THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MERCYHURST COLLEGE SINCE 1929
A&E
Page 8
MERCIAD
Vol. 80 No. 5
THE
Mercyhurst adopts plan to improve campus life
By Jessica Kocent
News editor
Are you a student living with five
other people in an apartment built for
four? Do you hate the food in the
cafeteria? Is there something about
Mercyhurst you want changed?
Well, the administration is listening.
One of Dr. Thomas Gamble’s goals
when he came to office was to imple-
Alcodemically
speaking
By Joshua Wilwohl
Editor-in-chief
Recent alcohol-related tragedies on
college campuses around the nation
are raising concern about student
drinking.
According an article in the Boston
Globe, three students plummeted to their
deaths in the past three months. One
fell from a roof, one fell off a bridge
after trying to perform a handstand,
and another fell while trying climb a fire
escape. All were intoxicated.
Catherine Bath, the executive director
of Security on Campus Inc., a non-
profit agency in Pennsylvania, said
that alcohol is a leading factor in
deaths on college campuses.
“Half of the student popu-
lation (on college campuses)
drinks to access,” she said.
“College campuses, on
some level, are dangerous
because kids are finally on
their own.”
According to Associ-
ate Vice President for
Student Life and
Director
of Resi-
dence
L i f e
Laura Zirkle,
Mercyhurst Col-
lege had one alcohol-
related death in the past 10
years.
Bath, whose son died from an alco-
hol-related incident at Duke University,
says her organization works closely with
colleges and high schools, constantly
informing them about the affects of
alcohol.
“We support AlcoholEdu as the best
tool to educate incoming freshmen,”
said Bath. “We also use college-trained
peer educators that inform high school
students on alcohol.”
Zirkle says Mercyhurst uses similar
techniques to keep students informed.
“All incoming freshmen have to com-
plete AlcoholEdu,” she said. “We also
discuss information at building meet-
ings, we hang up signs, and we deal with
Jazz singer
Sara Gazarek to
perform Saturday,
Oct. 21 in PAC
Mercyhurst College 501 E. 38th St. Erie Pa. 16546
ment Strategic Planning, a formalized
ongoing professional planning process
to make Mercyhurst College better.
According to Dr. Heidi Hosey, Vice
President of Strategic Planning, the
plan will “build out of the community
that lives it.”
Mercyhurst College has had some
formalized planning before. However,
Hosey says the administration would
usually make plans first, then gauge
the response from the students, staff
Alcohol poses life-
threatening risks to
college students
discipline.”
Bath stressed that the problem is not
the people who have a few drinks, but
those who have 10 or 15.
According to Bath, alcohol kills six
times as many people than any other
drug.
Mercyhurst College Vice President
of Student Life Dr. Gerard Tobin cited
statistics that there are 1,400 drinking-
related deaths a year.
Alcohol-related tragedies, however,
extend beyond deaths alone. Alcohol
has a high connection to rape and other
crimes. Bath said Security on Campus
Inc. puts out a newsletter that spends
three pages listing alcohol-related trag-
edies on campuses.
SPORTS
and faculty. But with this new plan,
the Mercyhurst community will have
a say in what is changing from the
ground up.
The first step in this 14-month plan
is strategic dialogue. This first stage is
centered on hearing the ideas of those
who want change, including all of the
students, staff and faculty. During the
week of October 9, Erie Consulting
firm, an outside company hired to work
on the process, will conduct 2 12-14
Security on Campus Inc. keeps col-
lege campuses informed about rape,
she said.
“We talk about the connection
between alcohol and acquaintance
rape,” she said. Bath stressed that
most college campuses do
not address acquaintance
rape.
According to
the University
of Buffalo’s
Counsel-
ing Ser-
vices
We b
site,
“Date
rape and
acquaintance
rape are forms of
sexual assault involving coer-
cive sexual activities perpetrated by an
acquaintance of the rape survivor.”
Bath said only one in every 20 rapes
is reported.
Tobin said there are 100,000 cases a
year in which victims don’t remember
if sex was consensual.
According to a pamphlet by the
Community Oriented Policing Services,
alcohol does play some role in acquain-
tance rape.
“Alcohol appears to play a large role in
acquaintance rape, although it is not the
cause,” states the pamphlet. “Research
indicates that in over three-quarters of
college rapes, the offender, the victim
– or both – had been drinking.”
Please see Alcohol on Page 3
Women’s volleyball
meets rival
Gannon Friday
Page 11
student focus groups. These students
were chosen completely at random and
are supposed to represent the mix and
balance of the Mercyhurst community
on three different campuses.
The next forum will be a town meet-
ing held in the PAC on Oct. 30 at 7 p.m.
The Strategic Planning group will be
asking the students what the strengths
and weaknesses of Mercyhurst College
are and what they want the campus to
look like in five years.
Stop the Hate
campaign begins
By Sarah Caram
Contributing writer
With the goal of making students
aware of hate crimes and bias in today’s
society, Mercyhurst held its first Stop
the Hate campaign last year as a step
toward achieving this goal.
The masterminds behind the creation
of the campaign were Assistant Direc-
tor of Residence Life and Student
Conduct Dara Zirkle, along with other
Residence Life and Student Conduct
assistant directors who, through the
Diversity and Enrichment Grant, were
able to take their ideas and make them
a reality.
“The Residence Life & Student
Conduct Office started this campaign
to educate college students about hate
crimes and bias-based acts. The intent
was to provide a way for students to
learn about, respond to, and take a
proactive approach in preventing these
crimes,” Zirkle said.
According to Zirkle, the first Stop the
Hate campaign started in March 2005
and ended on May 8, 2005. Residence
Life and Student Conduct offices spon-
sored this campaign “…in an effort
to promote tolerance, foster dialogue,
and address issues of bias and hate,”
said Zirkle.
Residence Life and Student Conduct
plans to add to the message this year.
“While last year the overwhelming
message was focused on promoting
tolerance campus-wide, this year we are
taking it a step further and encouraging
Mercyhurst to go beyond tolerance,”
Dying for Halloween
Senior Adam Hicks became one of the dead during his trip to Eden
Run Farms for a Halloween hayride. Hicks shares his experience and
anticipation for Halloween in his article “I Love Erie” on page 5.
October 11, 2006
If students are unable to come to this
town meeting, they can also voice their
opinions on the Website at http.//sug-
gestions.mercyhurst.edu.
Students will be involved in the entire
14-month process. So will faculty,
administration, alumni, staff and com-
munity members. They will comprise a
part of the strategic planning commit-
tees and help to draft the plans.
Please see Plans on Page 3
Zirkle said.
Residence Life and Student Conduct
held a poster contest for Mercyhurst
Students to start off the campaign last
year, which was very successful with
over 30 poster entries. “We encouraged
students to submit posters that would
serve as a visual tool to help educate and
inform individuals about the prevalence
and danger of hate-related acts and
crimes,” Zirkle said.
Celebrity judges chose the top three
winners. According to a flyer announc-
ing the deadline for submissions of the
posters, the celebrity judges included:
Scott Wolf and his wife Kelley Limp,
Jeff Probst, David Lewis, Renee Byrd-
Mullins and Sue Bea Montgomery.
“Posters were judged based on the
expression of them, artistic merit,
originality, relationship of (the) poster
and message and visual impact,” said
Zirkle.
The winning poster would be used as
an inspiration to students.
“It was our hope that the winning
poster would innovatively and creatively
express a message of tolerance and
community through an original artistic
medium,” said Zirkle.
The top three posters were announced
by Mercyhurst College President Dr.
Thomas Gamble.
The artists of the winning posters
received a prize of cash, ranging from
$500 for first place, $200 for second
place, and $100 for third place, accord-
ing to Zirkle.
Please see Poster on Page 2
Chelsea Boothe photo
PAGE 2 THE MERCIAD October 11, 2006

NEWS To contact: newsmerciad@mercyhurst.edu

Police and Safety Log

World Briefs October 2 October 7
International news Theft
Preston Hall
Liquor Law Violation
3830 Lewis Ave.
Compiled by Somalia declares holy Open Closed
Jessica Kocent war on Ethiopia Pending Investigation State Citation
From BBC News
Somalia’s Islamists have ac- October 3 October 8
cused Ethiopian troops of at- Theft Liquor Law Violation
tacking a town and have vowed a D’Angelo Performing Student Union
“holy war” in revenge. Arts Center Closed
The town of Bur Haqaba lies Open State Citation
on the road from the government Pending Investigation
base in Baidoa to the Islamist- October 9
held capital, Mogadishu. October 7 Criminal Mischief
Ethiopia denies that its troops Liquor Law Violation East 41st St.
have crossed the border but does Lewis Ave. Open
support the government against Closed Pending Investigation
the Islamists. State Citation
“Heavily armed Ethiopian
troops have invaded Somalia,”
said Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed,
seen as a moderate within the Contributed by Amy Zielinski

Union of Islamic Courts (UIC). Students on study abroad trip pictured in front of the
“They have captured Bur Haqa- International Mercy Center on Baggot Street.
ba. History shows that Somalis

Students travel
Mogadishu is controlled by always win when they are attacked
Muslims. from outside.”

Controversial Iranian cleric arrested in Tehran

An Iranian cleric, Mohammed Kazemeini Boroujerdi, has been
arrested amid clashes between his supporters and police outside his
abroad to get a
house in Tehran. Police used tear gas to disperse hundreds of his
followers, who had formed a cordon around his residence.
In his sermons, Boroujerdi advocated a traditional interpretation
global perspective
of Islam, which separates religion from politics. He is accused of
misinterpreting Islam. learning. You got to go there and
By Amy Zielinski
experience it,” Hammer said. “It
Contributing writer
North Korean nuclear makes a difference looking at a
tests condemned place and knowing information
This past May 17 students and and the history behind it.”
The UN Security Council four professors from Mercyhurst Dr. Brian Reed, assistant pro-
has strongly condemned North College traveled to Europe for a fessor of English, had students
Korea’s claim to have tested a study abroad program. read poetry by Yeats and short
nuclear weapon underground. On the 16-day trip, students stories from the book “Dublin-
It will also consider what steps and professors visited Rome, ers” by James Joyce.
to take next, including sanctions Assisi, Florence, Dublin, Belfast Students visited Yeats’ house
that could be mandatory and and Galway. in Ireland while they recited his
enforceable. Dr. Daniel McFee, assistant poetry to the class.
President George W. Bush professor of religious studies “Since many of the poems
branded it a “provocative” act said, “Studying abroad meets the describe what Yeats encounters
threatening peace and stability. mission of Merychurst College. daily in his castle home, going File photo

Bush said he and regional lead-
ers agreed North Korea’s actions
were unacceptable and deserved
an immediate UN response.
Current Security Council Presi-
dent Kenzo Oshima of Japan
urged North Korea to refrain
from further testing and return
to six-party talks.
Leader of North Korea, Kim
Jong Il.
Castro not terminal
The interim leader of Cuba has
denied U.S. media reports that his
brother, President Fidel Castro,
has terminal cancer and will not
return to power.
Raul Castro said the president,
who had intestinal surgery in
late July, was “getting better all
the time.”
The comments came after
Time magazine reported on
Castro’s alleged terminal illness.
Castro handed temporary pow-
er to his brother in July, prompt-
ing speculation that his 47-year
rule was nearly over.
Cubans were told that details
of the ailment would be kept
secret to prevent Cuba’s enemies
from taking advantage of them.
It helps students understand the
roots of the institution and get
a global perspective.”
Students were able to choose
from two of three courses that
were offered during spring
term.
All students were required
to take social ethics and could
choose from either Western
Christian heritage or British
classics.
Each of these classes were
specifically geared to where the
students were about to travel.
About 80 percent of the work
was done in class, while the other
20 percent was done during the
trip.
In the Western Christian heri-
tage class, taught by Dr. David
Livingston, students were asked
to become experts on a signifi-
cant monument or church.
While in Europe, students were
able to see the monuments and
churches they studied and gave a
tour to the class.
“I was so proud to see students
standing before the basilica of St.
Francis or the Lateran and tell the
other students the history behind
the church and the things they
there was immensely rewarding,”
Reed said. “I will be unable to
read Yeats again in the same
way.”
Students in the social ethics
class spent a great amount of
time reading and discussing the
book “Globalization” by Man-
fred B. Steger.
McFee also wanted students to
study Michael Collins to enhance
learning on the Kilmainham
Gaol in Dublin, Ireland.
Reed believed that, in addition
to traveling while fulfilling core
class requirements, the most en-
joyable part of the trip was the
bonds formed by the group.
“We have incredibly intelligent
and interesting students here at
Mercyhurst. The best part, other
than the wonderful experience
of seeing the world, was get-
ting to know the people better
on the trip,” said Reed. “It is
profoundly rewarding to get to
know the students as co-explor-
ers on a journey together. After
a few days together, students
become true leaders in shaping
the group’s experience,” added
McFee.
Students can contact either
Last year’s first place poster, submitted by Melissa Jack,
Marann Curtis and Kelsie Smith.
Poster campaign will
challenge thinking
Continued from page 1
According to second place win-
ner Michelle Ellia, who worked
with Alex Bonamo and Colleen
Davis, individualism was the in-
spiration for their poster.
“We are all different and have
our own unique characteristics.
In my poster I included the
phrase, ‘What if Picasso only
used one color?’ If he only
used one color, his art would be
bland and meaningless. However,
the combination of colors in
his artwork created a sense of
beauty. Together, as a society,
our differences combine to make
beauty.”
“I hope that my poster encour-
ages people to think. I hope that
it calls people to challenge the
preconceived notions they have
on diversity. Most of all, I hope
that people allow themselves to
carry out the message and help
others to understand it,” Ellia
said.
Due to the great success and
wide participation of the Stop
the Hate Campaign and the
poster contest, Residence Life
and Student Conduct is planning
its second running for the 2006-
2007 academic year, which will
start in the winter term.
“The overall goal with this
campaign is to provide a way
for our students to learn about,
respond to and be proactive in
preventing biased-based acts
and crimes. Furthermore, it is
our intention to encourage our
students to go beyond tolerance
and embrace diversity, work to
overcome biases and speak out
against injustices,” said Zirkle.

