Students debate

nation’s fate as it hangs

on upcoming election.
Read more on Page 2
Vol.82,No.9/10.29.08/Free

Egan phantom
found in photo Read story and full caption on Page 3

Michelle Spiegel photo

Freshman Michelle Spiegel recently caught this image of what she
believes to be a ghost in her Egan Hall dorm room using her Web cam .
Page 2
Mercyhurst student debate on nation’s political fate
By JoEllen Marsh
Staff writer
With one week left until the
election, Mercyhurst College’s
Republicans and Democrats
held a debate to inform stu-
dents about the candidates.
Over 70 people went to
Walker Recital Hall to watch
Republicans Adam Hammer
and Tim Raley and Demo-
crats Nick Johnson and Sarah
Belotti participate in Tuesday’s
debate, which was sponsored
by College Democrats, Young
Republicans, and Pi Sigma
Alpha.
Pi Sigma Alpha’s President
Kaitlyn Faucett moderated the
event.
The questions focused on
education, energy, Iraq and the
economy.
Each side had three minutes
to respond and two minutes to
rebut.
Faucett began the debate
with a question on the candi-
dates’ plans on withdrawing
from Iraq.
Sarah Belotti, a senior in
political science and presi-
dent of College Democrats,
said it’s time to give Iraq back
to the Iraqis and emphasized
Obama’s original opposition
to the War in Iraq.
Tim Raley, a junior majoring
in political science and com-
puter systems, said America
must not exit early like it did
in Vietnam. “Now that we are
there, we need to make sure the
job is done and done well.”
Belotti rebutted and said,
“We must not invest more in
the future of Iraq than the
Iraqis themselves.”
On the topic of educa-
tion, Faucett started with the
Republicans asking, “What
sort of problems, if any, does
your candidate see with the No
Child Left Behind Act, and if
they see problems, what are
their plans to fix them?”
Senior political science
major and Young Republican
President Adam Hammer sup-
ported the view, “No Child Left
Behind needs to be strength-
ened, not discarded” by giving
examples of McCain’s specific
strategies.
On the Democrats’ side,
Belotti told the audience
Obama wants to make math
and science a priority, address
the dropout crisis and raise
teacher’s salaries.
Hammer said in his rebuttal,
“In terms of education, Sena-
tor Obama is not the change
we need. School vouchers,
merit-based pay for teachers
and giving money to princi-
pals; those are ideas for real
change.”
In response to a question
on the rising costs of educa-
tion, both sides said their
candidate’s plans to sim-
plify the financial aid
process, but while
Belotti talked
about the specif-
ics of her can-
didate’s plans
for lowering the
cost of educa-
tion, Hammer
focused more
on attacking
the opposi-
tion, criticizing
Obama’s plan to
eliminate Staf-
ford loans.
“Senator
Obama has long
been a cham-
pion of furthering
higher education,”
Belotti responded,
insisting Obama’s
plans for Pell
grants
NEWS
and college partnership pro-
grams make more sense.
Of course when the topic
shifted to candidates’ plans
for the economy, the debate
couldn’t go on without a refer-
ence to Joe the Plumber.
After telling the Plumb-
er’s story, Hammer knocked
Obama’s plan for income redis-
tribution and raising taxes.
Nick Johnson, a senior
in social studies education,
pointed to Obama and Biden’s
plans to reduce taxes on middle
class, keep jobs in America and
invest in retraining America’s
workforce for green jobs.
After Hammer said, “You
can’t raise taxes in a recession.
That’s not just bad politics,
that’s dangerous politics,” John-
s o n
October 29, 2008
rebutted that Obama only now.”
plans to raise taxes on people Belotti said, “We can’t expect
making more than $250,000. that if we do the same thing
When the debate moved we’ve been doing for the last
to energy, Johnson focused eight years that we’ll get differ-
on Obama’s plans to reduce ent results.”
greenhouse gas emissions by All of the participants were
80 percent, set goals to elimi- happy with the debate and
nate America’s dependence on thought both sides were pre-
oil from the Middle East, and pared.
implement a “use it or lose it” “It went really well,”
approach to existing oil fields. Hammer said. “The object
Raley told the audience of the debate wasn’t to have a
America needs to focus on winner or a loser, it was more
the short-term goals by build- to get people informed about
ing nuclear power plants and the candidates, so I hope that’s
drilling for oil offshore and in what we did,” Hammer said,
Alaska. adding his interest in having
Johnson rebutted, “He informative debates even out-
stated we have enough oil for side of election season.
the next 45 years, but what Junior Jennifer Jarema
happens after those years? We said, “I thought it went
can’t guarantee we will be in a pretty well. I think that the
position to get oil from other Democrats could have been a
countries.” little stronger, but the Repub-
Raley said, “Obama’s licans made a lot of factual
plan might help errors.”
someone some- Other students thought the
where 100 years debate should have focused on
from now, but more controversial issues like
we need a solu- abortion or gay marriage.
tion now.” Senior James Scalise said, “I
Before each didn’t like it. I don’t know, it
side made was kind of just like restating
its closing the candidate’s positions.”
remarks, Fau- A debate between both par-
cett asked ties is one of the few cam-
two questions paign methods allowed by the
submitted by college.
members of Belotti said, “It’s really
the audience. hard to do campaigning stuff
In his clos- here… We have to do it in a
ing remark, bipartisan way so this is a way
Hammer refer- to campaign and get the mes-
enced McCain’s time sage out.”
as a POW, said, “His Faucett said, “I just think
priorities are on the that this is such an important
countries first and that’s election. From the polls from
the kind of president four years ago, it was the young
we need that would have decided the
election, but the young didn’t
vote. It does not matter who
you vote for, it just matters
that you get out and vote.”
Illustration done by Tyler Stauffer
October 29, 2008
Freshman girls haunted by Egan ghost
By Liz Maier
Staff writer
Secluded in a small hallway on the
third floor of Egan Hall, freshmen
roommates Michelle Spiegel and Kath-
leen Finn have their room decorated
with cute ghosts and small orange
gourds.
Outside their door, a yellow and black
banner saying, “This House is Haunted”
hangs in the spirit of Halloween.
“My parents bought me all these Hal-
loween decorations, because they know
my room is haunted,” Spiegel said.
Since the beginning of the year, Spie-
gel and Finn have had strange occur-
rences in their room.
“Our shoes are always placed in cer-
tain positions of the room,” Spiegel said
pointing to her sneakers sitting next to
her desk and her roommate’s sandals by
the closet door.
“One day we came back to our room
and all of our shoes were thrown in the
middle of the room,” Spiegel said.
Spiegel and Finn’s latest spooky en-
counter happened two days ago.
“When I came back to my room; one
of the gourds was sitting on my bed,”
Spiegel said.
Naturally, she thought her roommate
placed it there. “Later when Kathleen
returned to the room, I asked if she put
it on my bed. She said she had no idea
how it got there,” said Spiegel.
Later, the two were awakened in the
middle of the night. “We were lying in
bed and heard our door rattling as if
someone was knocking on it or trying
to get in,” Spiegel said. “I thought it was
the wind, but the next morning I dis-
covered the windows were closed.”
In the beginning of the year, Finn’s
hanging mirror fell off the wall and
shattered on the ground despite being
Duct taped to the wall.
“Things on our wall always seem to
fall off,” Spiegel said. “But, only at night,
right before we’re about to fall asleep.”
She recounted a story about her
roommate’s cork board falling off the
wall even though it was strongly secured
to the wall.
Spiegel has no explanation on why
NEWS Page 3
her touch-sen- sistant Carrie door shut and stopped unpacking,”
sitive, wobble Lowery believes Lowery said.
clock’s blue face in ghosts. “It Like Lowery, senior Resident Assis-
lights up ran- is hard not to tant Ashley Pizzuto started believing in
domly in the when it happens ghosts after living in Egan her freshman
middle of the to you personal- year.
night, or why, ly,” Lowery said. “My computer printer would ran-
after a humming While living domly turn on in the middle of the
sound comes in Room 314 of night,” Pizzuto said. “It would run back
from the ceiling, Egan Hall, Low- and forth as if it were printing.” She
her closed door ery vividly re- distinctly remembers one evening when
rattles. members seeing the printer awoke her at 1 a.m.
But most of the same white, She asked her roommate if she could
all, Speigel can’t ghost-figure as unplug it for her. But, again, the printer
explain the im- Spiegel. turned on.
ages that her “One night, “I asked my roommate why she
lap-top camera I tossed and hadn’t unplugged it,” Pizzuto said. “And
captured one turned for 15 my roommate said, ‘I did. Look.’ She
day while she minutes, trying was standing there, holding the discon-
was absent from to fall asleep. nected plug.”
her room. When I turned Pizzuto was even more convinced
“After the Tyler Stauffer photo over, I opened that ghosts exist when her iPod ran-
shoe incident, I The third floor of Egan Hall has been my eyes and saw domly turned on in the middle of the
decided to leave known for numerous ghost sightings. a white figure night. “The light turned on and the mu-
my Web Cam on standing directly sic started playing; even though when I
while I was doing laundry,” Spiegel said. next to my bed,” Lowery said. went to turn it off, the ‘hold’ button was
Upon returning, Spiegel discovered her The apparition appeared to be a on.”
deodorant lying on the floor. girl, though, Lowery did not look long Many are skeptical about the exis-
“As soon as I saw my deodorant had enough to tell. “I, immediately, turned tence of ghosts, but the girls from Egan
fallen to the ground, I knew I had to towards my wall and pulled the sheet Hall can tell you otherwise.
watch the footage,” Spiegel said. covers over my head,” Lowery said. Just ask freshman Nikki Zeak, who
For a solid five minutes, nothing but Shortly after moving in to Egan Hall lives alone on the first floor, how her
her bunk bed could be seen. in the beginning of this school year, bath towel randomly went missing for
Several moments passed and sudden- Lowery again had a supernatural experi- several weeks but suddenly reappeared,
ly a white shadow flickered on the left ence. rolled up across the threshold of her
hand portion of the footage. While putting her clothes away in closet door.
Thirty seconds later, the sound of her closet, she heard a tap on her door More spooky stories can be heard
the deodorant crashing to the ground is window. “I looked out the window but about Egan Hall, but the question is; are
heard. But, still a skeptic, Spiegel wanted didn’t see anyone, so I continued to put you brave enough to listen?
more proof. my clothes away,” Lowery said. (Video on Youtube can be found un-
Before leaving for dinner one evening, Tap. der keyword “Mercyhurst Ghost.”)
Spiegel set her Web camera to automati- “After I heard a second tap, I opened
cally photograph consecutive images of my door and looked down the hallway
her room. because I knew I would be able to see a Cover photo
What she saw next brought Spiegel person running in the other direction,” Penn State Behrend professor
one step closer to believing in ghosts. Lowery said. Larry Downey, creator of software
One of the photographs captured a But no one was in the hallway. that analyzes digital photographs
slender, white, human figure, standing Lowery frantically searched the bath- detect alterations, examined the
directly in front of Spiegel’s desk. rooms, housekeeping closet and lounge photo of the Egan Hall ghost on the
Shadows outline what looks to be the finding no one. She finally gave up and cover of this issue. Downey said he
apparition’s rib cage though no other returned to her closest. was unable to make a definitive call
details can be distinguished. Tap, tap. Carrie… on whether the photo was altered.
He noted, though, that the white,
“The image really threw me over the This time, the tapping noise was fol-
spirit-like shape on the right could
edge into believing in ghosts,” Spiegel lowed by what Lowery believes was possibly have been added with a
said. someone’s voice whispering her name. photo software tool.
Unlike Spiegel, senior Resident As- “At that point, I slammed my closet
Page 4 NEWS October 29, 2008

