In need of

more light?
Wayne
apartments
spring leaks
NEWS 5 Energy-effecient bulbs could be the cause of
headaches, migraines, say experts. NEWS 4

Professor
performs at
awards
DANCE 14

From the
editors: The
Merciad’s
new look
OPINION 18

Senior gift:
Also inside
A&E 13
CD 15
SPORTS 19

Available online:
merciad.mercyhurst.edu Plans call for 24-hour lounge NEWS 2
PAGE 2 NEWS Jan. 9, 2008

24-hour lounge chosen as senior gift

By Liz Maier
Staff writer

Students of Mercyhurst
College will soon be able to
relax and pick up a cup of joe
other than in the bookstore
Mercyhurst College President
Dr. Thomas Gamble has
approved the Senior Gift
Committee’s plan for a 24-hour
lounge and café on the first
floor of the library.
Chairman of the Senior
Gift Committee senior Marty
Wallenhorst said the new lounge
and café will be placed where
Café Diem currently is located,
as well as three stacks of books
outside of the café.
“The final product will
be double the size of Café
Diem,” said Wallenhorst. “The
lounge will house not only a
comfortable 24-hour resting
and relaxing place, but also a
new and improved Café Diem.”
Wallenhorst also said a
bathroom will be constructed
into the facility.
Senior Gift Committee or
“Steering Committee” includes
Wallenhorst, seniors Joshua
Wilwohl, Kelly Cofrancisco,
Jeff Allen, Ashley Gabriel, Katie
Zinn, and Deanna Fletcher.
Together, the committee
chose the gift and will coordinate
the fundraising process.
“We chose this gift for Contributed photos
a variety of reasons,” said The 2008 senior gift is a 24-hour lounge and café. The renderings shown above are the preliminary plans for the lounge.
Wallenhorst. “One of the main The new lounge and café will be located on the first floor of the library.
concerns with student life on
campus is the lack of space for Briggs and Lewis apartments because Mercyhurst needs a administration,” he said. the college.
students. In addition, there is to banners for the academic place for students that will be Feltcher agrees with “I think a 24-hour group
absolutely no area on campus schools of the college. open 24 hours.” Wallenhorst. study area with internet access,
that boasts 24-hour access,” said Senior Erin Ratacjzak said Wallenhorst said the lounge “I think it is great that our coffee and companionship will
Wallenhorst. she supports the committee’s was the best choice. school will finally have a place be a wonderful resource for
At Mercyhurst, it is a tradition decision. “After some studying we for students to study at all Mercyhurst students,” he said.
that each senior class organizes a “I think the gift is an awesome discovered that the idea of a hours of the day,” she said. “It Gamble said the Senior Gift
committee to present the school idea and I definitely would be 24-hour student lounge falls in was always hard to study in the Committee presented two gift
with a gift. interested in donating money line with the strategic plan of dorms and apartments while ideas to the administration, the
Past senior gifts at Mercyhurst for its construction,” she said. the college, so we knew that by everybody else is being loud.” other being a fire pit.
have varied from new multi- Senior Annie Dragolich agreed. choosing this option we could Gamble said the lounge
recreational facilities in between “I think it is a good idea get the support of the college is a great investment for Please see 24-hour on page 7
 Jan. 9, 2008
Are students
recycling?
By Jen Helbig
Contributing writer
Pop-culture is paying atten-
tion.
Television, newspapers, poli-
ticians and even celebrities are
talking about it - the environ-
ment.
Whether students at Mercy-
hurst College are interested or
not, the college’s attempts to go
green cannot be avoided.
Geothermal power, new solar
panels, energy-efficient washers
and dryers, recycling bins and a
student and faculty organization
for environmental action exist
on campus for the benefit of the
environment.
Choices that will determine
the environment’s future face
every student on a daily and
sometimes hourly basis.
How do students’ lives on
campus measure up to the ideals
presented by the college?
Do students show that they
care with their actions?
“I like that the college works
so hard to recycle,” said fresh-
man Ryan Raven.
Junior Kyle Hicks has recy-
cling, one of the fundamentals
of environmentalism, down.
“My family has always recy-
cled, so it was never something
I had to learn,” Hicks said.
Sophomore Liz Maier believes
in every little act can help make a
big difference.
“Whenever I see newspaper
or a bottle on the ground I try
to make a point to pick it up,”
Maier said.
Hicks said students often
f a i l t o r e c y c l e p r o p e r l y.
“I think it is difficult for some
students at Mercyhurst to sepa-
rate their recyclable items from
their trash.”
Juniors Kirk Medernach and
Walter Ozanick agreed with
Hicks.
“I try to recycle but it seems
like if I need to throw away a
bottle the only trash cans are for
paper or something weird,” said
Medernach.
Ozanick said, “It’s annoying
to want to recycle but to have to
find the right place.”
Maier said that she believes
many students are wasteful.
“At the end of the school year
when everyone is throwing away
their notes and notebooks, I tear
out all of my unused paper and
keep it for the following school
year.”
A five minute walk on Briggs
Avenue on Saturday revealed that
some students are not doing all
they can.
Four different apartments
were spotted with their windows
open.
The students inside might
enjoy the brisk winter weather or
possibly they have not thought to
call maintenance to help them fix
or turn down their overzealous
radiator to conserve energy.
Two students were seen pull-
ing plastic bags of groceries from
their cars.
The bags could be replaced
with reusable cloth bags or the
students could carpool since
they both had bags from the
same store.
So what can students do to
get on board the environmental
initiative?
Spend ten dollars and buy a
recycling bin. Use it, even if it is
only for aluminum cans.
Bring a reusable cup to Café
Diem or the bookstore coffee
bar.
Most importantly, students
should take full advantage of
the opportunities Mercyhurst
provides for being environmen-
tally friendly.
NEWS
Mercyhurst College Police and Safety officers can be seen driving around campus in SUVs.
Police and safety regulations
By Tim Hucko
Contributing writer
Many students have had a
run-in with Mercyhurst College
Police and Safety at some point
during their stay at the college.
Whether it be a simple pass-
ing on the sidewalk or an unex-
pected visit at a Friday night
party, students are well-aware
of the police and safety staff.
Beyond these brief - and some-
times unfortunate - encoun-
ters, students may not have any
knowledge of the organization
behind the badge.
Mercyhurst Police and Safety
was established in 1998 with the
college petitioned Erie County
to form a privatized police force.
Despite what some students may
believe, the up to 10 Police and
Safety officers have the same
powers and authority as City or
Erie police officers.
However, their jurisdiction is
limited to property owned or
under control by the school plus
“property immediately adjacent
to” the campus, according to
Mercyhurst College Chief of
Police and Safety Kenneth Sidun.
Students who believe that run-
ning past this zone in hopes of
escaping officers will quickly
find that the officers may pursue
suspects until they are appre-
hended.
Police and safety also has on
board three security officers who
have the same jurisdiction and
power as a Erie city police offi-
cer, except that security officers
cannot make arrests.
In addition, Mercyhurst
employs off-duty Erie city police
officers to patrol campus and
keep the peace during what Sidun
called, “highly critical” times.
Highly critical times specifi-
cally refers to the beginning of
the school year, Halloween, St.
Patrick’s Day and the last three
weeks before graduation.
In light of recent incidents
on college campuses across the
country, the safety of college
campuses is being questioned.
Despite popular belief, giving
out parking tickets is not a pri-
mary concern. The primary
concern of police and safety is
to protect the college commu-
nity from threats and potential
harm.
Most Mercyhurst Police and
Safety officers are equipped
with a Kevlar vest, handcuffs, a
flashlight, a radio, pepper spray
and an expandable baton.
There has been more than
one instance where armed men
have held up a local store and
then made their escape through
campus.
Not only does this put stu-
dents at risk, it also puts the
officers in the harms way.
PAGE 3
Scoot Williams photo
Police and Safety are an inte-
gral part of everyday life at the
college. While not out fighting
crime or issuing parking tickets,
officers lock and unlock every
building on campus, direct traf-
fic, monitor security cameras and
assist students in need.
Junior Amy Breininger said she
calls for unlocking the fashion
lab on a regular basis and really
appreciates the quick response
from the officers.
Sidun pointed out the last
paragraph of the Mercyhurst
College Police and Safety mission
statement.
The paragraph reads, “Al-
though the Mercyhurst College
Department of Police and Safety
performs a law enforcement and
security function, the department
and its personnel strive to be
viewed as advocates for, and not
adversaries of the Mercyhurst
College community, and strive
further to maintain a profes-
sional, service oriented attitude
and philosophy.”
As of September, police and
safety had been called by stu-
dents and faculty 4,672 times
for assistance, 8,259 times for
locking and unlocking build-
ings/apartments/dorms and had
responded to 205 alarms.
Next time you see a man or
woman in blue, give them a wave
or just say hello. You never know
when you might need them to
PAGE 4
Experts: Energy-saving light bulbs could cause migraines
By Joshua Wilwohl and
Ashley Pastor
The energy-saving light
bulbs Mercyhurst College
installed over the past three
years in all Briggs and Lewis
avenues apartments can trigger
migraines, say experts.
Head of Membership
Support Karen Manning of the
Migraine Action Association
in Northamptonshire, United
Kingdom, said some of the
association’s members alleged
the bulbs are causing their killer
headaches.
“The most common
cause reported appears to
be the flicker, which some
manufacturers are stating does
not exist to the naked eye,” she
said. “For other people it is the
poor quality of light in a room
which causes unnecessary eye
strain, triggering a headache or
migraine.”
Mercyhurst College advisor
for the Green Team Dr. James
Snyder said the appeal for
the change of light bulbs was
because the bulbs are energy
efficient and would be a good
way of practicing conservation.
“The responsible thing to do
would be to study it and get the
facts,” he said. “If they’re going
to cause health problems, we
need to figure out what.”
Mercyhurst College Vice
President for Administration
NEWS
Tyrone Moore said the college
already conducted a three-year
test process of the bulbs with
the promotion of the Green
Team in designated “green”
buildings on Lewis and Briggs
avenues to ensure the safety and
effectiveness of the bulbs.
“We ran the test in the
designated residence areas for
one year, and the switch only
concluded with positive results,”
said Moore.
Moore said the bulbs saved a
significant amount of energy in
the test-run buildings.
The test was then expanded
to four residence buildings
along Briggs and Lewis avenues
for a second year.
The 2007-2008 school year
marked the complete switch
to energy-efficient bulbs in all
the residence buildings and a
number of academic buildings.
Moore said there have been
no complaints of the bulbs
causing migraines or any other
medical issues.
Manning, of the Migraine
Action Association, said
sufferers of migraines would
typically exhibit symptoms
such as an intense throbbing
headache, blind spots, zigzag
patterns, flashing lights, pins
and needles in the arms and
legs or complete numbness on
one side of the body, confusion,
difficulty speaking, and increased
sensitivity to light, sound, and/
or smell.
Mercyhurst College Director
of the Cohen Student Health
Center Chris Dimperio
identified similar symptoms for
migraines such as sensitivity to
light and blurry vision.
Dimperio said the health
center has not received any
incidents of migraines caused
by the light bulbs.
Manning said it is difficult to
identify if the light bulb is the
source of the problem.
“It can be difficult to
immediately identify if the light
Symptoms of a migraine
headaches.realage.com
- Complete numbness on one side of body
- Confusion
- Difficulty speaking
- Increased sensitivity to light, sound and/or smell
bulb is responsible,” she said.
“In most cases reported,
changing the light bulb back to
the older incandescent bulbs
has eliminated the frequency of
attacks.”
Mercyhurst College Vice
President for Student Life
Gerry Tobin said the college
would never take measures that
are health risks for students.
“I would imagine that there is
nothing we would knowingly do
to jeopardize the health of the
students,” he said.
“It’s one of those things that
we would want to do in the best
interest of the students.”
Moore said the switch to
energy-efficient light bulbs
was initiated due to the
overwhelming student interest
in energy-saving measures.
He said the project was not
initially put into place for cost-
cutting purposes, but has saved
a significant amount compared
to the old incandescent bulbs.
“I try to plan spending as if
Jan. 9, 2008
- Intense throbbing
headache
- Blind spots
- Zigzag patterns
- Flashing lights
- Pins and needles in
arms or legs
the money were my own,” he
said.
“I save anywhere it is possible
so we are able to spread the
money in ways that will improve
student life.”
Dimperio said any students
who think they are suffering
from headaches due to the light
bulb could try switching back to
incandescent bulbs.
“If someone thought (the
light bulb) might be the cause,
switch back by all means and
get a higher watt bulb that gives
more light,” she said.
Interested in
a 2008-2009
editor position?
Contact Casey
Greene at
mgeditormerciad@
mercyhurst.edu.
 Jan. 9, 2008
Workers from Building Systems, Inc. repair the leaking ceilings in Wayne apartments.
Wayne ceilings leaking
By Joshua Wilwohl
Editor-in-chief
Senior Jess Kocent was afraid
her living room ceiling was
about to fall.
Pots lined her floor and
caught falling water that leaked
from corroded wood.
Also an outline the size of
three-by-six plywood showed
watermarks along a ceiling that
could soon give in.
Kocent, along with other
residents in Wayne Street apart-
ments, has been facing the
challenge of keeping the wet
weather outside since before
Christmas break.
Water has seeped into the
ceilings of apartments and has
created a soggy problem for the
residents.
Building Systems, Inc. of
Erie fixed Kocent’s room over
the weekend by replastering the
entire ceiling.
The fix, however, is only
temporary.
Mercyhurst College Associate
Vice President for Administra-
tion Tyrone Moore said the
source of the leak is a significant
icicle buildup on the apartment
building that’s penetrating down
the walls.
“I have crews constantly salt-
ing the roof of the buildings,”
he said.
Moore said the problem is
one that can’t be fixed until
summer.
Moore has already contracted
Building Systems, Inc. to replace
six feet of roofing on all the
Wayne Street apartment build-
ings, and install one foot of
roofing vent for airflow.
Moore estimated a project
cost of between $20,000 and
$30,000.
“We will increase the number
of vents in the attic of the build-
ings so the temperature in the
attics is the same temperature
outside,” he said.
“Thusly, you don’t have all the
heat in the attic that creates the
icy condition.”
Moore said the college will
also have a water shield put on
the roof to prevent build-up.
“This will stop us from having
NEWS
Scoot Williams photo
this problem,” he said.
Kocent said she hated walking
out of her room and seeing her
ceiling drooping.
“It’s very disgusting and it
continues to get worse,” she
said. “I could have woken up
tomorrow and our ceiling could
have caved in.”
Kocent said she and her
roommates are glad the problem
is fixed.
“We are very pleased with
the job maintenance and the
contractors did,” she said. “We
hope it’s as permanently fixed
as possible.”
Moore said the full-scale proj-
ect is one that cannot be done
in a short amount of time, but
said the college will rectify the
problem.
“This is a fairly major project
that unfortunately could not be
done over break,” he said.
“These are wonderful apart-
ments and I’ll make sure they’re
maintained.”
Moore said any student who
is having a problem with leaks in
their apartment can contact his
office at (814) 824-2334.
PAGE 5
laker briefs
Global Conversations
The Mercyhurst World Languages Study Program will of-
fer non-credit courses in Chinese, Arabic and Russian to area
high school and college students, as well as the general public
beginning in January 2008.
Police Training
The Municipal Police Training Academy at Mercyhurst
North East will host an orientation for persons interested
in the program on Wednesday, Jan. 16, from 2-4 p.m., and
Thursday, Jan. 17, from 6-8 p.m., both at the Michele and
Tom Ridge Health and Safety Building.
Teaching and Learning Expo
The Mercyhurst College chapter of Kappa Gamma Pi
education honor society will host the Third Annual Teaching
and Learning Expo on Saturday, Jan. 19, from 9 a.m. to 1:30
p.m. in the Audrey Hirt Academic Center.
Adult and Grad Open House
The Office of Adult and Graduate Programs at Mercy-
hurst College will host an Open House on Wednesday, Jan.
30, from 4-7 p.m., at the Catherine McAuley Adult Education
Center, 511 East 34th Street (in the former Saints Peter and
Paul School).
-lakernet.mercyhurst.edu
Police log
View the crime map online at merciad.mercyhurst.edu.
Burglary Larceny/Theft
Athletic Center 611 E. 38th St.
Jan. 5 Jan. 1
Pending investigation Pending investigation
Can’t find anymore copies of
