The Green JacketMercyhurst UniversityAmbassadorsClub

Carpe Diem Oct. & Nov. 2012

In This Issue As the term comes to an end, we are happy to present the October/November issue of The Green Jacket. We hope everyone is ready for the break, because we know we sure are! While this term brought about some changes, we want to end the term on a good note, with another wonderful edition of the monthly newsletter. With break just around the corner, we want everyone to make sure they pay attention to the important things in life. Use Thanksgiving break as more than a time to sleep in and recharge from the previous term. The time over break should be used for fun with your families and friends. Over the break, think heavily about the things that make you the most happy. Also, make time for yourself. Every once in a while we forget about how important time is to reflect, leave a day over break to reflect and make goals for next term. Finally, you need to do something different over break. Take a day and do something completely out of the ordinary, just because! We hope everyone has a very safe and happy Thanksgiving break and we will see everyone back on campus next term!

Carpe Diem Everyday,

Jeremy D.& Nathan K.

Class Gift Committee

My, Ohhhh my!

Bean Soup RecipeIt’s getting cold, make this the

next time you’re too lazy to walk to Egan!

Sista on da hush

What is it all about?

Senior Class Gift: The Greenhouse Effect

By Cariel Lewis

To graduate from University is such an exciting time, even though the idea of going out into the bigger world is quite scary for people looking forward to starting the next chapter of their lives. Of course it is tradition that the graduating class leaves their “Senior Class Gift” which always makes a huge impact on the school in many different ways. This gift is considered to be the classes’ last token of appreciation to the school for the wonderful 4 years they have spent there. It’s a way to give back to the school while making your mark for future generations.Past senior class gifts have been a significant contribution to the University. For example the 24 hour study lounge which was donated by a past graduating class is utilized by all students and is especially used during finals week. Then to the circle garden in front of Zurn which is utilized by professors during class time. So the senior class gifts donated by graduating Mercyhurst students have meaning and are not pointless. This year’s Senior Class Gift Committee Chairperson Rhona Boyle announced this year’s senior class gift which will be a GREENHOUSE. After much deliberation they narrowed it down to 5 possible ideas and after surveys, discussions and approval from Dr. Gamble they ultimately decided on this. The Committee comprised of Ben, Jenna, Amanda, Jeremy, and Rhona, who are all Ambassadors. So now that the decision has been made and the news has been spread, the fundraising activities will begin to raise the $15,000 that will be used to construct and make this dream a reality.The Greenhouse will serve as a according to Rhona’s email a “multi-disciplinary gift”. The Biology students will use it to study botany, zymology and plant physiology. The Hospitality Department will also be able to utilize the space by growing small herb gardens which will be used in the kitchen when preparing meals.

And of course last but not lease the Sustainability students will use to space for green projects.According to Rhona, to get the $15,000 mark they will be asking seniors to give directly to the fund and also rely on our Senior Week events in February to raise the remainder. They will be having a 100 Days till Graduation Party/Bar Crawl, a Senior Snag a Date Auction, possibly a Wings night and many more events are in the initial planning stages. This all sounds very exciting and I am sure we are all looking forward to seeing this gift when it is finished. Carpe Diem!!!

Friends of Mercyhurst Art ShowBy: James Gibson

You may have noticed a change of scenery in the halls of Old Main. This is because of the seventh annual Friends of Mercyhurst Art Show which turns Old Main into a vibrant hub of color and creativity. According to the University’s website, “the show features 103 pieces by 60 artists that exhibit-goers can enjoy through March 31st.”. Mercyhurst employees are featured, including art and graphic design faculty Dan Burke, Tom Hubert, Gary Cardot, Robert Tavani and Jodi Staniunas Hopper. Other members of the Mercyhurst community who are exhibiting include maintenance worker Dan Barricklow, assistant professor of world languages Keiko Miller, and life and safety officer Rick Sadlier. Mary Gamble, wife of President Thomas Gamble, is quoted with saying “this year’s show exudes the ultimate in quality.” She also notes that many of the featured artists have earned advanced or terminal art degrees in their areas of expertise. The art show is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. while school is in session up through the winter term. Since the show’s start seven years ago, the permanent art collection at Mercyhurst has grown to include 300 pieces. Of those, 100 were donated in the past year, and half of this year’s 60 exhibiting artists have opted to donate their work from the show to Mercyhurst. When giving a tour, you can point out the art exhibit and let the family know of what is going on and that members of the Mercyhurst community are showcasing their talent.

