Vol.83, No.6/10.14.

09/Free
Smoke, screams
and gunfire
Somali refugee remembers
past, builds future at ’Hurst
By Ethan Magoc
Multimedia editor
Sitting in the sterile surroundings of a col-
lege library in the United States, the words
that Abdimalik Abdi speak seem so out of
place.
As the 23-year-old Mercyhurst College
senior describes his last memory of his child-
hood home in native Somalia in 1993, his nor-
mally jovial tone turns to a deadpan delivery,
sending chills through anyone within earshot.
“I remember that day exactly,” Abdi said,
who recalls playing with his friends as he did
on many other afternoons.
Except this time, gunshots rang out.
Crowds of people began running past 7-year-
old Abdi and his friends in the streets.
“I kept asking my friends ‘Where are these
people going?’ We see our parents running
toward us and saying ‘Let’s go. We have to get
out of here,’” Abdi said. “We hid under a desk
in our home and heard more shots, people
screaming, saw smoke all over the place.”
The smoke and gunfire came from war-
ring factions within Somalia, a country whose
government and leader, Siad Barre, were
overthrown in early 1991.
Abdi’s father, Yusuf, fought as a soldier
in the Barre’s Somali army against Ethiopia
during the 1980s and was still in the military
on the day their town descended into chaos.
Abdimalik Abdi, the family’s oldest child,
cowered inside the home with his father,
mother (Marian), two sisters (Fartun and
Najma) and brother (Abdinoor).
“Somebody knocked at the door. We didn’t
open. We stayed completely silent,” Abdi said,
his voice dropping even as he recounts the
events 16 years later.
Read more on Page 5 or
at merciad.mercyhurst.edu/
AbdiMalik

NEWS OPINION A&E

Students voice This I Believe: Alum Backstreet Boys
opinions, concerns honors professor’s are back with new
at MSG Forum influence album

Page 2 Page 6 Page 7

Page 2 NEWS October 14, 2009

Students voice opinions, concerns at forum

By Jennifer McCurdy
Contributing writer
The Mercyhurst Student Gov-
ernment (MSG) invited students
to voice their opinions at the first
student forum of the year.
With guest speakers from
administration, athletics and
Police and Safety, the forum on
Wednesday, Oct. 7, covered a
variety of topics weighing on
students’ minds.
Student senators met with
administration and students in
the Cummings Art Gallery.
The event began with an
address from Mercyhurst Presi-
dent Dr. Thomas Gamble. Dr.
J.M. Adovasio, representing ath-
letics, and Chief Kenneth Sidun,
representing Police and Safety,
welcomed students, as well.
Afterward, the floor was
opened for students to mingle
with administration and student
senators in order to discuss their
campus concerns.
After hearing high crime sta-
tistics for Mercyhurst in Septem-
ber, several students questioned
the safety of this campus. Sidun
responded to these statistics by
explaining that Mercyhurst’s
crime reports cover both the
Erie and North East Campuses.
“This is a safe campus, I
assure you,” Sidun said.
Freshman Chelsea Schermer-
horn attended the forum in
order to ask MSG to advocate
copying the key for Baldwin’s
elevator after emergency work-
ers could not use the elevator
to reach the third floor during a
recent medical emergency.
In response to Schermerhorn’s
suggestions, MSG arranged for
a second key to be kept behind
the front desk in Baldwin. Police
and Safety also keep a key.
Schermerhorn also pointed
out the “very little student input”
on the college radio channel.
“My friends and I would be
especially interested in a radio
club,” she said.
Student senators promised
to promote the cause, although
interested students must take
charge to revive the radio club.
Other issues students men-
tioned included expanding the
Mercyhurst Recreation Center,
the need for gluten-free food
in Egan Dining Hall and the
malfunctions of the emergency
blue light phones.
All issues discussed at the
Student Forum were discussed
again at the MSG meeting on
Monday, Oct. 12.
Student senators divided the
issues and assigned tasks to
the appropriate committee for Tyler Stauffer photo
future action. Mercyhurst College President Dr. Thomas Gamble spoke with
Senators also discussed ways students at the Mercyhurst Student Government Student
to advertise for future forums Forum on Wednesday, Oct. 7. Guest speakers from
since the turn-out of students administration, athletics, and Police and Safety also spoke
was lower than expected. with students about their concerns.

