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With graduation less than three weeks away, a bishop protesting attendance, Sen.
Hillary Clinton’s visit, and two political policy groups in session, Mercyhurst President
Dr. Thomas Gamble discusses the direction of the school as a Catholic college. NEWS 10
PAGE 2
Spring Fest hits
’Hurst on Saturday
By Liz Maier
Staff writer
Mercyhurst College students
are “hanging by a moment” for
Spring Fest.
Co-sponsored by Mercyhurst
Student Government (MSG) and
Student Activities Council (SAC),
Spring Fest is a day filled with
activities, inflatable games, food
and an evening concert.
Beginning at 2 p.m. on Satur-
day, May 3 Spring Fest kicks-off
with a variety of inflatable games
such as the Wrecking Ball, Rapid
Fire, Obstacle Challenge, Human
Bowling, Velcro Wall and Big
Wave Mechanical Surfboard.
After working up an appetite
on the inflatable games, stu-
dents can feast on hamburgers,
hot dogs, pasta salad, ice cream
sandwiches and more between 4
p.m. and 6 p.m.
Spring Fest will conclude with
a performance by opening act, I
Nine, and headliner band, Life-
house. The 8 p.m. performances
will be held in the Mercyhurst
Athletic Center (MAC) and doors
will open at 7:30 p.m.
Lifehouse was chosen because
they are a popular mainstream
band who appeals to many stu-
dents who like alternative music,
said SAC Chair, senior Kelly
Confrancisco.
“I have always been a fan of
Lifehouse and I am shocked we
got such a mainstream band to
come to Mercyhurst,” sopho-
more Danielle Ohman said.
“I also have heard a lot of
good reviews about the group
I Nine.”
Cofrancisco said SAC placed
a bid for Lifehouse after work-
ing with an agent who helps the
organization book bands.
“The band is approved through
a division of Student Life on
campus, Darcey Kemp and the
Vice Presidents of Student Life,
Laura Zirkle and Gerry Tobin,”
said Cofrancisco.
Free tickets to the concert
can only be picked up on April
28 through May 2 from 11 a.m.
to 6 p.m. in the Herrmann
Student Union. Tickets will not
be provided on the day of the
concert.
Cofrancisco said no tickets
will be given without proof of a
Mercyhurst student ID.
Last year Mercyhurst hosted
country singer, Chris Cagle, at
the Spring Fest concert.
NEWS April 30, 2008
primetimeinteractive.com
Students can take turns making their way through an
inflatable obstacle course.
Around 500 people partici-
pated in the day’s activities while
900 people attended Cagle’s
concert, Cofrancisco said.
“Over 1,000 people are
expected to attend this year’s
concert and most likely over 500
(people) for the day activities,”
she said.
In the occurrence of rain, all
outside activities will be moved
to the MAC. bouncybounce.com
Sophomores Pete Swauger The inflatable wave will bring the coast to Mercyhurst
and Cory Haywiser said they are College this Saturday.
excited about Spring Fest.
“I am looking forward to
eating free food and seeing
Lifehouse in concert,” Swauger
said.
Haywiser said, “I had a good
time last year so I’m looking for-
ward to it again this year.”
In the future, both students
said they would like to see more
mainstream bands like Lifehouse
come to Spring Fest.
“I’d like to see Three 6 Mafia
or Lil’ Wyte come to Mercy-
hurst,” said Haywiser.
Swauger disagreed saying he’d
like to see more alternative or
country musical acts.
“I’d really like to see Tim primetimeinteractive.com
McGraw or Dave Matthews,” Students can battle their friends in the inflatable Wrecking
Swauger said. Ball at Spring Fest on Saturday.
April 30, 2008
Triple housing options
By Tim Hucko
Staff writer
Mercyhurst College is
offering students triple apart-
ments for the 2008-2009 school
year.
After two years of cramped
living quarters, Residence Life
will be allotting approximately
50 triple apar tments scat-
tered across the Briggs and
L e w i s Av e n u e h o u s i n g
complexes.
Director of Residence Life
and Student conduct Laura
Zirkle says she is very excited
to once again offer this housing
option to students.
In years past, there have been
as many as 100 triple apartments
offered to students or as few as
none.
“This is all dependent on the
Event helps seniors give
’Hurst a ‘formal’ goodbye
By Emily Grabowski
Staff writer
T he Mercyhurst College
Walker School of Business
helped some seniors bring
their final year to a “formal”
end.
Senior business, commu-
nications and Hotel, Restau-
rant and Institutional Manage-
ment (HRIM) students were
invited to an evening of dinner,
dancing and friends, to wrap
up their final year at the Walker
School of Business Senior
Formal.
The senior business formal
was held on Saturday, April 26,
from 6:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
at the Kahkwa Country Club
in Erie.
size of the freshman class, pri-
marily, then we factor in sopho-
mores and juniors,” Zirkle said.
The last few years have marked
the tail end of the largest fresh-
man classes to ever attend to
Mercyhurst College, which has
caused a pinch in housing accom-
modations.
Students like sophomore
Michelle Thomas find it very
convenient having the flexibil-
ity to live with two roommates
instead of three.
“When you have two really
close friends that you want to
live with next year, it eliminates
the problems and awkwardness
of having to find a fourth room-
mate,” Thomas said.
The sign-up process is the
same for triple apartments as it
is regular four person apartments
and are available to sophomores,
juniors and seniors.
Around 200 guests attended
the event, including students,
professors and alumni.
T he evening’s activities
included a three-course meal,
prizes and a DJ.
A committee of volunteers
from the Walker School of
Business organized this year’s
event.
Seniors Christine Mersch and
Katie Waldin were co-chairs of
the event’s committee.
The Walker School of Busi-
ness helped with the expenses
for the formal, but the majority
of event’s funds came from
ticket sales.
Many of those in attendance
said they were pleased with the
evening.
“Everyone seemed to have a
really good time and the event
NEWS
In previous years, ResLife has
tried a few different strategies
as how to best arrange triples
around campus.
“Some years we have had
entire buildings of triples, others
we have just randomly selected
apartments up and down Briggs
and Lewis. This year we are offer-
ing more triples in some of the
less popular buildings to offer
incentive for students to sign
up for them,” said Zirkle. “We
try to accommodate students
in any way we can to provide a
comfortable living environment,
and hope to continue this option
in the future.”
For students still interested,
housing signups are Wednesday,
April 30, at 4:00 p.m. in 312 Old
Main.
For more information, contact
the Residence Life office at (814)
824-2422.
was really nice,” Waldin said. “I
think it was a great success. It
was the perfect way for seniors
to come together before gradu-
ation and celebrate their success
with friends and those they have
had class with over the past four
years.”
Senior Meghan Cleary said
she was equally pleased.
“I was on the committee so I
saw first-hand how much hard
work and effort went into plan-
ning this event,” she said.
“Christine and Katie did an
excellent job. I thought it went
really well.”
“It was amazing” senior Don
Smith said.
“T he DJ was g reat and
the food was delicious. The
entire event was a very magical
evening.”
The Empty Bowls event on Saturday, April 26, raised money
for the Second Harvest Food Bank in Erie.
’Hurst students
fill ‘Empty Bowls’
By Tim Hucko
Staff writer
Mercyhurst College students
raised money using nothing but
empty bowls.
The Empty Bowls project
allows participants to purchase
tickets to the event.
Those with a ticket receive
a ceramic bowl that was hand-
thrown by a Mercyhurst College
student or a Mercyhurst Prepara-
tory High School student.
Participants are then served a
meal of soup and bread.
Guests choose a bowl to
use that day and to keep as a
reminder that there are always
“empty bowls” in the world.
In 1990 a high school art
teacher in Michigan helped his
students find a way to raise funds
to support a food drive.
What evolved was a class proj-
ect to make ceramic bowls for a
fundraising event.
Guests were served a simple
meal of soup and bread and
were invited to keep the bowl
as a reminder of hunger in the
world.
By the following year the
originators had developed this
concept into Empty Bowls,
a project to provide support
for food banks, soup kitchens
and other organizations that
PAGE 3
emptybowls.net
fight hunger.
Empty Bowls came to Mercy-
hurst College through the social
work department in 2005, rais-
ing awareness throughout the
Erie area.
After taking a year off in 2006,
the department decided to try a
second time to raise funds and
support the initiative.
In 2007, Empty Bowls raised
more than $11,000 for the
Second Harvest Food Bank of
Erie to help fund and support
their mission of providing to the
less fortunate.
Although the final amount
raised from this year’s event has
not been tallied, it is assumed that
they surpassed last year’s total.
The event on Saturday, April
26 was another success for the
Food Bank.
Junior Erik Penn was pleased
with the turnout and hopes to
see more students involved in
the coming years.
Senior Allison McCaslin said
she strongly supports the event
because “it is a really good cause
for the community to help out
those in need across Erie, let
alone the additional food banks
and soup kitchens that benefit
from our donations.”
Empty Bowls events are held
throughout the world, and mil-
lions of dollars have been raised
to combat hunger.
PAGE 4
Senior gift update: $11,700 to reach total
By Liz Maier
Staff writer
Leaving it’s legacy one lounge
at a time, the senior class is
excited to give the biggest gift in
Mercyhurst College history.
All year long students and
parents have been donating to
the senior gift fund, a 24-hour
student lounge, soon to be
constructed in the Hammermill
Library.
Member of the senior gift
committee, Ashley Gabriel,
said, “As of April 27, 2008, we
have raised $23,328.18 from
donations made by students and
Pulitzer Prize-winning author speaks at ’Hurst
By Emily Grabowski
Staff writer
Mercyhurst College prides
itself on its academic diversity.
The campus frequently has
guest speakers talking to stu-
dents and the general public on
all topics.
Last month, Bill Rancic spoke
to guests about business and
entrepreneurship.
On Thursday, May 1, Pulitzer
Prize-winning historian Walter
A. McDougall will address the
public.
McDougall’s speech will take
place at 7:30 p.m. in Walker
Recital Hall and will be free to
students, faculty and the general
public.
His lecture is part of the
Teaching American History
Grant program put together by
Dr. Michael Federici, a political
science professor at Mercy-
hurst.
Federici thinks McDougall’s
presence on campus will be a
positive influence on students
and faculty.
some parents.”
Fifty-three percent of
seniors have participated in the
fundraising process Gabriel
said.
President Dr. Thomas Gamble
previously estimated the antici-
pated cost for the lounge to be
approximately $35,000.
Gamble said Mercyhurst “will
make up the difference between
what the students donate and
the cost of the new study
room.”
Additionally, the various aca-
demic schools at Mercyhurst
have been competing against
one another to donate the
most funds.
“Having a leading scholar
on campus helps to enliven the
intellectual work of the col-
lege. It brings a perspective, in
this instance, on the history of
American involvement in war
that students would otherwise
not be exposed to,” he said. “It
helps both faculty and students
experience scholarly analysis at
its best and gives us a model
to follow in our classes and
scholarship. His talk will help
broaden the intellectual horizon
against which contemporary
events like the War in Iraq
can be better understood and
analyzed.”
McDougall is a professor at
the University of Pennsylvania
as the Alloy-Ansin Professor
of International Relations and
Professor of History.
McDougall was born in Wash-
ington D.C. in 1946, but grew up
around Chicago, Ill. He gradu-
ated from Amherst College in
1968, and then served in the U.S.
Army during Vietnam.
At the end of the war,
McDougall came back to his
hometown and went the Uni-
NEWS
“The academic school with
the most donations is the Busi-
ness and Communications
School,” Gabriel said. “They
have raised $8,905.18 with 60
percent participation.”
Senior business student Dani-
ella Nunnally has raised the
most money Gabriel said.
Students who donated $200
will have their name engraved
on a brick, while donors giving
$300 or more will have their
names etched on glass in the
lounge.
“We have dropped off the
bricks and sent the names to
Erie City Memorials for both the
bricks and the glass etchings,”
versity of Chicago earning his
doctorate in 1975.
After graduating from the
University of Chicago, McDou-
gall became a professor at the
University of California at
Berkeley. He remained there
until 1987.
During his time at Berkeley,
he earned fellowships from the
Woodrow Wilson Center and
The National Air and Space
Museum.
He was an advisor to the U.S.
Congress’s Office of Technol-
ogy Assessment and the Har-
vard/Carnegie Study on the
Prevention of Nuclear War.
McDougall has written several
books during his lifetime.
He won the Pulitzer Prize
and the Dexter Prize from
the Society for the History of
Technology in 1986 for his book
“The Heavens and the Earth: A
Political History of the Space
Age.”
In 2004, he wrote a second
book, “Let the Sea Make a
Noise...A History of the North
Pacific from Magellan to MacAr-
thur.”
Gabriel said.
The bricks and glass engrav-
ings are expected to be com-
pleted in time for the senior gift
dedication ceremony on Friday,
May 16 at 1 p.m. in the library
Gabriel said.
“Construction should begin
shortly after graduation day,”
Gabriel said.
Member of the senior gift
committee, Katie Zinn, said
currently the committee is final-
izing donations from students
and parents.
“Individuals can still donate
until Sunday, May 4,” Zinn
said.
Deanna Fletcher, senior gift
It is a gripping account of the
rise and fall of the empires in
the last, vast, unexplored corner
of the habitable earth—an area
occupying one-sixth of the
globe.
In 2005, “Freedom Just
around the Corner—A New
American History: 1585-1828,”
hit the shelves.
This book is the first install-
ment of a trilogy that will even-
tually bring the story of America
up to the present day.
McDougall’s third book came
out just this March.
The second part of his Amer-
ican history trilogy, “Throes of
Democracy—The American
Civil War Era 1829-1877,” is
the American epic as lived by
Germans and Irish, Catholics
and Jews, as well as people of
British Protestant and Afri-
can-American stock in a very
turbulent time in American
history.
The final part of his trilogy
has yet to be published, but is
very much anticipated by the
academic community, as well as
everyday history buffs.
April 30, 2008
committee member, said, “We
are still trying to get a few
more $8 dollar donations to
help with our participation
percentage.”
Those who wish to donate
should contact any member
of the Senior Gift Steering
Committee; Marty Wallenhorst,
Ashley Gabriel, Katie Zinn,
Deanna Fletcher, Kelly Cofran-
cisco, Jeff Allen or Josh Wil-
wohl.
Zinn said donations can be
given to Cathy Anderson in her
business office on the fourth
floor of the library or placed
in the library’s senior gift drop-
off box.
upenn.edu
Pulitzer Prize winning
author, Walter A. McDougall,
will speak on Thursday, May
1, at 7:30 p.m. in Walker
Recital Hall. McDougall
is a professor at the
University of Pennsylvania
as the Alloy-Ansin Profes-
sor of International Rela-
tions and Professor of
History.
April 30, 2008
Senior Meghan Cleary (far right) and her group members created a coffee company for the
first communication department tradeshow.
Mercyhurst sponsors ‘Living
Through Giving’ Tradeshow
Communication department students design
non-profit organizations in third annual show
By Andrea Coulter
Contributing writer
T he Mercyhurst College
Communication Department
is excited to announce the third
annual Communication Cam-
paigns Tradeshow.
This year’s theme is “Living
Through Giving,” featuring
non-profit organizations de-
signed entirely by the communi-
cation department students.
The show will take place
Tuesday, May 5, from 10 a.m.
to 3 p.m. Admission is free to
the public, with the tradeshow
taking place at the Herrmann
Student Union.
Groups will compete for
various awards, including Best
of Show, Best Logo, Best Print
Materials, Best Multimedia and
other categories.
The class encourages all in-
terested students and faculty to
attend, as every vote counts.
This annual event features
organizations created by class
members, and serves as a cap-
stone course for enrolled stu-
dents.
Course professor, Dr. Anne
Zaphiris, is eager to see what
her students produced.
“This annual event is a hall-
mark for the Communication
Department. Our students in-
vest an exorbitant amount of
time and effort into this project,
in addition to utilizing numer-
ous skills learned throughout
previous courses,” Zaphiris
said.
In preparation for the trade-
show, the class visited the Unit-
ed Way of Erie and met with
RJ Zonna, Director of Com-
munication to discuss campaign
strategies.
Director of Media Relations
for Erie Insurance, Mark Dom-
browski also spoke with the
students regarding public rela-
tions techniques.
NEWS PAGE 5
Contributed photo
Contributed photo
It’s almost time to start packing and preparing to leave campus
for the summer.
Mercyhurst College’s UNICEF and Green Team is asking
students to donate many of the items they would normally throw
away. The organizations will be placing donation bins on Briggs
and Lewis avenues and other locations around campus.
Students should look for the logo shown above. Clothing,
bedding and furniture placed in and around bins featuring this
logo will be donated to the Erie International Institute, which
helps refugess.
As in past years, regional
communication professionals
will assist in judging student
projects.
Senior communications major
2 Bedroom Duplex
Meg Marong is excited for the
event.
144146 E. 31st St.
“This is one of the favorite
communication classes that
I have taken at Mercyhurst.
There is not much lecture – its
more hands-on,” Marong said.
“It gives you the full effect of
working in a public relations or
Close to V.A. Hospital
advertising firm.”
Marong, along with seniors
Stephanie Alward and Nichole Close to college
Rosewicz will present their
company, Election 101, at the
May 5 Tradeshow.
Additional organizations in-
2 Students Only
volved include Brigade of Hope,
Connect the Dots, Fairytale
Project, and Harmony. Lead-
If interested contact
ers of Tomorrow, Party for the
F u t u r e 2 0 0 8 , Po w e r p l a y Bryan at 566-7655.
and Strive Shelters will also
participate.
PAGE 6 NEWS April 30, 2008

‘Mip’ class helps guide psychology majors

By Jemma Hommer
Contributing writer
Mercyhurst College psychol-
ogy majors are offered a unique
opportunity to advance their
knowledge about their future in
the field of psychology.
Each year the department
offers its majors a chance to
take part in a year-long course
called Majoring in Psychology,
or Mip.
Mip is a class designed to help
students reach their full poten-
tial in the field of psychology.
The course is free and stu-
dents receive no credits, yet the
class sees impressive numbers in
participation each year.
Sophomore psychology ma-
jors are required to take this
biweekly course for the entire
year.
The class is run by Profes-
sor Robert Hoff, Chairperson
of the Psycholog y Depart-
ment, Dr. Marilyn Livosky, Dr.
Gerard Barron and Dr. Terry
Pettijohn.
The professors take turns
every other Monday addressing
pressing concerns about the
present and set the outline for
what the future as a psychology
major entails.
Students in this year’s fall ses-
sion examined if and why psy-
chology was the right field for
them. During the winter term,
students focused each other’s
lives within the department,
including the dos and don’ts of
the department and psychology
business.
Currently, students in the
spring term session of Mip are
looking at the possibilities that
exist outside of Mercyhurst
and after their education is
completed.
Graduate schools and pos-
sible career choices are topics
focused heavily on during this
term.
But why would students show
up to a class they don’t receive
credits for?
“The Mip class has allowed
me to realize how important ac-
tions are in this major,” sopho-
more Ashley Ristau said. “The
professors did a good job em-
phasizing that behaviors will
lead to success. I think the class
allowed the students to be more
comfortable in approaching
professors because of the rela-
tionships formed.”
The class offers informational
value along with interaction with
professors in the department.
“I switched my major the
spring term of my freshman
year and being in the Mip class
has encouraged me to be more
proactive in the field of psychol-
ogy,” junior Allison Penharlow
said. “I started thinking about
doing an internship and my
future in the field.”
Sophomore Dave Swickline
participated in the Mip class and
felt it was of real value. “The
Mip class took the place of the
sophomore review which is
easier for students,” he said. “It
also allows professors to know
students in a relaxed setting…
where teachers and students sit
together talking about classes
and future options.”
One of the benefits of Mip is
the connection students are able
to form with professors in the
department.
“Mip opened me up to other
psych teachers that I may have
never had a class with,” Swick-
line said. “The teachers did a
great job with this course and
I highly recommend it to psych
majors and other majors as
well.”
Livosky, a professor of the
Mip course, said, “As a profes-
sor, I value spending this time
with our sophomores, getting
to know them better.”