’Hurst community ‘lettuce hear their beef’ at forum

Mercyhurst College students gathered in the Herrmann Student Union Great Room for the first
student forum/fireside chat in four or five years on Wednesday, Oct. 22.
By Kelly Luoma
Staff writer
Mercyhurst College students
sat by the fireside and enjoyed
apple cider, caramel apples and
popcorn balls while they dis-
cussed important issues affect-
ing their lives.
Students and administra-
tors met on Wednesday, Oct.
22 in the Great Room of the
Herrmann Student Union to
discuss issues at the student fo-
rum/fireside chat.
It has been four or five years
since the last student forum,
according to Mercyhusr Stu-
dent Government (MSG) Pub-
lic Relations Coordinator, Mixa
Jovanovic.
The student forum is a
“unique opportunity for stu-
dents to raise questions,” Jova-
novic said. “It’s great for them
[administrators] to get good
feedback.”
The main issues of the fo-
rum included the food plan,
changes in the library and the
new freshman residence hall.
After the issues were ad-
dressed, students were able to
anonymously ask questions
and raise concerns.
Executive Vice President of
Administration Tom Billingsley
discussed the expiration of the
food contract with Sodexho.
The 10-year contract expires in
July.
“We’re looking for some-
body that would be a good fit
for what Mercyhurst College
wants,” Billingsley said. “It’s
Scoot Williams photo
on our shoulders to determine
what we want.”
Students made many sugges-
tions about what they would
like from the new food con-
tract.
Ideas included: extended
board hours, more vegetarian
meals, less fried food, more or-
ganically grown food and more
diverse meals.
Darci Jones, director of
theHammermill library, spoke
about library services.
She mentioned the recent de-
velopments of the 24/7 study
lounge, the new Web site and
the re-instituted library com-
mittee.
A student suggested putting a
printer in the 24-hour lounge.
“We are moving in the di-
rection of getting services in
there,” Jones responded. “It’s a
process. This is a new system;
it takes time to work out the
kinks.”
Dr. Gerry Tobin, vice presi-
dent of Student Life, discussed
the new freshman residence
hall.
The college has not built a
new residence hall since the
early 1960s, Tobin said.
Each room in the new hall
will house two freshman stu-
dents, and there will be one
bathroom for these two stu-
dents to share. The building
will house about 300 students
overall. This will lead to a “sig-
nificant surplus of space,” To-
bin said.
He shared how the new resi-
dence hall will affect upper-
classmen students.
The goal is to use some of
McCauley Hall as space for
student organizations.
He hopes to make Mercy
Suites into graduate and admin-
istrative housing; this will open
up three buildings in the Briggs
and Lewis apartments.
Doing this will make nearly
75 percent of housing be three
people to one apartment, in-
stead of four, said Tobin.
A student asked how it will
be decided which freshman will
live in the new residence hall.
Tobin said this has not yet
been determined.
It might be based on the
first-come, first-serve system,
or there could be a higher price
for students to live in this build-
ing, he said.
One student suggested that
if the price gap is too wide,
then the school will be creat-
ing a socioeconomic divide be-
tween the residence halls.
Tobin responded by say-
ing, “We don’t want to create a
ghetto.”
Students mentioned the new
rule that requires Mercyhurst
students to live on campus for
three years. They suggested
that revenue was the reason for
the institution of this rule.
Tobin said that money was
not the reason behind this.
“Sure there is a revenue ad-
vantage,” Tobin said. “That’s
not why we’re doing it.”
According to Tobin, the
school did not provide enough
housing options before and
the new residence hall changes
this.
MSG President Christina
Coovert also spoke at the fo-
rum.
She mentioned the EMTA
transportation system, the
“Lettuce hear your Beef ” sur-
vey, and the DVD program in
the library.
MSG is “trying to get as
much feedback as possible,”
Coovert said.
“I thought it [student fo-
rum] was informative. I’m glad
there was an opportunity for
students to hear from adminis-
trators instead of from fliers,”
sophomore Sarah Heuer said.

• Paul Deehan – Infantry (Active Component)