City campuses compete Crime stats mislead

to help the hungry
By Chelsee Callahan
Contributing writer
To go along with its belief of
being socially merciful, Mercy-
hurst College helps those who
suffer from lack of food and
shelter.
From Monday, Oct. 19,
through Saturday, Oct. 24, the
cardboard village and the annual
food drive will take place at
Mercyhurst.
The cardboard village is where
students volunteer to sleep out-
side in boxes to raise awareness
and funds for the homeless.
The group of students, led
by junior Joe Weidenboerner,
will collect donations and have
a bake sale to raise funds.
The cardboard village will be
held outside of Zurn Hall from
4 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20, until
7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22.
The annual food drive,
known as Collegiate Golden
Harvest Week, is sponsored
by the Second Harvest Food
Bank.
The food drive is a com-
petition among Mercyhurst,
Gannon University and Penn
State Behrend. There will be
bins all around campus for stu-
dents to drop off their dona-
tions. Bins will be located in
buildings including Audrey Hirt
Academic Building, Zurn Hall,
the Herrmann Student Union
and Old Main.
Monday through Friday from
4 p.m. until 7 p.m. students will
go door-to-door collecting cans
of food and other nonperish-
able food items.
The proceeds from the two
events go toward the Second
Harvest Food Bank of North-
west Pennsylvania and a non-
profit organization for the
homeless.
“I feel Hunger and Homeless-
ness Week is very important to
our campus because it allows our
students to step into the com-
munity and work toward a cause
that helps others,” Campus Min-
istry graduate assistant Gretchen
Yori said.
For more information about
Hunger and Homelessness
Week, or to find out how to
help, contact Gretchen Yori at
gyori82@mercyhurst.edu.
By JoEllen Marsh
Editor-in-chief
At first glance at the Pennsyl-
vania Uniform Crime Report-
ing (UCR) Program statistics
for 2008, Mercyhurst College
appears to have double the crime
rates of other local colleges.
Of 239 Part 1 offenses
reported by Erie County col-
leges, Edinboro University had
51, Penn State Behrend had
29, Gannon University had 44
and Mercyhurst had 115. Part
1 crimes include rape, robbery,
assault and burglary.
Kenneth Sidun, chief of Police
and Safety at Mercyhurst, said
these statistics are misleading.
“It’s because we combine
North East and West campus
with main campus for UCR
reports,” Sidun said.
When broken down, Mercy-
hurst’s statistics are closer to the
average crime numbers for col-
lege campuses.
“We have more students
living on campus and more
buildings. In comparison with
other colleges we’re about aver-
age,” Sidun said.
Sidun thinks there have been
fewer Part 1 crimes than at this
time last year.
“We’re trying to make stu-
dents aware of how to protect
themselves and their property.
If you see somebody suspi-
cious, call Police and Safety and
we’ll come over and investigate.
That’s our job,” Sidun said.
Read an enhanced
version of this article
on the news section at
merciad.mercyhurst.edu
October 14, 2009
Existing programs
become ‘new’ majors
By Kelly Dempsey
Contributing writer
Every year at Mercyhurst
College, new programs join the
variety of majors and minors
available to undergraduate stu-
dents.
This year, two programs in
particular have become avail-
able as majors: Russian studies
and graphic design.
Graphic design was offered
as a concentration within the art
major in previous years, and the
course offerings for this con-
centration have been steadily
growing for years.
“It was actually on the level
of a major, but it was just not
being recognized as one,” Jodi
Staniunas-Hopper, the pro-
gram’s director, said.
Graphic design has enough
students to justify its major
status; Staniunas-Hopper esti-
mated current enrollment at
between 45 and 55 students.
New clubs bounce onto campus
By Alicia Cagle
Contributing writer
Over the past few weeks, three
new clubs have become Recog-
nized Student Clubs/Organiza-
tions (RSCOs). These new clubs
are the Ping Pong Club, Role
Playing Game Club and the
Mercyhurst Finance Club.
The Ping Pong Club is under
the supervision of Curtis Robi-
nette, Mercyhurst’s water polo
coach. This club is designed to
provide students with a way to
learn to play ping pong and a
way to socialize as well.
Freshman Ian Tasman
Junior Lisa Bathory, the stu-
dent in charge of the graphic
design club AdPro, said, “I’m
really glad graphic design is
being offered as a full major now.
It looks better on a résumé.”