Unlimited
Castro will return to work. should not miss while inside,” Dr. Reed at breed@mercyhurst.
Livingston said. e d u o r D r. M c Fe e a t
Singh makes an appeal to end child labor in India Genevieve Hammer agreed dmcfee@mercyhurst.edu for

Tanning
this acquired knowledge made more information about this
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has urged Indians to support the experience worthwhile. year’s trip.
his government’s efforts to end child labour. In his appeal, Singh “Studying abroad was beneficial
said, “Our nation has solemnly pledged that children in our country because you saw what you were

$
39
are not engaged in any form of work at the cost of their right to
education.
He was speaking on the eve of a new law banning children under
Until 2007
14 from working as domestic helps or in food stalls.
The order also bans child workers in teashops, restaurants, hotels,
resorts, spas and other recreational centres.
Annual Study Abroad Night only
According to official estimates, India has more than 12.6 million
in our Bronze Series Beds
child workers.
until December 31, 2006
Come meet with the college’s study
Denmark rocked by abroad representatives Get Darker Faster in Affordable Luxury!
more cartoon scandal to have all your questions answered • Largest Salons = NO Waiting
The Danish prime minister has
• Open 7 Days a Week
denounced the drawing of new October 25, 8:15-10:15 p.m. • Appointments Never Needed
• Voted Erie’s #1 Tanning Salon
cartoons mocking the Prophet 114 Zurn
Muhammad.
Ander Fogh Rasmussen in- Contact:
tervened in an apparent ef-
fort to prevent a repeat of the International Student Center
widespread protests over similar Eric Evans, ext. 2478 K-Mart Plaza – Buffalo Rd.

cartoons a year ago. eevans@mercyhurst.edu W. 38th & 899-9826 Peach &

Pittsburgh Ave. Kuntz Rd.
Danish People’s Party activists 314-0286 864-9969
were shown on TV drawing the Damara Gonzalez, ext. 3056
images, which were condemned dgonza91@mercyhurst.edu
#OUPON#ODE03
in the Muslim world. Denmark has had similar WWWSUNYOURBUNSCOM
scandels in the past.
October 11, 2006
Democrats and Republicans ready for elections
By Sarah Caram
Contributing writer
The College Democrats: An
Expanding Group with an Ever
Expanding Purpose.
The College Democrats of
Mercyhurst College is a grow-
ing, student-run political group
that holds the ideas of political
mindfulness and political action
very highly. As such, they are
seriously preparing for the No-
vember Election.
According to Dr. Alice Ed-
wards, director of the Mer-
cyhurst College World
Languages and Cultures
Department, the group
first began as the Young
Democrats around the
year 2000, when two political
science students “…wanted
to organize on campus.”
The Young Democrats
formed for college students
who are “…eager to be active
in politics in some way,” said
Kyle Foust, Director of Career
Services and the current advisor
of the group.
Historically, as well as cur-
rently, participation and voter
turnouts by everyone is lower
than it should be. However, the
College Democrats are here to
change that.
Senior political science major
and Spanish minor Maeve Kelly,
is not only the president of Mer-
cyhurst’s College Democrats, but
also the president of the College
Alcohol poses life-threatening risks to students
Continued from Page 1
Zirkle says the Office of Resi-
dence Life gives students infor-
mation on the statistics so they
stay aware about alcohol and
rape.
She also noted that Mercyhurst,
Gannon University and Penn
State University Behrend are part
of a group known as C-COM-
PASS: Campus and Community
Partners Advocating for Safe
Students.
C-COMPASS ensures that
all three schools have the same
behavioral expectations for stu-
dents no matter what campus
they are on, Zirkle said.
Mercyhurst is also hosting the
semi-annual Alcohol Awareness
Week from Oct. 10-13.
According to program director
Sarah Allen, the week is designed
to increase student awareness of
the potential consequences of
alcohol abuse.
“Our hope is to increase stu-
Parents’ weekend
By Merissa Frank
Contributing writer
Most college students thank
heaven they do not have to deal
with their parents much more
than nine months out of the
year
But to give mom and dad a
break, Parents’ Weekend is here
again.
According to Pat Liebel, Direc-
tor of Alumni Services, about
250 parents called in an RSVP
for the upcoming weekend.
Liebel said, “This is a really
great opportunity to reconnect
with the students.”
Heather Schwager, Vicky Fleis-
ner, Haylie Starin and Zach Pe-
kor, of Student Activities Coun-
cil, have a few big events planned.
Friday the Thirteenth kicks off
Plans ready for 2007
Continued from Page 1
Hosey hopes the official plan
will be implemented by Octo-
ber 2007, and for the next few
years, the new changes will be
monitored by Hosey and a com-
mittee. Then the process will
start again.
The Strategic Planning team
wants to get as many ideas as
possible. It will basically be an
Democrats of Pennsylvania.
Kelly has been the president of
this group for two years.
“Politics is one of those things
that affects everyone,” Kelly said.
“In today’s society, there are not
a lot of citizens that have civic
virtue, that is, the drive to want
to participate in government and
feel the duty to take on the duties
of being an American citizen,
i.e., voting.”
Like Foust, Kelly be-
lieves that it is impor-
tant to have student
run political groups at colleges.
She also believes that political
groups help students to decide to
which political group they want
to belong, rather than simply
being a Republican or Demo-
crat just
because their parents were.
“It’s healthy to have two politi-
cal competing groups on campus
because it fosters a sense of
political belonging. It allows the
student to see the two different
sides and make decisions on their
own about their political views
without others influences, such
dents’ awareness of the poten-
tial consequences of substance
abuse and to encourage healthy
decision making regarding the
use and abuse of alcohol and
drugs,” she said.
The event is hosted in the fall
and in the spring each year.
“During the spring term we
host our second Alcohol Aware-
ness Week, which is held the
week prior to St. Patrick’s Day,”
Allen said. “We feel that this is
an opportunity for us to remind
students of the decisions they
are making during a time when
the use and abuse of alcohol and
drugs are at a peak.”
Chris Dimperio, director of
the Cohen Health Center, said
students should always be aware
of the effects of alcohol.
“If a person is out and goes
unconscious, you have to sus-
pect something,” she said. “If
breathing slows, vomiting occurs
and the skin turns color, seek im-
mediate help.”
the weekend with the traditional
Family Bingo Bonanza, where
students and parents gather in
the REC Center for bingo with
tons of great prizes.
Saturday evening wraps up
college sponsored activities with
Fall Family Festival and Haunted
Hurst Tours.
At the Fall Family Fest, every-
one can enjoy carving pumpkins,
sampling festive pies, munching
on caramel apples and sipping
apple cider. Have a devilishly
good time on the haunted tour
led by Mercyhurst ghouls, re-
hashing horror stories of the
past.
Of course, parents are also
welcome at mass on Sunday
morning. After church, it’s time
to say bye to mom and dad and
see them again in just a few more
weeks for Fall Break.
open forum with no particular
topic in mind. Hosey, describes
the process as a large idea funnel,
beginning with brainstorming,
then becoming a more refined
plan as the process goes on.
Hosey, says that administration
“owes it to the students to do
it right” and she would like to
stress that there is no cap on the
possibilities.
as family, etc.,” Kelly said.
Currently, the club has about
40 members. But after the RSCO
fair the organization gained 30
new members.
Kelly believes joining the Col-
lege Democrats has many ad-
vantages.
“Students will get the opportu-
nity to work with the coordinated
campaign office in Erie County,
local officials, and passionate stu-
dents by going door knocking,
participating in voter regis-
tration drives, and phone
banking. The knowledge
they gain from these ex-
periences will help them
in future campaigns across
the country,” she said.
There are several main
goals that are the focus of
the young Democrats this year.
According to Kelly, two of
the goals are to elect Bob Casey
to the U.S. Senate and to help
Rendell remain as Pennsylvania’s
governor. However, the main
goal is preparation for the No-
vember elections.
“We will be holding voter
registration drives until October
6, participating in numerous
statewide canvassing days and
holding GO TV (Get Out The
Vote) events,” said Kelly.
The organization wants “To
ensure that Erie County always
remains blue, encouraging stu-
dents to embrace politics, and
teaching the young people of
the importance of their vote,”
said Kelly.
Dimperio stresses that if stu-
dents are at a bar and these
symptoms occur, they can call
911. If on campus, they can
contact campus security or call
911, she said.
According to Dimperio, stu-
dents can also use CPR if they
know the proper technique, but
she emphasizes to seek help.
“In these situations, you have
to get the intoxicated person to
the emergency room fast and get
IVs into them,” she said. “De-
pending on what the blood levels
show, a person could be in the
hospital overnight or for days.”
Dimperio also warned against
exercising drunken students,
feeding them caffeine or giving
them a cold shower.
“Just keep the person awake,”
she said.
She also said certain drinks can
make a person sicker.
“Drinks mixed with 7-UP,
Coke, or Pepsi intoxicate a per-
son more because of the sugar
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THE MERCIAD
To contact: newsmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
By Sarah Caram
Contributing writer
The Young Republicans: a
Group with a Purpose.
The Young Republicans at
Mercyhurst is a relatively new
group that not only has a pur-
pose, but also many hopes for
the future.
According to Dr. Michael Fed-
erici, Professor of Political Sci-
ence and Advisor of the Young
Republicans, the Young Repub-
licans began at Mercyhurst in
2002 when he was approached
by Republican student Rick
Antin who wanted to start a
branch of Young Republicans
here on campus.
Federici believes that having
student-run political groups in
colleges is important because it
provides students with politi-
cal experience.
“It gives students an opportu-
nity to get their feet wet in poli-
tics…it supplements what they
learn in the classrooms, especially
those who are political science
majors,” said Federici.
While joining political groups
on campus provides students
with experience and opportunity,
there are disadvantages.
‘The Development of the
Mind’ is the main focus of higher
education and many times stu-
dents who become “seduced”
by the world of political power
sacrifice their development for
political power,” Federici said.
content,” she said.
Dimperio said the health center
gives out tips on alcohol by mak-
ing a bulletin board and passing
out pamphlets to students.
Students say, however, they
are already aware of the effects
of alcohol and take precautions
when drinking.
Junior Trevor Mattice says the
programs dealing with alcohol
awareness get excessive.
“The awareness programs
Mercyhurst has instituted in
relation to alcohol are, to say the
least, over the top,” he said. “If
you think of how many college
students drink alcohol across the
nation, and how many deaths
there are in relation to it, it’s a
very small percentage.”
Mattice also noted that col-
leges across the nation need to
realize drinking is a part of the
atmosphere.
“Alcohol is a part of college
and they need to embrace that,”
Mattice said.
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There is, however, one main
advantage that students who join
student political groups receive.
According to Federici, this
advantage is that these groups
help students attain a greater
understanding of politics.
According to sophomore pol-
tical science major Adam Ham-
mer, current president of the
Young Republicans, the club
provides its members with the
chance to meet new people who
share a common interest.
Like Federici, Hammer also
believes that it is important to
have student run political groups
at colleges.
“I think a lot of people don’t
find (politics) particularly inter-
esting…it is important to have
these groups because it’s impor-
tant to know the world around
you,” said Hammer.
Even with the advantages that
the Young Republicans offer,
there is always room for im-
provement and change.
According to Hammer, one
Senior Katie Miller said she
is aware of all the effects of
alcohol.
“I learned the basics of the
har mful effects of alcohol
through DARE in middle school
and high school health classes,”
she said. “But, through my dietet-
ics major I have learned more
in greater detail what kind of
serious damage alcohol can do
to the body.”
Miller also said she takes pre-
cautions when drinking.
“I like to go out with at least
one other person for safety
reasons and to have more fun
socially,” she said.
Senior Deanna Kramer says
she witnessed alcohol effects
firsthand.
“I’m sure I’m not aware of ev-
ery single effect, but I have seen
many effects of extreme alcohol
consumption,” she said.
Kramer says she always takes
precautions when going out as
well.
PAGE 3
News
factor that is hoped to change
this year is the number of mem-
bers. Currently, there are about
10 to 15 members involved in
the Young Republicans.
A main goal that Hammer has
for the Young Republicans is that
he wants people to realize the is-
sues and that they have a choice
in their outcomes.
A sub goal of the group is for
its members to become more
“diverse” people, said Hammer.
The main focus of the Young
Republican meetings, according
to Hammer, is to have its mem-
bers attain an understanding of
what the Republican Party stands
for and also to promote republi-
can candidates and ideas.
“The Young Republicans work
on presidential and lo-
cal elections, as well as
campaigns. They do such
things as hand out leaflets,
hold up signs and deliver
yard signs for candidates,”
said Federici.
Students who are interested
in the Young Republicans can
get information on the group
through the RSCO fair, by talk-
ing to Federici or members and
by reading the organization’s
constitution, which is on file with
Darcey Kemp in the Student
Union.
While the Young Republicans
at Mercyhurst have goals and
changes that they want achieve,
ultimately, they want their party
to winas many elections as pos-
sible.
“I try to be as safe as possible
when I’m out with my friends.
Even if it becomes a bother its
still worth it,” she said. “I try not
to drink more than I can handle
and I stay with my friends, and
don’t go off with strange men.”
Bath said, however, the number
one way to stay safe and avoid
any alcohol-related tragedy is not
to get drunk.
Dimperio stressed to not let
friends drink that much.
Tobin said the students of Mer-
cyhurst live in a community of
caring where friends care about
friends.
He emphasized that the best
solution to avoid an alcohol-re-
lated tragedy is to have a desig-
nated friend.
“A designated friend is one
who will make sure you are safe
and will make sure you don’t do
anything you’ll regret,” he said.
PAGE 4 THE MERCIAD October 11, 2006

