Intel professor ‘Opera 1, 2, 3...

Bin Laden’s death Four athletes

headed to Israel GO!’ showcases gives students from four sports
for academic the college’s chance to stay earn weekly
fellowship opera singers informed honors

Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7

Page 2 NEWS May 4, 2011

‘Gasland’ director speaks at college

By Joseph Pudlick
Contributing writer
Marcellus shale drilling is occur-
ring across the U.S., with large con-
centrations in New York, Ohio,
Pennsylvania and West Virginia,
cess has led to ground water con-
tamination by both the chemicals
used in the process and the natural
gas that has been released.
“When I began to look into it I
got very conflicting stories from the
gas industry and from neighbors of
mine,” said Fox. “I started becom-
ing concerned with this proposal
Fox said.
This includes some Pennsylva-
nia universities, which are facing 50
percent budget cuts in 2011. Penn-
sylvania Governor Tom Corbett has
suggested that universities invest in
shale drilling as an additional source
of revenue.
students expressed a variety of
emotions after the session, includ-
ing concern for the environment
and the community.
“I am in shock of how unaware
people are about the environment
and how political figures are trying
to take money by trying to discour-
age us from figuring out the truth.
On a lighter note, “It’s great to
see students and the community
come together for an event like this.
We need to stick with it and keep
the community informed,” junior
John Weber said. Weber is from
Hagerstown, Maryland, an area that
is also being affected by fracking.
“I feel a responsibility to what is

and has been referred to as the
Saudi Arabia of natural gas.
Josh Fox, creator of the Sun-
dance Award winning and Oscar
“
and quickly became an activist.” The environment is so important in the film,” Fox said. Fox is now
Right now this is a true test of
Environmental issues weren’t and many more people have to working on Gasland 2.
whether democracy will survive.
always what Fox had in mind when get involved because it’s our life,” “We had a great turnout. Fox’s
Is democracy still a bottom up
he started his own theater company freshman Kathleen Reveille said. knowledge, combined with his wit
process or is it about whoever

nominated documentary, Gasland,
met on Tuesday afternoon with
more than 50 students, faculty and
community members in the Her-
mann Student Union Great Room,
addressing questions not only about
his documentary, but also about the
hydraulic fracturing that is sched-
uled to start locally. Fox also spoke
later to the community.
Fox is a Milanville, Pa., resi-
in 1996, but he doesn’t think they
are that far off.
“My reactions to the things that
come into my life as an artist is to
make a project out of it,” said Fox.
“Drama is always about the con-
flicts of its time,” and Gasland is no
exception.
Fox took this issue and made a
“sincere attempt to persuade land
owners who were going to lease”
”
pays the most money?
Josh Fox
“We are in the middle of a great
divide of politicians,” said Fox.
“There are those who are just satis-
fied with taking that money, which
creates an uncomfortable dilemma
for the people who aren’t okay with
“This is just another example
of how unaware people are, how
much there is to learn and to stay
informed as to what’s going on in
the world around you. It’s within
our own state, so it’s just important
to stay involved and stay informed,
even as students, because these
things apply to us, too,” freshman
Natalie Pertz said.
and experience with the people
affected by fracking, did an ample
job of informing people without
raising alarm,” communication
department Chair Anne Zaphiris,
Ph.D., said.
For more information on Mercy-
hurst’s new anti-fracking club, con-
tact Zaphiris at extension 3382.

dent who became involved with
the fracking debate when a gas
company approached him and his
neighbors about leasing their land.
Originally just a local effort, Fox
quickly found himself immersed in
what he calls a “new thing going
dreadfully wrong.”
Fracking is the process of insert-
ing water and chemicals into the
ground at high pressure to release
gas trapped in the shale. This pro-
their land not to do so with his
documentary.
“We did things that were artisti-
cally interesting and were narratively
interesting. It’s a whole lot of efforts
all happening at once,” he said.
Until five years ago, this process
was unheard of and today it is feed-
ing to the largest natural gas boon
in U.S. history.
“For the first time you have mil-
lions of people in a drillable zone,”
that.”
The talk also focused on the local
drilling scheduled for Nort East, in
Erie County, and what citizens can
do to prevent it.
“Right now this is a true test
of whether democracy will sur-
vive,” said Fox. “Is democracy still
a bottom up process or is it about
whoever pays the most money?”
Fox encouraged interested stu-
dents to create an anti-fracking
group on campus, and numerous
News Briefs
Students create anti-texting, driving businesses
This year’s Communication Trade Show advocates an “Anti-
Texting and Driving Campaign.” This annual event challenges
junior and senior communication students to create their own
businesses from marketing materials to products and unveil
them at the trade show where their efforts will be judged by
Erie professionals and Mercyhurst alumni in the field.
With this year’s theme, the students will focus on the
increased efforts of the prevention of texting and driving.
The student-created businesses will present intriguing ideas
that promote smart driving practices.
This event will be held on Tuesday, May 10, from 10 a.m. to 3
p.m. in the Hermann Student Union Great Room.