the Merciad?
Interested in the latest news hap-
pening on campus?
Go to merciad.mercyhurst.edu for
up-to-date news.
PAGE 6
Barack Obama building momentum
By Nedra Pickler
Associated Press
Last time ballots were cast in
New Hampshire’s presidential
primary, hardly anyone in the
U.S. knew the name Barack
Obama.
Now he is a leading candidate
for the Democratic nomination
hoping that momentum will
propel him to become the first
black president.
The historic nature of
Obama’s candidacy and his Iowa
victory over the most powerful
family in Democratic politics
generated an excitement about
his campaign that he hoped
would be difficult for rivals to
counter.
Obama’s campaign grew into
a celebrated spectacle after his
win in Iowa.
People lined up for blocks in
towns across New Hampshire
in recent days to hear him speak.
Everybody loves a winner, and
those who are attended often
talked about the chance to see
Romney predicted to pull ahead in polls
By Glen Johnson
Associated Press
Republican Mitt Romney, a
businessman-turned-politician,
will take more direct control of
his presidential campaign mes-
sage after failing to win either
the Iowa caucuses or the New
Hampshire primary, a top adviser
said Tuesday.
Romney himself pledged a
long fight for the GOP nomina-
tion. He held out his second-
place finishes in Iowa and New
Hampshire, with a victory in
Wyoming wedged between, as
testimony to his 50-state strat-
egy.
“There have been three races
history being made.
“I want to tell my grandkids
about how I saw this
campaign,” said 22-year-old
Emily Webster, among those at
a rally at Dartmouth College on
Thursday.
One young woman attending
the event fainted while Obama
was onstage.
The candidate held up the
event for a full nine minutes
while authorities attended to
her, watching from the stage
with a furrowed brow until she
was taken out on a stretcher.
Comedian Larry David, who
happened to be in the crowd
wearing an Obama campaign
button, broke the silence by
dryly remarking, “Sinatra had
the same effect on people.”
Colin Powell, President Bush’s
first secretary of state, says he
too is excited and impressed
by Obama, telling PBS talk-
show host Tavis Smiley in an
interview broadcast Monday,
“Let’s enjoy this moment where
a person like Barack Obama
can knock down all of these
so far. I’ve gotten two silvers
and one gold — thank-you Wyo-
ming,” Romney said in a spartan
seven-minute address conceding
the race.
A Romney intimate, who
spoke on condition of anonym-
ity to avoid pre-empting the
candidate, said the campaign was
“going to take the shackles off,
have him be less measured.”
“On to Michigan and South
Carolina and Florida and
Nevada,” Romney added. “I’ll
fight to be back here in Novem-
ber in those states and others.”
Romney aimed to stress that
his work as a venture capitalist,
Olympics CEO and Massachu-
setts governor leaves him better
equipped than Mike Huckabee
ELECTION NEWS
old barriers that people thought
existed with respect to the
opportunities that are available
to African-Americans.”
Six weeks ago, Hillary Rodham
Clinton appeared headed for
the party’s nomination.
Now the New York senator
and her husband are trying to
keep Obama’s train from rolling
to the nomination.
Former President Clinton
sniffed that his campaign is a
“fairy tale.”
Obama’s life could be
described that way.
It was not without hardships
— his father left the family
when he was 2 years old to
return to his native Kenya,
and Obama struggled as a
fatherless black child growing
up in Hawaii.
“If you think about it, the
odds of me being here standing
before you as a presidential
candidate are very slim,”
Obama often tells voters. “I
was raised by a single mom
and my grandparents, and we
weren’t born into money or
and John McCain — the winners
in Iowa and New Hampshire
— to compete against the even-
tual Democratic nominee.
Conceding Romney had been
hurt by a backlash against the
hard-hitting television commer-
cials the former Massachusetts
governor ran against Huckabee
and McCain, the adviser said the
campaign hoped to “get away
from the paid media and get
more of the earned media.”
The shift would suggest a
greater emphasis on generat-
ing newspaper, Internet and
television coverage, especially
in Michigan, where Romney
was born and which is next on
the primary calendar on Jan. 15.
Romney flies to Grand Rapids,
Barack Obama is a 2008 Democratic presidential candidate.
privilege. What they gave me
was love and an education and
hope.”
He got an Ivy League
education and eventually a
career in politics — but he
never had a serious Republican
opponent. Going forward, the
scrutiny and intensity will be
unlike anything he’s faced.
Obama stopped by a polling
site in Manchester, N.H., on
Tuesday, shaking hands with his
Mich., on Wednesday after a
fundraiser in Boston.
Earlier in the day, Romney said
he expected the nomination fight
to continue through Feb. 5, when
22 states vote. “I don’t think the
Republican Party wants to have
only one person in this contest
until the very end. I expect to be
one of the two that’s in it to the
very end,” he said.
During the final 24 hours of
the New Hampshire campaign,
Romney and his aides largely
shed recent inhibitions, openly
predicting a come-from-behind-
victory against McCain.
They claimed independents
were breaking their way based
on Romney’s performance in a
pair of weekend debates.
Jan. 9, 2008
washingtonpost.com
supporters and those holding
signs for other candidates.
Three burly supporters of
John Edwards were beaming as
they shook the front-runner’s
hand and wished him luck.
Obama correctly calculated
they were from the Steelworkers
union that endorsed Edwards
four months ago.
“See you in the general,”
Obama said, hinting they would
eventually be with him.
Most New Hampshire Repub-
licans said the top quality they
were seeking in a candidate was
someone who shared their values
and is authentic.
Romney was the big leader
among those naming values,
McCain among those seek-
ing a candidate who says what
he believes. About a quarter
named experience, an area where
McCain had a slight edge.
McCain was viewed as the
strongest leader and most quali-
fied to be commander in chief.
Romney, who aired ads criti-
cal of Huckabee and McCain
in Iowa and New Hampshire,
was seen more than the others
as having waged a negative cam-
paign, the exit survey found.
Jan. 9, 2008
24-hour Massachusetts’ milk
lounge set as drinkers get sour
senior gift
Continued from page 2
“I consulted with several
people and chose the 24-hour
study group,” he said.
Wallenhorst said the
committee is looking to raise at
least $20,000.
“Last years committee broke
all the records concerning
donation amounts (roughly
$18,000), and percentages of
donors (roughly 50 percent),”
said Wallenhorst.
“At that rate, each donor on
average gave $60. We need to
break those records.”
Gamble said the college will
pitch in for additional costs.
“Because of the rather large
scale of this project, we don’t
expect the senior class to come
up with all the funds necessary,”
he said.
“Therefore, the college
will make up the difference
between what the students
donate and the cost of the new
study room.”
Gamble said the Steering
Committee has been working
with Stuart Henderson, a
faculty member in the Interior
Design department, on the
design of the project.
Once all the design work
is completed, construction is
anticipated to begin within the
next few months.
In past years, the senior gift
was dedicated at graduation.
“The college has stepped up
to the plate by supporting us
in this gift, now it is our turn
to do the same through our
donations,” said Wallenhorst.
“We need each student to
give at the maximum level they
can afford in order truly benefit
from this gift.”
Seniors and other students
can donate to the lounge and
cafe by contributing their $300
housing deposit that they paid
for freshman year and are due
to get back at graduation.
“Most people aren’t even
aware of (the housing deposit),”
said Wallenhorst.
“Students now have the
ability to sign these deposits
over to the senior gift, and
have them be counted as their
donation.”
Wallenhorst said the Steering
Committee has set benchmarks:
A $100 donation will receive a
“High Rollers” T-shirt, a $200
donation will receive a brick
engraved with the donator’s
name, a $300 will receive an
acid-etched name engraving on
glass found above the fire place
in the new lounge.
Head of PR and Advertising
for the Steering Committee
Cofrancisco said fundraising
will start this week.
“Fundraising for the gift will
kick off soon and go straight
through until graduation,” she
said.
Students can donate through
the following revenues: Cash
or check, campus cash, the
housing deposit, and soon
online donations via credit
card.
“We want to avoid those
who justify their non-giving
by saying, ‘This school is so
expensive, I’m not giving them
a dime,’” said Wallenhorst.
“Ultimately, giving back to the
school is a sign of respect to an
institution that has given you
a most prized possession - an
education.”
NEWS
By Denise Lavoie
Associated Press
At Whittier Farms dairy, the
fifth-generation owners brag
of the quality of their Holstein
cows and still deliver milk right
to your door, in glass bottles.
Customers like the products
because they are a hormone-
free taste of old New England.
But health officials now say
three elderly men have died and
at least one pregnant woman has
miscarried since last June after
drinking bacteria-contaminated
milk from the dairy’s plant in
Shrewsbury, about 35 miles
west of Boston.
All were infected with
listeria, which is extremely rare
in pasteurized milk.
It is more often found in raw
foods, such as uncooked meat
and vegetables, and processed
foods such as soft cheeses and
cold cuts.
The outbreak is believed
to be only the third time
listeria has ever been linked to
pasteurized milk in the United
States, said Dr. Alfred DeMaria,
state director of communicable
disease control.
“We know something is going
on; we just don’t know what it
is,” DeMaria said. “We just need
to find out how the bacteria is
getting into the milk.”
Listeria bacteria are often
present in manure and are
commonly found in soil and
water.
Pasteurization is supposed to
kill listeria.
Tests at the Whittier Farms
plant found nothing wrong
with its pasteurization process,
deepening the mystery.
Health investigators are now
looking at the cooling and
bottling machinery, including
the connecting pipes, for the
source of the bacteria, DeMaria
said.
Investigators have taken
about 70 samples from vents,
ceilings, floors, tanks, bottle-
washers, bottles and other
equipment.
The dairy, which distributes
milk under various brand
names to homes and stores
across central Massachusetts
and also operates a 500-acre
farm in the town of Sutton, has
suspended operations until the
source of the contamination is
pinpointed.
The Whittier family has
declined to be interviewed.
In a statement posted in the
window of its dairy store and
in a letter to its customers,
the farm said it is “extremely
concerned about the situation”
and is cooperating with the
investigation.
Health officials say about
2,500 serious listeriosis cases
are reported in the United
States every year, 20 to 40
of them in Massachusetts.
Symptoms include fever, nausea
and diarrhea.
Listeria can cause serious
illness or death in pregnant
women, newborns, the elderly
and patients with compromised
immune systems.
Healthy adults and children
generally recover.
In the Whittier Farms
outbreak, DNA testing on
the four patients showed they
carried exactly the same strain
of listeria, suggesting the germ
had a common source.
After the test results came
back in mid-December, health
officials began interviewing
the patients and their families,
hoping to zero in on the
source.
At about the same time, a
PAGE 7
health worker at the hospital
where an 88-year-old man
was diagnosed with listeriosis
learned that the man had had
unpasteurized cider and coffee-
flavored pasteurized milk.
When both drinks were tested,
only the pasteurized milk —
from Whittier Farms — came
back positive.
State health officials would
not identify any of the listeria
patients because of privacy
laws. But health officials in the
town of Medway confirmed
that the 88-year-old man who
died Jan. 3 was John J. Powers,
a World War II veteran and
retired timekeeper at the
Boston Naval Shipyard.
Powers’ son bought the milk.
The younger Powers had some
flu-like symptoms for several
days but recovered, while his
father — who had other health
problems — became ill and
died, said Bill Fisher, Medway’s
health agent.
Two of the victims, a 78-
year-old man and a 75-year-old
man, died in Worcester County
in June and October.
A pregnant, 34-year-old
woman recovered but suffered
a miscarriage. Health officials
suspect another pregnant
woman, 31, contracted
listeriosis from Whittier Farms
milk. She recovered, and her
baby is doing fine.
Brian Gay, owner of Maple
Farm Dairy, has distributed
Whittier’s milk for about a
decade and said many of his
customers were shocked by
the outbreak. Some canceled
their service, Gay said, but
most seem willing to return
to Whittier when the milk is
deemed safe.
“They were bumming out,
because they love the product,”
Gay said.
PAGE 8
TV shows returning
from writers’ strike
By Shannon Kelley
Staff writer
As the writer’s strike lingers
on into its ninth week, many
students seem unaffected, ex-
cept for missing their late night
shows.
But as the talks continue,
students wonder if they will be
directly affected.
With many students getting
together for “Grey’s Anatomy
nights” and other similar gath-
erings, many favorite shows are
soon to be in the rerun cycle.
A top choice of many college
students, Grey’s actually only
has one episode left, airing on
Jan. 10.
Popular shows’ remaining episode schedules
The Daily Show with Jon
Stewart - returns live Jan. 7
without writers
The Colbert Report - re-
turns live Jan. 7 without writ-
ers
Ugly Betty - three episodes
remaining, airing Jan. 3, 10,
and 17.
The Simpsons - 10 episodes
remaining.
Samantha Who? - three
episodes remaining.
Scrubs - five episodes re-
maining.
Prison Break - five episodes
remaining, airing Jan. 14.
Private Practice - no epi-
sodes remain.
The Office - No episodes
remain. Production has com-
pletely stopped.
Gossip Girl - one episode
remaining.
Grey’s Anatomy - one epi-
sode remains, airing Jan. 10.
“I watch Grey’s Anatomy
all the time. I never miss an
episode,” said senior Ashley
Flores. “But I guess I will be
waiting for awhile like everyone
else after the last one is aired.”
The strike began after many
failed negotiations between
writers and producers.
The major issue at hand is for
increased pay for films and tele-
vision shows put out on DVD,
and also for a larger part of the
earned Internet revenue.
As many waited and watched
some of the primetime shows
return with and without their
writers this past week, the re-
sults were very surprising.
More tuned in to see Jay Leno
return without his writers, than
FEATURES
David Letterman return with
his writers.
David Letterman was to have
had struck a deal with his writ-
ers last week in order to have
them return with him.
“It seemed like Jay did fine to
me,” said senior Ryan Nealon.
Without an end in near sight,
television seems to have a
bumpy road ahead.
Below is a list compiled by
brentevans.blogspot.com, from
information gathered by TV
Guide and the LA Times.
The list is filled with some
college student’s favorite tune-
ins.
You can look and see how
many episodes are left of your
shows this season.
New radios would
provide text scrolling
By Seth Sutel
Associated Press
A new technology unveiled
Tuesday would show what’s
being said on the radio using
a receiver with a screen that
would scroll text much like
closed captions roll by on TV.
No manufacturer has yet
committed to bring the tech-
nology to market.
It is backed by National Pub-
lic Radio and Harris Corp., a
major supplier of broadcasting
equipment, as well as a new
research center at Towson Uni-
versity near Baltimore.
NPR and its partners dis-
played a prototype text radio
Tuesday at the International
Consumer Electronics Show
in Las Vegas.
The text service will rely on
HD Radio technology, which
allows broadcasters to split
their signal into multiple trans-
missions.
Some stations use the extra
capacity to broadcast additional
music or talk radio channels,
which can be heard on HD
Radio receivers.
The new scrolling-text ser-
vice would also use the extra
capacity made available through
HD Radio, but instead of
broadcasting music it would
send out streams of data that
would be converted to scrolling
text by the receivers and then
displayed on the screen.
HD Radio itself is still in its
early stages, but stations are
embracing it. About 1,500 now
broadcast in HD Radio in the
United States, the consortium
said.
The technology has come
down in price, something that
had been holding up wider
adoption, and some units now
sell for under $100.
Jan. 9, 2008
Initially, the radio text service
would operate like closed cap-
tioning, where someone types
what’s being said on the radio
into a computer system in real
time.
The consortium eventually
hopes to find software to trans-
late speech into written text
and automate the service and
reduce the cost to provide it so
a wider variety of radio stations
can offer it.
The text-scrolling feature is
one of several technologies
that NPR, Harris and the new
research center at Towson
University are developing to
make programming much more
accessible to deaf and blind
people.
The group also is work-
ing on making radios able to
provide audio cues for the
blind and visually impaired that
would indicate what frequency
the radio is tuned to, among
other functions, and giving
greater access to services such
as InTouch Networks, which
provides broadcasts and on-
line audio feeds of volunteers
reading from newspapers and
magazines.
NEED MATH
HELP??
Come to the
Math Lab
Located in the
Library 304 A & B
Sunday-Thursday
For Exact
Hours Call
Ext: 2078
 Jan. 9, 2008 FEATURES PAGE 9

