Tuition hikes Federal Direct Loan Let us know what you

6 percent Program starts 2008-09 think of the increase

NEWS 2 NEWS 3 OPINION 12
PAGE 2
Mercyhurst tuition crosses $30,000 mark
Administrators say ’Hurst endowment not large enough to cover costs
By Joshua Wilwohl
Editor-in-chief
Students will need to delve
deeper into their pockets to pay
for next year’s tuition.
A hike of 6 percent will
bump the current main campus
resident price tag of $29,691 to
$31,482.
The commuter bill for main
campus will increase from
$21,891 to $23,286.
Mercyhurst College Vice Pres-
ident of Finance Jane Kelsey said
the increase is necessary because
the school relies heavily on stu-
dent tuition for revenue.
“We need to pay for science
lab renovations…and keep the
faculty at the college,” she said.
Kelsey said Mercyhurst does
not have a large endowment,
such as Harvard University,
which is able to cover most costs
such as construction.
Kelsey said Mercyhurst’s
endowment is currently $28 mil-
lion, an increase from $22 million
just a few years ago. Harvard’s is
$25.9 billion, according to the
university’s Web site.
“Twenty-eight million is small,”
she said. “This is because we’re a
relatively young institution…and
we don’t have the endowment
to cover (certain) costs or offset
financial aid.”
Kelsey said a tuition increase
of 6 percent is normal, noting
that the college has bumped
tuition an average of 6 percent
over the past 18 years.
In the 2004-05 academic year,
resident tuition was $24,891 and
commuter tuition was $18,093.
She did not know the national
average for tuition increases and
said that figure is not calculated
until later in the year.
Kelsey said, however, that 16
other private colleges in the area,
including Allegheny College, will
NEWS April 9, 2008
see an increase in tuition costs.
Dr. Scott Friedhoff, vice presi-
dent for enrollment and com-
munication at Allegheny College,
said the school’s tuition, including
room-board, and comprehensive
fees, will increase 6.67 percent to
$40,000 for 2008-09.
Of the 16, according to Kelsey,
Mercyhurst ranks in the bottom
four for tuition increase.
“We want to maintain being
a low-cost intuition,” she said.
“But, we need a bare minimum
with education and utilities.”
Kelsey said Mercyhurst does
not get state funding since it’s
a private institution, but it does
obtain grants that help pay costs
at the college.
“Grants and contracts are a
way through research opportu-
nities that you’re able to fund a
teaching position or other proj- Scoot Williams photo
ects,” she said. Sophomore Jillian Miller obtains advice about her tuition bill for next year in the college’s
Students said they want to see financial aid office.
tuition level off.
Sophomore Elizabeth Gallea “We don’t blindly give budget 2008-09 school year. shrinking and we’re taking a
said updating the college is good, managers the task to increase This program, according to harder look at families.”
but there’s a point where a tuition tuition,” she said. “We start in Kelsey, is the best option for Kelsey said students who
increase is too much. the fall of each year and look at students with loans. are having trouble paying
“It’s always good to continue College Board to see what the “We’re watching closely on their tuition bill should con-
updating facilities, but they just state is doing with tuition.” what lenders are backing out,” tact the financial aid office at
increased it last year,” she said. College Board is a Web site for she said. “Alternative loans are (814) 824-2278.
“You’re going to get to a point students, parents and profession-
where future students don’t want als that provides an in-depth look
to come because it’s too high.”
Junior Amber Cerzantez said
at a college or university.
Kelsey said the college does Police log
if the college is going to increase not take the tuition increase
tuition, it should spend the lightly.
Controlled Substance Criminal Mischief
money wisely. “I know there are families that 3807 Lewis Lewis Avenue
“It seems that they have a lot see this as a significant increase March 26 March 29
of money, but they use it in areas and we do understand that,” she College discipline Closed
they shouldn’t and that could be said. “We’re always looking for
used in other areas,” she said. ways to increase tuition as little Liquor Law Violation Larceny/Theft
“I’ve heard they rent out flow- as we have to.” 3907 Lewis Old Main
ers, etc. for big events, but they Sophomore Kyle Hart said March 29 April 1
could use that money to build an tuition is becoming costly. Closed Pending investigation
athletic field or something.” “When will it stop?” he asked.
Kelsey said the college does “That’s what I want to know.” Larceny/Theft
not simply decide to increase Kelsey said to help decrease East Duval
tuition, but takes into account the stress of college costs, Mer- April 3
factors before making the deci- cyhurst is implementing a federal Pending investigation
sion. direct lending program in the
April 9, 2008
Mercyhurst gets ‘direct’ with lending
College moves to Federal Direct Loan Program to benefit students
By Casey Greene
Managing editor
Mercyhurst Colleg e will
launch a program next year that
will make sure students aren’t
left a-loan.
Mercyhurst is cur rently
making the transition to the
William D. Ford Federal Direct
Loan Program (FDL), which
will take full effect beginning in
the 2008-09 academic year.
FDL allows students and
parents to apply online for fed-
eral student loans using a single
source.
With the instability of the
lending market, students rely-
ing on loans to pay tuition costs
could be feeling nervous.
Independent lenders are drop-
ping out of the market..
Mercyhurst College Director
of Student Financial Services
Kathy Bialk said ’Hurst students
don’t need to worry.
‘Vote Smart’ bus tour educates Mercyhurst voters
By Liz Maier
Staff writer
In addition to Hillary Clinton’s
visit, the approaching Pennsyl-
vania primary has brought the
Project Vote Smart bus tour to
Mercyhurst College.
The 45-foot, red, white and
blue charter bus stopped at Mer-
cyhurst College on Tuesday April
8, to deliver students, faculty and
staff with accurate, nonpartisan
and unbiased information to
aid in their electoral decision
making.
For 16 years, Project Vote
Smart has been educating the
public with unbiased informa-
tion about political candidates
“This transition will be so
simple the change will not
inconvenience the students in
any way,” Bialk said.
Bialk said Mercyhurst decided
to move to the Federal Direct
Lending Program because of
the instability of the lending
market.
“There is such uncertainty
in the market,” Bialk said. “We
don’t want to put students
through that, and we want to
make sure funding is avail-
able.”
Previously, students took loans
through the Federal Family Edu-
cational Loan Program (FFELP)
lenders, a program that uses mul-
tiple independent lenders.
Bialk said more than 40 lend-
ers have suspended their services
or have completely stopped
participation in FFELP. Several
dozen Mercyhurst students have
lost funding due to this.
“We expect these numbers to
continue to grow,” Bialk said.
running for state and national
positions.
The nonprofit citizens’ organi-
zation provides information on
a political candidate’s campaign
finances, interest group ratings,
issue positions, voting records
and public statements.
The “voter’s self-defense
system,” as the project refers
to itself, offers information on
voter registration, absentee bal-
lots and polling locations.
Legislative Research Director
for Project Vote Smart Jeremy
Clemens said, “We contacted
Mercyhust because of the
upcoming Pennsylvania prima-
ries, however usually our mem-
bers will ask us to visit.”
“Citizens are always manipu-
NEWS
Bialk said that most students
are not affected by this, but
around 12 currently face issues
paying for their spring term
classes.
“We are working with these
students on an individual basis,”
Bialk said. “We are reaching out
to these students to help them
with their financial needs.”
Bialk said this will be the case,
because Mercyhurst will have
full control and will be com-
municating directly with the U.S.
Department of Education.
“This will be a more secure
and simple system,” said Bialk.
“FDL will have fewer issues.
Problems will be picked up
sooner rather than being lost in
the shuffle.”
Under FFELP, Mercyhurst
has little ability to help students
with the lending process and
often leaves students and par-
ents feeling overwhelmed when
taking out loans, Bialk said.
The FDL eliminates all out-
lated by political leaders,” senior
Jessica McNurlen said. “Some-
times it is a battle of who can win
more of what the people want or
need to hear.”
Sophomore Celeste Shefferly
said she agrees.
“Whenever political candi-
dates answer controversial ques-
tions they are always very vague,”
she said. “It is hard for me to
believe that they will uphold
their word.”
Project Vote Smart is funded
by the private donations of more
than 48,000 members.
“In the last six months, our
two teams have traveled 25,000
miles across the United States,”
Clemens said. “From West Vir-
ginia, to Florida, to Maine; we
side sources, giving Mercyhurst
control over lending.
“Students will now have a
single source,” said Bialk. “This
makes the process very simple
and easy for students.”
Bialk said the FDL will ben-
efit students who utilize loans.
“We will now have the ability
to help students directly,” she
said. “If students are having
trouble with their loans we will
be able to fix things immedi-
ately.”
Bialk said the eligibility
requirements of the Federal
Direct Loan Program are the
same as the requirements for
FFELP loans and FDL provides
students with favorable repay-
ment choices and, in some cases,
debt forgiveness.
“In terms of benefits to stu-
dents, short and long term, the
Federal Direct Loan Program
is the most beneficial,” Bialk
said.
Bialk said the college is trying
have been everywhere.”
The large bus acts as a minia-
ture movie theater so the public
can view a 10-minute film about
the project.
Also traveling with the bus
is a giant red, white and blue
balloon.
“Written on the balloon are
messages from people across
the nation,” Clemens said. “They
each wrote something that they
think should be heard.”
Clemens said the balloon will
be displayed in front of the
nation’s capitol throughout the
week of the presidential elec-
tion.
As a part of the Project Vote
Smart bus tour, laptops are lent
out to the public so they can view
PAGE 3
to keep students informed and
provide multiple lines of com-
munication about the transition
to FDL.
An e-newsletter will be sent to
parents and students will receive
an e-mail or letter with similar
information.
Infor mation will also be
included in students’ financial
aid award letters, which are
scheduled to be sent to upper-
classmen in early June.
A Web site has been created
to ease any concerns students
or parents may have. Bialk said
students should be directed to
go to finaid.mercyhurst.edu and
click on “Types of Financial
Aid,” then “Loans.”
“I’m very excited about this,”
Bialk said. “I truly believe that
not only are we giving students
assurance that they have funding
for their education, but we will
be able to have control over ser-
vices which will be a significant
improvement.”
their Web site.
According to “The Voter’s
Self-Defense Manual” distrib-
uted by Project Vote Smart, their
award winning Web site, www.
vote-smart.org, contains infor-
mation for citizens to evaluate
elected officials and candidates.
Clemens said: “The informa-
tion found in the Voter’s Self
Defense Manual is gathered from
the National Political Aware-
ness Test taken by all political
candidates. The test is like a
survey where candidates answer
questions on their position about
various issues ranging from abor-
tion to the war on Iraq. They
are straightforward questions
so candidates can’t go around
answering them.”
PAGE 4
New faces in MSG leadership
By Javiera Cubillos
Staff writer
Mercyhurst College Student
Government (MSG) is under new
leadership.
The newly inducted executive
board includes President Christina
Coovert, Vice president Dinorah
Sanchez, Treasurer Adam Kostik
and Secretary Santina Sgro.
Coovert is a junior majoring in
business management with a mi-
nor in fashion merchandising. She
is originally from Las Vegas, NV,
grew up in Texas, and she now
calls Hurricane, Utah home.
Sanchez is a sophomore foren-
sic science major with a double
concentration in biology and
criminalistics and a minor in po-
litical science.
She is from Baytown, TX and
takes part in the Honors Program,
Ambassadors Club, Forensic Sci-
Service opportunities after graduation
By Julie Hranica
Staff writer
Mercyhurst College students
who did not get enough service
learning have plenty of ser-
vice opportunities waiting after
graduation.
Students can find ways to give
back across the country and get
great life experiences too.
AmeriCorps VISTA
For graduating students, an
AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers
in Service to America) position
is available for 2008-09.
This position offers ben-
efits such as a monthly stipend,
health insurance, $4,750 educa-
tion award and housing.
The full-time, year-long posi-
tion includes working with
Mercyhurst students who are
ence Club and LCP.
“I love every minute of it,”
Sanchez said.
Sgro is from Valley View,
Ohio. She is a freshman intel-
ligence studies major.
Kostik is also a freshman, and
is majoring in political science.
Despite their different back-
grounds, MSG executive board
members all agree on the fact
that MSG needs to improve
communication with other de-
partments and it is in their agen-
da to do so.
Coovert said she will have
three focus points.
First, she wants to improve
relations between MSG and
the student body, Registered
Student Clubs and Organiza-
tions (RSCOs), faculty, staff and
administrators.
Her plan is to reach each sec-
tor “…through innovative and
amplified public relations,” she
AmeriCorps scholars.
Duties include working in
non-profit community agencies,
helping to improve services that
range from illiteracy to health
issues.
There are 20 VISTA positions
available in Erie and Crawford
counties.
The International Institute,
Mercy Center for Women,
House of Healing, Earthforce
and many others are organiza-
tions for which students can
work.
Colin Hurley, Mercyhurst’s
current AmeriCorps VISTA
representative, has led students
on service trips to Camden,
New Jersey and New Orleans.
Hurley will have a table in the
Herrmann Student Union from
April 21-25 from noon to 2 p.m.
to provide students with infor-
NEWS
said.
RSCOs will be reached through
electronic communications and
meetings.
Faculty, staff and administra-
tors will also meet with MSG
more regularly as well as increas-
ing their correspondence.
“I look forward to really em-
bracing the role of MSG liaison
between the RSCOs and MSG
to work for them, the students,”
Sanchez said.
Students will be targeted
through different media. There
are plans for a campus-wide
TV network for posting news,
information and advertisements,
as well as placing bulleting boards
in each residential building.
“We want to explore new
venues for getting the word out,”
Coovert said.
The second change that MSG
is most concerned about is
increasing school spirit, mainly
mation concerning the VISTA
positions.
Hurley said he feels service
is extremely important and
encourages students to look
into these positions.
“Whether it’s for a few hours
or for a few years, giving service
truly simplifies life to a point
where you get to experience first
hand the social issues involving
poverty,” he said. “After consid-
ering how many lives you are
affecting, the last person you
think about helping and chang-
ing is actually yourself.
Sophomore Nadine Beres
is currently an AmeriCorps
scholar. She said she believes
her service through AmeriCorps
has opened up new opportuni-
ties for her.
She said the program enabled
her to take part in the many ser-
with regard to athletics.
This will be done through
various action plans: securing
institutional employment for
Mercyhurst’s mascot Louie the
Laker, getting more student
involvement in clubs and the
activities sponsored by MSG and,
finally, building on the college’s
existing traditions as well as cre-
ating new ones.
MSG is concerned with find-
ing ways to ensure that sugges-
tions and complaints are heard in
order to better serve the student
body.
“I will go out to club meet-
ings to hear directly from the
students,” Sachez said.
Sgro agreed.
“I hope to include student
input as much as possible when
creating these changes to ensure
that our time is spent serving
the students’ best interests,”
she said.
vice opportunities throughout
Erie.
“I would have had no reason
to participate but now that
I have done it I love it and I
participate even when I do not
need service hours,” she said.
“It has really helped me grow as
a person and a volunteer in the
Erie community.”
For more information about
the VISTA position got to www.
americorps.gov.
Faith-based service
Faith-based organizations
such as the Mercy Volunteer
Corps and the Jesuit Volunteer
Corps are open to Mercyhurst
students looking to further their
service to others.
The Mercy Volunteer Corps
partners with the Sisters of
Mercy to organize opportuni-
ties for volunteers to serve in
April 9, 2008
MSG will focus on research
for new ideas by visiting other
colleges and creating proposals
for implementation on the Mer-
cyhurst campus.
“There will also be more fo-
cus on exploring opportunities
for student-initiated projects,”
Coovert said.
This is a point of special inter-
est for Sgro. She said that student
lack of interest toward college
events makes it difficult for MSG
to plan successful events.
“While serving as a freshman
representative this year, I real-
ized that student apathy plays a
big role in the ability of student
government to create change,”
Sgro said.
Coovert said anyone with
questions, complaints or con-
cerns can contact the board at
(814) 824-2428.
MSG offices are located on the
top floor of the student union.
education, healthcare or social
services.
Volunteers commit one or
two years of service. The full-
time program places volunteers
throughout the United States or
Guyana, South America.
The Jesuit Volunteer Corps
is both a national and interna-
tional program, with about 250
Jesuit volunteers serving around
the world.
These volunteers serve
where the need is greatest and
provide help to individuals in
low-income situations, people
with AIDS, refugees and many
others.
For more information about
these programs visit www.mer-
cyvolunteers.org or www.jesuit-
volunteers.org.
Please see Senior on Page 6
April 9, 2008 NEWS PAGE 5

