressure to By Ryan dling of this particular sit- David Dausey, who was end their full-time career ear- Kushner uation so far by the new kind enough to reach out to lier than planned. Friday will mark 100 days until graduation. Opinion editor administration, at least from the staff of The Merciad in an The unfortunate fact is, this unusually gassy senior’s apparent gesture of good will however, that Victor and Word is circulating that admissions for Sep- perspective, seems almost— and transparency toward stu- friends are facing the leftover There seems to be really no dare I say it—humane. While dents, explained in a calming problems of a University deep tember look good. Let’s hope the projections correct way to write this piece. the procedure must contain voice, with puppy-dog eyes in the red, but they knew that hold. How do you start? I figure all the pleasures of crawling and at least one quote from going into this, and must have sometimes thoughtful pieces through broken glass, it seems W.B. Yeats, that the retire- anticipated that they would begin with a quote from a the administration is dealing ment incentives sent out to have to make some tough renowned philosopher, or with the inherited problem the senior faculty will be com- calls early on. What has been maybe Michael Jackson. with poise, transparency and a pletely voluntary. They will good about these calls so far is Bad So I’ve been searching focus on keeping the univer- also receive the title of Profes- that they appear to have been through “Brainy Quote” and sity above water. sor Emeritus and retain their made with the Mercyhurst Wikipedia for the last half- It is sometimes difficult, current office space. Dausey community and the Mercy A cross nailed to a tree commemorating the life hour, but I can’t really find at least for me, to look at a also noted that the Human Mission still on their minds. of a Mercyhurst student who was killed in a car anything that fits… but did university or place of higher Resources department at It is certainly a tough and wreck in 2005 was taken down when the City of you know Michael Jackson learning as a business. Yet, Mercyhurst would work with unusual time at Mercyhurst. Erie removed the tree. Now the cross lies on the was a Leo? when it comes down to it, I other faculty, whose contracts What is important is that the boulevard on East 38th Street. How sad. On Friday, Feb. 5, the suppose Mercyhurst is indeed will not be renewed, to find administration continues to Mercyhurst administration a place of business (whether positions elsewhere. remain open, humane and The Senior Class Gift Committee was certainly announced that, due to the or not that is entirely a good These gestures of the unified as the University con- seriousness of the institution’s thing is a different story). administration are humane, if tinues forward, even if it does thirsty this week, as all but one activity of Senior financial woes, it would be Victor was hired largely in not simply refreshing in their so with a noticeable limp, Week involved alcohol, excluding seniors who cutting down the number of part for his keen business decency, and certainly they are because it is showing care for do not drink (or at least avoid doing it four nights faculty. mind, and he is clearly display- ones that represent the kind one another that gives a com- As Mercyhurst Provost ing that sought-after intuition of values Mercyhurst should munity strength. David Dausey, Ph.D., spent a with his first extremely sensi- uphold: values that center on Which reminds me, I did good amount of Friday point- tive decision as president. He dignity and respect for the finally end up coming across ing out to our editorial board, is (it seems) attempting to put individual. a somewhat fitting intro quote the faculty at Mercyhurst has the financial needs and desires Yet, this perhaps does not to use for this article after all. increased by nearly 20 per- of the students (the custom- make the cuts any easier. Better late than never, I sup- cent over the past five years, ers) first (among them, a plan Much of the senior faculty, pose. Weird while student enrollment has to address the long-neglected defined as being over the age “The simplest and most declined a total of 9 percent. upperclassman housing). of 55 and having at least 15 practical lesson I know … is Cutting down the amount of However, instead of sud- years of service at the Uni- to resolve to be good today, faculty is, according to the denly handing several staff versity, have been pillars that but better tomorrow. … A administration, the best way and faculty members a box have helped shape and define community in which this uni- to deal with this apparently and showing them out the what is good and honest and versal charity reigns is capable newly discovered imbalance gates (the notorious method interesting about Mercyhurst. of surmounting all difficul- in the school’s financial situ- adopted by the previous These faculty members, many ties.” ation. administration), senior fac- of whom hold a beloved and –Catherine McAuley While downsizing in trou- ulty members will be offered legendary status among stu- bled financial times is always retirement incentives to thin dents past and present, are painful and can lead to harsh out the amount of full-time now faced with the unfortu- @TheMerciad