Business, adult students inducted into honors societies

By Julie Hranica
Staff writer
High achieving Mercyhurst
College students from the busi-
ness and adult education depart-
ments were recently inducted
into two honor societies.
Alpha Sigma Lambda, the
national honor society for adult
students, and Delta Mu Delta,
the national honor society in
business administration, held
induction ceremonies on Sunday,
April 20, in the Mercy Heritage
Room.
The honor societies combined
their ceremonies this year.
Penny Hanes, faculty advisor
for Delta Mu Delta, said students
must be in a four-year program,
and have no more than one
course in business with a final
grade below a “B.”
Hanes said that Delta Mu
Delta honors students who have
excellent scholastic achievement
in business administration.
Seniors honored during the
ceremony include Samuel Ans-
bro, Miranda Guth, Rebec-
ca Hohmann, David Licata,
Zachar y Wild and Nicole
Van Gils. Many juniors were
also inducted into Delta
Mu Delta including Jenni-
fer Charles, Michael Costan-
tini, Gabriela Delgado, Dane
Doolittle, Michael Flickner,
Sherryl Jordano, Mihailo Jo-
vanovic, Joseph King, Tani-
sha Morgan, Maria Morocco,
Shayna Nair, James Nicotra, Jose
cases high academic achieve-
ments but also because it ex-
presses our strive for excellence
not only in our business classes
but for our futures in the busi-
ness world.”
Alpha Sigma Lambda also
inducted students this year.
Lisa Laird, advisor of the
society, said the society is geared
toward non-traditional college
students.
She said in order to join the
society the student must be in the
top 10 percent of their class and
must have at least a 3.2 GPA.
Laird said the ceremony con-
sisted of speakers, the induction
and a reception that followed the
ceremony.
Ten students were inducted
into the ceremony this year. They
Sophomore Maria Rambuski
said she believes Alpha Sigma
Lambda is important for the
non-traditional students on cam-
pus.
“I think it is great that we
recognize adult students for
their efforts in maintaining high
grades,” she said. “We have many
non-traditional students on this
campus so it wouldn’t make sense
to not acknowledge them and
their hard work.”
It was a new decision to com-
bine the two ceremonies.
“It is possible that since one-
third of our entire adult popu-
lation of students are in the
business department that we
combined to address this,” Laird
said.
She added, “There are about jewell.edu

have completed at least 60 col-
lege credits and have a grade
point average (GPA) of 3.25 or
higher.
Student who qualify must also
have completed at least nine
business classes at Mercyhurst
Osorio, John Paige, Lisa Pessia,
Michael Prechtl, Ana Rodriguez,
Ariana Smaczniak and Hagime
Toyofuku.
Hohmann said, “It is an honor
to be inducted into Delta Mu
Delta not only because it show-
include senior Candy Brundage;
juniors Lorie Knapp, Liesa Mills,
Halle Kostansek; sophomores
Jennifer Kubiak, Michelle Palmer,
Stephen Reimers, Rachel Rice and
freshmen Stephanie Turner and
Michael Williams.
10 to 15 students every year
who meet the Alpha Sigma
Lambda requirements, so maybe
the thought of having such a
small ceremony for just one
group helped in combining
the two.”
Delta Mu Delta is the
national honors society
in business administra-
tion. The ceremony for new
inductees to this society
and Alpha Sigma Lambda
was held Sunday, April 20,
in the Mercy Heritage Room.
April 30, 2008 NEWS PAGE 7

Eight locations have been chosen for emergency blue light system towers. The towers are being strategically placed around campu s, tenatively in the loca-
tions shown above. Of the eight blue light towers that are being installed this summer, three are solar powered.

Emergency blue light system goes ‘green’

Three of eight blue light towers to run on solar-power; cost $26,386
By Casey Greene
Managing editor
Mercyhurst College is
increasing its sustainability
measures in many areas around
the campus.
The college has even added a
“green” touch to campus Secu-
rity.
Mercyhurst has recently
decided to invest in an emer-
gency blue light system, con-
sisting of eight emergency
towers strategically placed
around campus.
The towers allow members
of the campus community
to alert law enforcement and
safety services to any threaten-
ing situation.
Of the eight blue light towers
being installed, three are solar-
powered.
Talk of installing an emer-
gency blue light system has
been in the works for several
months.
Mercyhurst Student Gov-
ernment’s Health and Safety
Committee submitted several
proposals to the administra-
tion and Mercyhurst Police and
Safety throughout the academic
year.
The committee originally
presented the administration
with an all-wired tower pro-
posal. The committee then
revised its proposal, including
the suggestion of solar-pow-
ered towers.
The ‘green’ towers cost
around $3,120 per unit, total-
ing approximately $9,363 for
the three towers.
This expense will be paid
for using Mercyhurst’s Green
Energy Fund.
Each term, traditional
students pay a $5 fee that
is deposited into the Green
Energy Fund, which is used to
increase sustainable efforts on
campus.
The college has currently
agreed to install and test
the solar-powered towers,
said Executive Vice Presi-
dent for Administration Tom
Billingsley.
Billingsley said the college
may consider investing in addi-
tional solar-powered towers at
a later time.
The five wired emergency
towers total $17,023. The
administration will cover addi-
tional expenses.
In total, the emergency blue
light system will cost around
$26,386.
The Health and Safety Com-
mittee proposed eight possible
locations for the towers shown
in the campus map above.
Tower installation is sched-
uled to begin this summer, Bill-
ingsley said.
PAGE 8 NEWS April 30, 2008

‘Jungle Fever’ at ’Hurst’s Kids-n-Sibs weekend

Mercyhurst students invite siblings to campus for weekend of activities
By Emily Grabowski
Staff writer
Mercyhurst College’s annual
Kids-n-Sibs event took place
this past weekend.
For the event, students were
encouraged to invite their
siblings to the college for the
weekend, which gave them a
chance to participate in fun-
filled events.
Each year, the Student
Activities Council (SAC)
develops a central theme for the
Kids-n-Sibs weekend.
This year, SAC chose a safari
theme.
The fun began on Friday
evening.
Students and siblings
registered for the weekend
in the Herrmann Student
Union, where they received
complimentary T-shirts.
A kid-approved buffet was
served at 5 p.m.
At 8 p.m. kids, sibs and all
other students were invited to
watch the DreamWorks film
“Madagascar.”
Saturday’s events started at
10:30 a.m. with breakfast in the
union, followed by BINGO.
That afternoon a carnival
was set up in the Great Room
of the union including crafts,
inflatables and a hands-on
reptile and amphibian show
called “Snakes Alive!” led by
reptile expert Tom Kessenich.
Kessenich said he was thrilled
to be a part of the ’Hurst’s Kids-
n-Sibs weekend.
“I think it’s totally awesome,”
he said. “One of the perks of
my job is getting to travel and
entertain and inform kids of
all ages. I would definitely be
interested in coming back to
campus to do another show
sometime.”
A BBQ was held Saturday
evening and, in addition to the
on-campus activities, shuttles
were offered to and from Splash
Lagoon.
Splash Lagoon offered
reduced admission for
Mercyhurst students and family
members for the day.
SAC members said they
were pleased with the turnout
for the weekend and the
positive feedback regarding the
activities.
“We had a great turnout,”
junior SAC member Haylie
Starin said.
“The safari theme produced a
great atmosphere, and we think
it was a big hit.”
Sophomore volunteer
Danielle Ohman said she had a
lot of fun participating.
“I was very impressed with
the turnout,” she said. “I was
surprised how many students
had their younger siblings
come and participate. It was a
lot of fun and it’s a really good
experience for the younger
kids.”
Around 250 families
registered for this year’s Kids-n-
Sibs weekend.
Nothing is in the works yet
for next year’s weekend.
“We usually start planning
this in the beginning of spring
term,” Starin said.
A fairytale idea has been Contributed photo
mentioned for next year’s theme Reptile expert Tom Kessenich presented the hands-on
but nothing has currently been reptile and amphibian show, Snakes Alive!, at Mercyhurst’s
decided. Kids-n-Sibs event on Saturday, April 26.

Funds available to student researchers

By Javiera Cubillos
Staff writer
Mercyhurst College students
looking to conduct and present
research now have a financial
means to do so.
The student research fund
is a small grant given to
undergraduate or graduate
Mercyhurst students to help
with the costs of academic
research.
These costs may include
materials for artistic projects,
traveling to conferences or
actual research expenses. Any
student may apply for the grant
as long as they present a valid
proposal.
The grants are competitive
and are only awarded to around
20 students each term.
Dr. Terry Pettijohn,
chairperson of the Student
Research Committee (SRC),
said each year funds are limited
by the college’s budget.
In order to apply for a grant,
students must submit a proposal
to the SRC by May 1.
The proposal should describe
in detail the research content
and how the funds will be used.
Each proposal is rated and
discussed among members of
the SRC, which includes faculty,
undergraduate and graduate
students.
Awards are granted based on
merit and the proposal.
Though the SRC gives most
of its funding to supplement the
costs of traveling to present a
research or artistic project, there
are few exceptions that cover
non-travel related expenses,
such as materials and equipment
necessary for a specific project.
Mercyhurst directly provides
the funding for the SRC,
Pettijohn said.
“In the past two years that
these funds have been available,
the college has helped assist
many students present their
work at conferences and
purchase materials for research,”
Pettijohn said.
Senior SRC member Lauren
McDermott has received
funding through the student
research fund.
She said she believes funding
should be increased because it
benefits the college.
“I believe Mercyhurst
College should recognize the
student research committee
as an investment in its future
reputation and continue to
increase funds given to research
[to show] pride in its students’
dedication to research projects,”
she said.
Until last year, a maximum of
$200 per student was awarded.
This year, the maximum amount
has increased to $300.
The funds given depend on
the provided budget which,
along with the number of
recipients, varies each year.
“It would be nice to grant
everyone some kind of funding
for their research, but the student
research committee simply
doesn’t have a large enough pool
of money,” McDermott said.
April 30, 2008 NEWS PAGE 9

Contributed photo Contributed photo

Certification for Firefighter 1 is granted to candidates who excel in both the written exam Mercyhurst College is one of 29 designated agencies
and the physical skills test. throughout Pennsylvania allowed to issue certification.

’Hurst helps certify local firefighters

By Julie Hranica
Staff writer
Mercyhurst College’s Pub-
lic Safety Institute recently
g ave local firefighters the
opportunity to receive state
certification.
Associate Director of the
Public Safety Institute, Tim Ma-
loney, said the testing occurred
on Friday, April 25 and Saturday,
April 26 at the Erie County Pub-
lic Safety Training Facility at the
Franklin Center.
“Mercyhurst College is state-
certified to facilitate these tests,”
he said. “It is only one of 29
designated agencies throughout
the Commonwealth that can
do this.”
The tests consisted of a written
exam as well as a skills test, fea-
turing a number of skill stations
including a burn tower, smoke
maze and chemical burn pit.
“Each candidate must dem-
onstrate proficiency in perfor-
mance on a chosen number of
skill stations from the Penn-
sylvania State Fire Academy,”
Maloney said.
Certification for Firefighter
1 is granted to candidates who
excel in the skills test and the
written exam.
Maloney said each candidate
was required to go through
a number of state-mandated
courses before they could apply
for this certification.
Junior Erik Penn said, “Pro-
viding certification is a vital part
of protecting citizens and lends
to the production of highly
skilled firefighters.”
Sophomore Carly Rae Eisen-
hauer agreed.
“I think it is highly impor-
tant for Mercyhurst to recog-
nize and address these com-
munity needs,” she said. “It is
great that we have the Public
Safety Institute because it adds
another component to the list
of ways that Mercyhurst benefits
the areas that surround us.”
Sixteen candidates were tested
including local firefighters, five
firefighters from Canada and one
female firefighter, Maloney said.
The candidates who received
certification from the tests are
able to apply for national certi-
fication as well.
The Public Safety Institute
of Mercyhurst College pro-
vided this opportunity for can-
didates.
“It was established to provide
critical training to front line first
responders that must perform
appropriately in the face of a
disaster,” Maloney said.
Penn agreed about the im-
portance of the Public Safety
Institute.
“I think it is important to have
the institute as a part of the
Mercyhurst institution because
it adds to the depth of possibili-
ties Mercyhurst represents and
provides to the community,”
Penn said.

MSG elects new senators for 2008-09

highest voter turnout in MSG
From staff reports Class Senators: School Senators:
history with almost 500 students
The Merciad
participating. Sophomores School of Business
Senators were able to apply Sarah Heuer Angela Long School of Science &
Mercyhurst Student Govern- for a position under two sepa- Carson Loveday Carly Rae Eisenhauer Mathematics
ment (MSG) has added changes rate categories: class senator or Devin Ruic Colleen O’Hara
to its ranks. school senator. School of Social Sciences
Juniors
MSG recently elected 18 new The elected sentators were Celeste Shefferly
Katlin Hess
senators. sworn in at the first MSG Senate School of Arts &
Vanlam Luu Liz Gutoskey
MSG organized student elec- meeting on Monday, April 21 in Humanities
tion during which votes were the MSG chambers. Seniors School of Education Jerrod Markle
cast for senator candidates. The MSG Senate will not Zach Pekor Marissa Petroff
The elections, which were be complete until freshmen Erik Penn Trey Zeluff
held April 16 and 17, saw the are voted in during September. Nick DiPalma
PAGE 10 NEWS April 30, 2008

Defining ’Hurst as ‘Catholic’

President answers questions on religious affiliation
By Joshua Wilwohl
Editor-in-chief
The past few weeks at
Mercyhurst College have been
what some would say, one of
the rockiest times for a Catholic
institution. Erie Diocesan
Bishop Donald Trautman says
he will no longer attend the
college’s 2008 graduation in
protest of Sen. Hillary Clinton’s
visit.
As a result, Mercyhurst
President Dr. Thomas Gamble
developed two committees
to develop political policies.
One focuses on paid political
advertisements and the other
focuses on political speakers.
The controversy over both
made its way up the chain of
news to the New York Times,
gaining national attention. But,
what is it about the college on the
hill that has everyone in a stir?
Gamble says the school
upholds its Catholic identity,
while others say the college is one
of the most “liberal” Catholic
institutions they’ve seen. The
president attended a seminar last
week led by Pope Benedict XVI
with over 300 other presidents
and superintendants of Catholic
colleges, universities and high
schools in the United States.
What he gathered, along
with his own beliefs, Gamble
responded to the questions
everyone wants answered.
Q: What was primarily discussed
when you attended the pope’s
seminar?
A: A variety of things. It was
very exciting and kind of
inspirational. He was grateful
to Catholic educators and what
they do. He gave a blessing to us
all and he talked about Catholic
Mercyhurst College President Dr. Thomas Gamble.
identity, and how that fits into a
Catholic college … and he wants
all them to express something
genuine about Catholic identity.
Q: What is something genuine
that Mercyhurst would express
in its Catholic identity?
A: There are lots of things. All
the way from we have liturgy
five times a week. We have a
very active campus ministry
program here. We have retreats
for students who are interested,
and right now we’re creating an
office of mission integration.
The office will be led by Sister
Lisa Mary, and she’ll report
directly to the president. When
we talked about the ($32
million) plan, we discussed
the meaning of work and the
dignity of work, which ties to
Catholic social teaching. So
we have a commitment to the
dignity of work in our mission,
and the rest of our activities
here. Why are we so focused on
international students? Because
File photo
the church is international, and
because we’re Catholic and
Catholicism is international,
so we should be international.
Why are we so focused on
sustainability? Well, we’re called
by Catholic teaching to respect
creation and the goodness of
creation. So, an awful lot of
commitments and the kinds of
things we do are there because
of our commitment to features
of the Catholic faith. Then, of
course, there’s service to the
community, service to others.
One of the first things our
students do when they come as
freshmen is go out on a day of
service. And then one of the last
things is, of course, your social
ethics course. So … I hope
and expect that it’s the whole
atmosphere of the college has a
Catholic feel to it.
Q: With the current events that
are happening at Mercyhurst such
as the political advertisements,
Sen. Hillary Clinton on campus,
the bishop’s protest … was there
any advice given on how to guide
a college such as Mercyhurst in
the “right” direction?
A: Of course I’ve been
consulting and talking with
lots of people and this is really
an issue with most Catholic
colleges and universities. …
Everybody is working on that
issue and trying to find the right
balance. We are, too. It’s said
and it’s personally painful for
me to be in a controversy about
something like this, because I
consider myself a faithful and
good Catholic. So, I think we’re
all struggling with it. I continue
to, so does the (Board of
Trustees) and we really want to
respect and express the beauty
of Catholic identity, but we
also have to do it in a way that
respects the pedagogical virtue
of free and open discussion.
We’re planning a forum in the fall
before the election that is called,
“The Responsible Catholic and
the 2008 Election.” And that will
be a variety of viewpoints from
the Catholic perspective about
the election and the candidates
and the choices. We do want to
make sure that everyone at this
college and in the broader Erie
community get an opportunity to
hear from a variety of Catholic
scholars and how a responsible
Catholic might respond to the
2008 election.
Q: Would you consider
Mercyhurst more of a strategic plan, the first thing we
“conservative” Catholic college
or a “liberal” Catholic college?
A: You know, honestly, in
Catholicism, those terms do not
apply very well. Those terms
apply to the political realm.
… I think that some aspects
of the church teaching look
conservative to people and
other aspects look liberal to
people. The authentic teaching
of the church looks very liberal
on social justice issues, and it
looks conservative on other
issues. So, it’s really not liberal
or conservative, it’s faithfulness
to the teachings of Jesus of
Nazareth. I don’t think it comes
out liberal or conservative.
Q: In what direction do you see
Mercyhurst heading as defining
us as a Catholic institution?
A: I think that should be an
active area of inquiry for us and
we should continue to try to
articulate our Catholic identity
and express it. Somebody
should be able to ask, ‘What
makes Mercyhurst Catholic?’
The answer should be evident,
and maybe more evident than
they are…I want to work with
the office of mission integration
on (this) and that’s why I’ve
asked Sister Lisa Mary to take
this important role.
Q: How in its current state
would you define Mercyhurst
College as a Catholic college?
A: We have an active campus
ministry, we have liturgy available
five or so times a week, we have
retreats and rosary groups. We
also have service opportunities
that link to missions of the
Sisters of Mercy. … Even the
goals can be tied to some of
the mission statement. When
we were going out and doing a
did was rearticulate the mission
statement. The first sentence
says Catholic and Mercy in it,
and then it expresses…we talk
about goodness of creation,
dignity of work, we talk about
service to others, we talk about
the liberal arts…and all of that
makes it Catholic.
April 30, 2008
Year in review
The news that put Mercyhurst College on the map
Infant death
Mercyhurst students began the school
year with a startle. Sophomore Teri
Rhodes is accused of killing her baby in
her Briggs Avenue apartment.
Winning the West
Mercyhurst College’s plans for the
college’s West campus include ‘green’
degrees that focus on agriculture. The
campus is located in Girard, Pa., about
30 minutes from main campus.
YEAR IN REVIEW
Lax suspensions
Four members of the men’s lacrosse
team were suspended for breaking
“team rules.” The athletic department
would not say what defined “team
rules,” or release the names.
Fuhrman’s fire
An Erie landmark burned to the ground
just days before Halloween. The cider
mill was a staple for students at the
college. It is locaed at 1218 East Gore
Road, about 5 minutes from campus.
PAGE 11
RA battle
A column written by Bill Swafford
sparked a debate between students and
residence life. Swafford asked RAs to
calm down. RAs retaliated, telling Swaf-
ford they “...weren’t shoved in lockers.”
Meningitis scare
A female Mercyhurst College student
was hospitalized in her hometown after
contracting a suspected case of men-
ingitis. The college’s health center and
Erie Department of Health investigated.
PAGE 12
Year in review
International crisis
Sophomore Israel Estrada and senior
Louis Sierra pleaded guilty after
impersonating resident assistants and
raiding student apartments. Both were
suspended for 10 weeks.
Obama-fo-fama
After receiving notice from Erie Bishop
Donald Trautman, Mercyhurst President
Dr. Thomas Gamble suspended paid
political ads in the Merciad, saying the
college needs to define its Catholic
identity. Ads are still not allowed to run.
YEAR IN REVIEW
Continued from page 11
MSG philanthropy
Senior representative Lauren
McDermott claimed student govern-
ment did not care about philanthropy,
as the vote to increase the philanthropy
line item budget failed twice.
Oh, Hillary!
Sen. Hillary Clinton arrived to campus
for a speech that turned into hoopla.
The result was Erie Bishop Donald
Trautman protesting by saying he will
not attend the college’s graduation.
April 30, 2008
$32M expansion
Mercyhurst College President Dr.
Thomas Gamble announced a massive
expansion to the college that includes
a new residence hall and academic
building. Project completion: 2013.
$31K
Tuition hiked almost $8,000 over the
past four years. The college raised
tuition 6 percent for next year, saying
the college is tuition dependent and
needs the money, because the school’s
endowment is small.
April 30, 2008 YEAR IN REVIEW PAGE 13

Year in review
The pictures that captured the moment of news
Spiking win
Mercyhurst junior David
Hatten sets the ball for
a fellow player during a
match against Niagara
earlier this season.