• Lisa Henderson – Military Intelligence (National Guard) Mercyhurst
• Joe Koennecke – Medical Services (Active Component)
• John McClellan – Educational Delay/Medical School (Active Component) College cadets
• Michael Piccini – Infantry (Active Component)
• Dan Piechocki – Aviation (Active Component) receive their
This week Mercyhurst College’s ROTC 2009 commissioning class received their branch choices. Every cadet received
their first branch choice, which is unusual for an entire commissioning class. There are a total of 16 branches, not
including special branches. The U.S. Army determines a cadet’s branch based on their overall performance.
branches
October 29, 2008
’Hurst helps children with UNICEF
By Liz Maier
Staff writer
In first grade, Marta Baran
began learning about the trag-
edies of war.
For some, this may sound
surprising. But reminders of
it have surrounded Baran for
her entire life – war memo-
rial statues, cemeteries, the
remains of concentration
camps.
Evidence of war is every-
where when you come from
Poland.
Years have passed and Baran
again sits in a classroom.
She is no longer learning
about war.
Rather, she is working with
Mercyhurst College students
to promote a group dedicated
to helping those affected by
war and natural disasters.
The first ever U.S. Fund for
the United Nations Children’s
Fund Club at Mercyhurst Col-
lege was started by the lone
efforts of Baran in the fall of
2007.
A non-profit organization,
UNICEF has aided Poland
and over 150 other countries
throughout the world since its
creation in 1946.
“UNICEF has been help-
ing Polish children since
1962,” Baran said. “Since
then, Poland has become the
country that sends the most
help.”
Treasurer of UNICEF-
MC, Surafel Mulugeta, has
also witnessed the efforts of
UNICEF in Ethiopia.
“Every year, UNICEF
would help us out with food,
money, medical supplies --
anything you can think of,”
Mulugeta said. “Actually, at
this very moment in Ethiopia,
there is a draught and famine
so the UN is helping us out.”
Seeing the impact UNICEF
has on his country and many
other African nations con-
vinced Mulugeta to join
UNICEF-MC.
Although, he wishes more
people would feel the same
passion and join the club.
Baran’s passion for the club
is fueled by her belief in soli-
darity.
“I knew from my history
classes how much help soli-
darity of people can bring
and how little [efforts], can
make much,” Baran said.
“Therefore, I thought it
would be a great idea to bring
this initiative to campus; to
promote children’s rights and
show students other world
perspectives,” Baran said.
Adviser of UNICEF-MC,
Charles “Chef ” Magalhaes
expressed his goals for the
new club.
“My goal for the group
is to be recognized by the
UNICEF Foundation – the
result of helping children
throughout the world,” Mag-
alhaes said. The primary goals
for UNICEF-MC are to edu-
cate, advocate and fundraise
for the survival, protection
and development of children
worldwide.
In February 2008, UNICEF-
MC had its first Valentine’s
Day bake sale to raise money.
The sale was a delicious suc-
cess because the club raised
over $300.
Only 10 percent of all funds
raised are given directly to
the UNICEF-MC Club. The
remaining money is donated
to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF,
a non-profit organization
affiliated with UNICEF which
works for the survival, protec-
tion and development of chil-
dren worldwide.
Towards the end of Octo-
ber, UNICEF-MC members
will be able to relive their
childhood on Halloween night
by participating in Trick-or-
Treat for UNICEF.
NEWS Page 5
Baran and the other
UNICEF-MC club officers
fear for this evening though.
They aren’t afraid of the
scary goblins or witch cos-
tumes. They fear that many of
their members have become
ghosts.
Public Relations Director of
UNICEF-MC Denise Whee-
lock said, “Our biggest weak-
ness is our lack of members.”
During the first UNICEF-MC
meeting of the school year,
only five members were pres-
ent.
“We are looking for more
volunteers, because many of
our ideas cannot be accom- Contributed photo
plished without helpful hands The Mercyhurst College community got a chance to taste test
of the students,” Baran said. homemade chili Wednesday Oct. 22 in the Herrmann Student
“I know that Mercyhurst Union.
students have great hearts
and are open-minded; there-
fore, I truly believe that we all
together will make an excellent
’Hurst cooks up
difference; even though the
beginnings are always hard,”
Baran said.
award-winning chili
Mulugeta encouraged stu- the Hill, Barry Agostine,
By Alaina Rydzewski
dents to volunteer as well. Maintenance – Best Hot and
Staff writer
“They [UNICEF] are the Spicy, Betsy Frank, Human
primary helpers of the world- Resources – Best Vegetar-
- Africa, Asia and all the coun- In the Student Union, the ian, Aaron and Darcy Kemp,
tries being affected by draught smell of chili was in the air. Athletics and Student Union
or famine. They are there The “Autumn- Eat it to the – Most Unique, Paul Colon-
to help. As rational human Bottom” Chili Cook-Off was tino, Women’s Hockey – Best
beings, we should want to help held in the Mercyhurst Col- Traditional.
as well,” Mulugeta said. lege Great Room Wednesday, Amy Bergan, who origi-
According to the U.S. Fund Oct. 22. nally was going to enter a
for UNICEF’s Web site, for Students and faculty par- white chicken chili, ended up
the first time in modern his- ticipated in not only sampling making a “Pumpkin Turkey”
tory, the number of children all the chilies, but also submit- chili, and judging by the near-
dying before the age of five ting their own. empty pot, it was well-liked.
fell below 10 million this year. Betsy Frank of Human Freshman Becky Caraballo-
Millions of children are Resources and head of the said she liked every chili she
saved everyday because of cook-off said it was “the big- tried and was “amazed at the
the small efforts from people gest crowd we’ve had in three number of students and fac-
like Baran and UNICEF-MC years.” ulty alike who participated in
Club. The event raised $250 and the event...it’s a great opportu-
If you are interested in join- collected three large boxes nity to get involved and raise
ing UNICEF-MC or would of canned goods for the Erie money for a good cause.”
like to find out more infor- City Mission. Hopefully next year’s will
mation about Trick-or -Treat While the results were close, be even bigger and better,
for UNICEF, please contact there were numerous winners, although “This year’s cook-
Marta Baran at mbaran85@ including: Debbie Wurst, off was a great success,”
mercyhurst.edu. Admissions – Best Chili on Frank said.
Page 6
CBS News poll shows
students favor Obama
By Casey Greene
Contributing writer
Mercyhurst College stu-
dents as well as students
from four battleground states
have let their voices be heard
in showing their favoring
of Sen. Barack Obama for
president, according to a new
CBS News survey released
Monday, Oct. 27.
Nearly 29 percent of Mer-
cyhurst students participated
in Youth Vote ‘08, an online
poll conducted by CBS News,
The Chronicle of Higher
Education and UWIRE.
Mercyhurst’s participation
level ranked the school in
ninth out of the 49 colleges
and universities randomly
selected from across Penn-
sylvania, Ohio, Colorado
and North Carolina, a poll
spokesman said.
Mercyhurst is the only col-
lege in the region that par-
ticipated in the survey.
“In what many have called
the ‘Year of the Youth Vote,’
Mercyhurst College students
have demonstrated excite-
ment over this year’s presi-
dential election as well as an
increased concern over issues
like the economy,” Mercy-
hurst College President Dr.
Thomas J. Gamble said.
“That nearly 29 percent
of our students completed
ELECTION 2008 COUNTDOWN:
Are you ready to vote?
the recent CBS News survey,
placing us ninth out of the
49 schools participating, is
evidence that Mercyhurst
students are actively engaged
and, with their contempo-
raries, may well be a pivotal
force in this historic elec-
tion.”
Results of the survey were
to be reported this week on
the CBS Evening News with
Katie Couric.
The survey polled nearly
25,000 students, showing the
students had similar views in
their different views.
Overall, the poll showed six
in 10 students favor Obama
for president.
At Mercyhurst, 61.9 per-
cent marked their choice
as Obama/Biden; 34.9 per-
cent, McCain/Palin; and 3.2
percent indicated “someone
else.”
According to survey results
college students’ top concern
is the economy like adults
nationwide.
At Mercyhurst, 74.9 per-
cent of respondents ranked
the economy as the issue of
most importance in this elec-
tion followed by the war in
Iraq, 48.2 percent; education,
44.2 percent; energy policy,
43.8 percent; health care,
32.4 percent; environment,
30.1 percent and immigra-
tion, 12.3 percent.
Additionally, Obama rated
7 days
NEWS October 29, 2008
more highly than Sen. John
McCain on every candidate
quality measured in the poll.
When asked if the candi-
date is someone you “can
relate to” - 58.4 percent of
Mercyhurst students said
yes to Obama; 28.5 percent
Friday, Oct. 31
said yes to McCain. Someone
who “can bring about real
change” - 71.5 percent indi- 10 p.m. Rink of Terror
cated Obama; 32 percent, Ice Center
McCain.
However, one exception
was the poll results showed
McCain stronger than Obama
Saturday, Nov. 1
on being “an effective com-
mander in chief.”
Likewise at Mercyhurst,
1 p.m. Laker Spirit Club
68.9 percent of respondents Football Game
ranked McCain as an “effec-
tive commander in chief;”
28.5 percent, Obama. 8 p.m. Haunted Hurst tours
On the vice presidential
candidates, 27.6 percent of (start in the Union)
Mercyhurst respondents said
they “really like” Biden; while
14.3 percent said “I don’t
much like him or her.”
For Palin, 17.8 percent said
Controlled Substance 3830 Lewis Avenue
“really like;” 49.2 percent
said “I don’t much like him Monday, Oct. 6 .08 College Discipline
or her.”
All Mercyhurst full-time
undergraduate students had Larceny/Theft (Retail) Bookstore
the opportunity to take the Monday, Oct. 13 .08 Closed
online poll, which was sent
directly to their campus e-
mails Monday, Oct. 6. Larceny/Theft Herrmann Student Union
The Cornell University Closed
Survey Research Institute Wednesday, Oct. 15 .08
conducted the survey.
Controlled Substance 3807 Briggs Avenue
Saturday, Oct. 25 .08 Pending Investigation
Oct. 6-25, 2008
Mercyhurst
College
October 29, 2008
Enterprise
Rent-A-Car hires
’Hurst almuni
By Liz Maier
Staff writer
Jumpstarting a career in
business can be as easy as vis-
iting your local Rent-A-Car
Enterprise branch.
Recognized for its efficient
management training program
and its promote-from-within
business model, Rent-A-Car
Enterprise has hired about
two students from Mercy-
hurst College each year and
currently employs 13 Mercy-
hurst alumni.
“Enterprise has been very
impressed with the quality of
Mercyhurst graduates because
they consistently have what it
takes; the skills and the drive
to run a business,” Joe Kvak
said, a local recruiter for En-
terprise.
Kvak specifically recruits
potential employees from
Mercyhurst because he said
they have a solid educational
background.
For the third consecutive
year, Rent-A-Car Enterprise
has been named on the “Top
50 Best Places to Launch a
Career” by BusinessWeek.
“Our management training
program jumpstarts their ca-
reers toward success,” Kvak
said.
Enterprises’ training pro-
gram teaches business-to-
business marketing and sales,
how to manage profit and
loss, how to control expenses
NEWS Page 7
and how to execute a compre-
hensive business plan.
Director of Career Services
Bob Hvezda said, “Enterprise
looks primarily for business
students, however, they do
look at all majors especially
students who have demon- Tyler Stauffer photo
strated leadership skills and
great interpersonal skills.”
Hvezda said Kvak will be
recruiting students for full-
time positions as well as in-
terns at Mercyhurst’s upcom-
ing job fair.
Kvak will also be returning
to campus in the spring to in-
terview students in person.
Sophomore Amanda Nor-
man is interested in possibly
interning at Enterprise.
“I would definitely consider
getting an internship at Enter-
prise if I could make $10.00
an hour because it would not
only be a good experience but
getting paid would be a plus,”
she said. Tyler Stauffer photo
Students donate pounds of
Typically, first year employ-
ees are eligible for promotion
within nine to 12 months and
are given the opportunity to
manage and profit off the
branch as if it were their own
food for annual collection
business, said Hvezda.
By working at Enterprise,
employees can live close to
for local charities
their family because they have As for the 36th Annual nia. reaching their goals.
the capability to establish Food Drive, Amanda Zech- Box City collected $345 To get involved for next
their own branch anywhere in man reported that the Col- dollars for the Erie City Mis- year or to find out about
the nation. lege collected a total of sion. upcoming fundraisers, get in
“Interning at Enterprise 4,651 pounds of food for the Both included a great deal touch with Amanda Zechman
could guarantee you a job for Second Harvest Food Bank of student participation and of Campus Ministry or Betsy
your future,” Norman said. of Northwestern Pennsylva- were extremely successful in Frank of Human Resources.
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October 29, 2008
’Hurst alum shares
his post-graduation
VISTA experiences
By Jeff Cagle
Contributing writer
After graduating, I did a
year of service as an Ameri-
Corps VISTA starting in
July 2007.
I worked for a school dis-
trict in Crawford County on
a Bullying Prevention Pro-
gram as well as setting up a
Peer-Mentoring Program with
at-risk youth.
While in the AmeriCorps,
I went to New Orleans for a
week to help rebuild homes
that are still in need of repair
after Hurricane Katrina.
This past July, I finished my
year of service and made my
way to Nashville, Tenn. where
I now attend Vanderbilt Divin-
ity School pursuing a master
of theological studies degree.
I hope to eventually end up
in a Ph.D. program and hope-
fully end up teaching religion
or theology at a small liberal
arts college like Mercyhurst
College (if by chance, the
’Hurst wants to hire me some-
day, that would be cool).
Jeff (second from the right) and some of the other Americorps
VISTA’s in New Orleans.
FEATURES Page 9
Interested in being an editor for
the 2009-10 Merciad?
Contact Casey Greene for details at
Do I miss Mercyhurst? editormerciad@mercyhurst.edu
The answer would be
yes and no. For anyone who knew
me, I was a pretty big fan of
Mercyhurst.
I knew a lot of people and
made a lot of lasting friend-
ships, was involved in a lot
of activities, really enjoyed
my classes and was very in-
volved with Mercyhurst’s
hockey teams.
I miss the atmosphere at Mer-
cyhurst, and the atmosphere
at Vanderbilt and in Nash-
Broccoli & Cheddar Bites
ville is much different, as one
can imagine, but I have Lunch $ 5
allowed myself to ex- Dinner $ 5.50
plore and experience
new things.
I was incredibly sad the
day I graduated, saying good- Lunch $ 5
bye to friends I may never Dinner $ 5.50
see again.
I now know that moving on 6” Sub $4 Combo $ 5
in life and having to deal with 12” Sub $5.75 Combo $ 6.75
change is not only inevitable, Wrap Combo- Veggie $5
but is a really good thing. Other Wraps $4
I have grown and matured Make any sub a wrap for no extra charge!
in the last year and a half, and
I can always look back and rec-
ognize my growth as an adult
really started there.
11:30 a.m -8pm
Lunch $ 5
Dinner $ 5.50
Contributed photo
Page 10
Mercyhurst students speak up about drug usage
Students for Sensible Drug Policy group back in action at the ’Hurst
By Jordan Zangaro
Contributing writer
The war on drugs was
undertaken by the United
States of America with hopes
of reducing the drug trade,
curb supply and hopefully
“diminish demand of sub-
stances deemed harmful or
undesirable by the govern-
ment,” which is quoted on the
Wikipedia Web site.
“This initiative includes a
set of laws and policies that
are intended to discourage the
production, distribution and
consumption of targeted sub-
stances,” it continues to say.
A campaign that should
prevent drug usage, stop
drug-related deaths and even
make it much more difficult to
buy or sell drugs sounds like a
positive effort.
The Students for Sensible
Drug Policy (SSDP) of Mer-
cyhurst College beg to differ.
The national chapter of
SSDP was created in 1998 in
response to the Higher Edu-
cation Act denying loans and
grants to students with drug
convictions.
Senior Jerrod Markle made
the group active again because
of an interest in the topic.
“The chapter at Mercyhurst
was created a while ago and I
re-activated it, because I knew
some members in the past
and was interested in what the
group stood for,” he said.
This group was only reacti-
vated this school year.
The name of the group may
seem vague.
That may be because the
issues this group covers
Senior Jerrod Markle re-activcated the Students for Sensible
Drug Policy chapter at Mercyhurst College.
range from financial aid
to campus code and con-
duct; from student rights to
drug education and to fight-
ing against the ineffective
drug war.
One issue with the drug
war is the punishments for
offenders.
The government wants
users and sellers to go to jail
to show the seriousness of a
drug offense and to get the
offenders drug free.
Injection-drug users who
are incarcerated are less likely
to kick their habit than those
who remain in the commu-
nity, new Canadian research
shows.
The SSDP group is about
mobilizing and empowering
young people to participate in
the political process, pushing
FEATURES October 29, 2008
group because of the recogni- SSDP has a page on Face-
tion that current drug policies book.com under the causes
in America are ineffective and category for those interested
are in need of being revised,” to join and attempt to raise
he said. funds for the organization.
The war on drugs has been The group also where they
an issue for decades now. post videos supporting their
It has been seen as a good cause, and has a MySpace
thing, but also something that page so that people of all ages,
needs to be regulated in the not just students, can find out
United States. about the organization and
The students at Mercyhurst get involved.
found issues with how the For more information on
regulation is being played out SSDP, visit their Web site
and have decided to take a or contact Jerrod Markle
stance against it. on how to get involved.
Tyler Stauffer photo
for sensible policies to achieve
a safer and more just future
while fighting back against
counterproductive drug war
policies, particularly those
that directly harm students
and youth.
The Mercyhurst chapter has
about 10-15 members and the
adviser is Dr. McCarthy of
religious studies.
So why do people want to
join this club?
“I joined because of per-
sonal experience, to stop all
war, improve the conscious-
ness and awareness of others,
and I have a heart for social
justice issues,” said Markle.
Seamus Pendergast joined
the group because of his
feelings about American ssdp.org photo
drug efforts. Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) is an organization
“I felt the need to join the with chapters in hundreds of schools in the United States.
October 29, 2008
‘Double double toil and trouble’ on All Hallows Eve
Witches, ghouls, wizards popular costume ideas for thousands of years
By Amanda Antenucci
Staff writer
Halloween is a perfect
time to be somebody else
for a day, and in today’s cul-
ture you can find any cheaply
manufactured costume to fit
your desire.
Sexy, scary, gruesome and
the scantily clad are popular
choices for parties and for
people our age.
Even though some say we
are too old to go door to door
asking for candy, it’s still fun
to do.
But why do people hand
us free candy? Where did this
ritual come from?
The tradition of handing
out treats and dressing up in
costume dates back to thou-
sands of years ago that started
in ancient Celtic tradition.
The Celts believed that on
Beat the cold with hot winter accessories and styles
By Amanda Antenucci
Staff writer
Winter fashion can
seem just as boring as the
winter blues we feel season
every year.
Most do not prefer fall and
winter clothing, since endless
hoodies, sweats, boots and
sweaters don’t look stylish but
frumpy and bulky.
This creative and fun
spark thankfully trickled into
the retail stores where this
year the winter basics have
an edge.
Fur used to be tacky, old
and stuffy, but with style
queens such as Rachel Zoe
the night before All Saints
Day (Nov. 1), called All Hal-
lows Eve, the spirits of the
dead could roam the earth and
cause chaos to humans as they
wished.
This began the ritual of
dressing up.
Dressing in a ghoulish and
depressing garb would dis-
guise the human and therefore
trick the spirits into believing
they were among the dead,
therefore passing over them
and finding another soul
to torture.
Other popular costumes
of the time were witches,
wizards, ghosts, sorcerers
and fairies.
The best and most ornate
costumes of today are replicas
of these amazing and historic
holiday fashion.
The ritual of passing out
goodies came from the idea
that pleasing these evil spir-
rocking the full body furs, fur
this year is a funky look that
says luxury.
There are some amazing
faux fur coats, vests, ear muffs
and vintage looking scarves
for reasonable prices at
many stores.
Another winter accessory
is scarves.
The whole bib-fringed
scarves that created a chic
punk look this fall thickens
into a warmer and yet fash-
ionable statement piece that
can be added to any outfit
for flair.
Layering knit accessories
also adds a warm and styl-
ish layer. Arm gloves, leg
warmers, etc., all make a
FEATURES
sxc.hu photo
Models in New York runway
shows got in the Halloween
spirit by dressing as witches
in designer Luella Bartley’s
shows.
comfy look.
Play with color by mixing
two or more thin winter
scarves and leave the
bulk out.
Tights are no longer just
for the private school girls; go
to any Target and see endless
options for opaque tights in
every color and pattern, and
throw on some mid-height
socks in a contrasting pattern
or color to set it off.
The perfect accessory to
mix with your tights, socks
or leg warmers are boots,
and they are everywhere
this season.
Flat boots to match your
leather bomber coat, stiletto
boots, even throw on with
its would save the humans
from havoc.
By distributing gifts and
food and drink before the spir-
its their souls would be spared
from torture.
This lasted every year since
and today is a tradition appro-
priate for young children who
dress up for fun, since in
today’s age most people don’t
believe spirits come house to
house anymore.
This holiday of the “night
of the dead” was a tradi-
tion for the Celtic commu-
nity tied into religion and
community.
“Days of the Dead” are
also still celebrated today as it
would be traditionally in such
cultures like the Hispanic, and
can also be traced to Europe.
One of the well known days
of the dead would be Mexico’s
“dia de los muertes,” which is
very similar to the Celts’ All
your Victoria’s Secret PINK
sweatshirt and Uggs.
Big structured handbags
have been the ‘it’ bag for
many seasons in a row, and
there’s nothing more chic than
matching a sturdy, tomboy
handbag with hardware such
as studs, zippers or buck-
les to make your outfit edgy
and fashion forward.
They complement a femi-
nine and polished look
perfectly.
Since mixing and match-
ing is a youthful concept, a
new trend on the rise is boy
cut blazers, which is inspired
from the massive menswear
trend women have been
rocking.
Page 11
Hallows Eve, except they cel-
ebrated their dead ancestors’
spirits and have huge celebra-
tions honoring them.
And since the best part of
Halloween is dressing up, how
fabulous it relates to a history
in fashion!
Dressing the part is serious
to some people, even models
and designers.
In the fall runway shows
in New York, designer Luella
Bartley showed a collec-
tion of ghoulishly dark and
cold-blooded outfits inspired
by classic influences from
Halloween characters.
The show was described
as fun and whimsically ador-
able. Dresses perfect for fall
were shown with witches hats
and Dutch shoes, resembling
something from the movie
Hocus Pocus.
Dress up, be safe, and have a
haunting good time on Friday.
The fitted women blazers
of vintage high school years
are in again, and they so coolly
add a casual touch to any girly
or fancy ensemble.
Even though it’s not Hal-
loween yet, Christmas trees
are already popping up in
local stores.
Here’s a sneak peak on the
best holiday looks.
Sequins and berry colors
are a tasteful, glamor-
ous and ever so versatile
combination.
Lots of colors and sparkles
are going to be the look to
watch out for this winter, so
start keeping an eye out for
these looks to hit the racks at
your favorite stores.
Page 12 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT October3,29,2008
September 2008