Math Department not the only The restrooms in the Student Union and Weber Hall in the library have been made unisex. What one in need of more space happens now? departments that causes stu- is the Wet lab. This is sup- hidden in the back stairwell, By Cheyanne dents to question attendance. posed to serve as an autopsy or if it is actually a Mercyhurst Crum As everyone has probably fig- room, but is so inadequately professor forced to have his

Staff writer ured out by now, the basement furnished that the depart- or her office in located in a of Zurn Hall is home to the ments have resorted to using hole in the wall. Mercyhurst Archaeological crockpots for their projects. One of the biology labs that While reading the J-term Institute (MAI). What most It needs cleaned up in ways is being offered this semester The Merciad Merciad opinion regard- students do not realize is that that cannot be accomplished is so overcrowded that the ing the Math Department’s there are four majors located by letting some work studies professor joked we will have “banishment” to the fourth down there. One of them scrub at it for a few hours. to work in teams of 12 to use Editors Positions @mercyhurst.edu floor of Old Main, I question being the Applied Foren- It would need professionally the only two machines the Sami Rapp Editor-in-Chief editormerciad Managing Editor managingmerciad whether or not the author has sic Science concentration in cleaned and remodeled. school has that are relevant to Karah Hollis actually taken a math course Catherine Rainey News Editor newsmerciad Criminalistics/Forensic Biol- When visiting these under- this class while sitting in yet Features Editor featuremerciad while here at Mercyhurst. If Jose Nufio ogy. For this major, there is funded and outdated labs, it another underfunded lab. The Carly Contraguerro Sports Editor sportsmerciad he has not, I and my fellow one professor who teaches comes as really no surprise math department requires Jenny Sabliov A&E Editor entertainmentmerciad classmates that have learned all courses that count towards that the department is unac- textbooks, a classroom and Ryan Kushner Opinion Editor opinionmerciad that there is good reason for this concentration. credited. The issues that are in somewhere for the extensive Miranda L. Miller Copy Editor copymerciad the math department to be Retired Pennsylvania State the Math Department, like the number of math survivors to Margaret Urso Photo Editor photomerciad positioned directly over the Police Sergeant Dennis Don- broken door sitting near the bang their heads off the walls, Victoria Kreysar Ad Manager admerciad church (prayers are needed). ovan worked in the field of printer and the paint chipping and they have plenty of all Bill Welch Adviser wwelch The odd placement of the Criminalistics for many years, on the walls, are easily fixed if three. department may be because receiving on-the-job train- the department made a call to Biology and forensics are most of the professors are ing in the field of criminal the maintenance department. two departments that are not meeting with students up investigation before becom- The MAI and Mathematics just as poorly as the Math there, since I was just told to ing a professor at Mercyhurst. are not the only other depart- Department, if not worse. “go to tutoring” while I strug- Along with all the classes ments that share issues of And there are more. The only gled through the class, instead Donovan teaches for Crim- crowded, shabby areas. On departments at this school The Merciad is the official student-produced of receiving help from a pro- inalistics/Forensic Biology, the main floor, two of the that have the amount of room newspaper of Mercyhurst University. It is published fessor. I also question how he also teaches classes for the biology professors are actually they deserve, if not more, are throughout the school year, with the exception of finals much the author knows about Criminal Justice department. up a floor and inside of the Hospitality Management and weeks. Our office is in Hirt, Room 110. Ourtelephone the state of other depart- He is crammed in a basement painting studio. Students that Intelligence Studies. Yet, for number is (814) 824-2376. ments at school, and how office, sharing it with the work have these professors may some reason, even with their many other majors are placed studies for the department not feel that they are “going spacious area, the hospitality The Merciad welcomes letters to the editor. All in inappropriate environ- and a back room which is used to meet Quasimodo,” but majors still feel the need to letters must be signed and names will be included ments that makes prospective as the lab classroom for Crim- it’s definitely uncomfortable invade the Forensic labs from with the letters. Although we will not edit the letters students question attending inalistics and Indoor Crime when a student has to go into time to time. for content, we reserve the right to trim letters to here on taking tours. Scene Investigation. When the Art Department to find fit. Letters are due Mondays by noon and may not Mercyhurst’s Applied first entering the basement, a science professor. There be more than 300 words. Submit letters to box PH Forensic Science program it comes off as newly remod- have also been questions as 485 or via email at opinionmerciad@mercyhurst. is one of those oddly placed eled. The next lab to pass to whether Harry Potter is @TheMerciad edu.

