Page 2 NEWS January 5, 2011

‘Hurst’s graduation LakerNet not yet

rate 13th in nation
By Stacy Skiavo
Staff writer
Mercyhurst College is in the top
20 for best graduation rates among
many colleges and universities.
The Chronicle of Higher Educa-
tion recently ranked Mercyhurst as
tying for the 13th best graduation
rates out of the 555 schools desig-
nated as master’s universities.
The Chronicle of Higher Educa-
tion used six years of federal informa-
tion up to 2008 to compile the list.
Mercyhurst’s graduation rate of
73 percent earned the school its
top 13 spot. This graduation rate
means that 73 percent of first-time
students who enroll during fall term
graduate with a degree from Mercy-
hurst within six years.
Vice President of Enrollment
Management Michael Lyden, Ed.D,
explained why Mercyhurst is able to
maintain a high rate.
“The number one reason is the
quality of our academic programs
as well as the average financial aid
package that out students receive,”
he said. “Many students and parents
feel that Mercyhurst represents an
excellent value compared to many
other colleges or universities.”
The graduation rates of Mercy-
hurst’s athletes help the college’s
overall graduation rate.
Lyden said the graduation rates
of Mercyhurst athletes are much
higher than almost any other Divi-
sion II school.
Not only are their graduation
rates higher, but their grades are
higher too.
The women’s softball team at
Mercyhurst has an average GPA of
3.6, the second highest Division II
GPA in the country.
The college’s location helps to
attract students as well. Many stu-
dents who live within a few hours
are drawn to Erie.
Erie is able to attract students
from many major metropolitan
areas, such as Cleveland and Pitts-
burgh.
The distance from these areas is
the right amount for students who
want to get away from home but
still be close enough for family to
visit.
“I love the beautiful campus and
friendly faces here,” freshman Cor-
vette Morrison said. “Mercyhurst is
my home away from home.”
Sophomore Kyle McIntyre likes
the Mercyhurst campus for its living
arrangements.
“I like the school because we
get to live in apartments starting at
sophomore year up instead of always
living in resident halls,” he said.
In a recent press release Lyden
explained how other colleges’ selec-
tion processes allow them to have
higher graduation rates.
“Most of the other top-ranked
schools, such as Villanova and Provi-
dence College, for example, are much
more selective in their admissions
when compared to Mercyhurst.”
He explained that Ivy League
schools, such as Harvard, have
extremely high graduation rates but
only admit about 10 percent of stu-
dents who apply.
At Mercyhurst, about 80 per-
cent of applicants are accepted
and qualifications are not as strict.
This enables Mercyhurst to provide
opportunities for students who may
not have done as well in high school
or had lower SAT or ACT scores.
Lyden has high hopes not only
for these students’ futures but for
Mercyhurst’s future as well.
“I think our graduation rates will
only get better and that Mercyhurst
will move into the top 10 out of
500 other schools in the next few
years,” he said. “My reason is that
we are admitting excellent students
and every student that we admit to
Mercyhurst has the personal ability
to graduate and be very successful
in either their chosen career, gradu-
ate or profession school.”
gone for good
By Kelly Luoma
Managing editor
The Mercyhurst Portal was sup-
posed to be phased out by Laker-
Net at the end of December.
The phasing out of LakerNet
was pushed back because people
still use the site for the quick links,
Web Programmer Matt Engel
said.
“We just want to be careful about
the pace we introduce new change
or changes,” he said.
On Tuesday a banner was added
to the top of every page except the
main page of LakerNet that says,
“This web page has been archived,
but made available for histori-
cal purposes. To view more cur-
rent information please visit the
my.mercyhurstportal.”
No new information will be
added to the LakerNet pages, and
information will gradually disap-
pear from the site. The site will
most likely be gone by the start of
spring semester.
Although the IT staff is not
quite ready to get rid of LakerNet,
all necessary information has been
added to the portal.
The core set of departments that
were on LakerNet are all on the
portal, and on Dec. 22, single sign-
on to Blackboard was added.
Since Nov. 15, the portal has had
11,037 unique visitors. This is a
large increase from the 1,569 people
who visited the portal during Sept.
4 through Oct. 4.