2008 ushers in new resolutions
By Stacey Minchin
Staff writer
Five, four, three, two, one…
Happy New Year!
As we all rang in the New
Year, many students vouched to
shed a couple pounds this year,
maybe exercise a little more or
even learn a new skill, while
others decided it would be best
not to make a resolution.
Regardless of what you may
have promised yourself, it
is nice to think that you will
potentially follow through.
Every year it seems to get
harder and harder to stick
with a resolution, which is why
having a plan as to how to carry
it out may be a great way of
beginning the year.
Finding a friend who has the
same resolution is a major help.
That way you can have some-
one there to push you when the
going gets tough.
Sophomore Katlin Hess says
she prefers using the buddy
system because it helps give her
the determination she needs to
stick with her resolution.
“This year my roommate and
I picked the typical New Year’s
resolution: to eat healthier and
go to the gym more often,”
Hess said. “I would also like
to personally spend less time
on Facebook and more time
on my school work.”
Other students share the
same sentiment towards going
to the gym more often.
“My New Year’s resolution is
to go the gym five days a week
and meet my weight goal by the
end of May 2008,” said junior
Liz Kelley.
While some students like to
focus on physical goals for the
year, others would like to suc-
ceed on a different level.
“I would like to obtain a
higher GPA this year by dedi-
cating more of my time towards
studying,” said freshman Grazia
Padgett.
“I would like to be nicer to
people and try to be less sar-
castic because it is important to
have lots of friends,” said fresh-
man Natalie Gnipp. “I want
to think about how I would
like to be treated by others and
portray it through my words
and thoughts.”
Senior Angela Phillips is a
member of Greenpeace and
she will focus her attention
towards the environment.
“There is just so much to
be done,” she said. “There’s
global warming, world hunger,
saving the polar bears. I think
I’ll probably start with needle-
point and then I will add to my
antique pog collection.”
On the other hand, some
students do not believe in
making a New Year’s resolu-
tion. Because sticking with a
resolution takes a lot of time
and effort, not many people
seem to make their target goals
in the end.
Scoot Williams photo
“I actually don’t believe in Many students choose losing weight or attending the gym
making a New Years resolu- as their New Year’s resolution.
tion because I feel that after
January, they are forgotten and Year’s resolutions after a few the whole year.
disregarded,” said sophomore months,” said Mieczkowski. No matter what your goal
Liz Maier. “Therefore, I never make a may be, self-determination
Freshman Jen Mieczkowski definite resolution because it is a key element in achieving
agrees with the idea of not just doesn’t seem to work out success.
having a resolution. She feels in the long run.” Focus, friends, and deter-
that they simply become broken So whether or not you made mination can help prevent
promises. a New Year’s resolution this your resolution from being yet
“I have found that few people time around, it may be quite a another goal you put off until
commit and stick to their New challenge to make it through next year.

Free college courses offered online are benefiting from “Open-
By Carla Hart
Staff writer
How do free college courses
sound?
Anyone with an Internet con-
nection could download college
materials.
Lecture notes, readings, tests,
and video lectures would be
available with the click of a
mouse.
Well, the appealing nature of
this idea is becoming reality for
many college students.
Students and educators alike
CourseWare,” a web-based
project created by the Mas-
sachusetts Institute of Tech-
nology.
This initiative delivers a
diverse range of courses online
that are free to the public.
Anything from linear algebra
and physics, to human emo-
tion and existentialism can be
accessed, according to pub-
lished reports in USA Today.
The growth of technology
has expanded communication
and education.
More that 100 universities
are posting college materials
online.
It is higher learning with-
out the stress of finals week,
the tuition payment, or the
degree.
Mercyhurst College junior
Nadine Zinram is pursuing a
degree in communications.
As a freshman, she visited
iTunes and downloaded a
course in Avid, a film editing
program, which was offered
by the University of Southern
California.
“I think it’s pretty helpful
information,” said Zinram,
who engages herself in learn-
ing with additional instruction.
“The more time you invest,
the better you get,” she said.
“It’s also interesting to see how
other schools teach.”
Sophomore Katlyn Hess
agreed.
“The fact that I could take a
course online for free is pretty
amazing,” she said. “Even if
you’re not receiving credit for
it, the things that you learn can
be extremely valuable in the
long run.”
As technology improves, so
does the ability to gain knowl-
edge.
The Internet and education
collaborate, engaging the public
to seek information.
For anyone with a typical
bandwidth and computer, any-
thing is possible.
For more information on
free courses in cyberspace,
visit MIT OpenCourseWare at
http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/
web/home/home/index.htm,
Apple’s iTunes at http://
www.apple.com/education/
itunesu/, or YouTubeBerkeley
at http://www.youtube.com/
ucberkeley.
PAGE 10
Getting back
in the groove
Students return to class from
two-week holiday break
By Allie Miniri
Staff writer
As if the holidays weren’t fast
enough, our break is over and
classes have resumed.
Coming back to school at
Mercyhurst from the holidays
when most other schools are
still on break isn’t a big motiva-
tor when trying to get back into
the groove of school.
Many students are still remi-
niscing about the fun they had
over Christmas break.
“Break was a lot of fun but
so short,” said sophomore
Jill Marshall. “I wish it was
a little longer like most other
schools.”
Some ways that students can
get back into focus include set-
ting a schedule.
The time students spent away
from school makes a differ-
ence in each person’s daily
schedule.
Most of us strayed from our
normal school routines and
stayed up later on weekdays,
woke up late and lounged
around, having fun.
Getting back to school means
a stricter schedule, consider-
ing “bed time,” wake up time,
homework time and time for
other activities with extracur-
ricular clubs and friends.
In addition to working out a
reasonable schedule, students
should avoid missing class.
There is a lot to catch up on
after break and students should
not miss any opportunity to
do so.
FEATURES Jan. 9, 2008
THE LAKER
Winter Term
Galley Grill Dinner:
Lunch: S-Laker Burger
M- Steak Salad
M-Ham and Cheese on
Croissant T- Open Face Turkey Sandwich
W-Slice Of Pizza, 5 Wings
T- Soft Tacos
Also, it is important to get W- Potato Bowl Th- Swedish Meatballs w/ Noodles
F- Chicken and Biscuits
back into the spirit of school. Th- Turkey Ruben
S - Cup of Chili w/ Cheese, Side of
After all, most students spend F- Sizzle Salad
about eight months of the year S- Southwest Burger Nacho Chips
here.
It isn’t too late to join clubs Hours of Operation:
and it is never too late to start Board Specials
Lunch $4.75 Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-1:00 a.m.
going to sporting events.
“We love having as many stu- Dinner $5.50 Saturday 1:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.
dents we can at every event. It Sunday 5:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.
makes a better atmosphere for
the players, knowing that they Look for New Menu Items!
have our support. Also, some- Mac & Cheese Bites Black Bean Burger
times at bigger games, the huge New Salads:
crowd of crazy fans sometimes Chicken BLT-Veggie(no cheese)-Spinach-Asian Chicken-
intimidates the opponent,” said Greek-Caesar
Spirit Club chairperson Haylie
Starin.
Finally, students should
remember to keep healthy.
There is nothing worse than
Subconnection Special Features
coming back with a cold and 6” Sub $3.75 Combo $4.75 Wrap combo-Veggie $5.59
sore throat. other wraps $5.79
The winter weather usually 12”Sub $5.75 Combo $6.75
makes students tired and results ‘Wrap It Yourself’- Veggie $3.99
in putting off things. Baja and Buffalo Chicken Subs: other wraps $ 4.19
It is important during the
winter not to procrastinate due 6” Sub $4.00 Combo $5.25 Hours of Operation:
to the unfavorable weather. 12” Sub $6.00 Combo $ 7.00 Monday-Friday 11:30 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Instead, spend time indoors
doing something useful, like Saturday 1:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
studying or homework. Sunday 5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Sophomore Celeste Shefferly
said that it’s sometimes easier to
do homework after Christmas
break.
Laker Express
Look for Laker Express
“It may actually be good for
students to get more study Board Equivalency Available: Minute Meals!
time in during winter, so they
don’t regret it during the spring 11:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
term,” she said. Board Specials Hours of Operation:
So, while the weather may be Mon.-Thurs. 11:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
turning for the worse, students Lunch $4.75
can take advantage of the seven Friday 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Dinner $5.50 Saturday & Sunday Closed
remaining weeks of the term to
get motivated.
Jan. 9, 2008 FEATURES PAGE 11