Want to be a campus senator?

By Casey Greene
Managing editor
Mercyhurst College students
who want to be the voice of
their fellow classmates, make a
difference on campus and have
a say in campus politics now
have a venue to do just that.
Mercyhurst Student
Government (MSG) has decided
to create senator positions to
give students the chance to
actively voice their opinion
and participate in student
government.
represent their academic school
or represent their class.
“The new setup for senator
elections is a great way to get
students involved, especially
those who feel or have felt
MSG is not able to serve their
specific needs,” said freshman
MSG Secretary Santina Sgro.
“By creating school positions
along with class positions, more
students can get involved and
create change for students they
hope to represent.”
According to Sanchez,
senators will have similar
responsibilities as the current
16, and Thursday, April 17.
“To be eligible a student
must submit an application and
picture by Wednesday, April 9,
at 6 p.m.,” said Sanchez.
Applications can be found
at msg.mercyhurst.edu and can
be turned in at msgelection@
mercyhurst.edu, she said.
Students must also attend an
informational campaign meeting
on Wednesday, April 9, at 8:30
p.m. in the MSG Chambers in
the Herrmann Student Union,
Sanchez said.
“In the MSG Senator
Elections ’08, the students will Contributed photo

MSG Vice President Dinorah MSG representatives “with the
Sanchez, a junior, said the vital component being that they
senator positions are part of the represent their constituents to
new MSG constitution, which
was passed in February.
“This setup aims to reach
the best of their abilities.”
Senators will be expected to
attend MSG meetings, complete
out to more students from
across academic schools and the
’Hurst community in general so
at least three MSG service hours
per term, serve on a committee
and several other duties.
that their needs can be better
met, represented and voiced,”
Sanchez said.
In return, senators will receive
$55 per term with Committee
Chairs receiving $150 per term.
The MSG Senate consists They also receive a 10 percent
of 22 senators – two senators discount at the bookstore, the
from each of the five academic ability to attend off-campus
schools and three senators from leadership conferences and
each of the four graduating other benefits.
classes present on campus. MSG will hold senator
Students can choose to elections on Wednesday, April
Mercyhurst IT Department
Resident Technician (ResTech) position
Start Fall 2008
$2000 stipend
Assist students at Helpdesk or in Student Residence halls with PC/Network
problems
Apply by printing, completing and returning the form located at
http://lakernet.mercyhurst.edu/attach/restechapplication.pdf
Or call x3301 for more information
Return the form to: Helpdesk, PRESTON 15
Application deadline: April 25, 2008
elect the senators,” Sanchez
said.
The candidates who win the
popular vote will be sworn in
at MSG’s meeting on Monday,
April 21, and the new body will
be set, she said.
“The MSG executive board is
really excited for next year and
is looking forward to working
with the new senator setup,
in order to tackle innovative
projects that will bring positive
changes to the student body,”
said MSG President Christina
Coovert, a junior.
Further questions or concerns
can be directed to Sanchez at
msgvp@mercyhurst.edu.
Seniors John McClellan and Dan Piechocki participated in
the 60th annual military ball for the ROTC Battalion.
Mercyhurst cadets
participate in
military ball
By Kenny Foster
Contributing writer
Mercyhurst College cadets
recently participated in the
60th annual military ball for the
Gannon Reserve Officers’ Train-
ing Corps (ROTC) Battalion, held
at the Union Station Ballroom
in Erie.
The military ball represents
a history and tradition for the
ROTC Battalion and gives the
cadets an opportunity to experi-
ence a formal, military setting.
The ROTC was first established
at Gannon University in the fall
of 1948 with the mission of
developing and commissioning
the future leadership in the United
States Army.
The first graduating class of
cadets, which consisted entirely
of veterans, was commissioned
in 1950.
Beginning in 1970, the ROTC
program initiated cross enroll-
ment with other colleges in the
Erie area.
However, it was not until the
1990s when Mercyhurst was
included in the cross enrollment.
Last Friday, the military ball
celebrated this tradition and now
Mercyhurst enjoys its largest
enrollment ever.
Additionally the cadets are able
to celebrate their training and
improvements accomplished
from the year of hard work that
they have put into the battalion.
The military ball was led by
Mercyhurst senior and Battalion
Commander William Swafford.
Later in the evening the ROTC
Battalion was honored by guest
speaker, Colonel (Ret.) William W.
Smathers, a Pa. native and a 1980
Distinguished Military Graduate
from Clarion State College, in
Clarion, Pennsylvania.
The military ball ended with
late-night dancing festivities as
well as door prizes for all in
attendance.
 PAGE 6
Students bring UNICEF to ’Hurst
By Casey Greene
Managing editor
The United Nation’s Children’s
Fund, or UNICEF, has made its
way onto the Mercyhurst College
campus with the help of several
ambitious students.
Sophomore Marta Baran,
President of the UNICEF
campus initiative, has worked
hard over the last year to de-
velop a Mercyhurst chapter of
UNICEF.
Her hard work paid off last
term when Mercyhurst Student
Government (MSG) officially
recognized the group.
Baran, an international student
from Poland, said she decided to
form a UNICEF group because
of the good she has seen the
organization do in her home
country.
“UNICEF helped a lot of peo-
ple in Poland for many years,”
Baran said. “I found out about it
and thought it’d be great to have
a campus initiative that could
benefit people in Erie.”
The group is currently work-
ing with the International In-
stitute of Erie, which provides
“resettlement services for refu-
gee families” and “a variety of
other multicultural and national
Senior pledge: more service opportunities
Continued from page 4
Other opportunities
Current freshmen and soph-
omores also have the opportu-
nity to get involved.
AmeriCorps Scholars in Ser-
vice to Pa. is a service scholar-
ship.
The scholarship requires 450
hours of service be completed
in a year’s time.
After completion of these
services,” according to its Web
site.
The goal of the institute is to
“help families learn the language
and culture of their new country,
and become self-sufficient, says
its Web site.
Baran said many of the fami-
lies at the institute were forced
out of their native countries due
to war or political unrest.
Baran along with seniors Kev-
in Burns and Payton Olverd
“adopted” a family from Uz-
bekistan at the institute earlier
in the year.
“It is not that they are poor,”
Baran said. “They have just
found themselves in a bad situ-
ation because of political prob-
lems in their home country.”
The group visits the family at
least three hours every week but
often spends more time with
them.
“We just want to spend time
with them and make them feel
comfortable,” Baran said.
Baran, Burns and Olverd work
on improving the family’s English
and answering questions about
living in the States. The students
help the family organize their
finances including taxes, applying
for and finding jobs as well as set-
tling into a home.
“It’s really just about dedicating
hours, students receive a $1250
award.
Students must sign up with
Sr. Michelle Schroeck by the
end of April to take part in
next year’s program.
Senior service pledge
Seniors interested in short-
term service opportunities
can take the initiative to sign
the graduation green pledge in
May.
The pledge states: “I pledge
NEWS
Members of the Mercyhurst College UNICEF campus initative have brought the organization
recognized around the world to campus.
time to helping others in need,”
Baran said.
The UNICEF campus initia-
tive has started its work at the in-
stitute, but Baran said the group
will help the Erie community in
many ways.
“We’re a new group,” Baran
said. “We are still organizing and
planning but we want to help in
as many ways as possible.”
For their first fundraiser, the
club sold cookies and choco-
late covered strawberries for
Valentine’s Day. Baran said the
to explore and take into account
the social and environmental
consequences of any job I con-
sider and will try to improve
these aspects of any organiza-
tions for which I work.”
Seniors who sign the pledge
will receive a pledge card and
their name will be posted on the
graduation pledge Web site.
The pledge can be signed in
the bookstore from May 1-9
from noon to 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
group is organizing a donation
drive in early May.
The group will be putting bins
along Briggs and Lewis Avenues
and asking students to donate
goods as they begin moving
out of their apartments for the
summer.
Baran said, “Students get rid of
so much stuff when they move.
That stuff can help families at
the institute. The refugee families
who come to the institute have
nothing. They have to go solely
on charity.”
to 8:30 p.m. or in the Service
Learning Office from May 12-
16.
Service information
Students interested in ser-
vice opportunities can attend
the “Real Deal” presentation
on Wednesday, April 23, from
5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The event will be held in the
Mercyhurst Student Govern-
ment Chambers.
The presentation will include
April 9, 2008
Contributed photo
The UNICEF campus initiative
hopes to make the donation drive
their first, official event but plans
to do much more next year.
The group will hold a meet-
ing in Zurn 114 on Wednesday,
April 16, at 8:15 p.m. Students
interested in getting involved
are encouraged and welcome to
come.
“We would like to see more
support,” Baran said. “We wel-
come any new ideas, contacts
or students who just want to
help.”
speakers who have participated
in the Mercy Volunteer Corps,
the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and
the AmeriCorps programs.
Contact information
If any of these opportuni-
ties to provide service sound
interesting, contact Schroeck in
the Service Learning Office in
Main 200.
Students can also e-mail
Schroeck at mschroeck@mer-
cyhurst.edu.
April 9, 2008 FEATURES PAGE 7