Brotherly love
Senior Nick Giallourakis held a fundraiser for his
brother who was diagnosed with cancer.

How the
West was
won
Shown here is part of
the Mercyhurst West
Campus. The college
plans to create new
academic programs for
West.
PAGE 14 YEAR IN REVIEW April 30, 2008

Year in review
The pictures that captured the moment of news

Cider runs dry

Fuhrmans Cider Mill located on 1218 Gore Rd. caught fire and was nearly destroyed on Oct. 28.

You’re outta here! Battle of sticks

Mercyhurst sophomore Adam Gray attempts to tag out a stealing Wayne Senior captain Scott Sullivan eludes an opponent
State Warrior in a game earlier this season. in a match earlier this season.
April 30, 2008 YEAR IN REVIEW PAGE 15

Year in review
The pictures that captured the moment of news

Sliding home
Sophomore Megan Houston of softball slides
safely as the Lakers secured a GLIAC playoff spot.

Kicking success Dribbling to the hoop

Junior Christine Rehnert helped women’s soccer
in advancing to the second round of nationals. Mercyhurst basketball sophomore Stevie Spetoskey drives to the basketball
hoop during a game this season.
PAGE 16 YEAR IN REVIEW April 30, 2008

Year in review
The pictures that captured the moment of news
Hillary
hoopla
President of
Mercyhurst College
Young Democrats,
junior Tim Knecht,
introduces Democratic
presidential candidate
Sen. Hillary Clinton at
the Mercyhurst College
Atheletic Center on
April 1.

To the goal
Mercyhurst sophomore Chris Risi and Canisius’
Phil Rauch battle for the puck during one of the
Atlantic Hockey Quarterfinals on March 7.

It’s good!
Mercyhurst College
sophomore Meghan
Agosta scores her 20th
goal of the season
in the first period of
the Lakers’ game on
December 7, 2007,
versus the No. 1-ranked
New Hampshire Wild
Cats.
April 30, 2008
BCBG showcased many sheer looks for spring and summer.
Summer fashions are sizzling
By Sandy Watro
Staff writer
Summer fashion trends and
styles this year include a number
of surprising looks and themes
in runway and ready-to-wear
departments.
Unfortunately, individuals
cannot afford the hefty price tags
often seen on designer apparel.
Thankfully for those of us who
cannot afford a $700 top, more
affordable options exist.
Retailers like Forever 21, Old
Navy, H&M, Charlotte Russe
and Topshop offer trendy sea-
sonal clothing at lower price
points.
Sheer, chiffon attire was seen
this spring in the designs of
Chanel, Christian Dior, Louis
Vuitton and Moschino.
The sheer look has been trans-
lated into flowy dresses, ruffled
blouses and loose tops.
While top designers price
dresses in the upper hundreds,
Topshop has capitalized on the
trend at a lower going rate.
Topshop’s spring runway show
was filled with sheer designs this
year.
Tops are priced at $32 euros
ohjoy.blogs.com
or roughly $50 in the U.S., and
dresses range from $50 to $100.
Shoppers can browse and shop
online for this London retailer at
topshop.com.
Lingerie-inspired pieces were
another recent trend seen on the
runway this year.
Designers like Mui Miu, BCBG
Max Azria and Blumarine show-
cased underwear-styled pieces as
outerwear.
An affordable option to
this trend can be found at the
retailer Forever 21, who offers an
immense number of options at
the price range of $15 to $30.
Tuxedo-styled pieces are also a
popular theme this year, popping
up in many designer collections
on the runway.
Celebrity and model Kate
Moss has been spotted sporting
the trend this spring.
Designer BCBG Max Azria
offers a classic take on the trend
priced a bit higher at $178.
The classic tank top features
a ruffled top and bodice with
a V-neck front and corset-like
seams.
Art deco is another trend that
has surfaced this year.
Deco-inspired fabrics can be
found in virtually all ranges of
FEATURES PAGE 17
topshop.com
Fashion fanatics can peruse topshop.com and take a look at some of the hottest fashion
trends from this London merchant.
designers, manufacturers and
retailers.
Art deco has even made its
way into the male market via
the introduction of the popular
urban-inspired clothing brand
LRG.
H&M also featured a deco
theme this spring for the male
and female markets.
Senior Dane Renwick is a fan
of art-deco fashions.
“I enjoy the pattern on most of
the shirts, but personally I would
not wear both patterned items at
the same time,” he said.
Other seasonal trends for
females include a 1930s throw-
back to Hollywood glamour,
wide leg pants and vintage high-
waisted shorts.
Trends in the male market
include vintage tees, striped
shorts and acid-washed hood-
ies.
Overall, summertime fashion
trends exude an optimistic and
colorful aura this season in both
markets and at numerous price
levels of the industry.
Hopefully, this brightening
trend will continue in both mar- luckymag.com
kets, as it turns the clothing con- Lucky Magazine is a good place to find the latest trends
sumers’ wear into an art-oriented each season.
aesthetic.
PAGE 18 FEATURES
Mother’s Day shopping madness
Cool gift ideas for that special woman in your life
By Courtney Nickel
Staff writer
If you have been to the mall
lately, chances are you have
noticed several large banners
advertising Mother’s Day.
Bright pink banners splashed
with slogans such as “Mom’s
Day” and “Mother’s Day is May
11!” are noticable.
Reminders that the holiday is
approaching seem to be every-
where.
Mother’s Day has no specified
date of origin.
For centuries, it has been cel-
ebrated in countries all over the
world including Ireland, the
United Kingdom, Rome and
Greece.
The holiday is celebrated at
different times throughout the
year and has varying titles such as
Ladies’ Day and Women’s Day.
In the United States, Mother’s
Day is celebrated on the second
sohodecor.com Sunday in May.
Across the world, dates vary
Fun Mother’s Day gifts could include a colorful frame with a
special picture inside. from the second Sunday in Feb-
ruary (Norway) to December
The top 10 Mother’s Day no-nos for college students
Coming home with a giant bag of laundry.
Get out of bed and say “What’s for breakfast, mom?”
Make mom breakfast, lunch, dinner and leave a mess in the kitchen.
Pass gas on/near mom. . . never a good idea.
Use your hand as a tissue: Give her one day of thinking you’re not disgusting.
Forget to flush the toilet.
Have mom go pick up takeout.
Borrow mom’s car and bring it back empty.
Wake up mom at 6 a.m. to let you in the house, because you’re too drunk to open the door.
Try to sneak a girl/guy out of your bedroom on Sunday morning.
8 (Panama) and December 22
(Indonesia).
With Mother’s Day approach-
ing, students may still be ponder-
ing the perfect gift to give.
The classic card, flowers and
box of chocolates are simple,
thoughtful and inexpensive ways
to show appreciation.
Other inexpensive gift ideas
include a gift card to her favorite
store, a photo album, homemade
dinner or even simply spending
time together.
According to the National
Restaurant Association, Mother’s
Day is now the most popular day
of the year to dine in the U.S.
So, what’s it going to be? Flow-
ers? A hug?
Take a break from thinking
about finals and decide what
you’re going to give to that spe-
cial someone you call mom.
Get your creative juices flowing
by taking some time and putting
some thought into the gifts you
give on May 11.
Several students have found
creative ways to show their moth-
ers how much they care.
Freshman Bryan Parker said
April 30, 2008
he’s not going too far for a gift
for his mom.
“I am getting my mom a Mer-
cyhurst sweatshirt that she wants
and my sisters and I are going to
take her to dinner,” Parker said.
“I’m going to get my mom
flowers and a new book because
she loves to read,” junior Dan
Racitano said.
Other students have chosen to
make gifts themselves.
Sophomore K atie Atkins
thinks that homemade gifts
make the holiday extra special
for moms.
“I think I’m making my mom
something. I like to give things
straight from the heart,” she
said. “They mean more to her
than if I just run out and buy
something. Who wants a present
that was thrown together at the
last minute?”
So, it’s up to you to decide
what is the perfect gift for your
mom.
Take some time to think about
what is important to her to make
her day special.
Regardless, it’s the thought that
counts, right?
April 30, 2008 FEATURES PAGE 19

Seniors look to the future

By Carla Hart
Staff Writer

To all Mercyhurst College

graduates: It’s time to turn the
page and begin another chapter.
What’s the plan?
How does Honolulu sound?
After being offered the highest
possible scholarship available for
international students, senior
Edyta Tudruj is extremely excited
to be accepted to Hawaii Pacific
University’s graduate program.
“I want to continue my educa-
tion, broaden my horizons and
gain more skills in the field of
public relations and advertising,”
said Tudruj, a communications
major with concentrations in
public relations, production and
journalism.
Tudruj is not the only ’Hurst
grad furthering her education.
Before finding a graduate
school near her home in Akron,
Ohio, senior Kristen Erickson Contributed photo

will focus on paying back student
loans.
“I’ll live at home and work to
try and pay off debts from going
to school here,” she said. “I don’t
really have set plans. I’m kind of
just going with the flow.”
Others are not as sure what the
future holds.
Senior English major Stepha-
nie Barker has until the end of
May to make up her mind.
“Since my lease is up at the end
of May, I will probably be some-
where else. I guess I might have
a bed at home,” she said.
Barker, who is from Syracuse,
N.Y. said her future will include
her boyfriend, who is from New
Hampshire.
“The plan is that we both want
to move to Boston,” Barker said.
“It’s the nicest area of literature
and publishing.”
Senior Gary Williams plans to
live at home for a brief amount
of time before moving on to the
Seniors Stephanie Barker (left) and Kristen Erickson are preparing their plans for after commencement.
next chapter in his life.
“I am staying with my mother
for a month before I move into
my own place,” Williams said,
who will serve with Americorps,
a national service organization.
He will work at St. Ignatius
Loyola Academy in his home
town of Baltimore, Md.
“I will be teaching seventh
grade Latin in a small Jesuit
school located in downtown
Baltimore,” Williams said.
Senior Deanna Fletcher has
been accepted into the Ameri-
Corp National Civilian Com-
munity Corps Program.
Fletcher will work as a team
member on different projects
in Vinton, Iowa and around the
country.
“We will be going to the Gulf
Coast at least twice to help with
the rebuilding, and will be going
on three other big trips out of
Iowa,” said Fletcher.
Colin Hurley, AmeriCorps
VISTA member at Mercyhurst,
stressed the value of service.
“You live and work in a com-
munity that you might otherwise
avoid if you were off to bigger
and better things in a corporate
world,” Hurley said. “These
experiences shape and mold
your understanding so that when
you approach graduate school
or that next job, you not only
have experience from a differ-
ent perspective, but you are also
changed for the better because
of those experiences.”
In addition to service, other
graduating seniors are off into
the business world.
Senior Kelly Oldach will expe-
rience the office setting when she
begins working in June.
She obtained a full-time posi-
tion as a communication facilita-
tor at Erie Insurance Exchange
and will utilize her graphic design
and communication skills she has
gained at Mercyhurst.
“I am confident that what I
have learned at Mercyhurst will
help me in doing the job,” Oldach
said. “I’m excited because I actu-
ally know a few of the people I
will be working with.”
Oldach also stressed the
importance of liking what you
do in life.
“I like the office setting,” she
said. “If I can wake up every
morning excited to start another
day, then I will perform better Contributed photo
and consequently have more
success in the future.” Senior Edyta Tudruj
 PAGE 20
Beat those winter blues
Summertime activities in the Erie area
Arial view of Erie’s Waldameer Park and Water World located near Presque Isle.
By Ray Horton
Staff writer
After a long, hard winter,
springtime in Erie is great for
enjoying the outdoors.
As the past couple weeks have
confirmed, sunny days do come
to Erie and, when they do, don’t
get caught unprepared.
For those students who plan
Coming in 2008, the Ravine Flyer II features over 3,000 ft. of track, three giant drops, and speeds of over 60 miles-per-hour.
to stay in the Erie area over the
summer, they should be aware of
all Erie has to offer.
There are many ways to spend
a nice Erie day.
Erie’s most popular attraction
is free: Presque Isle, a picturesque
state park on Lake Erie.
“When the weather’s nice, I like
to go to Presque Isle,” sopho-
more Patrick Campbell said.
“There’s a lot to do there like
FEATURES
picasaweb.google.com
bike riding, rollerblading or just
hanging out on the beach.”
The park features miles of
sandy beaches, which are won-
derful for swimming, sunbathing
and relaxing with friends.
There are nature trails and 15
miles of paved trails for hiking,
skating and biking.
For something more active,
try the sand volleyball courts at
Beach 6.
After a day at the beach, don’t
forget to stop at Sara’s Diner.
Sophomore Alicia Rankin
summed up the best part of
Sara’s.
“The food is really good and
inexpensive, and it’s a fun envi-
ronment,” she said.
There are plenty of tables
outside and once in a while, a
live band.
At the edge of the state park is
Waldameer Park & Water World,
a fun amusement park overlook-
ing the Presque Isle peninsula.
It is open weekends starting
May 10 and daily starting Memo-
rial Day weekend.
Parking and admission are
free and visitors pay for rides
individually or can buy an all-day
pass for about $20.
This year Ravine Flyer II will
make its debut as the park’s
newest ride.
It’s a world-class wooden roller
coaster with a 120-foot drop
and a bridge crossing Peninsula
Drive.
If you’re not headed over to
the beach area, there are still
plenty of attractions downtown,
as well.
The Erie Seawolves, a Detroit
April 30, 2008
Tigers affiliate, offers first-class
baseball at a low price.
It’s exciting to see players who
may become major league stars
someday.
Several names that have passed
through Erie on their way to the
majors include Aramis Ramirez,
Justin Verlander and Curtis
Granderson.
Other downtown events
include “8 Great Tuesdays,”
which are live music nights at the
Pepsi Ampitheatre, “Celebrate
Erie” and block parties.
Junior Kyle Hicks enjoys the
downtown block parties because
“they hire some great cover
bands, have decent drink specials
and occasionally get amusing
people like Vanilla Ice to show
up.”
Don’t listen to the cynics who
claim there is “nothing good to
do” in Erie.
They just haven’t been paying
attention.
Is it nice out right now?
Then put down that X-Box
controller, grab some friends and
enjoy Erie’s many attractions.
Don’t squander an opportunity
to get some fresh air and enjoy
a sunny day.
waldameer.com/RavineFlyer2.html
 April 30, 2008
I Food Fix
ERI
A breeze of fresh air in Erie
By Shelley Turk
Staff writer
A breeze of fresh air has come
to Erie and it’s serving up fan-
tastic dishes that are sure to keep
you coming back for more.
Breeze Steakhouse and Grille,
located at 1325 State Street near
14th Street, opened in 2007.
The restaurant is a combina-
tion of east-meets-west with the
use of traditional ingredients
served in an upscale dining
atmosphere.
Walking into Breeze Steak-
house visitors have the option
of sitting on the front patio,
the bar side for cocktails or the
spacious dining room.
Get to know...
Jessica Zomcik
Quiet and elegant dining is a staple at Breeze Steakhouse.
The main flavors at Breeze
come from Thai, Malaysian and
Japanese cooking.
Appetizers, ranging from $6
to $10, include a fabulous dish
called “tuna nachos,” which is
an meager description for the
sliced, seared rare tuna placed
on top of a noodle chip and
garnished with Asian slaw.
The steaks are priced at $23
for a sirloin served with tradi-
tional vegetables and go up to
$31 for filet mignon.
Classic dishes like Tuscany
Chicken dressed with capers,
tomatoes, spinach and olives in a
feta cheese and white wine sauce
are priced from $17 to $20.
Senior Nathan Moore was
very impressed with the mood
Name: Jessica Zomcik
Year: Junior
Hometown: Waterford, Pa.
Major: Fashion Merchandising
Favorite thing about Mercyhurst: The REC
Center and the landscaping around campus
Least favorite thing: 8 a.m. classes and tuition
prices
Anything else interesting about you: I play
women’s football
FEATURES
Contributed photo
of the restaurant and the live
pianist playing on Friday night.
“I would definitely go back to
Breeze,” he said. “There’s just
a great atmosphere to the place.
I’d have to say my favorite dish
was probably the Breeze Pasta.”
Senior Kelly Minnich also
enjoyed the steakhouse.
“I had the Maguro Roll,” she
said. “It tasted fantastic and was
filling. It was a great time had
by all at Breeze.”
The restaurant features chang-
ing art exhibits and live music as
an added bonus to your meal.
Visit www.breezesteakhouse.
com for more information on
menu items or call 814-455-
7766 to make your reservation
today.
PAGE 21
With Meg
This is by far one of my favor-
ite desserts. We often make it in
my family for birthdays and other
to make.”
The bad thing about this des-
sert is that it is so good, you will
holidays. just want to keep eating it.
Recently it was made for my In order to avoid an overload
cousin’s sixth birthday party by on calories from this addicting
her and her younger sister. dessert, I would suggest cutting
This just proves it is easy to the calories by using low-fat, low-
make and can be enjoyed by calorie ingredients and serving
people of all ages. smaller portions.
Senior Liz Burchell suggested I This is a fantastic summer des-
do this recipe for my final article sert, so try making it and enjoy.
because “It is an easy recipe
that everyone should be able -Meghan Dolney
Oreo Cookie Dirt
Ingredients
1 package Oreo cookies
2 boxes French vanilla instant
pudding mix
1 stick butter
8 oz. Cool Whip
8 oz. cream cheese
2 1/2 c. milk
Directions
1.) In a 9 x 13 inch pan crumble up all the
cookies, except two.
2.) Melt butter and mix with cookies.
Spread evenly in pan.
3.) In a separate bowl blend the milk and
pudding.
4.) Add cream cheese and mix. Add Cool
Whip and mix well.
5.) Pour mixture over the cookies and
butter. Rub the 2 remaining cookies together
to garnish the dessert. Refrigerate.
 PAGE 22 FEATURES April 30, 2008

Here come finals: Are you ready? to highlight or make note of

By Caitlin Bly
Contributing writer
With spring term approaching
its end, final exams are coming
right around the corner.
The hustle of last-minute
projects and papers is closing in
and the worries of finding time
between enjoying the sunshine
with friends and studying for
finals is starting to hit home.
As students prepare to buckle
down for hours of studying,
here are a few tips to help relieve
forthcoming stress.
Listen to the professors and
study in advance.
This is crucial in remembering
and processing information for
the final exam.
Simply studying for 15 minutes
a day could make a huge dif-
ference in the performance of
taking a final.
Re-writing notes for a class is
another helpful tip in preparing
for a final.
It helps refresh the memory
of previous discussions and key
facts that might have been for-
gotten over the past few weeks.
It also gives students a chance
important terms and facts over-
looked.
Junior Sarah-Hazel Jennings
knows studying and coffee go
hand-in-hand.
“As an English major, I review
the assigned readings for the
term and go over my class notes,”
Jennings said. “I make strict
to-do lists and study schedules.
Then, I usually confine myself
to the library with a ton of
coffee.”
Another useful tip is group
study sessions.
Gather fellow students from
class and find a quiet place to
study.
Compare notes, ask questions Scoot Williams photo
and quiz each other on course
The Hammermill Library is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m., Friday
material.
from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 2 a.m.
This is a great way to see what
notes students might have missed
and to understand the material come in handy when waiting for playing it cool goes a long way. be prepared.
from a different perspective. class to start or while a little free “I find the best way to study Study in advance and make
Flashcards and study guides time is being spent waiting in line for finals is by not stressing out,” time for it, even if it’s for 15
are the most popular form of to grab a cup of joe. he said. “I study for awhile and minutes a day.
studying. Further advice can be attained make sure I still find some time Utilize the library and take
These two ideas help students from those who have been study- to relax and party to relieve some advantage of the warm weather
reiterate notes from class and ing for the past couple of years stress.” for places to study outside.
can be taken anywhere with the and should have a study habit While making those flashcards The reward will be seen in the
student. down. and filling out study guides, the excellence of your final grade.
Flashcards and study guides Senior Nick Giallourakis says best word of advice to give is to Good luck!