Comical T-shirts go political
By Sandy Watro
Staff writer
The upcoming presidential
election is now being integrated
into an untapped market: the
fashion industry.
Clearly, it is necessary to
publicly display your campaign
choice on a quirky T-shirt.
These are not the average red,
white and blue colored Hanes®
campaign T-shirts sported by
avid followers of a certain
candidate’s campaign.
Online retailers and brick and
mortar locations are marketing
Know How to Party.”
Denouncing your oppos-
ing party, reading “Annoy a
Republican, Drive a Hybrid,”
is another favorite.
Some T-shirts are light and
funny, but many find others
are harsh, critical and profan-
ity-laced.
Senior Jordan Severino
believes in the relation to youth
awareness and politics.
“I enjoy seeing items like this
because it lets people know who
you are and what you exactly
stand for,” Severino said. “It
also displays intelligence and
interest in political current
They range from $24.00 to
$28.00.
Online solicitors have also
naturally evolved into the
humorous political T-shirt
market.
Cafepress.com offers a vari-
ety of sweatshirts, long sleeves
and T-shirts that include funny
phrases to show your support.
Many students find the shirts
humorous and in good spirit.
Junior Milos Bogetic is in
favor of the political shirts.
“I think the shirts are funny,”
he said. “I definitely would
wear one. I don’t think they
are meant to be invasive on a www.urbanoutfitters.com www.urbanoutfitters.com

and selling comical presidential
and political campaign theme
T-shirts.
Popular shirts announce
which party you support.
One reads “Republicans
events, which sometimes I feel
like the youth in this particular
country ignores.”
Urban Outfitters is one of
the retailers that offer the out-
spoken ads.
personal or private level at all.
I mean, it is your choice to pur-
chase and wear the garment.”
The fashion industry never
fails to wedge its sometimes
grimy paws into any idea that
will generate green.
This leads one to question
where the line between per-
sonal and private opinion and
information lies.
Wearing a candidate or
party on your sleeve no doubt
depends on your level of politi-
cal involvement.
But, after all, there is a cur-
tain on the voting booth for
a reason.

Benefit to support Iraqi veteran
By Jen Gildea
Features editor
Sergeant Major William
Krawczyk was prepared and
proud when he was deployed
to Iraq in 2005, but he never
expected the devastation that
was to come.
After serving eight active
and eighteen reserve years in
the United States Army, Kraw-
czyk returned home to Erie
in January of 2006 with both
physical, mental, and emotional
injuries.
Severely swollen limbs, bodily
lesions and an immune defi-
ciency are daily challenges that
Krawczyk now faces.
His son, Billy Krawczyk, is a
sophomore at Mercyhurst Col-
lege, and has been very involved
in his father’s recovery.
“He has hallucinations that
he is back in Iraq regularly
but doesn’t remember any-
thing about having them,”
Billy said.
In addition to visible injuries,
Krawczyk also suffers from
an enlarged spleen, liver and
kidneys.
Hospital visits are weekly
necessities, sometimes to Cleve-
land or Washington, D.C.
To help pay for medical and
travel costs, Krawczyk’s family
is sponsoring benefits and
drives that the community can
contribute to.
“We got the idea for a benefit
about a year ago,” said Billy.
“My dad has held off so long
in having the benefit because
he is very independent and
does not want to feel like a
‘charity.’ But finally things got
to the point where he realized
that he needed outside help to
get better and once again live a
normal life.”
The first benefit is being
held Jan. 26 at 2 p.m. at the
VFW located on 25th and Ash
Streets.
The following day, Jan. 27, a
second benefit will be held at
the American Legion in Wes-
lyville at 2 p.m.
In addition to the benefits,
Billy Krawczyk is urging people
in the community to donate
old cellular phones, which
Krawczyk sends to a company
that refirbishes the phones
and distributes them to people Contributed photo
Sophomore Billy Krawczyk and his father Sergeant William
in need. Krawczyk serve in the U.S. Army.
The phones must work, but
appearance and chargers do role model. defend his country. He loves
not matter. “If one person really does the military and has proudly
Billy’s dedication to his father deserve this, it’s my father,” he served 26 years of his life.
is apparent, simply by the way said. “He took pride in being Now, all he’s asking for in
he speaks and looks up to his the best and being able to return is his health.”
PAGE 12 FEATURES Jan. 9, 2007

I Food Fix
ERI Lasagna is a favorite for many
Americans and is surprisingly
simple to make.
Contributed photo There really could not be an
Petra Restaurant serves up traditional Middle Eastern food easier recipe for making lasagna
like the Mediterannean Platter. that tastes this good.
It is hardly any work to make
With Meg
to have leftovers to eat for the
rest of the week or host a get-
together for your friends.
There are also several ways
to adjust this recipe so that
you can change it to fit your
particular tastes.

Ethnic perfection at Petra this recipe that will please a

By Shelley Turk
Staff writer
With the new year upon us,
take a chance and try some-
thing new.
Visit Petra Restaurant for a
taste of authentic Middle East-
ern cuisine.
Owner Kal Darres, who is
originally from Jordan, serves
up a fusion of specialty dishes
that are full of flavor and
color.
The intimate environment is
great for a couple dining out or
a small gathering of friends.
Reservations are also accept-
ed to begin your experience at
the one-of-a-kind eatery.
Appetizers are available
and are priced from $3.95 to
$6.95.
One favorite dish is called
Baba Ghanoush Dip, a roasted
eggplant puree with seasonings
served with Pita or Falafel, a
special blend of fresh ground
chick peas and seasonings
served with tahini sauce.
Dinners are priced from
$8.95 and up and include gyros,
cous cous, fresh seafood dishes
and fresh steak.
The choices are so endless,
you can easily lose yourself
in the menu and be unable to
decide what to get.
In that instance, try one of
the samplers that are priced
around $7.95 and include a mix
of specialty items.
Both the dinner entrees and
samplers are served with a
starter soup that is made fresh
and changes daily.
The meal is served slowly
over time to help you get lost
in the ethnic cuisine and con-
servation of those dining with
you.
The helpful wait staff is easily
accessible to answer any ques-
tions about menu items and for
suggestions on what to order.
Petra Restaurant is located
on 3602 West Lake Road and
is open Monday through Sat-
urday, serving lunch from 11
a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner from
5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Take out, dine in and catering
services are available.
Call 814-833-9543 or visit
www.petrarestaurant.com.
crowd.
Not only is this dish easy
Some alternate versions of
this recipe include using cheese
ravioli or even a white alfredo
to make, it is really filling and sauce with some vegetables.
can make enough for several
people.
You could even plan ahead -Meghan Dolney
Lazy Lasagna
Ingredients
1 bag frozen beef ravioli squares
2 (8 oz.) cans tomato sauce
Oregano
Basil
Salt
Pepper
Garlic powder
Minced onions (dried)
4 oz. cottage cheese
Parmesan cheese

Get to know... 8 oz. Mozzarella cheese

Name: Laura Pusateri Directions

Year: Senior 1.) In 9x4 pan, layer ravioli and tomato sauce.
Major: Fashion Merchandising
Hometown: Buffalo, NY Sprinkle a little of oregano, basil, salt, pepper,
Favorite thing about Mercyhurst: To be able to go to the garlic and onions.
gym without being judged that I’m only there to loose my “holiday 2.) Put on 3 teaspoons cottage cheese, one
weight.” teaspoon Parmesan cheese and a layer of Moz-
Least favorite thing: That I am not able to use my all-campus
card at El Canello. zarella.
Campus activities/interests: Foam Party, Spring Fest, Corner 3.) Make approximately four layers ending with
Stone, Hammermill Mozzarella on top.
Anything else interesting about you: In my spare time I enjoy 4.) Bake in oven, covered, at 350 degrees for
singing for my friends, drinking Kool Aid and cruising around in
Laura Pusateri
Loretta the Jetta. about 45 minutes.
Jan. 9, 2008 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PAGE 13

