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3-8-2013

The Beacon - Vol 11 No. 8 - March 8, 2013

Merrimack College

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This Newspaper is brought to you for free and open access by the College Publications & Events at Merrimack ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in The Beacon by an authorized administrator of Merrimack ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Vol. XI Number 7 Friday, March 8, 2013 www.merrimacknewspaper.com Res Life Revises Room Choice Process Patrick Lawlor’13 currently under construction will add Editor in Chief an additional spin on the housing sit - uation on campus. “Opening 345 new For Merrimack students, living on spaces in the new residence hall pro - campus has traditionally been com - vides us with a great opportunity to partmentalized. As a freshman you transform the way we look at housing live in either one of the Deegans or at Merrimack,” said Hicks. Ash, as a sophomore you live in Mon - Room selection this year will return ican, as a junior in the townhouses or to an electronic system. Last year, O’Brien (which upperclassmen still due to an uncertainty of housing ac - From left, seniors Melanie Mulrenin, Ali Jamiel and affectionately refer commodations, Amanda Northrop attend the Career Fair in the MPR. to as “’Gati) and as a ‘Opening 345 new room selection was Photo by Alex Maas senior you live in the spaces in the new not done online. most desired of on- “The current jun - campus housing — residence hall ior and seniors Senior Days Dwindle the apartments. provides us with a would remember Jillian Toce ’13 “mock interviews” with our fa - But the Office of great opportunity to going through the Residence Life is at - online room selec - and Alicia Unis ’13 vorite professors and staff transform the way we Staff Writers members because even though tempting to change tion process. It is we may say we want to im - the way students look at housing at just like class reg - In true Class of 2013 fashion, prove, we really just want to be think about on cam - Merrimack.’ istration and takes we made our own celebration of told how awesome we already pus housing, going place on MyMack. 79 Days until graduation, are. And we must perfect the as far as saying “it isn’t about where As a result of student feedback, we unique to the tradition of past delicate art of bragging about you live, but who you live with.” moved the process back online for this classes. Instead of commiserat - ourselves but without seeming Residence Life is debunking what upcoming year,” said Hicks ing over the postponement of like another arrogant (though many Merrimack students would say For those who are satisfied in their is a natural residency hierarchy. Ac - current housing assignment, this Commentary the beloved lovable) Barney Stinson. event that was For the philanthropists of cording to campus officials, there is year, students may request to con - to be “100 Days,” we strapped the class, that want to use just not enough space to house classes tinue living in the room they cur - on our snow boots, threw our their particular talents to save in certain areas or buildings. rently are assigned for next year. shovels over our shoulders, and the world, they embark on a “Students will be living in lots of Another special housing request in - gave ourselves an extra long different journey. Between different places on campus. We will no clude dedicated housing communities weekend. Teach for America, Augustin - longer have a first year area; all first for upperclassmen who are part of the But just as there was no ian Volunteers, the Peace year students will no longer fit in Austin Scholars or Honor Program, stopping the two feet of snow Corps. and many others, there Deegan and Ash,” said Sara Hicks, di - that covered the campus in our are sure to be those special rector of residence life. See ROOM SELECTION friend, Nemo, there is no stop - graduates willing to sacrifice a The new residence halls that are Continued on Page 6 ping the coming now 72 days year of their life to help people until graduation. And as we all over the world. look into the barrel of the gun And for those of you who that is our impending gradua - know the torture that is the Fr. Jim Readies Pilgrimage tion, we’re unavoidably forced GREs, the stress of application Nicole Meaney ’13 age since 2000, and it has Italia leads members of to contemplate our future. deadlines, and the threat of Staff Writer become one of the high - the Merrimack commu - As those of us who will drowning in the tide of paper - lights of the Merrimack nity on St. Augustine’s bravely be attempting the work of cover letters, recom - The Pellegrinaggio in calendar, growing from pilgrimage through Italy. plunge into the “real world,” mendations and transcripts, Italia is an annual tradi - 18 people on the first trip Participants begin apply - we’ve got internships and jobs you undoubtedly belong to the tion at Merrimack in to 41 for this year’s pil - ing almost a year in ad - on the brain. We are all suffer - ambitious cluster of Merri - which members of the grimage. When the tradi - vance, and students may ing from a plight unique to the mack graduates pursuing an college community have tion started in March use the Pellegrinaggio in graduating college student; even higher education. the opportunity to form 2000, faculty went on the Italia as their second reli - when we trade beer bottles for As we consider our options an understanding of St. journey. In 2004, the Pel - gion class. One Sunday a coffee mugs, lax pennies for in the dwindling days until our Augustine’s pilgrimage legrinaggio in Italia wel - month from September to ties, and comfy Ugg boots for graduation, we need to avoidi by literally following in comed students, and now March, the attendees those unattractive, but sensi - looking so far into the future his footsteps. alumni and parents may ble heels. We struggle to find that we lose sight of the people Father Jim Wenzel has join as well. See TRIP that pesky dash to put above and the things that are closest coordinated the pilgrim - The Pellegrinaggio in Continued on Page 6 the “e” in résumé. We perform to us now.

CONFIRMED CHRISTIANS POUR ME GRIDIRON GENERAL

Seven to celebrate Sodexo keeping Curran named Sacrament of Initiation MC hydrated head football coach Page 3 Page 5 Page 3 Page 2 The Beacon March 8, 2013 Editorial Board Questions on the Quad Editor in Chief Patrick Lawlor By Agata Adamczuk ’13 What are your plans for Spring Break? Associate Editor in Chief Joan Corcoran

News Editor Jill Toce

Sports Editor Mike Romanella

Media Editor Agata Adamczuk

Features Editor Siobhan Licudine

Design Editor Jess Raver

Nick Russo ’16 Jessica Morse ’13 Johnny Fletcher ’16 “Visiting my friends at other “Going to Cancun” “Going to a friend’s house” Staff schools.”

Terence Barclay Patrick Bradley Sarah Buckwald James Callens Molly Canyes Police Log Helen Gillis Feb. 24 They saw the individual at a group of girls knocked on alcohol assessment. Offi - Andrew Hurd Student reported to Po - two separate times, stu - her door when she opened cer requests an ambulance Kara-Marie Joyce lice Services that her dent wanted to report it the door there was a trash for a female non-student, Alexandra Maas iPhone 4 is missing from because she felt he didn’t can fill of water in front of actively vomiting. Dis - Roger McCormack her room. belong. her door and the water patch notified AFD. Non Nicole Meaney was leaking all over her student is being trans - Evan Mercier Feb. 27 March 1 floor. Dispatch has noti - ported by ambulance to Kerry Phelan Resident student called While conducting patrol fied the cleaners. LGH. Brittany Reissfelder to report commuter stu - Oficer observed several Brianna Trabucco dent has hit her vehicle in students flipping over ta - March 2 March 3 Kali Tudisco the Campus Center Lot. bles and chairs in the Dee - Male suspect who may Female student called Stephen Tullgren Sgt. Responded. No in - gan West second floor have broken into the Cam - Police Services with a loud Alicia Unis juries reported, one vehi - common area. Officer re - pus Center is in custody noise complaint issuing N Harry Mullin, Distribution cle towed by Elm St. ports of a broken chair. Of - after a suspect gave possi - from L-Tower. Dispatch ficer spoke with resident bly a fake name. Second notified the AC. O Resident student called students. Cleaners noti - male suspect is in custody.