Lead ‘Idol’ singers more likely to get the boot

By Jen Gildea
Features editor
If you tune in late to American
Idol each week, be prepared to
say goodbye to the contestant’s
you’ve missed.
A recent study of the hugely
popular reality series showed
leadoff singers in the competi-
tion every Tuesday night are
disproportionably being kicked
off.
www.latimes.com According to an article in the
David Archuleta is a front-runner and has avoided elimination. USA Today, in 69 finals episodes,
20 singers in the number one
spot have been voted off over
the course of the show.
In four out of six weeks this
season, the first finalist has been
in the bottom three, twice being
eliminated.
Reasons suggested for the
phenomenon are that viewers
are missing the first contestant
to sing, and therefore don’t place
votes for that contestant.
Another explanation is the
judges have nothing to base the
first singer against.
All of those who follow are
naturally compared to the singer
beforehand.
Producers of Idol say they vary
the order in which contestants
sing each week to create the most
fair and entertaining show.
Conspiracy?
Just a strange coincidence?
Watch, vote and decide for
yourselves.
American Idol airs on Tuesday
and Wednesday nights on FOX.
Contestants perform to dif-
fernt themes on Tuesdays at 8
p.m. and eliminations are the
following evening at 9 p.m.
April 30, 2008
2008 Olympic Games preview
By Shannon Kelley
Staff writer
The 2008 Olympic Games
kick off this summer on Aug.
8 in Beijing, China.
There has been a cloud of
controversy surrounding the
games since the host city was
chosen, leading to the Games’
slight overshadowment.
The very idea of the Olym-
pics is to bring countries
together for healthy competi-
tion.
However, high levels of
smog pollute the air within
the host city has many athletes
worried.
Some are said to be re-think-
ing their Olympic trips and
some are putting off the trip
until the last minute.
Every four years, the best of
the best meet to compete for
the gold.
The world hopes that the
c o n t r ove r s y d o e s n’t t u n e
people out and not allow these
athletes their time to shine.
The Olympics offer 35
different sports and almost 400
events, ranging from archery to
What do the rings really mean?
By Jen Gildea
Features editor
They’re a familiar sight around
the world every four years, but
do people really know what they
stand for?
The symbolic Olympic rings
were created in 1913 by Pierre
De Coubertin, founder of the
International Olympic Com-
mittee.
In a 1914 article published in
the magazine Revue Olympique,
De Coubertin said the following
about the world emblem:
gymnastics, there is something
for every viewer. Everyone
usually has a favorite sport
they like to watch.
Many families g ather to
watch the Olympics, as its
historical factor is realized on
the opening night ceremony.
The host city shines on the
big show, often going into
debt for it.
The city’s culture is high-
lighted and accented at every
turn, from native dancing to
other cultural customs.
T he host city holds the
world’s attention for those
historical days when the ath-
letes come to town.
Many Americans enjoy
watching swimming. This year,
the men’s side seems to be
heating up.
Michael Phelps has been
dominating the events, but this
summer Ryan Lochte may put
up a tough fight.
In a recent New York Times
article, Lochte said he swims
three to five miles most days,
sometimes two times a day.
Such hard work and dedica-
tion goes into preparing for
the Olympics, but in the end,
The interlocking rings represent unity among all nations.
“These five rings - blue, yellow,
black, green and red - represent
the five parts of the world now
encompassed by Olympism and
ready to compete against each
other. Moreover, the six colours
(including the white background)
combined represent all nations.
The blue and yellow of Sweden,
FEATURES PAGE 23
it all comes down to the couple
minutes of competition.
Great stories come out of
the Olympics every time the
best athletes around the world
meet and compete.
As many probably remember,
the world watched in astonish-
ment as gymnast Paul Hamm
won the gold medal in 2004.
Hamm’s story was interest-
ing. He had his twin brother
as a teammate on the Olympic
gymnastics team.
That year was a significant
one for gymnastics because
of the change in the scoring
system, which led many to
re-think the way the sport is
scored.
Whatever sport you enjoy,
the Olympics are sure to draw
attention as long as people
remember the true purpose of
the competition. farm1.static.flickr.com
They are about the city, the Swimmer Michael Phelps is expected to be a strong com-
athletes and those stories that petitor in Beijing.
come out of Beijing at 3 a.m.
but touch our families’ hearts
during evening television.
For the love of the sport, for
the love of your country, for
the love of the Olympics, let
the games begin.
the blue and white of Greece,
the French, English, American,
German, Belgian, Italian and
Hungarian tricolours, the yellow
and red of Spain are side by
side with the new Brazilian and
Australian flags, the old Japan www.dissonskating.com
and the new China. It is a true Gymnast Nastia Liukin leads the U.S. team with incredible
international emblem.” talent on all four events.
 PAGE 24
Fashion goes green
Companies strive to make the fashion industry more eco-friendly
By Sandy Watro
Staff writer
On April 22, otherwise known
as Earth Day, a group of textile
and apparel manufacturers in
Hong Kong have formed the
Sustainable Fashion Business
Consortium (SFBC).
The SFBC’s main goal is to
reduce waste by changing and
altering ways in which the factory
functions.
The group of textile and
apparel giants plans to imple-
ment eco-friendly procedures
throughout all levels of textile
and garment construction.
They plan to massively lower
excess waste by the creation of
a device that will break down,
clean and reform scrap fabric
pieces into new textiles.
Pat-Nie Woo, one of the found-
‘Loser’ names first female winner
By Jen Gildea
Features editor
Being a loser isn’t always a bad
thing, especially when it comes
to dropping pounds.
NBC’s hit reality show, The
Biggest Loser, has been a popular
choice among audiences for the
past five seasons.
Whittling down the thousands
of applicants nationwide to just
a handful – ranging from 12 to
50 in the last five seasons – the
show challenges overweight men
and women to leave their families
and careers behind for the sole
Eco-friendly Web sites are popping up all over the Internet
to promote “green” fashion.
ers of the consortium, owns four
large factories in Hong Kong and
purpose of getting healthy.
Wei ght loss is achieved
through grueling exercise and
healthy diets, both of which are
major life changes for the con-
testants.
Each week, one person is elimi-
nated and sent home to continue
the challenge at home.
By the end of the show, only
one person can claim the title of
the biggest loser.
The first four seasons saw men
take away the grand prize of
$250,000, but just this month,
season 5 winner Ali Vincent
became the first woman to win
the show.
FEATURES
sustainablestyle.org
throughout China. Woo stated in
a press release that a typical fac-
Losing a total of 112 pounds
in approximately three months,
Vincent dropped nearly 48 per-
cent of her bodyweight.
It isn’t surprising that Vincent
is the first woman to win the
weight loss show.
Men often have a much easier
time losing large amounts of
weight for several reasons.
One of the most significant
underlying reasons is due to the
fact that men are typically larger
and have more muscle than
women due to testosterone and
other hormone levels.
A larger person with more
fat has more body weight to
tory will waste between 15 and 20
percent of the fabric used in the
construction of apparel.
These garment houses and
factories go through millions
of yards of fabric per year on
average.
The recycling procedure will
save most of the companies self-
generated fabric waste.
Other org anizations are
involved with the industry’s
environmental crimes as well.
Back in 2003, the United
Nations Environment Pro-
gramme (UNEP) launched a
new program entitled ‘shopping
for a better world.’
The program is designed to
help enlighten individuals about
daily consumption and waste.
This program is working with
the fashion retail industry to
market an environmentally-
friendly attitude to individuals.
lose quickly.
Nonetheless, Vincent proved
many people wrong by winning
The Biggest Loser finale.
Every season, women claim
they are going to take the title,
but none have been able to do
so until now.
The runner-up and the “at-
home winner” were men.
Vincent is currently appearing
in Got Milk? campaigns nation-
wide to promote her weight loss
and the importance of a healthy
diet, including drinking milk.
Season six of The Biggest
Loser is currently being cast and
plans to air later this year.
April 30, 2008
The organization speculates
that using the apparel industry as
a conduit for ‘hippie marketing’
will influence other individuals to
become more eco-friendly and
waste conscious.
This idea may have humble
intentions, but curing a hangover
with the ‘hair of the dog’ is not
always miraculously successful.
Over the last two years the
fashion, apparel and retail indus-
tries have taken massive strides to
the benefit of our environment
and our future.
Clearly, environmental infor-
mation and knowledge distribu-
tion beginning at the grassroots
level can result in a constructive
manner.
Hopefully, the continuation of
programs and individual efforts
can diminish the carbon foot-
print of our generation and of
those to come.
topsocialite.com
Winner Ali Vincent
April 30, 2008
Bon Appetite, class of 2008
The best places to go for dinner with your family post-graduation
By Stacey Minchin
Staff writer
Before heading downtown to
the bars for the post-graduation
celebration, remember your
families will still be in town.
Many of our families will
drive into town for the special
event, and the most common
thing to do after graduating is
head to dinner.
But with all the restaurants in
the downtown area and those on
Peach Street, where are the best
places for a nice family dinner?
“I’ve been to Pufferbelly’s with
the family before. The food was
good, atmosphere was different
and prices weren’t bad,” senior
Lauren Brant said. “Also, a cute,
little local Italian place I’ve been
wanting to try is Arnone’s on
18th and Cherry Streets that
has a family-owned bakery and
gelato place beside it.”
Brant also suggests Serafini’s
and Marketplace Grill because
they “are good and unique to
Erie.”
The Cornerstone Bar and Grill is located on the intersection
at Pine Avenue and 38th Street.
FEATURES PAGE 25
Senior Michalle Nedley says
she is not planning on eating
downtown with her family
because she thinks it will be
too chaotic and restaurants
like Pufferbelly’s are already
booked.
“I am pretty sure we will be
going to Olive Garden, which is
usually the place my family goes
for celebrating special occasions,”
Nedley said. “If we were going
downtown, then I would take
them to the Plymouth because
it’s my favorite place.”
Other recommendations from
seniors include the Cornerstone
Bar and Grill, Smuggler’s Wharf
and Benjamin’s Pub and Eatery
at the Avalon Hotel.
Senior Carolina Abaunza agrees
with the most popular choices to
eat downtown. She also makes a
few of her own recommenda- thepufferbelly.com
The Pufferbelly is a popular place for families to eat a nice meal together.
tions for restaurants other than
those on State Street.
“I would say Molly Brannigan’s, Garden, Red Lobster, Outback from, finding a decent restaurant the downtown area, you may
Pufferbelly’s, Marketplace Grill Steakhouse and Hibachi, if you for your after-graduation family want to book your reservations
and the Papermoon restaurant are willing to travel a little bit celebration should not be a now by calling or stopping in.
are great choices,” Abaunza said. further for a good meal.” challenge. Otherwise, bon appetite, class
“However there’s also Olive With so many places to choose If you are planning to eat in of 2008.
cornerstonebar.com
www.erie.pa.us
Benjamin’s Pub is located inside the Avalon Hotel in downtown Erie.
 PAGE 26 FEATURES April 30, 2008

Rising prices not just for gas

By Nicole McIntyre
Staff writer
Hungry?
Get ready to shell out more
money than usual for the food
you eat.
Studies are showing over-
whelming gas prices are con-
nected with the uprising price
of groceries.
Both energy and food prices
have risen by the largest amount
since 1990.
Energy costs were up 17.4
percent and food averages
increased up to 4.9 percent in
recent months.
Inflation rose 4.1 percent in
2007, and is expected to cap off
at a higher percentage for 2008.
With the prices of gas sky
rocketing, the cost of import-
ing and exporting of goods has
increased and will continue to as
long as this pattern does.
How can this occur?
It’s called supply and demand.
The price of goods and ser-
vices are determined by how
available it is and how much
consumers need.
Gas may reach four dollars
this summer, but Americans will
continue to drive.
Sophomore Ben Crimmins has
noticed the impact.
“It’s getting to the point where
I’m passing up driving home to
see my family because I can’t
afford it,” he said.
In the last year, the prices of
fresh produce have also been
on the rise.
Even more so, the cost of dairy
products has risen; eggs by 35
percent and milk by 18 percent.
A gallon of milk costs less than
a gallon of gasoline.
If only cars ran on skim, two
percent or whole.
The price of flour has qua-
drupled since August.
This affects the price of dough,
flour, oil and pasta.
Why the correlation?
Last year, 14 percent of the
United States corn crop was used
to produce ethanol.
More agriculture is being used
for the production of gasoline,
yet the price of gasoline contin-
ues to rise, as well as the price
of food.
Both increases could have a
significant impact on college
students.
Sug gestions to lessen the
burden of rising prices include
to start clipping coupons, take
advantage of Papa John’s specials
www.abc.net
for Mercyhurst students and
Food prices are on the rise, in addition to increasing gaso-
invest in a bicycle for transporta-
line costs.
tion purposes.

’Hurst names graduation award winners

Twenty-three students are honored with prestigious awards
From staff reports
The Merciad
On Monday, Mercyhurst Col-
lege named the winners of the
academic graduation awards.
For undergrads, the winners
are the following:
Megan Rulli – Carpe Diem
Award
Brittany Monteparte – Bish-
op’s Award for Academic Excel-
lence
Carolyn Fisher – Bishop’s
Award for Academic Excel-
lence
Jessica Kocent – Mother
Borgia Egan Honors Award
Lauren Brant – Sr. Carolyn
Hermann Service Award
Kelly Cofrancisco – Frank
Barry Leadership Award
Kyle Craig – Frank Barry
Leadership Award
Stephanie Prohaska – Alumni
Recognition Award
Alison Fisher – Alumni Rec-
ognition Award
Robert Williams – President’s
Award for Excellence in the
School of Social Sciences
Erin Kelleher – President’s
Award for Excellence in the
Hafenmaier School of Educa-
tion and Behavioral Sciences
Ashley Gabriel – President’s
Award for Excellence in the
School of Arts and Humanities
Noelle Lelakus – President’s
Award for Excellence in the
School of Arts and Humanities
Alanna Baker – President’s
Award for Excellence in the
Walker School of Business and
Communication
Kevin Schneider – President’s
Award for Excellence in the
Zurn School of Natural Science
and Mathematics
For adult students, the winners
are the following:
Phillip Palmer – Catherine
McAuley Undergraduate Adult
Award
Narvan Shorish – Catherine
McAuley Undergraduate Adult
Award
Julie Whan – President’s
Award for Adult Excellence
Cara Bodenmiller – Sr.
Eustace Taylor Graduate Stu-
dent Award in Organizational
Leadership
Kyra Stull – Sr. Eustace Taylor
Graduate Student Award in
Anthropology
Kelly Mattes – Sr. Eustace
Taylor Graduate Student Award
in Applied Intelligence
Amanda Congdon – Sr.
Eustace Taylor Graduate Stu-
dent Award in Administration
of Justice
Lynne Orengia – Sr. Eustace
taylor Graduate Student Award
in Special Education
Awards were given based
on criteria including academic
acheivement, service and leader-
ship within the different depart-
ments on campus.
Winners will receive either
medals or framed certificates,
varying for different awards.
Awards funded from outside
scholarships sometimes give
small checks to recipients.
Adult winners will be honored
at a ceremony Saturday, May 17,
the night before graduation.
Undergraduate winners will
also have an awards dinner the
night before graduation, with
the exception of the Carpe
Diem Award and the Bishop’s
Awards.
These winners will be honored
on stage at the graduation cer-
emony May 18.
April 30, 2008 FEATURES PAGE 27

Beachwear dos and don’ts
By Jen Gildea
Features editor
With summer vacation quickly
approaching, students are pre-
paring for warm-weather get-
aways and afternoons of loung-
ing poolside.
While baking in the sun and
hanging out with friends at the
beach is supposed to be relax-
ing and fun, it’s no secret that
the summer season is the prime
opportunity for the fashion
industry to rake in profits from
the sale of apparel.
Bathing suits and related beach-
wear outfits are becoming more
and more common at retailers
nationwide.
No longer must consumers
visit a specialty swimsuit store or
order from expensive catalogs to
get a decent bathing suit.
Now, affordable and attractive
gear can be found at retailers like
Target, Wal-Mart and discount-
ers like TJ Maxx or Marshalls.
This season, look for staples
like the classic bikinis and one-
pieces, but be prepared for a
new twist on the traditional
bathing suit.
Monokinis are splashing onto
the scene and are becoming
popular among women for the
added coverage of a one-piece,
but with the flirty cutouts of a
bikini.
Nonetheless, many women
are not comfortable frolicking
around in a tiny bathing suit for
all to see.
Luckily for them, there are
numerous types of cover-ups
that add an element of modesty
while still being fun, trendy and
sexy.
Sarongs are a good option for
women who want to leave their
suits on while doing other daily
activities like cooking, taking a
walk on the beach or playing in
the sand.
Sarongs can be found in differ-
ent lengths, fabrics and styles.
Tie it at the waist or around
the chest to achieve equal
effectiveness.
Floppy sun hats are also
popular to help shade faces
from the sun.
These safari-inspired hats work
for women of all ages, shapes
and sizes.
If hats aren’t a part of your
style, make sure to apply ample
sunscreen to prevent the
damaging effects of the sun.
No matter what your summer
style may be, one thing is for
sure: Enjoy the weather and
wear what makes you most
comfortable.

target.com victoriassecret.com
Target’s swimsuit campaign focuses on buying fashionable suits at affordable prices. Straw tote bags are practical fashion choices for the
Styles range from bikinis to one-pieces to monokinis (foreground). beach.