Taylor Little Theatre plays host to ‘Our Town’

By Kyle King
A & E editor
I was admittedly anxious for
the cast of Thornton Wilder’s
“Our Town” heading to their
show at Taylor Little Theatre
last Friday, Oct. 24.
When I witnessed the first
dress rehearsal earlier that
week, it was admittedly less
than stellar.
Few of the actors seemed
to have their lines prepared,
many were still searching for
their characters and all were
adjusting to the costumes.
Female lead junior Renée
Kiefer admitted nerves but
showed resolve, maintaining
that kinks would be ironed out
before the show opened.
She and the rest of the cast
proved my doubts were for
naught.
Kiefer delighted as the lov-
able young Emily Webb; subtle
touches she gave the character,
conveyed through blushes and
body movement, were not lost
on the audience.
Her command not only of
the lines, but of the inflection
and authorial intent, was top-
notch.
Her male counterpart, the
precocious Luka Glinsky, grew
on me substantially since I had
seen the dress rehearsal.
He originally appeared
to have trouble keeping his
George Gibbs consistent, but
by opening night he found a
rhythm.
His character matured as the
play’s chronology progressed;
he seemed to discover himself
and become the man society
demanded of him before the
audience’s eyes.
Sophomore Devin Ruic
played a poised and dignified
Stage Manager, a demanding
role with a heavy load of lines
and minor character scenes.
Additionally, several other
actors and actresses were able
to add luster and personality to
smaller roles.
Particular commendation
goes to sophomore Kelsey
McGuire’s Professor Willard,
which had been completely
revamped since I had seen it
last.
Her embodiment of the nat-
ural scientist had the archae-
ology students with whom I
attended the show struggling
to control their laughter.
Senior John Ladd’s Howie
Newsome and invisible cow
Bessie delighted, as well.
The rest of the townspeople
were not flat, by any means.
Emily’s parents, played by
junior Chris Cummings and
freshman Katie Wagner, and
George’s parents, played by
senior Steve Holian and fresh-
man Tara Heade, all breathed
life into what could have ended
up stale, stereotypical turn-of-
the-century couples.
The only qualm I had was not
with the actors. In a curious
decision, the originally three-
act play was instead divided
into two unequal parts.
The audience truly fell for
the characters over the lengthy,
almost show-length in itself
first act, culminating in Emily
and George’s wedding.
The second act, an entreaty
by Wilder for individuals to
appreciate their lives as they
are being lived, thus appears as
a 15-minute-long failed inter-
vention tacked on at the end.
Some of this is a result of
the editing, but much can be
attributed to the author.
Many of the characters from
the first act are now dead, souls
in the great beyond capable of
understanding the events still
occurring on earth and even
returning to the play’s locale,
Grover’s Corners, N.H.
Besides the troubling meta-
physics, the dead offer nothing
in terms of emotion, the bleak-
est of transcendent beings.
Kiefer’s effervescent Emily
Webb even succumbs to grim-
ness, disheartening the audi-
ence without really getting it
to buy the premise.
Because the audience already
understood Wilder’s belief in
life’s transparency because of
the lack of set and Stage Man-
ager’s intervention, the second
act seemed like overkill.
However, that single scruple
should take nothing away from
cast, crew and Director David
Matthews.
They put together a laudable
performance of a complex,
classic American play.
I can’t wait to see what Mer-
cyhurst theatre attempts next.

‘Our Town’
photos
Featured in photos, beginning in the top
right corner and moving clockwise (from
left to right in each photo): Chris Cum-
mings, Katie Wagner and John Ladd;
Wagner, Cummings and Luka Glinsky;
Tara Heade and Renée Kiefer; Kiefer
and Glinsky; Steve Holian and Heade.