CAMPUS
LIVING To contact: featuremerciad@mercyhurst.edu

Fashion trip to
Soul warming recipes the big apple
With Meg
Presentation is Everything The scale of your presentation the cat box on newspaper and
Halloween is just around the is up to you and how much you sprinkle cookie crumbs around Calvin Klein. After the visit,
By Kate Collins
corner, and this disgusting-look- think your guests can stomach. this box. As with any recipe, you Warnaco is providing a nice
Contributing writer
ing, but great tasting, treat will be Though unnecessary, the cat can improvise a little. lunch for the group.
a great way to set the mood.
When I first saw this dish I
did not think I would be able to
box and pooper scooper as
serving utensils is a great touch.
Tootsie Rolls are also optional.
If you are not a fan of Tootsie
Rolls, you could heat and shape
Snickers mini candy bars. How
and Kyle In mid November, some Mer-
cyhurst students will attend a
“One of our graduates, Sarah
Greenlee, is actually the assistant
to Kayla LaGrange, the presi-
eat it, but Halloween is all about However, the effect is truly dis- real you want it to look is up to fashionable trip to New York dent of Warnaco,” said Mariyln
adventure. And you need to be gusting, which makes this recipe you… there is a lot of room for City. Smith.
adventuresome to partake in this great for Halloween parties. creativity with this Halloween Put on by the fashion depart- Following lunch on Friday, the
dessert. Some even go as far as to set treat. ment, students will be able to group will visit Nicole Miller
attend a five-day trip to the city Headquarters and B & J Fab-
to see some of the most widely rics.
‘Cat Litter’ Dessert known fashion venues in the
industry.
On Saturday and Sunday, they
will be visiting the Fashion
Marilyn Smith, director of the Institute of Technology, where
Ingredients Equipment Family and Consumer Science many Mercyhurst students are
Department, will head the trip. currently studying.
Students from all majors are able A Meatpacking District tour
1 Chocolate cake mix 2 cake pans (any size) to attend and may also bring is also on the schedule which
friends and family members. will be in SoHo by Greenwich
1 White cake mix Utensils to prepare pudding “I went on the trip last year Village, along with a Broadway
2 Lg packages of vanilla pudding Microwave and it was a really good experi- Play that will be announced later
1 Lg package vanilla sandwich cookies Blender/food processor ence,” said junior Laura Pu- and a visit to the Metropolitan
sateri. “Those that went brought Museum of Art.
12-15 Tootsie Rolls New cat box and liner friends and family members too. “I’m excited to visit the dif-
Green food coloring New pooper scooper It’s not just for the students.” ferent fashion headquarters and
The trip is estimated to cost visit with the girls who go to
Eggs, milk...as needed by cake mix Lg mixing bowl about $535 total, but is well Mercyhurst but are spending the
worth the money spent. year at FIT,” said senior fashion
Directions Those who attend will be stay- merchandising major Angela
ing at a hotel located right in the Pascoe.
heart of Manhattan. “And I’m obviously happy
1. Prepare cake mixes and bake according to directions. Then allow cake to cool.
On Thursday, the first full day about going shopping some-
2. Prepare pudding mix and chill until ready to assemble. there, students will be visiting where a little more exciting than
3. Crumble white sandwich cookies in small batches in blender/food processor, scraping sides often. Set Times Square and Rockefeller the Millcreek Mall!”
aside all but about 1/4 cup. To the 1/4 cup cookie crumbs, add a few drops green food coloring and mix Center, all the really big attrac- Some of the other stops on
until completely colored. tions of the city. The group will the list include Fairchild Pub-
4. When cakes are cooled to room temperature, crumble into a large bowl. Toss with half the white cookie also eat dinner at Planet Holly- lications, which publishes one
crumbs set aside (uncolored) and the chilled pudding. IMPORTANT: Mix in just enough of the pudding wood and have time to shop. of the most widely known fash-
to moisten it. You don’t want it too soggy. Combine gently. Friday, the students will be in- ion magazines, Women’s Wear
5. Line a new, clean kitty litter box. Put the cake/pudding/cookie mixture into the litter box. troduced to the fashion portion Daily, Couture on Madison and
6. Put three unwrapped Tootsie Rolls in a microwave safe dish and heat until soft and pliable. Shape of the trip. They will start off Parsons: The New School for
by visiting AGX Textile Print- Design where there is also a
ends so they are no longer blunt, curving slightly. Repeat 1 or 2 more times. Then bury them in the
ing Firm. Mercyhurst student, Natalie Justi
mixture. The firm provides for some senrio, studying fashion.
7. Sprinkle the other half of cookie crumbs over the top and scatter the green cookie crumbs lightly on of the biggest names including “It should be a really neat trip
top of everything-- This is supposed to look like the chlorophyll in kitty litter. Tommy Bahama Swimwear and for all who attend. We’re getting
8. Heat three Tootsie Rolls in the microwave until almost melted. Scrape them on top of the cake; sprinkle Tommy Hilfiger. a chance to see a lot of really
with cookie crumbs They will then visit Warnaco, spectacular places,” said Smith.
a licenser for designers such as

Is the freshman 15 really as unavoidable as we think?

By Courtney Stuempges
Contributing writer
Thousands of high school se-
niors across the country prepare
for an unknown journey ahead
of them: unfamiliar faces, a dif-
ficult curriculum, no parents, a
brand new social scene, and …
the “Freshman 15.”
When dealing with life’s new
stresses and changes many stu-
dents turn to food, but the
“Freshman 15” is not unpre-
ventable.
According to the Nemour’s
Foundation, “Researchers at
Cornell University found that
students gained an average of
four pounds during the first 12
weeks of their freshman year
- a rate of gain that is 11 times
higher than the typical weight
gain for 17- and 18-year-olds.”
A study done at Tufts Univer-
sity states that: “on average, men
gain six pounds and women gain
four and a half during their first
year of college.”
There are not many students
on Mercyhurst campus that
would turn down chocolate,
Laker Inn cookies or french fries,
the café’s ice cream or late-night
CVS runs.
The café and the Laker Inn
are filled with both healthy and
unhealthy choices alike, but
students have that decision to
make, which will either put on
the weight or cut back.
How can the “Freshman 15”
be avoided? According to the
Cable News Network, first and
foremost, before you choose
to eat decide if you are even
hungry.
Many people eat when they
are bored, tired, homesick or
stressed. Therefore, these people
gain weight from simply eating
when their not hungry.
Keeping a journal of the food
you eat can help you decide what
foods are “empty calories,” what
kinds of foods get you full faster
and which keep you feeling full
longer.
CNN also says to go heavy
on the vegetables, fruit, whole-
grains and lean meats. Go light
on the dressing and other con-
diments, desserts, gravies and
bread and butter.
CNN also says that you do not
have to give up sweets all togeth-
er, but reward yourself. Putting
self-restrictions on certain foods
only make them more tempting
to eat. Let yourself eat sweets,
but put a limit on the snack be-
fore you start eating it.
According to the Nemour’s
Foundation, staying on a regular
sleep pattern may help because
staying up late leads to large
amounts of caffeine intake,
which then in turns leads to more
calories, more caffeine and less
sleep. And the cycle continues.
Many people eat when they are
stressed.
And many people are stressed
because they do not get enough
sleep.
It takes about 20 minutes for
food to reach your stomach and
eating slowly helps your food
digest. Eat your meal portion,
wait 20 minutes, then decide if
you are full or not.
Keep healthy foods on hand in
your room, like fruit, so you can
eat that instead of walking to the
vending machine.
Alcohol holds many calories,
and after consuming alcoholic
drinks, many people go for the
‘late night munchies,’ which
greatly adds on to the calorie
intake.
Nemour’s says that just 30
minutes of exercise three to four
times per week can help with
seeing and feeling the weight
loss. Signing up for a scheduled Andy Finkel photo
class time can help you stick to MAC offers an excellent place to burn those extra lbs.
a routine.
CNN says that if you are seri-
Keeping the weight off is not CNN says “The secret is to
ous about losing or maintaining
impossible, but coming into forgive yourself for one missed
a certain weight, that “com-
college as a freshman can lead exercise session or eating one
mitment must be your middle
to ups and downs both mentally piece of chocolate cake.
name.”
and physically. “Don’t let your failures undo
There are many areas in ev-
Not trailing from normal eat- all your efforts. If you go over-
eryone’s life that can either cut
ing habits can help avoid the infa- board, pick yourself up and start
back on food intake or increase
mous “Freshman 15” with a few over again at the next meal or the
exercise. For example, when at
painless changes in a student’s next day.”
the Hammermill Library take the
daily routine.
stairs instead of the elevator.

Math major competes with big dogs
By Jen Helbig
Contributing writer
If you think that math is only
for the classroom and balancing
your checkbook, think again.
A passion for math recently
brought senior Brittany Parker,
a mathematics education major,
to Tomar, Portugal, for four days
in September.
There she presented a statistics
research project on the topic of
determining levels of harvest of
Pacific Halibut.
“I started the research this sum-
mer in an undergraduate research
program at Penn State Behrend,”
Parker explained. “It was my first
experience with research so it was
definitely challenging.”
At the conference, Parker won
the award for outstanding pre-
sentation. Parker estimated that
there were about 25 universities
represented, and she was one
of 35 students involved in the
undergraduate and graduate
competition.
“I was nervous to be among
students from such prestigious
schools at Berkeley,” Parker said.
“After seeing a few presentations,
I began to feel more comfort-
able. I knew I had done enough
preparing to have a successful
presentation.”
Parker used her experience in
Portugal to get a feel for what she
would like to do after her time at
Mercyhurst.
“The reason that I was so eager
to participate in research was so
that I would give myself options
after Mercyhurst. I am currently
student teaching at Harbor Creek
high school. I still have to make
the huge decision between going
to graduate school for statistics
or continuing my teaching ca-
reer.”
“I already completed my GRE’s
and will be applying to graduate
schools within the next month.
After I see what sort of offers
I get from graduate schools I
will be better prepared to make
a decision.”
Parker’s attendance at the
conference is something for the
Mercyhurst community to be
proud of.
“As far as I know, there has
never been a Mercyhurst math
student that presented at an in-
ternational conference,” she said.
“I was the only student to ever
attend this one.”
“I hope that more Mercyhurst
students in every major will par-
ticipate in student research. I
am joining a research committee
through student government that
is going to look into having funds
available for students to complete
research at Mercyhurst.”
CEC makes children’s lives better
By Amy Zielinski
Contributing writer
The Council for Exceptional
Children Club expects many
changes this year, including
attracting new members and
providing better services for the
children it seeks to serve.
CEC is an organization where
students work with individuals
with disabilities, exceptionalities,
and/or the gifted.
Peter Glumac, a junior special
education major, says, “Know-
ing that I have helped someone,
especially children or adults in
need, is the best feeling I get as
a future educator. I am fortunate
to be a part of CEC and to have
the ability to collaborate with
equally passionate education
majors.”
Students can become involved
in the Expanding Social Oppor-
tunities dances which are held at
Mercyhurst College, Penn State
Behrend and Gannon Universi-
ties.
“When I go to the ESO danc-
es, I am always excited because
I know that I will have a great
time. I give it my all, dance like
no one’s watching, and leave
with a smile on my face. I only
with more people were involved
wish this wonderful event,” says
Glumac.
CEC faculty advisor Dr. Rich-
ard O’Dell likes working with the
students and their goals.
“I work with the best students
on campus. We are always im-
proving the quality of life in
Erie County.
“We do things humbly and
with very little cost,” O’Dell
said.
“The best part is to be able to
see the joys of what you are do-
ing not only in the faces of the
children we support, but in the
parents and other CEC members
that work together to provide
such awesome opportunities,”
says Amanda Bandurak, a senior
special education major.
Other events that CEC plans
include the Special Olympic ski
meets, Winter Fest and speakers.
Students who help out at the
Special Olympics ski meets give
individuals with exceptionalities
one-on-one attention. Mercy-
hurst students also participate
in the Crohn’s walk and attend
state conferences.
“Volunteers can look forward
to creating solid relationships
with peers, other CEC members,
the exceptional community and
their friends and families,” Ban-
durak said. “It is worthwhile to
anyone looking to make a differ-
ence in the lives of many.”
October 11, 2006 THE MERCIAD PAGE 5

CAMPUS
To contact: featuremerciad@mercyhurst.edu LIVING
Internship numbers skyrocket in ‘06
Mercyhurst had a record number of students, 370, complete internships in 20 states and five countries
tional Truck and Engine. 4:30. and North East Coordinator Students may question if they process.
By Lakyn Bianco
“We are very proud to let our Career Services also provides David DeSante. can participate and complete in- Hvezda also stresses the ever-
Contributing writer
students know that Mercyhurst construction and formulation of “Faculty also play an important ternships in their hometown. growing importance of letters of

Mercyhurst students shattered
Career Services’ internship place-
ment record last year with 370
College has one of the premier
internship programs,” said Rob-
ert Hvezda, Director of Career
Services Cooperative Education/
“
professional resumes. part in the internship process Any potential internship site recommendation.
is possible as long as students The buzzword nationally is for
The buzzword provide a job description from
the site to be approved by the
students to “network, network,
network,” making valuable con-

students, completing co-ops and
internships 20 different states
and five different countries.
Students exceeded the 2004-05
nationally is for
Internship Programs. college. tacts for future internships or
Career Services strongly en- In addition to experience stu- employment.
courages students to begin the dents can also earn academic “I have had excellent feedback
preparation process as early
students to ‘network, credit from the internship that from internship employers on

school year internship placement
record of 305, a growth of 65
additional placements.
Among the internship sites this
past year were Omni Interna-
tional Hotels, U.S. Coast Guard,
Pompano Beach Club (Ber-
muda), Northrop Grumman,
Lord Corporation, Laurelwood
Hospital, Marriott International,
Edmund L. Thomas Adolescent
Center, Logistics Plus, Saint
Vincent Health Center, Boston
as sophomore year in order to
successfully compete against
students from other colleges and
universities.
In order for students to be-
come involved they need to
attend mandatory internship
information sessions.
Dates and times for those ses-
sions are posted outside Career
Services.
The office is located in 204
Old Main and is open Monday
network, network.’
The support staff types the
resumes for students which can
eventually be e-mailed to indi-
viduals for immediate access.
Along with Hvezda, the Career
Services Department includes
Frank Rizzone, Kyle Foust, Do-
”
because students have to be first
approved by them, and without
faculty having strong trust in our
department we wouldn’t be able
to have Mercyhurst students have
the exposure to such qualitiy lo-
cal, regional, and national experi-
can be applied toward graduation
requirements.
Students can review already
secured internship sites on the
bulletin board outside Career
Services or in binders in the
office.
Hvezda explained that students
should seize the opportunity to
become engaged in the intern-
ship process so that they can
have substantial practical experi-
ence to put on their resume and
academic and personal maturity
of Mercyhurst students, and em-
ployers continually comment on
how students want to contribute
and produce during the intern-
ship experience,” said Hvezda.
Career Services’ motto is “To-
day’s quality service for tomor-
row’s success.” Students should
realize that it is never too early
to prepare.

I
Dance Company and Interna- through Friday from 8:30 to lores Griswold, Cindy Waidley ences,” said Hvezda. to talk about in the interview

Prepare iPod: friend or foe?

who walk around in their own world.
By Chelsea Boothe
yourself for Campus Living editor
music world.
Obviously, iPods create conve-
The question seems to be what
are we missing when we aren’t

a Halloween nience and are space savers. being disturbed?

ERI
At the spin of a finger we have
access to every song we love.
hayride you Gone are the times when we
carried around bulky CD cases
However, it is an unspoken Perhaps nothing.
rule that you never disturb a Or, maybe we miss a con-
person who has plugs in his/her
ears.
versation with a friend, an op-
portunity to help someone who

won’t forget and Discman players.