THE LAKER
Spring Term
Increase
Galley Grill happiness,
Lunch:
M - Club Sandwich
T - Chicken Caesar
Dinner:
S - Turkey Burger
M - General Tso’s Chicken over rice w/ broccoli
T - Salisbury Steak, mashed potatoes and
stop whining
W - Chicken Quesadilla making individuals aware of their
veggies By Nicole McIntyre
Th - Breakfast for Lunch W - Veal Parm over pasta negativity but also on creating a
F - Tuna Melt or Grilled Staff writer
Th - Buffalo chicken sandwich better atmosphere.
Portabella Sandwich F - Fish sandwich or grilled portabella sandwich The Merciad posed this same
S - Sloppy Joe S - Pepperoni Pizza Sub Throughout society there is challenge to different groups
an excessive use of whining and around campus.
complaining in everyday lives. These groups include multiple
Board Specials
Hours of Operation: What if putting an end to com- apartment residents, campus
Lunch $4.75 plaining, would result in happier ministry and the Merciad staff.
Dinner $5.50 Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-1:00 a.m. lives? Could society do it? The same rules apply to the
Saturday 1:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m. A few months ago, a pastor Merciad challenge - no complain-
Sunday 5:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m. from a Kansas City church posed ing, criticizing or gossiping.
a challenge to his congregation. If these rules are broken, one
Look for New Menu Items! He asked the members of his must switch the bracelet to the
Mac & Cheese Bites Black Bean Burger church to stop complaining for opposite wrist and begin count-
New Salads: 21 days. ing again.
Chicken BLT-Veggie(no cheese)-Spinach-Asian Chicken- Complaining was just one of Students who have accepted
Greek-Caesar the negative acts that parishio- the challenge are using hair ties,
ners were asked to end. and other bracelets in substitu-

Subconnection The list also included the acts

6” Sub $3.75 Combo $4.75
12”Sub $5.75 Combo $6.75
Baja and Buffalo Chicken Subs:
6” Sub $4.00 Combo $5.25
12” Sub $6.00 Combo $ 7.00
Laker Express
Board Equivalency Available:
11:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
Board Specials
Lunch $4.75
Dinner $5.50
of criticizing, gossiping and
Special Features being sarcastic.
Sounds easy, right?
Wrap combo-Veggie $5.59 The congregation wore purple
other wraps $5.79 bracelets to remind them of their
‘Wrap It Yourself’- Veggie $3.99 three-week goal.
Each time they caught them-
other wraps $ 4.19 selves performing one of the
Hours of Operation: negative actions, they were asked
Monday-Friday 11:30 a.m.-9:00 p.m. to switch the bracelet to the
opposite hand and start counting
Saturday 1:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. over again.
Sunday 5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. The pastor admitted that it
took him over three months
to go 21 days straight without
complaining.
He estimated through this
Look for Laker Express experiment that the average
person complains 20 times a day
Minute Meals! for 30 days straight.
He said the church has received
Hours of Operation: requests from churches, groups
Mon.-Thurs. 11:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m. and individuals all around the
United States and as far as South
Friday 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Africa.
Saturday & Sunday Closed So far 126,000 bracelets have
been distributed.
This effort focuses not only on
tion of the official “no complain-
ing” bracelets.
At mass on Sunday evening, Fr.
Jim Piszker informed students
that everything we do, even the
smallest gestures, represent us
not only as individuals, but also
as a community.
This statement can certainly
be paralleled with the focus of
this pledge.
Last week, the philosophy
department invited Stephen G.
Post, author of “Why Good
Things Happen to Good People”
to speak at Mercyhurst regarding
happiness.
Post emphasized the idea that
individuals need more happiness,
tranquility and satisfaction.
Perhaps the no-complaining
challenge is one path to achiev-
ing this goal.
The Merciad will record the
findings of the pledge the next
issue.
Are students and faculty up to
the challeneg? Check back next
week to see the results.
 PAGE 8 FEATURES April 9, 2008

I Food Fix
ERI The year is coming to a close
and there are a lot of events to
celebrate.
One of the best ways to cel-
Plymouth Tavern is located on State and 12th streets.
ebrate anything is to have a cake
to mark the occasion.
With Meg
chocolate frosting or any other
kind you might prefer.
You can either make the frost-
ing from scratch or buy it pre-
made which is also very good.
Obviously, everyone has a

Pick your faves at Plymouth

By Shelley Turk
Staff writer
As the weather warms up, we
are all looking for a great place to
be outside with friends for meals
and maybe even a few drinks.
Outdoor eating is rare at most
restaurants in Erie, especially
those located downtown.
Plymouth Tavern on State
Street caters to the desire to
dine outside with friends or
family during the week and on
weekends.
Between 11th and 12th Streets
directly on State Street, The
Plymouth is currently celebrating
its 35th year in business.
Owners Barb and Mike Hag-
garty have made the tavern
courtyard a delightful experi-
ence in the spring and summer
months.
There is also an abundance of
room inside to enjoy great menu
items like deli wraps, chicken
sandwiches, burgers and even
pasta dishes.
Some favorites of Mercyhurst
students include the giant soft
pretzels that go great with the
Thursday night special.
Drink specials are available for
those of age every evening, but
for those who are not 21, dive
into the fabulous menu anytime
before 9 p.m.
Plymouth caters to the whim
of any college student with an
affordable menu, great drink
prices and a lot of room to fit
all of your friends.
Looking to get in quickly?
Call ahead to reserve a table for
you and your friends by calling
814-453-6454.
Senior Molly Rodriguez works
at the Plymouth and says the bar
has a great following of loyal
regulars.
“We’re the ‘Cheers’ of Erie,”
Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez said popular items
served at the Plymouth are
chicken wings, which are priced
at 2-for-1 on Mondays starting
at 5 p.m.
Check out www.plymouth-
tavern.com for more details on
drink specials and the current
menu.
Hours of operation are
Monday through Saturday 11
a.m. to 2 a.m. and Sunday 1 p.m.
to 2 a.m.
So, if you’re looking for food
and fun, stop in at Plymouth.
I think that making a cake from favorite kind of cake and there
scratch like this recipe is a mean- are many different recipes.
ingful way to show your friends Try many different kinds, see
that you care enough to make what is your favorite and cel-
them something special. ebrate something with your
A yellow cake is very simple friends.
yet very tasty.
I suggest that you frost it with -Meghan Dolney
Celebration Cake
Ingredients
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 cups white sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
4 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
¾ cup orange juice
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions
Get to know... 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
Name: Meghan Pugliese and grease and flour the bottom of the
Year: Junior cake pan.
Major: Marriage and Family Studies and Art 2. In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredi-
Therapy ents together and then make a well in the
Hometown: Pittsford, N.Y. bowl to put the eggs, vegetable oil, juice
Favorite thing about Mercyhurst: The MSG and vanilla into. Then mix everything
Shuttle together.
Least favorite thing: Falling and bruising my knees
on the icy sidewalks 3. Pour into the cake pans and bake
Anything else interesting about you: I can make for 45 minutes. Let cool before icing.
a really awesome seagull noise and an impressive fake
Meghan Pugliese
sneeze
 April 9, 2008
Students get involved in campaigns
By Carla Hart
Staff writer
Excitement and passion sur-
round the political process at
Mercyhurst College.
Among other tasks, students
have been campaigning for the
presidential election making calls,
distributing literature by door-to-
door and rallying support from
constituents.
Democratic hopefuls, Sena-
tors Hillary Clinton and Barack
Obama, each have local cam-
paign headquarters, while Repub-
lican Senator John McCain does
not?
Western Vice President of the
College Democrat Federation
and Mercyhurst College junior
Timothy Knecht considers it an
honor to work for the Clinton
campaign.
“I feel I am doing a great duty
to my country by being involved
in the political process and help-
ing to create a political culture
and associations,” said Knecht.
Along with obtaining signa-
tures for Clinton delegates for
the national convention, Knecht
represents unions, creates signs
Johnson &
Johnson
HOUSE FOR
RENT
on Briggs
Avenue
available
6/30/08
814-860-8817
and canvasses the Erie area.
“I also do anything else they
would like me to do,” he said.
Like Knecht, junior Sarah
Belotti said she loves the atmo-
sphere surrounding a campaign.
She will replace Knecht next
year as vice president of the Col-
lege Democrat Federation.
“I love working on campaigns,
because it shows how powerful
grassroot campaigns can be,” she
said. “Also, they are always high
intensity and you meet a lot of
people with similar interests and
field of study.”
Senior Kaitlyn Faucett, secre-
tary of the College Democrat
Federation, has worked for sev-
eral local campaigns.
She said campaigning has been
extremely rewarding, but work-
ing on campaigns is not in her
future after graduation.
“If in the future I do work for
a politician, I would like to be his
or her lawyer or political consul-
tant,” explained Faucett, who
is pursuing a degree in political
science with pre-law.
With the Pennsylvania pri-
mary coming up on April 22,
and nine contests remaining,
Jennifer Jarema, spokesperson
Knockoff purchases rip off striving businesses
By Sandy Watro
Staff writer
The purchase of counterfeit
goods, such as an imitation or
knockoff purse or handbag, may
appear seemingly harmless to the
ill-informed consumer.
Alas, this is not the case.
The distribution and produc-
tion of counterfeit goods is
not only illegal for both parties
involved, but also the prolif-
eration of these goods directly
affects American businesses,
consumers and our economy.
FEATURES
Junior Tim Knecht works in Hillary Clinton’s office in Erie.
for Mercyhurst Students for
Obama, expressed excitement
and passion for being part of the
movement.
“I love knowing that my efforts
will help try to elect a man that
needs to be the next president of
the United States,” Jarema said.
She has rallied support from
fellow intelligence studies major
sophomore Scott Inman.
“All the people at the head-
The most commonly seen
counterfeit fashion goods include
designer purses, sunglasses, jew-
elry, wallets, clothing and hats.
Senior Andrea Bodnar com-
mented on the counterfeiting
industry.
“I personally wouldn’t pur-
chase a knockoff fashion item,”
she said. “However, the amount
of pirated music and movies that
are distributed seems almost
impossible to stop completely.”
Every year the distribution of
counterfeit goods deducts over
$200 to $250 billion from U.S.
businesses.
quarters always are so fired up
and you get a really good vibe
seeing all kinds of people that
are young and old, from all kinds
of diverse backgrounds, work-
ing together and making calls or
canvassing,” Inman said.
Jarema agreed, but also realized
there’s much more work ahead.
“We have a lot of great volun-
teers, but we are also aware of
how important it is for Obama
Realistically, if one can pur-
chase a fake Coach purse for a
mere $20, why would they visit
the store to purchase an authen-
tic version that costs more than
double that amount?
“By and large I believe that
consumers know it is wrong to
purchase counterfeit merchan-
dise. However, on an individual
level, I don’t believe that they
consider their particular purchase
as harmful to our economy,”
senior Dru Sturgess said.
Most recently in New York
City, Mayor Bloomberg and the
New York Police Department
PAGE 9
Contributed photo
to do well in Pennsylvania,” said
Jarema.
For students, like freshman
Chris Nagy, this will be the first
election in which they vote.
“Working with the Obama
campaign and understanding the
things he wants for this country
is a great experience, especially
on my part since it will be the
first presidential election I get to
vote in,” said Nagy.
organized a raid geared to extract
counterfeit goods.
Last month the NYPD was
successful in seizing over $1
million in counterfeit and pirated
goods from the area.
It may seem harmless for one
to purchase a pirated movie, a
knockoff bag or fake jewelry,
but these purchases are damaging
when it comes to the well-being
of the U.S. economy.
While federal regulations may
help extinguish fraudulent goods,
the real power to stop this unlaw-
ful trade lies solely in the hands
of consumers worldwide.
 PAGE 10 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT April 9, 2008