tHe ‘Blood Meridian’ in review

BuZz By Kyle King
manifestly incapable of gov-
erning themselves. And do you
Staff writer
know what happens with people
JAN. 9-13. Disney on Ice:
who cannot govern themselves?
Princess Classics. Tullio
There is no love in Cormac That’s rights. Others come in to
Arena, Erie. $11 to $39.
McCarthy’s “Blood Meridian.” govern for them….We are to be
There is no morality. the instruments of liberation in a
JAN. 12. Disney’s “High
There is, unabashedly, war, and dark and troubled land” (34).
School Musical: The Ice
war is God. However, most of the novel is
Tour.” Quicken Loans
In the 1850’s in the southwest- concerned with order and fate.
Arena, Cleveland.
ern United States and Mexico, The Judge remarks in the
the Glanton band of Indian desert, “If God meant to inter-
JAN. 15-27. Musical. “Av-
scalpers travel a soundless and fere in the degeneracy of man-
enue Q.” Palace Theatre,
desolate landscape in search of kind would he not have done
Cleveland.
fortune and meaning, stoically so by now?...[Man’s] spirit is
murdering and thieving as suits exhausted at the peak of his
NOV. 21. Deborah Har-
their fancy. achievement. His meridian is
ry. Agora Theatre, Cleve-
There are three main charac- at once his darkening and the
land.
ters: The kid, an uneducated but evening of his day” (147).
likeable youth who falls in with And thus with this band of
JAN. 24. Erie Broadway
the gang; Glanton, the leader outlaws, perhaps symbolic of
Series. “Chicago.” Warner
and most opportunist who also any empire.
Theatre, Erie. $56.75,
seems to have the Doolittlean They expand and regenerate
$46.75, $34.75.
capacity to talk to animals; and through violence and captivity,
the Judge, an erudite mythical but the order they impose is
FEB. 22. Erie Broad-
figure straight out of the pages inevitably fleeting.
way Series. “Dirty Rot-
of “Macbeth” or “Moby-Dick.” They will feel as though they
ten Scoundrels.” $51.75,
Much has been made of rule all around them and generate
$41.75, $31.75.
McCarthy’s writing style, espe- great wealth, but there will come
cially in comparisons to the rival warriors, in their case, the
FEB. 23. Buckwheat
most preeminent southern writer Yucca Indians, and the sins of
Zydeco. Reg Lenna Civic
of the 20 th Century, William the leaders will cause the down-
Center, Jamestown. N.Y.
Faulkner. fall of the empire.
M c C a r t hy h a s i n h e r i t e d The Judge seems to float
M A RC H 1 . G e o r g e Contributed photo
Faulkner’s baroque yet almost above this, more than a member ‘Blood Meridian’ is available on Amazon.com.
Strait, Little Big Town.
biblical eloquence. of the clan.
Quicken Loans Arena,
Some sentences, almost a page Perhaps a symbol of fate Overall, I did not particularly cal version of “No Country for
Cleveland.
long, warrant being read out or death, he seems to outlast enjoy “Blood Meridian.” Old Men,” released in 2007 and
loud and fervently; this may help all his confreres and reign over The novelty of the power of directed by the Coen brothers, to
MARCH 1. The Chief-
explain why critics such as aes- the novel as manipulator and the writing wore off as the novel “Blood Meridian.”
tains. Palace Theatre,
thete Harold Bloom champion dispenser, once, speaking with went on, and so the plot became It captures the same ethos of
Cleveland.
“Blood Meridian” as a modern great bombast. ponderously slow. inevitability, and Javier Bardem’s
great American novel. He said, “The freedom of I found myself actively wishing hauntingly unforgettable char-
MARCH 8. Disney’s
However, many sections run birds is an insult to me. I’d have for all of the characters’ deaths, acter can be seen as similar to
“High School Musical:
on endlessly, their purpose not them all in zoos” (199). even those I was set up to like, if the Judge.
The Ice Tour.” Mellon
evocative but descriptive; here The world at the end of “Blood for no other reason than to move It is not the type of movie
Arena, Pittsburgh.
the work hits dry spells. Meridian” is not a pretty place. the story along. which I usually enjoy.
The themes of the book are After much bloodshed and At the very least, I think there However, the subtlety and
MARCH 18. Erie Broad-
elucidated mainly through the much traveling, one is not sure are much better works by McCar- soundlessness of much of the
way Series. Michael
personage of the Judge. of the status of free will. thy, especially “The Road,” the action, evident in both works,
Flatley’s “Lord of the
There is a little bit of imperial- It may exist for some, but, if 2007 Pulitzer Prize winner in translates better onto film than
Dance.”
ist commentary. one is to believe the Judge, who Fiction, a very moving novel in print.
For example, one military cap- does seem to know best, only about a post-apocalyptic father- “Blood Meridian,” published
Courtesy of Goerie.com
tain comments on the Mexicans, within the confines of a larger son relationship. by Vintage, 1992, is available for
“We are dealing with a people fated cosmology. I even preferred the theatri- $10.17 at Amazon.com.
PAGE 14
Professor performs at Abu Dhabi Awards
Dance professor Mark Santillano was invited to dace at the Abu Dhabi Awards.
By Sarah Mastrocola
Staff writer
Mark Santillano, assistant
professor of dance at Mercyhurst
College, recently took a trip to
Abu Dhabi in the United Arab
Emirates (UAE) to dance with
Pilobolus Dance Theatre.
In Abu Dhabi, Pilobolus
performed at the Abu Dhabi
Awards, a ceremony at which
civic awards are presented to
individuals who have made
a positive difference in the
community.
The trip involved six days in
Abu Dhabi, as well as two days
of travel.
The Pilobolus dancers
presented their work for Sheikh
Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan,
the ruler of Abu Dhabi and
President of the UAE, at the
Emirates Palace, where the Abu
Dhabi Awards were held.
The Pilobolus team consisted
of twelve dancers, the artistic
director, the executive director,
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
the composer, and the props
mistress.
For the Abu Dhabi Awards,
the Pilobolus dancers performed
some of their shadow work,
for which they dance behind
a screen and work together to
make shapes with their bodies.
For example, for part of the
show at the Awards the dancers
made the shape of a camel
together.
Santillano said concerning the
shadow work, “It is challenging
in that multiple bodies are trying
to create one single image.”
Pilobolus first became known
for shadow work around 1971.
Then, last year some of
Pilobolus’s shadow dance was
featured in a commercial for the
Hyundai Santa Fe.
The commercial was
originally only supposed to be
shown at movie theatres, but
the advertisement ended up
being cut into a thirty second
advertisement for TV as well.
Because of this TV exposure,
Pilobolus became well-known
Jan. 9, 2008
Mark Santillano photo
for doing shadow work.
The company was asked to
perform at the Academy Awards
in 2007, which allowed them to
be viewed and remembered by a
huge audience.
Pilobolus also appeared
on such shows as “Good
Morning America,” “The Ellen
DeGeneres Show,” and “The Mark Santillano photo
Oprah Winfrey Show.” Santillano performed with Pilobolus Dance Theatre.
The Abu Dhabi Awards show
included two separate pieces, liaison between the dancers and Although he is no longer a
each about three minutes in directors. regular dancer with Pilobolus,
length. These pieces were created As a dancer with Pilobolus, the company sometimes calls
especially for the Awards show Santillano has traveled all over Santillano to dance for certain
and were performed live, which the world and to at least 10 occasions, (as was the case with
is somewhat unusual because different countries. the Abu Dhabi Awards).
the Pilobolus shadow work is
usually prerecorded.
Santillano said that having to
perform the work live was an
added challenge.
Have you seen a good movie recently?
Santillano first joined Are you interested in writing about
Pilobolus in 1995 and danced art, dance, or music?
with the company for three
years. Contact Entertainmentmerciad@Mercyhurst.edu
While at Pilobolus, he was
promoted to the position
of dance captain, acting as a
Jan. 9, 2008
Put your fangs up: Cobra style
By Greg Summy
Staff writer
A recent wave of up-tempo
dance floor songs have been
coming out of Florida-based
independent record label Fueled
By Ramen.
It is a label known mostly for
is crown jewels Fall Out Boy,
Paramore, and Yellowcard.
An offshoot label, Pete Wen-
tz’s Decaydance Records, is the
driving force behind the syn-
thesizer, drum and bass driven
music being released.
Fueled By Ramen distribution
includes bands like Panic! At
the Disco, Gym Class Heroes,
and perhaps, most importantly,
Cobra Starship.
Many of you may recog-
nize the name Cobra Starship
from the critically acclaimed
soundtrack to the 2006 block-
Service Learning and Art Education Club hold Art Fair
The Children’s Art Fair was recently held for the first time.
By Kara Eltschlager
Contributing writer
Service Learning and Sister
Michele Schroeck along with
the Art Education Club recently
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
buster hit of 2006, “Snakes on
a Plane.”
The band’s debut single,
“Bring It (Snakes on a Plane)”
started Cobra Starship on a path
to stardom.
Recently, Cobra Starship
scheduled their first headlining
tour in the U.S. with Metro Sta-
tion, We The Kings, and label-
mates The Cab.
The Really Really Ridiculously
Good Looking Tour kicks off on
Jan.15 at The School of Rock in
South Hackensack, NJ.
This upcoming tour is in
support of their sophomore
effort on Fueled By Ramen,
Decaydance Records, and ¡Viva
La Cobra!
The band previously toured
with The Academy Is… on the
Sleeping Giants Tour, Fall Out
Boy on the Honda Civic Tour,
and others.
¡Viva La Cobra! is a record
Contributed Photo
sponsored The Children’s Art
Fair for the first time.
Approximately 50 children
from six of the most popular
sites involved with Service
Learning participated.
Children in fourth through
heavily influenced by modern
hip-hop, pop, and R&B as well as
1980s synthesizer rock and pop.
Gang vocal choruses and
keytar solos saturate the album,
creating a dance club vibe to the
record.
Lyrically, front man Gabe
Saporta uses classic Fueled By
Ramen artist hooks and provoca-
tive one-liners.
Along with the classic lyrical
riffage, Saporta and the band ad-
vise everyone to ‘put their fangs
up,’ a trademark hand gesture at
Cobra Starship performances.
On the album, Cobra Star-
ship enlists the vocal talents of
the Travis McCoy of Gym Class
Heroes as well as the VIP Party
Boys.
¡Viva La Cobra!, the follow up
to 2006’s When the City Sleeps
We Rule the Streets shows the
maturity many bands seem to
achieve with sophomore al-
sixth grade from the YMCA,
John Horan Kids Club, JFK
Center, Trinity Center, Boys
and Girls Club of Erie and
Mercy Center for Women par-
ticipated in the art fair.
The children were able to
choose from 10 different art
projects to make during the fair.
“This is the biggest event they
have done so far. It provides
great practical experience for the
real world,” said Camille Nischal,
art education professor.
“There were 22 art education
majors and four art therapy
majors involved in this planning
and executing this event,”
Nischal added.
A supervisor from the Trinity
Center said the Center wants to
“do more educational field trips
and they often times team up
with Mercyhurst.”
Colin Hurley ofAmeric-
CorpsVISTA coordinated the
logistics for the event
Cobra Starship has a consistent, yet different sound.
bums.
The band’s sound stays rela-
tively unchanged, yet still dif-
ferent.
When the City Sleeps was an
album focused more on guitars,
“We wanted to do more
than just take them to hockey
games,” said Hurley.
“Since funding has been cut
for many art programs we
decided to focus on that,”he
said.
Junior art education major
Sarah Ross said, “There were dif-
ferent art activities offered, and
it was more about the process
rather than the product.”
Senior Katie McAndrew said
it was “a great opportunity for
the kids to experience art, have
fun and met new people.”
Erin Werkmeister, a junior art
therapy major said, “Advocating
arts is a rewarding experience,
more so when children are
involved and get to benefit from
it.”
This year Sister Michele, along
with different clubs and classes,
plans on having three “fairs.”
All of the community
partners will be invited to each
PAGE 15
Contributed photo
drums, and vocals, lacking the
synthesizer element incorporated
in ¡Viva La Cobra!
Yet , the band still managed
to keep every track danceable
and fun.
of the fairs.
This year’s fair was made
possible by th generous support
of a Mercyhurst Diversity Grant
from the President’s Office
in addition to Sister Michele’s
work with Service Learning and
the community partners.
Upcoming fairs include a
Literacy Fair for children from
kindergarten to third grade on
Jan. 30.
Education Professor Tim
Frawley and the Children’s
Literature classes will be
organizing the activities for that
fair.
During spring term, Service
Learning plans on offering a
science fair for the children.
“We hope that bringing in
community partners to campus
will help increase awareness of
career opportunities and higher
education possibilities for
disadvantaged youth in the City
of Erie,” Sister Michele said.
 PAGE 16
What are you eating? Cloned meat not harmful The Good,
By Keith
Nemeth
ment approval before being sold truly believe this to be a frighten- eating of cloned animals may
as food, which will likely take ing era we are entering.
Staff writer & another year.
political analyst The meat industry has agreed decision on the safety of
to not allow cloned meat to be food products, this practice will in the store. With the meatpack-
The Food and Drug Adminis-
tration has just released a study
that the meat produced from
cloned animals is not harm-
ful to people. The FDA wants
public reaction to its assessment
of cloning’s impact on the food
supply before it decides if cloned
farm animals will require govern-
Step away from the bottle: Don’t drink the water
By Ellen
Koenig
Staff writer
“Don’t drink the water.” I
have heard such warnings when
traveling abroad. However, the
phrase needs to be brought back
to the States.
It is time to do away with the
awful trend of drinking, buying
and preferring bottled water,
rather extend that to any bever-
age in a plastic bottle.
In fact, Evian water contains
a warning stating the bottle is
for single use only. Not only
are plastic bottles unhealthy for
the Earth, it is reportedly bad
for the human body. Chemicals
Don’t hide in your past to avoid relationships
By Michelle
LaSlavic
Staff writer
I was listening to one of my
friends the other day. As she
told me what she was going
through, the situation sounded
very familiar. She said, “I told
him that I don’t want a relation-
ship, but I think I really do want
one.”
She then quickly changed her
Depending on the FDA’s final
sold in the market. This decision
will most likely be upheld until
the FDA settles the issue.
A cloned animal is something
that, by definition, should be no
different than the animal used
to create it. Cloning technology,
however, is not perfect and many
attempts end in birth defects. I
used in the plastics are leaked
into the water that is consumed.
This is similar to why moth-
ers are encouraged to use glass
bottles instead of plastic when
formula feeding infants.
After further research, my
fears were confirmed: My trusty
sidekick Nalgene water bottle is
also suspect to leaking the chem-
ical Bisphenol-A into water.
While the dangers are not
evident enough to require leg-
islation from the FDA, studies
have contributed the presence
of varying plastic’s chemicals to
degradations of human health.
On an environmental note,
recently the price of gas spiked
to $3.29 per gallon.
Last year, 1.5 million barrels
mind and said that she was too
busy and didn’t have enough
time to commit. I told her I
didn’t believe that. When I asked
her what was really holding her
back, she referred to a past rela-
tionship that scared her to truly
put herself out there again.
To prevent herself from let-
ting anyone else in, she con-
vinced herself that she wasn’t
looking for anything more when
that was anything but the truth.
I’m won’t say I have never
OPINION
just exacerbate the situation.
In the future, this type of meat
cloned may not even have to be labeled
either be considered a form of
assisted reproduction, a prac-
tice that is unregulated or it may
require specific approval before
selling.
With the amount of chemicals
that are pumped into our blood
streams daily due to the genetic
engineering of our food, the
of oil were used to produce the
plastic used for bottled water.
It is reported that only 10 per-
cent of the bottles from water
are actually recycled.
This means land fills are fill-
ing up quicker and even more
oil is being used to produce a
product that takes around 1000
years to decompose.
Thus we are making an exclu-
sive natural resource all the
more expensive when plastics
that have already been manufac-
tured can easily be recycled.
Not only is oil being wasted
on the production of bottled
water, think of how it got to the
grocery store where you pur-
chased the 24-pack of water.
Fuel is used to transport it to
done this before, but what I
learned is that you can’t let the
past hold you back from letting
others into your life.
When we are scared of some-
thing, it isn’t uncommon to try
to avoid it. People will continue
a friendly relationship that has
all the characteristics of a real
one but they stay guarded and
claim it is nothing more. My
advice to anyone that may be
stuck in something like this is
to ask yourself what the rea-
Jan. 9, 2008
the Bad &
the Ugly
ing industry already a cesspool,
this new technology may only The Good
make our health worse. For more
information on this topic read Mother Nature made a
Upton Sinclair’s “The Jungle” New Year’s resolution to
or Eric Schlosser’s “Fast Food keep Erie thawed out.
Nation.”
Welcome to the Brave New Everyone is sporting their
World. new Christmas clothes.
The Bad
the store, plus energy is required
Someone got the new
to pump the water into the
basketball court confused
bottle and the production of
with the dumpster when
the bottle itself.
they threw a bag of trash
In an attempt to keep the
over the fence.
fuel in the gas tank rather than
edible products, you can start
Maintenance missed the
with kicking the bottled water
forecast- Briggs and Lewis
habit.
apartments are hotter than
Write a letter to the manufac-
the outdoor temperature.
turer of your favorite products
and tell them to change their
Batten down the hatches.
packaging.
Prepare for snow again by
The problem extends past
Friday evening.
plastic water bottles into many
products made of non-recycla-
ble plastics in our daily lives. The Ugly
Pretty soon we are all going
to be swimming in a giant sea of War at the Shore, the
non-recyclable yogurt and Rub- annual Mercyhurst vs.
bermaid containers. Gannon wrestling match
took place a few weeks
ago. In the past the athletic
department bought tickets
for students; this year they
sons really are. If you have been did not.
hurt or are scared of being hurt,
you’re hiding. Hannah Montana tickets
Everyone gets their heart are selling for over $1,500
broken at least once and if you on ebay.com. Parenting is
haven’t, I don’t think that you a cut-throat competition
are lucky. The bad relationships these days.
are what help us to appreciate
the good ones and hold onto
Please e-mail any suggetions to
them. Instead of trying to hide,
opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.
open up, and let people in.
The GB&U is a compilation of
You could get hurt again, but
student opinions.
that’s life and every relationship
is a learning experience.
 Jan. 9, 2008
Awareness of Ron Paul may inspire many to read up on him
towards or general disgust with
By Jerrod government, this article seeks to
Markle turn people on to a candidate
Staff writer who provides us with new hope
as a nation.
Don’t you wish you could Hopefully, an awareness of
support a presidential candidate Ron Paul will inspire many
who would stand up on Capitol people to read up on his posi-
Hill and say the federal govern- tions so that he will at least slip
ment wastes too much money, into consideration when decid-
taxes are too high, war should ing on who to vote for this
be a last resort and the free- season. A true conservative at
doms of Americans have dimin- heart, Ron Paul ran as a Liber-
ished rather than been protected tarian in 1988 and now is back
through the centuries? under the Republican ticket.
Empathizing with those who Political debates and election
struggle to keep up on politics talk have dominated all different
whether it be caused by apathy news stations, each laying out
Holiday appreciation for service members in the family
Traveling can be more time
By Bill consuming than the actual time
Swafford spent with the family. This holi-
Staff writer day season, my family noticed
something different: My stepfa-
This holiday season I traveled ther was absent from the holi-
to Ft. Hood, Texas, to see my day festivities.
sister who serves in the military He, like many other Ameri-
at the one of the largest military can men and women, is serving
bases in the United States. Holi- in one of America’s two combat
days always seem to be a time theaters. As we attended Christ-
that is frustrating due to family mas Eve service in the town of
Killen, Texas, there were over
members living everywhere but
close to Erie. 20 American flags displayed at
ROOMMATE WANTED
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Days: 899-7602 x 314
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OPINION
the candidates for the public to
see.
However, one important
candidate has not shared the
spotlight, recently being denied
an opportunity to debate on
Fox despite setting fundrais-
ing records during the course
of his campaign. This man, of
course, is Ron Paul, the leading
advocate for freedom in Amer-
ica. If you understand politics,
then you know how important
the Constitution is to our form
of government and Ron Paul is
a Constitutionalist and a strong
proponent of states rights.
Paul has never voted to raise
the door to represent those sol-
diers who were in harm’s way
this Christmas. The pews were
filled with families with absent
fathers. It was at that moment
that I acquired a far greater
appreciation for spending the
holidays with my family. We can
only think of the direct result of
war, which is the safety of our
country’s service members. We
often forget about the families
whose loved one deploys for
over a year and half at a time.
These once duel-parent house-
holds are now forced to learn to
live as single parents. The family
can only hope their loved ones
return home safely.
Their return can be even
tougher on the family due to
battlefield injuries. Service mem-
bers can return with Post Trau-
matic Stress Disorder, which
can be a constant reminder to
the family what their loved one
experienced thousands of miles
away defending the freedom of
others. Many of the men and
women who enter the combat
theaters in the Middle East will
return to the U.S. with miss-
ing limbs or some other severe
bodily injury.
Many Army physical thera-
taxes, adhering to Austrian
school economics and liber-
tarian criticism of fractional-
reserve banking.
He believes in a non-interven-
tionist foreign policy that gained
an overwhelming amount of
troop support. Civil liberties
concerns have led him to oppose
the Patriot Act, a national ID
card, federal government use of
torture, domestic surveillance,
presidential autonomy and
the draft. He also opposes the
oppressing force of the War on
Drugs. I am encouraging anyone
who is going to vote this year to
seriously consider Ron Paul or at
pists become overwhelmed with
the work of re-teaching type A
personality soldiers how to live
with a prosthesis. Soldiers who
return with injuries are often
upset that they have let down
their comrades by getting hurt.
The sacrifices of the Ameri-
can soldier and their families are
unreal. I am touched to find
that I live in a country so great
that we have men and women
who are so strong and coura-
geous. It is my belief that we can
be encouraged to strive harder
to be better Americans like
brave members of our Armed
Forces. We take for granted the
immense danger that these men
and women experience daily
overseas.
The next time you are faced
with bad day, just remember
the soldier who is shedding his
blood. He is the one who is
fighting for your rights to ensure
that our generation and the next
to come are safe and free.
Realizing this will lead a
person to appreciate the essen-
tial factors in life, your family,
health, religion and happiness.
Never forget the child who
might not meet his father, the
wife who will lose her husband
PAGE 17
least bring him up in discussion
for he deserves that respect. The
most helpful thing we can do is
take the responsibility to make
an educated and aware decision
when picking politicians. As
numerous people are itching for
revolution, vision, and freedom,
Ron Paul becomes their candi-
date. So spread the news and
educate yourself so you may
seek to envision a direction for
the nation.
And if you believe that, “Set-
ting a good example is a far
better way to spread ideals than
through force of arms,” remem-
ber that Ron Paul agrees.
or the mother who will lose her
son.
They too are American
heroes of whom we should
be cognizant. We can pray for
world peace however; in times
of conflict, we know why we are
so strong because of the Armed
Forces and their strong families.
merciad.
mercyhurst.edu
Access Mercyhurst
news 24/7.
Photos.
Blogs.
Classified ads.
Full articles ...
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click of a mouse.
 PAGE 18 OPINION Jan. 9, 2008