By Adam Hicks
Contributing writer
As the temperature drops
and the amount of daylight
continues to decrease daily,
dark cold nights set the eerie
mood perfect for celebrating
the Halloween season.
In an attempt to open the
eyes of students on campus
to scarier opportunities in the
Erie area, I plan to showcase
different styles of frights.
In North East, Pa., a farm
has opened a new haunted
Left to right: Danni Lockerbie, Kyle Hicks, Chelsea
house style of interaction.
Boothe, Adam Hicks, Witch, Kyle Scully and Megan
At Eden Run Farms, for
Doleny.
the second consecutive year,
the farm is offering haunted
hayrides.
Eden Run Farms, located
at 11610 Cole Road, was pur-
Now, thanks to Apple, we
can hear anything we want in a
It would be as though you were
interrupting their own personal
world, a world into which you
is struggling or the beauty of
a sunny day in Erie (which are
being numbered).
compact and sleek iPod. are obviously not invited because Music is a wonderful thing, and
They have taken over campus- you aren’t listening. iPods allow us to take sound-art
es everywhere, and the ‘Hurst is Potentially the iPod could be everywhere we go.
no exception. away to avoid all human contact, This is not an iPod hater ar-
According to senior Jessica unless absolutely mandatory, ticle, or anything of the sort.
Lamb her iPod is not just a such as class or checking out at But upon reflection it occurred
friend, but “a lover.” the grocery store. that perhaps there is a time and a
Ultimately, it is questionable Although, even in a checkout place for zoning out into a world
whether or not iPods are helping line there are plenty of peo- filled with the Beatles greatest
to create a community of music ple who are listening to music hits, and there is a time to truly
lovers, or a group of individuals and tuning out the rest of the be a part of the human race.
Photo courtesy of Chelsea Boothe
to warm up and share scary perience with Mad Max in one
stories. word, “AHHHHHH!”
Eden Run Farms also sells After Mad Max, the ride also
fall-themed foods to enjoy encountered such frights as

Your opportunity. On every doorstep.

chased by George Devenny
in 1999. while waiting, including hot an executioner, a toxic waste
The farm currently cares for chocolate, french fries and dump, a pack of werewolves
about 500 head of cattle and deep fried pickles (a unique, and a witch.
yet enjoyable taste). The ride utilized unique
has recently begun offering
In order to judge the props like chainsaws, smoke
Verizon Hiring Immediately!
horseback rides to patrons for
$25 an hour. scariness of the ride on my machines and a REAL cow One Stop Testing and Hiring Event
To celebrate the Hallow- haunted journey this week, I heart from their butcher shop Saturday, October 14, 2006
was accompanied by sopho- to create even scarier effects.
een season, the farm offers
mores Kyle Hicks and Danni Based on a vote from my 9AM or 1PM
haunted hayrides every Friday
and Saturday night from dusk Lockerbie, juniors Kyle Scully “Scare Evaluators,” they rated 20 E 10th Street, Erie, PA
until 11 p.m. for $8 a person. and Megan Dolney and senior the ride as a fi ve out of ten, You must pre-register by calling (800) 267-6585
The rides are in large hay Chelsea Boothe. scary but not terrifying.
wagons drawn by the farm’s Each ride takes you deep Although it was not the GREAT BENEFITS PLUS TUITION ASSISTANCE!
tractors, which lead you on a into the haunted woods of most heart stopping ride, it
scary ride around the prop- Eden Run Farms, where eight offered enough excitement to OPERATORS
erty. different scenes await you in be creepy and enjoyable.
the lurking shadows. According to Carol, the Erie, PA
Each ride lasts about 45
minutes and, for the more First, the ride stopped by ticket seller, 2,000 people at- At Verizon, operators provide the essential, courteous, accurate and quick
daring, they also offer rides the butcher shop of Mad tended the chilling adventure service our customers rely on in our 7-day-a-week, up to 24-hour-a-day
led by the Grim Reaper in real Max, who was cutting up last year, and Eden Run Farm
something human looking in plans to increase the fright
environment. You will provide assistance to callers requesting business and
coffins for an additional $4. residential listings, text messages, horoscope readings, restaurant reviews,
To add to the Halloween a blood spattered robe. When factor of the ride.
he noticed the hayride, Mad Every weekend they change nationwide weather, movie listings, sports scores, etc. Excellent communication
atmosphere, there are also
multiple booths set up to Max jumped into the wagon the scenes and add scarier and data entry skills are required. Candidates must be flexible as work
occupy patrons’ time while yelling in guttural tones and content. hours will vary and include days, nights, weekends, holidays and/or split
waiting for the next ride. shaking his bloody knife in Carol encourages any shifts. Customer service experience is desired. Verizon provides paid training,
Photo opportunities i a the air, which prompted a students from Mercyhurst a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package.
real coffin are available for chorus of screams from the who are interested in terrify-
those who dare. And there is riders. ing people to stop by, because
Dolney summed up her ex- Eden Run Farms is always To apply and pre-register, please call (800) 267-6585 or visit our website
bonfire for those who want
looking for more people to at: www.verizon.com/print. EOE M/F/D/V
assist as monsters in the week-
end haunting.
With Halloween rapidly
approaching, and families
coming to visit the campus
for Parents’ Weekend, I would
recommend a trip to Eden Your work. Your career. Your Verizon.
Run Farms for a scary Hal-
loween experience. www.verizon.com/careers
As Carol put it, “The
haunted hayride is excellent,
it is a great time for everyone
and it is very scary.”
For more details please see
the Website, located at www.
hauntedhorsefarm.com
Photo by Chelsea Boothe
Kyle Scully took the oppertunity to lay in a coffin.
PAGE 6 THE MERCIAD October 11, 2006

OPINION To contact: opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu

Nukes, guns and Iraq . . . oh my

Recent headlines reveal unsettling realities
When considering a topic for this week’s article,
I found myself sifting through countless headlines,
each one more troubling than the next.
I try to stay up on current events; I like to know
what’s going on around me. But, lately the news is
so depressing, I find it hard to stomach. If school
shootings, the escalating death toll and violence in
Iraq and the testing of a nuclear weapon by North
Korea aren’t enough to bring you down, then I
don’t know what will.
The past few
weeks have ex-
hibited a dra-
matic increase Allison
in school vio- Moore
lence. Multiple
school shoot-
ings and failed
attempts have Opinion editor
rattled parents
and students
across the country. In response to the shootings,
President Bush held a summit for educators, saying
that he hopes that grief is turned into aggressive
action to prevent more violence.
The summit focused largely on improving com-
munication between students, parents, teachers and
police and stressed that better communication will
be more effective in preventing violence than more
cameras or metal detectors. The summit concluded
that changing school culture would be the most
significant; however, it is very difficult to do.
I find it interesting, but not surprising, that the
issue of gun control did not come up. It is an elec-
tion year after all, and everyone knows the NRA
has the government, especially Republicans, by the
you know what. Compared to other countries, gun
violence in the United States is appallingly high, yet
no one wants to address the elephant in the room
. . . no pun intended, Republicans.
As mentioned before, another warm and fuzzy
story making headlines comes out of a now nuclear
North Korea. Yes that’s right, North Korea, headed
by Kim Jong Il, who is a couple crayons short of a
full box, now has nuclear capabilities.
If you don’t remember, North Korea is the third
installment of what President Bush calls the “axis
of evil” and was on the receiving end of some
pretty harsh rhetoric in the past. However, with
the international community, most notably China,
overwhelmingly condemning the nuclear test, it
seems as if diplomacy and sanctions will be the
course we choose this time.
Funny how we invade a country we suspect to be
developing weapons of mass destruction and then
want to pursue diplomacy with one who has already
tested its new toys. Why the change in heart? Oh
yeah, that’s right, Iraq is a complete disaster.
This brings me to the final component of my
trifecta of bad news.
The war in Iraq has been particularly bloody the
past few weeks, and American soldiers are being
killed and wounded at an increasingly staggering
rate. Seventy-two American soldiers were killed in
September and just about two weeks into October,
34 have been killed. The patterns unfolding in Iraq
are clearly fitting the mold for civil war and even
ethnic cleansing. But we must stay the course, of
course.
With all of the bad news, it’s no wonder people
are so eager to detacch themselves from reality. In
today’s world, reality truly does bite . . . hard.
Why I refused to go back
By Camilo E. Majia
MCT newspapers
In 2004, I was sentenced to 12 months in a U.S.
Army jail because I refused to go back to Iraq.
Even then, I knew that our military presence there
was fueling a national resistance while boosting
terrorism across the world.
And I knew our commander-in-chief was not
being straight with us.
Now the National Intelligence Estimate confirms
that the Iraq war has become a “cause celebre” for
terrorists.
And Bob Woodward’s latest book, “State of De-
nial,” confirms that the president has consistently
gotten a negative picture of Iraq in private only to
turn around and give a positive picture in public.
When I became a prisoner of conscience for re-
fusing to return to my Florida National Guard unit
in Iraq, morale among my unit was already low.
But I’m sure it’s much lower now for all the troops
who are there, or for those who are about to deploy,
some for up to a fourth time.
President Bush did not tell us, or the American
public, the truth about weapons of mass destruc-
tion or about the strength of the insurgency.
And Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld
keeps extending the tours of our already-exhausted
troops.
Add to that the fierce resistance and it’s all guar-
anteed to corrode morale.
We need to face up to the problems in Iraq.
According to the U.S. military’s own admission,
less than 6 percent of attacks on U.S. troops are
conducted by foreign fighters.
We are facing off against a national resistance.
A new poll by the Program on International
Policy Attitudes shows that 71 percent of the Iraqis
want us out of their country within a year, and a
staggering 61 percent of them approve of attacks
on American troops there.
Even those who support the war should be able
to see that our military cannot prevail under these
conditions.
General John Abizaid, head of the Pentagon’s
Central Command, said that the U.S. military had
done all it could, Woodward writes.
In no uncertain terms, Abizaid said we need to
get out.
Bush and others, including the authors of the
National Intelligence Estimate, say it is crucial for
the United States to stay in Iraq because otherwise
we will lose standing in the world.
But Lt. Gen. William Odom, former head of the
National Security Agency, recently told members
of Congress that getting out of Iraq would have
the opposite effect.
He noted that as soon as we left Vietnam, our
standing dramatically rose around the world.
The American people should demand the end of
the occupation of Iraq and the immediate return
of all troops.
I don’t want any other member of our military to
have to face the dilemma I confronted: whether to
refuse an order and go to jail, or whether to go to
Iraq and fight -- and perhaps die -- for a deceitful
and illegitimate occupation.
We owe it to our military to bring them home
now, and we owe it to the people of Iraq to end
the war.
It will make the world safer, and it’s the right and
decent thing to do.

Celebrating a life: Roommates remember James Jones

Everyone that knew James, knew that his nickname was Poop, which
he wasn’t too fond of. Well one day, we were all in the lobby and he
said, “the next person who calls me Poop is going to get it.” Right
after that, Joey, completely oblivious to what was just said, walked our
of his room and said, “Hey Poop have you seen my shirt?” James got
mad and took off after him down the hall and did this 10-foot flying
squirrel leap into the air, losing his shoes in the process of tackling
Joey. We all looked at each other and all I can say is, “Damn, I’m
glad I didn’t call him Poop.”
That was the great thing about James, he couldn’t stay mad at
anyone, his heart was so big that even if he was it would only last a
minute or two. To me, it seems like he just hasn’t moved in yet, until
I go to bed each night and say goodnight and there’s no response.
There won’t ever be, no matter how much time passes.
Life hurt him so much, but this place and the people here made
him happy. So that’s how you’ll stay in my heart Poop, happy at
Mercyhurst. I miss you and I know you’ll be waiting for us with
those big open arms like you always have. We will be roommates
forever, James.
Daniel Eiermann
I miss you Bud. I miss our late night walks at the beginning of the
year when we would try and pick up girls. I miss you not throwing
cold water on me while I’m trying to take a shower. I miss you kicking
my butt on the wrestling matt, while teaching me a few moves in the
process. I miss you waiting to eat lunch with me, even though some-
times I wouldn’t be able to wait for you. I miss you jumping on my
bed every Saturday and Sunday morning to wake me up for brunch.
I miss our duets when we would sing Josh Groban in the halls. I miss
you jumping out of your shoes to tackle me down the hall.
I miss duct taping your shoes to the ceiling and looking for a shirt
in my drawer only to find you walking down the hall wearing it. I
miss working out, when you would dominate the gym, and I would
let the gym dominate me, but you treating me like I was just as huge
as you. I miss going to see you wrestle and being simply amazed. I
miss you getting really mad at me and then coming into my room ten
minutes later and giving me a hug. I miss running around campus
in nothing but a wrestling single.
I miss playing football; you were like a short Jerry Rice diving all
over the place. I miss how I didn’t think anyone could be worse at
basketball than me, until I met you. I miss you smiling at everything.
I miss going to the library trying to be studious. I miss you constantly
laughing and being able to cheer me up, because no matter what, I
could never stay mad at you.
I miss over the summer when we would constantly talk about liv-
ing together, because our apartment was going to be unstoppable.
I miss you in the front row of every one of my concerts, singing
along to every song even if you didn’t know all the words. I miss
our meaningful conversations; I would tell you things I wouldn’t tell
other people.
I can’t take looking into your room and not seeing you lying in your
bed. You were, and still are, my best friend. I’m not sure of God’s
whole plan, or how everything is supposed to work out, but I know
that He gave me a guardian angel on August 18th, and I thank him
everyday for sending me you.
I miss you Bud, and I know that you got mad at me when I wrote
that song and didn’t show you first. But here’s a song, not one I wrote,
but one that expresses everything I feel right now. I love you, Bud.
Joey Jablonski
When looking at James’ tombstone, there are two dates on it.
But the thing that matters the most in the dash between those two
dates, for that dash represents all the time he spent alive, blessing
our lives with his. That is what matters most, how he lived and
spent his dash.
James was special to me like he was to many. He touched the lives
of many in the short time he spent at Mercyhurst. Looking back
on that year with James, I can recall some of my fondest memories.
James came into my life at the very beginning of my freshman year,
and it’s never been the same since. Jokingly, I used to call him my
son because of the sheer size difference between us, but in reality I
always saw him as a brother. Although one can never fully recover
from the loss of a brother in life, looking back on how he spent his
dash, brings us so many good memories. I can honestly say that I
have never met anyone like James nor will I ever again.
I wish I could thank James for blessing my life and influencing
my dash with his, although it was cut short. I know that his dash
between the two dates has meant more to me and many others than
he could ever imagine. Thank you so much, James, for touching all
of our lives. I miss you.
Zachary Rhodes

If you build it, they’ll still come Are you wondering…

I find the recent talk about securing the borders touch on, while the U.S. State Department is calling
and building a wall along Mexico somewhat unset- for an understanding and investment for stability of
tling. the country, Department of Homeland Security is
About 15 years ago there was a wall built by the calling for 6,000 miles of fences to be built. What is appropriate to do in a particular situation?
Soviets; however, their wall was to keep people in Another fun bit of information: if you hear gun How might you act or respond?
the territory. shots on Lake Erie it is probably just the Coast
On Sept. 21, Boeing was awarded the contract Guard with armed vessels. An institution which How do you decide what is right or best?
with the Department of Homeland Security. is primarily responsible for saving lives and ap-
T he proposal prehending drug contraband is now being given ???
relies heavily an added task.
on a network With the constant focus on the U.S., a simple Do you have tough dilemmas right here on campus?
of some 1,800 Ellen reminder of our neighbor to the south is being
towers which overlooked. In your dorm…In a class…On a team…
are to be erect-
Koenig
Citizens from Mexico have been coming to this
ed along the country as seasonal farm workers for the last 600
Or…
Mexican and years, in some states of Mexico, Texas is still con-
Canadian bor- sidered a part of their country, aggressively seized Do you have big questions about world events?
ders.
Contributing writer
by their neighbor to the north. While at times it

Ask the Ethicist!

