Merciad

Vol.82, No.13/1.14.09/Free

Senior gift 2009

to take
’Hurst dining
south of the border

Mercyhurst’s Information Technology

Page 2 NEWS January 14, 2009

Senior gift spices up ’Hurst dining

By Ashley Pastor
Staff writer
The Class of 2009 has
announced their senior gift
this week with the help of the
Mercyhurst College adminis-
tration.
After the Senior Gift Steer-
ing Committee decided on
two proposals, they presented
each idea to Mercyhurst Col-
lege President Dr. Thomas
Gamble, who approved the
addition of a Mexican themed
restaurant in the Laker Inn.
The Senior Class of 2009
gift selection process began last
spring with an e-mail notifica-
tion detailing the development
of the committee. About 30
seniors attended the meeting
and offered their suggestions
for the gift. Eight of the 30
seniors were selected to form
the Senior Gift Steering Com-
mittee, headed up by Student
Chair Hilary Hancock and
Adviser and Associate Vice
President of Alumni Affairs
Cathy Anderson.
Over the summer, the Steer-
ing Committee went to work
researching gift ideas based
on what other schools have
done, what Mercyhurst needs
and what students want.
Some ideas included a parking
garage, heated sidewalks and a
rock climbing wall.
By the fall, the committee
had narrowed the gift ideas to
a park, a restaurant, a locker
room for the Mercyhurst Ath-
letic Center, a green roof, an
outdoor classroom/amphithe-
ater and a track.
Hancock said narrowing
down the ideas was a sensible
process.
“As great as all of the ideas
were—each adding their own
benefit and legacy to the col-
lege—it came down to potential
budget and unfortunately most
of the ideas fell outside of our
feasible range,” she said.
The proposals of the locker
room and restaurant were
pitched to Gamble in what
Anderson said were excellent
presentations.
Gamble ultimately decided
on the restaurant due to
the extensive cost and time
involved in the locker room
renovations. However, due to
the proposal of the commit-
tee, renovations of the MAC
may still be in the works.
“Because of the cost of the
needed improvements to the
locker room area, it seemed
better to focus on their other
suggestion for this year’s senior
gift,” Gamble said. “As a result
of talking to the committee,
I visited the locker room and
changing area with Dr. Ado-
vasio, our Provost. He and
I agree that we really need to
make some improvements in
that area and a project over
there is included in our discus-
sions for next year’s budget,
which starts July 1.”
The Mexican restaurant will
offer students another dining
option on campus, much
like larger college campuses.
The food will include healthy
choice options since every-
thing will be prepared fresh. It
can be most closely related to
restaurants such as Baja Fresh.
The restaurant will offer vege-
tarian items as well as different
fish and shrimp.
According to the Steering
Committee, the food is the
main grievance students have
right now, construction should
begin just after graduation and
could possibly be ready as early
as mid-summer.
Anderson is pleased with
the outcome of the proposals
and the progress made by the
Steering Committee. Having
worked on the Senior Class of
2008 gift, Anderson said this
year’s committee’s progress
has been as “tremendously
exciting as it was last year. It is
great that this year’s commit-
tee was able to hit a homerun
with both of the ideas being
pursued.”
Anderson stressed that the
success of the committee is
huge because the gift not only
shows the philanthropy of
Mercyhurst students, but also
leaves a legacy for their class to
be remembered by.
Construction
of the new
Mexican res-
taurant planned
for the Laker
Inn should be
completed by
mid-summer
2009.
Contributed photo
their names etched in frosted
glass located near the restau-
rant, similar to that found in
the 24-hour lounge, Anderson
said. For donations of $200,
students will receive their
name etched into a Mexican-
themed tile art, which will also
be located close to the restau-
rant. For $100 donations, stu-
dents will receive their names
engraved onto a brick.
In promotion of the gift,
the Steering Committee will
present “Fiesta Fridays” in
the Herrmann Student Union,
selling El Canelo food during
lunch. “Fiesta Fridays” will be
held this Friday, Jan. 16 and
Friday, Jan. 30 at 12:15 p.m.
The 100 Days ’til Gradua-
tion celebration for seniors will
be “Fiesta Friday the 13th” on
Friday, Feb. 13. This celebra-

Fiesta Fridays with the campus, and this

should provide some relief.
Also, the restaurant with its
$5 for two tacos, rice, fish and vegetarian menu
items will give Catholic stu-
drink, chips and salsa dents different options during
from El Canelo the Lenten season.
The restaurant will be similar
Friday, Jan. 16 and Friday, Jan. 30 to the SubConnection outlet.
The restaurant is planned to be
at 12:15p.m. located as part of the Galley
where many renovations will
The Senior Gift Committee hopes to have a card
be made. Executive Vice Pres-
reader available so students can use their college ident of Administration Tom
IDs, but be prepared to pay with cash. Billingsley said as far as it looks
“This year’s group has been
driven. They have worked hard
and will continue to work hard
until the fundraising goals are
met,” Anderson said.
The fundraisers for the gift
include the T-shirt sale for
the 100 Days ’til Graduation
celebration, the donation of
seniors’ housing deposits, as
well as donations in monetary
form from students and fami-
lies.
For donating their housing
deposits, students will receive
tion will be exactly like those
of the past, with T-shirts sold
in place of paying cover at the
Cornerstone for the night.
The committee is currently
seeking seniors to help with the
Arts and Humanities school
for fundraising activities. If
anyone is interested or wants to
contact the Steering Commit-
tee he or she00 should e-mail
seniorgift09@gmail.com.
See Page 4 for Senior Gift Com-
mittee members and representatives.
January 14, 2009 NEWS Page 3

MLK Day observed with break from classes

By Alaina Rydzewski
Staff writer
As part of the Martin Luther King Jr. cel-
ebration this year at Mercyhurst College, stu-
dents and faculty will be given Monday, Jan.
19, off from classes for the first time in the
college’s history.
This decision originated from the admin-
istration, and then the committee for the
Beyond the Dream program started plan-
ning this year’s events, according to Dr. John
Olszowka.
Although students and faculty have the day
off from classes, the “hope is that this will be
used as a starting off point for Mercyhurst
students to participate in other events that
are being hosted in the Erie community,”
Olszowka said. “Or perhaps even respond
to the call of city leaders and the incoming
Obama administration and engage in a day
of service.”
Pertrina Marrero, director of the Marion
Shane Multicultural Center said, “I believe
we have the MLK holiday off to pay better
tribute to a man of vision and purpose that
worked to better every man’s situation in the
United States of America,” and as to how the
idea originally came about, she attributed it to
“change…simply.”
There are several events happening on
campus and in the city of Erie on Martin
Luther King Jr. Day, starting with the 6th
Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast at 9
a.m. in the Mercy Heritage Room.
Seats are limited and reservations should
be sent to Trina Marrero at extension 2369 or
MCC@mercyhurst.edu.
After the breakfast, the 23rd Annual March
will be held at Perry Square.
Transportation will be provided courtesy
of the Office of the Student Union and Stu-
dent Activities and the Marion Shane Multi-
cultural Center.
Finally, there will be the 4th Annual Reflec-
tion Reception in the Student Union Great
Room from 1 to 4 p.m. martinlutherking.org
A casual discussion will be held about King For the first time in Mercyhurst College history, Monday, Jan.
in remembrance of him. 19, will be observed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

“To the Mountaintop”

Liquor Law Violation 4015 Lewis Ave Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration
Saturday, Jan. 10. 09 Closed
Mercy Heritage Hall
Monday, Jan. 19, 2009

Controlled Substance 3809 Briggs Avenue 9:00-9:30 a.m. 9:40-9:45 a.m.

Sunday, Jan. 11. 09 Closed Prayer Service lead by Student Poetry Reading
Rev. Lyta Seddig Officers of Sigma Tau
Carpe Diem Women and the Delta, the International
Criminal Mischief Performing Arts Center Liturgical Dancers English Honor Society
Monday, Jan. 12. 09 Closed “There is a Balm in Gilead”
9:45a.m.
by Harry T. Burleigh
Breakfast Served
Harassment by Communication Police and Safety 9:30-9:35 a.m. 10:00 a.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 13 09 Pending Investigation
Mercyhurst College President “In His Own Words”
Dr. Thomas Gamble, Remarks Video Montage of Dr.
King’s Speeches, 1955-1968
Jan. 10 - 13, 2009
Mercyhurst RSVP by Thursday, Jan. 15
College to MCC@mercyhurst.edu
or call Trina Marrero at x2369
Page 4 NEWS January 14, 2009

Senior Gift Committee

Members and Representatives
Fund sponsors
exceptional
student
research
By Kelly Luoma
Staff writer
The Mercyhurst Col-
Adviser: Cathy Anderson lege student research fund
provides students with the
Steering Committee opportunity to enhance their
education.
Chair: Hilary Hancock The fund allows students
Amber Carruba, Zach Pekor, Vicky Fleisner, Casey to display an exhibition or
present at a research confer-
Greene, Dan Piechocki, Jenna Golden, Kristin Tedesco ence by covering the travel
expenses.
School Chairs and Fund Raisers The Student Research Com-
mittee will meet in the spring
Natural Science: Arts and Behavior Sciences to determine if there will be
sufficient funds available to
Allyson LaCovey Humanities: and Education: cover non-travel expenses,
Julissa Armstrong Elise Zigrossi Lauren Weisser such as necessary supplies to
conduct research.
John McCellan Katie Wootton Students may receive a
Jackie McLean Social Science: maximum of $300 from the
Liz Gutoskey student research fund for the
Kaitlyn Hoover 2008-09 school year.
Stephanie Wilkens A member of the Mercy-
Ryan McCartney hurst faculty must oversee and
approve all research ventures.
Seniors interested in donatineg or getting involved should contact Research proposals may
be submitted at any time
any of the students above.
throughout the year, but the
Student Research Commit-
tee awards most of its grants
during the winter and spring
semesters.
Proposals are due by April
24 to be considered for
research funding.
The proposal form requests
basic student information as
well as a description of the
research project and its pro-
jected expenses.
The student research fund
requires students who received
funding to provide a summary
report of their research con-
clusions within 30 days of its
completion.
Students will be required to
spend the entire grant on their
research project.
Proposal forms may be
found on LakerNet.
The forms are to be submit-
ted to Dr. Peggy Black in Pres-
ton room 111 or e-mailed to
pblack@mercyhurst.edu.
Black is the chair of the Stu-
dent Research Committee. For
more information, contact her
at extension 2453.