Read more at Write for The Merciad, email merciad.mercyhurst.edu/opinion [email protected] Online February 10, 2016 The Merciad Page 7 Sports Basketball looks to rebound Clarion, by a combined seven hosting Pitt-Johnstown on By Marco Cicchino points. Saturday, Feb. 13, then wel- Staff writer “What happened was, it coming Seton Hill and Cali- came down to the last couple fornia before heading up to Suddenly, the Lakers are minutes of both games,” said the Hammermill Center for struggling. Even so, one senior Kayode Ajenifuja. crosstown rival Gannon on would not know by watching “We didn’t box out, didn’t Wednesday, Feb. 24. coach Gary Manchel’s basket- rebound. But both games Last year, the Golden ball squad. were on us, really. It was Knights swept the Lakers, After rattling off eight because we didn’t play how including a 55-46 win at Ham- straight wins over the calen- we usually do. We didn’t want mermill en-route to the West dar flip into 2016, including it more than the other team, regular-season title. “I say seven PSAC victories and a so we just [have to get] more the scoring, we just [have] to low-scoring win over Gannon focused and more ready.” be able to score more,” said in the inaugural Porreco Pride Against Slippery Rock on junior H’ian Hale. of Erie Game, Mercyhurst Jan. 27, the Lakers allowed 47 “We have to be able to (15-7, 12-6) has lost three points in the second half alone match physicality with physi- of their last four games, and after limiting the Pride to just cality. They play hard, we have allowed Indiana (18-5, 15-3) 17 in the first half while only to play harder.” to replace them atop the tallying 16 themselves. Ajenifuja says a highlight PSAC West. In fact, not only have the of the Lakers’ dynamic is an The Crimson Hawks have Lakers scored under their sea- impromptu breakout game. won their last 12 contests, son-average 71.2 points in six “Anybody is able to go off including a perfect 8-0 Janu- of the last seven and each of hurstathletics.com photo any time, so you never know. ary, and toppled the Lakers the recent three losses, oppo- During the Mercyhurst’s game against Clarion on Saturday, Feb. 6, senior forward Andy Hoying You just [have] to come ready 68-66 in Indiana last Wednes- nents have outscored Man- scored 12 points. The men are 15-7 overall and 12-6 in the conference. and find the hot hand. It won’t day, Feb. 3. chel’s squad by an average of just be one person, it could be The Lakers eight-game run 9.3 points per game in the on the team with 12.3 points 60-53 lead with 1:30 remain- West. The Fighting Scots have two people [or three]. Some- came to an end with a loss to three losses, compared to a per game. He hit 20 against ing. lost three in a row but won 10 body can score, somebody upset-minded Slippery Rock surplus of 13.5 in their four Clarion and Edinboro and The 5-point Clarion win, of their previous 14, a stretch can be rebounding, somebody (12-11, 7-10), and now they wins dating back to the Pride has hit double-digits in eleven 67-62, was highlighted by that began at the Mercyhurst can be assisting, so it’s a team trail the Hawks by three games of Erie Game. of his last 13 games. 20 points of 17 Laker turn- Athletic Center with a 77-67 effort. These couple losses with four left to play. Before this Slippery Rock Against Clarion on Satur- overs—four by Damon upset on Friday, Dec. 1. are actually like a wake-up call The Lakers are still one of contest, the Lakers had not day, Feb. 6, Manchel saw a Jones—and an 18-9 sec- They then took down the for us. It’s better to have them the premier defensive units been outscored in the second 12-point halftime lead evap- ond-chance advantage. top two teams in the East, first now than in the playoffs,” in the country, second in all half since Saturday, Dec. 19, orate as the Golden Eagles The recent stretch could East Stroudsburg and then a Ajenifuja said. of Division II at 59.5 points against Clarion. rattled off 15 straight points have not been timed at a 69-66 win at number 20 West Tip off on Saturday, Feb. per game, but have unchar- “We haven’t been scoring in a span of 5:14 as part of worse part of the season, Chester four days later, and 13, is at 3 p.m. in the MAC. acteristically allowed at least the ball like we usually do, so a larger 22-6 run