Engel said he thinks the amount
of visitors is where it should be,
but he said he would like there to
be more consistency between how
many people visit the portal each
day of the week.
Mercyhurst students are work-
ing on adding features to the portal
that would increase the number of
people who visit the site on Sat-
urdays, which is the day with the
lowest number of visitors.
Junior Scot Bly is working on a
What’s Cook’n section for the web-
site that would allow students to
write if they like or dislike the meal
that is being served on campus at
any given time.
Sophomore Amanda Grim is
working to add a Mercyhurst clas-
sifieds page.
Engel is looking for students
who are interested in joining a stu-
dent technology committee that
would discuss technology ideas.
Interested students should con-
tact Engel at mengel@mercyhurst.
edu.
Read the full version of this
article at merciad.mercyhurst.
edu/news.

Correction
The Dec. 15 issue of The Merciad contained a story titled,
“Cost of play: How Mercyhurst funds its varsity athletics.” In
that story, several key figures were incorrectly reported.
Mercyhurst College spent $76.6 million in 2009-10, but that
total does not include the amount spent on financial aid—an
addition of nearly $36 million that was left out of our story.
Thus, Mercyhurst spent 9.6 percent of its total budget on athlet-
ics last year, not 14 percent as the story stated.
The Merciad also reported that the college spent more than
$250,000 in game-day expenses on men’s basketball and football
last year, which was incorrect. The actual total was $235,102.
Finally, Edinboro’s reported athletic participant count was 406,
while the 2009-10 official total was 347. We apologize for the
inaccuracies, skewing of numbers and any confusion they may
have caused.
Page 3
Alum featured in painting
at Army Aviation Museum The event is not only a celebra-
By Lynn Dula tion for Selman, but also for Mercy-
Staff writer hurst alumnus Eric Carlson, who is
featured in the painting.
Selman, a south-central Pennsyl-
Artist Larry Selman’s painting vania native, works in the Western
“No Safe Haven” was accepted fine art market, primarily in mili-
into the U.S. Army Aviation tary printmaking. He paints both
Museum at Fort Rucker, Ala., on
historical and modern war scenes,
Dec. 14. as well as other subjects related to
Contributed photo
“No Safe Haven” will hang in the U.S. Army Aviation Museum.
The painting was created by artist Larry Selman.
Stay active to beat the winter blues
apartment with friends.
By Faye Clark “Organize a breakfast squad of
Staff writer
friends who agree to wake each
other up, get to class and grab
breakfast,” says Smith.
The best way to beat the winter
blues, says Student Health Center
It’s important to stay social in
this weather, because “while elec-
counselor Judy Smith, Ph. D. is to
tronic communication is great,
resist the urge to sleep the season
having people right there with you
away, and instead be active.
makes you laugh, move and get
This is easier said than done with
energized,” she says.
a foot of snow on the ground and
Another way to stay active
a pile of homework waiting in your
during the winter is to get involved
dorm.
in a winter sport. Even sledding in
It’s hard for people to even get
Garvey Park gets students up and
out of bed with a situation like that
out of their dormitories.
to look forward to.
Also students can check when the
To fight these blues, Smith urges
college is hosting an open skating
students to get out of their dorm or
session to get themselves moving.
FEATURES
times of war.
His recent work, “No Safe
Haven,” depicts one of the many
high-risk air assaults conducted by
the 82nd Airborne Division and
7th Special Forces Group (Air-
borne) in Eastern Afghanistan
during 2007.
Carlson was serving as a UH-60
Blackhawk pilot with the Division
at the time, working with the 7th
Special Forces Group.
Selman used actual footage of an
Apache Attack Helicopter to create
“No Safe Haven.” In the painting,
Carlson is depicted piloting the
UH-60 Blackhawk.
Selman wrote in his description
of the painting, “Thanks to our
military, there is nowhere in the
world terrorists will feel safe.”
There is nowhere American sol-
diers will not chase them to, and
as this painting depicts, there is no
such thing as a ‘Safe Haven,’ and
there will be no sanctuary for ter-
rorists as long as the 82nd Airborne
Division and US Army Green
Berets remain ‘on point’ for the
nation,” he wrote.
