The actions of a 23-year-old Erie resident recently put Mercy-hurst administrators and late-night campus walkers alike on edge.John J. Durney, a 2009 graduate of Mercyhurst North East,

faces four separate criminal charges for stalking women, attempt-ing to kidnap three of them and evading police in a high-speed chase around the college’s campus on April 2.Durney’s alleged creeping spree, in which police say he twice

followed Mercyhurst female students with a large knife, once again raised awareness of campus safety.“We were on red alert,” said Robert Kuhn, chief of Police and Safety.The first incident came in December, shortly before students

left for Christmas break. A student was leaving CVS at East 38th Street and Pine Avenue when a man—allegedly Durney—approached her with a knife. The woman managed to escape to her car and lock the doors.Police accuse Durney of striking again 10 days later, this time

in the 2800 block of State Street, about a mile from campus. A woman fought off Durney, who police say was in possession of a knife, and made it to her nearby apartment.On March 19, investigators say Durney confronted a woman at

West Ninth and Myrtle streets. A criminal complaint the woman filed states he told her she was sexy, followed her in his green Hyundai Sonata and threatened her with a knife if she didn’t get into his vehicle.The most recent Mercyhurst campus incident took place March

27 near Warde Hall. Campus security footage showed a green car chasing a female student through the Performing Arts Center parking lot toward her dorm, Kuhn said.

By Ethan MagocEditor-in-Chief

She, too, escaped unharmed.“For me, it was a nightmare,” said Kuhn, who worked for Erie

police for more than 30 years. “It brought back memories of trying to catch rapists. Guys like this, they get more adventurous as it goes on if they’re not caught.”The frightening episodes brought about frequent email updates from

Kuhn and Vice President of Student Life Gerard Tobin, Ph.D.They continued to stress walking in pairs or calling a police

escort if traversing campus late at night. Kuhn’s April 1 email went so far as to offer rides to inebriated students, as well.“Don’t be reluctant to call because you may have been drinking

and fear consequences,” he wrote. “In this instance, we are only interested in getting you safely to your residence hall.”Beyond the warnings and transportation offerings, adminis-

trators said they cannot, practically speaking, overhaul campus security procedures as a prevention measure.“The reality is we can’t keep everyone safe all the time,” said

Laura Zirkle, assistant vice president of Student Life. “It would be dishonest to say we can.”Still, Zirkle commended Police and Safety’s dedication in appre-

hending Durney.At about 4 a.m. on April 2, officer Jerry Devine was making

his last few patrol rounds as a campus security guard. It was near Briggs Avenue that he spotted a green car matching the descrip-tion released after the March 27 incident.He pulled in front of Durney’s car, which then backed up and

began speeding away. Devine followed but initially lost the pur-suit. He spotted the car again a few minutes later and continued the chase.It reached speeds up to 60 mph on Briggs and the surrounding

streets, according to Kuhn, who believes Durney’s unfamiliarity

with the campus’s nearby neighborhood led to his downfall.“He must have been a little disoriented because he eventually

pulled into a cul-de-sac,” he said.Devine trapped Durney on East 40th Street near the Wayne

Street Townhouses and, knowing he was likely armed with a knife, called for backup. Erie police arrived five minutes later and took Durney, once again in possession of a meat cleaver, into custody.He admitted to the two campus incidents during police ques-

tioning.“It was just amazing that we caught him,” Zirkle said. “He

(Devine) was very tenacious about it.”Devine joined the Erie police force as a patrolman last week.Details on Durney’s background are unclear. Officials at Mer-

cyhurst North East confirmed he graduated from the school’s culinary arts program in August 2009, but Brian Stahlsmith, an instructor in the program, declined comment regarding Durney’s time there.Durney, of the 1100 block of East 38th Street, is an Oil City

native. He was released Friday from Erie County Prison on bonds totaling $245,000. District Judge Tom Robie has required him to live in Oil City with his parents, stay at least two miles from Mercyhurst’s main campus and seek psychological coun-seling.He faces preliminary hearings before Robie on April 21 and

May 27.

New MSG board officers busy planning improvements

Former staffer Nell Hardy

continues to fight ALS

Ecodemia offerstips on reducing

impact, celebrating Earth Day

No. 4 men’s lacrosse team makes finalplayoff push

Page 2 Page 4 Pages 5-8 Page 11

NEWSPage 2 April 13, 2011

New MSG board plans for improvements

Recently, the new Mercyhurst Student Government (MSG) Board for the 2011-12 school year was chosen, and the board members have already been busy planning to make changes on campus.

The positions of president and vice president, secretary and trea-surer were all elected positions. This year, the president and vice president positions were elected as a “ticket ballot” in which they were chosen as a pair in order to ensure the pair would be able to work together effi ciently.

The results were Meghan Hess and Reed Garetto for president and vice president, respectively, Sarah Barr for secretary and Killian Bowe for treasurer.

Shannon Kissel was appointed event coordinator, Jeremy Dickey public relations coordinator and Issac Smith was appointed Stu-dent Activities Council (SAC) chair.

The appointed positions were recently sworn in by the prior posi-tion holder and will assume their duties starting with the next school year.

The new MSG board has set up a list of goals they plan to accomplish for next year. These include reach-ing out to all types of students, fi nishing what they have already started, identifying to the public exactly what MSG is and develop-ing MSG internally.

During winter term, MSG emailed a survey to students asking their opinions about the Hermann Student Union as well as the elec-tronic kiosk near the Audrey Hirt Academic Center.

The survey asked if students think the Student Union should be relocated to a more central area of campus. The survey showed that the majority of students think the Union is in a good location.

Some students, however, dis-agree.

“It seems too far away from most campus housing,” sophomore Kyle McIntyre said.

Students discussed services they would like added to the Union. The survey results showed stu-dents would like more food service, a study area, 24-hour access to a

printer and offi ce areas there.Students said one centrally-

located mailroom, instead of the currently divided one, would be a positive change, too.

“I feel the Union needs to be more inviting for students to come to and hang out. It could use a few more TVs and have a more relaxed atmosphere,” sophomore Max Susko said.

MSG members agree some change needs to be made to the Student Union.

“All I can say is that MSG real-izes the need for a more centralized Student Union that features every-thing the students need, and one that targets not only upperclass-men, but underclassmen as well,” Dickey said.

For now, MSG plans on putting together a proposal highlighting the main interest of the majority of students. It would consist of what MSG thinks needs to be done in order to create a “dream” Student Union.

Currently, there is no set plan to alter the union; however, the proposal will remain on fi le and the MSG members will discuss the issue further.

Regarding the electronic kiosk, the survey found most students think it is a valuable tool that they use every day.

The most popular answer about its location change was to move the kiosk to the corner of Zurn Hall where the current marquee board is located.

“Since the senior gift has been planned to be constructed where the X meets in the sidewalk in front of Zurn and Hirt, the kiosk as is, will create an eyesore,” former MSG President Santina Sgro said. “We have plans with the college administration to move the kiosk to the corner of Zurn, where the showcase is currently located, near Garvey Park.”

Other plans for the campus include getting a printer students can access 24 hours a day in the 24/7 study lounge.

“This will be a huge help to anyone that needs to fi nish up and print a paper late at night,” Dickey said.

As far as reaching out to stu-dents, MSG would like to help stu-dents on campus with more events and work with freshman RAs to give students as many opportuni-

ties as possible.The executive board would also

like to strengthen the relationship between Police and Safety and the students.

MSG wants to assist students who stay on campus for breaks by ensuring a contract that makes an EMTA route available for them and by working on funding food stipends for those students.

Members of the executive

board think it is their duty to make international and commuter students as comfortable as they can. They hope to help with the transition for these students as well as work with the Center of Student Engagement and Leader-ship Development to cosponsor events for commuters.

Another important goal to MSG is making students aware of who MSG really is and what it can do for

the students.“It’s time to let students know

what we are really about,” Hess said.

MSG wants to develop events that will appeal to all students as well as let students know that through MSG they will have a voice at every level of their col-lege.

“I would like to start a weekly or bi-weekly press release with the Merciad to make students more aware about MSG and what we are doing,” Dickey said.

Aside from that, Dickey would also like to start a Facebook page on which students can start discus-sions and speak their own opin-ions.

He plans to frequently keep the MSG website better updated so students will always know what is going on.

MSG not only wants to do work externally but also internally in their organization. The group has plans to develop an open working envi-ronment for the MSG board and senators as well as utilizing the tal-ents of these members.

“We encourage all students to attend our meetings in the Student Government Chambers,” Hess said.

The meetings are at 8:30 p.m. every Monday and students may correspond with Dickey, MSG public relations coordinator, by email at msgpr@mercyhurst.edu.

By Stacy SkiavoStaff writer

A survey emailed to students in winter term asked about pos-sible improvements that can be done to the Student Union.

Jill Barrile photo

NEWSPage 2 April 13, 2011

New MSG board plans for improvements

Recently, the new Mercyhurst Student Government (MSG) Board for the 2011-12 school year was chosen, and the board members have already been busy planning to make changes on campus.