Mercyhurst student assaulted, robbed

A Mercyhurst College student was assaulted and robbed
Tuesday, April 26.
The student was attacked from behind at approximately 9:30
p.m. when he was walking on East 38th Street on the side-
walk in front of St. Luke Church, according to Mercyhurst
officials.
The suspect, who is described only as a black male, took the
student’s wallet, according to Mercyhurst Police and Safety
Chief Robert Kuhn.
The student suffered an injury to the head, but he was able
to walk to Police and Safety for help. He refused medical treat-
ment, and his mother took him to the Erie Police Department,
Kuhn said.
Jill Barrile photo
Director of ‘Gasland’ Josh Fox came to Mercyhurst College to talk to the community and stu- To avoid possible attacks, Kuhn suggests students walk in
dents about hydraulic fracturing. pairs at night or call Police and Safety for a ride at 824-2304.
May 4, 2011 NEWS Page 3

Student symposium gives chance to present research

By Stacy Skiavo
Staff writer
Through research and presenta-
tion, students took an extra look
and found several startling results at
the Research Symposium on Thurs-
day, April 28 at the Mercyhurst Ath-
letic Center (MAC).
Though the event was hosted on
campus, it was not only for Mercy-
hurst students. Gannon, Edinboro,
Slippery Rock, Lake Erie College of
Osteopathic Medicine and the Uni-
versity of Buffalo were represented,
too.
The Honors Program and sports
medicine department co-hosted the
event with help from Instructor of
Sports Medicine Tim Harvey.
The symposium, an annual event,
provided graduate and undergradu-
ate students an opportunity to dis-
play their research to the public
through posters as well as oral pre-
sentations. This research was done
in order to prepare students for
future occasions and formal pre-
sentations at regional and national
levels. been nice to conduct my research, For students in the Honors Pro- ment, one of the main conditions
Senior Amber Kissman did her since some of my data was skewed,” gram, the symposium fulfilled a of graduating from the Honors
project on stink bugs and how the she said. senior thesis presentation require- Program.
weather affects them.
“I found that the bugs were inva-
sive and rely on super cooling, while
staying at subzero temperatures.
When I told people about my topic,
most responded by asking me how
to get rid of them rather than on
how they survived,” Kissman said.
Senior Jacob Gdovin did his
research on two different portals
about football equipment and pos-
sible neck injury.
“‘The National Athletic Trainers’
Association has an ‘all or nothing’
principle, and I thought their posi-
tion they have currently was incor-
rect,” Gdovin said.
Rows and rows of projects were
displayed in the MAC. Mostly
seniors were among the researchers
at the symposium, but a few juniors
attended.
Senior Richael Forde did her
project on electromyography com-
parisons with different exercises
and measured muscle activity. Tyler Stauffer photo
“It was interesting to do research, Senior Amber Kissman presented her research at the Research Symposium hosted by the
but better equipment would have sports medicine department and the Honors Program.