The towers
will be equipped with a variety of sensors, including
cameras and heat and motion detectors.
Essentially robots will be protecting the Ameri-
can people from harmful and threatening migrant
workers.
Additionally, last week President Bush signed
the 2007 budget and approved an unprecedented
level of funding for components of the Secure
Border Initiative.
This includes 1,500 border patrol agents, 6,700
detention beds, and $1.2 billion for border fenc-
ing, vehicle barriers, technology and tactical infra-
structure.
Another lesson from history: whenever the gov-
ernment makes something illegal, someone will
find a way to go against regulation.
There is a need for secure borders and passage
ways in order to keep the homeland safe.
However, there is a long history between the
citizens of Mexico and the job market in the
United States.
The history is one that the media does not like to
seems like Texas is in some ways a world of its
own, we must unify the North American countries
with cooperative governments to develop civilized
means of immigration control.
Another factor to consider: undocumented
immigrants come from many other countries, in-
cluding many parts of Asia, Eastern Europe and The purpose of “Ask the Ethicist” is to provide insight and reflection on
Africa. Walls and guns boats will not keep people everyday ethical dilemmas facing individuals on campus.
out forever.
In a recent lecture by the Mexican ambassador
to the U.S., Carlos De Icaza, a question was posed The “Mercyhurst Ethicist” is not one person,
about border relations. Being a diplomat, he chose
but a group of Mercyhurst faculty, administrators, and staff
no position on the issue, but rather stated that,
“the U.S. and Mexico should be building bridges who will take turns responding to submitted questions.
instead of walls.”
While such a suggestion in unlikely, the U.S. To submit a question, e-mail lseddig@mercyhurst.edu.
government must work cooperatively to gain con- Your e-mail address will be removed to ensure anonymity.
trol while still maintaining dignity in the process.
How are actions are viewed is essential to success,
because, quite frankly, no one likes to work with a
raving lunatic.
October 11, 2006 THE MERCIAD PAGE 7

To contact: opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
OPINION
Three’s company: The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly
Sharing your space with a roommate’s boyfriend
My roommate and her boyfriend lock themselves in the The Good
room we share a lot and I can’t get any of my work done.
I’m a freshman and my room is the only real space I have. Thanks to all the complaints last year, the dean’s list reception was changed to a dinner. Though
I’ve tried going to the library but I’m just not comfortable it was still held in Egan Cafeteria, the food was good and the desserts were even better.
there; I don’t feel relaxed and “at home”. I know it’s
important for them to be alone together sometimes, but it The Strategic Planning Committee is seeking opinions from all segments of the college com-
really inhibits my ability to get my homework done in a munity -- even the students. It’s great to see that students’ opinions count and that a level headed
timely fashion. What can I do without making myself process is being used to plan the college’s future.
seem like a prude?

Dear Shut-out-of luck,

The Bad
According to the Weather Channel, it is supposed to snow on Friday. So enjoy the last few
First of all – you’re not a prude. days of warmer weather until winter sets in for the next several months, unless of course the
It’s OK to want to get your homework done, it’s weather man is wrong -- considering past inaccuracies, this is definitely not out of the realm of
what we’re here for right? Well, that and hooking possibilities.
up . . . j/k!
You don’t seem to mind their relationship; you
just want your share of the space, right?
The Ugly
Here’s what you do first: pull up the Merciad link
on our college website and find in the archives the The garbage men opted to take out the trash at 4 a.m. waking everyone on Briggs and Lewis
issue that came out last week. Read my article about Avenues.
the roommate that was talking on the phone a lot
and apply it here. Maintenance decided to cut the grass at 7 a.m. every morning making it difficult for residents
If you want them to stop locking you out, lock on the Mercy Suites to sleep in. Not everyone has an 8 a.m. class and believe it or not, college
them out every chance you get. Then, scream and students value their sleep.
moan and then. . . wait, that might not be all that
necessary. Allison Moore photo The Mercyhurst football team lost 49-17 to Grand Valley this past weekend.
Just lock them out and ignore their knocking.
just get so wrapped up in their activities that they
Then, proceed to talk to your friends on the
don’t realize the agendas or concerns of others.
phone in a bellowing voice. . .oops, that’s exactly
Let her know that you need some of the space
the same as last week and I don’t think they’ll want
that you’re forced to share with her for the rest of
to pay me twice for the same article.
If you’re not comfortable with shutting them
this year and will consider living with someone else
next year-- if this continues to be a problem.
Friendly skies a little friendlier for passengers
out first and don’t want to do to them what they subjected to yet another hassle.
Also, don’t forget that it is her space, too. She’s Orlando Sentinel editorial
do to you, no pun intended, leave leaflets about Now that FBI tests reportedly have indicated
free to use it as she pleases, just as long as it doesn’t MCT newspaper
abstinence taped to your door, the fridge and your that small quantities of liquid explosives would
interfere with your schooling. In this case, her ac-
bathroom mirror. Maybe they’ll reconsider their ac- not be enough to bring down a plane, the TSA’s
tions are causing academic problems, so you have
tions and you can get your work done while they’re The performance of the Transportation Security decision to let passengers carry on liquids, gels and
every right to be anxious.
talking with the local counselor. If they don’t go Administration the federal agency in charge of lotions limited to 3-ounce containers in a 1-quart
Just have a little roommate-to-roommate chat
often enough, though, you might not be able to do protecting airline passengers hasn’t always inspired bag makes sense.
and see where that goes. If it doesn’t work, think
all your assignments this term. confidence. Ideally, screeners will redirect the effort they
about finding a boyfriend for yourself, preferably
So in all actuality, you just need to take your room- But in revising its rules last week against passen- put into locating and confiscating toothpaste and
one bigger than hers, or ask your RA about another
mate aside and tell her gently that you guys need gers carrying liquids on airplanes, the TSA struck mascara to looking for more dangerous items and
more appropriate plan of action.
to work something out, like a schedule of events a reasonable balance between passenger safety and spotting suspicious behavior.
for the room. convenience. The TSA will need to monitor carefully the im-
Peace,
Say that you need this much time during certain Last month, after British authorities foiled a pact of its new guidelines. More adjustments will
~Tempest~
times of the day to be able to be studious and catch plot to bomb U.S.-bound airplanes with liquid be needed if either safety or convenience turns out
up in your classes. explosives, the TSA understandably acted quickly to be unacceptably compromised.
The Tempest is the new advice column for the Merciad.
Tell her you don’t mind that she has the alone to ban passengers from carrying on liquids, gels Ultimately, the best way for the TSA to protect
Questions, comments, fears, gripes, if you have a problem I
time and remind her that her boyfriend has a place and lotions. passengers is by making use of more effective
want to hear about it. Let me tell you about the world and the
to stay as well. But the rules led to a sharp increase in checked technology to screen passengers and their luggage,
way I see it. Ask me anything, I’m all ears. . .submit your
Bascially, bring up the fact that it’s a problem for luggage, putting a bigger burden on the system and by better training its employees.
problems or questions to tell_it_to_tempest@yahoo.com.
you, she might not know that it is. Often people that screens it for explosives. And air travelers were

Students comment on alcohol

“Yes, through see-
“Yes, through high ing my friends intoxi- “Yes, through personal
school and college edu- cated.” experience.”
cation.”
Andreana Simone ‘07 Amanda Kaiser ‘08 Gina Christoffersen
‘07

Are you aware

of the effects “I turned 21 on Sat-
of alcohol? urday. Other than that,
I did not know until
“Yes, by growing up
and experiencing it.”
“I am aware. It’s
engrained in every-
How did then.”
Don Smith ‘08 Chris Meacham ‘10
one’s mind from
childhood.”

you become Seth Taha ‘10

aware?

The
Joshua Wilwohl
MERCIAD Editor-in-Chief editormerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Jessica Kocent News Editor newsmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Chelsea Boothe Campus Life Editor featuremerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Allison Moore Opinion Editor opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Ryan Palm & Matt Jackson Sports Editors sportsmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Melissa Brandt A&E Editor entertainmentmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Andrew Finkel Photographer photomerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Katie Diley Production Editor prodmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Melissa Brandt Advertising Manager admerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Noelle Lelakus Copy Editor copymerciad@mercyhurst.edu

The Merciad is the student-produced newspaper of Mercyhurst College. It is

published throughout the school year, with the exception of midterms week
and finals week. Our office is in the Old Main, Room 314. Our telephone
number is 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
MTC newspapers
letters to box PH 485.
PAGE 8 THE MERCIAD October 11, 2006

ARTS &
ENTERTAINMENT To contact: entertainmentmerciad@mercyhurst.edu

tHe Soulful songbird leads jazz quartet

BuZz
OCT. 12. New Found Glo-
ry, Early November. House
of Blues, Cleveland.
OCT. 12. Mercyme, Au-
dio Adrenaline. Wolstein
Center, Cleveland State
University, Cleveland.
OCT 13. Comedy Cen-
tral Live: Demetri Martin.
House of Blues, Cleve-
land.
OCT. 14. Super ‘60s Spec-
tacular with Contours,
Cryin’ Shames, ? and the
Mysterians, Shades of Blue.
Palace Theatre, Cleveland.
OCT. 14. Drive-By Truck-
ers, Drams. House of
Blues, Cleveland.
OCT. 15. KIDS. “Doodle-
By Megan O’Hare
Contributing writer
By the age of 23, many of us
hope to have graduated from
college, found a place to live,and
landed a job in our field of
study.
Sara Gazarek, the PAC’s next
breakthrough performer, was on
the same path attending the Uni-
versity of Southern California
majoring in Jazz Performance.
In 2003, everything changed.
She received the Downbeat
Student Music Award for Out-
standing Collegiate Jazz Vocal-
ist.
Gazarek did not yet understand
what she had achieved until she
was asked to perform at the Con-
cord Jazz Festival with legendary
jazz super stars, Karrin Allyson,
Aeta James and Diane Schuur.
Gazarek also became a client
of Stiletto Entertainment that
Barry Manilow.
A year after graduating from
USC, Sara Gazarek had col-
laborated on her first CD with
Grammy Award-winning Ameri-
can Jazz and classical bassist,
John Clayton.
Her debut album, “Yours,”
was released earlier this year and
incorporates the influences of
Sarah Vaughn and Ben Folds Five
into her already unique composi-
tions and lyrics.
Gazarek says she is extremely
proud of this album.
“I made a record with a pro-
ducer and musicians whom I
share a deep emotional con-
nection with - an album that is
filled completely with songs and
arrangements from my heart.
“My band and I were able to
incorporate our strong back-
grounds in jazz, without neglect-
ing the modern musicians who
have also influenced us.
“To have this kind of freedom
boggling! It’s what every artist
strives for!” said Gazarek.
Sara Gazarek has been praised
by the press and has taken the
jazz world by storm.
Her performance has been
described by The New York
Times as “Professionalism isn’t
the word; this performance was
sublime.”
Sara Gazarek’s singing has been
described by Shelton Berg, a leg-
endary jazz pianist, as “…unique,
soulful, musical, enchanting. She
is a voice and talent to be reck-
oned with, and she will leave her
imprint on jazz.”
Many jazz musicians dream
about the career Gazarek has
accomplished and the future she
has ahead of her.
This breakthrough jazz art-
ist will perform at the Walker
Recital Hall on Saturday, Oct.
21, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 for
Mercyhurst College Students
with Mercyhurst ID (one ticket Photo Courtesy of the PAC

bops.” Warner Theatre, manages Allyson, Schuur and on a debut recording is mind- per ID). Sara Gazarek performs with her jazz quartet in the WRH.
Erie.

OCT. 18. James Blunt.

State Theatre, Cleveland.
OCT. 18. Silverstein, Aid-
en, It Dies Today. Town
Ballroom, Buffalo.
OCT. 18. James Blunt.
State Theatre, Cleveland.
OCT. 19. Silverstein, Aid-
en, It Dies Today. House of
Blues, Cleveland.
OCT. 19. Drive-By Truck-
ers, Drams. Town Ball-
room, Buffalo.
OCT. 20. Cowboy Junkies.
Dowe’s on Ninth, Pitts-
burgh.
OCT. 20. Ian Anderson.
Palace Theatre, Greens-
burg.
OCT. 21. Wish You Were
Here. House of Blues,
Cleveland. On sale at Tick-
etmaster.
OCT. 21. Joan Jett and the
Blackhearts, Valient Thor.
Agora Theatre, Cleveland.
OCT. 22. Zappa Plays Zap-
‘Employee’ worst movie of the month
By Jessica Nulph
Contributing writer
Ten minutes into the movie
I was asking myself, “Haven’t I
seen this before?”
“Employee of the Month” is
yet another attempt to reveal the
lighter side of working class jobs,
a storyline which has definitely
been played out.
Unlike “Waiting” and “Office
Space,” though, the movie pro-
vided little comedy and an over-
whelmingly predictable plot.
Employee of the Month is
set in a Super Club warehouse,
similar to Sam’s Club or Costco.
Slacker box boy, Zack, (Dane
Cook) falls for the new cashier,
Amy (Jessica Simpson), who
seems to only belong in the
movie for her ample cleavage.
After bribing the plump secre-
tary with a candy bar, Zack finds
out that Amy left her old job
because she had a thing for the
employee of the month.
When he sees that Amy is
flirting with head-cashier, Vince
(Dax Shepard) who happens
to have been employee of the
ment.
Besides the poor writing, the
casting posed a huge problem.
The actors chosen really did
not offer much unity in the
movie. Each person simply used
their own personalities, instead
of creating a character for the
film.
Box boy Jorge (Efren Ramirez),
Vince’s devoted sidekick, seemed
to carry on his role as Pedro in
“Napoleon Dynamite.”
Jessica Simpson played up
her breasts as always and Dax
Shepard looked like he stepped
out of the “Buffy The Vampire
Slayer” series.
Dane Cook, however, was
surprisingly convincing as box
boy Zack.
Marcello Thedford could not
have been more effective as Semi,
a slow, dim-witted and overweight
security guard. Overall, though,
the cast was poorly choosen and
definitely needed revising.
There were some side-splitting
jokes, but most were revealed in
the trailer and often followed by
boring scenes leaving me check-
ing my watch.
The movie seemed to drag, Photo from www.employeeofthemonthfilm.com

pa with Dweezil Zappa,
Steve Vai, Terry Bozzio,
Napoleon Murphy Brock.
Canton Palace Theatre,
Canton, Ohio.
OCT. 24. Bob Weir and
Ratdog. Agora Theatre,
Cleveland. On sale at Tick-
month for the past 17 consecu-
tive months, he knows what he
has to do; quit his slacker ways
and win the title, no matter what
it takes.
The movie’s anticipated release
resulted in severe disappoint-
and never offered a reason to Try your best to avoid Dane Cook’s new movie, ‘Employee of the Month.’
watch—besides Jessica’s boobs.
It could have had some poten-
few racist jokes and then called The plot was weak and the end- would have hit theaters.
tial, but the writers did not even
it a comedy. ing was expected. Save your money for the dollar
seem to try to outdo the others.
I cannot say I didn’t laugh, but I Had the director not cast well- theater and even then wait until
They put together a midget,
was undeniably more bored than known stars in the film, “Em- discounted Tuesdays.
homosexual overtones and a
anything. ployee of the Month” never

AS A COLLEGE GRAD ,
etmaster.