Walker to present contemporary choreography tHe

By Jackie Koehler
Contributing writer
With spring comes rebirth,
with rebirth comes creation and
with creation comes two world
premiere dances for “Dance
2008” in the Walker Recital
Hall.
Choreographed by seniors
Alyssa Marquez and Dara
Swisher, their separate pieces
take on the subjects of self-
examination and the persever-
ance of the human spirit through
contemporary movement.
The pieces are the culmination
of the highest level of choreog-
raphy a Dance major can take at
Mercyhurst.
The task of creating a roughly a
30-minute piece is no easy feat.
“[This piece] is by far the most
challenging thing I have done
during my time at Mercyhurst
College,” Marquez said, who
greatly appreciates her dancers
for all their hard work.
“Without them I would have
never been able to complete
this massive project,” Marquez
added.
Swisher agrees with Marquez
on the amount of time and effort
that goes into the production.
“It’s not just the choreograph-
ing,” she said. “It’s the lighting,
the staging, the advertising, the
casting, the editing...truly taking
an idea all the way from concept
to performance.”
Swisher’s piece, titled “A Fine
Line,” with music by Steve Reich,
was “inspired by people…how
they deal with relationships,
how they interact with each
other, how they understand
themselves.”
Swisher wants the audience
to take away a sense of hope to
which they can relate and feel as
though they have taken a journey
with the dancers. She hopes
that each audience member sees
“a little piece of themselves
onstage.”
Marquez’s piece, titled “Let
Men Burn Stars,” incorporates
the music of M83, a French elec-
tronic band, with modern dance,
and the use of constant visual
projections cast on the dancers
throughout the piece.
With the contemporary music
and innovative technology she
hopes to draw a wider audience
to the show. The idea for the
colorful projections came from
her desire to transform the entire
Walker Recital Hall.
Marquez manifested her vision
with the help of senior Tomas
Ayuso, whom she knew had
some experience with the visual
arts. Inspired by the music,
Marquez’s piece developed into
her hope to “echo the Socratic
notion of ‘an unexamined life is
not worth living.’”
“I truly want the audience
members to experience the piece
from their own perspective and
create their own discourse with
the piece,” she said.
The show begins at 8 p.m.
Friday in the Walker Recital Hall.
It’s free and open to all.
BuZz
APRIL 11. Dance 2008.
Mercyhurst Colleg e,
Walker Recital Hall.
APRIL 13. Violinist
Angèle Dubeau. Mercy-
hurst College PAC.
APRIL 10 - APRIL 19.
“The Man in Black: A
Tribute to Johnny Cash”
Theatre 145, Erie.
APRIL 14. “The Year of
Living Biblically,” Mer-
cyhurst College Taylor
Little Theatre.

Fiery all-female chamber orchestra shares passion for music

By Jordan Zangaro
Staff writer
Classical music usually is not
the typical genre that college
students will blare at a party on
a Friday night or the first song
downloaded when craving a
dance party with roommates but
something that can be guaranteed
is that this classical ensemble is
like no other classical group in
the world.
Determined to spread their
music to all different audi-
ences, they are far different
from anyone and definitely eye
catching. Award-winning violin-
ist Angèle Dubeau will lead the
fiery all-female classical chamber
orchestra known as La Pietà on
the stage of the Performing
Arts Center on Sunday, April 13
at 2 p.m.
Selling out venues across
Canada, the United States, China
and Japan and having seven top-
selling albums, La Pietà has taken
audiences by storm in its quest
to bring classical music to new
audiences around the world.
The 11-member ensemble
consists of some of Canada’s
finest female musicians who
have gained recognition for their
fierce passion and high-energy
display of classical music.
La Pietà was formed in 1997
by classical violinist Angèle
Dubeau. Wanting to make a
stronger impact on the classical
world, and wishing to record a
CD dedicated to Vilvaldi’s works,
Dubeau put together this brazen
back-up band.
The impact these powerfully
talented women have made is
almost indescribable. Although
these women are world-renowned
and unbelievably successful, it is
clear that they are not just about
their success, but about the music
and spreading something for
which they share such a strong
passion.
“Like musical caresses, they
soothe my soul and comfort me,
bringing serenity and well-being.
Like this music, softly evok-
ing tenderness, romanticism,
passion, warmth and dreams—
cradle, envelope and enchant
you,” Dubeau said.
With what one critic calls
their “flashy, bold style” and
showmanship, an afternoon of
excitement is guaranteed. Tickets
for Mercyhurst students are $5
with an ID.

This week’s film at the PAC: ‘The Diving Bell and the Butterfly’
By Mason Lorek
Staff writer
Bad news bears, guys, I didn’t
get to preview this week’s
movie. I was under the impres-
sion that Netflix could send
me any movie I wanted when
I wanted it, but apparently you
have to give them money first.
Whatever happened to the
honor system?
I let people borrow my pen in
class all the time; you don’t see
me asking them for a monthly
fee. It’s okay though, because
it’s one that I wanted to see
so I’m going to recommend it
anyway. Actually, come watch
it with me.
I had to watch “Control” all
by myself last week, and listen-
ing to Joy Division is not easy
to do alone. Sure, Joe DiPasqua
was a few rows up, but we all
know that a few rows doesn’t
cut it in the theater.
It doesn’t cut it anywhere
actually. If you sat rows away
from me in my apartment I’d be
equally upset, albeit intrigued as
to how you installed stadium
seating in my living room.
Incidentally, I’m looking to
hire someone to keep me from
digressing while writing these
articles.
These are the facts that I can
tell you about this week’s film:
It is called “The Diving Bell and
the Butterfly.”
The actual title is “Le Scaphan-
dre et le papillon” since the
movie is in French, but I only
took a year of French in middle
school, so my best attempt at a
translation is “The Scaphandre
and the papillon.”
It’s about Jean-Dominique
Bauby, editor of Elle, who suf-
fered a stroke and had to live
nearly entirely paralyzed. He
is sometimes called Jean-Do,
which appears to be one of
those pun-type nicknames.
A speech therapist developed
a method of communication
for him based on blinking a
certain number of times to cor-
respond with specific letters of
the alphabet.
He dictated an entire book in
this fashion.
The biopic was nominated for
Academy Awards in achieve-
ment in cinematography, direct-
ing, editing, and best writing.
Roger Ebert gave it four stars.
“The Diving Bell and the But-
terfly” will be shown at the PAC
at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Wednesday,
April 9.
Tickets are free for students
with a student ID.
 April 9, 2008
Curtain opens for Theatre
145 with ‘The Man in Black’
By Emily Grabowski
Contributing writer
The grand-opening weekend
of Theatre 145, formerly known
as the Roadhouse Theatre, was a
huge success. What better way to
open the theatre than to christen
the stage with the production of
“The Man in Black: A Tribute to
Johnny Cash.”
Housed in a former church
in downtown Erie, this 220-seat
theatre gives a cozy vibe.
Aside from the theatre part
there is a small coffeehouse set-
ting in the back, complete with
tables, chairs, sofas and a small
bar so guests can relax.
Local musicians have also fre-
quented the space to play small
gigs and hang out with friends
and fans.
Steven Opsanic, the executive
director at the theatre, and his
crew put on an impressive pro-
duction the second a guest walks
into the building.
The show began with a slide-
show of pictures of Johnny Cash
throughout life, while playing
one of his songs. The screen was
then lifted and the performance
took place on the small stage.
The play opens with Johnny
Cash, portrayed as an older man,
playing some of his hits and
reminiscing on the memories
attached to each song.
After a 15-minute intermis-
sion, the second act was set up
as if Johnny Cash were perform-
ing live at the Grand Ole Opry.
A radio clip from a Nashville
radio station introducing Cash
live from the Grand Ole Opry
was played prior to Shannon
Solo, who played Johnny Cash,
came out on stage, which was a
nice touch, adding a little piece
of history.
The show concluded with a
few duet performances by Solo
and Kristen Schrum, or Miss
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
June Carter-Cash.
I was skeptical going into the
show, thinking it was going to be
a portrayal of his life. I came out
pleasantly surprised.
Solo played all of the songs
on his acoustic guitar, giving
it a much more authentic feel.
Executive Director of Theatre
145, Steven Opsanic, is also the
producer/creator of “The Man
in Black,” along with Shannon
Solo, a local singing celebrity, and
Kristen Schrum, a young lady
with a very impressive voice.
After the show, I had the privi-
lege to sit down with Opsanic
and ask him about the show. The
idea for the show came around
last August, and was going to
open in the fall, but the closing
of the Roadhouse Theatre put
the production on pause.
Everyone involved in the
production thinks it was a great
show to open the theatre because
each show performed is differ-
ent. Opsanic and Solo wanted
to do something different with
this show.
“We wanted the emphasis to
be on Johnny Cash himself, so we
didn’t add a lot of flare,” Opsanic
said. “I really think we achieved
the look we were going for. We
did what we wanted to do.”
Opsanic is working on an-
other show for the theatre called
“2050s: Yesterday, Today.” The
show will be set in the 1950s in
a concert-like setup.
The focus of the show is to
illustrate where and how today’s
music started, and where modern
artists get some of their influ-
ences.
“The Man in Black” will run
from Thursday, April 10 through
Saturday, April 19. Shows begin
at 8 p.m.
Theatre 145 is located at 145
West 11th Street in downtown
Erie. For more information,
visit the Web site at www.theth-
eatre145.com.
Spring of 2008 is concert season
By Greg Summy
Staff writer
As spring approaches people
are coming out of hibernation
and getting back into the full
swing of their socially-infused
lives. So is the case for so many
of your favorite local and
national touring bands.
This spring features some
very interesting and ground-
breaking tours and shows in
Erie, and other major cities in
the region. Some of the smaller
tours this spring and summer
come from independent labels
supporting their artists.
Equal Vision Records is
sending out their flagship band,
Chiodos, on tour with MXPX,
From First to Last, Drop Dead,
Gorgeous, Protest the Hero and
The Color Fred. The tour will
hit New England and Canada
throughout April and May.
Other tours, sponsored by
companies like Hot Topic,
MerchNow and Glamour Kills
Clothing, will hit the Midwest,
What is a year living biblically like?
By Jordan Zangaro
Staff writer
You shall not wear a “garment
of cloth made of two kinds of
stuff ” (Leviticus 19:19).
If you suspect your wife is
cheating, you shall bring her to
a priest, who will mix a potion
of barley, water, and dust, which
the woman shall drink. If she’s
cheating, her stomach will swell
(Numbers 5:11-20).
Sound crazy? These are just a
few of the rules one man spent
an entire year trying to follow.
Luckily, at Mercyhurst we are
given a chance to see what it
was like for this individual who
made the bold move of taking
on this task.
both coasts and parts of the
south.
A Skylit Drive and Dance
Gavin Dance hit the road with
Four Letter Lie on the Across
the Nation Tour 2008 spon-
sored by The Artery Foun-
dation, MerchNow.com and
Electric Zombie.
Dayton, Ohio metal heads
The Devil Wears Prada will be
touring the country with May-
lene & the Sons of Disaster,
White Chapel, Once Nothing,
and Gwen Stacy.
They will be at the Edinboro
University Off-Campus Activity
Center on May 10 while on the
tour.
NewBandTV.com and Level
2 Energy are taking Alesana
out on tour with The Chariot,
Sky Eats Airplane, Love Hate
Hero and Our Last Night. The
tour features dates mainly in the
South and along the west coast,
with a few stops in the Midwest
and Canada.
Mayday Parade is headlining
the Explosions in Your Pants
Tour (Glamour Kills Clothing),
The “Live from NY’s 92nd
Street Y” series continues with
best-selling author A.J. Jacobs in
his presentation of “The Year
of Living Biblically” in Taylor
Little Theatre on Monday, April
14 at 8 p.m.
Join Jacobs as he discusses his
most recent book in which he
recounts his fascinating, enlight-
ening and delightfully strange
year trying to follow all 613
commandments in the Bible.
This lecture is an eye-opening
lesson in the wisdom of rabbis,
religion in America today, Bible
history and the dangers of lit-
eral interpretation.
“‘The Year of Living Bibli-
cally’ is about my quest to live
the ultimate biblical life,” Jacobs
said. “To follow every single
PAGE 11
with special guests My Ameri-
can Heart and The Graduate.
SmartPunk.com is taking pop
punk on the road in all its glory
with the Spring Break ’08 Tour.
The Audition, Hit the Lights,
Every Avenue, The Morning
Light and Kiros will be serenad-
ing the mosh pits through the
end of April.
The two largest tours this
spring are the Honda Civic Tour,
and My Chemical Romance’s
headlining tour sponsored by
Live Nation.
The Honda Civic Tour, head-
lined by Panic at the Disco
with opening acts Motion City
Soundtrack, The Hush Sound
and Phantom Planet, kicks off
April 10 in San Francisco.
My Chemical Romance hits
the road with Billy Talent and
Drive By. The month-and-
a-half-long tour is sure to be
another successful notch in
MCR’s impressive touring belt.
For more information on the
previously mentioned tours,
pick up a copy of Alternative
Press. See you in the pit.
rule in the Bible – as literally as
possible.”
This is an opportunity that
should not be passed up by
anyone.
It discusses a way to live that
was taken very seriously and
now is slowly slipping from the
grip of society.
No matter what religious
denomination you may be,
something can be learned by
this informative, yet humorous,
story this brave man has to tell.
He discusses the rules he suc-
cessfully kept throughout the
entire year, the rules he broke
daily and the most unexpectedly
wise and life-enhancing rules.
Tickets are free for Mercy-
hurst students and available at
the door.
 PAGE 12 OPINION April 9, 2008