Ripley steps down as

dean of faculty; Reed
to take over in fall
By Mike Gallagher
Staff writer
Brian Ripley, Ph.D., the current dean of faculty at
Mercyhurst College and political science professor, is
voluntarily stepping down from his position to once
again devote himself full time to the pursuit of his pas-
sions—teaching and scholarship.
Brian Reed, Ph.D., will be replacing Ripley as dean of
faculty beginning in the fall term.
According to Vice President for Academic Affairs
Phillip Belfiore, Ph.D., Ripley requested to move back
to a full-time faculty position after three years of serv-
ing as dean of faculty.
“Dr. Ripley served as an outstanding dean of fac-
ulty, and when he requested to return to the class-
room, I honored his request,” said Belfiore, further
explaining, “Dr. Ripley is one of our finest faculty
members.”
According to Ripley, the “dean of faculty position
is always evolving in its focus on matters involving
faculty such as hiring, promotion, tenure, recruiting
great faculty members and keeping them here and
being the voice in the administration for the fac-
ulty.”
Reed, who currently directs the Center for Teaching
Excellence, said, “The role I am stepping into as dean
of faculty has different duties than the job Dr. Ripley
was doing.”
Reed explained that unlike Ripley, “I will remain as a
faculty member, with a reduced teaching load. This will
allow me to remain in the classroom, which is some-
thing that Dr. Ripley understandably missed.”
This change in positions began, as Ripley explains,
when “I initiated my move back to faculty.”
Ripley states with genuine conviction that “it is a
privilege to be a member of the Mercyhurst faculty,”
and he likes “the idea of other faculty members having
an opportunity to rotate in and get a better sense of the
administrative side of the college.”
He said he never saw being the dean of faculty as a
longterm spot.
“But I have learned a lot and enjoyed the insight on
how a college administration operates. We have a great
faculty, and it is a privilege to be one among my col-
leagues.”
Page 4
Professor headed to Israel
for academic fellowship
By Chris James
Staff writer
The Foundation for Defense of
Democracies (FDD) in Washington,
D.C., is an organization that believes
educators should have access to the
experience of top practitioners in
their respective fields.
In order to better teach their
students, professors should have a
more hands-on experience with the
topics that they teach. Intelligence
studies professor James Brecken-
ridge has been selected as one of
only 20 academics who will partici-
pate in a 10-day course in Israel.
The FDD is a non-partisan
policy institute. Its goals are to
promote pluralism and defend the
values of democracy. According to
its website, the FDD believes “no
one should be denied basic human
rights, including minority rights,
women’s rights and religious free-
dom.”
The men and women chosen for
this course come from colleges and
universities nationwide, and their
backgrounds are diverse.
“Because terrorism is a global
threat, they’re interested in a
Intel students now published authors
By Lynn Dula
Staff writer
Professor Daniel Mulligan of
the intelligences studies program
has created an exciting educational
opportunity for students in his
Introduction to Competitive Intel-
ligence course.
Twenty-six students are now
published authors of a paperback
book edited by Mulligan titled
“Insights and Analysis in 10 Min-
utes (or Less).”
Instead of assigning each stu-
dent to read a business book,
write a paper summarizing it and
deliver a report to the class, Mul-
ligan decided to motivate students
by creating a more exciting oppor-
tunity.
wide selection of academic back-
grounds,” Breckenridge said.
The course will take place in
Israel this June where the men and
women will “learn more about the
phenomenon of terrorism and
Middle Eastern politics,” Brecken-
James Breckenridge, the chair of the intelligence department,
will travel to Israel in June.
Letting it be known that the
results would be published, Mulli-
gan hoped students would put forth
more effort.
The book summarizes and
analyzes 26 different books on
leadership, business and motiva-
tion. Students were expected to
go beyond a regular summary
by researching and analyzing the
book’s contents and its author.
“I think I may have enjoyed this
report slightly better (than a normal
intelligence presentation) because I
really got into the book I was read-
ing,” said Mitchell Mahfoud, one of
the student authors. “Aside from
the assigned reading, I did extra
research to learn about the author
of the book, who was also the CEO
of the company the book focused
on, and also looked up the com-
FEATURES
ridge said.
Breckenridge is not a stranger to
the Middle East. He has traveled
to Israel on an academic tour, and
he took 30 Mercyhurst students
to Egypt two years ago to study
abroad.
Jill Barrile photo
pany online.”
Mulligan provided his students
with a list of books to choose from.
Based on which book they chose to
assess, he then determined when the
analysis and presentation were due.
Students appeared to enjoy the