This I believe: The dignity of work is an expression of who we are

Mercyhurst’s Ethical Reflection Committee has initiated “This I Believe” to foster reflection within the entire college community on the values by which we live. We hope that these essays will inspire
further introspection, thoughtful discussion, and innovative ways of integrating holistically some of the ideas and values expressed here into our personal, academic, social, spiritual, professional and com-
munal life.
For example, faculty might introduce appropriate essays into class discussion; students might initiate conversations in class and beyond; administrators and staff might explore these with colleagues.
Responses may be directed to the Merciad at opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu or to committee chair, Rev. Lyta Seddig at lseddig@mercyhurst.edu.
Share how these thoughts have had an impact in your life!

Before becoming President in 2006, Dr. Gamble served the Mercyhurst community as Adjunct Faculty in Criminal Justice and Psychology (1985-1996); Full-time Faculty in Criminal Justice and Psy-
chology and Director of the Mercyhurst Civic Institute (1997-2005); and Vice President of Academic Affairs (2005-2006). Dr. Gamble’s favorite aspect of Mercyhurst: “the warm and congenial
hospitality, especially with respect to the nature and quality of the faculty-student relationship.”

By Dr. Thomas Gamble
Contributing writer
Nona was a mercurial woman
given to great warmth and ten-
derness as well as a volcanic
temper. She spoke English with
a heavy Italian accent. She was
as innocent as a dove and wily
as a snake. I adored her.
I remember being a toddler
and following Nona around
the house as she did her chores.
In particular, I remember her
baking bread and making home-
made pasta. I was always fas-
cinated watching her in these
activities and it wasn’t until much
later that I realized why. There
New year, new look
Readers of the Merciad have
seen many changes over the
past five months.
The largest of these changes
is the switch from broadsheet to
tabloid format.
This change was to curtail
to students’ needs and conve-
nience. The new look of the
Merciad includes a cover with
stunning photographs and
eye-catching headlines that are
newsworthy.
The “What’s inside” bar will
always run on the left side of
the paper, while the biggest
story affecting readers will run
below the nameplate.
Above the nameplate will run
a story that the editors believe is
most interesting to students.
The Merciad’s goal is to offer
was elegance in her movements
whether breaking eggs, knead-
ing the floured dough, cutting
the rolled macaroni.
Watching her made me feel a
sense of well-being and whole-
ness. Later, I understood that
this was because she gave her-
self over to her work so com-
pletely, body and mind. She
didn’t resent having to work
on whatever particular task
engaged her. Because she didn’t
resent her work she didn’t with-
draw her mind from it and as
a result her work was mindful
and graceful.
This was my first experien-
tial introduction to the ‘dignity
of work’ and ever since I have
readers the news of Mercyhurst
College. Our new look will pro-
vide readers with accurate and
timely information in a more
visual format.
We editors promise to con-
tinue our dedication to report-
ing the news, and remind all
readers, if you don’t want it
printed…don’t let it happen.
Joshua Wilwohl, Editor-in-Chief;
Casey Greene, Managing editor;
Amy Zielinski and Amanda
Valauri, News editors; Jen Gildea,
Features editor; Merissa Frank,
Opinion editor; Chris Davis and
Brittany Jackett, Sports editors;
Nicole Cerilli, Arts and Entertain-
ment editor; Scoot Williams, Pho-
tographer; Ashley Pastor, General
Assignment reporter.
been intrigued time and again by ation and the opportunity for manner of our engagement in
how this notion echoes down women and men to continue the the world; it connects our mind,
the hallways of human thought. act of creation. When I recollect body and spirit to the rest of
I catch a glimpse of it now and the smell of Nona’s fresh bread, creation.
again in interesting places: In the connection between the dig- I believe that the way we work
how a monk holds a bowl, an nity of work and the goodness – how we treat one another and
artist his brush, a dancer her of creation is immediately dis- how we treat the materials of
pose. closed. our work - is an expression of
In time I learned that the Work is not just something who we are, what we value and
Catholic notion of the dignity we do “at work”; it exists when- our mutual obligations to one
of work rests in part on the ever we transform the world we another, to our community and
notion of the goodness of cre- share with others. Work is the to the Creator.
Joshua Wilwohl Editor-in-Chief editormerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Casey Greene Managing Editor editormerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Amy Zielinski & Amanda Valauri
Jen Gildea
News Editors newsmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Features Editor featuremerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Merissa Frank Opinion Editor opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Chris Davis & Brittany Jackett Sports Editors sportsmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Nicole Cerilli A&E entertainmentmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Scoot Williams Photographer photomerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Tiffany Cook Production Editor prodmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Leslie Ruchala Advertising Manager admerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Noelle Lelakus Copy Editor copymerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Ashley Pastor General Assignment apasto22@mercyhurst.edu
Lenore Skomal Advisor lskomal@mercyhurst.edu
The Merciad is the student-produced newspaper of Mercyhurst College.
It is published throughout the school year, with the exception of finals
week. Our office is in Hirt, Room 120B.
Our telephone number is (814) 824-2376.
The Merciad welcomes letters to the editor. All letters must be signed
and names will be included with the letters. Although we will not edit the
letters for content, we reserve the right to trim letters to fit. Letters are
due the Thursday before publication and may not be longer than
300 words. Submit letters to box PH 485.
 Jan. 9, 2008
Club hockey defeats GMHL All-Stars
By Matt Ferris
Staff writer
A victory for the Mercyhurst
College club hockey team ended
the 2007 portion of its season
with a high note and has a lot of
momentum to carry with them
into the 2008 portion.
The club hockey team had
a triumphant victory over
the Greater Metro Junior ‘A’
(GMHL) All-Stars just prior to
Christmas break as they defeated
the All-Stars with a 2-1 victory.
Senior captain Matt Warren
scored first for the Lakers with a
pass from junior forward Walter
Ozanick.
“It is always nice to play all-
star teams from other leagues
because it is a good measuring
stick for us as a team,” said
Warren.
“It reveals to us, as a team,
what aspects of our game needs
work and we can then practice to
become better as a team and put
it into action in league play.”
Minutes later in the third
period the GMHL All-Stars
rebounded with a goal on net
minder Robert Kelly to tie up
the game between the two teams
at 1-1.
Ozanick’s shot would later
Intramurals in need of more school support
By Brittany Jackett
Sports editor
With only three weeks
remaining in the intramural bas-
ketball regular season, tensions
are heightened as play-offs draw
near. Not only are the players
anxious for their games every
Sunday, but also for changes to
be made to the intramural pro-
gram.
Over the past three years
there has been increased inter-
CLUB/INTRAMURAL SPORTS
successfully find the back of the
net, as his goal became the game
winner.
The goal came towards the
end of the third period.
“The game was so intense
and competitive that scoring
such a goal for our team felt
pretty good,” said Ozanick. “I
guess I was at the right place at
the right time.”
The Greater Metro Junior ‘A’
All-Stars are some of the best
players from the Greater Metro
Junior ‘A’ League based in the
Toronto area.
The All-Star team comprises
some 16 teams from the league.
Players in this junior league
range from 16-20 years of age.
This exhibition game was
unique as a majority of the
players for the Toronto team
were younger than Mercyhurst
players.
The Lakers now stand with
an overall record of 8-6-4, and
4-3-1 within their league. As the
team now heads into the second
half of their season, they will
face a majority of their games
on the road.
This was the first of two
meetings between the teams.
The Lakers will play the All-
Stars again on Wednesday,
January 30th.
est in the intramural sports
offered each season. Earlier
this year, students competed in
both intramural ultimate frisbee
as well as the extremely popular
flag football. In total there were
over 150 students who partici-
pated in the weekly events on
Tullio Field.
Currently, there are 18 teams
competing in the basketball
season, yet despite its popular-
ity there seems to be a lack of
acknowledgement by the school
-financially in particular- to sup-
Senior captain Matt Warren (26) and teammates celebrate a
goal during a game earlier this season.
Both teams had a chance
to experiment with their
goaltenders, rotating each of
their goalies every period.
This weekend the Lakers,will
take on Rutgers University,
Friday and Saturday at the
Mercyhurst Ice Center, both
games starting at 1 p.m.
During Saturday’s game
port the program.
Senior Nick Giallourakis
expressed his pleasure in get-
ting the opportunity to compete
in the programs, but he also
expressed his disgust regarding
the lack of money put into the
program.
“We never seemed to have
enough flags for football and
now for basketball we can’t even
use the real scoreboard,” said
Giallourakis. “When the score’s
close at the end of a game we
don’t even know it because the
PAGE 19
I Standings
N
1 Schmidt (3-0)
T
R 1 Kampman (3-0)
A 1 Giallourakis (3-0)
M
4 Stokes (2-1)
U
4 Coaches (2-1)
R
A 6 Hubert (1-2)
L 6 Johnson (1-2)
6 Flanagan (1-2)
B
6 Blackburn (1-2)
A
S 10 Patcher (0-3)
K 10 Weirtel (0-3)
E
10 Elliott (0-3)
T
10 Dilley (0-3)
B
A 10 Denman (0-3)
L 10 Finn (0-3)
L
Contributing photo
the team will be honoring Intramural Sports
its seniors, along with their
accomplishments over the
years.
The Lakers will also have a
third home contest this weekend I
on Sunday, playing against
Scores
N
Duquesne University, the start
time for this game is scheduled
T Schmidt defeated
for 3 p.m. at the Ice Center. R Patcher: 46-30
A Kampman defeated
M Hubert: 61-53
U
R
A
M. Johnson defeated
Weirtel: Forfeit
Giallourakis defeated
score’s kept as tallies on a piece L
Elliott: 57-17
of paper.”
Although the intramural Flanagan defeated
B Dilley: 49-29
sports program is on the bottom
of the food chain in regards to
A
A. Brown defeated
college athletics, it does not S Stokes: Forfeit
mean it should be ignored. K
Gaertne defeated
On the bright side, the stu- E Blackburn: 32-24
dents continue to play and for T
Coaches defeated
the most part enjoy it. B Denman: 42-36
Senior Matt Kampman stated, A
“Just because it’s only intramu- L D. Johnson defeated
rals doesn’t mean we don’t go Finn: 49-33
L
out on the court every game
ready to play hard.”
 PAGE 20
Sabres defeat Penguins in Winter Classic
By Allie Miniri
Staff writer
A NHL record-breaking
crowd of 71, 217 hard-core
hockey fans gathered at Ralph
Wilson Stadium in Buffalo, NY
for the first outdoor NHL game
in the U.S. on Jan. 1.
The rink was constructed in
just a week, by NHL ice guru,
Dan Craig.
“The game was amazing,” said
sophomore Chris Ulrich. “The
amount of people that came out
from all over the country was
just unbelievable.”
The idea of the game was to
take hockey back to its roots
– playing outdoors on a pond
or frozen driveway. Both teams
wore throwback uniforms, the
Sabres in white, royal blue, and
gold (worn during the 1995-
96 seasons) and the Penguins
in light blue and black (worn
during the 1970s).
Pittsburgh scored 21 seconds
into the game with a goal from
Colby Armstrong assisted by
Sidney Crosby.
At that point Buffalo fans
Ohio State-Louisiana State concludes disappointing bowl season
By Kyle Craig
Staff writer
Once again the Bowl Cham-
pionship Series promised to go
out with a bang and ended in a
flop. In a season full of upsets
and position lobbying, the BCS
looked as though the bowl
season was going to be just as
exciting.
Unfortunately for the NCAA,
the most exciting games of the
year came when Division II
Northwest Missouri was upset
by Valdosta State in the cham-
pionship game, a week after
Northwest Missouri routed No.
Pittsburgh Penguins Sidney Crosby looks to score the game-winning goal during the first
ever outdoor NHL game, which has become known as the “Winter Classic.”
were shocked and wondered
if their beloved Sabres could
recover, and we found out the
second period that we could.
1 Grand Valley State.
While everyone can make
their own plea as to why the
BCS needs a playoff system, it
is important to look at the posi-
tives. Two of the biggest sto-
ries of the season came out of
Michigan and West Virginia. In
Lloyd Carr’s final game as coach
of Michigan, his team domi-
nated a powerful Florida team,
which was his first bowl win in
four years. Michigan put up a
41-35 win.
“We could not ask for any-
thing else,” said Michigan run-
ning back Mike Hart according
to the Associated Press. “We
were all happy for him...We
SPORTS
Brian Campbell, assisted by Tim
Connolly, got one past Pen-
guins goalie Conklin early in the
second to tie the game 1-1.
knew it was his last game.”
Just weeks prior to their
scheduled meeting against
Oklahoma, West Virginia coach
Rich Rodriguez abandoned his
team to take over at Michigan.
Interim coach Bill Stewart was
up to the challenge as he led his
Mountaineers to a 48-28 routing
over Oklahoma.
“He deserves it,” said West
Virginia quarterback Patrick
White in the AP. “You couldn’t
ask for a better man to lead us.”
Other key bowl games saw
Penn State uproot Texas A&M
24-17 in the Valero Alamo Bowl.
In the south, No. 19 Texas upset
No. 11 Arizona St. in the Holi-
Contributing photo
The Sabres outshot the Pens
14-2 in the Second period.
In conferences, a lot of play-
ers said the most difficult part
day Bowl. No. 24 Boise State
was upset by unranked ECU
41-38.
The Rose Bowl also ended
in a complete blow out of USC
over Illinois 49-17, and Geor-
gia’s total domination of unde-
feated Hawaii 41-10.
Once again it seems that
the BCS was bought out by
big name advertisers to ensure
“tradition” as seen with the
Rose Bowl pitting the PAC-10’s
best vs. the Big Ten’s best, well,
second-best team.
The BCS tried to provide its
fans with an exciting National
Championship game but it
ended in what seemed like déjà
Jan. 9, 2008
was getting used to the ice, which
they did by the first period.
Also, the high accumulation
of snow made skating and stick-