Prints of the painting were sold
throughout the U.S., many of which
were signed by Carlson and his
comrades. The director accepted
the original painting into the U.S.
Army Aviation Museum on Tues-
day, Dec. 14.
Even go for a walk on one of
the rare sunny days: anything to get
blood pumping. “This helps those
Vitamin D levels,” Smith said. “A
good multivitamin with D can also
be a good thing.”
The monochromatic view outside
also contributes to making winter a
depressing time of the year.
Even if spring won’t come
for a while, you can bring a little
green indoors with plants and
colorful posters of nature scenes
or your favorite bands or movies.
An extra lamp can also do won-
ders.
Remember, EMTA offers free
rides to Mercyhurst students, and
you can use this service to get out
January 5, 2011
Happy New Year!
What is your New
A painting’s acceptance into the
Year’s resolution?
museum has great significance for “Focus on develop-
both Selman and Carlson, as every ing real relationships
Army aviator who graduates Flight with people in person
School receives his or her wings at
the museum. (face-to-face with actual
Now, every Army pilot earn- communicating), in com-
ing their wings will be able to see
parision to the “virtual”
Selman’s work, reminding them of
what being an Army aviator really friendship of lots of Face-
entails. book and texting.”
Carlson’s brother, Capt. Ernie -Natalie Pertz, freshman
Carlson said, “The painting is
now on display where every avia-
tor from this day forward, and
anyone who visits the museum,
will see this painting and the name
of a product of Mercyhurst Col-
lege.”
Indeed, Carlson has proudly
shown what Mercyhurst graduates
are capable of.
Eric Carlson is an Erie native “To not spend money
who graduated from Mercyhurst unless absolutely neces-
Prep and Mercyhurst College.
He is a part owner of The Key- sary--- bread and milk
stone Armory in Edinboro, an are a necessity; iTunes
organization through which citizens and clothes are not.”
can buy, sell and trade firearms and
military collectibles or commemo-
-Adam Ferrari, sopho-
rative. more
Carlson now works at Penn State
Main Campus as part of the Nit-
tany Lion Battalion Cadre, instruct-
ing future Army officers. He holds
the rank of major, and is an MSIII
Advisor.
“To read at least three
classic novels not
and explore the city, hang out with related to school work in
friends at a restaurant or go to a
any way. I think litera-
movie.
Smith also suggests volunteer-
ture classics and reading
ing if you find yourself with too in general are an unde-
much time on your hands. “Vol- rutalizied tool of relax-
unteer opportunities abound ation that I would like
within an easy bus ride from the to take advantage of.”
campus and would be beneficial,”
-Megan Duane, senior
said Smith.
Being active and social in Erie
during the winter is difficult to
do, especially for students who
aren’t used to so much cold and
snow.
But getting out into the commu-
nity can help students feel healthy
and happy, improving grades and
spirits.
 What is Sustainability?
By Brittany Prischak
Sustainability Coordinator we can and experiment with sustainable transmission. Even long-established
building materials and practices such as companies such as the giants of the
According to the U.S. Environmental
our new green roof. More recently, courses American auto industry are finding new life
Protection Agency, sustainability is a
across the curriculum, focused through and generating American jobs by developing
call “...for policies and strategies that
our Sustainability Studies academic more fuel efficient and smarter vehicles
meet society’s present needs without
program prepare our students for a future that can help wean America away from our
compromising the ability of future
in which the principles of sustainability dependency on oil and minimize future
generations to meet their own needs”
(environmental and public health, localized environmental disasters like the recent
(epa.gov/sustainability). The international
development, social equity) will increasingly Deepwater Horizon tragedy.
movement toward sustainability seeks
shape and impact every walk of life. Every step counts, no matter how small.
to address the social, economic and
Much of the movement toward a The old bumper sticker slogan is true:
security needs of all peoples now
sustainable future is driven by a desire Everything is connected. Turning off the
and far into the future. Sustainability
to strengthen local communities’ ability lights when you leave the room is linked to
represents a profound paradigm shift
to feed themselves and provide for their the urgent need to end mountaintop removal
in human experience that is (albeit
energy needs. coal mining in West Virginia. Buying local,
slowly and incrementally) redefining
This is seen in the widespread buying less, buy fair trade, replacing your
how we think about everything from
emergence of farmers markets, which light bulbs at home, walking, biking or using
economic development to national
provide healthier food choices for public transit when you can, using reusable
security to agriculture and necessitating
individuals and families, while also water bottles, turning off the lights and
a fundamental reorientation of our
supporting local farmers and offering computer… We all know what we need to do.