Feminist commentary for 21st century things” are career driven.
By Ellen
Koenig
Staff writer
In last week’s Merciad, a fellow
columnist claimed “I am not
trying to sound like a feminist”
when defending her statement
to choose profession over mar-
riage.
I was driving back from the
hospital on Sunday where a close
friend had just delivered her first
child. I realized she had chosen
motherhood over a career at this
point in her life, proving that not
all women of the “twenty-some-
She is enjoying one of the
choices women and men have
been given, to determine the
paths of their lives. The term
“feminism” often gets a bad
report from people of the
modern age.
Some may have images of
beatniks and hipsters from the
second wave of feminism pro-
testing and dragging stuffed man-
nequins of “the man” through
the streets.
The term needs to be adapted
beyond this negative stigma.
My parents’ generation fought
for equality in the work place,
home and society. In the past 40
years many grounds have been
covered to give women choices
that were largely privileged to
men.
Feminism in this sense is not
about man-hating or anti-moth-
erhood. Feminism is a state of
mind; it is about being treated as
an equal. Acknowledging your
status as a feminist is showing
gratitude to the women who have
come before you and fought for
the choices that you embody.
So in response to the comment
of not sounding like a feminist,
as a female, if you are pursuing a
career after graduation, practicing
regular birth control or enjoying
a spot on a varsity athletic team,
you are a product of the feminist
movements.
The term is much more expan-
sive and inclusive then many give
it credit. Overall the term applies
to people who believe in social
equality and equal rights among
the sexes.
So please go, do penance and
wash your soul out with soap
because you embody ideals of
those “man-hating women.”
But do consider the works
and efforts of the two previous
feminist movements. We are
now engrossed in a struggle to
continue the labors and maintain
movement of equality issues.
Many people have not been
exposed to the horrors of domes-
tic abuse. For the people still
immersed in domestic violence
and abusive relationships, they
are still in a fight for equality.
In an effort to promote a simi-
lar cause, Amnesty International
is hosting a two-day benefit con-
cert to fundraise for the Stop
Violence Against Women cam-
paign. Bands are attending from
Cleveland and Pittsburgh and in
case you do not hear us, we will
be set up in the Grotto April 18
and 19, weather permitting.

Cheating applies to more than intimate relationships

By Michelle
LaSlavic
Staff writer
My roommate was telling me
about some of her class discus-
sions from her marriage and
family course the other day that
I’ve been dwelling on since.
She explained to me how they
were talking about the realities
of cheating on loved ones and
forgiveness.
The lesson learned, though,
could be related to other situa-
tions beside relationships that
we can relate to, so I thought I’d
share.
The idea they were talking
about was how many people
claim that if they were ever
cheated on, even just once, they
would never put up with it and
leave their significant other.
This proposal was then pre-
sented: If a person messes up,
just once, and is truly sorry, is
it worth quitting on everything
you have over a few regretted
moments?
Say, for instance, Bob and
Sally have been together for five
years.
While Bob is away on vaca-
tion, he makes a huge mistake
and hooks up with another girl.
He comes home and tells Sally,
apologizes profusely and prom-
ises to never do it again.
Some people might claim that
Sally should break up with him
and not give him a second chance
but seriously, how can you justify
leaving someone you’ve been
with for that long over one mis-
take?
Now, if the person has cheated
multiple times or continues to
do it, then come on, it’s time to
hit the road, but this idea makes
sense.
If a person acknowledges that
they have done wrong and know
they won’t ever do it again, take
the apology and move on.
While listening to her explain
this situation to me, I couldn’t
help but relate it to friendships
as well.
I’ve seen firsthand decade-long
friendships torn apart over one
incident that the other deems
unforgiveable.
We are human, people make
mistakes and sometimes you
have to weigh out the two sides;
I think it’s important to keep this
concept in mind.
As much as we may be tempted
at first to deem an action too hor-
rible to accept an apology, look
at your past with that person; is it
really worth giving up on every-
thing you have?

Beware buyers and sellers in friendships The Merciad is

By Merissa
Frank
Opinion editor
The Beatles once said you
can’t buy love. After purchas-
ing a round of drinks, a conclu-
sion was reached: You can’t buy
friendship, either.
Sharing rounds among a
group isn’t often considered a
bought friendship, but think
again.
My charge to you is this:
Decide what side of the fence
on which you sit.
Are you the buyer or the seller?
I am sure you can think of a time
when you convinced someone to
stay just a little longer to keep you
company by offering them des-
sert, a favor or simply a drink.
Perhaps the best time to buy
friends is when you are on the
verge of winning cash from the
March Madness bracket, so long
as Kansas wins.
As a buyer, be wary of the
merchandise. A true friend, and
not one won over by your tem-
porary luck, will always be there
whether or not you are treating.
Sellers, market yourself well
by reciprocating a favor now and
then, even if all you can manage
is to spend an evening playing
board games.
Once you have decided where
your loyalties lie, take charge of
your life. You should not have to
buy or sell your friendship.
Camaraderie is necessary to
a healthy, fulfilling life and by
feigning friends you only fool
yourself and no one else.
In the end, you will see that as
any item purchased, the friend-
interested in hearing
ship wears and tears, though no
warranty can apply to the loss of student feedback on
a friendship. the tuition hike.
It seems like friendships can
be purchased in the workplace as Please send all
well. A request for baked goods
to fulfill a hankering is just as
comments to
much of a grey area as any when opinionmerciad@
it comes to co-worker relations. mercyhurst.edu.
With the year drawing to a
close, many of us will say good- All responses will
bye to friends.
The question is, with whom
be printed in next
will we stay in touch and who week’s Merciad.
will disappear like a crowd at the
Stone at 2:15 a.m.?
April 9, 2008
Call to consciousness: Who Senioritis:
chooses labels that divide us? Only cure is
By Jerrod
Markle
to embrace it
Staff writer
rather than deny
distractions
First of all let me apologize
to the people who so ada-
mantly choose to defend the
institutions with which they
identify and associate; I cannot
comprehend the passion and
individual pride that goes into
such strong identifications.
Back to the intelligence stud-
ies department, it must be my
vendetta or maybe it’s the per-
sonal attacks that have gotten
to me.
I know positive reform is
being sought and questions
are being asked, but perhaps it
would be beneficial to take on
the view of an outsider in order
to objectively view the past of
the organizations where jobs
are being created.
My issues have never been
with any student within the
intelligence department until
recently when I realized that so
strong is the pride that comes
with considering oneself a
patriot that sometimes this
pride can be blinding or, worst
of all, a source of hubris.
Perhaps my views on the
United States’ way of life or
history is different than those
who work to reform this com-
munity.
A patriot in America used to
be the one who fought against
the tyranny and oppressive
regime of Britain in order to
establish rule of self-govern-
ment with human-guaranteed
rights for all people.
Now in 2008, the Patriot Act,
for example, although labeled
as patriotic, is in essence the
opposite of the freedoms and
rights for which our forefa-
thers fought.
In fact, I could argue it
supports the very tyrannical
and oppressive forces against
which patriots fought.
If this is true, why would
branches dedicated to protect-
ing our freedoms and liberties
take them away with this act?
All three presidential candi-
dates left in mainstream media
also voted for this act.
Not shocking that this act
was passed and accepted with
open arms after the attacks of
September 11, 2001.
I am more than curious as to
the intelligence department’s
stance on the events of that
day. It tears me apart that the
official government story is
19 hijackers led by Bin Laden
pulled off three success-
ful attacks that day and then
one plane was shot down or
crashed. Donald Rumsfeld
isn’t even sure anymore on that
one.
At least we all know Bin
Laden was a CIA agent. Can
we please openly debate 9-11,
intel department representa-
tives?
Set up that date as one of
your club meetings and let us
discuss the facts so we can get
our history right before we
create more war out there.
Luckily all of this wonderful
legislation has fostered a world
belief and thought paradigm
where you’re either with us or
against.
Well, with who, against who?
Maybe the divide and conquer
concept can help us under-
stand this one.
It is easy in this post-9-11
age to embrace fear of others
in suspicion that they might be
a terrorist.
Instead of choosing to love
one another as free and in
possession of natural rights,
OPINION
we chose to fear one another
based on the assumption that
they are not “one of us.”
Who set these lines or
labels that divide us from one
another?
So while all intel students
may not be the freedom-crush-
ing neo-Hitlers that they think
I think they are, it is apparent
that these students follow in
the footsteps of, are funded by
and now defend the ideals of
the people that are indeed free-
dom-crushing, neo-Hitlers.
That is why I left the depart-
ment; once I realized that I
was associating with people
who have such questionable
ethics, I chose dissociation, not
reform.
I guess causing terrorism at
home and abroad is somehow
just as sinister as the history
of the math department or
archaeology department.
Surprising that in their con-
stant pursuit and high regard
for the truth, not one of the
intelligence studies students
have chosen to question the
official story of 9-11.
And if you think this is a
challenge to debate, it most
certainly is, so let’s get to the
heart of that problem.
The spirit of public debate
can surely help us reconcile
the issues that I feel deter the
nature and compassion of the
students that chose to reform
the Intelligence community.
Would such compassion be
served better elsewhere; is it
better to speak truth to power
or to people?
“When the power of love
overcomes the love of power,
the world will know peace,”
according to Jimi Hendrix, a
radical hippie conspirator, yet
friend for many, both past and
present.
By Bill
Swafford
Staff writer
As April turns the corner, the
sun has finally graced us with its
presence.
The last term of the 2008
school year is now halfway over
and seniors are faced with less
than 50 days before graduation.
As a junior last year I watched
my senior friends quickly crum-
ble as they soon realized their
undergraduate years were nearly
over.
They all showed the signs of
what many like to call senioritis.
This can be symptoms of not
caring about academic perfor-
mance due to the small window
left in their academic career.
I, myself, ensured my friends
last year that this would never
happen to me; however, as I
near the end, I find myself
facing a brick wall.
As I open a book, prepare to
study or write this very article, I
find that there are better activi-
ties to do than be stuck in front
of a computer.
These include the Corner-
stone, Presque Isle, a motor-
cycle ride, a game of volleyball,
tossing a baseball, making fun
of friends, catching up on the
latest Mercyhurst gossip, look-
ing at my future job, staring out
my window, watching repeti-
tive episodes of The First 48
or Rob and Big, looking at John
McCain’s Web site, or my favor-
ite, stalking on Facebook.
PAGE 13
No matter how important a
paper or test can be, these activ-
ities are daunting.
Teachers’ lectures seem to be
longer by the day and no matter
how much the material inter-
ests me, I always seem to turn
them into a Charlie Brown show
sound.
Is there any way of saving a
senior from this quickly moving
epidemic?
The answer is only if one’s
post-bachelors career has not
been decided, but for the seniors
blessed with certainty in their
future , there is no way to stop
the movement.
The only common cure shall
be to embrace it and do not deny
your list of distractions for soon
you will have to focus again, this
time on your career.
Need
Math Help?
Come to the
MATH LAB
Located in the
Library 304 A & B
Sunday-Thursday
For Exact Hours
Call Ext: 2078
PAGE 14 OPINION April 9, 2008

