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THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MERCYHURST COLLEGE SINCE 1929T ARTS&.ENTERTAINMENTMSG's "Spring Fiesta"schedule of eventspage 3Women'slacrosse takeon Gannonpage 8

Vol. 74 No. 20 Mercyhurst College 501 E. 38th St. Erie, Pa. 16546 May 2,2001

R o t h a p p o i n t e d ^ D e a n , V P f o r a c a d e m i c a f f a i r sBy Sara SeidleMerciad writerDr Andrew Roth, vice president of enrollmentand information systems for Mercyhurst, hasbeen appointed to the position of vice presi-dent for academic affairs and dean of the col-lege. Roth will take over the position currentlyheld by Dr. Joseph Gower beginning July 1,2001. The appointment was announced at theboard of trustees meeting April 25."This was an easy appointment," said Dr.William P. Garvey, college president, citingRoth's experience with the college over thepast 27 years and his success as both a facultymember and administrator as reasons for theappointment."Middle States and the new academic build-ing create a need for continuity," said Garvey."Appointing Roth keeps continuity going,"adding that part of his responsibilities as dean

will include planning how best to utilize thenew academic building.Roth joined the college as a member of theEnglish department in 1974. He founded thecommunications department in 1977 andserved as director of the department until 1981.Roth founded and directed the "Summer onthe Hill" program, a series of band concerts,dance performances and film festivals heldthroughout the summer months. The programserved as a precursor for Merc y hurst' s currentannual Fourth of July celebration. In addition,Roth was also responsible for founding thewomen's soccer program.Roth is currently a tenured faculty memberof the business department and teaches a fewcourses a year in marketing and strategic think-ing. He has served as an administrator in the

admissions department for the past 20 yearsas well. I^Roth described his role as vice presidentacademic affairs as an administrative positionwhile he sees his position as dean to mean he

Record snowfall fto record highs

Adam DuShole/contributingphotographerTemperatures are expected to reach record highs today. With temperaturesremaining in the 70s al week and into the weekend, many Mercyhurst studentshave found that an afternoon in Munson Plaza is the perfect cure for cabin fever.

File photoIS senior most faculty rrTember ancate for faculty issues.""A college is its faculty and students," said

Roth. He added that some of the responsibili-ties and challenges he anticipates as dean in-clude, "getting a sense of what the faculty andstudent concerns really are and ensuring thatthe college has adequate educational resourcesto meet the burgeoning growth."According to Roth, "The dean's job is tomake sure the faculty have the resourcesneeded to do their job, including a sense ofmission and purpose." He explained that it isimportant for faculty to have a sense ofMercyhurst's mission statement and the val-ues of the. Sisters of Mercy as well as an un-derstanding of the college's liberal arts tradi-tion and academic standards.Garvey explained that Roth will be fillingthe position for the next two years. At the endof those two years, the decision will be madewhether to mount a full scale search or to haveRoth continue as dean. He added that ifRoth

_ ^ _ ! < " formal review will be conducted. ^ ^

' Hurst to grant Mayor JoyceSavocchio honorary! doctorateWhen the 454 members of the MercyhurstCollege class of 2001 receive their degreesSunday, May 20, they will be joined by a veryspecial guest. Erie Mayor and Mercyhurstgraduate Joyce Savocchio will be presentedwith an honorary doctor of letters degree dur-ing the graduation ceremony, part of the on-going 75th anniversary celebration of the col-lege.

Dr William P Garvey, college president, willconfer the honorary degree on MayorSavocchio during the ceremony, which beginsat 2:30 p.m. in the Warner Theatre."In keeping with a great tradition of the Sis-ters of Mercy, who founded the college, ser-vice to the community has always been an es-sential part of a Mercyhurst education," saidGarvey. "In a career that has spanned 35yearsfirst as an educator and then as mayorof ErieJoyce Savocchio has epitomized thatspirit of service. Through her many achieve-ments, which she carried out with a graciouspersonal style, she has brought honor to heralma mater and has left our community a bet-ter place in which to live, work and raise afamily."Savocch io, who is in her last term as mayor,graduated trom Mercyhurst College in1965 with a bachelor of arts degree in history.She went on to earn her master degree in edu-cation from University of Pittsburgh and hersecondary school administration certificatefrom Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.Although best known as mayor of the cityof Erie, a position she has held since 1990,Savocchio influenced her hometown as an

File photoeducator long before she took office as mayor.Her career began in the Erie School Districtin 1965, where she taught social studies un-til 1985. Savocchio then served as vice princi-pal of her alma mater, Strong Vincent HighSchool, and was the teacher coordinator oftheHigh School Task Force.Savocchio first took public office in 1981,when she won a seat on the Erie CityCouncil. She retained the seat until 1990, serv-ing as president of the council in 1983. Sincebeing elected mayor in 1990, Savocchio, aDemocrat, has been re-elected twice.In addition, Savocchio sits on the board ofthe Erie Historical Museum, Erie Area JobPartnership Training Inc., and the CommunityTask Force on Drug and Alcohol Abuse.