relationship with the natural world.
tangible lessons in sustainable economics. But if you’re not convinced, then remember
Here at Mercyhurst College, our
Similarly, new companies developing what we at Mercyhurst have learned, along
sustainability efforts have for the past
renewable energy sources and ways with countless businesses and governments
decade or more been primarily aimed at
to improve energy efficiency help to around the world—being environmentally
improving the environmental performance
strengthen the security of communities responsible does save money. Get involved.
of our physical plant by, for example,
making buildings more energy efficient. that are now at the mercy of the utility-
We employ renewable energy wherever controlled power grid and long-distance

Help plan Earth Week 2011 Phonebook recycling begins

Planning for Earth Week events have commenced. If you would
like to be a part of the planning committee for environmental
education programs in April, please join us on Wednesday,
January 5th, 2011at 3:30pm in the Egan 315 conference room.
A theme is yet to be determines. Although we have several
ideas, we would love additional help organizing and coordinating.
If you would like to help or are interested in more information,
please contact Brittany Prischak at bprischak@mercyhurst.edu
or Analida Braeger at abraeger@mercyhurst.edu.
Old phonebooks are once again being collected on campus for
recycling. Drop off last year’s yellow pages in the bins in the foyer
of Preston/Old Main, next to the stack of 2011 phone books, or in
the bin located in the library lobby, next to the Merciad newspaper
stand. Remember, recycling phone books benefits the Second
Harvest Food Bank and supports Erie Energy Products, a local
business. They churn phone books into home-insulating material,
which in turn saves energy. This is a win-win-win project!

By Angelina Viveralli
As campuses across the United States
work towards a more environmentally
friendly future they have begun tackling
problems in areas such as waste, energy,
food, and transportation. Mercyhurst
has made great strides in the areas of
waste, energy, and food however, there
are fewer opportunities to promote green
transportation on a primarily residential
campus. Students are able to use public
transportation in the city and soon, they
may be able to borrow campus bikes.
The Green Team is developing a series
of proposals for the Green Energy Fund to
both reward those students already using
bikes as transportation and hopefully to
inspire more students to cycle. One idea
is to implement a bike rental program on
campus. Other ideas are to plan events on
campus to promote bike riding.
After an evaluation of existing bike
racks, the Green Team will request
funds for more convenient bike racks
and storage areas on Briggs and Lewis
Aves. We will also propose to purchase
a bike rack to be mounted on one of the
campus vans in order to allow bike trips for
students to Presque Isle and other
local trails.
A bike rental pilot program would
inspire more bike use on campus.
Bike Proposal
Through this program students would be
able to rent—free of charge—one of four new
bicycles and helmets purchased from local
bike shops. Although the exact details of the
rental program are still in the works, we are
confident that the program would run in half
to full day rentals and that the bikes could be
taken off-campus.
Call for Submission from Students and
Faculty: Narratives of Travel and Navigation:
English by Water, Air, Land, and Imagination.
Does the end of the term have to mean the
end of student’s coursework? Is the recycling
bin the inevitable destination of graded
assignments? Can the three Rs of recycling
ever apply to essays without plagiarizing?
Students who have taken Western Classics,
American Classics, some history classes,
and perhaps a few others may have written
something for class that could earn a wider,
real world audience. The Pennsylvania College
English Association (PCEA) invites proposals
for original creative works and critical
interpretations of any genre of travel narrative
or stories of journeys or quests for self, real or
imaginative. Analysis of landscapes in travel
writing and inquiry into attitudes about nature
and the natural world in literature would
support the conference theme.
In addition to the special sessions on
the topic of travel and navigation, PCEA
welcomes all proposals related to the study
and/or teaching of literature, film, composition,
and linguistics, as well as creative works.