The Good, This I believe: Liberal arts have power to transform, heal
the Bad & hopeMercyhurst’s Ethical Reflection Committee has initiated this series to encourage reflection within the entire college community on the values by which we live. We
that these will inspire reflective discussion in a variety of venues.
We suggest that faculty introduce appropriate essays into class discussion; we encourage students to bring these thoughts to cl asses; we invite administrators and
the Ugly staff to explore these in department meetings. Or, if you wish, you may respond directly to our committee chair, Rev. Lyta Seddig: lseddig@mercyhurst.edu.
Mary Ellen Dahlkemper ’73, has been on the Board of Trustees since ’06, and a President’s Associate since ’86. She was Director of Adult and Graduate
Programs from 1992-2002, and presently is Chief Administrative Officer of Stairways Behavioral Health. Her favorite aspects about Mercyhurst: Mercyhurst’s
The Good commitment to the liberal, fine and performing arts and attending performances and events on campus. “My ‘This I Believe’ essay says it all!”

March Madness is over
so for you lucky bracket
winners, it is time to collect
the pay dirt. For everyone
else, it’s time to gear up for
hockey play-offs.
In light of the student
loan crisis, Mercyhurst is
creating a federal program
to help others when loan-
ers drop out.
The Bad
By Mary Ellen Dahlkemper
Contributing writer
The liberal arts, my favorite sub-
jects as a Mercyhurst College stu-
dent, have become my life mantra.
Ah, the joy of reaching into the
complexity of another time and
place, of discovering diverse cul-
tures with amazing customs and
language, of unearthing univer-
sal truths that connect humanity
across boundaries!
My husband and I frequent
the performing arts center for
affected by her oral history of
Catherine McAuley and the cou-
rageous, determined women from
Dublin who built a most remark-
able school called Mercyhurst. He
changed his major to English and
graduated magna cum laude. And
then there was a machinist who,
because he knew his company
was closing, began taking business
courses in anticipation of a loom-
ing job search.
But something else grabbed
his mind and his heart. He aced
every liberal arts course he took,
changed his major to Philosophy,
graduated with honors and went
on to earn a masters degree. Joe
Kloss then made Mercyhurst his
permanent home as an adminis-
trator in our library.
Healing often accompanies
transformation through the lib-
eral arts. At Stairways Behavioral
Health where I now work, we
sponsor a Center for Arts and
Humanities. Persons recovering
from mental illness gather in our
studio with staff, professional art-
ists and community members to
draw, paint, fuse glass, sculpt, write
stories and poems, sing, garden
and learn print-making.
We focus on being together
and encouraging each other in the
creative process. Each person dis-
covers the artist inside. Individu-
als who are non-verbal transform
into mentors for others through
the unique sharing of the artistic
experience.
Self-confidence grows; our
common humanity connects;
mental wellness abounds. We heal.
Ah, the power of the arts!

Girls, it’s time to shape
up. Swimsuit season is just
around the corner.
Spring may have sprung
along with allergy attacks
and sinus infections.
It is time to start planning
your summer, whether it’s
finding a job, place to live
or planning your schedule
for next year.
The Ugly
Potholes aren’t filled in
with snow anymore. The
patch jobs on Briggs and
Lewis avenues is “patchy,”
to say the least.
Think you’re prepared
for the annual tuition hike?
It is going to take a lot
more pennies to break 30
grand.
Please email any sugge-
tions to opinionmerciad@
mercyhurst.edu.
thought-provoking lectures,
films, world and classical music,
art exhibits, dance performances
and live opera from the Met over
high-definition satellite. Most sur-
prising is how the liberal arts have
transformed my professional life.
As the director of adult and
graduate programs at Mercyhurst Joshua Wilwohl Editor-in-Chief editormerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Casey Greene Managing Editor editormerciad@mercyhurst.edu
for 10 years, I advised adults who
Amy Zielinski & Amanda Valauri News Editors newsmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
wanted to begin or complete
Jen Gildea Features Editor featuremerciad@mercyhurst.edu
degrees. For adult applicants,
Merissa Frank Opinion Editor opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Mercyhurst’s extensive curricu-
Chris Davis & Brittany Jackett Sports Editors sportsmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
lum evoked the inevitable ques-
tion: “Why must I take liberal arts Nicole Cerilli A&E entertainmentmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
classes when it’s the major courses Scoot Williams Photographer photomerciad@mercyhurst.edu
I need for the job, for the promo- Tiffany Cook Production Editor prodmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
tion, for getting on with life.” Leslie Ruchala Advertising Manager admerciad@mercyhurst.edu
After a term or two, these stu- Noelle Lelakus Copy Editor copymerciad@mercyhurst.edu
dents glowed about how much Ashley Pastor General Assignment apasto22@mercyhurst.edu
they enjoyed the liberal arts and Lenore Skomal Advisor lskomal@mercyhurst.edu
the fascinating ways their lives
were being transformed.
One business man told me a lit- The Merciad is the student-produced newspaper of Mercyhurst College. It is
erature course saved his marriage. published throughout the school year, with the exception of finals week. Our
He and his wife were finally relat- office is in Hirt, Room 120B. Our telephone number is (814) 824-2376.
ing authentically, sharing ideas,
core values and dreams. I remem- The Merciad welcomes letters to the editor. All letters must be signed and
ber a welder who was assigned to names will be included with the letters. Although we will not edit the letters for
interview Mother Eustace Taylor
content, we reserve the right to trim letters to fit. Letters are due the Thursday
and write an essay for College before publication and may not be longer than
Writing I. He could hardly wait
300 words. Submit letters to box PH 485.
to tell me how deeply he was
 April 9, 2008 SPORTS PAGE 15

Members of SAAC (front row L to R: Two Special Olympic Committee members, senior
Rhonda Marable, AD Craig Barnett, Assistant AD Sarah Headley. Back row: Sophomore
Carrina Crow, junior Brittany Strier, junior Danielle Zubek) presented a check to the Erie
City Special Olympics on Sunday.
SAAC donates money to Special Olympics
The donated money was
From staff reports raised through the first annual
The Merciad Laker Showdown Talent Show
that was held on Tuesday,
The Mercyhurst College March 18. All of the proceeds
Department of Athletics donated from the event were donated.
a $1,000 to the Erie City Special The check was pre-
Olympics. sented at a ceremony on
Sports Information photo
Sunday in conjunction with
National Student- Athlete
Recognition Day.
The event was presented by
Mercyhurst’s Student Athletic
Advisory Committee, which
consisted of several students,
coaches and administrators.
Hockey déjà vu
NHL’s race to the Stanley Cup
looks reminiscent of the 1990s
By Kenny Hunt
Staff writer
The run for the Stanley Cup
Playoffs is beginning to look
like a lot like the 1990s.
Many of the players and
teams that shined brightest in
the 90s are coming back and
proving that they can pass the
test of time.
The Detroit Red Wings stand
atop the western conference and
have clinched the President’s
trophy with 115 points, which
is reminiscent of their back-
to-back President’s trophies in
1994-95 and 1995-96.
Detroit also won back to
back Stanley Cups in 96-97 and
1997-1998, which could be a
harbinger of things to come.
At the top of the Eastern
Conference lies the Montreal
Canadiens, who won their last
Stanley Cup in 1993 when they
defeated the Los Angeles Kings.
They also won an NHL-record
season Fedorov notched eight
points, leading the Capitals into
the third seed in the Eastern
Conference and winning the
Southeast Division for the first
time since the 2000-01 season.
Another former Hart Trophy
winner, as the league’s MVP,
Jaromir Jagr has picked up his
game as of late.
Jagr is currently on a four-
game goal-scoring streak, one
that has seen him tally five
goals and seven points as the
Rangers enter the most critical
point in their season.
The most notable throw-back
to the 1990s is Peter Forsberg’s
return to the Colorado
Avalanche.
After unsuccessful seasons in
Philadelphia and Nashville and
a brief exit from the NHL due
to injury, Forsberg has jumped
right back into his mid-90s
form.
Forsberg has tallied 13 points
in his nine games since returning
to the lineup and helped the

Baseball struggling to win games; 10 consecutive overtime games.