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Terry cloth coverup Tunic coverup Hooded coverup
 PAGE 28
Skype’s new cell phone plan allows for international calls.
Skype goes
international
By Chris James
Staff writer
Students that come from over-
seas or across the country can
face many problems adjusting to
a place far from home.
One of these hardships can
be communication with family
and friends, especially when the
distance forces them to use long
distance or international calling
plans.
Luckily for them, Skype is now
offering a plan that could save
them money and keep them
connected with their families
whenever they wanted.
Skype is a free downloadable
computer program.
It allows members to talk to
each other with instant messages
and video, but for a price, this
program can allow users to call
other phones with your computer
and have a conversation that the
receiver would never realize was
being done through a computer
unless they were told.
A new, unlimited international
calling plan has recently become
available for Skype customers.
The plan makes it affordable
and easy to have those hour-long
conversations back home with
your parents, siblings, friends
or all three over the course of
a day.
Calls between computers with
Skype are free of charge.
FEATURES April 30, 2008
THE LAKER
Spring Term
Galley Grill
Dinner:
blog.fastcompany.com
Lunch: S - Turkey Burger
M - Club Sandwich M - General Tso’s Chicken over rice w/ broccoli
T - Chicken Caesar T - Salisbury Steak, mashed potatoes and
W - Chicken Quesadilla veggies
Th - Breakfast for Lunch W - Veal Parm over pasta
Th - Buffalo chicken sandwich
F - Tuna Melt or Grilled
F - Fish sandwich or grilled portabella sandwich
Portabella Sandwich
S - Pepperoni Pizza Sub
S - Sloppy Joe
Junior Diane Thomas enjoys Board Specials Hours of Operation:
Lunch $4.75 Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-1:00 a.m.
the freedom of movement that
Dinner $5.50
it offers. Saturday 1:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.
“You can do multiple things at
once such as type or look some-
Sunday 5:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.
thing up because you have free Look for New Menu Items!
hands,” she said. Mac & Cheese Bites Black Bean Burger
This program is also useful New Salads:
for students that have chosen to Chicken BLT-Veggie(no cheese)-Spinach-Asian Chicken-
leave Mercyhurst and take a term Greek-Caesar
to study abroad.
Using this program, sopho-
more Erin Tracy, a student now
spending spring term in Australia, Subconnection Special Features
is able to call home whenever the
time schedule differences work 6” Sub $3.75 Combo $4.75 Wrap combo-Veggie $5.59
for both her family and her. 12”Sub $5.75 Combo $6.75 other wraps $5.79
“I’ve been here for over two
months, and I’ve used less than
‘Wrap It Yourself’- Veggie $3.99
$40 calling people multiple times Baja and Buffalo Chicken Subs: other wraps $ 4.19
per day,” she said. “I wouldn’t 6” Sub $4.00 Combo $5.25
be able to do that without the 12” Sub $6.00 Combo $ 7.00
program. It’s easy to download Hours of Operation:
and use.” Monday-Friday 11:30 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
However, Skype users do face
some problems, primarily the
Saturday 1:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
fact that both callers must have Sunday 5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Skype.
“The only problem is that
if someone wanted to call me
they’d need Skype as well,” she
Laker Express
said. “Right now, I have to initi- Look for Laker Express
ate most of the conversations Board Equivalency Available: Minute Meals!
with my friends back home.” 11:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
So whether you are on a trip
overseas for a term, or you are Board Specials Hours of Operation:
here at Mercyhurst all year with Mon.-Thurs. 11:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
Lunch $4.75
plenty of distance between you Friday 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
and your family, Skype is doing Dinner $5.50
what it can to bring the both of
Saturday & Sunday Closed
you closer together.
April 30, 2008
The Good,
the Bad &
the Ugly
The Good
Get ready for Spring Fest
this weekend. Free food,
prizes and music are just
some of the fun you can
enjoy.
With finals approach-
ing, bless the souls of
Cafe Diem and Book-
store Coffee Bar employ-
ees. We need our caffeine
accompanied with friendly
smiles.
The Bad
Hello? Erie? Did you get
the memo that spring came
over a month ago? The
40-degree weather is not
appreciated.
Guest tickets for the
Spring Fest concert are
already sold out. Get your
own tickets before those
are gone too.
The Ugly
Senior dinner dance sign-
ups are about as bad as
housing sign-ups. First
come, first serve. Don’t
count on sitting where you
really want.
Sign-ups for preferred
housing were on Monday.
If your group didn’t get it,
you now have to scramble
to rearrange and resubmit
your information.
Please e-mail any suggetions to
opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.
The GB&U is a compilation of
student opinions.
Take control for yourself Stay
By Ellen
Koenig
Staff writer
Despite what others may tell
you, the years you spend as an
undergraduate are probably the
best spent years of your life.
In addition to taking up space
in the ungodly span of 48 pages,
because the editors of the Mer-
ciad are only killing more trees,
I have derived a list of realiza-
tions that time has contributed.
The first is an uncanny style
for clothing, going far beyond
the traditions of blue jeans and
a collection of sweatshirt hood-
ies.
If you have the resources,
try to establish an independent
sense of style.
It contributes to self-con-
fidence. It is most important
to acquire self-esteem in your
college experience through the
build-up of community and
support.
On a similar note, Cosmopol-
itan, which once dawned great
authors, has pretty much turned
to smut.
Regardless, students should
have the opportunity to read
this publication.
To be honest, it is preferred
reading to the elaborate collec-
tion of wedding magazines that
grace the top magazine rack at
the coffee bar.
In contrast, people have to
ROOMMATES WANTED
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OPINION
ask for Cosmo from the book-
store’s staff.
I suggest students demand
the magazine more frequently
to create a wider range of pub-
lication options.
To those people who love to
wear pajamas to class, sweat-
pants may be acceptable.
However, the rest of us have
managed to wake up within 10
minutes of class and still wiggle
into a pair of blue jeans.
You should be respectable
and do the same.
If you want people to take
you seriously, dress like it.
As your years in college
increase, you find an increasing
annoyance for underclassmen.
Specifically, the increasing
amount of foreign and domes-
tic students who forge fake IDs
to enjoy the bar scene.
The drinking age in the U.S.
may be old, however, if in your
native country you are allowed
to bar hop at 16, congratula-
tions, welcome to the States.
This is a right that comes with
age, one you should not enjoy
prior to the honorable age of
21. If you must, go to Canada.
Those who participate in this
thing called life are increasingly
busy.
I tend to doubt you have
more going on than the next
person.
Learn how to juggle and
manage time.
If you feel the need to com-
plain about how much occurs in
your life, then simplify.
On a similar note, regardless
of how much schoolwork you
may have, make an effort to
read a non-academic book.
People find you far more
interesting if you have literary
knowledge as well as a person-
ality.
Roommates are amazing
people.
While everyone has ticks in
daily living, perfection is a uto-
pian perspective that no human
being has the ability to achieve.
In terms of drama, if you are
the cause, please stop.
If you do not like the pres-
ence of drama in your life,
remove it.
On a similar note, I am
increasingly concerned about
the future of our world’s chil-
dren and leadership.
Specifically, when I see stu-
dent leaders and education
majors dancing on the bar at
Park Place on a Thursday.
Next time you feel the
drunken urge to creep up on
the bar in your mini skirt, take
note of the type of men who
are evidently gawking. If this is
the kind of attention you want
to attract, then go right ahead.
Ultimately, you are in control
of the people and decisions with
which you surround yourself.
When you enter a roman-
tic relationship, it is important
to be upfront about what you
want.
Otherwise you may just waste
your time.
In this life there is nothing
more important or valuable
than time.
Thus commit yourself to
something or someone you
truly love and appreciate. You
must be your own self-advocate
in this life, so speak up.
As the next two weeks begin
to wrap up, I hope we have all
had a fun time. Take all you can
and enjoy it.
PAGE 29
classy,
’Hurst
By Noelle Lelakus
Copy editor
Seeing as the opinion section
needed one more article to fill
its page quota for the last issue
of the Merciad for the 2007-08
academic year, I decided I would
step up and fill the void. As I
was not prepared to articulate
an opinion on a serious topic, or
take a trip down memory lane
for senior farewells, I decided it
would be most appropriate to
address the work of my fellow
editors and writers who have
worked incredibly hard to make
the Merciad a weekly must-read,
in addition to our loyal readers.
Our jobs in the newsroom this
year proved to be a huge learn-
ing experience, as every week
brought new information that
had to be prepared for publica-
tion in a short amount of time
to be read by members of the
Mercyhurst community. Enor-
mous amounts of diplomacy
were displayed by the Editor-in-
chief and section editors pursu-
ing facts for their stories, which
covered topics ranging from an
infant death and residence life
squabbles to political advertise-
ments and expansion plans.
On a lighter note, those who
occupied the rolling desk chairs
in the Hirt Center basement
every Tuesday managed to keep
the late nights entertaining,
despite constant static from the
police scanner that kept us up
to speed with the most recent
instances of lost dogs in Erie.
In the midst of serious work, we
thoroughly enjoyed the detailed
process it took to bring you your
news. Thank you for your con-
tinued support.
From the Merciad, with love.
 PAGE 30 OPINION April 30, 2008

This I believe: know meaning of life

Mercyhurst’s Ethical Reflection Committee has initiated this series to encourage reflection within the entire college community on the values by which we live. We hope these will inspire reflec-
tive discussion in a variety of venues.
We suggest that faculty introduce appropriate essays into class discussion; we encourage students to bring these thoughts to classes; we invite administrators and staff to explore these in depart-
ment meetings. Or, if you wish, you may respond directly to our committee chair, Rev. Lyta Seddig: lseddig@mercyhurst.edu.
The ERC requests that you let us know how you have used these thoughts in your life on this campus.
“This I Believe” is now linked to the college website. All essays can be found at http://www.mercyhurst.edu/ne/special-events/believe_essays.
Dr. Sue Godboldt is finishing her first year at Mercyhurst as Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice. Her favorite aspect about Mercyhurst: “The atmosphere on this campus is different
than any other college I have encountered. The faculty members here are truly excited about teaching. It is refreshing to have such caring and talented colleagues around me.”

By Dr. Sue Godboldt
Contributing writer
I believe everyone should
know the meaning of life.
Because the meaning of life
might be different for each
individual, I cannot tell you the
meaning of your life.
I can, however, tell you how
and when I figured out the
meaning of mine.
As a graduate student in
Texas working on my master’s
degree, I dedicated all my time
and energy to being a student.
Everything else in life was
second to my education.
I had a personal study room
reserved in the library and spent
many long hours locked up in
my academic hideaway.
I rarely saw my husband or
spoke to my family, and I could
only vaguely remember what
sunshine or raindrops felt like
as they hit my face.
I continued on this path
for two years, completed my
master’s degree and moved to
Nebraska with my husband and
Miniature Dachshund to begin a
Ph.D. program.
During the first semester of
the doctoral program my grand-
mother, Margaret Mae Chris-
tianson, passed away during the
night.
I was extremely close to my
grandparents, especially my
grandmother, and her death was
a raw and traumatic experience.
Although losing my grand-
mother was painful, it was what
I learned at the funeral that
felt like razorblades were being
embedded in my soul. I would happily listen as how 7th Heaven has gotten memory of my grandmother
At the funeral, I had a conver- she told me about the latest “too sexy.” “Maggie.”
sation with my great aunt, my episode of Jerry Springer and My dissertation was, and this For through her death, I
grandmother’s sister, that broke in the same conversation hear essay is, dedicated to the loving found the meaning of life.
my heart.
Two nights before my grand-
mother passed away, she picked
up the phone and called the
people she loved the most.
She spoke to my mother, my
brother, both of her sisters and
a cousin.
The only person she did not
speak to was her only grand-
daughter, me.
According to my great aunt,
my grandmother tried to call
me, but I was not there.
My grandmother told her
sister that she felt bad calling
me because I was always so busy
with school.
It was at this very moment
that I found the meaning of
life.
I would never again be too
busy for my family.
For my life, family is what
gives it meaning.
My grandmother felt guilty
calling me and taking me away
from my studying.
Most of our conversations
were filled with stories of noth-
ingness, like what was on televi-
sion or how badly she needed a
perm.
She felt those conversations
were not important enough to
tear me away from my academic
obligations.
What my grandmother did
not understand, and neither did
I at the time, was that I would
gladly trade an hour of studying
to have a conversation about
nothing.
April 30, 2008 OPINION PAGE 31

What they don’t tell you when you graduate: A satire

By Joe Will
Contributing writer
I realize that many of you are
preparing to graduate and have
many questions that are as yet
unanswered. Will I find a good
job? Will my significant other
and I tie the knot? How long
will mom and dad let me stay
at home rent-free? These are all
important, but I feel that I have
stumbled upon a grave, impor-
tant, seldom discussed issue.
Two years from now, I will
receive a letter in the mail from
my high school class officers.
It will say that it is time for our
five-year reunion. Now many
of you will agree with me five
years is too soon to have a high
school reunion.
We haven’t had time to do
anything besides graduate col-
lege and start an entry-level job.
We won’t have much to talk
about.
What will the conversations
with my former classmates
sound like? Something along
the lines of, “Hi, wow, you look
great. Did you lose weight?”
Then they’ll say, “No.” And
I’ll try to change the subject by
bringing up someone who had a
baby, while I desperately try to
find one of the six people with
whom I was actually close.
So to decrease the chances of
this situation becoming a reality,
we should all simply lie to every-
one. This is OK because every-
one lies at reunions.
No one makes as much
money, is as happy or volunteers
as much as they say they do,
except the guy who shows up in
the Audi wearing an expensive
Italian suit. He went to a much
better school than you and
everyone else, is making much
more money, and is, by default
happier. But I digress.
The trick to the effective lie
has a few components. First,
delete your Facebook pro-
file about a year in advance so
people don’t know you’re still
clinging to your college life-
style. Next, don’t talk to anyone
from high school for about six
months prior to the reunion:
This will help set up that you’ve
been out of the country.
Study the map of an exotic
country and familiarize yourself
with some local customs and
a few native phrases. Google
maps and Wikipedia will help
with this. When you show up
to the reunion, forgo the suit
or cocktail dress. Wear wrinkled
khakis and a safari shirt with
a worn-out tie. Make sure the
shirt has epaulettes. People will
think you’re either Bear Grylls’
cameraman or just flew in from
a UN aid station.
For further study, reference
the films Romy and Michele’s
High School Reunion and
Grosse Point Blank. Remember
that the most important part of
adulthood is trying to impress
people you knew for four
years and will only see twice a
decade.
Oh, if you don’t have a five-
year reunion, this can still apply
to the 10- year, just be sure your
character can account for the
possible increased waistline and
receding hairline.

First come, first serve not guaranteed: Housing lottery a bust

housing points, and have com- are competing for five town- America has always been will have to be disbanded can
By Kyle Hicks
pleted and turned in the appro- houses, their names go into a about doing things properly interfere with schoolwork and
Contributing writer
priate forms weeks before the lottery. and quickly. social life.
due date. Those picked in the first five Those who explored the Who wants to worry about
With the end of term quickly One would think they would slots have priority over those west first got first choice on splitting a group of six into
appearing upon the horizon, get an early choice, right? picked later, even if the group land, and those who made it two triples because their ticket
confusion and disorder are This is not the case at Mer- picked 10th turned in its hous- out to California first had the was not chosen?
prevailing for students at Mer- cyhurst College. ing forms first. first chance to find gold. For these reasons, and many
cyhurst College. Due to a poorly thought out This means that a group that There is no explanation why more, Residence Life should
One must ask, then, why lottery system, these girls will was organized and completed this system does not prevail change the current system to
the Residence Life department not receive their townhouse their sheets two weeks ahead for housing. favor those who complete their
helps to add to the confu- this year, despite being one of time can be denied their This is a huge problem at forms in a timely fashion.
sion with problematic housing of the first to complete their preferred housing due to a Mercyhurst College.
sign-ups. housing forms. group who turned in housing Finding the appropriate
Here is one quick scenario: The current lottery system forms at the last minute. number of roommates for the
A group of girls who are all applies to groups with the same In a world that favors both following year is enough anxi- Need
going to be seniors sign up for number of housing points. quality and speed, it is surpris- ety for any student.
a townhouse. If 10 groups, who each have ing that this system is still used The added stress of not Math Help?
They have lost none of their the same amount of points, at Mercyhurst. knowing whether one’s group
Come to the
MATH LAB
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 PAGE 32
Cheers to the last four years We only part so
we can meet again
By Michelle
LaSlavic
Staff writer
With this being the last
article I’ll ever write for our
wonderful newspaper, I can’t
help but make it appropriate
by being a bit sentimental.
I’d like to commemorate this
week’s column to the last four
years that have forever changed
my life, as well as many of you
other seniors graduating in
just a few weeks.
When I came to college,
and I’m sure some of you can
relate, I thought I was already
so mature and independent.
Little did I know, I had a lot to
learn about life.
Freshman year, I had the
mentality that I could just have
fun forever.
Don’t get me wrong, my
academics were very important
to me, but it wasn’t far and
few that I might have chosen
socializing over a whole night
in studying.
Knowing I had four years
ahead of me, I didn’t feel it
necessary to think about my
future, start planning what
Goodbye andcampus.
thank you Mercyhurst
I can only be thankful forever remember Mercyhurst
By Bill
Swafford
Staff writer
The time has come for me to
conclude my collegiate career
with only three short years at
Mercyhurst.
I will soon venture off to other
parts of this country and world
following my career. Some of my
best memories will remain here in
Erie, Pa. on the campus of Mer-
cyhurst College. I can only shine
on the great academic curriculum
I have been offered and my vast
opportunity to gain real-world
training and leadership while on
I was going to do after and,
instead, college was about
making friends and pretty
much doing whatever I
wanted.
Freshman year was the initial
year where almost everyone
found their group of friends
and I don’t think anyone can
argue, we were pretty cliquey.
Who could blame us though?
This whole college thing was
new to us and we were scared
to be completely open to new
people and situations.
As the years went on and
we became a little bit more
sure of ourselves, you could
see people branching off
and incorporating groups of
friends together.
You could see many people
starting to work harder in their
classes and being a bit more
serious about their future
plans.
Finally, we are just weeks
away from the end of our
college career and it’s the
strangest thing, but I feel like I
have met more people outside
playing volleyball in the last
few weeks than I have in the
last year.
It may have taken a while,
this very college was the spot to
nurture my development into
adulthood.
I speak for many of my peers
when I say I am very thankful for
what I have received. I have real-
ized fashion will change, music
will come and go and leadership
will change like the seasons. How-
ever, 38th Street will forever hold
a spot in thousands of adults’
hearts as the spot where they
learned not only higher education
but about themselves, about love
and maybe about growing up.
Time has swept us all off our feet
and we have been pushed out the
doors of Old Main, but we will
OPINION
but I feel like so many people
have finally just realized
that the little things don’t
matter anymore and it’s more
important to enjoy the time we
have left with one another.
My advice to you lucky
students that have one to three
more years ahead of you: Take
your school work seriously and
start figuring out what you’re
going to do later on so you can
enjoy your senior year instead
of stressing.
Also, don’t hold yourself
back from meeting new people
and accepting new ideas; there
are many interesting and fun
people you could miss the
opportunity of enjoying if you
just seclude yourself to a small
group.
Don’t judge people too
early or based on what you
heard from someone else. And
finally, don’t rush out of here
or wish your days away too
quickly because believe me,
they will come fast enough on
their own.
To my fellow seniors, thank
you for an amazing four years;
they have been unreal and
good luck in whatever it is you
choose to do.
College as the ’Hurst. As for me, I
am off the day after graduation. I
am off to Fort Knox, Ky., to serve
my country as an Infantry Officer
in the United States Army.
For those who read my column
week after week, I thank you for
your support and those who dis-
agreed with me, just realize that
about 90 percent of my content is
twisted to a satirical view of col-
lege and is not truly meant to be
offensive.
However, if you truly disliked
me, this is the last time you will
read my material. So farewell
Mercyhurst, and remember, vote
Republican.
By Jerrod
Markle
Staff writer
I could have written an article
this week about my new findings
on Marlene Mosco, president of
Mercyhurst Board of Trustees
and her friendship with Tom
Ridge, the former secretary of
Homeland Security.
Any outsider would view,
critically analyze and question
the factual evidence of
conflicting interests that went
into the decision for the no-bid
contract granted to Mercyhurst
Intelligence Studies department
in 2005 by the department of
Homeland Security.
However, some people may
cry over such evidence and I
do not want to bring others to
tears, although they have been
known to heal.
I obviously do not have
the support from the school
to question their motives in
allowing ventures on campus,
since the person who broke
the above story in the national
news was already scrutinized
by the college, while a
college representative stated,
“Mercyhurst College stands
by our intelligence studies
program.”
With such unquestioned
loyalty, how dare a student
question the reasoning of
existence for such a fine, free-
loving institution?
My consistent scrutiny
has apparently ruffled many
“patriotic” feathers, and I guess
I need to just shut up and let it
go since “intelligence” is never
going to cease.
Really, what’s the big deal;
not like any harm is being done,
right?
I scoff in the face of such
ignorance and plead for some
April 30, 2008
sort of awakening.
My ridicule paralleled with
pleas are soon to be forgotten,
as the winds of time carry the
class of 2008 off into the real
world of jobs, careers and
prolonged education away from
Mercy world.
Surely the childish actors
who chose to carry out violence
and hide behind power, ignore
or disrepute my words as they
deflect off their closed minds.
Am I such an idealistic
dreamer to think that endeavors
in the 21st century should be
guided by humble philosophies
of peace, harmony and love?
The government will continue
to lie, exploit and harm the
people of the human species
as long as these very people
remain complacent in apathy
and unceasing in their trust in
elite institutions. It must be
the same majority that turns
a blind eye to the ever-present
atrocities and evils spread under
the United States flag.
No longer willing or able to
displace blame, the people that
chose to take on the onus of
individual responsibility soon
will unite and rise, I hope. The
education here at Mercyhurst
has prepared the 2008 seniors
to operate with the lens that
“not all that glitters is gold” so
they can realize the reality and
gravitas of each free, individual
choice made and contemplated.
Carpe Diem seniors, for only
those who openly embrace and
seize the opportunity of every
new day can fully appreciate
the eternity that is pervasive in
each second. It would be foolish
to think the memories made
here at Mercyhurst will ever be
forgotten, so let the memories
guide each ever-increasingly
important decision made
toward establishing individual
emancipation.
April 30, 2008 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR PAGE 33