project and were excited that the
publication would be available for
them to keep both as a reference
and as something substantial they
could produce at future job inter-
views.
“I thought it was a great learn-
ing experience,” said Mahfoud.
“The book I chose, “Leading
for Growth,” by Ray Davis, was
very insightful and helped me to
better understand the develop-
ment process of a company. It
was interesting and had concepts
that applied to what we were
May 4, 2011
Now that Osama
Bin Laden has
been killed, do
you think the
The FDD emailed Breckenridge
with the announcement that he global war on
would be offered the chance to par- terror is over?
ticipate in the fellowship.
Breckenridge thinks this course
is a great opportunity.
He believes one of the major
problems in his area of study is that
“academics do not have access to
practitioners,” Breckenridge said.
“It’s a fellowship for that time, but
it continues the relationships as
long you want them to be main-
“Saying the war is over
tained. One of the objectives is to
would be hasty, but I
build a social network to commu-
believe this is a signifi-
nicate with.”
cant and symbolic step in
The course itself will take place
in several locations in both indoor changing world
and outdoor environments. perspectives.”
“It’s designed to expose you to -Jeff Knell, senior
central Israel,” said Breckenridge.
“I think what’s important about this
fellowship is that it unifies a group
of academics who can discuss this
and look through a multitude of
academic lenses.”
Upon his return to Mercyhurst in
the fall, Breckenridge plans to use
what he has learned in classroom
instruction. “I think it is a great
He regularly teaches intelligence
accomplishment for our
courses on the Middle East.
military and a milestone
in the war, but I feel like
the terrorist threat from
the Middle East probably
hasn’t ended with the
death of one man, so I
doing in class.” think the war will con-
Being part of a project like this
tinue.”
is beneficial to students in the intel-
-Katie Wagner, junior
ligence studies program because
they now have an experience col-
laborating on an actual published
work, though only a few dozen are
actually printed.
“The books are essentially
‘vanity press,’ but my goal is to go
back and compile the best of all
three volumes and possibly make
them available for free through “Although I believe the
our department’s website,” Mul- war on terror is far from
ligan said.
over, it is a symbolic
The new book, completed at
blow for al-Qaeda and
the close of winter term, rep-
gives a little closure
resents the second volume in a
series. Students in Mulligan’s cur- to the families of his
rent Intro to Competitive Intel- numerous victims.”
ligence course are working on -Joe Krajcik, senior
Volume 3.
May 4, 2011
‘Opera 1, 2, 3...GO!’ showcases young opera singers
By Natalie Pertz
Staff writer
On Saturday night, students from
the D’Angelo School of Music pre-
sented a collaborative concert of
various operatic arias, duets and
trios titled “Opera 1, 2, 3...Go!”
Under the direction of Louisa
Jonason, the program featured the
music of many well known operas
such as “Hansel and Gretel,”
“Madama Butterfly,” “Antony and
Cleopatra” and “Il Trovatore.”
All of the students involved in
the performance were enrolled in
the music department’s yearlong
opera workshop class.
Twice a week throughout the
school year, students work on the
development of their particular
scenes in class as their peers observe
and offer constructive criticism.
Students must have advanced
musical ability and acquire effec-
‘Every Second Counts’ shows the
Plain White T’s have musical merit
By Aaron Ullman
Staff writer
In the spirit of Spring Fest, a
solid sit-down with the concert
headliners is in order.
The Plain White T’s have been
around for a while, releasing their
first album back in 2000.
Their latest endeavor was just
last year when “Wonders of the
Younger” was released. This show-
ing wasn’t something to get excited
about.
Instead, let’s rewind a bit and take
a look at what is arguably their best
album: “Every Second Counts,”
released in 2006.
Naturally, the first issue
that needs to be addressed is
(ironically) the last track on the
album—the T’s seemingly ubiq-
uitous hit, “Hey There Delilah.”
Anyone perusing the radio within
the last five or six years will have
inevitably come across the inter-
national smash.
However, it is not even close to
being their best song overall, let
alone on the album.
At best, “Hey, There Delilah” is
a cute little ditty about a boy loving
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Lynn Dula and Adam Ferrari play a scene from “Il Trovatore” by
Giuseppe Verdi in “Opera 1, 2, 3... GO!”
a girl from a long distance. It’s just
an OK song—nothing extremely
special about it but not hard on the
ears either.
Incessant playing on the Top 40
radio stations has effectively killed
it, easily making it one of the most
overplayed songs of the last five
years.
The Plain White T’s are more
than the one-dimensional band
everyone makes them out to
be; “Hey, There Delilah” is but
one song on a musically varied
album.
For example, “Our Time Now”