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PAGE 2 THEMERC1AD MAY 2. 2 001

CAMPUS NEWSCommencement weekactivities announcedBy Heather CvitkovicMerciad writerIn honor of its 75th anniversary celebration,Mercyhurst has planned several special eventsfor the commencement week of May 18-20,2001. ?Of the 454 graduates earning associate, bach-elor and master degrees on the main campus,more than 380 are expected to participate inthe traditional walk up State Street to theWarner Theater on Sunday, May 20 at 2:15p.m. for the 2:30 p.m. commencement cer-emony. Graduates will gather at the historicBoston Store building before parading to theWarner Theater. i^ In the three days prior to graduation ceremo-nies and the State Street walk, various eventswill be held on campus for graduates and theirfamilies and friends to attend.At 7 p.m. Thursday, May 17, the Adult andGraduate Students Reception and Awards willbe held in the Mercy Heritage Room inSullivan Hall. Presented that evening will betheAdult Achievement Aw ards, the GraduateStudent of the Year Award and the SisterEustace Taylor Adult Student Award. Thisaward is given to an exceptional adult studentin recognition of superior academic work.

Friday, May 18, Mercyhurst will begin anew tradition byholding a SeniorAwards Din-ner in the Mercy Heritage Room. Awards pre-sented during the 6:45 p.m. dinner include thePresident's Awards for excellence in each ofeight academic divisions business, educa-tion, hotel restaurant and institutional manage-ment/human development, archeology/anthro-pology, hum anities, natural sciences, perform-ing arts and social sciences.Other awards will be the Sister CarolynHermann Service Award, given to a graduat-ing senior who has contributed to the spirit ofthe college and shown a genuine concern forsocial justice issues in the Erie area and be-yond; the Prank Barry Leadership Award,given toa student for leadership and outstand-ing personal qualities associated with this pastpresident of Mercyhurst student government;

and the Bishop's Award of Excellence, givento the graduating senior who ranks first in theclass of 2001, having taken all courses atMercyhurst.Saturday, May 19, the campus will be alivewith activities, including the family picnic inthe Grotto, from 11:30a.m. to 1:30 p.m., spon-sored by the Student Activities Committee; andthe Senior Sports Awards Recognition banquetat noon in Egan Dining HallThe 75 thAnniversary Year Graduation EveDance will be held Saturday evening from 9p.m. to midnight in the ballroom of the Avalon$Hotel on State Street. There will be a buffetpfrom 10 p.m. to midnight and the DougJDressler's Orchestra will provide entertain-ment. Graduates are complimentary and eachtguest is $15.Sunday, May 20, commencement eventsjbegin with the Baccalaureate Masses cel-ebrated at 9 and 11 a.m. CommencementJ"Brunch for graduates and their families will^follow both Masses and tickets are required'"for all, including graduates. Cost is $7 for* adults and $4 for children under the age of 12.In addition, a Commissioning Ceremonywill be held at 10:30 a.m. in the CatherineMcDonough Walker Reading Room ofHammermill Library for thefive seniors whowill be commissioned second lieutenants inthe U.S. Army. ^ t**' Commen"cemerit ceremdhies^wilrbeglff at2:30 in the ^Warner Theater. Mayor JoyceSavocchio, a Mercyhurst alumna, will bespeaking at the ceremony and will be awardedan honorary doctor of letters degree, the firstgiven since 1987.Two other awards will be presented at theceremony: the Carpe Diem Award, given tothe senior who made the most positive impacton the Mercyhurst College community; andthe Teaching Excellence Award, given to theoutstanding faculty member of the year.Both Dr. Garvey andchairman of the Boardof Trustees, Attorney William C. Sennett, willbe making remarks at the ceremony.Following the graduation there will be aCommencement Farewell reception in Garvey

Park, i