0handling difficult.
Sabres’ Ales Kotalik scored
on Ty Conklin making the score
of the shootout 1-0, while the
next shooter for the Penguins,
Erik Christensen lost control
and missed the shot.
Up next, Tim Connolly of
Buffalo missed his shot while
Kris Letang made his, making
the score tied at 1-1. Two shots
left and no one knew who would
win this nail-biter. Last to shoot,
Maxim Afinogenov was shut
out by Conklin while Sidney
Crosby faked before putting his
shot between Miller’s pads to
win the game.
It could not have been any
better for hockey fans every-
where. It was a great game
for anyone who attended or
watched, no matter who won.
Many players loved it and
would play again outdoors.
Ulrich said he would “be more
than happy to stick out the sub-
zero weather for another Winter
Classic anytime.”
vu for Ohio State fans. The
Buckeyes put up a grand fight
and seemed as though they were
going to dominate the Tigers,
but once again, Ohio State
became too comfortable with
a 10-0 lead and let it slip away
because of careless mistakes
and bad tackling. In the end
LSU became the first two-loss
team in Division IA history to
win a national title.
Fans can only hope that their
teams are able to make a run at
the BCS title next year for every
team is undefeated once again.
All they can hope for is the
computers to show a little sym-
pathy their way.
 Jan. 9, 2008
Wrestling falls to DI teams
By Kirk Campbell
Staff writer
After a stunning loss
to Gannon at the “War at
the Shore” on Dec. 14 the
Mercyhurst wrestling team
bounced back by dominating
Mercyhurst Northeast 38-6 and
Seton Hill 34-9 in Greensburg
Pa. on Dec. 20.
However, after the New Year
the Lakers dropped two highly
contested matches against
Division I opponents at the
Buffalo Duals on Saturday,
Cleveland State 19-17 and
Buffalo 24-6.
“After losing our last two
matches we have to show we are
ready to compete and fight hard
in the rest of our matches,”
said senior heavyweight Kenny
Bluska.
Mercyhurst now 3-6, got off
to a fast start against Mercyhurst
Northeast by eight of the ten
matches. Braxdon Scaletta at
141, Brian Pogel at 149, senior
Hudson Harrison at 174 and
Nathan Sharp at Heavyweight
recorded pins for the Lakers
in rout to their 38-6 win. The
Lakers also got wins from Payne
Lint at 125, Andy Lamancusa at
157, Jeremiah Hill at 165 and
Bryan Wolff at 184.
Even though the Lakers
allowed nine points against
Seton Hill they only lost one
contested matched because six
points came from a forfeit at
197.
Mercyhurst built a 20-0 lead as
Lint defeated Kenny Trumbetta
3-2 at 125, Lance Pitcel won
13-9 over Dallas Evans at 133,
Scaletta technical falled Buck
Watkins at 141, Pogel defeated
Josh Voelker 18-6 at 149, and
Lamancusa won 17-2 at 157
over Bill Landefeld. Harrison,
Wolff and Sharp capped off the
scoring for the Lakers at 174,
184 and heavyweight.
After recording back to back
victories Mercyhurst suffered
back to back losses against
Division I opponents at the
Buffalo Duals to Cleveland
State and Buffalo.
Mercyhurst gave Cleveland
State a tough match leading 17-
16 heading into the heavyweight
bout; however a 6-4 victory
for the Vikings Eric Schwatz
ruined the upset minded Lakers
quest for a victory. After falling
to Cleveland State the Lakers
only managed to win two bouts
against Buffalo and lost 24-6.
Shields extended his winning
streak to seven as he was
the only Laker to win both
matches at the Buffalo Duals.
Against Cleveland State, Shields
only needed 1:10 to record a
fall against J.T. Miller at 174
pounds.
After the victory by Shields
Mercyhurst made a late charge
as Wolff earned a technical fall
22-4 over Derek Cummins at
184, Trevor Gallo followed with
an 11-4 win at 197 over Alex
Hughes, which gave the Lakers
a one point advantage heading
into the final bout. Lint recorded
the other victory for Mercyhurst
at 125.
Harrison joined Shields as
the other Laker to record a win
against Buffalo by defeating
Scott Rendos 7-2. Shields’
victory came against Mike
Ragusa, 6-2 at 174 pounds.
“By wrestling multiple
Division I opponents we had to
raise our level of intensity and
learn how to defend different
styles to help prepare use for
the remainder of the season,”
said Bluska.
Mercyhurst travels to Cedar
Falls, Iowa to participate in
the NWCA National Duals on
Saturday and Sunday.
“From the beginning of the
season our goal is to place in
the top eight, and we will not be
satisfied with our performance
unless we accomplish this goal,”
said Bluska.
SPORTS PAGE 21
Volleyball looking to improve
By Samantha Sellinger
Staff writer
With the start of a new
year comes a fresh start for
the Mercyhurst College men’s
volleyball team, whose season
volleyed into action last night.
The team knows they have
a challenging season ahead,
so have been working hard at
practice.
The team is young with no
seniors and is being led by
captains, David Hatten and
Tim Wagner, both of whom are
juniors.
They hope to show their
opponents that they are no
longer amateurs but fierce
competitors ready for victory.
Last season was disappointing
from a wins and losses standpoint
(2-23), but as a young team, they
made improvement throughout
the year.
As they gain experience their
game continues to improve
both technically and tactically:
aspects that they need to excel at
in order to compete against such
large, historic volleyball schools
Scoot Williams photo
as Niagara and Ohio State. Junior David Hatten sets a ball for a fellow teammate in the
“To make the steps we want Mercyhurst match against Niagara Tuesday evening.
to make, we have to be nasty,
competitive athletes rather than more important. sixth leading assister in the
players of a game,” said head “Obviously there’s an conference, Wagner was the
coach Ryan Patton. individual component for great seventh in kills, and Newman
But all of the training in the things to happen…but the team was seventh in blocks and
world will not help if the team is stuff is way more pressing for eleventh in attack percentage.
not in the right frame of mind. us,” said Patten. The guys hope more fans will
“If the team affects change Fortunately, the guys are up to come out and support them at
instead of sitting back and the challenge and ready to play. home games; a little spirit would
waiting for change, we will “I’m really excited,” said give them a little push to play
meet our expectations,” said sophomore Ian Michalski. “This their absolute best.
Coach Patton. year’s going to be really good,” The men had an exhibition
Their position in their The Lakers were picked to match Tuesday at 7 p.m. against
conference is that of an finish seventh in the Midwestern Niagra University at Mercyhurst,
underdog, and they will be Intercollegiate Volleyball which provided a glimpse into
facing All-American candidates Association preseason coaches’ the team’s upcoming season.
at every match, so the guys poll, and with good players such The team will open their
will really have to perform as a as Hatten, Wagner, and junior 2008 season with their first
team. Dave Newman leading the team, conference game scheduled
They would like to see they are expected to be more of for Friday against New
individual members excel, but a threat than in the past. York University at 7 p.m. in
in their position the team is Last season Hatten was the the MAC.
 PAGE 22 SPORTS
Laker Sports ‘Quick Hits’
Hockey’s win streak stopped by No. 20 MTU
Last week’s results...
By Chris Davis
Men’s ice hockey……………………......…………............Jan. 4, L 3-2, Michigan Tech Sports editor
Jan. 5, L 5-1, Michigan Tech
Women’s basketball………………..……………….................Jan. 5, L 85-68, Gannon
Men’s basketball………………………………………................Jan. 5, L 66-57, Gannon The Mercyhurst College
Men’s Volleyball………………………………................................Jan.8, L 3-2, Niagara men’s hockey team ran into the
Wrestling………………………………...............……….Jan.5, L 19-17, Cleveland State New Year with three straight
Jan. 5, L 24-6, Buffalo
wins, playing some of their best
Smith/Achesinski athletes of the week hockey of the season.
The problem was that they
Senior Terry Smith and freshman Amy Achesinski have been named athletes ran into an even hotter Michi-
of the week. Smith averaged 17.0 points on 51 percent shooting including 55
gan Tech University squad
percent three-point shooting, along with four rebounds and 3.3 steals during
his past three games. Achesinski averaged 16.3 points while shooting 77 ranked No. 20 in the nation.
percent from the field as the Lakers went 3-1 in four games. Achesinski has The Huskies used their
scored in the double digits in every game this season. momentum of coming off a
win against No. 1 Michigan
Women’s basketball team of the week
State University last week to
Women’s basketball team went 3-1 over Christmas Break, including three defeat the Lakers 3-2 Friday and
straight wins in defeating West Virginia Wesleyan, New York Institute of Tech- 5-1 on Saturday at the MAC.
nology, and Lock Haven, before losing to rival Gannon on Saturday. The Huskies improved their
record to 9-9-2 on the season,
Agosta helps Team Canada win gold
while the Lakers have dropped
Sophomore Meghan Agosta was named as the top forward as Canada’s to 5-13-2.
National Women’s Under-22 team won gold at the European Air Canada Cup “I thought one of the biggest
on Sunday, as Canada topped Finland 7-5 in the championship game. Agosta
differences was that they were
led the tournament in scoring with 12 points (five goals, seven assists) during
the four games, which helped her to earn a spot on the tournament all-star just a little stronger on their
team. sticks,” said head coach Rick
Gotkin. “We knew how hard
Women’s hockey climbs to No. 4 in USCHO.com poll they would play.”
“I thought we competed very
Women’s hockey has moved up a spot to No. 4 in the first poll of 2008. The
Lakers’ have been idle since Dec. 16 have a record of 14-4-2 overall and will well, I just wish we would’ve
travel to Providence College this weekend. got the win [in Friday’s game],”
he said.
Hill Named Football Gazette All-Northwest Region On Friday with just less than
Mercyhurst senior tight end Brandon Hill was named 2007 second team four minutes left in the first
All-Northwest Region by Don Hansen’s Football Gazette. Hill had an impres- period, Michigan Tech’s senior
sive senior season, as he was named the team’s most valuable player as he Tyler Shelast put in a goal off
helped contribute to the team as they set a school record with 353 points, an
a rebounded shot from senior
average of 32.1 per game.
Peter Rouleau to give the Hus-
Marchetti will be inducted into Providence hall of fame kies and early 1-0 lead.
The Lakers would answer
Men’s golf coach and manager of the Mercyhurst Ice Center, John Marchetti, back shortly, as senior Ben
will be inducted into the Providence College Hall of Fame on Feb. 16. Mar-
Cottreau stole a pass and
chetti went 262-69-15, as the head coach of the women’s hockey team at
Providence from 1980 to 1994. He is the all-time winningest coach in the took it down to Mercyhurst’s
history of NCAA Division I women’s hockey and including his four years as offensive end. Several seconds
head coach at Yale, he has a record of 292-173-26. later, the Lakers would swing
the puck back around to Cot-
Schonhoff, Perry and Sekulski Named First Team All-America
treau who ripped in a shot to
Mercyhurst men’s water polo team had three athletes earn Association of tie the game 1-1. The assist
Collegiate Water Polo Coaches Division II All-America First Team honors and came from freshman Brandon
it is the first time that more than one Laker was named to the team in the
Coccimiglio.
same season. Senior Andrew Schonhoff, junior Alex Perry and freshman
Andy Sekulski each earned first team All-American recognition. This carried the two squads
to 1-1 tie after the end of one
Wrestling No. 4 in East Region poll period. The Lakers took com-
mand on face-offs at the end
The wrestling team remained No. 4 in the latest East Region poll, but individ-
of the first period, 14-11,
ually, junior Brian Pogel moved to No. 1 at 149 pounds. Red-shirt freshman
Josh Shields and junior Trevor Gallo jumped to No. 2 in the rankings. despite being out shot 14-9 at
the break.
Senior Ben Cottreau
Just over a minute into the
second period Michigan Tech
would go on its first power-play
of the game on an interference
penalty by Coccimiglio.
Mercyhurst would then kill
its second straight penalty after
senior Jamie Coghlan picked up
a slashing penalty soon after the
first penalty expired.
The Huskies would soon
find a scoring opportunity on
the third Laker penalty during
the period.
The Lakers would then go
on a power-play again at the
11:32 mark and score just over
a minute later.
Sophomore Cody Collins
found the back of the net on
a ripper from the blue line,
which would be scored with
10:06 left.
It would stay tied until the
Huskies’ Deron Cousens
attempted a shot and Alex
Gagne gathered the rebound
off of the save and put it in
with 6:15 left in the second
period, which turned out to be
the game-winner. Cousens was
credited with the assist.
Michigan Tech would get
another big opportunity with
3:06 left when they went on a
two-man power-play in a effort
to double its lead, but were
unable to capitalize on any of
its shots as Mercyhurst came up
with some big stops.
Even though the Lakers were
outscored 2-1 and out shot 18-
4 on shots on goal during the
second period, they still only
trailed by one goal heading into
Jan. 9, 2008
the final intermission.
Junior goaltender Matt
Lundin was superlative making
16 saves during the second
period after a solid first period
effort in which he made
13 stops.
Lundin did everything he
could to keep Mercyhurst in
the game as he finished with
35 saves.
Mercyhurst went on the
power-play but could not
score keeping it a one goal
Huskies lead.
With 2:37 left in the game
the Lakers went on another
power-play and got another
scoring opportunity with the
man advantage.
Mercyhurst would call a time-
out with 1:54 left in the game
and 1:17 remaining on the pen-
alty but could not tie the game,
even though they had several
opportunities.
“I like where our team has
been,” said Gotkin. “We played
very well and I liked the things
that we did. We are clearly get-
ting better in a lot of areas.”
The Lakers then fell the next
day as Michigan Tech closed
out the game with four unan-
swered goals in giving them a
four-goal victory.
The bright sign for Mercy-
hurst came in the first period
where they came back from a
1-0 deficit to tie the game. Cot-
treau finished with the goal,
which extended his scoring
streak to five games.
“I think are guys have a lot of
confidence in each other,” said
Gotkin. “Our record doesn’t
support us. The fact that we
only have four seniors, three
now without Ryan [Toomey],
shows that this team is making
positive steps of where we
want it to be.”
“We have to continue to use
our learning experience as we
head into Army,” Gotkin said.
The Lakers will look to get
back in the win column, as they
host Army this weekend.
Jan. 9, 2008 SPORTS PAGE 23

