THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MERCYHURST COLLEGE SINCE 1929 CAMPUS LIVING A & E Achoo! Get rid of Vote for Spring that nasty cold Fest bands Page 3 Page 6 Photo from petpromise.org Vol. 80 No. 12 Mercyhurst College 501 E. 38th St. Erie Pa. 16546 January 10, 2007 VP named to keep Students to research local water with school’s mission a master’s degree in Library Science By Jessica Kocent at Syracuse University. She worked News editor for both General Electric and Carrier Corporation, before taking the job as “As Mercyhurst looks to achieve our Manager of Research for Government vision with a simultaneous focus on and Corporate Relations at Syracuse keeping tuition costs sensible and sta- University in 1984. bilizing enrollment growth, it is becom- She held many positions at Syracuse ing increasingly imperative to grow the University over 22 years, including vice endowment and to find new sources of president for advancement services, a support,” Mercyhurst President Tom position that required her to create an Gamble said. advancement infrastructure, which is One of the major initiatives he has the same position that was created for taken to achieve this vision is the cre- her here at Mercyhurst College. ation of a new position, vice president Bennett said she is very excited to be of development. Gamble has chosen on the ground floor of more sophisti- his fellow Syracuse graduate, Linda cated infrastructure, giving her a chance Bennett to head up this position. to improve technology and communica- Bennett began her work on Jan. 2. tion information, which are “two critical Photo from VisitPA.com Her main focus will be to build an parts to improving organization and Presque Isle is about a twenty-minute drive from campus. alumni advancement infrastructure. sharing knowledge. Tim Wagner will be looking to reduce the Biology department to expand their By Merissa Frank In layman’s terms that means she “My personal philosophy is that it the bacterial sampling time and reduce research and give the college better Contributing writer will try forge better communication is all about the donor and its all about the bacteria in general. qualifications as well. between the alumni relations and the the college, bring the two together will “The project will take about a year Mauro also said that they plan to annual fund departments, leverage benefit both,” Bennett said. Going to Presque Isle during warm to complete,” according to Dr. Steve publish the findings in a scientific jour- the knowledge of Mercyhurst College When asked about her experiences at weather is practically a must in Erie, Mauro, assistant professor of biology. nal. “The grant will allow the biology donors and alumni and secure more Mercyhurst College thus far, Bennett despite the myths about the water and He said it will take about a year to department to purchase equipment and money for scholarships, research and said she is “very glad to be here!” what grows in there. finish the project because the actual supplies. This project will help beach equipment. She wanted to stress that she is “very Lately, it also seems that the majority processing of the data is what will take goers and the community in the long Bennett believes that this new posi- impressed with students and the alumni, of the beaches being closed is a must up most of the time. run by better protecting them.” tion aligns with Gamble’s vision as a particularly how proud they are of their as well. Mercyhurst’s Biology depart- The students will be using the Donald By studying the bacteria that cause the way to not only increase funds for Mer- school.” ment is going to investigate some real and Judith Alstadt Laboratory for beach closings, Mauro and his team will cyhurst College, but it will also enhance She is also very happy about how life growth there, starting in the summer Molecular and Cellular Research, a be able to determine whether or not communication between the faculty, willing everyone is to help her get accli- of 2007. state-of-the-art facility on campus, as the bacteria is harmful as well as if it is students, staff and administration. mated to a new position in a new city. Coastal Zone Management, a gov- well as the Tom Ridge Environmental human or non-human bacteria. Bennett grew up in Port Allegheny, “Everyone has been so friendly, wel- ernment agency, granted the Biology Center at Presque Isle. This study may determine why the Pa., which is just 30 miles south of the coming, and willing to work together, department two different grants, one This project will allow Smith, beaches are forced to close so often New York state line. which will really get this program off for $39, 000 