Photos by Tyler Stauffer

October 29, 2008
Dance performance features ballet, show tunes
By Marie Karbacka
Staff writer
This past weekend was
packed with excitement for
the numbers of individuals
who flock to the Performing
Arts Center at Mercyhurst
College.
One of the options this
weekend was the “Ballet to
Broadway” performance put
on by the Mercyhurst College
Dance Department.
On Oct. 25 and 26 at 2
p.m. and Oct. 25 at 7 p.m.,
the department featured their
well-trained dancers to a mixed
audience of community mem-
bers, parents and students.
The first number, “Kon-
servatoriat,” was a piece of
choreography by August
Bournonville that originally
premiered in 1849.
Jack’s Mannequin rebounds with ‘The Glass Passenger’
By Greg Summy
Staff writer
June 1, 2005, was a dark day
in the life of Andrew McMa-
hon (Something Corporate,
Jack’s Mannequin).
This was the day he received
a diagnosis of acute lympho-
blastic leukemia.
Cancelling all tour dates,
McMahon spent the next
seven months in treatment for
his cancer.
In December 2005, he
played his first show since
the diagnosis at a small bar
in southern California for an
invitation-only audience.
During his battle with
cancer, McMahon’s newest
musical project, Jack’s Manne-
quin, released its debut album,
“Everything in Transit.”
While the album was written
It recreated a class that
Bournonville himself learned
while studying in Paris from
1824 to 1829 with the ballet
master Auguste Vestris.
As a group, the dancers
had a bit of a difficult time
being precisely together; with
such large numbers, it would
be impossible to ask for such
perfection.
Overall, every dancer
showed great grace and poise.
The men were especially
strong, along with the two
female soloists with the dif-
ferent color ribbons.
The piece overall was a
tad blocked and lacked flow;
sometimes it was slow and
long, but it was a very tradi-
tional ballet piece.
There were beautiful pic-
turesque moments with the
trio of Saturday night solo-
ists, juniors Erin Alarcon and
and recorded well before news
of his cancer, McMahon’s
lyrics have an eerie sense of
connectivity to his cancer.
Lines like “this mix could
burn a hole in anyone / but
it was you I was thinking of ”
may have foreshadowed the
way he coped with the stress
of cancer treatment.
In an interview with “Alter-
native Press Magazine” in
2006, McMahon disclosed that
he would create playlists of
his favorite songs to get him
through the long treatments.
The album sold quite well,
debuting 37th on the Billboard
200 chart, an impressive feat
considering a severe lack of
promotion due to McMahon’s
illness.
Over the next few years,
Jack’s Mannequin went on
numerous tours, including
stints in Japan and Europe and
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Alyssa Alger and sophomore
Chris Taddiken.
Saturday’s matinee perfor-
mance featured seniors Nora
Beckenstein and Nicole Cer-
illi and junior Justin Hogan,
while Sunday’s matinee fea-
tured Taddiken alongside
sophomore Taylor Martin and
freshman Joy Raub.
Gentle and light was a per-
fect beginning to the perfor-
mance.
The next portion of the
concert was incredibly cho-
reographed and performed.
“Circular Thoughts” was
based on constant thought,
or narration dictating adult
human thinking, which
revolves around the same
topics continually: the econ-
omy, the environment, etc.
Brava to the dancers who
were in this number! They
had such balance and control,
performances at three Warped
Tours.
Meanwhile, McMahon
worked diligently on new
material for their follow-up
record.
Thirty-seven months after
the release of “Everything in
Transit,” Jack’s Mannequin has
released their sophomore full-
length album, “The Glass Pas-
senger.”
The new album marks musi-
cal progression on the part of
McMahon and company.
The album takes its title
from a song that did not make
the album, the bluntly named
“Hey Hey We’re All Gonna
Die,” a reflection McMahon
admitted making after being
diagnosed with leukemia.
Though he considered the
rest of the song lackluster, he
could not get the lyrics “Keep
your eyes on a wheel / I’m a
even though their balls some-
times had a mind of their
own, a few even rolling off
the stage.
The lighting helped to set
the mood and tone of the
piece. It was a very well-con-
ceived concept and modern
dance—very nicely done.
One of the prettiest cos-
tumes for the show were the
“Over the Rainbow” cos-
tumes. They were so dreamlike
and flowed with every move-
ment of the six ballerinas.
The finale was built on
numerous songs from classic
Broadway shows like “Rent,”
“Grease,” “Guys and Dolls”
and others.
Hogan and two other
juniors, Jennifer Mihu and
Trevor Sones, did an incred-
ible job in their number
“Steam Heat,” from “The
Pajama Game.”
glass passenger.”
Rather than sticking to the
clichéd formula of modern
punk rock, the band draws
influences from rock ‘n’ roll’s
heyday of the 1960s and
1970s.
McMahon divulged, in yet
another interview with “Alter-
native Press,” that his main
influences on the new record
are the Beach Boys and Fleet-
wood Mac.
Differing from 2005’s
“Everything in Transit,” the
new record features more gui-
tars, bass and drums, with a
little less piano in the mix.
Most songs on the album
are in the same relative style as
their debut: poppy, catchy and
generally upbeat.
However, one song, “Sui-
cide Blonde,” takes the band
down a heavier path.
The song is not heavy in a
Page 13
They deserved their own
bow after the piece for all that
work.
The “Grassland Chant”
from the “Lion King” was
very well done; the move-
ments of the entire group
were very precise.
It is hard to do semi-tribal-
like dances because it calls for
a group to always be right on
with each other.
Finally, the strength and
dexterity of the men in the
“Guys and Dolls” number
was truly exceptional.
Taddiken’s hard work and
amazing dance skills in “Fabu-
lous Feet” deserved a stand-
ing ovation. He stole the show
from beginning to end.
Finally, in the last piece it
was a full-out dance party with
tons of energy from the cast,
the culmination of a good
show.
metal or hard rock approach,
but in a loud, full, pounding
sense.
Songs like the first single,
“The Resolution,” pepper the
album with bouncy choruses,
relaxed verses and perfect
vocal harmonies.
The lyrics on the album are
not nearly as prominent as
“Everything in Transit” but
still manage to seep their way
into the listener’s soul.
Perfectly fitting the Jack’s
Mannequin lyrical model is the
line “I’m alive but I don’t need
a witness to know that I sur-
vived.”
The powerful, self-fulfilling
message is a common theme
throughout the album, which
opens up unique meaning for
every listener.
Pick up a copy of “The
Glass Passenger” in stores and
online now.
Page 14
Cummings premieres two-dimensional artwork
By Kyle King
A & E editor
It is impressive how much
you can see given just two
dimensions. Cummings Art
Gallery proved that point
in premiering its new show,
“Defining Edge: Kerr + Bush
+ Stunden,” last Thursday,
Oct. 23, at 7 p.m.
In addition to the plentiful
offering of food and refresh-
ments, all three artists were in
attendance, as were a number
of students, faculty and inter-
ested members of the com-
munity.
Ed Kerr, who received an
MFA from the Art Institute
of Chicago, showcased paint
and wallpaper combinations
evoking something of a cross
between black-and-white tra-
ditional kitchen tile and the
mathematical symmetry prints
of Dutch graphic artist M.C.
Escher.
Lainard Bush, who received
an MFA from the San Fran-
cisco Art Institute, crafted
a number of intricate tape-
and-paint works of tapestry
size, whose meaning could be
defined based on the distance
Tyler Stauffer photo
All of Edward Kerr’s untitled
works explore the interplay of
black-and-white canvases.
from which one viewed the
work.
Julie Stunden, who received
her MFA from Yale University,
presented a series of “Déjà
Vu” compositions, perspec-
tival abstract renderings of
one original scene.
An original print containing
smaller versions of the entire
series belongs to a close friend
of Stunden’s, Mercyhurst’s
own Dr. James Snyder.
Stunden currently teaches
Color Theory at Carnegie
Mellon University’s School of
Architecture and is an adjunct
in the Studio Art Department
at the University of Pittsburgh.
She said that the series
spurred from a community
outreach project she initially
applied for in the Pittsburgh
area.
In working with community
members, she crafted what
would have been a strip of a
400-foot-by-400-foot wall to
use as a mural.
The community members
insisted she represent the local
geese population, despite the
fact she could never spot the
birds.
After the project was dis-
banded, and because of an
Sophomores Ana Braithwaite and Elise Frey observe Lainard
Bush’s ‘Gilgamesh Dive.’ The work is an acrylic on wood, and
the title references Near Eastern mythology.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Julie Stunden’s colorful ‘Déjà Vu’ series line Cummings Art Gallery and sell for $3200 each.
interest in crafting collages
(she did not want to use toxic
oil paints around her young
children), she reframed and
cropped the original work in
smaller, collage form, calling
it “There Are No Geese in
Wilkinsburg.”
“I’m a formalist,” Stunden
said, to questions of symbolic
meaning in the ‘fragmentary,
yet also complete composi-
tions’ displayed.
“I don’t have any grand
ideas beyond responding to
glow and color schemes. I try
to let my work retain a sense
of play.”
Sophomore art major Elise
Tyler Stauffer photo
October 29, 2008
Tyler Stauffer photo
Frey called Bush’s work her he used,” she said.
favorite, remarking more gen- The exhibit will remain open
erally how she enjoyed going through Nov. 30. Until term
to the openings. break, Cummings Gallery is
Sophomore Ana Braithwaite open from 2 to 5 p.m., Tuesday
also praised Bush’s work. through Sunday, in addition to
“I’m impressed by how he Thursday evenings from 7 to 9
paid so much attention to the p.m. During break, the gallery
layering and to which colors is open by appointment only.
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Jack’s Mannequin “Hammers and Strings”
Kudos to staff writer Greg Summy for
telling me about “The Glass Passenger”
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October 29, 2008
The views expressed in the opinion section of The Merciad do not necessarily reflect the views of Mercyhurst College, the staff of The Merciad
or the Catholic Church. Responses on any subject are always welcomed and can be e-mailed to opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.
Finding a happy medium
It is true many phenomena
formerly explained as “the
will of the gods” can now be
explained by science.
Science, however, is
inherently limited, because
it is based on the precept
that knowledge can only be
obtained through the senses.
This presents an interesting
conundrum in itself: using your
senses to prove your senses are
Abortion issue taunting
students to respond
Seth Hallam’s most recent
article is just as much a travesty
as his first. His first article
proclaims a fetus is not alive.
I think it’s pretty obvious why
this statement is wrong but to
explain, it seems as though Mr.
Hallam is confusing a fetus’s
dependence on the mother
with non-life.
Whether a fetus is as much
a human being with the same
rights as a fully developed baby
Tongue-in-cheek answer to Hallam
Personally, I loved Seth
Hallam’s articles in The
Merciad the past few weeks.
They were insightful and
brought to light many of the
realities right-wing tightwads
just can’t admit.
However, I think Hallam
limited his scope when stating
that unplanned pregnancy
is the root of problems
in society.
I think we should go further,
solving the real cause of
turmoil in America: stupidity.
If a situation exists where an
the only way to know things.
To further elucidate my
point, consider the following:
Most people would agree it
is not okay to kill anyone you
want. This idea cannot be
proven through science, yet it
is widely accepted.
Another example is the
existence of thoughts. Can
you prove your thoughts exist
using your senses?
is still a point of contention.
It is quite clear a fetus is in
fact, alive.
Mr. Hallam’s second article
states, “The bottom line is that
abortion stops poverty.”
Okay, but consider this for
an idea: exterminate everyone
living below the poverty
level and distribute what
assets they have among the
remaining population.
Does that stop poverty? Yes,
abortion is needed, the parents
must obviously be stupid.
So, I propose that we sterilize
them. That way, abortion
won’t be an issue, because no
babies will have to die. Even
better, because life can’t begin
(because conception can’t
happen), religious stalwarts
won’t be upset either!
It’s a win-win for all involved,
and it reaches further than just
the things Hallam mentioned.
Without dim-witted imbeciles’
harmful reproduction, society
will slowly evolve to become a
OPINION
No, yet you know they
exist. Clearly there must be
something outside of science
that allows us to know things.
Is it religion? Maybe.
It is evident, though, science
cannot have all the answers and
will not “have the solutions
to all problems occurring in
the world.”
Eric Schmalzried, Junior
but that doesn’t mean it’s the
right way to go about it.
This is a great example of
a logical fallacy known as the
“is-ought” fallacy.
Just because something is
the case doesn’t mean it ought
to be the case.
Thus, I would suggest Mr.
Hallam form a more sound
argument if he expects his
opinions to be taken seriously.
Eric Schmalzried, Junior
better, smarter place.
You may ask if genes are
related to stupidity, and I
would say yes. For those of
us who have experienced
the ivory-tower education
that is genetics, we learn that
intelligence is a polygenic trait,
one caused by multiple genes.
Since genes are passed from
parent to child, two stupid
people will logically manifest a
doubly stupid offspring.
Humans have corrupted the
gene pool for far too long.
Darwin’s natural selection
Torba
defends
Science doesn’t just
apply to senses, but also to
observations.
The moral concept of
not killing can be traced
to evolution where genetic
survival was greatly increased
by groups.
Also, thoughts are known by
our brains, which are complex
combinations of molecules
and not something requiring a
religious explanation.
Jacob Torba, Sophomore
shows that those with the
best traits, inherited from the
best genes, will survive and
propagate the species.
Because unintelligent
citizens are afforded the lux-
uries of supermarkets and
department stores, society
is only exacerbating the
problem by allowing idiots to
survive without possessing the
required knowledge and skills
to do so.
Under my plan, the world
will be helped for the better,
eliminating abortion, crime
Page 15
The
Inbox:
Where
readers share
their thoughts.
Standing
strong
Eric. Are you a woman?
How would you know
what decision a woman
would make with her body?
Regardless. You write that
abortion is an “ought-to”
idea. This is where you fail to
separate reality and ideology.
It is proven that abortion
does stop poverty-ridden
lives, regardless of how
many nonsensical articles are
written otherwise.
Seth Hallam, Sophomore
and stupidity all in one just
and necessary motion.
Note: This is not my
opinion. This is not serious.
This is meant to be sarcastic.
I know how immoral and
blasphemous the things I
say are, which is why I don’t
believe them. Please don’t
be offended by this; it is not
my intention to do so. My
sincerest apologies go to you
if this does offend you in
any way.
Devon Swanson, Junior
Page 16 OPINION October 29, 2008

Telling a ‘worthwhile human story’

Mercyhurst’s Ethical Reflection
Committee has initiated this series to
encourage reflection within the entire
college community on the values by
which we live. We suggest that
faculty introduce appropriate essays
into class discussion; we encourage
students to bring these thoughts to
classes; we invite administrators and
staff to explore these in department
meetings. The ERC also requests
you let us know how you have used
these thoughts in your life. Contact
Rev. Lyta Seddig, Chair: lseddig@
mercyhurst.edu. “This I Believe”
is now linked to the college Web
site. Essays can be found at http://
www.mercyhurst.edu/ne/special-
events/believe_essays.
In the spring of 1967, I was
working on a Department of
Defense contract at Cornell
University and playing
keyboard in a rock band
on weekends.
It was a mellow ride and I
was pretty much on autopilot.
Then my job-related draft
deferment evaporated. One
morning, I received a call from
the secretary of our local draft
board informing me that my
number had been drawn and I
would receive my draft notice
next month.
That would not have been
part of my plan, if I’d had
one. Enlist, I was advised, so
I did. In basic training, Sgt.
Biggers almost broke me
(and did defeat some of my
unfortunate mates).
But midway through I
promised myself I would
persevere and become an
excellent soldier in the process.
I did.
That promise was the first
commitment I had ever made.
In making it I created myself
a soldier. When I saw what I
had created I made another
commitment: first, to be the
best human being I could and
then the best soldier.
I made myself an officer and
earned my commission on Oct.
25, 1967. I requested duty in
Vietnam and spent 11 months
there. I think I was a decent
human being throughout.
I left Vietnam in August
1969, started my graduate
degree in philosophy in
September and chose to be an
active part of the student anti-
war movement.
I do not ask who I am, as
if the project of being were
one of discovery; I ask myself
who I shall choose to be. The
project is creative.
I am this teacher, this
husband and this father. I am
the author of my story and
my commitments provide the
narrative structure.
Our collective narrative is
the story of humanity. Each of
us are responsible for writing
it. In 5 or 6 billion years our
sun will undergo the massive
bloating associated with the
red giant stellar phase.
Even if Earth is not
vaporized, life on it will be.
When there are no more of us
in the universe and the human
story is complete, will it be a
worthy one?
Will we have left behind a
narrative of which we could,
on balance, be glad for?
That, I believe, is life’s great
challenge: to participate in
If you don’t want it printed . . don’t let it happen.
the telling of a worthwhile
human story.
It is what gives each of us
individually and, all of us
collectively, meaning. Last
night I watched “Stop-Loss”.
That’s what I’m talking about.
Dr. Ludlow L. Brown, Professor,
Department of Philosophy, has
been a member of the faculty for
34 years. He has held numerous
administrative positions including
division and department chair. His
favorite aspect about Mercyhurst:
“The gifted, dedicated, friendly
faculty, staff, administration,
and students.”