C to report a suspicious male fied that there was some Sergeant is en route to Female caller reports Advisor in the O’Brien courtyard. broken furniture in the NAPD with two males. AC loud noise/fighting going A Jim Chiavelli Student stated that her Deegan West common has been notified. on for a long time in

E and her friend saw a white area. O'Brien Hall. Officer re - Adjunct Professor male in his 40’s wearing a O'Brien RA called Po - sponding. All occupants of B Services polo hat and a black coat. RA called to report that lice Services requesting an the room have been ID'd. E Advertising The Beacon is the best and most effi - H cient way to reach the Merrimack Mack Tweets

T College Community. To place a Classified, Print Advertisement, or Erin @hillea Alex Ross @alex94ross Online Advertisement please Merrimack weather confuses me OSI_MC @OSI_MC @eriquelhx there's no way I'm contact us at @merrimack Did you know we are leaving Merrimack without going to [email protected] Joe Meloni @JoeMeloni running a shuttle service on Satur - Sparkys this weekend #heard - Corrections Based on results I expect next days and Sundays? greatthings The Beacon is committed to provid - weekend, HE QF series would be: ing its readers with thorough, accu - UMass at UNH, Vermont at UML, Chris Pietlicki™ @ChrisPi - Ashlee Cedrone @acedrone18 rate, and balanced news coverage. If you believe we have made an error Merrimack at BC, BU at Provi - etlicki “@Cpiatelli3: GOT INTO MERRI - in reporting or have questions con - dence. #loughoutlouad at the #STA MACK!!!”yay congratsss cerning any of our issues please chicks that show up at the arena at contact us at tpainnn @Tawnypainnn 8, for the boys 7o'clock game at Mer - Marie W. @miscricket [email protected] Thanks Merrimack college for rimack Just finished the last mid-term of towing my car when I was in New my college career...in the home - Contact Us York playing for your school oh and Lindsay Gibbs @gibbletsss stretch now :-) @merrimack #Hap - The Beacon parked in the correct spot. Makes 1) i wish i knew how to nagi - pyLady sense!? vate the merrimack library website. c/o Student Involvement 2) i wish i did this paper last week Mickey Cohen @MickeybroR - 315 Turnpike St. Joshua Kummins icker North Andover, MA 01845 @JoshuaKummins Christine Keenan @christine - Merrimack girls.... please have Phone:(978)-837-3562 A little disappointed the weird keenan sex with me #IllPayYou [email protected] "box thing" was not still at Merri - @jillbbbean seriously come to www.merrimacknewspaper.com mack for me to sit in today. @Bryan - Merrimack soon it's much needed halle sklivas @hallesofia DRoche @BOShockeyblog merrimack i love you please send #pressboxoverflow me an acceptance letter <3 March 8, 2013 The Beacon Page 3

Seven to be Confirmed at MC S The Merrimack College community is in - c vited to join in the celebration of seven stu - dents as they participate in the Sacrament of Initiation on Sunday, April 7 at 5 p.m. in

the Collegiate Church. h

Back, from left: Fr. Bill Waters, Ben Knox, Andrew Suttle, o and Ignacio Farias Front, from left: Maria Arzu, Maegan Cote, Kerry Phelan,

and Hannah Morley o

Courtesy Photo l

N e Volunteering at MC: Invest that Check w Heart of Stevens Amanda DeMarco ’13 interest rates. Shop around for CD Staff Writer interest rates to make sure you are Sarah Buckwald ’14 getting the best return on your in - Staff Writer Have you invested a birthday vestment. The website check recently? Have you thought cdrates.bankaholic.com gives the

The Stevens Service Learning Center at about what to do with monetary banks with top CD rates in the coun - s Merrimack gives students the opportunity gifts from an upcoming graduation? try – many of these banks are online! to volunteer throughout their community. If your answer to these questions is Money Market Accounts: If you The center establishes ties between com - “no,” you are not alone. Instead of have been saving since your first munity service and a student’s academic depositing all of your hard-earned part-time job, you may have enough experience at college, and provides a num - money into a zero-interest checking money to open a money market ac - ber of service sites to volunteer at. account, you may want to consider count. These accounts often have Stevens is on the third floor of the some other easy options. higher required minimum deposits, Sakowich Campus Center, and the staff en - Savings Accounts: Opening a sav - but they can offer a higher interest courages students to get involved. The cen - ings account may help you learn rate than both savings accounts and ter provides an opportunity for organizations how to save on a regular basis. Set CDs. Unlike a CD, your money is to acquire volunteers as well as giving stu - a goal. A small goal such as adding not “locked in” to the account so you dents the chance to explore different com - $20 per month to your account re - are free to use your savings when - munities. Students gain valuable life ally adds up in the long run. Many ever they are needed. experience from the service and career vol - banks offer savings accounts with no Mutual Funds: For people who are unteering. minimum balance requirements or interested in investments but don’t Katie Donell, coordinator at Stevens, monthly fees – making this account fully understand the stock market, a said, “The benefit from the center is the con - a cost-effective option. Even if a mutual fund could be a great option. nection with the student’s academics and bank charges a fee for opening a An indexed mutual fund mimics the the service of giving back to the community.” savings account, the fee might be returns of a larger stock index, such Any student is welcome to come into the waived for a new customer or for a as the S&P 500 or the Dow. Once you office and sign up for a volunteer trip. It marketing promotion. Just ask! invest in this type of a fund, you do doesn’t matter if you come as an individual Certificates of Deposit (CDs): If not have to worry about managing or with a team or organization to partake you have a hard time fighting the your money – the mutual fund has in this opportunity. Students are guided temptation to spend, a certificate of been carefully crafted to provide you through the process of finding a volunteer deposit may be a smart option for with returns similar to the stock mar - site that meets their interests. you. Short-term CDs “lock” your ket. Investment companies such as Most of the volunteer trips have trans - money into the account until the ma - Fidelity and Putnam provide you with portation provided and also offer a variety turity date (usually 6 months to a access to these funds. of sites to choose from. The opportunities year). Once the account matures, you Understanding your options can range from helping the elderly to the youth have the option to add more money help you decide which types of sav - and to education. Students can help out at or to withdraw some of your funds. If ings or investments are right for the Lawrence Boys and Girls Club as well you try to withdraw any money be - you. Building a strong financial as assist a detective at the Lawrence Police fore the maturity date, you will have foundation in college can help you Department. Other volunteer sites include to pay penalty fees. CDs usually have earn returns on your investments categories of homelessness, disabilities and a higher minimum deposit than sav - throughout the rest of your life - other interests such as the local YMCA. ings accounts but they offer higher time. Page 4 The Beacon March 8, 2013 For Break, Try Driving Up North Kayla Morong ’12 Beacon Alumna