is a great opener. It’s upbeat,
catchy, with an excellent melody.
At the heart of the song is a
youthful exuberance of unre-
stricted love.
The song is almost an anthem
or self-admitted “dance for all the
lovers” living free and having “times
that we’ll remember.”
This song segues into the track
which is the best musical show-
case of the album. “Come Back
to Me” is the classic crooning of a
boy longing for his girl that’s just
left.
The catchy guitar riffs and excel-
lent breakdowns accompanied by
the chorus hold the song together
Tyler Stauffer photo
and really keep it from being overly
melancholy.
The power lineup doesn’t end
there. On the heels of “Come
Back to Me” is what some crit-
ics say the band’s best song over-
all -“Hate (I Really Don’t Like
You).”
The lead singer, Tom Higgenson,
bemoans the loss of an ex-lover.
And yet, he couldn’t care less about
her.
The word “hate” is such a strong
word and Higgenson tongue-
in-cheek, makes light of this, by
referring to the runaway girlfriend:
“Hate is a strong word/But I really,
really don’t like you.”
The lyrics are clever and crafted
well around the guitar melodies.
Other songs of interest on the
album are “You and Me,” “Friends
Don’t Let Friends Dial Drunk” and
“Making a Memory.”
They are solid supporters to a
cast of well-rounded tracks on a
fantastic album. The Plain White
T’s are more than their most popu-
lar hit.
“Every Second Counts” is an
exemplar of the musical talent
the T’s possess and hopefully that
talent will be showcased this week-
end.
tive characterization to successfully
communicate with their audience
the intent of the story, making it
believable.
For the students, this concert was
the product of a year of hard work
and attention to detail in class.
Sophomore Alianna Whiteaker-
Chudecke performed “The Dew
Fairy Aria” from “Hansel and
Gretel” by Engelbert Humperdinck
and the Der Rosenkavalier trio by
Johann Strauss.
Whiteaker-Chudecke says it was
an amazing experience and while
the singers worked hard to perform
for one night, they know that it is
important to know that they could
be inspiring someone in the audi-
ence.
One of the difficult aspects to
this piece was the variety of the
works that were performed. The
production took comedic and tragic
operas and effectively blended them
into the same concert.
‘Oscar-Nominated Live
Action Shorts’ promises
a wide range of emotions
By Natalie Pertz
Staff writer
This afternoon and evening, a
showcase of live action short films
will be presented as a part of the
ongoing Guelcher Film Series in the
D’Angelo Performing Arts Center.
Airing at 2:15 and 7:15 p.m., the
films were all nominated for this
year’s Oscars including: “The Con-
fession,” “Wish 143,” “Na Wewe,”
“The Crush” and “God of Love.”
In the UK film “The Confes-
sion,” an earnest young boy named
Sam (Lewis Howlett) is of age to
receive religious sacrament but
does not see the need to because he
possesses a clear conscience and is
nervous to confess.
In an attempt to find an alterna-
tive, Sam looks to the companion-
ship of his friend Jake (Joe Eales).
Directed by Tanel Toom, this
dramatic tale takes the innocence
of youth and horseplay and ends in
a twisted tragedy.
The Village Voice wrote that
the film is “a coming-of-age tale
Page 5
Junior Brianna Steves loved the
concert because she thought that
“while all of the operas were very
different, they were able to flow
from one another creating a story.”
For the senior performers,
including Andrea Baker, Megan
Duane, Lynn Dula, Nathan Katus
and Mary Spinelli, this concert was
one of their last performances as
students in the music department.
Spinelli says she “was honored
to have participated in this fantastic
production and that it was wonder-
ful to be able to perform a selection
from Jacques Offenbach’s Tales of
Hoffman, as it will not be included
in her senior recital next week.”
Junior Lindsey Nikithser said of
the evening, “the performance was
well done, the music was especially
great.
Everyone performed with
such emotion. You could tell how
invested all the performers were in
their characters.”
that examines Catholic guilt with a
heavy hand.”
“Wish 143” comedically tells the
story of David (Samuel Holland),
a terminally ill young man, and his
one last, unconventional wish to
lose his virginity.
With the assistance of an unsus-
pecting hospital chaplain (Jim
Carter) and a good natured girl
named Maggie (Jodie Whittaker),
David’s seemingly difficult wish
becomes reality.
Directed by Ian Barnes, The
Independent Critic called the film’s
script “intelligent and nothing short
of remarkable.”
In the Belgium film “Na Wewe,”
Ivan Goldschmidt directs his inter-
pretation of a civil war, set around
1994 in Burundi.
The ongoing conflict between the
Hutus and the Tutsis encompasses
the plot line of this drama on the
realities and casualties of war.
Cinema Verdict Review said the
film “gives us a sense of precari-
ous hold one had on life living in
Burundi in the ‘90s.”
To read the complete version of this
article, visit merciad.mercyhurst.edu.
Page 6 OPINION SeptemberMay 4, 2011
3, 2008
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.