Complicating the issue

By Rhonda Marable
Staff writer
The articles of the past week
have only recently started to
get to me. Not because they’ve
incited me to offer my two
cents, but because that in
a few short days I’ll have to
make a birthday phone call
that I hate making.
A few years ago my friend’s
girlfriend became unexpectedly
pregnant. She didn’t want to
have the baby but he did.
She ended the relationship
because she felt he shouldn’t
ask her to do something
with her body that she didn’t
want to.
Kelley offered to take
care of her throughout the
pregnancy, and assume full
Editors Positions @mercyhurst.edu
Casey Greene Editor-in-Chief editormerciad
Amanda Valauri News Editor newsmerciad
Emily Grabowski Features Editor featuremerciad
custody. It was a pretty terrible My official opinion on Heather Donovan Opinion Editor opinionmerciad
situation for all involved. After abortion is it depends on the Brad Moehringer Sports Editor sportsmerciad
all was said and done, through situation. Since Kelley was Sam Sellinger Sports Editor sportsmerciad
verbal arguments and court going to take care of her, then Kyle King A&E entertainmentmerciad
proceedings, she ended up it wouldn’t be terrible to ask Scoot Williams Photographer photomerciad
having the abortion. her to surrender her body to Tyler Stauffer Photographer photomerciad
It seemed surreal to me the changes of pregnancy for Caitlin Bly Advertising Manager admerciad
and everyone else involved. nine months. Gretchen Yori Copy Editor copymerciad
It’s easy to want to put issues I also believe, however, Ashley Pastor General Assignment apasto22
in a pile, classify them as if her life were at risk at any Bill Welch Adviser wwelch
right or wrong and throw point during the pregnancy Brian Sheridan Adviser bsheridan
them in a box marked liberal that she should be able to have
or conservative. the abortion to save herself. The Merciad is the official student-produced newspaper of Mercyhurst
But life is more complicated Nov. 2 is a difficult time for
College. It is published throughout the school year, with the exception of
than square or round pegs and Kelley. It’s a task, trying to
if something doesn’t fit, it’s place my feelings when I call
finals weeks. Our office is in Hirt, Room 120B. Our telephone number is (814)
no longer convenient to force him to say happy birthday for 824-2376.
pieces through. In this case I’d the child he doesn’t have.
say that pro-choice just didn’t But he needs me to do The Merciad welcomes letters to the editor. All letters must be signed
seem right. it, and I need to be a friend. and names will be included with the letters. Although we will not edit the
He was willing to give her Never mind the fact that his letters for content, we reserve the right to trim letters to fit. Letters
everything she needed and pay ex-girlfriend thinks I’m a are due Mondays by noon and may not be more than 300 words. Submit
for health care just as long as terrible example of a woman
he could have his child. for doing it. letters to box PH 485 or via e-mail at opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.
October 29, 2008 OPINION Page 17

McCain falling victim to Obama machine

By Seth Hallam
Staff writer
John McCain has swung his
last swing.
McCain fighting Barack
Obama is like Kimbo
Slice fighting the present
Mohammed Ali.
Shaky and helpless.
McCain looks so angry,
especially during the debates.
I guess any candidate would
be irritated if G.W..... Bush
had beat him in the 2000
primaries and a black, come-
from-behind, Illinois junior
senator was beating them eight
years later.
He is probably angry he
hired a woman to be his
running mate and it turns out
she is a complete moron.
Public funding doesn’t
help his platform of, “Don’t
take government handouts,
however, I am going to take
handouts to campaign with.
But once again don’t take
government handouts, and
those who take handouts are
poor welfare mothers.”
Beyond this, McCain is
trying to run the bull in a
bearish year, when it comes to
Republican politics.
Many bipartisan projections
show the House will be
controlled by a 247-186
democratic lead (two seats
are still unpredictable), the
Senate following suit at a
59-41 Democratic lead.
Another roadblock is the
misinformation from the
McCain campaign.
A perfect example is ‘Joe
the Plumber,’ whom McCain
brought up more than 20 times
in the debate.
Turns out, Joe the Plumber
owes back taxes and is not even
a licensed plumber in the state
of Ohio. Then McCain seems
to suffer from dementia.
According to him,
segregation is the “worst
chapter in American
history.” Probably not.
Enslaving a population for
300 years is much worse than
segregation. Pointless attacks
on Obama don’t seem to be
working either.
ACORN has been a national
media no-go. Bill Ayers, well
that is a no-go as well.
Republicans are notorious
for cooking up crack in
their crackpots, hopefully
this year the voters won’t be
smoking it.
The Ronald Reagan
performance that everyone
expected did not come from
McCain. The only thing we
saw was another G.W.... Bush.
Hopefully, in a few short
weeks Obama will be our
soon-to-be president, and
McCain can get on with what
is left of his short, chubby
cheeked life.
Halloween is finally on
a weekend. College is one
of students’ last chances to
embrace the clever holiday.
So dress up, get out and
enjoy the festivities. Careful
all you want-to-be Playboy
bunnies it’s supposed to be
a chilly one.
‘Ballet to Broadway’ was
a stunning success this past
weekend. The performance
put on by Mercyhurst’s
dance department went off

Independent views without a hitch to a packed

Waking up America
audience.

taking a stand
repeal the Patriot Act, the
By Thomas Kubica
Contributing writer
The Republicrat duopoly
has ignored the most
important issues facing our
nation. However, third party
candidates Chuck Baldwin,
Bob Barr, Cynthia McKinney
and Ralph Nader agree on
four key principles central to
the health of our republic.
Foreign Policy: The Iraq
War must end as quickly as
possible, with removal of all
our soldiers from the region as
well as Korea, Japan, Europe
and the entire Middle East. We
must stop war propaganda,
threats of a blockade and
plans to attack Iran.
We must take the threat of a
nuclear first strike off the table.
“Peace, commerce and honest
friendship with all nations,
entangling alliances with
none,” Thomas Jefferson.
Privacy: We must protect
the privacy and civil liberties
of all U.S. citizens. We must
embrace its fundamentals,
Military Commissions Act
and FISA legislation. We must
reject the notion and practice
of torture, eliminations
of habeas corpus, secret
tribunals and secret prisons.
We must deny immunity for
corporations that willingly spy
on the people for the benefit of
the government. “Those who
would give up essential liberty
to purchase a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty
nor safety and will lose both,”
Ben Franklin.
National Debt: We believe
there should be no increase in
the national debt. The burden
of debt placed on the next
generation is unjust and already
threatening our economy and
the value of our dollar.
The Federal Reserve: We
seek an investigation of the
Federal Reserve System and its
cozy relationships with banking
and other financial institutions.
Corporations should be
aggressively prosecuted for
their crimes and frauds.
By Jerrod Markle
Staff writer
This election couldn’t come
soon enough. After Nov. 4
most Americans will disappear
from the political scene.
This allows the very
motivation for the initial
involvement—televisions—to
again maintain control over
personal and public opinion.
Americans may realize one
day their financial institutions
have sold out to the federal
government. Government,
with its increasing bureaucracy,
successfully lulls people into
consenting with policies that
have continued to perpetuate
war, poverty and fear.
All of the sudden, it is
hip to vote, whether it be
from ignorance or sheepish
mentality. A candidate is built
up by “news” stations as issues
are manufactured while others
are dismissed.
If socialism triumphs, as
many seem to unknowingly
surely the nation is being
pushed that much closer to
global governance.
The same private interests
will continue to be served,
and people will go without Tension is running high
necessities while others bask for faulty tenure time on
in luxuries. Why do so little to campus. Our favorite, or
establish this change so many not-so-favorite, professors
aspire for? are up for review.
Well, it seems the majority
of people are content with
their limited reality.
As long as they can cash
a check, drink some beers
and watch their opinion get
manufacture for them, the
distraction will overpower the
reality that society is unkempt, Freshmen are in for their
fractured and disenchanted. first run at finals, and thus
Vote, then go back to sleep begins the two-week cram-
America. Government will ming session. Prepare wise-
gain more power, commit acts ly Dorothy, this isn’t high
of terror, steal from its citizens school anymore.
and strip away civil rights all in
the name of freedom. Please e-mail any suggetions to
Be your own savior and opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.
realize no one needs saved; The GB&U is a compilation of
together we can make reality student opinions.
better than any TV program.
Page 18 OPINION October 29, 2008

Palin proving to be a viable candidate

By Eric Jackson
Staff writer
As this presidential election
winds down my opinion has
character. Her dirty tactics lacks in intelligence, she makes As the McCain campaign her; it has now reached the
eventually turned people off up for in ruthlessness. flounders, she is beginning point where they consider
but as the campaign continued, Her folksy and simple dialect to distance herself. When her a loose canon and have
she actually relinquished gives her the appearance of McCain pulled out of characterized her as a “rogue
her role. innocence, just your average Michigan, focusing funds vice presidential candidate.”
As angry crowds where they actually have a In all fairness, some of her

started to evolve.
Upon examining the players
and their campaigns, I may
have underestimated Sarah
Palin. She is a very formidable
“
responded to her chance to win, she criticized actions are due to an attempt
venomous message, she She is a ‘wolf in sheep’s the campaign and made by McCain operatives to set
fed off their anger and clothing” or better yet, mention that she and Todd her up as a scapegoat for their
hatred. She blossomed would not have given up. inept performance.
like an attractive, yet
‘a wolf in designer Then, in a joint interview She’s not having any of

politician who can’t be
taken lightly.
At first, I felt sorry for her,
believing the McCain campaign
was just using her to attract
the conservative base and the
disaffected Hillary voters.
They put her in the
unenviable position to falsely
attack Barack Obama’s
”
poisonous, plant that clothing.’ conducted by Brian Williams that. She understands she
draws its prey close, and Eric Jackson of NBC News, Palin took is fighting for her political
then goes for the kill. over a stumbling, bumbling life, so she’s abandoning the
everyday hockey mom.
She is a “wolf in sheep’s McCain who appeared lost. sinking ship.
She wants what’s best for
clothing” or better yet, “a wolf Joe the plumber, but lurks She dominated the rest of the It appears she will attempt
in designer clothing.” as someone with the guile interview, while McCain sat to use this national exposure
Now I don’t want to give of a vulture that circles a there looking bewildered. as a springboard for her
her too much credit, she is still dying animal waiting for Most recently, she has career, looking ahead to the
woefully unprepared for office an opportunity to pick its criticized her handlers, people 2012 presidential race, should
of vice president, but what she bones clean. that McCain assigned to guild McCain lose.