The graphic design major was
improved by this year’s addi-
tion of the digital media minor,
which is a collaboration with the
Communication Department.
Many of the new programs
at Mercyhurst are programs that
have existed previously as con-
centrations and contract majors
and need only to go through a
state-approved process of certi-
fication.
Another such previously-
existing program is Russian
Studies, which is in its first offi-
cial year as a major.
Department Chair of Russian
Studies Father Steven Simon
said that many students who
studied abroad in Russia had
enough courses to qualify them
for a Russian major, but they
had to fill out vast amounts of
founded the Ping Pong Club.
“There have not been any
meetings yet, but the club is cur-
rently looking for donations,”
Tasman said.
Role Playing Game Club
(RPGC), under the supervision
of faculty member Dr. Marnie
Sullivan, is dedicated to giving
members a fun social environ-
ment where they can take part
in role playing games.
According to Sullivan, “Role
playing games are those in
which players take on the per-
spective of imaginary charac-
ters, usually in a setting created
and overseen by a mediator,
and vicariously experience the
NEWS Page 3
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paperwork in order to have a
major in Russian Studies.
Many Russian Studies majors
are also Intel majors looking to
boost their portfolio, or are stu-
dents looking to start commer-
cial business ventures in Russia.
Another option for Russian
studies students is to continue
learning about Russia at the
post-grad level.
Whatever option they choose,
“Students who go into job
interviews with Russian studies
in their résumé get an edge for
a lot of reasons,” Simon said.
“It shows that they’re open to
other cultures, and it’s a rare
specialty.” First class free with college ID
The continuing development
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Page 4 FEATURES October 14, 2009

Online... Prepare for the winter ahead

when worn with a pair of dark they’re wet, they’re bound to
The pros, cons An Erieite By Katherine Atkins jeans or under a vest. Men can be colder than the rest of your
Appetite: Pio’s Contributing writer
of sleeping in stay fashionable in thermals and body.
Find out what Restaurant and sweaters. What makes a quality pair of
If you have never experienced Both genders can stylishly boots even more effective is the
problems, benefits Pizzeria
a winter in Erie, brace yourself. wear puffer vests. They’ve been type of socks worn under them.
are linked to Tripe soup only for With the Mercyhurst campus as around for years, and they keep According to Douglas H. Richie
oversleeping the brave small as it is, most students walk the body’s core warm, which is Jr., a journalist for the American
everywhere. Though you may vital. It’s always a good idea to Academy of Podiatric Sports
Going through the
motions not an
Merciad. have a short distance to walk,
keeping your body warm and
dress in layers when the snow
begins to fall. Plus, layering is
Medicine, socks composed
of cotton retain moisture 10
dry is vital, especially if you’re in style, and you can take a layer times longer than acrylic when
option for senior Mercyhurst. out or away from your apart- off when you get to class and exposed to ambient air. There-
Liz Maier ment or dorm for long periods start warming up. fore, it’s best to wear socks with
Get the inside edu/ of time.
With the onset of winter in
Remember wearing long-
johns as a kid? Invest in a pair.
wicking ability, or materials that
whisk moisture up and away
scoop on one of Erie, several clothing staples Women, you can parody this from the skin. It’s also benefi-
our columnists Features are necessary in the average
student’s wardrobe for the inev-
with leggings or tights. Though
wearing a pair of millimeter-thin
cial to wear a core layer with this
sort of material to prevent large
itable cold weather. Layers of nylons under your jeans sounds amounts of sweat, keeping you
clothing are essential. odd, you’ll be surprised by how more dry and warm.
Green Page: It’s easy to keep the upper warm they keep your body.
part of the body warm. Women, A quality pair of boots will
Mercyhurst makes solar strides invest in camisoles and turtle- keep your feet warm and dry.
Read the rest
Mercyhurst’s solar panels ‘an necks. A camisole will keep your There’s nothing worse than of this article
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educational investment’ does the rest. They’re classic night of being out, plus, if online

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October 14, 2009
Smoke, screams and gunfire
Continued from Page 1
“This person was knocking
so hard that you couldn’t stay
silent —just bang, bang, bang,”
Abdi said.
“My father attempted to open
the door and, immediately, the
guy shot him. Didn’t even say
anything.”
Abdi, trying to remain hidden
with his mother and siblings
under the desk, never saw his
father’s killer.