Baby It’s Cold Outside...Black Bean Soup

By: Paige Bosnyak

This dish not only warms you up, but the unique blend of spice and flavors is great for wintertime congestion and sickness! Serve with pita bread, tortilla, or overtop of brown rice to make it a meal.

Ingredients:

2 small cans black beans2 cups vegetable stock1 red onion 2 cloves garlic 3 tsp cumin 3 Tablespoons hot sauce 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

Mince garlic and chop onions. In large pot, heat oil and cook onions and garlic until soft (about three minutes). Add ingredients plus 1 cup water, bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook, partially covered, for 20-25 minutes. Ladle half of mixture into a blender and blend until creamy texture (this step makes your soup thicker). Return to the pot and mix. Heat again partially covered for about 3 minutes.

And there you go!

Struggling in the CAE?By: Joe Pudlick

Intel has always been a driving force on campus and in tours, but now more than ever we are called to present and speak specifically on Intel for five or more minutes of every tour. Gone are the days where we were able to deter Intel questions to the counselors as we made a fleeting mention of their building on our walk back to Old Main from Hirt. To get everyone on the same page, I sat down with Dr. Jim Breckenridge, Executive Director and Associate Professor of the Intelligence Studies program.

Breckenridge said the program is based on taking research, analyzing it, and condensing it into a concise and effective

presentation. Intel is not only the research that we hear all the majors fuss about, but it is pulling that information and making it useful. The presentation portion of the major is particularly unique, said Breckenridge, as most programs of this type do not take that final step. These pieces are the foundation of the program.

In addition, the program is designed to prepare students who are interested in national security, law enforcement, and business. Apart from taking the core classes, which involve the research, analysis and communication, students take complementary courses that allow them to focus more in depth on one of the aforementioned concentrations. Breckenridge says that most programs focus on one of the three concentrations, not allow students to be involved in all three, which is why there is such a draw to this program in particular. Ultimately, a student should be given a question and be able to answer it tomorrow, while considering the implications it has on the future.

The Center for Academic Engagement (CAE) was designed to be a home for the Intel major. Breckenridge said it was important for students to feel at home and in a community here, which is why the department maintains 24/7 access to the space, free printing and top of the line computer programs. Contrary to popular perception, Breckenridge says that Intel is a very creative program. While there is a research emphasis, ultimately students need to determine how they are going to effectively present the information, which can be seen by the design of CAE. The white board walls, TVs, computer labs, movable desks and projectors, all make up unlimited possibilities that allow the mind to breathe creativity.

Intel undergraduates celebrate an 85 percent placement rate, while graduate students see 100 percent placement. The top-notch computer programs have all been donated by industry leaders. These companies and many more actively seek out Intel students. The companies include Northrop Grumman, CIA, FBI, Key Bank, Bank of America, Target, and IBM.

Overall, Intel strives to create a well-rounded student and can be aligned anywhere from government agencies, to large corporations and non-profits alike. Please integrate this information into your next tour.

“If there's something strange in your neighborhood, Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters!” It’s no coincidence that a school located on a hilltop in Erie Pennsylvania will have numerous ghost

stories and even some ghost sightings. The most famous haunting story to date is about the nun who committed suicide. And here is the story.

Dorothy, a sophomore, attended Mercyhurst and went to a party one night because she was sure she would be joining the convent and wanted to have her last “fun night out”. While there she met Tom who attended the Behrend College and the two of them hit it off immediately. So of course after dating for a while Tom proposed to Dorothy and she accepted. In the midst of their celebration, Tom was shipped off to Europe to fight in World War II before Christmas. Dorothy was heartsick but continued her education until she received the dreaded news that Tom as killed in action and his body was lost.