If you aren’t heading to Cancun, Montreal or Jamaica for Spring Break, an affordable alter - native is just a short ride up Interstate 95. Maine, referred to as “Vacationland,” is a great way to experience New England for shopping and out door activities. If you’re into hitting the slopes, Sugarloaf, Sunday River, and Saddleback Mountain are some of Maine’s finest ski resorts. Don’t like to ski or snowboard? Then plan a day of snow - shoeing, snowmobiling, tubing or even cross- country skiing. There is enough entertainment to give you a fulfilling day trip or weekend get- away. Spring: Time to Get Out ... Maybe the outdoors isn’t right for you? Maine offers plenty of shopping. If you want to Michelle Visco ’14 will receive a discount when presenting their stu - stay close to campus take a thirty-five minute Staff Writer dent I.D. The cost for the Aquarium with a stu - drive to the Kittery Outlets. Visit a variety of dent I.D is $15.95. stores such as Nike, Ralph Lauren, J-Crew, and Spring is almost here and that means there is The Duck Tours and swan boats are another Gap. The list keeps going on. For those who more time for fun outdoor activities. With Spring activity you won’t want to miss in Boston. The enjoy road trips, stop at the Freeport Outlets Break right around the corner some students Duck Tours offer a student rate as well so you and experience Maine’s finest retail store, may have plans to travel, but others will be en - will be able to get a discounted price. Both these L.L.Bean. joying the break locally. There are many activi - events are great for spring because you will be Tired of shopping and want to enjoy fine din - ties that students can be part of even if they are able to get outside, relax and enjoy the fresh air. ing? Then book a room in Portland and visit the not going away for Spring Break. Another great place to go at night is Fire and Old Port. Take a tour of the Shipyard Brewing Miniature golfing can be a great way to so - Ice in Boston. Fire and Ice is a bar and grille Company or even experience a meal at Gritty’s cialize, relax and enjoy the fresh air. There are restaurant that offers a variety of foods such as restaurant. Some signature dishes include, lots of places that you can go around here, but vegetables, pastas, meats and seafood which are Gritty’s Pub Mac and Cheese, the Turkey Club, one in particular is Richardson’s in Middleton. all cooked in front of you on their Mongolian-style and Shepard’s Pie. If it’s bar food or appetizers There, they have two miniature golf courses, a grill. On Monday nights they have college night you’re craving you can’t go wrong with the driving range, a batting cage, a farm, and which costs $9.95 when you present your college pulled pork nachos. Richardson’s ice cream. This location is perfect, I.D. After dinner you could take a walk through For those who are 21, check out the nightlife day or night. the public garden or even Faneuil Hall. at the port. They’re many bars and clubs, mak - If you’re feeling adventurous you can head to If you love shopping then The Kittery Outlets ing for a memorable evening. Some bars in - Boston where there is never a shortage of activi - in Maine and the Wrentham outlets in Wren - clude, 51 Wharf Nightclub and Lounge, The ties. Taking in a Red Sox game in Boston is al - tham offer a variety of stores with often dis - Asylum (a sports bar, night club and concert ways a great time. This is the perfect thing to do counted prices. Here, you can shop outdoors and hall), Bull Feeney’s, Oasis, and Fore Play on a warm spring night. While you are in Boston dine at some of the restaurants in the area as Sports Pub. With all this excitement, you’re you can always stop for some frozen yogurt along well. guaranteed to have a fun. the way at BerryLine, or PinkBerry. The start of spring is always an exciting time If the weather is like it was last year, take a Also in Boston you can take a trip to the because we know summer is on its way soon. ride to Old Orchard Beach and soak in some Aquarium. The Aquarium is a must see for peo - Whatever you end up doing this spring, whether beach time. The attractions may not be open, ple who love aquatic animal species as they have going on vacation, enjoying Boston, shopping, or but you can always bask in the sun or take a many different exhibits with a wide range of an - just spending time outdoors it is important to walk near the shoreline. imals. Also at the Aquarium College students enjoy spring while it’s here. Why not try a vacation in Maine? It may not be what you envisioned for Spring Break, but ... Or Chill on Campus there’s plenty to offer for a great vacation. Joan Corcoran ’13 Going to sporting events is dinary spring dinner into a Associate Editor in Chief not the only activity to do on great memory. campus. Instead of sitting in - Let’s not forget about one of With spring just around the side and watching TV or play - the greatest weekends on cam - corner it is time to shed those ing video games go outside and pus, Spring Weekend. This heavy winter clothes and get enjoy the sunshine. Grab a weekend revolves around out - ready for warm weather activi - Frisbee or a soccer ball and get door activities such as im - ties. Campus life can get dreary active with promptu outdoor during those cold, winter weeks friends. Hanging All you need is games in the but all that is about to change. out in the coal, burgers, buns quads, beer tents With winter sports coming to a O’Brien quad is for those 21+, close it is time to welcome the the perfect way and friends. kickball and soft - return of all our talented spring to socialize with ball games, and sports teams. Some of these friends passing by. Also, with much more. Students tend to teams include men and Wi-Fi access outside you can congregate outside the apart - women’s lacrosse, softball, enjoy the weather and get work ments, which gives the feel of a baseball and a variety of club done or listen to music. big community block party. It sports. Home games are al - When the sun starts to set is a time for all students to ways a great way to show your grab some friends and head spend time together in a laid- support for the Merrimack outside for an evening barbecue back, outdoor setting. community and your fellow stu - to really utilize the weather. Spring always feels like a dents. Get a group of your There are grills located in the new beginning after the long friends together and create a apartment quads, the O’Brien winters and it is up to the stu - fun fan section to show the ath - quad, and the freshman quad. dents to utilize all the summer letes that work so hard your All you need is coal, burgers, has to offer during the last se - school spirit. buns and friends to make an or - mester. March 8, 2013 The Beacon Page 5 Week Focuses on Exploring Social Justice

Nicole Meaney ‘13 • Monday, March 11: Merrimack Dos Americanos. Also in the Rodgers rium will host “Precious Knowledge,” Staff Writer Safe Zone Training will be held in Center, Kali Tudisco ’15 will present a a documentary about the battle to de - Murray Lounge. Attendees will be cer - short play. fend the successful Mexican Studies Social Justice Week, from March 11 tified to create safer spaces for lesbian, • On March 14, Merrimack will Program in the Tucson, Ariz., High to 15, will pose two important ques - gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer welcome Phyllis Kornfeld: Cell Block School District against the attacks of tions to the Merrimack community: people on campus. This presents the Visions in Murray Lounge. Sponsored the Arizona legislature. Following the What is social justice for us as indi - opportunity for students, faculty, and by the Department of Sociology and screening, guests may join a Q & A viduals? How engaged do you want to staff to receive a Merrimack Safe Zone Criminology, the Department of Vi - with documentarian Eren McGinnis be in practical terms with the idea of square to display. To register, inter - sual and Performing Arts, and the and education activist Sean Arce. contributing to build a more just ested parties can contact Chelsea School of Liberal Arts, this presenta - Concluding Social Justice Week, world?In other words, this is an op - Fullerton or Nic Wildes. tion will offer insight into the world of history buffs can take a walking tour portunity to define what social justice • On March 12, an Intersectional prison art. According to Kornfeld’s of Lawrence and the Everett Mill means to individuals and to being a Justice Workshop will take place in website, she “is an expert on prison art thanks to the Lawrence History Cen - part of a community. the Sakowich Building and is open to (who) offers a slide/lecture presenting ter. Advance registration is required, This grassroots initiative will fea - members of the public. powerful images and eloquent quotes and can be done by contacting profes - ture events that offer exposure to how • March 13 will present social jus - that reveal this unseen subculture sor Luis Saenz de Viguera Erkiaga. a community of individuals can incor - tice challenges through artistic ex - and illuminate the human faces of its Besides the events listed above, So - porate social justice into their lives. pression. First, a documentary will be inhabitants.” cial Justice Week holds many more Here is a sample of events below: shown at the Rodgers Center entitled Later in the day, McQuade Audito - surprises and events. ‘Producers’ Produced Kali Tudisco ‘15 the failure of their carefully crafted Staff Writer scheme. Under the direction of Father Rick This spring, Merrimack College’s Piatt (with Phil Naroian as music di - OnStagers will take on The Producers, rector and Emily Salvi as choreogra - the hilarious and wildly successful Mel pher), the talented cast of students, Brooks musical that holds the distinc - faculty and alumni has been rehears - tion of winning the most Tony awards ing since a week before the start of the of any Broadway production in history. semester to perfect the show’s comedic Max Bialystock (Kevin Welch), a scenes and many production numbers failed Broadway producer, and his neu - - the most spectacular of which is the rotic accountant, Leo Bloom (Kevin play-within-a-play, “Springtime for Robinson) concoct a brilliant money - Hitler” itself. making scheme: to raise two million “I knew that it would stretch all the dollars as the budget of a Broadway performers to their limits, giving them musical that closes down immediately, the chance to improve their craft. This and then run away with the extra cash. is an incredibly demanding production To pull this off, they produce the worst, that forces the performers out of their most offensive play of all time, guaran - comfort zones,” says Father Piatt. “The Junior Alyx Barnes fills up teed to be a disaster: “Springtime for dancing in particular is a challenge Photo by Alex Mass Hitler”. However, Bialystock and Bloom’s show turns out to be so bad See PRODUCERS Sodexo ‘Station’ that it’s good - and its success means Continued on Page 6 Helps with Hydration Serengetee: Kerry Phelan ’16 residence hall. Some activities Staff Writer have included cooking tips for Wear healthy snacks that can power When students pass by the you throughout the day using in - Warrior’s Den they now have the expensive ingredients. the World opportunity to fill up their water Some students have suggested When searching for a way to be fash - bottles using the new Hydration having a plain water option for ionable while helping the world look no Station. This new station, an idea those who do not care for the fruit. further than Serengetee. A clothing created by Michael Newmark, However, the demand for the fruit company started by a group of college general manager of Sodexo, is enhanced water has been high. friends, Serengetee’s No. 1 mission is to part of a nutrition and sustain - One Sodexo employee explained give back to the world. The idea for their ability effort Sodexo has created that by lunchtime she normally business venture stemmed from the Se - this semester. has already refilled the water jugs mester at Sea program in 2011. Jeff According to Head Dietician at least three times. Hickey said, Steitz, the cofounder and CEO of Erin Hickey, this new station is “Students have given her feed - Serengetee, as well as Ryan Westberg, just one part of Sodexo’s many ef - back that the fruit flavoring, es - also a cofounder, became inspired by the forts in their Nutrition Nook ini - pecially pineapple and lemon are diverse fabrics they encountered while tiative. Essentially each week, their favorites.” abroad. They came up with an idea to create t-shirt pockets from colorful and Hickey stations herself outside the Hickey said that she would like unique fabrics from all around the world including countries such as The United Den near the Hydration Station to see students use the water to States, China, Africa and Guatemala. and in Sparky’s Place to answer fill water bottles, thereby reduc - Serengetee offers black or white T-shirts, V-neck T-shirts, tank tops, racer any questions or concerns students ing the amount of waste on cam - back tank tops and long-sleeved shirts. Each shirt goes for $24 and for every shirt may have regarding food options, pus. “Originally the station was you purchase 13 percent of that goes to a charity across the globe; each fabric allergies, or how to make the most designed for water bottles, but corresponds to a foundation affiliated with the region it is from. out of a meal. “We try to offer tips after seeing the success, we de - Visit the Serengetee website at www.serengetee.com and message your cam - and resources for all students, like cided we would keep the cups,” pus rep Agata Adamczuk on Facebook for your 15 percent off code! athletes, those who are concerned said Hickey. However, as the sign about weight and other concerns states next to the station, “If stu - students may have,” said Hickey. dents chose to fill up bottles Along with being a resource for rather than buy plastic, it would Join the discussion ... students, Sodexo also puts on save campus 320,000 plastic bot - mini activities once a week geared tles each year.” Sodexo empha - towards helping students make sizes that even just a small www.merrimacknewspaper.com healthy choices, not only within change to the daily routine can the cafeteria, but even in their bring about big change. Page 6 The Beacon March 8, 2013 Fr. Jim Leading Pilgrims in Augustine’s Path