to open the with the Hawks soaring and went 6-3 in conference play 64 points in each of their last [we need to] shoot the ball second half. They later scored surprising Edinboro (12-9, before falling to the Lakers. three losses. In their last two better,” Ajenifuja said. seven straight points to finish 11-7) just two games behind However, the Lakers’ final games, they fell to Indiana and Ajenifuja is currently third a 12-4 spurt and open up a the Lakers for second in the four games are quite soft, @TheMerciad Wrestling battles for PSAC championship “I’m confident that we will. are high-character kids, they The team’s success comes By Diego Himede I am always confident. I am an achieve well in the classroom, down to two important fac- Staff writer optimistic, confident person,” they achieve incredibly in ath- tors. According to August, Head Coach Mike Wehler letics. The school should be camaraderie is what has taken The Mercyhurst wrestling said. proud of these guys,” Wehler them so far. They’re about as team is ready to take on Uni- Last season, Mercyhurst said. tight as they get. Everybody versity of Pittsburgh at John- won 24-15 over UPJ giving On a personal level, there stands up for each other and stown to decide who will be them their third consecutive are two wrestlers on the team they take a bullet for the next the next PSAC champion. PSAC title. that are doing outstanding this guy. Second, Coach Wehler After staying undefeated, According to Wehler, these season, August and Francis has played an important role. 5-0, through the PSAC so far wrestlers not only exceed in Mizia. In fact, they are both More than just a good coach, this season, the Laker wres- the athletic front, but in every leading the NCAA DII wres- August thinks that Coach tlers are now getting ready aspect of life. The team has tling in technical falls. Francis Wehler is someone you can for their most important had the best GPA in the con- is No. 1 with seven techni- rely on and look up to. match of the season against ference three of the last four cal falls, and August is at the The wrestling team will Pitt-Johnstown, who is also years. No. 2 spot with six. Although travel to face Pitt-Johnstown undefeated. “I couldn’t be prouder. there is an intense competition this coming Saturday, Feb. 13, Even though there is a They’ve worked really hard, among the Mizia brothers, the to try to finish this incredible rivalry between them, the they are really talented, they family spirit always stays first. season by becoming PSAC Lakers feel confident about have performed well. “It’s all fun. It’s cool because champions. hurstahletics.com photo the match knowing that they “It’s definitely the best it’s light. I’m not going to be have beat them three of the group of people I have step really bummed if I lost to my Redshirt senior August Mizia (above) is ranked third in NCAA past four times. foot on this campus. They little brother,” August said. @diegohimeder Division II. He is among three teammates in the top 8. Countdown to baseball season is reached a 2-0 lead in the third inning. in the fifth inning, and Still- By Haleigh Giebel Stillman came back with man got one in the seventh to Staff writer a three-run sixth inning and end the game at 8-3, Lakers. added another run in the sev- During game two on The Mercyhurst baseball enth to take game one 4-2. Sunday, the Lakers fall behind team opened the season by During game two, senior in the fourth and fifth innings, defeating non-conference Hank Morrison brought in going into the sixth inning team Stillman College, three Popio in the first inning and down 4-2. out of four games on Satur- junior Cameron Balego hit in The Lakers exploded in the day, Jan. 30, and Sunday, Jan. junior Chris Gonzalez to give sixth inning with seven runs 31, in Emerson, Georgia. the Lakers their first win of to give them a 9-4 lead over The team has 13 returning the season, 2-0. Stillman and take the season seniors for this season and In game one on Sunday, the opening weekend, with three is ranked No.1 in the PSAC Lakers defeated Stillman 8-3. wins and one loss. West Division preseason poll. During the first inning, “I hope that we continue to “We have many key players junior Sabatino DiNardo gave improve, for a northern team, returning and some