“My father fell on the ground,
and the guy just left,” Abdi said.
“When we came out from the
desk, we saw a lot of blood and
my father just laying there.”
Abdi’s mother, Marian,
attempted to apply pressure to
the wound while Abdi and his
siblings sat and watched in shock
as their father passed away.
Abdi lived in refugee camps with his family for seven years
until he came to the U.S. with his mother and sister. His other
sister, Fartun, and brother, Abdinoor, are still waiting to get
out of Somalia and come reunite with Abdimalik in the States.
“Is this real?” Abdi kept
asking himself. “I didn’t know,”
was his response.
The following days, months
and years continued to prove
surreal for Abdi and his family.
They buried Yusuf and fled
Somalia for Marafa, a refugee
camp in Kenya.
Abdi’s recollection of his first
camp, where his family lived
from 1993 to 1995, is not a fond
one.
From 1995 to 1996, they lived
in a camp south of Marafa in
Mombasa, Kenya, a place that
Abdi described as “paradise”
in comparison to where he
had been and where he was
headed.
Kakuma is located in a
northwestern area of Kenya,
near the borders of Sudan and
Uganda.
Ethan Magoc photo
FEATURES Page 5
Kakuma, the Abdi family’s
home from 1996 to 2000, has
sheltered tens of thousands of
refugees from several African
nations since the early 1990s.
Abdi described it as “so steamy,
hot and dry.” It certainly was
not paradise.
In December 2000, only
Abdi, his mother and his young-
est sister Najma, now 17, were
able to fly from Kakuma to the
United States through a local
Erie church organization’s gen-
erosity.
Unfortunately, Abdi’s brother
Abdinoor (20) and sister Fartun
(22) remain in Kakuma to
this day, along with his grand-
mother.
The separated family mem-
bers speak on the phone each
weekend and Abdi, an employee
at Harborcreek’s Wal-Mart,
sends money back to help his
distant siblings continue to sur-
vive.
Right now, for Abdi, who
speaks Somali, Swahili and now
English (with a slight accent),
perhaps more important than
graduating from Mercyhurst
College is becoming a U.S. citi-
zen.
He hopes to complete the
process within the next year.
Gaining full citizenship would
allow he and his mother to bring
their remaining family mem-
bers from Kakuma to America,
ending what is now a nine-year
separation.
After graduation, Abdi, of
average height and build, has
big dreams.
A business major who has came from a different country. I “For me, this education (at
earned more than 90 credits have no future. I’m just going to Mercyhurst) would give me an
since graduating from East High work to stay alive.’” opportunity to go back with
School in 2004, Abdi wants to “I’ve had a rough life and logic and reason and tell them,
either work his way into Wal- have been through rough times. ‘Hey, you’re still fighting? Why?
Mart management or, better yet, She tells me, ‘Now is the time to For no reason,’” Abdi said.
start his own business. make it better.’” “A lot of people lost their
“My mother encouraged me Abdi dreams, too, of return- lives for this. What have we
to go to college,” Abdi said. ing to Somalia someday to help gained?”
“She said, ‘You can’t just say, I end the decades-long conflict.
 Page 6
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.
Freshman finds there’s no place like home
Discovering new independence isn’t all it’s cracked up to be
By Victoria
Gricks
Staff writer
It’s 11:30 in the morning and
I just woke up. Slightly groggy, I
begin to wonder where I am.
I turn my head to the right
and see a large window instead
of another bed. In front of me,
a dresser has replaced the desk
that I am so accustomed to. On
my left is a hallway, and I can see
a bathroom from my position.
None of this seems familiar,
so I become nervous and sit up
quickly. After rubbing my eyes
several times, I examine more
of my surroundings.
My bed is much larger than
normal and the sheets are
leopard-print, not green. The
This I Believe: Alum honors professor’s influence
I believe in Dr. Mary
Hembrow Snyder.
With so many pundits,
politicos and everyday people
out there shouting information
at us about what to believe and
all the varying religious and non-
religious faiths, it is sometimes
hard to find our way in such a
fast-paced world.
For me, going to Mercyhurst
Colege was about enriching my
own personal knowledge and
finding the answers to questions
I had. With the help of both
the English department and the
Religious Studies department
and their wonderful faculty, I
was given more questions than
answers. My search for meaning
and an answer to God with the
Religious Studies department
challenged me to think outside
of my own world view and to
think on a much larger scale.