TRIP else. Italy is Continued from Page 1 one of the unique coun - meet for group discussions to gain a tries that can deeper understanding of the Augustine combine mod - tradition. ern advances The trip begins where Augustine began in ruined his journey, in Milan. Here, attendees learn cities like about St. Augustine’s emphasis on friend - Ostia Antica ship and happiness, by visiting Cassago Bri - and still have anza, where views of the foothills of the Alps a unique surround the Church of St. James and St. beauty unto The Kevins, Welch and Robinson, ham it up Bridget. In his lifetime, Augustine felt itself. The as the title characters. deeply influenced by the preaching of the food, wine, Fr. Jim bishop of Milan, St. Ambrose. Attendees can landscape, also see the Cathedral of Milan. culture, and people make the Pellegrinag - Nearby, a visit to the Galleria is a treat. gio truly spectacular.” MC Produces Allowed time to wander, pilgrims may find The 41 attendees of this year’s journey a hidden treasure by climbing to the top of will be in Rome for Easter Sunday. The the Cathedral of Milan for the views. Holy Saturday Mass, the Easter Vigil, will ‘The Producers’ Along the way, attendees are given the op - take place in St. Peter’s Basilica, while portunity to experience history firsthand, Easter Sunday morning Mass will be out - PRODUCERS where St. Augustine and philosopher side in the Square. Furthermore, by Continued from Page 5 Boethius are located. Easter Sunday of this year, a new pope The pilgrimage continues to Tuscany, to will likely be elected. There is just so much of it and so many different styles experience the Augustinian tradition of As Fr. Jim said, “What a wonderful to boot.” Renaissance humanism. Attendees arrive chance to see the new pope’s first Easter From tap-dancing to traditional Jewish dance, the in San Gimignano, where they stay with Mass.” numbers vary greatly in style. Each ensemble member members of the Augustinian community Demonstrating how far the Augustine portrays a wide variety of characters, as well. In one of and experience the hospitality and gen - community stretches, a couple in South the show’s most outrageous scenes, almost every cast erosity of the community. Between walks Africa heard about Merrimack’s Pellegri - member - including the men - appears as a “little old down the cobblestone streets and hearing naggio in Italia from the Augustine com - lady”. Nearly every scene brings a new over-the-top lectures by Augustinians, attendees gain munity there, and contacted Fr. Jim about comedic twist like this, adding to the show’s already fast- a deeper understanding of the journey going on the trip this year. This couple, a paced humor. that they are on. They will hear Mass cel - retired nurse and doctor from Durban, The Producers deals with hot-button issues such as ebrated in Italian and visit sites linked to will be meeting up with this year’s atten - sexism, homophobia, and racism in a clever, satiric man - St. Augustine’s roots. dees. ner - Mel Brooks even satirizes Broadway itself. The most The final leg of the pilgrimage is a stop Student Sarah Wooley ’14 is attend - controversial aspect of the show, however, is the portrayal in Vatican City, for a deeper understand - ing this year’s Pellegrinaggio. “I am of Hitler and the Nazis for comedic purposes. While his ing of the rule of St. Augustine, his place of most excited about immersing myself show has faced criticism for going too far, Brooks has patristic theology, and the role of the gen - into a new culture and meeting new made clear that his intention was not to offend audiences, eral house of the Augustinian order. This people.,” she said. She also chose to go but to diminish Hitler by making him laughable and ut - occurs through a visit to St. Peter’s Basil - to experience what Augustine did when terly absurd. ica and other sites. he went on a journey to find himself and “For Brooks, laughter is a weapon in itself. Used Alumna Lauryn Deluise ’12 recalls her religion. wisely, the weapons of satirical laughter can be used to experience fondly. “There is something Fr. Jim said there is still an opportunity cut evil down to size,” Father Piatt explains. about the Pellegrinaggio that brings peo - for alumni, faculty, and staff to apply to The Producers will be playing at the Rogers Center for ple together,” she said. “Spending time join. Those who are interested can contact the Arts on April 11th and 12th at 7:30 PM, and April traveling to one of the most beautiful and Fr. Jim or Kathy Vaillancourt at the Office 13th at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM. Tickets are $5 for students welcoming places on Earth is like nothing of Experiential Learning. and $10 for employees, and can also be purchased with a pre-show Dinner Theatre package for $35. More informa - tion can be found at the Rogers Center box office. Graphene: Miracle Material

James Callens ’14 like rubber and it is a better conductor Process Revised Staff Writer of heat and electricity than copper. This gives Graphene endless possibilities in ROOM SELECTION perclassmen to request liv - Graphene, also referred to as a “mir - the commercial market. Continued from Page 1 ing arrangements with a acle material,” is a single layer of car - Some of Graphene’s potential appli - typically this is only avail - group of individuals who bon atoms bound together; a carbon cations include: thin televisions and able for freshman who are are linked by a particular polymer. Until now, the endless possible phones, lighter aircrafts, and even re - enrolled in those academic interest. Also available is a uses for Graphene seemed nothing more placing silicon in computer chips (the programs. quiet study apartment and than mere speculation. main reason for the recent hype). A global living community wellness community, which It was discovered when Graphite was Graphene can also act as a super ca - will be created next year will promotes healthy living. placed between two pieces of tape and pacitor. It can charge and discharge accommodate a living envi - All specialty housing re - then the two pieces were peeled apart quickly, unlike a battery. Also it can ronment for both interna - quests much be made by creating Graphene. This process was store equal to or more electricity than tional and American March 20. On Friday, very inefficient on the large scale, how - batteries. Imagine supercharging your students who are interested April. 5, students will re - ever. phone or your battery-powered car in in learning more about other ceive a room selection time Researchers at UCLA recently found minutes instead of hours. cultures. A leadership com - slot via email for the room - a new and efficient way to make Of course with everything new, there munity will also be open to ing selection that will take Graphene. They basically just used a are a few drawbacks. First, it is made Merrimack students who place between April 10 and laser to oxygenate Graphite oxide. from Graphite which costs between currently hold leadership 12. To start off, Graphene is almost in - $2,000-$3,000 per ton. The price is high roles on campus and those All this information and visible and weightless. It is tougher mainly due to the rise in lithium ion who are pursuing future op - more will be printed in the than a diamond and two-hundred times batteries. There is also about 10 times portunities in leadership on Annual Housing Guide, stronger than steel. To put that into more graphite in the batteries than campus. which The Beacon will re - perspective, the force to break though it there is lithium. A self-interest commu - lease on Mar. 15. would be equivalent to an elephant bal - So in the end, commercial use may nity will once again be Evan Mercier also con - anced on a pencil. take a few years when Graphite prices available that allows up - tributed to this article. Another plus is that it is stretchable start to drop. March 8, 2013 The Beacon Page 7 MERRIMACK’S MOST INTERESTING PERSON John ‘Mr. Merrimack’ Pellerin