new fresh- the Lakers an early 2-0 lead on it was probably too early to man and transfers that will a two-run single. play baseball,” said Spano. contribute as well. We have Stillman scored two runs in “It certainly wasn’t ideal, we a great core of seniors who the second inning to tie the looked very rusty, but I was Trang Nguyen photo are excellent leaders and role game, but the Lakers powered very proud of how the guys models for our team,” said through with a five run fourth were able to find a way to win The Mercyhurst women’s basketball team is 11-13 overall and 9-9 in the conference. Head Coach Joseph Spano. inning. a series against a southern The team has just four regular season games left. “Our offense is dynamic During the fourth inning, college that has been able to Junior forward Natalie Piaggesi earned PSAC West Co-Athlete of the Week averag- and we have a good combi- Gonzalez had the only hit, practice outside all winter.” ing 19.0 points and 8.0 rebounds in the Lakers last two games. She is also just 26 nation of speed and power but the Lakers benefited Next, the team will travel to points shy of reaching her 1,000th career point. There are 17 players in the women’s that will hopefully find a way from Stillman’s errors, with Peterburg, Va., over the week- basketball program to achieve this. to score runs and give our two runs. They also had three end of Feb. 19 to play three Senior guard Adrienne Kloecker became the 17th player to do so in December 2015. pitchers the runs support they more exhibition games before The women’s next game is Saturday, Feb. 13, at 1 p.m. in the MAC. This game will walks, a run-scoring wild celebrate Women and Girls in Sports Day. need.” pitch, a run-scoring balk and regular season play starts in In game one on Saturday, sophomore Collin Fantaskey March. Spano is one win away senior Dan Popio hit a two- stole home. from having 500 career wins. run single and gave the Lakers The Lakers got another run Page 8 The Merciad February 10, 2016 Laker Living Tory’s history: Reviving revolution

scholar if I did not add at this stitution, panic spread and the France had a legislature and the idea, the conception and pull together the remnants By Victoria Kreysar point that there are many usual rioting followed, part looked to be heading towards implementation of a country of whatever recognizable life Ad manager other issues feeding into the of which the unhappy mob a calmer period, until a few running democratically was you’ve got left. In the after- French Revolution, such as demanded feudalism be offi- years later when Napoleon unheard of. It really was rev- math you must create a new Most people know very little unfortunate weather leading cially abolished. Shortly after Bonaparte became First olutionary. normal. Almost like some about the French Revolution, to a bad crop harvest and lack a constitution was drafted, it Consul of France. Once more Recently, I’ve stumbled awful game of connect-the- aside from what they may of food, the Age of Enlight- looked like France would be the country was thrown back upon the discovery that some- dots, we have defining events have gleaned having read Tale enment producing people a constitutional monarchy. into the old normalcy of a times, just like in the aftermath tracing across our lives, deter- of Two Cities. Unlike the rev- questioning the divine right to Naturally, the more radical monarch. of a revolution, you’ve got to mining what was normal and olution in the U.S., France was rule and the revolution of the revolutionaries were not in The reason for explain- create a new normal. Have what that normal turned into faced with chaos upon new 13 colonies across the ocean. agreement, and France saw ing (perhaps rather poorly) you ever had one of those afterwords. chaos as they went through So many events in history are their king arrested. Months the revolution in France is life-changing experiences that Finding a new normal is several stages before ending a culminating dot of perfectly after his arrest, King Louis to offer a historical exam- just happen and suddenly you normal; it’s nothing to lose up, arguably, back where they timed social issues finally boil- XVI was killed. ple of a time when it was realize you’ve got to figure out your head over and it might