OCT. 26. Heather Headley,

2007
Governor. House of Blues, FJ
Cleveland. On sale at Tick-
etmaster. YOU MAY BE CRUISER

ELIGIBLE FOR
OCT. 27. Hellogoodbye,
Reggie and the Full Effect. 2007
House of Blues, Cleve-
land. RAV4
OCT. 30. Frank Black.
House of Blues, Cleve-
land.
2007
OCT. 31. Virginia Co- CAMRY
alition. Club Cafe, Pitts- HYBRID
burgh.

OCT. 31. Red Hot Chili 2007

Pe ppers, Mars Volta.
Quicken Loans Arena, YARIS
Cleveland.

OCT. 31. Black Label

Society. House of Blues,
ANY NEW TOYOTA OF YOUR CHOICE* WWW.WINAYARISONLINE.COM†
Cleveland. On sale at Tick-
etmaster.

NOV. 1. Atreyu. House of

Blues, Cleveland.
NOV. 2. Michael Schenker
Group. Rex Theatre, Pitts-
burgh.
*NOT ALL CUSTOMERS WILL QUALIFY. CUSTOMERS RECEIVE $400 FROM TOYOTA TOWARDS LEASING OR FINANCING THE PURCHASE OF NEW UNTITLED TOYOTA MODELS THROUGH PARTICIPATING TOYOTA
DEALERS AND TOYOTA FINANCIAL SERVICES. SEE DEALER OR VISIT WWW.TOYOTAFINANCIAL.COM/FINANCE FOR DETAILS. COLLEGE GRADUATE PROGRAM IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR TERMINATION AT ANY TIME.
†
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October 11, 2006
ENTERTAINMENT
Local band, ‘Paper St.’ releases new CD
By Joe Fidago
Contributing writer
If you are like most of us here
at the Hurst who aren’t from
Erie, hearing the phrase “Erie
music scene” doesn’t get you very
amped up.
However, that feeling very well
may be erroneous.
Local band Paper Street are
set to release their third album,
“Whiskey and Push-ups,” on
Saturday Oct. 14, with a release
party at Docksiders.
Paper Street may not be new to
anyone familiar with the music
scene in Erie, as they have been
together since 2001, releasing
their first CD, “Here to Stay,”
in 2002.
“Music for the Desperate”
soon followed, solidifying the
band as one of the most popular
Fact or fiction: ‘Eerie’ tales that spook
Erie County Historical Society hosts horse-drawn mystery tour through the city for the month of Oct.
Interested in Erie’s eerie past, check out the Haunted horse-drawn tours Oct. nights.
Film highlights intolerable Bush administration
By Christina Ferranti
Contributing writer
At the inception of the film,
“Why We Fight,” several people,
including children, are asked why
we fight in wars such as the one
in Iraq.
The children’s response is
“freedom,” some adults stated
that the United States is fighting
for “ideals, the core values and
liberty,” and yet others have no
idea, but hope that our nation
fights to strengthen what the
country stands for.
The entire film takes various
viewpoints into how the United
States is currently operated by
the Bush administration, and
it propounds aspects of the
government that are not always
brought to the forefront.
J. Hoberman of the Village
Voice succinctly summarizes
the documentary film “Why We
Fight” and how the influences of
several different people affect the
militaristic mission of the United
States to spread capitalism and
democracy.
“Winner of the Grand Jury
Prize last year at Sundance,
Eugene Jarecki’s documentary
analysis of our imperial war ma-
chine is considerably more sober
and self-contained than Michael
Moore’s Fahrenheit 9/11.
“Jarecki, best known for ‘The
Trials of Henry Kissinger,’ jux-
taposes a number of talking
heads—smug members of the
policy elite, assorted dissidents,
a recent enlistee, and a Vietnam
veteran ex-cop whose son died in
the World Trade Center—to give
U.S. militarism a human face,”
Haberman said.
in the area.
Picking up on Paper Street’s
popularity, Labatt Blue began
sponsoring the band, and con-
tinues to do so.
Lead singer and guitarist Ryan
Ray refers to many different
musical influences that Paper
Street draws from, including
everyone from Shooter Jennings
and Pantera to Phish.
Ray is also very excited by
the re-emergence of rock and
metal into mainstream music, a
feeling echoed by many fans of
bands like Avenged Sevenfold
and Hinder, whom Paper Street
has played.
In reference to the aforemen-
tioned bands and the Erie scene,
Ryan says, “[Hinder] are good
guys and have a great set and
Avenged can really play…we
have been pretty fortunate to
have been somewhat accepted by
The title of this film comes
from a well-known World War
II propaganda series by Frank
Capra and reflects why the Unit-
ed States’ duty to the world is to
maintain peace and democracy in
a world full of inherently intoler-
able leaders.
Jarecki uses testimonials of
a wide variety of people across
the nation including people from
Gore Vidal to Richard Perle; Dan
Rather to John McCain; former
CIA consultant Chalmers John-
son to Anh Duong, whose fam-
ily left Vietnam just prior to the
collapse and who now manages
the Navy’s Indianhead Explosive
Center, which develops massive
weapons.
This film provides viewpoints
that will leave the audience
questioning their trust and faith
in the government as well as the
capabilities of this nation.
One story is of a Vietnam vet-
eran/retired sergeant on the New
York Police force. He relates
how his son died in the World
Trade Center.
This man was truly horrified
that something of this magnitude
could occur in the wealthiest and
strongest country in the world.
His overall goal was to do
something for the memory of
his son, to punish those who
maliciously took several innocent
lives.
He knew from when he served
in Vietnam that people could put
the names of deceased loved
ones on missiles and other arma-
ment to be dropped on Iraq and
decided that this would be an
excellent tribute to his late son.
Altogether, the truth of why
the United States went to fight
Iraq is to spread democracy and
THE MERCIAD
To contact: entertainmentmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
metal and hardcore fans. I think
its all blues based anyway.”
Of course, when you play a
show in New York and one of
the audience members who come
to see you is David Draiman, lead
singer of Disturbed, that gives
you some recognition as well
among metal fans.
As far as the future of the
band, Ryan’s goals are simple.
“Hopefully [we can] continue
doing what we love to do and
maybe make just enough money
to continue to do it…and hope-
fully make some music that
doesn’t suck,” Ryan said.
Fair enough.
The CD Release party starts
at 10 PM, and it’s an over 21
shindig, but if you want a copy
of their CD let me know and I’ll
pick it up for you. Cover charge
is $3.
See you there. Paper Street’s third album ‘Whiskey and Push-Ups’ will be formally released Oct. 14 .
MCT Photo
Take a look into country’s motivations and justifications for engaging in war in the PAC film, ‘Why We Fight.’
capitalism, people, especially this
man who lost his son, became
enraged and betrayed by the
government because the people
believed this war was to punish
the terrorists and to maintain the
nation’s security.
The different opinions of
those who are interviewed shed
insight into how the government
conceals many occurrences over-
seas from the public eye.
Bush, in an interview, states
that media is necessary for the
public to have some knowledge
of what is going on outside the
country.
By Merissa Frank
Contributing writer
Do you think you know all
there is to know about Erie?
Are you afraid of things that go
bump in the night?
Legends and Ghost Stories of
Erie County can fill you in on
what you may not know while
giving you some goose bumps
at the same time.
The Erie County Historical So-
ciety has several events planned
for the month of October to
scare you.
The most exciting experience
this month, though, is the Horse
Drawn Mystery Tour. During the
summer, you can take a shorter
version of the tour on foot.
Melanie Stankey of the histori-
cal society took a keen interest
in the ghost stories of Erie and
began this project in the mid
1980s.
According to her, all of the
stories have some basis in truth.
She mentioned the UFO found
What many people do not
know is that the United States is
spending in excess of a quarter
of a trillion dollars on defense
per year, which far exceeds what
any other nation is willing to pay
to maintain a line of defense.
Former President Dwight D.
Eisenhower warned Americans
against using military force to
achieve goals of democracy.
Does the government strictly
declare war to help the world or
is it for self-enhancement, for oil
or maintaining peaceful foreign
relations?
The United States benefits eco-
nomically by the build-up of war;
ARTS &
Photo courtesy of www.paperstlive.com
on Presque Isle to illustrate this.
It is true that a UFO was seen
at Presque Isle, but whether you
choose to believe it was a practi-
cal joke or not is up to you.
But just how do these tours
frighten patrons?
Stankey said, “We don’t feel
the need to dress up. Costumes
are distracting. You can’t make
anything up better than this.”
The tour begins on West Sixth
St. at Watson- Curtze Mansion.
For an hour, the carriage takes
thrill seekers on a ride through
Erie, down dark, obscure streets
and alleys, while one of three
tour guides orates local legends
and bizarre stories.
Stankey also said that there
have been some freaky coinci-
dences while she was giving the
walking tour.
One instance that sticks out
in her memory is about a house
built on an old cemetery.
As Erie grew in size, the
outskirts of town kept getting
pushed back.
As the people on the tours
plus, according to Eisenhower,
the “military-industrial complex”
will overcome the process of
creating a government and force
the American military to secure
the valuable natural resources
that the United States covets,
even if it means destroying in-
nocent lives.
This pressure could have di-
sastrous effects on the nation
and already manipulation by the
Bush administration as well as
the role media has played is an
important factor in the current
Iraqi occupation.
Many factors go into keeping
a nation united However, could
PAGE 9
pass this house, she doesn’t tell
them about it until they’re across
the street.
One year, some ladies were
having a girls’ night out and one
woman decided she was going to
knock on the door.
As she got ready to approach
the house, she tripped and fell,
taking her friend with her.
Another person on the tour
said that maybe someone was
buried under the sidewalk and
didn’t want them there.
The next year, Stankey retold
the tale.
One woman in the group was
particularly skeptical of the hap-
pening, and as she vocalized her
opinion, a bat swooped at her
head…coincidence?
The carriage tours are Oct.
13, 20 and 27 only, at 6:30 and
7:30 pm.
The cost is $18 a person. For
upcoming events and more in-
formation, visit the Erie County
Historical Society website at
www.eriecountyhistory.org.
Photo Courtesy of PAC
this militaristic dream of not
only spreading democracy and
capitalism, but also securing inac-
cessible resources, to achieve an
“ultimate state of peace” around
the world only have negative
consequences.
Come see this film for yourself
and see if this unique perspec-
tive will alter how you view the
military.
This show is playing at the PAC
on Oct. 18 at 2 pm and again at 8
pm. Ticket prices include: Adult:
$5; Senior Citizen/Youth: $4;
Mercyhurst College Student w/
ID: Free (one ticket per ID).
PAGE 10
LAKER
SPORTS
Mullane Yankees’ payroll
leads tennis fails to pay off again
to three wins
Compiled from Sports
Information Web site
The Mercyhurst women’s ten-
nis team completed a successful
weekend, winning three matches,
two of which were GLIAC
contests.
The Lakers won all six singles
and the No. 2 and No. 3 doubles
matches in a 8-1 win over Michi-
gan Tech Friday, but the higher
quality win came over Lake Su-
perior State on Saturday.
Elizabeth Mullane won a three-
set match for the second con-
secutive day to fuel a 5-4 Mer-
cyhurst win.
Mullane, a freshman, jumped
out to an early lead on Lindsey
Adams of Lake Superior, taking
the first set 6-1, before drop-
ping the second set 6-1. Mullane
bounced back in third set with a
7-5 win, the eventual difference
of the match for Mercyhurst.
The win extends the Lakers’
win streak to four games overall
and three straight against confer-
ence opponents.
The third win of the weekend
for the Lakers was a 6-3 win over
Charleston (W. Va.).
The Lakers N No. 3-6 sin-
gles players (Mullane, Meghan
Raynor, Chelsea Downing, and
Jaclyn McLean) finished the
weekend 3-0, as did the No. 3
doubles team of McLean and
Jamie Sutyak.
Coach Ray Yost’s squad faces
a tough challenge in its next two
opponents, both of which are
Division I teams.
The Lakers will travel for a
match with Duquesne Friday
and will then return home for
a match with St. Bonaventure
Saturday.
Chronicle reporters
should be lauded, not sent
to jail for doing their jobs
By Steve Kelley
MCT newspapers
Once upon a time the Bush
administration seemed serious
about finding and punishing the
cheaters in baseball.
In a State of the Union address,
President Bush even sandwiched
his concerns about the abuse of
steroids in the game inside all
of his optimistic fluff about the
direction of the Iraq war.
For mer Attorney General
John Ashcroft was so proud of
the 42-count indictment he was
handing out against individuals
tied to San Francisco Bay-area
laboratory BALCO that he made
the announcement of those in-
dictments on television.
Yes, this was the administration
that was serious about bringing
down the heavy hitters and heavy
users who were sullying the good
name of this great game.
Catching the steroid abus-
ers was a big deal in the Bush
administration. But then again,
catching Osama bin Laden was
important to this administration.
And just as bin Laden remains
at large, Jason Giambi was in
uniform on Saturday as the New
York Yankees’ designated hitter
in the American League Division
Series against Detroit. And his
teammate Gary Sheffield, who,
like Giambi was mentioned in
the grand jury testimony against
BALCO, played first base for the
Yankees.
And San Francisco left fielder
Barry Bonds just finished a
season where he moved only 21
home runs behind career record-
holder Hank Aaron.
To contact: sportsmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Duquesne downed the Lak-
ers 8-1 last season while St.
Bonaventure was a 4-2 winner
over Mercyhurst, however win
or lose the matches should be
good warmup matches heading
into the GLIAC Team Champi-
onships in two weeks.
Spoerndle leads women’s golf
at Allegheny Invitational
Mercyhurst freshman Alex
Spoerndle tied for sixth place
with an 87 at the Allegheny In-
vitational Tuesday.
Spoerndle’s sixth place finish
led the Lakers to a fourth place
finish as a team, 38 strokes be-
hind first-place Allegheny.
Spoerndle had either the first
or second best score for her
team in all seven events of the
fall season.
The tournament was the final
event for the Lakers until the
spring season which begins April
9 at the Ashland Invitational.
Water polo wins nine straight
The Mercyhurst men’s water
polo team is near the tail-end of
its most successful regular season
in school history.
Coach Curtis Robinette’s squad
has won nine straight contests
including a 15-12 win over Penn
State Behrend Oct. 4.
Andrew Schonhoff scored
four goals in the win, extend-
ing his team-leading total to
39. The sophomore also has 11
assists and leads the team with
50 points.
Jorge Montero (35 points),
Zach Bell (34 points), and Oscar
Calderon (30) are the next three
on the team’s scoring list this
season.
But there is news to report in
the war on steroids.
Maybe the Bush administra-
tion can’t capture Bonds or bin
Laden, but a judge Bush nomi-
nated has bagged Lance Williams
and Mark Fainaru-Wada, the San
Francisco Chronicle reporters
who broke the story on BALCO,
then properly refused to name
their sources.
U.S. District Judge Jeffrey
White has sentenced them to 18
months in jail because they have
refused to divulge the name of
the person (or persons) who
leaked the grand-jury testimony
in the BALCO investigation.
If a Circuit Court of Appeals
upholds White’s ruling (the dead-
line for filing their appeal is Oct.
25) Williams and Fainaru-Wada
will serve up to 18 months in
jail, more time than all the drug
makers, pushers and users in the
BALCO case.
White is upholding the letter
of the law, a law that says it is
a crime to reveal grand-jury
testimony. But historically the
federal government hasn’t gone
after journalists unless it’s a na-
tional security issue. And while
Giambi looks menacing in the
batter’s box, he isn’t a national
security risk.
Instead of catching steroid
cheats, this story has morphed
into plugging leaks.
This case should be about the
public’s right to know. Not about
the whistle-blowers.
But while the BALCO ballplay-
ers play on, the messengers face
jail time.
A non-partisan issue the obvi-
ous abuse of steroids in baseball
has been turned into an attack on
THE MERCIAD
By Phil Rogers
MCT newspapers
DETROIT- When will we
learn? When will they learn?
After a season-long flow of
adjectives running in their direc-
tion, which turned into a flood of
praise after they acquired Bobby
Abreu at the trade deadline, the
New York Yankees were sup-
posed to make their bats ring
all the way to the World Series
parade. Yet here they are again,
stuck with another less-than-
magical ending.
It took only a little more than
72 hours for the Detroit Tigers’
powerful pitching staff to prove
this wasn’t the best $200 million
that George Steinbrenner has
ever spent.
“I think we’re still the best
team,” said Yankees center fielder
Johnny Damon, sounding as if he
were in denial, if not delusional.
“We just got beat three straight
games. ... I just hope that people,
my teammates, look around and
see what great players are in this
clubhouse, because it’s going to
be a different team next year. ...
The star power in this clubhouse
is pretty awesome. Hopefully we
don’t forget that as players. You
don’t find teams this good too
often.”
Every October, it seems, you
find a few teams that are more
successful. This time it was the
upstart Tigers who buried the
Yankees under the weight of
their monstrous expectations.
“They pretty much kicked our
(butt),” said Alex Rodriguez, who
in Game 4 became the highest-
paid player ever to bat eighth.
“They pretty much dominated
us in every aspect of the game. ...
They were a lot better team.”
Jeremy Bonderman, follow-
ing the example set by Justin
the First Amendment. Instead
of jumping on the cheaters who
have slimed the game, the admin-
istration has jumped on the only
people it could get.
Like the old hidden-ball
trick, the focus of this case has
switched from BALCO and the
athletes it has illegally aided, to
another attempt at tightening
control of the press and eroding
more media freedoms.
The work that was done by
Williams and Fainaru-Wada was
heroic. They legally obtained in-
formation that exposed the fraud
in baseball. They let us know that
some of the record breakers also
are law breakers. They exposed
the BALCO bad guys.
They should be celebrated in
every civics class in America.
This is what an aggressive free
press can do. They did what Bush
said he wanted done.
Instead of being demonized,
they should have champagne
dumped on their heads like pen-
nant winners. They put BALCO’s
Victor Conte in jail. They put
Bonds’ personal trainer, Greg
Anderson in jail; he was released
on a technicality Thursday.
This story is important to
sports, but its ripple effect tran-
scends the games.
If Williams and Fainaru-Wada
go to jail, other reporters will
be less inclined to tackle these
stories. They’ll be less likely to
promise confidentiality to their
sources, and those sources will
dry up like the dirt around home
plate.
Stories will go unreported.
Government secrecy will con-
tinue unabated. Corruption will
thrive.
October 11, 2006
Verlander and Kenny Rogers,
finished off the Yankees in an
8-3 victory Saturday at Com-
erica Park. The Tigers, seemingly
crushed when Minnesota surged
past them to win the American
League Central on the last day
of the season, advance to meet
Oakland in the AL Champion-
ship Series.
Bonderman had failed to pro-
tect a 6-0 lead against Kansas
City in his last start, allowing the
division title to get away from the
Tigers. This time he retired the
first 15 hitters as Detroit took
control with second-inning home
runs from Magglio Ordonez and
Craig Monroe.
The lead was 8-0 before the
Yankees finally scored in the
seventh inning, ending a streak
of 20 consecutive scoreless in-
nings. This lineup_so powerful
manager Joe Torre found himself
MCT photo
choosing between Gary Sheffield
and Jason Giambi_hadn’t gone Derek Jeter was unable to make up for the rest of the Yan-
more than 13 innings without kees offensive woes in their ALDS loss to the Tigers.
scoring during the 97-win regular
season. going 3-for-29 in the last two frustrating part is I felt comfort-
“If you pitch, you’re going Octobers. able, felt relaxed.”
to have a chance to win,” Yan- Torre did not apologize for Rodriguez, jeered by Yankee
kees shortstop Derek Jeter said. dropping Rodriguez from fourth Stadium fans and criticized by
“Good pitching is going to beat to eighth in a lineup that had teammates, used his postgame
good hitting. ... Just because you Melky Cabrera in left field, Shef- interview to make it clear he will
have a great lineup doesn’t mean field at first base and Giambi on not ask the Yankees for a trade.
you’re going to win. You have to the bench. He repeatedly said he hopes to
go out and produce.” “As far as Alex hitting eighth,” be “part of the solution” and
This marks the third year in Torre said before the game, “he’s said he’s not looking for an easy
a row the Yankees have been hitting eighth and we’re trying to way out after three disappointing
stopped short of the World Se- win a ballgame.” seasons in New York.
ries. They have won only three Rodriguez’s lone hit in the 2006 “I’ve never run from prob-
of their last nine playoff series, postseason came in the Yankees’ lems,” Rodriguez said. “My
beginning with the Game 7 Game 1 victory over left-hander commitment is 100 percent un-
World Series loss in Arizona in Nate Robertson. Afterward, he conditional. ... (New York) is the
2001, and failed to make it out was left to compare himself to only place I want to play.”
of the first round in 2002, `05 John Elway, who had to play 15 Rodriguez stopped short of
and `06. seasons with the Denver Broncos saying he would use his no-trade
Rodriguez will be the face of before winning the Super Bowl. clause to block all possible trades.
defeat for the second straight “I don’t know how to explain He indicated he would consider
year. He was 0-for-3 and had a it,” Rodriguez said about his 1- going elsewhere “if they’re dying
throwing error, and now he faces for-14 series. “I hit some balls to get rid of me.”
a flood of trade speculation after hard and they got caught. The
Laker Fall Term Inn
Galley Grill Dinner:
Galley specials after fall S- Turkey Burger
M- Sloppy Joe
break:
T- Philly Cheesesteak
Pizza Stuffed Pretzels
Jalepeno Stuffed Pretzels W- Laker Burger
Th- Barbeque Chicken
Funnel cake
F- Sizzlin’ Salad
Lunch: S - Sausage
M-Southwest Burger Look for Carmel Apples!
T- Portabella Mushroom
Hours of Operation:
Sandwich Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 1 a.m.
Wednesday Wraps!
Saturday 1 p.m. - 1 a.m.
Th- Taco Salad
Sunday 5 p.m. - 1 a.m.
F-Chicken Patty
S- Cheeseburger
Laker Express Wraps
Buffalo Chicken
Barbeque Chicken
Look for Laker Express
Veggie and humus
Minute Meals! Bacon, Lettuce and
Tomato
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Thursday 11:30 - 8 p.m.
Board Equivalency Available: Friday 11:30 - 3:30 p.m.
11:30-8:00pm
Saturday & Sunday Closed
Coffee Bar
WIN A PROMOTIONAL T-SHIRT!
NEW ADDITIONS
Oct.: Hot Caramel
Submit your ticket Oct. 16-Nov.
Cider
Nov.: Chai Tea and 24 at the Galley Registers.
flavor shot
Dec.: Peppermint patty
hot chocolate Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Hours of Operation: Saturday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Sunday 2 p.m. - 9 p.m.
October 11, 2006 THE MERCIAD Page 11