Debate, don’t defame: empty holsters

By Devin Ruic
Contributing writer
When I helped organize the
Empty Holster Protest among
students on our campus, I
expected a certain degree of
controversy and, obviously,
some debate.
However, I did not expect a
half-page of the Merciad to be
used in an ill-informed, emo-
tionally-based attack against
myself.
It was suggested that I,
among other members of the
Students for Concealed Carry-
on Campus (SCCC), spend
time “on the inner-city streets
of Detroit or St. Louis.”
The obvious conclusion
Ellen attempted to draw here
is because the two cities listed
are numbers one and two on
the 10 most dangerous cities
list in the U.S., more guns equal
more crime in these cities.
Sorry to burst this pessi-
mistic little bubble, but the
Detroit Free Press states,
“The incidence of violent
crime in Michigan [particu-
larly Detroit] in the six years
since the [concealed carry law]
went into effect has been, on
average, below the rate of the
previous six years.
The overall incidence of
death from firearms, including
suicide and accidents, also has
declined.”
What this shows is more
guns in the hands of law-abid-
ing citizens equals less crime,
including crimes that involve
firearms.
It was also suggested that
members of the SCCC would
advocate the arming of 12-
year-olds.
All this shows is that Ellen
likely did zero research on
the group; as the SCCC solely
advocates allowing individuals
who fulfill all legal require-
ments to obtain a firearm and
carry it concealed to grant
themselves and those around
them the same amount of
protection they are provided
everywhere else, including
their businesses, churches,
malls and movie theatres.
“I hate to break the news,”
Koenig said, but concealed
carry laws have been proven
to lower violent crime rates,
including the rate of crimes
involving firearms over the
past decade.
She said, “Let me put this
in perspective,” all nine public
colleges in Utah, Colorado
State University and Blue
Ridge Community College
in Virginia allow concealed
carry-on their campuses.
In a combined total of over
60 academic semesters, there
has not been one circumstance
in which a concealed firearm
has been used in an illegal or
illegitimate manner.
Washington, D.C., a gun-
free zone, held the rank of
“highest per-capita murder
rate” in the country for nearly
a decade. Virginia Tech was a
“gun-free” zone.
Mercyhurst is a “gun-free”
zone. There is a reason mass
shootings continue to occur in
areas deemed “gun-free.”
It is because shooters know
none of their victims will be
able to defend themselves.
Following Virginia Tech’s
tragedy, there were tales of
those students who attempted
to use “non-weaponries self-
defense.”
Indeed, students threw
books, ran at Seung-Hui Cho,
and attempted to disarm him.
Thirty-two people died at
Virginia Tech, and 30 of those
died after the police arrived.
I pray that no such inci-
dent would ever occur here,
or indeed anywhere, but I also
recognize the vulnerability of
our own “gun-free zone.”
Now, I suppose I could be
quiet. I guess I could have
taken classes from home.
I expect I could have
avoided expressing an idea
different from the mainstream
groupthink, but that would
not be my style.
Nor would it be the style of
the collegiate environment.
This is an institute of higher
education, and it is supposed
to be an open marketplace of
ideas.
If I “agitate” anyone, I hope
they would express their dif-
ferences with logic and fact,
rather than doubletalk and
misplaced zealotry.
This is not a ploy to frighten
the masses.
I am not a radical. I am not
trying to prove my machismo.
If I had wanted to do so,
I would have avoided singing
and dancing in Seussical.
I am an American citizen,
like many of you, and I am
expressing my right to free-
dom of speech.
I believe in it as strongly as
I believe in the rights guaran-
teed by the Second Amend-
ment.
If you disagree, God bless
you. Debate. Engage. Under-
stand the other side.
Don’t attack. Don’t attempt
to embarrass or libel someone
in front of the entire school.
I mean, that’d just be child-
ish, wouldn’t it?

Fault found in tuition hike article Take a Facebook

By Emily Crawford
Contributing writer
I wanted to take a minute to
write a letter about the cover of the
Merciad that was released on April
9, 2008.
The first thought I had when I
saw the cover was, “Wow, shouldn’t
the Merciad focus on the positive
by headlining the exciting news that
the college has switched to direct
lending.” The college is taking proac-
tive steps to its the students during
the loan crisis seek reliable funding.
The news is drawing such great at-
tention that Fox Business Network
was on our campus, interviewing
students and administrators about
this switch.
I was not only disappointed about
the headline on tuition, but I also
wanted to write a letter to make
corrections to the inaccuracies of
the article.
The headline states, “next year’s
tuition bill will be $31K.” the reality is
that tuition will be $21,690 for a stu-
dent that takes 30 credits per year.
If you add on housing and fees,
that is how Mercyhurst breaks the
$31,000 mark. To say that tuition has
crossed the $30,000 mark is an inac-
curate statement. To put things into
perspective, according to FinAid, a
financial aid Web site, during a 17-
year period starting in 1958 college
tuition nationwide increased yearly
between six and nine percent.
On average, the yearly increase
is usually closer to eight percent.
Insidehighered.com noted that
between 2007 and 2008 the average
four-year private school increase was
6.3 percent.
After research, I have looked
into our competitors and have real-
ized that the Mercyhurst College
tuition bill is one of the lowest.
Gannon University tuition for
2008-09 will cost $22,160; Allegh-
eny College $31,680; John Carroll
University $27,190; Saint Vincent
College $24,620 and Canisius Col-
lege $27,100.
I do not write these figures to
compare us to other schools, be-
cause I am sure everyone reading this
article knows the reasons why they
break.
love Mercyhurst and have decided to
pay the private school sticker price. I
write these figures to show that may- Catch up on
be the price of Mercyhurst College
isn’t worth complaining about. No news that isn’t
one wants tuition increases, but it is featured on your
a reality and will continue to happen
to sustain the college. I encourage Mini-Feed.
the Merciad staff to focus on the
positive as we analyze the inevitable
tuition increases. See photos that
The college and its administration
are creating positive changes such
say more than
as moving to direct lending and the “I’m with stupid.”
construction of a new residence hall
and academic building.
These changes are occurring to merciad.
support the students and the high
standard of education for which
mercyhurst.edu
Mercyhurst College is known.
PAGE 34
My final thoughts on the ’Hurst Take it with a grain of
By Bill
Swafford
Staff writer
[Editor’s Note: The following
column does not reflect the views of
the Merciad staff.]
As I write my final article for
the Merciad, I feel it is most
appropriate for me to go back
to my roots and give my final
satire of the negatives of this
campus.
I first must start with a topic
that many students have e-mailed
me about week after week, a fac-
ulty member who drives a golf
cart around campus the same
color as the vehicle he drives.
I am sure that his role at this
college may be vital to the suc-
cess and future of this insti-
tution. However, there is no
excuse for a man to act like a
ruler of a kingdom.
Is it right to have mainte-
nance workers meet him at
his car in the morning only to
deliver his golf cart so he is not
required to walk like the rest of
the world?
Or even is it kosher for the
second floor of Old Main to
smell like cigarettes in the areas
of his office when the building
is non-smoking?
Then there are the lavish exec-
utive board members with their
expensive cars that block Old
Main drive with what looks like
a parking lot in South Beach.
These very people are rarely
seen at any function on campus
in support of those who pay
their salary, the students.
Then there are members of
the school administration who
are merely nothing more than a
name on a door.
It is my belief members of
our college’s administration
might even miss a faculty mem-
ber’s funeral due to their “busy”
schedules.
Their concern for the stu-
dent body is shown in their lack
of activism in the Mercyhurst
Student Government, which
serves no purpose to the school
administration outside of a
school activity.
What about police and safety?
They are expected to be taken
seriously while wearing a belt
holding nothing more than
handcuffs and radio.
The school wonders why
there are issues with police and
safety and student interaction.
It is because many students
view them as nothing more than
mall security.
In a true time of crisis, our
police force could do nothing
more than call the Erie police
just as a normal student could.
What is their function other
than traffic code enforcers?
With that said, some of the
officers perform their job to
standard, however, some would
ticket their own mother if given
the opportunity.
Let us not forget about the
beloved student conduct book
that reads more like a high
school policy book than that of
a collegiate institution.
This monster forces students
off-campus every weekend into
the Erie to cause more destruc-
tion in the town due to severely
stringent rules on campus.
However, revenue is revenue
for student infractions, which
might fund another golf cart in
the fleet.
However, we all know it is not
going toward campus landscap-
ing, as we have seen the decline
in the beautification of the
grounds in the past few years.
Or what about our beloved
students who pursue degrees
that offer no career progres-
sion?
What will the college do to
aide them in their $120,000 debt
for a college degree in which
their highest paid job might
yield $20,000 dollars a year?
These are slight details left
out I am sure at the college visit
OPINION
to students who pursue degrees
in the fine arts.
What about the Merciad
itself ? The fact that the editor
allows me to be printed makes
him as absurd as me writing
these articles.
There are also the inflated
tuition costs and additional fees
that seems to creep higher and
higher every trimester.
I am almost certain next year
the school will charge an oxygen
fee.
Lastly, I could not forget
about the liberal camp that is
firmly supported here at the col-
lege. The push of extreme left
thought and even communist
ideas can be fostered by some
of the college’s elite staff.
This very staff might have
aided Jerrod Markle into think-
ing that the world is out to get
him and the only way to survive
is to abandon government and
live on a desolate island.
However, many liberal profes-
sors are good men and women
and make for great debate
during class. With that said, it
would be nice to see more than
about three conservative think-
ers on campus.
Maybe then, the ROTC pro-
gram will no longer be looked
at as Hitler Youth, but rather
a group of young men and
women who volunteered above
many of their fearful peers to
conserve freedom for years
to come during a time of war.
Maybe then the school will
actually give the largest ROTC
company in Erie the facilities
and support it has been after for
years.
With all this said, I am sure
that these issues will continue
several years after my gradu-
ation. Seeing as though this is
my last article, I can receive
no rebuttal or counter argu-
ment. The bottom line is there
is some truth in all that I have
stated. What will you do to
change it?
salt: A few tidbits on life
By Merissa
Frank
Opinion editor
The trend among the Opin-
ion staff is farewells and good-
byes. I suppose in a way, I did it
last week and am going to do it
again. However, it is my turn to
seethe a little.
Apparently I offended some-
one a few weeks ago with a glib
comment in the Good, Bad
and Ugly about “girls”-and not
women-needing to get in shape.
For those of you who may
not consistently read the Mer-
ciad, the Good, Bad and Ugly
is meant to be witty, sarcastic,
snarky and any other cynical
adjective you pull out of your
hat. For the regular readers, you
should know that by now.
Instead of letting it go, I have
stewed over it. But as I need
to get over it, so does anyone
insulted by what was printed.
At the same time, though, the
Tuesday Afternoon the very
next week advertised to get in
shape. Did they get attacked?
Doubtful.
If you have insecurities, don’t
get bent out of shape (and yes,
a pun is emphatically intended
here) over an off-hand Merciad
snippet.
Stop watching TV, reading
magazine and surfing the Inter-
net because they all reinforce
this comment and I feel safe
in assuming that while it makes
women extremely uncomfort-
able, it is the insufferable truth
that the American society is
superficially obsessive.
My time at Mercyhurst has
been spent learning textbook
facts, but better founded on
learning about life’s nuances.
First and foremost, the most
important thing I capitalized on
is respect. As an adult in rela-
April 30, 2008
tionships with other adults, one
hopefully realizes that respect is
a two-way street.
Moreover, if you lose it, it is
even harder to earn back. If you
never had it in the first place,
do not expect to receive it in
return.
I live my life according to my
own values and ethics, most of
which are consistent with what
society deems acceptable. If
you don’t follow my values and
can reasonably share your views
with me without forcing them
upon me, you have earned my
respect.
You cannot earn a person’s
respect by doing several things.
These include, and are never lim-
ited to, going over your “boss’s”
head to that of her “CEO.” Do
not expect a person to interact
with you if you do not even
have the dignity of coming to
her with what you want to see
from her.
If you wish to insult her, fine.
But please, for your own sake,
at least spell the person’s name
right. (Let me put out another
disclaimer for those readers
easily insulted by the Opinion
section: I use “her” instead of
“him or her” exclusively to keep
this concise and easy to read.)
Let me wrap this up by saying,
get over yourself. This is college.
There is no other time in life to
define yourself like right now.
Do you want to be defined as an
“uptight wench” or a “self-serv-
ing egotist?”
Just take a step back and
assess just how seriously you
are taking yourself right now,
because frankly, don’t you think
you would enjoy life a little more
if you weren’t so critical instead
of projecting your flaws onto
others?
And in case you were won-
dering, don’t worry, we hate
Josh too.
April 30, 2008 OPINION PAGE 35

Reality check painful but important

By Merissa
Frank
Opinion editor
There is not much left to say
but goodbye, but there is still a
ton left to say that words cannot
convey.
The time has come, seniors.
You say you’ll keep in touch, but
only time will tell.
Face it. Whether or not you
keep in touch, you are going
to have to make new friends at
work.
This is a daunting task for
most people. You have to be
vulnerable enough to see where
your friendship could go, but
closed enough to remain pro-
fessional.
Summer is coming. Things happen. It is time to get a handle on
life as a grown-up. That means
you have to find a job from
which you will receive benefits
that never really seemed impor-
tant until now.
Things you once took for
granted, that you relied on your
parents for, are no longer acces-
sible.
If you aren’t a senior, I bet
one of the last things on your
mind is health insurance. May
18 comes around, and it is gone
for most seniors.
Not to be negative, but worst
case scenario: you’re in a car
accident. You get appendicitis.
Any surgery is well over tens of
thousands of dollars.
And, of course, don’t forget
those little, pesky student loan
payments can only be prolonged
for six months.
So on our agenda thus far:
Lack of friends, lack of health
care, lack of finance. Real world
is looking real grim, ain’t it?
My theory is, if you don’t
have a “big kid” job right after
graduation, spend your summer
enjoying life, with or without
friends or insurance.
Just be aware of these things,
unpleasant as they may be.
I’m not saying to bunker
down and become a cube
monkey, because that isn’t a
healthy choice. I’m not saying to
ignore the facts of life and blow
off everything without saving
up a little money.
Reality is at the door. While
many of you aren’t finishing
your chapter on higher educa-
tion, those who are need to
know what to expect.

Share your thoughts next year as an

Opinion writer.

Apartment for Rent

attached to
Private Home Joshua Wilwohl
Casey Greene
Editor-in-Chief editormerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Managing Editor editormerciad@mercyhurst.edu
10 minutes from Amy Zielinski & Amanda Valauri
Jen Gildea
News Editors newsmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Features Editor featuremerciad@mercyhurst.edu
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Includes furniture, washer/dryer, Nicole Cerilli A&E entertainmentmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
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repectful.
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with house priviledges with same
amenities and exceptions
$400/month. No animals
Call 868-5589
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.
 PAGE 36 SPORTS April 30, 2008

Laker Sports ‘Quick Hits’

This week’s results...
Lax drops OT heartbreaker
Baseball...............................................................................Apr.23, W 6-3, Gannon
By Chris Davis
Apr 23 W 4-0, Gannon Sports editor
Apr. 26, L 12-6, Grand Valley State
Apr. 26, W 9-3, Grand Valley State
Apr. 27, W 5-4, Grand Valley State The Mercyhurst College men’s
Apr. 27, W 10-9, Grand Valley State lacrosse team gave its all against
Softball..........................................................................Apr. 23, W 12-4, Seton Hill No. 2 New York Institute of
Apr. 23, W 3-1, Seton Hill
Apr. 25, L 8-0 (5), Northwood
Technology (New York Tech),
Apr. 25, L 2-0, Northwood but came up short, falling 9-8 in
Apr. 26, W 1-0, Saginaw Valley State overtime on Saturday.
Apr. 26, L 5-3, Saginaw Valley State The victory for New York
Men’s lacrosse..................Apr. 26, L 9-8 (OT), New York Institue of Technology
Women’s lacrosse...............................................Apr. 28, W 21-1 , Slippery Rock
Tech guarantees they will win at
Women’s water polo......................................................Apr. 25, L 14-2, Michigan least a share of the conference
April 26, L 14-8, Bucknell title and most likely will get a
Apr. 27, L 15-3, Indiana bid into the NCAA tournament
with its current record of 11-0
Bertolini/Crow athletes of the week overall and 5-0 in the East Coast
Conference.
Senior baseball player Dan Bertolini batted .476 this week, as he went 10-for-
The Lakers fall to 8-4 on the
21, scoring five runs and driving in two more. In a doubleheader sweep over
rival Gannon at Jerry Uht Park, Bertolini went 6-for-8. In the 4-0 game two season (3-2 ECC).
victory, he was 4-for-4 with a pair of doubles. Bertolini scored the Lakers’ first Mercyhurst battled as they
run and drove in the second in the victory. tied the game 1-1 with 8:58 left
Sophomore Carrina Crow of women’s softball helped put Mercyhurst in the
in the first period on a goal by
GLIAC Tournament going 2-1 on the mound this past weekend with a 0.35
ERA, as she pitched three complete games in all of her starts, allowing just graduate student Jordan Witt.
one earned run in 20 innings. Crow struck out 16 batters throughout the Witt would answer, scoring Don Eighmey photo