Bin Laden’s death offers chance to stay informed

By Ethan Magoc
Staff writer
I initially sat down to type this
column Sunday night as a call for
more young folks today to read,
watch and follow the news more
closely.
Created the file at about 10:45
p.m. Drafted a lead. Stared at a
blank page.
Jumped on Facebook for a quick
writing respite.
Osama bin Laden dead, friends
began to post. An hour later, Presi-
dent Obama confirmed that item
in a press conference with other
details on the U.S. combat strike.
Late into the night, I watched
as Twitter and Facebook traffic
reached peaks that must have been
similar to the 2008 Election Night
and a few recent Super Bowls.
Everyone had heard the news.
There went my rant’s entire
premise.
But this weekend, I had finished
the first book in a line of suggested
titles for my upcoming two-year
graduate study in mass commu-
nications. Though a slightly dated
read with its 2005 publication date,
David Mindich’s “Tuned Out: Why
Americans Under 40 Don’t Follow
the News” was still an engaging and
quick foray into current news con-
sumption trends.
I put it down having realized his
observations from the early 2000s
remained extremely relevant—
about how more young people
watched and cared about “Survi-
vor” and “American Idol” than they
did the disputed 2000 President
Election and the early years of the
War on Terror. Substitute “Dancing
with the Stars” and “Jersey Shore”
versus the headlines emanating in
recent months from Libya, Egypt
and at home with nationwide
budget battles; nothing’s changed.
Most importantly, his conclu-
sions that this trend has weakened
our democracy continues today.
On Sunday night, I couldn’t help
but notice how many of those
social media posts revolved around
“Team America” videos, short-
sighted celebratory statuses (one
I saw actually declared terrorism
to be over) and the ever-present
“USA, USA, USA.”
I was right there with them, for
about 18 seconds.
But then, anyone who has fol-
lowed serious news outlets with
even a modicum of interest or read
any books about the War on Terror
during the past decade should have
quickly awakened before they went
to bed.
Were those uninformed citizens
bombing Facebook and Twitter
feeds Sunday night aware that a
shortage of U.S. troops near the
Afghanistan-Pakistan border in
October 2001 likely delayed this
moment by nearly 10 years?
Aware of the fantastic irony
surrounding the finality of the
May 1 date in recent U.S. history?
President Bush stood on an aircraft
carrier exactly eight years before
and declared combat operations in
Iraq—a country we’d invaded in
supposed retribution for its involve-
ment in the 2001 terror attacks—to
be over.
Mission accomplished?
Hardly. Nor is it now. If you
briefly read or watched the news
on Sunday or Monday, or even gar-
nered what had occurred by brows-
ing Facebook, you might have
reached the false assumption that
more suicide bombings, more
improvised explosive devices kill-
ing American or coalition troops
around the world, more reports
of heightened security at airports
across the country.
Continue to find out why this is
all happening. Ensure that Presi-
dent Obama uses this moment to
strengthen our domestic security
and global reputation. If he doesn’t,
vote him out in 2012.
Just don’t replace him with
Donald Trump because you enjoy
his absurd reality show.
Mercyhurst sponsors a great
campus readership program—
copies of The New York Times,
USA Today, the Erie Times-News
and, of course, The Merciad. Take
advantage of free news content
while you can, and then support
good journalism after you leave.
Democracy depends on our abil-
ity to become better informed. Cel-