The conference will meet in Erie’s Bayfront
Convention Center, March 24-26th. It couldn’t
be easier to attend!
Graduate and undergraduate students who
submit an abstract for the conference may
also compete for the Best Paper Award, which
is given by PCEA in three categories—critical,
creative poetry, and creative prose—and carries
a small monetary prize. Award winners will also
be considered for publication in PCEA’s journal,
Pennsylvania English.
For more information about submissions
for the conference or the essay contest, visit:
http://www.english.iup.edu/pcea.
Need more incentive? The Student Creative
and Scholarly Research Fund supports research
opportunities for undergraduate students
at Mercyhurst College by reimbursing them
for research and travel expenses to present
completed research at a professional research
conference such as the PCEA conference, or
to present or perform an artistic creation/
exhibition. In other words, you could share your
important academic or creative work, get an
accolade for your career file, and enjoy a day or
two off campus on the Bayfront for free.
For more information, visit
http://lakernet.mercyhurst.edu/students/
student_research_fund.php

Mercyhurst now recycles toner cartridges

No need to ship spent toner cartridges long distances for
recycling. From now on, toner cartridges can be placed in the ink
cartridge collection bins. Recycled ink and toner cartridges as well
as cell phones will all be sent to the Funding Factory, which is a local
recycling company. The Funding Factory deals with remanufacturing
and reusing of these recycled materials. Collection bins are located
in Old Main on the second floor next to the Center for Teaching
Excellence, in Preston on the first floor near the corner offices and in the
basement next to the Mailroom and in Hirt on the second floor next to
the stairwell. A cell phone collection bin is located in the basement of
Preston near the Mailroom. Reducing waste sent to the landfill, refilling
cartridges for reuse, and recycling what’s left; it’s the three R’s of
recycling accomplished with one easy action.

Earth Week Planning Committee Meeting Bike/Run Duathlon Planning Committee All Campus Green Team Meeting
Wednesday, Jan. 5 at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8 at 8:00 p.m., Monday, Jan. 17 at 3:30 p.m.
Location: Egan 315 Location: 118 Hirt. Location: TBD – Stay Tuned
January 5, 2011
Dancer spotlight: Junior
Kelly Clymer integrates
healing with dance
By Sarah Mastrocola
Staff writer
As a dance major with an art
therapy minor, junior Kelly Clymer
has a special interest in the power
of art to heal.
Hailing from Cleveland, Clymer
has been dancing from a young age,
and she hopes to dance profession-
ally in the future. Since coming to
college, though, she has discovered
an interest in movement’s uses in
therapy. After her professional
dance career ends, she intends to
transition into the dance movement
therapy field and work with dis-
abled children.
Dance and movement also
serve in a remedial capacity for
Clymer herself. “Dance is an
escape from everyday life for
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
me,” she said.
Clymer was one of the students
who assisted with the creation of
Yoga Club, a new RSCO advised by
Betty Amatangelo. Having discov-
ered how much she enjoyed the yoga
classes offered on campus, Clymer
was excited to help with the forma-
tion of the organization. She now
serves as the secretary for the club.
“It’s a very close-knit group, and
it’s a lot of fun,” Clymer said. “I
really like yoga a lot. It’s nice to have
some introspective time.”
In addition to her talent as a
dancer, Clymer is also a choreog-
rapher and a gifted visual artist.
She studied art in high school,
and now she likes to integrate
her art background with her
dancing. She is currently choreo-
graphing a piece for the dance
department’s winter concert,
Page 6
“Raw Edges,” which explores
the idea of colors on the color
wheel coming alive.
Clymer describes her choreog-
raphy as generally light and often
humorous, and she says that she
likes to have fun in the studio while
she works.
Combining academic pursuits with
her dance studies is important to
Clymer as well. “I feel like it’s impor-
tant to also have an academic side in
college while dancing,” she said.
She is an active member of the
Honors Program and secretary for
the Honors Council. Clymer also
serves as the vice president for Mer-
cyhurst’s chapter of Nu Delta Alpha,
a national dance honor society.