weekend. on a goal assisted by junior Mike
Bartlett to put Mercyhurst 2-1
Men’s golf named team of the week
with 6:29 remaining. The Lakers
The Mercyhurst men’s golf team won the Division II Championship at the led 2-1 after the first period.
Penn State Behrend Invitational this past week and followed that up with a Mercyhurst was first to light
291 to defeat Gannon by five strokes on Sunday in the Mercyhurst Invitational.
Sophomore Tyler Bidwell took medalist honors in each event, shooting a 72 in
up the scoreboard in the second
the Penn State Behrend Invitational. The Lakers beat Gannon by six strokes, period less than 35 seconds in
Slippery Rock by seven and Edinboro by 42. In the Mercyhurst Invitational, with a goal by junior captain
Bidwell shot a 69 as the Lakers rolled to a victory. Mike Bartlett with the assist
going to junior Mike Thon.
Former Laker Cottreau involved in longest AHL game
A strong defensive effort
On April 25, former Mercyhurst hockey captain Ben Cottreau was a part of and superb play in goal would
American Hockey League history. That night Cottreau’s team, the Albany keep the score 3-1 in favor of
River Rats, was defeated in five overtimes by the Philadelphia Phantoms.
Ryan Potulny’s goal at 2:58 of the fifth overtime gave the Phantoms the
Mercyhurst at the half.
3-2 win. The game was the longest in American Hockey League history. It Junior Jason LaShomb
began at 7:01 Thursday night and did not end until 12:39 of Friday morning. contributed an All-American
Cottreau did not factor in the scoring but was on the ice when the game- effort, gathering 14 saves
winner was scored.
during the contest, with six of
East beats West in spring football game them during the first half.
New York Techs’ Chris
Red-shirt freshman Cody Ladutko completed a 10-yard touchdown pass Powers came up with nine saves
to red-shirt sophomore Josh Szeluga for the only touchdown of the annual
spring football game, as the East defeated West 10-0. The only other
during the game.
points came from red-shirt junior Chris Ryan, who hit a 22-yard field goal. “We gave it everything we
The Lakers first season as a member of the Pennsylvania State Athletic had,” sophomore midfielder
Conference begins with a non-conference game August 30 at Wayne State Charles Saylor said. “We
at 12:30 p.m.
have continued to improve
Water polo members earn postseason honors throughout the year, and
hopefully we can finish the
Freshman Rachel Griepsma became the first Laker to win CWPA Western season strong, getting a victory
Division Rookie of the Year. She was also named CWPA All-Western Division
First Team. Senior teammate, Christine Somera was named to the second
for all of our seniors.”
team. Coach Curtis Robinette was named CWPA Western Division Coach of The third quarter was littered
the Year. with scoring from both teams.
Junior Tom Eighmey clears the ball during a win earlier this
year. The Lakers honor the seniors Saturday on Tullio Field.
The Lakers scored the first
two goals of the period within
the first three minutes.
Thon scored first on an assist
from Bartlett before sophomore
Tyler Burton scored 45 seconds
later to give Mercyhurst a 5-1
lead.
After New York Tech’s Keith
Henderson scored his first of
three goals on the day, Thon
answered back seven seconds
later off of a face off.
New York Tech scored the
next two goals to cut the lead to
6-4 with 9:18 to play in the third
period.
Bartlett and sophomore
Trevor Rice would score for
Mercyhurst.
New York Tech would get
a goal from the 2007 ECC
Offensive Player of the Year,
Kevin Hennessy, to cut the
Lakers lead to three, 8-5, to start
the fourth.
Mercyhurst could not score
during the final period, as New
York Tech would rattle off
three goals to send the game
into overtime.
Matt Messina was the savior
for Tech, when he scored with
1:35 remaining to tie the score
at 8-8.
With all the momentum
heading into the extra session,
Austin Carino scored off of a
pass from Messina two minutes
and seven seconds into overtime
for the game-winner.
The Lakers will look to finish
their season at home on Saturday
against Adelphi at 1 p.m.
At the game they will honor
five seniors: Joe Konnecke,
Scott Sullivan, Chris Waheibi,
Brian Perkins and Karl Heinz.
“I’ve had a wonderful career
being a Mercyhurst Laker and
I cannot wait to graduate this
spring,” Waheibi said. “I will miss
my teammates tremendously,
but thank them for all the many
wonderful friendships that I’ve
made. They have been a second
family to me. I just wish we
could have had a better year.”
April 30, 2008
Baseball sweeps Gannon, lose three to Grand Valley State
By Brad Moehringer
Staff writer
It was a home away from
home for Mercyhurst College,
as the baseball team traveled
downtown to Jerry Uht Park last
Wednesday for a doubleheader
against the Golden Knights of
Gannon.
The Lakers found comfort
on the natural grass as they
put together a dominating two-
game sweep of their cross-town
rivals.
In game one, it was the
bullpen of the Lakers led by
seniors James Ludwig and John
Morris, who came in relief of
senior starter Wes Craig to shut
down the offense for the Golden
Knights. Craig picked up the
win for Lakers, his fifth of the
season, and Morris picked up
his sixth save of the year.
Mercyhurst had 12 hits
in game one and broke a
scoreless tie in the bottom of
the fourth, when they put up
four runs to take the lead. A
lead they would not relinquish
’Hurst water polo ends with losses at Eastern Championships
By Andrew Schonhoff
Staff writer
The Mercyhurst College
women’s water polo team
spent the weekend in Ann
Arbor, Mich. for the Eastern
Championships.
This year marks the first time
the team has ever made it this
far in the postseason.
They started play matched
against top-seeded University
of Michigan.
The Lakers came ready to
play, but the No.11 Wolverines
proved to be too much.
Mercyhurst held Michigan to
only a three-goal lead after the
first quarter, but the Wolverines
The Laker’s baseball team concludes its season on Sunday
with Joe Hepfinger throwing the first pitch.
picking up the win 6-3.
In what seems to be a
commonly reoccuring theme,
game two saw another pitching
performance from red-shirt
sophomore Steve Grife, worthy
of the “That’s Nasty” segment
on Baseball Tonight. Grife went
the distance for Mercyhurst
giving up no runs, striking out
eight and only giving up four
continued to play hard and
ended up winning by a score of
14-2.
Freshman Rachel Griepsma
and senior Christine Somera
scored the only goals of the
game.
After Michigan sent them
into the consolation bracket, the
Lakers were matched up against
No.5 Bucknell.
By the end of the first half,
Mercyhurst was still in the game,
but down by a score of 8-4.
The Lakers were able to
mount a small rally in the fourth
quarter, but still fell by a score
of 14-6.
Somera and senior
Carrie Willison each totaled
three goals and two assists
SPORTS
Scoot Williams photo
hits in seven innings of work
to pick up his fourth win of the
year.
Junior Jamie Walczak and
senior Joe Luli each had two
hits, as well as an RBI. Luli sent
one deep into the Erie night
with a towering homerun to
lead off the fifth inning and
solidify the 4-0 win.
But the story of the offense in
during the game.
The loss against Bucknell
sent them into the seventh place
game, where they played Indiana
University for the third time
this season.
Both the previous games
ended in a Mercyhurst loss,
and the Hoosiers came out just
as strong as they had in the
preceding games.
In the end, Indiana topped
Mercyhurst by a score of 15-3.
The Lakers’ scoring came
from the three leading
scorers, with one goal a piece
from Somera, Willison and
Griepsma.
Despite losing all three games
over the weekend, there are many
positives that can be drawn from
the series was senior co-captain
Dan Bertolini, who went 6-8
with two doubles and three runs
scored in the doubleheader.
The sweep of Gannon
brought Mercyhurst’s win
streak to five before traveling
to Grand Valley State over
the weekend for Saturday and
Sunday doubleheaders.
In Saturday’s game one, Grand
Valley State roughed up Lakers’
starter junior John Mang for 11
runs through four innings of
work, only five of which were
earned. Mercyhurst managed to
put six runs on the board, three
of which came on one swing of
the bat from freshman Jonathan
Keppler, who hit his first career
homerun. However, it was
not enough and Mercyhurst
dropped game one 12-6.
Game two on Saturday saw
freshman Nick Gillung take the
bump for the Lakers and keep
Grand Valley State off balance.
Gillung went five innings giving
up seven hits and only allowing
three earned runs to pick up his
second win of the year.
Senior Josh Schmidt provided
the Eastern Championships and
the season as a whole.
Mercyhurst was the only
Division II team at Easterns,
and there has not been another
Division II team make it to the
tournament in four years.
The Lakers ended the season
with a record of 14-9, which is
just one short of the most wins
in a season for the program.
The team has six seniors, all
of whom have made strong
contributions to the program
throughout their careers.
Somera and Willison stand
as the second and third all-time
leading scorers, and senior Gina
Mieras is at the top of the list
for most career saves.
Other graduating seniors are
PAGE 37
the offense getting three hits to
drive in four runs as Mercyhurst
took game two 9-3 to salvage
the split.
Sunday’s doubleheader saw
Mercyhurst drop both games by
scores of 4-1 and 10-4.
In game one, Grand Valley
State got the lead early scoring
one run in each of the first two
innings off senior starter Eric
Drobotij, who despite going
five and one-third innings took
his fourth loss of the season.
The lone Laker run was driven
in by freshman Craig Denman.
Game two’s only highlight
came off of the bat of Luli,
who belted a grand slam for
the Lakers only four runs of
the game in the sixth inning.
Freshman Thurman Schaetzle
took the loss, his first of the
season.
The Lakers now stand with
an overall record of 23-23 and
9-17 in the GLIAC. Next up
for Mercyhurst is a road trip
to take on GLIAC opponent
Ashland this Wednesday, April
30 for a doubleheader starting
at 2 p.m.
Renee Sander, Christie Haibach
and Rhonda Marable.
Griepsma had an incredible
year, and shows great promise
for the future of the program.
She finished the season leading
the team with 80 goals.
Not only was this the most
for the Mercyhurst water polo
program, but she leads the entire
nation in season goals.
Head coach Curtis Robinette
commented on their season.
“The team really worked
hard this year, and they were
rewarded by the best postseason
Mercyhurst women’s water polo
has ever had,” he said.
The Lakers hope to build off
of this season’s success with
next year’s team.
 PAGE 38
Rowing finds success in Philadelphia
By Anne Sobol
Staff writer
Another weekend brought
another milestone race for the
Mercyhurst rowing teams.
The women found themselves
ranked No. 5 nationally in
the NCAA, after crushing
Eastern Michigan at home last
weekend.
At the April 26 Eastern
Regional Championship in
Philadelphia, Pa., the main event
was the women’s varsity eight
competition in which the Lakers
again faced their east coast foes,
Philadelphia and Dowling.
Dave Lough moving up
the professional ladder
By Brittany Jackett
Sports editor
For most baseball fans, and
even non-professional players,
watching a spring training
exhibition game from the
stands in Florida or Arizona is
an exciting, rare occasion.
But imagine the excitement
of getting the once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity to participate in
the event.
This is exactly what
former Mercyhurst College
centerfielder Dave Lough was
given the chance to do this past
spring.
Prior to heading down to
spring training, Lough had
played for class-A Burlington
of the Appalachian League,
after getting drafted during the
11th round by the Kansas City
Royals in June 2007.
Despite only getting 86 at-
bats due to a strained quad
early in the season, Lough put
up the numbers necessary to
get noticed.
The Mercyhurst men’s rowing team will compete this week-
end in Athens, Ohio.
During the two weeks since
the women last saw these crews,
they made vast improvements,
as shown by their times on
When he was healthy, Lough
hit .337 with six stolen bases, six
doubles and 12 RBIs.
Even those at the top have
taken notice of the 5-foot-
10, Division II double-sport
athlete.
“He comes out here and looks
like he’s been here for five years.
Like he definitely belongs. He’ll
probably start in Burlington,
but we look to have him move a
level before the season is over,”
said J.J. Picollo, the Kansas
City Royals’ director of player
development.
Former Mercyhurst team-
mate, senior outfielder Joe Luli,
was proud to say he played with
Lough.
“He is a natural athlete and
competitor with tons of talent,
and he’s got his head on his
shoulders right,” Luli said.
Also commenting on Lough’s
success was his former coach,
Joe Spano.
“He always worked hard on
and off the field, but his great-
est asset is his ability and will-
ingness to learn,” Spano said.
SPORTS
Danielle Ohman photo
Saturday.
In New Jersey two weeks ago,
the ‘Hurst finished third overall,
roughly five seconds behind
A new era begins in baseball
By Andrew Kavulich
Sports columnist
In the midst of a steroid off-
season, and then the end of
the steroid era, not hearing the
names Barry Bonds and Roger
Clemens for the first month of
baseball has been nice.
Instead, we have heard of
headlines involving the Tampa
Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles
being tied for first place, the
Colorado Rockies and Detroit
Tigers tanking and a David
Ortiz jersey selling for 175K.
Major League Baseball’s
biggest challenge this season
was to get through a season
without two of the greatest
players who have ever played
the game.
Say what you want about
how they got there, but the two
biggest headlines this time last
year were when and if Bonds
would break the record, and
with what team Clemens would
grace his presence.
As for this year, the
headlines have nothing to do
with individuals, but rather
Philly and nearly 13 seconds
behind Dowling.
Led by freshman Beth Brun
at stroke and sophomore Annie
Schiller in seven-seat, the Lakers
took second place this week,
cruising in at 6:50.48, cutting
No. 2 Dowling’s lead in half
from their last match-up and
finishing over six seconds ahead
of Philadelphia, ranked third
nationally.
The varsity four continues
to improve as well, coming out
fourth overall and is currently
ranked at No. 5 in the east.
With the Mid-America
College Rowing Association
(MACRA) Regatta approaching
team play.
As of Monday, the Rays and
Orioles are tied for first place
with the defending champion
Boston Red Sox in the American
League East.
The Florida Marlins are in
first place in the hardest division
in the National League, the NL
East.
To say you could name more
than two players on each of
these three surprising first-
place teams, excluding Boston,
puts you in a class of few.
However, the fact that these
three teams have no superstars
could be the reason why they
are playing so well.
With the good, comes the
bad and it doesn’t get worse
than last in your division.
The Detroit Tigers are sitting
dead last in one of the hardest
divisions in baseball, the AL
Central.
At the beginning of the
season, the Tigers were set to go
to the World Series. The reason
being was because of their busy
off-season, upgrading in both
offense and defense.
The Tigers acquired in a trade
April 30, 2008
on May 3, Mercyhurst’s women
are looking to shake up the
NCAA rankings further as they
compete against Dowling and
Philadelphia for a third time.
On a whim the men’s team
only traveled two crews out of
four this weekend.
They won their second
consecutive championship,
dominating the event in first
and second place at least 36
seconds over Philadelphia and
41 seconds ahead of Villanova.
The Mercyhurst men will
take their full team to MACRA
with the women this upcoming
weekend, surely leaving their
mark in Athens, Ohio as well.
with the Florida Marlins a bat
in Miguel Cabrera and an arm
in Dontrelle Willis, all without
giving up key players.
As for the National League,
the defending NL Champs, the
Colorado Rockies, are near the
bottom of their division.
Unlike the Tigers who can
only get better with the meshing
of the new players, the Rockies
did not acquire any help in the
off-season.
However, it is the first month
of baseball and there still six
months left. What is true in
baseball now will more than
likely be different in the fall.
After all, the Yankees and
Red Sox will play their usual 500
games for the division and the
Tigers will join the Cleveland
Indians and Chicago White Sox
in a race for first in the Central.
As for the National League,
don’t be surprised if another
unexpected team makes it to
the World Series.
What can be certain right
now is a new era is beginning
in baseball. As for the name of
this era, that is up to the players
to decide.
April 30, 2008
Women’s lax earns school record, defeats Slippery Rock
By Samantha Sellinger
Staff writer
The Mercyhurst College
women’s lacrosse team broke
the program record of wins in a
single season on Monday when
the Lakers defeated Slippery
Rock 21-1.
The win came as no surprise,
although the women would have
liked to completely shut out the
Rocks. The Lakers’ record rose
to 12-2 for the season.
With only one more game
to go the women are ranked
No. 7, and hope to break the
record again by beating their
cross-town rival, Gannon.
University.
“I think we have a real shot
at winning out the rest of our
season, beating Gannon would
be a career highlight and it would
be something I would never
forget,” junior defenseman Beth
O’Neil said.
Junior defenseman Elizabeth
Wagner agreed with O’Neil.
“I think that Gannon will be
a physical and mental challenge
for our team, but i am confident
that we will come out on top,”
she said.
With only two losses overall,
Women’s tennis finishes season with hopes for next year
By Kyle King
Staff writer
The Meryhurst College
women’s tennis team headed
to Clarion last Tuesday on a
cold, windy day, and was unable
to come up with the non-
conference victory.
Clarion is a member of the
Pennsylvania State Athletic
Conference, in which the
women will play next year.
The Lakers led 2-1 after
doubles play concluded. Senior
captain Jenn Daly and freshman
Junior Page Christensen looks to pick up the ball during a game this season. Merychurst
College women’s lacrosse team broke the single-season win record on Monday.
to No. 1 C.W. Post and No. 3
Adelphi, Mercyhurst has had a
successful season, showing real
talent on the field.
“It feels great to be a part of
history for the program; this is
the best season the program
has ever had and it feels good
to know that I contributed
to its success,” O’Neil said.
Kim Ezzo teamed up at the top
to squeeze through a tightly
contested tiebreaker, 9-8 (12-10),
and the second pairing of junior
Jaci McLean and sophomore
Meghan Raynor wrested a close
match from their opponents,
Lisa Baumgartner and Kassie
Leuschel, who are of note for
separate reasons.
Baumgartner was honored
as a finalist for the 2007-2008
NCAA Sportsmanship Award
for her on-court etiquette and
altruistic work with the Special
Olympics and Junior Olympic
Skills Challenge, among other
SPORTS
“I think that having Coach
Russell added to our team this
year made a big difference
and might have been the extra
boost that our team needed to
be as successful as we were this
season. It can only get better
from here,” Wagner said.
At their game against SRU, the
women played as one, proving
organizations, and Leuschel is
herself a former Laker, going
1-4 at number six singles and
1-2 at number three doubles in
2005.
“It was fun to play against
Kassie, who was a really good
friend of mine when she here,”
McLean said. “Her game has
definitely improved, too.”
Leuschel’s game improved to
the point she was able to take a
hotly contested match against
Raynor at number four singles,
6-4, 6-4.
Though McLean won 6-2, 6-
3, at number three singles and
Sports Information photo
they deserve the record.
Junior Breanna Haggerty
led the Lakers again with five
goals and three assists. Eleven
other players scored in the
contest as well.
Freshman Maggie Yackel
led the defense with four
groundballs and four caused
turnovers, while O’Neil
sophomore Natalie Iovino won
6-4, 6-2 at number six, it would
not be enough to propel the
Lakers to victory.
Daly fell 6-3, 6-4, to
Baumgartner at number two
singles, and freshman Kelton
Macke couldn’t find the answer
after taking a tight first set at
number five singles, falling, 4-6,
6-2, 6-0.
The Eagles’ number one,
Corin Rombach, punctuated the
victory by downing Ezzo, 6-3,
6-4, bringing Clarion’s overall
record to 9-8.Not all was lost in
the encounter, however.
PAGE 39
contributed four groundballs
and caused two turnovers.
Mercyhurst’s strong defense
held Slippery Rock completely
scoreless in the first half and the
offense made 16 goals.
The Lakers added five more
points to the scoreboard in the
second half and SRU was able
to pick up its only goal of the
game.
With such an exciting season
it was hard to pick just one
game, but O’Neil and Wagner
agree that their win over
Queens, 19-2, earlier in the
year was the highlight of this
year’s season.
“Our blowout against
Queens felt great! The past
two years that I have been
here we have lost pretty badly
but we killed them this year
and it was amazing!” Wagner
said.
When the Lakers took on
Queens, they were ranked in
the top 10 and O’Neil said that
“...we made them look like they
weren’t supposed to be there.”
The team will only graduate
two seniors, captain Courtney
Olevnik and Holly Brown. It
will be able to build upon their
momentum and success from
this year into next season.
The Lakers end the year with
a 13-9 record and hope for their
future in the PSAC Conference
next fall.
“Everyone played tough, but
the adjustment to the Clarion
courts was difficult given the
weather conditions,” McLean,
who will be captain said of next
fall
“It was a good experience to
have, though, since next year all
of the matches will be outside
and within the PSAC. I expect
us to be ready and to be really
tough as a team next year,”
she said.
PAGE 40 SPORTS April 30, 2008

Male team of the year staff poll results

Water polo
Team of the year

Division II Champions
Co-champions of the Collegiate Water Polo Association Division II Eastern Conference
Finished with an overall record of 14-8

First runner-up Second runner-up

Wrestling Hockey

Finished ninth at Nationals led by senior Hudson Advanced to the America Hockey Association finals
Harrison finishing as a national runner-up
April 30, 2008 SPORTS PAGE 41

Male athlete of the year poll results

Matt
Hockey
Lundin Athlete of the year

Goals-against average of 2.81 and a save percentage of .918

Three-time American Hockey Association Goaltender of the Week

Stopped 185 of 195 shots in five games of the playoffs

Season high of 51 saves at RIT on Nov. 17

Ninth in goals-against-average at 2.97

Eighth in save percentage .911

Fifth in winning percentage .523

First runner-up Second runner-up

Jason LaShomb Jamie Walczak
Lacrosse Baseball
Leads the East Coast Conference in goals Leads team with 68 total bases, 16
against average (6.12) stolen bases and 49 hits

Leads ECC in save percentage (65.9 percent)

Tied for first with four home runs
Fifth in the nation in save percentage
Tied for second with 28 runs scored
Second in the conference in saves (60)