The Presidential Inauguration of Barack Are any RSCO’s interested in taking

Obama will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 20,
Presidential 2009.
The swearing-in ceremony is between
Inaguration 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Campus Ministry has reserved the
Events Herrman Student Union Great Room so
interested students can watch the historic
ceremony on the big screen.
the lead on planning for this event
with additional activities, advertising,
refreshments, etc?
Are any other viewings being planned in
other places on campus?
Please contact Greg Baker (x2301,
gbaker@mercyhurst.edu) if your RSCO is
interested.
January 14, 2009 NEWS Page 5

Erie community Winter wonderland proves

in high demand to be not so wonderful
for blood donors
By Cassie Dinko
Contributing writer
January 2009 is National
Blood Donor Month, and the
Community Blood Bank is
coming to Mercyhurst College
on Thursday, Jan. 15, to con-
duct the second blood drive of
the school year.
Blood is in demand during the
winter months, and the Com-
munity Blood Bank is the sole
supplier of blood to hospitals in
Erie County.
“Now that the holidays are
over, more surgeries will be
performed and emergencies are
always happening. This means
more blood will be needed for
treatment,” Deanna Renaud,
mobile drive coordinator for the
blood bank, said.
“We are in critical need of
type O and B-positive donors
especially. We’re looking for-
ward to another successful drive
at Mercyhurst to help the com-
munity’s blood supply.”
Mercyhurst has been compet-
ing against Gannon University
and Penn State Behrend for big-
gest blood drive turnout.
Behrend turned out 154
donors in November, taking the
lead.
The competition encourages
students to donate blood, but
the real winners are the patients
whose lives may be saved.
All donors will be registered to
win a brand new 42-inch plasma
television. And one donor will
win a pair of ski passes to Peek
n’ Peak Ski Resort.
Many who show up to donate
will receive free T-shirts, while
supplies last.
The blood drive will be held
in the Herrmann Student Union
Great Room from 11 a.m. to 5
p.m.
Photo I.D. is required. All
donors must be 17 years of age
or older, weigh at least 110 lbs
and be in good health.
All donors may not have had
tattoos or piercings within the
past year.
Eating well is encouraged
before making a donation and
the process of giving blood
takes on average of five to eight
minutes. Each donation saves
three lives.

EMTA Launch:
Food, Fun and Facts
WHERE: Herrmann Student Union
WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 20
from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
WHAT: Information on the
shuttle service.
Also free pizza and pop plus a chance to
win a $100 Best Buy gift card and EMTA Scoot Williams photos
promotional items. Junior Brian Johns (top) and other Mercyhurst College students spent hours digging out their
vehicles after the weekend snow.
Page 6 FEATURES January 14, 2009

MacWorld showcase reveals updated software

Apple computers becoming energy efficient with new applications
By Liz Maier
Staff writer
Poor economic conditions
have taken a bite out of the
juggernaut Apple industry.
Vice President of World
Wide Product Marketing
Phillip Schiller introduced
upgraded versions of Apple
software during the 2009 Mac-
World Showcase on Tuesday,
Jan. 6.
Standing in for CEO Steve
Jobs, Schiller introduced
the new MacBookPro and
the improved iWork and
iLife ’09 software which con-
tains iPhoto, Garage Band
and iMovie.
Less than one inch thick, 17-
inches long, and 6.6 pounds,
the MacBookPro note-
book is the world’s lightest
laptop computer.
Energy saving, the Mac-
BookPro operates on less
than fifty percent of the en-
ergy of a single light bulb.
Its battery can be recharged
up to 1,000 times—three
Tara McGuire and Katrina Herring work on their homework using McGuire’s Mac.
times the industry’s standard.
It can also sustain eight
hours on a single charge.
Shipping of the Mac-
BookPro will begin in
late January and will cost
consumers $2,799.
Additionally, Ap-
ple revamped its office
software, iWork.
With the new iWork version,
business workers can choose
more presentation templates,
themes and transitions.
Users can also purchase the
“keynote” application that al-
lows them to use their iPhone
or iTouch as a remote when
making multimedia business
presentations.
Non-business profession-
als can look forward to us-
ing Apple’s iLife software
Scoot Williams photo
because of the revamped
iPhoto, Garage Band and
iMovie applications.
For the avid photographer,
Apple added “Faces,” face-
recognition software, to iPho-
to, which easily allows users
to create galleries containing
pictures of individual friends
and family members.
“Faces” has a GPS geo-
tagging application us-
ers can use to sort photos
geographically.
Aspiring musicians may find
Garage Band ’09 useful as art-
ists like John Fogerty, Norah
Jones, Colbie Caillat, Sting
and Sarah MacLachlan teach
them how to play their songs
in nine basic guitar, piano and
keyboard lessons.
For video directors and
editors, Schiller said Apple re-
wrote its iMovie software to
have better precision editing
and video stabilization as well
as easier audio editing and
smoother transitions.
Upgrading to iLife 2009
will cost Apple users $79 and
frequent iTune downloaders
should be prepared to pay
more for songs.
Schiller reported the
price of a new song down-
load may reach up to $1.29
starting April 1.
Apple laptop owner, junior
Sara Norris was upset with the
new software and products.
“It would be nice if you
were into photography and
making movies, but if you’re
just a normal person; it seems
a bit useless,” Norris said.
Read the full article on the
showcase at cnn.com.

Want to work for The Merciad

next year?

There are paid

positions available!

Contact editor-in-chief Casey Greene at

Tyler Stauffer photo
New Apple technology will allow iPhone or iPod touch users to
editormerciad@mercyhurst.edu
use their phones or mp3 players as a remote to flip through a
slideshow presentation on a Mac.
January 14, 2009
Mr. Rogers: childhood legend and ‘good neighbor’
By Alaina Rydzewski
Staff writer
The popular childhood tele-
vision show “Mister Rogers’
Neighborhood” started in
1962 as a 15 minute program
with the Canadian Broadcast-
ing Company.
It soon evolved to much
more, eventually running every-
day until it was taken off the air
in 2008, although numerous
stations have continued to air
it.
It was the longest running
series on PBS, even beating
“Sesame Street”, which aired a
year and a half later.
Even with his death in Feb-
ruary 2003, his show remains
a popular choice among
young children and their
parents today.
There is much more to Fred
Rogers than viewers see of him
on his show.
“He was always dressed really
nice,” ‘Hurst sophomore Ben
Mr. Rogers, shown here in the 1960s at the beginning days
of the show with two of his puppets, King Friday and Prince
Tuesday.
FEATURES
Mr. Rogers was a childhood figure for more than 40 years.
Caplinger said, but that is just onstrate this, one being Koko
the beginning. the gorilla.
Two examples amply dem- Upon meeting Mr. Rogers,
she followed his example
on the show and took his
shoes off.
Also, when Mr. Rogers
reported his stolen Impala to
the police and the report made
it onto the news, the thieves
who had inadvertently stolen it
returned it within 48 hours to
the same parking spot with an
apology note attached.
In truth, there are ten things
everyone should know about
Mr. Rogers, regardless of
whether or not they watch the
show:
1. He rescued public TV and
the VCR.
When the government was
planning on cutting public
television funds in 1969, Mr.
Rogers went to Washington
picasaweb.google.com photo and was able to convince even
the sternest politicians to raise
funds, resulting in a 13 million
dollar raise in funds.
cnn.com photo
2. He started his show
because he hated what TV was
being used for.
The first time he ever turned
on a TV, he saw people throw-
ing pies at each other and
vowed to give children a better
reason to watch television.
3. He documented his
health daily.
Not only were his daily
activities strictly regimented
with praying, swimming and
writing to fans a part of his
everyday life, but every day
for the last 30 years of his
life he weighed in at exactly
143 pounds.
This was based on his belief
of the number 143 to mean ‘I
love you,’ I representing one,
the four letters in love repre-
senting four, and the three let-
ters in you representing three.
4. The sweaters he wore.
Every cardigan he ever wore
on the show was hand-knit by
his mother.
“I didn’t watch the show too
Page 7
often, but he had cool sweat-
ers and was a good singer,”
’Hurst freshman Katie Stadler
said.
5. He was an Ivy League
drop out.
He proved you don’t have to
have an Ivy League education
to excel in life.
6. He composed all of
the songs on his show, and
named the characters after his
family members.
Queen Sara was named after
his wife and Mr. McFeely after
his maternal grandfather.
7. He was literally and figura-
tively color blind.
He couldn’t see the color
blue and his parents adopted a
black foster child when he was
growing up.
8. He genuinely cared about
others, even those he did not
know.
Not only did he person-
ally respond to every letter he
received from fans, but he was
interested in hearing everyone’s
life story.
He would strike up conver-
sations with strangers, just to
hear what they would say.
9. He was possibly the most
tolerant American the world
has seen.
As an ordained Presbyterian
minister, he always preached
tolerance first, and often told
minority groups, such as gays,
that God loves you just the way
you are.
10. He could inspire a subway
full of people to sing.
Once, when he had to take
the subway with a colleague,
fellow riders immediately recog-
nized him and started singing,
“It’s a beautiful day in the neigh-
borhood…”
Some people would label Mr.
Rogers and his qualities as weird
or too personal, but Mr. Rogers
had an amazingly positive effect
on this world, changing the lives
of many people for the better.
Page 8 FEATURES January 14, 2009