With her natural cheer and
energy, Clymer is sure to be a suc- Tyler Stauffer photo
cess in whatever arts genre she is Junior Kelly Clymer is a dance major with an art therapy
pursuing. minor, which she will put to use after dancing professionally.
PAC brings the Wild
West to Mercyhurst Presented in Italian in three acts, The New York Times praises
By Claire Hinde the story follows the love of a local the music and called it “subtle and
Staff writer Native American, and plenty of the boldly modern,” wrapping the audi-
action and rough and tumble spirit ence in rich textures and heartfelt
so prevalent in Wild West narra- lyrics. In a sense the music gives the
The Mary D’Angelo Performing
tives. audience what it needs and not nec-
Arts Center (PAC) will be streaming
Indeed, American optimism is essarily what it wants, or is expect-
the Metropolitan Opera’s presenta-
shown boldly in the work in contrast ing to hear in any given scene.
tion of Puccini’s “La Fanciulla del
to the tragic demeanor adopted by The ability for the Met to stream
West” this Sunday, Jan. 9, at 1 p.m.
many operas. This hearty, frontier such performances has done a great
The opera premiered in 1910
attitude is likely due to the proxim- deal for the opera as well as all those
with the Metropolitan Opera (Met)
ity of the wild frontier lifestyle and now able to be reached and touched
in New York City. Puccini was com-
the hope for the possibilities of the by art. In fact, the presence of such
missioned to write the opera for the
future as America moved into the showings at Mercyhurst College
two leading stars, Enrico Caruso
twentieth century. make quite a difference to the art
and Emmy Destinn. It was the first
In the version streamed at the programs at the college, as well as
of many world premieres at the
PAC and presented by the Met, providing more accessible fine art
Met, and after receiving outstand-
Deborah Voigt and Marcello Gior- for the Erie community.
ing praise in the United States went
dani sing the lead roles in celebra- “La Fanciulla del West” is a sin-
on to tour in Europe.
tion of the opera’s centennial. This cerely moving, honest and native
The opera is based on the play
particular production has not been opera for the Ballet Met and is sure
“The Girl of the Golden West” by
performed by the Met since 1993. to be spectacular.
David Belasco and depicts a mining
Though a bit of an unusual Tickets can be purchased at the
camp in the Sierra Nevada Moun-
opera, the work has won a loyal fol- PAC box office or by calling 814-
tains in 1849-50 during the gold
lowing due to its moving melodic 824-3000. They are $15 for Mercy-
rush.
tendencies. hurst students with ID.
Page 7 OPINION January
September 5, 2011
3, 2008
The views expressed in the opinion section of The Merciad do not necessarily reflect the views of Mercyhurst College, the staff of The Merciad
or the Catholic Church. Responses on any subject are always welcomed and can be e-mailed to opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.

A plea for writers school. able writers. communication department, to

By Ethan Magoc
Editor-in-chief
When I first started college, I
saw the student newspaper as a
bit of a mystery.
It showed up on racks around
campus and was presumably put
together by the upperclassmen
powers that be. I knew none of
the names among the bylines and
was often dissatisfied with the
content and opinions expressed
within the pages.
If this was the official voice
of students, it sure didn’t sound
like mine. And I definitely
wasn’t about to read something
that carried little personal inter-
est.
But that was at a university
more than three times the size
of Mercyhurst—one where
my voice truly didn’t count as
much as it might at a smaller
Fortunately for you, fellow stu-
dent, you possess the opportu-
nity to make your opinion mean
a great deal more here.
The Merciad, Mercyhurst’s
official student newspaper for
more than 80 years, publishes
1,200 copies every Wednesday
morning. Our staff personally
distributes these inside the front
door of every major building
on campus and editions can be
found lying in many classroom
and hallway and corners.
Most importantly, we are the
best student-produced source of
information for campus news,
arts and entertainment, features
about your faculty and fellow stu-
dents and the place to catch up
on the most interesting varsity
sports story lines.
And, of course, the main place
to express your opinions and col-
lege experiences.
Yet we have lately run into a
shortage of talented or even reli-
While there’s still a steady
crop of dedicated scribes who
produce quality content each
week, our numbers have begun
to dwindle.
At the risk of sounding like a
public television station, I’m not
going to say we won’t survive
without your help.