Scolarship discrimination Religious preference not

teetering sexual orientation a mudslinging topic
By Rhonda Marable
Staff writer
The National Collegiate
Athletic Association is the
foremost governing body
in college athletics in the
United States.
It sets student-athlete,
coaching, sportsmanship and
other guidelines for all NCAA
affiliated sports teams.
According to Laurie Priest,
the chair of physical education
and athletic director of Mount
Holyoke College, part of these
guidelines deal with coaches
and athletic directors having
to “protect their students even
when their local and national
governments wouldn’t,” against
homosexual discrimination.
Unbeknownst to Priest, the
current state of affairs would
have her addend “…as long as
you make it on the team first,”
to her comment.
It came to my attention
through an acquaintance that
a scholarship she was offered
was indirectly revoked when
the coach found out that she
had a girlfriend.
The coach had offered the
scholarship and a position on
the team, but later stopped
contacting her about signing
information, only after
questioning her about her
sexual orientation.
Prior to learning she was a
lesbian he was adamant about
having her on the team. She
was given no explanation as
to why her offer was taken off
the table.
This wasn’t the first time I
was privy to information about
NCAA coaches revoking
scholarship offers or refusing
an offer to an openly gay or
lesbian athlete.
In another example, a
player already on an NCAA
sports team overheard her
coach say that he didn’t want
to recruit girls that “look like
that [lesbians],” since he didn’t
want others to perceive his
team as being all lesbians.
Apparently, all lesbians
look a certain way. While, I
doubt coaches would admit
to these practices, I’d hope
some of us can see past the
charade of lovely smiles and
grins that turn into rolling eyes
and disgusted looks behind
closed doors.
Although no large scale
organizations are perfect, it’s
important to keep in mind that
the NCAA still works to keep
the interests of gay and lesbian
athletes and administrators in
mind.
It’s difficult enough to
perform at the high level
necessary to join a college
team. Hiding who you are
and living your life in secret
shouldn’t have to be part of
the workout.
By Seth Hallam
Staff writer
Barack Obama is not
Muslim. But wait. Why does
it matter?
There has been such an
emphasis on Barack Hussein
Obama and whether or not he
is Muslim. A better question is,
if he was a Muslim why does
that matter?
Do we really base whether
or not someone is qualified to
be president on their religious
constituency? Or is this just
another example of the ever so
popular religious—specifically
Christian—based hypocrisy?
If being Muslim is a
disqualification from the
presidency, 2.35 million
Americans have already
been disqualified from the
2012 election.
So, 2.35 million American’s
are Muslim. One and a half
billion people throughout the
world are Muslim. How do we,
as American’s, appear to the
world when someone being
Muslim is such a horrid thing?
Probably pretty bad, they do
represent one-fourth of the
world’s population.
Over the past 60 years most
of us have learned that racism
is wrong, but other prejudices,
such as those against religion
still seems to be acceptable.
Ever since 9/11, all Arabs
are terrorists and all Muslims
are extremists. This is not
the case at all and epitomizes
Americans ignorance. People
ponder why most of the world
has a subtle distaste for the
United States.
Ever think that these are
the kinds of notions that rub
people, throughout the world,
the wrong way? Then again,
we are Americans. Why do we
care what others around the
world think?
Football....................................................Oct. 23, W 24-21, Edinboro
Women’s Volleyball...........................Oct. 21, L 3-0, California (Pa.)
Oct. 25, L 3-2, Gannon
Field Hockey.......................................Oct. 22, W 2-0, Slippery Rock
Oct. 25, L 4-3 OT, Shippensburg

Women’s soccer playoff bound

Men’s Soccer.........................................Oct. 22, L 2-1, Slippery Rock
Oct. 25, W 3-2, Lock Haven
Women’s Soccer.................................Oct. 21, W 2-1, Slippery Rock
Oct. 25, W 4-2, Indiana (Pa.)
Men’s Water Polo.....................Oct. 25, W 7-2, Salem International
By Stephen Duggan
Staff writer
Oct. 25, W 10-5, Gannon
Oct. 26, L 12-8, Iona
Women’s Hockey.........................................Oct. 24, L 5-2, Clarkson With only one regular season
Oct. 25, L 4-2, Clarkson game left for the Mercyhurst
Men’s Hockey...............................Oct. 24, L 3-1, Nebraska-Omaha College Women’s soccer team;
Oct. 25, L 5-2, Nebraska-Omaha their chances of a postseason
playoff berth were increased
Wrestling team ranked no. 13 in preseason poll dramatically with two wins this
The preseason NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association past week.
was released this week and the Mercyhurst College wrestling team The Lakers travelled to Slip-
was ranked No. 13 in the country. The Lakers have four wres- pery Rock on Tuesday, Oct. 21
tlers ranked in the top eight of their weight class coming into this to face their PSAC west oppo-
season after finishing last year with a record of 10-14. nents in a bid to take over first
place in the division.
Hilinski, Hall named PSAC Athletes of the Week The Lakers had a great
Senior cornerback Theo Hall of the football team and junior start to the game. Although
forward Taylor Hilinski of the women’s soccer team were both they doubled Slippery Rock’s
named PSAC West Athletes of the week in their respective sports shots in the first half, Mercy-
for their efforts this past week. hurst was unable to break the
deadlock and the teams retired
scoreless at half time. Tyler Stauffer photo
In the second half, Mercy- Junior Jamie Laturell controls the ball in Mercyhurst’s 4-2 win
hurst took advantage just five over IUP on Oct. 25 to solidify a playoff berth for the Lakers.
minutes in.
Sophomore Jamie Schroter home on Sat., Oct. 25. This out of reach scoring the next
assisted senior Sarah Powell game marked the final home three goals. Jamie Laturell
for the Lakers first goal to give game in the Mercyhurst careers connected on a through ball
Mercyhurst the lead. of seniors Rebecca Heintzman, the second time around, tally-
Schroter picked up a goal of Stacey Litz, Hailee Maiorano, ing her first career goal for the
Theo Hall-Football her own when she powered a Lisa Melander, Sarah Powell, Lakers. Hilinski would score
Senior Theo Hall received Athlete of the Week for his efforts in long range free kick into the Christine Rehnert and Katie two more goals in the second
Mercyhurst’s 24-21 upset win over no. 15 Edinboro. Hall blocked back of the net. This goal was Waldin. half to clinch her first hat-
the game-tying field goal with 23 seconds left. He had a 46 yard her fifth tally of the season. The Lakers dominated much trick.
interception return and a 49-yard kickoff return to set up Mercy- The Mercyhurst defense of the play, but found them- “It was fantastic to send
hurst scores. would stay strong to finish selves down 1-0 early. They the seniors off with a victory.
out the game on top. Senior wasted little time in finding an They have worked so hard
Taylor Hilinski Rebecca Heintzman tallied equalizer as Christine Rehnart over the years for the Lakers,”
This junior forward scored the first women’s soccer hat trick of four saves on the game to squared the ball to ice-cool junior Jamie Laturell said
the year in the Oct. 25 win against IUP. The win sealed a PSAC record the win. striker Taylor Hilinski to tie “We are really working hard
playoff birth for the Lakers and put them in first place in the The Lakers then hosted the the game at one. and the results are starting to
PSAC West. Crimson Hawks of IUP at Mercyhurst put the contest show this.”
Page 20 SPORTS October 29, 2008

Laker field hockey sets records in win over SRU

By Sarah Powell
Staff Writer
After last week’s big win
over Indiana University of
Pennsylvania, the women’s
field hockey team continued
its winning streak by defeating
Slippery Rock University last
Wednesday, Oct. 22.
Two first half goals would
prove to be enough to defeat
the Rock 2-0.
Goal number one came
in the first three minutes of
the game when junior Emily
Warren set up sophomore Sara
Wowkowych for her second
game-winning goal of the
season.
Thirteen minutes later,
Warren provided an insurance
goal, her 14th of the season,
off a pass from junior Megan
Rasmussen.
In their second shutout
of The Rock this season, the
Lakers (9-8, 4-3 PSAC West)
moved one game over .500 for
the first time since the start of
2006 and helped several team
members set new records.
Senior Jen Macri notched
her third career shutout with
three saves to tie with Lindsay
Christopher (1997-99) for third
for doughnuts in a career.
For head coach Stacey
Gaudette, the win marks her
46th career win at Mercyhurst
College, surpassing former
head coach Kevin Cooke
(1998-02; 45-39-1) by one for
all-time wins as the Lakers’
skipper.
Mercyhurst finished the
game with a 13-4 edge in
shots, and held the advantage
in penalty corners, 8-1.
On Saturday, Oct. 25, the
Lakers returned home and
suffered their second loss
this season at Tullio Field to
Shippensburg University 4-3
in overtime.
Junior Kelsie Weber led the
offense with a goal and two
assists while Warren netted
two points to improve her
team-leading total to 36.
With her efforts, Warren
moved into sole possession of
third place all-time for points
scored in a career (69) and is
one point shy of tying Nicole
Davis’ (2001-03) record for
most points in a season.
Weber put the Lakers ahead
in the first 12 minutes of play
and Shippensburg tied the
game less than four minutes
later.
Freshman Serena Slattery
answered back off an assist
from Loper, her second assist
of the game.
Warren scored six minutes
later to put the Lakers ahead
3-1.
Shippensburg scored two
minutes later to make the score
3-2 going into the second
half.
Shippensburg went on to
score the only tally of the
second half, tying the game
and forceing overtime.
Senior Jennifer Coleman
shared a reflection on the
closing season, “I have been
really proud of our team
especially with the second half
of our season.”
“We could have given up
when things were not going
our way, but we pulled it
together and just worked
harder. This is a great group
of girls who have worked so
hard this season to accomplish
our goals.”