Morris breaks all-time saves record
By Brittany Jackett
Sports editor
Despite the beautiful spring
weather unfamiliar to the Mer-
cyhurst College baseball team,
an all-too familar sight unfolded
for the men during their week-
end series against Saginaw
Valley State University.
Although the pitching
remained strong on the mound,
timely, key hits failed to mani-
fest for the men’s offense.
Leading the sluggish offense
over the weekend was senior
Joe Luli, who returned just two
weeks ago from an injured ham-
string, with a homerun, three
hits and four RBIs.
During the only win of the
weekend, senior co-captain
John Morris became the All-
Time Saves Leader for the
Mercyhurst College baseball
program.
In Sunday’s first match-up,
Morris came in to relieve start-
ing senior Wes Craig, after he
pitched another four solid shut-
out innings. Morris pitched two
hitless innings to tally his fifth
save of the season, the 18th of
his four-year career.
Also continuing to throw well
out of the bullpen was senior
co-captain James Ludwig who
has made 16 appearances and
has not allowed an earned run
in the last 11.
Ludwig contributes his suc-
cuess on the field with the over-
all strength and depth of the
team’s defense and pitching.
“All of us (pitchers) have
been able to pitch with confi-
dence knowing that there is a
solid defense playing behind
us,” Ludwig said.
The men will take the home
turf today at 1 p.m. for a dou-
bleheader against cross-town
rival Gannon University.
Two points behind the
Habs in second place are the
Pittsburgh Penguins; a team
who won its franchise’s only two
Stanley Cups in the early 90s.
However, it’s not just the top
of the Eastern Conference that
had success in the 90s; seven of
the eight teams in the playoffs
this year either made it to the
finals or won a Stanley Cup in
the 90s.
The players themselves are
proving this hair-brained theory
to be true, too.
Sergei Fedorov, the NHL’s
most valuable player in 1993-
94, has found a home in
Washington, and increased his
performance in the Capitals’
race for the playoffs.
In the last six games of the
Avalanche take sixth place in the
Western Conference.
These three players are
stepping up at the right time for
their respective teams, and this
would be no surprise if it was
still 1999.
All three have Stanley Cup
rings, which they earned in the
90s and until late were slumping
or, in Forsberg’s case not even
in the NHL.
Their solid play in the final
days of the regular season,
and the team standings both
resonate with the sound of Ace
of Base and T.L.C.
If there is anything history
has taught us, it’s that it tends
to repeat itself, so don’t be
surprised to see a 90s
powerhouse team or player steal
the show this postseason.
 PAGE 16
Women’s golf looks to
take advantage of weather
By Kyle Craig
Staff writer
The Mercyhurst women’s
golf team took to the stage this
past Saturday and Sunday at the
Ashland Invitational.
The Lakers finished the
weekend with a two-round total
of 755, placing eighth overall.
Once again junior Caitlin
Cummings led the team with a
two-round total of 176 that put
her tied for 28th overall.
Cummings believes that the
warm weather will light a spark
in the Lady Lakers play this
spring.
“This spring season has been
a difficult one for our team.
Before our tournaments we
really didn’t get a chance to
play at all on a golf course,”
Cummings said.
“Now, that we can play
outside our goals for our next
tournament are higher and we’re
really trying to take advantage
of the good weather.”
The University of Dayton
took full advantage of the
weather, finishing in first with
76 over par.
Rounding out the top three
for the tournament were
Ashland and Allegheny College.
Men’s golf performs well at Ted Barclay Invitational
By Kirk Campbell
Staff writer
At the Ted Barclay Spring
Invitational the Mercyhurst
College men’s golf team was
led by junior Tyler Bidwell,
who shot a 74 on day one and
77 on day two for a combined
151, which was good enough
for nine over par.
Mercyhurst as a team finished
First place for individuals in the
tournament went to Gannon’s
Jessica Slonaker after she
shot a 159 during the two-day
tournament.
The girls were supposed to
travel to Penn State Behrend for
their invitational on Thursday,
but according to sources from
the golf team the tournament
has been cancelled.
The girls will next take action
as they take the links at the
University of California of
Pennsylvania Invitational in
Pittsburgh.
With only two more
tournaments left in the season,
the Lady Lakers are looking to
make a statement for next year.
“Our team is expecting
to improve from the last
tournaments and really
concentrate on practicing
for our GLIAC conference
championship in Findlay,”
Cummings said.
The top five Mercyhurst
players at this weekend’s
tournament were Cummings
28th, Mattye Laurer 52nd,
Alanna Kirwan 55th, Arielle
Chong 57th and Lauren
Montebell 60th.
The Lakers will travel to
Pittsburgh for the California,
Pa. Invitational this weekend.
in ninth place overall.
After the front nine on day
one Bidwell looked as if he
was going to compete for the
individual title by shooting a
34. After day one competition
concluded, Bidwell was tied for
sixth place and shot a 40 on the
back nine.
Bidwell’s performance
placed him tied for 13th in the
individual competition and
only seven strokes behind the
SPORTS
Bald for St. Baldrick
By Samantha Sellinger
Staff writer
Even though Mercyhurst
College men’s lacrosse junior
Tom Eighmey’s hair was too
short to be donated to Locks
of Love, he stumbled upon
a chance to chop his hair for
charity after the team’s game at
Dominican College on March
29.
“I felt really good doing it for a
cause,” Eighmey said. “I wanted
to cut it for a good reason, so I
was glad that I was able to cut it
the way I wanted.”
Eighmey hadn’t planned
on having his seven-inch long
hair cut that day, but when
he and the rest of the team
and supporters stopped at
Dominican’s Hennessy Hall to
dine before heading back to
Erie, they found the annual St.
Baldrick’s Day fundraiser for
childhood cancer research in
full swing.
Anybody who donated to the
cause had their head shaved in
representation of the common
hair loss due to cancer treatment.
Eighmey gathered 75 dollars
from his fellow teammates and
supporters and was the 168th
person to have his head buzzed
that day.
winner, Adam Claytor from
Ohio Wesleyan University.
Senior Kyle Waddell posted
the Laker’s second-highest
score with 80 on day one and
78 on day two which was good
enough to tie for 36th place.
Mercyhurst had three other
players compete and they
finished as follows: senior
Steven Barr tied for 55,
freshman Patrick Jackson tied
for 57 and senior Ben Deets
Junior Tom Eighmey shaved his head in support of the St.
Baldrick’s Foundation during a recent away game.
“The guys on the lacrosse
team were shocked that I did it
and they gave me some crap for
it, but it was all in good fun,”
said Eighmey.
According to Eighmey, the
volunteers at the event found
it odd that he was so willing
to give up his locks, as he had
no affiliation with the school
or area but were excited to
have him participate anyway.
His parents and the parents
of his teammates were all very
supportive of his decision.
As he had been growing
his hair since August, a slight
attachment had developed, and
even though losing his hair was a
60.
However, two other Lakers
competed as individuals and
were unattached to Mercyhurst’s
team score.
Junior Matt Mahoney finished
tied for 57th and senior Darragh
Agnew completed competition
in 72nd place.
The Lakers posted a team,
combined score of 637 and
the winner, Otterbein College
had a combined score of 594.
April 9, 2008
Don Eighmey photo
little upsetting at first, Eighmey
felt that it was worth it for such
a deserving cause.
“I like the new hair. It’s
definitely a different look for
me, but I like it,” said Eighmey.
Although he’s not sure that he
will keep his hair so short, he is
getting used to his new “do,” and
is pleased to have contributed to
a great cause.
The St. Baldrick’s Foundation
was founded to raise funds and
awareness to cure children’s
cancer by supporting cancer
research and fellowships. So far,
they have raised over $12 million
dollars in donations and shaved
over 12 thousand heads.
The only team to finish with
a higher score than the Lakers
was Kenyon College, who
totaled 687 strokes.
After day one the Lakers
were in eighth place overall
but dropped a spot after the
invitational concluded on day
two.
Mercyhurst continues
competition this weekend in
the Findlay Invitational on
Saturday in Findlay, Ohio.
 April 9, 2008
Junior Chrissy Genian of women’s water polo attempts a shot during a 7-4 win over
Slippery Rock Friday, as the Lakers improved their overall record to 12-5 this weekend.
Polo goes 3-1 on trip
By Andrew Schonhoff
Staff writer
The Mercyhurst College
women’s water polo team had
another very successful weekend,
winning three of four conference
games over the weekend.
This extends the Lakers
overall record to 12-5, with three
of the five losses coming from
nationally-ranked Division I
programs.
The team started off the
weekend on Friday night, with
a 7-4 victory over rival Slippery
Rock University (SRU). The
Lakers came out strong and
ended the first quarter leading
3-1.
SRU and Mercyhurst traded
goals evenly throughout the
second and third quarters, and
then the Mercyhurst defense
proceeded to shut them out in
the fourth.
Freshman Rachel Griepsma
put in five goals during the game,
but she was not alone in her
efforts. Seniors Christine Somera
and Carrie Willison also each
scored a goal and contributed
three steals apiece.
The defense was led by senior
Gina Mieras in goal, as she
managed to block an incredible
17 shots while only allowing four
goals. One of Mieras’ blocks was
on a Slippery Rock penalty shot
at a pivotal point in the game.
Saturday morning, Mercyhurst
came to its home pool to take
on Indiana University, who is
currently ranked 17th nationally.
However the Lakers were not
intimidated, as they jumped out
early to take a 3-0 lead by the end
of the first quarter.
The Hoosiers battled back
hard in the second, and left
halftime with Mercyhurst trailing
7-4. In the second half, both
teams exchanged goals to end
the game 11-7. While it was a
tough loss, the game showed
much promise for the Lakers’
water polo program.
In the 2007 season, the
Hoosiers overwhelmed the
Lakers by defeating them 14-2.
Somera led the Lakers’ offense
with four goals, and Mieras
had another spectacular game,
blocking 17 shots for the second
game in a row.
Later that evening, Mercyhurst
took on rival Gannon University,
who had defeated the Lakers in
the previous year. The two teams
SPORTS
Sports Information photo
battled back and forth during the
first half, and second quarter
play concluded with Mercyhurst
leading 7-4. Coming out into the
third quarter, the Lakers really
opened it up, outscoring the
Golden Knights 5-1. The Lakers
ended the game having defeated
their cross town rival by a score
of 15-8.
On Sunday, the Lakers faced
another team who had beaten
them in the 2007 season, Grove
City.
The game opened up with
a scoreless first quarter, but it
didn’t take the Lakers long to
find their rhythm. They ended
the game with a dominating 11-3
victory.
Going 3-1 over tough
conference rivals this weekend
marked big steps for Mercyhurst
water polo. With their only
conference losses to Michigan
and Indiana, Mercyhurst
hopes that the stellar play will
land them a spot at Eastern
Championships.
Head coach Curtis Robinette
said, “They really played great
this weekend. This should give us
the confidence and momentum
we need for our conference
tournament.”
Volleyball unable
to pick up a win
By Samantha Sellinger
Staff writer
The Mercyhurst College
men’s volleyball team fell to 5-18
on the season and 1-10 in their
conference after devastating
losses to St. Francis and IPFW.
Although the team managed
to win one game, it lost to St.
Francis 3-1 with scores of 30-
22, 29-31, 30-23 and 30-26 last
Wednesday.
The men hadn’t been able to
practice the day before due to
Hillary Clinton’s campaign stop,
and it showed on the court.
They played sluggish from the
get go.
“We looked like we were
playing after a day off,” coach
Ryan Patton said. “Perhaps we
still wouldn’t have won without
that break, but I’m not sure.”
In game one, the Red Flash
came out strong and dominated
over Mercyhurst for the win.
Junior Dave Newman led
the team with 19 kills, three of
which were the deciding points
in the Lakers’ win in game two.
Game three looked up for
grabs when Mercyhurst was as
close to the Red Flash as two
points at 14-12, but St. Francis
scored six of the next seven
points to take the game.
Congratulations!
Mercyhurst senior
John Wayner
won the Merciad’s
NCAA March Madness
Sweet Sixteen
bracket contest.
Thank you to all who participated.
PAGE 17
Game four was close, as junior
David Hatten and Newman
combined on a block that put
the Lakers just one point below
at 26-25.
But St. Francis made another
kill and Mercyhurst made an
attack error that gave St. Francis
enough room to pull away for
the win.
Against IPFW, the Lakers
just couldn’t get it together to
effectively battle the Mastodons,
who played at the top of their
game last Friday. Mercyhurst
ended up losing the match 3-0,
with scores of 30-16, 30-21 and
30-24.
IPFW is this year’s defending
runner-up team, and an intense
team against which to compete.
“IPFW got hot as we came to
town (they beat the No.15 team
in the country the next night)
and we started slow,” Patton
said.
“We got better as the night
went on, but weren’t assertive
enough to make things
interesting.”
Freshman Jon Gurr led the
Lakers with 13 kills. Junior
Tim Wagner added nine and
Newman had eight.
The men play one last regular
season game this Saturday at
Ohio State and hope to pick up
another win.
 PAGE 18
Laker Sports ‘Quick Hits’
This week’s results...
Men’s lacrosse.......................................................................Apr. 5, W 9-8, Molloy
Baseball................................................................................Apr. 2, L 7-6, Canisius
Apr. 5, L 10-5, Saginaw Valley
Apr. 5, L 3-1, Saginaw Valley
Apr. 6, W 5-4, Saginaw Valley
Apr. 6, L 3-2, Saginaw Valley
Softball...................................................................................Apr. 2, W 6-3, Clarion
Apr. 2, L 8-0, Clarion
Apr. 3, W 9-0, Tiffin
Apr. 3, L 11-3, Tiffin
Apr. 5, W 6-0, Findlay
Apr. 5, L 3-2, Findlay
Apr. 6, L 2-1, Ashland
Apr. 6, L 4-0, Ashland
Women’s water polo................................................Apr. 4, W 7-4, Slippery Rock
Apr. 5, L 11-7, Indiana
Apr. 5, W 15-8, Gannon
Apr. 6, W 11-3, Grove City
Men’s volleyball................................................................Apr. 2, L 3-1, St. Francis
Apr. 4, L 3-0, IPFW
Men’s tennis.............................................................Apr. 5, W 9-0, Michigan Tech
Apr. 6, W 8-1, Lake Superior State
Hansson/McNurlen named Athletes of the week
Freshman tennis player Tim Hansson advanced to 5-1 in GLIAC
play at No. 1 singles by winning a pair of matches against Michigan
Tech and Lake Superior State. Hansson also teamed up with
SPORTS April 9, 2008
Men’s lacrosse wins second straight game
By Chris Davis
Sports editor
A way to describe the Mer-
cyhurst College men’s lacrosse
season to date is like riding a
roller coaster at an amusement
park: The Lakers have gone on
winning and losing streaks to
start the opening portion of
their schedule.
After the Lakers started their
season at 2-0, they dropped their
next three to fall under .500 for
the first time in over four years.
Recently, Mercyhurst has
improved its record back over
the .500 mark at 4-3, including
2-1 in the East Coast Confer-
ence (ECC) after picking up a 9-
8 victory over conference rival
Molloy College on Saturday at
Tulio Field. Scoot Williams photo