had been to begin with. ing over. At this point France was necessary to develop a new the next step? take several tries to finally Monarchies were all the In a very brief summary of looming under a big cloud of normal. For us, in our dem- Most of those events are settle on something that rage in Europe for quite some events, a beginning stage of uncertainty; if you can kill a ocratic society, monarchies not on the level of a revolu- seems all right. You can take time with each country put- the French Revolution was king, you can kill anyone. And seem like a hard pill to swal- tion or killing a king; think of a breath knowing your cha- ting their own personal spin the gathering of the Third essentially that is exactly what low. The revolutions to end an awful break-up, a sickness, otic aftermath probably won’t on the idea of a hereditary Estate, a group of non-aris- happened during the aptly them make as much sense as a car crash, or even the death be as traumatic as the French lineage of aristocratic nobil- tocratic french people, who named “Reign of Terror” changing your sheets every of someone close to you. Revolution, but even that was ity wielding power. Naturally, became the National Assem- which followed. With over so often—unfortunate, but Suddenly the event, what- not a complete failure; many the large mass of people at bly and then took the Tennis 17,000 people being executed, obviously necessary. But that ever it is, occurs, and once it ideas developed and accepted the bottom of the socio-eco- Court Oath (yes, named so it seemed fear and death was was rarely the case. Of course does, things will never be the were almost more revolution- nomic pyramid were tired of because they were on a tennis the new normal. Ironically, hygiene was much worse back same. You don’t realize you’ve ary than those in the United carrying all the weight and court). It looked like decisions Robespierre (the man spear- in the old days, so they prob- created a space of normalcy States. began to express their distaste might be made by people not heading most of the killings) ably changed their sheets as and familiarity until some- for the situation with yelling, strictly from nobility. While was executed and another often as that smelly kid in thing happens to put that in angry mobs. I would be a poor they were working on a con- constitution was developed. the dorm down the hall; but jeopardy and you struggle to @tory_krey Way back When...

The Merciad presents articles from yesteryear in their original form, including headlines. This week, our blast from the past is from February 22, 1944. Lining up the Game Zone headlines Across the nation, headlines flash: “Rus- sian-Polish Boundary Dispute Flares,” “Pope Pius Branded Fascist,” “Senate Advocates Federal Education Bill.” Are you “in the know” about those headlines? Is Russia’s claim justified? Why is the Pope called Fascist? What would federal control of education mean to you? You say you’ve had “all those things” in his- tory, sociology, and economics? Yes, perhaps you learned the principles in class; but today’s paper is stating facts and opinions which must meet the test of those principles; and we must accept or reject those facts and opinions accordingly. Yet it would be more than conceited for us to attempt this unaided. Our knowledge is too narrow, our prejudices too great. During the month of February, the Church is campaigning for her great agency, which fear- lessly test the strikes, postwar problems, politics, and scientific theories with the touchstone of truth. This agency is the Catholic Press--not our false notion of “pious” stories and missionary reports, but a vibrant, courageous press that speaks the language of Christ, 1944 style. Here we meet the greatest minds, who fearlessly take up the challenge of ignorant secular journalism. Parsons, Shuster, Woodlock, Talbot, Sheen, Mar- itain--they are not infallible, but they are magnif- icently Christian. If we are educated Catholics, we will read and weigh their opinions as well as those of Lippmann, Dorothy Thompson, Pegler, or Mallon in the daily paper. Now, think again. Can you line up those head- lines and make them walk the chalk-line of truth? Enlist the aid of the Catholic Press, and look at the world through the eyes of Christ.