THE News ................2-5 Features ...........6-9 A&E ............. 10-11 Opinion ........12-13 Sports .........14-15 Laker Living ......16 MerciadMERCYHURST UNIVERSITY | WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2019 | VOL. 92 NO. 14 Basketball Heads to Elite 8 PAGE 15 Online poll results We asked: What is your favorite thing about The Roost? The Irish decor and history (54%) A cool place to hang out on campus (25%) 4: MSG President and University Great food and drinks (14%) President switch places I’m not a big fan (7%) 6: Students embark on weekend of service This week’s What was your favorite 11: MU Choir presents Lenten cartoon as a kid? program POLL merciad.mercyhurst.edu PAGE 2 NEWS Wednesday, March 27, 2019 Contributed photo Senior MSG President Mike Victor holds a meeting with the MSG Food Committee and Parkhurst staff to discuss all things related to food and dining on campus. A ‘Big Switch’ for MU presidents By Jordan Kessler Throughout the day, both stu- Staff writer dent and president followed a schedule that included lunch, On March 20, the Mercyhurst additional meetings and some campus experienced the first campus tours — including with ever “Big Switch” as university Victor as an Ambassador for stu- President Michael T. Victor and dents. MSG President Vincent Mar- Marrazzo, although looking razzo swapped places and duties forward to experiencing the en- for the day. The purpose of this tire day through the eyes of Vic- event was to allow Victor to see tor, could not wait until the end what it is like to be a typical stu- of the day to drive Victor’s Mer- dent at Mercyhurst and for Mar- cedes. razzo to experience the respon- Students can all recognize Vic- sibilities of being president of a tor’s reserved parking space for university. the Mercedes outside of Preston “Some other schools around Hall. However, for the event on us do similar activities between Wednesday, the sign was tempo- their president and student rarily removed for a new custom body,” Marrazzo said. “I thought sign made specifically for “Presi- the opportunity to see through dent Marrazzo.” President Victor’s eyes for a day Contributed photo After the long day of switch- would help me better understand President Vince Marrazzo holds a meeting with vice president for Enrollment, Joe Howard about view- ing places and a final meeting, how the university works.” books for the 2019-2020 school year. Marrazzo was able to drive the The idea for the two presidents Mercedes around the campus as to switch places was proposed ly didn’t know what to expect,” es and meetings was a hands-on in position, that I had to be like student Victor walked home to by Mercyhurst Student Govern- Marrazzo said. way for both to see the everyday President Victor,” Marrazzo said. his student apartment. ment to Victor. When Marrazzo At the beginning of the day, realities of each other’s role. Walking the day in President At the end of the day, the showed him the proposal, Victor Marrazzo and Victor met in the Marrazzo’s first cabinet meet- Victor’s shoes gave Marrazzo a two Mercyhurst “presidents” thought it was a good idea and President’s Office in Old Main. ing allowed him to draw some unique way to learn about the switched back into their original was on board. When the big day As a student, senior “Mike Vic- comparisons with running MSG different perspectives of holding positions on campus after a suc- came, Victor and Marrazzo ar- tor” attended a class in Bio meetings. such a high-ranking position at cessful day of viewing the cam- rived at school, ready to start the Chem, while “President Marraz- “I run student government Mercyhurst. pus in a unique, new perspective. day, but in opposite places. zo” took part in a weekly cabinet meetings all the time but step- “I am understanding the posi- But in the end, both still want the “I didn’t have any expectations meeting with the role of leading ping into the role of a universi- tion President Victor is in, now same for the university and its going into this because I real- the conference. Going to class- ty president felt like I was acting more than ever,” Marrazzo said. students — the best of the best. Maritime program sets sail for award By Carlena Bressanelli awards ceremony on April 8 in course and the idea of an ap- professionals. We sail to dif- The students aboard the ship Staff writer Chadds Ford. plied, hands-on history course. ferent ports, learn the history found great value in the experi- “It is an honor to have our He rebranded and rebuilt the about it and it can contribute to ence as they learned about the Mercyhurst’s “Waves of the history initiative recognized in curriculum and