Volleyball hosts Gannon on Friday
Team seeks to pick up second conference win of season in rivalry game
By Kelly Oldach
Contributing writer
This past Saturday the Mercy-
hurst women’s volleyball team
came two points shy of clinching
its first win after nine consecu-
tive losses.
Challenging Northwood on
their home court, the Lakers
drove the Timberwolves into a
fifth game that ended in a gut-
wrenching 15-13 loss.
The Lakers came out strong
and won the opening game
30-25.
Northwood then took charge
and played all of game two with-
out an attack error and carried
that momentum into game three,
winning 30-19 and 30-20.
Catching their second wind, the
Lakers hung with Northwood
in the beginning of game four
before going on a 13-1 run win-
ning 30-24.
In the deciding game North-
wood got out to a 12-5 lead, but
Mercyhurst fought back again.
The Lakers went on an 8-2 run,
closing the gap to 14-13 before
Northwood finally slammed
down the winning point.
Sophomore co-captain Jenna
Matson led Mercyhurst with 14
kills and 19 digs, while freshman
Julia Butler added 42 assists and
Sophomore Jenna Matson (in air) goes up for a kill against Northwood University on Friday.
18 digs.
Senior co-captain Cara Nelson
posted 15 digs, which moved her
into an all-time second place in
career digs at Mercyhurst.
Junior Kristen Peterson also
moved up in the record books
with 10 kills on the day, moving
her into fifth place overall.
Coach Ryan Patton did not
seem upset with the loss. “North-
wood served real tough at the
beginning of game five and we
were in a spot where if we had
To contact: sportsmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
one point more to play with we
would have been in pretty good
shape,” he said.
Despite leaving the Lakers
with a 6-14 overall record and
1-11 in the GLIAC, Patton was
very pleased with how the team
Andy Finkel photo
played.
“As we progress as a team we
have to actually be in a position
to win. This game was definitely
a positive step and we are now in
that position,” he said.
The night before, the Lakers
LAKER
SPORTS
hosted Saginaw Valley and took
them into a fourth game, unable
to seal the deal.
Matson ended with a team-high
15 kills and Peterson added 13.
Butler finished with 40 assists
and Nelson had 17 digs.
On Friday, the Lakers will take
on cross-town rival Gannon at
the Mercyhurst Athletic Center at
7 p.m. The first time the Lakers
played Gannon this season they
lost in a 3-0 sweep, even though
they hung with the Knights in
each game.
This time Patton thinks the sit-
uation will be a little different.
“There will definitely be a lot
of emotion when we play Gan-
non, but this time we’ll be ready,”
Patton said.
Nelson agrees. “We want to be
Erie’s team. Gannon is always
big competition and we definitely
want to be known in the area.
More importantly, we want to
represent our school well and
think positively to accomplish
our team and personal goals,”
she said.
If the Lakers can carry their
energy and dynamism from this
past weekend into Friday, they
have a very good chance of pull-
ing out their first victory since the
beginning of September.
And who better to do that
against than Gannon?

Women’s soccer falls to No. 19 after Friday’s loss

By Andy Tait
Contributing writer
All good things must come to
an end.
Unfortunately for the Mercy-
hurst women’s soccer team, it
was their 11-game winning streak
that reached its conclusion this
past Friday.
On the back of some fantastic
results, the No. 12 Lakers trav-
eled to West Virginia for a pair of
games with the hope of cement-
ing their position as one of the
top three teams in the region.
On Friday, the Lakers battled
against a very strong and physi-
cal team from West Virginia
Wesleyan.
Despite dominating proceed-
ings and playing some great
soccer in the process, it was the
Bobcats who stole the win.
The Lakers lost key players Lisa
Melander and Adrienne Sluga
during the game through injury.
It proved to be one of those
days for the Lakers as a 37th
minute goal from Katie Schubert
Senior Lisa Casement tracks the ball in a recent game against Grand Valley State
was all that was needed to seal
the victory.
The Bobcats (7-6) managed
to shut out the Lakers, ending
a remarkable 35-game streak in
which Mercyhurst has scored
at least one goal dating back to
2004.
Mercyhurst out shot the Bob-
cats 19-10 and held a 10-4 advan-
tage in shots on goal.
Savannah Dempsey was in fine
form in goal for West Virginia
Wesleyan and shut down the
Andy Finkel photo
Laker’s offense.
Laker coach Dale White was
not too downbeat about the
result. “We played some great
stuff, we just didn’t get the break
we needed,” said White.
He stressed to his players the
importance of bouncing back on
Sunday and that is exactly what
the team did with style.
The Lakers powered past the
University of Charleston, 4-0.
Maria Amicone notched her
third goal of the season off an
assist from freshman Karla Vogt
to give the Lakers a one-goal lead
at halftime
White knew how important
that first goal was to his team, as
it restored confidence and pro-
vided a platform for the team to
push on in the second half.
The Lakers did exactly that as
they scored three more goals on
their way to a comfortable win.
Sarah Powell added to her goal
tally for the year as she scored
unassisted to make 2-0. The goal
was Powell’s team leading 12th
of the year.
Midfielder Christine Rehnert
added the team’s third goal off
an assist from Amicone.
The game’s scoring was com-
pleted by Lisa Casement, who
received a pass from freshman
midfielder Jessie Roberts, before
firing past the Golden Eagles
keeper.
The result lifted the Lakers to
12-2 for the season and got them
back to winning ways.
With five games remaining, the
team is still firmly in the hunt for
the playoffs.
White his hoping his team can
win out the rest of the way to
guarantee a playoff berth and
possibly host the post-season
tournament.
The team will be without the
services of influential midfielder
Adrienne Sluga.
Sluga will sit out the next
game as she serves a one-match
suspension after picking up her
fifth caution of the season on
Sunday.
The team has five games left on
the schedule, all on the road, four
of which are against conference
opponents.
Next up for the Lakers is a trip
to Michigan to face GLIAC rivals
Northwood. The two teams will
go head-to-head on Sunday, with
the kickoff at noon.