Scoot Williams photo

Junior Megan Rasmussen wins possession of the ball at the field hockey game last Saturday at
Tullio Field agianst Shippensburg. The Lakers lost the game, 3-4, in overtime.
October 29, 2008
Fantasy sport leagues find popularity at ’Hurst
By Samantha Sellinger
Sports editor
As if the world of spectator
sports wasn’t competitive
enough, fantasy leagues have
taken sport enthusiasm to
another level, and the students
at Mercyhurst College have
jumped on board.
With many professional
sports currently in season,
students are excited to get
their teams together to fight
for some nice bragging
Gannon hands ’Hurst a payback
By Gary Coad
Staff writer
The Gannon University
Golden Knights made
the short bus ride across
Erie to take on the Lakers’
women’s volleyball team in a
big volleyball rivalry match.
Matches between Gannon
and Mercyhurst College are
quite heated and this match
lived up to the hype.
The ride was worth it for the
Golden Knights, as they came
out on top after a tough match
between two strong teams,
putting an end to the Lakers’
winning streak.
The game had gone back
and forth over the first four
games, with the Lakers winning
the first and fourth games,
and seemed to be pretty well
balanced.
The fifth game did not start
off well for the Lakers as
they found themselves on the
wrong end of an 11-5 deficit,
but this was where the true
colors of the team came out.
The Lakers mounted a
giant comeback, which was
rights and engage in friendly
competition.
“I really like that is additional
time that you can spend with
your friends, even if it is
online,” senior and fantasy
hockey team manager Patty
McMahon said.
There’s nothing better than
getting to own your favorite
players and cheer them to
victory knowing your fantasy
team is benefiting from their
talent, but there is also nothing
as soul crushing as losing your
heroes before the season starts,
culminated with a big kill out
of the middle by sophomore
Erin English to tie the game at
14-14.
This type of comeback
is very rare in rally scoring,
because there is a point every
serve. This means the Lakers
went on a 9-3 run over that
span.
The Golden Knights took
a time-out and this may have
been what won them the
game, as they were clearly not
in control of the momentum
at the moment.
The Lakers took a seat and
when they came back it was as
if the life was sucked out of
the gym, and a few points later
the Golden Knights won 18-16
due to a kill and a Mercyhurst
attacking error.
The match went to five
games just as it had when the
teams met earlier in the year,
but this time around the Lakers
weren’t as successful.
Both teams rise to the
occasion for this rivalry and
that’s what makes it so thrilling,
because on paper the teams are
not that evenly matched.
Senior Jenna Matson led
SPORTS
in your fantasy league draft.
For real fans, the draft can
be the most stressful part of
fantasy teams, but the most
fun.
“I get so mad… it is a good
thing we did it online and not
in a room,” McMahon said. “I
would join a hundred leagues
just for the draft.”
Having control over a
fantasy team is not only a fun
extracurricular activity, but
it helps fans keep track of
the season and their favorite
players.
Mercyhurst with 15 kills and
English added 12.
Senior Lauren Kubinski
entered the match with 999
career kills and joined Matson
as one of only five players in
program history with 1,000 by
putting down 11 kills in the
contest.
Junior Julia Butler had 49
assists and 16 digs, while
libero sophomore Kendall
Ashworth had a team-high 17
digs. Gannon hit .200 for the
match and Lakers hit just .145,
peaking with a .265 swing
percentage in the set four
victory that pushed the match
to a fifth.
The Lakers fell to 18-11
on the season and 5-4 in the
PSAC West, while the Golden
Knights improved to 11-12
on the season and 2-7 in the
PSAC West.
Next up for the Lakers are a
few more games against areas
rivals, Lake Erie College and
Clarion University later this
week.
They hope to shake off the
disappointment of the loss to
Gannon and get another win.
As the school term gets even
busier, and the season moves
along steadily, it is easy to fall
behind on the most recent
professional sports news and
updates.
Non-sport fans don’t always
understand the lure of fantasy
sports or how they work.
But it is really quite simple.
You join a league, put
together a team of superstar
athletes and sit back and let
them do their job.
The stats from actual games
are what determine the points
Hockey still winless
By Mark Gramza
Staff writer
The Lakers men’s hockey
team lost both of its games
this weekend to the University
of Nebraska at Omah.
Freshman forward for the
Mavericks, Alex Hudson
scored his first two college
goals in their 3-1 win on
Friday.
The Lakers’ senior goal-
tender, Matt Lundin, posted
38 saves in this loss, earning
himself a third star for the
second time this season.
The sole goal for the Lakers
came from senior captain
Ryan Toomey on a pass
from sophomore Brandon
Coccimiglio in the first period
with 3:51 remaining.
On Saturday, freshman
goalie Max Strang started the
game and made 22 saves over
47:44 minutes in the 5-2 loss
to the Mavericks.
Nebraska-Omaha scored
four of their five goals
11 minutes into the game
including a goal by the
Mavericks junior forward
Page 21
and outcomes of the fantasy
games.
And the fun doesn’t have to
start and end online.
A lot of people have actual
prizes for the winner of their
leagues.
For those who participate,
we know it is not just a hobby,
it is a lifestyle.
Fantasy smack-talk is as
acceptable in person as it
is online. I don’t see how it
could get any better—unless
sabotaging was possible.
Juric Agosta, older brother of
Mercyhurst College’s women’s
hockey team captain Meghan
Agosta.
Mercyhurt sophomores
Steve Bremner and Steve Cam-
eron each scored goals for the
Lakers with Bremner’s coming
at 18:24 into the first period
and Cameron’s coming
at 19:02 into the second
period.
The Mavericks scored an
additional goal in the second
period to bring their total to
five.
Sophmore Laker goalie Ryan
Zapolski finished the game,
making saves on all nine shots
that he faced.
The Lakers went 0-for-14
and Nebraska-Omaha went 1-
for-13 on the power-play for
the weekend.
The team is still looking to
takes its first win this season
and hope to see some success
soon.
The Lakers resume action
on Friday, Nov. 7, when they
travel to Worchester, Mass.
where the team is set to take
on the College of the Holy
Cross.
Page 22
Lakers on road to State Game Club hockey rocks the rink
By Samantha Sellinger
Sports editor
In a tough match-up,
the Lakers defeated rivals
Edinboro University, 24-21,
thanks to some great plays by
senior defensive back Theo
Hall.
The No. 15 Fighting Scots
are the highest ranked team the
Mercyhurst College football
team has beaten since No.13
Saginaw Valley State in 2004.
With the win, the Lakers
improved to 5-1 in conference
play. It looked bad for the
Lakers in the first half of the
game until Hall intercepted
a pass off the hands of the
Edinboro quarterback, Trevor
Harris.
He returned it 46 yards,
Senior running back Richard Stokes makes a touchdown at a game earlier this season against
Slippery Rock. The Lakers beat Edinboro last Saturday 24-21.
setting up Mercyhurst’s first
touchdown of the night.
With Mercyhurst trailing 21-
10 midway through the third
quarter, Hall had a 49-yard
kickoff return and drew a 15-
yard facemask penalty to set
up another Laker score, giving
the Laker’s a 24-21 lead over
the Fighting Scots.
By this point in the game,
Hall had already proven his
talent, but his largest feat that
allowed Mercyhurst to hold
onto the win came in the final
minutes of the game.
As Edinboro was attempting
a 25-yard field goal to extend
the game into overtime, Hall
broke through the line and
blocked the kick, the fourth
such block of his career.
The Lakers’ star running
back, senior Richard Stokes
SPORTS
didn’t perform to his usual
standards, but had a solid
game nonetheless.
He completed just 31
rushing yards in the first
half but finished with 26
carries for 122 yards
and his rushing touch-
down, tying Mercyhurst’s
single season records for
both rushing touchdowns (13)
and total touchdowns (14).
This Saturday, Nov. 1, Mer-
cyhurst will host California
University of Pennsylvania
at Tullio Field for the game
that will determine the
PSAC West conference cham-
pion.
The outcome of the coming
game is a big deal, because
whoever wins earns the right
to represent the West in the
PSAC State Game.
Tyler Stauffer photo
By Mark Gramza
Staff writer
The newly nationally ranked
No. 25 club hockey team won
its games this weekend against
Niagara University and the
University of Rochester.
Niagara was defeated on
Friday by a score of 4-2 with
goals coming from forwards
freshman Jeff Monnin who
had two and sophomore Pat
Leone.
Freshman defenseman
Chad Thompson scored what
proved to be the game winning
goal with a dazzling end-to-end
rush that brought everyone in
attendance to their feet.
The Lakers outshot the
Purple Eagles 43-26 with
senior goaltender Adam
Falkner getting the win for the
Lakers.
On Saturday, freshman
goalie Daniel Baggaley started
in a 10-3 win over Rochester.
Equestrian club trots
into winner’s circle
By Samantha Sellinger
Sports editor
Few people know that Mer-
cyhurst College has a competi-
tive equestrian club.
They compete against
schools such as Allegheny
College, West Virginia Uni-
versity and the University of
Pittsburgh.
This year is a record year
for the team, which is ranked
No. 10 in the region out of 16
schools.
“Considering there are only
three of us earning points
for the team, as opposed to
schools like WVU who have
over 30, that’s pretty phenome-
October 29, 2008
Sixteen Lakers recorded
points as the Lakers outshot
the Jackals 59-20 with goals
coming from freshman
forwards Kevin Melnik and
Cody Steele (3), sophomore
forwards Kevin Sculley, Steve
Stepanian and David Gaines
(2), and senior forwards Brian
Stefanski and Walt Ozanick.
This weekend was good for
team confidence as they will
have to face No.16 Robert
Morris University for two
games next weekend which will
likely determine which team
will win the Eastern Collegiate
League (ECHL) and receive
an auto-bid into the national
tournament. All fans who
come to this weekend’s game
in a Halloween costume will
receive candy at the door.
So come dressed in your
Halloween attire this Saturday
at 7 p.m. to cheer on your
Lakers for what will likely
be the biggest game of the
season.
nal,” junior team club member
Melissa Velchoff said.
In a show two weekends
ago at Slippery Rock Univer-
sity, Velchoff qualified for
the regional competition this
coming March, in the Walk-
trot class.
In a competition at WVU
this past Sunday, freshman
Megan White was the Reserve
High Point rider of the show,
and she won the second high-
est number of individual
points during the course of
the show.
The team will be compete-
ing in their last competition
of the year this Sunday, Nov.
2, at Washington and Jefferson
University.
October 29, 2008
Emerick secures another win for Lakers
By Kaite Waldin
Staff writer
The Mercyhurst College
men’s soccer team wrapped
up their regular season home
matches this past week with
their final game on the Lakers
home turf against Lock Haven
University.
In addition to playing Lock
Haven this past week ,the
Lakers traveled to Slippery
Rock University on Wednesday
where they unfortunately
walked away with an unlucky
loss.
With only one regular
season game left against
Gannon University this
Wednesday Oct. 29, the men
this past week worked hard to
end the season at home on a
high note.
On Saturday, the NCAA
Atlantic Region No. 2 Lakers
took on the No. 4 Bald Eagles
of Lock Haven. After an
unlucky one to one tie the first
time the Lakers played Lock
Haven earlier this month, the
men were looking for a big
win on their home turf.
With a 26-12 shot advantage
over the Bald Eagles, it was
clear Mercyhurst had the
upper hand for most of the
game. With a 3-2 win over
Lock Haven, the Lakers were
satisfied with their last home
game victory of the year.
Women’s hockey slain by Golden Knights
By Brad Moehringer
Sports editor
Potsdam, N.Y. was not kind
to the Mercyhurst College
women’s hockey team this
weekend. The Lakers were
swept in the weekend series by
Freshman Eric Steinmetz battles a Lock Haven player for the ball at the men’s soccer game
last Saturday. The Lakers won 3-2.
Although Lock Haven
was able to place the ball
past Mercyhurst freshmen
goalkeeper Nick Doyle early
on in the game, sophomore
Billy Colton tied the game up
less than two minutes later.
Still within the first half of
play, the Bald Eagles chipped
the ball over Doyle’s head to
the Golden Knights of Clark-
son University.
Game one on Friday saw the
Lakers take a 2-1 lead into the
third period thanks to goals
from freshman Hailey Bram
and sophomore Jesse Scan-
zano.
The Golden Knights
SPORTS
take the 2-1 lead. The lead did
not last long as senior Stephen
Duggan scored his first season
and career goal to tie the match
back up at 2-2.
With only a few minutes left
in the first half of play, senior
Tyler Emerick took a free kick
from the top of the 18 yard
box that went straight into
exploded for four goals in the
third period and would take
the game by a final score of
5-2.
Freshman Hillary Pattenden
stopped 25 shots, but took the
loss.
On Saturday, Mercyhurst did
not fair any better. The Lakers
Scoot Williams photo
the back of the net giving the
Lakers the game winning goal.
“I thought it was really
incredible how well we
played, especially after Arash
[Fahandezh] got hurt. The two
guys who run and organize the
entire defense did not play in
the game,” Doyle who made
his first career appearance
dropped the contest by a score
of 4-2 with goals coming from
sophomores Vicki Bendus and
Jesse Scanzano. This was the
first series sweep since the
2005-06 campaign.
Mercyhurst heads to Col-
gate this weekend for a pair
of games against the Raiders
Page 23
against Lock Haven said.
“I knew we had to win
in order to stay afloat in the
conference race and to be
considered for the NCAA’s.
Everyone on the team was
talking about playing for each
other. I just didn’t want to see
the seniors’ last season end on
my watch in goal.”
The win over Lock Haven
ended the week on a positive
note after the men came back
from traveling to Slippery
Rock earlier in the week
where they lost 1-2 against
The Rock. Although the
Lakers attempted to make a
come back after being down
2-0, there was just not enough
time for the men to rally the
win.
Sophomore Tommy Lund
never gave up on his team’s
ability to beat Slippery Rock,
as he scored in the eighty-
second minute just a few
minutes before the final
whistle. Although the men
worked hard up until the end
of the match, they were unable
to get the ball in the back of
the net another time to tie up
the game.
As the Lakers wrap up their
season this week against cross-
town rivals Gannon University,
the men are focused on a
hopeful play off bid in the
PSAC Tournament following
the regular season play if they
defeat Gannon.
as they attempt to get back on
track. The Lakers now stand
at 3-3 overall.
Page 24
Senior Marty Powell battles
for a header against Lock
Haven on Oct. 25.
 Laker Sports

Heading
towards
the playoffs
Scoot Williams photo
Caption on page 23