Kara-Marie Joyce ’14 John wowed the Rogers Center Staff Writer with his performance in the Mr. Merrimack competition and allowed This week’s most interesting per - the Merrimack community to see son on campus has a face that is many different sides of him. He very recognizable: He is Mr. Merri - showed us his goofy side in the mack himself. swimsuit portion of the show, com - We all know the name and the ing out in flippers and floaties danc - face of John Pellerin from the Mr. ing around the stage to the song Merrimack competition this past “Splish Splash.” He later showed us fall; however, we don’t know much a more sensual side in the talent about the man himself. portion of the competition, wearing John Michael Pellerin was born a shimmery red and black dress on May 28, 1992. He made his way while performing a soulful dance to to North Andover all the way from “Bohemian Rhapsody.” John said he Benson, Vt. John says he originally prepared for the competition by just chose Merrimack because of football finding some funny songs for the as well as the athletic training pro - different themes and choreograph - gram, but he couldn’t help being ing moves to go along with them. drawn to the to the campus itself. Above, Pellerin hangs with John found the downside of actu - John is now a junior here, work - his ‘court’; at right, he is ally being in the competition was ing toward a major in athletic train - crowned Mr. Merrimack. missing the performances of the ing. He hopes to someday be a other contestants, but he enjoyed health and science teacher, for ei - ture planned ahead of him, he getting to bond with them and share ther elementary or high school stu - keeps active now with his school - some laughs during rehearsals. dents. While teaching, he hopes to work, spending his free time out - John hopes to spend his time as get involved in high school sports as doors. He enjoys camping, fishing, Mr. Merrimack being a good role well, being either an athletic trainer when he’s feeling adventurous tak - model for students, and being in - or a football coach. ing hikes, and in the summer hang - volved as much as he can in the While John has a very busy fu - ing out by a lake. Merrimack community. Drink of the Week

Kiss Me I’m Irish 1 1/2 Oz. Herradura Silver Tequila 1 Dash Lime Juice 3/4 Oz. Melon Liqueur

The Beacon reminds students that the drinking age in Massa - chusetts and New Hampshire is 21, and that the amount of alco - hol that mixes with driving is 0. Please drink legally and responsibly. — Brianna Trabucco Page 8 The Beacon March 8, 2013 Hoisting One to Newspapers Patrick Lawlor ’13 newspaper. I was immediately drawn to this unique adver - Editor in Chief tisement, mainly for the company’s use of the newspaper style to advertise its beer. Last weekend I was shopping for groceries at the Plais - The use of the newspaper as an advertisement is clear. It tow, N.H., Market Basket. Right by the beer and wine aisles is an attempt to date the beer, as well as date the avenue of stood a young woman who was marketing and facilitating a advertisement. The use of a faux black-and-white newspa -

beer tasting for a new beer on the per juxtaposed with the beer gives drinkers a nostalgic and O shelves — Batch 19, made by the traditional feel. With print news being pushed out by digital same company that brews Coors and subscriptions and online media, Coors is tapping into a phe - Coors Light. nomenon by playing on the archaic feel that newspapers are Batch 19, as advertised, stems acquiring, and applying it to the marketing of this beer. from a recipe that dates back to 1919 Is Coors helping to seal the fate of print news with this

— the Prohibition era. The recipe ad? Promoting the perception of newspapers as artifacts from p was found recently during a flood in the early 20th century? the basement, or so the young lady What Coors is doing well here is: If you’d hate to see the handing out samples told me. death of print journalism, you’ll drink the beer to feel nos - The beer, which tastes like a cross talgic and hold onto the shreds of old media. And if you have between a Sam Adams and an Ams - accepted the fact that print journalism is a thing of the past, i tel Light, was very good, and happened to be selling quite you’ll drink to that. well at this location. As someone addicted to the black ink stains on my hands n I write this not to critique the taste of full-bodied ale, but that come from newsprint, I still understand the growing im - the way it was marketed. Batch 19 is intended to “attract portance of new media. If I drink Batch 19, I’ll drink to the consumers to a true, authentic, original beer.” It was adver - life of print journalism instead. And even if I don’t drink tised on a piece of thick paper intended to look like an old Batch 19, I’ll still drink to the life of print journalism. i

Modern Day Warrior: o

Giving Up Giving Up n Patrick Lawlor ’13 vegetarian during the same time I have only two bags filled with organic beans, Editor in Chief vowed to abstain.) carrots, tortilla chips and some very tasty Why be a vegetarian? Let’s define what guacamole. Well, it wasn’t easy, but it’s over — for that is first. A vegetarian is someone who I want to use this post to highlight now. What I learned? It’s easier to give does not eat meat. This includes chicken, some of my favorite foods I have eaten this things up than to take things away. Eti - beef, pork, fish, and any other flesh from month. I have broken it down two cate - quette month was the most difficult, not an animal. Typically vegetarians allow gories: food I have made, and food made because I have a need to shout rude themselves to eat eggs, cheese, and dairy for me. To avoid upsetting anyone, I won’t things at the dinner table, but because it’s products. A pescatarian is someone who rank the food made for me. not removing something from my life, it’s abstains from eating the flesh of any ani - Food that I have made: adding something. Not peeking at my mal with the exception of fish. Taking •pasta with garlic and olive oil and phone during class, not poking fun at a things further, vegans don’t eat anything cherry tomatoes; friend, and keeping my language under that came from an animal. •Monterey jack quesadilla with toma - control in tense moments wasn’t always Some extreme vegans refuse to wear toes an jalapeños, with guacamole and easy. And not being sarcastic either — leather belts or have leather wallets. Peo - tortilla chips on the side. that’s where the true test came in. The re - ple choose not to consume animals for a Food made for or brought to me: sults of this experiment are as follows: 1) variety of reasons. For some, it’s health; •macaroni and cheese with a Ritz I am very reliant on technology to com - they think consuming meat is not good for cracker topping, with possibly the best municate, 2) meat and potatoes isn’t so their bodies. There are environmentalists salad I have ever had on the side; good with just the potatoes, 3) people are who believe the amount of water and re - •butternut squash ravioli (from Sal’s obnoxious when they are drunk and you sources used to raise beef could be better Restaurant in Lawrence); are not, and 4) etiquette isn’t just about utilized, and for that reason, passively ob - •caprese sandwich from Jacob Wirth’s keeping your elbows off the table. I had a ject to the consumption of meat. in Boston. blast with this experiment, and I appreci - And some see the consumption of ani - Today I ordered an item for the next ate all the support I was given. I have mals as unethical, saying it is unfair to phase of the Modern Warrior Project: a shared with you a compilation of what I eat once-breathing and living animals, used Samsung flip phone. Next month I thought were the “best of” posts for the and others have a problem with the way will be giving up my iPhone, Facebook Modern Day Warrior. animals are raised with hormones, put and Twitter. I ordered the phone in about Post 2: Denying the Flesh through filthy slaughterhouses, and seven seconds, off my iPhone–something The first week is going better than ex - brought to our plates. I have certainly that will not be possible next month. pected; actually I haven’t noticed it all gained a new perspective on what it is like Post 5: Communication Break - that much. While my carnivorous room - for those who go meatless. It hasn’t been down mates crack jokes about what kind of as difficult as I thought. I am a week and a half into the second meats await them at lunch, I really Post 3: Pizza is the greatest thing phase of the Modern Day Warrior project haven’t missed meat — yet. I have sur - in the world — depriving myself of my iPhone and so - prised myself in the kitchen, too. The first OK, so I have been eating a lot of pizza. cial media. Social media includes my day as a vegetarian I made pasta with Not even that I want to eat it a lot, but it’s Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn ac - garlic and olive oil with cherry tomatoes, always available. You can find it in the counts, the three social media venues in a very good dish. I have made some decent cafe at Merrimack, and there’s always a which I participate; I have also locked up omelets, and a ton of grilled cheeses. pizza shop around the corner. The my Beacon-issued iPad, just to make sure My weight has stayed the same, which Margherita pizza from Bertuccis to the I don’t get off too easy. Initially I thought pleases me, but I am now realizing I need Celeste frozen pizza, they always seem to the limited access to email was going to be to get more protein, so I have made an ef - do the trick. tough. I get a slew of emails every day, fort to eat more peanut butter and yogurt. I also eat a lot of chips. Mostly tortilla and have four different accounts I check I’m not the kind of person that can drink chips. For some reason I believe these are on my phone throughout the day. glasses of milk, but maybe I will have to healthier for me. One roommate re - People are used to me checking my start with that. At Sparky’s Place, one can marked: “oh you’re hungry, and you’re email so frequently, because I reply easily find the new vegetarian station. It eating chips? What a surprise.” quickly. That, however has not been so is in between the sandwich line and salad To find more protein I picked up some bad — in fact it is nice to be away from bar, opposite the soup station. (I am beans from Whole Foods. My mother gave email for a little while. What is tough is pleased Jay DeGioia, Merrimack Dining’s me a $50 gift card to Whole Foods; it does - WARRIOR general manager, has also vowed to be n’t go very far there. I walked away with Continued on page 9 March 8, 2013 The Beacon Page 9 In D.C., Deficit in Leadership