’Hurst professor talks about life with Mercyhurst

By Brian Sheridan
Merciad adviser
Thomas Wolfe once wrote
“you can’t go home again,”
but apparently you can get
hired there.
My life after Mercyhurst
College brought me full
circle.
A 1987 graduate, I now work
for the same department where
I once learned.
An internship from Mer-
cyhurst helped me set a
career course.
I was always interested in
journalism and, as the editor of
the Merciad, thought my future
lie in print.
After interning at WSEE-TV,
I realized TV seemed more of
Contributed photo
Communication professor
Brian Sheridan shown here in
a 1986 issue of The Merciad
when Sheridan was editor-in-
chief.
a better fit.
I enjoyed being in front of
the camera as much as I en-
joyed being on the scene of a
breaking news story.
Following the intern-
ship and graduation, I ob-
tained a part-time writing
post at the now-defunct
“Lake Shore Visitor,” the Erie
Diocesan newspaper.
It was a call from WSEE re-
porter Carol Pella that put TV
back into my life.
She said WJET-TV was
looking for a weekend weath-
er forcaster and part-time
reporter.
With resume tape in hand
(an industrial-sized Beta tape),
I interviewed with JET’s news
director, Steve Drexler.
He also had me try my hand
at a weather forecast. I stunk.
Adlibbing about weather
was not my thing, and we both
agreed it wouldn’t work.
He said he’d keep me in mind
when a reporting job opened
up at the station.
He called me back a few
months later and it began my
“on-again off-again” involve-
ment in TV news.
After several years in TV, I
tried my hand at public rela-
tions, becoming public rela-
tions director at a medical
school called LECOM.
The life of a PR flack didn’t
hold the same excitement for
me as TV news.
I jumped at the offer to an-
chor my own newscast for a
struggling 10 p.m. newscast on
WFXP-FOX 66.
The station was, and still is,
operated by WJET, so I was
among old friends.
During that time, I com-
pleted my master’s de-
gree in Communication at
Edinboro University.
When Mercyhurst needed
someone to teach communica-
tion classes and advise ’Hurst
TV, I made it known I couldn’t
wait to join the world of
academia.
It offers me the chance to
instill my passion for news in
young people.
A person would hope it
leads to better reporters for the
future.
As Henry Luce said, jour-
nalism “brings us as close
as possible to the heart of
the world.”

Remembering the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

By Allie Miniri
Staff writer
Martin Luther King Jr. is a
stand-out figure in the history
of the United States.
The famous saying, “I have
a dream” is taught in schools
and is very meaningful to
many Americans.
For the first time in recent
years, Mercyhurst College
has decided to give the stu-
dents the day off of school
to reflect on the holiday
and why it is meaningful to
our society.
Martin Luther King Jr. was
assassinated in 1968, but it
took Congress 15 years to
commemorate the day as a
federal holiday as we know
it today.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
was a black activist leader
in the American civil
rights movement during Michigan first introduced leg- After the bill became not only means a day off
the 1960s. islation for a commemorative stalled, petitions endorsing of school, but it is a time to
His main legacy was to holiday four days after King the holiday containing six mil- commemorate a leader that
secure progress for blacks, and was assas- sinated in lion names were submitted to pushed for freedom for race
he is frequently referenced as a 1968. Congress. issues in schools.
human rights icon. Congress passed the holi- Seniors Vicky Fleisner and
His most famous day legislation in 1983 and Haylie Starin plan to attend
speech is his “I Have then was signed into law by the breakfast coordinated by
a Dream” speech. President Ronald Reagan. the Diversity office to cel-
He spoke of his wish A compromise involved ebrate the holiday.
for a future where blacks moving the holiday from Junior Chris Ulrich will use
and whites could Jan. 15, King’s birth- the day off wisely to catch up
coexist peacefully day (which was too on classwork.
as equals. close to the end “Since professors give us a
King’s deliv- of the Christ- lot of work, I will use the time
ery of the mas season), wisely to catch up on readings
speech on Aug. to the third for class,” Ulrich said.
28, 1963, on the Monday in Jan- Since classes have been can-
steps of the Lin- uary helped over- celled for the day, Mercyhurst
coln Memorial during come opposition to has planned a celebration in
the March on Washing- the law. King’s memory in the Mercy
ton for jobs and freedom The holiday is popular Heritage Hall.
was a defining moment for with school children, as it Refer to page three for
the American Civil Rights noblenet.org photo the “To the Mountain-
Movement, as well as Ameri- Civil rights groups ask citi- top” activities planned for
can history. zens to volunteer on Martin Monday’s holiday.
A Congressman from Luther King Jr. day.
January 14, 2009
Travel the world with the Alternative Break Club
By Emily Grabowski
Features editor
Breaks from school are usu-
ally what every student needs to
unwind, recharge and get ready
to get back to work.
Going home and hang-
ing out with friends and
family is usually what students
enjoy doing.
However, if you’re look-
ing for an adventure to a new
place and to help others, the
Alternative Break Club is
for you.
The Alternative Break Club
was started in 2003 to select and
organize national and interna-
tional service trips to promote
service, education and cultural
awareness in line with the mis-
sion and core values of Mer-
cyhurst College and the Sisters
of Mercy.
The Alternative Break
Club has an informa-
tion night in the fall
and spring.
They organize a fall
raffle to raise funds for
student scholarships.
This year, the club offered
a trip to New Orleans during
Thanksgiving break.
Eighteen students and
three Mercyhurst staff mem-
bers drove 21 hours to New
Orleans to serve with the
Episcopal Diocese Office of
Disaster Relief.
Sr. Michele Schroeck, direc-
tor of service learning, was
one of the staff present on
the trip.
“We worked at two different
houses near the ninth ward,”
she said.
“One group started at the
very beginning of a gutted
house and installed sheet rock
(dry wall) to form rooms and
ceilings. It was a mathematical
nightmare!” Schroeck said.
The other group worked
The club completed two projects during their stay in New Orleans, painting a house and dry-
walling another house.
on the final touches of a
house to be turned over to the
owner who lived in a FEMA
(Federal Emergency Manage-
ment Agency) trailer in the
backyard three years after
Hurricane Katrina.
The group re-sided, scraped,
primed and painted the house.
“On our free day, we expe-
rienced a lively African-Ameri-
can liturgy and had a beignet
FEATURES
at the famous Café Dumont.
Students also had a few
hours to walk around French
Quarter,” Schroeck said.
Senior Jasiek Czajkowski
joined the group head-
ing to New Orleans for the
second year.
“I think that this trip was
a very positive experience as
it allowed me to do some-
thing valuable and give back,”
Contributed photos
he said.
“I also saw that what we
do is help real people, and we
have some input in the whole
rebuilding process. What I
liked the least was seeing how
tragic the city was hit and real-
izing that it probably will never
be as it was prior to Katrina,”
Czajkowski said.
The club has a trip coming
up for spring break and also
Page 9
one in late May.
“During spring break we
have a trip to the Navajo
Reservation where students
can serve at the St. Michaels
Association of Special
Education,” Schroeck said.
“We also go to Philadelphia
and Camden for the Urban
Challenge. Students learn
about urban poverty from a
faith perspective and serve in
soup kitchens, shelters, schools,
etc.,” she said.
Right after graduation, the
club organizes an interna-
tional mission trip to Guyana,
South America; the only
English speaking country in
South America.
Students can serve in Sis-
ters of Mercy ministries
including hospitals, schools,
nursing homes and a boys’
orphanage.
“In addition, students travel
to the ‘interior’ to experi-
ence an Amerindian culture,”
Schroeck said.
There are still a few openings
for the Philadelphia/Camden
trip available.
AmeriCorpsVISTA at
Mercyhurst, Amelia Diaz,
thinks the Alternative Break
Club is a positive addition to
campus activities.
“The Alternative Break Club
is a great asset for the campus
community, because it serves to
encourage both the Mission of
Mercy and social justice and the
opening of borders that allows
college students to learn as they
serve and serve as they learn,”
Diaz said.
“Furthermore, it nurtures the
students with positive opportu-
nities for their school breaks at
a reasonable cost,” she said.
If you are interested in learn-
ing more about the Alterna-
tive Break Club, contact Sr.
Michele Schroeck, RSM at
mschroeck@mercyhurst.edu or
Nadine Beres.
Page 10 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT January 14, 2009