Women’s b-ball ends their win streak

By Rhonda Marable
Staff writer
After a successful winter
break, the Mercyhurst women’s
basketball team came out for a
cross-town showdown against
its rival Gannon University in
the Mercyhurst Athletic Center.
The Lakers led a strong
charge against cross-town rival
Gannon but could not hold on
for a win in the 85-68 loss on
Saturday.
The loss ended the three-
game winning streak that the
women had built over the break
with victories over New York
Institute of Technology (77-57)
and Lock Haven University (89-
78).
Over 950 fans came out for
the game on Saturday and in true
team fashion, the Mercyhurst
women came out strong sinking
multiple three-pointers from
freshman Samantha Loadman
and juniors Stephanie Prischak
and Stevie Spetosky.
Freshman forward Amy
Achesinski led the charge, but
the early lead ended at the 11
minute mark with a steal and
jumper by the Golden Knights
who took the lead and never
looked back.
Achesinski led the Lakers at
the half with 12 points followed
by Loadman with 10.
Loadman tried for a last
second three-point attempt
to cut the deficit but missed,
ending the half 31-40 trailing.
In the second half, the
Knights pulled out ahead to an
early 16 point lead.
Gannon was led by Christina
Freeman’s 25 points and six
rebounds.
The Lakers gave up 12
turnover points in the second
half and Gannon’s bench
managed 22 points to the
Lakers’ six.
The Knights also dominated
inside the paint posting 40
points versus the Lakers 28.
Achesinski ended the
game with 25 points, with
Loadman following with 13 and
sophomore guard Paris Pugliese
contributing 10.
Overall, the difference in the
game came from turnovers.
“We really just need to work
on consistency,” said Spetosky.
“We came out strong like we
always do but we still need to
work on holding on,” she said.
The Golden Knights
capitalized on the Lakers 17
turnovers for 28 points total.
“For this game we really
needed to step up defense,”
said Spetosky.
Since the victory over West
Virginia Wesleyan in December,
the women had enjoyed a three-
game winning streak.
Against NYIT the women
made a season-high 12 three-
pointers in their 20 point win
over the Bears.
Against Lock Haven, the
Lakers took a huge lead early
ending the first half 43-28.
In the second half the Eagles
outscored the Lakers 50-46 but
did not have enough steam to
come out on top.
The 89-78 win over Lock
Haven gave Mercyhurst a 3-1
record over Pennsylvania State
Athletic Conference schools for
this year.
The Lakers, who are now
5-9 for the season and 0-4 in
conference look to earn their
first conference win against
Ashland in the MAC on
Thursday night at 6 p.m.
Mercyhurst will host
Scoot Williams photo
Findlay University on Saturday Sophomore Paris Pugliese goes for a lay-up in Saturday’s
beginning at 1 p.m. 85-68 loss against Gannon in the MAC.

Men’s basketball struggles against rival Gannon

By Christine Mersch
Staff writer
Cross town rival Gannon
University invaded the
Mercyhurst Athletic Center
Saturday night for the much
anticipated match-up against
Mercyhurst College.
Through the entire first half,
it seemed as if the Mercyhurst
men’s basketball team was going
to defeat Gannon for the third
straight time.
However, Mercyhurst was
unable to carry that momentum
into the second period and the
Lakers dropped a 66-57 decision
to the Knights.
Mercyhurst’s (7-7, 1-3 GLIAC)
offense and defense set the tone
early, knocking down 14-of-
31 from the field and forcing
Gannon (12-1, 4-0 GLIAC) into
10 first-half turnovers.
Senior T.J. Mathis recorded
four steals in the opening four
minutes.
The Lakers converted
those steals into 15 points and
stretched the lead to 11, 33-22,
with less then three minutes
remaining in the half. Gannon
managed an 8-1 run in the final
two minutes and were within
four points at the end of period.
The Lakers headed into the
locker room at the half leading
30-34.
From the beginning of
the second half, Mercyhurst
struggled from the offensive
end, shooting 9-of-23 from
the field. Yet for the first few
minutes of the half, they were
able to hold the lead.
With 13 minutes remaining,
Gannon got a tip-in and took
the lead for the first time in the
contest 46-45. From there the
Knights stretched the lead to
56-45.
It was at this time the Lakers
scored their first basket in six
minutes thanks to a lay-up by
Srdjan Popovic. However, his
shot was unable to fuel any
Laker offense and Gannon
walked away with the victory.
“Second shots killed us,” said
senior guard T.J. Mathis. “Coach
Manchel preached to us to hold
them to one shot and at times
we did, but the times we didn’t,
they got rebounds and put
backs or fouls. Those buckets
added up.”
Mercyhurst had won three
out of the last four games
against Gannon before Saturday.
According to head coach Gary
Manchel, “They were just
better.”
Smith led the Lakers with 12
points. Mathis finished with 11
and five steals and Junior Brian
McTear added 11 points and
four assists.
Mercyhurst will look to get
back on the winning track this
week when Ashland University
and Findlay University, two
GLIAC opponents, make their
way to Erie.
PAGE 24 SPORTS Jan. 9, 2008

Laker sports

Basketball loses
to rival Gannon
>> Page 23
Scoot Williams photo