reconstructed the curriculum.” history and applications of the Past, Leaders of the Future” this way,” Scharff said in a Mer- the experience. The Brig Niagara, recon- Niagara. maritime history course aboard cyhurst newsrelease about the The course sets sail around structed in 1988, is a replica of “It is a once-in-a-lifetime op- the U.S. Brig Niagara will be rec- award. “Mercyhurst is all about Lake Erie beginning in mid-May the square-rigged sailing warship portunity. Anyone who takes ognized for its ingenuity at the making hands-on learning cre- and lasts two-and-a-half weeks. that fought in the 1813 Battle of the course will grow as an in- Pennsylvania Museums’ annual ative, rewarding and personally The students do not merely sail Lake Erie. dividual and learn to work with conference in April. fulfilling. We think this course around the lake, but visit major “The experience on the Brig others in the best way possible,” Mercyhurst’s course, as well as certainly is a testament to that.” maritime museums and monu- Niagara was one of the best col- Billy Riva, a junior History ma- the achievements from the Erie While the program began ments of the surrounding area. legiate opportunities I’ve par- jor, said. “Just being able to sail Maritime Museum and Flagship humbly in 2017 with only sev- Students learn about both sea- ticipated in,” junior Intelligence out on the water for a couple Niagara League, will be recog- en Mercyhurst students, it has manship and maritime history Studies major Logan Ford said. of weeks let me feel a sense of nized for their contributions to steadily grown over the past as well as experience hands-on “History isn’t always thought of freedom like no other.” celebrating history. three years. Scharff is confident seafaring culture as an applied discipline, but that For more information about Ben Scharff, Ph.D., chair of that it can grow to a program of “The students are a part of can’t be further from the truth the course, contact Scharff at the Mercyhurst History depart- up to 20 students. the crew,” Scharff said. “They for HIS 200. Steering the ship, [email protected] or ment and creator of the course, There was a course similar to train for a couple days and then climbing the masts and sleeping 814-824-2326. will represent the university this started about 15 years ago, leave on the ship. The crew is a in hammocks truly made history at the annual conference and but Scharff refurbished the mixture of student trainees and come alive.” Wednesday, March 27, 2019 NEWS PAGE 3 Laker, Roost ready for business By Rebecca Dunphy and tons of folks,” Schoenfeldt guests to visit and enjoy each oth- “Maybe it’s your professor dining committee, school admin- Staff writer said. “Opening an Irish-themed ers’ company. pouring your beer or someone istration and Parkhurst, with the pub on St. Patrick’s Day weekend The space features a number from the cabinet or athletics,”Lori parties collectively deciding that After months of anticipation, was an alignment of the stars.” of seating options, including tra- Blakeslee, director of Retail Ser- with the expansion of the dining both The Roost and the Laker The pub stays true to Mercy- ditional bar seating, high-top ta- vice said. halls, retail facilities like the Laker Inn are open for business, ready hurst’s Irish roots thanks to the bles and booths. Customers can Over to the Laker, this area had Inn can fulfill their true purpose to welcome hungry students and help of alumnus and restaurateur enjoy beverages, including alco- a much quieter opening when it as retail, rather than board equiv- faculty in need of a snack, drink John Melody. A native Irishman holic beverages if they’re over the began serving again on March 18. alencies. or fresh meal. himself, Melody is the founder age of 21, or a selection of pub “We wanted to really showcase “Even though there’s less seat- Located on the lower level of and former owner of Molly Bran- food ranging from pizza logs and The Roost,” Schoenfeldt said. ing, it’s a great atmosphere,” ju- the Sister Carolyn Herrmann Stu- nigans Irish Pub, a local favorite. supersized pub pretzels to sand- “But we are just as excited about nior Chemistry major Shawn dent Union, these newly renovat- He worked closely with Betsy wiches, salads and desserts. what the Laker represents. It’s an Titus said. “It maintains the old ed areas will provide unique din- Frank, director of executive office Schoenfeldt says the space has opportunity for other retail for charm that it used to have.” ing options unlike those currently projects and events, to provide a been a hit thus far and has even the campus.” As a whole, however, the feed- available on campus.