PAC announces 2009 Guelcher Film Series

By Mason Lorek camp befriends a Jewish boy her way to a potentially lucra-
Staff writer living on the other side of the tive summer job and her dog
camp fence. I’m going to go is taken to the pound leaving
ahead and call a pre-emptive her with no mode of transpor-
Unfortunate as it may be, sad face on this one. The term tation, no companion and no
school has resumed and it’s concentration camp by itself money.
time to turn our brains back spells heartache; putting the 5/13 — The Wrestler:
on. words ‘boy’ and ‘friendship’ English/Drama/119min
One suggestion for a light next to it just seal the deal. A retired professional wres-
mental warm-up exercise is 2/4 — Man on Wire: tler makes his way through
coming to the Mary D’Angelo English/Documentary/90 min the independent circuit, trying
Performing Arts Center This film takes a look at pac.mercyhurst.edu to get back in the game for
Wednesdays at 2 and 8 p.m. Philippe Petit’s daring, illegal, The documentary ‘Man on Wire’ (Feb. 4) examines Philippe one final showdown with his
to watch some films that will high-wire routine performed Petite’s 1974 high wire routine across the Twin Towers. former rival.
make you think a little bit. in 1974 between New York 5/20 — Frozen River:
As always, tickets are free to City’s Twin Towers in “the long-time champion Jackie Millionaire?” when he is one English/Drama/97 min
students with Mercyhurst IDs. artistic crime of the century.” Gleason to a single high-stakes question away from winning. Two single mothers, faced
I sure hope the guy’s attorney match. I’ve got a good feeling about with desperate circumstances,
1/21 — Dalai Lama attempted the insanity defense, 3/4 — In Bruges: English/ this one, the trailer plays my are drawn into the world of
Renaissance: English/ because the man is certifiable. Comedy/107 min favorite song by Sigur Rós. border smuggling across the
Documentary/95 min 2/11 — Dear Zachary: After a difficult job, two 4/1 — S y n e c d o c h e , frozen water of the St. Law-
Narrated by Harrison Ford, English/Documentary/90 min Irish hit men begin to differ New York: English/Comedy/ rence River. I know the US-
40 of the world’s most inno- A filmmaker trying to on their views of life and 123 min Canada border is little more
vative thinkers meet with the memorialize his murdered death as they become used to A dying theatre director than a formality, but driving a
Dalai Lama to discuss the friend discovers the woman local customs while stuck in with an estranged family, a car across a frozen river has got
world’s problems and possible who allegedly killed him was Bruges, Belgium. Colin Far- MacArthur grant and a desire to throw up some red flags.
solutions to our own personal pregnant with his friend’s rell basically plays himself in to make something deep and 5/27 — Stranded: Spanish/
Tibet. Director Khashyar son. Take the sad face I said I a medieval city surrounded by brutally real turns a warehouse Documentary/126 min
Darvich and Dr. Thomas would give to “The Boy in the Dutch prostitutes, violent art into a life-size replica of New Survivors recount how they
Forsthoefel, chair of the Striped Pajamas,” multiply it and little people. York where actors play out the survived for 72 days after their
department of religious stud- by five, and add a tear to it. 3/11 — I’ve Loved You So roles of the people in his life. plane crashed on an Andean
ies, will introduce the film. 2/18 — The Black Long: French/Drama/115 min 4/8 — Happy-Go-Lucky: glacier in 1972. An intense
1/28 — The Boy in the Balloon: English/Drama/ A woman who returns to English/Comedy/118 min one for certain, circle this date
Striped Pajamas: English/ 97 min live with her younger sister A look at the life of Poppy, on your calendars.
Drama/94 min The story of a boy strug- after being imprisoned for 15 a cheery, colorful, London 6/3 — Doubt: English/
Set during World War II, gling to love and accept his years struggles to reach nor- schoolteacher whose opti- Drama/94min
the eight-year-old son of the autistic brother, who tends to malcy and open up. At one mism, for some reason unbe- A nun sets off on a personal
commander at a concentration interfere with his adolescence. point she plays piano with a knownst to me, tends to exas- crusade to unearth the truth as
Full of the little girl. perate those around her. How she grows suspicious when a
emotional ups 3/18 — Flow: English/ can someone be too happy? priest begins taking too much
and downs to Documentary/84 min Honestly people, more smiles interest in the life of a young
which anyone This award-winning docu- please. black student. If you like
with an autistic mentary investigates what 4/15 — Let The Right One films containing the Catho-
loved one can experts label the most impor- In: Swedish/Thriller/114 min lic Church, racial tension and
relate. tant political and environmen- Oscar, an overlooked and Amy Adams, I strongly rec-
2/25 — The tal issue of the 21st Century: bullied boy, finds love and ommend “Doubt.”
Hustler: the world water crisis. No revenge through Eli, a beauti- 6/10 — Moscow, Belgium:
E n g l i s h / semi-witty banter about this ful but peculiar girl who turns Flemish/‘Dramedy’/102min
Drama/134 min one, I’m all business. out to be a vampire. It’s kind A 41-year-old mother of
Paul Newman 3/25 S l u m d o g of like “Twilight” except it’s three with a husband in his
coming at you Millionaire:English/ darker, Swedish and with mid life-crisis meets a 29-year
straight from Drama/120 min younger kids. -old truck driver, who takes an
pac.mercyhurst.edu 1961 as an up- An impoverished Indian 5/6 — Wendy and Lucy: interest in her. Moscow, the
Only a child could befriend the victim of a and-coming teen is arrested and accused English/Drama/1hr 20min Flemish language, a 12-year
concentration camp and call him ‘The Boy in pool player of cheating on the Hindi ver- A woman’s life is derailed age difference and a trucker;
the Striped Pajamas,’ playing Jan. 28. who challenges sion of “Who Wants to be a when her car breaks down on this is clearly a comedy.
January 14, 2009
Salman Rushdie to be broadcast as part of 92nd Y series
By Hazel Jennings
Staff writer
Irshad Manji will sit down
with Salman Rushdie in the
“Live from the 92nd St. Y”
series for “The Moral Courage
Conversations with Irshad
Manji.”
The conversation will be
broadcast at Mercyhurst
College’s Taylor Little Theatre
on Sunday, Jan. 18, at 7:30
p.m.
The New York Times
described Irshad Manji as
“Osama bin Laden’s worse
nightmare.”
Through the 92nd St. Y, she
is launching a series of public
conversations about moral
courage in journalism, politics,
religion, and beyond with
some of the most influential
leaders who are leading the
population into a future of
free expression.
Author of “The Trouble
Student-run musical begins first rehearsals for ‘Sweet Charity’
By Marie Karbacka
Staff writer
Last week was the start of
the rehearsals for the student-
run Musical, “Sweet Charity.”
The ensemble met for the
first time on Tuesday, Jan. 6, to
go over the chorus numbers,
which sadly are limited and
few in number.
However, to the ones who
were asked to stay to sing in
the quartets, trios and duets
of “The Rhythm of Life,” it
was a vigorous attempt to start
learning and getting to work.
On Wednesday, the rehearsal
continued for the selected
singers.
The choral/orchestra
director, senior Chris Von
Volkenburg, had a difficult
with Islam Today: A Muslim’s
Call for Reform in Her Faith”
and the creator of the Emmy-
nominated PBS documentary,
“Faith Without Fear,” she is
speaking out on one of the
most important issues of the
modern world.
New York University’s
Robert F. Wagner School of
Public Service is partnering
with Manji on the Moral
Courage Project.
The Moral Courage
Conversations premiere with
Salman Rushdie, who 20 years
ago had a fatwa, a religious
edict calling for his death,
issued against him.
Rushdie is the author of one
collection of short stories, four
works of non-fiction and 10
novels, including “Midnight’s
Children,” which won the
Booker Prize; “The Satanic
Verses” and “The Moor’s Last
Sigh,” both of which won
the Whitbread Book Award;
and most recently, “The
time mapping out for the
students the groupings—who
would come in where and so
on.
Also, it was a challenge for
many of the students who
are not music majors to read
the music, listen to their notes
and then repeat it within the
context of the song.
Overall, the rehearsal for the
vocalists went very well. The
singers learned the music and
went over it again and again
for practice’s sake.
At the next rehearsal, the
group can add the full chorus
at the end of the number for
the big finish.
After the music rehearsal
was the dance rehearsal for
“The Gentlemen’s Frug.”
If someone were to rent the
VHS of “Sweet Charity,” he
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
pac.mercyhurst.edu
Salman Rushdie is arguably
the United Kingdom’s most
well-known living author.
Enchantress of Florence.”
In 2007, the British Crown
appointed Rushdie a Knight
Bachelor for “services to
literature.”
His work is most often
described as a cross between
magical realism and historical
fiction, and a dominant
theme of his work concerns
the connections, barriers
and migrations between the
Eastern and Western world.
As a British-Indian author,
much of his work is set in
India and the Middle East.
Rushdie showed his moral
or she would know that this
scene takes place in a social
club of the rich and famous in
New York City.
In different groupings, the
dancers performed character-
like dances, one example being
“the boxer” number, which
consists of punches to the air.
The dance choreographer is
junior Trevor Sones.
He explained to the cast
that he usually does not have
time beforehand to come up
with the choreography to the
numbers.
Thus, Sones creatively makes
it up on the spot.
Yet within an hour and a half,
the group had the entire piece
completed and learned, which
gave them time to practice it
and run it a few extra times in
full context.
amazon.com
Rushdie’s ‘The Satanic
Verses’ (1988) caused
Ayatollah Khomeini to issue a
fatwa for his death.
courage when his fourth novel,
“The Satanic Verses” (1988),
induced a wave of Muslim
protests. The late Supreme
Leader of Iran, Ayatollah
Ruhollah Khomeini, declared
a fatwa against him.
The fatwa forced Rushdie
The song has been altered
In fall of 2006, Molly Ringwald starred
as Charity Hope Valentine in a Broad-
way revival of ‘Sweet Charity,’ which
originally premiered on stage in 1966.
Page 11
to spend almost a decade in
hiding, giving public addresses
rarely.
Throughout the ordeal,
he was incredibly clear and
outspoken on his rights as an
author and how censorship
threatened his freedom of
expression.
The “Live from the 92nd Y”
series is brought to Mercyhurst
College through a live satellite
feed allowing the college and
Erie community to watch
world-renowned scholars and
leaders discuss important and
emerging issues in the world as
they happen.
Erie audience members
have the opportunity to e-
mail questions to the speakers
during the presentation.
Previous speakers have
answered questions from
Mercyhurst.
Tickets are $5 for adults and
free for Mercyhurst students
and the Temple Anshe Hesed
community.
from the score to fit what the
CD has on it, so the
complete piece will
not be performed.
What is being
performed is an
incredible work of
dance and movement
in the Bob Fossy
style.
As a performer
myself, it will be an
incredible experience
to work with
everyone in the cast,
and watch the leads
grow and proceed to
learn their lines and
songs.
cb-pr.com The Mercyhurst
students will surely
pull off the show like
a true “on-Broadway”
production.
Page 12
Met Opera ‘Orfeo ed Euridice’ to play at PAC
By Hazel Jennings
Staff writer
Christoph Willibald Gluck’s
historic opera “Orfeo ed
Euridice,” as adapted by
Mark Morris, is coming to the
Mary D’Angelo Performing
Arts Center at Mercyhurst
College as a part of “The
Metropolitan Opera: Live in
High Definition” series.
The opera will be broadcast
Saturday, Jan. 24, at 1 p.m.
Premiering in 2007, the
adapted version of the classic
opera envisioned by Gluck
boasts costumes by Isaac
Mizrahi and music direction
by James Levine.
The male title role is
perfected with the artistry of
Stephanie Blythe.
The alluring Danielle de
Niese stars as Orfeo’s adored
wife, Euridice, who inspires the
hero to face the underworld
for her sake.
Guitarist sues Coldplay for plagiarizing ‘Viva La Vida’ melody
By Greg Summy
Staff writer
A little known, yet absolutely
brilliant musician was ripped
off by Coldplay. The song
“Viva La Vida” seems to
have stolen the melody from
Joe Satriani’s 2004 song “If I
Could Fly.”
Recently, the guitar virtuoso
filed a lawsuit against the
British adult alternative band.
In the lawsuit, Satriani
alleged Coldplay is in violation
of copyright infringement, and
is demanding profits resulting
from the sale of the song, as
well as pain and suffering.
Copyright infringement is
a very serious offense, and
this case should not be taken
lightly. Should Satriani lose
The chorus of ‘Orfeo ed Euridice’ dominates the opera.
With only three characters
to tell the story, the chorus
holds a major role in the score
and on the stage.
Facing the audience from a
three-level tier, they help to tell
the story from an united point
of view.
Mizrahi designed each of
the 100 chorus members’
costumes, which represent
specific historic figures ranging
from Moses to Jimi Hendrix.
A tradition originated in
Greece, the chorus really helps
the case, Coldplay will go
unscathed, and Satriani’s name
will forever be tainted, the
punch line of jokes for years
to come.
Satriani opted for a jury
to hear his case, a very bold
move.
Should the jury be tainted
by Coldplay’s massive success,
Satriani has a high chance of
losing the lawsuit. Or, the jury
could be filled with Satriani
fans, who were outraged by
Coldplay’s actions. Or, the
jury could be completely open-
minded and listen to the songs
for themselves, and hear the
evidence presented to make an
informed decision.
The third is perhaps the
best case scenario for Satriani.
After all, a win based on bias
is more rewarding than one
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
pac.mercyhurst.edu
to contextualize the opera.
“Surrounded both visually
and musically by the chorus,
Orfeo’s struggle becomes
more clearly focused. And
with the individual costumes,
representing figures from all
centuries and professions,
the chorus illustrates the
universality and timeless
allure of the Orfeo myth,”
Met Chorus Master Donald
Palumbo explained.
If you have never attended
an opera before, either live
based on facts.
In order for Satriani to
prove his case, he must show
that “Viva La Vida” and “If
I Could Fly” share the exact
same melody. There is a
plethora of music theory that
can, and will, be applied to this
case. This evidence will likely
be used in defense of Satriani.
What the jury must keep in
mind is what is on trial here:
not the chord progression, not
the lyrics, not the percussion
or bass line, but the melody -
the most recognizable part of
any song.
Personal preferences aside,
the melodies from both songs
are identical, and Coldplay is
in direct violation of the law.
Chris Martin and company
should be ashamed of
themselves as musicians, and
September
or through the Live in HD
program, this is the perfect
event for you.
“Orfeo ed Euridice” is one
of the more accessible operas
coming to the PAC, though it
holds the classic tradition of
traditional opera.
First performed in 1762
in Vienna, Morris uses his
chorus and choreography to
bring the infamous story to a
contemporary audience.
Though opera can be
alienating to most college
students as it seems so far
outside the general day-to-
day life of the average young
person, “Orfeo ed Eurdice”
has chorus characters such
as Babe Ruth and Rosa Parks
and costumes designed by one
of the most famous names at
Target stores.
This production is certainly
nothing to shy away from, and
with a running time of merely
90 minutes, there is not a whole
day investment as with some
more importantly, as human
beings. They outright stole
the melody from Satriani’s
Johnson & Johnson
Properties
HOUSES FOR RENT
Starting June 1, 2009
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of the more time-consuming,
six-hour operas.
Don’t stay inside watching
bad MTV re-runs to avoid the
snow this Sunday.
Instead, walk to the Mary
D’Angelo Performing Arts
Center and experience the
timeless and breathtaking
event of The Metropolitan
Opera.
Now in its third season
and the second year at
Mercyhurst College, “The
Metropolitan Opera: Live in
High Definition” broadcast is
made possible with the help
of a dozen strategically placed
cameras in the Metropolitan
Opera House.
The cameras offer brilliant
close-ups, which reveal the
details of costumes and facial
gestures, and sweeping wide
angles that present a panoramic
spectacle giving PAC viewers
an intimate advantage over
those actually in the Met
audience.
epic tribute to his wife, and
have made a mockery of
themselves.
January 14, 2009 OPINION Page 13
The views expressed in the opinion section of The Merciad do not necessarily reflect the views of Mercyhurst College, the staff of The Merciad
or the Catholic Church. Responses on any subject are always welcomed and can be e-mailed to opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.