Still, these pages are probably
going to start to lack quality very
soon if you don’t come our way
with fresh story ideas, a differ-
ent perspective on an issue or the
ability to clearly communicate
your thoughts in writing.
Even if you possess none of
the above, and are simply eager
to be published or to write in
some form other than that lack-
luster essay you turned in Monday
morning, we want you.
Doesn’t matter what your
major is—the more wide-ranging
the better.
While the majority of our
staff stems from Mercyhurst’s
truly continue this tradition as
a well-rounded publication and
not just a first-floor-of-Hirt-
shouting-box, we need you to
share experiences from all over
campus.
If you see any part of The
Merciad that you’re interested
in—news, features, entertain-
ment, opinion sports—contact
myself or one of our section edi-
tors on the right.
And know that anything you
write is guaranteed to earn you
$10, a byline and the knowledge
that your voice does indeed
matter.
If you don’t want it printed . . . don’t let it happen.
Editors Positions
The Good
Students are now able to
use the portal to access
email, Blackboard, and
WebAdvisor without having
to log in multiple times.
The Bad
Now that Christmas
vacation is over, we have to
stay at school for the next
seven weeks before getting
another break.
The Ugly
Even though we just got
back to school, we have
to worry about midterms
already. Blame the
trimesters.
@mercyhurst.edu

Holiday spirit to remain through time

By Victoria
Gricks
Opinion editor
Like most college students, I
planned on working over Christ-
mas vacation. I had spent a lot on
gifts for my family, and I desper-
ately needed to replenish my bank
account. So, I texted my manager
at Subway, told her my availability,
and asked to be put on the sched-
ule as much as possible.
When she finally got back to
me about when I would be work-
ing, I was shocked – she only
wrote me down for Christmas
Eve from 10 to 5. Angry about
my lack of days and knowing my
mother wouldn’t even let me go
to work the day before Christ-
mas, I texted her back and told
her I didn’t want to be on the
schedule at all.
I was disappointed that I
Ethan Magoc Editor-in-Chief editormerciad
Kelly Luoma News Editor newsmerciad
Alex Stacey Features Editor featuremerciad
wouldn’t be making any money, Christmas does to society? It’s Victoria Gricks Opinion Editor opinionmerciad
but I couldn’t wait to relax. It was the time of year when everyone Nick Glasier Sports Editor sportsmerciad
the first time I wouldn’t be work- forgets their troubles and just Kathleen Vogtle A&E Editor entertainmentmerciad
ing while on break. enjoys the holiday. People are able
Samantha Williams Graphics photomerciad
During my time home, I to spend time with friends and
received several texts from my family, eat good food, and relax.
Tyler Stauffer Photo Editor photomerciad
Ethan Johns Web Editor ejohns89
managers asking if I could work, (Some even cover their friend’s
Chrissy Mihalic Copy Editor copymerciad
and I made an excuse each time as shift .) It’s great.
Max Rivera Ad Manager admerciad
to why I couldn’t. Sure, it sounds What about after it’s all said and
mean, but I had no interest in done, though? The presents have Bill Welch Adviser wwelch
making sandwiches for custom- all been unwrapped, the new year Brian Sheridan Adviser bsheridan
ers or prepping food for several has begun, and it’s back to reality.
hours. Well, I think it’s about time we
A couple days after Christmas, change that.
The Merciad is the official student-produced newspaper of Mercyhurst
however, my friend asked if I I don’t think the spirit of the
could cover his shift. I contem- holiday has to disappear as soon College. It is published throughout the school year, with the exception of
plated his question for several as January arrives. So, let’s make finals weeks. Our office is in Hirt, Room 120B. Our telephone number is
minutes before responding with a a New Year’s Resolution to keep
(814) 824-2376.
‘yes.’ I guess the spirit of the holi- this cheerful attitude alive within
day had put me in a good mood. us all year long. Granted, there
The Merciad welcomes letters to the editor. All letters must be signed
You’re probably asking your- will be days when we just hate the
self why any of this matters. I world. But if we remember the joy and names will be included with the letters. Although we will not edit the
mean, who cares that I spent a lot we felt at Christmas, we should be
of money on gifts and whether or able to get past that negative emo-
letters for content, we reserve the right to trim letters to fit. Letters
are due Mondays. by noon and may not be more than 300 words. Submit
not I worked over break? Well, let tion.
me tell you why this is important. So, what do you say? Are you letters to box PH 485 or via e-mail at opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.