Roger McCormack ’14 expected to encompass 16-17 percent of Gross Do - workers), without managerial input. The Staff Writer mestic Product (GDP) by 2035 if left alone. arrangement, did not foist the cuts on military Today, they consume 10 percent of GDP, $1.793 personnel and operations. The sequester – across-the- trillion in 2012; and politicians have no plan to While not the disaster some hysterics say, Con - board spending cuts to a slew of reign in this spending. gress’s perfidy in allowing the cuts to go forth al - government programs that took The president’s approach consists of higher lows an undiscerning knife to descend on the effect March 1 – ostensibly con - taxes for the rich, with popular programs being military. Scaling back the United States’ role in tinues the United States’ bleak subject to minute truncation. Unfortunately, the the world is fiscally and morally beneficent . It is economic vicissitudes. A dys - relationship between spending and revenue is the height of naiveté, however, to not give the mil - functional Congress that was asymmetrical, with spending far exceeding itary carte blanche in deciding what it should ob - unable to agree on reasonable money derived from taxation. The annual U.S. viate or retain. The sequester allows an inept cuts to government spending budget surpasses $3 trillion, vastly surmounting Congress to leach into a military that requires that is increasingly profligate. the more than $600 billion in tax revenue the plasticity to contend with international affairs, a The phenomenon rests on a backup plan con - president secured as part of the fiscal cliff deba - plasticity that begs for fiscal autonomy among the gressional leaders devised in 2011, to ensure cle. Many fiscal conservatives see the sequester military’s administrators. that a bipartisan debt commission didn’t fail to as a boon, believing the Obama administration New York Times columnist David Brooks, deliver on its goals of deficit reduction. The plan will be forced to come to terms with unbridled weighing in on the sequester, states that “So far, failed. Congress will now oversee the cutting of government spending. This thinking is farcical defense budgets have not been squeezed by the teaching positions and the furloughing of prison given that these cuts amount to just 2.4 percent. Medicare vise. But that is about to change. Os - and civilian Pentagon workers, coupled with the Taxing the rich and furloughing workers for a wald Spengler didn’t get much right, but he was expurgation of various other governmental em - few weeks does little to address the United certainly correct when he told European leaders ployees. The cuts will remove $85 billion in gov - States’ spending problems. Can leaders who that they could either be global military welfare ernment spending in 2013 and eliminate an throw a tantrum over a minuscule portion of gov - states, but not both. estimated 700,000 workers. Cumulative spend - ernment spending be expected to make tough de - “Europeans, who are ahead of us in con - ing reductions comprise $1.2 trillion over 10 cisions? It seems very little would be enough to fronting that decision, have chosen welfare over years, while failing to address edifices catalytic jolt government into meaningful reform. Pere - global power,” he wrote. “European nations can to the United States’ $16 trillion debt. stroika remains an unlikely course; the political no longer perform many elemental tasks of mov - The GOP, reviled for its handling of the landscape prefers a shaky status quo to what ing troops and fighting. As late as the 1990s, Eu - predicament, understands, and is vocal in noting prodigious spending entails for posterity. ropeans were still spending 2.5 percent of GDP spending on welfare programs is allowing the The heaviest cuts, exceeding $40 billion, fall on defense. Now that spending is closer to 1.5 aging Baby-Boomer generation to burden Gen - on military spending, 9 percent of a military percent, and, amid European malaise, it is bound eration Y with exceptionally high taxes. budget estimated to compromise $557 billion in to sink further. The United States will undergo Strangely left out of the conversation are previ - 2013. Here’s Former Secretary of Defense Leon a similar process.” ous Republican-led policies consisting of Panetta on the sequester cuts: While Brooks is a bit hyperbolic, entitlement Medicare expansion, unjustified war, and the “I have to tell you it is irresponsible for it to spending is a large drag on the economy, hurting Troubled Asset Relief Program bailout of finan - happen. I mean, why in God’s name would mem - not just the military but other, less expensive gov - cial institutions and the auto industry. bers of Congress, elected by the American people, ernment programs. This surfeit must be addressed Bloomberg View notes that House Majority take a step that would badly damage our national humanely, as many elderly people would be seri - Leader Eric Cantor, Senate Minority Leader defense, but more importantly undermine the ously compromised by indiscriminate cuts to Mitch McConnell, and House Budget Committee support for our men and women in uniform?” Medicare. Despite these fiscal stresses, both par - Chairman Paul Ryan, all Republicans, voted for While this is a small part of the military’s ties have remained unable to reach a “grand bar - these measures. The party’s current rhetoric budget, the sequester forces Pentagon officials to gain” on deficit reduction. It is unpalatable to ask glosses over its role in the economic mire, cut without examining which portions of military people to pay more for divisive and acrimonious notwithstanding the dangers posed by are bloated and weak. Since 2001, the Penta - policy, in which the economy and society are unchecked entitlement spending. gon’s budget has grown from $397 billion to $557 harmed by feckless politicians, with little amelio - The three programs responsible for vast gov - billion. With the U.S. out of Iraq and winding ration given for looming impasses. ernment debt, Medicare (which holds a long-term down operations in Afghanistan, the Pentagon’s The British statesman Edmund Burke’s con - debt of $37 trillion), Medicaid, and Social Secu - budget should be, and must be, shrunk, though ception of a virtuous society, in which “History rity, are relatively untouched by the sequester, prudently. Instead, the proposed cuts mandate is a pact between the dead, living, and the yet with Medicare payments to doctors and hospitals that each piece of the Pentagon budget must be unborn,” remains prescient, though falling on being cut by 2 percent. These three programs are cut by the same 9 percent (equipment, civilian deaf ears in the U.S. polity. Modern Day Warrior: Giving Up Giving Up WARRIOR used to be kind of anti-social media. I Not drinking alcohol the last — the college environment’s water Continued from page 8 just got a Facebook account about a month of first semester of my senior cooler. I have found it is harder to be year ago, a Twitter account a little be - year may seem a little crazy — well, it as sociable if everyone is drinking and the phone I have replaced my fore that. I made it awhile without is. As far as drinking goes, those of us I am not. It is easier to bury my head iPhone with. It is a Samsung flip both platforms, but I realized the im - in college say that we do it regularly. in my iPhone, or sit on the computer. phone that is basically counterintu - portance they have when sending I am a non-discriminatory drinker. It isn’t just college where people itive. messages to large number of people, I enjoy beer, wine and hard alcohol drink socially. People have been Yes, I can still text during this and how vital they are in the modern pretty much equally. For beer, I go drinking alcohol for centuries. It’s an month, but, boy, is it a pain. First, tex - communication process in general. with the classic Budweiser; for wine I age-old tradition. We can make peace ting without a conversation thread is I am learning to deal with the flip enjoy a chilled pinot grigio, and as far over a beer with a foe, we often meet the worst — how am I supposed to re - phone. I only have a few of my con - as liquor goes, Canadian Club with our future wives or girlfriends (or hus - member what I said in the last text? I tacts programmed into this phone, some ginger ale is my go-to beverage. bands or boyfriends) at a bar, and find myself going back to the outbox and I find that I am not using my It is not so much not drinking having drinks with clients or col - to check. Not to mention not having a phone as much, mainly because of the that’s the painful part; it’s being leagues can sometimes race us up the keyboard. I have played around with hassle that comes with the flip phone. around people who are. It’s not that corporate ladder. the “Alpha” option (when you have to I did get pretty irritated when my seeing friends drinking makes me Sometimes it’s not for social rea - hit the five key three times to get an mother, who has an iPhone, was want to drink and I can’t handle the sons that we find ourselves with a L), as well as the “T9 Word” option sending me message after message pressure; rather, when people are glass in hand. Alcohol can be a stress (when the keyboard attempts to deci - recently … which is not so annoying drunk and you are not, things are a reliever. After a long day, sitting down pher what you want to text by what on a smart phone, but when you have lot less funny and a lot more annoy - with a drink can be a way to unwind keys you hit just once). But T9 has its to exit the message composition win - ing. Drinkers are louder and more ob - or reflect on the day, remove ourselves fair share of problems — who wants dow and see what the person said, noxious when you are not drinking. from the fast paced lifestyle. to type “zediog” instead of “wedding”? that gets frustrating. But, these are One thing drinking gives us in the Another opportunity for drinking is Not being on Facebook or Twitter all what the social media world has social construct of college is confi - dining. Depending on where I am and has not been that bad. I am sparing deemed “First World problems,” dence. After a few drinks our jokes be - what I am eating, an alcoholic bever - myself from seeing foolish webcam things that seem like major inconven - come funnier, our claims truer and age goes very well with a meal. If I am self-portraits that annoy me, Face - iences to us – but in the global scheme our statements bolder. This is, for wolfing down pizza or a burger a beer book statuses that make me cringe, of things are certainly not. some people, why they drink: social is the choice, but a glass of wine with and Tweets that kill my brain cells. I Post 7: A Sobering Experience reasons. It is a reason to get together a nice Italian dish can never go Page 10 The Beacon March 8 , 2013 Dan Curran Named Football Head Coach Terence Barclay ’13 ready right fense the last three seasons and sional ranks as each player received Staff Writer here in North also led the country in passing of - an NFL training camp offer follow - Andover,” said fense this season with 399.2 passing ing their senior seasons. Loiseau is Merrimack football offensive co - O’Keefe. yards per game. Under Curran’s currently under contract with the ordinator Dan Curran has been pro - Curran is tutelage, the Warriors received the Indianapolis Colts for the 2013 NFL moted to head coach, interim replacing John two major NE-10 offensive awards season. director of athletics Dean O’Keefe Perry, who re - this season as starting quarterback “I am honored and excited to be - announced. signed to take Joe Clancy was named Offensive come the next head football coach at Curran becomes the fifth head an offensive Player of the Year while senior re - Merrimack College,” said Curran. coach of the Merrimack football pro - assistant posi - ceiver Isaiah Voegeli was named Curran came to Merrimack after gram after spending the last three tion at Divi - Most Valuable Player after the playing eight years of professional seasons as the Warriors’ offensive sion-I greatest receiving season in school football which included time spent coordinator. Delaware after Dan Curran history. with the Seattle Seahawks and “After conducting a national five seasons as Curran also gave Merrimack New Orleans Saints of the NFL as search that brought many qualified Merrimack’s head coach. alums Shawn Loiseau, Tony John - well as the New Orleans Voodoo candidates, it was clear the best Curran’s prolific offense led the son and James Suozzo guidance in and Georgia Force of the Arena person to lead our program was al - Northeast-10 Conference in total of - their attempts to make the profes - Football League. Men’s Hoops Season Comes to a Close