Res life squelches patriotism

By Neil B. Apfelbaum II
Contributing writer
During Sunday’s historic eve-
ning, as thousands of united
Americans took to the streets of
Washington D.C., New York City
and college campuses across the
United States to revel in long over-
due justice being brought to the ter-
rorist murderer Osama bin Laden,
Mercyhurst College Residence Life
officials descended upon celebra-
tions in student housing with a far
more sinister agenda. While the
entire nation took a collective sigh
of relief and banned together for
the first time in 10 years, Residence
Life set out to disband and shat-
ter the glimmers of patriotic unity
that had begun to emerge on our
campus. Led by an AD, a posse of
seven RAs patrolled the campus
demanding people return to their
dorms during quiet hours, search-
ing apartments for harmless fire-
crackers and writing down names at
a feverish pace, announcing, “You
will be hearing from us.”
On campuses far more prestigious
than our own, students and faculty
joined together in a patriotic union
to honor the memory of those lost
during the tragedies of 9/11 and to
show their support for our troops
at home and abroad. Gatherings
at Holy Cross, Notre Dame and
Georgetown were endorsed and led
by key religious and administrative
figures. The occasion was viewed as
an opportunity for the campus to
grow together and heal spiritually
as a community. These prestigious
Catholic institutions held prayer
services and sang together. While
the country celebrated, the divided
campus of Mercyhurst College lay
in silence: a silence enforced by Res-
idence Life that was broken only by
a patriot’s fleeting firecracker snap
or a passing car horn.
I am a proud American, and I
have always been proud to be a stu-
dent at Mercyhurst College until this
moment. Those of you who rejoiced
this past Sunday evening, I salute
you. However, those of you who
worked tirelessly into the night to
thwart patriotic expressions, I con-
demn your unnecessarily oppressive
actions. My fellow students and dis-
tinguished faculty, both American
the game’s over. ebrate bin Laden’s death? Absolutely.
Don’t be fooled. Stay tuned. But work still needs to be done. And
There will be news next week of you need to know about it.
and international, we must remem-
ber and cherish those who have
died to ensure the freedoms that we
enjoy today. We must also support
and appreciate those who continue
to fight for these same freedoms.
Let us strive to create and foster a
profound sense of community here
on campus. This is an element that
is blatantly missing on our campus
If you don’t want it printed . . . don’t let it happen.
and something from which Mercy- Editors Positions @mercyhurst.edu
hurst could greatly benefit. Ethan Magoc Editor-in-Chief editormerciad
In closing, I would like to make
Kelly Luoma News Editor newsmerciad
a plea to all of you to reflect upon
Alaina Rydzewski Features Editor featuremerciad
the recent events of the world. If
you feel so compelled, which I am Victoria Gricks Opinion Editor opinionmerciad
certain you will, then you should Spencer Hunt Sports Editor sportsmerciad
exercise your constitutional right to Alex Stacey A&E Editor entertainmentmerciad
demonstrate the pride you have in Kaitlin Badger Graphics photomerciad
our great nation. If the aforemen- Tyler Stauffer Photo Editor photomerciad
tioned prestigious Catholic colleges Ethan Johns Web Editor ejohns89
across the country are the measure Daniela Carcamo Ad Manager admerciad
by which we evaluate our academic
Bill Welch Adviser wwelch
worth, and they should be, then
Brian Sheridan Adviser bsheridan
we, the faculty, students and espe-
cially Residence Life of Mercyhurst
College, need to follow suit. Never
again should our campus be silent The Merciad is the official student-produced newspaper of Mercyhurst
while the United States of America
celebrates victoriously.
College. It is published throughout the school year, with the exception of
God Bless America. finals weeks. Our office is in Hirt, Room 120B.
May 4, 2011
Four athletes, four different sports, earn weekly honors
By Spencer Hunt
Sports editor
Traditionally, schools have a
strong athletic week in a sport or
two. Even the top athletic schools
have up and down weeks, or up and
down sports.
Men’s lacrosse, women’s lacrosse,
baseball and women’s water polo
all had a player of the week in their
conference during the week ending
April 24.
The impressive part of what
Mercyhurst athletes were able to do
is that the athletes play in four dif-
ferent sports. To have four different
student-athletes in four different
sports be the top player in their
respective sport in a given week is
quite a feat
These accomplishments came
with only another week or so left
in each team’s season. The hope is
that the award marks players hitting
their stride, or playing their best,
goals and eight assists over their
heading into the playoffs.
final three games. She had an out-
Kim Masterton, women’s
standing individual season headed
lacrosse, was named PSAC co-player
into playoffs. Masterton led the
of the week with 17 points on nine
Sports
Zach Nash Kevin McCall
Kimberly Masterton Rachel Griepsma
team in overall points this season
with 81. But the player of the week
honor was not on Masterton’s radar
of things to accomplish.
“Playoffs are more important
and keeping the season alive, rather
than winning player of the week,”
Masterton said. “The award doesn’t
make a difference, I play because I
love to.”
Rachel Griepsma, women’s water
polo, had an equally impressive
individual season. She was named
CWPA player of the week after tal-
lying 16 points on seven goals and
nine assists. She led the team during
the year with 55 goals and 68 overall
points.
“It’s definitely special because
we play against D-I athletes and to
be recognized among them is an
honor,” Griepsma said.
Unfortunately for both Griepsma
and Masterton, the late success only
lasted another week. Griepsma and
the women’s water polo team beat
Gannon, but lost to Brown Univer-
sity in the CWPA Eastern playoffs
to end their season with a record of
16-10.
Masterton and the women’s
lacrosse team opened up the play-
offs looking at three teams, all who
beat them in the regular season,
standing in the way of a champion-
ship. After beating Bloomsburg, the
Page 7
Lakers fell to No. 1 West Chester in
the semi-finals of the PSAC tour-
nament ending their season with a
record of 13-6.
Kevin McCall, baseball, and Zach
Nash, men’s lacrosse, were both
named PSAC players of the week
in their respective sports. McCall
batted .611 with six RBIs during a
5-0 week for the Lakers. Nash held
Limestone, the nation’s top offense,
to only eight goals and helped the
Lakers continue their climb up the
rankings.
“You can’t think too far ahead. I
just play in the moment and stick to
the same routine,” McCall said.
Nash continued his success by
being named PSAC defensive player
of the week again this past week
after the team beat No. 7 New York
Tech. The men’s lacrosse team still
has two games remaining before
playoff selections will be made on
May 8.
McCall helped the Lakers go 3-
1 against Slippery Rock to earn the
PSAC West regular season champi-
onship. The Lakers have one game
remaining against Urbana before
their play-offs begin.
Page 8 Sports May 4, 2011

Practice beginning to pay off for men’s lacrosse Tech.