Have you ever noticed what with me?
January 5, 2011
Schaetzle
goes for
football
coach of
the year
honors
By Nick Glasier
Sports editor
Mercyhurst College head foot-
ball coach Marty Schaetzle’s accom-
plishments have garnered him
recognition inside the Mercyhurst
community and nationally.
Schaetzle has gained national
attention as a finalist for the 2010
Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year
Award for leading Mercyhurst Col-
lege to its first Pennsylvania State
Conference title and to its first
NCAA Division II National Cham-
pionship playoff birth,
The Liberty Mutual Coach
of the Year Award is given to a
NCAA Division II football coach
who has achieved coaching excel-
lence throughout the 2010 football
season.
Schaetlze made it to the final
round as he was voted in the top
15 candidates on www.Coachofthe-
Year.com and by an objective-scor-
ing model.
The objective scoring model
considers criteria such as wins,
team penalties, on-field sportsman-
ship, academic achievement by the
student-athletes and civic and phil-
anthropic endeavors.
To be considered for this award
was a great honor for Schaetzle, but
he does not take all the credit.
“It was great to be considered
for this award.” Schaetzle said, “It
was really an offshoot of what the
players did this season, though.”
Schaetzle is not only happy with
what this award will do for his career
but what it means for Mercyhurst as
an institution and his players.
“It is the work of the players that
Mercyhurst College head football coach Marty Schaetzle led the Lakers to their most
successful season ever.
got us to this point, and it is really
great to get our college’s name out
there,” Schaetzle said.
Schaetzle has done a great deal
of work to build up a Mercyhurst
football program that before his
tenure had lurked in the shadows
of the college’s attention.
As the head coach, Schaetzle
has had his ups and downs at Mer-
cyhurst. This season was only the
second that the Mercyhurst football
program has finished with a win-
Sports
ning record.
Despite these ups and downs
Schaetzle has been resolute in his
development of the program.
He has worked to greatly improve
footballs facilities and widen the
region of Mercyhurst’s recruiting.
Despite the highly successful
season, Schaetzle still sees ways that
he and the team can improve.
“Going forward, we need to
learn to do a few things better such
as scheduling practices if we make
Ethan Magoc photo
it deep into the playoffs again,”
Schaetzle said.
Schaetzle is busy on the recruit-
ing trail and has seen how a success-
ful season can help.
“Our playoff run really widened
our recruiting base,” said Schaetzle.
“Now we know who we are and
what we are about as a program.”
The winner of the 2010 Liberty
Mutual Coach of the Year Award
will be announced Jan. 10.
Page 8
Sports
in full
swing
this
winter
By Spencer Hunt
Staff writer
There are activities for everyone
in college.
For an aspiring writer, there is the
school paper. For a basket weaver,
there is a basket-weaving club. For
athletes, there is athletics.
However, a varsity team can be
very selective, which is is why intra-
mural sports are a perfect fallback.
At Mercyhurst College, sports
are offered every term for students.
In the fall, there is flag football
and ultimate Frisbee, and winter
term has basketball and volleyball.
Also, in the spring there is softball
and soccer.
According to Intramural Direc-
tor Joe Spano, the largest sports in
terms of participation are flag foot-
ball and softball.
Each sport has had at least 16
teams with 10 students per team
over the last few years.
Volleyball has been a steadily
growing sport. Since all sports are
co-ed, volleyball seems to benefit
the most.
With 14 teams already this year,
volleyball is very close to becoming
the largest sport.
Thankfully, with all the support
from students who participate,
there are only about two forfeits
per sport.
With no supervision on a team,
forfeits could be common by teams
that are not committed, but that
does not seem to be an issue.
With the help of Spano, the
intramural sport events are sched-
uled around students’ schedules as
best as possible.
Different kinds of sports are
tried each year as well as the major
sports.
For the full article go to merciad.
mercyhurst.edu.