Football loses to No. 1 Grand Valley State Intramural Update

By Chris Van Horn
Contributing writer
The Grand Valley State Lakers
scored early and often as they
buried Mercyhurst before the
Lakers ever had a chance.
Grand Valley scored touch-
downs on six of their first seven
possessions in the game to build
a 42-3 lead going into the half.
Mercyhurst managed two
touchdowns from Ben Jennings
in the second half, but still fell by
the count of 49-17 in front of
more than 10,000 fans at Lubbers
Stadium.
Grand Valley State has won 76
of their last 81 games, including
19 in a row, which is the longest
active winning streak in all of
college football.
The Lakers were out-gained by
the count of 568-222, including
surrendering 273 yards on the
ground on 35 carries, an aver-
age of more than 7.5 yards per
carry.
“They came out and hit us hard
and quick. Grand Valley is a very
athletic team and they used their
athleticism to exploit some of
our weaknesses,” coach Marty
Schaetzle said.
File Photo
Freshman Ben Jennings
Run defense has been the thorn
in the Lakers’ side for the last two
seasons and Grand Valley State
took advantage.
Grand Valley scored three
touchdowns that went for more
than 40 yards while holding the
Mercyhurst offense in check.
Mercyhurst could not get any-
thing going on the ground as they
managed just 46 net yards on 22
carries against a stingy Grand
Valley defense that gave up just
three yards per attempt on the
season and allowed just 13 points
per game.
The Lakers managed some suc-
cess moving the ball through the
air as Mitch Phillis and Joe Laffey
File Photo
Sophomore Bryan Boyce
combined to go 15 of 27 for
176 yards with one interception,
the lone turnover of the day for
Mercyhurst.
Mercyhurst won the turnover
battle against Grand Valley, but
that was about the only battle
the Lakers managed to win in
this game.
Despite the amount of yardage
they yielded, the Lakers defense
played hard all game against the
best team in the GLIAC and the
country.
“At halftime we talked about
going out and trying to win the
second half, and play as hard as
we could. We wanted to play for
pride, and I felt that we did play
Twenty teams are competing for the title of Intramural Champi-
ons and the competition is fierce. Leading the pack with 3-0 starts
much better in the second half,”
are the following teams: Jamie Walczak, Pat Osborne, William
Schaetzle said.
Rottenborn and Nick Gialloriakis.
Solid individual efforts were
Holding steady at 2-1 are the following teams: Dom LoPresti,
made by linebackers Bryan Boyce
Dennis Coughlin, Richard Larson, Brian Folland and Tony Dor-
and Jim Kokrak, who each racked
chak. Look for the other 11 teams to make an impact as over half
up nine tackles.
the season is left to play.
Boyce also picked off a pass in
Playoffs will take place in November with the top teams from each
the first quarter and had half a
division playing for all the marbles. Fans are encouraged to come
sack. Tim Herbener also picked
out and cheer on the teams Monday nights from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
off a pass in the fourth.
Mercyhurst will prepare to take
on Findlay next weekend, who is
also sitting at a record of 1-5.
“We feel that Findlay is a team
like us in that they are a lot bet-
ter than their record indicates.
We have been competitive with
some of the toughest teams in
the conference and the most im-
portant thing right now is that we
continue to improve every week.
I feel that we have done that since
week one,” Schaetzle stated.
Findlay is coming off of a 31-
14 loss last week to powerhouse
Saginaw Valley State.
Findlay sits 13th in the GLI-
AC, whereas the Lakers currently
is in eleventh place at 1-5.
Parents’ Weekend should bring
out a big crown to Tullio Field
as the Lakers will be looking to
rebound and pick up conference
win number two.
 PAGE 12 THE MERCIAD October 11, 2006

LAKER
SPORTS To contact: sportsmerciad@mercyhurst.edu

Laker Sports “Quick Hits”

Men’s soccer 5-0 in GLIAC
This Weeks Results... By Finella Annand
Contributing writer
Field Hockey.................................................Oct. 7, W 5-0, Catawba
Oct. 8, L 5-2, Bellarmine It was another winning week
Women’s tennis................................Oct. 6, W 8-1, Michigan Tech
for the Mercyhurst men’s soccer
team as they improved their re-
Oct. 7, W 5-4, Lake Superior State cord to 13-2 with two vital wins
Oct. 8, W 6-3, Charleston over Oakland City and Tiffin.
Women’s soccer..................Oct. 6, L 1-0, West Virginia Wesleyan With just five games left in the
Oct. 8, W 4-0, Charleston
regular season, the men’s team is
tied for fifth in the region and re-
Men’s soccer.........................................Oct. 4, W 4-2, Oakland City main undefeated in the GLIAC.
Oct. 7, W 2-0, Tiffin The men cannot afford to lose
Women’s volleyball...........................Oct. 6, L 3-1, Saginaw Valley any more games if they want to
Oct. 7, L 3-2, Northwood
make it to the coveted playoff
tournament at the end of the
Football...............................................Oct. 7, L 49-17, Grand Valley regular season.
Men’s golf.......................Oct. 6-8, 9 of 10, GLIAC Championships Even if the men win all five of
Women’s golf..............Oct. 7, 5 of 8, California Univ. of Pa. Invite their remaining games, they may
Men’s water polo....................Oct. 4, W 15-12, Penn St. Behrend
still fail to claim one of the top
three spots in the region due to Andy Finkel Photo
Women’s cross country.................Oct. 7, L 26-19, Gannon Invite strength of schedule issues. Jeff Powell (19) looks to move upfield as teammate Andy Tait (5) looks on.
Men’s cross country......................Oct. 7, W 20-42, Gannon Invite Senior defender Zach Hiltner
Men’s hockey...........................Oct. 7, W 8-1 (ex), St. Clair College remains very confident about The Lakers are hoping that the season. captain’s goal six minutes into
their chances. the defeat will not come back to However, Oakland had a reply the second half to spur his team
“I have no doubt that we will haunt them as the season begins four minutes later to bring the onto victory.
finish the season 18-2. We have to draw to its close. score level at 2-2. Fellow captain Jason Pedra sup-
In the news... been playing very well, the team However, if this past week’s It took an important goal from plied the icing on the cake in the
spirit is great and we have a lot of form is anything to go by, then senior captain Jason Pedra to 81st minute as he buried a pass
rest time coming up. I don’t see there is a good chance that the break the deadlock in the 76th from Kurt Young.
Mercyhurst Athletes of the Week how the tournament board will two teams will meet again in the minute. “It was a good win for the
be able to ignore us if we have playoffs, enabling the Mercyhurst From there on it was all Mercy- team. It was a close game and
The Mercyhurst Department of Athletics named Kenneth the best record in the region.” men to get their revenge. hurst and Sean Spangler added an both teams had good chances.
Foster and Jaclyn McLean its Athletes of the Week on Monday. The three teams currently sit- The men started off the week’s insurance goal late in the game to I think Andy Tait’s goal re-
ting in the spots that the Mercy- games well on Wednesday with a ensure a green and blue victory. ally spurred the team on and we
Foster is a junior cross country runner who led the Lakers to a hurst men so desperately want 4-2 win against Oakland City. The men then traveled to Ohio never looked back after that.
victory over Gannon Saturday at Family First Sports Park. He are SIU-Edwardsville, Northern The win was particularly inspir- on Saturday to defeat a strong “The win on Saturday was
won the overall race with a time of 28:16 to pace Mercyhurst Kentucky and Wisconsin Park- ing, as four different players got Tiffin team 2-0 and earn their typical of a lot of our wins this
to a 20-42 victory. side. on the score sheet. eighth shutout of the season. year where our games are close
Northern Kentucky, which is Matt Richards scored first for It was a hard fought game for and we had to show character to
McLean is a sophomore tennis player who went 6-0 on second in the region is one of the Lakers on 29:15, only for the Lakers and the first half went pull through,” said sophomore
the weekend against two conference rivals and one non- only two teams to have defeated Oakland to equalize before half by without a goal. Steven Duggan.
conference team. Against Michigan Tech on Oct. 6, McLean the men this year, narrowly win- time. The men showed character The team’s next game takes
won both of her matches without losing a game, picking a 6-0, ning 1-0 in a close contest held Mercyhurst took the lead again in the second half to battle to a place on Sunday as they make
6-0 win at singles and an 8-0 win at doubles. at the Mercyhurst field earlier in early in the second half as Kurt 2-0 victory. the long trek to face Northwood
the season. Young tallied his 13th goal of Senior Andy Tait scored a at 2 p.m.
Pedra honored by
GLIAC

A pair of goals and an assist

gave Jason Pedra from men’s
Cross country having successful year
soccer the nod as the Player of 34 at the National Catholic
By Ryan Palm Championships at Notre Dame
of the Week from the Great
Sports editor on Sept. 15.
Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic
Conference (GLIAC) on Unfortunately, the team came
Monday. The Mercyhurst cross country up just short against Gannon
programs are having a terrific fall on Saturday, losing 26-29 in a
Against Oakland City on Oct. season thus far in 2006, some- heartbreaker.
4, Pedra assisted on the thing that has come through The team’s results have been
opening score and scored the hard work and dedication from especially impressive considering
game-winner in the Lakers 4-2 Courtesy of Sports Info both the men’s and women’s the team’s injury problems.
win. He also added a goal in a Senior Jason Pedra programs. Junior Victoria Caruso and
2-0 win over Tiffin on Oct. 7. Coach Mike Fraley has had freshman Morgan Walsh have
nothing but positive comments had injury troubles all season,
The Lakers are now 5-0 in the GLIAC, and have received the about the men’s team. with Caruso finally making her
POW honor four out of the seven weeks it has been awarded. “This team is a coach’s dream, season debut against Gannon.
they work hard seven days a “Our team is improving every
Idle women’s hockey remains No. 3 week, no matter if its 90 degrees week and has shown tremendous
sunny or 45 degrees and raining,” heart by overcoming injuries to
Although they were idle over the weekend, the women’s said Fraley. two of our top runners,” said
hockey team held on to its No. 3 ranking in the USCHO.com Those conditions are no stretch women’s coach Kathryn Noble-
poll released Oct. 9. of the imagination; those who Fraley.
have lived in Erie for any length The team has been helped sig-
The Lakers are 2-0-0 on the young season, having notched a of time are well aware of the Contributed photo by Mike Fraley nificantly by individuals such as
pair of wins over Maine Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. variety of weather conditions The men’s cross country team following their 20-42 victory Katie Jarocki, Carrie Franze and
that are experienced during the over Gannon University on Oct. 7 at Family First. Laura McCarthy.
The team begins three straight weekends of home games on fall months. “The goal for the remainder
Friday night when they entertain non-conference foe Clarkson. The men’s team has a trio of ish at the LeMoyne Invitational second at 28:42 and Deragon of the season is to get everyone
Clarkson is just outside the top-ten in the rankings, sitting two senior captains in Matt Deragon, on Sept. 30, the Lakers have con- finished fourth at 29:29. healthy and compete in the
spaces behind No. 10 Boston College. This week’s rankings Nate Smith and Jon Lyons. sistently proven themselves to be “This win against Gannon was GLIAC Conference Tournament
are listed below: These captains have played an contenders in the region. exactly what this team needed to at full-strength,” said Noble-
integral role in the team’s success, That same commitment came propel us into the post season. As Fraley.
not only by posting competitive into fruition this past weekend a team we have come a long ways Coming up next for both teams
1. Wisconsin (4-0-0), 117 times during meets and matches, when the Lakers faced Gannon and will continue to improve as is the Slippery Rock Invitational
2. New Hampshire (4-0-0), 106 but also during practices and University in a dual-match at the middle runners continue to held Oct. 14 in Slippery Rock,
3. Mercyhurst (2-0-0), 85 training sessions. Family First Sports Park. push for position on the team,” Pa.
4. St. Lawrence (2-0-0), 73 That level of commitment The Lakers dominated the race, said Deragon. Following that event are argu-
5. Minnesota (1-1-0), 71 has produced some impressive winning handily, 20-42. On the women’s side, results ably the two biggest events of the
6. Minnesota-Duluth (2-0-0), 61 results from the men’s side so Leading the pack for the Lakers have been just as impressive. year in the GLIAC Conference
7. Dartmouth (0-0-0), 60 far this year. was junior Kenneth Foster, who The Lakers posted a second Championships on Oct. 21 and
8. Harvard (0-0-0), 45 From finishing first at the finished first overall with a time place finish at the California the NCAA Great Lakes Region-
9. Princeton (0-0-0), 19 opening invitational, the Califor- of 28:16, 26 seconds ahead of Invitational, a fourth place fin- als on Nov. 4.
10. Boston College (2-0-0), 17 nia University of Pennsylvania. the second place finisher. ish at the LeMoyne Invitational
Invitational, to the 3rd of 13 fin- Laker Josh Peterson finished and finished a respectable 20
Men’s hockey No. 27
The men’s hockey team is ranked No. 27 according to the Rowing opens fall season at Genesee Regatta
latest poll distributed by the USCHO.com/CSTV voters.
fying round would participate
By Ryan Palm in a second shorter race in the
Mercyhurst received more votes than any other team in Sports editor afternoon.
Atlantic Hockey, but Holy Cross and Sacred Heart join
The men’s lightweight boat was
Mercyhurst in the “others receiving votes” category. The Mercyhurst rowing pro- the only boat that qualified, and
grams opened their fall season it finished second of three teams
The Lakers open regular season play this weekend when they this past weekend at the Genesee in the lightweight championship
travel to take on the Bulldogs from Ferris State University. Regatta. round with a championship total
The event was hosted by the time of 29:19:10.
Students wishing to follow along should go to the Mercyhurst Rochester Institute of Technol- “We are pretty pleased with our
athletics page and then to the hockey schedule to find the link ogy in Rochester, N.Y. first race as an individual perfor-
for the Gametracker website. Mercyhurst sent three boats mance, and really like the effort
to the event, a men’s lightweight from the freshmen on board,”
and open weight, and a women’s said captain Jeremy Ivey.
eight boat. The team is back on the water
Quick hits are compiled by sports editor Ryan Palm. Any- The regatta featured qualifying this weekend when they travel to
thing worthy of being a “quick hit” should be emailed to rounds in the morning, where New York for the Head of the Photo contributed by Jeremy Ivey

sportsmerciad@mercyhurst.edu. the top teams from each quali- Chautauqua on Oct. 14. The men’s rowing team finished 2nd of 3 teams on Saturday.