By Spencer Hunt “We proved last year that we need
Sports editor to be perfect down the stretch,”
Nash said. “Being a senior, I want
to go out and play the best I can
The phrase, practice makes per-
and help the team win.”
fect, is often thrown around with
After a solid week of practice
reckless abandon. However mis-
and the Limestone victory, the team
used it may be, it does apply to a
didn’t have the same stellar week of
number of successful teams. The
practice headed into the New York
Mercyhurst men’s lacrosse team
Tech game.
appears to be one of them.
“New York Tech has become
Sitting in second place with a
such a big rivalry game, even though
10-2 record with two games left in
practice wasn’t as solid as I would
the regular season, the Lakers are
like, the guys came out and played
looking to earn an at-large bid to
hard and won (10-8),” Ryan said.
the NCAA Division II tournament.
Ryan has said he doesn’t plan
After last year’s team was snubbed
on “adding anything new” going
of a play-off spot despite a 13-1
forward, but the last two games are
record, this year’s team has been
must-wins for the Lakers. Win its
working even harder to make sure it
last two games and Mercyhurst is
doesn’t happen two years in a row.
likely to get the Division II at-large
Since strength of schedule
bid.
proved a pitfall for last year’s Lakers,
“If we lose one, then things will
this season’s team was determined
become very interesting, and we
not to suffer the same fate. The
don’t want that,” he said.
team fought through its first seven Ethan Magoc photo
The Lakers are fortunate enough
games—six of which were on the Senior Zach Nash has been the backbone of the Mercyhurst defense for the last two seasons. to spend this last week of the season
road—to get through half the Nash has held every opponent this season, including the nations’ top offense in Limestone, to at home, with both Seton Hill and
season with a 6-1 record.
under 10 goals. The Lakers have two games remaining before post-season play begins. Dominican coming to Erie.
After fighting through the tough
suffered a 4-3 loss, their final defeat had an amazing week of practice. heart of the win and has pushed The team will face Seton Hill
road schedule, the Lakers dis-
to date. Everything was crisp and pinpoint the season’s upward trajectory. The Wednesday at 4 p.m. at Tullio Field,
patched highly-ranked Dowling at
As if the schedule wasn’t hard accurate which added to our confi- Lakers have not given up 10 goals and Dominican will come to town
home before heading back out on
enough already, the Lakers still had dence,” coach Chris Ryan said. in one game this season. The reign- on Saturday at 1 p.m. The selec-
the road. During their penultimate
then-No. 1 Limestone and No. 7 The practice work led the Lakers ing ECAC goalie of the year had 12 tions for the NCAA tournament
road game, the Lakers had to face
New York Tech on the schedule. to a 12-8 victory over Limestone. saves against Limestone and was are slated for Sunday.
top-ranked C.W. Post. The Lakers
“Before the Limestone game, we Goalie Zach Nash stood at the just as critical against New York

Baseball earns
Men’s golf having best season in history top seed in
By Matt Cirell
to qualify for the regional compe-
tition since Dave Hewett in 1987.
on a high note.
“If people saw us at the begin-
PSAC West
Staff writer Hewett is now an assistant coach ning of the season, they would The Mercyhurst baseball
for the men’s golf team. never have said we would make it to team continues its meteoric
Senior Brian Corbitt has greatly where we are now.” rise through the nationatal D-II
Mercyhurst’s men’s golf team is
contributed to the team’s success The regional tournament con- polls.
having one of the best seasons in
this season, both with his leadership cludes Wednesday, and as of May The Lakers sit at No. 22
history. The team’s continued hard
and consistent improvement on the 3, Mercyhurst sits in 16th place, according to Collegiate Baseball
work and competition since Sep-
course. after shooting an 11 under par in News and 17th in the National
tember proved successful with their
“My career here at Mercyhurst the second round for a two round Collegiate Baseball Writers
last tournament at the IUP invita-
has been great,” said Corbitt, “I am score of 43 over par. Association poll.
tional.
glad that we made it to regionals Sophomore Jake Pilarski has a After winning 13 of their last
The men secured a fifth-place
again.” team-high 6 over par after 36 holes 14 games, the Lakers have cap-
finish, earning a selection to the
Corbitt talked about how the of play. Freshman Evan Watkins tured the PSAC West regular
regional competition at the NCAA
team earning a No. 10 seed in the shot a team best 72 in the second season title and the No. 1 seed
Division II Golf Championship at
tournament was a big achievement. round, and 9 over par overall. in the PSAC postseason tourna-
the Hershey Links Golf Course in
Sports Information photo “We are a young team, which If the Mercyhurst men secure at ment.
Hummelstown.
The men’s golf team is having makes this such an important least a top-five finish, they will then The Lakers have one game
This success stemmed from a
its best season in history, en accomplishment.” Corbitt said, “It qualify for the NCAA Division II remaining before the PSAC
pair of back-to-back victories. In
route a NCAA tournament is so perfect this is happening in my National Championship tourna- tournament.
the 2009-10 season, Tyler Bidwell
birth. senior year. It feels great to go out ment in Florence, Ala.
became the first Mercyhurst golfer