Severe rage over random acts of kindness

By Jordan Zangaro
Staff writer
The alarm goes off.
Thirty-eight minutes is up.
You rush to put on some
shoes, because you do not want
your feet to get wet from the
melted snow at the front door
of the apartment building.
As you swing around to the
last flight of stairs, the cold,
bitter wind sends a chill up
your spine.
You slide into the laundry
room and your wet clothes are
nowhere to be found.
The washer is empty and
there is nothing on top of the
machines or on the folding
table.
Then panic strikes…
the dryer.
Someone in your building
was doing a thoughtful deed
by putting your clothes into
the dryer.
But your brand new shirt or
your nice pair of jeans do not
go in there.
The items are now too small.
Money is wasted and aggrava-
tion grows.
It is just a guess, some of
the people reading this do not
know my roommate, Michelle
Coady.
In a nutshell, she is absolutely
the most laidback person I
know.
It takes something severe to
upset her. Something extremely
severe—like laundry.
This weekend, I was in Cleve-
land and when I came back,
Michelle could not wait to tell
me what had happened.
After many failed attempts
of polite notes asking peo-
ple not to put things in the
dryer, she had enough.
Rage was running through
her veins as she told me another
brand new shirt was ruined.
Her fists were clenched so
tight her knuckles were white
as she yelled about how it
happened again.
The words coming out of
her mouth definitely could
not appear on regular cable
television.
At one point, I thought she
was going to stop breathing.
This may sound insignifi-
cant, but to others there is
nothing more irritating.
I know it can be viewed as a
random act of kindness, and I
agree completely.
But, with a roommate so up-
set, I thought it was my duty to
use this column as a much more
public—but still polite—note.
Please stop putting other
people’s clothes in the dryer. It
is laundry etiquette.
Stop the shrinking.
Let Michelle breathe again.