The positions of president and vice president, secretary and trea-surer were all elected positions. This year, the president and vice president positions were elected as a “ticket ballot” in which they were chosen as a pair in order to ensure the pair would be able to work together effi ciently.

The results were Meghan Hess and Reed Garetto for president and vice president, respectively, Sarah Barr for secretary and Killian Bowe for treasurer.

Shannon Kissel was appointed event coordinator, Jeremy Dickey public relations coordinator and Issac Smith was appointed Stu-dent Activities Council (SAC) chair.

The appointed positions were recently sworn in by the prior posi-tion holder and will assume their duties starting with the next school year.

The new MSG board has set up a list of goals they plan to accomplish for next year. These include reach-ing out to all types of students, fi nishing what they have already started, identifying to the public exactly what MSG is and develop-ing MSG internally.

During winter term, MSG emailed a survey to students asking their opinions about the Hermann Student Union as well as the elec-tronic kiosk near the Audrey Hirt Academic Center.

The survey asked if students think the Student Union should be relocated to a more central area of campus. The survey showed that the majority of students think the Union is in a good location.

Some students, however, dis-agree.

“It seems too far away from most campus housing,” sophomore Kyle McIntyre said.

Students discussed services they would like added to the Union. The survey results showed stu-dents would like more food service, a study area, 24-hour access to a

printer and offi ce areas there.Students said one centrally-

located mailroom, instead of the currently divided one, would be a positive change, too.

“I feel the Union needs to be more inviting for students to come to and hang out. It could use a few more TVs and have a more relaxed atmosphere,” sophomore Max Susko said.

MSG members agree some change needs to be made to the Student Union.

“All I can say is that MSG real-izes the need for a more centralized Student Union that features every-thing the students need, and one that targets not only upperclass-men, but underclassmen as well,” Dickey said.

For now, MSG plans on putting together a proposal highlighting the main interest of the majority of students. It would consist of what MSG thinks needs to be done in order to create a “dream” Student Union.

Currently, there is no set plan to alter the union; however, the proposal will remain on fi le and the MSG members will discuss the issue further.

Regarding the electronic kiosk, the survey found most students think it is a valuable tool that they use every day.

The most popular answer about its location change was to move the kiosk to the corner of Zurn Hall where the current marquee board is located.

“Since the senior gift has been planned to be constructed where the X meets in the sidewalk in front of Zurn and Hirt, the kiosk as is, will create an eyesore,” former MSG President Santina Sgro said. “We have plans with the college administration to move the kiosk to the corner of Zurn, where the showcase is currently located, near Garvey Park.”

Other plans for the campus include getting a printer students can access 24 hours a day in the 24/7 study lounge.

“This will be a huge help to anyone that needs to fi nish up and print a paper late at night,” Dickey said.

As far as reaching out to stu-dents, MSG would like to help stu-dents on campus with more events and work with freshman RAs to give students as many opportuni-

ties as possible.The executive board would also

like to strengthen the relationship between Police and Safety and the students.

MSG wants to assist students who stay on campus for breaks by ensuring a contract that makes an EMTA route available for them and by working on funding food stipends for those students.

Members of the executive

board think it is their duty to make international and commuter students as comfortable as they can. They hope to help with the transition for these students as well as work with the Center of Student Engagement and Leader-ship Development to cosponsor events for commuters.

Another important goal to MSG is making students aware of who MSG really is and what it can do for

the students.“It’s time to let students know

what we are really about,” Hess said.

MSG wants to develop events that will appeal to all students as well as let students know that through MSG they will have a voice at every level of their col-lege.

“I would like to start a weekly or bi-weekly press release with the Merciad to make students more aware about MSG and what we are doing,” Dickey said.

Aside from that, Dickey would also like to start a Facebook page on which students can start discus-sions and speak their own opin-ions.

He plans to frequently keep the MSG website better updated so students will always know what is going on.

MSG not only wants to do work externally but also internally in their organization. The group has plans to develop an open working envi-ronment for the MSG board and senators as well as utilizing the tal-ents of these members.

“We encourage all students to attend our meetings in the Student Government Chambers,” Hess said.

The meetings are at 8:30 p.m. every Monday and students may correspond with Dickey, MSG public relations coordinator, by email at msgpr@mercyhurst.edu.

By Stacy SkiavoStaff writer

A survey emailed to students in winter term asked about pos-sible improvements that can be done to the Student Union.

Jill Barrile photo

Page 3April 13, 2011 NEWS

Former professor returns to read at Lit Fest

The second event of the ninth annual Literary Festival brought former faculty member Gary Myers back to Mercyhurst’s Taylor Little Theatre Thursday evening.

Myers taught in the English department at Mercyhurst Col-lege from 1986 to 1989. During his time, he served as department chair, and he founded the Poetry in the Schools program at St. Luke School. Since then, he has helped build the Creative Writing program as the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Mississippi State University.

“It’s exciting to see this college growing as fast as it is,” Myers said. “Some things are the same, but there are new things as well.”

Myers began writing poetry in college. His inspiration came from poets from all over the world rather than from people near his home in the Midwest.

“There’s a certain lack of some-thing in the Midwest that drove poets to Europe,” Myers said.

He drew inspiration from surre-alist poets of Spain and France, and he talked about his experience and

the inspiration he received from South American anti-poetry.

“It has a kind of attitude,” Myers said. “I got mesmerized by this style of South American poetry.”

Sophomore Seth Stonis was impressed with Myers’ variety of infl uences.

“I noticed a lot of his work talked about the moon and the stars. It’s cool that he’s from the Midwest, but he uses European infl uence,” Stonis said.

Though his poetry covers a wide variety of topics, imagery is an obvi-ous strength of Myers. Sophomore Chelsea Schermerhorn admired Myers’ imagery.

“I liked the recurring images he used, especially women. For some reason the images were very evoca-tive especially when repeated,” she said. “I’ve never seen someone use images as repeatedly but still convey different ideas.”

Myers read some of his newest works, which concern the events that took place during the Holocaust.

“It’s hard to write about that eventm-the magnitude of it. I tried to write about specifi c events,” he said.

His new series of poems are poems written in four lines, which are known as quatrains. The poems that Myers shared showed the crowd

unsettling scenes in their minds.“I actually went to a concentra-

tion camp in Germany,” said Stonis. “I could see what he was talking about, and I could tell that he was hesitant writing on the topic.”

Myers offered suggestions to young writers.

“Try to fi nd a way to break out

of the commonality of what the language offers,” he said. “You can have a lot more fun if you con-sider other perspectives. Otherwise, you’ll be locked into conventional writing.”

The best advice Myers could give was to “take risks and chances just to see what can happen. You’d

be surprised at what you do while experimenting.”

The third and fi nal event of Mer-cyhurst’s Literary Festival will take place Thursday at 8 p.m. in Taylor Little Theatre with the unveiling of the Lumen and the presentation of the P. Barry McAndrew Writing Awards.

By Chris JamesContributing writer

Mercyhurst to offer new minors in integrated marketing, fi lm studies

The Mercyhurst College Faculty Senate recently approved the addi-tion of two new programs, a major in integrated marketing and a minor in fi lm studies.

The integrated marketing pro-gram is a change from the former business concentration in market-ing and stands as a separate major.

The change in the program spawned from major changes in the industry.

Integrated marketing incorpo-rates concepts from a variety of disciplines to include all the areas and ways that companies reach out to consumers.

Companies have begun to rely more on integrated marketing professionals to reach consumers in new and more effi cient ways, which is accomplished by com-bining all of these disciplines into one.

Moving away from a program that is strictly focused on marketing to one with a wide range of disci-plines will benefi t students students entering a changing industry.

Students will be required to take courses from accounting, art, business, business administration, communication, graphic design, economics and marketing, which will open doors to jobs in each area.

Currently, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that work in this fi eld will continue to

increase through 2018, which pro-vides demand in this industry in the coming years.

Walker School of Business Dean Jim Breckenridge formed a committee to start looking into the idea two years ago, including com-mittee chairperson and Associate Dean Meredith Schultz, Assistant Professor Shelly Freyn, graphic design Program Director Jodi Sta-niunas-Hopper, Communication Department Chair Anne Zaphi-ris, Ph.D., and Kimberly Zacherl, instructor in the Walker School of Business.

This committee developed the major and was responsible for getting it voted through Faculty Senate.

Since the approval, the Walker School of Business is now seeking

a qualifi ed candidate to head the program.

The new fi lm studies minor rep-resents an interdisciplinary effort provided by the history, commu-nication, English, world languages, psychology and philosophy depart-ments.

According to the formal ratio-nale for the minor, the program is developed “to enable students to understand and critically engage the images that pervade their lives.”

The program was developed around the understanding of how important fi lm is to art during the 20th and 21st centuries.

“Students need to develop lit-eracy in the visual media that sur-rounds them, gain an appreciation for the aesthetic quality of fi lm, and become savvier about decod-

ing the images saturating our cul-ture,” said Jeffrey Roessner, Ph.D., dean of the School of Arts and Humanities and chair of the Eng-lish department.

The program will maintain an interdisciplinary focus because it will be conducted between the commu-nication and English departments, operating from mostly pre-existing courses.