Helen Gillis ’13 Staff Writer

The Merrimack Men’s Basketball team ended their season with a close game with Franklin Pierce on Feb. 26. The final score was 69-62, with the Warriors trumping the Ravens. The high scorer for the Warriors was freshman guard J.T. Strickland, who scored 20 points. Senior for - ward Mike Clifford put up 18 points and 13 rebounds. The high scorer for the Ravens was Ellis Cooper, with 20 J.T. Strickland points and nine rebounds. The team will finish their season with a record of 12- 15 overall and 9-13 in the NE-10 conference. With the end of the sea - Jenn Pino, defensive captain. son, the Warriors will be los - Photo Courtesy Merrimack Athletics ing three senior forwards. Tyler Young ofBrooklyn, N.Y., Mike Clifford of Dan - Mike Clifford vers, Mass., and Adam Laxwomen Hoping Marshall from Kent, Eng - land., are expected to graduate in June Young finished his final season with 240 to Bounce Back in ’13 points, 212 rebounds, and started 26 out of 27 games. Andrew Hurd ’13 teamwork and chemistry to help them succeed Clifford had a season total of 438 points, 234 Staff Writer this year. rebounds, and started all 27 games played. Along with Moran, the team has returning Marshall totaled up 28 points, 18 rebounds, Following a playoff loss to end the 2012 sea - seniors, Casey McNeil, Jenn Pino, Liz Greeley, and seeing time in 13 games. son, the Merrimack Warriors Women's Lacrosse Sam Kiesel, and Kristin Elliot. Sophomore guard Travonne Berry-Rogers team is looking to bounce back and have a great Captains McNeil and Pino will lead the team shared his thoughts on how the team played this spring. offensively and defensively but will need the season. The team finished 7-9 overall last season but help of the returning seniors and newcomers to “This season was one for the books according posted a 7-5 record in the NE-10 conference. achieve their goals. to the many trials and tribulations we had to go The Laxwomen lost their first game last Sat - Moran says “We have a really challenging through,” he said. urday against Assumption, 16-11, but have an schedule this year with a lot of nationally “From losing streaks to injuries, to close wins important home game on the 9th versus Le ranked teams for Division II.” and tough loses, our team showed a lot of fight Moyne. Games against schools like Bentley, Stonehill, and togetherness at times when many people Senior Nicole Moran is excited about the up - New Haven, Adelphi, Le Moyne, and C.W. Post counted us out.” coming season and believes that this season will will require extra effort from every player. Berry-Rogers said he is optimistic about Mer - be different from a difficult 2012 season. The The Laxwomen will travel to Florida over rimack’s chances next year. team has high hopes of making the playoffs and spring break to take on Rollins and Florida “Every game, every practice was a chemistry- defeating teams such as Bentley, Stonehill, Southern, which will be great tests for them. builder which we began to gather strongly to - Adelphi, and Le Moyne. After a couple months of preparation the team wards the end of the season but unfortunately Moran tells me that the team is wearing is thrilled to be back on the field and have been we came up short for playoffs,” he said. bracelets saying “As One” on them. The women looking forward to the season and are eager to “Next year we’ll be back with a vengeance.” have formed a strong bond and will rely on turn all their hard work and practices into W’s. Join the discussion ... www.merrimacknewspaper.com March 8, 2013 The Beacon Page 11 WARRIOR SPOTLIGHT Alan Pastyrnak: Baseball