Considering your options: Patterns of violence

a future outside the box
By Heather Donovan
Opinion editor
I haven’t seen everything.
Not even a sliver of every-
thing. I haven’t even begun to
see all the magnificent things
there are to see…
But I have realized this: to
begin to do so could be the
key to gaining the greatest
wealth of knowledge the
“ My incentive?
world has to offer. My in-
centive? Because I want to.
I’ve never considered
not finishing my education.
After all, like most Ameri-
cans, I’ve been driven from the
womb to consider a textbook
my magic carpet to success.
Read, highlight and annotate,
right? Oh, then hand it in and
start over.
With each year, getting pro-
gressively harder, our education
has consumed the whole first
phase of our lives, but where
does it fall in the hierarchy of
things? The things that are truly
important.
We learn, we do what we
learned to do, then we (sup- flickers of childhood have been
plague the past, present
People vilify Hitler’s killings
By Seth Hallam
posedly) pass down the wis- lost and layers of adolescence of 73 million in WWII, which
Staff writer
dom and knowledge to those shed, I’ve been drawn more and indeed where horrific.
learning. more to find out why I do what This equated to about 3 per-
And I completely agree with I do or want to do. People wonder why we live in cent of the world’s population
the premise of the process, The first 15 years were a society riddled with violence. at the time. God, on the other
but what if what you learn as a easy—Mom said so. Christians all around the world hand, killed the entire popula-
young person is not what you The next few were less con- call for world peace. tion of the world in a single
want to do in the middle por- tolled but still rigorously guided To understand our actions, event. The population of the
tion of your life? and the last four have been a we must look to our societal world was an estimated 30
freakish mix as we strug- origins: God, the focal point million during the floods of
gle to put our feet solidly
on the ground.
of Christian culture throughout
the world.
3000 B.C.
If Hitler had been as self-
Because I want to.
Heather Donovan
” And now the choice is
completely ours.
We are in college, be-
God did many things to
people who wronged him, just
as we do today. His retribu-
righteous as God,S he would
have killed 2.5 billion people,
the world population during
cause we want an educa- tion against people committing WWII.
tion. But the day we walk whoredom with the Sisters of Luckily, he was not.
Are you stuck? And do we across the stage we will have Moab left 24,000 dead. In the Bible our almighty
have a choice? more choices than we ever We follow the same tactics. God kills 2,391,421 people. It’d
I don’t like to think with dreamed possible. The Iraqis supposedly terror- be hard to come by another sto-
my head too far in the clouds. What to do? ized us, now 600,000 are dead rybook that shaped a culture as
There are realities: money, loans Travel, learn more in two (according to U.N. estimates). much as the Bible, and also one
and secondary education as weeks than you ever did in col- The story of Samson sums up that killed so many people.
the law. lege. Live, hovering above the where we get our genocidal and When we ponder why vio-
But if there were a break- poverty line doing something terroristic ideas from. Samson lence is so prevalent in society,
ing point of this frustration, it you’ve always dreamed of but called on God to crash down we should look to our moral-
would have to be the structure never thought would pay. on 3,000 people innocently izer. His favorite was killing
and uninterrupted flow that Be who you have become in worshiping another god. those who did not agree with
most young people fall into the first phase of your life, but Killing people over a dif- him.
after college. exactly where, how and when. ference in religion? Sounds Why shouldn’t we do the
Over the past year, as the final Just because you want to. familiar. same? We do.
Page 14 OPINION January 14, 2009

Finding meaning in educational feats
Mercyhurst’s Ethical Reflection
Committee has initiated this series
to encourage reflection within the
entire college community on the
values by which we live. We suggest
faculty introduce appropriate essays
into class discussion; we encourage
students to bring these thoughts to
classes; we invite administrators and
staff to explore these in department
meetings. The ERC also requests
you let us know how you have used
these thoughts in your life. Contact
Rev. Lyta Seddig, Chair: lseddig@
mercyhurst.edu. “This I Believe” is
now linked to the college Web site.
Essays can be found at http://www.
mercyhurst.edu/ne/special-events/
believe_essays
It was bad.
So bad, in fact, I thought my
chances for getting into gradu-
ate school were blown. None
of my experiments had worked
– who would accept a student
so inept at designing research?
I sat frustrated for days at the
computer, my adviser looming
nearby and constantly demand-
ing more data, more analyses
and more improvements in the
experimental design. She was
a constant reminder of how
important this research was for
my future.
Finally, exhausted, in the lab
in the middle of the night, I
decided enough was enough. I
needed a break.
I knew the freshmen at my
college were going to view the
Surrealism exhibit at the Metro-
politan Museum of Art the fol-
lowing morning as part of their
Humanities curriculum, and I
would go too. I didn’t know
anyone on the bus to New
York, but I must have been a
sight – the only upperclassman,
frazzled and alone.
A professor I didn’t know sat
next to me and asked, kindly,
what had persuaded me to join
them. That single question
unleashed a tirade of despair
about the uncertainty of my fu-
ture. “Melissa,” he responded
calmly, “never let school get in
the way of your education.” It
took the events of that day to
make me understand the pro-
fundity of that statement.
What about getting ahead?
What about succeeding?
He seemed to be telling me
that I would be ok after blowing
off all my work to romp around
New York. He invited me to
tour the museum with the small
group of faculty chaperones,
an event that turned out to be
a critical moment in my intel-
lectual development.
For the first time, I was so-
cializing with academics from
different disciplines. I had
to find the common ground
between us, keep up with the
conversation, and share my
thoughts on a variety of sub-
jects in which they seemed to
be earnestly interested.
Over lunch, we discussed the
Freudian roots of surrealism,
and I realized that my contribu-
tions to the discussion brought
them to insight, not simply
the other way around. It was
thrilling. ing for me when I got back.
Despite all my previous aca- My adviser wasn’t ver y
demic accomplishments, it pleased, and there were some
was this moment that made more long nights in the lab. But
me realize that I was drawn to everything worked out in the
academic life because of the end. I was newly energized and
sheer experience of intellectual committed to my goals, and I
engagement. made it into grad school. Those
This I believe: troublesome experiments even
Education, in its most deep got published.
and important sense of the Anyone want to go to New
word, happens when you are York?
engaged with the world in a way Dr. Melissa Surawski is in her
you never have been before. first year at Mercyhurst as Assis-
Sometimes these moments tant Professor of Psychology. Her
happen when you least expect favorite aspect about Mercyhurst:
them. Be open to them at all “Its emphasis on student-faculty
costs. I had a lot of work wait- relationships”.
If you don’t want it printed . . . don’t let it happen.
Editors Positions @mercyhurst.edu
Casey Greene Editor-in-Chief editormerciad
JoEllen Marsh Managing Editor mgeditormerciad
Amanda Valauri News Editor newsmerciad
Emily Grabowski Features Editor featuremerciad
Heather Donovan Opinion Editor opinionmerciad
Brad Moehringer Sports Editor sportsmerciad