“Most of the courses already exist and count for other degree requirements,” Roessner said. “Stu-dents can take a number of inter-disciplinary courses that combine history and fi lm, philosophy and fi lm, world languages and fi lm, and psychology and fi lm.”

Both the integrated marketing major and fi lm studies minor will be offered this fall.

By Joseph PudlickContributing writer

Poet Gary Myers was a professor at Mercyhurst College in the English department from 1986-1989 and came back to speak at the ninth annual Literary Festival.

Jill Barrile photo

FEATURES April 13, 2010Page 4

What are your plans after

graduation?

After graduation I plan on beginning medical school to pursue my dream of becoming an orthopedic surgeon. Eventually, I would like to work as a team physician for a professional sports team.-Jacob Gdovin, senior

My plans are to go to grad-school and con-tinue on with my educa-tion before entering into the workforce.-Molly Keleshian, senior

The first year after grad-uation I would like to either work at a museum for the National Park Service or volunteer with AmeriCorps. After that I am hoping to go to grad school for museum studies or art history...-Beth Kostrencic, senior

Penny Wars to create friendly competition

Have any spare pennies in your pocket? Why not donate them to a good cause? The music, dance and art departments will be holding a Penny War during the month of April to raise money for charity.

Senior dance major Christine Wilbur fi rst came up with the idea early in the school year. After much planning and preparation, the idea was fi nally approved. Wilbur has been working with Lynn Dula of the music depart-ment and Hailey Glover of the art department to coordinate the project.

“The idea came from a brain-storm for any type of fundraiser the dance department could do,” said Wilbur. “When I fi rst came up with the penny war fundraiser, I thought we could do it between the three dance clubs, but there are too many member overlaps. That’s when I came up with the idea to have a war between the three art departments.”

What exactly is a Penny War?.

Basically, there are competing teams, each with its own jar for collecting money. For every penny in the jar, one point is received. For every nickel, dime, quarter, or dollar bill, the worth of the coin is subtracted from the positive points. After a month, the depart-ment with the most points wins.

There is a twist to this Penny War, however. No one will know which charity will receive the pro-

ceeds of the fundraiser until the end. Each department has chosen a specifi c charity in their own area, and the winning department will win the opportunity to donate 70 percent of the proceeds to their charity of choice.

The music department has chosen the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, which works to keep music in schools. The dance department has chosen the Jenni-

Lyn Watson Memorial Dance Scholarship. The art department is still pending a decision on their charity.

In addition to the opportunity to donate to a charity in their area of the arts, each department will also receive, as a prize, a small portion of the proceeds they have raised as a department to do with as they see fi t. These funds could go toward a department party, new equipment, or whatever else the department might need. The more involved the department, the more they will benefi t.

“With the introduction of a war between the three depart-ments, I hope to accomplish and establish a friendly rivalry that will ultimately bring the three departments closer together,” said Wilbur. “If this fundraiser goes well, it can become a regular donation that will continue to benefi t the arts.”

Students interested in contribut-ing to the Penny War are encour-aged to donate. The collection jars are located in the main lobby of Zurn during the school day. Your donation will help determine which charity will receive a donation.

By Lynn DulaStaff writer

Senior dance major, Christine Wilbur is one of the organizers of the Penny Wars

Lynn Dula photo

Former employee struggles against ALS

Adversity encountered in life is always a great teacher, as great strength, courage, and personal growth often occur as a result.

This life coach has certainly become acquainted with my family, as my mom, Nell Hardy, constantly battles and triumphs over the malevolent educator that is the dis-ease of ALS.

Unfortunately, she is no longer able to work at Mercyhurst due to the muscular deterioration that is the evil of ALS. But she now con-fi dently faces the disease at home with the help of around-the-clock assistance and support.

ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, affects the motor neurons in the spinal cord, rapidly causing the atrophy of muscles throughout the body. Facing the

inabilities to perform even the most basic human functions as a result of ALS may certainly destroy some people’s spirit, but no such devastation has occurred in Nell’s case.

The joyous and charming per-sonality that defi nes her in the eyes of so many has not suffered at all, as she has remained the same person throughout the entire physi-cal decline.

Her dedicated optimism has also

never faltered, as she recently told me, “As my body grows weaker, I, as a person, grow stronger.”

Such a confi dent statement reveals the advantages of great adversity like ALS, as prosperity and peace of mind can be achieved from a disease clearly intent on rob-bing its victims of those very same liberties.

To the Mercyhurst community, the coming of May means nice spring weather, Springfest, the end of classes and summer vacation. Those are all awesome events and times to look forward to, but we as a community should also look to another important aspect of the month of May: the start of National ALS Awareness Month.

This initiative, through month-long charity events and other programs, gives true hope and opti-mism to the hundreds of thousands of affected ALS patients like Nell for whom a possible cure should not be an unreachable goal.

Fortunately for everyone here at Mercyhurst, joining this noteworthy cause is a simple and easy thing to do. My family is once again walking at the second annual Walk to Defeat ALS on May 14 in New York City as the “Friends of Nell,” and I am personally inviting all of you to join our team.

All you have to do is visit the website, web.alsa.org, and click the “Join Team” button anywhere on the page. The simple action of join-ing our team in the cause against ALS will provide support to the disease’s victims throughout the nation and opportunities for fund-ing toward research and develop-ment of a possible cure.

Due to her kind and selfl ess atti-tude, I’m positive my mom will be extremely grateful for everyone’s help and support toward her cause as she zooms along the walkways of Manhattan with the help of friends, family and, of course, her motor-ized wheelchair friend Bessie.

By Brendan HardyContributing writer

Nell Hardy

ECODEMIALighting the Ocean Depths Lighting the Ocean Depths: Dr. Edith Widder to deliver 2011 Sr. Maura Smith Earth Day Lecture

By Dr. Chris Magoc

During this year’s Earth Day celebration, the Mer-cyhurst community has an opportunity to glimpse the darkest reaches of our watery planet and see some of what has only recently come to light–literally–through the amazing science of bioluminescence.

Internationally recognized deep-sea explorer and the world’s leading bioluminescence scientist, Edith Widder, Ph.D., will deliver this year’s 2011 Sr. Maura Smith, RSM Earth Day Lecture. Titled, “Exploring and Protecting Planet Ocean,” Widder’s lecture will take place Monday at 7 p.m. in the Taylor Little Theatre. Her appearance is co-sponsored by the college’s Green Team and its Evelyn Lincoln Institute for Ethics and Society.

For more than two decades, Widder has spear-headed the study of marine bioluminescence, the bio-chemical emission of light by ocean animals.

Bioluminescent creatures cast light on the ocean depths, a part of the sea that has assumed immense importance as the state of the world’s oceans contin-

by last summer’s BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico (the effects of which Widder has already spent considerable time studying).

that have proven critically important to learning about bioluminescent animals—including a stunningly inno-vative camera called the “Eye in the Sea.” Already deployed in areas from Monterey, Calif., to the Baha-mas, Widder’s device uses a wavelength of light which allows sea creatures to be recorded and studied while remaining invisible to them. In a recent interview, she described the discoveries made by the Eye in the Sea on an expedition in the Bahamas.

“We observed as many as nine different species of deep-sea shark, including a seven-gill shark, and the never-before-seen behavior of giant six-gill sharks rooting the sediment,” she said. “We know so little about deep-sea sharks, especially about their normal

“As humans reach deeper into the ocean to feed a hungry planet, many of these deep dwellers are in danger of being wiped out. Their growth and repro-

-tainably. We need to know about their life histories and behaviors in order to protect them.”

Widder’s research and innovation of new tech-nologies have won her accolades around the inter-national community of scientists and activists working

to preserve and protect the health of marine ecosys-tems worldwide. Most notably, based on her work with the Ocean Research and Conservation Asso-ciation (ORCA), Widder was awarded a prestigious MacArthur Fellowship from the John D. and Cath-erine T. MacArthur Foundation in 2006. ORCA is an organization based in Fort Pierce, Florida which she cofounded in 2005 and for which she serves as chief executive, president, and senior scientist.

Edith Widder is an appropriate choice to deliver this year’s lecture for many reasons, not the least of which is the renewed attention directed to the health of marine ecosystems since the BP spill. She is also

for the ocean–deepened by her doctoral studies at the University of Florida. Decades later, Sister Maura remains, as the Sustainability Award she received in 2009 stated, “the heart and soul” of sustainability efforts at Mercyhurst College.

This year, in celebration of Earth Day, Mercyhurst College is participating in a No Impact Week Challenge. This challenge is a one-week carbon cleanse. It’s not about giving up creature comforts but an opportunity for you to test whether the modern conveniences you take for granted are actually making you happier or just eating away at your time and money.

It is a chance for you to see what a difference no-impact living can have on your quality of life.

Discover how lowering your environmental impact can impact your quality of life and your community, as

well as the planet. Join people from Mercyhurst College and Penn State Behrend, as well as members of the Erie community, as we take on the No Impact Week Challenge. This carbon cleanse experiment began this past Sunday. Additionally, Colin Beavan, the original No Impact Man, delivered a lecture at Penn State Behrend on April 5.