and one for $18, 000. Dylewski, Watson, Thompson, Mullan during the summer, it will definitely She attended Clarion University for on the right foot,” she said. According to redorbit.com, state rules and Wagner to become better qualified give the participating students an extra her undergraduate studies and earned require beaches to close when there are for graduate school and job opportu- line on their résumés and it will help more than 235 colony forming units [of nities. boost the name of the college’s biol- bacteria] per 100 milliliters of water. Not only will this project give the ogy department. However, it probably Campus news briefs With these grants, students Cody students exposure, but the college as won’t put an end to the rumors of what Compiled by editorial staff/from mercyhurst.edu Smith, Jayme Dylewski, Jessica Watson, well. It will give Mercyhurst a better lives in Lake Erie aside from bacteria. Denise Thompson, Theresa Mullan and Talent show to help pay activities by connecting businesses name in the research field and allow medical bills for family with qualified people, and people The Mercyhurst College chapter with training, jobs and careers. of Phi Eta Sigma National Honor MLK Society for freshmen is organizing a Tri-State Honors Band campus-wide talent show to benefit sets concert the family of Pete Geddes, a staff The Tri-State Honors Band, which member in the college’s athletic includes 90 select high school musi- day on department. cians from the surrounding region, The show is scheduled for Satur- will cap its residency at Mercyhurst day, Jan. 13, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. College with a performance under campus in Taylor Little Theatre. Admission the baton of Dr. Joseph Parisi. is $3. The concert is scheduled for Satur- By Cara Nemanic day, Jan. 13, at 1:30 p.m. in the Mary Contributing writer SAC schedules indoor D’Angelo Performing Arts Center soccer tournament and is free and open to the public. From 8:30 p.m. to midnight in the In an effort to commemorate Martin REC on Friday, Jan. 12. Mercyhurst gallery to Andy Finkel photo Luther King’s life, the Mercyhurst showcase landscapes Officer Paul Joslin displays the new Honda Pilot police vehicle. community is invited to participate in several activities that will be held on Comedian night An exhibit of landscapes by Mon. Jan. 15 in remembrance of Dr. On Saturday, Jan. 13, the Student Thomas Paquette opens at Mer- New look for police and safety Martin Luther King, Jr. Acitivites Council will host come- cyhurst College’s Cummings Art By Merciad staff The Pilot’s lease, said Sidun, is three Pertrina Williams, Diversity 101 advi- dian Troy Tridgill in the Walker Gallery on Thursday, Jan. 18. The Mercyhurst College Police and Safety years at $299 a month. sor, expects at least 50-75 people for Recital Hall at 10 p.m. opening reception is from 5:30 p.m. has a new look. “It’s a good deal compared to leas- to 7:30 p.m., and is free and open The department attained a Honda ing a new Explorer,” he said. “And the each of the two breakfast sittings in Mercy Heritage Hall at 9:00 a.m. and Mercyhurst, PA Career- to the public. Pilot to replace the current Ford reputation of a Honda is another reason The book, “Thomas Paquette: 9:50 a.m. Link form partnership Explorer police cruiser. we chose the vehicle.” Gouache Paintings” will be intro- According to Police and Safety Chief The Pilot currently has no detail, but Following the breakfast, Mercyhurst Mercyhurst College and Pennsyl- duced during the show and will be Ken Sidun, the reason for replacement Sidun said a design is in the works and will provide transportation to the com- vania CareerLink, Erie County, are available at the gallery. was the Explorer’s lease ended. will be on the vehicle soon. memorative march in downtown Erie. joining forces in an effort to better Paquette’s exhibit continues After the march, a reflection reception serve individuals in the community through Feb. 18. The gallery is will be held in the Student Union at 1 who seek career advancement and located in the lobby of the Mary AIFS offers opportunities p.m. Also, the documentary “Citizen training. King” will be shown in King’s honor. D’Angelo Performing Arts Center, lic, England, France, Hungary, Ireland, This recently formed partnership By Abby Letson In addition, the play, “I Remember and is open Tuesday to Sunday, 2 Italy, Russia, South Africa and Spain. is the first that PA CareerLink, Erie Contributing writer 1955” will be performed by Sojourner’s p.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday 7 p.m. Whichever programs students choose County, has formed with a tradi- Expressions this Friday at 6 p.m.