Land of the free? Mostly

By Rhonda Marable
Staff writer
I’ve chosen to be selective on
which aspects of my personal
life I make public.
While I believe what I do
in my own life is nobody’s
business, I do tend to be very
open should anyone want to
know more.
Per haps it’s a d e fe n se
mechanism, being secretive,
because I’m afraid of what
people will think.
I don’t live a “normal” life
and I don’t care for labels on
Sam Sellinger Sports Editor sportsmerciad
Kyle King A&E entertainmentmerciad
Scoot Williams Photographer photomerciad
Tyler Stauffer Photographer photomerciad
what I feel. I never thought it She was forced to spend the Caitlin Bly Advertising Manager admerciad
was too much to ask to keep first 29 years of her life in secret Gretchen Yori Copy Editor copymerciad
my personal life private and before she was able to run away. Ashley Pastor General Assignment apasto22
not in the faces of people who When she came here and heard Bill Welch Adviser wwelch
disagree. people choose to live their lives Brian Sheridan Adviser bsheridan
I certainly don’t like people in secret she was shocked and
pushing things in my face, I immediately started crying. The Merciad is the official student-produced newspaper of Mercyhurst
don’t agree with. But I’ve come While I choose not to go on
College. It is published throughout the school year, with the exception of
to realize I’m not being asked to rooftops proclaiming whom
keep my life private, I’m more I choose to love, I do realize
finals weeks. Our office is in Hirt, Room 120B. Our telephone number is (814)
or less being told to. living my life and fighting 824-2376.
Before I met Fariba I thought for my right to do so is the
I was courageous. Fariba had to most clear way I can defy such The Merciad welcomes letters to the editor. All letters must be signed
flee her country, because they demands. and names will be included with the letters. Although we will not edit the
conformity to a devastatingly I feel as though living in letters for content, we reserve the right to trim letters to fit. Letters
higher degree. Had she not secret is not living at all, and are due Mondays by noon and may not be more than 300 words. Submit
left, she would have been jailed, it’s a shame so many of us have
tried and killed. to do so. letters to box PH 485 or via e-mail at opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.
January 14, 2009
Benefiting from an ‘open-book’ policy
By Rhonda Marable
Staff writer
Throughout my time at Mer-
cyhurst I’ve had the opportu-
nity to expand my research on
several subjects that interest
me, free from criticism by pro-
fessors and administration.
Unbeknownst to me, not
every college student has the
same opportunity. Over winter
break I was talking with my
friends attending schools all
over the country about which
assignments we hated and
which we enjoyed. While shar-
ing some paper topics with
Defending a country gone astray
An in-depth view of modern nationalism
By Thomas Kubica
Contributing writer
I have a dream...
I dream of a great nation
where the citizens are strong,
intelligent and aware. A nation
populated by those who hold
their government to task and
hold liberty, economic and civil,
in high esteem.
There once was such a nation.
People would give all they had
and sometimes their lives to
make a dream a reality, to live
free within a nation in which
the government was under the
rule of law and rights of the
people were inalienable and
granted.
Where are these people?
Where is this nation?
The people are no longer
strong. They hope for a care-
taker in their government
instead of taking pride in self-
reliance. They have lost their
appreciation of liberty and
them, I was surprised to find
several subjects I had writ-
ten about were themes they
wouldn’t be allowed to discuss
at their schools.
For the most part, the friends
relaying this information were
those who went to private
schools with various religious
affiliations.
Even though the Catholic
tradition here is something
everyone is aware of, I’ve never
been discouraged from writing
a paper of my choice by any
Mercyhurst College professor.
Inversely, on more than one
occasion, my friends have told
me they could never write
worry more about their own
security and comfort; they are
victims of each other.
Each one having been
offended, hurt or wronged
by the other, wailing to the
powers that be to make it right
somehow.
The people are no longer
intelligent.
They have natural intelli-
gence but haven’t achieved
intelligence. They choose to let
the government think for them;
when a candidate says they will
lower taxes and yet increase the
government programs, they
cheer.
They do not think past
the rhetoric and, they blindly
follow, without question. When
a candidate says they are for or
against something, the people
believe, even though the voting
record proves otherwise.
When a candidate promises
something for nothing, the
people do not stop to ques-
tion the impossibility of such
OPINION
or propose a paper topic on
homosexuality or sexuality in
general without being discour-
aged from doing so by their
professors.
While I understand the con-
flicting issues that arise from
the values a religious school
tries to instill, I’m confused
as to why certain colleges and
universities would continue to
stifle the academic freedom of
any student.
Free speech is something we
hold very dear in this country
and regardless of the preroga-
tive of a private institution,
it’s a right I feel should not be
dropped once you step on a
a promise.
The people are no longer
aware.
Most make their political
choices without even having
read the law of the land, the
United States Constitution.
Instead of guarding their
heritage as Americans, they
vote down party lines, pushed
into fear of their vote being
wasted.
They count as true what
is spoon-fed to them on the
“news” and have no defense
against the smorgasbord of
misinformation because they
have not educated themselves
and have let themselves be led
around by the whims of others.
In doing so, they have enslaved
themselves to their caretaker
and the caretaker is now their
master.
I have a dream for people to
wake up and gain their strength
back. People who stand again
on their own, proud to take
back the power once relin-
Page 15
campus.
What’s more, if a professor
is going to open the door by
assigning a paper open to the
student’s choice, they should be The Mercyhurst Athletic
prepared for any topic coming Center has finally tended to
their way. It shouldn’t be “any its broken treadmills. Your
topic of your choosing… convenient excuse for not
unless it’s about gay people, getting started on your New
communism, the war in Iraq Year’s resolution is repaired.
or something criticizing the Get moving Lakers.
church.”
I am thankful for the fact I Mercyhurst decided to
have the freedom to explore recognize one of our na-
my academic research without tion’s greatest hero’s this
censorship at a place of higher year. Enjoy Martin Luther
education rather than “higher King Jr. Day off and take
power only” education like Sunday funday up a notch.
some of my peers.
Apar tment 4008 on
quished to the government, Wayne Street was inexpli-
cably flooded this week.
driven to be independent.
There’s nothing like not
People who can count them-
selves equal to the patriots who being able to escape the
built this country on their own winter weather.
sacrifice. People who realize it
is time for a new patriot who
loves their country enough to
hold her accountable to the law
of the land and relight the torch
of Liberty.
As a wise man once said,
“The true patriot is motivated
by a sense of responsibility, and
out of self interest, for himself, The Senior Gift Com-
his family, and the future of his mittee has graciously intro-
country, to resist government duced the class of 2009’s
abuse of power. He rejects the legacy as a Mexican-themed
notion that patriotism means restaurant. The eatery will
obedience to the state.” surely test students’ bowels
If you want to understand and Mercyhurst’s plumbing
the Philosophy of Liberty for generations to come.
and what it means to live in
Please e-mail any suggestions to
a Constitutional Republic,
opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.
check these out: www.isil.org/
The GB&U is a compilation of
resources/introduction.swf,
student opinions.
www.campaignforliberty.com/,
www.cato.org/.
Men’s Hockey........................................................Jan. 9, L 2-1, Army
Jan. 10, L 4-3, Army
Women’s Hockey.........................................Jan. 10, W 8-1, Vermont
Jan. 11, W 8-1, Vermont
Men’s Basketball...............................Jan. 10, L 63-58, West Chester
Jan. 11, W 70-66 OT, Millersville

Starting PSAC at No. 21

Women’s Basketball........................Jan. 10, W 77-67, West Chester
Jan. 11, L 53-44, Millersville
Wrestling.....................................Jan. 10, L 31-13, Central Oklahoma
Jan. 10, W 25-7, Minnesota St.-Moorehead
Jan 10, L 31-7, Nebraska-Omaha
Jan. 10, W 26-18, Chadron St.
By Gary Coad
Staff Writer
Jan. 11, L 22-17, Upper Iowa

Editors Game of the Week: The Mercyhurst College

We suggest heading over to the Mercyhurst Athletic Center tonight men’s basketball team came
to check out the men’s basketball team as they take on PSAC West out of the gate red hot, start-
rival Slippery Rock in their first ever PSAC West showdown. The ing with an 11 game winning
Lakers are ranked No. 21 in the nation, and the game has been streak. This streak, which was
designated the “Lake Effect” event. snapped by West Chester in a
58-63 loss on Jan. 10, helped
to propel the Lakers into the
Lakers Sweep CHA Weekly Awards Division II polls at No. 21.
After a weekend sweep of Vermont, three members of the Mer- The 11-0 start was the best
cyhurst college women’s hockey team took home weekly College in school history, with the
Hockey America awards. Junior captain Meghan Agosta took previous record being a 9-0
home Offensive Player of the Week while sophomore Melissa start in the 1977-78 season.
Lacroix took home Defensive Player of the Week and freshman This ranking is the highest for
Jess Jones received Rookie of the Week honors. the Lakers since the 1985-86
season when they got as high
Two Lakers deemed Players to Watch for 2009 as No. 13 in the nation.
The American Baseball Coaches Association recently released its If the Lakers continue in
NCAA Division II All-America watch list for 2009 and two Lakers their winning ways, Head
earned mention. Junior pitcher Steve Grife is on the “Players Coach Gary Manchel could
to Watch” list while freshman infielder Ethan Santora is on the reach 100 career wins at the
“Newcomers to Watch” list for the Atlantic Region. helm of the Lakers by the
end of the season. His record
Football players earn post season honors stands at 88-65 with 14 games Scoot Williams photo
The 2008 Don Hansen Football Gazette All-Region Team was remaining in the regular Sophomore Iddo Cohen (44) dunks the ball during the Lakers
announced Jan. 9 and four Mercyhurst College football players season. 63-58 loss to West Chester on Jan. 10.
earned honors. Senior linebacker Jimmy Kokrak was the only On Jan. 14, the Lakers will
Laker to be named to the Super Region 1 Second Team Selection. open up their long awaited 16 of the total 29 games. so please help the team out by
Senior running back, Richard Stokes, redshirt freshman offensive Pennsylvania State Athletic The Slippery Rock game, grabbing your friends, teachers,
lineman, Dave Hetrick and redshirt freshman defensive end Zac Conference West schedule due to its timing and impor- residence assistants, even that
Wild all earned Third team selections. against Slippery Rock Univer- tance, has been designated one guy or girl you look at while
sity. Throughout the years, of the “Lake Effect” games by you should be paying attention
this match-up has been a fairly the college. in class and come to the Mer-
even one, with the Lakers This is an attempt to get cyhurst Athletic Center. The
holding a slight edge, winning more fans to attend the games, tip off is set for 7:30 p.m.
January 14, 2009
Lakers swept by Black Knights:
Men’s hockey stumbles on national television
By Brad Moehringer
Sports editor
The setting seemed to be
perfect for the Mercyhurst
College men’s hockey team.
They were heading to West
Point riding a five game win-
ning streak against Army
dating back to the 2006-07
season, and they were playing
Saturday night in front of a
national audience.
But as the saying goes in
sports, that’s why they play the
game.
The Lakers were swept by
the Black Knights and now fall
to 7-12-2 overall and 5-6-2 in
Lunch $ 5
Dinner $ 5.50
M Southwest Burger
T Breakfast Sandwich
W Sizzle Salad
TH Taco Salad
F Goulash
S Laker Burger
S Potato Bowl
M Chicken Parm w/ Pasta
T Philly Wrap
W Gen Tso’s Chix or Tofu
TH Pierogies
F Buffalo Popcorn Chicken
S Chicken Bacon Swiss
Atlantic Hockey.
Despite dominating the early
going of the game on Friday
night, the Lakers were unable
to hold a lead.
Midway through the first
period, sophomore Scott Pitt
found the back of the net off
a pass from sophomore Steve
Cameron to give Mercyhurst
the early 1-0 lead.
The momentum swung early
in the second period when
Army scored on the power-
play just 20 seconds into the
period to tie the game at one.
The Black Knights took the
lead for good just five minutes
later picking up the win 2-1.
Saturday night’s game was
Lunch $ 5
Dinner $ 5.50
6” Sub $4 Combo $5
12” Sub $5.75 Combo $6.75
Wrap Combo- Veggie $5
Other Wraps $4
Make any sub a wrap for
no extra charge!
SPORTS Page 17
WANTED:
Sports editors for next year.
televised live on CBS College
Sports, but unfortunately the
outcome was the same.
Interested in working for the
Freshman Derek Elliot,
junior Chris Risi and freshman
Merciad?
Phil Ginand lit the lamp for
the Lakers as they attempted
to battle back from a two-goal There are paid editor and writer
deficit, but were unable pull
out a victory. positions available for next year.
Senior Matt Lundin made
28 saves, but took in the loss. If you are interested contact us
The Lakers now begin a
nine game homestand start- ASAP at
ing this weekend when Atlan-
tic Hockey Association foe
Sacred Heart visits the Mercy-
hurst Ice Center for a pair of sportsmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
games on Friday and Saturday
at 7 p.m.
Broccoli & Cheddar Bites
11:30 a.m -8 p.m.
Lunch $ 5
Dinner $ 5.50
Page 18
Malmstrom; Sweden victorious over teammates
Four women’s hockey players compete in Europe
By Katie Waldin
Staff writer
As students and staff packed
up their bags to return home
to their families for the holiday
season over winter break,
four of Mercyhurst College’s
finest women’s hockey players
packed up their bags for a
different reason.
Junior Captain Megan
Agosta, freshman Bailey Bram,
sophomore Vicki Bendus and
junior Johanna Malmstrom
packed their bags and jetted
off to Europe to compete
in the 2009 MLP Cup in
Ravensburg, Germany during
their time away from the ice at
Mercyhurst College.
A dynamic trio including
Agosta, Bram and Bendus
represented the Mercyhurst
Lakers proudly as they
competed together with the
Canadian Women’s Under-22
Team. Malmstrom represented
Team Sweden, where she would
eventually play against her own
Mercyhurst teammates in the
championship game.
Together, the four girls
tore through teams from
all over the world including
Bench press challenge offers healthy competition
By Samantha Sellinger
Sports editor
If you are of a competitive
nature and like to lift weights,
then you may be interested in
putting your muscles to the test
in the Bench Press Strength
Challenge!
The competition, sponsored
The women’s hockey team scores one of their eight goals against Vermont at the Mercyhurst
Ice Center this past weekend. The Lakers picked up the win, 8-1.
Finland, Russia and Germany
to eventually lead to the final
match up against each other,
where they would battle for
the cup title.
Agosta had three goals
in the first three games that
Team Canada played while
in Germany. Bendus came
to the rescue with the game
winning goal for Team Canada
by the Intramural Program at
Mercyhurst College is open to
all students, faculty and staff.
If you are not a gym rat,
don’t worry about keeping up
with the big guys.
There are seperate com-
petitions for different weight
classes, so everyone can par-
ticipate and perform their best
in a healthy environment.
SPORTS
against Germany Bram tallied
three points with one goal
and two assists. Together the
trio led Team Canada to the
cup championship where they
looked to receive their seventh
straight gold medal.
Agosta came into the game
having scored three goals
previously in the tournament.
Team Sweden did not seem
For the winners of each
weight class, there are more
than just bragging rights at
stake, as one of the prizes
includes a $20 gift card to Best
Buy.
Registration is currently
open. If interested in the chal-
lenge, contact the Assistant
Intramural Director, Nola
Hessom, by e-mail at nhes-
Scoot Williams photo
to slow Agosta down as she
scored the first goal of the
championship game to give
Team Canada the 1-0 lead.
Team Sweden kicked back
into gear as they pulled ahead
scoring two goals to end up
taking home the gold, ending
the Canadian’s seven-year gold
medal winning streak.
Despite Team Canada’s
som@mercyhurst.edu. If you
don’t sign-up, you will not be
able to compete.
Sign-ups end this Friday,
Jan. 16, so decide soon if you
are up to the competition!
If there are not enough
people signed up by the end
of the day on Friday, then the
event may be cancelled, so get
all of your friends involved.
January 14, 2009
impressive 18-0 record during
the four game tournament,
they settled for silver as Team
Sweden swept through to take
the gold.
Mercyhurst’s Malmstrom
helped Team Sweden to their
victory over Team Canada
in the championship game
while battling against her own
college teammates. Despite
tough competition against
each other, the women have
returned to Erie to once again
play together representing the
Mercyhurst Lakers.
With the return of the four
players from overseas as well
as the rest of the team from
the holidays, Mercyhurst took
on Vermont on Saturday, Jan.
10, taking away an 8-1 victory.
Standout Mercyhurst
sophomore Jesse Scanzano
scored her first collegiate hat-
trick as Mercyhurst won their
tenth straight game.
The Lakers played Vermont
again on Sunday and came out
on top with the same score as
the day before of 8-1.
The Lakers have 11 straight
wins and look to carry on the
streak as they prepare for their
next game on Friday, Jan. 16,
in Connecticut.
It will be more fun compet-
ing against people you know
and work out with.
For a complete list of rules,
check out the signs around
campus, your e-mail, the Tues-
day Afternoon, or contact
Hessom.
If competing, be ready to
weigh-in on Jan. 19, at 8:30
p.m. in the recreation center.
January 14, 2009 SPORTS Page 19