This challenge is based on Beavan’s experience described in his book, “No Impact Man,” after he decided to try to live one year making no environmen-tal impact in New York City with his wife and daughter. For this challenge, participants will work through a series of eight engaging daily challenges, from decreasing trash production to eating locally. It’s all about discovering

how lifestyle changes that are better for the planet can

with family and friends, too. Do as many of the activities as you can; like most challenges in life, the more you put into it, the more you will get out of the experience.

-chase anything new this week, no new clothes, books, music, or movies. Monday was all about trash and waste—moreover, to stop making trash—and the pledge from Sunday of not purchasing anything new should help. Other ways to decrease your trash: recycle as much as possible and only purchase foods with limited packaging (no more take-out).

Take the No Impact Challenge By Brittany Prischak

Continued on page 6

APRIL 2011

VOLUME 11

-‐5-‐

To participate in the Erie No Impact Week Challenge, register at http://noimpactproject.org/

experiment/erie-‐pa-‐no-‐impact-‐week

Also, try to use a reusable drink bottle instead of dispos-able-bottled beverages. Tuesday was the day to focus on carbon-producing forms of transportation; car pool with at least one other person this week, or take a form of public transportation. If it’s a nice day, walk or ride your bicycle to work or class.

The environmental impact from long distance shipping and purchasing of processed food is the focus of Wednesday. Look around your area for local whole foods markets and non-chain restaurants for your food purchases. On Thursday, conserve energy by turning off lights and computers when you are done with them. For Friday, it’s all about water con-servation; challenge yourself to shorten your showers this week and remember to only run only full loads in washers

and dishwashers to decrease wasted water. Saturday is a day for giving back, so donate your

time—a vital, but often forgotten renewable resource. Help a neighbor clean their yard of winter debris, help a friend

community and help out. Then, enjoy the last day of your challenge week as an Eco-Sabbath. On Sunday, join the other participants for a no impact day of relaxation at Presque Isle,

the changes you can make in your life.

are holding events during this week to help increase aware-ness of environmental impacts and provide alternative life-style tips. An information and demo table will be set up in

A hike for haikuBy Professor Keiko Takioto Miller

The Mercyhurst community is invited to par-ticipate in a cherished and quiet annual event during Earth Week: the Hike for Haiku,on Saturday, April 30. Just for one late morning, come and step your feet into the woods, its earth still raw with the winter’s melt. No purpose. No rewards. No judgment. Simply let your body carry you, as if it were into it, as is.

Your hair blown about in a balmy breeze, you may blink, unknowingly, though at the same time making you suddenly aware of the breath you take in. No sooner do you feel the diaphragm rise in the ribcage, than your breath is urged to exhale in order to breathe in again.

This time, you sense a faint smell coming from the direction of the creek. Your nose summons the ears to follow it together. In an awkwardly warm whiff of spring air, a strangely familiar fragrance may carry you to another space, though only for a brief moment, to a cutting board with tears of perseverance. Then suddenly by the creek amongst shy pillars of trees still

too innocent for their fresh leafy garment, you are

The leaves of leeks look uncannily like lilies of the

angelic fragrance. Instead, it is the sharp smell of an onion, for sure, but those wild leeks, mind you, wreak no havoc. As wild as they come in their habitat, they are so sweet to our palate and tender to our teeth when crunched.

We unearth them, from the roots, as gently as possible, with a shovel and our hands, just enough for a pot of soup cooked with potatoes, fresh cream and sea salt. However tempting, we must let the rest stay in the woods for they must heal from our shifting them—for next year and years after for our children’s children. Afterward, we rest our kindly soft bottoms

-ters the grove wrapping us all as one to begin anew, once again.

This is when we are ready to begin composing our haiku. Don’t worry. It will come to you naturally, syllable by syllable, because you have surrendered your mind to your senses. Your body is now the

abode of your experience which the mind must ask its permission to weave into words without contami-nating it. A haiku is a 5-7-5 syllable verse showing, not telling, a moment in its suchness without any ego—goal, reward judgment.

Mercyhurst College is aspiring to make the Center for Academic Engagement, the new building being con-structed this year, the greenest building in the college’s his-tory. From its design to its energy system, its interiors to its landscaping, this new building will be as sustainable as possible and become a precedent for future buildings on campus. These impressive aims are only enhanced by the participation of students in the process.

We were joined on this project by fellow students majoring in interior design and minoring in sustainability studies, Katherine Tabar and Toni Novello.

Engaging from the ground up: Students lead the way on greening new buildingBy Caroline Whitman and Brittany Wirges As sustainability studies minors, we researched sus-

architects designing the new building. One of the materials -

-

to the environment, but it is often used because of its low price tag. Marmoleum and marmoleum composition tile (MCT) are made from rapidly renewable resources and produced with machinery fueled by wind power and solar power. Marmoleum also lasts about four times longer than

and the environment.Another option we are recommending for the

new academic building is carpet tile instead of broad-

whole rooms are re-carpeted, however, carpet tiles can help decrease the amount because only damaged tiles must be replaced. Carpet tiles are typically easier to install

and require fewer adhesives than broadloom, which cuts -

over, many companies now recycle used carpet into new

and decreases reliance on raw materials. Besides being a more sustainable option, carpet tiles can be arranged in aesthetically pleasing patterns in a variety of colors that can help people orient themselves in the space.

hardwood in the space. Not all hardwood is sustainably harvested; mismanagement and over-harvesting can con-

reclaimed wood, which is taken from a previous installa-tion and reused in a new location.

Even though the initial costs of these products may be more than a conventional installation, the longevity of the

-weigh the higher price. By researching and presenting these sustainable options, we hope to aid the college in its mis-sion to be “globally responsible” as it moves into the future.

the Zurn lobby throughout the week from 11 a.m to 2 p.m.Stop by to see new information each day, to sign-up

for the week or to answer the daily trivia questions and be

mercyhurst.edu for more information and a list of events.Support for the Erie, PA No Impact Week was gener-

ously provided by The Black Family Foundation. For more infor-mation, contact No Impact Project Program Director Lindsay Buchanan at Lindsay@noimpactproject.org or 847-219-0988.

Assembly Time/Place: Sat., April 30 at 9:45 a.m. in front of the

Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center (departure at 10 a.m.)

Destination: Presque Isle Bluff State Park, Girard

Wild Leek Soup Lunch at 12:30 p.m.: Prepared at Mercyhurst

Northwest Campus by some while others will work in the

organic garden for soil preparation

Choices: Stay for the afternoon garden help or leave for campus at 6 p.m.

Congratulations to freshman communication major Tatiana Chamorro for her winning Earth Week logo!

Continued from page 5

-‐6-‐

Student contributes to Erie School District Energy Conservation ProjectBy Tom Hall

As a sustainability studies major, I recently had a tre-mendous opportunity to work as an intern for a truly amaz-

well as the causes of energy conservation and greenhouse gas emissions reduction. The project was a collaborative effort among the Erie School District, led by Collegiate Academy science teacher Doreen Petri, and EPA Energy Star program local representative, Guy McCumber of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

The project, which was two years in the planning,

centers on conducting an energy audit of all schools in the Erie School District in order to reduce energy use,

-tices, thereby reducing CO2 output into the atmosphere as well as the use of natural resources. Once completed, this project promises substantial savings in the district’s energy budget, which is great news given their current budget crisis and the looming threat of job losses and program cuts.

energy use, this project also has an educational component.

Elementary and middle school students in the area have learned about sustainable practices and the value of these actions through hands-on learning in after school programs. The science curriculum is incorporating lessons on energy sources, responsible energy use, and conservation.

I feel very fortunate to have been able to be a part of this great project, which we hope will lead the way for other surrounding school districts to adopt similar energy conser-vation programs and thus expand the potential impact of the Erie project.

Greening the landscapeMercyhurst College greatly values its landscape due to its

beauty and “wow” factor (look for evidence of spring blooms in the weeks ahead!). During my years on campus, I have noticed that part of taking care of the landscape includes a few unsus-tainable elements.

For my sustainability senior project, I chose to focus on making Mercyhurst’s landscaping practices more sustainable, which then would allow for the college community to be even more proud of our landscape.

The issues addressed in my study include excess fuel con-sumption from maintenance vehicles, leaf blowing and lawn mowing, storm water run-off and drainage, and over-use of mulch which is wasteful of material and harmful to trees.

Lawns could be mowed when necessary, rather than on a regular schedule that often means cutting almost no grass.

Making changes across the whole campus all at once would be a great challenge, but the addition of the new aca-demic building on campus is a great opportunity.

We can begin to apply more sustainable practices, letting our initial efforts serve as a model for the rest of the campus landscape.

The Garden Gurus is a relatively new group on campus for people who enjoy gardening and are dedicated to raising awareness of locally grown products.

Not only does the garden offer relaxation from the hustle and bustle of life on the Mercyhurst Campus, but it is an oppor-tunity for education in aspects that many people in this genera-tion have forgotten about—or may never have known.

Our group wants to bring together all students who are interested in learning about gardening.