The one class that made me
struggle with the concept of
the world view would have to
closet doors are open, and
I notice that there is hardly
anything inside. A duffel bag is
lying on the floor, unzipped and
with clothes strewn about it.
All of a sudden, my worry
disappears and I start to relax.
It may have taken a few minutes
but it finally hit me: I’m home.
Approximately five and a
half weeks have passed since I
last stepped foot in my humble
abode.
College may have been fun
and all, but I will be the first to
admit that I was excited to go
back to little old Irwin, Pa.
Despite having to ride in the
back seat of the car when going
anywhere with my parents and
my fixed curfew of 2:30 a.m.,
I savored my weekend home:
have been Dr. Mary Hembrow
Snyder’s Liberation Religion
and Theology class, where
she posed a simple, but for
me a life-altering, question
when confronted with reality:
“Qui Bono?” This simple
phrase that means “To Whose
Benefit” would shatter many
preconceptions that I had and
would force me to question the
things around me more closely.
This was probably the most
influential moment of my life
that from that point on would
shape who I would become.
There are hidden motivations
for people, governments and
corporations, and with asking
this phrase I can cut through
the propaganda to determine
if what they are saying is
legitimate. That also spurred my
belief in seeking out knowledge
and doing the right thing. We
can’t merely do the right thing
because we believe that there
is a God watching us. We can’t
OPINION October3,14,2008
September 2009
Online Opinion Articles...
Wrong definition of ‘human
I didn’t have to share a small
amount of space with anyone, right’ leads to slavery
my bedroom was clean and free
Thomas Kubica criticizes the knowledge of our
nation.
of all messes, and meals were
cooked by my mother rather
Politcal bashing becomes
than some unknown chef in the over-vocalized
cafeteria. Jordan Zangaro rants about criticizing the
These past two days have made government and the people she claims will
me realize that independence never be satisfied.
isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Defining Devin Ruic
At times, I would much rather
Take a closer look at the background of the
be taken care of than have
to worry about providing for person whose opinions you may love to hate
myself. or hate to love.
It is undeniable
Pennsylvania and Kansas are, in
that
merciad.mercyhurst.edu
fact, entirely different. However,
one thing remains true: We
may not be able to click our
heels together three times like
Dorothy, but our ability to go
home is just a phone call away.
If you don’t want it printed . . . don’t let it happen.
do the right thing for any goal Editors Positions @mercyhurst.edu
other than because it is the right JoEllen Marsh Editor-in-Chief editormerciad
thing to do. Humanity is in this Kelly Luoma News Editor newsmerciad
together and we need to be Javi Cubillos Features Editor featuremerciad
able to help out those that are Jordan Zangaro Opinion Editor opinionmerciad
less fortunate by recognizing Nick Glasier Sports Editor sportsmerciad
the dignity and respect they Alaina Rydzewski A&E entertainmentmerciad
deserve. SamWilliams Graphics photomerciad
With the guidance of Dr. Tyler Stauffer Photographer photomerciad
Hembrow Snyder, along with the Ethan Magoc Multimedia Editor emagoc80
rest of the Mercyhurst faculty, I Ethan Johns Web Editor ejohns89
have realized that knowledge Gaby Meza Advertising Manager admerciad
is something that can never be Kyle King Copy Editor copymerciad
taken away and that we should Bill Welch Adviser wwelch
do the right thing for the sake Brian Sheridan Adviser bsheridan
of doing the right thing.
Dave Suscheck graduated from The Merciad is the official student-produced newspaper of Mercyhurst
Mercyhurst in 2007. He double College. It is published throughout the school year, with the exception of
majored in English Literature and finals weeks. Our office is in Hirt, Room 120B. Our telephone number is
Religious Studies, and is currently (814) 824-2376.
a graduate student at Gannon
University studying English. Dave
The Merciad welcomes letters to the editor. All letters must be signed
claims that his favorite aspect of
Mercyhurst was the breadth and and names will be included with the letters. Although we will not edit the
depth of the faculty, whom he believes letters for content, we reserve the right to trim letters to fit. Letters
gave him a learning experience that are due Mondays. by noon and may not be more than 300 words. Submit
he would not have been able to receive letters to box PH 485 or via e-mail at opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.
anywhere else.