Third in the ECC with an average of 12 Third on the team in batting aver-
saves per game age (.331) and second in RBIs (21)

Tied for fourth in the nation with 75

goals-against
PAGE 42 SPORTS April 30, 2008

Female athlete of the year poll results

Meghan Agosta Athlete of the year

Hockey
First Team All-American

Patty Kazmaier Award finalist

Conference Hockey America (CHA) Player of the Year

Second nationally in points per game (1.97)

First in goals per game (1.21), tied-for-12th in assists per game

(0.76) and tied-for-seventh in power-play goals (10)

First in short-handed goals (7), third in game-winning goals (9)

Third in goals (9), tied for 4th in power play goals (2), first in
shorthanded goals (3) and second in game-winning goals (3)

Led the team in goals (40), points (65), game-winning goals (9)
and shorthanded goals (7)

First runner-up Second runner-up

Breanna Haggerty Jessica McNurlen
Lacrosse Softball
Tied for first in the nation with five goals Leads the GLIAC with 100 total bases
per game and is third in goals (70)

Tied for third in the GLIAC with a .610

Tied for fourth in the nation with 89 points slugging percentage and is fifth in the
conference with 30 runs scored
Third (in nation) with 6.23 points per game

Leads the team in batting average (.348),

Broke the single-season points (90) and
along with home runs, RBIs and hits
goals (69) record

Broke the Lakers’ all-time scoring Tied in the GLIAC lead with 35 RBIs
record (currently has 164 goals with and is second in the conference with
one regular season game left) eight home runs and 57 hits
April 30, 2008 SPORTS PAGE 43

Female team of the year staff poll results

Lacrosse Team of the year

Broke the Mercyhurst College record for most

wins in a single season with 12

First runner-up Second runner-up

Hockey Water polo

Made it to Nationals for the third straight year and Advanced to Nationals for the first time ever
won the CHA conference tournament finishing eighth and finished third in the CWPA
 PAGE 44
Erie rugby looks to continue success
By Anne Sobol
Staff writer
Did you know Erie has a
rugby team?
The Erie Rugby Football
Club (Erie RFC) was estab-
lished in 1973 by Keith Branton
and John Miles.
After the Erie RFC captured
the team title at the IUP Tour-
ney in both 1976 and 1977
before ultimately taking the
Penn State Phyrst Cup title in
1978.
Since then, the club has seen
an ebb and flow of participants,
but the ’90’s brought a new inter-
est in the sport among players,
both veteran and novice.
The team has won the Allegh-
eny Rugby League Division III
title in ’93, ’95, ’99 and 2000, as
well as finishing in the top three
during other years.
This fall, the men enjoyed a
successful season with a record
of 3-2 and so far have gone 1-
2 for the spring, winning Sat-
urday’s game against Pitt City
with a score of 15-10.
They won all three matches
when they traveled to Cali-
fornia University of Pa. on
April 12, for the Cockfight
Tournament placing third
Penguins excel in semifinals of Stanley Cup playoffs
By Emily Grabowski
Staff writer
The Stanley Cup playoffs
have proceeded to round two.
Semifinals competition has
four teams battling to become
the winner of their conference
and move on to the Stanley Cup
finals.
In the Eastern conference,
there are four teams left: the
Philadelphia Flyers, Montreal
Canadiens, New York Rangers
The Erie Rugby Football Club won over Pitt City by a score of 15-10 on Saturday.
overall.
Rugby is not only a men’s
sport. Erie has a competitive
women’s team as well as well
and Pittsburgh Penguins. Out
of the four teams battling for
the Eastern conference cham-
pion title, one team has made
quite an impression on NHL
players, coaches and fans: the
Pens.
The Stanley Cup play-
offs began for Pittsburgh on
Wednesday, April 5, with the
first of a seven-game series
against the Ottawa Senators for
the quarterfinals.
The best of seven games is
declared the winner and moves
SPORTS
as men’s and women’s high
school teams.
A perk to this sport is the
rules are equal between gen-
on to the semifinals. The Pens
won the first game in an amaz-
ing shutout, 4-0. Their momen-
tum just increased from there.
The second game on April
11, was a win with a score of 5-
3, the third on April 14, was a
4-1 win, and the fourth and final
game of the Pens quarterfinal
round was on April 16, with a
3-1 win over the Senators.
The Pens swept the Sens
in the first round of the NHL
playoffs.
After the Penguins showed
Contributed photo
ders. Unlike hockey, the women
are allowed to hit as hard as
they want.
A surprising number of Mer-
incredible athletic talent and
desire to dominate, they had to
sit back, relax, and wait for the
rest of the teams to finish out
their series.
The main concern of many
NHL fans was if this break was
going to help or hurt the Pens.
Round two, game one began
on Friday, April 25, at Mellon
Arena. The Pens were calling
for a white out for game one.
White t-shirts were given
to fans at the front gates and
many fans wore their own
April 30, 2008
cyhurst College students play
for Erie RFC.
Some of the men’s players
are: Aaron Zone, Shane Hoyne
and Sean Asp, and sophomores
Adam Kessler and Adam
Herbaugh.
There are womens players
from the ’Hurst as well: sopho-
mores Samantha Sellinger, Erica
Cleghorn and Katie Porter, and
junior Kristin Starke.
This coming weekend the
Erie RFC will host its annual
Alumni Game at Roger Young
Park on East 10th St. and
Gilson Ave. at 1 p.m.
The game is for people of all
shapes and sizes, young or old,
and both teams are always look-
ing for new players – no experi-
ence necessary is needed to join
the squad.
The team practices Tuesdays
and Thursdays from 5:30 p.m.
“until we are finished,” head
coach Jeremy Jaeger said.
“We’re always looking for
members to join our team each
and every day,” Jaeger said.
“Even if you don’t have
any experience with rugby or
sports in general we always
like to spread the growth
of rugby.”
If you would like, go to
erierugby.com for information.
white apparel.
The result was simply out-
standing.
The Pens shocked the NHL
community by coming back
from a 3-0 deficit to win the
game in the final minutes of
regulation 5-4.
The close call boosted the
team’s energy and they won
game two on Sunday, April 27,
2-0.
The Pens are the only team in
the semifinals undefeated in the
postseason.
April 30, 2008
Underdogs leading the way in MLB
By Kyle Craig
Staff writer
From the basement to first
place? Three of the six divisions
in Major League Baseball are
being turned upside down
this season with the Chicago
White Sox, Tampa Bay Rays
and Florida Marlins all gaining
first-place honors after tough
stretches this weekend.
The Rays swept the Boston
Red Sox in a three-game stand
that saw Tampa Bay outscore
the Sox 10-5.
The sweep helped extend the
Rays win streak to six games.
“It’s a great feeling, but it’s
very early in the season,” a
confident Rays manager Joe
Maddon said to the Associated
Press.
“It’s not about winning. It’s
Tejada causing controversy over age, steroids
By Kyle Craig
Staff writer
Everyone has heard of Little
League baseball teams lying
about a player’s age to gain an
edge on an opponent. But could
it happen in the Major Leagues?
Ask Miguel Tejada, if that
is even his real name. In an
interview with Tom Farrey of
ESPN, Tejada’s real age was
exposed to everyone watching,
opening up discussion of
a crackdown by the federal
government just five years ago.
The goal of the investigation
was to catch players who
deliberately lied about their age
to gain attention from Major
League Baseball teams in the
United States.
According to ESPN, a high
school graduate at 17 is more
appealing and often given a
how we did it, with the pitching
and defense and we get the hits
when we needed them. We’re
playing the game right, and if
you do that, you’ll win your
share of games,” Maddon said.
Four of the five Rays’
Miguel Tejada has come under much scrutiny this year for
lying about his age, as well as steroids.
higher priority than those who
graduate at the age of 19.
Not only is this a problem
for Miguel Tejada come time
for contract talks, but it is also
a federal crime to lie about one’s
age when applying for a work
SPORTS
MLB.com photo
starting pitchers have winning
records and a collective earned
run average under 3.5.
Furthermore, the Rays’ bats
have been unbeatable with three
players batting over .300 and a
collective slugging percentage
MLB.com photo
visa in the U.S.
This trouble only adds to
the other charges on Tejada’s
record. You might recall that
just a couple of months ago,
Tejada’s name appeared on
the infamous Mitchell report,
of over .500.
The White Sox are faring just
as well with a 2.5 game lead
over second-place Cleveland.
With a tough schedule,
including the New York
Yankees, and then a double
header with the Orioles, it
looked as though Chicago was
destined to stumble.
“It’s been a tough week,”
Konerko said to the Associated
Press.
“Those Yankees games are
always marathon, grueling
games -- [and] the day-night
doubleheader [on Saturday]. So
to come and have these games
so quickly and to lose the first
one, then take the next two is
just huge.”
The White Sox’s schedule
doesn’t get any easier from
here with one more against
Baltimore followed by 22 out
exposing players who have taken
performance-enhancing drugs.
This report came out just
weeks after Tejada swore under
oath that he had never taken
such drugs during his career.
These allegations about
Tejada’s age will only hurt the
33, not 31, year-old as he faces
charges of perjury for the
Mitchell report.
“I was a poor kid,” Tejada said
to the Associated Press before
the Astros finished a three-
game series against the Phillies
on Thursday.
“I wanted to sign a professional
contract, and that was the only
way to do it. I didn’t want or
mean to do anything wrong. At
the time, I was two years older
than they thought.”
According to sources at ESPN,
the investigation launched by
the government five years ago
allowed for lenience on anyone
PAGE 45
of their next 31 games being
on the road.
Finally, the Florida Marlins
are lighting up the NL East,
winning 8 of their last 13
games. Florida leads the New
York Mets by a game-and-a-
half and look to cushion the
lead, as they head into a series
with the Dodgers on Tuesday.
While the season is still
young, it’s clear that Major
League Baseball is no longer
dominated by the large spending
of some organizations.
Coaching and skills positions
are becoming highly important
and even more notably creating
exciting baseball for the fans to
watch.
Look for this year’s race
toward October to be even
more exciting than ever, with
five of the six divisions being
led by three games or less.
who admitted to lying about
their age.
Miguel Tejada deliberately
chose to ignore this opportunity
and continued lying about his
age, hoping it would help with
contract talks.
“It’s something that happened
the first time I signed my
contract,” Tejada stated. “I had
no intention of doing anything
wrong. And now I feel like I’m
25 years old, maybe younger. I
feel my legs are stronger than I
used to be feeling. I feel great. I
have a lot of energy.”
Tejada will need all the
energy he can muscle up for the
toughest battle of his career;
one with the legal system.
The Houston Astros are
currently backing their star,
but only time will tell what’s in
store for this 33 year-old Major
Leaguer from the Dominican
Republic.
 PAGE 46
2008 National Football League Draft
Some memorable moments included changes to this year’s draft
By Brad Moehringer
Staff writer
It’s that time of the year again,
when the NFL and ESPN invade
New York City and Radio City
Music Hall, when the dreams of
college athletes are realized and
crushed and when Mel Kiper
finally earns his paycheck.
That’s right; it’s the NFL
Draft
Even though Bill Parcells and
the Miami Dolphins took away
drama by locking up the first
overall pick, offensive tackle
Jake Long from Michigan, days
before, there were still plenty
of stories that unfolded at this
year’s draft.
A quicker, more efficient
draft made for more excitement
in the early rounds. Teams only
had 10 minutes to make their
selections in round one, and
seven minutes in round two.
As for the selections, NFL
teams made it clear that round
one was all about the men in the
trenches.
Six out of the first eight
Top draft picks look to make immediate impact on teams
By Kyle Craig
Staff writer
There’s no greater thrill for
a college football player than
hearing his name called on
the biggest stage at Radio City
Music Hall.
It didn’t take “Long” for
offensive tackle Jake Long from
Michigan to learn his future.
The Miami Dolphins selected
the tackle days prior to the
scheduled draft on Saturday.
Miami offered Long an
extravagant deal at five years’
$57.75 million, with $30 million
Offensive tackle Jake Long of Michigan poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on
Saturday after being selected first overall in the 2008 NFL Draft.
players drafted this year were
either offensive or defensive
lineman.
Teams traded up to snag the
linemen before they were gone.
New Orleans did this by trading
up to the number seven spot to
grab defensive tackle Sedrick
Ellis. He almost certainly would
have gone to Cincinnatti at
guaranteed.
“I was a little more relaxed
just knowing where I was going
and just being here to make
it official,” Long commented
in an interview with the
Associated Press.
“That solidified it all. It
was just breathtaking to
walk out there and shake the
commissioner’s hand and hold
up that jersey. It was a dream
come true,” Long said.
The rest of the top six picks
went as predicted by ESPN
analysts.
Chris Long and Matt Ryan
went second and third to the
SPORTS
number nine.
Quarterbacks were not so
fortunate on day one.
Except for Matt Ryan of
Boston College and Joe Flacco
of Delaware, who went in the
top 20 to Atlanta and Baltimore,
respectively, a quarterback did
not hear his name called until
well into round two.
St. Louis Rams and the Atlanta
Falcons, respectively.
Rounding out the top six was
Darren McFadden of Arkansas
going to the Oakland Raiders,
Glenn Dorsey of LSU going
to Kansas City and Vernon
Gholston of Ohio State
heading to the New York Jets.
With all of the talent in the
college pool, who possibly
could have pulled out the upset
in this year’s draft?
The Atlanta Falcons have to
be the clear winner with two
first round draft picks and 11
picks overall.
Furthermore, Atlanta gets
Jim McIsaac/Getty Images photo
The Ravens’ selection of
Flacco 18th overall drew a buzz
from draft enthusiasts when
he went ahead of big school
quarterbacks, such as Chad
Henne and Brian Brohm.
ESPN’s John Clayton
commented on the pick by
saying, “If you believe in Joe
Flacco, the Ravens are winners.
to put the nightmare of
dog fighting behind them,
dismissing any chances of
Michael Vick coming back into
the spotlight.
It will be interesting to see
if Ryan is thrown right into
the mix, with the rest of the
quarterbacks for Atlanta being
very weak.
“I don’t think there’s a right
or a wrong way to do it,” Ryan
exclaimed in an interview with
ESPN’s Vic Carucci.
“I think guys have been
successful coming in and
playing. I think guys have been
successful coming in and sitting
April 30, 2008
If you don’t, well, they go in a
different category. Flacco has a
great arm, and the Ravens are a
solid organization. They won’t
rush him onto the field.”
It was with the 56th and
57th picks overall that Brohm,
of Louisville, and Henne, of
Michigan, finally heard their
names called.
Brohm went to the Packers
and Henne to the Dolphins.
While these two may not make
immediate impacts on either
team, they could be developed
over time and eventually turn
into starters or at least solid
back-ups.
Finally, time may be the best
judge of the winners and losers
in this year’s draft.
Every year the media focuses
on rounds one an two. But,
the truly successful teams are
the ones who can build their
franchise from picks late in day
one and into day two.
The teams who can develop
these late round picks into
impact players are going to be
the teams who will have the
most success in the long run.
and learning from a bench. As
a player, you want to be out
on the field, so I’m going to
do everything I can to prepare
myself and be in the position to
play (as a rookie),” Ryan said.
With another NFL draft out
of the way, it’s clear that defense
was on the mind of many teams
during this off-season.
Five of the top eight players
drafted in the first round this
year were from the defensive
side of the ball.
While at this point every
team is undefeated, it is certain
that teams have come out on
top after this years draft.
April 30, 2008 SPORTS PAGE 47

Softball heads to GLIAC Tournament

By Rhonda Marable
Staff writer
The Mercyhurst women’s
softball team capped off regular
season play by splitting a six-
game homestay and earning
a spot in the Great Lakes
Intercollegiate Conference
Tournament.
With the three victories of
the week Head Coach Sara
Headley totals an impressive
98 career victories, just two shy
of 100, which is possible in the
upcoming GLIAC tournament.
Kicking off the week, the
Lakers dominated Seton Hill
on Wednesday April 23 12-4 in
game one and 3-1 in game two.
The 12 runs is a season-
high for Mercyhurst, as it ties
a previous season-high with 14
hits in one game.
Sophomores Megan Houston,
Amber Rapose and freshman
Michelle Schmitz rocked the
Griffins, going 8-for-12 with
six runs and four RBI’s.
Friday’s conference games
against Northwood, however,
were much different, with the
Lakers getting shut out 8-0 in
The Mercyhurst College softball team heads to Michigan this weekend to take on GLIAC
rivals, Ferris State, in the first round of the GLIAC Tournament.
five innings of game one.
Game two was a battle of the
pitchers with sophomore pitcher
Carinna Crow and Northwood’s
Alicia Brandenburg battling
it out.
After two Seahawks reached
base on an error and a walk,
Scoot Williams photo
Korey Schluckbier capped off
a six-RBI day by driving both
runners home with her single.
Coming off the two
conference losses, the Lakers
needed a win against Saginaw
Valley State in order to
clinch a spot in the GLIAC
tournament.
Crow ensured that win,
throwing a shutout game, as
the team defeated the Saginaw
Cardinals 1-0 in game one.
Crow was on fire, coming
up with a big strike out with
runners on second and third.
Sacrifice bunts by junior
Danielle Zubek and senior
Annie Dragolich allowed
freshman Elizabeth Maier
to score the only run of the
game.
The Lakers could not keep
the momentum going and,
despite homeruns by Zubek
and Schmitz, the team dropped
the contest 5-3.
Saginaw entered the game
with heavy bats, scoring a run
in the first inning and knocking
out two homeruns in the third
to top out with five runs for the
game.
The Lakers travel to Midland,
Mich. on Friday and Saturday to
compete with the best teams in
the conference and finish their
season on a strong note.

Men’s golf defeats Gannon at Mercyhurst Invitational

By Kirk Campbell
Staff writer
Sophomore Tyler Bidwell led
Mercyhurst College by shooting
an even par 72 to win the Penn
State Behrend Invitational
on Thursday; he also shot his
second round of his career in
the 60’s leading the Lakers to a
Mercyhurst Invitational victory
this past Sunday.
By shooting a combined score
of 300 the Lakers captured
their first victory of the season
by winning the Penn State
Behrend Invitational at Peak ‘n
Peak in Findley Lake. Bidwell’s
72 was matched by Slippery
Rock’s Chris Kwolek, but
Bidwell earned first place after
comparing scorecards.
Following Bidwell’s
outstanding performance were
Laker teammates seniors Kyle
Waddell who shot a 74 and
Steven Barr with a 75.
“I think some of our guys are
getting more comfortable with
their game after the long winter
break; swinging a little more
confident and getting some
touch back,” Bidwell about the
team’s improvement.
“It’s evident with the drop
in scores over the last couple
weeks,” he said
Mercyhurst finished six
strokes ahead of runner-up
Gannon University.
The Mercyhurst Invitational
was much of the same for the
Lakers as Bidwell tied for first
by shooting a 69 with Gannon’s
Pat Kloecker.
The Lakers also stole the
team title by shooting a 291,
four strokes ahead of second-
place Gannon.
Waddell finished with a 71
while junior Derek Fisher shot
a 75. The two other competitors
for the Lakers Ryan McNulty
and Steve Barr ended with 76
and 80 respectively. Mercyhurst
also had four other compete as
individuals and they finished
as follows: sophomore Matt
Mahoney (73), Deets (79),
senior Darragh Agnew (80) and
Jackson (83).
“When you look at some of
the scores we had some low
numbers spread throughout,
and it is nice to see that the
scores have dropped as we got
closer to the end,” Bidwell said.
Mercyhurst finished its spring
season on Monday by competing
in the Gannon Invitational.
When asked how he expects
next year’s team to improve,
Bidwell said, “I’m hoping the
better play will carry over into
next fall.
“We are losing a couple of
good players to graduation
so it would be nice for the
underclassmen, including
myself, to realize what we are
capable of after these last
couple tournaments and step
up when it comes time to play
next season,” he said.
PAGE 48 SPORTS April 30, 2008

Laker sports

Baseball takes two from

Gannon at the Uht,
but can’t stop Grand Valley
>> Page 37
Scoot Williams photo