One of the projects we are planning is a children’s garden called, “The Pumpkin Patch.” We will grow pumpkins and gourds for the fall and invite local school children to learn about the gardening process! Plans are also in store for a Jack o’ Lan-tern night for children and parents to enjoy a candle-lit walk of Jack o’ Lanterns, as well as snacks and games. The gourds will be used for making birdhouses, maracas, and even luffa sponges.

We encourage everyone to get involved.

Garden gurus grow on campus

On Saturday, May 7, at 9 a.m., the Mercyhurst College Green Team and Mercyhurst College Duathlon Committee will host the Pedal for the Planet Duathlon. The duathlon consists of a 3.1-mile run, a 12-mile bike and another 3.1-mile run. The race will occur around Presque Isle and will combine cyclists and runners alike, kindled by their mutual interest of self-propelled motion and adventure in the outdoors. After the race, music,

receive a Pedal for the Planet t-shirt. Participants can sign up to race individually or in a relay of two or three people (all bike types are welcome). Helmets are required. Fees for solo racers are $35. For relay teams of two, it’s $55 and for three, it’s $60.

Get excited about the upcoming season of warm weather and sunshine with this early May race located at scenic Presque Isle State Park. As spring nears, renew your environ-mental sensitivity and be enchanted by what Presque Isle has to offer. Get a glimpse of the

purpose of the Pedal for the Planet Duathlon is to celebrate the passion athletes have for the outdoors, with a spirit of stewardship of the places where we enjoy racing. As for ath-letes, our bodies are only as healthy as the air we breathe and our minds are only as serene as the outdoor places we train and race in. We depend on the environment around us. The mission of this race is to have fun racing while caring for the health of the people in our communities, as well as the environment.

The Green Team hopes to make Erie a healthier, happier and more livable city. All funds raised from The Pedal for the Planet Duathlon will go toward making bike racks available on campus and in the community as well as an initial project for future, larger bike initiatives in Erie.

The Erie Art Museum has offered to create whimsical bike racks designed by local artists and made from donated scrap metal. Bike racks are an asset to the community. If more of them existed, more people would embrace cycling as an alternative mode of transportation.

goal is to expand cycling opportunities for the Erie community and give travelers an alterna-tive way of transportation that is cleaner, cheaper and healthier. By increasing the number of cycling facilities, like bike racks, we will provide secure places to park bikes and allow safer and more accommodating road conditions for cyclists and motor vehicles.

We invite all community members, whatever your interest in cycling or running to participate. Whether you are a commuter or an adrenaline junkie, come and pump up your tires, clip your helmet and race for sustainable transportation in the City of Erie. To register, go to http://math.mercyhurst.edu/pedalfortheplanet. If you, your team or club would like to volunteer, email me at emonah24@lakers.mercyhurst.edu.

Pedal for the Planet Duathlon: Racing for sustainable transportation in Erie

By Emily Monahan

By Toni Novello

By Hannah Beck

For more information, email Hannah at hbeck52@lakers.mercyhurst.edu

-‐7-‐

The Green Energy Fund began as a result of overwhelming support from students during the 2006-07 academic year. Since then, all Mercyhurst College students pay a modest $5 Green Fee to help strengthen an already impressive commitment to sustainability and renew-able green energy.

This spring, the Green Energy Fund Review Board (GEFRB) will review several proposals, including the establishment of a Bicycle Share program and involve-ment with the Energy Corps Americorps program.

If you have an idea for greening our campus or have been inspired by the stories you’ve read in Ecodemia, please submit a proposal the Green Energy Fund.

The steps to submitting a proposal are simple and can be found at green.mercyhurst.edu. You will need a sponsoring faculty member. Students need to explain how the project would advance environmen-tal sustainability at Mercyhurst College. The proposal must include a description of the project, a budget, and a statement illustrating its environmental ben-

seven members, made up of faculty, staff, and students. Proposals are judged by a number of criteria, most importantly how well the idea advances sustainability.

This is your money, so please get involved in deciding how to spend it.

Have an idea for greening the campus?By Angelina Viveralli

Three Mercyhust College faculty members will present at the Association for the Study of Literature and Environment (ASLE)’s Ninth Biennial Conference, held June 21 to 26 at Indiana University in Bloomington. The theme of the conference is "Species, Space, and the Imagination of the Global."

ASLE is comprised of a dynamic community of teachers, writers, students, artists and environmentalists interested in the natural world and its meanings and representations in language and culture. As the largest organization of its kind, ASLE seeks to facilitate inter-disciplinary and innovative approaches to the study of nature and culture through forms such as nature writ-ing, art, ecocritical scholarship, pedagogy, science writing,

forms. World languages and cultures professor Douglas

Boudreau will present his paper, “The Acadian Environ-ment in the Novels of Antonine Maillet” which examines Maillet’s work through an eco-critical lens and focuses on how she uses features of the environment to dem-

onstrate the essential inter-connectedness between the Acadians and Acadia. This is an innovative approach to this Acadian author’s work.

I will present “Co-Evolutionary Histories in Popu-lar Science Writing: Re-imagining Species and Space in the Work of Rachel Carson and Michael Pollan” which examines the evolution of science in public discourse. Grounded in ecofeminist literary criticism and a com-mitment to fostering environmental justice, this paper will situate the work of Carson and Pollan within the context of popular science writing and will examine the use of co-evolutionary histories in Silent Spring and The Omnivore's Dilemma as a means to revitalize citizens within the public sphere.

Writing Center Director and English faculty member Greg Brown, Ph.D., will present “Disaster Poetics” on a panel entitled, “Ecophobia and Disaster Literature: Foundations and New Directions.” He co-organized this panel with former graduate school class-mates Dixon Bynum (Northwest Mississippi Community College) and Cory Shaman (Arkansas Tech University).

Plenary speakers include Subhankar Banerjee, pho-tographer, writer, activist and founder of ClimateStory-Tellers.org, Marc Bekoff, author of “The Emotional Lives of Animals, Animals Matter and The Animal Manifesto” and founder of Ethologists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Una Chaudhuri, author of “Staging Place: The Geography of Modern Drama and Land/Scape/Theater,” and Robert Fischman, author of “The Mean-ings of Biological Integrity, Diversity, and Environmental Health and The National Wildlife Refuges: Coordinat-ing a Conservation System through Law.” In addition to sharing recent scholarship, conference attendees will have opportunities to attend workshops on ecological pedagogies, participate in round-tables on sustainable practices for college campuses, and learn about local food networks from the examples around Blooming-ton. As an additional treat, opportunities to hike, canoe, and bird-watch will also be available.

Mercyhurst faculty to present at prominent environmental meetingBy Dr. Marnie Sullivan

Spring is here and the growing season is upon us! Tim Boucher, the college’s Garden Manager, has big plans for the

-sion of the amount of land under cultivation. Several additional plots will be added that nearly double the size of the farm operation from last year. We will be growing additional variet-ies and increased amounts of produce, with special attention devoted this year to adding a number of international and heirloom varieties of vegetables, including several types of beets, egg plant, squash, cabbage, zucchini, and melons. Planting of the delicious and popular heirloom tomatoes from last year will be increased and a few new varieties added. In addition to tomatoes, other popular favorites will return: peppers (hot and sweet varieties), beans, peas, and red potatoes.

Implementation of succession planting this year will spread out the harvesting of produce so produce does not ripen all at once. Instead, fruits and vegetables will be har-vested in waves throughout the summer and fall. All of these ingredients will be available through Parkhurst this fall at the Egan Cafeteria and Laker Inn. We also have a honey bee hive

on the property, which is cared for by Sustainability Studies post-baccalaureate student Robert Crowe, so we also hope to feature home-grown honey this fall. Hops are doing well and will be enlarged this year with help from a couple of stu-dents who are also growing barley with an eye toward experi-mental brewing next fall.

Boucher is working with the Garden Gurus, a new club for Mercyhurst led by sophomore hospitality manage-ment student and sustainability studies minor Hannah Beck to develop a children’s garden. This garden will be on a separate plot near the food producing area of the farm, and will engage and educate kids through interaction with plants organized

be developed will be a pumpkin patch.Another project in the works is a fruit orchard. Work-

ing with biology professor Marlene Cross, cuttings have been taken from the apple trees of the Sisters of Mercy apple orchard located on the hill between the Erie Campus and Mercyhurst Preparatory School. Together, Cross and Boucher were able to collect enough cuttings to start 25 trees. In the future, Boucher hopes to add additional fruit species to the

orchard. Other fruit currently grown on the farm includes strawberries and blueberries, both of which have seen increases in the number of plants and the hope of increasing yields.

Throughout the end of the spring term, service learning hours will be offered for assisting with farm projects. Trans-portation will be provided every Wednesday to take students out to the farm to help from 2 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. For more information or to sign up, visit the service learning page on Mercyhurst’s website. Additional opportunities to help out at the farm will be planned as Campus Ministry retreats on April 16 and April 30. These can also be arranged for other days and times.

Also, on April 15, the Center for Teaching Excellence has

to seeing many of you at the farm this year and we hope you all enjoy the fruits of our labor. Please email Tim Boucher, tboucher@mercyhurst.edu, or Brittany Prischak, bprischak@mercyhurst.edu, for more information on how to help out.