October 14, 2009
MET Opera simulcasts ‘Tosca’
By Megan Duane
Contributing writer
Saturday, Oct. 10, marked the
opening of the fourth season
of The Metropolitan Opera
Simulcasts.
For those who don’t know
what these events are, The Met-
ropolitan Opera, located in New
York City, transmits live produc-
tions of its operas to theaters.
The shows are simulcast in 42
countries worldwide.
The Mary D’Angelo Per-
forming Arts Center (PAC) at
Mercyhurst College was one of
the first colleges in the country
to have the technology to offer
this opportunity to its students
‘Moon’ flirts with Backstreet Boys are back
line of insanity
By Kathleen Vogtle
Contributing writer
Imagine yourself on a dark,
desolate plain.
Monotonous grey dust stretches
beneath your feet until it meets the
inky sky, riddled with stars.
Be thankful you’re only imag-
ining; this is the reality of Sam
Bell (Sam Rockwell).
The protagonist of the movie
“Moon,” Bell has been living on
said celestial body for almost
three years.
He is in the employ of Lunar
Industries, mining the energy
of the future, Helium-3, on the
dark side of the moon.
His only company is the
robot GERTY (Kevin Spacey),
whose main task is to keep Bell
focused on his work.
Days before he is set to go
home, headaches, hallucinations
and a lack of focus culminate in
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
and community members.
This season’s simulcasts
opened with Luc Bondy’s inter-
pretation of Giacomo Puccini’s
classic grand opera “Tosca.”
“Tosca” is a story featuring
love, politics and tragedy.
It centers around three main
characters: Tosca (Karita Mat-
tila), a famous opera singer;
Cavaradossi (Marcelo Alvarez),
a free-minded painter; and Scar-
pia (George Gagnidze), a per-
verse chief of police.
Set in the time of Napoleon,
the opera opens with the escape
of a convict hiding in a church.
Cavaradossi protects him,
thus acting suspicious to his
lover Tosca, who begins to think
he is being unfaithful to her.
Bell beginning to see an angrier,
younger version of himself.
This new entity seems con-
vinced that he’s here to begin
his own three-year stint, the
exact same one the ‘original’
Bell started 36 months ago.
“Moon” blends moments of
humor, often instituted by the
endearing GERTY, with the
anxiety and homesickness which
Bell feels so acutely.
The result is an emotionally
charged, imaginably realistic view
of a man who is at his wit’s end.
This week’s installment of the
Guelcher Film Series, the movie
shows Wednesday, Oct. 14, in
the Mary D’Angelo Performing
Arts Center (PAC) at 2:15 p.m.
and 8 p.m.
Tickets are $6 for adults, $5
for students and seniors and
free for Mercyhurst students
with their IDs.
An enhanced version of this
article can be found online.
Scarpia uses her jealousy to
make her betray them, and the
two men are caught.
Death and sacrifice end the
opera, which has a very enthrall-
ing plot.
“I love the compelling story-
line of this opera,” sophomore
Katie Wagner said.
The general opinion of the
audience at the opera was that
baritone George Gagnidze, who
played Scarpia, was exceptional
and contributed to the first-rate
opera more than any of the
other actors.
Senior Andrea Baker
described Gagnidze as “por-
traying the character extremely
well.”
“His voice matched the true
By Casey Harvilla
Staff writer
Backstreet’s back, alright!
As a girl growing up in the
’90s, I was swept up in the ever-
important boy band phase.
Although the days of boy
bands seemed to be long gone,
good news is here.
The album, titled “This Is Us,”
is the group’s seventh studio
album, their second album as a
four-piece and features a guest
appearance from T-Pain and a
few songs co-written with Ryan
Tedder of One Republic.
It includes 11 songs, ranging
from pop to techno, with the
occasional ballad.
On first listen of the entire
album, I was pleasantly surprised.
The group still manages to pro-
duce radio-worthy tracks that,
let’s face it, will most likely make
you dance and sing along.
“Masquerade” is an upbeat
tune that pretty much chronicles
a night out at the club.
Scarpia and brought the charac-
ter to life,” she said.
These unique productions
offer much more than just the
opera itself.
The audiences are able to see
backstage area, set changes and
intermission interviews with the
stars.
“This is the first simulcast
I’ve been to. I really like the
interviews during intermissions;
it makes the incredible singers
seem more human,” sophomore
Liz Zurasky said.
The next Metropolitan Opera
Simulcast will be Verdi’s opera
“Aida” on Saturday, Oct. 24, at
1 p.m. in the PAC.