This was the turning point for Dorothy for she knew no other man could ever take Toms place so she joined the convent and became a Sister of Mercy. She took her vows and after the ceremony returned to the church and placed her engagement ring on the small statue of baby Jesus as a symbol of her devotion to the church and leaving her old life behind as she moved towards the future.

Dorothy had adapted well to her new life and one night while in the chapel a young man in uniform stepped forward, she knew exactly who it was; it was Tom. She was in total disbelief and overjoyed at the return of her long lost love. The conflict in her heart was tearing her apart because even though she loved Tom dearly, she wanted to move on with her life. Tom was frustrated that she didn’t know what it was that she really wanted.

So one night after praying long and hard in the chapel, engulfed with grief and frustration, she ran to her room above the chapel and committed suicide by hanging herself from a light fixture. Soon apparitions of a nun were seen throughout the Old Main Tower area of the College. She seemed to be wandering the chapel grounds as if looking for something. Students would see her in their dorms-walking the hall or her reflection behind them in a mirror. Some said there was an uneasy presence in the room that adjoined the two chapels, the same room where the baby Jesus statue still held Dorothy’s engagement ring.

Here is a letter from a former Student:I went to Mercyhurst College in Erie, PA in 1995 - 1996 and I left in the fall when my father died. Anyway, I lived in Egan Hall, which is connected to Old Main and the chapel and I saw the nun and her antics almost daily in the fall of 1996. I saw her reflection in the bathroom windows at night. She often opened and closed windows and doors, turned faucets and radios on and flushed the toilets for hours on end. I was frightened at first but my roommate (a very down to earth and logical girl) told me a friend of hers who lived on the boys' floor saw the sister every morning around 4:00am when he got up for crew practice and that she was only there to look out for us. I also used to see a blue orb floating from the chapel through old main when I was coming back from the computer lab late at night. Other students had seen the orb originate from a small statue in the chapel and a figure had been seen in the organ loft as well. I have heard that the path between campus and the new convent is haunted but I can't verify that.

Confused and heartbroken the spirit of Dorothy still roams the Campus of Mercyhurst College. Does she still look for answers while traversing the twilight between worlds? Or is she stuck in a state of limbo because the violent death she suffered at her own hands? We will never know for sure but the apparition of the nun has never gone away. This is just one of the many stories associated with Mercyhurst and its haunted campus.

Ghost Stories...Mercyhurst StyleBy: Cariel Lewis

As we enjoy Academic Year 2013, it is important to know where Mercyhurst will be heading in the future. In an email sent out earlier this week, Chair of the Board of Trustees Marlene Mosco made available an annual report by President Gamble. In it, he outlines where Mercyhurst is now, what opportunities and challenges Mercyhurst has, and what is planned to be done about it.

In order to understand where Mercyhurst is heading, it is important to know of the key developments that occurred last year. Academic Year 2012 ranks among the most eventful in the history of the institution because it prepared the strategic plan for the next several years. One of the greatest developments is that Mercyhurst achieved university status. With that, a new and strong core in the arts and sciences was created, the new academic calendar system was approved, the opening of the first international campus in Dungarvan, Ireland, new building projects in Erie and North East, and the creation of new academic programs and institutes. Academic quality is being improved, most notably through the new faculty members that joined us this Fall from recognized institutions; also an additional half dozen faculty members in North East.

About institutes, it is noteworthy the extent to which they are becoming a signature feature of our institutional identity. They connect the life of the mind to the life of the community, and serve essential functions. They allow us to use Mercyhurst expertise to aid the community and to give students opportunities for hands on opportunities for engaged learning. For example, we have The Mercyhurst Institute for Arts and Culture, the Evelyn Lincoln Institute for Ethics and Society, The Mercyhurst Center for Applied Politics, The Mercyhurst Center for Mercy and Catholic Studies, The Mercyhurst Institute for Public Health, all joining their older cousins at the Civic Institute, the Public Safety Institute, the Mercyhurst Archaeological Institute and the Institute for Intelligence Studies. These institutes and what they provide are essential to the Mercy mission and to the strategic plan of Mercyhurst.