Tim Boucher’s spring plans for the Mercyhurst FarmBy Brittany Prischak

The summer 2010 installation of the Green Roof

on Zurn Hall’s Ceramics Lab wing was funded in part

by the student Green Energy Fund.

-‐8-‐

The Green Energy Fund began as a result of overwhelming support from students during the 2006-07 academic year. Since then, all Mercyhurst College students pay a modest $5 Green Fee to help strengthen an already impressive commitment to sustainability and renew-able green energy.

This spring, the Green Energy Fund Review Board (GEFRB) will review several proposals, including the establishment of a Bicycle Share program and involve-ment with the Energy Corps Americorps program.

If you have an idea for greening our campus or have been inspired by the stories you’ve read in Ecodemia, please submit a proposal the Green Energy Fund.

The steps to submitting a proposal are simple and can be found at green.mercyhurst.edu. You will need a sponsoring faculty member. Students need to explain how the project would advance environmen-tal sustainability at Mercyhurst College. The proposal must include a description of the project, a budget, and a statement illustrating its environmental ben-

seven members, made up of faculty, staff, and students. Proposals are judged by a number of criteria, most importantly how well the idea advances sustainability.

This is your money, so please get involved in deciding how to spend it.

Have an idea for greening the campus?By Angelina Viveralli

Three Mercyhust College faculty members will present at the Association for the Study of Literature and Environment (ASLE)’s Ninth Biennial Conference, held June 21 to 26 at Indiana University in Bloomington. The theme of the conference is "Species, Space, and the Imagination of the Global."

ASLE is comprised of a dynamic community of teachers, writers, students, artists and environmentalists interested in the natural world and its meanings and representations in language and culture. As the largest organization of its kind, ASLE seeks to facilitate inter-disciplinary and innovative approaches to the study of nature and culture through forms such as nature writ-ing, art, ecocritical scholarship, pedagogy, science writing,

forms. World languages and cultures professor Douglas

Boudreau will present his paper, “The Acadian Environ-ment in the Novels of Antonine Maillet” which examines Maillet’s work through an eco-critical lens and focuses on how she uses features of the environment to dem-

onstrate the essential inter-connectedness between the Acadians and Acadia. This is an innovative approach to this Acadian author’s work.

I will present “Co-Evolutionary Histories in Popu-lar Science Writing: Re-imagining Species and Space in the Work of Rachel Carson and Michael Pollan” which examines the evolution of science in public discourse. Grounded in ecofeminist literary criticism and a com-mitment to fostering environmental justice, this paper will situate the work of Carson and Pollan within the context of popular science writing and will examine the use of co-evolutionary histories in Silent Spring and The Omnivore's Dilemma as a means to revitalize citizens within the public sphere.

Writing Center Director and English faculty member Greg Brown, Ph.D., will present “Disaster Poetics” on a panel entitled, “Ecophobia and Disaster Literature: Foundations and New Directions.” He co-organized this panel with former graduate school class-mates Dixon Bynum (Northwest Mississippi Community College) and Cory Shaman (Arkansas Tech University).

Plenary speakers include Subhankar Banerjee, pho-tographer, writer, activist and founder of ClimateStory-Tellers.org, Marc Bekoff, author of “The Emotional Lives of Animals, Animals Matter and The Animal Manifesto” and founder of Ethologists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Una Chaudhuri, author of “Staging Place: The Geography of Modern Drama and Land/Scape/Theater,” and Robert Fischman, author of “The Mean-ings of Biological Integrity, Diversity, and Environmental Health and The National Wildlife Refuges: Coordinat-ing a Conservation System through Law.” In addition to sharing recent scholarship, conference attendees will have opportunities to attend workshops on ecological pedagogies, participate in round-tables on sustainable practices for college campuses, and learn about local food networks from the examples around Blooming-ton. As an additional treat, opportunities to hike, canoe, and bird-watch will also be available.

Mercyhurst faculty to present at prominent environmental meetingBy Dr. Marnie Sullivan

Spring is here and the growing season is upon us! Tim Boucher, the college’s Garden Manager, has big plans for the

-sion of the amount of land under cultivation. Several additional plots will be added that nearly double the size of the farm operation from last year. We will be growing additional variet-ies and increased amounts of produce, with special attention devoted this year to adding a number of international and heirloom varieties of vegetables, including several types of beets, egg plant, squash, cabbage, zucchini, and melons. Planting of the delicious and popular heirloom tomatoes from last year will be increased and a few new varieties added. In addition to tomatoes, other popular favorites will return: peppers (hot and sweet varieties), beans, peas, and red potatoes.

Implementation of succession planting this year will spread out the harvesting of produce so produce does not ripen all at once. Instead, fruits and vegetables will be har-vested in waves throughout the summer and fall. All of these ingredients will be available through Parkhurst this fall at the Egan Cafeteria and Laker Inn. We also have a honey bee hive

on the property, which is cared for by Sustainability Studies post-baccalaureate student Robert Crowe, so we also hope to feature home-grown honey this fall. Hops are doing well and will be enlarged this year with help from a couple of stu-dents who are also growing barley with an eye toward experi-mental brewing next fall.

Boucher is working with the Garden Gurus, a new club for Mercyhurst led by sophomore hospitality manage-ment student and sustainability studies minor Hannah Beck to develop a children’s garden. This garden will be on a separate plot near the food producing area of the farm, and will engage and educate kids through interaction with plants organized

be developed will be a pumpkin patch.Another project in the works is a fruit orchard. Work-

ing with biology professor Marlene Cross, cuttings have been taken from the apple trees of the Sisters of Mercy apple orchard located on the hill between the Erie Campus and Mercyhurst Preparatory School. Together, Cross and Boucher were able to collect enough cuttings to start 25 trees. In the future, Boucher hopes to add additional fruit species to the

orchard. Other fruit currently grown on the farm includes strawberries and blueberries, both of which have seen increases in the number of plants and the hope of increasing yields.

Throughout the end of the spring term, service learning hours will be offered for assisting with farm projects. Trans-portation will be provided every Wednesday to take students out to the farm to help from 2 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. For more information or to sign up, visit the service learning page on Mercyhurst’s website. Additional opportunities to help out at the farm will be planned as Campus Ministry retreats on April 16 and April 30. These can also be arranged for other days and times.

Also, on April 15, the Center for Teaching Excellence has

to seeing many of you at the farm this year and we hope you all enjoy the fruits of our labor. Please email Tim Boucher, tboucher@mercyhurst.edu, or Brittany Prischak, bprischak@mercyhurst.edu, for more information on how to help out.

Tim Boucher’s spring plans for the Mercyhurst FarmBy Brittany Prischak

The summer 2010 installation of the Green Roof

on Zurn Hall’s Ceramics Lab wing was funded in part

by the student Green Energy Fund.

-‐8-‐

The Mercyhurst College Concert Choir celebrated another perfor-mance this weekend with Mozart’s “Requiem.” The concert was on Sunday in the Performing Arts Center.

This concert was not only a cel-ebration of the talent of the sing-ers in the D’Angelo Department of Music, but also a reception for the school’s donors and scholarship recipients, as well as a fundraiser for Japanese relief.

Students folded paper cranes and gave them to those who made donations to the Red Cross.

“Requiem” was dedicated to those who were lost and those who are still struggling with the after-math of the earthquake and tsu-nami in Japan.

President Tom Gamble started the concert off with a few remarks. He addressed the donors, thanking them for coming, as well as making them aware of the fundraiser for Japan.

There was a somber tone in the

performance of the “Requiem.” The work itself is very dark.

Mozart was commissioned to write this piece in 1791 but died before it was completed.

The Concert Choir performed this classical work magnifi cently.

Senior Caitlin Ross especially appreciated the ability of the stu-dents involved.

“The show was really beautiful, and it highlighted some of the very talented musicians who study here,” she said.

For this concert, conductor Rebecca Ryan decided to invite the Chautauqua Chamber Singers to join the Concert Choir. They are a semi-professional adult choir based in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties.

Ryan conducts both choirs.“The concert was wonderful,”

junior Danielle Hanna said. “It was well sung and played by everyone involved.”

Many students had the opportu-nity to either sing a solo or perform in a quartet.

These sections provided the work with a bit of variety and showcased some outstanding individuals.

Junior Brianna Steves performed in a quartet in one of the move-ments titled “Domine Jesu.”

“It was such an honor to help support such a great cause such as Japanese relief,” Steves said.

Gamble was touched by the singers’ performance. “I was very moved by it and very proud of the performance by so many members of the Mercyhurst community.

“Rebecca Ryan did her usual marvelous job preparing our choral and orchestral performers. Our stu-dents demonstrated their talent and skill,” he said.

If you, too, would like to make a donation, visit redcross.org

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Page 9April 13, 2011

‘Requiem’ concert supports Japan, entertains donors

Eric Delagrange, Lynn Dula, Gabe Borrero and Andrea Baker, left to right, sang “Recordare.”Tyler Stauffer photo

By Alex StaceyA&E editor

Man gives up waste in ‘No Impact Man’

This week, the Guelcher Film Series presents the environmen-tally eye-opening documentary “No Impact Man.”