Brianna Trabucco ’13 perience. This season we have many more sen - Staff Writer iors, the senior leadership will help this team stay on track throughout the season so we don’t After transferring from Northeastern Univer - have a losing streak like we had last year. sity following the 2011 season, Alan Pastyrnak Jr.’s first season as a Warrior was a success. The Q: Do you have any pre-game rituals? Bristol, Conn., native appeared in 40 games with A: Before each game I kneel in the outfield 39 starts, and ended with a .266 average. Pastyr - and say a prayer to myself. nak tallied up eight doubles, one triple, and one home run, totaling 17 RBIs. A newly named cap - Q: What personal goals do you have this tain for the upcoming 2013 team, Pastyrnak is season? getting his team ready for a run at the North - A: This being my last season to play for the east-10 Championship. Warriors, my only goal is to be able to celebrate Not only does Pastyrnak thrive on the base - on the field with my teammates when we clinch ball field, he’s a standout in the classroom. The a spot in the NE-10 playoffs. Mass Communication major is a member of Lambda Pi Eta, the National Communication Q: Describe your thoughts on the upcom - Honor Society of the National Communication ing season. Association. Members of Lambda Pit Eta must A: So far we have had a good start being 3-1 in acquire a GPA of 3.25 or higher and Pastyrnak this young 2013 season. The hard work we have put soars beyond that requirement. in during the fall and winter not only on the dia - So far the baseball team’s senior leadership mond with Coach Martin and the coaching staff, and hard work in the offseason has set them in but also with Coach McGuire and Coach Kamal in the right direction with a 3-1 record. The War - Alan Pastyrnak the weight room will lead us to the season we hope riors are looking to build on last year’s 17-win for which is making the NE-10 playoffs. campaign. With more experience and confidence, Spano, you will likely hear a Rihanna song this Merrimack has hopes of returning to the North - season when I step into the box. Q: What do you want to do after college? east-10 Conference Championships for the first A: I would love to continue my baseball career time since the 2010 season. Q: Who is your favorite professional ath - professionally playing in the minor leagues or The Warriors will grab their boarding passes lete? overseas somewhere. and head to Florida for a seven-game stretch A: Definitely a hometown kid, Aaron Hernan - over four days. Merrimack opens with a double - dez for the New England Patriots. Q: If you could play for any MLB team header against Concordia Saturday. who would it be? Q: How is this season going to be differ - A: I was lucky and fortunate to grow up in a Q: What is your walk-up song? ent from the last seasons? family of die hard Red Sox fans. So if I could A: My walk-up song last year was “Space Jam” A: This season is going to be different from play for any team in the MLB it would definitely but because of my wicked good friend Jamie last season in regards to our leadership and ex - be the Boston Red Sox. Softball Falls Warrior Athletic Schedule March 9 Baseball vs. American Int’l at Fort Pierce, Fla. 3:30 p.m. Women’s Lacrosse at St. to Adelphi, LIU Men’s Lacrosse vs. Lime - Fort Pierce DH: Game 2 Anselm 4 p.m. stone at Severn, MD, 11 a.m. Baseball vs. American Int’l March 14 In Season Start Women’s Lacrosse vs. Le at Fort Pierce, Fla. 7 p.m. Moyne at noon Fort Pierce DH: Game 1 Men’s Tennis at Franklin By Michael Romanella ’13 Pierce 2 p.m. Sports Editor Baseball vs. Concordia at March 11 West Palm Beach, Fla. Noon March 16 The Merrimack Softball team dropped its at Santaluces Complex (West Baseball vs. Southern first two games of the early season last Sun - Palm Beach) DH: Game 1 Conn. St. at Fort Pierce, Fla. Men’s Tennis at George - day in Garden City. town TBA The Warriors faced host Adelphi in the Baseball vs. Concordia at March 12 first game of their double header at Janet West Palm Beach, Fla. 3 p.m. Baseball at Caldwell 10 L. Ficke Field, before LIU Post took on at Santaluces Complex Baseball vs. Mercy at Fort a.m. the Warriors in the second game. DH: Game 2 Pierce, Fla. Noon DH: Game 1 Merrimack jumped out to a four run Fort Pierce DH: Game 1 lead in the first inning against Adelphi, Men’s Ice Hockey at Mass. Women’s Lacrosse at Adel - but the offense went cold the rest of the 7 p.m. TV: CBS3 Baseball vs. Mercy at Fort phi 1 p.m. way not scoring a run. Adelphi scored 12 Pierce, Fla. 2:30 p.m. runs over the next five innings. March 10 Fort Pierce, Fla. DH: Baseball at Caldwell 1 The Navy and Gold proved to be Game 2 p.m. stronger in their second contest of the af - Women’s Tennis at Colby DH: Game 2 ternoon – holding LIU Post to just two Noon March 13 runs in seven innings. Freshman Alexis Softball at St. Rose 2 p.m. Perry pitched a solid game giving up just Softball at Queens (N.Y.) 1 Women’s Tennis at two runs on four hits in six innings, not p.m. Franklin Pierce 2 p.m. Men’s Lacrosse at Lake bad for her first start. Erie 2 p.m. The Warriors will be in New York again Softball at Queens (N.Y.) 3 Men’s Tennis at St. Sunday, to take on Queens in a double - p.m. Anselm 3:30 p.m. Makeup of Softball Merrimack at St. header. Oct. 4 Rose 4 p.m.

Join the discussion ... www.merrimacknewspaper.com Page 12 The Beacon March 8, 2013 S Hopefully a Mulligan for MC Hockey By Patrick Bradley ’14 Staff Writer p

After playing themselves back into the national conversation, including a

brief stint perched atop the Hockey o East Standings, the Merrimack Ice Hockey team has fallen back to earth. Following an 8-2-1 stretch that cata - pulted the Warriors back onto the verge r of the NCAA tournament, capped by a dramatic 2-1 overtime victory at home

against Boston College, Merrimack t went 0-4-1 over its next five games, ef - fectively ending their chances of an at- large bid to get into the NCAA s Tournament. There are two ways to get into the NCAA Ice Hockey Tournament, which consists of only 16 teams – either win your conference tournament in March, or position yourself as one of the 11 other teams worthy enough to get in. The determining factor for those at- large bids is measured and ranked on a scale called the PairWise Rankings, es - sentially an advanced statistic that looks at your strength of schedule, your Warrior Sam Marotta was named Hockey East Stop It Goaltender of record, your opponents’ records, and the Month for February. compares everyone against common op - ensued. Freshman John Gustafsson re - they’ll very likely have to win the ponents to see who comes out on top, re - ceived the immediate spot, although Hockey East Tournament to regain the warding “PCWs”, or PairWise several changes have been made since. ground they’ve lost in the last two Comparison Wins, to every team you’re Tuesday’s game at BU saw some new weeks. better than. combinations on the Power Play, but In an interview with ESPN NH, Den - Following that victory over BC on mostly everything else was the same. nehy cited one of his favorite books ti - Feb. 15, Merrimack was tied for 17th After junior goaltender Sam Marotta, tled Golf Is Not A Game Of Perfect in place, barely on the outside looking in who had seemingly won the starting which its author states a simple theory: for an at-large bid, though they stood job, allowed three first period goals, he If you can hit the ball 250 yards down atop Hockey East and were in position was pulled in favor of sophomore Ras - the middle of the fairway once, the only for a home playoff series in the confer - mus Tirronen. thing stopping you from doing it again ence tournament. Then their season Marotta started the next game Fri - is mental, not physical. started to unravel. day against Lowell, but Tirronen was “If we can play to that level that we That Sunday they went down to awarded the start Sunday, his first played (previously), then there’s only Providence and tied the Friars, while since Jan. 11. one thing stopping us from doing that also losing sophomore forward Clayton Also included in the lineup changes all the time, and that’s ourselves,” he Jardine likely for the season with a frac - were the absence of familiar faces of said. tured tibula plateau. Then, after a week freshman Brian Christie and sopho - Let’s just hope these last two weeks off, played BC again at home the fol - more Josh Myers. Christie had played have been a mulligan for the Warriors, lowing Sunday, this time losing in over - every game since opening night. Senior and come the Hockey East Tournament time by the same 2-1 margin they had Brandon Brodhag got was inserted on they find themselves back on the fair - won before. The loss was crippling for the second line Sunday, the first game way. Merrimack in the PairWise, who time he’s received since Dec. 29 against dropped to 24th. Princeton. The team followed with a Tuesday If there’s one thing we know about loss at Boston University, 5-2, a Friday this team, it’s that they aren’t an offen - night loss at UMass-Lowell 4-0, and a sive power house. Sure, they can score Sunday afternoon loss at home to Low - in bunches, but it’s not their forte. ell again, 3-1. They’re a defense-first team that frus - Merrimack currently stands in at trates teams with their shot blocking, 32nd in the PairWise out of 33 eligible penalty killing (they had killed 35 teams, have fallen out of the straight before allowing a PP Goal Sun - USCHO.com Rankings, and sit in sixth day), and deep goaltending. place in Hockey East, six points out of When asked about his offense, coach first with two games to play. They can - Mark Dennehy insisted he isn’t worried. not drop lower than sixth, but if the sea - When asked if he would comment on son were to end today, Merrimack the lineup changes after Sunday’s loss, would have to win two out of three he simply replied, “No. You have to ask games at Boston College to advance out the question, but no I won’t comment on of the Hockey East Quarterfinals. that.” Merrimack’s biggest problems this Merrimack has a home-and-home se - season have revolved around consis - ries with UMass this weekend, with tency and offense. The team had seem - Friday’s game at home and Saturday’s ingly finally found the consistency they game in Amherst. At this point, it sta - needed, but following the injury to Jar - tistically doesn’t really matter what dine, a scramble to keep the chemistry they do with those two games, because