Mercyhurst is strong and well positioned to take the next step in higher education. Already composed of three colleges– one on pre-baccalaureate studies, one on baccalaureate studies and one on graduate studies, Mercyhurst’s strong reputation will continue to rise on the national and international level. President Gamble states that in accordance with the mission, core values, and strategic vision of Mercyhurst, we will continue to grow into our commitments calling us to faith and reason, liberal arts, and the dignity of work. He also states that Mercyhurst understands that life is essentially unified, not broken into opposing principles. At Mercyhurst its "faith AND reason,” “liberal arts AND professional preparation,” “life of the mind AND engagement in the world,” “large enough for great opportunities AND small enough to know your name,” “academic excellence AND opportunity education,” “teaching AND research,” “ballet AND football.” This is authentic to the reality of life and consistent with our core Mercy identity.

Mercyhurst’s Strategic PlanBy: James Gibson

Transitioning from college to university, the Center for Academic Engagement, the Mary Garden, a renovated Student Union and new ventilation systems for the chemistry labs – seem like enough change? Apparently not as Mercyhurst is also rolling out the new Mercyhurst Institute of Arts and Culture to join its siblings the Evelyn Lincoln Ethics Institute, Mercyhurst Center of Applied Politics and Mercyhurst Archeological Institute, just to name a few. The MIAC is the latest form of what older generations will recognize as the PAC.

According to the new director of MIAC, Jamie Grady, the new institute covers three areas, “The performance series (live performances, movies, opera simulcasts), an arts management degree program, and the institute itself.”

The main difference between MIAC and the former PAC model is a student focus. Historically the PAC positioned itself to have a large community aspect, but sometimes forgot about the students. That is no longer the case. While MIAC is currently operating on the schedule set by the PAC last year, Grady says that there will be noticeable changes for next year.

In terms of tickets, Grady says, “students get free tickets to performances when it is assigned by their professor, [as well as]… discounts to other shows, and all movie tickets are free.” There is also a push to encourage students to get more involved in the PAC through work studies and majors.

When asked what Grady would like to see Ambassador’s push, he said, “my message would be to push [students] to step out of their comfort zone and come see a performance – once they do I am sure they will want to do so again.”

Please try and integrate this information into your tours next time you go through the PAC.

Out with the old, in with the new.By: Joe Pudlick

Remember to keep sending me your stories…sistaondahush@yahoo.com. Stir the pot now for someone else, and I might spare you from being called out later, but probably not!

Sista’ on da hush!

Ambassador of the MonthBy: Aldyn Stewart

This month’s Ambassador of the month was James Gibson. James is a great addition to the club and always starts his tours with the largest smile. He has been exceptional with his events this term, and meet every requirement for his committee. If all of that was not enough to rave about, he also shines on tours. Most people get a final handshake with their families and that is the end of it, but James has received not one, but TWO letters describing what a wonderful time families had on his tour.

James has gone above and beyond the line of duty of an Ambassador, and that is why he is the Ambassador for this month! If you see James, wish him congratulations! Great job James!

Hello, Ambassadors! Let me tell you, it feels great to be back in the full swing of the school year. Fall is always one of

my favorites seasons, the colors, tastes, and smells always afford me a certain amount of comfort. Although, perhaps more than these factors, I love the gossip that comes to me on these breezy autumn winds, as we all reunite for another year. And as always, I excitedly wait for the chance to share

these tales of ambassador scandal with all of you.

First of all, we all know about the O’Neil tower and its significance to Old Main, but did you know that this past summer, one male

ambassador relieved himself on the roof of the tower?

Later in the summer one female ambassador used this roof top location to initiate a romantic encounter with her new lover. #CarpeDiem

It’s also come to my attention that one male ambassador in a position of power in a moment of passion got frisky with a pledge at a rowing party.

#ConflictOfInterests #DontBiteThePledges

Finally, I must congratulate all of our ambassadors who were on homecoming court, and the two ambassadors eventually crowned as

homecoming king and queen. #AmbassadorPride