The documentary follows Colin Beavan and his Manhattan family as they plunge into an eco-experiment to leave no personal impact on the environment for one year.

An extreme example of being eco-friendly, the fi lm is compelling, informational and stunning.

The documentary was made alongside Beavan’s new book “No Impact Man,” based on his experi-ence with the experiment.

The No Impact project has become a national fascination and a non-profi t project. The project provides information on how to get involved as well as on the movie and books at noimpactproject.org.

Though the focus of the fi lm is how much everyday Americans waste, spend and impact the Earth, it simultaneously shows the audi-

ence the epitome of what it means to be human and what human needs truly are.

Though the project is born with Beavan who becomes the no impact man, it affects his entire family.

Trying to make a difference in the world results in differences in his less project-enthusiastic family, and the fi lm examines these familial strains and bonds throughout their lifestyle change.

Beavan’s experiment may seem at fi rst to be impossible in all it aims to achieve.

He and his family give up auto-mated transportation, electricity, non-local food, toxic cleaning prod-ucts, material consumption and the possibility of garbage.

Beavan did all this and was not himself an ecologist, but just a regular man tired of having only himself to blame for the current state of the environment. He made a change.

The effect of his change is statis-tically mind-blowing. For example, in his one year of no impact, he eliminated 4,380 gallons of gar-bage.

There are many other great facts and ways to cut back on individual impact without having to make as extreme of a commitment as Colin did on the No Impact Man project website at noimpactdoc.com/no_impact_year.php.

For example, one person giving up electricity and purchases for one day a week (an “eco-sabbath”) can reduce his/her environmental impact by 14.4 percent per year.

Aside from pure environmental benefi ts, “No Impact Man” points out the other benefi ts of living a green lifestyle. Many of the changes he made forced him to eat healthier, exercise more and enjoy the simplic-ity of life, which objectively could all make him a happier person.

As Beavan himself says, “What if we called it ‘the year I lost 20 pounds and didn’t go to the gym once.’”

Full of hilarity, heartwarming moments of humanity, and moving inspirations to be kinder to the planet, “No Impact Man” is a must-see fi lm for all. It might save us all a little impact and generate a little happiness.

By Claire HindeStaff writer

September 3, 2008 OPINIONPage 10 April 13, 2011

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The Merciad is the official student-produced newspaper of Mercyhurst College. It is published throughout the school year, with the exception of

finals weeks. Our office is in Hirt, Room 120B. Our telephone number is (814) 824-2376.

The Merciad welcomes letters to the editor. All letters must be signed and names will be included with the letters. Although we will not edit the

letters for content, we reserve the right to trim letters to fit. Letters are due Mondays. by noon and may not be more than 300 words. Submit letters to box PH 485 or via e-mail at opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.

If you don’t want it printed . . . don’t let it happen.

EditorsEthan Magoc Kelly Luoma Alaina RydzewskiVictoria GricksSpencer HuntAlex StaceyKaitlin BadgerTyler StaufferEthan JohnsDaniela CarcamoBill WelchBrian Sheridan

PositionsEditor-in-ChiefNews Editor

Features EditorOpinion EditorSports EditorA&E EditorGraphics

Photo EditorWeb Editor

Ad ManagerAdviserAdviser

The views expressed in the opinion section of The Merciad do not necessarily reflect the views of Mercyhurst College, the staff of The Merciad or the Catholic Church. Responses on any subject are always welcomed and can be e-mailed to opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.

Overcoming lifestyle differences

This weekend, I had the oppor-tunity to attend a silent retreat at the Abby of the Genesee in Geneseo, N.Y. This lifestyle was something I had never encountered before; life revolved around Holy Hours, when the monks and interested retreat participants gathered in the chapel for prayer. There was simplicity to the fl ow of the day, in everything from the meals that were served to the living quarters.

All these things, combined with slight sensory deprivation, allowed for a shift of focus that was per-sonal to each person and his or her particular needs, a shift which would be diffi cult, if not impos-sible, to achieve anywhere else.

Returning to Mercyhurst Sunday afternoon was like entering another

world. The difference in lifestyles between Mercyhurst and the Abby was at such odds it was almost comical.

It was not until later that I was able to look at these two circum-stances in a larger context. If two lifestyles could be so radically dif-ferent that one experiences minor culture shock moving from one to the other, and at only three hours away, how much more radical would that shift be when comparing cul-tures around the world?

We have all seen evidence of what assumptions and misunder-standings can do, both in personal relationships and across the broader cultural spectrum. Without these differences, the world would be a much more boring place.

It’s when these differences become a barrier rather than a point of connection that problems arise. Unfortunately, in the 21st century, we are more likely to raise our defenses, both personal and

political, in the face of something or someone different than we are to embrace differences. While this approach is certainly praiseworthy in certain situations, such as in the face of a defi nite threat, the overuse or misuse of such a policy is shown to be devastating.

Even on our own shores, this issue is present. Our government nearly shut down this past weekend because two parties aren’t mature enough to put aside petty differ-ences for the benefi t of the Ameri-can people; teenagers commit suicide because they’re told who they love is wrong and are hated for it and men and women receive unequal treatment because of his-torical norms.

The disparity between cul-tures and individuals will always remain. However, it is how they are approached—a simple approach of openness and understanding—that will make the difference.

By Kathleen VogtleStaff writer

Budget battle threatens

Congress can’t agree on anything. The lack of a budget for the rest of the fi scal year is disturbing. Con-gress has approved more than three continuing resolutions to keep the government operating.

The budget for this year was supposed to be approved last year. Perhaps the most disturbing trend is that the Tea Party won’t accept a compromise. The Tea Party is making the political climate in this country toxic.

The Tea Party folks are the biggest threat to the budget pro-cess in recent years. Senators like

Rand Paul and representatives like Michele Bachmann are killing the country. These people won’t rest until they shove their radical right wing agenda down our throats.

During a rally last week on the Capitol Mall, they held signs with phrases such as “Shut down the government.”

As of Friday, the Democrats and Republicans had agreed on a fi nal number for cuts. A compromise has been reached. Funding for Planned Parenthood will not be cut either, though that ax swing may be left for another day.

Let me tell you, though, many Tea Partiers in Congress have threatened not to vote for any com-promise.

I call on the House Democrats and Republicans to censure any

Tea Party member of Congress who votes against the compromise reached last week when it comes up for a vote. A government shutdown must be avoided.

This concerns you, too, students of Mercyhurst College. If there is a shutdown, fi nancial aid will get backlogged. Instead of paying our loans and grants, the government will give IOUs. But I doubt the Offi ce of Financial Aid is going to accept IOUs.

So, since this does concern you and me, it’s time to make a stand. Call your representative or senators and tell them to vote yes on the compromise. Tell them to say no to government shutdown and yes for censuring the Tea Party members of Congress.

By Mike LadoStaff writer

Dungarvan changes outlookMary Nolte discusses how her travel abroad experience has impacted her.

The BadScheduling packets still haven’t been

printed. How are students supposed to plan for fall term?

For more columns, visit merciad.mercyhurst.edu/opinion.

For The Ugly, visit merciad.edu/opinion.

The GoodMidterms are over, and you know what that means. We are halfway

through the term!

How Washington’s decision affects us

September 3, 2008 OPINIONPage 10 April 13, 2011

@mercyhurst.edueditormerciadnewsmerciad

featuremerciadopinionmerciadsportsmerciad

entertainmentmerciadphotomerciadphotomerciad

ejohns89admerciad

wwelch bsheridan

The Merciad is the official student-produced newspaper of Mercyhurst College. It is published throughout the school year, with the exception of

finals weeks. Our office is in Hirt, Room 120B. Our telephone number is (814) 824-2376.

The Merciad welcomes letters to the editor. All letters must be signed and names will be included with the letters. Although we will not edit the

letters for content, we reserve the right to trim letters to fit. Letters are due Mondays. by noon and may not be more than 300 words. Submit letters to box PH 485 or via e-mail at opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.

If you don’t want it printed . . . don’t let it happen.

EditorsEthan Magoc Kelly Luoma Alaina RydzewskiVictoria GricksSpencer HuntAlex StaceyKaitlin BadgerTyler StaufferEthan JohnsDaniela CarcamoBill WelchBrian Sheridan

PositionsEditor-in-ChiefNews Editor

Features EditorOpinion EditorSports EditorA&E EditorGraphics

Photo EditorWeb Editor

Ad ManagerAdviserAdviser

The views expressed in the opinion section of The Merciad do not necessarily reflect the views of Mercyhurst College, the staff of The Merciad or the Catholic Church. Responses on any subject are always welcomed and can be e-mailed to opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.

Overcoming lifestyle differences

This weekend, I had the oppor-tunity to attend a silent retreat at the Abby of the Genesee in Geneseo, N.Y. This lifestyle was something I had never encountered before; life revolved around Holy Hours, when the monks and interested retreat participants gathered in the chapel for prayer. There was simplicity to the fl ow of the day, in everything from the meals that were served to the living quarters.