Its beats and rhythm could
classify it as a definite guilty
pleasure.
The album’s title track is a song
that doubles as a comeback track
for the band as well as a classic
song about a relationship.
Contributed photo
BSB recently released their
seventh album, ‘This is Us.’
“Straight Through My Heart”
is the group’s newest single.
The music video, which is vam-
pire-themed, features an all-new
choreographed dance, which
can only mean that it is just one
of many to come.
One of the ballads on the
Page 7
A&E online
merciad.
mercyhurst.
edu
Erik Meyer
showcases
talent on
organ
Professor Meyer
performs at a
Faculty Recital at First
Presbyterian Church
of the Covenant.
See pictures and read
the article.
album is titled “Bigger” and
talks about an uneven relation-
ship where the girl is ‘bigger’
for staying with an irresponsible
boyfriend.
My least favorite song on the
album is a track called “PDA,” as
in Public Displays of Affection.
No matter your opinion on
PDA, I think we can all agree
there’s no need for a song about
it.
My overall review of “This Is
Us” is surprisingly decent.
The amount of good songs
greatly outweighs the bad ones.
The lyrics are slightly elemen-
tary, but the album is focused
more on the music itself, as
many pop albums are today.
If you are looking for a seri-
ous album with deep, meaning-
ful songs, this might not be for
you.
However, if you’re curious
as to what the Backstreet Boys
have been up to or if you need
new dance beats to blast in your
car, “This Is Us” just might be
the answer.
 Laker Sports
Visit merciad.mercyhurst.edu
Ethan Magoc photo
Mercyhurst College senior Adam Brown brings down a Gannon Mercyhurst College junior running back Gerald Anderson works his way into the Gannon
receiver. secondary in the Lakers’ 27-17 victory.
merciad.mercyhurst.edu/sports
Online sports articles........................ Anderson demolishes Gannon
By Nick Glasier
Online Game of the Week Sports Editor
Check out video coverage of women’s soccer’s
5-0 dismantling of Mansfield. The Gannon University
Knights fans have a few vivid
Men’s soccer fly by Bald Eagles for images ingrained in their minds
after a 27-17 loss to Mercyhurst
first road PSAC victory College this weekend.
Men’s soccer stays hot with victories against Lock These are images of junior
Haven and Bloomsburg running back Gerald Anderson
running through, around and
all over their beloved Knights’
Swanson looks into his murky NHL defenders as the Lakers won
crystal ball another Nigeria Cup.
Columnist Devon Swanson makes a series of Anderson set a career total of
rushing yards as he rushed for
comical NHL predictions.
175 yards. He also found the
end zone three times.
Is ESPN making a move on the NHL? The bruising Mercyhurst
Columnist John Baranowski talks about ESPN’s rushing attack accounted for
three of the four touchdowns
sudden and suspicious interest in the NHL.
as the offensive line cut gaping
holes in the Knights’ defensive
for sports photos and videos
line.
“Gerald Anderson played
very well with the help of our
offensive line,” said head coach
Martin Schaetzle.
The Lakers got off to a quick
start Saturday, in front of a large
crowd at Tullio Field as senior
Joe Laffey connected with
Anderson for an 11-yard touch-
down pass, putting the Lakers
ahead 7-0 at the start of the
second quarter.
The running game took over
as Anderson scored on an 11-
yard touchdown run, bringing
the score to 14-0 at halftime.
The Laker defense joined
the scoring party with a fumble
recovery in the end zone by
sophomore Ian Wild, giving the
Lakers a 21-0 lead.
Gannon made a run at the
Lakers as they narrowed the
Ehan Magoc photo
score to 21-9 on a field goal and
touchdown pass, but Anderson
again scored on a nine-yard
touchdown run to bring the
score to 27-9 midway through
the fourth quarter.
Gannon scored one more
touchdown to bring the final
score to 27-17, giving the
Lakers an important victory.
Mercyhurst’s Pennsylvania State
Athletic Conference West record
goes to 3-1 on the season.
“The victory brings us one
game closer to win the cham-
pionship, but we really need to
win out the rest of the games,
and that started with Gannon,”
said Schaetzle.
The Lakers will be back in
action Saturday, Oct. 17, at Clar-
ion University at 1 p.m. as the
Lakers continue their quest for
the playoffs.