sophomore Mateusz Przybysz, to win a pair of doubles matches. This was the Lakers’ home The men’s lacrosse team will host Seton Hill today, along
Senior softball player and captain Jessica McNurlen hit .407 in eight games opener, as it was their first home with No. 4 C.W. Post on Saturday at Tullio Field at noon.
with two doubles and three triples. McNurlen is now batting .402, which ranks
game of the season after their
her third in the GLIAC. She is second in the conference for runs driven in with 26.
game against Limestone Col- ing goals) is going to help out throughout the final 18 minutes
Men’s tennis named team of the week lege was cancelled due to the our defense and take a little of the game, as the Lions scored
weather. pressure off of them. Also our six out of the final seven goals of
The men’s tennis team picked up two conference wins this past “Were a young team so every defense is playing real well right the contest to make the final two
weekend, defeating Michigan Tech 9-0 and Lake Superior State
8-1. The team is now at 3-3 in conference play for the season.
game is a building game,” said now. We just need a team effort minutes very nerve-wracking.
junior captain Mike Bartlett, who on both sides of the field.” “The defense is coming
Morris becomes all- time saves leader tied with grad student Jordan “(LaShomb) coming up with together real well,” Lashomb
Witt for the team lead with two big saves helps build momen- said. “Obviously we need to
Senior baseball player John Morris picked up his 18th career save at
Sunday’s victory over Saginaw Valley State. After picking up his fifth save
goals. “The biggest part right tum for us,” Bartlett said. “We make a few adjustments and
of the season, Morris earned the title of Mercyhurst’s all- time saves leader.
now is coming together as a may throw the ball away or we need to start playing a full
team because we can help push make a mistake and (the oppos- complete game. Definitely with
LaShomb named ECC Goalkeeper of the Week each other to get better.” ing team) brings it down and our these better teams coming up
“After the half it gave us a defense has to step up and when with (C.W.) Post and (New York
Mercyhurst captain and junior men’s lacrosse goalie Jason LaShomb good amount of time to adjust Jay makes a big save it pushes Institute of Technology) Tech
was named the East Coast Conference Goalkeeper of the Week
after leading the Lakers to a 9-8 victory over Molloy on Saturday. and try and fix the little things us (the team) to go get the ball and also with Seton Hill, who is
that we can do to try to get and do something on the offen- a very good team this year.”
Five men’s volleyball players named MIVA All-Academic that extra pass, that extra goal sive end.” Head coach Chris Ryan
Five of the Mercyhurst men’s volleyball players were named to the Midwestern
trying to just build on that lead,” LaShomb made 11 saves emphasizes playing as a team
Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) Academic All-Conference he said. overall for the Lakers during the for 60 minutes and the team is
team. Selected for the team were juniors Jeff Hartman, Bryan Ritter and The Lakers’ offense gave game. still looking for that.
Tim Wagner, along with sophomores Ian Michalski and Joe Montroy. junior goalie Jason LaShomb He also led the team with “We havent really found our
Women’s lacrosse moves into a tie at No. 7 in the IWLCA poll and their defense one its biggest seven ground balls. 60 minutes yet so that’s going be
cushions of the year, as junior “I definitly think that we obvi- a goal that we will strive for and
Rank Team Record Points Previous Mike Thon found the back of ously could have played better,” obvious we’re going to push for
1 C.W. Post 9-0 96 1 the net with 10:06 left in the LaShomb said. “Obviously a that real hard,” Lashomb said.
2 Limestone 10-1 91 2
3 Adelphi 7-0 79 4
third quarter to give Mercyhurst win’s a win and we need to just “(Playing as a team) is going
4 West Chester 7-1 72 3 a 8-2 lead. get better and grow from here. to be the biggest factor every
5 Lock Haven 7-2 54 7 “I never try to give up We also need to work on some day in practice,” Bartlett said.
6 Stonehill 7-1 44 6 any goals, but our offense is things as we definitely need to “The question is if (the team)
7 Mercyhurst 8-2 34 8
7 Gannon 6-2 34 5
improving,” said team captain get better.” can push each other to get to the
LaShomb. “(The offense scor- Mercyhurst would struggle next level..”
 April 9, 2008 SPORTS PAGE 19

Softball drops five during week

Split opening series with Clarion, swept by GLIAC rival Ashland
By Rhonda Marable
Staff writer
The Mercyhurst College
women’s softball team had a
busy week hosting its first home
games against Clarion University
on April 2, traveling to Ohio to
face off against Tiffin Unversity
on April 3 then back home for
four conference games against
Findlay University and Ashland
University on April 5 - 6.
At the end of the week the
Lakers finished 3-5 overall
and 1-3 during the conference
games.
The Lakers split the home
opener against Clarion with a 6-
3 win in game one followed by
an 8-0 loss in game two.
The Lakers also gave Tiffin
a split for their home opener,
winning game one 9-0 in five
innings and dropping game two
3-11 in another five innings.
Starting off their first
conference games at home the
Lakers worked to blank the
Findlay Oilers 6-0 in game one.
Despite the big win,
the Lakers could not hold
off the Oilers’ comeback,
Ashland.
The Lakers held the Eagles
close in two games but lost both
contests 2-1 in game one and 4-
0 in game two.
Sophomore pitcher Carrina
Crow started the week on the
mound and with the first win
against Clarion, moving to 6-4
on the season.
Crow improved to 7-4 with a
two-hit shutout against Tiffin,
striking out three batters and
allowing just one walk over five
innings.
Crow kept up her streak
against Findlay, giving up just
two hits and striking out eight
batters over seven innings to
improve 8-4.
Crow’s streak ended, however,
with a two-run, seven-hitter
against the Ashland Eagles. Her
record held strong despite the
loss at 8-5 on the year.
In addition to Crow’s stand
out performance, senior captain
Jessica McNurlen contributed
Scoot Williams photo during her at bats.
Senior captain Jessica McNurlen rips one of two triples McNurlen went 3-for-4 with a
during Saturday’s sweep of Findlay University. pair of triples and drove in four
runs during the Lakers’ sweep
getting nipped 2-3. the Lakers hosted two more of Findlay on Saturday.
Finishing off the weekend conference games against Also putting up a heavy bat
during the week was freshman
Kara Gorgos, who hit .400 over
eight games and kept up her end
of the defense at second base.
“She’s very good defensively
and offensively she’s coming on
as well,” coach Headley said.
With the tough losses and the
1-7 conference record thus far
this season, Headley had a lot to
say about her squad.
“I think right now we’re just
battling inexperience. Other
teams are capitalizing on our
small mistakes, which is what
is hurting us at this point,”
she said.
Before the women face off
against Gannon in the cross-
town conference game they will
use their practice time to work
on improving their offense.
“I think the big thing is to
go through situations. We’re
working to increase our offensive
capabilities. We’re hitting really
well but we’re not getting timely
hits,” Headley said.
The Lakers will look to
improve their offense and keep
up their defense as they travel
down State Street to face cross
town rival Gannon University
today at 3 and 5 p.m.

Men’s tennis defeats two GLIAC competitors during weekend

By Christine Mersch
Staff writer
The Mercyhurst men’s tennis
team got two consecutive
GLIAC victories this past
weekend by defeating Michigan
Tech 9-0 Saturday and Lake
Superior State 8-1 on Sunday.
In the first match, the Lakers
swept all three doubles matches.
Freshman Tim Hansson and
sophomore Mateusz Przybysz
won No. 1 8-6. At No. 2
sophomore Mijo Cotic and
freshman Adam Marnik won 8-
5. The easiest doubles match of
the day belonged to sophomore
Kyle King and sophomore
Ronald Heurich, who picked
up an 8-4 win at No. 3.
During singles play, the Lakers
only dropped one set before
earning the sweep over Tech.
Hansson went three sets at No.1
before becoming victorious. He
won his match by the score of
7-5, 2-6, 6-1. Przybysz took his
match 6-2, 6-4 at No. 2, while
King won at No. 6 with identical
scores. Cotic added a 6-3, 6-1
score at No. 3 and Marnik easily
won his match 6-1, 6-2 at No. 4.
Rounding out the singles
lineup at No. 5 was Heurich, who
secured the sweep with a 6-3, 6-
3 victory. Michigan Tech fell to
3-14, 1-5 GLIAC with the loss.
The Lakers looked to reach
.500 in the conference the
following day when they played at
Lake Superior State and did just
that, dominating Lake State 8-1.
In doubles action King and
Heurich, holding a three-match
winning streak, easily took their
match 8-3. Both first and second
doubles teams rolled to victories
8-3 and 8-5, respectively.
Mercyhurst proved to be too
strong for Lake State in singles
play, as the Lakers’ top three
players dominated their matches.
Hansson, now 5-1 in GLIAC
play, won his match 6-3, 6-1.
Mateusz won No. 2 with an
identical score. Cotic rounded
out the top three with a 6-1, 6-2
victory. Heurich battled to 3-6,
7-5, 1-0 (12-10) three-set win at
No. 5 and King earned a hard
fought 7-5, 7-6 win at No. 6.
Lake Superior was victorious
only at No. 4 singles. Marnik
lost his match 6-3, 6-4.Lake
Superior State fell to 7-11 on
the year and 1-5 in GLIAC play.
The wins moved the Lakers
back to .500 in the conference.
Mercyhurst now stands at 6-7
overall and 3-3 in the GLIAC.
Next week the Lakers host
Grand Valley to end the
regular season.
PAGE 20 SPORTS April 9, 2008

Laker sports

Lacrosse wins home opener

against Molloy College Lions
>> Page 18
Scoot Williams photo