All these things, combined with slight sensory deprivation, allowed for a shift of focus that was per-sonal to each person and his or her particular needs, a shift which would be diffi cult, if not impos-sible, to achieve anywhere else.

Returning to Mercyhurst Sunday afternoon was like entering another

world. The difference in lifestyles between Mercyhurst and the Abby was at such odds it was almost comical.

It was not until later that I was able to look at these two circum-stances in a larger context. If two lifestyles could be so radically dif-ferent that one experiences minor culture shock moving from one to the other, and at only three hours away, how much more radical would that shift be when comparing cul-tures around the world?

We have all seen evidence of what assumptions and misunder-standings can do, both in personal relationships and across the broader cultural spectrum. Without these differences, the world would be a much more boring place.

It’s when these differences become a barrier rather than a point of connection that problems arise. Unfortunately, in the 21st century, we are more likely to raise our defenses, both personal and

political, in the face of something or someone different than we are to embrace differences. While this approach is certainly praiseworthy in certain situations, such as in the face of a defi nite threat, the overuse or misuse of such a policy is shown to be devastating.

Even on our own shores, this issue is present. Our government nearly shut down this past weekend because two parties aren’t mature enough to put aside petty differ-ences for the benefi t of the Ameri-can people; teenagers commit suicide because they’re told who they love is wrong and are hated for it and men and women receive unequal treatment because of his-torical norms.

The disparity between cul-tures and individuals will always remain. However, it is how they are approached—a simple approach of openness and understanding—that will make the difference.

By Kathleen VogtleStaff writer

Budget battle threatens

Congress can’t agree on anything. The lack of a budget for the rest of the fi scal year is disturbing. Con-gress has approved more than three continuing resolutions to keep the government operating.

The budget for this year was supposed to be approved last year. Perhaps the most disturbing trend is that the Tea Party won’t accept a compromise. The Tea Party is making the political climate in this country toxic.

The Tea Party folks are the biggest threat to the budget pro-cess in recent years. Senators like

Rand Paul and representatives like Michele Bachmann are killing the country. These people won’t rest until they shove their radical right wing agenda down our throats.

During a rally last week on the Capitol Mall, they held signs with phrases such as “Shut down the government.”

As of Friday, the Democrats and Republicans had agreed on a fi nal number for cuts. A compromise has been reached. Funding for Planned Parenthood will not be cut either, though that ax swing may be left for another day.

Let me tell you, though, many Tea Partiers in Congress have threatened not to vote for any com-promise.

I call on the House Democrats and Republicans to censure any

Tea Party member of Congress who votes against the compromise reached last week when it comes up for a vote. A government shutdown must be avoided.

This concerns you, too, students of Mercyhurst College. If there is a shutdown, fi nancial aid will get backlogged. Instead of paying our loans and grants, the government will give IOUs. But I doubt the Offi ce of Financial Aid is going to accept IOUs.

So, since this does concern you and me, it’s time to make a stand. Call your representative or senators and tell them to vote yes on the compromise. Tell them to say no to government shutdown and yes for censuring the Tea Party members of Congress.

By Mike LadoStaff writer

Dungarvan changes outlookMary Nolte discusses how her travel abroad experience has impacted her.

The BadScheduling packets still haven’t been

printed. How are students supposed to plan for fall term?

For more columns, visit merciad.mercyhurst.edu/opinion.

For The Ugly, visit merciad.edu/opinion.

The GoodMidterms are over, and you know what that means. We are halfway

through the term!

How Washington’s decision affects us

Sports Page 11April 13, 2011

Kallay leads fourth-ranked men’s lacrosse team

The No. 4 Mercyhurst men’s lacrosse team is having an excellent season based on the standards of most people, but inside the locker room, no one is thrilled with two losses.

The Lakers currently hold a 7-2 overall record with fi ve games left to play, and there is still room for growth.

“It’s been an up and down year for us so far, but the intangibles like the weather and travel have caused the guys to not settle into a rhythm,” coach Chris Ryan said.

The Lakers have gotten produc-tion from a number of different places, but one has jumped to the top of the stat sheet. Junior Kyle Kallay was an important part of last year’s team, playing in all 12 games and starting in fi ve of them.

Kallay posted 24 points over those 12 games. This season, Kallay has managed a team-best 26 goals and 29 total points.

“Last year, I was able to get my feet wet and learn, and this year I have been fortunate enough to fi nd the back of the net,” said Kallay.

This Laker team is already at two losses, one more than last season. The fi rst was against an unranked Chestnut Hill team that left the Lakers with a bitter taste in their mouths.

“We have had some bumps in trying to fi gure out who we are as a team… We just need to do the little things and keep it simple,” said Kallay. “We learned a lot from the Chestnut Hill loss. We got away from our system, and it cost us. Against Dowling we stuck to our game plan and we were able to win.”

After last year’s snub from postseason play, the schedule this season was considerably harder for

the 2011 Lakers. The 2010 team posted an excellent 11-1 record but were denied entry into the playoffs because of a weak schedule.

“We have the toughest schedule in Division II. We aren’t going to make excuses though,” Ryan said.

The Lakers have managed to maneuver through the tough sched-ule and weather conditions to be in a good position heading into the fi nal fi ve games of the year. The team knocked off then No. 8 Mercy 9-7 and most recently beat then No. 3 Dowling 16-8. Despite these strong wins, the Lakers still have top-ranked Limestone on the schedule.

“We still have a lot of work ahead of us, but this team has the ability to achieve the high expectations we had,” Ryan said.

The Lakers are fortunate to have four of their fi nal fi ve games at home. Next up for the Lakers is Wheeling Jesuit this Saturday at 1 p.m. on Tullio Field.

By Spencer HuntSports editor

Junior Kyle Kallay, above, has been an integral part of the men’s lacrosse success for far this season. The team holds a 7-2 record with fi ve games remaining.

Ethan Magoc photo

Sports April 13, 2011Page 12

In a doubleheader against Gannon, the Lakers raised breast cancer awareness with their pink jerseys. The Lakers split the games, winning game one, 3-2, before dropping game two, 5-1. The team continues to fi ght for its fi rst winning season since 1991 when its overall mark was 15-12.

Jillian Barrile photo

Softball team fi ghts through weather and competition

The weather in Erie never seems to get the season right. It’s mid-April, and there have only been a few days of sun and no rain.

This is something the Mercy-hurst softball team is well aware of. Having played 38 games already, the team has practiced outside for only a few hours. Despite the lim-ited outdoor practices, the team has played very well heading into the stretch run of the season.

The Lakers have a 21-17 overall record with six games left. Their record to this point is even more impressive since the team has played 30 of 38 games on the road. Another unique fact for softball is that every series is a doubleheader, and 10 of those 21 victories came in the second game of the day.

For such a grind, weather and away games included, the team has come away stronger.

This season, the Lakers wel-comed left fi elder Samantha Eimers, a junior transfer from Mercyhurst North East. She leads the team in nearly every offensive category including hits, runs, home runs, slugging percentage, batting aver-age and steals.

Want more team success? Chem-istry is at an all-time high.

“This is the most chemistry we have had since I’ve been here, and everyone works hard and pushes each other,” junior Emily Redig said about her new teammates.

Redig has had an exceptional season of her own so far. She is right behind Eimers in most statisti-cal categories and continues to play solid defense at second base. Redig has improved her batting average to .322 and has 38 hits so far this year.

Behind the bats of Eimers and Redig, the softball team has contin-ued to fi ght through a tough season and is looking to lock up a No. 2 seed for the playoffs.

“The weather has been frus-

trating because it throws off any rhythm, but this team has a lot of talent to pull through,” said coach Sara Headley. “This is the most enjoyable team I have been around since I came to Mercyhurst. They just give everything they have every day and tries to improve their game.”

For the Lakers, the improving weather couldn’t have come soon enough. The Lakers managed to split games with Gannon and Cali-fornia. The Vulcans would be the No. 1 seed if the season ended today. With the splits, the Lakers are at 6-6 in PSAC play with four of the fi nal six games in conference.

“We just need to zone in, and when we do, we feel like we can beat anyone,” Eimers said.

The team will travel to Edinboro University for a doubleheader on Friday. The last home games of the season will be on Saturday against Slippery Rock, with the fi rst starting at 1 p.m.

By Spencer HuntSports editor

Junior transfer Samantha Eimers has been a welcome surprise to the Lakers’ offense this season.

Jillian Barrile photo

The Mercyhurst football team will be back in action for the fi rst time since its best season in school history.

On April 16, the Lakers will take the fi eld for their annual Spring Game.

The team graduated 13 play-ers, including ECAC defensive player of the year Brian Boyce.

However, the Lakers will return 10 of 11 starters on the most potent offense in program history. The reigning PSAC west offensive player of the year Trevor Kennedy will be back, attempting to better last year’s numbers.

With a 10-3 overall record, Mercyhurst won the PSAC championship for the fi rst time.

The spring game will be played at 11 a.m. The Lakers open the 2011 season at home against Notre Dame College (Ohio) in September.

Football plans spring scrimmage