Women’s basketball excited to start PSAC play

By Sarah Powell
Staff writer
The Mercyhurst College
women’s basketball team is
gearing up for their first-ever
Pennsylvania State Athletic
Conference (PSAC) West
conference game.
The Lakers are halfway
through their season with an
overall record of 6-7.
The first half was a test for
the Lakers, playing two ranked
Division II and one ranked
Division I teams they are not
used to competing against.
Now that the Lakers are
going into the second half
of the season with all of the
remaining games being PSAC
West conference games, they
will be more familiar with the
teams they will be facing.
Senior Stephanie Prischak
shared her thoughts on joining
the Pennsylvania State Athletic
Conference.
“Everyone on our team is
definitely excited about joining
the PSAC...I think it is going
to be good, because hopefully
it will bring more people to
our games, since people are
more likely to recognize the
names of teams we are playing
this year,” Prischak said.
“I think Edinboro and
Slippery Rock will be good
games for us, especially
with how close they are to
Mercyhurst. Cal U and IUP
are both really good teams too,
so those should also be good
games.”
Sophomore Samantha
Loadman is excited for PSAC
conference play and likes how
the Lakers had the first part of
their season to warm up for it.
“I like that the first half of
our season we get to focus on
working as a unit and becoming
confident on the court, so in
the second part of the season,
when the conference games
really count, we can just go for
it,” Loadman said.
The Lakers split their PSAC
East crossover games this
past weekend. On Saturday,
Jan. 10, the Lakers defeated
the Golden Rams of West
Chester University 77-67 in
the first meeting between the
two schools.
Prizchak led Mercyhurst
with 26 points, scoring 22 of
those points in the second half.
Sophomore Amy Achesinski
added 18 points towards the
victory. The Marauders of
Millersville University handed
Mercyhurst their first home
loss on Sunday, Jan. 11.
The Lakers were unable to
come back from a large early
deficit as they fell 53-44. Junior
Jackie Artise led the Lakers
with a season-high 12 points.
Mercyhurst opens their
PSAC West conference play
today, Wednesday, Jan. 14, at
5:30 p.m. in the Mercyhurst Scoot Williams photo
Athletic Center taking on Freshman Megan Hoffman takes the ball down court at the
Slippery Rock University. women’s basketball game against West Chester.

Club hockey stepping it up to make nationals

By Sarah Powell
Staff writer
The Mercyhurst College
men’s club hockey team
struggled through the month
of December with a few tough
losses.
A nice two-week break
seemed to be what they
needed though, as the team
came back full force after the
winter break.
The Lakers won their first
two games of 2009 this past
weekend, defeating Duquesne
University and Washington
and Jefferson College.
Despite the 2 hour trip
turning into a 4 hour trip
because of the winter
conditions, the No. 23 men’s
club hockey team upset No.
15 Duquesne University on
Saturday, Jan. 10.
The Lakers finished with a
7-4 victory, despite being out-
shot by their opponent.
After Saturday’s game, the
Lakers traveled back home to
Erie and were only at school
for 10 hours before they were
back on the road Sunday,
Jan. 11 to play Washington &
Jefferson College.
All of the bus time seemed
to have no effect on the Lakers
however, as they handed
Washington and Jefferson a
devestating 5-1 loss.
Junior Jeff Monnin led the
attack with two goals and one
assist.
Freshman Chad Thompson
felt the entire team had a great
weekend.
“Everyone played really well,
especially senior goaltender
Adam Faulkner,” Thompson
said.
“He played unreal, and I
would give him three thumbs
up if I could.”
Thompson was also
impressed with the third and
fourth lines.
“They really stepped up
producing goals and doing
incredible penalty killing,”
Thompson said.
Monnin is happy about
the weekend wins also and is
optimistic about the National
Tournament.
“Beating a No. 15 team and
a weekend sweep will without
a doubt help our chances for
Nationals, just depends how
much. Hopefully, we can
continue our team effort,”
Monnin said.
The Lakers have 11 more
games to jump into the top
16 in the National standings
and are hoping to earn a spot
in the 2009 American
Collegiate Hockey Association
Men’s Division I National
Tournament.
The tournament is hosted
by John Caroll University and
the Greater Cleveland Sport
Commission.
It takes place at Gilmour
Academy in Gates Mills, Ohio
from Saturday, March 14, to
Wednesday, March 18.
The Lakers are back in
action Thursday, Jan. 15, at
the Mercyhurst Ice Center at
10:15 p.m. and are looking
for another win to boost their
national ranking.
Page 20
Junior Jordan Armstong
reaches for a rebound
during the men’s basketball
game against West Chester.
The Lakers lost the game
63-58.
 Laker Sports

Bring on
the PSAC

Lakers off to 12-1 start heading into conference play

<< Page 16

Scoot Williams photo

Caption on page 19